This past Saturday (my time), I was a guest host with Daniel Brewer on the podcast he does with Adam Burns, The Gay Mix (aka “The Mix”) podcast. That episode, “173 – Too 2Political? What Kind of Name is That for an Episode?”, has now been posted on their site. Adam was away on holiday, and Daniel asked me to join him, partly so we could talk about politics—did we? Yeah, a bit, but I haven’t listened to it yet, so for all I know it may have been a total trainwreck—for me. Daniel’s aways a professional. I should add that the episode is roughly an hour and a half long.

I’ve known Daniel and Adam for many years now, and both were the creators and initial drivers of Pride 48, so in the time I was heavily involved with that I talked with them a lot. But I haven’t spoken with Daniel (as in, talked with my voice—can’t be sure about comments or emails…) since the last Pride 48 streaming weekend back in September last year. Life’s been… odd since then—busy, sure, but mostly odd. [I talked about the weekend on my podcast at the time, “AmeriNZ 399 – For years”.]

This guest spot was technically my return to podcasting, since I haven’t posted an episode of my own AmeriNZ Podcast since April of this year. Actually, speaking of guest spots, this was my first since I recorded with my late friend Paul Armstrong way back in April 2021. I had no idea it had been that long, but, then, I’m not as active in podcasting or Pride 48 as I used to be, so it makes sense.

At any rate, I had a lot of fun catching up with Daniel and taking part in this week’s show.

Today I start with a brief catch-up, but my main topic is about a new opinion poll that has very bad news for the NZ’s 3-way coalition government. I provide some context as well as talk about what the poll means. And it with that, I managed to get a second podcast episode in April.

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Links for this episode
”Poll: Labour could return to power if election held today” – “1News” (TVNZ)
“NZ: Buyer’s remorse?” – My in-depth post about the poll results.
“Govt’s 36-point plan: What does ‘take decisions’ mean?” – “1News “(TVNZ)
“ACT are deeply affiliated with Atlas Group” – Reddit (r/newzealand) [Note: Sources not yet verified by me]

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This episode has been so very long delayed! I was busy with a lot of little things, and I still am, so this episode isn’t edited. I start with what I did right after my previous episode, then I talk about some more things I was doing, including one that was emotionally challenging. I also did something I was able to do because apparently I’m now officially old. Or, something like that..

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Links for this episode
”My challenging visit to Auckland” – My blog post on my trip to Auckland.
“Seeing the road ahead” – My post about going to the optometrist.
“Reading the stuff ahead of me” – My post about picking up my new glass, including a photo of me in the new glasses.
“It was about change, not coincidence” – My post about getting a Warrant of Fitness for my car.

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This week I’ve been starting to get back to regular life after my holiday. February is already shaping up to be a busy month. I start today with updates to what I talked about last week, then it’s on to some of the new things I’ve been doing. I’ll be getting stuff done this month, if things go to plan.

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Links for this episode
”The long short month” – My blog post on the start to my February.
“Fiji Trip 2024” – The tag for all trip-related posts (when they’re published).

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This episode is about my recent trip with family to Fiji. This is sort of a general update. Next time, back to regular life!

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Links for this episode
”Travelling gratitude” – My blog post on my trip-related gratitude.
“Fiji Trip 2024” – The tag for all trip-related posts (when they’re published).
“The annual increasing number: 65” – My annual birthday blog post, with my selfie.
“Fifteen years later” – My post about the 15th anniversary of our civil union.

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It’s nine days until my next birthday, and I’ve been busy, and with varied things. I talk honestly about some of my challenges I have with going clothes shopping. Also, it’s rather hot.

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Links for this episode
”Clothes maketh the sequel” – My blog post on my shopping excursion.
“Heat alert issued for Auckland: ‘Keep hydrated'” – 1 News.

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I had good holidays this year because I actually had some this year! I was alone on Christmas last year, and I’ve almost always seen in the New Year alone, but this year I was with the family. I have a lot of little chores I plan to get done over the next couple of weeks, during what’s the quietest time of the year. I forgot to mention that I had another series of “Ask Arthur” blog posts last month. (link below).

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Links for this episode
”Ask Arthur” 2023 – My annual “Ask Arthur” series of blog posts.
“The year Christmas returned” – About my Christmas.
”Message on the tree” – The symbolism in my tree topper.
”The year changed differently” – About my New Year’s Eve.
”Finding the right metaphor” – A way to understand loss of a spouse.

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Today was predicted to be the hottest day of the summer so far, and it was for some areas. I haven’t done much since the last episode, mostly routine stuff, but sometimes that, too, is my life, One thing I did was fix this site, so there’s that.

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Links for this episode
“The heat is on” – My blog post about the warm/hot weather.
“Memories shared, forgotten, and reviewed” – My post on things that happened on December 18 over several years.
Solstices & Equinoxes – a list of the dates from Time and Date.

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New Zealand finally has a circus—whoops!— I meant a government. The three parties finally managed to strike a coalition deal. The new parliament was sworn-in this week, and everything now begins. I talk about that first. By the way, I was right: The tradition of not entering the Debating Chamber goes back to the time of Cromwell, because of Charles 1. Then, I talk about what I’ve been up to, especially how busy I’ve been.

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Links for this episode
“New Zealand’s 3-ring circus begins” – My blog post about a deal finally being struck.
“NZ’s new government: A grab bag of hot takes” – My post on the “hot mess” the coalition’s agenda is.
“Some of Parliament’s rituals and traditions explained” – 1News – TVNZ
“Errors in my ways” – My post on why the dentist appointment was a surprise.
“Tooth telling” – A follow-up post about seeing the dentist again this week.

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New Zealand still doesn’t have a government—that is, the new government hasn’t been able to strike a coalition deal yet. I talk about that first. Then, I talk about what I’ve been up to, including updates to some things I’ve talked about in recent episodes.

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Links for this episode
“New Zealand’s in between days” – The blog post I mentioned, with more detail on this interregnum period.
“New Zealand’s three ring circus” – My post the negotiations becoming farce

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I had a reflective week or two because of the anniversary this past week: Tuesday was the tent anniversary of the day Nigel and I were married, and Thursday was the 28th anniversary of the day in 1995 that I arrived in New Zealand to live, the day that Nigel and I began our life together. I talk about that first. Then, I talk about the final results of New Zealand’s General Election, and some of what that means. I also tell you the truth about what the results actually show, a view not usually presented by pundits and commentators.

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Links for this episode
“Ten years married” – My blog post about our 10th marriage anniversary
“Twenty-eight years later” – A post on our “main anniversary”
“2023 General Election – Official Result” – Electoral Commission New Zealand
“When will the government actually get back to work again?” – Stuff
“Special Votes: National and ACT lose majority in largest ever Parliament” – RNZ

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