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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

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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

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Back home from hospital

CW: Health and cancer talk

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

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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.

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Back in hospital

CW: health talk, hospital

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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

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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!

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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.

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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.
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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.

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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.
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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.

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Do I worry unnecessarily about catching bugs?

CW: Medical talk.

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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.

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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.

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Who's responsible for solving the USA's toxic political culture and racism?

I’ve thought long and hard about posting this, and it will probably get me into trouble or come across as a ‘stop picking on us’ winge. Despite my reservations, here goes!

This is a question I often ask myself when I find myself in the uber-liberal technology corners of the internet and social media. I spend my time on the Fediverse, so I don’t get this from Facebook and Twitter/X (only because I rarely go there), but I assume it’s similar there.

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Getting paid for surplus solar power

An electrician has just been in to replace our standard power meter with an import/export one that records how much solar power we are sending out into the grid.

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Good to have a local hospital

I’m currently sitting in the outpatient ward at Kenepuru Community Hospital—my common haunt—waiting for a blood test. The place is filling up quickly and shows what a good service it is to have the hospital in Porirua.

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