Merry Xmas to the fern clan. We got a baby girl for Xmas (2 days before) so this might be my last post for... how many years!!? Probably should be posting gibberish at some ridic hour of the morning!

Man, I dodged this thread near the end of last year. Wasn't in a great space and took a while for that to become apparent, where I couldn't fool myself about being extra stressed or it being a temporary thing. A holiday break helped but any hols with young kids is just a different type of busy lol. Still a great change from work and the daily grind.
Plans on the go at work to move some stuff around - but the usual lack of competent folks (who aren't already overworked) to delegate to will make that hard to manage. Kids are great, aside from Mr 2 being weaned against his will (I mean, who turns down boobs!), and the wife and I are good.
We've got some medium sized reno's planned but I keep looking at new jobs or wondering about a break then re-entering the job market. But I think that's more to help me focus on what I like about my current mahi. On a good day I'd be a fool to leave and on a bad day I just feel crushed under the pressure. Luckily I have far more good days than bad ones

That quote from @antipodean really resonated with me. What the fuck are we doing if we can't find some pleasure in the here and now. Easier to say than do, but I'm going to try and focus on that through 2022. But my short term goal is to get my thicc self back the gym. Exercise = happier Paekakboyz. No question.

How good is that pic!

@catogrande I feel that's not the first time you've trotted that scenario out...

@JC Bro!! I've just got my 23andMe results back and we are totally related! I mean, what are the chances!?

Now I've been thinking about going electric...

@MiketheSnow such a pity she's passed away... next week.

@Hooroo said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

@Baron-Silas-Greenback said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

@Crucial said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

@Baron-Silas-Greenback said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

@Crucial said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

@Baron-Silas-Greenback said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

@Godder said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:

Media took a 30% hit to advertising revenue after the GFC (because spending didn't rebound after), and that's the fear again. We can hate them all we like, but that's an industry at risk, unless we just want state-owned news sources.

or news sources that actually provide what people want and not just left wing propaganda outlets. Stuff is great example. iT has a ludicrous left wing slant, especially around climate change, and yet wants a handout, perhaps if they were not so shite they would have more advertsising.

Sadly they do try and provide what people want.
Often however, it just isn't what we as individuals want to read. You, because you dislike any view to the left of your political position. Me, because Mark Reason.

The fact that we both know that they provide thing that we don't like shows that their usual metheods work to a degree.

I do admit that when they started asking for donations to continue quality journalism I thought that maybe they shoud look at starting first.

They are incredibly left wing. They dont try to provide what people want, they try to provide what a sub section wants. They even try to justify to not allow any views arguing against climate change action can be allowed on their platform. That is not journalism, that is activism.

and you know this how? because you read it there? target achieved.

Readership is not always people who agree with the message.

If we are solely talking about advertising revenue then that is based on reach not quality.

If we are talking quality, then I agree with you ion some aspects.

No because I used to read there quite abit, now I hardly ever go there. Maybe once every few weeks instead of once a day. So no.. target most certainly not achieved.

So you used to read it when National were in power and didn't mind it but now Labour are in power you dislike it?

@Higgins don't worry, England will still do a few victory laps 😁

A slight tangent on this seeing (some) parents try to gatekeep what education should look like, and that folks without kids should have less (or no!) say. It's like get the fuck out of here brah, education and those kids are going to contribute to what NZ looks like in the future so everyone has a vested interest, kids or not.

@Mokey and @JC big !!

I am increasingly concerned that the fern is the most nuanced and empathetic space for conversation in my life at the moment... actually I've just upgraded from concerned to terrified lol

This is pretty out of left field. Good on him for taking action to try other things out. Plenty of time if he realises it was a mistake and comes back.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/warriors/128732193/time-for-a-change-of-scenery-chanel-harristavita-makes-shock-decision-to-walk-away-from-nrl-at-23

Idiotic.

@gt12

"New Zealanders aged 18 and over will be eligible for the $350 payment unless they earn more than $70,000 a year or already receive the Winter Energy Payment."

Pensioners and beneficiaries get that winter payment, so that narrows the target audience.

But $350? spread out over a 3 month period? It's lame.

@Rapido good share bro. I wonder how deep Ukraine will go into their remaining occupied territory. Would be crazy if the outcome of this war sees Donbas and Crimea back in Ukrainian possession.

He's smooth as.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/300591979/australian-election-campaign-goes-off-script-as-scott-morrison-accidentally-tackles-child

@chimoaus I think some of their new US artillery got in on the party. A big concentration of Russians waiting by the riverside? Let's give some of the new systems a hoon aye!

I mentioned it earlier in the thread but the way they are calling in strikes via Skylink and using drones is super effective. As they get more advanced gear they'll be able to ramp things up further. Pushing the Russians back to the border, even just a small part, must have been a massive morale boost.

@taniwharugby and second tier to TikTok, Insta, and Snapchat. At least as far as the young'uns see things

This is super shit news. RIP Andrew Symonds - what terrible news for his whanau and friends. Bro could swing a mean bat and was electric in the field.

I reckon they want to follow on the coat-tails of our play hard but fair approach. So even if the on field results aren't there they'll be able to point to culture and team improvements. I think he might actually go well, but for how long...

I was doing some reading about the power of Skylink and how that tech is driving changes. Russia can't intercept as the signals go up! It has supported a change or evolution in artillery strikes, rather than calling in fire from a battery (or more) they can tap into a net and call fire from anything that is in range. So the Russians are getting hit (TOT styles) by a mix of weapons, coming in from different sources and trajectories. Has huge benefits for how swiftly Ukraine forces can call for and receive a fire order.