The Angry List

Pfft the Cup

2011-10-25T15:37:00.004+10:00

The Melbourne Cup..the race that stops the nation. Pfft I have no interest in this racing, let alone I dislike horse racing all together. I find it pointless dressing up for a race. Not a public holiday here only Melbourne...a day dedicated to horse racing and finishes only in a few mins when a horse reaches the the finishing line.

So pointless..would rather spend money else-where.

School Reunions

2011-05-06T19:04:00.009+10:00

As my ten year high school reunion is approaching in several months. I ponder to myself...is it worth heading to it?

Ten years is a lot of time! From that chronological line of leaving school up to that ten year point, you have of course done a lot of things & along that have lost contact with the friends you have been friends with during your 5 years of high school.

High school reunion reminds me of the beloved comedy movie of the late 90s "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion." I am sure we all have similarity to the characters in the movie in some aspect (just minus the creation of glue and post-its).

But really, is it worth it to go when you have moved on and done things in your life and met new people along your 'life's journey' through university, work and travel?

All it is, is a big gathering of people whom you haven't seen (whether you want to or not) and seeing how they have been over the past 10 years. Unemployed, employed, rich, dating a celebrity, married, kids, found something to cure, reminiscing about the days in high school, etc...not that we are all already doing this when we catch up with all our current friends.

I really ain't feeling it. I know its along way down the track... I may change my mind ha!

Ooh bite me for being bitchy about it.

H

2011-02-20T16:14:00.004+10:00

It doesn't annoy me as much as before, yet it still makes me ponder as to why Australians (or just Queenslanders?) pronounce the letter H differently than any other English-speaking nation. Before heading to an English-speaking country (i.e. New Zealand then Australia), learning my alphabets, I enjoyed - the American way. Singing "A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H...and so forth."

Even in New Zealand, where I did my primary, intermediate and parts of high school years, spelling things with the letter "H" sounds like..well can't really describe how you are suppose to say, how to say the letter H; which isn't 'silent' as any other way, other languages pronouce the letter.

When I was in high school here in Clontarf, Queensland, I must have asked someone to spell me something, with the letter H in it; Lets just say shoe (yes I now how to spell shoe; just at times you do forget how to spell the easiest word then feeling like a dork for not remembering).

Me: "How do you spell SHOE?"
Friend: "S, Hayche, O,E"
Me: "huh. S.." (and at that same time thinking did I hear something different?)
Friend: "S, Hayche, O, E"
Me:.."err thanks" (and still puzzled)

So after this, I go home asking everyone to say the letter H...yea they say it how I say it. Go to school I still hear the 'hayche' sounding of "H" still wondering where the dickens they get it from.

I suppose its no difference when we say the letter Z, as in zed, while our American counterparts say zee. And for that, that didn't even bother me. Weird.

Fly Aways

2011-02-18T20:34:00.000+10:00

Generally, I feel pretty good after I've washed my hair. I feel clean and cool, then I regret it when my hair finally dries. Why is it that your hair is always perfect during such a small window of time? It is fly away and annoying straight after washing and for at least a day after, then, for only several hours it is just right. Any longer than that, it becomes greasy and horrible. Yeah, I could just shave my head, but I've already tried that. When you shave your head, your hair appears to grow relatively quickly and then if you regularly clip it back, you have to deal with the stubble fleck all over the sink. I don't know what's worse.

Being On Time

2011-02-09T19:30:00.002+10:00

"Yeah, she's always running late," I can hear some people who know me say. No, no, I say back, I'm always tardy because I'm disorganized, not because I hate being on time. Sometimes (and lately, it seems), it is because of the crazy traffic nowadays and the fact that I haven't cottoned on to leaving earlier to compensate for it.

I hate being on time when I am running late. For example... I wake up late for work and have to rush through the morning rituals (though I forego a decent breakfast in favor of a cup of coffee). I jump in the car and realize that I will have to make a quick detour to pay for fuel. But once I'm back on the road, the traffic is horrendous so I use every fibre of my cunning to anticipate when each lane becomes faster than the others and when it slows right down. I change lanes appropriately, and when the congestion opens up and I am faced with a gauntlet of lights, I drop the clutch at each green in order to save precious seconds otherwise wasted on slow acceleration. Then after I park the car, I speed-walk/half-jog to work and... arrive on time.

I know the whole point of rushing and tactical lane changing was to get to work on time, but when you get to work on time, no one cares. No one knows or wants to know all the trouble you just went through or just how clever you were in predicting that there would be no buses in the left lane because it was 0710 (the buses go through on the half hour). No, no one cares. But if you get there five or ten minutes late, puffing and panting, people are interested in why you are late or how angry you are at the worsening traffic these days.

What's up with that? Don't I get positive encouragement for doing something right? I think it's just strange.

Living On An Island

2011-01-31T12:23:00.002+10:00

There are some advantages of living on an island; everything evolves differently so we get weird and wonderful native critters like warm blooded animals that lay eggs. Isolation also means that when there is some kind of disastrous plague on the larger continents, Australia is safe if we shut down our borders.

Disadvantages include getting movies behind release schedules of other continents (though with the advent of media and communication this is becoming less of an issue), but the physical distance can be a pain. The costs and time to physically travel to other parts of the world is at times prohibitive, whereas European nations, for example, can just do day trips out to other countries whenever they like.

At the moment, with my wrock obsession, I pain with the knowledge that there are such cool (in a very geeky kind of way) events happening abroad like wrock tours, Yule Balls and concerts. If only I was so crazily rich I didn't have to work, I could hop on a plane and go to these things. Sigh.

Being An Angio Nurse

2011-01-30T07:11:00.004+10:00

Actually, I quite enjoy scrubbing and scouting in the angio suite. It's interesting and challenging, and you get to handle lots of very specialized products like $800 microcatheters and neuro coils half the size of a grain of rice that cost anywhere between $1200 to $2000 each. You get to learn about things like cerebral aneurysms and how you're pretty much a goner if it ruptures. Yeah, it's interesting stuff... until you get a headache.

Yesterday, after spending the day walking around the Valley with my mom and sister, I got to my parents' house with a bit of a headache. "It must be heat, or dehydration," I thought to myself, and so, ensured I continued to drink lots of water. Then I had a nap, hoping to wake up painfree. It was worse than ever; probably the worst headache I can remember having.

I ruled out most of what usually gives me headaches; squinting (I had worn my sunnies all day), dehydration (I was sure I had had enough water); lack of caffeine... wait a minute! It had been about 30 hours since I had a coffee. That must be it! So as my sister drove us home, with my headache so bad that I was nauseated, I hoped a cup of strong coffee would finally fix it.

I struggled with the coffee, half of it had gone stone cold by the time I got to it, and I could feel the headache easing. I actually got some sleep on the couch, restless as it was. When I woke up in the middle of the night, the headache was still there and worse with light. I took a Panadol and stumbled to bed, vaguely wondering what might be causing my headache if not some kind of space occupying lesion. Typical nurse thinking!

Allergies

2011-01-28T21:43:00.005+10:00

Like Hermione, I quite like the smell of freshly cut grass. It's crisp, clean and refreshing. But I have allergies. With the rain that Brisbane got over the last two months, the grass everywhere has shot up and no one has been able to trim lawns or nature strips because it's either wet out or the ground is far too soft.

This past week, however, all my neighbors had their lawn mowers out and Dad trimmed the yard as well. I was sneezing almost non-stop during half the weekend. Itchy and watery eyes, a constant tickle in my nose and sniffles, not to mention that everyone looks at you as if you've got Piggy Wiggy Flu; it's not pleasant.

I thought that if all the lawns were cut now, I might have a bit of a break, but no. The council has brought out their tractor mowers and an army of whipper snipperers to attack the nature strips and parks. Good on them for getting to the grass before the snakes and rats settle in, but whew! There's only so much antihistamine one can take per day!

Unpredictable Traffic

2011-01-21T18:52:00.000+10:00

I once wrote about how I hate Living In My Car. That is still the case. Granted, the traffic got better a few weeks after I wrote that post, but after the disastrous Brisbane flooding, traffic has become erratic and unpredictable. There is only one thing worse that getting to work late, and that is getting there way too early! I would much rather know that if I leave home at such-and-such time, I will get to work at such-and-such time. How selfish you must think I am, complaining about traffic when so many have lost so much in the floods; but I maintain that this is still a completely valid post.

Misplacing My Car

2011-01-20T18:40:00.003+10:00

It never fails to happen. Thanks to my shockingly poor memory and the day-in day-out mundanity of parking in the same multi-storey car park, I often forget where I parked the car. After paying for the ticket, I stand there, thinking... Did I go up the steps? Or down, when I left the car? Did I take the steps at all? Did I park on the inside or the outside of the spiral?

Usually when I lose the car, it is when I am able to leave work early. Of course, those fifteen minutes are completely wasted when I spend them wandering up and down the confusing double-helical car park, going up and down different stairwells, all the while trying to remember if I'm even thinking of the right day; maybe I'm headed where I parked yesterday!

Looters. Beware. Karma's Going To Bite You Out Of Nowhere

2011-01-15T16:03:00.008+10:00

Unless you have been hiding under a rock, the news about the Queensland floods have been devastating. Like some people, I have not been affected by the Brisbane River's fury or dams breaking out, regardless whether or not, these floods have affected all of us emotionally, physically and mentally.

The media has said that the floods have affectd 75% of the Queensland state or to visualize, the whole of France and Germany combined! Yes combined! Now that's scary indeed. Yes it will take a while for Ipswich, Toowoomba, Caboolture, Brisbane City and it's surrounds to mend and get back to normal, but with our Queensland spirit we will work together on to rebuild the towns, infrastructure, city and people.

Post-floods, there is an increase in dangerous critters, snakes, infection, toxic mud/soil and sewage breakouts; but the one thing that does drive me up the wall (and most of us) is looters.

This is a selfish, thoughtless and stupid act when looters go and get things when people's possessions are in a vulnerable state. Of course when devastations occur like this, it does give these people irrational thoughts and a thrill of "getting items that don't belong to them, and see what it feels like to nick them". Others probably think that they "won't get caught" or "it's out in the open, noone will know." Pfft er yes dumbass you will get caught one way or another. Ever thought of "what goes around comes around?" No? Okay then I'm thinking of something beginning with the letter "K.." Thought of it?... you only have a few seconds to guess... err... it's KARMA.

Don't you dumbasses know it's a criminal offense to loot and you could possibly do time in jail and that equals a CRIMINAL record! Might as well have a tattoo on your forehead saying LOOTER. Friends and family will be annoyed at you (or maybe disown you) if they find out you looted, yes naming and shaming you, you will definitely be very embarrassed. VERY!

If you do get caught out, watch your back because groups of people with pitchforks will get you!

Sticky Floors

2011-01-13T19:41:00.002+10:00

This is not something that makes me angry, per se; it is simply something I dislike quite a bit. From sticky cinema carpet and gum on your shoe to spilt Ultravist on the CT scanner room floor and particularly, tiles just sticky from humidity, I hate it all. Why? I don't know! Maybe it's the sound of your shoe unsticking from the surface with each step or the fact that even when you've reached a floor that is in a perfect state of unstickiness, the stickiness remains on your shoe. Then again, it could also be the thought that a sticky floor harbors more germs than a dry one; who knows what you are stepping on? Ick.

The Bottom Of A Coffee Cup

2011-01-12T00:22:00.002+10:00

I like to have a cup of coffee or tea as I do stuff; you know, potter about the internet, read a book, watch television, that sort of thing. There is something special about a strong coffee or a refreshing tea. It might be the heat of it warming your gullet, even on a day one might regard as warm. Perhaps it's the habitual motion of the hand, or a Freudian oral fixation; maybe the promise of a caffeine hit at the end.

Whatever the reason for pleasure, the worst is coming to end of your cuppa and not realizing it. Then, when next you sip, you are confronted with a disappointingly empty cup, and that last sip you had hoped to savor is already gone and forgotten. The only thing comparable to the acute let-down of an empty coffee or tea cup is searching for that second slice of delicious buttered toast in the morning, only to find that you just ate it. I hate that.

Being New

2011-01-07T18:45:00.003+10:00

Once upon a time, I was a university student for many, many years. I came to enjoy learning, writing argumentative essays, research and the general impoverished life of fun and lack of responsibility that a student has.

Then, when I began working, I was given a heavy binder full of readings and activities to get through. This, I didn't mind so much; I was very aware of my skill and knowledge limitations, so a transition package was very helpful. Besides, my brain was still wired to learn. It would be a few years' worth of work that would eventually stamp out any desire to go back to university to do further study, but I was happy to be earning money for a change.

Then one day, I woke up to the fact that I had been working in the same place for a little more than six years. I suppose I knew a lot by then, but the brain is a smart thing indeed. When things become a bit route and you realize that what was once very comfortable has turned into a rut, it is time to get out and feed your mind with something fresh and different.

So I escaped responsible adult life and fled the country, in search of adventure and challenge. After nearly a year away, reality fell and I returned home. I considered work in every department but a general ward. I found work in the medical imaging department which promised to be all kinds of challenging and interesting, and while I was keen to learn about all the things I never knew I didn't know, I came across an unexpected hurdle.

Being a novice again.

When I was first a novice, I was truly a novice; fresh out of uni, green and keen. But this time, I was a novice again. I had just gone from being an experienced nurse who others asked for help to someone who had no idea what the difference is between CT and MRI scans.

Occasionally, I felt that my new colleagues treated me like a new grad or a student, going to the most basic of things when explaining new procedures or the like. I would scream in my head on these occasions, "Yeah, I know! I've been nursing as long as you have!" but of course, my rational side would argue that my nursing background is not obvious to anyone, and it can be dangerous to assume that I know certain important details. Only too often, in fact, experienced people in any department forget that the simplest things that they encounter daily, like abbreviations for example, are lost to newbies.

It is still maddening, though.

Apart from making novice mistakes, being in a new environment where you have to look for the location of equipment, feeling unsure of what the standard procedures are and getting used to the different personalities and dynamics of the workplace, I hated trying to fit in socially.

I have always had difficulty in social settings. I would rather observe people from my quiet corner; and certainly, for the first few weeks, I interacted minimally. It usually takes me at least a year to feel comfortable around people, or I should say, comfortable about myself around new people.

Some people are all like, "Take me as I am; if you don't like it, it's your problem!" which is all well and good, but my view on work is that you spend nearly half your life there and the way you get along with your colleagues has probably the biggest impact on your happiness there. I'll just tread carefully, thanks. But therein lies my problem. Treading carefully sometimes means I have taken on the responsibilities of someone else's action. In other words, I take the blame. This has happened a few times.

Someone mixed up a medication with 20mL of water which, as a scout nurse, I delivered to the scrub nurse. The scrub nurse pointed out that I should've mixed it with only 2mL of water that it really needed. I said nothing; to have pointed out that I didn't mix it and if I had, I would've done it in 10mL (which was the actual correct volume), would have insulted two senior nurses.

Then there are the numerous times I've asked for advice on how to do some particular simple thing, and someone has kindly shown me how to do it. Then, taking the finished product to another nurse to use or handle, I have been told that I've done it wrong. "Someone else did this for me and now that I know the basics of it, I wouldn't have done it that way anyway!" is what I would love to yell at them, though oftentimes, "You're an idiot; your way makes no sense," is more relevant. But again, to speak my mind would insult too many people.

Damn being new.

Christmas Shopping

2010-12-26T19:39:00.001+10:00

I have some Christmas spirit. At least, I'm not a total humbug. I just don't like shopping, and Christmas is the worst time of the year. What does so-and-so want for Christmas? Does so-and-so already have a whatchamacallit? Do you think so-and-so will like/use a thingamejig? Then there's the budget issue; how much should you spend, how much can you afford? Worst of all, though, are the crowds.

Unless you get to the malls before the shops open, a parking space is hard to get. Car park rage is common and probably more dangerous than your everyday road rage. Somehow, Christmas brings out the worst in people. This would have to include myself. The masses in the shops during the Christmas sales means long queues at the check outs and having to hunt for a table at the food court. Places teeming with people are sites I would rather avoid.

But it's my own fault, I suppose. New Year's Resolution #1: stop procrastinating.

The Spelling Inept Who Do Crosswords

2010-11-21T09:39:00.004+10:00

I get so peeved at people who start a crossword and half finish it with wrong answers and worse, misspelt words. Apart from poor spelling being annoying and lazy, there is also the misleading clue factor and a messy result of scribbles and darkened letters trying to overwhelm the mistakes. Come on now; you'd think that people who like word puzzles would actually be at least competent spellers, wouldn't you?

Unpatriotic Rebadgers

2010-11-10T18:41:00.004+10:00

So the Yanks like our Holdens enough to turn the Caprices into Chevrolet badged cop cars (Commodores were previously badged as Pontiacs). That's a good thing; it's a proud moment when Australian muscle is considered up there with famous American muscle. And it's understandable that Holdens would be rebadged as Chevys in the States, but then why are we seeing Holdens here with Chevy badges?

A Holden is proudly Australian, so what gives with the Chevy rebadging?? If you love your Holden so much that you pay such attention to detail, let the badge be! Where's the pride?

A Holden may be a Pontiac or a Chevy in the States, but a Holden should always be a Holden in Australia.

When Crappy TV Impedes Good TV

2010-11-01T17:57:00.000+10:00

I don't watch a lot of TV. The only night I look forward to, really, is Sunday; Bones and Castle night. So you may be able to understand my weekly impatience when The X Factor goes way overtime. I used to enjoy watching people sing, but after the first couple of Australian Idols, I think we already heard the best. Most competitors aren't really all that outstanding; it is usually obvious who deserves to be in the top three without the rigmarole of voting and elimination. Why do people have to vote each week for entertainers who will release one dismal album then disappear, when the people who run our country only get one election every couple of years? Then there's Kyle Sandilands... but he might be another rant. Maybe Channel 7 should move The X Factor to another digital channel like 7crap or something.

Giddy-Up Ya Horse

2010-10-25T19:07:00.010+10:00

You will never see me at the races at all**. I dislike horse racing and I don't see the point as to why people get all so dressed up for one race, which will just finish in 2 minutes or so. Of course there are pre-shows, displaying the horses and everything else. Personally, I find horse racing so lame.

I don't see the point as to why people spend so much on attire and matching hats and accessories for a one day event. *sigh* It's not just because it's Melbourne Cup Fever, it's for all other horse racing events; the exception is for a fund-raising event. There'll be a lot of partying and drinks around and money won and lost from bets, but why oh why am I drawn to watch it when someone changes the channel to watch it?

I'm sure sick leave rises post-Melbourne Cup! LOL.

I'm happy to just watch Ready-Steady Cook instead, and anyway, if someone tells me the name of the winner, it will be going out through the other ear.

** I have been once and it was for a fund-raising event. I was bored out of my mind.

Eye Twitches

2010-10-15T13:50:00.004+10:00

Gah, blepharospasm! Okay, so it's not that big; it's that tiny little constant twitch under your eye that is too small to be seen by someone else but big enough to seriously piss you off. It twitches so rapidly and so frequently that you wonder if there's something in your eye. You've heard it said that it's just because you're a bit tired, but then, it's happening after you had a solid 12 hours of sleep, so explain that!! Gah!! It's so annoying you just want to rip your eyeball out or make a nick in that twitching muscle with a blade.

Justin Bieber

2010-10-11T14:32:00.005+10:00

How did Justin Bieber become a "megastar?" He probably is targeting the tweens of this century, but the Hansons, Aaron Carter, Li' Bow Wow and the other singers of the late 90's and early 2000 (round your age) have already "been there and done that." You're just too late.

What does Justin Bieber have, except for that annoying haircut and his woo-ing in getting the big names to be on his album, like Usher and Sean Kingston? My opinion is he's annoying. I have cousins who like him..I'm their cousin who doesn't...and the worst combination - Sean Kingston and Justin Bieber. URGH!

He can sing and dance yea that's good, but really, whats so great about him? Someone tell me please.

Doof, doof, PUNCH!

2010-09-21T00:02:00.010+10:00

NB: Apologies if I offend anyone or if you have ever been in a situation of club/pub brawls. This is just me speaking my mind and what ticks me about this topic.

I'm not sure about you, but I have to say clubbing in Brisbane and the Valley back when I was 18 years old (circ. 2001) was better than now! Everyone had fun, there were hardly any punch ups with taxi drivers, bystanders, clubbers etc... and even the bouncers got along with patrons.

Okay, don't get me wrong, I do enjoy occasional dancing and socialising with friends out on the town now, but the amount of brawls outside pubs, clubs, drug or alcohol fuelled violence is "so not cool!" to the point that it has turned me off heading out (asides from the usual "getting old/no money..."). How can someone have fun and then have it disrupted with these wankers ruining it for us all?

Okay I don't condone violence but sometimes I just feel like giving them a bitch slap for having a fight (HA!) and distrupting people's fun night outs.

The factors for punch ups are:

A) 3am lockouts - can't enter or re-enter a club/pub after 3am and the person/people are bored and "want to do something."
B) Boredom
C) Showing their masculinity/feminity (not that females fight all the time, but they do, if anyone has seen two females fight... watch out!)
D) Someone has said something that offended that person.
E) Accidentially hit or bumped into someone without saying sorry, making it a huge deal.
F) Flirting with someone's boyfriend/girlfriend
G) Tying in with the above, but men "fighting over" a girl vice versa
H) Bouncer of the club not letting them in
I) Taxi drivers/public transport denying them into the car/train/bus
J) Highly intoxicated or high on drugs or both
K) People cutting in line
L) You friend is involved and then you get involved...

I am sure there are other factors but usually these are the mains ones that I have noticed over the years I have been out.

Whenever I go out, there is at least a brawl at the start, during and end of my night out. I know it doesn't concern me too much because I ain't involved in any brawls, but it is pathetic and embarrassing, especially to tourists who happen to walk by and see what "night life" is here. Does it give them the impression that we are the violent type? We're not violent. Its just the use of drugs and alcohol (too much), that makes a few of us turn into something else, like Jekyll and Hyde. It just gives Brisbane and the Valley a bad name.

I'm sure you all have heard numerous issues on the TV/print etc about these violence on our streets every weekend, and the possible solutions to minimise violence here (well everywhere!). Councils, the entertainment business, police and people in the community are involved in ways.

It is sad and a kick to my guts when someone is badly injured and in ICU... somewhere along the lines, due to fights. All I can say it can happen to anyone. It just disrupts everyone and everything. RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

So before you get all agro towards someone, remember one of the advertisement slogans: "One Punch Kills!"

Frangipani Car Stickers

2010-09-16T18:01:00.007+10:00

I grew up around these flowers; I have many memories of running through hibiscus shrubs and getting hives from the caterpillars that lived in them, from making bubble detergent out of their crushed leaves, and fishing anteater critters from their conical sand traps with the sticky end of the flower's stamen. I love the scent of frangipanis and the search for a perfect and unmarked flower; I associate them with heat and the beach. Then there are these...

The stickers of these flowers that people put on otherwise perfectly good and clean rear windows of their cars are just so damn uglifying! And if you look through the windscreen, oftentimes there will be an equally hideous matching set of seat covers too. Ugh. They're as tacky as a Southern Cross tattoo.

I would stop now, but I just found something on Google that deserves a mention here: butterfly decals. This woman should be embarrassed.

The Word "Regimen"

2010-09-02T18:19:00.003+10:00

I cannot believe it is a real word. It sounds retarded! "Regime" is a much better sounding word that I wish would supersede it. I didn't even know it existed until a colleague and I were discussing grammar and spelling. She mentioned hearing "regimen" during one of those cosmetic or facial cream advertisements on TV and questioned whether it was a real word or not. I had doubted it since I figured that "regime" was a superior word; why would "regimen" need to exist?

Of course, it does, and frankly, I am appalled at this fact! Even more so, I am appalled at myself for not knowing the difference between them (that there is a difference is contested, however). "Regimen" apparently has to do with routines and things, while "regime" is associated with government, politics and/or authority. Other people say that they are synonyms. I think I will just avoid using either word... just as I don't describe something as "ironic" because I still don't know the meaning of irony.

Sharan Saripella

2010-08-25T06:54:00.003+10:00

To be honest, I'm not angry at this person nor do I hate them. But since using the very cool Feedjit on my blog, I have noticed that a few people have found this blog by searching for the name "Sharan Saripella" who contributed a comment in my Thieving Hacker Scum entry a year and a half ago.

Why??

Why would people from India, Canada, USA and Indonesia be searching for this particular combination of names? Who is he? What has he done? My curiosity is eating at me. So if you have come across this blog by searching for "Sharan Saripella", tell me why you are looking for him in a comment.

"Vote 1!" Well, Vote 1 For F%*# All... I'd Rather Hug A Tree

2010-08-20T00:06:00.009+10:00

I don't know why I am so annoyed at this years Australian Elections. I guess its because they booted the K-Rudd and within that party elected that Redhair lady name Julia as our PM (and first female PM). I'm happy Australia has their first women prime minister, but is she doing the job at top notch? Don't think so. K-Rudd tried his best, but just the way he was booted..ouch!

I'm not going to lie, I dislike elections with a passion. I know I really should care what would benefit the community, yet the country as a whole, but it really doesn't interest me. I really don't give two acorns about it. Promise this, promise that....pfft. Whenever 4yrs come or so, whether State or Federal..I cringe on listing what preference of MP would I vote for.

Voting is like the quickest multi-choice exam. No right or wrong, but yet it feels like an exam because you have no clue who will win within your suburb's elecorate in gaining a seat in Parliament, and once it's in the ballot, you just wish you could have changed your 'answer.'

Hrm..Pick
A) the beautiful looking one
B) the one that looks like your ex
C) the one with the a Trump comb-over
D) all the above
E) Draw the chicken with multiple answer as to "why did the chicken cross the road..?"

On the leading up to voting day we all get bombarded with television commericals, radio commericals, print media and those post, randomly on people's front yards, handouts vote for..blah blah. ARGH annoying.

On the day of election (21st August 2010), what pisses me of is that there are volunteers whom are handing out more, yes more wasted paper for elected member's faces with their 'I will....promises' Another waste of paper, eventually will end up on the ground (well as long as they go in the recycling bin), convincing us to change our mind, on who to vote for. They sound so desperate for votes.

*Sigh!* When I'm older, I will probably understand it more.

Vote 1 for free hugs..and draw a chicken!

The Misuse Of There, Their And They're

2010-08-15T12:54:00.004+10:00

I lean towards perfectionism when it comes to spelling and grammar. Don't get me wrong, I know I'm no expert, but at least I use punctuation and read what I've written before publishing or sending it. I don't mean a quick fly-by proof read, by the way, I mean people should actually read what they've written. This way, they'll be able to tell whether their thoughts flow from one concise sentence to the next, or at the very least, make sense. Look, I don't know the intricacies of proper proper grammar and I'm not even asking everyone to say "To whom shall I make the cheque out?" because if you can't pull it off, you'll sound like a bit of a douche. Actually, I dare you to put the preposition in the correct place for a couple of days and see if people look at you weirdly or pay you out for trying to be all proper-like.

No, what I'm asking people to do is to revisit that which they were taught in primary school; the difference between there, their and they're. It's very simple, really, and I don't understand why people just can't seem to grasp it. So, here's the 101.

"there" is mostly a word used to indicate the location of something, though I have included its different uses (for example, interjection and in stating the existence of something).

What have you got there?
Your bag is over there.
There it is.
There, there. It's alright.
Hey there!
There was a good movie on last night.
There has been too much gossip about Brangelina of late, hasn't there?

"their" is a word for possession. If you can replace it in a sentence with the other possessive pronouns, it is the right one to use. Examples:

Their hands were cold. Compare: Her hands were cold.
That bag is theirs. Compare: That bag is his.
Theirs was the correct way. Compare: Mine was the correct way.
Theirs no chocolate left. Compare: Yours no chocolate left. This makes no sense, so obviously it is the wrong word. The correct sentence would be "There's no chocolate left."

"they're" is a compound of the words "they" and "are". All you need to do is get into the habit of separating compound words when you write. (This also helps with deciding between your and you're, but that might be another post.) An example:

Their going out to dinner. Think. You are actually trying to say, "They are going out to dinner." So, the correct sentence is "They're going out to dinner."

Now all in one sentence:

There's their bag that they're bringing.

Broken down: There is the bag belonging to them that they are bringing. Got it? Good. Now get it right!

The Family Circus

2010-08-15T00:15:00.003+10:00

Have you ever seen Go? It's a fairly entertaining MTV kind of movie, fast-paced and shot with a lot of handhelds, and full of hot young actors doing silly illegal things involving drugs, raves and lap dancers. One scene I particularly liked was when Josh Duhamel's apparently badass drug dealer character was having his morning coffee and paper. A corner was torn from the comic strip page, and when asked about it, he explained that he rips out The Family Circus every time because its inanity and suckiness ruins his morning.

This is exactly how I feel about The Family Circus! I never understand why it even gets published because it just plain sucks. It's not funny, deep, or even cute! All it does is be annoying and make me want to find that kid and bop him over the head. BAM! I don't tear the comic out when I see it because usually when I read the paper, it is someone else's, but once my peripheral vision captures that round panel, my hand quickly goes over to conceal it so that I don't even have a chance to see those faces.

Parodies like this one are great, though we still have to look at the kid.

Living In My Car

2010-07-30T22:47:00.007+10:00

I have just recently rejoined the workforce, and while a nine to five job has advantages over shift work (weekends and evenings off, no showering patients, no medication rounds, no night duty...), there are some distinct disadvantages. One in particular stands out.

Peak hour traffic! Some days, I am sitting in my car for nearly three hours in total. How crazy is that? On good days, it is about 45 mins each way which is only a little over what I used to travel when I was able to drive outside of peak traffic times. Hills, manual transmission and low ratio gears in traffic means a tired clutch leg, the annoying stop/start thing and oftentimes, having to choose between running high revs on one gear or risk stalling out on the next. Not fun.

With the traffic situation making my days longer than they ought to be, I have to get up early and I am no early bird. I am up around 6am and get back home at around 6pm, with just enough time to have a shower, cook dinner, eat it and then fall asleep in front of the TV. I barely see the sun. When I leave the house, it is only just getting up, and when I go home, it has already set.

Now, I do love my car and I enjoy driving it like I enjoy good old musicals, but being stuck in snail pace traffic is not driving, and I could be doing other things than sitting in my car and belting out show tunes off key. I wish at least the road work near my place would be over and done with so that there would be three lanes open instead of just one. The road is done already, and I've wondered every day for the last month and half just how hard it is to paint some white lines on it. Honestly!

Vicious Vuvuzelas

2010-06-19T08:53:00.011+10:00

The majority of people watching the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa live or via TV may have been peeved off by some kind of "buzzing" sound like a swarm of bees, wondering what the dickens it is. As a matter of fact, this buzzing sound comes from an trumpet instrument called "Vuvuzela." No, it's not the name of a particular country neighbouring Colombia and Guyana.. (though I did have trouble pronouncing this word (!)). With thanks to the lovely Wiki, Vuvuzela is a "blowing horn that is 2ft long and is used predominately for socc...(whoops my bad) football games by football fans". Made out of tin or aluminium, it began (supposedly) in Mexico stadiums in the seventies, which then was caught on and became popular in South Africa in the nineties.

A South African football fan by the name of Freddie Makke claims he created the "first" one in the 1960s out of a bicycle horn; he took the black rubber off the horn for him to blow into. Because his pilot instrument was made of aluminium, it was banned as it was deemed a "weapon". It is now made out of plastic (with thanks to Makke for giving his time to go round a plastic company to create this thing). Bam! Plastic Vuvuzelas were made. After the FIFA World Cup in Argentina, it became so cool and hip that the Argentines also adopted it into their football culture. Wow.

It comes in a wide range of colours and sometimes length, and the sound it makes is piercing to the ears. Some people say it's "like a stampede of animals/a swarm of angry bees, or an instrument from hell."

One of the hosts from channel 10's 7:30 Report says "TFT: Those F%#ing Trumpets".

Well TFT are f*%$ing annoying. I can stand 10 minutes of it; but hearing it continuously at a 90min football match is pretty deafening and you don't have to be at the stadium to hear it. While on TV, commentators talk and you have the opportunity to press the mute button on your remote control... whereas the people in the stadium... tough luck.

I know it is the culture in sports (not just football but perhaps some others) to celebrate a team's victory (or loss); but for godsakes it doesn't need to be blown continuously. And blown continuously, you will definitely pass out.

There have been numerous news reports that people are annoyed at this trumpet and want a ban; labelled it as disrespectful and unfair to the players and referee, stating "it is difficult to hear one another during a match, drowning the voices..." Guess I really can't speak much as there are those party blowers (what a name) for parties, New Year and blowing it constantly etc...the difference is that a) it's not 2ft long and b) you get sick of it just toss it in the garbage bin or recycling... dare give me one Vuvuzela... I'll blow on it once then snap it in half! Ha!

Regardless if you love or loathe "TFT", it is here to stay. No matter it'd be played on African soil or around the world, Vuvuzelas have been deemed a traditional sound for whatever celebration/sport it is.

Despite all those complaints, the head honcho of FIFA Sepp Blatter states: "I have always said that Africa has a different rhythm, a different sound. I don't see banning the music traditions of fans in their own country. Would you want to see a ban on the fan traditions in your country?"

D'oh... can't win. (T_T)... now where's my iPod gone....

Being Judged By Relationships

2010-06-08T00:25:00.001+10:00

Growing up, mom always said, "Be careful who you associate with, because people will judge you by your relationships." What the...? I always liked to hang with different people. Different backgrounds, religious beliefs, ethnic heritages, as well as different social classes. It was probably the writer instinct (or maybe a touch of voyeur?) that shaped my preferences for friends, and I loved finding out how other people lived their lives. Mostly, I discovered that, generally, people felt and reacted pretty much the same, regardless of their beliefs. Oh, and by the way, these associations never seemed to hurt my reputation, or at least, my mom was spared from disgrace.

Naturally, my friends felt the same as I. Our anthem was John Lennon's "Imagine." We all believed that war would not exist if religion, patriotism and egotism didn't exist. Eh, perhaps a bit unrealistic, but I still wonder, "What John would think of the world today?" Probably not much.

One would think that in this Internet Age we might all "come together." Hmmm... if you read responses to blogs it sure doesn't seem so. Most comments are snarky, from the biting celebrity blogs to straight-laced New York Times. People hide behind their avatars and make the most horrible remarks.

When I started my blog (http://icougar.blogspot.com/) a few weeks ago I proudly stood up for women dating younger men. Reading the comments from some friends, you would think that I had taken a third world hostage and made it my personal slave state. I couldn't believe how they judged me for dating a younger man. Was it fear and loathing? Jealousy? Lack of understanding? Opposition to something alien to their beliefs? What's the difference? It's still the same old judgments, which are really just prejudices wrapped up in the disguise of "I'm only concerned for your reputation."

With thanks to my blogger friend, Lani.

Cougars

2010-06-03T12:25:00.017+10:00

I don't hate women who date younger men, I just despise the label "cougar" being given to them. I find it offensive and degrading for four reasons (so far)...

Firstly, when a woman dates a younger man, people whisper, stuff is said about her trying to regain her youth, terms like "toy boy" are dropped, and she gets a label like "cougar". Look what happens when a man is with a younger woman though. At worst he gets called a "sugar daddy", but more than likely he gets approval, and when there are whispers and name-calling, it's all about her being a gold digger or trophy wife. What's up with that? Well, it's sexism and double standards, that's what, and something that we've been fighting against for centuries.

Secondly, by simply being created, the term "cougar" also creates an incorrect perception that women dating younger men is a big deal since it is apparently worthy of its very own term. A focus on the age difference between men and women in a relationship where the woman is older only reinforces sexism.

Thirdly, film and television have portrayed many older, usually married, women as sexually starved housewives preying on younger men, and they are also considered cougars. I keep picturing Kathy Baker in Edward Scissorhands (pictured below). Though she was funny in the movie, these women are not positive role models and I feel that the term "cougar" essentially glamorizes such embarrassing behavior.

And finally, it's completely unnecessary and "ageist". I don't even think that's a valid word, but it fits my point justly. Why should the sexually promiscuous be called different things depending on her relative age? Let's call a slut a slut, shall we?, and if the "cougar" in question isn't a slut, then call her what she is: a woman.

Shitty Employers

2010-05-26T19:05:00.001+10:00

There is a business out there that justice is yet to bring down. I know an honest and hard-working person who worked for these employers faithfully for fifteen years, hardly taking recreational leave. A good month before his contract was due to expire, he personally delivered a letter stating he was not looking at renewing as he was intending to move to a new city. Over a decade of loyalty in a dangerous location (armed hold-ups were expected and normal) and doing the right thing were only met with dishonesty and disrespect.

What happened, you ask? Well, his bosses suddenly accused him of negligence that had led to merchandise losses totaling in the tens of thousands of dollars over a long period. This was the basis of his subsequent termination (though he had already resigned) which conveniently denied him of an enormous holiday and long service payout. After a police investigation into the accusation, he was cleared of this charge anyway, but still he has not heard from his employers regarding an apology, let alone the payout to which he is entitled. Lawyers are now involved.

What they did infuriates me... and they weren't even subtle or clever about it either! They have cheated many others because they have the power as employers in an unstable country where finding work is difficult. By intimidating expats with the threat of unrenewed contracts and canceled work visas, they have managed to force many into signing new contracts that nullify the benefits that their current contracts entitle them to. Those who stand up for themselves get flown back home to potentially more difficult situations and cannot afford lawyers to defend their pride and their rights.

I am keen for justice to take its course. They don't have a leg to stand on.

Tabloids

2010-05-25T12:49:00.007+10:00

When I was young, I went through phases where I would devour tabloid magazines and pretty much knew everything, true and false, that was going on in famous people's lives. Nowadays, I can't stand the worthless gossip that is sold everywhere. And I mean, everywhere. Not just in the usual women's magazines but even in current affair programs, newspapers and the five o'clock news. Whatever happened to real journalism? Leave gossip and celebrity news to magazines!

Apart from the news selling out by publishing or covering gossip, tabloids anger me by making the most innocent and private business of celebrities big and dirty deals. Though I've been a vocal member of Team Jolie since the beginning and I've said again and again how tired I am of the bitter fighting, I am caring less and less about Angelina and celebs in general. In fact, this post was brought on in defence of Jennifer Aniston who graces this week's Australian Women's Day with the cover story headline of "Nobody Wants Me". Poor Jen. If tabloids were human, they'd be the most toxic friends ever.

Hyped Celebrities

2010-04-05T04:45:00.007+10:00

Some people find a deep sense of satisfaction and pride in reading loquacious offerings of exaltation and worship about their favorite celebrity, as if the opinion of a columnist or reporter counts more than anyone else's. I don't really. I definitely don't when it comes to gush about how fantastic a completely average person is. And I especially don't when the person being praised is Jennifer Aniston.

Honestly, what is so great about her? She's not a stand out actor, she's not a stand out beauty, she's not a stand out humanitarian, she just doesn't stand out! Friends made her famous because Rachel was a decent character. But after ten years of seeing Rachel and hoping to see Jennifer stretch out her acting wings on the silver screen, what did we get? More Rachel.

Please.

Look, I don't mean to pick on her (since this is her second appearance on The Angry List). I really do hope she changes my mind. It has been known to happen! I used to hate Gwyneth Paltrow for a reason I don't even know, but after seeing Emma and The Royal Tenenbaums and liking them, I can now tolerate her quite well. Same deal with Piper Perabo. So, Jennifer, what's your next move?

Read the article that provoked this post. Ugh.

Musk

2010-03-30T10:12:00.005+10:00

Ever since I can remember, I've disliked the scent of musk. Your nose receives it as a deceptively soft fragrance, but the wool conceals a wolf that invades every space in your head, throat and chest. Every sinus, dead space and alveoli, clogged with musk.

Perhaps my adult self has been unfairly influenced by the imaginings of my youth, the strength of which grew at the same proportion as I. For as a child, I decided that musk was made of ivory because it rhymed with "tusk" and formed part of the word "musket", a deadly instrument employed to acquire the contraband.

It is possible that ever since the formulation of such a powerful hypothesis, the smell of musk now associates itself with decades-old imagery of suffocating on safari bone dust, taken from slaughtered innocent beasts, beasts which happened to be my favorite animals after having watched Dumbo and cried.

As for musk candies, pink, musk scented, sharing the same name and not covered in chocolate? It had no chance.

Wanting To Choreograph A Dance

2010-03-17T02:27:00.005+10:00

I have a burning desire to choreograph a routine! I have some music that I want to do a dance and teach to people; But the thing is that I haven't choreographed much...well just "biscuit crumb" size! Biscuit size you say??? Well:
1. threw ideas with fellow dance crew members Entourage a few years ago
2. again more ideas for a short film...so yea.

I want to do a hip hop routine; yet don't know where to start! There have been times when I am on the dance floor drunk or sober; dancing to music....when a kick-ass music comes up; I bust-a-move...and BAM! out comes a routine...then I go to myself "Hey! That was cool....let me think if I will remember the steps again..." Shit...I don't...then again that's just 'free styling."
Then there are times when a favourite song comes up...you know the beats, the rhythm, the lyrics...and realise... YES it's a good one to make up a routine to it.

It just frustrates be because I really want to but where to begin and whom to teach it too???? I know I should just go and "DOOOOO IIIIIIIIIIT!"

1. Can't copy routines
Yes inspiration from YouTube, friend's chorey's, favourite dance crews, musician..yes you get my grip....just like stealing a paragraph for your Business course essay assignment...hrm... P.L.A.G.I.A.R.I.S.M! For one they,the creator of the routine will get peeved off indeed, but if so, credit to whom you've 'borrowed' the moves too.

2. Have an idea..just can't! WTF???
I have an idea in my mind for a certain move to a song but when I try to do it; physically can't or I feel like a dork.

Like now I'm listening to an ol' skool music "Too Close" by NEXT and I am now just groovin' to the music...at the same time trying to think of moves in my head. I've listened to this song so many times that I think I can make a routine to it...extremely long or short. Guess short for starter; then when I feel confident make it longer.

*Sigh*

Matt Damon

2010-03-09T04:15:00.008+10:00

I don't get it. I really don't. What is so great about this guy? Sure, he won some kind of award for co-writing Good Will Hunting, but I thought it was a self-indulgent project. He has an air that assumes he's so much better than everyone. There is nothing humble about him.

That terrible Boston accent, that "apples" line, honestly! I can just imagine him saying, "That's such an awesome line but people will think I'm a dick if I say it in real life. It might pass as cool in a movie and I really want to do it in a Boston accent..." And that scene where Robin Williams tells him "It's not your fault." How bad was his acting in that? Really! Like, bad! He can't shed a tear for shit. I never believed his performance. And I felt the same watching him in Saving Private Ryan. He totally ruined an otherwise perfectly executed film for me.

Ugh. I just don't see what he does that is better than any other actor. The world and Matt Damon needs to get over Matt Damon.

Dictators

2010-03-05T10:00:00.007+10:00

Castro? Chavez? Are these the kind of people I'm referring to? Let me pose another question. Has this blog ever said anything worthwhile? No, this is not a high minded political discussion! I'm talking about everyday people whose decisions, based on personal preference and advantage, directly affect others whose opinions were not sought. I'm talking about the woman on my 75 hour long cross country bus ride who decided for everyone that the onboard movie was going to be played in 4x zoom.

Why the hell for? Because she chose a seat a little far from the tv, or forgot her glasses? Because she just wanted to piss us all off? Why did the rest of us have to suffer two hours of watching headless actors, half of facial reactions, ears talking or the space between a conversation?

Okay, so the movie happened to be Australia dubbed over in Spanish and one could argue the benefit of not hearing or seeing Nicole Kidman, let alone the film. But for a movie supposed to have some sweeping scenery of the outback, we were relegated to looking at it all through a pinhole. And may I stress that the prospect of three days on a bus across three countries can do unthinkable things to your resistance to watching a Nicole Kidman film.

And who invented the zoom feature anyway? What is the point of it? Who is it for? Fanatics who want to read something written on a prop or catch a tiny detail like actors' pores? Why would you want to help people like that? If you want to get closer to the film, switch to a different aspect. At least you will see what the filmmakers wanted you to enjoy. Why endure tunnel vision?

Petty Thieves

2010-02-22T09:56:00.003+10:00

I'm not talking about pick-pockets. Sure, I hate those bastards too, there's nothing more infuriating than having to go through the inconvenience of canceling cards and having none available for a while, but I'm talking about the son-of-a-bitch who stole my soap container!

I have been traveling for nearly eight months in Latin America and that soap container served me well. It consisted of three pieces; a dish that held the soap, and two halves that contained it all, keeping the soap clean and everything else dry. It was a fucking awesome soap container.

Obviously the thief recognized its outstanding features and wanted it badly enough to pluck it right out of the shower cubicle and stow it away, out of sight. Now I must endure the remainder of my trip with slippery soaps wrapped in plastic and a wet interior of a toiletries bag. Damn you coveting little coveter thief you!

Automated Blog SPAM

2010-02-20T09:39:00.001+10:00

When the internet came along as a promising new medium of communication, it couldn't escape the advertisers. Neither could email. As if pop-up adverts weren't annoying already, or SPAM email, or epileptic seizure inducing flashing banners, or Flash ads that take forever to load before your email inbox, those advertising bastards have hit us again. Blogging has taken over the world and they know it.

Mail-to was such a convenient tool for text-happy thumbs who wanted to blog their thoughts at the touch of their mobile phone send buttons. But it was a weakness in security that they exploited. By guessing the mail-to address, they can overrun your blog with advertisements, numbering into the hundreds each day. So suddenly your family friendly blog consisting of your baby's photos advertises sexual impotence solutions. Your only option is to disable the mail-to feature, which is a pity.

Thanks for wrecking another thing for us, assholes. Maybe they have shares in WiFi or smartphones, because that seems to be the only convenient way to blog on the go now.

AMI Billboards

2009-08-09T23:32:00.024+10:00

SEX! Caught your attention didn't I?

What is with these AMI billboards? Okay, so we get it there are men out there with premature ejaculation and I am sure most men find it difficult to tell their partner, let alone the whole public.

I'm sure most of you are sick of those bright red and yellow billboards displays while driving along the highways or in the city as such.

I'm sick of the advertisements on radio as well. I know it is good to advertise to men to have "nasal delivery" and get help to be "better in the bedroom for longer", but listening to it nearly four times a day or flicking the newspaper and having it staring right in front of you... oh great grrr!!

Whenever I see these ads, I wish I had a huge carton of eggs to egg the billboard or just graffiti it, look the other way... or I can just wait 'til the advertising companies think of new billboards to post up... I'll be good and wait for new billboards...

...sigh...

Losing Control

2009-06-27T08:56:00.002+10:00

This is not really something that makes me angry, but simply something that I hate. I think many people will identify with this. It is the reason I dislike scary movies, surprises and watery emotional displays. I have never understood people who enjoy these things!

Really, who wants to sit in the cinema and jump in fright, spilling popcorn all over yourself while the amused teenagers behind you piss themselves laughing? Who wants to be unprepared for a surprise and stumble over words as you try to cover up how much the surprise sucked because you either don't like how public your bad reaction will be, or they've done it when you're inappropriately dressed?

And who wants to show their soft, private side and cry drunkenly in a restaurant, trading "I love you, man!"s and telling your friends how awesome they are and how you'll miss them while you're away, even though everyone will get over it in a week and you're coming back in a year anyway?

Not me. No, thanks.

Twitter Whores

2009-05-25T10:33:00.017+10:00

I have recently broken under the irresistible niggle that is curiosity about Twitter. As far as I can figure it, it is like brief text messages called "tweets" that are publicly displayed online. You can "follow" other people to keep up to date with what they are tweeting about. Conversely, other people can follow your tweets.

The problem I have with it is that it is full of shit. Who fucking cares that you took the dog for a walk this morning? Twitter is loaded with bored idiots who have nothing meaningful to contribute, but try to gain popularity by bombarding the site about their insipid day to day events. I also don't care to read people's personal messages to each other; I wish there was a way to filter these out.

Most of all, I hate the people who concentrate on building up their number of followers rather than having a page that has any value. The most common way to do this is to follow other people, because there seems to be an unspoken obligation to return the favor if someone follows you. This is bullshit.

I don't want people to follow me if they have no interest in what I am saying. In the same way, I won't follow someone if I don't give a shit about what they write. It seems that people get offended when I don't follow back, so they stop following me. Whores. I want to read about informative things. I want to read about personal opinions that are thought-provoking or meaningful.

I was extremely disappointed with one site that seemed to spout out fantastic quotations from historical figures, but after a few hours, I found that it was a marketing ploy. He recycled a dozen sayings every few seconds and in the middle was his advertising hook. That is bullshit.

To gain exposure to readership, you need to get your messages out there pretty much every five seconds to compete with the amount of shit that gets posted up every second. This means you have to start generating the same amount and the same quality of shit that everyone else is in order to be heard. People actually do this, which is a pity because even if they have the odd moment of brilliance, the amount of bullshit in between masks any rare comment of decent quality.

In my opinion, tweet only if you are:
* providing up to date information like news, traffic or weather
* promoting your recent blog posts
* promoting other pages that you find interesting and want to share
* sharing a personal opinion or thought that has meaning beyond 140 characters
* updating your status to reflect a significant event

Don't:
* tweet superficial things like you just ate breakfast etc
* tweet-bomb; isn't half a dozen times a day plenty enough??
* follow someone just because you want to jack up your number of followers; that's lame

Finally, here is my alter-ego's Twitter page, lifeblurbs. Follow only if you care to read more and are not expecting any return favors.

Early Mornings

2009-05-22T20:28:00.006+10:00

I'm not an Early Morning Person. If you know me, you know this. I like to sleep late, and sleep in. Sunrise is overrated. As Daria once said, "There's nothing like watching the sun rise... except watching the sun set, in reverse." See? Overrated.

Unfortunately, due to the irresistible offer of doing a few challenging and emotionally rewarding shifts of utmost importance (protecting Australians from the ominous threat of the Piggy Wiggy Flu at the Brisbane entry point), I agreed to three earlies. No, not just 0700hr start earlies. These are 0500hr starts!

I canceled the first because the weather has turned cold and blustery, and I have fallen to a terrible cold and cough. So, two 0500hr starts in the frigging cold, and I'm sick to boot. Even worse is that Miss Julie is doing two happy afternoon shifts with dear Ali, where they are sure to have much fun. And I am cold, sick and working with the losers on the early. Fuck! What the hell was I thinking?

On the bright side, it is actually easy work and a few hours overtime as well. And I'm being a tad harsh on whoever I will be working with... whoever they are, I'm sure (I hope) that at least one of them will be a decent sort.

In any case, I would like to consider these shifts my last earlies. Ever.

The Rain

2009-05-20T13:39:00.004+10:00

Rain, Rain, Go Away. Come Back Another Day

So everyone has heard the rain today going non-stop since sometime last night! Lo siento, pero I'm going to say this: fuck you, rain! Got up this morning round 1020am, looked out my bedroom window and due to just waking up, still having that seedy feeling, I had to stare outside for a while to see whether it was flooding outside or not. Took me a few seconds to realise it was flooded out at the front. Then, fuck, how about downstairs? So I went, grabbed the keys for downstairs, opened the door and whoa it even flooded at the backyard. Went to open the door... and our temporary kitchen was flooded. Dammit!

Looking at the status up-dates on facebook, a few people have had their pools overflown, inside their houses flooded or leaks etc... and I feel for you all and sorry. I s'pose we all scream, swear, curse, but we can't really change mother nature can we? Why if I had the power like Bruce Almighty then it wouldn't have happened! Shit happens... shit happens... hope we can claim it back on house and content insurance.

The Skinny Look

2009-05-14T16:44:00.029+10:00

Before I type in my first entry, I would like to say thank you to Lani for letting me contribute to The Angry List blog. I find that not just us but everyone will/may have similar perspectives in life that really fucking annoy us. And for instance, skinny jeans.

A short overview of the skinny jeans or (with thanks to our wonderful friends from Wikipedia) what is also know as slim fit pants: "have a snug-fit through the legs and in the end of the small leg opening." Made popular through the 1950's and were worn by people from Elvis, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles to Marilyn Monroe, and were made popular with country stars and the rock 'n' roll era, right through to the 70's 80's and now 2009!

Okay, so it means the "skinny look" gives both sexes the look of being a bad boy/girl, celebrity, rock star, tough and as also seen in Wikipedia "old school rock" image. But what is so awesome about it? All is can say is - not everyone suits the skinny look, and only a minority pull it off! Men... for gosh sakes don't follow trends please!

Unless you are the one and only Jonas Brothers (not sure if that pic on the left are models or the Jonas Brothers)! A few girls (and I say a few because I know there are some who do dig the look) think your package does not need to be seen bulging out or your non-existent ass being exposed. Even worse is when you have your skinny jeans half way down your hips! Are you waiting for someone to pull 'em down or give you a wedgy?

This photo (right) was taken after shopping at Chermside Shopping Centre on a Thursday night... yes colourful fashion!

A memo to Julie and Lani; yes those men in the lifts, especially the one wearing the 'jeans' was rather embarrassed! Girls... I must stress that only a minority suit them i.e. Kate Moss, Senna Miller or Victoria Beckham.

Sigh!

Whether you like it or not (and I will keep shrugging at the sight of them) they are here to stay. Argh!

Everything. And Nothing.

2009-05-08T00:34:00.001+10:00

I think I have a mood disorder.

Something I Don't Know

2009-04-22T22:39:00.003+10:00

I'm angry and frustrated and I don't know why... which only makes me angrier and more frustrated! Maybe it's the last few days I've been eating shit and sleeping like shit ever since coming off night duty (only to have it again this weekend). Maybe it's because I feel like I've done jack-shit on my days off even though I got some things accomplished. But there is no sense of accomplishment. Maybe it's because I'm back at work tomorrow and I don't want to face it right now. I want to be by myself and wallow in self-pity and self-inflicted loneliness.

I think I could be too easily influenced by my environment; a quiet house no longer offers a welcome respite to the noise of the world outside, but instead, a depressing emptiness that infuses through me. I look forward to surrounding myself in lively chatter and happy company, but the subdued moods that actually meet me are disappointing blows that my melancholy can hardly bear.

I long for someone with which to share my pain yet would not submit someone to the burden of selfish anguish. I am melodramatic and pointless, weak-willed and apathetic. A formless mess that needs to be told to "get over it". What good it will do, I don't know, because I just don't fucking care.

Shitty Grammar, Bad Spelling And Lazy Typos

2009-04-20T13:44:00.007+10:00

This one is for my Soul Grammar Nazi, Steph.

People who know me know that I'm one of those Grammar Nazis. I hate bad grammar, spelling errors and simple typos. Sure, I know we're all human and make mistakes... hell, of course I do too, but when it comes to things that involve professionalism, it really irks me!

I'm talking about business signs, restaurant menus and corporate advertising. And at the moment, I'm completely frustrated by song lyrics websites that don't capitalize the first word of each line, omit apostrophes and are too lazy to correct typos that their HTML editor almost certainly makes easy by providing a colorful underscore to point out such things. I could go on (and more about inappropriate use of text abbreviations), but here are the occasions where I don't mind errors:

* on casual forums like social network message boards
* in chat rooms
* for text messages
* during instant messaging
* when using slang (written or verbal)
* when intentional to convey a point or mood
* in places where English is not the most common language (ie. Chinatown; errors are a source of entertainment and add to a feel of authenticity)

It's not difficult to learn where to put your apostrophes, differentiate between "your" and "you're" or to proof-read what you type!

Waiting

2009-03-11T12:14:00.001+10:00

Here I am again at the doctor's office, waiting for Mom to be seen. There are those same magazines about sailing and gardening, and the deafening roar of awkward silence. I curse quietly for not bringing my book. I could be reading about Che Guevara's final days in Bolivia right now. Instead, I am forced to aimlessly flick through a dated copy of a Women's Weekly reminiscing about the years passed, and I am certain I flicked through the same insipidity the last time.

I am somewhat thankful that the waiting room is full because as people enter, I feel obliged to leave so that they may have a place to sit. I head downstairs to kill some time at the cafe and buy a mocha. As I read the subtitled news on the large mounted LCD television, I try to ignore the inane chatter of the cafe waitresses and make my drink last as long as it can.

Now the cafe slowly fills up with a mix of people, all longing for a hot lunch. I sigh, resigned to the fate of losing my private solitude. Soon they will join the waitresses in their flurry of small talk and I will be immersed in it, trying to avoid their glances at the empty glass and chairs in front of me.

So I leave, before realizing there is nowhere else to go. A fine walk outside would be ideal but the weather has other plans. I think of my umbrella safely tucked away in the warm dryness of my car.

I sigh again, and head back upstairs to the waiting room. I hate waiting.

The Harry Potter Epilogue

2009-02-23T03:29:00.000+10:00

So this is a little late in coming, but a friend of mine is just finishing a good book and is struggling to get through an epilogue the length of The Old Testament. I had always thought an epilogue should go like this:

Twenty years on, Joe owns a barber shop in St Louis and Sally is happily married to a window washer in Minnesota... The End.

Easy. Simple. Conclusive.

The only time an epilogue like this one should not be used is in a book series within the genre of science-fiction and fantasy. This is a certain type of fandom. Science-fiction and fantasy fans are extraordinarily serious, imaginative and obsessive types.

Have a look at some television series; the Star Trek franchise, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The X-Files... beyond the popular ones, have a look at the ones that a mainstream audience has never even heard of; Firefly, Space: Above and Beyond, The Pretender. Years after being axed, the worlds and characters created by these shows are kept alive by cult fandom. Fans write massive amounts of fiction and keep discussions and analyses going for years on the internet.

What I'm trying to say is that despite the international popularity of the Harry Potter series, its fans fall under the umbrella of cult fandom. By ending the series with an epilogue that tells you exactly what happens to the kids when they grow up, JK Rowling has essentially killed the creative potential of her fans who would rather imagine all the possibilities that might befall their heroes. She has stolen a lifetime of happiness from those who would like to continue the adventures in their own imagination.

How can they now, when the future is written, published and paid for? Perhaps she should have followed this template:

Twenty years on, Joe owns a barber shop in St Louis and Sally is happily married to a window washer in Minnesota... The End?

The smart ones will stamp the epilogue from memory and ignore its ramifications, continuing in blind love and faith to happily write more fan fiction, while the others forged more in reality will write long disappointed blog entries about something no one cares about anymore.

Facebook Application Invitations

2009-02-22T05:19:00.008+10:00

Once upon a time, in order to instal a Facebook Application, one had to invite 20 people to join as well. There was a huge uproar and the words "Spam" and "annoying" and "fucking stupid" arose from the millions-strong pool of users all over the world. Finally, Facebook did something and made it optional. Hurrah for People Power! Or so we thought.

It would appear that the power of the people is partially derived from idiocy. Despite the most excellent addition of a "skip" or "No, thanks" link on invitation pages, it seems that ardent Facebook types are still compelled to invite everyone to join in pointless vampire sword fights against werewolves or imaginary fish tanks and garden plots.

Why? The people you add on Facebook are supposedly your friends, so why would you piss them off with stupid and useless applications that you should know they're going to hate you for? If you don't know half the people you add and invite them anyway, well then, friend sluts are another rant altogether.

Losing My Chapstick

2009-02-20T07:08:00.011+10:00

I love my Chapstick (classic). It moisturizes my lips better than any other brand I've tried. But I hate how so easily droppable and loseable it is.

* 11% of all Chapsticks are lost within one day of purchase
* 18% within one week
* 22% before half is used
* 46% end up in the washing machine
* 23% in the vortex where keys and socks also end up
* 18% lose their caps
* 15% melt in the car
* 13% are donated to people who helped themselves to it

Is this a fatal design flaw or brilliant marketing ploy? There are lip balms out there that have a keyring attachment feature, making it far less loseable and/or droppable, but why not Chapstick? I am so addicted to my Chapstick that I must have three; one in use for my pocket, the second for my bag just in case I drop the first one, and the third as yet another back up at home if, god forbid, I lose the second one as well.

While Chapstick is at it with the keyring, how about another design for the cap as well? As soon as the cap is lost to the floor (especially where I work), you might as well throw out the rest. I'm sure there are systems out there like USB sticks have that could possibly translate successfully to Chapsticks. It would save the heartache of watching a beloved Chapstick or Chapstick cap slip out of careful yet clumsy fingers and tumble in slow motion to the inevitable fate of the floor.

Being Helpless

2009-02-15T11:19:00.006+10:00

When you want to fix something, cure an illness or solve a problem for someone but can't, it is one of the worst things that can happen to someone who cares. It is like the bittersweet anguish of loving someone deeply and wishing them the world and happiness but being powerless to give them these unreachable things. Like watching the Hindenburg disaster unfold. I hate it. It hurts too much. I would be devastated to think of the emotional pain of parenthood.

Julie's Stubborness

2009-02-12T22:42:00.001+10:00

Sometimes.

Being Predictable

2009-02-11T00:38:00.004+10:00

There is a certain person not part of my family who knows far too much about my habits. It has reached a point where my reactions have become predictable, which is not in itself a bad thing, but when someone knows how to rile you, it's really annoying!

I have a tragic combination of personality traits. I'm curious, sensitive and analytical. I'm also serious, obsessive and melodramatic. This means that when someone tells me something, I want to know more, and then everything I learn must be important and fit somewhere in the grand scheme of things to help everything make more sense.

I'll get lost in my head attempting to find a kind of closure in a meaningful explanation of why whatever it is, is how it is. Sometimes if I identify with a petty detail, I will take it personally, drive myself crazy with over-thinking and then have a melodramatic emotional episode which usually culminates itself in a sulky verbal rant or long rambling email.

This has happened a few times with said certain person, but I think it is fortunate that I get over these things pretty quickly (I will usually find some truth or meaning, even if it is minor detour from the grander conclusion I was looking for). The latest "episode" had me realize just how predictable I've become, and said certain person is far far far too cheeky and willing to play upon what irks me.

I'm pretty pissed off about how easily I will bite, but just as she has learned of these weaknesses, so have I, and I have faced and dissected them all!

Pouting Poses

2009-02-08T10:08:00.000+10:00

Sometimes I look at people's photo albums in Facebook. Occasionally I will come across pictures of beautiful people at a party or a club having a good time, but every one of them will be doing a pout. Whatever happened to smiling?? The pout has a place, but not in every photo, people! Get over yourselves.

Little Shits Who Suck At Rock Band

2009-02-01T22:41:00.006+10:00

I was totally looking forward to catching up with my siblings and cousins last night. When we're all together, we have an awesome time paying each other out and just having a laugh.

My current obsession is with my brother's Xbox and Rock Band, and last night there were promises of a complete band and much fun to be had. Alas, this was not to be the case!

Unfortunately, the party was open to little kids who saw just how awesome we all were, rocking it out, and wanted a go. Complete disaster. With one shitty player, we managed to scrape together a decent song, but then my brother's mates gave up and left due to the non-funness that is your favorite song butchered by an eight year old who has no respect for the all-encompassing hogging rights of his elders.

No, I do understand that they should have a go blah blah blah, but they were so shit at it!!

After my brother's mates left, there was a vacuum to be filled. I had hoped it would be by at least half-accomplished Guitar Hero types like my sister and cousin, but again, it was not to be. I had ten minutes left before I had to run off to get ready for work and was keen to get through two more songs. I should've seen that with an eight year old first-timer on drums, a five year old on bass and a ten year old novice on lead guitar, my lead-singing days were to come to a disappointing end.

All I wanted was to finish one song before starting my shift and so, chose one of the easiest songs on the list, In Bloom by Nirvana. The band sucked so badly that the song went like this:

"Sell the kids for food. Weather changes mood. Spring is..." FAIL!

So we tried again:

"Sell the kids for food. Weather changes..." FAIL!

And then I left.

I think perhaps that what annoys me the most is that these kids see it as another pretty computer game. Okay, I am well aware that it is exactly that, but the game is also about music which these kids just do not appreciate and enjoy, and that frustrates me. The music! It's all about the music, man!

The Jolie Vs Aniston Epic

2009-01-29T11:18:00.001+10:00

A friend of mine will bring this topic up every time there is the teeniest reference to Angelina and/or Jennifer because she knows it riles me. I actually enjoy the banter that goes on around the whole debate; it's just that Brad left Jennifer some four years ago now and is still bitching about it. For fuck's sake, get over it already! Move on! She's got so much going for her yet sabotages her post-Brad relationships by talking about her ex.

Can you tell I'm on Team Jolie? But this rant isn't about how I think Angelina is a far more talented actor and infinitely more interesting and fascinating character than insipid but probably nice enough Jennifer. No, the reason the Jolie Vs Aniston thing annoys me is because it has been going on for ever. Everything has been said; every point has been argued. Who's prettier and why. Who's better for Brad and why. Who's nicer, who's a home-wrecker, who's a cheater... then there's the little nitpicks about individual characters that have nothing to do with the triangle. How can it keep going?

This is what frustrates me. When said friend brings it up, I have nothing to say but the same things over and over again. Lately, I have taken to refusing to argue but still end up saying a thing or two. It's hard to help. I think she rather enjoys the fact that it riles me so. Appropriately, she's on Team Aniston. Pfft.

Popular Entertainment

2009-01-27T22:41:00.015+10:00

Don't get me wrong; I watch some television. And movies, too. Popular shows and blockbusters, even. But I hate the way some mainstream entertainment do the whole larger than life, out of this world, blowing their own horn, dramatic bullshit. I'm talking Desperate Housewives and Sex In The City style. I have nothing against the shows themselves; I just hate their flamboyant popularity.

James Denton who did a big stint as "Mr Lyle" in The Pretender is suddenly a huge star now that he is on Desperate Housewives. John Corbett is only now popular after being in My Big Fat Greek Wedding and then Sex And The City, but flew under the radar in the 1990s when he was in Northern Exposure and The Visitor. Gerard Butler was totally hot in the box office flops Tomb Raider 2 and Timeline but only got noticed when he did PS - I Love You and 300. Johnny Depp wasn't taken seriously as a talented actor by the masses until he did the amazingly successful Pirates Of The Caribbean. Most of his award nominations have happened since this fun and silly movie (that is so not Oscar-worthy), yet he has been consistently an incredible actor.

It pisses me off that movies and television shows that are totally hyped up affect the masses so quickly and so easily. They say that an actor is hot, and then everyone thinks so too, when no one noticed them in a more modest role before. Oh my God, Robert Pattinson is not that hot. Honestly. I bet not even a quarter of his Twilight fans even registered him as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire just the year before.

I know it helps careers blah blah blah, but that doesn't stop me from rolling my eyes at bandwagon types who decide someone's hot just because they were told so.

Thieving Hacker Scum

2009-01-25T20:37:00.002+10:00

The other day I logged into my eBay account because I had just received an item I purchased last week. Imagine my surprise when I was told I had to "leave feedback for 9 items" totaling at over $7000. Yes... I bet you can imagine my surprise.

For some strange reason, I had bought 9 mobile phones. I must have done it in my sleep or maybe I actually have an alter ego called Arif Anugrah who lives in Indonesia. Whichever the case may be, my alter ego and I have great taste in mobile phones. A couple of iPhones, Nokia N-series and a Sony Erickson (though I suspect it was my alter ego who bought the Erickson, being a Nokia- and Mac-girl myself).

Now I don't know about you, but I only have 2 ears and I already own a Nokia N73, so it is only logical to come to the conclusion that my alter ego and I are exceptionally generous people to buy such expensive gifts.

So, past my sarcasm-drenched little story, you can probably gather that some little shit hacked into my account and went on a bidding spree. I immediately contacted eBay who were excellent in handling this and within 20 minutes, all 9 sales were canceled and removed from my bidding history. They are apparently in contact with law enforcement internationally and so, claim that they will follow this up. I fucking hope so!

I have since changed all of my passwords and will delete my eBay and PayPal accounts when I no longer use them regularly. This is a real lesson in vigilance and security on the internet. If I hadn't checked that day, those sales could've gone through and I wouldn't have known it until it hit my credit card. In fact, the first sale did come through and PayPal took over $700 from my bank account without me knowing it. Fortunately, it was returned within 24 hours because it didn't have enough funds (thankfully I have a separate savings account that doesn't allow transactions like these). Now I owe PayPal over $700, but I have put in a dispute claim about it. I think I might get rid of my bank details on it just to be sure they don't sneakily grab it when I get paid into that account...

I have big plans for that $7000 later this year and it angers me to think that some greedy thieving little bastard hiding behind a computer screen thousands of kilometres away could have jeopardized that! I have been planning for a nearly a year to go on a massive overseas trip and the $7000 I could've lost to that cowardly prick would've cost me some 7 months of living expenses.

Now as karma would have it, in order to get the mobile phones, the hacker dick had to give a name and address somewhere. He did this by changing my eBay details to his own (or someone he knows), and I have no issues at all in giving this away on a public forum. For the purposes of this rant, I am assuming that he is stupid enough to use his real name and address.

So, Arif Anugra of Medan in Sumatera Utara, Indonesia, you dumb FUCK, I hope you get what you deserve. I'm actually a really nice person who's never wished ill on anyone before, but I really hope eBay goes Interpol all over your ass!

Camille

2009-01-23T08:10:00.002+10:00

Yeah, so I've never met the girl. I feel bad for writing about some non-celebrity, but fuck it; she makes me angry and that's what this blog is about. I also feel bad that I'm starting to cuss but you know what? Fuck that too! There is a place for swearing and a blog about expressing anger is it.

So who is this Camille chick? She's an Aussie who has packed up her gear, left her job and family behind, and set off on an adventure around the world. Sounds alright so far. Now, why do young people go on these trips? To see the world, gain new experiences, challenge themselves, satisfy the Generation Y itchy feet syndrome, learn, and meet new people.

One of the most exciting things about embarking on a trip like this is the meeting of new people and there is of course, the prospect of hooking up with some delicious strangers, one of whom might end up being "the one". I don't see a problem with this (except maybe the whole mushy idea of "the one", but that's possibly a rant for the future).

Now, when someone titles their travel blog "Kissing My Way Around The World", I can't help but think that it might as well have been called "Slutting It Up Around The World". I'm sorry, but if your sole goal in traveling widely is to "search for the perfect kisser", you lose my respect, even if it is just a catchy hook.

To be fair, I don't think the actual blog contains much slutty activity (I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt since I have only read 4 out of 88 entries), and some people find it entertaining and even useful, but the fact that you should advertise your promiscuous intentions is fucking stupid, and in a forum accessible to your family is even worse.

So this is why Camille makes The Angry List (nothing personal, really). That, and I feel like her profile photo is lying to me. The smile, cute things in her hair... she could be the girl next door or your best mate. Why would she want people to think otherwise of her? I just don't get it.

Twilight Hype

2009-01-22T18:50:00.003+10:00

No, I've never read it and no, I've not seen the movie either. Why then am I bagging it out if I've not even given it a chance? The answer, my friend, is based on sheer principle. The fact that it is so goddamn popular and people gush and rave about it just makes me hate it more and more. It's Twilight this and Twilight that, "I love Edward" everywhere and OH MY GOD, I can't stand it anymore. So shut the fuck up, people, and don't tell me one more time that "It's really good; you should read it" because guaranteed I won't, just because you told me I should. Peace. Out.

Washing Dishes

2009-01-22T09:13:00.002+10:00

Hate it. It's greasy, sauce and bits of food get stuck in the sponge, there's never enough space on the drying rack, but most of all it's wet.

If you're not careful, you get some dirty dish water on your front and on the floor, which means you have to mop the floor as well (my fourth most hated household chore). I don't like that your hands are always wet when you wash the dishes. It means you can't change the TV channel or the song on your iPod without having to dry your hands off. No, I don't have a dishwasher. There's only one of me so a dishwasher is a waste of water.

Granted, there is a certain sense of achievement when the dishes are finally done, however, that is short-lived because then they have to be dried, my second most hated household chore. I can let them air-dry, sure, but that way, they will never return to the cupboards before being used again.

Andie McDowell

2009-01-21T08:25:00.006+10:00

I'm sorry, but for some reason I cannot explain, I can't stand this woman. Does she have any personality at all? Just thinking of her makes me angry.

Bible Bashers

2009-01-20T15:41:00.004+10:00

I respect your decision to follow your chosen religion, so why can't you respect my decision to not follow your religion? I'm already running late before you ring the doorbell. Don't you know that the Watchtower and related publications go straight into the recycling bin while the inner pages never see the light of day? It's cheating if you sell me your religion when I'm sitting at the bus stop. Why should TV evangelists get to wear expensive watches and suits? Why are they all from Texas? Can you not see just how much more logical and sensible science and history are in regards to evolution and the censorship of the bible?