Miraz Jordan

An amazing 9 minute video about train graphs — a ruler, paper and a pencil could prevent train crashes. How did this simple chart keep trains from crashing?:

Ibry displayed a chart that could show simultaneously the locations of all the trains between Paris and Le Havre in a twenty-four-hour period … the horizontal axis denoted the passing of time … down the vertical axis, each station was marked out along the route to Le Havre.

The other day we visited the Silky Otter movie theatre in Palmerston North. It was excellent and we'd go again.

There were two movie trailers, no ghastly ads. The seats were comfy leather recliners with a proper tray and a tiny light over the tray. Staff were friendly. Oh, and free parking.

In the last several decades I acquired more T-shirts than I ever needed. Most have been well-worn. Some were downgraded from 'good' or 'house' to 'garden' wear. Many are yellowed, saggy, faded, or have holes.

Today, as part of my ongoing spring-clean, many will now find a home as 'mulch' for plants.

The central city part of Palmerston North is full of pleasant surprises. Coleman Mall had blossom trees and some quirky bollards.

I ate a delicious chicken sandwich at Cafe Jacko in Palmerston North (Facebook link):

Chicken Sammie* $19 - Grilled chicken on sourdough w greens topped with brie and cranberry sauce w fries.

Unfortunately the green tea I ordered was one of the worst I've ever had: thoroughly stewed and bitter.

We really enjoyed Thelma (links to PDF) 🎥 :

Inspired by a real-life experience of Margolin’s own grandmother, THELMA puts a clever spin on movies like MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, shining the spotlight on an elderly grandmother as an unlikely action hero. With infectious humor, Margolin employs the familiar tropes of the action genre in hilarious, age-appropriate ways to tackle aging with agency.

It was funny, sad, and featured real old people. The lead actor is 94.

It was a pleasant enough day that Deb and I went for a little bike ride round the village. 8.5 km.

Dropped a small gift off to the neighbour who had given us lots of firewood from his felled pine trees earlier in the year.

Chatted briefly with a local who has two gorgeous white Great Danes. Each dog weighs more than I do. 🐶 😆

Huh, I'm reading a fiction book set in Arizona where they mention a curfew for young people. I just searched to see if that was part of the fiction, but no, it's a real thing! Amazing. Curfew Laws by State - NYRA:

We have created a list of over 400 towns, cities, counties, and states where it is illegal for young people to be outside of their homes at certain times of the day.

A show I really enjoy — Brokenwood - the international hit with a Kiwi accent | RNZ News 📺 :

But in amongst the [TV] industry's slow crumble, is a beacon of hope - The Brokenwood Mysteries, which premiered on Prime TV 10 years ago before moving to TV1, and is now screened in 150 countries. Filming for season 11 is now underway.

So glad there's another season on its way.

I always think the 6 p.m. sunset is a bit of a milestone.

Unfortunately that will all change in a couple of weeks when we fiddle with the clocks …

Hooray! Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki, 27, to succeed her father Kiingi Tuheitia as Māori monarch:

Kiingi Tuheitia's youngest child and only daughter has been announced as the new monarch of the Kiingitanga.

Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki is the eighth Māori monarch and the second woman. The first woman to hold the position was Kiingi Tuheitia's mother, Te Atairangikaahu, who died in 2006. And at 27, Ngawai Hono i te Po is also the second youngest Māori monarch to be appointed.

For the past week or so I've had scratchy eyes, a bit of an itch on the roof of my mouth. Figuring it was hay fever, I bought eyedrops yesterday that immediately helped.

Now the farmer next door is hard at work cutting down the gorse and lupins in the paddock next to us. That should help a lot too.

Important day today: Kiingi Tuheitia to be laid to rest, new Māori monarch welcomed:

Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died on Friday, aged 69 …

Tainui have been hosting mourners and dignitaries from throughout the motu and further afield … at the tangihanga at Tuurangawaewae Marae.

… at 10am the Tekau-maa-rua (the Kiingitanga advisory council) will usher the new Māori monarch to the throne.

The ceremony will be followed by the funeral service for Kiingi Tuheitia.

First time since midwinter that I've noticed the morning sun finding its way into my west-facing bedroom. Nice!

This morning the river was full after heaps of rain in the hills; the tide was nearly full, with a 2.5 metre swell. When the two met at the river mouth it was all action.

The sea had also carved out half metre high 'fingers' in the sand. For the Pacific Wave Appreciation Society. 🌊