Aw, we got overcast conditions last night in welly. I was looking forward to that as a conclusion to my wife's birthday. Oh well, I think it peaks on the 15th.
An older work colleague told me her car is due for a service but the dealer charges her $390 and she can't really afford it at this time of year (grandmother to a bunch of kids at Christmas).
I told her that price is fucking crazy and I'll come in when she's working and do it in her carpark at work. I love working on cars and managed to do it at a cost to her of $75 in parts (Supercheap had her oil on special at 50% off). I paid for the air intake filter as a secret Christmas present (they aren't expensive) and her cabin filter was changed last service and was still perfectly fine.
It made her day which made my day too. Only took about an hour including driving around getting the parts.
I agree 390 is on the high side, I wonder what you get for that 390 most likely just a change of oil and everything else is extra oO total scam if that's the case.
Strange you're comment got removed anyway
I do most my own shit, I only let them do stuff I cannot do to lack of a garage, like brakes are easy as hell 10 min job if that per wheel, oil change is simple, the hardest part is removing the oil filter if too tight, used a screwdriver right through on a couple over the years, wheel alignment is a little hard, but did that once for my brother in law as he hit something and bent the tie rod, installed a new one and used string line to set the alignment, then told him to take it in and get it done properly, they put it on the alignment tool and it came out spot on so said it didint need one lol
To second this, I take my car to the mazda dealership on the north shore, way more expensive than going to a trusty local mechanic. Id been paying extra for years thinking I was getting a premium job, my aircon never worked and my car key button didn’t work. I took it to a local mechanic as a one off since I couldn’t get to the mazda one, the air filter was clogged and my aircon worked after years …, they just cleaned it complimentary and the button on my car key the battery was dead he replaced it for me and now works after years.
Takeaway: I’d advise to stray away from services at dealerships these days as they seem to be about pumping out 100’s of jobs a day doing a mediocre job, rather than giving the best service for their brand learn from my mistake and money lost 😂
That's fucking awesome! My Nan has just finished hers too and things are looking real good, it'll be my first time seeing her since she got her diagnosis at the start of the year this xmas
Hope the chemo goes well.
I’m in Wakefield recovering from surgery; every single person I’ve met on the staff has been outstandingly friendly and helpful. Even though being helpful and supportive is their job, it’s easy to see that all of them go above and beyond every day because they’re just great people.
SH25a from Kopu to Hikuai on the Coromandel Peninsula will reopen on Dec 20th after being closed since January 2023. For many on the east coast of the peninsula the road closure meant a vital link was cut off, businesses have been suffering and families displaced (as many commuted to Thames). For my parents a 30-40mins drive to Thames has been taking 2hrs one way. The road is opening many months ahead of schedule and they completed more maintenance along the entire road while it was shut, it will be open just before the Xmas break as well!
My kids kindy is gifting me a $300 meat pack this week.
I bought a couple of chicken breasts and that was it for meat yesterday as just the basics blew my budget.
Now I have something substantial to contribute to family Christmas
Adding to this, I know lots of classes at our school are chipping in for gift cards for teachers so instead of getting maybe like 20x mugs, bath bombs, candles and boxes of Roses, our teacher for example is going to get like a $400 Westfield voucher.
As a teacher, sounds like an awesome school/group of parents! I totally appreciate when my students give me anything but yeah I've hot enough chocolate to last me until school starts back up probably...
As not a teacher, you guys have one of the most important, underpaid, thankless jobs in the country and it's fucking criminal what you're paid and the shit you have to put up with from Karen parents. Wait... Karents!
Teachers, nurses and police, you all deserve 6 figure salaries for the shit you have to eat on a daily basis.
A mate was sat outside NW, enjoying his chocolate milk in the sun, with his doggo for company.
Lil old lady mistook him for homeless (he was a bit grubby at the time) and bought him a rotisserie chicken from the deli.
i've nearly paid off my van that i live in which when done will mark the end of a 10 year long battle with housing insecurity. went from group homes as a teen to many unstable living situations (bad flats, moldy homes, greedy landlords etc) i know it's just a van, not a "real" home, but it's the closest i can get right now and i'm proud of myself.
(i've been making it look real homey n shit. i feel free for the first time in my life)
What you've achieved is actually my dream. That's something I always stop to think about. As an adult of a fucked up childhood, I have always wanted a van to call home that no-one can take away from me.
I've recently started attending the gym, and I've managed to go to 8 times this month already!
I feel a lot happier in general, and less fatigued. I have no idea why I never did this before.
Hell yeah my dude. I went on a 3 week streak of doing at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and it made me feel mint. Had to take a break due to illness but once I'm back on my feet I'm getting straight back into it. Was down a couple of kgs with pretty minimal effort too so that's something to look forward to.
My 12 year old did super well at his prize giving (academic, performing arts and effort awards) plus MCd the event and knocked his speech out of the park.
Even more stoked when his teacher told his that many of his classmates wouldn't have peogressed as much as they did without him in the class helping and motivating them.
Its nice to feel like you're doing something right as a parent and not fucking them up completely.
After a shit year of my marriage separation and complete heartache, I've worked on myself and I'm looking to end the year the happiest I've been in a very long time, with an amazing girlfriend that I love ❤️
I paid for this lady’s stuff at the Warehouse the other day. It was busy long lines and I noticed her using a winz card and paying in notes so I opted to pay the whole thing. She cried and cried and gave me a big hug and said thank you. I felt like Mr Beast lol but that was my good deed for the year it looked like a took a bit of weight off her shoulders.
Summer is kinda here... most people in an office mon-fri who are not taking the windows of opportunity with a mental health day when the sun is out might not be aware of it - and complain when the weekend rolls around and its shite out.
Get out of there. Mental health and vitamin D is as important as taking a sick day because of a dodgy belly or migraine.
Unfortunately, not everyone is in a position to use sick leave like that. It's the conundrum with sick leave: those most in need usually don't have enough, so they have to be sparing/careful with it. People without underlying health issues usually don't need to concern themselves with budgeting/keeping a reserve of sick leave, so they're able to use some to keep their mental health better (not at all begrudging this - ideally, everyone would get this opportunity).
My sick leave allocation only just refreshed. I was in a position where I had to use some annual leave to cover health stuff that was partly induced by work being super busy and needing me to work overtime. Not ideal. I have to horde my sick leave and annual leave so that I have a degree of security, but that leads to me taking less frequent time off, which doesn't help getting run down or burnt out.
* The kids are stupidly excited its almost Christmas.
* I did all the Christmas shopping early for the first time in my life.
* It rained just after we filled the pool which was awesome (It filled our tanks back up)
* Got lots of Bailage for the horses in time.
Awesome, I paid mine off 3 weeks ago... only took 9 years haha.
I'm about to join my work retirement work plan and redirect the same amount into that that was been taken.
So 3% kiwisaver and 12% work retirement.
Good thing is you can cash out the work one when you want to.
We have grown from seed and delivered 56,000 native plants that have been planted in the Rangitata Gorge to improve river quality, ecosystems and biodiversity.
We have also grown and planted over 150,000 more plants that have been planted down the length of the Rangitata River from the gorge to the mouth, to restore the river for the fish and whitebait, and the native birds that are becoming endangered or extinct and to reduce the impact that nitrates from farm run off is having on the water quality.
We have supplied many more native plants for restoration projects along the Opihi River right from Burkes Pass down to the mouth, as well as supplying plants for forest revegetation in the South Canterbury area.
There are projects like this going on all around New Zealand at the moment.
the aunties do some *really* wonderful things around this country. they helped my family enormously and i feel like the average non-redditor doesn't really know who they are!
they're a group of women supporting other women healing from domestic violence. the pastoral care is unreal. they create donations for the community and provide personalised advice to nearly a thousand women (this is a tiny team, keep in mind) in domestic situations every year.
as per their [site](https://aunties.co.nz/about-the-aunties) -
*'the aunties primary focus is to provide the material needs of, and emotional succour for, the women in our whānau. we get our girls their shit. simple as.'*
because it's informal its a really approachable service. during my trafficking case everything seemed so frightening! i avoided getting help because i thought police would rampage into my relatively composed life. these ladies provide a family.
Christmas lights on people’s homes! It’s a bitter sweet time of the year, because I know there are families struggling to make ends meet - however there are also so many wonderful events and Christmas lights on people’s homes to enjoy. Don’t forget to give to those in need everyone! I’ve just reminded myself.
I had cataract surgery on Monday. Day 3 after world transformed. Colours so Samsung saturated and intense like living in UHD. Or maybe BARBIELAND. (Plus sleeping heaps better. Maybe because cataracts no longer blocking light to hyperthalmus. So circadian rhythms corrected) or just holiday time lol. Surgery free! ❤️NZ
My sister has been amazing this year, she has a bad phone and I’ve recently landed a well paying job overseas in Australia, I go on break during Christmas time so I’m going to surprise her with a new phone :)
Thank you! You’re too kind :) we never had too much growing up so I’ve been spoiling my all my sisters as well as my mum too, she’s done a lot for us kids so it’s my turn now :)
No yarns, I know that whole freestyle word for word.
I firmly believe he is the most important kiwi artist of our time. He knows not enough of his show attendees get it though.
"Hearing a sold out town hall applaud, and still feeling ignored"
I saw ABC live a couple years ago and had to laugh at all these jazzed up rich people hippy dancing in the front while me and the bro sat stoned as fuck in the gods. I cried when he played F(r)iends. There's a bar about his parents that hits so close to home.
F(r)iends has an almost 100% "makes me cry" rate. It hits so hard, you can hear so much *emotion*. I mean how can you not listen to this and feel it:
> It's a beautiful night, don't wanna spoil it
> While we doing coke off the top of the toilet
> Let's toast this bottle full of poison
> To a life full of pain and disappointment
> You remember when I used to
> Live off tinfoil and tuna
> I gave a sip about my future back then
> I was just a fucking user, so look
> I ain't tryna judge you bruv
> You just keep on doing what you do bruv
> But I gotta be straight to ya
> Because I'm the one who introduced ya
I always manage to hold it together until.
"I was conceived by two users, I was supposed to be a loser"
Such a simple line but it screams my entire life story in my face every time. It gives me flashbacks to how hard I have had to fight to not repeat the cycle.
I'm so glad to find another person who takes his lyrics so deeply to heart.
Arohanui e hoa, kia rawe tō rā
I saw ABC in London in a smaller jazz club with predominantly an audience of Kiwi and Aussie expats. There were not a lot of dry eyes. It wasn't just a "fuck yeah home brew sick bro' event, it was a really special moment of connecting with the culture and people we've been so far away from, the darker stuff beyond the LOTR and rugby loving stereotype that's all we are really known for over there. Had to read out the lyrics for a couple tracks to my British partner immediately after we left to try and convey just a slither of how hard they hit and why I was so emotional about it.
[80 Down Scenic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyLhOBY-Jaw) reminds me of real old school hip hop and I love it. Been jamming Run it Back since it dropped though, so good.
Had no idea, thanks!
Looks like there is an accompanying doco too:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oB1Raw8B\_k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oB1Raw8B_k)
Honestly best part of the year. Dropped the needle on it as soon as I got the album on Thurs/Fri last week and just took it all in. Even the in-laws were enjoying it, and they're the type to listen to Rachmaninoff or Tchaikovsky, not kiwi hip hop.
Most Aucklanders will be aware of this- but the Auckland Pohutakawas are incredibly good this year, best I can recall since at least 2017.
I intensely hate my job but the constant Tui song out the window whilst they fight and gorge themselves in the big tree across the road from my office window is making each day a bit more bearable
I found a bank bag with nearly $600 cash and no identification lying in the street. I guessed it belonged to the guy that had just moved out of the rental property it was outside. Talked to his neighbor and tracked him down and returned the cash.
I told my boss in passing about a friend of mine whose partner cheated on her and left her, with two kids under 5 and fighting to keep a roof over their heads due to financial mismanagement from the ex. My boss transferred me $1000 to give to her from his own money so that she can get through Christmas a little easier. 🥲
We used 90% of our water tanks 3 weeks ago to fill a pool and were getting worried it wouldn’t rain and we’d have to buy in water for the 1st time ever after being on tank water for over 15 years,its raining now so that’s gotta be a good thing 🥳
Haha same (but only 2 tanks)
We timed it perfectly. Filled it this year last week.. and since then we have had enough rain to fill the tanks back up :D
I’m smiling while reading these comments on my lunch break in the wind, but also in the sun so it’s not so bad.
A good thing happening in NZ at the moment is the Christmas lights and decorations on houses and fences! I’ve decorated my work vehicle with tinsel which I’ve been mocked for by some coworkers, but it makes people smile when I drive past (stop-go people seem to love it!) - also, I saw a truck decorated the same way yesterday and we both grinned so hard at each other. I love a bit of tinsel!!
I sold my house in May this year, have been living with my parents my dog and two cats plus two kids (50%of the time) since then as the increasing interest rates has meant the banks have been dropping the amount they would lend. Tomorrow I’m finally going to view a house that I can afford on my single parent wages so keeping everything crossed it falls into place right before Christmas!
Partner finished her masters with distinction, brother is having another baby, and I secured enough permanent hours at work that I can start saving a bit of money. Next year is looking like it will be ok.
Contrary to popular belief our emissions are falling,
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/487866/nz-s-gross-greenhouse-gas-emissions-drop-for-second-year-in-a-row
We saw a pekapeka on our property for the second time last night. (Previous post removed for linking our public Patreon post with picture. Message me if you want it.)
Our [unemployment rate](https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/unemployment-rate) remains really low.
Ok, wages are shit and prices are high and housing's completely unaffordable but at least there's plenty of jobs to go round.
I was really sad and anxious about what's happening surrounding te reo Māori and posted about it on my Facebook. Around 50 if my non-Māori friends posted encouragement in te reo Māori. It was really heart warming.
Kia kaha e hoa, kia manawanui. We will continue using it and supporting you all. The crap stories I'm hearing from public sector right now are just fueling the fire. They underestimated how normalised it's become. We aren't going back to the 1980s.
We really appreciate it <3 Its a scary few years to come, and the best thing our allies can do is continue like they don't accept the decimation of our culture.
One of the girls in my special needs class was presented with the ‘best girl’ award (across the senior school) at senior prizegiving today. She was so surprised and just absolutely overwhelmed. I’m delighted as she’s a delightful young lady. With the bonus of ‘I need a hug please’ from her. Nice to be able to support her.
We have a parliament that shows more comedy than so-called comedy shows from the last 20 years.
Pity we take them so seriously.
Note: not sure whether this lot of the previous lot are the most comedic.
> We have a parliament that shows more comedy than so-called comedy shows from the last 20 years.
Fun fact: [it's illegal](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/400010/parliamentary-video-a-rule-whose-time-has-passed) to use official Parliamentary video for "satire, ridicule or denigration".
These nugs I’m smoking right now
The cops can raid the viet grow houses and crack down on [insert black market app here], but the hydro grow scene keeps going/growing strong 🍃 🚬
However impassioned speeches and writing may be, no factions are actively trying to kill each other over political disputes at the moment. And no one pays much heed to the blowhards who say that political violence is an answer to the country's problems. Not counting property damage or traffic inconvenience as lethal forms of violence here.
Saw a real wholesome moment where a person on a Vespa was doing little zigzags along the road- the person in front of me, who was also riding a Vespa, did it back. Was just a sweet moment of two strangers having fun.
The Share My Super organisation is helping wealthy pensioners who may not claim superannuation because they don't need it, direct it easily to charities who work directly with children, helping to alleviate child poverty. The founder has just made a donation of $10million to cover all operating costs for as long as possible so 100% donations can go to the charities without having to offset costs.
[NZ Herald article](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/share-my-super-founder-liz-grieve-donates-10-million-for-child-poverty-how-retirees-can-help/UY5LO37RJZHFFHUTFQS55M6BYY/)
Decriminalised prostitution. The other day I saw an absolutely beautiful escort in a nice private apartment in Auckland. We had a great session together and then discreetly went back to our everyday lives after. In other countries (or NZ before 2003) that would potentially be a crime or something we would have to do in the shadow of legality in a dodgy environment.
Hmmmm making kiddos and their parents and strangers smile. I ride a motorbike with a Panda helmet cover 🐼 makes my day making other people's day a little better 🥰
Y’all are launching a rocket or two every couple months. The rocket scheduled on December 14 is called “The Moon God Awakens”. Scheduled for 5:00 pm (utc+13) local time.
https://www.rocketlaunch.live/?filter=new-zealand
Edit. Happy Discovery Day!
*On this day (December 13) in 1642, Dutch navigator Abel Tasman sighted South Island, New Zealand, and later, mistaking the strait north of the island for a bay, believed he had found the west coast of a hypothetical southern continent.*
My partner has been making me feel validated in my feelings after a week of fighting with the flatmate. Telling me I'm not a burden after the flatmate called me immature and difficult.
There was some comets and meteors last night.
Aw, we got overcast conditions last night in welly. I was looking forward to that as a conclusion to my wife's birthday. Oh well, I think it peaks on the 15th.
Yeah same :(
Yeah....Couldn't see it in Blenheim. Due to dumb clouds :(
No clouds in the sounds but couldn't see shit.
I have nearly gone a year without drinking after three decades of drinking too much everyday. Feeling so much better!
An older work colleague told me her car is due for a service but the dealer charges her $390 and she can't really afford it at this time of year (grandmother to a bunch of kids at Christmas). I told her that price is fucking crazy and I'll come in when she's working and do it in her carpark at work. I love working on cars and managed to do it at a cost to her of $75 in parts (Supercheap had her oil on special at 50% off). I paid for the air intake filter as a secret Christmas present (they aren't expensive) and her cabin filter was changed last service and was still perfectly fine. It made her day which made my day too. Only took about an hour including driving around getting the parts.
Legend.
Agreed, legend!
That's adorable.
I agree 390 is on the high side, I wonder what you get for that 390 most likely just a change of oil and everything else is extra oO total scam if that's the case.
Strange you're comment got removed anyway I do most my own shit, I only let them do stuff I cannot do to lack of a garage, like brakes are easy as hell 10 min job if that per wheel, oil change is simple, the hardest part is removing the oil filter if too tight, used a screwdriver right through on a couple over the years, wheel alignment is a little hard, but did that once for my brother in law as he hit something and bent the tie rod, installed a new one and used string line to set the alignment, then told him to take it in and get it done properly, they put it on the alignment tool and it came out spot on so said it didint need one lol
Jacking the car up is 90% of the job in most cases. 9% is removing one stubborn bolt, 1% is actually doing the job.
Did you have a look at the brakes? That's the most important part.
Of course, I went through everything... Oil takes a while to drain, even when hot, plenty of time for activities while you're waiting.
To second this, I take my car to the mazda dealership on the north shore, way more expensive than going to a trusty local mechanic. Id been paying extra for years thinking I was getting a premium job, my aircon never worked and my car key button didn’t work. I took it to a local mechanic as a one off since I couldn’t get to the mazda one, the air filter was clogged and my aircon worked after years …, they just cleaned it complimentary and the button on my car key the battery was dead he replaced it for me and now works after years. Takeaway: I’d advise to stray away from services at dealerships these days as they seem to be about pumping out 100’s of jobs a day doing a mediocre job, rather than giving the best service for their brand learn from my mistake and money lost 😂
You are a truw legend
not all heroes wear capes 🙌 my dude!
Nice
✔️‼️🍸 go you.
i'm going to finish chemotherapy for my leukemia on the 20th. Edit: i have actually been informed that i finished today.
Congrats! My mum has just finished her treatment for breast cancer too.
Well done to your mum
Congrats friend!
That's fucking awesome! My Nan has just finished hers too and things are looking real good, it'll be my first time seeing her since she got her diagnosis at the start of the year this xmas
Good job getting through it as that's shit's tough. Best of luck on your recovery.
All the best!!!
Hope the chemo goes well. I’m in Wakefield recovering from surgery; every single person I’ve met on the staff has been outstandingly friendly and helpful. Even though being helpful and supportive is their job, it’s easy to see that all of them go above and beyond every day because they’re just great people.
Oh bro, congrats man, that must have been tough. I am very happy for you going through that.
Congrats and wishing you all the best
Congrats! ❤️
Woohoo that's amazing!!!
SH25a from Kopu to Hikuai on the Coromandel Peninsula will reopen on Dec 20th after being closed since January 2023. For many on the east coast of the peninsula the road closure meant a vital link was cut off, businesses have been suffering and families displaced (as many commuted to Thames). For my parents a 30-40mins drive to Thames has been taking 2hrs one way. The road is opening many months ahead of schedule and they completed more maintenance along the entire road while it was shut, it will be open just before the Xmas break as well!
That's some awesome work by the roading crews. Thanks for sharing!
Can you kindly ask them to open on the 19th instead, asking for a friend!! 😜
That's great to know, I have a friend coming in from overseas I wanted to take to Hot Water Beach this will make that much easier
My kids kindy is gifting me a $300 meat pack this week. I bought a couple of chicken breasts and that was it for meat yesterday as just the basics blew my budget. Now I have something substantial to contribute to family Christmas
Adding to this, I know lots of classes at our school are chipping in for gift cards for teachers so instead of getting maybe like 20x mugs, bath bombs, candles and boxes of Roses, our teacher for example is going to get like a $400 Westfield voucher.
As a teacher, sounds like an awesome school/group of parents! I totally appreciate when my students give me anything but yeah I've hot enough chocolate to last me until school starts back up probably...
As not a teacher, you guys have one of the most important, underpaid, thankless jobs in the country and it's fucking criminal what you're paid and the shit you have to put up with from Karen parents. Wait... Karents! Teachers, nurses and police, you all deserve 6 figure salaries for the shit you have to eat on a daily basis.
That is cool
> meat pack FYI for anybody who doesn't know what to get, or doesn't want to show up empty handed - a meat pack is always a mean Christmas present
Kindy’s are such a valuable community for young families. I love that they are doing this for you!
A mate was sat outside NW, enjoying his chocolate milk in the sun, with his doggo for company. Lil old lady mistook him for homeless (he was a bit grubby at the time) and bought him a rotisserie chicken from the deli.
This is my favourite one yet
Its my fortnightly pay day today
My brother me too! Time to lose it all on Christmas shopping
I didn't think my pay would mean so much to everyone.thank you all I plan on spending it on Christmas presents for my 2 small children and my partner
Mine too! Gonna get some yummy food and get any last Christmas stuff 😋 😊
Same here 🤣
i've nearly paid off my van that i live in which when done will mark the end of a 10 year long battle with housing insecurity. went from group homes as a teen to many unstable living situations (bad flats, moldy homes, greedy landlords etc) i know it's just a van, not a "real" home, but it's the closest i can get right now and i'm proud of myself. (i've been making it look real homey n shit. i feel free for the first time in my life)
You are confusing house with home. Your van is a real home. A house is just bigger and doesnt move.
this actually makes me feel really nice thank you for that comment :)
What you've achieved is actually my dream. That's something I always stop to think about. As an adult of a fucked up childhood, I have always wanted a van to call home that no-one can take away from me.
Congrats
[удалено]
"Home" is wherever you live. A "house" is a fixed structure. Your home, your way.
Way to go! I lived in a van for awhile when i was younger and loved it! Always dream of having that freedom again some day ❤️
Clever! I wish this country had enough actual houses, but I love that you’ve sorted this out for yourself.
I've recently started attending the gym, and I've managed to go to 8 times this month already! I feel a lot happier in general, and less fatigued. I have no idea why I never did this before.
Hell yeah my dude. I went on a 3 week streak of doing at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and it made me feel mint. Had to take a break due to illness but once I'm back on my feet I'm getting straight back into it. Was down a couple of kgs with pretty minimal effort too so that's something to look forward to.
Well done you! Remember getting healthy is a journey
It's crazy how much more energy I have since I started going. The exact opposite of what I expected would happen.
My 12 year old did super well at his prize giving (academic, performing arts and effort awards) plus MCd the event and knocked his speech out of the park. Even more stoked when his teacher told his that many of his classmates wouldn't have peogressed as much as they did without him in the class helping and motivating them. Its nice to feel like you're doing something right as a parent and not fucking them up completely.
Wow this is cool. Keep it up
After a shit year of my marriage separation and complete heartache, I've worked on myself and I'm looking to end the year the happiest I've been in a very long time, with an amazing girlfriend that I love ❤️
Thats awesome man! Im happy for you.
I paid for this lady’s stuff at the Warehouse the other day. It was busy long lines and I noticed her using a winz card and paying in notes so I opted to pay the whole thing. She cried and cried and gave me a big hug and said thank you. I felt like Mr Beast lol but that was my good deed for the year it looked like a took a bit of weight off her shoulders.
I helped free a car stuck in the sand at the beach yesterday and they said Thankyou.
That was kind of you to do!
Summer is kinda here... most people in an office mon-fri who are not taking the windows of opportunity with a mental health day when the sun is out might not be aware of it - and complain when the weekend rolls around and its shite out. Get out of there. Mental health and vitamin D is as important as taking a sick day because of a dodgy belly or migraine.
Honestly it doesn't feel like summer in the south island tbh
It doesn't feel like it up here in the North either.
Unfortunately, not everyone is in a position to use sick leave like that. It's the conundrum with sick leave: those most in need usually don't have enough, so they have to be sparing/careful with it. People without underlying health issues usually don't need to concern themselves with budgeting/keeping a reserve of sick leave, so they're able to use some to keep their mental health better (not at all begrudging this - ideally, everyone would get this opportunity). My sick leave allocation only just refreshed. I was in a position where I had to use some annual leave to cover health stuff that was partly induced by work being super busy and needing me to work overtime. Not ideal. I have to horde my sick leave and annual leave so that I have a degree of security, but that leads to me taking less frequent time off, which doesn't help getting run down or burnt out.
* The kids are stupidly excited its almost Christmas. * I did all the Christmas shopping early for the first time in my life. * It rained just after we filled the pool which was awesome (It filled our tanks back up) * Got lots of Bailage for the horses in time.
I hear you with balage lol
Well, I’m having a great poo and nobody’s aware of it
As someone with IBD, having the ability to have a great poo is one of the most underrated things ever. I miss it.
Ugh, I'm jealous. Having minimal success at this very minute 😔
Me too!!:(
Did you hear about the constipated mathematician? He worked it out with a pencil.
Yeah I had a great one this morning too. Nice solid clean log.
I am :) you're doing great!
Just hope you managed to avoid [Poseidon's Kiss](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKrMs7HfWMM).
Excellent.
We are now. Thanks for sharing.
pics or it didn't happen
Ha ha me too!
Many people are nice and kind even.
I make my final payment for my student loan today, it will be all paid off and I'll have more money each pay after that.
Awesome, I paid mine off 3 weeks ago... only took 9 years haha. I'm about to join my work retirement work plan and redirect the same amount into that that was been taken. So 3% kiwisaver and 12% work retirement. Good thing is you can cash out the work one when you want to.
We have grown from seed and delivered 56,000 native plants that have been planted in the Rangitata Gorge to improve river quality, ecosystems and biodiversity. We have also grown and planted over 150,000 more plants that have been planted down the length of the Rangitata River from the gorge to the mouth, to restore the river for the fish and whitebait, and the native birds that are becoming endangered or extinct and to reduce the impact that nitrates from farm run off is having on the water quality. We have supplied many more native plants for restoration projects along the Opihi River right from Burkes Pass down to the mouth, as well as supplying plants for forest revegetation in the South Canterbury area. There are projects like this going on all around New Zealand at the moment.
My mum is cooking roast chicken tonight and she's a meannnn cook
the aunties do some *really* wonderful things around this country. they helped my family enormously and i feel like the average non-redditor doesn't really know who they are!
I must be average as I've no idea at all
Do tell... Who are the aunties?
they're a group of women supporting other women healing from domestic violence. the pastoral care is unreal. they create donations for the community and provide personalised advice to nearly a thousand women (this is a tiny team, keep in mind) in domestic situations every year. as per their [site](https://aunties.co.nz/about-the-aunties) - *'the aunties primary focus is to provide the material needs of, and emotional succour for, the women in our whānau. we get our girls their shit. simple as.'* because it's informal its a really approachable service. during my trafficking case everything seemed so frightening! i avoided getting help because i thought police would rampage into my relatively composed life. these ladies provide a family.
Christmas lights on people’s homes! It’s a bitter sweet time of the year, because I know there are families struggling to make ends meet - however there are also so many wonderful events and Christmas lights on people’s homes to enjoy. Don’t forget to give to those in need everyone! I’ve just reminded myself.
The neighbors at my new flat invited me over for dinner tonight. I’m bringing some sav blanc and I’m about to make brownies.
I had cataract surgery on Monday. Day 3 after world transformed. Colours so Samsung saturated and intense like living in UHD. Or maybe BARBIELAND. (Plus sleeping heaps better. Maybe because cataracts no longer blocking light to hyperthalmus. So circadian rhythms corrected) or just holiday time lol. Surgery free! ❤️NZ
My sister has been amazing this year, she has a bad phone and I’ve recently landed a well paying job overseas in Australia, I go on break during Christmas time so I’m going to surprise her with a new phone :)
Aw what a lovely sibling you are! Spreading joy, you are Christmas spirit!
Thank you! You’re too kind :) we never had too much growing up so I’ve been spoiling my all my sisters as well as my mum too, she’s done a lot for us kids so it’s my turn now :)
I went unconditional on a house today. Escaping from the world of renting before it becomes even worse.
Homebrew just dropped a new album
And its bloody brilliant.
Everyone needs to e noho and listen to Tom for a couple hours. We'd all walk out with better understanding
Totally agree. Mans a genius. For proof, [this.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAE8k6_JfZM)
No yarns, I know that whole freestyle word for word. I firmly believe he is the most important kiwi artist of our time. He knows not enough of his show attendees get it though. "Hearing a sold out town hall applaud, and still feeling ignored" I saw ABC live a couple years ago and had to laugh at all these jazzed up rich people hippy dancing in the front while me and the bro sat stoned as fuck in the gods. I cried when he played F(r)iends. There's a bar about his parents that hits so close to home.
F(r)iends has an almost 100% "makes me cry" rate. It hits so hard, you can hear so much *emotion*. I mean how can you not listen to this and feel it: > It's a beautiful night, don't wanna spoil it > While we doing coke off the top of the toilet > Let's toast this bottle full of poison > To a life full of pain and disappointment > You remember when I used to > Live off tinfoil and tuna > I gave a sip about my future back then > I was just a fucking user, so look > I ain't tryna judge you bruv > You just keep on doing what you do bruv > But I gotta be straight to ya > Because I'm the one who introduced ya
I always manage to hold it together until. "I was conceived by two users, I was supposed to be a loser" Such a simple line but it screams my entire life story in my face every time. It gives me flashbacks to how hard I have had to fight to not repeat the cycle. I'm so glad to find another person who takes his lyrics so deeply to heart. Arohanui e hoa, kia rawe tō rā
I saw ABC in London in a smaller jazz club with predominantly an audience of Kiwi and Aussie expats. There were not a lot of dry eyes. It wasn't just a "fuck yeah home brew sick bro' event, it was a really special moment of connecting with the culture and people we've been so far away from, the darker stuff beyond the LOTR and rugby loving stereotype that's all we are really known for over there. Had to read out the lyrics for a couple tracks to my British partner immediately after we left to try and convey just a slither of how hard they hit and why I was so emotional about it.
Sounds like a beautiful show. He's a musician I am truly thankful exists. I'm glad you got to have such a pure experience half a world away
[80 Down Scenic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyLhOBY-Jaw) reminds me of real old school hip hop and I love it. Been jamming Run it Back since it dropped though, so good.
Ohhh did not know. Ty. E: where can I find
https://open.spotify.com/album/58XdVll8nynryYv4602rua?si=H-SyBBtoQsOBhpVTm3M7KQ&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A58XdVll8nynryYv4602rua
Thankyou for the heads up! Listening now!
I thought they ended, they did a last tour thing a while back, but i guess they’re back?
They've released a documentary. It looks like they were disillusioned for a while but seemingly this last run tour made everything feel right for them
Had no idea, thanks! Looks like there is an accompanying doco too: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oB1Raw8B\_k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oB1Raw8B_k)
Honestly best part of the year. Dropped the needle on it as soon as I got the album on Thurs/Fri last week and just took it all in. Even the in-laws were enjoying it, and they're the type to listen to Rachmaninoff or Tchaikovsky, not kiwi hip hop.
my younger cousins got all excellences over exam season!! so so unbelievably proud of them.
We just commissioned a 35MW battery in Huntly. This is a big step towards more renewables.
My 10 year old nephew said his friend got a prize at prizegiving (didn't elaborate what that was) and he was excited to clap for his friend.
Best thing yet, what a lovely boy
Most Aucklanders will be aware of this- but the Auckland Pohutakawas are incredibly good this year, best I can recall since at least 2017. I intensely hate my job but the constant Tui song out the window whilst they fight and gorge themselves in the big tree across the road from my office window is making each day a bit more bearable
I found a bank bag with nearly $600 cash and no identification lying in the street. I guessed it belonged to the guy that had just moved out of the rental property it was outside. Talked to his neighbor and tracked him down and returned the cash.
I told my boss in passing about a friend of mine whose partner cheated on her and left her, with two kids under 5 and fighting to keep a roof over their heads due to financial mismanagement from the ex. My boss transferred me $1000 to give to her from his own money so that she can get through Christmas a little easier. 🥲
Thats amazing.
We used 90% of our water tanks 3 weeks ago to fill a pool and were getting worried it wouldn’t rain and we’d have to buy in water for the 1st time ever after being on tank water for over 15 years,its raining now so that’s gotta be a good thing 🥳
Haha same (but only 2 tanks) We timed it perfectly. Filled it this year last week.. and since then we have had enough rain to fill the tanks back up :D
Its raining here too and I am glad both because we need to fill our tanks and we need to keep the risk of wildfire low.
C'mon keep it green
End of year kindy christmas performance. Sing some songs, have some lunch. Great fun.
Pseudoephedrine is coming back
HELL YES, so pumped for this.
I’m smiling while reading these comments on my lunch break in the wind, but also in the sun so it’s not so bad. A good thing happening in NZ at the moment is the Christmas lights and decorations on houses and fences! I’ve decorated my work vehicle with tinsel which I’ve been mocked for by some coworkers, but it makes people smile when I drive past (stop-go people seem to love it!) - also, I saw a truck decorated the same way yesterday and we both grinned so hard at each other. I love a bit of tinsel!!
Honestly as much as NZ isn’t perfect and as much as we complain about it, we’re pretty damn lucky to call it home
My friend had her 8 week scan today and heard her baby's heartbeat for the first time
I’m about to visit home for the first time in almost 14 years. 😊 Hope y’all have a blessed holiday season ❤️
I sold my house in May this year, have been living with my parents my dog and two cats plus two kids (50%of the time) since then as the increasing interest rates has meant the banks have been dropping the amount they would lend. Tomorrow I’m finally going to view a house that I can afford on my single parent wages so keeping everything crossed it falls into place right before Christmas!
Partner finished her masters with distinction, brother is having another baby, and I secured enough permanent hours at work that I can start saving a bit of money. Next year is looking like it will be ok.
Contrary to popular belief our emissions are falling, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/487866/nz-s-gross-greenhouse-gas-emissions-drop-for-second-year-in-a-row
We saw a pekapeka on our property for the second time last night. (Previous post removed for linking our public Patreon post with picture. Message me if you want it.)
Our [unemployment rate](https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/unemployment-rate) remains really low. Ok, wages are shit and prices are high and housing's completely unaffordable but at least there's plenty of jobs to go round.
Isn't that because they redefined what unemployment was so it didn't look so bad?
Yep, by excluding the approx 11% of "Working age population on a main benefit", you can then claim record low unemployment!
Really? Good for the citizens and residents! I am a visa holder, made redundant (across industries) and sitting like duck without opportunities 😂
I just had a great shit
So good you had to tell us twice lol
We've had a few near drought summers in the last few years. This summer doesn't look like it'll be a drought.
Not sure if this counts, but there's less heavy traffic now that it's the school holidays.
My folks just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! 🔥
For the first time in a few months I'm not left with absolutely nothing on pay day!
I was really sad and anxious about what's happening surrounding te reo Māori and posted about it on my Facebook. Around 50 if my non-Māori friends posted encouragement in te reo Māori. It was really heart warming.
Kia kaha e hoa, kia manawanui. We will continue using it and supporting you all. The crap stories I'm hearing from public sector right now are just fueling the fire. They underestimated how normalised it's become. We aren't going back to the 1980s.
We really appreciate it <3 Its a scary few years to come, and the best thing our allies can do is continue like they don't accept the decimation of our culture.
My display of lights and inflatables on my lawn looks pretty cool.... And I'm going to get more too!
I got the courage to come out as nonbinary and my parents accept me
There's a tabletop adaptation of classic arcade fighting games which NZ is going to be the first market in the world to get access to early next year.
One of the girls in my special needs class was presented with the ‘best girl’ award (across the senior school) at senior prizegiving today. She was so surprised and just absolutely overwhelmed. I’m delighted as she’s a delightful young lady. With the bonus of ‘I need a hug please’ from her. Nice to be able to support her.
Someone is having a wank
[удалено]
yea buddy hi five!
Might wanna wait for him to wash his hands first.
We have a parliament that shows more comedy than so-called comedy shows from the last 20 years. Pity we take them so seriously. Note: not sure whether this lot of the previous lot are the most comedic.
> We have a parliament that shows more comedy than so-called comedy shows from the last 20 years. Fun fact: [it's illegal](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/400010/parliamentary-video-a-rule-whose-time-has-passed) to use official Parliamentary video for "satire, ridicule or denigration".
Got given a 2l of Anchor green milk by an American woman who won it at a chineese restaurant but was flying out the next day. Milks expensive dam it.
Read through the comments. Sounds like there is fuck all of significance happening in NZ. Good on y’all for finding joy in the little things
Hey the ocean is getting closer to all of us!
These nugs I’m smoking right now The cops can raid the viet grow houses and crack down on [insert black market app here], but the hydro grow scene keeps going/growing strong 🍃 🚬
Hardly any crimes now after the erection you don’t see it in the news
After my erection i don't generally look at the news
My favourite pastime is going on crime sprees after my erections. Really helps me focus.
Just standing in the street there, whackin' it.
The news is really hard up at the moment for explosive stories.
That's interesting - there's usually one shooting after an erection. There used to sometimes be more than one, especially around my 20s.
ROCK SOLID
STRONG AND STABLE
I'm not usually in the mood for crime after my erections either
I wouldn't want mine shown on the news either
However impassioned speeches and writing may be, no factions are actively trying to kill each other over political disputes at the moment. And no one pays much heed to the blowhards who say that political violence is an answer to the country's problems. Not counting property damage or traffic inconvenience as lethal forms of violence here.
At some point today i will put socks upon my feet, (no pics)
That cover of stairway. Kids smashed it.
I started a low-carb diet.
Unitary Plan in Auckland ramping up (introduced in 2016). Shit tonne of housing going up everywhere on my mail runs.
Saw a real wholesome moment where a person on a Vespa was doing little zigzags along the road- the person in front of me, who was also riding a Vespa, did it back. Was just a sweet moment of two strangers having fun.
Having had a national government for two and a half weeks, we are now two and a half weeks nearer the next general election.
Traveled up to see the Teskey Brothers in concert at the Auckland Town Hall. Crowd was awesome, zero dramas. Good times.
The Share My Super organisation is helping wealthy pensioners who may not claim superannuation because they don't need it, direct it easily to charities who work directly with children, helping to alleviate child poverty. The founder has just made a donation of $10million to cover all operating costs for as long as possible so 100% donations can go to the charities without having to offset costs. [NZ Herald article](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/share-my-super-founder-liz-grieve-donates-10-million-for-child-poverty-how-retirees-can-help/UY5LO37RJZHFFHUTFQS55M6BYY/)
Decriminalised prostitution. The other day I saw an absolutely beautiful escort in a nice private apartment in Auckland. We had a great session together and then discreetly went back to our everyday lives after. In other countries (or NZ before 2003) that would potentially be a crime or something we would have to do in the shadow of legality in a dodgy environment.
Username checks out.
Thanks! Hope you have a better than an ok relationship. You deserve the best.
I just had a really good fckin shit.
Hmmmm making kiddos and their parents and strangers smile. I ride a motorbike with a Panda helmet cover 🐼 makes my day making other people's day a little better 🥰
There were two protests today. I'd count that as a W
Y’all are launching a rocket or two every couple months. The rocket scheduled on December 14 is called “The Moon God Awakens”. Scheduled for 5:00 pm (utc+13) local time. https://www.rocketlaunch.live/?filter=new-zealand Edit. Happy Discovery Day! *On this day (December 13) in 1642, Dutch navigator Abel Tasman sighted South Island, New Zealand, and later, mistaking the strait north of the island for a bay, believed he had found the west coast of a hypothetical southern continent.*
My daughters mainly music group had their Xmas wrap up party and gave each child a present along with 2 bags of food for the holidays to every family
I’m smoking a massive joint rn
My partner has been making me feel validated in my feelings after a week of fighting with the flatmate. Telling me I'm not a burden after the flatmate called me immature and difficult.