Di Jones's Blog

Pass the Popcorn – A Review of 1pm Daily Updates, New Zealand’s Covid-19 Daily Briefing

There’s been plenty of time for TV watching in 2020, and as a practiced couch potato and author, I’ve been happy for the opportunity to combine my two favorite pursuits by writing this review of my favorite show, the 1pm Daily Update on TV One. Disappointed as I was by the cancellation of Matt Le Blanc in Episodes by the same station, I still had the 1 pm Daily Update to look forward to each afternoon. Starring Jacinda Ardern and Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, the first series came to a satisfying end e...

Happy Thanksgiving

I spent my formative years in North America, so our family always celebrated Thanksgiving in my early years. Here in New Zealand, it’s not a holiday, but I never forget what a special day it is. I always make sure to count my blessings and feel grateful for the life I have. This year one of the blessings is that my first Great Dane, Dolce, turns 9 on Thanksgiving, and that’s a ripe old age for one of these huge dogs. Dolce has not only been my loyal friend and companion, but she’s been the in...

LA Lights Box Set Volume 2 Giveaway

My latest installment in the LA Lights series, Stealing the Show, is due to be released at the end of this week. To celebrate, I’m giving away 20 advance readers copies of the LA Lights Box Set, Volume 2. To win one, enter below.

Terms and Conditions:
20 winners will receive an advance reader copy of the LA Lights Series Box Set Volume 2.

Winners will be picked at random by Rafflecopter and announced within 24 hours of the giveaway’s closing date. If a winner does not respond within 24 hours...

If This Hotel’s Five Star, I’m Paris Hilton

Have you ever overheard a snatch of conversation, only to realise its significance later? It happened to me just yesterday, as my friend and I were booking into a hotel in a charming town on Lake Como. It’s not far from George Clooney’s summer villa, but that’s the subject of another story altogether.

As we walked through the bustling lobby, a woman said to her husband in a deep English country burr, “…Faulty Towers…” I thought they were talking about the TV series, starring the inimitable Jo...

It’s So Last Year!

3 January 2015

I can’t believe how fast 2014 went. It flew by so fast I’m now writing the New Year’s post I planned to write at the end of 2013. Without further ado, here are my highlights and lowlights of 2014.

Things I loved about 2014:

1. The year of the cat. This year I surprised myself by deciding to get a cat. I’ve always been a dog person – never really liked cats – and when I brought a kitten home I remembered all the things I didn’t like about cats. The way they scratch furniture for ex...

The Twelve Days Pre Christmas

24 December 2014

It’s Christmas Eve, and I’m spending it with family. Everything’s done – food is ready, presents are wrapped and under the tree, and I have a gin and tonic in hand. Only one thing I’ve forgotten – to send those pesky Christmas cards.

I thought I was organized this year. After all, I gave up my full-time job back in July, so it’s not as if I haven’t had plenty of time to organize things. But the months have slid away – pleasantly and fast – and all of a sudden it’s December and...

I’ve Finished My Novel…Now For The Housework

24 November 2014

November’s been an unusual month. For the first time in a year, I haven’t made my bed, vacuumed my floors or dusted my furniture. In fact, I haven’t done any housework at all. I haven’t walked the dogs, called my friends, returned messages, and I’ve hardly left the house.

I’ve eaten, but it hasn’t been a healthy diet. I’ve survived on sandwiches, chocolate bars and energy drinks. I’ve stayed up late – way, way too late, living in a world inhabited by personalities of my own mak...

The Laughter Dies – A Tribute To Joan Rivers

5 September 2014

In 2013, the acid-tongued comedienne Joan Rivers pledged to work “forever”. Her promise was to come sadly true – this morning the world woke up to the news Rivers had died, just a week after being admitted to hospital for routine throat surgery. Her death, just a few weeks after Robin Williams, comes as a sad blow for the world of comedy, and brings a sense of nostalgia to those who grew up with her on the telly.

At age 81, Rivers was still shocking the world with her no-holds...

It’s nearly May. How are those New Year’s resolutions working for you?

30 April 2014

If you’re like me, since Christmas you will have lost those unwanted pounds, gotten fit, given up smoking, got your finances into some sort of order, found a new hobby (if you’re bored), found a partner (if you’re single) and generally improved your life in all the ways we promise ourselves we will at the end of a year.

Yeah, right.

What is it about New Year’s that makes us take stock, find we’re wanting, and resolve to change the habits of a lifetime within the space of 365 days?...

An Open Letter to Secret Santa from Dolce Dane (it’s all your fault…)

23rd December 2013

Monday was the most exciting day of the year, and even though Di tells me Christmas Day will be just as exciting, I doubt it. I know Christmas Day is the day for giving presents, but the fact is, I already know what I’m getting. Despite Di’s efforts, I’ve already seen the new red collar, the large bag of beef jerky treats and the large bone-like toy thing that Di’s got me. For some strange reason humans seem to think dogs are dumb and blind, but I’m smarter than your average...