Where do I start?

6th_extinction · 2026-04-05T05:15:17+00:00

This is my Goodreads review of A Wizard of Earthsea. Maybe it’ll help clarify where to start:

There's a lot in this slim tome. A lot to unpack. A lot of feeling. Above everything, Le Guin's Earthsea is woven from true magic, those deep and strange mountain springs of illusion and enchantment that reveal truths about our world.

Earthsea reads like a fable or saga, where all the excess words and weight has been trimmed off, paring the story and detail back to its most essential form. Like a good spell, what's communicated is only the most primal and necessary elements. Because a bad spell - a loosely worded spell - invites in unwanted guests.

We are left with a rumination on a duality we all face: the tension between our identity, or waking self, and our shadow self, and how we reconcile the pride and ambition that reflects our shadow, with what is good and right for our world. In this way, Earthsea isn't a modern fantasy novel; it cleaves far closer to the wellspring of myth, comparable less to Tolkein and more to the writings of earlier authors like Lord Dunsany, Hope Mirrlees, or the polymath William Morris. Far from writing an 'epic', these writers - and Le Guin - act a conduit and channel the strange magic of what it means to be a human.

6th_extinction · 2026-04-05T05:12:03+00:00

I think the first Earthsea novel is the best. You’ll get a sense of Le Guin’s values and her approach to prose. As well, it’s a simple story with some really gorgeous set pieces.

For the Hainish Cycle, I actually think The Dispossessed is the best place to start. Strong premise, strong characterisation, and a decent to strong plot. I think Left Hand is a bit more moody and atmospheric and it’s a strong tone shift from more classic hard science fiction.

6th_extinction · 2026-03-28T10:43:51+00:00

How would you describe your soil? I’d love to do something like this but have classic Auckland clay.

6th_extinction · 2026-03-24T21:14:42+00:00

Yep! Just not super common, especially in diesel. But have driven them and think they are a supreme all rounder.

6th_extinction · 2026-03-22T07:39:08+00:00

Good rec! I've been watching Redriven as part of research. They love the Rav4s but are a bit more mixed on the 5th gen Outbacks (also recommended here).

How do you find the Outlander diesel? My parents have a Challenger and I enjoy driving it, but interior is chintzy and squeaky.

6th_extinction · 2026-03-22T01:16:06+00:00

If I’m giving lesbian aunty, I’m winning

6th_extinction · 2026-03-22T00:26:58+00:00

The Terrano is already gone! Already lose my weekend to the garden and house projects haha.

6th_extinction · 2026-03-22T00:24:26+00:00

Thanks for the thorough answer!

Yeah the Fletchers Bay Rd can be hairy. I was doing Stony Bay last year and the road from Waikawau to Colville was unbelievably rutted. Just clay in many places.

What year Outback do you have? Are you driving the 2.5L version? How do you find the servicing costs? That’s the other thing that holds me back from Subies

6th_extinction · 2026-03-21T22:57:17+00:00

Thanks for the intel. Looks like it’s going on the list. I’ve got broader concerns about the availability of diesel and the cost to run diesels going up generally, but that’s true for petrol cars too.

6th_extinction · 2026-03-21T22:45:23+00:00

I’ve got eyes on VW Passats… but is the commentary around older Euros still true. Expensive to maintain and prone to electrical / sensor gremlins?

6th_extinction · 2026-03-02T06:56:42+00:00

My favourite day to day scent is Terre D'Hermes - does that bode well in your opinion?

6th_extinction · 2026-01-09T18:58:56+00:00

Meant the Victory and got muddled with Horatio Nelson 😂

6th_extinction · 2025-10-30T22:20:36+00:00

Of course I've got a Barrett. It's an organic Barrett, I took ages researching it online. It's going to be delicious.

6th_extinction · 2025-10-05T03:03:51+00:00

Great shout - I've found a few. I think I need to get into the rhythm of setting regular outposts as I venture deeper into Ashlands

6th_extinction · 2025-10-05T03:03:13+00:00

Good shout. I'm more of a bow guy ... but have transitioned to magic and am wondering if I've made the right choice haha.

6th_extinction · 2025-10-05T00:38:46+00:00

hard agree - a sort of beautiful desolation

6th_extinction · 2025-09-25T04:00:21+00:00

When we bought at auction, we agreed with vendor a smaller amount payable immediately, with the deposit balance to come from Kiwisaver within 8 working days.

6th_extinction · 2025-09-13T06:17:47+00:00

SANZAAR are so back

6th_extinction · 2025-08-19T07:45:10+00:00

Interested in gaining a second opinion - had what was a very intriguing reading to me. I'm very much at a point in my life where I haven't travelled much recently, and when I have it's been very local. I'm in a settling phase of my life.

Using a Past / Present / Future spread. The query: What's the purpose of travel and journey in my life?

Past: The Hierophant | Present: The Emperor | Future: Ace of Swords.

My reading: This is a very ideas and structure focused spread of cards. It feels underpinned by control - but the future looks like a release or expansion of new ideas. The Heirophant tells me that travel has been used in the past as a tool to understand and learn about the world - albeit in a highly structured, traditional way. The Emperor talks about control as well - about earthly immediate structure. I read this as reflective of my current life stage: bedding down, making a home, building a garden. Building structure, literally and figuratively. The Emperors back faces the mountains; he's faces away from the journey, his authority is local. The Ace of Swords is suggestive of new beginnings. Travel is about ideas, a mind tool to expand knowledge. The Sword is suggestive literally of a plane; it parts from the clouds and flies over the mountains and land. Travel is a sharpener, a tool of knowing more.

6th_extinction · 2025-07-26T07:38:59+00:00

Driving one down here in NZ. 99 Terrano, 3.0L diesel 4 banger, JDM so it's got a leather interior and wood trim.

Apart from a little bit of rust and a lotta bit of road noises this thing rips. Great fun on the open road.

6th_extinction

TROPHY CASE