Here's a tip for politicians: if there is any possibility you're going to do dumb things - and it's always a possibility - don't post clips online of yourself lifting dumbbells in the parliamentary gym. And especially do not caption your post with this bit of he-man one-up-manship: "5 sets of 12 reps with 45kg dumbbells (no heavier weights available in parliamentary gym)."
Stuart Nash, now the former police minister, did, a few years ago. And of course, he had the mickey taken out of him. That "no heavier weights available" is tragic man-bragging. Presumably, it was supposed to be a joke. It was about as funny as having a 45kg dumbbell dropped on your noggin. Former National MP Alfred Ngaro responded with a ha-ha video of his own, showing him lifting 1kg weights. Take that, tough guy, aka Stuart "Dumbbells" Nash. If you are tin-eared enough to post clips of yourself sweatily lifting weights, somebody is bound to bestow that sobriquet upon you. In this case the somebody is me. Because who could possibly resist?
Denne historien er fra April 01-07 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra April 01-07 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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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Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
