#Bars In Christchurch

[oftatteredwings]

[ henry golding, cis man, he/him ] — spotted in the streets of brooklyn, it’s CAMERON CLARKSON. they have lived in the city for ALL THEIR LIFE OFF AND ON, working as a YA AUTHOR/BOOK EDITOR. the 36 year old will probably be seen around PARK SLOPE a lot, seeing as that’s where they live. people say they can be a bit LAZY and PLAIN-SPOKEN, but friends know them to be PROFESSIONAL and FUN-LOVING. you know for sure you’ve found them when you’ve come across RANDOM IDEAS SCRIBBLED ON NAPKINS, LEGO BLOCKS HIDDEN AWAY IN A WORK SATCHEL, GETTING A TATTOO FOR EACH MAJOR LIFE EVENT. welcome to brooklyn, it’s been waiting for you!

IN A NUTSHELL; getting a tattoo for each major life event, random ideas scribbled onto napkins, pieces of lego stashed away in a work satchel, a loud laugh that carries on the breeze, a pile of well-worn fantasy books on the nightstand, smart shoes and scruffy shirts, everything having a place, finding joy in the smallest of things.

tw: divorce, car accident, death

ABOUT.

Name: Cameron Clarkson Nicknames: Cam Age: Thirty-six Date of birth: September 23rd 1988 Birthplace: Christchurch in New Zealand, although considers New York his real hometown as he moved there at six months old Occupation: YA Author/Book Editor Romantic/sexual orientation: Biromantic/bisexual

Cameron was born in New Zealand while his mom was out there on an extended gap year, so it was never really set in stone where he’d end up growing up. In the end, however, they returned to his mother's home, eventually ending up in New York.

He was raised in the Upper East Side, so pretty much wanted for nothing as he was growing up.

However, he was the kid who didn’t seem to fit in anywhere, so eventually he used his sense of humour to his advantage, playing the class clown.

In the end he didn’t have too many friends, but he had one who was close, who lived two boroughs away but they pretty much lived out of one another’s pockets. At one point he might as well have moved in with their family as he was at their house so much.

At the age of six, his parents went through a messy divorce, effectively splitting the family in two. He went with his mom, his younger sibling went with his dad.

A year later he suddenly lost the hearing in his left ear. The doctors put it down to emotional stress, but there was no real way of knowing.

Still struggling to fit in, he turned to his imagination, getting lost in worlds of complete make believe. Fantasy was his favourite. Elves, dwarves, vampires. He read The Hobbit more than 20 times in the few years that followed.

He would write stories, put on plays with the few kids he did befriend. And in the end, that was where his life would lead him, to fantasy books that would sell millions and a movie deal to follow.

College was next, along with dead-end jobs in bars to get him through. He only managed a year and a half into his degree, though, finding himself unable to concentrate, so he dropped out again. From then, working in bars and takeout joints pretty much became his life.

He wrote in his spare time, his mailbox constantly full of rejection letters. It was a stream of disappointment for him.

At twenty-three things finally began to look up and he met his soon to be wife while locking up one night. Before long they became the best of friends, then their family became three… and then four. The wedding came last.

It was at twenty-seven that he got somewhere with his writing, Serena finding the letter that held his fate. A three book deal in young adult fiction was soon offered to him and everything changed.

When he hit book three, however, disaster struck. On a night out, Serena and her friends had gotten into an accident. His wife was gone. Just like that. He didn’t get to say goodbye.

The final book fell to the wayside and for a year be barely did anything, not really knowing how to get through. But his children forced him out of it; he finished the book, and he moved into editing, focusing on someone else’s work for a change.

It’s been a bumpy ride, one that’s taken him all over the country during the last couple of years and, at some points, left him chasing after his work. He’s making it work, though, he’s getting through, forcing himself to.

He's made a couple of attempts at relationships since losing his wife, although things never turn out too well, the most recent especially so. No matter what it always feels too soon in his heart, even though he knows it isn't anymore. It's something he needs to get over and fast so he can move on with his life.

HEADCANONS.

Cameron owns a black and tan Jack Russell called Gimli. Because he is both small and mighty.

He’s read The Hobbit around 50 times at this point and it will always be his favourite book.

Cameron picks up a new tattoo for every success he has in life (or what he considers a success anyway). Currently he’s up to number six. His wedding, his two children, and each of his books.

A couple of years ago, his books were picked up for a three movie deal as well, although things seem to have gone quiet again now following the release of the first. He's waiting, rather impatiently, for news.

[mabelpodcast]

hi guys! figured i'd drop in here last minute. i'm going to be visiting dublin in two weeks. do you have any recommendations for things to do or see? it seems like we have similar interests (or at least i share interests with your respective public personas) so i'd love your input. thank u <3

Maybe a little bit late - but here are some fun things:

- Glasnevin Cemetery. Pay your respects to our revolutionaries and freedom fighters (the big fellow, Michael Collins, is buried here, as is Daniel O’Connell)

- the National History Museum. Go on a pilgrimage to see the bog bodies. While you’re there, check out some 10,000 year old gold and ancient hazelnuts that I was personally desperate to eat

- take the DART along the coastline just for the fun of it. End up in Malahide (northside) or Killiney (southside); Malahide for snobby rich people shops and hill walks and a castle you can visit, Killiney for the best beach in Dublin. People will argue with me when I say this but they will be wrong.

- go to a trad night. Most pubs will have them some night of the week. There are excellent ones in town, the Library Bar’s is famous. Irish trad music is magic.

- the National Library has an excellent Yeats exhibition. Yeats: a real dickhead, but the bitch could turn a phrase. (By the way, the National Library and the National History Museum are within very easy walking distance of each other in Dublin City centre; as are the National Gallery and Trinity College, where you can visit the Long Library and the Book of Kells)

- if it’s sunny, grab a sandwich and go sit on the grass in Stephen’s Green with the rest of Dublin. Feed the ducks. Make a day of it.

- touristy things that are surprisingly fun: the Guinness Brewery, the aforementioned Book of Kells, Christchurch Cathedral (Strongbow’s bones are here)

- go on a 1916 tour of Dublin. Visit the shopfronts and monuments where physical evidence of the Easter Rising still exists. For one: the bullet hole in the breast of the winged virtue flanking Daniel O’Connell on what is now O’Connell Street. Is this fun for anyone else? I am obsessed with the Easter Rising and the way it shaped contemporary Ireland. At very least, read up on it if you aren’t familiar.

Let me know what you end up doing! And have a wonderful trip.

[dec0mposing]

My partner and I went on a trip to Rotorua for a few days, had an amazing time wandering the town exploring! Last time I went there I was 16 and had just been through the 2011 Christchurch eathquake and didn't remember much of it, just the spa and Wai O Tapu.

Returning as an adult, not after a sudden traumatic event, was really refreshing and lovely. Had the best meal I've had in forever at El Mexicano Zapata Cantina, learnt at a pop up carnival I'm still a really good shot, had an amazing time at a karaoke bar with the locals, bathed in the hot pools, played night time mini golf with Flemish Giants, took acid and went on an adventure through Kauri park, and of course went op shopping!!! The whole trip was very cleansing and much needed, and I absolutely want to go back again, beautiful place with a lot of beautiful people.

[mariacallous]

Vice presidents from Meta, YouTube, Twitter, and Microsoft gathered over Zoom in March 2023 to discuss whether to allow TikTok, one of their companies’ most fearsome competitors, into their exclusive club.

The four executives comprised the board of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT)—where companies share tips intended to prevent their platforms from becoming hotbeds for terrorists—and they knew that TikTok needed help keeping extremist propaganda off its platform. TikTok had passed a training program they required and had addressed their questions about its ties to China. But people briefed on the discussions say the board still worried about the possibility of TikTok abusing its membership in some way that benefited the Chinese government and undermined free expression. On top of that, at the time US lawmakers were considering a ban of the app, and more content moderation mishaps for TikTok likely would add to the heat. The board ultimately didn’t approve TikTok.

A WIRED investigation into GIFCT reveals that TikTok’s bid to join the consortium failed because two of the four executives on the board abstained from voting on its application. A week later, on the fourth anniversary of a deadly terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, researchers blasted TikTok for hosting footage celebrating the rampage. These were the very videos that would have been easily flagged and removed had TikTok’s rivals granted it access to their group’s threat-spotting technology.

Around the same time, the board members declined to admit the parent company of PornHub, citing concerns over whether its content policies met the bar for membership. By comparison, the board last year quickly approved the unproblematic French social app Yubo. GIFCT’s bespoke advice enabled the startup to identify 50 suspicious accounts that it reported to law enforcement, according to Marc-Antoine Durand, Yubo’s chief operating officer.

More recently, despite having the authority to do so, Meta, Microsoft, and YouTube declined to expel Twitter (now X) from the board even as the platform’s relaxed content moderation practices under Elon Musk threatened reputational harm to the GIFCT and other member companies more broadly. This month, X quietly left the board voluntarily.

These secretive membership decisions, revealed for the first time by WIRED, show how Microsoft, Meta, YouTube, and X are gatekeeping access to anti-terrorism guidance and influencing the content users encounter across the web. Our investigation also uncovers contentious fundraising choices by the four companies and the consequences of a lack of quality control checks in their heralded system for flagging violent extremism.

To understand the consortium’s inner workings, WIRED reviewed records of GIFCT’s internal deliberations and spoke with 26 people directly connected to the organization, including leadership, staff, advisers, and partners. Several of the people believe Meta, Microsoft, YouTube, and X have steered the consortium in a way that has undermined its potential. “The result is almost certainly more users are being radicalized,” claims one of the sources, who has been in consistent contact with GIFCT since its inception. Many of the people sought anonymity because their employers or GIFCT hadn’t authorized speaking with WIRED.

The four tech giants have presided over the consortium since they announced it in 2016, when Western governments were berating them for allowing Islamic State to post gruesome videos of journalists and humanitarians being beheaded. Now with a staff of eight, GIFCT—which the board organized as a US nonprofit in 2019 after the Christchurch massacre—is one of the groups through which tech competitors are meant to work together to address discrete online harms, including child abuse and the illicit trade of intimate images.

The efforts have helped bring down some unwelcome content, and pointing to the work can help companies stave off onerous regulations. But the politics involved in managing the consortia generally stay secret.

Just eight of GIFCT’s 25 member companies answered WIRED’s requests for comment. The respondents, which included Meta, Microsoft, and YouTube, all say they are proud to be part of what they view as a valuable group. The consortium’s executive director, Naureen Chowdhury Fink, didn’t dispute WIRED’s reporting. She says TikTok remains in the process to attain membership.

GIFCT has relied on voluntary contributions from its members to fund the roughly $4 million it spends annually, which covers salaries, research, and travel. From 2020 through 2022, Microsoft, Google, and Meta each donated a sum of at least $4 million and Twitter $600,000, according to the available public filings. Some other companies contributed tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars, but most paid nothing.

By last year, at least two board members were enraged at companies they perceived as freeloaders, and fears spread among the nonprofit’s staff over whether their jobs were in jeopardy. It didn’t help that as Musk turned Twitter into X about a year ago, he kept slashing costs, including suspending the company’s optional checks to GIFCT, according to two people with direct knowledge.

To diversify funding, the board has signed off on soliciting foundations and even exploring government grants for non-core projects. “We'd really have to carefully consider if it makes sense,” Chowdhury Fink says. “But sometimes working with multiple stakeholders is helpful.”

Rights activists the group privately consulted questioned whether this would count as subsidies for tech giants, which could siphon resources from potentially more potent anti-extremism projects. But records show staff were considering seeking a grant of more than tens of thousands of dollars from the pro-Israel philanthropy Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust. Chowdhury Fink says GIFCT didn’t end up applying.

This year, Meta, YouTube, Microsoft, and X amended GIFCT’s bylaws to require minimum annual contributions from every member starting in 2025, though Chowdhury Fink says exemptions are possible.

Paying members will be able to vote for two board seats, she says. Eligibility for the board is contingent on making a more sizable donation. X had signaled it wouldn’t pay up and would therefore forfeit its seat, two sources say—a development that ended up happening this month. It had been scheduled to hold tiebreaking power among the four-company board in 2025. (Under the bylaws, Meta, YouTube, and Microsoft could have ejected Twitter from the board as soon as Musk acquired the company. But they chose not to exercise the power.)

Many of the people close to GIFCT who spoke with WIRED contend that Meta, YouTube, and Microsoft must banish X altogether because it has allegedly been allowing extremists to openly engage in illicit behavior on its platform, such as reportedly selling weapons. The Times last month reported on calls to oust X.

The public copy of GIFCT’s “tech solutions” code of conduct is largely redacted for “operational security,” but it does state that a company can be banned for “sustained inappropriate behavior.” By the consortium’s own telling, “membership should be recognized and appreciated as a strong indication of good stewardship for the internet and its users.” X reported this month that it suspended over 57,000 accounts in the first half of this year for violating its violent and hateful entities policy. It didn’t respond to requests for comment.

The four companies in charge of GIFCT also have had a crucial and little-examined role in crisis response, one of the organization’s most visible functions. The group uses technology—computer scripts that convert image, video, and text files into short, distinct codes—to upload these hashes of problematic content they spot to a database operated by GIFCT staff and hosted on Meta servers. Members can then compare the millions of hashes in the database against hashes of content on their services and can reasonably believe that matches may reflect posts they should remove.

After a gunman streaming live on Twitch shot to death 10 people at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket in early 2022, a worker at a member company alerted a Slack community that GIFCT hosts for sharing tips. Once GIFCT staff saw the message, they began reaching out to YouTube, Meta, Twitter, and Microsoft. At least three of the board companies had to sign off on issuing the group’s most serious threat alarm, which they eventually did for the third time about two hours post-shooting.

In the nearly 26 hours after the board sounded the alarm for Buffalo, members uploaded hashes of about 870 problematic videos and images of the shooting. Later, GIFCT hired a freelance researcher, who provided thousands of hashes covering parts of the shooter’s manifesto that people were likely to glowingly repost.

Companies contend hash sharing has brought efficiency to the complex field of moderation. They avoid the expense and potential user privacy violations of exchanging giant media files, while the collaboration arguably slows the spread of content before it becomes too impossible to contain.

But under the leadership of YouTube, Meta, Twitter, and Microsoft, GIFCT has imposed little transparency and introduced few safeguards to avoid companies erroneously erasing nonviolent content. None of its 25 members discloses the amount of content removed as a result of hash matches, let alone how many of those takedowns are appealed by their users. Only YouTube has reported its contributions to the database—about 45,000 hashes last year. The group declined to say how many are added by its own staff or as a result of tips from researchers or governments, and to what extent it spot-checks hashes from outsiders.

Even which companies currently use the database isn’t public; as of last year, just 13 members had access. The group doesn’t know how many of them manually review content—as opposed to relying on automation—before sharing hashes or acting on matches. “That's the kind of thing that I'm trying to explore a little bit more,” says Skip Gilmour, GIFCT’s recently hired director of technology policy and solutions.

The tech consortium insists that innocuous content rarely ends up in the database. But the board hasn’t allowed outside auditing or ordered comprehensive internal reviews despite confirmed lapses.

In 2022, one social media company noticed that two hashes from the database matched thousands of copies of a music video on its service. The song in question? WIRED learned it was “Never Gonna Give You Up,” the Rick Astley pop tune turned prank meme about love and affection. GIFCT previously disclosed the gaffe without naming the song. It hasn’t shared why another company submitted the song in the first place. Erin Saltman, GIFCT’s membership and programs director, says “testing” and “sample hashes” are sometimes to blame.

A small audit by several members in 2022 also flagged invalid submissions, the number of which the tech consortium never disclosed. But removing them, even as new material was being added, cut the database to 2.1 million hashes that October from 2.3 million about 18 months earlier.

This year, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner—whose counterparts in the Home Affairs Department are formal advisers to GIFCT—demanded Google, Meta, and X turn over details about their counterterrorism work. The findings are expected to be published eventually. “We do not know the answer to a number of fundamental questions about the systems, processes, and resources that these tech behemoths have in place,” the eSafety office wrote.

Some critics of how Meta, YouTube, Microsoft, and X have run the counterterrorism forum say the companies already have a playbook in front of them to protect legitimate speech and better curb violence-inciting hate. GIFCT commissioned a human rights impact assessment from the consulting firm BSR that was published in 2021 and recommended 47 changes—many of which the board has yet to carry out.

Without naming TikTok or anyone specifically, the assessors suggested approving the membership of high-risk, non-US companies “with appropriate measures” to minimize human rights harms, because it would leave the GIFCT “better positioned” to fight extremism. They recommended banning members from contributing hashes without human review. And they described a board with just the four founding members as “not a sustainable model,” proposing that activists and academics take half the seats.

GIFCT also has an independent advisory committee that formed in 2020, but Meta, YouTube, Microsoft, and X haven’t always enacted its suggestions. GIFCT’s executive director at the time billed the advisers as the consortium’s conscience. But some of the nearly two dozen professors, rights activists, and governments that compose the panel have felt ignored, with a couple “quiet quitting” this year. “We have no real power,” says Courtney Radsch, a freedom of expression advocate on the advisory panel. “[GIFCT] is yet another example of how tech self-regulation is ineffective and insufficient. To address the real abuse happening on these platforms, we need to have a more meaningful governance structure with accountability and transparency.”

Current executive director Chowdhury Fink says she appreciates the advisers’ constructive criticism. Privately, GIFCT staff have logged discussions between advisers and Meta, YouTube, Microsoft, and X as “tense,” records show. (The rights assessment recommended that GIFCT publish minutes of board and advisory panel meetings. That hasn’t happened.)

A key contention has been whether GIFCT is falling short of the “global” in its name. Staff have helped companies respond to terror attacks in about 60 countries. But some advisers want it to recruit more companies with influence outside the US. They have urged greater emphasis on tools to suppress white supremacy and far-right gangs; increased attention on studying violence in Africa (where the sub-Saharan region is regarded as the new “epicenter” of terrorism) and in Asia; and a reset from what they view as a disproportionate focus on stemming Islamist extremism.

“Less Euro-North American–centric and really more worldwide-centric,” Ghayda Hassan, a clinical psychologist at University of Quebec in Montreal who chairs the advisory panel, said on stage at the consortium’s annual summit in Singapore this year.

Hassan tells WIRED the advisors recently wrote to the board with concerns about their leadership. She expects the addition of new board members to be vital. “The board has to be more diverse and inclusive, just like GIFCT overall needs to diversify.”

Some GIFCT advisers and staff have protested the board allowing the consortium to facilitate what it called “timely and effective action to remove terrorist and violent extremist content” tied to Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas. The group has avoided becoming a conduit for content takedowns during other wars, and several employees considered the involvement in the Gaza crisis as siding with Israel, two people with direct knowledge of the concerns say. The UN, whose definitions prevail inside GIFCT, lists neither Hamas nor Israel as a terrorist group. GIFCT director Saltman says she’s been gathering advice on handling “protracted war.”

Nearly everyone WIRED spoke to, including critics of GIFCT, believe the world would be worse off without some sort of coordination. The alternative would be individual companies struggling to close interconnected gaps and governments imposing stricter censorship. “Global chaos,” says Farzaneh Badiei, who runs internet governance consultancy Digital Medusa and coauthored GIFCT research.

Services cast off by the GIFCT board, including TikTok and PornHub, have found help from Tech Against Terrorism, an initiative funded by governments such as Canada, UK, and France as well as tech companies. It automatically alerts 135 companies to extremist content on their services and will soon launch a certification program and its own database for sharing hashes of images.

GIFCT had been paying Tech Against Terrorism hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to evaluate and train potential GIFCT members. But increasing clashes between the two organizations about their overlapping goals and identities frayed the relationship. Microsoft, YouTube, Meta, and X decided to cease the contract with Tech Against Terrorism and consolidate control over the process: GIFCT staff will handle the training starting next year.

[tctteredwings]

if you’re hearing GONE TOO SOON by MICHAEL JACKSON playing, you have to know CAMERON CLARKSON (HE/HIM; CIS MALE) is near by! the THIRTY-FIVE year old YA AUTHOR/BOOK EDITOR has been in denver for, like, ALL THEIR LIFE ON AND OFF. they’re known to be quite LAZY, but being PROFESSIONAL seems to balance that out. or maybe it’s the fact that they resemble HENRY GOLDING. personally, i’d love to know more about them seeing as how they’ve got those RANDOM IDEAS SCRIBBLED ON NAPKINS, LEGO BLOCKS HIDDEN AWAY IN A WORK SATCHEL, GETTING A TATTOO FOR EACH MAJOR LIFE EVENT vibes. and maybe i’ll get my chance if i hang out around the CHERRY CREEK DISTRICT long enough!

tw: divorce, car accident, death

ABOUT.

Name: Cameron Clarkson Nicknames: Cam Age: Thirty-five Date of birth: September 23rd 1988 Occupation: YA Author/Book Editor Romantic/sexual orientation: Heteromantic/pansexual Birthplace: Christchurch in New Zealand, although considers Denver his real hometown as he moved there at six months old Current Location: Denver, CO, USA

Cameron was born in New Zealand while his mom was out there on an extended gap year, so it was never really set in stone where he’d end up growing up. In the end, however, they returned to his mother's home, eventually ending up in Denver.

He was raised in Washington Park, so pretty much wanted for nothing as he was growing up.

However, he was the kid who didn’t seem to fit in anywhere, so eventually he used his sense of humour to his advantage, playing the class clown.

In the end he didn’t have too many friends, but he had one who was close, who lived two streets away and they pretty much lived out of one another’s pockets. At one point he might as well have moved in with their family as he was at their house so much.

At the age of six, his parents went through a messy divorce, effectively splitting the family in two. He went with his mum, his younger sibling went with his dad.

A year later he suddenly lost the hearing in his left ear. The doctors put it down to emotional stress, but there was no real way of knowing.

Still struggling to fit in, he turned to his imagination, getting lost in worlds of complete make believe. Fantasy was his favourite. Elves, dwarves, vampires. He read The Hobbit more than 20 times in the few years that followed.

He would write stories, put on plays with the few kids he did befriend. And in the end, that was where his life would lead him, to fantasy books that would sell millions and a movie deal to follow.

College was next, along with dead-end jobs in bars to get him through. He only managed a year and a half into his degree, though, finding himself unable to concentrate, so he dropped out again. From then, working in bars and takeout joints pretty much became his life.

He wrote in his spare time, his mailbox constantly full of rejection letters. It was a stream of disappointment for him.

At twenty-three things finally began to look up and he met his soon to be wife while locking up one night. Before long they became the best of friends, then their family became three… and then four. The wedding came last.

It was at twenty-seven that he got somewhere with his writing, Serena finding the letter that held his fate. A three book deal in young adult fiction was soon offered to him and everything changed.

When he hit book three, however, disaster struck. On a night out, Serena and her friends had gotten into an accident. His wife was gone. Just like that. He didn’t get to say goodbye.

The final book fell to the wayside and for a year be barely did anything, not really knowing how to get through. But his children forced him out of it; he finished the book, and he moved into editing, focusing on someone else’s work for a change.

It’s been a bumpy ride, one that’s taken him all over the country during the last couple of years and, at some points, left him chasing after his work. He’s making it work, though, he’s getting through, forcing himself to.

He's made a couple of attempts at relationships since losing his wife, although things never turn out too well, the most recent especially so. No matter what it always feels too soon in his heart, even though he knows it isn't anymore. It's something he needs to get over and fast so he can move on with his life.

HEADCANONS.

Cameron owns a black and tan Jack Russel called Gimli. Because he is both small and mighty.

He’s read The Hobbit around 50 times now and it will always be his favourite book.

Cameron picks up a new tattoo for every success he has in life (or what he considers a success anyway). Currently he’s up to number six. His wedding, his two children, and each of his books. He’s pending on number seven for when the movie’s released and how it does.

WANTED CONNECTIONS.

Younger adopted sister; can be any ethnicity, around the age of 25-30.

Sister/brother-in-law; sibling/s of his late wife.

Childhood best friend; they were inseparable once they found one another, almost like siblings, and things haven’t really changed much since.

Childhood/school friends; anyone he was close to growing up in Denver.

High school sweetheart; his first love.

Exes; from before he turned 23 & met his wife, as well as afterwards.

It’s more than complicated; they work together, they can’t get enough of one another.

Flings, fwb, one night stands; anything that isn’t serious. he’s not really moved too well on since his wife.

Fans of his previous works; anyone who was a fan of his book trilogy.

Fellow gym rats; he’s a bit of an addict these days.

[brookston]

Holidays 4.13

Holidays

Aerosmith Day (Massachusetts)

American Elephant Day

American Sikh Day

Arugula o Rocket Day (French Republic)

Auslan Day (Australia)

Beauty Peace Day

Celebrate Teen Literature Day

Day of Patrons and Philanthropists (Russia)

Day of the Dead (Elder Scrolls)

Environmental Protection Day

Feast of Rotten Endings

413 Day (Arkansas)

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) International Awareness Day

Homestuck Day

Huguenot Day (France)

Ides of April (Ancient Rome)

International Campus & Community Day

International Creativity & Innovation Day

International Day of the Kiss

International Functional Neurological Disorder Awareness Day

International Imposter Syndrome Awareness Day

International Jaat Day (India)

International Plant Appreciation Day

International Rock & Roll Day

International Special Librarian’s Day

International Turban Day

John Hanson Day (Maryland)

Katyn Memorial Day (Poland)

Military-Industrial Complex Employee Day (Ukraine)

National Boot Day

National Borinqueneers Day

National Hippy Day

National Hockey Card Day

National Japanese Spitz Day

National Kiss Your Homies Day

National Pathology Day (India)

National PhiliShui Day

National Silly Earring Day

National Sticker Day

National Theresa Day

Neil Banging Out the Tunes Day

Religious Freedom Day (England; France)

Scrabble Day

Silent Spring Day

Sinhala & Tamil New Year’s Eve (Sri Lanka)

Sterile Packaging Day

Swiftie Day

Teacher’s Day (Ecuador)

Thomas Jefferson Day

Unfairly Prosecuted Persons Day (Slovakia)

Western Mass Day (Massachusetts)

World Microscope Day

World Sarcoidosis Day

World’s Day of Remembrance for Victims of Katyn Massacre

Food & Drink Celebrations

Day to Give Thanks for Fish and Seafood

Hopocalypse Day (Drake’s Brewing)

National Make Lunch Count Day

National Peach Cobbler Day

2nd Saturday in April

Baby Massage Day [2nd Saturday]

Global Day to End Child Sexual Abuse [2nd Saturday]

National Catch & Release Day [2nd Saturday]

Slow Art Day [2nd Saturday]

World Circus Day [2nd Saturday]

Weekly Holidays beginning April 13 (2nd Week)

California Native Plant Week [thru 4.20]

Independence & Related Days

Adammia (Declared; 2013) [unrecognized]

Mensa Ann (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Sicily (from Naples; 1848)

Varnland (Declared; 1991) [unrecognized]

Winterspell (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

New Year’s Days

Songkran (Thailand) (a.k.a. …

Bangla New Year

Bisket Jatra (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand)

Chiang Mai Songkran

Tamil New Year

Thai New Year

Festivals Beginning April 13, 2024

Armageddon Expo Christchurch, New Zealand) [thru 4.14]

Baldwin County Strawberry Festival (Loxley, Alabama) [thru 4.14]

Bar K Beer Fest (St. Louis, Missouri)

Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) [thru 4.14]

CNY Maple Festival (Marathon, New York) [thru 4.14]

Crawfish & Zydeco Festival (Kemah, Texas) [thru 4.14]

Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival (Kenosha, Wisconsin)

Dessert Wars (Baltimore, Maryland)

Georgia Renaissance Festival (Fairburn, Georgia) [thru 6.2]

Hall Cabernet Cookout (St. Helena, California)

Hudson Mac & Cheese Fest (Washingtonville, New York)

International Orange Blossom Carnival (Adana, Turkey) [thru 4.21]

Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival (Manteo, North Carolina)

Mobile Chocolate Festival (Mobile, Alabama)

National Grits Festival (Warwick, Georgia)

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival (San Francisco, California) [thru 4.14 & 4.20-21]

Polish Festival (Phoenix, Arizona) [thru 4.14]

Spring Cheese and Chocolate Weekend (Stillwater, Minnesota) [thru 4.14]

Supernova Pop Culture Expo Gold Coast, Australia) [thru 4.14]

Taste of Hillcrest (San Diego, California)

Feast Days

Alfarbot: Alfheim Day (Pagan)

Believe in Fairies Day (Pastafarian)

Bill Hicks Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Caradoc (Christian; Saint)

Carpus, Papyrus, and Agathonic (Christian; Martyrs)

Elizablecccch Arden (Muppetism)

Eudora Welty (Writerism)

Festival of Jupiter Victor (Ancient Rome)

Festival of Libertas (Ancient Roman personification of freedom and political liberty)

Grounding Meditation Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Guinoch of Scotland (Christian; Saint)

Hermenegild (Christian; Martyr)

Ida of Louvain (Christian; Saint)

James Ensor (Artology)

Libertas (Old Roman Goddess of Liberty)

Martin I, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Martius (a.k.a. Mars; Christian; Saint)

Poshui Jie begins (Water Splashing Festival; China)

Ptolemy (Positivist; Saint)

Purification Festival (Thailand; Everyday Wicca)

Samuel Beckett (Writerism)

Seamus Heaney (Writerism)

Squashing of Moonhopper Day (Shamanism)

Thomas Lawrence (Artology)

Vaisakhi (Sikh spring grain harvest festival)

Vishnu (Pondicherry, India; Hindu)

Yayoi Matsuri (Nikko, Japan; 5-Day Spring Festival)

Islamic Moveable Calendar Holidays

Eid al-Fitr celebrations continue (Islam)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Prime Number Day: 103 [27 of 72]

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Aladdin Sane, by David Bowie (Album; 1973)

An Apprenticeship or The Book of Pleasures, by Clarice Lispector (Novel; 1969)

Bedeviled Rabbit (WB Cartoon; 1957)

The Big Bad Wolf (Disney Cartoon; 1934)

Black Rose, by Thin Lizzy (Album; 1979)

Bridget Jones’s Diary (Film; 2001)

Brown Sugar, by The Rolling Stones (Song; 1971)

Bulldog Drummond (Radio Series; 1941)

By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept, by Elizabeth Smart (Novel; 1945)

Casino Royale, by Ian Fleming (Novel; 1953) [James Bond #1]

Catch a Fire, by Bob Marley (Album; 1973)

Critic’s Choice (Film; 1963)

Dane, by Heinrich Schütz Opera; 1627)

Daltrey, by Roger Daltrey (Album; 1973)

Echo, by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (Album; 1999)

El Capitan, by John Philip Soul (Operetta; 1896)

Good Little Monkeys (Happy Harmonies; 1935)

The Greyhound and the Rabbit (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1940)

Hold the Lion Please (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1951)

The Kilkenny Cats (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1945)

Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here Grammar Rock Cartoon; Schoolhouse Rock; 1974)

Messiah, by George Frederic Handel (Oratorio; 1742)

Mickey’s Kangaroo (Disney Cartoon; 1935)

Mouse Into Space (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1962)

The One Minute Manager, by Kennth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson (Book; 1983)

Rampage (Film; 2018)

Rising Sun, by Michael Crichton (Novel; 1992)

Safe at Home! (Film; 1962)

Swing Shift (Film; 1984)

Tango in the Night, by Fleetwood Mac (Album; 1987)

Tintin and the Picaros, by Hergé (Graphic Novel; 1976) [Tintin #23]

12 Angry Men (Film; 1957)

Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand (Historic Novel; 2012)

Today’s Name Days

Hermenegild, Ida, Martin (Austria)

Ida, Martin (Croatia)

Aleš (Czech Republic)

Justinus (Denmark)

Tarvi, Tarvo (Estonia)

Tellervo (Finland)

Ida (France)

Hermenegil, Ida, Gilda, Martin (Germany)

Gerontios (Greece)

Ida (Hungary)

Ermenegildo, Martino (Italy)

Egils, Jagailis, Justins, Justs, Nauris (Latvia)

Algaudė, Ida, Mingaudas (Lithuania)

Asta, Astrid (Norway)

Hermenegild, Hermenegilda, Ida, Jan, Justyn, Małgorzata, Przemysł, Przemysław (Poland)

Artemon (Romania)

Aleš (Slovakia)

Hermenegildo, Martín (Spain)

Artur, Douglas (Sweden)

Slavka, Yaroslava (Ukraine)

Thom, Thomas, Thomasina, Thompson, Tom, Tomas, Tommie, Tommy, Twain (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 104 of 2024; 262 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 15 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 28 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Wu-Chen), Day 5 (Ding-Wei)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 5 Nisan 5784

Islamic: 34 Shawwal 1445

J Cal: 14 Cyan; Sevenday [14 of 30]

Julian: 31 March 2024

Moon: 28%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 20 Archimedes (4th Month) [Albategnius]

Runic Half Month: Man (Human Being) [Day 4 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 26 of 92)

Week: 2nd Week of April

Zodiac: Aries (Day 24 of 31)

[shutup-andletme-go]

okay i need help deciding where i should make ren's hometown be for the fic i'm writing

under the cut bc this is a loooooooong post team (but there's a poll!)

so in the book it's really not specific, like At All as to where he lives, but Georgia says in her letter than she lives in the other corner of the country to him.

i don't get particularly aucklandy vibes off him so even tho thats where he ends up i dont think he started there

so. also there is a strait in the middle of the country and while busses would be cheap-

wait its 1996 the ferries would probably be stupid cheap compared to todays prices

okay so we could say that georgia and ren live on different islands

hold on a minute

so his aunty's message tells us that ren lives in a city and his aunty will be picking him up and going south

so that gives us some narrowed down options

PARDON ME THE ACTUAL FUCK

okay so i googled "what places were considered cities in nz 1996"

and thats fine and dandy theres a wikipedia page that i'll look at

in the bar of 'others search for:' there was one entitled "what happened in nz 1996"

i open it

and scream in horror as the name winston peters appears

direct copy paste from the wikipedia result:

Although predicted by many to ally with Labour, on 10 December 1996 New Zealand First leader Winston Peters chose to form a coalition with National, thus preserving Prime Minister Jim Bolger's administration. The 1996 election effectively showcased the difference made by the new electoral system.

winston peters is one of the deputy prime ministers THIS YEAR

Government

Legislature term: 53rd New Zealand Parliament until 8 September, then 54th New Zealand Parliament from 5 December.

The Sixth Labour Government, elected in 2017 and 2020, then the Sixth National Government elected in 2023.

Speaker of the House – Adrian Rurawhe until 5 December, then Gerry Brownlee

Prime Minister – Jacinda Ardern until 25 January, then Chris Hipkins until 27 November, then Christopher Luxon

Deputy Prime Minister – Grant Robertson until 25 January, then Carmel Sepuloni until 27 November, then Winston Peters

Leader of the House – Chris Hipkins until 25 January, then Grant Robertson until 27 November, then Chris Bishop

Minister of Finance – Grant Robertson until 27 November, then Nicola Willis

Minister of Foreign Affairs – Nanaia Mahuta until 11 November, then Grant Robertson until 27 November, then Winston Peters

christ almighty when is he going to die in a hole i hope its soon <3

oooh shit ren might have been old enough to vote in that election

and idk if he'd vote by himself but i feel like georgia would have encouraged it

okay back to the list of cities. we have:

auckland (still do not agree he's from auckland)

christchurch

wellington

hamilton

tauranga

okay cool so technically there might be others but im sorry palmerston north is not a city

making myself reread the book gave me a new perspective bc i was gonna say he's from like levin or somewhere

obscure like that

te puke perhaps

but no! he's from a city which means i can't take the angle of "ren didnt think places looked like this in 1996. not even wellington." but thats okay!

i'm leaning towards hamilton myself

just obscure enough

but still a city

pretty far up in the north island

oooh i kinda wanna write georgia as living in wellington she would thrive in wellington i think

@antisocialgaycat tagging u as always <333

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

I'm on tour with my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me in BOSTON with Randall "XKCD" Munroe (Apr 11), then PROVIDENCE (Apr 12), and beyond!

#15yrsago Help save Bruce Sterling and Jasmina Tesanovic from US immigration hell! https://web.archive.org/web/20090405213303/http://blog.wired.com/sterling/2009/04/bruce-sterling.html

#15yrsago Pneumatic tube-based systems — the real series of tubes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvSeL_LfdbA

#15yrsago Berlusconi declares war on the press https://www.repubblica.it/2009/04/sezioni/esteri/nato-strasburgo/calunnia-tv/calunnia-tv.html

#10yrsago Private equity, an infection that is eating the world https://web.archive.org/web/20140330004925/https://www.ericgarland.co/2014/03/29/parasite-economy/

#10yrsago UK Tories call for a national of slaves https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2014/04/a-nation-of-slaves.html

#10yrsago Daniel Ellsberg to keynote HOPE X in NYC this summer https://www.2600.com/content/daniel-ellsberg-keynote-hope-x

#10yrsago Yahoo beefs up security in two meaningful and important ways https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/04/yahoo-protects-users-lots-more-encryption

#10yrsago The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation, a nuanced and moving history of race, slavery and the Civil War https://memex.craphound.com/2014/04/04/the-gettysburg-address-a-graphic-adaptation-a-nuanced-and-moving-history-of-race-slavery-and-the-civil-war/

#5yrsago Talking about Radicalized with the CBC: Privilege, atavism, techno-realism and seizing the means of information https://www.cbc.ca/books/cory-doctorow-on-radicalized-the-problem-with-superheroes-and-writing-speculative-fiction-in-a-jaded-world-1.5080939

#5yrsago News organizations have all but abandoned their archives https://memex.craphound.com/2019/04/04/news-organizations-have-all-but-abandoned-their-archives/

#5yrsago After Christchurch shooting, Australia doubles down on being stampeded into catastrophically stupid tech laws https://memex.craphound.com/2019/04/04/after-christchurch-shooting-australia-doubles-down-on-being-stampeded-into-catastrophically-stupid-tech-laws/

#5yrsago A rapidly proliferating software license bars use by companies with poor labor practices https://www.wired.com/story/how-github-helping-overworked-chinese-programmers/

#5yrsago “Open source” companies are playing games with licensing to sneak in proprietary code, freeze out competitors, fight enclosure https://www.scalevp.com/insights/making-sense-of-a-crazy-year-in-open-source/

#5yrsago Fear that far-right terrorists will stage attacks if Brexit is canceled https://theintercept.com/2019/04/04/specter-far-right-violence-haunts-brexit-britain/

#1yrago Elizabeth Warren on weaponized budget models https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/04/cbo-says-no/#wealth-tax

[dogsliampaynedoesntinstagram]

Hi! You've mentioned a few times that Harry mocked the haka years ago. Do you have any links to that, or could you summarise what you're referring to? Thanks. Also, how and why do you think Wellington was clearly pivotal in 1D's lives?

I'll answer the second question first - and then go into the first. Basically whatever happened in that mediocre bar opposite a parking lot in the early morning of the 23rd of April - the video about it certainly had an impact on their careers - it was the first massive peak in interest about 'Larry' (check out google trends). Both public and fans being aware of the idea of Larry Stylinson had a huge impact on Harry and Louis' life.

One Direction visited New Zealand twice once in 2012 and once in 2013. Both times they only interacted with Māori culture on Pākehā (white New Zealanders terms). On both occasions they were asked both in interviews and in twitter questions to imitate Māori culture. They didn’t know the basics of Māori culture or language and they individually and collectively imitated Māori culture badly for Pākehā entertainment.  This is racist, colonising behaviour, which reinforces Māori oppression.

During twitter questions they were often asked to do the Haka. They all attempted it in response to a twitter question in Auckland in 2012 (but not Wellington, because that was a magic perfect night).  In Christchurch in 2013, they did it during twitter questions, but not in response to a twitter question - it appears to be because they wanted to. (Harry says that he wants to learn the Haka - but not enough to actually do the learning before performing publicly - and Niall is so enthusiastic that he does it by himself first before the whole arena does it with them). And in their show Auckland they again did it in response to a twitter question. (Niall also did it on a radio interview in response to a question, but that video is no longer on line).

This is a mocking way of engaging in Māori culture and the more you watch the specific examples the more you see how bad it is - they make up gibberish words, as soon as they get past the two lines they remember from TV. They treated Māori culture as something to make fun of - and chose only to engage with Māori culture on Pākehā terms.

For those who struggle to understand why this was mocking - helpfully Ant and Dec put together that demonstrates it quite nicely. In 2013, 1D were interviewed for a pretend New Zealand television show for Ant and Dec's prank show and were asked to pronounce Māori words (something that also happened in New Zealand interviews, although I can't find any of them online any more). It neatly illustrates the underlying racist dynamic.

Now one point to make about all this is that this is a Pākehā New Zealand problem at its root. And obviously I could talk about the ways that Pākehā New Zealanders engage with Māori culture quite a bit. But you don't have to participate in every bit or racism that other people ask you too.

And to sort of set-up what I want to say about Harry - what's really noticeably different this time is that alongside the political action of waving a Tino Rangatiratanga flag - Harry engaged with Māori culture on Māori terms. And that treating Māori culture not as a play thing for Pākehā, but belonging to people who he can meet and talk with - was an important precursor to taking political action.

[charlesandmartine]

An Epilogue for Australia 2023

I love a sunburnt country,

A land of sweeping plains,

Of ragged mountain ranges,

Of droughts and flooding rains.

I love her far horizons,

I love her jewel-sea,

Her beauty and her terror

The wide brown land for me!

An excerpt from:

My Country

By Dorothea Mackellar

We made all the arrangements for this trip last summer which seems ages ago now and it troubled us whether we had packed enough into the itinerary, if we were really just repeating too much, and if the destinations were to be interesting enough. We ought not to have worried because none of that was so. It turned out that the balance was almost perfect. Lovely to see Jill again and stay in her amazing apartment in Balgowlah which we like enormously. The cruise to NZ was really enjoyable, seeing both the south Island where we haven't been before and revisiting the north Island, especially Napier. We were particularly pleased to visit Christchurch which we loved and the Sounds were stunning. We felt so fortunate that we completed this cruise when we did because soon after Cyclone Gabrielle came across flooding areas in the north and of course our condolences go out to those people.

The second part of the trip I think changed the way we view this wonderful country, that is our journey to woop woop, pronounced wup wup ie the middle of nowhere and beyond. We broke ourselves in gently before getting to the outback by first calling into some amazing beaches and then heading due west. The outback is a different Australia entirely; the accent is different, harder, broader. Some live in such remote places that there's no apparent reason for the place to be there at all. The couple who ran the cattle station could, with binoculars, see their neighbours. The girl in the bottle shop in Roma dreamed of the day she might go to Bondi Beach! Outbackers do not go to cities which are most likely unaffordable, and city dwellers don't go to the outback apart perhaps from Uluru, called Ayers Rock in pre decimal days. There are at least three levels of society in this amazing country, City, Outback and First Nation. We absolutely loved the outback; we loved the simplicity, the isolation, the one street, the bar where it goes quiet when you walk in, the friendliness, the pleasure they get when outsiders visit their town, the nothingness, the 'I went to Brisbane once, I didn't like it ' comment, the 'if we need to go shopping we drive 2 hours to Charleville', the big huge skies, the massive sunsets, the red dirt, the space, the long long straight empty roads, drive for 280km and not see a single building, community that appears to actually work, we loved it all that's all nearly 5000kms of it in Mr Avis's SUV.

We learned stuff. Staying on the cattle station we saw how hard life could be with not enough help, the danger of moving heavy cattle around, the changing climate, the financial loss that results from drought, the difference rain can make, the condition of the grass therefore life for the cattle or not. Having witnessed the cows being sent to market was a salutary moment for a meat eater versus vegetarian or at least non beefeater.

The rains had returned to the east of Australia with the red dirt turning green. This meant more food for animals such as kangaroos which meant they were not so evident in human occupied land. They talk of El Nino and the effects it has on the climate, La Nina is it's opposite number and it would appear there's a transition. We saw the vast coal mining operations in Newcastle and Blackwater and are both disturbed by this but also understand the economic arguments that allow it's continuance.

We learned more about Australian dinosaurs, crocodiles and how to kill one if necessary, cattle handling obviously, Australian politics and how similar they are to ours, societal problems like interest rate levels, inflation, long hospital waiting lists for hip replacements, shortage of doctors, superannuation, staff shortages in general, mortgage rates, high cost of energy, shortages, scrutiny over COVID handling, proposed Submarine purchases from AUKUS and the list goes on and on and we rub our eyes to see if we are at home or abroad!

The outback is such a fascinating place of great extremes. It breeds a tough and resilient kind of person constantly battling against an environment that views humans as an itch that needs to be scratched, a boil that needs lancing and moreover eradicated. Nature wiped out the dinosaurs of Winton millions of years ago and it does its best now to get rid of their modern day replacements. It does this by seven years of immense drought followed by fire terrifyingly tearing across the tinder dry land and scrub killing and destroying anything in its path. Then come the rains with such intensity the waters rebound, fill the creeks and the vast floodplains drowning animals small and large that inevitably get caught up in it. And then comes the cyclone that blows away structures and trees that dare to challenge it. Nevertheless the communities are tough and stubborn and rebuild because this is a great land. If you want precious stones mounted in precious metals, it is to be found here. If it can be eaten, drunk or cooked with, it is here. If it is needed to generate heat or power then it can be found here. If it is a rare mineral and it is to be found in the periodic table, it can most likely be found in Australia somewhere. If you want to make batteries for new generation electric vehicles, the lithium can be found there. If you want to increase your chances of being bitten, poisoned or eaten to death then Australia has it in droves. It is not the home of Shakespeare; no play contains the words G'day Mate, or own any work entitled Two Gentlemen from Woop Woop, but they try. They are both a young country with no history beyond 200 years and yet they have the combined history's of its many nationalities. They also have the fascinating and hidden history of the indigenous peoples going back 60,000 years! They have European Art which is developing more now into something of their own. More encouraging is that indigenous works are beginning to be appreciated now as works of art in their own right and not as they previously were merely as objects of interest.

This is a marvellous country unsurpassed anywhere else on the globe and deserves to be explored and appreciated for the incredible experiences it so readily offers

Perhaps one of the last images we will recall might be at Sydney Airport:

'Repack or pay' screamed the fierce looking Australian woman behind the Malaysia Airlines check-in desk at the overweight Indian family presenting equally overweight luggage. She could do well in a banshee yelling competition. They were escorted to a quiet spot where silver changed hands.

We have so enjoyed our time here with the variety of things we have done. We went to the SOH three times on this trip and were blown away by each performance, each different from the previous in different ways. We took a very fond look back at Sydney Harbour as we walked away from it last night, the place we really love and of course Manly, not wanting to leave it, but it's au revoir not goodbye, we are simply going to be absent for a while and we shall be back.

[sandra-entdeckt-die-welt]

Christchurch 31.12.22

Der dutch Guy will mir unbedingt noch tschüss sagen, also mache ich mich so auf 10 Uhr auf den Weg zur Küche. Es wird noch ein wenig geredet (zum Glück mit Nina, Sina, Ralf). Die sehr unangenehmen Annäherungsversuche ignoriere ich einfach und verabschiede mich höflich und bin froh, als er weg ist. Gemeinsam mit den anderen sitze ich ewig am Frühstückstisch und versuche eine Unterkunft für Hawaii zu finden... Eine Mamutsaufgabe, die ungefähr so aussah... "Oh ein Air bnb für 60 Dollar... Oh nein... Das ist ein Zelt..."

Ich verzweifle und werde etwas aggressiv, was die anderen sehr amüsiert... Die Mädels geben mit einen sehr leckeren Keks, sodass ich weinend in den Keks beißen kann während ich (haltet euch fest) 900 Dollar für 9 Nächte in einem Vierbettzimmer buche...

Naja egal, ich buche immerhin ein paar Nächte und bin nun nur noch vom 06. Bis 10.01. obdachlos. Wuhuu

Ralf empfiehlt mir einfach ein paar Zeitungen zu kaufen, für die Parkbank. Und ja ich bin wirklich kurz vor einem Nervenzusammenbruch.

Als ich dann vor lauter Nervenzusammenbruch Mal für einen klaren Durchblick sorgen will und meine Brille Versuche zu putzen, bricht sie mir einfach entzwei.... Whaaaat????

Und Kontaktlinsen bekommt man hier auch nicht so einfach im DM wie in Deutschland. Also wird hektisch ein Optiker aufgesucht um vor Ort festzustellen, dass sie meine Brille nicht reparieren können. Kontaktlinsen aushändigen dürfen sie auch nicht, weil das illegal wäre... Zum Glück ist der Optiker ein Herzblatt, er sagt für 30 $ kann ich einen Optikertermin buchen. Er schaut mein Auge an und gibt mir Probekontaktlinsen die er dann auf meinem Auge überprüft. Ich könnte ihn abknutschen... So stehe ich nach einer halben Stunde vor der Tür und sehe endlich wieder etwas und bin so erleichtert. Auch Mal spannend ein Augentest auf Englisch zu machen. Haha vorallem weil ich ja bei der englischen Betonung im Alphabet manchmal Probleme habe 🤣

Nach dem ganzen Stress, gönne ich mir einen Lippenstift und eine Lidschattenpalette. Wuhuuu es ist Silvester heute, endlich Mal wieder richtig aufbrezeln.

Gemeinsam mit den anderen sitze ich im Hostel, wir trinken und machen uns fertig. Ich finde ich sehe heute einfach super gut aus und der Wein, den ich bei der Weinverkostung gekauft habe unterstützt mein Selbstbewusstsein zusätzlich haha. Da die anderen aber noch nicht in die Stadt wollen, beschließe ich, sie zu verlassen und mich David (einem aus dem Hostel in Franz Josef) anzuschließen. Also laufe ich 30 Minuten durch Christchurch und genieße diese Freiheit. Ich liebe es, einfach das zu machen was ich will. Im Hostel war es mir zu langweilig also gehe ich zu den Jungs... Das ist Freiheit... Mit dem wissen, wenn das scheiße wird, gehe ich wieder zurück oder schließe mich einer anderen Gruppe an.

Die Jungs sind schon ganz schön betrunken aber es ist super witzig. Wir Freunden uns mit einer Kiwi Familie an und haben einen Heidenspaß. Um 2 Uhr ist die Party vorbei und wir gehen in Davids Appartement, suchen dann noch eine Bar auf um festzustellen, wir kommen nicht mehr rein... Hier schließt einfach alles um 2 Uhr oder spätestens um 3 Uhr... Feuerwerk gibt es auch nicht. Das ist alles ganz schön seltsam 🤣

Zurück im Apartment reden wir noch sehr viel bis der Kiwi Guy müde wird. Wir stellen fest, dass mein Hostel bei ihm um die Ecke ist. Also machen wir uns gemeinsam auf den Heimweg...

Natürlich mache ich mir Gedanken, ob es eine gute Idee ist mit zwei fremden Kerlen in ein Apartment zu gehen und das ist es was mich traurig macht. Das sind zwei soooo nette Kerls und dennoch hat ein Teil von mir Angst, es könnte etwas passieren. Ich wünschte ich könnte diese Angst einfach abschütteln. Einfach ignorieren, dass man als Frau immer und überall in Gefahr sein kann... Ich wünschte ich könnte vertrauen und meinem Bauchgefühl mehr zutrauen.

Um meinen Standpunkt klarzumachen rede ich auf dem Weg zum Hostel von dem einen Tänzer der mich einfach so versucht hat zu küssen ohne flirten ohne Zeichen ohne nichts... Und der Kiwi Guy rafft es, er sagt: "keine sorge ich will dich nicht versuchen zu küssen, aber ich würde dich gerne umarmen" und so gehe ich beruhigt ins Bett und bin Happy, da ich denke mit jeder Person, die sich richtig verhält kommt vielleicht mein Vertrauen in die Männer wieder zurück. Ein geiler Abend geht zu Ende und ein neues Jahr voller Abenteuer, Erlebnisse, Herausforderungen, Spaß und Freude liegt vor mir.

In diesem Sinne. Ein frohes neues Jahr.🥳

[siliconec]

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[christchurchcentralcity]

Hotels near Christchurch Central city

When it comes to finding a perfect place to stay during your visit to Christchurch, the proximity to the city's heart is essential. Christchurch Central City is the vibrant core of the city, offering a blend of culture, shopping, and scenic beauty. For travelers looking to explore this bustling area, staying at a hotel nearby can make all the difference. One such option is The Muse Hotel, located in the ideal spot to offer easy access to the best of Christchurch Central.

Why Choose Hotels Near Christchurch Central City?

1. Convenience and Accessibility Choosing a hotel near Christchurch Central City means you're just steps away from the best attractions and amenities. Whether you’re here for business, leisure, or a mix of both, the convenience of being close to key spots like the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, and the bustling Victoria Street is unmatched.

2. Great Shopping and Dining Christchurch Central City is home to fantastic shopping districts, like The Crossing and Cashel Mall, where you can find everything from international brands to local artisan goods. Additionally, the area is dotted with restaurants, cafes, and bars that cater to every taste, from casual eats to fine dining.

3. Easy Transportation Staying near Christchurch Central City means you're well-connected to the city's public transport network, making it easy to travel around the city and beyond. Whether you're taking a bus, tram, or even a short taxi ride, getting to other attractions like the Port Hills or the Christchurch Airport is simple and stress-free.

The Muse Hotel: Your Perfect Christchurch Base

Located just a short walk from Christchurch Central City, The Muse Hotel offers a modern and stylish retreat in the heart of the city. With its contemporary design and exceptional service, The Muse is an excellent choice for travelers who want to experience the best of Christchurch while enjoying the comfort and luxury of a high-end hotel.

Key Features of The Muse Hotel:

Elegant Rooms: Each room is designed with your comfort in mind, featuring modern amenities, comfortable furnishings, and beautiful city views.

Central Location: You're within walking distance of top attractions, dining spots, and shopping precincts in Christchurch Central City.

Conference and Event Facilities: Ideal for business travelers, The Muse Hotel offers versatile meeting rooms and event spaces.

Boutique Atmosphere: With personalized service and a boutique atmosphere, The Muse Hotel ensures a unique and memorable stay.

Things to Do Around Christchurch Central City

While staying at The Muse Hotel, you’ll have easy access to a wide range of activities:

Visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens: A stunning 21-hectare oasis with beautifully landscaped gardens and walking paths. Perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Explore the Arts Centre: A historic precinct featuring galleries, theaters, and cafes, showcasing the city's creative spirit.

Take a Tram Ride: The Christchurch Tramway offers a great way to see the city's key landmarks while learning about its history.

Shop at Riverside Market: A vibrant market with fresh produce, artisan goods, and food stalls, located just a short walk from the hotel.

Conclusion

If you're planning a trip to Christchurch, staying at a hotel near Christchurch Central City provides you with the best of both worlds—easy access to everything the city has to offer while enjoying a comfortable and relaxing stay. The Muse Hotel offers a chic, centrally located haven for those wanting to make the most of their visit. Whether you're here for a few days or a few weeks, it's the perfect base for exploring the heart of Christchurch.

Book your stay at The Muse Hotel today, and enjoy a memorable experience in Christchurch Central City.

[markandtrish]

Thursday November 21st

Christchurch

We decided to have a day exploring Christchurch today, a lovely city - very clean and green although still suffering a lot from the earthquakes of 2011. There are areas where there are derelict houses and other areas where things are being rebuilt but there is still a lot to do. The Anglican cathedral suffered a lot of damage, losing its tower and becoming unsafe but the area is still boarded up as money has run out before the work can be completed. A lot of places are also being strengthened to withstand future earthquakes.

One of our visits today was to the Cardboard Cathedral, designed as a temporary replacement while work was being finished on the original cathedral. It’s still in full use and luckily has a projected life span of 50 years. It’s been made with some wooden supports but most of it is cardboard formed into thick tubes and a beautiful triangular window has been made of images taken from the stained glass in the old cathedral. A very interesting and moving building.

We also went to look at the memorial wall that has been erected by the river in memory of the 185 people who died.

We made our way around Christchurch on a variety of old trams with the drivers giving interesting commentary as we went. We stayed on the first tram for a full circuit even after finding out that the driver supported Southampton FC.

We stopped for a pie at lunchtime, steak for both of us. They certainly do good pies here.

The River Avon flows through the town and punting trips are offered. Unlike in Oxford and Cambridge you are taken out by someone who knows what they’re doing, which does seem to reduce the number of people falling in.

It was quite busy around the town today due to a big cruise ship being in but things calmed down later in the afternoon.

A lovely sunny day although a cold wind.

This evening we decided to go back to the riverside market and had burritos followed by a drink in the Church pub, a beautiful old building which still had the organ pipes over the bar.

[venuefindernz]

Hosting an Awards Ceremony? Here’s What to Look for in a Venue

Planning an awards ceremony is exciting, but choosing the right venue can make or break the event. Whether you’re celebrating achievements in your industry, recognising exceptional individuals, or hosting a community gala, the venue sets the tone and atmosphere. If you’re considering an event venue in Christchurch, here are some key factors to remember to ensure your ceremony is a resounding success.

1. Capacity and Layout

First and foremost, consider the size of your audience. You want an event venue in Christchurch that comfortably accommodates your guests while providing an intimate atmosphere. For instance, the Christchurch Town Hall offers flexible layouts that can be configured to suit your event’s needs. A venue that offers different seating arrangements—such as banquet, theatre, or cocktail style—can enhance the experience for your attendees.

"A well-planned layout allows for smoother transitions and a more engaging atmosphere during the ceremony," says event planner Laura Smith.

2. Accessibility and Location

Choosing a venue that is easily accessible for all guests is crucial. Consider the proximity to public transport, parking facilities, and accommodation options. A centrally located event venue in Christchurch will attract more attendees and reduce stress on the event day. Accessibility is not just about transport; it also means ensuring the venue is suitable for guests with disabilities.

3. Technical Facilities

In this digital age, your awards ceremony may rely heavily on technology—for presentations, live streaming, or audio-visual displays. Ensure that your chosen event venue hire in Christchurch has the necessary technical facilities. High-quality sound systems, projectors, and reliable Wi-Fi can significantly enhance your event. It’s also worth discussing with the venue’s team about any on-site technical support they can offer.

4. Ambiance and Style

The ambience of your venue will reflect the theme and tone of your awards ceremony. Look for a venue that aligns with the overall style you envision, whether elegant, contemporary, or rustic. The decor, lighting, and architecture all play a role in creating the right atmosphere. Visit the venue in person to get an authentic feel for its vibe.

5. Catering Options

Food and drink can elevate your event from ordinary to extraordinary. When selecting an event venue in Christchurch, inquire about their catering services. Do they offer in-house catering, or do you need to hire an external vendor? Check for menu options, dietary accommodations, and whether they can provide bar services. Tasty food can make your awards ceremony memorable, and having a venue that can handle catering will simplify your planning process.

6. Service and Support

A successful event relies heavily on the support from the venue staff. Look for an event venue in Christchurch that has a dedicated events team. These professionals can help guide you through the planning process, offer valuable recommendations, and ensure everything runs smoothly on the ceremony day. Their expertise can save you time and reduce stress, allowing you to focus on celebrating achievements.

7. Budget Considerations

Finally, keep your budget in mind. While finding a venue that meets all your needs is essential, staying within your financial limits is equally important. When discussing costs, be transparent about your budget with the venue manager. Many venues will work with you to create a package that fits your needs without compromising quality.

Conclusion

Hosting an awards ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate success, foster community, and create lasting memories. By carefully considering these factors when choosing an event venue in Christchurch, you’ll be well on your way to planning an unforgettable event. Remember, the right venue will meet your logistical needs and enhance your guests' overall experience. Now that you have the tools, it's time to start planning your successful awards ceremony in Christchurch. Happy planning!

[amberleyestatenz]

What Can You Expect from Services and Amenities in Retirement Communities?

As we look forward to the golden years, one of the most exciting decisions we make is choosing the perfect retirement community.

But what exactly should you expect from the services and amenities these communities offer? Let’s dive into what makes retirement communities a vibrant and enriching place to spend time.

1. Welcoming and Comfortable Living Spaces

The living space is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about retirement communities. These communities offer a range of housing options, from cozy apartments to spacious cottages.

The focus is on creating a comfortable, accessible, and safe environment. Many retirement communities provide modern, well-maintained residences with features like easy-to-navigate layouts, bathroom grab bars, and emergency call systems.

2. Diverse Recreational Activities

One of the highlights of life in retirement communities is the abundance of recreational activities. Whether you’re a social butterfly or enjoy a quiet hobby, there’s something for everyone. Expect to find:

Fitness classes: Yoga, water aerobics, and strength training are common.

Craft workshops: Painting, knitting, and pottery classes are popular.

Social events: Regular social gatherings, movie nights, and themed parties help foster a sense of community.

These activities keep you active and provide wonderful opportunities to meet new friends and stay engaged.

3. Convenient On-Site Services

Convenience is key in retirement communities. On-site services make life easier and more enjoyable. Here’s what you might find:

Dining options: Many communities offer on-site dining with various meal plans. From casual cafés to fine dining, something suits every taste.

Housekeeping and maintenance: Regular housekeeping services and maintenance staff ensure that your living space is always in top shape without you having to lift a finger.

Transportation services: Scheduled transportation to local shops, medical appointments, and social outings help you stay independent and connected.

4. Health and Wellness Programs

Maintaining good health is a priority in retirement communities. These communities often have wellness programs that include:

Health screenings: Regular check-ups and screenings help keep track of your health.

Medical care: On-site or nearby medical facilities ensure you have healthcare access when needed.

Wellness counselling: Support for mental and emotional well-being is often available, including counselling services and support groups.

By offering comprehensive health and wellness programs, retirement communities support physical health as well as overall well-being.

5. Security and Peace of Mind

Safety and security are paramount in retirement communities. Many offer:

24/7 security: Security personnel and surveillance systems ensure you’re always safe.

Emergency response systems: Quick access to emergency help gives you peace of mind.

Controlled access: Secure entry points and gated communities help keep unwanted visitors out.

Knowing that safety measures are in place allows you to relax and enjoy your retirement without worrying about security.

6. Opportunities for Personal Growth

Beyond just services and amenities, retirement communities provide opportunities for personal growth and learning. Expect to find:

Educational programs: Lectures, classes, and workshops on various topics can stimulate your mind.

Volunteer opportunities: Many communities encourage residents to get involved and give back to the community.

These opportunities help keep your mind active and allow you to pursue interests and passions you may have put on hold.

7. A Strong Sense of Community

One of the greatest benefits of living in top retirement village in Christchurch is the sense of belonging. The friendly and supportive environment helps build lasting relationships.

Social activities, shared spaces, and group events foster a close-knit community where friendships flourish.

Conclusion

Choosing a retirement community is more than just finding a place to live; it’s about finding a vibrant and supportive environment where you can thrive.

From comfortable living spaces and diverse recreational activities to convenient services and a strong sense of community, these amenities and services are designed to make your retirement enjoyable and fulfilling.

So, when you’re ready to take the next step, you’ll know exactly what to expect from the welcoming world of retirement communities.