Weekend social 06/10/2017

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1. adam 1

   6 October 2017 at 2:18 pm

   More plantings, gotta love spring!!
2. CoroDale 2

   6 October 2017 at 2:31 pm

   Fresh seedlings under clear cover.
   Dry week to work garden, sowing the following two, before full month is through.
3. tracey 3

   6 October 2017 at 3:11 pm

   Has anyone read Trial of the Cannibal Dog? What did you think of it? Am 3/4 way through.
   • Mickey Boyle 3.1

     6 October 2017 at 3:14 pm

     Yes, gives you a great perspective on Captain Cooks journey doesnt it.
   • marty mars 3.2

     6 October 2017 at 5:51 pm

     Yes a while ago. I enjoyed it. I was in tourism then and did a speal on cook. I read a lot about him.
     • Tracey 3.2.1

       6 October 2017 at 5:55 pm

       It is a good read. Not quite a rollicking yarn given it is an academic work but the language is accessible and it does roll along so you dont get bogged down in dryness… shhhhhhh dont tell me how ot ends 😉
4. tracey 4

   6 October 2017 at 3:16 pm

   Yes and the missive from on high to not kill the natives and how hard he tried to stick to it. Even when locals saw him as losing mana cos of it, especially Maori.
   • Mickey Boyle 4.1

     6 October 2017 at 3:18 pm

     I finished it in a weekend, I was thoroughly engrossed in it, enjoy the rest of it.
     • tracey 4.1.1

       6 October 2017 at 3:22 pm

       Thanks Mickey. Am getting through a few pages each night
       • halfcrown 4.1.1.1

         6 October 2017 at 3:28 pm

         Thanks, Tracey and Mickey for that very brief review I am always looking for good reading material so it has gone on my list of books to read.
5. Exkiwiforces 5

   6 October 2017 at 3:21 pm

   I’ve got two weeks with no internet which is going to be pure bliss with sat tv only until the storms roll thru at my bushblock and heap of 1980’s incl NZ& Oz 80’s music. In between work/ fishing etc hopefully some reading with John Le Carre’s second George smiley book, the Rhodesian war 50yrs on and two books on the Royal Navy post war warship design which should go well with a good single malt whiskey.

   I’m picking two seats to the left tomorrow which should give us a wee small buffer to form government and Skywave to win the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington in Melbourne at fixed odds of 300/1 with Sir Isaac Newton coming second at 28/1 for a place.

   So keep cool till after School
6. r0b 6

   6 October 2017 at 3:30 pm

   Fine weather please! Very late getting properly started in the garden this year, planting to do. If it rains I will probably work – late on a major project – as usual…
   • Mickey Boyle 6.1

     6 October 2017 at 3:59 pm

     Great time to plant tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuces, I always throw abit of mulch around this time of year also, helps the soil retain moisture and keeps weed growth down. Hope its sunny for you.
     • r0b 6.1.1

       6 October 2017 at 8:54 pm

       Fingers crossed!
7. Robert Guyton 7

   6 October 2017 at 5:16 pm

   Calm and warm in Riverton, perfect conditions for planting the rest of the French sorrel I grew from seed in pots, in the autumn and is now big enough to go out into the forest garden, alongside of the paths, within easy browsing distance. The perfect day also, to spend time with my grandsons; we visited the pond to see how the tadpoles are developing (well) and walked around the paths here, listening to the cooing of the kereru and the what-ever-it-is tūī do.
   • ScottGN 7.1

     6 October 2017 at 5:50 pm

     Is French sorrel the same as common garden sorrel Robert? I have that in the veg patch and it’s one of the first things to start growing in the spring. I use it mostly in omelettes. The chooks totally adore it (which means I’ve had to net it).
     It’s too early in Queenstown yet for tomatoes.
     Got lots of tūī this year too.
     • Robert Guyton 7.1.1

       6 October 2017 at 8:47 pm

       You’re in Queenstown, Scott? Did I meet you last weekend? I’m not good with names. French sorrel is bigger, less dark and very delicious! Omelettes are lifted muchly by the addition of French sorrel. Have you seen “blood sorrel”? Awful name, wonderful plant.
       • ScottGN 7.1.1.1

         7 October 2017 at 6:41 am

         Is that the red-veined one? I’ve not been able to find any seeds of that yet.
8. greywarshark 8

   6 October 2017 at 5:31 pm

   I’m reading 1st book of three of James (Jan) Morris’s Pax Britannica. I will be reading it along with other shorter ones, and expect to finish the three by Christmas 2018.
   It is a very concentrated tracing of England’s times and turmoils.

   Out to mow lawns. The grass grows green to my knees. It is very rough and tough grass. Will be replacing some of it with veg garden and giving any excess to the local Kai Rescue and lunch-time meals for the precariat and the lonely.

   WH Auden was very critical of his work and finished his poem about WW2 –
   September 1 1939 with line –
   ‘We must love one another or die.’
   Later he decried that saying it should be,
   ‘We must love another and die.’

   The difference of these two short words has many meanings to me. But either is relevant.
   • Tracey 8.1

     6 October 2017 at 7:57 pm

     Thanks for sharing. I am about to try the Biography of London, again.
   • halfcrown 8.2

     7 October 2017 at 8:32 am

     “I’m reading 1st book of three of James (Jan) Morris’s Pax Britannica. I will be reading it along with other shorter ones, and expect to finish the three by Christmas 2018.
     It is a very concentrated tracing of England’s times and turmoils.”

     I read those books over 35 years ago. My wife bought me the whole Pax Britannica Trilogy for my birthday. Great books with incidental snippets of info like how the word “Posh” came about. I still have these books along with hundreds of others that never ever seem to get culled out for the local Red Cross book fare. If that is your type of reading, can list some others that you may be interested in if you have not already read them like Neville Shutes autobiography called “Slide Rule” The author of the Flashman novels George MacDonald Fraser two good books “Quartered Safe Out Here” and “The Light’s On At Signpost”
     Then there is Pakenhams “Scramble For Africa” and “The Boer War” two highly detailed books. All these are now available as ebooks, At the time I had to buy hard copies.
     • greywarshark 8.2.1

       7 October 2017 at 5:31 pm

       Thanks Half Crown the books you mention sound good. There are so many books that have passed me by, and so much to read and wonder at. I have always been impressed by Neville Shute’s humanity and how he can explain technical matters in a way that holds interest.

       First I will search for them on TradeMe as keeping books in circulation, keeping bookmakers in business, appreciating the value of physical, hand-made things is one of the things that will save us from becoming machine fodder.

       Thinking about machine fodder I haven’t forgotten Soylent Green as an outpost of our inner space.
       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soylent_Green
       and
       https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=soylent+green

       Have you read Joseph Needham, China academic. He opened the eyes of the West to what an amazing place China is, and its scholarship etc.
       Trademe has listing: Genius of China: 3000 Years of Science, Discovery & Invention Robert Temple

       Based on the immense, authoritative scholarship of the late Dr Joseph Needham, the world’s foremost scholar of Chinese science, and authorised by him, The Genius of China is a captivating introduction to the astounding and unparalleled achievements of ancient China.

       Undisputed masters of invention and discovery for 3,000 years, the Chinese were the first to discover the solar wind and the circulation of the blood and even isolate sex hormones. From the suspension bridge and the seismograph to deep drilling for natural gas, the iron plough and the parachute, Robert Temple captures the spirit and excitement of centuries of ingenuity in this highly accessible, lavishly illustrated volume.

       Also there is The Man Who Loved China.
       The blurb has points that would intrigue anybody.
       In sumptuous and illuminating detail, Simon Winchester, bestselling author of “The Professor and the Madman,” brings to life the extraordinary story of Joseph Needham–the brilliant Cambridge scientist, freethinking intellectual, and practicing nudist who unlocked the most closely held secrets of China, once the world’s most technologically advanced country.
     • greywarshark 8.2.2

       7 October 2017 at 5:46 pm

       While I was looking at Simon Winchester details I saw about another and looked it up on google. The storyline sounds fantastical, whimsical but is based on a true story. Theres a film now The Professor and the Madman.

       The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity – Goodreads
       https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25019.The_Professor_and_the_Madman
       Rating: 3.8 – ‎76,714 votes
       Start by marking “The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary” as Want to Read: … With riveting insight and detail, Simon Winchester crafts a fascinating glimpse into one man’s tortured mind and his contribution to …
       AND
       http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/08/30/reviews/980830.30walt.html
       • halfcrown 8.2.2.1

         8 October 2017 at 9:59 am

         Thanks for that Grey. I think you will enjoy Shutes book He was a mathematician designing Airships during the 20/30’s This book will also explain why his novels are based on Australia and Aircraft Industry.

         “First I will search for them on TradeMe as keeping books in circulation, keeping bookmakers in business, appreciating the value of physical, hand-made things is one of the things that will save us from becoming machine fodder.”

         I have got to agree with you there I like the tangible feel and smell of the books and although I have an ereader I would not like to see the demise of the printed word in book form.

         One of the best sources of books for my wife and I is the Red Cross Book fare, They hold a large one in Hamilton every year so we drive to Hamilton if we can on the Friday when it starts. We use it as a sort of large lending library. We return to the Red Cross when we are finished reading any books we buy from there. You can always find good quality books there. Last year we found “Spy Catcher” by Peter Wright I think it was banned in Britain when first published very revealing if you haven’t read it.
         “Too many books have passed me by,” That has been my problem also, and as I said before too many books and too few years to read them all.
         I have read “some” books on China, as an engineer I was mainly interested in their ancient technology and sciences., They had highly sophisticated methods of casting metals and making alloys long before it was perfected in the west, so thanks for suggesting those books which I have not read. They will on the next to buy list.

         Regards.
9. bwaghorn 9

   6 October 2017 at 6:13 pm

   http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/innovation/90820686/hydrofoil-water-bike-to-launch-before-christmas

   check this bad boy out
   • Tracey 9.1

     6 October 2017 at 7:58 pm

     I saw a clip on tv. Apparently our design industry is already earning more than agriculture
     • bwaghorn 9.1.1

       7 October 2017 at 8:36 am

       thats a big claim can you back it up ?
       • greywarshark 9.1.1.1

         7 October 2017 at 3:12 pm

         b waghorn
         You sound disbelieving even perhaps hostile. We definitely do need to expand our industries from being so reliant on farming. Unfortunately the minds of so many are on speeding us faster to oblivion as brilliant humans, instead we are becoming obsolete with the learned helplessness that the RW like to tattoo as a wrong on the heads of pesky beneficiaries.

         If we get the Greens in, we will be on the way to developing some new techniques and methods that will require sharp brains, along with a good dose of ethics and integrity. Only the Greens can give us the valuable outcomes we need with that combination.
         • bwaghorn 9.1.1.1.1

           7 October 2017 at 5:58 pm

           i asked a simple question . hows that hostile .
           it’s far more telling that i put up a little fun vid and it’s turned into a bit of farmer subtle farmer bashing ,
           • greywarshark 9.1.1.1.1.1

             7 October 2017 at 9:36 pm

             You wanted a simple back up to the claim. Why I wondered? And really nothing to do with farmers but everything to do with getting more design industry going re Greens.

             But sorry to upset you. Perhaps it happened because I am upset at the election and can’t get politics out of my system while it looks as if we never will be able to get along with each other in this country.

             sorry about that b waghorn. Why did you want
         • weka 9.1.1.1.2

           7 October 2017 at 6:15 pm

           “No politics, no aggro, why can’t we all just get along?”
     • tracey 9.1.2

       7 October 2017 at 3:07 pm

       As I said it was on the tv last night. Prime or TV 1 news
   • greywarshark 9.2

     6 October 2017 at 8:41 pm

     Another way to spoil time spent in nature. The guy says he likes cycling so that led him to developing a water motorised cycle. I don’t see the connection. It seems that machines are everywhere: on the roads, skies, on ourfootpaths, and now in the river, in the sea. and under the sea.
     That is the next logical extension, a mini personal submarine.
   • joe90 9.3

     7 October 2017 at 10:42 am
10. Carolyn_nth 10

    6 October 2017 at 6:31 pm

    All work for me this weekend.

    then planning to read A Tale of Two Cities – don’t think I’ve ever read it, and we seem to be living in equally troubled times.
    • BM 10.1

      6 October 2017 at 6:58 pm

      Just finished reading World War Moo the sequel to Apocalypse Cow both I can recommend, zombie blood and guts with shit loads of crass and blunt pommie humour.

      Both good reads.
      • halfcrown 10.1.1

        6 October 2017 at 7:32 pm

        Thanks, BM That has also gone on my list. I have found books recommended by posters on here are far better than some of the book reviews.

        The only problem I can see in the future, as a silly old sod (SOS) with other things I do I will run out of years before I read all the good books recommended by others.
11. r0b 11

    6 October 2017 at 8:59 pm

    Went to see The Changeover tonight. Earthquake ravaged Christchurch a star of the movie. Strong performances and some interesting ideas, but overall a bit too much Twilight vibe for my liking.
12. Ad 12

    7 October 2017 at 8:42 am

    Grinding my way through “Debt: The First 5,000 Years” by David Graeber.
    • r0b 12.1

      7 October 2017 at 10:26 am

      Sounds cheery! Want to post a mini review when you’re done?
      • Ad 12.1.1

        7 October 2017 at 10:59 am

        Shall do. Late October at current progress.
13. The Fairy Godmother 13

    7 October 2017 at 9:00 am

    On to the epilogue of the story of B by Daniel Quinn. Reading B’s speeches. Is a sequel to Ishmael. Very interesting books that turn everything on its head. We are the takers -(civilized) the rest of life is leavers (primitive).
    • weka 13.1

      7 October 2017 at 3:15 pm

      Haven’t managed to read Ishmael, but Beyond Civilisation was an influential read for me.
      • The Fairy Godmother 13.1.1

        7 October 2017 at 4:03 pm

        If you can get over the telepathic ape it has some really good ideas. Ishmael’s explanation of the Genesis story in the Bible makes more sense than any I have read. His story is that the story of the Garden of Eden is a leaver story. It is the story of people who were at one with nature, who were part of nature. Takers cannot understand what is wrong with having knowledge of good and evil or the knowledge of who will live and who will die. That is what we are about. We believe that is what makes us human. The story of Cain and Abel is one of the agriculturalist taker people killing the leaver hunting people. Very interesting and it has really changed a lot of my perspective.
        • weka 13.1.1.1

          7 October 2017 at 4:25 pm

          I’ve read others’ theories about agriculture and the shift in human culture as a consequence. Large scale warfare being one of them. And colonisation. There’s an anthropologist who says that nomadic peoples are in fact connected to one area, they just move around in it, but they get to know it extremely well over many generations.

          Whereas pastoral cultures increase in size perpetually, therefore always need more land and more resources, and tend to move on once they get too big for a place, so their relationship with place is not that of living in nature, but of taking the resources needed to perpetuate the empire.

          It’s a generalisation, and it can be argued that many pastoralists have deep connection with the land, but like you I see clear distinctions in both values and practice in relationship to the natural world, and how that is bringing us to the brink of ruin.
          • The Fairy Godmother 13.1.1.1.1

            7 October 2017 at 4:37 pm

            Daniel Quinn talks about “totalitarian agriculture”. That is there is only one way and the purpose of all life is to serve humans. Therefore it is ok to destroy a forest and all the life in it to serve humans. Everything must bow down to humans as that is their purpose. This is the premise of most of the Taker religions. Leaver or animist religion sees the Gods in a place – in the trees and in the river for instance. The place a people live in is sacred. They would also see their neighbours who are sometimes their adversaries as also having Gods in their place. A lot of interesting ideas that I am still digesting.
            • weka 13.1.1.1.1.1

              7 October 2017 at 4:43 pm

              That’s beautiful.

              I think it’s also about the difference between people who visit nature vs those who are part of nature. That’s a values and perception issue but it takes quite a lot to decolonise the Western mind. I see lots of Pākehā NZers upset about what is happening to nature here, but we lack the cultural framework to express that in or that would enable us to take more effective action to change it.
              • The Fairy Godmother …

                7 October 2017 at 4:52 pm

                I had a bit of a head start as in the 80’s and 90’s I was part of a Woman’s Spirituality group and we explored some of these other ways of looking at spirituality. I do believe that the whole of nature is magical and marvelous. At the moment I am feeling very uneasy at plastic decorations for instance flowers I see in some early childhood centres when real plants and flowers are so amazing and beautiful. I would like to see all children spending a lot of their time outdoors in nature as this would be a way to change the mindset for future generations.
      • The Fairy Godmother 13.1.2

        7 October 2017 at 4:06 pm

        Will look at Beyond Civilisation. Will see if it is in Auckland Libraries.
14. Cinny 14

    7 October 2017 at 10:37 am

    Raining here, my babies are away for the weekend so I’m working from home, without interruptions woo hooo, it’s been a tricky week with work/kids balance because of school holidays. Super grateful to live in Motueka, it sure makes raising children easier living in a friendly safe community with free entertainment around the corner (the beach, park, bike tracks, animals in the paddocks next door etc), it’s a good life here.

    Can anyone recommend some good documentaries to LISTEN to please? My eyes will be to busy to watch, but I really enjoy listening to wisdom as I get things done. Thankies.

    Ohhh and.. it’s 2nd hand Sunday tomorrow, gosh I hope the weather breaks for it. If you are in the Nelson region and want to go Treasure Hunting tomorrow, here is the list.

    http://nelson.govt.nz/assets/Services/Downloads/recycling/secondhand-sunday/second-hand-sunday-participation-list-oct-2017.pdf

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