tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128806262024-03-08T05:06:28.866+11:00jenTopiajenuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980154224104901689noreply@blogger.comBlogger469125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12880626.post-13078454737728510162009-04-04T23:42:00.002+11:002009-04-04T23:46:35.843+11:00The last post.....From now on you can find me at <a href="http://www.jentopia.wordpress.com">http://www.jentopia.wordpress.com</a><div><br /></div><div>Blogger is okay, but I've been hearing good things about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wordpress</span>. So far its okay, I think it looks neater but there are more changes to come. I'm also planning on getting my own domain set up at some point.</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember to update your favourites, bookmarks etc and sorry for any inconvenience!<br /><div><br /></div><div>- Jen</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314803250022918162" /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">2 x 7g sachets of granulated yeast <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">1/4 cup caster sugar<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">1 1/2 cups warm milk<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">4 cups plain flour<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">1 tsp mixed spice<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">1/2 tsp ground cinnamon<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">60g butter <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">1 egg<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">3/4 cup sultanas<br /></span></span></div></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">First up, combine yeast, sugar and milk in small bowl or jug and cover, stand in warm place for about 10 minutes or until the mixture is frothy:<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9C15T97ccvqNgymmngibCYh-of-Jds5XvX2Rh2yKOwQMxGZsg2PNFyuPjeN4Gg-opa8k_xNUk_tPrrXToMd91mSRQdgbZugNH7wfjFKGBrak9dEPB3NQOTwquDChu_zaNVG4sWg/s200/IMG_1672.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314808327713751298" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwACuHx_it1w7LR8xWYmN1-fjHb8S4sn6GeVwsXnSlhXgUpC4OkE8SPdesPqa72heVXR9cFWGEOwn5DwqkoPV33rzSh7zAWytNUm_rBhZaTU2vOI77X8iyT9pCzLeixhrOKXdHg/s200/IMG_1669.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314808324086258770" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Sift flour and spices into large bowl, rub in butter. Stir in yeast</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> mixture, egg and sultanas: m</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">ix to form a soft sticky dough. <br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Cover: stand in warm place about 45 minutes or until dough has doubled in size. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay6OszBbscQhqt9gDuecuPRYWrZhFsQ75bL7u50JI-KSaKDXqvUpJp8rHms9FdV0KPlbZWy0nkPomswQxZCno_f3z2BNIVaNXZ9HdSWYedA__2lSkTFSJyy2IWWXbsIhjYShnsw/s200/IMG_1690.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314811313925813810" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Now because we are chocolate fiends, alright well because I am a chocolate fiend, we split the recipe in half and replaced choc-chips and cocoa for raisins and spices.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Next Gr</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">e</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">a</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">se a pan (recipe says 23cm square pan), we used a rectangular pan and it worked fine! </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Turn dough onto floured surface (not </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">too </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">floured), and knead for about</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">5 minutes or until smooth. Divide dough into 16 pieces (we only managed 14 pieces, 7 regular and 7 choc), and knead into balls. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Place balls into pan: cover, stand in warm place 10 minutes or until buns have risen to top of pan </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xOqaD_YKmbG5A5372xy-sMg_drIAFYcozIuVshw64ZLI0gMufLLqK3fHjEmZhl0w_FA6swPWiVoyzCBopbLasPCBq2dKQ9mQI-KTxWRN8-3n4G2bbeHdYy-SKLOOHUM996yO-A/s200/IMG_1696.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314814461449345826" /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Meanwhile, preheat oven to 220oC/200oC fan-forced.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; "><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Flour Paste: </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Combine flour and sugar in bowl. Gradually blend in enough of the water to form a smooth paste, pipe crosses on buns we just used a freezer bag with a small hole in it. Don't make the hole too big, it can be disastrous.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'times new roman'; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Bake buns about 20 </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">minutes or until well browned. Turn buns onto a wire rack, brush top of hot buns with hot glaze (sugar + gelatine dissolved over heat) . Cool on wire rack. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Smother in butter, and eat!<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">These really were awesome. The regular ones tasted like...good hot cross buns, the chocolate ones probably needed more sugar or something. The housemate came up with a solution to that though. Slice open chocolate bun, insert chocolate bar, put in microwave, melt and eat.</span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9zgOW89ghmvvb_40c_C3agLmDWKbCuasEQ7rzhyphenhyphenLOpmlzMQK40HYZVPOrtVNyvm4wUvomXiia_frMOLMvXpAiIMv6998QSzNlt2RsZKlT29P9XWojWwEOtTAdtrvWxsQg9JqjQ/s200/IMG_1709.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314871678974904962" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">A nice way to spend a day off!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> - Jen</span></span></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>jenuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980154224104901689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12880626.post-56779653865343924272009-03-18T16:25:00.003+11:002009-03-18T21:34:18.501+11:00Learning to flyBack to the sore back. I finally have a diagnosis and I pretty much figured it out by myself. Stop groaning and going 'oh Jen you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">googled </span>it didn't you'? Well yes, I did. Shutup <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man. </span>I was googling how to strengthen back muscles because the physio said that's why it was sore. Anyway I saw pictures of all these people with backs like mine, it just hasn't looked 'right' for awhile. It's called a winging scapula. As opposed to a whinging scapula. <div><br /></div><div>Anyway so when I went to the doctor (a different one this time) he looked at my back and says to me 'have you ever heard of a winging scapula'?</div><div><br /></div><div>Ah. HA!</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a blood test and also have to have a nerve conduction test to make sure it is an actual 'mechanical' problem and not something caused by an auto-immune disease. Nice. </div><div>Today I rang up and tried to book in for the nerve test but they couldn't see me until the 9th of April. When I asked if there was anything I had to do for the test the receptionist said 'oh..are you sensitive to PAIN'? Then she giggled and said 'oh I probably shouldn't laugh'. But hey thanks to Medicare I only have to pay $30 to be electrocuted. </div><div><br /></div><div>If those two tests check out, then I'm off to a shoulder specialist and possibly surgery to move the shoulder blade back where it should be (flat against my ribcage).</div><div><br /></div><div>Hrrrm. Although I'm still in a little bit of pain, its nowhere near as bad as it was. I just can't lift weights anymore, although now I'm all good with my orthotics I can run. If its not one thing, its another! I kind of felt that way, like maybe I was making too big a deal out of this, or that I was a sook. I also felt incredibly guilty about having so much time off work. I realised later I hadn't really had that much time off, but because I've been taking a few hours here and there to get to appointments it felt like I had. My boss pointed out I need to make work #2 priority which I've been trying to do. I just felt really slack. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man </span>has been right on the ball with nicknames, because <a href="http://jentopia.blogspot.com/2008/11/thats-not-my-name.html">I just don't have enough of those to keep track of.</a> So far he's got 'clippy' (as in my wings will be clipped) and 'tampon' (with wings).</div><div><br /></div><div>I can still ride but will probably get a rack thing to put my backpack on soon just to be safe. Last night I freaked out a bit because I don't want to be a winged bride but <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man </span>says it doesn't look too bad. Despite <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man</span>'s accident I am still riding, but a bit slower and seem to be shaking my fist at drivers more. Or giving them dirty looks, I'm not co-ordinated enough to shake my fist and ride.</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man's </span>accident his elbow ended up getting infected which he only noticed because it reeked. So he's on some super dooper antibiotics and next time will insist the ambulance actually takes him to hospital. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh god...next time??? I am such an optimist!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully I have Thursday and Friday off work which I took as annual leave. I will be able to hang out with my sister who is staying here which I'm really looking forward to. Tomorrow we are going to attempt making hot cross buns! I will be photographing and putting up the recipe here if they are a success.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now I am off to the movies with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">housemate </span>and my sister. We're seeing 'Confessions of a shopaholic and its going to be awesome'. Leaving <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man </span>at home to his own devices. Literally. He has been parked in front of the wii since I got home!</div><div><br /></div><div>- Jen</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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It started out very average, got into work about 6am to get in some time on an EOI I'm working on. Long story short, they opened up the position I am currently acting in as long term higher duties. But the application is open to everyone I work with, so its going to be an interesting couple of weeks. It's due Friday.<div><br />So there I was at work, grinding my teeth about the application, badgering Stuart my workmate to get his arse into gear and start his....when all the lights went off.</div><div><br /></div><div>I pressed ctrl+s frantically over and over hoping the damn thing had saved. Then I remembered I'd saved it to the desktop, so it wasn't saved on the server. </div><div><br /></div><div>No worries, I'll save it to the share drive -'A network cable is missing'</div><div>No worries I'll just print it out - Power is off so printer is off also...der</div><div>No worries. I'll email it to myself - 'Outlook could not connect to server'</div><div><br /></div><div>I started to panic a little bit at this point. So in desperation I grabbed my phone, took three photos of the screen and just as I took the last one, my computer switched off.</div><div><br /></div><div>Could be work as one of those fancy things <a href="http://www.anthonymalloy.com/">Tony</a> has which gives you time to save your work before the computer carks it after a power outage. The next question was, what was going on? </div><div><br /></div><div>It was only our floor and thoughts automatically turned to the builders renovating our bathrooms. There was a collection of very guilty looking tradesman lingering about the liftwell and a strong smell of smoke. After waiting around for an hour, enjoying the darkness, going to get a coffee and generally having a nice bludge and a chance to relax we went upstairs to an IT training room. I couldn't check my document because my profile wasn't loading up on the new PC. Aarrgh. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I typed up my document from my phone screen. Yes that actually worked. Best idea I ever had. In case I get in there tomorrow and it did get wiped, I'm covered.</div><div><br /></div><div>After that we all got sent home and it got put down to a standard day. So much free time (it was 1pm) what do I do? </div><div><br /></div><div>I called <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man </span>to see if he was working or bludging and he said he could meet me at 3pm and we'd go and see a movie. </div><div><br /></div><div>I dropped by a <a href="http://www.bscbikes.com.au/">bike shop near work</a> and chatted to the guy for about an hour and a half and test rode about eight bikes. Nothing really jumped out at me. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the way home I stopped in at our <a href="http://goldcross.com.au/#/?page=storelocator">local bike shop</a> and looked longingly at the bike I'd tried out on the weekend. It was only slightly out of my budget (by $75) but I also needed a lock ($60) and to change the quick release part to a more secure one. 'Part' is a technical term too, just so you know. Three weeks ago I knew nothing about bikes now I can look at one and tell if it has good gears and stuff. Alright, so I still don't have much of an idea. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway long story short I got the whole kit 'n' caboodle for only $50 more than my budget. Not bad negotiating on my part. I use the word 'negotiating' loosely. I asked for his best price on getting the whole lot. I was stoked actually and I pick it up tomorrow. It's a flat bar road bike and it is beautiful. </div><div><br /></div><div>Funnily enough the pedal on my current bike snapped today so it will be an interesting ride to work tomorrow. I might throw it off citylink on the way home. I always threaten to do that to the damn thing. </div><div><br /></div><div>After we got home <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man </span>and I went down to Highpoint to see a movie but there were none on! What! We were caught in a movie black spot. The next one didn't start for an hour so we gave up and went home. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had a hot bath, started and read a book I've been meaning to read (yes I read fast) and ate easter eggs. I know. At least I haven't started on hot cross buns.</div><div><br /></div><div>Seriously, I have had the best day. But now its time for dinner, Bondi Rescue, Packed to the Rafters and then bed.</div><div><br /></div><div>The photo is Stuart, my team mate in the darkness of our office. He told me today that I 'look better in the dark'. Nice.</div><div><br /></div><div>- Jen</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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</script></div>jenuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980154224104901689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12880626.post-65403160844021827852009-02-21T18:34:00.003+11:002009-02-21T21:36:00.378+11:00The best man<div>This meme was featured on <a href="http://www.dooce.com/">Dooce</a> and <a href="http://www.zucchinibikini.blogspot.com/">Zucchini Bikini</a> so you know its good.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sure <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man </span>will disagree with half of these. Its what he does. See answer to 'who is smarter'.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">What are your middle names?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Mine is Kathleen, his is James. I just had to ask why it was James. His response was: "I dunno, because my pop's middle name was James..I dunno, I 'spose that's why......wait..why do you need to know that?"</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">How long have you been together?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Five years in May, getting married in October.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">How long did you know each other before you started dating?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>No idea, maybe a month?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who asked whom out?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Probably me. It's the old story everyone (except me) loves about me slipping my phone number into his pocket after the time we met, him finding it before I left and giving it back with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">his </span>number on it. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">How old are each of you?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>I'm 24, he's 27. I'd like to say, 'but I'm more mature'. Except I'm not. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Whose siblings do you see the most?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>At the moment, mine. I only have one sister, and he has an older brother and sister and two younger sisters. It's mostly geography.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Which situation is hardest on you as a couple?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Dooce said work. Kathy pretty much said work too. At the moment, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man </span>works so hard with two jobs. I feel guilty but its just not practical for me to have a second job. Other than that...nothing is too hard. That's going to come back and bite me. I can tell. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Did you go to the same school?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Nope, not even close. I went to high school and uni in Albury. He went to high school in Finley and uni in Melbourne.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Are you from the same home town?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>I'm from Albury, he's from Berrigan which google tells me is 122 kms away from Albury.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who is smarter?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>These questions suck. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The man </span>is the smartest person I know. Sometimes I think he dumbs himself down to be able to communicate with me. The running joke is that he is always right. This isn't actually true, but he is so good at arguing that its just easier to agree when I am actually just right so he shuts up.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who is most sensitive?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>While <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man </span>has a sensitive side, this would have to be me. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Where do you eat out most as a couple?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>We don't really. I think if we went out for dinner by ourselves it would freak us out. We do have takeaway japanese fairly regularly. I always have to be the one who orders because I can never understand what they are saying and they can never understand me so I end up shouting at them down the phone which <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man </span>seems to find funny.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Where is the furthest you two have travelled together as a couple?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>No idea. London? </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who has the craziest exes?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Apparently me. Turns out one actually is crazy. I mean, we haven't had <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man's</span> assessed or anything but I'm going to go with me.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who has the worst temper?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Well! This is tough. Just to pick a fight I will say him. He gets angry when he drives. Every time. Don't deny it <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man</span>, you do.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who does the cooking?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Don't mention the eggs in the spaghetti episode..don't mention the eggs in the spaghetti episode..don't mention the eggs in the spaghetti episode.. Damn! He does. I get home too late most nights and he's usually started dinner or has it prepped ready for me to put it together. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who is the neat freak?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>He is neat, but not 'notice the dust on the window sill' neat. If I ask him nicely to do something he usually does it without grumbling too much. And he mows the tiny lawn we have. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who is more stubborn?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Ha. HIM! Along with being the smartest person I know he is also the most stubborn. Wait..I could have used this in 'which situation is hardest for you as a couple'...'anything that involves getting him to change his mind about something'.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who hogs the bed?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Schroddy. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who wakes up earlier?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Me. I'm up and about at 5am on week days. On weekends he gets going earlier than me because he works that pesky second job.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Where was your first date?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>I think Harvey's fish and fun park. In Albury.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who is more jealous?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Schroddy. Actually I don't know. I've never seen him jealous before! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">How long did it take to get serious?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Ha. What's serious? Maybe two months. Two months sounds good. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who eats more?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Me. He doesn't eat breakfast or lunch. But he will snack on kitkats and coke before coming home and infesting the house with his revolting melted vegemite and cheese on cruskits in the microwave smell.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who does the laundry?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>We sort of alternate. I do the ironing though! Things are looking up since he stopped putting my bras in the dryer. That was devastating (for me).</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who's better with the computer?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>It used to be me, but now he builds them from scratch so I'll go with him.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who drives when you're together</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Again, used to be me. But since WE got a car and got rid of MY car he drives all the time. Also see 'who has the worst temper'.</div><div><br /></div><div>- Jen</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Myriad Pro';"><p style="width: 470px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 22px; line-height: 1.5em; font-weight: normal; font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:0.8em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></p></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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I've got </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">the man </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ringing people we know there. Also thinking about relatives who have properties near Clonbinane.</span> Just read Broadford is now under direct threat. Lots, almost all my extended family there. <br /><br /><div>For the future I had to post a picture from the city's hottest day ever, even though the picture is getting a workout around the traps. I think the bottom of it might be taken from our backyard.. Only a month or so ago I was admiring our green lawn..now its all dirt and prickly grass.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Hume Freeway is closed at the moment between <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Broadford</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Wallan</span> because of a large fire at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Kilmore</span>. Mum and Nan are supposed to be coming down tomorrow to go and see my sister so hopefully its open by then. </div><div><br /></div><div>So today <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man </span>and I took it as easy as we could. We went into 'the lab' this morning so he could setup some experiments. I entertained myself by looking at all the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">bio hazard</span> stickers and warnings about carcinogens everywhere. Seriously, one whole door was covered in stickers about the danger inside. Those bio hazard stickers freak me out. Too <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resident_Evil_(series)">resident evil-ish.</a><br /></div><div>After that we went down to a paper shop in South Melbourne to have a look for materials for our wedding invites. Not far away was the South Melbourne markets so we went in for a walk around.</div><div>Interesting, the difference between food section in the Queen Vic and in the South Melbourne markets. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">SMM</span> seems to be very much the South <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Yarra</span> crowd serving the South Yarra crowd. That's not actually a very astute observation though given where the SMM is located! I didn't see <a href="http://www.kathandkim.com/grayshsh.htm">Prue and Trude </a>though. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We ducked up to Highpoint briefly and purchased a cheap <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">evaporative</span> cooler from the Good Guys. The salesman was obviously suffering heat exhaustion because he tried to talk us out of buying it. "Honestly, its not that good, it will only cool your legs". Well my legs are hot buddy and I don't have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">air conditioning,</span> so right now, this is looking pretty good. I didn't say it, but I was thinking it. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The man's </span>weekend work purchased a few for last weekend and they didn't seem too bad - it was only $95 and we plan on getting proper air con when I am the Commissioner of Taxation and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the man </span>wins a Nobel Prize for curing cancer. So, shortly.</div><div><br /></div><div>We got a couple of dvds and then collapsed in front of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">tv</span> and the cooler. The cooler was not too bad, you can put ice in it, but its huge and if I had enough ice to fill it, I'd probably just rather sit in an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">esky</span> instead of putting it in the cooler. We put tap water in it and I was aghast at how much it took to fill. I hate to think how much water people are using at the moment. I hope someone has reported that pesky orange helicopter buzzing about. I'm joking about that. I suppose for some people, today<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> was</span> the worst day in their history.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wondered if I filled up the bath if the cats would get in koala style - see picture below. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The man <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; ">thought this was a dumb idea but later I saw <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Ren's</span> video on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Facebook</span> of a cat swimming around quite happily in a bath. I'm not game to try putting them in because <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Schroddy</span> already hates me with a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">vengeance</span> and I don't really want to get Tilly offside.</span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYcIVPo9YxFIOqw_phV7vCWtR6OWlMkVuLLwY9rVrXoFQLE2ZhMB8xnUPIfcxSNfVEHcywQiiaaKIx9dFg7o6chWD-s3VvIH68nQEKfdt9CiXvB_Xfe-v5x8gRYw3NSjKdBXo0g/s320/BlinkyB1.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299971995790967106" /><div><br /></div><div>Well enough talking. Time for dinner. More salad! Hot meals are a thing of the past.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- Jen</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
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