http://uk.news.yahoo.com/040102/242/ei6vd.html

London retailers were the first to hear brand new tracks from George Michael's
upcoming album, Patience last week.

Shop keepers at London's Queensway Whiteley's were treated to a special
playback session attended by George himself. Among the tracks heard were
George's planned first single, Amazing along with an atmospheric tribute to
John Lennon and Elvis Presley titled John And Elvis, which finds George
playing the piano formerly owned by Lennon for which he paid a whopping Ł1.5
million.

"It is a strong record. We heard seven tracks and three are really strong,"
Joe McNicholas, head of music at Virgin Retail told Music Week. "Sony's
challenge is going to be getting him across to a broad range of ages, but
Amazing is a very good single."

Unlike his last outing with Sony - Listen Without Prejudice, George has
promised to do everything necessary to promote his new record. Patience is due
sometime in March.

I've actually been very lucky. My roommate spilled tea right on the console, while it was vertically up. Not only did it go in but it came out from the bottom. The console got a red ring and it went away in 30 mins on its own. That was the weirdest and it has been through a lot more crap and it still works. You know why? Because I paid that 50 extra bucks to get a warranty, if I didn't have warranty it would break a long time ago. That's just how electronics work with me.

As far as buying a console, why the hell not? There is a whole bunch of games that I'd rather play on a console: adventure platforming games, fighters, racers, etc are more fun on a big screen with a controller on a couch. You can also watch DVD's in them, I don't even shop for DVD players.

Thanks for the reply. Well, I hope it won't be so difficult to get by in Poland:)

Maniiieee@Quicksilver, how about those 'ahem' who aint getting any or will never until exchanged 'i do's'

Best feeling is when i've paid the rent... knowing i wont end up outside a 7/11 shop!

I was not totally surprised to see the headline in last weeks Somerset Gazette. For a number of years now I have been concerned about the practice of pavement cycling and I am aware that at least one person in the country has died following a collision with a pavement cyclist.
Pavements are not designed for cycling as the normal rules of the road do not apply and cyclists need not comply with any rules at all and often cycle at speed with no consideration for the young or the elderly who are at risk from more serious injury.
Pedestrians are at particular risk when being approached from behind, when leaving gateways or shop doorways. Cyclists are also at risk from injury particularly when crossing from pathway to pathway at junctions.
Cycling on the pavement is illegal but this does not stop a majority of cyclists from breaking the law and the Police are not enforcing it. In fact I have seen Police officers passing pavement cyclists without talking to them or dealing with the offence. I have tried to deal with the problem by pointing out to cyclists that they should not cycle on the pavement but quite often the response is less than polite and on occasion extremely impolite.
Pavement cycling is not seen by the authorities as a particularly serious problem and for that reason is not dealt with appropriately but it should not be tolerated at all and all cyclists breaking this law should be dealt with before any one else gets injured or worse. A modern approach might be to get officers to hand out a warning in the form of a yellow card as they do in football and if the offence is repeated then it could be dealt with more formally.
I am a cyclist and have some sympathies with cyclists as the road does appear too dangerous to use but to transfer the danger to the pavement is the wrong solution. If we are serious about solving the problem and providing better facilities for both pedestrians and cyclists then town planners need to come up with a solution that suits all forms of transport. Painting the side of the road red is not a solution and in fact I think it makes matters worse.
There is only one solution to this problem and the Police need to do what they are paid to do and uphold the law rather than turn a blind eye.

Heyta, da lip is in da garage@ home, it is actually up for sale
R800, I paid that from Toyota with me special discount dat i get
Still in da bubble rap and da screws an invoice is in my twincam which is in da body shop

Tracklist:
----------------
CD1
01. 2 Pac Feat Dr.Dre - Calfornia Love
02. Snoop Dogg - Gin & Juice
03. Missy Elliot - Get Ur Freak On
04. Outkast - Ms.Jackson
05. N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton
06. Blackstreet - No Giggity
07. Luniz - I Got 5 On It
08. A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It
09. Ashanti - Foolish
10.Warren G - Regulate
11.Aaliyah - Try Again
12.Ja Rule - Always On Time
13.The Black Eyed Peas - Shut Up
14.Eve - Whos That Girl
15.Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina
16.LL Cool J - Phenomenon
17.TLC - No Scrubs
18.Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - White Lines (Dont Do It)
19.Beastie Boys - Fight Your Right
20.House Of Pain - Jump Around

CD2
1. Dr Dre Feat.Eminem - Forgot About Dre
2. Mary J Blige - Family Affair
3. Cypress Hill - I Aint Goin Out Like That
4. Busta Rhymes - Woo-Hah Got You All In Check
5. Public Enemy - He Got Game
6. Sugarhill Gang - Rappers Delight
7. Naughty By Nature - O.P.P.
8. Redman - Lets Get Dirty
9. DMX - Party Up
10.Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance
11.Salt N Pepper - Push It
12.Grandmaster Flesh & The Furious Five - The Message
13.Ice Cube - It Was A Good Day
14.Dr Dre - Nuthin But A G Thang
15.2 Pac - I Aint Mad At Cha
16.Snoop Dogg - Who Am I (Whats My Name)
17.Ludacris - Stand Up
18.Skee Lo - I Wish
19.LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out
20.Run DMC - Its Tricky

CD3
1. Nelly - Hot In Herre
2. Snoop Dogg Feat.Pharrell Williams - Drop It Like Its Hot
3. 50 Cent - Candy Shop
4. Wu - Tang Clan - Gravel Pit
5. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime
6. The Black Eyed Peas - Joints & Jam
7. Eve Feat. Gwen Stefani - Let Me Blow Ya Mind
8. NORE - Nothin
9. D 12 - Purple Pills
10.Ice Cube Feat Dr Dre - Natural Born Killaz
11.Collio - Gangstas Paradise
12.Eric B & Rakim - Paid In Full
13.Jurassic 5 - Quality Control
14.Stereo Mcs - Connected
15.Young MC - Know How
16.Arrested Development - Mr Wendal
17.De La Soul - Me,Myself And I
18.Tone Loc - Wild Thing
19.NWA - Express Yourself
20.Dr Dre - Still DRE

fobbie Said:

but what concerns me the most is this point you made asbout the chinese. I wonder how would you like it if Australians wanted the australian govt to remove all tongan businesses and re-work the visa application system to fill the void with australian graduates - or what if in america or new zealand. you are just like akilisi and co, nothing short of racism or prejudice - so much for the friendly islands or a christian country. what a joke!
______________

Fobbie, what you responded to was copied from another forum and as such needs to be seen in that context from which it was taken.

To save you the time, I will summarise this for you.

Many Tongans have the view that they should be allowed into Australia and NZ for seasonal work..eg..fruit picking.

Also along with this was the serious concern over lack to jobs in Tonga and also the huge amount of Chinese Fale kaloa's that are now operating in Tonga....at the expense of legitimate Tongan owned businesses.

On top of this was the lack of ability of the Tongan government to properly review and enforce immigration and work visa policy, thus protecting Tongan Businesses from the influx of Chinese competition. This government policy is been poorly managed...resulting in the situation we have now of 1 fale kaloa each 300m or so in Nuku'alofa. (Amongst many other points)

This results in the profit of each being smaller since the market is split amongst many fale kaloa's.

This lack of deploying good policies (by the Tongan Govt)- does not promote a good economy as fale kaloa's struggle to survive.... & reduces the job prospects for young Tongans.

The Tongan immigration policy is such that a person (Chinese or Palangi) cannot setup a business that operates in an environment where a Tongan business can cope with the existing demand. This is the policy of the Tongan Ministry of Labour & Commerce, together with the department of immigration. These polices are similar in most other developed countries of the world.

Unfortunately the Tongan government and the associated ministries involved,-either out of incompetence or simply being lazy, have issued work and business visas to numerous Chinese into to operate fale kaloa's...to the detriment of Tongan businesses and Tongan jobs.

By allowing the volume of Chinese to operate Fale Kaloa's in Tonga is reducing the profits of Tongan businesses that infact employ Tongans. ...thus also adding to the unemployment problem in Tonga.

If the Tongan government stopped and reduced the number of Chinese (in fact all Fale kaloa's) , it would provide jobs for Tongans in which there would be a void of fale kaloas to operate and also jobs (shop keepers) to fill-by Tongans..Also the remaining fale kaloas and businesses that have been institutions in Tonga (Prema, narattoms, Molisi, OSB trading, JM store, Si ki'ola, Kinikinklau etc) would be in a better position to operate and thus employ more Tongans.

Better still - is to simply reduce the number of Fale kaloa's altogether regardless of whom the owners are (Chinese or Tongan), and thus allow the remaining fale kaloas to improve profit margins.

Moving onto a vital issue that has already been rasied at PT was the point that the Chinese fail to pay taxes and often abscond the country (or change business names) without having ever paid PAYE or CT...nor do they bank...but take the cash out of Tonga and convert it back into Chinese money upon returning home.

These practises are detrimental to the Tongan economy....hence the posting made above.

Fobbie, this is not about racism...its about economics, employment. and getting Tonga back on its feet.

The present policies of the government are creating unemployment and ruining the economy.

Yes you are right-there is a lot more to this- Its called Good Governance and good policy making..both of which are desperatly required in Tonga.

Ozguy.

Coco, Blundell & Bzb.

Thanks for your feedback.

Just to summarise the issues with the Chinese:

• There is no evidence that bribes are paid to the Ministry of Labour and Commerce MLCI) in an effort to obtain a business visa.

• Hence the government has allowed this situation to exist for what ever reason. And as such its permitted by the government for what ever reason(s)

• There are far too many falekoloas

• Profitability is low (for all) and detrimental to FK operators

• Job prospects are limited since the Chinese operators tend to use Chinese Labour and generally do not hire Tongans.

• The volume of operators makes it difficult for Tongan operators to be successful or at least profitable.

• There is evidence of tax evasion by the Chinese operators.

• The Chinse are a ‶flight Risk” having the ability to quickly close shop, off load their stock and depart Tonga without paying taxes.

• There is a high likely hood that due to the limited number of importers (there are 2 major Chinese Importers that supply the bulk of the Tongan market) that competition at the wholesale level is stifled and detrimental to the market.

• Competition at the retail end is too extreme, resulting in loss of profits, and lack of business opportunities and employment for Tongans

• Solutions to this must include measures to stimulate & encourage Tongan business operators and employment of Tongans.

Solutions:
• Independent review of the number of fale koloas and demographics.

• Independent review of the number of licences issued to both Tongan and Chinese operators.

• Determine what a reasonable ratio of population (demographics) V's fale koloas.

• Limit the number of licenses to that number (what ever it should be).

• Isolate a specific number of licenses for only non-Tongan operators. (this will protect Tongan businesses)

• The issue of business licenses must involve IRD (The tax department) The reason for this is that the IRD has no idea that a new business even exists and therefore the new business is not even on the radar to pay tax. This is the commencement of tax evasion.

• The IRD must be a part of the process in which a business license is granted. That is, any new business must obtain approval from MLCI, IRD and immigration before a visa is issued.

• Punishment for non compliance of taxation (tax evasion) should include the revoking of a visa.

• Pass legislation that limits persons from being domicile inside a fale kola, ensuring that proper health and sanitation are maintained.

• This may require the health department to have an inspection of the property and living conditions before a license is issued.

• Introduce legislation that prevents the 2 major Non-Tongan importers from controlling the import market. (I’m not sure how to get around this are there are also a number of other non-Tongan businesses that import and have a major influence in the market. Eg office Equipment (But that may be a Tongan owned company)

Tuomas of Nightwish is a travel freak

29.8.2007 12:15

The figurehead of Nightwish Tuomas Holopainen's favourite place above all is Lapland and hiking there. Tuomas is a travel freak who goes around the world both at work and during his free time. His first trip abroad was to Hamburg when he was nine years old.

The thanks for the travel spark goes to my parents. They paid for one trip aboard a year for me. Hamburg was the first one.

On his travels Tuomas experiences things through music but he doesn't go to traditional rock places or concerts.

-I seek experiences on my trips. If I need to relax I stay home or go to my cottage and stare at the fire, Tuomas says.

Kitee

Every single Nightwish song was born at Kitee. Kitee is the scenery of my soul, a home, but also a great place to visit. You see surprisingly many metal heads in the streets. They come there for a kind of a pilgrimage. Foreigners visit my parents' yard often. My parents are one of the the friendliest people on Earth.

Lapland in Finland

-To me it's the world's most important tourist destination. I have been hiking there for at least once a year ever since my boy scout days. Due to the lack of time I won't be able to do it this year and I really don't know whether I'm going to survive it. Our hiking guild consists of Timo Rautiainen and Tony Kakko.

Kansas City, the United States

-I've only spent five hours there but they were the most important ones in my life. There was a shared Metallica and Guns'n' Roses gig there at the Arrowhead stadium in September 17th 1992. It was a mind-blower for a 15-year-old and it shaped things I've done afterwards in my life a lot. Before that I had hated Heavy Metal.

Hanga Roa, Easter islands

-By far the strangest place I've ever been to. The whole island seems to have fallen out of space right in the middle of nowhere. I was sitting on a volcano crater, wild horses were running everywhere and I was looking at the vast sea. The main melody of Ocean Soul started to play in my head.

Disneyland, Anaheim & Disney World, Orlando

-I've been to both four times. I like Disney World better because there's more to see, but one of the best gigs of our career we've had in Disneyland. It's a dream come true when I can play heavy in front of the Disneyland gates. You can get past the shallowness and into the fairytale world if you want to.

London, Britain

London is one of my favourite places in Europe. In 2004 we recorded there with the symphony orchestra for the first time and the second time this year when we were making the orchestral parts of Dark Passion Play -album in Abbey Road studios. I spent eight days in Abbey Road and each one of those days was absolutely wonderful.

Sydney, Australia

-My favourite big city. The most charming metropolis in the world. The Sydney harbour-area with it's Opera houses and bridges is the most beautiful part of a metropolis. It's really confusing that as a country person I like some town so much. We had a great gig in Sydney but the greatest day off of the band was spent there. We sat at a terrace in front of the Opera house and ate alligator, kangaroo and oysters.

Khal Sok, Thailand

-The hike to the Khal Sok natoinal park with a local Indiana Jones was memorable experience. After the trek we sat by the river, there were awfully lot of monkeys there. Art, the host of the lodging, played our Wishmaster-album for the rest of the night. Nightwish was playing in the middle of a jungle on full blast for hours in row.

Honolulu, Hawaii

-I performed my diving license there. I ended up in the middle of a pack of dolphins ten metres underwater. It was like music in complete silence. I've never experienced anything so beautiful.

Mount Sinai, Egypt

-Moses got the Commandments on Sinai. I walked to the top of the mountain from a nearby monastery the same path Moses once used. There is a small monastery and Moses' cave on the top. It felt terribly bad that there was a souvenir shop above the cave. It felt like desecration. Otherwise it was a wonderful experience both mentally and physically.

(Reporter: Merja Asikainen)