Blog

autism, Neurodiversity, Politics, travel

Bladders, Castles and Peasant Sticks

Bladder of Steel I'm picking right back up from where I left off - our arrival! Something I neglected to mention about the flight, is that during our longest leg, we sat next to an older man who had the aisle seat. He was lovely enough, but as the flight wore on, and I continued… Continue reading Bladders, Castles and Peasant Sticks

autism, Education, Neurodiversity

Changing Contexts: Emotional Farewells and Starting SpEd

Next year, I am moving on from my current teacher context to work at a special education school. Iโ€™ll be with the 15 to 21-year-olds, who are transitioning from school to their young adult lives, potentially as part of the workforce or day programs depending on their pathway/profile. It's interesting to reflect on the haerenga… Continue reading Changing Contexts: Emotional Farewells and Starting SpEd

travel

Rusty French, Inflight Tetris and Yelling at Mothers

This Christmas, I'm in the UK to celebrate with my partner's side of the family. It's a bunch of first times - first winter Christmas, first Christmas away from whฤnau, first time to many of the places I am visiting during my time here. It will also be my first time celebrating my birthday overseas… Continue reading Rusty French, Inflight Tetris and Yelling at Mothers

Poetry

Submission (2022 Poem)

24/1/2022 Out of nowhereshe slits my skindaggers in my backand I stoop, stunned. It's all at onceit's thick and it's oozingover all my well-kept, compartmentalised thoughts no, this one commands my attentionno dodging, just pangsrancid and pungentcold and heavyI have no choice butto slump forwards in submissiongrazing the groundallowing her to consume meclose herself in… Continue reading Submission (2022 Poem)

Ex-Christianity, Health & Wellbeing, LGBTQ+, Religion

Confronting Sexual Purity Culture (Part 2)

Three and a half years on from Confronting Sexual Purity Culture part one - where do I sit? How is my relationship to my sexuality, and how have I continued to confront sexual purity culture. Where am I at now? Nowadays, I'm fairly free of the guilt, anxiety and fear that was once a crippling… Continue reading Confronting Sexual Purity Culture (Part 2)

autism, entertainment, Movies, Neurodiversity, philosophy, Politics

Painful Politics, Indigenous Rights and Climate

It has been more than a little bit heartbreaking seeing the fear and frustration from students post-NZ election. Many of my students are fierce climate activists, proud tangata whenua, queer, trans and/or advocates against social injustice. One came up to me after class recently and said in a panic, will National really get rid of… Continue reading Painful Politics, Indigenous Rights and Climate

entertainment, Music, Reviews

Odd Time Signatures: Why Does it Sound Wonky?

I stumbled across the wonderful Madison Cunningham not so long ago via one Remi Wolf's feature in Hospital. Through an increasingly obsessive deep dive into Cunningham's catalogue I fell upon Anywhere, whose chorus strikes a chord with me: Any day nowI'll find myself free of itYou'llturn and see me theredaringto answer to no oneAny day… Continue reading Odd Time Signatures: Why Does it Sound Wonky?

autism, entertainment, LGBTQ+, Neurodiversity

ADHD & Homophobic Mysteries

So I took another break. My new year's resolution saw me posting weekly for 7 months solid, but it was not to last. It's funny how setting specific intentions and expectations around hobbies can squash the pleasure out of your passions. Keen to stop doing that, tbh. Anyway, I'm back - and taking a leaf… Continue reading ADHD & Homophobic Mysteries

Other, philosophy

10 Things I Know to Be Absolutely Certain

Daily writing promptList 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.View all responses I have never used a WordPress prompt before, but I have been tempted! The philosopher in me could not resist today's prompt: List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain. There are so many different tacks I could take here, but… Continue reading 10 Things I Know to Be Absolutely Certain

Health & Wellbeing, Poetry

My Dad is. (2022 Poem)

As part of my room re-organisation, I've been stumbling across more forgotten poetry. Reading through this one gives me a sense of perspective and gratitude for the dad I have. He's a pretty cool dude, and I'm all about celebrating the good things as much as I can. My Dad is. 15/5/2022 I'm sixMy dad… Continue reading My Dad is. (2022 Poem)