Twin Speak: Two Minds - One Blog

Ok...WTF is wrong with the Olypmic 2012 Designers??

2010-05-21T11:30:00.011+10:00

The question has to be asked- What the hell is wrong with the creative team for the 2012 London Olympics! Are these guys on acid or am I seriously not seeing something here that they are?!?

Bella: Ok, being in the design industry myself, I'm usually quite open to anything design related. I like to keep an open mind, consider new and fresh design ideas and concepts and often find inspiration from designers or styles outside of my own creative sphere. HOWEVER...I am absolutely floored by the design concepts that have been put forward and then APPROVED for the 2012 London Olympics.

First was the release of their abysmal 2012 Olympics logo! Words fail me as to how shit I think this logo is. I mean...I've seen abstract...but this is just poo on paper or website or wherever this crappy logo happens to be adorned. I can't believe someone got PAID to design this. And millions of people felt the same. Below are just some variations of how this logo has been interpreted.

The original Logo

And then some variations....

But now, the Olympics committee has released the new mascots for the games, Wenlock and Mandeville. Ok firstly...their names...gay much?? What kind of names are these?!? Now as to how they look....they're just plain creepy! I sure as hell wouldn't want anything emblazoned with these weirdo mascots on it. I mean...I don't know if the picture below portrays just how.....CRAP they are.

This is actually part of the official release from the committee:

"Two parts-Pokemon to one-part lava lamp with yellow 'Taxi' lights on their foreheads, the distinctive characters are intended to capture the imagination of children and work as well in the digital world as they will in costume form at trackside in 2012.

They are a central part of London's £70 million merchandising budget, and organisers hope the mascots will contribute up to 20 per cent of that sum through sales of T-shirts, key-rings, tea-towels and the like.

The Cyclops design allows the mascots' eyes to work as lenses, and digital cameras in the shape of the characters will be available."

HUH?! These don't look like Pokemons. They look like some pretty scary, deranged blobs things that don't really look like anything at all. Maybe deformed Teletubbies? And 'Taxi' lights?? Yeah......ok...I can really see the relevance there...NOT! And £70 million!!! What a waste of money!! 20 per cent to be contributed by these creepy characters through sales of merchandise?? I don't think so! I wouldn't want these guys on my toilet paper. Oh god, hand me a crayon and some play-do and I'll have a better looking logo and Mascots in no time!

Well that's my rant over. But I really think that maybe I'm in the wrong design job here. Maybe I'm setting my heights just a little too high?

Twin Speak: A New Monthly Feature - Love it or Leave it

2010-05-14T16:00:00.007+10:00

Love it or Leave it will be our monthly twin review on all things life, love and more. Even though we're twins we often have very different opinions about things we love and things we hate. Each month we hope to bring you a a new product, activity, social outing, trend or issue which we will either Love or Leave it!

Bella: I have a bit of a habit of becoming obsessed with a new product, trend or activity only to loose interest in that said habit a few months later. The advantage of this is that I'm always trying out new things! Frankie and I thought why not use our flighty, indecisive attitudes to our advantage and start rating these obsessions for the benefit of all who read our blog. (We know there must be thousands who could benefit) :)

So this month we thought we'd both rate our recent obsession with a new iPhone app we have called Words With Friends. Now if you're like us and you know of this product, you might also be slightly obsessed with it. I've been using this application non stop for close to two weeks. My workload is piling up and don't even try speaking to me unless it's via the chat feature in the app as well. I've had to change the screen protector several times due to the amount of food I've spilt on it as I can barely take my eyes from the screen while I eat. This little game is fun, addictive and easy. It's Scrabble for your iPhone! You can play it with friends who have iPhone and also have this app. You can play random opponents or you can even play a game directly from your phone and pass and play to others in the same room.

I LOVE this app and can't get enough and I highly recommend it to anyone else who has an iPhone. Leave it?? I don't think so!

Frankie: I too can get a bit obsessed with things and this time is no exception. I am a self confessed 'Words with Friends' junkie.

I first started battling it out with friends but when that didn't satisfy my need to scrabble...I turned to random strangers and am now srabbling it out with two strangers.

I love the feeling you get when you get a top point score, or when you manage to use those hard letters like 'X' or 'Z' or even better when you manage to make a word combo using an 'X' or 'Z' on a TRIPLE WORD SCORE. Oh god...I'm getting a little excited now just thinking about that.

So summing up... I would have to 'Love it, Love it, Love it'.
If you have an iphone and don't have this addictive little app...download it now!!!!

:)

Procrastinating, excuses and just being lost in general

2010-04-27T10:06:00.012+10:00

Oh my, yes we have definitely been lost in the blogoshpere of the last several months. How slack are we that we haven't put pen to paper (typing to screen) for 6 months!!

Bella: I'm not too bad when it comes to procrastinating. I pride myself on being someone that isn't what I call a 'gunna'. I'm gunna do this and I'm gunna do that and I'm gunna get round to it. I generally make up my mind to do something and then carry through. But...like everyone, I have certain passions which I am committed to and then I let other things fall by the wayside. Blogging would have to be one in the latter bunch. A few years ago, Frankie and I were so eager to start putting our daily random thoughts out there into the blogosphere. Not so much for other people to read but just so we had an outlet for all passions, thoughts, frustrations and loves. I go through phases where I feel I really need a place to vent to stop from going crazy. And then, I have times where I am just at peace with everything and happy to cruise along either way. Well I'm happy to say that life is good..but I have been getting that itching feeling that I need to outlet some of my creative, crazy, happy, sad emotions again. It also got me thinking about what else I have wanted to complete or do that I haven't yet gotten around to, made excuses for, procrastinated or just got lost in general.

Well there is:

To learn another language; Indonesian (still a long goal in progress)

To have regular book meets and discussions (It doesn't help that it's only me and Frankie in the club)

Run a 10km run this year. (I'm currently training for this one....but it's going slowly)

Learn how to sew and start making myself clothes (This one I'm kind of halfway..I can sew ok but don't want to wear anything I make)

Clean out my cupboards (I admit it. I'm procrastinating this one)

Frankie:Well I will admit I am a procrastinator. Just getting to write this blog after such a long break was a bit of a mission for me.

I tend to not like doing the things that aren't fun...you know, like grocery shopping, cleaning, paying bills. The things we hate but are necessities in life. So I have decided to see how I can spruce up these mundane tasks so I can enjoy them more or not have them be the bane of my existence. So how am I going to accomplish this...

Tasks I hate to do but must...

Grocery shopping. I hate it. I have said that I would rather be anorexic at times than go shopping. The mayhem, the squashy isles, the trolley in the ankles...it all just cause me great anxiety and grief. So one idea I have come up with to increase fun levels is to turn it into a game. Kind of like the 'Great amazing 'shopping' race'. So my shopping buddy and I will have certain time limits and challenges to accomplish during our shopping expedition that we must achieve in order to win the game. If we fail to achieve certain challenges during the game, we must forfeit one item from our trolley. So not only will this makes dull grocery shopping more exciting...it might also save us on our shopping bill :)

The clean the house...again, another chore that really bores me. I can hardly pretend to like this. So what I have come up with here is to turn it into a exercise/cleaning session. Set the clock and go, go, go...get whatever I can get done in one hour and whatever falls out of my one hour exercise time, "Oh well??" Will just have to wait till next session :)

Finally paying bills. Some of my bills are automatic and leave me with nothing to think about. But then there are other bills where I have to log in online, or phone bank or even worse...speak to a rep to organise payment. So what I have decided to do for this one is, call up all outstanding bill companies and speak in a really annoying voice and speak and 20 miles per hour and try and see which company I can annoy most?? I'll have to work on this one because I still think this would annoy me more??

Twin Speak...Sales Assistants...what won't they say to get a sale??

2009-10-22T12:12:00.000+10:00

Is it just me, or do the sales assistants of today seem to be getting dumber and dumber? I can't believe some of the things people will say in retail to either make a sale or keep one??

Frankie: Now I know I shouldn't generalise the entire 'retail community' because I have also been served by selling superstars. But let's face it. They're a dying breed. Today, it's more likely that you'll be served by young and very naive shop assistants.

For example, I will give you some of the latest retail escapades I have encountered and walked out shaking my head in total disbelief.

Shop One:

I recently bought a leather jacket and noticed that the cuff on one of the sleeves was all crushed and very thin and wearing through. Now, I know leather is an imperfect fabric and there will be differences in the leather. However, this looked more like a manufacturers flaw. Like for example, when I once saw a jacket which had the sheep branding stamp on the arm of the jacket??? Flaw I think so!!!

So I went to see if I could get an exchange of the jacket for another one but the shop assistant was adamant that the jacket was fine and that it was the natural look of the jacket? His explanation went something like this:

Shop Assistant:"Um have you ever bought a leather jacket before.
Me: Not a jacket but many other leather items like bags and shoes.
Shop Assistant: Oh well then, you probably aren't that familiar with leather then. You see, this is just the natural look of the jacket. The sheep this piece of leather came from probably lent up against a barb wire fence and hurt itself and scared it's skin. Or it could have even had a fight with another sheep. Yep, there's nothing wrong with this jacket
Me: You're a fucking idiot!!

Shop Two:
I walked into a shop and noticed this gorgeous silver bag that was perched on a very high stand so I couldn't actually touch the product. I asked the shop assistant if it was leather (yes, I like my leather products) and she replied,

Shop assistant: Um, well I don't think it's leather because, um there aren't any silver cows so um I think it is Pleather??
Me: Oh ok, thanks then?? (walking out the store and thinking in my head, "right, well it's news to me that there a paddocks full of cows running around with Louis Vuitton monograms all over their ass)????

What has happened to decent service and information these days????

Bella: Well I don't think this is bad customer service so much as just really stupid people. I recently read about a new environmental epidemic which could be the contributing factor to this. It's called the 'Bozone Layer'.

Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating.
Use: The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

Twin Speak...The Human Parrot!

2009-09-29T15:33:00.001+10:00

When it comes to people repeating themselves I can get slightly irritated. Human Parrots!!! Parroting and repeating themselves all day long...

Frankie: My partner's mum, Susan, has this habit of repeating herself or repeating what someone else says ALL THE TIME!!!

We had a get-together lunch the other day. We had steak, prawns, rice and salad. It was all very nice and everyone commented on the delicious spread, especially Susan. That's right! I shit you not...she repeated herself 7 unbearable times that the salad was lovely!!! "This salad is lovely, it goes great when you mix it with rice!" And just in case you didn't catch it, "This salad is lovely, it goes great when you mix it with rice!"

In the space of 20 minutes, she repeated at separate occasions the above phrase. It was ridiculous!!! What possesses a person to act like a parrot and repeat themselves that many times. Now, before you think of me as some cruel hearted person, she's not old, so it is not Alzheimer's. She is not mentally unstable. So WHY must she always repeat herself.

It drives me insane. After the 5th time she said it, I started praying that it was the last time I was going to hear how fucking fantastic the salad was. But no, I was lucky enough to hear it a 6th time and the 7th time, I involuntarily dropped my fork in frustration.

Her another annoying habit is repeating what another person says. For example, we were all gathered at my partner's sister's house, we were all about to eat and the sister says, "everybody help themselves and start eating", and then on queue, Sally repeats, "everybody help themselves and start eating". Umm, hello, is there an echo in the room. Didn't someone just say that...

God, it's so annoying. I really try, I really do...but I just can't find a way ignore this one annoying habit!!!

Bella: I also find it annoying when people repeat themselves but not in the same sense as Frankie. I don't mind so much when someone repeats what they say in direct conversation with you. My husband's a bit of a ramble talker and often repeats himself or goes over small details in his conversation to get a point across.

What annoys me is when people constantly say and repeat what they are going to do, achieve, get to, over and over again. I don't think there is a character trait that annoys me more than....procrastinating!

I think I feel so strongly about it because at the moment I work in an environment where my superior is a bit of a procrastinator. I feel like we are forever having these endless meetings to discuss, discuss, discuss but we NEVER put into action anything we discuss. It shits me to tears! I get so over talking about things and I just want to do it. I am the kind of person where I will say what I'm going to do and then do it! Sometimes I just want to shake people by the shoulders when I here them saying about their life that they just didn't get round to it...or I was gonna do this and I was gonna do that. I just want to yell in their face "Suck it UP and get on with it!!".

Yeah..that annoys me a bit :)

Weird and Wonderful Weather

2009-09-23T08:46:00.012+10:00

I arrived to work this morning to view these amazing pictures displayed on a news report online.

Sydney's Walsh Bay covered with dust.

Dust storm blankets Sydney. Two lone walkers on the beach.

Sydney's Bondi Beach

Red Sky

Bella: These images are of Sydney, Australia being covered in an amazing red dust storm. It's not everyday that a phenomenal natural occurrence like this happens and I found these images simply breathtaking. Almost apocalyptic but thankfully no harm done other than poor visibility in the city and a blanket layer of red dust over Sydney.

When I view images like this of the natural wonders happening around us it always makes me stop and appreciate the power of the world we live in. Unfortunately not all natural weather events like this are harmless as we know but I'm still awed by it's magnificence.

Twin Speak: System Crash!

2009-08-25T20:46:00.013+10:00

Why is it that we have come to expect computers to have system crashes and therefore need regular maintenance and updates, yet when it comes to people, we're so unforgiving sometimes and expect so much more from one another??

Frankie: Every now and then I get to a point in my life where I need to take a step back, reevaluate and refocus my attention. I can sometimes let everything overwhelm me and get the better of me. It's one of my bad habits...dwelling on the negative and letting it get me down.

Occasionally, I need to 'reboot' my system and restart the system. However, I find that people can be so callous and unforgiving when it comes to the human error. The human need to relax, recoup and regenerate our strength.

I came to the point where I was overwhelmed by work, life stresses and other personal issues. My work and life balance was in disarray and hence leaving me to make bad judgments and errors at work, but did I get any understanding when I needed a break. No!

How come, it is totally acceptable to expect system crashes from our computers, the very hard drive we work off yet when it comes to human crashes, we are considered inadequate, performing poorly or in need of additional training rather than simply accepting that we all need to take a break every now and then and reevaluate our priorities and commitments.

Has it come to the point where we treat our 'computers' better than our human assets?? Are we desensitized to human error because of the advance of technology, convenience and the assistance of our silly computers?

Bella: We are our own harshest critics and I think the expectations placed on us in our lives and in today's society are becoming very hard to meet. We need to work longer hours, to pay bigger mortgages, to send our kids to better schools, to buy more modern amenities to make our life easier, only to have no time to use them or enjoy them because we're too busy doing other chores and housework because it's the only time we have!

It does get overwhelming sometimes. When you're constantly thinking how you're going to keep your head above water especially in these uncertain times.

But, I do take comfort and am grateful for everything I do have because I know that there is always a family or a person doing it tougher than I am. I feel for these people and can only imagine how much harder life really can be for some. For people that have no work at all or no prospects on the horizon, for families with sick children or family members to take care of, for people who have no mortgage to pay because the bank took their home or to people who simply can't afford to eat.

So I say, have your little system crash and your spak attack because you'll probably feel better after, take some time out but then go back out there with your head held high and know that you can only do what you can do and that's the best you can expect from yourself :)

The Book Club...

2009-07-09T15:18:00.003+10:00

Recently, Bella and I started a book club. We love our books and thankfully found some friends who also share a strong interest in reading. Well, after our second meeting we realized that nearly all avid readers, have one way or another had a life altering book experience or have an absolute favourite book that would be on the top of a “Things I would take with me in a house fire’ list.

So we thought we would share with you our all time favourite book and why..

Frankie: The Bronze Horseman – Paullina Simons

I fell in love with the characters of this war/love epic. Now, normally I would not have picked this book up. For two reasons, I am not a love story fan and I find war novels depressing. The age old adage, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ prevented me from ever picking up this goodie. But thankfully I did. I was so engrossed by the story of these two love struck kids during the tragedy of war that I began to wonder…”Is there really love like that out there??”

I love this book for two reason:

1. The story, hardship and triumphs of these two characters was heartwarming

2. It opened my eyes to 2 whole new genres and let me be more open minded with my book choices

And best of all this series is a Trilogy :)

Bella: The Bronze Horseman – Paullina Simons

Yes. We actually do both have the same all time favourite book. The only difference being that this would not be on the top of my "thing to take in a house fire" list because Frankie actually has my copy :) And I'm still waiting for it's return...ahem...Frankie.

I loved this book like no other I've ever read. Pretty big statement I know. It was moving, emotional and deeply touching. If you haven't read this book you should. I think it was beautiful.

TwinSpeak: When You Feel Ripped Off

2009-06-22T11:19:00.008+10:00

Have you ever purchased something and it turns out you didn't get what you paid for? When you have really high expectations about something and then you are bitterly disappointed by what you receive and just feel plain ripped off?

Bella: I am pretty much a chocolate addict. I love, love, love it. On the weekend, I noticed a new flavour of Kit Kat Chunky. Kit Kat Chunky Cookies and Cream!! I love Kit Kat Chunkies and I love Cookies and Cream. It was my ultimate dream chocolate bar. Or so I thought.

With all the anticipation of a five year old opening their Christmas presents from Santa, I opened my chocolate bar only to find that it was a defect!! Sub standard and a reject at best. It should have never passed the Kit Kat quality test. Half the top of the chocolate bar was missing, leaving a crumbly mess of wafer. Then when I bit into it, it got worse! Half the actual cookies and cream filling was also missing! It was like this little guy tried to escape off the conveyor belt and missed half the process only to be packaged up and sent away as is.

So what to do??? I emailed Nestle to inform them of my customer dissatisfaction complete with photos. I was of course hoping that I would get a full box of Kit Kats for my trouble. Instead I was offered a cheque for $1.20 to replace the cost of the Kit Kat. It would cost me more in petrol, time and effort to just cash the cheque!

Oh well you can't win them all :)

Frankie: Well, I recently experienced a bad eBay purchase. You have to be careful of those shifty sellers on eBay and normally I am. I bought this beautiful dress, or so I thought, on eBay. The photo displaying the dress looked like a professional clipping from a magazine. I asked the seller if the dress is the exact same style, brand etc as in the picture and I was told yes. So for $50, I thought I was getting a bargain buy.

Fast forward 2 weeks later and I get my supposed designer dress. Not only was it a knock off version, the quality was abysmal. I've bought knock-off items before and you'd be pretty hard pressed to pick up the original and imitation in a line up. However, this imitation was a joke. It was made from some cheap polyester fabric, there were stitches loose down the side of the dress, what looked to be a shoe print on the hem of the dress and I swear it had been worn...to top it off, the dress was advertised as green and the one I got was a grey???

So yes, I felt mighty ripped and pissed off. I had to send the horrible item back to the seller I bought it from and was out of pocket $10 to post the hideous thing back. So beware people of dodgy sellers out there.

TwinSpeak...When times are tough

2009-06-19T10:11:00.007+10:00

With all this talk of recession and the hard economic situation around the world, I often wonder how some people are managing. What do people do to get by from day to day. How do you save a buck when times are tough?

Bella: I ask this question of myself often. How can I save money? Where can I cut down on my spending? What can I sacrifice? Like the other day, I only bought one pair of Tony Bianco shoes instead of two :) On a serious note though I have become more conscious of things like, meal planning and organising meals in advance. Rather than just wait until the evening and then decide what to cook or go out and get something, I've become more organised in planning ahead and shopping for exactly what I need. I've started turning off appliances around the house of an evening or when I know they're not going to be used for awhile and even turn of the modem connection. I make sure to turn off lights when no one is in the room. I don't know if these things save a great deal money but it can't hurt.

Today I was in McDonalds and I noticed something that made me laugh.

There was a gentleman who had setup his laptop and was using the free WiFi. Not unusual, No. Until I noticed he had also setup his gigantic printer on the table next to him! He also had his mouse and mouse pad and what looked like a month's worth of paperwork on the table next to him. I assume he was catching up on his Internet banking and downloads??

Would you go that far to save a buck??? Me, personally, no I wouldn't.

I decided to dub this man Terri the Tightarse :)

TwinSpeak: Phone calls you weren't meant to get

2009-05-12T09:11:00.000+10:00

Have you ever received a phone call from someone only to realise they must have accidentally called you? Those incidents where you can hear the caller but they can't hear you? Then have you ever stayed listening on the line only to realise they are bitching about you? No...well this is exactly what happened to me.

Bella: I'm sure the first big question you're wanting to know is 'Who' would do that? It's the same first question all my friends had asked me when I told them about this story. Well..hilarious to say...it was my husband!

For some reason his bluetooth headset kept dialling the last number dialled, which was me. When I'd answer I could hear him speaking but he couldn't hear me because he wasn't wearing the headset. This happened three times. On the third time however I tried to get his attention. I didn't know where his headset was but I tried to scream into the phone anyway and call his name. It didn't work because he just kept on talking. After another second though, I caught my name in the conversation and that's when I started listening in.

He was 'complaining' to a work mate that the weekends just seem to fly by and that whenever I suggest we do something or go shopping, it turns out to be a whole day event. On and on he went about how he prefers to just work outside and get the yard done yet I 'demand' that we spend the weekend together. He even went as far to say that not 2 weekends before he had surprised me and taken me to Melbourne for the whole weekend and then not even 5 days later how many brownie point does he have....'0'.

Needless to say I was rather annoyed. Mostly because most of what he was saying was completely untrue. I actually prefer to go out shopping by myself and enjoy having time apart. I know he likes to work on his garden so I don't often ask to do things for the whole day or even whole weekend. Most recently he was annoyed at me because I had things planned for the weekend and he was wondering when we would do something together??? So I could only put it down to 'boy talk' and the things you sometimes say in the presence of others just to keep a conversation going. Still, I text him to let know that his phone played up again and to kindly point out a few of the things I heard. His phone was off for the rest of the day and unsurprisingly when I got home, the hallway was littered with chocolates leading to a very sheepish looking husband.

Oh well...these things happen and I got chocolate out of it :)

TwinSpeak: How far can you stretch a use by date?

2009-05-01T08:52:00.010+10:00

To eat or not to eat. That is the question. Well, that was the question I pondered today when I considered drinking 2 day old milk because I couldn't be bothered going to the store to get some more. So how far are you prepared to stretch a use by date?

Bella: The milk didn't smell too bad...hardly even sour at all. It was almost half full as well...I didn't want to waste it in these tough economic times? But don't worry, I'm glad to say that I shortly snapped out of my morning sleepy haze and realised that no...I really didn't want a bout of sickness or nausea this morning.

But the question still remains...how far are some people prepared to push use by dates? I think it really depends on the manufacturers label and whether it is a 'Use by Date' or a 'Best Before' date. To my understanding the latter meaning; this item is at it's best quality if consumed before the 'Best Before' date. and the former meaning; this item must be consumed before the 'Use By Date' if you want to avoid food poisoning.

I have to admit that I am probably a bit more relaxed than I should be when it comes to acknowledging use by/best before dates. I grew up with a Father who didn't tolerate kids not eating what was given to them and not eating something because of a bit of mould is just plain 'fussy' and 'overcautious'. We toughed it out. I do have my limits though.

- When it comes to Best Before dates, I'll pretty much eat it as long as it's no more than I'd say 6 months overdue. It's just going to be stale or not at it's optimum freshness. Best Before items are usually non perishable and dry goods that can be stored in a pantry.

Use By Dates and what I won't do:
- One thing I am super fussy about is meat. I won't eat it if it has any kind of off smell or has been out too long.
- If it's slimy. Some things you just can't wash off.
- If the entire thing is sprouting mould and looks like a science project. Beyond salvageable.

Use by Dates and things I will do:
- Cheese. If it's a large block and one end has a little mould. I have been known to cut off one end and use the other.
- Crumpets/Bread. Crumpets seem to go mouldy really fast. Depending on mould coverage and if it's only really light, I have also been known to pick off the few little bits of mould and gouge a hole in it to get the surrounding area.
- Bottled sauces- If I have a pesto sauce or really nice curry paste that may have gone a little bad just on the top. I'll scoop out a large dollop of the top layer and use the rest.

I know I'm definitely not going to get top marks in food hygiene but I hate wastage and I've always believed a few germs aren't going to hurt anyone. Within reason. I always think that I'm sure there are people in other parts of the world who have eaten worse so if I can save it...I will :)

Frankie: I am pretty flexible when it comes to use by dates. They're really only there as a recommended guide after all :)

Of course, meat, I am careful with. I don't want to be rolling around the bathroom floor due to the pain from extreme food poisoning. But dry foods...I tend to stretch out quite a bit.

Especially during these tough times I feel that you just need to toughen up!! I have stretched out the life span of my bread, cheese, veges and the like just to save some money. If the veges are a little brown and flexible, oh well, extra flavour, if the bread seems to be dry and stale, I just toast it and who knows the difference, moldy, dry cheese, just cut the bad bits off. You see!!! There really isn't anything wrong with extending the shelf life of your groceries and produce.

As a matter of fact, I think people have become too precious. This guy I work with, he won't eat an avocado unless it is fluorescent green. If it's a day old and has that slight, brown colouring from the air...nope, won't eat it.

Back in the olden days, did people throw out food because it was a little brown??? I don't think so.

And to tell you the truth, I think that these so called 'use by dates' are a marketing ploy, in order to get people worried and throw out their food sooner in order to purchase more. It's a tactic to increase the sales and prey on our vulnerability. Have you noticed how the life span of our foods are getting shorter?? I looked at the UBD for one item the other day and it expired in 4 days??? Yes, it's time to abolish the deceiving UBD and use our own judgement of what's good and what's bad :)

TwinSpeak: When accidents happen

2009-04-22T08:29:00.005+10:00

Have you ever made a social etiquette faux pas only to realise too little too late that it's happened? We've all had accidents before and those instances where we could have been more courteous in a social situation. What do you do about it when you realise?

Bella: Today I was on my way to work and realised that I could do with some fuel. I wasn't exactly running late but I like to be on time or a few minutes early. I pulled into a petrol station on the way to work and noticed a car pulling away from the pumps in the direction of the exit. I pulled in to the pump furthest to the front so that another car could get in behind me.

I started pumping my fuel and while doing so noticed that a lady in station wagon was yelling something out her window in the direction of everyone pumping fuel. It looked like she was actually yelling something at me and it also looked quite aggressive. It was only then it dawned on me what happened and what she was saying. The lady the I thought had been pulling out was actually trying to turn her car around and drive in the opposite way so she could fill up on the right side? She was yelling out something about wanting to turn around and pull in. In my one minded focus to get in and get fuel, I didn't realise what this lady was trying to do. I don't think she even managed to even start turning her car around because I pulled straight in. At first I thought, how stupid...what did she think was going to happen? She didn't have her indicator on, plus the petrol hoses aren't long enough to reach right to the other side??? Of course next, I felt pretty bad because had it been me in the same situation I would also be pissed.

I did consider apologising to this lady when we were within talking distance. Either I could go over to her or wait for her to come to me. I mean, I had technically pushed in front of someone who had been there before me to get fuel. But then I also felt a little defiant because I kept reasoning she was the one who pulled out? In the end my decision was made for a few reasons, One; this lady looked rather....rough. She was dishevelled, angry and had a load of screaming kids in the back seat. I didn't think she would be all to receptive to my apology. Two; By the time I had paid for my fuel and walked back to my car to leave she was still busy pumping fuel and completely preoccupied. I reasoned if she was that angry about it, maybe she would be looking out for me waiting for an apology or explanation? Either way, I drove away without another thought.

Frankie:Yes, I am sure we've all been guilty of some sort of little accident or slip up like this. I am sure you didn't mean it and I think sometimes people need to have some understanding in times like these.

I remember when I had accidentally cut someone off while merging into traffic. It was purely accidental and the person had to swerve suddenly to miss me. I was so apologetic and clearly mistaken in my actions, but of course I didn't do it on purpose. Who would?? Why would I want another car to plow right into me. I tried to convey how sorry I was for the bad judgement in my driving but the driver was so enraged they were screaming expletives at me out their window, sped up, then cut me off as revenge and to top it off, pulled up right next to me while we were at the lights and insisted that I get out of my car while she was flipping the bird and screaming "F*#k you" at me???? Yeah ok???

Twin Speak...Social Networking Etiquette

2009-04-18T14:20:00.006+10:00

With the explosion of all these social networking sights, with the accessibility of knowing how your friends are and know what they are doing almost at any given time, I have began to question..."What is the appropriate social networking etiquette?"

Frankie: I like having the conveniences of modern technology but lately I have began to find it somewhat inconvenient. I have facebook, myspace and most recently twitter. Most of my friends and workmates are all added on facebook and when I log onto facebook I find that I have close to 20 friends at any given time also logged on. What is the polite thing to do?? Do I say 'Hi' to all these 20 friends.

In the real world, if we saw our friends strolling down the street, of course you would say Hello to them. However, now with all these conveniences and friends at reach at the tap of a key, should you say 'Hello' to your online friends also?? Isn't it rude not to acknowledge someone when they are within your 'virtual' space?? Has it become acceptable to pick the people you feel like talking to?? Has this virtual snubbing become the same thing as when you see a friend in public and casually turn the opposite direction to avoid saying Hello?? And lets not lie...we've all done it :)

I still struggle to ignore friends online and sometimes find myself spending close to an hour chatting to people when all I wanted to do was check my messages. It's gotten to the point now that I sometimes leave myself logged off, just so I don't feel the guilt of social snubbing??

Has the social networking conveniences changed the way we interact with friends and acquaintances so much that we've become complacent of our friends?? What is the etiquette here??

TwinSpeak: How can you be considerately inconsiderate?

2009-04-16T08:46:00.006+10:00

Well when it rains it pours! Today's post is dedicated yet again to another work gripe and my question today is how can I be considerately inconsiderate.

Bella: We have a coffee machine at work but occasionally I will feel like having a 'real' coffee made so I'll stop off at the local cafe down the road from work. When I do this, I'll always text my other colleagues if they'd like one as well. My boss and I are really good where I'll get the coffees one time and then he'll get it the next. We don't need to keep tabs and it always works out fair.

There is also a third colleague who is included in our coffee run. Whenever either my boss or myself text guaranteed each and every time this colleague would like a coffee as well. The problem is....he rarely (I'm not going to say never because that's not true but it's closer to never than it is rarely) shares the turn and picks up the tab. At first I didn't think much about it but now it is getting really really annoying.

You see, BC (Before CoffeeMachine), we used to do a coffee run each morning and we had set days. Now that we have a coffee machine the cafe shop coffee run is more of a sporadic thing and when we just feel like splurging. There are no set days. What bugs me is that this third colleague never seems to think 'Hey, I haven't got coffees in awhile and maybe everyone will feel like one, it's my shout'. No he never makes the suggestion but just waits until one of us texts and then sure enough he's on board.

Take Easter for another example. On the Thursday before Easter break I went to a bakery to get fresh hot cross buns. I then text the group and said 'Hey I got buns who wants to do a coffee run? :)'. The reply from our colleague came back 'I'm nearly in the office...did you want me to get coffee'. Uhhh well...what do you think??!?!? In the end, I didn't answer because I thought well if he needs to be told to do something then he obviously doesn't want to do it. So I brought in hot cross buns, my boss got us all chocolate Easter bunnies and third colleague...well he brought nothing!

I think what annoys me the most is that how come I have to be considerate for my other colleague when he is obviously not very considerate for me? Would it be rude for me to just rock up with my coffee for the day and maybe my boss' too but not his? Do you think he'd notice?

TwinSpeak: Work Woes

2009-04-15T11:07:00.010+10:00

It's been a week or so since our last blog post. We've been on hiatus, trying to keep on top of work, life, love and then a much needed break over the crazy silly Easter season.

Bella: I'm back in the swing of things after stuffing myself and almost overdosing on chocolate...if that's possible. I can't tell you how nice it was to have a 4 day week last week and then a 4 day week this week and lucky me, I actually have a 4 day week next week as well. I took next Monday off for an annual leave day. My husband is surprising me and taking me on a short trip to Melbourne!

Yet even with all these short weeks, I'm finding my patience being tested and ready to snap. It's not work or clients so much but one person I work with that seems to be really eating away at me. I went for months being able to work alongside this person no worries. But now, in the last week, I'm finding that I'm being driven insane!

It's not that I don't like this person....just that we have such different work ethics and styles. I feel like whenever I go to work, I'm also babysitting and this person is only a few years younger than me...yet we are so far apart in where we are in life. They take no initiative in anything they do at work and are constantly asking questions on what to do, how to do it, if they can go to the toilet and this person has been here for nearly a year now!

Today...I had to take many deep breaths and count to ten many times just to stop from saying something I might regret later. My favourite part of the day, my morning coffee ritual was spoilt by this little turn of events.

Colleague- Um..I think you need more coffee beans
Me- Oh well look at that..yes we do.

So my colleague knows about it and tells me about it but what do they do about it...a big FAT NOTHING!!!

Colleague- Uhhh...the coffee machine just came up with a message ‘empty grounds container’....ughghh...I don’t know...ugghhh what do I do (having mini panic attack)
Me- Ahhh gee...I think that would mean ‘Empty the FUCKIN grounds container’ retard!!!

Colleague- The drip tray is full to the brim with water. What should I do.
Me- Gee and here I thought we were in drought!! Well save it of course!!

Obviously I didn't say all those things...but I was thinking them :)

Frankie: Well I said to Bella that she should maybe use this as an experiment to try and master her lack of 'patience'. As they say, 'Patience is a virtue' and maybe this dim witted kid has presented himself as a challenge in order for Bella to master the act of acquiring 'Patience'.

Bella I think you should coach and master your fellow colleague in the daily life lessons that he finds so challenging. Nurture him, guide him and provide him with supportive and constructive feedback into what he's doing wrong/right etc.

Helpful Hints:

- Count to ten or maybe 20 before speaking in his presence

- If a more than normal challenge presents itself and you find yourself on the brink of snapping again, ask yourself, "How would I feel if my colleague called me a dim-witted retard when all I need is help switching on the coffee machine"

- Next, write down some pre-determined compliments and words of encouragement, in order to be ready and quick off the mark when he does something, anything right????

- When giving feedback avoid using words such as; idiot, loser, degenerate moron, juvenile freak, retarded pin head and any other like minded terms.

TwinSpeak...April Fools Prank!!

2009-04-01T11:55:00.009+10:00

So being in the April Fools spirit...I decided to prank my boyfriend.

Frankie: An oldie but a goodie, I called him up at work and carefully broke the news to him that I was pregnant. After an extended pause his reply was, "Is it possible". My reply, "Ahh, yes, I assure you, it is biologically possible ;)" Silence.... His reply, "But how is this possible, are you sure??" My reply, "yes, pregnancy tests are 99.9% accurate, but we can always go to a family planning clinic to make sure"...Hehe, I had to fess up after that because I could hear the car door slamming and screeching tire sounds :)

Well, I have a feeling that from now on, my forgetful boyfriend will be taking more notice in the passing of days and their allocated dates and connotations...April Fools!!!

Bella: LOL!! I was going to do the exact same prank! But I didn't want to give my poor darl a heart attack so I thought the better of it. No pranks pulled by myself I'm sad to say. I'm just not the prankster kind.

I'd love to hear what others did to their friends and loved ones though?

TwinSpeak: Loss, grieving and the funeral...

2009-04-01T09:27:00.021+10:00

Unfortunately at the beginning of the week we had some bad news that a close family member for a mutual friend of ours had passed away.

Bella & Frankie: Our friend and her family has been known to both of us since primary school...so, many, many years. We felt a great loss and sadness for both the family and ourselves. The funeral was held yesterday and we both attended out of respect and love for our friend.

The family are part of a very close and tight knit cultural community of family and friends. Many people attended the service and it was quite an overwhelming experience. We felt more comfortable just to stand back from the crowd and observe, paying our respects silently amongst ourselves.

We couldn't help but notice and observe certain things throughout the service. It became obvious to us that everyone grieves differently and in their own way. We also noticed that a funeral is one event where you just can't be prepared for everything and things usually don't go to plan.

The service was arranged by the professional services of one large and local company. We have to say though we were less than impressed and would not be using them myself if god forbid it was ever required. One of the selling points of this particular company is that it is run solely by females. They claim to show sincerity and compassion in all they do while still offering a complete funeral service. However they just weren't on top of it. During the private viewing with the family only, other people were just wandering in behind the curtain to have a look! We couldn't believe it because it could be heard by all sitting down that the family was obviously grieving at that particular time. There was no one at the door to guide people where to sit, so the first two rows reserved for family were all taken by the time the family came to sit. It was embarrassing for them. Whenever the ladies of the company spoke to a family member it was in the most cheerful and happy voice that would have been suitable for speaking to a child at a carnival! It was so patronising and false. It actually angered us whenever they spoke. We can understand the need to speak to people grieving in a manner to try and lighten the mood but these ladies were so cheery and happy we thought they were on happy drugs! The clincher for us was when the coffin was to be carried out. The funeral company asked the family if they had any strong men to carry the coffin out. This was supposed to be a service offered by the company so the family questioned this. They were then jovially informed, "Yes, but this is White Lady Funerals" with emphasis put on the Lady!?!?!?! As in they couldn't possibly carry out the coffin. We were was gobsmacked.

After the service we both offered help to carry the abundance of flower arrangements to the burial site. While we were doing this, some people came up to us and other people carrying flowers to grab the arrangements off us. They told us that they bought the flowers and we shouldn't take them?! Again we were only trying to help but I guess we managed to offend some people.

Other things happened throughout the service and the gathering after. The family were doing OK but certain things did anger them. We tried to reassure our friend, saying that you just can't possibly plan for everything and that grieving can bring out unexpected behaviour from people. We can understand how they felt though. Going through such a hard and sad time, the last thing you want to worry about are things going wrong. Being that there was a strong cultural element to the service as well, there was a lot of obligation and protocol that went with it that just added more stress for the family involved. They were more than relieved when the time came that they could just kick off their shoes and grieve together amongst their closest friends and family.

Overall, it was a sincere service from the family and good to see them all come together during this time. Our friend has had some tough times and family differences in the last year and it was good to see them supporting each other.

We realised after yesterday that, you can never stop learning from a person or situation...even after death or during a time of greatest loss. There will always be an opportunity to be open minded and view things so completely foreign to your norm and appreciate the change of perspective.

Twin Speak...Sales Reps!!!

2009-03-26T18:49:00.022+10:00

In these tough economic times sales representatives must be absolutely desperate to meet targets and will even put their lives on the line...

Frankie: I can't believe the lengths some sales reps will go to get a lead. This evening, I was quietly sitting in my living room doing a bit of reading and suddenly heard someone saying ' hello', 'hello' in a funny Indian accent at my front gate.

At first I thought it was my neighbour being funny and mucking around. However, the 'hello' kept chiming and then I decided to get up and to my astonishment, see a Telephone Rep standing near my front door. Just to note, that to get to my front door you have to open the front gate that has a big metal sign stating, "BEWARE OF DOG". Instantly I freeze, hear my dog barreling around the corner and then hear his barking growl and I tell the rep to please go back behind the gate.

As soon as he hears my dog barking, he replies, "Oooh, you have a dog". Ah, yeah!!! Did you happen to miss that sign when you intruded and opened my gate??? So, Mr. Sales Rep steps outside the gate, my dog charging towards him but was now by my side and barking at this stranger, the rep continues his sales talk as I stare at him bewildered by his eagerness to make a sale???

I can't believe some people? How could you be so negligent of your own safety and ignore such warnings. "Oh, don't mind the big Rottweiler gnawing on your leg...just continue your sales spiel"???? I kinda felt bad because I didn't take the guy up on his offers even after his extreme efforts :)

Yeesh...tough times you don't say.

Bella: I have definitely seen an increase in the amount of telemarketing calls I've been receiving in the past couple of months. At home I've been getting around 5 a week, at least 1 or 2 a day at work and most annoyingly I've started getting them on my mobile. (For these calls I've had to break my 'Why Not Monday' challenge and my response is not so polite).

What I've also noticed however is the new and creative ways these telemarketers are tyring to just get an in let alone make the sale.

Telemarketer: Would you like to save money?
Me: No, I love throwing my money down the gurgler and then finding myself struggle to pay my next bill. "Thanks"...click.

Telemarketer: Now, I'm not trying to sell you anything.

Me: (thinking) Yeah...sure..now why would you be calling me from India then..just to find out how the weather is here?? "No thanks"...click.

Telemarketer: Are you interested in retiring rich?
Me: No actually I'm interested in retiring poor. Retiring rich has never really occurred to me?

Telemarketer: Are you happy with your mobile phone company?

Me: Yes, I enjoy paying astronomically high prices just to get crap service and even crappier phone coverage whilst always having this frustrating feeling of being ignored whenever I try to sort out a problem. I love it! (This is all true except for the enjoyment part but I can't be bothered dealing with another Telco to just go through it with them)

Sorry for the sarcasm but as you can see...I'm a bit over sales calls.

Twin Speak...Why Not Monday!

2009-03-23T12:59:00.003+10:00

Hi everybody and hope you have a great week. Here are our updates and new challenges for the week.

Frankie: An interesting week prevailed. From the week, I still have not completed my task from last Monday of 'Asking this guy out to coffee'. Nothing romantic, just as a friend, because he had initially asked me and I didn't want to make it awkward.

So, I am carrying that task over to this week. I do think I am making some ground though. I have spoken to the guy on a number of occasions and it doesn't seem awkward anymore. So we will see how I progress this week :)

Also, I am adding a new task which is more of a personal goal, "To get over the $40 money finding incident from Saturday night". I have posted a
new post dedicated entirely to the incident. I was quite frustrated about it, but I vented in my post and Bella has also given me some sound advice. So, my goal is to not think about the incident again and have completely gotten over it by the end of the week.

Bella: Recapping on last week's challenge for myself, I decided to go on a 10 day detox. Well I'm happy to say that I'm now on day 8 and still going strong. Apart from a little break in the regime on Saturday night, when we went out for a Hen's night and I had some cheese and crackers, I'm doing great! I didn't touch one glass of alcohol the whole night! So I'm only 3 days away from completing this goal.

For today's Why Not Monday I think I will challenge myself this week to be extra courteous and nice to sales and customer service workers.

Today I had a horrible experience of having to call my telephone company to dispute some charges. I was speaking with an Indian call operator for a total of 30 minutes and there was absolutely no resolution. I was querying online charges on my account that are yet to be charged for the month but I could see them listed. I was basically told that until the company actually bills me for them I can't query or complain. I have to wait for them to make the error. Ok..fine...whatever but couldn't he have perhaps told me that at the beginning of the call when I said I wanted to dispute the online charges before having me explain for 20 minutes and then him putting me on hold for a further 10!!! I am a bit frazzled from the whole experience and I'm afraid to say I did loose my cool towards the end of the conversation. Not that I feel I am wrong for loosing my cool but maybe I could have handled it better.

So this week's challenge I am going to attempt to do a bit of reverse karma psychology and hope that by being extra nice and polite to sales and service staff...maybe, just maybe my own dispute will resolve as well!! Hopeful but unlikely?? We'll see.

Twin Speak...Finders Keepers???

2009-03-23T10:22:00.010+10:00

Frankie: So what happened to the age old saying, "Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers"?? Or does that only apply when you're a little kid finding a shiny bottle cap or something else of non-value??

A group of girls went out the other night for a Hen's night. I was getting a lift to our next destination and as we were all walking to the car, 2 girls passed in front of me to the car and I was trailing on behind. As I looked to the ground I see two $20 folded into each other on the ground. I pick it up and ask, "Oh did anyone drop $40?".

Everyone looks around confused and I explain that I just found it on the parking lot ground. Everyone checks their wallets and kinda confirms, "No I don't think so". Well you either did or you didn't I think to myself?? I know exactly how much I have in my wallet at any given time, give or take a few dollars. But I think I would notice $40 missing??

Anyway, the girl driving the car says to me, "Well I'll have it" and to that I reply, "no (and I'm smiling by the way) did you lose the $40" to which she replies, after checking her wallet mind you "well I don't know, I'll just hold on to it" (and she says this in a rather vague and abrupt tone).

So, I give her the money until she can better assess her wallet situation and let me know whether or not she lost it at all. However, as we proceed through the night, she is very vague about it and even when we have to pay for one of our Hen's night activities during the course of the night she still doesn't bring up the found money??

I then checked my money and count it to be sure that in fact, 'could it have been mine' because I never actually checked my own wallet. And as I start counting my money the girl asks, "Oh, could it have been your $40'. Well, 'No' I say and leave it at that; but what I really felt like saying was, "No. It's not mine, but is it yours. Because if we can confirm whether or not you lost the money, I want it back...Finders Keepers".

But no, she 'holds' on to the money and throughout the whole night is buying herself and the Hen drinks and other girls might I add and never once, offers to buy me a drink or never once gives me back the money.

Now, our relationship is a little strained to begin with. It's not as natural as with some of the other girls. So I don't push the money thing. But come the end of the night we all leave and yes...she still has the money???

Does anyone else find this strange??? I find it very bizarre and just can't seem to find any reason why she could justify her keeping the money herself. It has put me in a very uncomfortable position.

I am going to leave it because after all...It was never my money to begin with, but it wasn't hers either. But I think it was more the principal of the matter. I felt like a little kid who found some money and was being taught a valuable morals lesson in always trying to return lost goods to its owner?? In this case, when all else fails at returning the lost goods, give it to the more responsible person???? WTF?????

Frankie: Mental Note

2009-03-20T16:25:00.001+10:00

A reminder to myself...

Frankie: You know it's time to stop shopping when you've pulled a muscle trying on clothes....ouchie!!

TwinSpeak: Confessions of a Shopaholic

2009-03-20T10:55:00.014+10:00

Recently Frankie and I saw the movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic". The movie itself was enjoyable and a good laugh but after, it made me reflect on my own and other people's shopping habits.

Bella: I'm not much of a shopper. In fact when I mention 'my own shopping habits' I should probably say my lack thereof. Of course I shop for groceries and household items but I'm talking more about shopping for pleasure. Shopping for clothes, personal items and anything else your heart desires. It's not that I don't like clothes, fashion and having my own things. Quite the opposite. I think I have my own unique sense of style and I love clothes and taking pride in my appearance. It's just that...I hate to shop.

Being in a shop lined wall to wall with clothes, shoes and handbags with no real idea about what you want is my personal nightmare. Then throw in all the other crazed shoppers and I'm positively having a full blown panic attack. I don't have the patience, persistence or courage to wrangle my way through racks of clothes, fight girls for the discounted pair of shoes or hop from one table to the other grabbing anything that might look ok on me. Then getting to the fitting rooms to try it all on...NO THANKS!

I recently read an article on the economy and lengths people are going to to save a buck on shopping. And some of the suggestions were interesting while some were just too much effort in my opinion. Like I said, I have no real shopping habits and don't really employ any of the shopping tactics suggested on a regular basis. I'm curious though to know if anyone else out there practices any of these?

Codes: Buying things online with discount or special offer codes.

Rebates: Purchasing off websites or stores who offer cash back offers.
Coupons: Shopper dockets or going to websites online where you can download and print coupon offers.

Comparisons: Shopping around online and elsewhere for the same product and getting price comparisons.

Auctions: Online auctions with eBay being the obvious option.

Buying at the right time: Waiting until there are sales and stores mark down their goods.

Haggle: Negotiate on the price when shopping in store. If the item is faulty or damaged, ask for a discount.

Opt for excess: buying in bulk or purchasing online through stores that sell excess stock and liquidated items.

Frankie: Yes as opposite as we can get on any trait, this would be the extreme. As I watched the movie the other day, I must say, I felt like I was watching a Bio. Of course I denied it the whole time we were watching the movie while Bella was poking me and staring at me with that, "that is so you" kind of look.

My name is Frankie and I am a shopaholic. The feeling I get when I walk into a store and see all the beautiful clothes lined up, the exhilaration when I find that fabulous purchase and the excitement when I have my hot little purchase in my hot little hand after buying it, gives me such a rush and joy.

But of course, it all comes crashing down when I see my credit card statement. Lately though, with the tough economic times, I have been one of those people that go to lengths to save and grab a bargain. I can't be as careless with my money now. So the few strategies that Bella listed I have to say, I am not unfamiliar to them and some of mine include:

Auctions: Yes, I am not a stranger to ebay. You can get some good bargains on there. But of course, it is so much easier sometimes walking into the store and having it straight away.

Online Shopping: I have found a few good local and international websites that offer great reductions in prices and lower RRP due to the country off season rates. Of course, like above the waiting factor can be annoying.

Waiting to buy at the right time: I have done my research, and a few of my favourite stores seem to reduce most of their items at the end of the season or sooner and have a wide selection of sizes still. I have been holding out now and purchase during the massive reductions. I haven't missed out on too many items this way, but of course even when I have, I normally have new piece of clothing that I am interested in anyway.

Vintage stores: Yes, I have renewed my love of vintage stores and have frequented them more often of late. However, it can be a tiresome effort sometimes. Having to go from one store to my next store, carefully inspecting the clothes for flaws and then having to make necessary alterations that are sometimes needed for vintage threads.

Trade-off: My latest and most hardest choice, has been the trade-off. Due to the tough times and the fact that I really shouldn't be shopping bargain or no bargain...I have been sacrificing my current wardrobe each time I buy a new item. If I buy something, I must sell something or things, on ebay until I make up the equivalent value. Of course, I still could be using this money for other more necessary items but hey...at least I am trying new ways instead of solely relying on my trusty credit card :)

TwinSpeak: Mid Week Update

2009-03-18T09:08:00.008+10:00

Where has the week gone already?? It's already Wednesday which means it's only 2 days until the weekend!! But before we get ahead of ourselves we thought we'd fill you in on our week so far.

Bella: Today marks day 3 of my 10 day detox diet and I'm feeling pretty good. Day 1 went by without any hitches. I was only slightly wistful for my morning coffee but other than that I wasn't feeling any massive symptoms...yet. The restricted diet has been surprisingly easy for me to adapt to so far. I'm eating lots of fresh, raw vegetables,wholegrain carbs and protein in the form of tofu, lentils and beans. The biggest surprise for me was this morning when I made a soy banana smoothie, with natural yogurt a dash of honey and a spoon of oats. The soy milk was great!!! I didn't get that bloated yucky feeling I get after drinking a milk smoothie. I think I'm converted.

Day 2 though marked a new symptom. At first I thought maybe I was just imagining it. Just being a bit of a drama queen but no....by 2pm I knew I truly had the dreaded detox headache. My brain vibrated at the drop of a pin and if I knelt down to pick it up it would explode!!! I was squinting all day to try and focus the pain away. I also had a few flu like symptoms which I also marked down to the the detox.

Day 3 and I'm feeling much better. I feel a little niggling head pain but nothing like yesterday. I'm not craving anything at the moment but it does get a bit tense when my work colleagues have their morning mochaccinos.

The supplements I have to take are all fine except one. There is a bitter digestive liquid that I have to drink 15 minutes before meals. This alone makes me not want to eat anything just so I don't have to drink it. It's vile, horrible, disgusting and makes me want to puke. Apparently the bitter taste kick starts the whole digestive process and prepares you for the food to come. My god though...it is so bad. I've tried drinking it mixed in lots of water. Not good..that just makes the torture go longer. I've tried mixing it with a bit of juice. Also not good for me. I found there were just too many flavours to focus on all the while this bitter gross taste overpowering it all. It was too overwhelming. So no I mix the dose in about 30ml of water and shot it down. This works but still tastes very strong. Oh well the things we do?

Frankie: Yes well my week is not going as well as planned. In regards to my weekly challenge that is. I was suppose to go for coffee with the guy who asked me to go for coffee with him.

Well, I have so far failed my mission due to the fact that he has been MIA for the whole week. I won't be in the office on Thursday, so that leaves me only Friday now, to pluck up the courage and ask him for coffee??

Me thinks he is avoiding me now?

Twin Speak- Good Intentions!

2009-03-17T08:42:00.020+10:00

Friends who flake, cancel or just plain ignore you once they've made plans.

Frankie: Something that recently came to my attention, reminded me of one of my biggest pet peeves... 'People who say 'lets catch up' with absolutely no intentions of doing so??'

Is it just me, or does this happen to anyone else? Twice now, I have had two friends give me a call and state that they would love to catch up. One of the statements was a more casual comment however I said to her to give me a call as soon as she's free, because she had been busy every time I tried to organise something, and I would be keen as mustard to meet up. No call and its been a month?? Then she had the nerve to facebook me and say, 'So when are we catching up'...again she throws her empty promises out there.

With the second friend, we went as far as organising what we were going to order at the coffee shop practically, but come the day of meeting up, no call, no message, nothing, zip???

I give her a buzz and no answer? So, needless to say I was slightly pissed off. I was left with nothing to do on a glorious Sunday and I even turned down another offer because I thought we had plans. So no, no chocolate cake and mocha for me on Sunday. Not Happy!!!!

Why??? Why do people say these things with no intentions to follow through. And there we have the key words...'Follow Through'. Good intentions means jack unless you actually bother to put them into action.

Bella: Yes, I have a few friends like this as well. Actually from memory of one of our previous posts about pet peeves, people who flake after making plans is actually one of my top ones.

I actually make a great point of when I have commit ed to something I make sure that I carry through with it. If I accept a friend's invitation to do something I will 99% of the time follow through. Unless for some unforeseen circumstance, I will never cancel on someone I've committed to because I know how annoying and frustrating it is when someone does it to me. Also....If I've said yes to do something with someone, it's usually for good reason and that's because I enjoy that persons company!

I would much prefer and have more respect for someone if they were just honest and up front from the beginning. Without sounding too harsh, I understand that some people genuinely want to catch up and then due to things out of their control they can't. That's fine I understand that. It's the people who make plans and then constantly cancel on you or a few days before tell you that something's come up. Or the people that don't actually give you a definite answer and always put off committing until the very last minute, to then finally tell you that they can't make it. It's like they're waiting for a better option or just trying to psyche themselves up??

TwinSpeak: Why Not Monday : 16th March

2009-03-16T13:45:00.001+10:00

Welcome to a second week of 'Why say Why when you can say Why Not Monday'!

Bella: As you know, last week we decided to give Monday's and official name and event! Because most people need that extra little push at the beginning of the week, we thought it was high time to use this as an excuse and start using Monday's to do some goal planning.

Just to recap, Last week I decided instead of complaining or getting annoyed whenever something doesn't go my way, I think why not try and find the positive in every situation and something to be grateful for. Why not change my outlook for the rest of this week and see if I'm a better person for it. This was definitely a challenging goal for me and one that I might need to revisit again but I'm happy to say that I did focus on the task even though I had a few touch and go moments.

This week I'm choosing to focus on my health and I've decided:
Why Not finally begin a detox plan that I've been wanting to do for so long!

I have told myself countless times that I should really one day do a detox plan to cleanse my system. I've been feeling sluggish and just plain average for a few months now so what better opportunity to start? I've investigated a few detox options out there. I don't want to go on a full liquid diet for the first time and there are some pretty extreme options like this on the market. I've opted for a 10 day detox plan incorporating natural supplements while also focusing on a restricted diet. Well this sounded do-able to me. I can still eat on this plan but just have to make sure I stick to a light diet for the week. Suits me fine.

So I'll keep you updated on this little adventure throughout the week.

Frankie: My last week's "Why Not Monday" thought was: "Why not say 'Hi' to a complete stranger each day this week."

Well, this 'Why Not' had some interesting turn of events. I had some great responses and some not so friendly ones. All in all, it was a fun experience anticipating how the next person would react to a stranger approaching them and saying Hi. Such a simple thing and yet, some people have become so weary of this gesture. Anyway, my 'WNM' task for this week is going to be...

Why not go to coffee with that guy at work who asked me? The catch is, well I am seeing someone and he just broke up with his someone.

I was quite taken aback when he asked me to go for coffee because he isn't someone that I regularly talk to at work. But he assured me that he was only asking because he always saw me at my lunch break reading and he thought it would be nice to get out of the office?? Okay then.

Now Bella thinks that I should go for a casual coffee with this guy. You know, initiate the offer so nothing gets too awkward at work between us now. I thought that this might confuse the situation but Bella argues that the guy made his intentions known, "just as mates, to get out of the office, nothing else" and well, I told him I was seeing someone so, it's all good right??

So, my why not Monday is going to be about casually going for a coffee one day, nothing out of the ordinary and nothing out of my way, if I just happen to be going for coffee, I might just ask the guy to come...yeah that should be okay right??

Twin Speak...Where is your haven?

2009-03-11T13:29:00.000+10:00

Over the years, living in my little home town, I have come to appreciate the qualities it offers. However, I know that I still have so much more to appreciate and discover...

Frankie: It's sad for me to think that I have lived almost 28 years in this one town and have yet to discover its natural beauties and splendour. Why do we let ourselves get carried away with the less joyful things in our lives. Yes, I know, 'To Survive'. Who has time to enjoy the little wonders of our world when we need to work to eat and live. Yet, I am not happy to think that just because it is, it should be?

Therefore, I have left you with a picture of one of my favourite safe havens that I love to go to when I need to remember what I should be grateful for.

The Beach
I come here whenever I need to think. I love sitting on the soft sand, and depending the weather, enjoy the cool feel of it between my toes or the warmth as I lie there looking at the sky. I always let my mind wonder into endless possibilities when I'm here.

How many other people have sat in this exact spot and contemplated the world. How many have run their hands thought the delicate sand and watch it blow through the air as it falls from their palm.

Whenever I feel at a cross roads, a dead-end or just overly contemplative, I come here to think and it always puts things in perception. How can you not be grateful, how can you not be happy living within such breathtaking paradise.

Whatever thoughts, sadness or worries I had slowly lifts as I feel more and more indebted to be able to witness this, something that some other person may only have dreamed!

Let me know what your place of escape looks like? Tell me what makes it your own, why or where it is...enjoy!!!

TwinSpeak: Mid week update on Why Not Monday's Challenge

2009-03-11T09:35:00.005+10:00

It's Hump Wednesday which means we're half way through another week and we wanted to give you an update on how we are managing with what we resolved to achieve on 'Why Not Monday'.

Bella: My goal was to focus on the positive aspects of my job this week and not complain every time something doesn't go to plan. Whether it be when a client is being a bit more demanding than usual or if a job doesn't go to plan, it was my goal to take minute and focus on things that I should be grateful for.

The task is going well...but it's amazing how difficult it can be to change a mindset or habit. When I feel myself starting to go into a rant I have to take a conscious step back, take a breath and then reevaluate what I'm going to say. Once though I got the hang of it and started remembering my goal, it was actually very uplifting and relieving not focusing on the aspects which were only going to make me more aggro. It was like a weight was lifting. Once I told myself not to stress and to just relax...these things happen...I found it much easier to then get on with the job.

Frankie: So my challenge for "Why not Monday" is going moderately well. To ease myself into the scheme of things I decided to say "Hello" to one stranger each day for this week. I thought it would be nice to add a positive touch to my 'WNM'.

So, being on the third day of my challenge, I have had mixed reactions.

Day 1: As I pulled in to my local gas station on Monday morning I thought, why not start the 'Hellos' right now. The gas attendant came over to pump my gas and I automatically said 'Hi'. I realised though, that this wasn't much of a change to what I would normally do since it is common courtesy to greet your service attendant. I wasn't going to let myself off that easy. So, as I walked to the shop to pay for the gas, I said 'Hi' to another gas customer walking out of the store. He also greeted me with a 'Hello' and a nice smile. It felt kinda of nice being the person to spread a little bit of unexpected friendliness. Day One accomplished.

Day 2: Again, due to my limited social expeditions during work hours I was left with only a handful of places to venture to to say 'Hi'. As I walked to the small snack bar near my work, I passed the local mechanics and noticed one of the staff walking towards a car parked on the sidewalk waiting to be moved for service. As I passed him I chimed in a quick 'Hey'. From the look he gave me you would have thought I was some obsessive stalker. He grimaced at me with uncertainty and then laughed under his breath??

Day 3: I want to challenge myself a little more, so I have decided to branch out and say 'Hi' to a fellow grocery patron when I do my shopping tonight at the local shopping market. Who knows, maybe I could even spark up a convo about the shooting prices of green vegies and fruit?? Let you know how it goes.

TwinSpeak: Why say Why when you can say Why Not Monday

2009-03-09T21:52:00.000+10:00

Unlike most days of the week, Monday is one where we need that little bit more motivation to get us going. Once Monday's past, it seems the week starts to get better and we begin to look forward to the rest of the week. We're all familiar with Hump Wednesday, the much anticipated middle of the week which takes us that much closer to....Foot Loose and Fancy Free Friday. I even know some people who refer to Tuesday as; Tomorrow is Hump Wednesday Tuesday. Well we thought it was only fitting to give the most important day of the week an official term as well.

Bella: From now on we are going to refer to Monday as "Why say Why when you can say Why Not Monday". More often that not, it seems that Monday can bring out the worst in us perhaps because it signifies the beginning of another long, hard week. In anticipation or dread of what lays ahead, it's almost as if we already have the mindset to be negative so at least then we're not too disappointed when something does go bad. Maybe we're not all like this to this degree but I think we can all relate to the Monday Blues?

We want to put a stop to this mindset and try and put a positive spin on the day that most people look forward to the least. From now on, why don't we treat Monday as the day to stop saying 'Why' and start saying 'Why Not'? Let's start setting challenges for ourselves on Monday's so we do have something to look forward to and we do have a positive outlook.

It can be a small goal to start with and even something as simple as deciding to say hello to every person you come across for the day? Whatever it is, it's something to work towards and achieve. Monday can be our day where we step out of our comfort zones and try something new and different. After all....the beginning of the week should signify the beginning of change too?

Today instead of complaining or getting annoyed whenever something doesn't go my way, I think why not try and find the positive in every situation and something to be grateful for. Why not change my outlook for the rest of this week and see if I'm a better person for it.

Frankie: Okay, so my 'Why Not Monday" thought is: "Why not say 'Hi' to a complete stranger each day this week."

I don't like putting myself out of my comfort zone and this gesture, even though small, does make me uncomfortable. So, I am going to say 'Hello' to at least one stranger each day this week :)

Of course, I will be a little selective and ensure that my stranger looks moderately harmless :) but this can be my first, small why not? Who knows what changes this could bring :)

TwinSpeak: What are your comfort foods?

2009-03-06T10:21:00.013+10:00

There are just some foods that make me all warm and gooey inside. Foods that I look forward to eating and just brighten my day. Foods that make me think, even though I've had a crappy day...knowing that it's there at home waiting for me just takes the edge off :)

Bella: For some, it may be just good old fashioned home cooking or to others it's the really guilty, naughty stuff that does it for them. Others might prefer exotic tastes and rare delights that get their happy factor up but whatever it is I think we all have our form of comfort foods. I love all food and it's hard for me to pick favourites but I definitely have my list of ultimate foods. Some of it may seem strange and some of it is just boring to others but for whatever reasons these are my comfort foods:

Chocolate chip cookies- But not just any chocolate chip cookie; Kmart Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookies. These cookies are the ultimate cookie. Jam packed with so many chocolate chips it's heavenly and decadent, hence the name. 90% choc chip, 10% cookie. These cookies are so jam packed in fact they should be renamed: Cookie chip cookies.
KFC- I know, I know...not the healthiest option but I'd run 4 hours on a treadmill any day just so I could have a bucket of yummy fried chicken.
Chocolate Mousse- One of my all time favourite desserts ever since I was a kid. There's no limit to how much I'll eat.
Creme Brulee- To me this is the ultimate dessert and one that demands respect. I won't overindulge on this one because I think it's so special you should only have it is small doses.
Omelet- I love a good old omelet and I often factor in an omelet for dinner at least once a fortnight. I load mine up with all the trimmings too...a Bella Spanish Omelet.
Satay & peanut sauce- One from my upbringing and Mum's famous home cooking of traditional Indonesian fare.
Paella- I love, love, love Paella
Crumpets- I don't know why but crumpets never fail to get my day off on a good start.
Warm crusty white bread- Getting a freshly baked warm loaf of crusty bread is one of my ultimate guiltily pleasures. I then love to smear butter over a slice and savour the goodness.
Macaroni & Cheese- I think Frankie and I are the same on this. Our favourite brand is Continental Mac & Cheese and it's the processed cheese type....Mmmm all that yellowy goodness.

Frankie: I have so many foods that I indulge in, but my all time favourites are:

Peanut-Butter and Chocolate Ice-Cream - I love ice-cream but this would have to be my all time favourite, with the big chunks of peanut-butter mixed in with chocolate. Yummy!
Chocolate and custard creme crepe - I was addicted to these for a brief time until my office moved to a remote location with no food spots. But I used to get these yummy warm crepes each and every day.
Hot Dog- Yep, I loooove a good ol' hot dog with cheese and mustard.
Macaroni & Cheese - It has to be the microwavable kind :) the one that has the powdered cheese sauce to mix in...lol.
Corned-beef and rice - again, this has to be the corned beef in a can. That's right people, I eat food out of a can. I love eating this and would never get sick of it. Gag if you must!

TwinSpeak: Do you know an Emotional Vampire??

2009-03-04T10:46:00.009+10:00

You know...the kind of person who just can't seem to function unless there is drama in their lives and then in the process drains you of all your optimism and happiness whenever they are around!!

Bella: I have a friend like this and it's always drama, drama, drama. I often wonder if perhaps I live the most boring life in existence or does this girl really have this many problems??? Granted some of the problems she faces really do suck but who doesn't have a sucky week, month or year!! C'mon we all go through it! Yet this girl seems to attract drama and problems life flies to sh*t! Sorry about the terminology but I've just had to endure a 10 page email (if emails had pages) and after finishing it I promptly wanted to throw myself out the window in front of a bus and hope that it finishes the job off.

The email went something along the lines of:

Hey..sorry to hear about (recent family member passing). Yeah my (family member) is so sick...hospitalised...I have to visit her everyday. I'm just so tired and over it. Why can't things ever go right for me.

How's work ? My work is crap. Everyone is giving me problems. Why can't they just like me. I just can't seem to find a job that is good for me. My bosses and all my work colleagues are just ars#holes. God poor me. Why can't things just work out for me.

Well...I have to find somewhere else to live too now. Geez...everything is so crap! My flatmate she's just a b#tch. I mean so what if I stay up late watch TV all night and my boyfriend completely ignores her in her own house! As if we're being rude! God people are so unreasonable.

And on and on this went. For a long time I've noticed this pattern evolving around her and her problems. If all you think is negativity=All you will attract is negativity.

Frankie: Thank fully I don't have any happiness suckers around me anymore. I had to make a decision for myself because I knew that I could be easily drained and affected. However, I feel like I'm becoming like one of those downers; that suck the fun, light-heartedness and warmth out of a situation.

My glum and in-depth views on things can sometimes get me very anxious. I need to focus very hard on being the person that I want to be. I read in someones Bio on here the other day and one statement caught my eye, "I laugh and smile a lot"...I actually wished to myself that I was more like that. Laugh and smile everyday of my existence. Ok, well maybe not everyday because that would be unnatural, but I would like to do it more freely and without having to think about it.

So I am going to force myself to smile and laugh at least 10 times a day and then work up the quota until it's something that just comes second nature. :) It's a small start to a more positive and goofy life that I want to live. I am tired of the up and down emotional spirals. Just give me LIGHT!!!!!

Twin Speak: How Embarrassing!

2009-03-02T11:44:00.009+10:00

Unlike the title suggests, thankfully I can't recall having had an embarrassing moment for quite a while.

Bella: We've all had them though...those cringe worthy, want to make you cry moments when you do something really really embarrassing and all you wish is the ground would open up and swallow you whole. Thankfully I mustn't have done anything really stupid for quite a while, or otherwise my memory is failing me, but I can't recall any moments like these.

Recently I found an article on a new survey which reveals our top 10 most awkward social situations. Which are yours?

Wardrobe malfunctions Zips left undone; tucking skirt into underwear.
Lost for words Having no response in conversation; forgetting someone's name.
Mistaken baby bump Congratulating someone on a pregnancy when they're not pregnant; offering a woman a seat, assuming she is pregnant when she isn't.
Romantic mishaps Seeing one's ex with a new partner; Saying "I love you" for the first time and not having the sentiment returned.
Looking foolish Making an inappropriate joke.
Nigel no-friends Having someone turn their back on you or, even worse, no-one talking to you at a party.
Embarrassment by proxy Your partner acting stupidly in public; the drunken behaviour of friends.
Dating disasters Awkward silences on a first date; spilling food or drink on a partner
Caught out Making an excuse for not going somewhere, then being caught in the lie; being overheard by the person you're gossiping about.
Clumsy catastrophes Slipping over when attempting to get up after tripping; dropping food on your chest while eating.

I can actually recall experiencing a 'Lost for words', 'Mistaken baby bump' and 'Embarrassment by proxy' moment all at the same time when my husband and I were at a social outing and he forgot my friend's name while asking her about her pregnancy when she wasn't the one pregnant, thus rendering us both mortified and embarrassed!

Twin Speak...A complicated life!

2009-02-22T16:37:00.020+10:00

With the advance of modern technology we would have thought that our lives would have been made a lot easier and more convenient...

Frankie: However, after house-sitting for my sister this weekend, I have come to the conclusion that this is a very big misconception.

30 minutes. It took me 30 minutes to turn on the television. Back when I was growing up, I remember we had a good old TV, the size of a house, in that very tasteful wood finish. Similar to the one on 'The Simpsons'. The big box looking TV on the 4 legs and the antenna at the top. All it took to turn on the TV was one push of a button from a very huge remote control. Easy!

So with all the modern conveniences and technology, I find it very ironic that it took me half an hour to switch on the TV. My sister has a state of the art system. One remote to turn on each electronic device.

However, I soon realised that I needed to operate this fang dangle remote by pressing a special sequence of buttons in order to watch the TV. Oh, and should you accidentally press the wrong button and ruin the order of button pressing, well then you need to start all over again and begin the ritual of turning on the TV.

Technology has definitely made our life a lot easier and brought us some great devices however, this is not to say that things are as user friendly as they once were.

Have I become technologically incapable. I used to be so savvy with these things and now, I struggle to turn on a simple TV??? What's happened to the good old days?

Bella: I too find that some of today's technology just simply evades me! And it's not only physical appliances that I can't get a hold on but also social tech applications that confuse me. Like for example, Twitter??? I've tried to understand this concept but can't! What is it?? I mean Facebook I can understand and see the purpose but even this still amazes me some days with the cult following but Twitter??? It's just a bunch of annyoing comments that constantly pollute your Twitter page and nothing more than that. I don't care that you just ate a cheesburger 5 minutes ago...really I don't!

Just for fun...I found a few pictures of useless Japanese inventions. The not-so-ancient Japanese art of inventing ingenious everyday gadgets that, on the face of it, seem like an ideal solution to a particular problem. However, Chindogu has a distinctive feature: anyone actually attempting to use one of these inventions, would find that it causes so many new problems, or such significant social embarrassment, that effectively it has no utility whatsoever. Thus, Chindogu are sometimes described as ‘unuseless’ - that is, they cannot be regarded as ‘useless’ in an absolute sense, since they do actually solve a problem; however, in practical terms, they cannot positively be called ‘useful’.

Enjoy :)

Twin Speak: Every Meeting Must Have a Seperation

2009-02-20T10:22:00.009+10:00

A very much loved but distant relative passed away yesterday. Often in times of tragedy people find clarity and resolve. Small inconsequential things that used to plague you are seen in a new perspective due to the harsh realities of the situation before you.

Bella: I had an opportunity to visit my relative before her passing. She had been sick for a very long time and rapidly declined within the last few weeks. We all knew it was coming yet it is still hard to bear the news when it does come. From the time I spent with the other members of my family it made me realise how important these quality moments are. We supported each other through the uncertainty, we helped each other when we needed it and even with the dark cloud hanging over us, we made each other laugh when it counted most.

Even though I am sad I am most grateful that I have had the opportunity to realise this important life lesson. In my moment of clarity, it made me realise that perhaps it was time for me to seriously consider starting a family soon. One of the major reasons I went to be with my family was to support my Mother during this hard time for her. I want to give my mother the joy of having another family around her when she can't be with hers. But mostly I want to also have the support from my family when I need it in the future just like I supported my Mum.

Through the few hardships I've had over the years I've learned most importantly:
- Family is everything
- Always say how you feel and always tell your loved ones you love them everyday
- Never go to bed angry
- Never leave home bearing a grudge
- Life is too short

Frankie: We all come to a realisation when adversity hits us. It's a shame that we can not understand or realise what's important without something terrible happening.

The last time a loved one left us, I said to myself that I would always appreciate what I have and love the family around me. In time, I have slipped back into the old ways. I don't always appreciate what I have and I don't always treat my loved ones the best.

Again, I say to myself now, that I will value what is important, cherish my family and be kind. I will not go back.

I send my love and best wishes to my family and to our dearly departed.

Twin Speak...Phobias!

2009-02-16T16:22:00.007+10:00

Frankie: I don't know if you could call this a phobia, but, technically, I don't really like to eat anything red?

The reason why I don't think it's a phobia is because I actually eat Tomatoes and capsicums (Bell Peppers). But according to my fellow work mates, I indeed have a phobia, even if I indulge in the occasional orangey red tomato.

Most of my 'red' phobia relates to fruits and lollies, and any artificially coloured foods for that matter. And this is who the conversation came up at work. We had a little party at work and there were lollies and fruit platters and a bowl of red strawberry punch. My worst nightmare.

Anyway, one of my work mates got me a drink and handed me the dreaded punch. I recoiled in shock that I nearly touched the cup with the red drink in it and that actually had some punch spilled down the side. Of course, it was hard for me to explain this weird behaviour.

I tired to brush it off with the explanation that I did not like strawberries but of course everyone thought it still weird that I really didn't want to touch the cup with strawberry punch running down the side. Of course, everyone thought that my little 'phobia' was quiet hilarious. So everyone started waving red strawberries in my face and one person even rubbed a strawberry down my arm...yuck!!

Yes, maybe I am weired but is taunting really necessary. Can a person not live with their weirdness without being made fun of.

Everyone starting bombarding me with questions as to why I hate red, why I can't eat it, when I have last tried etc. So I tried to explain that I really didn't know?? Does everyone who has phobia know why they have it??? Does a person afraid of 'peanut butter getting stuck on the roof of their mouth', know why they hate this sensation. And yes, this is a real phobia. Not one of mine, but real nonetheless.

So does anyone else have a weird tendency and if so, do you know why?? Or am I the only person that can't really explain my aversion to most red foods???

Twin Speak...The 'Deli Assistant'.

2009-02-11T09:06:00.003+10:00

Frankie: So I was out and about yesterday doing my weekly, but more like fortnightly, grocery and food shopping. As mentioned in previous posts, things are a bit tight. Too the point at the moment, that I was even contemplating if I really needed Toilet Paper this week and to for ego it for a yummy pack of super fat Lamb Shanks...

Now, I really didn't want to post my next 'Annoyance' post consecutively after my #1 Annoyance post. Because I really don't like whinging all the time, however, as I was doing my shoestring budget shopping, I encountered the dreaded 'Deli Assistant'.

Now, lately I have noticed how the customer care factor has gone out the window with these assistants. Not too mention the fact, that I believe all Deli assistants have been briefed on trying to rip off the customer with excess 'produce stuffing' to ensure additional grams and kilos are packaged in the customer bag and ultimately paid for. It's a conspiracy.

So as I am perusing what I want, I notice my favourite cheese imported from Europe. Now, knowing that I could barely afford the essentials, I didn't really need or could afford the cheese. So I opted for a measly 50grams just for a taste. As the 'Deli Assistant' starts to get my order, she cuts off this huge chunk, bags it and then says to me, "Will 250grams do??"

"Ummm, what do you think??" I say in my head?? Well, maybe if she said '55g' or even '60g', but 250 grams, "will that do"??? Yes, that will do! And while you're at it, how about I just place back the bread, eggs and milk that I was thinking of purchasing because now I can't afford it with that hunk of cheese you seem to be handing to me??

And as I stare at her with my incredulous look, I think she gets the message and places more than 3/4 of it back in the little cheese tub and bags my 54gram lot.

And hence...Annoyance #2

Twin Speak...Annoyance #1

2009-02-09T13:55:00.017+10:00

Frankie: So lately, I have been getting 'slightly' annoyed with many things in general. Be it a crazy, reckless driver, or a slow talker, maybe a slow walker, or even the slight tapping of my fellow cubicle dweller at the office...

Maybe my patience is dwindling and my ability to tolerate little annoyances have diminished. Or maybe, I'm just going through a pessimistic, negative, whiny stage in my life. Nevertheless, I decided to blog my annoyance each time I seem to experience one.

The annoyance that kicked started my annoyance blog would have to be...

Annoyance #1

The assumption that because I have a twin sister we naturally would do everything and anything at the same time and together. This would include:

travel together whenever one or the other is leaving the country

get married at the same time or around about the same time due to the pure fact that one of us has taken the big plunge and naturally the other should jump into the exact same life long commitment

have babies together because this would be another logical assumption

wear the same clothes because surely twins don't have different likes or personalities

keep the same hairstyles due to the above

Listen to the same music and enjoy the same foods

and so many other idiotic assumptions that have been thrown at me during my life

Yes! We are twins. But have people failed to notice that we are not in fact, Siamese Twins. Somewhere connected by a limb???? I mentioned to someone the other day that my sister was married and there stupid response was, "Did you get married too"????

Call me impatient and grumpy, but I just don't have time for such stupid questions like that?? "Did you get married too?" I mean, come one, really???

Twin Speak...What are your faults???

2009-02-08T15:17:00.008+10:00

Frankie: So I have been told today that a fault of mine is, 'holding grudges'? The topic came about because my supposed best friend forgot to call me on my Birthday...

She called me 4 weeks later and left a message on my mobile apologising for not calling in a while, no mention of the Birthday mind, and how she has had a lot on blah, blah.

I did get rather annoyed and upset because I had been supporting her through her recent relationship woes, being there for her during her new career and subsequent career dramas and her then supporting her during a new whirlwind relationship that has taken much of her time.

So yes, I did get frustrated when she neglected to call and still hasn't even remembered I'm sure.

A work mate asked if I had spoken or called her yet and I explained that I hadn't called her and thought to wait until she bothered to call and actually speak to me and not just leave a message on my phone.

My work mate jokingly stated that I was being harsh on her and that perhaps she had a lot on her plate. And perhaps I should 'let it go' and not let it affect the friendship.

Well you know what??? I have had heaps on my plate too?? I didn't forget her Birthday. And where the hell is my support during my tough times?? I actually really don't care if I am being too harsh and perhaps this highlights the fact of how I value my friends and loyalty I suppose.

She's devoted all her time to her new boyfriend. That's fine with me because I'm not a super dependant friend and need 110% of her time. But the least I had expected was a simple call, card whatever and maybe even a, "So, what's been happening in your life lately". Instead of the conversation revolving around her new job, man and life events??

I think I have justification to hold my little grudge. Can I not be upset with her and let her know??? Aren't I a little deserving of serving her up a nice plate of a 'guilt laden cold shoulder'???

Call me a grouch then because, so be it...I HOLD GRUDGES!!!!!

So....what are everyone else's 'so called' faults??

Twin Speak...do excuses hold you back??

2009-02-08T14:40:00.005+10:00

So Bella and the rest of my family boarded a plane this morning to visit my grandmother who has fallen ill. She lives in Indonesia and has had bad health since her first stroke. I unfortunately couldn't go. The reason of course, insufficient funds...

Frankie: The story of my life. More so recently however. But it got me thinking, that one way or another, my circumstances have led to a common response of, "I can't afford it" whenever a good opportunity presents itself.

I'm so tired of it. Our financial situation, my partner and I, has been tough the last couple of years. But 'that' excuse has become so second nature that I think sometimes, I don't even think if the 'opportunity' could maybe be possible. I just say it now because most of the time it is true.

Like visiting my Grandma for example. I couldn't afford the plane ticket or time off work without pay. I was disappointed with myself. Disappointed that I didn't forecast or have a back up plan for situations like these. It hasn't been a secret that my grandma's health has been worsening. So why did I not plan for it. Did I have too much on, did I have too many other things to try and plan, or did I just have too many other excuses holding me back???

I suppose you need to get disappointed every now and then to know what you need to fix. But could this disappointment be a life regret?

How many excuses can you think of that you might grasp as a scapegoat. Excuses that we find ourselves comforting into? While some excuses are in fact, 'a fact' and can't be prevented, some are just a comfort zone. Something we say, because was have become so accustomed to it without giving it a second thought. Some, highlight things that we want to change but never convicted to? So, do you have any? How many? And if not, how did you ensure that excuses didn't hold you back?

Twin Speak...Blogging! What's in it for you?

2009-02-07T22:58:00.009+10:00

With Bella MIA for a little while, I thought to contribute to our blog since I've been slightly MIA myself unfortunately due to work commitments.

Frankie: As I started contemplating what to type, I came up stumped with ideas and asked my partner a good topic to write about. He asked me what I was writing? And I explained to him about our blog. 'What's a blog' he asks me. So I begin explaining the concept of a blog, and as I do, I can see the confusion spread across his face.

You see, my partner mainly uses the convenience of the computer for either Internet banking or eBay. He really couldn't understand the concept of a blog. He asked me all these questions about, 'why do we write to strangers', 'why comment on strangers blogs', 'why is it called a blog', 'why would anyone want to read my blog'. And I suppose I couldn't really answer these questions.

I don't know why to any of it. And as I started thinking about it, it did end up sounding a little bizarre. But I don't know??? I've always been intrigued about the whole idea of blogging.

I used to have pen pals. Many of them. I remember getting so excited when a letter would arrive and guess which pen pal had sent it. Of course the stamp would give it away. But when I discovered blogging it was a whole new thing for me. The replies would be instant. Well, most of the time :) But it was like instant gratification.

I loved blogging and reading other peoples lives. I tried to explain this to him but yet again, he still looked dumbfounded. I suppose you have two different kinds of people. One that likes exploring and curiously delving into other peoples stories and one that can't understand why you would want to get to know a stranger you have never met on the other side of the world. For me, it's a fascination. Learning about how, where and what another person does with their life.

So this is what I get out of blogging?? How about you??

Twin Speak: Your Dream Career

2009-01-28T20:25:00.012+10:00

We all grow up dreaming to be about a hundred different things when we are kids. More often than not we end up becoming something completely different to what we initially wished for. Of course there's the lucky few who know exactly what it is they want to do and know exactly how to go about getting it. So what were a few of your dream careers?

Bella: I got thinking about this topic while watching the Australian Tennis Open this evening. I was watching Rafael Nadal in a match and thinking that if it wasn't for the 42 degree heat, he probably wouldn't even be breaking a sweat. This guy was born to play tennis! It made me wonder about some of the things that I used to wish doing for a career. I couldn't help but wonder; what if I had had an epiphany at 5 years old that made me realise exactly what it was that I should be? What if I knew and I had all the resolve in the world to pursue this dream until I achieved it? What career could I possibly be doing today? But like a lot of people, I changed my mind almost monthly about what I aspired to finally be doing when I 'grew up'. I've changed jobs and career paths quite a few times so far and even though I'm very happy in what I do now....I sometimes wonder what else could be out there for me. Here are some of the careers I have wanted to pursue in my life:

Psychologist
Travel Writer
Photographer
Chef
Actress
Event Planner
Librarian
Advertiser
Small business owner (of numerous weird and wonderful ideas)
Dancer
And the list goes on....

Frankie: I had a dream....a dream, to be a 'Chocolate Taster'...

I had many aspirations when I was younger. It's funny how, when you're younger you have all these crazy ideas of what you would like to do with your life, but then as you get older, this 'optimism', sort of just vanishes. And then, we're just left with more, practical and 'realistic' goals. Why don't we keep that young mind set in our lives just a bit longer. I think that's what we need more of...some reckless abandon in our lives to instill some fresh ideas and hope!!! Life's too serious.

So my dreams were...

Own my own magazine publication called 'Yazz' (I even did a mock up edition)
Hairdresser
Part-Time photographer
Own a hand made card and stationery store
Be an inventor (Of what, I wasn't sure :)
And more recently, I have been dreaming about the idea of going into business with the family and becoming a designer of classic apparel.
Oh, and of course, I have wanted to open an exquisite 'Chocolate' Store for fine lovers of chocolate...

Twin Speak...Cubicle Horrors!

2009-01-22T09:59:00.026+10:00

After a current office location move, I was quite excited to be getting a brand spanking new cubicle space...so I was told...

Frankie: When I finally arrived to my little area I was somewhat disappointed to find that I was tucked away in a little corner, away from people and any hint of natural light. Not too mention, me being completely surrounded by four walls of some sort. I had a storage unit above my head, a wall behind me, a partition in front of me and a stationery cupboard that opens right next to me. I was literally boxed in. I felt a little depressed to say the least in my new 'cubicle'!!

However, after some clever rearranging and shifting of furniture, I managed to turn my space around into my own little area. And after searching the web for some funky decor ideas, I came across a couple of images that we from the winners, that's right winners, of the "Worst Cubicles in the World". :) Hence to say I don't feel so bad after all :)

I thought I had it bad when I saw my cubicle.

However, it was nothing compared to this guy with his, loose and live cabling and ply wood desk, complete with saw dust??

This next space is something I imagine for all those Telemarketers that call you late in the evenings.

Complete with their own Persian Rug.

And finally, the worst one of them all in my opinion.

Talk about no natural light and oh...room, who needs room.

Elbow and leg room is so overrated wouldn't you say??

Twin Speak..."Why Bother..."

2009-01-20T10:26:00.010+10:00

Another round of recruitment and this has yet again made me ask…"Why Bother" applying if you are not going to read the fine details of an application. I didn’t think it that hard to understand what, "You must address a Selection Criteria" meant?? However, people are still finding it challenging to send me a resume with a brief description of how they best meet the criteria.

Frankie:

Anyway, here are some great time wasters that came my way today

I sent a Position Description for the role to an applicant that clearly stated, ‘Administration Officer Position’. The email I received from an applicant was, "I am sorry I didn’t realize what the role was before I applied. I am only looking for admin work. Please call me when you have an admin role". Yep, I’ll make it top of my priority list you spaz. So, in the meantime, shall I just withdraw you application for our admin role?????

Our ad stated to write a brief page addressing the Selection Criteria. Another great application sent me this email, "Please find my resume attached. I don’t know what you want me to do with the Selection thingy. I hope to get an interview shortly." Sure, sure…you were short listed as number 1 freak???

Another person sent me the Position description back, signing the back page that states that they ‘accept’ the position, along with certain sections of the PD highlighted, indicating I assume, the areas that they are competent in??? OK, but I am not sure what they plan on doing for the other 10 paragraphs not highlighted???

A winner of an applicant felt the need to call me up and ask me what the role is, does and who are we??? Mind you, this was after the fact of me sending this person extra details about the role, plus the Position Description, plus our website to research???? If you still don’t know what the role is or what company your applying with after all that information then, maybe you’re just not that interested? Hmmm…what do you think?

And finally, I had another prize winning applicant call to ask me if she would get the position. After a slight befuddled pause I asked her what she means, which she then proceeds to tell me that she has, "Never worked before except in a fish and chip shop when she was 14, has never done any Admin role before but has gone to university to study hospitality. Yep, well why didn’t you mention that before. You've got no experience relating to the role but you’ve been to college. Sure, you’ve got the job honey!!!

So, has anyone else asked themselves..."Why Bother??

Twin Speak: Possibly the worst fashion statement...EVER

2009-01-19T11:02:00.014+10:00

Ok, I hope none of you have a pair of these jeans and if you do, we're really really sorry...because these have to be the worst, the tackiest, the ugliest fashion statement to have ever been created!

Bella: My verdict's in and I would rather strut around naked than be caught dead in a pair of these. I am an avid lover of jeans. I have more jeans than I can count in more colours than would ever be required, in more styles than necessary but these are certainly a pair that I will NOT be adding to my collection.

The designer of these must have never heard the term "Too much information". Dressing for every occasion has now been taken to the next level. To be honest I can't believe I am even seeing this on a catwalk. Never in my life could I have imagined fashion would degrade to this level. They are hideous!!!!

Sorry, but I do feel strongly about how terrible these are and I can only imagine the millions of parents to teenager daughters who are now cringing and thinking about locking their kids up until these things are taken off the market.

Thoughts?? Frankie??

Frankie: Hmmm...well I too am an avid lover of jeans however, I dare say I will be steering clear of this atrocious pair.

I hope nobody reading this has gone out and splurged on a pair however if so, I hope no offence is taken. But I have to say, the second I saw these jeans, the first thing that came to mind was...the latest hideous trend for the local hooker community.

I would not be caught dead in these dignity diminishing jeans and would most probably disown any friend that walked out into public with them on. Harsh you say??? Maybe, but after all, it will be for the Common Good of all :)

Another Birthday gone...

2009-01-15T11:15:00.006+10:00

Bella and I celebrated our 28th Birthday yesterday. It was a quite affair with the family. A nice dinner and then a late night movie. We chose a comedy as we thought that this would lift the spirits. And then I thought to myself this morning, why would we need lifting of the spirits on our Birthday?

Frankie: It should be a joyous occasion in itself. And then I started to fear that I had turned into one of those Birthday Loathers? A person who dwells on an approaching Birthday and then belittles it when it arrives. Moping that the years are passing us by and reminiscing on the younger years.

I don’t want to be like that!! Time has moved fast and I can clearly remember the time when I dreamt of turning 18. Turning 18, so I could go out and party, legally, and do adult things. But after that big 18, the years flew by and I can barely separate or distinctly remember the Birthdays between the years.

I’m still in my 20’s. Yes the late 20’s, and so what!! I don’t want to dwell on what could have been, what is or what I’m not happy with. I don’t want the attitude of, “another year of things I didn’t accomplish”. I am going to do the things I plan and set out to do and if I’m not happy with something, I will not let it bring me down. I won’t spare a negative thought on it, but instead positive thought on how I can change it!!!

I have much to experience and plenty time to do it. I have always believed you are as old as you feel. And you will always have the whole rest of your life to do or be what you want. No matter what age and at any age...

Bella: Hmmm Frankie, good topic...I wonder secretly if your post was inspired for me? :) I mostly agree with what you're saying. I've never been the type of person who doesn't like telling people how old I am or secrectly wishing away the day so know one will know. Birthday's to me signify another year of knowledge, experience and life gained.

Yesterday though, I just wasn't feeling it. I don't know why I just wasn't. And I think of all the days, your birthday is one day where you can sulk and mope if you want to. Maybe it's that I got up early and went to the gym when I really didn't feel like it. Or maybe it was that I had to go to work. Or maybe it was that I was really, really hoping for something but I didn't get it. (not to sound ungrateful for my gifts cause I am grateful, but I had one little guilty moment of disappointment). Maybe it was just the usual flurry of last minute planning and organising for something to do from the family which made me feel a bit of an afterthought. Anyway water it was I was just a bit down.

BUT..I'm over it now! I don't mope long or often. I'm happy to be 28 and happy for everything that I have in life and for what I achieved in the year gone.

Twin Speak: Current events!

2009-01-13T14:39:00.012+10:00

Frankie: I have heard of several recent dog attacks within the past month in our local and surrounding area. Of course, with incidents like these, where people are at risk and have been attacked there is the steady flow of opinions and comments provided by the local people.

As two of the recent attacks involved Rottweilers, one very common comment I noticed, was the belief that all large breed dogs should be banned as a permitted household pets.

Now I would be very upset should the above comment ever, one day eventuate. I agree that all dog owners should take proper and stringent precautions with their dog/s, especially large dog owners. However, does anyone else think it an extreme to make a call to ban all large breed dogs?? I have come across aggressive small dogs before. However the argument is that larger dogs can do more damage with their jaw size. Ok, true, yes ,they can. However, how many small dog attacks do we not hear about, only because it was a small bite. Small dogs can also be vicious.

I own a Rottweiler. He has never attacked any person or dog before. In saying that, we are very cautious owners. We ensure our property is fully fenced and protected, we have warning signs posted on our fence and we take proper measures when walking our dog. But at the end of the day, our pets are in fact, animals, and animals have animal tendencies. I don't want to get into a justification of large dog breed rights. I just wanted to point out that there are some nice dogs out there still. Mine is one of them :) But also, to not forget that dogs are dogs. And owners really reign the responsibility in my opinion.

Now, I would like to introduce you to my little baby, Sumo. I love him dearly. He is a pure bred rotti, who loves the beach, walks in the park and hates the vacuum cleaner. He will drool all over you, if you even think about eating anything in front of him. He loves people as you can see.

If this banning one day occurred, I would not be able to own dogs such as my Sumo because of other owners who may have been reckless. In the question of big dogs, and any dog that may be dominant and aggressive for that matter; I strongly believe that owners achieve certain requirements, training and tests before owning a dog of this kind.

I could not imagine what my daily life would be like without Sumo. And it makes me sad to think that because of a few exceptions, I may not be able to own another Rottweiler in years to come.

First Day Back...Aaaahhhhh

2009-01-12T15:34:00.002+10:00

Frankie: It's my first day back at work...and what absolute torture.

It is so much worse than what I imagined.

Time has stopped!!

I swear...once, the minute hand actually started to click anti-clockwise.

My email box is 250 full and my inbox has mulitplied by two boxes??

The end does not seem near...it is dragging on terribly....arrrrrghh!!!

Twin Speak...It's off to work we go...

2009-01-08T21:58:00.005+10:00

With Christmas holidays well and truly over and with everyone getting back into the swing of things, we can't help but look back over the crazy festive season.

Frankie: I've been lucky enough to have had a fruitful month off. And of course with all extended time off the dread of having to return to normality has started to sink in. However, I must say that after today's last bout of a shopping expedition with Bella I dare say that normalcy and quiet is maybe just the thing for me. After having to fight off some seriously crazed shoppers I have had the pleasure of experiencing the following nutbag incidents.

1. A boyfriend clearly frustrated with his girlfriends ongoing shopping activities during a shoe store visit, the boyfriend decides to take a seat to relieve exhaustion but fails to notice that he practically sits on me, as I am trying on shoes, with his big fat ass. No apology noted.

2. Frantic mayhem breaks lose at major department store due to mothers trying to buy last minute Christmas decorations for next year's tree display. In the haste of things a mother pushes pram into my ankle as she sprints to get into the shortest register queue with no less than 15 people in it.

3. After a busy morning of shopping Bella and I decide to top up our sustenance with some hard earned food only to have a greedy, enraged lady yell at the Japanese restaurant lady, screaming, "I'm next, that's my food, my food, I'm next..." as she clenches her ticket number 75 and pushes me out of the way and my ticket number 62?

Bella: And here I thought we were in a world economic crisis with everyone heading towards recession and yet I still can't get over how busy this festive season seemed. Everyday just seemed to get busier and busier and whenver I ventured out into the world from the safety of my couch it was always a battle to compete with the never ending tourists and holiday makers.

Numerous times traffic came to a standstill on the motorway. I thought it was due to an accident however soon it became apparent it was just the hundreds of cars trying to take the exit to get to the two fun parks on the other side of the motorway! I'm talking hundreds of cars, with screaming kids in them, waiting in a queues for hours just to get to the carpark!! I have admiration for these committed parents.

Shopping was an absolute nightmare and more than a few times I was close to hyperventilating and passing out. There was never a quite day to be had and the sheer amounts of money being spent told me that there was either no economic crisis or some really reall big credit card bills on the way. On the same day Frankie and I went out shopping, a lady practically took a pair of shoes out of my hands while asking where I got them from. She was very persistent and because of that, I bought the shoes even if I didn't really want them that much..haha.

Sometimes, these crazy holiday times can bring out the worst in us. But all in all, I still enjoyed my break :)

Twin Speak...Twilight!

2009-01-04T09:25:00.000+10:00

Frankie: A little late on the bandwagon but sure enough both Bella and I have watched the much anticipated film, Twilight. I enjoyed it, however not as much as Bella who is now completely infatuated with Edward and Robert Pattinson in general. She is now embarking on reading the entire book series and has purchased the whole set to avoid stock shortage disappointment.

As I witness Bella fall evermore into her haze of celebrity infatuation I ask myself, have I ever gotten so caught up in a person or character to the point of obsession. Why do we find ourselves doing this?? Day dreaming about a person, their character, how they are, where they might be??? Are we so curious about this person and feel drawn to their story because of some hyped up media frenzy, publicity blitz that makes them seem so perfect, dreamy without any possible flaws?

Has anyone else become infatuated with a long time idol?? Did it subside, who was it and how did you feel on self reflection?

Christmas Wrap Up

2008-12-27T18:35:00.003+10:00

Everyone celebrates Christmas in their own ways and have their own traditions. And it's common for some family traditions to evolve and change as everyone goes through different life cycles. How did you spend your day?

Bella: For many years my families ideal Christmas day involved spending the entire day together feasting in lavish meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner while enjoying each others company and relaxing. We would spend all day and night preparing the meals to then enjoy all together. Our family loves food and there was always an excess of elaborate and indulgent dishes.

Our gift giving used to be fairly traditional as well, with each person or couple getting gifts for everyone in the family. As we all got older, we moved on to doing the secret santa gift giving where we would each buy just one gift for one person in the family.

However in the last two years, we have moved away from the Christmas at home to going out and treating ourselves to an extravagent Christmas Lunch out. As our family is relatively small and there are no young children amongst us at the moment, we have decided to forgoe the expensive gift giving and labour intensive lunches at home. We have decided that for the moment what suits us is to all spend what we would on gifts and go out and really treat ourselves on this one special day. To us, what is most important is being together and enjoying each others company. We have everything that we need so we choose to indulge in this day and let someone else do the cooking and cleaning for us!

I'm sure that eventually we'll have little kids running around and then the time will come when a family Christmas at home will be how we will celebrate. For now however I really look forward to my one day of indulgence, wine and food. Our Christmas was fantastic!

Twin Speak...not what you thought??

2008-12-19T12:26:00.004+10:00

Have you ever written something off, thinking that's its not for you, however to your surprise you find out that you actually love it?

Frankie: I try not to be quick to judge however in a recent situation I found that I indeed was. Literally speaking, I judged a book by it's cover. When the whole 'Harry Potter' blitz come out, I was so totally uninterested in reading, seeing or speaking about 'Harry Potter'. All the media attention and marketing mania put me completely off the whole deal. I refused to watch a movie and turned my nose up at the books.

However, I recently visited my friend who had the whole book collection. He lent me the first two and urged me to read them, telling me that I would enjoy them. I reluctantly took them and left them sitting on my bedside table for two weeks. After his constant nagging and asking me about what I thought, I decided to read the first book. I turned the first page and was hooked.....

I can't get enough of them now and find myself longing to get home so I can read the next chapter of my 'Harry Potter' book. After finishing each book, I watch the movie to compare the two. I am addicted. A little late I know...but addicted nonetheless. I have read the first three in 4 days and have the next two installments waiting on my table to be devoured.

So...when have you ever, dismissed something, thinking that you would so not be interested and then found you were pleasantly and unexpectedly surprised???

Twin Speak: With the end so near..do you think you'll make it?

2008-12-16T08:17:00.008+10:00

With the working year so close to its end do you have enough oomph to keep going?

Bella: I find myself not walking or running but limping as fast as I can towards the finish line. The working year is almost at its end and yet for me it couldn't come fast enough. And it's not just me who, let's say is a bit snappy, No, it's everyone in the office. We are at our wits end with how busy the last few weeks have been and with all the crazies coming out of the woodwork. I'm not sure if it's just me or if it's the season but some questions I've been asked by clients recently...just don't make sense. I have to wonder if their driveways don't quite meet the road??

A few of the most annoying comments I've received in the last few weeks include:

Client: Well before we make a decision if we want to proceed with this job, can you show us an example of how it will look? Me: Um no....because that would be doing the job anyway...for free!
Client: What is the fastest you can turn this around? Me: 3-4 business days. Client: Can you do it by the end of today? Me: Umm...no (scratch head...am I talking another language??)

Client: We want the design to be flash! Me: (Getting out my dictionary of ridiculous client brief definitions) Flash...um do you mean flash as in stylish or flash as in Flash animated?? Client: Oh how silly, I forget that not everyone talks like me. Flash as in stylish. Me: Great..thanks for clearing that up.

Client: We're unsure what direction we want to go in...can you show us your other clients work to get an idea? Me: Umm..no, that would be plagiarism.

Client: Hi, we're working on a job and wondering if you could just tweak it a bit. Me: Sure...(I quote the design fee). Client: Oh...well we didn't think there would be a charge...we didn't allow for that in the budget. Me: Umm...helllooooo..we don't work for free!!!!

And on and on and on it goes. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!!!

Things you shouldn't do at a Staff Christmas Party...

2008-12-13T16:46:00.011+10:00

So I recently went to my staff xmas party and I had quite a good time. And of course, there were the select few who may have had a little 'too good of a time'. When the alcohol is free and flowing, you will always have those people who take full advantage of the situation but end making rather large...IDIOTS of themselves.

So, taking inspiration from this party I have dedicated this post to 'Things you shouldn't do at a staff xmas party."

Frankie:
Scenario 1. Don't overdrink.
If you're a light drinker perhaps start slow and limit the amount you drink. I know times are tough at the moment, with the word 'recession' on everyone's lips, however that doesn't mean you should stock up in excess of everything when it's available, especially when we're talking about consuming copious amounts of alchohol.

"Why" you ask, well...like a particular person in this example you don't want to have the alcohol hit you all in one go, be slumped over the table unable to support your own head weight, swaying back and forth while you struggle to keep your eyes open and oh, try to hold down the alcohol that you just drunk. Then of course, realising how absolutely sloshed you are, start crying because you know how bad this is going to get and then have to run to the bathroom where you mates are stuck propping you up over the toilet as you vomit in your hair and they wipe it off you face...oh, did I mention this is all happening as your General Manager is watching??? Can we say, "promotion down the toilet along with that spew of yours".

Scenario 2: You shouldn't flirt with you boss no matter how far you think it's going to get you. No body likes a brown noser and I am pretty sure your boss isn't too keen on any sexual harrasment charges either.

Scenario 3: You shouldn't tell people what you really think of them.
Yes, everyone's loose and having a good time, but one sure way of ruining that is by telling the person you really can't stand what an absolute tool they are and how you think they are not worth the mud your standing on. Nope, not a good team building exercise.

Scenario 4: Don't get on the dancefloor like nobody's watching.
People are watching and they're called your work mates. And trust me, they will never let you live it down if you start doing dirty dancing moves with everyone else on the floor. Not the time or place???

Scenario 5: Don't forget to dress appropriately.
After all this is still a work function. It's best to say, leave any thing skin hugging, body exposing, latex wearing outfits in the closet. Save it for the bedroom. Again, there will be photos going around the office for years to come. Let's not regret it.

And finally...

Scenario 6: Don't hook up with your work mates.
Again, everyone is having a good time, inhibitions are flying but so will your diginity and professionalism. It's hard trying to get back to normal work practice after a work function hook up, not to mention the chatter it will provoke. These little flings are best left for after work expeditions.

So what have you seen that should never be done at a work party/function???

Frankie & Bella's Christmas Greeting to Blogger land

2008-12-12T10:30:00.009+10:00

With Christmas being only 13 days away we wanted to share our Christmas Greeting and wish everyone in blogger land a happy and safe festive season.

No doubt the next 2 weeks are going to be crazy busy leading up to Christmas and New Year's. Frankie is already off for 3 weeks leave so she might be missing in action or just too busy stuffing her face with chocolate Santa's to post regularly....hmmpph. I'm still here working away.

Merry Elfin Christmas

Frankie and Bella wish you a Merry Elfin Christmas and hope you have an elfin good time.

We hope it’s filled with gifts, and food and plenty of elfin wine.

Relax, put your feet up and chill out when you get the chance

But make sure to make the most of it and have an elfin dance

Before you eat the last of the pudding the year will be at it’s end

And then we get to do this all elfin over again!

Twin Speak: The Joys of Job Interviews

2008-12-08T18:44:00.009+10:00

MIA and stuck in interviews...

Frankie:
So I have been away from my desk and stuck in a room, interviewing applicants all day long for three days....How draining and exhausting.

And I have to say...from this three day stint of full on interviews my belief that 'people are not always as they seem' has been confirmed again.

Firstly, it's amazing what people put on their resume that they think will actually fly. I mean, we will find out whether or not you created your own computer software application...especially when you ask "what's an intranet"???

I had the fortunate pleasure of meeting:

'The Slow Talker" - this lovely applicant took at least 30 minutes to answer each question due to long drawling answers that never actually answered the question, and this is including the question about his name?? Considering we had 12 questions we knew we were going in for the long haul. Also, I found it hard to contain a chuckle of sarcasm when the applicant described himself as 'talkative' and 'extroverted'. I think a hermit crab was more extroverted than this guy.

Next...

'The Babbler' - this applicant was a lot more easy to interview as I was not willing myself to stay awake. However, the questions also took a turn for the lengthy side, especially when the applicant turned a question of how to manage your caseload, into how she broke up with her fiance who she lived with for 6 weeks only and who was Tongan and who didn't like the fact that she was too 'Australian'.

Next...

'The Contradiction' - There are two kinds of these applicants. The one that presents great but as soon as they open they mouth you know you have a dud and wish you could pull the fire alarm to end the interview quick smart...or version number two, the applicant that walks in looking like a bedraggled dog groomer, but says all the rights things at the right time.

Finally...

'The Aggressor' - This applicant makes you wonder why in fact did they apply for the position. Not only do they give you their pompous one word answer, but when you probe them for further clarification they look at you like an idiot and answer with, "obviously....". No, not obviously dick, because if you obviously answered it correctly the first time I wouldn't obviously be asking you again. Each new question you ask, makes them feel more challenged and defensive like they're in a police interrogation and up goes the roadblocks and more reasons to add to the "why we won't hire you list".

Ahh...a fun couple of days.

Bella: Ok Frankie....step away from the computer. You seem a little bit stressed. But I can totally sympathise with how you feel. Funnily enough we are going through the same process hiring a replacement staff member too. So far we've encountered 'The Slow Talker'...I considered throwing myself out the window, 'The Babbler' who had a massive ego and made me wonder why the hell he wasn't running Microsoft and instead applying for our entry level position and 'The Aggressor', he was very angry for some reason like we'd forced him to apply??

Just a bit of Trivia

2008-12-08T14:37:00.014+10:00

Well with Frankie seemingly MIA and having not previously discussed today's post, I am left with no option but to post something completely random and for my own fun and amusement.

Bella: Just a little bit of trivia for you: I absolutely love, love, love Trivia! I would love nothing more than to spend every evening in some dodgy pub eating a bowl of fries with mayo and tomato sauce and participating in trivia quizzes all night long. I find trivia fascinating and the more I play trivia type games the more I want to know. I can't get enough. You may have noticed from our previous post on Christmas Wish List, I have asked Santa for the Trivial Pursuit Digital Choice.

So without further ado...here is a list of Trivia questions which I found today in my monthly Reader's Digest. (Note to self: Maybe I could make this a regular weekly post) (Don't tell Frankie)

1. In which country would you find the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat. (2 points)
2. Name the bestselling author of Nineteen Minutes, The Pact and Change of heart. (2 points)
3. What tragic event occurred on Sunday August 31, 1997. (2 points)
4. The term Cold Ward came from the lack of physical warfare between the US and the Soviet Union during this period- true of false. (2 points)
5. Which planet is known for its rings. (2 points)
6. Which actor has 'Wino Forever' tattooed on his body (2 points)
7. Which Academy Award- winning director of The English Patient died this year. (2 points)
8. Which sporting great was dubbed 'the boy from Bowral'. (2 points)
9. 'Spring forward, fall back' is a useful formula for what sometimes puzzling process. (2 points)

Note: I am thinking that the last two questions may be biased towards Australians.

2008-12-05T12:30:00.001+10:00

Suffering from limited inspiration today due to the fact that all my creative juices are being exhausted at work the only thing I have share are my two near death driving experiences this week! So I apologise in advance....

OK, so maybe they weren't exactly near death but they were pretty freaken scary! And in both these incidents...it has to be said....I'm going to say it....that they both involved elderly people! Now I have to say that I have absolutely nothing but the utmost respect for the elderly. I was raised to always respect anyone older than myself.

But is it coincidence or is it like a lot of things when you start to age that you start to loose your sight, hearing...sanity you also loose all and any driving ability and spatial awareness??? Both the incidents involved the drivers not giving way when changing lanes and nearly side swiping me into either the oncoming traffic or the gutter. In fact it wasn't even 'not giving way' but more so not even looking to see if there was a car to give way to! It was like 'here I am driving along, ho hum de dum, I feel like changing lanes, I will indicate for .5 seconds and then WHAM I'll just change lanes'!

Or is it that there is just a general lack of courtesy and awareness on today's roads? Are people forgetting how to drive properly or just not caring to do it anymore? Or finally, as you age is it the inevitable feeling of a loss of independence for the things you could once enjoy and that for some people they keep on driving longer than they'd like to admit they shouldn't?

Well that's my rant for today peoples.

Twin Speak: What's your Christmas Wish List!

2008-12-02T16:37:00.000+10:00

With Christmas less than 4 weeks away we thought it would be fun to see what every one's wish list is?

Bella: Now I am old enough to know that there is no such thing as the big jolly man dressed in red who stuffs himself down chimneys to deliver gifts around the world. BUT I still do have my wish list. And even though our family have a no gift giving rule and choose to spend what we would on gifts on an extravagant Christmas lunch out, I can still dream...even though there is basically fat chance of most of these gifts materialising. Still it's fun to dream!

Bella's Wish List:
Pandora bracelet with lots and lots of charms
Bryce Courtenay's book Fishing for Stars
A subscription to Digital Arts Magazine
The Trivial Pursuit Digital Choice
Tickets to Kings of Leon performing in March
Ralph Hot Perfume
Anything vintage or hanmade from Etsy
Makeup from MAC or Napolean
Aviator Sunglasses

Frankie Wish List
iPod
Prada Sunglasses
Cinema Parfum by YSL
PS3
Nintendo Wii
A new journal
A great book
Big funky beach bag

Monthly Book Review: Eat, Pray, Love

2008-12-01T11:43:00.000+10:00

Eat, Pray, Love
One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
by Elizabeth Gilbert

Bella: "Finding oneself" is arguably the most difficult subject to write well about but this is definitely not my most favourite biography/memoir ever read.

I found it extremely hard to keep reading this book. Especially when the author burst into sobs yet again in the middle of prayer, or a conversation, or walking down the street, or (more likely) on the floor of yet another bathroom, I nearly gave up.

I really tried to enjoy this book and even like the author and I imagine she hoped to come across as a flawed but honest person. Instead her writing came across to me as self indulgent and shallow at times. And I found myself cringing at some of her embarrassingly cliché one liners: "I'm putting this happiness in a bank somewhere, not merely FDIC protected but guarded by my four spiritbrothers.” OKAY??

What was most frustrating to me was the way in which she writes about this amazing journey in an almost blasé manner. It seems that during her journey nothing she touches or does turns out wrong; not a single wish goes unfulfilled and she always landed of her feet. And maybe that was the way it happened but I felt that if she perhaps put more emphasis in the miracle of these things happening I would have found it all the more sincere but instead the story just seems glossed over?

Rating: 2/5

Frankie: Well after hearing the rave reviews on Oprah and friends alike, I was very excited to be reading the much applauded book. To begin, I normally enjoy witty books, with dry humour or sarcasm, but as I started reading this book, I found Gilbert's little quips and jokes quite contrived and forced. I really did try to get engaged in this book however, I found it go from one extreme to the other. Full of her wannabe hip remarks to her then bipolar, crying on the floor mental breakdown moods.

Next, I was looking forward to reading her reflections in Italy and India, however most of what she reflected on was her love for David, not having sex and her inability to meditate. Here was a battered women, wanting to escape from her unhappy marriage, getting it, and then travel around the globe to experience unforgettable moments and people and here she was scribbling in a book about how she at the end of her tether and how she doesn't want to take anti depressants and how blah, blah, blah. Hello...lets wake up and smell the pasta???

I found it slightly frustrating to read this story, as much as I can understand a marriage break up hurts, I didn't want to read about if for the whole book. Everything in the book, Gilbert managed to whinge about, complain and take for granted?? Maybe this was her way of 'finding' herself but I found it annoying.

Overall, I gave it a 3 out of 5. :)

Twin Speak: Are you concerned for the youth of this generation?

2008-11-27T12:28:00.011+10:00

Quote: When my eight year old son received a bound diary as a gift he was mystified. "Mum, what am I supposed to do with this? The pages are blank".

"You write down interesting stuff that happens to you" I said.

"So it's like a blog.... on paper"

Bella: When I read the above quote recently in a magazine, I had to laugh. I thought it was perfectly representative of the way of life and attitude of the youth of today. Not that it's a bad thing. It's just that I can't help but feel so much has changed even in the short 15 or so years since the time I was considered a youth.

The technological advances that have occurred within the last 10 years are amazing to me but to children growing up through these times....it's just the way of life for them.

Children of today are exposed to so much more, have so many things to do and experience and it seems more things are accepted now as well. I can't help but worry sometimes and wonder if amongst all these great new advances we are forgetting to teach or instill some basic values in the youth of today??? Discipline, respect, compassion, sympathy and empathy just to name a few.

The other day I read an article in my local paper about a car accident which consisted of two vehicles. The vehicle responsible for the accident was a high performance vehicle with 5 teenagers in the car, with the driver being recently disqualified for reckless driving. The occupants in the other car were an 87 year old man and his wife. In the impact of the crash, the 87 year old man was thrown from his vehicle and lay dying on the road. Not one teenager came to his aid. They stood around and watched while other neighbours and motorists turned the car upright and helped the passengers. Shortly later, someone dropped of McDonalds to the five teenagers who then sat around and ate it! The man later died in hospital.

I was absolutely mortified while reading this story and couldn't help but think what has happened to the youth of today?? And I'm trying not to generalise here but you tend to see and hear things in our society more and more like this??

Is it just me or is anyone else worried about this generation of youth that will one day represent our country?

Frankie: It is concerning to think that the moral compass of a lot of youth today are going astray. I don't think it's acceptable to say, "they're just kids"... which happens more than often and allow these incidents to keep happening. Let them take responsibility for what they do. I was young once and I knew the difference between right and wrong.

2008-11-26T08:48:00.003+10:00

It's always very nice to get recognition and support from your fellow bloggers.

Thank you Simplicity at Chasing Wentworth Miller for the Kreativ Blogger award.
The rules for this award are:
1. Mention the blog that gave it to you and comment on their blog to let them know you’ve posted your award.
2. Publish these rules.
3. Share 6 values that are important to you and 6 things you do not support.
4. Grant the prize to 6 people.

6 values that are important to Frankie & Bella:
1. Family
2. Self respect
3. Honesty & Integrity
4. Courtesy & Compassion
5. Dedication
6. Humor

6 Things We don't support:
1. Judgemental/Prejudice people
2. Dishonesty
3. Animal cruelty
4. Violence
5. Supressing Human Rights
6. Drug & Alcohol Abuse

We'd like to also acknowledge our fellow bloggers below with this award:
Our piece of quiet
C. Beth Blog.
Mommy Cracked
sidewalk shoes
Wearin' My Heart on My Sleeve
Pictures, Poetry & Prose

The Brutal Truth...

2008-11-24T10:22:00.003+10:00

When have you received the brutal truth, welcome or unwelcome and it was, well...quiet frankly, BRUTAL!!

Frankie: Recently I received a serving of this brutal truth. And now, I am going to draw on a more personal experience here and share this truth.

So I recently went on a diet that consisted of shakes, unlimited amounts of most vegetables and 1 serve of meat a day. Anyway, one of the side effects of this diet was bad breath due to the way your body adjusts to the fat burning process.

I come home one day and say hello to my boyfriend and he starts sniffing around and says something smells. So I check my shoes to see if I perhaps stepped on dog poo. Nope. So I continue talking and he's at it again..."Something really smells like dog shit." This time he checks his shoes, I check mine again, nothing, so I continue talking. Then he says to me, come closer, so I do, then he says, "say something", so I say, "something".

At this he reels back and nearly passes out. "Geez he said, it's your breath." Naturally, I am slightly offended, to say the least, at my boyfriends inference that my breath smells like....dog shit. Coincidentally, I did not continue on that diet for much longer.

So there you have it! The brutal truth.

Now tell me, not that this is a competition or anything, but can you beat that????

When have you received the brutal truth? What was it? And who said it? A loved one, a friend or just a passing stranger?

Bella: Nope none for me :) Ok, ok. Once at work I was sharing a story with my work colleagues about a recent shopping experience that went bad. Long story short and I received the worst customer service ever. Well I'm not one who will experience bad customer service and not say something...I am paying for a service??? So I told my colleagues about trying to rectify the situation and what I said...and one of my colleagues turned around and said "Gee you're a bitch!". Well I'm sure I did come across as a bitch to the shop assistant because I was trying to stand up for what I believed in but I certainly didn't expect it from a work colleague.

Frankie: yeah...I still win :)

Technical Support: It's all very technical..just no support

2008-11-21T09:35:00.007+10:00

Coming from an IT/Online industry I definitely have my fair share of technical support enquiries to deal with. Part of our service to clients is to provide training and support in using a web based marketing system.

For the most part most of the enquiries are genuine and the client just needs that extra bit of support. Sometimes however you get the type of enquiry that makes you think there is no hope for mankind. These types of calls can make you jaded and you forget to empathise with the user. We all understand things differently.

Last night I experienced a bit of IT/Technical chaos myself and after the delightful customer IT support I received (NOT) I have made a very big mental note to be more understanding from now on whenever I get support calls.

My little drama involved my newly installed home security system to go off at random times throughout the night. Last night it happened twice, while I was at home without the security system even being armed. I was a little frazzled to say the least so then having to spend the next 45 minutes with a techie guy speaking to me in a condescending tone like I was a slow, deaf, special needs customer...well it nearly sent me over the edge.

I cracked it, chucked a little tanty and told him to sort it out. I'm happy to say that this morning my husband came in to save the day and has it all sorted. But I certainly now have a little more perspective of the other side of the situation and what it's like to be in the shoes of the person seeking support.

I also came across a funny article the other day, covering just this topic and some things that your Computer Techie just won't tell you. I hope it cheers your day as it did mine :)

- Turn it off and turn it back on again. Nine times out of 10 rebooting your computer and any equipment that connects to it will solve the problem.
- We're like Santa: we know if you've been bad or good. Fessing up to what really happened right before the system crashed is going to save time- and I'm going to find it out anyway.
- Sometimes we talk about you in code. If you hear "HKI error" (for human keyboard interface) or "PEBCAK" (problem exists between chair and keyboard), we're insulting you.
- If you don't understand me, I'm not doing my job. Confusing tech jargon is a sign of insecurity, not intelligence.

Happy Friday!

Bella

Twin Speak...What irks you?

2008-11-20T11:46:00.002+10:00

Another eventful day at the shops. By now, it's probably quite obvious that Bella and I like to shop...if it be for clothes, groceries or little knic knax.

Frankie: Anyway, the other day while out shopping, we were on a purposeful mission and lo and behold we were encountered by both our pet irks...pet peeves...the bain of our shopping experiences...

Ladies and gentlemen...
1. Inexperienced trolley pushers &
2. Slow walkers

Now, I am sure we both have many flaws that most probably annoy other people. But today we are going to take an indulgent liberty in discussing the above two.

Inexperienced trolley pushers have the ability to ruin a perfectly grand shopping day. Not only do they ineffectively manoeuvre their trolleys, create unnecessary trolley collisions, trolley congestion by ridiculously stopping anywhere they like, but they do all this while also inhibiting unbearable pain on our ankles. As we encountered multiple trolley offenders, I could see Bella's New Year resolution of, "staying calm and becoming more patient" fly not only out the window but the universe.

And on top of all this, I then discover the growing epidemic of...'Slow Walkers'. Is it not less then 6 weeks to Christmas? Yes, yes it is? So why on earth are there ever increasing slow walkers taking up valuable shopping time and pathway???

Bella: Other than the above two pet peeves what also drives me bananas is:
1. Indecisive people
2. Pikers. People who say they will be somewhere and then at the last minute leave you high and dry
3. People who drive in the right hand lane well below the speed limit

And my biggest Pet Peeve is
4. Punctuality! People who leave you waiting!

Twin Speak: 24 things you didn't know about us...

2008-11-19T09:10:00.023+10:00

I love the emails that you receive from friends where they ask you a bunch of questions to get to know you better. You then forward your response to the original sender and anyone else you want to include asking them to also complete the questions. You generally learn some interesting things :)

Bella: We thought we'd post a list of getting to know you questions just for fun! Frankie and myself will answer but please feel free to use the list to comment back to us, email friends or family or use on your own blog?

Warning: Sorry it's a long post!

1. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree in only one store which store would it be?
Bella: I'm torn. I'd have to say Mollini's shoe store.
Frankie: Witchery, witchery, witchery.
2. What song best describes you when you first wake up in the morning?
Bella: Sleeping In by The Postal Service
Frankie: Something from the Rocky Horror Show (Haha, Bella) No, it would be, 'Feeling Good', by Nina Simone
3. What Country would you most like to visit and why?
Bella: Russia, because I'm obsessed with Paullina Simons book The Bronze Horseman
Frankie: Ooh, it would be a toss up between, Russia, due to the same above reason, or USA, New York.
4. Coke or Pepsi?
Bella: Coke
Frankie: Coke
5. Desk: messy or organized?
Bella: Super organized
Frankie: Messy
6. Are you always early or terminally late?
Bella: Always super early
Frankie: Early.
7. If someone called you a bitch would you be offended?
Bella: No. I'd be offended quite often if that was the case :)
Frankie: Hmmm, depends. If I was being a bitch, then no, but if I wasn't, yes.
8. Favorite sport to watch?
Bella: Tennis
Frankie: Tennis
9. Do you squeeze toothpaste from the middle or end of the tube?
Bella: This is another bad habit of mine. I squeeze firstly from the top and then just continue mashing the tube until it comes out. There's no system involved.
Frankie: The top and then get frustrated when no paste is coming out, so I then hand over to my partner to get the remaining paste from the bottom.
10. Ever kissed a random person and then walked away?
Bella: Yes
Frankie: No
11. Favourite colour
Bella: Beige
Frankie: Ooh, beige, how ah, lovely. :) Green.
12. Would you ever have plastic surgery?
Bella: I'd like to say no but probably yes :)
Frankie: Ha, was just talking about this with the girls at work and I am going to say, Yes. Gravity is cruel.
13. Are you a beach, country or city person?
Bella: Beach
Frankie: Ahh, beach for sure, but cities do interest me.
14. Best vacation spot you've been to?
Bella: Vietnam
Frankie: Haven't really been too many places so I am going to have to say, Bali.
15. If you could own a non-traditional pet which would it be?
Bella: A baby seal
Frankie: A baby hippo...but it must stay as a baby for obvious reasons :)
16. Where do you spend most of your money?
Bella: Coffee
Frankie: Witchery
17. Favorite summer drink?
Bella: Capriosca
Frankie: Chocolate milk
18. Share one food item that best describes the last year of your life. (example: “frozen pizza” because I did a 180 degree turn this year, or “cinnamon roll” because it had lots of twists and turns but overall was pretty sweet)?
Bella: 2 minute noodles. Because my life has been pretty easy this past year.
Frankie: A chewy beef jerky...because my year has had some jerky, tough times in it.
19. What one item in the kitchen best describes you and your personality?
Bella: A blender because I'm pretty ruthless when it comes to making decisions.
Frankie: Right, kitchen....um, the fridge, because I always have food in me :)
20. What cartoon character best describes you?
Bella: I'm not sure? Frankie...suggestions??
Frankie: Hmm, for Bella I would say, Marvin the Martian, because he doesn’t take crap from any earthling and neither do you and for me, Garfield, because I always need food and hate Mondays
21. If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?
Bella: New York
Frankie: New York
22. If you knew could you try anything and not fail (and money was no object), what dream would you attempt?
Bella: To be a travel writer
Frankie: To write my book
23. What super-power would you most like to have, and why?
Bella: Invisibility! You could just get out of soooo many situations with this one.
Frankie: Oh, invisibility to. Just think of the possibilities.

And the interesting one...try and guess which one we're lying about!
24. “2 Truths And a Lie” – Share 3 unique things about yourself and your life, 2 of them true, 1 false, and let people guess which one isn’t true.

Bella:
1. I snorted a red M&M out my nose once and then ate it again
2. I have two tattoos and 9 piercings
3. I have never smoked in my entire life

Frankie:
1. I have never been drunk in my life
2. I hate red M&M's
3. I drink 7 large coffees a day

Why didn't I think of that!

2008-11-18T11:32:00.000+10:00

I was reading a particular magazine this month and there was an article titled 'In Pursuit of Happiness'. Now I'm all for self development and the pursuit for a better and happier life but sometimes I feel some of the advice out there and methods of trying to create a better life are, well just ridiculous.

This particular article comments that happiness is something that can be learnt, much like healthy eating habits. Then it goes on to share some 'Ways to get happy' and the top way to get happy is:

'Set aside a worry time, such as half and hour after work. If worries come up at other times, put them out of your mind until worry time'.

Gee...thanks...why didn't I think of that! Seriously, I mean that's great advice...if you could actually do that. The whole point of the article assumes that you have some reason to be unhappy or not as happy as you like. So it tells you that if you actually have something that is worrying you, not to try and tackle the problem and sort it out but instead to push it aside when it does bother you and allocate some 'Worry Time'.

I mean this whole concept actually stresses me out even more. What if I forget what I am supposed to be worrying about when Worry Time comes??? What if I don't have enough time to allocate for all my worries!! What then?? Do I then create two or more sittings?? Oh my god, I would actually worry about the Worry Time and then wouldn't that defeat the whole purpose??

This concept to me seems great in theory but in reality, who has that much control that you can actually stop your mind from obsessing over a problem that might actually be really bothering you, to worrying about it in a more appropriate and convenient time. Well I know for one that I am not THAT IN CONTROL. Oh well there goes my happiness :)

Twin Speak: Fly your Freak Flag!

2008-11-17T08:55:00.015+10:00

I believe that we are all entitled to fly our freak flag every now and then. By this I mean that we all have our little quirks, strange behaviours, hidden talents or even a body attribute we may have been born with?

Bella: For example I know someone, who looks very similar to myself but isn’t me, that will not eat anything the colour red. But I find this extremely endearing and personally I think one of her greatest character qualities. I love that everyone is different and these little behaviours only serve to prove that point. What a boring world we would live in if we were all the same.

So below are the things that entitle to me to fly my freak flag! What are yours?

1. I love the smell of paper. Whenever I receive anything in the mail after opening it usually the first thing I do is smell the paper :) I have found that bank statements and catalogues smell best..haha. Also I love the smell of new paperback books. CRAZY...I know.

2. I am obsessed with keeping the floors clean especially if it’s carpet. I have been known to run around the house in the presence of guests (usually only family or really close friends as I want to avoid being thrown in an asylum) with a little dust buster sucking up any little crumbs that might get away.

3. I have abnormally tiny ears. As in I don't think they have grown at all since I was born. They are really small and people often comment, point and laugh at them.

Frankie:
1.As Bella already mentioned, and she tries to mention it to every person we know and as often as she can :) I do not like a lot of things ‘red’, particularly red M&M’s. I think my phobia developed when I was a child and I witnessed a red M&M fly out of Bella’s nose when she was laughing at something and then picked it up and popped it back in her mouth…eew! So you can only imagine the challenge I face when someone purchases a bag of M&M’s during a visit to the cinemas. I have to inspect each one in the movie light, to make sure it is not a red culprit!

2. Next…I have an obsession with keeping my hands clean. I carry around wet wipes and those little bottles of anti-bacterial hand lotions just in case I come into close contact with a germ.

3. Finally, for some reason whenever I get angry I get this red line running down my forehead. My family used to make fun of me when I was younger for this and I remember a time when my cousin was trying to imitate me by running around the house like a mad person with a bright red pencil sticky taped to her head. Not funny!! Really, I think it’s a benefit and can indicate to family members when not to approach me, “oh the red lines showing, back away from Frankie”.

Frankie & Bella's Favourite Things

2008-11-16T09:59:00.027+10:00

Well Sundays are really a day for not much other than relaxing and having some quality time to do...whatever! Sundays should be a day where you can indulge, relax, spend time with family or the dog, eating or doing things you enjoy like reading or surfing the web.

So every Sunday we thought we'd post a round up of our favourite....things! Throughout the week there are so many little moments that just highlight your day, week or even year but never get another mention.

So Sundays will now be our:

Weekly Round Up of Random Favourite Things.

Bella:

Websites
- This website Yearbook Yourself is so funny! Check it out.
- A great resource to get discussion questions for your book clubs. Reading Group Guides
- I found this website Web Designer Wall at work the other day. There are so many things that could keep a designer, creative or just someone with spare time amused.
- I'm not a big gamer but I've become obsessed with Bloxorz on Miniclip- Free Games

Books:
Fishing for Stars- Bryce Courtenay
After reading Bryce Courtenay's, The Persimmon Tree I thought that this was the end of the tale and one that I often wished could continue. Then the other day I saw Fishing for Stars! The story continues throughout Australia, Japan and Indonesia and focuses on the love triangle between two passionate women and one man. Oooohh juicy.

Food:
I tried this recipe for the first time the other week and loved it!
I also tried the combination of mashed banana on a piece of toasted home made banana bread. Oh lordy lordy why have I not discovered this sooner...so simple yet fantastic!

Frankie:

Well, I have to say after following Bella's lead I went onto the yearbook website and spent half the night on there. You can see the results for yourself :) And yes, this would be a new addition to my weekly favourites list.

Food
- Chocolate and custard crepes. I have been addicted to these little, light crepes full of hot chocolate sauce and custard creme since I discovered them last week. Yum. I am now endeavouring to make these at home.
- Strong tea with soy milk. I've recently switched to soy milk and really, really love the taste of it with my tea. I am now a seven cup of tea a day person. Yes, the simple things.

Books
The Queen of the Western Isle - Rosalind Miles
A friend recommended this book the other day and I was pleasantly suprised by it. Based on the love story of Tristan & Isolde, I found the writing style refreshing to what I have recently been reading.

Beauty
The Napolean Perdis Memory Foundation. Recently purchased the NP foundation and I love it's light and dewy coverage.

Twin Speak: What goals did you start but are yet to achieve?

2008-11-15T08:36:00.010+10:00

Thanks to One Minute Writer who featured our prompt suggestion- 3 Goals!

Bella: We managed to grab the attention of some new followers which is always good in this competitive blog world. I hope Frankie doesn't start stressing too much (content, content, it's all about the content!!!) :) Coming from an online marketing industry I understand the importance of having relevant content but I think if we just remain ourselves and true to the point of this blog that should be enough and if not...oh well.

But the topic of 3 goals you want to achieve got me thinking about the opposite....what are goals that you have set out to achieve in the past but haven't...yet. Well, well...I have plenty :) My problem is...I loose interest after awhile. I think I'm like a goldfish sometimes, in that my attention span for new interest, ideas and ventures isn't long and I flit from one thing to another. So here are a list of my things:

- Learning Latin dancing
- Beach boot camp (I nearly died)
- Pole dancing (I nearly died...fell on my head)
- Sticking to a low GI diet (I love coffee and chocolate)
- Starting a cooking club with my family
- Writing a gratitude diary
- Working towards financial freedom (well think to be fair...this one is a constant work in progress)

There are many more. Some of the above I may take back on and try to achieve and others....well "Tell her she's dreaming!".

Frankie: Well I suppose the first way to achieving something is realising it...or realising that you failed the first time...but the good thing is, you've always got the next time.

So some of the main ones for me would be:

- Reducing my credit card debt :) (I did in fact partially achieve this one, but things have been super tough and I'd have to say this is a work in progress.)
- Travel (I have yet to achieve even a small portion of this goal. I have to admit though, I haven't been actively proactive in this one and always push it aside for my other so called priorities.)
- Exercise (Another on again off again goal...I wish I was dedicated like Bella on this front)
- Save, save, save (Maybe if I stop buying those damn shoes and bags I could actually get this goal off the ground) :)

We try not to get deterred by not achieving all our goals all the time..Tomorrow is another day!

Frankie's first post...

2008-11-14T13:54:00.007+10:00

Bella has one, so I should have a first post too. Techinically this would actually be my 2nd or third solo post. But I hereby make this my first offical 'Frankie' post...OK!!!

So as mentioned by Bella, we are in fact twins and together we are going to use this as our shared blog. Personally, I think this is a wonderful idea because I have tried to maintain a blog profile of another kind in the past and just didn't update frequently enough.

Consequently, I had many 'friends' as they were called on this site, drop off or 'cut' me from thier list??? I couldn't keep up with the demand or pressure of daily blog posts, so I had to eventually relenquish that profile. Being that we only have 1 follower at this time, I would hate for that to happen. So, both Bella and I can maintain this blog with our daily happenings, thoughts and so on. Blogs get posted, I remain calm, no one has to stop following and we're all happy chappys :)

Another note, we are actually twins and not your local blog schizophrenic :) Perhaps we can russle up some photos from the family album to prove this, but at the moment you'll just have to take my word for it.

Anyway, that's enought of that...look forward to my new blogging experience.

Cheers

Frankie

The one way street

2008-11-14T10:00:00.003+10:00

Frankie: So I always hear the saying, “I’m on a one way street" and at the moment I can relate because I feel like that with some of my friendships.

I’m tired of making all the effort. And I’ll just mention it now, that No!!!
I am not the occasional drama queen, 'Oh woe is me' type of friend. I understand people have stuff going on and I don’t need to see my friends everyday, let alone every weekend to feel close. Just as long as I get some form of effort, communication, show me the love…whatever you want to call it.

So what type of street are you on with your friends. I have taken the liberty in naming some common streets that I have found myself on:

The ‘One Way’ Street: An unpleasant situation to be in, where one side of the friendship is making all the effort and getting nothing back in return. Even though the street is one way…there may be a U turn or an Intersection coming up to change the direction.

The ‘Roundabout’ – Now this is a deceiving traffic condition, whereby you’re making the effort and your friend appears to be reciprocating and making effort, but in actual fact you’re just going round and round in circles. All the promises are empty and all the good intentions and never quite that good. Again, it’s not too late to exit this roundabout way and come to a healthy two way street.

The 'Two way street' - This is the best friendship situation you can get. Not only are you giving the effort, you are getting some in return. Normally these two way streets are moderately smooth and well looked after, so the occurence of bumps and pot-holes are rare. But if they do show up, maintanance fixes them up in a jiffy because when you find yourself on one of these 'Two way streets' you rarely want to get off and will go out of your way to ensure complete road safety.

The 'T intersection': This condition occurred between a long term friend and myself. We had been plodding along the same way for some time, both making half hearted efforts, taking the relationship for granted and not instilling as much jazz as you would in a new relationship. We finally came to that dreaded T intersection. Straight ahead was a dead end, to the left was a no through road and to the right was a new street. We took the right. It was a new street in our friendship that we worked and concentrated on.

The 'No Through Road' - This occurs when there are tough times ahead in a friendship. Most times you will have a slight idea that the 'No through' road is just up ahead, sometimes your completely oblivious to it. I had a 'No Through' road occurence recently. I had an idea it was coming up, wasn't sure when, but then, I hit it. I took a moment to gather my thougths and direction and then turned around and headed back the long path to home.

A 'No Through road' on a 'one way street': This is said to be the worst and most detrimental condition of a friendship. Not only are you on a one way street but you know that there is a no through road up ahead. This one is bound for disaster and doom, so steer clear of this possible trap because you rarely come out of this one with a saved friendship.

Sick Days...

2008-11-13T09:38:00.011+10:00

Frankie is off work sick today I wish her a speedy recovery.

Bella: I am rarely off sick...being the fantastic employee that I am. Not really...it's just that I don't get sick that often and when I do, I don't want to waste my sick days..well, being sick. Some days of course I am struck down with an illness that forces me to stay in bed and I will. However there are days when maybe I am feeling slightly off...like Mondayitis and I think, I might take a sick day today. The day is then usually spent watching the midday soaps, chat shows, cooking shows, making a lavish indulgent lunch for just myself and schlepping around in my PJ's all day. That's my idea of a sick day.

So, if you too like to indulge in an occasional 'sick day' what is your ultimate day?

Twin Speak: 3 Things...

2008-11-12T20:57:00.000+10:00

I am not sure about everyone else, but I know I go through life regularly saying to myself, "I wish I did...."

Frankie: Most times, these things are equivalent to a mere dream. Unrealistic and so far fetched that I would have more likelihood flying to the moon. Now, I know the classic saying, "Anything is possible" but really, the probability of me travelling around the whole entire world in this lifetime is close to remote.

So...If there were three things that you really wanted to achieve in your life and actually could, what would they be? Mine...

1. Travel to my fathers home town again
2. Work towards finanical security
3. Write a novel

So what is stopping me?

Bella: I like this topic and it's one I contemplate all the time which is why my list is longer than 3 points :). Each year I usually write a list of new year resolutions I want to achieve. Usually these things are not overly hard to achieve and are of a short term basis. There are so many things though that I want to achieve in my lifetime! How can anyone be expected to simply remember every dream, thought, goal, milestone and crazy idea that they want to achieve...unless you write them down. I also think it would feel extremely rewarding to look back on this list in 5, 10, 30 years time and see how much you have achieved or extremely motivating to see how little you have achieved. So with that in mind, below is the beginnings of my list and I'll be sure to add to it as more come to mind.

Top three
1. Learn Indonesian
2. Go to Slovakia and visit my Father's grave
3. Write a recipe book

4. Go to Las Vegas
5. Volunteer with a charity or organisation and make a difference
6. Run a half marathon
7. Go on a cruise
8. Learn to knit
9. Organise and throw a suprise party for someone I love
10. Go on an unforgettable girls weekend with my sisters and Mum
11. Get over my fear and learn to ride a bike...properly

Twin Speak: If you were a pair of shoes what would you be?

2008-11-11T09:26:00.036+10:00

Well if you haven't guessed by now...we love shoes! That's one thing we don't differ on but the kind of shoes we like...or better yet represent who we are, are very different.

Bella: If I were a pair of shoes I would be a pair of black patent leather round toe heels. Classic and timeless yet practical and easy to maintain. The heel wouldn't be too OT...let's say 3-4 inches. Round toe makes big feet look small and ideally there would be a trim of sexy ribbon or bow detailing. This just about sums me up!

Frankie: If I were a pair of shoes I would be...a pair of Black All Star Converse high tops. A true classic but without trying too hard. A comfy, easy-going shoe that doesn't date. Versatile and fun...and always lets us remember to not take things too seriously. :)

What kind of shoe would you be?

Bella's first post

2008-11-10T13:50:00.002+10:00

We may have come into this world together however we have built quite different paths for ourselves as we go along in this world. Although we are alike in many ways, what we believe in and who we are as people are very different and often completely conflicting. Forever we will be always together, as is the bond of a twin, yet we live our lives very much seperate and individualistic. We strive to be two people. So this is what we are; the joys of being a twin.