Just a warning to all the women out there...Lock your car while driving..I had a nasty experience going to a gig in Manukau City, I had just filled up the car with petrol and got onto the motorway...stopped at redoubt Rd off ramp , sitting on a red light. Some guy lept into my car and freaked out! Grabbed my purse , wallet, cellphone, money and came at me so fast I just looked the other way. He was shaking like a leaf ..just let him go away...and he leapt from the car and took off running against the traffic. Quite Bloody scarey...

The Police said they target women alone driving european cars.

So lock your doors anywhere really.

I guess i was lucky two other women were assaulted that night. Cut to the face and one woman got a black eye.

Yup the offender got away!! So be careful sisters.

Thanks to our MP Sue Bradford,

Gosh! Any form of violence is wrong. Guess we have all made bad decisions and mistakes one time or another..here's a thought that you could say I'm going to change from Today!  this one is a great idea!!! Stop! hitting kids with a piece of 4bar2 and plank of wood, stick or cane, belt or jug cord whatever else takes your fancy. I've seen the damage , thru years of working at womens refuge and winz offices, cyfs, and police department. It isnt nice!!!

MP Peter Sharples has a great idea to support this cause and I toko (support ) him. EXCELLENT. Go Maori Party!!

I thought of a case in Sweden, where a young mum put her child in the dryer because of their no smacking laws.

I wondered how many mums will call child services to come get their kids because mum cant cope or dad for that matter.

Who's going to police it?, monitor it? we haven't got enough social workers and or enough agencies to help. Its only to the age  0 to 14yrs- should be 18yrs. But is considered common assault after that.

I remember one Christmas eve in Auckland City there was 365 calls to the Police for Domestic Violence between 11pm - 1am. Was a busy Nite...Avondale had 42 calls. Thats one for every day of the year condenced in 2hours.

There is a great benefit to stopping violence ...Happy kids and happy families...sure you mite be broke, out of work, have nothing, but family is all you have and should be paramount of all your policies. Winz is about keeping families together, and positive life building. There realli is no excuse..theres the door ...haere ra ..just leave and take your anger away...

So suddenly the law changes over night and we are the generation of kids that were victims of school brutality, cane, strap, or just abused, and i remember watchin a boy Willie in my class everyday got a whippin from the teacher, he lived in a social welfare home and got hit their too. He was so miserable and down and I think he came to school to see me in the end. Wasnt much to come to school for. Then suddenly he never returned. Where are you Willie???

Its not going to be an easy transition from many a parents point of view...however a new attitude can rub off on you. If you are open to it. Give it a chance and I bet you things will slowly get better. If teachers and parents arent wacking kids then maybe we can all have a happy home.

I'd like to see this law brought in asap..along with tougher penalties for murdering kids.

Gosh I know its hard raising kids...but do ring plunket and other positive parenting agencies to get help, go to your doctor and schools and clubs for help. Communication is the key to a happy family i feel. You must try to find other pathways.

I'm tryin to be a great mum and hope you are too...gosh i use to say to my friends my kids are stressin me out I lost all my hair..no it was actually chemo...but sounded good.

In 2002 I had 7 lumps removed of which two were cancerous and cancer had spread to my lymphatics- glands. I had chemotherapy, full masectomy and a partial with the other breast. I had full reconstruction by removing my Lapi dorsal muscle from my back, meat between ya ribs, to insert into a new breast.

I've had drug treatments, chemo, and poked and prodded by 100 doctors and still here darlings...

I quit my job because they said to change ones lifestyle, my kids came first.

I ran away with Kantuta ...a great band of guys...aint that the cure!!

I read every book on Breast Cancer I could find.

In one book by the BBC a gentle way with Cancer it says that battered women get breast cancer.

Women with depression is also common.

Interesting.

Its also says nothing about the fact the pill or the injection depo prevera is a cause ..so I want to take this opportunity to explain.

When I was in the hospital every nurse asked me was I on the pill or the depo. Yes i said...

Oh you just another one...

well if all the nurses know this then how come we still have depo and pill.

There was less breast cancer prior to 1950's so why?? the pill came to NZ as an experiement from the UK. So Im just thinking out loud here...hello!!! has any body thort that breast cancer- the  most common cancer among women could be related to the pill and depo.

Certain types of Breast Cancer are hormone induced, as was mine. To treat it they switch off your ovary with Zoladex injections for 2 yrs. Or remove your ovary, however if you are young like 34..hardly think thats appropriate.

There is still no cure, just an extention for life, an extra few years???

I'd like to see Breast Cancer treatment free, all the drugs and the specialist fees are dam expensive.

I'd like to see an investigation into the pill and depo...about time some one moaned!!

I'd like to hear from other breast cancer women for their opinion??

Just thinking out loud as Today my dear friend Erika in Germany died of Breast Cancer...god bless her and her family. 

In 1994 I wanted to help battered women after going to Plunket one day and seeing women with black eyes and bruises every week. Kids with broken bones and emotionally shot.

I also had a violent marriage, and ex boyfriend and could relate to some women very well. I decided to get a crew of excellent women, from hnz , winz staff and police , good people came from everywhere...to help these families.

After a couple of months the Police came to me with kids that had no home and no parental care and in serious trouble with the law..105 kids later, and yes still doing it, I help young teens to get back on the right road to a good life, and honest living.

Our trust has helped 30 families a year, completely voluntarily and with no govt funding. My work is confidential and yet you may find me at the court house, police station, winz office, lawyers, other fabulous agencies helping where ever possible.

I'd like to take an opportunity to encourage families escaping from domestic violence to try seek help and leave any form of violence behind.

Its been years... truely wonderful years without any form of violence, no abuse no violence, I never thought life would be better and I know it sounds hard at first and stressful, but I guess I can look back now and say I did it...for me and my kids.

Sure you think (its ok for her) well no it was hard at first but I kept just wanting a better life...and not all men are violent. You can have a normal loving life again...so please try get help.

I made heaps of friends from the refuge, 13yrs later I still see alot of families, get invites and see their transformation from what was pretty bad to being a great family now. Let me encourage you to leave a violent partner...You can do it.

Your local Doctor is the best point to call, or the police and Domestic Violence Centre nearest you.

Please have faith that other women are survivors of domestic violence and you can too.

Please contact me if you need assistance.

Keep our homes safe

Please support all womens refuges, independeant or collective.

Please support me to say we need tougher penalties against offenders.

Much Love Tonton

Hi Everybody...

Whats that i hear you say?? Well if you are a Musician, Actor, Artist, ie Novelist, writer, journalist , graphic artist, painter , dancer , sculptor, potter, crafts ,  film production, tv, media, radio etc etc

anything in the creative field Did you know PACE can be for you.

Well its not an artist's benefit as the media said... its a way to help get you through the tuff times, like inbetween gigs , jobs, events..Its still the Unemployment benefit.

Whats the difference? The Govt tag you to a group, so the Workbrokers and Case Managers know you are an artist.

Ever been asked to be a truck driver?? But your a singer or guitarist? Your gigs and hours are all over the place?? how can i do gigs and be another person as well.

Of course you have to show your cv of experience to be on Pace. But this allows you to free up seeking work in your field. or completing that book, or finishing that painting or writing that song to finish your album , production or studio work etc

Also did you know about Enterprise Allowance?? Its a great way to start your own business? Perhaps you are in a band and have a home studio but need cash or equipment to get it running properly.

There are many ways to help you, and you can always message me if you need any help. I know alot of people in WINZ...

ask away....xx

PS, register on our site www.thebigidea.co.nz

has jobs and profiles for NZ artists.