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  It's that time of the year again! Time to prepare the Christmas cake. Two weeks of soaking the fruit in a mixture of whiskey, brandy, and port. A bit late this year, but I am sure that won't matter. #ChristmasCake

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  This is a damning article detailing the grossly mismanaged refurbishment of the Wellington Town Hall. It is an appalling indictment on the Council and its officers at the time. I say "at the time" because, apparently, key people involved have now left. The CEO and COO at the time are now elsewhere in local government in Aotearoa but still touting their "experience" in governance on Linkedin. But no doubt there were others to blame as well, but we know no-...

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  This stuff really p*sses me off. How hard is it to have a "print" style sheet for precisely this use case? It's not hard at all - *if* you have a user-centric philosophy and approach. No doubt it was left to the techies, none of whom print anything so can't imagine any one else doing so. Sigh.

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  Fascinating post by Bernard Hickey in his latest The Kākā newsletter - now open to all. "Discussion is building within National Party circles that Christopher Luxon will have to be replaced as Leader immediately after the election if he sticks with his promise not to talk to Opportunity to form a Government. That would see National’s reduced caucus elect a new leader straight after the election so National could negotiate with Quilae Wong to form a Government. If, as expected, Chris B...

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  Here's hypothetical situation. Labour 28% Greens 16%, National 27%. The left's vote equals 44%. But Labour got more votes than National so in theory at least should be the predominant party to form a government. Compared with Labour gets 26%, the Greens 18%, National 27%. The Left's vote is still 44%, but National has more votes than Labour putting them in the best seat to form a new government. Party vote does matter between Labour and Green. Divide et impera - divi...

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  Peace in the Valley, sung by Carole King I listened to this album (Rhymes & Reasons) a lot back in the day! 🎵But I think I saw a brand new light Coming over the horizon Brighter than all the others And it says all men are brothers under the skin Brothers under the skin🎵 #PeaceAndCalm #JukeboxFridayNight #CaroleKing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSPuuS_x_U0

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  Peace Piece, by Bill Evans Such a wonderful, tender jazz piece. Really looking forward to the film about his life due out later this year I think - 'Everybody Digs Bill Evans'. #PeaceAndCalm #JukeboxFridayNight #BillEvans #Jazz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv2GgV34qIg

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  There are still tickets to this great event next Thursday, 22 October, in Wellington commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution. There is a free panel discussion, and a screening of the film, Children of Glory (Szabadság, szerelem). Registration essential. There are also nibbles and wine for $20. Full details of this event, and others, at the link below. #Hungary #Hungary70 https://events.humanitix.com/hungary-1956-2026-70-years-on-an-evening-of-conversation-film-a...

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  The Cost of Luxon "A major and long-running survey of consumer attitudes by the University of Otago has found 27% of New Zealanders now see themselves as financial strugglers, being unable to pay for essentials and least satisfied with their standards of living. [The Survey] also found 48% felt they needed to leave New Zealand to get ahead, up from 28% in 2020." https://thekaka.substack.com/p/48-now-feel-they-have-to-leave-nz?r=akd4

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  One For My Baby (And One More For The Road), sung by Frank Sinatra, piano by Bill Miller. As great and masterful as this song is in the more than capable hands of Sinatra, it is the piano accompaniment by his long time trusted pianist, Bill Miller, that elevates this song to a masterpiece of moody, late-night, torch music. It is worth listening to just for his playing. #PianoMusic #JukeboxFridayNight https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=3omQ0Xua5b8

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  Not a word I think should be used in any public setting anytime, but it has been used in Parliament before without consequence. Strange then that a female Māori MP should be ejected for using it. Wonder why 🧐? #NZPol https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1439428/te-pati-maori-co-leader-debbie-ngarewa-packer-ejected-from-parliament-for-using-c-word

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  Hungary, 1955. Girl reading on a couch. Source: Fortepan [317866] / Tamás Sipos #fortepan #Hungary #reading

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  Luxon doesn't need to like, respect, or even acknowledge Hager. But to claim that he doesn't know who he is, is just silly and ignorant. Sure Luxon was out of the country for some of the time Hager made his name, but that is no excuse. Parading your ignorance as some sort of strength is ludicrous, and demeans and diminishes Luxon. Numpty. #NZPol "‘Don’t know who he is’: Luxon unfazed by new Nicky Hager book" https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036377/dont-...

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  Pretty disappointed in this from Labour, tbh. They seem to be running scared of offending the wealthy for fear of some sort of backlash. I get why that is: that are scarred from the whole COVID thing but their mild and milquetoast approach is hurting them big time. People are crying out for bold policies that tackle the existential issues facing us. I carry a lot of water for Labour but am finding that harder and harder to justify in my own mind. Unlike many, if not most, people here on Mastodo...

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  New to me, but pleased that the latest version of macOS now has a dedicated New Zealand (NZ) keyboard layout. I used to have it set to Australian (AU). The big difference is the NZ keyboard makes it easier to type macrons for Māori words - it's now the option key (⌥) and the relevant vowel key. Previously it was a long press on the vowel followed by selecting the macron version from all the other diacritics. Nice. #macOS

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  I recall less than 10 years ago when Taika Waititi said that New Zealand was, “racist as fuck”, and thinking to myself, "Yes, but...". Now I know there is no "but". I read this Substack post by Ganesh Ahirao and wept inside. There are many things this government has done that deserve condemnation, but the deliberate and not-so-deliberate normalisation and fanning of racism in Aotearoa is the most contemptible and unforgivable. https://ganeshnana.substack.com/p/go-home-t...

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  We went and saw The Odyssey this morning in Lower Hutt. First time I've been to the cinema for ages so it felt almost like a new experience. (My, the buckets of popcorn are large these days!) You can only but admire the scale and execution of The Odyssey as a film. Some scenes are absolutely amazing in the way they are portrayed on the screen, especially the one with the Cyclops. But the film is rather charmless in many ways. I felt it was hard to become engrossed in it as I was conscio...

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  Repülj, Madár, Repülj (Fly, Bird, Fly) - Trad. sung by Martá Sebestyén with Muzsikás A beautiful Hungarian folk song sung here by Martá Sebestyén. She actually performed this song at the opening of the Hungarian Garden here in the capital back in August 2003. 🎵Fly, bird, fly Fly to Menaság Sit on the shoulder Of my sweetheart Take my letter, bird, And carry it To my father and mother And to my promised spouse If they ask you how I am Tell them I am a prisoner In the prison of love I'm...

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  A fascinating article about how a group of journalists working for the Hungary state news agency quietly documented all the ways the news was manipulated under the Orbán regime. They have now released a detailed report. Among many things, this is a terrific example of resistance during the rule of authoritarian regimes. Document, document, document the abuses because one day the sun will shine and the truth can be revealed. #Hungary #resistance #PressFreedom #journalism https://telex.hu/e...

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  For political tragics like me, it is good to see today's edition of Bernard Hickey's The Kākā newsletter is now open to all, not just subscribers. Highlights include: - A deep dive look at the disenfranchisment of a generation. Enrolment of 18-24 year olds for Nov 7 election collapses to 53% from 70% - A senior figure in New Zealand First’s youth wing, Nicholas Newport (also known as Nicholas Wells), has been linked to a neo-Nazi group - The Post-$ published an editorial this morning...

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  Paks, 1979 Workers on the construction of Hungary's only nuclear power plant located in the town of Paks on the Danube river, some 120 kilometres south of Budapest. The plant is about to be shut down for the first time its 44 year history due to low river levels, meaning there isn't enough water to cool the reactors. Source: [89226] / Tamás Urbán #fortepan #Hungary #Paks

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  Today's edition of Bernard Hickey's always excellent The Kākā newsletter is now available for all. Lots of reaction to Luxon's recent speech to the Rotorua's Chamber of Commerce. Matthew Hooton, now editor of The Post, can't help himself from poking into the National party leadership issue. I mean, we all know Luxon is a numpty, but it is all laid out for everyone to see in this newsletter. Must be tough being a National MP these days knowing Luxon is so useless and widely d...

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  I enjoyed this lovely video of my old home town, Dunedin/Ōtepoti and its heritage buildings in the central city. Great to see the Vogel Street Kitchen shown - always my favourite port of call for a breakfast when I am visiting. I must admit the word 'heritage' can be a bit triggering sometimes as it is so often associated with white privilege in suburbs like Thorndon or Mt Eden where it is used as a justification for keeping the poors at a distance. That doesn't seem to be the cas...

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  In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning (David Mann / Bob Hilliard), sung by Frank Sinatra The ultimate song about waiting, and longing, for that special person to call. 🎵 When your lonely heart has learned its lesson You'd be hers if only she would call In the wee small hours of the morning That's the time you miss her most of all 🎵 #Waiting #JukeboxFridayNight #FrankSinatra https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=kALlrxJ3LqY

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  Over the Rainbow" (Harold Arlen / Yip Harburg), sung by Judy Garland Perhaps one of the most well-known songs about waiting for better days. 🎵 Someday I'll wish upon a star And wake up where the clouds are far behind me Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me 🎵 #Waiting #JukeboxFridayNight #JudyGarland https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=oW2QZ7KuaxA

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  Car on a Hill, Joni Mitchell Joni Mitchell at her best. Love this album. 🎵 I've been sitting up waiting for my sugar to show I've been listening to the sirens and the radio He said he'd be over three hours ago I've been waiting for his car on the hill He makes friends easy He's not like me I watch for judgement anxiously Now where in the city can that boy be Waiting for a car Climbing Climbing Climbing the hill 🎵 #Waiting #JukeboxFridayNight #JoniMitchell

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  The White Cliffs of Dover (Kent-Burton), sung by Vera Lynn - who else? An oldie for sure, but I think it fits this week's theme perfectly. 🎵 There'll be bluebirds over The white cliffs of Dover Tomorrow, just you wait and see 🎵 #Waiting #JukeboxFridayNight https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=we5hKqf-zsA

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  I see Metlink are getting very defensive about the continual delays and disruption to the capital's train service. It is all just too hard and there is so much beyond their control. Anyone who spent any time thinking about how to be effective in daily life or at work, knows that you focus on the things you can control, rather than the things you can't. Or you can just read the Serenity Prayer every day. #Metlink (Feel free to mute that hashtag when you are tired of my grumpy-old-ma...

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  Budapest,1961 These images are another example of how Mácsai used his photos of everyday life on the streets of Budapest to form the basis for his painting. Here we can elements from these three photos in the final artwork: the street cleaner in one, the phone box and bus stop sign in another, and the woman in the plaid skirt, and the trams in the background. He has added different elements and people as well to form one of his most distinctive works. Source: Fortepan [313715] [313719] [3137...

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  The Danube is at record lows at the moment. A family member sent us this recent photo taken at about 30 kilometres north of Budapest. Usually the river is close to the embarkment. Amazing - and frightening. #ClimateCrisis #Danube #Hungary