Exactly what we need, another tax

thecaffiend — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 11:32:27 +0000

Seems like this whole blog is becoming a political soap-box. It was never the intention, but I cannot resist when I hear such rubbish, such tripe, such outright propaganda.
What am I talking about? Well in case you haven’t heard, there is apparently a call from people out there (who these people are I do not understand, but apparently they are there)to increase taxes on soft drinks. Why? Well it’s obvious isn’t it, to stop people drinking them.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-17/call-for-tax-on-sugary-soft-drinks/4468924
It’s so logical isn’t it? If the government makes more money out of us consuming soft drinks it will be better for us, we will all get healthier, live longer and be happier – much like cigarettes. This is the solution to everything, more tax.
It’s simple, right?!
Woe is me, we are a whole population of idiots, not just for listening to their lies, but for actually not even questioning them…..
What happened to saying no? Who’s in charge here? Is it not the people who elect the government and the government must listen to what the people say? What is this pseudo-democracy that has evolved? What is wrong with the picture I have painted?
If you want people to stop smoking, stop selling cigarettes, don’t just collect more taxes.
If you want people to stop drink driving, make breathalysers mandatory on all vehicles, that immobilsie them if the driver is intoxicated, don’t just collect more fines.
If you want people to stop speeding in their cars, do not manufacture cars that can go faster and faster even though the safe speed limit remains the same, don’t just issue more fines.
If you want people to eat better, provide them with healthy options and educate the fast food culture of the evils of fast food, don’t just collect more taxes
Seems like a bit of a pattern is emerging here: the solution to the world’s problems is not to pay more tax to the government.
Wake up people – today it’s higher taxes on cigarettes and soft drinks, tomorrow it will be complete and utter servitude and control. Just say NO! You have the right to say NO! You must, as a decent human being, it is your duty……….. Just say NO!

Life = Shopping!

thecaffiend — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 22:16:04 +0000

With Christmas been and gone and now a week into 2013, I sit back and reflect on exactly what it’s all about, why we do what we do, what we actually do, who we are, or at least who I am and what experiences I have and to what end. Where are we going?

After being accused on many occassions of really not getting into the ‘spirit of the season’ I actually sat down to think what is the festive season all about and what is it all for. It was more complex than I initially thought, but here are some initial observations and thoughts on what life has become.

More and more, today’s world resembles a global shopping centre.

Is that the purpose of life – to shop? Is “retail therapy” the height of human achievement & aspiration? Were we created in the image and likeness of God for no other reason than to buy “stuff”? Does that mean that heaven (if you believe in a heaven) is the ultimate shopping centre and hell is the place where no shopping can be done?

Drive along the main streets of any city anywhere in the world and you will see these shrines to consumerism, shopping centres!

amazing architectural achievements that have become the pinnacle of modern man’s achievement.

So, who can deny that contemporary culture has defined the meaning of life as shopping?

If life had been defined by human excellence, streets would look entirely different, true?

But excellence requires effort on the part of people. Shopping requires only money. Shopping has become so successful and popular because it follows the path of least resistance.

You shuffle around from shop to shop like the undead; you exercise your precious “freedom and choice” by going to this shop rather than that shop, by buying this object rather than that one.

Yes! You are free!

You fetishise the objects you buy. They are your brand. Your identity is invested in them. If you have purchased “well”, you feel happy. You use your iPhone to tell your friends about your new objects.
You go on Facebook to post pictures of your objects and to chat about them.
You are so proud of who you are, because of what you buy. The objects you buy define you!
If you define yourselves by objects then you yourself become an object. If your mentality is attuned to buying then you yourself can be bought.
So what! I hear so say – So what indeed!

Welcome to the new religion, the faith of the new generation – Shoppingism

Our wardrobes have become tabernacles. Shopping centres are our new cathedrals and temples. Money has replaced the Holy Spirit. Sales assistants are our priests and priestesses. Tannoy announcements are the voice of God. Muzak the new hymns and chants. Catalogues are the Holy Scripture. The objects we crave and desire have become the sacred host containing the flesh and blood of God.

Sounds ridiculous? Maybe – I think it is on the money – sad, but true!

And if that wasn’t bad enough, if that whole scenario wasn’t soul crushing enough, simply jump online 24/7 and watch, bid, buy,buy, buy – while you say bye, bye, bye to your precious soul!

Life = Shopping

2013 – Welcome to your future….

thecaffiend — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 10:38:15 +0000

Welcome 2013 – So where to now? where to next?

A One World Government and one-unit monetary system, under permanent non-elected hereditary oligarchists who self-select from among themselves and rule with an iron fist.

Many believe in this, many expect it.

In this inevitable One World entity, population will be limited by restrictions on the number of children per family, diseases, wars, famines, total decimation and control, until 1 billion people who are useful to the ruling class, in areas which will be strictly and clearly defined, remain as the total world population.

There are far too many of us now, it’s time to clean house.

There will be no middle class, only rulers and servants. Make no mistake we are all servants!

All laws must be uniform under one legal system of world courts practicing the same unified code of man made laws, backed up by a One World Government police force and a One World unified military to enforce laws in all former countries where no national boundaries shall exist.

The system will be based on a welfare state; those who are obedient and subservient to the One World Government will be rewarded with the means to live; those who are rebellious will simply be starved to death or be declared outlaws.

Privately owned firearms or weapons of any kind will be prohibited.

Sound familiar?

2013 = 1984

R is for Revolution

thecaffiend — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 07:51:06 +0000

So with 2012 almost gone and 2013 just around the corner, I felt it was time to reflect about where we’ve been, where we are and where we are headed.
Looking all around me, what do I see, especially at this time of year with all the nonsense and superficiality? With the rise of consumerism, the general turning away from spirituality and towards materialism by much of humanity, the relentless advance of “junk” entertainment, the widespread delusion that people have genuine freedom and choice, the success of “democracy” in persuading ordinary people that they have a degree of political power and can change their leaders based on a vote, the ease and comfort provided by technology, the omnipresence of sport, music, movies and TV that keep people endlessly distracted and ‘entertained,’ the media brainwashing machine, the effectiveness of the advertising juggernaut, and the complete dominance of celebrity culture and the super-rich, it seems we are trapped in a maze, like rats in a cage.
It is hard in this age of secularism and science for modern people to accept that a malignant, spiritual force is at work in the world.
Believe it or not, it is there……
Many people think the world is a vile place, full of corruption that they attribute to human failings and perceive no malevolent conspiracy beyond the purely human.
Oh how wrong they are!
So what does this mean? Where does it leave us?
R is for Revolution, but sadly many of the great movements of the past simply could not exist in the present day.
Why? The mentality no longer exists. People these days cannot even begin to think this way, they have been ‘programmed’ otherwise.
The powers that be have trivialised humanity and stripped away its ability to resist. Their power has never been greater than at the present time.
It will take a gargantuan effort to overthrow them, is it possible? Is it too late?

We all have a responsibility

thecaffiend — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 05:21:56 +0000

Well, this one’s a bit left of centre, but being in media, albeit a tiny little fish in a massive pond, I couldn’t resist to comment.

After hearing the prank call by two Aussie radio dj’s I was more surprised than entertained. Surprised that they got so much information from the nurse, but more surprised that the radio station chose to air this info…… I thought about it no further, until I read this: http://gma.yahoo.com/nurse-hoaxed-queens-call-found-dead-145123666–abc-news-topstories.html

It’s amazing what sort of power media has and it is clear from what has happened that those in the media have a responsibility and should treat their role with the respect it deserves

A mother of two dead – for what? Why? Suicide, foul play by the powers that be or whatever the case may be, who cars – she’s dead. Maybe get the two radio show hosts to call her kids and explain it was just a joke, or maybe get them to call her mother and apologise for their actions……………

What a waste of a life and all for ratings, what is the world coming to? What have we become?

Now I’ve heard it all…….

thecaffiend — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 09:29:19 +0000

Those of you who know me, know I tell it like it is – there’s no mincing words here (probably why I always find myself in the s*#t) but after somehow landing here: http://www.jurasecretblends.com.au/default.htm I scratched my head, and pondered – WTF

I’ll keep it brief, but my mind boggles at this union. It seems the specialty coffee intelligentsia and the coffee elite have finally succumbed to commercial realities, to the almighty dollar – I could be wrong, but it just seems that this union is just so mis-matched.

After so many years of listening to the coffee elite propaganda, this announcement speaks volumes to me and really puts things into perspective…………… he who has ears to hear…….

As I said, I’ll keep it brief, I could go on and on for pages on this one, but good luck to one and all. In my opinion this is a great step forward, one small step for both sides of the camp but a huge leap for the coffee industry – WELL DONE!

I guess next step will be specialty capsule coffee (if Nestle’ is reading this I want a clip- Lol)

Till next time, keep on caffeining on…………………… thecaffiend

VICTORY COFFEE WILL SET YOU FREE

thecaffiend — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 09:14:37 +0000

Coffee in an instant, isn’t that what it’s all about ? Well that’s what it used to be about when life was simpler, tastes were simpler, coffee was simpler – remember when coffee actually tasted like coffee ?

It’s all become so complicated now, I’m sure you’ll agree – single origin, seasonal, alternate brewing, ristretto, doppio, capsules, pods, latte – OMG, the list goes on and on and on…………………….

Confused? Good, so is everyone else. No mater what they say or how ‘experienced’ they behave, everyone is just as confused as you and everyone is wondering the same thing; when did coffee stop tasting like coffee?

Admit it, it has, hasn’t it?

How could something so simple, so integral to the western world, so basic become so complex and such a farce? My goodness me,the other day I heard of a place charging $25 for a cup of coffee, or the coffee that sells for $50 per cup or $1000 per kg just because it has been eaten and shit out by a cat like creature

Has the world gone mad? What is wrong with all of this? Have we merely become salves of marketing hype and allowed the beloved humble coffee bean to be prostituted and polluted beyond recognition?

My alternative and solution to this situation is simple – Victory Coffee: www.victorycoffee.com.au

Good quality, good tasting, soluble coffee.

No equipment necessary; no mess, no fuss, nothing but the coffee!

Only VICTORY COFFEE will set you FREE!

Not just another blog: 11:11

thecaffiend — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 21:09:50 +0000

It’s always funny when you sit back and let life be the navigator on this journey, especially when you don’t know where the destination is.

It’s also great to come across like minded people along the journey – one such person is Helen Kapalos, ex-Channel 10 newsreader, proud Hellene and now blogger

On the 11/11 Helen launched her blog, here: www.helenkapalos.com.au – check it out and bookmark it. I am sure it will be the source of much fascinating information.

I was fortunate enough to meet Helen a few days earlier, while she was still employed by Channel 10 to read the 5pm news in Melbourne – foolishly they decided to sack her the day after we met and the day before she launched her blog – their loss!

Coffee UP! is a unique concept where Helen captures the attention of a variety of people and gets to tell their story, all over a cup of coffee. Fortunately for me I was her first subject – what an honour!

Helen’s blog is a new and exciting look at Melbourne – keep an eye on it, I am sure it will impress

Till next time………….Keep on caffeining on………….

On national NO! (OXI) Day, maybe it’s time to start saying YES! (nai)

thecaffiend — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:23:22 +0000

October 28th marks the anniversary of the Greek people saying NO!

This simple act of defiance by this small nation, changed the entire course of World War II, let’s pray that as Hellenes we can once again find the courage, strength and ‘philotimo’ to not merely remember the acts of the past but to the apply them to our own lives in a modern context and make a difference for future generations.

Beyond the schoolchildren’s parades, the military grandstanding and the heartfelt patriotism behind the flag waving, there is a deeper and more poignant meaning and relevance of this day and what it symbolises, now more than ever. It is the day we should all remember just how important Hellas is to all of us and to remember above all things, Greek ‘philotimo,’ and how our ancestors who fought for Hellenic soil with flesh and blood, believed in this simple word and sacrificed themselves not only for their Hellenic brethren but for all men.

Philotimo to the Greek is like breathing. A Greek is not a Greek without it. He might as well not be alive!

No other race has such a word or behaviour that evokes such feelings: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philotimo

October 28th is one day, what about the day after?

Let’s make October 29th the day when Hellenes and Philhellenes across the globe say YES! (NAI)

Yes to philotimo

Yes to ginetai

Yes to life

Yes to moving forward

Think about it, it’s one thing to be brave enough to say NO! when it counts, I believe that the Greek people now face a new challenge, a new enemy, a new day, a new dawn and it’s time to say YES!

Yes we can rise to the challenge

Yes we can re-brand ourselves

Yes we can get through this

Yes we can!

Life is like a cup of coffee

thecaffiend — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 21:21:18 +0000

Hands up who out there enjoys a cup of coffee and everything that relates to it………especially first thing in the morning.

You see coffee means so much to so many – it is the fuel of western society.

Life is very much like a cup of coffee, or at least it should be. It should be about what’s in the cup and the quality of what we consume; unfortunately too many get caught up with the actual look of the cup and trying to impress others with the how special their cup looks, rather than the quality of what’s in it.

Do not worry about what the cup looks like, worry about what’s in there and the quality of the coffee; and enjoy life one cup at a time……………

Till next time………………keep on caffeining on……………….thecaffiend.