security!!!

call security i've lost the plot!

a previous post entitled "see, even my drivers license says i'm 21" i mentioned seeing one my of my favourite bands eskimo joe play live. well, while cruising through their website i noticed that they are making their international debut in october and happen to be playing in NY on oct 9th. i happen to fly into montreal oct 8th. so... i've decided i'm getting off the plane in montreal after a 22 hour flight to get on another plane to take me to NYC to see them play for the 6th or 7th time this year. and since i haven't been able to get tickets from the actual venue (the site hasn't posted their gig yet) S and i have spent the last hour or so composing e-mails to each of the band members asking for their help. this is so stupid it just might work. ah how sweet it is to be young and foolish.

better luck tomorrow

i'm sitting here staring at the computer screen wondering what i can say. its gloomy outside, i've got an evil week at work ahead (i'm working all the busy shifts during school holidays), i scared myself stupid watching gothika before i went to bed and got NO sleep, i'm hungry but can't be bothered making anything, i've got a ton of stuff to do for work but lacking the motivation (i'm not getting paid for it anyway and i dont' really HAVE to do it), i still need to get a few things for my trip but can't handle making any more decisions (and i can't be bothered moving), my lack of self control put someone else in an awkward situation, i'm considering going back to bed but i know i won't be able to get to sleep tonight if i do so i resign to sitting here feeling like shit until i have to go to work... things just aren't that chirpy today.

mp3 player... the 3rd

its sad that this little device has been the centre of my very existence for the last 3 days. but today i took a little look at the back of the tower and couldn't find a place that plug thingy could fit into "these are broken, mine are broken" (movie buffs??? ten points for naming the movie). so i sit back in defeat, let out a little sigh and say... help. anyone? help please.

on the upside i have season 3 of 24 to distract me now. i decided it was one of the must see items from the store before i leave and have to pay for my rentals.

and for those (especially B) who like there food. i just made THE best apple pie and you don't get any. if i was young and immature i'd say ner ner ney ner ner... and i am so NER NER NEY NER NER to B! ;p

exnay on the flicking-ay...

i have since learnt that flicking through the manual is not sufficient and reading is actually required. once i got over the initial inconvenience i discovered that that mini cd like thingy is actually the program i need to install in my computer which in turn allows me to download music onto device thingy. brilliant! all sorted out.... you'd think. slept on it and then this morning my brother was annoying his girlfriend and i as we watched queer eye so i suggested he go install the program for me so that i didn't ruin the computer configuration (or whatever it was i came up with at the time). he took the 'suggestion' hook, line and sinker and toddled off to be my hero. 5 mins later he comes back stating we don't have a USB port on our computer (unfortunately a requirement to insert plug thingy in order to download music onto device thingy) and once again i was deflated. however, i fully intent to look at the computer tower myself and locate USB port. i just know it'll be one of those things that EVERY computer has... well mine will anyway cos i want it to! you here me computer? you better have that port thingy *shaking fist*. when i can be bothered looking i will.

one week from this very moment, i will be unemployed. i'm looking forward to that more than the trip i think. i should have just quit my job and become a bum at home, or at least somewhere in australia. it would have cost me less.

oh mr postman...

it's here, it's here!!! i got my eagerly awaited mp3 player by express post (thank you mr ebay seller man). i was so excited, i sat down and tore the plastic envelope open like it was christmas day or something. a little parcel wrapped in bubble wrap (that will provide hours of fun later) fell into my lap. i tore through the bubble wrap to reveal none other then a little silver and black device no more than 4 inches long (apparently thats all you need). ok so device thingy... check, earphones... check, plug thingy... check, mp3 disk that looks like a mini cd and wouldn't have a hope in hell at fitting into device thingy???? check???... oh look a manual brilliant. flick through manual. no mention of mini cd thing or plug thingy and nothing said about HOW to get music on device thingy. crap!. useful man who knows how to do all of this stuff... check? no not check cos I DON'T HAVE ONE OF THOSE! i'll let you know how it pans out.

thanks to work, tonight i missed a wildly successful dinner party at B & L's who were kind enough to think of me while putting together the guest list for jasmine the cats stunt birthday. i say stunt b'day as due to a slight miscalculation on L's behalf it turns out ol jassy's birthday isn't until next week. maybe i can get another toblerone cheesecake whipped up by then for the event. do cats like chocolate???

*in my head* 'my mom says chocolate isn't good for dogs...'

these are a few of my most hated things...

- people who breath heavily when they are just standing/sitting there. unless you've been exercising or have some respiratory disease/thing, shut the hell up.

- people who hand you their card and money at one side of the counter, then automatically walk to the exit side and make you walk back and forth 4 times asking them password/latefees etc and then you have to struggle carrying card/videos/confectionery/change over to them. just wait! you are not dismissed until i say so.

- people who wait for a carpark right in the middle of the lane so that the other cars can't get around them. move to the side buddy!

- narcissistic men who can't comprehend why you're not attracted to them. eg. (a few weeks ago)
[him] our cab is waiting
[me] excuse me
[him] well if your coming home with me we should really go now because i've got things to do tomorrow
[me] and who are you exactly
[him] josh, nice to meet you (kisses me quickly on the lips) shall we go?
[me] hmmm, well tempting but i'm gonna go with NOT A CHANCE IN HELL
[him] what (stunned look) are you serious?
[me] do you really think any girl would go for that? your not worth my time or the effort buddy.
[him] i hardly believe that.

- tuna

- hillary duff / olsen twins / nikki webster

- harry potter / annie (i love ya? it's you.. love YOU tomorrow)

- being ignored

- people who insist on stirring/upsetting you when your already in a bad mood and wonder why you end up snapping. (DAD!!!)

- the italian consulate for not having my citizenship through yet.

it was a sad day today. firstly A didn't feel it necessary to visit me *pout* (A you will be pleased to know that cute young boy came in today and i gave him my full attention for at least 7 mins)
then one by one my regular customers came in and proceeded to make me all sentimental and misty eyed.

first one - came in purely to get my e-mail address and was all flustered cos he thought i may have already left. (sweet)

second one - tried to tell me once again that europe has sunk and canada got bombed so there's no point in me leaving. also vowed never to hire a movie again unless it was from me.

third one - claimed he was going to come in on my last day wearing a black veil, black dress, black arm band and holding a hanky to dry his eyes. (i'm going to hold him to that)

fourth one - strongly believes civic will fall apart and she'll miss me (i like to think that too but somehow i know its not true)

fifth one - offered to start a club type thing where other members of the store would pay a small fee each week that would go directly to me on top of my wage so that i could stay there forever and never need a 'real' job (chose to overlook the insult that i don't "really" work as the sentiment was there)

i also realised that when i get back, i'm going to have to start paying for my video rentals again. that was enough to make me cry, i'm going to have to get 2 jobs!

no longer an e-bay virgin

as A so excitedly phrased it. i am now the proud owner of a 256mb Mp3 player with blah blah blah features and blah blah blah accessories. its good though trust me. and SO much cheaper than going shopping. i can see how one can easily get addicted *cough* A *cough* to e-bay. i blame you entirely! not only have you got me posting away and reading blogs for half the night but now i'm an e-bay shopper! tsk tsk. although, i have the urge to sell off half my bedroom. my dvd/vhs collection alone could probably fund my trip. (the sad thing is i'm not kidding)

i'm going to go polish off the remaining cheesecake in the fridge and decide what yummy treat i can make next. any requests?

NB: 11 more days of work... 17 more days of australia

excuse me while i ponder

i've been thinking a lot lately (yes believe me it hurt), is it more important to be who you are or who you want to be. "be yourself" has got to be the slogan of my generation but what if who you are isn't that great a person. for eg. i do consider myself to be rather selfish, i want the best piece of pie, i want attention, i want presents, i want my own way, i want the world to stop when something bad happens to me. but i don't want to be a selfish person so i look at the best piece of pie and i give it away... i still want attention and presents (hint hint) but i'd prefer to put myself out then someone else. so does that mean i'm not really a selfish person cos i decide not to be? or does the person who always puts other people out and takes the best piece of pie not even consider the alternative and thats what makes them selfish. i don't get it...

i'm wondering if the whole "be yourself" thing is just an excuse to be inconsiderate and lazy or materialistic and aggressive. its gone from trying to give young people confidence and strength to avoid the consequences of peer pressure and body image, to giving adults a wall to hide behind when they've done or said something thats out of line. how many times have you heard the phrase "but thats just me" and its usually to avoid giving an apology.

have the mean/rude/insensitive people just given up on themselves and decided that that can be them? or am i making a the stupid assumption that other people have to make the decision to do the 'right' thing like i do. does it come easier to you guys? do you envy the people who just do want they want and don't give a s**t like i do but at the same time know your conscience would kill you?

NB: before you all tell me to get off my pedestal i know i don't do the right thing a lot of the time and yes my conscience does kill me. but i'm talking about the REALLY bad people... and anyway, this post is nothing more than a thought.

see! even my drivers license says i'm only 21

well folks as sad as it may sound, tonight was the first saturday night i've had out in a lllooooonnngggg time. i'd say night out full stop but there was that incident a few weeks ago when we had a few drinks for staff members farewell. anyway...

tonight S and i went and saw eskimo joe play in concert for (and i kid you not) the 5th or 6th time this year. i love those guys. once again they played an excellent show and even threw in a few new songs we hadn't heard before. bonus! however it was an all ages gig which we weren't aware of when we purchased our golden tickets and therefore had to stand in the middle of 100 15-18 yr old girls, hyped up on god knows what all excited to be at a concert. not entirely pleasant but we were some of the tallest people there so that has to be a plus. after leaving the establishment we waddled (we have very bad backs and dancing/jumping is not good for them... also my feet hurt *insert sympathy here*) to the car and when i finally made it home it was 12:30... dad was still awake and VERY surprised to see me walk in, get changed and proceed to walk out again.

[dad] "WHERE ARE YOU GOING NOW?"
[me] to a 21st.
[dad] at this time?!?
[me] yes
[dad] but it'll be over
[me] its not, i rang
[dad] but you should be sleeping, you don't rest enough, you can barely walk... stay here and make me a coffee
[me] dad i'll be fine, i don't have to work tomorrow (woohoo!) and besides, i'm meant to be going out i'm young! i'm only 21 dammit it says so on my drivers license!!!
[dad] *grumble grumble*

arrived at said party and thought *i should be at home, in bed, resting - damn you dad (shakes fist)* lasted over and hour and a half then volunteered to drive another friend home as she wasn't feeling well. a nice gesture some may say but it was purely so i could go home too without guilt.

i think i'm old.

this isn't worth your time...

A was telling me today how when she posts, she takes a little event that happened that day and makes a little entertaining story about it. me? well i just jump on and start talking shyte. today is no different.

late fees my friends.. late fees. is it really such a difficult concept? you hire the item and pay for a set period of time you can have it. you keep that item for longer than you originally pay for and therefore pay the excess fee for which you kept the item. now correct me if i'm wrong, but if you hire something that has 'overnight' written on it in on a fluro yellow sticker (it aint so subtle my friends) and you have said item in your home for oh i don't know 3 or 4 days... are you or are you not aware that their will be a penalty fee owing once returned. and considering you avoid the establishment for the following 3 months hoping the fee will magically deteriorate over time and get your wife to join so you can use another card (obviously you know its there), why would you be not only "surprised" but also abusive to random staff when the establishment sends you a 'courtesy reminder' that you have outstanding fees.
*sorry, just received a phone call from the staff RE: stupid abusive man with late fees*

good news for trip - relatives rang dad and said i can stay with them for a week or two in sicily and they'll take care of me. in italian terms that means not allow me to pay for anything and take me around the island to all the best spots. one of them even speaks english (woohoo). i'm still working on getting the beach house off them without them feeling as though they have to come stay in it with me (thats what they did with mum and dad). A is first on the list as potential room mate... also decided that i'll definitely get a eurail pass and hope i don't go broke before i can use it.

hehehe its pink

ok. get this right. there is a company out there called hire-a-hubby. basically the idea is women who either live alone or have husbands that are absolutely useless are able to hire-a-hubby ie. a butch man, to come and solve all their home-improvement problems. these can range from clearing the gutters to mending a broken shelf. so what do they do to these butch men that are meant to be the very specimen of masculinity and strength??? give them a hot pink trailer and uniform. i think it's hilarious!!! i mean, ok i get that they've probably done that so that woman don't feel threatened to have these men in their home as it instantly makes them seem as menacing as a member of the fab 5 (go carson!) but come on couldn't they have settled for a baby blue or something? unless of course the company was founded by a failed ex-sociology student and therefore the colour choice was simply a joke as it played with the notion of gender roles in western society and the significance we give to something as trivial as colour...

i just gave myself away as an ex-sociology student didn't i. well i deferred, not failed so it doesn't count.

but really, would you hire a man dressed in pink to do anything other than sort out your wardrobe?

rules of the road

i cannot stress this enough people... the road is for cars! respect it... fear it... and by god get off it when there is a car coming. on my way home today i saw a pedestrian who has never before been behind the wheel of a car. how do i know this? simple. they had NO respect for the road and lacked the courtesy for drivers that only a driver can understand. picture this, it's peak hour and a line of cars bumper to bumper are trying franticly to turn onto a main road in the 5 seconds that the traffic MIGHT clear between lights. before attempting to cross the road i've had a quick look behind me to see if the traffic's about to clear so as not to ruin the chance for a few cars to pull out by walking across at that precise moment. i see that yes it looks like quite a few cars could get out so i stop and wait patiently. but not the idiot beside me. he just strolls across and even stops to scratch his ankle IN FRONT OF THE CAR. i can clearly see the driver is debating whether or not it would be worth committing a hit and run - and since she's nudging closer and closer i'm thinkin the pedestrian is about to have a really bad day. the driver finally resorts to using her horn to which the pedestrian stands up, sticks up his finger and continues to cross the street. the main road is once again streaming with oncoming traffic and the cars are once again stuck. as a devoted driver i have one simple rule, get out of my way. i dont stop for pedestrians, basically if you're walking on a road you're in someone else's kingdom. do you play water polo in the fast lane at the local pool?? do you have a picnic on the feild while NSW vs QLD at the state of origin?? do you stand on a train track and expect it to swerve?? hell no! same with a road, don't stand on it when there's a car coming. as a pedestrian i have the kind of courtesy i expect from the vehicle-ly challenged when i drive. having said that i expect the same courtesy in return when i'm a pedestrian. if your driving on the footpath, you best get out of my way when i'm walking!!! *shaking fist*

note: consideration is taken when said pedestrians are children, however i do suggest you teach them the rules of the road early in life to avoid them becomming an ankle scratcher.

the alleged note...

well its friday again, and you know what that means... my day off. well apart from last week the fact i don't have to work till 4pm makes it as close to a day off as i've had lately. and once again i fought and lost the battle to gain access to the car. THIS TIME... mum didn't see the rather large and quite clearly written note i left ON TOP of her hand bag (just so she couldn't possibly miss it). some may recall a post i dedicated to the stupid gene in our family. well my friends, this gene once again came into play today and incidentally got in my way and ruined all my plans. i had shopping to do for my trip and also for a BBQ i have planned for tomorrow night (you're all invited if you can find my house), was planning to see a movie, go to the bank... anything that didn't involve work or being in my house. i was going to get things done so i could relax but no, i got up this morning and there was no car. i could see my note (now on the floor) but no reply (unusual) the astra (car i'm not aloud to drive) was still in the garage (tempted to take it) something was awry(what the?). i rang mum at work and alas, those dreaded words were uttered "what note"...

{me} "there was a note, a bloody note!"
{mum} "well i didn't see a note"
{me} "the note was stuck on your bag! how could you not see the note?"
{mum} "if there was a note i would have seen it"
{me} "I"M LOOKING AT IT!!!"
- deep breath-
{me} "regardless, i wrote the note only as a precaution. its friday, i always want the car on friday... why is there no car when its friday?!?"
{mum} "well you need to remind me"
{me} *frustrated and through gritted teeth* "that's why i left a note"

a few hours later mum comes home just as i'm about to leave for work

{mum} oh look here's your note!
{me} *thinking* AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
{me} *saying* yes mum, i'm painfully aware of the note.

30 days to go...

so here it is, the final countdown *singin song in head... waving hair around like i'm some 1980's rock band prissy boy* in exactly one month at this precise moment, i will be on a plane more than half way to montreal. -- beware foreigners stupid tourist is preparing to land-- and i will be a stupid tourist trust me. i've lived in sydney for 19 years and i can't even find my way around the city let alone turning up in a new country every few days when i can't speak the language and probably won't be able to read a map (i'm talking about europe here not montreal). i've never had to go through customs or get my bag from one of those stupid machines. i'm most likely gonna look at it and think 'oh they have rides in airports now? where do i put my 2 bucks in'. i'll probably get my bag, passport and all my money stolen by some gorgeous guy cos i always fall for gorgeous men who want to screw me over then he'll give my passport to his 30 yr old girlfriend who he just knocked up and is about to go play happy family with and she'll take over my identity and get a mortgage and a new car and i'll get sent the bills and they'll live happily ever after while i die horribly in a gutter after losing everything i own trying to pay off their house and *breaths slow and steadily into a paper bag*... hey cool i'm excited when can i start packing???

should i start charging?

i was at work today when about 4 of my male friends/customers (well they were customers before they were friends but anyway) came in one after the other in quick succession. i greeted them the way i normally do, a big smile and a huge hug. after witnessing this, one customer whom i don't know that well i might add, decided to take the opportunity to grab me while i wasn't behind the counter and proceeded to give me a big hug. as you can imagine i was quite taken aback and immediately exclaimed "what are you doing?" to which he replied "oh i thought thats how it worked here, you just seem really friendly". not overly disturbed but still not quite knowing what to do i retreated back to the safety of the counter babbling some explanation that they are my friends - im not a whore and do you have your membership card there? later on i was mulling over the memory and it came to me, this isn't the first time i've been man-handled in the store. there's been instances where i've been full on groped. maybe i should start charging... it could be put on their card like a late fee - 'sir there is a fee here for hugging nat would you like to pay that now?' a price list will be distributed and may look something like this

PRICE LIST FOR NATTY LOVIN'

* 1 hug = $5 - $10 if your ugly or you smell
* holding hands while personally helping you select a video = $10 - $20 if your ugly or you smell
* if your hand goes anywhere near my butt = $30 - $50 if your ugly or you smell (free if your that cute guy with the english accent)
* if your hand brushes anything in the chestual (yes i made that up) area = $50 - $100 and me playing baseball with your head if your ugly or you smell.
*special request will be considered, but may incur an additional 'weird and inappropriate' fee... especially if you are ugly or you smell.

Withdrawals

its been 3 days since my last posting (sounds like i'm going to confession). in a way i am really... i hate my grandmother! there it is, i confess. seriously though, before you all think i'm an evil granny hating devil child hear me out.

this woman is barely human i swear, she has the most annoying mannerisms and habits on earth and here are a few examples
- she makes that clicky sound where she presses her tongue against the roof of her mouth and pulls it away at such an angle it makes that disgusting 'smack' sound..
- she opens her mouth and peers over her glasses
- she wipes a bowl clean with her finger and licks it
- she talks to you while your reading or watching t.v and its stuff you really don't care about (and i hate the way she says my name just before she starts) " naaaaaaaaaataliieeeeeeee... i'd really like you to see what Dr. Phil is talking about at the moment. its how.. blah blah blah"
- she INSISTS on bringing up subjects that are off limits (like some members of our family) and wonders why i instantly get in a bad mood each and every time.
- she comes round just before dinner and then won't leave till mums forced to invite her to stay and says "oh goody, thanks" like its some kind of surprise. then talks the ENTIRE time pissing EVERYONE off.
- she drinks my alcohol and takes half our food home with her. (i'm sorry but there is a rule! you can help yourself to ONLY what you can consume on the premises)

they are just a few minor examples, but what really gets to me is she is manipulative. she rings up in tears and as soon as you agree to whatever she wants you to do - stops crying and says "oh great thanks" like she never had a care in the world to start with.
OH... and she rips off St Vinnies!! WHO DOES THAT!! this woman has money in property and inheritance that she's hiding from the government so she can still get the pension and then has the audacity to go cry (again.. and literally) to st vinnies or red cross or whoever it is that gives out christmas hampers at christmas so that she can get one. the woman makes me sick!

the worst and most offending thing of all though is... her mere presence deprived me of the computer for the last 3 days. for this, i shall never forgive her.

reading over this post i am appalled at myself. but only for the simple fact that my writing skills and vocabulary have only aided in conveying a tiny fraction of the disdain i feel toward this vile woman.

does this make me a bad person?

sweet sweet nothing.

it finally arrived. my eagerly awaited day off. there were 2 possible plans for the day; 1) be all busy bee like and get a whole lot of stuff done... 2) be all bludgy like and get a whole lot of nothing done. i chose the latter - or i should say the latter chose me.

it started ok, i woke up to my parents in the garage, dad berating mum over where she's been parking the astra convertible (the new toy) which means that she must be taking it again, meaning she saw my note on the bench asking if i can have the verada for the day (her previous car and the one she has to drive to work/shops/everywhere so that nothing happens to the astra). only once i ventured out of bed around 9:30 i couldn't see the verada anywhere. i promptly ring dad (who has decided to take the day off ONCE in his life and it happens to be MY day off) and yes it is confirmed, he has the verada as since he saw it sitting there and he had the day off he figured he'd put his car in to be serviced. so what do i do?!? a whole lot of nothing. i put on my 'i'm lounging around and don't intend to go anywhere gear' which consists of adding a pair of jeans to my nighty - and plonked myself infront of the t.v.

dad returned to inform me he GAVE my car away.. GAVE it away... who GIVES a car away?!? my car being the old toyota camry which my friend ruined by bending the shazzy (technical car terms.. basically the structure underneath the car) but none-the-less, you can still drive it (when it has rego). so basically i start downloading a hissy fit when he interupts me with 'what do you care, you can have the verada when you get back from overseas'... can anyone say 'spoilt brat' ???

so i guess today was kinda productive. i scored a car, how'd you do?

the stupid gene

after a night like tonight you have to wonder. i always thought people were supposed to get wise as they got old, but in our family it seems to be a trait that they (i hate to include myself in this as i hope to break tradition some day) get more unreasonable, illogical and downright stupid as they get older. my grandmother (a prime example and carrier of the most potent before mentioned 'stupid' gene), prematurely released from hospital was demanding i take her to go get her car so she can drive back to bendigo. my auntie, throwing the biggest hissy fit i've ever seen because my mother picked gran up from the hospital when she was already released, bag in hand and waiting outside (apparently mum was meant to leave her standing there). my mother, throwing an even BIGGER hissy fit because she was getting yelled at. then it moved on to who will take car of nan. my auntie? whos had her for the last few weeks as she is home 24 hours a day but feels she can't cope with it any longer. my mother? nan is banned from our house (another story altogether and further proof they're stupid) but thats besides the point as there is no one home in our house between 8-5 so there's no one too look after her anyway. so instead of finding a way to have her at my aunts house but with my mum helping out enough to take half the pressure off my aunt, they yell at each other and return all items floating around the house that belong to the other as though they are 'breaking up'.

enter me, promptly drive over to aunts, pick up nan so that aunt can have a break. have reasonable chat to find out what she needs mum to do to take pressure off. drive nan to our place till i'm due at work tomorrow (night shift). tell mum issues discussed with aunt. "oh yes that would help. ah ha. that should work. good!". mum gets nan to bed while i go finish cooking my own dinner which i started a good 2 hours ago, and its now nearly 10pm. (not happy jan)

oOoOo they have sprinkles!!

well the highlight of my day was definately when A brought me cupcakes, with sprinkles! leftover from her munchkin 2's b'day shin-dig. can we all just stand in the birthday girls honor and yell hip hip hooray!!! i remember when she'd walk into the store like she owned the place, call me the wrong name and i'd promptly lift her up to sit on the counter so she could draw and keep me company while A browsed through the shop. where did the time go.

17 days down, 2 more to go then i get a day off.. woohoo! i tell you what, i won't be working 19 days in a row again. and before you proffesionals say 'thats nothing you lazy *bleep*' just remember that i'm 21 and technically still a uni student. that means that i should be doing minimal amounts of work and passing out on the other side of campus with a half empty beer in my hand and someone elses shirt on.