The Newsletter Christmas Special

So Grace came up to me the other day and says, "I think we should take a Christmas photo of us and the pets."

And I said, "That's great, but where would we put it? It's not like we're one of those families who do a Christmas newsletter..."

So anyway, here we are.

The Africa Deleted Scene

I'm very aware that most of you subscribed to this newsletter for Africa updates, so we're going to start with one of those which didn't quite get sent - mostly because someone recently expressed surprise that we'd done it.

So yes - while we were out on the Masai Mara, we took a hot air balloon flight!

Something about the smooth motion and very high point of view feels very... cinematic. It kind of makes me wonder if flying a balloon is more like piloting, or like directing?

It made for some great photos, and honestly even better just sightseeing, but that's sort of all there is to the story.

Probably why it didn't make the newsletter the first time round, hey?

The work update

Upon our return, both our jobs proceeded to throw us right into the deep end.

I was immediately subsumed into helping to plan Astrofest, the Largest Astronomy Festival In The Southern Hemisphere, and from there into navigating a slight shortfall in our five year state government funding package. If you have a spare five million you're not using - perhaps behind the couch - please email education@icrar.org.

Grace was flung into a family law conference where everyone told her she was wonderful (which, obviously) and tried to hire her. She channeled this confidence into a late night email to her boss, which ended in a promotion to senior associate! She regrets nothing, even if it meant being in court on the last day of the year.

The capitalism update

Of course, all that working isn't much good if you're not going to buy shit, right. Accordingly, we're pleased to announce the addition of not one but two new members of our household.

First: a sensibly sized car:

And an air conditioner for the bedroom:

We've never been more excited to commute and sleep, and if that's not growing up and/or old, I don't know what is.

(We did also buy a paddling pool for our dog, but that doesn't really fit the narrative.)

The hobby update

But life is about more than making money and buying things. At least that's what I've heard.

I've just hit a full year on my podcast, and finally feel like I'm ready to tell people about it - because the only thing more shameful than two white dudes starting a podcast is two white dudes announcing their podcast, only for it to die two episodes in.

It's called Playtonics, and it's about adapting books or shows or genres into themed tabletop roleplaying game sessions, and if you know what that means then you'd probably enjoy the show.

Grace, meanwhile, continues to search for her One True Hobby. If you have suggestions, she'd love to hear them.

The blood update

Once we'd both finished work for the year, we did what any sane person would do with their first day off: we got up early to go have some of our blood siphoned off.

Grace was extremely brave and signed up for her first plasma donation.

I, meanwhile, enjoyed the chance to admire my own tiny face on the 100 donations wall of fame.

This isn't just an excuse to humblebrag though. There's a huge shortage of blood donors around this time of year as the regulars take off for Christmas, so if you're around, please book yourself in to donate.

The Christmas update

Speaking of taking off for Christmas: we are coming to you live(ish) from an undisclosed location on the coast, where we will be hunkering down to read books and play games and wait for this whole "Christmas" fiasco to blow over.

I'll be reading Orbital and playing Dredge. Grace will be reading Bright Shining and playing Tears of the Kingdom. Spud will be reading nothing and playing Fetch (badly), and Harriet will be enjoying some peace and quiet at home, courtesy of PetFriends, our new favourite dog-walking-slash-petsitting service. I wish that was sponsored content, but it's not. We just really like them cause they send us cute pics of our own pets.

The Christmas photo

Which brings us, as promised, back to our Christmas photo. There was some debate over which one to include, so I've attached both our selections, but I think you'll agree there's an obvious winner. I'll leave it up to you to figure out whose pick is whose.

Have a smashing Christmas and we'll see you in 2025,

Rocky and Grace.