751. What causes you to panic? I seem to be fairly alright in emergencies; what makes me panic is stuff most people probably don’t think would.
752. Do you believe that you have a strong personality? I don’t know. I’d like to say yes, but then I think probably not.
753. When Jesus saves souls…does he trade them in for valuable prizes? For sure. Like iPods and Hummers.
754. What resolutions would you make if it were new years? Stop procrastinating.
755. Why wait? Because I’m a procrastinator…
756. Do you feel like time is on your side or working against you? Right now, worked against me!
757. What do you do for yourself when you are down to put a little joy back into your life? Watch a favourite movie. And to be honest, buying something nice for myself generally also helps.
758. How much Tolkien have you read? Zero.
759. These are the songs on the radio. Which are you most likely to listen to:
Time Bomb by Rancid
Dead Man’s party by Oingo Boingo
The Sun Always Shines on TV by A-ha
50 Ways to leave Your Lover by Paul Simon
Run by collective Soul
None of them.
760. Do you believe that Jesus existed as a real person? It is highly likely that he did, but I really don’t care either way.
761. Do you believe he was the son of god? No. That is ridiculous.
762. How do you feel about organized religion? It serves a purpose and there is anthropological evidence to suggest people have always held some kind of belief in higher powers, but I do wish religion didn’t cause the troubles it has done.
763. What sentence have you heard lately, that would sound pretty odd out of context? Pretty much everything I’ve said recently and I’m not going into it.
763. If you had to choose one image to be a symbol of our times, what would you pick? Hm, probably a computer or something along those times, to signify our dependence on technology.
764. Name a group of people: Angry vegans.
765. How many of them does it take to screw in a light bulb? One. The rest will tell him or her he’s not vegan enough because the light bulb was made buy a company that is owned by a company that owns another company that used to test on animals.
766. Do you like the movie The Labyrinth with David Bowie and some muppets? Lol, what I saw of it bored me to death.
767. Do you like the movie The Dark Crystal? Have not seen it.
768. Metallica or Guns N’ Roses? Metallica.
769. Do you follow the Chinese zodiac? No, but I’m a dragon, which I think is fucking awesome.
770. Do you like reggae music? Why yes, yes I do.
771. What makes your life worth it every day? What I have and the possibilities before me.
772. Do you seize each day and sink your teeth into it? No, no I do not.
773. I’ve heard people say that Jim Morrison never yawned because he was just so full of life. How often do you yawn? Depends how tired I am, but quite a lot, I think. The only reason Jim never yawned was because he was full of drugs…
774. Who decides what behavior is ‘crazy’ or ‘sane’? The bourgeoisie and the drug companies.
775. Who are the most inspiring artists, musicians, poets, and writers? Da Vinci, Toulouse-Lautrec, Dali, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Bon Iver, Jack Kerouac, Austen, to name only a small selection.
776. Did anything historically significant happen in the year you were born? Lots of really fascinating crap.
777. Besides blowing out birthday candles when do you make wishes? I don’t, really.
778. Are you self-sufficient? As in how?
779. Is it better to be wanted or needed? Depends on the context, really. Both are fine, as long as it’s not ridiculous.
780. What do you feel is an appropriate age to lose one’s virginity at? Whenever it feel like the right time for the people involved.
781. Do you feel that the appropriate age for girls and for boys is different? No, since it’s not really about age, I don’t think.
782. Are you a hard person to get to know? Yes. I have Brick Wall Syndrome. Good luck getting passed it.
783. What is the craziest thing you have ever done out of anger? Just said some awful things.
784. What’s the MOST annoying sound you can think of? The beeping a car makes when the key’s in the ignition but the driver’s door is open.
785. What’s the silliest vegetable you can think of? Yams. They look weird.
786. Would you believe in a love at first sight? If my own love at first site, I might. Not likely though.
787. Name one thing you have referred to in the past as “better than sex”: Chocolate, and some TV show episodes (I know right?! I’m so weird). But they generally actually aren’t.
788. What do you see when you turn out the light? Nothing…
789. Do you like jazz, blues and/or swing music? Yes, yes and yes.
790. Do you prefer gold or silver jewelry? Silver.
791. In what ways do you want your children to be like you? I want them to have the kind of compassion I have, to see that people should be treated equally, to be strong like me.
792. In what ways would you want your children to be different from you? More confident and better at facing their fears.
793. What was the scariest movie you’ve ever seen? The Ring freaked me out when I saw it.
794. What was the funniest movie you’ve ever seen? There have been many, but Death At A Funeral had me in FITS the whole way through.
795. What was the worst movie you’ve ever seen? Havoc. It took me awhile to watch Anne Hathaway movies again.
796. Are you a good massage-giver? Yes, apparently.
797. What is one question that no one can ever truthfully answer ‘yes’ to? I don’t care.
798. Is there more to this world than human beings can perceive? Yes, of course.
799. If matter is neither created nor destroyed then is it possible that you are made up of molecules that once made up Ghandi or Jesus or Einstein? Yes, that’s why I’m so great, duh.
800. Are you often sarcastic? See above.

701. What is your favorite mixed drink? I don’t have one.
702. When answering these questions are you often pulled in different directions, as if committing to one answer eliminates the possibility for all others? I often feel pulled in difference direction, but I don’t feel that committing to one answer eliminated the possibility of all others. It’s just a sruvey!
703. Chicken Mesala, Pasta Primavera, Veal Cutlet Parmesan or Linguini with Clam Sauce? Well none, really.
704. If you were alone in your friend’s house/room/apartment would you look in their drawers and notebooks? No way, that’s awful!
705. What would you really like to do but you don’t because you are afraid of getting caught? No comment.
706. Of the following, which word best describes you:
responsible:
spontaneous:
tactful: Probably this one.
uninhbited:
707. Which band would you most likely check out?
The Smiths (indi-pop 80′s-90′s) This one.
The Lords of Acid (acid/house/dance 90′s)
Front 242 (80′s-90′s industrial/dance)
708. How can one put an end to procrastination, as a bad habit? Figure out WHY they procrastinate so much and fix that problem. Or alternatively, just stop it and get things done.
709. What feature would you want on your car that is not currently offered? Fairy wings.
710. What kind of poetry speaks to you? Not much, to be quite honest.
711. What is your favorite store that is open 24 hours? I don’t have one.
712. Do you find that sleep is just so much sleepier when you are supposed to be doing something else? Why yes, yes I do.
713. Do you also find that the books you chose are so much more luscious when you have a stack of actual assignments that you Should be reading? Yes…
714. If you have had the chance to compare the original 5000 Question Survey (http://opendiary.com/entrylist.asp?authorcode=A894446)to this edited version, what is your opinion? n/a
715. What’s the most creative answer you can think of for ‘what is black and white and red all over’? My cat Molly after a run-in with red paint.
716. Why do people slow down on the highway when they pass a police car pulling someone else over? Cause they don’t want the cop to notice they were also speeding. Or they don’t want to crash into either car.
717. Are they afraid that the cop will STOP pulling over whoever he is pulling over and pull them over instead? See above.
718. It’s daddy’s birthday. What do you get him? Hm, a book.
719. What’s your 5,000 question survey nickname?
Look at the word next to the 2nd letter of your first name
A anything but
B bubalicious
C captivating
D deadly
E erotic
F funky
G greasy
H heaps of
I indie
J jelly
K kinetic
L lasher
M Mr. (or Mrs.)
N neglected
O ogre-like
P parading
Q quacking
R Rico
S stinky
T the one and only
U uber
V Velcro
W wishing for
X x-tra
Y yearning for
Z zoobalee

Put the two words together for your nickname. Anything but God.

720. You know that shaky feeling that you get when it’s all coming to a climax, and everyone involved is breaking into the good kind of cold sweat, working as individuals and at the same time as a single force of energy, and it all meshes together, and for a brief moment, you’re holding your breath and tingling all over, and after it’s done you’re on an explosive and dizzying high for the rest of the night?

What does that feeling come from? Lots of things. But not sex.

I’m lying.
721. How many of your teachers can you imagine drinking or doing drugs on the weekends? Ha, quite a few.
722. Do you like Alice in Wonderland or Through the Looking Glass? I’ve only ever read Alice.
723. Write a question and answer it here. What is your favourite colour of sock? Black.
724. Who is your favorite playwright? Don’t have one.
725. What movie has come out recently that you couldn’t have less interest in? Pretty much all of them.
726. What would the worst movie ever be about? Paint drying.
727. Do you like truffles? Yes.
Do you like Turkish delight? Yes.
728. Can you tell the difference between a transvestite and a real woman? Generally, yes.
729. What’s funnier, plants or fire extinguishers? Fire extinguishers.
730. For question 720 did you write down sex? Yes,
You pervert, I was thinking of musical theater. Lol.
731. Which is better, leopard print or plaid? Leopard print.
732. What would you consider ordinary? Pretty much most things.
733. What is out of the ordinary? Pigs flying.
734. Do you ever watch COPS? Nah.
735. Is there always room for j – e – l – l – o? Of course.
736. If you had your own TV show, what kind of show would you make it? One with a lot of very attractive men.
737. Do you know how heavy things like airplanes stay in the air? No, I couldn’t actually explain that to you.
738. When do you act the most dramatic? When it’s not serious.
739. Are you one of those people who have, “see photo id,” written on the back of their credit cards? No.
740. It’s mom’s birthday. What do you get her? Gardening stuff.
741. What celebrity has pretty much disappeared leaving you wondering ‘where are they now’? Um.. Hm, obviously they’ve all disappeared from my thoughts, too.
742. Would you get angry if you and your girl/boyfriend saw the preview for a movie and talked about seeing it together and then they saw it with one of their friends while you were busy? Yes. Asshole.
743. How many people do you think will finish this whooooooole survey? Not many.
744. Have you ever written a message, sealed it in a bottle and thrown it into a river/lake/ocean?
I think maybe when I was 7?
745. If you haven’t would you want to? I might.
746. If you ever did what would you write? I don’t remember.
747. What do you wish you could always be protected from? Financial difficulties.
748. What small thing annoys you so much it should be a crime? Groups of people talking in the way of exits. JUST FUCKING MOVE.
749. Would you rather watch a video of fish in a tank, or the Yule log on TV? I don’t know what the Yule log is.
750. Is it better to be loved or feared? Loved.

I’m very excited about an upcoming event I’m attending with my eldest sister. Our favourite book’s author, Paullina Simons, is going to be at a PaperPlus Books and Bubbles evening with Kerre Woodham and we’re going to it! How cool is that? I really hope we get to meet Paullina so we can gush like fangirls tell her how much we adore her work, especially The Bronze Horseman trilogy. Older readers of my blog may remember my frequent Paullina/Bronze Horseman related posts, which is fairly indicative of my level of love for her work.

She has a new book out, A Song in the Daylight (scroll down a bit for synopsis), just in time for my summer vacation. I plan to buy it and spend a few days devouring it after my exams are over. Funnily enough, the Books and Bubbles evening happens to be on the same day as my last two exams, so what a perfect way to round off my first set of university exams!

This week is my last week of classes before my exams, all of which take place during the first week of November. Sitting here right now I am exhausted but incredibly happy with my accomplishments over the last 12 weeks. I do feel quite a bit different just having gone through my first semester at university; I don’t know if it’s something others notice, but I certainly do. I’ve gained a higher level of independence and overcome many fears, both of which have contributed to a much-needed growth in confidence!

Anyway, I will be sure to blog more about this subject at a later time when I’m not so tired. In the meantime, click below to read the latest instalment of the 5000 Question Survey.

Continue reading »

Disclaimer: I have had a few wines, so I apologise in advance for any nonsense.
601. Do you have a lust for life? Generally yes, but not right now.
602. Do you want to get more out of life? Of course.
603. Would you want to learn to:
Convert to Buddhism? Hm, some of it is useful, but no.
Cure a hangover? Yes please.
Lie persuasively? No, I already can.
604. What character from a movie is most like you? Um, I’m not sure. Amelie?
605. Are you comfortable with the idea of your own death? No, I have far too much to do before that happens.
606. How do you feel about arranged marriages? I feel badly about them.
607. What do you hate that everyone else seems to like? Sport?
608. What do you like that others seem to hate? Tofu?
609. If you had to be named after a month, which month would you pick? October, because it seems the lease likely to be a name. Or something.
610. Is time more like a highway or a meadow to you? Neither, actually.
611. What is your favorite movie? Amelie.
612. Which would you choose to be back in the day: a warrior, an alchemist, a minstrel, a bard, an oracle, a peasant, or a merchant? A whore.

No, I’m kidding. An alchemist!
613. What is your favorite song lyric? I don’t have an all-time favourite, but I do adore ‘Everybody Here Wants You’ by Jess Buckley. Tis pretty.
614. What will you never run out of? Sarcasm.
615. If you could force someone to fall madly in love with you, (anyone you choose) would you do it? Why yes, yes I would. The trouble would be deciding on who should fall to that fate. Hmmm.
616. Have you ever seen the Disney movie The Black Cauldron? Nope.
617. Have you ever read The Black Cauldron by Alexander Lloyd (or any of his other books in the Prydain Chronicles)? Nope.
618. Have you ever written a paper the night before it was due? Yes. Not a good idea.
How about the day it was due? No.
619. Is there a movie you have watched so many times that you can quote it line for line?
Pretty much The Hairy Bird, Now and Then or the entire BBC production of Pride and Prejudice.
620. What is your favorite season? Summer.
621. Do you mind being described as cute? Generally, no.
622. What is the tackiest object in your home? Nothing.
623. What do you think people are most ignorant towards? Other people.
624. What is it that makes you an interesting person? The stuff I don’t tell anyone.
625. What makes other people interesting to you? That I cannot pinpoint.
626. How open to suggestion are you? Depends on my mood.
627. Is Michael Jackson black or white? It doesn’t matter if he was black or white. Yes, that was a deliberate pun, but I do actually believe it.
628. Are you often lonely? No.
629. What’s the most unusual pet you’ve ever had? Frog.
630. Have you ever threatened an authority figure? Yes.
631. If you had to choose would you rather make all your decisions henceforth with your head only or with your heart only? Head.
632. How imaginative are you? Fairly.
633. Do you like the Counting Crows? Meh, not really.
634. Where did you find this survey? I Googled it!
635. Are you more tense or laid back? Outwardly laid back, inwardly tense.
636. Does your happiness depend on anyone else, or are you happy no matter what any one says or does? I can depend on others. That is to say my emotions can be influenced by how those around me feel and behave.
637. What do you think of the idea of putting the bible into the format of a fashion magazine to attract the interest of teenagers? No, no, and more no. The bible should be completely destroyed altogether.
638. How often do you drink to get drunk? Not very often at all.
639. Would you consider yourself to be diplomatic? Yes, but also very much no. Stupid people should not have any say in anything, and should just fuck off, which is not very diplomatic.
640. Do you think that most of the classes you have taken were taught in such a way as to make plain the relevance of the subject matter in your everyday life? Pretty much.
641. Do you remember Crystal Pepsi? Nope.
642. When was the last time you spent a night away from home? Saturday.
643. Some people say that there is no such thing as a stupid question. Is that true? Yes it is, and anyone who says otherwise is just lying.
644. What is the most interesting TV channel? None of them, really.
645. Name one song you could live without hearing ever again: Pretty much anything by Pink.
646. Do your pets understand you when you talk? Of course they do! Well, some things, anyway.
647. What are three things you HAVE NOT done that might surprise people? Illegal drugs, no comment, no comment.
648. Have you ever had a secret admirer? Not that I’m aware of.
649. Have you been to a museum this year? No!
650. Do you ever watch porn? No comment.

I swear this quiz is an incredibly useful procrastination tool. Right now I should be catching up on my clinical and health psychology readings (thankfully I’m ahead for sociology and don’t have anything other than revision to do for English).

551. What is the most magical thing that has ever happened to you? I think the most magical thing I experience is the fun I have with, and the love I give and receive, to my niece and nephews. I know it might sound a bit cheesy, but I think it’s a really special bond I have with each of them. I cherish it so much and they truly are the most wonderful beings in existence. Sure, all kids are a bit cute in their own way, but my babies are soooo muuuch bettterrr!!!
552. How would you tell your friend his or her fly was open in public? Discretely.
553. Does a good friend tell you you’ve got something in your teeth or pretend not to notice it? Tell you! I hate it when people don’t say stuff like that. I mean, they don’t have to shout it to the world, but please tell me!
554. The world has many secrets. Have you learned any? Will you share it? I’m not sure if I have, to be honest. If I had, I would probably share.
555. Are there any bands you like so much that you want to get their music video collection on DVD? I was so obsessed with the Red Hot Chili Peppers at 14 that I did get their, then, video collection on DVD… Now? Hm, maybe, but probably not.
556. What do you need advice about? Studying for exams.
557. Have you been half-asleep and have you heard voices? No, but I lucid dream all the time.
558. Do you have a good luck charm? Nope.
559. Should animals have the same right to life as people? Yes, yes, yes.
560. What is your least favorite body part? Thighs, tummy or upper arms.
561. Do you enjoy British comedy? Generally, yes.
562. Are there ever happy endings or does nothing end? Pretty much everything ends; sometimes it’s happy and sometimes it’s not.
563. What is your worst trait? I’m not the best at keeping in touch with people. I tend to get so caught up in whatever I’m doing that I sometimes just…don’t. I also think it has a lot to do with the fact that I haven’t really had a big base-network of friends around me (as in, in the same city) since I was about 12, so I’ve gotten into the habit of not NEEDING to keep in touch so much. I’m used to doing my own thing, or hanging out with family, or catching up over an email/IM, so it’s not like an automatic reflex to constantly check in on friends.
564. Is the world more beautiful because of love? It can be, yes. I think when you consider all the different kinds of love out there, it is. Well, if you’re lucky enough to experience a few of them. If you don’t have so many great, loving people around you, it would be hard to remain optimistic about it. I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by some damn good love, so my world is beautiful because of it. Doesn’t fix the world as a whole though. :/ People should be a bit more loving, yes?
565. What is the essence of you? Atoms.
566. What really inspires you? People I’m close to, people I don’t know who do kind things, nature, knowledge, art of various kinds, the experiences of others, experiences of my own, music, stories, films, the list could go on and on and on forever and ever Amen.
567. Have you met your soul mate? I don’t believe in them. I think we all have several people with whom we could have potentially awesome relationships. I’m not sure I’ve met any of those people, yet. Who knows, maybe I already know some of them, but don’t know we’d be fantastic together?
568. Is everyday a special occasion? No, some are just plain crap/boring/blah.
569. What sound would you rather hear than any sound in the world? Running water (like a soft waterfall or fountain), bird song or children’s laughter.
570. Of the following which word best describes you:
natural: To a point.
outgoing: Depends on my mood.
polite: Almost always.
quick thinking: Ha, that would depend on how much sleep I’ve had and whether I’m preoccupied or not.
571. Do any commercials make you want to break your TV? Those god-awful Sensodyne toothpaste ones. They are the most ridiculous pieces of crap in existence. SHUTUPSHUTUP.
572. Have you ever lost your religion? I never had a religion to begin with, so no.
573. Do you want to share your life with someone? Yes, that would be nice.
574. Where ARE the wild things? Generally outside, but sometimes inside too. Like in corners.
575. Would you rather have a child genetically related to you or an adopted child? I don’t mind, really. I think it would be wonderful to adopt. There are so many children who need loving homes and I think it’s incredibly special to be able to give at least one of them that. That being said, I’ve always wanted to experience pregnancy. It would be cool if I could do both!
576. If I had a birthday party would you come? I don’t know who you are…
577. What seemingly impossible thing is POSSIBLE? Getting over fears and finding the light at the end of the Depression Tunnel. I think if I had to tell anyone experiencing it something, it would be ‘Hold on’. And also ‘You have to work for it, sorry. I know it sucks at times, but it’s worth it.’
578. What song do you love to sing out loud? Pretty much all songs I love, but I’m especially fond of singing ‘Knock Me Down’ by Keri Hilson at the moment.
579. Have you ever run through the woods naked and played in a stream (you should)? No, I’ve not. If we had a stream in our woods I might consider it.
580. Have you ever taken long solitary night walks? Nah, that’s not really my style. Read: I’m too chicken.
581. Is there more to you than anyone knows? Not stuff that noone knows, but what you get at first is really only the tip of the iceberg.
582. Can you make tonight the night that you do the things you always wanted to do? No I’ve really got to do some reading.
583. Would you rather watch life on TV or LIVE it? Live it!
584. What keeps you chained down? The limitations I put on myself.
585. What is the nagging feeling in the back of your head? Do your psychology readings, Sam. DO THEM NOOWWW.
586. Do you celebrate yourself? Not as much as I probably should. Us Kiwis are quite bad at giving ourselves the credit we deserve. I hate that. Just acknowledge your awesome accomplishments, people!
587. Does everyone get the same opportunities in life? My God, no. If we did, the world would be a very different place. I really wish people did and I would like to help fix this issue.
588. What would you consider to be better than sex? Really…nothing. Though, I suppose it depends on my mood. Sometimes, chocolate is actually better than sex, as is shopping and wine and cuddles. But generally no, nothing is better than sex.
589. What evil is necessary? Some of it in order to appreciate the good we do have.
590. What’s your favorite one hit wonder? How ’bout that Chumbawumba song? Or ‘My Sharona’ by whatever they’re called. Or..um…oh there’s another one I like, but I forgot it.
591. What would you do anything for? I don’t think there is a thing I would do ANYTHING for. My family are not things, so they don’t count, but even if they were, there might be a few things I would not do. Like I might not kill myself for them or something, unless they would all die if I didn’t. You know, stuff like that. There are always limitations on everything.
592. Do you celebrate the full moon? No, but I think it’s beautiful.
593. Have you ever gone in the water at the beach at night? Nope.
594. Are you ordinary? Yeah, pretty much. I’m pretty regular and usual. I slip on by, unnoticed, I think. It doesn’t bother me anymore. I used to want to be really unique; well, considered so by other people, but I’m over that now. Sure, some of things I do/say/wear/many of my beliefs may not be ordinary, but they don’t make me particularly special.
595. What makes people want to hang out with you? I don’t know, why don’t you ask them?
596. Have you ever felt like you’ve been a little bit too good to someone? At times, yes.
597. What book did you like that you had to read for school? I didn’t have to read any books for school.
598. What book should everyone have to read in school? To Kill A Mockingbird and at least one Jane Austen novel.
599. Do you like the store Old Navy? Don’t have it here.
600. What movie sequels do you like? Um…none, really. I don’t tend to go for movies that have sequels.

In the last couple of days I’ve actually taken the time to watch two films (something of a rare occurrence these days), one of which left me fairly unimpressed and the other with a few tears, wondering why the world is so damn unfair. In the interest of a) procrastinating going to bed and b) not posting a 5000 Question Survey instalment for a few days, I though I’d write about them.

I suck at reviews, so these are technically not reviews, ok? They’re just a jumble of thoughts regarding each. Got that? Good!

High Noon, 1952, starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, directed by Fred Zinnemann.
According to the back of the DVD case, this is one of the classic Western films, and it won 4 Oscars¹. Anyway, Cooper plays Will Kane, a marshal who, five years earlier, sent the town’s main trouble maker, Frank Miller, to prison. The film is set entirely on the day Kane gets hitched to Amy (Kelly). Right after their ceremony, at like 10am, the train station guy comes with a message that Frank Miller is out of Prison and coming back to town on the 12pm train. Everyone assumes he’s going to exact his revenge of Kane, with the help of three buddies. Unfortunately Kane doesn’t have any deputies and no one in town is willing to help him (all for really dumb reasons, if you ask me), so he has to go it alone. He’s all depressed about it and generally comes across as really annoying.

Long story short, Miller comes to town with his buddies and they try to kill Kane, who somehow manages to kill all but one – his new Quaker wife finally gets over her violence-phobia to pop one of them. Hurrah, Kane wins and all is joyous.

So, this film is supposed to have one of the most epic showdowns in Western film history, right? Um, no, not really. I thought it was going to be full of suspense and great action, but it really wasn’t. It was quite boring. Obviously this is because it’s 2009 and I’m used to seeing people get their heads blown off, among other things, so High Noon seemed positively docile in comparison.

I would also like to note, entirely superficially, that Gary Cooper is not handsome, Grace Kelly was unremarkable and the acting was absolutely shit. I did, however, adore Katy Jurado, who played Helen Ramirez (Kane’s ex). She was freakin’ gorgeous and feisty, unlike Kelly’s wet-blanket, Amy.

Despite its shortcummings, it was actually kind of cool, in that old Western way, you know?

¹Lead actor, best editing, best music – original song, best music – scoring for comedy or drama.

Rabbit Proof Fence, 2002, starring Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury, Laura Monaghan and Kenneth Branagh, directed by Phillip Noyce.
This is the film adaptation of the book Follow The Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington Garimara. The story is of Garmara’s mother (Molly), aunt (Daisy) and their cousin (Gracie), three Aboriginal-white girls, who in 1931 were stolen by the Australian government¹. It was believed best to integrate the “half-castes” into European culture and society with the eventual aim of “breeding the Aborigine out” after a few generations.

The girls were taken to the Moore River Native Settlement, just north of Perth, where they stayed for a little while until Molly, age 14, decided they should run away back home, 2,400km away. Despite an Aborigine tracker as well as numerous officials being sent to try and recapture the girls, they managed to evade them all. At some point they found out they could follow the rabbit-proof fence, which runs along 3,253km of Western Australia, in order to get home. So, this is what they do and for nine long weeks they girls walk. At one point the guy who is basically in charge of stealing all these kids, Mr Neville (Branagh), says to spread word that Gracie’s mother is waiting for her in the town of Wiluna, so Gracie decides to go there instead. Molly and Daisy walk on, but end up going back for Gracie, only to witness Gracie being recaptured. The two girls continue on home, eventually making it back to their mother and grandmother. The four of them immediately set out into the desert to avoid recapture.

In the epilogue it says that Molly went on to marry and had two daughters, both of whom were also stolen. At one point she managed to get one of them back and had to walk the rabbit-proof fence all over again. She never saw or heard of her other daughter again. She and Daisy appear at the end of the film but Gracie died while, I think, still a child.

All throughout watching this film I felt a deep sense of anger at the insanity of the government doing what they were doing. How could they steal people’s children??? The ignorance is so appalling . However, perhaps they really did believe what they were doing was right, that white people are somehow superior to everyone else. I just wanted to stamp my feet and scream at them all. These poor children being ripped from their families and put into these bloody awful camps where God knows what horrors awaited them. Then, of course, the families who have their precious children taken from them, ripped away and never seen or heard from again. I’m sitting here even now feeling so horrified and ANGRY. It’s not like this sort of thing never happens anymore, because ethnic-cleansing and other issues of racism, etc. still exist all throughout the world. It’s one of the major things that really bugs me about humanity. We’re so bloody easily locked into our little segregated groups and woe be to anyone who tries to mix that up.

So, Rabbit Proof Fence. You must see it.

¹The stealing of these children actually continued until around 1970.

This last week has been incredibly stressful with assignments and coursework due, plus some family stuff. The rest of the semester will be fairly quiet from this point on, thank God. There have been a few times where I’ve honestly felt like bawling my eyes out and hiding in a corner somewhere, but I got through it and have learned some valuable (non-academic) lessons a long the way. Tis over now, so I can stress the fuck out about exams, next.

501. If you could rename yourself what would your new name be? When I was little I always wanted my middle name to be my first name, so I made people call me Jade. Now, however, I really like my name. Granted, I never really go by Samantha as I’m much more of a Sam, but I wouldn’t change it to anything else.
502. What is your Glam Rock name (the name of your first pet plus your street name)? I won’t use my current street name, because it’s really lame, so I’ll use the one from where I lived last: Lucky Stout. Not very glam rock… More like a beer.
503. Have you ever created your own ‘what ___ are you’ quiz? Yes, when I was around 14/15.
If you did make one what would it be about? Now? What piece of furniture are you, or something as equally ridiculous.
504. What is your favorite song from the 70′s? ‘Wish You Were Here’ by Pink Floyd
505. What do you feel like complaining about? My own stupidity, crap time management skills and…that’s all.
506. What do you feel like celebrating? Nothing, really. I’m not in a celebratory mood.
507. Have you lost touch with anyone you should call? Not really, no.
508. Deep in thought do you forgive everyone? No.
509. Can a person speak out against their government and still support their country? I think so. I support my country, but I don’t support everything the current government is doing or what they stand for, etc.
510. What do you have faith in? I honestly don’t know. The answer should be myself, but I’m feeling a bit grumpy with myself at present.
511. Do you believe your government has a file on you somewhere? They’ve probably got files on everyone.
512. What (not who) do you care about? Knowledge.
513. What is the worst thing that could possibly happen to you? My family all dying or disowning me or something along those lines.
514. Who or what is really the absolute root and source of all evil? Everyone/thing has the capacity for evil. It’s tempting to say the human desire for power is the root and source of all evil, but I’m not sure if I believe that 100%.
515. What do you want to change about the world? See above, and I would like genuine equality between EVERYONE.
516. Why did you decide to complete this survey? Because one day I was bored, and I like to start what I finish [ETA: oops, I must be tired!] finish what I start.
517. Has anyone ever led you on? Yes.
518. What was the last thing you did against your will? Probably something I didn’t even realise I was really doing against my will.
519. What are your plans for the rest of today? I’m going to remain on my bed, or in front of the TV until I want to go to bed.
520. How can you make tomorrow better than today was? I would like to partake in a spot of shopping because I like to buy things when I’m feeling a bit blah. Even though I know it wont fix my mood or be any good in the long run. I just like to anyway. But I do actually need a couple of things, so there is my excuse. It wont be completely pointless. I will also be spending tomorrow day and night at my sister’s, looking after my niece and nephew.
521. Would you rather date someone 4 feet tall or 9 feet tall? Neither.
522. How often do you get jealous? Not that often, really.
523. What is the one thing you do that your friends wish you didn’t? Um, I don’t know. They’re too nice to tell me?
524. Do you do any soul searching? Yes, it’s called ‘finding myself’. I mentioned I was looking in cupboards for me a few surveys back. Still no luck there.
525. Do you believe you have a soul? Yes but I think my definition of it might a bit different to the usual one.
526. Would you rather have a child that is more confident or more curious? Confident, mainly because I’m very aware from my own lack of it how important it really is. I hope my children are also curious though, and always search for meaning, truth, knowledge, etc.
527. Are you a slave to love? Perhaps a bit.
528. If you were going to write a bedtime story for someone you loved what would it be about? It would be about us and probably something with inside jokes and about how much I love them.
529. Does anyone understand you? A few people are pretty good at it.
530. Do you understand yourself? Fairly well, actually. I’m psych student, self-awareness is what I do.
531. Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: Which is your element? Earth.
532. Who influences you to be the way you are? Lots of people who I’m too tired to list.
533. What is one idea that you live by? That you get what you give.
534. How can people act to make you want to get to know them? Warmly, and humour helps.
535. Are you more delicate or tough? I’m more “delicate” in truth, but I put up a tough front most of the time.
536. Would you rather be smarter or more beautiful? Smarter.
537. Have you ever had a surprise party? No. Wouldn’t mind one, though.
538. When are you at a loss for words? Quite often, especially around inappropriate men that I happen to like.
539. What is the worst time to be alone? When I’m really sad.
540. What do your parents do that you will try never to do? No comment.
541. What gets you through the night? Sleep… lol
542. Do you really want to live forever? I think it would be amazing to see so much change, but I don’t think I’d actually want to, for real.
543. Do you often experience powerful emotions? Yes, I do. Mostly I don’t mind.
544. What could make you so happy right now that you would cry and laugh and sing? No comment.
545. Who is your favorite visual artist? I don’t have one.
546. What would you like to protest against? Hm, today I’m in the mood to protest against…nothing.
547. What or who do you support? Animal Rights issues, Human Rights issues, zero violence against kids, chocolate, bubble baths and three hour long massages.
548. If you found out you were pregnant today, would you have an abortion? I really don’t know. I’m not convinced I could realistically raise a child and continue at university and I’m not prepared to give up on my dreams yet. I think it would be better for me to get one, but I’m not sure I could go through with it.
549. Do you like picking out greeting cards or would you rather write your own? Depends who it’s for and what mood I’m in.
550. Do you like to be thought of as mysterious? I don’t care, to be honest.

On a completely unrelated note, I seem to have developed a stress twitch in my right lower eyelid. It’s been happening for two weeks, almost constantly. I think it’s definitely stress induced because it was behaving earlier this evening and then when I was on the phone to the bank and had to be on hold, which was eating into my study time, and so on, it came back.

It’s very annoying and totally noticeable. All I would need to start doing is dribbling and/or frothing at the mouth in order to scare the crap out of people!

451. What do you do for exercise? I don’t, unless running around after toddlers, walking between classes and chasing chickens out of the kitchen counts.
452. Would you rather have a strict teacher with a sense of humor or a lenient teacher that doesn’t teach? Strict with a sense of humour. I don’t think you’d want to mess with my favourite uni lecturer, in fact he’s gotten quite pissy at people in class, which he does in this really awesome way. And he’s HILARIOUS. It works.
453. If you ever have a baby what might you want to name it? Tallulah if it’s a girl. I’m rather fond of Jasper for a boy, at the moment, but I don’t really have an all-time favourite boy’s name, unlike the aforementioned all-time favourite girl’s name.
454. If you won free tickets to a concert from a radio show and had to choose between Inxs, Poison, Blondie and Moby, which would you choose? Blondie, duh!
455. Are you a good cook? Yep, I’m pretty decent.
456. Do you prefer when things come with no assembly required, even if they are a bit more expensive? I suppose it depends what it is, but I maintain that if you can put a baby’s cot together, you can put anything together!
457. Start a sentence with the words: what if What if there were no cell phones?
458. Are you more spontaneous and unpredictable or loyal and routine? Loyal and routine, but not boring! The way my brain works is that even spontaneous activities become unspontaneous two seconds after I though of doing it because my mind goes hyper-fast over every detail. If that makes sense. It just does it.
459. What is the highest number you can count to in your head? I haven’t bothered trying as I’ve better things to do with my time.
460. How do you go about losing weight? Exercise is what does it for me, really.
461. Do you have street smarts? Sort of? Not overly though.
462. Do you have a lot of common sense? Yes, I think so.
463. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Mint choc chip, but they don’t make a vegan version of that here in New Zealand (that I’m aware of) and that is very, very sad.
464. What’s your favorite movie that involves dancing? Probably Grease or Chicago.
465. Would you ever want to become a guest on a talk show? If yes what would the show’s theme be? No.
466. Do you like the way you look naked? No comment.
467. Have you ever dissected an animal? No and I never plan to.
468. Who do you know who is brilliant? I know lots of brilliant people. They’re brilliant. And awesome. Aww. *mushy*
469. Who do you know who is dull? No comment.
470. Do you ever think about time travel? Um, I think the name of my blog pretty much answers that for you…
471. What is one interesting fact you know? That I can never think of any of the interesting facts I know when I’m asked to talk about an interesting fact I know.
472. Do you talk to yourself? Yes.
Do you talk to your pets? Of course.
473. Do you believe that humankind has a future in space (will we live there some day)? Probably.
474. Would you rather wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or more delicate outfits? Neither.
475. How do you ‘live life to the fullest’? It’s different for everyone, and I’m still learning what it means for me.
476. Are you sloppy or a neat freak? In between. I find it hard to function in very cluttered spaces and I like cleanliness, but productive mess doesn’t bother me all that much.
477. Would you rather have a trunk full of nickels or half a trunk full of dimes? I would rather have a trunk full of $100 notes.
478. What is the worst mistake you’ve ever made? None; they’ve all been rather useful in the end.
479. Are you in good health? Yeah, I am. The issues I do have are nothing compared to many other peoples’
480. Are you patriotic? Uuummm… Well, I don’t hate New Zealand, and we’re pretty lucky compared to so many other countries. But, you know, we could do better…
Let’s play fact or crap.
Is it a fact? Or is it crap?
481. The greenhouse effect is bad for your health. Fact. Probably.
482. There are about as many molecules of air in one breath as there are hairs on your head.
Or more?
483. The Miss America pageant started out as a contest in which people decorated wheel chairs and one chair was judged the prettiest. Crap.
484. To remove a tattoo a physician can place a small balloon under the skin, which is inflated so that the tattooed skin gradually stretches. Then they cut the stretched skin away. They probably could do that, but most people wouldn’t want the scar. So, crap.
485. Cock fighting is a sexual sport. Well, I guess if you have a poultry fetish it would be…
486. It is the warmest time of the day during the hour that the sun is the highest in the sky. Generally that is fact?
487. Certain scientists specialize in studying cow farts. Fact.
488. The brilliant colors (reds, oranges, yellows) across the sky that we get from sunsets are caused mainly by pollution. Crap.
489. In Grimm’s original fairy tale, Rapunzel is pregnant. Probably…
490. Dracula was the first movie about a vampire. Um, crap?
491. The inventors of Corn Flakes, the Kellogg brothers, ran a school for delinquent youth. I don’t know, but they invented Corn Flakes because it was thought that eating cold foods at breakfast suppressed sexual urges. They were Seventh Day Adventists and militantly against sex for anything other than procreation.
492. “Kemo Sabe” means “soggy shrub” in Navajo. No idea.
493. Sir Thomas Crapper invented the toilet. Crap. lolololol
494. The Earl of Sandwich invented the Sandwich. I want to say fact, but I dunno.
495. Some Chinese alchemists were trying to invent an immortality medicine and accidentally invented gunpowder instead. Fact?
496. The human body is made of about 99% water. It’s not that much. It’s more like 70 or 80ish. Or something.
497. Bubble gum contains rubber. Crap.
498 This survey to the zero power = 0. Why did this one make the Captain Planet song go off in my head???
499. Most lipstick contains fish scales. Fact.
500. There are 86401 seconds in day. I can’t be arsed calculating that.
End of fact or crap