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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 5h

In her search for her missing family, Mandy uncovers a plot to control the dragon she thought she despised.

An almost-cosy fantasy with Trolls and Dragons (and the occasional demon)

www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQP3MLJ8
🧙‍♂️⚔️
📚💙

Purple and gold "The Dragon Transport and Pacification" cover with a red wax seal
Over a red, horned dragon on a blue background:
99c Sale ends 13 October
"In her search for her missing family, Mandy uncovers a plot to control the dragon she thought she despised."
Byline: An almost cosy Fantasy with Trolls and Dragons (and the occasional demon)
Blue USA Today Bestselling Author badge lower left hand corner

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 7h

Yup, you and me both.

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 11h

Yay, mine too! :)
The others were dire - so this is great news. :)

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 13h

We're lucky there's a veggie market nearby every weekend.
Makes F&V a heap more affordable & better for the growers, too.
Sadly not an option for everyone, but I consider every cent not spent at a supermarket a win. 😁

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 14h

It's a bit late for the local elections and that's a shame because local is so important
But we definitely need to have a strategy in place for the generals esp as big money works to reduce the left vote as a strategy along with grooming those they expect to vote for fascism.

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Hayden Donnell @haydendonnell.bsky.social · 1d

Step one: engineer a recession and cancel infrastructure projects. Step two: get mad at people for not having a job

thespinoff.co.nz/politics/10-...

The Spinoff: In other words, we did it, folks. Joblessness is up. Inflation is down. Mince is admittedly four trillion dollars. But overall, success! Surely our government should be pulling a George W Bush and unfurling a mission accomplished banner above the rusted deck of the HMNZS Canterbury.

Instead, it called a press conference to say, in essence, wtf. Luxon and social development minister Louise Upston gathered reporters on Sunday to announce too many 18- and 19-year-olds were claiming the benefit, and they’ll be cutting them off if their parents earn more than the princely sum of $65,529 combined. Asked where young people should get a job in a recession, which, again, we deliberately engineered, Luxon pointed to kūmara harvesting in Dargaville or seasonal work in orchards. Orchardists promptly responded that they didn’t need more staff right now.

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 17h

Yup, it's shocking,
I got burnt by Ruthenasia and then I taught kids whose parents said not to bother there's no jobs in science.
And just when there was hope we were coming right again this lot crap the bed.

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 21h

💯
Still very impressed as always. Juice media is 🔥🔥

Reposted by A.J. Ponder

MeatMechSuit @meatmechsuit.bsky.social · 1d

Some rich person please run this on prime time television. #nzpol

the Juice Media @thejuicemedia.com · 1d

The Government of New Zealand has made a new tourism ad and it's surprsingly honest and informative!

Honest Government Ad | Visit New Zealand!

YouTube video by thejuicemedia

www.youtube.com

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 1d

Yup, stunning job.

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 1d

Yup, I came to bluesky to do just that, and saw you'd beaten me to it!

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 1d

Even sadder that nobody on the benefit has a hope in hell of affording close to a healthy diet.
What with the failure of the benefit to keep up with inflation and our Supermarkets fleecing us it's a ticket to long term ill health.

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 1d

And still, the unsaid elephant in the room is how much our disabled and other jobless are expected to live on.

Old age isn't the only thing that can knock you out of the job market. And at least with old age you get some warning.

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Kay in the End Times 🏳️‍🌈 💗💜💙📚 @jennykaynz.bsky.social · 2d

Voters in Te Whanganui A Tara Wellington or Pōneke, if you haven't voted yet and you're 18YO or older, please get on to it. Te Awe Library in Brandon Street off Lambton Quay is a special voting place if you need help.
#NZpol
wellington.govt.nz/your-council...

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 2d

Good to see lots of support for the Strike
23 October

#NZpol

www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...

Massive strike action could hit schools and health services - all on the same day

Public Service Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said that, if it goes ahead, this would be “one of the largest strikes in New Zealand history”.

www.stuff.co.nz

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 2d

Yup, it's like talking to people in a cult

I mean, they've got to be pretty brainwashed not to see that National is tanking the economy

theconversation.com/how-to-get-s...

How to get someone out of a cult – and what happens afterwards

If you’re worried someone has joined a high-demand group, it’s important not to shame or belittle them.

theconversation.com

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 2d

Feels & tribal us against "them" is what the RW are really good at & arguing against feels is impossible, but being inclusive and saying, "I know you're going to be against this xxx" is IMO a much easier corner to lift.

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 2d

I've made some movement on my rellies by asking them to submit against the bad bills that are being passed - not a whole lot, just the really bad ones.

Not only can they then see the bill is bad, but that National is passing horrible bills against massive public opposition.

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Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand @livingwageaotearoa.bsky.social · 2d

Through pure people power - with workers, faith, and community uniting - the Govt has decided to keep the Living Wage in its procurement guidelines for contracted cleaners, catering workers, and security guards.

Special mention to the many workers who stood up and organised for this win. #NZpol

LIVING WAGE SAVED
For workers employed by contractors in the core public service

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Shansen - famously the founder of antifas wife @srhansen.bsky.social · 2d

My god. What is this "good news", you speak of, Craig?

I have a vague recollection of some news being good, but it's been a long long time.

Honestly, this is fantastic. Pressure works. Do not relent.

#nzpol

Craig Renney @clrenney.bsky.social · 2d

#nzpol

GOOD NEWS ALERT 🚨

Today the government relented to pressure from the @livingwageaotearoa.bsky.social and retained the requirement for contracted workers to be paid at least the Living Wage rate in Government Contracts. Around 5,000 workers will likely benefit from this decision

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Dr. Cassandra Mudgway @legallyfeminist.bsky.social · 2d

And @misswhanau.bsky.social is right: political violence is escalating. But the response can't be merely security funding (altho this is good, take advantage of this!) We also need coordinated action, from platforms, parties, and Parliament, to treat online violence as a democratic integrity issue.

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Rob🎸 @robdickinson.bsky.social · 2d

"Absolutely universally fucked" @clrenney.bsky.social

#nzpol

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bJ3...

#BHN The policy kicking 18/19-year-olds off jobseeker is "absolutely universally f**ked"

YouTube video by Big Hairy Network

www.youtube.com

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ⓘ Kaiwhiu ⓘ @aotearoa-nz.bsky.social · 2d

FFS!! This is what EVERYONE was warning about 🤬

ⓘ Kaiwhiu ⓘ @aotearoa-nz.bsky.social · Jun 18

The point of this governments should borrow for investment. Build infrastructure, social housing, schools &c; improve productivity, grow the economy.

But borrowing to cut income tax and give landlords tax breaks, is bad.

Really bad.

That *shudder* is what Truss & Kwarteng did…
#NZPol

Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng, sometime British PM and chancellor that cost the UK economy tens of billions of pounds.

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Jolisa Gracewood @nzdodo.bsky.social · 2d

“The staff I’ve spoken to have been friendly, patient, and often just as frustrated as I am by the red tape.

It’s the system that’s the problem — one that demands precision fit for a multimillion-dollar contract, from people already dealing with chronic illness.” #nzpol

The grinding war of attrition of seeking a disability allowance

OPINION: The message seems clear: we’ll help you — but only after we’ve made you run a paperwork marathon until your head hurts.

www.thepress.co.nz

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A.J. Ponder @ponderbooks.com · 2d

With the sequel Winterburn which is close enough to a real term used to describe frost damage in plants

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