Answers

1. Why do you think Jonny Depp decided to play an androgenous willy wonka? (BHN)

Because it was an interesting and challenging role, a role his children would be excited and proud of, and because he's damn good at that kind of role! (Eg Ed Wood).

2. Do you think getting a university degree or learning a trade is the better option? (BHN)

Neither is a better option. It depends entirely on the person. Like a University Degree was better for me at the time, and I'm glad I got it, but Darren's doing his building apprenticeship and that's better for him. Also I will probably change careers later in my life and learn a trade then.

3. What is your favourate line(s) from a kiwi song, a pop song, a rock song and a RHCP song? (BHN)

I can't guarantee these are my all-time favourites, more like a snap shot of right now.

Kiwi song: "Let do the time warp again"
Pop song: "All day long I dream about sex, and all night long I think about sex, and all the time I think about sex with you, with you" HAHAHA I love that song!
Rock song: "I'm already cut up and half dead... I'll end up alone like I began..."
RHCP song: So so so so many... but a random one: "Missionary maddness, sweep a culture with a broom, trashing ancient ways, is par for the course, it’s fucking rude"

4. Who would win between John Candy and Marlin Brando in a fight in hell? (BHN)

Well neither would be in hell, but probably Brando just because he's meaner. Well can be meaner...

5. What would your plan be for 15 million dollars if you had won the powerball? (BHN)

Well I don't have a plan. It's hard to know. Most of it would be definitely be put into saving, or invested. Some would definitely be given away to charities and family and friends. My student loan would be paid off. I would buy a new car too. I definitely wouldn't quit work though and I'd try not to improve my lifestyle, but just stick to all the same plans I have now.

6. How does Karma work in your opinion? (BHN)

I'm not sure it does work, as some horrible things happen to such lovely people. My Granddad is one of the sweetest nicest people in the world and he's lost two wives, and now he has cancer... I mean that's one of squillions of examples. I think in general we should all just be as kind as we can, and treat other people the way we want to be treated and if you go through life and are able to do that most of the time then you've done pretty well.

7. Is there a god, and whats your impression of religion in general? (BHN)

Haha well I don't think there's a god, and religion well, um in general I am sickened by the atrocities that have been carried out in the names of organised religions, but at the same time religion has given a lot of people support and hope in times when they have nothing else. So it's not entirely bad.

8. Why am i the only person to ask you questions all the time? (BHN)

Dunno. Maybe you're the only one who is interested in my opinion. Maybe everyone else is too busy working. Adam asked lots of questions today though!

9. What is your favourate non-RHCP song at the moment? (BHN)

Corduroy by Pearl Jam.

10. Who is your favourate singer?(apart from Anthony from RHCP) (BHN)

Oh Anthony isn't my favourite singer, he's my favourite lyricist though. I have so many favourite singers... so many singers I love listening to, but probably my all time favourite is Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin.

11. Whats better School or work? (BHN)

School was great at the time, I wouldn't replace my time at school with anything, but work is great now! Uni was also a struggle but I'm so glad I did it, and wouldn't have done it any different, but I don't think I'll ever go back.

12. If you had to work in a city outside of CHCH which would it be? (BHN)

Umm don't know. Anywhere in New Zealand wouldn't be too bad. Maybe somewhere warmer like Nelson or I guess just anywhere I have friends (like Wellington and Auckland).

13. Does something have to be Phallic to be flaccid? (BHN)

No, I don't think so.

14. Who shot JR? (BHN)

Who is JR?

15. If Oswald was a Pattsy why did Jack Ruby shoot him? (BHN)

Who is Oswald and who is Jack Ruby?

16. Why do seals have a segmented sternum? (BHN)

Probably to help them bend in seal-like ways.

17. Now lets change the fight to the death to between John Goodman and Meatloaf. (BHN)

Meatloaf... coz he's pretty good with a chainsaw in the Rocky Horror show. Or is he the one who's killed with a chainsaw... oh yeah I think he gets killed with a chainsaw. Um still Meatlof tho because he's been to fightclub.

18. Do you find way more people attractive now than when you were a teenager? (BHN)

Nah not really, when I was a teenager I thought 16 year old were attractive, and also older people, now I'm older I don't find 16 year olds attractive anymore.

19. Why is it that mens fashion is boring and ultimately ugly in comparison to womens? (BHN)

Maybe just because no matter how hard they try women will always be the more beautiful creatures, so people have never put as much effort into mens clothing.

20. Do you think men compensate for the apparent lack of good clothing by going to the gym? (BHN)

I guess some do, but tons of women go to gyms as well!

21. Why is it that one smile can make your day?

Because it shows you that humans can be alright and human nature isn't ultimately all screwed up, some people are kind and nice.

22. Why is it that life seems to want to continually kick you in the stomach for weeks on end no matter how optimistic you are that it will all just work out? (BHN)

Not sure Nick, it doesn't happen to me.

23. Who was your favourate Ninja Turtle? (BHN)

Donatello

24. If you had to cheat on Darren with a member of RHCP who would it be? (BHN)

John!!!!

25. Why is a smile the sexiest thing someone can do? (BHN)

I think because it can say so much, and it can show love, and approval and desire... and this might be silly but a genuine smile can make you feel safe.

26. Why do people change when they get into relationships with certain people and not with others? (BHN)

I guess that's the different nature of different relationships. Some relationships can make people change in good ways (inspire them to be the best they can), some can make people change in bad ways (ie with a dominating bossy partner), and some don't make people change at all. It's just how people react to different personalities.

27. Is it still wrong to laugh at someone else's misfortune even if it's really, really funny? (Adam)

No of course not! Unless they're dead or something like that.

28. What steps should we be taking to prevent the rise of communism in New Zealand? (Adam)

Oh I'm a communist at heart, so I think we should be taking steps to ensure that New Zealand becomes the first communist society in the world that reaches the whole way to the last of Marx's stages of communism (I think there were 5 or 7 stages or something like that), and can successfully operate in today's predominantly capitalist world.

29. How does Santa get into houses without chimneys? (Adam)

Oh he is very good at getting through windows too. He has a reformed burglar that travels round with him, and helps him break into the houses.

30. Why is it you can be in a good or bad mood completely regardless of anything that's actually happened? (Adam)

I think it's to do with chemicals in the brain, or maybe stuff you've been thinking about subconsciously. Plus sometimes if your co-workers are aliens they are using mind-control techniques on you they can influence your mood without you knowing.

31. Walruses? (Adam)

Yes Walruses.

32. I swallowed a really big paper clip when I was seven, do you think it's still there? (Adam)

No.

33. How can I test to see if my co-workers are aliens? (Adam)

Well if I've learnt anything from movies it's that aliens are allergic to water or tiny bacteria, so I think you should fill a glass, spit in it a little then tip it over them. If they survive then they're probably not aliens.

34. I'm feeling a little sad today, why is that? (Adam)

Possibly because you're worried about the fact your co-workers may be aliens.

35. What time of the day is the best time to sneeze? (Adam)

3.23pm

36. I bought some shower gel to take to the gym so I wouldn't have to worry about any soap related shower incidents. But the stuff says it contains extra oxygen and I'm worried that I might be getting too much. How do I know if I'm getting too much oxygen? (Adam)

Easy. Stand up (DO IT!) Now take 10 really deep breaths, in deeply then at the end of the breath breathe in sharply to get as much as you can in, then breath out normally. Doing this 10 times in a row should make you feel at least a little bit weird, maybe a but light headed. If you feel like that after your shower then you're obviously getting too much oxygen and should consider returning to regular shower gel.

37. How come identical twins never look identical? (BHN)

Sometimes they do!

38. Why isn't water blue when its in a cup? (BHN)

Because water isn't blue! (Really Nick! Water is see-through or whatever the techincal term for see through is).

39. Why can't some people appoligies for what they have done wrong? (BHN)

I have NO IDEA! It makes me so mad though! Some people just can't apologise... it's insane. I apologise though, I'm good at it.

40. Why is it that some weeks nothing can phase you and others every little thing pisses you off? (BHN)

Maybe it's your time of the month Nick :-)

41. What is the best way to get to sleep? (BHN)

Thinking about happy things. Falling asleep happy and warm and comfy is the best!

42. Do you think its better to sleep on your sides or on your back/front? (BHN)

I do both... mostly on my side though. When you fall asleep hugging someone the side is the only way to go really.

43. Which side? (or back/front) (BHN)

Front.

44. What is your favourate colour and why? (BHN)

Deep red, a purply red. I'm not sure why.... I think it's an attractive colour.

45. What is the difference between politics and a popularity contest? (BHN)

Hmmmm I think you should ask Adam... he's the election expert. Although I'm worried his cynical view of the five parties he's done was influenced strongly by his low mood ;-)

46. Who is the best super hero ever? (BHN)

After seeing Batman begins I'd have to say batman... although he's not really a super hero is he as he doesn't have super powers? In that case i guess superman! The name says it all, plus he was hot.

47. What is your optimal temperature to do work at? (BHN)

This current temperature.

48. Why are women (who are ment to be so much more sensitive than men) so evil? (BHN)

Well men are mean too, but I think what makes women evil and men just mean is that women think and analyse things a lot more than men, so any nasty or manipulative thing appears to be more thought out and purposeful.

49. Which historical figure would you like to fight? (BHN)

No one! I wouldn't like to fight anyone!

50. Whats with you and guys with long hair? (BHN)

It's just sexy ok? Also if a guy can be comfortable enough to display predominantly feminine characteristics (like long healthy hair) and they are straight then that's just shows they are so comfortable with their masculinity and aren't trying to prove anything, and don't feel they have to.

51. What do you think are the qualities of a great teacher? (BHN)

Being able to understand questions. Being able to understand how some concepts are hard to grasp, some skills aren't natural for everyone. Being confident, approachable, friendly.

52. Whats your favourate billy idol song? (BHN)

Hot in the City

53. Do you want to come to the Heaven and Hell ball i'm organising? (BHN)

Yes but it will depend when it is, I'm quite busy over the next month :-)

Ask Mindy Day

How true!

Help finally arrives for the Katrina victims.

Gone fishin'

Hi guys,

Don't really have much to say today. Just hey, hope you're all well! And here's some funny pictures the first I found on a blog and I thought it was pretty cool, the next one's from Kirsty, the other from Kon (I don't mean to offend anyone by them please don't take them too seriously).

Love from
Little Miss Mindy

Bradley

Hello Everyone!

This is Bradley, Kirsty's cat. You may remember his lewd comments on the blog during it's first few weeks. Anyway he's a very lovely friendly cat. He is also very cute. Especially his wee little paws. This became apparent to me this morning when my door wasn't shut and he came into my room and did his usual route. He jumps up onto my desk then on top of my computer montior, then onto my stereo (which always makes that creaking sound that some electronics make when shifted) then sneaks down behind the curtain and then behind the blinds. He stepped over my shoes which for some reason are on my window sill, then he settled down to watch the outside world (my room in street facing). Then I realised how cute his paws are.

But why I'm really writing about Bradley is because his tail bore an uncanny similarity to that little worm on Seasame Street, you know Oscar's friend. I was sitting there watching his ong tail, and it's incredble how much he actually moves it. Then I imagined it had a life of it's own and it became quite amusing. Also I loved that little worm, I thought it was so cute. And Bradley's tail does bear a lot of similarities. They were both orange. They both have stripes (although Bradley's are kind of cream, and I think the worm was red, or something), and they are both kind of lng and skinny.

Anyway maybe I'm mad. Probably. My point remains though, Bradley is cute.

Love from

Little Miss Mindy

Charlie and the Choclate Factory

Was an absolutely wonderful movie. In so many ways. However, I will say it's one of those awesome awesome movies that won't be appreciated by everyone. I guess because of it's kookiness. Apparently this version was very true to the book... which I have read but I figured out I waas probably 9 when I read it which was quite a few years ago now so I can't really remember. But anyway I'm not sure if the brilliant humour can be credited to Tim Burton, Johnny Depp or Roald Dahl... I suspect mostly the latter with some credit to the first two. Now that I've actually been forced to spell it I've realised Roald Dahl has a very strange name doesn't he?

Anyway my weekend was good. It mostly involved sleeping. I'm not quite sure why, but I'm not complaining. I was also very busy working on various birthday presents.

Ok well have a nice Monday!

Love From

Little Miss Mindy

Music

Well... it finally happened. Bloody took it's time though. Many of you might know the two questions I asked Darren before agreeing to give him my phone number were:

1) Do you drive?
2) Do you hate the Red Hot Chili Peppers?

The second question being of special importance because I personally have a special bond with their music, you may even say I am a "fan". And like I've also mentioned here music has played such important role at times of my past, especially the Red Hot Chili Peppers music that it would just be impractical for me to be with someone who couldn't stand listening to it. So mostly it's just a practicality issue.

Happily Darren didn't hate the Chili Peppers.

So we start going out, I get a little idea of what his tastes are... not too bad, a big Soundgarden fan, well gotta respect that. So when we've been going out quite awhile and I decide to make a nice gesture and start getting into Soundgarden a little, buy one of their albums, check out their videos etc. Without wanting to push anything too much I make him a mix cd of some Chilis song I think he'll like. But it doesn't play in his car. So that idea was thwarted.

I let things sit for a few more months. Then after we've been together for about year I buy him the Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication CD. Now Darren was not over the moon to get this CD, understandably I think he felt a lot of pressure to listen to it and love it. So after mentioning a couple of times that he should put it in his car and he still doesn't I just drop the matter.

Then out of the blue of his own accord a few weeks ago he puts the CD in his car and starts listening to it. This is about 9 months after I got it for him. Now I have learnt just not to pressure him, so I don't even act very interested when I hear he's got it in his car. Then a week later he's wanting to talk to me about his favourite songs off the album (Easily and Right On Time, good choices), then over the weekend he asks me if he can borrow another one of their albums! I mention he might find Anthony's biography an interesting read as well, and get a positive response from him! Woo! Something exciting has started here!

So it took it's time. But I maintain everyone love the Red Hot Chili Peppers most people just don't know it yet.

Love from Little Miss Mindy

ps Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the best movie ever! More on that on Monday :-)

Share a Joke

You guys can all share your jokes today if you like.

And you'll be impressed, and glad to hear that I did cut my travel time down on my way home to 35 minutes, and that wasn't even taking the shortest route, as I forgot to take the map I'd prepared myself with me so I was really just guessing. I'm all psyched to walk again, it's nice having peaceful alone time, and very pleasant walking round the back streets,k but alas it's raining today, also my shins and feet are killing me. I'm notsure what's wrong with my shins they were sore before yesterday's walk, but my feet are because of the shoes I wore walking yesterday.

Ok well hopefully I'll go see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tonight. I think my flatmates and Amy are going to see some movie which they refer to as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but I've never heard of that! We've cancelled dinner as a flat anyway and are going to eat Willy Wonka bars instead.

Which brings me to another point. I love my Dad, and he loves me. Last night I desperately needed some chocolate (you know how it goes) and I knew that my Dad loves me so much he'd bring me some. Now I told Andrew this, and he was doubtful, but we made a bet (without actually putting any money or anything on it) that I could get my Dad to come round and deliver chocolate. So I rang Dad up and told him my chocolate situation, now he didn't actually say he'd bring me chocolate in fact he told me the opposite, but I knew he cares about me so much that before I went to bed that night he'd have been round with a chocolate bar. And I was right. At 9.30ish lo and behold Claire comes walking through my door delivering a bar of chocolate. Thanks Dad!! If anyone out there thinks I'm at all nice or kind then you can see why I get it from my wonderful family.

Love from
Little Miss Mindy

Answers

1. Why do Nick's questions always seem to involve him hating women? (Adam)

Hi Adam. This is indeed a good question. And I have a theory regarding this phenomenon. Firstly I would like to point you to notice that not actually all of Nick's questions are about hating women as such, some are quite the opposite. For example you may recall a past question where Nick wondered why women always smell so good. Also the questions where Nick appears to hate women are basically relating to women's behaviour that is somewhat confusing to him. I would like to suggest that Nick doesn't actually hate women. Just that he thinks they are confusing and a lot of work and they smell nice. In other words he wants a shag.

(Also I think he's trying to make women face up to their own irrational behaviour, and targeting my ask Mindy as a forum to do so).

Maybe Nick could comment if I am way off base with this response.

2. What do you do if someone wished you happy birthday and you want to do the same for them, but you only know the month in which they were born, and a rough idea of the day? (LaraCroft)

Hi Lara, this really is a pickle. What I would do is just ask them... say something like "What day was your birthday again? May 5th?" Where you substitute in the month and your guess of the day. I think this is fine, and I use this method all the time to ask Kirsty when her birthday is. If you don't want to be so direct see if you can find out from someone else who knows them, or sneakily try and look at their driver's license etc.

3. Mindy, Why do you think it is that Adam has never had a girlfriend of his own? (BHN)

Dear BHN, well you know what I think? I think the reason is that Adam hasn't asked enough girls. Surely any girls who he had asked wouldn't be able to refuse, so it stands that he hasn't therefore asked anyone out, or if he has they were whack. Also he does computer science and in general there's not that many girls who do so that means less chance of meeting someone through uni or work.

Interestings Things

Here are some interesting things for you:

• This is ugliest car I have ever seen in real life that actual people own, I saw someone driving it on the way to work yesterday and by gum it was bad. It looks worse in real life trust me:
  

• This car also has a silly name... mutipla... what the hell does that mean? Does anyone know?
• I walked to work this morning, for the first time ever it took me a solid 40 minutes. I'm going to experiment with my route on the way home, see if I can knock it down to 35.
• Andrew wants to do Willy Wonka (see yesterday's comments).
• A hippopoutmus can run faster than a man, I'm assuming faster than a woman as well but my source didn't specify.
• There are now only two member of the ulong tribe in survivor so they will have to merge next week, unless of course one of them agrees to vote for themself! Haha as if!
• In standard 4 we had elections for a class president and Rebecca Hanson and I agreed we'd vote for each other, but she didn't she voted for herself and I lost the election by 1 vote! Although I don't think it was her who won, but still...
• A snail can sleep for three years!

Have a nice day!

Love from Little Miss Mindy

Amy's Birthday

Hello everyone!

Amy is having a murder mystery for her 21st birthday party. Isn't that awesome? That's why I asked if I could be a princess or a whore yesterday. I'm not sure what would suit me better, because really there's a little of both in me. Hehe.

Anyway I'm so very very excited about Amy's birthday! She has delivered most of her invitations I believe. They were delivered message in a bottle style, with a very cool pirate looking invitation within (along with some sand, shells, glittery stars etc). One reason I'm so excited is because I only realised last night that I'll actually be able to make it! I am due to leave Doncaster, England on Thursday evening, which should mean I'll arrive back here in Christchurch Saturday midday, in time for her party at 7.30pm! Now I'm not saying I won't be completely buggered and jet-lagged because I will be. Although maybe that'll just make me a better party goer, because I'll still be on England time, and that'll be like 8.30 in the morning, so I might be extra hyped and engergetic!

Also I'm excited because I started Amy's present in the weekend. Which for obvious reasons I can't tell you what it is. But anyway before I started I hadn't really planned it at all or anything, and I had no idea how long it was going to take, but now I've actually started and have a firm plan I can see I'll definitely get it done and I'm so pysched about it! Actually on Sunday night I woke up in the middle of the night after dreaming a really good idea for it.

And today I going to the doctor. To hopefully get some more asthma medication. Which is good, because it helps me breathe, which I'm finding especially difficult with the coming of spring and hayfevery type symptoms, but it's bad because it costs so much money to go to the doctor. And I have to pay my bill from last time I was there as well, so it'll be like forking out $100 in one go! Oh well, that's life. I reogranised my budget yesterday to account for my UK trip, as I figure I'll need extra spending money especially as I also dreamed on Sunday night that I found this really awesome pair of jeans over there. Actually this is really geeky but what I'd really like to buy over there is some material, as I'm pretty much over the selection in the few fabric shops in Christchurch. That would be superb! I'll have to find out from Kirsty if she knows of any good fabric shops in London, there's bound to be at least one!

Also I've found the ugliest car in the world, I'll try and get a picture for tomorrow.

Love to all,

Little Miss Mindy

Unfit

Also this comic is SO funny check it out... I love Friday's strip:

Friday's Unfit

Well...

Just because I know you're all depserately waiting to find out. Yes I did go to the gym on Friday afternoon. And I went and I worked really hard and so I'm not as lazy as I thought I was, which is pleasantly surprising.

Also as you might have gathered, I finally saw Sin City. Now as I predicted I really really loved this movie. I thought it was brilliant. And yes I am biased. But still I thought it was great. Apart from when the blood was white, because then it just looked like birdshit, but apart from that, genius!

No other news of great consequence. I also saw Starsky and Hutch which was good but not great, and definitely no Dodgeball (which incase you haven't hear is a movie which I thought was wonderful!) Saw the family briefly on Sunday night which was nice, it's been a while since the "Marshall" clan has got topgether.

Hope you had awonderful weekend!

Love Little Miss Mindy Moo Cow

ps I just worked out last night I will actually be here for Amy's birthday... very tired and jet lagged probably but in Chch! Woo!

pps Happy Birthday Lara!!!

Nothing much to say

Hi there,

Don't really have much to say. I changed the picture on my profile. Hahaha. Well I think it's funny.

Today is the 2nd of September... so that means in one month I'll be going to England. So much stuff to do before then! Mostly regarding Amy's birthday present. I'll have to try and have a productive weekend I think.

Last night I watched half of Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, which I've seen numerous times before. Isn't it a great movie? Tonight I'm going to watch the end of it, and then watch the Patriot which I've never seen.

Work today is going to be a struggle... mostly because we're releasing a cut on Monday which means today is dedicated to testing. 8 hours of testing... which is ok, it just requires you to be very self-motivated which will be difficult for Friday, esp in the afternoon.

Nothing much else happening in my life, I've got a new program at the gym which is going ok, plus I"m going to start really focussing on my running for no specific reason, just that I like it.

Have a nice day!

Love from Little Miss Mindy

Another one from Kirsty

How to tel if you're driving too fast...

Visa

Hello first order of business, ask Mindy day is taking a break this week as I'll be quite busy at work today. Unless of course you don't m ind waiting till tomorrow's post for the answers.

Second order of business. Andrew and I were wondering why visa (as in the card) and visa (as in what you need to travel/work in foreign countries) had the same name.... ie what does "visa" actually mean? Any ideas/suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thirdly I have decided it takes 2 hours of Survivor to become hooked to series, I watched it last week and I watched it this week, and now I have to know what happens. Luckily it won't be hard for me to find out.

Lastly I just worked out it costs me 15c a kilometre in petrol for my car or $1.41 a day to get to and from work. Which isn't really that bad... cheaper than busing still. And it costs me $3 to get to and from Fenia's house. So I'm still ok with driving for awhile at least.

Have a nice day :-)

How Rude

All I want to say today is that I think people who overtake you because you are doing 55 in a 50 zone are very rude. If someone is already going 5ks over the speed limit you really shouldn't need to overtake them.

Also Amy I hope your ears are feeling better.

Love from Little Miss Mindy

Lasts

Ok again I stole this idea from someone else's blog but hey...

Last Cigarette: Only ever tried it once, that was a long time ago
Last Alcoholic Drink: Glass of wine last night
Last Car Ride: 25 minutes ago on my way to work
Last Hug: 7:05 this morning saying goodbye to Darren
Last Time You Cried: Can't remember, probably last week sometime
Last Library Book: No idea
Last book bought: Confederacy of Dunces
Last Book Read: Four Fires, by Bryce Courtney (not finished yet)
Last Movie Seen in Theatres: House of Wax
Last Movie Rented: Lara Croft
Last Cuss Word Uttered: Probably "bloody " someting
Last Beverage Drank: water
Last Food Consumed: Porridge with milk and brown sugar
Last Crush: Johnny Depp
Last Phone Call: Dad, last night
Last E-mail you wrote: Hmmm either a work one, or one to Dad
Last TV Show Watched: Inspector Gadget
Last band you saw: Um gosh I can't remember it can't have been REM... can it?
Last Time Showered: 12:30 yesterday, after the gym
Last Shoes Worn: My black boots
Last CD Played: Californication
Last Item Bought: Subway
Last Annoyance: New fault through at work this morning
Last Disappointment: Movie on TV last night wasn't very interesting
Last Soda Drank: Diet Coke
Last Words Spoken: "Bye Darren"
Last Ice Cream Eaten: Rocky Road
Last Webpage Visited: Dave Navarro's blog

Going to England (maybe)

Hey Everyone! Guess what I'm going to England (maybe). The reason I have to add maybe all the time is because it may all fall through. But at the moment the plan is for me to go! Woo!

Ok so at work I work for a team who works on a Train Planning Tool (amongst other applications) for a freight train company in England - EWS - who happen to be the largest freight train company over there with about 70% of the market. But anyway due to some work coming up I get to go over with Colin my manager to Doncaster. Which is apparently the biggest hole in the universe, but I don't care, also I don't believe it. And also apparently it's going to be horrid weather. But again I don't care.

Part of my job involves lots of communicating with some of the people at EWS and it will be really interesting, and fun to meet them. Also to see how they use our app. And things like that. I may even get to ride on a train.

I have never been to England. The furtherest I've ever been is Minnesota, which is still a lot closer than England. I hope no one explodes me with a bomb. I think I'll be ok. I hope my Mum doesn't worry that someone is going to explode me. Anyway.

:-) Little Miss Mindy

Quotation

I'd like to start my blog today with a Quotation:

"Isn't life just so great? " - Adam

Yes Adam, yes it is. However, last time I claimed a similar thing the week following I had the week from hell... so be careful not to appear too happy at all times because someone somewhere may just decide you are a little too happy and try to ruin your life. So to be sure just for good measure try and frown at least twice a day.

Now I would like to talk about the word "Quote" and the word "Quotation". Now as most of you know "Quotation" is a noun. This means you can say things like

"Quotation of the day" or
"I have a quotation for you" or
"Could you please give me a quotation"

etc. Not that any of those things are particularly useful things to say. But you get my point. Now what most of the godamn world don't seem to realise is the word "Quote" is NOT a noun. Not at all! Not in the slightest. Therefore it makes no sense (if you're speaking English) to say

"Quote of the day" or
"I know ten Hamlet quotes"

Quote is a VERB! Eg "I am going quote Hamlet".

Now I know that I have a love quote of the day on right here on Kook Central. This is absolutely appaling. But I can't do anything about it sorry as it all just comes automatically from a quotation site. I'm so sorry. I really wish it would say quotation instead of quote.

But yeah anyway if any of you have learned something today I will be very happy.

Love from Little Miss Mindy

Answers

1. Why is it that women smell SO much better than men? Even when they are sweaty and feral they smell better than any man. (BHN)
I think it's just because women are generally much better than men in every single way. They are also much better looking. But in terms of a "real" answer I have no idea.

2. Why is it that no one can name a single female actress that would make them go and see a film, yet can name half a dozen of male actors? (BHN)
That is an excellent excellent point. I have never considered that before. I think it just generally demostrates that although women actors are becoming more equal in pay to their male counterparts (although not equal yet by any means) they are still just generally less respected. I think this is a trend that is beginning to change, and I think it will continue to do so. Well I hope so anyway. For example I would probably go and see a movie just because Angelina Jolie is in it, or maybe Susan Sarandon.

3. What is the best thing about not living at home anymore? (as i live at home still i do not know) (BHN)
Cheesecake! And lots of it. Honestly though for me the best thing about not living at home is not worrying my parents anymore. I think they worried about me too much when I was at home, and now they don't really have concrete incidents to worry about. Also I did get on with my family before, but like all families we had our moments, fights, yelling etc. There's none of that now, everytime I see them it's all good, and I think I appreciate them more. Aww aren't I soppy.

4. What is your favourate type of sex from the following and why?Angry, Romantic, Funny, Snuggly, Adventurous, Athletic, Kinky or Surprise (BHN)
Um I would have to say all of the above. They definitely all have their moments. I think Romantic is the most memorable type though as it really is love embodied in a physical act and when the two people both love each other a lot it can therefore be very intense.

5. Why is it that SO many of my male friends are now going for much younger women? I personally only seem to go for women the same age or older. (BHN)
I couldn't honestly say. Perhaps because younger women are simpler and easily molded - eg don't have such strict ideas/rules for what they want from a relationship and will be bossed around without complaint more often. Perhaps they're more easy to get, more excited and less wary about the prospect of a relationship/score. Maybe your friends are attrcted to more innocent individuals/less jaded.

6. Do you believe the saying "once a cheater always a cheater?" (BHN)
I really hope not! Actually I don't believe it. Everybody makes mistakes and everybody should have a chance to grow and change from them, so definitely I think cheaters have the potential to be loyal and faithful partners. I have made some terrible mistakes in my life and relationships and don't want to be judged on them forever. Also every relationship is different. If someone cheated on me, I probably wouldn't trust them not to do it again, but if they cheated on someone else before me I'd deifnitely give them a chance to prove that things would be different in our relationship.

7. Why would a women dance suggestively with another man with her boyfriend present? (BHN)Because she likes dancing suggestively. Because she wants to rile her boyfriend up for some reason. Because she wants her boyfriend to realise how lucky he is to be going home with her. Because her boyfriend doesn't like dancing and she does. There are tons of possible reasons, some innocent and not manipulative, some are manipulative. You'd have to look at the specific context.

8. Do you think most women want heros or men they can grow old with? (BHN)
I think most women want me they can grow old with. I'd say a lot of women would be attracted to hero figures, but shy away from them if they're looking for a long term thing, there may just be too much ego involved when dating a hero. Personally I need to be able to give in a relationship, so if I felt like the guy was already invincible and would never need me then that would be a problem for me.

9. What in your opinion has changed most about your opinion towards men from when you first became interested in them to now? (BHN)
I guess I never realised how differently their heads work to females, I totally underestimated the difference. I should have paid more attantion to the propaganda.

10. If you had to choose one thing to change about yourself what would it be. (BHN)
I would choose to be less sensitive and not get upset/emotional about things that I shouldn't really be upset about, and also I would like to worry less.

11. I have a question. How do you recover from a mistake so big it costs you your quality of life. Not just one of those small lessons we learn every day - something big. (Jimmy)
Well that's a very difficult question to answer, especially not knowing what the mistake was. I guess I can only just give advice and imagine what I'd do myself. And I have had experience recovering from big things, but again I have no idea if I'm thinking about the same scale as you. Firstly I would enlist some help/support. Find people who will stand by you no matter what. The kind of people you can yell at and yell at and they will still be around tomorrow - I find parents good for this. I'd also try and look at this thing from every possible angle. If it has made you aware of your failings, made you determined to become a better person, made you learn something, even if it has only hurt you it would have made you strong - all of these things are positive, and ultimately you'll end up being a better person for your mistake. Make sure you forgive yourself, that is extremely important - if you don't think you can do this you probably can, it may just be really hard. Once you've forgiven yourself things will start falling into place most likely. I there are other people involved apologise, sincerely. And make sure you focus on moving forward, don't focus on your mistake. Your focus determines your reality, your life really is what you focus on.

Highs and Lows

Hello, I'm in a good mood today because it's such a beautiful day. Anyway I decided to make a list of good and bad things about my life right now.

Bad

• I have an incredibly sore hand, it feels like it's bruised but you can see anything.
• I have a sore shoulder that is very bruised. That's not the worst part, the worst part is I got it from walking into a door handle. That's still not the worst part, the worst part is I do this kind of thing constantly.
• I have been plagued for the past four days by a very bad uncomfortable mouth ulcer.
• We have to weed the garden at the flat which is stupid. Very stupid.
• It's an incredibly gorgeous day which means poor Darren will get hot at work.
• I have a dirty finger and I can't figure out how it got that way, I'm blaming my car.

Good

• It's an absolutely gorgeous day.
• There are daffodils flowering in our garden.
• My fresias are flowering!
• I have sewing tonight.
• I recently got paid.
• I had a lovely lovely evening with Fenia and Klava last night, we had coffee then watched Survivor and ate cheesecake.
• My mouth ulcer is finally going away!

Ok so it looked like the bad outweighs the good, but that is not at all the case. Because the good things have so much more weight. Also as Nick will no doubt point out it's ask Mindy day today.

Love from Little Miss Mindy

The Great Thing About Blogs

I've decided a great thing about blogs is you can share funny pictures/jokes with your friends without having to clog their email with forwards. It's much more efficient, and user-friendly. Well take this picture for example, half of you have probably already seen it, but by visiting my blog it's no big deal really, whereas if I emailed it to you it would be a nuisance for you to receive a totally useless email. Although for those who don't have blogs don't stop sending me funny emails as they are the source of anything funny I put up here - especially good for days when I don't really have anything to write about, like today!

:-) Little Miss Mindy

Morning Tea Time

Yay! I'm drinking a lovely hot chocolate.

I had a great weekend! Well it was great, but also kind of sad. On Friday I hung out with Darren, we watched Lara Croft. Which was good, as usual. I never mentioned but a week or a few weeks ago we watched Robocop which was pretty funny, as I'd never seen it.

Saturday I slept in :-) It was wonderful. Then Mum and I went to an auction just for fun, of a house. It was pretty interesting as I'd seen thousands on TV and stuff but never been to one in real life. The house was bought, for $637,500 which was quite a lot I thought. It was hard to believe the people there putting up their hands were in effect spending $600,000!

Then I picked up Lara from the airport. And we had Wonka bars, but neither of us won the golden ticket which was extremely disappointing as we'd already gone to the effort of making a deal that we would share the prize should we win. And I dropped her off to see her Dad, who is not very well at the moment (that is the sad part) but it was so nice to see Lara.

And I got to see Bridget as well (who went back to Nelson yesterday). The flat, Amy and Bridget went out for dinner to this Mexican restaurant which was nice, but they didn't give us much time to eat. Then we got out a dvd (Monster's Ball) and went to Mum and Dad's house to watch it and eat cheesecake, well more of a chocolate moussey thing really. (The reason we went to Mum and Dad's is because they have a movie theatre room, with Amy's projector in it). I enjoyed the movie, although the running commentary from my fellow viewers which made speical note of fake breasts and hairy butts was a little distracting, and did remove from the seriousness of the plot ;-) It was still good though.

On Sunday I mowed the lawns and planted some poppy seeds. And replanted some of my oregano plants. Also I got to see Lara again! We walked in the park and had an icecream. Well I had a milkshake and she had an icecream. And then I went to see Darren's family which was really fun. Jesse (Darren's nephew who is almost 3) is really stringing his sentences together now and it's so cute. We played cars - which mostly involved filling each car up with petrol from his little toy petrol pump, and hide and seek - which really just involved ducking behind a wall, or door then jumping out and saying boo! I really miss little kids. I've been around them my whole life with younger sisters and cousins. But now my littlest cousin is 6 or 7 I think so Jesse is the only toddler I ever get to see. Oh well. I think one of my cousins should do the decent thing and hurry up and have a bastard child for me to play with occasionally. Come on, it's not that much to ask!

Then Darren and I went out for dinner. I love going out for dinner with him. Because so often when we're together we're just plonked infront of a movie or the TV and it's nice being face to face and talking about random stuff for ages. Then we watched CSI something which I never watched before, for some reason I've always avoided those programs, but I actually really enjoyed it.

Ok that's what happened in my life. Hope yours is good too!

:-) Love from Little Miss Mindy

Check this out

http://www.mrmen.com/ I don't think I need to say anymore :-)

For Adam

For Sarah

For Nick and Adam

Trolleyed

Well I got trolleyed last night. And no I didn't get completely drunk and make a fool of myself, I quite literally got trolleyed. That is I got home from sewing and found a trolley in my room. Full of some interesting things, as you can see above. My chair, Patrick (my cushion donkey), O'Neill, my washing + basket, lamp etc. Adorning the trolley are some lovely signs. Now these signs you can't read but I found them on my door on Saturday night, and they say "Mindy is a wonderful flatmate", "Mindy is the best cousin ever", and "Mindy is so beautiful and intelligent and funny". Ok I'm lying they might actually say something about a goat and walrus and gerbilling, but we don't need to go into that.

Now why was there a trolley with my stuff in it in my room? Well my first conclusion was that it was an unsubtle hint that my flatmates wanted me out (I mean they had packed half my stuff). But that was denied, and I have since concluded there is absolutely no reason for the trolley - it is something beyond the realms of rational understanding. You really have to dig deep into your crazy but once there you can really appreciate magnificence of such a gesture.

:-) M

Answers

1. Why is it that some guys are able to walk straight up to strange women with no ill effect and others get completely shot down? (BHN)

Well it probably depends a lot on the guy and a lot of the girl. Probably mostly on the girl. And on her mood. And on the context of her day. For example if I was out and I'd been hit on by 6 sleazy guys and was sick of my butt getting slapped I'd probably shoot down the next guy who approached me, quite severely. Not fair on him, I know, but that's life. Whereas if I was having a lovely evening with friends, and hadn't been pestered or violated yet, and someone politely approached me it would be probably be fine. This is all of course assuming I was single, now I shoot down everyone ;-)

2. What is the worst thing a guy has ever said to you? (BHN)

Well I should exclude things yelled at me in the middle of heated arguments. But the worst thing a guy who I didn't really know has said to me... actually I can't remember the exact wording but there was this gross Aussie guy at the Bog once, and he was being way too intimate for my comfort, so just before getting rid of him I decided to try and distract him and asked him if he was enjoying NZ, he said he was but he wished the girls weren't all such prudes. I left very promptly after that. And also the worst pick up line ever used was this gross Brazillian guy who was telling me how he's been in New Zealand for awhile and he really needed to kiss a kiwi girl. He was actually scarey as shortly after that he started overpowering my physcially, and Lara had to twist his arm behind his back to get him to let me go. Anyway.

3. Ok there here is a question for you, what proportion of the male population is bars would grab your ass as they are trying to chat you up? (BHN)

Ok that's easy. Very small percentage. Probably that Aussie guy did it. But otherwise I don't think it's happened. People smack your ass as you walk past - and I guess if you then turned and encouraged them with a smile they might try and chat you up, but they wouldn't touch your ass while doing it. Of course the whole thing is different if you are dancing while being chatted up. But even then it would only be a small sleazy percentage that would go for the ass without clear signals that it's ok to do so (and by clear signals, that'd mean some skanky dancing on the girl's part, or maybe the girl touching the guy's ass first, or maybe kissing or somthing). So yeah in my experience guys don't go for the ass unless dancing, and only when the nature of dancing has implied that it's ok.

4. Name one real and one imaginery person who you would want to have a threesome with (Amy)

Um ok. Weird question to come from Amy I must say, and maybe other people would like to answer this one too. Anyway real person would be Darren and the imaginary person would be Lara Croft.

5. Would you rather give or recieve? (BHN)

It depends entirely on what you're talking about, but generally I'd have to say I'd rather give. Except for foot massages, I'd rather get one of those. And also I'd rather get a Bounty Bar than give one away, although when I go manage to give one to someone I do get warm fuzzies when I realise I care about that person enough to sacrifice the delicious coconutty sweetness and smooth chocolate that is a bounty bar.

6. Have you ever grabbed a guys ass first? (BHN)

Yes.

7. Why is it that work goes slowly sometimes when you're enjoying yourself there? But not sufficiently enjoying yourself to be glad it was going slowly? (Lara Croft)

Well Lara, I must say this happens to me often. And I don't know the answer. I guess there is no real reason, because sometimes work goes quickly when you're enjoying yourself, and sometimes it goes quickly when you're not enjoying yourself. It must be influenced a bit by emotional factors too.

8. Why is that sometimes it's not what people say but their tone of voice that's really upsetting? (Lara Croft)

Because their tone puts a whole new meaning on what they are saying. You can say the nicest thing in the world and say it in a horrible voice and it becomes a horrible thing to say. Also some people (like you and me) and more sensitive to things like tone body language than other people are - that just makes us cooler and experience things on a deeper level.

9. Why do is it so hard not to cry sometimes? (Lara Croft)

Because it just is. And that's ok :-) Sometimes you just have to cry and let yourself be irrational for a minute or five and then once you've finished work hard on improving your outlook on whatever situation you found yourself crying about.

10. What causes bowel cancer? (Lara Croft)

I don't know Lara. I'm really sorry. You are only supposed to ask me questions I know the answer to, or it will be funny if I make up an answer, or I can give my opinion on. But I'm sorry I don't know what causes bowel cancer. Maybe just bad luck.

11. Why is it that 62 seems old when they look like David Lange, and you think 'oh they're old, it's natural to die' but when it's your Dad it seems so young? (Lara Croft)

Personally I thought David Lange looked a lot older than 62 - like he looked the same age or older than my Grandad I think and he is seventy-something - so that might be why you and me may think it was natural and not before his time. But really I think 62 is young for anyone. Also it is the way you perceive your Dad. He's always going to be your Dad first, and his age second, I don't even know how old my Dad is. You just peceive ages of people you know in different ways. Like Darren sister Kelly is his little sister, so I feel like she's younger than me. But she's actually older than me.

12. Why am I so indecisive? (Lara Croft)

Because you are an optimist and so many different options often look appealing to you, whereas a more negative person may find it easier to instantly rule out things.

13. And finally, why do I never know any answers at pub quizzes even though I read a lot? (Lara Croft)

Because pub questions don't come out of the books you read. Hehe. Actually I still have no idea how you got to be 21 and not know who Hugh Heffner was!

14. Why is it that when girls are drunk they think they can get away with so much more? (like biting) (BHN)

I think it's probably more that they are too inhibited to do it sober, and so when they're drunk they lose their inhibitions a little. Also doesn't everyone think they can get away with so much more when they're drunk.

15. Why do women fish for compliments? (BHN)

Well I can only speak for myself. But I love compliments! Also I'm insecure. But I do know men who fish for compliments too though. But I will admit for some women it's second nature - and fishing for compliments is like manipulation 101 or something and I do think in general women are more manipulative.

16. How can women bawl their eyes out and then be completely fine after that... like it didn't happen at all? (BHN)

Because crying makes you feel better. Because you let yourself be irrational for a minute or two and that's when the tears come. Then you have to move on with life and start thinking rationally again. Like last week when I was having my car problems, and Dad's car just wouldn't start. So I started bawling. Then composed myself again and tried the car a few more times and it worked. Women just need to be allowed to be completely irrational and run totally on emotion every now and then. However, I will say that sometimes I do bawl my eyes out and it takes me days to get back to normal, although that wouldn't be about a car.

17. Why is getting your ass grabbed so much better than your breasts? (BHN)

Because ass grabbing is inappropriate, but breast grabbing is way more inappropriate. The breasts are more intimate than the ass. Like you might be dancing with someone and it's natural for them to put their hands on your butt, but breast touching is usually reserved for sexual partners, not just random guys in bars. Although some women may not agree.

18. Who has the best voice in rock n roll? (now i don't mean who's songs do you like the best, i mean who has the best voice) (BHN)

Awesome question. I will need to think about this at length. Straight off the top of my head I would say Robert Plant. But then of course it depends on personal preference. I will think about this and let you know if I change my mind.

19. Why is it that you can have nothing to do ALL day and then just before you have to go somewhere all this work appears out of no where? (BHN)

Shit happens.

20. Oh and lastly was Snufelupicus really Big Birds imaginary friend? (BHN)

No he was real!

21. Is it vain when you come up with a joke and then absolutely crack up over it all lunch time because you think it is absolute gold? (Andrew)

No, you're really funny, you probably just couldn't help but crack up. To try and stop yourself would be an exercise in futility.

22. What i ment by "Why is it that when girls are drunk they think they can get away with so much more?" was that women get real manipulative and evil and try stuff on so much more when they are drunk. Such as fishing for compliments, getting guys to but them drinks, leading guys on then throwing them away when it gets too intimate, physically hitting and biting... etc. Now i know your thinking that you would never do most of that but the fact is that whether its PDA or behaving badly, women on the whole seem to think that as they have had a few drinks they can get away with so much more and guys won't get annoyed... why is that? (BHN)

Physically hitting guys I haven't done, but probably all the rest I have. But not to be evil. And if dancing with someone but then getting rid of them when they try and stick their hands down your pants is leading them on then I don't care if it is considered evil. I think you should be able to dance with someone without feeling violated. But to answer your question it I guess it might not be so much that girls are drunk, but that they're out on the town and so those things don't happen in other situations apart from sleazy bar situations or party situations. And also if they are drunk they probably won't be thinking as clearly as they would be otherwise.

23. How come no one else talked to snuffelupicus then? (BHN)

Didn't they? I don't remember? I'm sure I saw some of the humans talk to him.

24. Why are there so many more male rock singers than female? (BHN)

Well I know people will disgree with me but I don't really like female vocalists on rock songs. I think they sound silly. I just don't like listening to it as much as a male's voice.

25. How do you know if a girl is interested in you if she's all the way on the other side of the bar? (BHN)

She will move closer. So either you take the risk and just go talk to her, or you move a bit closer, and see if she does the same.

26. Whats the worst thing you've seen a girl do to a guy? (BHN)

Just be a completely irrational bitch and holding up him and a big group of his friends because of a tantrum she was throwing.

27. What is the worst thing you've seen a guy do to a girl? (BHN)

Pick her up and throw her down to the ground.

28. and lastly what is your favourite fruit? (BHN)

Oranges, but they're too much effort so sometimes pears.

Bowling

Well I went bowling last night. And this is what it would have looked like if I did get a strike. I think it was the first time I've been for 10 years. Although I could be wrong... and I might have gone once and just not remembered it. But anyway for the last ten years I refused every offer of bowling because I have one of those wussy personalities that absolutely hates looking stupid, or below par. But anyway maybe by 23 I'm over it... who knows. The point is it was really fun.

There's this bowling competition for work on Thursday and my group has entered a team, so the purpose of the bowling trip was to give them some practice, and the purpose of me being there was to make them look good, which I convincely did. Although I only got last in one of the two games. But anyway it just emphasizes the fact that the right people are on the team. And let me tell you Simon, Shiree and Earl all bowled strikes for their first ball... so they're looking pretty good!

Anyway have a nice Wednesday.

:-) M

I was Right!

See there wasn't a frost last night, a lot of dew yes, but not a proper frost. All because my car was parked under cover.

Anyway yesterday I had lunch with Kon and Nick - which was great! I hadn't seen either of them in ages so it was very nice. And then after dinner I went round to Kim's and caught us with her, Lennon, Rach and Bridget briefly. Bridge is down from Nelson for a course, so was great to see her too!

Well here's a funny picture Kirsty sent me although I can't figure out why the female didn't go into Gap. I would have. Maybe. I'm not too clued up about American clothing stores though. In fact if I went to a mall the shop I'd most often go to would be the games shop - and that's because Darren drags me in there. Other than that the Warehouse. And maybe a longing gaze at a jewelry shop window. So there you go.

Better Week

Ok so this week is going to be much better! I've decided I'm just erasing last week from my memory.

The weekend was ok, I got my headache back a bit on Friday evening, but was ok the rest of the weekend. Friday night saw Sarah briefly at Rach's, briefly only in that I didn't get to talk to her very much, but always the case with a group of people like that. Saturday I watched movies, and did some sewing, also bought a pattern for a jacket from Spotlight, it's going to be challenging. Saturday night was the Law Revue at Uni, it was pretty funny.

So yeah anyone living in Christchurch it's my fault there was a frost last night. You see a while ago Dad and I and Andrew put up a car shelter/tent thing so my car would be protected from forsts and dew. Now ever since we put it up there hasn't been a frost until last night, when I was staying at Darren's so of course my car got completely frosted. So yeah if anyone ever needs a frost for a specific reason let me know and I'll park my car away from the shelter, or if anyone specially doesn't want a frost on a certain day I'll park my car under the shelter.

Have a nice week all!

:-) M

Hello

I have the worst headache I've ever had, it started at about 3.30 yesterday went away for awhile. Came back just before I went to bed and then I woke up with it. Plus I seem to be in this strange stage that sometimes happens in my life where if I eat at breakfast I can't keep it down (and no I'm not pregnant). So I feel sick and headachy and I just want to be in bed. But anyway I hope you all are fine... and just so I don't get you down here's a cool story Kirsty sent me, more for the girls than the guys but anyway...

The Perfect Dress

Jennifer's wedding day was fast approaching. Nothing could dampen herexcitement - not even her parents' nasty divorce. Her mother had foundthe PERFECT dress to wear and would be the best dressedMother-of-the-Bride ever!

A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father's newyoung wife had bought the exact same dress! Jennifer asked her to exchange it, but she refused. "Absolutely not. I look like a millionbucks in this dress, and I'm wearing it", she replied.

Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, "Never mind sweetheart,I'll get another dress. After all, it's your special day."

A few days later they went shopping and did find another gorgeous dress.When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, "Are you goingto return the other dress? You really don't have other occasion whereyou could wear it."

Jennifer's mother just smiled and replied, "Of course I do dear. I'mwearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding!"

---

Oh also I've surprised myself twice in the last week by giving away half of my Bounty Bars. Now Bounty Bars are my favourite chocolate bar ever and I've had two - no three - since Saturday. And I always eat one half first and then save the other half for awhile. Twice now I have given away my second half... which has been incredibly hard to do both times... but I'm sure the people involved appreciate it - you know who you are. So yeah if you want to find out if I love you then a sure way to find out is asking me for the remaining half of a Bounty if I give it to you I definitely love you, if I don't then either I don't love you or I just really really want it! :-)

Another Update

New update.

Sorry the blog was down for an hour for planned maintenance... nothing to do with me but I guess it was from 1-2.

Anyway my week has turned sour AGAIN. NOT FAIR!

I was driving to have lunch with Konstantin which I had been looking forward to SO much, when my stupid muffler came off my stupid car. (Which was supposed to have been fixed a couple of weeks ago). So of course I don't know anything about cars, and I'm sitting on Memorial Ave wondering what to do, and so I ring my Daddy who is Auckland today who tells me to take the muffler off. Now it is so heartwarming how many people stop and offer assistance when they see a young woman looking puzzled bending under the back of her car. NONE. Bunch of stupid miserable losers. I can't believe that. You Christchurch people SUCK.

So anyway I did get it off myself (because I'm brilliant) although I dropped it on my finger which now really REALLY hurts (I know I know that wasn't quite so brilliant). And then Dad said I could borrow their spare car (I'm very lucky they have spares) and so I drove carefully round the corner to Mum and Dad's to get the Pajero. Now this just refuses to start. I'd been very brave up until this point but then I just did one of my girly sobbing sessions for about 2 minutes. It's not my fault, and I know there was nothing really bad, but just you know one thing after another and then it gets to you. And I'm still not sleeping and I'm missing Darren terribly at the moment. But then I stopped crying and eventually got the car started and washed my hands, and now I'm back at work. The Pajero is so strange to drive, you feel like you're riding an elephant the way if wobbles round. Although it's a lot nicer to drive over the judder bars at work!

And that is the end of my story.

And how in the world does my getting a tattoo affect anyone else!?

Random Thoughts/ Observations

• They are cutting all these lovely big trees down in the paddock next to my office building.


• Lawrence of Arabia is an odd film thus far (thus far is about half an hour through it).


• Born to storm on boredom's face, add a little lust to the funky ass Flea bass.


• There were mushrooms growing in my potplant at work (and no not magic ones).


• We haven't had a frost since Dad and I put up a gazebo for my car to be protected from frosts.


• I have nine small sores on my two hands (mostly from sewing last night).


• This year is Disneyland's 50th anniversary (if anyone wants to go with Amy on the 16h of December let her know).


• I love my job 75% of the time, the rest of the time I'm bored - I'm happy with those proportions.


• On Tuesday night we had Chili chicken which was too hot for Kirsty and Andrew but I thought it was delicious.


• The carpets at my work are very red.


• Aid is a very tricky thing to give so it actually makes a positive rather than a negative difference (on the international scale).


• There are no monks in my band.


• I have very tight hamstrings and have no show of touching my toes... but I've set up a foot rest at work so I can stretch them out while working!


• I prefer writing with a pencil, I just love the scratchy sound it makes and it feels more romantic.


• Yesterday I had my headphones on for a good half before realising I'd forgotten to turn any music on.

:-) M

Bright Side

Hello,

You'll all be really glad to know I've decided to look on the bright side. And do so with another numbered list.

1) My car wasn't stolen which is great considering I hadn't locked it.
2) My jacket that was in the front of the car wasn't stolen either.
3) My eftpos, driver's licence and cash were in my jacket that could have easily been taken.
4) My visa was for no real reason, just good luck, sitting at home on my dresser rather than in my wallet.
5) I forgot to take my normal shoes to the gym so I was still wearing my gym shoes, which would have been taken with the bag if I hadn't been wearing them.
6) My rings - which would have been the worst of all things to lose because of their sentimental value - were also in the pocket of the jacket.
7) My Mum and Dad are really lovely and replaced my toiletries for me.

So really it could have been a lot worse! Also Mum told me that one of her old workmates was just over in Europe, and at the very end of their trip they had all the stuff out of their car including all their gifts for everyone and their tickets stolen. So really I just feel very sorry for them.

Although I still didn't sleep last night, and Bradley is still shitting in my potplants :-(

Ok have a nice day.

Love from
Me

Life Sucks

Ok, so on Friday I made a comment that life was good. How stupid was I? It seems the powers to be decided to make my life absolute shit fro here on in. Ok here goes

1) Didn't sleep AT ALL on Sunday night
2) Work was actually the good part of my day
3) Gym was ok but I forgot my inhaler, actually I've lost it, so I got asthma
4) Went to Darren's on the way home where we argued
5) Drove home
6) Went to get my gym bag out of the car... oops it's not there. Oh no neither is the box of burbon I'd recently bought.

I hate people. Oh yeah if you didn't figure it out the stuff was stolen out of my car. At first you just think oh it's my gym bag not a huge deal. But then you realise little by little all the things that were actually in there. Like:

1) All my toiletries
2) $60 bra
3) My wallet thankfully I had all my cards with me so don't need to replace any
4) Then I realised shit my CD player was in there
5) Then... even worse... my Live on Two Legs Pearl jam CD was in the player
6) And so were my rechargable batteries
7) Then to top it all off as I was walking in here this morning I realised my $150 bottle of Christian Dior perfume was in there too.

Please answer the questions from yesterday if you haven't and thanks to everyone who has for their thoughts.
I'm going to get on with the best part of my day... work before I go home and lie on my bed till I fall asleep.

ps Thanks Eddie Vedder for your comments, it gave me a lot to think about, it's very appreciated :-) Funny how you think you know everything you need to know to be who you want to be but then you realise you don't but I guess as long as we keep learning that's the most important thing.

Questions

I have some questions for everyone. I wants lots of opinions... although I'll be surprised if I get many.

1) Can you love someone and hate them at the same time? For example a teenager having a fight with their parent obviously at that moment they hate their parent. Do they only hate them and then switch to loving them again later? Or do they hate them and love them at the same time? I find this interesting because the most negative energy (hate I guess) I ever feel towards anyone is always people I love the most, like best friends, family, partners. If you're not that close to me I'm just not going to get emotional hurt or feel strongly negative towards you. I personally think hate and love are very strongly connected, and I'd like to think that hate and love can coexist towards the same person.

2) Does unconditional love actually exist on earth or is it just a nice concept? For example if you love someone, you might say you love them unconditionally, but then if they cheated on you would you still love them? I don't know - I think it goes back to the can you hate them and love them at the same time question. If you can hate and love at the same time then maybe unconditional love does exist. If you can't then I think if unconditional love exists it may only be in a parent-child relationship, not to say that all parents love their children unconditionally, but I think mine do.

3) Does anyone else think the Pearl Jam song Help Help sounds a lot like the songs on Dave Navarro's trust no one? I do.

:-) M

:-(

Currently listening to: Off He Goes by Pearl Jam
Currently feeling: Hungry and sick and very very tired
Currently drinking: Water
Currently wishing: I could go back in time to Saturday

Friday!

Hello Kirsty sent this to me. I think this is cute. Is that disturbing? Probably. Have a nice day!

50 Random Facts

Good morning! Today is 50 random facts you may or may not have known about me. I got the idea from Alissa's blog who got the idea from someone else. So yeah I stole it, but I thought it was kinda cool. Anyway...

1. I am left-handed
2. I have a birthmark the shape of Spain on my back
3. My natural hair colour is medium-brown
4. I studied Law for two years before deciding I wanted to do Computer Science
5. I have over 100 CDs but haven't bought any in the past 8 months
6. I can do this really cool thing with my tongue, but I can't explain it. It's like rolling it but better!
7. I have never been to hospital as a patient
8. I adore Andrew Lloyd Weber musicals
9. I have only had two boyfriends
10. I have kissed about 30 people
11. I have never kissed a girl
12. I am allergic to some cats, but not others
13. I skipped a year at primary school
14. I only have my restricted drivers license (I have had it for over 3 years now!)
15. I have lived my whole life in Christchurch
16. I have never cheated in my life (except maybe in card games with my sisters).
17. I never got a detention in my life.
18. I never bunked school.
19. My family is very close, and so is my extended family (they almost all live in Chch, and I flat with my two wonderful cousins Kirsty and Andrew)
20. I LOVE cornflakes.
21. I also love porridge.
22. I could eat breakfast foods all day.
23. I try to go to the gym every morning, in reality I end up going about three mornings a week.
24. I own 4 guitars (I play piano and guitar).
25. I didn't get my ears pierced until I turned 22.
26. 2005 has been the best year of my life.
27. When I was 15 my penfriend in Ghana proposed to me (I turned him down).
28. I can waterski on one ski but I can't wake board (yet!).
29. I still count my high school friends amongst my best friends and I'm in contact with almost all of them (6 years on!)
30. Every morning I watch the Wild Thornberries because I love it.
31. I love dressing up.
32. I love wearing pjs all day.
33. My little sister Amy has a scar on her back from when I pushed her off the bed and she fell onto a stereo.
34. I have no scars.
35. I am addicted to diet coke and trying to cut down.
36. I hate peas! But I don't really mind the taste of them.
37. I also hate apples... I just don't like them!
38. I have never played a game of netball in my life (and don't ever plan to).
39. When I was little I wanted to be a mermaid.
40. I wrote in a diary every single night for about 6 or 7 years.
41. I love the movie Desperado.
42. I try to go to bed around 9.30pm Sunday through Thursday.
43. I hate hidden tracks on albums.
44. I have all the Flying Circus (Monty Python) episodes on DVD.
45. I am the eldest of all my cousins on my Mum's side.
46. The most expensive thing I own is my Ovation Guitar.
47. When I was little I was so scared of burglars that I couldn't close my own curtains after dark.
48. I am getting over a fear of aliens (when I saw Signs I had my eyes closed for most of the movie, and my fingers in my ears).
49. I often love movies that other people think are crap (eg From Hell)

And finally....

50. I have over 17 pairs of shoes

Answers

1. Why do women very rarely make the first move? Is it because of complete laziness on their behalf, or are they just too clueless to know when a guy is interested, or do they really just not care about who they go out with as long as they don't put any effort in to get them? - BHN

Dear Nick, again this is difficult for me to answer as I would happily make the first move if:
a) I was sure the guy was interested
b) I really liked him and even if he wasn't obviously interested I thought he could be
c) I knew that there was less than 10% chance of being rejected

I think the last point in the vital one. So yeah sometimes the girl may be clueless that the guy is interested. With most guys it's so obvious so that when someone slightly more subtle comes along you just assume they're not interested. But I'd say mostly it'd be the fear or rejection/looking silly. But then again I'm not the best person to ask. I've made moves on guys before and can't remember an instance where I was interested in someone and didn't make a move on them. And also almost without a gap I've been in 2 long term relationships over the past 5 years, so I haven't done a lot of dating.

2. What is the most flattering thing a guy has ever said to you mindy? - BHN

Well that's a pretty personal question I can't tell you the most flattering as I feel that would be a bit disloyal to the person who said it. So this is going to sound silly but it'd haven't to be "You're so beautiful"... I know that's a bit uninventive but I've always been self conscious about my looks, growing up with glasses and "beauty spots" on my face, and to be told that by someone who I believed when they said it was pretty flattering. Oh someone also once told me they loved the way I kissed and I was pretty flattered by that.

Today

Do you want to know what really nice about today? What's special and different from other days? Well I'll tell you. Today I thought I'd try something different and wear wet clothes instead of dry ones. I'm not enjoying it much. Actually what happened was my drink bottle leaked on my work clothes on the way to the gym and so my clothes got all wet. Now I could have changed my wet top when I got home from the gym (and in retrospect that would have been an intelligent thing to do) however that would have interrupted my morning ritual of eating and watching cartoons. Anyway I did change my socks... and my top isn't that wet really. I just noticed it walking into work, maybe the cold air empahsized the wetness.

Also aren't personal associations you make in your head interesting? Personally I very frequently go through intense periods of listening to certain songs or CDs. And so I associate the songs or albums to a specific memory from that time oh and also people. For example:

Live - The Distance to Here - driving from Port Underwood to Picton
Pearl Jam - Hail Hail - For some reason I can't remember it reminds me of Dunedin
RHCP - Blood Sugar Sex Magik - on holiday with my friends at Akaroa in the summer after 7th form
RHCP - One Hot Minute - Reminds me of walking around the Hill at Church Bay
Pearl Jam - Off he goes - the first time I fell in love
John Frusciante - Shadows Collide with people - falling in love the second time
The Mars Volta - Some of the Deloused songs and the Tremulant EP - house sitting for my Granddad when I was in 3rd year cosc and Lara
Led Zeppelin - II - Driving to Lake Selfe for a camping holiday

There's also thousands more... but those were just the ones I could think of off the top of my head. And I'm guessing in the future I'll associate any REM song with being here at work! It's nice because I always make positive associations. I'm always happy to be reminded of the time/place/person again.

:-) M

Biorhythms

Wow check out my biorhythms for today! They're great! No wonder I'm having such a good day. If you want to check yours go to: Daily Biorhythm .

This is the House That Darren Built

Ok more like a set of a townhouses than just a house. And also he didn't build them by himself.

Here is a nice view of the houses.

And here is another nice view of them.

Don't they look pretty in the setting sun?

Wow look in this one you can see my car! Which is the only reason I included it. Isn't my car great? It's the one on the right. :-)

I'm back

Ok I was only away for 1 day so no one may have even noticed I was gone. But that's not the point. The point is I'm back now! And where was I? At home! I decided I was getting too tired and stressed out last week so I took a day's leave yesterday and I'm so glad I did. I had a great day!

So last Friday was Food Friday at work... and I got to talk to Adam... in person! Woo wee. That was pretty funny. And then on Friday I had a very early night. Saturday Darren and I hung out and well Sunday I can't remember what I did. It probably involved tidying my room. And oh yeah I went to Spotlight. And yesterday was the best day by far... I sorted out all my plants, and then I spent the day sewing and watching Stargate and then when I'd watched all the Stargates I watched Scrubs. :-)

Hope you all had a nice weekend and a nice day at work yesterday (haha!).

:-) M

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Well the Red Hot Chili Peppers are my favourite band in the world (still). I'm not going to say they are the best or anything like that as I know I like them for more than just their musical talents, but they are extremely talented musicians.

My first encounter with the Peppers came in my last year of high school. I was shopping with Kim and maybe someone else for CDs for Uma's birthday (we were getting her a Live album) and anyway I decided to buy myself a CD at the same time, I was tossing up between the Distance to Here (Live) and Californication (Peppers) just because I'd heard Scar Tissue on the radio and been teaching myself to play it on the guitar. Anyway I chose Californication and fell head over heels in love with the album, and soon the band as well. (Don't worry I've got the Distance to Here now as well).

So I was totally hooked and I needed more. Fast. My next purchase was Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Well actually my Daddy bought it for me :-) However, he wouldn't let me have it until after bursary exams were over.... but I made it through and then got it and LOVED it! It is still probably my favourite album ever. I'm glad that back when I was building my Peppers CD collection I was poor because it meant I really thoroughly listened to an album before moving onto the next one. So yeah then I got One Hot Minute for Christmas, and the following year finished up the collection with Mother's Milk, Freaky Styley, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Uplift Mofo Party Plan. I now have a lot more than that too.

Interesting fact: one of my requirements for dating someone is they have to not hate the Chili Peppers. When I met Darren I asked him two questions before giving him my phone number
1) Do you drive, and do you have a car?
2) Do you hate the Chili Peppers?
Luckily for him he passed both questions :-) I'm not shallow really, but it would just be too hard to make the relationship work if either of those two were the wrong answer.

Side note: I had a wonderful evening last night. I went out with Fenia and Klava. We went to Dennys for dinner which was ok, and then to the Palms where we did a little shopping before going to see House of Wax. Which was a strange movie. It was kind of really stupid, but also good as well. So I'm very confused as to whether to recommend it or not.

:-) M

Led Zeppelin

It's lucky that today is Led Zeppelin because well I'm too tired to write anything much, and Led Zeppelin really doesn't need anything written about them! They are the only one of my top 5 I haven't seen live and never will (for obviously reasons). They are so so so so so great, and I just can't emphasize that enough. They are also a band I love completely without any emotional biases towards them. It's almost like a fact that they are brilliant, not just my opinion.

Also I have all the albums so if anyone needs to borrow any let me know.

:-) M

The Mars Volta

Number 3 The Mars Volta

Well since I can't be bothered actually going and looking up facts for each of these bands, I'm just going to say what I think it right and it might not be - but that does not mean I am lying! Ok?

The Mars Volta are an absolutely mind-blowing band. They are relatively young compared to the other bands on my top 5 (in terms of how long they've been around, not how old they are, although they are also personally younger than ther others but that's not really the point).

I first came across the Mars Volta when they were touring with the Chili Peppers which I think happened in 2002 but I can't be bothered coutning backwards on my fingers but anyway they were getting booed of the stage by dumb ass Chili Peppers fans. John apparently loved the band so of course I had to listen. And they were great. When I first heard them they didn't have an album out, just the Tremulant EP with 3 songs on it, and they were awesome. Their music is very alternative, um hard to explain, there's a technical term for it but I can't remember. It's not soft anyway, and has a lot of Latin influences as the band is from Southern America, and one of the members was born in Puerto Rico.

Another thing woth noting about the Mars Volta is they were absolutely MIND BLOWING live. I was so incredibly lucky to see them twice. Once in their own concert where they played an amazing set which was their first album from start to finish with some jams and new bits mixed in. It was the more incredible thing to watch, the singer Cedric really put his entire heart into the show. The second time was the day after at the Big Day Out, and despite that and the necessity for a shorter set they still did themselves extremely proud.

:-) M

Jane's Addiction

Number 4..... Jane's Addiction. Now Jane's Addiction are a very awesome band. I got into Jane's Addiction not too long ago, probably back in 2000. At that time I'd been a big Red Hot Chili Peppers fan (yes the Red Hot Chili Peppers are giong to come up a lot this week) and had always had it in my mind to have a listen to Jane's for a couple of reasons:

1) Dave Navarro who joined the Peppers for 1 album (One Hot Minute) was the guitarist in Jane's Addiction
2) The Peppers spoke highly of Jane's Addiction and respected them as artists... so much so that Flea (from the Peppers) toured with Jane's Relapse tour in 1997.

So I guess by 2000 I finally got around to giving them a proper listen. Appallingly I can't even remember which album I got first! Oh hang on I think it was actually Kettle Whistle. Actually as an aside I believe I may even have gotten into Porno for Pyros before Jane's Addiction which is odd, but I have a feeling that's what happened. You're probably all totally confused, or bored and no longer reading. But Porno for Pyros was a band lead by Perry Farell of Jane's Addiction and I remember absolutely falling head over heels with their song "Tahitian Moon" - I mean I would have married that song and had 10,000 of it's babies.

So what's my point? No really, I've forgotten my point. Oh that's right my point is Porno might have been another reason I got into Jane's. But anyway Jane's Addiction are a brilliant Alternative Rock band from the late 80s and 90s. Their song Jane Says is one of my all time favourites. And they sadly broke up, did a reunion tour in 1997, reformed in 2000 and something (maybe 2003) with a new bassist and I was SO SO SO extremely lucky to see them at the Big Day Out. And then they broke up again. 3 members of the 2000-version of the band: Dave Navarro, Chris Chaney and Steven Perkins have joined with Steve Isaacs to form a new band The Panic Chanel. Album due out this year (fingers crossed!).

And Dave Navarro is really hot and looks like Darren. Except Darren refuses to dress up like Dave in fishnets, a feather boa, and some eyeliner to accentuate those gorgeous lashes of his. Humph.

:-) M

Live

Live are really the reason I even decided to do this top 5 thing. You see my car doesn't have a CD player, it only has a tape deck and I have just a few tapes that I listen to in it. For the past 6 months I've been listening to a RHCP mix over and over and over and over, and so in the weekend I changed tapes and put in Live. Now the reason I just happen to have Live tapes is because when I started listening to Live in about 1998 I didn't have a CD player, and also I copied them all from Uma. So anyway I put in this tape, and it sounded really bad for awhile because my tape player sucks... but then it sorted itself out and then I heard the first chord of Lakini's Juice (a live version) and I realised how much I love and miss Live.

I went through a stage (of a few years) of not respecting them as much and consequently not listening to them. This was in the wake of their 5th and 6th albums which I didn't like as much as their first 4. But now I've realised that I do actually love V (their 5th album) and how awesome their earlier albums are - so they jumped right up from about 12th back to the top 5. Lucky them.

Now Live are brilliant Live. Haha. I've seen them thrice and although the first performance was far superior to the second and third each time I was suitably impressed with their stage show. Incidentally I rank them probably 6th or 7th for their Live performance.

1st Red Hot Chili Peppers (no question, I'm not being biased, they were amazing).
2nd Mars Volta
3rd REM (very professional)
4th Jane's Addiction (would have been higher but I didn't feel a huge amount of chemistry)

And probably some other bands I can't remember right now. I'm not a big Metallica fan but I do respect them... they were awesome at the Big Day Out, and played an extended set, and came on early to fill the stage after the dickhead Strokes were too drunk to play their set. I think that's pretty awesome of a band to do... normally bands dick around keeping you waiting for ages, don't even think about them coming on early! Also in my performance bad books are the Dandy Warhols... which is a band I love... but they really sucked live. Like they just seemed like they weren't at all ready, and they actually kept screwing up.

Anyway Live are great. I don't believe they'll be around too much longer... although I could be terribly wrong. They have so many songs I love and I can't even think of one single one to say... just listen to the whole Secret Samadhi album (pictured above).

:-) M

This Week

Hello everyone this week I'm doing my top 5. So each day I'm going to post about one of my 5 favourite bands. Please note these are not my favourite recording artists necessarily, I'm only considering fully fledged bands at this stage. Enjoy :-)

Humph

I have spent my entire morning at work tracking down a critical bug that was reported to me, that happened not to be a bug at all! Now I have mixed emotions about this.

a) I am very happy it is not a bug, because if it was I would have written it, and I was so sure it was working correctly.

b) I am very annoyed because I am VERY busy today and want that two hours back!

That is all. I guess I will look on the bright side and thinking about the fact that the system is working all nice and correctly.
Hope you are having a wonderful wonderful day.

:-) M

Check these out

For Girls
For Guys

Apparently a new ad campaign in Britain, I think they're pretty cool :-)

Frazzled

This is me. I am frazzled. Thanks for the image Kon :-)

Bad news

For me anyway.

Tonight is finally the night Andrew is making tuna (although Kirsty cooked very yummy tea last night) and I'm not even going to be home for tea! Oh cruel fate!

That's all I wanted to say. Oh and my new shampoo smells really nice (it's Garnier Fructus or something) and also Adam is an updating god at the moment!

:-) M

ps Nick (or others) if you have any questions feel free to ask, it is ask Mindy day.

:-)

For everybody who doesn't already know this is Darren. He gets a nice big picture because he's so tall, actually he's not really that tall at all. He just gets a big picture anyway. It's one of the perks of being the blogmaster's boyfriend ;-) Anyway I just thought I'd put a picture of him up because he's gorgeous and I adore him. And his eyelashes are so beautiful and I thought I should share that with everyone. Plus he's been such a wonderful boyfriend lately so there you go. Actually everyone who does know him can just skip this. So this picture is actually from a year ago just before we went to a ball together, so that's why he's nicely dressed up. Anyway Darren and I have been together for um just over 1.5 years now. He's a builder, and he likes Kung Fu and watching movies and watching Kung Fu movies, and building stuff, and Stargate, and cornchips... and me! And we have our ups and downs but they're getting less uppy and downy as time goes on and evening out a bit :-)

So there you go now there's been pictures on my blog of two of the four main men of my life. They are: Dad, Darren, Andrew, and Nick. And you can all see Nick by going to his website (just on the right there). And well Andrew - one day I'll get a picture of him. Also on that topic Andrew makes YUMMY tuna pasta bake and I love it so much that I get hungry just thinking about it, and he's making it for tea tonight and so now I am forever in his debt.

Also I'd just like to say everyone who doesn't like/love Stargate you should watch it because it's great. Although I know that's a bit hard as it's not on TV at the moment. But I can probably hook you up ;) Also I watched this week's episode of Scrubs last night... I think it's the last of the season sob sob sob :( Anyway it was pretty funny you should all make sure you watch it when it's on tomorrow.

:-) M