On Creativite Genius - Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert wrote a book that I absolutely adored, and dreamed that I could one day emulate as I struggle through writing my own history. http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/eatpraylove.htm

She made me want to throw my cares to the wind, chase dreams, and look for rainbows. The disillusion of self, and heartache rendered by her dependence on others was like reading the introduction to my own story.

And as I frequently encounter the next mental and creative block, I came across this speech by Gilbert, on the pressures and battles of creativity, and how to carry the burden. And importantly, how much self doubt she still carries in her ability, and how hard it is still for her to sit down and write.

.Check it.

Art & Architecture

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I had to share this because it is so striking. Tokujin Yoshioka is an extremely talented multidisciplinary artist who covers graphics, exhibition design, furniture & product design, and architecture (http://www.tokujin.com/)

This recent piece by him was for the largest watch exhibition in the world, Baselworld2009, and was commissioned for Swarovski. It is called the Lake of Shimmer and measures 9m by 8m and contains 16,000 mirrors attached to the wall, each which have their angle controlled by a computer. This makes for a stunning play of colour and light, and adds a beautiful smoothness and naturality to a very mechanical operation. It is like watching ripples in a pond and while visually stimulating, is calming to the mind because of its representation of natural life & movement.
Who doesn’t feel as peace when gazing by the waters edge?

Gifts from strangers

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Somebody I had never met before, spent an hour talking to me yesterday. They sat back in their chair, paused and thought for a moment before saying “You know exactly what you want from life don’t you? You know exactly what you’re doing. And where you want to be, and how you’re gonna get there”

Bless him. This surprised me; that after an hour of conversation, one considered themselves so perceptive. And honestly and confidently voice their perception.

This surprised me too, because I blinked quickly and thought wow...

...Thankfully, yes, I actually do.

Finally.
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Im dreaming of...

Damn you long legs! You would surely break in heels this high! Not to mention make me hit my head on tram doors, train openings, door frames, and low hanging branches!

le... sigh

Damn you Nine West and your 50% off sale!

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Letter to Shanks

Dear Shanks,

I know you are going on this big adventure, and opening a really massive new chapter in your life. I wanted to tell you a couple of things that I thought of but just didn’t say, as I stood in Kim’s hallway and wondered what I should say to you. I ended up telling you I was proud of you. But it’s so much more than that.

I want to thank you for making friends with a complete stranger over the radio. For not caring about where I was from, or where I’d been, what I’d done, or what I’d seen. And for wanting to be my friend because of who I was on the inside.

I want to let you know that you moving to Melbourne was the kick start that I needed, helping me to understand that no-one is ultimately trapped in their situation. And I wanted to thank you for those lonely first weeks in this bloody cold place, where we sat in various pubs in the city, smoking our cigarettes and contemplating our existence. And not only bonding over this massive new adventure, but actually learning things about each other and becoming greater friends. Because the reality tied to this situation is that as much as we got along, we didn’t really know each other then.



And thankyou for the months that followed, picking up late night pizzas/kebabs/chinese and stumbling drunkenly home, getting lost while exploring the most random places, catching gigs, making new friends (and enemies! ...Ah that night on the tram on the way to Laundry, when we had a run-in with the junkies!) and always having yet another random Bikkies and Shanks adventure. And THANKYOU for taking Jimmy into your fold of friends as you did with me. Its like you passed the baton... and now he gets to hold my hair back when Im sick. Arent you glad you passed THAT baton on!? lol



We were flat broke together, starved together, and when we had cash... boy! did we live LARGE together. The memories are forever and incorruptible (except the ones where... you know... we don’t actually remember what happened. lol)



I am also grateful for having you round during the shitty nights, when I hated where I was and who I am. But you were always there, you taught me that it was ok to call someone a c*nt, if they were being one. And that Monday night drinking sessions were never worth it on Tuesday morning, but were necessary at the time, so that I could vent. You knew when I was having a rough time, and you were always there with bear-hugs. There were Luca-demons, the death of my friend, losing my little Conni, and crappy crappy work colleagues. There were also girl-dramas and cash-flow dramas. And icky icky come-downs. You also told me when I should just harden the fuck up... I really needed that too sometimes.



Seriously dude it has been 2 years of mayhem, chaos, pain, victory, growth, and maturity (who knew I could put those words in the same sentence!) and we’ve had a crazy crazy time. We have come to the end of an era, but not the end of a wicked friendship. Ultimately I am SO proud of you... I look back on me and think ‘Holy shit, look how far I’ve come’ but I’ve also looked back at you, and you’ve grown so much as a person too. I am so grateful for a best friend like you... one of the truest ones.



These next few years of your life are going to take you places you never would have believed possible, and you’ll see things and meet people who will constantly blow your mind (both good and bad). You are an awesome awesome person and I have not met one soul who doesnt get along with you. Dont bloody forget it, if theyve got a problem with you... its their problem. Youre just one of those people you know? You make friends easily, you go out of your way to help & understand people, and your a total trashbag (apparently people like that? ;p )



Please keep your wits about you, and for godsake keep your phone insured. Take LOTS of photos, keep in touch, keep true to yourself, drink things other than scotch, eat weird food (and get gastro), poke strange animals (but not strange people), learn swearwords in foreign languages, call me on Skype and teach me foreign swearwords, download lots of Oz hip hop to educate your fellow crew, and never ever forget how many people love the shit out of you back home.



Best.Housemate.Ever

Hugs and Gutz!


xx Kaye

P.S. A few of the classics.....

1. http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?page=4&id=619719209&view=all&m=1#/video/video.php?v=119431231040&subj=642109618


2. http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?page=4&id=619719209&view=all&m=1#/video/video.php?v=46587244618&subj=642109618


3. http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?page=4&id=619719209&view=all&m=1#/video/video.php?v=51120524618

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I <3 My Folks

So I introduced my parents to my blog. I had to think about it for a little while... but hey, its me right?

And then lo-and-behold... I got a package in the mail! Mum had actually brought me the french bag that I blogged about in December last year! Well, same designer, similar style...

I got this one...

http://www.cleverbastards.co.nz/the-store/ingrid-anderson/1779/french-bag-ring/4774


Love love love love it :o)

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Recipe for an anxiety cure

Take one large dose of icy cold weather and rain

A few small pinches of camping equipment

1 cup of red wine (did I say 1? I meant 4, no wait, 5.)

A hefty dollop of cuddle-y love from the boy

Several lashings of bbq'd meat & salad

and a sprinkling of hiking, football on the beach, and wombat watching.

And VIOLA! Anxiety gone!



Ive just finished university for the semester... YAY! And I can barely contain my excitement. Jim and I have been planning our camping trip for weeks now. We travel down to Wilsons Prom on a Friday and stay for 3 days. The beauty of going at this time of year is that the place is tomb-quiet. Most people chicken out at the thought of sleeping in a tent at 3 degrees but Oh! not me! Its my favourite time of year to camp!

Once the tent is pitched, we do a little exploring, cook some dinner on the bbq, and then retire to the tent with 3 fluffy doona's, a thick mattress, a beautiful bottle of Barossa or Clare Valley Shiraz, and some drool-worthy cheeses. We go to sleep when the sun goes down, and rise with the birds. The tent keeps us dry, and we huddle inside if its raining. When its not raining we run around like fools on the beach to keep ourselves warm. There are no phones. And no internet. And no power, so there isnt even any music or generators. And no small screaming children. Its just PERFECT.

This weekend just gone i worked for 48 hours STRAIGHT on my final assignment. I woke up at 9am on Saturday, and did not sleep again until 9am on Monday. Sure Ive done my uni all nighters before, but never two in a row. And never again let me tell you. On Monday morning, I was not sure I could safely drive home (Id locked myself away in the office to get it all done), my eyes were bloodshot and sunken, my lips were dry and cracked, and I was hallucinating. My eyes played mean tricks on me and I looked like a startled rabbit. On crack.

And its done. But I promise promise promise I will NOT do that to myself again!
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List for a shitty day...

Things that make me happy, or ‘The List That I like To Use On A Shithouse Day”

I just pick something, and do it.
Whether its buying myself a really yummo cheese from the market, or picking up some daisys on the way home, or planning a weekend away camping...
I know these are the things that make me happy, so I find a way to do them!

1.Big flamboyant red wines with creamy crumbly cheese
2.Getting home in the evening to find that a vase of flowers opened while I was out and the whole house smells of lilies
3.Cycling downhill while peddling backwards and listening to the whirring of the gears
4.Succulent salmon with a crispy crust, on a bed of mash potato
5.The ultimate comeback in a disagreement
6.Watching the sun rise, and knowing that no matter how knackered you are, it was totally worth it
7.Spoiling my boy and watching the surprise on his face
8.Op Shopping in Brunswick
9.Sleeping in the warm car in the sunshine
10.West Australian sunsets
11.The moment directly after cleaning up my desk, when I realise I have alot of space!
12.The of lightness after submitting a major tender
13.Climbing onto the kitchen stools and dancing, three feet above the ground
14.The giddy endorphin rush as I walk out of the gym
15.Clicking with a complete stranger
16.Electric blankets on a chilly night
17.Finding the PERFECT dress
18.Animal documentaries
19.Getting flowers delivered to work for ALL to see!
20.Shopping with my baby sister
21.The smell of damp air just before it rains
22.Riding my bicycle through Fawkner Park in the evening, through the brown leaves and under the yellow path lights, when the sky is charcoal grey and the darkness comes from the trees
23.Being a flirt
24.Going out of my way to help a stranger
25.Making people laugh
26.Waking up with sore legs and knowing that not only did I probably burn 1000 calories, but that its because I danced to my favourite music the night before.
27.Being inspired by how simple some people lives their lives, but still with immense happiness
28.Knowing ALL the lyrics to a song, and singing them aloud with a friend
29.Going for a big swim, then followed by a nap
30.Being complimented
31.Stomping around the house pretending Im Eminem (I know WAY too many of his songs haha)
32.Long showers where I just sit on the steamy tiles and zone out
33.The smell of freshly ground coffee (even more than the taste!)
34.Spooning
35.Visitors
36.A baby’s infectious burbling laugh
37.Kissing in the rain
38.Getting that hairstyle JUST right
39.Big lavish dinners for friends that take forever to cook but are totally worth it
40.Drawing pictures in the wet sand at the beach
41.Food-comas
42.Hiking till I cant hike no more, and camping out. And then hiking back again!
43.Spotting a shooting star
44.Getting a professional massage that seems to last for hours
45.Acting crazy in public, just to giggle at peoples reactions
46.Realising that I have money saved in my spare bank account that I didn’t even know about!47.Curling up in bed during an early morning thunderstorm, and knowing that I can get up when I like!
48.The smell of hot salty potato chips
49.Playing on the playground that is CLEARLY designed for children
50.Baking warm muffins and then eating every single one before the day is finished!
51.Playing with puppies
53.Having a picnic.
54.Having a picnic with candles inside when the weather is crappy
55.Feeling (and looking) like shit first thing in the morning, only to be told Im the most beautiful creature on the planet56.Being right when everyone was thinking I was wrong
57.Skipping
58.Magpies warbling in the morning
59.Getting an excited buzz when I realise who is waiting for me at home
60.A fresh new haircut61.Kicking Honkey-nuts
62.Pouring my heart out onto a page, and not realising how much I have written until my hand cramps
63.Taking lots and lots of photos
64.Realising how important someone is to me
65.Wednesdays... aka Hump Day
66.The perfect chai, made from scratch, with honey and soy.
67.Lying on the warm pavement in the sun on a chilly day
68.Dancing around the kitchen
69.The smell of aftershave... on a mans flesh.
70.Stepping out of the bath looking like a prune
71.The smell of wet earth, rain, and warm air in the evening
72.Lying on the grass on my lunch break with my head on his tummy, watching the clouds
73.Camping in the height of winter with lots of doonas and red wine
74.Puppy smell
75.Breakfast on Christmas Day with my family, complete with Crayfish and Champagne!
76.Long horseback trailrides until my butt and my thighs hurt
77.The smell of leather, and sweat, and dust and horses
78.Cooked prawns with seafood sauce
79.Chasing chickens
80.Burnouts, and truckstop runs. And burnouts.
81.Long drives on winding coastal roads with windows down and my hair blowing all over the place
82.Painting my nails fire-engine red, even though it doesn’t match my outfit!
83.Traipsing through second hand bookshops in Fitzroy
84.Painting things to go in my house, and reusing old/cool/funky things in new ways
85.Picking strawberries
86. Banana bread from Piccolo

To be continued......
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