H Dawg

Cool ass box wrapped in brown paper with silver and black ribbons and bomb ass Krampus stickers.

Look what I got today! It’s gorgeous, can’t wait until opening day. #SecretSantaAoNZ

Good timing, I just downloaded this app yesterday. Not sure how/if it is different than Libby but I'm looking forward to finding out.

As an American, no one ever has described a pub as a “beer pub.” It’s got to be AI.

Big bottle of Waikato Draught next to a small glass

Let the holiday festivities commence. Yes, I do really like this beer

*posted, jeez

I've been informed my Secret Santa has post my gift, woohoo! #SecretSantaAoNZ

She brought in a mouse today (dead this time). She hasn't brought home any kills for months but she's clearly making up for lost time. Very proud of herself.

Finally booked my flight and hotel to see the Edinburgh Tattoo in Auckland. Crikey, should've done it much earlier. Nothing available at all near Eden Park and my usual cheapo hotel near SkyCity was almost double the usual rate.

Watching Boots and still loving it. I had a random thought that it wasn't all that accurate because I hadn't seen a single recruit with BCGs (birth control glasses) and in the very next shot was a guy wearing them.

Just found out that the NZ indoor bowls team are called the Mat Blacks. This makes me very happy.

It was a great privilege to live here and I am grateful

That photo is from several years ago as I have not put it out yet for this season. And I forgot to #SecretSantaAoNZ

I don't do a tree anymore but the one thing I always do is hang the stocking my mom knit for me, oh, about 45 years ago. I have a little one for Deanie too.

Coming out of the grocery store I got stuck behind a group of teenaged girls and on one hand I was annoyed I couldn't get past but on the other hand I was like "damn right, own your space." I'm often in awe of how confident and strong young women and girls are compared to me at that age.

Deanie just brought in a giant rat and while wounded it wasn't dead. I had to kill it to put it out of its misery. I hate rats but I hated that even more.

You all reeled me in with your Project 1933 series and I've just signed up for an annual membership. Thanks for all the hard work.

My first Christmas parade in Whanganui I had no idea. I mean, I knew who the Red Baron was of course but didn't know why he was in the parade. It was never a big song in the U.S.

Also those cute NZ Police Covid kitten ads.

People putting stuffed animals in their windows so kids could see them while out on walks. I didn't have any so I printed out a picture of a Teddy bear and taped that to my front door.

Fewer than I expected, TBH.

@hmilnej.bsky.social has swears! They've used 75 profanities in their last 618 posts.

🥇 "fuck" (17 times)
🥈 "fucking" (9 times)
🥉 "damn" (9 times)

a man in a white robe and sunglasses stands in front of a building ALT: a man in a white robe and sunglasses stands in front of a building

Amen

Pretty sure I know what word is going to come up most for me @profanity.accountant

For me it's going to be using apostrophes incorrectly. It drives, sorry, "drive's" me up the wall.

Poor Deanie is having a bad day. First I got her out of bed at the crack on noon, then later she got her flea treatment, and now I'm vacuuming. She's going to need a LOT of Temptations to right these wrongs.

When DHS was first created I thought using the term "homeland" sounded fascist-y and was honestly shocked that no one else seemed to think the same thing. I sure didn't expect it to become explicitly fascist though. This horrifies me to the core. These monsters need to go.

Hobbiton is her request. I've been enjoying my nearly 8 year streak of living here and never having gone.

A friend is coming to visit early next year and I've been having a grand time planning our little roadie around the central North Island. Glow worms? ✅ Hobbiton? ✅ Amazing geo-thermal activity? ✅ Stunning beach? ✅ I can't wait to show off this beautiful country.

I don't really do Thanksgiving but I treated myself this morning to pancakes topped with a lemon and passionfruit sauce. Delish.