Saturday, 26 December 2009
Saturday, 24 October 2009
Travel etiquette for Kiwi bludgers
12:00PM Friday Oct 23, 2009
By Tim Brown
Don't overstay your welcome as a guest in someone else's home. Photo / Supplied
Having just dropped another Kiwi houseguest to Los Angeles International Airport and screeched away from the curb with a moan of relief, I thought it time to write an etiquette advice column for Kiwi Bludgers - you know who you are - the ones with notebooks full of international addresses and wallets snapped in closed position.
In the 10 years my wife and I have lived in LA (I won't give our exact location or the bludgers will track us like heat-seeking missiles) we have probably had 100 people come to stay.
I'd have bought a pitbull and security camera but my wife is a pushover. She sees every inbound Air New Zealand 747 as filled with guests to nurture; I see conniving, tightfisted Wallys seeking beds.
Before I give some general advice I'll tell you what our bludgers have done in past years.
One couple told us three months in advance they'd be flying into LAX, gave us flight numbers with the presumption we would be there to greet them, and then we heard no more.
The day of the stated arrival we had a dinner party to go to and as the Kiwis could not cough up $10 to make a phone call confirming their plans, I said, "Stuff 'em. I'm not driving to the airport on the off-chance they show. Let's party!"
When we got home at 1am there was a note on our door from a neighbour: "Your New Zealand friends arrived. They are spending the night with us."
Well, I guess it beats forking out for a hotel ... but knocking on the door of a strange house at night and moving in, bags and all? God bless Americans!
Another guy came and stayed two weeks, with my wife ferrying him back and forth on the freeway to business appointments. He liked his booze and made impressive inroads through our cocktail cabinet, vacuumed out the refrigerator and, when we took him out for his last night to a Mexican restaurant, heroically assured me he would pay "half the bill".
Considering he drank three margaritas, half the bill was his anyway. My wife doesn't notice these things but I know exactly how much he had saved on hotels and food in the past 14 days. He was some schmuck.
Another bludger trick is they like seeing the inside of an American supermarket but when you're in the check-out line getting some food for their visit, they conveniently head to the restroom.
Bludgers sometimes (not always) arrive with a gift - a bag of Minties or a jar of Vegemite - which is held aloft like a velvet Tiffany's pouch - "look what we brought for you!"
Problem is, after 10 years in the States Vegemite smells like a morgue on the janitor's day off and Minties wreck havoc with our newly straightened and whitened American teeth. But gee ... thanks ... I guess.
Duty-free perfume for the wife would be nice or an All Blacks' shirt for the kids. Oh wait ... those cost more than $10 and the object of this visit is to save money, right?
I once had an email from a nervous mother, "my 18-year-old son is travelling through Los Angeles. Would you look after him?"
Look after him? You mean like check him for athlete's foot, make sure his fly is zipped or put him up?
I thought I'd call him at the YMCA and steer him towards some underage pubs but my wife said, "We'll let him stay."
The "kid", who resembled an overfed All Black prop, lay on my couch for three days watching MTV and when I suggested on day four he might want to move on to some friends in Seattle, he said he'd prefer another few days on my couch.
I hoisted him up by his shirt neck and drove him to the nearest train station. The kid was a Master Bludger.
Oh and how about the friends of friends? My wife's old boss has access to the New York Stock Exchange and lo and behold, she had a call from a Kiwi girlfriend, "we have some friends visiting New York, do you think your friend would give them a tour of the stock exchange?"
Seeing as this guy charges out at US$200 an hour, let's hope he got a jar of Vegemite.
Anyway, in brief, we are Kiwis, we love Kiwis, but we have lives to live as well and we do know when we are being used. Correction: I do; my wife doesn't have a clue.
Here is how an ideal houseguest should behave:
Give an arrival date and, more importantly, a departure date. It's unbelievable how many Kiwis call with an entry date to your home and no exit date at all.
Never stay more than three nights. Never. Not ever.
Offer to get a shuttle bus from the airport. I might pick you up but I resent the presumption that I will drive an hour there and an hour back, consuming half a tank of gas that I will not be recompensed for.
Get a rental car. In America only unemployed, heavily armed people use public transport, so hire a car and leave the house every day so your host can drink to excess in private.
Never begin a sentence with: "I have a friend coming to LA."
Open your bleeping wallet. Yes, we know everything costs twice as much in the US, but we have a family to feed too, so by the time we have driven you around, cooked your meals, taken you out to eat, you've saved about $500 and we are down $150 on gas and food. Take us out to dinner, order a Chateau Lafite and when the bill comes, don't duck out for a smoke.
In a nutshell: It's always nice to see you, mate, just pay your own bloody way, 72 hours is your limit, get yourself a set of wheels ... and thanks for the Vegemite.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=10604784&pnum=0
By Tim Brown
Don't overstay your welcome as a guest in someone else's home. Photo / Supplied
Having just dropped another Kiwi houseguest to Los Angeles International Airport and screeched away from the curb with a moan of relief, I thought it time to write an etiquette advice column for Kiwi Bludgers - you know who you are - the ones with notebooks full of international addresses and wallets snapped in closed position.
In the 10 years my wife and I have lived in LA (I won't give our exact location or the bludgers will track us like heat-seeking missiles) we have probably had 100 people come to stay.
I'd have bought a pitbull and security camera but my wife is a pushover. She sees every inbound Air New Zealand 747 as filled with guests to nurture; I see conniving, tightfisted Wallys seeking beds.
Before I give some general advice I'll tell you what our bludgers have done in past years.
One couple told us three months in advance they'd be flying into LAX, gave us flight numbers with the presumption we would be there to greet them, and then we heard no more.
The day of the stated arrival we had a dinner party to go to and as the Kiwis could not cough up $10 to make a phone call confirming their plans, I said, "Stuff 'em. I'm not driving to the airport on the off-chance they show. Let's party!"
When we got home at 1am there was a note on our door from a neighbour: "Your New Zealand friends arrived. They are spending the night with us."
Well, I guess it beats forking out for a hotel ... but knocking on the door of a strange house at night and moving in, bags and all? God bless Americans!
Another guy came and stayed two weeks, with my wife ferrying him back and forth on the freeway to business appointments. He liked his booze and made impressive inroads through our cocktail cabinet, vacuumed out the refrigerator and, when we took him out for his last night to a Mexican restaurant, heroically assured me he would pay "half the bill".
Considering he drank three margaritas, half the bill was his anyway. My wife doesn't notice these things but I know exactly how much he had saved on hotels and food in the past 14 days. He was some schmuck.
Another bludger trick is they like seeing the inside of an American supermarket but when you're in the check-out line getting some food for their visit, they conveniently head to the restroom.
Bludgers sometimes (not always) arrive with a gift - a bag of Minties or a jar of Vegemite - which is held aloft like a velvet Tiffany's pouch - "look what we brought for you!"
Problem is, after 10 years in the States Vegemite smells like a morgue on the janitor's day off and Minties wreck havoc with our newly straightened and whitened American teeth. But gee ... thanks ... I guess.
Duty-free perfume for the wife would be nice or an All Blacks' shirt for the kids. Oh wait ... those cost more than $10 and the object of this visit is to save money, right?
I once had an email from a nervous mother, "my 18-year-old son is travelling through Los Angeles. Would you look after him?"
Look after him? You mean like check him for athlete's foot, make sure his fly is zipped or put him up?
I thought I'd call him at the YMCA and steer him towards some underage pubs but my wife said, "We'll let him stay."
The "kid", who resembled an overfed All Black prop, lay on my couch for three days watching MTV and when I suggested on day four he might want to move on to some friends in Seattle, he said he'd prefer another few days on my couch.
I hoisted him up by his shirt neck and drove him to the nearest train station. The kid was a Master Bludger.
Oh and how about the friends of friends? My wife's old boss has access to the New York Stock Exchange and lo and behold, she had a call from a Kiwi girlfriend, "we have some friends visiting New York, do you think your friend would give them a tour of the stock exchange?"
Seeing as this guy charges out at US$200 an hour, let's hope he got a jar of Vegemite.
Anyway, in brief, we are Kiwis, we love Kiwis, but we have lives to live as well and we do know when we are being used. Correction: I do; my wife doesn't have a clue.
Here is how an ideal houseguest should behave:
Give an arrival date and, more importantly, a departure date. It's unbelievable how many Kiwis call with an entry date to your home and no exit date at all.
Never stay more than three nights. Never. Not ever.
Offer to get a shuttle bus from the airport. I might pick you up but I resent the presumption that I will drive an hour there and an hour back, consuming half a tank of gas that I will not be recompensed for.
Get a rental car. In America only unemployed, heavily armed people use public transport, so hire a car and leave the house every day so your host can drink to excess in private.
Never begin a sentence with: "I have a friend coming to LA."
Open your bleeping wallet. Yes, we know everything costs twice as much in the US, but we have a family to feed too, so by the time we have driven you around, cooked your meals, taken you out to eat, you've saved about $500 and we are down $150 on gas and food. Take us out to dinner, order a Chateau Lafite and when the bill comes, don't duck out for a smoke.
In a nutshell: It's always nice to see you, mate, just pay your own bloody way, 72 hours is your limit, get yourself a set of wheels ... and thanks for the Vegemite.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=10604784&pnum=0
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Sir Howard Morrison
1:23PM Thursday Sep 24, 2009
By Yvonne Tahana, Herald Staff and NZPA
Sir Howard Morrison was born into a family renowned for his entertainment skills.
Actor Temuera Morrison has praised his uncle Sir Howard Morrison as a giant of the entertainment world.
Sir Howard died suddenly in Rotorua this morning, aged 74.
Temuera Morrison was today at Sir Howard's home at Ohinemutu on the shores of Lake Rotorua comforting his family.
"He was a big totara tree in the world of entertainment," Temuera Morrison told NZPA.
"Despite all his successes he was very close to his family. I am just feeling for them. I am here for Aunty Kuia (Sir Howard's widow), Donna, Richard and Howard junior."
Sir Howard's health had been "up and down" for quite some time, he said.
"But more recently he had been more up, so it's still a great shock for us all."
Family spokesman Monty Morrison will be releasing a statement at Tamatekapua Marae, Ohinemutu, this afternoon which will cover arrangements for Sir Howard's tangi and funeral.
Sir Howard lived virtually next door to that marae, the premier marae of Te Arawa, and his knighthood was conferred on him there by Governor-General Sir Paul Reeves in 1990.
Sir Howard's family confirmed the singer's death to the Herald this morning, saying he had become ill while visiting Rarotonga last week.
His condition had not improved since his return a few days ago.
The Herald understands that Sir Howard's son and daughter had taken a group to the Cook Islands on an educational tour.
Click here for great Sir Howard Morrison video moments
Prime Minister John Key was among those today paying tribute to Sir Howard.
"Sir Howard was a New Zealand success story. From humble beginnings he became an international success, first with the Howard Morrison Quartet, and then in an illustrious solo career," Mr Key said.
"But more than that, Sir Howard was one of New Zealand's best loved entertainers, his appeal spanning every age group.
Showbiz family
Of mixed Te Arawa and Irish ancestry, Sir Howard was born in 1935 into a Rotorua family renowned for its entertainment skills.
His mother was Kahu Morrison (nee Gertrude Harete Davidson), who cut her own record and was a cornerstone of Maori culture and entertainment both nationally and internationally.
His son Howard Junior and daughter Donna are entertainers in their own right. Acclaimed actor Temuera Morrison is a nephew, while rising singing star Elizabeth Marvelly is a niece.
Sir Howard grew up in Rotorua and in Ruatahuna - near Waikaremoana - where his father Temuera Morrison, a Maori All Black, was working for the Maori Affairs Department.
By Yvonne Tahana, Herald Staff and NZPA
Sir Howard Morrison was born into a family renowned for his entertainment skills.
Actor Temuera Morrison has praised his uncle Sir Howard Morrison as a giant of the entertainment world.
Sir Howard died suddenly in Rotorua this morning, aged 74.
Temuera Morrison was today at Sir Howard's home at Ohinemutu on the shores of Lake Rotorua comforting his family.
"He was a big totara tree in the world of entertainment," Temuera Morrison told NZPA.
"Despite all his successes he was very close to his family. I am just feeling for them. I am here for Aunty Kuia (Sir Howard's widow), Donna, Richard and Howard junior."
Sir Howard's health had been "up and down" for quite some time, he said.
"But more recently he had been more up, so it's still a great shock for us all."
Family spokesman Monty Morrison will be releasing a statement at Tamatekapua Marae, Ohinemutu, this afternoon which will cover arrangements for Sir Howard's tangi and funeral.
Sir Howard lived virtually next door to that marae, the premier marae of Te Arawa, and his knighthood was conferred on him there by Governor-General Sir Paul Reeves in 1990.
Sir Howard's family confirmed the singer's death to the Herald this morning, saying he had become ill while visiting Rarotonga last week.
His condition had not improved since his return a few days ago.
The Herald understands that Sir Howard's son and daughter had taken a group to the Cook Islands on an educational tour.
Click here for great Sir Howard Morrison video moments
Prime Minister John Key was among those today paying tribute to Sir Howard.
"Sir Howard was a New Zealand success story. From humble beginnings he became an international success, first with the Howard Morrison Quartet, and then in an illustrious solo career," Mr Key said.
"But more than that, Sir Howard was one of New Zealand's best loved entertainers, his appeal spanning every age group.
Showbiz family
Of mixed Te Arawa and Irish ancestry, Sir Howard was born in 1935 into a Rotorua family renowned for its entertainment skills.
His mother was Kahu Morrison (nee Gertrude Harete Davidson), who cut her own record and was a cornerstone of Maori culture and entertainment both nationally and internationally.
His son Howard Junior and daughter Donna are entertainers in their own right. Acclaimed actor Temuera Morrison is a nephew, while rising singing star Elizabeth Marvelly is a niece.
Sir Howard grew up in Rotorua and in Ruatahuna - near Waikaremoana - where his father Temuera Morrison, a Maori All Black, was working for the Maori Affairs Department.
Sir Howard's funeral on Tuesday, public tangi tomorrow
Sir Howard Morrison is to be laid to rest at Rotorua's Kauae Cemetery on Tuesday, following a funeral service scheduled for 11am that morning.
He will be buried alongside members of his whanau.
In line with his family's wishes he will lie at his Ohinemutu home on the shores of Lake Rotorua tonight before being carried the few metres to Tamatekapua, the premier meeting house of Te Arawa, where his public tangi will be held tomorrow from about 10am.
Tuesday was chosen for his farewell to allow his numerous relatives and friends from overseas the opportunity to say goodbye.
Family spokesman Temuera Morrison said his uncle's farewell would be a "huge celebration of a great life".
"Uncle would like it like that. He had the great ability to see celebration in everything. This is the way he wanted to go."
He said it had already become obvious that Sir Howard was a very popular man.
"So many accolades are already flowing in - the phone is ringing red hot."
His uncle had died peacefully in bed at his own home.
"He's got a little smile on his face."
Morrison said a number of Ohinemutu residents had noted that a "funny kind of surreal mist" had been hanging over the village at the time of Sir Howard's passing.
"Maybe he hopped on that, crossed the waters (of Lake Rotorua) and visited Mokoia Island as he started his great journey onward."
As well as having a beautiful voice Sir Howard always had an element of cheek about him, Morrison said.
He liked to `sus' people out to see where they were coming from.
He was very charismatic, performing everywhere. He had a remarkable following and the special gift of feeling an audience as he worked his way to his crescendo.
After his own father's death, members of his immediate family had been guided by their uncle Howard, Morrison said.
"He held a kind of awe for us, there was this mystique about him, but to us he was a father figure guiding us to stand on our own feet and hold our own."
He had fond memories of his uncle returning from a trip to the East with toy machine guns for young whanau members to play with.
"Things popped out the back - they had all the gears, we'd never seen anything like it."
He said as well as his Rotorua roots through the iwi of Te Arawa and its Ngati Whakaue hapu, Sir Howard had strong links with the Tuhoe, spending most of his early years in the Ureweras.
Sir Howard had a close affiliation with his home village of Ohinemutu and only recently sung at the Rotorua RSA to raise funds for St Faith's church and Whakaturia whare kai (dining room).
His cousin, Monty Morrison, said it had been a huge honour to have one of its own knighted. Tribal members were preparing to welcome guests from throughout the country.
Among the first to pay tribute and extend condolences was Dame Malvina Major with whom sir Howard had frequently sung and toured.
Sir Howard's family were aware of the number of heartfelt tributes pouring onto websites in recognition of his great talent.
"They are very touched. It is very warming, very heartening," Monty Morrison said.
- NZPA
He will be buried alongside members of his whanau.
In line with his family's wishes he will lie at his Ohinemutu home on the shores of Lake Rotorua tonight before being carried the few metres to Tamatekapua, the premier meeting house of Te Arawa, where his public tangi will be held tomorrow from about 10am.
Tuesday was chosen for his farewell to allow his numerous relatives and friends from overseas the opportunity to say goodbye.
Family spokesman Temuera Morrison said his uncle's farewell would be a "huge celebration of a great life".
"Uncle would like it like that. He had the great ability to see celebration in everything. This is the way he wanted to go."
He said it had already become obvious that Sir Howard was a very popular man.
"So many accolades are already flowing in - the phone is ringing red hot."
His uncle had died peacefully in bed at his own home.
"He's got a little smile on his face."
Morrison said a number of Ohinemutu residents had noted that a "funny kind of surreal mist" had been hanging over the village at the time of Sir Howard's passing.
"Maybe he hopped on that, crossed the waters (of Lake Rotorua) and visited Mokoia Island as he started his great journey onward."
As well as having a beautiful voice Sir Howard always had an element of cheek about him, Morrison said.
He liked to `sus' people out to see where they were coming from.
He was very charismatic, performing everywhere. He had a remarkable following and the special gift of feeling an audience as he worked his way to his crescendo.
After his own father's death, members of his immediate family had been guided by their uncle Howard, Morrison said.
"He held a kind of awe for us, there was this mystique about him, but to us he was a father figure guiding us to stand on our own feet and hold our own."
He had fond memories of his uncle returning from a trip to the East with toy machine guns for young whanau members to play with.
"Things popped out the back - they had all the gears, we'd never seen anything like it."
He said as well as his Rotorua roots through the iwi of Te Arawa and its Ngati Whakaue hapu, Sir Howard had strong links with the Tuhoe, spending most of his early years in the Ureweras.
Sir Howard had a close affiliation with his home village of Ohinemutu and only recently sung at the Rotorua RSA to raise funds for St Faith's church and Whakaturia whare kai (dining room).
His cousin, Monty Morrison, said it had been a huge honour to have one of its own knighted. Tribal members were preparing to welcome guests from throughout the country.
Among the first to pay tribute and extend condolences was Dame Malvina Major with whom sir Howard had frequently sung and toured.
Sir Howard's family were aware of the number of heartfelt tributes pouring onto websites in recognition of his great talent.
"They are very touched. It is very warming, very heartening," Monty Morrison said.
- NZPA
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Unmarked graves found at Clareville
Unmarked graves - including those of two children - have been uncovered at Clareville Cemetery after radar scans were taken after clearing of the area.
Carterton District Council community and recreation services manager Brian McWilliams said the area in which the eight graves were discovered had been earmarked as a natural burial site and there were no records of the burials.
Council staff initially found the site after spotting broken headstones in the old grave.
They then removed 12 large, old pine trees and then went to cemetery survey consultants Geotech who scanned the area using Ground Penetrating Radar.
Geotech is in the process of preparing a report.
Mr McWilliams said, because the area is quite rough, he would level it to enable easy maintenance.
A fence has also been relocated to include the separated graves as part of the layout of the entire cemetery. Mr McWilliams has also recommended to the council a small memorial stone be put in to acknowledge the graves and their unknown occupants.
Carterton District Council community and recreation services manager Brian McWilliams said the area in which the eight graves were discovered had been earmarked as a natural burial site and there were no records of the burials.
Council staff initially found the site after spotting broken headstones in the old grave.
They then removed 12 large, old pine trees and then went to cemetery survey consultants Geotech who scanned the area using Ground Penetrating Radar.
Geotech is in the process of preparing a report.
Mr McWilliams said, because the area is quite rough, he would level it to enable easy maintenance.
A fence has also been relocated to include the separated graves as part of the layout of the entire cemetery. Mr McWilliams has also recommended to the council a small memorial stone be put in to acknowledge the graves and their unknown occupants.
"Generation Y" Kiwis
Young New Zealanders are postponing the usual commitments of adulthood, just like their international contemporaries in what has been called the "Peter Pan generation".
A study has found that "Generation Y" Kiwis aged 20 to 24 are more likely to be still studying and living at home with their parents, and less likely to be working or living with partners, than preceding generations of young people born 10, 20 and 30 years earlier.
Legal marriage has almost disappeared in the age group and religious affiliation has almost halved.
But welfare dependence and sole parenting, which peaked when the previous "Generation X" reached adulthood amid record postwar unemployment between 1985 and 1999, have declined among today's youth as jobs again became easier to find in the first years of this century.
The study by David Rea and Paul Callister of Victoria University's Institute of Policy Studies concludes that the changing levels of unemployment have affected many key outcomes for youth, and warns that the recession may hit young people hard.
"Over the next two years, as well as higher youth unemployment we are likely to see more young people living at home, possibly increased participation in education, fewer young people employed, increased sole parenthood, increased benefit receipt, lower incomes and possibly higher rates of mortality amongst young men," the study says.
Dr Callister welcomed Government steps to minimise these effects, such as Job Ops work subsidies and this week's announcement of 30,000 places in school holiday programmes.
"I think they have reacted reasonably quickly," he said.
The study is based on Census data for young people born in New Zealand, excluding the growing numbers born overseas so as to spot underlying trends. The numbers of 15- to 19-year-olds born overseas rose from just 9 per cent in the 1976 Census to 23 per cent in 2006.
The main driver in "postponing adulthood" is staying longer in education. The proportion of 20-year-olds enrolled in education has doubled from 23 per cent in 1971 to 48 per cent in2002.
Conversely, fulltime employment dropped from 89 per cent of males aged 20 to 24 in 1976 to a low of 66 per cent in the 1990s recession, recovering only slightly to 69 per cent in 2006.
Partly as a result, 20- to 24-year-olds still living with their parents have also increased, but only from 24 per cent to 31 per cent.
In the "baby boom" generation of 1976, more than half of that age group were almost certainly living with partners. There was no separate count of "partners" in those days, but 48 per cent of the group were already legally married.
"Despite the protest and counter-culture, as young people the [baby-boomers] were more likely to be married and having children than all other generations in the 20th century," the study says.
Since then, the numbers living with partners have roughly halved to 27 per cent in 2006, while those legally married have plunged to 5 per cent. Religious affiliation has dropped from 75 per cent to 43 per cent.
Although the study does not discuss it, contraceptives and the growing acceptance of abortion and sole parenthood may also have encouraged young people to put off commitments to children and lifelong partners.
www.ips.ac.nz
A study has found that "Generation Y" Kiwis aged 20 to 24 are more likely to be still studying and living at home with their parents, and less likely to be working or living with partners, than preceding generations of young people born 10, 20 and 30 years earlier.
Legal marriage has almost disappeared in the age group and religious affiliation has almost halved.
But welfare dependence and sole parenting, which peaked when the previous "Generation X" reached adulthood amid record postwar unemployment between 1985 and 1999, have declined among today's youth as jobs again became easier to find in the first years of this century.
The study by David Rea and Paul Callister of Victoria University's Institute of Policy Studies concludes that the changing levels of unemployment have affected many key outcomes for youth, and warns that the recession may hit young people hard.
"Over the next two years, as well as higher youth unemployment we are likely to see more young people living at home, possibly increased participation in education, fewer young people employed, increased sole parenthood, increased benefit receipt, lower incomes and possibly higher rates of mortality amongst young men," the study says.
Dr Callister welcomed Government steps to minimise these effects, such as Job Ops work subsidies and this week's announcement of 30,000 places in school holiday programmes.
"I think they have reacted reasonably quickly," he said.
The study is based on Census data for young people born in New Zealand, excluding the growing numbers born overseas so as to spot underlying trends. The numbers of 15- to 19-year-olds born overseas rose from just 9 per cent in the 1976 Census to 23 per cent in 2006.
The main driver in "postponing adulthood" is staying longer in education. The proportion of 20-year-olds enrolled in education has doubled from 23 per cent in 1971 to 48 per cent in2002.
Conversely, fulltime employment dropped from 89 per cent of males aged 20 to 24 in 1976 to a low of 66 per cent in the 1990s recession, recovering only slightly to 69 per cent in 2006.
Partly as a result, 20- to 24-year-olds still living with their parents have also increased, but only from 24 per cent to 31 per cent.
In the "baby boom" generation of 1976, more than half of that age group were almost certainly living with partners. There was no separate count of "partners" in those days, but 48 per cent of the group were already legally married.
"Despite the protest and counter-culture, as young people the [baby-boomers] were more likely to be married and having children than all other generations in the 20th century," the study says.
Since then, the numbers living with partners have roughly halved to 27 per cent in 2006, while those legally married have plunged to 5 per cent. Religious affiliation has dropped from 75 per cent to 43 per cent.
Although the study does not discuss it, contraceptives and the growing acceptance of abortion and sole parenthood may also have encouraged young people to put off commitments to children and lifelong partners.
www.ips.ac.nz
Kashin was put to sleep on 24th August
As you know, our very own elephant, Kashin was put to sleep on 24th August, as a result of ongoing health problems.
This Sunday, 30th August is Kashin memorial day. The Auckland Zoo will be opening from 9.30am to 5pm so that the generations of New Zealanders who have been touched by Kashin over the past 36 years will have the opportunity to come and pay their respects to Auckland ’s gentle giant.
It involves significant cost for the Zoo to open for the day. We are delighted to advise that ASB is supporting our community by covering the cost of entrance fees to the Zoo. This means that Auckland families, including our ASB people, will be able to visit the Zoo on Sunday for free. It is also the only day that Kashin’s final resting place, close to the elephant enclosure, will be open to the public.
Celebration activities on Sunday include:
* Freelance Animation School elephant pavement drawings and colouring-in stations for children
* ASB Kashin bouncy castle and ASB inflatable Kashin
* Free elephant face painting
* Roving entertainers
* Live entertainment at the Band Rotunda
* Overflow entertainment in Western Springs park adjacent to the Zoo
Please share with your family, friends and customers this opportunity to celebrate Kashin’s life. She spent her life delighting and entertaining the millions of people who visited the Zoo from all over the world and it is fitting that we remember her contribution to our lives in this way on Sunday.
For more information on the Kashin Memorial day please visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/kashin
This Sunday, 30th August is Kashin memorial day. The Auckland Zoo will be opening from 9.30am to 5pm so that the generations of New Zealanders who have been touched by Kashin over the past 36 years will have the opportunity to come and pay their respects to Auckland ’s gentle giant.
It involves significant cost for the Zoo to open for the day. We are delighted to advise that ASB is supporting our community by covering the cost of entrance fees to the Zoo. This means that Auckland families, including our ASB people, will be able to visit the Zoo on Sunday for free. It is also the only day that Kashin’s final resting place, close to the elephant enclosure, will be open to the public.
Celebration activities on Sunday include:
* Freelance Animation School elephant pavement drawings and colouring-in stations for children
* ASB Kashin bouncy castle and ASB inflatable Kashin
* Free elephant face painting
* Roving entertainers
* Live entertainment at the Band Rotunda
* Overflow entertainment in Western Springs park adjacent to the Zoo
Please share with your family, friends and customers this opportunity to celebrate Kashin’s life. She spent her life delighting and entertaining the millions of people who visited the Zoo from all over the world and it is fitting that we remember her contribution to our lives in this way on Sunday.
For more information on the Kashin Memorial day please visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/kashin
Monday, 24 August 2009
Zoo closed as staff grieve for Kashin
7:28PM Monday Aug 24, 2009
Auckland Zoo's senior elephant keeper, Andrew Coers, with Kashin. The 40-year-old elephant passed away this afternoon. Photo / Paul Estcourt
Auckland Zoo's senior elephant keeper, Andrew Coers, with Kashin. The 40-year-old elephant passed away this afternoon. Photo / Paul Estcourt
* Photos Remembering Kashin, Auckland's famous elephant
Auckland Zoo will be closed tomorrow as staff grieve the loss of 40-year-old elephant, Kashin, who died today.
The female elephant, who has been at the zoo for 36 years, was euthanased after losing her battle with chronic health conditions.
"Zoo staff are devastated, grieving the loss of their incredibly spirited and gentle matriarch," zoo chairman Graeme Mulholland said.
"Kashin touched the lives, not just of the zoo family, but thousands of New Zealanders and international visitors who came to know and love her... she will be greatly missed by all."
He said the decision to put the elephant down followed years of chronic arthritis and foot abscesses.
More recently she had developed skin infections over her body that were not healing.
Kashin's death was expected to have an impact on the zoo's remaining elephant - 26-year-old Burma - who would be closely monitored as another elephant was sought.
In March, the Auckland City Council approved a succession plan for the zoo, quelling fears that Kashin and Burma would be the last elephants to live there.
The zoo plans to build a herd of three males and two females between 2011 and 2015.
The zoo will re-open on Wednesday.
- NZ HERALD STAFF, NZPA
Auckland Zoo's senior elephant keeper, Andrew Coers, with Kashin. The 40-year-old elephant passed away this afternoon. Photo / Paul Estcourt
Auckland Zoo's senior elephant keeper, Andrew Coers, with Kashin. The 40-year-old elephant passed away this afternoon. Photo / Paul Estcourt
* Photos Remembering Kashin, Auckland's famous elephant
Auckland Zoo will be closed tomorrow as staff grieve the loss of 40-year-old elephant, Kashin, who died today.
The female elephant, who has been at the zoo for 36 years, was euthanased after losing her battle with chronic health conditions.
"Zoo staff are devastated, grieving the loss of their incredibly spirited and gentle matriarch," zoo chairman Graeme Mulholland said.
"Kashin touched the lives, not just of the zoo family, but thousands of New Zealanders and international visitors who came to know and love her... she will be greatly missed by all."
He said the decision to put the elephant down followed years of chronic arthritis and foot abscesses.
More recently she had developed skin infections over her body that were not healing.
Kashin's death was expected to have an impact on the zoo's remaining elephant - 26-year-old Burma - who would be closely monitored as another elephant was sought.
In March, the Auckland City Council approved a succession plan for the zoo, quelling fears that Kashin and Burma would be the last elephants to live there.
The zoo plans to build a herd of three males and two females between 2011 and 2015.
The zoo will re-open on Wednesday.
- NZ HERALD STAFF, NZPA
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Boh Runga's heaven sent
She might live in Los Angeles, own a Chrysler and be immersed in the music scene, but Boh Runga couldn't be more down to earth if she tried.
Erupting into an Auckland cafe on a dreary Wednesday morning, she is like a ray of Californian sun as she animatedly chatters about everything from the nightmare of car parking to the weirdness of celebrity.
She is back home to be bridesmaid at a wedding, and has spent the last few days running around promoting her music and jewellery business and catching up with family and friends.
"I'm lucky enough to be able to breeze into everyone's lives for a week and then go again," she says, settling herself into a rickety wooden chair.
"The two places are incredibly different in LA I feel excited and energised and in Auckland I feel comfortable.
"In my ideal world I would be coming back and forth and at the moment it has been every few months because of the album."
After almost 10 years with Stellar*, who scored numerous Tui Awards and released two chart-topping albums, Runga has released her debut solo CD Right Here.
She admits that even after the band broke up, branching out on her own took some persuasion. "When I was a kid I always imagined myself to be the `doo-wop' girl in the background with two others. I didn't really think about fronting a band, let alone going solo," she says. "Although I guess I am a bit of a show-off."
Growing up in Christchurch, Runga and her younger sisters Pearl and Bic were surrounded by music. Chinese mum Sophia was a singer while Maori dad Joseph was a self-taught pianist.
Always close, the girls were rocked by the death of their father from a heart attack in 2005, something Runga still struggles to talk about.
"He was sort of the opposite of any father I know. He wanted all of us girls to be musicians, artists, that was his thing," she says reflectively.
"He'd be pleased I was doing the solo album, he'd be happy I was making music."
Helping the Rungas move on from Joseph's passing has been Bic's two-year-old son, named after his late grandfather, and Pearl's little boy, who was born four months ago.
While very much the doting aunty, happily relating tales about the boys' antics, Runga is in no hurry to start a family of her own with husband Campbell Smith, chief executive of the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. When asked if her nephews make her broody, the 39-year-old, who very much talks with her hands, replies with a resounding "No!"
"I think having children is a wonderful commitment, but a person has to be committed. There are happy accidents but I do think it should be taken seriously. I don't really know if I want to do it, I haven't really given it any thought."
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Runga has been married to Smith, who manages both his wife and Bic, since 2003 and the bulk of the time the pair live on different continents, with Runga in their Los Angeles home and Smith working from their Auckland pad.
The bubbly singer doesn't necessarily speak to her husband every day but relies on texts.
"It works really well, I like being by myself and so does he," she explains, adding that they have a romantic holiday coming up. "He's got so much going on that to have me yelping around complaining about things would drive him crazy, and the other way around. It's good for us to have that time apart."
Runga is in regular contact with Bic and laughs off suggestions of rivalry. "I write pop music which is quite different to what she does," she says. Now that she's completed her solo album, Runga has been writing tracks to pitch to other artists, with hopes of achieving her dream of writing for Celine Dion. "I was out driving with Bic and told her I was doing this pitch and sang it. She started singing it back to me and said, `No it's good'. I hold a lot of value in what she says.
"But we are quite different, I'm more gregarious, she is more reserved, perhaps a bit shyer and more reflective." Back in 2004, Bic embarked on a New Zealand church tour and her big sister helped out with the teas and coffees. Now five years on, Runga has just announced her own performances, appearing with Greg Johnson, Nathan King and Lydia Cole in the Classic Hits Acoustic Church Tour in October.
After signing a clothing design deal with Storm, her jewellery line growing and her solo career taking off, Runga is becoming one of the nation's most successful women.
Does she feel like a celebrity? "I guess perhaps in New Zealand, but it hasn't got to the stage where I can't go out without heels and make-up," she says, with the qualification that she heeds her mother's advice to always keep her eyebrows presentable.
"But to actually feel like you have to be completely dressed all the time, well, I'd have to get out of bed a lot earlier. I'm a reluctant early riser. I don't think you should get out of bed unless you're catching a plane or going fishing."
Tickets for The Classic Hits Acoustic Church Tour go on sale on August 24. For more information go to www.acousticchurchtour.co.nz
Erupting into an Auckland cafe on a dreary Wednesday morning, she is like a ray of Californian sun as she animatedly chatters about everything from the nightmare of car parking to the weirdness of celebrity.
She is back home to be bridesmaid at a wedding, and has spent the last few days running around promoting her music and jewellery business and catching up with family and friends.
"I'm lucky enough to be able to breeze into everyone's lives for a week and then go again," she says, settling herself into a rickety wooden chair.
"The two places are incredibly different in LA I feel excited and energised and in Auckland I feel comfortable.
"In my ideal world I would be coming back and forth and at the moment it has been every few months because of the album."
After almost 10 years with Stellar*, who scored numerous Tui Awards and released two chart-topping albums, Runga has released her debut solo CD Right Here.
She admits that even after the band broke up, branching out on her own took some persuasion. "When I was a kid I always imagined myself to be the `doo-wop' girl in the background with two others. I didn't really think about fronting a band, let alone going solo," she says. "Although I guess I am a bit of a show-off."
Growing up in Christchurch, Runga and her younger sisters Pearl and Bic were surrounded by music. Chinese mum Sophia was a singer while Maori dad Joseph was a self-taught pianist.
Always close, the girls were rocked by the death of their father from a heart attack in 2005, something Runga still struggles to talk about.
"He was sort of the opposite of any father I know. He wanted all of us girls to be musicians, artists, that was his thing," she says reflectively.
"He'd be pleased I was doing the solo album, he'd be happy I was making music."
Helping the Rungas move on from Joseph's passing has been Bic's two-year-old son, named after his late grandfather, and Pearl's little boy, who was born four months ago.
While very much the doting aunty, happily relating tales about the boys' antics, Runga is in no hurry to start a family of her own with husband Campbell Smith, chief executive of the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. When asked if her nephews make her broody, the 39-year-old, who very much talks with her hands, replies with a resounding "No!"
"I think having children is a wonderful commitment, but a person has to be committed. There are happy accidents but I do think it should be taken seriously. I don't really know if I want to do it, I haven't really given it any thought."
Ad Feedback
Runga has been married to Smith, who manages both his wife and Bic, since 2003 and the bulk of the time the pair live on different continents, with Runga in their Los Angeles home and Smith working from their Auckland pad.
The bubbly singer doesn't necessarily speak to her husband every day but relies on texts.
"It works really well, I like being by myself and so does he," she explains, adding that they have a romantic holiday coming up. "He's got so much going on that to have me yelping around complaining about things would drive him crazy, and the other way around. It's good for us to have that time apart."
Runga is in regular contact with Bic and laughs off suggestions of rivalry. "I write pop music which is quite different to what she does," she says. Now that she's completed her solo album, Runga has been writing tracks to pitch to other artists, with hopes of achieving her dream of writing for Celine Dion. "I was out driving with Bic and told her I was doing this pitch and sang it. She started singing it back to me and said, `No it's good'. I hold a lot of value in what she says.
"But we are quite different, I'm more gregarious, she is more reserved, perhaps a bit shyer and more reflective." Back in 2004, Bic embarked on a New Zealand church tour and her big sister helped out with the teas and coffees. Now five years on, Runga has just announced her own performances, appearing with Greg Johnson, Nathan King and Lydia Cole in the Classic Hits Acoustic Church Tour in October.
After signing a clothing design deal with Storm, her jewellery line growing and her solo career taking off, Runga is becoming one of the nation's most successful women.
Does she feel like a celebrity? "I guess perhaps in New Zealand, but it hasn't got to the stage where I can't go out without heels and make-up," she says, with the qualification that she heeds her mother's advice to always keep her eyebrows presentable.
"But to actually feel like you have to be completely dressed all the time, well, I'd have to get out of bed a lot earlier. I'm a reluctant early riser. I don't think you should get out of bed unless you're catching a plane or going fishing."
Tickets for The Classic Hits Acoustic Church Tour go on sale on August 24. For more information go to www.acousticchurchtour.co.nz
Friday, 24 April 2009
4:00AM Friday Apr 24, 2009
By Ana Samways
A reader writes: "At about 7pm last Friday evening our 5ft nothing office manager went to our office carpark in Newmarket to find her car window smashed and two large men stealing her bag. (Yes, she knows it was dumb to leave it in the car). When the thieves realised they had been seen, they ran off, taking her bag with them. Ignoring standard police advice about not getting into confrontations, she chased them, caught hold of the guy who had her bag and tried to wrestle it off him. He pushed her off and kept running. The three of them ran up Carlton Gore Rd and across to the Domain, office manager screaming at them to give her bag back. A passing jogger saw what was happening and without hesitation tackled the bag carrier and recovered the bag. Meanwhile, a group of passers-by heard all the fuss, and came running to help. With the best of intentions, they leapt on the jogger, who was unfortunately still holding the bag. Office manager arrived seconds later and did the introductions, but the thieves took advantage of the darkness and confusion to leg it through the Domain. Office manager counts herself lucky, as she got her bag back, wasn't hurt, and insurance will cover the car window. She's very grateful to the passers-by, and especially the anonymous jogger, who apparently remained cheerful throughout."
By Ana Samways
A reader writes: "At about 7pm last Friday evening our 5ft nothing office manager went to our office carpark in Newmarket to find her car window smashed and two large men stealing her bag. (Yes, she knows it was dumb to leave it in the car). When the thieves realised they had been seen, they ran off, taking her bag with them. Ignoring standard police advice about not getting into confrontations, she chased them, caught hold of the guy who had her bag and tried to wrestle it off him. He pushed her off and kept running. The three of them ran up Carlton Gore Rd and across to the Domain, office manager screaming at them to give her bag back. A passing jogger saw what was happening and without hesitation tackled the bag carrier and recovered the bag. Meanwhile, a group of passers-by heard all the fuss, and came running to help. With the best of intentions, they leapt on the jogger, who was unfortunately still holding the bag. Office manager arrived seconds later and did the introductions, but the thieves took advantage of the darkness and confusion to leg it through the Domain. Office manager counts herself lucky, as she got her bag back, wasn't hurt, and insurance will cover the car window. She's very grateful to the passers-by, and especially the anonymous jogger, who apparently remained cheerful throughout."
Thursday, 1 January 2009
New York welcomes 2009
New York welcomes 2009
January 01, 2009 00:09 EST
NEW YORK (AP) -- They're celebrating in New York and the Eastern time zone, despite bitter cold and uncertainty about 2009.
Former President Clinton and Sen. Hillary Clinton helped Mayor Michael Bloomberg lower the ball atop 1 Times Square for the 60-second countdown to midnight.
Hundreds of thousands of revelers packed a frigid Times Square for the descent of the famous Waterford crystal ball. They were eager to say goodbye to 2008 and hoping to put the nation's economic troubles in the past.
The wind chill made it feel like 1 degree in the area, but that didn't deter the throngs who were bundled against the cold.
At the stroke of midnight many cheered and swayed to the recording of Frank Sinatra singing "New York, New York."
January 01, 2009 00:09 EST
NEW YORK (AP) -- They're celebrating in New York and the Eastern time zone, despite bitter cold and uncertainty about 2009.
Former President Clinton and Sen. Hillary Clinton helped Mayor Michael Bloomberg lower the ball atop 1 Times Square for the 60-second countdown to midnight.
Hundreds of thousands of revelers packed a frigid Times Square for the descent of the famous Waterford crystal ball. They were eager to say goodbye to 2008 and hoping to put the nation's economic troubles in the past.
The wind chill made it feel like 1 degree in the area, but that didn't deter the throngs who were bundled against the cold.
At the stroke of midnight many cheered and swayed to the recording of Frank Sinatra singing "New York, New York."
Mayor Bloomberg
Mayor Bloomberg declares Times Square 'safe as can be' for New Year's
By ADAM LISBERG and JONATHAN LEMIRE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Wednesday, December 31st 2008, 6:57 AM
Officials look up in wonder as the 6-ton Waterford crystal Times Square News Year's Eve ball is illuminated and raised over 1 Times Square Tuesday. Hermann for News
Officials look up in wonder as the 6-ton Waterford crystal Times Square News Year's Eve ball is illuminated and raised over 1 Times Square Tuesday.
Bill, Hil, Mike - and the Jonas Brothers!
A former President, a would-be President-turned-future-secretaryof state, the mayor and the hottest boy band in the nation will help ring in 2009 Wednesday night. And so will thousands of cops.
Bill and Sen. Hillary Clinton will stand with Mayor Bloomberg in Times Square and lead more than a million merrymakers in saying goodbye to a trying year.
The Clintons will push the button that lowers the sparkling New Year’s Eve ball during the final 60 seconds of 2008, setting off wild celebrations.
With the Clintons, the Jonas Brothers band and the mayor on hand, not to mention the crush of revelers, cops will have their hands full.
Bloomberg said that the NYPD is ready.
"Times Square is so secure, it’s the last thing to worry about," he said. "There'll be a lot of police that you see [and] there’ll be a lot of police that you don't see."
All 1,129 cops who graduated from the Police Academy Tuesday will be deployed in Times Square, as well as counterterror teams and Secret Service agents.
Neither backpacks nor alcohol will be permitted in Times Square, where temperatures could plummet to just 17 degrees by midnight.
Five minutes before midnight, 1,000 balloons with the words "Joy," "Hope" and "2009" will drift down onto the Times Square crowd. The 12,000-pound crystal ball will hit bottom at the stroke of midnight.
"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest will oversee the night's musical program. Longtime emcee Dick Clark, who suffered a stroke four years ago, will make a cameo.
jlemire@nydailynews.com
By ADAM LISBERG and JONATHAN LEMIRE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Wednesday, December 31st 2008, 6:57 AM
Officials look up in wonder as the 6-ton Waterford crystal Times Square News Year's Eve ball is illuminated and raised over 1 Times Square Tuesday. Hermann for News
Officials look up in wonder as the 6-ton Waterford crystal Times Square News Year's Eve ball is illuminated and raised over 1 Times Square Tuesday.
Bill, Hil, Mike - and the Jonas Brothers!
A former President, a would-be President-turned-future-secretaryof state, the mayor and the hottest boy band in the nation will help ring in 2009 Wednesday night. And so will thousands of cops.
Bill and Sen. Hillary Clinton will stand with Mayor Bloomberg in Times Square and lead more than a million merrymakers in saying goodbye to a trying year.
The Clintons will push the button that lowers the sparkling New Year’s Eve ball during the final 60 seconds of 2008, setting off wild celebrations.
With the Clintons, the Jonas Brothers band and the mayor on hand, not to mention the crush of revelers, cops will have their hands full.
Bloomberg said that the NYPD is ready.
"Times Square is so secure, it’s the last thing to worry about," he said. "There'll be a lot of police that you see [and] there’ll be a lot of police that you don't see."
All 1,129 cops who graduated from the Police Academy Tuesday will be deployed in Times Square, as well as counterterror teams and Secret Service agents.
Neither backpacks nor alcohol will be permitted in Times Square, where temperatures could plummet to just 17 degrees by midnight.
Five minutes before midnight, 1,000 balloons with the words "Joy," "Hope" and "2009" will drift down onto the Times Square crowd. The 12,000-pound crystal ball will hit bottom at the stroke of midnight.
"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest will oversee the night's musical program. Longtime emcee Dick Clark, who suffered a stroke four years ago, will make a cameo.
jlemire@nydailynews.com
New Year at Times Square
Crowds cheer in the New Year at Times Square despite the cold
BY EDGAR SANDOVAL and RICH SCHAPIRO
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Wednesday, December 31st 2008, 11:51 PM
Braving the bitter cold, thousands of revelers from across the globe flooded Times Square Wednesday to ring in the New Year at the biggest party in the world.
"This is something you do once in your life," crowed an excited but frigid Brian Arnone, 44, of Orlando, Fla., as he huddled next to his wife, Kelli.
"I said to myself, 'I better do this before I have kids. I need to scratch that off my list.'"
The Arnones joined a buoyant throng of merrymakers, many of them tourists in brightly colored party hats and oversize 2009 sunglasses, gathered around 1 Times Square to take in the festivities led by Bill and Sen. Hillary Clinton and Mayor Bloomberg.
David Hubin, 23, drove out from Columbus, Ohio, with four pals to see the city and ring in the New Year.
"We were all on break from school and we'd never done anything like this," said Hubin, who was in the thick of the crowd last night. "I've never seen anything like this.
"I love New York," he added. "It's amazing."
Ken and Lisa Mills saved up some cash and also traveled with their three teenage daughters from Ohio to New York to watch the 12,000-pound crystal ball touch down at the stroke of midnight.
But after a few hours of withstanding wind chill temperatures that plunged below 10 degrees, Lisa Mills, 44, was wondering if she could take any more of the cold.
"I'm wearing a sweater, coat, scarf and gloves and I still can't keep warm," Mills said. "I hope to make it through the night."
Still, she remained positive.
"We are looking forward to 2009," Mills said. "It's going to be a great year."
Wearing red and green oversize 2009 glasses and layers of sweaters, her three daughters, Shelby, 17, Kendra, 18, and Kara, 16, cheered with the crowd as they battled to stay warm.
"I hope to graduate from high school this year and hope all my friends graduate too," Shelby said. Her sister, Kara, had a different set of hopes for the New Year: "I want to make more money," she said.
Other cheering revelers had equally modest goals.
Friends Soo Hyun Lee, 26 and Jewon Lee, 23, students from Korea, cheered passersby and embraced each other to keep warm as the temperatures plummeted.
Reflecting on their goals for the New Year, they looked at each other before saying, in unison, "We want to find boyfriends!"
"It's hard to find a good man in Korea," Soon Hyun Lee said.
"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest was set to oversee the night's musical program, which includes a performance by the Jonas Brothers.
Longtime emcee Dick Clark, who suffered a stroke four years ago, was expected to make a cameo.
All 1,129 cops who graduated from the Police Academy Tuesday were deployed to monitor the crowd, which was expected to swell to more than a million people.
The officers were joined by counterterror teams and Secret Service agents.
Taylor Patton, 17, and Cate Carl, 18, both from Middleton, Md., did not seem to notice anything - or anybody - other than each other as they waited for midnight.
Their bodies wrapped in a thick, red blanket, Patton and Carl stared into each other's eyes, oblivious to the excitement around them.
For the New Year, more money, a new career or other life goals took a back seat to love, they agreed.
"In the New Year we just want to be together," Patton said.
"I just want to spend more time with him," echoed Carl.
Ashley Cormier, 16, and her friend Zoe Jourdain, 16, of Owings Mills, Md., were also huddled together and covered with a red blanket in the hours before the ball dropped.
"I'm gonna stay in my blanket the whole night until I see a famous person, then I'm gonna come out," Ashley said.
And so she looked around and waited, and waited.
BY EDGAR SANDOVAL and RICH SCHAPIRO
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Wednesday, December 31st 2008, 11:51 PM
Braving the bitter cold, thousands of revelers from across the globe flooded Times Square Wednesday to ring in the New Year at the biggest party in the world.
"This is something you do once in your life," crowed an excited but frigid Brian Arnone, 44, of Orlando, Fla., as he huddled next to his wife, Kelli.
"I said to myself, 'I better do this before I have kids. I need to scratch that off my list.'"
The Arnones joined a buoyant throng of merrymakers, many of them tourists in brightly colored party hats and oversize 2009 sunglasses, gathered around 1 Times Square to take in the festivities led by Bill and Sen. Hillary Clinton and Mayor Bloomberg.
David Hubin, 23, drove out from Columbus, Ohio, with four pals to see the city and ring in the New Year.
"We were all on break from school and we'd never done anything like this," said Hubin, who was in the thick of the crowd last night. "I've never seen anything like this.
"I love New York," he added. "It's amazing."
Ken and Lisa Mills saved up some cash and also traveled with their three teenage daughters from Ohio to New York to watch the 12,000-pound crystal ball touch down at the stroke of midnight.
But after a few hours of withstanding wind chill temperatures that plunged below 10 degrees, Lisa Mills, 44, was wondering if she could take any more of the cold.
"I'm wearing a sweater, coat, scarf and gloves and I still can't keep warm," Mills said. "I hope to make it through the night."
Still, she remained positive.
"We are looking forward to 2009," Mills said. "It's going to be a great year."
Wearing red and green oversize 2009 glasses and layers of sweaters, her three daughters, Shelby, 17, Kendra, 18, and Kara, 16, cheered with the crowd as they battled to stay warm.
"I hope to graduate from high school this year and hope all my friends graduate too," Shelby said. Her sister, Kara, had a different set of hopes for the New Year: "I want to make more money," she said.
Other cheering revelers had equally modest goals.
Friends Soo Hyun Lee, 26 and Jewon Lee, 23, students from Korea, cheered passersby and embraced each other to keep warm as the temperatures plummeted.
Reflecting on their goals for the New Year, they looked at each other before saying, in unison, "We want to find boyfriends!"
"It's hard to find a good man in Korea," Soon Hyun Lee said.
"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest was set to oversee the night's musical program, which includes a performance by the Jonas Brothers.
Longtime emcee Dick Clark, who suffered a stroke four years ago, was expected to make a cameo.
All 1,129 cops who graduated from the Police Academy Tuesday were deployed to monitor the crowd, which was expected to swell to more than a million people.
The officers were joined by counterterror teams and Secret Service agents.
Taylor Patton, 17, and Cate Carl, 18, both from Middleton, Md., did not seem to notice anything - or anybody - other than each other as they waited for midnight.
Their bodies wrapped in a thick, red blanket, Patton and Carl stared into each other's eyes, oblivious to the excitement around them.
For the New Year, more money, a new career or other life goals took a back seat to love, they agreed.
"In the New Year we just want to be together," Patton said.
"I just want to spend more time with him," echoed Carl.
Ashley Cormier, 16, and her friend Zoe Jourdain, 16, of Owings Mills, Md., were also huddled together and covered with a red blanket in the hours before the ball dropped.
"I'm gonna stay in my blanket the whole night until I see a famous person, then I'm gonna come out," Ashley said.
And so she looked around and waited, and waited.
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