Friday, September 28, 2007

Computer recycling day tomorrow

Just a reminder that tomorrow is Wellington Computer Recycling day at Westpac Stadium.

If you have any old computers or mobile phones that youre looking dump - take them along to the Ring of Fire and get rid of them!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Murder House

I went to the dentist for my annual check up yesterday. Passed with flying colours naturally... the dentist noted that I have "very, very good teeth" hell yeah!

So while on this high I caved in to the pressure to go to the "Dental Hygenist" as well. What a rock solid waste of time (and money!) that was.

If you are unfamiliar with the role of the Dental Hygenist, they basically do the work that dentists once did with the orbital sander/polisher hoobly device etc etc. But clearly they are also in the pocket of Colgate and other such multinationals! Throughout the whole experience she tried pushing their products on me - you should try COLGATE mouthwash (apparently Listerine isnt as good as "COLGATE brand"), and COLGATE electric toothbrushes and COLGATE floss.

She didnt seem to get my joke when I asked if she was getting kick-backs from Colgate - so maybe this means she is??

What really made me laugh though, is that she did nothing other than what dentists used to do to your teeth before they created this position. Which made me think, did the Dental Hygenist role come about during the Nat Govts 1990s work-for-the-dole scheme? Was this just a 'make-work' exercise?

Whatever the background is to this role - I should write MUG on my forehead. Afterall it was me who shelled out $65 to be told after a barely five minute consultation that my teeth were "very, very good" and then paid out another $150 to the Hygenist for her Colgate sales pitch.

So a word of advice - Next time your dentist suggests a visit to the Dental Hygentist, say thanks, but no thanks and just pick up the Colgate brochure instead.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Perfect way to start the week

Nena with 99 Luftballons, one of the greatest moments in 80s music.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Talk like a Pirate day

Arrrr

Today is of course international talk like a Pirate day me hearties.

One of my colleagues noted that he is probably the only person in Wellington to have captained a 'pirate' vessel - the HMAS Buccaneer. What a great name for a ship!

I have a quiz night tonight so im heading to Toyworld at lunchtime to get a Pirate hat (would be rude not to!).

Wikipedia have quite a good article on it here but what it drew my attention to was a new 'religion' Pastafarianism. The followers believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster or the Spaghedeity.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Nix vs Becks

Its official - on Sunday 2 December, David Beckham and the LA Galaxy will play Wellington Phoenix FC at the Ring of Fire (stadium).

Beckham is contracted to play at least 55 minutes. Kick ass!

Of course the Phoenix also notched up their first win over the weekend (should have been their second but never mind). Below is video of the goals - the second goal (Wellington's first) by Felipe was stunning. Check it out.

And if youre in Wellington - get along and support the team against Adelaide on Sunday and/or Perth Glory the following week.

Sun protection without looking silly


Granted, creams, lotions and cosmetics arent a common topic here, but this is possibly the greatest innovation since the roll-on. Just go with me on it...

The shiney nature of sunscreen has always been one of my many annoyances - you want to cover up and avoid sunburn, but do you really need to look like you just completed an ironman?

Well no longer! Yesterday one of my colleagues (who had clearly heard my rant on this topic) forwarded me the good news.

Neutrogena have released a 'matte' finish sunscreen, and you can get it at the supermarket. Oh happy day - no more shiney greasy summers.

Bask in the glorious emancipation from shiney summer skin!

Read all about it here

Monday, September 17, 2007

Cashback

The very efficient IRD have repaid me $1600 as I had over paid my loan when I made the final repayment in 2002.

It's hillarious, they have sent through my Loan statement as though it is in reference to recent events. It reads, 19/03/02 Repayment received - thank you, and then on 01/04/02 Interest write-off - 1655.05.

So it has only taken IRD five and a half years to update me on my 'current' Student Loan account - but better late than never.

I would like to say that the Milky Bars are on me and that it will be my shout - but my Credit Card has first dibs!

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

She came third too!

After yesterdays rants its time for something lighter. This is probably in my all time top 5 You Tube vids... Miss South Carolina take it away. Such as...



Monday, September 03, 2007

A new career?

I spent most of Thursday and Friday at Victoria University's annual NZ Political Science Association conference and after that I've decided I want to be an academic.

I figure all you need to be able to do is;
1. Never hold a job in the real world, but always act as though you have.
2. Say really really obvious things over and over.
3. Speak for 20 minutes longer than you are supposed to.
4. Throw in a few sarcastic comments about 'politicians' everytime you speak, and of course
5. Always present yourself as an "expert" despite never having ever worked in a job related to your field of 'expertise'.

Simple.

Idiot media

Ive just read an article from yesterday's Herald on Sunday about the 'outrageous' prices Ricky Gervais is charging for his Edinburgh Fringe Festival "Fame" performance. This is the second thing ive heard about complaints, after Radio NZ had something similar saying all the usual - he's too big for his boots type of crap. God the media are pathetic, they scavenge about for any sniff of controversy and then can't help but beat it up out of any proportion.

Gervais is charging GBP37.50 per ticket - just over NZD100. Granted this is head an shoulders above other ticket prices.... but it's also completely sold out. Also, after the initial fuss Gervais said he will donate the profits to MacMillan Cancer Care - which the HoS greet as some sort of machiavellian conspiracy saying - "It is not clear how much of the GBP300 000 takings the charity will eventually receive." What the fuck else does he need to do??

The article also suggests Gervais hasn't earned his position as "King of Comedy" - which of course is a reference to Gervais appearing on a throne with a crown at the beginning of the show. Look at the name of the show - Fame - it's clearly tongue in cheek!

I agree with Gervais' manager who said on RNZ - What's the big deal? If the ticket price was too much, people wouldn't go. The Fringe Festival season is sold out. End of story.

Exactly.