art and culture
Birthday book haul
Thanks to Mum, Dad, and Bill for the Unity Books vouchers đ„°
- Atlas of the New Zealand Wars (Vol I) (Derek Leask, 2025)
- The Monastic World: A Thousand Year History (Andrew Jotischky, 2025)
- The Revelation of Ireland: 1995-2020 (Diarmaid Ferriter, 2024)
- Bodies of Men (Nigel Featherston, 2019)
- Patria: Lost Countries of South America (Laurence Blair, 2024)
Bill Hastings: Book Critic
Bill casts his eye over two books he recommends for good reading. The books discussed are: Orbital by Samantha Harvey and Ted Lasso and Philosophy.
Ode to empty can of Kingfisher found on a windowsill at Middlemore Hospital
In shaded light, up in the corner
Royally perched on a sill
Not in the middle, to the side
A pale resemblance of itself
The sparkleâs gone; the fizz, no more
Itâs empty now, its job is done
This one wonât fish for compliments
But donât kick the can
Just let it rest a while,
Respite; in dusty repose
(Requested by Victoria Luff)
Stop using Amazon Kindle (before it's too late)
From 26 February 2025, Amazon will stop you downloading your *own* Kindle eBooks. You will be forever stuck in Amazonâs grip.
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If youâd like to escape, download all your Kindle ebooks now before it's too late:
https://www.theverge.com/news/612898/amazon-removing-kindle-book-download-transfer-usb
Remove the DRM using Calibre:
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Ideally, start using a service that supports local bookstores:
- Libro (audiobooks): https://libro.fm/
- Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/ebooks
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Or if you prefer another option:
- Apple Books: https://www.apple.com/apple-books/
- Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/nz/en
- Tom's Guide to DRM free ebooks: https://www.tomsguide.com/tablets/e-readers/no-kindle-no-problem-5-places-to-buy-drm-free-e-books
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Delicious latke & gravlax at the Bond Street Deli, Wellington
A wonderful weekend
Had a wonderful weekend with Bill. Started with gym sessions for us both, then brunch at Floriditas where we chatted with many people we know. Then drove up the coast to Peka Peka to have lunch with friends of Bill’s. A quick trip to HĆkio Beach to treat our drinking water, then back to Wellington to catch up with friends for a birthday and then a play at Circa Theatre - “Hope” - get your tickets now!.
Sunday - a very hot humid day - saw us walking through Mt Victoria and along Oriental Bay, then brunch once more, followed by shopping at the waterfront farmers market. A quick catchup with friends, then a visit to The Dowse Art Museum in the Hutt Valley - then Bill preparing for family dinner, and me joining a Wellington Pride Festival planning meeting.
A Complete Unknown
Going to see this movie tonight, and I canât wait. It sounds wonderfulâŠ
Timothée Chalamet hits right notes in Bob Dylan biopic
I think itâs kind of wonderful that someone so determined to cloud the story of his origins would become famous playing a club called the Gaslight but thatâs just one aspect of Dylanâs life that continues to delight me.
Wonderful new local business location - Evaâs Garage - with a cafe, florist, barber, and gift store!
Open now at 3C Eva Street.
Second movie about voting in Rome in two days !
Conclave - with wonderful performances from Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, John Lithgow, and many others.
At the Penthouse Cinema, Brooklyn, after dinner at Salty Pidgin.
Incredible black and white Italian feminist film - Thereâs Still Tomorrow. At the Lighthouse Cuba with Bill.
Long weekend reading collection. Connected and contrasting themes - history, philosophy, cross-cultural exchange, reflection, and ancient thought.
Exquisite meal at MĂ©rito
Exquisite dining experience at MĂ©rito restaurant. Exceptional decor, assured expertise from the staff, deep food and beverage knowledge from our head waiter and sommelier, and truly inspiring, delicious and memorable food and drink.
Undoubtedly one of the best anywhere.
#food #wine #restaurant #dining #experience #service #equisite #exceptional #barrancolima #lima #perĂș
Larco Museum , Lima PerĂș - www.museolarco.org/en/
Streets of Lima - wonderful architecture of the Miraflores district. Bill points out the interesting points.
First archaeological site in PerĂș - Huaca Pullcana adobe-brick pyramid of the Lima culture (cAD200-700).
