Not a spelling mistake by the way.
One Christmas, about 10 years ago, my nana made a Christmas cake and iced it. She decided to write on the cake "Merry Christmas". Unfortunately, she had a bit of shaky hand and the icing was a bit running so it ended up looking like "Maury Chrustmos".
Ever since, it's been our family saying LOL.
Anyway, Happy Holidays to you all.
I'm on va-cay until Jan 9 - so probably won't be posting much until the New Year.
See you in 2006!
Tart at 11:20 AM |Thursday, December 22, 2005
Which box office heavyweight movie director put his recent weightloss down to eating healthier, but in fact, underwent gastric bypass surgery at a private hopsital under an assumed name last year?
Can you guess?
Can you guess?
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
I am not really into the Christmas spirit at the moment (unless you count vodka sea breezes). I just want this week to be over and the holidays to begin. My office is closed until the 9th Jan, so I'll get a fairly decent break, and I'll be traipsing all over the country - both islands and even a jaunt across the Tasman to Bryon Bay.
Because I've been feeling a bit "bah-humbug", I thought I should think of all the things that I love about this time of year...
Because I've been feeling a bit "bah-humbug", I thought I should think of all the things that I love about this time of year...
- That it doesn't get dark until after 9pm - I love sitting outside, in the evening sun having a nice glass of sauvignon blanc.
- Going to the beach.
- Pineapple Fru-ju's!
- Great gigs/concerts that I want to see (The Feelers, UB40, Katchafire*, Big Day Out*, U2 & Kanye West*, Goldenhorse*, Phoenix Foundation, Fat Freddy's Drop*, The Datsuns, The D4, Che Fu, Rhombus, Sleater Kinney, Franz Ferdinand*, Blindspott and others...)
- No school kids on the bus! Now that it's school holidays until mid February, there's actually seats on the bus. Wow. Luxury.
- Wrapping presents. Yes, I'm one of those people who loves to wrap Christmas pressies.
- Getting a tan. I know, I know, not good for you (especially as NZ has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world) but I just like the look of tanned skin. I look healthy, and slimmer LOL.
- Relaxing and doing nothing more strenuous than lying in the sun and reading.
- Wearing jandals (flip flops) everyday.
- Summer parties that start with a few friends dropping by for a quick drink and end up with great music, loads of people, food and drink.
You know, I do feel slightly better. Roll on Friday!
*Have my tickets to these gigs, so am looking forward to good bloody concerts.Monday, December 19, 2005
Yesterday, we (the bf and moi) met up with some friends (two couples) for brunch.
We went to one of my favourite cafe's and sat inside* listening to a DJ play some soothing sounds for our Sunday hangovers.
We were chatting away when Couple #1 said "we have some news...we're engaged!". Lots of oh-my-gods and congratulatory words were exchanged. Then, Couple #2 said "well, I guess we have some news to share too...we're going to have a baby!". Lots of oh-my-gods and congratulatory words were exchanged and then...4 pairs of eyes were turned to Couple #3 (that'd be us) to see if we had any news to share LOL.
Today, I had my haircut and it is so darling! I'm totally in love with myself! It's shorter, funkier and I have a fringe (that's bangs to you American English speakers). I haven't had a fringe since 1987 LOL. I feel young and hip**. And I love the colour - blonde. I've never been blonde before. Of course, now the curtains don't match the carpet LOL. Oh well, I doubt I'm the first blonde to be mis-matched.
*It was foggy, wet and miserable when we arrived, when we left a few hours later, brilliant sunshine and scorching hot. This weather is fucked up.
**I think saying you feel young and hip is a sure way of proving to people that you are in fact, the complete opposite LOL.
We went to one of my favourite cafe's and sat inside* listening to a DJ play some soothing sounds for our Sunday hangovers.
We were chatting away when Couple #1 said "we have some news...we're engaged!". Lots of oh-my-gods and congratulatory words were exchanged. Then, Couple #2 said "well, I guess we have some news to share too...we're going to have a baby!". Lots of oh-my-gods and congratulatory words were exchanged and then...4 pairs of eyes were turned to Couple #3 (that'd be us) to see if we had any news to share LOL.
Today, I had my haircut and it is so darling! I'm totally in love with myself! It's shorter, funkier and I have a fringe (that's bangs to you American English speakers). I haven't had a fringe since 1987 LOL. I feel young and hip**. And I love the colour - blonde. I've never been blonde before. Of course, now the curtains don't match the carpet LOL. Oh well, I doubt I'm the first blonde to be mis-matched.
*It was foggy, wet and miserable when we arrived, when we left a few hours later, brilliant sunshine and scorching hot. This weather is fucked up.
**I think saying you feel young and hip is a sure way of proving to people that you are in fact, the complete opposite LOL.
Friday, December 16, 2005
I woke up this morning, face down and in a strange* bed. I was naked from the waist up, but still had my skirt on from last night - a sure sign that I had a good night!
It was my boyfriends work Christmas party - an 80s theme. He went has Sonny from Miami Vice (he looked so good - white suit, pale blue t-shirt, loafers with NO socks, hair slicked back and stubble LOL) and and I went as early Madonna (think lots of black mesh and lace, cropped tops, mini-skirt and a plethora of beads, bangles and necklaces). The party was such a hoot with some cool costumes - I spotted the following:
It was my boyfriends work Christmas party - an 80s theme. He went has Sonny from Miami Vice (he looked so good - white suit, pale blue t-shirt, loafers with NO socks, hair slicked back and stubble LOL) and and I went as early Madonna (think lots of black mesh and lace, cropped tops, mini-skirt and a plethora of beads, bangles and necklaces). The party was such a hoot with some cool costumes - I spotted the following:
- A guy dressed as a rubix cube
- Lots of 80s gear (legwarmers! kung-fu shoes! fluro!)
- Boy George
- John McEnroe
- Tom Cruise from Risky Business - it was a brave for the chap to go to a party in white y-fronts, a shirt, white socks and black sunglasses
- Adam Ant
- Punks
- Solid Gold Dancers
- Ghostbusters team
- Constable Keith (he was a real life policeman who used to be on kids TV show called What Now and talk about safety LOL)
Everyone was in costume, thankfully no other Madonnas were present (probably because the majority of the girls at the party wouldn't know that Madonna was around in the 80s LOL). There was copious amounts of alcohol and excellent food, and a live band playing all the classic 80s hits. Sonny and I had a great time LOL.
When I woke up this morning, the BF had already gone to work (apparently he tried to wake me up, but I told him to bugger off LOL). I looked really bad - my hair was in massive knots and ratty and I two black eyes (oops, forgot to take my make up off - that's 7 years instant aging).
However, even with a monster hangover, I still managed to get to work on time. Talk about dedication.
Actually, that's not true. It's my office Christmas party today, and I'm not missing that! I think a strong coffee, a couple of panadeine and a few glasses of water and I'll be good to go.
*strange as in not my own, but the BFs. Not strange as in a strangers LOL.Wednesday, December 14, 2005
No, I'm not describing my hairy legs (I've got blonde hair on my arms and legs thankyouverymuch LOL).
I'm going to see King Kong tonight. It's the NZ premiere, and the city has gone ape (ha ha, sorry couldn't resist). There's a 200 metre red carpet, grandstands and giant screens and props and sets from the movie. For a live web cam view of the street - click here. There are bands playing for the crowds before the whole she-bang starts at 5.30pm. I can't believe people are already down there waiting. They estimate that over 50,000 people could be there. (The last big premiere, the world premiere of the LOTR: The Return of the King, had over 100,000 strong crowd jammed into Courtenay Place).
I'm not one of the 758 VIP guests who get to see at at the Embassy Theatre (gee, what a surprise) but I will sit in a cinema with some other D-listed NZ celebrities LOL.
I just hope the movie is good. Can't say I'm a huge Kong fan (I haven't even seen the original, but I kinda know what happens LOL), but I think it'll be an entertaining (albeit long) film.
I'm going to see King Kong tonight. It's the NZ premiere, and the city has gone ape (ha ha, sorry couldn't resist). There's a 200 metre red carpet, grandstands and giant screens and props and sets from the movie. For a live web cam view of the street - click here. There are bands playing for the crowds before the whole she-bang starts at 5.30pm. I can't believe people are already down there waiting. They estimate that over 50,000 people could be there. (The last big premiere, the world premiere of the LOTR: The Return of the King, had over 100,000 strong crowd jammed into Courtenay Place).
I'm not one of the 758 VIP guests who get to see at at the Embassy Theatre (gee, what a surprise) but I will sit in a cinema with some other D-listed NZ celebrities LOL.
I just hope the movie is good. Can't say I'm a huge Kong fan (I haven't even seen the original, but I kinda know what happens LOL), but I think it'll be an entertaining (albeit long) film.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
I went to see this film over the weekend.
It has a host of really good Australian and New Zealand actors in it - Cate Blanchett, Sam Neill, Hugo Weaving, Martin Henderson, Noni Hazelhurst, Joel Tobeck.
"32 year-old Tracy Heart (Blanchett) works in a video shop and lives with her hard-working single mum, Janelle (Noni Hazlehurst).
After a turbulent 20's, Tracy is now trying to live the straight life having freed herself from the grip of heroin addiction. She swims, she works and she sleeps in an outer western suburb of Sydney dubbed "Little Saigon".
After fours years of treading water, Tracy has set herself the humble goal of owning her own business in partnership with her current boss, Mingh (Jason Chong) for whom she has managed the video store for the last four years. All she needs is a bank loan of thirty thousand dollars and she will be a co-owner.
But the unexpected return of her ex-boyfriend, Jonny (Dustin Nguyen), the criminal aspirations of her amputee brother, Ray (Martin Henderson) and the emotional draw of troubled family friend and gay ex-footy star, Lionel Dawson (Hugo Weaving) create friction for Tracy. Her dream soon becomes tangled with criminal boss, Bradley "The Jockey" Thompson (Sam Neill) with shattering consequences. As a result, Tracy's bond of trust with her mother is tested and she has to confront her fears to find happiness."
This is a really good film with excellent performances from Blanchett and Weaving (who both won AFI awards for their performances). It's not a film that you go to if you want to be "entertained", it requires you to engage your brain instead of just parking your arse on the theatre seat. The one thing that kept jarring me a bit was Dustin Nguyen's accent. He did seem to have trouble with an Australian accent.
Cate Blanchett is amazing as Tracy, her performance is superb. She has the ability to look very ordinary, very fragile. I tried to think of other actress doing this role, and the majority of the American box office darlings wouldn't be able to. They are either too beautiful to look this "normal" or they just can't act at all *cough Jennifer Garner cough*.
Highly recommend you catch this, if it ever screens at your local theatre.
It looks like it's going to be a good summer with some great movies coming out.
Top of my list to see are:
King Kong
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Brokeback Mountain
Broken Flowers
Good Night and Good Luck
Capote
Mad Hot Ballroom (documentary)
Shopgirl
The Edukators
Murderball (documentary)
Monday, December 12, 2005
Sunday morning I woke up early (a rare occurance) and thought that instead of lazing about in bed I'd get up, do some chores and then head to the beach, as it was going to be a stunning day. I did a few loads of washing and was hanging it out on the line. It was probably around 7.30am and very quiet in my neighbourhood. I reaching up to peg a few t-shirts and who should open his side door and walk down the path and look over his fence into my garden but my very hunky ex-adventure guide neighbour. What makes the situation worse is that because of the early hour, I had eschewed getting dressed properly, and I am standing outside in a pair of black see-thru undies, a very short tank top that is riding up and showing the undersides of my boobs and my sexy and oh-so cool support hose! Gah! The poor guy got an eyeful. I was so embarassed (or should that be em-bare-assed?)
Later on, after I'd dressed more appropriately, I decided to walk to my boyfriend's flat and see if he wanted to go the beach. It was a nice walk, via a cafe and a few shops and through the Basin Reserve, which is where I spotted a young couple, on the grassy banks going at it like bunnies LOL. They guy was on top and there was definite humping movement - hey I had to look. It's not everyday you see porn on the lawn!
Later on, after I'd dressed more appropriately, I decided to walk to my boyfriend's flat and see if he wanted to go the beach. It was a nice walk, via a cafe and a few shops and through the Basin Reserve, which is where I spotted a young couple, on the grassy banks going at it like bunnies LOL. They guy was on top and there was definite humping movement - hey I had to look. It's not everyday you see porn on the lawn!
Thursday, December 08, 2005
That's not a statement by the way LOL. I don't have a brother, and if I did, that would just be...euw, yukky! It's a play I went to see last night at Bats. Funny, very crude and a bit sick (I can see why it's an R18 play) and features an 18 inch puppet penis and some Christian porn. So, you know, just your average family play LOL.
Tonight I'm going to see the Merchants of Bollywood which should be fun. I got freebie tickets from one of our sponsors, so I'm taking a friend along as part of our Girls Night Out celebrations. We'll have some bubbly to start, see the show, then head to Boogie Wonderland, this new club that's recently opened. Should be a fun night. I'm going to throw caution into the wind and toss away my support hose. Whoa. Do I know how to party or what!
Tonight I'm going to see the Merchants of Bollywood which should be fun. I got freebie tickets from one of our sponsors, so I'm taking a friend along as part of our Girls Night Out celebrations. We'll have some bubbly to start, see the show, then head to Boogie Wonderland, this new club that's recently opened. Should be a fun night. I'm going to throw caution into the wind and toss away my support hose. Whoa. Do I know how to party or what!
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
I was watching Oprah last night. Her show is screened primetime here, 8.30pm, which is great, as I'd never get to see it otherwise.
Oprah is hit and miss with me. I can't stand her interviews with actors/musicians/celebrities etc, all she ever does is fawn all over them. Nothing new or insightful comes out... though that Tom Cruise thing certainly showed a LOT of people how much of a freaking nutbar weirdo he is.
Last night's episode featured the woman who discovered J.K Rowling's, Harry Potter, or as Oprah said it "Hairy Parder" - love those American accents.
A woman who won $1million for baking a pie, which to be honest, looked really disgusting and very amaturish, I've seen better baking from my 4 year old niece!
And it also talked about Krispy Kreme doughnuts. From the look on her, and the audience's faces, I'd say that these are pretty special doughnuts LOL. I can't see the appeal to be honest. It's just fried bread and all that sugary glaze looks a bit, well, sugary LOL. But then I'm not a big doughnut fan anyway, I'd rather have a packet of crisps or a Whittakers Almond Gold bar.
We don't have KK here, nor any other doughnut shops. We have bakeries/boulangeries that sometimes sell doughnuts, but "our" version is quite different. We don't have a hole in the middle of them, we stuff them with cream and dust icing sugar on them LOL. Or we stuff them with custard. Bascially anything to increase the calories by 1000%.
The audience went nuts when they all got given a box of KK doughnuts! LOL. From all the screaming and carrying on, you'd have think she'd given them a car, not just two doughnuts.
Oprah is hit and miss with me. I can't stand her interviews with actors/musicians/celebrities etc, all she ever does is fawn all over them. Nothing new or insightful comes out... though that Tom Cruise thing certainly showed a LOT of people how much of a freaking nutbar weirdo he is.
Last night's episode featured the woman who discovered J.K Rowling's, Harry Potter, or as Oprah said it "Hairy Parder" - love those American accents.
A woman who won $1million for baking a pie, which to be honest, looked really disgusting and very amaturish, I've seen better baking from my 4 year old niece!
And it also talked about Krispy Kreme doughnuts. From the look on her, and the audience's faces, I'd say that these are pretty special doughnuts LOL. I can't see the appeal to be honest. It's just fried bread and all that sugary glaze looks a bit, well, sugary LOL. But then I'm not a big doughnut fan anyway, I'd rather have a packet of crisps or a Whittakers Almond Gold bar.
We don't have KK here, nor any other doughnut shops. We have bakeries/boulangeries that sometimes sell doughnuts, but "our" version is quite different. We don't have a hole in the middle of them, we stuff them with cream and dust icing sugar on them LOL. Or we stuff them with custard. Bascially anything to increase the calories by 1000%.
The audience went nuts when they all got given a box of KK doughnuts! LOL. From all the screaming and carrying on, you'd have think she'd given them a car, not just two doughnuts.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
This post will be mostly be whinging and whining, so if you don't feel like reading my pathetic ramblings, click on the red x top right to escape.
The tests that were run yesterday came out fine - no cirrhosis of the liver, which is good, as I kinda lied when the doctor asked me how many units of alcohol I drank in a week (simple formula, divide by 4 and then subtract 3) and a fucked up liver may have been difficult to explain. "Well you see Doctor, I must have cirrhosis due to all the second hand drinking".
The doctor suggested that to help with the swelling, I wear these support hose...
Great. I turned 80 overnight!
It wouldn't bother me as much (yeah right) if it was winter, because I could wear these under jeans/trousers and no one would be the wiser. However, with the summer weather at the moment, I don't think these really "go" with cute flirty skirts and dresses *sob*.
It also wouldn't be so bad if I only had to wear one. Because then I could say that I hurt my ankle and the physiotherapist recommended I wear it. But two? Don't think so.
Man, why can't I just take a bloody pill to make the edema go away? I like pills. Pills are good. No fuss, no muss.
You know I'm going to be back in my hometown for the holidays and have matching "legwear" with my grandmother and great aunts.
I need a drink.
The tests that were run yesterday came out fine - no cirrhosis of the liver, which is good, as I kinda lied when the doctor asked me how many units of alcohol I drank in a week (simple formula, divide by 4 and then subtract 3) and a fucked up liver may have been difficult to explain. "Well you see Doctor, I must have cirrhosis due to all the second hand drinking".
The doctor suggested that to help with the swelling, I wear these support hose...
Great. I turned 80 overnight!
It wouldn't bother me as much (yeah right) if it was winter, because I could wear these under jeans/trousers and no one would be the wiser. However, with the summer weather at the moment, I don't think these really "go" with cute flirty skirts and dresses *sob*.
It also wouldn't be so bad if I only had to wear one. Because then I could say that I hurt my ankle and the physiotherapist recommended I wear it. But two? Don't think so.
Man, why can't I just take a bloody pill to make the edema go away? I like pills. Pills are good. No fuss, no muss.
You know I'm going to be back in my hometown for the holidays and have matching "legwear" with my grandmother and great aunts.
I need a drink.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Yesterday I went to a wedding. It was a lovely ceremony, held outdoors in this wonderful vineyard. The bride looked stunning, the groom looked very handsome. The reception that followed was in this very cool barn, attached to the vineyard. Great food, excellent wine and a DJ that played some cool tunes made for an interesting and fun night. You know, one of the things that I love about my boyfriend, is that he likes to get up and dance. In fact, sometimes he is the one dragging me onto the dancefloor (hmm, hope I haven't made him sound gay LOL). I doubt any of my ex-boyfriends would've been up there, dancing with me to 80s classics like "I think we're alone now" by Tiffany LOL.
I probably would've enjoyed it more, if I hadn't had my feet and ankles swell up like elephantitis on Saturday morning. I don't know what happened, but I woke up and my feet were very puffy. Initially, I put it down to sore and tired feet from wearing heels at work. I was a bit worried though, as I had thought to wear this dress and heels to the wedding, but there was no way I was going to wear the dress with ankles this swollen LOL. I have short chunky legs at the best of times, swollen ankles and feet would've just compounded the problem.
The only shoes that seemed to fit were these jewelled jandals (flip flops). Luckily they were quite dressy. I ended up wearing trousers and a silk tunic style caftan. Very bohemian with the jandals and wooden beads and bangles. Anyway, the trousers hid the fat ankles LOL.
I probably should've stayed off my feet for longer and not danced so much, because when I woke up this morning, my feet and ankles were swollen even further. So bad that I can't actually walk! They're not painful, but a bit tender. Of course, I was concerned, so we ended up leaving early, there was a post-wedding BBQ lunch for guests, but we didn't go, as I wanted to see a doctor to find out what is wrong with me. The bf had to carry me to the car, as I couldn't even manage to walk a few steps. It may have been a good idea of I hadn't eaten that cake the night before LOL.
The doctors were a bit stumped as to the cause, but took urine and bloods and sent me on my way (goodbye $100!). The clinic rang later on to tell me that the results showed a very low level of protein which is causing the edema (swelling). However I have to go back to the doctors again tomorrow for more tests, as they want to check my heart, liver and kidneys, as edema can be a symptom of kidney or liver disease or heart failure. Yeah. Not exactly the greatest way to end the weekend or start a new week.
Wish me luck.
I probably would've enjoyed it more, if I hadn't had my feet and ankles swell up like elephantitis on Saturday morning. I don't know what happened, but I woke up and my feet were very puffy. Initially, I put it down to sore and tired feet from wearing heels at work. I was a bit worried though, as I had thought to wear this dress and heels to the wedding, but there was no way I was going to wear the dress with ankles this swollen LOL. I have short chunky legs at the best of times, swollen ankles and feet would've just compounded the problem.
The only shoes that seemed to fit were these jewelled jandals (flip flops). Luckily they were quite dressy. I ended up wearing trousers and a silk tunic style caftan. Very bohemian with the jandals and wooden beads and bangles. Anyway, the trousers hid the fat ankles LOL.
I probably should've stayed off my feet for longer and not danced so much, because when I woke up this morning, my feet and ankles were swollen even further. So bad that I can't actually walk! They're not painful, but a bit tender. Of course, I was concerned, so we ended up leaving early, there was a post-wedding BBQ lunch for guests, but we didn't go, as I wanted to see a doctor to find out what is wrong with me. The bf had to carry me to the car, as I couldn't even manage to walk a few steps. It may have been a good idea of I hadn't eaten that cake the night before LOL.
The doctors were a bit stumped as to the cause, but took urine and bloods and sent me on my way (goodbye $100!). The clinic rang later on to tell me that the results showed a very low level of protein which is causing the edema (swelling). However I have to go back to the doctors again tomorrow for more tests, as they want to check my heart, liver and kidneys, as edema can be a symptom of kidney or liver disease or heart failure. Yeah. Not exactly the greatest way to end the weekend or start a new week.
Wish me luck.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
The winner, drawn at random from the responses to the post below is...
drum roll...
Marie!
Marie, email me at mkjc74@yahoo.com with your full name and where you'd like me to send your parcel.
Thanks to everyone who posted a comment, better luck next time LOL.
drum roll...
Marie!
Marie, email me at mkjc74@yahoo.com with your full name and where you'd like me to send your parcel.
Thanks to everyone who posted a comment, better luck next time LOL.