Anna's Misshapen Universe

MRIAOW?

2011-08-04T11:30:00.002+12:00

via BOLDT

STUPEFY YOU

2011-08-04T10:54:00.001+12:00

I laughed out loud, often.

Ten supportive things to say to help those in your life with mental illness

2011-08-04T10:25:00.004+12:00

From purplepersuasion

1) “Here’s my number. Call me any time. And I mean any time.”
2) “What can we do to help you regain your equilibrium?”
3) “That must be very difficult.”
4) “I know you’re taking your meds, but they’re not working for you, are they, sweetie?”
5) “What sense do you make of everything that’s been happening to you?”
6) “The times when you’re unwell don’t matter! I’d rather have one of you than ten other people with a clean sickness record.”
7) “Just let me know when you’re ready to come back.”
8) “I’m not going anywhere.”
9) “…as best you can.”
10) “Sorry to hear you’ve been poorly.”

I hope you all use in your lives these as best you can.

And never, ever underestimate the power of sitting with someone, and acknowledging their pain with your presence.

August already. Still hibernating, starting my business.

2011-08-03T14:22:00.000+12:00

pimp myspace

New Zealand, New Zealand

2011-07-20T02:48:00.001+12:00

There's people on Cuba Street drinking their beers!

GIVE JOHN HIS STUFF BACK

2011-07-20T02:29:00.003+12:00

Dear Wellington
Give John his stuff back.
STOLEN:

Black 50 watt Holden amp with a tremolo
Black AER 60 amp
Peavey speaker cabinet
1980 ES-175 Gibson
Microphone - 58 [edit: and a mic stand]
Miscellaneous assortment of leads

Any information contact @ktjohanna here or here for more information

WELLINGTON ROOM AVAILABLE

2011-07-18T14:20:00.006+12:00

Single furnished room available now in Mount Victoria!

$130/week + $30 expenses.

Room includes single bed, sheets, duvet (if needed), built in wardrobe.

Living in a 3 bedroom flat. Professionals preferred, students if working part time. Someone in their mid 20s or older preferable.

House includes wifi, large TV, high ceilings, sunshine, huge backyard and garden, washing machine, gas cooking, a bath, awesomeness.

Bond $200, rent and expenses payable two weeks in advance.

Email missannajanewilson at gmail.com.

On Boredom

2011-06-29T15:56:00.002+12:00

In my racing life
Boredom is an intriguing concept
How does one get bored?
In a world with so many trees, bunnies, stories
With paint and wool and pirates
A world of lego, mittens, gardens and song
A thousand tales to tell
A million cliches to collect

My heart is full
And yet
The words of Sappho still move me
A whisky sipped by the heater
Still makes me content
The everyday joy of a morning cup of tea
Still
Will move me
Still will warm me
A pen
A piece of paper
My memories, my imagination

In this world, this world of privileges
Where I do not need to fight for the health of my family
Where my friends are strong enough to protect themselves
Everyone I know has a roof to sleep under
In this world
How could I ever get bored?

Monday night writing night

2011-06-27T19:00:00.004+12:00

According to Facebook, all the cool kids are doing it. I'm neatly folded by the heater, whisky in hand, chamomile tea not far away. A visitor has just knocked on the door which makes me think perhaps my choice of room for writing is less than advantageous. After all, "...a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction; and that, as you will see, leaves the great problem of the true nature of woman and the true nature of fiction unsolved...

It has been a great many years since I have written fiction. My life is far too interesting to me, I am too self-involved, my flights of fancy involve myself and my friends and my family, and I no longer entertain myself with imaginary friends. Especially as I have now found a Man, who appears to want to be with me, and appears to understand a sense of kismet, or truth, or at least is as much of a romantic as I am (or appears that way enough to convince me)...

All I know of life is what I have experienced.

In saying that, I have experienced a great deal, natural disasters, deaths of friends and family, terminations (yes, plural, and both for good reasons, although I wouldn't *need* a good reason in this day and age, thankyouverymuch).

Pondering, deliberating, feeling deeply, playing with words. These are all I can do, and I need to do. Writers need to write. It's like breathing to us. I diary, not every day, but as oft as I need to maintain a sense of equilibrium. I put words into angst-driven poetry form, which is my favourite way of making myself feel sorry for myself (those of us raised to be Strong sometimes need to do this exercise, believe me).

I write as often as I stretch.

Recently, I have sketched and stretched, written and laughed.

I am happy, and just as I cannot explain my happiness to those who do not share it, the reasons for my limitless smiles are tucked away, off the internet, for only one certain pair of eyes to read...

Burlesque, and Bettie Page...

2011-06-12T23:12:00.003+12:00

N to the S to the F to the W.

2011-06-12T23:07:00.001+12:00

Happiness. It's a state of mind.

Ridiculousness. It's a state of Anna.

Princesses make for interesting doms.

2011-06-12T14:20:00.002+12:00

Alpaca kisses

2011-06-10T08:55:00.001+12:00

Awwwwwwwww

Need I remind you

2011-06-10T03:04:00.002+12:00

Cute boys with cats is guarantee to cheer any girl who likes cute boys and cats up, every time.

I get to see my man tomorrow.

Squeeeeeee

In the wee small hours of the morning

2011-06-10T02:08:00.004+12:00

Life gets real
Condensed
The chill of the Christchurch June air
Sending goosepimples

Akin
To the effect of your touch

In the wee small hours of the morning
Friends are true
Falsities, false
Nonsense nonsensities
With whimsical wordplay
To entertain only myself

In the wee small hours of the morning
With no sun
To strike the angles of your face
Proximity, imagined
Delighted in
Anticipated
Desired.

Not needed
Not yet
But soon
Who knows
In the immortal words of my flatmate
We'll see.

When cute collide.

2011-06-02T18:40:00.000+12:00

I really do love llamas and alpacas.

Loving this song

2011-05-27T12:08:00.000+12:00

I actually really don't think George Clooney is hot.

2011-05-25T15:18:00.002+12:00

Idealogically Impure has a wonderful metaphor for the sign involving Mr Clooney.

LEWD OWL YO

2011-05-25T13:07:00.001+12:00

I love you with all my butt. I'd say heart, but my butt is bigger. (Also, my heart is a bit munted).

Best thing I've read all day.

2011-05-23T16:41:00.002+12:00

The witty dubh's suggestion of a "Welcome to Mordor" sign atop the Orongorongos.

Bahahaha

On cheering up myself

2011-05-23T12:39:00.005+12:00

I enjoy entertaining myself dreaming about a beautiful man who will sweep me off my feet and we can run away together to a warm tropical island. In these flights of fancy, the fact that I am terribly pale-skinned does not matter, the sun never gives me a single freckle. There's delicious food, and cocktails, and fruit, and friends, and guitars. Maybe a few village children running around so I can teach them cats cradle and other childhood games.

Even if the chances of this ever happening are slim-to-nil its a lovely little imaginary world to live in when I'm trying not to think about Cardiology appointments tomorrow (finally getting my event monitor to finally get a diagnosis) and rebuilding cities and third world poverty and volcanic eruptions and tidal waves and earthquakes and... stop Anna.

Simplifying my life.

Starting by listening to simple pop music. And dedicating songs to lovers I haven't even shared beautiful moments with yet.

Why cats are not doctors.

2011-05-23T12:27:00.001+12:00

from Why cats are not doctors

2011-05-23T10:52:00.001+12:00

"Art doesn't transform. It just plain forms." -Roy Lichtenstein

My favourite The Smiths song

2011-05-23T09:53:00.000+12:00

"I dreamt about you last night
And I fell out of bed twice
You can pin and mount me like a butterfly
But "take me to the haven of your bed"
Was something that you never said
Two lumps, please
You're the bee's knees
But so am I

Oh, meet me at the fountain
Shove me on the patio
I'll take it slowly
Oh ... "

WELLYWOOD SIGN make me ragey.

2011-05-23T08:40:00.006+12:00

It's a Monday morning, and I've just listened to National Radio's segment about the Wellywood sign.

The original Hollywood sign started as a frickin advertisement for a housing development.

It's ugly, poor taste, and I don't even like Wellington being called Welly. Call me a snob, but seriously, this sign will be an eyesore.

So what can you do?

There's a Wellingtonians against the sign you can join here.

There's an amusing sign generator here. Damian Cristie's Public Address post from March 2010 still makes some valid points, and of course even Hitler is angry about this sign.

Basically, the airport is going to need to spend some serious money protecting the sign from public vandalism. I predict if erected, it will not last for long.

I never thought I'd link to the Dominion Post, but there's a poll that may be of some use. Vote here.

Being a dickhead's COOL

2011-05-22T14:04:00.002+12:00

I heart hipsters

I play synth! We ALL play synth!

On tachycardia

2011-05-22T10:36:00.002+12:00

Resting heartbeat 106. This is an improvement. My chest hurts, I feel faint when I walk up hills. I'm exhausted. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired, and I'm too young for this.

It's slowly chipping away at my seemingly endless fount of optimism, and this is what's probably most difficult.

Anyway, I hope you're well, and appreciate your health, and take care of your body.

Nourish it well. Water it, treat it to massages or baths or yoga.

Walk barefoot on the beach.

Time for a poem

2011-05-21T12:33:00.004+12:00

The Rapture of Everyday Life.

Dark red nails
Fingerless gloves
Tapping rhythmically on a keyboard
Rotating
Heater brings warmth to chilled toes
Too lazy for socks
Chocolate, tea, candles in wine bottles
Leonard Cohen, The Smiths, Edith Piaf
Nothing much changes in my Universe.

Straightened hair
Red lips
A 70s shirt festooned with hearts
A red couch, cushions
Picked with care in India

Record covers.
Twitter flirtation
replaces
Facebook flirtation
replaces
Email flirtation
replaces
Imaginary flirtation

Nothing much changes in my Universe.

Channelling my inner goth

2011-05-21T12:19:00.004+12:00

So yeah, if you follow me on twitter, or even check out my tweetstream here you'll know I've been tweeting incessantly about The Rapture.

It amuses me.

I was on a self-imposed Youtube ban until earlier today when I realised not only do I have no Bauhaus on my mp3 player, that I also needed to listen to Dead Can Dance.

So yeah, here are two amazing songs that you should know if you, also, like to channel your inner goth. Sexy.

So I have a red dress with a plunging neckline, blood red nails and chrome high heels to wear tonight. What are you going to wear to celebrate the end of the world?

On feminism.

2011-05-20T12:33:00.002+12:00

Disney.via Neatorama

On Amazing New Music

2011-05-18T15:17:00.002+12:00

Well, new music to me, new this year.

Firstly, a sweet band from Toronto:

The FUs.

Secondly, a solo artist, soon to be band from England:

Captain What (Facebook page here).
Remember to click LIKE on Youtube if you enjoy the video. Apparently musicians get warm fuzzies from this, or something.

Thirdly, an awesome Wellington band I really think are going to go far:
Throw it to The Fire playing at Mighty Mighty 15 of June. Be there or miss out, Wellingtonians!

On laughter as the best medicine

2011-05-18T14:53:00.005+12:00

Via @thmslcn

Oh sweet mother of mercy this is funny.

It's Dr Don Brash, if you're not aware.

The twitter parody stream for The Dr makes me giggle every time.

Ah Youtube. You give me so much joy.

Ever wished your life was a film?

2011-05-18T14:27:00.005+12:00

Well mine is almost as interesting as one.

Well maybe not as awesome as Empire Records, but still, it keeps me entertained.

Today I won tickets to ON A BOAT! The lovely Ms Carmody will be performing, tickets are $15/$18 and it's at 7ish at Fringe Bar, Cuba St 19-21 May. I'm going Friday if you want to stalk me!

Woo woo

Also tonight at Bodega there's a free gig from April Fish which is hilariously, a Rebecca Black fundraiser. The gig is free, so I'm not entirely sure how much ktjohanna wants to raise funds for the poor little rich girl.

Fun, fun, fun, fun etc.

Maybe my life is more like The Wizard of Oz... I *do* have ruby slippers...

Change your life

2011-05-17T16:49:00.001+12:00

Before it changes you.

Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia

2011-05-17T16:34:00.003+12:00

From Beltina.org

"An ARRHYTHMIA disorder, also called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), in which the atria have episodes of rapid, regular contractions. “Paroxysmal” means the symptoms start and stop abruptly, without apparent cause. During a PAT episode, the HEART RATE may reach 140 beats per minute. The atrial contractions of PAT originate in the atrium above the ATRIOVENTRICULAR (AV) NODE rather than in the SINOATRIAL (SA) NODE that usually initiates the heart’s electrical pacing impulses."

Next week I'll get my monitor and we'll see what my EKG readings are.

VELOCIRAPTURE

2011-05-17T10:24:00.003+12:00

Firstly, if your dad doesn't have a beard, you've got two mums.

The Rapture vs The Rapture

On William Blake, and insanity

2011-05-16T18:41:00.005+12:00

I dwell in realms of day, man created God in his image.

From V&A

Auguries of Innocence

"To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.

A robin redbreast in a cage
Puts all heaven in a rage.

A dove-house fill'd with doves and pigeons
Shudders hell thro' all its regions.
A dog starv'd at his master's gate
Predicts the ruin of the state."

William Blake's poem continues thus:

"The whore and gambler, by the state
Licensed, build that nation's fate.
The harlot's cry from street to street
Shall weave old England's winding-sheet.

The winner's shout, the loser's curse,
Dance before dead England's hearse.

Every night and every morn
Some to misery are born,
Every morn and every night
Some are born to sweet delight.

Some are born to sweet delight,
Some are born to endless night.

We are led to believe a lie
When we see not thro' the eye,
Which was born in a night to perish in a night,
When the soul slept in beams of light.

God appears, and God is light,
To those poor souls who dwell in night;
But does a human form display
To those who dwell in realms of day."

From Andrew Graham Dixon's archive

RABBIT DRESSAGE

2011-05-16T17:31:00.005+12:00

Coolest thing I've ever seen, ever. And that includes all the hot boys I have ever known.

Cute overload

The Daily Mail (I never thought I'd ever link to a Daily Mail page, but there's a first time for everything.

On Walt Whitman

2011-05-16T16:55:00.002+12:00

From I Sing the Body Electric

"The love of the body of man or woman balks account, the body itself
balks account,
That of the male is perfect, and that of the female is perfect.

The expression of the face balks account,
But the expression of a well-made man appears not only in his face,
It is in his limbs and joints also, it is curiously in the joints of
his hips and wrists,
It is in his walk, the carriage of his neck, the flex of his waist
and knees, dress does not hide him,
The strong sweet quality he has strikes through the cotton and broadcloth,
To see him pass conveys as much as the best poem, perhaps more,
You linger to see his back, and the back of his neck and shoulder-side."

Walt Whitman

It's hard when you can't touch what you love.

2011-05-15T22:26:00.002+12:00

http://touchingwhatilove.blogspot.com

Slow Like Honey

2011-05-15T21:06:00.000+12:00

I found it, the best break up song ever, and it's Pomplamoose.

2011-05-11T15:13:00.000+12:00

It's a remedy, of sorts. :D

On shifting priorities.

2011-05-11T13:03:00.001+12:00

On searching

2011-05-11T10:12:00.000+12:00

Still searching for my angel Gabriel. Which is somewhat amusing for someone who does not believe in a Christian God. Still, I believe in love.

On heartbreak.

2011-05-11T07:43:00.003+12:00

The worst thing would be, for me, how illogical my emotions are. I actually do not have a clue of how I'm going to get over this, but on some level, I guess you never do, right? You just forget the intensity, the smiles, the anticipation.

If I could turn off my emotional girly side like a tap, I would.

On the importance of music to heartbreak.

2011-05-10T17:53:00.002+12:00

My twitter friend @Artandmylife suggested the beautiful Julie London.

@ktjohanna suggested Garbage and The Dresden Dolls, both of which are definitely my bands and neither of which I associate with previous breakups (which is important when making music choices when emotional).

I find lame Indie Rock helps in these situations.

On flying away

2011-05-10T08:32:00.003+12:00

"As the good book says 'Each shall seek his own kind'. In other words a bird may love a fish but where would they build a home together? "

-Fiddler on the Roof (Sheldon Harnick)

It amuses me that a book can be good?

Still looking.

2011-05-10T07:24:00.002+12:00

Still looking for a better reason
Than can't be bothered
Easier to be free.

Still looking for when the decision was made
Still searching for an answer which cannot be given
From thought circles
Mind games
Hysterical giggling of friends.

Still hopeful
There's an answer to be found
Logical
Straight forward
Easy.

Still resigned
To my heart in a box
Walled off
From my head
Communicating with me
Through tears and optimism.

A poem my amazing mother is fond of.

2011-05-09T13:42:00.000+12:00

"Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone.
For the sad old earth must borrow it's mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
Sing, and the hills will answer;
Sigh, it is lost on the air.
The echoes bound to a joyful sound,
But shrink from voicing care.

Rejoice, and men will seek you;
Grieve, and they turn and go.
They want full measure of all your pleasure,
But they do not need your woe.
Be glad, and your friends are many;
Be sad, and you lose them all.
There are none to decline your nectared wine,
But alone you must drink life's gall.

Feast, and your halls are crowded;
Fast, and the world goes by.
Succeed and give, and it helps you live,
But no man can help you die.
There is room in the halls of pleasure
For a long and lordly train,
But one by one we must all file on
Through the narrow aisles of pain."

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

On empathy

2011-05-09T11:54:00.001+12:00

"What we lack are not scientists but poets and people to reveal to the heart what the heart is ready to receive."

- Joseph Campbell

Love makes me smile, even through tears.

2011-05-09T09:58:00.002+12:00

"Love that falls, crashes even, burns
But dusts off, fixes up... and rises
Rises
More brilliant than before.
Phoenix love.
Yeah, phoenix love
So let us speak only of love
Healing love
No herbal or over-the-counter love
Real healing love."

Trying my very, very hardest to love myself.

Trying

2011-05-06T12:10:00.001+12:00

Always trying to walk with my eyes wide open.

Getting that wander lust, once again.

2011-05-04T09:35:00.003+12:00

"Is this the sweet sound, that calls the young sailors? The voice might me one and the same."

So many places internally and externally, yet to travel to...

So adorable

2011-05-03T09:06:00.000+12:00

From http://www.grrl.com/betbond6.jpg

On hospital visits

2011-05-03T07:31:00.004+12:00

I get to visit the cardiology department this Friday. I think I'm getting a 24 hour Holter monitor so I guess I'll look a little like this.

from Trellamare, Wikipedia

You know, without the weird belly button, and maybe with a nicer bra.

Cool beans.

I haven't been a patient in hospital since this unfortunate day, so should make for an interesting afternoon I guess.

On talk talk talk

2011-05-03T07:24:00.003+12:00

Who's to tell me, really, when I'm ready for anything? Pretty sure I make up my own mind on that, thank you very much :)

I'm less than ready for my exam today. Back to the study. Did you know hypervolemia can cause shortness of breath, particularly at night? It's called paroxysmal noctural dyspnea. Try saying THAT five times fast.

On Auden, who speaks for himself.

2011-04-29T15:05:00.002+12:00

From The Sea and The Mirror, W. H. Auden.

"Children are playing, brothers are alive,
And not a heart or stomach asks for proof
That all this dearness is no lovers' dream;
Just Now is what it might be every day,
Right Here is absolute and needs no crown,
Ermine or trumpets, protocol or swords.

In dream all sins are easy, but by day
It is defeat gives proof we are alive;
The sword we suffer is the guarded crown."

Suffragette jewellery!

2011-04-29T08:47:00.003+12:00

So amazing. Check this out!!

Feel free to buy me this as a gift :)

SO COOL

A business update

2011-04-26T10:32:00.003+12:00

So I'm off to massage for a couple of days at a camp for disadvantaged teenagers. I'll be helping support the staff with massage, and I'm quite pleased my flatmate drove me out yesterday with my massage table and gear. I have three large bags of towels to take out on the train shortly.

Massage involves lots of washing.

The overhead costs are more than you'd think. I need to heat the room, do washing, buy wax or oil, photocopy and print notes, advertise... it adds up.

So that $60-$90 you pay in New Zealand for your massage? It actually doesn't mean the therapist keeps all that money :) There's like, taxes, and stuff, and liability insurance, too.

With winter approaching, massage is very important as it can increase circulation, and it can also aid immunity and help with stress.

Book yourself in for one, with a qualified therapist, ASAP!

It's not a luxury, actually, a necessity. It's ok to spend money on yourself, in an environmentally sustainable way.

I'm happy

2011-04-25T07:30:00.002+12:00

Disapproving sheep do not approve of my happiness.

Punk kittens approve.

Today I get to hang out with yet another awesome friend for yet another awesome birthday party!

Absinthe makes the heart grow weaker - guest post from myself circa 2009

2011-04-25T07:06:00.001+12:00

Alright firstly, this rocks (teehee) and it's green (via @Te_Ara)

"Let me be mad, mad with the madness of Absinthe, the wildest, most luxurious madness in the world." Marie Corelli

"Absinthe...the Green Fairy...La Fée Verte....no other drink has the same romantic history - the French
Impressionists
Toulouse Lautrec, Degas, Manet, Van Gogh
Paris in the Belle Epoque
the cafes of Montmartre
the muse of writers from Verlaine and Rimbaud to Joyce and Hemingway.

Of course, there's a darker side to absinthe as well - no other drink has ever roused the same degree of passionate condemnation, and no other drink has ever been banned outright in the way absinthe was in the years leading up to 1915.
-(From The Virtual Absinthe Museum)

My friend Tom Beard has written of absinthe before, and his article beats the pants off mine.

The history of absinthe:
Be warned this site is called 'trendpimp' and hence has a fair few of the Girls! Girls! Girls! Banners we all know and love/hate.

Mind-altering effects explained at this site.

Absinthe in America - how to prepare and purchase.

We are going to try to find the Green Fairy. I searched for her online, and found her living in Fairy World

Oscar Wilde on Absinthe:
"The first stage is like ordinary drinking, the second when you begin to see monstrous and cruel things, but if you can persevere you will enter in upon the third stage where you see things that you want to see, wonderful curious things."

"Absinthe has a wonderful colour, green. A glass of absinthe is as poetical as anything in the world. What difference is there between a glass of absinthe and a sunset?"

My friend Phillip says it's all in the wormwood. We had wormwood growing outside our house, for dreaming. The vagrant hippy trumpet player who slept on our floor said it was good for daydreams. The wormwood essential oil I bought in Brisbane from Happy High Herbs (make your own absinthe) certainly smelt/tasted amazing.

From wikipedia:
"Therapeutic uses

The leaves and flowering tops are gathered when the plant is in full bloom, and dried naturally or with artificial heat. Its active substances include silica, two bitter elements (absinthine and anabsinthine), thujone, tannic and resinous substances, malic acid, and succinic acid. Its use has been claimed to remedy indigestion and gastric pain, it acts as an antiseptic, and as a febrifuge. For medicinal use, the herb is used to make a tea for helping pregnant women during pain of labor. A dried encapsulated form of the plant is used as an anthelmintic.

A wine can also be made by macerating the herb. It is also available in powder form and as a tincture. The oil of the plant can be used as a cardiac stimulant to improve blood circulation. Pure wormwood oil is very poisonous, but with proper dosage poses little or no danger. Wormwood is mostly a stomach medicine.[3]

Etymology and folklore

Artemisia comes from Ancient Greek ἀρτεμισία, from Ἄρτεμις, meaning Artemis (the goddess).[4] In Hellenistic culture, Artemis was a goddess of the hunt, and protector of the forest and children.

Absinthium comes from Ancient Greek ἀψίνθιον (apsinthion),[5] possibly meaning "unenjoyable", and probably referring to the bitter nature of the derived beverage[6]. Consider the following quote by Lucretius found in Institutio Oratoria an ancient work on rhetoric by the philosopher Quintilian:

"And as physicians when they seek to give

A draught of bitter wormwood to a child,

First smearing along the edge that rims the cup

The liquid sweets of honey, golden-hued,"

The word "wormwood" comes from Middle English "wormwode" or "wermode". The form "wormwood" is influenced by the traditional use as a cure for intestinal worms. Webster's Third New International Dictionary attributes the etymology to Old English "wermōd" (compare with German Wermut and the derived drink Vermouth). An alternate explanation dubiously combines the Old English "wer", meaning "man" (as in "werewolf"), with OE "mōd", meaning "mood"."

My wonderful twitter friend @GrassAngel sent me this link to a beautiful green fairy

And of course, there's always Kylie Minogue. She's the same height as me, I think!

On kissing

2011-04-25T06:19:00.002+12:00

Making out with a moustache drawn on your upper lip in eyeliner is quite hilarious.

"The auburn strand like a flaw in the porcelain"

Birds are going to build nests with all that crazy orange hair that was shaved off in my front garden.

On need, and desire

2011-04-24T04:25:00.000+12:00

Need space, to breathe!

On resilience

2011-04-21T20:26:00.002+12:00

Having a hissy fit is much needed, sometimes.

With oneself. You excuse yourself from company, stamp your feet, write, go for a walk.

You smile that little smile of self indulgence.

You pick yourself up, reassess your world, see something beautiful, and carry on with your day.

That's what grownups do.

In the future...

2011-04-21T07:17:00.001+12:00

Big Brother will see your every move.

Poseur

2011-04-20T09:30:00.002+12:00

Remarkable resemblance, don't you think?

Ummm but hopefully not to the domestic abuse, public drunkenness and disturbing the peace.

Oh, ok, I'm drunk in public sometimes.

Not cool, Nicolas Cage, not cool.

Woah. From The Av Club

"Things took an even uglier turn when Cage—whose wife and son had reportedly stormed out on him earlier—began seeking female companionship, shouting, “WHERE’S THE REAL GIRLS?” and assessing two (already accompanied) women he spotted in the corner (“’You.’ He pointed at the brunette. ‘You're a contender.’ He turned to the blonde. ‘You're not’”".

Eeep! And also, meta. Life, art, etc.

Hanging on

2011-04-20T07:59:00.003+12:00

"One day I'll have enough to get more.
I'll wait to hear your final call."

"Even though, I've passed this time alone, somewhere so unknown, it heals the soul" are quite powerful and relevant, to me at least.

"You ask for walls..."

More llama cuteness, but I'd put this video on mute before I watch it. How much do you think a baby llama would cost me?

On poetry

2011-04-20T07:50:00.002+12:00

"The finger that taps and feathers your ear
but the giggle’s gone before you turn around.
The sandalwood scent hanging in the room,
the auburn strand like a flaw in the porcelain"
W. S. Di Piero

"Rattle
of chest and chains. I would curl
beside him, head in the lap
that held me."
Karen Zelas

On cuteness

2011-04-19T15:05:00.006+12:00

Because Goddess knows we all need some cuteness in our lives, sometimes.

Tea and kittens for everyone.

From http://www.freewebs.com/seraphimburmese/DSC03472.JPG

Thanks Ms Fish for the kittens.

Thanks Jez, Tracy, Lawrah for listening to me and my talk about babies. <3

AND LLAMAS

On fear

2011-04-19T09:42:00.003+12:00

Many conversations about fear, recently. I'm pretty much afraid, every day, as much as I try to be big, brave and strong!

Top 5 fears (in order from greatest to least)

1) Nuclear apocalypse
2) Tsunamis
3) Being burnt alive (which theoretically could involve 1), I guess)
4) Being suffocated by a mime
5) Daleks (this is a childhood fear I only am reminded of when I see OLD Doctor Who.)

What are yours?

I think traveling alone is the very best way to conquer fear.

Attachment/freedom/both?

2011-04-19T08:34:00.005+12:00

"My friend assures me, it's all or nothing.
I am not worried. I am not overly concerned.
My friend implores me.
For one time only,
Make an exception."

The Counting Crows wrote a song about an Anna. I live it.

Amusing

2011-04-19T00:40:00.002+12:00

I've been watching Dr Horrible's Singalong Blog quite a bit recently. I feel like I'm really late to the party with this one, but it has so many funny lines. And some really quite fantastic songs.

This video is actually quite funny. I really want an underbust corset now.

Inspiration

2011-04-18T16:35:00.004+12:00

Support another unicorn fan, charity begins at home

2011-04-18T16:00:00.006+12:00

Here's an interview with the notorious Jez Kemp who likes to write and make music and who is also shaving off his hair for Shave for a Cure. You can donate monies to the Leukemia Blood Foundation and help Jez meet his fund raising target here.

1) Sooooo... I hear you're going to shave all your hair off?

Yes! I’ve done it before but it was years ago, so I’m a bit nervous.

2) What's the craziest hair you've ever had?

Either black with red tips (I was 16, going for a Darth Maul look), or very long, spiky and blue. I remember doing life modelling at university and seeing scratchy charcoal drawings with a mass of blue scribble. Great fun.

3) I heard you're awesome, and also from Wellington. What makes your city so great?

Well, I wouldn’t call it my city … but Wellington’s great because it’s small, cosmopolitan, comfortable, relaxed, arty, creative, and occasionally sunny. Oh and it’s in New Zealand!

4) Any crazy stories you want to tell from 2011?

We’ve only had 3 months! Um, I released another single? That was fun, it was a good party. I dyed my hair red (the dye is still there now, although fading), we had 4 amazing acts play, balloons, cake & lollies (literally too much to eat), lots of rock and roll, and we even streamed it live on the internet. Good times.

5) Top three reasons we should sponsor you for Shave for a Cure?

A) Cancer is rubbish. I don’t have many personal experiences with cancer, but my granddad died from lung cancer when I was 9, and my mum has always said I would have got on great with him. So I feel like that’s a link to my family and the 20th century that I had taken away from me. It's true that cancer is a well-funded cause, but that’s because it’s one of the biggest killers, and it takes lots more money than government can throw at it to fund treatments and help people. So donate some cash!

B) I haven’t shaved my head in years and it’s the first time my New Zealand friends will get to see it. It’s going to be quite a sight – well worth donating just to see my red/orange hair come off!

C) Cancer is a shit that needs wiping up. See A.

6) Top five celebs you'd sleep with.
I don’t normally do celebs (in both senses sadly), but as it’s for charidee…

Natalie Portman – consistently very hot, even with a shaved head!

Angelina Jolie – she’s always been hot, but with white dreads = sextown.

Kate Beckinsale/Liv Tyler – they’re the same person right? If not, can I have both?

Johnny Depp – because what man isn’t a little bit gay for Johnny.

Gael Garcia Bernal – I’m not gay but he’s just awesome and a little bit pretty.

On Mondays, and procrastinating

2011-04-18T12:56:00.005+12:00

Shrug, prosecute me. This Last Unicorn film is awesome.

The New Matilda is an excellent Independent News site.

Sometimes a morning is well spent organising and planning, even if no actual essay writing is completed.

Avalon closes. See also The Smashing Pumpkins, etc. Robyn as always, writes beautifully.

My friend @jezkemp is shaving off all his orange spiky hair for Shave for a Cure. Y'all could donate here, if you like, it would make him smile. He'll be shaving his head at our flat this weekend, if you want, I could post photos up here. What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments. Remember you can donate to Sarah Bennett who is also shaving her head for the same awesome charity here.

Jez, with crazy hair. Photo by Tobi, I think?

Sarah, being beautiful, with her gorgeous daughter. All that hair will go!

Fond of lists, as always

2011-04-18T10:28:00.004+12:00

Rain and procrastination
Tahini and honey on toast
Chilli hot chocolate and a house to tidy
Attempts to inject optimism into friends' Monday mornings seemingly futile
Entertaining myself as the wind rages outside
I, for one, am in control of my own mood
I choose to be smug and content.
A massage table of costume paraphernalia
Stockings, garters, corsets, a miniature top hat
Urging myself to concentrate
My inner child just always wants to play, these days
As ridiculous as it seems
I get joy from concentrating on books, lists, study
Writing logical passages, concentrating on scientific studies
Finding order in a chaotic world.

Amusing myself with lists, as always
Ridiculous hospital slang.

Remember how this isn't a music blog?

2011-04-17T22:36:00.006+12:00

I love having neighbours who give me adorable footwear. If I can borrow a digital camera off someone to take photos of clothes left from my clothing swap last month, I'll take photos of the two new pairs of beautiful heels my friend just gave me. They are currently decorating my room.

I had so much fun last night dancing and dressing up and dancing! It was such a great night at Medusa. Seriously, maybe the most fun I've had all year.

WOMAD really reminded me how important moving to music is to me, it's right up there with yoga and cups of herbal tea, for bringing me joy.

I also love the sound of heavy rain on the roof. In my little house on the hill, I am feeling quite cosy with warm thoughts in my heart of my beautiful, caring friends, listening to raindrops, my belly full of double mushroom risotto. Dessert was baked pears, with butter, cloves, brown sugar, a cold weather favourite when served with thick yoghurt. More cold weather delights.

As insular and creative as I plan to be this Autumn and Winter, I do plan on seeing live music, and supporting Wellington's creative ventures. I think I'm going to do a lot more visiting of the inside art galleries than last winter, and I have a huge list of films I want to watch with friends.

So I'll be down at Medusa again on Wednesday (the place is going to get sick of me!) watching Jez, Katie, Declan, Peter and Megan make music, for free. Nothing has free entry these days, so I'm looking forward to sitting down with a wine and watching these kids play. The facebook invite is here, turn up, bring an attractive friend :)

On a life lived in the public eye.

2011-04-17T15:04:00.004+12:00

At the age of 18, when I moved to Auckland for a year, I loved the anonymity of a 'Big City'. Since I left my home town Christchurch ten years ago, the longest time I've stayed in one place was three years in Brisbane.

I've had a few conversations of late about if Wellington is, to quote one of the bears from Goldilocks, sized "just right".

I loved Brisbane for the live music, Monday nights with Chad and Morgyn's The Shire teahouse drinking chai under a frangipani tree (or, occasionally, watching music from the boughs of that tree), my community, the West End markets, the beautiful place of permaculture and sustainability which is the Northey Street City Farm, sweaty, intimate gigs with red wine and cups of tea at The Tongue and Groove.

I think I also loved living in a city of a decent population.

Wellington seems so small sometimes. Maybe I just need to escape it for a day or two, to see the city with new eyes. Although, walking to the Southeast Asian Night Market with the reflective glow of streetlights in the mist, haze muting the lights across the sea, I fell in love with this city, all over again.

The hero/heroine's journey

2011-04-15T23:08:00.000+12:00

From Adair Jones

World mourned, over it.

2011-04-14T10:03:00.004+12:00

Next: weekend, fun, costume parties, lightness, dancing, laughter.

Mucha

Those who can't write, write instruction manuals

2011-04-14T01:30:00.006+12:00

I've cried out for, of late, an instruction manual for life.

It's all very good for my mind to dally with thoughts of planning parties, boys, food and the like, but I've had some emotional evenings in the last 6 weeks, and I guess to a certain extent that's to be expected.

I know why, of course, after a break up of a long term relationship... I've been through this self-assemblage before.

That fall to pieces and rebuild, in a way. Or perhaps a re-acquaintance of what I like to do, those aspects of personality so crucial in self image.

I guess it's just been a bit different this year, with my hometown falling to pieces and needed to be rebuilded, too.

From http://twitter.com/#!/benkepes

You know those nights

2011-04-13T21:31:00.001+12:00

You know those nights where you feel your life is completely out of your control?

Yeah, I don't really like those nights.

Today, I am grateful for...

2011-04-12T17:16:00.000+12:00

Neil Gaiman's A Game of You

Sunshine and the mundane joy of being able to wash three hampers worth of washing.

Beautiful, sparky, intelligent friends who care about me!

Finding the word 'extropian'.

Finishing Jez Kemp's sci fi trilogy No Up, etc, and actually enjoying it.

Biomechanical hip function in movement and our inspiring tutors at the New Zealand College of Massage

Tuesday afternoons with a quiet house,
a visiting cat,
and a crush to dream about.

Keepin' it local, with gratuitous use of capital letters.

2011-04-12T16:34:00.003+12:00

OK so I often get a bit carried away thinking about my own life (it's SUCH a sunny evening, and I'm really looking forward to an evening stroll by the waterfront soon) but I thought I'd just do a quick shout out to the local businesses that are really impressing me this year.

1) Grow From Here is run by the wonderful Kay, and I may be a little biased because I WON A BATH OF PLANTS from them, but I really like plants, and growing your own food, and local businesses. I also think a gift of a houseplant is the cutest idea ever. So get down to the end of Cuba Street, away from the waterfront, ya know, towards Brooklyn, and check out the wares, y'all.

2) People often ask me as a massage student, where to get a massage. I personally recommend in Newtown, Rachelle Eastwood, or in the city Iselde de Boam at Absolute Therapy on Tory St. At Absolute Therapy Bianca and Rebecca and any of the therapists are amazing, actually.

3) Bar Medusa! This place is cosy, and friendly, and often plays Music I Like, not just Music I Find Interesting. And yes, these types of music can be quite different to me. I personally CAN'T WAIT for the Cirque de Medusa on Saturday, cos it's my beautiful friend's birthday party, AND I get to finally see Miho Wada who I understand to be a little bit like Deerhoof, who I saw a few years back in Brisbane, and amazed me.

4) City Hop. Did you know Wellington has a car share company? Nope, until last year, neither did I. This almost makes me want to finally get my Full License (11 years on a Restricted, oh yeah.) Looks like they're in Christchurch and Auckland too. Sustainability AND convenience, y'all. Without the responsibility of Owning A Car.

I love this town.

From glutnix on flickr

If I had a choice, and I do, always.

2011-04-10T17:55:00.004+12:00

I choose to live my own life, with wide open eyes.
I choose not to mull, but to meditate. Not to wade through the experiences I've been through (which yes, haven't always been pretty).
I choose optimism, because the world is a beautiful place, and I know beautiful people.
I see beauty in the sorrow, and no light at the end of the tunnel.
Because there is an end to this tunnel, in my opinion.
At the end of that tunnel, there's nothing. Oblivion. That's it.
Which in my eyes, is a pretty good reason to choose to be free, and embrace life NOW.

To choose to live without fear, to dance and smile and "wear purple with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me."
To love life and experience joy and dance wherever I damned well please.
Because I'm young, and I won't be forever, and I'm alive, and I won't be forever.
I guess I made a choice, after an epiphany (in India, which is ridiculous, because who ACTUALLY has epiphanies in India?)
That choice was to live my own life. To follow my own path.

(The epiphany was actually that I could stay in one place and learn from making a little life somewhere. That place was Brisbane, for three years, but I think I could say the same about keeping a little life in Wellington now.)

On awesomeness, and Good Causes

2011-04-10T01:37:00.008+12:00

Yes, I'm blogging.

What else would I be doing at 1.30am on a Saturday night?

This is a post to say that my friend Sarah is AWESOME. She's shaving her head, y'all, for charity, and you shouldn't give her money. I never really understood that whole reverse psychology malarkey.

You should SO give her money for charity!.

I thought I'd interview Miss Sarah, so you can get an idea of her awesomeness.

1) Sooooo... I hear you're going to shave all your hair off?

lol yes i sure am. It's such a good cause - raising money for the Leukaemia and Blood foundation - and people who actually have leukaemia dont have a choice about losing their hair! I think part of my decision may have come from a lack of sleep (made final decision last night around 11pm) but i was already thinking of doing it next year and suddenly i just thought "Why not just suck it up and do it this year?". I'd been looking at photos of my brother in law who had just done it which helped make up my mind. I also want to set a good example for my daughter ashlee - about compassion and helping those less fortunate than us. I dont have a lot of money but this is something i can do to help that doesnt cost me anything except hair which i can grow back :-)

2) What's the craziest hair you've ever had?

Umm.. In 7th form i changed my hair colour 5 or six times. My history teacher told me i was going to give her a heart attack! That's because everytime i changed it it was more outrageous. Dark pink, fluro pink, blue and pink stripes, Hair like Leeloo from 5th Element (as in bright orange with blonde, blonde roots) etc. That was probably my craziest hair year ever.

3) I heard you're awesome, and also from Christchurch. How's the city doing?

lol i dont know about awesome but i am from christchurch. Things are gradually settling down here - although everytime i think things are getting kind of back to normal there is another aftershock to put me on edge. Some places still don't have working toilets (i am one of the lucky ones that does) and a lot of people are now getting to the point where they are having to make staff redundant or close business altogether. In some ways now that the government subsidy is running out it's going to get a lot harder for people to live week to week i think. I am very lucky to work for IRD and I will be starting back at work next week. Reduced hours (6 hour shifts instead of 8) but i will still be paid my normal wages and dont have to worry about losing my job.

4) Any crazy stories you want to tell from the quake?

I dont know how crazy my stories are - it kind of feels like a dream during the day now and the slight PTSD we all have here really only comes back at night for me. Since i work for IRD i was right in the middle of town when the quake hit. I was dazed from being thrown out of my seat (was on the 6th floor of our building which swayed like you wouldnt believe!) and i remember thinking "Why are all these people screaming?". It was weird - totally didnt seem real at first. Until i saw the CTV building fold like a house of cards. Even then i didnt really register that that was a real building and people i waved to in the mornings were in there. Anyway, we then had to go into Latimer Square (walking past the CTV building which caught on fire) - i need to say a huge thank-you to Heather Allen and Phil and Josh from my team who kept me together when i suddenly realised that my daughter was at school and i had no way to get to her. Getting from town to Ash's school is kind of a blur - i remember having a funny conversation with one of the mentally disabled guys from the halfway house down the street from me. Just a general conversation about the weather and what he's been doing that week. Sort of added to the surreal feeling of it all. I was freaking out as i couldnt get hold of anyone from my family - i was so so so lucky that everyone was ok. And my house was totally fine, ash is absolutely great (not traumatised at all) and really my biggest problem at the moment is boredom. I had a bad earthquake day but so many people had so much worse and still do. I feel so ridiculously lucky and i have nothing but compassion and empathy for those who lost family and friends or their business/job. Awful. We'll get there though. NZ's are fighters and survivers. I know that has become a bit of a cliche but I'm australian so you know i mean it if i say it.

5) Top three reasons we should donate sponsor you for www.shaveforacure.co.nz

i) Leukeamia effects children more than almost any other cancer. Young children as well.

ii) Every little bit helps! If we can get lots of people donating even a couple of dollars each will really add up.

iii) Like i said earlier - this is a great way to show our solidarity to those going through this terrible illness. Obviously we can never hope to know what they are going through without experiencing it but they dont get a choice about losing their hair. Men, women and children. Please help!

6) Top five celebs you'd sleep with

i) Jemaine Clement
ii) Brett McKenzie
iii) Roberto Benigni from "Life is Beautiful"
iv) Jonny Depp
v) Colin Firth

Here's a photo of Sarah and I from Hokitika Wild Foods festival, generally being awesome. All that hair's gonna go (from Sarah, on the right, at least).

On live music

2011-04-08T09:49:00.002+12:00

OK I'm going to update my New Years resolution (sure I can do that in April) to include moar live music. (So, more live music, as well as more optimism; less pessimism.)

I saw April Fish on Wednesday night and was moved by the emotive, adorable, insightful music these two create. Thanks!

Seeing people do what they are passionate about always inspires me to create. It's all about finding a balance, I guess, and when I don't have balance in my life, I get colds and flus.

Like right now, I'm looking back at this advice and realising the wisdom behind it.

Photos by Jez Kemp

On reminiscing, and renewal

2011-04-07T19:46:00.002+12:00

There's something so wonderfully introspective about the change of seasons, and the start of the cold time of year.

I've been reacquainting myself with...myself... so to speak, and reading my livejournal from the years 2005-2009. I wrote sporadically in this time, and much of it quoted Stereophonics lyrics, Ryan Adams, Radiohead, you can imagine, but there are some small pieces of gold hidden in the early 20s muddy sincerity. I've posted a couple of them up before this blogpost.

Reflection is powerful. I had no idea how much I have grown, or changed, and I guess I still don't have much of a clue.

One thing's for sure though, I'm more comfortable in my own skin, now.

Maturity, travel and heartbreak have taught me quite a few lessons, I guess. I may have even learned some of them?

I'm glad I don't take life so seriously as I did. Having A Sense of Humour is very important, I think, in these days, in these times.

Plus, now, there's youtube! And twitter!

Guest post, from myself, November 15th, 2005

2011-04-07T19:21:00.001+12:00

Nothing lasts forever; in the cold November rain

Spring has sprung, well and truly. I adventured around the Botanical Gardens yesterday after work. Two little Hagley-high looking girls giggled at me practising yoga amongst the ducks by the river. I think they were quite interested, they were talking about the Kama Sutra... Interesting...

I made friends with a fantail. Anyone watching would have thought I was completely insane, chirping away to a tiny creature. I wished I had a camera for the second time that day.

Walking down a street off Fitzgerald, the most amusing sign:

"Gimp wanted. Female only. Free rent."

Oh Christchurch, whatever will we do with you?

Current Mood: awake... barely
Current Music: Franz Ferdinand: You Could Have it So Much Better

An Anna-poem, from 2009

2011-04-07T15:58:00.004+12:00

There, sweet child
Slow your mind, Breathe my calm
Imagine my heavy arms comforting, easing
Stop your search for a better life
O sweet one,
You've always had the love you seek
Others have chipped at that fount
When you need to replace your energy
Go inside
I'm always here
There is wisdom not far, and beauty
Do not run from it, dull the search
With facile communion and lust
There is no path
No path for you
Except love, except love
Accept love.

Also a list, from 2005

Traits I have learned or inherited from my parents.

1) A complete annoyance at those who complain
2) Nail biting
3) An interest in food and wine
4) An exercise addiction, particularly exercise in The Outdoors
5) An introspective reflecting tendency
6) Mornings are not for laziness
7) Afternoons can be lazy, naps are fine
8) Pale blue coloured eyes.

Favourite Joss Whedon character month

2011-04-07T15:23:00.004+12:00

Willow!
Because she's clever, fragile, redhead, strong and sparky.

(from shewired.com)

Fashion, turn to the left.

2011-04-06T05:30:00.009+12:00

I do rant once in a while. Hopefully you take from this that creativity is AWESOME.

Yeah so according to the talented writer (I can dream of writing with such humour) Robyn Gallagher it's now passé to talk about hipsters all the time.

I hear this, and I acknowledge it. I do appreciate a little bit of hipster-ribbing (who doesn't, and not in a dirty way, and how cute is that link?). My generation had Indie Kids, though, and I think I was one? A Kiwi equivalent, as we were just as likely to enjoy dub music and listen to Channel Z with all the rock/college rock/pop punk it played. We had MTV UK on Sky for a year and I swear my teenage love of Blur, Catatonia, Pulp, Suede come from this.

I don't know though, maybe I was too much of a science geek to be an Indie Kid.

My point, and I do have one is that fashion evolves. Just like technology evolves.

Most people around me seem to be quite happy that Apple is releasing the next... what.... iTable? (Apple's not a cult, surely).

Yet people love to complain about "what the kids are wearing".

Discussing what a College kid wears in Portland is irrelevant to me. I want to know what this kid makes, and talks about, and does, regardless if that kid has a trust fund and studies Art and wears some crazy clothes.

For instance typewriters. Odd, if kids start carrying them around. Beautiful, if they start writing POETRY on them. Gorgeous, if they make jewellery from typewriter keys. Genius, if this heralds the return of Steampunk into mainstream fashion.

I'd like to put out there, I'm going to attempt to cease my snobbery and embrace new creative endeavours, however awful my middle class upbringing suggests they are.

P.S. I really feel like I should be acknowledging Zaed, Daniil, Chiara, for sites, conversations, etc - as I've never actually been to the States. Or, the UK. Sigh.

P.P.S. y'all are quite aware I mostly write this blog to myself, right?

On sex, drugs and rock n roll

2011-04-06T04:52:00.012+12:00

Firstly, I am not a rock star from the 80s. This is why I have never, and never intend to try cocaine.

Secondly, this tattoo makes me laugh. Reminds me of Weird in Wellington's beautifully sarcastic take on street art. As does most of Vice Magazine's DOS AND DON'TS

Though the drugs don't appeal, the other two that often accompany them... and fame...

"Laughter of children, discretion of slaves, austerity of virgins, horror in the faces and objects of today, may you be consecrated by the memory of that wake. It began in all loutishness, now it’s ending among angels of flame and ice.

Little eve of drunkenness, holy! were it only for the mask with which you gratified us. We affirm you, method! We don’t forget that yesterday you glorified each one of our ages. We have faith in the poison. We know how to give our whole lives every day."

- Rimbaud, John Ashbery translation

My sister, in Christchurch

2011-04-05T18:32:00.002+12:00

Technically a shot at a party in Brisbane.
She's amazing. I should have included her in my post about amazing women in my life.

THIS is why I love winter

2011-04-05T17:43:00.002+12:00

Right up there with the mulled wine, red wine, dark rum, dark coffee, chocolate covered coffee beans, cat-cuddling, blankets, good company, soups, Irish stew, potatoes, millet porridge, honey, and chocolate. That would be chocolate included twice.

I love Wellington winter for hats!

Happy

2011-04-05T07:03:00.005+12:00

We have a bar in Wellington just down the road, called Happy. I never seem to find the time to frequent it, but I have enjoyed mulled wine from a teapot, and crazy music there before. I'm going to try to see April Fish there on Wednesday.

Now I have time.

This makes me Happy.

Then there's a "Rock Relief for Christchurch" gig at Bodega another earthquake fundraiser with OLMECHA SUPREME on Saturday at Bodega I will most probably attend. I haven't seen them since Woodford year before last.

This isn't supposed to be a music blog.

"I got my feet on the ground, and I don't go to sleep to dream."

I'll tell you something

2011-04-05T05:50:00.007+12:00

"I am a wolf but, I like to wear sheep's clothing"

Oh, Shirley Manson. Your lyrics were my first love, and you were my first girl-crush.

You are quite possibly the reason my hair was red for many years.

I've been revisiting all the music of my teenage years and 20s recently. I think it's either because I'm under a little bit of stress, and looking to procrastinate, or I'm a bit scared of turning 30 next year.

Let's not dwell on the turning 30 ;)

Ahhh, high school. The early years were spent hanging out with my CGHS girls, and Shannon. There was crafting with Tori, and Hera, she's famous internationally now. There was silliness in maths classes with Sarah and Sophie (currently in Spain, doing amazing renewable energy work). Pretty sure Libby was in that maths class too, who has her own pet care business these days and was recently on the telly risking life and limb saving animals after the Christchurch quake. Michelle Mortensen is up in Auckland saving lives as a nurse, and it looks like she's still doing a far bit of her art. There's my Kylie and my Amy and our adopted Villa Girl Annemarie, who are leading Epic Lives in London, and who I miss. There's Ellen, holder of Arts and Science degrees and aerobics instructor and cheerleader and goodness knows what else, she may well run NZ one day, or frequent magazine covers, who knows. And Hayley, being paid to learn Mandarin and be a diplomat in Taiwan! And I got to travel to India with her!

There's my Sarah, who is the most amazing mother and Capable Woman, and whose stories from the earthquake I would like to write some day.

Goodness gracious me, I know some inspiring women.

Image by Michelle Mortensen

Eroticism

2011-04-04T20:41:00.004+12:00

Oh, my.
Bit out of my budget, but. These. Boots.

My new probable business partner

2011-04-04T15:47:00.001+12:00

Is awesome!