Happy New Year from us at Lush Places, though I can’t help worrying that it won’t be. It’s fair to say that recent new years have let themselves down on the happiness front. Although I’m writing this before 2023 arrives, it might be safer if it gave up on the ropey promise of happiness and punted instead for a more achievable New Year’s resolution, such as being a little less grim than much of 2022.
I’m sure the new, new year will give it a go; the desire for self-improvement is strong after the festive season. Christmas, a feast day that fattens us up, empties our bank accounts and occasions family fallings-out over disappointing lunches, inevitably leads, like a drunken night out, to guilty morning-after vows to lose weight, live within our means, mend broken fences and other such appealing chimeras.
I blame Christmas, but actually the business of recognising one’s shortcomings and making pledges to be a better person in the new year far outdates Christianity.
この記事は New Zealand Listener の January 3-13 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は New Zealand Listener の January 3-13 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Roman scandals
Sarah Watt reviews two major titles at this year's Italian Film Festival.
Rising tide
Twenty years on from the foreshore and seabed hikoi, the issues behind it have not subsided.
The balance of Powers
The Naked and Famous star is unashamedly indulgent in his new solo album.
Love, love me Who
New Doctor Who Ncuti Gatwa and producer Russell T Davies talk about getting by with a little help from their friends.
Raising the barre
Why acclaimed Kiwi director James Napier Robertson-took on the bruising true story of an American ballerina in Russia.
A dickens of a novel
Historical novel is rich in women characters from all levels of Victorian society - including some from real life.
Parental advisory
A vibrant collection of essays sets out to answer one less-than-simple question: what makes a mother?
Unhappy endings
Leslie Jamison anatomises her broken marriage in a candid new memoir - but who or what was really to blame?
'I am still quite overwhelmed'
Ginette McDonald is good with voices. Now, a new anthology celebrates the long and varied career of the actor who brought us Lynn of Tawa. Just don't call it a valedictory.
A long Trekka north
Almost forgotten in this country, NZ's only homedesigned, mass-produced motor vehicle has a new following in Europe.