Barely a couple of weeks into the year, it appears that 2024 has already got it in for me with the occurrence of what can only be described as the most freakish accident of my apparently accident-prone life.
It happened while I was taking care of business outside - and no, I don't mean the septic tank is full again and we're back to using the Thunder Box in the second-best woodshed.
The "business" was our 16 cubic metres of firewood that we acquired before the new year from John up the road.
Most of it is lying in three great piles out near the tractor shed in a spot which, with El Niño finally delivering Wairarapa its first hot summer in three years, is currently getting more afternoon sun than Saudi Arabia. However, a few days of gentle rain and high winds just before New Year's Eve sent me rushing out to cover our precious seasoning firewood - it set us back $1500 with tarpaulins.
Denne historien er fra January 27 - February 02, 2024-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra January 27 - February 02, 2024-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
