That they’re the best damn things since the invention of ever!!

I’ve got a group of friends where we don’t have to be drinking to have a great time. Where being different from the crowd isn’t just tolerated, it’s celebrated. Where much caffeine is consumed, much fun had and much talking about nearly any topic is had.

And, possibly best of all, costume parties with ridiculous themes and equally ridiculous shenanigans.

The contents of my bag varies hugely, depending on what I’ve got on that day.
So, because I’ve got a show on my mind, I’ve picked my standard “going to rehearsal” pile of crap.

A fairly succinct summary of the stuff you'd find in my bag for a show

This includes:

Pens, markers and pencils
Ruler & highlighters
Small notepad
A5 sketchpad
Gaffer & Lekkie tape
Leatherman
Mini-screwdriver set, selection of screws
String & thin rope
Paperclips & Rubber Bands
Bobby-pins, hair ties & a comb
Mini first aid kit, inhaler & aspirin
USB to mini USB converter, USB hub, Apple data cable, AUX cable, LAN cable
Phone Charger
Candy, crackers and muesli
Lighter
Torch
Phone (Stopwatch, torch, internet, voice recorder, games)
Fiction Book
Caffeine
Gum
Camera
Flashdrives
Spare black t-shirt, socks & stockings
MP3 Player & headphones
Netbook
Script/Stagebook/Relevant Paperwork

The hardest part of being a Stage Manager is picking which things you think you’re going to need that day. Sometimes it turns out that a hammer would have been a great idea, most of the time you’ll know in advance if you’re going to need it.

Dan, however, doesn’t have these problems! Check out his short list here.
Ms Sofie has a rather special post, although not in the good way. Read her post over here.
And I’ve no idea where Briony is, I’m going to blame the snow and give her the benefit of the doubt for now. Hopefully she’ll be back into the swing tomorrow, once the snow in Welly has settled down.

“Til Tomorrow
Ninja <3

This is an interesting one, seeing as I don’t actually have the standard nuclear family. So I’ve chosen to write three short letters. One to my Father, one to my (now ex-step) Dad and one to my Mumski.

Onwards!

Dear Father,

I don’t care how many bookcases you own, the question is have you bothered reading any of the books in them? And are you still the dick you were when my Mum was with you?
Coz violence isn’t cool. No matter what your reason.

Sincerely,
The daughter you didn’t want.

Dear Angry-Man,

I know we didn’t always see eye to eye, especially when I was younger and only just 5′ something. But you’re mostly a good man, even if you support the wrong side of the government and can be a bit of a dick sometimes.
But I’m proud to say that you’re my Angry Man.
And I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise.

Love always,
Your oldest and bestest (and onliest) daughter.

Dear Mumski,

Cream doesn’t go with olives. Ever.
If you watch what you’re cooking, it doesn’t burn as often.
If you’d learned how to cook earlier, I doubt that I would be as good a cook as I am. So thank you for sucking! And thank you for being an amazing woman.
If I grow up to be half as awesome as you, I’ll be set.

Love you,
Me <33

 

Young Briony interrupts her normally scheduled update to bring us a post about the snow in Wellington, complete with a very happy looking photo of her! Naww!
While Ms Sofishie is telling us about the contents of her bag, which is a rather impressive list!

And with that I’m off to kip in the hope of getting up early to get some more snow photos. Keep an eye out for an update!

‘Til Tomorrow
Ninja <3

“Something you crave for a lot”

Group hug time before we hit the road for my move up to Auckland for Uni. Nino is all of the confused.

Cuddles.

My MUDS kids back home are a very friendly bunch, we tend to hug hullo and farewell.

The Auckland cats, however, are not so tight-knit. Or maybe it’s just because I haven’t known them for as long.

Either way I miss the hugs of my friends back home.

From the kinda awkward “Oh dear, physical contact” pats through to the joyous arms wrapped around each other with a threat of falling over; the sneaky arm around ones waist to back-crunching bear hugs.

These, along with caffeine and theatre, are the correct fuels for your Ninja.

On a slightly different note, Ms Briony has a very useful website for all you writerly folks out there and a very excited blog post about snow in Wellington!

Apparently we’re expecting snow in Palmy too, which is just as rare. Here’s hoping!

‘Til tomorrow
Ninja <3

I’m me, no one else is.
Unless I’m a clone or have unwittingly been cloned. In which case I like to think that my shenanigans are unique and that would ultimately result in me being different from everyone else.

FFFFF EXISTENTIAL CRISES!!

People, most probably sans existential crises, include the lovely Briony with a mighty delicious sounding recipe for Caramel Slice and Ms Sofishie with her own thoughts on what makes her unique and one about something she craves a lot.

So my lieblings, what are your defining features?

‘Til tomorrow
Ninja <3

Raspberry White-Chocolate Cheesecake, made from scratch

Making delicious treats for my friends makes me happy.
And photography makes me very happy, especially when it turns out well!

I also rather enjoy writing, which is what Briony’s post for today is about.

So Cats, what’s something that makes you happy?

‘Til Tomorrow
Ninja <3

Why this weird looking creature of course…

Aww I miss my hat. And my ridiculously coloured hair. And Wifey, who took the picture when I wasn't looking.

Because if I’m not still with myself in the future, where in the hell am I?
Also if I can’t make peace with myself than what hope do I have in creating quality relationships with others? So I would like to think that I’ll always be the sort of person that I like to be friends with.

As for the marrying someone front (because they haven’t figured out how to clone people. And I’m pretty sure marrying a clone of yourself would be incest… or at least a rather extreme form of narcissism) there’s this character.

This is the Fox, aka Mattface. He's pretty much the bestest thing since bread was invented.

He’s a lovely boy.

Marriage is one of those forever kinda things to the both of us and it’s something that’s going to happen if all goes to plan.

So yeah, that kinda says it all really!

Please don’t forget to go check out Briony’s post, featuring some amazing delicious looking baking. And Ms Sofie’s, which features a gorgeous photo!

Also, while you’re at it, one of the other cats I yarn with has started his own 30 day challenge. So go give Dan some loving too! You can find his blog here.

So, cats, what are your thoughts on love, marriage and clones?

‘Til Tomorrow
Ninja <3

Oh my.
Over my years I’ve collected a great deal of nicknames, however many of them have gone the way of the original creators. Which is to say, well out of my life and the gods only know where!

There are a couple that I rather enjoyed though. Och, pronounced ‘oak’, which was short for Ochre was a favourite. Along with Blambie and Koinu.

These days I run mostly under variations my primary handle, which is Fallen Red Ninja. Some cats call me Red, others Ninja and even more call me Ninja-Pants.

Sometimes I even literally dress as a Ninja. In this instance it was for a melodrama I was Stage Manager for.

The latter is one of my favourites, harking back to MUDS shenanigans and brilliantly paint spattered jeans from hours of painting set for various shows.

There’s also Ambydextrous, which was a nickname conferred upon me during my time at Radio Control.
I wowed one of the DJs with my ability to do all the things simultaneously, without dropping a beat in my banter, he made an awful joke involving my real name and how dexterous I was and it stuck.

Although my nickname was a damn sight better than some of the other kids, so I’m not complaining!

Someone who can complain about her nickname though, is Ms Sof. Read about her nicknames here and her thoughts on marriage and goats here.
Ms Briony Jae brings us one of my favourite art pieces here and a collection of many pretties here.

So, cats, any of you have interesting nicknames to share?

‘Til Tomorrow
Ninja <3

“Plans/Dreams/Goals that you have”

There’s so many things that I want to do!
So I guess I’ll pick three. One short term, one somewhere in the middle and one long term.

Short Term

Survive the next 4 months of study, doing well enough to get offered a place in a Masters program of my choosing. Preferably an overseas one with a full scholarship but getting accepted will suffice.

Mid Term

Gain ethics committee approval for the first trial of Theatre Companies as a long term behavioral modification technique in youth. Get funding for projects and hopefully get some decent crowds in. Also hopefully I’ll come away with my Masters and a Theatre Company that’s going to be doing some great things.

Long Term

Change the world for the better.
Failing that, take over the world using a puppet leader and a 14ft ladder.

Now, onto the next post!! Nicknames and what not. Huhzah
Ninja <3

Sorry Cookies.

I’ll get one up if the wireless deigns to allow me.

Xx
Ninja