Posts by Mahal

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  • Southerly: Tower Insurance Have Some Bad…,

    I'm sorry. My heart goes out to you (and, I'm sure, others in Christchurch in the same boat) who have to deal with this on top of everything you've already suffered.

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 31 posts Report Reply

  • Field Theory: Gruts,

    Married, and I will buy my better half underwear - but only if he asks me to. Otherwise I assume, accurately I presume, that he's a grownup and can buy his own pants when needed.

    Also, a somewhat drunken conversation at a party a few months back revealed that different brands have different allowances for various bits. It seems some styles are far more accommodating of larger bollocks than others (you may insert sniggering jokes yourself).

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 31 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Three months after,

    I've been in Christchurch a couple of times since the quake for work. The fenced off parts were smaller this time, and I saw more of Christchurch's devastation than I had previously. The cathedral in particular - I drove past it accidentally and cannot express how saddening it was. I'm not good with words.

    It's obvious to me that there have been changes in those three months, possibly because I work for a company somewhat involved in the repairs. Road with smaller or no holes, houses with sewerage instead of chemical toilets, houses in the middle of roof repairs. But it's equally clear to me, talking to the Chch-based staff, how depressing day-to-day life is for them right now, how stressed out and worn down they are, and how slow some of the changes feel; and I really, really, admire the way they have just ... kept on keeping on.

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 31 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Kittens and puppies for happiness,

    Friend of mine has a polydactyl cat. My favourite trick of hers? When presented with fat chips (especially KFC ones) she will sit back on her haunches like a squirrel, hold the chip between her front paws, and proceed to viciously lick all the salt off the chip. It is far too adorable for words.

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 31 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: My People,

    *applauds*

    My dad passed away when I was very young. Mum was on a (partial) benefit and worked part-time while I was at school. And you know what? She was a damned hard working woman, and an excellent parent. I got a lot of harassment at school, mostly from my classmates who'd been taught that children like me were lazy and ignorant.

    The idiots that spew rubbish about beneficiaries have no idea how the other half live.

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 31 posts Report Reply

  • Up Front: Staying Civil,

    I've done this to my boss a couple of times. Accidentally married her to her partner, that is. She's lovely about it, but I do feel like a heel for saying it, when I know perfectly well that she and her partner have chosen to be not-married (and yes, they have the mortgage and the kids and traditional trappings).

    I am married, and the word hubby still drives me mad.

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 31 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Where your money goes,

    they're playing on people's instincts not to snarl "get the fuck out of my face" and barging on.

    I work in Auckland's CBD, and I am afraid I have been guilty of the above a few times. Usually the days I've been hounded by some wonk with a clipboard four times (two corners on the way out of work up the street to get something to eat, then on the way back).

    I do give to the occasional polite collector-with-a-bucket. Sadly, one ex-serviceman utterly lost my respect on Anzac day, via haranguing me to donate when I was waiting for a pedestrian crossing light to go green. Apparently I was a liar and an example of today's Horrible Disrespectful Yoof, all because I had politely said "I'm sorry, I don't have any cash".

    I was already wearing a poppy.

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 31 posts Report Reply

  • Up Front: The British Are Coming,

    I bought a red trenchcoat this year (for a costume party I wished to attend as Carmen Sandiego, but that's not relevant here.) Apparently I wanted something completely impossible, judging from the blank stares and disdainful looks I got from shop assistants, but I am very pleased with my purchase.

    Haven't been quite brave enough to wear it with my red fedora on the bus yet.

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 31 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Swine flu and swearing,

    My better half went down so fast with the flu that I dragged him along to Shorecare on a Sunday. The doctor who saw him was almost gleeful to see someone with REAL FLU - she practically did a little jig of joy to see someone who hadn't decided that a runny nose equalled a week off work.

    The fun bit is that they're not testing for swine flu now; at least, if Joe Average turns up at the GP with a flu bug, you're sent back home with your sick note for work and instructions about paracetamol and water and good luck.

    (We've both been stuck at home for a week trying not to cough on anyone. It's pretty terrible.)

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 31 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: The Social Retail,

    I attempt to shop at the local butcher (Seaview Meats, Milford - appalling website, but AMAZING sausages and wonderful staff) and greengrocers (run by a family whose ethnic origin I can't identify by their language or appearance, but there's a teenage girl running the till after school 90% of the time, and a couple of under-5's pottering about the place). My budget doesn't quite stretch to doing this all the time, but then again that's why Pak'n'Save was invented.

    I would love to expand my wine horizons beyond "The boss gave us a bottle of that for Christmas and it was nice" or "Hey, we had that at so-and-so's house". However, I am too chicken to actually speak to people in wine shops, and wine language appears incomprehensible to the untrained eye...

    Also, I have an excellent feijoa jam recipe. It disappeared via my coworkers quite rapidly last time I made it. Not quite as fast as the banana nut jam, but fairly quickly nonetheless...

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 31 posts Report Reply

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