Miraz Jordan

So sad the whales have stranded; so glad so many people are helping — Rescuers race to help 40 whales stranded at Northland beach | RNZ News:

About 40 pilot whales have stranded on [Ruakākā] beach, and hundreds of locals and volunteers are trying to help them as the tide goes out.

I'm thinking a lot lately about what makes identity. Saving this para for future reference — Japan’s gender-bending history:

Although the gender-bending look appeals equally to young Japanese women and men, the media have tended to focus on the young men who wear makeup, color and coif their hair and model androgynous outfits. In interviews, these genderless males insist that they are neither trying to pass as women nor are they (necessarily) gay.

So interesting! How we developed sign language for ten of the trickiest climate change terms:

Carbon offsetting … This sign visually represents the concept of reducing atmospheric carbon to sustainable levels. The sign begins with a “C” handshape to represent carbon. Then, using both hands, it demonstrates the carbon imbalance in the atmosphere.

Another annual eye test completed with my favourite optometrist. She tells me I'm not a danger to the public. 😆 My left eye has lost a few letters and the cataract's in a tricky place, but otherwise all good and no need for new lenses.

As our eyes age our lenses yellow a bit — I didn't know that. 👀

In a random cafe on Lambton Quay in Wellington while I wait for Deb to finish work so we can drive home. Tracey Chapman's Talkin Bout a Revolution is playing.

I asked for honey with my Sencha Green tea but apparently here at Belen they're vegan, so I have sugar instead.

All good.

A tiny bit of exaggeration there, Apple Mail … I hope! If not, I'm in trouble. 😆

Maybe 50,000 people at yesterday's hikoi — Was the hīkoi New Zealand’s largest-ever protest? | The Spinoff:

Experienced protest crowd counter Grace Millar put the number at 50,500 people who “went past the end of Lambton Quay… Not including people at parliament, cenotaph… or those linking the streets“.

LOL, local dogs lose access to rubbish bags for rummaging.

WE APOLOGISE TO KAPITI'S DOGS IN ADVANCE
Kerbside collections just got safer, cleaner and easier with the introduction of our integrated wheelie bin system.

The hikoi is ramping up at Parliament. Here's a live feed. About an hour till everything really kicks off. Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrives at Parliament to protest Treaty Principles Bill | 19 November 2024 | RNZ - YouTube.

Or also: Hīkoi mō te Tiriti - YouTube.

Here's one way Aotearoa has changed in the last decade or more: increasingly Te Reo Māori forms an essential part of the language spoken here. I love it!

The hikoi is being led by all the kaihaka groups who led the various marches.
Each region produced their own ropu to lead the hikoi, and now all of them have arrived in Wellington.
They bring with them the mauri of their rohe.

Source.

Big day today with Hīkoi Mō Te Tiriti 2024 reaching parliament. Tens of thousands are expected:

12pm: Activation at Paremata (Parliament Grounds)

Deb has left an hour earlier than usual today to be sure of reaching Wellington in time to see her first client.

Outdoor table at The Herb Garden cafe in Ashhurst, Palmerston North. A moment’s inattention is risky. 🤣

We've had our EV for a whole year now and need to take it in for a service and possible software updates.

When we first bought it we were nervous and the experience of driving it was quite different from a petrol car.

Now we're just used to it and enjoy the ease of driving and the low running cost.