Open up google and type in the name you blog under - at what ranking does your blog rank in at?
Now, go back to google and type in a nickname that people use for you - at what ranking does your blog rank in at?
~time allowed for you to conduct experiment~
How did you go?
Here's the catch - my nickname is my blog name, so both come in at number 3. And what with technology going crazy (ie I have blog friends and RL friends on Facebook) there is more and more chance that one of my friends will adopt my stalky tendencies and google my nickname, only to find my blog ranked in behind two handbag sites. And I don't really know if I want that to happen in everythings current state.
To complicate the matter, my birthday is next week - meaning it's time to for me to slightly update that little blurb bit on the top left there (or on the actual site if you're a feeder convert) - so I figure 'What the hey, lets jus change the whole lot!'.
Here's where you come in, team.
Can you think of a blurb I could use that wouldn't turn me a deep scarlet with bellyflips if one of my RL friends/aquantainces/workmates stumbled upon it?
Perhaps you can think of some describing words I could use (my primary school teaching has failed me and I can't think of the proper term for those words)?
Perhaps I should delete all the blurb type stuff?
Can you think of any posts I've written that should be yanked down before I get any more discovered by those RL strangers?
Go nuts!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
The Empress has many shoes
There's going to be a house inspection next week so I decided it was probably time to go through and clean my room. Again. *sigh* To make it 'fun', I decided that at the end of it all I was going to sort through either my shoes or my memory box FOR A REASON TO BE UNVEILED PERHAPS IN THE NEXT POST.
I put out a mini vote and Jey decided shoes were the winner - so I now present to you all of my shoes.
L - R, Back then Front: Converse with fluffy pink detail that I love; Super duper running shoes bought for running club (that recommenced this week!); My all time favourite Puma runners that were bought a size too small that now fit; Nondescript cheapies bought for festivals that have zero support and when seen by a brothers friends gf she commented: I have those same shoes but they have zero support!; Jay Jays skull flats worn only occasionally; Nondescript cheapies that haven't ever been worn!
L - R, Back then Front: Hand-me-downs from my Aunt; worn once to my Year 12 formal; worn maybe three times after being bought for a 21st; Target wedges never worn; Old faithfuls worn for many years I bought for like my year 10 formal; Myer shoes on sale bought to look worky.
L - R, Back then Front: Red flats worn twice (once whilst meeting Adam and Rosanna in Melbourne!); Paul Frank thongs (hooray!); Funny heely shoes that I'm still unsure on how to wear; The thongs I bought to try and look sporty - they take like a month of painful wearing before they are semi-comfortable; The $23 shoes I bought in Brisbane before the last meetup that I wore for about 45 minutes total because they totally give me a foot wedgie; Old faithful bought at Sydney DFO at mumsy's insistence.
L - R, Back then Front: Imitation Humans bought on my first trip to Melbourne markets; Runners bought maybe ten years ago; Runners bought maybe five years ago (before the super duper running shoes); Mens Vans bought in Kyoto because they didn't have any ladies in my size; Shoes bought for my Pa's wake that were ruined on my most miserable day overseas when my feet were soaked and my shoes were ruined (binned after the photo was taken); Converse slides that I wear to hang out the washing.
L - R, Back then Front: Pink Haviana's never worn; Worlds comfiest brown and pink Roxy thongs worn out until the plug falls out (binned after the photo was taken); Paul Frank (thongs (hooray!); Carpeted thongs (a gift from The Hun's sister two years ago); Black Haviana's worn everywhere; Slides from the Dorm house we stayed at in Tsukuba - super comfy!
L - R, Back then Front: Old faithful Rocs worn a lot to work; $10 Myer flats that I love but am still wearing in (they give me bleeding blisters!); Black Myer wedges bought as a gift from Magf last birthday that I wore for two weeks before the base started peeling off and she couldn't find the receipt; Flats bought from Table Eight DFO that I haven't worn out of my room because they just don't stay on my feet; Lovely lady shoes bought from the cheap place near my work that I don't wear as much as I should because sometimes I fall out of them and feel foolish; Peeptoes bought on the shopping trip before Big Day Out this year that I've only just worn in.
L - R, Back then Front: Bronze point toes that I bought to go with my blue halter dress; Colorado wooden heels that I fell in love with and had to have that I am determined to wear more; $10 DFO shoes that I like but also sometimes fall out of; Shoes bought to go to the Hens Day at the races; Cheapies bought that were worn a lot at work until I slipped in the shopping centre and banged my knees right on the floor; Silver shoes bought for magf's wedding.
L - R, Back then Front: Ugg boots I got for the birthday before I became vegan; Ugly slides I bought on sale that a friend saw and asked me if I seriously bought them to wear (though they're comfy!); Ugly clogs I bought when I had money leftover on a voucher that I wore once to work but couldn't actually walk in them; Ugly high wedges bought for my 18th that I swapped with a friend once we hit the town because I couldn't walk in them; Singular Mary Jane croc that I love but can't find the buddy of (I think I left it at the Hydro Majestic!); Another pair of Japanese slides from the same dorm room!
L - R, Back then Front: Chunky ankle boots bought in year 12 to keep my feet warm; Cuter boots bought last year to keep my feet warm; Billabong thongs I forgot I had!
I guess I don't need to buy any new shoes after all...!
I put out a mini vote and Jey decided shoes were the winner - so I now present to you all of my shoes.
***WARNING: THE CONTENTS OF THIS POST MAY DISTURB SOME READERS***
L - R, Back then Front: Converse with fluffy pink detail that I love; Super duper running shoes bought for running club (that recommenced this week!); My all time favourite Puma runners that were bought a size too small that now fit; Nondescript cheapies bought for festivals that have zero support and when seen by a brothers friends gf she commented: I have those same shoes but they have zero support!; Jay Jays skull flats worn only occasionally; Nondescript cheapies that haven't ever been worn!
L - R, Back then Front: Hand-me-downs from my Aunt; worn once to my Year 12 formal; worn maybe three times after being bought for a 21st; Target wedges never worn; Old faithfuls worn for many years I bought for like my year 10 formal; Myer shoes on sale bought to look worky.
L - R, Back then Front: Red flats worn twice (once whilst meeting Adam and Rosanna in Melbourne!); Paul Frank thongs (hooray!); Funny heely shoes that I'm still unsure on how to wear; The thongs I bought to try and look sporty - they take like a month of painful wearing before they are semi-comfortable; The $23 shoes I bought in Brisbane before the last meetup that I wore for about 45 minutes total because they totally give me a foot wedgie; Old faithful bought at Sydney DFO at mumsy's insistence.
L - R, Back then Front: Imitation Humans bought on my first trip to Melbourne markets; Runners bought maybe ten years ago; Runners bought maybe five years ago (before the super duper running shoes); Mens Vans bought in Kyoto because they didn't have any ladies in my size; Shoes bought for my Pa's wake that were ruined on my most miserable day overseas when my feet were soaked and my shoes were ruined (binned after the photo was taken); Converse slides that I wear to hang out the washing.
L - R, Back then Front: Pink Haviana's never worn; Worlds comfiest brown and pink Roxy thongs worn out until the plug falls out (binned after the photo was taken); Paul Frank (thongs (hooray!); Carpeted thongs (a gift from The Hun's sister two years ago); Black Haviana's worn everywhere; Slides from the Dorm house we stayed at in Tsukuba - super comfy!
L - R, Back then Front: Old faithful Rocs worn a lot to work; $10 Myer flats that I love but am still wearing in (they give me bleeding blisters!); Black Myer wedges bought as a gift from Magf last birthday that I wore for two weeks before the base started peeling off and she couldn't find the receipt; Flats bought from Table Eight DFO that I haven't worn out of my room because they just don't stay on my feet; Lovely lady shoes bought from the cheap place near my work that I don't wear as much as I should because sometimes I fall out of them and feel foolish; Peeptoes bought on the shopping trip before Big Day Out this year that I've only just worn in.
L - R, Back then Front: Bronze point toes that I bought to go with my blue halter dress; Colorado wooden heels that I fell in love with and had to have that I am determined to wear more; $10 DFO shoes that I like but also sometimes fall out of; Shoes bought to go to the Hens Day at the races; Cheapies bought that were worn a lot at work until I slipped in the shopping centre and banged my knees right on the floor; Silver shoes bought for magf's wedding.
L - R, Back then Front: Ugg boots I got for the birthday before I became vegan; Ugly slides I bought on sale that a friend saw and asked me if I seriously bought them to wear (though they're comfy!); Ugly clogs I bought when I had money leftover on a voucher that I wore once to work but couldn't actually walk in them; Ugly high wedges bought for my 18th that I swapped with a friend once we hit the town because I couldn't walk in them; Singular Mary Jane croc that I love but can't find the buddy of (I think I left it at the Hydro Majestic!); Another pair of Japanese slides from the same dorm room!
L - R, Back then Front: Chunky ankle boots bought in year 12 to keep my feet warm; Cuter boots bought last year to keep my feet warm; Billabong thongs I forgot I had!
I guess I don't need to buy any new shoes after all...!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
We are not those people
Some other realisations were happening at the dinner last week - the ex was there.
I'd be lying if I said that five years later, I don't still get butterflies when I hear or see his name - but not in a good way. I don't know what it is, but it's not any form of 'I can't wait'... it's more of a 'I hope he doesn't show', 'I hope she doesn't show' and 'This is going to go terribly'.
Amazingly, surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
He was late, and arrived alone - she was interstate and wouldn't be back in town until the next day. He nodded when he came in and said hello to me and the ten or so others already at the table. This was a big deal in itself - I have seen him maybe five times in person since we stopped doing what we were doing: as a group at a camping trip where I found out for certain he was with his new gf, as a group after work before I visited my new boyfriend (the one between him and The Hun), at an engagement party where he acted like I didn't exist, at a wedding where he looked right through me, at a wedding where I must have been invisible and dinner last Friday.
Conversation at the table was fine - it wasn't forced, it wasn't overly compensating and it wasn't too probing. He needed a lift back to his car in Barton - he'd been out before and dropped off at dinner, and it's pretty typical of him to just get people to do things for him. I offered to drop him off, I had D with me, and it went fine too. Not too familiar, no digs, no overly awkward silence.
He got out of the car and D let out with a sigh "Now THAT was awkward".
I didn't think it was - in fact, I thought it was great.
It was great to see that he is exactly the same as he was. Drinking - even though he doesn't like wine. Reminiscing and playing the blame game - it was never his fault when something when wrong. Joking - all show and no substance or depth. Busy - home and free less than he ever was. It confirmed for me just how far I have come, just how good it all is, just how lucky I am.
I was speaking to the birthday boy this afternoon about some of his girl troubles, and the dinner came up. How it seemed fine to him and it seemed fine to me. About how a lot of my anxiety comes from not knowing how he is going to act. How I stress because not only was I mistreated at the end of the relationship, but that I am also then ignored like I've done something wrong. How after the dinner I'd be confident that next time I go to a group thing that I'd have nothing to worry about.
He told me what I already knew - that the ex keeps his feelings hidden deeply, preferring to hide behind a taunt or a tease than say what he is really feeling. The he told me what I didn't know - that the ex was cut up when The Hun and I got together, that he and his gf fight a lot, that he wears the pants but that she is super possessive and jealous.
It is so bizarre to start to see him as human again. To think back to the end of the relationship and think that maybe, just maybe, his intent was not just to hurt me, but he was trying to help me and couldn't bring himself to do what was hardest... It is something that has been on my mind a bit since my submission to WarChild (hint, much?).
The point I'm coming to is: where to from here?
As the birthday boy told me, I have nothing to lose from here. I have the courage to talk to him and I have the courage to accept that I'm not guaranteed a decent reaction, if one at all (our last email conversation ended after he told me the day after Tom died that we should have performed mouth to mouth on Tom and we didn't try hard enough). My only wish is that I can keep in touch with my friends and not have to worry about him turning up or being on the email list. For him to be part of the background at very least - not the elephant in the room.
I want him to know that last Friday was good for me. Not in a 'Ha ha, sucker' kind of way, but in a standard social way. Like I told the birthday boy "It's like training a dog - I want to reward his positive behavior".
Thoughts?
I'd be lying if I said that five years later, I don't still get butterflies when I hear or see his name - but not in a good way. I don't know what it is, but it's not any form of 'I can't wait'... it's more of a 'I hope he doesn't show', 'I hope she doesn't show' and 'This is going to go terribly'.
Amazingly, surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
He was late, and arrived alone - she was interstate and wouldn't be back in town until the next day. He nodded when he came in and said hello to me and the ten or so others already at the table. This was a big deal in itself - I have seen him maybe five times in person since we stopped doing what we were doing: as a group at a camping trip where I found out for certain he was with his new gf, as a group after work before I visited my new boyfriend (the one between him and The Hun), at an engagement party where he acted like I didn't exist, at a wedding where he looked right through me, at a wedding where I must have been invisible and dinner last Friday.
Conversation at the table was fine - it wasn't forced, it wasn't overly compensating and it wasn't too probing. He needed a lift back to his car in Barton - he'd been out before and dropped off at dinner, and it's pretty typical of him to just get people to do things for him. I offered to drop him off, I had D with me, and it went fine too. Not too familiar, no digs, no overly awkward silence.
He got out of the car and D let out with a sigh "Now THAT was awkward".
I didn't think it was - in fact, I thought it was great.
It was great to see that he is exactly the same as he was. Drinking - even though he doesn't like wine. Reminiscing and playing the blame game - it was never his fault when something when wrong. Joking - all show and no substance or depth. Busy - home and free less than he ever was. It confirmed for me just how far I have come, just how good it all is, just how lucky I am.
I was speaking to the birthday boy this afternoon about some of his girl troubles, and the dinner came up. How it seemed fine to him and it seemed fine to me. About how a lot of my anxiety comes from not knowing how he is going to act. How I stress because not only was I mistreated at the end of the relationship, but that I am also then ignored like I've done something wrong. How after the dinner I'd be confident that next time I go to a group thing that I'd have nothing to worry about.
He told me what I already knew - that the ex keeps his feelings hidden deeply, preferring to hide behind a taunt or a tease than say what he is really feeling. The he told me what I didn't know - that the ex was cut up when The Hun and I got together, that he and his gf fight a lot, that he wears the pants but that she is super possessive and jealous.
It is so bizarre to start to see him as human again. To think back to the end of the relationship and think that maybe, just maybe, his intent was not just to hurt me, but he was trying to help me and couldn't bring himself to do what was hardest... It is something that has been on my mind a bit since my submission to WarChild (hint, much?).
The point I'm coming to is: where to from here?
As the birthday boy told me, I have nothing to lose from here. I have the courage to talk to him and I have the courage to accept that I'm not guaranteed a decent reaction, if one at all (our last email conversation ended after he told me the day after Tom died that we should have performed mouth to mouth on Tom and we didn't try hard enough). My only wish is that I can keep in touch with my friends and not have to worry about him turning up or being on the email list. For him to be part of the background at very least - not the elephant in the room.
I want him to know that last Friday was good for me. Not in a 'Ha ha, sucker' kind of way, but in a standard social way. Like I told the birthday boy "It's like training a dog - I want to reward his positive behavior".
Thoughts?
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Dawsons Creek revisited
Just wow.
When Dawsons Creek first started airing on TV I got SERIOUSLY hooked - I had to watch it in my room by myself with the door locked. I needed to give it my full attention, I needed to be alone to cry it out, I needed the time to let it all settle in after the episode finished. And I know I'm not the only one who was like this (ladies, raise your hands). Somewhere along the line they changed the time it was on and I fell out of the loop...
Last week I got a message from my pregnant friend from high school - she wanted to catch up for lunch and told me she had something I could borrow. Initially worried it might be her first born (heh heh), I was a bit relieved that it was just Season 6 of Dawsons Creek.
A few things have changed since I last saw it...
So - admit it. Did you drown in Dawsons Creek years ago (or still now)? Is there another show you've been totally obsessed with?
When Dawsons Creek first started airing on TV I got SERIOUSLY hooked - I had to watch it in my room by myself with the door locked. I needed to give it my full attention, I needed to be alone to cry it out, I needed the time to let it all settle in after the episode finished. And I know I'm not the only one who was like this (ladies, raise your hands). Somewhere along the line they changed the time it was on and I fell out of the loop...
Last week I got a message from my pregnant friend from high school - she wanted to catch up for lunch and told me she had something I could borrow. Initially worried it might be her first born (heh heh), I was a bit relieved that it was just Season 6 of Dawsons Creek.
A few things have changed since I last saw it...
- Jenn is a lot nicer/cooler than I used to think;
- Joey's cute crooked half smile is not cute;
- Joey's annoying full toothed grin IS cute;
- For the budget they probably have they could have at least died over Joey's regrowth (though I feel better about mine!);
- Paceys ugly beard may be ugly, but it stops him looking 13... even though he is supposed to be 19 in the show... though he was probably 26 at the time it was filmed;
- Dawson looked the oldest, but I think he is near youngest?;
- Dawson's mum is a fox;
- Joey is a sl*t;
- Audrey was always annoying and her accent is not cute;
- They really could use a lot less words;
- The characters are all exagerated stereotypes - there is not one realistic character;
- It really is quite predictable - girl crushes on friend, they hook up, boy dumps her, she hooks up with random, boy gets jealous, boy and girl hook up again etc;
- They spend a lot of time talking in hypotheticals about having hypothetical discussions...
So - admit it. Did you drown in Dawsons Creek years ago (or still now)? Is there another show you've been totally obsessed with?
Sunday, March 09, 2008
We are those people
I picked up my friend D just after 6:30 on Friday night - we were headed to dinner to celebrate the birthday of another friend (all friends I picked up when in my previous longterm relationship that I still keep in touch with).
We arrived a little after 7, meeting up with one of D's exes who also penetrated the group to some degree, and took our seats at the table. A quick look around relaxed me to some degree - my ex had not yet arrived.
I was sitting two seats away from Mrs Batman - looking tired and desperate for another glass of soft drink to replace the one she had just finished. "You know I'm knocked up again, right?". Her bluntness, although a little disarming, was pretty indicative of the fact she was not yet at the glowing stage. As I congratulated her she explained that the child was due in October, that Mr Batman had told the majority of people at the table some of his friends after growing tired of their ribbing him for piking on a lot of events and spilled the beans he was caring for a pregnant wife, and that she hadn't yet told the other group of mutual friends that we share.
I looked across the table and saw one of our friends holding his 3 month old son - a gorgeous little boy, dressed tidily and alert, his almond eyes happy. I commented to D on just how cute the boy was, as Mr Batman walked past behind them, holding the hand of his 13 month son.
"D... we are those people. We are the table of people at the restaurant holding babies, drinking wine, splitting the bill evenly."
I think all people at our age are a-feeling it at the moment. I've been through these stages before - the 18ths, the 21sts, the graduations, the moving out, the engagements, the homeowners, the weddings and now the babies.
The babies.
One of my martial arts students fiancee's gave birth to their son almost a month ago. The Hun's best friends wife will be having their second in June. My pretty much best friend from High school is having her second son at the end of this month. The girl I was good friends with in school who totally transformed into a stranger is pregnant. Babies, babies, babies.
We went to a christening a few weeks ago, for yet another set of friends with yet another baby - a happy, boofy headed baby boy. "The Hun, when do I get to have one of my own?"
"What? By the time you're thirty, that's what you want."
"I want one now. Noooooooooow."
"Huh? You won't even hold a baby! What would you do with it?"
"Surely that comes with it? The hormones... it all works itself out. I can stay home and clean and try to promise myself to walk it an hour a day to shift the baby weight.... What if I hold one, how long?"
"How long...? Two years."
"Ok.... two years after I hold one I can have on my own...? That sounds about right... we can get married in a year and then three months later - IT'S ON."
"Whatever."
It's true. I don't like to hold them. They're small and their brains show through their sculls and they're likely to cry when the see I'm not their parent and then everyone will look at me and I will have no idea what to do. The one time I did hold a baby (that I can remember) I felt, smelt and heard the little guy crapping himself. It was not pleasant.
I mentioned this to magf the other week and she slyly organised the other martial arts student that has a child to bring his daughter to training.
So I did it.
They put the giant 9 month old into my arms and I held her chubby thighs while she looked around confused as my face contorted due to the shock of her dense weight and the unsettling feeling of massive amounts of gas vibrating through her nappy.
And now?
I reckon I could do it. It would be hard, I don't doubt it, but I reckon I could at least get used to holding it. Baby steps, people, baby steps.
We arrived a little after 7, meeting up with one of D's exes who also penetrated the group to some degree, and took our seats at the table. A quick look around relaxed me to some degree - my ex had not yet arrived.
I was sitting two seats away from Mrs Batman - looking tired and desperate for another glass of soft drink to replace the one she had just finished. "You know I'm knocked up again, right?". Her bluntness, although a little disarming, was pretty indicative of the fact she was not yet at the glowing stage. As I congratulated her she explained that the child was due in October, that Mr Batman had told the majority of people at the table some of his friends after growing tired of their ribbing him for piking on a lot of events and spilled the beans he was caring for a pregnant wife, and that she hadn't yet told the other group of mutual friends that we share.
I looked across the table and saw one of our friends holding his 3 month old son - a gorgeous little boy, dressed tidily and alert, his almond eyes happy. I commented to D on just how cute the boy was, as Mr Batman walked past behind them, holding the hand of his 13 month son.
"D... we are those people. We are the table of people at the restaurant holding babies, drinking wine, splitting the bill evenly."
I think all people at our age are a-feeling it at the moment. I've been through these stages before - the 18ths, the 21sts, the graduations, the moving out, the engagements, the homeowners, the weddings and now the babies.
The babies.
One of my martial arts students fiancee's gave birth to their son almost a month ago. The Hun's best friends wife will be having their second in June. My pretty much best friend from High school is having her second son at the end of this month. The girl I was good friends with in school who totally transformed into a stranger is pregnant. Babies, babies, babies.
We went to a christening a few weeks ago, for yet another set of friends with yet another baby - a happy, boofy headed baby boy. "The Hun, when do I get to have one of my own?"
"What? By the time you're thirty, that's what you want."
"I want one now. Noooooooooow."
"Huh? You won't even hold a baby! What would you do with it?"
"Surely that comes with it? The hormones... it all works itself out. I can stay home and clean and try to promise myself to walk it an hour a day to shift the baby weight.... What if I hold one, how long?"
"How long...? Two years."
"Ok.... two years after I hold one I can have on my own...? That sounds about right... we can get married in a year and then three months later - IT'S ON."
"Whatever."
It's true. I don't like to hold them. They're small and their brains show through their sculls and they're likely to cry when the see I'm not their parent and then everyone will look at me and I will have no idea what to do. The one time I did hold a baby (that I can remember) I felt, smelt and heard the little guy crapping himself. It was not pleasant.
I mentioned this to magf the other week and she slyly organised the other martial arts student that has a child to bring his daughter to training.
So I did it.
They put the giant 9 month old into my arms and I held her chubby thighs while she looked around confused as my face contorted due to the shock of her dense weight and the unsettling feeling of massive amounts of gas vibrating through her nappy.
And now?
I reckon I could do it. It would be hard, I don't doubt it, but I reckon I could at least get used to holding it. Baby steps, people, baby steps.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
FAME! I'm gonna live forever, etc
You totally know you've made it bigtime when two (TWO!) different bloggers email to tell you something they saw in the news made them think of you (ie, your awesomeness was being copied).
Check out these two stories and see if you can make the link....
Reckon I can get a commission?!
Check out these two stories and see if you can make the link....
*****HINT*****
Theirs:
Mine:
Theirs:
Mine:
Theirs:
Mine:
Reckon I can get a commission?!
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Work smirk
Living in Canberra gives you a pretty good opportunity to examine the differences between private and public servants.
Being a pube myself, I'm all for the Public Service. Whilst I can totally understand the arguments against it - people can easily get lost in the system, there is little competition, it's not what you know but who you know etc - I must say it's a pretty good deal for me.
I came into my job with no actual qualifications - I'd finished just over 2/3rds of an IT degree, had just spent the best part of 12 months waitressing under the bus interchange and they took a chance on a young one eager to learn. They've trained me up and encouraged me to be the exemplary employee I am today (if I don't say so myself) - I work hard for the wages I earn, I'm always polite and helpful and I always do my best. In return, I have leave for when I'm sick, when I need a break, when I've worked extra time or when I need to study (in the degree for which they are reimbursing the student fees). I have job security - I won't turn up and be told I'll be out of a job in six months time, I have a fairly decent PC and internet access, Stationary and an OHS friendly workspace and on the whole the people are great to work with.
The Hun was a pube for a short while, but his qualifications (double degree + honours) means he is best suited for a job in private enterprise. From what I understand, private enterprise can be fantastic for go-getters -people who are willing to go out on a limb, take on the hours, give it their all and then reap the rewards. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
The Hun has worked in the same position for almost three years now and has never had a payrise - basically, he is losing money by staying as everything has gone up in price since his commencement. He works long hours, he manages three other staff, he gives it his all and he has had to put up with some real wankers. Seriously.
Late last year, one of his three staff members left after realising he was working for dickence and could get closer to fair pay by applying for graduate work. This year, another of his staff members commenced a frantic dirvish of submitting resumes and writing applications. Last month, The Hun asked his immediate boss if he would be so kind to act as a reference for him in the future - causing the managers start a round of appraisals.
Long story short, The Hun's manager was quite shocked to realise that The Hun was actually being paid close to $10,000 less than he thought. That is, irregardless of the fact there has not been even one cent of a payrise over three years, he should have earnt an extra $30,000 in his time there. They asked him what salary he though he should be on, and he indicated he believed he should be being paid $20 - 25,000 more than what he was - the managers indicated they would get back to him.
Today The Hun received an email - that as a result of their discussions, they have decided to increase his salary by roughly $10,000, effective immediatlely, and that a review would be held prior to the next financial year.
That is, to reward The Hun for all his hard work - for his commitment, for the way in which he is basically keeping the company together - they have generously bumped his pay up to that which they thought they were already paying him.
My darling boy will hear from another company in the middle of this month, letting him know whether or not he has been succesful in his application.
Please keep him in mind when you're doing your happy thoughts? I'm tired of seeing him overworked, overstressed and underpaid (notjustbecauseoncehehasadecentjobwecanactuallycommencethewholehousesavingandweddingstuff- I'mnothatselfish!)
Being a pube myself, I'm all for the Public Service. Whilst I can totally understand the arguments against it - people can easily get lost in the system, there is little competition, it's not what you know but who you know etc - I must say it's a pretty good deal for me.
I came into my job with no actual qualifications - I'd finished just over 2/3rds of an IT degree, had just spent the best part of 12 months waitressing under the bus interchange and they took a chance on a young one eager to learn. They've trained me up and encouraged me to be the exemplary employee I am today (if I don't say so myself) - I work hard for the wages I earn, I'm always polite and helpful and I always do my best. In return, I have leave for when I'm sick, when I need a break, when I've worked extra time or when I need to study (in the degree for which they are reimbursing the student fees). I have job security - I won't turn up and be told I'll be out of a job in six months time, I have a fairly decent PC and internet access, Stationary and an OHS friendly workspace and on the whole the people are great to work with.
The Hun was a pube for a short while, but his qualifications (double degree + honours) means he is best suited for a job in private enterprise. From what I understand, private enterprise can be fantastic for go-getters -people who are willing to go out on a limb, take on the hours, give it their all and then reap the rewards. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
The Hun has worked in the same position for almost three years now and has never had a payrise - basically, he is losing money by staying as everything has gone up in price since his commencement. He works long hours, he manages three other staff, he gives it his all and he has had to put up with some real wankers. Seriously.
Late last year, one of his three staff members left after realising he was working for dickence and could get closer to fair pay by applying for graduate work. This year, another of his staff members commenced a frantic dirvish of submitting resumes and writing applications. Last month, The Hun asked his immediate boss if he would be so kind to act as a reference for him in the future - causing the managers start a round of appraisals.
Long story short, The Hun's manager was quite shocked to realise that The Hun was actually being paid close to $10,000 less than he thought. That is, irregardless of the fact there has not been even one cent of a payrise over three years, he should have earnt an extra $30,000 in his time there. They asked him what salary he though he should be on, and he indicated he believed he should be being paid $20 - 25,000 more than what he was - the managers indicated they would get back to him.
Today The Hun received an email - that as a result of their discussions, they have decided to increase his salary by roughly $10,000, effective immediatlely, and that a review would be held prior to the next financial year.
That is, to reward The Hun for all his hard work - for his commitment, for the way in which he is basically keeping the company together - they have generously bumped his pay up to that which they thought they were already paying him.
My darling boy will hear from another company in the middle of this month, letting him know whether or not he has been succesful in his application.
Please keep him in mind when you're doing your happy thoughts? I'm tired of seeing him overworked, overstressed and underpaid (notjustbecauseoncehehasadecentjobwecanactuallycommencethewholehousesavingandweddingstuff- I'mnothatselfish!)
Monday, March 03, 2008
Going viral
The evening of Sunday before last was spent at a lovely house in Maleny, the only 'bush' type place I have been that has made me think that yes, these people who live in 'the country' are really on to something - something that makes the 40 minute drive to civilisation worthwhile.
The way the blocks are set out up there is that they're joined by an irrigation channel - your own little stream that you could totally rock a rowboat on (though 'irrigation' makes me think 'sewage', so I'm not entirely sure of that). And as the night set in the conversation got rowdier, the skittles were fewer and the mozzies settled in on my ankle.
At 5am the next morning I woke myself up with the itching. The itching that turned to bleeding that was surprising but OH MY GOD it felt good to scratch that itch - and I had plenty of opportunity to scratch it as it was quite often itchy.
But.
Yesterday, I noticed more on my leg. And more on my toes - like I knew I had itchy toes, but didn't realise that it was all different toes and WHY they were itchy. And then one appeared in my palm while I was chasing The Hun around the bathroom, threatening to breathe on him. And at the same time another appeared on my rude finger (ah mah!) he thinks he spotted one on his own arm.
I had figured it was just mosquito bites, but I don't think they spread when you scratch them. Then I had figured it was bed bugs, but those newer ones appeared while I was on the couch.
Then I figured it was some other bug, but then the cream from the chemist made not one iota of difference (and The Hun has not actually got any).
Then I figured I had chickenpox, but I've already had them. That didn't stop me daydreaming of two weeks off work because I didn't feel any worse.
Or did I?
I didn't get to sleep until after 1am last night, the itching on my foot and the repetitive 'DO.NOT.ITCH. PLEASE.STAY.STILL. CONCENTRATE.ON.YOUR.BREATH' running through my head driving me crazy.
Then I was awake again at 4am for over an hour, the other foot itch driving me mental - my swishing my feet around on the sheets woke up The Hun who then asked in a small voice if I could please face the other way (I found out tonight he asked because I had night breath, not because he was afraid of getting sick!).
I popped into the doctor this morning who had a quick unconcerned look at only a few of the 26 spots I had found and told me it is probably just a viral thing, something that will get bad for three days but then be fine, come back if it's not better soonish, buy some antihistamines for the itch, please pay your fifty five dollars at the counter.
So, I went to the chemist bought some antishistimenes, rushed into work (close to 10am!), popped my pills, did my BAU work and left just after 12:30. Heed my call: two Phenergen WILL make you drowsy - when the chemist lady warned me that it might make me drowsy, so watch out with my driving, I gave her my knowing, itchy look - like all tablets have that warning, right?
Ugh.
I stumbled away from my desk, out the doors, concentrated on not giving into the drowsy heat inside my black car, walked from my front door to the bed losing pants and shirt on the way and practically passed out on my side for two hours (I'd set my alarm for uni in the afternoon).
I think the nap helped (drugs + 5 hours sleep does not equal productive) and I've had some more tonight and it DOES make the itch go away (at least until I accidentally rub a bump on something and realise how goooood tha feels!) - tomorrow I will beg The Hun for some pocket money to buy some anti-drowsy drugs until my pimple legs return to their sexy, pasty, dry state.
Do me a favour and scratch your legs for me?!
Edit#2 - Do you have any suggestions to stop the itch? I considered covering them in bandaids or putting them in icewater, but I don't have many bandaids and didn't want to wake up with frostbite (though d'jen has advised it just wouldn't happen).
The way the blocks are set out up there is that they're joined by an irrigation channel - your own little stream that you could totally rock a rowboat on (though 'irrigation' makes me think 'sewage', so I'm not entirely sure of that). And as the night set in the conversation got rowdier, the skittles were fewer and the mozzies settled in on my ankle.
At 5am the next morning I woke myself up with the itching. The itching that turned to bleeding that was surprising but OH MY GOD it felt good to scratch that itch - and I had plenty of opportunity to scratch it as it was quite often itchy.
But.
Yesterday, I noticed more on my leg. And more on my toes - like I knew I had itchy toes, but didn't realise that it was all different toes and WHY they were itchy. And then one appeared in my palm while I was chasing The Hun around the bathroom, threatening to breathe on him. And at the same time another appeared on my rude finger (ah mah!) he thinks he spotted one on his own arm.
I had figured it was just mosquito bites, but I don't think they spread when you scratch them. Then I had figured it was bed bugs, but those newer ones appeared while I was on the couch.
Then I figured it was some other bug, but then the cream from the chemist made not one iota of difference (and The Hun has not actually got any).
Then I figured I had chickenpox, but I've already had them. That didn't stop me daydreaming of two weeks off work because I didn't feel any worse.
Or did I?
I didn't get to sleep until after 1am last night, the itching on my foot and the repetitive 'DO.NOT.ITCH. PLEASE.STAY.STILL. CONCENTRATE.ON.YOUR.BREATH' running through my head driving me crazy.
Then I was awake again at 4am for over an hour, the other foot itch driving me mental - my swishing my feet around on the sheets woke up The Hun who then asked in a small voice if I could please face the other way (I found out tonight he asked because I had night breath, not because he was afraid of getting sick!).
I popped into the doctor this morning who had a quick unconcerned look at only a few of the 26 spots I had found and told me it is probably just a viral thing, something that will get bad for three days but then be fine, come back if it's not better soonish, buy some antihistamines for the itch, please pay your fifty five dollars at the counter.
Antihistamines for this:
Edit#1 - this is a VERY unflattering angle of my leg!
Edit#1 - this is a VERY unflattering angle of my leg!So, I went to the chemist bought some antishistimenes, rushed into work (close to 10am!), popped my pills, did my BAU work and left just after 12:30. Heed my call: two Phenergen WILL make you drowsy - when the chemist lady warned me that it might make me drowsy, so watch out with my driving, I gave her my knowing, itchy look - like all tablets have that warning, right?
Ugh.
I stumbled away from my desk, out the doors, concentrated on not giving into the drowsy heat inside my black car, walked from my front door to the bed losing pants and shirt on the way and practically passed out on my side for two hours (I'd set my alarm for uni in the afternoon).
I think the nap helped (drugs + 5 hours sleep does not equal productive) and I've had some more tonight and it DOES make the itch go away (at least until I accidentally rub a bump on something and realise how goooood tha feels!) - tomorrow I will beg The Hun for some pocket money to buy some anti-drowsy drugs until my pimple legs return to their sexy, pasty, dry state.
Do me a favour and scratch your legs for me?!
Edit#2 - Do you have any suggestions to stop the itch? I considered covering them in bandaids or putting them in icewater, but I don't have many bandaids and didn't want to wake up with frostbite (though d'jen has advised it just wouldn't happen).
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Of marriage and movies
You gotta love the way I make myself a little self promise to write better, then disappear for quite some time with only one of those annoying 'here's what I did' blurbs. Oh you don't? Sorry.
Thing is, my internal marriage-maniac is on a bit of a rampage again - and as much I would love to talk about it here, I just don't know that I can. I hope you understand? Everything is fine, don't get me wrong, but me ranting weddings and reasons and logistics and thoughts tends to just make things worse... when there is some clarity, I promise to share.
Instead, I'm going to play a game with you I found at The Bespectacled Brunette - I do hope you'll play along.
Here are the rules:
~Pick fifteen of your favourite movies.
~Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
~Post them here for everyone to guess.
~Strike it out when someone guesses correctly in the comments, and put who guessed it and the movie.
~NO Googling or using IMDb search functions.
1.Are those Dad's sunglasses? No one got it! It was The Darjeeling Limited!
2.Look, Philbin, I am a professional. I have been in this business a long time. Now if I don't want to do a show, it's not because I got stage fright. It's because some creature from beyond doesn't want me to do the show. Now gangway. No one got this one, but I'm a bit less suprised - it's Phantom Of The Paradise!
3. You know how many foods are shaped like dicks? The best kinds. Mick guessed right - it's Superbad! This movie was so hilarious, how can you not love it?!
4.You're wrong, Frank. I'm not a kid, I'm a man. I am gonna get you better, and then I'm gonna beat you to death! This one is Hot Rod! You MUST see this movie!!
5. Like I'd marry you! You'd be the meanest wife ever, okay? And I know that you weren't bored that day because there was a lot of stuff on TV, and then 'The Blair Witch Project' was coming on Starz and you were like 'I haven't seen this since it came out and if so we should watch it' and 'but oh, no, we should just make out instead la la la' Jac guessed it - Juno! I wanted to do the heartbreak bit but it just makes me too sad...!
6. You have no power over me. Clea guessed Labyrinth with the sexy David Bowie - I know you ALL agree!
7.These are my BREASTS. They're so BIG. I need a BRA to strap them and support because they're so HUGE they need to be hooked and strapped for support. My big boobs, this one is bigger than this one 'cause is the mommy and that's the baby. And this one is very nice to this one and they hold hands because they're FRIENDS! Sarah guessed this one right - Superstar! This is my cousin's favorite movie and I love it too.
8.I had a lovely evening. By the way, it says BALLS on your face. Mick got this one too - Garden State! I think this movie was the one to kick off my lady love of Ms Portman.
9.I like to look for things no one else catches. I hate the way drivers never look at the road in old movies. Lala picked Amelie and she's right! I would love to own this as part of my miniscule DVD collection.
10.But wouldn't it be great if number one this Christmas wasn't some smug teenager but an old ex-heroin addict searching for a comeback at any price? All those young popsters come Christmas Day, they'll be stretched out naked with a cute bird balancing on their balls and I'll be stuck in some dingy flat with me manager, Joe, ugliest man in the world, fucking miserable because our fucking gamble didn't pay off. So if you believe in Father Christmas, children, like your Uncle Billy does, buy my festering turd of a record. And particularly enjoy the incredible crassness of the moment when we try to squeeze an extra syllable into the fourth line. Jac guessed this one too - Love Actually! I thought this would be a pretty easy one - my favourite bit is with Keira Knightley and the signs *sob*
11.I've got so many hickies people will think I'm a leper. Nice work Amanda - it IS Grease! This was my first favourite movie.
12.I say hurl. If you blow chunks and she comes back, she's yours. But if you spew and she bolts, then it was never meant to be. Yay Lala - you guessed Wayne's World correctly! Unfortch, I didn't have room for quotes from both the original AND they sequel - they're both just as funny.
13.You ever get the feelin'... I don't know, er... when you're in town and someone looks at you all suspicious, like he knows? And then you go out on the pavement and everyone looks like they know too? Nice work, Linda! I love this movie... *sniffle*
14.So, this is my power... but what is my purpose? Pokemon: Mewto vs Mew! It made me cry...
15.Four minutes, forty-eight seconds. We're all dead. Burned to a crisp. Mick got it right - The Royal Tennebaums!
Thing is, my internal marriage-maniac is on a bit of a rampage again - and as much I would love to talk about it here, I just don't know that I can. I hope you understand? Everything is fine, don't get me wrong, but me ranting weddings and reasons and logistics and thoughts tends to just make things worse... when there is some clarity, I promise to share.
Instead, I'm going to play a game with you I found at The Bespectacled Brunette - I do hope you'll play along.
Here are the rules:
~Pick fifteen of your favourite movies.
~Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
~Post them here for everyone to guess.
~Strike it out when someone guesses correctly in the comments, and put who guessed it and the movie.
~NO Googling or using IMDb search functions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The six day weekend that was
Welcome back!
Thanks.
Can I hear all about your minibreak?
Sure you can!
Thursday morning youngest bro picked me up, took me back to my parents house to pick up my martial arts jacket he forgot to bring, drove me to pick up my student that was also attending (here on known as 'Student Y'),drove us halfway to the airport then back to Student Y's to pick up hiswallet that he forgot, then drove us to the airport to catch a flight to Brisbane. On the way we got a call from the student who used to train but now lives in Melbourne and was also coming (here on known as 'Student J')to say that his flight had been cancelled and that he would be arriving at 8pm, so was settling in for an afternoon of drinking alone in the airport (which in turn gave him the courage to chat up one of the attendents and get his sweet self onto the flight landing at 6pm).
Brisbane was lovely and warm, we picked up the car which had been (luckily) upgraded from a Getz to an Accent, took multiple wrong turns to get to our apartment (Charlotte Towers which were just lovely and highly recomended) and hit the shops for some general time killing and to pick up some boxes that we each needed for the retreat part of the weekend. THEN I HAD DINNER.
Dinner was fantastic - Jen picked me up from the front of my hotel just after 6 (luckily, as I was running late!) and took me to the Himalayan cafe where Jey was already waiting out the front. Jac arrived not long after and Deb was a bit later than that, but unfortunately Tokenwoman fell sick and was unable to attend, and Kate just plain old forgot! The food was great, Jen's supply of Moscato and another white were just the bee's bonnet and the badges were trendy to boot! I had a lovely meal, talked and sweated and gesticulated a bit too much and mostly behaved myself. After a farewell to Deb and a near swooping by a bat (ICKY!) we dropped an unwell Jey back at the train station and hit the casino - it is like a maze of pokies and bad carpet, but had spiffy toiletries dispensers, good wedges and frozen daiquiri's and a waiter who didn't seem to like being told to buy some Bepantham for his newly aquired forearm piercing (um, it IS for nappy rash - I'm an idiot!!)
Friday Students Y, J and I drove into Maroochydore and met up with one of the students from Darwin (here on known as 'Student K') who was staying with us, and we hit the shops for groceries and more time killing. After we settled back into the apartment I realised we needed more stuff for lunches for the weekend so I headed back over the road (anyone here know Big Top shopping centre? Weird) and then I got a call from my senior instructor telling me he was coming to visit our room - turns out he also brought two more senior instructors, so you can imagine what my anxiety levels were like as I led them up the lift to our sixth floor apartment (Waves in Maroochydore - also very highly recommended!!) - turns out he just wanted to give us some Mala beads he had bought for us, individualised to what he thought we would like. Special stuff! We headed into the hall and trained for an hour (zomg I was SO freakin sweaty!!) and picked up some curry and cruisers for dinner.
Saturday we were headed into the hall at 9am when it was already 31 degrees! The local students told us that they had hardly broken 30 all summer, so the peack of 43 degrees was not just exhausting for the interstate visitors... although he were only mostly sitting, listening and
taking notes, it was a very sweaty day for all. Sunday followed in a similar vein, but was not as hot and the day was not as long - and ended up at a house in beautiful Maleny where the temperature was a lot cooler and it was 10:30pm dark by 7:30!
I don't know how much of what I learnt on the weekend is for sharing - it was basically a Lama Je-Tsongkapa initiation, which you can read some more about here. To say that it was intersting is a massive understatement -it's taken the internal aspect of the martial arts training I do and
magnified it and built on it and explained it. It interests me in a way that I never felt with my Catholocism and makes me want to learn more about every aspect of it - to me, that is just amazing. It removes the negatives I see within the church (the discrimination and the fear mongering), leaving only the positives (the basic belief in human kindness) and expanding it more on a spiritual side, which is damn near perfect in my eyes. It gives you ways to better yourself, to benefit others, to benefit all living things. Time to stop gushing.
Monday we went to Australia Zoo which I don't recomend - it's $50 for an adult to get in, it's poorly signposted, it doesn't have much variety and they have really high staff turnover. They do, however, have a patting zoo where you can pat piglets, baby sheep, baby cows and baby goats - but I'm sure you can find somewhere to do that for a bit cheaper! We also hit up
the big pineapple which was pretty big I guess, and sold pineapple on a stick for $1 which was super tasty. Monday night we headed in to do some training at 4:30, then Student Y taught from 6 - 7pm and I taught from 7 -8pm. The training session with my senior instructor was fantastic (and it stopped before I felt the need to stop for water to stave off the fainting spells) and gave me some more direction on how I should donig my training and what I should be getting out of it - a good few days of clarification is just what I needed.
Tuesday was the long haul home - a mish mash of sitting around and playing internets in shopping centres and airports, trying to keep my head cool and playing that new Mind Building DS game (which is awesome! I lost 20 years after my first round of tests!).
Thanks.
You're welcome, speak again soon!
Thanks.
Can I hear all about your minibreak?
Sure you can!
Thursday morning youngest bro picked me up, took me back to my parents house to pick up my martial arts jacket he forgot to bring, drove me to pick up my student that was also attending (here on known as 'Student Y'),drove us halfway to the airport then back to Student Y's to pick up hiswallet that he forgot, then drove us to the airport to catch a flight to Brisbane. On the way we got a call from the student who used to train but now lives in Melbourne and was also coming (here on known as 'Student J')to say that his flight had been cancelled and that he would be arriving at 8pm, so was settling in for an afternoon of drinking alone in the airport (which in turn gave him the courage to chat up one of the attendents and get his sweet self onto the flight landing at 6pm).
Brisbane was lovely and warm, we picked up the car which had been (luckily) upgraded from a Getz to an Accent, took multiple wrong turns to get to our apartment (Charlotte Towers which were just lovely and highly recomended) and hit the shops for some general time killing and to pick up some boxes that we each needed for the retreat part of the weekend. THEN I HAD DINNER.
Dinner was fantastic - Jen picked me up from the front of my hotel just after 6 (luckily, as I was running late!) and took me to the Himalayan cafe where Jey was already waiting out the front. Jac arrived not long after and Deb was a bit later than that, but unfortunately Tokenwoman fell sick and was unable to attend, and Kate just plain old forgot! The food was great, Jen's supply of Moscato and another white were just the bee's bonnet and the badges were trendy to boot! I had a lovely meal, talked and sweated and gesticulated a bit too much and mostly behaved myself. After a farewell to Deb and a near swooping by a bat (ICKY!) we dropped an unwell Jey back at the train station and hit the casino - it is like a maze of pokies and bad carpet, but had spiffy toiletries dispensers, good wedges and frozen daiquiri's and a waiter who didn't seem to like being told to buy some Bepantham for his newly aquired forearm piercing (um, it IS for nappy rash - I'm an idiot!!)
Friday Students Y, J and I drove into Maroochydore and met up with one of the students from Darwin (here on known as 'Student K') who was staying with us, and we hit the shops for groceries and more time killing. After we settled back into the apartment I realised we needed more stuff for lunches for the weekend so I headed back over the road (anyone here know Big Top shopping centre? Weird) and then I got a call from my senior instructor telling me he was coming to visit our room - turns out he also brought two more senior instructors, so you can imagine what my anxiety levels were like as I led them up the lift to our sixth floor apartment (Waves in Maroochydore - also very highly recommended!!) - turns out he just wanted to give us some Mala beads he had bought for us, individualised to what he thought we would like. Special stuff! We headed into the hall and trained for an hour (zomg I was SO freakin sweaty!!) and picked up some curry and cruisers for dinner.
Saturday we were headed into the hall at 9am when it was already 31 degrees! The local students told us that they had hardly broken 30 all summer, so the peack of 43 degrees was not just exhausting for the interstate visitors... although he were only mostly sitting, listening and
taking notes, it was a very sweaty day for all. Sunday followed in a similar vein, but was not as hot and the day was not as long - and ended up at a house in beautiful Maleny where the temperature was a lot cooler and it was 10:30pm dark by 7:30!
I don't know how much of what I learnt on the weekend is for sharing - it was basically a Lama Je-Tsongkapa initiation, which you can read some more about here. To say that it was intersting is a massive understatement -it's taken the internal aspect of the martial arts training I do and
magnified it and built on it and explained it. It interests me in a way that I never felt with my Catholocism and makes me want to learn more about every aspect of it - to me, that is just amazing. It removes the negatives I see within the church (the discrimination and the fear mongering), leaving only the positives (the basic belief in human kindness) and expanding it more on a spiritual side, which is damn near perfect in my eyes. It gives you ways to better yourself, to benefit others, to benefit all living things. Time to stop gushing.
Monday we went to Australia Zoo which I don't recomend - it's $50 for an adult to get in, it's poorly signposted, it doesn't have much variety and they have really high staff turnover. They do, however, have a patting zoo where you can pat piglets, baby sheep, baby cows and baby goats - but I'm sure you can find somewhere to do that for a bit cheaper! We also hit up
the big pineapple which was pretty big I guess, and sold pineapple on a stick for $1 which was super tasty. Monday night we headed in to do some training at 4:30, then Student Y taught from 6 - 7pm and I taught from 7 -8pm. The training session with my senior instructor was fantastic (and it stopped before I felt the need to stop for water to stave off the fainting spells) and gave me some more direction on how I should donig my training and what I should be getting out of it - a good few days of clarification is just what I needed.
Tuesday was the long haul home - a mish mash of sitting around and playing internets in shopping centres and airports, trying to keep my head cool and playing that new Mind Building DS game (which is awesome! I lost 20 years after my first round of tests!).
Thanks.
You're welcome, speak again soon!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
I think this calls for an intro, two big dot points and a closing statement.
I couldn't pick just one topic, or more topics, so it will just be two today.
- I had my eye test today (I mentioned in this post that I was making an appointment) and it was a truly bizarre experience. I left work after a farewell lunch for a man who was going to give me a job in his team, but who left instead, and drove out to the Eye Hospital for a 2:45 appointment. I didn't get seen to until after 3pm, when a lovely lady asked me to read some letters off the chart and then put some drops in my eyes WITHOUT TELLING ME THEY WOULD STING. I went out and sat in the waiting room for another hour or so whilst my eyes started getting blurrier and blurrier and I could no longer read a magazine, focus on the pictures or play with my phone - I had no idea how much it must suck to need glasses because I just was not used to not being able to focus! The doctor (who was quite the Mr Attractive, if I don't say so myself) called me in, put my chin and forehead against the restraints and shined light into my eyes before announcing I had the healthiest eyes he'd seen all day, I had perfect 20/20 vision, and that the funny floaters in front of my eyes are actually migraines without headaches (as opposed to retinal tearing or similar). That was pretty good news (though I have no idea what kicked off the final 3 migraines I had in 5 weeks over Dec/Jan) though I felt queasy afterwards (and still do). Hooray for not having to have pointy things put into my eyes!
- Tomorrow I fly up to Brisbane for a dinner with Jen, TokenWoman, Deb, Jac, Jey and Kate - hooray for Nerdfests! Friday I drive up (down?!) to the sunshine coast for a fairly relaxed day, martial arts training that night and two days meditation teaching courtesy of my martial arts school affiliated Rinpoche. This is very exciting for me - I cannot wait to learn more about Buddhism, as well as catch up with students from around Australia. Unfortunately, it is also very stressful for me - there is a lot of protocol for martial arts AS WELL as additional protocol for Rinpoche AND we'll be sitting cross legged on the floor for seven hours both days. Sunday night we'll be hitting the town (which I don't believe will be party central), Monday I plan to bum around, Monday night I'll be training and then teaching, Tuesday I plan to bum around some more and then arrive back home after 9pm that night. Again - how exciting/stressful.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
(s)he was merely stupid
Perhaps the album title was more apt than initially realised - here are four events in my life, all occurring before 12pm in the last two days.
The bike: I decided to 'do the right thing' and ride my bike to work on Monday - I'd ridden once with a friend, and then again last Friday and decided it was time to make a proper go of it. This was a pretty big deal for me - I realised my main issue with riding to/from work was not the physical exertion, not the time it takes, not the fact I have to shower at work - it's that I don't like people looking at me. Granted, I don't know for sure that they're looking at me panting and puffing and sweating with my mouth open, but they totally could be. With this in mind, what could be the worst thing to happen? How about my chain getting stuck in the big cog thing right next to the busiest road, leaving me sitting on the ground next to a laid down bike, calling The Hun to please come rescue whilst fobbing off people offering assistance. After about 10 minutes sitting time, a lady mechanic from the bike shop near my work stopped, yanked out the knot, and told me to bring it in for a service; then The Hun arrived, told me he wouldn't take me home (with what was meant to be an inspiring "Don't give up" but was greeted with only the stinkeye) and I arrived at work more than half an hour than I planned (including riding time!).
The shoes: After swearing my way through the work shower (SO! MUCH! STUFF! SO! LITTLE! ROOM! SUCH SH!TTY! WATER! PRESSURE!) I got to my desk, announced I'd arrived and headed across the road to pick up a redeye to calm myself down. On the way back from the shop to the office, the toe-bit on my shoe snapped, meaning I crossed the road, entered the foyer, passed through the atrium and stomped back to my desk with one bare foot. 'Luckily' I still had a pair of shoes under my desk that I had previousy abandoned for giving me too many blisters, so I didn't have to wear runners all day.
The car: Seeing as the bike was in for a service, I decided to drive in early today to make up some flex time. I'd been at my desk about half an hour and was halfway through answering a query for my boss when the martial arts phone rang - there was a man asking if someone from our martial arts school drove a black Swift. It seems that some idiot (me) had dropped their car keys in the very public carpark - one click of the car alarm key identified my car for him, ready for the stealing. As he wrote his mobile number and "You dropped your keys" on a piece of cardboard for my windscreen, he noticed the martial arts websites plastered all over my car (my messiness has an advantage!), took it down, went to work, looked up the website and found the Canberra contact and gave me a call. How. lucky. is that.
The other shoes: Lunch time called and, car keys intact, I headed across the road for my rice paper rolls (Gods gift to vegan lunchies!) in my blister causing shoes. It was then I realised that not only did these shoes blister all ten of my toes simultaneously (amazing!), but they have a thin sole - I performed a spectacular ankle-rolling-tripping-running-slide with swearing at a minimum and my iPod volume at a near maximum.
Whilst I have viewed these past two days as pretty fricking close to terrible, mumsy has instead proclaimed that bad luck comes only in threes (she doesn't know about the stumble) and that these near misses mean that someone is looking out for me.
Here's hoping it doesn't happen again - I'm off to Queensland on Thursday (more on that tomorrow!).
The bike: I decided to 'do the right thing' and ride my bike to work on Monday - I'd ridden once with a friend, and then again last Friday and decided it was time to make a proper go of it. This was a pretty big deal for me - I realised my main issue with riding to/from work was not the physical exertion, not the time it takes, not the fact I have to shower at work - it's that I don't like people looking at me. Granted, I don't know for sure that they're looking at me panting and puffing and sweating with my mouth open, but they totally could be. With this in mind, what could be the worst thing to happen? How about my chain getting stuck in the big cog thing right next to the busiest road, leaving me sitting on the ground next to a laid down bike, calling The Hun to please come rescue whilst fobbing off people offering assistance. After about 10 minutes sitting time, a lady mechanic from the bike shop near my work stopped, yanked out the knot, and told me to bring it in for a service; then The Hun arrived, told me he wouldn't take me home (with what was meant to be an inspiring "Don't give up" but was greeted with only the stinkeye) and I arrived at work more than half an hour than I planned (including riding time!).
The shoes: After swearing my way through the work shower (SO! MUCH! STUFF! SO! LITTLE! ROOM! SUCH SH!TTY! WATER! PRESSURE!) I got to my desk, announced I'd arrived and headed across the road to pick up a redeye to calm myself down. On the way back from the shop to the office, the toe-bit on my shoe snapped, meaning I crossed the road, entered the foyer, passed through the atrium and stomped back to my desk with one bare foot. 'Luckily' I still had a pair of shoes under my desk that I had previousy abandoned for giving me too many blisters, so I didn't have to wear runners all day.
The car: Seeing as the bike was in for a service, I decided to drive in early today to make up some flex time. I'd been at my desk about half an hour and was halfway through answering a query for my boss when the martial arts phone rang - there was a man asking if someone from our martial arts school drove a black Swift. It seems that some idiot (me) had dropped their car keys in the very public carpark - one click of the car alarm key identified my car for him, ready for the stealing. As he wrote his mobile number and "You dropped your keys" on a piece of cardboard for my windscreen, he noticed the martial arts websites plastered all over my car (my messiness has an advantage!), took it down, went to work, looked up the website and found the Canberra contact and gave me a call. How. lucky. is that.
The other shoes: Lunch time called and, car keys intact, I headed across the road for my rice paper rolls (Gods gift to vegan lunchies!) in my blister causing shoes. It was then I realised that not only did these shoes blister all ten of my toes simultaneously (amazing!), but they have a thin sole - I performed a spectacular ankle-rolling-tripping-running-slide with swearing at a minimum and my iPod volume at a near maximum.
Whilst I have viewed these past two days as pretty fricking close to terrible, mumsy has instead proclaimed that bad luck comes only in threes (she doesn't know about the stumble) and that these near misses mean that someone is looking out for me.
Here's hoping it doesn't happen again - I'm off to Queensland on Thursday (more on that tomorrow!).
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Personal Cover Art - Apology, question, meme
Apologies for the little bit of quiet - I spent a fair bit of time on my submission for You're not the only one... and so in my head it kinda feels like I gave you guys a good bit of what little skills that I have! It's quite interesting to see the list of submitters here, and according to this post there has been over 60 submissions already (and they still want more!). Chances are that if you are reading this then you are a blogger, meaning you like to write at least a little bit, so you should send something in .
I have a question for you, brought about by the idea above. I'm considering giving my blog a run through, removing references that might offend people I know, and then linking my blog through my Facebook. Thoughts? I guess the main worry would be any implication it may have on my job, being a public servant and all. That and people treating me differently... BUT I would think a large part of that would be removed if I ensured I had not offended people. It helps that I don't want to be that negative.... anyways, any thoughts would be very much appreciated.
And now, a meme that I saw and fell in love with instantly! Rachel of ThatNight did this a while ago and it's been sitting in my feeder stars for a while, so here it is:
Here is mine, slapped together in Microsoft Paint:
What do you think? I'd buy it!
(Awesome photo from here)
I have a question for you, brought about by the idea above. I'm considering giving my blog a run through, removing references that might offend people I know, and then linking my blog through my Facebook. Thoughts? I guess the main worry would be any implication it may have on my job, being a public servant and all. That and people treating me differently... BUT I would think a large part of that would be removed if I ensured I had not offended people. It helps that I don't want to be that negative.... anyways, any thoughts would be very much appreciated.
And now, a meme that I saw and fell in love with instantly! Rachel of ThatNight did this a while ago and it's been sitting in my feeder stars for a while, so here it is:
The CD Cover Meme group has only three rules: (1) The first article title on this random wiki page is the name of your band, (2) the last four words of the very last quote on this random quote page is the title of your album, and (3) the third picture here, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
Here is mine, slapped together in Microsoft Paint:
What do you think? I'd buy it!
(Awesome photo from here)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
You're not the only one...
A little project is underway, courtesy of Peach, Sarah, Ariel, Ms Robinson, and Vi - as described by Sarah as follows:Peach has taken this thought a step further. She's recruited me, Ariel from From Fuck Up To Fab, Ms R from Woman of Experience and Vi from Village Secrets to put together a book for charity, written by bloggers. Here's where you come in: we would like you to submit (to bloggersforcharity@yahoo.co.uk) a written piece about something you've been through from any aspect of your life that you want to share. It can literally be about anything: your relationships, your past, a road not taken, being a parent, an illness, or your regrets, etc. We've called it You're Not The Only One to reflect the camaraderie of blogging.
Proceeds will go to War Child, and blatantly following in the same fashion as Shaggy Blog Stories, we will be publishing it through lulu.com. This is a no upfront fee Internet publishing site that will take $9.15 per book sold if we make it no longer than 200 pages. We're pricing the book at $17.50 so $8.37 will go to straight to the charity. Because the cost lulu.com takes increases according to how many pages we want published, we do have to stick to the 200 page limit so we can't guarantee you'll get your submission in for sure. The absolute maximum length for submission is 1500 words (but we’d rather not have too many at that length. In fact you may stand more chance if your piece is on the less wordy side).
We’re really excited about this and think, if we get the quality we know is out there, we stand a good chance of getting some great PR.
A small note, we'd prefer it if you submit stories you've not published outside the blogworld. A piece from your own site is great, but not from a previously published hard copy book—lulu or otherwise. That makes this exclusive.
To summarize:
- You must be a blogger with a live blog
- It must be about something you've been through, amusing or serious or any style you like.
- You can submit in your blogname and remain anonymous, or not, up to you.
- It can't be something previously published outside the blogworld, but anything from your blog, or something entirely new, is fine.
- Try to keep below 1500 words.
- You must pimp the book on your site and buy it if you make a submission to be in it!
- Please LINK BACK TO THIS POST to spread the word!
- DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 29th, 2008 for submissions.
- Send your submissions to me at bloggersforcharity@yahoo.co.uk
If it's hugely submitted to, we'll do another one later in the year... so get writing!
I have submitted a piece (whether it gets in there is another matter!) and I do encourage you to do the same - I'll be buying it it if I'm there to show some people, and I'll be buying it if I'm not so I can b!tch out the ones I think mine were better than ;o)
Get McCrackin'!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Pidgeoy pudgey little arms
I was walking back to the car on Sunday after doing the groceries, and saw a white pigeon with dirty brown spots on it's bottom half running across the road.
"Huh" I thought to myself, "where did his arms go?".
"Wait, what?" was my next thought, "pigeons don't have arms, stupid!"
"Oh yeah... but they look so funny without them." I had the mental image of his little arms pumping back and forth in contrast to his little legs.
"Um no they don't. They're birds."
And then I snapped out of it.
I have NO idea what caused that little mental episode but I did have an upset stomach about an hour later - that's gotta be related, right?
"Huh" I thought to myself, "where did his arms go?".
"Wait, what?" was my next thought, "pigeons don't have arms, stupid!"
"Oh yeah... but they look so funny without them." I had the mental image of his little arms pumping back and forth in contrast to his little legs.
"Um no they don't. They're birds."
And then I snapped out of it.
I have NO idea what caused that little mental episode but I did have an upset stomach about an hour later - that's gotta be related, right?
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Guilty Naughty Pleasure
Monday nights are Family Tea night at mumsy and dadsy's house - a tradition started when the four 'children' had started working in hospitality and it was a rare occassion that all six of us were together for a meal. Monday was picked as it was a quiet work night meant that those of us still training in martial arts training could get home from classin time for dinner. When The Hun and I moved into our little townhouse he scored himself an invite - being my defecto defacto meant he was now 'part of the family' and had to be there - and eldest bro's gf scored an invite at around the same time.
I love Family Tea night - to say it often descends into poor taste is a gross understatement - gross being the keyword. It's almost like having a cluster of us there causes us to exaggerate those traits that makes us so similar and so different, a parody of ourselves. A competition to play up on our 'unusual' sense of humour, our tendency to hold multiple conversations at once and those in-jokes that have been changed and diluted over 20 something years.
Last week I mentioned to my family that I'd bought some ear cleaning drops - I've noticed more often of late that I have to physically turn my ear to someone or something when there is a lot of background noise in order to hear clearly. I told them I'd also 'read on the internet' (code for blogs and podcasts) some stories about people who'd had issue from cleaning their ears with those ear cleaners that are not meant to be used for ears, so thought I should try some other method - in case I have actually been pushing years of wax down into that canal.
Youngest bro was the first to pipe up with just how much he loves cleaning his ears, followed quickly by middle bro and eldest bro.
Youngest bro cleans his out a few times a week, whilst eldest bro only does it on Sundays - a day he looks forward to precisely because he can jam that thing in his ear and wiggle it around. Middle bro started reminiscing about the days when dadsy would clean out our ears - we'd have to line up and he'd dig around in there - though I don't remember it being any kind of pleasurable... in fact, the only thing I remember is that there is a spot in my left ear that would cause me to cough when it got knocked by the ear cleaner.
Suprisingly, mumsy and dadsy looked on in horror, wondering where on earth our combined love for this act came from. The Hun and eldest bro's gf also did not understand - neither of them do it often enough for our liking.
I will admit that I absolutely love the feeling of cleaning my ears - I do it roughly twice a week, and The Hun can attest to the fact that I will stand in the middle of the loungeroom with a goofy smile on my face as I go to town on it. I don't know what it is precisely, because it is very rare that there is actually anything on the bud, but it's something that I could do for hours, or wish could go on for hours.
So how about you?
Do you indulge in this guilty naughty pleasure?
Do you have a different guilty naughty pleasure?
I love Family Tea night - to say it often descends into poor taste is a gross understatement - gross being the keyword. It's almost like having a cluster of us there causes us to exaggerate those traits that makes us so similar and so different, a parody of ourselves. A competition to play up on our 'unusual' sense of humour, our tendency to hold multiple conversations at once and those in-jokes that have been changed and diluted over 20 something years.
Last week I mentioned to my family that I'd bought some ear cleaning drops - I've noticed more often of late that I have to physically turn my ear to someone or something when there is a lot of background noise in order to hear clearly. I told them I'd also 'read on the internet' (code for blogs and podcasts) some stories about people who'd had issue from cleaning their ears with those ear cleaners that are not meant to be used for ears, so thought I should try some other method - in case I have actually been pushing years of wax down into that canal.
Youngest bro was the first to pipe up with just how much he loves cleaning his ears, followed quickly by middle bro and eldest bro.
Youngest bro cleans his out a few times a week, whilst eldest bro only does it on Sundays - a day he looks forward to precisely because he can jam that thing in his ear and wiggle it around. Middle bro started reminiscing about the days when dadsy would clean out our ears - we'd have to line up and he'd dig around in there - though I don't remember it being any kind of pleasurable... in fact, the only thing I remember is that there is a spot in my left ear that would cause me to cough when it got knocked by the ear cleaner.
Suprisingly, mumsy and dadsy looked on in horror, wondering where on earth our combined love for this act came from. The Hun and eldest bro's gf also did not understand - neither of them do it often enough for our liking.
I will admit that I absolutely love the feeling of cleaning my ears - I do it roughly twice a week, and The Hun can attest to the fact that I will stand in the middle of the loungeroom with a goofy smile on my face as I go to town on it. I don't know what it is precisely, because it is very rare that there is actually anything on the bud, but it's something that I could do for hours, or wish could go on for hours.
So how about you?
Do you indulge in this guilty naughty pleasure?
Do you have a different guilty naughty pleasure?
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Ultimate Wedding Shoes
No, I'm not delusionally planning a wedding when I'm not even engaged (wait? what? me? never!) but I do feel that you must be compelled to agree that these shoes would be the most beautiful shoes to wear on your wedding day*:
And then every day for the rest of your life, to justify the $348.94 price tag.
Get your hopes up? Swap that dollar sign for the pound sign.
Yeah, 348.94 pounds.
But aren't they lovely?!
*I predict comments from boys disagreeing with this statement.
And then every day for the rest of your life, to justify the $348.94 price tag.Get your hopes up? Swap that dollar sign for the pound sign.
Yeah, 348.94 pounds.
But aren't they lovely?!
*I predict comments from boys disagreeing with this statement.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
The Diet Adventures of an Amazing Girl
Some of you may be aware that Shauna (she of what's new pussycat? and The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl! fame) has just released a book, a collection of excerpts from her Dietgirl blog, detailing her 'journey' as she lost half her body weight. A subset of you may also be aware that I have both bought and finished the book (ah! the joys of Facebook!).
I do highly recommend it - an entertaining and interesting read - but then I could be considered a bit of a stalker... I noticed a blurb on her book in my Women's Health magazine and emailed her to see if she knew about it. She didn't. And she responded in such a lovely manner that when I got my Dymocks weekly newsletter and saw it recommended in there too, I forwarded it on to her and got another lovely response. So perhaps my buying it as soon as I was aware it was out (thanks Lala!) and reading it in a day could be a part Pavlovian response from her lovelinessthough she still won't add me on Facebook.
Anyways, the book goes into some detail about her eating habits, her highs and her lows, her methods and her thoughts. All the way through I would read it and recognise glimpses of myself (and just about every other woman I know, I imagine) although there was one part that struck me the most (I've edited bits out from the blog post and I don't know how it works now that she's published so Shauna? Please don't sue me!)
The nutritionally hollow meals (ha! like they can be called that when they are just a copious amount of a snack in addition to my actual meals) that seem like destiny.
The realisation that really a bag of misery chips does not taste that fantastic, I did not really enjoy it, I can't believe I demolished it.
The illness, the feeling like your organs have swollen, pressing against the barriers of your skin, all, ALL, due to the copious amounts of calories that have been forced in, past the point of comfort.
The seeing time alone as 'opportunities' to gorge myself.
The misguided belief that somehow that crap is not going to be there.
And that is key.
If there is something in the house that is 'bad'('GOOD') then I will eat it. I will spend all day thinking about it, thinking about when I can eat it, wondering if I can finish it before The Hun gets home, bringing with him the potential to have to share and not 'get to' eat the equivalent of 2 or 5 or 10 or twenty serves on my own. In my lazy pants. On the couch.
Shauna mentioned throughout her book some of the history and reasoning that may have contributed to the weight gain in the first place. In some ways, I think my MUST EAT THAT NOW instinct comes due to an my relationship with junk food when I was younger - we just did not have it in the house, or at school, or when we went out. Four children in less than five years on a somewhat limited budget left little room for treaties and sweeties and candies. So when we went to a party where these things were, we would gorge ourselves. Go nuts. Almost make ourselves sick.
Somewhere along the line, eldest bro found a way to overcome it - always the only one to have easter egg chocolate past mid afternoon on Easter Sunday. The only one to not go through some sort of weight blowout between 18 - 22. The only one that you can look at and descibe as 'slim' or 'fit' or 'healthy'.
I need to realise that a bag of chips will still be there tomorrow. Even if it is not that exact one, there will always be chips, there will always be Jam Fancies, there will always be mock prawn toast.
I need to remember the gross feeling of over indulgence. Seperate it from the glee of 'sneaking a naughty'. Remember why it is bad for me.
I need to realise I'm not missing out on anything by not gorging myself sick - I'm missing out on more by doing it.
*Don't get me wrong - it's not me every day, or even every week, but it is still me.
I do highly recommend it - an entertaining and interesting read - but then I could be considered a bit of a stalker... I noticed a blurb on her book in my Women's Health magazine and emailed her to see if she knew about it. She didn't. And she responded in such a lovely manner that when I got my Dymocks weekly newsletter and saw it recommended in there too, I forwarded it on to her and got another lovely response. So perhaps my buying it as soon as I was aware it was out (thanks Lala!) and reading it in a day could be a part Pavlovian response from her loveliness
Anyways, the book goes into some detail about her eating habits, her highs and her lows, her methods and her thoughts. All the way through I would read it and recognise glimpses of myself (and just about every other woman I know, I imagine) although there was one part that struck me the most (I've edited bits out from the blog post and I don't know how it works now that she's published so Shauna? Please don't sue me!)
About half an hour ago I was in Safeway and I spotted the 500ml tub of Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough icecream and I thought, wow, this is destiny baby, you were meant to be in my belly!This is me*.
And now I sit here peering into a more-than-half empty tub and wonderingwhat possessed me..... Somehow I forgot today that I never really enjoyed it that much. And it took me half a tub to remember!? I've absolutely demolished it....
I feel quite ill...
I'm off to his place tonight and volunteered to cook coz he's in the recording studio today with his wee band. So that's how I ended up in Safeway oggling the ice cream. I got us some noodles and stir fry vegies,and fruit for dessert. But here's the Old Dietgirl that still lurks within me -- I actually thought to myself, "My sister is at work, I have a few hours alone. I could scoff that ice cream, noone will ever know, and The Boy will think I'm a legend for whipping up this healthy dinner!"
Oh how clever and crafty am I for concocting such a secret plan?! Not freaking clever at all, seeing now I feel like a whale and will no doubt be trying to surpress my gurgling stomach all night. How sexy.
I wish I could get over this whole, "Quick! Eat! While No One's Looking!" mentality. There is always going to be plenty of shitty food for me to eat, I don't need to scarf it down in secret. It's always going to be there, it's always going to be rubbish, so I am not going to miss out on wild pleasure and gratification if I leave it the f*ck alone. And people will find out soon enough, when my gut and arse come spilling over the barrier of my pants. Will I ever learn!?
The nutritionally hollow meals (ha! like they can be called that when they are just a copious amount of a snack in addition to my actual meals) that seem like destiny.
The realisation that really a bag of misery chips does not taste that fantastic, I did not really enjoy it, I can't believe I demolished it.
The illness, the feeling like your organs have swollen, pressing against the barriers of your skin, all, ALL, due to the copious amounts of calories that have been forced in, past the point of comfort.
The seeing time alone as 'opportunities' to gorge myself.
The misguided belief that somehow that crap is not going to be there.
And that is key.
If there is something in the house that is 'bad'('GOOD') then I will eat it. I will spend all day thinking about it, thinking about when I can eat it, wondering if I can finish it before The Hun gets home, bringing with him the potential to have to share and not 'get to' eat the equivalent of 2 or 5 or 10 or twenty serves on my own. In my lazy pants. On the couch.
Shauna mentioned throughout her book some of the history and reasoning that may have contributed to the weight gain in the first place. In some ways, I think my MUST EAT THAT NOW instinct comes due to an my relationship with junk food when I was younger - we just did not have it in the house, or at school, or when we went out. Four children in less than five years on a somewhat limited budget left little room for treaties and sweeties and candies. So when we went to a party where these things were, we would gorge ourselves. Go nuts. Almost make ourselves sick.
Somewhere along the line, eldest bro found a way to overcome it - always the only one to have easter egg chocolate past mid afternoon on Easter Sunday. The only one to not go through some sort of weight blowout between 18 - 22. The only one that you can look at and descibe as 'slim' or 'fit' or 'healthy'.
I need to realise that a bag of chips will still be there tomorrow. Even if it is not that exact one, there will always be chips, there will always be Jam Fancies, there will always be mock prawn toast.
I need to remember the gross feeling of over indulgence. Seperate it from the glee of 'sneaking a naughty'. Remember why it is bad for me.
I need to realise I'm not missing out on anything by not gorging myself sick - I'm missing out on more by doing it.
*Don't get me wrong - it's not me every day, or even every week, but it is still me.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Pending
Rather than whinging about my indigestion, complaining I'm too old to go out dancing, bemoaning the quesiness and headache I earnt myself after only six drinks (!) or detailing the manner in which I managed to put on 1.5 kg in 24 hours.
Check out the post below in the meantimes!
Check out the post below in the meantimes!
Friday, February 01, 2008
Memememories
One of my favourite bloggers, Sarah, has tagged me - timely enough it's a Friday night and I need something to do to stop The Hun nagging for a head scratch, so here we go!
Archive Meme Instructions: Go back through your archives and post the links to your five favorite blog posts that you’ve written... but there is a catch:
Link 1 must be about family.
Link 2 must be about friends.
Link 3 must be about yourself, who you are, what you’re all about.
Link 4 must be about something you love.
Link 5 can be anything you choose.
I think this is a great way to circulate some of the great older posts everyone had written, return to a few great places in our memories and also learn a little something about ourselves and each other that we may not know. Post your five links and then tag five other people. At least TWO of the people you tag must be newer acquaintances so that you get to know each other better...and don’t forget to read the archive posts and leave comments!
Link one: Family
My Pa's car - one of my favourite posts and one that I composed in my head whilst following an old Kingswood on the way home after work one day. I remember visiting my Pa when I was younger, usually with all my brothers and both my parents, so it was always a family event - it wasn't until I was older and I started visiting my Pa to actually visit him that I understood that my Pa was family too.
Link two: Friends
Chemo Limo, F*ck Summer, JCM 23/04/82 - 13/13/07 - I don't have one best friend, but a group of good friends that circle out. Last year I lost a friend I went to Primary School, High School, College and Uni with - whilst we hadn't always been close, we had been friends and always had fun together. His passing has touched me in many ways...
Link three: Me
100 things about me - I don't think that it's cheating to reference a meme in a meme? But I do believe it's a pretty good summary of me and I love knowing what people think ofme it.
Link four: Love
525,600 minutes - I tend to gush about The Hun fairly often, but skimming my archives has made me realise how much of my whinging about him has been published on this thing - I dread to think what people think of him! It's basically the back story of The Hun and I - our four year anniversary is the night I'm having dinner with the Queensland blogger team of awesome!
Link five: Choice
Holiday Wrapup is, surprising, a fairly comprehensive wrapup of mine and The Huns first (and only) overseas holiday. Trip down Mugga Lane tells the story of picking up Max from the pound, and but sadly the story ends in these two posts and update, update II and Rest in Peace, Max. Not sad enough? I've also lost Tom the dog whilst blogging. Some that I think are worth a read are my 500th post, why I am vegan and my flower day story... unless some readers have posts they'd like to recommend (I'd be curious to know what people would recommend!)
My turn to tag?
Non-blondie, Lulu, Lala, Amanda and (like Sarah) anyone else who wants to!
Archive Meme Instructions: Go back through your archives and post the links to your five favorite blog posts that you’ve written... but there is a catch:
Link 1 must be about family.
Link 2 must be about friends.
Link 3 must be about yourself, who you are, what you’re all about.
Link 4 must be about something you love.
Link 5 can be anything you choose.
I think this is a great way to circulate some of the great older posts everyone had written, return to a few great places in our memories and also learn a little something about ourselves and each other that we may not know. Post your five links and then tag five other people. At least TWO of the people you tag must be newer acquaintances so that you get to know each other better...and don’t forget to read the archive posts and leave comments!
Link one: Family
My Pa's car - one of my favourite posts and one that I composed in my head whilst following an old Kingswood on the way home after work one day. I remember visiting my Pa when I was younger, usually with all my brothers and both my parents, so it was always a family event - it wasn't until I was older and I started visiting my Pa to actually visit him that I understood that my Pa was family too.
Link two: Friends
Chemo Limo, F*ck Summer, JCM 23/04/82 - 13/13/07 - I don't have one best friend, but a group of good friends that circle out. Last year I lost a friend I went to Primary School, High School, College and Uni with - whilst we hadn't always been close, we had been friends and always had fun together. His passing has touched me in many ways...
Link three: Me
100 things about me - I don't think that it's cheating to reference a meme in a meme? But I do believe it's a pretty good summary of me and I love knowing what people think of
Link four: Love
525,600 minutes - I tend to gush about The Hun fairly often, but skimming my archives has made me realise how much of my whinging about him has been published on this thing - I dread to think what people think of him! It's basically the back story of The Hun and I - our four year anniversary is the night I'm having dinner with the Queensland blogger team of awesome!
Link five: Choice
Holiday Wrapup is, surprising, a fairly comprehensive wrapup of mine and The Huns first (and only) overseas holiday. Trip down Mugga Lane tells the story of picking up Max from the pound, and but sadly the story ends in these two posts and update, update II and Rest in Peace, Max. Not sad enough? I've also lost Tom the dog whilst blogging. Some that I think are worth a read are my 500th post, why I am vegan and my flower day story... unless some readers have posts they'd like to recommend (I'd be curious to know what people would recommend!)
My turn to tag?
Non-blondie, Lulu, Lala, Amanda and (like Sarah) anyone else who wants to!
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