title: Groovy: How do you initialise and compare date/time values from different timezones?
body: <p>I need to standardise and compare <strong>date/time fields that are in differnt timezones</strong>. eg How do you find the time difference between the following two times?...</p>
  
  <pre><code>"18-05-2012 09:29:41 +0800"
  "18-05-2012 09:29:21 +0900"
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>What's the best way to initialise standard varaibles with the date/time? 
  The output needs to display the difference and normalised data in a timezone (eg +0100) that is different to the incoming values and different to the local environment.</p>
  
  <p>Expected Output: </p>
  
  <pre><code>18-05-2012 02:29:41 +0100 
  18-05-2012 01:29:21 +0100
  Difference: 01:00:20
  </code></pre>