Day 74, Level 1: Lazy Sunday morning, lack of wind, oysters, Jupiter & Saturn align

A bit of a lazy Sunday morning - at home. Gorgeous weather. Spent a little time in my studio prepping potential WOW garment. Did some housework, washing etc. Not an exciting day but a chilled one. Brett down in Ohakune. 

Poached eggs for lunch. With parsley.

Packed the car up again late afternoon and headed north - a couple of purposes and, hey, such a nice day, why not. No traffic whatsoever. Best run I've had in a very very very long time. Maybe ever?

The America's Cup is under way here - I haven't had a chance to watch any of it, except for a few snippets on the news. Sailing doesn't really push my buttons, although these foiling yachts do look pretty amazing. Today there was no wind and the race was a no-go as the boats were going nowhere and didn't pass the finish mark in time. Actually, they weren't even half-way towards it. That's quite bizarre in this city of Auckland that is all about wind, especially on the harbour and especially at this time of year. Escaping wind in Auckland is usually almost impossible. And here, today, the doldrums call in December. Another sign this is the weirdest of years. 

Two weeks ago there was nothing but wind going on. This past week or so has had no wind. But plenty of sun and humidity. We grapple with all sorts of weather elements here in Auckland, whatever we are doing. It's not always pleasant. Today - oh how pleasant! 

On the other side of seasons, if I was in Europe right now, and there was snow, I'd be fine with that - I'm a winter lover and skier! But there ain't gonna be much skiing in Europe this coming season. So sad. 

Sam is in London right now. He's a summer lover and lamenting the cold - he's also a skier and enjoys winter for that fact - he'd love to be able to go skiing in Europe - but that's not looking very likely. He is playing lots of golf and hopefully that can continue for him. Who knows at this point. 

One cannot control the weather, the seasons, nature, humanity or Covid. One cannot control very much at all really. One must just roll with it.

Covid is always poised to pounce - and young people are not immune. 

On my way north I called into Matakana Oysters and picked up a dozen tasty cocktail oysters. Yum, they were creamy and tasty and sweet. Served with lemon, balsamic and pepper. I had half a dozen tonight and will have the rest tomorrow. As an oyster lover, I feel blessed to have such a fantastic and     quirky oyster supplier virtually on the doorstep! I didn't like oysters until I was past 30yo. Oh how I still lament those oysterless years ...

Cocktail oysters - yum!

Oh good grief, I've tuned in again to Ratched on Netflix. I'd watched a couple of episodes and deemed it too gruesome and disturbing. But as mentioned in an earlier post, I did like the set and the turquoise. I somehow found myself watching further episodes. OMG it's barbaric and awful - but that turquoise drew me in. 

In essence, it brings together all the most horrible bits of all the most horrible barbaric movies of all time - think Psycho, Silence of the Lambs, The Green Mile, The Golden Compass (yes, even that "kids" film had huge elements of barbarism amidst an adult premise) - not to mention it's starting point, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest from where Nurse Ratched emanated. Each of these movies is referenced, and more besides. What a bizarre watch. And it reinforces the horror/gore factor of the other films - even though they were all very good and I do rate them.

If it wasn't for the set and the turquoise I would have lasted only one minute. I shudder at the mentality behind this series. And I believe there is another one coming. Big shudder. OMG human beings are to be truly feared in what they do to each other. Lobotomy, execution, burning, boiling, shooting, beheading, chopping limbs off ... not to mention taunting, manipulation, power games, psychosis and more ... 

Where has this year gone? It seems unfathomable we are so close to Christmas but not very far from the memory of lockdown in March. We've been able to congregate and celebrate in the latter part of the year, here in NZ at least - but OMG where has this year gone!?

SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
Jupiter and Saturn ...

For the first time since 1623 - the time of Gallileo (born 1564, died 1642) Jupiter and Saturn come together in alignment as viewed from Earth. That's 400+ years. 

These coming 3-4 nights are the best viewing time - not long after sunset, in the western sky. (It may be different depending on where in the world you are, but this is NZ optimum viewing).  Check the timeanddate website for details from your location. Go to Night Sky. 

https://www.timeanddate.com/

I went out shortly after 9pm - and there in the western sky, to the south-west of the crescent moon, was a bright blob in the sky. It didn't look like two planets but it had to be them. I got the binoculars and when I took that closer look - yes, it was indeed two planets. One bigger and brighter than the other, but both right up close to each other. And from the naked eye it looked like just one. 

I've seen these two planets quite close throughout the winter during lockdown - both bright and part, but close enough to be noteworthy. Now they are conjoined in a sense. 

The reality is that no one alive on this planet has ever seen this phenomenon before - whoever sees it in the next few days is in the "unique" category. 

The small glow lower left is Jupter/Saturn combo - I can assure you that, through binoculars, there are two planets there. Amazing! Best viewing is tomorrow 21st Dec - I'll get the telescope out! 
This was kind of another reason for me to want to be in Omaha on 21st - not sure we'd see this at home in Auckland. 

A short time later, they'd disappeared below the horizon - they are on the wane, so you have to check just after sunset when a glow is visible. Too early and they're not visible, too late and they're below the horizon. Check that timeanddate website - it's fantastic.