hanging out for batman

found this awesome poster today for the Dark Knight. cant wait!!

religion

there are nearly half a million christians rocking it in sydney at the moment. oh ... and the Pope is there too.

insults for today

today is a good day to celebrate insults, especially ones with a sneaky little profanity.

i've got that kind of work on at the moment where you want to bang your head against the desk at odd moments through out the day. luckily, i have an escape in that i can work from home. in my 'jamas if needs be. i'm not complaining about the work - in fact i am really enjoying it. but part of the day is spent juggling tasks and calls and different projects and following process and on and on ...... the paperwork only gets done towards the end of the day and into the evening.
of course the irritation with persons and things could be due to the excessively strong espressos i have during the day. is probably also the reason that it takes me ages to get to sleep at the moment.
i think this post could be sponsored by fixd cafe. in a good way. fresh beans! weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

.. Are you always this stupid or are you making a special effort today?
.. Right now I'm sitting here looking at you trying to see things from your point of view but I can't get my head that far up my ass.
.. I'm blonde, whats your excuse?
.. Damn not you again.......
.. If I ever need a brain transplant, I'd choose yours because I'd want a brain that had never been used.
.. He would be out of his depth in a puddle.
.. I'm not mean ... you're just a sissy.
.. How about a game of hide and go fuck yourself?

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

bad Apple

am i the only one who doesnt give a shit about the iPhone and who couldnt care less how much Vodafone New Zealand is selling its data plans for? the link goes to the Herald blog site regarding opinions on the pricing. for gods sake .. if you dont like it - dont buy it!!

seriously ... standing in line for more than 24 hours in the middle of winter outside a store??
http://gizmodo.com/5022869/this-may-be-the-first-man-on-the-planet-to-get-an-iphone-3g

this ASSHOLE needs the bash

tony veitch. 'alleged' woman basher.

prick should lose his job. hear that TVNZ!
clint brown paid the price for a punch in the nose - tony veitch deserves that and more for kicking a woman in the back and into a wheelchair for months. and in the head too apparently!

i now hear that he has resigned - or stepped down temporarily. someone should step ON him and permanently!

edit :. 09/07/2008
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10520758
he admitted it. he apologised for it. good for him.

its cheaper to be fat and die young

for all our talk of improving our health and lifestyle, there doesnt seem to be a lot of putting the money where the mouth is. or is it that we just put our money into our mouths?

i was in the supermarket last night after going to the gym. i was looking for some fruit for the week, some meat to make a stew for dinners and a nice piece of steak to have with salad for dinner that night. apples - over $5.00 per kilo! tomatoes - over $5.00 per kilo! lamb - over $18.00 per kilo! i just about died.
and jontie, who has just gotten home from seeing his parents in australia, was so astounded at the price of fresh fruit, vegetables and meat, took a pxt and sent it to his dad. i could have gone to mcdonalds for all my meals that week and paid less than one trip to the supermarket (possibly as i dont buy bread, cheese and milk which have risen in price at even more astronomical rates).

i believe that we should be rewarded for eating healthy food, working out and taking supplements. instead it appears we are penalised by exhorbitant prices for food. surely the idea that other countries can remove the goods and services tax on fresh foods means new zealand can investigate that further? i have read commentary that suggests that a flat low tax rate hinders tax avoidance - but with only a small tax cut in sight and taxes on petrol set to increase, surely enough is enough. why not consider using gst as a luxury tax?
the government doesnt want to regulate advertising for junk food in childrens viewing times ( i dont know why) but it should be encouraging adults to eat healthier and exercise more and therefore set a good example. changing advertising rules isnt going to help but there is more than one way to trap a kiwi, and the wallet is a good start.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=206&objectid=10506604&pnum=0

Prime Minister Helen Clark has said it is unlikely GST on food will be removed, despite growing support for the tax's abolition as consumers struggle to cope with rising prices.
The cost of filling the average supermarket trolley has jumped by more than a quarter in the past year, as the effect of international food shortages hits New Zealand.
A Weekend Herald comparison showed butter, cheese and some varieties of bread had more than doubled in price. Most meat, vegetables and fish were also much more expensive.
But Helen Clark this morning told Newstalk ZB it was unlikely the Government would make any changes to GST.
"GST has been in place since the mid-1980s and that was when schemes like family support, which has now become the much bigger and more significant Working for Families, began," she said.
"Obviously there will be some tax relief announced in the budget and I think it's going to be very, very timely for families."
A petition urging abolition of GST on food is gathering support outside Auckland supermarkets.

is it possible to have a discount offered on our healthcare as we take responsibilities for our heart and lungs and liver? i appreciate that my health care insurer is a private company - but i still pay my premiums as well as my gym membership which in turn keeps my claim rate down. actually at nil.
in australia it was estimated that if each person lost 1 kilogram of body weight, they could save approximately 30% of their healthcare budget. think what that would do for new zealand - for our education, transport, world cup stadiums!!
and dont even get me started on supplements ... over 50% increase in the last 12 months.

its so much cheaper for me to be fat, eat unhealthy food, take no supplements and get the goverment to subsidise my mobility scooter to haul my lard ass around. besides, i will probably die younger too.

running with scissors

i was asked a really interesting question yesterday - could i think of three reasons that aoldescents were committing more and more 'adult crimes". i can definitely think of three and they all focus around what i perceive as the difference between growing up now and when i was an adolescent ...

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn’t get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We brushed our teeth with toothpaste from lead tubes.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a ute on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate pikelets, white bread and real butter and drank Mello Yello made with sugar, but we weren’t overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo’s, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD’s, no surround-sound or CD’s, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms……. WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend’s house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

choo choo

the herald has a story today about the possibility that the government will buy back new zealands rail and ferry services. there is a $172 million dividend that can be used but at this stage the government and toll holdings are nearly $200 million apart on the final price.

i want them to find that money.

aside from the fact that utilising more rail services is pertinant to the government working to reduce greenhouse gas ommissions, think of all the other benefits.
1. transporting freight - rail is far more efficient - except when you are waiting at the crossing for all those carriages and containers to pass.
2. additional train services - additional employees required (we already have low unemployment - but hey!)
3. allow other companies to use the tracks bringing a new industry and competition into the mix.

my number one is scenic rail.
new zealand has un-real scenery. no one disputes that.
the rail tracks go through places you cant see from the road. but there are only a very small number of train journeys you can take - and thats for tourism and general getting-there-ness!
there is the auckland to wellington (the overlander) service. which is overpriced.
there are 2 trips you can take in the south island. the tranzcoastal from picton to christchurch and the tranzalpine between christchurch and greymouth. i havent travelled by train in the south island yet - so i cant comment on those.

i'm seeing the money earned from these types of scenarios being invested back into the rail and ferry system. and high speed electric trains better be next!

knowing your sagittarius

SAGITTARIUS:
November 22nd - December 21st

If you are in love with a Sagittarius woman, give her freedom and honesty. This is one honey who will resist any and all efforts to be pinned down too definitively and you would do best to understand this from the start. She needs plenty of rope.
well ...yes and no.
this sagittarius girl likes her freedom but she doesnt mind a bit of committment - just when shes ready. and as for the pinning down and the rope - yes please!

Don't expect a quick commitment here either; this lover is fairly independent and enjoys her own company. You will never be bored with a Sagittarius partner though. This individual is interested in almost everything and delights in sharing knowledge with you and everyone else.
yup that part is definitely all me.

"Flirt" could be a middle name here. Jealousy is a no-no as the exchange of conversation is nearly as important as air and food to this person.
flirt should be my first name.
i'd flirt with a power pole if it would respond and flirt back.
i like naughty conversation as well as day to day chats about anything.
i dont dig jealousy at all. its very unattractive.

Friendly as a new puppy, she meanders about collecting and dispensing data with all comers. Physical fitness is also important here. Often possessing natural athletic abilities, she can be found hiking, biking, running, or skiing, and will want you to keep right up alongside. You will have many joint memories of wilderness treks, roaring campfires, and starlit nights. Adventuresomeness is quite near the top of the qualities you must have to be of any interest to this enterprising individual. The meek need not apply.
adventurous - yes.
naturally athletic - i dont think so.
until i starting diving there wasnt really anything athletic that i was especially good at. i like yoga and kickboxing though.
the outdoors - yup. a bit of camping, watersports, i like to get outside my comfort zone except when it comes to heights. **shudder**

Your main challenges here may be learning to live with the occasional disorganization of this busy soul and the directness which could be construed as lack of tact.
i wish i was as organised as i would like to be - or as i think i am !
i like to think i am blunt too - rather than tactless. basically i say what i think. say what i mean and mean what i say. if you get offended then thats your problem.

You must understand that this person abhors dishonesty and is quite incapable of participating in it.
if theres one thing that my friends know about me - dont lie to me.
tell me the honest hurting truth but dont cover anything up or even worse, try and lie by ommission.

Too many concurrent projects can scatter her energy but your encouragement may be all that's needed to keep the number reasonable.

You have found a dynamic friend. Enjoy the wit and repartee, explore new worlds and lost civilizations together and talk until the wee hours of the morning.

With this individual, you can have fun!
http://www.astrology.com.au/12signs/sagittarius.asp

growing up in new zealand

this little mail has been doing the rounds.
but for any one who grew up in new zealand it should bring back awesome memories of your childhood.

I'm talking about hide and seek/spotlight in the park.
The corner dairy, hopscotch, four square, go carts, cricket in front of the garbage bin and inviting everyone on your street to join in, skipping (double dutch), gutterball, handstands, elastics, bullrush, catch and kiss, footy on the best lawn in the street, slip'n'slides, the trampoline with water on it (or a sprinkler under it), hula hoops, jumping in puddles with gumboots on, mud pies and building dams in the gutter.
The smell of the sun and fresh cut grass.

'Big bubbles no troubles' with Hubba Bubba bubble gum.
A topsy. Mr Whippy cones on a warm summer night after you've chased him round the block.
20 cents worth of mixed lollies lasted a week and pretending to smoke "smokes" (the lollies) was really cool!..
A dollars' worth of chips from the corner take-away fed two people (AND the sauce was free!!).

Being upset when you botched putting on the temporary tattoo from the bubblegum packet, but still wearing it proudly.

Watching Saturday morning cartoons: 'The Smurfs', 'AstroBoy', 'He-man', 'Captain Caveman', 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles', 'Jem' (truly outrageous!!), 'Super d', and 'Heeeey heeeeey heeeeeeey it's faaaaaaat Albert'.
Or staying up late and sneaking a look at the "AO" on the second telly, being amazed when you watched TV right up until the 'Goodnight Kiwi!'

When After School with Jason Gunn & Thingie had a cult following and What Now was on Saturday mornings!
When around the corner seemed a long way, and going into town seemed like going somewhere.
Where running away meant you did laps of the block because you weren't allowed to cross the road??
A million mozzie bites, wasp and bee stings (stee bings!).

Sticky fingers, goodies & baddies, cops and robbers, cowboys and indians, riding bikes til the streetlights came on and catching tadpoles in horse troughs.

Going down to the school swimming pool when you didn't have a key and your friends letting you in, drawing all over the road and driveway with chalk.
Climbing trees and building huts out of every sheet your mum had in the cupboard (and never putting them back folded). Walking to school in bare feet, no matter what the weather.

When writing 'I love....? on your pencil case, really did mean it was true love.
"he loves me? he loves me not?" and daisy chains on the front lawn.
Stealing other people's flowers from their gardens and then selling them back to them...

Running till you were out of breath.
Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt.
Pitching the tent in the back/front yard (and never being able to find all the pegs).
Jumping on the bed. Singing into your hair brush in front of the mirror, making mix tapes...

Sleep overs and ghosts stories with the next door neighbours.
Pillowfights, spinning round, getting dizzy and falling down was cause for the giggles.
The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team.
Water balloons were the ultimate weapon.
Weetbix cards pegged on the spokes transformed any bike into a motorcycle. Collecting WWF and garbage pail kids cards.
Eating raw jelly and raro, making homemade lemonade and sucking on a Rad, a traffic light popsicle, or a Paddle Pop... blurple, yollange and prink!

You knew everyone in your street - and so did your parents!
It wasn't odd to have two or three "best friends" and you would ask them by sending a note asking them to be your best friend.

You didn't sleep a wink on Christmas eve and tried (and failed) to wait up for the tooth fairy.
When nobody owned a pure-bred dog.
When 50c was decent pocket money. When you'd reach into a muddy gutter for 10c.

When nearly everyone's mum was there when the kids got home from school.
It was magic when dad would "remove" his thumb.

When it was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at the local Chinese restaurant (or Cobb'n'Co.) with your family.

When any parent could discipline any kid, or feed her or use him to carry groceries and nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing of it.

When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited a misbehaving student at home.

Basically, we were in fear for our lives, but it wasn't because of drive-by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc.
Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat! Some of us are still afraid of them!!!

Remember when decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-mo" or dib dib's-scissors, paper, rock.
"Race issue" meant arguing about who ran the fastest.
Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in Monopoly.

Terrorism was when the older kids were at the end of your street with pea-shooters waiting to ambush you, or the neighbourhood rottie chased you up a tree!

The worst thing you could catch from the opposite gender was boy/girl germs, and the worst thing in your day was having to sit next to one.

Where bluelight disco's were the equivalent to a Rave, and asking a boy out meant writing a 'polite' note getting them to tick 'yes' or 'no'.
When there was always that one 'HOT' guy/girl.

Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot.
Your biggest danger at school was accidentally walking through the middle of a heated game of "brandies".

Birthday beats meant you didn't want to go to school on your birthday!

Scrapes and bruises were kissed and made better.
Taking drugs meant scoffing orange-flavoured chewable vitamin C's, or swallowing half a Panadol.
Ice cream was considered a basic food group. Going to the beach and catching a wave was a dream come true.
Boogie boarding in the white wash made you the next Kelly Slater.
Abilities were discovered because of a "double- dare".

Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the fiercest protectors.

thoughts of the day

1. Save the whales. Collect the whole set.

2. A day without sunshine is like......night.

3. On the other hand, you have different fingers.

4. Remember, half the people you know are below average.

5. He who laughs last thinks slowest.

6. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

7. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.

8. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

9. How many of you believe in psycho kinesics?...Raise my hand.

10. OK...so what's the speed of dark?

11. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

12. Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.

13. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

14. What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

15. I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.

16. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

17. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened.

18. Just remember --- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.

19. Light travels faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

20. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today might burn your ass tomorrow.

the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page -- st. augustine

i've just come back from holiday and i already need to take another.
i got home from fiji on sunday (monday was also a public holiday thanks to easter) and today is my first day of work.

its not only going back to work that gets me down.
its the difference in weather between new zealand and fiji. and its only the end of summer/beginning of autumn.

fiji was 32-34 with 29 degree water.

its 14 degrees in auckland at the moment!

oh well ... i saw a turtle or two. and a shark.


octopus resort, yasawa islands - march 2007

but i wouldnt be surprised if i catch a cold!