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

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

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

Don't take the Christ out of Christmas

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

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

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 ..

Humbling somewhat..

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 ...

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 !

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.

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

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 ...

So tell me

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.

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

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 ...

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

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 ??

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

Like sand through the hour glass ...

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 !

:-)