I admit it, I am a storage junkie. I love getting matching storage containers in different sizes and then optimising which item goes in which container. Yes, our spices are all in identical labelled jars in a drawer, so you can see the labels on the lids, and yes they are in alphabetical order. Also,Continue reading “Lands of hope and stories”
Author Archives: janecshearer
The paradox of predictions
Everyone, including me, was dusting off their crystal balls this week as the American election moved to its zenith. The continuous commentary regarding what might happen and what is happening, and around that loop again, gets somewhat tiresome. It makes me want to say, “Forget about it, just go to sleep and wake up inContinue reading “The paradox of predictions”
Waka or sieve?
The JumbliesThey went to sea in a Sieve, they did, In a Sieve they went to sea: In spite of all their friends could say, On a winter’s morn, on a stormy day, In a Sieve they went to sea! And when the Sieve turned round and round, And every one cried, “You’ll all beContinue reading “Waka or sieve?”
Endings
All good things must come to an end. As must all mediocre and undesirable things, but our trip completed yesterday was in the excellent category. The end of a cycle tour allows one a brief moment of feeling chuffed at the kilometres and vertical metres covered. My body can do that – really? when cycleContinue reading “Endings”
Who are us?
Jacinda Ardern’s quote “They are us”, spoken in the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque attacks, was voted the Massey University quote of the year for 2019. Ardern has reiterated the same sentiments many times since, including in reference to the COVID ‘Team of 5 Million’ fighting the virus together, and in her election night speech,Continue reading “Who are us?”
Chewable chunks
One of the great challenges when cycle touring is how to mentally cope with the scale of the task. One end of the scale for this trip is cycle 1300km. Big chunk and a bit depressing to start counting kilometres from number 1, waiting to reach 1300. We will revolve our pedals approximately 650,000 times.Continue reading “Chewable chunks”
Focusing on the journey
The hardest step of the journey is the one you take out your front door. After that it’s all downhill (or uphill, or into the wind), you are going. That’s what I love about cycling journeys, you aren’t leaving, you are going, somewhere. All the time you are travelling, the movement itself is a largeContinue reading “Focusing on the journey”
So much need…so little money
I have recently been exposed to the degree of need in our community, a degree that reinforces my belief that society is reaching its limits in a whole lot of ways. I am a member of the inaugural Impact100 Wakatipu grants committee. Impact100 is a global philanthropy model where 100 women (or more) donate $1000Continue reading “So much need…so little money”
Taking stock
Yesterday (September 22) was another happy day in New Zealand, as the majority of the country returned to Alert Level 1 conditions, with Auckland to drop back from Level 2.5 to Level 2 at midnight tonight. As usual, some health professionals think the reduction in Alert Levels has come too soon, while some business peopleContinue reading “Taking stock”
Things I don’t understand
Of the many things that I don’t understand, the vast majority relate to human nature. I have questions like, why don’t people act in their own best interests? That’s a rather big question, let’s step in down a level. Why do people want to go on aeroplane flights to nowhere? There is, apparently, a growingContinue reading “Things I don’t understand”