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"Trump, likewise, is such a fan of Dolan that he appeared to suggest the cardinal could be the next pope following the death of Pope Francis in April, though he also floated himself as a candidate to head the Catholic Church."
#PopeLeo #Trump #immigrants #WhiteChristianNationalism #CardinalDolan
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Open data and the infrastructure to share and update it is likewise crucial. My thanks to OpenStreetMap and @whosonfirst contributors and developers, as well as the good folks at TurkuNLP for Finnish BERT and the NER & TDT corpora. Thanks also to CSC for computational resources, Kone Foundation for funding project #MOBICON and folks at @digigeolab for the good times.
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CW: What is lumpentheory?
To contemplate a new #Marxism as #criptheory—as #lumpentheory—is to likewise think #RentierSociety through a theory of #ableism, of #compliancism, of #eugenics, of #whiteness.
A #generativist lumpentheory, a #quoicapitalist criptheory, must fundamentally be a theory of #PublicHealth—of differential bodily welfares of publics, incrementally colonial and colonized, wherein and whereby structural pre-stressors of rentier #tensegrity are enabled.
https://twitter.com/search?q=%40beadsland%20lumpentheory&src=typed_query
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CW: Long thread/4
The people they collected the debts from are likewise in the dark. The only specialized expertise debt-collection firms concern themselves with are a series of gotcha tricks and semi-automated legal shenanigans that let them take money they don't deserve from people who can't afford to pay it.
There's no better person to explain this dynamic than #PatrickMcKenzie, a finance and technology expert whose #BitsAboutMoney newsletter is absolutely essential reading.
4/
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Had a really fruitive evening yesterday and my morning today was likewise.
Will be invited to a friends birthday party and also join a online #RPG group he's organizing. I always wanted to try that tbh. 🥰
Additionally, I continued reading the first book of the #Farseer #trilogy of #RobinHobb (nearly 80% now) and also read the #Silmarillion chapters assigned for the month of March by the Tea with Tolkien society.
(1/2)
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CW: Ode to masturbation
I’m #masturbating
I’m making love to #Penis
Likewise, I can feel it,
Penis is making love to me
Drenching me in #PhallicPleasureI’ve lost touch with the outside world
And I’m now nothing but a Penis
A proud, fully erect, massive #Phallus
With balls delightfully tightEmbraced by #bliss
Caressed with #happiness
Feeling #magnificent
Tensed yet relaxedI don’t want this #love to end
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@DrTCombs Good question! And likewise re: "turning vehicles yield to bicycles," like this sign on East Market Street, Salinas. You might contact Andrew Easterling or others at City of Salinas (contact info here: https://bikemonterey.org/advocate-for-active-transportation-bicycling-and-more-in-salinas-and-elsewhere-in-monterey-county.html) and ask if they have any stats on that.
City of Monterey has similar signs, e.g., "Begin right turn lane, yield to bikes" at the Camino Aguajito and Fremont intersection. (See a photo of that one in our "Tips for commercial drivers and people who bike" post: https://bikemonterey.org/truck-bus-bicycle.html.)
#TrafficSigns #ActiveTransportation #TrafficSafety #VisionZero
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CW: What is lumpentheory?
To contemplate a new #Marxism as #criptheory—as #lumpentheory—is to likewise think #RentierSociety through a theory of #ableism, of #compliancism, of #eugenics, of #whiteness.
A #generativist lumpentheory, a #quoicapitalist criptheory, must fundamentally be a theory of #PublicHealth—of differential bodily welfares of publics, incrementally colonial and colonized, wherein and whereby structural pre-stressors of rentier #tensegrity are enabled.
https://twitter.com/search?q=%40beadsland%20lumpentheory&src=typed_query
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@ChrisWarwick Well Hello Chris! LIkewise welcome to #Mastadon #RetirementHome
I have manually manually added you and the updated list in up on Github- since it';s you!
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We need every American Citizen who is willingly to likewise follow the example of Traute Lafrenz do everything possible to protect our Democracy from the nazi / fascist officials, who control the political power from school boards all the way up to members of congress. And their followers.
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We need every American Citizen who is willingly to likewise follow the example of Traute Lafrenz do everything possible to protect our Democracy from the nazi / fascist officials, who control the political power from school boards all the way up to members of congress. And their followers.
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CW: Ode to masturbation
I’m #masturbating
I’m making love to #Penis
Likewise, I can feel it,
Penis is making love to me
Drenching me in #PhallicPleasureI’ve lost touch with the outside world
And I’m now nothing but a Penis
A proud, fully erect, massive #Phallus
With balls delightfully tightEmbraced by #bliss
Caressed with #happiness
Feeling #magnificent
Tensed yet relaxedI don’t want this #love to end
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CW: Ode to masturbation
I’m #masturbating
I’m making love to #Penis
Likewise, I can feel it,
Penis is making love to me
Drenching me in #PhallicPleasureI’ve lost touch with the outside world
And I’m now nothing but a Penis
A proud, fully erect, massive #Phallus
With balls delightfully tightEmbraced by #bliss
Caressed with #happiness
Feeling #magnificent
Tensed yet relaxedI don’t want this #love to end
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CW: Ode to masturbation
I’m #masturbating
I’m making love to #Penis
Likewise, I can feel it,
Penis is making love to me
Drenching me in #PhallicPleasureI’ve lost touch with the outside world
And I’m now nothing but a Penis
A proud, fully erect, massive #Phallus
With balls delightfully tightEmbraced by #bliss
Caressed with #happiness
Feeling #magnificent
Tensed yet relaxedI don’t want this #love to end
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CW: What is lumpentheory?
To contemplate a new #Marxism as #criptheory—as #lumpentheory—is to likewise think #RentierSociety through a theory of #ableism, of #compliancism, of #eugenics, of #whiteness.
A #generativist lumpentheory, a #quoicapitalist criptheory, must fundamentally be a theory of #PublicHealth—of differential bodily welfares of publics, incrementally colonial and colonized, wherein and whereby structural pre-stressors of rentier #tensegrity are enabled.
https://twitter.com/search?q=%40beadsland%20lumpentheory&src=typed_query
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CW: What is lumpentheory?
To contemplate a new #Marxism as #criptheory—as #lumpentheory—is to likewise think #RentierSociety through a theory of #ableism, of #compliancism, of #eugenics, of #whiteness.
A #generativist lumpentheory, a #quoicapitalist criptheory, must fundamentally be a theory of #PublicHealth—of differential bodily welfares of publics, incrementally colonial and colonized, wherein and whereby structural pre-stressors of rentier #tensegrity are enabled.
https://twitter.com/search?q=%40beadsland%20lumpentheory&src=typed_query
-
CW: What is lumpentheory?
To contemplate a new #Marxism as #criptheory—as #lumpentheory—is to likewise think #RentierSociety through a theory of #ableism, of #compliancism, of #eugenics, of #whiteness.
A #generativist lumpentheory, a #quoicapitalist criptheory, must fundamentally be a theory of #PublicHealth—of differential bodily welfares of publics, incrementally colonial and colonized, wherein and whereby structural pre-stressors of rentier #tensegrity are enabled.
https://twitter.com/search?q=%40beadsland%20lumpentheory&src=typed_query
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Okay, if my math is right:
If ENG gets a point or loses by less than 4, they go through and WAL is out.
Likewise, the winner of USA/IRN goes through and the loser is out. This also eliminates WAL, unless WAL wins by 4 or more, in which case ENG goes out on goal difference.
If USA/IRN draw and WAL wins, there's a three-way tie on 4 pts. If WAL wins by 7 or more(!), ENG is out on goal diff; otherwise, IRN is out on goal diff.
Simple, right? #sportsball #WorldCup #GroupB
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I saw Chess on Broadway today. Let's start with the good stuff.
The score remains among my favorite of any musical. Every song is excellent, from the Overture all the way to "You and I." The only downside is there isn't time to include every great song from every past version of Chess, with perhaps the most notable exclusion being "The Russian and Molokov." I was surprised by the placement of several songs, notably placing "Someone Else's Story" anfter "Endgame," but they all worked.
The orchestra and cast were all spectacular, with the lead trio Aaron Tveit, Leah Michele, and Nicholas Christopher pulling me into a trance each time they sang. The picture of Lea Michele I had in my head before today was the girl on Glee, but she embodied Florence in a way that rivaled past stars Elaine Paige, Judy Kuhn, and Cassidy Janson. I'd likewise place Christopher in my top three Anatolys, along with Michael Ball and Tommy Körberg. I was a bit skeptical of him in the opening, but as he gets closer to Florence he opens up his emotions more, and he completely brought down the house during "Anthem" and "Endgame" Tveit, meanwhile, is far and away the best Freddie I have ever seen.
Danny Strong's new book gives Freddie bipolar disorder, showing him with manic episodes at the beginning of the story, and show a positive side to his relationship with Florence. We also see Freddie resent the pressure that comes from being a national champion since age 11. The changes give Freddie depth I have never seen in previous productions, and Tveit brings him to life with a physicality, voice, and movement that pulls me in. During a couple of songs, Tveit swung on bars in a manner reminiscent of what he did in Next to Normal while still singing. I wonder if Tveit talked with Alice Ripely about portraying someone dealing with bipolar disorder. When Florence and Freddie break up, it hits much harder than in any previous production I've seen, due to Freddie having more depth and excellent performances by Michele and Tveit. During "Endgame," Freddie sings some parts of the song that have traditionally been sung by the ensemble, and the difference in his portrayal from earlier productions brings a new energy to a song I've heard hundreds of times.
Strong also establishes that Florence and Anatoly already knew each other and expressed mutual attraction prior to the start of the show. Moreover, we are told four years pass betweet acts, giving much more time for Florence and Anatoly's relationship to develop, further increasing the tension when their relationship is threatened.
Hannah Cruz brings a jaded, cynical attitude to Svetlana that pleasantly surprised me. Also carrying over from the original Broadway cast is the reprise of "Where I Want to Be," sung by Svetlana and Anatoly. New to this production, Strong has Svetlana find Florence's weakness. Florence ultimately tells Anatoly he should go back to the USSR: Not because of her father, but so that his kids can have their father.
Now, let's move on to the stuff that is not as good. Bryce Pinkham's Arbiter is the narrator for the show, and he frequently speaks in a tongue-in-cheek humorous tone, with jokes that are at odds with the solemn authority The Arbiter projects during his epynomous song, as well as "Quartet" and "The Deal." The subject matter of the show is serious, and the main trio all deal with serious issues in a serious tone singing serious songs, only for the narrator to interrupt with jokes. Walter and Molokov also joke with each other, but this feels much more in keeping with their characters.
The creative team made efforts to keep the story relevant to audiences born long after the cold war ended, with mixed effects. One part I really liked was when Walter threatened Florence with deportation to Hungry. Less effective was when The Arbiter sarcastically mentioned politicians from the 2020s by name, which pulled me out of the story and into the present. I believe the story is sufficiently relevant to critique modern politics without needing to explicitly name any real contemperary politicians, and audiences are already going to think about one partuclar person due to Freddie's last name.
There were more scenes than usual of Molokov and Walter negotiating, and so I was surprised we didn't hear them perform "Let's Work Together" from the original Broadway production.
The song that gave me the most mixed feelings was "The Interview." The stronger relationships between the lead trio give a stronger payoff when they reunite on TV. But, as with the original West End production, Freddie only has a pre-recorded video of Svetlana. I believe this is a step down from the 2018 West End production, when Freddie surprises Anatoly by revealing Svetlana and her son are actually in the station in person. We ultimately don't see Anatoly's kids at all during the show, which weakens the ending in which his kids are the reason he returns to Russia.
But all my criticisms vanished from my mind as Florence and Anatoly embraced for the final time during "You and I." The score, cast, and orchestra make up for any faults I may find with the book for one of the most enjoyable Broadway experiences of my adult life.
#Chess #MusicalTheater -
Australia is a land of remote places; most of the country has little to no mobile network coverage. Likewise, many of these remote regions are served by little to no road network. Where there is no paved road, the driving surface may be gravel, dirt or sand. Dystopian Mad Max visions aside, it really is a country for road warriors. Naturally, we decided to hire one for a short road trip with caravanning friends, camping in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
👀 More? See https://curiositydrive.org/2026/02/14/a-road-warrior-in-oz/
#4WD #4×4 #australia #camping #nationalPark #nature #newSouthWales #nsw #queensland #roadTrip #travel #unesco
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Australia is a land of remote places; most of the country has little to no mobile network coverage. Likewise, many of these remote regions are served by little to no road network. Where there is no paved road, the driving surface may be gravel, dirt or sand. Dystopian Mad Max visions aside, it really is a country for road warriors. Naturally, we decided to hire one for a short road trip with caravanning friends, camping in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
👀 More? See https://curiositydrive.org/2026/02/14/a-road-warrior-in-oz/
#4WD #4×4 #australia #camping #nationalPark #nature #newSouthWales #nsw #queensland #roadTrip #travel #unesco
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Australia is a land of remote places; most of the country has little to no mobile network coverage. Likewise, many of these remote regions are served by little to no road network. Where there is no paved road, the driving surface may be gravel, dirt or sand. Dystopian Mad Max visions aside, it really is a country for road warriors. Naturally, we decided to hire one for a short road trip with caravanning friends, camping in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
👀 More? See https://curiositydrive.org/2026/02/14/a-road-warrior-in-oz/
#4WD #4×4 #australia #camping #nationalPark #nature #newSouthWales #nsw #queensland #roadTrip #travel #unesco
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Australia is a land of remote places; most of the country has little to no mobile network coverage. Likewise, many of these remote regions are served by little to no road network. Where there is no paved road, the driving surface may be gravel, dirt or sand. Dystopian Mad Max visions aside, it really is a country for road warriors. Naturally, we decided to hire one for a short road trip with caravanning friends, camping in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
👀 More? See https://curiositydrive.org/2026/02/14/a-road-warrior-in-oz/
#4WD #4×4 #australia #camping #nationalPark #nature #newSouthWales #nsw #queensland #roadTrip #travel #unesco
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Australia is a land of remote places; most of the country has little to no mobile network coverage. Likewise, many of these remote regions are served by little to no road network. Where there is no paved road, the driving surface may be gravel, dirt or sand. Dystopian Mad Max visions aside, it really is a country for road warriors. Naturally, we decided to hire one for a short road trip with caravanning friends, camping in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
👀 More? See https://curiositydrive.org/2026/02/14/a-road-warrior-in-oz/
#4WD #4×4 #australia #camping #nationalPark #nature #newSouthWales #nsw #queensland #roadTrip #travel #unesco
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A road warrior in Oz
Australia is a land of remote places; most of the country has little to no mobile network coverage. Likewise, many of these remote regions are served by little to no road network. Where there is no paved road, the driving surface may be gravel, dirt or sand. Dystopian Mad Max visions aside, it really is a country for road warriors. Naturally, we decided to hire one for a short road trip with caravanning friends, camping in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Coordinates
A Gold Coast excursion
We took breakfast with a view from Elephant Rock, looking up Currumbin Beach and beyond to Burleigh Heads and the skyscrapers of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast (📷1). Living on the rock and sunning themselves upon the steps to the lookout over Tugun Beach were Intellagama lesueurii, the Australian water dragon (📷2). Continuing south into NSW we visited the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre, set in the Tweed Valley in Bundjalung Country, which formed from the eroded caldera of an ancient shield volcano. Wollumbin | Mount Warning stands as the remnant volcanic plug (📷3) in the centre of what is one of the largest erosion calderas in the Southern Hemisphere. Also seen from the art gallery, Springbrook Plateau, viewed some ~23M years later, is one of the best-preserved sections of the original crater rim (📷4). Both geological features are included within the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. To follow, we took a wander around the museum, township and sampled a milkshake in a 50s-style diner in Murwillumbah.
A 4WD ute hire
We rented a Britz Warrior 4WD ute, based on a Ford Ranger double cab with automatic transmission and a 3,650kg GVM upgrade (📷1). Specs include high and low-range four-wheel drive; bullbar; snorkel; all-terrain tyres; long-range fuel tank; two spare tyres; personal locator beacon (PLB); Outback safety kit; two roof-top tents (📷2); 3m tall canopy with kitchenette (📷3); and a 270 degree “bat wing” awning with camping table and chairs (📷4). Ours also came with an infestation of baby Huntsman spiders and ants!
Monitoring and insurance
A window sticker advised us that parent company thl monitor the location, speed and safe driving of their hire vehicles. There are rules by state that stipulate where you can and cannot go e.g. no beaches whatsoever; no ferries without prior approval. Furthermore, an insurance upgrade is mandatory to avoid an 8,000 AUD bond being charged to your credit card. You can also opt for independent gap cover to reduce liability e.g. Zero Excess Rental Cover from RentalCover.
✳️ Tips and tricks
Appreciating our Britz Warrior 4WD hire
It was an interesting exercise to research and reflect on the likely rationale the rental company had for the specification of their 4WD rentals:
- Ford Ranger double cab with automatic transmission: For two travellers the back seat offers extra storage space (which we used in preference to the canopy) and a compact indoor living area in wet weather; for four it offers the requisite number of belted seats.
- High and low-range 4-wheel drive (4WD, or 4×4 if you prefer): Gear ratios affect a vehicle’s torque and speed; gears are set for normal driving speeds in high-range mode, proving extra traction without massive torque, suitable for e.g. gravel roads; in low-range mode the gearing is much lower, dramatically increasing the torque at the wheels to allow the vehicle to crawl over obstacles with maximum control, albeit slowly e.g. on steep inclines or descents.
- Bullbar: Offers structural protection from wildlife e.g. kangaroo strikes and deflect obstacles such as rocks or trees when off roading; may also serve as attachment points for accessories e.g. a winch or extra driving lights; although some people favour the “off-road aesthetic” bullbars can be dangerous for pedestrians or cyclists in an accident.
- Snorkel: By elevating the air intake a vehicle snorkel avoids engine damage that could otherwise occur if crossing deep water; it also helps keep the air filter from being overwhelmed by dust/ debris when driving off-road.
- All-terrain tyres: All-terrain tyres are suited to both on-road and off-road driving as they provide good grip in wet, muddy and uneven terrain while still providing decent traction on paved roads.
- Long-range fuel tank: 140 L provides increased range and peace of mind in unpredictable terrain, allowing for more flexibility in route choices and timings.
- Two spare tyres: With an increased risk of tyre damage in rough terrain, long distances between service centres and potential difficulty finding the right replacement tyres in the Outback, a second spare offers the flexibility to handle various scenarios/ multiple incidents.
- Personal locator beacon: PLBs are small devices for personal use in remote land-based locations (cf. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons or EPIRBs, typically for maritime use); they are manually activated to transmit a distress signal that can be picked up by search and rescue teams or satellites, and feature long-lasting batteries.
- Outback safety kit: An air compressor, shovel and recovery boards are considered essential tools for a 4WD adventure in the Australian Outback as they help with tyre pressure management, recovery and getting your vehicle unstuck from soft surfaces (for more extreme adventures consider extras such as a tyre repair kit, recovery straps, first aid kit and additional communication devices e.g. radio or sat phone).
- Two roof-top tents: 1x Ironman and 1x Akuma, fitted with foam mattresses, LED lights and USB charge points, accessed via a ladder; their elevated position offers protection from wildlife, insects and weather, improved views/ ventilation, extra shade and they’re comparatively quick/ easy to set up and pack down—once you know how.
- Canopy: Turns the rear tray of a ute/ utility vehicle into a lockable, dust-resistant, weatherproof and flexible storage area, integrating a kitchen with slide-out bench/ cold water sink, fridge, pantry and two-burner portable gas stove; can be removable, as many Australians like to use their 4WD as both a camper and a work vehicle.
- 270 degree awning: Wraps around the side and rear of the vehicle, providing an expansive area of covered space; cooking, dining, relaxing or storing gear out of the hot sun or rain is advantageous.
- Camping table and chairs: Essential gear for cooking, eating and relaxing outside of the vehicle.
🤔 Curiosity
Our Aussie friends had very kindly organised a largely coastal itinerary in order to mitigate the tyranny of distance and avoid higher inland temperatures—as there had been in a recent protracted heatwave. We didn’t want to go too far into the wilderness as inexperienced 4WD drivers, but would welcome any opportunities to drive off the “black top” (paved road).
Queensland in the 4WD
Driving in convoy with experienced caravaners, for our first night we went inland from the Gold Coast to a pitch in the vicinity of Mount Barney. Our aim with this short hire was to gain familiarity with the 4WD’s camping form factor (such as negotiating access to/ from a rooftop tent in the small hours), rather than its off-roading abilities. Arriving later than planned, and with eyes peeled for kangaroos, we caught the evening light on Mount Lindesay as we neared our destination (📷1). Mount Barney Creek looked serene in the golden hour (📷2) and part of Mount Barney itself was visible from pitch (📷3). In the remaining daylight we figured out how to raise one of the rooftop tents and our friends lit a fire as dinner was prepared (📷4).
Were we actually camping?
We were not inside the vehicle; we were lying in a tent on top of one. A 4WD pick-up truck/ ute is not a motorhome, conventional RV nor camper van. It’s not self-contained, so living, cooking, toileting and other activities of daily life must be performed outdoors. So yes—this was “camping“. In fact, the experience was very much akin to the non-self contained car camping popular with young tourists in NZ—expect we slept atop cf. inside the vehicle. It presents similar challenges with space and environmental management.
🤔 Curiosity
Images capturing dawn in the vicinity of Mount Barney. Mount Maroon was tinged red by the first rays of sun (📷1). The shadows smartly departed from Mount Barney’s flank soon after (📷2). A heavy dew was accompanied by morning mist in the valley between us and Mount Argyle, serving to outline eucalyptus trees against the rising orb (📷3); mist also shrouded the trees lining the access road (📷4).
We enjoyed spotting wildlife on a morning walk from pitch. Cracticus nigrogularis | the pied butcherbird is a native songbird (📷1); the hooked bill tells of a carnivorous habit. Danaus petilia | the lesser wanderer butterfly is a frequent sight in Australia (📷2), as is Melanitis leda | the common evening brown—so named because it’s typically seen flying at dusk (📷3). Rhinella marina | the cane toad can grow up to 15cm, but this juvenile was hidden in grass (📷4); the invasive species was introduced to Australia in 1935 to control beetles, but they spread rapidly, poisoning native predators with their toxins and causing major ecological damage.
Here’s a sound clip from that morning walk:
Leaving camp mid-morning we again enjoyed views of prominent Mount Lindesay (📷1) before taking the Colins Gap on the B91 into NSW, then back into Queensland, arriving at Queen Mary Falls in Main Range National Park. The park is also part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area (remnants of rainforest that once covered all of Australia). Queen Mary Falls are a 40m drop on Spring Creek, which forms the Condamine River’s upper reaches (📷2). This river in turn constitutes part of the headwaters of the Murray-Darling—one of Australia’s longest river systems—seen here from Carr’s Lookout, with The Head between Mount Superbus on the left and the foothills of Wilson’s Peak centre-frame (📷3). Riding in the Landcruiser (with permanent 4WD) we took Condamine River Road, making 14 river crossings to Killarney (📷4); the gravel 4WD-only road follows an old bullock wagon track once used to service riverside farms and for transporting logs to local mills.
Wildlife spotted around camp at Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park included Trichoglossus moluccanus | the rainbow lorikeet (📷1); Varanus varius | the lace goanna (📷2); Dacelo novaeguineae | the laughing kookaburra (📷3); and Notamacropus rufogriseus | the red-necked wallaby (📷4).
Also seen were Alisterus scapularis | the Australian king parrot (📷1); Eolophus roseicapilla | the galah, a.k.a. rose-breasted cockatoo (📷2); and Platycercus elegans | the crimson rosella (📷3). On the falls circuit walk we had several close encounters with Intellagama lesueurii | Australian water dragons (📷4).
New South Wales in the 4WD
Broom Head NSW, looking northward to Main Beach and Red Cliff (📷1); a view south from the same lookout (📷2). Beach access from pitch at Lake Arragan Beachside campground in Yuraygir National Park (📷3). Just around the corner, looking south towards Red Cliff (📷4).
Lake Arragan Beachside campground was inundated with resident Macropus giganteus | eastern grey kangaroo.
We next pitched in Richmond River Nature Reserve, South Ballina NSW. Vehicle access to the adjacent long surf beach is now disallowed, so we didn’t get the chance to experience driving in the Landcruiser on sand (we’re also conflicted about beach driving). But we did access the beach on foot (📷1&2), observing Thalasseus bergii | the great crested tern at the waters edge (📷3) and dolphin jumping for joy just offshore (📷4).
Light rain in the evening made a pleasant sound as it hit the shell of the rooftop tent:
What’s the deal with Anderson plugs?
Our Britz hire featured Anderson plugs. These are genderless heavy-duty DC electrical connectors, built to survive dirt, vibration and weather—making them ideal for use in vehicles and in other off-grid setups.
SB50 (Source: Anderson Power)They’re very common in Australia, having become the de facto 12V connector standard. Although we’ve never personally seen them in NZ, UK or European campers, they can be found—albeit with less frequency. The SB50 variant is typical, conveying a current of ~50A; they’re much safer than cigarette sockets for high current. Applications include supply of vehicle power to a trailer or to a house battery (DC-DC charging); joining solar panels to a charge controller; powering winches and recovery gear; and providing external power outlets (e.g. to a fridge or air compressor).
🤔 Curiosity
More birds were seen at Richmond River Nature Reserve, South Ballina NSW. Ocyphaps lophotes | the crested pigeon is an endemic native with an erect crest (📷1). Entomyzon cyanotis | the blue-faced honeyeater is also known as the bananabird (📷2). Another look at the gorgeous Trichoglossus moluccanus | rainbow lorikeet, a common and rather vocal parrot (📷3). Not nearly as pretty, Threskiornis molucca | the Australian white ibis is colloquially known as the “bin chook” (📷4).
General insights from our short 4WD hire
In conversation with our caravanning friends before and during this trip we picked up a number of tips/ insights that we can put to use on future Australian away missions.
Planning:
- WikiCamps Australia is a popular app for finding overnight pitches
- Do your research (e.g. fuel stops) ahead of time and with reliable connectivity.
The rig/ equipment:
- You don’t want anything too heavy, or too top-heavy for 4WD tracks
- Consider carrying a portable jump starter, either for your own use, or to help others without having to mess around with your own vehicle
- If the desire is for self-sufficiency and you want a gas-free setup, it’s now possible to find 12V water heaters
- A 48V electrical system has advantages (see here and here).
Driving:
- Drive to the conditions and to your personal abilities
- Take a break at least every two hours (“Stop, Revive, Survive”)
- When travelling in convey a UHF CB (ultra-high frequency citizen band) radio enables (public) commentary/ direction sharing; channel 18 is used by vanners/ campers
- Beware that the risk to your paintwork from bush scratches is high
- If your vehicle has non-tinted glass you’ll need sunscreen on for driving or else risk sunburn
- Fooling heavy rain “If it’s flooded forget it”
- Stay with your vehicle in the event of a breakdown, as it will be more visible from the air than you are
- Take extra care at marked Yowie crossings.
On pitch:
- Aim to arrive on pitch before shadows get long and kangaroos may leap into your path
- Don’t leave your shoes on the ground; stomp on the toes or check carefully before putting them on (the Warrior’s roof tents have shoe bags)
- Don’t park under trees; gum trees have a habit of dropping branches without provocation (and beware of drop bears).
Next time we hire a 4WD our practical learning could encompass:
- Driving on sand tracks (noting that beach driving isn’t allowed in Britz hires) and adjusting tyre pressures
- Selecting appropriate gears
- Driving on dirt roads and managing bulldust
- Tackling inclines and declines
- Making water crossings
- Towing?
✳️ Tips and tricks
While not everything went to plan (B was ill on the morning of picking up the vehicle and thus wasn’t a named driver) we had a great time with our friends and are looking forward to further adventures on our next trip to Australia.
#2026 #4WD #4x4 #australia #camping #nationalPark #nature #newSouthWales #queensland #roadTrip #travel #unesco -
I am writing an open letter to the #fediverse #administration and #moderation community, because you need to keep a few things in mind.
Lately I have started noticing some #fediverse #relays disable this instance in the server logs.
It seems like #censorship is alive and well. Whether it be #language or #geography based.
I will say this once.
I have no issue at all with #international content. In fact I encourage it. And I am working on a #translation enabled client for #Mastodon to release as #open #source #software, so that anyone can interact with any #ActivityPub #server out there, to not exclude entire swaths of #audience reach, that would and currently still is, isolated by regional and not human #diversity as such.
To be clear. I do not want to #expose #racism to the world. I want to move beyond that, to create ways by which #inclusive dialog can transcend #world #borders few want you to never forget.
To do that, we will at some point or other have to talk about some concepts that would otherwise never find common resolution in the mind of the everyday person. And I am open to hosting that.
I simply want to put our humanity first, the way the open #internet prior to any concept of #weaponization, was designed to build conceptually. Before bots, automation and spam ruined the experience of the pre-web 2.0 internet. To the point where marking anything as either or, gets you silenced before you remember you once weren't.
Speaking on a personal level, I make mistakes in my ability to just post before I #think about things. I cannot premoderate everything I say to the point where it comes across as neutral or distant, as if I never bothered to go through the experience. And I admit I am and can be at #fault for that. But what I cannot #apologize for, is why I #feel the way I do. In order to clear my #mind my #head, and my #heart for better #times and #memories I can more clearly #focus on. And this is what #inspires me to keep things moving along such a trajectory.
I can't be #positive or #negative all the time. I will just be #real, and let the #moment pass. In #trust that you're with me for whatever part of that #journey comes our way.
I do'nt want us separated by preventable alternatives that bring us closer together. That is my ultimate #purpose as to why I am making this post.
With this in mind, I myself have a tendency to be the only one posting on this server...but if you want to join us, and speak in your own language or talk about issues that matter to you...then by all means, go for it.
I am doing the same here, not to get attention, but to find #community so we can bond over things held in common, not broken by common disinterest. And I have largely been very #successful at this both on other platforms, and by sticking to topics at hand in more traditional forums.
The truth of the matter, is that we have a critical shortage of relays in the fediverse active at any one time. Until recently we have been fortunate here at #MediaNexus to have over 70 enabled instances, this has dropped since to the late 60's since reports started coming in criticizing just one post about the #war I have made, calling out a commentator for their views.
We can't always #agree on things. But we can ensure that we stand for the principle of an agreement not to break down over the disagreements of a few people, who just can't get along no matter how you approach them.
Guys, we need #decentralized #media now more so than ever before. It is not about monitoring for dangerous opinions. I don't want to live in an echo chamber. IF that's what you want, then I suggest you visit #BlueSky for that.
And so this is not about what I want. I have no #agenda to share. Just a simple message. Layered in #truth and #growth of either #awareness or #news that isn't 100% reliant on one person's understanding to be amplified by 1000000 more as their own, holey so.
In part, while we live in an age of alternate #information being so readily available. Even about the same exact #post generating different #analysis by whoever is looking at it from multiple perspectives. We cannot mix #facts with #fiction where #events count objectively.
Losing access to one #relay especially using platforms like #pleroma and #mastodon, potentially means dozens of your available #updates as your #content gets published, cannot be seen. And, I am asking on behalf of all #sane server owners out there, to stand in solidarity with one another for the sake of our continuity. So that one link in our chain, does not and cannot cripple its #functionality anymore. To the point where nodes are centralized around #ideals not #ideas in turn.
Please, mention me in any #disagreement you may have. We are #humans not #bots at the end of the day. And a lot of us pay really good #money to #hosting companies to be able to critically customize our experience on the deecentralized web. Myself included.
We don't do that because it's cool. We do that, because we trust in all of you to uphold this #principle of our continuity as a whole. At the federation, relay, server instance, and user level.
Media Nexus is very young. And I have only managed to get 5 people to sign up because of the common culture I would otherwise not have been able to share as we explore the world we each live in collectively.
As an #important #introduction to the wider reach of independent blogs and forums, I started this server, not to compete with others, but to ensure that we treat this entire medium of #communication like a single #torrent in great health.
I have no interest by and large, in running a #social #media company for the sake of establishing a #network of random people who otherwise have nothing in common accept liking the interface by which we share are thoughts with one another. Although I will admit that's half the fun in making this possible.
In order for us to #work together, I have to imagine we already are doing so even if we never met in person.
Due to the abundant use of platforms widely available for #engagement of various purposes, all I can offer you, is access to someone who puts humanity first. Not by trend, but by principle. That's not just me, that's all of you that believe we are stronger together. Posting just as you do, for being all that you are, where ever your sense of community feels most comfortable belonging there.
No matter who reads this letter, I #support you in all that you do, even if there are times where we have to talk about why we matter to one another. The fact that it can happen at all, is a #miracle I will always #cherish and #embrace while I am alive on this Earth. Because everyone, even you, play a part in our experience in this way. And I wouldn't trade or exchange that for anything.
I #love you for the #person you are, as you become involved in your journey of #life here. And likewise, appreciate you for caring about your place in our world. And as I said above, I only wish for us to find common ground on things we in turn find interesting enough to boost, favorite, and reply to. Whether that's a poll, a photo, or a news article.
I know this post is getting quite long. But there are #reasons why I have to personally speak up about this. As someone who only started their journey on any kind of federated platform let alone hosting one at the beginning of March of this year, following the #tech news of very unsettling feedback. I cannot in good #faith abandon the #philosophy of things that go #viral, because they're #genuine and #free enough to be #authentic and original. And to me, it absolutely #matters that we remember how to #teach this to our #friends and #family as a whole. Less we forget how to #remember our meaning in a world we can still #save from the #absence of all that brings our #presence into #power in turn.
It starts with the #recognition that to deny anyone based on the #group of a sub culture someone belongs to, is a slippery slope of a #sincere and #honest diversion I cannot support.
Thank you for your #attention to this matter.
If this #resonates with you, or even if it does not, let me know.
Yours with warm #appreciation and #gratitude abounding,
Elshara Silverheart
-
The links between Russian officials and the American Religious Right,
like those between Kremlin-linked actors and American white nationalists,
are easy to trace.According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Duma member #Yelena #Mizulina,
who helped spearhead Russia’s anti-gay “propaganda” law,
has been “heavily involved” with the WCF.#Vladimir #Yakunin, former head of Russian Railways
—and a Kremlin insider who has cultivated additional links with the American theocratic “#dominionist” movement
—has also served as a WCF committee member.Likewise, Russia’s 2011 package of anti-abortion legislation saw conspicuous links with the WCF’s efforts.
To wit, the package of abortion restrictions, speared by Mizulina, was launched a day after a series of WCF higher-ups,
including Carlson and Managing Director Larry Jacobs,
settled into Moscow for a
“Demographic Summit,”
the WCF’s most substantial assembly in Russia to date.As the head of a Russian women’s advocacy group later said,
“It was 100 percent clear that everything [in the anti-abortion legislation] was copied from the experience of American fundamentalists
and conservative circles of several European countries
where abortion is forbidden or restricted severely.”Or as the WCF would later claim in its promotional material:
The WCF “helped pass the first Russian laws restricting abortion in modern history.”
Still, the WCF is by no means the lone U.S. Religious Right organization outspoken in its praise of Moscow,
or supporting Kremlin policy.Over the past few years, arch-conservatives in the U.S. have begun espousing something approaching infatuation with Putin,
especially for Moscow’s leading role in both passing and encouraging anti-LGBT legislation.For instance, #Bryan #Fischer, who until 2015 was a spokesman for the "American Family Association"
and who still hosts a show broadcast over its radio network,
has called Putin the
“lion of Christianity.”Evangelist #Franklin #Graham
—who visited Russia in 2015 to meet with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill
—has likewise lauded Putin as someone “protecting traditional Christianity.”(8/N)
#WCF #Allan #Carlson #Anatoly #Antonov #Viktor #Medkov #antiLGBT #Alexey #Komov #Brian #Brown #IOF #Religious #Right #American #missionaries #David #Duke #Preston #Wiginton #Harold #Covington #Mike #Cernovich #Matthew #Heimbach #HailPutin #PutinForTsar #Novorossiya #Konstantin #Malofeev #TraditionalistWorkerParty #Richard #Spencer #NPI #antiSemitism #monoracial #statehood #Lügenpresse #Jobbik #Nina #Kouprianova #Byzantina #Richard #Spencer #Matthew #Heimbach #Alexander #Dugin #Eurasianism #Eternal #Rome #Alex #Jones #InfoWars
-
The links between Russian officials and the American Religious Right,
like those between Kremlin-linked actors and American white nationalists,
are easy to trace.According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Duma member #Yelena #Mizulina,
who helped spearhead Russia’s anti-gay “propaganda” law,
has been “heavily involved” with the WCF.#Vladimir #Yakunin, former head of Russian Railways
—and a Kremlin insider who has cultivated additional links with the American theocratic “#dominionist” movement
—has also served as a WCF committee member.Likewise, Russia’s 2011 package of anti-abortion legislation saw conspicuous links with the WCF’s efforts.
To wit, the package of abortion restrictions, speared by Mizulina, was launched a day after a series of WCF higher-ups,
including Carlson and Managing Director Larry Jacobs,
settled into Moscow for a
“Demographic Summit,”
the WCF’s most substantial assembly in Russia to date.As the head of a Russian women’s advocacy group later said,
“It was 100 percent clear that everything [in the anti-abortion legislation] was copied from the experience of American fundamentalists
and conservative circles of several European countries
where abortion is forbidden or restricted severely.”Or as the WCF would later claim in its promotional material:
The WCF “helped pass the first Russian laws restricting abortion in modern history.”
Still, the WCF is by no means the lone U.S. Religious Right organization outspoken in its praise of Moscow,
or supporting Kremlin policy.Over the past few years, arch-conservatives in the U.S. have begun espousing something approaching infatuation with Putin,
especially for Moscow’s leading role in both passing and encouraging anti-LGBT legislation.For instance, #Bryan #Fischer, who until 2015 was a spokesman for the "American Family Association"
and who still hosts a show broadcast over its radio network,
has called Putin the
“lion of Christianity.”Evangelist #Franklin #Graham
—who visited Russia in 2015 to meet with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill
—has likewise lauded Putin as someone “protecting traditional Christianity.”(8/N)
#WCF #Allan #Carlson #Anatoly #Antonov #Viktor #Medkov #antiLGBT #Alexey #Komov #Brian #Brown #IOF #Religious #Right #American #missionaries #David #Duke #Preston #Wiginton #Harold #Covington #Mike #Cernovich #Matthew #Heimbach #HailPutin #PutinForTsar #Novorossiya #Konstantin #Malofeev #TraditionalistWorkerParty #Richard #Spencer #NPI #antiSemitism #monoracial #statehood #Lügenpresse #Jobbik #Nina #Kouprianova #Byzantina #Richard #Spencer #Matthew #Heimbach #Alexander #Dugin #Eurasianism #Eternal #Rome #Alex #Jones #InfoWars
-
The links between Russian officials and the American Religious Right,
like those between Kremlin-linked actors and American white nationalists,
are easy to trace.According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Duma member #Yelena #Mizulina,
who helped spearhead Russia’s anti-gay “propaganda” law,
has been “heavily involved” with the WCF.#Vladimir #Yakunin, former head of Russian Railways
—and a Kremlin insider who has cultivated additional links with the American theocratic “#dominionist” movement
—has also served as a WCF committee member.Likewise, Russia’s 2011 package of anti-abortion legislation saw conspicuous links with the WCF’s efforts.
To wit, the package of abortion restrictions, speared by Mizulina, was launched a day after a series of WCF higher-ups,
including Carlson and Managing Director Larry Jacobs,
settled into Moscow for a
“Demographic Summit,”
the WCF’s most substantial assembly in Russia to date.As the head of a Russian women’s advocacy group later said,
“It was 100 percent clear that everything [in the anti-abortion legislation] was copied from the experience of American fundamentalists
and conservative circles of several European countries
where abortion is forbidden or restricted severely.”Or as the WCF would later claim in its promotional material:
The WCF “helped pass the first Russian laws restricting abortion in modern history.”
Still, the WCF is by no means the lone U.S. Religious Right organization outspoken in its praise of Moscow,
or supporting Kremlin policy.Over the past few years, arch-conservatives in the U.S. have begun espousing something approaching infatuation with Putin,
especially for Moscow’s leading role in both passing and encouraging anti-LGBT legislation.For instance, #Bryan #Fischer, who until 2015 was a spokesman for the "American Family Association"
and who still hosts a show broadcast over its radio network,
has called Putin the
“lion of Christianity.”Evangelist #Franklin #Graham
—who visited Russia in 2015 to meet with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill
—has likewise lauded Putin as someone “protecting traditional Christianity.”(8/N)
#WCF #Allan #Carlson #Anatoly #Antonov #Viktor #Medkov #antiLGBT #Alexey #Komov #Brian #Brown #IOF #Religious #Right #American #missionaries #David #Duke #Preston #Wiginton #Harold #Covington #Mike #Cernovich #Matthew #Heimbach #HailPutin #PutinForTsar #Novorossiya #Konstantin #Malofeev #TraditionalistWorkerParty #Richard #Spencer #NPI #antiSemitism #monoracial #statehood #Lügenpresse #Jobbik #Nina #Kouprianova #Byzantina #Richard #Spencer #Matthew #Heimbach #Alexander #Dugin #Eurasianism #Eternal #Rome #Alex #Jones #InfoWars