Archive for the ‘Encouragement’ Category
On one’s motivations for a rant
Sometimes a good old fashioned tongue-lashing (or what I recently called a “pro bono hatchet job”) is well-motivated. Sometimes not. Without second-guessing yourself up your own wazoo, it’s worth occasionally reflecting on these things, huh? Worth asking yourself (myself) ‘So, what am I trying to achieve?’ No-one’s motivations are completely clear, but I believe in being […]
Colin Craig: Getting ahead in politics by being polarising
Hmm. I’m not sure about the reliability of privately-funded political surveys (although National Party operative David Farrar may do quite well from them) but I notice this approach … The leaflet includes a survey of 2200 New Zealanders commissioned by Mr Craig which showed that 71 per cent of respondents felt MPs should consult their […]
Home-made hovercraft. Nice.
I showed this picture (from my Twitter buddy John Edwards) to my 12 year old — before I even had a chance to ask him wha— ‘Nice hovercraft!’ he said. Indeed. Well done John. – P PS The wonders of gaffer tape!
We are ALL self-righteous hypocrites
So, I’ve finally found the space to read Jonathan Haidt’s masterpiece The Righteous Mind which was a much-appreciated Christmas gift. I’m enjoying it. Very persuasive. A slam in the early pages is this: “… the take home message of the book is ancient. It is the realisation we are all self-righteous hypocrites.” Well! OK then. […]
Addictions
I spotted this poster on a wall near my office in Epsom (John Banks country) and it reminded me of a time long ago in the omigod 1980s when I ran a street theatre company with a group of Christian friends. I wrote our scripts and acted in or narrated many of them. ‘Wholemeal Theatre […]
Taylor Swift at the Grammys
This girl has got it. (And what a production number!) Note for the Flash-less: A (sadly, much lower quality) video clip of the performance is available here at YouTube. – P
Sometimes you have to just KEEP GOING until you get good
From Ira Glass. Another angle on the ‘resistance‘ we talk about here from time to time … Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo. Wonderful. – P via Andrew Sullivan
Bunfight at Howick Local Board
Every now and then I feel the urge to participate in local politics, sadly usually from a sense of disquiet about how some of our elected officials are running the borough. (See: Why do you think we call it a struggle? for some background.) Tonight was a special meeting of the Howick Local Board (costing […]
‘Love’s the only engine of survival’
I had the pleasure of a long drive alone today — which gave me a chance to listen to some of my Leonard Cohen collection. Loved it. This live version of The Future is not as sharp as the CD version, but still good. And lyrics to breathe in deeply. (Below the fold) I’ve seen […]
All the best for the coming year
Best wishes. – P Pic: For those who prefer blue flowers. (Mudie St, Hutt Valley.)
A few more thoughts about honest debate
Occasionally I cop a wee bit of chastisement for being ‘reasonable’ — being open to hearing other people’s expression of their opinion without responding with immediate and trenchant denigration; acting as less of a ‘culture warrior’ than some of those who seem to try to frame any debate as a hillbilly feud, responding with knee-jerk […]
Take it easy this Christmas.
Best wishes. – P Pic: One of the old Pohutukawa trees at my place. Its red signature appeared, suddenly, over the last few days. (I feel so lucky to live where I do.)
Ha! Who would be a politician, huh?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so the proverb goes. It seems it’s the same, too, with perceptions of political ‘performance’. (Whatever that slippery term means.) This week, I made a judgement about Justice Minister Judith Collins and her handling of the Bain compensation report. See Current affairs through partisan filters. David Bain […]
Dealing with sensory overload. Find some empathy.
Being primarily an auditory learner (as well as linear, logical ‘left brain’, blah-blah) has served me well. It seems the traditional education system is built for people who display those preferences, like me. But that ‘sound sensitivity’ can be a curse too, and far more than just a physical thing — as this video snip […]
