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Ex evo-devo biologist with a chronic problem of changing fields, now trying to understand what makes N. meningitidis tick.

Public health surveillance, microbial genomics, evolution, ecology, developmental biology, invertebrates, NZ native plants, gardening, cider, perry, malty beer, starry into space, wish I could draw

森影のサシバ。
最近、うちの裏の林にサシバが頻繁に飛来します。
近くに巣があるのかもしれません。

#naturephotography #猛禽類 #野鳥 #birds #tokyocameraclub

I made a long walk yesterday in Antwerp, from the old city center to Borgerhout (awesome street art!) and Zurenborg (incredible Art Nouveau architecture!). Along the way I passed Moorkensplein, where I found a perfect spot to sit and sketch, in front of the town hall.

Just as I opened my sketchbook to start drawing, a woman came by with her dog. Out of the blue, she started sharing her rather tragic circumstances (she was in the midst of a divorce from her adulterous husband). At first I listened with empathy, but after 20 minutes or so I grew a bit impatient (I could see rain clouds coming), so I had to cut her off.

Ironically, during her sad confession, a marriage was taking place in the town hall. Lots of people celebrating love. While I sketched, rather hastily because of the threatening rain, I thought about the raw and fragile contrast between happiness and misery. And me, witnessing both.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

#drawing #sketchbook #fountainpen #ink #watercolor #art #urbansketching

to our country's eternal shame.

"The Waitangi Tribunal has heard of the violence directed at Māori women in public positions including online abuse, stalking and threats of physical violence."

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/595279/the-violence-that-i-experience-is-not-casual-maori-women-tell-waitangi-tribunal-of-abuse

#AntiMaoriNonsense #MisogynisticNonsense #NzPol

'The violence that I experience is not casual': Māori women tell Waitangi Tribunal of abuse

The tribunal has heard of the harm directed at Māori women in public positions, including online abuse, stalking and threats of physical violence.

RNZ

"The unfortunate truth is large technology companies do not care about New Zealand. They will not, of their own volition, do anything to ensure that New Zealanders remain safe from AI harms.

It is not their prerogative; their sole goal is wealth extraction. They will bend over backwards to distance themselves from any potential wrongdoings, as they have always done."

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/595187/nz-s-approach-to-ai-continues-to-favour-slop-over-substance

#NzPol #AIslop

NZ's approach to AI continues to favour slop over substance

Opinion: The Government's leadership on AI is lacklustre, and ignores anything that doesn't include the words 'productivity' or 'efficiency'.

RNZ

this world leading meth recovery centre in Aotearoa has an awesome model for the rest of the world to sit up and take notice of

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/595290/maori-led-meth-recovery-model-in-gisborne-drawing-global-attention

Māori-led meth recovery model in Gisborne drawing global attention

Participants are given access to MRI scans so they can see the impact meth use has on their brain and heart for themselves.

RNZ
I guess I have to buy Shandong wine in Shanghai. I am visiting the province so thought I try.
Just got dismissed by some idiot staff in a liquor store. I was looking for shandong white wine, he said we don’t sell fruit juice. That man needs some education. I wish my Chinese is better and my brother & dad weren’t with me. I told him that Chinese white wine are quite good now. I could be more passive aggressive about it but whatever.. I was ready to spend some money too. It is a big store that only sells alcohol as expensive gifts not to enjoy. My mistake! It has good ratings so I went. :(
@sciolato Wings and that face pattern would make me guess a Common Kestrel, especially when it's that tiny.
@apzpins thanks!
Bird. Peregrine falcon? Falcon type bird perched by my hotel window, 15 stories up. #birds