Mike Kilpatrick
@marvingardensnz
Scot in Aotearoa. Funny fucker, prone to cry at random videos. Good company, likes a quiz. Music and book lover too. Occasional poet and wannabe novelist. Anti-AI, LLMs. Neo-Luddite. No Nazis/TERFS/billionaires. Plant based. Far left. Toitū Te Tiriti.
We need this in Aotearoa. There’s also a Cherry Float flavour which is even better. Don’t need alcohol, just fill me with this. 🤤
The weather is closing in a wee bit today but this piece of paradise is still stunning. I still can’t believe this is on our doorstep! This is about 12km north of Kaslo in BC. The pace of life here suits me just fine. 🇨🇦❤️
It’s been a long time. 1990 v Sweden was the last time Scotland won a World Cup match. I had hair back then! 😂
A black swan at Western Springs. Beautiful day in Auckland and lovely and quiet around the lake. Enjoying listening to The Artist by Lucy Steeds as I walk.
Google's AI overview of the cue cards scene in Love Actually is the most AI thing I've ever seen. It's inaccurate bullshit presented as absolute fact with some of the most useless comments ever provided for simple, understandable quotes. Which it made up.
I have to confess I'm a huge fan of LLMs LARGE LOVELY MARGARITAS
18 months ago I couldn’t run and days I could barely walk because of chronic pain. Finally someone too me seriously and it gave me my freedom again. Never thought I’d do another half marathon, never mind a sub-two hour one. Okay, it was just four seconds but still! Off for a nap now 😂
The (very easy) online cryptic crossword at the Herald today is my second best time ever. I would have beaten my 3:39 time if I had a mental block on saffron. But this is the first time I remember that I've been ranked 1, albeit I don't expect to stay there. I'll take an early morning win.
One of mine from last year's creative writing class... #smallpoemsunday
Not going to lie, that felt pretty damned good. Longest run in, I’m guessing, nearly four years. Certainly since my doctors took my pain seriously. Slowly finding my rhythm again! ❤️ (Oh, and I’d forgotten how brutal it can be running into the wind 😂) (Oh too, and the whole jogger’s nipple thing!)
What perfect albums came out when you were 16? No retroactive cool, please. Albums that were in the house that you actively purchased and listened to.
You’ve inherited a movie theatre - what’s your double feature? (Me, I'm all about the life-affirming, feel good stuff!)
I stand alone and watch my breath, The river sits still, waiting for my move. Ranginui and Papatüänuku embrace Me. I accept their warmth and depart. (More info in ALT)
I think I can be content with the end of my stand-up ‘career’. Did it again last night to prove something to myself and got some decent laughs. But I’m too old to be doing late night gigs on a regular basis. I am a fucking mess today and suspect I’ll need the whole day to recover.
Alas, poor Yorick... Wait, wrong script. I've decided to give this stand-up lark another shot, so I'm going to be at The Classic Comedy Club in Auckland on Saturday night at 10pm. What could possibly go wrong? 🤪 $10 on the door, I believe. www.eventfinda.co.nz/.../l8-live-...
This is my ABSOLUTE favourite picture from last night. I don't remember any of it, but this ain't no deepfake, folks. Michele A'Court is a legend and she said my name 🥰
Happy Monday fellow Kiwis! Here’s a picture I took in the Hunua Ranges yesterday which I really like. <insert favourite fungi joke here> I am loving exploring nature in and around Tāmaki Makaurau. It never fails to give me a boost and make me feel more connected to our world.
The werewere-kōkaka blue mushroom native to Aotearoa. The first time I’ve seen one in the wild! ❤️🍄 It was a good walk in the Waitakeres despite the solo effort and the slip that stopped me going the way I wanted!
Post a 10 year old pic of yourself. Weirdly this was taken exactly 10 years ago today…
I had to go for a solo walk in the Waitakere Ranges today. I suspect it’s because no one thinks I’m a really fun-gi. (Sorry, I’ll show myself out)
The Kaipara River on a still and cold morning. Beautiful way to start the day.
Took this at the weekend on my early morning dog walk with Angus and Fozzy. This is the Kaipara River in Helensville, taken from the waterfront footpaths. I added some extra drama by making it black and white. Felt like the only human alive as I walked.
Doggos are taking it easy after their walk and I’m about to get dinner prepared so I can watch Wrestlemania with my laptop. Then I can pretend to be creative and not waste another day of the long weekend 😳 Going for a walk tomorrow with a lovely friend so there is that to look forward to ❤️
Today’s haiku. Don’t think it needs much explanation. Listen to The Clash singing Clampdown, Woody Guthrie singing Tear The Fascists Down or Dead Kennedys singing Nazi Punks Fuck Off while reading.
Today’s haiku. I am reminded that despite this shite show we are living in that we can love and be loved, and something as simple as a hug, a book, a nice message, a date scone, a favourite mug, a perfect GIF, a sunrise, a cleansing cry or even a good bodily discharge can lift a day out of gloom.
It’s not easy being creative at 5.30 am at the airport, when you were up at 3.45am and you’re not going to get home until 8pm. But what’s the alternative? 😂
The return of the daily haiku which helped me so much last year with creativity. I chose this picture I took of Iona because of both the contrast between the content and the view. Also because it’s a very Christian place and fascists do love to pretend they are doing Christianity the right way.
I mean, look at these pastel green and pink beauties! Comfortable and cheap, there’s nothing more important to a proud Scotsman. 😉😂