Gary
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netchicken1.bsky.social
Gary
@netchicken1.bsky.social
Love the outdoors in South Island NZ.

Into cycling and kayaking. Live in Otautahi Christchurch.
Scientific proof that old men hate making conversation.

Males lose the Y chromosome as they age, and that holds the ability to make small talk.

ITS NOT OUR FAULT.

www.downtoearth.org.in/health/men-l...
Men lose their Y chromosome as they age. Scientists thought it didn’t matter — but now we’re learning more
Men lose the Y chromosome with age, previously thought insignificant, but now linked to diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's. New research suggests the Y chromosome plays a broader role in gene regula...
www.downtoearth.org.in
February 14, 2026 at 3:48 AM
So my new cycling shoes have a lacing system I had never heard about until yesterday. BOA.

It is awesome, It would be perfect for people having trouble with laces such as elderly.

Just turn the little dial and the 'laces' tighten, and pull the little dial and they instantly loosen.
Technology: Dials, Laces, Guides & Configurations | BOA®
The patented BOA® System consists of three integral parts: a micro-adjustable dial, super-strong lightweight laces, and low friction lace guides. All of these together can be used in unique configurat...
www.boafit.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:49 PM
I know everyone rags on AI ATM, and to be honest it is pumping out shit like a sewage pipe in Wellington.

However I have been using Gemini to choose cycling shoes and it's brilliant.

All questions answered with context to where I am going and the riding I will do.

A great addition I love using
February 11, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Woman spends $32k on a manual 2006 V8 Holden Commodore ... For her 19 year old son.

Forget about the legal issues afterwards why would you give a vehicle like that to a 19 year old?

It's like buying a gun for a kid.

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Woman gets money back for second-hand car after tribunal ruling
Karen Tilyard is relieved to have got her $32,000 back for the V8 Holden Commodore she bought from an Auckland second-hand dealer last year.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 7, 2026 at 5:25 AM
Just been to Double Hut in Hakatare last night, windy but phenomenal scenery.
February 7, 2026 at 4:16 AM
Only 7 petrol cars were sold in Norway in January.

What a dream for NZ.

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Only seven new petrol-powered cars sold in Norway in January
Data shows 29 hybrid and 98 diesel cars also sold, while the figure for battery electric vehicles was more than 2,000
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:13 AM
Why the US military spend so much money...

$150,000 - $200,000 missile to own a $2000 drone.

www.twz.com/land/company...
Company Behind Drone-Killing Hellfire Missile-Armed Buggy Set To Get Marine Corps Contract
The Denied Area Sprinter-Hellfire system offers Marines a new highly mobile way to defend against drones and potentially other aerial threats.
www.twz.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:37 AM
In 2023, some 602,000 votes cast were special votes, or about 20.9% of all votes.

Some 300,000 to 350,000 special votes in 2023 were cast because the voter had either failed to update their enrolment details or were not enrolled at all.

None of these people will be allowed to vote this year.
Changes to electoral law will disenfranchise thousands – and may not save any time
The government does not want to spend the time and resources to fully modernise the law and processes surrounding our electoral rolls – so who are the real dropkicks in this story?
thespinoff.co.nz
February 3, 2026 at 2:32 AM
Well that weather warning turned out to be a fizzer.

Been hoping for some serious rain to try out some gear but instead got drizzle and cloud.

Metservice, always promising rarely delivers.
February 3, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Magnificent day in Christchurch today. Did a 40km cycle in the countryside and enjoying the brief summer.

Tomorrow will be crap. But that's great as I am going to test out my cycling poncho in the rain.
February 1, 2026 at 11:52 PM
The great rapacious vulture is eyeing our minerals now.

Time for a change of government.
OIA requests for further information about these negotiations with the US are likely to be refused under section 6.

This withholding ground isn't subject to a public interest override. This means the Ombudsman can't recommend disclosure if any prejudice might result.

newsroom.co.nz/2026/01/30/n...
NZ in talks with US on Trump minerals deal
The Government is negotiating with the US to provide access to our critical minerals, while a memo before the Waitangi Tribunal says a backdoor deal violates obligations to Māori
newsroom.co.nz
January 30, 2026 at 2:33 AM
Just mowed a friend's lawn with their ozito electric mower.

Looks and feels like a kids push along toy.

But mows the grass ok if you have a small area.

I started out disbelieving it would work, as it's all plastic, but it did the job despite nearly being beaten by some clover.
January 30, 2026 at 2:26 AM
Oh dear Lord.

Protein farts are the WORST farts.
January 29, 2026 at 8:48 AM
Smartest person on the boat was the deckhand.
January 28, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Looks like the police are getting out of control.
January 28, 2026 at 8:02 PM
We are watching the Extraordinary Attorney Woo about an autistic attorney. Its really good, so good it got rave reviews on reddit in the Autistic sub. Now thats something.

Korean TV is such a great watch, western TV always seem to be a comedown from quality viewing.

www.reddit.com/r/AutisticPr...
What's your opinion on Extraordinary attorney Woo?
www.reddit.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:20 AM
One week after our appalling rain my rain poncho turns up. Its sunny.

Getting stuff together for lightweight cycle touring its basically a giant tent fly with a hood in the middle.

Can't wait to try it out on the bike in the rain, will need to add some thumb loops though.
TrekShield® 3-In-1
3-in-1 Camino Hiking Poncho, Tarp & Groundsheet. Ultralight 285g. Features heat-taped seams, 5000mm PU waterproofing, and fits 55L backpacks. Superior airflow reduces overheating.
www.hikera.com.au
January 27, 2026 at 11:03 PM
I went to the supermarket today looking for brie cheese and almost every one was expired!

So I bought another type and complained to management that all the brie had yesterdays date of 27/2/26.

Got home and realized it was only January.

Retirement is going well...
January 27, 2026 at 8:40 AM
The neighbors dog started it's long day of howling and barking after the people have left for work.

This has been going for some months now annoying all the people around us.

Despite many complaints the council.

They mounted a bark recorder on the fence, after the last one only recorded rain.
January 26, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Something that is always an issue if you have a judgemental tentmate.
January 26, 2026 at 5:47 AM
From Reddit...

Hilarious review of Rotorua

www.reddit.com/r/newzealand...
January 26, 2026 at 3:14 AM
Only in the last few years have I moved to longs in the winter. My knees hurt in the cold.

I also hate buying trousers, with my job sitting all day shorts were the best.

Otherwise I used to tell people that legs don't feel the cold like other parts of the body.

thespinoff.co.nz/society/26-0...
You can spot a NZ hiker by their shorts. Here’s why we won’t don trousers
Even in the dead of winter, New Zealanders refuse to wear trousers to hike – and there’s practical and historical reasons as to why.
thespinoff.co.nz
January 26, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Goodness... where can I find someone to install a bathroom extractor fan and a roof vent in Christchurch?

Everything I google looks at Home ventilation systems, which I don't want.
January 26, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Just finished the new Lake Brunner cycle path.

Great track, about 25kms return.

Totally recommend it.
January 24, 2026 at 12:51 AM
The kids are getting more stupid. It's not your imagination.

www.upworthy.com/gen-z-techno...
Gen Z is the first generation less cognitively capable than their parents but Denmark has a solution
"Since the late 1800s, every generation has outperformed their parents."
www.upworthy.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:57 PM