First negroni in a long while…


End of a long saga in Kiribati

It has been a very long year for my partner, Judge Bill Hastings, as a serious constitutional crisis has unfolded in the Pacific island state of Kiribati.

I am extremely proud of the work he did in Kiribati before and during this crisis, and of the integrity and measured judicial approach he has demonstrated throughout.

It is deeply sad that what started as a wonderful opportunity to help the further development of an independent and increasingly indigenous judiciary in Kiribati has ended the way it has.

The article below provides a good account of this week’s developments:

New Zealand judge resigns from top-ranking Kiribati judicial position

A Wikipedia article provides the full background to the constitutional crisis:

2022 Kiribati Constitutional Crisis


Flowers of Kirikiriroa

baskets of flowers in an alleyway abundance of flowers in pots and planters


Kirikiriroa and the mighty Waikato awa (river).

View of a full and wide river through lush subtropical foliageview of a full dark green river with lush trees and a boardwalk along the nearby riverbo


Not a bad day.

view of a marina on sunny day, still blue water, houses on hills behind


Andrew Bayer Live at ABGT500 Los Angeles

Andrew Bayer's live set at Above & Beyond's Group Therapy 500 at the Banc of California Stadium is now available to stream and view.

This was one of the top sets of the weekend; we were also lucky enough to see Andrew live in a much smaller venue at the Academy LA the night before, where he also played a great set.

Youtube Video

Apple Music 

Spotify

Album cover - Andrew Bayer - ABGT500 Live from Lost Angeles


Lies are the path to totalitarianism

“Before mass leaders seize the power to fit reality to their lies, their propaganda is marked by its extreme contempt for facts as such, for in their opinion fact depends entirely on the power of man who can fabricate it.” – Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism 💬


Flowers of Te Aro streets

Flowers seen on a walk along Te Aro streets.


Finished re-reading: The Ness Of Brodgar - As It Stands 📚- an overview of the current state of the excavations at this Neolithic site on Orkney. #Archaeology #Prehistory #Neolithic #Orkney


The Ness of Brodgar

The Ness of Brodgar Excavation continues to uncover fascinating information about Neolithic Orkney:

At its zenith, in the main phase that we are currently exploring (dating from c 3100BC), the Ness was dominated by huge freestanding buildings flanked by a pair massive stone walls.

The best book on the Ness at present is The Ness of Brodgar: As It Stands (Orcadian, 2020)

I am very keen to visit this and other sites in Orkney at some point!

An aerial view of the complex of structures uncovered in Trench P on the Ness.


Finished reading: The Adventures of Ibn Battuta 📚- accounts of the 14thC travels of Ibn Battuta.


A home or place of safety is essential to enable us to venture boldly into the world. #mbnov 🛟🏔️


I never really liked eating fish until a few years ago. Now I prefer it raw. #mbnov


Long term trends fascinate me; fads don’t. It’s working out which is which that is the problem. #mbnov


Auckland train and bus to the airport

Auckland airport from Britomart station by train and bus transfer at Puhinui station - transfers every 10 minutes. Total cost $8 - compared to $70+ via taxi or rideshare. Similar travel time.

(Normal trip cost is $5.40; the $8 included a new AT Hop card. It was also Santa Parade day and central Auckland was gridlocked. Uber was quoting $122 to get to the airport - and it would have taken 1.5 hours....)

Britomart train station Train arrivingTrain interiorPurple lights on escalator Brand new futuristic Puhinui stationAirport transfer electronic timetable - every 10 minutes


The motivation to get and stay fit has been simple - I want to feel good and relaxed in my body. Looking good is a nice bonus. #mbnov


Rufus Du Sol

Went to the Rüfüs Du Sol concert in Tāmaki Makaurau last night. It was pure joy and wonderment.

A concert crowd seemingly stretching to the horizon, under a blizzard of white paper confetti

The crowd at the Vector Arena seemingly stretching to infinity under a blizzard of white confetti.

Man dancing in swirling white paper confetti

Sam surrounded by confetti.

Two women smiling and dancing

Rusty and Melissa - who we met at the show - enjoying the vibe.

My sister at the concert!

Turns out my sister was at the same concert - neither of us knew till we saw each other in the crowd!

Singer thanking the crowd at the emd of the show

 Rüfüs Du Sol member and singer Tyrone Lindqvist thanking the crowd.


Getting up early, meditating and excercising regularly aren’t easy things to do - but the commitment required is itself one of the benefits of doing so, I’ve found. #mbnov


My morning ritual involves getting up at 5:30am, meditating, then either the gym or a run. Then shower and breakfast, and review the day ahead. Successfully kept this up for two years now.


I think we all need to work hard to retain our composure in the face of the many challenges and provocations we face. Not because we shouldn’t address those issues - but precisely because a well considered response is essential. #mbnov