kiwiflossnz - Plinky Answers

social media love it or hate it

2012-07-11T18:15:15-05:00

I have two rules when it comes to posting updates online. First I never post something that I would not want my grandmother to read, and secondly I never post anything when I am in an emotional frame of mind.

Social media has become such an integrated part of our lives. This is okay but I think some people need to display a little more discretion. The much used example of employers tracking staff activities outside of work does happen and it will continue. I shudder at some of the things people post, things that will likely come back and bite them in the backside.

But what others do is their own business. All I can do is be careful with my social techie-footprints.

feel good tunes

2012-05-20T22:22:16-05:00

There is nothing better than hearing a favourite song on the radio, and even better if it comes on while I am in the car [alone]. I have quite a few favourites at the moment but unfortunately I couldn't tell you the titles or who sings them. Nevertheless I sing along to them with the windows firmly closed.

There is one song though that definitely rates as one of my best happy-feel tunes. That is Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves. It's foot tapping, seat jiggling brilliance and I still have not tired of it despite the fact it was first recorded over 25 years ago.

how things shrink

2012-05-12T20:52:33-05:00

I was catching up on the news of some old school friends on Facebook and someone mentioned my first school. What you call them will depend on where you grew up - elementary school, primary school, grade school. Me? well I went to a primary school and the older I get the smaller the school seems to become.

Once upon a time, a very long time ago I thought my primary school was the biggest in town. Even today I still remember thinking how big the school grounds were. Two massive expanses of lawn - the front grounds and the sports grounds behind the classrooms. But now, each time I drive or walk past it, they seem so much smaller than when I was young.

Perhaps it was because I was young and everything in the world seemed so big. Even my high school grounds seem smaller. Now I look at them and laugh at how foolish I was to think the teachers would never catch us smoking out the back paddock.

how to chill out

2012-05-06T22:22:07-05:00

Unfortunately I am not one of those people who can just chill out when I am stressed. I have two ways of coping when I am stressed, frustrated, or just plain angry.

My preferred method is to walk it off but that's not always possible. Most people cannot disappear from their work desk without providing some sort of explanation. So failing that, I clean. It is great for working out frustrations and there is the added advantage of having a clean house at the end of it.

I had to take to my shower walls in the weekend - well it was either that or send a friendship-limiting message to someone. I'm a redhead and unfortunately I have the temperament that is usually associated with us true redheads. 99 per cent of the time I can keep a firm lid on it, but sometimes it sneaks out. And at times like that, the only thing I can/must do is to walk away, literally and figuratively - be it the phone, computer, or the person.

Early Bird or Night Owl

2012-02-24T15:39:46-05:00

Well life has turned me into an early bird, albeit an uncommunicative one. My routine starts with daily exercise before the sun rises at 5.30am. Its only me and my iPod so luckily I don't have to talk to anyone at that hour of the day. Once that's done, it's home to get ready for work and then out the door again to catch the train.

I think I've always done my best thinking in the morning. Often if there are things running around in my head during the night, so I just get up and turn on the laptop. Staring at the ceiling and knowing sleep is a million miles away is not my idea of fun. Better just to get up and deal with whatever is bothering me.

Take this morning as an example. I was up extra early as I'm trying to work out what household purchases I need to make for my new apartment. Now I have a list of the items I need, and what they are going to cost.

Hopefully that will mean a trouble-free sleep tonight.

good news anyone?

2012-02-11T15:57:27-05:00

News, there is no escaping it. We read it in newspapers, watch it on TV, and surf it on the internet. But the worse thing these days is the complete lack of good news reported. It is all negative and unpalatable. Some days I don't even bother reading the news online because all I'm faced with is bombs, riots, murders, or natural disasters - all of which just showcase human suffering and tragedy.

Why can't we get to read about happy things? Good stories that celebrate the positive things that happen to people and provide recognition of good people and the good deeds they do. One of the news channels I used to watch did a "Good Sorts" article once a week. It was nice to see the community spirited work some people do. It was just a shame that a) it was only once a week and b) it only lasted about two minutes.

I know tragedy, disasters and violence sells newspapers; but surely some happy, warm fuzzy news reporting would sell even more?

introvert vs extrovert

2012-01-26T22:13:11-05:00

eeek... the dreaded introvert or extrovert question. For me I can be at either end of the scale, it just depends on the situation.

Put me into the work environment and I am fine. Whether it is a meeting, networking or a celebratory function, I can interact and mix 'n mingle with everyone. It doesn't matter whether they are the office delivery person or the CEO, I will happily spend time with them talking and finding out what makes them tick.

Socially I don't find it quite so easy. After the initial fight/flight thought of "oh dear I don't know a soul in this room", I usually single out a friendly looking person and strike up a conversation. Once I am over the first hurdle (a.k.a. person) I am fine and will chit-chat to anyone and everyone.

Its been over ten years since I've sat a Myers Briggs personality type questionnaire. Back then I was a definite ISTJ - no hovering around in the middle of each scale - either one end or the other. I think I might sit it again now and see how much (if any) I have changed.

video games?

2012-01-13T15:54:01-05:00

Video game - what are they? Not really one for playing games on the computer but if I am bored, I'll have a game of bridge or sometimes Magic Match. Bridge makes the brain work, but Magic Match lets me zone out. So I get the best of both worlds depending on how my day went.

Musing on 2012

2012-01-02T17:57:07-05:00

My good friend reminded me that she does not believe in setting New Year resolutions, she sets goals. I've been musing on 2012 and what this new country has in store for me. On 20 December I effectively ended the chapter in the book called "My Life", and packed my memories into 26 boxes which are now on a ship somewhere in the Tasman Sea.

New Zealand and Australia are geographically close and I'd always assumed things would be similar but they're not. Politics, types of businesses, lobbying groups, employment opportunities, salary levels and associated benefits are all quite different. But it's different other ways too. The sun rises early (4.57 this morning) so people do more at the start of the day then hide from the afternoon heat.

For the most part, people take more pride in their appearance. Shops are filled with pretty, feminine, light, floaty-type clothes and I've not had a glimpse of mood-dampening black and navy suits. Water -- its availability and the use of is now something I am conscious of. And walking barefoot through long grass and leaves is definitely a thing of the past. I am still not sure what tops my shudder scale - spiders or snakes... :-S

Something they should teach in school

2011-12-11T01:25:30-05:00

Probably the best advice I ever got was to never compare my achievements against what others around me have done.

Unfortunately, or fortunately I am only now beginning to realise the true value of that advice. Where has it been for the last 30-ish years? And why was it not something that my teachers at school taught? I'm sure it would have saved me much angst over many a stupid, dumb thought going around and around in my head.

So now I try not to compare myself against what my friends and acquaintances achieve. I'll admit it doesn't work all of the time but apparently practice makes perfect.

the book or the movie

2011-11-18T14:48:39-05:00

So is the movie always better the book? Sometimes but not always. I reckon there are a few things that can influence it such as when the movie was made, who the producer is, and who the author of the story is.

Book: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austin (1813). Beautiful book and enjoy it no matter how many times I pick it up. The movie does not do the book any justice whatsoever.

Movie: Harry Potter series. Absolutely no disrespect to JK Rowling but the movies win this time. It’s probably a mixture of a great base story, the special effects, and the pace of each story.

Both: Lord of the Rings. I’ve read the book and watched the DVDs several times and I have no clear favourite. Tolkien is brilliant which I’ve mentioned before, but Sir Peter Jackson is also brilliant and that's a fact noone can deny.

country charm or city convenience

2011-11-17T01:41:28-05:00

If I had to choose, the city would win, but country life does have a charm and we all need a regular dose of its peace and tranquillity.

The city never sleeps and even during its darkest hour there is always activity. Sometimes its sirens or jack-hammers, and other times its enthusiastic singing aided by several beers. I find the quietest time is about 5am but even then the stillness is still easily interrupted.

At the other extreme is the country or real rural surroundings. The night time silence has to be experienced to know what it is truly like. You can sit gazing at the stars with only your thoughts for company. The mornings are noisy but that’s more because of the dawn chorus as opposed to any rubbish truck or cleaner.

But if I need time out from the world to sit and think, I head for a beach. The regular sound of the waves is a true tonic for the soul.

this is MY conversation

2011-11-14T00:44:12-05:00

It would have to be one of my work colleagues. I'm a relaxed amiable person and get on with most poeple but her behaviour since she joined the team... grrr it's really beginning to test my powers of self-control. I work in an open plan office with six other people. The new work colleague insists on trying to involve herself in every conversation that is happening. Even if it is a private, two person conversation, she will still butt in with a "oh what was that" or "who are you two talking about".

If it was only occasionally I would not mind, but she does this all the time. I've had to resort to having email conversations when the topic is sensitive. Anyway I feel better now that I have shared that with you all. Well I did until now as she has just done it again! Counting to ten... perhaps I should try twenty.

five esssential websites

2011-11-09T11:50:11-05:00

So the question was what five websites can you not live without. It will be interesting to read what others see as their most important, but for me it would be the following.
~ Gmail. It’s predictable but I would be lost without it. Not only is it my primary email account but I also use the Google docs, and the calendar for birthday reminders, lunches/dinners/drinks, bridge commitments, study commitments and assignment deadlines.
~ Google – no there is not a common theme. Google has been transformed from a noun to a verb and maybe even an adjective. If I want to know, do, or find anything I head for google.com.
~ Flexitime. My recruitment agency’s online time recording system. No entries equal no manager approval equal no weekly pay packet. Simple mathematics really.
~ Wordpress. Without it I could not maintain my blog. People may question why my posts are so random but it’s tightened up my punctuation, writing ability, and my vocabulary.
~ Unknown. I have been sitting here for the past few minutes and I cannot come up with #5. I could list heaps that I like but none that “I could not live without.”

Home to me is...

2011-10-19T12:55:41-05:00

I am in the process of packing and shifting to Australia so today’s Plinky prompt is quite relevant. When I first shifted to Wellington I shifted into a flat and over the next few years moved from flat to flat. When I bought my first property I always referred to it as my unit or my place. It was the same with my apartment – it was always my place, never my home.

Home for me will always be the house that I lived in with my parents. It was the place where I grew up and fought with my brothers, and where I returned to whenever I needed a dose of parental TLC. Sadly, I don’t have the luxury of homesickness and running home anymore. We grew up and the house was sold. And now we’re all living new chapters of our lives scattered around in different parts of the countryside.

finishing the to-do list

2011-09-19T13:40:49-05:00

Some people like to keep a to-do list; while the rest of the population find the mere thought of creating one akin to dragging their fingernails down a blackboard.

I don’t run a to-do list at home but I definitely do at work. Heaven knows how many things I would forget to do if I didn’t have one. My to-do lists have a finite number of actions but some actions keep getting rolled over to a new list. For me it’s a result of procrastination and simple unwillingness to do a boring task.

Perhaps by putting it at the top of a new list on a new day, it might magically get done. But alas, no. For example creating a stakeholder travel schedule was on my list for two months, tidying up personnel files was there for at least a month, and sorting out financial delegations was closer to two months.

Ticking off items on a to-do list is supposed to create a feeling of accomplishment. However when it’s been there for months, I just feel guilty. But then on the up-side, at least it’s one more tedious, boring job done.

ciao
kiwiflossnz

cake or pie... gimme both

2011-09-17T01:09:05-05:00

Asking that question reminds me of Hamlet - To be, or not to be, that is the question. Cake, or pie, that is the question.

Cake is the clever baker's creation that can be enjoyed in numerous settings. From a farewell morning tea at work, to birthday celebrations, a picnic in the park, or just gossiping over coffee with friends - a good slice of cake works every time.

But a pie? Well they fall into a category all of their own. I associate pies with family gatherings and dinner parties around the dining room table. If its dessert, the pie will usually come with icecream, custard or cream. And unlike cake, your slice of pie will need at least a fork or spoon.

But my answer... can I have both?

What Makes Me Smile

2011-09-12T02:40:46-05:00

Jonquils

It would have to be the Narcissus jonquilla ( ... and yes I did have to look that term up in Wikipedia). They are the one thing that always make me smile and can brighten up the most dullest of days. No matter what my mood - a vase full of daffodils and jonquils are aromatherapy heaven.

They smell divine and say "Goodbye winter, hello spring." Some people prefer the wild field flowers as opposed to the hybrid varieties but I don't have a preference. Four or five in a vase look pitiful, but a vase jammed full look simply stunning.

reading it cover to cover

2011-08-14T02:42:39-05:00

Do you finish what you start? Plinky recently asked followers whether they feel obligated to finish all the books they start reading. My short answer would be no. Time is precious enough and there are a limited number of hours in which to squeeze one's life into.

It's pointless wasting time on a book that has no decent plot or jumps around so much it's unreadable so I am quite fussy about what I pick up to read. I am a big fan of historical novels (Donati & Gabaldon in particular) and have just finished People of the Lakes by Kathleen & Michael Gear.

Thinking I might have to pop back to my favourite second-hand book shop, Arty Bees, and find another one in that series. Love that shop and could spend hours and hours rummaging through the shelves. Books should never be judged by its cover, and I don't. For me it's all about many pages a book has and the more the better.

Ciao

www.kiwiflossnz.wordpress.com

Plinky and the Magic Wand

2011-07-13T14:01:03-05:00

I have just rediscovered how marvellous Plinky is. It's fantastic because when you're having a brain freeze or inspiration has deserted you, you can guarantee he'll come up with a random question to get the old brain cells working. It's good for the serious writers too as it forces them to write something every single day of the week.

Some of the questions are bizarre but regardless, they all get you thinking outside the square. Today's one is a perfect example "I've just acquired a magic wand. What would I use it for?" Now the chance of me thinking about magic wands is about remote as my five-year old niece thinking about the health benefits of eating vegetables.

But just for the record -- if I had a magic wand I would use it to banish all cancer related illnesses from the planet. It is the one disease that is indiscriminate and takes all the wrong people far too early.

Plinky also forces you to confront things, and sometimes things you'd prefer not to share, like "defend your vice?" umm... maybe I'll save that for another day.

would it be a crime?

2011-07-08T17:31:23-05:00

I would steal money and give it to the homeless so they didn't have to live on the cold lonely streets.

Most people including myself always walk straight past homeless people. They are the part of our society that we pretend does not exist. Unfortunately though they are real people. They are homeless for a variety of reasons -- financial pressures, no family/friend support network, while some chose that way of life.

I've noticed a new homeless man who has started living rough. He spends most of his time sleeping outside Whitcoulls or Farmers on Lambton Quay which I am sure they do not like. He seems to be well set up with a big blanket, pillow and usually wears a beanie. On the colder nights he'll make an igloo out of cardboard boxes.

It is sad to know that despite the fact we live in a relatively affluent country, there are people who have no family or home to go to each night, and where they have to beg for money to buy food.

ciao

kiwiflossnz

Things I Remember

2011-07-08T17:08:55-05:00

Numbers, definitely numbers -- especially bank accounts and work phone extensions. It must have been something I picked up from my years working in a bank. I can still remember my bank account from my very first job out of high school, and even my parents bank account number.

Landline numbers are the same. They're easier to remember though because it's just a case of remembering the pattern on the keypad - you don't have to remember the actual numbers.

Conversely though I am bad at remembering peoples names. I'm yet to find some sort of system that helps with that. I know of someone who calls everyone "darling"... male or female they are all darlings to her. It suits her personality but its probably not the right approach for me.

ciao

kiwiflossnz

how to successfully declutter

2011-02-11T23:20:17-05:00

If it looks like clutter, feels like clutter, and acts like clutter then it probably is clutter. Once upon a time when I had [nearly] limitless storage space I could indulge in the luxury of never throwing out things, *shrugs sheepishly* there was a certain comfort in keeping things just incase I might need it one day.

However, moving to a new whare in the city meant downsizing and creating a more minimalist environment. To do that needed determined resolve and willpower. The best clean out system I found and have used successfully is the SPACE* system (Sort, Purge, Assess, Containerize & Equalize). I applied the system to my clothes and as a result have piles of spare coat hangers and empty drawers. The reward and sense of achievement is well worth your time and effort.

The best thing about this system is that you can apply it to any room in the house - wardrobes, kitchen drawers, and storage cupboards. But Plinky, the one thing that I can not part with is my 6th form high school uniform that everyone signed with a permanent marker pen on the last day of school.

ciao
kiwiflossnz

www.kiwiflossnz.wordpress.com

* http://www.thechicfashionista.com/closet-organizing-2.html

to talk or text

2011-01-23T15:25:54-05:00

If you had asked this question 20 years ago, the answer would have been "text - what's that? The only text I know is what I see on the page of a book." But times have changed and so has the way we communicate with others.

I think the immediate response of most people to Plinky's question would be to talk. It's more personal, you can get a straight answer quickly, and you know the message has been received by the other person.

However, it is not always convenient or possible to talk to the person you need to, when you need to. This is where texting has obvious advantages. The boss is on holiday, you need to ask a question but don't want to interrupt his family time, so you text him. He can then decide how important the question is, and reply at his convenience.

Then there are the occasions when a 'quick question by text' starts a text conversation. I am not a fan of these, mainly because I am not a fast texter. And if you want to have a conversation with me, please just pick up the phone and call me.

So I guess my answer to Plinky is that I do both but it depends on the situation.

ciao

www.kiwiflossnz.wordpress.com

In Those Final, Pre-Meteor Hours

2010-11-11T20:32:04-05:00

The politically and socially correct answer is to spend quality time with my family and friends. Let's assume I did that on the second to last day, my last day would be spent doing all the things that I enjoy the most.

All my fingers and toes would be crossed for a fine, sunny, calm day. The day would start with a walk around the waterfront because I always feel great after I've done that. Then because it is the last day, healthy eating would go out the window and for breakfast I would have french toast with berries and lashings of maple syrup.

I would want to spend time documenting my thoughts and feelings on life, people and the impending destruction of Earth as we know it. It would be important to have a record of life as we know it in 2010 because one must live with the hope that a few people would survive (well they do in the movies anyway).

Once I had ticked that off my list, I would get dressed in my 'sunday best', grab a picnic blanket and wine, then head for the nearest beach. There I would sit and get tiddly on a glass or two of bubbles. I would listen to the ocean and fall asleep watching the sun set for the very last time.

http://kiwiflossnz.wordpress.com

cliche misery

2010-11-05T17:35:10-05:00

Easy I thought, what is the cliche that makes me shudder the most? It would have to be "you can say that again". It just sounds plain stupid. In response to a statement that is either brilliant news or really negative, why would you ask the person to repeat themselves?

Cliches are interesting though. For example, what does "life is like a bowl of cherries" really mean? Are you motivated by someone who dangles a carrot in front of you? And is the grass greener on the other side of the fence? (It would probably depend on whether there are any sheep in that paddock!)

I could spend all day coming up with quirky cliches, but my favourite would be "good things come to those who wait".

ciao

http://kiwiflossnz.wordpress.com

The nicest compliment I've had in a while

2010-11-01T19:53:26-05:00

One that really made me smile happened last week. I was heading out the other evening, the lift stopped and in walked two immaculately dressed young men. They were quite obviously gay / homosexual or whatever the politically correct term is.

Anyway, one turned to me and said "yumm, you smell great! What are you wearing?" "Ah... Angel I think" was my reply. He turned to his friend and said "oooh it is nice isn't it."

I was still smiling to myself when I got on the bus ten minutes later.

http://kiwiflossnz.wordpress.com

Me, neighborly?

2010-10-10T22:45:49-05:00

I'm ashamed to say that since I moved from the suburbs to the city, I have to put myself in the 'bad neighbour' category. That may be because I live in an apartment building. I only know the name of one person who lives on my floor and short of knocking on everyone's doors, the only opportunity I have to bump into a neighbour is if we happen to catch a lift together.

This is in stark contrast to when I lived in the suburbs. I knew both my neighbours well, I knew where they worked and even what train they caught in the morning. We all got on well and were quite happy to have a conversation over the fence in our dressing gown clasping a cup of tea.

Because we got on well doing neighbourly things were commonplace. Giving up one's time to collect the mail while someone was on holiday, or help out with lifting a bulky item was done willingly and swiftly.

The nicest thing I remember on my first day in my new house was my elderly neighbour deliverying a plate of louise slice to my back door. The gesture was appreciated and afternoon tea was all the better for it.

But for now my neighbours are nameless and faceless which is a bit shameful really.

http://kiwiflossnz.wordpress.com

My most unusual achievement

2010-10-07T17:07:05-05:00

Perhaps not the greatest achievement but certainly my most unusual achievement was learning how to fly on a flying trapeze.

In my late twenties I took myself on holiday to Club Med on Lindeman Island. On the second day I discovered Circus School and I was hooked. If "school" was open I was there waiting in line. There are a number of different challenges that people can aim for. From the simple "swing" to a "knee hang, release and catch". At my time there I managed to get to the third level of 'upside down splits, release and catch".

Not only do I have the certificates to prove it, I also have the photos. The photos are unlikely to ever see the light of day though - imagine.... full length purple lycra body suit. So dressed up in my purple lycra, me and the other flying novices put on a circus show with the trainers to show off our new skills.

Absolutely awesome experience and if I ever get the opportunity again, I'll be first up that ladder to grab hold of the trapeze bar.

http:\\kiwiflossnz.wordpress.com

fanciful, fun & free

2010-10-04T18:34:25-05:00

The thing I miss most about childhood is how uncomplicated my world was. Where my biggest worry was whether Mum would serve broad beans for dinner and make us eat them. Where my punishment would fit "the crime" but knowing it would never come back to haunt me later as a metaphorical "skeleton in my closet".

My world was simple, and full of honest people who liked me as I was. Back then in my world I didn't know what a terrorist attack was, I couldn't spell nuclear bomb, the tooth fairy always left 50 cents for my baby teeth, and Santa Claus managed to squeeze down our chimney each year despite it only being 30cm in diameter.

I remember my nephew when he was younger. Having fun to him was showing me his latest tricks on the trampoline, taking the soccer ball to the park, or building the new lego bionicle with his Dad on Christmas day.

I don't know when it happens but somewhere along the way we lose our innocence and we forget how to have fun. Life becomes serious, people learn how to be cruel, and material things start to become important.

http://kiwiflossnz.wordpress.com