My brother John is Logistics manager for a fairly large company in Australia. He's on 8 weeks leave to play bass for an industrial/goth/punk band travelling around south america, the usa and europe!
He living the rockstar life, wine women and rock and roll ... and loving it!
Their website is www.myspace.com/volkmarsins
and some really poor quality video footage of one of their south american concerts is below. John is the guy on the right hand side of the stage bobbing around. Id recognise his bassplaying style anywhere!
Theyre playing support for Nine inch Nails in the US. Im so proud!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Career moves
From the ages of 6 to about 10 I had one career and one career only that I wanted to do.
I was going to be a solid gold dancer and nothing could stop me.
I wonder where that grand plan went!!
I would have been great.....
I was going to be a solid gold dancer and nothing could stop me.
I wonder where that grand plan went!!
I would have been great.....
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Recipe (What we're having for dinner tonight!)
Lamb Shanks
Take one or two lamb or hogget shanks per person. Trim off all the fat and sinewy bits you can. sprinkle with salt and pepper. Brown quickly in a frying pan if you can be bothered.
Preheat the over to about 190 degrees C
For Four shanks,
Chop up into dice two medium sized onions and two or three carrots (depending on size) and place them in a large roasting dish along with four or five cloves of garlic. You can also put a couple of chopped sticks of celery if you like it, but I dont. Put two or three sprigs of rosemary in with the veges.
Place the shanks on top of the mixed veges.
Add a carton of readymade stock (I use beef but it doesnt matter much) and some water to cover about 2/3 of the shanks. If you dont have a carton of stock you can use stock cubes and some water, And if you havn't got stock cubes, just use water.
Add a good slosh of red wine and a bit more salt and pepper.
Put the dish in the oven and ignore it for about an hour, then turn take it out and turn the shanks over.
Put it back in the oven, and ignore for another hour and a half.
When its cooked, the meat will be coming away from the bones and be soft & yummy.
Take the shanks out of the dish, and using a potato masher or a blender, puree the vege/stock mixture to make a sauce. Sometimes it needs to be thickened with cornflour, sometimes its thick enough as is. Taste and season as necessary.
Serve the shanks with lots of mashed potato and the sauce on top of everything. Oh, and some steamed broccoli is good to have with this.
Mmmmmmmmmm
(A variation on this is to add some cubes of Kumara to the dish halfway through cooking, and not puree the sauce at the end.)
And again, Mmmmmmmm.
Take one or two lamb or hogget shanks per person. Trim off all the fat and sinewy bits you can. sprinkle with salt and pepper. Brown quickly in a frying pan if you can be bothered.
Preheat the over to about 190 degrees C
For Four shanks,
Chop up into dice two medium sized onions and two or three carrots (depending on size) and place them in a large roasting dish along with four or five cloves of garlic. You can also put a couple of chopped sticks of celery if you like it, but I dont. Put two or three sprigs of rosemary in with the veges.
Place the shanks on top of the mixed veges.
Add a carton of readymade stock (I use beef but it doesnt matter much) and some water to cover about 2/3 of the shanks. If you dont have a carton of stock you can use stock cubes and some water, And if you havn't got stock cubes, just use water.
Add a good slosh of red wine and a bit more salt and pepper.
Put the dish in the oven and ignore it for about an hour, then turn take it out and turn the shanks over.
Put it back in the oven, and ignore for another hour and a half.
When its cooked, the meat will be coming away from the bones and be soft & yummy.
Take the shanks out of the dish, and using a potato masher or a blender, puree the vege/stock mixture to make a sauce. Sometimes it needs to be thickened with cornflour, sometimes its thick enough as is. Taste and season as necessary.
Serve the shanks with lots of mashed potato and the sauce on top of everything. Oh, and some steamed broccoli is good to have with this.
Mmmmmmmmmm
(A variation on this is to add some cubes of Kumara to the dish halfway through cooking, and not puree the sauce at the end.)
And again, Mmmmmmmm.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Oh So Procrastinatey
Its been longer than a couple of months since I last made a post here.
Not because nothings been happening - but because I am easily distracted.
Ive visited Auckland and Tauranga and Hamilton, and spent a delightful (and incredibly drunken) weekend with as many of my friends and family as possible.
We flew to Auckland on Friday afternoon, then I borrowed Dads car and drove to Hamilton. The Friday night entailed drinking beer and playing poker, 500 and Monopoly with Sara and her boyf and his mates. It was fantastic! Ive never had more fun on a night in. Got to sleep around 4am, and up again at about 9.30. Sara gave me a pair of socks - theyre pink and angora and warm. MMMmmmm . Theres nothing so good as a new pair of socks. We share the belief that you should never have to buy your own socks. Someone should always give them to you as presents. It ought to be a rule.
Saturday involved a drive to Tauranga to visit my friend Karen and her gorgeous 18 month year old boy. He initially thought that I was a bit scary - until I gave him a present and then I was the new best friend. I also dropped in to see Mum, but was feeling fairly grim and hungover so didnt stay long!
Saturday afternoon was a drive back to Auckland, and a big big night out with Chuck and Nick laughing our butts off at The Classic , eating meat on sticks at Tanukis cave, and then playing pool at the K Rd ballroom. Doesnt get much better! Got back to Chuck's place around 4.30am, and got 6 or 7 hours sleep before heading off to check on MrFiji (who was also in Auckland, just visiting his family) and then spend the afternoon with my Dad. Felt a tad seedy, but thats just the price you pay i guess!
Only hassle was the 4 hour delay that we had to cope with at the airport on the way home - the weather in the south island was snow and storms which had closed many of the airports. Its just so good to have such great family and friends - I can visit them 2 or 3 times a year and its just like Ive never been away.
Not because nothings been happening - but because I am easily distracted.
Ive visited Auckland and Tauranga and Hamilton, and spent a delightful (and incredibly drunken) weekend with as many of my friends and family as possible.
We flew to Auckland on Friday afternoon, then I borrowed Dads car and drove to Hamilton. The Friday night entailed drinking beer and playing poker, 500 and Monopoly with Sara and her boyf and his mates. It was fantastic! Ive never had more fun on a night in. Got to sleep around 4am, and up again at about 9.30. Sara gave me a pair of socks - theyre pink and angora and warm. MMMmmmm . Theres nothing so good as a new pair of socks. We share the belief that you should never have to buy your own socks. Someone should always give them to you as presents. It ought to be a rule.
Saturday involved a drive to Tauranga to visit my friend Karen and her gorgeous 18 month year old boy. He initially thought that I was a bit scary - until I gave him a present and then I was the new best friend. I also dropped in to see Mum, but was feeling fairly grim and hungover so didnt stay long!
Saturday afternoon was a drive back to Auckland, and a big big night out with Chuck and Nick laughing our butts off at The Classic , eating meat on sticks at Tanukis cave, and then playing pool at the K Rd ballroom. Doesnt get much better! Got back to Chuck's place around 4.30am, and got 6 or 7 hours sleep before heading off to check on MrFiji (who was also in Auckland, just visiting his family) and then spend the afternoon with my Dad. Felt a tad seedy, but thats just the price you pay i guess!
Only hassle was the 4 hour delay that we had to cope with at the airport on the way home - the weather in the south island was snow and storms which had closed many of the airports. Its just so good to have such great family and friends - I can visit them 2 or 3 times a year and its just like Ive never been away.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Im A Very Lucky Girl
My father has been visiting me this week.
He lives at the other end of the country, so I dont see him particularly often.
Its been great! The general idea of the visit was that he would help with some of my work while he was here, but in reality we just played with his new laptop and went out for a lot of coffee.
I get along really well with both my parents, and feel incredibly lucky that this is the case. Theyre both intelligent, caring, kind wonderful people, and the relationship I have with them seems to be the epitome of a good parent-child relationship. Theyre my friends as well as my parents!
So many of my friends have dysfunctional relationships with their parents, or dont like them, or dont respect them, or are treated badly by them. I feel incredibly sorry for them, because I know what they are missing out on.
He lives at the other end of the country, so I dont see him particularly often.
Its been great! The general idea of the visit was that he would help with some of my work while he was here, but in reality we just played with his new laptop and went out for a lot of coffee.
I get along really well with both my parents, and feel incredibly lucky that this is the case. Theyre both intelligent, caring, kind wonderful people, and the relationship I have with them seems to be the epitome of a good parent-child relationship. Theyre my friends as well as my parents!
So many of my friends have dysfunctional relationships with their parents, or dont like them, or dont respect them, or are treated badly by them. I feel incredibly sorry for them, because I know what they are missing out on.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
I Have a New Friend
Its very exciting.
Ive been in this town for a couple of years now, and it has been fairly hard to meet people I like, and want to socialise with. I have met a few through work, but theyre work buddies, and kind of different to social buddies. I was starting to despair - and really miss my friends who are scattered around NZ...
But Ive met someone!
It sort of feels a bit like dating; I dont want to phone or txt her too often in case I scare her off, but its just so cool to have someone in the same town as me who i really like!
Mr Fiji plays rugby, and she's the partner of one of the other rugby players. And she is English, and cool and funny and a lawyer.
I suspect that I have a girl-crush.
We'd met a couple of times on the sidelines of the rugby, and talked a bit back at the clubrooms, but not really socialised properly before.
Last saturday night the rugby boys were having a boys-only court session, so Lisa and I settled down at her place (which is in the same suburb as the rugby club) with a bottle of vodka and got to know each other. It was great! we bullshitted for hours, and, when we eventually headed down to the pub to meet up with the boys, we were completely toasted. Ended up doing beer laybacks. Not totally classy, I'll admit, but very satisfactory.
Now Im really excited about this weekend when I get to see her again!
Its definitely a girl-crush.
Ive been in this town for a couple of years now, and it has been fairly hard to meet people I like, and want to socialise with. I have met a few through work, but theyre work buddies, and kind of different to social buddies. I was starting to despair - and really miss my friends who are scattered around NZ...
But Ive met someone!
It sort of feels a bit like dating; I dont want to phone or txt her too often in case I scare her off, but its just so cool to have someone in the same town as me who i really like!
Mr Fiji plays rugby, and she's the partner of one of the other rugby players. And she is English, and cool and funny and a lawyer.
I suspect that I have a girl-crush.
We'd met a couple of times on the sidelines of the rugby, and talked a bit back at the clubrooms, but not really socialised properly before.
Last saturday night the rugby boys were having a boys-only court session, so Lisa and I settled down at her place (which is in the same suburb as the rugby club) with a bottle of vodka and got to know each other. It was great! we bullshitted for hours, and, when we eventually headed down to the pub to meet up with the boys, we were completely toasted. Ended up doing beer laybacks. Not totally classy, I'll admit, but very satisfactory.
Now Im really excited about this weekend when I get to see her again!
Its definitely a girl-crush.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Travel
Its really about time that I saw more of the world.
Other than a couple of trips to Aussie, and the big OE when I was 18, I've done no travelling. As this map shows!!
create your own visited country map
or check our Venice travel guide
Time to start saving to go somewhere else soon.
Other than a couple of trips to Aussie, and the big OE when I was 18, I've done no travelling. As this map shows!!
create your own visited country map
or check our Venice travel guide
Time to start saving to go somewhere else soon.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Mindless violence
The shops below my office have had their plate glass window smashed again. The idiot burglers took the till and ran off with it, and smashed it open to get the money out, not realising that the keys were in it. They did about $400 worth of damage to get $45. Dicks.
Mr Fijis car was broken into yesterday too. Not that we bothered calling the police. Theyre all far too busy having saucy group sex to attend to a boring old car burglery.
I'd quite like to have a few moments alone with the louts that did it. Would happily flout my non-violence philosophy to kick a bit of sense into them.
Mr Fijis car was broken into yesterday too. Not that we bothered calling the police. Theyre all far too busy having saucy group sex to attend to a boring old car burglery.
I'd quite like to have a few moments alone with the louts that did it. Would happily flout my non-violence philosophy to kick a bit of sense into them.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
In it for the money
Im very sad to hear about the untimely deaths of my family members, but I reckon this guys trying to rip me off. Theres no way Im splitting this $8.5m with him!
From : The Principal Attorney
Kwami & Co (Legal Practioners).
18 Boulevard de Kwame
P.o. Box 475
Accra-Ghana
Dear Ars,
I know that this mail will come to you as surprise, please accept the content in good faith. I donot intend to cause any grief to you and your family.The reason for sending this mail is very fundamental to the doctrine of human privileges and right.
I am Barrister Bello Kwami, a solicitor at law, personal attorney to a national of your country and a member of your family since he had the same family name with you Mr. Peter G. Ars, and used to work with his Company in Accra-Ghana. Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 25TH FEB 2002, my client,his wife and their only daughter were involved in a car accident along Tama express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy here to locate any of my clients extended relatives,this has also proved unsuccessful.
After these several unsuccessful attempts,I have reasoned very professionally and I feel it will be legally proper to present you as the next of kin of my deceased client, so that you can be paid the funds left in his Finance Firm. I therefore seek your consent to present you as the Next of Kin to the Deceased since you are at an advantage, bearing the same surname and equally from the same country, that the proceeds of this Security Finance Company valued at $8.5M can be paid to you. We shall both share the funds. 40% for you and 55% for me, while 5% should be for Expenses or your Government may require Taxes. The said Finance Firm has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have his account confisicated.
I expect your urgent response indicating your full interest in this great business to our both mutual trust.Your telephone and fax number will be need for our easy communication
Barrister Bello Kwami
Kwami & Co (Legal Practioners).
18 Boulevard de Kwame
Accra-Ghana.
How the hell does anyone ever get sucked in by these!!!!!!
From : The Principal Attorney
Kwami & Co (Legal Practioners).
18 Boulevard de Kwame
P.o. Box 475
Accra-Ghana
Dear Ars,
I know that this mail will come to you as surprise, please accept the content in good faith. I donot intend to cause any grief to you and your family.The reason for sending this mail is very fundamental to the doctrine of human privileges and right.
I am Barrister Bello Kwami, a solicitor at law, personal attorney to a national of your country and a member of your family since he had the same family name with you Mr. Peter G. Ars, and used to work with his Company in Accra-Ghana. Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 25TH FEB 2002, my client,his wife and their only daughter were involved in a car accident along Tama express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy here to locate any of my clients extended relatives,this has also proved unsuccessful.
After these several unsuccessful attempts,I have reasoned very professionally and I feel it will be legally proper to present you as the next of kin of my deceased client, so that you can be paid the funds left in his Finance Firm. I therefore seek your consent to present you as the Next of Kin to the Deceased since you are at an advantage, bearing the same surname and equally from the same country, that the proceeds of this Security Finance Company valued at $8.5M can be paid to you. We shall both share the funds. 40% for you and 55% for me, while 5% should be for Expenses or your Government may require Taxes. The said Finance Firm has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have his account confisicated.
I expect your urgent response indicating your full interest in this great business to our both mutual trust.Your telephone and fax number will be need for our easy communication
Barrister Bello Kwami
Kwami & Co (Legal Practioners).
18 Boulevard de Kwame
Accra-Ghana.
How the hell does anyone ever get sucked in by these!!!!!!
Monday, March 12, 2007
Faboulosity all round
Im fortunate enough to have wonderful friends who totally 'get' me and what im wittering on about, and even more fortunate that they come and visit me!
My friend Ella came to stay this weekend and it was just like old times.
The first day we shopped, and saw the sights of the city, then refreshed ourselves with one of NZ's best and deliciousest products. 42 Below Feijoa Vodka. Mmmmm.
After polishing off a good 1/2 of the bottle we were feeling pretty good, so beautified ourselves and flounced off into town. We started off with shooters at one of the meat market bars on the main drag, and laughed ourselves silly at the sight of podgy women squeezed into tight short skirts dancing maniacally in groups. Theyre always in groups. The dancing around the pile of handbags thing seems to be a thing of the past fortunately. I always thought that was wierd.
Next we moved on to a much classier establishment (with people who could hold conversations, and music not solely from the early 90s) and made friends with some locals. Progressively, a DJ from the student radion station, a man with a gigantic cast on his hand, and a nice young man with a camera. Needless to say, because we were a little tiddly by then, we had photos taken with camera guy, and many others. There seemed to be an overabundance of men wearing scarves which was odd. We should really have asked them why, but it just seemed right at the time.
After devastating the the people with our dance floor moves we headed up the road to another place - with the excellent bar tender Rick with the silent p. He made us fantastic passionfruity cocktails and charged us rather reasonable prices. The bar was oddly empty - Rick said it was because of the Wild food festival being held in Hokitika. Fair enough. More vodka for Meeeee!
Last on the list (and possibly the oddest of the lot, given the time of the night), was a place full of hippies and freaks. With our level of drunkenness I suspect we fitted right in. They served us and we didnt complain.
The conversations were getting more and more random, and the men werent getting any better looking, so we decided to call time and headed on home... to Singstar!
I love singstar. I make up for the lack of quality of my singing by singing very loud.
It was a great night. Damn I love my friends!
My friend Ella came to stay this weekend and it was just like old times.
The first day we shopped, and saw the sights of the city, then refreshed ourselves with one of NZ's best and deliciousest products. 42 Below Feijoa Vodka. Mmmmm.
After polishing off a good 1/2 of the bottle we were feeling pretty good, so beautified ourselves and flounced off into town. We started off with shooters at one of the meat market bars on the main drag, and laughed ourselves silly at the sight of podgy women squeezed into tight short skirts dancing maniacally in groups. Theyre always in groups. The dancing around the pile of handbags thing seems to be a thing of the past fortunately. I always thought that was wierd.
Next we moved on to a much classier establishment (with people who could hold conversations, and music not solely from the early 90s) and made friends with some locals. Progressively, a DJ from the student radion station, a man with a gigantic cast on his hand, and a nice young man with a camera. Needless to say, because we were a little tiddly by then, we had photos taken with camera guy, and many others. There seemed to be an overabundance of men wearing scarves which was odd. We should really have asked them why, but it just seemed right at the time.
After devastating the the people with our dance floor moves we headed up the road to another place - with the excellent bar tender Rick with the silent p. He made us fantastic passionfruity cocktails and charged us rather reasonable prices. The bar was oddly empty - Rick said it was because of the Wild food festival being held in Hokitika. Fair enough. More vodka for Meeeee!
Last on the list (and possibly the oddest of the lot, given the time of the night), was a place full of hippies and freaks. With our level of drunkenness I suspect we fitted right in. They served us and we didnt complain.
The conversations were getting more and more random, and the men werent getting any better looking, so we decided to call time and headed on home... to Singstar!
I love singstar. I make up for the lack of quality of my singing by singing very loud.
It was a great night. Damn I love my friends!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Anticipation
When I moved to Christchurch I had no idea that it would be so difficult to meet new people.
I have a small group of really good friends, who are scattered around the North Island of NZ, and a large number of acquaintances all over the country, but no good mates yet here in Chch. I suspect that its just my advanced age that makes it difficult to meet new friends - everyone around my age already a group of people that they are friends with and have known for a long time, and its hard to break into one of those groups.
Especially because I find it much easier to pick the holes out of peoples personality rather than be nice to them and try and make friends. I suppose I can be a wee bit reserved when I meet new people, primarily as a defence mechanism because Ive met so many plonkers!
The upshot of this is that I havnt been out for a boogie and full-on getting drunk session with friends for quite some time.
BUT that all changes today - at least for a weekend.
I have a friend coming to visit from Palmerston North this weekend and I am fully prepared.
There is a large bottle of 42 Below Feijoa Vodka in the freezer, my dancing shoes (well, sneakers) are ready, and we are Going Out Into Town.
Hooray!
Im terribly excited, and will update once the hangover wears off
I have a small group of really good friends, who are scattered around the North Island of NZ, and a large number of acquaintances all over the country, but no good mates yet here in Chch. I suspect that its just my advanced age that makes it difficult to meet new friends - everyone around my age already a group of people that they are friends with and have known for a long time, and its hard to break into one of those groups.
Especially because I find it much easier to pick the holes out of peoples personality rather than be nice to them and try and make friends. I suppose I can be a wee bit reserved when I meet new people, primarily as a defence mechanism because Ive met so many plonkers!
The upshot of this is that I havnt been out for a boogie and full-on getting drunk session with friends for quite some time.
BUT that all changes today - at least for a weekend.
I have a friend coming to visit from Palmerston North this weekend and I am fully prepared.
There is a large bottle of 42 Below Feijoa Vodka in the freezer, my dancing shoes (well, sneakers) are ready, and we are Going Out Into Town.
Hooray!
Im terribly excited, and will update once the hangover wears off
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Saturday, March 3, 2007
The weekened
I may qualify for some sort of award I think.
This weekend I have done as close to nothing as is possible.
In order of energy required, I have done the following:
- driven to chinese restaurant and eaten dinner
- driven to coffee place for takeaway coffee
- read 2 books (one was a stupid, annoying and poorly written update on lord of the flies. The other was the Committments)
- driven through a car wash
- played on the internet
- sat on the beach.
At the moment I am contemplating what to cook for dinner. It may yet be raisin toast, with icecream for dessert. We'll see how much energy I can muster!
This weekend I have done as close to nothing as is possible.
In order of energy required, I have done the following:
- driven to chinese restaurant and eaten dinner
- driven to coffee place for takeaway coffee
- read 2 books (one was a stupid, annoying and poorly written update on lord of the flies. The other was the Committments)
- driven through a car wash
- played on the internet
- sat on the beach.
At the moment I am contemplating what to cook for dinner. It may yet be raisin toast, with icecream for dessert. We'll see how much energy I can muster!
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Germs
I have become concerned.
How often do flies land on my toothbrush when Im not there to shoo them away?
How many fly-germs have I unwittingly ingested?
I only ask because I saw a suspicious looking fly leaving my bathroom yesterday as I was walking in.
My toothbrush will be placed upside down in the toothbrush holder from now on.
How often do flies land on my toothbrush when Im not there to shoo them away?
How many fly-germs have I unwittingly ingested?
I only ask because I saw a suspicious looking fly leaving my bathroom yesterday as I was walking in.
My toothbrush will be placed upside down in the toothbrush holder from now on.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Annoying people
When we went to Akaroa for my birthday we were sitting in a beachfront cafe having a beer, and a couple of women came along and sat down at the table next to us.
They seemed as if they were friends, and maybe hadnt known each other that long. Maybe internet buddies. One had an american accent, the other sounded like a kiwi.
They were both reading books while they enjoyed the sunshine and their glasses of wine, and NZ sounding woman had a hideously annoying habit.
She'd read a bit of her book, then ostentatiously laugh, really loud, and the other woman would try to ignore her. Then shed do it again - and the american sounding woman would be obliged to ask her what was funny. And non american sounding woman would read out the passage shed been reading. American sounding woman was trying to get on with reading her own book.
We left.
It was driving me insane!
They seemed as if they were friends, and maybe hadnt known each other that long. Maybe internet buddies. One had an american accent, the other sounded like a kiwi.
They were both reading books while they enjoyed the sunshine and their glasses of wine, and NZ sounding woman had a hideously annoying habit.
She'd read a bit of her book, then ostentatiously laugh, really loud, and the other woman would try to ignore her. Then shed do it again - and the american sounding woman would be obliged to ask her what was funny. And non american sounding woman would read out the passage shed been reading. American sounding woman was trying to get on with reading her own book.
We left.
It was driving me insane!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Birthdays
I turned 30 last friday.
And for the first time in many many years, my birthday wasnt crap!
Nearly every year, something will happen to make it suck. Or more likely, something will NOT happen, which makes it suck. Expectations are a killer, and as much as you'd like your family and friends to do cool things for you on the Day, inevitably they just wont have thought of it, and youll be disappointed.
Fortunately, that didnt happen this year, and everything went like clockwork.
Admittedly, I organised pretty much everything I wanted to happen this time around, but because my friends are far flung, and MrFiji is not the best administrator in the world if I didnt do it there would be no hope of a nice day.
So, I organised my workday to be mostly non contact, got a hair cut (a drastic one - about 8 inches of hair chopped off), then when MrFiji came home we went to a nice restaurant (That I had booked) and a movie. On Saturday we went to Akaroa for the night (Also booked by me) and today (Sunday) we went on a wildlife cruise around Akaroa harbour (Yup, booked by me too). It was great! I have done all the things I wanted to do, and had a lovely birthday. Its cost a fair bit of money but I dont care.
The Wildlife cruise was cool, we saw Hectors dolphins, little blue penguins and a lonely looking yellow-eyed penguin who had become separated from his buddies and started moulting, so wasnt able to swim away to join them again until he finished the moult. Poor guy.
My lovely friends and family all phoned me to say happy birthday, I had a more than respectable pile of pressies to open, and nothing went wrong at work.
I cant remember the last time I enjoyed a birthday this much. Possibly when I was 9 and mum organised everything! My new rule is going to be that I organise all my birthdays from here on in. Screw the whole concept of leaving it to anyone else.
And for the first time in many many years, my birthday wasnt crap!
Nearly every year, something will happen to make it suck. Or more likely, something will NOT happen, which makes it suck. Expectations are a killer, and as much as you'd like your family and friends to do cool things for you on the Day, inevitably they just wont have thought of it, and youll be disappointed.
Fortunately, that didnt happen this year, and everything went like clockwork.
Admittedly, I organised pretty much everything I wanted to happen this time around, but because my friends are far flung, and MrFiji is not the best administrator in the world if I didnt do it there would be no hope of a nice day.
So, I organised my workday to be mostly non contact, got a hair cut (a drastic one - about 8 inches of hair chopped off), then when MrFiji came home we went to a nice restaurant (That I had booked) and a movie. On Saturday we went to Akaroa for the night (Also booked by me) and today (Sunday) we went on a wildlife cruise around Akaroa harbour (Yup, booked by me too). It was great! I have done all the things I wanted to do, and had a lovely birthday. Its cost a fair bit of money but I dont care.
The Wildlife cruise was cool, we saw Hectors dolphins, little blue penguins and a lonely looking yellow-eyed penguin who had become separated from his buddies and started moulting, so wasnt able to swim away to join them again until he finished the moult. Poor guy.
My lovely friends and family all phoned me to say happy birthday, I had a more than respectable pile of pressies to open, and nothing went wrong at work.
I cant remember the last time I enjoyed a birthday this much. Possibly when I was 9 and mum organised everything! My new rule is going to be that I organise all my birthdays from here on in. Screw the whole concept of leaving it to anyone else.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
This is surprisingly apt!
What Your Face Says |
 At first glance, people see you as down to earth and reliable. Overall, your true self is creative and expressive. With friends, you seem logical, detached, and a bit manipulative. In love, you seem like a huge flirt. In stressful situation, you seem like you're oblivious to the stress. |
Saturday, February 17, 2007
I cant help myself
I have a chip addiction.
Mr Fiji and I can quite happily chow down a big packet of chips between us whilst watching a DVD and Im very well aware of how unhealthy they are. Its OK for him - he has the metabolism of a thing with a great metabolism and doesnt seem to gain weight. Ever. Even though he eats vast quantities of fatty food.
As for me, not being the most slender of people to start with, and only having to catch a glimpse of fried food to put on four kilos, they should be well down the list of things I eat.
But I love them.
Munch munch munch they are just delicious in their salty crispy goodness.
I need to find an alternative, less saturated-fat laden snack, and carrot sticks arent cutting it. I crave carbs!
Help me people!
Mr Fiji and I can quite happily chow down a big packet of chips between us whilst watching a DVD and Im very well aware of how unhealthy they are. Its OK for him - he has the metabolism of a thing with a great metabolism and doesnt seem to gain weight. Ever. Even though he eats vast quantities of fatty food.
As for me, not being the most slender of people to start with, and only having to catch a glimpse of fried food to put on four kilos, they should be well down the list of things I eat.
But I love them.
Munch munch munch they are just delicious in their salty crispy goodness.
I need to find an alternative, less saturated-fat laden snack, and carrot sticks arent cutting it. I crave carbs!
Help me people!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Valentines day?
I know its just a crummy excuse for more commercialism, but it still sucks when it doesnt go that well.
MrFiji and I generally dont see each other after work - we rush home and then go to rugby practice or the gym. So this evening I came home and he had bought me a bunch of roses. Nice. I left his gift on the table for him.
I came home from the gym at around 8 and his pressie hadnt been touched. Then I got a message from him that he was going to his mates place to drink kava after rugby.
So, I will be in bed asleep when he gets home.
How fucking romantic.
MrFiji and I generally dont see each other after work - we rush home and then go to rugby practice or the gym. So this evening I came home and he had bought me a bunch of roses. Nice. I left his gift on the table for him.
I came home from the gym at around 8 and his pressie hadnt been touched. Then I got a message from him that he was going to his mates place to drink kava after rugby.
So, I will be in bed asleep when he gets home.
How fucking romantic.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Helpful advice
I recommend to everyone not to break their ankle.
Having ice skated and played ice hockey for about 20 years and never doing any damage to myself, I assumed that, those being reasonably dangerous activities, I was relatively bulletproof.
Not so.
Little did I realise that indoor netball is a vicious and violent game and it would be my undoing. Because I wanted to find a game that MrFiji and I could play together (with others, of course) and there are indoor netball courts reasonably nearby, I booked our team in to the competition in November last year.
Thirty seconds into game six I leapt to skillfully intercept an opposition team pass - and surprised everyone by catching the ball mid-air. And then I landed and heard a crunch.
Initially the sound, and then the pain of a broken ankle is something special. It hurt too much to cry, and as I had crumpled to the ground in a whimpering heap, other people noticed that something had happened and gathered around. I sat there growling at people not to touch me and trying not to puke. Eventually, as the game needed to continue, I hobbled off the court and sat in the bleachers with the netball centres supply of ice cubes (3 of them) inside a sock, trying to stop it hurting.
MrFiji, being the caring chap that he is, finished playing the game (we lost)before driving me to the hospital where they confirmed that I'd broken a chunk off my left talar dome. And so, six weeks of casts ensued.
This last Christmas and new year has been the quietest, most boring one in history.
And now Im being rehabilitated. Physiotherapy twice a week, which consists of the PhysioChick moving my ankle around until i shout, and then massaging my calf muscle until Im holding back the tears. All for my own good. And my ankle will apparently be normal again in about three more months. Hooray. At least I can climb stairs now.
All in all, a time consuming, painful, somewhat itchy and very annoying experience.
Just, Dont do it!
Having ice skated and played ice hockey for about 20 years and never doing any damage to myself, I assumed that, those being reasonably dangerous activities, I was relatively bulletproof.
Not so.
Little did I realise that indoor netball is a vicious and violent game and it would be my undoing. Because I wanted to find a game that MrFiji and I could play together (with others, of course) and there are indoor netball courts reasonably nearby, I booked our team in to the competition in November last year.
Thirty seconds into game six I leapt to skillfully intercept an opposition team pass - and surprised everyone by catching the ball mid-air. And then I landed and heard a crunch.
Initially the sound, and then the pain of a broken ankle is something special. It hurt too much to cry, and as I had crumpled to the ground in a whimpering heap, other people noticed that something had happened and gathered around. I sat there growling at people not to touch me and trying not to puke. Eventually, as the game needed to continue, I hobbled off the court and sat in the bleachers with the netball centres supply of ice cubes (3 of them) inside a sock, trying to stop it hurting.
MrFiji, being the caring chap that he is, finished playing the game (we lost)before driving me to the hospital where they confirmed that I'd broken a chunk off my left talar dome. And so, six weeks of casts ensued.
This last Christmas and new year has been the quietest, most boring one in history.
And now Im being rehabilitated. Physiotherapy twice a week, which consists of the PhysioChick moving my ankle around until i shout, and then massaging my calf muscle until Im holding back the tears. All for my own good. And my ankle will apparently be normal again in about three more months. Hooray. At least I can climb stairs now.
All in all, a time consuming, painful, somewhat itchy and very annoying experience.
Just, Dont do it!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Girly things
Mr Fiji, being Fijian and all, is very much a God botherer. Not to stereotype Fijians of course, but it seems to be the norm to be involved with religion, and give the church largeish chunks of money. So he goes to church on Sundays, leaving me to my own devices for half the day. Sometimes this is a good thing, as I can lounge around the house and do girly things at will.
There are some girly things I firmly believe should stay secret from men, such as the way we maintain ourselves to stay beautiful and desirable to them. Especially hair removal. If any man ever encountered me waxing my legs or bikini line, they would most likely run screaming and scarred for life, from the sight of the swearing, grunting, she-gryphon whose legs were red and inflamed, and whose nether-regions were partially stuck together with wax that wasnt removed quickly enough.
Also the sight of me with bleach applied to my moustache would possibly discourage him from kissing me anytime in the near future. (Hey, I'm nearly 30. Im allowed to have a moustache. I just dont think anyone should ever have to encounter it!).
A slight problem occurs, of course, when he comes back from his worshipping/money donating early. Like today. To find me surrounded by used wax strips, with blotchy, sticky, half hairy half smooth legs, complete with occasional spots of blood where I pulled too hard, and an upper lip covered with peroxide. Possibly not the most attractive sight, although he would never dare say so, bless him. Funnily enough he did beat a fairly hasty retreat into the kitchen when I tried to give him a kiss.
There are some girly things I firmly believe should stay secret from men, such as the way we maintain ourselves to stay beautiful and desirable to them. Especially hair removal. If any man ever encountered me waxing my legs or bikini line, they would most likely run screaming and scarred for life, from the sight of the swearing, grunting, she-gryphon whose legs were red and inflamed, and whose nether-regions were partially stuck together with wax that wasnt removed quickly enough.
Also the sight of me with bleach applied to my moustache would possibly discourage him from kissing me anytime in the near future. (Hey, I'm nearly 30. Im allowed to have a moustache. I just dont think anyone should ever have to encounter it!).
A slight problem occurs, of course, when he comes back from his worshipping/money donating early. Like today. To find me surrounded by used wax strips, with blotchy, sticky, half hairy half smooth legs, complete with occasional spots of blood where I pulled too hard, and an upper lip covered with peroxide. Possibly not the most attractive sight, although he would never dare say so, bless him. Funnily enough he did beat a fairly hasty retreat into the kitchen when I tried to give him a kiss.
Friends!
My darling friend Ella has finally discovered blogging.
Her site is Bobbys Own World and you should definitely visit!
Her site is Bobbys Own World and you should definitely visit!
Friday, February 9, 2007
Raining
Today its rainy. Thats because its the weekend, and it is only ever allowed to rain in the weekends. Im sitting on the couch with the laptop on my knee and typing this post around Eddie the cat, because she has a sort of fetish for the laptop and insists upon lying upon it and dribbling while I type. I push her away but she just keeps on coming back, and her will is stronger than mine so I eventually give up and she stays. The quantity of drool she produces astounds me.
There are many housework - type things I should be doing. The fluff and bits of gunk on the carpet are threatening to overwhelm it completely, but vacuuming is my most hated activity in the world. I will just have to ignore the dirtyness until my boyfriend comes back from work, and then I will have to pointedly say how dirty the carpet is, and shouldnt someone vacuum quite soon. And then I will start rapidly typing something so he can see how busy I am. But what Im really doing is choosing my winning teams for the weekend. Heh.
Telecom Virtual Super 14
There are many housework - type things I should be doing. The fluff and bits of gunk on the carpet are threatening to overwhelm it completely, but vacuuming is my most hated activity in the world. I will just have to ignore the dirtyness until my boyfriend comes back from work, and then I will have to pointedly say how dirty the carpet is, and shouldnt someone vacuum quite soon. And then I will start rapidly typing something so he can see how busy I am. But what Im really doing is choosing my winning teams for the weekend. Heh.
Telecom Virtual Super 14
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Rude Children
I was waiting at the physiotherapists office yesterday (Broke my ankle just before Xmas, am out of the cast, but still hobbling around) and a small child stared at me as I was reading my magazine and asked me if I was having a baby.
How rude!
Time to diet.
How rude!
Time to diet.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Yet another excuse
In March of 2005 the company that I had moved across the country to work for decided that it was a silly idea for me to keep a sinking ship afloat, and that they should just close their offices in the city where they had sent me. I had the choice of moving back across the country and continuing to work for them, or staying put and finding something else to do.
I stayed.
And started my own company.
Self employment is scary but rewarding, although I do have a slight problem with being my own boss....
I arse around WAY too much and dont get enough work done. And there is noone to growl at me or tell me that Im not meeting budget.
Not that the company is failing - It's not. Its doing better than anyone expected. Its just that it could be doing SO much better if I really applied myself.
And here we are. Ive started this blog because, really, it's just another outlet for wasting good, profitible work time.
So I will post random oddness, time wasting tips, and various bits and pieces of info about my life that I feel like venting. Entirely for my own benefit and interest - but if anyone else arses around as much as I do, hopefully some of it will come in useful! There will probably be adult content, so lets make this R18. Just for safetys sake.
And, to start with, we'll go to You Tube. Everyone has probably seen this by now, but tough luck! It still amuses me.
I stayed.
And started my own company.
Self employment is scary but rewarding, although I do have a slight problem with being my own boss....
I arse around WAY too much and dont get enough work done. And there is noone to growl at me or tell me that Im not meeting budget.
Not that the company is failing - It's not. Its doing better than anyone expected. Its just that it could be doing SO much better if I really applied myself.
And here we are. Ive started this blog because, really, it's just another outlet for wasting good, profitible work time.
So I will post random oddness, time wasting tips, and various bits and pieces of info about my life that I feel like venting. Entirely for my own benefit and interest - but if anyone else arses around as much as I do, hopefully some of it will come in useful! There will probably be adult content, so lets make this R18. Just for safetys sake.
And, to start with, we'll go to You Tube. Everyone has probably seen this by now, but tough luck! It still amuses me.
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