I've got chills, they're multiplying

My internet was doing funny things this afternoon. It was disconnecting me from the modem and I couldn't get connected again. After an hour of this I got fed up and decided I'd go down to see a movie.

I saw I Love You, Man - which is actually quite entertaining and doesn't suck, so if you want to see a movie - and you've already seen Star Trek, which you should totally see at least once because it is awesome - see I Love You, Man. At least it's better than Wolverine.

Anyway, when I left my house I was shocked to find exactly how freezing it was outside. It was exactly like walking in a chiller. If I'd left a bottle of Coke outside it would probably have been cooler than if I'd left it in the fridge. It was crazy!

According to the newspapers it's because wind is coming off Antarctica and right up the entire country, which makes me wonder a few things...

Firstly, that wind must have been REALLY cold if it travelled from Antarctica to New Zealand and it's still that cold. I would have thought it might have warmed up a little on it's travels.

Secondly, how cold was it in Invercargill, or Dunedin, or Christchurch, or Wellington if it's THAT cold when it finally got to Auckland?

Finally, when does that wind get warm? Will it eventually just die, cold, half way to Fiji? Or will Fiji end up experiencing temperatures most suitable for keeping cheese and vegetables fresh?

Either way, I wish it would leave us alone and go bother Australia instead. My feet are cold and I can't find one of my slippers.

Last night

Last night I ended up going out. It's been a while since my last foray into night-time fun, and I've got to say - it was not as enjoyable as other nights.

We started by going to The Kings Arms where we watched the Fancy New Band Showcase. As is the case for most new band showcases it was pretty average, but the atmosphere was cool and I enjoyed myself. I managed to catch up with someone I knew from uni and had a bit of a boogie - it was really quite cool.

Thinking about it, I probably should have finished my night there, but the others were heading to a gig in town and I thought 'why not!?' and followed. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best either. I dunno, I guess Winter makes me want to curl up in bed and read or watch a DVD rather than party.

I got home at 4.30 in the morning and proceeded to make poached eggs ninja-styles. My flatmates haven't complained about the noise, so I can only assume they're either tolerant or I succeeded.

All in all an interesting start to what promises to be a pretty boring long weekend.

Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown

Once in a while I like to put my 2 cents about an album out there. I have to say, with this Green Day album, I am underwhelmed.

But I am not surprised that I am underwhelmed. I have a theory that most bands have an album that will shoot them sky high. The record companies will invest heavily, it will get massive radio play and have numerous Top 10 hits. Think of King of Leon's Only by the Night. For a while last year you couldn't go anywhere without hearing Sex on Fire. There was actually an entire Gossip Girl episode scored from that album, and it shot KoL into the stratosphere. They'd been around for some time, and arguably their earlier albums were better, but Only by the Night made them superstars.

Which was a phenomenon that Green Day became a part of with their last studio album, American Idiot.

After American Idiot, packed as it was with rock operas, political chants and heartfelt ballads, it was going to be almost impossible to follow it up with anything anywhere near that standard.

Sure enough, for the most part 21st Century Breakdown is pretty flat. The first single, Know Your Enemy, contains Green Day's trademark chants, rock solid drum beats and solid vocals, but compared to their other albums, this is definitely more of a Warning, than an American Idiot.

Nevertheless, I do have a fondness for the songs Before the Lobotomy, East Jesus Nowhere and 21 Guns.

Given the 5 year gap between studio albums (although they have released a Best Of and the concert album, Bullet in a Bible since American Idiot), it's a bit sad that this album feels like a set of cast offs from American Idiot than an album to rock to. I was never expecting another album of that calliber - and in fact I was hoping it would take a far different turn, as I always felt American Idiot was a little over-praised and I was well and truly sick of the tracks long before they were removed on mainstream radio playlists.

I think this album will grow on me over time, but unfortunately my first impression was one of being underwhelmed, and while I'm starting to appreciate it a bit more now (on the fourth or fifth run through), it's more out of a loyalty to a band that I love, rather than because they've given me an album I adore.

3 Gopher Guys

What's in a name?

I don't like my full first name - Kathleen. For the majority of my life I kind of accepted it, but never really liked it.

It's a family name. My grandmother was originally going to name my aunt Kathleen if she was a girl - unfortunately, my grandmother's best friend was also pregnant at the same time as my grandmother and having heard my grandmother talking about the name, her husband decided it would also suit their daughter, who arrived first, so my aunt got a different name instead.

Kathleen has been a middle name in our family for a few generations, but I think I'm the first to have it as a first name. Throughout school we experimented with different names. I dislike 'Kathy' more than I dislike 'Kathleen' (my friends know not to use my full name because I get pretty annoyed about it, but woe behold anyone who tries to call me Kathy), but for a while there I was 'Kay', and we tried 'Kath' - but around 6th form, I eventually became 'Kat'.

For a few years I struggled a little bit - I kept introducing myself as Kathleen, or other people would. It took me a surprisingly long time to come across the obvious - if I call myself Kat, and introduce myself as Kat, that's what people will call me. One day at work I asked my favourite supervisor to change my name badge from 'Kathleen' to 'Kat' - once that happened, things started slowly changing.

It wasn't until about 2003 that I stopped being Kathleen, except in legal situations. Some friends, who have known me a long time have had to train themselves into the new name (I think Holly has said before that she had to) and my relatives are still hopeless - except for a couple of cousins, my aunt and (on occasion) my mother. For the most part, to my family I am 'Kathleen'. I once bailed my brother and father up on it, asking why they continued to call me Kathleen - they just stared at me blankly and said "because that's your name". All the convincing in the world is not going to change their attitudes (even though my dad goes by a shortened version of his name - although my brother generally goes by the full version of his).

Some people don't quite get it though. Despite the fact that when he gets an email from me, it comes from 'Kat' and everybody calls me that (and the fact I've worked there almost a year now), one of the guys at work still calls me 'Kate'. It would just be a little embarrassing to correct him now, so I just have a little giggle to myself and let it be - afterall, at least it's not 'Kathy'.

Weazels, ferrits and stoats are pests that threaten our native bush and wildlife which isn't nice

I lost the subject line game again. I lose it alot.

When I lived above the Bristol in Wellington, one of the guys in the rooms above our flat had a ferrit. I thought it was the cutest thing - especially when he was walking it down the mall in it's harness.

I did however make the mistake of telling my Dad I wanted a pet ferrit - which is not a good idea when your Dad works for DoC. I got quite a lecture about why ferrits are bad.

Nevertheless they became illegal as pets soon after and I never really got the chance.

ENYFTW

Last night I was chatting to a friend about New Years. Slowly, the people considering Rhythm and Vines are coming out of the woodwork and he was saying he remembered I was fun to party with. I said I was, but usually, me + New Years = fail.

When I thought about it, I could recall all but one of my New Years for the last 10 years, and the one I can't remember I can certainly make an educated guess as to what I was up to. It breaks down like this

1999/2000 - the Millennium New Years. I was sober and in Mt Maunganui with my friends. I had a wicked night and I remember 90% of it, which I'm proud of. At the last minute me and some friends jumped in a car and drove over. We hung out at a mate's batch then went down to Marine Parade for the night. At 2am or so we got back to the car but the battery had died and we'd also lost two of the guys. One turned up as we were getting a jump start and we left the other one in the Mount (he did eventually turned up a day later having hooked up with some random chick for the night). We went back to Rotorua, snuck into our mate's place and broke her out (her parents had made her stay home) and went and watched the 'sunrise' (it was overcast so there really wasn't much of one). It was a great New Years, and probably the closest to 'epic' I've ever had.

2000/2001 - This summer was a pretty flaccid one. I came home from Wellington and really did pretty much nothing. I ended up spending this New Years drinking Export Gold, Coruba and going into town to the Rotorua Mardi Gras with Charis. It didn't suck, but if I hadn't seen one of the photos while I was in Rotorua last month I wouldn't have remembered I'd done it either.

2001/2002 - Worked until 10.30pm, but started drinking at 9 in the office while helping my manager *coughHollycough* close. Was dressed and made up before the last film finished. Didn't even bother cleaning up the projection room as I was expected back the next morning. Went straight into town with my cousin to the Fat Ladies Arms. Was trolleyed on shakers within an hour, and in bed by 12.30am.

2002/2003 - Jo and I, sitting at Coolidge St, watching Fellowship of the Ring on DVD. Highlight of the night: my flatmate coming home with someone twice his age for a quick romp before stumbling back out into the night.

2003/2004 - Sitting at home with a drink, playing online games against my mum.

2004/2005 - This is the one I don't remember but an educated guess says I worked, then went home, had a few drinks and then called Jo-Anne to say Happy New Year.

2005/2006 - Got dragged to a New Year party with some workmates from Woolies. Much drinking, little action.

2006/2007 - Sitting at home in Whangarei with my parents, sipping Baileys and watching Kinky Boots.

2007/2008 - The infamous NY at Bernie's. Getting your party bottled is a foolproof way to ruin a pretty good night.

2008/2009 - Worked security at the motor camp in Mahia. We had a celebration a couple of days later but it was a bit of a fizzer too. My first ever New Years under the Mahia Streetlamp.

What this all comes down to is in 10 years - every year in which I've been free to do whatever I want, I've never actually had a truly epic New Years.

So I've made a pact, it's an epic New Years for the win this summer. It'll be a bit difficult to go wrong really, given I've got a ticket and place to stay sorted for Rhythm and Vines, even if other things fall apart, New Years is pretty much nailed, and it's going to be a good one.

The New Flatmates

Tonight I actually talked to the flatmate I don't hate, and I discovered that she's actually quite lovely - and that she also hates the flatmate that I hate.

She told me that the flatmate that I hate is getting married, and moving out. That makes me so very, very happy.

It means that we can change phone/internet providers. Knowing I'm probably not going to be here much longer than around 8 months, Orcon seemed the logical choice to check out. They can be awful to get on the phone sometimes, but overall, they are still the best provider I've ever had.

At the moment on Telecom we get 3 gigs of internet and a phone line for $100.

With Orcon, we get 25 gigs of internet (and not even I can use that much unless I'm really trying), a phone line with unlimited national calls AND unlimited calls to a country of our choice (which is particularly cool, as the flatmate I like comes from South Korea), for $120.

Guess who's stiffing the flatmate we hate with the Telecom early disconnection fee?

It's mean, but maybe she should have considered that before repeatedly pissing off her flatmates and signing up with an awful provider.

Disclaimer: I don't actually hate the flatmate that I hate, she's just nuts.

27

When I was a kid I always wondered how adults didn't know how old they were, but a few weeks ago I really had to stop and think - I honestly had no idea if I was 26 or if I was 27.

When I did the math and worked it out, I was kind of dissappointed that I was 26. For some reason, I really wanted to be 27.

I've wanted to be 27 for a while. It's my automatic response when people ask me how old I am. I don't quite understand it, but 27 just seems like it's going to be the most epic, amazing year of my life.

When my mother was 27, she was pregnant with me and about to get married. I don't know what I'm going to get up to, but I have this funny feeling - it's going to be exciting.

Graduation

I've just realised I haven't actually recorded my graduation on my blog. This is a bit sad seeing as it was such an awesome time, and I'd really like some sort of a record. So I figure now's as good a time as any.

After I got back from Wellington I missioned my way down to Academic Hire to get my cap, gown and hood. As I was just getting into the line, another girl I'd done most of my geo papers with was just getting into line too. We ended up having to stand in line outside the shop for half an hour (lucky it was a sunny day!) before we managed to get in and get our stuff. Once our payments were confirmed (5 minutes), we then got our hoods. After our hoods it was another 10 minute wait before getting fitted with our gowns.

I'd never really considered fitting gowns or trenchers, but there you have it, it needed to be done.

We got our gowns and then had a 20 minute wait for our trenchers. It took another 10 minutes of trying on hats to get the right trenchers before finally - 1 hour and 20 minutes after we had arrived - we left with all our gear.

That night Mum, Dad, my brother and I had fish and chips back at mum and dad's hotel room. I even managed to get half a deep fried Mars bar down them (it's a bit of a family joke) before Mike and I went home.

The next morning I got up, put on my graduation dress and walked into uni for the parade. I ducked into a bathroom to put on my robes (I wasn't walking from Grafton in them) and went to go join everyone else at the marquee. It took a while to find anyone I knew, but eventually I managed to find a few. It turns out I was graduating with 4 other people I'd done 315 with a couple of years ago which was good 'cos we'd all been afraid we knew no one!

My Dad managed to miss me coming in with the parade (I had a feeling he would), but I met up with my parents and, after taking a few pictures in Albert Park, we drove out to West Auckland to pick up my Grandmother.

When we got back into town we had lunch in a food court and then, leaving my stuff with Mum, I wondered off to go find the room where I was supposed to go to. It took a while, but eventually I found it and jumped in my line. I was Graduand 372, I spent 20 minutes getting to know Graduands 368 to 374. We discussed our degrees and graduation teddies, before being counted off and finally moving into the theatre.

My Dad, after the ceremony, was amazed at how well the ceremony went off, but the secret was that we were counted before we left, again as we left the room we had assembled in, then as we entered the theatre, once again before we went on the stage and finally as we actually got onto the stage. There were so many checks to make sure everyone was there and in the right order that if there had been a problem it would have been amazing!

Most of the ceremony was boredom. We all sang some Latin (it was mostly muttering until the words 'academia' and 'professiore') then sat for some speeches. The speech was some model turned graduate who was pretty forgettable, and my hands got sick of clapping pretty quickly. In the end I only actually clapped for those receiving a PhD (they definitely deserve it), a few people at the start, and those people I knew from 315.

Eventually it was my row's turn to get up and go to the side of the stage. Then I was at the first lady (who checked I was Graduand 372), then at the second lady (who made sure my hood looked right), then I was at the third lady (who took off my sticker). Then I was climbing the stairs as Graduand 371 (a Pol Sci major) got capped. Then I my name was called, I walked across the stage, shook the hand of some guy in charge of the university who I'd never seen before that day and then it was over. I had graduated.

I put on my cap, got my certificate and walked back to my seat. I pretty much spent the rest of the ceremony thinking I was glad I'd done the ceremony because the degree itself is so... plain... that had I just got that in the mail it would have been one hell of an anti-climax!

After the ceremony I found my parents and we went back to the hotel, where Mum and I waited while Dad dropped Nana back at the home.

The best bit of the whole shebang came next. While I was living in Mt Eden I had walked past an Italian restaurant every day, and every day I wondered what it would be like. When Dad said we'd go for dinner, I had no hesitation - I wanted to go to the Italian restaurant - and by goodness I was glad we went.

It was without a doubt, the best food I have ever tasted. Great wine, amazing food and good company. The service was stellar and the atmosphere perfect. It was the most perfect meal I have ever had the good fortune to experience. Perfect food, perfect wine and perfect coffee (not something I say very often - in fact the last time I said it was over 5 years ago). The perfect end to a brilliant day.

After dinner we meandered home - full and very, very happy. It was a great day.

In the end, I'm extremely glad I went through the whole shebang. All the waiting, and the boredom was part of the tradition - the last university tradition I would take part in as an undergrad. My degree has contained all nighters, afternoons at Shads, Craccum, lots of coffee and cigarettes, roadtrips, friendships, drinking, drinking and more drinking. Everything I wanted to experience in my undergrad I got to experience - and I gained a whole lot more than just a degree.

I gained discipline, I gained a new way of thinking and of connecting things to form my own opinion. I gained a stronger hold on the English language and a thirst for knowledge.

Uni is about far more that drinking and degrees. The whole experience is part of the degree - and that includes graduation. I put in the work, I made the sacrifices... and now I have a remarkably boring piece of paper sitting on my wall.

I'm proud that I am a graduate of the University of Auckland, and I'm glad I got to experience the full undergrad experience.

Recession Busters

I'm sure noone was eagle-eyed enough to notice it, but last month had a day missing a post. I've been wating to fill it with a Guys With Their Shirts Off post but alas - can't find anyone for last month or this month (well, I could if I was OK with just googling 'half naked guys' and posting the results, but I like to have a reason for perving. It's a girl thing).

Thus, the feature is being replaced.

A guy with his shirt off may appear from time to time, but the new monthly feature I am introducing today: Recession Busters!

The first recession busting idea is actually the one that sparked this feature in the first place. In the movie Big Daddy, one scene that always stood out for me was when Adam Sandler and the kid were in the supermarket denting cans so they could get them at half price - in general the movie is... well, it stars Adam Sandler, that about says it all - but since that scene I'd always wondered what happened to dented cans in New Zealand supermarkets, but until Tuesday I'd never worked it out (despite working in two of them).

Next time you're in the supermarket (particuarly Foodtown), look up. On Tuesday I found so many dented cans, priced as low as $0.33, just sitting at the top of the shelf! Clearly, there's nothing much wrong with a dented can of food, and every single one was under half price.

I do have to urge anyone who finds a supermarket that does this to remember we all want to be able to use this awesome tip. Remember that the thing that got us into this recession in the first place was greed, so as tempted as you might be to take them all, please just take a few and let others get the same joy I felt when I found an 825g can of peaches for $0.88.

You'll find another recession busting hint at this back post: frozen food.

Looking forward to New Years!

Last summer I decided I'd like to go to Rhythm and Vines for New Years this year. I'd gone to Gisborne with my cousin and the place was packed with people, it looked like it was absolutely the place to go.

The thing that's always put me off R&V though is the camping aspect. I really, really dislike camping and I'm even less keen to do it amongst thousands of drunk people.

Last night however, on a bit of a whim, I bought a 3 day pass.

Today, I turned my attention to accommodation. A motel was soon ruled out as most places have a minimum 5 night stay and at $120 a night, I just wasn't keen on spending $600 on accommodation. A motor camp cabin however proved the perfect option.

It's $60/night - which can be split between two people - and also has an ensuite bathroom. I'm planning on spending most time at the venue, so all I really need it a quiet place to crash, have a shower and catch my breath - this is perfect.

So now I'm missing just one thing - someone to hang out with. It's a bit early to really find anyone (I mean, very few people plan New Years in May...) but I'm not worried at all - I now have a nice, comfortable, reasonably cheap spot to chill out and I'm pretty sure it won't be hard to fill the extra spot once people actually start making up their minds about what they want to do.

New Years = sorted. Yay!

Time travel

Holly and I started thinking about all the things we wished we could tell our 12 year old selves earlier this week. We've both decided to blog on this topic today, so below you can see what I would tell myself if I could, and then, if you want to, you can head over to Holly's blog and see what she would tell herself too.

• Go to the doctor regularly and be honest with them - don't let your mother's fears and problems impact you.
• You are the most awesome person you know and you don't need to spend time trying to be anyone else. People will like you for who you are, even if you haven't met them yet.
• Go to the dentist every 6 months and brush your teeth twice a day. It will cost you a fortune if you don't.
• NEVER START SMOKING!
• I wish I could say that those who bully you now have awful lives, but they don't. I wish I could make you feel better about it, but I can't. All I can say is once you stop going to school, it stops mattering.
• You love Geography. You're passionate about it and you naturally understand it. Study that, and take up every opportunity that comes at you.
  
• There is one foolproof way to tell who your true friends are. Your true friends will never try to turn you against another person, no matter how much they dislike them. They might point out faults, but they will never try to separate you from them. Those that will cause you the most harm in life are the ones who'll try to separate you from those who love you most.
• Play netball. You enjoyed it, team sports are good for you and the exercise will do you good.
• You get headaches because you clench your teeth while you're asleep and not for any other stupid reason your mother's naturopath suggests.
• The Internet is cool and all those people who tease you about using it will one day make their livings off of it. They just don't know the Next Big Thing when they see it.
  
• Back up your Diary-X journal regularly. It will crash, you will cry.
  

That's all I can think of really. My 12 year old self needs to be told a few things. I'm pretty sure that even if I could tell my 12 year old self that stuff she wouldn't listen, but hopefully a few things would sink in, because while I'm a firm believer that the struggles and challenges I've lived through have made me who I am today - there are still plenty of them I'd rather have never gone through.

Grrrrr

I had a really good blog all planned, but that blog went right out the window when I got home to find a party.

It's not that I mind my flatmate having a party, but I do mind not being aware of it. If she had ended up just having some random drinks or something, I could appreciate that, but now I've come home to a party, the party preparation has been obvious since the weekend.

In fact I wondered just last night who the hell needs 20 boxes of frozen naan bread.

If I had known about it, I could have let her have the house for longer. If I had known about it, I wouldn't have bought home 4 bags of groceries. If I had known about it, I would have had dinner in town instead of getting something at the supermarket.

I mean, I've had shit flatmates before, but this is almost a new low!

Edit: After everyone had gone home (about 10.30), we then had the washing mashine going until 12.30am and at 12am the phone started ringing...

Insulted by the truth

More and more I'm reading about my generation and our attitudes toward money.

There are exceptions, but for the most part, my generation is described as "buy now, pay later", as expecting to begin life with everything our parents have worked years to attain, as thinking no big deal about credit cards or debt.

We're considered to be selfish, as expecting things to be handed to us. The most popular explanation for this mindset is the fact that we've grown up our entire lives in relatively prosperous times and this recession is the first time we've ever had to stop and really examine where our money comes from, and where it is going to.

I know exceptions - Holly is an exception - but for the most part, it pains me to realise that I am the rule.

I was watching something recently - I can't even remember what it was now but one part of it really struck a nerve - it was asking kids what they wanted to do and one kid said he was waiting for his parents to die so he could sell their business and spend his life on a beach somewhere. Now, I'm not exactly like that, but there are absolutely elements of that attitude within me and that freaks me right out.

I know debt isn't the best position to be in - and yet from the age of 17 I have been in it - that's almost ten years I have been in debt. Each month, more and more of my money is spent paying off cards. Then I have to go back to using those cards in order to get through the second half of the month. Each year, in one way or another, my debt manages to increase, bit by bit. I pay one thing off, and then I go and extend something else.

It's painful. Extremely painful.

So with this knowledge - the knowledge that my attitude toward money is exactly the kind of attitude that got us into this recession in the first place, and the knowledge that I don't like my attitude and I think that yes, I am bloody selfish - I'm trying a new tactic.

I've changed the way I'm handling my money. Right now I have 4 accounts. It might sound a little overkill, but each one serves a specific purpose, and for me, part of getting to grips with this problem I have, is compartmentalising my entire approach to money - rather than just having one great lump sum sitting there tempting me at the beginning of the month and reducing at seemingly impossible speeds to make me broke again, only a couple of weeks later.

The first, and most important account is my savings account. One thing almost every article I've read agrees on is that my generation don't save. I'm not planning to touch this account unless it's an absolute emergency - and even then, I'd be loathe to get into it. I have a goal for these savings so with luck they'll get bigger, which is something they've never actually done before. The graduation gift my parents gave me has acted as 'seed' money for this account. I don't want to spend that money on anything less than something that's worth the 3 years effort it rewards, so I think my chances of keeping that money in there are high.

The second account is the 'holding account' - this is where my salary goes, where rent and other bills are paid from and what pays my other accounts.

The third account is the 'everyday account' - this is the one I'm allowed to use. I am allowing myself a (rather small) amount each week which must cover groceries, entertainment and transport. The idea being that when it's gone, I don't get any more until the next week. This isn't the end of the world because at most I'll only have to wait 7 days for more money - unlike the methods of the past where sometimes my salary mysteriously disappears in 2-3 weeks and I've got to wait another 2-3, dirt poor, looking forward to that day when the big lump sum arrives and I can repeat the entire process again.

The forth account is a temporary one. It's there while I work out this whole budgeting and living-within-my-means thing once and for all. In it, at the beginning of the month I put in a couple hundred dollars. This is enough so that I can cover emergencies - pay for taxis out of awkward situations, or cover any essentials that are just too big for the everyday account. The difference between this and the everyday account is that while I can do anything I want to with the everyday account, I must be able to justify every penny coming out of this account. I must be able to say "I needed to spend that money" - and actually mean it. It can't just go on a book, or the first season of Star Trek TOS (both of which it was tempted with yesterday) it has to be something at least semi-important. The idea of this account is that I will eventually get to a point where it's not needed at all, and the money can actually just go straight into my savings account instead. This account also works on the 'when it's gone, it's gone' principle, again, in a bid to make sure I only spend it on things I actually need.

The whole idea is to go back to basics - instead of constantly buying more food, I start using the ridiculous amount I have in my cupboard. Instead of buying a new book I read something out of my own bookshelf - much of which I've never actually read anyway. I'm not trying to tell myself 'no' or set useless rules about not buying Coke or not going to movies, I'm simply trying to make myself live within my means.

It may take a few months to actually get rolling but I think this might actually work. I know for a fact I can live within my means - I'm just extremely unaccustomed to having to do so.

Thank Lucifer for that!

For almost 6 months now I've been boycotting Hell Pizza.

Anyone who's been eating it over the years will have noticed the slow slide into the horrible, awful product it now is - a product that tastes pretty much like tomato sauce on cardboard.

I used to love Hell because I could actually taste the individual ingredients, I loved it's cheeky marketing ploys and the service was always excellent.

Then it got bought by Burger King, and now all those things I used to love are watered down and average at best.

Today I read that the original owners of Hell have now bought back the brand. With luck, in six months the pizzas I loved will be back and the crap they're serving now will be a thing of the past.

Too bad for them I've discovered an even better pizza place in the meantime, but I can still do Hell once in a while - if it's good.

Lostpedia

I'm currently spending my Saturday night sitting at my computer and browsing Lostpedia.

I was warned a couple of years ago that the site is highly addictive, so I've purposely avoided it until now and they were right - there is SO much there it's incredible! It's amazing how a few thousand (million?) obsessed fans can make on hell of a companion to what is probably the most involved and twisty show ever made.

If you're into Lost and have a few days - go check it out.

My government

In the last election, I was pretty disappointed in Labour. I really didn't like the slandering they gave National - not that it worked - and in general I hated the way they played the game. In comparison to National, Labour looked desperate, and childish.

That's not to say I didn't want Labour to win - I still far more align with their policies than I ever will with National - but for the most part, people only really pay attention to the Beehive during election campaigns, and the last election was one of the worst I've ever seen Labour run.

It didn't help that it was run in the shadow of Barack Obama's campaign in the USA. I think one of the things people like about Obama (certainly one of the things I like) is that he never quite resorted to name calling. Since the Administration has got into power there have been many "inherited problems" and some humorous digs at the opposition but for the most part, outright digs tend to be a no-go.

In the shadow of such a 'classy' establishment, one with the glare of the world's spotlight on it, politics here has got a little circus like.

Local government seems to be taking the stage in New Zealand - Michael Laws is making himself the butt of everybody's jokes by acting as if an 'h' is a dig at the virtue of his own mother and Rodney Hide is pushing through SuperCity legislation through parliament under urgency.

When it comes to the SuperCity I haven't formed much of an opinion. I know the Royal Commission has been working on it for years and it's undergone public consultation, and frankly I don't plan to be around in Auckland for long enough to really need to worry about it. The problem I face is when, seemingly on a whim, the National party and ACT feel they can throw out parts of the Commission's findings without consultation or consideration as to why those recommendations were made in the first place - and I know I'm not the only one.

To bring this post back in a nice circle, my government are once again acting like children, but this time I support them and I find it kind of amusing. In order to slow down the passing of the SuperCity legislation, Labour, the Greens and Progressive are all casting their votes in Maori - which apparently slows down the process as those votes then need to be translated.

It's a childish move, but one I support because, more than anything, I hate the lack of consideration and consultation that has been happening with the National/ACT government. I understand that these things cost bundles of money, but at the same time I think that people should be given the chance to go through the proper legal channels and organise themselves to have a say if they want to. Rushing things through under urgency is akin to sneak attacks by the bully in the playground - your pants are around your ankles before you even knew he'd left the sandpit.

Creepy conditioner

While in the shower I was reading my conditioner bottle (as you do) and I noticed something really, kinda... odd.

This is what the back of my conditioner bottle says:

massage me in nicely. feel richer already. then rinse. hey. i see you smiling...

Is it just me or is that kinda creepy, given when you're washing your hair you are probably naked, in the shower...

...being perved on by your conditioner...

Chuck

Grrrrrr.

Since I moved to my new place I've been watching most of my TV via surfthechannel.com.

Because I don't want to use up all the bandwidth, I've also been watching stuff I've previously downloaded, but haven't watched.

This week, I've been catching up on Chuck.

I'm onto the final two episodes - the two I don't already have - and neither of them are on surfthechannel.

I know, it's a bit stupid to be frustrated about it, but I am. Grrr!

One of those days

Once again, I am the only one left in the office.

I'm about to run out to go meet a friend for dinner and a movie though so at least my life isn't completely pathetic today.

Time to go catch a train and get out of here. Yay!

Planning

One thing I am always aware of is that things never go to plan. As well as being a list maker, I am also a planner and things never quite work out the way I want them to - this blog is probably the best testament to this: so many plans, so many things that haven't happened.

Yet it never stops me planning.

I genuinely think that my planning and listing nature is one of the things that makes me optimistic. Apart from anything else, I'm constantly looking toward the future.

I'm optimistic, not stupid, so nearly every plan has a back up. Years and years of failed plans have meant I've come to accept failure and roadblocks as part of life, and I usually have some sort of alternative up my sleeve. Can't move to Wellington due to a failed paper? I'll get a job and study part time. Can't go to New York? I'll stay where I am and keep thinking. Get made redundant (NB: this one's hypothetical)? Enroll in post grad study.

Having just graduated, my mind has once again turned to planning, scheming and trying to work out a way to get the hell out of here. Ideas are coming thick and fast (some more realistic than others) but one thing is for certain: I'm keeping them as quiet as I can until I am sure that one of them is actually going to happen.

My plans are wonderful and big, but I forget that not everyone realises what I do: that only about 10% of my plans come to fruition, the rest are fall backs, dreams and thing that fall apart for one reason or another. The only way to know when a plan is actually going to happen, is when I start spending the money and making the moves. When I make an actual, concrete move towards something, that's when I know it's something I'm going to do.

Star Trek

Last night I saw the new Star Trek movie and oh my God!

As a kid, I used to sit in the TV room with my brother on rainy Sunday afternoons and watch reruns of the original Star Trek with Nimoy and Shatner. I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but I actually really liked it. Yes, it was cheesy, but that was part of the awesomeness.

Despite my early tendencies to watch, and even enjoy Star Trek, I've never considered myself a 'Trekkie'. I've never seen a Star Trek movie - in fact, I literally couldn't be paid to watch the last one (keeping in mind that at the time I actually was paid to watch movies), and I know nothing about the worlds, creatures, languages or history of Star Trek, except that red shirt = expendable.

I think the best way to put it is to say that I enjoy the original series and I'm aware of it's relevance to popular culture, but I can't be called a true fan.

That said, from the moment it was announced, I've been amping for this movie and walking into the cinema last night, it really had a lot to live up to for me.

Firstly, I love the director J.J. Abrams. Lost is my favourite all-time show and I also loved Cloverfield. Anything with Abrams at the helm I'm pretty much in for.

Secondly, the cast was so freaking fantastic. I would have seen any movie for the combination of Zachary Quinto, John Cho, Karl Urban and Simon Pegg alone, but to put them in the combination of Spock, Sulu, Bones and Scotty meant I felt like I had no choice - these were the actors born to play these parts.

Thirdly, it is one of the most original, non-original ideas I'd ever heard of - taking the original, cheesy Shatner-era Star Trek characters and telling the story of how they became those people just seemed like the most awesome idea I'd ever heard.

So when it came to actually seeing the movie, my hopes were very high. Not only was there this amazing idea, but it was coupled with a director I love, who has made some of the most entertaining, interesting and smart sci-fi in the last few years and it was filled out by a bunch of my generation's hottest names.

It is very rare that after a wait this long (around 2 years) and with expectations running this high, I walk out of the theatre a satisfied movie goer, but last night I nearly bought another ticket to see it a second time straight away, and I've been trying to stop myself going again all day today.

It's not perfect, it's definitely Star Trek for dummies and I can see why some people are taking issue with it, but for me, it was absolutely, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining movies I have seen in a long time.

The stand-out part of the film for me was the cast. From the moment Zachary Quinto was announced as Spock I thought that this was one of the most stellar pieces of casting I'd heard in a long time. It would be very hard, if not impossible to think of a better fit. My only apprehension was that I'd spend most of the movie thinking (as Hank Green put it) "Argh! Sylar!" But I didn't. From his first appearance on screen Quinto was Spock, not Sylar - and a bloody fantastic Spock he was too! Simon Pegg was also brilliant as Scotty. Scotty has some of the most recognisable catchphrases from the original series and putting a comic like Pegg into the role was absolute genius. Pegg, along with Karl Urban as "Bones" McCoy were the light relief, and even a Star Trek novice will get most of the references within the film due to the incredible depth of the original series' influence amongst popular culture.

In fact, it's very easy to say that the rest of the cast completely outshone Chris Pine as James T Kirk. Chris Pine is pretty much a newcomer and probably one of the least well-known amongst the high profile cast, but that, I think, is what makes the whole thing work.

Shatner is such a huge personality it was probably for the best he was not involved in this project, even though Leonard Nimoy had a pretty substantial role. To allow someone new, and mostly unknown to take what is possibly one of the most well known characters in television history seemed to me the best way to do it because it allows the audience to make him their young Kirk. There are certainly references to Shatner, but for the most part, Shatner's Kirk is not who we are seeing - but you'll understand that more if you go see the film.

Which is something I recommend you do, it's worth every penny. It won't make witty criticisms of human society or civilisation, it won't investigate the human spirit, there isn't a hint of philosophical debate. It probably won't win Oscars (and if it does, it'll only be technical ones) but it will entertain you. For two hours you will enjoy a film.

And really, that's the thing I find most important about a movie - that I am entertained.

Comparing it to other blockbuster movies of the year... it's not like Fast and the Furious 4, which makes you feel a little bloated and sick after watching it, like you've just had McDonalds. Star Trek makes you feel like you've had a really satisfying (if not entirely healthy) meal. It's also miles above Wolverine. I felt that Wolverine's effects were dire to say the least and to be honest I don't even remember how the final showdown even ended in that movie. Given the price of movie tickets these days, sometimes it's good to have someone recommend the best of the pack, and my choice at the moment is absolutely Star Trek (although I also think if you haven't seen Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist you need to get your ass to a cinema before it ends).

Five gopher guys. I'd like to see another movie top it this blockbuster season.

Outdoor movies

Back in February I went to the outdoor movies with Sarah and Josh - it was good fun. Josh and I took a wee nosey in the projection truck and I was delighted to find they ran a Vic 5 which is what I ran at Manners Mall and Broadway. The poor projectionist had to hand wind every movie (stuff that) but he runs a single spool on each projector - it's pretty cool.

We took pizza and wine and we sat on sofas and watched a good Kiwi film. It's such a brilliant way to watch a movie, and I highly commend the Auckland City Council for running events like this - there were at least 500 people there and it was a great way to spend a summer evening.

This is the best possible way to see New Zealand film and I really think if any reader is lucky enough to have to opportunity to see open air cinema that they should. It's such a brilliant way to experience a movie.

Given that we're heading into winter now I don't think the opportunities are going to be numerous, but if you get a chance next summer to sit in a park with some friends, some wine and a nice wee picnic while watching a movie, do it. You'll love it.

Yummy?

Supermarkets are ruining our taste buds. That sounds all very conspiratorial, but hear me out.

About a year ago I went to a brewery where we had fresh beer. It was an entirely new experience and no beer has tasted better since, and there's a simple explanation for it too. Beer is made from the same ingredients as bread - grains, sugar and yeast. Think about how a loaf of bread straight out of the oven tastes compared to one which has been sitting on your bench for 3 days.

Over time foods change their taste and the current chain of supply means it comes from a grower, farmer or manufacturer to a warehouse and then onto to a supermarket. While it's unlikely to sit for any great length of time with the primary producer, it can sit for months at a warehouse and then days or weeks at the supermarket. By the time it gets to your plate, it's lost much of what it originally was.

Think of new potatoes - the difference between potatoes straight out of the ground and those on the shelves leaves no comparison. Strawberries from the supermarket are good, but nowhere near as good as one just pulled off the plant and eaten in the garden while still warm from the sun.

Fish doesn't even need explaining, because even though I don't eat it, the smell alone between a fish straight out of the ocean and a fish that's been sitting in the supermarket fish bar for a couple of days is immediately obvious (incidentally, the 'fresh' fish at a supermarket is on average around 3-4 days old by the time it even arrives there).

We had a very fresh Christmas dinner last year - fresh veges - many from Mum's garden, a giant fresh cauliflower, fresh fish and pork. Even though we all ate - a lot - no one felt bloated, just full. I think that speaks highly about both how the food was prepared (spit roast, smoked, slow roasted, steamed) as much as it does for the freshness of the food.

With supermarkets, we're constantly using a middle man. That middle man means we don't know where out food has come from, or how old it is. It's no longer about picking fruit off a tree or pulling potatoes out of the ground, it's about choosing them from a shelf, days - and sometimes weeks or months - after that's been done.

Given the huge variation in both price and taste this causes (when compared with going to a farmer's market), I really am surprised we still do it.

Freaks and Geeks

Back when I was at high school I loved a show called Freaks and Geeks.

Unfortunately the show only lasted one season, but the people in it have gone on the become huge successes - mostly in Judd Apatow films. Pretty much every main character is now a recognisable face.

I've been rewatching the episodes lately and I have to say - I still like it.

Yay for the Internet, reconnnecting me to old shows I used to love - I've just found Young Americans as well and that is sure as hell next - it's another one that only lasted one season but where most of the faces are now pretty famous.

Worry

My family isn't really close the way some families are. We love each other in our way, but we're not touchy-feely, we don't spend lots of time together, and saying 'I love you' isn't as normal as it is in other households.

We work nicely - my Dad shows he loves us by making sure our heads are always above water and by teasing us relentlessly when we see him, my Mum makes sure we're healthy and happy - they'll help us with anything if we ask, but mostly they leave us alone.

We all respect the fact that we all need space. We're all introverts and we all love our own company. We enjoy getting together, but part of being together is respecting the fact that we also need to be apart.

It's definitely a unique family dynamic, but it works.

When I saw her for my graduation, I noticed that my mother is beginning to suffer the effects of age. She's as stubborn as I am and she won't see a doctor for her problem (a habit I am also prone to). I tried goading her into going but I know a losing battle when I see one - if nothing else, if the situations were reversed, there's practically no way she'd get me to go either.

That doesn't stop me worrying though. I mightn't say it enough, but I love her dearly and I hate seeing her vulnerable, so the weakness was on my mind. I Googled her symptoms and got enough to know that, while it mightn't be too serious, there was a good possibility it was.

Earlier this evening I was talking to my cousin about it and she mentioned I should talk to her mum, a nurse. Then it struck me.

I mightn't get too far with it, because I am her daughter and not medically qualified, but her big sister is medically qualified and, if anyone is going to get my mother to a doctor, it would be my aunt.

So that's where the problem rests now.

Mum might get mad at me for it, but sometimes the best way to show your love is to make a tough call and allow things to play out. Sometimes you need to betray trusts and step over lines to keep the ones you love safe. I know when to make that call because I know that, if the worst happened (in this case: my mother disowns me and never wants to see me again - which is highly unlikely, but is the worst case scenario), I'd still have no hesitation in doing it. I'm just glad I'm not afraid to make that call when it counts.

I know your password...

One thing that carcks me up sometimes is what people choose for their passwords. Without giving away who these people are or how I came across their passwords (it's entirely legal and above board for those wondering) here are some of my favourites, divided into categories.

Famous people
danielradcliffe
kurdtcobain (I assume this is like a Nirvana-flavoured yoghurt)
helenclark

So dumb they're good
abc123
Random
trustno1
forgot
cantremember

Not sure what to make of them
joygerm (I don't want to know what a joygerm is)
absoloodle
guccithong420
myhomieg
shittyme
peterpickedapickle
weirdtoes
poostain

Naughty
pu55yking
69ditto69
rearentry
smacking
solo68
1cutie4u
69good
bollocks
cockasss

Spelling mistakes
caravann
alaphabet (something somewhat ironic about this one!)

Graduated!!!!!

'Nuff said.

Flying back

Normally when I fly I get to the airport insanely early. There are people who run late to everything, people who run on time, people who arrive early and people who arrive insanely early. I'm an insanely early person.

I think it's got a lot to do with the fact I don't drive and I also don't tend to trust other people. I have to rely on other people (friends, bus drivers, shuttle drivers etc) to get me to the airport. In the case of a shuttle I have to worry about other passengers who need ot be picked up, in the case of the bus it's just traffic and the fact that it's public transport. Whenever I go to the airport, I allow plenty of time - I'm asked to check in 30 minutes before the flight, but I tend to aim for an hour before the flight, then I always add half an hour onto the estimated travel time - meaning I usually have to sit at the airport for an hour .

For me, this isn't a problem - especially when leaving for my holiday - I'm not a nervous flier, but I am constantly worried about silly things like my luggage falling apart (seriously, I'm more concerned about my suitcase falling to pieces than the airline losing it) or - more relevantly - missing my plane entirely. I don't mind sitting in the airport and reading my book for an hour - so long as I am at the airport and I'm not going to miss my plane.

When Holly found out about this habit she mocked me for it. She is normal and gets there 15 minutes before check in, I am not because I get there an hour and 15 minutes before check in.

On my way down to Wellington I left directly from work, so I was normal and got there 15 minutes early. Holly was proud - it's almost like I was growing out of my habit.

And then there was my flight this morning, at the buttcrack of dawn. (Well, 8am, but that was still way too early for Kat) I got up, got dressed, started ensuring everything was packed - my 6.45am departure time from Holly's came and went - I mucked around and I finally got myself organised... to realise we had 30 minutes to get there.

I've got to say, I was fairly calm but from the Mt Vic tunnel onwards my internal alarm was starting to panic.

I made it with 2 minutes to spare.

TWO MINUTES!

That is easily the finest I have ever cut it. I am used to browsing shops, taking my time and having a snack - today I was lucky to pick up a muffin before being put straight through security, then boarding and take off.

Still, I've now made it back to Auckland. As sad as I am to once again leave behind my favourite place and my favourite people, it is graduation tomorrow, which makes it difficult to be too cut up about it.

Catching up

I spent today catching up with old friends - one in particular - Christina - I haven't seen in two years but we were best friends in high school and she recently got engaged so I made a super effort to see her and I'm so glad I did.

I've got some friends who I catch up with and the moment I see them, that bond we once had is instantly there again - it's easy and it's natural. Christina is definitely one of those people - time absolutely flew and before I knew it we'd been catching up for two and a half hours and could easily keep going! I ended up hanging out with her for a full 5 hours before her and her fiance dropped me off at Holly's. Catching up with her was definitely a highlight of the trip.

Then I got to hang out with Holly and Derek while we read silly websites, watched the You Choose 40 and leeched off each other. It was a great day, and a peaceful night.

Business Trip

Today I took care of the work I'm actually down here to do.

As a business trip I clearly was going to have to do some work at some stage so today I trained 10 or so people on our systems - a total of about 4 hours work, and that's all I have to do. It was split into two parts and between one training session and the second one I went to the Monet exhibition at Te Papa which was very cool.

I woke up this morning and decided to get another night in the hotel. By getting an extra night it means that I can catch up with more people and roam Wellington a little more freely, because as much as I like sleeping on Holly's couch, it's situated in Lower Hutt and is a bit of a pain to get to and from, so an extra night made sense. When I checked in this evening I found I'd got the same room I had last time I stayed here in September which made me extremely happy as I'd been thinking my room last night hadn't been as good.

Holly and I went to One Red Dog for dinner and then to Wolverine, which I really enjoyed (but it was easily Ryan Reynold's least sexy role ever) before I caught up with Kelly, who took me to a pub that gives out hot water bottles and blankies so you can sit outside and still be nice and warm.