Slackarse
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Hello, it's me, your recalcitrant blogger.

If you were hoping for interesting, funny updates, I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place. My life is incredibly boring at the moment... bland, uneventful, small.

Work is keeping me busy, I've got so many events coming up before the end of the year, including this big 7 day event I organise. All I'm really thinking about though, is my holiday in December.

All the travel has been organised, same for accommodation, now I'm researching tailors in Hoi An (they're meant to be really good). I'm planning on getting a coat, a jacket and a summery maxi-dress - although I'm still not sure if a short, dumpy chick like myself can wear a maxi-dress LOL.

Tart at 8:09 PM | 0 comments
Monday, October 26, 2009
It’s been a really nice Labour Weekend, great weather and time spent with the new guy (Will, I met him about a month ago), who came down to Wellington for the weekend.

I was nervous and excited before he arrived…but he was just as funny, smart and cute as I remembered LOL.

I also discovered he has great hands; slightly scarred and nicked, sexy. He also has nice shoulders; broad, well defined and strong. He’s intelligent, funny and down to earth. Smells great and totally rocked my metaphorical socks off in bed.... mmm, give me a moment to just savour that now LOL.

I got to show him around Wellington (he recently returned to NZ after several years living abroad) and meet some of his friends, who were really lovely (and in typical Wellington fashion, I knew several of them, not by name, but I've just seen them around the city). Thankfully the weather was great, so we managed to walk along the beach, have a few drinks at a favourite bar and brunch at my local cafe. Oh and I got to see the inside of a hotel room at the Museum Hotel, which has had a refurb since the last time I was there (for a work famil).

Not quite sure what's going to happen now he's gone back home, I guess we'll take it one email or one text message at a time. I'm pretty relaxed about it.

I also got started on my Christmas shopping (bought my three nieces their gifts) and went to see "Julie & Julia" which I really enjoyed. Meryl Streep is a fantastic actor.

Now I'm just psyching myself up to go to work tomorrow. The weekend just goes too quickly really, but I suppose it's a short week so that's something to look forward to.


Tart at 10:04 PM | 0 comments
Lecture
Monday, October 12, 2009
What is it with some people who think they have every right to lecture you about your life?

Yesterday I had to endure a 45 minute lecture from a relative (not my mum or dad, they know better LOL) about how my life must be so empty and without purpose because I'm not married or have kids. This is almost an annual lecture from this particular relative, who just can't seem to get it through her thick skull that I am perfectly happy, content and loving the life I have. I also don't understand what business this is of hers? Why really, is she concerned? How does my apparent spinsterhood affect her personally? I just don't get it.




Tart at 8:37 PM | 1 comments
Two months
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Two months from now (give a few days), I'm going to be here:



That's a beach in Nah Trang, Vietnam.

I can't wait to get there. As well as beach hopping in central Vietnam, I'm travelling down to Ho Chi Minh City, heading along the Mekong Delta into Cambodia (and to stay with a friend who works in Phnom Penh), then onto Siem Reap and then flying to Vientiane (and staying with another friend who works for World Vision in Laos).

But before I get there, I have two major events to organise, two international visits to organise and facilitate, one marketing campaign to start, one project proposal to write, and a bunch of other stuff. All I'm picturing is that beach in Nah Trang, me, a book and a drink LOL.

Apart from work, I'm also looking forward to seeing the Auckland guy I met a few weeks ago. He's coming down here for Labour Weekend, so that'll be cool to hang out with him for a few days.

Now, what isn't cool, is the news about a missing 2 year old girl, Aisling Syme. Please send your thoughts, prayers and white light to this missing girl and her family. So sad.

Tart at 8:31 PM | 0 comments
Monday, September 28, 2009
Where has September gone? This month has just flown by. I've had a really busy work schedule, lots of flying around the place, which sounds fun, but soon loses it's allure very early on. I had something like 12 flights in 5 days.

This past weekend I was in Auckland for work. I did manage to get some free time though, which turned out to be really good! I met someone. Really clicked and got on well. He's blonde, brown eyes, tanned and handsome. Into running and cycling. Travelled a lot and has worked in Paris and Tokyo over the years. Intelligent and funny. I'm not sure if it's going to lead any where (seeing as he's in Auckland and I'm here in Wellington) but it was fun to know that there still some decent single men out there!

In other news, I went to the City Gallery yesterday, it was their reopening after nearly a year of renovations. You should've seen the queues! I guess you can definitely say that Wellington is the arts capital of New Zealand.



The outside of the gallery was covered in spots. Visiting artist Yayoi Kusama is exhibiting until February 2010. It's a little bit mad and I love it.

Hopefully now I'm back at work with no expected travel until December I'll be able to update this blog more often.

Tart at 8:53 PM | 0 comments
10 plus 1 Things
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Things I have always wanted to do:

  1. Be in a music video
  2. Sail a boat along the Adriatic
  3. Create a signature perfume
  4. Own a couture garment
  5. Learn to knit and sew
  6. Sit front row at Paris Fashion Week
  7. Produce a full length feature film
  8. Paint an oil painting
  9. Drive a fantastically fast car on the Nuremberg Track
  10. Learn to play the guitar
  11. Speak another language fluently
Nothing too outrageous there. I suppose I could actually do some of these things (knit, sew, learn another language). Just seems a little like too much hard work LOL.

Tart at 8:40 PM | 0 comments
Pregnant or Freshly F&*#$*
Thursday, September 03, 2009
I had two colleagues, at two different times, make a comment about how I was looking today.

Apparently, I had a "glow" about me. 

One thought that perhaps I might be pregnant. The other thought I had a new bloke and we were shagging like rabbits. Hahahahaha. 

Neither of course. I had to tell them the "glow" was thanks to Napoleon Perdis, M.A.C and FACE Stockholm.

It's all about bronzer and blush ladies. And blending. Blending is key.

I would of course, give up the face paint for the opportunity to get the "glow" from being shagged senseless LOL.



Tart at 8:18 PM | 0 comments
Random Sunday
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Being a Wellington Lions supporter is not for the fainthearted. Last night's loss to Canterbury was awful. Actually, being a Wellington rugby supporter is a lot like Wellington weather. Moments of brilliance followed by crap. With just enough greatness to get your hopes up then it turns LOL. Totally inconsistent.

I met my friend's nephew last night. He's lovely, tall, dark, handsome. 22. We got on really well, major flirting from both of us LOL. I got his number and we have been texting a bit today (he's gone back to Christchurch). This is driving my friend CRAZY! I got a huge lecture from her about how it is totally irresponsible of me, that I'm too old to act like this and I should try finding a "man my own age, not a kid"! Ouch. I guess it's okay for me to have fun with other young guys who aren't her family members though, because I remember talking to her about that young guy I shagged earlier this year. She certainly didn't think I was acting inappropriately then (in fact, thought it was funny and entertaining). It pisses me off actually. Wish she'd butt out!

Speaking of cute young men, I was browsing through a trashy magazine at the supermarket today and came across this picture...

What a cutie! Apparently he's a Jonas Brother. I know my 9 year old niece loves them LOL, now I might be more inclined to watch their music vids. I just did a Google search... he's only 16! Eek. I feel slightly disturbed about that LOL. 

How old is too old to enjoy "teen" TV shows? I'm worried that I like Gossip Girl too much. Surely I should be enjoying BBC dramas? 

I am obsessed with my eyebrows. I go to a lovely Indian lady who only charges $6 to thread them into the perfect shape (she really is great) but I've been trying to find the right products to fill and shape them.

I'm also a huge fan of the website Primped, great blogs, tips and hints and how to videos, very cool. 

It appears that Hollywood is running out of ideas for movies, they've remade Melrose Place and Fame. I loved the original Fame TV series, especially Leroy and the cute wee man who taught the music... and wasn't there that curly haired piano player guy? I must find the series on DVD and watch it. It will no doubt bring back memories of my leg warmer wearing days LOL. And I don't know if the new MP will be any good. I mean nothing can top this piece of TV gold! And this is classic television LOL.

Tart at 4:27 PM | 1 comments
Classics
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
I'm currently watching "Sixteen Candles" on TV.

I'm a huge John Hughes fan (so sad to hear about his recent death) and have probably seen "Sixteen Candles" about 30 times. I love Jake Ryan. Didn't every girl wish for a Jake Ryan?

Watching this movie made me think of all the other movies I think are classics and love to watch again. Not a huge list. Quite a few John Hughes films feature too.

1. Grease
2. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
3. Best in Show
4. 10 Things I Hate About You
5. Some Kind of Wonderful
6. Say Anything
7. Dirty Dancing
8. Fargo
9. The Shawshank Redemption
10. Clueless
11. The Princess Bride
12. Bull Durham

You'll notice that not many of these films are dramatic types of films. Although I enjoy a lot of dramatic, dark films, they're not necessarily the type of films I want to watch again and again.

Right, back to Jake Ryan. Sigh.

Tart at 9:14 PM | 1 comments
Sometimes I wonder
Thursday, August 20, 2009
If my interest in clothes, shoes, food and gossip, fashion magazines and shirtless men portrays me as shallow, self obsessed and stupid.

I don't tend to talk a lot about politics on this blog. Or current events. Or social issues. It's not that I'm not interested in those things, I am. Often very passionately. But I'm surrounded by politics daily, I work in the capital city and for a organisation with very close links to the government. 

And really, who would want to read about me whining about my work. Or if parents should immunize their children. Or the referendum on smacking. Yeah. I'm depressed already. 

I guess I'm feeling a little sorry for myself lately, a little down. It's winter. I'm bored. I've started on another new diet. I need a shag LOL. 

Don't mind me...

Tart at 8:36 PM | 1 comments
Another year older
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Had a really lovely birthday week involving lots of good food and good wine and, good pressies.

I don't feel another year older, although my body does. A sore knee and some back pain this week. Great, I'll have to start taking joint care pills soon or buy one of those Magna-Sleep things LOL.

One thing I've become quite a bit obsessive about lately is skin care and make up. I have been pretty lax through out my teens, 20s and early 30s about skin care but have decided I need to make a concerted effort now I'm in my mid-30s (*sob*) lest I end up looking like this woman...



I got given this book for Christmas it and has made for interesting bedtime reading (yes, really LOL). I've started being regimented with skin care (e.g. actually cleaning my face more than once a day) and have been spending an inordinate amount of time at the cosmetics counters at Kirkcaldie & Stains and Farmers. I've tried several different skin care ranges since December and so far, it's the cheapy Olay that works wonders for me. As Paula says, don't be sucked into thinking expensive=better. 

I have also started Jenny Craig. Yep. Decided I need to get serious about shifting this weight and seeing as I really hate to cook for myself (but love to cook for others), the fact that JC provides the food, all packaged and ready to go was a positive. Also, I can take the food with me when I travel, which is one of the big trouble spots for me, eating out or at hotels isn't ideal when you're trying to watch what you eat. The thing with JC I've found (today is my third day) is that the food is nice and there's lots of it. I guess throughout my dieting history (which is long and varied), I always thought I should eat small amounts and only three meals a day. On JC I get to have snacks. Like real snacks, chocolate fudge cookie type snacks. Yum.

I hope to shift this weight by Christmas, but will take it slow and steady. And with the view that I will not gain it all back (as is my pattern).

Tart at 9:56 PM | 0 comments
Back from my mini-break
Monday, August 10, 2009
I'm back from five days in Vanuatu.

It was lovely to get away for a few days. Even if it did rain for three of the five days I was there.

I went for walks, went kayaking, hired a car and drove around the island, went swimming, saw stunning scenery, shopped at the local market, ate lovely fresh fish, drank a lot of vodka, danced in my undies, sat on the balcony of my hotel room, read books, listened to my iPod and enjoyed a bit of solitude.

I was staying in a very swanky hotel (no kids under 12) which had amazing views, really lovely staff, great food and the pool and gardens were so lush and tropical. And even better, I paid a fraction of the usual rate (thanks global recession!)

I did however, get a bit bored by the fourth day LOL. And I dropped my camera in the lagoon when I went kayaking, it's a Canon SLR (film) so I'm hoping it can be fixed. (The film was ruined).

This week is my birthday week, so I'm celebrating every day. Today I bought two pairs of shoes (come on you knew I would LOL), tomorrow I'm going out for lunch with colleagues, Wednesday dinner with friends, Thursday night family birthday dinner and Friday drinks with friends. I'm hoping both my liver and wallet are up for it.

Tart at 11:17 PM | 0 comments
Inundated
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
I've been inundated with emails from friends today.

It seems they've taken it upon themselves to find a man for me. And rather gleefully. Email after email with names, personal info and assessments LOL. 

While it is amusing, I don't actually want a guy. (Okay, that's not strictly true... the guy I want is not an option, he's married. And the only reason I would want one is for a shag now and again LOL). And unfortunately, the type of guy I would be interested doesn't seem to be in the emails my friends are sending.  

I mean, is this too hard to ask for?


Or this?





I never said I was easy to please LOL.

Tart at 9:27 PM | 3 comments
Sunday rants and raves
Sunday, July 26, 2009
As regular readers of the blog (all five of you... "Hi!") will know, I'm very fond of lists. 

Today's cover all the things that piss me off and all things that don't. Let's start with the things that piss me off, so we finish on a high note.

Rants

Parents who take their screaming obnoxious children out to nice cafes. I don't begrudge them wanting to get out, but please make sure the kids behave themselves. Today I witnessed the WORST behaviour from a pair of precocious obnoxious little people (Tallulah and Hugo, the little shits and don't get me started on their pretentious names, ugh), who ran riot around the cafe, got in the way of the waiting staff, yelled and screamed. Really irritating for the rest of the cafe patrons. The parents were oblivious, smiling away, like this was acceptable behaviour! Now, it wasn't me being all bitchy and nasty against kids. There were two other families in the cafe at the time and those kids were really great. It really spoiled it for everyone and I left with a twitchy eye from all the noise and chaos LOL.

You know those small, delicate, lady-like sneezes some people do? Yeah. Well. I'm not one of those people. You can hear my sneezes from space. So loud. I can't stop them either, or try and not make a noise (also afraid if I do try and stop them the pressure would be so great the sneeze would somehow make my brain explode). Today I sneezed as I was leaving the dairy across the road and scared a small dog that a guy was walking. Talk about embarrassing.

Raves

This song, has been played over and over on my iPod for weeks now. La Roux, "In for the Kill". Love it. Love her hair. And her red lips. I want that exact red shade.

I love the website The Sartorialist and came across this photo. 


I want her shoes. Desperately want them. Even if they'd make me look extra stumpy. I can only dream that if I owned them I'd suddenly be 7 inches taller and 3 dress sizes smaller and as stunning as this woman. 

Tart at 5:52 PM | 1 comments
It's a red letter day
Thursday, July 23, 2009
I am going out tomorrow night (Friday). 

It'll be the first time I've been out for weeks, if not months. I'm hoping this will be the start of a social life, I desperately need a fun night of drinking, flirting and dancing. Which reminds me, I must shave my legs LOL. 

Tart at 9:55 PM | 2 comments
Recent highs and lows
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Highs
  • I'm going on holiday for the next six days
  • I've got a big bonus coming my way
  • I just made the most kick ass lemon drizzle cake (looks and tastes amazing, couldn't help myself, just had to have some)
  • I've booked a holiday to Vanuatu for early August 



Lows
  • Working 80 hour weeks for the past 3 weeks
  • Sore, irritable dry eyes (thankfully I got a free sample of eye drops from the optometrist)
  • Recent weight gain and inability to motivate myself to get to the gym
  • I've killed all my houseplants (thanks black thumbs of death!)

Tart at 9:42 PM | 2 comments
Looking back
Thursday, June 25, 2009
You know in TV sitcoms where they have that episode where the "gang" reminisces about previous fun times and they show the flashbacks?

Well, I'm doing the same thing here, looking back at some of my previous blog posts for the month of June over the past 4 years.

Here's me moaning about a 3-day hangover, drooling over Italian football players, talking about the types of men I've dated, going to an exhibition displaying some very moving and harrowing images, sharing my fave SATC quotes, happy about finding a new flat and pondering child beauty pageants.

Tart at 8:52 PM | 0 comments
My neighbour
Sunday, June 21, 2009
About three or so weeks ago, new neighbours moved into the house next door. I haven't until now, met them (I've never met the downstairs neighbours, and I've lived here 11 months LOL).

But this morning I was standing outside the neighbours house, waiting for a bus (I live, very handily, right on a bus stop) to take me to Hataitai and the neighbour came out and walked past me. 

Holy shit.

Gorgeous! He looked a little like Henry Simmons or Blair Underwood, but with chin-length dreads. Hot.









I need to think of a reason to go next door and introduce myself. I can't use the "I've run out of [insert grocery item]" as a great little mini-supermarket is right opposite my house LOL. I could throw a ball over the fence to their garden and go over to get it. Lost cat? (I don't have one, but I can improvise LOL). I'll think more on this while I'm away for the next three days for work - I will be in Christchurch and Dunedin this week, am totally ill-prepared, I can't find my favourite pair of gloves or my nice hat. I guess I'll just have to go and buy some. What a shame.

Speaking of shopping, today I got some great bargains at Country Road, Kimberleys and Farmers. I love this recession, heaps of sales on LOL. I got a lovely fine knit cardigan for $35 (down from $149), a pair of grey light herringbone pattern wool trousers for $49 (down from $229) and this really lovely crop black satin-esque jacket, which was only $35 from Farmers (and doesn't look like it came from Farmers, totally has a Zambesi feel to it!). All I need now is shoes for work (a pair of heels and a pair of flats), a winter coat (waterproof with a hood, not a puffer or a wool one) and a chocolate brown  handbag. 

Tart at 6:54 PM | 2 comments
Tui Billboard
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
It's a Tui billboard waiting to happen...

Anyone believe the Belgian teen? I don't believe she could've slept through that, especially not 56 tattoos. When I got tattooed, it wasn't really painful, but it did hurt. So yeah, I think she knew what was happening and now has tattoo remorse LOL.

In totally unrelated news, I'm working hard on getting swine flu. I've decided that a week of quarantine (or, "splendid isolation" as I call it) wouldn't be that bad. I could get groceries delivered via online shopping at Woolworths, I've got lots of DVDs to watch, I've got internet and TV. I'd be perfectly happy LOL. So I'm the weirdo sitting next to the guy sneezing on the bus (when all seats surrounding him are empty), touching all the communal door handles in the office and not using hand sanitizer. I bet I don't get it LOL.

I saw the trailer for Public Enemies the other day, looks really good. Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, that's definitely worth the $16 ticket. I also saw the trailer for The Ugly Truth, which looks really bad. Not worth the $16 ticket, but maybe $2 DVD rental LOL.


Tart at 9:31 PM | 1 comments
You're invited!
Monday, June 15, 2009
To a great, big pity party! Bring Vodka. I've got the chips.

I've been so grumpy lately, stressed and tired with work commitments, as well as some family issues (and I won't mention the married man cos that just makes me feel worse LOL).

I need more support at work, but that's looking very unlikely. Unfortunately I can't delegate any project work because everyone else is crazy busy as well. No budget for a temp either. So 10 hour days are a common occurrence for me. Sucks arse.

Familial issues are ongoing... my mother is menopausal and loopy and I'm annoyed with her and my Dad for the way the treat me and my sister (very differently, not difficult to work out who's the favourite... it's not me LOL). It's also impacting on my relationship with my sister. I don't want it to, but I can't help but feel slightly resentful. I sound like such a drama queen.

Anyway, I don't want to go into details because a) it'd bore you and b) it'd make me grumpier. 

So, to help ease the pitifulness... I have these... I call it "Mantitty Monday".

Enjoy!




Tart at 9:06 PM | 3 comments