Malcolm Wood
@ornamentalhermit.bsky.social
Wellington, Te Whanganui a Tara, New Zealand. Retired editor/writer. Now occasional bikepacker and accumulator of Edwardian and earlier musical instruments.
That is so very cool. I remember my dispersed family rallying to look after my 90-year-old dad, and I saw the voluntary sector’s go all out to support new migrants, whose circumstances were sometimes dire. There are a hearteningly large number of good people out there.
November 30, 2025 at 9:07 AM
That is so very cool. I remember my dispersed family rallying to look after my 90-year-old dad, and I saw the voluntary sector’s go all out to support new migrants, whose circumstances were sometimes dire. There are a hearteningly large number of good people out there.
Because today’s the day the teddies are having their picnic.
November 30, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Because today’s the day the teddies are having their picnic.
That is very lovely. :-)
November 30, 2025 at 8:47 AM
That is very lovely. :-)
Even those of us without kids appreciated the sentiment. I see someone has replied to this saying that the lockdowns “stripped away our thin facade of kindness”. I am less jaundiced.
November 30, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Even those of us without kids appreciated the sentiment. I see someone has replied to this saying that the lockdowns “stripped away our thin facade of kindness”. I am less jaundiced.
It irks me that we have picked up the contagion of COVID denialism and anti-vax sentiment from the States. Most people went through the lockdowns with a certain amount of grace and humour. I was pleased to be part of a community that cared.
November 30, 2025 at 5:56 AM
It irks me that we have picked up the contagion of COVID denialism and anti-vax sentiment from the States. Most people went through the lockdowns with a certain amount of grace and humour. I was pleased to be part of a community that cared.
Such a satisfying block.
September 22, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Such a satisfying block.
A rage-bait troll enters the room. Are you lost?
September 22, 2025 at 3:19 AM
A rage-bait troll enters the room. Are you lost?
Ah, the great amorphous I-can’t-really-identify-them ‘they’. Good to see language used with such precision. Look, you’re evidently a fight-me guy, and life is too short to waste on bad faith arguments. Kirk was an asshole. Not someone who deserved to shot, but an asshole nonetheless.
September 18, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Ah, the great amorphous I-can’t-really-identify-them ‘they’. Good to see language used with such precision. Look, you’re evidently a fight-me guy, and life is too short to waste on bad faith arguments. Kirk was an asshole. Not someone who deserved to shot, but an asshole nonetheless.
Ooh, a fight-me guy. Reminds me of the bad old days on X.
September 18, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Ooh, a fight-me guy. Reminds me of the bad old days on X.
Agreed. Apologies from Aotearoa New Zealand. When the first word of a post is nonsense — who is this ‘they’ —.things are not looking good.
September 18, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Agreed. Apologies from Aotearoa New Zealand. When the first word of a post is nonsense — who is this ‘they’ —.things are not looking good.
Saw a bus in the distance today bearing the slogan Vote Gay Nuns. Very disappointed to have it resolve into Vote Guy Nunn as it neared. Picking up new prescription glasses tomorrow. Would have had my vote.
September 14, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Saw a bus in the distance today bearing the slogan Vote Gay Nuns. Very disappointed to have it resolve into Vote Guy Nunn as it neared. Picking up new prescription glasses tomorrow. Would have had my vote.
One last observation. While you have your choice of media outlets to follow in New Zealand, the world’s media have been denied access to Gaza. I hope your wishes for peace materialise.
September 14, 2025 at 5:33 AM
One last observation. While you have your choice of media outlets to follow in New Zealand, the world’s media have been denied access to Gaza. I hope your wishes for peace materialise.
I doubt this would have had the support of the organisers, and as for the other stated aims, as set out by The NZ Herald, they seem entirely reasonable. I trust you will not conflate my views with anti Semitism.
September 14, 2025 at 5:13 AM
I doubt this would have had the support of the organisers, and as for the other stated aims, as set out by The NZ Herald, they seem entirely reasonable. I trust you will not conflate my views with anti Semitism.
According to the New Zealand Herald, Auckland’s paper of record: [as well as sanctions] the organisers were calling for an immediate unconditional ceasefire; and an immediate end to the blockade and reinstatement of UNRWA to allow life-saving aid to safely enter Gaza.
September 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM
According to the New Zealand Herald, Auckland’s paper of record: [as well as sanctions] the organisers were calling for an immediate unconditional ceasefire; and an immediate end to the blockade and reinstatement of UNRWA to allow life-saving aid to safely enter Gaza.
Oddly enough, the only source I can find for this chant taking place is The Times of Israel, an online publication. I strongly suspect someone has been interviewing their typewriter.
September 14, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Oddly enough, the only source I can find for this chant taking place is The Times of Israel, an online publication. I strongly suspect someone has been interviewing their typewriter.
I believe the locals took to painting over the ‘it takes’.
September 9, 2025 at 5:39 AM
I believe the locals took to painting over the ‘it takes’.
Moa bones shouldn’t be in private ownership or be able to be bought and sold. The incentives for people to loot sub fossil bird bones for private gain from swamps, caves and tomos are too great. Removed from context, they have little scientific value. It is infuriating.
July 9, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Moa bones shouldn’t be in private ownership or be able to be bought and sold. The incentives for people to loot sub fossil bird bones for private gain from swamps, caves and tomos are too great. Removed from context, they have little scientific value. It is infuriating.
There can be only one emperor.
April 2, 2025 at 11:42 PM
There can be only one emperor.
We should take it in shifts. Like the Chernobyl cleanup.
April 2, 2025 at 8:50 PM
We should take it in shifts. Like the Chernobyl cleanup.
Ask me about HyperCard.
March 31, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Ask me about HyperCard.
Let me add Dave Dobbyn’s Loyal. Will you have my back when the lynch mobs come hunting?
March 31, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Let me add Dave Dobbyn’s Loyal. Will you have my back when the lynch mobs come hunting?
Taking suggestions on where the arc of the moral universe is bending…
March 17, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Taking suggestions on where the arc of the moral universe is bending…
An absolute tragedy. Jon Krakauer, Tim Cahill and David Quammen — all signatories — are personal heroes of mine. I used to have crates of Outside magazines.
March 14, 2025 at 12:33 AM
An absolute tragedy. Jon Krakauer, Tim Cahill and David Quammen — all signatories — are personal heroes of mine. I used to have crates of Outside magazines.