City lights

Early morning view from the slopes of Matairangi


Finished reading: Africonomics: A History of Western Ignorance by Bronwen Everill πŸ“š

Good overview of the misunderstandings and incorrect assumptions that have blighted Western economic interventions in Africa.


Harbour Lights


Hans’ birthday lunch


Path of light

Oriental Bay


Winter Tails

All dressed up to go to β€œCabaret” at Ivy.


Installed book display shelves; hat hooks and re-arranged art in my room.


Finished reading: The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong πŸ“š

Heartbreaking yet strangely comforting. Connection and community across age, gender, race and surrounded by addiction and poverty.


Finished reading: Our New Gods by Thomas Vowles πŸ“š

Well that was nasty. But excellently written.


June reading summary


Wellington morning

❀️ this city


Evening walk


Finished reading: Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil by Oliver Darkshire πŸ“š

A fun but thought provoking romp with an assortment of odd folk, wizards, fungus goblins, talking donkeys and basil plants, and plenty of murder. And all kinds of transitions.


Rainbow 🌈 morning


Finished reading: The World After Gaza by Pankaj Mishra πŸ“š

A challenging but ultimately somewhat nihilistic take on the atrocity of Gaza. Some important points but fails to see a way forward.


Finished reading: Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza by Peter Beinart πŸ“š

An inspiring and surprisingly hopefully assessment of what it is to be Jewish in the aftermath of Gaza (and indeed decades of the denial of Palestinian rights). Suggests that there is still - that there is always - opportunity for collective liberation of both Israelis and Palestinians. That, in fact, this is the only future where liberty is possible.


Streets of Wellington


Dune Dawgs


Finished reading: Change by Γ‰douard Louis πŸ“š

Extraordinary. A brutally honest memoir of the desperate need to change to escape, to be renewed. Hit me like a sledgehammer.


Finished reading: A Radical Act of Free Magic by H. G. Parry πŸ“š

Excellent conclusion to the duology; loved the intertwining of historical events and fantasy elements.