Posts by Helen Searancke
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1) ...I'd sell it, too.
2) The bottle. But only if I can claim it against some rent I pay to my family trust or something.
3) A pile of rubble.
4) "I don't want to go to Copenhagen." [My edit - I just reread the question. Duh.]
5) Surprisingly, Paula's place, out west - always good for a beer and a laugh and she makes a bloody awesome fish pie. West is best, after all.
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Badly Behaved Old Biddy: Another Example
At New World (yep, central Auckland again). A woman with two kids in the trolley seat was doing a magnificent job of holding onto her temper and sanity as she tried to ignore the youngest one's outright tantrum. The child was screaming and crying. The older child had her hands over her ears. Personally, I've been there more times than I care to dwell on and was mentally (mentally!) sending good vibes of solidarity to this valiant mother. Then, a little old lady, like, really old, started shouting at the mother. She pointed her finger and yelled "That behaviour is not helpful!" over and over. The mother of two fought back (raised voice, but not screeching like the old duck). I was in shock and ready to rush over there and tell the craggy, red-lipsticked, octogenarian to f**k off and pick on someone her own age, but the younger woman had it in hand and, I have to admit, my nerve failed me.
Sure, no one likes to have to listen to a misbehaving two year old when they're choosing between the Weet-bix and the Cornies, but I thought people pretty much understood that the parents - who have to grit their teeth, get their shopping done, and leave as quickly as possible without dumping their children next to the frozen goods and running for the hills - are bearing the brunt of it.
P.S. Biggest ups ever to the older woman who once came up to my daughter and I, winked at me first, then told my very naughty pixie that she (the woman) was in charge of taking all naughty children in the supermarket into the (underground) carpark so their parents could shop in peace. Shut my daughter up straight away - I think she thought the old lady was a witch.
And then there was the older woman who kindly offered to return my trolley as I struggled with kids at the car. So they're not all old bags.
As for littering, my two are thoroughly brain washed and we pick up other people's crud all the time. Luckily the kids love doing it... civic pride, I guess.
May I grow that old, but never that intolerant.
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Ah, the supermarket guilt. Know it well. Everytime I buy the family sausages at New World, I feel the loss for the West Lynn Organic Butchers (across the road from the excellent Wine Vault) and remind myself that I'll get there next time.
Righto, make that this weekend. I'd hate to see those local stalwart businesses disappear - they're some of the best things about living where I do and put the capital C in 'My Community'.
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Yes, it's a fine line, but I'm pleased it's one you, Russell, and other PA bloggers dare to risk crossing. When I log on, I want PA's insightful, well-researched analysis of the themes of the day, but it's the tender, from-the-heart, sometimes humorous, sometimes heart-wrenching personal stuff that has me riveted. I've read some great blogs here that leave me either laughing out loud or with a lump in my throat. And often the personal experiences blogged about point up wider issues that need to be aired.
So, thanks (and, indirectly, to your family, too).
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oops, first and wrote nothing, above - sorry... I blame the tears of laughter and self-recognition rolling down my face.
Thank you for the delightful post, Jolisa. Don't ya love that sibling relationship? It is completely independent of the parents. Your boys remind me of my daughter and her five-years-younger brother. And we've started counting down the day till Reuben turns three (as in "How old will you be in June?" "Three! A big boy!") like it'll be some sort of deadline for the two-year-old 'anger management issues' to cease forthwith.
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As my seven year old daughter commented yesterday:
Hermione: "So is John Key the Prime Minister now?"
[She quite liked Helen Clark, but as she was the only PM she's ever known and mum and dad did too, that's not a surprise.]
Me: "Yes."
Hermione: "Well, nothing much has really changed, has it."
Indeed. Not yet anyway.
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'around'
My pick for most annoying new use of a word.
Why do we have discussions 'around' subjects now instead of discussions 'about' stuff? Right up there with 'issues', especially when combined to form 'issues around [insert subject here]'.
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This happened today: I was walking along Ponsonby Road when I stepped onto a dodgy fire hydrant cover. The cover didn't do its job and down went my foot in to the hole. I phoned Auckland City Council to report it ("someone could break their ankle...etc, etc.."). No waiting on hold, no pressing 1 for anything or 2 for something else, just a friendly woman who could immediately help!! I needed to call Metro Water, not the Council, and she had the number right there for me. So far, so bloody excellent.
I called Metro Water (just the one recorded message, then a real person) and she was great. Firstly she asked if I was alright after my fall (I am). Then she got the team onto fixing the fire hydrant (plus the uncovered one in my street that I've been meaning to do something about) and offered to call me back to let me know when the work had been completed. Nice. Then...lo and behold, about two hours later, she DID! Thanks Metro Water for keeping our streets safe!
Then there's my fabulous two year old son, who kissed my ankle better. Priceless.
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I think the 'A' logo looks like a piece of unravelling, threadbare fabric - what does that say about us? Fabric of society, etc, etc...
But I do like the idea that there was a mouldering cough drop in the designer's rubbish bin.
I wonder if anyone has grumbled "fu**ing A" about it yet ;-)