Weekend social 03/04/2015
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3:59 pm, April 3rd, 2015 - 15 comments
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Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever.
No politics, no aggro, why can’t we all just get along?
15 comments on “Weekend social 03/04/2015 ”
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- Early Pfizer shipment boosts vaccine scheduleThe largest shipment of the Pfizer vaccine to date has arrived into New Zealand two days ahead of schedule, and doses are already being delivered to vaccination centres around the country, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. âThe shipment of more than 370,000 doses reached New Zealand yesterday, following a ...1 week ago
- Backing for Bay of Islands predator free effortThe Government is throwing its support behind an ambitious project to restore native biodiversity and build long-term conservation careers, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. Predator Free Bay of Islands aims to eradicate predators from the three main peninsulas in the region, and significantly reduce their impact throughout the wider 80,000-plus ...1 week ago
- Government commits $600,000 to flood recoveryThe Government is contributing $600,000 to help residents affected by the weekendâs violent weather with recovery efforts. Acting Minister for Emergency Management Kris Faafoi and Agriculture Minister Damien OâConnor have been in the Buller district this afternoon to assess flood damage and support the local response effort. They have announced ...1 week ago
- Government assisting local responses to heavy rainfall and high windActing Minister of Emergency Management Kris Faafoi says Central Government is monitoring the severe weather across the country, and is ready to provide further support to those affected if necessary. âMy thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this latest event, particularly communities on the West Coast and ...1 week ago
- PM Ardern chairs APEC Leadersâ meeting on COVID-19New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has chaired a meeting of Leaders representing the 21 APEC economies overnight. âFor the first time in APECâs history Leaders have come together for an extraordinary meeting focused exclusively on COVID-19, and how our region can navigate out of the worst health and economic ...2 weeks ago
- Health Minister welcomes progress on nursesâ payThe New Zealand Nurses Organisationâs decision to take the Governmentâs improved pay offer to members and to lift strike notices is a positive move towards settling district health board nursesâ pay claims, Health Minister Andrew Little said. âItâs encouraging that the discussions between NZNO and DHBs over the nursesâ employment ...2 weeks ago
- Boost for Pacific regional businessPacific businesses will get a much-needed financial boost as they recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the new Pacific Aotearoa Regional Enterprise Fund, said Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio. The new $2 million fund will co-invest in Pacific business projects and initiatives to create ...2 weeks ago
- PM Ardern call with President BidenPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke with US President Biden this morning, ahead of the APEC Informal Leadersâ Retreat on COVID-19. âPresident Biden and I discussed the forthcoming APEC leaders meeting and the critical importance of working together as a region to navigate out of the COVID-19 pandemicâ, Jacinda Ardern said. ...2 weeks ago
- Renewed partnership creates jobs for New Zealand youthThe Government has signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, strengthening the partnership to get more young people into work. The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) is a nationwide network of all Mayors in New Zealand, who are committed to making sure all young ...2 weeks ago
- South Island areas prioritised in tourism fundFive South Island areas are prioritised in the latest round of decisions from a tourism fund that is supporting infrastructure projects from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island and the Chathams. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has announced details of 57 nationwide projects to receive support from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF). ...2 weeks ago
- New code sets clear expectations for learner safety and wellbeing in tertiary educationA new code of practice for the pastoral care of domestic tertiary and international students will be in place from January next year, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today The code, which makes clear that creating an environment that supports learning and wellbeing is a shared responsibility between tertiary providers, ...2 weeks ago
- First TAB New Zealand Board appointments announcedThe members of the first TAB NZ Board come with experience in racing and sport administration, business and governance, the betting industry, broadcasting and gambling harm minimisation. âThis Board will progress from the excellent work done by the interim board, put in place in August 2020,â Grant Robertson said. âThe ...2 weeks ago
- Northland Maori Pathways initiative introducedThe Government has today launched MÄori Pathways at Northland Region Corrections Facility, a ground-breaking series of initiatives designed in partnership with MÄori to reduce re-offending and improve outcomes for whÄnau. A key part of the HĆkai Rangi strategy, MÄori Pathways looks to achieve long-term change and involves a number of ...2 weeks ago
- Extended Essential Skills visas being rolled outTwo year Essential Skills visa to provide certainty to at least 18,000 visa holders Streamlined application process to benefit at least 57,000 visa holders The Government is increasing the duration of some Essential Skills visas and streamlining the application process to provide more certainty to employers and visa holders while ...2 weeks ago
- Pause to Quarantine Free Travel from Victoria to New ZealandQuarantine Free Travel from Victoria to New Zealand will be paused from 1.59am (NZT) Friday, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced. The decision follows updated public health advice from New Zealand officials and a growing number of cases and locations of interest. The pause will run for at least ...2 weeks ago
- Hydrogen arrangement signed with SingaporeThe signing of an Arrangement of Cooperation on low-carbon hydrogen with Singapore heralds the start of greater collaboration between it and New Zealand as both countries transition towards low carbon economies, says Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods. The cooperation arrangement between New Zealandâs Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment ...2 weeks ago
- Hydrogen agreement signed with SingaporeThe signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on low-carbon hydrogen with Singapore signals the start of greater collaboration between the two countries as they transition towards low carbon economies, says Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods. The cooperation agreement between New Zealandâs Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and ...2 weeks ago
- Speech to LGNZ ConferenceKia ora koutou katoa and thank-you for the invitation to speak to you all today. I would like to acknowledge Local Government New Zealand President Stuart Crosby, and Chief Executive, Susan Freeman-Greene, Te Maruata Chair, Bonita Bigham, and our host, Mayor John Leggett. I also acknowledge all the elected members ...2 weeks ago
- Government to provide support for water reforms, jobs and growthThe Government today announced a $2.5 billion package to support local government transition through the reforms to New Zealandâs drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services. The package will also stimulate local economies while creating jobs and unlocking infrastructure for housing. âNew Zealandâs water systems are facing a significant crisis and ...2 weeks ago
- Government Initiatives Contribute to Fall in Benefit NumbersMinister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni has welcomed the release of the June quarter Benefit Statistics which show a continuing fall in the number of people receiving a Main Benefit. âThis Governmentâs plan to increase work focused support for Jobseekers is paying off,â Carmel Sepuloni said. âAll up Benefit numbers ...2 weeks ago
- Tourism support package continues rolloutMental wellbeing support is being rolled out to five South Island communities most affected by the absence of international tourists. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash today announced details of how tourism operators and communities can access the help announced in May as part of the governmentâs $200 million Tourism Communities: Support, ...2 weeks ago
- If I cry when I get my vaccination, it will be for Mum
It was one of Mum’s great joys that she lived to see polio virtually eradicated worldwide in her lifetime, writes Tim Cadogan, mayor of Central Otago.I got the text message last week advising me that I could go online and book my Covid-19 vaccinations. Despite how I sometimes look, I ...57 mins ago - How a South Auckland deep tech company grew 440% in a yearA ‘sleepy R&D startup’ has been transformed into a world-leading tech manufacturer in the space of a year, thanks to its groundbreaking nanofibre products.Any company that was in the business of making masks at the beginning of 2020 was poised to do a roaring trade. Covid-19 hit, and, despite the ...2 hours ago
- Suhayra Aden repatriation: Gerry Brownlee suggests following Australian laws on revoking citizenship...
National Party's foreign affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee's comments about whether New Zealand should follow Australia's law on revoking citizenships - in light of a terror suspect's repatriation - is stirring up debate. ...3 hours ago - Ancient brains: a look inside the extraordinary preservation of a 310-million-year-old nervous syste...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Paterson, Professor of Earth Sciences, University of New England Javier Ortega-HernĂĄndez, Author provided Charles Darwin famously discussed the âimperfectionsâ of the geological record in his book On The Origin of Species. He correctly pointed out that unless conditions are ...4 hours ago - Fiji opposition MPs pledge not to be silenced, despite arrests over criticismRNZ Pacific Fijiâs opposition MPs who were arrested after their criticism of a government land bill say they will not be intimidated or silenced. Police have since released several leaders of the opposition who were arrested late Sunday. One of those arrested, the National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad, ...4 hours ago
- Local Government Business Forum Annual Newsletter Released
The Local Government Business Forum has released its annual newsletter. "2021 is proving to be a pivotal year for local government and a challenging one for the people who pay the bills," said Michael Barnett, Chair of the Forum. "Major ...4 hours ago - How do we bridge an impossible divide?Despairing in the wake of large anti-lockdown protests in Australia, Emily Writes searches for ways to fight the monster of ignorance and selfishness.This post was first published on Emily Writes Weekly.Many of us here safe and secure in Aotearoa were horrified by the anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination protests in Sydney and Melbourne ...4 hours ago
- Quarterly Inflation Rising Steadily Across The BoardHigher prices for transport and food have driven up inflation for the all households group in the June 2021 quarter, Stats NZ said today. The âall households groupâ represents all private New Zealand-resident households. Inflation for the all households ...4 hours ago
- Government announces health research funding grantsHealth equity, vaccine hesitancy, and the difficulties of battling both cancer and diabetes are among projects benefiting from the latest round of government health research funding. ...4 hours ago
- The Spinoff Book Report #2Books editor Catherine Woulfe introduces a tranche of new books that comprehensively rule. Welcome back to the Spinoff Book Report. To reiterate the deal here: if a book’s on this list you know it’s genuinely great. No qualms. What happens is I eye up the cubic metre of books stacked on ...6 hours ago
- Live updates, July 27: Auckland mass vaccination event struggles to attract bookingsWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for July 27, bringing you the latest news updated throughout the day. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz8.05am: Auckland mass vaccination event struggles to attract bookingsA three-day vaccination event in Auckland did not get the attention health officials expected it would. New figures have revealed ...7 hours ago
- How the Groundhog Day grind of lockdown scrambles your memory and sense of timeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Osth, Senior Lecturer, The University of Melbourne YouTube With roughly half of Australia in lockdown at the moment, a common experience is a warped sense of time and poor memory. What day is it? What week is it? Did ...7 hours ago
- How Australiaâs fickleness on COVID vaccines is perpetuating global vaccine inequitySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Joseph, Professor of Human Rights Law, Griffith University Despite assurances from Prime Minister Scott Morrison that Australia was at âthe front of the queueâ for COVID-19 vaccines, Australiaâs rate of vaccination ranks last in the OECD. Nevertheless, Australia is still ...7 hours ago
- When will we reach herd immunity? Here are 3 reasons thatâs a hard question to answerSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Leask, Professor, University of Sydney As we try to control COVID-19, many people are keen to know what proportion of the population will need to be vaccinated in order to reach âherd immunityâ. Itâs a reasonable question. People are asking because ...7 hours ago
- A wet winter, a soggy spring: what is the negative Indian Ocean Dipole, and why is it so important?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicky Wright, Research Fellow, University of Sydney Shutterstock This month weâve seen some crazy, devastating weather. Perth recorded its wettest July in decades, with 18 straight days of relentless rain. Overseas, parts of Europe and China have endured extensive flooding, ...7 hours ago
- Yes adult literacy should be improved. But governments can make their messages easier to read right ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cath Ferguson, Senior research fellow, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock A parliamentary inquiry is looking into how to improve adult literacy in Australia. Having a low level of literacy is not the same thing as being illiterate. The definition of âilliterateâ ...7 hours ago
- How a new trade deal could make it harder to improve life for Australians in aged careSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patricia Ranald, Honorary research associate, University of Sydney Prime Minister Morrison and Trade Minister Birmingham sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement in November 2020, Canberra. Lukas Coch/AAP The 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement signed in November 2020 between Australia and ...7 hours ago
- If I could go anywhere: Greek cake shops, the Athenian countryside and the sanctuary of Artemis at B...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alastair Blanshard, Paul Eliadis Chair of Classics and Ancient History, The University of Queensland Konstantinos Livadas/Shutterstock In this series we pay tribute to the art we wish could visit â and hope to see once travel restrictions are lifted. In ...7 hours ago
- Big water decisions influence futures of small communities
The PM vows to settle the contested boundaries of the four big new regional water authorities â a decision awaited nervously in some of NZ's smaller communities ...7 hours ago - The Bulletin: âGovernment neglectâ blamed for poverty increaseGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: ‘Government neglect’ blamed for poverty increase, suspected ISIS supporter to be repatriated, and Sāmoa’s former PM formally concedes.The country’s leading anti-poverty lobby group has put the blame squarely on the government for an increase in hardship. In a report out this morning, ...8 hours ago
- Ombudsman pans council foot-dragging
Christchurchâs council gets a slap on the wrist over delays relating to a $100,000 report. David Williams reports. Delays and transparency at Christchurchâs council remain under scrutiny by Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier. Two years ago, Boshier excoriated the council for its treatment of public information requests, saying reports reflecting negatively ...9 hours ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Tuesday 27 July
...9 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 27 July
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...9 hours ago - Menopause, MHT and meA full 50% of the population will experience menopause, but confusion about its symptoms – and the options for treating them – remains widespread. Determined to address menopause’s debilitating effects, Anna Sophia embarked on an ‘experiential trial’ to discover whether hormone therapy could help.So here it is and here I ...10 hours ago
- Whatâs it like reporting from âan Olympics like no otherâ?New Zealand journalists based in Tokyo say covering this year’s extraordinary Olympics is ‘fun, strange, uncertain and exciting’. There’s also a lot of gloves. Kimberlee Downs remembers her time spent covering the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan as a “very social” occasion. Journalists from all over the world met, ...10 hours ago
- Weâve got enough food â itâs the political will thatâs missingYes, the vast majority of food produced in New Zealand goes overseas, but blaming food insecurity on exporting serves only to obscure the real issue, writes Katharine Cresswell Riol.In light of ongoing food insecurity in Aotearoa, a situation that was drastically exacerbated by coronavirus-induced lockdown conditions, the recent call to ...10 hours ago
- Beware the 'forgotten' war
Stephen Hoadley cautions New Zealanders to take into account the security risks - and the economic opportunities - presented by the fragile inter-Korean armistice, and to be aware of the shifting power balances of the East Asian region The guns are stilled ⊠for now. But seven decades ago one of the ...10 hours ago - The cut-throat world of kombucha
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As the PM visits Westport, the town faces a touch call on whether to rebuild or withdraw after the recent devastating floods ...10 hours ago - One week at the border: 60 Covid cases caught
We're keeping Covid out at the border - for now - but just last week our defences kept out 60 positive cases. Almost inevitably, that protection shield will fail. It seems to be coming at us from all angles. Covid, and its more dangerous variant Delta is knocking at the ...10 hours ago - Essay: My grandmother glitches the machine
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New Zealanders have very easy access to alcohol, and the choices are growing. But communities worried about the harm it's causing face big hurdles to stop liquor stores proliferating. How many alcohol outlets does a suburban town centre need? Well, in South Aucklandâs MÄngere, there are seven - all ...10 hours ago - Why we should care about air pollution
Itâs time to consider how reducing emissions for the benefit of the climate could bring added health benefits to our population, argues Dr Dennis Wesselbaum. The report by He Pou a Rangi, the Climate Change Commission, has received much positive and negative attention since its publication. It suggests making dramatic changes ...10 hours ago - The opposite of punitive school measures
'Restorative practice' in education reduces reliance on punitive measures such as suspensions and expulsions, creating safer environments. So do why NZ schools tend to drop it just years after bringing it in? COMMENT: Every day schools remove students from their classrooms and schools in frustration with their inability to adhere to school ...10 hours ago - LibertĂ©, Ă©galitĂ© â and Covid
France is getting tough on mandating a health passport for vaccination status, and the French aren't taking it lying down, writes Oliver Hartwich ...10 hours ago - Samoaâs FAST party gets quickly down to work after court rulingRNZ Pacific Samoaâs new FAST Party government has got down to work this morning, meeting with the heads of government departments, more than 100 days after it had won the election. FAST MPs were forced to swear themselves in because the Head of State had barred them from entering Parliament. ...14 hours ago
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- The Tokyo Lowdown: Day 3
On a day when NZ celebrated its first medal in Tokyo, our Kiwi sportswomen had a mixed bag of results - but it was an unforgettable day for the baby of the team. LockerRoom's daily update on our women athletes continues. Performances of the day It's been one heck of a ...16 hours ago - Bryce Edwardsâ Political Roundup: âYear of the vaccineâ at riskAnalysis by Bryce Edwards. Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. A consensus is emerging that the Government has generally managed the Covid crisis very well over the last 18 months, but they have dropped the ball when it comes to the crucial vaccine rollout. This was nicely encapsulated in opinion polling ...18 hours ago
- Yes, thereâs confusion about ATAGIâs AstraZeneca advice. But itâs in an extremely difficult po...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, La Trobe University Daniel Pockett/AAP One can totally understand the frustration around where the AstraZeneca vaccine fits in our vaccine rollout in Australia. At a time when weâre grappling with so much uncertainty, we need unambiguous ...20 hours ago
- View from The Hill: Labor wouldnât disturb tax cuts, negative gearing in âsmall targetâ strate...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra After making itself a mega target in 2019, Labor has confirmed it will be a small one in 2022 by promising an Albanese government would keep the 2024 income tax cuts and not disturb negative ...20 hours ago
- How do Olympic athletes stack up against invertebrates? Not very wellSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caitlyn Forster, PhD Candidate, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Andreas Karyadi / Shutterstock Olympians spend years training to be the best of the best. Scientists and sportspeople have spent decades researching the mechanics of the human ...21 hours ago
- Kiwis face anxious wait for extra flights out of New South WalesNew Zealanders stuck in New South Wales are anxiously waiting on the government to organise extra return flights. ...21 hours ago
- Curious Kids: are sugar rushes real?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Ball, Associate Professor/ Principal Research Fellow, Griffith University Shutterstock When Iâm happy after eating something sweet mummy and daddy say I am having a âsugar rushâ. But I think Iâm just happy! Is a sugar rush a real ...21 hours ago
- To ensure supply of the top 3 drugs used to treat COVID-19, itâs time to boost domestic medicine m...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Associate Professor of the Sydney Pharmacy School, University of Sydney We now know enough about how COVID works for health authorities to have issued clear guidance on which drugs doctors should use on hospitalised patients. The recommended drugs are dexamethasone, ...22 hours ago
- What is âROCâ and why are they winning so many Olympic medals in Tokyo?A mysterious team called ROC is currently in the top 10 on the Olympic medal table. Meanwhile, Russia hasn’t won any medals in Japan yet. Could these two facts be connected? We’ll give the game away on this one straight away – ROC stands for Russian Olympic Committee, and is, in ...22 hours ago
- How a bee sees: tiny bumps on flower petals give them their intense colour â and help them surviveSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Dyer, Associate Professor, RMIT University Scarlett Howard, Author provided The intense colours of flowers have inspired us for centuries. They are celebrated through poems and songs praising the red of roses and blue of violets, and have inspired iconic ...23 hours ago
- Oh, look â we canât find any mention of âISISâ in PMâs press statement on bringing woman a...
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- The forgotten Australian veterans who opposed National Service and the Vietnam WarSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jon Piccini, Lecturer, Australian Catholic University On July 26 1971, a top secret cabinet meeting ended what was then Australiaâs longest conflict. The public would hear about it for the first time in August, when Prime Minister William McMahon announced the withdrawal ...1 day ago
- Australia badly needs earth science skills, but universities are cutting the supplySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Selway, Senior Research Fellow, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia Earth science is vital to Australiaâs economic and environmental future but we are dramatically decreasing our earth science capability. Earth scientists work not only in mining and mineral exploration (which ...1 day ago
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- Barnaby Joyce scores dismal ratings in Resolve poll, while Berejiklian government easily in front de...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Mick Tsikas/AAP In the latest Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, the Coalition had 38% of the primary vote (down two since June), Labor 35% (down one), the ...1 day ago
- NZ dairy industryâs biggest challenge is meeting methane gas emission targets
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- The Returning Mother And ChildrenToday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that New Zealand will meet its international legal obligations and not leave a young family stateless. While some countries may choose to reject their citizens, the Islamic Womenâs Council of New Zealand is ...1 day ago
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- Unpacking Race Based Politics...1 day ago
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- How an NZSL performance interpreter tells the whole storyPlatform Interpreting NZ interprets performances for Aotearoa’s Deaf community. Its founder, Kelly Hodgins, tells Sam Brooks about the unique challenges and rewards that come with her work.It was the second night of comedian Tim Minchin’s recent solo tour, but he wasn’t the only star onstage. For the entire two hours ...1 day ago
- Jacinda Ardern commits to getting NZers back from Australia within deadlineNew Zealanders in Australia wanting to get home are being reassured they will be able to do so within the seven-day window and avoid managed isolation. ...1 day ago
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- âAnorexia coachâ: sexual predators online are targeting teens wanting to lose weight. Platforms ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suku Sukunesan, Senior Lecturer in Information Systems, Swinburne University of Technology Author provided Thereâs no shortage of people online looking to exploit and manipulate the vulnerable among us. One such group is anorexia coaches, or âanacoachesâ. They are typically middle-aged, ...1 day ago
- âGirls please stay in the kitchenâ â as skateboarding debuts at the Olympics, beware of the lu...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brigid McCarthy, Lecturer in Journalism, La Trobe University Keith Birmingham/AP/AAP Skateboarding will make its Olympic debut this year at the Tokyo Games. The womenâs and menâs competitions will both involve park and street events. In each, athletes perform optional ...1 day ago
- Uniform discontent: how women athletes are taking control of their sporting outfitsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachael Jefferson-Buchanan, Lecturer in human movement studies (health and PE), Creative Arts, Charles Sturt University Georgios Kefalas/EPA/AAP Womenâs dress codes in sport are determined by âtraditionsâ that are both outdated and gendered. Their outfits have long tried to reconcile notions ...1 day ago
- Australia must get serious about airborne infection transmission. Hereâs what we need to doSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lidia Morawska, Professor, Science and Engineering Faculty; Director, International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (WHO CC for Air Quality and Health); Director – Australia, Australia â China Centre for Air Quality Science and Management (ACC-AQSM), Queensland University of Technology ...1 day ago
- Thinking of choosing a health or PE subject in years 11 and 12? Hereâs what you need to knowSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Dean (Research), Charles Sturt University Shutterstock This article is part of a series providing school students with evidence-based advice for choosing subjects in their senior years. From kindergarten to year 10, all Australian students follow the national ...1 day ago
Happy Easter Holidays!
I have a friend:
Leo & band are running a Kickstarter to produce their latest album. Anyone feels like helping out a really excellent band…
Cool band r0b.
Yes they are.
I’m spending a lot of it chilling out with Seth Lakeman.
I’m spending part of Easter listening to all his albums and watching his magnificent ‘Live at the Minack’ DVD.
https://rdln.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/seth-lakemans-workers-lives-review-of-tales-from-the-barrelhouse-and-word-of-mouth/
Phil
Stunning place the Minack Theatre! We saw a performance of du Mauriers ‘Jamaica Inn’ there with the backdrop of a dramatic lightning storm out at sea.
Wish there was something like that in NZ.
Stunning place the Minack Theatre! We saw a performance of du Mauriers ‘Jamaica Inn’ there with the backdrop of a dramatic lightning storm out at sea.
Wish there was something like that in NZ.
Yes, it is stunning. Bits of Seth’s live gig there are on youtube. It really fits his music and it’s interesting watching the way the background changes from day to night – it was a long gig.
He said somewhere that you’ll notice the music speeds up towards the end and it’s because it was such a nice day he just wore jeans and t-shirt but it got colder as night came on so he started playing faster to keep warm.
Here’s the opening number, The Storm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwLK0rJ3keA
And here’s one when it is dark, Blood Upon Copper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WauBCZjOANc
And here’s one from inbetween light and darkness, How Much: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhdWsHEuSw0
Yes, it’s a great pity there’s nothing like the Minack here. I think Tunnel Beach in Dunedin would make a great site for something like the Minack; I’ve even thought of writing to the Council to suggest it.
A witty, intelligent piece by veteran comedian Alexei Sayle in the Guardian on why the new Top Gear presenter should be a Marxist, namely him:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/apr/03/alexei-sayle-its-time-for-a-marxist-top-gear-jeremy-clarkson?CMP=twt_gu
very good. Funny. I like his writing style too.
I think it’s interesting that Clarkson is such a bitter old grudge-bearer as well.
Clarkson likes to be all anti-PC, but actually he’s got his own right-wing PC thing going on.
(Personally I don’t have much time for any versions of PC, but Clarkson is such a hypocrite.)
I loved how Sayle’s article is actually quite didactic and then he concludes by saying he’s not one of the didactic Marxists, he’s one of the fun ones. That made me laugh out loud.
Yep, really good writing style he has.
Clever bloke and very witty, I still fondly recall him from his guest spots in The Young Ones, one of the greatest of all comedy shows. (My favourite character on that was the punk nihilist played by Ade Edmondson.)
I’m liking Australian singer songwriter Courtney Barnett. And she’s a lefty playing a Fender.
[audio src="http://media.kexp.org/podcasts/songoftheday/media/2015-02-05_2351_courtney_barnett_-_pedestrian_at_best.mp3" /]
Full concert.
It’s taken me a while to admit this, but I agreed with something Sean Plunkett said the other day đ
On the matter of the Americas Cup, he said why don’t we just forget the whole thing, be innovative little hobbits, and start a new race series of our own with clear rules and definitions to keep the lawyers out of it as much as possible, and invite the world to come and play.
I don’t know much about yachting but it seems like something worth thinking about.
Any thoughts from more informed Standardistas?
p.s. I put this in Social as I figured this was mostly sports related, but if mods think it’s more of an Open Mike thing…
tricky. Good idea vs it came from Plunkett. Would the govt have to front up with some $?
disclosure, I’m not an informed Standardista.
Arsenal beating Liverpool almost means Champions League footy next season for the Gunners and a sorry year for the team from Scouseland. That is on TV1 is great (streaming is not really working for me). I reckon it will be 2-0
While coding today I have been watching some Youtube on autoplay….
Love a series called “Guitar Moves” – watching St Vincent at present..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE7R4nKBK8Y&list=RDNE7R4nKBK8Y#t=9