@paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

A fascinating article about how a group of journalists working for the Hungary state news agency quietly documented all the ways the news was manipulated under the Orbán regime. They have now released a detailed report. Among many things, this is a terrific example of resistance during the rule of authoritarian regimes. Document, document, document the abuses because one day the sun will shine and the truth can be revealed. #Hungary #resistance #PressFreedom #journalism https://telex.hu/english/2026/08/04/nearly-500-page-document-compiled-by-hungary-s-state-news-service-staff-details-how-news-was-manipulated-during-orban-era

telex

Nearly 500-page document details manipulation of news at Hungarian state news agency during Orbán era

MTI journalists spent 10 years collecting evidence of orders from above instructing them to withhold or rewrite news stories. MTVA’s new leadership has launched an investigation into the matter.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2w ago

Hungary, 1955.

Girl reading on a couch.

Source: Fortepan [317866] / Tamás Sipos

#fortepan #Hungary #reading

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 1w ago

Replying to

@jeremy_pm@mastodon.nz @ArrestJK@mastodon.nz Words to politicians like Peters have no meaning or permanence beyond the immediate cynical exploiting of voters. That's the only thing that matters. Their words are a weird mixture of 1984's double speak and Alice in Wonderland's absurdity. NZ First would offer to paint the moon green if they thought there was a vote in it. And they would both mean it and not mean it at the same time. Their words are beyond the realm of rational debate. Just like the words of their idol, Trump.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2w ago

New to me, but pleased that the latest version of macOS now has a dedicated New Zealand (NZ) keyboard layout. I used to have it set to Australian (AU). The big difference is the NZ keyboard makes it easier to type macrons for Māori words - it's now the option key (⌥) and the relevant vowel key. Previously it was a long press on the vowel followed by selecting the macron version from all the other diacritics. Nice. #macOS

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2w ago

Pretty disappointed in this from Labour, tbh. They seem to be running scared of offending the wealthy for fear of some sort of backlash. I get why that is: that are scarred from the whole COVID thing but their mild and milquetoast approach is hurting them big time. People are crying out for bold policies that tackle the existential issues facing us. I carry a lot of water for Labour but am finding that harder and harder to justify in my own mind. Unlike many, if not most, people here on Mastodon in Aotearoa, I have never been a fan of the Greens, but they are out in front on many issues.

#NZPol

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036403/hipkins-confirms-labour-will-leave-interest-deductibility-alone

stuff.co.nz

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2w ago

Luxon doesn't need to like, respect, or even acknowledge Hager. But to claim that he doesn't know who he is, is just silly and ignorant. Sure Luxon was out of the country for some of the time Hager made his name, but that is no excuse. Parading your ignorance as some sort of strength is ludicrous, and demeans and diminishes Luxon. Numpty.

#NZPol

"‘Don’t know who he is’: Luxon unfazed by new Nicky Hager book"

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036377/dont-know-who-he-luxon-unfazed-new-nicky-hager-book

stuff.co.nz

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

I recall less than 10 years ago when Taika Waititi said that New Zealand was, “racist as fuck”, and thinking to myself, "Yes, but...". Now I know there is no "but". I read this Substack post by Ganesh Ahirao and wept inside. There are many things this government has done that deserve condemnation, but the deliberate and not-so-deliberate normalisation and fanning of racism in Aotearoa is the most contemptible and unforgivable. https://ganeshnana.substack.com/p/go-home-to-where-you-came-from

ganeshnana.substack.com

"Go home to where you came from"

A personal post

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 3w ago

Not a word I think should be used in any public setting anytime, but it has been used in Parliament before without consequence. Strange then that a female Māori MP should be ejected for using it. Wonder why 🧐?

#NZPol

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1439428/te-pati-maori-co-leader-debbie-ngarewa-packer-ejected-from-parliament-for-using-c-word

rnz.co.nz

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 1w ago

Replying to

@nzdjb@cloudisland.nz ....and I still haven't learnt the life lesson of being careful what you say. I have spent 20 minutes this morning battling with the oven in an attempt to change the time. Miele engineers are clearly high on their own supply and wouldn't know a user-orientated UI if they fell over one. My ancient Sony beside alarm clock on the other hand takes only 2 seconds to change the time. There's a another life lesson in there somewhere!

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 3w ago

Replying to

@irix@cloudisland.nz I genuinely don't think National are sincere about this. The caveat that they will only proceed with this if the " Commerce Commission investigated to make sure it would benefit consumers." seems like an out to me. Not that I necessarily disagree with the policy, but I just don't see National having the commitment and persistence to see this through.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

We went and saw The Odyssey this morning in Lower Hutt. First time I've been to the cinema for ages so it felt almost like a new experience. (My, the buckets of popcorn are large these days!) You can only but admire the scale and execution of The Odyssey as a film. Some scenes are absolutely amazing in the way they are portrayed on the screen, especially the one with the Cyclops. But the film is rather charmless in many ways. I felt it was hard to become engrossed in it as I was conscious I was watching something to admire rather than something to love. I can see why many people want to read the original after seeing the film. Not only would certainly help to make sense of it, especially as in my case, you were unfamiliar with the overall arch of the story. But also because I suspect the reading the The Odyssey would be more immersive and ultimately more satisfying. I am glad I saw the film but it is not one I would want to see again. #TheOdyssey

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 3w ago

Replying to

@BobLefridge@mastodon.nz @Alice@beige.party Nope, nope and thrice nope.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2w ago

Replying to

@ErrolNZ@mastodon.nz Good question! I had to do some digging and the answer is that the Māori keyboard includes the extra ability of using the 'dead key'/back tick (`) and then the vowel. I think that's how it works on Windows and some people may prefer the compatibility with that. And for some typists that may well be faster than holding the Option key and the vowel at the same time.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Budapest,1961 These images are another example of how Mácsai used his photos of everyday life on the streets of Budapest to form the basis for his painting. Here we can elements from these three photos in the final artwork: the street cleaner in one, the phone box and bus stop sign in another, and the woman in the plaid skirt, and the trams in the background. He has added different elements and people as well to form one of his most distinctive works. Source: Fortepan [313715] [313719] [313718] / István Mácsai #fortepan #Budapest #painting #StreetPhotography

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2w ago

Replying to

@JonathanMosen@caneandable.social I found Apple - and which ever courier service they use in New Zealand - DHL I think - to be excellent in this regard. But I have seen enough complaints about courier drives in multiple countries to know it is definitely an issue. Especially "we called, but you were out", but you were in fact poised to open the door at the slightest sound. I wonder if there are systemic issues with their workloads? Anyway, it is enormously frustrating and I hope you can get the delivery as soon as possible.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Today's edition of Bernard Hickey's always excellent The Kākā newsletter is now available for all. Lots of reaction to Luxon's recent speech to the Rotorua's Chamber of Commerce. Matthew Hooton, now editor of The Post, can't help himself from poking into the National party leadership issue. I mean, we all know Luxon is a numpty, but it is all laid out for everyone to see in this newsletter. Must be tough being a National MP these days knowing Luxon is so useless and widely derided as a Prime Minister. #NZPol https://thekaka.substack.com/p/pm-compares-nz-businesses-to-whiny

thekaka.substack.com

PM compares NZ businesses to whiny kids

PM admonishes 'negative' Rotorua small business leaders' comments & argues it's not his Govt's job to stimulate GDP or give handouts; Labour & The Post-$ describe comments as 'condescending gibberish'

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

I enjoyed this lovely video of my old home town, Dunedin/Ōtepoti and its heritage buildings in the central city. Great to see the Vogel Street Kitchen shown - always my favourite port of call for a breakfast when I am visiting. I must admit the word 'heritage' can be a bit triggering sometimes as it is so often associated with white privilege in suburbs like Thorndon or Mt Eden where it is used as a justification for keeping the poors at a distance. That doesn't seem to be the case in Dunedin/Ōtepoti at least. #Ōtepoti #Dunedin https://youtu.be/lP5XePYZ3UA

Dunedin: Hanging onto Heritage

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@phwolfe940@denton.social I haven't seen a link so far but I will keep an eye out for it. I did come across a PDF with examples of the emails, etc. that formed part of what the journalists kept. They are in Hungarian of course but online translation tools these days do an OK job with Hungarian into English. See link below. https://mtva.hu/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/08/prodomo.pdf

mtva.hu

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@ArrestJK@mastodon.nz This YouTube clip about the impact of data centres in the US was a bit of an eye opener for me. There is real and widespread opposition, not to say rage, against the seemingly unchecked building of these massive data centres and the impact they are having on local communities. This rage seems to be across the political spectrum. https://youtu.be/4A6NECilAls

We Sat AOC Down With Republican Voters. Can She Win Them Over?

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@exlibrarykris@cloudisland.nz Thanks for the book tip. Might put that on my Christmas wish-list! There is a very good blog, Built in Dunedin, which is also a great source of information. https://builtindunedin.com

Built in Dunedin

a city's buildings and their stories

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@ArrestJK@mastodon.nz "Opposition to data centers may be the singular unifying issue in American politics. Seventy percent of Americans are against data-center construction in their communities." https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/08/jay-maine-wants-data-center/688043/

theatlantic.com

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@ArrestJK@mastodon.nz I hadn't fully appreciated the scale of the issue and the anger the explosion of data centre expansion is generating. As you say, real damage is being done to basic services like water quality. This feels like an issue that may really count against the Republicans, including from their voters.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@irix@cloudisland.nz Some fascinating photos in the various collections. A great find. (As an aside, why do photography sites so often have the weirdest. oblique UI/navigation layout?!)

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@Kay@mastodon.nz I am sure if this is an accurate memory or not, but I think we used to sing this is primary school. Great song.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@ThisCJ@mastodon.nz I realise that not everything has a Hungarian connection... but your photo did remind me of this construction that marks the supposed geographical centre of Hungary. I can't help but think it is very much in the X marks the spot' variety of sculptures! p.s. Most things have a Hungarian connection if you try hard enough 🤓

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Car on a Hill, Joni Mitchell Joni Mitchell at her best. Love this album. 🎵 I've been sitting up waiting for my sugar to show I've been listening to the sirens and the radio He said he'd be over three hours ago I've been waiting for his car on the hill He makes friends easy He's not like me I watch for judgement anxiously Now where in the city can that boy be Waiting for a car Climbing Climbing Climbing the hill 🎵 #Waiting #JukeboxFridayNight #JoniMitchell

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Repülj, Madár, Repülj (Fly, Bird, Fly) - Trad. sung by Martá Sebestyén with Muzsikás A beautiful Hungarian folk song sung here by Martá Sebestyén. She actually performed this song at the opening of the Hungarian Garden here in the capital back in August 2003. 🎵Fly, bird, fly Fly to Menaság Sit on the shoulder Of my sweetheart Take my letter, bird, And carry it To my father and mother And to my promised spouse If they ask you how I am Tell them I am a prisoner In the prison of love I'm knee deep in iron. 🎵 #JukeboxFridayNight #birds #Hungary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbTS9WXkgS4

Repülj madár, repülj

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to on mastodon.nz

@BobLefridge@mastodon.nz I see The Post's editorial today, aka Hooton, is withering in his assessment of Luxon: "With Winston Peters able to remove Mr Luxon from his job at any time, but Mr Luxon having proven himself unable or unwilling to assert authority in the other direction, the charade is unveiled: it is Mr Peters who is the de facto prime minister and controls the government, and may have done from the moment the coalition agreements were signed on November 24, 2023. Politically, Mr Luxon is completely impotent." I know Hooton can't let the whole Todd Muller debacle go, but he is bang on here. (Sadly the editorial is paywalled so no link, but the paragraph quoted is visible.)

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

The White Cliffs of Dover (Kent-Burton), sung by Vera Lynn - who else? An oldie for sure, but I think it fits this week's theme perfectly. 🎵 There'll be bluebirds over The white cliffs of Dover Tomorrow, just you wait and see 🎵 #Waiting #JukeboxFridayNight https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=we5hKqf-zsA

The White Cliffs of Dover (2007 Remaster)

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@jeremy_pm@mastodon.nz I am pretty sure either Clark, Key, English or Ardern would have found the time to call their coalition partner and a senior minister who happens to be Foreign Minister about remarks he made that have attracted negative international headlines. It's cowardice of Luxon's part to hide behind the weakest of excuses, 'I've been on the road', not to call Peters. It's a humiliating position Luxon has behaved himself into re Peters.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

NZPol - National rewards its donors

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@exlibrarykris@cloudisland.nz @davemosk@mastodon.nz I still get the 'chills' watching this video. It was so magical.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning (David Mann / Bob Hilliard), sung by Frank Sinatra The ultimate song about waiting, and longing, for that special person to call. 🎵 When your lonely heart has learned its lesson You'd be hers if only she would call In the wee small hours of the morning That's the time you miss her most of all 🎵 #Waiting #JukeboxFridayNight #FrankSinatra https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=kALlrxJ3LqY

In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@grumpyyetamusin.bsky.social Not to mention that Key had confidence and supply agreements with ACT, United Future *and* Te Pati Māori - the latter one wasn't even required as National already had a majority. And National even signed a memorandum of understanding with The Greens in 2008. All because Key knew how to make the system work for him and his government. That sort of political savviness is way beyond Luxon.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

The Danube is at record lows at the moment. A family member sent us this recent photo taken at about 30 kilometres north of Budapest. Usually the river is close to the embarkment. Amazing - and frightening. #ClimateCrisis #Danube #Hungary

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 1w ago

Replying to

@nzdjb@cloudisland.nz I know. Me too! So I downloaded the manual - an exercise itself in utter frustration - only to discover that the file was named something very close to 123456.pdf when I downloaded it. Which means I needed to rename into human form. Why would anyone give such a meaningless, useless name to a manual? I am sure it is because Miele have some many manuals all with different languages that using numbers to name the files is, to them at least, the easiest option. But not for users. Miele clearly use engineer-centric design principles.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@thomasbeagle@mastodon.nz Completely agree. Aotearoa, like so much of the world, is facing some very serious issues that need serious people to grapple with and attempt to solve. Peters is not a serious person anymore. We simply can't afford to have someone like him soak up so much oxygen on his stupid, irrelevant, culture war issues in his vain attempt to stay relevant.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2w ago

Replying to

nzpol

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

For political tragics like me, it is good to see today's edition of Bernard Hickey's The Kākā newsletter is now open to all, not just subscribers. Highlights include:

A deep dive look at the disenfranchisment of a generation. Enrolment of 18-24 year olds for Nov 7 election collapses to 53% from 70%
A senior figure in New Zealand First’s youth wing, Nicholas Newport (also known as Nicholas Wells), has been linked to a neo-Nazi group
The Post-$ published an editorial this morning titled: ‘Luxon’s impotence makes him prime minister in name only,’
Almost a million notifications did not get sent to people eligible for cancer screening due to flaws in the national cervical cancer screening programme,

[A reminder it's OK to mute a hashtag, or block, unfollow, or mute someone for whatever reason, including your own mental health. With the election looming there is bound to be more #NZPol posts which I know aren't everyone's cup of tea.]

#NZPol

https://thekaka.substack.com/p/a-generation-being-disenfranchised

thekaka.substack.com

A generation being disenfranchised in plain sight

Enrolment of 18-24 year olds for Nov 7 election collapses to 53% from 70%; Over 200,000 young people not enrolled = more than voted NZ First in 2023; Auckland Council vote turnout under 20% for young

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

I see Metlink are getting very defensive about the continual delays and disruption to the capital's train service. It is all just too hard and there is so much beyond their control. Anyone who spent any time thinking about how to be effective in daily life or at work, knows that you focus on the things you can control, rather than the things you can't. Or you can just read the Serenity Prayer every day. #Metlink (Feel free to mute that hashtag when you are tired of my grumpy-old-man grizzling about Wellington's public transport issues!)

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Budapest,1963 Many of Mácsai's photos would form the basis for his paintings. This photo is a fine example - it would become the painting Young People of Pest a few years later in 1965. The double-necked guitar and the young man in the foreground are painted as is in the photo. Source: Fortepan [313612] / István Mácsai #fortepan #Budapest #painting #StreetPhotography

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

FIFA's Americanisation of the World Cup

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@simplicitarian@cloudisland.nz Oh no! His Caversham Project was a tremendous resource for genealogists and family historians of Ōtepoti. I know I used it quite a bit. Sad news indeed.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Paks, 1979 Workers on the construction of Hungary's only nuclear power plant located in the town of Paks on the Danube river, some 120 kilometres south of Budapest. The plant is about to be shut down for the first time its 44 year history due to low river levels, meaning there isn't enough water to cool the reactors. Source: [89226] / Tamás Urbán #fortepan #Hungary #Paks

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Over the Rainbow" (Harold Arlen / Yip Harburg), sung by Judy Garland Perhaps one of the most well-known songs about waiting for better days. 🎵 Someday I'll wish upon a star And wake up where the clouds are far behind me Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me 🎵 #Waiting #JukeboxFridayNight #JudyGarland https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=oW2QZ7KuaxA

Judy Garland Somewhere Over The Rainbow 1939

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 1w ago

Replying to

@nzdjb@cloudisland.nz I am always surprised at the amount angst daylight saving causes in some people. It is what it is, and there are far greater things to be concerned about. Mind you, I always think of China which has only one time zone and no daylight saving time. Keeps things simple, I guess.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@exlibrarykris@cloudisland.nz @davemosk@mastodon.nz It is here in Ngaio too!

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@fulelo@journa.host Winter here but I too have started reading Lázár - in English of course. Looking forward to getting into it. It has certainly made a splash.

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Paul Hellyer @paulh@cloudisland.nz

· 2mo ago

Replying to

@IceNine@social.vivaldi.net @jackyan@mastodon.social Them's fighting' words! Our first 'new' number plate was AE 7445 - a red Volkswagen back in 1965. Funny the things you remember.

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