|
|
Post by Injeanious on Sept 13, 2011 11:25:29 GMT 9.5
I don't know what is wrong with our weather. We have just had the most dreadful hail storm - the hail is so thick that it looks like thick snow and it is too dangerous to be out on the pavement. It reminds me of the terible snow storms of last month. Bring on the summer!!
|
|
|
|
Post by tori2210 on Sept 13, 2011 11:49:01 GMT 9.5
I remember going on holiday camping trip all around the South Island with my family in the summer of 08'-09'. We spent one of our days in Christchurch at the Gardens and Arts Centre, weather was great, when suddenly a massive hail storm hit. Crazy thing was it was in the middle of summer. I think I might still have a photo lying around somewhere... Ah.  It was thicker than that; cause this was taken a couple hours later. |
|
|
|
Post by mazza on Sept 14, 2011 22:00:37 GMT 9.5
This has not been a good week. I've had the worst headache since Sunday but I'm thankful I did because on Monday one of my dogs died and if I hadn't had the headache I would have been at work and not with him when it happened. He had been ill for a while but nothing that seemed life threatening. Then on Monday I looked out and he was just lying on the veranda hardly breathing. It looks like he had a heart attack. We took him to the vet but as I opened the back of the car I just knew it was too late I held on to him as he died as I hugged him.
We brought him home and buried him next to one of our other dogs because they were just the best of friends.
|
|
|
|
Post by Injeanious on Sept 15, 2011 6:56:30 GMT 9.5
Oh Mazza I am so sorry to hear about your dog. It is so hard when dogs die because they give you so much love during their lives. I still cry about my Max who had to be put to sleep 4 years ago on the 1st of October. I haven't been able to get another dog yet - even though I really want one. My head says get one, my heart says no.
|
|
|
|
Post by tori2210 on Sept 15, 2011 7:14:06 GMT 9.5
I'm so sorry Mazza. I've never had a dog... but my cousins had a bulldog named Sid back when they lived in Levin. He got cancer not long after they moved to Hamilton and had to be put down. I think I was about 8 and Sid was as old as me. Theres the odd photo lying of me as a baby and him as a puppy. They now have a little Australian Terrier named Ruby. She's a laugh but a right pain sometimes.
I have my final exam tomorrow - Math - and I know I should be studying but I just can't settle down.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fredus on Sept 15, 2011 20:17:50 GMT 9.5
Oh, mazza, I'm so sorry. I'm glad that you were with him though, so it didn't have to go alone. I am really sorry.
|
|
|
|
Post by mazza on Sept 15, 2011 21:33:47 GMT 9.5
Thanks everyone it was certainly a shock that he died so suddenly.
When we got Chip (who was a border collie) we also got our first Jack Russell. The boys called her Milo. She lost a fight with a brown snake almost 5 years ago, so we have buried chip alongside her.
Now I've decided to make something good of the loss of two dogs who loved each other so much.
I've created a new muffin recipe using milo and chocolate chips and the first batch has just come out of the oven. They are very nice.
Recipe:
1 cup SR flour
1/2 cup milo
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
100g unsalted butter
2 eggs
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup buttermilk
I don't buy buttermilk from the supermarket. I always have some in as I make my own butter so I'm not sure if the bought kind will work quite the same but it should be OK. You can substitute fresh milk but probably use low fat or skimmer to help keep them light.
mix the dry ingredients together
melt the butter
beat the eggs with the buttermilk
make a well in the dry ingredients and add the butter, eggs and buttermilk and chocolate chips. Mix until just moist.
If you use a food processor put all the dry ingredients in and when you add the butter eggs and buttermilk just pulse it until mixed. Add the chocolate chips at the very end so they don't get bashed up too much.
Only fill the muffin cases about 2/3 or 3/4 full
if you use small ones they only take about 8 to 10 mins larger ones will take longer. Try them with a cake tester or skewer or when they spring back when lightly touched they're ready.
Cook @ 180C or 170C if you have a fan assisted oven
They are really good warm from the oven with coffee, just be careful the chocolate chips will still be melted.
If anyone notices any errors let me know and I'll correct it.
Hope you all enjoy them ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by tori2210 on Sept 18, 2011 5:49:46 GMT 9.5
Looks good Mazza. School holidays in three weeks, might give em a go then.  |
|
|
|
Post by Injeanious on Sept 28, 2011 5:55:52 GMT 9.5
I entered a competition to win tickets to the final show of Jersey Boys in December. I didn't win!! Feeling sad it is closing in Aussie because from the sound of things it won't be going anywhere else after Auckland. What will I do then with no show to look forward to?
|
|
|
|
Post by mazza on Sept 28, 2011 19:27:04 GMT 9.5
@ Inj I think I'll just keep this ready to paste "you know what you are!!!"
|
|
|
|
Post by tori2210 on Oct 1, 2011 4:41:23 GMT 9.5
I entered a competition to win tickets to the final show of Jersey Boys in December. I didn't win!! Feeling sad it is closing in Aussie because from the sound of things it won't be going anywhere else after Auckland. What will I do then with no show to look forward to? Look around all the local theatre companies, it's bound to be put on somewhere. |
|
shakattack
Phantom
What Kind of Fool Am I?...... Please don't answer that
Posts: 204
|
Post by shakattack on Oct 7, 2011 20:16:43 GMT 9.5
Most recently found the closing date for a youth opera application for my last chance to work with Richard Gill before he leaves VO and I've gone and BLOODY MISSED IT  have emailed and am awaiting responses...that's what I get for having several different email addresses |
|
|
|
Post by tori2210 on Oct 22, 2011 10:19:51 GMT 9.5
Went to Snowplanet yeaterday, had a blast, and then wnet and left my watch in the pocket of the pants I hired.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fredus on Oct 25, 2011 15:49:51 GMT 9.5
Our internet at home has died, so both Marie-Cris and I may not be around a lot for awhile. Sorry everyone! It really sucks on many levels... Also, my cat is ill. We're very worried.  |
|
|
|
Post by Injeanious on Oct 26, 2011 5:38:01 GMT 9.5
Fredus hope your cat will be okay - it is such a worry when pets get ill- they can't tell you what is wrong!
I found out at the weekend that Jersey Boys has been completely re-cast for the NZ tour - which means that it is just not going to be the same. With no Bobby Fox, Stephen Mahy and Glaston Toft it will be like Phantom without Anthony (or Dr Zhivago without him). So I will go up to Auckland and see how the new cast goes and if I don't like them, probably won't go again.
|
|
|
|
Post by tori2210 on Oct 26, 2011 7:06:52 GMT 9.5
I hope your cat gets better Fred. =/
Who knows? Maybe it'll be a good cast? When does it open? I might get along if I can afford it, or I get offered a cheap ticket.
|
|
|
|
Post by Injeanious on Oct 26, 2011 12:29:15 GMT 9.5
Yep, could be a good cast but would have to be really good to beat the original Melbourne cast! Supposed to open in April.
|
|
|
|
Post by tori2210 on Oct 27, 2011 8:24:37 GMT 9.5
Hmmm... if the season continues during the school term I should be able to get a ticket. Maybe. Having said that, I couldn't get one for Anything Goes, despite the teachers best efforts.
Yesterday my forehead collided with the head of a bass guitar after Stage Band practise. Owwwwww....
|
|
|
|
Post by Marie-Cris on Oct 28, 2011 16:14:46 GMT 9.5
Firstly, I want to apologise once again for not being on here often; so many things have happened ... My LAN card is not reflecting. Or something like that. Whatever the case, it means no my internet from home, as some may remember that Fred's laptop broke down earlier this year, and since the only laptop between us was given to me as a gift some years ago (and happened to fall off the back of a truck), there's no chance of me being able to send it away for repairs. We'll be resorting to Internet Cafes and occasional trips to the library for our net fix, but if anything really urgent comes up, the good old fashioned phone (who am I kidding, our mobiles!) is the best way to get in contact with us from now until ... until ... we find a solution. Some of you may have heard of a cat called Cricket, who I have fondly dubbed Catacus; though none of you have ever met him. Cricket has been Fred's little man for 16 1/2 years (since she was 11), and when Fred and I moved in together 1 1/2 years ago, I mothered him as much as she did. Some months ago he started to wobble on his legs as arthritis slowly seeped into his system, and we'd been treating him with some meds to help take the edge off the pain. A few weeks ago he started receiving some ear medicine to help give him a bit more pep, but during this week passed we've noticed that the medicine wasn't helping. On the afternoon of October 25th, we heard a despairing howl from the bedroom - not unlike the others we had been hearing all week - and rushed to his side to find him crumpled in an uncomfortable mass under the bedcovers. We sat with him, held him, petted him, and saw that walking was becoming strenuous; to the point where he'd walk a little and then lie down, his little heart pounding a mile a minute in panic. Added to the fact that Cricket had barely eaten over the past week (though we did manage to feed him a whole chicken breast one night, and he shared our dinner of pork chops on another), the sad conclusion touched us all, though it wasn't voiced. Throughout that night, Fred kept vigil over him, helping him get to the kitchen to drink when he wanted it, and when both of them finally settled back in bed at around 4 in the morning, Cricket slept upon our pillows for the first time in his life, making sure to be pressed against both of us as we slept. On the 26th of October, Cricket went once more to the vet. Because we had been asked to come in when we called up about our concerns, we had to wait around a while before being able to get in to see the wonderful Dr. Needham, who has been seeing to our visits this past year and a half. As usual Cricket was weighed, he walked around a little and then lay on the floor. Dr. Needham gave us the ultimatum, to which we agreed amidst our own wailing. We held, patted and kissed Cricket as his legs were shaved, as the injection was administrated, and as he finally went to sleep at 11:45am. Dr. Needham kindly wrapped him in the blanket Fred had made for him so many years ago, and we left him sleeping on the table. I don't know how many of you know this, but I've always had trouble with cats. Cats tend to hate me, and I tend to hate them back. When I first met Cricket I was apprehensive, but when he didn't rip my eyes out I slowly began to trust him and love him. And though I have lost pets in my lifetime, Cricket was the first to which I watched depart from this world. His absence has left a hole in our lives; in Fred's moreso than mine, but Cricket was at our centre. We often declared ours an egalitarian society (excluding Fred's turtle, William, as there's not much in the way of personality going on there), but in truth we were willing slaves to a furry king, and without him we are lost. We cry a lot, we go to bed too early and wake up just the same. We took a trip to Port Adelaide yesterday just to get out of the house, but no matter where we go we can't escape the void. I'm grateful to have known him; he was unlike any other cat I'd ever met. I've been told many a time that Cricket truly loved me, as he was a cat that would not sleep on everyone's lap and merely tolerated most people, bar a few that included myself. We love him too, and miss him, and don't know how to live without him. So please forgive us for not being entirely social for a while, for both of these reasons. We would love to have chats with anyone who is willing, but we understand the cost of phone calls. For the moment, all we talk about is our fond memories of the King of the Universe, anyway. R.I.P. Cricket O'Rourke: 1994-2011 Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by tori2210 on Oct 29, 2011 9:08:50 GMT 9.5
I'm so sorry to hear that Mar... it must be super tough for you both... pass my sympathies onto Fred. R.I.P. Cricket. He must have been a fantastic Cat, prowling the world for 16 1/2 years. There must be alot of fond memories there.
I'd send you guys a text... I'm on 2degrees, where texts within NZ and around the world are only 9 cents.
|
|
|
|
Post by mazza on Nov 1, 2011 13:26:06 GMT 9.5
Fred & Mar
So sorry to hear about your cat. It is so hard when you loose a pet.
I don't have a number to contact either of you perhaps you could message it to me next time you get on-line.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marie-Cris on Nov 13, 2011 13:47:38 GMT 9.5
Thanks guys; but I've since found the issue of all my txts costing 55c each, and I can't remember my home number (I never use it XD)
Thank you though. We're slowly getting by.
|
|
|
|
Post by tori2210 on Nov 14, 2011 13:43:18 GMT 9.5
55c? Jesus. And I thought Vodafone NZ was a rip off. I'm glad to hear you guys are starting to feel better... We're all here for you. |
|
shakattack
Phantom
What Kind of Fool Am I?...... Please don't answer that
Posts: 204
|
Post by shakattack on Nov 16, 2011 18:02:09 GMT 9.5
Exams..........well I think that sums up my frustration rather quickly
|
|
|
|
Post by tori2210 on Nov 17, 2011 5:32:41 GMT 9.5
^Tell me about it. I'm in the thick of them too. Had Math on Monday, English yesterday, and my Science exam will be spread across two days- Monday and Tuesday next week. Then I've got Music a whole week after that.
|
|
shakattack
Phantom
What Kind of Fool Am I?...... Please don't answer that
Posts: 204
|
Post by shakattack on Nov 17, 2011 18:49:00 GMT 9.5
Maths is my favourite, I got slapped by Vis Com coz I found 2 pages in the last 5mins that I missed....  then had English Language today, meh I winged that ready to be smacked by Media. Oh ye of little faith  |
|
|
|
Post by tori2210 on Nov 18, 2011 9:01:53 GMT 9.5
I don't like math much, but I think I passed okay. English was easy peasy. I'm not looking forward to Science... it's my hardest one.
I'm glad I've been able to balance working on Little Shop of Horrors though. The show is so much fun!
|
|
Please feel free to introduce yourself in the Introducing thread in the General board, also to contact myself or anyone here if you have any questions. We hope you enjoy your time with US!