Charles Bukowski reads like a Jounal

We sat back down and I drank my beer while Lydia smoked a cigarette, the clay between us. Then the doorbell rang. Lydia got up. A fat woman stood there with frantic, pleading eyes.
"This is my sister, Glendoline"
"Hi."
Glendoline pulled up a chair and started talking. She could talk. If she was a sphinx she could have talked, if she was a stone she could have talked. I wondered when she'd get tired and leave. Even after I stopped listening it was like being battered with tiny pingpong balls. Glendoline had no concept of time or any idea that she might be intruding. She talked on and on.
"Listen" I said finally, "when are you going to leave?"
Then a sister act began. They began talking to each other. They were both standing up, waving their arms at each other. The voices pitched higher. They threatened each other with physical harm. At last-near the world's end-Glendoline did a gigantic twist of torso and flung herself out of the doorway through the large flapbang of the screen door and was gone-but still heard, ignited and bemoaning-down to her apartment in the back of the court.
Lydia and I walked back to the breakfast nook and sat down. She picked up her sculptor's tool. Her eyes looked into mine.


Excerpt from Charles Bukowski's 'Woman' A Novel.

hahahaha.... he's so matter-of-fact

Flood This Universe!

My Studio got flooded again.... this will make it 2! I was out having my day off in a sunless, fake-aired shopping centre trying to get a few things done and a huge electrical storm came and destroyed Melbourne in minutes. The drain outside my studio was recently fixed by the plumber but still bucked under the pressure. So paintings were ruined, I now have nothing to put on display at the restaurant that asked me to put my art work up. I am now packing that damned room up and not interested in setting it up again right now. I'm too upset. All the paintings were stacked against each other on the floor waiting for varnish and now all the bottoms of these paintings have water marks 4 inches deep and the paint has bubbled on it..... ruined!
Fine... I have my health, blah blah, blah... not as bad as some people blah, blah, blah.... I get it! Should be grateful it wasn't worse...Hey Pollyanna! Bite me.
I'm not in the mood to look at the bright side. Red Shoes Studios has to be moved.

Sister Blog Started

I've opened up a sister page devoted to the written word. I've decided that it may be easier to keep track and hopefully will inspire me to post more writings. You can check it out here .... thank you to all who follow and support me. If I could, I'd make out with every single one of you... but we all have such busy schedules, where would we find the time?

Yes I'm bad!

Yes, I'm bad... I've been away from my blog and not giving it the nurturing it needs. Truth is kids, I've been busy. Busy doing nothing really... no idea what's going on. Time is flying past me and I have no idea what I've been doing. Hopefully I will not be making a habit of this and I really don't want to promise something and not deliver. So I PROMISE I will be blogging soon.
I hope all you lovely followers and people who 'stumble' in here are all happy, healthy and living your ideal life.....
Hugs and kisses to you all.

~make a bed of books ~

So I'm moving in with a friend. We've decided that we're going to get a house instead of an apartment because basically when I walk out my door I like to touch grass and when I look out my window, I prefer trees to concrete.
I own round about 900 or so books and about 200 DVDs... YeeerrrrP! So I have to downsize because really that is just stoopid! I'm packing the books in boxes and trying to leave half of them out with no luck. Someone asked me today 'but are you ever going to re-read them?'. That's not really the point for me. These books........... jaysus, I can't describe it, I can't part with them. Living in a big house as I do makes it easy to accumulate all this crap. I have turfed out so much crap, I'm happy to give away clothes and 'stuff' to Goodwill, but I just can't part with one freaking book. I hate lending books out for Buddha's sake.
What am I going to do people? I can't take them all, and Mum can't store them for me because my brother's and I are working on downsizing her home as well. I have a pile of 4 books to give to charity, and that's only because I have 2 copies of them, LOL. I'm not really the type of person to buy a book for the hell of it. Most of my collection are classic literature, classic poetry and a percentage are gifts with inscriptions written on the inside cover.
So, do I count to ten and just break the string?

Ugh, I feel sick thinking about it.

Edgar Allan Poe Challenge for Leo & Me

Edgar Allan Poe Challenge over at Gary Reef's Ning site...


























For the first time in a long time, the muse has sucker punched me and I'm ready to create



















Poe's 'Lenore' hit's the spot! So now I have to figure out how to paint death in her eyes...






This quirky man has inspired people from all walks of life, in so many ways and in so many mediums.

My 'first love' of poetry, I was sitting in the Library on a rainy lunch period in Year 9, and read 'The Raven'... not quite understanding what was going on, I started my Poe quest and have not looked back since....

This art challenge has come at a great time in my life, I haven't painted anything of desire in so long. I paint, and I keep painting, but it has no desire in it. I've even got my art-buddy Leo on board, wait until you see the great work this man does...

Cheers to the Gary Reef Ning site and to all the staff that keep that place a plethora of inspiration

Images courtesy of google images... I have no rights to use these images, but I'm not going to make money from it so..... Meh!

Writing Prompt

Take this exercise and see what you come up with. Simply continue the prompt. I do this every few months and come up with something different everytime.

I could dig - through my life and not find one fantastic, significant moment that stands out in my mind

I had no idea - that I could find the strength to do some of the things that I do

Never refill - a teapot without rinsing it first

I sometimes - wonder who all these people are and what their stories could be

At first I liked - all the men I dated, and then I saw them for what they really are... creepy!

I am always changing - my ideas. At first they seem sane and then I realise that they're just not

Life has taught me - that you can't always accept the hand you're dealt. You can change it

I'm thinking about - how easy it is for some people to just live their life their way with all their choices and still complain about it

I like to go - on artist's dates by myself. No forced conversation needed

Catholics want - the whole world to be Catholic

Once I forgave - someone who hurt me so much I thought I would shatter into a million pieces. But I learned to never forget. Those that forget the past are condemned to repeat it

Death is - the one of two common stages in life I have with the rest of the world

Forgiveness is - necessary if you want to live a healthy life

Right now - I have a hankering for a cheese sandwich

I've been Tagged

I've been tagged by the lovely Leel so check out her blog by clicking on her name. And pester her to post more because she's a great writer but doesn't post enough.... we need more good blogs don't we? OK so here's what to do.....

.....So, in return I have to tag others, and probably the ones she hasn't tagged herself.
So I tag Lena
and Bucca
Here's what you do:

1. Open your first photo folder.
2. Scroll to the 10th photo.
3. Post the photo on your blog and tell the story behind it.
4. Tag people to do the same.

The story behind this photo is not that interesting actually... kinda spewing because I have so many great photos with great stories, LOL... but this is the 10th photo of the first album. I just scored a great Nikon D100 DSLR camera and I was playing around with the settings. This is the bird bath in my backyard with a bit of Duckweed and some fake flowers that I put there in the spring/summer months and I was trying to be arty by filling the frame..that's it! LOL I can't make this post anymore interesting........ unless I turn it into fiction. Hahhaaa

OK so thanks for tagging me Leel and I look forward to seeing the other posts

No Name Yet...

I have no name for this painting yet. Strange because I usually have all the ideas before I even start the painting, but even in my journal she's nameless. Anyway, maybe you can help me come up with a name.

60cm x 90cm
Acrylic on canvas
Wire Butterfly installation at bottom.

God Has Spoken

So God posted on Twitter that he was having a competition of sorts, so I decided to join in. I had to write an essay, anywhere from 1 to 1 million words on why he was so awesome and email it to him... so like any essay I write, I do answer the question, but I look at it from both sides and decided that it's not everyday you get an open invitation to email God.. so I put 2 cents in the pot and this is what I wrote... it probably won't get into the top 5, but I feel better for saying it, like the weight of the world is off my shoulders or something... phew!

And it goes something like this:

Like with any good essay, one must view the opinion from both sides. Yes God is awesome, just look out your window and look at his work, and really, have you seen a platypus lately? Where did He start? We see the beauty in an open flower and the wonderful colours of a rainbow...... blah blah blah right? I have an issue with something that I personally think has a bit of design flaw...... the Penis! Now call me old fashioned, but God wouldn't go to Ikea without the Mrs by his side would he? Most things need a womans touch, but I don't think He consulted the Mrs on the Penis subject. Seriously......... it's ugly! You can't even craft it up with a bit of hot glue and embellishments to pretty it up... it's just ugly. Of course I understand it is there for a function, most women know this, but nobody told the Penis owners. How much do women have to endure in a life time because that bitch Eve ate the damned apple? Seriously the punishment does not fit the crime, especially when my dentist tells me I have to eat an apple a day.
But on the whole, ugly penis aside, God IS awesome. He has a unique name! Call out John at a Home Depot and 20 guys turn around. Call out God ........... and nobody answers, cause he's busy playing tricks on Moses and sends Pete down to Home Depot with a list... anyway, my point......... I had a point..... I just lost it!
Oh well... I gotta go... I have some hot glue experimenting to do

Much Love I'm sure
redshoeartist

Check out God's blog here if you're after eternal life everlasting, and a right bloody laugh...

On the topic of books....

I've picked up a copy of Ursula Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness. Has anybody read it? I remember it being on the book list in high school many moons ago, but I picked the other book [can't remember now]... I'm not really into sci-fi fantasy, but so many people have recommended it and I found it on the shelf and thought, meh!

Anybody?

Austen & Life in the Integrity Lane

I have just finished reading Austen's 'Persuasion' for the umpteenth time. It would have to be one of my favourite Austen novels.


The fairy-tale aspects of this beautifully written novel, including three sisters, the gentlest and most level-headed being Anne, an idiotic, vain Father, and the God Mother Lady Russell,who drives away the hero and later favors an impostor as a perfect match for Anne for it suits her to have Anne settled as her pet neighbour. All of this I find, contribute to its appeal. But the book also contains a great deal of subtle structure which may help explain why plot and narrative produce such a satisfying whole....and should help a film adaptation live up to the book's potential. In fact, it was the dissatisfaction with existing film versions that sent me back to the novel to try to find out what it is in the plot that somehow fails to be properly interpreted on the screen.


The answer seems to lie in Austen's complex way in which she writes. No character is just written in for the sake of it, they all serve a purpose and yet most are overlooked in all the screen adaptations. There are minor characters in this novel that we can learn by and help us understand Anne and Frederick's sway in affection that films tend to lose. The parallels between Anne’s friendship with Mrs. Smith and Frederick's friendship with Harville fall into several broad categories. First, when Anne and Frederick form these friendships, both of them are, for various reason, vulnerable. Second, when they are reunited with their friends, after a prolonged break, the roles are reversed. It is now the friends who are vulnerable, each having experienced serious hardship. Third, each friend not only displays remarkable resiliency in his or her present difficult situation but also plays a significant role in the reconciliation between Anne and Frederick. The movie adaptations merely have them there to fill in space only, throwing Harville a few lines here and there but gives no substance or history in his sway with his friend... sometimes when you're adapting a brilliantly written novel, it is essential to look for the space in between the spaces, if it is spaces you are needing to fill. What about Benwick's feelings for Anne and how Frederick suddenly felt that there may be a chance that Benwick and Anne could end up together... that subtle feeling of jealousy he never knew was there? Oh people please, this book is just brilliant in it's interpretation of human nature.. it has stupid people, smart people, victims of circumstance, ignorant people and people dancing to the beat of their own drum.


Don't get me started on Anne's lack of dialogue on the screen... like she's some mute girl with no independent thoughts... enough said there for now...Is there nobody out there, in our modern world, that can successfully arrange a proper adaptation of this book that was written a long time ago? They leave so much out that it is impossible to feel the complexity that is Austen. Is it any wonder that those of the male species find Austen a little too girly? They concentrate on the hurt ego's in the beginning of the movie, totally miss the turning point where Anne and Frederick begin to love each other again, and go straight for the uniting. At least they all remember to put the letter in... which in my opinion is one of the BEST declaration of love, ever written in the history of literature.
'You pierce my soul, I am half agony, half hope" Ugh, swoon factor of 100, I always look forward to chapter 23....The one thing that I've always admired in Austen's writing is the chances she gives her hero's to say their piece. Never underestimate the power of a letter, even in today's time. If a woman can honestly say that a love letter from a love interest doesn't get her swooning, even for a bit, she has ice water in her veins and not worth the stamp to post it.




Look, I can go on about this forever, and I probably would, if I didn't have dinner to cook, a painting to work on, and basically a life. What I should have done was become a script writer... then this blog post would be whistling a different tune, not to mention I'd be able to make sense when I write.


If you haven't as yet read Persuasion by Jane Austen, I strongly urge you to read it. It is worth the read.


Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by

Red Shoes up and running again soon.....

Hello People
Classes will be starting shortly. Now that the worst of winter is behind us, [yes it is still cold] I will be starting Monday night classes again. This time I have a new strategy, new method to the madness. I am taking smaller classes and I only need 1 or 2 more to enrol and we're raring to go. Minimum 4 and no more than 6 per class so that we can be more comfortable. I am doing other nights but at a later date. 6 week terms with 2 week breaks in between.
Art Journal play & inspiration
Process not Product painting
Fun times to be had
Creativity Unleashed

Just a few of the things that happen at Red Shoes.
Can't wait to get going again

I need to tire my eyes

2:08am, my head is heavy, but sleep does not visit. My back aches, my right foot is numb and I keep clenching my jaw and when I realise and let go, there is a slight pain before the relief. Why do I do that? Infomercials! All from America. Dear Australia, can you please do something about this? My shirt is hanging over my bed railing, looking forlorn. Lost. Like it doesn't belong here. I don't think it does actually, it should be in the cupboard with all the other shirt friends, coming alive when I'm sleeping. My bed is uncomfortable tonight. Actually it's the pillows. The pillows are giving me grief. They're fighting back, they don't want to carry my head no more. It's 2:24am already. It didn't take me 16 minutes to write the above. I just stared into nothingness for a while. I can't even remember what I was thinking about. I wonder where that thought went? It's working. My eyes are getting heavy from the glare of the laptop. Sleep is peeking though and I need to befriend it. Make peace with it. I am a peacemaker. Goodnight. Sleep tight. New pillows tomorrow

A Dancing Language

Have I told you fine people that Brother #2, David, is fluent in Auslan? He has a large circle of deaf friends and a few years ago decided to go and learn the language so that he could communicate with them better.



The other day we spent the day together, we went out for lunch to Moskito Bar in Clifton Hill, I had an amazing Caesar Salad, and we talked about Art History.. David's cool, he can talk about soooooo many topics, he knows a little about a lot and it is nice to sit and share a meal with someone who can talk about things that I am interested in. Afterwards, we went off to the city to see a friend of his by the name of Peter Adams who was having a solo exhibition on Bourke St. at Self Preservation... a darling gallery I must say. Gorgeous hand-made jewelry and a cafe downstairs, all this higgly piggly placed art in the back room, then a gorgeous room upstairs that was just as higgly piggly. So much character. David is also a photographer and Peter asked him if he would take the photos for his catalog, so we set up the tripod and laughed at how off the chart the floor was... Now Peter is deaf and so were about 4 other people that were there and off they went signing away and having a right old time, and I watched on in awe. My brother David signs to me all the time but I never pay any attention, I just think he's showing off but I was so impressed with him that day. The only problem is David can't sign and talk at the same time so a lot of what was said was lost on me. Yeah what a downer right? But he translated sometimes.

Anyway, Pellegrini's is next door....... HOOPAH!!! I love that place. But don't take it from me, just read what 'your Restaurants' review it as: A Melbourne institution, Pellegrini's has been serving its faithful customers great coffee and authentic Italian food for generations. Pellegrini's buzzes, especially when there's something on at the nearby theatres. Hearty is the key word to this place where there's no pretension - just honest Italian home cooking. Serving sizes are huge to say the least and not for Atkins dieters. Enjoy enormous bowls of spaghetti or a mountain of lasagna.
And let me tell you, they're right about the pretension... little Italian lady comes and shouts at you to get out of her way so she can clear the dishes..... now I am so big on customer service, and as far as I'm concerned that lady can scream away for all I care, that place has the BEST coffee and pasta AND OH MY GOD YOU HAVE TO TRY THE WATERMELON GRANITA..... bloody hell I feel like hopping in the car right now and driving the 30 minutes to get there...It's YUM!

Anyway I'm freaking digressing here... so about 5 more friends turned up, all hearing impaired, then another lady came who was hearing abled and was an Auslan tutor as well as doing all the gigs around Melbourne, like the comedy festival etc... it was awesome... 5 hearing and about 7 hearing impaired people all standing around doing what looked like to me a dance of language. I fell in love with every single one of those people and wanted to put them in my pocket and take them everywhere I go... so I've made a decision... I'm going to learn Auslan!
I've always wanted to learn another language, so I'm giving it a go.
It really is a dancing language!

~New Painting~

'It Happened in the Red Room'
Acrylic on stretched canvas
60 x 91cm
$400

WeBsiTe iS fiNallY UP aNd rUnNinG

Website up and running, but only the basics are up. I will be elaborating on it a bit more but not this week I don't think. It's real brain numbing stuff really, I don't like working like that. I can't believe I did it all by myself, it is amazing what a person can do when money is a problem.
Anyway, feel free to check it out and please let me know what you think. I'd be grateful for any feedback good or bad.
here's the link ~ Red Shoes Studios

Have a great day people

Veiled Girl ~ Finally Finished ~

Veiled Girl
75 x 100 cm
Acrylic on Canvas
$600

She's finally finished. It has black border and is ready to hang.

© Susan Yammouni

Daily Meditation email today....

Through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can't murder murder. Through violence you may murder a liar, but you can't establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can't murder hate. Darkness cannot put out darkness. Only light can do that.... Difficult and painful as it is, we must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future. When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds of despair, and when our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, let us remember that there is a creative force in this universe, working to pull down the gigantic mountains of evil, a power that is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows. Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. Martin Luther King Jr

Another Play written from real life...

Scene: A cafe on Main Rd Eltham...
Cast: Me - Me
Waitress - Girl



Act 1 Scene 1
Me is sitting outside on the balcony in the unusually warm winter sun staring at the menu. Opting for something healthy and aware that the cheese intake for the week was sorely overdone already...

Girl: Hi can I take your order?

Me: Yes can I have the Greek Salad with no Fetta and a Lemon, Lime, Bitters please?

Girl: So you.....err.... sorry a Greek Salad?

Me: Yes! Hold the Fetta cheese

Girl: But Greek Salad has Fetta

Me: *can't speak...... long pause & and brain does a quick 'why does this always happen to me?

Girl: Would you like the garden salad?

Me: No because I don't want any lettuce. Can you give me a Garden salad without lettuce?

Girl: Yes

Me: And can you give me the Greek Salad dressing instead of the Garden salad dressing?

Girl: Oh I see, so you actually want the Greek Salad as it is but without the Fetta cheese?

Me: *Long Pause* Yes

Girl: Sure, that shouldn't be a problem

Me: Thank you

Me sitting out on the balcony on her own contemplates having children because really what she has been seeing from Generation Y is actually scaring her and figures that her kid could be the Einstein of the world one day....

Salad arrives with a glass of orange stuff....

Me: Excuse me, what is this? (points to the drink)

Girl: It's Orange mineral water

Me: I'm so sorry but I asked for Lemon, Lime Bitters

Girl: Oh yeah, sorry we didn't have any

Me: So you thought you'd just choose for me?

Girl: Oh sorry... ahh, didn't I ask you?

Me: No

Girl: Oh sorry, that's not yours

Me: *mutters under her breathe - 'for the sake of Zeus' butthole someone get me outta here'

New York New York

OK peeps, I'm going to be in New York in their winter...if any of my art friends can meet me in New York I'll be there the last week of January and the first week in Feb (I think, better check with Lena)... I know Keeley said she'd come & meet us, and I'm sooooo excited. I'm saving like crazy....... Boo-yah!

A Poem for the 14th Follower

OK Bloggers... here it is as promised to @whatevershesaid who became my 14th subscriber to get me off the dreaded 13 followers... you can find her blog here Whatever she said then I'm that.... check her out she's got some great stuff on there.... plus this poem will make more sense if you go in and read a bit about her... enjoy!

Pfft! at Martha Stewart
She needs measurements when she bakes
I don't need your instruments
Just look at my mountainous cakes
Those horror movies scare me
But give me my peppermint tea
I'll raise your hemlines with a finger snap
And Gyno's will look on with glee
If you think that's horror in itself
Just sink your teeth into this
For I have got the formula
One bite is just pure and utter bliss
Tomato, pineapple and shards of chicken
Cheese and delectable ham
Would give a kid the devilish look
When about to consume some jam
For that kid does not look normal
The pigtails and that ghoulish grin
Looks as though her adult life
Will be full of gin and sin
When I graduate archeology
I'll dig up the bones of that kid
To see if her eyes really were that wide
Or was it the jam that made them that big
I'll put on some Gospel music
And dance all primal and wild
There's something about that music
That eases my mind of that child

Sneakers under the desk
High heels when I leave
Evil kids eating jam,
Horror movies make me heave
'Whatever' she said
Just pass me my tea
Peppermint is what I plead
How the hell do I make an outfit
When a pattern is what I will need

© Susan Yammouni 2009

Burlesque = Crapesque

Hiya everyone,
Last nite I went out with Lena, Milla and Paul to a Burlesque show.. had no idea really for what I was in for and I really want to blog it, but Lena has said it all. So visit her page here Where Is Lena.... because she said it so well and I'll have my review in as soon as JMW Turner stops consuming my life. Have a wonderful day bloggers and artists... and I hope when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that's amoré.... ciao
and I suggest you follow Lena's blog too, she has quite a talent for writing...

Jasper my car is sick....

Jasper, my car, is sick! It looks as if it's going to cost more to fix than it's worth! My brother and my boss, who is also my good friend both don't want me throwing any more money down Jasper's throat... he has cost me quite a bit of money the last few years... he's old and tired, but I love him.. we've been through some great times... anyway, I have a few days to make my decision, because there is a chance for me to buy a reliable car, even though it's not really in the budget this year. But really, unless you're someone who's has been saving for another car, who has a budget for one these days? These things are supposed to be planned.... me, I thought Jasper was going to go forever.... there I go immortalizing things again....sniff sniff

Exercising the Brain

On Sunday, at work, I was standing at my reception desk with my baby Moleskine and I looked at the objects around me.. I decided to do a little exercise to help me unblock my creative writing, for as you know, judging by my recent posts, it's been quite a while since I've written any poetry.. So taking one word that I would see from the things around me, I had to use that word steam of consciousness and not edit a thing... this is what I got:

Splat Splat Splat
(from all the Liquid Paper blobs all over the book)

• Rare Personality

• Art-ni-tech, for I no longer want to care for real words

• Gently dry the tears of a weeping willow

• Security in Knowing

• Free to grasp on life's cycle - change the beat

• Sweet, gourmet, tailored to suit love out of a catalogue

• All different, each unique

• Highlight on the spotlight that has blown a fuse

• Liquid Paper all you desire and tell Dali about it

• Review the idea regarding your hair colour it looks flat and boring

• My name means Lilly, so is that what you should call me?

• Actively utilise life skills in order to get through the dribble from your lunch companion

• Samsung a song that made people cower in horror

• A multi-surface face will eventually reveal it's true one and then it will get to the stage where that is the only face you can see

Yes it all sounds like dribble doesn't it? But it worked. I actually got a lot from these exercises.. Who knows what will become of it, but watch this space...

I ♥ LOVED ♥ doing this exercise

If you can't cook, you'll go hungry

Diamond Creek
Melbourne, Victoria
Population: 10,287 (2006) [1]
Established: 1841
Postcode: 3089
Area: 8.3 km² (3.2 sq mi)
Property Value: AUD $405,000 [2]
Location:

* 23 km (14 mi) from Melbourne
* 7 km (4 mi) from Hurstbridge

LGA: Shire of Nillumbik
State District: Yan Yean
Federal Division: McEwen
Suburbs around Diamond Creek:
Yarrambat Hurstbridge Wattle Glen
Plenty Diamond Creek Kangaroo Ground
Greensborough Eltham North Research


OK, so at the 2006 Census, there were 10,287 people living in Diamond Creek. Now lets just give or take a few more people ok?

We have

• 4 Fish & Chip Shops
• 3 Chinese Restaurants
• 2 pubs
• 1 Restaurant/cafe/I really don't know what the frick it is actually
• 2 Supermarkets
• 2 Bakeries
• 2 Charcoal Chicken Shops
• 1 Thai Restaurant - that you have to mortgage your house to afford
• 1 Drive-thru bottle shop
• 2 Bottle Shops with a 3rd on it's way
• 1 Deli
• 2 cafe's - one that gives u a bad tummy & 1 that is way too expensive
  
• And in a few days, our 5th Pizza Shop will open.

In my opinion, Diamond Creek is officially becoming the worst place to live.. other than the Thai place, where you have to slave-trade to pay for the meal, there is not one place that makes good take-out...IT'S ALL CRAP!

This is why I cook so much! Why can't Japanese people drive through Diamond Creek and say 'Hey Let's open here'? Or some Morrocan people, or Turkish people, OR Indian??????????
FFFFttttt!!!!! I'm storming off in a huff now.......

An Oldie.... but a Goodie

I'm sure most of you have read this post before, it's been circulating for a number of years... I absolutely love this man, and think he's a great actor, but these words are his 9th symphony as far as I'm concerned... thank you to Milla for bringing this to my attention again after all these years, I forgot this existed. So this time I printed it so I can put it somewhere in my studio to remind me.....
enjoy...
Red.

(by George Carlin)

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways ,but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side..

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent..

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Veiled Girl

She's still not quite finished, but I just wanted to show u a preview.. This is one of a series of 3. She's a big one Didn't pay much attention to dimentions but its about 65 x 100 cm..
What do you think?

I'm hungry

Warning!!

Warning

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick flowers in other people's gardens

And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

And eat three pounds of sausages at a go

Or only bread and pickle for a week

And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

And pay our rent and not swear in the street

And set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Jenny Joseph

A Play written from real life

A transaction that occurred yesterday in my shopping travels....

Cast:

Shopper: Me
Sales Clerk: Tammy
Customer 1: Customer 1
Customer 2: Customer 2

Scene:
Chemist Shop buying Denture Tablets for Mum and some Talc Powder

Tammy: Will that be all?

Me: Yes thanks

Tammy: That's $12.75

Me: Eftpos savings thanks

Tammy: Here are your free product samples that come with your Polident purchase

Me: What is it?

Tammy: There is some Denture glue, some polident toothpaste in sample sizes

Me: I don't want it

Tammy: But it's free

Me: Yeah, but my Mum doesn't use any of that stuff

Tammy: But it's free, you don't have to pay for it

Me: Yeeeees but I don't want it.

Tammy: They're samples

Me: I understand the concept of free gift and samples, I assure you, no explanation is needed, unlike you I actually get it.. I don't want it because my Mum doesn't use that shit and I don't just clutter my life with free shit just for the sake of it. Give it to a person who can actually use it!

Tammy: Well we were told that we had to give these out to the customers who purchased from this range.

Me: Give me the damn samples

Turns to Customer behind her

Me: Would you like some samples?

Customer 1: No (giggle) I don't need them

Me: Apparently that is not the right answer

Turns to Customer 2 behind Customer 1

Me: Would you like some samples?

Customer 2: OK, my husband can use those. Thank you

Me: Your welcome!

Exit

Scene Fades

....the mundane that cannot be ignored #2....

Dust! I abhor it, therefore I am a slave to it... tricky little bugger!

...the mundane that cannot be ignored #1......

Even though some particular Tupperware isn't meant to be put in the dishwasher, I do! Why? Out of respect to those who burnt their bra's to get me out of the kitchen and into the world... thank you ladies.... and no, your breasts don't look saggy!

I have a thought on a Monday

If you can't share your wealth, then share what you know...give peace a chance!

Men in Suits

Henry Fonda - 1905-1982
I think I was born in the wrong era....
I want a man like this, and I want him in black and white too...
Nerdy-Hot!!!!!
I love Nerdy-Hot

I also like ugly hot!
Example of ugly hot is Daniel Craig! Oh yeah

You Got the Whole World... In Your Hands...

I can't believe it, I saw that lady from the Dentist waiting room who was wearing the same necklace as me yesterday... in Heidelberg! Same glitter hair, same patent leather bag, same caked on make-up. Remember I wrote about her back in April? Here . at the Dentist....

only THIS TIME I SPOKE TO HER...and guess what? She was a model... for clothes as well as a nude model for artists such as NORMAN LINDSAY....... argh I nearly freaked out! Lovely, lovely lady, she still smelled of cheap perfume and it kind of lingered in my nose for hours afterwards, but it was so good to see her again..I told her that I wrote about her in my blog and she asked me if I was a writer... pfft!
This kind of proves my point about walking around with eyes wide open and absorbing everything... it saddens me when I see people rushing about with the heads down always in a hurry to get somewhere............ NOTHING STARTS UNTIL YOU GET THERE PEOPLE! The world is small and there is no reason why we can't get to know everyone in it!
I love life and all it's quirkyness.
Have a good day bloggers!

I have no title for this post.....let me think of one and get back to you

I finished my paper on Goya today and I emailed it about 30 minutes ago, it was due tomorrow. I don't like cutting it that fine. I like it finished the week before and spend a few days tweaking it and then send it the Wednesday before the Friday due date... BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? Today I didn't care! I was just grateful that I got it done. Not my best paper, but I think I did ok. We will see! So I've scored a day off tomorrow and rather than spending it working on my next essay, I'm running away from home for the day and pretending I have NO responsibilities.

So, next essay question:

Choose a Romantic artist whose work interests you and examine his/her art in the wider social and historical context of the period. Refer to the work on one of his/her contemporaries as a point of comparison and contrast.

Eugene Delacroix???????
John Constable?????????

I just don't know, my brain is still filled with Goya!

Have a great day friends. I hope to have some artwork and poetry up for you soon.

University Gets In Your Eyes...

I can't take much more people! I'm exhausted and cranky. Last Friday I spent the day cleaning the house and trying my hardest to stay sane amongst all the bullshit that goes on in the house that I live in. I wanted to get all that out of the way so that I could study in the evening... EXCEPT........ DING DONG! we got visitors! Yep!...NO ESSAY... Scored Saturday off work and it was Brother #3s birthday. House was full of people in and out all day. Then Brother #2 and partner cooked the dinner and cousin who was booked in the next day to be induced to have baby #1 decided to spend her last night of freedom with me. They left at 1.30am... NO ESSAY...Sunday I went to work. Brain numbing stuff that monkey's could do but they won the toss and they get to run around the jungle grooming each other and eating banana's, so I had to do it. Got home tired, but I opened the books that in ancient times would've taken 12 egyptians to carry they're so freaking big and heavy, but my mind was mush! I was sooooo tired from lack of sleep and frustrated that nothing gets done in the house when I'm not there, I could no longer ignore the pile of dishes in the sink and the crappola all over the table. Ding Dong! Visitors! Yep ...NO ESSAY... So my plan was to go to bed relatively early and get a fresh start Monday morning and really work under the pump and knock this essay off it's ass. At 1.30am, there is a tap on my bedrom door...Brother #1 who was doing the night shift looking after Mum tells me to get downstairs pronto something's wrong with Mum. I get downstairs only to find my Mothers tongue swollen to the roof of her mouth and her face puffed up like a balloon...considering I was internally freaking out and not breathing properly, I did all the stroke tests on her and checked her colour, I then calmly picked up the phone and called 000, got put through to a lovely lady named Collette who dispatched an ambulance but said I had to stay on the phone in case Mum stopped breathing. So the whole house is now awake in confusion and Bro #1 is dressing Mum in warmer clothing in case she had to go for a ride to the hospital. The paramedic decided that it was in fact a good idea to take Mum to emergency because they didn't know what it was. Brother #3 rode with them and I followed down in my car after I shoved a few things in a bag. So there I am quickly approaching emergency and I see my cousin Celeste in the queue.. what the???? Look to the left and see her grandmother (mums aunt) and I freak out! Celeste tells me that her sister, cousin Carmen, who partied with me on Saturday night, is in labour. OK I didn't really want Mums Aunt to know Mum was there until after her first great grandkid was born, so I told Celeste not to say anything and then preceeded to also tell her that she was in the wrong section of the hospital. So I walked her around to the Mercy part of emergency and wished her luck. Why did the universe send her to the wrong part of the hospital that particular night? If you knew my family you would understand why I didn't want anyone to know - just quietly the word visitors is involved! Anyway, to cut a long story short, I spent from the hours of 2:30am to 8am in a freezing cold emergency room waiting for a prognosis.. I had since sent the other two brothers home because really whats the point in them being there? Turns out, Mum has developed an allergic reaction to one of her blood pressure tablets, so we have to get rid of that and she's on some steroid tablet for the next 3 days and I have to monitor her sugar and blood pressure levels everyday. Thank the Universe she's on the mend...
I take her home, I buy hot breakfast, get home and she's exhausted. Of course she is, but she won't go and lie down. I'm drinking coffee more than usual trying to stay awake, why I don't freaking know, and it is now 10am. I feel like I'd been to a party where I mixed my drinks and have woken up really hungover. So Brother #3 said he will stay with Mum so I can go sleep. I slept for 3 hours...... yes 3 hours before the phone calls started waking me up. Wow, word spreads fast. Carmen has had her baby, and everybody who found out about Carmen having her baby was also told about Mum being in hospital. So I decided to stay awake and just try to go to bed at a normal time that night. I was too tired to cook dinner so we got Chinese. Yeah good idea. Straight after dinner I cracked open the books... ding dong! OH I can't make this shit up people. I wish I could! I've decided that it's the opening of the books that seems to trigger the doorbell, so I've kept them open on the dining room table and I make everyone eat around them...NO ESSAY ... I was so over tired, I couldn't sleep straight away. I was trying, I was tossing and turning and counting hot buff men in tight red shorts jumping over a hedged fence... nothing!
Finally about 3am, I think it was 3am, I dozed off. Woke up to the alarm at 8:30am, came downstairs and went straight on the couch and slept until noon. Tidied up a bit, drank coffee and stared at my books like they were the plague.. just quietly I think they are.

Death and other inevitables

The death of an admired star always makes me sad. I tend to immortalize these people and take for granted that they are flesh and blood. But like with any news I get about death, it causes a shift in my thinking... How long are we here for?
These are the questions that go through my mind at these times.

• What do I leave behind when I'm gone? Will I just be a Jane Citizen and nobody will really notice much?
  
• Am I living my life better today than I did yesterday? Can I make it better everyday?
  
• Have I learned anything about life and death?
• Do people really go to heaven or is what they say on Torchwood true, there really is nothing out there, just darkness?
• Am I ready to die? (the answer is always no by the way)
• Do I get a life before I die?

Death is inevitable, we all know that, so why do some people live like they're already dead? How do I shake these people out of it, because I can't stand to see them like this. I know I am meant to help, I feel it... it can't be stopped! I don't make the rules it's just how it goes. People may say that it's none of my business, but seriously folks, if we all just walked past people without a kind word or gesture, of course they'll be lost. Maybe all that is needed to start turning a life around is just a few simple words of kindness...
Had this discussion with Mum's Doctor who told me that when someone wants to end their life, there is nothing you can do about it, they will eventually take their own life... spoken like the true cold-hearted asshole that he is - great Doctor, but terrible views on human race... I think he's seen too much death! I like to believe the opposite and nothing will ever change my thinking. I see good in people ALL PEOPLE...I don't like to think of anyone as a lost cause. If you give up before you succeed, then failure is inevitable .

TV and Other Anxiety's

Ahhh Television! The place where all teenage questions are answered. I'm not much of a television viewer and if I lived on my own, I probably wouldn't even have it hooked up to an antenna.. I'd just have DVDs...
When I was younger, TV was a staple in my life. I watched The Brady Bunch, Gilligan's Island, I Dream of Jeanie, Hey Hey it's Saturday, and my beloved Warner Bros. Cartoons, blah blah, we know the era! Saturday and Sunday arvo's they'd always have old movies on.. Golden Oldies mainly, and in the evening it was battle of the Movie Men, Bill Collins Vs Ivan Hutchinson always playing some great movie on Saturday nights and giving us the history of the film and it's performers, the point is it was really good entertainment. Television had class!
NOW......
The verbal diarrhea coming out of the mouths of babes... little foetus' on Neighbours and Home and Away.. and I only watch the ads of the show! To watch the actual show would be equivelent to torture of the gruesome kind... do they insult our intelligence, or has the world really become that stupid? All these shows, Lipstick Jungle, Grey's Anatomy, Cashmere something or another... all it teaches is how to sleep with men, break up with men, cheat on your partner and step over your collegue to get to the top! And if it hasn't got a CSI preceding the title, it's just not prime time TV... now TV has reached the bottom of the food chain... reality TV. Do I care if you're some closet masterchef? That your partner is cheating on you and you have to get some B-grade investigator to find out if they're cheating (keep it in your backyard)? Or that an ex-boyfriend is going to pick your next boyfriend for you? Ugh, I'm so over it... Keeping up with the Kardashians (or however the frick u say their name), Playboy Mansion, (I'm sorry Hugh, when you were younger, you got away with wearing that satin robe, now you just shuffle along and look like you're walking the grounds of an asylum, get dressed dickhead!), and let's not forget Hell's Kitchen! OH boy oh boy oh boy... who's stupider? The narcissitic, ego manic bully running the show, or the dumb-asses who allow themselves to be treated like crap on world-wide television? It's a tough call! So what did the executives all sit around their big mahogany desk, one hand on their willies, the other waving around in the air thinking, lets get a guy, who looks like a cross between a pig and an Orc, who has a temper problem, a vulgar mouth and no consideration for other human beings whatsoever and make a show about him.... hey, the penis-holding suits are laughing all the way to the bank now, they got it spot on... they gauged the intelligence of TV viewing and have now made a freaking fortune out of people's need to watch this dribble!
What kills me is when people tell me they have no time to do the things they would really like to do. I ask them why and I get the 'I have NO time, Oh My God I've been soooo busy, blah blah blah, bullshit, bullshit, bullshit... then during the conversation they're talking about Grey's Anatomy or Hell's Kitchen or some such rubbish show..I"m sorry, if you have time to watch dribble on TV, you have time to be doing those things you SAY you wish you could do... Am I lying? Please correct me if you think my opinion is not valid.


I like some Telly! Intelligent story lines and quirky humour, some that make you think & some that help you escape reality... I'm not a big TV watcher, but what I do watch has substance! And I infintely prefer movies any day of the week..
Is it too much to ask for a little class on our television? Is it any wonder that most singleton's in the world have severe emotional problems? Look at what they're watching? I don't know ANYONE who lives their lives like they do on Sex and the City, or Grey's Anatomy, or Cashmere Lipstick crappola whatever! But I actually have friends who think that is how life should be.... what the? Why am I letting you sit at the same damn table as me in a cafe? Go away

Don't get me started on daytime soapies, real-life Cop shows OR Judge Judy!

Make Poverty History

Today I got an irritation on my wrist from the band I've been wearing for 2 years or more. I've never taken it off. It is strange that all of a sudden my skin has reacted to the rubber, but maybe it has nothing to do with the rubber, I may just have eaten one too many strawberries, which is more likely. Lol. Anyway, looking at the bands above, which are compliments of google images, it looks to be make of clothe..so now my search begins.

The photo above was taken at my cousins wedding. Like I said I never take it off. I get a lot of shit from ignoramus family for being dressed to the nine's and I'm wearing my thumb ring and rubber band around my wrist. Like I try to educate them, poverty doesn't have a holiday. My political convictions are still there, and more so when I'm being fed a lovely meal and given an endless supply of sparkling white wine. So my Brother #2 and his partner (who are photographers) had the gig that night, and this is the photo that he took and I made him put it in the middle of my cousins folio when he gave her the samples... guess what? She kept it! Ha!

Let's make poverty history people! Next time you're eating, remember how lucky you are that you can do that!

Love Hugs and Kisses all over
x REDx

Sneaking, Smoking, and Big Double Doors!

Had a bad day at work today. The staff are really pushing the boundaries and I'm over it. I'm one of those bosses that's all for fun in the work place as long as we are productive. I personally want to look forward to going into work and even more so, I want them to look forward to going to work too. Today however, I could've slapped each and every one of them senseless. Their stupid statements, questions and asking for things that they know the answer is going to be no. If you know that it's against company policy and it's not allowed, WHY ASK? This is where my impatience for stupidity rears its ugly head. The big Boss has put in a rule about breaks. You can break up your break time throughout the day providing it works in with appointments and for those that smoke, they like to have breaks mid morning, lunch and late afternoon so they can get their hit. I have one staff member who ALWAYS pushes the boundary with me and as a result just bugs me. I've been honest with her always and told her not to bug me in her 'bugging' way, I am aware of her addiction and I always try to accomodate... at the end of the day, we provide a service, and being big on service, my customers come first. If you're booked in to have your hair done, nobody else exists in the world but you at the time of your appointment... simple! After you pay and leave, I've forgotten your existence, usually because I get distracted by something shiny and dope smoking in my youth has given me a short attention span.. but I digress. So today this particular staff member wanted to have all her break at once and it wasn't an overly busy day so I allowed it... in the back of my mind I knew what was going to come later... she was going to ask to go for a smoke later in the day. If you let one, you have to let them all and then you have anarchy. Sure enough, about 2.30 she asked if there was any chance of her ducking out the back quickly - I must admit, she's always polite in the way she asks and she always takes the answer NO without whinning... or so I thought! After my refusal she said she was ducking out to the ladies room, it took me about 10 seconds to realise that she had just come back from the ladies room, so I, feeling all guilty and ashamed of my suspicion, followed her. Covertly I must add. I don't know this shopping centre very well, I've been there since September last year, but I don't venture out, I just do my work and go home. Well, I saw her walk right past the ladies toilets and walk through these big doors that I assume is one of those tunnels that takes you out to the dumpster...I followed, fuming! Down this dark tunnel like alley, I walked around the corner and I saw her lighting a smoke and walking out another door that led outside the shopping centre. She didn't see me... and I didn't want her to know that I was there. I walked back to work really, really, really pissed off. Pissed off that she brought out the worst person in me by following her giving me the suspicious thought in the first place. This girl goes to the Ladies a lot and I thought she just had an incontenience problem. Now I know better. I felt foolish that she treated me like a fool. It's lying! Now of course you realise that this means war! Only I don't know how to go from here. This is the reason why I'm blogging this to you, I need your advice. As far as she's concerned, I know nothing and I want to keep it that way until I know how to deal with this. And I don't want the big Boss to know because it's not the school playground. I need to do something here with this staff member that so bugs the hell out of me sometimes but I've always had to keep it professional. Now I want to ram every single cigarette in the world down her throat and light em up! And eat popcorn and watch while she's coughing and spluttering! Yeah it's mean isn't it? It's ok, I've claimed back my power just by simply writing this out, but I can't let her get away with it, because I am no fool even if she treats me like one. I need to have a plan for when she does it next. Any suggestions would be helpful. For those of you that email your comments to me (why u do that is beyond me, there is a comment box below) can you please use my gmail account, I hardly check my hotmail (Kelly I only got your email today sorry I only check hotmail when I remember last time was 6 months ago)
Thanks bloggers for your time in reading this and it's always humbling to me that you even take the time to read me.
Nite Bloggersphere

Café Troy

I walked into a café - certain things I like to do alone and one thing is going to a café. It was one of those grungy looking places that make great coffee, where everybody looks so literary, sure of themselves and looking like they just published a small book of prose or poetry. No shopping at the dented can store now.... well not this week anyway. Something I hadn't felt since I was a kid - and that was envy! I envied their lifestyle, the freedom to make plans at the drop of a hat, come and go as they please. I could hear them making plans for the following weekend, some big party that was going to be at Troy's house. I sat there wondering what Troy looked like. I imagined curly wild hair, light brown with tinges of gold, a black shirt, slim fit, grey checkered pants, silver torquoise ring. And he probably had one of those smiles that made his whole face light up. What kind of host was he? Was he one of those hosts that make you bring your own food and drink and he just supplies the venue? Or was he a closet gourmet cook and everything was made out of tofu? Something was telling me that Troy himself wasn't even going to be at this party, he probably has to get on some ship and help save the whales or some such thing....
I'm very fond of Troy. He's a good guy!

Life or Something Like It.....

For those of you that have the freedom to walk out the door whenever you feel the urge, I strongly suggest you thank the Universe for that and never take for granted that you have that choice, because to me, it is a distant memory of a life I once had, I can barely remember it.

Tomorrow is Friday the 18th June 2009 - it's going to be a day that will be reserved for pure indulgence.
I just found out I get to sleep in tomorrow. My youngest brother, The Maestro, is relieving me of my carer duties and is looking after Mum for me. Then at 11am, the respite nurse, Robyn, comes to look after her until 5pm. I plan on booking in to get a manicure and pedicure and if they can fit me in a neck, shoulder and back massage. Then I'm going to a small Café located inside a gorgeous garden centre, where you lunch on a pontoon overlooking a man made pond full of swans, ducks and such, by myself, where I can contemplate my life. After that I don't know, I may just find a stretch of river and sit by it and sketch and write and pretend the world doesn't exist. Then I'll be home by 5pm and reality will hit and set up camp in my life again..... but for that short brief time, my life will be free, stressless and absolutely mine!

FRIENDS

Why is it that all my married friends ring me when they're having problems with their significant others? What the frick do I know about such subjects? The conversation usually ends with them getting into a huff because I never sugar coat things and half the time make them claim some of the blame for just generally being a pain in the ass. Why can't people just accept that men and women are different?
I just spent 1 hour 36 minutes of my life, that I'll never get back, listening to her rant and rave. Now I'm all for sisters sticking together, but I'm sorry to say, without hearing his side of the story, she was totally irrational and just sounded like the petulant child wanting her pony. This isn't the first time. Unfortunately this particular lady will only look at you and everyone else to find a blemish. Why do I let her into my life? Because I am good for her. Friendships aren't always about being with fun and happy-go-lucky people. Miserable people need friends too, and I never give over my power so they can't bring me down with them. And I learn so much from her too... she teaches me how NOT to be. These are important factors in life as well.
Anyway, it's 1:02am and I should be sleeping, not blogging.
Seems that this is the only time I can blog lately, I barely have time to take hour and a half phonecalls anymore...If only I didn't need sleep, imagine how much I could get done.

Tell your partner that you love them today people... and for those who don't have one, tell the one you've been eyeing off in the distance but too afraid to talk to. Carpe Diem!

AND IF THAT MOCKINGBIRD DON'T SING...

Mockingbirds are monogamous for a breeding season and sometimes breed for life. These birds are very territorial, conspicuous and defensive. They swoop and chase an intruder, they even attack their own reflections in a window, often injuring or killing themselves. Such behaviour continues as long as there are hatchlings in the nest.
They are great songsters with a diverse repertoire which they aquire by imitating other birds, animals, humans, mechanical sounds and even the sound of other mockingbirds. Both sexes sing, but females less so. Unmated males sing more than mated ones, some have been reported to have more than 200 song types. The common for every individual bird to have 30-40 songs, each imitation is repeated 2 or 3 times, all in rapid succession.

Hmmm.......

Mockingbirds are the true artists of the bird kingdom. Even though they are born with a song of their own, they are not content to merely play the hand they are dealt. Like all artists they are out to re-arrange reality. The Mockingbird collects snatches of birdsong from here and there and re-creates a world, from the world.
As an example, a Mockingbird in South Carolina USA was heard to blend songs of over 30 other kinds of birds in a 10 minute performance. A virtuoso display, serving no practical purpose whatsoever, therefore falling into the realm of pure art.
So while the Mockingbirds are producing art and making a joyful noise unto the Universe, hundreds of freshly scrubbed, well-fed human beings concern themselves with destruction, instead of creation.
Where is the lesson here?
The more I see of the world, the more I am dissatisfied with it!

Peace and Love to you all..... now give the person sitting next to you a hug!

PAN ENVY

How delicious it would be
To live amongst the lost boys
To fly, to play, to crow
To fight pirates by day
Sing with fairies by night
To build my nest high above in a tree
To have no responsibility
To be free of the daily grind

Oh how I would love to be a lost boy
But I cannot be a lost boy

I'm too grown up to see what they see

© Susan Yammouni 2005

WHERE FOR 'ART THOU COFFEE

Terribly upset on Sunday - every Sunday I have my morning coffee at Theobrama Chocolate Lounge... for those that have read a previous post on this subject you know that my coffee dude left for greener pastures. The coffee has been good though, the young guys there were making beautiful coffee, so I was happy...
Yesterday however, the owners son decided to play Barista for a day...nobody wants to work for these people and I think they're having trouble getting staff to work for a bowl of rice pay...
I sent it back, told them there was an awful taste to it.. could not describe it, had my friend taste it, thinking maybe it was just me and she said it was rank.. like it had been washed with a dirty cloth. So they sent out another one.....EVEN WORSE! One sip and I left it.
Now me not getting a good coffee in the morning can be a bit of a shit! We have professional coffee machines in our salons so I just went and opened early to make my own.
All day I kept drinking one cup after another until I got the shakes... I wasn't satisfied..
You know what this means now don't you?
I HAVE TO GO TO STARBUCKS NEXT DOOR!!!!
It's the only place there that opens early on a Sunday... FFS, I'm upset!
Its starting to get as hard to find good coffee as it is to find a good man! I am the Walrus!

Love Really Hurts Without You!

Remember this guy? Big in the 80s we all crimped our hair and wore pastel and lots of white and way too much make up... hee hee! This man's music was a staple in my life, like water and food and air. EVERYONE had a Billy Ocean album...unless you were a Metal Head! Lol (shh, I was both, Lol)

He totally

~

Rocked

~

my world last night!



~
This is Billy now! How funky cool is he?

Ladies and Gents, I'm here to tell you this man still has an amazing voice. At age 59 if I can do the moves he did on stage I will be one happy chickie.
Oh my God, he was fun!
And I've realised that you can pretty much shag to any of his music
It's all shagadelic!

~
I cannot swallow without wincing today
from shouting and screaming and singing along
my throat is sore!

I went with 3 fantabulous people who, like me, appreciate 80s music
and in particular Billy Ocean.

~
It wasn't a musicians gig, (and I was with 3 musicians), but entertainment wise he kicked ass..
I'm so sorry for you that missed it, you missed a great show..

~
When he sang 'Suddenly' I had to choke back the tears..
that song plays a special role in my life.
We all have that one song don't we?
He sang it soooooo beautifully.
Wish you were there!

.

Just a bad day at work really.....

If you think its easy being a hairdresser....

1. Turn up to your appointment late...yes you honestly believe that you are the only appointment in the book and there is nobody after you... your hairdresser will thank you for making them run late for the rest of the day. They have no life outside the salon.
   
2. Come in undecided about what you want and don't have a prior consultation, then take up half your appointment time bad-mouthing your last hairdresser and keep talking about hairdressing like you know what you're on about.
3. Don't tell us you're using supermarket brand shampoo and do-it-at-home colour because you think deep down we don't know... ( PS. we know! And yes we talk about you when you leave and call you an idiot for treating us like one)
4. Grow you hair long because you like it long, and then complain about the price of colour and cut & blow wave for your length and thickness... you're right, we should work for nothing, I mean, how dare we!
5. Bring in a photo from a magazine of a hairstyle that you know in a million years you can never have and ask us to perform a miracle (here's a tip - we are not graduates of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry)
6. Ring us at 4pm and ask if you can get an appointment because you really need your hair done when the salon closes at 5pm... like I've said before, we have no life outside the salon (waking up earlier in the day may help you better)
7. Come up to the front desk, make us excuse ourselves from our client so we can serve you, then ask us where the other salon is where you have made your booking (PS. I usually give you the wrong directions & send you the other way)
8. We LOVE when you come in with dark colour treated hair and expect to walk out platinum blonde... that's an absolute favourite!
   
9. And last but not least... tell us you were quoted over the phone and you insist on that price - WE DON'T QUOTE OVER THE PHONE! We may when video calling becomes the norm!
   

Red's Thoughts on a Thursday June 11

Wow! I'm 39 years old today! I don't feel any older but I feel wiser. I wonder when I start feeling old? I'm middle aged now aren't I? I don't feel middle aged, I still want to dance in the rain and eat fairy floss and finger paint.
So this scale that we use to measure life is a good thing, because it reminds us that we have a job to do... now I'm 39, the first thing I do is do a mental check of things I've achieved, have yet to achieve and re-align myself with my path...
Numbers, numbers, numbers... some people get so caught up in numbers.. I'm a year off 40 and I know I still have a lot of things that I need to do, but that's ok... I'm doing them, that's the main thing...
In Asia, old age is revered as a time of wisdom, they rejoice in it... in a Western world, if we don't achieve our goals by the time we're 40 we stick out head in an oven or start the car with the garage door down...

Heehehe, not me!
I thank the Universe everyday for me...I may not be the smartest, prettiest, or successful person on this planet, but I got a better idea on life that most.

Thanks for listening and eat a slice of cake for my birthday today
Cheers

You & Me & Me & You

I know that I can do better with my life...

There are so many things that make this world ugly

I am not going to be one of them.....

I believe in peace
I believe in love
I believe in hurt
I believe in friendships
I believe in the power of hugs

Most of all I believe in you...

No matter what I've said in the past, no matter how blue my day gets
when the light is lifted, I still believe in you.
Always...

don't you think it's nice to know that someone believes in you no matter what?
Yeah, I'm cool like that!

Facts of Moi

Here's some fun facts.... well some facts anyway, about Moi!

1. I don't like shoes! (not a normal chick here) Yes, hate them...in summer I am barefoot or in flip flops and in winter I am in uggs or crocs and I don't give a shit what they look like, I hate trying to shove a too tight shoe in my foot... oh the drama's when I have to go out!
2. I don't like cooked fruit.. like apples in pie etc.. I eat berry jams that's the extent of my mushed up fruit diet
3. I name things - my tool box is Bert, my moods are Sabrina & Sancho, my car is Jasper, my journal is Book, and the list goes on...just named my new toaster Poppy because she matches the coffee machine Pepe...
   
4. If I eat something sweet, I have to have something salty when I'm finished. I don't like the sweet taste in my mouth when I'm done.
5. I can only enjoy a cup of tea in a tea cup - not a mug, not a travel sippy cup, definitely not a paper cup..
6. I NEVER wear the colour Yellow.... EVER...but I think it's a pretty colour
   
7. I have trouble with Left & Right when I'm driving or getting directions.. I've been wearing a ring on my right thumb since the day I got my driver's license to help me with this problem, so it's not a fashion accessory, I actually need it.
8. I've had the same thumb ring for the last 12 years and prior to that from the day I got my license.. I need a new one... this one is all bent and it hurts, Lol
9. I take a book everywhere I go.. weddings, funerals, parties, work, football, EVERYWHERE.. ya just never know when you may get stuck in a boring moment
10. I don't like people picking off my plate when I'm eating if I don't offer... I think it's disgusting and you should consult your etiquette guide
11. If I have to go shopping for clothes or shoes, actually, for anything other than food, I have to go alone. The minute someone comes with me, I can't find a damn thing. And I want to go in, buy it and get the hell out of there..
12. At least once a month, I have to go into the city and visit my stomping grounds ie: NGV, Reader's Feast Bookshop, Border's Bookshop, Dean's Art Supplies, and sometimes go into St. Francis church on Lonsdale st.. The smell of incense and the echo in there is very serene to me
13. I have a fascination with Pens.....
14. I think the colour red is the most beautiful colour in the world
15. I always forget to post out my christmas cards
16. And I never finish anything straight away.. including this post.. I'm tired and I need sleep.. to be continued.....
    

A Letter!

To my dear Soulmate,
WHERE THE FREAKING HELL ARE YOU?
with much love I'm sure
Red!

The Maestro

Portrait of Marcel

Charcoal on pastel paper

A4 Size

Private Collection
July 2008

I did this for the Maestro's EP cover last year. Marcel's eyelashes really are that long! No fair

Creative Soul

My creative soul is on fire... I feel like a demon ice-skating in hell - quickly before all my ideas run away and never return. My space is limited, but my creativity is not. I need to make a lot of mess and work like a woman possessed, instead I act calmly, sedately, but passionately. Something will come of all this I know. There is a masterpiece lurking somewhere in the depth of my soul, screaming mutely at me. As soon as it finds it's voice, I am here waiting to listen.

CRASH CART - JOURNAL ENTRY

So I wanna crash into a fruit stand... there are crazier things to do. The only thing that stops me from doing it is the effect that it will have on the stall holder. The fruit man on Elizabeth St / Collins St seems like such a nice fellow. So I just keep passing. But can you imagine how much fun it would be to land in the middle of a fruit cart and come up smelling of Strawberries? I want my life to be filled with sunflowers, daisies and strawberries... and cats.........Oh and Coffee!

THERE'S A HOLE IN THE BUCKET DEAR LIZA...

I found this old post from my old blog and still rings true today, even more so actually. It was also a great reminder to me and comes at the perfect time.


Well friends, it seems that every time I turn around, a brick wall ends up in my face. So what does one do when that happens? Most people just get discouraged by it and give up all together. Not me! I'm ploughing thru that wall and sending it to hell. You see, my lovely readers, things are gonna happen to you in this life that is meant to be, and no wall or road block should ever let you lose sight of that. It takes courage, determination but above all, it takes smarts. You have to be smart enough not to let things get in the way and the most important thing is, listen to your instinct. It's usually right. So you're wondering where this is coming from! Well, I have this great idea, which I won't disclose right now, and I want to make it a reality. The problem is that sometimes reality can show you avenues that have been closed off and when that happens it can determine the outcome. But what some people fail to understand is that those road blocks were put there by us. We are responsible for all the road blocks in our life... no good being a professional victim and blaming others. Grow some balls, and take some responsibility here..get rid of those road blocks! So I have to spend a little time getting rid of mine before I can plough ahead with my idea, which in time you will hear about.

OK, the first stage of the wall removal happens today. So I better motor if I'm going to start this

Take care lovely people.

Uncle Pete

I was having a blissful day..I slept in until 10am, sleepily came downstairs to make my first coffee of the day. Took the cup back up to my room and checked my emails.. tweeted for a bit and knew I had just set the pace for my day. My mornings are NEVER that relaxed! Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory came on, the day just kept getting more and more blissful. Linus the Wondercat, who is very affectionate by nature would not leave my side all day, he kept clawing at my leg begging for my lap and kitty-kat-kisses...he knew! Cats know everything, I'm sure of it.
We just got word that my Uncle Peter passed away this morning. We've lost so many family members lately, I've become numb to it all. The really sad thing for me is that it looks like the funeral will be on my birthday. I know it's not meant to be about me, but hell, if I have to attend a funeral on my birthday, I'm going to make it about me.
I don't want my birthday to be associated with such sadness. My birthday is the only day of the year that I look forward to. I love my birthday, I get to do what I want, eat what I want and for that 24 hour period, I am one with the Universe. It's MY day between me and the Earth.
I will not be attending the funeral.. RIP Uncle Pete... I'm sorry I didn't know you better. I hope you rest in peace.

New Day

It takes all kinds of people to make a world. People of all shapes, sizes, colour, creeds, personality and nationality...But everybody has one thing in common - they all belong here. It's just some people haven't figured it out yet. They're stuck!

I'm too tired I can't show them anymore. My messages are getting lost or ignored. I don't think spreading the message is why I'm on this earth anyway. I have to find something else to do, something a little less frustrating.

I have a new toy called Satchamo

Hello Bloggersphere
I'm writing this from the comfort of my bedroom on my new laptop. Well it's not a new laptop, but it's new to me and it works a dream - best of all, it cost me absolutely nothing! I love that!
I got it for Uni so I can continue to work outside the house without trailing paper and pen everywhere I go and then spending too much time typing it all out when I get home. Now it's just this little guy, which I'm thinking I might call Satchamo, and a USB stick holding my files... oh Red has hit the 21st century! Yippee for her...(did I just cheer myself?)
The beautiful thing is that Satchamo is also a tablet.. you give it a flick here and there, a bit of a twist and it's a notepad.. and my brother put in some sort of painting program so I can paint and draw on it and have all sorts of fun... hmmm, will I get any Uni work done on this? We shall see. I have to admit, I've been pretty good with my time lately. I've had no choice, if I want to get everything done. I've been working on a schedule, (yesterday, I actually ate it out of rebellion, but wrote it out again today) and I've been kinda sticking to it. I allow myself breaks and I make sure I have them and I've merged my exercise/cooking/housework all together... I'm dancing while I'm cooking, dancing while I'm cleaning and everyone thinks I'm potty! Meh! You know what Thought thought? Though thought he fell out of bed!
Oh My God I'm going on about shit! Somebody stop me... ok I'm out of here, I'm watching Season 2 Battlestar Galactica
Later Gaiter

I need a light tool kit

I really need to put my scanner in a spot where I can reach it easily. Text books the size of small cars have taken over my desk, so sorry about the wonkyness of this image.
A journal entry I did stream of consciousness. I gave myself tools that I can take anywhere with me and not make mess and just went with it. I usually take a tonne of stuff with me everywhere I go because I hate being without art supplies.. but my back cannot take it anymore, I'm getting old. So I'll keep experimenting until I get a tool kit that I'm happy with and doesn't way a tonne. I've always had a fascination with hatching and cross-hatching so these fine tip pens are great for this technique. My favourite is the 0.05mm tip which is ideal for delicate work. and using only black and red has come up quite striking.
OK, this could be an idea.... on to the next experiment then.

Here's a Thought......

Make LOVE
not WAR

If I have a space, I'll fill it!!!!!!!

I must be crazy.. it's ok, though. Being normal is not my thing, and anyway what's normal?
I was over at Gary Reef's watching his vlog about the updates to the site and he mentioned Nicole, the lady who inspired me to do the 30 day poetry challenge, is holding a 10 week Art Therapy course there, so I put my name down without thinking. But now, 15 minutes after signing up, I still would've signed up. I need to do this. So guess when it's starts?
YeP! June the freaking 1st... that means I have Jared Knight Class #3, Art History at Uni and this Art Therapy class all starting on the same day... hehehehe... but I'm in the future, so Uni will begin Monday the 1st but Jared and Nicole's will be Tuesday for me.. so does anyone have any spare time? Can you hand it over to me please?
Ah, who cares, sleeping is overrated and I've done enough of it from ages 0-34... yes 5 years ago was the last time I got proper sleep! Why change things now? And because I've decided to hang up my dating shoes what's the point in going out anymore? I'll just stay home and work in my studio and become a hermit -actually, that sounds utopian to me! I just wanna freaking paint!

The Meaning of Life According to Red

Today I glanced at the Telly to see some morning talk show mention how Aussie's are working too hard and not playing enough. Well, is it any wonder? I have an opinion on this, surprise surprise, and don't mind sharing it with you fine people. Of course I welcome any retort on this, for as you know, I always have my theories but I'm always open to receive any angles or theories I may leave out... I don't know everything, nobody knows everything, but here is what I know:
I am a Generation X baby. From the age of 19 to present day I've watched a lot of my generation get married, buy a house, 2 new cars and earn the same amount of money as me. I've watched them one by one dig themselves deeper and deeper into debt and try and live a lifestyle they cannot afford. If the money isn't available, they charge it! Then they start working more hours, and not leaving any time for play. If they play, it's on a clock... They look at what their parents have NOW and they never stop to think about what their parents had when they first married.

When my parents married, they rented for a short while. My father was very fortunate to have a Magistrate Judge for a best friend,my God Father actually, who loaned him the money to buy his first home, interest-free. This sort of thing is very rare and my Parents never took for granted the generosity my God Father showed them. But they still struggled. Dad was working at the CAC and doing overtime every night of the week just to make ends meet. AND THAT'S INTEREST FREE! Everything in the house was what we call in modern times 'take home lay-by' from the fridge to the washing machine to the bedroom suite. If Mum needed a dress and it was 15 pound, she would save a bit from her house keeping money until she raised it and then went out and bought it, and this was very rare. They forgo the luxuries for the sake of a comfortable life and give their kids and easier life later.

There was an endless stream of working, earning, paying, eating, sleeping, struggling going on right up until a year before my Father passed away, when he was forced to retire. And for what? What kind of life did my Dad have? He went back to the Mother country once in 1972-3 for a few weeks and I remember once going on a trip to Adelaide for a weekend with my Parents when I was about 14. At the end of it, my Dad left behind a big house on a nice property in Diamond Creek and an investment in a Taxi Cab. Yeah thanks Dad! I'd give all that material shit back if I could have one more day with him, I have so much I want to say. I want to tell him that what he taught me was more valuable than the life he gave me and maybe thank him over and over again for just being my Dad.

So I look at my generation today and see them struggling to keep up with the Jones's and I shake my head. Aussie's don't have time to play? Well it depends on their lifestyle I guess, but here we are, a bunch of lab-rat-type people running as fast as we can on the wheel of life. Five bedroom homes, swimming pools, jacuzzi's, designer clothes, shiny sleek cars, iPods, Blackberries, iPhones, weekenders to day spa's, laptops, desktops, home theatre systems, blah blah blah...
The Veteran's paved the way for freedom, the baby boomers set it all up like blocks of lego, X generation try to build it higher than the next one and the Y generation want to smash it all down and build it their own way.

Do you know Lucius Seneca? Look at this quoted straight from 'On The Shortness of Life' ~

'It is not that we have a short space of time, but that we waste much of it. Life is long enough, and it has been given in sufficiently generous measure to allow the accomplishment of the very greatest things if the whole of it is well invested. But when it is squandered in luxury and carelessness, when it is devoted to no good end, forced at last by the ultimate necessity we perceive that it has passed away before we were aware that it was passing. So it is—the life we receive is not short, but we make it so, nor do we have any lack of it, but are wasteful of it. Just as great and princely wealth is scattered in a moment when it comes into the hands of a bad owner, while wealth however limited, if it is entrusted to a good guardian, increases by use, so our life is amply long for him who orders it properly.'

Don't you think that's perfect? It's very rare for me to find such perfection anywhere in this world.. so many things are always slightly flawed, and rightly so.. who the hell wants to be perfect? lol

Lately I've been saying that life is long, not because I naturally want to rebel, but because I feel I've been given ample sources of time to accomplish what I want. It's my fault I've wasted some of the precious time given to me. I'm not saying I can look into the future to see how long I'm going to live, all I am saying is that at the end of each day, when I sit there recalling the events of said day, I make sure I have utilised my time effectively for what I set out to achieve, otherwise I try and better it the next day.

My lab-rat running days are the same as others, only mine is not to gather material things around me. It's to gather knowledge, because to me, knowledge equals freedom. I don't seek material things, but I have them. Material things have a way of finding you precisely when you need them.
Bob Dylan once said "A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do." I just love that quote, I live my life by it.
I choose not to get into huge debt, (been there, done that) and I don't want to spend most of my life just working to earn dollars to pay for a lifestyle that in the end doesn't really make me happy or I'm too old to enjoy. I choose to live like a pauper and spread my life out carefully so it's full and happy. I am in want of nothing and I thank the Universe, and my Mum & Dad, for my life. I'm doing okay!

When my friend, who works 17 hour days asked me what I was going to do when I got old and I had no house of my own, I told her I was going to live with all my friends, including her, in their huge houses..at least I'll get to finally spend some time with them, because I'm lucky if I get to spend time with them now, they're always working. I'll be a gypsy going from place to place and still having 'Red's Swashbuckling Adventure's' and blogging to you fine people!

My Meaning of Life Written by Another!

Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery. - Charles Dickens

Check it out! Check it out! Check it out!

My new keyboard is so sexy and so comfortable.. I do so much work on my computer I needed to invest in one. Get one Apple users, it's worth every cent!

Change the Sitch...

I'm not having a very happy weekend!
Tomorrow is going to be a good day. It's up to me to make it so.
I'm feeling much better heath wise so there should be no reason for it not to be a good day.
Right now, it's 8.48pm on a Saturday night and I've behaved myself. No alcohol, no going out, all so I can recover quicker and enjoy my week ahead. I have birthday parties up the wazoo this week and I want to have fun with my friends. So now, I go have a hot shower, get into bed and sleep for 8 hours straight *fingers crossed* so I can have a productive day at work and make shit loads of money for my boss to make up for not being at work today.
Nite bloggersphere

And never forget, we all have a twin somewhere in this world. Someone who looks exactly like us only evil. And right now, they could be holding up a 7/11 and someone that you were mean to in high school is identifying you instead..
RUUUUUNNNN! And be nice to people! Cause you just never know....

Boo Hoo......

I'm feeling like that fuzzy crap that gathers behind the refrigerator with a touch of pond scum! Charming hey?
I'm sick and when I'm sick I'm a big sook. I hate being sick. Right now, as I write this, the what we've called 'Melbourne Twitter Girls' are catching up for a drink at Baroq... I am not! I've been in bed all day and the only reason I'm downstairs and at my computer is because my body aches so much from sleeping and I needed to fill my water bottle.
The worst thing about having a stomach bug, is NOT HAVING ANY COFFEE!
I haven't had a freaking coffee all day and I'm tense!
I'm starving hungry but too scared to eat anything, so I just keep drinking water.

I'm really needing a hug right now!

Can I get a Hell-Yeah?

The swashbuckling adventures of a red shoe wearing artist... what's a shopping day without a little crazy hey?

I went to my local shopping centre where we have an eclectic variety of people who hang out there, from toothless yokels to CUB's (cashed up bogans) to elite speaking mortals driving Toorak tractor's that have no idea what a 4 wheel drive is for. These people are fodder for my writing and I find each one more fascinating than the next. Walk with eyes wide open people, there is so much inspiration out there I really don't understand when I get creatively blocked, I must wish it or something.
First up, a lady stops me and asks me if I could help her find an earring she just bought for $500 and just wanted to have a look at them and opened the box whilst walking only to drop one of them... OK. So my looking down stopped another couple of people enquiring as to what we were looking for and they started helping and pretty soon I stopped everyone in their tracks and made them look for it too.. while they were doing that I said 'I'll just check and see if it rolled in this dress shop' and went in and started looking at all the pretty coloured clothes. I saw an amazing jacket that had my name all over it and wanted to try it on, but I'm really saving for a netbook, so just kept browsing without trying and buying because that's what usually happens. Anyway the earring wasn't in and amongst any of the clothes I looked at.
They must have found the earring because when I left the shop everyone was gone.. well good for her I say!

I went into the art shop to get me some Damar Crystals and I overheard the sales girl, who looked 12 years old selling an oil medium to someone buying acrylic starter pack... well I just had to didn't I? Stuck my nose in.. Red to the rescue! After handing over the PROPER medium I had that Superhero feeling come back and visit me, you know, that smugness you get when you've just done a good deed..
Brother 3 rang at that point telling me he was in the area and did I want to meet him for lunch.. oh my Brother's are great, they treat their penniless sister all the time - Hell Yeah I wanna eat lunch, I'm fond of lunch and like to eat it at least once a day.. so I went to meet him for some Nasi in a box and catch up on what's been happening the last few days. He's joining another band on top of the 100s he's in already and good for him I say. The music industry is such fickle bitch, I say whore yourself around as much as you can. Me? My bass playing days were over as quickly as they began.... can't compete when your sibling is one of the greatest bass/guitar players in the land - yeah I'm one of those people that give up trying.. sue me!
I asked him to come and check out some Netbooks with me so I can give make/model numbers to Brother 2 who can get them cheaper through Monash, where he works.. Whilst standing there discussing various options, Old Man who smelled of Pino aftershave butted in and said "beware of the little one".. "excuse me?" I said not quite understanding where this was heading.. well, come on, it's a bit of an open statement! Apparently he recently bought his daughter the small Netbook and it's a bit tricky to type on because the keyboard is so small.. 'OH' I said (phew!) "you're better off getting the bigger one" he advised. OK, good advice, thanks weird old man!
Then Brother 3 needed to go to the mobile phone store to find out why he wasn't receiving or able to send MMS' on his phone... there we were served by Young Blonde guy who looked straight out of Catholic School. After asking Brother 3 some questions he proceeded to work on said phone to get it working again. Brother 3 being the stand-up comic trapped in a musicians world said this, I kid you not:
'I just want to be able to send and receive MMS and to be able to access Facebook on my phone because I'm addicted to Facebook.... it's not like I need to access porn, although that would be handy. Actually can I access porn on my phone too? Because that would be great, just the main sites like (blah blah, I don't know the sites he mentioned I'm not into porn on the internet)"
Well, this poor kid went red in the face and started to giggle.. he actually giggled! I asked him if he was getting embarrassed and he just kept giggling. He said he's never had an open request like that before and it was just funny. Obviously he hasn't worked there long!
Leave it to Brother 3 to leave em laughing. But you know it works. When you muck around with the people that serve you, you get better service and sometimes they go beyond what you expect. It's just easier to be nice and happy and treat them well than be a difficult customer and get no help at all.

So after that, I decided it was a bit too much excitement for me for one afternoon and called it a day. I came home and giggled at the recalled events of my day, glad that I can see the world through my eyes..
Have a happy day people, and thanks for visiting and reading this all the way through... I talk a lot of shit don't I?
Effects of being a homebody I guess

Call me Old-Fashioned

Last Saturday night, I was having a discussion with Manni about how snail mail was a dying art. He put forth this experiment and sent half a dozen or so letters out to various people he knew and sat back and waited. Some emailed him back saying what a nice surprise it was to get a snail mail letter from him and if I remember correctly someone else either called him or SMS'd him back. I don't think anyone actually wrote back to him. Pfft..
I really miss hand written letters, as a teen I used to get them all the time. Now, it's email and texting and twittering. Everytime I go to the mailbox I still go with the anticipation of getting a hand written letter. Today one of my twitter updates was about me missing snail mail and then went to my Doctors appointment. When I got back home, the mailman had been and guess what? I had a hand written letter from the very person I was speaking to this about on Saturday night, AKA Manni. I can't wait to reply.. this is too cool!
I love snail mail

The Flatness of Flat!

I've done nothing today. I'm looking at the time, it's 5.20pm and I have no idea where the day went. I didn't walk into my studio, I didn't write anything, I didn't do any research on my paper. I did have a 15 minute power nap at 3.30pm though. I did some washing, I mopped the floors and spilled the water from the bucket while I was at it, I did some dishes, and the rest of the day is unaccountable. I did stare at my shoes for a while, but they didn't do anything exciting, so I started to stare out the window. Even that wasn't doing it for me today. Usually God's work inspires me, but the picture he painted today didn't blow my skirt up. Now I have to think about making dinner for the dwellers here and I have no inspiration as to what I can, YET AGAIN. do with chicken boobs.
I don't know what's happening today but I don't like it.
Everything looks normal.
The house has walls and ceilings, the chairs are intact, the fruit basket looks fruity, the Telly is blaring media fodder with their play on words, the kettle is sitting there...............SHIT! I just realised, I've only had 2 coffee's today! Wow... see? See the importance of writing? You figure shit out! All I need is caffeine! HOT DAMN sometimes I love my brain so much I wanna take it on a candle-lit dinner and a movie..

My Advice to Him.....

Don't just fall in love with her once, keep falling in love with her everyday. Love who she is for what she is, not what you would like her to be. And those annoying things about her, don't give them too much thought. Find beauty in all her imperfections, because like you, she has them. Show her loyalty, show her stability, make her the centre of your life. Notice her smile, the warmth in her heart, and how with just a look she can stop you in your tracks, calm you down with just a touch. She doesn't do this because she has to, she does it because she loves you. And surely you must know that you are incomplete without her. She has your heart, you had no choice in that.
So accept that you love her unconditionally, and remember that happiness and love together is possible.

Monday's Manic

It's Monday night! I've just got out of a steaming hot shower, I'm smelling like coconut rush, mingled with expensive shampoo, wearing comfy clothes, faux uggs, ready for the couch to curl up with John P Sartre for some 'light reading'... I honestly suggest you join me! It's a perfect night for that!

Blogger Graphics

I found some really Cute Blogger Layouts at Doobix.com

Challenge No. 4? I think it's 4 - could be 3. Lost count

Not prompted from the list - but I wrote this last night after recalling a 3rd date with an idiot that was sneakily disguised as a potential.

I wish I could be
A Ghost Gum tree
Rooted to the ground
Stretch without a sound
With leaves that rustle
And underneath there's bustle
A couple fawning a frolic
The result of an alcoholic
Displaying public affection
To those with no objection
Then watch them walk away
And embracing come what may
With happy thought of servant
For being still and observant
I am happy if I could be
A subservient Ghost Gum tree

My Knight Family

Yes I have another family.
There is:

• Jared - Papa Bear, Mad Hatter, Guru, Gorilla Man, RPS Founder, he's my Yoda
  
• Sugar - Sweet, gorgeous, hotdiliumptious Sugar, fairy floss, smart and funny and so, so, so supportive - everyone needs a Sugar in their life
  
• Keeley - my oh so intelligent commonwealth sister who's perspective on life always teaches me new things and she's so funny
  
• Joyful Artist - beautiful, humble Joy, who always pulls my head in because I'm so messed up with what I want in a life and love, a plethora of knowledge on life. She always reminds me of my worth
  
• Witty Wendy - with her great one liners, she's so funny
  
• Janet - with one liners and her flat beer and fluffy slippers, she cracks me up
  
• Stellan - Penguin who keeps us refreshed and with 2 or 3 words can make you feel like the most special person in the world
• JC - who I miss very much and haven't spoken to in ages - STOP WORKING SO HARD JC
  

This is my CHOSEN family who inspire me on a daily basis. From their words, their work and just their whole being. I love them more than life and I miss them everyday. They're all talented artists and I still can't believe they let me play with them, I am so unworthy to be in their presence, let alone share art space with them.
The award that I got today from Susan Sonnen has inspired me to give an award to my Knight family
here it is

You may have to click on the image to enlarge so you can read it

My Coffee Man is Gone....

Bad news when I rocked up to work last week only to be told the Barista at Theobroma Chocolate Lounge in Spencer St DFO left for greener pastures.. I would dream about my Sunday coffee hit there. He knew how I had my coffee and it didn't matter how many times the owner's screwed up my order and had no idea what was up and what was down, Barista Man never got mine wrong. This is the type of service I would look for when I want a coffee.
YES I'M ANAL ABOUT MY COFFEE.. tell me something I don't know!
Anyway, it's all good, cause the young guy there (haven't found out his name yet) is pretty bloody good... dare I say better? So all is good with the world. Everything is aligned and I'm still getting great coffee on Sunday.. everybody IS replacable apparently..I thought my Boss was kidding!

I got an award! Woo Hoo!

Looky at what I got!
It made me grin like an idiot!
I got this from Susan Sonnen who is a very talented poet.
Check her blog here: Susan Sonnen

Thank you Susan I am doing a happy dance!

OK, I didn't realise I was supposed to do some stuff in regards to this award. Sorry, my bad, but here it is

7 things I love

1. Coffee: there is nothing in my life more consistent that coffee.. it's my one true love
2. Books: I'm addicted to books. I don't borrow them, I buy them. One day I may be homeless, but I will be homeless and surrounded by books.
   
3. Strawberries: No explanation needed, I just love strawberries
4. Art: I live and breathe all art and art related things. I paint and create and I don't give a toss whether I'm good at it or not. I just have to do it
5. Old Movies: Things were so sensational in the old days. Women were women and Men were men... a movie maker took pride in their work back then and the Actors were all sensational..they're all true escapism type movies
6. Vegemite: Err, yes! Some one once asked me if I was only allowed to eat one food for the rest of my life what would it be and I said a vegemite sandwhich.. it has been the most consistent food in my life, I usually get sick of other foods and eat it waves.. vegemite is everyday
7. Fresh Linen: Nothing finer than getting in between freshly washed linen. I sleep like a baby..... oh and it has to be white.. pure white linen

Now I need to pass the Kreativ Award on to 7 of my favourite bloggers, so here goes:

1. Stellan : With just a few words this man says it all. I love reading his blog
2. Nolly Posh : Such inspirational writing, you should check her out even though she's away at the moment there is plenty to look at to get up to speed
3. Angels in the Architecture : I wish she posted more frequently because her posts are quirky and informative and looked at from a completely new perspective. Very inspiring
4. BluJAY : Art inspiring, words of wisdom, great family values and just generally fun to be in there.
5. God (yes the Big Guy upstairs) : there is only one warning when reading the creator or all creators blogs, don't be drinking anything while you're reading it because you will choke from laughter
6. Ink Stains : a plethora of creative ideas and so so generous with her knowledge. It's like a huge big craft store in there with wonderful tips and step by step instructions
7. Maria's Art Blog : My new Northern friend with a wonderful talent for painting. There is always something going on over at Maria's.

I advise you take some time and visit these blogs, they'ree all very inspirational and not annoying in anyway.. and of course don't forget to check out Susan's above, she's such a wonderful writer, I only pray for half her talent.
Happy Day everyone

Poetry Challenge Again

This is from Challenge No. 13
Start a poem with 'This is not a poem, but...

This is not a poem but,
there is something I must say
I haven't been that honest with you
Just sit and listen, Okay?
I'm sorry I can't love you
You're smitten that is true
But we are not that equal
I am red and you are blue
There is no burst of feeling
When you enter in the room
Your conversation bores me
You're full of doom and gloom
Your manners that are perfect
Are void of depth and soul
My mind just goes a'wandering
You really are quite droll
My life has had it's share in this
I really don't want more
So off with you, you cold fish sod
You bore me to the core

RIP Bud

Sad news this morning at the passing of Australian actor Charles 'Bud' Tingwell. He was a true gentleman who was devoted to his art. He had big ambitions for the Australian movie industry. He knew we were capable of so much in this country.
Bud used to live around the corner from a salon I worked at years ago in Doncaster. He used to come in for a haircut every 2 weeks and I was only allowed to take a smidgen off so he always had a continuity in his look. He always talked passionately about acting and the actors he knew and ones he just met. Only a few years ago, he came into our Music Studio to do some voice over work and everybody was in awe around him. My brother got him to sign his copy of 'The Castle', and everyone acted like giddy school kids around him, it was so funny.
His wife too was a sweet lady, very fuss free lady. I remember when they were going to the Logies, she came in for me to style her hair and she wouldn't let me do anything fancy. I was only allowed to make it flat and neat with a tiny amount of hairspray. They were such down-to-earth people, no tizzy stuff and no airs and graces. And they were totally in love with each other. It was a sad day when she died, she was such a Lady.
And now Bud is gone too.. this is a heavy loss and I feel like I've lost my best friend.
RIP Bud, you will be missed, but you are forever immortalized on our screens.

The Faithless Wife - Leonard Cohen

I read this poem in a cafe, sitting on my own and got hot under the collar. I had to shut the book and just sit there staring into space. What a poem!

The Faithless Wife
after the poem by Lorca

The Night of Santiago
And I was passing through
So I took her to the river
As any man would do

She said she was a virgin
That wasn't what I heard
But I'm not the Inquisition
I took her at her word

And yes she lied about it all
Her children and her husband
You were meant to judge the world
Forgive me but I wasn't

The lights went out behind us
The fireflies undressed
The broken sidewalk ended
I touched her sleeping breast

They opened to me urgently
Like lillies from the dead
Behind a fine embroidery
Her nipples rose like bread

Her petticoat was starched and loud
And crushed between our legs
It thundered like a living cloud
Beset by razor blades

No silver light to plate their leaves
The trees grew wild and high
A file of dogs patrolled the beach
To keep the night alive

We passed the thorns and berry bush
The reeds and prickly pear
I made a hollow in the earth
To nest her dampened hair

Then I took off my necktie
And she took off her dress
My belt and pistol set aside
We tore away the rest

Her skin was oil and ointments
And brighter than a shell
Your gold and glass appointments
Will never shine so well

Her thighs they slipped away from me
Like schools of startled fish
Though I've forgotten half my life
I still remember this

That night I ran the best of roads
Upon a mighty charger
But very soon I'm overthrown
And she's become the rider

Now as a man I won't repeat
The things she said aloud
Except for this my lips are sealed
Forever and for now

And soon there's sand in every kiss
And soon the dawn is ready
And soon the night surrenders
To a daffodil machete

I gave her something pretty
And I waited 'til she laughed
I wasn't born a gypsy
To make a woman sad

I didn't fall in love. Of course
It's never up to you
But she was walking back and forth
And I was passing through

When I took her to the river
In her virginal apparel
When I took her to the river
On the Night of Santiago

And yes she lied about her life
Her children and her husband
You were born to get it right
Forgive me but I wasn't

The Night of Santiago
And I was passing through
And I took her to the river
As any man would do.

Geez Louise! I need a cigarette or something

Keeping my eye on the prize..must do these challenges!

If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time!
I'll whisper that one to the stars and ask them to keep it for me.
Challenges are fun, but they sure show you what you're made of

Me? I'm made of mushy stuff

An ARtisTs LiFe is NoT An EaSy LiFe

I've always wanted to be a painter. For as long as I can remember. Not so much an Artist, more a painter. The word Artist embodies so much, and while I do dabble in other artistic avenues, I am first and foremost, a painter.
There comes a time in your life where you actually have no choice about it. At night, when I'm lying in bed, all I envision is me holding a fully-loaded paintbrush, with some amazing colour on it and making a mark on the canvas. This act is what regulates my breathing. While I have talents in other areas, none of them make me feel as free as when I paint.
It's not an easy path to choose, being an artist. It's easier to get a trade, find work, live in routine, get the pay check, pay your bills then die. And for a while I was on that path. I chased the dollars, I woke up at 6am every morning, got home at 7pm every night sometimes later, and was bored out of my brains. I thought I was living the good life because I had a job, I paid tax, and I had money in the bank.. pfft!
I will never forget the night I decided to chuck all that in. I was such a miserable snoot. I hated my job, the more I worked, the more bills I had to pay, and even the circle of friends I had weren't of my choosing. The word 'choice' never really applied in any senario when it came to my life. I stupidly, but honestly, thought that I was a victim of circumstance. It's his fault, it's her fault, it's their fault.... IT WAS MY FAULT! I cried like a bitch that night. I realised that I had wasted so much time feeling sorry for myself and I wasn't going to waste one more day thinking like that. If I wanted to change my lifestyle, I needed to change myself and the way I thought first. So in my head I told myself who I was and where I wanted to go. I created a new memory. Sounds daft I know, but it freaking worked. I was no longer Susan ex-hairdresser, I was the red shoe wearing artist and I was a prolific artist who was going to be in demand for her work. Kinda like the first time Spiderman puts on his spider costume... it was so quick that people who knew Red when she was just plain old Susan were in awe at my strangeness. I lost some 'friends' because they didn't quite know how to take me.. but that's ok, people use the term 'friends' so loosely these days.. I say dust off the word aquaintence and let's start using that term again hey?
If it wasn't fun, I wouldn't do it. I said No without the 'because of blah blah', it was just NO! Very very powerful stuff I tell ya.


When painting for me was a hobby, I used to keep all my supplies in a big box and bring them out when I needed them and then pack them all away when I was finished. And because of this ritual, I didn't paint much! I withdrew $2,000 from my bank account and went on a big shopping spree. I bought all the things I needed to get me started and I haven't stopped since that day. I quit my job, I joined an artist's society and started doing some classes. I cleared out the garage that never housed anything but crap that you accumulate in your life and have no room for. I got a big skip and threw the lot out.. It was very liberating. The next person I met for the first time asked me what I did for a living and I said I was a Painter! I can't tell you how shocked I was when I first said it.
This was a choice... yes?
Not really! I mean if we're talking black and white, yes it was a choice, but it goes deeper than that. I have never been as happy in my life as I was from that day I quit my job and decided to become a painter. Everyday of my life I am thinking about art. Everyday of my life I make a mark somewhere on a canvas or an art journal. Everyday of my life, I thank the Universe for my strength and courage.
Like I said before, being an artist is not an easy life. It requires determination, belief in yourself, courage, and above all smarts! People's opinion of me is none of my business. I'm just going about doing my thing and not really giving those people any thought. To do so would render me powerless and I don't like that. Every time I put paint to surface, I am doing so with my soul. Every painting I create there is a part of me in it. I am scattered everywhere.
If I'm not living my ideal life, who can I blame? If I can't see where I want to be, who can I blame? If I can't take responsibility for everything that happens to me, who can I blame? ME! It's all me baby..
In order for me to be part of society, I have to be able to stand alone and take responsibility for everything I say or do. Everything that happened in the past is precisely where it should be.. I am who I am because of that past and I wouldn't change a damn thing.. none of it! I am at a happy place in my life right now..Ok, I could do with a bit more sex, but hey, if that's the biggest problem I have, I'll take it. Thank you and please call again!
So I put this to you... are you living your ideal life? If not, why not?
Don't start with the 'I don't know's' and the 'Because I have to pay this' bullshit! You are exactly where you are because you chose to be there. I hate to break it to ya like this, but it's the truth my friend.
Always remember that we are here to serve others.. the minute I decided to paint without any thoughts of selling them, or appealing to the masses, I was free! I paint for the world. That is my gift and service to the world.
What do you do?

Buzz Buzz Buzz....zzzzz

I have information overload!
I had to start writing down all these things I need to do in list form to try and manage my time a bit better. I got a lot done today and my back is aching and I'm ready for my comfy bed.
There is so much inspiration lately I feel like I'm about to explode people! It's a great feeling I tell ya. For a long time I was a bit blah, not really motivated to do much and just plodding along, wasting time really. I now wish I could get 2 extra hours in the day.
Here's the beginning of my list

1. Work on The Maestro's album cover in form of image transfer on plexi glass
2. 8 abstract paintings for another commission I've just picked up (London you are becoming a reality - thank you Universe)
3. Encaustic challenge over at Gary Reef's thanks to Mo Godbeer
4. 30 paintings in 30 days over at Gary's
5. 30 poems in 30 days over at Gary's
6. Jared Knights Class 2 Mad Hatter Abstraction I call it (oh but so much fun with my Jared family so it's ok really)
7. And Uni with my Art History essays - 3 essays in 13 weeks and no extensions
8. Re-starting my Monday students because they're busting my chops and they've been so patient with me and my freakish ways *routines bore me*
   
9. And somewhere in there I need sleep, food and some sort of life. But only in small increments really.
   
10. Let's not forget blogging! I need to blog, it's my release.

At this rate I'm going to have to give up working on weekends because it's getting in the way of my life as it is. But I love working, it's such a holiday for me. I'm a manager, what do I do? I answer phones, I muck around with other retailers, chat with the security guards, have a vast range of strange people coming in and asking me strange questions and drink coffee all day.. HELLO? why would I give that up?

OK, so a timetable is needed and maybe somebody who knows how to run a business who is willing for me to bust their balls with my annoying questions is all I need... and chocolate. Lots of chocolate.
Am I mad?
How am I going to do all this?
Breathe girl!
You are capable of this and so much more, so stop it!
Bring it on!
You know you're crazy don't you?
Yeah but it's all good, I have a St. Anthony medal in my pocket! You can take the girl out of the Catholic, but you can't take the Catholic out of the girl.

Nite

My eyes are bulging out of my head, but I'm just waiting for a transfer to dry on a piece of artwork before I can rest my weary head. So much to do, so little time.
Nothing exciting to blog today. Well there is always something exciting going on, but my brain can't find it right now. So I'll leave you with this quote and blog you later...

“If I had been around when Rubens was painting, I would have been revered as a fabulous model. Kate Moss? Well, she would have been the paintbrush.” ~ Dawn French

Haha...

Gold Class is the Bomb!

Today we made an off-the-cuff decision and decided to go and watch Star Trek in Gold Class cinema.
This was my first time at Gold Class, so yes my Gold Class viewing cherry was popped today and I have seriously been ruined for all other cinemas now. So! This is how the other half live hey? Well I've decided that money can be a good thing. I'm sure I'll think differently tomorrow, but today, I want money and lots of it. Talk about fussing. I wasn't dressed for Gold Class, I had my ugg boots on for Buddha's sake.
So, money! I need it! How does one get it? WORK!! Erm, how archaic! No, I'm just going to finish my novel already, get it published and make lots of money from it! You see if I don't! I am one determined chickie.. Watch this space [ ♥ ]

So I loved the movie, every minute of it. There was not one lagging bit in it and was sorry when it ended. Go see it and see it at a good cinema, not a crappy one with shite seats. It's worth it!

The 10 line Lying Challenge

Write a 10 line poem where every line is a lie....

I always paint in the nude
And I don't think me crude
Brussels Sprouts are my favourite treat
I can sit there and eat and eat
I speak over 25 languages au fluente

I sing in the key of B
In tune I can sing with glee
I love eating Spam
And all things from a can
And this is the truth, please believe me

The I am Poem

Challenge from Poetry Corner at Gary's site set up by Nicole.. The 'I am' prompt.. here goes
why not give this a try yourself - just take what's in bold and fill in accordingly and the first line is always the last line.. fun fun fun

I am anxious yet unconcerned
I wonder at those who are not
I hear the clock go ding-dang-dong
I see time running faster than light
I want to live my life over with what I know now
I am anxious yet unconcerned (same as first line)

I pretend that it's too late to change
I feel the weight bearing down, I can't breathe
I touch on the feelings kept hidden too long
I worry you won't like what you see
I cry over things that surely I can fix
I am anxious yet unconcerned

I understand the way out of chaos
I say it will happen today, tomorrow, next week
I dream of the things to improve on
I try to achieve all that I seek
I hope to stay true to myself, living sublime
I am anxious yet unconcerned

Arrrghhh

OK, so you guys know about Gary Reef's 30 day challenge - 30 paintings in 30 days.. OK
So today I signed up for another 30 day challenge - 30 poems in 30 days and we've been given prompts for each one. And today, about 30 minutes after I committed to the poem challenge, I received all my stuff for Uni. I have 13 weeks to do 3 essays on things I have no freaking idea about. Which means lots of reading and research.
I still get a social life in there too don't I?
DON'T I?
Erm... I'll still get to blog won't I?
WON'T I?
Arrrgghhh....
What the frick have I done?
I know what I've done, I've made no time for dating, drinking, painting, movies, eating, breathing.. ya know, all the everyday things.
Right! Off I go to paint day 5, write day 1 and I still have to tweet! JAYSUS, DON'T TAKE MY TWITTER!

Old post but just rang true today after phoning my Aunt

When I make a phone call, it is because I have something to say. So how can a person spend thirty minutes of a phone call being the talker when they're supposed to be the listener? Now the caller becomes the listener instead of being the talker. Maybe the listener, who is the original caller, and therefore rightfully the talker, just needed to say something quick like, 'LISTEN I won't be able to make it tonight I've been caught up' and be done with it. The caller calls the supposed listener 'Listen' so they should know their place, and yet it still doesn't sink in. Instead the caller who has been made the listener, has to sit through thirty minutes of listening to how difficult a day they've been having and all the problems they have had to deal with. So the listener, who is the original caller, and therefore should actually be the talker, listens and waits for a chance to speak. But the conversation merges into the whinging about another talker who called yesterday and caused a problem that now needed to be fixed. Then you have to listen all about how they found the solution to a problem that has been created by a phone call. Who is listening? The listener? But they are the original caller, yet not doing any talking. Something that was supposed to be a two minute conversation on the phone has turned into a thirty minute conversation that the caller was forced to listen to. One point being is that the listener was the caller and should have been the talker, but because the listener who turned themselves into a talker, didn't ask any questions as to why the talker was calling, they just turned the caller, who should have been the talker, into the listener.
So my question is: Are we branded listeners even though we want to be talkers? Is it something that is developed in our formative years and no matter how much we want to be talkers, we are stuck with being listeners? What happens when a listener needs to talk? Is there anyone there that will listen to the listener when they want to be the talker? Are listeners only allowed to call other listeners? Are you listening to me or are you talking while you're reading this?
The moral of the story, is that if you're a talker who has been branded a listener, save your money on phone calls and wait for the selfish bastards who don't shut up, to phone you.

I made Jam

Is Jam making a dying art?
What is it about home made jam?
It's 100 times more delicious than anything you can buy.
oh yeah, that says 'Made with Love' in reverse... stupid photobooth! Lol

Education - You can Buy It!

Malcolm Forbes once said that an education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.
He obviously never went to art school!

I have changed my major from Fine Art to Art History because basically I already know how to paint, I like to paint what I paint and I don't like being told what to paint. Plus I live in 2009 and I don't think they've updated their curriculum since the dark ages. History is history and you can't change history unless you try and fix your toaster down in your basement like Homer Simpson did. There is something very romantic about history too. I just love it! Didn't realise just how much until I had to take Art History last year. And there is a realisation that comes with that too and that is, why do I need a piece of paper telling me I can paint, when I already paint and sell paintings and have students blah blah blah... wouldn't I benefit more getting a piece of paper doing something that is new to learn??? Yeah I'm slow sometimes, but that is why I decided to go back to school and learn.. maybe next year I'll do Mechanical Engineering??? Er, you need math for that don't ya? Maybe not!

What About Them!

Don't ya just LOVE getting phone calls from those guys trying to get a second date and you don't want to go?
Yes, old Iron boy called again. This time the little bugger called me from his land line at work so I didn't have the caller ID. I'm not really avoiding him people, really. I just don't have 30 minutes to spare listening to conversation that requires no response, meanwhile my ear is heating up because even my mobile phone is straining under the pressure. It's ok though, I've nipped in the bud.
He did tell me that he thought I was special. I thought that was nice and I told him that I thought he was special too, only I meant it in a 'stop eating the clag' kind of special.
Now I'm feeling a bit sad about the whole thing, because not only is it another-one-bites-the-dust date, I know he's sad too and probably thinking the same thing. I guess I never really think about how the other person feels when things don't work out. He's just like me, trying to find a best friend/lover in this crazy messed up world we live in. There's nothing wrong in that. It comes easily for some people and for others it doesn't.
Thinking back to my ex-boyfriends, I've had some really great guys in my life and for that I am thankful. Each one has given me so much and not one of them treated me badly. If anything I was the one that rejected love. This realisation did not come lightly.... nor did I want to evoke such a realisation. I suppressed it as much as I could but it's out now. I've had amazing men in my life, I just lacked the capacity to love them. Does that make me the freak in the story? I guess it does.
Well slap my ass and call me Quasimodo, because I am what I am.
Yeah change! Ok so you're bringing up change! I hear ya!
Do you really want me to change? I'm 1 month shy of 39 years in the making and I'm still not complete.. who knows who I'll be in a few years. I don't even have the same friends I had 10 years ago.
All I know is that I have a passion for everything art related. Reading is like air to me, I need to read. Music is my life, I was raised in a musicians household. I have a nurturing nature and I want to hug and make out with everybody in the world. I love people and if all I had was $10 in my purse to last me the rest of the week and you needed $9.50, I'd give you the $10 and find a way to survive. These are the only things that I truly know about myself, everything else is all a mystery still and I'm trying to work it out.
Til then, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing

Is Peeling Garlic a Problem?

Consumer bug strikes again.
I bought one of these gadgets and now I want to put garlic in everything I cook..
Bloody great gadget and I recommend that everyone gets one. No more garlicky fingers, those little buggers just come out clean and completely peeled without touching it.
I LOVE IT and I need to be alone with it right now.

PS that's not my hand. I have nice girly hands.. garlic-free girly hands

Freedom of Choice

If I had wings I would fly far away. So far away that even birds wouldn't find me. The beauty of freedom is the choice you made in being free. Be alone, or be with 100 people, it requires choice. The choice of being free scares me only a little. My cage rattles. My cage is locked, but the key sits in the hole, waiting to be turned, I can reach for it, but I don't. One day...... until that day, I will write about freedom and all those choices I can make.

Nothing Happened today

Nothing happened today
and everything happened too
These days and nights have
become habitual
Feet falling into the ground
Standing in a comatose-like
zen posture, I blink
People mistake it for meditating
But nobody bothers to ask
and I offer no information
People make their own stories
they feel smart in their thinking
When they open their throat
and speak
stupidity dribbles from their mouth
like babes feeding off
breast, back and butterfly
They swarm in your thought
and condemn you for it too
You want to like them
You need to like them
But you cannot bear to even look at them

Nothing happened today

Sometimes you just have to look...don't let them speak!

Standing in the queue at the Supermarket, he was ahead of me.
Brown wavy hair that was a little too long around the ears. Eyes that glistened like melted chocolate. Skin that glowed, the colour of a strong Latté. Charcoal pinstriped slacks perfectly pressed and hugged in all the right places. His crisp white shirt was blindingly bright. His aroma was desirable and familiar. He turned and smiled at me and I swear I saw his eyes dance... I almost melted. I was lost in his scent, it was driving me crazy. It was lust at first glance.
Then he opened his throat to speak - 'Yeeee gev us a pack of PJ Ultra darl'(was that a snort? or was he speaking words?)
Ugh.. my bubble was burst!
No need to chew the English language mate!

you signed a contract without reading it

Dear Shana
So you signed a contract and you didn't read the contract first. Are you stupid? Being 23 has got nothing to do with it, don't use that as an excuse. You call car salesmen sleazy and think they can't be trusted... but they put the paper in front of you to sign. You didn't read it! Who's fault is that?
The modern form of slavery is your maxed out credit card... and private credit providers.. I am sorry for you and I hope something happens to help out of your situation.
Pay cash, pay cash, pay cash...cash is king! If you don't have the money to pay for it, don't freaking buy it!
I know what I'm talking about Shana. Stop spending money.

Thoughts of You Engulfed Me Today

Thoughts of you engulfed me today
Your shape, your smell, your taste
I tried to get you out of my mind
But my will was weak and waste

So off I went in pursue of you
I could think of nothing more
I knew that resistance was futile
I am your faithful whore

And there you were within my reach
The shape, the smell, the taste
All for one whole minute
I knew what I must face

You really are quite bad for me
Its known throughout the land
But I am not that who judge by others
I like to know firsthand

And so I took you to another room
The room where staff eat lunch
And at first bite you made me moan
Right down to the softest munch

I wanted so much to stop
You didn't feel right at all
And yet I kept on munching
Till there was nothing but a ball

A ball of paper that wrapped you
Made me unhappy about your end
But my tummy content and full
I was already on the mend

I went about the rest of my day
But ill of health I became
Thoughts of you had left my mind
Surely you are not the blame?

How one so enticing and wretchedly good
Be so evil in this deceitful plan?
My regret set in and would not evict
I'll just keep going, I know I can

Alas your victory took over
Onward home I went, averse
I cannot believe you tricked me
I am speaking to you in curse

And so it goes, a thousand tales
Of you and your wicked ways
But soon I'll forget and never regret
The bite of a Kebab all ablaze.

© Red Shoe Artist