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Saturday 30 January 2010

CALLING ALL BEER WENCHES



CALLING ALL BEER WENCHES


An advertisement placed on NZ website - Trade Me, for a midget or large chested woman has caused quite a stir. The men who placed the ad, were searching for a beer wench to fetch them cold drinks while they attended the Rugby World Sevens in Wellington. The successful applicant would have to wear an outfit picked out by the men and be paid in cuddles and shoulder lifts. The site received eleven applications before it was removed because of complaints.

Now, where did I put my CV? NOT



COURT UPDATE


The court ruled in my favour, woohoo! I knew I was in the right all along but it's nice to see it in writing. Also, this means I'll get my $250 excess back. The other driver has to pay my insurance company for damages and the Judge said I could not have avoided the accident and was not contributory negligent. I say again...WOOHOO! What a relief to have that sorted.

SPEAKING OF DRIVING...

The average person spends 2 weeks of their life waiting for a traffic light to change.



BOOKS READ THIS MONTH


1 The Dark Tower - The Drawing Of The Three - Stephen King


Oh bugga, I guess this should be titled BOOK read this month. Better luck next month KB.



IN OTHER NEWS


I went to the supermarket to purchase some Kiwi Fruit but the only ones I could find were grown in Italy. WTF? For those who don't know, Kiwi is a slang term for New Zealander and I live in NZ. You'd think it would be easy to find a home grown Kiwi Fruit.

Bye for now.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT...NEVER AGAIN, I HOPE

I went to court for the first time yesterday. Steve and I set off early because neither of us knew what the parking situation would be like. Basically, there wasn't any! There's this huge new building with about 20 car parks. Luckily, we found a park over at the shopping centre and headed off to court.

I felt very intimidated while I was there. I've never seen so many guards in one place. Both Steve and I felt overdresses in our 'good clothes'. Most of the public there were dressed in shorts and jandals (thongs, flip flops). I felt really out of place as most of the other people there were Maori or Islanders.

As most of you are aware I have suffered from panic attacks in the past. I didn't feel too bad considering I had to wait for a while in a crowded area with a lack of fresh air. I was hanging on to my bag for dear life (my over active imagination tellin me I was probably in the presence or murders, rapists and thieves). I'm really glad Steve was with me, I wouldn't have wanted to be there alone.

The thing that unnerved me the most was how comfortable everyone else looked. Like they hung out there everyday. They was a family of children sitting across from me. The eldest (who looked like she needed babysitting herself), playing cards with her sisters and appearing as happy as if she were sitting in her front room.

The hearing wasn't too bad. There was myself, Steve, the other driver, a representative from my insurance company and the judge. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest when I had to explain the events in my words but I calmed down after that. The judge will make his decision and advise us within the week. All that worrying and laying awake at night for something that lasted no more than 15 mins.

I'm happy it's over and done with and I managed to get through it OK. And as Mum said, this time last year, I was feeling so anxious, I probably would have ran out the door.

I don't have much else to report this week. I had my hair chopped off earlier in the week. Feels good to have all that straw ( I mean hair) off my neck in this hot weather.

That's all folks!

Friday 29 January 2010

FLASH 55

He perused his bookshelf, hoping to distract his mind. He'd always been healthy so why was death continuously in his thoughts? He poured a glass of red to calm his nerves. The shrilling phone startled him .Phew, the hospital had given him the all clear. Time to move his coffin to a less conspicuous place?








An inventor from New Zealand has come up with an original idea for a coffin/book case/wine rack . Buying a coffin before death would be one less thing for loved ones to worry about and getting some use out of it before death would be an added bonus.


I think it's a great idea but being reminded of my death on a daily basis isn't really my cup of tea. I'd have to put mine out of sight.




Flash Fiction - Each Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss -G-MAN. If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.Happy reading and writing!







Tuesday 26 January 2010

UP YOUR SICKIE

QUOTE OF THE DAY

I like to work, but it's not always possible with my hectic sleep schedule.

-Anon

UP YOUR SICKIE


There's a debate going on in NZ at the moment as to whether public holidays which fall on a weekend should be reassigned to the following Monday instead. We have two holidays this year which many of the working population will miss out on as they fall on the weekend. The solution to this for many people is to call in sick or as we say in NZ - pull a sickie.

Australia is apparently having a similar problem . Today the country celebrates 'Australia Day' (bet it took ages to come up with that name). Yesterday, it was expected that over 500,000 Australians would pull a sickie to have a long weeked.

I reckon if the public holidays were changed to Mondays, many people would take the Friday off as well so I'm not sure changing the holidays would make much difference really. It doesn't matter either way in our household as Steve has to work public holidays anyway. Every time we hear about it on the news we turn to each other and say, "What the f##ck is a public holiday?" Hehe

Speaking of sickies...


This research was carried out by Viva entertainment channel to mark the launch of 'Up Your Sickie' day.

Top 20 list of those men most likely to call in sick:
1. Andy
2. Steve
3. Paul
4. John
5. Dave
6. Christopher
7. Adam
8. David
9. Mark
10. Richard
11. Tom
12. Ben
13. Ian
14. Alex
15. James
16. Alan
17. Simon
18. Dan
19. Michael
20. Daniel


Names of women most likely to call in sick:
1. Sarah
2. Becky
3. Anne
4. Emma
5. Debbie
6. Katie
7. Amy
8. Catherine
9. Jane
10. Nicola
11. Lisa
12. Julia
13. Linda
14. Anna
15. Michelle
16. Andrea
17. Louise
18. Samantha
19. Fiona
20. Lucy

I do believe I see your name up there Mr Snake!

Follow the link below for my contribution to this week's COT. I'll apologise in advance as it's naughty. Actually, I'll just blame Steve, he's a bad influence on me.

http://kbandwhitesnakeshome.blogspot.com/2010/01/carry-on-tuesday.html


Monday 25 January 2010

MICROFICTION MONDAY

Here's this week's picture and my story to go along with it:





“Did you take my sweater again Ann?” asked Betty.

She looked up but wished she hadn't. Ann really needed to borrow some underwear.




There's a link to MM on my sidebar. Please feel free to join in.

SUNDAY SCRIBBLINGS - YES

The prompt from sunday Scribblings this week is Yes.


In the past, I've said yes too often. It was easier to say yes than to voice my opinions. After years of doing the right thing, doing what was expected of me and going along with others wishes to please them, I decided it was time to speak up. It was hard to do and I noticed that some people around me weren't supportive, thought my ideas were silly and didn't like the new me. It took me a while to realise that in order to be the person I wanted to be, I would have to make huge changes in my life.

I have gone ahead and made many of those changes over the past four months. I have left my marriage, moved house and started a new relationship. I intend to make many more changes and now have the support to do so.

It's a wonderful feeling to wake up in the morning saying yes to the day rather than hiding under the covers and saying no to life.


There's a link to SS on my sidebar. Feel free to join in the fun and games.

Saturday 23 January 2010

CHECKING IN

Hi all,

Wanted to let you know that all is well. We've settled into our new place nicely. Coco loves having the garden to run around in. The only problem is that she's badly in need of a trim and keeps getting sticks and other unknown bits and pieces stuck in her fur.

I'm still struggling with topics to inspire me to write. I think I have used my blog in the past to connect with you nutters as I know you were good sounding boards. Now that I have someone special to talk to face to face everyday, I don't seem to need to vent on my blog so much. Hope that makes sense.

I'm heading to small claims court next week *sigh*. The guy who crashed into my car a few months back has decided I was the one who went through a red light. I know the accident wasn't my fault, that I followed all the correct procedures by reporting the accident etc but it's the principle of the thing, the fact he is saying I lied which is getting on top me. I just want it to be settled one way or the other.

I'm re-reading The Dark Tower Series (Stephen King) in my spare time. I read 22 books last year, which wasn't bad considering the crappy year I had. I have a whole stash of books I'm hoping to get through this year.

I won't go on and on about Steve but I will say...we're very happy and leave it at that for now.

Right, it's Idol time for me... *prepares to enter reality TV coma*

Later
XXX

P.S. The comment from Marja reminded me that I got my first bad sunburn of the summer this week. Ouch. I'm usually very careful with my skin as I tend to go pink and peel but I was enjoying some good company, yummy food and a tasty chardonnay at the time. Luckily, I had a good nurse to look after me (hehe) and I'm fine now. Unfortunately, the weather has turned and it's been raining ever since. Where did the summer go?

COMING HOME

I want you to be happy
But only on my terms
Love consumes, suffocates
Feelings given, not returned

I need to understand you
Yet I choose what I hear
Your half of our story
Makes mine disappear

Loved ones misunderstanding
Judgements adding to their strength
Who really needs the truth?
Life's easier with pretence

They try to bring me down
I leave their troubles at the door
Contentment settles over me
Home sweet home once more

Thursday 21 January 2010

FOR GRANDAD - PART 3

My Grandad was asked to contribute to a book which was being written by soldiers about their wartime experiences. Unfortunately, my Grandad passed away before his story could be published. I would like to share some of the first draft he wrote with you here. The writing is in long hand and is difficult to read at times but I will do my best Grandad. The previous entries were posted a few weeks ago.



I saw one private near me, I can't remember his name but I'll always remember him getting up saying to me, "Bugger this, I'm going to go and have a bash.". I never saw him again, but he was very courageous, as were many others. Soon after this I was hit by shrapnel from the explosion of a shell from the tank, it set off a phosphorus grenade I had in my pouch, my hand was hit and I was in great pain. I was laid in a stretcher and my wounds were dressed by a medic. I lay in the stretcher for a while and later was dragged away towards a large house. We were still under fire and I remember the medic crawling over to me and giving me words of comfort, and telling me not to worry, I would soon be "home", whether he meant heaven or England, I don't know, but he was very brave and helped a lot at the time. I was given morphine and taken into a cellar of a house and stayed there all night.

Next day began a nightmare journey back to the beach. I was strapped on the front of a jeep and just after I had been secured, shells began to fall all around us, but none hit us and after a few days of being hidden at night in cellars and going by day towards the beach, I was taken to a hospital ship by a tank landing craft and then we set sail for England. We hadn't been sailing for long when I heard machine guns and shellfire, a sailor came to where we laid, (still on stretchers) and began tying lifebelts to us saying that we were being attacked by German E boats and they would probably have to throw us into the sea!! I thought to myself, after all what I had gone through and survived so far, what a way to go. But our own torpedo boats came and drove the enemy away and I finally landed in England. I went to a hospital and was told that I had gangrene in both hands and I had to have penicillin injections every 3 hours for a period of 7 days. I remained in hospital for 5 months, losing a finger and loss of mobility of part of my left hand and burns in my right hand and wrist.

Looking back, I realise how lucky I was to survive, as when I was hit, I had a high explosive grenade left in my equipment which never went off. I owe my life to the men who took me back to the beach and I was proud to be a member of the 6th Airborne Division, I lost many friends who were killed and I hope to go back to Normandy. I never rejoined my unit after coming out of hospital, I was sent to a non combat unit. I have never met any of the survivors and I do not know if there were many who came back, so a visit to the cemetery will be a sad experience for me.

I hope that what I have remembered will be of use and I would like to keep in touch with you and buy a copy of the book when it is finished...

Wednesday 20 January 2010

FAMILY PICS

My auntie has been here for a visit from England. Haven't seen her for about six years so it's been great to catch up.

Here are some pics:

AUNTIE AND MUM




MY SIS AND HER FELLA







WHO IS THAT STRANGE MAN ON THE END WITH THE SILLY GLASSES? HEHE!













Sunday 17 January 2010

CARRY ON TUESDAY #36

This weeks prompt for COT is:

Grow old along with me
The best is yet to be



Follow the link for my contribution   Grow Old With Me

Friday 15 January 2010

FLASH 55

I stared at the anonymous comment in disbelief. From a jilted lover? My sources suggested otherwise. I pity someone who can declare such a strong statement of hatred to a complete stranger but is too cowardly to sign their name.

Dear Anon,

Let it go. Find a more constructive way to fill your days.

KB



Flash Fiction - Each Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss -
G-MAN
If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.
Happy reading and writing!
Love KB
XXXX

Friday 8 January 2010

FLASH 55 - LOVER'S BLOCK

Writing was her way of expressing herself. Replacing loneliness and quiet desperation. Until she met him. He loves and understands her completely. Words to explain this new found happiness escape her. She's used to a darker vocabulary.


"What's the matter babe?" he asks.

"Stop making me so bloody happy so I can write something," she replies.




Flash Fiction - Each Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss -
G-MAN
If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.
Happy reading and writing!
Love KB
XXXX

SKYWATCH FRIDAY

A beautiful sky to start the new year.




There's a link to Skywatch on my sidebar - feel free to join in the fun and games.

Thursday 7 January 2010

KB AND WHITESNAKES HOME

Steve and I will be keeping our existing blogs but we wanted to start a new one together too. The link is on my sidebar. Feel free to visit!

Monday 4 January 2010

SUNDAY SCRIBBLINGS - NEW LEAF

The beginning of a new year is often a time to decide to turn over a new leaf. Previously on New Year's Eve I would eat, drink and party too much. Wake up the next morning with my head in my hands saying never again. I would then proceed to make a list of goals and expect to achieve these milestones just because it was a brand new year. Sound familiar?

How things have changed. This year or should I say last year, I had a couple of glasses of wine and a few laughs with Steve and my family and was in bed by eleven. I woke up at 5.30am with a clear head, a smile on my face and a feeling that all was right in my world.

Most of the changes I made last year weren't resolutions I wrote down on paper, they were imaginings I had while I daydreamed. What I have learned is that turning over a new leaf isn't something which happens overnight. It's not about setting goals you have no idea how to reach. To me, it's about deciding and imagining the life you want to lead, the person you want to be and moving towards that reality. Some days I take a huge step and other days baby steps but it's all good. Also, I don't beat myself up if I don't reach a goal today - there's always tomorrow.

Happy daydreaming!

There's a link to SS on my sidebar - feel free to join in the fun and games.

Sunday 3 January 2010

FOR GRANDAD - Part 2

My Grandad was asked to contribute to a book which was being written by soldiers about their wartime experiences. Unfortunately, my Grandad passed away before his story could be published. I would like to share some of the first draft he wrote with you here. The writing is in long hand and is difficult to read at times but I will do my best Grandad. The previous entry was posted a fews days ago.


On the morning of the 7th June, what was left of my platoon were told to advance through the woods and to take up fresh positions. We were coming under heavier fire now from the 21st P division who were now bringing up tanks and mortars. Just about noon, as far as I can remember, Captain Mason, told us that we were in position and we began to dig in again, enemy fire was now becoming very heavy and we were very apprehensive of our position.

Captain Mason said to me, "Here we are and here we are going to stay." We then heard the ominous sound of a tank approaching. We had only grenades ... ... light .... would be of no use. I looked over to Captain Mason but he seemed unconcerned. The tank stopped some 100 yards away and pumped shells all around us and quite a number were killed and wounded.

PART 3 tomorrow (or as soon as my fingers can type it).

Friday 1 January 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR - FLASH 55

Woke up this morning
With a smile on my face
New Year beginning
No time to waste

Cuddles from my sweetheart
Family all around
Licks from my baby dog
A new life I have found

Loved ones I am missing
Thier loss more than mine
Hope they'll come around
If I give a little time




Flash Fiction - Each Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss -
G-MAN
If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.
Happy reading and writing!
Love KB
XXXX