1.
I accidentally infected my school computer with a killer virus the other day. I lost a bunch of stuff from the c-drive that I'd been working on.
Luckily I'd just had an upgrade and had transferred everything onto an external drive, so only lost about a week's worth of work. It was still hours and hours of stuff though :( It made me sad.
2.
I infected myself with a virus too. I have a cold and feel very poorly. Today was the wet-cough phase. By my afternoon classes I was sneezing and spluttering quite a lot.
I had to play basketball anyhow. Firstly cause I knew we didn't have many players tonight (six in total), secondly cause I wagged last week to do work.
I played ok.
The team I'm in plays 'properly', which is a bit of a shock to the system. My old team just play a loosely organised style. This team plays strict high-low post offence. No deviating. And man-to-man defence.
I may have mentioned this before.
Tonight during a time out the player/coach emphasised that I had to cut any time the other post got the ball, and it didn't matter at all if I got it... I was just making space for other people. And I found this really freeing.
So I moved more than usual... and did a few good things. I even did a 'move', where I dribbled through a couple of people and got a layup in. If there had been a crowd, they would have gone crazy (in my mind).
Anyhow. My theory is always that you should try and sweat a cold out.
I went and bought some Coldral after that.
I feel miserable now.
My chest hurts.
And my nose is sore from all the sniffing and blowing.
Luckily tomorrow is mid-term break day. So I can be miserable in bed for as long as I like.
For those non-teachers out there, I hope you are aware that the term dates have been purposely changed to fit around the Rugby World Cup. This strikes a lot of us as being really really stupid. It's basically just for Auckland traffic issues, they say. But it means we have longer-than-usual Term 1 and 2s.
The Rugby World Cup sucks.
But mid term break rules.
3.
I'm watching the politican-I-went-to-school-with's scandal in the news with interest. He's been a bit of a golden boy for a while, so it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. He'd be pretty heart-broken if he had to quit politics over it.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Normal Programming Will Now Resume
Today is the first day that neither the Christchurch or Japanese earthquake has been the lead story on Stuff. I was watching with vague interest, just to see how long each had currency.
The Christchurch quake held the title until the Japanese one, and now it's something about Peter Jackson having lost weight..... Back to normal.
The Christchurch quake held the title until the Japanese one, and now it's something about Peter Jackson having lost weight..... Back to normal.
* * *
I am now Level 17 - 'veteran'. I was in the zone tonight - no compromising, waiting for the perfect pieces. It all fell into place.
I was beating Level 16 players easily - it's like they gave away the 'expert' label. Maybe you can use that tetris money they give away to buy credentials. I'm earning it old school.
Rotate, rotate... hard drop..... Line piece.... TETRIS!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Girly Stuff from my stocktake
I have roughly this many necklaces (a few more not in shot). And this many bracelets.
They are bought mainly from: Pixel Ink, Madame Fancy Pants, Iko Iko, Magnolia, various markets, Wanda Harland and Goodness.
Only two of the ones pictures were presents from other people. The rest were presents from myself. Lots of birds. No bling.
They are bought mainly from: Pixel Ink, Madame Fancy Pants, Iko Iko, Magnolia, various markets, Wanda Harland and Goodness.
Only two of the ones pictures were presents from other people. The rest were presents from myself. Lots of birds. No bling.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
In the Charlie Sheen madness.....
... there is surely the next name for our indoor netball team.
Tiger blood?
Rock stars from Mars?
Fools and Trolls?
Fire of 1000 Suns?
Firey Death?
Adonis DNA?
Bi-Winning?
Tiger blood?
Rock stars from Mars?
Fools and Trolls?
Fire of 1000 Suns?
Firey Death?
Adonis DNA?
Bi-Winning?
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Sobering
1.
I was in Whitcoull's tonight trying to buy a frivolous magazine. All of the women's gossip magazines from NZ had pictures of NZ celebs telling their Chirstchurch stories on the cover.
I couldn't quite bare it to buy one of those. I've had enough of those kind of stories. Not in a heartless way, but in the sense that I am saturated emotionally.
I have taught the concept that media texts that are far removed from the actual mood of the era are great for escapism (such as comedies and musicals in the 40s).
At that moment, veering for the Kim Kardashian magazine instead of the Christchurch survivor stories one, I understood that concept.
2.
We have at least four Chch students enrolling, at least temporarily, at our school.
I feel bad that they've had a decent earthquake on their arrival to Wellington tonight, where they've come to escape.
My heart was beating a little faster than normal during a 4 or 5 earth-quake and I did jump up to run for a door, which I never usually do. I usually just lie in bed and freeze, looking up blankly (like a deer in the headlights) until the quake subsides.
If my reaction has changed considerably to a small quake, I can only imagine what that must have felt like to someone from Chch who had come up here to get away from the constant after-shocks. It must be horrifying.
There is also the changed reaction now that you do immediately think 'I hope that wasn't in Christchurch'. I woke up for the original quake last year, and thought nothing of it until I got up the next morning. So the next time I was woken up by a quake, in January or so, the first thing I did was to turn on the radio and hope that it hadn't happened again.
3.
There aren't many moments in your life that you will remember vividly where you were when you heard the news.
For me, the news of this quake arrived on my way to teach my after-lunch class.
I heard the techie walking past me mumbling something about 'another quake' and said, 'Huh, what's this?'
He, rather unhelpfully, said Christchurch had been basically 'wiped off the map' this time. The Cathedral no longer existed, according to his report. Obliterated.
I passed one other teacher after that, on my way down the stairs. I told him what I'd heard and he said at the moment it was just rumours from twitter. Someone said there was damage to the Cathedral but it could just be minor - you never know. Could just be smashed glass.
He agreed that he'd heard there would be injuries and loss of life this time.
I told my class there'd been another quake. They weren't terribly moved or interested on the outside.
I did feel a bit odd. Spaced out in a small way.
During the next lesson I felt a shaking while we were watching a movie. I said, pretty calmly, 'That might be an after-shock.... is that an earthquake?'. The girl behind me admitted she'd just been jiggling her leg. I was embarrassed.
I arrived back to the staffroom and several members of my department were texting family members down there. I hadn't even thought about that - it seems so far away to me - I have no relatives down there.
Luckily some of them had already heard back and their people were fine. Others hadn't and were visibly shaken. One was talking about something class related and suddenly burst out, '.... I haven't heard from her.... I just want to know if she's ok....' and started crying, right in the middle of a conversation. She was taken to the lounge for a cup of tea.
I feel like an outsider to this disaster.
4.
It's been a week since then. It seems like longer.
5.
One of the awful stories I watched was on the Channel 3 show, 60 Minutes (?). They followed the story of a man who had heard from his wife, trapped in the CTV building. He was standing vigil outside. At first he spoke willingly, but increasingly he was annoyed by the cameras. They eventually announced they were abandoning rescue efforts at that site. We all knew his wife was inside. And she had been alive. This man was (unwillingly) showing us the most awful hours of his life.
Usually in the media these stories have happy endings.
I felt uncomfortable watching. Sometimes I don't like the media. Grief should be allowed to be private.
6.
The night of the earthquake I went to see 127 Hours with Richard. It felt weird looking around Courtenay Place and it being normal for a Tuesday night. People were in Starbucks and going to movies. It didn't seem fair. But what else do you do?
There was that strange sense of camaraderie you feel after a disaster. At the noodle house everyone had chosen tables where they could see the TV. The waitress turned it up to full volume so we could hear the reports.
I said to Richard, 'Once they get a death toll, they're going to go crazy with it.' And they did. 65 deaths was scrolled across the screen and repeated as often as possible once it was announced.
I wonder what it is about actually have a figure that makes it more 'newsworthy'. I guess it's logical - you get a sense of scale. But why is '65 officially confirmed dead' better news than 'Hundreds missing, possibly dead'? I bet it was at that moment that the BBC and CCN started salivating over the story.
I was in Whitcoull's tonight trying to buy a frivolous magazine. All of the women's gossip magazines from NZ had pictures of NZ celebs telling their Chirstchurch stories on the cover.
I couldn't quite bare it to buy one of those. I've had enough of those kind of stories. Not in a heartless way, but in the sense that I am saturated emotionally.
I have taught the concept that media texts that are far removed from the actual mood of the era are great for escapism (such as comedies and musicals in the 40s).
At that moment, veering for the Kim Kardashian magazine instead of the Christchurch survivor stories one, I understood that concept.
2.
We have at least four Chch students enrolling, at least temporarily, at our school.
I feel bad that they've had a decent earthquake on their arrival to Wellington tonight, where they've come to escape.
My heart was beating a little faster than normal during a 4 or 5 earth-quake and I did jump up to run for a door, which I never usually do. I usually just lie in bed and freeze, looking up blankly (like a deer in the headlights) until the quake subsides.
If my reaction has changed considerably to a small quake, I can only imagine what that must have felt like to someone from Chch who had come up here to get away from the constant after-shocks. It must be horrifying.
There is also the changed reaction now that you do immediately think 'I hope that wasn't in Christchurch'. I woke up for the original quake last year, and thought nothing of it until I got up the next morning. So the next time I was woken up by a quake, in January or so, the first thing I did was to turn on the radio and hope that it hadn't happened again.
3.
There aren't many moments in your life that you will remember vividly where you were when you heard the news.
For me, the news of this quake arrived on my way to teach my after-lunch class.
I heard the techie walking past me mumbling something about 'another quake' and said, 'Huh, what's this?'
He, rather unhelpfully, said Christchurch had been basically 'wiped off the map' this time. The Cathedral no longer existed, according to his report. Obliterated.
I passed one other teacher after that, on my way down the stairs. I told him what I'd heard and he said at the moment it was just rumours from twitter. Someone said there was damage to the Cathedral but it could just be minor - you never know. Could just be smashed glass.
He agreed that he'd heard there would be injuries and loss of life this time.
I told my class there'd been another quake. They weren't terribly moved or interested on the outside.
I did feel a bit odd. Spaced out in a small way.
During the next lesson I felt a shaking while we were watching a movie. I said, pretty calmly, 'That might be an after-shock.... is that an earthquake?'. The girl behind me admitted she'd just been jiggling her leg. I was embarrassed.
I arrived back to the staffroom and several members of my department were texting family members down there. I hadn't even thought about that - it seems so far away to me - I have no relatives down there.
Luckily some of them had already heard back and their people were fine. Others hadn't and were visibly shaken. One was talking about something class related and suddenly burst out, '.... I haven't heard from her.... I just want to know if she's ok....' and started crying, right in the middle of a conversation. She was taken to the lounge for a cup of tea.
I feel like an outsider to this disaster.
4.
It's been a week since then. It seems like longer.
5.
One of the awful stories I watched was on the Channel 3 show, 60 Minutes (?). They followed the story of a man who had heard from his wife, trapped in the CTV building. He was standing vigil outside. At first he spoke willingly, but increasingly he was annoyed by the cameras. They eventually announced they were abandoning rescue efforts at that site. We all knew his wife was inside. And she had been alive. This man was (unwillingly) showing us the most awful hours of his life.
Usually in the media these stories have happy endings.
I felt uncomfortable watching. Sometimes I don't like the media. Grief should be allowed to be private.
6.
The night of the earthquake I went to see 127 Hours with Richard. It felt weird looking around Courtenay Place and it being normal for a Tuesday night. People were in Starbucks and going to movies. It didn't seem fair. But what else do you do?
There was that strange sense of camaraderie you feel after a disaster. At the noodle house everyone had chosen tables where they could see the TV. The waitress turned it up to full volume so we could hear the reports.
I said to Richard, 'Once they get a death toll, they're going to go crazy with it.' And they did. 65 deaths was scrolled across the screen and repeated as often as possible once it was announced.
I wonder what it is about actually have a figure that makes it more 'newsworthy'. I guess it's logical - you get a sense of scale. But why is '65 officially confirmed dead' better news than 'Hundreds missing, possibly dead'? I bet it was at that moment that the BBC and CCN started salivating over the story.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sometimes my job is cool.
I brought this and this into my lesson today and made both 'relevant' to the media theory we were talking about (the spoon one was more of a stretch, but still demonstrated the social interaction use of a media text because they were all laughing together and talking about it as they walked out of the classroom!).
* * *
I saw True Grit tonight. I really liked it. It's another good Coen Brothers one. The end does go rather quickly after much, much buildup. But I enjoyed the whole thing and the main characters were all great (particularly the Jeff Bridges one and the young heroine). I kinda like that she went the whole hog, against convention (the bit just before the snake-pit).
Much more humour than No Country for Old Men (which I also really liked).
I brought this and this into my lesson today and made both 'relevant' to the media theory we were talking about (the spoon one was more of a stretch, but still demonstrated the social interaction use of a media text because they were all laughing together and talking about it as they walked out of the classroom!).
* * *
I saw True Grit tonight. I really liked it. It's another good Coen Brothers one. The end does go rather quickly after much, much buildup. But I enjoyed the whole thing and the main characters were all great (particularly the Jeff Bridges one and the young heroine). I kinda like that she went the whole hog, against convention (the bit just before the snake-pit).
Much more humour than No Country for Old Men (which I also really liked).
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
So school is back
I'm at work again.
It's good.
It's nice having a 'career'. Every year I feel more senior and sagely. We have three new department members, so I feel even more sagely than usual. I am a fountain of knowledge and tips. My self-importancy overfloweth.
My classes seem pretty good so far.
I am in about ten class-rooms. That's yuck. It makes me about 10 minutes late to every lesson by the time I've fought my way across the school (sometimes going to the wrong room), set up my laptop again (then realised some vital chord is missing or broken, and given up) and gone back to the staffroom to get the stuff I forgot to bring. I took for granted how awesome it was having a home-base with functioning IT equipment other years.
I'm teaching Media the old-school style with me and a white board marker. No fancy 'technology'. Bleh. I will teach them film noir by re-enacting the key scenes with accents and props. You should hear my Bogart impression.
Apparently the timetabler is working on solutions. Until then I'll be the teacher rushing around carrying a Nood basket full of everything I might ever need (today it was nail polish remover, 20 diaries, a hole punch, a stack of A3 paper, my laptop, a bag full of about 50 pens, and some other stuff).
After bringing nail polish remover from home only one kid in my form class had offending nails. I was almost disappointed. My rants must be sinking in or something. Phase two is taking on the nose rings!
It's good.
It's nice having a 'career'. Every year I feel more senior and sagely. We have three new department members, so I feel even more sagely than usual. I am a fountain of knowledge and tips. My self-importancy overfloweth.
My classes seem pretty good so far.
I am in about ten class-rooms. That's yuck. It makes me about 10 minutes late to every lesson by the time I've fought my way across the school (sometimes going to the wrong room), set up my laptop again (then realised some vital chord is missing or broken, and given up) and gone back to the staffroom to get the stuff I forgot to bring. I took for granted how awesome it was having a home-base with functioning IT equipment other years.
I'm teaching Media the old-school style with me and a white board marker. No fancy 'technology'. Bleh. I will teach them film noir by re-enacting the key scenes with accents and props. You should hear my Bogart impression.
Apparently the timetabler is working on solutions. Until then I'll be the teacher rushing around carrying a Nood basket full of everything I might ever need (today it was nail polish remover, 20 diaries, a hole punch, a stack of A3 paper, my laptop, a bag full of about 50 pens, and some other stuff).
After bringing nail polish remover from home only one kid in my form class had offending nails. I was almost disappointed. My rants must be sinking in or something. Phase two is taking on the nose rings!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
More of my excess
I have no whiteboards at home. But I have over 30 whiteboard markers for some reason. Mostly taken from school. Accidentally.Tuesday, January 18, 2011
1. Ants
Why are there ants on my laptop moniter? I keep killing them but they keep coming back. Just two at a time. No trail. Stealth.
I love that ants die so easily.
2. Frisbee
The season has started again. We had a 20-9 loss, which may sound bad but was actually ok.
We're usually playing teams that can pass the Frisbee the length of the field whereas we take a whole bunch of little passes. It's kinda like when you play an awesome 2 point shooting team in netball but pretty much stay with them (just scoring half the points cause you're only getting ones). We grafted pretty hard for our points and I'm sure there were lots of little mistakes we'll weed out as we get used to it again.
Having said that, I'm not implying that we stayed with them really. They were fitter, taller, more experienced and better. But I think they layed off us a bit of defence (either that or they're a pretty lazy team) so we got some passes strung together. We're all much, much better catchers than we used to be :)
Was nice to see Lew and Amelia again. And Mash gave us a bit of control on offence and a long-pass option (which led to a beautiful run by Lew for a point).
I had fun. I didn't like it too much when I had to chase the little red-shirt girl all over the field. But other than that it was fun. My body is built and conditioned to run exactly the length of a basketball court (and then rest for a minute). The field is twice that length. I wanted to stop half-way but the red-shirt girl kept running. Cruel. Bring on basketball season with dimensions I can handle at a sprint (or fast jog, at least).
I try to play by the motto 'rest on offence' but I just really can't keep up with those fit 'uns no matter how hard I try. Especially in current post-summer shape. Especially!
3. Nesting
I've started thinking more seriously about buying a house. I even went and got a pre-approved mortgage and stuff. I just have to be patient and wait for the right houses to come on the market. My heart in currently set on some kind of two bedroom cottage in Petone for under $400,000. I've seen a few such houses around in the last year or so of passively looking, so hopefully a few more come on the market soon.
In the mean-time I've started spending my disposable income on house stuff. I figure I could do that instead of buying dresses for a bit. I've just had two flatmates move out which has left a few things the flat needed. I usually resent buying stuff like that, but since it's stuff I'll have to buy anyhow it feels less painful to buy some now rather than have to spend thousands all at once when I buy a house. If I can do it bit by bit from my cheque account it will mean my deposit is bigger! I'll put off buying stuff that wears out quickly or needs to be the right size for the house (new manchester and couch).
I have bought
I still have to buy the big lounge TV but I'll do that some time this week.
It's quite satisfying! My sharp utility knife is awesome. It cut through a pineapple like it was butter.
4. My Favourite Things
Right now I am loving soda water with lemon and lime cordial. And vanilla-custard flavoured yoghurt. And I'm looking forward to the Fashion Police Golden Globes special. Watching Fashion Police is one of my guilty pleasures.
5. Reading
I just finished reading 'Mister Pip'. It wasn't at all what I expected. It was very easy to read. I thought it was gonna be convoluted for some reason.
Now I have to re-read stuff I'm going to teach. And start planning and stuff. No more reading for leisure!
I have enjoyed using the Michelle Library and will be going back some time though. I don't think I've ever borrowed and returned books this quickly. It's a record.
Why are there ants on my laptop moniter? I keep killing them but they keep coming back. Just two at a time. No trail. Stealth.
I love that ants die so easily.
2. Frisbee
The season has started again. We had a 20-9 loss, which may sound bad but was actually ok.
We're usually playing teams that can pass the Frisbee the length of the field whereas we take a whole bunch of little passes. It's kinda like when you play an awesome 2 point shooting team in netball but pretty much stay with them (just scoring half the points cause you're only getting ones). We grafted pretty hard for our points and I'm sure there were lots of little mistakes we'll weed out as we get used to it again.
Having said that, I'm not implying that we stayed with them really. They were fitter, taller, more experienced and better. But I think they layed off us a bit of defence (either that or they're a pretty lazy team) so we got some passes strung together. We're all much, much better catchers than we used to be :)
Was nice to see Lew and Amelia again. And Mash gave us a bit of control on offence and a long-pass option (which led to a beautiful run by Lew for a point).
I had fun. I didn't like it too much when I had to chase the little red-shirt girl all over the field. But other than that it was fun. My body is built and conditioned to run exactly the length of a basketball court (and then rest for a minute). The field is twice that length. I wanted to stop half-way but the red-shirt girl kept running. Cruel. Bring on basketball season with dimensions I can handle at a sprint (or fast jog, at least).
I try to play by the motto 'rest on offence' but I just really can't keep up with those fit 'uns no matter how hard I try. Especially in current post-summer shape. Especially!
3. Nesting
I've started thinking more seriously about buying a house. I even went and got a pre-approved mortgage and stuff. I just have to be patient and wait for the right houses to come on the market. My heart in currently set on some kind of two bedroom cottage in Petone for under $400,000. I've seen a few such houses around in the last year or so of passively looking, so hopefully a few more come on the market soon.
In the mean-time I've started spending my disposable income on house stuff. I figure I could do that instead of buying dresses for a bit. I've just had two flatmates move out which has left a few things the flat needed. I usually resent buying stuff like that, but since it's stuff I'll have to buy anyhow it feels less painful to buy some now rather than have to spend thousands all at once when I buy a house. If I can do it bit by bit from my cheque account it will mean my deposit is bigger! I'll put off buying stuff that wears out quickly or needs to be the right size for the house (new manchester and couch).
I have bought
- a big wooden chopping board (one of those checkerboard ones 60% off at Nood)
- a few sharp knives
- a pots and pans set (60% off at Briscoes, bless them)
- a spice rack (one of those awesome magnetised ones)
- a pot-holder
- more giant plastic storage boxes with wheels and lids (to clean out my linen cupboard of crap)
- a rack to put letters, take-away menus etc in
- a dvd player for the lounge ($30 - can't be bothered buying a flash one til they come down in price)
- an iron ($19 from Briscoes down from $70)
I still have to buy the big lounge TV but I'll do that some time this week.
It's quite satisfying! My sharp utility knife is awesome. It cut through a pineapple like it was butter.
4. My Favourite Things
Right now I am loving soda water with lemon and lime cordial. And vanilla-custard flavoured yoghurt. And I'm looking forward to the Fashion Police Golden Globes special. Watching Fashion Police is one of my guilty pleasures.
5. Reading
I just finished reading 'Mister Pip'. It wasn't at all what I expected. It was very easy to read. I thought it was gonna be convoluted for some reason.
Now I have to re-read stuff I'm going to teach. And start planning and stuff. No more reading for leisure!
I have enjoyed using the Michelle Library and will be going back some time though. I don't think I've ever borrowed and returned books this quickly. It's a record.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
No more pizzas please.
Me, Michelle and Janine all got multiple vouchers for $6 pizzas at the Craftsman. Great deal - but it really hasn't helped my post-Christmas healthy eat idea. I spose I could've just not eaten any of them (or maybe not the full half of the pizza that I consumed) .... but they were practically free! I can't say no to free food.
Today me and Janine went there for lunch. While we had our chicken, cranberry and camenbert, we played Scrabble.
She won.
I could've won but made a dumb move at the end. She also let me have 'quin' which may or may not be a 'real' word. But it got me lots of points!
* * *
TV Advice
After that she helped me go TV shopping. With Reidun moving, we'll be TV-less again.
I figure I'll buy a 32 incher. They seem to be around $600 to $900 which is all I want to spend.
Does anyone have any advice about what to look for? I went around four shops today taking notes. Here are my questions:
1. What brands are best? The first guy said he wouldn't get a Samsung, but the other two guys I asked said they were fine. LG, Panasonic and Sony seemed to be the other main ones. I don't think I'd go down to a super-cheap brand I'd never heard of.
2. Would you bother getting full HD? I couldn't see heaps of difference on some of the sets, but maybe a little. I'm tempted to get the 50Hz HD maybe.
3. LCD, LED or plasma? I figure I'll get LCD probably. If I stretched my budget to a 42 incher I'd have to decide though. The sales guy estimated that if I watch a lot of TV it might be up to $6 a week more power to have a plasma.
4. Any other features to look for? The first guy pointed out that some brands have USB ports that you can watch movies from - that sounds good. They all seem to be Freeview ready. To be honest, I'm not a super fancy TV watcher. I just wanna do the basics. But a TV that could watch movies from my laptop or external hard-drive really easily would be a bonus. I just bought an external hard-drive today so I'm gonna steal movies off people now.
* * *
For those of you who try to keep up with who my flatmates are (it can be confusing at times).... Reidun is moving out tomorrow having had a whirlwind job offer yesterday for a school up north. And Anthony moved in today. He seems nice. He's sporty so I may be able to make him fill in for our various teams. If he is worthy.
The changes are ringing! I'm gonna take the opportunity to do a bit of spring cleaning. Over the years lots of flatmates have left bits and pieces behind and I've never known if they were Reidun's or theirs. Now I'll be able to throw away pretty much anything that I don't want since Colleen doesn't have much stuff in the common areas and the new guy hasn't had time to spread out there yet either.
Might have to do a car-load to the dump, even. I've never done that!
If anyone is looking for a 'rustic' sleepout (no fancy stuff like bathrooms or kitchens, but it has electricity!) for $85 plus expenses... let me know :)
* * *
Indoor Land
First indoor netball game of 2011 played. We won. That was good because the other team had two players from Michelle's outdoor team (which I played a season of twilight with at the end of last year). We like beating her outdoor teammates especially. We were losing the first quarter so had to make a wee comeback, too.
I got quite tired trying to defend the crafty little Attack guy (the one Morgan has made 'friends' with so he has to be nice to him on court). He used his elbows and other body parts craftily so that you practically have to lean on him the whole game. I don't enjoy that kind of intimacy with non love interests.
I had to make Michelle swap positions after two quarters of it. Tactically that wasn't a great move 'cause me and Ben had finally figured out his game and were double teaming him pretty well, but I felt happier down in the land of Attack. Me and Brad tend to make it like a comedy show down there.
Defence is intense! Attack is slack!
* * *
And by the way, I have now added 'Cassie the Lap Bandit' to my blog list. It's my friend Cassie (who most of you know) and her blog about her lap band operation. She hasn't had it yet, so it's still build up (was supposed to have it, but it all went terribly wrong on the theatre table).
It's all kinda fascinating. She's also already lost 21kg just with the pre-op diets - legendary!
Me, Michelle and Janine all got multiple vouchers for $6 pizzas at the Craftsman. Great deal - but it really hasn't helped my post-Christmas healthy eat idea. I spose I could've just not eaten any of them (or maybe not the full half of the pizza that I consumed) .... but they were practically free! I can't say no to free food.
Today me and Janine went there for lunch. While we had our chicken, cranberry and camenbert, we played Scrabble.
She won.
I could've won but made a dumb move at the end. She also let me have 'quin' which may or may not be a 'real' word. But it got me lots of points!
* * *
TV Advice
After that she helped me go TV shopping. With Reidun moving, we'll be TV-less again.
I figure I'll buy a 32 incher. They seem to be around $600 to $900 which is all I want to spend.
Does anyone have any advice about what to look for? I went around four shops today taking notes. Here are my questions:
1. What brands are best? The first guy said he wouldn't get a Samsung, but the other two guys I asked said they were fine. LG, Panasonic and Sony seemed to be the other main ones. I don't think I'd go down to a super-cheap brand I'd never heard of.
2. Would you bother getting full HD? I couldn't see heaps of difference on some of the sets, but maybe a little. I'm tempted to get the 50Hz HD maybe.
3. LCD, LED or plasma? I figure I'll get LCD probably. If I stretched my budget to a 42 incher I'd have to decide though. The sales guy estimated that if I watch a lot of TV it might be up to $6 a week more power to have a plasma.
4. Any other features to look for? The first guy pointed out that some brands have USB ports that you can watch movies from - that sounds good. They all seem to be Freeview ready. To be honest, I'm not a super fancy TV watcher. I just wanna do the basics. But a TV that could watch movies from my laptop or external hard-drive really easily would be a bonus. I just bought an external hard-drive today so I'm gonna steal movies off people now.
* * *
For those of you who try to keep up with who my flatmates are (it can be confusing at times).... Reidun is moving out tomorrow having had a whirlwind job offer yesterday for a school up north. And Anthony moved in today. He seems nice. He's sporty so I may be able to make him fill in for our various teams. If he is worthy.
The changes are ringing! I'm gonna take the opportunity to do a bit of spring cleaning. Over the years lots of flatmates have left bits and pieces behind and I've never known if they were Reidun's or theirs. Now I'll be able to throw away pretty much anything that I don't want since Colleen doesn't have much stuff in the common areas and the new guy hasn't had time to spread out there yet either.
Might have to do a car-load to the dump, even. I've never done that!
If anyone is looking for a 'rustic' sleepout (no fancy stuff like bathrooms or kitchens, but it has electricity!) for $85 plus expenses... let me know :)
* * *
Indoor Land
First indoor netball game of 2011 played. We won. That was good because the other team had two players from Michelle's outdoor team (which I played a season of twilight with at the end of last year). We like beating her outdoor teammates especially. We were losing the first quarter so had to make a wee comeback, too.
I got quite tired trying to defend the crafty little Attack guy (the one Morgan has made 'friends' with so he has to be nice to him on court). He used his elbows and other body parts craftily so that you practically have to lean on him the whole game. I don't enjoy that kind of intimacy with non love interests.
I had to make Michelle swap positions after two quarters of it. Tactically that wasn't a great move 'cause me and Ben had finally figured out his game and were double teaming him pretty well, but I felt happier down in the land of Attack. Me and Brad tend to make it like a comedy show down there.
Defence is intense! Attack is slack!
* * *
And by the way, I have now added 'Cassie the Lap Bandit' to my blog list. It's my friend Cassie (who most of you know) and her blog about her lap band operation. She hasn't had it yet, so it's still build up (was supposed to have it, but it all went terribly wrong on the theatre table).
It's all kinda fascinating. She's also already lost 21kg just with the pre-op diets - legendary!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Grindhouse
I just watched the double feature of Death Proof and Planet Terror with Janine.
I liked them.
But you know how after you watch stuff like that, you end up kinda feeling like you're in the movie for the first few minutes afterwards... like you're in some kind of hyper reality? Death Proof is not a good movie to watch just before you have to drive home at 1am.
I liked them.
But you know how after you watch stuff like that, you end up kinda feeling like you're in the movie for the first few minutes afterwards... like you're in some kind of hyper reality? Death Proof is not a good movie to watch just before you have to drive home at 1am.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Me Plans
I'm officially getting my head into the zone where I'm ready to buy a house. It's taken a while.
The past year I've been looking on TradeMe religiously to get a feel for how much house you can get for your money in different suburbs.
But I haven't gone beyond that yet. I think I've been happy enough flatting where I am. My flatmates have been stable and nice and I like watching my money grow. I know when I buy a house it won't be nearly as close to the city, my bedroom won't be as sunny or massive and I'll be way, way poorer and will have to make an effort to not turn into a hermit. There will be compromises to make.
But now I'm ready to be a poor hermit. Most of my friends are already anyhow :) I think cheap, suburban fun is the name of the game in your mid-30s.
I've been talking to house-savvy friends to get advice on where to start and what to ask about. And next week I might actually go to the bank and get one of them pre-approved things so I have a proper budget.
I think I'll be aiming way under what they'll actually loan me anyway, so it won't be a problem. I want to pay somewhere under $400 a week mortgage. That's about what I've been saving, plus I've been paying rent on top of that. I think, according to the online mortgage calculators, I'll be looking for somewhere in the $350,000 to $400,000 range.
My dream house would be a two bedroom cottage in Petone. 90m square (or so). With a garage (off street park could suffice if it's not near the beach). Small backyard, but low maintenance (enough to sit outside or have a BBQ and a tiny vege and herb garden but not much more). Neutral and fresh interior. Not expecting anything flash for my budget - just tidy and not too outdated. Don't wanna have to do any work on it urgently. Character would be a bonus.
I want the second bedroom to be just for visitors or people who need a short-term crash-pad. Don't really want a permanent flatmate. I want it to just be Kate Land. Everything chosen, arranged and cleaned by me. No negotiation, compromises or walking on egg-shells. No feeling guilty for using up band-width watching YouTube videos or keeping my heater on because it's cold or leaving dishes on the bench for a day or two (though, am very keen to get another house with a dish-washer - they're essential!). White with splashes of red and other warm colours. Clean lines. Culture and pretty things dotted around on walls and bookshelves. Quirky and colourful cushions. Somewhere to hang coats. Coffee tables you can put your feet up on.
I'll need to buy a few new things straight away (maybe beforehand, depending on current flatmates dispersing):
Who knows if it will take a month or a year. That's the scary bit.
I'm going to my first open home with Cassie along for emotional support on Sunday.
The past year I've been looking on TradeMe religiously to get a feel for how much house you can get for your money in different suburbs.
But I haven't gone beyond that yet. I think I've been happy enough flatting where I am. My flatmates have been stable and nice and I like watching my money grow. I know when I buy a house it won't be nearly as close to the city, my bedroom won't be as sunny or massive and I'll be way, way poorer and will have to make an effort to not turn into a hermit. There will be compromises to make.
But now I'm ready to be a poor hermit. Most of my friends are already anyhow :) I think cheap, suburban fun is the name of the game in your mid-30s.
I've been talking to house-savvy friends to get advice on where to start and what to ask about. And next week I might actually go to the bank and get one of them pre-approved things so I have a proper budget.
I think I'll be aiming way under what they'll actually loan me anyway, so it won't be a problem. I want to pay somewhere under $400 a week mortgage. That's about what I've been saving, plus I've been paying rent on top of that. I think, according to the online mortgage calculators, I'll be looking for somewhere in the $350,000 to $400,000 range.
My dream house would be a two bedroom cottage in Petone. 90m square (or so). With a garage (off street park could suffice if it's not near the beach). Small backyard, but low maintenance (enough to sit outside or have a BBQ and a tiny vege and herb garden but not much more). Neutral and fresh interior. Not expecting anything flash for my budget - just tidy and not too outdated. Don't wanna have to do any work on it urgently. Character would be a bonus.
I want the second bedroom to be just for visitors or people who need a short-term crash-pad. Don't really want a permanent flatmate. I want it to just be Kate Land. Everything chosen, arranged and cleaned by me. No negotiation, compromises or walking on egg-shells. No feeling guilty for using up band-width watching YouTube videos or keeping my heater on because it's cold or leaving dishes on the bench for a day or two (though, am very keen to get another house with a dish-washer - they're essential!). White with splashes of red and other warm colours. Clean lines. Culture and pretty things dotted around on walls and bookshelves. Quirky and colourful cushions. Somewhere to hang coats. Coffee tables you can put your feet up on.
I'll need to buy a few new things straight away (maybe beforehand, depending on current flatmates dispersing):
- big TV
- washing machine and dryer
- vacuum (mine just broke)
- toaster and kettle
- a decent set of pots and pans
- bed for spare room
- new lounge suite (I've wanted this for a year or so but figure I'll wait to see what kind of space I have to work with - rather than accidentally get something that ends up being too big or the wrong colour)
- a robot dog
Who knows if it will take a month or a year. That's the scary bit.
I'm going to my first open home with Cassie along for emotional support on Sunday.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Gotta go to the museum some time soon. See the masters.
* * *
Have been eating breakfast at home and most other meals 'out' for the last few days.
Anther bag of salad-mix will be quietly wilting away in my fridge.
* * *
Sun. Cloud. Wind. Repeat. Weird summer weather cycle we're having. The wind is a bit crazy.
* * *
Me and Cass are guessing NCEA results come out next week or so. That's always interesting (and momentarily terrifying).
You get the same nervous feeling that kids get when they open their results (when you log into the all-seeing teacher-site where we can view results).
* * *
Wellington has been nice and quiet for the last couple of weeks. Would be quite lovely if it was always this populated. Except I'd like more of my cafes to be open at the same time.
* * *
Saw Harry Potter 7 and liked it. Didn't understand a lot of the technical stuff (not being a reader of the series in general) but was fun enough. You just need to know that Harry Potter = Frodo and Ron = Sam and Voldemort = Sauron.
* * *
Am really like Modern Family now that it's on every night. Ed O'Neill works well as a successful guy who gives good advice. Who woulda thought?
I also watched The Graduate all the way through for the first time the other night. I liked it. I like how 70s movies liked to have those slightly ambiguous endings. And a Simon and Garfunkel sound-track is a good thing. I grew up on them.
* * *
Must head to the LVN for a bit next week. Will wear my t-shirt. Wonder if people will think I'm a tourist. Maybe I'll carry a map and camera with me for effect.
* * *
Am now reading Middlesex. My second big-fat-book in a row!
This reading thing's a lark. And they don't even have any pictures in them either.
* * *
Have been eating breakfast at home and most other meals 'out' for the last few days.
Anther bag of salad-mix will be quietly wilting away in my fridge.
* * *
Sun. Cloud. Wind. Repeat. Weird summer weather cycle we're having. The wind is a bit crazy.
* * *
Me and Cass are guessing NCEA results come out next week or so. That's always interesting (and momentarily terrifying).
You get the same nervous feeling that kids get when they open their results (when you log into the all-seeing teacher-site where we can view results).
* * *
Wellington has been nice and quiet for the last couple of weeks. Would be quite lovely if it was always this populated. Except I'd like more of my cafes to be open at the same time.
* * *
Saw Harry Potter 7 and liked it. Didn't understand a lot of the technical stuff (not being a reader of the series in general) but was fun enough. You just need to know that Harry Potter = Frodo and Ron = Sam and Voldemort = Sauron.
* * *
Am really like Modern Family now that it's on every night. Ed O'Neill works well as a successful guy who gives good advice. Who woulda thought?
I also watched The Graduate all the way through for the first time the other night. I liked it. I like how 70s movies liked to have those slightly ambiguous endings. And a Simon and Garfunkel sound-track is a good thing. I grew up on them.
* * *
Must head to the LVN for a bit next week. Will wear my t-shirt. Wonder if people will think I'm a tourist. Maybe I'll carry a map and camera with me for effect.
* * *
Am now reading Middlesex. My second big-fat-book in a row!
This reading thing's a lark. And they don't even have any pictures in them either.
Monday, January 03, 2011
NYE Predictions for 2011
Here are our drunken new year's eve predictions (some are morbid, yes). We weren't allowed to say the same thing as anyone else. Since we were drunk, we didn't all answer each question 'cause our attention spans were not good.
What Famous People Will Die?
Michelle - Prince or Whitney Houston
Jon - Jack Nicholson
James - Lady Gaga or Beyonce
Cassie - Liz Taylor or Morgan Freeman
Kate - Paul McCartney
Brendan - Tom Cruise or Ian McThingie (the LOTR guy)
What Will be the Big Break-Up of the Year?
James - Nicole and Keith
Cassie - Brad and Angelina
Jon - Khloe and Lamar
Michelle - JayZ and Beyonce
Kate - Tom and Katie
Sum up 2010 in One Word
Cassie - Ass
James - Awesome
Jon - Poop
Michelle - Meh
Brendan - Sucked
Kate - Average
Event of the Year
Cassie - My Non-Op
Jon - Michael Jackson's Funeral
James - The Festival of James
Who Will Win the World Cup?
Kate - France
James - Australia
Jon - NZ
Cassie - South Africa
Brendan - England
What Famous People Will Die?
Michelle - Prince or Whitney Houston
Jon - Jack Nicholson
James - Lady Gaga or Beyonce
Cassie - Liz Taylor or Morgan Freeman
Kate - Paul McCartney
Brendan - Tom Cruise or Ian McThingie (the LOTR guy)
What Will be the Big Break-Up of the Year?
James - Nicole and Keith
Cassie - Brad and Angelina
Jon - Khloe and Lamar
Michelle - JayZ and Beyonce
Kate - Tom and Katie
Sum up 2010 in One Word
Cassie - Ass
James - Awesome
Jon - Poop
Michelle - Meh
Brendan - Sucked
Kate - Average
Event of the Year
Cassie - My Non-Op
Jon - Michael Jackson's Funeral
James - The Festival of James
Who Will Win the World Cup?
Kate - France
James - Australia
Jon - NZ
Cassie - South Africa
Brendan - England
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Hello 2011.
You look nice so far. Blue skies and a Glee marathon on TV.
* * *
I'm going to (in a direct doctor-speak quote from my GP) 'molly-coddle' my back for a bit. I think it needs a day in bed reading.
Enough of the tennis-playing and cross-town revelling. It's 33 years old now and starting to feel its age. Even though the face still looks under 25 (another direct quote).
Woke up a little hung-over today. Didn't get home til 6am or so. The sky was light. We closed the blinds quickly to hide the sunlight. Woke up very dry-mouthed. My voice was hoarse from something. My hair was sticky from something.
Me and Cassie got up slowly and had avocado and tomoto on toast.
Once my stomache had soaked up the remnants of alcohol, I went to get my car. Peered up at Michelle's and the blinds were all still down.
Would like some peanut butter icecream, please.
You look nice so far. Blue skies and a Glee marathon on TV.
* * *
I'm going to (in a direct doctor-speak quote from my GP) 'molly-coddle' my back for a bit. I think it needs a day in bed reading.
Enough of the tennis-playing and cross-town revelling. It's 33 years old now and starting to feel its age. Even though the face still looks under 25 (another direct quote).
Woke up a little hung-over today. Didn't get home til 6am or so. The sky was light. We closed the blinds quickly to hide the sunlight. Woke up very dry-mouthed. My voice was hoarse from something. My hair was sticky from something.
Me and Cassie got up slowly and had avocado and tomoto on toast.
Once my stomache had soaked up the remnants of alcohol, I went to get my car. Peered up at Michelle's and the blinds were all still down.
Would like some peanut butter icecream, please.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
I started reading The God of Small Things yesterday, in the bath. Once I got past the first page or so I really liked it. I read til the water was luke warm.
I kept reading til 2am (in bed now). Outside it was storming with angry wind and rain. I had my window ajar so the blind was puffing in and out and I could feel a tiny bit of rain on my cheek.
I like when a book is that good and the weather is that dramatic.
I wish the wind would stop soon though. At this rate I'll hardly ever get to wear my new billowy summer dress!
I kept reading til 2am (in bed now). Outside it was storming with angry wind and rain. I had my window ajar so the blind was puffing in and out and I could feel a tiny bit of rain on my cheek.
I like when a book is that good and the weather is that dramatic.
I wish the wind would stop soon though. At this rate I'll hardly ever get to wear my new billowy summer dress!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Now that I'm 33 year old cougar this is my favourite kind of anecdote...
[Yeah, this is really similar to a previous post but it just proves the trend]
JJ Murphey's waitress: Can I see some ID?
Me: [blank look - I only ordered coffee and corn fritters for lunch]
JJMW: Sorry, we have to ID you to serve you anything on the premesis, if you look under 25.
Me: :)
[I think it's the chubby cheeks - they make me look cherubic and youthful!]
* * *
And these are my favourite songs from my Adele CD.
JJ Murphey's waitress: Can I see some ID?
Me: [blank look - I only ordered coffee and corn fritters for lunch]
JJMW: Sorry, we have to ID you to serve you anything on the premesis, if you look under 25.
Me: :)
[I think it's the chubby cheeks - they make me look cherubic and youthful!]
* * *
And these are my favourite songs from my Adele CD.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Tunnel
I was walking home at 2am on Christmas night through the Mt Vic Tunnel. (About four Rosebuds and four Mojitos and a fruit cocktail and a wine.... )
It was so quiet. Probably the whole time I walked through only half a dozen vehicles came (and that's a 6 minute walk or so). I liked it. Oddly peaceful. And I had on my comfy sneakers and my summer dress that swishes as I walk. What is usually the nosiest place in town was the quietest.
I could actually hear noises in there I'd never heard before. Trickling water and a humming noise. I saw a plastic bag floating very American Beauty-esquely down the empty road below.
Three fire engines sped through, no sirens but flashing lights. I wondered where they were going. I suppose it was to the gymnasium fire at Rongotai (as I heard on the radio the next morning).
Today I was walking through again, just after lunch and it was was noisy. I tried singing, really loudly (The Lion Sleeps Tonight, for some reason), and I could barely even hear myself. Kinda liberating singing at the top of your lungs in public without anyone hearing a note of it.
Quite a contrast though. Christmas day is the eeriest time in Wellington city.
It's like the whole populace have had a mass exodus back to their turangawaewae (or at least to the Hutt). Back to their secret home towns that their new urban identities have tried to hide away from public view.... where their labels mean nothing......
* * *
Today is one of those days where I like my friends. Not that I don't always like them, I just had a really nice time with two separate bunches of people. All fairly spontaneously planned. Nice.
>
And I won Trivial Pursuits (with Fishy). The point is that we beat Sam. It is worth noting any time we do that. My knowledge of mid-90s All Blacks trivia was surprising, given I couldn't name more than three players in the team nowadays.
.
My friends are smart. That's the way I like them.
.
Nice to see Charlotte using presents I gave her as a babe. Hungry Caterpillar DVD (and 'Catch the Moon' - cute). I liked that a lot because Roger McGough was the narrator, I think.
.
And a music box thingie that I thought would break after a day or so is still going strong. Woohoo!
.
I tried to explain to her that I'd bought them for her last year, but her 2 year old mind did not comprehend that and she looked at me like I was a crazy person and she snatched them back off me, saying 'Charlotte's!' emphatically.
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