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Browsing category: Uncategorized

  • January 5, 2009

    GRR

    I’m uber mad!

    Remember how I explained we live in the deep, dark ghetto of a certain central west suburb?

    Across from the state sanctioned projects?

    Last night we had poker and drinks. A friend’s car got burgled, some expensive gear gone.

    At least he had the sense to cover it with a blanket…but not to lock his door, he thinks.

    Sigh.

    Although really, what kind of person goes around testing car doors to see if they can get it? We’re all like, lock your doors, install an alarm, yadda yadda, but it sucks that we have to go to those measures. Who the hell goes around trying to see if they can get into a car, just for the hell of it?

    Secondly, I went for a run (walk) on Sunday. Just around the corner maybe 4 houses up I noticed a white car bumper sitting on the kerb. I clocked it and kept going.

    A couple days ago it showed up on OUR kerbside – OUR patch of grass outside our house. WHAT THE FUCK?

    I am extremeely unimpressed with the wanker who decided to plop it outside our property. Dispose of your garbage yourself, you piece of crap. We currently have a bumper sitting in our driveway, yes. It’s white. And it’s ours, as we haven’t thought of a way to dispose of it.

    But we will not be taking it upon ourselves to dispose of someone else’s trash for free.

    Whoever it was may have thought “oh yeah, one more bumper won’t make a difference to them” Well, think again!

    Luckily, it still has a random as numberplate on it (may record it actually, for future reference) and is for a totally different car.

    The informative Trademe message boards have advised me to call the cops or go to the post office and get all the person’s details for $2.25. I’m sure I’ll get laughed at by the cop shop but I shall try em first! I dunno. I’ve moved it across the street and a little further up, but i mean it can’t stay on the street forever.

  • January 4, 2009

    Beauty roundup

    Hisysfit Saving Face – 2/5

    product_1_large

    Disappointing. Hailed as a 3 in 1, tinted moisturising sunscreen, it fails on 2 out of 3 counts.

    I was really excited to try this out, thinking it would save my summer skin routine! Let’s start with the good. It’s an excellent sunblock. It’s super dry (I have never found a sunscreen that wasn’t greasy or goopy, which i can’t tolerate on my face!) and fairly thin as a liquid. However, it’s dry to the point it’s impossible to rub in. I blended it in as best as possible but still looked chalky, although it evened out my skin nicely.

    I don’t know what was up with the moisturising properties promised. My oily, sensitive skin was barely quenched by this (I almost applied a layer of moisturiser over this, but decided against). I can only imagine what normal or dry skin would feel like. Definitely do not use as a moisturiser alone.

    I don’t know how it evened out my complexion (maybe the white ghostly layer simply masked my imperfections?) but I saw NO sign of the promised tint. Nada. Zip. Come on, the stuff came out of the tube almost pure white. If it really was tinted, there would be some hint of colour there. Blatant letdown.

    Maybe I just got a bad tube. Gets two stars as I’ll kepe it around as a facial sunscreen – it did well on that count at least.

    Revlon Mineral Makeup – 4/5

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    I’ve been using Loreal Bare Naturale, which has the brush built into the lid – it’s a mini kabuki and it’s quite big and a little stiff, making it somewhat unwieldy. The foundation is nice enough, good texture, good coverage, but I can’t really tell at the moment because it’s too light! It’s just a smidge too pale for my summer skin but the next step up was too dark. So I’ll write it up later in the year.

    For now I have my Revlon mineral makeup, which I find easier to apply. The brush is inside the lid, and you have to twist it to bring it out to its full size/length. Yes it’s annoying, but you get used to it, and the brush is nice and small for my little elf hands – I actually have control over it, rather than vice versa. I get good coverage and a nice polished look, without being chalky. I guess the best way to describe it is, my skin looks much more evened out but not overly made up, and the powder formula keeps the oil at bay.

    Estee Lauder Signature lipstick in Rich Red 4.5/5

    estee

    Man, I love the sleek, slick and flashy sites that Clinique and Estee Lauder do (like, rolling your mouse over the different shades to see what the colours look like properly) but they are a PAIN to capture. You can’t save a pic, as the colours don’t come out. I had to screengrab this shot and edit it 🙂

    I’m using this lipstick, and it’s a big departure for me. I wear glosses. In berry shades. My staple has been a random $4 NYX deep pink and Revlon Colorstay Gloss in some kinda red wine type shade.

    So to have non sticky, non shiny lips is weird for me. Instead I have matte, creamy lips in a very vamp, movie star red. I always thought a red would suit my colouring, I’m pale with dark hair (very vampy) and tend to play up my lips as I have no eyelids or lashes to speak of. I like a strong lip with some black eyeliner.

    I don’t know if I just need to get used to the texture and colour of this lipstick (it feels wonderful, goes on creamy and just the right amount, AND smells amazing). It’s a beautiful true red in the tube (blue based, of course, but still comes out so very properly red) and I’m just not used to a real red lip!

  • January 4, 2009

    Do you ever mentally assign a name to someone you don’t know?

    For example, someone at work you’ve never spoken to but often see around. And whether it’s from things you’ve picked up or no reason at all, you start to associate them with a name and think of them by that name in your head. And often eventually get confused as to whether it is their real name or not.Kind of like dreams…or maybe it’s just me. Often I dream silly, mundane little things (like, about buying something or doing the laundry, or having a conversation…) and then think I actually did them in real life.

    There was a man at work I often got talking to in the lunchroom, and for some reason I thought he was Simon. One day I emailed him and got a huge surprise when a totally different man came up to my desk. That was a bit awkward.

    When I lived in New Lynn I used to often see a woman on the bus to/from town…she must have worked the exact same hours as me. And again I came to think of her as Susannah….why? Who knows.  I actually thought she used to work in our office then left….but now I think ithat may also haev been a figmen of my overactive imagination.

    Is it just me that does this??

  • January 4, 2009

    Specimens of “humanity”

    I thought I’d take this opportunity to reflect on certain people I’ve had the misfortune to come across in life. Misfortune, because they really are nasty, horrible, trollish little gnomes. And for no apparent reason.

    One is a cousin of the boy’s, whom I first met while we were munching down at a food court. He certainly seemed like a douchebag that first time. “You speak good English!” Well yes, does that surprise you? Should all non white people be subservient, downtrodden servantly types who bow to their masters and call them sir in broken English?

    He rocked up at this year’s Christmas do, too. After ribbing the boy about this age, he turned to look at me and said “so how old is she now?” Not towards me, I mean, I was right there in his line of vision. Nooo, he said this as an aside to the boy and his mum. He then looked over at V and her baby (the boy’ s nephew) and said the same thing. Now, he was looking at the baby, so we all rushed to correct him – “It’s a boy, not a girl!”

    But no, he was referring to V – “that girl”, as he so graciously clarified. Who again, was sitting right there. Didn’t have the courtesy to introduce himself or get her name…just “So how old’s she?” and totally ignoring her existence as a person.

    Then in came a little girl who looked about 14. No word as to who she was. We were left to assume they were ‘together’ if you get my drift, as she certainly wasn’t family.

    Wanker.

    Oooh yes, and person number two. I don’t know her name, actually – she was the gf of a guy from the boy’s company, and we were at their Christmas party. I have no idea why, but she really had it in for him. Now, this was the first time they’d met. There was no reason to be snarky at all. But she was a total bitch! She did not know him but took it upon herself to insult him at every turn. What’s worse, her bf (the coworker) did absolutely NOTHING to stop her or point out how goddamn rude and immature she was being. Nope, he just smiled and laughed along, brushing it off like a big joke.

    She made snide comments all night and would take any opportunity to get a poke in at him. The one that stands out for me was after their company ‘awards’, some of which were serious like best worker, etc, and some were silly jokey ones.

    Afterwards we stood around drinking and winding down. She actually goes, to his face “I’m surprised you didn’t get the Shrek award!!” EH????

    To this day I’m still baffled and it still irks me. Plus, she was really ugly, the kind that dumb guys think is hot, but is really trashy and fake and is going to one day look like her tragic, saggy, alcoholic “watch me dance” mother. Who was also there. And is the boss’ wife. Yeah, it’s all very incestuous over there.

    All the way home I was super tensed up. Like my body was itching for a fight, primitive instincts kicking in. I just wanted to go back and really let her have it. Of course, the boy was super cool and calm and got in the last word before we left (something about needing therapy). I’m so proud of him.

  • January 3, 2009

    sher11

    We live across the road from the projects.

    Okay, technically they’re not that bad. I mean, when I watched American Gangster, THOSE were the mean, rough projects. They were downright depressing. I felt dirty just watching them onscreen. They shouted poverty, misery and depression and filth. And drugs, of course, seeing as the movie was about a drug lord. It’s a bloody good movie, get it out if you haven’t seen it!

    They may only be about five storeys high, but they epitomise ghetto. There are duplex state houses around the corner, big double storey weatherboard monstrosities (that have recently been tidied up and don’t look as shabby as they did). Or if we wanna get British, council flats is the word.

    It makes me ashamed when people come around. I want them to drive down from the OTHER end of the street, the respectiable one, not through the ghetto where they’ll see the worst part of the area.

    But we were househunting at the tightest point of the market, when supply was low and demand high. Places were going within hours of being advertised. And I had honestly given up the day before seeing this one. It’s not ideal, obviously, mainly in terms of location. But the house had a done up bathroom and huge kitchen and was close to shops and buses.

    I would never buy in this part of our suburb, because I’d rather have a crapper house in a nicer street. See, I’m a lowly renter just out of my teens but even I know it’s all about location.

    Me and a friend were walking home the other day and I pointed a massive house on her corner, which got us talking about people who build new. To be specific, a certain kind of person who builds ostentatious brick and tile/concrete mansions with say 5 bedrooms 4 bathrooms and a 6 car garage, usually in hideous shades of yellow or pink or other pastel hues. Right smack bang in the middle of a state housing pocket (ie Roskill).

    They think it makes em look rich, but really it makes em look stupid! And frankly, it’s down right unsafe. Build the biggest house in an area like that and you’re asking to be burgled. I would not feel safe and no amount of ego boosting that might provide would make up for it.

  • January 2, 2009

    Wow!

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10549879&ref=rss

    Holy crap. Hill Top is a bastion of Blockhouse Bay! All the affluent parents send their offspring there. (Didn’t realise it only had nine teachers….although it shouldn’t be that surprising given the fees there)

    I used to tutor two little boys who attended Hill Top and I was really impressed by what they learned. They also lived on my ex’s old street, which was a tad awkward for awhile – in fact the school is on that road too.

    And they reckon it’ll be a short recession….

  • January 2, 2009

    Car woes

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    Sometimes it all seems too overwhelming. Like we’ll never be debt free. Not having an EF in place (well there is, but it’s minuscule and only to be tapped in the most dire circumstances) means everytime the car needs something money must be borrowed.

    It’s kind of stupid how we combine our expenses. Both our individual incomings and outgoings during the year are vastly different but we share one account. I try to keep it as fair as I can, his money going to his expenses and mine to mine. I guess it works, sort of…

    I could pay for all of his car repair debt now (loan excepted), but there’s got to be limits. That’s too large a chunk of my savings. I didn’t want to bail him out this time, but everything needed paying so fast there wasn’t too much choice. So it’s on the Visa sitting pretty.

    Blardy cars.

    I don’t think anyone really gets how hard it can be. If you have nothing to fall back on, have a car (presumably a cheap one) and don’t live at home, you’re almost certain to fall into debt for any myriad of reasons.

    But looking to the future 🙂 Given we’re almost surviving on one income now, there’s no reason we can’t once I graduate. There’d be less debt to service and I’d be making a full time wage. I’m positive we could live off close to one paycheck (wouldn’t be that hard) and sock the rest away into savings. Then we’d be able to travel pretty soon!

    But I don’t like to make plans too far in advance. Unhatched eggs and all that.

  • January 2, 2009

    How do you solve a problem like Maria?

    I loved musicals, Disney films and family happy fare when I was little (as you do!) I used to dress up in cardboard princess tiara and wand and carry my wicker basket, and pretend I was Dorothy. I also liked the flying carpet in Aladdin, but that was harder to imitate.

    But I think one of my most fave movies remains the Sound of Music. It was on last night and I only caught the very end of it. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen it, but it’s always so familiar to me. Every song. Every scene. How ridiculously sweet and good the children are. The friggin catchy, timeless songs (I don’t think there is a single song in there that ain’t a classic – well the boy might beg to differ, but his ringtone is John Cena’s ring song, so whatever) – My Favourite Things, How do you solve a problem like Maria? Edelweiss, 16 going on 17, even Climb Every Mountain 😛 ..though maybe not I Have Confidence, that one was a bit of a bum note. And of course the Lonely Goatherd! Leigh ee oo leigh ee oo leigh!

    Of course there were things I didn’t pick up in my younger years. The captain’s slightly condescending, arrogant tone (why did Maria fall for him?). What was up with the lady in blue. Why they were singing as a family on stage and why they had to run, why were there people after them? And why they were on a mountain when it ended?

    Of course now I get that it was WWII and they wanted to deploy the captain, and he didn’t believe in it and wanted to stay with the family. However, I really don’t know about walking over the mountains to safety (Switzerland, I presume?) Is that possible? I mean, I’m sure it is, but under the conditions. They fled with literally nothing. They weren’t really dressed for mountain weather (what real mountain isn’t cold and windy and snowy, etc?) There certainly aren’t birds and flowers and grasses and handy footpaths over the alps. What would they eat and drink? They did have seven children after all, one of whom was barely old enough to be at school…

    I really would like to know how realistic that whole scene would be!

  • January 2, 2009

    From the Guardian

    America’s hall of shame

    Freaking brilliant.

    Highlights: 19 ED Hill. Ms Hill is the Fox News anchor who referred to Barack and Michelle Obama’s on-stage fist bump in early June as a “terrorist fist jab“. I guess she’s well familiar with the various and sundry ways in which couples express intimacy – she’s been married three times herself. Fox announced in November that it wasn’t renewing her contract.

    17 Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher. The man better known as Joe the Plumber wasn’t a licensed plumber. He owed back taxes. He shocked even a Fox News anchor with his cavalier relationship to the facts. Let’s hope he’s 14 minutes into his allotted 15 minutes of fame.

    16 John Edwards. How could a person run for president knowing that he’d cheated on his cancer-stricken wife with a woman who subsequently bore a child? (He denies paternity.) What if he’d actually won the nomination, and then this news came out? He gives bad judgment a bad name. – And I used to quite like him. No wait, that was John Kerry, my bad

    15 Heath and Deborah Campbell. You know, the parents who named their son Adolf Hitler Campbell. Nuff said. – OOOOOh, yeah. And their daughter Aryan Nation Campbell. Could they grow up to be anything BUT white supremacists? I hope so

    9 Eliot Spitzer. The prostitute-visiting ex-New York governor, remember? Usually, when a scandal breaks, one reads the reports and starts thinking, “Well, I can see how they could wriggle out of this one.” Even when the Lewinsky scandal broke, I could see how Bill Clinton might get out of it. But when the Spitzer story broke, it was evident instantly that he was dead meat.

    4 Rod Blagojevich. “Whatever I say is always lawful, whatever I’m interested in doing is always lawful.” Uh-huh. Depending on what comes out at his trial, he’s a strong contender for an even higher spot in 2009.

    2 Sarah Palin. Does she really deserve to be this high? Never in my adult lifetime has one politician so perfectly embodied everything that is malign about my country: the proto-fascist nativism, the know-nothingism, the utterly cavalier lack of knowledge about the actual principles on which the country was founded. So, heck, you betcha she does!

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