Ms Fifikins

April

1. 1st April 91/365, 2. 2nd April 92/365, 3. 3rd April 93/365, 4. 4th April94/365, 5. 5th April 95/365, 6. 6th April 96/365, 7. 7th April 97/365, 8. 8th April 98/365, 9. 9th April 99/365, 10. 10th April 100/365, 11. 11th April 101/365, 12. 12th April 102/365, 13. 13th April 103/365, 14. 14th April 104/365, 15. 15th April 105/365, 16. 16th April 106/365, 17. 17th April 107/365, 18. 18th April 108/365, 19. 19th April 109/365, 20. 20th April 110/365, 21. 21st April 111/365, 22. 22nd April 112/365, 23. 23rd April 113/365, 24. 24th April 114/365, 25. 25th April 115/365, 26. 26th April 116/365, 27. 27th April 117/365, 28. 28th April 118/365, 29. 29th April 119/365, 30. 30th April 120/365

Created with fd’s Flickr Toys.

Yet another month done in teh twitter365 photo challenge. MIML asked if I was having trouble coming up with ideas. So far after 4 months, no and I still have a few ideas up my sleave!

Originally uploaded by fifikins

Sent through work email after the symptoms were sent through this morning and half the office thought they had it…

OK! Been a while since I have posted a clip… But this is rather cool!

Past. Present. Future. Over the last few months I have noticed a shift in my thinking. Ever so slowly I have tried to stop focussing on the past and future and focussing on the present.

Part of this has involved my new job. With so much to learn and little experience I have found that I have had to live for the present and am not at all scared to say to someone ‘I don’t know, but I will investigate and get back to you.’ The lack of ‘past’ has not caused anxiety either which is what I was expecting. People haven’t minded when I have taken a little time to get back to them. And getting back has always been within 2-3 days.

And I am not worrying about the future in it too. I have told it is a secure job and they expect me to be there in 20 years! We’ll see! In my last job there was concern about the future. Economic uncertainty meant that there was fear for jobs. Financial worries also crept in with comission targets not met and therefore not bringing home as much as needed.

But I also have to admit it is the past that shapes in more ways than one. 19 years ago today Dad died. I was 17. Mum and Dad had been married 19 years. Dad was into gadgets and fiddling with things in the garage and altering and adapting. He never knew of mobile phones. He never knew of the Internet. I suspect there are a few, er, adult sites he would have loved! Dad would have loved digital photography.

My memories of Dad are of an antsy teenage girl. I was scared of my father but at the same time I think I would have liked to have gotten to know him  as an adult. As an adult who has found her voice. He would be horrified at my political beliefs and athiesm, but at the same time I believe he would have argued points with me. And gotten angry and lost his temper and stormed off… But perhaps not! Perhaps that was what he needed to do to cope with an antsy teenager.

I dreamt of Dad on the weekend. He and Mum were going on an overseas holiday. Now since Dad died Mum has been on numerous trips- With the exception of South America she has visited every continent, even Antarctica! In this dream they were going on their first overseas trip together in years. Dad was frail (he would have been 71 this year) but happy. Mum was excited. It was a strange dream. But then again most of my dreams are!

One year ago I went on a date. I met ‘African Explorer’ for coffee. We had met through RSVP and I did not hold out a lot of hope after prior experiences, but part of me wanted to believe that this would be different. And it was! He had skived off work for an hour (and still managed to take 3 phone calls!) I was still off work after having my tonsils out. But there was something there. I met his friends on the Friday night (just a little daunting!) and it just felt right. From the beginning we said we were taking things slowly, but I think in reality we have taken things as they needed to be taken.

We have had trips to Canberra and Townsville. Some time with the kids, quite a bit without. We are off to Hong Kong at the end of next month. Last night we talked about where we might like to go on holiday next year. But that is about as future as we have taken it. He (now referred to as the gorgeous MIML™!) has exams to pass so he can stay in the country and 18 month to do it. Again time. I have a thesis to finish. I have kids to care for and a new job to learn.

Living in the present doesn’t negate the need for future planning either. I met someone the other weekend who has her life planned for the next 5 years, right down to having another baby aged 39. She was so set on what was going to happen it was rather anal. Broad plans, yes, but as for specifics, meh!

Time will occur whether we are here or not. Time doesn’t fly or drag. It happens and it is what we do with it that is the important part.

Time.

Past. Present. Future.

Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.

But most importantly now.

I signed up and started using twitter just over 2 years ago. My first tweet was that I was procrastinating. Perhaps not a lot has changed! But over these two years I have met some very very funny people who have said some hilarious and often profound things. Just thought I’d share some of my favourites. Not all of my favourites have been included, some for, er, reasons of public decency and some because they are there to remind me of links and the like. Some of these need to be read in context too (particularly the Olympic themed ones!) But sit back and enjoy- there are some very very funny people out there!

neuraxon77I don’t not believe in God, I believe in paradox. *wipes hands* That should cover (confuse) everyone…4:59 PM Apr 9th from twhirl

carloscomputers@SaschaV Yeah no #zombies up here but we do have to watch out for Velociraptors. They tend to lurk in the long grass and cane fields.10:06 AM Apr 6th from Power Twitter

bengrubb“Study’s show that watching Today Tonight reduces the risk of colon cancer and hepatitis c, but increases the risk of mass suicide.”9:50 AM Apr 6th from TweetDeck

whitsundaysNow that food has replaced sex in my life, I can’t even get into my own pants.7:37 PM Apr 5th from web

stephenconroyMy computer is asking if I’d like to help make Windows better. It’s nice to have one’s talents recognized.1:02 PM Apr 3rd from web

injokeI feel like I should be calling the police (whispers) “Hello? … I’m being followed… by 314 people… help mmee.”12:20 PM Apr 3rd from web
sammyjopetersI love reading my twitter stream, because even though it may not be true, I feel like I have heaps of friends. 8:11 AM Mar 10th from twhirl

mister_darcy@fifikins Hello, fine lady. You have befriending my good self. As a gentleman I give equal time to all comely ladies of marriagable age.4:00 PM Mar 9th from web

ASIOAgent @Fifikins’s identity compromised. Assumed captured. Contacting @MarthaStewart in order to commence negiotiations.10:16 PM Mar 7th from web

LilylaurenDwarf fortune teller escaped from jail; the headlines read: “Small medium at large” (via @moose73)9:28 PM Mar 6th from Tweetie

NickHodgewashington can haz a brazillian. no moar bush6:08 PM Jan 21st from mobile web

thomasrdotorgJust working out what goes best with a G+T. Discovered this: another G+T goes best. Eureka!!7:11 PM Jan 18th from Twinkle

artywah@deswalsh calling the telegraph a NEWS paper is going a bit OTT. It’s certainly paper, but news?9:30 AM Jan 13th from TweetDeck

fulltimecasualA can of deodorant exploded in my luggage. My clothes smell like a greek nightclub. 3:24 PM Jan 9th from web

griffmiester@Fifikins tattoo. Is it going to be of a short man in a white suite yelling out “Da Plane, Da Plane!” 1:27 PM Jan 5th from TwitterFon

SylviaDiscountAre you ever using twitter and you suddenly think, “Who are you kidding? No-one gives a f**k what you think”? Just me?9:33 AM Jan 5th from web

craigspryIf I wan an alien and all I had just jacked into the webz I would think that cats speak a strange version of english and humans eat bacon11:15 AM Dec 22nd, 2008 from TwitterFox
lu_luThe carpet cleaning guy came early. Typical male.11:04 AM Dec 22nd, 2008 from txt

craigspryNow that is just the limit, not only does Senator Conroy want to filter my web, he is also a Collingwood supporter12:24 PM Dec 11th, 2008 from BeTwittered

maxcelcatDecember??? How the fuck did it get to be December already??? I wasn’t done with Janurary!11:47 AM Dec 1st, 2008 from TwitterFon

johnlaceyasks himself in moments of quiet desperation: What would @Fifikins do?10:35 AM Nov 11th, 2008 from web

Lilylaurenmorning Twitter am currently busier than the kids section in crown casino carpark in a Saturday night. Grr10:22 AM Nov 11th, 2008 from Twinkle

WarlachDo Telegraph journalists have to try to be awful or do they only hire people whose parents were siblings?12:45 PM Nov 10th, 2008 from mobile web

LisaMareecant understand why the Professor in Gilligans Island could make a phone out of a coconut, but couldnt fix a hole in a boat. =/11:15 AM Nov 7th, 2008 from web
andrewsayerAmericans will go to bed tonight not knowing who’s running the country. Meh. We’ve gone to bed every night for the last year not knowing.2:02 PM Nov 5th, 2008 from web

TerrorBiteParticle physics gives me a hadron.10:59 PM Oct 14th, 2008 from rbot

firstdogonmoonMiley Ray Cyrus to Carlton for pick twelve and box of paper clips11:22 AM Oct 10th, 2008 from TweetDeck

yonderboyyou know that part of your brain that tells you that you shouldn’t say and do certain things? we had a falling out. i’ve fired it..11:13 AM Oct 6th, 2008 from twhirl

docbatyJust a word of warning for you US folks: if the world ends up with Sarah Palin as President I’m never speaking to any of you again.11:08 PM Oct 2nd, 2008 from twhirl

LisaMareeis thinking she made a poor choice of top to wear today. Looks like a circus tent. Now expecting a couple of midget clowns to tumble out.9:50 AM Sep 26th, 2008 from web

loudmouthmanThe Queen will be marking the 50th Annivesary of Blue Peter. They dont expect much organising since they have one they prepared earlier.10:23 PM Sep 24th, 2008 from web

tdm911My McDonalds tall latte is rainforest approved. It’s comforting to know a rainforest approves of my coffee.7:02 AM Sep 6th, 2008 from twitterrific

Alegryarocking an orange safety vest, bet you all wish you looked this good ; )12:21 PM Sep 2nd, 2008 from m.slandr.net

andrewsayerOh well. Another 4 more years of training until the next Torrimpics11:21 PM Aug 27th, 2008 from mobile web

andrewsayerJust came 2nd in the men’s 200mb download. The other guy won by 0.04kb10:59 PM Aug 27th, 2008 from mobile web

ThommoMy supply of ‘giving a fuck’ is running dangerously low.3:44 PM Aug 18th, 2008 from mobile web

yonderboy@praxxis i make my own RAM out of potato peelings, foil and whiteout..10:43 AM Aug 18th, 2008 from twhirl

_pants_If you’re watching 7, welcome to ‘Useless Incidental Facts Hour with Bruce and Sandy’ #08080811:42 PM Aug 8th, 2008 from web

Calypso@fifikins- it’s like an old-fashioned march-past. if it’s good enough for Lakeside Netball Association, it’s good enough for the olympics.11:17 PM Aug 8th, 2008 from web

tribSarah Brightman, last spotted referred to as “mutton dressed as slut” » link to Think of Fug, Think of Fug Fondly #08080811:07 PM Aug 8th, 2008 from twhirl

thomasrdotorg#080808 I predict couldron will be lit Barcelona style but using a trebuchet instead of a bow, and flaming dissedents instead of an arrow10:50 PM Aug 8th, 2008 from web

ExtremoSome people are that dense that if breathing wasn’t such an involuntary action, i’d be concerned for their wellbeing… Seriously…6:34 PM Jul 15th, 2008 from txt

SpigrrlOH on ROVE last night: World Youth Day, the biggest gathering of virgins since the line up for the new iphone. mwahahaha!7:52 AM Jul 14th, 2008 from web

MediamumJust finished editing boring financial newsletter. Only a financier would give Balance Sheet cap letters. How on earth do they get laid?11:07 PM Jul 7th, 2008 from web

andrewbarnett@coliwilso necrophilia is dead boring…10:44 PM Jun 29th, 2008 from web

ExtremoSo much bother for a freaking fruit store opening… WTF?!?!?!5:35 PM Jun 19th, 2008 from web

AshleyAngellSomeone needs to hit Twitter with a defibrilator.1:59 PM Jun 2nd, 2008 from Particls

WarlachI’m off to lunch to clear my head. Never argue with an idiot, they’ll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.1:38 PM May 30th, 2008 from web

loudmouthmanIf I had a lover that went down as often as twitter I dont think id ever get online !6:31 PM May 26th, 2008 from web

stilgherrian@mpesce In last 36hr Twitter dominated by #eurovision and @MarsPhoenix. The two must be combined! JPL geeks in sequins & feathers r0×0rs!1:51 PM May 26th, 2008 from web

andrewbarnetttwitter is my morning writing exercise. the trick, which I’ve yet to master, being then to stop tweeting and start work.6:44 AM May 23rd, 2008 from web

andrewbarnett@andrewdotnich a chick walks into a bar and asks the barman for a double entendre. so he gave her one.2:34 PM May 20th, 2008 from web

fulltimecasualWednesday Afternoon. That beautiful moment when you realise next weekend is closer than last weekend. My heart hasnt been in it this week…3:22 PM May 7th, 2008 from twitterrific

facibusWARNING: TOTALLY UN-PC COMMENT FOLLOWS! Re the Carson thing: A straight guy would know that she just needed to turn up naked to look hot.8:32 PM May 5th, 2008 from web

andrewsayer“In a perfect world,spammers would get caught, go to jail, and share a cell with men who have enlarged their penises and taken Viagra.”7:01 PM Apr 30th, 2008 from web

thetappingmanSwans vs Kangaroos a draw. Kind of like sex without the orgasm 5:17 PM Apr 27th, 2008 from web

twila_zonedDamn…. if I could just Carpe Diem like I Carpe Noctem, life would be so sweet…8:27 PM Apr 25th, 2008 from TwitterFox

notaphysicistFracking academic writing is about as enjoyable to read as the newspaper during an election..11:51 PM Apr 23rd, 2008 from twhirl

agronaughtGeorge bush, when 6 degrees of seperation isnt enough!8:15 PM Apr 23rd, 2008 from twibble

WillHughesFreud is in my mobile, I think. I try to enter mum’s name, and it gives me “Stab” wtf?4:50 PM Apr 22nd, 2008 from web

fulltimecasualDroppin’ Tweets like Galileo dropped the orange…1:21 PM Apr 22nd, 2008 from twitterrific

MediamumOMG found helpful person at Telstra. OMG. She probably won’t last long there 5:31 PM Apr 17th, 2008 from web

NickHodgewoW! 990,122 until I hit a million tweets!12:01 PM Apr 17th, 2008 from web

DanaceaScoping down: SAHM duty calls and the washing up is leering at me in a discomforting fashion. *Sigh* I so need a wife.10:38 PM Apr 14th, 2008 from web

jacquimcgirra little sad that Dame Edna missed out on being Australia’s next Governor-General, but happy with Quentin Bryce nonetheless1:11 PM Apr 14th, 2008 from twitterrific

slick_senecaI think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage. They`ve experienced pain and bought jewelry. by Rita Rudner12:36 PM Apr 14th, 2008 from web

nazgulI need some caffeinated wine.10:14 AM Apr 14th, 2008 from twitterrific

MediamumEvery time I wake up to new followers I feel like Paul McCartney and how he makes money while he sleeps 7:20 AM Apr 14th, 2008 from web

WarWraithHeh. @Adium got nominated for an award by about.com; that’s like getting nominated for Nobel by Paris Hilton9:52 AM Apr 13th, 2008 from twitterrific

KittaHad an epic fail when I tried explaining Twitter to my friends Dad. He said, “is it one of those late night sex chat things?”6:13 PM Apr 12th, 2008 from txt

neuraxon77RSS: The Never Ending Story.9:29 AM Apr 12th, 2008 from TwitterFox

Magnetoboldtoo9.45pm and the tiny terrorist is ASLEEP! Adieu my lovelies, I gotz me hot date with the backs of my eyelids.9:45 PM Apr 7th, 2008 from web

ExtremoOh yea, looks like I’ve caught the ‘crazies’ tram back into the city… They make me feel conservative… 6:04 PM Apr 7th, 2008 from txt

SilkCharmI can’t believe Beyonce got married. It seems like only yesterday she was running around as a half nekkid underage child star.3:56 PM Apr 7th, 2008 from web

karenmarreeif there was an olympic event for procrastination i would win if i could get the entry forms done in time11:33 AM Apr 7th, 2008 from web

chucknorris_Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table, because he only recognizes the element of surprise.10:41 PM Apr 5th, 2008 from twhirl

BZBMartha Stewart just sent me tips on how to spring-clean my house. As if my Mother-in-law doesn’t pressure me enough…!!2:44 AM Apr 5th, 2008 from web

WarWraithIt would be a lot easier to buy fuel if it came with foreplay and lube8:29 AM Apr 4th, 2008 from mobile web

mspechtawake again, this seems to be a habit6:39 AM Apr 1st, 2008 from mobile web

jacklhasabeautiful. webcam works. headset works. god forbid they both work at the same f’n time.8:42 PM Mar 30th, 2008 from im

facibusDear neighbour: how far do you think a shellshocked geek could shove that noisy leaf blower up your backside? Shall we find out? 12:57 PM Mar 30th, 2008 from web

bckI win at alcohol, but not at sober.2:18 AM Mar 30th, 2008 from txt

andrewbarnetttrying to shift the brain onto work matters. but it’s telling me it doesn’t care that a dodgy update process is creating duplicate data.6:43 AM Mar 28th, 2008 from web

justrichlast night I dreamed I was the new yellow wiggle. I’m not sure what to make of that…10:57 PM Mar 25th, 2008 from TwitBin

bethaniebiggest spider i’ve ever seen in our bathroom. it could have its own postcode9:18 AM Mar 24th, 2008 from txt

ThommoShort day, let me introduce you to long weekend. I think the two of you are going to get along just fine.7:27 AM Mar 20th, 2008 from twitterrific

LisaMareePlanning a ‘beers of the world night’ w/ Michael. Its like a contiki tour for the liver 7:38 PM Mar 15th, 2008 from txt

brentoeThere is a girl singing outside my window. “all by myyyself…” No wonder with a voice like that. If I had a brick, I would throw it at her.10:13 PM Mar 12th, 2008 from web

SilkCharmis taking sexy back for a refund. It didn’t really suit her.5:38 AM Mar 8th, 2008 from web

talios“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to walk in the rain.”9:07 PM Mar 4th, 2008 from twitterrific

LisaMareeis getting heaps done! Wahey! Now tomorrow’s task is to get just as much done, but to stuff that relates to my work 12:46 PM Mar 3rd, 2008 from web

andrewsayerGirls are like internet domain names, the ones I like are already taken. But I can stil get one from a strange country, right? Right?10:36 AM Feb 28th, 2008 from web

MediamumI have a hot date tonight. Ironing in front of the tv. Thinking about the vodka that will help it all along nicely.6:28 PM Feb 24th, 2008 from web

griffmiesterI’m just waiting for the report “Mohamed Al-Fayed claims British Royal Family had Heath Ledger Killed”10:14 AM Jan 23rd, 2008 from twhirl

ThommoWhen the shit hits the fan, @Thommo starts tweeting in the third person.3:19 PM Jan 18th, 2008 from mobile web

dekrazee1Found two cockroaches floating in a bucket. Was it a suicide pact, or a homicide disguised as one?7:47 AM Jan 11th, 2008 from im

andrewbarnettThe coffee tastes oddly metallic – I hope I’m not pregnant. That would be awkward.8:36 AM Jan 1st, 2008 from web

NickHodgethis govt has more ministers than the anglican church12:35 PM Nov 29th, 2007 from Snitter

andrewbarnetta colleague once tried musk lollies for first time, described it as tasting like going down on the girl who works at the perfume counter.11:35 AM Oct 19th, 2007 from web

WarlachDealing with NSW Govt departments is like having tantric sex with an egomaniac: It takes forever, you feel dirty and are never satisfied.1:38 PM Sep 14th, 2007 from web

I have many more that are gold starred, but they are from people with private timelines and are therefore not in the public domain, so I have not included them here. But waves to jackienopants, maab, pixel8ted and leslie_nassar! And also coliwilso who I cannot believe I have not favourited any of his tweets! Actually there are lots more tweets I probably should have favourited and I can also probably name a dozen or more other tweeters who crack me up- you kno who you are, or at least I’ll let you think it is you So which tweets do you have favourited?

For some reason I seem to always bake on Good Friday! For years I have made home made hot cross buns. This year I decided to try something different- choc cross buns, but without the crosses!

I found a recipe online and tweaked it to make it my own. It was actually the bestest dough I have ever made in my kitchenaid. Once kneaded it was neither dry nor sticky and did it rise! I wish now I had taken photos along the way, but still, I have some of the finished products:

We did smilies:

And stars:

And even treble clefs:

They may look quite artisan like, but they tast damn fine!

Oh and the recipe I adapted:

2 x 8g sachets dried yeast
Pinch of salt
5 cups plain flour
1 tablespoon cocoa
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
60g butter, melted
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 packet (250g) chocolate chips
1/3 cup water

1) Combine milk, yeast, salt and a pinch of sugar in a jug. Whisk together until combined.

2) Place the flour, cocoa and cinnamon together into a bowl (I used the mixer bowl.) Add 2 tablespoons of sugar (the remainder of the sugar will be used in the glaze), yeast mixture, butter and egg. With the dough hook, blend mixture together (speed 1). Increase speed to 2 and knead until dough is smooth, about 6-10 minutes. Place into a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm place for up to 1 1/2 hours or until the dough doubles in size.

3) Punch dough down to its original size with your fist. Add chocolate chips and knead until well combined. Divide dough into 12 even portions and shape into balls. Place into a 20×30cm pan lined with baking paper about 1cm apart. Cover with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm place for 30 minutes or until buns double in size. Preheat the oven to 200ºC

4) Make a paste for the top decorations. I used about 3tbs plain flour, 1tbs cocoa and enough water to make a pipe-able paste and put it in my Tupperware piping do-dad! When the buns are ready to go into the oven, pipe on the decorations.

5) Bake buns for approx. 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of one of the buns comes out clean.

6) To make the glaze, put the boiling water and 2 tablespoons sugar in a ceramic bowl and microwave for 5 minutes. This can be done on the stove, but I find the microwave easier! Brush warm glaze over warm buns.

7) Serve Chocolate Hot Cross Buns warm or at room temperature.