Movie Review: Enchanted

My firned and I have been trying to get together to see a movie together for a while now, but our only free days are Sunday mornings. We really wanted to see another movie, but it was on at the worst time so we decided to see this. It's a pretty unique storyline and there is that fairytale ending of 'they lived happily ever after'.

James Marsden seems to have had a lot of movies out recently - Hairspray, Enchanted and the soon-to-be-released 27 Dresses (which he looks absolutely hot in!) He can be my Prince Charming anyday! *grin*

Plot: Giselle (Amy Adams) is banished by an evil queen (Susan Sarandon) from her magical, musical animated land and finds herself in the gritty reality of the streets of modern-day Manhattan.

Shocked by this strange new environment that doesn’t operate on a “happily ever after” basis, Giselle is now adrift in a chaotic world badly in need of enchantment. But when Giselle begins to fall in love with a charmingly flawed divorce lawyer (Patrick Dempsey) who has come to her aid – even though she is already promised to a perfect fairy tale prince (James Marsden) back home – she has to wonder: can a storybook view of romance survive in the real world?

Christmas 2007

I'd like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas.

I hope those of you who live in the Perth metro area are keeping cool on this bloody hot day! (it's over 44 degrees celsius here!)

Separated At Birth?

I was watcing Video Hits the other day and they had on the music video for the Bandaid song from about 20 years ago.

Check it out here. You see Bono clearly about a minute into the video. Pause it. Zoom it if you can and then check out the picture of Daniel Radcliffe to the right.

How freaky!

New Mobile Phone

I bought a new mobile phone yesterday, the Nokia 6300, after my last one gave up the ghost. It is crap!

When it rings you don't hear it, even if it is up at maximum volume. This is because the speaker is at the back of the phone, next to the camera. So when you have your phone sitting on your desk, it is face up (naturally).

The battery doesn't last anywhere near what my old one did (Nokia 6610i) and it's a lot more difficult to navigate. I'll keep plugging away.

Anyway, I may upgrade again in a couple of months and maybe change my number because I keep getting nuissance calls and obscene pictures and texts.

Incommunicado

My mobile phone is doing this weird thing where I can't hear anyone that I call or who calls me unless I either have them on loudspeaker (not very good when on a crowded train when everyone is listening to you) or when my hands free is plugged in (which is not very often because I keep it in the car and never remember to connect it, besides which I tend to ignore my phone when I am driving unless I can pull over safely and quickly).

So, now I've got to buy a new phone. This is problematic because I am very happy with my provider. I have not been in contract for several years and have no intention of going into another contract when I don't need to. Even though I make it clear that I want to buy the phone outright because I'm happy with my plan, the phone dealers still feel the need to try to sell me their products.

I'll just keep shopping around until I find the phone I want.

Random Facts 19

1. The oyster is usually ambisexual. It begins life as a male and becomes female. It may go back and forth many times.
2. Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults laugh 15-100 times a day.
3. One thousand tonnes of meteor dust falls to Earth each day.
4. A single 75-watt bulb gives more light than three 25-watt bulbs.
5. Impurities in gemstones give them their colour.
6. If you remove the pip, the flavour of the olive will be diminished.
7. Babies have taste buds all over the insides of their mouths, not just on their tongue.
8. One of the best ways to clean pewter is to rub with cabbage leaves.
9. Iceberg lettuce, until the 1920’s was called ‘criphead’.
10. About 10kg of milk is needed to make one kilogram of natural cheese.

Spelling Quiz

I Scored a 100%!

More Joondalup Fires

Because the new computer system is being installed this weekend, work closed at 5 today and will not reopen until Monday.

Instead of finishing at 8 we all got to finish early. A group of us headed off to the pub for a well deserved drink before going home.

At the intersection of Wanneroo Road & Burns Beach Road was another fire. I could see the flames while sitting at the traffic lights. They also had the helicopters dumping water on the fires.

I found out from my step brother (he's a fireman) that this one was an accident.

We haven't even got to the really hot weather yet and already we've had several fires around our place. Scary!!

Fires In Joondalup

Tuesday lunch time we had a couple of fires in the bush just off Joondalup Drive. Wanneroo Road and Joondalup Drive were closed for several hours while they tried to get it under control.

On my way home from work (9ish) they were still mopping up. It came dangerously close to jumping Joondalup Drive and threatenting the houses overlooking the lake.

The sad thing is they think that it was deliberate. Why would someone do that?

The smell is all through the house, making it hard to sleep.

Me?! The Social Butterfly?!

This weekend I have not spent one night at home for dinner!

Friday I drove to Ace's house because I was babysitting for him and his wife while they went to dinner and a show. I had to be up by 5.30 to get to their place for 7.30 to catch a bus into work. I didn't get home until after midnight.

Saturday was tough because I had training for a new computer system they are implementing in a week, so I had to be up at 6.30 to get into Perth for 8. Training lasted all day, so I didn't get home until well after 5. I got changed and headed over to a bbq at one of my neightbours down the street. I didn't get to bed until 2.

And this morning I met up with a friend for coffee in Osborne Park and got home around midday.

Ace was cooking me dinner (not ordering pizza) so was at his place about 5.30 and didn't get home until well after 11.

It feels like I've only been home to sleep this weekend. I haven't seen the folks for more than 5 hours since Thursday night because they've still been in bed when I've left and in bed when I got home!

This week at work is not going to be any different because I am on the late shift where I start at 12 and finsih at 8, so they have left when I get up and in bed when I get home!

Maybe next weekend I will actually sit down for a home cooked meal with them?

A Fire Emergency

On the ride in to work this morning I heard on the radio about a fire that happened overnight in the vicinity of my workplace.

I was secretly hoping that it had either been our building or the one right next door so that I didn't have to go to work - I really didn't feel up to it.

The Police and FESA (Fire & Emergency Services Authority) had the street closed off, so traffic was diverted down our street which, is a one way street in the opposite direction. They didn't reopen the street until late in the afternoon.

As with most cases, the business that burned down was under insured.

Justin Timberlake Hits Perth

I was so excited to go see Justin - he is definitely up there on my list of favourite concerts.

As he emerged from the centre of the stage the screens rose and the crowd went nuts.

He sang all his hits plus some new stuff and even sang an old *NSync song. He played some guitar, piano and guitar keyboard.

I'm only disappointed that I was stuck behind a camera filming his show and that my pictures aren't close ups.

It will be so much better when we finally get a decent venue for concerts. Burswood Dome is worse than a paddock full of cow paddies!

Melbourne Cup 2007

At work today we held our own Melbourne Cup race. I was stuck on the phone and only managed to get a little bit of the race. The bald man out front is one of our Senior Managers! This was actually the second time he raced today - he had raced earlier with all four of our managers. It was so funny! The guy in the jockey outfit was the rider for our team who ended up winning. Our horse was made from paper mache` which our team got together to do over a couple of Saturday afternoons, including an alcohol laden one.

I have no idea if I've won anything because I put a mystery bet on and now can't find my ticket. I do know that I placed a bet on Purple Moon who ran second so have won some money - I hope I can find my ticket!

Movie Review: The Seeker - The Dark Is Rising

Sick of sitting at home recuperating, I decided I would see this. This sort of film is right up my alley but it was only okay. I was a little lost, even at the beginning. I suppose one would need to read the books to understand it better.

Plot: On his 14th birthday Will Stanton (Alexander Ludwig) finds out that he is the last of a group of warriors - The Light - who have spent their lives fighting against evil - The Dark. Will travels through time to track down the signs that will enable him to confront the evil forces. The Dark is personified by The Rider (Christopher Eccleston).

A Painful Recovery

Today is day 3 of my recovery after my tonsil operation.

I was warned by my surgeon that today would be one of the worst days of recovery and also to watch out for bleeding which can be dangerous.

My throat and ears are extremely sore (still haven't taken the morphine yet but may take it tonight) and I do have some bleeding which I am keeping an eye on.

I'm finding that eating Minties is helping with my throat, more so than lozenges - go figure!

Random Facts 18

1. The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows.
2. The main purpose of growing rice in flooded paddocks is to drown the weeds surrounding the seedlings.
3. It takes on average 90 squirts from a cow’s udder to make a litre of milk.
4. Horseracing regulations require no racehorse’s name to contain more than 18 letters.
5. Sheep will not drink from running water.
6. Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.
7. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in England, egg whites were a popular form of laundry detergent.
8. The Hollywood sign was erected in 1923.
9. In Elizabethan times, carnations were used to spice wine and ale.
10. Up until the age of six or seven months, children can breathe and swallow simultaneously.

Long Overdue Operation

I finally had my tonsils removed yesterday after suffering excruciating bouts of tonsillitis off and on over the last 25 years.

I was up by 4.30am because I needed to be at the hospital by 6 (my operation wasn't until 10) so was pretty tired and kept snoozing before they came to get me.

When I came out of theatre my throat was absolutely killing me and I was starving. Thank god for morphine!

They took me up to my room and brought me some sandwiches, then not an hour later my lunch came around and I had ordered ice cream! Man that felt good on my throat. I had the room all to myself until the next morning for only about 30 minutes until they went off for their procedure.

I kept sleeping on and off all afternoon, waking up only when they came in to check my vitals or to give me my medications.

I had ice cream with dinner and one of the nurses managed to find me an icy pole when she woke me around midnight for another check.

I was a little bit stressed because they managed to lose my overnight bag which had all my belongings in it including my ipod as well as some throat lozenges which I was dying for. I didn't get my bag until the following morning not long before I was discharged.

My voice is different which they say will eventually correct itself and I am a walking pharmacy with the amount of medication I will need to take. Thankfully I've not had to take the really strong stuff (similar to morphine) because that has some nasty side effects.

I was supposed to have another procedure done at the same time on my nose to improve my breathing, but the anaethatist was concerned about the risks. Apparently my tonsils were so large they were obstructing over 75% of my airway which was causing my sleep apnoea and my snoring. Since they've been removed I've not been snoring!

I have 2 weeks off work to recover! Now I'm off to have some jelly!

My Space

I've been playing around on My Space trying to create a profile. I haven't found it tobe an easy thing to do. Blogger is so much better!

More Sad Work News

We are having a pretty bad run at work lately.

Back in July a good friend and someone very dear to all of us passed away from cancer, and just a couple of weeks ago we had another person from a different department pass away after a heart attack.

Today we were pulled off the phones to be told that yet another person from our department had passed away from a heart attack. She had been on dialysis for the last 3+ years and had already had a failed kidney transplant.

I have been at this company for 7 years and this is the first year that there has been anybody who I've worked with, directly or indirectly, who has passed away.

It is very depressing.

A Night Out With The Girls

A few weeks ago I started organising a team dinner for last night. There was supposed to be about 15 of us going, including partners, to the Brisbane.

I got to the pub at the arranged time of 6 to find there was a queue outside because it was full with people who had been to 'Spring in the Valley'. I queued up with the other person that was there and we were discussing the likelihood of actually getting inside, getting a table and of getting food when a third person turned up.

We finally got inside and went for a wander to see if anybody else had arrived earlier (I had given them all my mobile, but so far nobody had called) but couldn't spot anybody we knew, although I spotted a fair amout of talent.

We stopped at the bar for refreshment then headed back outside to take up a vigil near the entrance so as to spot any latecomers. We were just going to head out when I finally got a text - another 2 had arrived and were outside in the queue.

We voted to go somewhere else and piled into cars and headed over to the Como in South Perth only to be told when we got there that it was a minimum 45 minute wait for a table and longer for food. By this time it was well after 8 and I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and that was only a couple of slices of toast.

We ended up going to a little french patisserie called the Globe and the food and service was devine! We stayed until they were closing up at around 11.

From there 4 of us went on to the casino, our team leader went home early.

I haven't been to the casino in at least 7 years and it has changed so much. There are now 'pokie' machines, which I only just experienced last year when I went to the Crown casino while I was in Melbourne. And the dress code has been relaxed so that you can wear jeans and sneakers and collarless shirts (for the guys).

I searched high and low for a machine to play Poker on (which I learned to play before 'Fish' or 'Old Maid'). I ended up winning $35 which covered my expenses for the evening - bonus!

We only stayed about an hour because it was just so damn hot in there. It was good if you found a cold spot under the air conditioner, but just so uncomfortable.

I dropped every one home and fell into bed around 3am this morning. I was so exhausted, but enjoyed every minute of it.

Public Transport Chaos

For the train closure I had planned on working a late shift (starting 11.45 and finishing 8pm), driving down to Subiaco and catching the train in, but that was dashed when I found out that the Fremantle lines were closed too. I thought fate had smiled on me because I was given the early shift (starting 7am and finishing 3.15pm).

So on Monday, expecting minor delays, I was up and in the shower at 4.30am, dressed and had breakfast and walked out the door an hour later. I was at Currambine train station, waiting a good 15-20 minutes earlier than I needed to ... and... there was no train.

6.00 am came and went, still no trains. By this time I was contemplating jumping in my car and driving like a lunatic to try and get a parking spot at Glendalough train station (where there is minimal parking) and catching one of the buses which were shuttling passengers to Perth.

I decided against it thinking that there wouldn't be too long a delay. By 6.30, I had given up on catching the train, and knew that I would have no chance of getting a parking spot at Glendalough and dreaded the thought of driving in to Perth and trying to get a parking spot there either, so I rang my Mum who came and picked me up and ended up driving me in to work. My Smartrider card was debited even though I hadn't actually caught the train. *grrr*

Now remember, I was supposed to start work at 7 - I didn't get into work until 8! Our front desk security guy didn't get in until almost 9. The trains were that full they weren't picking up passengers at some stations.

I thought it would be easier going home and that it couldn't be any worse than it had been that morning. Well it wasn't as bad, but it wasn't good either.

After work I spoke to someone at the information desk and was advised that I would need to call a special phone number to have the fare put back onto my Smartrider card. I then ran across to catch the replacement bus.

We were waiting for the traffic lights to change when a bus in the next lane decided he wanted to try to squeeze between us and another bus in another lane. Next thing you know BANG! He misjudged the size of his bus and ran into the back of us (opposite of where I was sitting), so we were sitting on the side of the road for 10 minutes while the drivers sorted out insurance stuff.

I can't wait for the trains to be back to normal!

Movie Review: December Boys

I was only one of about 8 that was in the cinema for this movie tonight. It was a beautiful story and shot in South Australia.

Plot: Four orphan teenagers – all born in the same month - growing up behind the closed doors of a Catholic convent in outback Australia. For years, the boys watch younger kids leave with their newly adopted parents and have come to the realisation their time may never come.

The Reverend Mother gives the boys something to look forward to by sending them to visit the seaside for the first time. Their long awaited holiday doesn’t turn out the way they planned until they meet Teresa and Fearless, a young autocratic couple that would make the perfect parents.

As men, they remember back to the ‘60s when, as boys, they spent their first tumultuous summer by the sea as they sabotaged each other’s efforts to be the one chosen. only to discover the real meaning behind what is to be called a family.

A Fallen Eagle

Perth woke to the news this morning that a prominent former West Coast Eagles football player, Chris Mainwaring, died early this morning.

Movie Review: Die Hard 4.0

I've seen Die Hard 1 & 2 numerous times, but never from the very beginning. I've always started watching about 20 minutes in, and Die Hard 3 I've never watched. I like the action, and, for an older guy, Bruce Willis isn't half bad either. I hired the first 3 movies and watched them last week, so that I would be prepared for this one. It was action-packed the entire movie. I especially liked the car in the elevator shaft scene! Classic!

Plot: A terrorist breaches an FBI facility's computer system, and computer hackers are assassinated by the terrorist mastermind Thomas Gabriel , instead of being paid for their collaboration. The FBI, unaware of the killings, dispatches NYPD Police Detective John McClane to visit a known hacker, Matthew Farrell, as part of their investigation regarding the breach. Gabriel's henchmen attempt to assassinate McClane and Farrell, but their targets escape.

McClane and Farrell go after the terrorist when he kidnaps McClane's daughter, taking down as many bad guys as possible along the way.

Cirque Du Soleil

What can you say about this show? It is amazing! This is the third production I have seen (I've previously seen Allegria and Quidam) but I am never disappointed. I got tickets in the VIP section for the same price as a regular seat. *happy claps*

There was so much going on at the beginning, you didn't know where to look!

The whole show had me enthralled from the very beginning, including the clowns antics while ushering people to their seats.

The flexibility, fitness and committment from the performers always amazes me.

Some of the physiques on the the guys are to die for... phwoar!

I can't wait for the next production to hit town in the next 18months or so!

Random Facts 17

1. The kernel of the tree ‘Myristica Fragans’ is called nutmeg.
2. Scarlet O’Hara’s real first name was Katie.
3. A person who is scoptophobic has an intense fear of being seen.
4. If laid out in a straight line, the average adult’s circulatory system would be long enough to circle the Earth two and a half times.
5. Scientists have found chocolate has a chemical that helps counteract depression.
6. Children born in May are, on average, 200 grams heavier at birth than children born in any other month.
7. Plain vanilla is the favourite flavour of ice cream, making up 29% of all sales.
8. A camel can shut it’s nostrils during a desert sandstorm.
9. Facial hair is the fastest growing hair on the body.
10. The Nobel Peace Prize medal depicts three naked men with their hands on each other’s shoulders.

Movie Review: Hairspray

I won a double pass through a radio station to a preview of Hairspray. I had said to a friend that it was a movie I would only go and see if I won tickets, and I did!

I took Ace's wife along (hell would have to be frozen for Ace to sit through a 'chick flick') and we both enjoyed it. There were a few good laughs, and some cringeworthy moments, but in all was a very good film. John travolta in drag - hillarious! *grin*

Plot: Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair, and an even bigger heart, has only one passion – dancing. Her dream is to appear on “The Corny Collins Show,” Baltimore’s hippest dance party on TV. Tracy (Nikki Blonsky) seems a natural fit for the show except for one not-so-little problem – she doesn’t fit in. Her plus-sized figure has always set her apart from the cool crowd which she is reminded of by her loving, but over-protective plus-sized mother, Edna (John Travolta). That doesn’t stop Tracy, because if there is one thing that this girl knows, it’s that she was born to dance. As her father, Wilbur (Christopher Walken) tells her, “Go for it! You’ve got to think big to be big.”

After wowing Corny Collins (James Marsden) at her high school dance, Tracy wins a spot on his show and becomes an instant on-air sensation, much to the chagrin of the show’s reigning princess, Amber Von Tussle (Brittany Snow), and her scheming mother, Velma (Michelle Pfeiffer), who runs television station, WYZT. Even worse for Amber is the fact that it’s not just the audience who loves the new girl in town: Amber’s sweetheart, Link Larkin (Zac Efron), seems to be smitten by Tracy’s charms as well. This dance party gets personal as a bitter feud erupts between the girls while they compete for the coveted “Miss Teenage Hairspray” crown.

At school, however, a short stint in detention and raised eyebrows caused by the budding relationship between her best friend, Penny Pingleton (Amanda Bynes) and Seaweed (Elijah Kelley), opens Tracy’s eyes to a bigger issue than the latest dance craze or the coolest hairdo – racial inequality. Throwing caution to the wind, she leads a march to Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah) to fight for integration and winds up with an arrest warrant instead. Tracy is on the lam now and goes underground – literally – to Penny’s basement.

Movie Review: The Bourne Ultimatum

I have been hanging out to see this movie for ages. I've just been to see it now with Ace. We'd made a deal when we went to see Shooter that we would see this together. His wife is not a fan of action flicks otherwise he would never get to see it.

It picks up immediately from the last movie, with a bit of overlap between them.

The car chase and roof top scenes are unbelievably cool!

Matt Damon is so sexy and I love him in this role.

Plot: All he wanted to do was disappear. Instead, Jason Bourne is now hunted by the people who made him what he is. Having lost his memory and the one person he loved, he is undeterred by the barrage of bullets and a new generation of highly trained killers. Bourne has only one objective: to go back to the beginning and find out who he was.

Gremlins In My Phone

The weirdest thing happened with my mobile phone this morning.

I was getting dressed when it started ringing. This was at 6.30am, which doesn't surprise me because even though I have had this phone number for 8 odd years, people still dial the wrong number and are calling from interstate.

Anyway, I grab my phone out of my bag to see who is calling and the display is clear! Nobody is calling. The phone is still ringing though. So I push the answer button, it still keeps ringing. I push the end button, it still keeps ringing. I push several more buttons, it still keeps ringing.

In the end I had to turn it off for it to stop ringing.

Now I've got it on silent just in case it happens again.

Bizarre!!!

Movie Review: The Simpsons

I didn't really want to be at home when my stepdad's kids came round for father's day wth their screaming kids. It was just like watching an extra long episode with more characters than normal. I especially liked Bart's nude sequence. *grin*

Plot: Homer must save Springfield from a catastrophe he himself created.

Please Take A Message

I was doing my grocery shopping this afternoon and had called my mum on her mobile phone to find out what I should pick up for dinner. While we were talking, I could hear another call coming through. I've had this phone for 2+ years and it's the first time it's ever happened. I didn't even know I had call waiting on my mobile.

I was trying to get my mum off the phone so I could answer it, but then her land line rang, so she was trying to get to that phone and hang up from me. The person calling me on my mobile had hung up by the time I went to answer it, so I gave it 10minutes before calling my mum back because we hadn't decided on dinner.

It turns out that the call on their landline was someone looking for me. I have no idea who, because my stepdad took the call but didn't bother to ask who was calling and didn't take a message! He never does! The only helpfull bit of information he managed to ascertain is that they were male!

They haven't called back, so obviously it can't have been too important. But it's going to bug me until I find out who it is.

Tearful Goodbye

I attended my uncle's funeral which was held today at Pinnaroo. It was a lovely service, but if I hear Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On again I will smash something!

Being an ex SAS man, there were a lot of Vietnam veterans and other soldiers (some still serving) there.

I had forgotten some of the funnier things he used to do like mow his front lawn in his speedo's so as to give the women in the neighbourhood a thrill (his words, not mine) or even to mow the next-door-neighbours lawn because it hadn't been done properly.

After the service, we all headed down to Campbell Barracks, where the wake was held in a reception hall and fulfilled his wish for it to be a bloody good party.

Family Health Crisis Cont.

You may recall from my previous post that my uncle was receiving treatment for an inoperable brain tumour.

Sadly, we have just found out that he died earlier this evening. His funeral will be later this week.

It feels as though, ever since my Grandma died, our family only gets together at funerals. Whereas before she died, we used to get together at Christmas, her birthday and Mother's Day.

It's sad really...

Random Facts 16

1. In France, it is illegal for a person to kiss another on railways.


2. A person uses approximately 57 sheets of toilet paper each day.


3. An office desk has 400 times more bacteria than a toilet.


4. The blue whale weighs 50 tonnes at birth, and as much as 150 tonnes fully grown.


5. Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury.


6. The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred & Wilma Flintstone.


7. Men can read smaller print than women. Women can hear better.


8. Graffiti is the Italian word for ‘scratched drawings’.


9. Daily, the human race grown by about 214,000 people.


10. A firefly is a type of beetle.

Back At Work

After a month off, it was really hard to go back to work today and it was utter chaos! It feels like I was never gone.

The only time I got a break off the phones was when I had my tea or lunch break - the calls were non-stop the whole day. I even resorted to going and sitting in a toilet cubicle for 5 minutes, just to get some peace and quiet.

Random Facts 15

1. You share your birthday with at least nine million other people around the world.
2. Longest recorded female legs are 126cm – as tall as an average 10-year-old.
3. Australia is the only country that is also a continent.
4. Honey is the only food that does not spoil.
5. A horse can sleep standing up.
6. The hyoid bone in the throat is the only bone in the human body not joined to another.
7. The number 4 is the only number in the English language that has the same number of letters in it’s name as it’s meaning.
8. The only lizard that has a voice is a gecko.
9. In one day, the human brain generates more electrical impulses than all the telephones in the world put together.
10. Rats can go without water longer than camels.

Movie Review: Fantastic Four Rise Of The Silver Surfer

Another day, another movie. This time I watched the first movie so that I could follow the second. Chris Evans is a bit of alright and is the only thing that really makes the movie worth watching. Jessica Alba's character's eye colour changes from her natural brown in the first movie to blue in the second which looks really freaky with her much blonder hair from first to second movie.

Plot: The Fantastic Four, meets their greatest challenge yet as The Silver Surfer comes to Earth to prepare it for destruction. As the Silver Surfer races around the globe wreaking havoc, Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben must unravel the mystery of the Silver Surfer and confront the surprising return of their mortal enemy, Dr. Doom, before all hope is lost.

Movie Review: Ocean's 13

I've been putting off seeing this movie, because I wanted to watch the first 2 again before seeing this, but as it is at the end of it's run, I took the plunge and took myself off to see it.

Plot: When one of their own, Reuben Tishkoff builds a hotel with known casino owner Willy Banks, the last thing he ever wanted was to get cut out of the deal personally by the loathsome Banks. Banks' attitude even goes so far as to finding the amusement in Tishkoff's misfortune when the double cross lands Reuben in the hospital.

However, Danny and his crew won't stand for Banks and what he's done to a friend. Uniting with their old enemy Benedict, who himself has a vendetta against Banks, the crew is out to pull off a major plan. One that will unfold on the night Banks' newest hot spot opens up, when the crew is out to bankrupt one of the city's most despised businessmen.

They're not in this for the money, but for the revenge.

Book Review: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows

For the last 2 books, I have lined up to be one of the first to get the books, and this year was no different. When the last book came out, I had been out the night before and was coming home at around 2 in the morning and seriously considered camping out to be one of the first in line, but it was way too cold and my bed was calling me.

Also for the last 2 books, I have started reading it as soon as I got home and not put it down until I finished it. I read it all today.

I won't spoil it for those who haven't finished it, but I will say a few favourite characters die and I will admit I bawled my eyes out when they did.

It is an excellent book. I definitely wasn't disappointed!

DVD Reviews: Dreamgirls

I have been waiting for this one to come out on dvd for ages.

I followed the season of American Idol when Jennifer Hudson was in it, and was blown away by her performance in this. She absolutely deserved the Oscar!

Plot: Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson - three friends from Chicago - are a promising singing trio called The Dreamettes. Accompanied by their songwriter C.C. White (Effie's brother), they travel to New York to compete in a talent show at the Apollo Theatre.

Although the girls lose this first bid for fame, their talent attracts an ambitious manager by the name of Curtis Taylor, Jr., who uses unscrupulous tactics to move the girls from backup singers of superstar James "Thunder" Early to superstars of their own.

Curtis reshapes the group to "crossover" from R & B to the lucrative pop music scene. Lead singer Effie gets replaced by the more attractive Deena and is eventually dropped from the trio.

The group evolves into a more sophisticated group, The Dreams, with a lighter sound and chic look. They successfully attract a "whiter" audience and The Dreams rise to international stardom. The money, fame, and adulation, however, doesn't bring them happiness.

A Better Place

You may recall from a previous post that a friend from work was gravely ill. Quite a few people from all different departments at work all chipped in and raised nearly $3000 to get him back home to Tasmania. It was just amazing to know that so many people cared.

Sadly, I found out today that he passed away last night.

It makes you appreciate how precious life is and how quickly it can change.

Ross, I'm gonna miss you shaving your head or dying it in St Kilda colours for the footy, and your infectious laugh.

Even though you're gone, it doesn't mean you can't keep kicking St Kilda up the arse, cheering them to the Grand Final!

Movie Review: Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix

I have been dying to see this. I bought my ticket to the first session available as soon as they were released. I also stayed up until 1.15 one morning to buy tickets to see it again with a friend at La Premiere on Friday 13th.

Plot: Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts for one of his most difficult years yet. Not only must he study for his OWL exams, but as the Ministry of Magic is gradually taking control of Hogwarts and spares no efforts trying to discredit him, as he tries to tell the skeptical wizarding world the truth of Voldemort's return...

Movie Review: Pirates Of The Carribean - At World's End

I have been waiting to see what happens in this series. I love Johnny Depp's portrayal as Jack Sparrow - he is brilliant! I had heard some critics complain that there was no action in the movie until the final moments and that it was hard to follow. I have no idea what they are talking about.

Plot: Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann are allied with Captain Barbossa in a desperate quest to free Captain Jack Sparrow from his mind bending trap in Davy Jones’ locker – while the terrifying ghost ship, The Flying Dutchman and Davy Jones, under the control of the East India Trading Company, wreak havoc across the Seven Seas.

Navigating through treachery, betrayal and wild waters, they must forge their way to exotic Singapore and confront the cunning Chinese pirate, Say Feng. Now headed beyond the very ends of the earth, each must ultimately choose a side in a final, titanic battle – as not only their lives and fortunes, but the entire future of the freedom-loving pirate way, hangs in the balance.

No More Work...

For a while at least.

I am on holidays now until the end of the month. I have no plans other than to see a few movies (Harry Potter being one of them), buying and reading the final book in the Harry Potter series, catching up on the last several weeks of my tv shows Heroes and Lost, and generally doing nothing much else.

Bliss!!

Pregnant Pause

The majority of workers on our floor are female and there seems to be quite a few that are pregnant - 7 that are due this year.

2 have already given birth and one of those returned to work within a couple of weeks of having the baby!

Another who has just left, is due in the first week of July - she's not entirely happy with the timing because she is a Harry Potter fan and the movie comes out a week after she is due, although she says she is going to leave hubby at home with the baby and go see the movie anyway, but we'll see.

It must be something in the water...

Movie Manners Rant

There is something that I find offensive and bugs the crap out of me - people who send text messages during a movie. Admit it, we all know someone who does it, I know I do.

I've been in the situation in the past, where a person sitting nearby would be sending and receiving text messages during the movie, and in some instances, answering calls because they forgot to turn their phone off.

They are nearly always female, with teenage girls being the main offenders - organising their social lives or arguing with their boyfriends (it's happened to me before). Can't they put their social lives or domestic disputes on hold for 90 minutes - long enough to enjoy the movie?!

A strategically thrown jaffa doesn't do much to curb the behaviour, but it sure makes me feel better! *evil grin*

Life Is Not Fair

I found out today that one of my friends has cancer.

He hasn't been well for a couple of months now and has just been diagnosed with cancer in his liver, lungs and bones. His oncologist says he has 6 months, maybe 12 if chemo works.

It's heartbreaking. He's only a couple of years older than I am.

Movie Review: Shrek The Third

The social club from work put on this movie this year. I dragged my mum along with me because she's been hanging out to see it. Surprisingly the kids were well behaved for the majority of the film, but towards the end, they were getting a bit bored.

Plot: Being king isn’t for everyone – especially if you’re a prickly ogre who smells like the shallow end of a swamp. When Shrek married Fiona, the last thing he wanted was to rule Far Far Away, but when his frogger-in-law, King Harold , suddenly croaks, Shrek is quickly fitted for the crown. Now, unless the reluctant would-be king can find a suitable replacement, he’ll be royally screwed for the rest of his days.

As if Shrek didn’t have enough on his plate, Princess Fiona has another little surprise on the way. With his head spinning and his belly in knots, Shrek sets off on a quest to find the only possible heir to the throne – Fiona’s long-lost cousin, Artie, an underachieving medieval high schooler.

While the ogre is away, his old nemesis, Prince Charming rears his handsome head and returns to the kingdom of Far Far Away with redemption on his shallow little mind. Even with Donkey and the ever-so-suave Puss in Boots by their side, it’s going to take an ogre-sized effort – and a whole lot of help from Fiona and her band of princesses- for Shrek and Artie to save the day and find their own “Happily Ever Afters".

Movie Review: Happily N'ever After

At $5 it was a movie I couldn't pass up. I would have been disappointed if I had paid full price to see this. I would only recommend you hire it to shut the kids up for 90minutes while you do something more fascinating like washing your hair or cleaning out your belly-button fluff. I am so glad I only paid $5!

Plot: An alliance of evil-doers, led by Frieda, Cinderella’s evil stepmother, looks to take over Fairy Tale Land. But when Cinderella realises Frieda is out to ruin her storybook existence, she takes a dramatic turn and blossoms into the leader of the resistance effort.

Movie Review: Shooter

I am slowly getting through my list of 'must see while they are still showing' movies, and tonight was Shooter. It's the first time in ages that I've gone to the movies with someone other than a girlfriend.

I was picked up by Ace (on time) and treated to dinner at The Old Bailey in Joondalup. He then took me for a cruise through the Northbridge tunnel in his Evo - boy is that thing loud when he floors it! We then headed over to Innaloo and spent a fun hour in Timezone. I managed to kick his arse the first time we played one of the driving games, but then he beat me the next few times.

The movie itself was completely predictable. My attention was on Mark Wahlberg's body. He looks good in this film.

Being double demerits, Ace was sitting on the speed limit, yet we were harassed on the way home by the police.

Plot: Bob Lee Swagger, a former Army sniper who leaves the military after a mission goes bad is coaxed back into action by Col. Isaac Johnson. An internal document leaked to Johnson suggests that our nation's leader will be shot while speaking in Baltimore, Philadelphia, or Washington, D.C. Swagger is recruited to scope out the cities and search for flawless sight lines.

On the day of the assassination attempt, shots are fired. The president survives but another crucial target is hit. Johnson and crew frame Swagger, and Shooter shifts from firing-range specifics to the broad pursuits of an angry, betrayed fugitive.

Space Cadet

I've had one of those days when you don't feel like yourself - really!

I've had trouble all day concentrating on tasks and articulating my words, which isn't good considering I'm on the phone and computer for over 9 hours a day. I couldn't focus properly on the computer screen and kept switching off and staring into space.

I honestly don't know how I made it through today without either having an accident or even falling asleep.

I guess I can trace it back over the weekend. On Saturday I had a rotten headache which was concentrated on the usual side, my left side - head, neck and shoulder.

But by Sunday it had swapped over to the right side. I hardly ever have a headache, sore neck or shoulder concentrated on that side, so maybe that was it.

I'm off to get some rest and hopefully that will get me back on track.

Random Facts 14

1. Argentineans eat more meat than any other nation in the world.
2. Americans consume about 100 acres of pizza per day.
3. It is estimated that a plastic container will not decompose for as long as 50,000 years.
4. The only part of the human anatomy that has no blood supply is the cornea.
5. Penguins have an organ above their eyes that changes seawater to freshwater.
6. A body temperature of over 42 degrees is fatal.
7. The skin of baby mice is so transparent that you can see the milk flowing into them as they suckle.
8. Tequila is made from the juice of the agave.
9. On average women say 7000 words per day. Men manage just over 2000.
10. On average a human will spend up to 2 weeks kissing in his/her lifetime

Should I Tell Her?

I've been friends with someone for a long time, however, we have drifted apart over the last couple of years for a couple of reasons. One, I was always there to support and give her advice, but when I needed support, she wasn't there for me. And secondly, I couldn't stand her boyfriend! I never told her my feelings, instead I bit my tongue and said nothing.

Now I have a dilemma. I bumped into her first serious boyfriend about the time she hooked up with her new guy. We have become friends and I've caught up a few times with him (more often than I have her in the last few years). The opportunity to tell her never came up because on the occasions I did catch up with her, it's all been about her love life, her problems - not once has she asked me about my personal life, so I've said nothing.

I was there to pick up the pieces when they broke up years ago and she was absolutely devastated. If I were to follow the 'Best Friend Code' I would have nothing further to do with any exes my friend had, but we are no longer 'friends' as we were back then.

The question is, do I tell her?

Movie Review: Wild Hogs

I've wanted to see this for a while now and I've just realised that it is coming to the end of it's run in the cinema's. I've also heard they are filming a sequel. Normally I see the sequel but never get around to watching the first one (Bridget Jones Edge Of Reason, Oceans 12, American Pie Wedding). This time I wanted to do it in the right order.

Plot: A group of middle-aged friends who decide to rev up their routine suburban lives with a freewheeling motorcycle trip. Taking a long dreamed-of breather from their stressful jobs and family responsibilities, they can’t wait to feel the freedom of the open road.

When this mis-matched foursome, who have grown far more used to the couch than the saddle, set out for this once-in-a-lifetime experience - they encounter a world that holds far more than they ever bargained for. The trip begins to challenge their wits and their luck, especially during a chance run-in with the Del Fuegos, a real-life biker gang who are less than amused with their novice approach.

As they go looking for adventure, they soon find that they’ve embarked on a journey they will never forget.

Carjacking In Joondalup Last Night

This could have been me. I was right there!

It happened when I was driving home from work last night after getting dropped off at the train station by a friend. The other car was slightly in front of me in the next lane.

The bogged car was on my side of the road, yet the girl jumped out from the middle of the carriageway into the other lane in front of the other car!

As soon as I heard on the radio this morning that the driver had been carjacked I contacted the police to give more information. They took down details and said they would forward them on to the investigating team who would probably contact me for more information later.

Pretty scary! Thank god I drive with my doors locked!

Family Health Crisis

We only found out yesterday that one of my uncle's (mum's sister's husband) has been diagnosed with a brain tumour which is inoperable. This was around Easter.

The doctor's have given him up to 3months, that's without any treatment, or anywhere from 3months up to 18months with treatment (chemo, radiotherapy, etc).

He's a fighter, and I wish him all the best.

Hair Gone

I was getting so sick of my hair - it was just too long - so I've cut it all off!

It hung halfway down my back but it was long enough that when I was driving and sitting back in my seat, I couldn't turn my head without first leaning forward. And it was such a pain when sleeping at night! I would have to keep lifting myself up because it would be stuck under my shoulders.

In all I had about 30cm cut off - more than half! I haven't had hair this short in years and it feels great! I won't have to use so much shampoo and conditioner now either!

A Pleasant Surprise

I arrived at work only to discover that in my absence I had been moved to a new desk. All my stuff was moved by a thoughtful friend who had tried to set it up to how it was previously (but she failed miserably because everything was back to front!).

The previous occupant had not even cleaned the desk before leaving it. I felt I needed to put on gloves and a mask before even touching the keyboard or mouse - there was food and dust and eyelashes stuck under the keys *eeewwww*. It took about 30 minutes to clean my desk and set everything up again to how it was previously. I'm working tomorrow so I am going to steal my old keyboard and mouse from that desk because I know they are cleanish.

I had a nice surprise too though waiting for me when I arrived - flowers had been delivered to me! They were from Ace and his wife - as thanks for babysitting! It was a strange coincidence. I had been thinking it had been a while since I had last been given flowers and was going to buy some for home. How lovely and thoughtful!

An Extended Long Weekend

I headed in to work yesterday not feeling the best (see previous post), but thought I would soldier on regardless.

30minutes in and I knew I couldn't stay. I was coughing all over the place and I was already starting to lose my voice. I spoke to my team leader and he sent me home.

I went to the doctor's and guess what... I have tonsillitis... again! It's only been a few weeks since the last time! No fair!! *not happy*

The upside? I received a call today from a concerned Ace - wondering why I wasn't answering his calls or emails at work. I also got a text from English Lad to find out if I was really sick or faking it.

It's nice to know they care enough to check up on me. :)

A Brief But Thorough Account Of My Easter Weekend

Thursday I had off work for a nice extra long weekend. I went shopping at Cannington and Midland and picked up a couple of eggs for the folks.

Friday English Lad and his girlfriend popped over to drop off some Robbie Williams Cd's I've been trying to borrow from him. It's only taken a few months - since just before his concert at the end of last year, but hey, I finally got them!

Saturday night I babysat for Ace. With his DVD player not working I had to find an alternative to putting on a DVD and sitting them in front of it. I thought about handcuffing them to their beds but figured they would be able to get out of them because their wrists are much smaller than handcuffs are intended for, plus I didn't think Ace would find it amusing. *kidding* I raided my mum's video cabinet and found a couple of Casper the Ghost video's and one of Porky Pig and put those on instead. They watched all of them without any complaints.

Sunday I woke up with a sore throat and pounding headache but I wasn't going to let that stop me from catching up with a friend for coffee later that afternoon. It didn't help that the guy sitting next to us at the cafe` was chain-smoking like there was no tomorrow. I kept getting the smoke in my face even though he was 'blowing' it in the other direction.

Monday I wasn't feeling any better but thought I would distract myself by baking. I made a yummy lemon meringue pie, some lemon tarts and some delicious banana muffins.

Overall I had a very enjoyable weekend. Can't wait for the next one come Anzac Day!

Happy Easter 2007

I hope everybody has a safe and happy easter.

Try not to eat too many easter eggs at once!

If possible, try to avoid those friends of yours whose kids have eaten too many - they'll be the ones bouncing off the walls! *evil grin*

Random Facts 13

1. The initials M.G. on the famous cars stand for Morris Garage.
2. The top cork-producing countries in the world are Spain, Portugal and Algeria.
3. A ‘vamp’ is the upper front top of a shoe.
4. A group of foxes is called a skulk.
5. Teeth are the only parts of the human body that can’t repair themselves.
6. Only 1 in 1000 animals born in the sea grow to maturity.
7. If all the gold suspended in the world’s seawater were mined. Each person on Earth would received about 4kg.
8. When born, the white whale is black.
9. The bird that lays the largest egg in relation to its own size is the kiwi.
10. When first born a shrimp is male. Over time it gradually evolves to a female

Perth Sunrise

This was forwarded to me and is a picture taken at sunrise from Kings Park.

Why pay Elle millions of dollars, when pictures like this, taken by novices, speak more than words.

Use these sorts of pictures on our tourism brochures for overseas travellers.

Movie Review: Disturbia

Of all the luck! I was randomly handed a double pass to see the preview of this, so I dragged one of my good friends to see it. Very similar theme to the movie Rear Window. The crash scene at the beginning was so realistic, you felt you were there. It kept you on the edge of your seats the whole time. A must see when it's released 12th April.

Plot: After his father's accidental death, Kale Brecht (LaBeouf) remains withdrawn and troubled. When he lashes out at a well-intentioned but insensitive teacher, he find himself under a court-ordered house arrest. His mother, Julie (Moss), continues to cope, working extra shifts to support herself and her son, as she tries in vain to understand the changes in his personality. The walls of his house begin to close in on Kale as he takes chances to extend the boundaries – both physical and emotional – of his confinement. His interests turn outside the windows of his suburban home toward those of his neighbours, including a mutual attraction to the new girl next door (Roemer).

Together, they begin to suspect that another neighbour is a serial killer. Are their suspicions merely the product of Kale’s cabin fever and vivid imagination? Or have they unwittingly stumbled across a crime that could cost them their lives?

Movie Review: Music & Lyrics

My step-father had relatives out for lunch today to celebrate his birthday, so to avoid all the 'oldies' I thought I would finally catch this movie - I've been dying to see it for ages.

I was pleasantly surprised - Hugh Grant is growing on me. I didn't really like any of his earlier stuff, but the last few years he's actually done quite a few good films. Drew Barrymore can seem to do no wrong, I've yet to see a movie of hers and not like her in it.

One of the previews was the next Shrek movie which looks absolutely hilarious! *huge cheesy grin*

Plot: Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant), is a washed up 80's pop star who’s been reduced to working the nostalgia circuit at county fairs and amusement parks. The charismatic and talented musician gets a chance at a comeback when reigning pop diva, Cora Corman (Haley Bennett) invites him to write and record a duet with her, but there’s a problem – Alex hasn’t written a song in years, he’s never written lyrics, and he has to come up with a hit in a matter of days.

Enter Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), Alex’s beguilingly quirky plant lady, whose flair for words strikes a chord with the struggling songwriter. On the rebound from a bad relationship, Sophie is reluctant to collaborate with anyone, especially commitment-phobe Alex. As their chemistry heats up at the piano and under it, Alex and Sophie will have to face their fears – and the music – if they want to find the love and success they both deserve.

A Tale From The Whale & Ale

I went out to dinner last night to the Whale & Ale - a new pub which has only recently opened up in Clarkson.

The service was excellent and they had an extensive menu. Our meals arrived within 10 minutes of ordering them and was very yummy and reasonably priced. But the flies, they were bad - and we were sitting inside!

I liked the fact that the meals area was completely separate to the bar (unlike the Old Bailey) and they also had an area that you could use as a function room but they had it set up for large groups dining out.

There was a large double fireplace where you can imagine people will congregate around come winter, and a pleasant decor with neutral, soothing colours.

Definitely somewhere I would go back to again to eat.

Movie Review: Reign Over Me

Lucky me! I won a pass to the preview of this movie. Surprisingly, Adam Sandler is very good in this role. There are a few 'lighter' moments in the film (cue the dental secretary and the crazy patient) which goes nicely with the overall theme. Definitely a must see!

Plot: Charlie Fineman (Sandler) is in shutdown. His wife and three daughters, and even the family dog, were victims of 9/11, and since then Charlie has alienated himself from anyone or anything that might remind him of them – including his in-laws, Jonathan and Ginger (Robert Klein and Melinda Dillon), who are unsuccessfully attempting to make contact with him. He has become an eccentric, solitary figure who glides through the streets of Manhattan on his scooter or endlessly plays the same video game in his large apartment where his kitchen is in a constant state of renovation for reasons known only to him. A protective landlady, Adell (Rae Allen), fends off any potential trespassers into Charlie’s life.

When Alan Johnson (Cheadle), a successful dentist and Charlie’s one-time college roommate spots him in the street, the two renew their friendship. Because Alan did not know his family, Charlie lets him into his world, hijacking his life to such a degree (like taking him to an all-night Mel Brooks Movie Marathon) that causes tension between Alan and his wife, Janeane (Jada Pinkett Smith). Although very much in love with his wife, Alan finds a certain freedom in Charlie’s friendship, which gives him a chance to disentangle himself from Janeane’s organisation of his lifestyle. But being Charlie’s friend is not easy; his grief and his suspicion that everyone is spying on him to force him to face the memories he is trying to suppress often lead to violent outbursts.

Alan knows that his friend needs professional aid and a breakthrough comes when Charlie agrees to visit Angela (Liv Tyler), a psychiatrist in Alan’s building. Help also comes from a most unexpected source in one of Alan’s ex-patients, Donna (Saffron Burrows), whose earlier offer of a very different kind of oral procedure to the nervous dentist and the almost disastrous outcome when he knocks her back, demonstrate that she may be a little unhinged herself.

Random Facts 12

1. People living at high altitudes have more red blood cells than people living at sea level.
2. The loop on a belt that holds the loose end is called a ‘keeper’.
3. Experts say the common cold will delay a child’s grown for the cold’s duration.
4. A ‘buccula’ is the name given to a person’s double chin.
5. Male monkeys go bald in the same way men do.
6. The pelican breathes through it’s mouth. It has no nostrils.
7. A lobster’s kidney’s are in its forehead and it’s teeth are in its stomach.
8. The highest rating that can be given to a top quality diamond is D-flawless.
9. Buckingham Palace has 600 rooms.
10. Elephants and short-tailed shrews get only two hours of sleep each day.

You've Gotta Love The Irish!

Some of the best Irish jokes I've heard have come from someone who's Irish. Just like us Aussie's, they don't mind taking the piss out of themselves.

For some good Irish laughs, head here.

I Hate Being Sick

I've just got back from the doctor's and he confirmed what I have been dreading... I have tonsilitis! BAD tonsilitis. 3 days off work - YAY!!!

I've tried to go back to sleep, but can't because of all of this:

My tonsils do not look pretty. I have a fever of just over 38degrees. Half my throat is blocked due to the swelling, making it difficult to swallow fluids, let alone food. My head is pounding. My neck is stiff and sore. I'm boiling hot AND sweating like a pig!

How far is it to Antarctica?

Work News Update

You might recall from a previous post that it was not yet offical that my team leader was leaving. I can now happily announce that it is official! *victory dance*

Joke: The Perfect Husband

Several men are in the locker room of a golf club. A cell phone on a bench rings and a man engages the hands free speaker-function and begins to talk. Everyone else in the room stops to listen.

MAN: "Hello"

WOMAN: "Honey, it's me. Are you at the club?"

MAN: "Yes"

WOMAN: "I am at the mall now and found this beautiful leather coat. It's only $1,000. Is it OK if I buy it?"

MAN: "Sure, go ahead if you like it that much."

WOMAN: " I also stopped by the Mercedes dealership and saw the new 2007 models. I saw one I really liked !"

MAN: "How much?"

WOMAN: "$90,000"

MAN: "OK, but for that price I want it with all the options."

WOMAN: "Great! Oh, and one more thing .. The house I wanted last year is back on the market. They're asking $950,000"

MAN: "Well, then go ahead and give them an offer of $900,000. They will probably take it. If not, we can go the extra 50 thousand if it's really a nice house.

WOMAN: "OK. I'll see you later! I love you so much!!"

MAN: "Bye! I love you , too !

The man hangs up. The other men in the locker room are staring at him in astonishment and disbelief, with their mouths open............

He smiles and asks: "Anyone know who this phone belongs to?"

Random Facts 11

1. The largest number of children born to one woman is 69 in Russia.
2. Between the ages of 30 and 70 your nose may lengthen and widen by as much as 1.5m.
3. A fingernail or toenail takes about 6months to grow from base to tip.
4. It takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 muscles to frown.
5. Frogs never drink. They absorb water from their surroundings by osmosis.
6. Over 1500 new species have been found in Australian waters in the past 10 years.
7. Humans produce about 40,000 litres of saliva in a lifetime.
8. When a woman is pregnant, her uterus expands to 500 times it’s normal size.
9. The average person will consume 50 tonnes of food and 45,000 litres of water in a lifetime.
10. Chickens can travel up to 15km per hour.

Uniform Joke

Work has changed uniform suppliers and I was measured for my uniform in April last year (that is 10 months ago) and I have not yet been able to wear it! I have recieved 4 shirts - none of which fit me properly and there is no sign of my skirts.

The shirts are too tight across my shoulders so when I reach both arms out in front of me, it pulls tightly across my back and sleeves. Also, the front sits several inches higher than the back. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have a couple of obstacles in the way - boobs!

These people are supposed to be professionals, yet they told me to take the shirts to a clothing alterer to have them fixed - wtf? How on earth are they supposed to make shirts bigger across the shoulders without starting from scratch? There is no spare material, so they can't let any hems out.

Anyway, I went to the clothing alteration place, and guess what? They can't fix it! What a waste of time that was! So now they are going to supply the material to me and I will have someone else make the shirt's - without a pattern - but thankfully not to my cost.

If you couldn't think things could be worse, they can...

One of the admin ladies is also made to measure, but has been lucky enough that her shirts were made too large for her, so she can have them taken in. Up until today she hadn't received her skirts. She made a point of coming down and showing it to me when it arrived - it was huge! She tried it on but it was that big, it would have easily slid to the floor if she didn't have a hold of it! It was almost as wide as it is long.

If we need a parachute, we know where to look!

Happy Australia Day 2007

I hope everybody here in Perth is keeping cool in this sweltering 41.2 degree heat - and that was just after 5pm. It's not going to be much better tomorrow - it's been tipped to hit over 40 degrees too.

Where can I find an igloo?

Work News

To maintain confidentiality I won't use names, (for those of you who know me, you will know exactly who I'm talking about and possibly be cheering with me *YAY!*) but or those of you who don't a bit of background info first...

I work in a call centre taking inbound calls (not one of those pesky telemarketers from India) and work has been a bit of a drag for the last few months. The main reason for this has been a new team leader. He has previously worked at a large telecommunications company where everything was monitored from call recording to video monitoring - a camera mounted on your computer which recorded you while you were also being recorded via the phone. Thankfully we don't have video monitoring (yet) but we do get 'call coached' occasionally.

Prior to his arrival, we were 'call coached' once per month and it would only be for 5 calls. Initially he was listening to all of us in the team (there are 10 of us) all day every day and it wasn't just for 5 calls. Eventually, in one of our team meetings, we mentioned this to him (confronted would be more accurate) because it was stressing us all out. Since then he has toned it down.

Another thing I don't really like is that sometimes he will say some very crude things which are totally inappropriate in the workplace and quite possibly be misconstrued as sexual harassment.

Anyway, I could go on for ages about him (as a select few of us do at work), I heard from a work colleague today, who was having a heart to heart with her team leader... and although nothing 'official' has been said... he's leaving!! He will still be working for the company, but will be going out to work in one of our branches! *happy dance!!*

Here's a coincidence for you, you know the 'chain emails' you can get where if you pass it on within blah blah blah, your wish will come true? I did just that last week (not because I completely believe, but because the animations were just too cute not to share) and this is exactly what I wished for! Freaky!!

Long Overdue Catchups

I caught up with a couple of friends today whom I've not seen for several months.

I have been catching up with Chook for coffee (well, we both had a Vienna Chocolate) every couple of months or so, but we have not been able to for the last few months as we have both been busy, plus she was also pregnant and about due any second. She only gave birth at the end of November (to a baby girl, Summer) but to look at her now, less than 2 months later, you would never believe she'd recently given birth - she's as skinny as ever! *lucky cow* :)

My other friend, Walrus, whom I haven't seen since his birthday in July, came over for lunch. I haven't seen much of him over the last 4 or so years, because for the majority of that time he was in a relationship, and unfortunately, she pretty much cut him off from all of his friends. As is usually the case, he didn't realise she was being so controlling. He is taking his life into his own hands again and it is really good to see.

Movie Review: Happy Feet

What better way to keep cool on a hot day but go to the movies and see a movie that is set in Antarctica! I especially loved the Adelie Amigos - they were a scream! Robin Williams is brilliant as both Ramon & Lovelace (he voiced both!) and Elijah Wood as Mumble is adorable. Definitely one for the collection when it comes out on dvd.

Plot: In the great nation of Emperor Penguins, deep in Antarctica, you’re nobody unless you can sing – which is unfortunate for Mumble (voice of Elijah Wood), who is the worst singer in the world. He is born dancing to his own tune…tap dancing!

Though Mumble’s mum, Norma Jean (Nicole Kidman), thinks this little habit is cute, his dad, Memphis (Hugh Jackman), says it “just ain’t penguin.” Besides, they both know that, without a Heartsong, Mumble may never find true love.

As fate would have it, his one friend, Gloria (Brittany Murphy) happens to be the best singer around. Mumble and Gloria have a connection from the moment they hatch, but she struggles with his strange “hippity-hoppity” ways.

Mumble is just too different – especially for Noah the Elder (Hugo Weaving), the stern leader of Emperor Land, who ultimately casts him out of the community.

Away from home for the first time, Mumble meets a posse of decidedly un-Emperor-like penguins – the Adelie Amigos. Led by Ramon (Robin Williams), the Adelie’s instantly embrace Mumble’s cool dance moves and invite him to party with them.

In Adelie Land, Mumble seeks the counsel of Lovelace the Guru (also Robin Williams), a crazy-feathered Rockhopper penguin who will answer any of life’s questions for the price of a pebble. Together with Lovelace and the Amigos, Mumble sets out across vast landscapes and, after some epic encounters, proves that by being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world.

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Movie Review: The Holiday

After a few hiccups, I finally managed to catch up a friend to catch this flick and so we could exchange Christmas gifts. We both could not help but drool over Jude Law in this film. Now, I have only seen a couple of his movies (Alfie & Closer) and did not find him attractive at all in those. It must have been the closeups in this film - his eyes are just so gorgeous!

Plot: Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) and she’s chronically in love with a heel called Jasper (Rufus Sewell) who uses her while she keeps hoping that one day they’ll be an item. Those hopes fade at the office Christmas party when Jasper announces he’s engaged to be married – to someone else. Meanwhile, in LA, Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) has punched out her boyfriend, Ethan (Edward Burns) for sleeping with someone else and decides she needs a break. Iris’ home, which Amanda finds on the Internet, is just the place she wants to escape to, and the two unlucky-in-love women agree to swap homes for the holiday and leave their man troubles behind them. Well, that’s the plan.

Iris is in seventh heaven in Amanda’s sprawling Hollywood house, but Amanda is not so at home in Iris’ more cramped and isolated abode and decides to return to LA…until she meets Iris’ charming brother, Graham (Jude Law). The two hit it off and hit the sack – after all, Amanda’s leaving soon, so there can be no complications – right? Wrong. Soon Amanda is finding reasons to linger a little longer and, while she does, she learns more and more that endears her to the man she’s determined not to fall in love with.

In LA, Iris befriends neighbour, Arthur Abbott (Eli Wallach), a veteran screenwriter of Hollywood’s golden age, and while Iris encourages and prepares a reluctant Arthur for a Screenwriters’ Guild tribute in his honour, he subtly tries to help her find her independence. The scenes between Winslet and the 90-year-old Wallach are a delight.

Iris also becomes friendly with movie composer, Miles (Jack Black), another romantic who happens to be listening to the love theme from Cinema Paradiso when they meet. Miles’ girlfriend is actress, Maggie (Shannyn Sossamon), but is she the real thing? Like Iris, Miles is kind of fragile when it comes to love, so what are the chances of their friendship becoming something more once they both overcome their respective romantic obstacles – Jasper and Maggie?

Movie Review: Open Season

I decided to go see this film today purely because there were too many hyped up kids waiting to see Happy Feet. It was pretty good - it was in the larger cinema and only 20 or so people in the cinema, so we weren't sitting on top of each other (unlike when I saw Casino Royale).

Plot: A happily domesticated grizzly bear has his world turned upside down after he meets a scrawny, fast-talking wild mule deer who introduces him to the outside world. But events spiral out of control and they find themselves relocated to the wild – at the start of open season!

Happy New Year 2007!

Happy New Year everybody.

I hope 2007 will be a better year for all of you.