Random thoughts – Page 6 – The Secret Life of Bebe

The joys of home repair

June 28, 2013July 10, 2013Bebe3 Comments

Okay, well I am gobsmacked.

I arranged to meet with my project manager from Fletcher’s EQR (New Brighton Hub FYI) at 11:30 to sign off work that begun December 1st last year and is actually still not quite finished.

I arrived at 11:33, I figure I’m still within a 5 min window of “they may be late due to traffic etc.” (which I was). No one was here. I waited until 12:30, figuring maybe they were running really late. Then I called the Hub to see what happened and maybe reschedule.

So I spoke to a Community Liaison person (I think Ganella?) who said she was here at 11:30, stayed 5 minutes, then left. That can’t be right, I think. We must have just missed each other. So whatever, I’m not going to argue about 5 minutes, we need to reschedule.

So she launches into a tirade about how I am wasting her time and she is not prepared to reschedule with me at this time, and how she has bent over backwards to help me out and unlike me she doesn’t make people wait for appointments, so she has to go. And then hangs up on me.

Now, if you know me, you know that I am very polite when dealing with people over the phone. I understand they have a job to do, and they are not trying to make my life difficult on purpose. I wasn’t rude, I didn’t yell. I even asked for forgiveness for the 3 mins I was late if she could just reschedule with me.

Now I am sitting here thinking WHAT THE ACTUAL?? Let’s think about this. I’m wasting her time when it has taken us SIX MONTHS to get sign off for the work on our house and it isn’t EVEN FINISHED YET?!?! She has bent over backwards to help me when I have never actually met her, and have emailed asking the work to be finished at least five times over the past six months (extremely politely every. single. time. BTW).

And who the fuck is this Ganella person anyway? I thought I was meeting with my project manager Adele and the builder Steve. But actually, had I been palmed off onto some community person who was supposed to be … smoothing the waters because our job was taking an unreasonable time to get finished?! She needs a new job title.

So now what I have is an unfinished house, and Ganella telling me that I can have sign off when it suits her to come and see me, but she won’t tell me when. And look out if I’m not home and wasting her time again. Because obviously I just sit around at home all day waiting for EQR people to come over. It’s not inconvenient at ALL to take the afternoon off work REPEATEDLY so I can meet EQR people and discuss why my job’s not finished, or to let tradespeople in so they can do one of the many jobs on the list and then come back again next week.

So yeah, I’m gobsmacked.

Also, it made me cry. Not cool.

Let the fun times roll

April 25, 2013May 6, 2013Bebe1 Comment

Stephen and I went to our first roller derby bout in 2008. At that time it was new to Christchurch – the Dead End Derby league was formed in 2007. Roller derby itself has only made a comeback in the last 10 years, so it’s still a pretty new sport. We had no idea what was going on in the game, but it was great fun to watch – derby is definitely a spectator sport! We learned more about the rules (thanks Google) and looked out for the next bout. We’ve been to heaps of bouts since then, supporting our favourite teams and watching the league grow and improve.

Then mid-last year, Megan saw an advert for ‘fresh meat’, roller derby’s name for the new member intake. She was keen to give it a go, and I agreed to go along to the ‘learn to skate’ part of the training (I planned to exit before the bashing started). We went along to Shirley Boys High School on 7th October 2012 for our 4-week skills training. I loved it. I fell on my ass heaps, and it hurt, but I didn’t care. It was so much fun. After four weeks of training I was invited to sign up for fresh meat. I didn’t hesitate – Stephen thought I was mad. I thought I might be too, but went for it anyway. In four weeks I’d learned how to do crossovers, knee falls, various stops, and I was getting to grips with the basic lingo (PACK IT UP!).

Fresh meat training was intense. Twice a week all through the heat of summer we learned the basic skills required of a roller derby girl. So much to take in. Along the way, I got to know my 14 fellow freshies well. They are amazing women, all of them. I love spending time with them. We did our 3-hour long skills/written test on 3rd March, after 20 weeks of hard out training. The following week Megan and I went to our first Dead End Derby league training. We were terrified! Luckily they went easy on us (that night).

We celebrated our transition into the league with our Graduation bout on 24th March, our first ever proper game! I had no idea what I was doing, but it was amazing fun.

It’s hard to believe that I’m skating with girls I’ve been admiring (hero-worshipping) for years. They are such fantastic skaters. And now I get to skate up-close-and-personal with them.

I’m never going to be the best or fastest skater on the track. I just seem to have no natural proficiency at sports. I have to work really hard at it. But in derby, I think I’ve found a sport I can do well at. This might be the beginning of a beautiful thing.

Team Black Sabbath, ready to do some bashing and smashing

Meet Bebe McBash - one happy roller derby girl — Meet Bebe McBash – one happy roller derby girl

Does muscle really weigh more than fat?

March 9, 2013March 9, 2013Bebe2 Comments

A year ago I blogged about gaining and losing weight, and now it’s on my mind again. For the first time in about 8 years, I weigh in at almost 90kgs.

My weight-loss journey began 10 years ago in 2003. In February 2003 I weighed around 125kg, I never exercised, I had high blood pressure, I was seriously unfit, and more to the point, I was really unhappy about it. I’d wanted to lose weight for ages (of course, who wouldn’t!) but I was scared. As a teenager, I’d struggled with cycles of not eating, binge eating and vomiting, so I was worried that any real attempt to diet would trigger that cycle again.

I remember the point that changed things – flipped me from fear of weight-loss to a desire to be fitter. I was in Paris, it was my 30th birthday. I desperately wanted to climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe to see the view. But I knew there was no way I could make it up the 284 steps to the top. I sat under the Arc disappointed with myself while Simon climbed without me. When we returned from Europe, I joined the University of Canterbury gym. I’ve been a member of a gym ever since.

I started with basic stuff – treadmill and cross-trainer. I would work out on the mezzanine overlooking the fitness classes. They looked like a lot of fun and I aimed to join one, one day. When I was fitter. Eventually I progressed to running on the treadmill, and then running around my local park. I never really lost any weight in the first year of my exercise regime. I exercised religiously every other day. I did eventually join the classes and I loved them. Step was my favourite.

Then in 2004 I was told I had liver disease and gall bladder disease. The options were surgery or a change of diet. I chose the latter. I cut down my fat intake to almost zero (I took flaxseed oil every day so I still got the essentials). I was a sugar addict, so I cut this down too – no more sweets, and fewer sugary snacks. The only treats I retained were my apricot fruit cereal bars, and well-sugared coffee. I upped my lean protein intake, and reduced the carbs. The change after this was more dramatic. I lost about 40kgs in a year.

For a number of years after, I would see people I knew from before I lost weight who didn’t recognise me. Like, literally. I would walk up to them and say hi, and then have to reintroduce myself. It was extremely disconcerting. And to be honest, I did feel like a different person. I had more energy, more motivation, I was happier and more outgoing. I felt younger (and looked younger too, I’m told).

My mission since then has been to maintain a healthy size and stay fit. I think I’ve achieved this pretty well. My weight fluctuates +/- 5kgs with the seasons, and with the different exercise routines I adopt – injury makes me switch things around at times.

I’m not naturally athletic. I have to work really hard to stay fit – I have to exercise every couple of days to feel comfortable doing it. Otherwise everything hurts! This is about the amount of exercise that keeps me ticking over – my current regime:

Monday: gym (yoga or cardio class)
Tuesday: hockey (cardio class in the off season)
Wednesday: gym (yoga or dance class)
Thursday: Derby training
Friday: REST DAY!
Saturday: gym (dance class)
Sunday: gym (yoga class + core strength class) and derby training

To my point … all this exercise, and a healthy diet and STILL I weigh in at almost 90 kilograms! I’m told that muscle weighs more than fat (technically this can’t be true: a kilo weighs a kilo whatever type it is), but muscle is much denser than fat, so the same weight of muscle takes up less volume. This is what I’ve been telling myself as I’ve watched the scales creep up from 85 to 89.7 kgs. I’m the same volume, but the distribution has changed.

I think I’ll stop weighing myself, then I can stop thinking about it.

P1030650 — Triumphant at the top of the Arc de Triomphe in 2008

Queenstown

February 2, 2013Bebe1 Comment

We rolled through Queenstown a couple of years ago, and it was the first time I’d been here since the 1980s. It seemed like a soulless place. I’ve been back a few times since, and it’s growing on me.

It certainly is a strange place, made up almost entirely of cafes, bars, restaurants and tourist shops. I’ve only ever been here in winter before, when the place is thick with skiers and adventurers. This time of the year it’s full of hot young things trying with all their might to pretend they are laying on the shores of a tropical beach. In reality, the lake is freezing and I’m not game enough for anything more than a paddle.

I’ve had a really lovely weekend here though. Considering Queenstown’s reputation as the adventure capital of New Zealand, it has a really laid-back vibe.

We’ve had a great time just lazing around in the sun and going for walks. It’s magnificent!

Let the relaxation begin

December 24, 2012January 1, 2013BebeLeave a comment

What a busy month it’s been. Not really different to any month for us, I suppose, but there has been a lot going on to add to the work/life busy-ness.

We got back from Perth on the 25th November, and had a scoping meeting with our EQC building team on the 27th. They wanted to get started as soon as possible so they could finish before Xmas, so we agreed to a start date of 3rd Dec (a Sunday, so they could come and do prep before starting proper on the Monday). So between Wednesday and Sunday that week, we packed everything up, moved everything out, and found somewhere to live for 3 weeks while our fix-up happened. A little stressful, but we managed.

In the meantime, I had a couple of big work deadlines, which in themselves would have kept me very busy. In between all that, a mid-week wedding and family visiting.

We moved out of our temporary accommodation on Friday and went to Tekapo for the weekend. Is been the perfect antidote to a very stressful and busy month.

A side effect of a very busy life is that I’ve learned how to apply the brakes really quickly. I can go from fully stressed and busy to completely relaxed in a couple of days. It takes discipline to really relax when I’m so tightly wound for weeks on end, but its so necessary for sanity.

So right now we are heading back to Christchurch to see if our house is ready to move back into later today (fingers crossed!!). I’m a lot more tanned and a lot more relaxed than when I left on Friday. It’s amazing the difference 3 days can make.

It’s November!

November 2, 2012November 2, 2012Bebe1 Comment

Blog, I’ve been neglecting you. I regularly think to myself “oh, that’s an interesting thought/comment/sight/experience, I should blog about it”. Then the end of the day comes, and I only have time for snuggling with my husband, and none for blogging.

It’s been a huge few months over here. Let me fill you in…

We have finally completed the renovation of our kitchen (I promised photos, didn’t I). It looks great, and have us a good chance to test the paint colour we want to use on the rest of the house (Resene half linen).

We had a visit from the Fletcher’s – our EQC work is due to begin in a few weeks, yikes! That means moving out of our house for about a month while they renovate every room in the house (other than the kitchen of course). It’s going to be AMAZING when it’s done.

We are also very close to settling our land claim with our insurance company, which means we will start renovating our gardens too. It’s going to be a busy December methinks.

Hockey started in September. We have 4 games under our belt now, with 2 wins and 2 losses. I’ve been really enjoying getting involved in the organisation side of things – I’m the manager of the team, and the secretary of our league and of the Canterbury Ice Hockey Association. It’s a lot of work, but I’m learning heaps about sports organisation.

The thing that is most satisfying about hockey is playing with the whole family. As a mum, it’s such a great feeling to see my two lovely children out on the ice together. With Stephen and me also in the team, and Bronwen working her way up through the junior league, we really are a hockey family! It’s not something I ever imagined we’d be doing, but it is so much fun.

I started roller derby training too. Megan and I are doing a 10-week training course to see if we are good enough to go to the next stage (called Fresh Meat). If we make the grade after training, we will spend a few months learning the rules and how to play the game before we have to pass the international skills test. Only THEN can we try-out for a team and start our ass-kicking roller derby careers. Can’t hardly wait!

It’s a busy month ahead too. More to come…

What I’ve learned…

August 31, 2012Bebe2 Comments

…about Melbourne…

It’s a very walk-able city, but if you don’t want to (or have blisters from non-sensible shoes like me) the trams are great! There is a free city circle tram, very handy. The cross-city trams aren’t cheap, but they are very convenient and easy to use. I just purchased a Myki travel card and I’m good to go. Swipe on, swipe off – easy peasy.

There is heaps to see and do; the city is very focused on tourism, and presenting its culture, history and shopping. Shopping shopping shopping. Mostly the window variety for me. I’m saving some interesting-looking areas until Stephen gets here.

Melbournians don’t seem to fond of New Zealanders. I’ve been told 3 times in 2 days by locals that they can’t talk to me because I’m a kiwi. Very weird. I can’t imagine saying that to an Australian in New Zealand. I’m going to tell people I’m from Christchurch from now on. No-one can be mean to a Christchurchian.

Everyone in Melbourne has an iPhone. Everyone. Except the bums, and maybe they do too and I just didn’t see it. And every third person has an iPad or a MacBook Air. This make me feel at home. These are my people. Hip, cool, iPeople.

And there is an ice rink! What’s more, it’s about 5 mins from our hotel! Happyface.

Most of all, what I’ve learned is that I will definitely be back. This is a great city for a quick get-away, easy just to cruise and have fun in.

Bag ahoy

August 9, 2012August 9, 2012Bebe2 Comments

I got a new bag today, I love it. I really like to carry all my stuff around with me everywhere I go. There is nothing more satisfying than being able to pull out a pen, or sticky note, or iPhone cable, or hockey puck when you need one. My new bag fits all this and more.

I got it mostly so I can sling my laptop and charger in it when I’m traveling. It’s a pain to take two bags with me (laptop bag and handbag). And importantly, it fits snacks and extra layers of clothing. So pretty much everything I need to be happy.

For the longest time I didn’t really carry a bag. I just had a little money purse and that was it. They were my nappy bag and toddler backpack days though. During my uni years I had a satchel (it was quite voluminous). Then I discovered the hold-all and I never looked back.

What kind of bag person are you? Are you a minimalist or a hold-all lover like me? What do you think of blokes and bags (the man bag)?

Music taste

July 30, 2012July 30, 2012Bebe3 Comments

Do you judge other people’s music taste? Do others judge yours?

When I was 13, I loved Kenny Rogers. I had The Gambler on cassette tape and played it on high rotation. This was in 1985. My friends were listening to all kinds of other weird and wonderful music – rap, punk, new wave, whatever. I kept my love of country music to myself. I still do. Unless you are a regular passenger in my car, you’d have no idea I like the Dixie Chicks and Shania Twain.

I learned early on that your music tastes tell the world something about who you are. The cool kids only listen to non-mainstream music. Never admit you like One Direction, and definitely don’t do it on Facebook. Unless you like being ridiculed (in a friendly way of course, but still).

How do Justin Bieber and One Direction sell so many albums? No-one I know would ever admit to buying their music (other than Megan, and she was subject to pity from her friends). So presumably people are sneaking off to the music store and squirelling away with a brown paper bag filled with ‘lame, mainstream’ music. I guess iTunes helps there. You can buy whatever you like in the privacy of your own home, judgment-free.

I never understood why it mattered what music I liked – why do you care? I’m not making you listen to my pop-sung-as-Gregorian-chant music, so why should you care if I own three albums of it? Stop laughing!

I’ve been subject to judgment, ridicule and pity over my taste in music my whole life. And I’ve never understood it.

Out and about

June 18, 2012June 18, 2012Bebe2 Comments

I’m sitting in Starbucks in Courtenay Place in Wellington. I finished work a little earlier today, so I’ve taken the opportunity to have a wander around the city. It’s dark and cold and raining and busy and kinda smelly, and totally awesome. I miss my city.

And I miss home today too. I love traveling as I’m sure you know, but I also really love my home and I miss it when I’m away. We are doing lots of exciting things at the moment and I don’t like that I’m missing out because I’m away.

Our new kitchen is slowly taking shape – we have new cabinetry and appliances and the bench arrives on Friday. Then we need to plaster, paint, lay new flooring and fix up a few other bits and bobs. It’s pretty much my dream kitchen…if I ever had such a thing. I’ll show you photos when it’s done (the big reveal).