We made it to the other side of the world in the face of COVID-19 and Putin’s threats. The best thing about escaping the hermit kingdom is exposure, once again, to the great variety of human life beyond that existing in New Zealand. It is so easy to assume that the way one does something,Continue reading “Differences”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Climate Change & Consensus
This post is not about whether there is consensus around the world’s climate changing rapidly and anthropogenic greenhouse gases having a significant role in that change. If you don’t believe this, I am not going to be able to convince you, nor am I going to spend time trying. The changing climate seems to beContinue reading “Climate Change & Consensus”
Open for Inspiration
I have posted before on the value of keeping one’s mind open to inspiration. A random event recently reminded me how inspiration comes at every scale. Ever got hot and needed to wrap your top around your waist because you don’t want to carry it in your hands? Ever had it slip off your waistContinue reading “Open for Inspiration”
When things break
I have been thinking about broken things of late because our Rav4, which I recently mentioned in light of wanting to replace it with an EV, broke terminally. The gear box failed and we discovered that it would cost about the sale value of the car to replace it. And it isn’t just that theContinue reading “When things break”
Manifest inflation
This week three things that I read and heard have been coalescing in my brain: Small pieces of gib board can be sold for the former price of whole sheets, or more. Inflation has hit a 30 year high in New Zealand, at just under 7%. ‘Manifesting’ is a very popular trend where people ferventlyContinue reading “Manifest inflation”
FB – my actions & reactions
I have participated in Facebook for a number of years, for a variety of reasons, including: It is informative to participate in some form of social media because social media is an important current form of communication. Staying away from social media entirely because of its potential for harm, is about as sensible as stayingContinue reading “FB – my actions & reactions”
Good or Bad?
We ordered a new electric vehicle this week (the Kia EV6). We should all shift to electric vehicles rather than fossil fuel powered vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), right? I have been watching electric vehicles for about the past three years as our Toyota Rav4 has become more expensive to service and significantlyContinue reading “Good or Bad?”
Views
I was cycling up Coal Pit Road listening to a replay of Will Smith abuse and slap Chris Rock at the Oscar award ceremony. When cycling up Coal Pit Road you are looking for anything that will take your mind off the job as one goes up 572m in 4.8km – if you aren’t aContinue reading “Views”
The other side of tourism
Having ranted about tourism last week I am recanting, but only a little. I like it when my friends come as tourists, I just don’t want everyone else! Clearly that’s hypocritical – everyone else wants their friends to be able to visit Queenstown, or New Zealand, not just my friends. OK, I will allow everyoneContinue reading “The other side of tourism”
Tourism saves the economy, or not – a rant
We have just finished a mini cycle tour from Gibbston to Milford Sound via Queenstown and Mavora Lakes. We stayed two nights at an Alpine Club hut near the Homer Tunnel, partly to miss the rain, and partly to be able to go up to both Homer and Gertrude Saddles for their wonderful views. TheseContinue reading “Tourism saves the economy, or not – a rant”