Hello there,
My, how things change!
Two years have passed since I last posted on this blog [almost forgot I had it!] and my life couldn't be much more different...
In the last 6 months, I have resigned from a job I held for close to six years, I have gotten married, I have purchased a new car [this is news as I had my last car for 18 years!], and I am expecting a baby in around 167 days.
Now, this last one, well...that's going to be the biggest change in my life, and I want to write about it.
Don't worry, my intention is not to bore you with stories of how wonderful my baby is, or how its first poo looked like tar, but more to bore you with stories about the lead-up part!
Admittedly, I've been doing very little reading about pregnancy. My sister-in-law sent me a copy of Up The Duff, and I have a Baby Centre app on my phone, but apart from that, if I want to know something, I either Google it, or ask my doctor.
The most surprising thing for me, is how unglamorous pregnancy is...and no one ever told me this!
As far back as I can remember, pregnancy has been sold to me like it's the most magnificent thing in the world. I should expect to 'glow' and eat whatever I desire, I will enjoy a full bosom, and smooth skin, my hair will be thick and wonderful, and everyone around me will be considerate and respectful. I will look beautiful, feel wonderful, and connect with the little human growing inside of me...
Pfffffft! [what utter rubbish]
My following blog posts will pretty much consist of me complaining about pregnancy, and sharing with you, what I wish had been shared with me.
If this subject matter does not interest you, or you have no desire to hear me whinge [and really, who does!] I suggest you cease reading, over the next 5 or so months.
Oui
August 18, 2014
June 06, 2012
Big Adventure
Hello there,
As usual, it has been many months between posts, but I've been kinda busy with that thing called life.
Seeing as how I'm about to embark on a big adventure, I thought i'd share it with you here...
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to go to Africa...I'd go so far as to say that I have felt some kind of pull, or lure to be there.
Now, after many years of desiring to explore such an amazing part of the world, my love and I will be spending a month in South Africa...and I will be meeting his family for the first time!
We will be exploring Johannesburg, Magaliesberg [where we'll visit the Cradle of Humankind], head to Grahamstown for the National Arts Festival [culture, culture, culture!] spend a day in Soweto for National Youth Day [amazing timing!], we'll drive along The Garden Route, visit Knysna for a beach side rest, explore Cape Town, and spend 5 nights at South Africa's largest private game reserve, Shamwari.
It's a pretty tight schedule, but I hope to have time [and internet access] to share our adventures with you.
Stay tuned!
x
As usual, it has been many months between posts, but I've been kinda busy with that thing called life.
Seeing as how I'm about to embark on a big adventure, I thought i'd share it with you here...
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to go to Africa...I'd go so far as to say that I have felt some kind of pull, or lure to be there.
Now, after many years of desiring to explore such an amazing part of the world, my love and I will be spending a month in South Africa...and I will be meeting his family for the first time!
We will be exploring Johannesburg, Magaliesberg [where we'll visit the Cradle of Humankind], head to Grahamstown for the National Arts Festival [culture, culture, culture!] spend a day in Soweto for National Youth Day [amazing timing!], we'll drive along The Garden Route, visit Knysna for a beach side rest, explore Cape Town, and spend 5 nights at South Africa's largest private game reserve, Shamwari.
It's a pretty tight schedule, but I hope to have time [and internet access] to share our adventures with you.
Stay tuned!
x
April 27, 2011
Hello
Not wanting to break with tradition, i have left quite some time between posts on this blog.
Let's just say that I have been busy...
life, love, family, friends, bikes, music, summer, wine, and food can chew up a reasonable amount of time, you know.
I think perhaps I need another blog for the things that don't quite fit into this one [too personal] but are not personal enough for my other blog...
in any case, I want to share.
here.
and I will...soon.
Let's just say that I have been busy...
life, love, family, friends, bikes, music, summer, wine, and food can chew up a reasonable amount of time, you know.
I think perhaps I need another blog for the things that don't quite fit into this one [too personal] but are not personal enough for my other blog...
in any case, I want to share.
here.
and I will...soon.
October 11, 2010
Speechless.
I haven't written a word for over 6 weeks and in my world, that's a lifetime.
It's highly unusual that I haven't been scribing on my other blog, on the usual daily basis. In fact, I have been so creatively inactive, that my typing skills have consequentially suffered.
You see, I suffer from the blues...especially in Winter, and what I've recently discovered, is that I am not alone.
More and more people I meet [especially women] are telling me that they too, suffer from depression.
I first suffered from the condition when I was just 16 years old...it all began on my 16th birthday in fact, and since then, i've been through everything from life threatening bouts, medication and near hospitalisation, to independent travel, drug-free years, and elation.
But depression is like any illness, it needs to be kept in check and one can not become lazy...Winter makes me lazy, and I forget how easy it is to slide back into anxiety, sadness and lethargy.
When I first fell ill, to discuss depression was taboo...to do so led to rumours flying and being ostracised. I am glad that now, 20 years later, people are more open to sharing their experiences. Thankfully, depression is no longer a dirty word, and with 20% of the Australian population affected by it, it's about time.
I have been neglectful of my friends, distant to my family, and in no mood to write, so it's good that even though this post is is no way entertaining, creative or amusing, sharing why I've been a hermit, seems to in fact been the commencement of my re-emergence.
Watch this space...
Oui
It's highly unusual that I haven't been scribing on my other blog, on the usual daily basis. In fact, I have been so creatively inactive, that my typing skills have consequentially suffered.
You see, I suffer from the blues...especially in Winter, and what I've recently discovered, is that I am not alone.
More and more people I meet [especially women] are telling me that they too, suffer from depression.
I first suffered from the condition when I was just 16 years old...it all began on my 16th birthday in fact, and since then, i've been through everything from life threatening bouts, medication and near hospitalisation, to independent travel, drug-free years, and elation.
But depression is like any illness, it needs to be kept in check and one can not become lazy...Winter makes me lazy, and I forget how easy it is to slide back into anxiety, sadness and lethargy.
When I first fell ill, to discuss depression was taboo...to do so led to rumours flying and being ostracised. I am glad that now, 20 years later, people are more open to sharing their experiences. Thankfully, depression is no longer a dirty word, and with 20% of the Australian population affected by it, it's about time.
I have been neglectful of my friends, distant to my family, and in no mood to write, so it's good that even though this post is is no way entertaining, creative or amusing, sharing why I've been a hermit, seems to in fact been the commencement of my re-emergence.
Watch this space...
Oui
April 29, 2010
Wondering about Wanderlust
It has been a while [though I doubt I've been missed] and it's kinda fitting that my first post in months, is coming to you from Melbourne.
I've got itchy feet you see...a wandering eye, a need for change, I'm plagued by a sense of familiarity.
Yeah, it's easy to romanticise about a place you visit for a brief amount of time, but this used to be home for me.
While Melbourne is growing at a rate that's set to overtake Sydney within the next 30 years, it's managing to retain its intimate, personable charm...and I think I want to live here again.
This visit I've been smitten by different things. Unusually, I've spent the majority of my time in the city, even opting to stay in a hotel despite the various friends who offer a bed every visit.
My weekend started with a drink at the uber cool Sweatshop followed by an outstanding dinner upstairs at Seamstress. I was treated to lunch at the always good Italy1 on Tuesday, and I write to you from the ever comfortable Sister Bellas [although, the staff seem to have taken a massive dose of 'I don't give a fuck']
No visit would be complete without a visit to my favourite cafe ever which was complete with 4 fixies parked out the front and exceptionally good looking staff [oh yeah, the coffee was excellent as always]
The only visit to another area involved waiting for twenty minutes for a table at Three Bags Full in Abbotsford...and it was worth it.
The other thing I've noticed this visit, is the growing amount of cyclists. It's no secret that I gush over men on fixies [single speeds are acceptable too] but cycling in general is growing here, and that got me a bit excited.
While an overseas trip is being planned for later this year [NYC, San Francisco, Abu Dhabi, Lebanon] I'm thinking that upon my return, a move to Melbourne may be on the cards...after all, I'm single and free and can think of no better Australian city to call home.
I've got itchy feet you see...a wandering eye, a need for change, I'm plagued by a sense of familiarity.
Yeah, it's easy to romanticise about a place you visit for a brief amount of time, but this used to be home for me.
While Melbourne is growing at a rate that's set to overtake Sydney within the next 30 years, it's managing to retain its intimate, personable charm...and I think I want to live here again.
This visit I've been smitten by different things. Unusually, I've spent the majority of my time in the city, even opting to stay in a hotel despite the various friends who offer a bed every visit.
My weekend started with a drink at the uber cool Sweatshop followed by an outstanding dinner upstairs at Seamstress. I was treated to lunch at the always good Italy1 on Tuesday, and I write to you from the ever comfortable Sister Bellas [although, the staff seem to have taken a massive dose of 'I don't give a fuck']
No visit would be complete without a visit to my favourite cafe ever which was complete with 4 fixies parked out the front and exceptionally good looking staff [oh yeah, the coffee was excellent as always]
The only visit to another area involved waiting for twenty minutes for a table at Three Bags Full in Abbotsford...and it was worth it.
The other thing I've noticed this visit, is the growing amount of cyclists. It's no secret that I gush over men on fixies [single speeds are acceptable too] but cycling in general is growing here, and that got me a bit excited.
While an overseas trip is being planned for later this year [NYC, San Francisco, Abu Dhabi, Lebanon] I'm thinking that upon my return, a move to Melbourne may be on the cards...after all, I'm single and free and can think of no better Australian city to call home.
February 08, 2010
Absent [minded] friend
I realise I've been a bit absent of late...
This may be because I'm trying to curb my 'e-communication' habits, [I've ceased my affair with Twitter, limited my Facebook activity and am spending more time reading 'real' books] or perhaps it's because I've been too busy riding my bike, socialising, re-focusing, and generally getting up to [no] good.
I do devote quite a bit of time and energy to another blog that contains only words, and seeing as how I'm returning to study this semester, I suspect I'll be even more absent round these here parts.
Over the next month, I plan on spending most of my available time at the Garden of Unearthly Delights and the Adelaide Festival Artists Bar.
[I get so god damn excited about February and March in Adelaide...]
So I guess I'll see you in a couple of months, with many stories to tell...
This may be because I'm trying to curb my 'e-communication' habits, [I've ceased my affair with Twitter, limited my Facebook activity and am spending more time reading 'real' books] or perhaps it's because I've been too busy riding my bike, socialising, re-focusing, and generally getting up to [no] good.
I do devote quite a bit of time and energy to another blog that contains only words, and seeing as how I'm returning to study this semester, I suspect I'll be even more absent round these here parts.
Over the next month, I plan on spending most of my available time at the Garden of Unearthly Delights and the Adelaide Festival Artists Bar.
[I get so god damn excited about February and March in Adelaide...]
So I guess I'll see you in a couple of months, with many stories to tell...
January 28, 2010
Ouistiti
Just two of the many interesting things I found when I Googled Oui Ouistiti...
A men's magazine [for the man of the world, no less] and a band [even had a listen to the free album download...sadly, their sound is not as good as their album cover...]
A men's magazine [for the man of the world, no less] and a band [even had a listen to the free album download...sadly, their sound is not as good as their album cover...]
January 17, 2010
Casting shadows...
I adore silhouette art.
These are just a few images I've found that I'm fond of, however I'm still searching for one that will live on me permanently...
January 12, 2010
Don't go changin' [too much]
I have not been back to Melbourne town in over 18 months.
That's a really long time to not visit a city that changes so rapidly...and rapidly it's a changin'
Although I resided here for around three and a half years, I feel almost lost in a place I once called home.
I fear Melbourne is getting too big...it is losing it's intimate charm.
I have visited my old favourites, stumbled across new ones, and shall explore more tomorrow, but even though I adore elements of this city, I suspect I have fallen out of love with her.
A whole new freeway has appeared, apartment blocks are popping up like weeds, bar staff are less interested and people in general seem less friendly.
It's no secret that I struggle to be present, [uno, live in the moment, see first what is directly before me, blah, blah, blah] but although I am surrounded by excellent coffee, great restaurants, hot fixie riders, quirky bars, retail sales, gorgeous people, and excellent street art, I just don't feel at home here anymore.
Despite this 40 degree weather, Melbourne is losing it's warmth.
Perhaps tomorrow I shall feel differently...
Anyway, tonight involves a first...a quiet night at Revolvar [yeah, seriously]
We're starting with food in the dining room [now Colonel Tans, previously Paddee Thai] before a feature film premiere in the band room, where I'd normally be found dancing till daylight...
That's a really long time to not visit a city that changes so rapidly...and rapidly it's a changin'
Although I resided here for around three and a half years, I feel almost lost in a place I once called home.
I fear Melbourne is getting too big...it is losing it's intimate charm.
I have visited my old favourites, stumbled across new ones, and shall explore more tomorrow, but even though I adore elements of this city, I suspect I have fallen out of love with her.
A whole new freeway has appeared, apartment blocks are popping up like weeds, bar staff are less interested and people in general seem less friendly.
It's no secret that I struggle to be present, [uno, live in the moment, see first what is directly before me, blah, blah, blah] but although I am surrounded by excellent coffee, great restaurants, hot fixie riders, quirky bars, retail sales, gorgeous people, and excellent street art, I just don't feel at home here anymore.
Despite this 40 degree weather, Melbourne is losing it's warmth.
Perhaps tomorrow I shall feel differently...
Anyway, tonight involves a first...a quiet night at Revolvar [yeah, seriously]
We're starting with food in the dining room [now Colonel Tans, previously Paddee Thai] before a feature film premiere in the band room, where I'd normally be found dancing till daylight...
January 09, 2010
Oh Brother!
I'm no coffee junkie [apparently as I drink my coffee white, I can have no real appreciation for it anyway] but I do drink two brews a day, and I do know a good coffee from a bad one.
I also get pretty excited about a cafe that gets the three essential elements right.
Brother Baba Budan is that cafe for me, and one of my favourite Melbourne haunts.
I adore the fit-out, relish the coffee, and admire the passion behind the owners and staff.
I just can't wait to get back there next week...my nervous system has no idea what it's in for.
January 07, 2010
Tripping on old pavements
I am going on an air trip
a pavement trip
a road trip.
Home.
There is too much to see
and
too much to do.
I'll think of you often
but
not have
time
to miss you.
I'll see you soon
to
swap
travel stories.
I'll be here
here
here
and here
[and one late night, here]
a pavement trip
a road trip.
Home.
There is too much to see
and
too much to do.
I'll think of you often
but
not have
time
to miss you.
I'll see you soon
to
swap
travel stories.
I'll be here
here
here
and here
[and one late night, here]
January 05, 2010
January 04, 2010
What Heaven Looks Like...
When I was a child, my father took me to a castle his friend had recently purchased, that had almost completely been gutted by a wild fire.
All that remained of the interior, was a wrought-iron spiral staircase.
[I still recall the eerie atmosphere with such clarity]
Despite the happy sunshine that streamed in through the non-existent roof, the burnt out iron bed and charred remains of a plastic doll were enough to make me feel quite uneasy.
Still, since then I've had a fascination with disused, damaged, and abandoned buildings.
While they partially fill me with a sense of loss, heartbreak and sadness, I also feel overwhelmed with excitement and wonder.
I enjoy imagining what may have taken place in them decades prior...
I'm not at all religious, but if heaven exists...I hope it looks like one of these images.
[images are thanks to the amazing photographic project, The Ruins of Detroit]
December 30, 2009
I want you...
As per usual, I fell in love again today. This time with a chest of drawers from Kent and London.
If you buy me one of these for a measly £2700, for a whole year, I'll do your ironing, clean your bathroom and entertain you with my wit whilst I do so [fair trade, no?]
The rejects
While I sat in the park tonight, eating hot chips in 34.6 degree weather, I realised something about myself [don't you just love a good revelation?]
While I hand picked all the overcooked and odd shaped chips from the bag, I realised that I like the rejects in society.
The burnt chip, the worm nibbled apple, the social outcast...they're all the same.
I like the underdog, the less-desired, the so called loser, the nerd, the imperfect, the awkward, the misunderstood, the damaged, the bruised, the half-eaten, the overcooked and the broken.
Perhaps that is why I like handmade things so much...all the tiny imperfections are for me, perfection.
While I hand picked all the overcooked and odd shaped chips from the bag, I realised that I like the rejects in society.
The burnt chip, the worm nibbled apple, the social outcast...they're all the same.
I like the underdog, the less-desired, the so called loser, the nerd, the imperfect, the awkward, the misunderstood, the damaged, the bruised, the half-eaten, the overcooked and the broken.
Perhaps that is why I like handmade things so much...all the tiny imperfections are for me, perfection.
Thems Big Words...
Being someone who's passionate about words [and language in general] I've been meaning to put up this link for a while.
http://savethewords.org/
Go on, adopt a word today [please?]
I have adopted several words, two of which are:
'uglyography'
[bad handwriting]
Marion had uglyography ever since she was young, and eventually became the country's top doctor.
and
'woundikins'
[mild profanity]
She wouldn't tolerate woundikins, so little Jimmy's cry of 'poopydrawers' soon upset the kindergarten teacher.
http://savethewords.org/
Go on, adopt a word today [please?]
I have adopted several words, two of which are:
'uglyography'
[bad handwriting]
Marion had uglyography ever since she was young, and eventually became the country's top doctor.
and
'woundikins'
[mild profanity]
She wouldn't tolerate woundikins, so little Jimmy's cry of 'poopydrawers' soon upset the kindergarten teacher.
December 29, 2009
Pretty as a Word
http://www.flickr.com/photos/depressionpress/sets/72157603155545127/
There are far too many fonts and images here for me to even begin putting them up.
This is just one of my favourites...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/depressionpress/2851967475/in/set-72157603155545127/
and while we're on the topic of fonts, here are two scripts I really like. I found them at i love typography
There are far too many fonts and images here for me to even begin putting them up.
This is just one of my favourites...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/depressionpress/2851967475/in/set-72157603155545127/
and while we're on the topic of fonts, here are two scripts I really like. I found them at i love typography
December 16, 2009
Moving On...
Today, for the first time in well over a decade, I stopped wearing my grandmothers wedding band.
It was left to me when she passed away at the ripe old age of 102.
I've always loved it, not only because of it's sentimentality, but because it's a lovely, simple, comfortable piece of jewellery.
I always thought that if I ever lost my better judgement and decided to marry some unsuspecting fool, I'd continue to wear it, [just on the other hand]
In fact, there was a time when I wore the band on my left hand, to see if people even took note of that sort of thing.
The women at the bank did...
When I departed for a six month around the world trip, they asked,
'Is your husband going with you?'
In more recent years, I have wondered, [even though I wear the band on my right hand] if people think I am married.
Apparently the Greeks and The Swedes wear their wedding bands on their right hand.
For some time I hid behind the ring, feeling it offered me some sort of protection.
Well today, after months of thought about who I am searching for in this life, I decided to cease wearing the ring.
It was a hard decision. Not only has it become part of my being, [attached to me if you will] but it has provided comfort, security, laughs, and memories.
I'm not sure what I am going to wear in its place...I don't imagine anything else, could ever fit quite so well.
It was left to me when she passed away at the ripe old age of 102.
I've always loved it, not only because of it's sentimentality, but because it's a lovely, simple, comfortable piece of jewellery.
I always thought that if I ever lost my better judgement and decided to marry some unsuspecting fool, I'd continue to wear it, [just on the other hand]
In fact, there was a time when I wore the band on my left hand, to see if people even took note of that sort of thing.
The women at the bank did...
When I departed for a six month around the world trip, they asked,
'Is your husband going with you?'
In more recent years, I have wondered, [even though I wear the band on my right hand] if people think I am married.
Apparently the Greeks and The Swedes wear their wedding bands on their right hand.
For some time I hid behind the ring, feeling it offered me some sort of protection.
Well today, after months of thought about who I am searching for in this life, I decided to cease wearing the ring.
It was a hard decision. Not only has it become part of my being, [attached to me if you will] but it has provided comfort, security, laughs, and memories.
I'm not sure what I am going to wear in its place...I don't imagine anything else, could ever fit quite so well.
December 13, 2009
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