FNC - They should rename the school holidays because it's not a holiday
Welcome to Friday Night Chats! The school holidays are almost over. We had a very quiet holiday. Well, it's only really a holiday for the kids isn't it? We celebrated Eddie's birthday and went away for the night to Waikawa Beach, but other than that we have stayed home.
I can't believe it's October already. This year has just flown by. It's so good to be here with you - Let's chat!
Today I spoke at the Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens conference at Tākina. It ends a busy work week for me. I love hanging out with teachers. I could never be patient enough to be a teacher - but I think they're such good craic. Chatting to them about community is kind of my perfect day tbh.
I think it went well? Lovely vibes in the room.
At home we have mostly been managing our little one's anxiety about returning to school. He has also been very upset about Jane Goodall. He really loves her and had just spent time chatting to the chimps at the zoo the day before she died.
I have tried to explain 91 is a pretty good run but...he does not agree. Someone protect David Attenborough!
In other news, I think I've broken my dog.
She will not stop barking. She barks constantly. We got a trainer who said we should bark at her and now we just have the whole freakin' house barking which is a nightmare!
You know what's worse than one dog barking? A dog, two kids, and two adults barking! And the trainer said to squirt her with water which just makes her angrier???? And then we are meant to drop some thing on a hard service to make a loud noise? And it's just so chaotic and loud.
And it's made her more anxious. Which makes sense right?!
And on top of everything else I feel terribly guilty for spending money on a dog trainer only for it to make her worse. It's my most regrettable purchase of this year.
I also just think WHY DO I HAVE A DOG WITH ANXIETY?!
I HAVE ANXIETY! My kid has anxiety. Why does my dog have to have anxiety? I mean come on universe! And then on insta someone was like - she's picking up on your anxiety and it's like that may be but WHAT AM I GONNA DO ABOUT IT?!
I can't not be anxious. It's my neurotype! I'm medicated! I'm doing my best!
She's a dog! Come on!
She is a tiny ball of rage! She has every single need she could have met! She has pyjamas! She has so many toys! She has a little doghouse she won't go into! She needs to sort it out. She's going to be one in a few weeks and at this rate I will not be getting her a bone for her birthday (I probably will).
What I'm reading:
I enjoyed Emmy Sanders' new smut - This and Every Life. The synopsis is: Two souls are destined to find each other in every lifetime, across different time periods and identities. Some of the stories feel flat (like the ace/aromantic one - I can never connect with ace storylines in smut because I specifically read smut for the smut) but others were great (stable-hand in love with a rich boy never fails).
It wasn't as good as the Plum Valley Cowboys or Darling Brothers or Elite 8 series but good on her for trying something different.
I read a lot about the shameful Palestine statehood decision during the week:
What recognising Palestine would have meant – and what remains
New Zealand is punching above its weight in cowardice
Dismay in New Zealand after government fails to recognise Palestinian statehood
What recognising Palestine would have meant – and what remains
And some other things:
“Kamala Harris’s election memoir shows just how deluded the Democrats still are”
The one change that worked: I gave away my last dress – and embraced the real me
Venus has lava tubes, and they're weird
Jane Goodall, the gentle disrupter whose research on chimpanzees redefined what it meant to be human
Days In The Life Of A Transgender Athlete
The 12 Best LGBTQ+ Movies Adapted From Books
Why a proposed law to criminalise protests near homes is too vague to do much good
Grist for the mill: the slow death of New Zealand’s industry towns
11 Most Notorious Bisexual Killers in Film History
What I'm watching:
I watched the romance-drama All of You on Apple TV. Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent Ted Lasso) is the leading man which is why I watched it. And he's perfect. He's paired with Imogen Poots who is also very hot. But ultimately, it didn't grab me enough.
I have no interest in the Monsters series on Netflix about American serial killers and murderers. I think they're so exploitative and gross. But I just saw Charlie Hunnam is Ed Gein in the latest one. I had no idea because he looks so different!
WHAT DID THEY DO TO MY MAN!
Why do they have to make all these uggo serial killer losers hot?
I've been watching quite a lot of Australian Story on Youtube. It's really good journalism. There are some really important stories - like a teenager groomed by her teacher who she then married, and some lovely light ones - like the story of how Pub Choir was made.
What I'm listening to:
Tonight, I'm going to see Tami Neilson! I'm so excited. I'm a huge Tami fan and it's great to be able to see her live again after following along with her amazing performances with Willie and Ashley McBride and other country superstars.
She's such a powerhouse. I adore her. So, I'm listening to lots of new Tami.
Also, tomorrow I'm going to Palmy Drag with my girls - so I'll be playing lots of girly pop for the drive. I so need a lil gay vaycay so I can't wait.
What are you reading? Watching? Listening to?
Oh do you want a Gaza Tent Drive update? In less than 10 days, your collective mahi raised enough koha to send funds (approx $1700NZD each) for 67 tents to families in Gaza. That comes to around $115,000 raised and paid out!
Of the fundraisers completed, and the funds received so far, 63% of the fundraisers beat the initial fundraising goals they signed up for. Incredible!!
We expect to be able to help more families on our waitlist as the outstanding funds come in over the next few days, but in the meantime I'm so proud of everyone who raised funds and everyone who donated and everyone who shared the campaign.
We have provided up to 938 people in Gaza shelter in ten days. That's nice eh?
(Also, if you want to email Winston Peters and MFAT about the flotilla - here's a template).
What are your plans for the weekend?
As always, thank you so much for your support. It means the absolute world to me. Arohanui Emily x
This weekend marks two years of genocide - if you want to attend a vigil or march, you can see all of the events across the motu here.
If you haven't already, make sure you vote in the local government elections! And vote yes for Maaori wards (sorry, macrons are playing up).
Still bored? Here's a weird game lol:
Doc Diamondfire
