Author | Lightnews

nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 4d

I do a bit of local travel - down the coast for fish and chips at Kaitangata, then I start on a journey across to the West Coast (of New Zealand): down to Balclutha, through Alexandra and across to the Blue pools at the head of Lake Wanaka.

asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/heading-we...

Heading West - Stage One

After coming home from the USA and spending several weekends in Christchurch, I don’t leave town at all in September - instead I focus on the things I can’t do while travelling.

asbarrywanders.substack.com

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 5d

It does show, however, that he truly is full of shit (as if we didn't know).

nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 7d

I don't have many regrets, but near the top of the list is driving 200 km for a Jimmy Carr show.

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 7d

I missed his shows in Dunedin but am first in and front row centre for Shayne Carter's solo show in Hokitika.

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 8d

I think they had their merits, but a tendency to catch fire.

nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 8d

Dad was silly/unfortunate enough to buy one - ended up as a one man protest at the Field Days.

nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 8d

Since the bank knows the card was stolen, you should be fine but it could be a while. I had mine nicked, Kiwibank told me to expect it to take 20 working days. It took a few days more, but they gave a complete refund plus interest.

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 8d

We got those terrible Belarus tractors instead.

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 8d

Join the club! I'm having a settler to deal with it.

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 10d

That's my biggest problem with him - multiple weird gaps in his knowledge.

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 10d

A bit short on the Latino and Asian front compared to actual NYC.

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 13d

Is their library better than the seriously good one in Rolleston?

nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 14d

I have written quite a lot about Victor Pelevin's Babylon at www.goodreads.com/review/show/... It's a weird mixture of ancient history, Russia and advertising, where Tatarsky ascends much higher than anyone could possibly expect. It's dense at times but funny. #booksky #Russianlit

Barry Allan's review of Babylon

4/5: This was a tough book to read, with numerous references to Sumeria, Buddhishm and advertising jargon but worth the effort for the humour and interesting ideas. I think I can only write sensibly a...

www.goodreads.com

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 15d

If that's the case, is there a benefit to having on over a bench top toaster oven thing?

nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 16d

I really don't want to think about how the cheese might get into the kiwi.

nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 16d

Not just cities - I grew up in Northland and our nearest town (Kaikohe) had late night shopping until 8 on Fridays. Of course, shops barely opened in the weekend at all - the weekend opening made late night shopping less important.

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 18d

I've been home since 7 August this is a bit of a wrap up post, but I've also spent half a month in Christchurch for a film festival, a music festival, a writers festival and a play, along with plenty of eating.

asbarrywanders.substack.com/p/home-via-c...

Home, via Christchurch

I am well and truly home - I flew back from Dallas on 5 August and arrived in Christchurch on the 7th.

asbarrywanders.substack.com

nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 18d

Charles was definitely weird and annoying, without it ever being explained, but ultimately I think he meant well, and I liked how things went for him at the end.

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 19d

Replacement for The Office, #ThePaper is growing on me. Up to #5, Catfish, and enjoyed Ezmeralda's flat earther's like response to the possibility she has been catfished, while it's clear to everyone she has been.

nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 19d

The house he creates looks pretty special though and worth fighting over.

#filmsky

letterboxd.com/nzbarry/film...

A ★★★★ review of The Roses (2025)

I really liked The Roses - its same same but different to the War of the Roses, a fresh take. Theo is a successful archect, one who likes to take risks with some of his projects. After she marries him...

letterboxd.com

nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 19d

I never read the book, and it's a long time since I saw the Danny De Vito version, but I went along to watch #TheRoses and found it very enjoyable, although obviously uncomfortable when the fights begin. Ivy's creation of popular restaurants is much more important than Theo's creation of robot kids!

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 19d

I've only met 2, maybe 3, in my life - and I spent nearly 20 years teaching 200 new students every year.

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 19d

Yeah - I was surprised to learn how much government support Norman Kirk sorted out for them.

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 19d

I don't really agree, but love how you describe it!

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nzbarry.bsky.social @nzbarry.bsky.social · 21d

Fun hearing people texting in to #RNZ about how "intimate" the White Stripes gig at the King's Arms was, 25 years ago. That place was huge compared to the old Bodega in Wellington - we were so tightly packed, I grew six inches.

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