25 Random Things (I've lost the will to resist being tagged with this)

1. I clocked Donkey Kong. That was enough to fulfill my gaming needs forever.
2. Our dog has ruined one of my favourite hobbies, which was picking weeds out of the lawn, bloody dog poos. It was more fun than picking split ends, if you can believe that.
3. In 2008 I didn't read any books. In 2009 I've read about 12. Working cramps my leisure style.
4. I don't really know how to do anything properly, but I'm fairly good at bluffing.
5. I like hanging up washing, but hate bringing it in.
6. When I went to university I planned to become a journalist, so I studied art history and politics, but it became apparent I can't write. Ironically I'm writing now.
7. My English teacher at school did a crap job of teaching me when to use "ironically", also grammar and like, writing (see 6).
8. I drink and I don't stop. I was once always the last to leave, now I barely go.
9. I've got one paper to go in a PGDipBusAdmin end. Comm. I chose it because I needed more letters after my name, and it seemed like the quickest route.
10. I hate swimming in the sea, I'm terrified of sea creatures and and human body parts in the water. I'm not going to let the kids know this.
11. I like to have the correct glassware for what we're drinking, and I'm a sucker for crystal.
12. Pukas are my favourite tree, they're so lush and tropical looking.
13. I was in a theatresports team at school. We never did theatresports, just lolled around discussing our team name, which I can't remember.
14. My children, Glen and I all have different blood types. Mine was the rarest until Lucie was born, she stole my thunder and is much rarer than me. I don't mind, she is cute and has a gummy smile.
15. I make really gorgeous children, but I try not to boast.
16. I'd write a novel, but I spend hours trying to come up with the first line, and it sends me into a black hole of despair.
17. Janola is the solution to all household cleaning problems.
18. In the 80s I tried to have flicky, side-sweeps in my hair, but my hair is very gravity led, and no amount of mousse or gel could fix it.
19. I've been waiting a long time to be grown-up enough to wear high heels, but they still hurt my feet, and I guess it just isn't a grown-up issue.
20. My belief in aetheism is strong. I have no doubts.
21. I believe children should grow up in a house with a piano, like I did. We don't have a piano.
22. I've learned piano, violin and clarinet, all for quite a few years. I'm really crap at them.
23. I've learned German and French for quite a few years, I'm really crap at them.
24. I can never remember quotes or lyrics correctly, this ruins my anecdotes all the time, which would otherwise be legendary good.
25. I've just bought a filing cabinet, so I'd better leave this self indulgent codswallop and go and arrange to get it.
    

Fings wot I'm bringing back

• Saying "not" at the end of sarcastic statements. So much simpler than wondering if people get it.
• Saying "literally" at every opportunity. Really awesome and simple way of sounding intelligentlier.
• Air quotes. Chanelling 4th form English teacher, and really bolding your speech. Plus people think you're literally really literate.

Review of shizz

In a single-handed attempt to revitalise the economy, over the summer I've accumulated quite a lot of stuff. I also blame some pregnancy brain hormonal thing, because my consumerist tendencies hit a new peak.

What is better than acquiring new stuff? Why, a series of reviews in bullet point format, of course.

• Cuisinart Soft Serve Icecream Maker. I hinted strongly, and my obliging parents obliged and gave me this for my birthday. I really love it. We've used it heaps, it is very simple, impresses the pants of people (literally! (I'm bringing back the inappropriate use of "literally")), works quickly, can be used for amazing icecream as well as frozen yoghurt and soft serve, has dispenser thingies to appeal to the kiddies. I can't fault it, and give it an A++
• Playstation 2. We needed a new DVD player, and I got an obsession with trying out Singstar, so we treated ourselves to a Playstation 2 (which was fantastically cheap with all the Boxing day sales and so on). I think at this stage I was about 9 days past my due date, and I couldn't sustain a note on Singstar to save myself. We've ended up with quite a few Singstar games, and even after hearing it 786 times, the boys singing Daydream Believer still brings tears to my eyes. A++
• Paella pan. Fabulous friends invited me for a delicious paella lunch, which planted the seed. A voucher from my dear sister provided the means, and we've enjoyed many paellas over the last few weeks. They're so easy and so delicious, I recommend to all. A++
• Sodastream. More voucher fun meant we could get a Sodastream. I couldn't stop thinking about how much I wanted one (I know, loser), and my friend pointed out how kind it is to the environment, and voila! We have lots of fizzy water. Take that Evian. A++
• Ladies, a Plate. Reading Ms Make Tea Not War's review of aforementioned book made me hanker after it, and I was delighted to use the remainder of the voucher from Ms Hana for the book. I can report that the banana cake is extremely good, we haven't gone past that yet. A++

I might remember some more appliances or something at some stage. I daresay they'll get A++ too, for that is how I roll.

Did you get anything I can obsess over until I convince myself that I need it, and will single handedly save the economy of the country with my rampant spending?

Slightly above average

Turns out the colossal squid is, um, not quite as big as I thought. I think what I need is a gargantuan squid.

Routine

In case you were wondering, the reason I don't write much at the moment isn't because I'm snowed under with three kiddies, but mainly because I'm pretty sure people won't be that interested in the things I'm interested in. I'm perfectly willing to acknowledge that the baby looking at the bookshelf isn't as exciting as, say, um, someone giving the prime minister the biff, but to me the baby looking at the bookshelf is really awesome. And the contents of her nappy are a source of constant amazement. And the boys saying quite earnestly that she is "the most beautiful baby in the world" is quite touching. And her little legs stretching out more often so she is less a foetal little ball and more a human being is quite wonderful. And her little eyelashes extending beyond her formerly puffy eyes is quite lovely. And her sleeping for a good 6 hour stretch is quite a relief.

So until I can write a decent post about important things, like telly and beer, I'll shut my (internetty) gob.