Miraz Jordan

Good to see this plan to make NZ predator free by 2050

Department of Conservation … goals for Predator Free 2050… focus on … possums, … rats, stoats, ferrets and weasels.

That’s a great start. I wonder how it will affect rabbits? We have so many unwanted predators here.

This 300 page PDF by a pro photographer was definitely worth the US$13 I paid for it: Secrets To Stunning Wildlife Photography

I’m looking forward to trying out the numerous practical tips, including the one for getting better photos of my all-black pet(s).

At last I know what makes some of the tracks on the beach. Sand scarab beetle

Pericoptus truncatus is the largest of the New Zealand native scarab beetles. … The larvae, pupae and adults are common amongst the roots of marram grass and under or within driftwood. 

I should remember this when I’m so often tired: Ringing in ears keeps brain more at attention, less at rest

with chronic tinnitus, the precuneus is more connected to the dorsal attention network … not truly at rest… This could explain why many report being tired more often.

Watching Charlie’s Angels 2019. It’s a lightweight undemanding movie for a Sunday evening.

The literal tail ends of the RNZAF Black Falcons on their way to the Wellington Pride Parade. I think these must be the T-6C Texan II.

Oshi approves of the new rug for the front door. The rug should add a bit of colour for winter. 🐶

Last night I set up my old iPad Air 2 with a motion sensor app in the garage and caught a million pics of the ginger kitten before the battery died. It seems there was also a hedgehog visit. 🐈

3-yearly cervical smear. ✅ Tetanus booster shot. ✅ Shingles vaccine. ✅ Breakfast at Taper. ✅ Now it’s time for a cuppa and to enjoy the gloriously sunny day. My arm’s starting to get sore…

Flight. Helicopter. Hawk.

I was so concerned by an article in the Horowhenua Chronicle today I immediately wrote a Letter to the Editor.

We have a group of refugees coming to Levin soon, but one 'concerned citizen' is worried that we don't have enough for ourselves already so perhaps the refugees would be better off elsewhere, for their own good, of course. I've added a screenshot of the article, but will include the text below too. The article was titled Can Levin handle refugees?

Here's my response to the article in the Horowhenua Chronicle, Page 6, Wednesday 04 March 2020:

A natural response to change is to worry about the risks it brings to our lives: will we have what we need to survive?

Survival is a central concern for all living things.

But rather than asking Can Levin handle refugees? we can use a simple little 3-letter word to empower ourselves and transform our thinking. We can ask instead How can Levin handle refugees?

Rather than explore all the possible threats to ourselves and perhaps forget our human compassion for others, we can focus on what's needed to help refugees.

We are stronger together and diversity is an essential part of ensuring that life continues and prospers.

Can simply focuses on what we believe are our weaknesses while How can brings solutions.

How can we help the refugees arriving on our doorstep?

The article, Horowhenua Chronicle 4 Mar 2020 By Paul Williams:

Can Levin handle refugees?

Horowhenua will welcome 90 Colombian refugees wanting a new life and a new home in a few months’ time. But a Levin woman wonders if the community really wants them.

Michelle Weastell was so concerned with the reaction on social media to the announcement of the refugee arrival that she has planned a public gathering to see if those comments were idle chatroom rabble or real concern.

“Facebook doesn’t change anything,” she said.

Weastell is wanting anyone with concerns about the refugee intake to gather at the Village Green in Levin Thursday night at 6pm and put their names to a petition.

She had no problem with refugees coming, but wonders if they will be set up to fail in a community that is bursting at the seams.

“It’s nothing about their circumstances because they are horrific, but can we support them properly?” she asked.

“Are we setting them up to fail? What do we actually have to offer them, without taking away from our own community?”

“It’s important to get across that it’s nothing against anybody, it’s just timing and what’s best for them and the community.”

Weastell said she had heard that different areas of New Zealand like Hawke’s Bay were short of seasonal workers and that maybe the refugees would be better off there.

With recent statistics showing more people living in poverty, soaring house prices, and competition for jobs, Weastell helps a lot of young families out that were struggling to find jobs.

“I see a lot of hardship.”

She had heard of a family that lost their home in a fire in Levin recently that went to a local motel seeking lodgings, she said.

But they were turned away as there was no room, and she believed all the motel vacancies were taken by people and families temporarily put there by the Ministry of Social Development.

Weastell said she was born in New Zealand and her parents were both born in New Zealand, but her grandparents came from the United Kingdom.

Her concerns echo those of former Mayor Michael Feyen, who has long questioned Horowhenua as a suitable region for refugees.

Feyen, a first-generation New Zealander born of Dutch immigrants, is concerned there isn’t enough suitable housing or jobs for them to prosper and is afraid they are doomed to failure.

Update: the letter was published on Friday 06 March 2020.

This is exciting, scary stuff: using non-printing zero-width characters to hide information, perhaps as a digital watermark. BTW: BBEdit displays the characters easily.

Via Chris Aldridge.

Every year the Māoriland indigenous Film festival is in Ōtaki, just down the road. Every year I end up not going. 😒 For this year I’ve just booked tickets to two movies:

Same But Different: A True New Zealand Love Story

The Body Remembers When The World Broke Open

This cute little 6-month old Tibetan Terrier was waiting for his mums to order their lunch at the cafe in Shannon where I was eating. Thought I’d brighten your day too. 😀 🐶

Aotearoa New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. I’ve been invited to take part in the free, voluntary screening programme. Back in the day I read Derek Miller who blogged at length on his experience with bowel cancer. Of course I’ll get tested! 💩

This was our Fox Terrier, Harriette, back in 2004. She definitely shed. You could bathe her and brush her and then she’d shake and a cloud of black and white hair would cover everything nearby. Guaranteed to show up on all clothes. 🐶 Lovely dog though. 😀

Drat. Much-needed dog groom cancelled last minute because of a death in the groomer’s family. The great thing about Shih Tzu x Lhasa Apso dogs is they don’t shed. The downside is the haircuts they need. 🐶

Next time someone asks why a woman didn’t just leave a violent relationship this is one compelling answer:

The Family Violence Death Review Committee’s Fifth Report Data showed that between 2009 - 2015, half of women killed by their partner were killed after they left them.

Aha! 10 minutes later and the farmer’s turned up to feed out hay. No wonder the steers are all so excited.

I don’t know what set off the steers in the next door paddock but they suddenly all decided to hoot and holler their way to a gathering.