SECTIONS

tales from the powder room

SUBSCRIBER
The MixMay 25

Embracing boredom’s potential

Boredom can be a catalyst for great things and it might even be the mother of invention, rather than necessity, writes Lisa Scott.
Embracing boredom’s potential
Embracing boredom’s potential
SUBSCRIBER
The MixMay 10

In praise of taking the bike lane

After spending some time with one of their tribe, a bike nut might be the perfect man, writes Lisa Scott.
In praise of taking the bike lane
In praise of taking the bike lane
SUBSCRIBER
The MixMarch 29

At the end of the rainbow

I’ve been looking for a house to buy in Dunedin for a year and a-half and, boy, have I seen some s...holes in that time, writes Lisa Scott.
At the end of the rainbow
At the end of the rainbow
SUBSCRIBER
The MixMarch 1

Need therapy? Try chaos

I never thought I’d say this but I highly recommend an intense, passionate, totally over-the-top holiday from reality in the form of a mad love affair.
Need therapy? Try chaos
Need therapy? Try chaos
SUBSCRIBER
The MixFebruary 10

It’s just fine to be seen by the birds

When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I see when I open my eyes is Mopanui.
It’s just fine to be seen by the birds
It’s just fine to be seen by the birds
SUBSCRIBER
The MixJanuary 12

The cloak of acceptance

Was today the day we got the country back on track?  Let me know. I want to remember what I was doing when it happened.
The cloak of acceptance
The cloak of acceptance
The MixDecember 22

Reasons to head for the hills

Hate Christmas?
Reasons to head for the hills
Reasons to head for the hills
SUBSCRIBER
The MixNovember 24

Fit for the purpose

Lisa Scott gets some training in before tackling a Great Walk.
Fit for the purpose
Fit for the purpose
The MixOctober 29

Reconnecting a joy in sad times

Family is a weave of people who know you.
Reconnecting a joy in sad times
Reconnecting a joy in sad times
SUBSCRIBER
The MixSeptember 24

What are men good for?

In 2015, at the age of 109 and at the time Scotland’s oldest woman, Jesse Gallan credited her advanced age to porridge and avoidance of men. 
What are men good for?
What are men good for?
SUBSCRIBER
The MixJuly 23

Staying friends a lesson in ex education

"I’m just reaching out, as a concerned friend," she said.
Staying friends a lesson in ex education
Staying friends a lesson in ex education
SUBSCRIBER
The MixJune 25

Finally getting my hands dirty

Gardening is a brutal contact sport. The garden doesn’t want to be tamed, writes Lisa Scott.
Finally getting my hands dirty
Finally getting my hands dirty
SUBSCRIBER
The MixMay 28

Could AI write this column?

I had some fun playing with ChatGPT the other day, asking it who I was. The results are best summed up as kind of true, in an alternate universe, writes Lisa Scott.
Could AI write this column?
Could AI write this column?
SUBSCRIBER
The MixApril 9

A few words about final thoughts

When it comes to eulogies, there's room for a balance between blowing smoke up your cadaver and free-range honesty, writes Lisa Scott.
A few words about final thoughts
A few words about final thoughts
SUBSCRIBER
The MixMarch 12

On the road, avoid fungus

They say travelling together is the best test of any relationship, but I don’t see why there needs to be a test. A relationship is a pass/fail situation, surely, writes Lisa Scott.
On the road, avoid fungus
On the road, avoid fungus
SUBSCRIBER
The MixFebruary 12

A tourist in the lives of two cats

Food could not be more expensive right now.
A tourist in the lives of two cats
A tourist in the lives of two cats
SUBSCRIBER
The MixJanuary 15

Of summer’s sirens and sea lions

My New Year’s resolution was to go vegetarian.
Of summer’s sirens and sea lions
Of summer’s sirens and sea lions
The MixDecember 23

A time for togetherness

Well done, you’ve made it to the end of a frankly awful year.
A time for togetherness
A time for togetherness
SUBSCRIBER
The MixNovember 27

The importance of holding your line

Sometimes, if people won’t make a path for you, you have to bash one for yourself, writes Lisa Scott.
The importance of holding your line
The importance of holding your line
SUBSCRIBER
The MixOctober 2

Wherever they lay their hats, that’s my home

"Property investor" sounds great, doesn’t it? Better than "reluctant landlord", which is the truth of the matter, writes Lisa Scott.
Wherever they lay their hats, that’s my home
Wherever they lay their hats, that’s my home
The MixJuly 10

Well-heeled misery? That’s rich

Why are Wanaka people (the ones who live there all the time and own a house) miserable as sin? Lisa Scott wonders.
Well-heeled misery? That’s rich
Well-heeled misery? That’s rich
The MixJune 15

Thank you, driver

I’m getting used to the morning commute, but I will say the old bed-to-dining-table-in-Uggs route did have a certain ease and simplicity, writes Lisa Scott.
Thank you, driver
Thank you, driver
The MixMay 15

Someone in your corner

A feeling of friendship and companionship in the workplace makes a big difference.
Someone in your corner
Someone in your corner
The MixApril 24

Coming home to a city that has never left me

After five years away, Lisa Scott's returning to her home town Dunedin.
Coming home to a city that has never left me
Coming home to a city that has never left me