Mischief and Mayhem

My two favourite words - mischief and mayhem. Wanna know why? 'Coz translated they just mean good banter!

After contracting a serious case of "C.P.S."-itis (Clearly People Suck) on Saturday, I was relieved when a cure swiftly marched in. I rode Copper out Sat. arvo. and it was great - (he jumped like a stag), but not only that, Plans Where Concocted. (*mwhaahaaaaahhaaaa* Partner in crime, M.M., Mega-Genius, helped the whole deal along substantially, but I'll get back to that.)

Bt, Em-J, Random and I hit the Cotter caves after I got back from riding - it was later in the arvo., but still light enough to explore a bit. We took torches, but weren't really impressed with the shortness of the cave access. You went about two feet in and stopped. = p Stupido.

But we still had a good time, trotted up to the top of the hill, shook off swarms of flying ant-y things and drove home in time for food!

Then, the night was upon us and it was time for the Fraser Girls and The Boys to go bush. We stopped and shopped for supplies, which didn't take long. (Got to ride in the REXyyyyyyy!!! [Super sweet Suburu WRX - owned by Saunter. Was v. happy when he drove it fast. Would be even happier if at some point he was driving it faster and we were sideways.. .. ^^ I just gotta need for speed baby!]).

Anyway, I digress. All seven of us piled into Sabi-master's ute and our Land Rover that Dad had reluctantly allowed me to drive out and headed out into the bush.

(Another side track - how much do you love the fact that Canberra has so much accessible bush land? We do!)

We hit some caves and held our breaths as the Boys went over the top of some very high bars that blocked off a very large drop... *meep!* Saunter, Sabi-master and Mega Genius disappeared into the depths whilst J-man, Random, Em-J and myself went and explored some other not-so-exciting places. I still managed to get myself stuck and was 'rescued' by the J-man, but owell - that's me for you. I either get myself out of the sticky situations or someone does it for me!

We soon got bored of the whole place though, there wasn't much to see - so we piled back into the trusty 'mobiles and headed west. Tell you what - dirt track driving is super fun and kinda scary at night!! Espec. with a twelve ton Land Rover that doesn't like to stop at interchanges at the best of times, let alone on a dry gravel track that's twice as steep and half as wide!

*rubs hands* Brilliant!! I guess I can say that the Rover has officially been christened as more than just an urban assault machine, it has moved up another level to official off-roading(but yet has to make it to the bush-bashing crown). We crossed a creek and the water came up over the bonnet and for one heart-stopping moment only water was illuminated by the head lights, the the beam reached no further than splashing liquid - pitch black and I couldn't see in front of me! Yyp!!

"For Frasers alike - charge!!" Full steam (sort of of - more like steady steam actually) ahead, and we had officially completed our first creek crossing that was more then just a puddle. Swweeeet dude! (Totally.)

We found a cosy place to further our banter-ous activities and basically... Well, had fun! Let's just say there was some marbles, juice bottles and Irn-Bru involved. 'Course, I won't be telling the half of it, but we managed to keep ourselves amused. Discussions of 'Top-Gear' and blowing up stuff - particularly caravans, was high on the list, and the quote of the night belongs to the penguins.

"Ka-boom?"

"Yes Rico, Ka-boom!!"

Like they say, 'It's all fun and games 'til somebody gets hurt'. Well, none of us had that problem, it was more 'something' in this case. Of course, when you're out driving at night the most serious hazard is Kangaroos. (yep, with a Kapital 'K'!) Close on the heels of Roos is Wombats. Not drunk drivers, not hooning idiots, not even other cars, but Roos.

We saw a lot of Roos, missed by inches a few wombats as well. All was fine until we where heading home. It was a clear road and then - there was this Roo. That's all. Thump. Crunch. Dead. The boys had to finish the poor thing off and I was all "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! What am I going to tell Dad???"

Dad turned out to be reasonably fine about it, but I doubt he'll ever let me take the Rover out again. = p Which totally sucks.

Kind of a bad way to end the night, but it was still great and we had a blast. Literally. It might be totally forward of me to say, and so-not-going-to-happen, but I'll say it anyway. I can't wait to do it again!


Cheers, b. :3

P.s - Super great way to celebrate a birthday too!

Random Interview from Facebook

How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?
A tree load. >_<

beach or mountain?
BEACHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!


left handed or right handed?
Right.


Why are you taking this interview?
'Coz I love answering questions! -_- To tell the truth? I don't know...



who do you count on when feeling down
My sister - Emi. :D



do you plan in advance
Yes and no - depends on the situation.



What attracts you most?
To a person? A heart for God and random fun-loving attitudes. To a guy? A heart for God!! (and the ability to keep up with me/even lead me on even more random adventures! Sweet!)



Do you feel comfortable showing PDA in pubic?
Noooope, not unless it's very mild.



How many hobbies do you have
Serious hobbies? Art/writing (same hobby in my mind), horseriding, dancing, - 3 I guess?



Close your eyes for a moment, who pops into your head?
Music.



Do you say "I love you" in the relationship?
Only if he says it first!!



Aliens have landed and selected you to visit their home planet. Do you go with them?
Yup.



Describe your perfect Sunday morning?
A lot of sun, friends and a beach.



If you could be successful at any job in the world, what would that job be?
An artist/writer. I really want to get published.



If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Scotland I think. Or Japan. Or - well, a lot of places really!



If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be?
A boy. Doesn't really matter which one, I just want to know what goes on in the wacked out heads of theirs.



If you have friends coming for supper what would you cook?
If I had lots of time - something fun, but it totally depends on what type of food they like!



What is your favourite word?
Grace. It means so much to me - it has changed my life.



What makes you cry?
Friends (or not friends) at the moment.



What makes you laugh?
Guys - dudes, you are seriously hilarious. In a totally great way! ;)



If you were an animal in the wild, what would you be?
A jaguar... Stalking the jungle in the depths of the night.



If you won the lottery, how would you spend your millions?
I would invest all the winnings and spend the interest on equestrian gear (a float!) and travel.



If you could travel back in time, what mistake(s) would you want to correct?
There is one that I would totally fix - I'd never let that guy choose me over my friend. In fact, as soon as I saw him coming I'd run away... It has made such a mess



Do you believe that the cup is half empty or half full?
Totally half full! Why made yourself drepressed before it's empty? When it's all gone - then you can be sad! >_<

Who was your hero as a child?
Didn't have one.


What do you do for fun?
Draw, read, ride, hoon around, random stuff!


Are you an outdoor or an indoor person
Outdoors



If you had only six months to live, what would you do first?
Hug all of my friends and family.



What 3 words would your best friend use to describe you?
Artistic, bubbly, quirky



Where do you see yourself in five years?
Heaven only knows. Seriously. Overseas? Published author hopefully! *dreams* Married?



What are you most proud of in your life?
Nothing - what do I have to proud over?



Do you own any pets, and if so what do you have?
Horses - Copper, Rusty, Dog - Rocky, Fish - No names!



Who do you admire most?
Jesus.


Do you have any tattoos, and if so what and where?
Not applicable!



When do you plan on getting married?
Ugh. If I get asked, then I will plan.



Get the number or give the number?
Give. Maybe.



How do you feel?
Happy! :)



What size shoes do you wear?
6-7 Aust, 4-5 UK, 37-38 Euro, Ditto China - yes, I have shoes from all over the world!



Water or 100% Juice?
WATER!! Gotta love the H2O



Would you rather be hot or cold?
Cold - then you can warm up.



Would you rather lose an arm or a leg?
erm.... Arm. At least I could still do my art and ride!



Favorite Place to Eat?
Waggamama's - so good, but so pricey



Opera, Musical, Concert, Play, Performance, or Other?
All of them - I'm there!



What is your favorite clothing brand?
Brand? My own of course - b. dot. designs. at your service!


Most Memorable Past?
..... How lame is that...... I don't know.


Most embarrassing moment?
Nix.

If you had to pick one car, which would it be?
Bugetti Veyron !!!! Or a Sting Ray, or a GT3... HOW CAN I CHOOOSE?????

Your favorite Disney Films?
FilmS??? Do you know what you have unleased???


Why did the chicken cross the road?
Because he was brainwashed by the man.

Do you support Paris?
Pfft. Yeah. Right.


Where is Waldo?
Come again?

Favorite element?
Water and fire. I can never decide for good.

What was your last thought?
I'm not dead yet - how can I have my LAST thought?


Firefox, Internet Explorer, Netscape, or other?
Firefox - not just 'coz it sounds cool either...


Who are you going to vote for in 2008?
American question. Nice.


Juice and crackers or milk and cookies?
Milk and cookies! Cookie, cookie, cookie, cookie, cookie, cookie, cookie ----- O.o


Favorite fruit?
Duh. Answered this one already. Berries.


Which is worse? A bad laugh or a bad cough?
Bad laugh? I'm thinking glass-breaking, ear-splitting here.


Are you a cat or a dog person?
Your majesty? Cats of course!


Would you rather be blind or deaf?
Neither. Art is an essence of my heart, but to live with out music is like losing your soul.


Define yourself in 3 words...
Individual. Creative. Passionate.


Do you eat cold cereal at night?
If I feel like it. Why not.


What is your favorite TV show?
Top Gear! Vvvvvrrrrroooommmmmmm! Yummy.


Kill the spider or let it out?
Let it out! If we didn't have spiders we'd be dead from all the bugs. Literally.

Do you shower every single day?
Yeah. Gotta keep the hair tamed


Boat or bus?
Boat.


What is your favorate Pj Fabric
Something comfortable - satin or stretch


Where do you want to travel next?
After Europe? Japan!


What would you do if Michael Jackson asked you out
*retches* EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is your favorite food?
Berries - of any sort! Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, boysenberries - you get the picture! (And ice cream)


Do you read harry potter books?
No. 'Nuff said.


What is your favorite place?
Heaven - can't wait to get there!


If you could have one super human power what would you choose?
I would choose to be able to control the elements.


Have you had a beer in the last week?
Yum. Beer. So yes.


Vitamin Water or Gatorade?
Neither - B-B-B-Barroca gives you back your b-b-b-bounce!!


Favorite body part?
Er... The brain 'coz it conjuctuates?


Flip flops or sandles?
Sandles - nice ones with heels ^.^

What do you do on fridays?
Sleep, work or study (ie Uni), or do art: depending on how my luck goes!


What is your favorite song of all time?
Absolutely of all time? "In Christ Alone" because that just sums up my life, my love, my passion, my beliefs and ultimately who I am.


Do you like bananas?
Mmm... Bananas... Ice cream.... Strawberries.... Food................


How tall are you?
5'7'' or 5'6'' - depends on when you measure me... >.>

So - apparently there's 85 questions I just answered 'coz I could. Nice.

b. out. :3

*lol*

* Rules are like paperclips: meant to keep things together, fun to bend, and easily twisted out of shape.

* There is no problem the human mind cannot solve or create.

* Step One is learning the ropes. Step Two is chewing through them.


I like number one - sounds like it should be my new motto eh? 6-6.... ^^ ! So much fun!!

Ciao b.

Fiscal Frets

Is anyone besides myself worried about the growing financial crisis in America atm?

I've heard all the arguments:
- Australia relies on an export market to China to get cash flowing into our economy, not the American market (I.e. - we only have to start worrying when the Asian market crashes).

- Australia has a safer/better credit loaning system (no mortgages to those who can't afford them) by matching real equity that the borrower owns with the amount they loan from the bank.

- Australia doesn't have any foreign debt to get caught up in (Supposedly).

- Consumers ought to be able to receive interest cuts when the Reserve Bank drops its rates (Mind the 'ought' here - not necessarily going to happen), which in turn should free up cash to flow through the economy.


BUT - here are MY reasons why all doesn't seems as peachy-keen as the government would have us believe.

- How many businesses (superannuation funds, for instance) have interests in America? At the moment, it's not just US banks that are suffering, but hedge funds as well. Who says our own super funds aren't tied up in a sinking ship (more like the Titanic than a dingy) in overseas investments?

- I heard someone say the European economy was going strong, but I have my doubts - banks in Britain, Netherlands, Iceland(? I think) and other banks have needed serious bail-out from the EU over the last few weeks thanks to the sinking USA Titanic.

- If the interests cuts aren't passed on by the banks (Rudd went out and a gave them the best excuse ever - thanks Kev.) because of banking costs 'going up' Australian economy is going to face similar problems as the rest of the globe is. The cash simply won't flow when investors and consumers alike wonder how Wall Street is going to recover not only from the credit crunch, but also from the knock back from Congress of the USA government's bail-out plan.

Cash flow will freeze. What does that say for the average worker? No money going out, no money coming in and the debt keeps on piling up. Even more so as the banks get desperate for cash to cover the debts they'll be saddled with from overseas institutions not being able pay back the money they owe.


Big mess. Big question - do you pull out your money to stuff it under a mattress? If you've got investments in stocks - well, I'm no financial expert, but I would. Who knows how far the tsunami effect of the Wall Street fallout is going to reach.

Best piece of advice I've found so far on this whole matter?

"If you don't over borrow or overspend, you're far less vulnerable to whatever problems the financial system may have." ~ Time September 29 2008, pg 23.

I.e. - Live within your means!

Not that I can claim I have particularly well, but as the Time magazine also points out, this problem isn't different, just bigger. I guess it's a heads up. It's happened before, just in the thousands, or millions instead of billions and trillions - just do what you can and don't spend too much!



*sigh* Sorry for the rant, this global crisis really has me on edge for some reason.....

Hm. Should be alright for Australia I think. I'll be keeping an eye out on the international/local developments though - this thing is far from over.

b.