Dette's Musings

Movie Review: Rio

2011-04-17T21:30:00.004+08:00

I had a couple of passes I needed to use up before the end of this monther so I dragged my friend, the fabulous Miss Danielle out to Carousel.

We had dinner at Fast Eddy's which really should be called Slow Eddy's. We never received our bottle of water nor were we given any serviettes.

The movie itself was funny but got a bit annoying when something happened to the sound right at the important bit in the middle which took them 15 minutes to fix up.

Plot: When Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, meets the fiercely independent Jewel, he takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with this bird of his dreams.

Movie Review: No Strings Attached

2011-02-20T23:46:00.001+08:00

Caught up with Rhian to see this as there was nothing much on that we wanted to see.

I've not seen a lot of Ashton's movies, but didn't mind him in this. Natalie Portman is gorgeous - I hate her :)

Plot: A guy and girl try to keep their relationship strictly physical, but it's not long before they learn that they want something more.

Movie Review: How Do You Know

2011-01-29T23:19:00.000+08:00

I had planned to go to the casino with Dan & Marie, but because of the high humidity and threat of storms due to the cyclone off the coast, we opted for the air-conditioned comfort of the movies.

This is a pretty good movie. Normally with 'love triangle' plots, one of the three is normally a complete loser, but they were all 'normal' characters.

There are quite a few funny one liners which got a giggle out of all of us in the audience.

A definite chick flick!!

Plot: Lisa (Witherspoon) is a woman whose athletic ability is the defining passion of her life, having been her focus since early childhood. When she is cut from her team, everything she has ever known is suddenly taken from her. Not knowing what to do, she stumbles toward regular life. In this mode, she begins a fling with Matty (Wilson), a major league baseball pitcher, a self-centered ladies man – a narcissist with a code of honor.

George (Rudd) is a straight-arrow businessman whose complicated relationship with his father, Charles (Nicholson), takes a turn when George is accused of a financial crime, even though he’s done nothing wrong. Though he may be headed to jail, George’s honesty, integrity, and unceasing optimism may be his only path to keeping his sanity.

Before Lisa’s relationship with Matty takes root, she meets George for a first date on the worst evening of each of their lives: she has just been cut, and he has just been served. When everything else seems to be falling apart, they will discover what it means to have something wonderful happen.

Twitter

2011-01-25T01:00:00.001+08:00

I am now on twitter... come follow me!!!

dette1976 - same as here!!

Movie Review: Narnia - Voyage Of The Dawn Treader

2011-01-03T19:54:00.001+08:00

Another hot long weekend, another movie.

I've been doing nothing all day except lie on my bed with my fan going reading a book, but by late this afternoon I was going stir crazy so decided on seeing this.

I am never disappointed with the Narnia movies (having never read the books I think)

Plot: Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their cousin Eustace, their royal friend King Caspian, and a warrior mouse named Reepicheep, find themselves swallowed into a painting and on to the Dawn Treader. Their mission – on which rests the fate of Narnia itself – takes the courageous voyagers to mysterious islands and a river that turns to gold, to fateful confrontations with magical creatures and sinister enemies, and to a reunion with their friend and protector, the “Great Lion” Aslan.

Movie Review: Meet The Parents - Little Fockers

2010-12-28T14:37:00.003+08:00

What better way to spend a rather hot afternoon than in an air-conditioned cinema?

I haven't seen the first movie but did see the second which was funny (who can forget the cat flushing the dog down the toilet, or little Jack's first word).

Jessica Alba makes a bit of a cameo in this one... I especially love the pool scene *grin*

Definitely must see it for some light entertainment over the festive season!!

Plot: It has taken 10 years, two little Fockers with wife Pam (Polo) and countless hurdles for Greg to finally get "in" with his tightly wound father-in-law, Jack. After the cash-strapped dad takes a job moonlighting for a drug company, however, Jack's suspicions about his favorite male nurse come roaring back. When Greg and Pam's entire clan-including Pam's lovelorn ex, Kevin (Owen Wilson)-descends for the twins' birthday party, Greg must prove to the skeptical Jack that he's fully capable as the man of the house. But with all the misunderstandings, spying and covert missions, will Greg pass Jack's final test and become the family's next patriarch...or will the circle of trust be broken for good?

Not Polite, But It Had To Be Done

2010-12-02T18:12:00.001+08:00

I dumped him (Mathews) by text!

He was either calling or texting me everyday wanting to know if I was at work. I would get that anxious each time I turned my phone on that I would be in the toilet for 5 minutes before I could turn my phone on.

I rang Dan tonight to get her opinion on whether it would be ok to dump him via text or do it in person on Saturday. (I had been agonising over it all week)

She thought he would be ok with it, but advised that I would have to be firm and specific. So I sent him a text saying that his frequent calls and texts were freaking me out, and asked him not to call me anymore...

I've not heard anything since. *phew*

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

2010-11-28T18:15:00.002+08:00

The date didn't go as planned :(

We had planned to meet at 3 at the cafe`. I was still waiting 30 minutes later and he still wasn't there and no call. I sent him a text to find out if he was lost. Next minute he is calling me to say his car broke down and he was still at a friend's place.

"You come pick me up" - that is exactly what he said. I gave him the benefit of the doubt (English is his second language and he has not been here all that long) and went and picked him up. I got lost with his (lousy) directions because he couldn't tell me the name of the street where he was, so couldn't use my GPS. *grrr*

He wanted to go to Botanica's, for which I was seriously under dressed for considering it was a Sunday session, and it was hot!

While we were in the pub his mobile kept ringing, AND, he kept answering it. Even going outside the pub so that he could hear and leaving me sitting alone in the pub!! This happened at least 5 times while we were there and he did it each time.

Added to this, there was a band playing - I struggle with background noise so couldnt hear him, plus when I could hear him I couldn't understand his accent.

I had dinner plans at my parents so he knew that I had to leave at a certain time. He kept angling for an invitation. Um, hello... we've only just met?!

He also kept hinting that if I were to drop him home, we would be alone. I kept saying no, I would drop him back at his friend's house.

When I dropped him off, he asked me to call him when I had finished dinner. I told him I would call him when I got home, and he was like 'no, you call me when you finish dinner at your parents.' I didn't call him until I got home and he said he missed me and wanted to know if I was alone & if I could come get him?? WTF??

He kept trying to organise another date to go to the movies on Tuedsay after work. I explained several times that because of the hours I was working that week, I could only go out on the weekend, so said I could go to the movies on Saturday night, and that I would call him later in the week.

I Have A Date

2010-11-24T21:01:00.004+08:00

Not long after I got home tonight I received a text message from Mathews (one of the guys from the party). We have arranged to meet up this Sunday at a cafe`.

I'm nervous... It's my first date in years.

Fingers crossed!!!

An Interesting Turn Of Events

2010-11-23T20:41:00.002+08:00

Dan rang me once I got home from work last night to tell me that one of the guys (Christian) from the party on Saturday was interested & wants my number. I said that she could give it to Seb to give to him to call me.

Now, I've just got a text from her to say that another guy is interested - Mathews (our escort who disappeared and whom I only spoke to for 5 minutes!!)

So he will also be getting my number... will keep you posted...

Zambian Party Boys

2010-11-20T20:23:00.006+08:00

Last night Dan and I had planned to go to dinner then the movies. Her new boyfriend, Seb, (he is from Zambia) wanted her to go to a birthday party for one of his buddies. So I tagged along too (for support - Dan is a Mormon and doesn't drink and her boyfriend isn't and does)

We were met out the front by another of Seb's friends (I later found out his name was Mathews) and taken into the party... which was a bit of a culture shock for Dan (not her usual kind of party)

We had made it clear to Seb that we wouldn't be staying long because we were going to the movies (to see Harry Potter!!) We no sooner had arrived than he disappeared off to the bottle shop, and our escort, Mathews, also disappeared, not to return until we were leaving.

It was a little surreal as there were only 6 girls (we were all white) and we were outnumbered 3 to 1. (they were all dark skinned)

We ended up leaving after an hour and a half because it just isn't Dan's scene, but weren't in the mood to go see Harry Potter, so we thought we would head off to the Casino. Well, we couldn't find a parking spot so we ended up going to Kings Park & just sitting there, watching the boats on the river and talking (and getting eaten alive by mosquitoes!!)

Movie Review: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows (Part 1)

2010-11-17T13:22:00.007+08:00

I am such a fan I have taken 2 days off work to go see this and am going again next weekend to see it in Gold Class!!!

I'm a bit disappointed that it is not showing in 3D. There apparently was a delay in getting the films to Australia & I haven't seen any advertisements that it is now showing in 3D. :(

I am glad that they have split the final book into 2 movies, but there is critical stuff they still left out... Kreacher's story especially, and Lupin & Harry's confrontation... both were important but never mentioned.

Still, was definitely worth the wait & can't wait for July for the second half to be released.

Plot: The seventh and final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. Part 1 begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort’s immortality and destruction—the Horcruxes. On their own, without the guidance of their professors or the protection of Professor Dumbledore, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever. But there are Dark Forces in their midst that threaten to tear them apart.

A Night In Gaol

2010-11-05T02:21:00.002+08:00

If you want a really good night out I suggest you go out with a group of 13 & 14 year old girls!!

For Alana's birthday we went on the Torchlight Tour at Fremantle Prison. Now I've been on the tour before, but that was over 5 years ago, so couldn't remember all of it.

On the drive there, we had a bit of fun with a group of teenage boys while driving along Stirling Highway... they were trying to hand over their phone number (while driving 60km p/h) what we didn't know until afterwards, was that one of the girls had flashed their breasts at them!! *grin*

At the start of the tour, they take you into the cell blocks and get you to line up as though for a cell inspection. The next minute you hear a scream and a body (dummy) falls from the top floor, landing on the chicken wire above our heads!! I knew that this was going to happen, but one of the girls (who is very easily scared) screamed and practically jumped into the tour guides arms.

I won't give all of it away, but we had a few more scares along the way...

I don't remember if we went into the morgue the last time we were on the tour, but this time we did. I have a picture of my friend with all these orbs all over her back. Even in one of my pictures you can see the head and shoulders of someone in one of the cells... very eerie.

Another funny part was when we 'met' Martha, the only woman to be hanged at the prison. Boy did the girls freak out over that one!!

I really recommend it for any tourists to Perth, but it must be the night tour!!

But you better watch out... Martha's going to get you!!

Movie Review: Step Up 3D

2010-09-11T23:30:00.002+08:00

This was awesome in 3D... all the dance scenes were cool!! I wish I could dance like that...

Plot: A tight-knit group of New York City street dancers, including Luke and Natalie, team up with NYU freshman Moose, and find themselves pitted against the world's best hip hop dancers in a high-stakes showdown that will change their lives forever.

Movie Review: Predators

2010-07-31T01:48:00.002+08:00

I have only just seen the second movie in the series (although I have seen all the Alien v Predator, I have yet to see any of the Alien movies). I can't say I particularly liked the second Predator movie.

This movie, however, was awesome!! Action packed from the start, you will be riveted to the storyline. I've never been an admirer of Adrian Brody's looks, but he's actually not bad looking in this.

Plot: A group of elite warriors are hunted by members of a merciless alien race known as Predators

St Kilda

2010-07-22T23:31:00.001+08:00

Last time I was in Melbourne, I didn't even get out to Luna Park, so I decided this time that I would...

It was a weekday so it was closed, but that didn't bother me.

I strolled along the main drag for a while and boy do they have a lot of bakeries there!!! Some of the cakes looked absolutely yummy!!!

I went for a walk out on the St Kilda Pier, but only made it half way when it started to rain. By the time I got back to catch my tram, I was soaked through.

It was dark by the time I got back to my hotel & had a nice long, hot shower!!

Melbourne Zoo

2010-07-21T17:18:00.009+08:00

Jumped on a tram and headed off to the Melbourne Zoo for a couple of hours today.

I was lucky when it came to the Red Panda's... they were just about to be fed before I left their enclosure. They are so adorable!!

The Baboon enclosure depressed me though. It had cement floors and no trees - reminded me of the old style zoo instead of the new habitat zoo.

The Meerkats are so cute, they came right up to the glass petition and just watched you. I've seen them on tv before but never realised how small they actually are... they are tiny!! I could have watched them all day.

I couldn't find the butterfly house though. *sigh*

Harbourtown

2010-07-20T23:10:00.007+08:00

Headed to Harbourtown down near Docklands. Can't say I was impressed though, not much was there. I did get to see snow though, artificial, but still snow.

Across the road from Harbourtown there were some statues of various Australian celebrities... Graham Kennedy, John Farnham, Dame Edna & Kylie Minogue.

I was going to wander through the Queen Victoria markets on the way back to my room, but they were closing (it was 2pm!!!) I still had a wander around while the stalls were closing up as some storm clouds were coming in and I just knew that if I left then, I would get wet. Sure enough, not 5 minutes later there was a huge deluge which lasted 30 minutes!!

Getting Around

2010-07-19T19:41:00.005+08:00

While getting around the Melbourne CBD, I bumped into Mick Molloy (from the movie Crackerjack). He is just as scruffy in person as you see on television.

I also found the best hot chocolate in Melbourne.... Walkers on the corner of Flinders St & Elizabeth street, near The Lord Of The Fries and opposite the train station. It was to die for!!!

I went to Federation Square (last time I didn't go because there was some music festival on and was way too crowded)

I wanted to go to Eureka Skydeck but it was closed for maintenance while I was there.

I found a Babushka Doll store in one of the arcades. There were thousands of them!! Some of them were beautiful, but very expensive!!

Touchdown In Melbourne

2010-07-18T22:34:00.004+08:00

My flight from Adelaide got in just after 3 this afternoon but I didn't get to my hotel until almost 5!!

I caught the shuttle to Southern Cross Station and then had to wait 45 minutes for a shuttle bus to take me to my hotel. I literally tossed my suitcases in the door then headed out again - I was meeting my friend Cheryl at the Crown Casino which is on the other side of the CBD.

I managed to find the City Circle Tram (in the dark without a map!) just by chance and was standing in the pouring rain for 10 minutes before it came.

We went for dinner at the restaurant they have for Crown Casino members - she was using her mother's card as it had more points which gave us access.

We had a few quick games on the pokies before heading off home - I had to find my way again in the dark & pouring rain, but luckily Cheryl gave me good advice with regards to the trams.

Train Ride

2010-07-17T20:25:00.002+08:00

Caught the train out to Hallett Cove Beach today. I have to say the train ride was boring and SLOW!!!

For most of the journey there was nothing of interest to see, unless you wanted to look into people's backyards - and they weren't nice places mind you.

I took my washing with me to do while we went shopping at Hallett Cove shopping centre. Deni and I then headed over to Noarlunga shopping centre where we put my photo's onto cd's for both of us.

Due to time constraints I didn't get to see all of the shopping centre (it was huge), but did manage to see half of it. I managed to get my washing dried and jumped on the train back into Adelaide.

By the time I got back into the city it was dark so I walked around North Terrace to take some night pictures before jumping on the free city bus to head back to my hotel.

Now I have to do my ironing and pack for my flight to Melbourne tomorrow!!

Hahndorf

2010-07-16T17:33:00.000+08:00

Went with Deni and her family to Hahndorf today. It's a quaint little town in the Adelaide hills only about 30 minutes from the CBD.

We got there just after 10am and most of the shops were closed initially. We went into a little store that makes their own jam and preserves. Tried some of the Shiraz jam and OMG it was beautiful. We ended up buying a jar.

There were some quaint shops including a shop packed full of puppets - when I say packed I mean packed!!! It was a squeeze to manoeuvre around the shop.

We stopped in a cafe for a hot chocolate and then headed back up the other side of the street to find somewhere for lunch. Instead we found a lolly shop and had great difficulty getting the kids to leave without buying everything!!

We went to The Haus for lunch. Deni and I both had a pizza each and it was absolutely scrumptious!!

It was then time to head back to the hotel for an early night.

Tomorrow I am catching a train out to Deni's place to go shopping and do some laundry...

My Poor Sore Feet II

2010-07-15T21:07:00.006+08:00

You would think I would have learned my lesson yesterday with all the walking around, but no, I did it again today!!

This time Deni came along (minus the kids) and we headed off to the Botanic Gardens. My camera battery started to play up - it kept showing battery empty even though I had charged it overnight and it was showing as a full battery until I took some pictures.

We had lunch at the ETC (East Terrace Cafe) which was yummy and reasonably priced too - I would recommend it for anyone travelling to Adelaide (just get on the Free City Loop bus and get off at the Rundle Street stop)

We then headed down to the Casino, just so we could say that we had been there. I came out $1 in front, so was all good.

We jumped on the tram back to Rundle Mall to find a camera place so that I could find out what was wrong with the battery. It turned out that the battery was buggered and I had to get a new one, unfortunately they didn't have any, so down the street we went to another camera shop.

We then jumped on the free bus and headed back to the railway station for Deni to go home.

I then continued up North Tce to take some more pictures then headed back to my hotel for an early night.

Tomorrow I have to be up early because we are going to Hahndorf.

My Poor Sore Feet

2010-07-14T20:59:00.001+08:00

My feet are so sore from so much walking...

Today I decided to go for a walk up to the Rundle Mall. It took me about an hour to walk there as I had to keep ducking for cover whenever it rained. I spent 4 hours walking around, going up the arcades and checking out the shops. I found a shop that my mum would just love - it is a button shop... She would go absolutely nuts in there because she is always complaining that none of the shops in Perth have a good enough selection, well this shop does.

I got back to my hotel then decided I would walk to McDonalds for tea (I only have kitchenette facilities so only have the basics) Again I misjudged how far away it was and got drenched before I even got there.

When I got back to my hotel I had a nice hot bath to soothe my poor feet.

A Very Long Day

2010-07-13T05:48:00.003+08:00

I left Perth at 11.55pm and didn't get any sleep on the plane!!! Because of a good tail wind we got in to Melbourne 30 minutes early. Now I am sitting here in the airport lounge with nothing else to do except try to stay awake for another couple of hours so I thought I would update my blog!!

I get in to Adelaide at 9 am and will be picked up from the airport by an old school friend and then it will be off to do some shopping (and get some breakfast!!) before heading to my hotel to check in for a much needed sleep!!

Travel Plans

2010-07-08T19:43:00.002+08:00

I have just booked my flights and accommodation for my holiday. The ridiculous thing is that it is going to be cheaper for me to fly to Melbourne then back to Adelaide rather than flying directly to Adelaide!!!

I will be spending 5 days in Adelaide, then fly back to Melbourne for 5 days, then up to the Gold Coast for another 5 days.

Hopefully I will be able to catch up with some friends who I've not seen for some time while I am there...

Burswood

2010-06-20T09:29:00.004+08:00

I had a free meal to use at the casino which needed to be used by today, so Danielle and I went last night. We waited in the queue for about 20 minutes (it was packed!) then finally were given a seat.

The two young women that were seated at the table next to us went up to get their meals (it was buffet) and came back with two plates of food each and they were both heaped!!

The table on our other side had a group of three Asian girls, an Asian boy and an English lad... the girls ate 3 times the amount the boys did - unbelievable!!

We headed out onto the gaming floor where Danielle promptly found $2 (deja vu)

Twilight: Eclipse

2010-06-08T21:23:00.002+08:00

OMG!!!!!!! Just read my emails and have just found out that I have won a double pass to a pre-screening preview of Twilight: Eclipse!!

It's funny because I bought my ticket for the 12.01 screening yesterday when I was at the movies with Rhian!!

The email said that it could take 28 days for my parcel to arrive in the post... um, if that is the case they may not arrive until after the preview!!!

I'm so excited!!!

Movie Review: Letters To Juliet

2010-06-07T01:07:00.000+08:00

Another long weekend, another movie...

They have an Australian actor playing an Englishman and the accent is terrible!

Plot: An American girl on vacation in Italy finds an unanswered "letter to Juliet" -- one of thousands of missives left at the fictional lover's Verona courtyard, which are typically answered by a the "secretaries of Juliet" -- and she goes on a quest to find the lovers referenced in the letter.

More Farewell Drinks

2010-05-28T23:37:00.002+08:00

The end of another work week and another farewell drinks to go to...

This time we were off to the Brass Monkey in Northbridge (again, I haven't been there in years!!) to see off my former team leader Adam.

It was a great night. I caught up with Savannah who I haven't seen in a while and found out she is doing much better in her old job - no Godzilla!!

Adam will be missed, but he needed a change (for health reasons...)

Slumber Party

2010-05-23T15:22:00.003+08:00

I had my two oldest nieces Casey and Kyla stay over last night.

After we'd had pizza for tea and I had painted their fingernails and toenails, I set the DVD going for them - they were watching The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe.

I toddled off to strip & make my bed and do my washing (which I normally do on a Friday night, but since I'd got home later than expected after Colleen's farewell it didn't get done). Not even 2 minutes later they were both in my bedroom because the movie was scary & they wanted me to watch it with them so they wouldn't get scared!!

Every time I had to put another load in the washing machine we had to pause the movie and they would come with me - it was adorable!!

Casey was the first asleep about halfway through the movie (funny because she is the older one) and Kyla was awake to the very end and even watched some of Hellboy which was showing on the TV. I was surprised that Casey managed to sleep because it was raining and she is afraid of the rain!

Both woke me up around 7 this morning (I didn't get to sleep until 3!) - the little shits *grin* and I cooked pancakes for breakfast.

We headed off to the nursery so I could get some plants for my courtyard. They decided they wanted to push/pull the cart around (you know the one, they have only 1 handle and you lift them from the front and either pull or push them...) It was very amusing as they kept dropping it.

We got home and got them planted in time for lunch. I had to watch Hairspray again - last time Kyla was over we watched it 3 times!!

Then it was time to take them home!!

They both want to sleep over during the school holidays, but we will have to wait and see as I may not be here...

Farewell Drinks

2010-05-22T10:32:00.001+08:00

Had Colleen's farewell drinks tonight at Tiger Lil's. It's the first time I've been up that end of Perth in years!!

Went past where my old haunt the 'Globe' used to be and Frostbites which was right next door... bought back some memories!!

It was pretty cool at Tiger Lil's, the parasol's dotting the ceiling are gorgeous and even though it was raining, we were under this huge palm tree in the courtyard and didn't get wet.

I left left earlier than the others but still got home later than I expected.

P.A.R.T.Y.

2010-05-09T11:10:00.000+08:00

I had 3 birthday party's to get to last night, but only managed to get to 1 of them, sort of...

I knew it was going to be a long night so I had a nanna nap in the afternoon, however, my alarm didn't go off and I woke up just before 7. Belinder, who was up from Bunbury had tried to ring me twice to find out what I was up to. I had just got out of the shower when she rocked up.

We headed over to Danielle's and got there about 9.30 - her family was just leaving, but we ended up staying until just before midnight. I had a party in Jolimont or at the Casino. We decided on the Casino.

Got lucky with the parking & snagged a spot in the free parking area without having to wait. Then before we'd even got inside the Casino, Belinder found $2 while we were waiting in the queue, which she promptly lost playing the Keno slots.

It was about 1am when we decided we were hungry and that it was cheaper if we were a member so we went to join up. Unfortunately Belinder didn't have any id on her so she couldn't join. While we were there she found $20 on the floor!

We headed off to get our food - hamburgers which were cold even though they were just put out :( not happy.

Played some more poker machines and kept playing the credits until I lost the $10 I started with. We ended up calling it a night about 3.30 and headed home to sleep some more.

We will have to do it again soon!!

Movie Review: Clash Of The Titans 3D

2010-04-25T16:58:00.002+08:00

2 Gold Class movies in less than 24hours... pretty good eh?!

I had to use them up because they expired in a few days and what better way then a long weekend?

Sam Worthington is pretty hot property right now after Avatar. I was a tad confused because I have not long ago seen Percy Jackson And The Lightening Thief, and in that movie, Perseus (Percy) was the son of Poseidon, God of Water. In this movie he is the son of Zeus. So which is it Hollywood? Make up your mind!!

I could have done with some nice shots of Sam's naked chest, but darn those outfits still made him look HOT!

Plot: The mortal son of the god Zeus embarks on a perilous journey to stop the underworld and its minions from spreading their evil to Earth as well as the heavens.

Movie Review: Alice In Wonderland 3D

2010-04-24T23:42:00.005+08:00

I treated my mum to see this in Gold Class as an early Mother's Day present because I had no idea what else to get her.

I have been saying since I saw the first images that Johnny Depp looks like Madonna in this!

Amazing! Is the only way to describe it. Depp is brilliant (but he nearly always is). Anne Hathaway does not 'do' white blonde well (especially with those eyebrows). Alan Rickman as the Caterpillar is reminiscent of Professor Snape from Harry Potter.

Plot: Alice, an unpretentious and individual 19-year-old, is betrothed to a dunce of an English nobleman. At her engagement party, she escapes the crowd to consider whether to go through with the marriage and falls down a hole in the garden after spotting an unusual rabbit. Arriving in a strange and surreal place called "Underland," she finds herself in a world that resembles the nightmares she had as a child, filled with talking animals, villainous queens and knights, and frumious bandersnatches. Alice realizes that she is there for a reason--to conquer the horrific Jabberwocky and restore the rightful queen to her throne.

Hurting

2010-04-17T19:48:00.002+08:00

A sadness in my heart
Borne out of despair
A loved one is hurting
When I can't be there

Movie Review: Date Night

2010-04-10T23:11:00.002+08:00

I had an awesome time today...

Danielle and I caught up to go see this. I've never seen any of either Steve Carell's or Tina Fey's work before and enjoyed their chemistry together on screen. We were laughing so hard we were almost wetting ourselves!!

I drove Danielle home and we were going to head up to a restaurant up the road from her place )she's around the corner from the Paddo!) but decided to pick up a hot chicken, some bread and salad and eat in instead... ambrosia!!

Plot: Phil and Claire Foster are a couple who have been married for several years. Their days consists of them taking care of their children and going to work and coming home and going to bed. But they find time to have a date night wherein they go out and spend some time together. When another couple they know announce that they're separating because they're in a rut, Phil feels that he and Claire could be too. So when date night comes Phil decides to do something different. So they go into the city and try to get into a new popular restaurant. But when it's full and still wanting to do this, Phil decides to take the reservation of a couple who doesn't show up. While they're having dinner two men approach them and instructs them to stand up and go with them. They think the men are with the restaurant and want to talk to them about taking someone else's reservation. But it appears the couple whose reservation they took crossed someone and the two men work for this person. The men are after something, but whatever it is they don't have it.

My Mood

2010-04-06T19:20:00.000+08:00

If you ask me how I feel
I will only give you lies
If you want to know the truth
Then you must look into my eyes

Movie Review: How To Train Your Dragon

2010-04-05T18:08:00.001+08:00

I just wanted to get out of the house for a bit - was going a bit stir crazy - so ended up going to see this. I must say it is pretty good story, and I love Gerard Butler's character in this!!

Plot: Long ago up North on the Island of Berk, the young Viking, Hiccup, wants to join his town's fight against the dragons that continually raid their town. However, his macho father and village leader, Stoik the Vast, will not allow his small, clumsy, but inventive son to do so. Regardless, Hiccup ventures out into battle and downs a mysterious Night Fury dragon with his invention, but can't bring himself to kill it. Instead, Hiccup and the dragon, whom he dubs Toothless, begin a friendship that would open up both their worlds as the observant boy learns that his people have misjudged the species. But even as the two each take flight in their own way, they find that they must fight the destructive ignorance plaguing their world.

Deep Thought For Today

2010-04-01T23:53:00.001+08:00

Sometimes in life we travel the harder path
Lessons we are meant to learn
Making us stronger for the future
Shaping the person we are to become

Two's Company...

2010-03-28T14:34:00.000+08:00

Walrus and Belinder came over last night while they were up in Perth.

We went to a nice Italian restaurant in Ballajura called Villa Da Vinci. It was packed but nice and cosy too.

Then we came back to my place and we watched Gremlins while having a few drinks – I haven’t seen it in ages - laughing at the little monsters. I couldn't stop laughing during the 'cinema' scene (check it out next time you're bored!!)

Walrus and I had a dispute over the AC/DC song Thunderstruck. He was adamant that it was released in 1988 and I was adamant it was in the 90's. Now, Walrus is a bit of a music guru - don't get him started on The Beatles or you will never hear the end of it. We made a bet (which I will not get into here *wink*) and guess who won... ME!! I was right. In Your Face!! Ha ha!

All in all it was a very pleasant night.

Wild Weather

2010-03-22T19:33:00.000+08:00

Today I was over at Mum’s again helping make lemon meringue pie’s… yummo!

I had no sooner gotten home when the hail and lightning started. I was watching the hail storm from my bedroom window hitting my poor car in the carport.

Then there was a lull before the next front came through and dropped so much rain. My poor front garden was flooded and even more worryingly my courtyard was flooding – not a good thing when it is pretty much level with the back door.

I ended up with water inside, damaging the carpet, so I got onto the property manager and left a message.

The other residents were outside inspecting the damage and three of us have issues with our carport ceilings – my immediate neighbour especially (although he wasn’t home).

I made sure my candles were all lit just in case, but luckily the power didn’t go off all night.

Sick As A Dog

2010-03-20T21:32:00.000+08:00

Yesterday it was hot and humid and I still felt like shit, so I decided to do some gardening.

I pulled up all the plants in my front garden, divided them and then replanted them. In the courtyard I dug up the hideous plants in the bed there and moved a couple of wheelbarrow loads of soil from there around to the side garden and transplanted a few of the Agapantha’s from the front garden into the courtyard, the remaining plants have gone into the bed under the spare room window.

I have been slowly removing the daisies from the side garden – there were so many that you couldn’t move. I have no idea what to plant there yet, something that takes full sun and isn’t too fussy about being watered all the time (like never…)

Movie Review: Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief

2010-03-14T18:28:00.003+08:00

After being stood up yet again by Re, I decided to see this by myself.

I really enjoyed it, even though it was just plain predictable. Great storyline though – definitely get it out on DVD for the family.

It has Kevin McKidd (the newer guy in Grey's Anatomy) in it and he is hot!!

Plot: It's the 21st century, but the gods of Mount Olympus and assorted monsters have walked out of the pages of high school student Percy Jackson's Greek mythology texts and into his life. And they're not happy: Zeus' lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Even more troubling is the sudden disappearance of Percy's mother. As Percy finds himself caught between angry and battling gods, he and his friends embark on a cross-country adventure to catch the true lightning thief, save Percy's mom, and unravel a mystery more powerful than the gods themselves.

Movie Review: The Wolfman

2010-03-06T20:25:00.001+08:00

I surprised Danielle when she met me in Perth after work today for lunch. I had organized for a couple of the girls from work to come so that she could catch up with them.

We went to Ruby Thai which is great value and was delicious.

Danielle & I then headed over to Innaloo to see a movie, the only thing playing at a convenient time was The Wolfman.

Anthony Hopkins is a great actor, don’t get me wrong, but the last few movies I have seen him in he has been, um, crap. Sorry, but that is my opinion.

I also don't see what the fuss is about Benicio Del Toro – he is not good looking and he can probably act, but this film did him no favours. Sure the special effects were good, but there were times when the effects looked like something out of a b grade movie from the 80’s.

Both of us were disappointed by the movie. Give this a miss when it comes out on DVD.

Plot: Lawrence Talbot, a haunted nobleman, is lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. Reunited with his estranged father, Talbot sets out to find his brother... and discovers a horrifying destiny for himself. Talbot's childhood ended the night his mother died. After he left the sleepy Victorian hamlet of Blackmoor, he spent decades recovering and trying to forget. But when his brother's fiancée, Gwen Conliffe, tracks him down to help find her missing love, Talbot returns home to join the search. He learns that something with brute strength and insatiable bloodlust has been killing the villagers, and that a suspicious Scotland Yard inspector named Aberline has come to investigate.

Long Drive, Long Weekend

2010-03-01T13:22:00.000+08:00

After a shaky start, my long weekend turned out rather nicely…

My friend ‘Walrus’ and his partner Belinder (whom I am great friends with) were supposed to come up from Bunbury and stay with me so we could do some serious drinking on Saturday night. Unfortunately, a close relative passed away suddenly so they weren’t coming up. But she did invite me down.

I didn’t want to be in the traffic going down, so decided not to leave until Saturday afternoon and come back Sunday evening.

It was the first time I have actually driven to Bunbury – I mean, I’ve been there a few times, but always with someone else driving.

It was a pleasant drive, singing along to the music with not much traffic and not a cop or radar in sight!

We had a nice barbecue for dinner and enjoyed a couple of drinks. Once the kids were in bed we tried to decide on a movie, eventually settling for Poltergeist – which I have never watched, believe it or not. I actually thoroughly enjoyed it. We debated whether it would have turned out better if it had been made now instead and decided it would not have turned out as good.

We turned in at about 3, and it was not long after that when I could hear noises outside… two guys and a girl were walking down the street dragging a vacuum cleaner behind them! I mean, who does that at 3.30 in the morning?!

I managed to drop off about 5 (the sofa wasn’t comfy and it was warm) only to get woken up at 7 by the younger kids trying playing in the lounge room. The others got up about 10 & I cooked us some scrambled eggs.

Walrus & Belinder headed to Mandurah to pick up her ex husband because he was going to stay with the kids while she & the oldest drove to Geraldton for the funeral on Tuesday.

The three of us didn’t leave for Perth until after 9. I had to drop them off in Kalamunda as Belinder was going to drive her dad’s ute up – her car wouldn’t have made the long drive.

I ended up getting home about 2 in the morning and didn’t surface until midday.

Scorcher

2010-02-17T23:11:00.000+08:00

Today was one of the hottest days we have had yet this year!

Chook came over to check out the new digs and by the time she got here (she’s only about 30 minutes away) she was hot.

Because I don't have air-conditioning, I have taken to dunking my tank tops in water and then wringing them out and wearing them wet to cool down.

We decided to head to the movies and ended up seeing Sherlock Holmes (which I’ve already seen) because she had free passes. It was bliss in the cinema, but still damn hot when we came out just before 5.

I got home to discover the chocolates I had in the pantry had started to melt, so had to put them in the fridge… I hate cold chocolate!!

Suburbia

2010-02-16T23:07:00.000+08:00

Today I had to drive down to Canning Vale to pick up a dryer I purchased off a fellow employee. I haven’t been down there for years – it has changed so much!!

So many new residential areas and shopping precincts seem to have popped up.

When I got home I had fun moving the dryer from the car through to the laundry, hurting my back in the process and ended up getting some nice bruises on my arms.

Deep Thought For Today

2010-02-15T19:16:00.001+08:00

If life is measured by time, years, months and days... how is love measured?

Again, I hope I have not plagiarised anyone, I was not having the greatest day and this was just something I thought of...

Bad Service

2010-02-12T19:21:00.000+08:00

Danielle met me for lunch at work today.

The café across the road – Breve – was the only option. I have been there a couple of times and up until the last time I went it was pretty good, but when it takes 30 minutes just for a bowl of wedges and some garlic bread, when it’s not busy, you know it is not going to be a good experience – but, I decided to give them a second chance. Oh how I regret that now…

We both ordered garlic bread and shared wedges. You would think that both people would get their garlic bread at the same time wouldn’t you? No, mine came out 20minutes after Danielle got hers!!

Ridiculous!!! I will not be going back there ever again!!

Random Facts 30

2010-02-09T14:04:00.002+08:00

The hair of an adult can stretch 25% of it's length without breaking.
The starfish has five limbs and can re-grow four of them, as long as it's central body is not harmed.
Xerophargy refers to a diet of bread and water.
To simply walk you use 200 muscles.
A cheetah's stride is seven to eight metres in length. It completes four strides per second.
Artichokes are flower buds.
24 frames per second are projected in most animated films.
All porcupines float in water.
In ancient times, vinegar was the strongest acid known.
The indentation at the bottom of a wine bottle is to strengthen the structure of the bottle and to trap the sediments in the wine.

Happy Birthday Mum

2010-02-06T11:19:00.000+08:00

The family went to Sizzlers for dinner last night to celebrate my Mum’s birthday. We had to wait about 40minutes to be seated at a table because the place was packed!! Two little old ladies kept trying to get in front of us and I kept blocking them – much to their disappointment!

My oldest niece spent the night at my place and fell asleep 20 minutes into Harry Potter J

Movie Review: The Tooth Fairy

2010-01-31T23:52:00.002+08:00

Danielle and I both enjoyed a little bit of shopping plus neck & shoulder massages before going to see this.

It was a nice bit of 'fluff' to watch as neither of us was in the mood to watch a serious movie. I could just watch that body all day... *sigh*

Plot: Derek Thompson is 'The Tooth Fairy,' a hard-charging minor league hockey player whose nickname comes from his habit of separating opposing players from their bicuspids. When Derek discourages a youngster's hopes, he's sentenced to one week's hard labor as a real tooth fairy, complete with the requisite tutu, wings and magic wand. At first, Derek "can't handle the tooth" – bumbling and stumbling as he tries to furtively wing his way through strangers' homes…doing what tooth fairies do. But as Derek slowly adapts to his new position, he begins to rediscover his own forgotten dreams

Sunday Drive

2010-01-31T23:18:00.000+08:00

Had to get up early this morning to drop Danielle off at church. Since it was a beautiful day I thought I would head down to Fremantle for a change.

Had a wander through both markets but didn’t buy anything.

On the drive home I stopped off at Burns Beach and went for a walk along the beach – was so peaceful.

Movie Review: The Princess And The Frog

2010-01-10T16:00:00.003+08:00

Nothing else was on that Re or I wanted to see, so ended up seeing this.

Typical Disney film, but a nice twist on the fairytale.

Plot: A modern day retelling of the classic story The Frog Prince. The Princess and the Frog finds the lives of arrogant, carefree Prince Naveen and hardworking waitress Tiana crossing paths. Prince Naveen is transformed into a frog by a conniving voodoo magician and Tiana, following suit, upon kissing the amphibian royalty. With the help of a trumpet-playing alligator, a Cajun firefly, and an old blind lady who lives in a boat in a tree, Naveen and Tiana must race to break the spell and fulfill their dreams.

Movie Review: Avatar 3D

2010-01-09T18:03:00.004+08:00

I have finally been able to catch up with Ace to see this!!

We planned on seeing it months ago, but both of us have been busy over the Christmas/New Year period, making it difficult to catchup.

I can see why they are saying good things about this movie... IT IS AWESOME!!!

I want to see it in 2D, just to compare, I don't think it will be as good as 3D but, I won't mind seeing it again, and again, and again...

Plot: An ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people.

Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes

2010-01-06T23:15:00.003+08:00

I had an enjoyable time watching this, even though it was a bit long.

Both Robert Downey Jnr & Jude Law were awesome in this - definitely must see on the big screen , especially when they are fighting with 'Dredger'!! I love that character!!

Plot: Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.

Another Sleepover

2010-01-02T12:55:00.002+08:00

Had the second oldest niece sleep over last night.

After having McDonalds for tea we went to the beach and then home.

I have watched Hairspray 3 times in less than 24 hours (she loves it!!) I don't think I will be watching it for quite some time!!

Happy New Year - 2010

2010-01-01T01:45:00.002+08:00

Happy New Year everyone! Hope 2010 will be a good year for you all!!

Had a lovely get together in the complex where I live, eating, drinking and chatting.

Sleepover

2009-12-27T15:50:00.002+08:00

My oldest niece stayed over last night.

We went to the beach after dinner and she was trying to build a sandcastle with dry sand as she wouldn't go near the water to get some wet sand. Eventually she did and ended up getting taken out by a wave when she had her back turned. It was so funny!

She was out in front of the television by 9 o’clock. I had to prod her awake to get her off to bed.

The little bugger then woke me up at 6.30 wanting to know how to turn the television on - I had shown her 3 times the night before!!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T15:49:00.001+08:00

Merry Christmas everyone. Hope it was filled with family and laughs (I know mine was)

Random Facts 29

2009-12-13T13:53:00.001+08:00

There are more people in the world who eat alligators than there are alligators that eat people.
When viewed from above, rainbows appear dough-nut shaped.
The Statue of Liberty's index finger is about 2.5 metres in length.
A cat keeps purring when inhaling and exhaling.
An ostrich egg can make 11.5 omelettes.
Someone who has an irrational fear of meat is carnophobic.
A snail can sleep for three years.
The valves of the human heart are as thick as a single piece of tissue paper.
A claque refers to a group of people hired to applaud and act or performer.
Prior to launching his movie career, Keanu Reeves managed a pasta shop in Toronto, Canada.

Movie Review: Mao's Last Dancer

2009-12-10T20:38:00.002+08:00

Belinder and I started the day with a free movie. We then spent the rest of the afternoon window shopping until she had to pick the kids up from school.

I am glad I was able to see this on the big screen - I thought I was going to miss it in the cinema's. The dancing was amazing!

Plot: At the age of 11, Li was plucked from a poor Chinese village by Madame Mao's cultural delegates and taken to Beijing to study ballet. In 1979, during a cultural exchange to Texas, he fell in love with an American woman. Two years later, he managed to defect and went on to perform as a principal dancer for the Houston Ballet

Movie Review: The Informant

2009-12-06T10:50:00.000+08:00

I didn't really like this film even though Matt Damon was in it. I mean, there were funny bits in it, sure, but it was just all over the place, jumping here and there in the storyline.

Plot: What was Mark Whitacre thinking? A rising star at agricultural-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Whitacre suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company’s multi-national price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, Whitacre envisions himself being hailed as a hero of the common man and handed a promotion. But before all that can happen, the FBI needs evidence, so Whitacre eagerly agrees to wear a wire and carry a hidden tape recorder in his briefcase, imagining himself as a kind of de facto secret agent. Unfortunately for the FBI, their lead witness hasn’t been quite so forthcoming about helping himself to the corporate coffers. Whitacre’s ever-changing account frustrates the agents and threatens the case against ADM as it becomes almost impossible to decipher what is real and what is the product of Whitacre’s rambling imagination. Based on the true story of the highest-ranking corporate whistleblower in U.S. history.

Moving Day

2009-11-21T17:23:00.001+08:00

Move in day did not go so smoothly today…

My fridge & washing machine, which were supposed to be delivered at 8.15, were not loaded onto the truck. I was informed that the earliest I could have them delivered would be on Monday. After several calls, they were finally delivered mid afternoon. But the fun didn’t stop there!! The doors on the unit are not ‘normal’ size, they are slightly smaller so we had to cross our fingers and hope that the fridge would fit through the front door. We had to remove all the packaging but it did just fit.

I was supposed to get a call about 30 minutes before my lounge was to be delivered which never happened, instead they turned up just as I was about to duck up to the shop to get some milk.

There was more bad news... The delivery guy told me that the lounges would not fit through the door. My only option was to remove both front doors & the frame for the security door and I would have to remove the feet off my lounge & it may just fit. He didn't have the tools to do it and would not wait 5 minutes for my parents to come back to do it.

We ended up getting them in the door after much drama - they were both sofa beds so aren't exactly light!!

I then discovered that I had no hot water and could not get the pilot light on the heater lit, so went without a shower after lifting and moving heavy stuff all day.

I have just spoken to my neighbour (who I also work with) and she has kindly offered me the use of her shower until my hot water is fixed.

My Own Pad

2009-11-19T15:18:00.002+08:00

I have just signed the lease for my own little place in Kinross!! I hadn't even seen it until an hour ago. I can't wait to move in.

Last week I bought a new fridge. washing machine, lounge and bed the bed is already set up, the rest will be there when I move in this weekend.

Movie Review: Twilight Saga - New Moon

2009-11-19T03:09:00.005+08:00

Just got home from seeing this... I will quite possibly be lynched for what I am about to say, but, I wasn't overly thrilled with the movie. Sorry...

I am glad to finally be able to see the book come to life, but there was so much they missed out that needed to be in there and bits they changed around which didn't make much sense.

Taylor Lautner looked hot Hot HOT!!!

Movie Review: This Is It

2009-11-01T15:14:00.003+08:00

Being the Michael Jackson fan that I am, I just had to go see this. It is tragic to lose such an immensely talented artist.

The show, if he had lived, would have been spectacular, it's a shame we will never get to see it.

Hopefully now he can rest in peace.

Family Outing

2009-10-25T15:03:00.004+08:00

Went on a family outing to a fete at a retirement village and bought myself this picture. It was painted by one of the residents - he is in his late 70's or early 80's. I fell in love with it and just had to buy it.

We had a pretty good time walking around all the different stalls, luckily we were able to park in the estate as we know people who allowed us to park in their driveways, everyone else had to park miles away and walk in.

Movie Review: Julie & Julia

2009-10-24T14:58:00.001+08:00

I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. Meryl Streep's voice got on my nerves!

Plot: Julia Child's story of her start in the cooking profession is intertwined with blogger Julie Powell's 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first book.

Random Facts 28

2009-10-19T01:00:00.001+08:00

Prior to being introduced, Australia did not have any members of the cat family, hoofed animals, apes or monkeys.
It takes approximately seven years for a lobster to grow to be about half a kilogram.
The strength of all the hairs on one human head can support the weight of approximately 100 people.
The palms of the hands and soles of the feet contain the most amount of sweat glands in the body.
The average speed of an avelanche is 35km an hour.
One brow wrinkle is the result of 200,000 frowns.
Chocolate contains the same chemical that your brain produces when you fall in love - phenylethylamine.
A blue whale's heart beats nine times per minute.
Pandas spend approximately 12 hours per day eating bamboo.
Animals that lack defensive structures, such as teeth or claws, are said to be muticous.

Deep Thought For Today

2009-10-11T22:54:00.001+08:00

"A spoken truth should not cause offence to those without a guilty conscience."

I hope I have not plagiarised anybody... was just something that came to me after a yet another disappointment from my family.

Movie Review: Up

2009-09-20T02:42:00.002+08:00

In what is fast becoming a bi-monthly catchup, Danielle and I went to see Up in 3D.

Plot: By tying thousands of balloon to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn't alone on his journey, since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip

Sad But True

2009-08-09T15:28:00.001+08:00

I've just gotten home from seeing Harry Potter again with Kristina & Tony - I had also gone to see it last night with Belinder in Gold Class!!

As Belinder has 5 kids, it has been a while since she has seen a movie in the cinema, and she had never been to Gold Class before. It was rather disappointing as we had already eaten and planned to have the chocolate mud cake, but they had run out!! I was deciding whether or not to get the ice cream, but as I have just had a root canal, my teeth were still a bit on the sensitive side. Belinder did end up getting the ice cream and loved it.

She really liked Gold Class, but was annoyed that the seats we were in was where the ushers kept waking past throughout the movie (they were the only seats available when I booked).

When we go to see New Moon, we will be doing it in Gold Class & hopefully I can get back row seats this time.

Disappointed...

2009-08-01T20:29:00.002+08:00

Right this minute, I should have been enjoying myself at the New Kids On The Block concert, instead I am home, listening to them on my Ipod instead & reminiscing about their last concert... a long time ago!!

*Grrrr*

Movie Review: My Life In Ruins

2009-07-22T09:46:00.004+08:00

Enjoyed a lovely night out with an ex-work colleague tonight.

We started out with dinner at Sizzler's then went back to the place she is housesitting at the moment.

We just spent the time chatting about her travels abroad - she has some funny stories!! We were laughing so hard that I almost wet myself!

Plot: Georgia has lost her kefi (Greek for “mojo”). Discouraged by her lack of direction in life, she works as a travel guide, leading a rag-tag group of tourists as she tries to show them the beauty of her native Greece. While opening their eyes to an exotic foreign land, she too begins to see things in new ways—finding her kefi in the process.

Random Facts 27

2009-07-21T03:39:00.002+08:00

Owls are reportedly the only birds that can see the colour blue.
Green tea has 50% more vitamin C than black tea.
80% of all rose species in the world come from Asia.
A large cumulonimbus cloud can hold enough water for 500,000 baths.
A mysophobic person as an intense fear of infection.
A building in which silence is enforced, like a library, is referred to as a silentium.
Botanically, true berries include the grape, tomato and eggplant, but not rasperries and blackberries.
During menstruation, the sensitivity of a woman's middle finger is reduced.
Seals sleep underwater and surface for air without waking.
Podiatrists state that the average pair of feet travel about 190,000km in a lifetime

Movie Review: Ice Age - The Dawn Of The Dinosaurs

2009-07-16T16:48:00.001+08:00

I headed out to the movies today - to avoid being in the same house as my step-dad (we're not getting along at all & very rarely speak to each other) - and decided to see this.

It was okay, not as good as the first, but when really, are sequels better? I can only think of a few... the Bourne Identity Trilogy being one of the them.

Plot: Scrat is still on the hunt to hold onto his beloved acorn, while finding a possible romance in a female sabre-toothed squirrel named Scratte. Manny and Ellie, having since become an item, are expecting a baby, which leaves Manny anxious to ensure that everything is perfect for when his baby arrives. Diego is fed up with being treated like a house-cat and ponders the notion that he is becoming too laid-back. Sid begins to wish for a family of his own, and so steals some dinosaur eggs which leads to Sid ending up in a strange underground world where his herd must rescue him, while dodging dinosaurs and facing danger left and right, and meeting up with a one-eyed weasel known as Buck who hunts dinosaurs intently.

Movie Review: Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince

2009-07-15T16:24:00.002+08:00

It feels like I have been waiting for this movie for ages! I had organised 2 days of work when it was supposed to come out in December, but then it got pushed back to this year. Luckily I already had organised to have the entire month of July off work, so that means I can see it again and again and again!!

I was slightly disappointed that they didn't keep the ending true to the book, nor that the Dursley's, Dobby or Kreacher were in it :( (I will not say anymore so as not to spoil it for those who have yet to see it)

Plot: Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent on preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defences and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information.

Meanwhile the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rampage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas,. And Lavendar Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn't counted on Romilda Vane's chocolates. And then there's Hermione simmering with jealousy but she's determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air but tragedy is ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.

Movie Review: Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

2009-07-12T20:10:00.004+08:00

I have been hanging out to see this. In preparation I watched the first one again this weekend.

It was awesome!!! There are quite a few funny scenes - I love "Wheelie" - he is so cute, and the 'twins'.

Plot: The battle for Earth has ended but the battle for the universe has just begun. After returning to Cybertron, Starscream assumes command of the Decepticons, and has decided to return to Earth with force. The Autobots, believing that peace was possible, find out that Megatron’s dead body has been stolen from the US Military by Skorpinox and revive him using his own spark. Now Megatron is back seeking revenge and with Starscream and more Decepticon reinforcements of their own, may have more to deal with then meets the eye.

Movie Review: Night At The Museum 2

2009-06-21T00:02:00.001+08:00

I was never a fan of Ben Stiller, but he is slowly growing on me.

I saw this with a friend from work - I've only just seen the first one in the last few months and thought it was hilarious! This one is pretty good for a sequel.

Plot: It's a new "Night" and "Museum" for Ben Stiller, who is joined by several other stars from the original film, as well as new characters from history -- including Amy Adams as famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart, Hank Azaria as villainous Egyptian pharaoh Kahmunrah, Christopher Guest as Russian tyrant Ivan the Terrible and Alain Chabat as Napoleon. Owen Wilson is back as cowboy Jedediah, and Robin Williams again rides into history as Teddy Roosevelt. The centerpiece of the film will be bringing to life the Smithsonian Institution, which houses the world’s largest museum complex with more than 136 million items in its collections, ranging from the plane Amelia Earhart flew on her nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic and Al Capone’s rap sheet and mug shot to Dorothy’s ruby red slippers and Archie Bunker’s lounge chair.

All Night Long

2009-06-07T12:38:00.002+08:00

I was invited over to B's place for a pizza, movie and drinks night.

Her almost-teenage-daughter was also there (but obviously didn't drink the alcohol - she just took pictures of us drinking it).

We started out watching Twilight - which only a 2 hour movie, but it took us over 4.5 hours to watch it!! This is mainly due to the fact that we needed a few breaks for refreshments, one of which went for 30 minutes, mainly because we raided her bar and started making shooter after shooter - I lost count after I started shooting the Jaegermeister (God that stuff tastes awful on it's own *yuck*), we also got onto Facebook and kept commenting on each other's posts, plus we found that the more we drank, the more it had us needing to visit the loo - funny that, huh?!

So, we finished Twilight about 2 ish, and had another break for refreshments & Facebook. This is when the camera came out.

We then settled in to watch Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman *swoon*) and by the time we had finished that, it was after 4 sometime. That's when we decided that it wouldn't be long before the sun came up, so what would be the point of going to bed?

We watched the sun come up from B's lounge room - by this stage her daughter was struggling to keep awake - and then pottered around on Facebook for a few hours. I left about 9.30 this morning. I think the last time I stayed up this long was either New Year's Eve 1999/2000 or the time I pretty much went straight from a birthday party to standing in queue for 5th or 6th Harry Potter book. Anyway, it's been a while and good to know I still have it in me!

I haven't slept since Friday night and am so tired, so should sleep really well tonight!

Movie Review: Monsters V Aliens 3D

2009-05-25T23:00:00.000+08:00

By the end of this movie I had a massive headache and was ready to kill the family sitting just in front of me.

The son talked throughout the entire movie. 40 minutes in and he was screaming and running around the cinema - having a massive tantrum. I was in the back row and he kept running past me. I know it was childish, but I tripped the little shit over! Accidentally of course *grin*

At one point I said out loud for him to just shut the f@#! up and got a dirty stare from the parent in return.

The movie itself was good - the graphics were so much better on this movie than when I went to see Bolt in 3D - I could actually see all the really cool stuff.

Plot: When a meteorite from outer space hits a young Californian girl and turns her into a giant monster, she is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years. As a last resort, under the guidance of General W.R. Monger, on a desperate order from The President, the motley crew of Monsters is called into action to combat the aliens and save the world from imminent destruction!

Night Out

2009-05-24T02:11:00.005+08:00

I caught up with a couple of the girls from school.

We started out with a drink at the Charles Hotel, then headed off to the Queens.

It was a bloody good night!! Did lots of people watching - there were quite a few who'd had a few too many, plus quite a bit of talent!

The last time I was there, I had not long had my brand new car and my friend's work-mate threw up on the back seat!

My friend spent 30 minutes cleaning it up when we got back to her place at 2 in the morning!!

Random Facts 26

2009-05-16T01:16:00.000+08:00

An igloo is so well insulated that you can sit inside without a coat when the outside temperature is as low as -30degrees.

The first VCR was made in 1956 and was the size of a piano.

90% of all living things in the sea are made up of plankton.

In Pacific Grove, California, it is a misdemeanour to kill a butterfly.

The literal translation of the word wonton is "swallowing a cloud".

90-95% of all sensory perceptions are accounted for by sight.

Lungs are 100 times easier to blow up than a child's balloon.

Fingernails grow faster on your favoured hand.

The average adult eyeball weighs under 30 grams.

Clams have a row of eyes around their shells.

Anniversary

2009-05-11T22:37:00.006+08:00

Today it has been 20 years since my Uncle Peter died. I miss him so much!

A Pleasant Afternoon

2009-04-26T22:56:00.006+08:00

I have been meaning to catch up with Walrus and his partner for a few weeks now, and since he never responds to any of the emails, or message through Facebook, I have been chatting to his partner instead. I've met her before, just before Christmas, and I really like her.

She let me know that he had walked out on her and the kids a short while ago and would understand if I would feel uncomfortable catching up with her. I have to admit I was a little concerned, but as it turned out, it was one of the most enjoyable afternoons I've had.

Considering what she has had to go through over the last couple of months I think she is one of the bravest people I know.

Movie Review: Knowing

2009-04-13T17:04:00.000+08:00

I'm not a fan of Nicholas Cage so I don't know why I really went to see this - maybe because it was half price. I certainly didn't see it because he was in it! Or I think it had more to do with the fact that I just had to get out of the house today otherwise I was going to go stir crazy.

The Mist was along a similar storyline, plus I've also read The Taking by Dean Koontz which is pretty much along the same lines too.

A couple of good Aussie actors, Rose Byrne & Ben Mendelsohn are part of the cast, which is good to see.

I wouldn't really see it unless you are a huge fan of Nicholas Cage.

Plot: When a professor stumbles on a set of coded numbers, written in 1959 and buried in a time capsule at his son’s school, he makes a startling discovery. The cryptic message predicts every major disaster of the past 50 years and holds chilling predictions about future catastrophes—the last of which hints at destruction on a global scale.

Movie Review: 17 Again

2009-04-13T16:52:00.006+08:00

What can I say?? I only went to see this to perve on Zac Efron!! Who cares that he's a little over a decade younger then I am... I can still perve right?! And he is HOT!!

The storyline is not something new. Just 'Google' the movie Young Again, which is a 1986 film starring a very young Keanu Reeves (I am showing my age here) in a very similar role to what Zac Efron's plays here.

I know my maths isn't perfect, but maybe I'm missing something... Mike O'Donnell is 37, so he was 17, 20 years ago, right? Now if he gave up getting a college scholarship because his girlfriend was pregnant, wouldn't that make the kid 19 or 20? Yet his daughter in the movie is still in high school! Shouldn't she be in college by then?!

Plot: What would you do if you got a second shot at life? Class of 1989, Mike O’Donnell is a star on his high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp. But instead, he decides to throw it all away to share his life with his girlfriend Scarlett and the baby he just learned they are expecting.Almost 20 years later, Mike’s glory days are decidedly behind him. His marriage to Scarlett has fallen apart, he has been passed over for a promotion at work, his teenage kids think he is a loser, and he has been reduced to crashing with his high school nerd-turned-techno-billionaire best friend Ned.

But Mike is given another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17. Unfortunately, Mike may look 17 again, but his thirtysomething outlook is totally uncool in the class of 2009. And in trying to recapture his best years, Mike could lose the best things that ever happened to him.

Happy Easter 2009

2009-04-12T15:56:00.001+08:00

Happy Easter everybody. I hope the Easter Bunny was good to you this year! ;)

Car Vs Pedestrian

2009-04-11T18:20:00.005+08:00

Boy did I have an eventful afternoon!

I was cruising (crawling really - you try to find a parking spot on the Easter long weekend!) around the shopping centre carpark, looking for a space, when up ahead of me, a group of people were standing in the middle of the road chatting, so I veered around them. I was almost all the way past them when there was a loud thump.

I got out of my car and found myself surrounded by these people (all foreigners) yelling at me. I ended up calling the police for a couple of reasons: Firstly, I felt I was in serious danger from one of the partners who was threatening me. Secondly, they were refusing to give me any of their information and thirdly, they wouldn't allow me to move my car which was blocking traffic.

The officer I was on the phone to was concerned enough that he stayed didn't hang up until there were officers on the scene (he could hear the others in the background). Luckily a couple who had witnessed the whole thing was able to give the police a statement.

Once the others had left, the officers suggested I leave the area and actually followed me for a good 15 minutes just to be sure (I gathered that the partner had been saying stuff) that they wouldn't retaliate.

I haven't been able to stop shaking until now - only because I've had a couple of stiff drinks.

Not a good start to the long weekend, huh?!

Movie Review: Duplicity

2009-03-22T00:30:00.005+09:00

I had a great time last night catching up with an ex-workmate to see this. Haven't seen her before Christmas and got a bit of a shock because she has shaved her hair. She got a #4 all over - for the Be Brave & Shave fundraiser the other week, but it looks good on her.

I was a bit disappointed with the movie. I used to like Julia Roberts, but now, not so much. She seems very haggard in this picture and not attractive at all

Plot: CIA officer Claire Stenwick and MI6 agent Ray Koval have left the world of government intelligence to cash in on the highly profitable cold war raging between two rival multinational corporations. Their mission? Secure the formula for a product that will bring a fortune to the company that patents it first.

For their employers; industry titan Howard Tully and buccaneer CEO Dick Garsik, nothing is out of bounds. But as the stakes rise, the mystery deepens and the tactics get dirtier, the trickiest secret for Claire and Ray is their growing attraction. And as they each try to stay one double-cross ahead, two career loners find their schemes endangered by the only thing they can’t cheat their way out of: love.

Pool Party

2009-03-21T17:52:00.007+09:00

I spent a few hours with Ace and his family today for his daughter, Saffron's 6th birthday. The weather was nice for a pool party, (although not quite warm enough for me to jump in) but some parents did.

It was quite amusing because Ace is in his late 20's, but most of the other parents are in their mid 40's, so as you can imagine, some of the dad's were wearing speedo's - not the best look for middle aged men!! *grin*

Ace and his wife have split up (and by all accounts it is not an amicable split) and when she picked the kids up there was a bit of a showdown - she turned up with her new boyfriend & Ace had his girlfriend there.

We went back to his place to chill out. All us girls lounged on the grass out the back, drinking wine while the 2 boys unloaded the cars. The boys came outside and disappeared around to the veggie patch and came back a few minutes later with a container full of chilli's.

His brother's girlfriend wanted to try one of the chilli's. Ace warned her more than once that they were very hot, so she should only take a small bite, but she ignored him and ate the whole thing - seeds and all. She was fine for about 30 seconds but then you could see the sweat on her face and her eyes watering. She ran for the house to get some water. We were all rolling around on the lawn laughing our arses off at her!!

20 minutes later and she was still struggling to calm down (as were we). It was the funniest thing I've seen in a while.

I've got to try me one of those chilli's....

Cirque Du Soleil - Dralion

2009-03-14T00:14:00.004+09:00

I was lucky enough to get really cheap tickets to Cirque Du Soleil last night ($50 for adults & $35 for kids), so Sue and I went with her 2 boys, Liam & Daniel.

We went to Sizzlers for dinner - I do not recommend anyone to go to the Innaloo restaurant as we waited nearly an hour for our meals and my chicken was nearly cold. It's not like it was packed when we got there either!

The show was AMAZING! The girl that was first on stage was incredible - so flexible and strong!

I've been to almost every show that has been to Perth, except the first show, Saltimbanco.

I will definitely be going again when it comes back.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

2009-02-28T23:02:00.006+09:00

Ace invited me to tag along to a birthday party his kids had been invited to. We caught up while the kids were doing the various activities at this dodgy play centre thingy.

Up until recently, he was still hoping they would be able to reconcile, but he has now moved on and is seeing someone else which his ex is not too happy about apparently.

She's got nobody to blame but herself since she was the one who 'wanted to be single again' and went out on dates with other guys.

I ended up spending the day with them and didn't get home until an hour ago.... I'm bushed!

Movie Review: Bride Wars

2009-02-14T18:34:00.004+09:00

I caught up with an old school friend who I haven't seen for a couple of months to go see this. It was a good afternoon for a catch-up.

The movie was pretty good but the end was a little bit of a disappointment (about the surprise wedding). Anne Hathaway is stunning and I can see why my brother-in-law has the hots for her at the moment. Kate Hudson though, is starting to get on my nerves.

Plot: Liv and Emma, best friends since childhood, are always there for each other, through good times and bad. Even their respective bridal engagements happen within hours. Together they plan their weddings, each to take place at New York’s ultimate bridal destination, the Plaza Hotel. But a clerical error and subsequent clash in wedding dates pits the two brides against each other in a competition that quickly escalates into all-out war.

Random Facts 25

2009-02-14T01:34:00.001+09:00

Human thighbones are as strong as concrete.
The first known contraceptive was crocodile dung used by the Egyptians in 2000 BC.
Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue prints are different.
The average human body contains enough potassium to fire a toy cannon.
One quarter of the bones in your body are in your feet.
23% of all photocopier faults are caused by people sitting on them and photocopying their buttocks.
No piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven times.
The honeybee kills more people worldwide than all the poisonous snakes combined.
The average human body makes enough carbon for 900 pencils.
Tuna suffocate if they stop swimming.

Health Crisis

2009-02-05T21:40:00.001+09:00

I've not had any appetite since last Monday. The smell of food makes my throat close up, as if I'm about to throw up. I've not eaten anything more substantial than a slice of bread with butter on it and have only just managed to keep down some spaghetti bolognaise tonight.

I've managed to lose 6 kilo's in 2 weeks, which is nice, but this is not the way I want to lose the weight.

I'm tired all the time and can't sleep and have a constant neck and headache.

Time to see a doctor me thinks...

Movie Review: Changeling

2009-02-02T21:49:00.002+09:00

I didn't know what to expect from this movie, I mean, I've only ever seen Angelina Jolie in action flicks - Tomb Raider and Mr & Mrs Smith - for me, another actress would have suited the role better. Don't get me wrong, I liked this film and Angelina was good in it, but throughout the entire movie I was constantly distracted by those lips - they are ridiculously out of proportion to the rest of her face.

It's still a good movie. Very moving and a terrible subject, but definitely worth seeing.

Plot: Christine Collins, a single mother working in 1928 Los Angeles when her son goes missing. A boy is returned to her months later by the police, but she is shocked and disheartened when she realizes that the boy isn't her son. Joined by a crusading pastor (John Malkovich), Christine battles for justice against the corrupt L.A.P.D. while she continues to search for her child. Eventually her fight against the cops lands her in a mental hospital, where she is surrounded by others with a similar plight.

Book Worm

2009-01-31T11:37:00.002+09:00

I've just finished the Twilight series!

I only started the first book on Tuesday and have managed to read every book each day! I am so obsessed with this series that I am doing something I have never done before.... EVER (not even for Harry Potter!!).... I'm reading them again straight away!!