I have to say, The Boy really is the uber-procrastinator. Never mind “why do today what you can put off until tomorrow”, his motto is more like “why do today what you can put off until next year”. Or, better yet, get someone else to do for you.
A classic example of this is today: he has finally taken one of the suits he brought back from his last trip to Brazil in for the alterations it needs. His last trip to Brazil was in September 2005.
With skills like that, I think he can proudly claim the crown of Procrastination King. If he gets around to it, that is.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
what did we do without it?
How did we ever manage without internet banking? Yes, I’ve just been paying bills online, specifically phone & electricity. I was remembering what a nightmare it used to be having to go down to the post office and line up for at least half an hour (on a good day) to pay those particular bills (since I never remembered early enough to have time to post a cheque).
Internet technology may have disadvantages, not the least of which is the amount of time The Boy spends online, but it certainly makes life easier in a lot of ways.
Internet technology may have disadvantages, not the least of which is the amount of time The Boy spends online, but it certainly makes life easier in a lot of ways.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
the cloud inside the silver lining
I’ve just been told that my company is sending me on a week-long business trip to Milan, Paris and London. Sounds good, right? Ordinarily I certainly wouldn’t complain about a free trip to Europe, even if most of time will be taken up with work.
I guess you could say that the trip to Europe is the silver lining. The cloud is the fact that it is going to be in February. Yes, February, which is the height of summer here in New Zealand and the depths of winter over there… I’m not very good at really cold weather at the best of times, let alone when I’m leaving my nice hot summer for it, so I’m not entirely sure how I’ll go.
It is a good excuse to have to hit the shops for the new winter season clothes that are starting to appear, though. Sorry, Boy, but I really have to go shopping – it’s a work thing, what can I say? By the way, can I please have your card??
I guess you could say that the trip to Europe is the silver lining. The cloud is the fact that it is going to be in February. Yes, February, which is the height of summer here in New Zealand and the depths of winter over there… I’m not very good at really cold weather at the best of times, let alone when I’m leaving my nice hot summer for it, so I’m not entirely sure how I’ll go.
It is a good excuse to have to hit the shops for the new winter season clothes that are starting to appear, though. Sorry, Boy, but I really have to go shopping – it’s a work thing, what can I say? By the way, can I please have your card??
Monday, January 22, 2007
upholder of the law??
The Boy has the joy of Jury Service to look forward to all this week. He had his first day today, and was less than impressed by the people and by the lack of organisation. After waiting around all morning, he was told he wouldn’t be needed today but come back tomorrow.
He had some rather pithy remarks to make about the huge waste of his time. He also made some rather pointed remarks about the type of person to be found hanging around the courthouse, but then what did he expect?
I don’t think I’d like him to be on the jury if I were ever to be on trial. Although he has many fine qualities, fair and impartial are certainly not words I’d use to describe him. Put it this way – he was giving a monologue this morning and laughing like a loon at it. It went something like this:
“Guilty!!”
“But Sir, we haven’t started yet”
“Guilty!!”
“Sir, can you please wait until you hear the evidence”
“Guilty!!”
“Sir, please refrain from making judgement until the end of the trial”
“Guilty!!”
“Bailiff, please remove this man”
“Guilty!! Guilty!! Guilty!!”
Need I say more?
He had some rather pithy remarks to make about the huge waste of his time. He also made some rather pointed remarks about the type of person to be found hanging around the courthouse, but then what did he expect?
I don’t think I’d like him to be on the jury if I were ever to be on trial. Although he has many fine qualities, fair and impartial are certainly not words I’d use to describe him. Put it this way – he was giving a monologue this morning and laughing like a loon at it. It went something like this:
“Guilty!!”
“But Sir, we haven’t started yet”
“Guilty!!”
“Sir, can you please wait until you hear the evidence”
“Guilty!!”
“Sir, please refrain from making judgement until the end of the trial”
“Guilty!!”
“Bailiff, please remove this man”
“Guilty!! Guilty!! Guilty!!”
Need I say more?
Friday, January 19, 2007
high revenue weekend
So, how much money do you think the police will make on the roads into Taupo this weekend? And how many drivers do you think will get those last few demerit points on their licence and be taking the bus for the next six months?
Yes, it’s the A1GP in Taupo this weekend (http://www.a1gp.com/), and every petrol-head in the country seems to be heading that way. The Boy and my dad are both down there today for the practice day, having left at the crack of dawn this morning (The Boy has taken his bag of essentials with him: sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars, camera and, most essential of all, his big Brazilian flag). Apparently there wasn’t too much traffic, but there were a ton of cops and speed cameras on the road.
Come to think of it, my last speed camera ticket was just out of Taupo, on the way home from a friend’s wedding a few years ago. But hey, its pretty hard to do 100 km/h when it’s the middle of summer, the sun is shining and you’re on the open road in a convertible. Mind you, that ticket did make the weekend away a bit more expensive than I’d anticipated…
Yes, it’s the A1GP in Taupo this weekend (http://www.a1gp.com/), and every petrol-head in the country seems to be heading that way. The Boy and my dad are both down there today for the practice day, having left at the crack of dawn this morning (The Boy has taken his bag of essentials with him: sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars, camera and, most essential of all, his big Brazilian flag). Apparently there wasn’t too much traffic, but there were a ton of cops and speed cameras on the road.
Come to think of it, my last speed camera ticket was just out of Taupo, on the way home from a friend’s wedding a few years ago. But hey, its pretty hard to do 100 km/h when it’s the middle of summer, the sun is shining and you’re on the open road in a convertible. Mind you, that ticket did make the weekend away a bit more expensive than I’d anticipated…
Thursday, January 18, 2007
dangerous delusion
As you may have heard, a vaccine has been developed for cervical cancer. Well, sort of. The vaccine prevents certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus which is apparently linked to 50-70% of all cervical cancer cases.
At the moment, Australia and the US are both instituting vaccination programmes for young girls (around 11 years old), and New Zealand is considering doing the same. The vaccine has been approved for use here in NZ, but the next changes to our national vaccination schedule aren’t likely until 2008.
Anyway, back to the point: a vaccine that prevents a virus that is linked to up to 70% of all cervical cancer cases. Fantastic, isn’t it? Well, not according to some people in the US, who say it just encourages promiscuity. After all (according to these rocket scientists), “if you are good folks who raise your daughter to be chaste and pure until she reaches her marriage bed, she won't need this”. To quote the billboards: Yeah, Right!
In the western world, most parents who think their daughters won’t have sex until they’re married are dangerously deluded. Besides, even in the incredibly unlikely event that she is a virgin on her wedding day, who knows where her future hubby has been…
Why would you take the chance?
At the moment, Australia and the US are both instituting vaccination programmes for young girls (around 11 years old), and New Zealand is considering doing the same. The vaccine has been approved for use here in NZ, but the next changes to our national vaccination schedule aren’t likely until 2008.
Anyway, back to the point: a vaccine that prevents a virus that is linked to up to 70% of all cervical cancer cases. Fantastic, isn’t it? Well, not according to some people in the US, who say it just encourages promiscuity. After all (according to these rocket scientists), “if you are good folks who raise your daughter to be chaste and pure until she reaches her marriage bed, she won't need this”. To quote the billboards: Yeah, Right!
In the western world, most parents who think their daughters won’t have sex until they’re married are dangerously deluded. Besides, even in the incredibly unlikely event that she is a virgin on her wedding day, who knows where her future hubby has been…
Why would you take the chance?
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
softy dad
Since the arrival of our kitten a couple of weeks ago, I can definitely say The Boy is Softy Dad.
We went to the supermarket on Saturday for the first time since we picked up the kitten. Getting The Boy past the pet section was a mission and a half. He was going crazy over all the toys and was pretty much ready to fill the whole trolley with loot for his little girl.
After about 15 minutes of negotiation, we managed to compromise on a “tickle stick” – a long flexible stick with a bundle of bright feathers on the end – and a few little treat meals to supplement her regular kitten food.
They were good choices, though – she goes bananas over the tickle stick and wolfs down the food. Well done, Softy Dad – I’m sure your little baby appreciates the efforts.
We went to the supermarket on Saturday for the first time since we picked up the kitten. Getting The Boy past the pet section was a mission and a half. He was going crazy over all the toys and was pretty much ready to fill the whole trolley with loot for his little girl.
After about 15 minutes of negotiation, we managed to compromise on a “tickle stick” – a long flexible stick with a bundle of bright feathers on the end – and a few little treat meals to supplement her regular kitten food.
They were good choices, though – she goes bananas over the tickle stick and wolfs down the food. Well done, Softy Dad – I’m sure your little baby appreciates the efforts.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
his kingdom for a coffee…
One thing The Boy is missing about living in the city (in fact, probably the only thing) is having a coffee shop right on our doorstep. The closest coffee shop is 10 minutes or so walk away, which is apparently a lifetime to a caffeine addict desperate for a fix.
We’ve made a couple of excursions to check out some of the local options, with varying success. There is one wee café which has quite nice atmosphere and food. Apparently it also has ok coffee but, since I personally think the only good thing about coffee is the smell, I’ll have to take The Boy’s word for that.
The other place we’ve tried was pretty dismal. Put it this way – I don’t think their cleaner is in danger of dying from exhaustion, judging by the amount of work it looks like he/she does. It wasn’t as disgusting as Brucie’s (but then what is??), but it definitely had a somewhat unwashed look.
I guess The Boy is just going to have to make his own or put up with my meagre coffee-making skills more often than he used to. On the plus side, think of the money it saves…
We’ve made a couple of excursions to check out some of the local options, with varying success. There is one wee café which has quite nice atmosphere and food. Apparently it also has ok coffee but, since I personally think the only good thing about coffee is the smell, I’ll have to take The Boy’s word for that.
The other place we’ve tried was pretty dismal. Put it this way – I don’t think their cleaner is in danger of dying from exhaustion, judging by the amount of work it looks like he/she does. It wasn’t as disgusting as Brucie’s (but then what is??), but it definitely had a somewhat unwashed look.
I guess The Boy is just going to have to make his own or put up with my meagre coffee-making skills more often than he used to. On the plus side, think of the money it saves…
Friday, January 12, 2007
watch this space…
We all know that there are differences between males and females, beyond the obvious physical ones. Any two people can have the same experience and not only describe it differently, but take different things from it, and this is generally even more so from male vs female perspectives.
The Boy, being a mad blogger and internet addict, has suggested that we make a blog from this – one where we each write postings about our own perspective on the same outing and/or experience.
So, we’re looking into this at the moment. We’ve found a very appropriate website address and name, so now all we need to do is decide on our first topic and sort out the details of how the site will look.
Watch this space for more details…
The Boy, being a mad blogger and internet addict, has suggested that we make a blog from this – one where we each write postings about our own perspective on the same outing and/or experience.
So, we’re looking into this at the moment. We’ve found a very appropriate website address and name, so now all we need to do is decide on our first topic and sort out the details of how the site will look.
Watch this space for more details…
Thursday, January 11, 2007
spiritual?
The Boy discovered a website yesterday (as he does) with a quiz that asks a bunch of questions about your spiritual and humanitarian beliefs and then tells you which religions are most compatible with those beliefs. They rank 27 religions, and number 25 on The Boy’s results list was Catholic. This is pretty funny, considering he actually is Catholic.
His number 22 was Islam. That really should have been number 27, because I know there is no way The Boy could ever be Muslim. Not because of any of his spiritual beliefs, but because he could never in a million years give up bacon… Think of Homer Simpson in a drooling daze, and you’ve pretty much got the picture.
Interestingly enough, 4 of our top 5 results were the same, although in different order. Considering he is Catholic and I’m completely non-religious, that isn’t what I’d have expected. Some of the religions on the list are pretty random, though – many of them I’ve never heard of, and some look more like pseudo-cults to me. I’m not going to be rushing out to join any of them, anyway.
If you’re interested, the site was http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html. One way to kill 5 minutes, I guess.
His number 22 was Islam. That really should have been number 27, because I know there is no way The Boy could ever be Muslim. Not because of any of his spiritual beliefs, but because he could never in a million years give up bacon… Think of Homer Simpson in a drooling daze, and you’ve pretty much got the picture.
Interestingly enough, 4 of our top 5 results were the same, although in different order. Considering he is Catholic and I’m completely non-religious, that isn’t what I’d have expected. Some of the religions on the list are pretty random, though – many of them I’ve never heard of, and some look more like pseudo-cults to me. I’m not going to be rushing out to join any of them, anyway.
If you’re interested, the site was http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html. One way to kill 5 minutes, I guess.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
ruining the boy’s day
I completely ruined The Boy’s day not long after we got our kitten. He was teasing me about giving her too much attention and saying (jokingly) that maybe we should take her back. He asked me whether I’d be able to take her back to the SPCA, to which I replied that knowing there was a chance that she’d end up being put down, no I couldn’t.
He was completely appalled, and was really upset for days afterwards (and still is every time he thinks about it). He had no idea that the SPCA put animals down if nobody adopted them within a certain time frame, and thought that any unadopted animal would just be kept there for as long as it took. While I’m very sure the SPCA would love to be able to do so, there is a limit to their space and resources, and it really isn’t possible.
Fortunately for our little girl, there is no way The Boy could give her up – he is completely wound around her little paws. Unfortunately, not all animals are so lucky.
He was completely appalled, and was really upset for days afterwards (and still is every time he thinks about it). He had no idea that the SPCA put animals down if nobody adopted them within a certain time frame, and thought that any unadopted animal would just be kept there for as long as it took. While I’m very sure the SPCA would love to be able to do so, there is a limit to their space and resources, and it really isn’t possible.
Fortunately for our little girl, there is no way The Boy could give her up – he is completely wound around her little paws. Unfortunately, not all animals are so lucky.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
the new addition
Back to work today, dammit (since we failed to win lotto over the holidays). I must admit it was a bit hard heading out from home today, not least of all because we had a new addition to the family just before New Year… But no, the ‘p’ in ‘pj’ doesn’t stand for ‘pregnant’ – it wasn’t that kind of addition. Our new addition is a gorgeous wee black kitten.
The Boy & I have been discussing getting a cat for a while now, and it’s something The Boy has been really hanging out for. It wasn’t possible while we were living in a shoebox (aka a city apartment), but we’d agreed that when we moved we’d find somewhere that would allow a cat.
So, 10 days ago The Boy and I took a drive out to the SPCA to choose our new ‘baby’. Well, actually, I think she chose us. After she’d come trotting up demanding our attention, to the point of climbing up the inside of the wire cage to get closer to the potential hugs, we couldn’t really say no to her (a theme that has continued, I have to say). She certainly seems to be thriving, and has grown astronomically since she came home with us. I don’t think she stopped purring for 3 days after arriving, but I guess anything is better than a shared cage at the SPCA. Although the SPCA staff are certainly very caring and professional, it isn’t the same as a home of your own.
No doubt there will be more Adventures of the Crazy Kitten in days to come…
The Boy & I have been discussing getting a cat for a while now, and it’s something The Boy has been really hanging out for. It wasn’t possible while we were living in a shoebox (aka a city apartment), but we’d agreed that when we moved we’d find somewhere that would allow a cat.
So, 10 days ago The Boy and I took a drive out to the SPCA to choose our new ‘baby’. Well, actually, I think she chose us. After she’d come trotting up demanding our attention, to the point of climbing up the inside of the wire cage to get closer to the potential hugs, we couldn’t really say no to her (a theme that has continued, I have to say). She certainly seems to be thriving, and has grown astronomically since she came home with us. I don’t think she stopped purring for 3 days after arriving, but I guess anything is better than a shared cage at the SPCA. Although the SPCA staff are certainly very caring and professional, it isn’t the same as a home of your own.
No doubt there will be more Adventures of the Crazy Kitten in days to come…
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