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!

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

• Current approach is doing jack towards reduction of use and touch points with gangs etc.
• treating it as a health and education issue, funded via taxation would be a more positive approach.
• where it has been decriminalization overall use has trended downwards, with two (?) States in the US seeing youth usage dropping.
• $$$ heaps of tax and savings in govt spending with fewer people in prison and courts due to weed related events. Massive reduction for police - then they can hit P and organized crime harder imo.
• industry and medical benefits for local markets and hopefully international markets.
• smoke free is a tension, can't argue that away. But there are plenty of non-smoking ways to enjoy cannabis. Plus we ain't getting moral in booze so... that one is tounge in cheek tho.
• fear, so much of (older ahem) people's 'knowledge around weed is hangovers from reefer madness, makes u crazy, gateway, a loser drug etc, etc.
• noting that it absolutely has bad outcomes for some, but that's all the more reason to reframe as a health/education challenge imo. Reducing stigma and criminality would likely see more people getting help.
• plenty of productive and otherwise law abiding folks run the risk of conviction for enjoying weed.
• I feel the list goes on personally 😁

@jk said in JK vs BigRed:

Flat but rooty so a pretty technical ride.

Gold bro, as long as there was sufficient curve on the backend of the course its all good

isn't there a joke about a dog walking backwards?

But slightly more seriously, I am not surprised the backwards hill was a burner!

Fucking 2021. This is really sad to hear. His rugby had been going from strength to strength and he was a good dude in everything I'd read or seen. He was a young dad as well

Really sorry to hear how things have gone @Snowy. We've got your back bro, put yourself first and take care mate. Kia kaha.

@jk legs are rooted lol!

@taniwharugby gold!! I am trying to push the work stuff aside a bit more so I can enjoy time with the kids. Our youngest is 2 in January and he's good value when he's not doing a mini hulk-smash routine (secretly proud of that ha ha).

@Rancid-Schnitzel dude it was crazy how my view switched yesterday after a doc visit and the gym session + weigh in. Doc has pretty much ordered that I get my gym/exercise going again - so that helps heaps to prioritise it as best I can. Plus I wasn't as chonk as I feared so that's hugely motivating.

@bovidae I've popped my Whakarua park cherry, but would love to watch this game live.

I live, and I suspect I won't be able to walk tomorrow! nothing like leg day to ease back into training. Have been pretty shit with any sort of activity over the last couple of months. I have mucked about with my KBs a few times but the mojo just hasn't been there.

With the usual caveat that heaps of folks are doing it tougher, holy shit this year has been gnarly. First half was epic work stress (new platform going live) + hectic home life and then we've gone back to the lockdown shenanigans.
My mental health hasn't been great at times, and I know that working out is the best way for me to manage stress and stuff. So it's time to just make the gym fit. Even if that's only twice a week. It'll be far easy to add in something at home with a bit more routine going.
Of course now I've drawn that line in the sand for myself we'll probably go to level bloody 3 ! sorry bout that folks!

In surprising news I was 96kg! which surprised me no end. I've def added a bit of fat and lost some muscle. But my eating has been better lately and I know I can put muscle on pretty easily. So I was stoked about that, the icing on the endorphins from a good workout.

For legs I did some mobility stuff - then a few sets of back squats. Only up to 60kg just to get back in the swing. Did some tempo squats and pause sets. My hammies were pinging hardout! Then I did my usual single leg extensions and hammy curls.
Added in some seated DB curls and skullcrushers, and even a few sets of light seated shoulder press. Enough to get a bit of a pump

I haven't posted as much but I've totally been motivated the regular gang - @JK and @Rancid-Schnitzel you fuckers are just built different, I have lol'd hard at JKs cardio buy-in for his sessions. I know @MN5 has been flipping cars and @taniwharugby has been training as much as lockdown has allowed.... pretty sure @NTA has been putting runs on the board too!

Right, that should be at least 4 likes!!

Dang! where's that @Hooroo at!!

Preach it brothers!

@canefan pretty much died in a grease fire