Amanda Ress Kiwifruit presenter Amanda Rees also acts, writes, directs, would love to meet the Virgin Mary and once worked in Jenny Shipley's office! Who are you and what's your background? Amanda Rees and I graduated from NZ Drama School in 1990. I've worked as a mail opener in Jenny Shipley's office due to intense impoverishment as an actor and placement there with a temp agency. But that was fortuitously brief. And more enjoyably I've directed theatre, written theatre, acted in theatre, and TV dramas and now I'm discovering being myself on TV, ie. being a presenter not playing a character. What do you enjoy most about Kiwifruit? The laughter in the office and out on the shoots. What characterises the New Zealand GLBT community for you? That we all tend to find links with other GLBTs. What is the worst thing for you about being GLBT? Nothing. What is the best thing? Being bent, not being straight. Relationship status? I've been with a gorgeous girl for eight years. Favourite food and drink? Pawpaws and vodka Worst habit? Inability to make a decision when faced with a menu of too many choices. Most noble feature? Kindness and laughter Favourite TV programme? I don't watch TV, but on the occasions when I walk past a TV set that's on then I love Three non blondes. Favourite movie? I can't do this, I cannot narrow it down to one! Remember my worst habit is inability to choose from a menu: but okay if I really have to then would have to say Nemo for its brilliant comedic timing thanks to Ellen Degeneres. Qualities you most appreciate in a GLBT person? Eccentricity. What are you reading at the moment? Amy Tan. Who in the world including NZ would you most like to have a coffee and a chat with? The Virgin Mary - for the real story. Role models? My mother, my father, my sister and my true, true friends. What is the most pressing issue currently facing the NZ GLBT population? That we may be integrating so much that we are becoming invisible? If you could have one wish granted what would it be? That violence in thought or action did not exist. GayNZ.com - 18th April 2006