125 Comments

Happy End of 2023, David. Webworm has become my favorite newsletter over the past few years and I'm always happy to see it in my inbox, whether it bring grim tidings or delightfully ridiculous anecdotes. You and all your contributors write with such humor and kindness that it really shines through the bleakness of the current cultural landscape. Thank you. Looking forward to more in 2024.💕

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Your fav? This is great. There is a lot of good stuff out there so this makes me happy.

Here's to 2024 (not there quite yet, but soon). Maybe I sent this wrap too early - made 2024 feel closer than it is.

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Awww, thank you for quoting me, David! I finally made some headway over the weekend by using a technique which is called doubling. I invited my sister over to supervise me cleaning. She sat and chatted with me while I worked. Since then I've been picking up a bit of rubbish or cleaning something each day. Definite progress. The main aim now is to remove more rubbish than I drop on the floor for the dog each day. Lol. I now have clean dishes and some useable bench space. One day maybe I'll be able to invite over visitors who are not close family.

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This is really, really great Eddie. Pleased. I really appreciated your honesty - so many people just bullshitting about how things are. You were not.

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👏👏👏🫂 No.. Thank YOU for sharing 💜 and so pleased you feel you are making progress. Sometimes admitting out loud in a safe space what you are struggling with is what our brains need to search for the solution? Anyways, LOVE the update! Means there is hope for the others of us who struggle with our quirks & blockages to keep striving eh? 👍

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I agree on the value of doubling -- often literally the only thing that helps!

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I’m so glad for you, Eddie! I use the “study with me” YouTube videos on a second screen for doubling when I need to get work done- even though it’s not someone in real time it still works! It’s a great technique.

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David! What a year! Thank you for everything and Holy moly have the comments become a life force of their own, so many smart and interesting people. Sorry I cant join the fun in Auckland, im volunteering for DOC again and escaping the madness for 3 weeks in the bush. Happy birthday for the 25th. Happy new year fellow wormers. Kia kaha team ❤

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This is one of the best possible reasons I could imagine for missing Jurassic Park. Good shit. Have fun out there. One of the best things about NZ is the smell of the bush. Just that leafy goodness.

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I had my own rabies scare a couple months back after breaking up a scrap at the dog park. I felt a little silly going to the doctor over such a minor scrape, even on the off chance of 100% certain death. Luckily I only up needing a tetanus shot, which probably needed updating anyway because I have a couple overly playful cats (I call the big one Bitey).

I've pulled back from a couple online spaces recently I wasn't enjoying anymore, where I was dreading seeing what people had to say instead of looking forward to it. It made it easier knowing I had Webworm to come to, where things feel a little more 'real' for lack of a better term.

Anyways, happy holidays to all! (And have a wonderful time at the Jurassic Park screening for all those lucky enough to attend!)

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Joe, I am sorry you but snapped by a dog! Assuming the dog wasn't foaming at the mouth - and was a pet - I assume you should be fine. Glad you went to the doc.

Thanks for being here this year, and I am glad the comments section here is still the opposite of the dialogue in most online spaces.

I feel very proud of that.

Literally helps restore my faith in humans.

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We’ve got a lot of gratitude for you and the Webworm team David, subscribing feels like a great investment for not only my brain but also my heart too. I hope you can take some time off over the break, you deserve it!

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"An investment for the brain." I like this. This comments section is a continuous sort of amazing thing to me. What?! No-one calling each other nazis? Amazing! No yelling? Amazing!

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An absolute oasis. Not a sea lion to be seen!

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It's a beautiful oasis of calm and kindness in a sea of shit. I love everything thing about this community you have created here David. Thank you for doing so much good in the world.

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It's been nearly a year since I became a paid Webworm subscriber, and it is honestly one of the things I have loved most about this past year. I am so happy to be part of this wonderful community...a place where discussions can happen free of judgement and negativity. The world seems crazy and bleak and chaotic right now, and I often don't know what to do with that, but I know I can come to Webworm and the community here is often the only place on the internet that feels sane.

Thanks David and all the other Webworm readers for bringing me so much joy throughout the year and I look forward to 2024 :)

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Thanks for being here Lauren, and for the support. Not to get cheesy but I do think we've all made something kinda cool here. Long may it last.

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Also wanted to add - my goal for 2024 is to get an electric kettle. In addition to your flightless bird episode, I also just got yelled at this morning by a buddy in the UK when he heard how I was making tea.... :)

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I’m scared to ask how you make tea, and hope you enjoy how amazing electric jugs are!

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I am embarrassed to report that I boil my mug of water in the microwave to make tea 😂. Sorry I know, I know, I need to stop this!! :)

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Lauren, Lauren, Lauren....make that goal a new year priority! 😆

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Ok done, purchased and using right now. This is the extra push I needed, thanks :) :)

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Happy end of the year David and gang! It’s been a pleasure being a member of Webworm and I look forward to what you have in store for us next year! It’s been great reading such engaging content as well as hearing what others think and have to say on all of this. This community is just fantastic as are the contributors to Webworm and everyone involved with this. I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday and New Year and thank you again for everything!

P.S.- I’ve been reading a book about black holes from a British Astrophysicist and she commonly says “ maths “. This might be an older topic of yours from your podcast, but it makes me giggle when I read it when I think of the war you declared for getting shit for saying it.

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MATHS! You get it.

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2023 feels like a year of embracing what feels good and to the rest of it, bye bye! Thanks to David and all the web worms who continue to be something worthy of embracing.

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I love webworm, thanks for a thought provoking and interesting year!

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Thanks for being here - and for contributing so positively to the wee lil' community here. It's appreciated.

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I now have it down to a fine art for when your name arrives in my inbox. Make a large cuppa and settle down for an hour to read your latest revelation and all the comments. There’s always other stuff I could be doing but I now know it’s not going to happen.

To you and all webwormers have a wonderful Christmas and holiday.

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Oh this is just perfect. Cuppa and a read - and I am so glad the comments factor into that. It's given me this added reason to write, it really has. I am always learning and it's great just seeing people having fun, logical, smart, passionate convos! Makes my heart sing.

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One of my favourite things is seeing “David Farrier” pop up in my email. Thank you so much for your hard work and I was going to say your unique style but then realised what I really mean is thank you for being you - smart, funny, caring, quirky, vulnerable. It’s rare and refreshing, and it’s an honour to support what you do and be part of this community.

I do still have to summon up the courage to wear my “deranged bitch’ shirt outside the house but it’s a goal. It still makes me laugh.

Hope you have a wonderful movie night, a lovely birthday and enjoy being with your family.

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Happy to make it to your inbox! And yeah, trying to get the balance right between reporting/investigations/columns/personal. It's all an interesting thing and I love doing it. If I don't write, I feel crazy.

2024 is the year of Deranged Bitch outside.

I can feel it.

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Ooooo it’s so much fun to wear out in the wild. I had mine on during a road trip and walked around in Utah with it on. It’s fun 🤩

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After such a hectic year David you should buy yourself that Lego set !

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Maybe I will. Maybe I will.

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Well I’m devastated not to be able to get one of those sweet caps! 😢

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I'm sorry! It does feel sort of unfair having them just in New Zealand - but I guess makes it sort of special too, in a way. It has got me thinking about Webworm "merch" in general and a way to make stuff more accessible. I am gonna talk it over with Jess, and Little Yellow Bird who's done Webworm stuff too.

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Happy end od year. My favourite was the squirrel story. I laughed so loud at your expense. The most infuriating was Arise et al who treat Christianty as a cash register.

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Laughter is good. Happy for you to laugh at that one.

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Happy almost birthday, happy holidays, and happy new year to all. This year has been a rollercoaster of shit-covered insanity, but this newsletter has been the most effective and pleasantly-scented cleaner I could have asked for. I'm so grateful to have this community to turn to in times of madness, joy, and utter terror. Thank you, all 💓

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Webworm: A pleasantly-scented cleaner (TM)

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I love you worms too. The only sanity in *this* [waves hands] ... I had to get off of Twitter ... because Elon. This place is my safe haven. Thanks David and to all of you.

I lost my Dad last week, so am really feeling his loss as everyone gets hyper-focused about family togetherness at this time of year. Community means something. Merry Christmas one and all.

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Katita, I am so, so sorry. My heart goes out to you. This Christmas is gonna hit different. I am in no place to give advice as I am yet to experience losing a parent, but all I can say I guess is lean and be kind to yourself. It's really nice to have you here, and I hope this place is a little escape when needed. Much aroha your way.

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Sorry you lost your Dad Katita, and at such a family focused time of year too, just to make it even harder for you. I lost my Dad a few years ago as well so l understand how you are feeling. Be kind to yourself and feel the grief when it comes, it's because you loved him that it hurts. Take one day at a time. X

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Sorry to hear that you lost your Dad. Losing a parent is so hard, my Dad passed away in 2020. I know the pain doesn't really ever go away, just maybe gets a little more manageable with time. Hang in there. Hope that you can get through the holidays ok.

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🫂💜 Condolences Katita - the inevitability of death in the human cycle doesn't make it any easier eh 🤷 It might not work for YOU, but what works for ME at times like this dealing with the person/people I have lost & won't be there for family gatherings or even private times (decorating the house or tree, wrapping presents, prepping food etc.) me & my close whanau deliberately talk about them, share photos and stories and memories, and make them part of the occasion. It is our way of moving from the tears towards the smiles when we remember them. The first year is hardest, but it is also when the memories are freshest. But however you cope.. 🫂❤️🩵

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