But the garden likes the rain,
As do the vegetables...
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Dinner Party? Fun or Nightmare?
I love dinner parties.
I watched a few episodes of a British TV show called 'Come Dine with me' on the cooking channel, this evening. Four people take turns at hosting a dinner party, and the best host wins 1000 pounds.
The contestants are rude, obnoxious and ungrateful toward one another. And they cloak their 'constructive criticism', in a rather moth eaten air of either 'high society regality' or in some cases, sheer vulgarity! And they are the fussiest eaters I have ever seen! But the commentary is nothing short of HILARIOUS.
I was so excited when one episode after another came on... I loved it.
I'm going to plan a dinner party....I am....and I will give y'all a running commentary of my plans a test dishes!
I watched a few episodes of a British TV show called 'Come Dine with me' on the cooking channel, this evening. Four people take turns at hosting a dinner party, and the best host wins 1000 pounds.
The contestants are rude, obnoxious and ungrateful toward one another. And they cloak their 'constructive criticism', in a rather moth eaten air of either 'high society regality' or in some cases, sheer vulgarity! And they are the fussiest eaters I have ever seen! But the commentary is nothing short of HILARIOUS.
I was so excited when one episode after another came on... I loved it.
I'm going to plan a dinner party....I am....and I will give y'all a running commentary of my plans a test dishes!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
'Elling'
I went to see a play called 'Elling' on Saturday.
It was fantastic. I can't say that I have seen a 'really good' play in some time, not for any lack in going.
It is about two men who have lived together in an asylum for some time, they get released and move into an apartment together. The play follows their reintegration back into the 'real' world. Their story is complex, as are the characters - and there is something delicate about this story, something fragile that really appealed to me. The play was based on a Norwegian book and film of the same title. I am really keen to have a look at the film now and see what is gained or perhaps lost in the transition.
I felt absolutely sucked into the story, I found myself sitting in my comfy red chair, wanting these two odd men to find a pocket in this strange world, that would fit them.
It was fantastic. I can't say that I have seen a 'really good' play in some time, not for any lack in going.
It is about two men who have lived together in an asylum for some time, they get released and move into an apartment together. The play follows their reintegration back into the 'real' world. Their story is complex, as are the characters - and there is something delicate about this story, something fragile that really appealed to me. The play was based on a Norwegian book and film of the same title. I am really keen to have a look at the film now and see what is gained or perhaps lost in the transition.
I felt absolutely sucked into the story, I found myself sitting in my comfy red chair, wanting these two odd men to find a pocket in this strange world, that would fit them.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
A bite of writing...
I have never posted any of my own writing on this blog. But I am often curious about what other writers are writing, when they are not blogging.
So here is a bite from my novel in progress:
I held onto James’ hand tight, pigs grunting, a fuzz of voices and animal cries; symphonies under the monotonous clang of the blacksmiths hammers. The narrow passageways between the stalls were crammed with barrels of ale and wooden crates filled with dusty ducks and cranky geese. I felt a surge of excitement ripple through me whenever we came here. I loved to look at the beautiful ladies in their dresses of fine fabrics; green and gold and even some of the ladies from the court dressed in silks as red as blood and shiny like the skin of a polished apple. They walked differently to me, I tried to stand taller – to move my hips, one pushed forward and then the other but my flat brown shoes felt clumsy and my hips were narrow and skinny.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Banana Heart Summer - A fantastic Book
I am loving this book!
I am just a short way in so far, but I am more hooked at the beginning of chapter two than I have been with a book - since, OMG I don't know when!
The novel is by Merlinda Borbis and tells the story of a young Filipino girl living in a poor neighbourhood with a violent mother.
The rich and delicious language, evokes a real sense of the heat and the sensuality of the small tropical town. The prose drips with the flavours and smells of the food that shapes 12 years old Nenita's world.
It is published by Murdoch Books.
Friday, July 24, 2009
The Painted Veil
My husband and I watched 'The Painted Veil' last night and we sat mesmerised by it for the whole 120 odd minutes of the film. It is an adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's novel by the same name, written in 1925. For a romantic period film it had a surprisingly suspenseful plot.Edward Norton plays a bacteriologist who takes his new English wife, who is much less smitten with him than he with her, to Shaghai. And after she falls head first into an affair with an English diplomat, Norton blackmails’ her to accompany him to a cholera ravaged village deep in the heartland of China. The landscape is a beautiful and a serene backdrop for what is happening all around them. The complexities of their relationship are wonderfully agonising and painful. And Norton who starts out as a slick haired; pasty doctor who prefers the light off, gradually becomes 'a bit rough around the edges' and sexy.
I won't give any major spoilers because it is too good a movie to risk wreaking it for someone. But I will say that my only real critism of the film is the frequent flash back scenes that serve only to reassure the audience that the film makers didn't think that we were cluey enough to fill in the blanks on our own. I would have preferred to have appreciated the really powerful, non-verbal, emotional conversations that were acted out between Edward Norton and Naomi Watts.
Regardless, it really was one of the best films I have seen is a while, particularity when it comes to romantic drama.
Regardless, it really was one of the best films I have seen is a while, particularity when it comes to romantic drama.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Some finished Knits to Show
This my little girl wearing her Anouk, a pattern from Knitty. It was knit out of a cotton/bamboo blend. But I can't remember which. I made this while she was still in the tummy. It was the smallest size, but I made it a bit longer.
The front, little poser!
This one is my most recent FO, it is the One Skein Wonder Shrug from Glampyre Knits. I used Cleckheaton Country Naturals and the smallest size. It is going to stretch I think, so it will fit for a Looooong time :)
PLEASE NOTE: THE CAMERA WAS ON ZOOMSee that tiny red dot in the distance, barely! We were busy putting the baby shoes, onto baby feet and my son said he was just going to have a little look at the grapes. we realised they were a long way away and so said, sure just go down the hill a little way and come back (We were going to visit a local winery) and when we called out he didn't answer! My heart sunk in my chest and I ran so fast I probably looked like an athlete! (Ha! I wish) And he had gotten 1/2 a kilometer away in the time it took me to lace her shoes.
Isn't that a scary thought!
To Game or Not to game...
I was just reading a post on Happy Families blog about whether to let kids have gaming consoles, or not. I find this really interesting, as we have recently gotten a Nintendo Wii.
I am not in favour of defending gaming simply because I have allowed my child to play, but because I find the topic really interesting.
Imaginative play is important, the most important sort of play that children need. But a balance between imaginative play and electronic play is still healthy, in my opinion.
Every generation feels nostalgic about the games and toys; the stories and the fantasies of their own childhoods. I certainly do; She-Ra dolls and Strawberry Shortcake, skipping ropes and elastics. But play needs to include popular culture as well, to prepare children for the world ahead of them. I think that the conventions of gaming play are as important today, as the conventions of family storytelling around the fire was, pre-television and radio. While we do sit around, as a family, and read aloud often -we also go hell for leather on the Wii sports games, and slouch in front of the T.V on cold winter days with popcorn.
I don't think that we have really found the balance yet, we still have dramas about the amount of time allowed on the games machine and computer, but on the other hand he has begun to understand some of the conventions of fantasy gaming. I say fantasy gaming, because I think that adventure and world play is more constructive for kids than 'kill 'em and smash 'em' games (although I do let him play these on occasion too) He will search through the landscape for objects before moving into a new landscape and try different objects through the worlds - summing up for me what he thinks will happen and what he needs to find to activate the next part of the game. Wall-e has been quite a good one - it has lots of puzzle and problem solving tasks. He is learning the game terminology, and about caring for disks and electronic equipment and even about using menus to save games and change chapters.
Popular culture is filled with the skills and lessons that a child of the period needs for their life. So, we have chosen to go for a balance - it is sometime fraught with tears and tantrums when mummy says no games machine right now. But I think, in the end it has been worth it.
I am not in favour of defending gaming simply because I have allowed my child to play, but because I find the topic really interesting.
Imaginative play is important, the most important sort of play that children need. But a balance between imaginative play and electronic play is still healthy, in my opinion.
Every generation feels nostalgic about the games and toys; the stories and the fantasies of their own childhoods. I certainly do; She-Ra dolls and Strawberry Shortcake, skipping ropes and elastics. But play needs to include popular culture as well, to prepare children for the world ahead of them. I think that the conventions of gaming play are as important today, as the conventions of family storytelling around the fire was, pre-television and radio. While we do sit around, as a family, and read aloud often -we also go hell for leather on the Wii sports games, and slouch in front of the T.V on cold winter days with popcorn.
I don't think that we have really found the balance yet, we still have dramas about the amount of time allowed on the games machine and computer, but on the other hand he has begun to understand some of the conventions of fantasy gaming. I say fantasy gaming, because I think that adventure and world play is more constructive for kids than 'kill 'em and smash 'em' games (although I do let him play these on occasion too) He will search through the landscape for objects before moving into a new landscape and try different objects through the worlds - summing up for me what he thinks will happen and what he needs to find to activate the next part of the game. Wall-e has been quite a good one - it has lots of puzzle and problem solving tasks. He is learning the game terminology, and about caring for disks and electronic equipment and even about using menus to save games and change chapters.
Popular culture is filled with the skills and lessons that a child of the period needs for their life. So, we have chosen to go for a balance - it is sometime fraught with tears and tantrums when mummy says no games machine right now. But I think, in the end it has been worth it.
Friday, March 27, 2009
A little bit of good news....for me
Much to my delight, my little girl has decided that she likes sleeping in her own bed. A blessing for my back; which has been feeling rather crooked of late. All of a sudden, at 14 months, she has begun to sleep quite happily for two hours each afternoon as well! Quite amazing!!
While I feel ready, to now separate from her during the night, I am often surprised at how opinionated other parents are about the choices that mothers and fathers make about other children's bedtime routines.
I feel strongly that 'freedom of choice' is of paramount importance; and how long a baby shares the parental bed is a very personal and individual choice. I understand why people feel strongly about it though, ones sleep is crucial and I know quite well how exhausting little ones can be. But that shouldn't negate 'my' choice to have baby in my bed, if that is what I feel is best for baby and me.
For the first three months of her life, she slept lying on my chest all night. And no! She didn't fall off, I didn't squash her and I didn't wake up tired and sleep deprived. I loved it, not for everyone
I completely understand; but it was for me and it is a memory that I could not have deprived myself of. All of the little things; her sweet milky scent, her tiny snuffling noises and her cheeks like the slightly fluffy skin of a warm, squashy peach.
I daresay that I will not be sending her back during the night when she wakes for her 2am milk. In fact, I have - as I am typing at this very moment, one perfect little foot resting on the side of my laptop...but at least we have made the first steps toward bedtime independence: that’s a good thing.
While I feel ready, to now separate from her during the night, I am often surprised at how opinionated other parents are about the choices that mothers and fathers make about other children's bedtime routines.
I feel strongly that 'freedom of choice' is of paramount importance; and how long a baby shares the parental bed is a very personal and individual choice. I understand why people feel strongly about it though, ones sleep is crucial and I know quite well how exhausting little ones can be. But that shouldn't negate 'my' choice to have baby in my bed, if that is what I feel is best for baby and me.
For the first three months of her life, she slept lying on my chest all night. And no! She didn't fall off, I didn't squash her and I didn't wake up tired and sleep deprived. I loved it, not for everyone
I completely understand; but it was for me and it is a memory that I could not have deprived myself of. All of the little things; her sweet milky scent, her tiny snuffling noises and her cheeks like the slightly fluffy skin of a warm, squashy peach.
I daresay that I will not be sending her back during the night when she wakes for her 2am milk. In fact, I have - as I am typing at this very moment, one perfect little foot resting on the side of my laptop...but at least we have made the first steps toward bedtime independence: that’s a good thing.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
An Epiphany...
A PHOTO I TOOK RECENTLY AT THE ILLAWARRA FLY.
NB: HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH POST, POSTED FOR AESTHETIC PURPOSES ONLY.
Sometimes I feel like I'm doing the wrong thing by my characters.
I change tack while I am writing and try to move the storyline in a different direction to avoid my character having to suffer.
But I think this is the mistake I have been making over and over.
It isn't my job to protect them. It is my job to let the story evolve without judgement - (my role of course depends whose point/s of view the story is coming from)
And so those 'safe' novels get dumped. Booted out into the 'major problem basket'. But this novel I started a month ago is NOT safe - And it is working out so much better. I am already up to 5000 words.
Some of the short stories I have written, I have been less worried about protecting my characters. And some of them, I think might be worth sending away....
One of my characters (although not the main character) that I am currently working on, has experienced a great loss. And I find the writing sometimes exhausting and really difficult emotionally - I think I have been protecting myself from that with other pieces I have written. While I feel 'good' about this epiphany, I also feel a bit annoyed that it has taken me 4 lots of 20,000 or 30,000 words and buckets full of bits a pieces, to work it out.
I change tack while I am writing and try to move the storyline in a different direction to avoid my character having to suffer.
But I think this is the mistake I have been making over and over.
It isn't my job to protect them. It is my job to let the story evolve without judgement - (my role of course depends whose point/s of view the story is coming from)
And so those 'safe' novels get dumped. Booted out into the 'major problem basket'. But this novel I started a month ago is NOT safe - And it is working out so much better. I am already up to 5000 words.
Some of the short stories I have written, I have been less worried about protecting my characters. And some of them, I think might be worth sending away....
One of my characters (although not the main character) that I am currently working on, has experienced a great loss. And I find the writing sometimes exhausting and really difficult emotionally - I think I have been protecting myself from that with other pieces I have written. While I feel 'good' about this epiphany, I also feel a bit annoyed that it has taken me 4 lots of 20,000 or 30,000 words and buckets full of bits a pieces, to work it out.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
A Meme .... Can't remember where I pinched it from!
My unread Blog lines list is enormous!!!! So I have no idea who I pinched this from,
but it seemed a snazzy little meme, so here goes....
Make a list of things you can see without getting up:
1) The laptop
2) The fan, the air conditioner is broken aragggg
3) My sleeping baby
What were you like when you were five?
Goodness, that is a stretch. My twin and I were serious Strawberry Shortcake fans!
What color is your bedroom?
Boring cream I have to admit, but the cedar blinds are nice.
What was the last thing you bought?
Japanese take away, my son who refuses to eat his vegetables is happy to down a dozen cucumber sushi (no fish) rolls wrapped in seaweed, go figure?
What are you listening to right now?
The fan. It is too loud! And my poor little pumpkin has a cough.
What is your favorite color, and has it always been your favorite color?
Army green, I have never really been drawn to this colour before. I have always been a red and black girl, although black will always be my staple wardrobe colour. (it's slimming)
What song are you currently listening to a lot? Jason Mraz - I'm Yours. I love this song, It has been the inspiration for the novel I'm working on and I just listen to it over and over.
If you could have any super power, what would it be? Oh easy, I would be a Vampire - I realise that isn't really a super power, more a creature with super powers, but hell I'm gonna bend the question to suit.
What was the last reality TV show you watched? Oh I'm embarrassed (Americas Next Top Model)
What is your most challenging goal right now? To finish my novel but the end of 2009.
If you could have a house–totally paid for, fully furnished–anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? It would be a toss up between The Greek Islands or something overlooking a Piazza in Italy, preferably in the middle somewhere.
Favorite vacation spot? That depends on the weather. Winter - has to be mountains, knitting and hot chocolate. Summer - Noosa - a frozen daiquiri, a banana chair and my husband.
What is your favorite children’s book? That is really tough, I have so many! Peepo is right up there and The pimpernel Seed, I have looked everywhere for this book...and can't find it.
Name one thing you just can’t resist no matter how bad it is for you: Fresh marinated curd cheese ( I don't eat dairy by the way) Italian bread rubbed with garlic and sprinkled with sea salt, drizzled with olive oil and lightly grilled. Then more olive oil and Balsamic vinegar to dip, slabs of Parmesan and an ridiculous amount of dark chocolate. I think I might need a midnight snack :)
If you could meet anyone famous - dead or alive - who would it be? Alfred Hitchcock and Edgar Allen Poe.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? Gosh, as daggy as is really sounds, I like what I am doing now- being a mum and writing. Except in this daydream I would have more time to write and would be snapped up by a publisher in a wink :)
but it seemed a snazzy little meme, so here goes....
Make a list of things you can see without getting up:
1) The laptop
2) The fan, the air conditioner is broken aragggg
3) My sleeping baby
What were you like when you were five?
Goodness, that is a stretch. My twin and I were serious Strawberry Shortcake fans!
What color is your bedroom?
Boring cream I have to admit, but the cedar blinds are nice.
What was the last thing you bought?
Japanese take away, my son who refuses to eat his vegetables is happy to down a dozen cucumber sushi (no fish) rolls wrapped in seaweed, go figure?
What are you listening to right now?
The fan. It is too loud! And my poor little pumpkin has a cough.
What is your favorite color, and has it always been your favorite color?
Army green, I have never really been drawn to this colour before. I have always been a red and black girl, although black will always be my staple wardrobe colour. (it's slimming)
What song are you currently listening to a lot? Jason Mraz - I'm Yours. I love this song, It has been the inspiration for the novel I'm working on and I just listen to it over and over.
If you could have any super power, what would it be? Oh easy, I would be a Vampire - I realise that isn't really a super power, more a creature with super powers, but hell I'm gonna bend the question to suit.
What was the last reality TV show you watched? Oh I'm embarrassed (Americas Next Top Model)
What is your most challenging goal right now? To finish my novel but the end of 2009.
If you could have a house–totally paid for, fully furnished–anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? It would be a toss up between The Greek Islands or something overlooking a Piazza in Italy, preferably in the middle somewhere.
Favorite vacation spot? That depends on the weather. Winter - has to be mountains, knitting and hot chocolate. Summer - Noosa - a frozen daiquiri, a banana chair and my husband.
What is your favorite children’s book? That is really tough, I have so many! Peepo is right up there and The pimpernel Seed, I have looked everywhere for this book...and can't find it.
Name one thing you just can’t resist no matter how bad it is for you: Fresh marinated curd cheese ( I don't eat dairy by the way) Italian bread rubbed with garlic and sprinkled with sea salt, drizzled with olive oil and lightly grilled. Then more olive oil and Balsamic vinegar to dip, slabs of Parmesan and an ridiculous amount of dark chocolate. I think I might need a midnight snack :)
If you could meet anyone famous - dead or alive - who would it be? Alfred Hitchcock and Edgar Allen Poe.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? Gosh, as daggy as is really sounds, I like what I am doing now- being a mum and writing. Except in this daydream I would have more time to write and would be snapped up by a publisher in a wink :)
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Right Brain .... Left Brain?
This is really interesting little video.
It is an optical illusion video, that claims to suggest that the viewer is either right or left brain dominant, depending on which direction you see the dancer spinning.
Have a look then scroll down to see what I saw.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I saw her spin only left to right, clockwise. Hmmmm, I did Bachelor of Creative Arts at uni in visual arts. and I am very, very bad at maths.
Try as I might I was not able to spin her the other direction.
However, my Network Engineer husband also saw her turn clockwise only.
My Son, 4 and 1/2 years old, saw clockwise too.
Not sure what I think of the claim, but it is interesting.
It is an optical illusion video, that claims to suggest that the viewer is either right or left brain dominant, depending on which direction you see the dancer spinning.
Have a look then scroll down to see what I saw.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I saw her spin only left to right, clockwise. Hmmmm, I did Bachelor of Creative Arts at uni in visual arts. and I am very, very bad at maths.
Try as I might I was not able to spin her the other direction.
However, my Network Engineer husband also saw her turn clockwise only.
My Son, 4 and 1/2 years old, saw clockwise too.
Not sure what I think of the claim, but it is interesting.
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