Jennifer Ashton
@jenashton.bsky.social
Historian, Aucklander, sporadic exerciser, cricket fan www.jennifer-ashton.com
The Boys recording one of the greatest albums of all time — REVOLVER — at Abbey Road in 1966. This seminal album was released 60yrs ago today.
I don't think people are ready for this kind of joke yet.
Today's environmental politics is tomorrow's cost of living. Why is this so hard? www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘It’s too fast, too big’: speed of climate crisis is devastating crops, say farmers
Drought and extreme heat are killing plants, driving up prices while also making some farms economically unviable
theguardian.com
This grotesque headline is from the Telegraph. 3,000 people in Britain have been killed in heatwaves this year so far. 20,000 in Europe. Even if Britain did get to “embrace Mediterranean life”, what about the actual Mediterranean, what do they get to embrace? What about India?
christ if that’s not a metaphor for our times
Emeritus Professor Erik Olssen ONZM, PhD (Duke), FRSNZ, FNZAH 1941 – 2026 A fellow traveller from Cavvy, King’s High and @tuhura.bsky.social but most of all a fine historian, mentor and friend. Just a wonderful human who will be deeply missed. Vale Erik
Sunrise, Thursday, 30 July from Wainui Beach, Aotearoa / New Zealand. Ata mārie / Good Morning ☀️
It’s nice to see everyone’s textual analysis of The Odyssey It’s almost like the humanities give you entertainment, feelings, pleasure, and fun/interesting stuff to talk about, as well as lenses into both past and current society
This brush with global headlines may evoke 1981, when a blundering SIS officer left behind his briefcase containing a Penthouse magazine and three meat pies – but this time, the headlines involve a Russian regime spoiling for a fight
From Russia without love: Man arrested by armed officers, accused of spying for NZ
newsroom.co.nz
While we are in this Greek Mythology moment, may I remind you that Emma Thompson is adapting Pat Barker’s take on The Iliad, and she’s struggled to get it made bc the focus on what acts of war against women and survival thereafter actually look like (the core of Barker’s narrative) is too intense.
Emma Thompson adapting feminist retelling of Iliad for big screen
The actress told the Hay Festival she is writing a film version of Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls to draw attention to sexual abuse in war zones
thetimes.com
Kieran McAnulty has just described the entirety of Luxon's Prime Ministerial style in one sentence #nzpol
Katya@nzkatya.bsky.social · last wk.I loved Kieran McAnulty's analysis: “I think he did it by accident, and then he got flustered, and then he ran away”
Imagine having enough money to build a fleet of tall ships which could take kids across the wine dark sea, clinging to the yards, salt spray on their cheeks, light in their eyes, self belief coursing through them… but instead hunching over the phone advocating for crimes against humanity
Snigdha@snig.bsky.social · 2w agoTweet from Elon Musk: “Anyone who opposites remigration is a traitor” posted yesterday.
Great to see that National support 30 weeks Paid Parental Leave. Especially after they voted against the introduction of PPL. Blocked the extension to 26 weeks for several years. Canceled 33 pay equity claims. And just this year, cut Best Start payments for the majority of new parents.
40 years ago today Umpire Dickie Bird in fine form meeting Her Majesty at Lord's before the First Test between England and New Zealand on 24 July 1986. Others enjoying the moment: NZ team manager Glen Turner, England captain Mike Gatting (near), NZ captain Jeremy Coney and NZ bowler Richard Hadlee.
There is a lot to say about the Nolan Odyssey movie. But one point that I think has not been emphasized enough is: this is a film about living in LA, as Nolan, my erstwhile British compatriot and age mate, has done for years. I gather it’s a strange place.
If you've never done the Hooker Valley walk its one of the best , most scenic short walks in the world
Rob@robdickinson.bsky.social · 2w agoAwesome Hooker valley will reopen and with this new amazing suspension bridge www.stuff.co.nz/travel/36100...
“Here he comes, Earl. … Remember, be gentle but firm … we are absolutely, positively, NOT driving him south this winter.”
1996: can't use the internet without your phone 2010: the internet stretches before you like the vast expanse of a new frontier. You dance through it, unhindered. Unburdened. You have never heard of 2-factor authentication. 2026: can't use the internet without your phone
Spain is a team of 11 midfielders, and Argentina is a team of 10 bastards and a genius — and it doesn’t make for great telly
Cricket on the beach, Whitby, 1974, photo by Ian Berry (b. Preston 1934).
