Monday, April 30, 2007

Vegemite vs Marmite

Poll time.

I have a theory that nobody actually chooses whether they're a Vegemite or Marmite person, they're just brought up like one or t'other.

Whaddaya reckon?

Anyhoo, here is my most scientific poll (Wanda Harland, asking the questions people want answered):


Which do you prefer?
Vegemite
Marmite
I'm not from New Zealand, and I think you're freaks for liking that weirdo black gunk
I'm not from NZ, and I'd like to try that weirdo black gunk
I'm not from NZ, and I've acquired a taste for Vegemite
I'm not from NZ, and I've acquired a taste for Marmite
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Saturday, April 28, 2007

That's my boy

I turned on the computer this morning, and flicked on Firefox, homepage Stuff.

And what should I see?
Finn plays Wii

Photo by Ross Giblin/Dominion Post

My boy! With tongue!

They didn't quote me when I said there is enough variety in the activities to prevent any kind of repetitive stress injury, certainly in the case of 4 years olds.

I am a mighty supporter of the Wii, and would never takes its name in vain.

Yay.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Wii madness

Finn was photographed with the Wii today (check tomorrow's Dom Post).

He had to have his back to the game, but pretend to play. He aced it. He won by 4 home runs, and this was playing without seeing the screen at all. The kid plays by sound.

I feel like Mr Miyagi.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Quiet days chez Martha

Not much to report, although I feel like reporting, or it would be almost a week between posts, and that just ain't my style.

I'm watching Cribs, eating Anzac bickies, lying on the couch. Honestly, that is all I have to say.

I have been doing lots of work today, when really I would've liked to be lying on the couch, eating Anzac biscuits and watching Cribs.

I kind of wish I was an NFL star. While the Anzac biscuits are lush, the big white Bentley would be strange and wonderful.

I'd better stop watching Cribs before I start wanting my own lake.

Damn, too late.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Rock!

Years ago, when I was going to start a death metal band (as if), a friend suggested it be called Aftermarth. I like it. It is one of those jokes I often have with myself, because I think only Tommo knew it.

So the Aftermarth of my latest gig? Well, it was Hi 5, today at the Opera House. It was FREAKING AWESOME. They did a full set, with intermission. The costuming was splendid - it takes a brave soul to wear hot pink ankle socks with strappy heels, but Sun (Kathleen's stand in) pulled it off.

They did some songs, involving a lot of flattery (I love you, you love me, you're beautiful and clever and wear short leggings well - that sort of thing).

Of course, nobody cares about any of that, because you're all wondering which one I'd do after seeing them live.

SHOCK! Tim wins! He was kind of quirky, people. Quirky and frankly paunchy, but also cute. Nathan worked the room well, clearly his musical theatricality works better on the stage than small screen. Charlie was very, very small. I have never seen a woman with such a tiny torso. Miniscule. Kellie was spunky.

They all managed to smile for 90 minutes and actually make you believe they weren't faking it.

Top gig.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

5 Questions

The divine Ms M (aka Metalia, who is hilarious, and you should read her blog), has given me 5 questions.

1. What is your most irrational fear? Why?

Things that go bump in the night. And food poisoning. Actually, they're kind of rational fears. Irrational is the fear that someone will squeeze one of my fingernails. I feel sick thinking about it.

2. What's your favourite word?

So many to choose from! I like lots of swear words. However, since I want to give the impression of being a super brain I'll say, um, 'gruts'. Gruts gruts gruts. I can't think of a better word for underpants, evocative, crass, awesome.
3. If you could change one thing about yourself (physically or emotionally) what would it be?

These questions are hard. Physically I wish my eyesight was still good, bad eyes are a drag (and mine aren't that bad yet, but the longer I'm on these puter things, the worse they get). Emotionally? I just wish I'd harden up a bit, and not take things on board so much.
4. What talent do you wish you possessed?

Rhythm. Man, I'd like to tap dance.
5. Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?

When I was travelling, the place I thought I'd most like to live was Barcelona. For some reason I'd love to live in New York, but that is probably based on too many American sit-coms, because I've never been there. If I lived anywhere but here, I'd like to be super rich. I'd like to be super rich anyway, but I think it would matter more when you don't have friends and family around to entertain you.

Soooooo, now you can email me, or leave a comment for me, and I'll email you 5 questions. My email is wandaharland at the g mail bro.

An apple a day

My son's kindy has been selling organic apples as a fundraiser. They're quite delicious. For some reason (ie total slackness) I didn't bother asking around to see if anyone would like some, I just bought myself a few bags. Well, 3 bags, 5kg each.

This morning I thought I'd better bake some stuff to use them up. Any idea how many apples most recipes use? Most recipes use ONE apple.

One batch of slice, one tray of muffins and one cake later, I have only 14.8kg left.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Wonder Years

Perhaps my real dad was Fred Savage?

I'm so freaking mannish.

Who is Tarkin?



Chur to Emily, who is obviously also hard at work today...

Monday, April 16, 2007

Oops I did it again...

I set up a new blog. I'm unstoppable I tell you! Although, as my lovely Wellingtonista colleagues know, I'm not necessarily unstoppable at the posting, since sometimes I don't even manage to post for over a month...

None of that made sense. I'm a little tired - can you tell?

Here is my new blog. It is for my website, since it is totally, like, you know, Web2.0 to have a blog on your website.

And before anyone says anything, it will ONLY INTEREST PEOPLE WITH CHILDREN. Or people who are stalking me.

Oy.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Gissy

I'm back from a flying visit to Gisborne. I went up to see a friend and her new baby, and they're great.

While away I ate and drank:

1 x Monteiths Pisner
1x bag of snowballs (shared)
1x bag of jellybeans
3x gin and tonic
1x chips and aioli
1x chicken and salad
1x movenpick chocolate icecream with fudge sauce
2x Pam's mini eclairs
2x cup of tea
2x cup of coffee
1x piece of vogels with jam

I should start a health website, I'm a total inspiration.

On the plane back there was an MP. One guy said "didn't realise you were going to be on this flight", she replied "they bumped me up from the 1.30pm, still had to sit down the back with you fellas though".

"Well, you are in the Opposition".

I don't know what that makes me, I was virtually sitting in the toilet at the back.

Friday, April 13, 2007

The world gone mad

Much as I love the idea of monoliths created in my honour, I have to draw the line at a volcano made of poo. It would make us a laughing stock. It would almost appeal as a sightseeing trip, until the tourists would say "but hang on, we're going to a poo island to see a poo volcano? Maybe we should just go and gamble at the Sky Tower instead".

You know the apocalypse? And all those signs we saw on the Seventh Sign? With Demi? And the dead fishes? Well, the poo volcano can safely oust the dead fishes.

Man, totally apocalyptic.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Undies!

April 2007 062

But where are her eyes?

Very happy with the front page today. I'll photograph the insides when the camera batteries have charged.

Mrs Govind at the dairy doesn't really approve of the whole undies scenario. I guess she won't buy any.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Wanda loves undies

I did a photo shoot today holding my undies. You'd better buy the Dom Post on Thursday, because it will be HOTTTTTT.

Well, it could be hot. It could just be kind of bizarre.

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Hunters (photo by Sue)


Hunters
Originally uploaded by ellipse.
The photo is entirely unrelated to anything, except I suppose that I made them, and like to constantly remind everyone that I make people, and they're fabulous.

Hmm.

I was a bit in the Dom Post today. It was a nice little mention, although a teensy bit inaccurate in a couple of ways. I'm not bothered, there is really no real need for anyone but the taxman and myself to know my real income, and hell, I spent plenty of time around policy analysts to have a pretty good idea of what they do...

Just recovering from a lovely day at the beach. Sunshine, great company and food. What more could I wish for?

Thursday, April 05, 2007

The reason for the season

I'm not religious. This means that to me Easter is about delicious food. Hot cross buns, chocolate, the chill of winter, a nice glass of something fabulous...

Obviously, whether you're religious or not, Jesus had a bit to offer. Water into wine, anyone? Loaves and fishes (which I take to mean bagels and smoked salmon)?

So, at this special time, WWJD?

I can tell you, Jesus would eat Easter eggs on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The man was not about restraint.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Serenity

Hmm, seen the movie, but not the series, so I don't know what this means.

The quiz makes you feel good though, am I extremely intelligent? Why, of course! Are you a strong leader? Well, why not!

Your results:
You are Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic)

























Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic)
100%
Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)
95%
Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command)
90%
Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic)
80%
Wash (Ship Pilot)
75%
River (Stowaway)
70%
Alliance
65%
Inara Serra (Companion)
50%
Jayne Cobb (Mercenary)
35%
Derrial Book (Shepherd)
20%
A Reaver (Cannibal)
0%
Medicine and physical healing are your game,
but wooing women isn't a strong suit.


Click here to take the "Which Serenity character are you?" quiz...



Thanks Hadyn!

Monday, April 02, 2007

Okay

By popular demand, the poll again. And this time you must all vote. I've added a picture as a visual aid.They are (from left to right), Kelly, Tim, Charlie, Kathleen and Nathan. Chats is absent, but suffice to say she is Charlie's widemouthed, dreadlocked, alter-ego.

NOW VOTE, and restore my faith in humanity. HUMANITY.


Which member of Hi-5 would you do?
Kelly
Charlie
Nathan
Tim
Kathleen
Chats
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Bento lala

My sister is living in Japan now, and sent me a hilarious list of things she has to sew for her son's creche.

Here are her words:

2 bags for pyjamas (2 because in summer you have to take his pyjamas home to wash EVERYDAY)
2 bags for his cup (which must be washed EVERYDAY by 'the mother')
2 bags for taking dirty clothes home
1 bag for taking home info sheets, art work etc
A large bib made of a towel folded in half with elastic band (how many - 60?)
8 small towels to use before and after mealtimes
2 - 4 other small towels with a cord attached so they can be hung up on a peg
2 futon covers
2 duvet covers


That is to SEW. Evidently the Japanese housewife is a sewing machine (heh).

My sister is a full time working woman, and I suspect has better things to do with her time. I'm not allowed to direct you to her blog, but if you look carefully at the sidebar, you'll find it.

In a roundabout way it lead to me becoming obsessed with bento boxes, the lovely Japanese lunchbox. This was helped by gazing at Annette's beautiful lunches. Finn starts school in 101 days, and we'll have to get off our arses and send him to school EVERYDAY with some food. Cripes.

So, in a fit of some kind of crazy, today I made:

Mini blueberry muffins
Mini cornbreads
Mini quiches
Big quiches
Fried onigiri

The freezer is pleasingly full. I realise they won't be there in 101 days, but it feels good to have some practice in. Plus I have a suspician that the kids will require food at some stage soon (like tomorrow and the next day).

I went and bought lots of great little containers for sauce and small things, and some toothpicks, and lots of yummy asian food.

And I made sushi for tea, which we ate on the floor and followed with some Pocky.

It has been a very Japanese sort of a day.