Solar power exchange set up in system

We’ve finally set up our solar power supply with the power company tariffs so we can track how much we are buying from and selling to Contact Energy. The electrician installed the new import/export meter last Monday to track the two-way flow and I confirmed and added the tariffs this afternoon.

So far, we have sold a generous $3.19 in power back to Contact on this beautiful sunny day here in Porirua. It’s not much, but it does feel good to know we are part of an exchange that is helping to reduce the impacts of climate change.

Looking at the ‘Earnings’ tab on the Fronius app, I can see that our savings since the panels' installation also equal 1,162 km of vehicle travel. I don’t know how that is calculated, but given we drive only short distances around town in our Nissan Enote Hybrid, it looks positive.

Costs of not WFH

It’s good to see reporters looking at this. I’ve done some sums for me, and if I was still working at my previous pre-retirement job (Wellington Hospital) I would have paid an extra $550 a month in public transport costs and the cheapest lunch from our cafe (a coffee, a big cup of soup and a bread roll) if I went into work for my previous four days a week.

And it would add another three hours travelling time between work and home each day.

www.stuff.co.nz/money/350…

Te Wao Nui

CW: Health talk.

Read More →

Pauline Hanna wasn’t the one on trial, here’s the happier life I wish she’d had

I’m sure a lot of people think like this after hearing Pauline Hanna’s life dissected the way it was during her husband’s trial. I am sure there are a lot of people who have immense sympathy for Pauline Hanna. Not only because she died, but because of the life she endured beforehand.

Philip Polkinghorne acquitted: Pauline Hanna wasn’t the one on trial, here’s the happier life I wish she’d had – Niki Bezzant

Cards for Humanity fight back against Musk's SpaceX

Good grief, this issue with the land that Cards for Humanity bought in Texas to save and Elon Musk’s SpaceX is now illegally building on it is scandalous. I’m glad they’re fighting back.

Cards Against Humanity sues Elon Musk’s SpaceX for trespassing on Texas border land

Back home from hospital

CW: Health and cancer talk

Read More →

I have way too many photos of our dog online. She can’t be the most interesting thing in my life. Surely? 🐕

Getting Libby to work

Earlier this year I signed up to the local branch of the Porirua public library and was excited to see they had a app (Libby) I could use to order ebooks (and presumably hard copy books) through. For the life of me, I couldn’t get it to work. Anytime I tried to, it was a blank offering.

Read More →

Back in hospital

CW: health talk, hospital

Read More →

The Civilian reports that the government directs Te Puni Kokiri to conduct Māori Language Week in English.

Satire: Keeping in line with the government’s policy to favour English in official communications, Māori Language Week will be in English this year.

Government directs Te Puni Kokiri to conduct Māori Language Week in English

Morena world. Despite the overnight weather forecast that wasn’t too good—although it’s a clear and sunny day now—our house is running at 85% self-sufficient on the solar system. That won’t last long once the upstairs heater goes on!

Carers NZ needs your help! Please sign this survey!

We all need to help Carers NZ understand the picture of what is happening around funding changes in health and disability. Things are changing for all of us, often with no warning or consultation. Please complete a very quick survey so we can build a collective view - it will only be open for a week and then Carers NZ will share how things are looking for families.

Read More →

How many bags?

After teasing me for years about how many bags and satchels I own, my wife has decided my old black messenger bag is her new favourite. I agree it’s a great bag and used to be my favourite. Now, I don’t think I’m ever going to get it back.

A black leather shoulder bag with a flap and adjustable strap is laid on a light-colored surface.
Caption: A black leather shoulder bag with a flap and adjustable strap is laid on a light-colored surface.

I’ve only just realised the little emojis we use to filter images in the Discover section of micro.blog are from the emoji selection built into the various keyboards on my phone! Talk about a slow learner.

I think she’s trying to convince us she comfortable there. I’m not buying it. 🐕

A man is lying on a couch with a small dog resting against him.
Caption: A man is lying on a couch with a small dog resting against him.

New iPhone iOS installation

I see a lot of people worried about updating their iPhones to the latest iOS version. Fortunately, my phone is an iPhone8+ and is up to date with iOS16. 7.10.

Either those of us with older phones are further down the queue or we can’t install the latest iOS on this old hardware. Gives time to see what other people’s experiences are.

Do I worry unnecessarily about catching bugs?

CW: Medical talk.

Read More →

Together Tuesday drop in morning teas

I’ve just been down at the last Together Tuesday for the Pop-up Parlour at a local church hall. They’ve been a great opportunity to catch up with people in the community who you don’t see often, or meet new people who live in the village. That is ‘new’ as in not having met them before, not ‘new’ as in newly arrived to live in the village.

Read More →

Locking more people in prison doesn’t make society safer

I’ve just been listening to the PM talking on Morning Report about putting more people in prison as though it’s the solution to crime and recidivism.

Read More →