annie

annes @ 2009-09-02T05:10:00

2009-09-01T19:10:43Z

An update on this entry for those I have not already told.

On 27 July 2009, Mike Silva (Yukanojo, Floor_, Solipse) shot and killed himself in an apparent suicide. I can find no news articles of this, but his sister and best friend have both confirmed this with me. The last time I spoke to him was the 6th of June, 2009 and is documented in that last entry. He last posted on the something awful forums on the 29th of June in a New Hampshire gun-meet thread. I don't know if he ever made it there. This chapter of my life ended a long time ago but this is the worst possible outcome.

I am so angry at him. It is several layers deep; that he chose this way out instead of seeking the help he obviously and desperately needed, that he ended up being so selfish. I can't and won't beat myself up over it though. He chose his own path. I hope, somehow, he finds the peace he never found in life. If you believe in any higher power, please keep him in your prayers. At the very least, his friends and family will need them. I have no other words.

EDIT: I'm making this entry public now at the request of his best friend and former roommate to tell his online friends what has happened. Please pass on the news to anyone who might have known him.

La Bella Vita things

2009-06-15T13:46:42Z

To get my creative juices flowing once again, Andrew ( wombat74 ) and I have started a webcomic about Bella. We've named it "La Bella Vita".

The home page for the comic can be found here.

You can also add the syndication to show up on your friends page on livejournal by going here. We only update it twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays at midnight AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time) so there's no spam from us.

If you're on twitter, we've dedicated an account for "Bella" to tweet when the comic updates here.

I've completed about 15 strips so far, with 7 more scripted and queued and 5 live at the moment.

I'd love feedback or ideas!

The Problems with Gen Y.

2009-05-09T13:15:42Z

As observed by a Gen X.

In 1929, the Stock Market suffered its biggest ever one day crash. This led to an extended period of economic and social deprivation known as, as I'm sure you're aware, the Great Depression. Children born during these years grew up frankly, without much. Not much to eat, not much to play with, not much to really call their own. When they had children, for quite often after coming back from World War II, they wanted to give their children the very best that they could. Everything that they didn't have growing up. Those children, the Baby Boomers, are for the most part, the parents of our beloved Generation Y.

Never having suffered extended periods of poverty as a generation, the Baby Boomers gave their children even more than they had growing up. Generation Y has been given everything, and they don't know how to cope when they're told "No." So what happens when an adult has never experienced the word "No" their entire life? What happens to those adults whose entire childhood has been reinforced that participation is reward enough? Generation Y is now in the workforce, at universities and now facing one of the largest recessions since the Great Depression... and they're throwing tantrums. They're not getting everything handed to them on a silver platter, they're not getting their immediate gratification, they're not getting their gold stars. They are being the spoiled rotten brats that their parents raised.

"Why shouldn't everyone get a gold star? That's the politically correct way!" Why not? I'll tell you why. There's no character building, no drive to better oneself, to aim higher from that low of not succeeding, from not getting that gold star. A gold star, or anything like it, should be a reward. It's a recognition of performance or effort above the norm. If everyone gets a gold star, then the gold star is the norm and it completely devalues the point of issuing gold stars to begin with.

Generation Y needs to stop whining. Life is a challenge. Not everything is going to be handed to you the way it was during your childhood. If life doesn't challenge you, you will become a lazy, driveless zombie – consumer and trend whores who throw tanties until you get your way. Wake up to the real world. You are not unique butterflies. You are just like everyone else on this planet until you strive to be better.

You cannot richly reward yourself for a job half-done. The job is not done. No cookies. No, you will not get your pony. Not yours.

The leading edge of Generation Y are now starting to have children, and they are keeping up with their stereotypical selfishness by being extremely selfish parents. They're demanding everything be catered to their needs. They NEED "parents with prams parking", first home-buyers grants, even though that's driving up the average price being sold by the Baby Boomers who didn't save up for their retirement to begin with!!

Disclaimer: This is not aimed at anyone in particular nor any of the Gen Y's on my list. After all, not all Gen Y-ers act like selfish children.

This woman's voice...

2009-05-05T06:28:25Z

...is amazing.

I love this version.

Green Cake Day

2009-03-17T07:23:36Z

I think everyone was surprised when the cake was sliced.

Originally published at annie's tea room. You can comment here or there.

Heart Cookies

2009-02-12T14:39:49Z

I made these for Andrew to take in to work tomorrow (Friday) for Valentine’s Day. They are very simple and incredibly tasty!

Here’s the recipe for the Brown Sugar Cookies:

125g unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or essence (I used imitation because it’s actually BETTER than real vanilla extract.)
½ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon golden syrup (or you can use honey or a thick maple syrup)
1¼ cups self-raising flour

Cream butter, vanilla, sugar and honey until light and creamy. Mix in flour and blend until doughy. Very lightly flour a wooden rolling board and hand flatten the dough very carefully. The dough is too delicate to roll with a pin. Then cut out your shapes, place on a flat cookie sheet lined with baking paper and cook at 150ºC (or 130ºC Fan Forced which is what I did) for 30 minutes or until firm. Remove and let cool. Once cool, roll out your icing using sifted caster sugar as a flouring agent on your rolling board and cut using the same shapes you used for the cookies. Brush some golden syrup (like a glue) onto the inner portion of the cookie, and place the icing on top and in the center.

That’s it! So simple and tasty and perfect for people with egg allergies.

Originally published at tea makes everything that much better. You can comment here or there.

Themed Cupcakes

2009-01-27T10:52:15Z

I made some pirate cupcakes in honour of “Talk like a Pirate Day!” last November.

Banana Nut Bread is next on the baking list.. as soon as it cools down a little bit.

Originally published at tea makes everything that much better. You can comment here or there.

Memememememememe Bellaaaaa (Sung to the old Batman tv series theme)

2008-09-10T16:25:33Z

1. machineplay
2. machineplay, happymrlocust
3. Not really anyone
4. machineplay, wombat74, not stormry
5. rox_da_box, gygaxis
6. rox_da_box
7. wombat74, kakibell, gizmometer
8. c0rtana, monsterhouse
9. wombat74, pomander
10. gizmometer, monsterhouse, machineplay, linagabriev
11. jackandhishat
12. pomander, velitu
13. kakibell
14. love_is_puke
15. happymrlocust
16. wombat74, machineplay
17. not really sure
18. wombat74
19. wombat74, dreamshade
20. stormry
21. ???
22. ???
23. c0rtana (and in a way, already is!)
24. I would hope no one
25. michaeldowling !
26. wombat74 8D
27. wombat74, monsterhouse, gizmometer
28. c0rtana (penguin, 'nuff said)
29. wombat74!
30. Even though I don't make entries often or comment on your journals, I read every day and you are all in my thoughts.

edit: right, the explanation - if you want to know the questions that went along with this, let me know and I will send them to you privately and then you in turn can run the meme on your journal

Has anyone else noticed wonky things going on with lj? One of my entries is completely missing; the one with the lemon meringue recipe. It's very bizarre. I opened a support request and someone from lj got back to me finally basically saying "It appears you may have deleted it yourself.. somehow OR someone else did, but we can't tell who or anything else about it, tough cookies it's gone forever." (If anyone wants that recipe again, let me know and I'll put it back up.) I'm annoyed though.

I was thinking about going back to being a paid user (for some of the features) as I was for years and years, but not if things like this are happening. Has anyone else been having problems? I've been getting Internal Server Request Errors all night and randomly all week, plus people getting their icons replaced with images that are not their own. LiveJournal needs to get their act together.

In other news, I have no exciting news. Thrilling, isn't it!

Actually, something exciting to me, I've ordered some pretty return address labels for letters and packages. It's silly, but I've always wanted my own address labels.

Fashion from the 20's (not the flapper girl, but the nicer clothes) should come back. Frills, lace, skirts, beads, old fashioned sailor collars, the beautiful hair and red lipstick and matching nailpolish.

August Update

2008-08-19T15:08:14Z

My parents were here last week for a visit and it was absolutely wonderful having them here. My dad said that he's so proud of me because I keep this place so clean and running smoothly (with Andrew's help.) They brought us a ton of food that we simply can't get here or import easily. 4 boxes of hostess products, 4 cans of Cheese Whiz and a 30 pack of giant california tortillas. *_* Thinking about that.. nothing says American food than hostess products, tortillas and cheese in a can.

I really wish they could have stayed longer. I told them I would love for them to move out here, because they already love it.

We rearranged the bedroom and treated ourselves to some frilly, pretty bed linens and a new accent pillow. I love showcase bedrooms, someday I will have my dream bedroom and bathroom, but it's close for now!

Bonus kitty feet:

We've both got a nasty cold right now, though it is kinda neat blowing your nose to the Australian national sports colors!

Andrew may have a rant on the judging for the Olympics this year. Something is as wonky as the voting for Eurovision.

And... I'm in the mood for some 80's music. Youtube-link/embed your favorite 80's videos plz.

Scaramouchesque

2008-07-08T00:01:52Z

Remember that papier-mâché mask I was working on? I've done more work on it.

I added gold leaf to the border, coated the entire mask with a satin finish and finally, weaved some gold thread and applied it to the border. I don't know if I'm done with it now, or if I want to do more. I need to find some black ribbon for the tie.

Other news, I am officially now an Australian Resident! I am very excited about this, it means I can start looking for work here. I'm also stressing over that fact - my eye is micro-twitching again. It's a new country, new set of work laws and rules and I don't know what employers are like or what I should be looking for as far as employee packages or super-annuation or if I'll even be hired in my desired field!

We're heading for Tasmania at the end of next week to spend some time with Andrew's mum. We are putting Bella up in her vet's cattery. I am sure she'll be ok, but I will still worry.

I need to work on laundry and do the damn dishes. Since I strained my back last weekend, (carrying too many groceries at once up to the third floor) it's been piling up. I have been on a constant supply of NSAIDS / Nurofen Plus with lots of bed rest, but the more rest I seem to get, the worse my back feels when I first get up, so I'm trying to keep busy. Sometimes I wish the laundry and dishes would do themselves. It never ends!

Updates

2008-06-11T11:49:44Z

Starting from the most recent, backwards - Andrew took some extra time off over the long holiday this last weekend, it's been great having him home. We went to dinner tonight at Presse. They have the most delicious chicken, spinach, mushroom and cream gnocchi with a white cabernet sauvignon.

We went shopping yesterday and when we came back to our flat, our front door was wide open. That really freaked us out. There is a security door at the bottom of the stairwell, but sometimes neighbors leave it open. We were gone for several hours, so we got up and there was a definite "oh fuck" moment. Andrew was awesome and told me to "wait there" but when I saw the door, my heart almost leapt out of my chest from beating so fast. Nothing was stolen as far as we can tell, and Bella was sound asleep on the bed, so two major "phew's" there. The only thing we can guess was that we may not have closed the door properly and it swung open with the wind. I have noticed that sometimes when closing the door, we have to push on it until we hear the latch go in - we simply may not have done it properly this time. It's a damn good thing there's a security door at the bottom and that we live on the third floor.

This weekend was a long holiday as stated above - and I baked a chocolate cake in honor of the Queen's Birthday (observed!) It was tasty. It had chrome colored sprinkles.

gizmometer, I got your package, thank you so much - so cute! I read your letter and am replying to you in a letter as well so please keep an eye out for it? Actually, I need your new address!

I got my hair cut. I had gotten it down to the small of my back once again, but that told me it was time for a change. It was heavily damaged and breaking and was simply limp, lifeless and flat and looked terrible. I now have a cute, short cut - a "long bob" If you're on my facebook friends list, you can see it there if you haven't already.

We were finally able to get my medical and x-ray out of the way for immigration, and the australian federal police check. Just waiting for them to come back and then those are the last two pieces of the puzzle. It's been a long road and we had to budget for the medical - prepaid when booking the appointment for just under $300 which is why it took us so long to get it done.

Wii Fit is really, really fun.

Bella says:

VROPP;;;;;

This is a really effective website: http://imvotingrepublican.com

latest, WIP

2008-04-23T11:28:29Z

I'm drawing again. I haven't drawn anything significant since 2005.

I'm doing her in paperdoll style.

Some of you may recognize who this is by her features and characteristics.

I'm still working on the skin, jeans and shirt design. The ink on her arm is temporary and probably not the final. I need to design a tattoo for her neck, arm, back and body. I'm not sure where to go from here. Most of it won't be seen when she's fully clothed, but that's just part of the paper doll effect.

Anyone good at designing tattoos? I'm also not sure where to go with the background, perhaps a night time city scape. I may go into the city this weekend and take some reference photos.

Meme and cupcakes.

2008-04-10T23:41:05Z

Meme stolen from gygaxis

1. Where is your cell phone? On the bedside table, recharging.
2. Your significant other? Sitting at his desk right beside mine.
3. Your hair? Is in a messy braid on my shoulder.
4. Your mother? At home in California, probably cooking something.
5. Your father? At home in California, probably watching Walker, Texas Ranger.
6. Your favorite thing? Andrew
7. Your dream last night? Not as bizarre as the night before, but still pretty out there and involved Hugh Jackman as the villain, complete with subtitles.
8. Your favorite drink? Ice water.
9. Your dream/goal? Get immigration sorted, start working here and saving up to buy a house with Andrew.
10. The room you're in? The office.
11. Your ex? Probably doing the same old thing day in and day out.
12. Your fear? One of my parents dying when I'm not there or something terrible happening to Andrew.
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? In a good job, still in a stable relationship with Andrew with two cats and possibly looking at children.
14. Where were you last night? Here, chatting with Des and gyg on stickam and skype.
15. What you're not? Sad.
16. Muffins? Chocolate.
17. One of your wish list items? Having mom and dad move out here eventually.
18. Where you grew up? California.
19. The last thing you did? Put the Beatles on iTunes.
20. What are you wearing? Nightgown and long sweater.
21. Your TV? Stays off for most of the week.
22. Your pet(s)? Awoke from her nap to walk over to the hallway to say goodbye to Andrew as he was off to work and is now eating again.
23. Your computer? Powerbook G4 with a 2nd monitor set up.
24. Your life? Happy.
25. Your mood? Good.
26. Missing someone? Parents and their cats.
27. Your car? Still in California.
28. Something you're not wearing? Shoes.
29. Favorite Store? Amazon.
30. Your summer? Was hot here
31. Love someone? Romantically? Andrew.
32. Your favorite color? Pinks.
33. When is the last time you laughed? A few minutes ago with Andrew about Bella.
34. Last time you cried? A while ago.
35. Who will/would repost? No idea, hopefully someone.
36. You're feeling? Relaxed.
37. To your left? Window.
38. On your mind? I have to go to the bathroom soon.
39. Last meal included? A mandarin.
40. You sometimes find it hard to be? Productive.
41. The weather? 19ºC/66ºF
42. Something you have a collection of? Beads.
43. A smell that cheers you up? Andrew's after shave.
44. A smell that can ruin your mood? Rotting.
45. How long since you last shaved? Legs, 2 days.
46. The current state of your hair? Short blunt bangs with the rest long to my mid/low back.
47. The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer)? Printer.
48. Your skill with chopsticks? Not terrible.
49. Which section you head for first in a bookstore? Horror/Mystery.
50. Something you're craving? Water.
51. Your general thoughts on the presidential race? Too complex, but I prefer Clinton.
52. How many times have you been hospitalized this year? None.
52. Favourite place to go for a quiet moment? Late night candle lit bath.
53. You've always secretly thought you'd be a good... Singer.
54. Something that freaks you out a little? Spiders and heights.
55. Something you've eaten too much of lately? Bread.
56. You have never... had it pointed out how much I am a kitty magnet before Andrew.
57. You never want to... Hurt Andrew.
59. Like someone? Yep.

Made more cupcakes this month for Andrew's work. I need to do something better next month. Not sure what, something custard or cream filled maybe.. but also cute. :3

Edit: Fuck, my mom just told me my uncle has passed away.

Attention Moku! (and anyone else who likes piggies)

2008-04-09T04:59:58Z

How cute is this!! ; ^ ;

--

I was thinking something earlier, since NKOTB has released news of their upcoming reunion tour... only 10 more years until 'N Sync does one!!

Oh lawdy!

2008-04-04T02:29:24Z

I just received the most hilarious email from one of my best friends since 2nd grade on facebook.

--

"Raquel sent you a message.

--------------------
Subject: ANSWER ME!

ANNE! I am about to faint! You have to come home the minute this event happens. You and I have to be the first ones in line at the first concert, in the first row.

http://music.msn.com/music/blockwatch?GT1=7702

I think I just peed a little!"

--

She's talking about The New Kids on the Block Reunion Tour, haha. It's so tempting to go. After all, I dragged her to 'N Sync back in 1999 :V

Please, don't go giiiiiirrrrllll o/~

Royal Icing/Fondant Cupcakes

2008-03-12T16:46:27Z

I made some cupcakes for Andrew’s once a month Thursday Morning Tea event that is in the morning. This week, I made themed cupcakes. It’s the first time I’ve used rolled icing and it’s really neat.

Next time I think I will spend more time with making the shapes neater, but we didn’t remember until it was after 9PM.

I think they came out pretty darn well!

I ran out of ideas about halfway through. The fondant is pretty flavorful the way icing should be. I had avoided it in the past due to people saying it was a bit floury or cakey.

This is me trying to makeup for baking cookies that melted last week. (I used margarine instead of butter, oops.)

Originally published at tea makes everything that much better. You can comment here or there.

Me me

2008-03-03T05:46:12Z

Tagged by stormry

A. People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves. Tag 8 people. Those who are tagged cannot refuse.
B. These 8 people must state who they were tagged by. You cannot tag the person who tagged you. Continue this game by sending this to 8 other people. People who are tagged will be blessed and their wishes will come true in the future.

1. If your lover betrayed you, what will your reaction be?
I don't really think Andrew ever would knowingly, but I guess it depends on the type of betrayal. I think cheating would be the worst, leaving me pretty much heartbroken.

2. What will you do if you do not share the same feelings as the person who likes you?
I usually voice my opinions whether they are wanted or not.

3. Have you ever seen someone die?
No.

4. Are you confused as to what lies ahead of you?
A little, being in a new country is a little overwhelming at first, but it's getting better. Baby steps.

5. What's your dream relationship like?
I'm living it. (But maybe with a better behaved cat in the background.)

6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone else?
Both are equal. However, loving someone else takes a selfless approach away from man's first instinct to love himself above all. It's especially difficult when a person is simply hard to love, but isn't that what we're all supposed to do? Some people excel better than others at this.

7.If the person you like does not accept you, would you continue to wait for them to change their feelings?
Be content with being friends.

8. If the person you secretly like is already attached, what would you do?
Just be friends, but if an opening arises, no harm in being hopeful.

9. Is there anything that has made you unhappy recently?
Finding out the cat has secretly been peeing on the guest room bed that soaked down to the top mattress, and not exclusively in her litter box.

10. What do you want most in life?
This is going to sound sappy, but to make the person I love most, happy, which would make me happy, it's a vicious cycle.

11. Which of the 7 Deadly Sins do you think you relate to the most & why?
Geez, all of them at some point. I suppose Sloth; I can be extremely lazy at times and not feel like doing a damn thing regardless of the consequences.

12. If you find out that your best friend is going out with your boyfriend/girlfriend, how would you react?
I would probably slip into a reclusive depression.

13. Who is currently the most important person to you?
My husband.

14. What kind of person do you think you are?
Overall good intentioned, obviously with flaws, sometimes selfish.

15. Do you believe there is nothing higher than human kind?
No, I believe there is necessarily a higher being which would most typically be called "God". <-- will go with storm's answer here.

16. Would you give your all in a relationship?
Of course.

17. Do you have a motto? If yes which one?
Not really, no.

18. What type of friends do you like?
One's with very good senses of humor. <-- will again go with storm's answer, 'cause it's good.

19. Do you have an all time favorite song?
No, I like various songs in turn over time.

20. Name things you like about yourself and one thing you wish you could change.
like: That if I set my mind to something, I can accomplish anything, even if I've never done it before.
dislike: That I don't realize this more often.

Tagging: Anyone who reads this and wants to do it.

--

The people in the next apartment complex (their balconies face our windows) were having a party until 4:30am last night. Drunk, loud, rowdy people. Poor Andrew didn't get enough sleep. This irks me.

Sculpting

2008-02-15T16:30:18Z

I used to love ceramics and I think I've discovered something just as fun. Back in high school I made a little black piggy jar that was on display until the end of the year. At the end of the year, when I went to collect it and it was missing. I was told it was being held in the Principals' office. It mysteriously wound up on her desk and filled with paper clips. I got it back in the end though!

I'm now creating and sculpting again and had forgotten just how much fun it was, and how rusty I am.

Wombat bought me some sculptamold and I'm making a mask. Ever since seeing that Stone Temple Pilots video, Interstate Love Song in high school ( http://youtube.com/watch?v=eGVobPA6b4Q ) I've been obsessed with those Italian/Venetian masks with the long noses.

I found some really nice ones online that I am modelling mine after.

First attempt, armature building.

See what I've done wrong yet?

I didn't realize until I had completed it, that while worn, the nose would hang straight down. D'oh! I tried to correct the mistake but it cracked right off. I then attempted to build off, but realized it'd be quicker and more stable in the end if I just started over. I took all the clay/plaster stuff off and rebuilt it thicker, stronger, better. :V

The next step, after it dries for a day or so, is to sandpaper it to make it smooth and even, prime it and then paint. I plan on using some cream/black and white acrylics and gold leaf, and then a lacquer. I'll drill holes in the sides and add some black ribbon to tie it.

I'm making this for something wombat and I are participating in next month. Now to just find him a gas mask.

Edit: Bella thread on SA in Pet Island http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2773001

Bella update

2008-01-30T07:22:27Z

Bella is, well... Bella. She has a few quirks that are painful and hilarious. She's still clawing me between 4 and 7 in the morning. I'm not sure what she wants all the time, but it's either food or room on the bed. For a while, I thought she was just clawing THAT side of the bed, until Andrew and I switched sides, and she started coming around to MY side and continued to claw at the bed with me in it.

That aside, she can be very sweet. She demands a morning nap with me, by coming into the office and meowing, then going back to the bedroom and waiting. If I don't go, then she repeats this (sometimes with desk hopping and keyboard walking) until I acquiesce. While she's napping, she'll find the spot on the bed warmed by sun rays. When the sun has moved and is no longer shining through the window, she'll move closer to me and slowly push me over until she has the spot I've just warmed.

A video...

Revisiting a film quiz

2008-01-25T19:32:50Z

I am revisiting this old entry: http://annes.livejournal.com/174562.html

If anyone can name the title to all of the following film photos, I'll mail them a gift. Comments will be screened. First person to name them all will receive some goodies from Australia. :V This is open to everyone.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.
(you get two for #8 due to its sheer awesomeness)

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

Edit: I switched hosting for the pics, so they should be showing up now.

Edit 2: I'm opening this up to the forums, so hurry and make your guesses.

5 Questions

2008-01-24T15:06:24Z

1. What's your dream job, and why?
My dream job would be to run my own design company where I make the rules, run a flexible schedule, have lots of fun and make neat contacts and oodles of money while also getting my name out there. This will probably not come to pass, but hey, that's why it's a dream job, right? Actually, my original dream job when I was little was to become a doctor. I tried making that a reality, but it became too much of a burden financially and timely. I always thought it would be really rewarding.

2. What was it like, moving to a new country?
Wonderful, exciting and terrifying at the same time. Almost bittersweet, but not so much bitter. I am very in love with Andrew and the prospect of moving to be with him fills my heart. New people, new accents, new wildlife and clouds, new mannerisms and colloquialisms, very different and new foods, new cultures and new opportunities are all extremely exciting. Leaving all my friends behind, my family, my pets, my parents, that has been painful. It's not forever, there are planes and phones and chat applications on the computer, but I can no longer phone my best friend and say "hey, let's watch some movies and do some beading tonight" and then hop in a car and drive over to her apartment. I can't run over to mom and dad's room and talk to mom about that trip to Mexico and "hey, what was the name of that volcano that we went to?" while petting Marble on the bed or browsing through her jewelry box. Missing my old hangouts and favorite restaurants has, at most, been an inconvenience. Not being able to take most of my belongings has also been an unforseen happening. Not being able to flick through that old yearbook, or look for that old necklace you used to wear when you were 5 years old, or going into the garage to find that old sleeping bag for a planned camping trip. Although, Andrew and I made the decision together and I wouldn't change a thing. We are making new memories and starting our lives and it's really like starting from scratch for me. It is wonderful.

3. What are you terrified of doing that you wish you weren't, because you'd love to try it?
Sky diving, or high board diving. I am so terrified of heights, I would never allow myself to be in a position to jump out of a plane or free fall of a high diving board into a pool, but it looks like so much fun! I just know that I would never, ever do it.

4. Who was your biggest positive influence during your early childhood?
My mother. She was supermom. She ran her own small business, would always give breaks to her regular customers or sometimes do pro bono work for them, yet she always managed to provide for us and was den mother, girl scout leader, classroom-mom, did the snack days and found time to do yard duty when Sister Bernice asked her. She made sure we visited grandma and aunties and uncles and let us keep kittens and puppies and took care of them. Always had the tastiest dinners ready, made our lunches every day. She read me bedtime stories, and sang at the top of her lungs with me on the drive home from school. Even when things were tight, which was most years, Christmas always came. She let me have piano lessons, and gymnastic lessons and swimming lessons and stayed for each one. She was the one to let my imagination soar. During the piano lessons, there was always a little mushroom ring or a ring of little stones in the garden outside the convent where I had the lessons. She told me those were fairy rings and that fairies guarded it and played and danced around them. I always kept an eye out to see if maybe I could spot one.*

5. Do you have a morning ritual for days you don't have to rush out the door?
It's not really a morning ritual per se, but I tend to laze around as much as humanly possible. If something needs to be done, I will leave it to the very last before getting started.**

* Now I am really missing her right now. I know that my move has been really rough on her because we are so close.
** Isn't that just awful? I at least try to be showered and dressed before Andrew comes home from work on those days.

machineplay asked me those questions. The meme is, you comment and I'll reply with 5 questions for you to then answer in your own journal and thus keep the proverbial meme-ball rolling~ Yaay.

Dear Bella

2008-01-13T08:49:22Z

Dear Bella,

Please refrain from stepping on the keyboard while I am trying to work. It's even ruder when you turn to look at me while standing on the letter jjjjjjjjjjjj and then sneeze on my face. You are only adding insult to injury.

Thank you. That is all.

Sincerely,

Anne

David Tennant should dance like Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing

2008-01-10T12:47:47Z

Then he would truly be complete. I've also decided I need to start watching Casanova. Yes. Then at least I won't be longing for him to hook up with Martha all the time. AND I can get over not always wanting to see The Doctor get laid. As for this whole Catherine Tate thing, I can't stand her. Hopefully she'll prove me wrong in the series. Andrew can't stand the fact that with the new doctors, every woman companion he encounters wants to have a romantic interlude with him. He misses the old days when companions were just that. My excuse is, his new incarnation is younger and quite attractive, so, it makes sense!

It's been disgustingly hot today. 104ºF at the highest. I kept the doors, curtains and shades closed to keep the house insulated. It wasn't as bad in here as it was outside.

I can't wait until I can start working, I legally can't right now until the bridging visa is sorted.

I digress! Patrick Swayze got old and didn't age well. :(

I don't read Penny Arcade, but I was linked this a few months ago and I love it.

Edit: Just finished watching Casanova. I cried at the end. AND STILL THERE IS UNREQUITED LOVE, ARGH.

The Great Sink Fiasco 2008

2008-01-06T06:09:26Z

Happy New Year everyone. 2008 has started with a bang, a fizzle and toxic smoke! Our kitchen sink had been backing up since we moved in, same with the laundry and the bathroom sink.

Two years ago, we tried to fix the bathroom sink ourselves with plungers and an auger, but to no avail. We contacted the owner and they arranged for a plumber to come out. It turns out, it wasn't our block, but the block was in the pipes belong to the flat below us. Since they are connected, if there's a block anywhere below us, it will eventually effect us. This time it was the kitchen sink. It was nasty. We plunged away for hours, but eventually the water wasn't draining at all, except under a bucket in the sink all night which we discovered the next day. Thankfully we had that bucket there otherwise it would have been more of a mess than it was. We drained the sink by hand, cupful at a time, then egg-cupful at a time as it became lower. Then we took out and emptied the u-bend pipe under the sink and sent the auger/snake down but couldn't get past the outside bend. We eventually flew our white flag and called the owner.

A plumber came out yesterday. We had been trying to use as little that needed washing as possible and was washing in the laundry sink. (Never again I tell you.) He came out with a little bottle of something called M-Flo. This stuff claimed it contained sulfuric acid. Well, he reattached the u-bend and then poured this stuff down and flushed it with water. It started to fizzle, then smoke. Then the coughing began and the stinging, watery eyes. I have never experienced tear gas, but if I could imagine what it was like, I'd imagine it'd be something like this. We opened all the windows and doors and hid the cat in the furthest back bedroom where she happily hung out safely under the bed until the plumber left. This stuff went down the stairwell and I opened the security door downstairs to air that out as well. Nowhere was safe except outside. I went downstairs to talk to Trish, our downstairs neighbor about cats and cake decorating.

Anyway, the acid obviously did not work as the block was still there. The plumber had been trying to avoid getting on a ladder outside to find the blockage physically, but this is exactly what he had to do. (In 90º+ F/30º+ C heat) When the plumber had found the block, used our auger to dislodge it and the fumes had dissipated, I went back upstairs. What I found there, was shocking. Our stainless steel sink, that I had cared for since I had been here, was black. It was green and black. The green would turn to black when flushed with cold water. One of the sponges in the sink had been eaten away by the acid. I was shocked.

After the plumber left, I went straight away into trying to get rid of the black acid burn. Some of it came off.

This is a photo of the sponge and the sink after an hour's worth of scrubbing. That was a new sponge. Andrew and I both went to work on it and wore holes in each sponge. We haven't been able to get it any cleaner. We're not going to use steel wool like the plumber wanted, because that would make it worse. I like that the plumber said "that's not my fault". It has completely lost its luster. We've called the owner and left a message telling them what happened though I doubt they will pay for a new sink while we're occupying the flat. Black stains, it has a gritty feeling to it and it's just awful.

Any chemistry lovers know what would work to help get it back or is it a lost cause? The black stain is slowly coming off, but it's leaving a lackluster raw metal feel underneath.

This is what our sink originally looked like. :(

Christmas 2007

2007-12-25T04:41:47Z

Well, my first Christmas away from home, and with my new husband is halfway done. We went to a gorgeous Catholic midnight mass last night. It was glorious. 4 priests, frankincense, every single candle in the church was lit, cantor, full choir, tympani, trumpet, organ, the entire church singing carols for 2 hours.

This Christmas morning, we slept in until we were no longer sleepy. I got up before Andrew did and started making some Christmas pies. I made 12 total of 3 different types: roast potatoes and hand shredded provolone cheese; spinach, egg and provolone quiches; and the piece de resistance, basil roasted tender steak cut into strips after it was cooked, with rosemary roast potatoes and gravy pies.

4 of them were eaten before the photo was taken.

We are just going to watch movies and relax today.

I received an awesome secret santa gift from an MT Mods forum friend. He sent me a fantastic Jewish care package. In it, were bagels, beautiful, gorgeous, tasty bagels of the like I have not seen in Australia; JEW GOLD (chocolate coins) which is awesome; 2 yamicah's, one satiny and purple, the other with red chili peppers on it haha; reece's peanut butter trees, beignet mix french doughnuts; australian licorice haw haw; and licorice flavored pastilles. The beef jerky was confiscated by customs though. Damn you Australian customs! Though, with everything else, I feel so spoiled and undeserving. Another forum secret santa gave me a $40 amazon gift cert., so I ordered some 2008 one-a-day calendars: the origami one and the paper airplanes one (for Andrew.) They look fun. Also, the Perry Bible Fellowship hardcover book. And an origami book on boxes.

This last weekend, Andrew bought me my early christmas gift. I picked out some origami paper for the upcoming books I'll be getting from Amazon next month, about 5,000 lucky star papers, and stationery abound! I have been keeping busy with this and having tons of fun. We also picked up the Alien and Predtor and Alien vs. Predator movies box set. I've been having oodles of fun watching that and making stars.

Yay Christmas. My mom called today as well, she said she didn't set up her Christmas tree this year because she didn't feel like it. I usually help set up the Christmas tree and wasn't there this year to do it. Sigh, oh mom. She says she misses me tons. I miss them too, but I am happy here.

Thank you Andrew for making this Christmas so special and wonderful and for helping make it possible for me to spend it with you.