Paul Hickey: Shock, horror, no Good Friday groceries

Friday wasn't a great day for stocking up the pantry. Photo / Ben Fraser

So, there I was on Friday morning after a bit of a sleep in, and I wake up to find a beautiful day. After a quick discussion with wife Katie, we decided that, hey, why not invite some friends over for a barbecue. So, we checked the supplies, which were limited, and worked out we would need meats and salads and, of course, a few beersies. But imagine my shock and horror when I realised that it was actually one of those awful days when I couldn't actually stock up.

Now, I fully understand the "real" reason for Easter, and the corresponding laws that surround the weekend. But really the law is an ass in this instance, isn't it?

As for the argument that people need days off to spend with family, what about all those workers who are at industries that do stay open. And isn't that why we all get annual leave? If you want Easter off for whatever reason, religious or otherwise, take planned leave.

It also got me wondering if there's a case of reverse religious discrimination. You see, I am a firm non-believer. Does it make me a bad or evil person? Not at all, we still have strong values, based on real life rights and wrongs, not a certain book. We have close friends who are regular church-goers, and we respect each other's opinions and never force our beliefs on each other. But because of a law based on religion, am I being discriminated against by not being able to buy the food and drinks I want on three particular days of the year?

Long bow to draw I know, but all other things aside I am a pretty resourceful person, and managed to make it all happen and had a "Good Friday" night with some mates.

Today is the last day of the long weekend, which we have been celebrating at The Hits by playing "90 Hours of the 90s" and, no doubt about it, the music has brought back plenty of memories. If you haven't tuned in yet, make sure you do today to hear some songs I am sure you haven't heard in ages - probably since the 90s.

Also, today is the last chance to register to win a trip for you and a friend to Croatia to take the Game Of Thrones Complete Tour. It's a massive trip and entries close tonight online at thehits.co.nz - we'll have a winner by the end of the week. Game Of Thrones has certainly become one of the big shows, not that I can vouch for it as I've never seen it. But friends who have just rave about it.

I've got this big problem at the moment with getting hooked on shows which seem to get cancelled after 10 episodes - wonder what that's saying about my tastes?

The new GoT season premieres soon in New Zealand at the same time as the US, which I think is going to become a more regular thing as competition heats up between the traditional television networks and the streaming services. Good for us aye?

- Paul Hickey is the host of the locally based 9am to 3pm show on The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM. Follow on Facebook The Hits Rotorua and on Twitter @paulhickeynz.