One Heartbeat or Two?

A quick note before I head out.

Morning all, this is just a quick note from me this morning: I’m off for a scan shortly. I’m sure you know the drill, especially if you’re a mum: a squeeze of surprisingly cold gel straight on your front, which the radiologist then uses the ultrasound machine to try and push through to your back via your middle.

Of course, you’re hoping that they find things healthy and that there is one heartbeat and not multiple ones. In my case, I’m especially hoping there is just one. It would be very concerning if there were more.

This isn’t to say that the grinning operator, as they try to grind your internal organs with their handheld scanner, won’t make a joke along those lines. You know the sort of thing, “No baby in here, Mr Rockel, I think you just drink too much booze.” To which you might reply through gritted teeth, as the technician checks your kidneys for sensitivity, “No more booze. Can you just let me know if I’m still alive?”

Ah, the joys of elevated risks and the need for more frequent tests than would normally be the case. Not just scans, although I’ve had a bunch of those. Including entering the Giant Donut - thank you to my friend Juliet for that description.

Not my friend Juliet. Image: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/

Usually, it’s blood tests. I don’t mind those, and the people at my local Lab tests are lovely. They are always friendly and caring, as I find folks throughout our health system.

I figured I’d send a note saying that and a wee update. As paying subscribers, you guys are essentially the shareholders of this enterprise, Nick’s Kōrero. I’m afraid to say last month wasn’t flash; in fact, September 2024 has been my worst month to date in terms of subscribers, with quite a few departures and not so many new arrivals. It has felt like one step forward and two steps backwards.

Actually, what it has felt like, and in essence is, has been a pay cut, which doesn’t feel great in terms of recognition for hard work. I’m not asking for violins, put those away, especially the really small ones that look like they could be the smallest in the world. But you know it’s not a good feeling, although I try not to take it too personally.

The reality is that times are tough, with job losses and uncertainty. I do get it, and I see it coming through in the messages as people opt not to renew subscriptions. “I apologise, but times are so tight these days...”, “Struggling at the mo”, “Hard times right now.”

I do take some responsibility; I did lose some subscribers over that stupid headline about Israel Lives. Then I managed to lose one the following week for being too critical of Israel - it’s tough to win that one. No kidding!

Anyway, if you are able to help, now would be a good time. So, how can you help?

If you’re already a paying subscriber and you’re happy to pay a bit more, you could upgrade to a patron-level account for an extra $35 a year or as much as you want. $120 is just the minimum. You can check your subscription details and change your subscription type here if you’re keen to help.

#UPDATE Note the instructions above have now been updated. Please be aware that where I had assumed that when upgrading an account the difference would be charged it appears a full year may be charged, less whatever remaining subscription you have.

I tried this out myself just now, upgrading my sub to David Slack’s fine newsletter and can confirm I was charged for the full year minus about a month worth as my sub wasn’t due until next month.

So just to confirm you won’t end up with two accounts, unless you set up a separate one with a different email address, you won’t retrospectively pay at the higher rate, but Substack does charge for the year up front, discounted as I say for what you’ve already paid for. My sincerest apologies for any confusion or inconvenience caused. On the bright side those folks are now all fully paid up until October 2025.

If you haven’t yet subscribed but have been thinking about it for a while now, this would be the perfect time. I’ve kept the price of Nick’s Kōrero the same since I began; that is, $8 per month or $85 for a year. Quite a lot of subscribers have suggested I put the price up to reflect inflation over that time, and in the new year, I will raise prices. It won’t be more than $1-2 per month, but $8 isn’t what it used to be.

So, if you go ahead and subscribe for the next year, you can lock the current price in for the next year.

Plus, of course, you’ll be funding this informative and entertaining newsletter, enjoying around 6 editions per week straight to your inbox, and taking part in the discussions and just the general feel-good factor of helping someone out. Me, that is, this newsletter means a lot to me, and if you enjoy it, and can afford to, then please do subscribe:

Right I’ve got to shoot off, heading for Henderson - and that splurt of lubricant, can’t wait! I hope you all have a most wonderful day, and I’ll be back tomorrow with a bumper breakdown of the week.

It's time for a song. Watermelon Man from Herbie Hancock. Some funk to start the day.