This came up on Facebook 🙂

Seeing a post on social media from a high profile individual celebrating the end of year project that my son presented as his last act as a University Student before graduating. 

It was a warm and heartfelt post that really made me proud as a parent. 

Makes you feel like you've done some good in this world, when you see how well your kids have turned out. 

A dog button, developed to make it easier for dogs to control home appliances - for themselves or owner.

Small animated gif at the bottom of page: https://www.dogosophy.design/the-button 

I had to smile when encountering someone who knew of the existence of smartphones, and of the existence of maps on them, but who honestly asked whether any smartphones had a feature where they could show their current position on the map. It's something so many of us take for granted and I found it refreshing to meet someone who clearly has a completely different "relationship" with technology.

Behodar:

 

I had to smile when encountering someone who knew of the existence of smartphones, and of the existence of maps on them, but who honestly asked whether any smartphones had a feature where they could show their current position on the map. It's something so many of us take for granted and I found it refreshing to meet someone who clearly has a completely different "relationship" with technology.

 

My relationship with tech is.... OK....Grrrrr.....psychopathic rage

I have had my German-made Steinel brand 1,400 W heat gun for 40+ years. Recently noticed that the power cord external insulation was perished and wires were showing inside.

I don’t use it very often these days but thought I’d buy a new one - they’re not particularly expensive.

Then thought again. Dismantled the case to check it was repairable. Bought a 2m extension lead from Bunnings for $3.16, cut off the unwanted socket end - and wired it into the gun, complete with the original strain relief.

Job’s a good ‘un.

I'm just going to chime into this thread with... (and smile is maybe the wrong word, but it certainly made me feel good/better in trying times)

Companies that know how to handle bereavement and death tactfully.

In particular, full credit to State/IAG (so I'd hope it is the same with AMI given same ownership), I kibitz'ed a phone call my mum had earlier and all I can say is they handled everything including her initial set of questions and concerns where handled with grace and dignity.

I'm really glad that companies are taking more notice of this and training specialists to handle things right. Some companies still need to learn this, but it's certainly changed generally for the better from even 7 years ago when I helped her with my dad's passing.

The amazing treatment at the Wakefield Hospital in Wellington during my stat there this week.

And for that matter, at Wellington Hospital a couple of years ago, and Bowen Hospital before that.

My experience with these three hospitals have always been good.

freitasm:

 

The amazing treatment at the Wakefield Hospital in Wellington during my stat there this week.

 

And for that matter, at Wellington Hospital a couple of years ago, and Bowen Hospital before that.

 

My experience with these three hospitals have always been good.

 

Hopefully amazing treatment in both senses.

I was left smiling after attending the Metallica show at Eden Park last night. 

The first band were OK - I've never been a massive fan of ST, but they did a good job at what they do. 

Evanescence, as the "warm up act" were absolutely amazing - Amy Lee (the lead singer) has the most incredible voice and didn't miss a note. 

Then the old lads from Metallica came out and absolutely rocked the house...at times quite literally! 
The pyrotechnics, the video wall, the strobe lights and lasers...everything added up to make it an epic night for the Handsome family. 

So good attending concerts as a family unit, even with the kids now well and truly grown up. 

freitasm:

 

The amazing treatment at the Wakefield Hospital in Wellington during my stat there this week.

 

And for that matter, at Wellington Hospital a couple of years ago, and Bowen Hospital before that.

 

My experience with these three hospitals have always been good.

 

Frontline healthstaff are amazing, incredible, ...add any accolade.

It's the beancounters, bureaucrats and politicians who are the cause of the cluster***k that is the NZ Health System.

Had a lovely dinner out with my family resulting in loads of laughter. Celebrating the now young adults, one finishing Uni and one finishing school and moving to Uni next year.

Has been tough for us all with my father in law in hospital so was nice to have the time to laugh and enjoy a nice evening out.

freitasm:

 

The amazing treatment at the Wakefield Hospital in Wellington during my stat there this week.

 

And for that matter, at Wellington Hospital a couple of years ago, and Bowen Hospital before that.

 

My experience with these three hospitals have always been good.

 

Broadening this out, in recent years we have had extensive dealings with Auckland City Hospital and North Shore Hospital. A family member had serious problems with atrial fibrillation (high heart rate) which was fixed with an ablation procedure (IMO one of the most miraculous cures in modern medicine).

Shortly after that, she had surgery for a badly broken wrist. Then major cancer surgery followed a few weeks later by emergency night surgery for a twisted bowel (probably a by-product of the cancer surgery). We have dealt with cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, oncologists (incl five months of chemo) and general surgeons - not to forget all the wonderful nursing and admin staff. 

Throughout all this the quality of the care and the professionalism of all these people has been nothing short of amazing - without exception. At times this required the two hospitals to work together to coordinate things like scans and tests - which you might think could cause hiccups - but it was seamless. 

There's a lot of discussion about waiting times for surgery and so on in NZ. Maybe we have just been lucky but in our experieince the NZ public hospital system is exemplary. However I do wonder about the 'post code lottery' - we may be lucky where we live. Maybe other parts of the country not so much.

I also think these people produce their incredible services under extremely difficult circumstances - caused by years of under-funding, short-staffing and inefficient structures. Which make their achievements even more amazing.

Seeing a Boeing 747 in Christchurch.....it has been a long time since "Sofia" the NASA Telescope was here.

(Air China B747 bringing officials etc with Chinese #3 who arrived on a Boeing 737 before it.)

I had a complaint about a package that had been lost in transit for a week. When I called the hotline, an AI answered. Until now, you just had to stubbornly say nothing until you were connected to a human being. This time, however, the AI insisted on answers to its questions until I said, exasperated, that I wanted to speak to an employee. Et voilà, I was connected to one. 😁