A PIRATES LIFE

Happy New Year

2009-01-11T19:14:00.004+10:00

so anyways i haven't been around for quite a while. some peeps might be wondering what i have been doing ..

well i have been busy .. i go out alot and then go to work and then sleep alot ..

i have become interested in and been frequenting local jam nights .. you know the type, local musicians get together and do their stuff .. i even get up on a regular like basis and sing and stuff .. (played the guitar the other day) ..

anyways here are some of the fellas doing their thing.

the first clip are danny and vic - vic is the master genius jam night organiser, he's pretty popular with all musicians throughout the city .. i do what i can to help him out on a wednesday at the muddy farmer, which is where this clip was filmed. the muddy farmer is purely acoustic, vic only takes 3 guitars along, it's more for the singers than the musicians.

the second and third clips are from the queenslander, serious musicians turn up here. the change is decked out with drums, acoustic electric and bass guitars, and usually percussion bongos and if someone brings them, keyboards. the guys in these clips were awesome, much much mucho better to see them live.

anyways here goes ! this might be my first and last post for the year .. haha

when the first presidency speaks

2008-07-24T17:36:00.003+10:00

http://www.ldschurch.org.nz/pdf/news/ccnz.htm

For those interested .. the church has decided what to do with the CCNZ site and indeed all of the land surrounding the temple at Hamilton NZ .. They are going to return it too pasture .. you can read the full article at the above link .. I wonder if their returning to pasture includes the temple motels, teachers houses, and MTC ?? surely not.

What does ‘returning the land to pasture’ mean?
The Church will ensure that the components of all CCNZ buildings designated to be dismantled will be removed, including foundations and other construction elements. No building materials will be left in place. The land will be beautified and grassed. Fencing on the street boundaries will be built to high standards.

What buildings and structures will remain on the site?
The Hamilton New Zealand Temple will remain and will continue to be the Church’s spiritual focal point in Temple View. It is proposed that two CCNZ buildings, the Kai Hall and George R. Biesinger Hall, be retained and incorporated into the temple precinct. If it is determined that these buildings need to be upgraded to reflect seismic or other building requirements, this will occur after consultation with the appropriate civil authorities. The Church is assessing if it is feasible for the sports field, terraced seating, changing rooms and the parking area to be retained for the use of the local community. A decision to retain the sporting facilities is not a certainty, however.

What regulatory consents will be required for the Church to proceed with this proposal?
The church is in the process of determining what consents will be required to proceed with its plans. As has always been the case, it values its close working relationship with the elected officers and staff of the Hamilton City Council and will consult carefully with the relevant personnel to ensure that all legislative requirements are fulfilled.

What opportunities are there for creation of a local high school to replace Church College?
This is a matter for local parents and community leaders to examine. We have been informed that some parties have been investigating a proposal for a high school to be built in association with the existing Koromatua Primary School. The Church is not a participant in these discussions except with reference to being a potential source of real estate.

Has the Church considered other uses for the CCNZ buildings rather than having the buildings removed?
The church has considered other uses for the buildings. However, because they were constructed specifically for a high school, it has made it difficult for them to be altered to any other purpose. It was more likely that the buildings would have remained empty and potentially in disrepair for a considerable period and therefore subject to vandalism. This would have had a detrimental impact on the temple and also on the community. The Church was also concerned to ensure that no activities would occur in the buildings that would have been inconsistent with its own values. Thus, the Church decided that it would have been inappropriate to turn the facility over to other community groups or educational agencies.

Dean Vegas - very nearly the next best thing

2008-07-22T22:32:00.003+10:00

I've seen Dean Vegas twice. Both performances were entertaining and well worth the trouble. This performance I saw this past weekend was probably my fave. Alot of that had to do with the 70+ yr old grannies throwing their undies at him. He took it all graciously and promptly threw their knickers at this band.

What I like most about this guy is that he doesn't impersonate Elvis, he entertains and does a tribute performance for Elvis. Some might say there's a very fine line between an impersonator and a tribute artist. I can tell the difference. I appreciate the latter much more. I appreciate Dean Vegas.

My mate is the keyboardist for his band. The band is made up of a guitarists, bass player, drummer and my friend on the keyboards. Can I just say .. my mate Fraser is the most awesome keyboardist I have ever heard. The last song for the performance was "American Triology" anyone who knows that song knows it's filled with huge instrumentals, Fraser managed to get every sound needed out of his keyboards. The crowd went wild. Well as wild as the blue rinse set can get, which all you young folk, can actually be pretty full on !

http://www.deanvegas.com/ <=== check out his website

SHE'S GONE

2008-07-06T21:26:00.002+10:00

SKA GROUP SPACIFIX performing She's Gone

Saw these guys last week. Across the ditch tour, which was a blend of 3 groups and a dj thrown in for good measure. Renee Geyer headlined, 3 Houses Down followed, and Spacifix ended the evening. What an evening it was ! I am a ska lover from waaaaay back when Devo brang it out. These guys are a cross between Devo and Prince in style and sound and entertainment. One of the best concerts I have been too .. ever .. All three acts absolutely killed it.

I've been pretty lucky of late too become friends with fantastic musicians, who travel in and around Brisbane and the Gold Coast, watching each other perform, performing or just jamming. I have to say my favourite outings are going to the jam nights. I even get up regularly now. Usually on command from Vic who runs them. This last week was one of my fave ever. After listening to the rockers it was our turn to jam R'N'B style. Ever heard James Brown "get on up" .. hah .. the boys knew the song but didn't know the words, so we were entertained too 7 minutes of outstanding musicians, showing their thang, singing "get on up" .. for good measure. Loved it. I did "Emotion" by the Bee Gees and also Georgy Porgy by Toto, both songs I have never sung before in my life, but did them anyways. Wasn't too bad I don't think.

Now I am on holidays again .. for 2 weeks. Yeah I know I have been getting the messages from you guys, asking when I am getting back from my last holiday ! .. sorry about that. I just got a bit busy and also had writers block. Meaning I just don't know what too write. So I'll try too let you know waht I've been up too in 10 words or less ?? heh ..

Went too New Zealand - Went too CCNZ reunion - it rocked ! seriously. I never went to Church College - but know plenty of people who have, and felt like one of the alumni, it was like going home too see old friends. 4 days of entertainment, laughter, tears, reminiscing, missing my dad, seeing my aunty, catching up with friends and family. My favourite part of the reunion was the Ball - I 'heard' there was close too 4,000 people in attendance. There were 4 different bands at the ball. The headlining act being Ardijah. Just one of my favourite bands ever !

For those who dont know. CCNZ is the church college of New zealand. A mormon church sponsored school that has been operating for 50 years. 2009 it will be closed down. A very emotional time for everyone in the community and all of those who have been a part of it. My dad was a 1st and 2nd year alumni. The college was built at the same time as the temple in Hamilton New Zealand and has been a very big part of the people, the landscape and the community. There are many different reasons and opinions as to why it is being shut. The thing is that the bretheren at church headquarters have given the call for it too be done, and so it will be done. Very sad, but all good things must come too and end.

After I got back from reunion I got very very New Zealand Home Sick and went about trying to get back there. Unfortunately things have not turned out that way. I have to be honest in saying I didn't put as much effort into it as I should. One reason being I had too go through some "life learning" experiences. You know the type of experiences you don't really want too go through. But I have come through the other side and am still trying to figure out just what it was I was supposed too learn, to be honest ! Though i am still on a mission to go back. Time will tell.

And that my friends, is that. for now.

Hoping you are all well !!\

Kia Kaha

On Holiday

2008-04-13T16:03:00.001+10:00

Just letting ya know .. I am on vacation ! gone to NZ .. for a few .. will be back laters ..

Genie in a bottle

2008-04-05T12:02:00.006+10:00

Well this is installment 1 of 2 - Abi wanted pics of my new place .. here it is ! in all it's unadulterated glory. Small but sufficient and full of things I love.

The kitchen sink .. that kettle I bought for .50c . Just my little bit of a splurge. The lantern a birthday gift and the glasses also bought at a bargain $1.00 for the lot.
The shoe rack. Since I don't actually have a washing machine and just go to my sisters to visit once a week to do my washing - I needed to use the space that the washing machine would go wisely - hence my shoe cupboard.
See how willing I am to shaer my life. This is the bathroom/toilet .. that glass panel on the right is the shower, unfortunately not bath for me !

This is where all the jams take place, under my marquee in the back courtyard. Looks splendid at night with all the candles going. We jam by natural means. No electricity needed. My dining room - really need to get rid of the cane chairs and get some others, but that can wait.
Looking from my hallway to the dining to the kitchen to the back door ! haha .. not really a hallway.

This is my entertainment, come library, come office space. All thanks to Ikea ! No home is a home without family photos aye .. even if they are stuck under the stairs.
The other half of the kitchen. Those wine glasses $2 ! yeah i am a bargain shopper. Note NO microwave, I don't happen to believe in them except for softening hardened ice cream. And since ice cream is no longer a part of my diet, I have no need for a microwave. Even though I have been offered many by many friends - no sir - I'm a cook cook.
The king bed actually looks a bit dwarfed in the bedroom - because the bedroom is a GREAT size ! there is another bedroom too but it's my junk/dressing room and will not be shown publicly ..
the foot of the king bed. hmm yes the curtains are an interim fix - I am looking around for better .. honest.
The lounge/guest room haha .. yeah both of those seats/couches recline to single and double beds - comes in handy let me tell you !
Just another look at the lounge. My friend danny who painted that portrait is doing another one of my father to go on blank wall, can't wait to see it finished !

Lost Loves.

2008-03-30T18:30:00.001+10:00

IT’S ALL WORTH IT

Hey, wake up ! Let’s go fishing
We don’t have a fishing line
Don’t be a party pooper.. bring your sleeping bag
We don’t have a tent
Don’t worry it’s not going to rain
So, fishing we went
Sleeping on the side of a cliff, using shrubs
As a barrier to make sure we didn’t roll
Over into the ocean
In the morning looking at the glistening
Pools of water, we spotted a mermaid
A nymph playing and splashing amongst the rock pools
Then it was time to fish
What a bounty of fish there was to be had
You should have seen the ones that got away
Ever seen the sunrise ? on an undisturbed horizon
Is this how our lives are blessed daily
Is the beauty in this little bit of Heaven, our
Assurance.

You went away so long ago
But I have never forgotten
I never will
Your last words
That touch of heaven - It’s All Worth It

Still miss you Ed.

Advice to teenagers ? All I can say is if I do anything wrong don't follow me. - ELVIS

2008-01-17T08:31:00.001+10:00

Yeah that is me as a baby. Lotsa hair. I look at my nieces and nephews nearly every day and imagine what they will be when they grow up. Now it's time to start looking at myself !

BTW HAPPY NEW YEAR !! ahem ..

Anyways I think many might get the gist that I have come to a point in my life where I have decided to make changes. Here are a few things I've done over the past year, things I have put off or dreamed about doing for a life time.

1. Got my health and weight back to what it should be
2. Start to paint
3. Learn to hit a golf ball
4. Learn to tap

This year alone I have started doing some other stuff - one of which is going to make a HUGE impact on my life.

5. Buy a guitar and learn to play it - which I have done and now have Killing Me Softly down pat and just broke my first guitar string and have blisters on the tips of my fingers - yeah I think that validates me :D
6. Get a flat - signing up for one as we speak ! a two bedroomer all for myself in a gated complex with pool and onsite manager. Because lets face it, me alone I can't be too picky, I need to get what I can afford and so would be in a neighbourhood that wouldn't be anyones first choice ! haha .. But I think the journey and growth I will get from being on my OWN for the first time in my life will be something to cherish.

ps tonight a friend has convinced me to follow him to a open mic jam session at the local tavern. All the local musicians get up and sing, play, entertain. He's a great musician and is trying to get me to get up and sing to his accompaniment. We'll see ... I have only just got over my fear of karaoke !
That's all :D :D ..

elf

2007-12-19T23:26:00.001+10:00

click here for a little elf magic

God gave me my voice. If I ever turned my back on Him, I'd be finished - Elvis

2007-12-19T05:27:00.000+10:00

Don't take the Christ out of Christmas

2007-12-18T20:23:00.000+10:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a really wonderful Christmas. This time of year to me is so joyful. People stop and reflect, even if they don't believe in Christ per say, they do believe in something and at this time of year most tend to stop and remember that something.

I've had a pretty interesting couple of months. I am not going to give a run down here of what I have been up too. Except to say I have been on a journey that I have never been on before. It's taken me over 30 years to get up the courage or determination to take this journey. I don't know yet where it's going to lead. Although I must admit the path is not an all together righteous one. Don't fret my testimony is not shaken. My belief in my Heavenly Father and my wonderment at his being and purpose is still in tact.

Do you believe that people come into your life for a reason ? I mean even those of you who I know read this blog. You have all touched my life at some point and in some poignant way. We are all interconnected, through our acquaintence.

I have had some people come into my life recently. A crowd I would usually steer clear of. But I think it was because of my own prejudices. I'm not talking racial prejudice, but religious prejudice. Although I have always thought I was accepting of anyone and everyone. Yet through my church upbringing I know I would purposely stay out of places that would exclude me from meeting a whole bunch of people. Recently I have ventured into these places - with my wonderful friends as guardians - to discover a whole completely different world. A world full of people whose paths might not be exactly like mine, but our paths do cross. It's a whole new learning experience. One that I am currently enjoying being a part of. I have never really felt quite so alive for so so long. I actually feel apart of the world. Which is ironic because I have been taught all my life to stay out of the world. And this my friends is why I said earlier my path is not an altogether righteous one. Yet it is one I feel at ease taking and learning from.

So this is how I am leaving behind this year. On a journey of self discovery and learning and testing. I hope I stay on my feet, and if I fall someone will catch me.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone. I sincerely mean that.

kia kaha ki te rongo pai

2007-11-21T06:22:00.000+10:00

I discovered the above when I created my Ldspacific website (which I really need to visit more often) .. it became the theme for the site. It means "to be strong in the gospel". Over the years it has become my mantra. Although I have modified it a bit, my mantra being "to be strong in your beliefs". That we should all be confident in our choices and decisions and own what we choose. Even if it turns out bad, we should use that as a learning experience and grow from it. Just never try to justify our wrong choices by blaming someone else ... does that make sense ??? This can then apply to everyone and everything. One thing that I am a big believer in is owning the choices we make. Take responsibility. I can never be critical of anyone who accepts the choices they have made and 'owns' them, even if those choices are wrong. I think it actually takes alot of courage and shows great character to stand up and be responsible.

That's all I wanted to say .. have a good day !

Operator Please

2007-11-15T18:59:00.000+10:00

Wanna know what's the hottest hip thing to hit our radio's lately ??

Well remember back in high school you dreamt of getting a bunch of your mates together and making a band .. you'd even practice during lunch .. then the school had it's local talent quest and you and your group entered .. and did your first and last performance .. remember those days .. the days you look back on now and laugh ..

Well these kids had that dream too . and have made a band . and won the local high school competition .. but they didn't stop there .. they kept going .. now these high school kids are one of the top acts in Australia . winning this years Break Through Single of the Year ARIA .. yeah .. they are 'still' high school kids too ..

I can see why they are popular with the younger crowd. I dare you to try not to bop your head to their break out song .. "it's just a song about ping pong"

Remember when Michael Jackson was hot ..

2007-11-15T07:38:00.000+10:00

Humbling somewhat..

2007-11-11T14:51:00.000+10:00

http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/
I am highlighting the above blog and also adding it to my blog list. I stumbled across it only today. It's a blog written by a lady from Iraq. She has since moved with her family to Syria. Nonetheless reading her blog is both sobering and thought provoking.

Also, remember that painting I have been doing ? Well it's still not finished. I need to adjust and do some stuff to it. But here it looks pretty much finished so I reckon I'll show it. Now consider I am not an artist and I am definitely not a painter, in fact this is the first one I have ever done. This painting however has a story - personally I think that all artwork has a story and it's not until I hear or see that story that the painting comes to life. Anyways here it is, so far. I don't think I am quite ready to share what it all means though. Tell me what you think.

Just Call Me Mary ...

2007-11-04T14:29:00.000+10:00

My boss called me into her office on Friday ... went something like this ..

boss: so Trudy got something you wanna tell me ?
Trudy: ummm let's see ... NO ! ?
boss: are you sure ... everyone else seems to know ! except me ...
Trudy: know what ... gulp ... what have I done ...
boss: the rumours in the branches are you are pregnant !
boss/Trudy : rolling on floor in fits of laughter ...
Trudy: breathe.huh.breathe.mepregnant.breathe.why?
boss: well you know ... some women get incredibly skinny when they get pregnant .. in the first stages ... and the factory guys that came down for training last week .. have reported back to all and sundry that you are looking so skinny, you MUST BE PREGNANT ! ..
boss/Trudy : crying ... tears of laughter ... people poking their heads in the office wondering what the commotion is.
Trudy: well just tell them to start calling me Mary if that's the case .. btw .. that's a compliment right ?

I've been tagged !

2007-11-01T19:33:00.000+10:00

I have to tell 6 things about me that none of you know .. which should be quite easy ! heh ... Ursula did it.

PS I am supposed to tag another 6 people .. so whoever reads this you are tagged ...

I'll go in order of memory .. aye ..

1. When I was little us neighbourhood kids made a go-cart and we would spend days having turns on it. One day I had my turn and went tearing down the hill which was our street, hair blowing in the wind (yes my long hair) ... suddenly my head was yanked back ... can you imagine .. my long hair got wrapped around the wheels ... Suffice to say there was an entourage of neighbourhoods kids marching back to my house .. Me walking in front crying, neighbourhood kids behind holding up the go-cart .. we couldn't untangle my hair ... The only way to do this was for my mum to cut it off .. hence my first bowlcut style hair cut ..

2. When I was a whee thing I was in a beauty contest .. I came second .. I was humiliated, not because I came second, but just that I had to parade in front of all of these strangers .. have hated beauty contests ever since .. and being in the public eye for that matter. It's all so very superficial .. I think it actually has led me to being quite shy, I hate people looking at me ! don't look ! hah

which is really weird because my next tidbit would probably make you think that's not true ..

3. When I was a teenager, my mum put us kids in a maori culture group - the daughter of the guy that runs the culture group at PCC was/is one of my mums good friends, it was her group. My bit in the limelight was to be the solo hula dancer. I loved it, even though one could say the costume was a bit revealing .. long white skirt with split up the side and bikini top .. (yeah back then I had the body for it and the grace). But I really loved the dancing aspect of it. Telling a story with the hands. Plus it was usually in the dark with a spotlight so I couldn't see anyone watching.

4. I absolutely looooove peanut butter, honey and banana toasted sandwiches. and my sources tell me so did Elvis ! I also LOVE spinach ! although I don't have muscles like popeye.

5. I've been to the USA 8 times and stil haven't seen New York ... ummm or Abigail ... or Sherpa ... or Dan and Jaime .. or Daisy .. or lotsa people, crikey I need to go again .. on my way to Italy of course.

6. When I saw Bridget Jones' Diary for the first time with my mother. I spent the first 10 minutes of the movie blubbering, literally .. as I watched my life being played before my eyes. I don't think my mum even knew I was crying, coz she turned to me laughing saying "this is so funny !"

Sometimes it gets a little frustrating.

2007-11-01T07:19:00.000+10:00

In the news we hear about so many children that are hurt by their parents. The incident of the toddler that was stuffed in a suitcase and hidden in the local waterway really made me angry. As it would anyone. Then it seemed the news that I read was littered with stories of parents that have killed their children. People who don't deserve the chance to bring these beautiful spirits into the world. I know that sounds very selfish and judgemental of me to say.

I am really getting frustrated. And it's probably got alot to do with my age too. So take that into consideration .. heh.

I usually keep these things very private, and maybe I should continue to do so ! eh .. But I'd like to know when it will be my chance. Seems that everyone else in the world has managed to find some sort of way to have a relationship that enables them to have offspring. Actually seems like everyone else has found a way to have a relationship, period - whether that relationship has been a failure or a success !

People at church and outside of church look at me like I have the plague. Personally sometimes I look at myself the same way ! Most of us who are members know what it's like to be in the church and be my age and not have had one decent relationship, not at least be married by now and most importantly not having any kids. Believe me those of you who may think that it doesn't ever cross my mind - you're freakin idiots. A friend told me that people outside of the church are not as concerned about these things. Guess what, they are.

Anyways it just makes me crazy mad when I see how some children are treated in this world of ours. And makes me frustrated that I have not / and probably will not be given the opportunity to show how much I am wanting to love and nurture my own.

PS. Don't get me wrong I love seeing my siblings own families grow and prosper, just as I love seeing my friends do the same. You are all awesome and those of you with children are so blessed and fortunate to have these spirits in your guardianship. Continue to treat them as the treasures they are.

I'm not afraid to die anymore, I've seen what lies beyond, and it is far more beautiful than anything in this life - Elvis

2007-10-31T18:15:00.000+10:00

And yet in death he is still the King - and then some. From the latest Forbes richest dead celebrity list.

Elvis is top-earning dead celebrity

Just because you are dead, it does not mean you can't stage a comeback.

Website Forbes.com (www.forbes.com) said on Tuesday that Elvis Presley regained the top spot on its list of the highest-earning dead celebrities, ousting Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain who had beaten him last year.

Elvis shimmied his way back atop the seventh annual list of 13 top-earning legends that he had ruled since its inception, with estimated earnings of about $US49 million ($A53.44 million) in the year ending this month.

The rise from $US42 million ($A45.81 million) last year comes after CKX Entertainment, which bought part of his estate from daughter Lisa Marie Presley, embarked on a mission to renew interest in the late singer and actor.

Forbes.com said in a statement that the top 13 - who generated massive amounts of merchandising revenue - grossed a combined $US232 million ($A253.04 million) in the year.

In second place came Beatle John Lennon, who was murdered in New York in 1980 at the age of 40. He earned $US44 million ($A47.99 million) while the creator of Peanuts comic strip, Charles M Schulz, took the third slot with earnings of $US35 million ($A38.17 million).

Cobain was one of four who fell off this year's ranking. He debuted on the list in first place last year after his widow, Courtney Love, sold part of his song catalogue for a reported $US50 million ($A54.53 million).

Rounding out the top five on this year's list were George Harrison from the Beatles, who died in 2001, with $US22 million ($A24 million), and German-born physicist Albert Einstein with $US18 million ($A19.63 million).

Einstein has become a key trademark in child education due to the Disney-owned Baby Einstein brand of videos and toys.

The Beatles did well in the latest list in the wake of settling two long-standing legal disputes with the settlements believed to have exceeded $US100 million ($A109.07 million).

Newcomers in the list were actor Steve McQueen and the "Godfather of Soul" James Brown who died late last year. Rapper Tupac Shakur regained a slot on the list as did James Dean.

Rounding out the top 13 were pop artist Andy Warhol, Theodor Geisel, better known as children's author Dr Seuss, silver screen legend Marilyn Monroe and reggae superstar Bob Marley.

The other three bumped off this year's list were rhythm & blues pioneer Ray Charles, author JRR Tolkien and country singer Johnny Cash.

My next karaoke performance ...

2007-10-30T07:01:00.000+10:00

So tell me

2007-10-28T02:01:00.000+10:00

IF a really cute drunk guy in a club comes up to you and says "my brother over there thinks you're beautiful" ... and then proceeds to introduce you to his really cute drunk brother - who turns out to be his cousin ... and then all night the really cute drunk cousin talks too you .. saying "you're beautiful" every 2nd sentence .. and then when he leaves for a second the really cute drunk guy who approached you first comes over and says "you know if my brother didn't try to chat you up I would have" ... and then proceeds to tell you, you are beautiful ...

I mean ...

Does that count ...

Even though they were drunk ...

And would you give the really cute drunk cousin your number ...

Just wondering ...

Okay so I'm thinking, biking is a health hazard.

2007-10-20T08:02:00.001+10:00

I have ridden my bike all of 3 times !

The first time was after I bought it, I had to push it to the petrol station to pump up the tyres. On my way I passed a group of guys, who were mocking me for not riding it up the hill ... I was like .. ugh dur brainless heads, the tyres are flat.

The second time you heard about, yeah the super gran incident.

Then ! this past week at tap dancing one of the ladies mentioned that the next day was 'national ride your bike to work day' .. so I did ! As environmentally aware as I am.

I left home bright and early, thinking it takes me two hours to walk home so it will probably take me about an hour to ride. It was a great ride ! I even over came my fear and rode up one of the biggest hills, even though I could see power walkers on the horizon, but I rode straight past them as they were huffing and puffing, yeah they obviously were not wearing super grans walking shoes. Me the road my bike and the car exhaust fumes were one with nature. I went so well that when I got to the street where I work I gave a little yelp, and pedalled with conviction, the conviction of one who has excelled at something. I even had a little bit of a whistle. I was sky high. Then came the driveway curb.

Somehow my bike wheel and the driveway curb did not mesh together. The driveway curb rejected my bike wheel and wouldn't let it connect. I went for a tumble - and proceeded to scrape my knee, leaving bits of it behind. So bad was the occurence that my boss made an incident report, which will be presented to the safety committee at their next monthly meeting. One of the questions on the incident report is, "what will the person involved do to ensure the incident does not happen again" - I suggested "If the person involved had a company car, the incident would not have occurred in the first place". The other question on the incident report is, "what does the supervisor/manager suggest to ensure the incident does not happen again" - He wrote, "Ensure that Trudy gets off her bike and walks when approaching hazards, such as roads, footpaths, tracks and other general public nuisances".

Brown Girl In the Ring .. tra la la la la la

2007-10-12T06:07:00.000+10:00

I saw boney M ... what a blast ! I knew every single word to every single song they sang .. and by goodness gracious they still got it.

photos of my week so far ...

2007-10-10T17:12:00.001+10:00

Okies here goes with the first installment of photos. I'll post them in sequence.

Monday 8/10/07 - This is where I work. It's a manufacturing company. See the clouds - at least it looks like rain !

Through the red door is the factory. Over 200 people work in there. The most important part of this picture is the vending machine - our chocolate source.
This is my work station. See the window ?? ME EITHER. Which is why the background on my PC is one that brings me peace, joy and happiness. Up by the fake flowers is a football, I throw it at people who annoy me ... I guess I shoulda tried cleaning it up before I took the picture huh !
Tuesday 9/10/07 - A few times a week I walk home from work. This is part of a bush trail that I go through. I was hoping the picture would show the vivid contrast between the burnt bush and the re-growth. It's amazing to me how our bushland can rejuvinate itself so beautifully.

Tuesday night we had our first lightening/thunderstorm for the season. This was the best I could do with my phone camera ! Taken from the front porch, overlooking our pool (hence the palm trees).
Wednesday 10/10/07 - so you have seen my workstation at work, now for my desk at home, with all the important stuff within easy reach. I LOVE MY ELVIS CALENDAR.
This is a painting I am trying to do. It's taken me about 1.5 months to get this far. I have changed it and changed it many times. I have a theme. I just am scrambled about how to translate what is in my head onto paper. Hopefully in the not too distant future it will be finished and I can show the whole peice - this is only the bottom right corner of the canvass.

I totally toasted super gran.. fair and square

2007-10-07T16:42:00.000+10:00

I bought a bike a few months ago, never used it, until today. I went for a lovely bike ride ... out to Loganlea, about 1.5 hours away. It was a lovely day for a bike ride, the sun shining, birds whistling, clouds puffing up like marshmallows. I knew there were only a few hills to go over on the trek, so I was all prepared with my bike and its 18 gears (of which I have no clue how to use). I was making pretty good time too .. helped that the wind was behind me AND I got all the green lights, sheesh why doesn't that happen when I'm driving.

I felt very good about myself and go to the first hill. I negotiated my bike to the lowest gear and started to make my climb. Half way up the hill I could feel someone behind me. You know how you get that feeling. I thought nah, only thing behind me would be cars. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw this image start to descend on me. Low and behold it was SUPER GRAN. Somebodys dang granny was power walking straight past me ! Rudeness I tell ya. I had just enough time to stop my bike pull out my phone and take the above picture. She was off.

But, you know what super gran, on the other side of that hill is a downhill descent ! Yeah, you think you're so smart. I totally toasted her on the other side. Me and my bike whizzed past her and left her for dust. Yeah how do you like those cookies super gran, thinking you're all tough.

On a better note, when I was sitting at the dentist the other day waiting to get my wallet drilled, I was reading a national geographic.. In it was an article of a guy who was given a camera phone and paid to take a years worth of pictures. Every day he would upload pictures to a website. The phones website. Anyways I am going to try to do that too ! Starting with yesterday. My bro and I went to the beach. It was a SA activity, but he's just got his learner's permit, so if there's somewhere to drive I usually see if he wants to chauffer. Below are the pics I took with my camera.

Currumbin Beach 6th October, 2007.

what the ??

2007-10-06T20:53:00.000+10:00

This is for real ... The 2006 Rock Scissor Hands Championship.

Like sand through the hour glass ...

2007-10-04T21:16:00.000+10:00

I recently got a little bit older .. well we get older every day don't we. But my year changed. As I start approaching that 1/2 a century I have come to realise just how short life is ! I also look at where I am at right now, and realise, there isn't really that much time left make real the dreams I had in my younger years.

My father died when he was 51 .. The average life of man is 75. I reckon I have a few more decades left in me to accomplish what I want to accomplish. Actually I lie, one of the things I want to accomplish has to be done within the next few years, and that's because it will be pretty much impossible to achieve it much past that. I'm talking about children. But you know if it happens it happens.

Anyways I have been thinking alot about life and death lately. I have come to the realisation I really don't care about either. In other words .. if I have a few more years left in me, that's cool, but if I die tomorrow, that's cool too. I wouldn't say I am exactly prepared to meet my maker, but I am prepared to meet whatever my maker has install for me if I do. I know 2 people this week who have died, and in some way I am rather envious of them. Envious that they have been freed from this existence and are able to move on. I am not suicidal btw. I am just feeling that I'd rather be dead .. with my friends that have gone .. and my dad .. and my whanau .. I guess as I am getting older, I am missing those who are leaving me, more and more.

That's all.

Have a great day !

:-)

Bus Driver

2007-09-23T14:25:00.000+10:00

I've been thinking about it. All my driving life, I have enjoyed driving. When I first got my licence and my first car, which was a spunky bright blue 1969 Ford Escort coupe, I would pick up my sister early on a Saturday morning, we would hit the highway and just drive until lunchtime, to wherever the road led, then turn around and drive home. From my several trips to the USA I have driven many times between SLC and LA. There was one time I was up in Idaho Falls with a jerky friend. I decided to leave him in the hotel there, one morning about 2am and drive back to my safety net in Salt Lake City. An easy 4 or so hour drive aye :-). Then a few days later he caught the bus to SLC and proceeded to be sick as a dog, so it was left up to me to drive all the way to San Francisco. Which I did, and dropped him off at the SF Airport on the way. Then I proceeded to call my friends in Seattle, who said "come visit!" - so I jumped in the car again and drove and didn't stop (except for petrol) until I got there. This past easter we had a SA convention in New Castle, about 10 hours away. A friend and I shared the driving home, we wanted to get home pronto ! and WE did, without stopping.

Even now many a weekend if I have nothing better to do, I will jump in my car and drive and drive and see where the road goes. Give me good music and a set of wheels and I am in heaven.

So I have been contemplating the thought, well it's one of my childhood dreams. To drive a bus. I met up with my friend last night who drives buses for the City. There's many perks to be had ! - such as uniforms paid for. I just looked up the website and these lovely perks were also listed.

Benefits of working as a bus operator
full training in driving, ticketing and procedures
uniforms provided at no cost to you
Council contributes 9% superannuation for trainees and casuals (you can also make voluntary contributions)
weekly wages paid directly into your nominated bank account

Sounds pretty good huh. Of course as I was looking through the websites images of busdrivers. I remembered this one - and personally if there is even a smudgeon of getting a passenger like this, I'M GONNA BE A BUS DRIVER !

LEGOS !!

2007-09-22T08:58:00.000+10:00

Who doesn't love Legos. I was also very jealous of anyone who had legos, still am. If only our world leaders could act like legos, we would be so much better off.

Thriller Lego .. it's a long one.

Ever wondered how the OK Go guys practiced all their dance steps ?

OK Go A Million Ways to be Cruel

OK Go Here it goes Again

Chocolate anyone ?

2007-09-20T05:41:00.000+10:00

Wanna know how bad my day was yesterday ? really you do ? great ! cause I'm ready to spill it.

First I wake up as per usual, well not as per usual because I woke up at 7.00am instead of 5.30am which meant I didn't get to go for my jog. But that's okay because I can go for my jog after work instead right .. no not right. I get rush and get ready plug in the iron to iron my work shirt, and bam, the electricity blows. I really should be thankful, it was a safety thing, there was actually water on the iron wire, so really my life was saved .. yay ! So I just decide to wear my unironed shirt to work, like anyone cares anyways.

So off I go and get in my car to go to work .. turn the key .. no go .. turn the key again .. no go again .. my car is busted ! great .. and its 7.40am and I start work at 8am .. grrr .. Luckily I live with my brother who can give me a lift to work, well after he drops off his daughters to school that is. But that's all cool, I decide I will walk home from work, it's a lovely 13k walk, I do it twice a week anyways. So I take my gear (which I had ready because I was going to golf lessons after work anyways). I end up getting to work about 20mins late .. but it's okay ! The boss is on holidays the other boss is sick and the other jerk doesn't start until 9.00am ..woo noone will know ;-)

So I happily work away .. work work work .. have a few heated discussions with vendors who are looking for payments for bills we have paid months prior, it's just their illustrious accounts receivables sections have misallocated funds, so I have to go through reconciliations on their accounts for them to work out their messes .... hard working until 4pm yikers ! I gotta go .. I need to get to my golf lesson pronto .. So I quickly change, well I thought quickly. I didn't leave the office until 4.15pm. Only 15 mins to get to Bill the Golf Pro. I think I can walk that easily .. At 4.30pm enroute I call Bill and let him know I'm going to be another 10mins. I'm late !!!

Finally I get to my golf lesson. It's fun ! I am learning to swing that golf thing really really well .. OH Bill told me it's a CLUB a golf CLUB, because I asked him. The swing is great ! the connecting the club to the ball not so great, but hey he reckons we'll be on a 9 hole golf course in 4 weeks ... hah ! So as I'm swinging away .. I faint .. ahem .. yeah you heard me .. I FAINTED TRYING TO HIT A GOLF BALL. holy heck I have never been so embarassed in all my life except for that one time that I will not ever divulge ever. So Bill gets me water and his next lesson a lovely older lady comes and gives me a lecture on how I need to drink water and asks how much water I have had that day .. and when I indicate nothing and Bill indicates that I had just walked to my lesson, she starts to lecture me on being dehydrated and drinking more water again .. and proceeds to stand in front of me as I gulp down some water, I personally think she wants me to drown. So my golf lesson continues after about 20mins of rest .. that game really takes it outta ya doesn't it.

Then there's the dilemma of me having to walk home. Another 1.5 hours. I am all for it! I love walking .. Bill and the kind old lady who likes to lecture are not so keen. She insists that she will drive me home, as does Bill. Straight away what my mum always taught me about stranger danger comes into effect .. DON'T GET IN THE CAR ! So I politely refuse their offers of help. The kinds lady who likes to lecture finally leaves and Bill goes to his next lesson but tells me I have to wait for him to take me home. As he is at his next client I hastily call my brother and ask him to pick me up (well it is dark too, did I mention that). I yell out to Bill my brother is picking me and proceed to walk part way home, to make it easier for my brother, I'm good like that. I get at least 3 offers from kindly gentlemen as I walk along the darkest street with no street lights or pathway, for a lift home. I respectfully decline their offers and retreat to the other side of the street from whence they are driving .. Because that would make it harder for them to get out of their cars and ambush me you know. Anyways after about 10mins of walking my brother arrives and takes me home. Yay for baby brothers.

When I get home my sisters husband turns up to jump start my car, yeah it was only the battery. Then my mate calls to confirm the movies for tomorrow night. As soon as he says hello his phone goes dead. I try ringing a couple of times but it goes straight to his message bank. And I haven't heard from him since, I wanna see Hairspray !!! grrr ...

So I do the only thing I can do after a horrid day .. go to bed .. Well after I fold the 2 loads of washing that are dumped on it.

I want chocolate..

Whilst on the subject of dreams .. and Elvis

2007-09-16T17:56:00.000+10:00

One of my favourite Elvis songs ever ... doesn't it just bring a tear to your eye .. it does to mine.

I haven't posted much from my Elvis book lately ..

"I really get tired of being Elvis"
"Love and warmth-that's what everyone is looking for"
"press:You're thirty-seven now. Do you disagree that everyone over thirty is finished? Elvis:I'd like to believe they are wrong"
"Everything is going so fine for me that I can't believe it's not a dream. I hope I never wake up."

We wish England was Australia

2007-09-16T00:11:00.000+10:00

For my pommy mates, It's a Bundaberg Rum Ad .. but I think it's hilarious !

I had a vision, Danny made it possible

2007-09-11T17:01:00.000+10:00

Just wanted to share this with you all. I was having lunch with my friend Danny the other day (actually before I went to New Zealand). Danny and I have a bit of history. But he's a great artist, always has been. I had a dream of being able to paint a picture of my mum and myself, together, for her birthday. I tried very hard to accomplish it, but errrrr, the best I can paint are stick figures. Anyways as Danny and I were talking I told him what I wanted to do and asked him if he could do it for me. He said sure ! All I had to do was email him pics and he'd work on it. He also told me it might take a while, might be done about Christmastime. That was fine by me, it could turn into a Chrissy present :-) .. Well today he finished the painting. Wanna see it ???? OKAY !!!! I can't get it just yet, he is putting it in one of his exhibitions. gulp.

These are the pictures I gave Danny to paint from.

Why didn't I think of this before !

2007-09-09T07:10:00.000+10:00

I have started a new chapter in my life.

A little while ago I started to learn tap dancing, which is going along very nicely thanks. We are currently learning a sequence to Christine Aguillera's - Candy Man. My gosh ! that song is so freaking fast ! tap dancing to it is a really good workout !

Anyways that's not the new chapter in my life, that's old news. NO NO NO the new chapter is even more fun !

Whilst in New Zealand I went out with a fella, I thought we were going putt putt golfing, instead we ended up at a golf driving range. I had the time of my life ! Couldn't hit the ball for peanuts. He was very encouraging mind you, such as rolling on the ground in laughter and thanking me for giving him the best laugh he's had for $5 (which was the cost of the bucket of balls). But heck I really enjoyed swinging that stick, it was like some kind of release of something .. hah. So I decided, I am not going to let this game beat me. I am now the latest golf student under the ever masterful tutorledge (is that a word?) of Bill the pro at the Marsden Golfing Range ! yaya ! and I came away from my first lesson being able to swing that stick (what is it called anyways) and having it connect to the ball and having the ball get some air and trail off into the distance, 5 metres is good ! believe me.

But you know that is not the cause of my full joy in taking golfing lessons. I never realised this before, but alot of men like to go to the driving range. Alot of men .. and some of those men are very good eye candy. And if you are in the right spot, the whole time you are there you are looking at their butts as they bend over concentrating on hitting their balls with their stick .. AND you would be surprised how many of them know the local pro (Bill) and will stop to say g'day to him as he is teaching. hahaha .. so girls !! actually I don't know many of you who are single .. tell your single girl friends ! get down to the local driving range pronto ! you just never know who you might meet :-)

HAPPY FATHERS DAY !

2007-09-03T07:10:00.000+10:00

I'd just like to let everyone know that I love my dad and miss him immensely, especially at this time of the year. He passed away 15 years ago.My dad let me know he loved me and all of us kids.

He wasn't very wealthy in a worldly sense, but he still gave us all that he had.

I have many good memories of my dad. Like that one time when he my brother Clayde and I lived in Loganlea. One day I was watching tv and Clayde and Dad were down in the room. All of a sudden I heard girly squealing and pleads for me to come help. I ran into my room to see Clayde and my dad on my bed jumping up and down because there was a huntsman spider in the opposite corner of the room. I don't know who was more scared, them or the spider. They ordered 'me' to go get a broom and kill it.

Then there was that one time, I got home from school and went to do my washing. Dad informed me he did it and I just needed to hang it out. Awesome. I went to hang it out - unfortunately being newly single and not knowledgeable in the art of seperating laundry, dad had mixed all of my clothes together, including some newly bought red jumpers. My washing turned out all pink. Awwww. But hey, I got to go shopping to get new clothes !

I remember as kids. We lived in Mangere, Favona. Down the road from our house was this round about (on the way to the shopping centre). Whenever we went to that roundabout dad would drive around it 4-5 times, yahooing. Yeah, to us kids that was better than the giant drop at Dreamworld ! Used to drive mum nuts though. But us kids loved it.

I will never ever forget the last time my father spoke to us kids. He was in his hospital bed and gave us all individually a Fathers blessing. I am forever grateful that we got to be with our Father at that time and to share in that beautiful experience before he moved on. The next morning we were all called to his bedside as he passed away.

I remember lots about my dad, both good and bad, happy and sad. but he's my dad and always will be forever, and I'm glad for that.

Aotearoa August 2007

2007-08-29T21:57:00.000+10:00

Just got back from an awesome awesome trip to New Zealand. I could very well have stayed there. for serious. Anyways one of the main reasons we went was to see family. And here folks .. are my family ! Me, my sister Cindy, I am holding my nephew Logan and Cindy is holding Hudson. Two brothers who are terrors ! but you can't help but love them to death. They belong to my younger sister Tia.

Mum and my brothers and sisters and me ! From the back L-R: Matthew, Clayde, Mum, Roni-marie, Cindy, Me, Tia

L-R Ryan and Cindy, Boyo and Tia

All the girls from back L-R : Me, Tia-Moana, Api-kara, Christine, Tiana, Jay-lee, Tia, Roni-marie, Mum holding Keriana, Cindy

L-R: Chrissy, Tiana, Me, baby Keriana, Api-Kara

Tia and Boyo, parents of 7 of the kids.

I love this random pic ! Tia-Moana

My brother Clayde and two of his nephews, Logan and Hudson

L-R: my sister Tia, my brother Matthew, Tia's husband Boyo

All the hippolites ! from the back L-R: Tiana and Api (sisters, Roni's kids), Christine, Beau, Tia-Moana, Jay-lee, Hudson, Logan (all brothers and sisters, Tia's kids, missing baby keriana)

Gorgeous Jay-lee

Strutting her stuff: Tia-Moana

Doing the Haka, Hudson - he is so loveable !

My brother Clayde trying to hold down our nephews: Logan and Hudson

Chrissy and Logan

Me soaking wet at the Japanese Gardens

Clayde and baby Keriana

My baby brother Matt, he's so white, he's a gangsta wannabe.

Tia-Moana, Me, Jaylee

Tia-Moana, Keriana, Matt, Api
Beau

Chrissy
Keriana and Clayde
Our Welcome Home Breakfast ! by my brother Claydes wife and kids. L-R Sherylann, Shandon, Shaniqua, Taneesha, Clayde, Pina, Greg (Pina's cousin)

Hmmm I could post more and more photos .. we have 20 films ! haha .. these will do.

I'm on vacation in New Zealand

2007-08-25T05:46:00.000+10:00

So will leave you this until I get back !

What a rocking night!

2007-08-18T08:20:00.000+10:00

And a great excuse to show some hot pics of myself - I kid I kid.

Last night myself and some family dolled ourselves up to go have a great night out on the town. We saw Scribe a local New Zealander Rapper - I know that the few of you who read this blog won't know who he is. But let me say - He was raw, He was sexy, He hip hopped the joint out ! and even the all in brawl that happened behind us wasn't a problem - because the pushing and shoving moved us to the front of the stage ! Actually that was because there were a few guys there that were actually looking out for the girls and moved in around us to protect us from the male testosterone going on around.

I had a really good time.

We then went clubbing - my arm this morning is a menagerie of stamps from the joints we crawled our way through. Although it is not my scene, I had a really good time.

If I were Elvis

2007-08-16T07:07:00.000+10:00

30 years ago today Elvis passed away. It's a time to reflect. If Elvis and I had a son or daughter, they might look something like this.

Fun huh, saw it on a friends blog. Next time I'll use a picture without earrings.

Now if Keanu Reeves and I had a son. He might look like this.

I'm thinking Michelle Rodriguez

2007-08-13T07:56:00.000+10:00

http://www.myheritage.com

Apparently these are the top celebrities I look most alike .. cough .. Michelle Rodriguez came in last. I'm thinking if ANY of them she'd be the one. They need some maori looking celebrities, to make up for my flat nose.

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977),

2007-08-12T08:40:00.000+10:00

Don't Cry Daddy - Elvis Presley featuring Lisa Marie Presley.

It's Elvis' 30th death year anniversary this coming Thursday.

30 years after his death and the popularity of the man has not twained. How does that happen ? It seems that Elvis Week, where they commemorate this event just keeps getting bigger and better. Will people ever stop remembering/reminiscing. Surely those who were there when he started are starting to go by the wayside.

I guess I should be able to answer those questions myself. I am a big fan of the King. Yet he died when I was relatively young. I can remember sitting on my dads knee watching the Elvis in Hawaii special. That was a great memory of our whole family together enjoying ourselves. I can remember waking up to my dad belting out elvis songs. I can just imagine what it would have been like if we had a playstation with singstar back in those days, my dad would 'own' it. I can remember falling asleep listening to Elvis records on the record player. I am a big fan because my dad taught me to love Elvis. He could do "If I Can Dream" - like nobody's business ! .. to this day that song gives me the goose bumps.

I think it is my job to instill in my nieces and nephews the greatness of Elvis. The way my father did for me.

Skuna Quay

2007-08-07T17:14:00.000+10:00

I knew this fella once. He used to board with my sister, in the house that I live at now, I took over his room when he left. He went and got married and this band is a production from that marriage. It is him and his wife doing vocals and instruments. I'm kinda supposing they also did the video, pretty good for a home production dontcha think. I like it.

I just found them on myspace. Here is their page. Go and check out some more of their stuff.

Amazing Grace

2007-08-04T14:35:00.000+10:00

What a beatiful soulful song. I always thought this song was about religion. Today my own eyes were opened. This song goes past religion. It's spiritual beyond comprehension. I learned today the history of the song and the man who wrote it. And how this man and this song inspired another man to change the way that slavery was viewed in the entire British Empire. Go see the movie "Amazing Grace" - William Wilburforce one man can change the world.

John Newton (1725-1807)
Stanza 6 anon.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Uninspired, Unmotivated, un un

2007-08-03T22:02:00.000+10:00

I'm feeling very un-everything right now. But for some reason found this old old email in my in-box .. and so because I am so imaginative .. am gonna paste it . . as it was answered back then .. see if i've changed my opinions much ... I first got this email 7/03/2001 (btw that's 7th March)

okay like i was really really bored so i had to do this.. SORRY!!!! erm i am sorry..
1) name & nicknames: trudy, middy, twiggy, truds, midster, midds, miss kina, dork, idiot.. blah blah
2) birthday: too young to remember at the time.. too old to tell you now..
3) where do u live: brisbane, australia
4) School: highschool , KINGSTON!! and rochedale, primary schools, FAVONA!!, eagleby, mabel park and BERRINBA!!
5) Hobbies: ermm.. aahh.. internet?
6) eye color: Green/hazel
7) height: 5'7 ish
8) shoe size: 7 - 7.5
9) fave color: purple!! i love you prince and donny osmond
10) fave song: anything by britney spears.. shes my idol !!! :) go britney go britney (dont even think i'm telling the truth or ill slap ya upside the head)
11) fave book: the one i havent read yet
12) fave vacation spot: anywhere out of Australia, heck hamilton NZ even looks good
13) Absolute one best friend: hmm dont have one... dang i dont have any friends.. DANG.. lemme go and cry
14) best friend of the opposite sex: well now u are really rubbing it in...
15) Boyfriend or girlfriend: dont understand the question.
16) Person you would love to go out with: hrmm.. if i thought i had a ghost of a chance... keanu reeves.. if i dont have a ghost of a chance ANYONE!!!
17) Things you like in the opposite sex: green eyes.. white teeth.. lotsa money. flash car. big house.. not married. no kids. lotsa time. and shares in microsoft.. wake up..
18) Are you an inny or an outty? none of ya dang business
19) Most romantic thing a person has ever said or done to you: okay when i was bout 9 at primary school.. i wanted this guys gum.. and he took it outta his mouth and gave it to me.
20) Funniest or most desperate thing you've ever done to get the attention
of the opposite sex: i smiled at someone once
21) Close friends: here we go with the friends!! thing.. tell ya what.. if i sent ya this .. Can you be my friend!??
22) best quality in a friend: like me for me.. not because i hang with leonardo..
23) Fondest memory of you & friends: ahh i enjoyed the days when my friends and i used to take off for the weekend.. to some beach.. ONCE we even went to a drive-in drove straight down to byron bay, and slept on the side of this cliff to go fishing in the morning.
24) Scariest thing that's ever happened: almost drowned.. in a river.. in rotorua.. while boogie boarding down some rapids.. OH rolled my dads car.. that was scary.. then there was this time out boogie boarding.. and a huge wave came and i couldnt duck dive. and it was curling.. so i went straight over it.. and somehow made it.. cause it was HUGE!!
25) fave animal: tattoo.. my dog.. we sold him with the house to a bunch of vegetarians.. blah..
26) fave food: cheeeeese cake
27) fave place to eat: anywhere thats not dirty
28) food you hate: oh ive never tried it.. but it looks nasty... that butak or whatever it is from phillipines.. boiled baby ducks.. ewwww so grose
29) wierdest food that you like: hrmm okay this is embarassing but i just LOVE peanut butter and banana.. lOvE it.. on bread of course
30) dumbest thing you've ever done: quit university
31) the 1 person that knows the most about you: he knows who he is
32) fave movies: matrix
33) last movie you saw at the theater: chocolat
34) if you could kill anyone in the world and get away with it, who would it be?: hitler
35) Nicest thing someones ever done for you: i got roses out of the blue. that was nice
36) what color is your tooth brush?: whitey, greeney, bluey
37) fave quote: I do
39) One thing you wish you could tell the whole world: its OKAY!
41) Thing you want to be remembered for: being alive
42) personality type: O negative..
43) fave music group: powderfinger
44) pets: 4 goldfish. i gave to my sister to look after. named, carmen, david, maiki and matthew
45) fave holiday: all
45b) least fave: the one i cant afford
46) fave season: dunno, we have summer summer summer and summer
47) fave activity in the summer: getting so sunburnt i look like a lobster
48) fave winter activity: sucking MILO with marshmallows, up through a Tim Tam biscuit
49) what do you wanna be when you grow up: 25
50) funniest person you know: Heavenly Father for giving me this face and body
51) favorite conversation topic: now that would be gossiping
52) fave sport: loveee watching tennis
53) fave magazines: MAD
54) fave toothpaste: is this question really necessary..
55) fave gum: hubba bubba
56) fave candy: cherry ripe
57) fave stores: Jacqueline E
58) fave thing to wear to school: used to be my Leg Warmers haha even in summer..
59) fave thing to sleep in: classified
60) biggest fear: bank balance
61) fave inside joke: hahahahahhahahh.. oh man you really had to be there.. sorry
62) fave girl's names: sheryl-ann, shaniqua, shandon, taneisha, tiana, api-kara, chrissy, tia-moana, jay-lee (ps all my nieces)
63) fave boys names: clayde, matthew, beau (ps my younger bro, baby bro and nephew)
67) things you're picked on most about: my driving
68) best thing about the person you got this from: man she ROCKS
69) fave words: I DO
70) thing you say waaay too much: DANG
71) fave ice cream flavor: OH i had hokey pokey, cherry ripe and oreo the other day that was fattening and yummy!
72) fave drink: water, coke, coke and coke
74) one place you want to go (youve never been there): heaven
75) time&date: 07/03/2001 - thats 7th of march for the backward americans
76) what did you do today: went to work. came home. and wrote this
77) have you ever kissed someone while chewing gum: noooo.. uh uh.. nope
78) what college do you want to go to: none, done enough school for a life time
79) person you admire most: hard question
80) thing you most regret: not picking the right numbers in the last $14mill . powerball lotto
81) number of pairs of shoes you own: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12.......... okay this is embarassing
82) favorite piece of jewlery you own: my mum and dads wedding ring
83) your theme song: fat bottom girls they make the rocking world go round ..
84) if you were a nail polish color what would you be and why: purple and i cannot divulge why.. its just a thing between me and purple
85) if a movie was made about your life, what would it be called: Dang, girl
86) what color is your room: well u see im moving this weekend back to my sisters.. AND!!! maybe i can paint it PURPLE!!
87) size of your bed: Queen
88) last time you showered: this morning
89) what's the weather like: beautiful one day , perfect the next.. oh its overcast right now though
90) last show you watched: 90210 at like midnight!! haha.. couldnt believe it was on!
91) where is your computer: in between the kitchen bench and the dinner table
92) color socks you're wearing: none
93) silliest thing you've ever said: no i wont marry you.... (thats the silliest!! but not the dumbest, cause i still wouldnt marry him)
94) fave smily face: :=)
95) last thing you said: nooooo i dont know where cindy is
96) last thing you had to drink: water .. NO JOKE. im for reals!
97) thing you actually want to be doing now: anything but this
98) are you democrat or republican: not a citizen so dont have to vote.
99) do you ever go out without wearing undergarments: excuse me???? oh my hanna!!! (in the words of jewels)
100) who do you have a crush on??: i plead the 5th!

I love winter ..

2007-07-15T14:01:00.000+10:00

It doesn't snow here which is a bummer. Actually today it's a beautiful sunny cloudless day .. right now outside of my bedroom window I'm looking at clear blue skies .. kinda horrid really. I wish it would snow .. Except as one gentleman told us at church, if it snowed here, all of our houses would fall down and we'd freeze to death and umm it would be amageddon. We just aren't equipped for that kinda blissful weather .. sigh ..

But the other reason I love winter is because of winter clothes ! I LOVE winter clothes .. well who wouldn't .. summer is so boring .. summer noone actually wears clothes .. it's too darn hot ... At least in winter you get to experiment with styles and jackets and boots and HATS ! and I just bought a new hat yesterday for $15.00 .. like it ?

Business Time

2007-07-09T16:52:00.000+10:00

needed this laugh. hope you enjoy.

This actually hit home quite alot. I've been wandering around the past few weeks, making some decisions. I have hit a roadblock in life - it's called being eternally single. I don't want that. I have been offered opportunities to seek for companionship outside of what I have grown up to believe is the only way, that is relying on and seeking people/friends/groups outside of the church. I don't have anything against non-members or even non-member friends, but have always steered away from seeking a companion who is a non-member, because of my conditioning and learning throughout my life. But I have come to the realisation that this is not the only path that I have too follow and I have come to realise if I continue on the path I have been on, I am going to be very old and very lonely very soon. Actually I am already very lonely and very nearly very old, hence the exploration into other social circles. I've decided to give it a go. Wish me luck, or something.

I'm Lost

2007-06-27T21:35:00.000+10:00

When I find myself, I'll be back.

Can you watch it without crying ?

2007-06-20T11:09:00.000+10:00

Sometimes

2007-06-16T12:12:00.000+10:00

All a girl needs is a good cup of hot chocolate, a scrumptious slice of almond slice and a bag full of money ... to be happy ..

I'm a considerate creator type person, I think that's lovely and I think it's quite the truth. I did this personality DNA test thingy that I saw on Abigails blog. It takes a while (there are 11 pages of questions), but I think for me personally the results were pretty terrific.

about you
You are a Creator

Your imagination, confidence, willingness to explore, and appreciation of beauty make you a CREATOR.

You are independent, and you enjoy your self-sufficiency.

Defying convention, you are very innovative, and you have a vivid imagination.

The look of things is important to you, and you have a keen eye for aesthetic beauty in multiple arenas.

You have a strong interest in what is new and exciting—and that includes forging ahead with new ideas, not simply discovering what is already out there.

Your eagerness to seek new and varied experiences leads you into many different situations.

You're not set on one way of doing things, and you are creative when it comes to finding novel solutions to complex problems.

You trust yourself to be innovative and resourceful.

Your confidence allows you to take your general awareness and channel it into creativity.

You're not afraid to let your emotions guide you, and you're generally considerate of others' feelings as well.

You tend to do things on the spur of the moment, not sticking to a set schedule.

Generally, you believe that you control your life, and that external forces only play a limited role in determining what happens to you.

If you want to be different:
Appreciate the earthly, practical elements of things—there is beauty in form as well.

While you are good at thinking abstractly, focusing on details a bit more may help you discover things about the world.

how you relate to others
You are Considerate

You trust others, care about them, and are slow to judge them, making you CONSIDERATE.

You value your close relationships very much, and are more likely to spend time in small, tightly-knit groups of friends than in large crowds.

You enjoy exploring the world through observation, quietly watching others.

Relating to others so well, and understanding their emotions, leads you to trust people in general, even though you're somewhat shy and reserved at times.

Your belief that people are generally well-intentioned contributes to your sympathy regarding their problems.

Although you may not vocalize it often, you have an awareness of how society affects individuals, and you understand complex causes of people's behavior.

You like to look at all sides of a situation before making a judgment, particularly when that situation involves important things in other people's lives.

Your close friends know you as a good listener.

If you want to be different:
Because other people would benefit immensely from your understanding and insight, you should try to be more outgoing in social situations, even when they make you uncomfortable. Others will want to hear what you have to say!

My talk 2 Nephi 31:20

2007-06-10T08:06:00.000+10:00

I have to give a talk. I hate getting up in front of people and speaking, it makes me shiver. But here is my 5 minutes of time to espouse my knowledge of 2 Nephi 31:20. Pray that I'll get through it will ya.

Good morning brothers and sisters, I am incredibly grateful for the topic I have been given to talk about. It’s actually something that is dear to my heart, so I just hope that I can get through the talk without turning into a blubbering mess.

O My Father, thou that dwellest, in the high and glorious place, when shall I regain thy presence and again behold thy face? In thy holy habitation did my spirit once reside. In my first primeval childhood was I nurtured near thy side.

When I leave this frail existence, When I lay this mortal by, Father, Mother, may I meet you in your royal courts on high? Then at length when I've completed all you sent me forth to do, with your mutual approbation let me come and dwell with you.

Several years ago my father passed away. One of the hardest things I have had to endure was to watch his physical body deteriorate. Yet it was also a time where his spiritual body grew from strength to strength, as his testimony of the Saviour flourished and he drew strength from and love from the Lord, to help in his state of physical unwellness. It was a blessing to be able to draw from that spiritual strength for myself as well.

When he was confined to hospital, every Sunday without fail, two of the young men in the ward served him the sacrament. My testimony of the sacrament was strengthened not only because of their wonderful examples, but also because of the great humbleness and joy in which my father received it. My testimony of eternal life and the Plan of Salvation was also strengthened, as my father knew the importance of the sacrament and the wonderful blessing it was for us to partake of it, not only to renew our covenants but to remember our Saviour and the eternal blessings we are able to receive because of Him.

Those who knew my father knew he was very talented in the arts, he could draw, he could sing, he could paint, he could write. As he got sicker he wrote more and more poetry, the themes of his poems started centring on the eternities. One poem that he wrote made an impact on me and strengthened my hope in seeing Him again. It is called.

Portions of Eternity

As I partake of emblems blessed
My portion small,
I see a woman of Samaria
Replenishing from Jacob’s well.
He who observes, requests to drink.
She to this stranger hesitates.
“Art thou greater than he who
Pledged this well?”
With godly tones of eternity
The Nazarene replies,
“Whosoever drinketh of this water
Shall thirst again,
But whosoever drinketh of the water
I shall give him shall never thirst.”

I close my eyes to remember why
He bled for me.
Boldly is my mind impressed
With the conversation at the well.
The stranger’s gift have tasted I,
The sweetness of eternal life
Supping in portions small.

What a wonderful blessing of knowledge we as members of the church have of eternal life. After my father died, the hospital in good faith, sent us many handouts about dealing with grief and sent many pamphlets about support groups. We respectfully declined them all. One of the nuns spoke to me about her amazement how we were handling my fathers death, as she was used to seeing loved ones despair and become distraught beyond consolation as their loved ones passed away. Don’t get me wrong we shed many tears when my Dad died. But after explaining to her our belief and our knowledge of eternal life, she understood that that was the difference. We have a hope and a belief that we will be with him again. There are many people in the world who do not have this hope or belief.

Nephi tells us what we must do after we are baptised, to obtain this gift.

2 Nephi 31:20 reads.
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. How do we accomplish that? The footnotes guide us to “commitment” “dedication” “perseverance” “walk with God”. How committed are we as we daily go about our lives to make right choices, How dedicated are we in living the commandments to our best ability, How long are we willing to persevere in our trials and tribulations, How many times throughout the day do we think of the Saviour and live our lives so that His spirit can abide with us.

A perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Are we able to have a perfect brightness of hope without a love of God and of all men. Remember the story of the rich young man who came to Christ.

From Matthew 19:16 We read.
16 ¶ And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 aHonour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

So after attaining a perfection in keeping all of the commandments the young man still lacked in something.

The Saviour went on to say.

21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: [most importantly] and come and efollow me.

How important is it for us to lay our treasures aside and to follow the Saviour and his teachings. We cannot let ourselves be caught up so readily in worldly pursuits and possessions that we forget our fellow man, our neighbours, our family or our eternal goals.

press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end.
The scriptures are filled with stories of righteous men and women who have endured. Most notably would be Job who endured many physical tests and endured them well. The scriptures describe him as a one who was perfect and upright and who feared God and eschewed evil. If ever we feel our burdens becoming heavy, we should be reminded of Job and the example he set as he endured through his trials, and yet not once did he speak against God, even as those around him questioned his faith, he was steadfast in his testimony of God and of the eternal reward available to him.

Job 19
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Henry B. Eyring, spoke about endurance, he said:
But the test a loving God has set before us is not to see if we can endure difficulty. It is to see if we can endure it well. We pass the test by showing that we remembered Him and the commandments He gave us. And to endure well is to keep those commandments whatever the opposition, whatever the temptation, and whatever the tumult around us. We have that clear understanding because the restored gospel makes the plan of happiness so plain.

That clarity lets us see what help we need. We need strength beyond ourselves to keep the commandments in whatever circumstance life brings to us. For some it may be poverty, but for others it may be prosperity. It may be the ravages of age or the exuberance of youth. The combination of trials and their duration are as varied as are the children of our Heavenly Father. No two are alike. But what is being tested is the same, at all times in our lives and for every person: will we do whatsoever the Lord our God will command us?

Knowing why we are tested and what the test is tells us how to get help. We have to go to God. He gives us the commandments. And we will need more than our own strength to keep them.

Brothers and Sisters I have a strong testimony of the Plan of Salvation and of Eternal Life, it keeps me grounded and it helps me to try to stay strong as I face my daily challenges. I’m so grateful for the Plan that has been laid before us and especially grateful that Heavenly Father is there to help guide us, lift us up and carry us along as we try too accomplish our eternal goals. I look forward to the time that I can once again meet my loved ones. Especially my father, the reward will be great.
In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

This is for Abigail ..

2007-06-08T07:12:00.000+10:00

Enjoy a bit of Billy T James. One of NZ's best !

A Day At The Museum

2007-06-02T15:50:00.000+10:00

As always when I spend a day with my nieces I have a ball. Today we caught a train .. yeah a public train .. and went to the museum .. it all cost .. $0 .. that's right there were no train conductors or ticket handlers to be seen and the museum is always free.

Our only cost was the $4.00 pies (each that is). I even made the girls drink from water fountains if they were thirsty . hah . I'm frugal aunty when I want to be aye!

Public trains are fun, with people who talk to themselves, graffitti everywhere, we felt really really safe!

Southbank a tree

Southbank a flower

Southbank an aunty

Going Home

Pirates of the Caribbean 3 .. my evaluation

2007-05-26T19:16:00.000+10:00

First off. Keith Richards - legendary - did he even realise he was in the Movie ? Second off. Johnny Depp - legendary - beautiful - performed past my expectations.

I read an interview with Johnny Depp, he was absolutely in awe of Keith Richards and said he found it much much easier to be with Keith when he was in character as Jack Sparrow, because when he was out of character he would become all starry eyed.

The movie ? For starters as you might have read below, I had to sit at the very front row of the cinema, which meant I was literally looking up the noses of everyone on the screen and had to tilt my head backwards and forwards and side to side to see the whole screen. In fact there were several times throughout the film where I actually started choking on my saliva, at one point having a coughing fit ... true story.

All that being said, I loved the film. I am not one to critique films as to their technical nature, I judge on entertainment value. I was thoroughly entertained. Just as I was on the two previous films. (Hey this is coming from someone who thoroughly enjoyed every Matrix film too).

The makers of the film pulled out all the stops, in terms of surprises and costumes and special effects and epic battles and sword fights. Each of the main characters had a personal quest and each on the outside seemed determined and sure of themselves. Each that is except Jack Sparrow, who as we expect seems to bumble through his life, tripping up on his feet, like a cat that falls off a sky scraper but lands on its feet. Of course the upshot is that Jack is really the only character in control and able to manipulate and swing everything to his liking - in some instances to the advantage of his buddies.

This film is a film to enjoy, to sit down and laugh at the humour (of which there is plenty), to jolt in your seat at the canons and the ships and the adventures. There are definite plots that one must follow along with, but it's not a necessity to understand these plots to enjoy the entire film, besides you can read online on any of the 1000's of blogs/forums set up to discuss the plots, to understand what they are.

My favourite sequence is of hallucinating Jack Sparrow - it was at that moment that Johnny Depp (who already was a favourite), stamped his mark on my list of most favourite actors. His talent in that sequence was incredible and believable and showed he has a very remarkable talent at comedy.

So basically I say .. GO SEE THE MOVIE .. I am going to .. again ..

FREAKY FRIDAY

2007-05-26T07:16:00.000+10:00

Could it get any freakier.

Last night was Amanda's Birthday. So a group of us planned to go watch Pirates 3 at Southbank, then go for dinner afterward. As it was the second day of release we decided to book our tickets online. All was well, All was well.

PART 1
It started on my way to the city. I kinda ran through an orange light and as I always do when I do that, I look in the rear mirror to see if any cars are following, you know, just in case I need to slam on the brakes. I spotted this car coming through the recently turned red light, crazy crazy car ! All of a sudden it goes burning past me with people hanging out the window waving ---- it was Jenny and Ursula and Amanda (part of the group I am to meet up with), crazy ! Anyways all the way into the city Jenny proceeds to cut me off every chance she can get, I tell ya, if I didn't know her I'd totally do a road rage incident on her.

Anyways we get to the city, they take off in the opposite direction to get a park. I find my parking spot and make my way to the cinema, a little later than I hoped only 45mins before the movie. We wanted to get there a bit earlier to get good seats. Looking at the board I see Pirates 3 is all sold out for the rest of the night, luckily we bought our tickets online ay! As I am waiting inside the door for the rest of the group, Amanda the birthday girl rings on her mobile.
"Trudy, pirates is all sold out!"
"yeah I saw that, luckily we have tickets"
"Oh, do you have tickets"
"Uh, yeah, remember we were buying them online"
"Oh, how many did you get"
"um, only 2, 1 for Glin, remember I called and you said Jenny was buying yours"
"oh, we didn't buy any, we just thought we would get here early and take our chances"
"what!? you don't have tickets, um where are you anyways ? I am in the foyer"
"we are in the foyer"

I quickly do a scan over the crowd and see the girls so hang up and head over.
Then a crazy discussion ensues about what our options are. Finally Ursula gets on the phone and gets her hubby to buy tickets at another cinema to a session that starts 1/2 an hour after this one.

"Trudy just come to the other session"
"I bought my ticketes online they are non-refundable and non-transferrable, I also have to wait for Glin, he's isn't here yet"
"Oh"
"yeah, so you guys go see the movie at the other cinema and me and Glin will head over there after this one is finished and we'll get something to eat."
"okay, bye !"

So that's sorted. Mama Mia ! Anyways it's 6.15, it's Friday Night, it's busy, the session starts in 5mins. Er where is Glin ? I call Glin who is stuck in traffic coming up from the Gold Coast, he will be at least another 10mins. So much for getting good seats eh, he apologises in advance for the crook neck we will get from sitting in the front.

I decide to go and validate my online tickets, look in my bag and discover I didn't bring the receipt. Go to the ticket box and explain my dilemma. It seems I am not the only forgetful person, a lady in the front has the same problem. The ticket box people proceed to look for her booking and can't find it. I think great now they won't find mine either. They give up on hers and decide she didn't really book anything online .. Then it's my turn .. dun dun .. YAY they found my booking and promptly get my tickets. Now just to wait and wait for Glin.

In the meantime I call Amanda to make sure they made it to the other cinema ontime as they were a bit unsure of where "Hawthorne" was. She says YES we are here and all is good ! Great ! glad they are sorted. Now where is Glin.

Finally Glin comes running in the door, as he does so, so does Sonya who had wanted to see the movie too. She looks up "oh, it's all sold out". "no kidding". Sonya decides to go shopping instead.

So Glin and I head into the movie to the front row and get settled for crooked necks.

PART 2
The movie ends, I enjoyed it! (I'll give a review later). I look at my phone and see Amanda left a message "we are at Balmoral". Huh, I thought they went to Hawthorne. Anyways Glin and I make our way over to Balmoral. When we get there we don't see any people, but figure their movie started 1/2 an hour after ours so it should take that long to get out. After waiting for a little bit people start streaming out of one of the cinemas. They must be in this group! We wait and watch the crowd disperse and wait. Noone we know emerges. I say to Glin, I hope they aren't the type of people who wait until the end of the credits. Glin then spots Catherine lingering up by the door of the cinema, then she walks back inside. I sigh "they ARE the type of people to wait until the end of the credits". Then I remember, Pirates! there's always something at the end of the credits, we forgot to wait at our session. Finally the girls emerge and tell me what happens at the end of the credits, d'oh.

We head off to the Coffee Club to get something to eat, food is good, company is good, it's heading close to midnight. Glin gets up and does something I'm not entirely sure what at the time. Comes back and bids us all adieu, he has to work early in the morning (poor suckers who work weekends). The rest of us continue to chat for a little bit longer. We then get up to pay our bill. I notice as everyone pays their bits that all of Glins stuff is still outstanding. I look at the guy at the register,

"excuse me, those items there, are they still unpaid for?"
"yes ma'am"
"oh, you mean Glin left without paying, no way!"
"um, I don't know who Glin is but they aren't paid for"
"I can't believe Glin wouldn't pay"

.. I hurriedly ring Glin,

"hey Glin, you know your bill, did you pay for it?"
"yes, actually I paid for everyone as a surprise"
"OH! you did ? errr, but we just paid for ours"
"No, I paid for the whole table, to a blonde guy"
"yeah the blonde guy who is taking our money now"

.. The blonde guy recalls a gentleman paying for a table, but not ours.

"glin! they made you pay for another table"
.. it's so hilarious we all crack up laughing.
"don't worry Glin I'll sort it out, thanks for paying for us ! er them !"

So that was our freaky friday, which was Amanda's birthday. We all went to see Pirates 3 at different cinemas and paid for another tables meal.

BUT IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT !

purple

2007-05-18T18:09:00.000+10:00

My favourite colour has always and will always be purple. I have often wondered why I like the colour purple. To me it's a rich, bright colour, whatever contrast it might be in. I think it looks regal, which is probably why it's a regal colour. There is noone who can look dull when wearing purple, even if it's a pair of purple socks.

My most earliest memory of the colour purple was actually Donny Osmond and his purple socks, which followed quickly by Prince and his purple jacket in his "1999" video. Even James Brown had a liking for purple. If I could get married in anything besides white, I'd pick purple. In fact I'm pretty sure I'll be jealous of my bridesmaids being able to wear my favourite colour.

The more I have been thinking about some people this week - the more I feel inclined to sing Prince's Purple Rain out loud.

I never meant 2 cause u any sorrow
I never meant 2 cause u any pain
I only wanted 2 one time see u laughing
I only wanted 2 see u laughing in the purple rain

Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain

I only wanted 2 see u bathing in the purple rain

I never wanted 2 be your weekend lover
I only wanted 2 be some kind of friend
Baby I could never steal u from another
Its such a shame our friendship had 2 end

Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain

I only wanted 2 see u underneath the purple rain

Honey I know, I know, I know times are changing
Its time we all reach out 4 something new
That means u 2
U say u want a leader
But u cant seem 2 make up your mind
I think u better close it
And let me guide u 2 the purple rain

Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain

If you know what Im singing about up here
Cmon raise your hand

Purple rain purple rain

I only want 2 see u, only want 2 see u
In the purple rain

actually the whole point of this topic was so I had a valid excuse to paste the cheesey purple thingy above. I'm feeling very cheesey lately.

to eat or not to eat ...

2007-05-12T08:41:00.000+10:00

Guess what it is .. go on .. try ..

If you answered pancakes, you would be correct ! That my friends is called a Jaffa/Orange Pancake. From The Pancake Manor. Does it look bad ? Does it look like someone who is on a diet should be eating it? I mean it does have oranges .....

Now guess what the following is ... go on try ..

It's a cake ! I made it .. a milk sponge cake covered with buttermilk frosting . .and chocolate sprinkly bits ..

I told a friend I would take a cake to his birthday party and that was my creation. Suffice to say, during the making of the cake I started a fire in the oven. I kinda didn't have a big enough pan for the cake and it spilled onto the elements and lit up. So one part of the cake was burn't literally, but I covered it in icing and took it anyways .. hah .. and surprisingly it all got ate ..

My goal is to make cakes that look as delicious as Darlene's! go check her cakes out .. I have a link to the right ..

SAVE NET RADIO !

2007-05-08T17:59:00.000+10:00

Please one and all you need to rally your congressmen and all that stuff .. if not for you .. for me .. http://www.savenetradio.com
Tim Webster of Pandora explains it all in this short 11min video below.

LET IT CONTINUE ! I implore you. GIVE BACK MY PANDORA.

ps. that Tim Webster is kinda cute dontcha think.

The SaveNetRadio Coalition
The future of Internet radio is in immediate danger. Royalty rates for webcasters have been drastically increased by a recent ruling and are due to go into effect on July 15 (retroactive to Jan 1, 2006!). If the increased rates remain unchanged, the majority of webcasters will go bankrupt and silent on this date. Internet radio needs your help!

Ah the Serenity

2007-05-06T06:58:00.000+10:00

I remember when I was younger. I'd watch older folk and think .. man .. when I'm older I'm not going to change. I'm still gonna do all this stuff I do now.

Yesterday I discovered I'm older. Yesterday I went to Movie World. Back in my spritely younger days I can remember going to theme parks and running around 100k's an hour from ride to ride, making sure I got on the scariest ones first, making sure I went more than once, making sure I always got in the front carriages. Yesterday, my friends and I walked around leisurely, enjoying the little shops with the t'shirts and trinkets with warner bros characters plastered all over them. We waited patiently in lines and chatted about things. We bought ice cream and sat on the benches in the main street, the benches under the shade, and watched the younger folk running backwards and forwards from ride to ride, chuckling to ourselves at their craziness. We even brought a picnic lunch and sat under a tree and ate it. Instead of getting the greasy hot dogs and hamburgers with fizzy drink, available for the price of an arm and a leg.

Twas a really relaxing day at one of the biggest theme parks on the Gold Coast. It's so cool getting old.

Last night we celebrated Cinco De Mayo. Don't ask me exactly what it is. But gosh I love mexican food. Too bad I couldn't eat most of it, on account of my diet and all that. Actually I couldn't eat any of it. But I did. I just couldnt go past the guacamole chips. We even had a pinata, not quite a donkey but a unicorn, which really is related to donkeys you know, except for the growth coming out of their forehead. Happy ! Mexico Cinco De Mayo day! I should really look it up to see what it's all about. Does anyone know ?

Pandora .. oh Pandora

2007-05-03T16:55:00.000+10:00

I received a beautiful email today from the Pandora folk. Their prose and wording nearly made me cry into my keyboard, their apparent regret at having to shut off my access to their service pulled at the heart strings.

I am saddened to be losing these great friends. I am saddened I will no longer be able to have access to great music new and old. You USA folk sure are lucky you know that .. I hope you never ever take for granted the wonderful opportunities you have at your finger tips merely for being USA citizens.

Sigh.

Pandora I'm gonna miss ya.

Dear Pandora listener,

Today we have some extremely disappointing news to share with you. Due to international licensing constraints, we are deeply, deeply sorry to say that we must begin proactively preventing access to Pandora's streaming service for most countries outside of the U.S.

It is difficult to convey just how disappointing this is for us. Our vision remains to eventually make Pandora a truly global service, but for the time being, we can no longer continue as we have been. As a small company, the best chance we have of realizing our dream of Pandora all around the world is to grow as the licensing landscape allows.

We show your IP address is '***.***.***.**', which indicates you are listening from Australia. If you believe you are seeing this by mistake, we offer our sincere apologies and ask that you please reply to this email.

Delivery of Pandora is based on proper licensing from the people who created the music - we have always believed in honoring the guidelines as determined by legislators and regulators, artists and songwriters, and the labels and publishers they work with. In the U.S. there is a federal statute that provides this license for all the music streamed on Pandora. Unfortunately, there is no equivalent license outside the U.S. and there is no global licensing organization to enable us to legitimately offer Pandora around the world. Other than in the U.K., we have not yet been able to make significant progress in our efforts to obtain a sufficient number of international licenses at terms that would enable us to run a viable business. The volume of listening on Pandora makes it a very expensive service to run. Streaming costs are very high, and since our inception, we have been making publishing and performance royalty payments for every song we play.

Until now, we have not been able to tell where a listener is based, relying only on zip code information provided upon registration. We are now able to recognize a listener's country of origin based on the IP address from which they are accessing the service. Consequently, on May 3rd, we will begin blocking access to Pandora to listeners from your country. We are very sad to have to do this, but there is no other alternative.

We will be posting updates on our blog regarding our ongoing effort to launch in other countries, so please stay in touch. We will keep a record of your existing stations and bookmarked artists and songs, so that when we are able to launch in your country, they will be waiting for you. We deeply share your sense of disappointment and greatly appreciate your understanding.

-Tim Westergren
(Pandora founder)
This is a one time account message

finally

2007-05-01T17:02:00.000+10:00

A pic of my new niece .. she's in New Zealand ..

Men are that they might have Joy - 2 Nephi 2 : 15,25

2007-04-30T07:25:00.000+10:00

I created this quick video for the SA FHE I'm doing tonight. The theme is happiness. Do you get it ?

2 bags of potatoes

2007-04-29T14:06:00.000+10:00

2 bags of potatoes .. = 5kg .. = what I have lost = happy face = 2 weeks of diet = what took me so long.

ANZAC DAY - Australia New Zealand Army Corps

2007-04-25T22:30:00.000+10:00

Anzacs were born out of WWI : in particular in a seemingly suicide mission at Gallipoli, that took place beginning April 25th 1915.

Now we have a national day of remembrance for all of our past veterans and for all those present day men and women who give of their time to protect our country and our freedom.

All over the country at sunrise services are held, marches are planned.

This morning I woke up at 3.00am to travel to Currumbin Beach to take part in the Dawn Service. There were a small group of us. We arrived at Currumbin at 4.00am, and saw the crowds, it was huge (literally thousands and thousands of people, I'll tell you why later). I was driver and just followed the car in front of me. Suddenly realising we were right in the middle of the start of the parade, yikers and so turned up a street that had a bus heading right for us. We stopped, talked about the stupid bus driver and found a park not very far from the beach. It wasn't until walking back to our cars in the daylight, we realised I had driven up a one way street the wrong way .. Then in the darkness we solemnly and reverently watched the veterans, and many of the past veterans family members who marched in their places, as well as those who are serving us today and will in the future (cadets). It was a very humbling experience as you saw the faces of men and women who have and are and will battle for us so.

The dawn service was on the Beach so we were blessed to see a most beautiful sunrise.

Then came the reason there were thousands of people there. Powderfinger! gave a free concert on the beach. We were right up at the stage. We waited 4 hours for their concert and it was EXCELLENT.

BTW my new crush is Bernard Fanning .. humma humma.

The Diggers
Sunrise on Currumbin Beach

The Crowd

Powderfinger

The Best Amateur Star Wars Ever

2007-04-21T23:20:00.000+10:00

FINDERS KEEPERS !

2007-04-21T12:59:00.000+10:00

A week ago I was attached to you,
in more ways than I would admit,
I knew the relationship had to end,
Just how and when was a matter of my own undertaking.

There were many goodtimes that we had together,
but I really am looking forward for the better times ahead,
without you, by my side,
Today I smiled, for the first time, since I got rid of you.

It's been a long time coming,
but something I'll be forever grateful for,
You used to hold me back,
Something I vowed not to let happen,
And it won't happen again, anytime soon.

wherever you have gone,
whatever you are doing,
don't look back,
I won't be waiting for you.

Goodbye! 3.8kgs.

Happiness is

2007-04-15T00:22:00.000+10:00

I had such a great day today, I had to share. And I'll share it with pictures.

Banana's are back and are affordable. yay.

Today I went shopping with my nieces, along the way we stopped at Sizzlers, then on the way to the car, walked past the bowling alley and decided to have a couple of games.

Tonight a group of friends met at Chris' house, with mixed ingredients and made some gourmet pizza's. My fave topping was "smoked salmon, anchovies, mushroom, sundried tomatoes, capsicum, fetta cheese, red onion, mozarella cheese". Afterward we went to see Wild Hogs, again, that movie maketh me laugh.

And to top it all off, my sister had a baby girl! in New Zealand just after 1am. We welcome another girl to the whanau. That makes me an aunty for the 13th time and my baby sister the very capable mum to 7 kids.

People always look good in their coffins - Elvis

2007-04-14T09:38:00.000+10:00

So I have started a new diet .. started it yesterday. The Tony Ferguson diet, you can see it online and check it out. Nearly every second person at work is on it and getting results. My sister in law started it 3 weeks ago and has lost 9.7kg. She's a trouper though. I dunno how she does it.

I was very very good yesterday, at work we had our usual Friday savoury/sweet day, Stacey brought in a carrot cake (my fave! next to banana) and Chrystal brought in some dip and herb breads .. argh .. and I sat there and did not partake. It helps to know I told all that I was starting the diet, and my boss who is on it made sure that I didn't partake, since he can't either. I was quite proud.

Then there came a little hickup. Last night was Marguerites Friday the 13th B'day Party. Anyone who knows Marguerite, knows her parties involve, good food, and cute guys. Un/fortunately when I got there a cute guy started chatting and then decided to feed me chocolate covered sultanas. I had to think to myself, sacrifice the beginning of the diet or enjoy being fed chocolate covered sultanas by a cute guy.

Yeah I took the sacrifice .. it was worth it ..

holy toledo ..

2007-04-05T13:32:00.000+10:00

I think my old stake president is on ldsmingle ..

Who

2007-04-04T06:21:00.000+10:00

The Byron Bay Blues Festival starts tomorrow. There were 4 bands I really wanted to see. The Black Sorrows, Wolf Mother, Ziggy Marley and Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars. Now go .. go look at the schedule ... tell me why right now I am pulling my hair out .. and I gots lotsa hair ..

a) The Black Sorrows scheduled for the Jambalaya Stage at 10.15pm

Click for their Myspace

b) Wolf Mother scheduled for the Mojo Stage at 10.30pm

Click for their Myspace

c) Ziggy Marley scheduled for the Crossroads Stage at 10.15pm

Click for his Myspace

THEY'RE ALL ON AT THE SAME TIME !

Can someone tell me how to be at 3 places at the one time ..

Reign Over Me

2007-04-01T14:04:00.000+10:00

Great interview with the two main actors, Don Cheadle and Adam Sandler. The interview really has nothing to do with the film, as they chit chat with each other.

What did I think of the film ?

First up, thankyou for making the man bag a fashion accessory ! even I would love the bag that Adam Sandlers character slung about his shoulders the entire film. I'd also like the scooter, with the price of petrol these days. Lots of the F word is dropped in the film, so if that offends don't go watch.

Most people know what the movie is about, A man who loses his family in one of the planes of 911, and loses it.

Although Adam Sandlers (Charlie Fineman) character was the central one in the film, that is the central tragic one, whose life had become one of recluse as he tried to forget his life pre 911 - I was interested in Don Cheadles character (Alan Johnson). Both men were college roomies and both had become dentists, quite successful at that.

Charlie Fineman had a loving family who adored him, tragically killed in 911. He was haunted by their memory, he was haunted by the last words he spoke to his wife, he shut himself off from the world including friends and family as he tried to forget. A poignant part of the film is when he is forced to see pictures of his family in court. Noone understood, he didn't need the pictures, he saw them in his head, he saw them in the faces of people in the street, he saw them in windows, in sidewalks in buildings. Memories are a very very powerful tool. Memories also possess the feelings and the emotions we felt at certain points in our lives, things that don't dissapear as readily. We have albums of snap shots of different aspects of our lives, yet when we look at these pictures they bring up other memories. We remember the hour the day even the year the snapshot was taken, we remember what was happening at that time, we remember past joys and sadness, we remember. It was very easy for people to identify with Charlie's problem because his grief was so visual. He quite obviously needed help and there were many good intentioned but highly unqualified and misguided samaritans ready to jump in and help him in their own way, if he'd let them.

Alan Johnson is a successful dentist, at a practice he created, he has a wonderful family and a beautiful wife. He is not happy, he feels lost, he feels insignificant, he feels that noone sees him for himself. He sees Charlie one day in the street and attempting to gain back a life from his past, chases Charlie down and tries to regain the friendship they once had. There is only one woman in the film who recognises the hole in Alan's life, she recognises that he is lacking something, although the something she thinks he is lacking, is a bit off ! (you'll know what I mean). She recognises his need (or the fact he is not quite centred) because she herself has gone through a traumatic experience, which has knocked her off kilter. To everyone else he is fine. I actually could identify with Alan Johnson, and I think many of us can, when we sit down and think about it. Many of us go about our lives with this mask on. We appear happy, we appear as if the world is at our feet, yet we are battling internally and privately with emotions and changes in our lives, that are affecting us considerably. The samaritans by pass us, because they don't recognise our need, and we would not expect or even accept help from a samaritan if they did in fact stop. Not because we are ungrateful, but because we feel that our trials are not as great or as wanting as others who are in greater need, eg in Alan's case, Charlie.

It was a good film, lots of thinking to be done at the end of it. I didn't really like the ending though, it could have been better. It's a sad film and was a nice change to see Adam Sandler in a role that required him to dig deep. Although the sadness comes from his circumstances, I didn't actually cry at any part of the film, wait I did in the one part where he opens up about his family. I would recommend it.

Aroha

2007-03-31T00:41:00.000+10:00

Doctrine & Covenants 18:10 "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God"

Ever had an experience that hits you like a truck and makes you realise that Heavenly Father is guiding you on this journey we call life ?

I have felt Heavenly Fathers hand reach down and grasp mine to help me make it back onto the right path - very unexpectedly and through a very unexpected source, someone I am only just getting to know as a friend.

I know that some of you who read this blog, know that I have been on a downer for a whee little bit. I have struggled with myself over some things and really sought for comfort and reassurance from Heavenly Father. There have been many times that I have seemingly picked myself up and got on top of things, but then woken up back down in this terrible abyss of sadness and desperation. I must admit I do not show my emotions that readily to anyone, even kin, so many would not even realise my struggles.

Tonight out of the blue, after a great evening out with friends, and after trampling over some ground from the not too distant past that I have had trouble trampling over, I received an assurance from Heavenly Father again that events that have transpired these last couple of months, were being watched by Him and that the conclusion of these events, were because of his love for me and the guidance and help that he is sending me in this life.

Gosh sorry for that long sentence. I am not a wordsmith by any means, but hope someone might understand the jubilation and euphoria I am feeling right now, knowing that I have a Heavenly Father who loves and understands and wants me to succeed.

It's wonderful.

a serious conversation - just let me vent

2007-03-21T23:18:00.000+10:00

Was talking with a friend tonight.

I'm not a man hater, oh no no no .. I love men .. men ..

We were talking about the apparent dilemma single sisters are faced with in the church, specifically single sisters in their 30's, specifically single sisters in their 30's who have do not have children and who have never been married. It appears to us anyways that those in this bracket are the ones left behind. By being left behind I mean the ones that there seems no hope. The ones that people will look at with a look of pity. You can hear the people whisper "I don't understand she's so nice ... "

I myself maintain that there is a man shortage, on this side of the planet anyways. And when I say there is a man shortage, I mean a shortage of able bodied, righteous, or wanting to be righteous single men in the 30's age bracket. Notice I said there is a shortage - which means there are men there who do fit the bill, but for every man who fits the bill there are probably 10 women who want to be the "bill". A few weeks ago I went on a single adult boat cruise. There were men on that boat yes, but exclude the men over 50 and that left about 5 men, out of the group of 5 one was an 'ex' which left 4, out of the 4 that were left (excluding those men with personal ex wife issues) there was 1 ... seriously 1 .. the boat was listing to one side the whole night as the women tried to vie for his attention ... and I bet you think I am joking, about the boat listing.

Anyways because the men have a monopoly on numbers, a quick observation seems to show the type of women they go for. My intention is not to be critical of other women either, it's just an observation. But it seems that single mums, seem to be more attractive to the men in 'our' age group. I call it the superman vs louis lane syndrome. Let me try to explain. Single women in their 30's who have never been married and do not have kids, are pretty established with themselves and who they are. They have had to fend for themselves and can do things like mow the lawn, change the oil in the car, take the garbage out, etc etc .. they have become quite durable at fending for themselves, and so men feel useless around them, they are unsure what their place is to be in this world, they have no scope to show off their superman outfits to come to the womans aid. Single mums on the other hand have a certain air about them that cries for help. I am being very general here as I know there are plenty of single mums who can fend for themselves too. But from the point of view of a male, a single mother is a great opportunity for him to put on his superman cape and undies and fly into her life to be a superhero. It's quite a dilemma, so much so that one feels the need to become Angelina Jolie and adopt a child for the sake of finding a date. I'm only half joking, I would love to get a date and I would love to have a child. But would rather have the child after dating and marriage, then getting a child first ... errr .. yeah .. duh.

Anyways I found it interesting that this conversation I was having with my friend, was very similar to one I had at work with work buddies. I suddenly realised that it is not a church wide problem, but a worldwide problem, whether mormon or not. One of my work buddies who is my age, has lamented that she can't find a decent guy to go on a date with. I suddenly became aware that if you don't go to a pub (the national pasttime), where are you meant to find a fella ?? She's a really really nice girl, owns a home, a car, has a great job. Yet can't find a fella to take her out. I asked her what criteria her ideal male would be.

a. a job, any job as long as he works, doesn't have to be a career, just a job - a good work ethic
b. no personal baggage
c. brown hair, brown gorgeous eyes, over 5'8 - doesn't spend time looking in the mirror preening oneself.
d. independent (meaning does not live at home with mum who irons clothes, makes bed, does washing, you get the idea)

That was pretty much it. Why is that too hard to find ?

PS I really really really do like men .. :-)

what would a pirate blog be without a pirate movie

2007-03-20T17:15:00.000+10:00

Can't wait for this movie to come out. The third installment of Pirates of the Carribean.

PS I am putting this here mainly for my benefit so I can view it over and over again.

I'm conscious of what I do all the time - Elvis

2007-03-14T18:57:00.000+10:00

Click it I dare you.

I'm learning to tap dance. Why not eh ! I am an adult, I can do anything.

camping involves a tent right ?

2007-03-13T06:30:00.000+10:00

Camping was fun ! well that's probably because the people I went with were a ton of fun. I met up with a couple of buddies after work on Friday and we drove down to the Coast about an hour away to the campsite. Luckily a few who lived down there got to the campsite early and put up our tent for us. We didn't end up needing my tent, Ian's tent was sufficient.

We camped at the Tallebudgera campsite, which is on a creek that leads straight to the ocean. Unfortunately it is also right next to the Gold Coast Highway and the campsite we were allocated was also right next to the Gold Coast Highway ... noise ... heck yeah .. !

As soon as we got to the campsite we got our things into the tent, then took off to the nearest thai restaurant :-). yummers. They were full and so we just bought take aways, went for a walk on the beach and waited for our orders. As soon as our orders were ready, we took them back to the campsite which had a TV room, locked ourselves in and watched Oceans 12 while eating our yummy thai food. Camping is sooo much fun eh ! At about midnight we went for a midnight stroll around the campsite and the creek/river talked to a few fishermen, gazed at the stars, behind the clouds. It was really lovely.

Not much sleeping went on that night, on account of local traffic noise so we mostly got up early, spent most of the day at the beach and had a really good time and got thoroughly sunburn't. It's lovely to get away from it all, even if it is just down the road.

Pictures.. of course I took pictures .. All of them (except the one of the tent) were taken with my phone, not too shabby eh.

This was the creek/river we camped on the other side of the bridge you can see in the distance.

Camping: The art of getting closer to nature while getting farther away from the nearest cold beverage, hot shower and flush toilet. ~ UKNOWN

2007-03-08T17:53:00.000+10:00

I'm going camping on the weekend! with a bunch of buddies .. Should be fun, we are camping at the beach. Anyways I said I would bring the tent as I have a 2 room canvas one that's been gathering mothballs. The great preparer that I am, I decided to put it up this afternoon to see if it still worked. After an hour of scratching my head and trying different methods, I got the tent made ! I had my nieces to help me .. only problem .. we have some poles left .. anyone know what they are for ? QUICK YOU HAVE 12 HOURS TO POST AND TELL ME !

You've Had A Birthday Shout Hooray !

2007-03-03T07:49:00.000+10:00

Guess who's birthday it was on 2nd March.

Born : Perth Amboy New Jersey
Mother : Play Boy Bunny & US Marine
Father : Barber & US Marine
Married : Graceland Chapel, Las Vegas, Nevada - April 29, 1989
Children : 2
Occupation : Singer, Musician, Actor

Do you know who it is ?

We held a birthday party for him at work. We had cupcakes, fairy bread, Diet Coke Spiders, the works !

Happy Birthday Jon !

Did you know that in 2005 he donated $1,000,000.00 to the Angel Network Foundation - founded by Oprah Winfrey ?

Don't interrupt me..

2007-02-24T11:08:00.000+10:00

Guess what movie my niece is watching ..

a) High School Musical

b) Shrek II

c) Princess Bride

d) Rambo II

I'll give you a hint...

Expendable, what mean expendable?

It's like someone invites you to a party and you don't show up. It doesn't really matter.

So Glad to make your acquaintance !

2007-02-18T06:39:00.000+10:00

You'd think by my age I would have figured out the art of being a good friend. Alas I think I fall way short of the mark. In the past week especially I have discovered that when it comes to the task of maintaining "friendships" I have sucked severely ! So much so that today I am fasting for one friendship in particular.

What I have discovered is that I can have a tendency to become emotionally dependent on people until it not only drains them but myself. Not something I do intentionally, in fact I don't realise that I am doing it, until I look back. I guess I am just as needy as the next person. Because it sure is nice to feel wanted and cherished eh.

Have I been a very good friend to you ? Have you mastered the art of being a good friend ? Can you let me in on the secret.

Much of the past week I have been contemplating just what the secret is. What lesson I can learn from past experiences. How I can grow and what changes I need to make within myself. Quite the little eye opener of a task really, and I still have not discovered the secret.

By the way when I say secret, I am not talking about that new movie that everyone is intent on watching. I know that secret, and I hardly think it's such a big secret either. The principles talked about in that movie we have been taught since primary. I guess sometimes we just need other parties to point that secret out to us, for it to stick.

No no, the secret I am talking about is how to be a good friend and how to maintain lasting friendships. Sure would be handy to know that one.

So yesterday I went on a quest. A quest to photograph. I spent all day travelling this beautiful city. I saw many wonderful sights. When it came to photograph them though, I could not fit what I saw into my lens cap. My friend Abigail is a photographer in the works. Her pictures seem to encapsure a story. Every one of her pictures speak volumes to me. They are not just pictures, they are tales. You look at them and wonder and imagine where that picture came from and what was happening when it was taken and what will happen after. I'd like to be that sort of a photographer.

The best I could come up with was a picture of my dad's grave. I haven't been out there as much in the past few years. But the past few weeks I have visited a couple of times. It struck me how long he has been dead. It still seems like yesterday and I still miss him as much as I did yesterday as I did over a decade ago. So I'll post the only pictures I took. I hope you don't find it morbid. I actually enjoy visiting cemetries. They are like Abigails photographs, the stories from the graves resonnate to me. I wonder about these people laid to rest, their lives, their stories, what they are doing now.

I tried to get the reflections in this photo of the flowers on the next grave. There is so much life at a gravesite. Well at this particular cemetery. It's in the country, the closest cemetery that we could find that reminded us of New Zealand. We thought it a fitting area for dad to be buried.

Just some stuff

2007-02-10T08:13:00.000+10:00

A few people have been asking what I've been up too. This is it ! Some rennovating.

Unfortunately I don't have any before pictures, so you can't tell what an improvement we have made to the house. The rennovations are not finished either. But hey! here's a tinsy bit of my world. OH btw these pics are all over the place, because I haen't worked out how to upload in sequence on blogger .. d'uh.

One of the unfinished things. My ensuite / robe. Through that doorway that currently looks dark and horrid will be a robe that leads to an ensuite. At the moment I have cheap Ikea wardrobes to hold all my stuff in. The shelving in Ikea too ... I loveth Ikea ... they are so cool. Anyone see my little elvis dolls ... look closely they are there.

My dolphins, I love dolphins, that is all.

The back of the lounge. That blue curtain in the doorway, leads to my room. We haven't found the right doors to put there yet. So I currently live in a tent. On that bookshelf, second shelf, is every single episode of Star Gate available, my bro is a Star Gate Freak.

My bed it's king size, didn't really think it would fit, but it fits just nicely. Outside those windows is the pool. So it's got a bit of a resort feel to it. You can't really see but there's a little bit of a walkway between the window and the bed.

Part of the lounge, looking into the dining. What is great about this pic is the painting my sister-in law did on the back wall. It brings the back room into the front. The four segments represent each of my brothers daughters. I really like it. (hmm the big box in the middle is a toy - sound system, my brother bought for himself, to go in the back room)

That's the dining room looking into the kitchen, looking into the laundry. The great part of this pic are the tiles! we replaced drab dark lino with terracotta tiles. It's made a huge difference. See my tupperware lunchbox on the bench (on the right), I love it. Everyone should have one.

I sat

2007-02-02T20:36:00.000+10:00

and sat and sat .. and couldn't come up with a dang thing to write about.

My problem is that it's been over a month since I have posted and so much has happened in that month that I wouldn't know where to start ...

I guess all I can do is start today eh !

Well today ... it rained !

What happened in your world today ?

Prayers and fasting .. live as I type ..

2006-12-03T17:49:00.000+10:00

See that map .. See all the rain that's pouring! That radar image was taken at the same time as I am making this post. This people is wonderful wonderful wonderful ...

At the moment my part of the world has been in a horrendous drought. I am talking being on level 4 water restrictions, the worst level is level 5. We have not seen good rain in months and months .. November December January are our cyclone seasons, which is when our dams historically get filled. This past November there were no storms, there were one or two days of showers that lasted a couple of hours, but nothing to drench the hot dusty earth.

Last Sunday our Local Church Leaders (Pacific Area President) - informed the leaders that this Fast Sunday was to be set aside by all members to fast for the specific purpose of rain to break the drought we are in. All week Howard has been excited for this fast and has even told several people how Sunday he will be getting his umbrella ready. There have been a lot of doubting thomas's thats for sure ! including me.

Although last night at 7.30pm I started my fast with a good feeling. This morning I woke up to a rain soaked ground, but nothing too lasting. Then tonight a couple of hours before I am to end my fast, a tropical storm has been unleashed ! It's wonderful ! So far I have heard 4 rumblings of thunder, what a beautiful beautiful sound. You know what the storm started as Howard has ended his fast .. he started his fast earlier than me. He had so much faith that it was going to work, and I think the blessing of that faith is pouring on our heads right now .. wonderful isn't it !

But you know .. I have an answer to the water crisis too .. There are these huge chunks of ice bergs floating past New Zealand .. it's taken them 7 years to make it that far ! Why doesn't our navy .. go hook a couple of these ice bergs up to the back of their ship thingys and tow them here to water starved Australia. Dump them in our dried up dams and let the sun do all the rest ! ..

Just wanted to share that .. Now go away .. come back another day .. hah :-)

Man Bag

2006-11-23T17:09:00.000+10:00

What is it with men and purses. Why do they not see how useful they are. Everything can go into a purse, then it's easily accessible. Instead they will carry their mobile in one pocket and their wallet in another and then their keys in another .. ever sat on keys during an entire movie ? Yeah me neither .. coz I have a purse ! to put all that stuff in ! ! !

I'm seriously thinking about designing some man bags ..

Functions of a man bag :

1. Look manly, must never be referred to as a purse
2. Be able to hold necessities
3. Look manly, must never be referred to as a purse
4. Able to go with a miriad of outfits that a man must wear : like .. ummm .. errrr ... jeans and shirt, suit, shorts and shirt ... and stuff like that
5. Look manly, must never be referred to as a purse

Look guys it's very easy to look sexy carrying a 'purse' I mean man-bag.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's been wonderful.

2006-10-19T01:26:00.000+10:00

Whoa, I so have not been around lately ! but I have been getting demands to post about my Elvis Concert. I was going to wait till I got some of the pics I took onto my computer, but I have lost the chord to connect .. so I'll just have to do without.

Can I just say that it was AWESOME ! ?

From the moment we drove into the car park and saw 4 elvis', then roamed around the venue that had Elvis Memorabillia, and crowded in with the grannies and their sons to buy Elvis Programs, we knew it was going to be one heck of a night.

The concept was that Elvis performs live (but he's dead) .. on a Gigantic screen that hangs over the stage, with past concert footage. Whilst his original band, his original back up singers and others are on the stage, performing live. Just think reverse karaoke, except the singer is on the video and the soundtrack is live on stage ..

It was quite amazing .. The timing that must be involved. They played their instruments and sang in perfect timing to what Elvis was doing on screen. It really was like watching him live. I mean just try to imagine big arena concerts nowadays where you are so far away from the stage that you only get to see the band on the big screen anyways, that's what it was like.

Gotta tell ya, at the beginning it was quite weird to think he was not actually there, but that feeling quickly left as they started doing their thing. Although once again at the end that feeling came back like a thunderbolt, as we all looked at the stage with the lights up and the screen blanked, with no Elvis.

It was a great night, I would recommend it too anyone who truly loves Elvis .. and I would encourage anyone else just to go to be amazed at the concept that the show was ..

Family Fun Days are such fun..

2006-10-01T21:27:00.000+10:00

I wasn't there . but I heard .. plus the pictures are worth much more than a thousand words could express ..

The Osborne Clan, My baby brother his wife and 4 beautiful daughters. They came first ! woot woot.

Nana Joe (my sisters mum in law), Matt my baby bro and my sister Roni and her beautiful girls.

The Hippolite Clan, 6 of them, plus one ring in.

::edited::

This is the winning family and their trophy ..

We're running out of water ! and Clergymen !

2006-09-27T05:43:00.000+10:00

It's crazy here you know. I live in a huge metropolis (well huge for our standards) .. about 4million people. The city centre is built on a river and we are surrounded by beaches. Guess what, we are on high level water restrictions. My city has 27% dam levels. People are banned from watering gardens with hoses, they may use buckets. People are banned from washing their cars, pools must have covers (so the water doesn't evaporate). To the city west of us, Toowoomba, they are on the highest water restrictions, they can't even use a bucket to water their gardens, they aren't allowed to water or wash cars at all ! .. the crazy thing .. the city just south to me the Gold Coast has 90% dam levels, they are swimming in their water like it's Christmas. It's just crazy to think that one of the major cities of Australia can run out of water by 2008.

Wanna hear something else crazy ! Apparently the Catholic church in these parts is running out of priests. Noone wants to become one nowadays, what with the celibacy rule and all. It's true, my work colleagues who are Catholic were up in arms about it yesterday. Apparently some of them can only go to church once a month. Because their Priest has become a travelling priest, he has to visit other parishes every other day of the month. Without a priest they can't have church. It's not even like they live out in the country. They live in one of the local suburbs ..

Water and Clergymen, what is happening here !?

I don't know what all the fuss is about. I'm just a guy who makes music - no different from anybody else : Elvis

2006-09-21T21:21:00.000+10:00

I found someone to come with me ! yay ... 12th October, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Section N .. which is not too shabby ! Thanks Howard :-)

Description Elvis Presley In Concert, the stunning theatrical production that reunites former band mates live on stage alongside Elvis as he performs a full concert on a giant video screen, continues its historic and critically acclaimed world tour with the announcement of Australian tour dates. The 2006 production has a dynamic set list similar to the sold out 1999 Australian tour, with additional songs and an even bigger stage production. Another addition to the 2006 tour is for the first time ever, the show will be accompanied by a select exhibit of original Elvis costumes and other concert-related items from the Graceland archives.

RSS ? Feeds ?

2006-09-18T20:06:00.000+10:00

Can anyone tell me how to get these RSS Feed things to work ? I want to add the lds.org newsroom RSS Feeds to my website. I have read every single internet dummy explanation out there and still don't get it. So be forewarned, I need the dummiest of the dummies explanation.

Anyone ? Anyone ?

How do YOU do it

2006-09-16T20:05:00.000+10:00

Had a fun conversatioin with some friends over a hot milo and some chocolate cake ... It's amazing what kinda conversations one can come up in that type of atmosphere.

Anyways we got to talking about our clotheslines. I really can't remember ever seeing a clothesline in the USA, it's all dryers over there, right?

Here it's all about the clothesline, probably on account of, we can hang out our clothes and have them dried in a half hour, in time to hang out the next load. Actually our back yard clothesline is so huge we can hang 3 full loads out ! If we have enough pegs.

Which brings me to the social observation my friends and I made. There are definitely set classes of people, set aside by the way they hang out their clothes.

1. the people who just throw their clothes on the line and hold them on there with one peg. Throwing caution to the wind. Trusting in the elements that their clothes will cling to the line and survive the whooshing of the wind. No apparent care about how the clothes are hung or in what order. You can tell these people by the little bump in their clothes the peg makes wherever they have decided to peg it.

2. the people who peg the clothes up in a somewhat orderly fashion, usually joining clothes together on the edges, so they are opened up to receive the full advantage of the blazing sun and allowing the wind to penetrate the fibres. There is however no set pattern on which clothes go where or are attached to whom. You can tell these people by the elongated edges of their shirts and jumpers, caused by the hanging of the clothes by the edges.

3. the people who follow the people in section 2, but have a set order in which clothes are to be hung. Towels on the outer lines, followed by heavy clothing, like jeans, followed by shirts / dresses, followed by jumpers, and the middle of the clothesline is reserved for those private under clothes that we don't want the peeping tom next door to see.

4. are the people who follow the people in section 3, EXCEPT! each clothes item has its own set of pegs, AND they have an order in which things are done. Towels of similar colour and size are hung together, pants are hung upside down by the leg. Shirts / skirts / dresses are seperated into colour and size and hung up side down next to each other. Sox even get their own pegs and are matched and hung out to dry in a companionship never to be lost. Jumpers are hung over the line so that funny little peg imprints are not made in the fabric. Towels and other items such as shirts are half hung over the line, so their edges don't elongate.

5. very comparable to those in section 4, EXCEPT they have matching pegs and by matching I mean, the pegs match the same colours as the clothes! And their shirts/jumpers are hung from the clothesline on coat hangers so as not to lose any of their shape. Jeans are turned inside out, so as not to lose their colour. etc etc ..

Guess which group I belong too ...

Send me your gold..

2006-09-13T06:22:00.000+10:00

I can tell you if it's real or not. I have a sty growing on my eye, I can feel it. I've never in my life had a sty. What pressure I am under. Everyone knows to ward of sty's one must rub gold over the surface and on account of I only own two rings (all others have been lost ... ), one sterling silver CTR ring and one a gold cherubic one, I think I need your gold.

Here are some other remedies that supposedly work.

Run cold water over the tea bag. Squeeze most of the water out of the bag, and then place it on your eye for about 30 mins. I find if I do this twice a day, the sty normally goes away withina day.

Mix baby shampoo with water (half and half) of each. Put solution on a Q-tip and wash the eye lashes out. Do this twice a day for about two weeks. You will notice results real quick!
=== two weeks ? thats not QUICK !

Wet the tea bag withhot/warm water and place on affected eye for about half an hour 2-3 times a
day. This will bring your sty to a head (when you're able to see the pus, like a pimple). Using the tea bag will be helpful, a warm rag will also help to open pores where the sty is as well. === the point is I don't want the pus, oh but if I do see pus can I pop it ..

break one raw egg then remove yellow, using white of the egg only. place white of the raw egg in a white cloth or paper towel. then place on eye 3 times a day for 15 minutes at a time. this really works and draws the sty out of the eye. my grandmother done this for me and my brother, and it was gone in 2 days.
=== personally whatever grandma done always seems to work, I'm a gonna try this one ..

Also while looking up other alternative remedies to stop the sty. I came across the following to cure short sightedness. I have that disease! I'm gonna try it - we got plenty sun here to not look at.

I claim no origination for this, but some years ago (1995 I
think) I was reading a magazine article concerning near-sightedness. I had
been wearing glasses for nearsightedness for nearly 30 years since a small child. The article indicated, its possible if you sit in the early morning sun, not looking directly at it, but at a 45 degree angle, for app 15 minutes, changing eyes for another 15 minutes that your nearsightedness could improve.

There's bits of me everywhere !

2006-09-12T05:34:00.000+10:00

How about you?

By accident yesterday I stumbled upon a website I started a few years ago. One of my very first personal webpages. Then as I sat thinking about it, I thought, DANG, there's bits of me all over this world wide web. I wonder how long it will take for this blog to become another bit of me, left, in the great mass of information, that will be buried forever, never to be seen again, unless someone types something really obscure in a search engine and one of my sites happen to pop up. And even now people are trying to get me to join up on even more sites, like Bebo.. the fun never ends !

Wanna see some of my creations ?

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/middy

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/temple2003

http://www.myspace.com/midster77

http://taniwha.spaces.live.com/

http://www.ldspacific.com/ <<== this is an actual real website that I own, nifty eh.

RIVERFIRE !

2006-09-11T17:32:00.000+10:00

This week marks the river festival. Our city is built on a river. This week is a celebration of the river. To start of the celebrations in conjunction with a local radio, the city council puts on a fireworks display, that is choreographed to music. The fireworks light up the whole city and last 30 mins. To start the fireworks 2 x F1-11's do a dump and burn. They also end the show. I gotta tell ya the dump and burn is AMAZING !

Anyways here are some shots my mates took. We were actually right outside of the Brisbane Temple, which overlooks the City. There were over 1/2 a million people all over the city watching the spectacular. Where we were was a fantastic place to see the F1-11's coz they come up behind the temple. AWESOME!

It's pouring!

2006-09-10T11:21:00.000+10:00

Yay it's raining! Please excuse us folk in the middle of a drought, we get excited when it rains . So much so the nieces/nephews and a flurry of other neighbourhood kids are outside in their shorts and t'shirts playing in it ! .. Oh wish I was a kid again so I could join them. Eh what the heck I think I will join them anyways.

I am guessing he's been buried

2006-09-10T11:15:00.000+10:00

After Steve Irwin's family declined a state funeral, and opted for a private one (who wouldn't) I am guessing they have privately intured their father/husband/friend/son already. But in the not too distant future will organise a public memorial.

The public have been able to show their condolences by leaving trinkets and flowers at Steve Irwins Crocodile Farm - the Australia Zoo.

One of the fellas from work lives not far and took some of the following snaps on his way to work.

My favourite Steve Irwin Interview

2006-09-07T22:42:00.000+10:00

Andrew Denton is a well respected tv host here in Australia. Here is his interview with Steve Irwin back in 2003. It was one of his most watched interviews even back then.

It's in 4 parts.. the quality is pretty terrible, but it's still well worth the look !

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Crikey ... what a sad day

2006-09-04T19:54:00.000+10:00

Steve Irwin Died. He's become an Australian Icon.

To be honest the first I ever heard of him was from American friends who raved about him.. At first I thought he was a total nutcase ! But boy did he put Australia on the map.

We all grew to fall in love with the guy. What was it that was so good about him ? Besides the Crocodile thing. Well let me share my impressions.

He was truly a down to earth aussie yocker, top bloke. Pure and simple. He was never pretentious about his fame and his wealth. What money he did make always went back into the causes he cared about - protecting Crocodiles and Wildlife. He made the outback come alive ..

You know what else, he was a very genuine, very nice bloke. Being able to live not that far from his Crocodile haven, I have visited quite a few times, and more than once I have spotted him riding around the park on his motorbike. One time I was listening to some guy on a didgeridoo all of a sudden Bindi (Steve's daughter) popped up and started playing with the guy; then out of nowhere Steve rode up on his bike to pick her up. He was just that approachable and likeable. And that folks is why he will be missed. And that folks is why there are alot of sad people around the globe, this very night.

Remember those fellas, yeah that was cool

2006-09-03T17:02:00.000+10:00

Remember them ? the Ok Go, boys .. did the treadmill dance ? I mean it is a good song with or without the treadmills, but the treadmills were brilliant .. Only coz I know how hard it is to run on things let alone dance.

Anyways they performed the thing Live on the VMA's (yeah I didn't watch them either) ..

Anyways before their performance they ran into JC from N'Sync in the bathroom and he gave them some tips for the performance. Check out the guy who washed his hands ! I thought boys didn't wash their hands ..

those rascally rabbits

2006-09-01T17:31:00.000+10:00

I hate baby rabbit season. Because baby rabbit season means spring season ..

and I hate spring, because spring means hay fever.

I knew ! something was up .. for the last week my eyes have been burning/watering incessantly. Then the last couple of days at work I was sneezing a lot. I thought it was a cold coming on. But this has been the warmest winter ever.

This morning I woke up with blocked sinuses. Got in the car to go to work and turned on the radio and what did I hear "Welcome to the first day of Spring!" ..

It hit me like a ton of bricks ! AARRGGHH SPRING !! HAY FEVER !! Go away you nasty baby rabbits.

So I was sitting here noticing my nose dripping like a tap .. and so poked at it .. my right nostril is so blocked, I can't even breathe out of it. Then I felt this sac full of liquid ! My sinuses have developed into balloons filled with liquid .. pretty cool huh .. Anyways for your learning pleasure the following information, this is all so totally me :

Hay Fever Symptoms
The usual symptoms of hay fever include the following:

Sneezing
Runny nose (clear, thin discharge)
Congested ("stuffy") nose
Postnasal drip
Sensation of plugged ear(s)
Watery, bloodshot eyes
Itching of nose, soft palate, ear canal, eyes, and/or skin
Fatigue
Trouble sleeping

tap tap tap ..

2006-08-30T23:14:00.000+10:00

I bought a new keyboard for $14.00 at the local supermarket. Because a funny thing happened, I was using my old keyboard, and knocked apple juice all over it. Everything got sticky .. So I decided to pull it apart to clean it .. my $30.00 keyboard .. with special hot keys .. Upon pulling it apart, bits and pieces fell out that weren't meant to and I couldn't put it back. Yeah I failed the puzzle making course at Kindergarten. So instead of sitting there and trying to figure it out, I decided to rush down to the supermarket, because I remembered seeing mouses (or is it mice, the computer kind not the rodent kind) there, so I thought yeah they should have keyboards too. They did and it only cost $14.00 and it had a wrist rest : my last one didn't, and it makes a nice little tapping sound when I type and the keys are very free and non sticky.

Can you tell ? Do I type only half as good with my more cheapie keyboard ?

$37.90 and worth every cent.

2006-08-29T18:13:00.000+10:00

Today at work I was happily preparing payments and noticed that one reconciliation was not working. I saw in a column that we had been charged "Liquidation Damages" : the expenses related to a Cab Fare Company .. So I naturally assumed the extra amount in this column $37.90 applied to someone getting sick in a taxi - liquidation damages . right ?

Wrong.

Phone call went something like this:

Part 1.
Hi there, I just noticed we have a fee of $37.90 on our account is that because someone has got sick in a cab and it needed cleaning?

No, it is a late payment fee, you paid your invoice from 2 months ago, late.

OH ? we did ? Actually I recall the bill for that period, it didn't get posted, so I called for a copy. As soon as it was sent I processed the payment. We won't be paying the $37.90.

You have to pay the $37.90 it's in the bill.

No I don't and it will be on our bill for eternity as I won't be paying it.

Well we will just send it on the next bill.

Well you can do that, but we won't be paying it.

You have to pay it.

No I don't, I think its atrocious that you are charging us this. You can see that we are regular payers and never pay late. Obviously there was some hold up in the bill, which I had to personally chase a copy of, so therefore we will not be paying the late fee. Of which by my records it was not paid late.

Well on my computer it says that you have that fee to pay. The $37.90 is generated automatically for our time in processing your late payment.

Okay so you can charge me that fee, so far it has cost me $40 because of this phone call and the time it took for me to chase that original invoice for payment. I'll send you an invoice in teh mail and you can pay it.

NO I won't be paying that bill.

Why not ? It will be on my computer.

You can't do that.

OH ? I can't ? so can I speak to your superviser ?

No I don't have one, I am it.

You are in charge?

Yes, you can only talk to me.

OH okay, well we won't be paying the $37.90 okay .. good day

Part 2.
(I decided to call back the said company, the receptionist answered)

Hi, I just called, I need to speak to whoever is in charge of invoicing, and not the man who I just spoke too.

A man ? Heather is in charge, I will put you straight through!

Thankyou that would be great
Hi Heather I have a problem with a late charge on our latest invoice, Can you help ?

OH, let me have a look. Oh yes there is a late fee there. $37.90

Yes, we won't be paying it.

You have to.

No I don't, and you can't hold us to ransom. Unless you are goign to close out account of which we pay up to $10,000 a month, because of $37.90, are you?

But it shows on my computer, you need to pay it. I can't adjust it.

Well I'm sorry but I am a real person and I don't particularly care what your computer says, in the real world, we got the invoice late and paid it as soon as it was given to us.

Oh, well noone made a mark on it that they had to send you a copy, did you get the name of the person who sent it.

NO as that was several months ago.

Oh, well if I had their name I could probably adjust the charge out.

So you can adjust it ?

No, unless I have notes on the screen.

Oh so you can ajust it then ?

Yes,

So adjust it th anks, you can see we never pay late, and so obviously there was something wrong.

Sorry, I can't do that. Besides Anne the supervisor looks after your account.

OH, well can I talk to Anne.

No, she's on teh phone.

No problems I will wait.

Oh, Okay (Heather puts me on hold)

Part 3.
(my favourite part!)
somehow accidentally Heather takes me off hold and doesn't realise it.

Anne some $%$#%@%$ is on the line and doesn't want to pay the $37.90 late fee of their account.

(I cough and say, hello hello, noone answers, so I keep listening)

OH okay Heather, whats the account? I'll look at it.

It's this account the !#@$$% won't pay the $37.90.

oh, well Heather they regularly pay on time, there must have been a problem.

That's what this lady on the phone keeps saying.

Oh, well just take the $37.90 off the account Heather. No problems.

Okay anne, anything to shut the @##$$#%@# up.

Part 4.

Hi this is Heather again.

Yes, Heather.

Anne has authorised me to take the $37.90 off your account.

I know, I heard every word you said.

Oh.

Click.

My office was in hysterics !