Mike Riversdale

Posts

Showing posts from December, 2020

Perimenopause is something I had no knowledge of until a mate recently mentioned that neither did she nor her mates. Perimenopause or "menopause transition" -> Menopause -> Postmenopause The second and third phases have been talked around me but never the firsr. Who knew there was a pre-phase of around 8 to 10 years, yes EIGHT TO TEN YEARS! My mate has now heard about it, researched it, and understands it more. Her question was, "Why isn't this advertised? Why aren't there leaflets at the GP about it? When the mammogram stuff pops through the post why isn't there something about Perimenopause?" All most excellent questions ... so why isn't there? Not enough info? Nope, Google it. NZ too shy? Possibly. Not a male problem and therefore why bother? Maybe. Perimenopause can begin eight to 10 years before menopause, when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen. It usually starts in a woman's 40s, but can start in the 30s as well. Perimeno...

Reputation On Show

It's a truism that 'reputations are earned slowly but lost quickly' but one can speed up that rate of earning by choosing the right apparel to wear at a kids swimming pool. It should be noted that this t-shirt is from a time in the Petone Empire Hotels previous life a long time ago, and is a very different place now going by the name The Butcher and Brewer

The Final Hurdle

He battled his way along after an ever growing number of falls and finally he was there, the final slip down and course complete.

Rena Disaster, Mural Detail

If you turn 180° after admiring the Kevin Ledo mural on Steeple Lane you'll see this by Cracked Ink on the opposite wall. This is a small detail photo of the full wall. Oh, and it's NOT a black and white photo either 😜 This piece has alot of deep meaning in it with most pointing to the Rena disaster which ruined the shore all along the Bay Of Plenty region. source: Street Prints, Cracked Ink - Rena Disaster This mural is part of Street Prints that happens in locations all over the country having started in Mauao / Mount Maunganui in 2015 . Street Prints is a unique platform where multidisciplinary artists create and engage in a meaningful way with communities through an indigenous lens

Anamorphic Mural

By Kevin Ledo of Tauranga kaumatua Peri Kohu (Ngai Tamarawaho) in Steeple Lane, Mount Maunganui . Perry does a lot for the community and fought hard and sacrificed a lot for the treaties to be respected, and land be given back to his people. By pure coincidence I had his 3 grandkids help me with this wall, Ma, Aniku and Tai, and they were so excited to have him depicted in his town, and felt he really deserved a monument to him. source: Kevin Ledo, Facebook post

The Mount From The Mount

Rough old walk up, great view, knee tiring walk back down.

You Are My Village, Thank You

Even though labelling a time span with a number is a weird human thing to do, and of course many other humans use a different numbering system, I do feel a drive deep inside me to say thank you to so many people for helping me get through this weird, wonderful, scary, and above all ... wait for it, unprecedented year that many have called 2020. If you've ever watched an Oscar awards evening, especially from the 1980s when the rules were more relaxed on winners speech making opportunities, then you'll be well prepared for what is about to happen. I already know, not having written anything yet, that I have missed out people, many of those that have played an integral part to me arriving here. To each and everyone of you know that you are part of the village that has held their arms around me, shown more kindness than I knew possible, and have made such a positive difference to me I am forever in your debt. To Hannah, Betty, Meg, and Gladys, you have been my rocks. Paul, and Dave...

A Dip At Dusk

Back in the summer of 2018 we had a lovely Mount Maunganui holiday and stayed at a home with a pool, I felt very decadent.

Everything Leads To Now

Christmas Eve 2020, it's been a hard road travelling here for many. Reach out to someone today and do something you'd normally not do, something anything. Lessen the load and #BeKind

Oil Painting

It's a fuel tank but hey "oil painting" is funnier - either way this mural on the side is wicked!

The 2020 'Days Of Christmas'

Keeping this blog's tradition going, this is my Yuletide posting about all that you should know for Christmas. But let's just take a moment in the busy day to remember what it's all about - the people you love. I'm thinking of the people you love right now ... are you thinking of mine? Of course, it's not just about family and friends (if that's who I was thinking of) but also presents, alcohol and oodles of sitting around in the sun (hardy har har Northern Hempishpereans!). If Jesus is your thing, I mean, if he's your bag, what you're into man then do the religious thing as well. Just don't get all "God" over Christmas and try to remember that it was originally a pagan festival around the longest day, certainly don't want you Christians foisting your ideas on people and trying to subvert the real message! Fun. that's the real message. Believe in Father Christmas (who shats all over Santa) and have too much laughter with the peop...

And There They Were

"Three of them slowly appeared, twisting and cavorting their alien giraffe/dinosaur bodies as they made their way to the Mount. What their plan was we'll never know, history only records that they attacked on New Year's Eve, and it was a messy end."

Name ALL The Characters

I'll give you the first one, you name the rest - Hairy Maclary, as seen here in the wonderful Tauranga sculpture.

Tauranga Wings

You'd be a fool to visit Tauranga and not get your #LoveDowntownTauranga angel wings photo. And I'm no fool.

Belly Smiles

My daughter and I taking silly photos in Mount Maunganui.

New Zealand Past Summer

Had a fiddle with this 2018 Waimarino Water & Adventure Park photo, quite like how it feels 1980-ish, maybe 1990s.

Drama Tree

Somehow the editing of this Christmas tree photo (Rotorua, 2018) has ended up having a 2020 vibe. Ladies and gentlespoons, I give you the Drama Tree.

Gravitron

Gravitron whirly wheel ride at a 2018 pop-up funfair in Rotorua.

A Cloak Of Words

"A Cloak of Words" by Maori sculptor/carver, Lyonel Grant, which is located on a small grassy rise beside [closed] Rotorua Museum. According to the accompanying plaque, it was unveiled in June 2001. What I especially loved about the work is that the closer you get to it, the more it reveals, for every surface is heavily etched with patterns, words and texture. source: Introducing Maori Lifestyles: A Cloak Of Words