Posts by Susan Snowdon

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  • Island Life: Burning Down the House.,

    Alnus jurilensis, is what we sell Mexican alders as. Well known for growing in 'difficult', i.e. damp places, and going crazy.
    Also, setting the paddock on fire and having to call the fire brigade is pretty embarrassing. Kikyu grass has a secret weapon - big air pockets underneath.

    Since Mar 2008 • 110 posts Report

  • Southerly: Still a Scientist at Heart,

    We had a swarm of bees at work once, in a garden centre. Watching the bee man come to take them away was fascinating. You (I) could walk right amongst them carefully without disturbing them in the slightest, but lawnmowers, no, I don't think so...

    Since Mar 2008 • 110 posts Report

  • Hard News: Be the party of good science,

    I got my cfl dimmer bulbs from the local supermarket, but they are also readily available at lighting shops. They're recessed into the ceiling and work just fine. I think I've only ever replaced one cfl bulb in the whole house, over several years, compared to one of the old sort every few months. Same as Islander, they used to blow up quite frequently, especially in damp weather. The 'warm up' period is trivial, and the colour is fine, just like incandescent light.

    Since Mar 2008 • 110 posts Report

  • Hard News: Where your money goes,

    I think one of the major problems with this sort of charity collection is that people (especially people my age or younger) genuinely *don't* have cash on them very often these days. I never, ever do

    I never carry cash on me either, and I'm not 'younger'. Eftpos, bus ticket, and coins in the car for parking seems to be all I need. I like the method of donating where a collector waits in a shop, like the Warehouse, and offers you the option of picking up a ticket which you hand in at the checkout with a purchase. It automatically includes a set eftpos donation. Easy to take and use the ticket, or take and not use. No hard sell, no embarrassment. Or when the supermarket checkout person asks if you'd like to donate a dollar for whatever good cause it is. Easy.

    Since Mar 2008 • 110 posts Report

  • Hard News: Swine flu, terror and Susan Boyle,

    Is there *any* sense in which the evidently premeditated gunning down of an unarmed man is *not* murder? Seriously?

    No. And that includes capital punishment. State santioned murder/terrorism.

    Since Mar 2008 • 110 posts Report

  • Island Life: Effective Immediately,

    I always thought Goldstein was meant to be the hero. Aren't we meant to admire him for outwitting his boss, despite his bumbling behaviour? We like him because he likes us. I see him as an American stereotype, not a Jewish one. I suspect many younger NZers have no idea what that even is, although some may be inclined to torment other kids at school for any silly reason. I think if you were an obvious Presbyterian/Rasta/vegan/wiccan you might get picked on too. Or not, depending on the school and the individual.

    Since Mar 2008 • 110 posts Report

  • Hard News: Going Underground,

    the poor bastards they make stay behind to read out the economic data have provided our household with hours (or five minutes a night, anyway) of entertainment

    I so agree. Not that I'm mocking them: if I had to report to the nation for five minutes on 'what I did in the holidays' I'd be dead in the water.

    Since Mar 2008 • 110 posts Report

  • Up Front: Keeping it Weird: A Night Out…,

    "in a lonesome valley, hanging from a wide oak tree".

    Did you learn that at primary school too?

    Since Mar 2008 • 110 posts Report

  • OnPoint: Being a dick about Earth Hour,

    Sorry, almost forgot the joke.


    How many psychologists does it take to change a lightbulb?

    Doesn't matter, the lightbulb has got to want to change.

    Since Mar 2008 • 110 posts Report

  • Southerly: Bob's House,

    the cinema won't allow them in unaccompanied after 8pm

    Really? I didn't know that. Are they allowed to discriminate on the grounds of age? (Assuming the movie is rated as suitable for them.)

    Since Mar 2008 • 110 posts Report

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