gamera 0 Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Yesterday I heard through the radio that fireworks are allowed only once a year in Newzealand on Nov.5th. But they didn't say the reason why. I am now curious why. Any bad accidents in the past? Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 5th November is Guy Fawkes, or bonfire night. He was leader of a Catholic conspiracy to blow up the Protestant UK parliament and King. Fireworks and bonfires are lit in celebration of the discovery of the plot. Guy Fawkes died a very unpleasant death. You used to be able to buy fireworks, but the modern western safety culture ensures that this is now not possible. The protestant ethic is that life should have no fun. Proposed future legislation requires you to wear a full face crash helmet in bed, and the presence of an elf inpector should you wish to shag your girlfriend. Link to post Share on other sites
nzlegend 1 Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by soubriquet: You used to be able to buy fireworks, but ....... too many dickheads bought them and stuck them up cats bums and ears, put them letter slots in doors, burnt down schools, put them in pipes and used them as roceket launchers targeting young school kids, set mountain sides on fire and caused the fire service a night of hell once a year. Shame that 1% of the world are worthless vermin and ruin the fun for the rest of us but such is life. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Agreed. No rockets or sparklers for big brother and me. The thrupenny bangers used to make a hell of a pop. Buried in the ground they could excavate quite a crater. In a milk bottle full of water they made a very effective anti-personnel weapon. Life was so much simpler in the days of 12d to the shilling and 20 shillings to the pound. When I was 16, I used to bike to a country pub where a pint cost 1/10d. Sigh. Link to post Share on other sites
Fossil 0 Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Milk bottles!? Luxury! All we had were our hands to hold water wit hapenny banger. Then dad would beat us t sleep wi stick from rocket. Link to post Share on other sites
Davo 1 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 thrupenny bangers were before my time, though I did get a lot of enjoyment out of the big reds and tom thumbs. One of these days all you'll be able to buy'll be sparklers. Link to post Share on other sites
gamera 0 Posted December 2, 2006 Author Share Posted December 2, 2006 Hum...so, Japan is one of rare places where anyone can buy some fireworks anytime to enjoy? Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 I think it is Asia, rather than just Japan. Last time I was in Hong Kong there were plenty of fire crackers around. Link to post Share on other sites
Markie 0 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Yes, I remember as a child, firecrackers and fireworks could be bought in the streets in HK and were very popular during Chinese New Year. However, they caused many accidental injuries and were banned. We still have fireworks displays every year but it is controlled by the government and the public cannot buy any of it. Link to post Share on other sites
Fossil 0 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Hum...so, Japan is one of rare places where anyone can buy some fireworks anytime to enjoy? ------------------------------------------------ We bought a pile of fireworks in Switzerland last year from a souvenir shop. Good quality too. We let them off while in France to celebrate my daughters birthday. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 You can buy them freely in the summer, around obon time. Mostly rockets and Roman candles. No thruppeny bangers, I'm afraid. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 New Years Eve here is like November 5th * 10 now. Madness it is, poor dogs and cats and other small creatures who don't like firework noises. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 New Years Eve here is like November 5th * 10 now. Madness it is, poor dogs and cats and other small creatures who don't like firework noises. Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 I can still remember running around with my hair on fire because i only bought a 5 shooter Roman Candle and my mate out gunned me with a 10 shooter! Ahh yes the good old days. Link to post Share on other sites
gamera 0 Posted December 13, 2006 Author Share Posted December 13, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by Mantas: my hair on fire Never seen that! Were you drunk then, Mantas? Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 No no. I was on about 11 back then. I didn't start drinking till I was 13 Link to post Share on other sites
gamera 0 Posted December 14, 2006 Author Share Posted December 14, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by Mantas: No no. I was on about 11 back then. I didn't start drinking till I was 13 Found another zaru here. Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 WTF is a zaru? Link to post Share on other sites
gamera 0 Posted December 14, 2006 Author Share Posted December 14, 2006 Zaru = basket. Baskets can pass liquor without limit, right? So when we call some heavy drinkers without limit, we call them "Zaru" in Japanese. This is a slang, not for formal occasions. If you found some parties drinking some alcohol around cherry blossom when they are in bloom, maybe you can get some if you talked to them "Watashi wa zaru desu" Remember, Saru = monkey. Just one letter difference in English alphabet but it means a lot different. Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 I've been called worse. Every year I say I'm going to learn more Japanese, but I never do. If they weren't so bloody polite and helpful I would be forced too. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts