@BigD@mastodon.nz avatar

BigD

@[email protected]

A kiwi. A builder. A musician. A believer in science ahead of fallacies.
Like to ponder because it's good for the brain and doesn't require too much physicality.
Only swear when I'm frustrated, annoyed or just plain P......off.
I live in South Canterbury. The most livable climate in Aotearoa NZ.
An Otrovert.

#builders
#musicians
#sunsets
#pondering
#art
#nzpol
#midi
#climate
#astronomy
#chocolate
#otroverts

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@Daojoan@mastodon.social avatar Daojoan , to random

Unlike you Tesla owning rabble, I drive a volkswagen, a family values car with an unblemished and unproblematic history

BigD ,
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@Daojoan
I travelled around Europe, incl UK , in a 1959 Kombi. That era of VWKombi is still very much alive 70 years later. If you have $NZ100,000 you can own one.
Tesla in 70 years? $US10 if you're lucky.

@BigD@mastodon.nz avatar BigD , to random

Visited the Oparara Arch today. North of Karamea on a 14 km road through native bush mainly and some farmland as well.
Beautiful Native bush walkway. Where would we be without DOC. The track into the caves included dry stone walls, bridges and raised stone embanked walkways.
Followed the river, home to at least 2 large eels ambling in an eddy.
Before that, walked into Box Canyon. An underground labyrinth. Again, a beautiful easy walk through the bush.
These caves are off the beaten track so visitors are on a mission to explore the more unknown nature of the Coast. Well worth the drive.

Golden reflection in still water of rocks and bush on the far side of the river
A sandstone stallegnite type cropping in a cave
Drywall embankment built beside the bush walkway. One of many built by DOC workers to form a walking track through the bush.

Drywall embankment built beside the bush walkway. One of many built by DOC workers to form a walking track through the bush.
ALT
@GetCarter@mastodonapp.uk avatar GetCarter , to random

I've put together a page of photos, all taken from exactly the same spot, and all taken this year (whilst dog walking!)

Link:
https://stevecarter.com/wfhu/SamePlace2025.html

Sunrise over mountains and sea.
ALT
BigD ,
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@GetCarter
Brilliant photos. I'm picking sunsets?

BigD ,
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@GetCarter
Nature is a superb artist. Well done for capturing her work in the early hours.

@Clianthus@mastodon.nz avatar Clianthus , to random

I know I'm weeks too late with this post but ....

I went with friends to the World of WearableArt () show in at the start of October. The show runs for about two weeks each year. It is an AMAZING event. Each garment is a work of art. The creativeness and ability to fashion garments out of various materials blows my mind.

The show is not just the garments but live music, dancers and acrobats(!). It's really an amazing performance. If you ever go, I recommend paying a little extra and getting the audio guide, for me it really added to the experience to hear about the inspiration and garment construction as each piece came out.

Unfortunately you can't take photos/videos during the show, so I only have a few of the stage before the show and photos of garments from previous years that were on display.

A gold coloured hands with curved almost tentacle or flame like structures going both towards the ground and up above the head of the wearer. Apparently the model is able to make this move while wearing the garment.
A garment with vertical thin, damaged strips of wood, held at roughly the torso area. The rest of the garment, which extends fully down both legs and over the grass, is covered with hundreds of small fabric termites.
A garment with a head piece shaped light a heart. The area over the shoulders and hips are exaggerated large heart shapes. The dress fetched to the ankles. The whole garment is shades of pink and made from ribbons stitched together.

A garment with a head piece shaped light a heart. The area over the shoulders and hips are exaggerated large heart shapes. The dress fetched to the ankles. The whole garment is shades of pink and made from ribbons stitched together.
ALT
BigD ,
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@Clianthus Friends of ours went to the show and were blown away. I think we had better book in for the next.

18+ @BigD@mastodon.nz avatar BigD , to random

So now, future students have to up and leave Northland and live in Queenstown.
And Luxon will be saying, "see I know there's a way to get these kids off the couch, motivated and moving"
Minister Shane Jones, this is your territory. What are you prepared to do about this.


QRC Te Tai Tokerau closing after decade as Northland's top hospitality training provider https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/575583/qrc-te-tai-tokerau-closing-after-decade-as-northland-s-top-hospitality-training-provider

BigD OP ,
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@quixote
A tragedy really for the North. It reads that the biggest problem was accommodation for the students. The course itself is very successful in providing career pathways in a sector that has opportunities for local Northlanders you would think.
Queenstown has major problems with accommodation for anyone other than the wealthy.
Some sort of assistance from any source, government or other, should surely be a better resolution than expecting students to up and move to Queenstown.

@BigD@mastodon.nz avatar BigD , to random

Just went to the movies. Prime Minister.
Reminded me what an incredible person Jacinda Ardern is. We were so fortunate.

Prime Minister (2025 film) - Wikipedia https://share.google/wx4VUZhnV7o7ANZeZ

Why Sir John Key thinks Donald Trump should win the US election ( www.rnz.co.nz )

Key: "Donald Trump is driving very much an America First and a more isolationist kind of view. Actually, it's quite different, it's a very different foreign policy than we've ever seen. So that probably doesn't help New Zealanders much. But on balance, I think he's probably better for the economy.“

BigD ,
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purrtastic Why why why does John Key still kept as the go to for deep thinking of Nat wisdom in this country. He is just citizen fucking John now. Who gives a fuck.

@BigD@mastodon.nz avatar BigD , to random

An interview this morning on RNZ. It's available to listen to in the link. I recommend a listen.

Farmer Managed Natural Revegetation has now been credited with adding some 200 million trees, over about 35 years Re-establishing millions of acres in Niger with trees has helped make soils more fertile and moist, and as a result, crop yields are up.
The method has spread to 25 countries in Africa.
'The Forest Maker' Tony Rinaudo https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018951777/the-forest-maker-tony-rinaudo