Hats, Hats, Hats!!

Last night was Mella's "Horrible Hat's Housewarming" - so here's some photo's of us in our horrible (and not so horrible) hats!

Badges Badges Badges

Well - even though I won't be able to attend the "Reclaim the Night" march anymore because my operation is due the day before...grrr...I have decided to keep on helping with the planning and preparation.

I decided to keep on helping out because -

A) I really do like planning/organising things
B) I've been helping out for so long - it seems stupied to pull out now
C) I like hanging out with the organising group

So last night Jaimee and I headed up to 128 to make badges - making badges totally rocks!! I want a badge maker!

We made a whole bunch of RTN and general feminist badges - it was so much fun - I totally can't wait to make badges again.

The big day for my operation has been set!

Today I got a ring from the hospital - my operation has been set for the 22 November - Thank God for that!!

I've now arranged for leave from work and phoned my mum to let her know when the operation will be so she can come down and do all of those mum type things that you need when you're sick.

So I am feeling really glad I am going to have my operation and work out whether I have endometriosis or something else and start to deal with it a bit better than I have been lately!!

So I am relieved but nervous too....

The only problem is that my operation is going to be on 22nd November and Reclaim the Night is going to be on the 23rd - so I won't be able to go on the March - which is such a bummer. But I guess the important thing is I will be able to find out for sure what is wrong and deal with it.

I can always go to Reclaim the Night next year but it's still disappointing.

Ladyfest 2006

Ladyfest 2006 is going to be held on 1st, 2nd & 3rd of December this year with gigs and markets!!

Yah I can hardly wait - now all I have to do is find some people willing to come along to some events with me!

Here's the myspace for Ladyfest Wellington

http://www.myspace.com/ladyfest_wellington

Equality?

From the Dom Post Yesterday

Highlighting the wage gap 07 November 2006

LANE NICHOLS Kiwi women slogging it out in female-dominated jobs earn around a third less than men with similar experience in traditionally masculine careers, a new report reveals.

Experienced female caregivers, cafe workers and retail assistants could earn an extra $15,000 a year on average if they switched to predominantly male trades such as building, plumbing or engineering.

The findings have caught the attention of the Equal Employment Opportunities commissioner and sparked concerns about gender-based occupational segregation in this country.

The Wages and Costs of Education and Training report was compiled by the Ministry of Women's Affairs to assess the financial reward associated with certain gender-specific careers for female job seekers.

Women's Affairs Minister Lianne Dalziel said the findings showed wages for qualified, experienced staff were around 45 per cent higher in male dominated trade-related occupations than in traditionally female jobs.

But that was not necessarily obvious to someone deciding on a career path as starting rates tended to be similar.

Researchers surveyed 115 organisations across 14 work-based training sectors, comparing wages, qualification requirement and training costs.

Male-dominated careers surveyed in the report included building, painting, bricklaying, mechanics, engineering and plumbing. Training costs in these fields were usually paid by employers.

Traditionally female occupations were hairdressing, travel agents, caregivers, beauty therapists, cafe workers, retail assistants and administrators. The workers usually paid for their own training.

On average, a qualified person with five years' experience in a female-dominated trade earned $34,000 a year based on a median hourly rate of $16.50.

A man with similar experience working in a predominantly male trade earned $50,000 a year – or $24 an hour.

Hairdressers and travel agents were exceptions. Both had the highest reported earnings of the 14 trades thanks to a hefty commission component.

Ms Dalziel said recent data showed the pay gap between men and women was reducing, but women's median hourly earnings still lagged 12 per cent behind men's.

"This is the kind of information I believe all young people should know about before they make the decision about what field to enter."

Equal Employment Opportunities commissioner Judy McGregor said the findings were concerning, though not a surprise.

There was a mistaken belief that women were not concerned about money when choosing a profession.

Young female job seekers needed better information about career prospects and pay, she said.
The ministry plans further work to assess whether young people will use the report's findings when choosing a career and whether the modern apprenticeship scheme is accessible to women. It will also look at whether gender-based occupational segregation has any economic impacts.

From the Herald


Government braced for claims after equal pay review

Tuesday November 7, 2006By Mike Houlahan

The Government could be addressing its first pay-equity claims by the middle of next year, with the Cabinet agreeing terms of reference for pay and employment equity reviews.

The public service, health and education sectors will all be subject to a review designed to ensure occupations that are dominated by women see those workers earn fair pay and have equal employment opportunities.

Despite equal pay law being on the books since 1972, in March 2005 women's average hourly earnings were 86.4 per cent of men's.

"The aim is to have a process and remedy which is sustainable, so that in a decade we could say we don't have a pay and employment equity gap in New Zealand," Labour Minister Ruth Dyson said yesterday.

"Whether that's delivered or not is yet to be seen. It's a new process."

Before a pay equity or equal employment opportunity claim is lodged, a template which tests each occupation's job size and remuneration against a comparable occupation must be completed.

A review will then be carried out before a claim is lodged.

Depending on the review's findings, workers such as teachers, secretaries, librarians, dental therapists and nurses may find their wages boosted.

"I don't imagine the pay gap is going to be huge in a number of occupations," Ms Dyson said. "I do think the employment equity issues are ones we have to get our heads around better and which employers will have to work hard to deliver on.

"You can fix a pay gap with a one-off wage increase, but that doesn't mean it's going to be sustained. If you change the workplace so that female staff are better valued for their contribution, then it will be sustainable."

Ms Dyson expected to see some definite claims on the table by the middle or third quarter of next year.

She said there had been "huge understanding and support" from the relevant government departments and agencies, from the State Services Commission, District Health Boards, and school trustees.

Council of Trade Unions vice-president Helen Kelly said with pay equity claims resolved women would look at the state as a preferred employer, boosting the need for private sector to move in step

The weekend so far....

So what have I done with my weekend so far....on Friday night we went out to the Lighthouse Cinema in Petone to watch "Kenny" - which was a bit long winded but a pretty damn funny Aussie film and if you like toilet humour you would be in absolute heaven if you liked toilet humour....plus it had some pretty good one liners and "Kenny" himself did make an appearance after the end of the film. After the film we went out for some dinner...mmm...middle eastern food.

Yesterday Jess and I went for a walk along the waterfront in the morning and then went out to Westfield to do some shopping(man did we do some walking yesterday!!) - I hadn't been out there for ages and I managed to get quite a few christmas presents for the family and also a new top, some costume jewellery and also the new Mint Chicks CD that I have been wanting FOREVER - I'm listening to it right now!

Last night Rich and I went out to dinner at the Holy Cow in Kelburn which was really cool - It was one of those places that we always walk past and say "we should go there" but never do because it's not in town - but we finally got there and the food was good...mmm...to finish off the night we went up to the botanical gardens and watched all the fireworks which were absolutely beautiful - I loved watching them - it just makes you feel like a little kid in awe to see them again because they are just so big and beautiful.

Anyhoo - I gotta go and have a shower - we are heading off for a walk somewhere this morning...not quite sure where yet...

Thank God it's Friday!!

Finally Friday at last - this seems like it has been a REALLY long week!!

Tonight we're off to the movies with Jess & Andrew to see "Kenny" an Aussie comedy - looks pretty funny actually.

I am so hoping the weather will say good this weekend so that Rich and I can go for a day walk on Sunday - I really need to get out in nature and have some fresh air!!

White Ribbon Day - 25 November

Here's a worthwhile event which is on at about the same time as Reclaim the Night - White Ribbon Day - which is a day to raise awareness of and stop violence against Women and Children.

http://www.nzfamilies.org.nz/white-ribbon.php

I would really like to do the self defence workshop - going to see if I can get some of my posse together to do this!

Can the world get more insane - what are toy makers thinking?

Outcry over tots' pole-dancing kit

28 October 2006

By DAVID BRAITHWAITE

Sydney Morning Herald

A "sexy" pole-dancing kit has been pulled from the toys and games section of a website run by Britain's biggest retailer after protests from outraged parents.

The Peekaboo pole-dancing kit, which has a "sexy garter" to help "unleash the sex kitten inside" was sold in Tesco Direct's toys and games section, The Daily Mail reported.

"Soon you'll be flaunting it to the world and earning a fortune in Peekaboo Dance Dollars," its blurb reads.

"Unleash the sex kitten inside... simply extend the Peekaboo pole inside the tube, slip on the sexy tunes and away you go!"

The £50 ($NZ145) kit includes a 2.6-metre chrome pole, a "sexy dance garter" and a DVD demonstrating suggestive dance moves, the report said.

However, family campaigners slammed the kit's status as a toy, saying it would "destroy children's lives".

"It is an open invitation to turn the youngest children on to sexual behaviour," Dr Adrian Rogers of the Family First group told The Daily Mail.

"This will be sold to four, five and six-year-olds. This is a most dangerous toy that will contribute towards destroying children's innocence.

"Children are being encouraged to dance round a pole, which is interpreted in the adult world as a phallic symbol.

"This should only be available to the most depraved people who want to corrupt their children."
The Daily Mail report said Tesco had removed the kit from the toys and games area of its site, but would still sell it as a "fitness accessory".

The retailer denied the pole-dancing kit was sexually oriented and it was clearly marked for adult use.

"Pole dancing is an increasing exercise craze. This item is for people who want to improve their fitness and have fun at the same time," a spokesman said.

Other British retailers had been forced to remove sexually suggestive children's products from their shelves, including padded bras with a "Little Miss Naughty" logo, the report said

It's Wednesday - Half way to the end of the week and payday!!

This week feels long already - I think this is because last week was a four day week!!

Last night I went over to Kat's to finally make Rich's (now rather beleted) birthday muffins - but they are yummy muffin's especially for muffin's from a packet!!

I just hung out with Kat whilst I waited for the muffins and she has agreed to take up a dress for me so we sorted that out and we also agreed on meeting up more regulary for craft nights - especially with Christmas coming up - I need to really begin to do some crafting things for Christmas presents.

Well I best be off and get ready for work - at least today is payday so life isn't all bad.

Happy Birthday Ally!!

It's my friend Alaina's Birthday today - Happy Birthday Ally!!

Happy Movember!!

Happy Movember - what is Movember you may ask? Well have a look at the link below!!

http://www.movember.com/nz/whatismov/

Things go from bad to worse - I think I am due to have some good luck soon!!

Well I went to the dentist yesterday and it turns out I need a whole heap of dental work including all of my wisdom teeth out (which my mum and dad both assure me are the worst teeth to have pulled - awesome) at a total cost of $3,000.00 which is a heck of a lot of money!!

So it's painful on both the bank balance and the mouth - my first dentist's appointment will be 90 minutes long to have a whole bunch of fillings done. I have to have it done ASAP though as one of my teeth is getting really close to being a root canal which is something I really don't want done.

I said to the dentist that I had no idea that my teeth were that bad and he said that most people don't really feel any pain in their teeth until it's really serious...hummm....I guess it's good to get them before they are too nasty but not something you really want to pay for when you're saving for a house and a massive amount of Christmas Travel and the general expensive of Christmas.

Well - that's enough of a spazz out about that - but I'm sure there will be numerous nervous posts on here prior to me having the three (yes!! three!!) appointments I have to have to fix my teeth.

I've been going through a bit of a down cycle of late - what with my supposed endo (I still haven't heard anything from the hospital in regard to my operation) and a number of different little things that have gone wrong in the last year....I think it's about time I had some good luck in my life!!

Thank A Feminist

If you're female and...

you can vote, thank a feminist....

you get paid as much as men doing the same job, thank a feminist....

you went to college instead of being expected to quit after high school so your brothers could go because "You'll just get married anyway", thank a feminist....

you can apply for any job, not just "women's work", thank a feminist...

you can get or give birth control information without going to jail, thank a feminist. ...

your doctor, lawyer, pastor, judge or legislator is a woman, thank a feminist....

you play an organized sport, thank a feminist....

you can wear slacks without being excommunicated from your church or run out of town, thank a feminist....

your boss isn't allowed to pressure you to sleep with him, thank a feminist....

you get raped and the trial isn't about your hemline or your previous boyfriends, thank a feminist....

you start a small business and can get a loan using only your name and credit history, thank a feminist...

you are on trial and are allowed to testify in your own defense, thank a feminist....

you own property that is solely yours, thank a feminist....

you have the right to your own salary even if you are married or have a male relative, thank a feminist....

you get custody of your children following divorce or separation, thank a feminist....

you get a voice in the raising and care of your children instead of them being completely controlled by the husband/father, thank a feminist....

your husband beats you and it is illegal and the police stop him instead of lecturing you on better wifely behavior, thank a feminist....

you can breastfeed your baby in a public place and not be arrested, thank a feminist....

you marry and your civil human rights do not disappear into your husband's rights, thank a feminist....

you have the right to refuse sex with a diseased husband [or just "husband"], thank a feminist....

you have the right to keep your medical records confidential from the men in your family, thank a feminist....

you have the right to read the books you want, thank a feminist....

you can testify in court about crimes or wrongs your husband has committed, thank a feminist....

you can choose to be a mother or not a mother in you own time not at the dictates of a husband or rapist, thank a feminist....

you can look forward to a lifespan of 80 years instead of dying in your 20s from unlimited childbirth, thank a feminist....

you can see yourself as a full, adult human being instead of a minor who needs to be controlled by a man, thank a feminist.

Well that was a pretty average weekend...

I was really looking forward to Celia's party on Saturday night - it was a nice day during the day and seen as I am feeling pretty unfit right now Rich and I decided to go for a walk - and even though I didn't think it was particulary sunny - I got sunburn and I think sunstroke. When I came home I had a bit of a headache so decided to have a bit of a rest before the party and I didn't really want to have a headache at the party. When I woke up I had the worst headache ever, my sinus' were hurting and my wisdom teeth hurting and man was I ever sick!! So I couldn't go to the party which I was so bummed about because I hate letting people down and also because I really really wanted to go - I hadn't seen a couple people for a while and I was really looking forward to catching up with everyone. I was just so annoyed at being so sick.

Anyways I think it was sunstroke because I woke up on Sunday morning feeling fine - not that I could actually go and do anything because it rained all day!! I did some fimo, some cross-stitch and also I read and read and read.

In the afternoon we did actually go out and do something, Nankz came and picked us up and we went to Midnight Expresso to have a coffee (well hot chocolate actually) with Nankz & Paul. After coffee it was time to go and watch "Fast Food Nation" as there was a screening for Paul's professional body (he's a dietician). It was a really good movie, and excellent movie, but it was one of those movies that made you just realise basically how f*cked everything in the world is. The worst scene was the butchery "Kill Floor" scene at the very end - most of which I just couldn't even bring myself to watch because it was just so disgusting (this coming from someone who can watch hours of zombie/horror flicks) and it made me so glad that it has been years I have eaten beef (or pork or lamb) although it made me question the fact that I am eating chicken and fish and made me think maybe I could go full vego - because I don't think that chicken's in fact get treated much better than cows.

Anyways - enough from me - I have to get ready for work - and I have to go to the dentist today (joy!).

Another Friends Blog...

Ange told me a little while ago that she had started a blog of her own - but I just hadn't gotten around to adding a link - well now I have!! Awesome - I love it when my friends have blogs too:)

Also - yah it is Saturday morning. The girls are aqua jogging this morning but I'm not really feeling up to it as it has been a bit of a rough week (I didn't even get to go and see Superette last night like I wanted too because I was feeling so tired).

Oh well I went to the Doctor yesterday and I got some more meds though so hopefully I will be on the right track again, and I hope I won't get too tired at Celia's party tonight.

Subversive Cross Stitch!!

Yah!! My Subversive Cross stitch has arrived:)

I got the book a while ago and Mella, Rich & I went out to Spotlight over the weekend to get a few crafty bits and pieces and I got the stuff to start my first Subversive Cross Stitch project (the "Please Kill me" design).

Then yesterday my "WTF?" kit arrived in the mail - along with a badge and a few other bits and pieces.

I've stared the the "Please kill me" design and it seems to be working out pretty well considering I haven't done cross-stitch in over 10 years.

The long weekend is nearly over...

"sigh" back to work tommorrow - but one of the benefits of a long weekend is that the following week is only four days long - wicked!!

Anyways it was a pretty good long weekend - it was great to catch up with Conor and Sue over the weekend and celebrate Sue's Birthday at Strawberry Fare (even if it was the worst service EVER!!).

Also managed to finally get my hair cut and coloured over the course of the weekend, I saw a play at Bats with Conor, Sue and Rich and also helped Kat with her stall at Craftwerk.

Well - anyways - here's some photo's from Sue's Birthday dinner :)

Yah! Today is Friday!!

It's been another LONG week but today is finally Friday and we have a long weekend this weekend - hurrah!!

Sue is flying into Wellington today at 7pm - so we're all going out to Harem tonight for dinner, coffee, dessert or whatever - It's going to be fun:)

Well I'm not feeling much better but I've cheered up a bit...

Mostly because Conor and Sue will be here for the weekend so it's a good chance for a whole bunch of us to get together and hang out and do fun Wellington type things.

Also, Conor, Sue and Alaina have decided to come down to Wellington for New Years - which is fantastic - it will be fun to have them down here and also it will make it cheaper for us during the busy christmas time with all the other traffic we have to do!

Also - yesterday - I got the new Phillipa Gregory book from Whitcoulls for half price in their sale! Woohoo!! But I still need to get a Young Adults book for book club next month...hummm...

Well time for a shower and get ready for work - 'sigh'

Still not feeling that great...

But I am going to go into the office today - I don't really feel like I can take another day off - but if I do feel too unwell I will come back home.

I am getting majorly frustrated by the whole thing - in particular my inability to exercise. I'm finding this SO frustrating. I had to work so hard to lose weight and get my level of fitness up and now I feel like I am losing my fitness - my alarm still goes off early but I feel like I just can't get out of bed which sucks so much - It's the worse feeling in the world. My routine used to be to get up at 5:45am and go to the gym for an hour before work and I am struggling to do it. Last week I managed to get up early and exercise three times which made me feel a lot better - but I've not been able to get up at all this week and it's making life really hard.

I seriously don't want to keep losing my fitness and I don't want to put on weight (which is of course what happens when you don't exercise)....I just hope I get my operation soon...

Another day off work for me grrr...

Why am I off work you may ask? Well it's nothing good I assure you - my endo is getting worse again - like it was a little while ago when I had to go up to women's emergency at the hospital. I'm beginning to get way over this all - it just seems so unfair that I should be sick like this and it should go on and on and on while I wait for the operation...

I just try and keep telling myself that there are people out there that are a hell of a lot worse off than myself - I mean at the end of the day endo won't kill me but it's just seriously bringing me down.

Oh well that's enough depressing talk from me for now - hopefully I will feel up to going to the office tommorrow - there's only so much hanging out at home by yourself you can do before you start going completely stir crazy (especially when you live in a little cave like I do).

Wind Turbine

Yesterday Rich and I decided to go for a walk to Brooklyn and go and check out the wind Turbine - despite the weather - here's the pics!

A photo taken approaching the wind turbine - this thing is massive! You really have no idea just how big it is until you're up close!
A photo of Rich and I under the turbine - it's so loud standing under this thing!
Another foggy view of the wind turbine!
Just a scenic view of Wellington on the way up to the wind turbine
A photo of me standing under the wind turbine - it was seriously windy! Photo of me in front of the Wellington scenery Rich & Me in front of some Welly Scenery Rich standing at the base of the wind turbine.

Saturday morning at last...

Well it feels like last week was a very long week with finnishing off my final essay for my course, a busy week at work and not feeling particulary fantastic health wise (one day I will come home and there WILL be a letter in the mailbox telling my my operation is due to go ahead "sigh").

But this week I actually managed to go to the gym 3 times which was fantastic - I know I used to be able to go 6 times a week no worries but these days I really struggle to go most days because I don't feel good at all so going 3 times in one week is a really good effort for me.

Well what am I up to this weekend? I was orginally going to go to Nats Rocky Horror Party tonight but after paying for a whole bunch of the stuff for the horror party, a couple of birthdays presents as well as uni course fees I am too poor to go - because it's a rocky horror party and I really can't afford to get a costume together, present, drinks..."sigh".

So instead we have decided that we will go to a gig up at the Carter Observatory tonight - with Dukes of Leisure and another band that Rich's old tutor from Natcol is in - so it should be a good gig with an interesting venue.

Last night Rich and I went to dinner at Ross' and watched "Land of the Dead" with him which was pretty cool - so we watched "Dawn of the Dead" last weekend and the sequel this weekend which was quite cool. Hopefully Ross enjoyed it - I don't know if it was really his bag!

Today I'm off up to the Women's Room for a while and then going to meet the girls and go for a walk along the waterfront, which will be good, hopefully it's not too windy out there - looks pretty overcast right now but I hope it's not windy - you can never really tell down in this little cave we live in.

Tommorrow I think Rich & I are going for a daywalk and in the afternoon I am catching up with Jo & Nats and going to the beach to hang out for a bit (like we used to do in our 7th form days) and then in the evening I am going to finally catch up with Mella - she's invited us to her new house on The Terrace which sounds really fantastic - I can hardly wait to see it!

Well I best go and get organised to go to the Women's Room or I'll be late!!

Finally - here thery are - The Horror Dinner Party Photos!

Well - the waiting is over - here are my (& some of Jess') photo's from the horror dinner party!

Rich and I - the whole Gomez & Morticia thing didn't go quite to plan - but we look scary enough!

Inspired by the film - we had a bit of a "Dawn of the Dead" moment
I really like this photo of Jess & I - Morticia & Witch Lady!
Georgie and Me - aka Spider Lady and Morticia!!
Jaimee, Georgie and Marc settling in for some quality zombie film watching
A picture of me modelling my "Secret Jack Skeleton Present" - Flashing Redneck Teeth - The wonders of modern technology!
Another picture of my lovely self and the lovely Jess
Marc as "Death"
Photo of "the girls" - not in Zombie mode
Now that's something you don't see everyday - A Demon, Death and a Spider Lady!
Just some gossip between a witch, a mad women and a spider lady!!
Jess & Andrew
Celia casting a spell over Simon - perhaps?
Celia and her pendant of "doom" - well that's what I like to call it anyways - actually it's a funky necklace she got for her Secret Jack Skeleton
Celia, Jaimee and Ange
The Girls - Again!!
Bredan Before.....
......and after....
Ange trying on some "tattoo sleeves" - wow! The tattoos look so real!
Ange & Brendan

A random demon - also know as Andrew!

Well tonight's the big night!

Tonight's the night of the Horror theme dinner party over at Jess' - I'm hoping that it goes a bit better than the vodka making session at Jess' last night which ended with vodka jellies on the floor!! They just seemed to roll off the tray when I tired to put them in the fridge to set:( But I did get an e-mail from Jess later saying they had set - phew!!

Well at least my costume is now all sorted and Rich is going to grab "Dawn of the Dead" and "Cabin Fever" after work for the film screenings.

I also have to pick up some paper plates and some ice cream after work on the way to Jess' for the ice cream sundae's.

Well I best get ready for work and OMG it is still bloody freezing!!

It is SO SO Cold!

Maybe I'm being a wuss but I can't help but being SO SO cold - it feels like the middle of winter again - in fact I had to drag out some winter work clothes this morning.

Oh well I best get ready for work - thank God I have a heater at work under my desk.

Big Day Out 2007!!

Although I know that by the time the first Big Day Out announcement rolls around the end of the year is just around the corner (which is quite depressing as it usually leaves me pondering "what the hell have I done in the last year!??!") I can't help but get excited but the announcement - maybe it's because it's something to look forward to at the end of the xmas/new year chaos - maybe because I will know that if I don't see a single gig for the rest of the year it won't matter because the BDO is always wicked cool (except for the extreme sunburn and drunken bogans).

Anyways the first announcement for BDO for 2007 came out today - and the line up so far is........

Tool (which will enhance the bogan quota a lot but hey if I can handle Metallica I can handle Tool)
Jet
Muse
The Violent Femmes (OMG!)
Scribe
The Killers
Eskimo Joe
My Chemical Romance
Peaches
Evermore
Spank Rock
Shapeshifter
The Veils
The Mint Chicks
Minuit
Opensouls
The Tutts

WICKED BUZZ.

I know this is wrong on so many levels but it appeals to my sick sense of humour...

Illicit store opening in Wellington!!

Well as many of you know I have a slight addiction to Misery and Illicit clothing...unfortunatly there is no Misery/Illicit store in Wellington which means paying higher prices for my favourite labels at other stores or waiting to visiting the stores when I am in Auckland or Christchurch - well no more!!

I am on the Illicit mailing list and just got an e-mail saying a Misery/Illicit shop is opening in Wellington in November - Wicked!

Some good news

On Sunday I heard from my friend Chaykham that she has got engaged to her boyfriend - yah for them!

Rich and I are now also Aunty and Uncle again as Rich's sister Lisa had a baby boy on Sunday - good news:)

Oh well I better go and get ready for work now - bleh - that's not good news!

I forgot to say last night....

Thank you to Celia!! On Saturday I recieved a postcard she sent me whilst she was in Surfers Paradise:)

General Update....

Well my blogging over the last week hasn't been up to my usual obssessive standard so here's what I've been up to lately.

Well on Friday Jess asked me for a drink and Ross asked me to some dance thing at the New Zealand Film archive but I decided I really couldn't go to either. The last week or so my "sort of" endo has got quite bad again "sigh" and I am shortly going to run out of my painkillers so back to the Dr for me again I guess....I dread to think how much money I have spend on Dr's since this whole "supposed" endo thing has happened to me.

Anyways - because I wasn't up to being my usual social self on Friday Rich and I decided to get out a couple of DVD's but we have only watched one so far going to watch the other one tonight. The one we watched on Friday night was called "Dig" and it was basically the story of the Dandy Warhol's and another band called the "Brian Jonestown Masscre" who were basically their best mates and then sort of rivals...it was a really interesting movie actually....we were going to see it at the cinema but just never got there so it was good to finally see it.

But on Friday night I did get a text from Mariella saying that she had made it to Wellington safe and she is now at her sister's in Khandallah - which is really cool - I can't wait to see her at the Horror dinner party on Friday if not before.

Anyways Saturday was slightly more productive than Friday - I got up and went to the Women's Room at 10 and finished off my book for bookclub when I was there, then I went to meet the usual posse (Jess, Ange, Celia, Georgie & Jaqui) at The Goblin Cafe for lunch - there was discussion of a girls night involving the chocolate fountain that Celia got for her engagement party and cocktails...could be a very fun night but also very dangerous on the waistline.

I then went down to the Occidental to catch up with Jo and Cindy for a drink. It was good to catch up with those two - except it doesn't sound like Jo is having much luck with her stinky landlord at the moment.

Then last night Rich and I went out, we started off with dinner at Katipo and then went for a walk along the waterfront for a bit - it was a beautiful night and although windy - not crazy windy!

We then headed over to Bats for the play we were seeing called "Yours Truely". When I booked the tickets for the play I didn't realise it was 2 hrs 20 mins long - which seems like a really long time....but this play is absolutely fantastic and the time moves pretty quickly (plus unlike a movie you do get intermission!).

The play was the story of JackThe Ripper (well at least one of the theories of Jack the Ripper) and it was fantastic - it was completely intense but the actors were all amazing and really drew you into the story and in parts it was scary as hell! I would recomend that everyone go and see it - I think it's the best play I have ever seen.

Today we didn't do that much - ended up getting up quite late due to daylight savings upsetting my sleep pattern a bit. We did a big walk out to Brooklyn to check out a really cutie cutie house. Then went and had lunch in a cafe in Brooklyn - we began to walk up to the wind turbines - but then the rain really set in and although we are used to walking in rain this was really soaking us so decided to head back down and have a hot choc at the cafe at the movie theatre in Brooklyn instead and walk home when the rain had stopped.

When we got home I set up the blog for the "Reclaim the Night" march - which seemed to take forever...but the link for it is below - I think I did an ok job - I am pretty used to blogging now days after all -

www.wellingtonreclaimthenight.blogspot.com

So tonight we are watching the other DVD we got out on Friday - It's called "Suspiria" and it's an Italian Zombie film - apparently it's meant to be scary as Hell - In fact the cover said "The only thing scarier than the last 12 minutes of this film is the first 81". It's one of those cult horrors I have been meaning to watch forever but have never quite got there so it will be good to finally see it.

Anyways best sign off - I've been writing this whilst making tea at the same time and it should be done shortly then it will be Suspiria time!

Thank God it's Friday!!

Yah it's finally Friday - even though it's only been a four day week it seems like it has been a really long week....although I haven't done that much..hummm...

Last night after work Rich and I went for a walk to Cuba Mall after work and I finally go my Doc's back!! They have been away for so long so good to be able to wear them today as they are so comfortable.

No sure what I'm up to this weekend - but I know I do have to set up the my space site for reclaim the night and also do some work on my final essay. Rich bought a book home from the library last night to help me out with the essay which is really fantastic - yah Rich.

Anyways - I best get ready for work....

Subversive Cross Stitch

At the moment I'm quite into traditional women's crafts with a modern (and slightly perverse twist). I used to do cross stitch when I was much younger but I stopped as I alway thought the patterns were pretty lame - cutesy animals and cheesy lines such as "God Bless this Mess" are so not me.

But look what I found online - SUBVERSIVE CROSS STITCH! - It's fantastic! I've bought the "WTF" cross stitch kit. I can hardly wait for it to turn up and get started - sadly it's got to come from the states so I will be waiting for a few weeks - darn!

Anyways here's the very cool subversive cross stitch website -

http://www.subversivecrossstitch.com/

The photo's from our Mini Break in Tauranga

Well here's a few photo's from our mini-break to Tauranga to see Rich's parents - I have to say the weather was so stunning over our little holiday which was fantastic - in fact at times it was in danger of being too hot!!

This first photo was taken on a beach walk that Rich and I did with his parents at Otemotai beach - the beach had a bit of an "Auckland" feel too it - I'm not sure what it was? Maybe all the white sand? I guess I'm just a rugged black sand west coast beach girl at heart.

The rest of the photo's were taken at an old quarry park near Rich's parents orchard in Te Puna. Bascially it's an old quarry that has been converted into a park/general area for the community to enjoy with all sorts of different community groups contributing to little gardens and local artists providing sculptures and other artwork - it quite a cool place.

This first picture shows just how incredibly dry it is over in Tauranga at the moment - when I was walking along here I felt more like I was in Australia than New Zealand everything was so so dry!

This second photo is an arty shot of a bit of a detour we took - the problem with private walkways is that they are never as well marked as DOC walkways - hence you end up in a newly planted Kauri forest and whilst Kauri are awesome trees you soon find yourself at a dead end!
This third shot is a bit of a view from the walkway with the Mount in the distance - there were some quite cool views along the walkway.
This is a photo of Rich on a cliff face - we think it was the highest point in the park - although it is difficult to tell given the lack of signposting!
Another photo of the summit - this time of me - in a sleeveless top - yes it really was hot over there. Thankfully no sunburn!
This was my favourite sculpture in the park - interactive art is always the best sort of art - basically it's a collection of old pots, pans, buckets, piping and whatever else you could imagine all strung up and lying on the ground as a fantastic musical instrument! Once you get started on this one you seriously can't get enough!
A photo of Rich attempting to climb a rock face for fun!
To finnish off - of course - our standard take a photo of ourself pic - this one was at the cliff top.

When Tuesday feels like Monday...

I know today is Tuesday but it feels like Monday to me as I've just had four days off - it was so hard to get out of bed this morning - especially since I'm still a bit sniffly. But I'm feeling much better than Rich who has picked up the same bug that I had - poor Rich:(

I'm not looking forward to going to work this morning...I know I'm going to have plenty to do today.

Oh well I'll be back tonight to post the pictures of our mini-break at Rich's parents place.

Thank You Marth!!

When I arrived back from Tauranga today I found that I had a postcard waiting for me from Marth from a trip she made to Whakatane...Thanks Marth:D

Back from Tauranga

Rich and I are back from 4 days in Tauranga visiting his family - which was awesome - the weather was so beautiful and it was great just hanging out with Rich's family and chill - laxing.

The down point was EXTREME allergies - there is something inherently wrong with being allergic to nature (well more specifically pollen).

Will write more about our mini-break away (and post the photo's) when I am feeling a bit less tired...so sleepy right now.

I'm not well...

I've got a bit of a sore throat (gee just what I need on top of everything else) I can't really take any time off though, have heaps on at work at the moment and a particulary important meeting today...grrrr....hope my brain works for the duration of a 2 hour meeting...

Oh well - at least only two more days of work till lots of sleeping and chil-laxing at Rich's parents...

But I do have a reclaim the night meeting tonight too....which I want to go to but I know I will be totally exhaused by the time I come home!!

Bleh....can you tell I really need a break?

The finance guy came last night...

Which was really full on - my head was spinning by the time he left with all the different sorts of mortgage he was talking about....it was pretty extreme!!

Now we've got to fill in a whole bunch of forms and fax them to the guy to see what sort of mortgage we can get.

This is all so full on - so much to think about - argh!!

I've also started feeling a bit sicker again this week - taking the painkillers but they don't seem to be doing me as much good as they did last week which is not good at all. I'm so glad I only have a 4 day this week (because I'm going to Rich's parents on Friday) I really need some time off to deal with this...grrrr....

The rest of my weekend....

So yes I did make it up to the women's room to do my shift - it was actually quite cool going up there on a Saturday morning as it's so quiet and I was able to get heaps of work done on my assignment(which is now finally finished!).

After my shift went to pay Kat a quick visit at her shop then I had some yummy lunch with Rich....mmmm.....Corn Fritters....

Later on in the day I met up with Jess and Ange for our weekend walk and I got a little purse from Ange from her overseas trip which was really lovely. The three of us then went and checked out the "bones" of Ange & Brendan's new house in Johnsonville - which looks like it will be a really cool house when it's done - it's got really good views of the habour.

Saturday night Rich & I hung out with Ross and went to see Nacho Libre, the new Jack Black movie, it's such a hilarious movie!! I haven't seen a funny movie in ages and I needed a good laugh as well. I have to tell my little brother about it too, with his wrestling obsession (it's about a monk who is a wrestler in secret) he will love it. After the film we just went down to Midnight Expresso for a coffee (well actually chai latte) and gossip.

Yesterday I didn't do that much (despite it being such a fantastic day!) I finished off my assignment. Then at 2pm Rich and I went to look at a house - we knew it needed "some work" but it was not really so much a house as a "shack" - it was SUCH a dump - looked like a match was the best thing that could happen to it (and that's coming from someone that's really passionate about old homes!).

Finally in the evening went out to visit my friend Jo in Johnsonville and spent the afternoon/early evening hanging out with Jo and her friend Cindy which was fun - just sat around and drank Chai tea and ate yummy fruit platter that Jo made..mmmm...

Well it's time for me to finish getting ready for work as it's Monday again - but at least I only have a four day week as I am off to Tauranga for four days this weekend...Yah...I SO need a break!

Yah it's Saturday morning!!

Last night at Jess' place was very cool - I ended up staying there till midnight even though it was an undie party - man us girls can talk at times!! But I woke up at 7:15 am today as I seem to be unable to sleep in these days...grrr...nevermind.

I ended up buying a really nice black slip last night which is actually something I need as I do wear heaps of skirts and dresses but until now I owned no slips or petticoats.

Rich has already left the flat to go and play golf for the day so I am all by myself at the moment but I will have to get organised shortly as I am due to go up to the women's room for a couple of hours this morning.

This afternoon I think I'm heading out for a walk with Jess and Ange (and maybe Celia - although she may be busy with wedding type stuff).

I think this evening we are going to watch a film, maybe with Ross, but I'm not really sure....hummm......wait and see what happens I guess...

Snakes on a plane (another random Jess moment!)

Random Hoff moment that Jess sent to me yesterday

Diana wanted to bed me, Hasslehoff claims

15 September 2006

David Hasselhoff has claimed the late Princess Diana wanted to bed him.

The former Baywatch star boasted last night that the princess was "smitten" with him and "sparks" flew between them when they met in 1993.

Hasselhoff, 54, recently divorced his wife Pamela Bach, 43, and insists that he and Princess Diana, who tragically died in a 1997 Paris car crash, would have slept together "if circumstances had been different".

The actor claims when the pair met at a charity event in London, Diana, who was married to Prince Charles at the time, joked to him: "You look much better with your clothes on" to which Hasselhoff replied: "Well Ma'am, so do you."

At the launch of his new autobiography Making Waves, the former Knight Rider star said: "I felt like she was a little girl caught up in this whirlwind.

"She was smitten with me since I was so tall. I was smitten with her since she was so tall. But she was married and so was I. I probably would have gone after her if circumstances had been different. In the end, I just wanted to be a friend and to hang out with her."

Hasselhoff also revealed he recently met Diana's son Prince Harry at a polo match.
He said: "I strolled right up to him and said, 'Hey, I knew your mom and I thought she was awesome.'"

Thank GOD it's Friday!!

Yah today is Friday!!

I've got an undie party on tonight at Jess' which should be cool - I prolly won't buy anything but it will be good to get together with the girls as I haven't spent as much time as I normally do lately as I have been feeling pretty sick.

I've been doing a lot of "trade me" sales lately to contribute towards our house deposit - I've 4 auctions running at the moment and they have all met their reserve which is pretty cool - especially because I'm only really selling second hand clothes that would be going to the Salvation Army otherwise.

I guess I should stop procrastinating, dry my hair, and get ready for work...bleh!!!

Thanks again Tabitha!

I've got a second postcard from Tabitha - this time it's from a huge artwork it Chicago - thanks heaps!

The Fimo empire continues to grow - I was in the lift last night and one of the girls I work with saw the little robot badge I was wearing which is one that Rich made. She thought it was really cool and asked if Rich could make her one! So Fimo is now being directly marketed:)

Here's those photo's from the Brooklyn War Memorial - I have no idea why they wouldn't upload before!

My weekend

So I know it's a bit late so here's what I did over the weekend - I actually took Friday off work as sick leave as I was still feeling unwell. I didn't do much that day except watch really bad daytime TV like Dr Phil - but at the end of the day I was so bored of TV I actually started cleaning - yes - I know that is very scary but at least the flat was tidy for the weekend even if it upset my asthma for the most of the weekend (stupid dust!).

Rich and I just had a quiet night on Friday night, headed down to Aro Cafe for a hot chocolate and then went out and got out a couple of DVD's. On Friday night we watched "Dr Strangelove" an old Stanley Kubrick movie - this is such as awsome movie! It's one of those movies I've always thought I "must see" but I just never got there....if you have a chance to see it you have too - the bomb riding scene is my personal favourite.

On Saturday we got up realtively early - we headed out to Kenepuru to the farmers market which was really fun. Although the market didn't have as much fresh fruit and vege as we thought had lots of fresh baking, cheese, meat...I bought some really yummy capsicum pesto and Rich bought a blueberry muffin that really tasted like a muffin! Went to look at More Wilson on the way home - saw crazy things like 5kg containers of marge...

We then went to meet Ross, Nankz & Paul for lunch at 12 which was very cool - I got to see all of Nankz photos from his holidays in India & Sri Lanka which were really cool and heard all about his new "lavender" townhouse out in Lyall Bay which I can't wait to see.

After lunch Rich and I went to a second hand shop on Cuba Street and managed to pick up some of our costumes for the upcoming horror dinner party. I got a perfect long black witchy dress and Rich got a very cool blazer.

Saturday night we headed over to Kat's for her pot luck dinner birthday celebrations and had such and awesome night! I'd never been to Kat's before put her place is huge and it was really fun hanging out with a group of people we really didn't know! Kat's husband Adam is too funny and we spent half the night laughing!!

Sunday was pretty quiet compared with Saturday - althought we did go for a walk up to the brooklyn war memorial - what a fantastic view!! I had some photo's but they won't upload - I'm hoping I haven't reached my photo limit:(

The rest of the day was spent doing an assignment and in the evening we watched the movie I chose on Friday night - "The Crazies" - I thought it was a horror because it was directed by George A. Romero that directed "Dawn of the Dead" - but it was a truely terrible film - oh well - you can't win them all!

I suppose it's time I blogged about this so that everybody knows what's going on with me...

I have already told a few friends about this but not absolutely eveybody so I figure a lot of mates read this so if I write about it on here you will all know what's going on with me.

Well basically I've been a bit unwell over the past year and a half or so with bad stomach aches and general "lady problems".

After about a million tests and a million more anitibiotics and scans and all sorts of other tests the Doctors decided about two months or so ago that I may have endimetriosis. However, they can't determine this for sure without and operation called a Laparoscopy (Basically a small camera put into the tummy and cutting out/burning off an endometriosis while they are operating).

So right now I am waiting for this operation and I feel like I have been waiting absolutely forever for my operation....things have just got a bit bad lately for me - the pain is quite bad and last Thursday I had to go to the women's emergency ward at Wellington hospital - unfortunatly the specialist couldn't do much for me - except give me a whole bunch of hard out painkillers (I don't like taking tablets at the best of time so I'm not really happy at all about taking these painkillers).

However, here's doing what he can to get me the operation sooner - he said because I have had to come back to the hospital I will get pushed further up the waiting list and he has also shifted me to the waiting list out at Kenepuru Hospital (Porirua) as they waiting list out there is much shorter than in Wellington city.

So that's basically what's happening to me right now and it's very frustrating - I'm not able to do as much stuff as I normally do as I get tired easy and I am in pain a lot, even though the painkillers have lessened this the pain doesn't seem to go entirely away.

I just wanted you all to know because if I decide at the last minute not to meet someone for lunch or a movie or whatever it's because the pain is too bad and I'm upset because of it or just extremely tired because of the pain - not because I don't want to go out or because I've become one of those "Unreliable" people who say they will always turn up but never do.

A new Postcard!

My friend Tabitha from America commented the other day that if she sent me a postcard would she get a mention on my blog.

Well - I have a big "Thank You" for her as I recieved a postcard from her:)

Mariella is moving to Wellington!

I recieved some good news the other day - my friend Mariella from Hamilton has got a secondment to Wellington. She will be moving here for 9 months at the start of October which is FANTASTIC - I can't wait!!

Handle the Jandel

Rich's music video for "The Greenmatics" got highly commended at the Handle the Jandal music video awards - wicked!

The Movie Last night

So the movie last night was lacking in any real story line and there were some truley video game elements to in....but at the same time I thought it was a great night of mindless entertainment - the special effects were pretty incredible (although there were some monsters that just made you laugh because they were either just so ridiculous or so irrelevant to what could loosley be termed the "story").

I liked it for some rubbish cinema - I don't know if Rich was quite as impressed but we went and saw it at Regent on Manners which meant it only cost me $10 to see the film - I love my student ID.

Speaking of study - most of today will be spent working on my assignment which is due in this coming Friday. I think I should get there as it's another reading report/your own thoughts kind of assignment instead of an essay that you have to do a lot of extra reading for.

We're also off to look at another property today - an actual house - well cottage - but it's not joined to a million other people's houses...which has to be a good thing!

Silent Hill

Tonight Rich and I are going to see a new horror out called "Silent Hill" - I love Horror's but Rich tell's me it's based on a video game which could make the whole thing a bit dubious but I'll give it a shot anyways - I feel in the mood for some scary film and of course - a post scary film Chai Latte at Midnight Expresso.

The people upstairs from us seem to have bought or rented singstar today - I have to say it's quite amusing listening to others singstar attempts - however - it also makes me cringe inwardly when I think of my singstar efforts...

Today was a good mail day...

Today in the mail - I recieved a postcard from my friend Mariella from her Samoa holiday - which sounds like it was absolutely FANTASTIC!

I also recieved a later birthday present from Conor and Sue - which included a really beautiful book about Ireland and also "David Hasslehoff Sings America" - this is quite possibly the most fantastic present I have ever recieved - in fact - the photo's in the booklet alone make it a fantastic present before even putting the CD on and listening to Hoff covers of such greats as "Country Road", "New York, New York" and "These boots were made for walking" - yes - I now own this album.....




Just for fun - here's another picture that features inside the album booklet..