10 Oct – Crunchy Goodness

Tell us your favourite crunchy thing to eat.

This is a bit hard because a) I love food and b) there are so many different variations of ‘crunch’.

8 Oct – Pie Wars

Which pie wins your heart as the classic autumnal pie: apple or pumpkin?

 
I always follow a simple rule – vegetables are not desserts, regardless how much sugar / butter / cream etc you add to it. There is no debate here. Apple pie all the way, with a gorgeous sugar-crusted pastry top and served hot with a massive scoop of ice cream.

Heaven.

Daily Prompt – Soulful Machines

Machines, appliances, and gadgets sometimes feel like they have their own personalities — from quirky cars to dignified food processors. What’s the most “human” machine you own?

I would love it if my appliances had actual personalities, but I think we’re a few years away from that.

16 July – A Decade of Influence

Tell us 10 people you would declare the 10 most important people in the world so far this decade.

 

Barack Obama – President of the USA

 

Well, this guy is perhaps one of the most influential people ever. First black President and let’s face, the guy just oozes swagger. honourable mention to Michelle Obama – she’s quite a style icon as well.

 

Kim Jong Un – Trigger Happy Supreme Leader of North Korea

 So, Lil’ Kim here has major daddy issues and major image issues. Having to fill the shoes of his father, Kim Jong Il, this guy has quite an itchy (nuclear) trigger figure. Ready to hit the button if anybody dare look at him sideways, he’s prepared to declare war on the US over a James Franco / Seth Rogen movie. Clearly this guy never saw Team America. Maybe he should watch it with his best girlfriend, Dennis Rodman.

Vladimir Putin – Homophobic President of Russia

…and perhaps one of the biggest homophobes in the world. It’s also alleged he recently aided the separatists who shot down Malaysian Air flight MH17 (which in itself is believed to be the missing flight MH370).

Beyoncé – unofficial Queen of the fucking World

…because, Beyoncé. Enough said. If this fierce bitch ever became President of the USA, she really would run the fucking world. The first black, female President. Amazing!!

Steve jobs – Ex-CEO, Apple

 Perhaps the one person who single handedly brought Apple back into the spotlight and completely revolutionised the communications and device industry. He was truly an amazing individual, and his legacy will live on

Jony Ive – Senior Vice President, Design, Apple

 Sir Jonathan Paul ‘Jony’ Ive is the man responsible for the iconic Apple product design. Most people take his work for granted, where as others totally lose their shit as soon as he says the words ‘beveled edges’. Both he and Jobs were the dynamic duo of the tech industry. It didn’t matter what they did, the world listened… And purchased.

Mark Zuckerberg – CEO, Facebook

 So, Facebook has become one of the ultimate social media platforms (see also Twitter, Instagram) which completely revolutionised the way in which people interact with each other… And shared their selfies and photos of what they’re eating. JUST STOP FUCKING SENDING ME REQUESTS TO PLAY CANDY CRUSH!!!

Larry Page – CEO, Google

 Well, let’s be honest, I had no idea who this guy was, and had to Google him to find out. But ultimately, this is the guy in charge for one of the biggest online companies EVER!! It’s become a common verb in today’s vernacular, and is the default search provider, constantly getting more powerful and intuitive. But they are so much more than their search engine, venturing into multiple online facets as well as technology such as Google Glass, netbooks, phones and ChromeCast.

Oprah

 Well… Because… Oprah.

Hilary Clinton

Oh Hil… she’s been through ups and downs and still manages to pull it together with style and grace. Despite not even being a US citizen, I secretly always wanted to see Hillary end up as President of the United States, because she’d fucking get shit done!

 

Rupaul

Honorable mention goes to Rupaul. Slowly creating a name for not just herself, but for the ‘drag’ community as a whole, her show Rupaul’s Drag Race has finished its sixth season and is getting bigger and bolder with each season. This bitch is fierce and I fucking love her, and her show to death. YAAASSSS HONEY….. WEEERRRRRRRRRRKKKK!!!

Daily Prompt – Pride and Joy

What’s your most prized possession? GO!

Hmmm… this is a tough one… there’s so many of them.

I think that it would be a tie between my MacBook Pro and my PS3.

Day 1 – One Million Dolllllars

*insert Dr Evil maniacal grin here*

If you found one million dollars in the morning and had to spend it by nightfall, what would you do with the money?

Well, let’s assume that if we found it, we were responsible citizens and went to the police first, and the cops turn around and say “Well, nobody has reported it stolen, so it’s all yours to do with as you wish”… Then it would begin.

In the grand scheme of things, yes, a million dollars is a lot of money, but at the same time, doesn’t really get you very much for your money. People talk about winning lotto and how they plan on buying houses and cars and trips overseas… yeah, that’s a great idea, but then what? Did you think about what happens after you do this? Did you factor in what it would cost in upkeep for all your houses, and how much your insurance is going to be for all your Ferrari’s and Lambo’s? 

Of course not. Fool.

I would be a lot more responsible with a million dollars. Growing up and not actually having money, I grew to value it a lot more than other kids did. Whilst they were all focused on getting the bestest brand new label backpacks / shoes / clothes; I on the other hand, was more concerned about whether my various fees were being paid. They were all wanting the latest Nike Air Max for sport (granted, for the sports they didn’t actually play!), whereas I chose to go without because I knew if I wanted fancy new footwear, I’d have to miss out on going to camp – and I couldn’t have both.

And camp was MUCH more satisfying than trying to keep up with the Jones’ at school.

You’d think that this appreciation and value for money would have continued into my adult life, right? Wrong. Once I moved interstate and started working and earning my own money, I still paid all my bills first, and then got to enjoy whatever was left over – whether it was a fancy dinner, or that pair of fancy shoes I’ve had my eye on for a few months, or saving for my next new electronic device (read: Playstation). Over the years though, as my income has increased, I find myself doing the complete opposite… buying first, bills later.

DISPOSABLE INCOME!! SO MANY SHINY PINK DOLLARS TO DO WITH AS I PLEASE… *ugh* Bills. Maaan, bills are such a pain! Meh, they can wait.

That became a mantra of mine for a while, before I found myself eating nothing but 2minute noodles and tinned tuna for a fortnight – wondering what the hell I’d spent all my money on… oh yeah, that’s right, paying ALL my bills, (both current and overdue), and rent, etc etc.

“I need to start a budget”, I’d tell myself. “I need to be smarter with my money. I need to SAVE”.

6 years later, nothing has really improved. well, It’s a lot better than that, but it’s got a lot of room for improvement.

Not having savings really depresses me, but at the same time, I have credit cards. The root of all evil. 

Feeling a little sad? Why not shop yourself a little happy?

Feeling a bit bored at work? I wonder what’s new on Amazon.com?

iTunes credit low? Best you get a couple of iTunes cards when you’re out at lunch!

Adventure Time Monopoly?? SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!!

 

Whilst I became of the mindset that I wanted to be able to enjoy my money here and now, in this moment, others were busy putting all their savings away into loans and mortgages; bumping up their superannuation; investing in stock portfolios. Me? I was hanging out for the Tomb Raider pre-order date from EB Games, or buying tickets to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Ball tour… but oh my that’s a whole other story!!

And now that I’ve conveniently gotten myself well and truly sidetracked – this is my writing problem – dealing with tangets (DAMN IT – I’m doing it again!!)  where was I again…?? Oh yes… that million untaxable dollars.

(and in saying that, reminds me of this. skip to the 2:53 mark…)

 

But yes, a million bucks. I wouldn’t go crazy with it. I’d pay out all my bills, pay off my credit cards, buy myself a nice apartment or something, and with whatever was left over, I’d donate some money to charity and put some into savings / term deposits. Given that an average apartment (well, one that I would actually like) would go for anything between $500 – 700k, it’s not much left to play with when talking about investing. 

 

Although I wouldn’t mind some shares in Apple…!!