Ladies, if you insist on wearing seamed stockings, please take a moment to ensure the seams are straight.
That is all.
xx
Monday 30 April 2012
Sunday 29 April 2012
Happiness. Theme songs. Mondays. Oxymorons (day 11)
So day 11 represents just over halfway through my challenge and whilst it has been an interesting exercise, it can be really tiring! Maybe it's my overanalytical nature coming to the fore, but I am going through my days thinking about the challenge and going, oh, I can write that as a gratitude, and wait, wouldn't that be a good random act of kindness?
Which kind of defeats the purpose of a random act of kindness, yeah?
I must say it is starting to feel a little manufactured and repetitive, but if it's reprogramming my brain to automatically be positive then I should probably stick with it. And it's not like I lose anything, at the end of this I'll have clocked up 21 days of doing something nice for others even if it was calculated in advance! And that can't be too bad.
So day 11, here we go:
Gratitudes:
Journal:
So we're doing this thing at work at the moment where we have to nominate theme songs for certain aspects of what we do, different ones every week, to create the Brisbane 'playlist'. I wanted to do this a few years back but I think it might have been vetoed in our team as the powers-that-be were slightly afraid (read: terrified) of what inappropriateness would ensue from this challenge. For example, I don't think they were terribly impressed with my suggestion that my signature song should be "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap".
It has got me thinking though about songs that form the soundtrack of your life. What would be your theme song?
Meditation:
So I got a little further in last night, I'm trying this visualisation thing where you let the good energy fill you up and then let the bad energy drain out. Problem is, I always seem to fall asleep just before draining out the bad stuff. So maybe I'm walking around with the good and the bad all snarled up inside me? This could be a problem.
Random act of kindness:
Someone just told me the bus thing doesn't count. Killjoys. I gave one of my workmates some of my butter today. Surely that counts? I could've been a selfish cow and said no, right?
How's your week starting out for you? Hoping your Monday is working magic for you!
xx
Which kind of defeats the purpose of a random act of kindness, yeah?
I must say it is starting to feel a little manufactured and repetitive, but if it's reprogramming my brain to automatically be positive then I should probably stick with it. And it's not like I lose anything, at the end of this I'll have clocked up 21 days of doing something nice for others even if it was calculated in advance! And that can't be too bad.
So day 11, here we go:
Gratitudes:
- In probably the most uncalculated move of this challenge, my brain automatically decided to designate today as my looking out the window and doing nothing day. For the past few days I've woken up sooo legarthic so getting out of my cosy bed this morning was harder than the typical Monday morning. The eyes opened with a small vocabulary of four words...'shit work', 'shower' and 'coffee'. I was so foggy that nothing other than daydreaming on the bus today was going to be possible. And once again, it was lovely. Time actually went so quickly, or perhaps I managed a quick nanna nap, I can't promise I didn't. And as I think it's hilarious watching others sleeping on public transport, perhaps I inadvertently provided someone else with a genuine random act of kindness today?
- I'm grateful my colleague finally got some lunch at 2:30pm thus temporarily stabilising her blood sugar ratios and reverting her to a lovely and pleasant colleague. Christ I'm scraping the barrel today, but try working with a hungry, cranky Italian woman :) You know I'm speaking the truth!
- So I sent off all the paperwork today for my new job so it's official! That is, pending police and medical checks...oh dear! Hopefully someone hasn't stolen my identity and gone around creating havoc breaking the law recently, that would be tiresome. And messy. And it wasn't me. Otherwise I should be OK unless they decide any lazy bum over 35 is not fit to work there. Fools gave me a blue card so I mustn't be too bad.
Journal:
So we're doing this thing at work at the moment where we have to nominate theme songs for certain aspects of what we do, different ones every week, to create the Brisbane 'playlist'. I wanted to do this a few years back but I think it might have been vetoed in our team as the powers-that-be were slightly afraid (read: terrified) of what inappropriateness would ensue from this challenge. For example, I don't think they were terribly impressed with my suggestion that my signature song should be "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap".
It has got me thinking though about songs that form the soundtrack of your life. What would be your theme song?
Meditation:
So I got a little further in last night, I'm trying this visualisation thing where you let the good energy fill you up and then let the bad energy drain out. Problem is, I always seem to fall asleep just before draining out the bad stuff. So maybe I'm walking around with the good and the bad all snarled up inside me? This could be a problem.
Random act of kindness:
Someone just told me the bus thing doesn't count. Killjoys. I gave one of my workmates some of my butter today. Surely that counts? I could've been a selfish cow and said no, right?
How's your week starting out for you? Hoping your Monday is working magic for you!
xx
Bec's rant of the day...what has happened to sisterhood in motherhood?
I was reading one of my favourite blogs where she directed us to a controversial article that is currently making the rounds in the US. It's called the Modern Motherhood Conflict, and wow. This woman takes potshots at stay-at-home mums ('they have lost their minds') and likens the movement back towards natural parenting as turning the female back into an 'animal'.
The really disappointing thing is the author, Elisabeth Badinter, has a couple of really good points in the article but her controversial stances on select subjects have raised the ire of mothers everywhere which means anything sensible that she does say is diluted by the idiotic comments she peppers throughout the interview.
Her main points:
It was a shame as some of this really resonated and made sense. The best advice I received was to be Bec first, mother second. You put yourself second, third, last so often and so automatically that it can be easy to get lose sight of yourself, particularly when sleep deprived. This advice in my opinion is really valid and so important for a mother's sanity. Taking just a few minutes of me-time in whatever form works for you (mine was a shower) helps you feel human, calms your emotions and really does make you a more positive parent.
I also agreed with women losing focus on their careers for extended periods of time. No-one knows what will happen in their lives, and I have seen women affected by divorce, death or illness that suddenly find themselves breadwinners and have no discernable skills apart from keeping a great house.
I am not disparaging stay-at-home mums in any way, yes they have many skills, but are they easily transferrable and recognisable in what is becoming a more competitive work environment during this period of rising unemployment? Technology changes in a whisper so skills from 5-10 years ago simply may not be enough to convince the employer you're up to the task.
I also struggled very much with breastfeeding, despite trying for months, and eventually my son rejected me entirely for a bottle filled with breastmilk. And yes, I did feel somewhat like a cow having to use the dreaded breast pump all the time. This doesn't mean that I'm not still an advocate of breastfeeding, all evidence points towards the the fact that it is absolutely the best start you can give your baby. However having been on the receiving end of glaring disapproval from staunch breastfeeders (who had no idea what I'd been through) when I pulled out a bottle, I do agree there should be more support for choice. The way she attacked breastfeeding proponents was, however, so over the top that it was hard to even see her point.
I pretty much disagree, and quite violently, with almost every other word coming out of this woman's mouth. She might think that natural parenting sets us back 100 years, but I feel her comments are setting the women's movement back 100 years.
Feminism to me, means giving women CHOICE. Choice whether or not to have children, choice whether or not to work, to breastfeed, parent and unlimited choice of career and equality despite your gender. Elizabeth's scathing attack on stay-at-home-mums and those who subscribe to natural parenting disparages this choice. I personally had to work for financial reasons, however I am completely envious of those who have the choice to work or not work. Choice being the operative word.
I have said on so many occasions on this blog that I adore my friends because they are supportive, uplifting and positive influences on my life. This is as it should be! Why do women persist in tearing each other down when we should be standing together? I find it terribly said that we criticise each other endlessly for working, not working, using cloth nappies or disposables, doing this, doing that...where does it end?
Elizabeth's attack on stay-at-home-mums is just as bad in my opinion as criticism for working mothers. When we all accept that we all have different parenting styles, different kids and different lives, and that provided our children are happy and healthy, our acceptance of each other's choices is what will drive us forward. Tearing each other down is what sets us back, not breastfeeding.
Whew. There's my rant for the day. What do you think? Do you agree with anything Elizabeth says or did the blood boiling in your veins make you not read past paragraph 1?
xx
The really disappointing thing is the author, Elisabeth Badinter, has a couple of really good points in the article but her controversial stances on select subjects have raised the ire of mothers everywhere which means anything sensible that she does say is diluted by the idiotic comments she peppers throughout the interview.
Her main points:
- Any gains made throughout the last 100 years that have allowed women to be more independent have been set back through the movement back to more natural forms of parenting
- Women are losing themselves in their children and then what? They grow up, move out, and women are left unskilled and unemployable
- Children benefit from learning how to get along without their mothers, therefore it is good for women to work outside of the home
- Breastfeeding puts the father completely aside, turns women into animals and formula is almost as good as breastmilk. Women shouldn't be made to feel guilty for not breastfeeding
- Women should not give up their identity when they become mothers
It was a shame as some of this really resonated and made sense. The best advice I received was to be Bec first, mother second. You put yourself second, third, last so often and so automatically that it can be easy to get lose sight of yourself, particularly when sleep deprived. This advice in my opinion is really valid and so important for a mother's sanity. Taking just a few minutes of me-time in whatever form works for you (mine was a shower) helps you feel human, calms your emotions and really does make you a more positive parent.
I also agreed with women losing focus on their careers for extended periods of time. No-one knows what will happen in their lives, and I have seen women affected by divorce, death or illness that suddenly find themselves breadwinners and have no discernable skills apart from keeping a great house.
I am not disparaging stay-at-home mums in any way, yes they have many skills, but are they easily transferrable and recognisable in what is becoming a more competitive work environment during this period of rising unemployment? Technology changes in a whisper so skills from 5-10 years ago simply may not be enough to convince the employer you're up to the task.
I also struggled very much with breastfeeding, despite trying for months, and eventually my son rejected me entirely for a bottle filled with breastmilk. And yes, I did feel somewhat like a cow having to use the dreaded breast pump all the time. This doesn't mean that I'm not still an advocate of breastfeeding, all evidence points towards the the fact that it is absolutely the best start you can give your baby. However having been on the receiving end of glaring disapproval from staunch breastfeeders (who had no idea what I'd been through) when I pulled out a bottle, I do agree there should be more support for choice. The way she attacked breastfeeding proponents was, however, so over the top that it was hard to even see her point.
I pretty much disagree, and quite violently, with almost every other word coming out of this woman's mouth. She might think that natural parenting sets us back 100 years, but I feel her comments are setting the women's movement back 100 years.
Feminism to me, means giving women CHOICE. Choice whether or not to have children, choice whether or not to work, to breastfeed, parent and unlimited choice of career and equality despite your gender. Elizabeth's scathing attack on stay-at-home-mums and those who subscribe to natural parenting disparages this choice. I personally had to work for financial reasons, however I am completely envious of those who have the choice to work or not work. Choice being the operative word.
I have said on so many occasions on this blog that I adore my friends because they are supportive, uplifting and positive influences on my life. This is as it should be! Why do women persist in tearing each other down when we should be standing together? I find it terribly said that we criticise each other endlessly for working, not working, using cloth nappies or disposables, doing this, doing that...where does it end?
Elizabeth's attack on stay-at-home-mums is just as bad in my opinion as criticism for working mothers. When we all accept that we all have different parenting styles, different kids and different lives, and that provided our children are happy and healthy, our acceptance of each other's choices is what will drive us forward. Tearing each other down is what sets us back, not breastfeeding.
Whew. There's my rant for the day. What do you think? Do you agree with anything Elizabeth says or did the blood boiling in your veins make you not read past paragraph 1?
xx
The happiness challenge. Day 10
Day 10 and the good vibes keep on coming. Of course it's the weekend so is relatively easy to find the upside on everything!
Happiness challenge is full-steam ahead...today at least!
Gratitudes:
Journal:
Saying goodbye to some friends today was hard. This is my first farewell as they are going on holidays for 5 weeks to Canada and the US (jealous!). We'll be well and truly in Toowoomba by their return, although we've arranged for a sleepover a week or two after they get back so it isn't exactly 'goodbye forever'. Our kids have become really close in the past couple of years at school and it will be hard for both of them to not see each other every day.
It was a fantastic day though, adults on the deck (despite a rainy and cold day), kidsplaying happily not killing each other inside, BBQ lunch, great conversation and lots of laughter. It was really nice to spend time with a friend and make a new one!
Settling down now for the night to indulge in what is fast becoming our family tradition - watching The Voice. The battle rounds begin tonight and they look electrifying. Cannot imagine the poor judges having to pick, it would be like asking which of your kids you prefer (probably why I only have one).
Random act of kindness:
We did the BYO BBQ thing today as my friend has been ensuring that nothing would be left in the house before their holiday. We took some sausages and rissoles over and stopped off on the way to buy a loaf of bread from the bakery as I knew she wouldn't have any. And what's better than bakery bread?
Meditation:
Again I stayed up too late last night and then fell asleep within seconds so meditation or not, my mind and conscience must be clear!
So the challenge wasn't exactly a challenge today, in fact this entire weekend has been restful and lovely, probably the calm before the storm! I've been Instagram-ming up a storm and thought I'd share some with you from our weekend.
Hope you've had as lovely a weekend as we have!
xx
Happiness challenge is full-steam ahead...today at least!
Gratitudes:
- I'm so grateful we got to see some friends today before our big move. They're off on the holiday of a lifetime tomorrow and we'll be relocated by the time they return home. So this was our last hurrah whilst still residents of Brisbane and it was lovely to spend some time with them before they (and we) depart.
- I probably sound like a broken record but I am ridiculously grateful to have such a centred and flexible kid who, whilst freely admitting he will miss his friends and to some anxiety about our move (will the kids like me?), his excitement outweighs his fears and he is really looking forward to going. I probably wouldn't have made a move like this if he was violently opposed to it and his acceptance and supportiveness has been a godsend. It was also fantastic to spend the day with one of his schoolmates and another boy who he didn't know very well - listening to them play it became obvious to me that I have raised a little diplomat who seems to smooth the ruffled feathers and be the referee in many instances! That's pretty damned cool. Even if he is mega jealous that his mate gets to go 'under Niagara Falls mum, and to Legoland and Space Mountain!'
- I am grateful that since I've been living in my place I've accidentally become pretty organised. I've had to find a bunch of paperwork this weekend and was putting it off thinking it would be a gargantuan task yet they were exactly where I thought I MIGHT have put them if I'd been better organised.
Journal:
Saying goodbye to some friends today was hard. This is my first farewell as they are going on holidays for 5 weeks to Canada and the US (jealous!). We'll be well and truly in Toowoomba by their return, although we've arranged for a sleepover a week or two after they get back so it isn't exactly 'goodbye forever'. Our kids have become really close in the past couple of years at school and it will be hard for both of them to not see each other every day.
It was a fantastic day though, adults on the deck (despite a rainy and cold day), kids
Settling down now for the night to indulge in what is fast becoming our family tradition - watching The Voice. The battle rounds begin tonight and they look electrifying. Cannot imagine the poor judges having to pick, it would be like asking which of your kids you prefer (probably why I only have one).
Random act of kindness:
We did the BYO BBQ thing today as my friend has been ensuring that nothing would be left in the house before their holiday. We took some sausages and rissoles over and stopped off on the way to buy a loaf of bread from the bakery as I knew she wouldn't have any. And what's better than bakery bread?
Meditation:
Again I stayed up too late last night and then fell asleep within seconds so meditation or not, my mind and conscience must be clear!
So the challenge wasn't exactly a challenge today, in fact this entire weekend has been restful and lovely, probably the calm before the storm! I've been Instagram-ming up a storm and thought I'd share some with you from our weekend.
Hope you've had as lovely a weekend as we have!
xx
Saturday 28 April 2012
The happiness challenge. Day 9
Once again it's the wonderful weekend and there's so much to be happy about, not the least that it is a non-work day and I could enjoy a sleep-in. It's been pouring with rain pretty much all day and bloody cold for this time of year. So it was the perfect excuse (like I need one) to hibernate inside and get as little accomplished as humanly possible. As this is something I excel at, you can be sure barely anything was done except for catching up on TV shows and asking E to run any and all errands so I could stay in my PJs.
So day 8 is going well! Here's the challenge:
Gratitudes:
Journal:
So I've spent the laziest day today doing the vegetable impersonation that was so rudely snatched from me last weekend during the manic cleaning spree. The wonderful part is the place is still clean and tidy so it feels good to relax guilt free instead of KNOWING you should be doing something but not being arsed.
I'm starting my list of things I need to do before I leave, and it's a little daunting. But I've ticked off the most important - get job (check), resign (check), give notice at my current place (check). Not missing anything vital there...oh wait...
Somewhere to live when we get there? Oops!
I've had a look on realestate.com.au and there's nothing there to get me really excited but I've seen a few come and go so I might hold out for another week before I start to panic and realise if I don't pull my finger out we'll be homeless...
My dad's bringing some boxes for me in the next week or two so then the packing rampage will begin. I'm a veteran packer and don't have that much stuff so it shouldn't take long, its just that having somewhere to send them might be useful? Do ya think?
Looking forward to a BBQ with some friends tomorrow that are about to take off on a fabulous holiday and I will be owning Toowoomba by the time they return. Apparently in a pink jacket. But that's probably a post all on its own.
Random act of kindness:
Haven't left the apartment today so I guess all I can think of is letting E run over to the shops for cheese and bacon rolls for his breakfast. Surely that's being a kind mum?
Meditation:
I stayed up past midnight last night doing little more than mucking about on the computer, watching TV and bits of reading here and there. By the time my head hit the pillow, I was lights out in about 5 seconds or less. I'll get the hang of this thing one day...
Hope you're having a wonderful Saturday too!
xx
So day 8 is going well! Here's the challenge:
Gratitudes:
- If you haven't yet read Cathy's rant on the generation gap, make sure you do. Reading this transported me straight back to grade 12 and the crazy things we did. And colour us all shocked when the teacher actually gave Cathy free rein with that play, let's just say that teachers trust and Cathy didn't exactly go hand in hand back in the day. I am so grateful to her for making me remember the good old days but also her views on 'different' styles of parenting. I for one wish that I had had the courage to just be myself at a much earlier age, and I thoroughly encourage my son to dance to the beat of his own drum and discover just who he wants to be rather than being forced to conform. Although it wouldn't surprise me in the least if our children 'rebel' by being the straightest and narrowest adults just to spite us!
- Secondly I am grateful to have such wonderful feedback on the Toowoomba project, as I have now dubbed it, as 'tree change' seems like a mid-life crisis thing that I'm FAR too young to be having. Whilst everyone needs to stand on their own feet in life, knowing you have that soft cushion of support is the most incredible feeling.
- I have just spent a couple of hours pissing about on my home laptop that hasn't been used much in the last few years due to my excessive use of my work one instead. I've debugged and defragged and de-cluttered and whatever else it is that you do in a futile effort to get your antiquated piece of technology to go faster. Then I started to re-organise my music files which has given me a great laugh. I have to thank the influence of my parents, my childhood, some really grungy clubs and some avid music fan friends for my.....um...eclectic collection. With everything from the Beatles to KISS to Sisters of Mercy to The Cure bad 80s to grunge to Call Me Maybe (I tried so hard to hate this song but it's just impossibly cute and upbeat), everything is represented. I either have schizophrenic taste or just like what I damn well please, haha. I pride myself on having some of the WORST and most annoying one-hit-wonders on there because some days its just what you need to lift your mood. And it really annoys your friends when you post it on Facebook and it sticks in their head all day (Against All Odds, anyone?). So I'm grateful to my music collection today. You provide the soundtrack of my life.
Journal:
So I've spent the laziest day today doing the vegetable impersonation that was so rudely snatched from me last weekend during the manic cleaning spree. The wonderful part is the place is still clean and tidy so it feels good to relax guilt free instead of KNOWING you should be doing something but not being arsed.
I'm starting my list of things I need to do before I leave, and it's a little daunting. But I've ticked off the most important - get job (check), resign (check), give notice at my current place (check). Not missing anything vital there...oh wait...
Somewhere to live when we get there? Oops!
I've had a look on realestate.com.au and there's nothing there to get me really excited but I've seen a few come and go so I might hold out for another week before I start to panic and realise if I don't pull my finger out we'll be homeless...
My dad's bringing some boxes for me in the next week or two so then the packing rampage will begin. I'm a veteran packer and don't have that much stuff so it shouldn't take long, its just that having somewhere to send them might be useful? Do ya think?
Looking forward to a BBQ with some friends tomorrow that are about to take off on a fabulous holiday and I will be owning Toowoomba by the time they return. Apparently in a pink jacket. But that's probably a post all on its own.
Random act of kindness:
Haven't left the apartment today so I guess all I can think of is letting E run over to the shops for cheese and bacon rolls for his breakfast. Surely that's being a kind mum?
Meditation:
I stayed up past midnight last night doing little more than mucking about on the computer, watching TV and bits of reading here and there. By the time my head hit the pillow, I was lights out in about 5 seconds or less. I'll get the hang of this thing one day...
Hope you're having a wonderful Saturday too!
xx
Friday 27 April 2012
Happy birthday Willow!
Sending out our very biggest hugs and best wishes to our gorgeous fellow blogger Willow who officially joins the old bags club today. We have bonded over our mutual pop culture obsession, bad TV and Monster High and we look forward to discovering more lame-ass things to share together.
Happy birthday!
xx
Cathy's Rant of the Day: The Generation Gap
When I was at high school. they had this thing called The Inter-House Drama Competition. Each House would choose a play to perform in front of an auditorium full of over 1,000 people who had paid good money to attend and a you-beaut, proper Theatre Critic was even brought in to educate and announce the prestigious winning House. Needless to say it was a pretty big deal and so, on the first day of Grade 12, I shocked my Home Room teacher, Mrs Kimber, by announcing to the class that over the Christmas Holidays not only had I written the play but that I would also direct it and star in it.
She was shocked mainly because all of our interaction at that stage had been based around her making me remove the rings from my fingers, the black rubber bracelets from my wrists and making me wipe off eyeliner and mascara with special wipes she kept in her desk, so me doing something productive was shocking but she still seemed sceptical as in "what was this crazy young smart ass trying to pull this time...."
She tentatively took my scribbled offerings and told me she would let me know if it was acceptable.
After lunch she gave it back and said " Good work, select a team and get started..I give u total control..."
To cut a long story short my play was called "The Generation Gap" and was based very loosely on my home life, inspired by my daily pondering of "why can't my parents be cooler??"
My Mum: "Have u done ur study?"
"have u checked ur shifts at work?"
"are Rebecca's parents going to be home while ur there?"
"be on the last train!"
"u don't need make up, uv got fresh young skin!"
My Dad: "turn that music down - if u can call it music"
"what on earth are u wearing?"
"a boy rang, and he sounded like an idiot"
"ur going to kill urself in those shoes!"
and my personal favourite (whilst studying my GnR wall of posters):
"i tell all my friends you must want to be a zoo-ologist"
So in the play, the main girl, after being humiliated by her parents lameness, falls asleep and dreams of a world where her parents are cool. The mother (me) and father are transformed into rad party funsters who listen to loud metal, dress in black, smoke and drink and win over the girls friends with their awesomeness.
But, as in all good plays, there was a twist! Her parents are out-cooling the girl!! Her friends want to party with her parents more than with her, her mum has stolen her favourite clothes and nothing is getting done around the house. The girl realises when she awakes that she prefers her boring uncool parents and a happy ending is had for all.
Why am I telling u all this.....?
Because life had imitated art. But again, with a twist!
Yesterday arvo when I was cleaning the kitchen singing along with Blur, having a bit of a boogie my youngest son, Xavier came in and asked me to turn it down and commented that I always played it too loud.
When I was on my way to the Junk Bar on Tuesday night, just as I was getting behind the wheel my eldest, Seven calls down from the deck "ur not driving in those shoes are u?" I looked down at my black platform wedges and shrug and say "yeah.." He asks me to drive carefully and suggests I take them off and put them back on when I arrive.....But Dad....hang on...son.
When we arrived home, there he was again, pointing out that we'd said we'd be home by 11 and it was in fact 20 past..!
His friends come over and always want to play our records, play with our toys and hear our stories of past bands we have seen and funny stories of our own band, and what it was like in the old days (the 80's & 90's).
It just struck me last night after the "turn it down" scenario that when I wrote that play at 16 yrs old I stereotyped parents into what I assumed it would be like to be a parent, but in actual fact it turns out I am more like the mum from the dream sequence, and quite often forget that I'm not still a fun loving, carefree kid. I look around at my children and wonder if its to their detriment that I haven't completely grown up and forgotten what its like to just be me. But the daily positive reinforcement from them that I am indeed "The worlds BEST mother!!" and the fact they both seem pretty damn happy most of the time makes me realise that our version of parenting is working out pretty well and a lot of you are parenting the exact same way with similar results. Perhaps the Genration Gap is actually getting smaller....?
So, its Friday night!? Crank it up folks, crank it up!!!
Cathy wears many hats. Wife, mother of two sons, CEO of Little Monsters Pty Ltd and Cake Pop Queen just to name a few. She subscribes to the theory that Cathiness is next to Godliness. And on Fridays she behaves like a 50s housewife by sedating herself and cooking, baking and ironing, and being nice to her husband. Any other day is a crapshoot.
She was shocked mainly because all of our interaction at that stage had been based around her making me remove the rings from my fingers, the black rubber bracelets from my wrists and making me wipe off eyeliner and mascara with special wipes she kept in her desk, so me doing something productive was shocking but she still seemed sceptical as in "what was this crazy young smart ass trying to pull this time...."
She tentatively took my scribbled offerings and told me she would let me know if it was acceptable.
After lunch she gave it back and said " Good work, select a team and get started..I give u total control..."
To cut a long story short my play was called "The Generation Gap" and was based very loosely on my home life, inspired by my daily pondering of "why can't my parents be cooler??"
My Mum: "Have u done ur study?"
"have u checked ur shifts at work?"
"are Rebecca's parents going to be home while ur there?"
"be on the last train!"
"u don't need make up, uv got fresh young skin!"
My Dad: "turn that music down - if u can call it music"
"what on earth are u wearing?"
"a boy rang, and he sounded like an idiot"
"ur going to kill urself in those shoes!"
and my personal favourite (whilst studying my GnR wall of posters):
"i tell all my friends you must want to be a zoo-ologist"
So in the play, the main girl, after being humiliated by her parents lameness, falls asleep and dreams of a world where her parents are cool. The mother (me) and father are transformed into rad party funsters who listen to loud metal, dress in black, smoke and drink and win over the girls friends with their awesomeness.
But, as in all good plays, there was a twist! Her parents are out-cooling the girl!! Her friends want to party with her parents more than with her, her mum has stolen her favourite clothes and nothing is getting done around the house. The girl realises when she awakes that she prefers her boring uncool parents and a happy ending is had for all.
Why am I telling u all this.....?
Because life had imitated art. But again, with a twist!
Yesterday arvo when I was cleaning the kitchen singing along with Blur, having a bit of a boogie my youngest son, Xavier came in and asked me to turn it down and commented that I always played it too loud.
When I was on my way to the Junk Bar on Tuesday night, just as I was getting behind the wheel my eldest, Seven calls down from the deck "ur not driving in those shoes are u?" I looked down at my black platform wedges and shrug and say "yeah.." He asks me to drive carefully and suggests I take them off and put them back on when I arrive.....But Dad....hang on...son.
When we arrived home, there he was again, pointing out that we'd said we'd be home by 11 and it was in fact 20 past..!
His friends come over and always want to play our records, play with our toys and hear our stories of past bands we have seen and funny stories of our own band, and what it was like in the old days (the 80's & 90's).
It just struck me last night after the "turn it down" scenario that when I wrote that play at 16 yrs old I stereotyped parents into what I assumed it would be like to be a parent, but in actual fact it turns out I am more like the mum from the dream sequence, and quite often forget that I'm not still a fun loving, carefree kid. I look around at my children and wonder if its to their detriment that I haven't completely grown up and forgotten what its like to just be me. But the daily positive reinforcement from them that I am indeed "The worlds BEST mother!!" and the fact they both seem pretty damn happy most of the time makes me realise that our version of parenting is working out pretty well and a lot of you are parenting the exact same way with similar results. Perhaps the Genration Gap is actually getting smaller....?
So, its Friday night!? Crank it up folks, crank it up!!!
Cathy wears many hats. Wife, mother of two sons, CEO of Little Monsters Pty Ltd and Cake Pop Queen just to name a few. She subscribes to the theory that Cathiness is next to Godliness. And on Fridays she behaves like a 50s housewife by sedating herself and cooking, baking and ironing, and being nice to her husband. Any other day is a crapshoot.
If you don't move forward, you stand still..(oh and day 8)
I've been hinting that I have big changes in the wind, and I'm excited to announce that in just a few short weeks, Elijah and I will be moving to Toowoomba. This has been in the pipeline for a while however I wanted to wait until I got a job offer before permanently uprooting us, and to officially resign before I said anything. Now that it's happened I'm part apprehensive, part excited and part downright terrified. I've been in my current job for 7 years and have gotten into a comfortable and easy rut which has been hard for me to admit, and even harder to do something about. But I've been standing still for a while so I'm overdue for big changes! And what's bigger than moving house, home and son to an entirely different town? As my friend said, I'm joining the Toowoomba mafia (although my response, as a subversive Virgo was that of course I'll be their new leader).
It was incredibly hard to resign, I have real mixed emotions about it. My life has been at my company for such a long time, I have made such changes over the years that I barely recognise the person who first walked through those doors. I have learned so much, made lifelong friends and have been really, really fortunate to work amongst such intelligent and talented people who have been so giving with me over the years.
Now it's all systems go and the next few weeks will be a maelstrom of finding somewhere new to live, enrolling E into school, figuring out all the logistics and of course, packing!
Toowoomba is a really pretty large mountain town/small city about 1.5 hours from Brisbane. The drive there is gorgeous, right through countryside that looks like some kind of fake idyllic advertisement for cheese. Last time we were there we literally drove straight through a cloud as we were going up the mountain, it was amazing!
Toowoomba is famous for having zillions of parks, the annual Carnival of Flowers and of course, bloody freezing winters! The tourism website describes it as 'crisp mountain air'. A cute way of saying 'you're gonna FREEZE baby!' As someone who loves but really feels the cold, I'm a little scared! I think finding a house with really great heating is going to be high on the agenda.
The best thing about Toowoomba is that it's so inexpensive. It's like Brisbane 20 years ago - the salaries are the same (if not better), but rentals are crazy cheap and they have the cheapest meat/fruit/veg/fuel in the country. And to be able to offer that old school lifestyle to my own kid...how can you pass that up?
I have spoken to a few people about my proposed move and most have been WTF? I've always been a city girl, and have never lived in Toowoomba in my life. I know exactly one person there. Am I nuts?
Probably.
Brisbane is my home town, and I'll always hold it dear but frankly, I feel that a single income family (and many double income) is fast getting priced out of this city. It costs E and I hundreds of dollars a month just for the privilege of going to and from work/school, the rents are beyond insane and I seem to spend most of my life these days on a bus. By the time I walk in the door each evening I just feel shattered, which doesn't make me a great mum. When the weekend rolls around, we're so tired and/or broke that we end up stuck in a unit in a highrise which just doesn't make for a great quality of life.
In Toowoomba I can drive to and from work in 5 minutes - free parking! What's that? And with rents up to around $150 a week cheaper we can afford a great place where we can really make a life for ourselves..if we don't freeze first. It's exciting to check out realestate.com.au and for once be able to decide what WE want instead of what is the least crappy place can we afford! And while my thumb is thoroughly brown, I can't wait to have a garden once again and have heaps of plans for a lovely herb garden like I used to have a few years back. E's already looking forward to mowing...NOT.
And only a short trip to Brisbane so it isn't like I won't still be coming to visit the girls, the only difference is I'll just be begging the couch for the night and angling for a good old-fashioned girlie sleepover.
Change can be really scary and when I got the phone call offering me my new job my first instinct was to say no, chuck the idea and maintain the status quo. How many times do we NOT do something cause it's out of our comfort zone? And in my letter to my 16 year old self I told me you'll only regret the things you don't do. It feels right. And E's excited.
All these thoughts were running through my head when I resigned. My last day there will be the end of an era. I'm sure there will be plenty of tears. You spend so much time at your job that it becomes like your home, and the thought of not going back there is kinda frightening and like losing my security blanket.
So my week is off to a flying start - it seems right to now segue into today's happiness challenge...
Gratitudes:
Clearly big things are happening for me right now. It's hard to wrap my head around all of the things that I need to do logistically to make this all move forward, however that's all it is...logistics. I am so excited to be moving closer to my dad who will now be only 1.5 hours away from me (instead of 3), and as I'll be living in the 'big city' that they visit to do the shopping they can't find in Tenterfield (population @ 6,000) I'll be able to see them far more often than I now do. The last few years have been really tough for me in so many ways but I look at it as the learning and growth I needed to be able to stand up and confidently make decisions that are right for my little family. I am going to spend the next few weeks trying to revisit all of my favourite Brisbane haunts 'one last time' as a resident of this city. I am also going to try not to wish the next few weeks away and enjoy the process of my life in transition.
Random act of kindness:
I had my own random act of kindness come back to me today with an unexpected thank you for some work I've been doing. It is so lovely to be appreciated and made me realise how important it is to make these a priority in your life.
Mine today was going out of my way to thank a person who was really instrumental in helping me get my new role. They really put themselves out there to help me and have been a huge support and I wanted them to know that.
Meditation:
Sure enough my eyes were closed before I even became horizontal last night, I'm going to give it a good try tonight however.
So the lesson I've learned today is not only to look on the bright side of life, but sometimes you need to create that bright side all by yourself. A valuable lesson indeed!
So happy to finally share my news, I hope you are having as fantastic a day as I am!
xx
It was incredibly hard to resign, I have real mixed emotions about it. My life has been at my company for such a long time, I have made such changes over the years that I barely recognise the person who first walked through those doors. I have learned so much, made lifelong friends and have been really, really fortunate to work amongst such intelligent and talented people who have been so giving with me over the years.
Now it's all systems go and the next few weeks will be a maelstrom of finding somewhere new to live, enrolling E into school, figuring out all the logistics and of course, packing!
Toowoomba is a really pretty large mountain town/small city about 1.5 hours from Brisbane. The drive there is gorgeous, right through countryside that looks like some kind of fake idyllic advertisement for cheese. Last time we were there we literally drove straight through a cloud as we were going up the mountain, it was amazing!
Toowoomba is famous for having zillions of parks, the annual Carnival of Flowers and of course, bloody freezing winters! The tourism website describes it as 'crisp mountain air'. A cute way of saying 'you're gonna FREEZE baby!' As someone who loves but really feels the cold, I'm a little scared! I think finding a house with really great heating is going to be high on the agenda.
The best thing about Toowoomba is that it's so inexpensive. It's like Brisbane 20 years ago - the salaries are the same (if not better), but rentals are crazy cheap and they have the cheapest meat/fruit/veg/fuel in the country. And to be able to offer that old school lifestyle to my own kid...how can you pass that up?
I have spoken to a few people about my proposed move and most have been WTF? I've always been a city girl, and have never lived in Toowoomba in my life. I know exactly one person there. Am I nuts?
Probably.
Brisbane is my home town, and I'll always hold it dear but frankly, I feel that a single income family (and many double income) is fast getting priced out of this city. It costs E and I hundreds of dollars a month just for the privilege of going to and from work/school, the rents are beyond insane and I seem to spend most of my life these days on a bus. By the time I walk in the door each evening I just feel shattered, which doesn't make me a great mum. When the weekend rolls around, we're so tired and/or broke that we end up stuck in a unit in a highrise which just doesn't make for a great quality of life.
In Toowoomba I can drive to and from work in 5 minutes - free parking! What's that? And with rents up to around $150 a week cheaper we can afford a great place where we can really make a life for ourselves..if we don't freeze first. It's exciting to check out realestate.com.au and for once be able to decide what WE want instead of what is the least crappy place can we afford! And while my thumb is thoroughly brown, I can't wait to have a garden once again and have heaps of plans for a lovely herb garden like I used to have a few years back. E's already looking forward to mowing...NOT.
And only a short trip to Brisbane so it isn't like I won't still be coming to visit the girls, the only difference is I'll just be begging the couch for the night and angling for a good old-fashioned girlie sleepover.
Change can be really scary and when I got the phone call offering me my new job my first instinct was to say no, chuck the idea and maintain the status quo. How many times do we NOT do something cause it's out of our comfort zone? And in my letter to my 16 year old self I told me you'll only regret the things you don't do. It feels right. And E's excited.
All these thoughts were running through my head when I resigned. My last day there will be the end of an era. I'm sure there will be plenty of tears. You spend so much time at your job that it becomes like your home, and the thought of not going back there is kinda frightening and like losing my security blanket.
So my week is off to a flying start - it seems right to now segue into today's happiness challenge...
Gratitudes:
- So firstly I'm really grateful for this fantastic offer that has set the wheels in motion for such a great change. Sometimes you feel like you're just treading water in life and then bang...something happens and you realise how great everything can be if you just take a chance and go after what you want.
- I'm grateful for the possibilities now at my fingertips - the opportunity to build a new and improved life with my beautiful son in a place well known for it's family atmosphere.
- Lastly, I am so grateful for the support of my family and friends in helping me come to this decision. Although many don't want me to go, without exception they've been so unbelievably supportive and excited for me as all the pieces have fallen into place.
Clearly big things are happening for me right now. It's hard to wrap my head around all of the things that I need to do logistically to make this all move forward, however that's all it is...logistics. I am so excited to be moving closer to my dad who will now be only 1.5 hours away from me (instead of 3), and as I'll be living in the 'big city' that they visit to do the shopping they can't find in Tenterfield (population @ 6,000) I'll be able to see them far more often than I now do. The last few years have been really tough for me in so many ways but I look at it as the learning and growth I needed to be able to stand up and confidently make decisions that are right for my little family. I am going to spend the next few weeks trying to revisit all of my favourite Brisbane haunts 'one last time' as a resident of this city. I am also going to try not to wish the next few weeks away and enjoy the process of my life in transition.
Random act of kindness:
I had my own random act of kindness come back to me today with an unexpected thank you for some work I've been doing. It is so lovely to be appreciated and made me realise how important it is to make these a priority in your life.
Mine today was going out of my way to thank a person who was really instrumental in helping me get my new role. They really put themselves out there to help me and have been a huge support and I wanted them to know that.
Meditation:
Sure enough my eyes were closed before I even became horizontal last night, I'm going to give it a good try tonight however.
So the lesson I've learned today is not only to look on the bright side of life, but sometimes you need to create that bright side all by yourself. A valuable lesson indeed!
So happy to finally share my news, I hope you are having as fantastic a day as I am!
xx
Thursday 26 April 2012
The happiness challenge. Lucky 7?
I'm finally on the bus after working more than 10 hours today. The brain is fried and I am shattered. Lucky 7 my ass.
I was gonna skip the challenge post today and write something semi-bitchy about people who wouldn't know a sense of urgency if it chased them down the street like a mutant swarm of bees a la The Hunger Games. Or else a list of things that piss me off, which today would probably exceed the word count! But then I thought its days like these that I probably SHOULD count my blessings, if only to stop me sending messages to others saying 'shoot me now'.
Oops too late.
I warn you, it's gonna be tough.
Gratitudes:
I received a call on the bus from a good friend congratulating me for a few good things that have happened to me lately. It was really lovely that she was so happy for me and also was lovely to remind me after a crap-tastic day like today that life doesn't suck all the time! Thanks for cheering me up!
Exercise:
I spent today running around after others and jumping through hoops to get this project over the line. Don't test me. It counts.
Meditation:
The eyes are propped open with toothpicks already so I'll be lucky if I stay awake long enough to bother.
Random act of kindness:
I sent an email today to a colleague who is quite new but really helped me out on Tuesday with this project, despite being ridiculously busy herself filling in for someone else as well as trying to get on top of her new job. I think it's really important to make people feel appreciated and she really was sensational.
So I made it. A piss-poor effort but there you are.
Why don't you tell me some of the great happy moments in your life to cheer me up some more? Now I'm going to go glaze over in front of Pinterest. I'll leave you with this gem which seems particularly apt today.
xx
Oops too late.
- Ok this first one is easy. One of my dearest friends and favorite ex-colleague told me today she was expecting her second child. I haven't quite forgiven her for leaving me for the delights of Canberra (she really didn't need to go to such lengths to get away), the baby news is AWESOME and I can't wait to see her big girl as a big sister. And on the same day I find out another old friend had a little girl. That's pretty amazing.
- The deadline for the project that kept me at work so long is TONIGHT. Thank god for small mercies.
- Scraping the bottom of the barrel here but tomorrow is FRIDAY. Just one more day until a lovely, lovely weekend. And another day further away from today. Ha.
I received a call on the bus from a good friend congratulating me for a few good things that have happened to me lately. It was really lovely that she was so happy for me and also was lovely to remind me after a crap-tastic day like today that life doesn't suck all the time! Thanks for cheering me up!
Exercise:
I spent today running around after others and jumping through hoops to get this project over the line. Don't test me. It counts.
Meditation:
The eyes are propped open with toothpicks already so I'll be lucky if I stay awake long enough to bother.
Random act of kindness:
I sent an email today to a colleague who is quite new but really helped me out on Tuesday with this project, despite being ridiculously busy herself filling in for someone else as well as trying to get on top of her new job. I think it's really important to make people feel appreciated and she really was sensational.
So I made it. A piss-poor effort but there you are.
Why don't you tell me some of the great happy moments in your life to cheer me up some more? Now I'm going to go glaze over in front of Pinterest. I'll leave you with this gem which seems particularly apt today.
xx
Tuesday 24 April 2012
The happiness challenge. Day 6.
It's pretty easy to be happy on a public holiday so the snarks from yesterday are all gone :)
Gratitudes:
I am so grateful to the ever-increasing coverage of the ANZAC day commerations not just in Australia but around the world. There was some controversy in the news a little while ago where the question was posed that ANZAC day is culturally insensitive and should be dialled down to avoid offending people.
There is a general pervasive feeling among many of us that the traditions, culture and history of Australia that make it such a sought-after place for people around the globe to live is being diluted due to 'political correctness'. Yes, racism should have no place here (nor in any culture) however my feeling is that the culture of any country should be respected. I would not visit a Muslim country and act or dress disrepectfully and I would happily participate in celebrations and commemorations in other countries was I to live there. Isn't that kind of the point?
Therefore my feeling is that something as meaningful as ANZAC day should not just be left alone, but held up as a shining example of what makes this country such a great place to live. Funnily enough it is rarely those with multi-cultural backgrounds who are the ones making the fuss - most come here fully prepared to embrace our customs - but all politically motivated. My view of ANZAC day is that it is a time to remember all of the fallen who have lost their lives fighting for their country - regardless of what country that is. If Turkey and Australia can go from foe-to-friend, then surely that is the most wonderful example of multiculturalism that exists?
Meditation:
Seriously I'm bad at this. Should I not lie down when attempting to meditate? I thought relaxing was the point? I fell asleep in about 2.5 seconds last night so maybe my mind is extraordinarily clear already? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Exercise:
As the laziest person on the planet, I need some motivation here. Am planning on going for a walk with E later, although I do get easily distracted. Stay tuned.
Random act of kindness:
Instead of acting like everyone else in my building pretending that they don't actually SEE the person behind the glass door in the foyer trying to get in, and then frantically punching the lift button in the hope the doors will close before that person makes it inside, I actually not only held the lift door but also activated the electronic entry doors for a person on the 5th floor this morning. She was so surprised and grateful it was like I'd just handed her a million dollars. Sad reflection on the other building occupants really.
Lastly, this is for my friend Willow who is well known for her love/hate relationship with the humble bra.
xx
Gratitudes:
- This morning I had THE best sleep-in I've had in about as long as I can remember. I didn't wake up properly until about 9:30am this morning - as a huge sleep-in for me is generally about 8am this was a damn good effort. Waking up when your body feels like it is a complete luxury when you have kids and a job!
- I just saw pics of the Jolie-Pitts trying to have a relaxing family day at the beach, which ended with them being swarmed by cameras. I am ridiculously grateful right now to NOT be famous and have my everyday actions recorded. Imagining being followed around with your kids is pretty terrifying, not to mention the paparazzi tearing you to shreds for every blemish or bad hair day. I'd be screwed.
- I swear my little in-house barista gets more talented every day. The milk/coffee/heat ratio this morning was sublime. Thank you E.
I am so grateful to the ever-increasing coverage of the ANZAC day commerations not just in Australia but around the world. There was some controversy in the news a little while ago where the question was posed that ANZAC day is culturally insensitive and should be dialled down to avoid offending people.
There is a general pervasive feeling among many of us that the traditions, culture and history of Australia that make it such a sought-after place for people around the globe to live is being diluted due to 'political correctness'. Yes, racism should have no place here (nor in any culture) however my feeling is that the culture of any country should be respected. I would not visit a Muslim country and act or dress disrepectfully and I would happily participate in celebrations and commemorations in other countries was I to live there. Isn't that kind of the point?
Therefore my feeling is that something as meaningful as ANZAC day should not just be left alone, but held up as a shining example of what makes this country such a great place to live. Funnily enough it is rarely those with multi-cultural backgrounds who are the ones making the fuss - most come here fully prepared to embrace our customs - but all politically motivated. My view of ANZAC day is that it is a time to remember all of the fallen who have lost their lives fighting for their country - regardless of what country that is. If Turkey and Australia can go from foe-to-friend, then surely that is the most wonderful example of multiculturalism that exists?
Meditation:
Seriously I'm bad at this. Should I not lie down when attempting to meditate? I thought relaxing was the point? I fell asleep in about 2.5 seconds last night so maybe my mind is extraordinarily clear already? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Exercise:
As the laziest person on the planet, I need some motivation here. Am planning on going for a walk with E later, although I do get easily distracted. Stay tuned.
Random act of kindness:
Instead of acting like everyone else in my building pretending that they don't actually SEE the person behind the glass door in the foyer trying to get in, and then frantically punching the lift button in the hope the doors will close before that person makes it inside, I actually not only held the lift door but also activated the electronic entry doors for a person on the 5th floor this morning. She was so surprised and grateful it was like I'd just handed her a million dollars. Sad reflection on the other building occupants really.
Lastly, this is for my friend Willow who is well known for her love/hate relationship with the humble bra.
xx
ANZAC day and sushi rolls
So I've slept most of the public holiday already and feel guilty that I missed any kind of dawn service for ANZAC Day, televised or otherwise. By the time I finally lifted my head and begged for coffee the sun was well and truly in the sky.
ANZAC Day is one of the few public holidays where pretty much absolutely everything is closed as a sign of respect. And that's as it should be.
However it does leave you with limited choices for the day's plans. For once I actually thought ahead on this and decided to roll out (no pun intended) an old favourite that we haven't done in years - homemade sushi. I'm doing this whilst watching a Gallipoli service on TV and whilst it may seem a strange choice to be making sushi, a dish representative of a country that was against the Allies during World War II, to me it is a lovely reminder of how far we've come where an old 'foe' are now embraced as friends, united now in peace. And that's what it's all about. Our history has led us to where we are today and if the bloodiest battle in history at Gallipoli can unite previous enemies Turkey and Australia, our soldiers sacrifices were not in vain.
Back onto the sushi:
With that option out of the window, I decided today was Operation Tuna Salad.
And I've damned near nailed it!
So enjoy your ANZAC Day however you choose to remember it. Lest we forget.
xx
The happiness challenge. Day 5
Day 5 and I've hit the wall a little. I'll admit to being a bit tired, grumpy and snappy today and the little things got on my nerves but I've been trying to work through it and suck it up. It helped that I was seriously busy at work so the day at least went pretty quick.
I think this happiness lark isn't as simple as you think it's going to be. It's so easy when you're not feeling your best to revert back to your usual knee-jerk responses and I found myself thinking like a narky bitch on more than one occasion. People who sit on the aisle seat on the bus with the window seat empty? Bastards! Spending 10 minutes straightening my hair only to look at myself in the mirrored lift to find it looked like my head hadn't seen a brush in about a year? Asshat. Waiting for the next elevator because there were too many in the previous one, being the only one waiting but somehow by the time the damn thing arrives you can't get into it for all the people either? Fucktards.
But I did swallow it so to the outside world, I don't think I managed to piss anyone off today. If I did, then sorry about that.
Gratitudes:
I have struggled a bit today but am thankful that even when feeling crappy I've been able to dig in and still find some positives. I wrote about my bus ride earlier and how I need to remind myself to be present. I really enjoyed my bus ride once I got over the odd sensation of simply sitting and being, and doing nothing. To do it every day is unthinkable, but I've promised myself to do this at least once a week going forward.
Random act of kindness:
This is probably a cop-out but in my introverted and selfish state today all I pretty much did was smiled at the bus driver and said thank you at the shops and to people who did stuff for me at work. Lame. I feel like I need to make up for it with something spectacular tomorrow.
xx
Love, your narky bitch who promises to be more positive tomorrow.
I think this happiness lark isn't as simple as you think it's going to be. It's so easy when you're not feeling your best to revert back to your usual knee-jerk responses and I found myself thinking like a narky bitch on more than one occasion. People who sit on the aisle seat on the bus with the window seat empty? Bastards! Spending 10 minutes straightening my hair only to look at myself in the mirrored lift to find it looked like my head hadn't seen a brush in about a year? Asshat. Waiting for the next elevator because there were too many in the previous one, being the only one waiting but somehow by the time the damn thing arrives you can't get into it for all the people either? Fucktards.
But I did swallow it so to the outside world, I don't think I managed to piss anyone off today. If I did, then sorry about that.
Gratitudes:
- Tomorrow is a public holiday, how can I not be grateful for that? Couldn't be better timed and I'm looking forward to the mini-break.
- Getting deep here but I'm so grateful for the ANZAC legacy so prevalent in this country. E's school had a special ceremony with the kids today and this resulted in a nice long talk about the reasons why commemorating this day is equally important today as it was 60 years ago. Our brave soldiers are still out there protecting and serving our country and it is people like them who enable us to live the way we do, with freedom and personal choice. It takes a very special human being to deliberately place themselves in the line of fire for others and my heart is with them and all of their families.
- Lastly I'm grateful for the together time that E and I have been having watching The Voice. It is so lovely to curl up in bed or on the couch together and play 'judges'. My son idolises Joel Madden and quite frankly I am falling more in love with him by the day myself!
I have struggled a bit today but am thankful that even when feeling crappy I've been able to dig in and still find some positives. I wrote about my bus ride earlier and how I need to remind myself to be present. I really enjoyed my bus ride once I got over the odd sensation of simply sitting and being, and doing nothing. To do it every day is unthinkable, but I've promised myself to do this at least once a week going forward.
Random act of kindness:
This is probably a cop-out but in my introverted and selfish state today all I pretty much did was smiled at the bus driver and said thank you at the shops and to people who did stuff for me at work. Lame. I feel like I need to make up for it with something spectacular tomorrow.
xx
Love, your narky bitch who promises to be more positive tomorrow.
Monday 23 April 2012
Live Baby Live.
So this morning was a tough one. Hard to get out of bed - it's getting darker every morning and it won't be long before I'm leaving the house in the pitch black. It's hard to remind your body that it is actually daytime when the streetlights are the only thing that let you see two feet in front of you. So the brain and body were not (and may still not be) fully functional, even less so when my bus decided to just not show, despite me being there more than 10 minutes early. I guess the bus decided it was too hard to get going this morning.
I get that.
And then my mobile network decided to go on the blink. No Words With Friends, no Facebook, no Instagram, and worst, no Pinterest! What's a girl to do?
Well I took a really novel approach - I looked out the window and watched the world go by. I checked out the passengers as they boarded the bus. I ogled the cute guy who got on at Kedron. I watched the approach of the city skyline which looks really beautiful at that time of day. I laughed at the strange sights that only the Valley at 6:30am can produce. I cringed when I remembered I WAS one of those sights once (OK twice, alright it was 7).
And then as we were approaching our stop in the CBD I realised I had my Kindle in my bag...d'oh.
It made me realise that sometimes it's hard to remind yourself to just be present, if you know what I mean. I rarely just do nothing! I've so often got my head in a book or phone or ipad, and I generally have a continuous soundtrack going on through my headphones, even when at work, that I do sometimes forget to really look around and see things. I have lived in Brisbane for most of my life but had forgotten that first glimpse of the city skyline when you go over a certain ridge on Lutwyche Road. How excited I was to see that view when I first moved back to Brisbane when I was 25. How pretty the gardens across from the hospital are. I have a magnificent floor-to-ceiling panorama of the Brisbane River in both directions from my office window but can't remember the last time I really looked out.
I've often praised my technology for allowing me to avoid awkward conversations with strangers and I will absolutely stand by that! But perhaps, just perhaps, occasionally I need to put down my toys and enjoy the world around me. I can still filter out the bad bits, can't I?
So I'm going to look out my window now. I'll leave you with this song that I haven't heard in a while, Live Baby Live indeed. I just wish Michael Hutchence had. So HOT!
xx
I get that.
And then my mobile network decided to go on the blink. No Words With Friends, no Facebook, no Instagram, and worst, no Pinterest! What's a girl to do?
Well I took a really novel approach - I looked out the window and watched the world go by. I checked out the passengers as they boarded the bus. I ogled the cute guy who got on at Kedron. I watched the approach of the city skyline which looks really beautiful at that time of day. I laughed at the strange sights that only the Valley at 6:30am can produce. I cringed when I remembered I WAS one of those sights once (OK twice, alright it was 7).
And then as we were approaching our stop in the CBD I realised I had my Kindle in my bag...d'oh.
It made me realise that sometimes it's hard to remind yourself to just be present, if you know what I mean. I rarely just do nothing! I've so often got my head in a book or phone or ipad, and I generally have a continuous soundtrack going on through my headphones, even when at work, that I do sometimes forget to really look around and see things. I have lived in Brisbane for most of my life but had forgotten that first glimpse of the city skyline when you go over a certain ridge on Lutwyche Road. How excited I was to see that view when I first moved back to Brisbane when I was 25. How pretty the gardens across from the hospital are. I have a magnificent floor-to-ceiling panorama of the Brisbane River in both directions from my office window but can't remember the last time I really looked out.
I've often praised my technology for allowing me to avoid awkward conversations with strangers and I will absolutely stand by that! But perhaps, just perhaps, occasionally I need to put down my toys and enjoy the world around me. I can still filter out the bad bits, can't I?
So I'm going to look out my window now. I'll leave you with this song that I haven't heard in a while, Live Baby Live indeed. I just wish Michael Hutchence had. So HOT!
xx
The happiness challenge. Day 4
The days are flying by and the happiness challenge is getting well under way. Looking on the bright side of life may give me instant flashbacks to Monty Python and the Life of Brian but I actually woke up this morning relatively non-grumpy which is pretty awesome for a Monday.
So day 4 and here we go:
Gratitudes:
Journal:
There wasn't one specific event today that made me happy, I just woke up in a good mood and it went from there. From walking through the mist to work, to the day flying by lightning-fast, to walking into a beautiful clean apartment at the end of it, the day was just tinged around the edges with rosy and positive vibes. The stresses of the past few months have just seemed to have disappeared and it sounds naff but in making positive changes it is seeming to rub off on everything. I am about to embark on some huge changes in my life but really think perhaps I've been standing still for such a long time and it's overdue. Excitement! I love to have things to look forward to, but I am learning through this exercise that it's also important not to wish our lives away anticipating the future.
Exercise:
OK, this is the hard one for a lazy case like me but I'm determined to get out the Yoga app on my ipad soon after I write this. You can amuse yourself with thoughts of me twisted up like a pretzel and likely falling over whilst trying to balance on one leg.
Meditation:
Once again I lay down and immediately dropped off. I'm either absolutely fantastic at meditation or a complete noob. I've never been terribly effective in clearing my mind, it seems to race double time at the first indication of me trying to stop it, but as generally I stay awake for hours at night over-thinking things, perhaps I'm doing something right?
So I must admit I am kinda liking this challenge. It will be interesting to see how I go when coping with more difficult times as the last few days have been incident free. And it's the hard times that really count, I think!
Dopamine much? I might be addicted.
xx
So day 4 and here we go:
Gratitudes:
- Woke up this morning to the first misty morning of the year. It was dreamy and magical, and like walking through a cloud. Wonderful way to start the week. Plus hearing from some good friends who were just as happy as me at some news I was recently given. A true sign of friendship I think is those that are not just there for you in hard times (although obviously that's important!) but with a complete lack of jealousy and a need to share your good times with genuine excitement.
- A big shout out to yellow scarf girl who graced us with her presence for the first time EVER sans scarf. I barely recognised her. So grateful not to stare at the back of her head itching to whip the scarf off and throw it out the window. The usual suspects from the 370 are really grateful.
- And lastly, I don't know if this really counts but I am grateful for it, so surely that's enough? Pinterest. There's beautiful pictures, artwork, inspirational quotes, great ideas for the home and garden and then of course things like this. People on my bus thought I was a lunatic but I just pretend it's part of my mystique :) Check them out, they gave me a giggle.
Journal:
There wasn't one specific event today that made me happy, I just woke up in a good mood and it went from there. From walking through the mist to work, to the day flying by lightning-fast, to walking into a beautiful clean apartment at the end of it, the day was just tinged around the edges with rosy and positive vibes. The stresses of the past few months have just seemed to have disappeared and it sounds naff but in making positive changes it is seeming to rub off on everything. I am about to embark on some huge changes in my life but really think perhaps I've been standing still for such a long time and it's overdue. Excitement! I love to have things to look forward to, but I am learning through this exercise that it's also important not to wish our lives away anticipating the future.
Exercise:
OK, this is the hard one for a lazy case like me but I'm determined to get out the Yoga app on my ipad soon after I write this. You can amuse yourself with thoughts of me twisted up like a pretzel and likely falling over whilst trying to balance on one leg.
Meditation:
Once again I lay down and immediately dropped off. I'm either absolutely fantastic at meditation or a complete noob. I've never been terribly effective in clearing my mind, it seems to race double time at the first indication of me trying to stop it, but as generally I stay awake for hours at night over-thinking things, perhaps I'm doing something right?
So I must admit I am kinda liking this challenge. It will be interesting to see how I go when coping with more difficult times as the last few days have been incident free. And it's the hard times that really count, I think!
Dopamine much? I might be addicted.
xx
Saturday 21 April 2012
The happiness challenge. Day 3
So since I've had my head stuck in an oven (refer previous post) and am currently wearing more grime than I think I had in my whole place (what's with that?), I haven't put my head outside the door today. This makes the whole gratitude/random act of kindness thing a little more challenging. And cleaning makes for a really boring post. But I'll give it a shot!
I tried to meditate in bed last night and it either didn't work or worked all too well as I only remember briefly thinking about clearing my mind before it was lights out for me. Successful?
Gratitudes:
I won't harp on too much because cleaning is almost as tedious to write about as it is to do. But E's attitude and help today has been amazing. He helped me polish mirrors, clean shelves and even managed to stay off the wet floors, which must be a first. He didn't even moan THAT loudly after I asked him to do yet another bin run (mind you, I don't think walking down the hall and throwing a bag down a chute is the big deal he seems to think it is). And he even went over to the shops for the ever-critical and sanity saving Diet Coke run for his mum without trying to bribe me for a bag of chips in return. I know every mum thinks their kid is the best, but E is turning out to be the coolest, most easygoing and intelligent kid I could ever hope to have. Thank God. And he just made me a Mii on his Nintendo 3DS that has a moustache? Is he trying to tell me something?
Exercise:
If anyone dares to tell me that mopping my extraordinarily dirty balcony is not exercise, then be prepared to run...fast. Although I'm likely too tired to chase you.
Random act of kindness:
One of the girls at my work got married yesterday and I just saw some pics. Wow, she looked so beautiful, just glowing. Her dress, her hair and her beautiful little baby girl!!! It was really easy to be kind and say how incredible she looked, because she quite simply did. Congratulations Shonel!
So thank you for putting up with my endless cleaning posts - I can absolutely promise that the subject is now closed...at least until the next rental inspection.
xx
I tried to meditate in bed last night and it either didn't work or worked all too well as I only remember briefly thinking about clearing my mind before it was lights out for me. Successful?
Gratitudes:
- My place is looking just about awesome. I'm almost done except for a few minor bits and pieces and I feel really grateful to...well...me about it. Yay for me. As an aside, I collected enough hair today to make another human being, should I be worried?
- I am really grateful to have lived in such a lovely place that when it is clean, it looks amazing. I lived for many years in a place that looked old and crappy and when you cleaned it, it looked old, crappy and clean. Guess you can't put lipstick on a pig. So it is lovely to see the results of your hard labour so visibly.
- And lastly I am beyond grateful to my family. We are a dysfunctional mob in anyone's language but the guidance, love and support I get from them just makes life so much easier to bear. A particular shout-out to my dad who always seems to know the right thing to say or do and didn't even laugh at me when I told him about the happiness challenge.
I won't harp on too much because cleaning is almost as tedious to write about as it is to do. But E's attitude and help today has been amazing. He helped me polish mirrors, clean shelves and even managed to stay off the wet floors, which must be a first. He didn't even moan THAT loudly after I asked him to do yet another bin run (mind you, I don't think walking down the hall and throwing a bag down a chute is the big deal he seems to think it is). And he even went over to the shops for the ever-critical and sanity saving Diet Coke run for his mum without trying to bribe me for a bag of chips in return. I know every mum thinks their kid is the best, but E is turning out to be the coolest, most easygoing and intelligent kid I could ever hope to have. Thank God. And he just made me a Mii on his Nintendo 3DS that has a moustache? Is he trying to tell me something?
Exercise:
If anyone dares to tell me that mopping my extraordinarily dirty balcony is not exercise, then be prepared to run...fast. Although I'm likely too tired to chase you.
Random act of kindness:
One of the girls at my work got married yesterday and I just saw some pics. Wow, she looked so beautiful, just glowing. Her dress, her hair and her beautiful little baby girl!!! It was really easy to be kind and say how incredible she looked, because she quite simply did. Congratulations Shonel!
So thank you for putting up with my endless cleaning posts - I can absolutely promise that the subject is now closed...at least until the next rental inspection.
xx
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| After |
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| Before |
The happiness challenge. Day 2
So I'm sitting here with a big smile on my face, so I'm assuming that means day 2 is a complete success! Here's how I'm going with my happiness challenge:
Gratitudes:
So this morning E lay in bed with me for our usual weekend cuddles and we measured our feet against each other. My boy's feet are now the same size as mine! I don't have a little foot either at around an 8-9. It made me reflect on just how tiny his feet were when he was born, and how far we've come along our lives together in the past nearly-12-years. I do get a nostalgic tear when I remember this teeny little koala who used to love curling up on my chest, through to the toddler and little boy who was the perfect 'little spoon' in our cuddle routine. And all these years later, our routine is still firmly in place on Saturdays and Sundays, despite the fact that he's now as tall as my chin and not the most comfortable little spoon anymore! I treasure this routine we've had since he was born, as I realise that the expiry date on our morning cuddles is probably fast approaching as he nears his adolescent years.
Exercise:
Several hours of housework. Due to the muscle soreness I feel already, I'm counting it.
Random act of kindness:
Not sure if this qualifies but today I reached out (ugh, I hate that term but can't think of any other way to put it) to an old friend where there have been a lot of hurts, disappointments, anger and negativity surrounding the relationship. I felt I needed to do it to just let go of any negative baggage and to let them know that I am releasing it all and wishing them well. I would like to think the message I sent was kind and positive, so I hope it counts!
How are you going with your own happiness challenge? I don't want to sound too navel-gazey but letting go of the negative and focusing on the positive really couldn't hurt in life, could it? If nothing else if I can learn to let things go more easily and not let negativity seep into my psyche, then that will indeed make me 'happy'!
xx
Gratitudes:
- Today has been a picture perfect Brisbane day, warm, sunny and gorgeous. Walking over to Chermside to do the grocery shopping earlier I made sure to really look around and appreciate my surroundings. Sometimes it's really easy to walk the same route and not really SEE things. I won't be living here much longer so I really want to soak it all in the preserve it in my memory. Thank you Mr Weatherman, I am really grateful.
- Huge gratitude to my amazing E who is turning into a resilient, mature and simply incredible young man. He really is the best team-mate I've ever had and despite a few difficult years, or perhaps because of, he is really stepping up before my eyes. We had a long chat last night about some events that will affect both of us and his excitement, willingness to adapt and genuine happiness is just infectious.
- This actually took place last night but as the phone call lasted until after midnight, I'm going to call it. Thank you to my incredible friend Cathy who as always has been there for me to share in my excitement over good fortune as well as to be a shoulder for the less fortunate moments. I went to sleep with a smile that couldn't be wiped off. I am really grateful to have your support and friendship.
So this morning E lay in bed with me for our usual weekend cuddles and we measured our feet against each other. My boy's feet are now the same size as mine! I don't have a little foot either at around an 8-9. It made me reflect on just how tiny his feet were when he was born, and how far we've come along our lives together in the past nearly-12-years. I do get a nostalgic tear when I remember this teeny little koala who used to love curling up on my chest, through to the toddler and little boy who was the perfect 'little spoon' in our cuddle routine. And all these years later, our routine is still firmly in place on Saturdays and Sundays, despite the fact that he's now as tall as my chin and not the most comfortable little spoon anymore! I treasure this routine we've had since he was born, as I realise that the expiry date on our morning cuddles is probably fast approaching as he nears his adolescent years.
Exercise:
Several hours of housework. Due to the muscle soreness I feel already, I'm counting it.
Random act of kindness:
Not sure if this qualifies but today I reached out (ugh, I hate that term but can't think of any other way to put it) to an old friend where there have been a lot of hurts, disappointments, anger and negativity surrounding the relationship. I felt I needed to do it to just let go of any negative baggage and to let them know that I am releasing it all and wishing them well. I would like to think the message I sent was kind and positive, so I hope it counts!
How are you going with your own happiness challenge? I don't want to sound too navel-gazey but letting go of the negative and focusing on the positive really couldn't hurt in life, could it? If nothing else if I can learn to let things go more easily and not let negativity seep into my psyche, then that will indeed make me 'happy'!
xx
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| Blue Skies in Brisbane! Just perfect! |
Friday 20 April 2012
The Happiness Challenge.
The other day I referred to the Ted Bloomington video with Shawn Achor on The Wisdom of Play. It's incredible inspirational and I highly recommend taking 12 and a half minutes out of your day to watch it. Make sure you stop laughing long enough to actually listen to what he has to say!
'The lens through which we view the world shapes your reality'. Shawn posits that if we can change the lens, we can change how we think. He says that the current 'formula for happiness' is that we put happiness on the opposite side of the brain to success, and therefore we'll never get there. For example we will be happy 'when' we get promoted, but immediately after that promotion the brain will refocus on being happy 'when' we get the next one, making happiness an elusive concept to our brain. We think, if we work harder, we'll be more successful, and if we're more successful, then we'll be happy. But when we're more successful, then we just move the goalpost to think we need to be more successful again...and so on.
But by reversing the formula of happiness, we can rewire our brains to be happy now - Shawn calls it the happiness advantage.
We all know that happy, positive people generally enjoy more success, deal with stressful situations better and have higher coping mechanisms. It's all got to do with that awesome thing called dopamine. Scientifically they say our brain is 31% more effective when it is happy! Now who doesn't want that?
So how do I get this happiness advantage?
You can train your brain to think differently by taking 2 minutes a day for 21 days to do the things on the slide below. Apparently this helps your brain to automatically look for the positive instead of the negative, which helps you view the world in a glass-half-full manner.
'The lens through which we view the world shapes your reality'. Shawn posits that if we can change the lens, we can change how we think. He says that the current 'formula for happiness' is that we put happiness on the opposite side of the brain to success, and therefore we'll never get there. For example we will be happy 'when' we get promoted, but immediately after that promotion the brain will refocus on being happy 'when' we get the next one, making happiness an elusive concept to our brain. We think, if we work harder, we'll be more successful, and if we're more successful, then we'll be happy. But when we're more successful, then we just move the goalpost to think we need to be more successful again...and so on.
But by reversing the formula of happiness, we can rewire our brains to be happy now - Shawn calls it the happiness advantage.
We all know that happy, positive people generally enjoy more success, deal with stressful situations better and have higher coping mechanisms. It's all got to do with that awesome thing called dopamine. Scientifically they say our brain is 31% more effective when it is happy! Now who doesn't want that?
So how do I get this happiness advantage?
You can train your brain to think differently by taking 2 minutes a day for 21 days to do the things on the slide below. Apparently this helps your brain to automatically look for the positive instead of the negative, which helps you view the world in a glass-half-full manner.
So I'm taking on the 21 day Happiness Challenge. It's day 1 and here I go:
3 gratitudes:
- I am grateful that I received some fantastic news today that is going to change everything!
- I am grateful to some very special people that helped me to receive this awesome news, they know who they are
- I am especially grateful to my gorgeous Elijah who makes my life so much brighter each and every day. Greeting me at the door wearing nothing but soccer socks, shin pads and undies asking me to kick him cracked me up and made my day
Journaling:
This week has been one of the most hectic and turbulent that I've had in a while. So many wonderful things have happened and it brings a smile to my face to reflect on them. Visiting a friend that I haven't seen in a very long time, including watching her ADORABLE little red-haired man dancing to Bob the Builder was a beautiful experience that still gives me the giggles days later. Getting a phone call out of the blue from an old colleague who I haven't spoken to in years - Laurie, you're still one of the funniest and most genuine people I've ever met and if I ever get the chance to work with a character like you again in my life I will be so lucky. Cathy, your Friday 50s housewife status updates on Facebook completely brightened my day.
I am amazed and grateful every day for the people I have chosen to surround myself with; without exception they are supportive, uplifting, hilarious, honest...you name it. Clearly I have excellent taste. I must really be putting out the good vibes in life to have attracted people like you into mine.
I'll let you know how I go with the exercise, meditation and random acts of kindness!
Why not take the challenge with me? Let's start the happiness revolution and get that dopamine flowing! I'd love to hear from you throughout your own challenge and what you do to stay positive in life.
xx
Thursday 19 April 2012
Happy Friday!
I was so looking forward to a relaxing weekend after a ridiculously hectic week, but my landlord has decided no lazy-time for me, scheduling an inspection on Monday morning. So instead of catching up on Gossip Girl and impersonating a big, immobile object, I will have my head in the oven instead. Never fear, I have electric so there is no Sylvia Plath in my future, just an oven well overdue for a clean.
I have a love/hate relationship with rental inspections. They never usually give you enough notice to do everything you really want to do, and as a bit of a clutter-bug, that entry notice in the mailbox is enough to give me palpitations.
My stepmother has a saying of 'everything has a place and everything in it's place'. If you put everything back in its place, you never have to tidy up! It's a completely logical way to live, it's just that the logical part of my brain seems to have been lobotomised at some point. It isn't my fault, not entirely!
You see, I live in a 2 bedroom unit that is quite large, but in typical apartment style, simply does NOT have adequate storage space. So there's actually not enough room for everything to HAVE a place. Thus the kitchen table and other nearby surfaces tend to pile up with things that I really must look at....one day. I also have white walls and cream carpet that show every single speck of dirt, fingerprints, you name it.
Plus I have an almost-12-year old. Enough said.
So that entry notice represents a weekend of scrubbing walls and floors, and a panicked hour on Sunday night throwing random things into drawers and cupboards to ensure I still have a place to live come Monday afternoon.
I hate the last part - I'm a Virgo by nature and whilst I can happily ignore clutter for (very) long periods, when I do want to get organised, I want to do it right. This means taking every single thing out of the cupboard in question, wiping down everything and then replacing it in some kind of system that makes complete sense to me (and none to anyone else).
And have you ever tried to clean a balcony in a high rise where you're not allowed to let water drip to the units below? One that seems to attract more than it's fair share of dirt in a matter of days?
However I must admit as much as I hate the move-out-clean (without moving out) and the enforced de-clutter sessions, after I'm done it feels so good. There is such a good energy in a clean and tidy abode, I just wish it could magically last. I always look around and vow to myself that this time I'm going to keep the place tidy! I am going to find homes for everything and everything will go back in it's place the second I've stopped using it!
Yeah that's gonna happen.
I dream of finding a place with more cupboards than I could possibly fill in a lifetime, with a kitchen fully equipped with a walk-in pantry, a separate room for my wardrobe (walk-ins just don't cut it), and shelving just everywhere. Then my home would have a place for everything and be totally clean and tidy 24/7.
I swear.
A live-in maid would also be awesome. If she worked for free.
I'll post some before-and-afters later so you can see the results of my hard work!
xx
I have a love/hate relationship with rental inspections. They never usually give you enough notice to do everything you really want to do, and as a bit of a clutter-bug, that entry notice in the mailbox is enough to give me palpitations.
My stepmother has a saying of 'everything has a place and everything in it's place'. If you put everything back in its place, you never have to tidy up! It's a completely logical way to live, it's just that the logical part of my brain seems to have been lobotomised at some point. It isn't my fault, not entirely!
You see, I live in a 2 bedroom unit that is quite large, but in typical apartment style, simply does NOT have adequate storage space. So there's actually not enough room for everything to HAVE a place. Thus the kitchen table and other nearby surfaces tend to pile up with things that I really must look at....one day. I also have white walls and cream carpet that show every single speck of dirt, fingerprints, you name it.
Plus I have an almost-12-year old. Enough said.
So that entry notice represents a weekend of scrubbing walls and floors, and a panicked hour on Sunday night throwing random things into drawers and cupboards to ensure I still have a place to live come Monday afternoon.
I hate the last part - I'm a Virgo by nature and whilst I can happily ignore clutter for (very) long periods, when I do want to get organised, I want to do it right. This means taking every single thing out of the cupboard in question, wiping down everything and then replacing it in some kind of system that makes complete sense to me (and none to anyone else).
And have you ever tried to clean a balcony in a high rise where you're not allowed to let water drip to the units below? One that seems to attract more than it's fair share of dirt in a matter of days?
However I must admit as much as I hate the move-out-clean (without moving out) and the enforced de-clutter sessions, after I'm done it feels so good. There is such a good energy in a clean and tidy abode, I just wish it could magically last. I always look around and vow to myself that this time I'm going to keep the place tidy! I am going to find homes for everything and everything will go back in it's place the second I've stopped using it!
Yeah that's gonna happen.
I dream of finding a place with more cupboards than I could possibly fill in a lifetime, with a kitchen fully equipped with a walk-in pantry, a separate room for my wardrobe (walk-ins just don't cut it), and shelving just everywhere. Then my home would have a place for everything and be totally clean and tidy 24/7.
I swear.
A live-in maid would also be awesome. If she worked for free.
I'll post some before-and-afters later so you can see the results of my hard work!
xx
Currently.
A great regular post that she writes is 'Currently.' She suggests her readers write their own posts and link them back to her comments. I thought this was a great idea so here I go...
Obsessing over: Ted Bloomington's 'The Wisdom of Play' video. We watched this at work today and I can't stop thinking about it. Ted's 'Happiness Formula' might sound simple but his theory that we link happiness to reaching goals, only to immediately redefine our goalposts, means that for most of us happiness seems so elusive. This resonated so strongly with me and I'm inspired to execute his theory to see how it works in practice. I'm sure you'll see more of this on my blog - why don't you do it too and let me know how much happier you are as a result!
Watching: The Voice (Australian version). I'm so not a 'talent' show fan (an oxymoron in Australian terms) but tuned into the first season of the US version where they discovered some unbelievably outstanding talent. The format is fresh and original and I love the interaction between the judges and the contestants so thought I'd catch the first episode just to see if the Aussies could measure up.
Perhaps it's the magic chemistry of Seal, Joel Madden, Keith Urban and Delta, but Elijah and I have been riveted. The talent they've uncovered already throughout the audition process has been incredible. From the girl who 'swallowed Janis Joplin' to the sight-impaired beauty who sings like an angel, I'm already hooked. It has also been wonderful to cuddle up on the couch with Eli to watch this as a family. If nothing else, I hope it teaches E to reach for his dreams.
Reading: the joy of a Kindle is the instant access you have to books that you might never pick up at a bookstore. Last month there was nothing in the budget for books, and the thought of having nothing to read is unthinkable! Imagine my delight to find the Amazon Top 100 Free Books list - I downloaded just about all of them which has kept me entertained for the last few weeks. Sometimes the freebies are a bit hit and miss, but I have discovered some great new authors that I never would have discovered otherwise. Honestly, I am a little embarrassed to admit but most of my usual choices are the lighter kind of chick-lit, reading is an escape for me so I don't always feel like delving into deeper fare, however I have read some books that have really touched my heart. One of these in particular was Exposed by Ashley Weis, which is a raw and sometimes disturbing view into the world of porn, told from both sides of the screen. Ashley weaves the two stories together in a beautiful way and whilst it is somewhat religious in its overtones, it wasn't offputting nor got in the way of the story.
Anticipating: some big and awesome changes in my life. I don't like to count my chickens so won't elaborate just yet but life is looking good. Change is always scary but if we don't move forward, we don't go anywhere so whilst I have some trepidation, I'm also really excited about the coming weeks and months.
Eating: Ferrero Rocher, the original and the best. I've got an entire box leftover from Easter and have just had one and trying to employ some willpower not to keep reaching for that box...
Loving: Pinterest! I have just discovered this, I know I'm late to the party but have found some inspirational photos and quotes and am now obsessed (see below). My Opi black shattered nailpolish. This hairstyle that I'm trying to replicate, without enormous success.
What are you doing currently?
xx
Wednesday 18 April 2012
Who do you think you are?
One of the great perks about working for a big company is the access that we get to training, as we have our own department whose job it is to roll out various testing and training both to staff and clients.
So a little while ago I was asked to participate in personality profiling. As this type of thing is something I get a sad little kick out of, I jumped at the chance, despite being a little apprehensive of a) seeing my quirks recorded for posterity and/or b) what if my um..varied...personality traits like, overload the circuits and melt down the computer or something?
Apart from that, who doesn't like answering questions about themselves and then participating in embarrassing team activities that highlight howweird and different awesomely unique you are?
Oh wait...
Anyway I'd forgotten all about it but in my recent and clearly infrequent tidying jags I found my individualised 10 page personality profile tonight and decided to have another read.
Wow I'm unique.
I'm what's apparently referred to as an extroverted introvert, which apparently represents only around 2% of the population. To my friend whose immediate response to this was, 'oh god there's more than one of you?' I say I'm a rare species. And shut up.
So apparently I'm adaptable and open to change,creative and big-picture thinking, hate to be forced to make decisions quickly, avoid conflict, get impatient with details, don't like to be hampered by barriers or limits and use metaphors, analogies and other forms of symbolic language that most people either HATE or just don't get. I don't like to be told no, and if I can't go over the mountain I'll look for ways around it instead. And I ask a lot of questions.
Ya think?
When communicating with others I'm advised to not over-share, however I also won't share accomplishments easily but then hate being underestimated. Yes I see the irony.
So overall I learned I'm a contrary mystery wrapped in an enigma who will usually do the opposite of what you're expecting.
Seriously though, I did get a lot out of this session, the most useful and surprising being practical tips on dealing with people who don't think like I do, which let's face it, appears to be almost everyone. And although I poke fun, I really must admit by using some of these strategies it has enabled me to get more out of people than I did before.
Have you done personality testing? Who do you think you are? Did you learn more about yourself or about other people and did you find it useful? And yes I'm asking a lot of questions!
xx
So a little while ago I was asked to participate in personality profiling. As this type of thing is something I get a sad little kick out of, I jumped at the chance, despite being a little apprehensive of a) seeing my quirks recorded for posterity and/or b) what if my um..varied...personality traits like, overload the circuits and melt down the computer or something?
Apart from that, who doesn't like answering questions about themselves and then participating in embarrassing team activities that highlight how
Oh wait...
Anyway I'd forgotten all about it but in my recent and clearly infrequent tidying jags I found my individualised 10 page personality profile tonight and decided to have another read.
Wow I'm unique.
I'm what's apparently referred to as an extroverted introvert, which apparently represents only around 2% of the population. To my friend whose immediate response to this was, 'oh god there's more than one of you?' I say I'm a rare species. And shut up.
So apparently I'm adaptable and open to change,creative and big-picture thinking, hate to be forced to make decisions quickly, avoid conflict, get impatient with details, don't like to be hampered by barriers or limits and use metaphors, analogies and other forms of symbolic language that most people either HATE or just don't get. I don't like to be told no, and if I can't go over the mountain I'll look for ways around it instead. And I ask a lot of questions.
Ya think?
When communicating with others I'm advised to not over-share, however I also won't share accomplishments easily but then hate being underestimated. Yes I see the irony.
So overall I learned I'm a contrary mystery wrapped in an enigma who will usually do the opposite of what you're expecting.
Seriously though, I did get a lot out of this session, the most useful and surprising being practical tips on dealing with people who don't think like I do, which let's face it, appears to be almost everyone. And although I poke fun, I really must admit by using some of these strategies it has enabled me to get more out of people than I did before.
Have you done personality testing? Who do you think you are? Did you learn more about yourself or about other people and did you find it useful? And yes I'm asking a lot of questions!
xx
Tuesday 17 April 2012
Writing
There are some days I sit down and write and although I type more than 90 words per minute, it's like the words are coming faster than the fingers can transcribe. The perfect terminology and turn of phrase just trip off the tongue.
And then there's other days where the ideas swirling around my brain are all just too convoluted to make any sense at all. Or my tiny little mind is just too tired to process them into any kind of rational order.
The last few days have been a bit like that, I've had brain drain. Friends would be gobsmacked as I'm NEVER lost for words.
I used to write resumes for a living and I would even frighten myself with thecreative bullshit cold, hard facts that would come pouring out without any hesitation. Yes I was a professional bullshitter. Some might say I never stopped.
I've always had extreme artist envy, always feeling that I too was an artist, just sadly one devoid of, well any artistic talent whatsoever. Let's just say I should really never, EVER quit the day job.
I have collected a lot of arty friends instead, some who are extremely successful and part of the reason I think we're friends is because I hope some of their talent will rub off, by osmosis.
Not creepy at all.
And this experiment to date has been a complete failure, unless you count my talent for making cute candle holders by sticking lace to jars. Most don't.
So it didn't really occur to me for a long time that writing is a pretty valid form of self expression too.
I've always written a lot, whether letters, emails, letters to the editor...most of these missives have actually never been sent or read by anyone other than me.
If you've pissed me off today, you might find yourself the recipient of an emotional/heartfelt/scathing (insert word here) letter, only you'll never know it or read it.
I find it really therapeutic to write my feelings AS IF they're to the other person, getting them out is like lifting off a burden. I may or may not read them back a few days later, but mostly it's unnecessary as once I've gotten my feelings out I either put it all into perspective or else just let it go. Usually these missives just get deleted off the laptop, or in extreme cases ceremonially burnt. Ok that made me sound weird.
Anyway, I wasn't really sure what I was going to write when I sat down this morning and I'm not sure I really have a point here. Something to do with artistically bankrupt...creative expression...yada yada...
Ok yes, here we are. Writing about artist envy, 11 year old boys and Taylor Swift makes me kind of an artist, doesn't it? Pop culture obsession is a valid form of creative expression, surely?
Have a great Wednesday!
xx
*no artists were injured in the making of this post.
And then there's other days where the ideas swirling around my brain are all just too convoluted to make any sense at all. Or my tiny little mind is just too tired to process them into any kind of rational order.
The last few days have been a bit like that, I've had brain drain. Friends would be gobsmacked as I'm NEVER lost for words.
I used to write resumes for a living and I would even frighten myself with the
I've always had extreme artist envy, always feeling that I too was an artist, just sadly one devoid of, well any artistic talent whatsoever. Let's just say I should really never, EVER quit the day job.
I have collected a lot of arty friends instead, some who are extremely successful and part of the reason I think we're friends is because I hope some of their talent will rub off, by osmosis.
Not creepy at all.
And this experiment to date has been a complete failure, unless you count my talent for making cute candle holders by sticking lace to jars. Most don't.
So it didn't really occur to me for a long time that writing is a pretty valid form of self expression too.
I've always written a lot, whether letters, emails, letters to the editor...most of these missives have actually never been sent or read by anyone other than me.
If you've pissed me off today, you might find yourself the recipient of an emotional/heartfelt/scathing (insert word here) letter, only you'll never know it or read it.
I find it really therapeutic to write my feelings AS IF they're to the other person, getting them out is like lifting off a burden. I may or may not read them back a few days later, but mostly it's unnecessary as once I've gotten my feelings out I either put it all into perspective or else just let it go. Usually these missives just get deleted off the laptop, or in extreme cases ceremonially burnt. Ok that made me sound weird.
Anyway, I wasn't really sure what I was going to write when I sat down this morning and I'm not sure I really have a point here. Something to do with artistically bankrupt...creative expression...yada yada...
Ok yes, here we are. Writing about artist envy, 11 year old boys and Taylor Swift makes me kind of an artist, doesn't it? Pop culture obsession is a valid form of creative expression, surely?
Have a great Wednesday!
xx
*no artists were injured in the making of this post.
Sunday 15 April 2012
Saturday 14 April 2012
Revenge - why ya gotta be so mean?
Ah revenge. Sweet revenge.
Vengeance. Retaliation. Retribution.
There's TV shows about it, talk shows are full of it and Hollywood has made billions on the premise of an eye for an eye. It's even in the Bible. Jerry Springer would just be some dude struggling to get his mug on telly without it.
Many see it as a basic human right, if someone does you wrong, you are perfectly justified in getting even. No blow too low, no depths off limits, win at all costs. How very Shakespearian.
Before I begin this, please know I hold no judgement, I am just an avid student of human nature who really wants to try to understand how other people tick. I've come to understand that I tend to think very differently from the majority and I guess I just want to tap into what others' thought processes are.
Maybe it's just me but I seem to be missing the vengeance gene. Perhaps I've watched too many 80s movies where bad juju comes back to the perpetuator threefold, or else it's just my DNA, but when 'getting even' means making someone else feel like a loser, even if they truly deserve it, it just doesn't make me feel good.
When I was young I was your average doormat who took the blows but never dealt them in return, bottling them until things built up to such a level that I would simply explode and overreact to the situation entirely. Afterwards I'd feel guilty and ashamed that I'd made someone else feel like crap through my own actions and words. I struggled to understand how, in Taylor Swift's words, 'why you gotta be so mean', and carried around my guilt that I'd perpetuated the cycle by taking my anger out on someone else.
In my navel-gazing early 20s I read The Celestine Prophecy which espoused the theory that when people argue, the winner essentially sucks the energy from the loser, which is why if you lose a fight you feel drained and when you win you feel empowered. I see the sense in the theory, and do feel that high when I've won something fair and square, but if I have to cut someone down to obtain that win, then I feel just as drained and small as the loser.
Don't get me wrong, I'm no angel, and am a huge fan of practical jokes, provided they're going to be received with hysterical laugher and not hysterical tears. And whilst I won't laugh at someone else's misfortune sometimes I definitely feel a sense of justification when I hear of the universe dealing someone who's done you wrong a bad hand. I like to believe in karma and those who dealt it will eventually have it come back around. But it doesn't need to be exacted by me.
I have good friends who wholeheartedly believe in vengeance. They are good people, great people with loving hearts but when someone crosses them they feel that it is only right to get their revenge in order for balance to be restored.
On a conscious level, I totally get it, but on an emotional one it leaves me mystified. I just can't get my kicks out of making other people feel bad and struggle to understand how others genuinely feel better after they've gotten 'even'.
I consider myself a cynical optimist and always try to look for the good in people. Instead of exacting revenge, I like to try to figure out their motivations - are they that unhappy in their lives that they have to make me feel small in order to feel better?
I don't know the answer, all I know I that I try to uphold my own theory, that living well is the best revenge. One of my favourite sayings is to kill people with kindness, at the very least it will drive them crazy. I don't need to one-up someone to feel better about myself and I can go to sleep at night knowing I didn't deliberately cause anyone pain today. And that works for me.
Taylor Swift was right on the money with her lyrics to Mean.
'One day, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
But all you're ever gonna be is mean...
But the cycle ends right now cause you can't lead me down that road'
(I knew I'd be able to work Taylor Swift in here somehow. My balance is now restored).
What do you think? Does vengeance work for you? Or are you of the live and let live camp? I'd love to know.
xx
Vengeance. Retaliation. Retribution.
There's TV shows about it, talk shows are full of it and Hollywood has made billions on the premise of an eye for an eye. It's even in the Bible. Jerry Springer would just be some dude struggling to get his mug on telly without it.
Many see it as a basic human right, if someone does you wrong, you are perfectly justified in getting even. No blow too low, no depths off limits, win at all costs. How very Shakespearian.
Before I begin this, please know I hold no judgement, I am just an avid student of human nature who really wants to try to understand how other people tick. I've come to understand that I tend to think very differently from the majority and I guess I just want to tap into what others' thought processes are.
Maybe it's just me but I seem to be missing the vengeance gene. Perhaps I've watched too many 80s movies where bad juju comes back to the perpetuator threefold, or else it's just my DNA, but when 'getting even' means making someone else feel like a loser, even if they truly deserve it, it just doesn't make me feel good.
When I was young I was your average doormat who took the blows but never dealt them in return, bottling them until things built up to such a level that I would simply explode and overreact to the situation entirely. Afterwards I'd feel guilty and ashamed that I'd made someone else feel like crap through my own actions and words. I struggled to understand how, in Taylor Swift's words, 'why you gotta be so mean', and carried around my guilt that I'd perpetuated the cycle by taking my anger out on someone else.
In my navel-gazing early 20s I read The Celestine Prophecy which espoused the theory that when people argue, the winner essentially sucks the energy from the loser, which is why if you lose a fight you feel drained and when you win you feel empowered. I see the sense in the theory, and do feel that high when I've won something fair and square, but if I have to cut someone down to obtain that win, then I feel just as drained and small as the loser.
Don't get me wrong, I'm no angel, and am a huge fan of practical jokes, provided they're going to be received with hysterical laugher and not hysterical tears. And whilst I won't laugh at someone else's misfortune sometimes I definitely feel a sense of justification when I hear of the universe dealing someone who's done you wrong a bad hand. I like to believe in karma and those who dealt it will eventually have it come back around. But it doesn't need to be exacted by me.
I have good friends who wholeheartedly believe in vengeance. They are good people, great people with loving hearts but when someone crosses them they feel that it is only right to get their revenge in order for balance to be restored.
On a conscious level, I totally get it, but on an emotional one it leaves me mystified. I just can't get my kicks out of making other people feel bad and struggle to understand how others genuinely feel better after they've gotten 'even'.
I consider myself a cynical optimist and always try to look for the good in people. Instead of exacting revenge, I like to try to figure out their motivations - are they that unhappy in their lives that they have to make me feel small in order to feel better?
I don't know the answer, all I know I that I try to uphold my own theory, that living well is the best revenge. One of my favourite sayings is to kill people with kindness, at the very least it will drive them crazy. I don't need to one-up someone to feel better about myself and I can go to sleep at night knowing I didn't deliberately cause anyone pain today. And that works for me.
Taylor Swift was right on the money with her lyrics to Mean.
'One day, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
But all you're ever gonna be is mean...
But the cycle ends right now cause you can't lead me down that road'
(I knew I'd be able to work Taylor Swift in here somehow. My balance is now restored).
What do you think? Does vengeance work for you? Or are you of the live and let live camp? I'd love to know.
xx
How do you write a eulogy for someone you didn't get on with?
I'm about to enter much deeper territory than I'm used to. Generally I tend to blather on about the lighter side of life and miscellaneous crap that piques my short attention span interest and was going to write about some rather regrettable fashion faux pas that I unfortunately witnessed at my local shopping centre today followed by a recollection of the lovely afternoon I spent with some great friends.
However I then got a phone call from a friend whose mother has recently passed away. Her father has asked her to perform the eulogy and she really can't get out of it.
The problem is, her mum was really, well, mean. I'm not going to go into detail, but suffice it to say my friend is struggling to come up with more than 'good manners' as a positive point.
She was asking me for advice as she's at a complete loss. She doesn't want to lie however her truthful recollections of her mother are unfortunately not for public consumption and certainly do not fit in with the usual theme of 'don't speak ill' of the deceased variety.
I'm in alien territory here for a number of reasons. Firstly I've never had to give a eulogy, this would be a difficult enough task at the best of times. And secondly, when my mother passed away I was devastated. I was only 18 and whilst in typical rebellious teenage fashion didn't have the easiest relationship with my mother, I absolutely adored her and could espouse a million positive things to say about her. She wasn't perfect but she loved me and I loved her and I miss her to this day. And now that I'm a mum myself I catch myself saying certain things and thinking, 'oh my God, I've turned into my mother!' And much as it would have horrified me as a teenager, I'm now proud to say that if I have, then I'm OK with that because she was a vibrant, giving, beautiful woman and a loyal friend and any comparisons to her would be welcomed.
So I was at a bit of a loss of what to say to my friend who clearly does not have the same recollections. In the end, I advised her to perhaps not lie outright, but to be selective of the truths which she decides to share. I suggested that she perhaps get in contact with her mother's friends and focus on a story or stories from them to show her mother in a positive light. To focus on the fact that the good manners her mother was so focused on are now being passed onto her grandchild.
After we hung up the phone I couldn't stop thinking about it. I googled "Definition of Eulogy" and found the following answers at dictionary.com:
1. a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially a set oration in honour of a deceased person.
2. high praise or commendation
Hmm, no help there.
I also googled "Eulogy for a Mean Person" which yielded exactly ONE result. Luckily this article actually offered some useful tips on how to deliver an appropriate yet truthful eulogy under such difficult circumstances.
Apparently it is quite acceptable to simply give a factual account of one's life, ie. born here, raised there, schooled there, married X, etc etc.
However I am now left feeling a little sad and empty. How awful that someone has to actually ask a friend how to write a eulogy for someone who has left a legacy of hurt and devastation behind. How awful that my friend has that hurt and devastation to bear. How sad a life where those left behind struggle to find positive things to say about you.
I would like to hope that when I'm gone people will not have to scrape the barrel to come up with anything nice to say about me. How sad if someone has to read a list of facts instead of eulogising on how I added something positive and meaningful to their lives, without lying through their teeth. I don't want to be remembered as a saint, however I would like to think that it wouldn't be that hard to remember me for being a decent person.
It made me reflect on my legacy. I'd like to thing I'm a warm, caring person, a fiercely loyal friend, a loving mother, a flawed and imperfect human being but one who tried hard and always meant well. Someone who stood up for my beliefs and whose word you could count on. Someone who made an impression on somebody, somewhere.
Deep stuff.
So instead of my meaningless babble of the day, I leave you with this. Do you have any advice for my friend? How would you like to be remembered?
xx
However I then got a phone call from a friend whose mother has recently passed away. Her father has asked her to perform the eulogy and she really can't get out of it.
The problem is, her mum was really, well, mean. I'm not going to go into detail, but suffice it to say my friend is struggling to come up with more than 'good manners' as a positive point.
She was asking me for advice as she's at a complete loss. She doesn't want to lie however her truthful recollections of her mother are unfortunately not for public consumption and certainly do not fit in with the usual theme of 'don't speak ill' of the deceased variety.
I'm in alien territory here for a number of reasons. Firstly I've never had to give a eulogy, this would be a difficult enough task at the best of times. And secondly, when my mother passed away I was devastated. I was only 18 and whilst in typical rebellious teenage fashion didn't have the easiest relationship with my mother, I absolutely adored her and could espouse a million positive things to say about her. She wasn't perfect but she loved me and I loved her and I miss her to this day. And now that I'm a mum myself I catch myself saying certain things and thinking, 'oh my God, I've turned into my mother!' And much as it would have horrified me as a teenager, I'm now proud to say that if I have, then I'm OK with that because she was a vibrant, giving, beautiful woman and a loyal friend and any comparisons to her would be welcomed.
So I was at a bit of a loss of what to say to my friend who clearly does not have the same recollections. In the end, I advised her to perhaps not lie outright, but to be selective of the truths which she decides to share. I suggested that she perhaps get in contact with her mother's friends and focus on a story or stories from them to show her mother in a positive light. To focus on the fact that the good manners her mother was so focused on are now being passed onto her grandchild.
After we hung up the phone I couldn't stop thinking about it. I googled "Definition of Eulogy" and found the following answers at dictionary.com:
1. a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially a set oration in honour of a deceased person.
2. high praise or commendation
Hmm, no help there.
I also googled "Eulogy for a Mean Person" which yielded exactly ONE result. Luckily this article actually offered some useful tips on how to deliver an appropriate yet truthful eulogy under such difficult circumstances.
Apparently it is quite acceptable to simply give a factual account of one's life, ie. born here, raised there, schooled there, married X, etc etc.
However I am now left feeling a little sad and empty. How awful that someone has to actually ask a friend how to write a eulogy for someone who has left a legacy of hurt and devastation behind. How awful that my friend has that hurt and devastation to bear. How sad a life where those left behind struggle to find positive things to say about you.
I would like to hope that when I'm gone people will not have to scrape the barrel to come up with anything nice to say about me. How sad if someone has to read a list of facts instead of eulogising on how I added something positive and meaningful to their lives, without lying through their teeth. I don't want to be remembered as a saint, however I would like to think that it wouldn't be that hard to remember me for being a decent person.
It made me reflect on my legacy. I'd like to thing I'm a warm, caring person, a fiercely loyal friend, a loving mother, a flawed and imperfect human being but one who tried hard and always meant well. Someone who stood up for my beliefs and whose word you could count on. Someone who made an impression on somebody, somewhere.
Deep stuff.
So instead of my meaningless babble of the day, I leave you with this. Do you have any advice for my friend? How would you like to be remembered?
xx
Public Bathroom Etiquette - my observations
Pardon my potty mouth, but this is what I've observed lately:
- People exiting public bathrooms never get out of the way of those coming in. People entering have a greater need and should be given right of way. This is common courtesy.
- The second toilet is always the one with the missing seat/toilet paper/broken lock.
- The size of the line is always in direct proportion to how much you need to go.
- If you're the only person in a bathroom with 3 or more toilets, you can be guaranteed the next person in will choose the cubicle right next to yours.
- Lady in the cubicle next to me, do not compliment my shoes. I know we're just a scant few feet from each other but I would like to maintain the illusion of privacy. If you'd really like to know where I got my footwear, please wait until we're washing our hands.
- Pay attention. If the sign says 'engaged' then there's a strong likelihood someone is in the cubicle. There's no need to push on the door. If the sign is broken, then one push would usually tip you off that the door is locked. The second, third and fourth pushes are redundant.
- And for Gods sake, flush.
Friday 13 April 2012
Tights are NOT pants!
It's time for my annual rant on an issue that continues to plague me year after year. It's a topic that causes great controversy and a divide among friends. There are those, like myself, that fall into the absolutely NOT, never-ever-ever category, and others who refuse to see the light and continue to obstinately perpetuate this tragedy.
Of course, I'm talking about the fashion epidemic that just will not die:
(*for the purposes of this post, all leggings, stretch pants or God forbid, jeggings are heretofore referred to as 'tights').
This issue raises its ugly head the minute the weather starts to cool and I am here to categorically address this accursed trend.
Tights are not pants. NOT.
There is a plethora of literature and online articles that strongly support my opinion. Typing 'tights are not pants' into google brings up more than 2 million results. Wow. The leader of this crusade is tightsarenotpants.com which provides stickers, posters and press kits, yes, press kits, all for free in an attempt to rid the world of this abomination. It's a public service, really. Then there's thefashionpolice.net whose mantra is 'leggings are not pants and tights are not leggings'.
Say it with me people.
I have nothing against tights as a fashion choice, when worn appropriately. In fact I'm an avid fan and have tights of almost every colour, texture and design that I wear religiously during the cooler months. They're ridiculously comfortable. They can look awesome when paired with fabulous boots and the right choice of top.
However, as I understand that tights are NOT pants, I choose to pair them with a skirt, dress or tunic style top that well and truly covers my ass.
As it should be.
I don't want to be seeing other girls camel toes, panty lines or jiggly bits, therefore I won't subject them to mine. It's just respect.
Even men agree with me, with one fashion savvy gentleman starting a petition to try to outlaw the tights-as-pants trend from LaTrobe University in Melbourne. Good for him.
There's one exception to the rule: if you look like Miranda Kerr then have at it and wear what you damn please. Just be prepared for me to glare at your perfect thighs with envy and mutter under my breath that I can see your VPL.
What's your take on this burning issue?
xx
Of course, I'm talking about the fashion epidemic that just will not die:
Can tights* be worn as pants?
(*for the purposes of this post, all leggings, stretch pants or God forbid, jeggings are heretofore referred to as 'tights').
This issue raises its ugly head the minute the weather starts to cool and I am here to categorically address this accursed trend.
Tights are not pants. NOT.
There is a plethora of literature and online articles that strongly support my opinion. Typing 'tights are not pants' into google brings up more than 2 million results. Wow. The leader of this crusade is tightsarenotpants.com which provides stickers, posters and press kits, yes, press kits, all for free in an attempt to rid the world of this abomination. It's a public service, really. Then there's thefashionpolice.net whose mantra is 'leggings are not pants and tights are not leggings'.
Say it with me people.
I have nothing against tights as a fashion choice, when worn appropriately. In fact I'm an avid fan and have tights of almost every colour, texture and design that I wear religiously during the cooler months. They're ridiculously comfortable. They can look awesome when paired with fabulous boots and the right choice of top.
However, as I understand that tights are NOT pants, I choose to pair them with a skirt, dress or tunic style top that well and truly covers my ass.
As it should be.
I don't want to be seeing other girls camel toes, panty lines or jiggly bits, therefore I won't subject them to mine. It's just respect.
Even men agree with me, with one fashion savvy gentleman starting a petition to try to outlaw the tights-as-pants trend from LaTrobe University in Melbourne. Good for him.
There's one exception to the rule: if you look like Miranda Kerr then have at it and wear what you damn please. Just be prepared for me to glare at your perfect thighs with envy and mutter under my breath that I can see your VPL.
What's your take on this burning issue?
xx
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