The weblog of Matthew Walker: MatthewWalker.net.nz, Otautahi, Aotearoa / Christchurch, New Zealand  
  • Friday, 9 May 2008

  • Thursday, 8 May 2008

    • I'm your man

      Dear neglected weblog. What on earth shall I do with thee?

      Today I walked with a couple of friends on the hills behind Sumner. It was dark,but I had my new headlamp. I ordered a couple of curries from Little India, and the man gave me free poppadoms because it was a slow night. Returning, I spotted a seal on the edge of the road. The two people standing nearby were DOC staff, and they commented to me that they didn't know much about seals. Me neither. It was a young one at the edge of the road next to Peacock's Gallop, and it looked bony but alert enough. I ventured that diagnosis. The DOC staff said there had been a few calls — the police had been called...wildlife in Christchurch? Clearly some kind of emergency.

      I came home and started watching Leonard Cohen: I'm your man — Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Antony, Jarvis Cocker, Nick Cave, Beth Orton, all singing Leonard Cohen songs: I could barely contain myself. Beth was stunning. Rufus.

      I moved into a new office today. A tiny speck of change amidst a torrent. Castle Hill looks in the window upon me, alone.

      "The killers in high places say their prayers out loud" [applause].

      Regards.

  • Sunday, 4 May 2008

    • Catching a cold from the cold

      We all secretly know that you can catch a cold from exposure to cold, but science says "no."

      "Exposure to cold weather will not give you a cold because colds are caused by viruses, says Professor Raina MacIntyre, adding that there are around 200 viruses responsible for the common cold." — Professor Raina MacIntyre at ABC Factbuster.

      This is like saying I ate a sandwich because I had a sandwich in my hand, when really there are many factors that lead me to eat a sandwich.

      Now, science has a new idea: having a cold nose increases our susceptibility to viruses already present in our nose. We know we live in a sea of viruses and bacteria, and our bodies fight a battle constantly. Exposure to cold may tip the scales so that disease may catch a foothold. OK I don't have a link for this, but here's a link about influenza being more resistant to attack in colde temperatures.

      Personally, I know that one time I caught bronchitis from inhaling paint dust. The doors were being sanded in preparation for painting at my office, meaning they were open all day while the sanding occurred. Later in the day I felt a pain in the back of my nose, that became a cold, that moved to my lungs, and that resulted in several days off work. So everybody can stop investigating now, because I've proved it.

Recent photographs

Ryde Falls
Ryde Falls
Ryde Falls
Ryde Falls
Duck, Travis Wetland
Scaup, Travis Wetland
Pukeko, Travis Wetland
Leaving the beach.
Movement on the sand
Library
Pegasus Bay
Pier
Beach architecture
Müller Tarn
Müller Tarn Track
Müller Tarn
Birthday
Phosphorescent fun
Cheese carving 2
Cheese carving 1