busy busy busy

I love this week's Illustration Friday topic, and I'm dying to do an illo for it, but I've been so busy I haven't had a chance. ("Small" is me to a tea). I might try and do one on the weekend and post it anyway.

I've been in meetings at work all week, my biggest project (that I've been working on since June) is handing over today, eeek. I've really enjoyed this job though, the clients are lovely, which makes a huge difference. I've also finally got stuff up on ebay, and I wont have any illo time tonight either as we're going to the opening night of the new Harry Potter movie! (if I get away from work in time).

It's actually all very exciting! I can't wait to see Harry Potter. Kilkenny managed to score tickets through his seriously perk-filled work, but I don't think he's anywhere near as excited about it as Mr You, Elle and I are.

I also had the bigggest laugh writing the completely fruity descriptions for my ebay items. I'm a bit nervous about how they'll go, they're pretty... well "pretty". It's not my usual style (much more girly than I'm used to), but Jiang at work was my muse for these ones. She's obsessed with that shabby chic style, and has been encouraging me alot (giving me loads of ideas), so we'll see how they go. You've got to start somewhere right? It's been good fun sewing. I actually really love the way the Christmas decorations turned out, considering how simple they are.

If you're into all things "pretty pretty", check them out, and have a good laugh at my awsome copywriting while you're at it.

be careful what you wish for

Is it bad to wish yourself backwards? I wish I was myself a year ago. What does that say about where I am now? Or about how far away it feels? And how far away the next place seems?

The stepping stones are too wide apart.

i'm a cowboy...

..."COWBOY!... on a steel horse I ride. And I’m wanted...WANTED... dead or alive..."

I’ve just gotten home, a little hoarse and dizzy from a night of over-enthusiastic karaoke. My friend Jiang is leaving our work to move back to China, and in a dramatic send off we all sang loudly at her for a couple of hours. Under a glow-in-the-dark imitation of Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” on the wall in one of those private rooms, in one of those classy establishments, we belted out some hot-rockin’ trax like there was no tomorrow. We’re so sophisticated.

There were certainly some stand out numbers that will prevent Jiang from ever wanting to return to this fair land, which of course was all part of the elaborate plan to make it easier for her to leave. I did my bit; I partook in a duet of Blondie’s “Call Me”. Other than that I contracted a strange condition, or perhaps an electrical fault of some sort, that saw my voice silenced each time a microphone was pointed in my direction. Much like a wild dog, I prefer to howl in a pack.

You see I can not, I repeat not sing. I like to try (in the safety of a loud crowd or a soundproof car), but in all reality I’m much more of the drag queen type myself. I’ll do the moves, and I know all the words, but along with Betty-Boo and Milli Vanilli, I’m designed purely for lip-synching. Top of the Pops here I come!

“Call Me. On the line. Call me. Call me any day or night. Call Me!”

free

My Illustration Friday entry for 'free'.

entertaining the littlens

This weekend was spent entertaining Mr You’s sister and her children, who were in town for a few days. Coming to a city is a very exciting time for the kids, so we took them to see a few things that hopefully stick in their memories for a while.

Yesterday we took them to see the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition, which is an annual event hosted along the headland between Bondi and Tamarama beaches. It’s a spectacular backdrop for some stunning sculptures. I loved the glass fence, and the kinetic wind and solar antennas, but I think the standout piece this year was the giant scaffolding wave.



Today we went to the aquarium and set about on the quintessential hunt for Nemo. Fish are cool. There’s one great room in there set up like a little amphitheatre with the lights down low and classical music up loud, so you can sit and watch giant cute flat-faced silver fish dance in unison before you. I also loved watching the octopus gracefully untangle its tentacles before twisting them back up again as it shifted position. I absolutely love the manta rays, but once again I had a favourite, and this time it was the “moon jelly fish”. The tank was entirely dark except for a red spotlight making the jelly fish shine iridescent red, and they undulated in and out like slow motion fireworks.



Our quest to awe the kids seemed to work, but the plan to wear them out failed. I’ve held little hands, ran and chased, and been given more slappy affectionate hugs around my legs than I can remember. Although my own name was almost worn right out from it being called out repeatedly all weekend, (usually followed by “Come over here” or “Look at this!”).

Our 5 year old buddy (as Mr You and I sat on the couch with him last night) announced he wanted to do “who’s the cutest”. His mum shook her head in that “I don’t think so” way, but he continued…
“Do you want to know which one of you is the cutest?”…

I won’t say if it was Mr You or I who won the highly sought after award, but I WILL say that he is now my very favourite 5 year old!
(plus he taught me how to beat-box by saying “books”, or “b-k-s” over and over again really fast).

another clicky link

Another lovely link I could dance around all day (if I didn't have to go to work): One girl garden

demons and foibles

My Illustration Friday entry for 'strength'.

Facing your demons and foibles takes courage. But staying to deal with them takes strength and determination. Then knowing whether to slay them or offer them support and nurturing is a whole other thing altogether.