This post brought to you by the letter L

Of course that's an L for 'lefty'. Not 'loser'. My self esteem's just fine...

Thought I'd explain my current (and ongoing) quietness on Twitter and in Blogville. As I am currently typing with one hand, it's gonna be quick! I have an RSI issue and have in the past been discouraged from typing on a laptop keyboard. This hasn't been an issue for a while but has flared up recently. I seem to spend alot more time on the computer at home recently, can't think why...

The inflammation has become really bad these last few days and I have now been instructed not to use my right hand AT ALL for the next few days. Ouch... in more ways than one.

I am still lurking, reading tweets and posts, just not necc replying or commenting. To frustrate me even more, the previous injury to my left thumb is at risk of playing up with too much scrolling on my iPhone.  Awesome.

Meantime, I'm reading fic and watching you all from my vantage point. I hope to be back in action by the weekend.

My first ever acupuncture session - at work today. Amazing! Highly recommend it.

This took 15 minutes to type...and finally I'm done. See ya laters, baby x

An identity crisis... and more birthday spoils!

Ooh, it's a two-part post!

It's a rainy Saturday afternoon and I find myself sitting here pondering my identity. Gosh - nothing deep and philosophical - my Twi-life identity. After reading Mrs P's post and TwiloveSue's subsequent twitter name change, I got thinking...

I started in the twiverse with 'I_heart_Fifty' to show my addiction and devotion to the king of fan fiction, Mr Fifty Shades. It's been a good moniker, has brought me a few great friends (I'm looking at you, Lisa) and the sentiment remains true to this day.

hmm... not as much as I want you.

But I digress... Sorry, Fifty will do that to a girl. Anyway, back to me. I then started this blog and took on the 'TwiKiwi' name. Now I have an issue. Who am I? Am I 'I_heart_Fifty' (which gets abbreviated to IHF, I<350, etc) or am I 'TwiKiwi'? I just want to have one name, and not confuse the heck out of my friends and followers.

So, can you please help me? Please leave a comment below with suggestions about what I could change my twitter handle to. I want it to be clearly related to TwiKiwi, but unfortunately @TwiKiwi is taken. By someone who doesn't follow anyone, doesn't have any followers, and doesn't tweet. Fucker.

Oh, and one rule - no underscores allowed! They are SUPER annoying! Thanks ladies!

And now for part two of this post....

More birthday twi-mail came yesterday! I am so spoilt!

From @sloppy_scnds:

This is super awesome - I've never seen Twi-cards here. Even if you can get them, they'd never be as cool as this one. It's going straight to the pool room! (that's a reference especially for the Aussies in the audience - @edwardsisobel - d'ya get it?)

From @renabug1:

She sure is talented, that Rena! Not only was this card painstakingly hand made, but check out the amazing envelope! It's on the wall with all my other awesome twi-shit too!

Aren't I a lucky girl!

So, name suggestions below, please. TY x

I've been a naughty girl

Ok so this is one of those blog posts ideas that just comes to you... and you have to 'get it all out' of your head ASAP before the idea disappears forever. So excuse me if it gets a little rambly...

Today at work, we had our annual senior management strategy and planning day. This usually involves a day of talking, brainstorming, throwing ideas out there, you get my drift. Blah blah blah blah. All five of us are fairly seriously addicted to our blackberries and we took a couple of breaks throughout the day, to check our voice messages and emails. Cos the sky might actually fall in if we didn't read them immediately. You know how it is.

My role is a little different to my other colleagues in that most of my emails come from the other four people who were sitting around that table. No red flashing light for me. No emails today. So, um, what to do instead? Check my personal phone of course!

First stop, personal inbox. That's what this story is really about. Puddle Jumping, a fuckawesome new fic from 107yearoldvirgin, has got me by the short and curlies. It updates about every 1-2 days and is SO good! If you're not already reading this story, what are you waiting for? Dew it! (after you're done reading this and commenting, natch).

Clearly it was of utmost importance that I read the update. Like, NOW. So, without a second thought, I did!

Of course, not until I tweeted about it:

Turns out this was quite a popular theme! I had several RTs and replies to the tweet, with a few snarky remarks and LOLs.

The update just so happened to be a lemony chapter. There I was, sitting next to my boss, "checking my emails" with great interest, feeling a little hot under the collar. This isn't the first time I've read lemons in slightly risque situations, namely airport lounges, once again next to my boss; and at my mother's kitchen table, as she ate her breakfast next to me.

Where's the most out-there / random / risque place you've ever read a lemon??

Kiwi-Ed takes over the blog

Greetings twitards!

As I_heart_Fifty (she makes me call her the boss at home) mentioned in her last post, I'm Kiwi-Ed, and I'm here to properly introduce myself. I'm tall, dark, handsome.... oh wait. What? You knew that already? You kill me...

You'll note I'm wearing a very awesome shirt. Does anyone recognise it? No?

Well in that case, I'm gonna have to give you a short lesson about the world's greatest game..... rugby.

I'm assuming, from what the boss has told me, that most of you are from North America. So, I'm gonna start from the beginning, since I know you play some very different ballgames up there.

Rugby is, quite simply, the greatest. And the New Zealand team, the All Blacks, are the world's best.

[note from I_heart_Fifty: ahem. Kiwi-Ed, shhhh. You can't go making claims like that just now. The world cup is merely months away... you'll jinx it!]

Oh, all right then. If you want more detailed information, you can google it. Or, go here.

The All Blacks are pretty much icons here in New Zealand. As you may know, we have a "friendly" rivalry with our neighbours, Australia. Yes, I did just use air quotes. Say what you want... those Aussies are going DOWN!

The All Blacks are famous for kicking some serious arse performing the Haka before every game. This is a traditional Maori ritual intended to intimidate the opposition, performed shortly after the two national anthems. Works for me, I'd be scared:

The boss has a HUGE crush on the current All Black captain, Richie McCaw. She says he's a much more realistic future husband than some other dude she's all hung up on... some british actor guy... cos Richie actually lives in New Zealand and is currently single.

I still think she's shooting too high but apparently, I know nothing. Here's Richie:

[he is gorgeous. Go ahead a google search him for more. He is about 90% of the reason I watch rugby. Mmmm.]

Anyway, back to me. I am enjoying living with the boss, she's generally pretty nice to me. With several exceptions though. When we go out, she makes me stay in her handbag. How rude. Oh, and she won't let me have my own twitter account. I've watched over her shoulder when she's online and I know there are other mini-Edwards out there, I've seen them on @LivingWEdward's blog. I'm forbidden from contacting them myself though. Still working on a way to beat down her resolve on that one

[Good luck. Not gonna happen. Do I need to put you in the drawer of punishment again?]

Anyway, I plan to make a few more appearances where I can, and the boss has promised if I'm very good, she'll take me to America in August. Oh boy oh boy oh boy!!

Here's one last pic from my personal album. This is me with a big fluffy doofus kiwi toy. Does he not know that real kiwis don't really look like him? I can't bring myself to tell him. And, he has a rugby ball that I want, so I'll be nice.

See ya soon!

Kiwi-Ed xxx

I'm so lucky!

Today is my birthday. For some of you, tomorrow is my birthday. This works well for me... I like to spin it out as long as possible!

I am (kinda) sharing my day with @misstejota. Her birthday is the 20th, mine the 21st, but we celebrate together - sometimes timezones are pretty cool like that! Hi, bb!

I sit here (3.30pm) with a glass of bubbles, having been shopping and had brunch with SparklyJul and her kiddies. We're going to an outdoor concert at the Zoo this evening, and even better, I'm not driving! Woot!

All day, my twitter account has been going crazy with well wishes from all my twi-friends. I've also had emails and texts from all over the place! Thought it would be appropriate to share my amazing gifts!

From @robzsinger1:

From @Uber_Vamp:

From @TongueTwied:

From @cullenclancrazy:

From @LuvsMeSumEdward:

Aren't these amazing! I'm such a lucky h00r.

A certain someone else wanted to make an appearance on my birthday too. He's been living with me for a while now but has been a complete drama queen about making his first public appearance.

So, when he told me this morning he wanted to come to brunch, I was impressed and surpised!

Introducing.... Kiwi-Ed!

He wrapped himself up like a gift for me.... how sweet! I'll save the formal introductions for another post this weekend. Let's just say we had a fun brunch date, until Edward got a little intimidated by a giant:

He's gone a little quiet this afternoon, and is hiding in my bedroom. I hope he's ok.

So all in all, a birthday of fun, friends and fabulousness. And long may it continue. Thanks everyone for your wonderful messages.

xxxxx A

UPDATE!

Today (22/01/2011) I got more pressies! I had to share...

From @Jaymes805:

From @twipolar_wife (I can't believe I've never seen this before!)

I also got an AWESOME e-card from @17foreverLisa but I don't know yet if I can link it here.... watch this space.

Wow. Just wow.

There's not much to say...... except:

THANK YOU ROB!

I think navy blue is my new favourite colour. Sigh.

*Update: This just in. Double hawt.

About a girl

(Thanks Lisa, I totally stole the name of this post from here!)

I would like to tell you about a girl named T, my original Twilight enabler.

About eighteen months ago, perhaps a little longer, I went to bookclub one night, as you do, unaware I was to discover something that ultimately would lead me to many, many great things. Great stories, great movies, and most importantly, great friends.

T came along with a certain four books. She raved about them! Told us they weren't her usual scene, and that she had to leave her apartment at midnight, throw clothes on over her PJs and find an open bookstore in order to purchase the next book, hanging out to know what happened next...

We oohed and aahed as she retold the story of her discovery - a tale set in small town USA, in a place it rained a lot. I didn't see what all the fuss was about. Until she described the hero.

Sparkly Jul (who is in the same bookclub) said she'd give it a go. She read the first two in mere days, before devouring the remaining two. She was so excited, so animated when describing this story it was clear I needed to stop what I was doing immediately and jump on this bandwagon! I too devoured all four books, hungrily. But this isn't about me...

T is a fabulous friend. She's a great listener, she's fun, she's up for anything, and she accepts you for who you are. Today at the beach, I told her all about my twi-life. About my twitter friends, my upcoming US trip, and about TwiKiwi. I know she's reading this now...

T travelled to the US last year, and one day, what should I find in my inbox, but this:

She'd gone to Madame Tussauds, found the Precious (well, almost) and been thoughtful enough to send me this pic. Ooh how I was jealous that day.

So here's to you, T, the original reason I'm here, typing this. The reason I know what a blog is. The reason I know who Robert Pattinson is (ok, the reason I care who he is, surely everyone knows who he is, right?). Ultimately, the reason I got into twitter, and made amazing friends, all over the world.

Here's to you, lovely. Thank you so much.

Spoiler h00rs wring their panties out with glee!

OK, it's possible I've been shirking on my spoiler h00rish ways a little of late. Although, in all fairness there has been VERY little material to work with... that Christmas pic from Bill Condon just really didn't cut it with me.

However. Today there was a fabulously fuckhawt development. Pictures speak louder than words:

"Shh, can you hear the twitards squeeing?"

This picture has restored my faith that perhaps, just perhaps, we might get something a little more promising that fade to fucking black.

After last week's announcement of Rob playing Eric Packer in Cosmopolis - which, by the way, is on my 'to read' list - I'm fairly sure twitards everywhere are fairly happy just now.

If only Jenny, Snarky, Latchkey et al would hurry the fuck up with a #Forks2011 date, we'd all be happy, yes?

Happy (belated) New Year!

Hmm, so let's just pretend I'm not a week late with the New Year wishes, mkay?

I thought I'd mark the fabulousness that is 2011 with a little thank you tribute to my 35 amazing followers. I think there are probably a few lurkers out there too... if you wanna be mentioned in future posts, feel free to follow!

2011 is the year of HAPPY for me. I've wasted enough time in my life doing things that I don't love - so enough of that, let's have fun! This year I plan to spend more time with great friends, have some amazing new experiences including some exciting travel, and generally just have fun. Oh, and watch a couple of movies that may or may not include Elephants and Vampires (in chronological, not preference order, btw!)

So, here begins the picspam that is this tribute post. (I stole this idea from Robzsinger!)

Thank you ALL for all the love and support over these past few months. Cheers, and here's to another year of twi-bloggy fun. Hugs to you all.

*Many of these people have awesome blogs/tumblrs/FFn profiles. Please click on the links to support them*

Firstly, my RL turned twi-BFFs:

SparklyJul

My best friend, confidante, support person, fic enabler...need I go on? Of course I should. As you may know, Jul's also written an amazing fic. If you haven't already checked out Baggage Claim, what are you waiting for?

Negligent Mummy

Back when I started this blog, I said I'd never post a picture of the *ahem* K9 contingent. Today I break this rule for NM, another RL bestie who has recently fallen into the twisphere. Only for you, sweetie.

Eds_piano

Eds_piano is my third and final RL twi-friend. She was a lurker for a long while and is now working on her first guest post for TwiKiwi. Here's looking at you, sunshine!

Twitter/bloggy besties:

17foreverLisa

Lisa and I first met on twitter and bonded (she said that) over Mr Fifty Shades himself. She has been so helpful to me, creating the amazing banner and button for this blog, as well as encouraging me and answering my bloggy questions. Sorry the pic's not B&W sweetie!

TwiredJen

Jen was one of my first twi-friends and has also been really encouraging to me as I ventured into the world of blogging. I'm super excited to be meeting Jen in a few months time when I visit San Diego. She's team Robsten - all the way.

DangrDafne

DD is a regular commenter and always has something lovely and supportive to say. Thanks love!

Rena

The amazingly talented Rena sent me an amazing Christmas card which I received this afternoon. I heart snail mail.

Mrs XKR / MyAfterCar

MyAfterCar is currently set stalking - thought a BD pic was appropriate here! Good luck in Baton Rouge, bb!

kiTT / TongueTwied

kiTT has just joined our twitter family, but her blog has long been admired. Thanks for your kind words, kiTT!

LivingwEdward

LwE has given me lots of advice about dealing with my new 'friend', Kiwi-Ed. He's much better behaved these days thanks to LwE's advice. I know you're waiting on Dr Cullen, LwE, so this pic's for you.

Smitten

Also a regular commenter, Smitten has a hilarious blog I've just discovered! Check it out!

Starlit Violets

My namesake, SV, is a fantastic twitter friend who keeps me smiling. Last night she came back to us after a wee absence. Welcome back!


Chloe Cougar

Chloe's my regular late-night twitter buddy. Based in the UK, she's usually getting up when I'm winding down!
  

Demanda

 

Jaymes805

Amanda and Jamie have a little blog called Borderline Phenominal. They're roommates who keep me entertained tweeting each other from within the same house. Hope you like the pic of your bf, Jaymes ;)

MuffinTopped

MuffinTopped was one of my earliest twitter buddies. This pic just had to be included for it's pure smexiness!

RobAddict / Jen

Robzsinger

Jen / RobAddict (she of the great identity crisis!) recently joined Robzsinger's blog and together they make a great team. Love your blog and your twitter antics, laideees. Mmmm, hoodie Rob :)

Twi_Lin

Twi_Lin also sent me an amzing Christmas card this year, which is staying on the fridge all year! Thanks so much!

AllTwiedUp / Charla

Charla is another twifriend I'm looking forward to meeting in California. Rob's waiting on the sheepskin for you to tie him up, sweetie.

Uber_Vamp

Uber_Vamp keeps me supplied with awesome Robp0rn via her tumblr account. In fact, pretty sure a good number of these pics came from her. Thanks hun!

UtterlyAbsurdBella

MrsKassieCullen

UtterlyAbsurdBella and MrsKassieCullen run Twilight Junkies Anonymous - who profiled me not long after I started TwiKiwi. Thanks for your support ladies!

Laura

Laura answered my call when I wanted to read The Office and needed a pdf copy. This pic reminds me of the Beautiful Bastard.

Purple Cupcake


Purple Cupcake's name makes me think of Clipped Wings & Inked Armour - and this pic reminds me of Tattward.


Belladuluk

 Belladuluk is a fellow fan of Emancipation Proclamation - this pic makes me think of MPW.

And here a few wonderful followers that I don't know, but are very pleased to have aboard! Enjoy your pics.


TwitardedMom

TheRugbyMom

Kelly / MydiscomROBulation

Jayla

Cul-de-sac-ed

Cathy / DailyTwimes

Carolamex

Andrea Palmer

Andrea Carey

So thanks to all of you for reading and supporting TwiKiwi. Love you all!