81st Column
LightNews LightNews
banner
81stcolumn.bsky.social
81st Column
@81stcolumn.bsky.social
250 followers 280 following 1K posts
Autistic educator who still loves teaching after 30 years, #sportsci #Welshman domiciled in #Aotearoa - The 81st column was a means by which IBM VDU's could display all characters in full - it wasn't accessible to programmers.. Yes it's me... #MDANT
Posts Replies Media Videos
81stcolumn.bsky.social
This for reference is our yard. 17 has already declared he's not keen on doing yard work until it is deemed safe ;-)
Verdant backyard shots with bushes, trees and shrubs in Aotearoa. It's spring and things are getting a bit wild.
December 1, 2025 at 6:49 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Waiting for the games to begin.

#Photography #Aotearoa #Kikorangi #Warmth #BlueskyArtShow
3:2, Colour, Landscape: Shot at #dawn a solitary outdoor basketball hoop stands silhouetted by a rising sun, its rectangular backboard catching the early morning #warmth. The net hangs still, untouched, framed by the stark outlines of leafless trees that encircle the quiet court. The sky fades from deep blue to warm amber near the horizon, casting a soft glow that highlights the geometric tension between the board and the branches. #Nikon #nz #Auckland #aotearoa #sunrise #Warmth #BlueskyArtShow #UrbanPhotography
November 30, 2025 at 11:50 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Eating out on Lorne Street.

#Photography #Aotearoa #Warmth #BlueskyArtShow
5:4, Colour, Landscape: An exterior at #night of a dim sum restaurant glowing softly under ambient streetlight. Centred is a large wooden door engraved with the stylized text “PP PA SUNNY TOWN.” Flanking the door are two glass windows: the left reveals stacks of bamboo steamers, the right displays colourful food posters with Chinese characters, suggesting menu specials. A slender tree stands in the foreground on the sidewalk, its trunk partially lit, while a small bird feeds on scraps near its base. A bit of a right time right place shot for me. #Nikon #nz #Auckland #aotearoa #night #Warmth #BlueskyArtShow #UrbanPhotography
November 30, 2025 at 11:41 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Auckland eh...... #Photography #Kikorangi #Aotearoa
3:2, Colour, Portrait: A Pohutukawa dominates the foreground, its branches thick with vivid red blossoms and lush green leaves. Behind it, a modern white building with tall vertical columns and large glass windows rises against a clear blue sky, creating a striking contrast between natural beauty and urban architecture. #Nikon #nz #Auckland #aotearoa #Pohutukawa #kikorangi #Summer
November 28, 2025 at 5:57 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
You’ve just died.
The 6th picture in your gallery is what killed you

So if I've got this right I got bombed by a Seagull in a dusk raid?
3:2, Colour, Portrait: Shot in the evening a silhouetted pier reaches into calm body of water at #sunset. The sky is layered with vivid bands of orange, red, and purple, casting orange highlights on a rippling sea. You can just see a figure in amongst the woodwork of the peer, holding a fishing rod that arcs gently over the water. Above, a seagull glides mid-flight glides ready to land on the rail above its wings outstretched against a yellow sky. The distant shoreline is faintly visible on the horizon. 17 thought this one was very Insta.... I'll take that as a compliment. #NZ #Aotearoa #Kikorangi #Photography
November 27, 2025 at 1:25 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
A #small friend sat in front of #Auckland Cathedral I think they may have escaped from someone's flat given that this was in the middle of a city.

#Photography #aotearoa #BlueskyArtShow
3:2, #Monochrome, Landscape: A #blackandwhite shot of a solitary rabbit sitting silhouetted in the foreground beneath a sprawling tree with bare branches. Behind them, a grand Gothic cathedral wall glows with light. This was one of those what's that doing there? shots The Rabbit wasn't too fussed about me moving around and for sure would have heard my shutter. Nevertheless shuffling around to get a good angle I ended up with a foot in a water feature <squelch>. #Nikon #nz #Auckland #aotearoa #night #small #BlueskyArtShow
November 23, 2025 at 1:39 PM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Birkenhead Bus Depot #Photography #Aotearoa #Kikorangi
16:9, Colour, Landscape: A shot of the Birkenhead Bus Depot on the North Shore of #Auckland. A wide view with a corrugated metal roof and several large green roller doors. Above the doors, a bright yellow sign with bold black lettering reads “BIRKENHEAD TRANSPORT LIMITED.” A person in dark trousers and a light blue shirt walks past the building off set to the right but walking to the left. The sky overhead is clear with a few wispy clouds, suggesting a sunny, pleasant day. I finally got around to shooting this on a Sunday picking my shots between parking cars, I love the 1950’s facing and the way in which it has recently been painted. I had to wait for late afternoon light to get the best shot emphasising the colours and the roller doors, which for me make the shot. Until 2018 this was a family-owned business and the buses had their own unique livery (Brown and Cream). Unfortunately, I nearly caused a car crash as the best position from which to shoot this was across a road junction just before a roundabout. I sat down to get the lower shot but people kept staring at me thinking I was unwell, despite waving my Camera at them. Inevitably one of the cars taking a gander almost hit the car in front so……. #Nikon #nz #Auckland #aotearoa #kikorangi
November 17, 2025 at 3:31 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Brikenhead Bus Depot in #bright afternoon light

#Photography #Aotearoa #BlueskyArtShow #UrbanPhotography
3:2, #Monochrome, Landscape: A #blackandwhite shot of a commercial bus depot with a row of identical garage doors, each topped by signage reading “BIRKENHEAD TRANSPORT LIMITED.” A single bus marked “MAN,” “Metro,” and “RT1331” is parked at the far left. The flow is from right to left converging on the bus. The corrugated garage doors do the stripey thing. The afternoon sun does the #bright thing. I love the juxtaposition of a 2000’s ear Bus with a depot frontage that dates back to the 1950’s. A very me shot in terms of line and light. #Nikon #nz #Auckland #aotearoa #evening #BlueskyArtShow #kikorangi #Bright
November 16, 2025 at 2:42 PM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
If you see this post a bird
3:2, Colour, Portrait: Silhouetted seagull in mid-flight against a dramatic cloudy sky; a dark wooden pier railing with bolts occupies the lower right, high contrast between shadowed foreground and bright textured clouds. #Nikon #nz #beach #Auckland #aotearoa #evening #kikorangi
November 15, 2025 at 2:35 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Last one from the pier #Photography #Aotearoa #Evening #BlueSkyArtShow
3:2, Colour, Portrait: Shot in the #evening a silhouetted pier reaches into calm body of water at #sunset. The sky is layered with vivid bands of orange, red, and purple, casting orange highlights on a rippling sea. You can just see a figure in amongst the woodwork of the peer, holding a fishing rod that arcs gently over the water. Above, a seagull glides mid-flight glides ready to land on the rail above its wings outstretched against a yellow sky. The distant shoreline is faintly visible on the horizon. 17 thought this one was very Insta.... I'll take that as a compliment. #Nikon #nz #beach #Auckland #aotearoa #evening #BlueskyArtShow #kikorangi
November 9, 2025 at 11:06 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
I'm really enjoying finishing work in time to pick up moments like this - Island Bay in the #evening #Photography #aotearoa #BlueskyArtShow #kikorangi
3:2, Colour, Portrait: Shot in the #evening from beneath a wooden pier, showing a row of concrete support columns in shadow. Sunlight reflects off the water’s surface between the columns, creating shimmering, high-contrast patches. In the distance, a small jet ski with several people travels from right to left in one of the frames made by the columns and Wharfe above. Beyond the boat, a hazy shoreline with trees and buildings stretches under a clear, pale blue sky. #Nikon #nz #beach #Auckland #aotearoa #evening #BlueskyArtShow #kikorangi
November 9, 2025 at 9:17 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Island Bay Wharfe in the #evening the car park and adjacent bay are always busy with folk coming down for a good #sunset It becomes something of a local hangout as #summer arrives. #Photography #Aotearoa #BlueSkyArtShow
3:2, Colour, Landscape: Shot at #Sunset four figures stand spaced along a wooden pier are silhouetted against the melting sun. Above them the clouds graduate from orange to a dark blue, grey and purple. One person holds a fishing rod, casting a quiet, solitary gesture into the fading light. A seagull perches on the railing to the right, still and watchful. The pier’s railings frame the scene with the group and the horizon. A bit cliched perhaps but I think the gull carries it off. #Nikon #nz #urbanphotography #Auckland #aotearoa #evening #BlueskyArtShow
November 8, 2025 at 3:02 PM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Oh crane, crane hurry bring my baby back again...... with apologies to Shorty Medlocke #Photography #Aotearoa #Evening #BlueskyArtShow
3:2, Colour, Portrait: An #evening Shot during #bluehour a construction crane stands silhouetted against a twilight sky, its angular lattice structure in sharp silhouette. The flow is diagonal from bottom left to top right with the tip of the crane reaching for a a small crescent moon in the top right of the frame. Cables hang in gentle arcs, and a faintly illuminated sign glows at the crane’s base. #Nikon #nz #urbanphotography #Auckland #aotearoa #evening #BlueskyArtShow
November 8, 2025 at 2:47 PM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Mandatory Police Training

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
A cartoon of a professor pointing at a chalkboard that says "Find an actual f**king driver to test...." This refers to fraudulent acts by nzpolice involving fabrication breath tests in order to meet Govt targets tied to funding.
November 6, 2025 at 3:03 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
If you see this, quote with a robot that isn’t from “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,” “Doctor Who,” or “Transformers".
A picture of one of the robots from the Cadbury's Smash Adverts.
October 30, 2025 at 9:25 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Change one letter, ruin a candy

Dreddo
October 30, 2025 at 6:55 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Yeah, commonly reported causes are where studs are not all tightened to the correct torque and some loosen more than others. This problem can be amplified by poor bearing maintenance. Note how trucks are fitted with loosening indicators.
Picture of two truck wheels highlighting loosening indicators the one on the left is aligned (good) the one on the right is not (bad).
October 28, 2025 at 3:27 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
A night time urban scene showing a road passing beneath a bridge, illuminated by streetlights and flashing red and blue lights from emergency vehicles. Buildings and sparse vegetation line the sidewalk.
October 26, 2025 at 12:26 PM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Akoranga bus station, going nowhere #Inside #BlueskyArtShow #Photography #Aotearoa
3:2, #Monochrome, Portrait: A #blackandwhite #nighttime shot into the Interior of a modern building with large glass windows and a sweeping curved roof. In the centre a person stands halfway down a staircase looking out of what might be taken as a glasshouse (It is in fact a stairwell at a bus station.) The space features exposed beams, metal railings, and industrial design elements. Reflections and shadows create a contrast between the bright interior and the dark exterior. #Nikon #night #nz #urbanphotography #Auckland #aotearoa #Inside #BlueskyArtShow
October 26, 2025 at 8:51 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Uptown, Birkenhead #Photography #Aotearoa
3:2, Colour, Portrait: Shot during blue hour this image is best understood in horizontal thirds/layers. Our top third is an evening blue sky underlined by a horizon of lights on the other side of a waterway. We are looking across to #auckland. The middle layer is dark non-descript scrub. The bottom layer reveals a #Lamborghini sports car driver side door open revealing the dash LED display, with bright taillights at the rear. The shot is notable perhaps because Birkenhead is not a logical place to find a Lambo looking out over water, it should be on the other side of the bay. I guess I’m still a bogan, because this caught my eye instantly. #Nikon #nz #urbangaze #Auckland #aotearoa #UrbanPhotography #cars
October 25, 2025 at 1:26 PM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
This here, is the serious extra strength stuff, kills all Bluetooth micro-transmissions induced by the COVID vaccine.
This is a cylinder of carbon monoxide. Do not breathe Carbon Monoxide through a respirator for any reason. It is flammable, it is toxic, 3-4 breaths at 12,800 ppm will kill you. Soyeah I guess it'll stop those pesky Bluetooth transmissions too.
October 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Kitchen Jenga anyone?
A photograph capturing an over filled kitchen drainer, ripe for a game of Jenga! Yes, this is our kitchen and yes this is how my partner of 20 years leaves the dishes drying for me.....AITA here?
October 24, 2025 at 9:06 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
"Friends" is a beloved American sitcom that aired from 1994 to 2004, following six young adults—Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe—living in New York City. The show explores their friendships, romances, careers, and personal growth over ten seasons.
Image of the cast from the UK ITV daytime soap "Crossroads"
October 23, 2025 at 7:03 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
Who robbed the Louvre? Right answers only
A scene from the 1950's classic "The Lavender Hill Mob" Alec Guinness as Henry "Dutch" Holland Stanley Holloway as Alfred "Al" Pendlebury Sid James as Lackery Wood Alfie Bass as Shorty Fisher
October 21, 2025 at 10:49 AM
81stcolumn.bsky.social
A challenge for #AUckland denizens, can you guess where this is? #Photography #Aotearoa
Shot at #night a series of vertical neon #lights in vibrant hues; purple, yellow, blue, and pink arranged along a pathway the #Auckland #Lightpath. The lights are intentionally out of focus, forming circular bokeh patterns. The dominant flow is from left to right with a point of perspective close to the intersection of the bottom third. The shot captures some small reflections on the right and a little from the ground. Above and on the right third are a set of circular globes of light from streetlights. In the background, blurred white and orange lights suggest distant streetlamps. 3:2, Portrait, Colour: #Nikon #nz #urbangaze #Auckland #aotearoa #UrbanPhotography
October 21, 2025 at 4:15 AM