tender love and a seedy wink

Advice on the work life trappings

2012-01-20T13:19:00.000+09:00

And it wouldn't be Christmas without...

2012-01-16T11:40:00.000+09:00

... a ridiculous Christmas jumper, a fluffy cat, and a big ol' Christmas tree. I know it's late but I hope yours was a festive one.

Hello stranger (s)

2012-01-16T11:36:00.002+09:00

A cute wee father daughter moment I saw on the street.

Happy 2012! I'm back, after a rather long blogging break. I took off to Europe and saw London, Lisbon, Paris and Amsterdam. It was amazing, I ate my weight in croissants, snapped pictures, petted cats, fell off bicycles repeatedly, shopped at markets and wandered down many a cobblestoned street. I have lots of film to develop! One of the best things was arriving back in Japan. I realised I really missed it, and was so happy to be back. It feels like home. I hope you had an amazing start to the year! I can't wait to share inspiring things with you in 2012, and see all that inspires you. x

Miffy

2011-12-12T22:42:00.000+09:00

I bought a bunch of Japanese Miffy books this weekend to try so I can try and get faster at reading kana. The illustrations in them are so cute. Especially the turtle riding!

Simple life

2011-12-05T14:48:00.000+09:00

How lovely are these photos? What a fun family, and the dogs are hilarious. You can see more photos here.

One of the most rewarding things that has come from living in Japan has been befriending families and seeing the differences (and similarities) in how we live.

Also, the exam is done and dusted. Eek, It was hard. I need to get faster at reading kana. Thanks for your well wishes!

Happiness (to me)

2011-11-30T11:59:00.002+09:00

I found this list that I wrote way back when.

My Dad said to me once, out of the blue, "you have to enjoy it, all the time, because it goes so fast and we can take that for granted." It was advice that struck me as both simultaneously inspiring and terrifying but it pushed me to try and cultivate a sense of appreciation. In dire moments I hang on to Dad's words because when it comes down to it, we are incredibly lucky people.

What are the little things that make you happy?

寒いですね (It's cold!)

2011-11-28T10:54:00.001+09:00

It's snowed last week!! I was kind of shocked that it had gotten cold so quickly. The seasons here are like bam! One minute your praying for a faint breeze to ease the heat, the next you're a set of chattering teeth immersed in piles of snow. Although I'm not a fan of winter, such an abundance of snow is rather breath taking.

It also means the Japanese girls bring out whole new levels of amazingness with their winter wardrobes. Above are two pictures I drew inspired by girls I've seen around. I have my JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) this weekend, eep! Wish me luck. This is my lame excuse for lack of posts for the last two weeks. Sorry.

Karma gods

2011-11-10T15:20:00.002+09:00

I've been so lucky of late with all kinds of goodness finding its way to me. My postman has been a super busy dropping off some gems this week. I received a beautifully wrapped package from my best friend Lucy, filled with NZ goodness, and an amazing letter set gifted from the lovely Hello Sandwich. Kawaiiii! Lucky me.

Then finding out about The Kitten Covers courtesy of Cat Party. Oh. My. Goodness.

Miranda July's The Future - "A Handy Tip For The Easily Distracted" from robgwilson.com on Vimeo.

And watching the trailer and deleted scene for Miranda July's The Future. It's so exciting. I can't wait to see it! You can see more on the movie here.

Learning about the Flower Appreciation Society.

and Yotam Ottolenghi's food blog for the Guardian. YUM.

A good week!

Harroween

2011-11-01T09:16:00.000+09:00

Halloween in Japan is always lots of fun and this year was no exception. I dressed as a Frida Kahlo inspired Mexican day of the dead skeleton which was lost on a lot of people. I walked past one group of Japanese guys on the street and they said 'ooh...Lady Gaga'. Ahh well. One can try!

Book off

2011-10-31T16:06:00.000+09:00

Murakami's 1Q84 is the next book on my reading list and I'm feeling pretty excited about it. His biggest yet, at over 900 pages and I've heard this one is pretty weird. And no one does weird quite like he does!

As an author I find Murakami to be a most interesting man. He wrote his first novel at age 29 after having an epiphany while sitting on the outfield at a baseball game, seeing a baseball fly through the air. He loves jazz, runs every day, sleeps from 9pm to 4am, speaks English, and ran a cafe for 10 years in Tokyo called 'Peter Cat' before beginning his writing career. He takes little credit for his brillance describing himself as a 'boring old vessel for his imagination'. There is something about him that is so strange, lovely and unpretentious, almost not of this world.

If you'd like to read a wonderful article about him you can find one here.

Another kooky piece of amazingness is Miranda July and she has a new book 'It Chooses You'. YAY. It details her adventures with strangers she met through classified ads in the Pennysaver. There is a pretty wonderful piece on her at nextness with tips for young creatives. It reminded me that although sometimes things are hard you have to believe in your abilities and forge your own path. I forget this sometimes.

I'm going to put my Japanese reading skills to the test with this Yuzuko's さんぽの時間 which roughly means 'time for taking a walk'. It explores various areas of Tokyo, taking readers on a lovely wee walk. It's so cute and has been divided into different seasons which is understandable as they are super distinct in Japan. I am pretty elementary so most of the time when I am attempting to read this my face has a furrowed brow! There are sooo many cute books in Japan which has really inspired me to try harder with my studies.

Ku:nel fashion

2011-10-25T22:58:00.003+09:00

The fashion spreads in Ku:nel are so so good it makes me want to throw every bedazzled and garish piece of clothing out of my wardrobe. That won't happen though. You never know when you'll need a purple sequined batwing sleeve. My grandma taught me well.

There is something beautiful about quality materials and simple cuts that is both refreshing and bare. Sometimes simple can be in fact, quite difficult. The nice thing about Japan is you see this kind of look on the streets a lot, and everyone has their own interpretation. I apologise for the quality of the scans, my wee machine may be in need of an upgrade.

Also, thank you for the lovely comments for the competition. The winner is Joy, congratulations! You can email me your postal address at gemmarasmussen@gmail.com and I'll have that package in the post later this week. Assembling the package was A LOT of fun so I'll definitely be doing some more Japan inspired give aways in the future.

Instant

2011-10-24T21:38:00.003+09:00

My cute wee neighbor, always ready to hi-5

Living here, I've automatically started flipping peace whenever someone whips out a camera. Can't. seem. to. help. myself.

Dance festival on Sado island. Sugoi!

These ladies told me "I am strong woman. I am boss' and then burst out laughing. I think they have a lot of fun together.

My friend Mike tried on my denim jacket. Doesn't quite fit.

Occasionally it feels so good to talk English to other native speakers in Japan.

Hip hop night at a local club. Sometimes they'll stop the music and have a dance competition. I've witnessed some really cheesy synchronized moves. Amazing!

After toying with the idea for a while, I got a fuji film instant camera. It sure is nice to have a polaroid back in my life. I forgot the thrill of watching it develop before my eyes and the joy of being able to share it with people instantly. Thanks for all the lovely comments on the hyaku en post. I'll announce the winner tomorrow!

More than one

2011-10-24T11:35:00.000+09:00

hellohowdyhiya

ysl rings

Socks and rings - happiness

The joy of the 100 yen store

2011-10-18T21:40:00.001+09:00

When I first arrived in Japan I couldn't get over how amazing the hyaku (100) yen stores were. This was the place of dreams! Plants, house slippers, cute sponges, bento boxes, origami paper, washi tape and so much more, all for a pittance.

Whenever I'm feeling rather poor but have the need for a mini shopping spree I bike on over and buy myself a pretty new plant or a nail polish bottle. Or I can pretend I'm being 'practical' and buy an array of kawaii sponges for the kitchen. The nail polish is seriously the best I have ever tried which was a bit surprise so I've been stocking up large. It has the best finish and lasts for a week!

I'm happy to make a mini hyaku en package (some washi tape, nail polish, a set of cards, some origami paper and perhaps a few other little treats) for one special reader so just drop me a line in the comments box and I'll pick a winner next week.

I hope you're all having a wonderful week so far! x x

It can't hurt to dream, right?

2011-10-14T09:59:00.003+09:00

Images: mark borthwick, yataro matsuura, muji, dreamcats, cultivate modesty, freunde von freunde, that girl lucy, and fewer shades.

I went to the Muji in Sendai last week and ahh, it got me house dreaming. I sat down on one of their ultra comfy couches and actually dozed off for about five minutes. I caught more than a few bemused Japanese people looking at me!

I would love to be a purist and have a simple light dappled home with a few sparse but beautifully placed objects but alas, I am more of a hoarder and a thifter that leads to haphazard collections of bizarre things and a cluttering of my shelves. If I could have a dream house, I think it would look a little something like this (cats included!)

ps. I just booked tickets for Christmas. London, Pareeee, Amstredam, Singapore, here I come! I'm so excited.

I love that girl

2011-10-07T09:21:00.002+09:00

How great are these polaroids of Amy Poehler? Taken in 1998 for a tv sketch show on comedy central they really highlight how ahhhmazing she is. Hehe. The monobrow one, so good. You can read more about it at NY Mag.

Goodbye Summer

2011-10-05T16:12:00.000+09:00

The Japanese summer departed swiftly leaving me rather surprised and clutching at my winter coats. Unlike New Zealand where the weather dilly dallies between seasons Japan is all about the sharp and defined change of the seasons. I'm now dreading seeing Australian and New Zealand friends popping up in my news feed, bathed in light and leisurely sipping on wine. Ahh the envy. I'm a summer kid! That said, here are some snaps taken over the past few weeks.

Kyoto markets

2011-10-04T08:48:00.000+09:00

Once a month the Nishiki markets are held in Kyoto. It's a good opportunity to rub shoulders (or elbows) with the locals in search of a bargain, and cast your eye over many a antique gem. I managed to score myself a beautiful soft vintage kimono that I intend to use as a dressing gown, and a bag of super tart mandarins - yum! One of the best things about the market is the people watching. Above are some images my boyfriend captured as we wandered around. I love the guy in stripes!

Gomen!

2011-09-29T10:26:00.001+09:00

Sorry about the recent lack of posts. I've been travelling around Japan with my dearest ma and pa, which has been a wonderful adventure. There have been typhoons, sumo wrestlers and old Japanese ladies to bargain with in the Kyoto markets. There were also mini deer that tried to take a bite out of us while travelling around Nara! Above are some pictures. The deer were so tiny and cute but also very assertive when it came to eating snacks. It was amazing to seem them wandering around completely uncaged and tamed. Hope you've all been well and enjoying the change of season, wherever you are in the world. xx

Stop-pause-go!

2011-09-16T12:07:00.001+09:00

A picture of my besties in New Zealand. Gosh I miss them!

On failure

2011-09-15T11:26:00.013+09:00

photo found here.

On the path to achieving ones goals it's important to remember than failure is very much a part of the process. I know this, but for some silly reason I'd always imagined the pursuit of my dreams to be a shiny wonderful path of creation and eventual fulfillment, and then I'd be done, surrounded by people praising my talents.

I'm in a pretty happy place right now, but like most people, I want more and I expect more of my self. Ambitions are scribbled secretly on pieces of paper that I'm too embarrassed to show anyone. Nonetheless there are goals and dreams in place and it keeps me going. I think Churchill was onto something good when he said 'success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm'. I don't take failure as well as some people, so I try hard to remember his words.

Looking back on some of the jobs I've had, there have been a lot of embarrassing moments and epic fails. Maybe the beauty of hindsight is a wonderful thing but I can't help but laugh at some of the failures I've endured. It seems as a general rule of the universe, embarrassing incidents magnetize towards my life. Birds shit freely on my skirt, occasionally I manage to lodge my head between closing bus doors and routinely I accomplish run, trip, fly, starfish falls across busy city intersections just as traffic lights turn green.

Below are probably my deepest moments of work shame.

Sandwich artiste

I got to wear a sexy forest green visor with pride and smile painfully at people while I packed their sandwiches full of gherkins, meatballs and swiss cheese all the while listening to Nelly, Kelly Rowland and Chingy on repeat. As a result of my job I always smelt like honey oat bread. Furious scrubbing in the shower didn't dissolve the smell, nor did perfume. Friends would sniff while in my company and rub their stomachs suggesting we get, perhaps, sandwiches for lunch? That was depressing. Depression spawned down to its darkest levels when two of my coworkers explained to me in the most awkward of fashions how they once did it in the office right by the sandwich counter. My supervisor was a power tripping maniac, and made me work my first 7am Sunday shift alone. I ran out of bread and had a mini meltdown while enraged customers repeatedly yelled at me 'NO I DO NOT WANT A WRAP'.

Waitress

Being a waiter/waitress is the default job for many while at university. I foolishly took this path and learnt very important lessons. I lack basic coordination. I cannot carry more than two plates at a time. Tills are confusing. Chefs are going to get angry at you if you send out their meals and drop them on the way to the customers. Customers are going to get angry if you drop their meals on the way to their table. Despite these lessons I did not leave. This is because I was deliriously in love with the dishwasher/kitchen hand. He was one of those guys who was aloof and sexy and said no more than five words to you in a day, sending you over the edge. He sort of reminded me of Jordan Catalano from 'My So Called Life'. For whatever reason I exposed myself to daily public shame to be in his presence. I would foolishly obsess, dissecting the meaning of his words. Like, for example what did he really mean when he said 'hey' and then casually touched his hair, and if we went to the beach together was it a date? I eventually came to the realisation that I hated being a waitress and he was a massive douche bag thus cutting ties with waitressing forever.

Radio promotions bitch.

Hypothetically my job was supposed to be me driving around town playing 'onst onst' music, wearing some 'I be fly' over sized sunglasses and suggestively sizzling sausages at store openings, all the while liberally applying lip gloss and chugging Red Bull. That's not what happened. On my first day I was handed car keys. My palms broke into a cold sweat as I mumbled lame protests. The last time I had driven, I flew my car off a steep bank, rolling it three times, demolishing my car. Driving is not my strong suit. This I tried to explain, but my new boss glared impatiently. Down in the basement I was faced with, horror of horrors, a four wheel drive truck. It was a beast, a terrifying beast. I hadn't driven in years. Or in Wellington. Ever. Pulling out of the car park and I heard a terrible screeching. I had managed to jam the beast against the wall as I veered out, scrapping most of the paint off the left side. Approximately $2000 damage 15 minutes into the job. Check. Breathing deeply I ventured out onto the highway. I was heading to a nearby town for a store promotion, my boss driving in front. 'Fuuuuuuuuuuck' was the single all encapsulating thought that pulsated through my brain as I looked down at the cars, like tiny toys from the heights of the beast. Maybe I was following a little bit too closely because suddenly boss lady was right in front of me and the brakes weren't working. As I crashed into the back of the vehicle I saw her tight lipped face in the rear view mirror. Priceless. I shrugged. I had warned her. $6000 worth of damage in one day. Check.

Faux nurse

While in university I applied for various receptionist jobs. I made a shitty waitress and figured being a receptionist might be a good alternative. I went for an interview at a hair replacement clinic and got the job, starting the next day. My new boss handed me something in a plastic bag and smiled. "What's this?" I asked. As it turns out, that plastic bag contained a uniform. The next day I left the house tentatively to be greeted by honking cars and winking men. My uniform you see, was evocative of a slutty nurse. Bright white, tight, collared and zip up, it looked like I was auditioning for a role with a pole. I hung my head in shame and scurried to my job. Boss man explained the duties. Filing, answering phones, checking emails, stock take. A relatively breezy walk in the park. Then I was thrown the curve ball. Massaging clients scalps with weird machines. In my ridiculous uniform I would shut men and women into a room, all the while making nervous conversation and touch their scalps throwing various potions to inspire hair growth. Some had dandruff, some were sweaty, some were alarmingly sexy with minor thinning and others were the kindest lovely people I'd ever met. All combinations made me flustered and horrified. Then, a few weeks in, I became sick with a flu to end all flu's which involved talking incoherently at night about bags of cash and Tina Turner. My body broke out in a nasty body rash, my mind settled into a swampy fog. Boss man insisted I come in as surely I wasn't that sick. While in the midst of deliriously massaging a scalp and seeing plaid spots on the wall, I spewed down my bright white uniform, just missing my patients scalp. Lovely.

Around my town

2011-09-07T08:49:00.001+09:00

Half the year it's covered in a blanket of snow, but right now it's all sunshine, flowers and greenery.

Holiday grinch

2011-09-06T14:23:00.002+09:00

I found this scribbled in a notebook, dated two years ago. It was penned after my first visit to the Taj. It made me smile that sometimes I manage to sound like such a grump. It was written post food poisoning/ pre being stranded on the side of the road on the Agra-Delhi stretch. Travel brings out the best and worst in me.

Sitting in the humid train carriage perched awkwardly upon a pleather bench I flipped through my counterfeit version of the god of small things and waited. Up the line protestors from Jaipur blocked the tracks, demanding higher wages and better conditions. They waved signs angrily, scowled and jumped from side to side. The train sat, waiting for them to tire like a patient mother and her petulant child. Inside the occupants remained completely unfazed. The chai wallah continued to sell tea, the flies buzzed lazily, the family opposite unwrapped banana leaf packed meals and I stared hungrily.

Finally the train began to move, lethargic after such a long break. Slowly but surely I was once again heading towards Agra. Being a typical tourist I was off to see the Taj Mahal. I couldn't not. But unlike others I was not expecting an experience of awe and wonder. It was a sight I had seen a million times over like the Mona Lisa or Eiffel tower, courtesy of Google image, coffee mugs, t-shirts, screen savers and book covers.

Most of the time I feel like a terrible tourist. While crowds eagerly snap photos at precious landmarks, I feel like there is little point. Yes, I was there, but I didn't need to take a picture one million people had taken before. My reasoning lay in the assumption that wonder was better found in the unexpected moments. Birds swooping over power lines at day break, funny hats on serious old men and unexpected love letters in the post. Despite my grinch like views I got up at 4am and sleepily made my way through the darkness to the Taj.

The gates opened and the small group of tourists excitedly moved forward, passing surly security guards and the last of the merchandise vendors.They rushed forward, hands poised and ready on their camera shutters. Walking through an unassuming old arch suddenly the Taj came into view. It was huge. Surprisingly huge. And spectacular. As I stood gaping the sky broke into a bright shade of red, reflecting perfectly off the white marble monument. In that moment I saw architectural perfection, symmetry, romance, tragedy and beauty. My skin got goosebumps. The touristic grinch departed. I was moved.

Finding a step to sit on I watched the sunrise and tried hard to commit the moment to memory, even pausing to take a photo. I knew it was a photo that had been taken one million times before but I couldn't not take it. I realised no day was quite like today and maybe those hoards of tourists were on to something. Each experience is individual. Each impression is unique.

Even non believers can have their moments.

Take cover

2011-08-31T10:22:00.001+09:00

It's New Zealand Fashion Week right now so I've been really excited seeing things unfold, via the internet. I'm eternally grateful to my dear friend Courtney's wonderful website Always Sometimes Anytime for keeping me updated. Pictured above are images from the latest Twenty Seven Names range Take Cover, taken from their NZFW exhibition. Be still my beating heart! You can see more pictures here.

We could travel forever

2011-08-30T14:09:00.000+09:00

photos by the amazing Randy Newman. You can see his flickr here.

There is always the pull between home and travel. A comfortable place to rest ones head, a pile of books, and good nights sleep vs the wonders of the world, dusty unknown paths, new friends and the promise that adventure is around every corner.

For now, I sit somewhere in the middle of this pull. Before leaving New Zealand I pined for foreign lands. Each year that passed gave way to a heightened feeling of restlessness and frustration. When I arrived in Japan I found that each day was an adventure, terrifying and amazing. I was surprised that despite this wonder, my thoughts often skipped back to my home, my family and friends, and strange things that I never imagined missing like my op shop salt and pepper shaker collection. piles of photo albums and stamp collections and my brothers dog.

In the past year I explored Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and India. After the disaster I went back to New Zealand briefly. This year I have plans for the U.K, Vietnam, Okinawa and South Korea. I now know that I can't go everywhere and see everything. It's more important to enjoy the journey wherever I am, rather than rush through countries, hastily ticking them off my list. My mum once told me to slow down. I can't consume the world. 'You're so young' she told me. 'Savor things.'

So for now I'm going to try and taste each country slowly, and savor new experiences on foreign soil. I'm going to make an effort to make the journey slower. Because you can always go back. Because you don't have to see everything at once. I'm also going to try and enjoy being at home, in my apartment, lying on the couch listening to music and reading a magazine.

They are equally wonderful. It just took me a while to realise that.

Northwestern Passage

2011-08-25T11:57:00.001+09:00

Like a lot of people, I love Twin Peaks, mainly because it is ahhhmmaaaazing. Naturally, I was pleased as punch when I found these never seen before images at Lifelounge. Shot by publicist Paula K Shimatsu, they were intended for press releases, but somehow never saw the light of day. Now they're going into a self published book called 'Northwestern Passage' which was what Twin Peaks was originally going to be named. Log lady is still my favourite.

"One day my log will have something to say about this!"

Hehehe.

Birthday loot

2011-08-24T09:35:00.002+09:00

Lucky me! Even though my birthday was last month I have still been receiving gifts. When my boyfriend arrived in Japan he brought with him some amazing antipodes products, a gift from his friend who designs all the antipodes packaging. As well as that, my dear friend James sent along the charm bracelet pictured above - tres kiwiana chic!

I was so surprised and happy but the gift giving continued. My boyfriend presented me with some new leather boots, a gold charm bracelet and a copy of Russh magazine. I have been savouring each page, thoroughly enjoying an English magazine. All my christmas' at once!!!

Ku:nel vol 51 part 2

2011-08-22T19:49:00.001+09:00

As promised, more images from Ku:nel volume 51. The bottom two are making my mouth salivate!

ハロ　夏　(haro summer)

2011-08-22T19:23:00.000+09:00

Summer: lots of sun, surf and sand and excellent food.

Where the children sleep

2011-08-18T15:37:00.000+09:00

Kaya, 4, Tokyo apartment

Jasmine, 4, lives in a large country house in Kentucky

A 4 year old Romanian, who with his family, sleeps on a mattress on the outskirts of Rome

Nine year old Dong shares a room with his whole family

Indira, 7, one room house in Katmandu, Nepal

Roathy, 8, lives with his family on the top of a dump on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Tvzika, 9, lives with his brother in this communal bed in an apartment a gated Orthodox community

When James Mollison set about to raise money for a childrens charity he wanted to avoid the usual swollen bellies, pleasing eyes and toothy grins. Instead he chose to photograph children from all over the world, and how different each circumstance can be. You can see more about the book here.

Calm

2011-08-16T09:15:00.000+09:00

Beata Wilczek

Nishe

Maja Malou

ごめん！(sorry) about the lack of posts recently. Things have been crazy busy with my boyfriend arriving and us setting up a new home, a whole lot of summer festivals and trying to fit in time at the beach. I stumbled across these photos that reminded me, calm moments are good too! x

Awesome sauce

2011-08-09T13:57:00.000+09:00

I found this wonderful tumblr via youcanmakeiteasy. It makes me fall in love with Japan all over again. There are beautiful things around every corner!

Ku:nel vol 51 part 1

2011-08-05T09:14:00.001+09:00

The latest issue of Ku:nel is so good it deserves not one but two posts! Part two up in the next few days. In other exciting news an article I wrote got published in Metropolis. You can read it here. Shameless self promotion I know.

Take me out to the ball game

2011-08-03T10:17:00.000+09:00

I'm horrible at sports. It's a fact my parents chose to ignore. As a result I was a victim of tennis lessons, awkward games of hockey, swimming and even the odd triathlon. My Dad is sports mad with funny fluoro running shorts, mesh singlets and an exercycle (a bike that goes nowhere). I think my lack of sportiness was a bit of a surprise for him but now he has come to terms with it. Any kind of physical feat has been well and truly banished from my life. Until my birthday. One of my friends bought me a ticket to a baseball game. In Japan, people are crazy about baseball. Passionate beyond passionate. And so, I reentered the realm of sports, this time as a spectator. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed myself. The atmosphere was really infection and the entire stadium released balloons into the sky at the same time. FUN.

Rules for writing

2011-08-01T14:30:00.001+09:00

The reader is a friend, not an adversary, not a spectator.
Fiction that isn't an author's personal adventure into the frightening or the unknown isn't worth writing for anything but money.
Never use the word "then" as a conjunction – we have "and" for this purpose. Substituting "then" is the lazy or tone-deaf writer's non-solution to the problem of too many "ands" on the page.
Write in the third person unless a really distinctive first-person voice offers itself irresistibly.
When information becomes free and universally accessible, voluminous research for a novel is devalued along with it.
The most purely autobiographical fiction requires pure invention. Nobody ever wrote a more autobiographical story than "The Metamorphosis".
You see more sitting still than chasing after.
It's doubtful that anyone with an internet connection at his workplace is writing good fiction (the TIME magazine cover story detailed how Franzen physically disables the Net portal on his writing laptop).
Interesting verbs are seldom very interesting.
You have to love before you can be relentless.

Jonathan Franzens rules for aspirational writers, as told to the Guardian. You can find rules from other authors such as Margarets Atwood and Richard Ford here and here.

My first ゆかた！

2011-07-31T12:47:00.000+09:00

Yesterday I went out and bought my first yukata, a Japanese summer kimono. It's festival season at the moment so there will be plenty of opportunities to wear it. I'm not very good at putting it on at the moment (there's a few steps) so one of my Japanese friends kindly assisted.

Last night was super balmy and my friends and I biked down to the river to have a picnic and watch fireworks. It was an amazing summer evening and great to see everyone so dressed up. I definitely felt like a bit of a lady wearing yukata!

Babes babes babes

2011-07-28T11:33:00.000+09:00

A post on babes. Just because.

I ♥ Kado Hiromi

2011-07-26T16:01:00.000+09:00

How awesome is the work of Hiromi Kado? I stumbled across it via Bonjour Johanna and fell in love with all the illustrations on the site immediately. So neat! You can see even more here.

Jille girls

2011-07-25T21:16:00.000+09:00

I picked up a copy of Jille magazines 'Girls Snap' today, an issue comprised entirely of street shots. There is so much amazing fashion on the streets of Japan, it's bursting at the seams. I can't quite work kawaii like the Japanese girls but they sure do inspire me!

Backyard bbq

2011-07-22T09:35:00.001+09:00

The other night I went to a BBQ with a family who live on the outskirts of my town. Their vegetable garden was incredible with all types of fresh and delicious treats including giant garlic cloves that we cooked and ate whole. That night, after the temperature dropped, we let off fireworks, ate food and and enjoyed the summer night. It was so lovely. When I went back to the car, I noticed the sky was filled with the most beautiful light, a golden glow that made everything in that moment utterly magical.

Why thank you Mr Postman

2011-07-19T23:03:00.001+09:00

Easter love

A bon voyage postcard my friend Yuko

A hand drawn postcard from Tokyo, lucky me!

Miffy came all the way from Paris!

New Years postcards are my absolute favourite

A wooden postcard from Taiwan

I volunteered at my local hospital and helped some of the disabled patients make postcards. They did a great job!

My best friend kept her feelings concise!

I love sending mail and receiving mail. Writing letters, postcards and assembling packages is such a delight. And there's nothing like the feel of paper and seeing the handwriting of those dearest to you. Ahh the thrill of finding a treasure in your letter box! I especially love stamps from foreign countries. I inherited my Grandmas stamp collection and it is so interesting to see what themes have been popular over the years. Certainly a lot of space travel, the royal family and creatures of the sea!

I've been really lucky to get lots of wonderful postcards this year from friends on various adventures. If you're in need of a fantastic letter set to dazzle your friends should check out the new Hello Sandwich letter set that came out today. It is ridiculously cute and I can't wait to order a set and blow my friends socks off!

How to be: a cute Japanese old lady

2011-07-18T18:38:00.002+09:00

1. Colour coordination -team with that theme! Leopard and mustard? Hell yes. Pastels are aok too.

2. A cute hat- perhaps it's a crafty paper hat you just made (above), a bucket hat, or a wide brimmed number for gardening in the sun

3. Embracing of eccentricities - Kookiness is encouraged. Whether it be a jazzy little dance when you're excited or a sporadic 360 twirl, eccentricities are a boon. My favourite Japanese old lady occasionally breaks out into a shuffly little dance while on the treadmill at my gym. It makes my day!

4. A mamachari - Travel around in style on a vintage bicycle. Be courteous on the roads and always walk your bike when crossing

5. A lovely smile - Be cheery and woo people with your killer style and dazzling smile

happy birthday (to me!)

2011-07-13T11:04:00.000+09:00

Holy moly, It's my birthday! And my first summer one at that. My day has been lovely so far with plenty of birthday well wishes and love, yummy chu cream and even a few presents! Tonight my Japanese friend is hand making me gyoza so we are going to get together with some friends and celebrate with delicious food and beer. Usually birthdays lower my spirits (silly I know, I'm afraid of becoming ancient) but today I am feeling lucky for all I have. The last year has been one of my best yet. Here's hoping 26 will be an even better year. ♡

The photos above are from this amazing flickr. They really make me smile!

Badlands

2011-07-12T22:24:00.000+09:00

"He wanted to die with me and I dreamed of being lost forever in his arms."

I watched Badlands for the first time last night and it was so wonderful. Sissy Spacek is such an unusual and interesting actress, and the story was near perfect. It's based loosely on the real life shooting spree of Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate. Rather than focusing on the murders the movie seems more intent on capturing two peculiar souls and their bizarre journey. It was beautiful to watch.

Hot child in the city

2011-07-11T15:30:00.002+09:00

It's getting hot out. We're currently sitting at about 33 degrees and my hair has exploded into a Tina Turner frizz bomb. Any hope of dignity and poise is but a glimmering memory of the past. While it is tempting to lay on my tatami beneath the soothing caress of my fan I have been getting out and about on the weekends. Book trawling, going to gigs, eating mexican food, potting plants - any thing is possible in Japan. That and a hell of a lot of Karaoke. An 'establishment' I went to recently came with a costume box (creepy mask above included) allowing you to act out your weirdest entertainer dreamers, sort of like a bizarre version of stars in their eyes. Gosh I loved that show when I was little!

Doris

2011-07-07T15:20:00.000+09:00

It's one year today since my Grandma passed away. I can hardly believe it. Instead of feeling sad I'm channeling my energy into thinking about the things I loved about my Grandma:

-Her evening jumper selection that were bejeweled and embroidered for special nights when her and her husband went dancing

-The softness of her cheeks. They felt like silk, and smelt like lavender

-Her handwriting. The most beautiful I had ever seen

The things she made. Doilies, needlepoint masterpieces and long knitted scarves. Every piece she made was loaded with time and love

-Her ability to make killer pavlova

-The house she lived in; filled with antiques, trinkets and photographs

-Her collection of diamond rings, 5 stacked on each finger. Her hands were bedazzling

-The fact that she wasn't like most Grandmother's. She was very subdued with her emotions and affection, meaning a hug was incredibly significant. On my last visit she asked me for a kiss on the cheek. It was our way of knowing it was the last time we would see each other. I feel so lucky I got to say goodbye.

♡ Enid

2011-07-07T11:29:00.001+09:00

Finding this image via いいもの made me so happy. Enid would be my style hero if I was a million times braver. If you haven't seen or read Ghost World, I think you should!

Paper Lust

2011-07-05T10:03:00.000+09:00

Apartmento. Deliriously good interiors. You can buy it here

Girls on film. You can find it online here.

The Gentlewoman. Depending on where you live, you can buy it here or here and order back issues here.

I Love the design of Bad day magazine. All the info you need can be found right here.

Afterzine. Modestly priced, relatively new and an amazing line up of contributors. You can buy it here.

Atomica magazine. All online. All good.

Greenfinger

2011-07-03T22:40:00.000+09:00

Above are images from my favourite ever issue of Ku:nel which came out last summer in Japan. I love the heavy incorporation of greenery into the home. When visiting Japanese homes, I have noticed there are a lot of pot plants. I have followed suit and kitted my apartment out with a lot of succulents and flowers. It makes everything so much more cheery. I particularly loved a section in the magazine (pictured above) on how to press flowers. My Dad and I used to press flowers together when I was younger so it brings back happy memories!

A visit to Hermes

2011-06-30T09:25:00.000+09:00

I went to Hermes in the weekend and predictably, bought nothing. I just wandered around and lusted after the beautiful scarves. I hope one day I can proudly hang a Hermes in my home, but for now it might have to be wishful thinking!

Black and white

2011-06-28T15:14:00.000+09:00

From the top:

The coolest kid ever. I befriended him in A.P.C while he was walking around with his crazy little helmet on. When I left the store he was waiting at the front window to further our farewells!

Toy selection in Tokyu hands - so so good

One of the kids at my local dry cleaners

A rather crazy (but super friendly) band member from Theee bat

Water soaked film

2011-06-27T23:13:00.002+09:00

Oops! I've been carrying film around in my bag, which has been sitting in my mamachari basket as I bicycle around, and it's rainy season. As a result my film got a little bit wet. I kind of like the blue tinge it gave to some of my photos. These snaps have been taken out and about. I've been having lots of fun on the weekends! x I'll pop up some black and white snaps soon.

Happiness

2011-06-27T13:45:00.005+09:00

photo by Ume Kayo

Happiness occurs when I least expect it. It comes from moments of deep appreciation that someone else might not notice. Birds swooping past power lines against an orange morning after a night of karaoke, or a smile from a stranger in a funny hat. I don't have to go to the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls and stand in front of vast and majestic wonders to appreciate life, and be happy.

I can have hot tea and biscuits, use inky pens on recycled paper and feel the softness of my grandmothers cheeks. I could dip my hand in uncooked rice, practice whistling or make a mix tape. I can smell the crispy bendy pages of my favourite magazines or write an anonymous note of encouragement to a stranger. I can strive for happiness in unexpected moments and endeavor to never ever let my day be mundane, instead, a little bit spectacular.

I love books like Into the Wild and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Protagonists who search deep within themselves to find answers to questions that have riddled them for years. It's a great thing to explore this big wide world and ask 'what is all of this?' all the while holding tightly to your ability to imagine and experience awe. This doesn't mean you have to have lots of money to travel all around the world, just explore further than your front gate, your street, your suburb. And at very worse, if you can't leave, step into your imagination.

What if you have no imagination? What if, horror of horrors, you lost it some time ago when you were departing childhood in eager anticipation of the freedoms of adult life? Then read a children's book, go for walks in unexplored locations, sit alone with pen and paper and see what happens.

No one thinks like you. No one will ever produce what ends up on that piece of paper. We all see the world so differently. If your imagination has deserted you it will come back, because it never wanted to leave in the first place.

Right as rain

2011-06-24T09:43:00.005+09:00

I know talking about the weather is supposedly dull surface level chit chat but I just can't help myself. Rainy season is upon us in Japan and it is nuts. The frogs are in chorus and they are everywhere. Yesterday I biked home in the rain screaming every time a car drove past because of the giant (and temporarly blinding) splash!!! which left me in a state of wet mess. My shoes filled up with water making a lovely squish squish sound and while the practical grown up in me said 'no' the rest of me felt like it was so much fun.

I'm off to Tokyo tonight for a weekend of adventure which will include the pleasure of watching NZ band Die! Die! Die!, vintage trawling, much needed stop offs at Ikea, Loft, Topshop and Zara, plus some suburb exploring thanks to my trusty Hello Sandwich Tokyo guide. I promise to take some snaps on the kumo san. Wishing you all a happy Friday. T.G.I.F! x

I ♥ Osamu Yokonami

2011-06-21T10:34:00.002+09:00

Aren't they lovely? Work can be found here.

House hunt

2011-06-18T16:46:00.000+09:00

I am on the hunt for a new place of residence, which in Japan can be somewhat daunting and confusing but also, very very fun. My boyfriend is arriving in a month and a half so I am trying to find somewhere with a big lounge and two bedrooms with lots of natural light. A tall order, but I think I can do it! These images from Come Home issue 23 are definitely getting me excited for decorating my new digs, although I think my palette may have to be a little more colourful!

Let's party like it's 2005

2011-06-18T16:17:00.004+09:00

Going to karaoke can sometimes be like entering the twilight zone. Especially in small towns where the song choices are whittled down to silver clad ladies singing about U.F.O's and the buildings you pass state their excitement for 2005!

One thousand tears of laughter

2011-06-15T11:12:00.001+09:00

ME AT NINE, PERFORMING TO MADONNA IN SUMMER '91! from Robert Jeffrey on Vimeo.

Creeper

2011-06-13T10:00:00.001+09:00

When I approach Japanese people to ask if I can take their picture they often try to run away from me. I understand their instincts. I am a bit creepy. Derogatory feelings for myself set aside, it stems from the fact that many are worried they lack the communication skills to talk to a foreigner. The thought of an awkward moment shared between us sends them into a state of panic. When I saw the charming lady in the top photo with her kawaii ensemble (bucket hat, pastels, rose tinted glasses and amazing apron, swoon) I approached her tentatively. She saw me coming and shuffled away nervously, going to get her daughter who was working with her. I asked her in Japanese 'can I take a photo please?' which she misconstrued as me asking her to take a photo of me and became even more flustered, blushing profusely and edging away. After a rather broken explanation she realised that I wanted to take a photo of her and she threw her head back and laughed, really really hard. She was delighted and proceeded to give me the loveliest smile which really made my day.

Light me up

2011-06-10T10:07:00.003+09:00

I used to smoke. A lot. Especially when there was a drink in my hand. There was something so lovely, routine and methodical about smoking that soothed me. It was also a chance to socialise. You could meet the strangest, loveliest and most surprising people when asking for a lighter or loitering on a balcony.

My best friends are smokers so we would often lie in bed talking about boys, puffing away, occasionally pausing to flick our cigarettes into the swan ashtray. Sexy people in movies smoked, Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation and Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction. Then there were the famous people that seemed cooler than cool, cigarette dangling precariously from their lips. The likes of Anna Karina, Fabrizio Moretti, Katherine Hepburn, Charles Bukowski and Catherine Deneuve.

My Dad's friend puffed on cigarettes when I was an ankle biter and there was something magical and enchanting about watching the smoke slowly escape his lips. My first cigarette was wasted due to self conscious bum puffing and a coughing fit. My second cigarette was cut short when I was caught by the P.E teacher who threatened to call my parents. My third provided my first real head rush, and was plucked from a packet of cigarettes that were all mine bought by an old man outside a pub.

I smoked for nearly ten years, on and off and towards the end it spiralled into something all consuming that wasn't lovely, routine or methodical. One day sweltering hot day in February last year I was sitting on a lawn having a picnic with friends when I looked down at my cigarette and felt baffled. I couldn't believe I was risking my health for no particular reason and suddenly thinking about dying early or getting sick through my own unhealthy choices seemed ludicrous. I couldn't even finish the cigarette.

I didn't tell anyone about my new resolution and transformed into an aggravated, irritable, over the top young lady who obsessively gnawed on chocolate bars and chewed gum. Anything to scratch that itch. I still get pangs sometimes. A lot of my friends still smoke and there are moments of lust when they light up and look so serene. Then there are the awkward moments at parties when suddenly I am alone and everyone seems to be on the balcony in a social haze of smoke having the best time imaginable. There are a so many moments but despite all the pangs and longing I think, finally, I am happier without it.

Mirrorball

2011-06-08T11:50:00.001+09:00

It's all the same person!! School girls and teacher included! When I first stumbled across the works of Tomoko Sawada I was amazed. Her unending variance of looks made my mind boggle. The 400+ looks began with Sawada's self proclaimed inferiority complex and a fascination with how she could aesthetically transform through photography."As I looked at my pictures again and again, the gap between my real image and my image in a picture widened. In other words, my appearance could be changed easily, but my personality did not change."

Her work emphasizes the emerging norms for woman in Japanese society which are diversifying further each day. Before I came to Japan I had two vague ideas in my mind; traditional demure kimono wearing women and crazy outlandish Harajuku girls. Sawada embraces all gender stereotypes- the giggling school girl, beauty pageant contestant, stern police woman or a hopeful young lady posing for omiai to name a few. In turning chameleon Sawada's variances can be found in subtle details like a facial expression, posture or a kg or rwo lost or gained. Then there are the more obvious transformations; a haircut, a costume and make up application.

So amazing. Two great articles on her can be found here and here.

Ku:nel vol 49 & 50

2011-06-02T09:43:00.000+09:00

Above are my favourite images from the past two issues of Ku:nel. There was a lot of food featured so I had to be careful not to salivate over the pages. Some of the clothes induced the same effect. The bottom picture is of the Ku:nel mascot. He is so cute! Every issue he is featured in the top right hand corner of the cover doing something different. Sometimes he is eating, sometimes sleeping, occasionally he is reading the newspaper. His main goal in life is to relax and be happy, much like the ethos of the magazine!

Home is not where you live but where they understand you

2011-06-01T12:09:00.001+09:00

Amanda De Vitto

The home of stylist Carline Van Oel at Konfetti Form

A table setting. Source unknown

Yimmys Yayo

May Roses at La Mignonette

Martin Pisottis space at Daydream Lily

Michael Wells

Source unknown

When I was younger my parents used to drag me around antique stores, furniture fairs and auctions and I always thought 'you poor things. your life is so boring'. To spend a weekend in the pursuit of further decoration for your home seemed ludicrous when you could be frolicking in the grass, launching a war upon the kids next door or fishing for cockabillies in the river. The life of an adult seemed stuffy, tedious and taxing. While my young self is still a cheerleader for this logic I can't help but swoon these days when I see 60's ceramic poodle pepper shakers or a fine piece of taxidermy. When things shifted I'm not exactly sure, but there is nothing like an inspiring space to spend ones time in.

Hero

2011-05-31T09:59:00.001+09:00

How wonderful is this? WOWOWOWOWOWOOWOWOW.

As found at the ever wonderful Yimmys Yayo. Note to self. Do not check at Yayo at work. Awkward nudey screen moments.

Tourist

2011-05-29T00:05:00.000+09:00

The friendliest castle

The window of my favourite chu cream shop in Japan

A quaint barber shop in Oguni

Riku busting some moves on the dancefloor

Fresh chu cream. NOM.

A lovely door

Befriending a dinosaur in Aizu

...and a samurai

A sign at a temple. I was a sucker and took the stairs.

This is what happens when you are deliriously hungover at McDonalds

My weekend has been pretty wonderful to date. I went to Oguni, and Aizu and did lots of action packed touristy things. Even though I live in Japan I always feel like I'm on holiday which is a rather spectacular thing. I saw a great band called Rabi Rabi play last night and today, even though I was a touch hungover, I ventured on to see castles, temples and the kawaii backstreets of Aizu. I also constructed a french fry heart in McDonalds which I was rather proud of. A good day!

These days

2011-05-27T10:08:00.000+09:00

Stanley Chow

Max Dalton

Eric Chase Anderson

I love the art work that has come out The Royal Tenenbaums. I revisited the film the other night and ah, that moment when Margot gets off the bus, and Nico's 'these days' is playing. So good! If only life was more like a Wes Anderson film.

Make it awesome

2011-05-25T12:02:00.003+09:00

photo taken by nik brinkman at fewer shades. I sent his lovely girlfriend this sponge in the post because it was too cute not to!

One of my favourite bloggers is Aron from Make it Easy. He has such a positive attitude and sees beauty in the most remarkable things. When I first started reading blogs I was very uncertain, being a die hard lover of all things print. Make it Easy showed me everything that was good about blogging culture. Aron has set up a new site called This Can Save Your Life. It has a list of simple exercises to help you and others around you be happier about life. My favourites are:

-write a letter to your best friend, explaining how much you love them

-put on some music and dance in your room until you break a sweat

-on a piece of paper, draw a cartoon version of yourself. on one side of you, make a list of your best qualities, and on the other side, make a list of things you can improve on

Those are just a few but I think you should visit the site and look at the whole list! It reminded me that it is never too late to improve your day or make a difference to someone else's.

Mid week mix

2011-05-25T10:23:00.000+09:00

Got my mind set on you by George Harrison (I'm a sucker for young George)

I get a kick out of you by Gary Shearston

Balitmore by Randy Newman

So fine - Electric Light Orchestra

Black Mountain Rag - Doc and Merle Watson

Little buddies

2011-05-21T16:03:00.000+09:00

I've been lucky enough to become friends with lots of mini people while living in Japan. Pictured at the top is Mato. He is my friends kid and is obsessed with the moon. How cool is that? Below is Riku, Mato's brother. He likes bugs. The last two pictures are of kids who live in my apartment block. They are always playing outside so sometimes I go and practice hi fives and handshakes with them.

Brightening my day

2011-05-21T15:35:00.000+09:00

Pate Tapes. I've been dancing around my apartment this afternoon. The Soul Stax Motown and John Peel sessions are amazing. Thanks for the tip Lucy!

Finding out about this movie.

Lusting over these rings via So Much to Tell You via Topshop

Catching up on my afternoon reading. Ku:nel, So En, Jill and Vogue Nippon. Bliss!

Come home!

2011-05-17T19:37:00.000+09:00

I was lucky enough to find a whole back catalogue of Come Home! magazine for a meagre pittance at a second hand bookstore. I love the Japanese interior aesthetics of the magazine. Lots of plants, natural light, basic items and kawaii craft. Sugoi ne!

Cuties

2011-05-17T14:34:00.000+09:00

The other day I was talking to my favourite two Parisian ladies on skype, Lucy and Anna, all the while drinking a smoothie. I must have induced some smoothie envy from Anna because when I checked my inbox later that day, these two images greeted me.

かわいい女の子!

Cherry bomb

2011-05-15T11:58:00.001+09:00

This is the last lot of film that I have had developed from cherry blossom season which was so beautiful, but so fleeting. It's been magical to see the sun come out along with dusky pink petals, everywhere!

A visit to the supermarket

2011-05-12T08:39:00.000+09:00

Post earthquake I really struggled with my love for living in Japan. I remember a few days after the earthquake I was standing in my kitchen washing my dishes when a particularly strong after shock hit and I thought to myself 'what am I doing here?' I didn't want to be in Japan any longer. Thankfully after some time the feelings of full on obsession for Japan are coming back, and my trip to the supermarket last night reminded me of that.

Oh the angst

2011-05-11T15:00:00.003+09:00

At school I was definitely a geek. Frizzy hair, pimples, braces and an awkward lankiness were all part of my aesthetic. I didn't fit in with the wallflowers or academics so instead developed smart arse repartees to try and combat those who were better looking than I. Sometimes I stuck fridget magnets to my braces to get a laugh, but in reality it was pretty dire times.

My staple outfit consisted of a black turtleneck, faded stonewashed bootleg jeans and leather lace ups. I knew what I liked but was worried I would look too ugly/silly if I tried to pull something off that was 'fash-un'. The group of girls I hung out with were good looking and popular so on Friday nights boys would ring me up to ask whether particular girls were interested. It was so depressing.

I was totally and completely in love with the art teachers son and would create intricately detailed fantasies in my mind about the two of us doing something mundane, like walking through the supermarket car park together. Through some minor miracle he became my first boyfriend and briefly, I was the happiest girl on earth. One evening I snuck down my long driveway to find him waiting for me, beer can in hand, ready to kiss me.

It was a first lip lock for both of us and afterwards I lay awake shaking in excitement replaying the strange memory of a tongue in my mouth. Three days after the spectacular kiss he dumped me at a friends party, on a trampoline. I was devastated to discover he liked a much prettier geek who he started dating. I cried until my eyes were red and hazy and refused to eat dinner.

In the following years I would act out in rebellion to try and gain popularity which lead to my exile to a posh English style boarding school courtesy of my worried parents. The girls at the school heard a rumor that I was a half Mexican half Spanish drug dealer and no one really talked to me for the first term for fear I would offer them cocaine.

Being a teen was hard. All the soul searching and angst is at times too much to take on and although most teenagers (me) can be self involved and inconsiderate, it would have been good to know that I didn't need to worry that these weren't the best years of my life and eventually the awkward self loathing would pass. Ahh, the beauty of hindsight.

My dedication list of TV shows and movies that gives me sweet sweet nostalgia about being a teen.

Freaks and Geeks

My So Called Life

The Wonder Years

Ghost World

Virgin Suicides

An Education

Pretty in Pink

Kids

The Wackness

Welcome to the Dollhouse

Sweet Sixteen

Ferris Bueller's day off

Mystic Pizza

Dazed and Confused

American Beauty

Ho-li-day

2011-05-11T14:12:00.002+09:00

When I was back in New Zealand it felt like something of a holiday, but different from the ones I had been taking. It was a sleep deeply/don't wake me from my slumber no matter how important it is/ reading novels in my childhood bedroom while eating cameo cremes/ I'm taking a bubble bath and drinking red wine, kind of getaway. In between these times of recharge I saw my friends who I had been missing terribly and we danced furiously to Blondie and Santos Esmerelda, practiced air maracas, went to karaoke and pulled yoga moves while drunk. There were no laminated itineraries or sight seeing and it was nice. Now that I am rested, relaxed and back in the ever wonderful Japan I am dreaming about the next exotic location I want to travel to.

Images from YouthQuakers. How good are old Vogues?

Muji meets Idée

2011-05-10T21:37:00.000+09:00

I'm really enjoying the aesthetics of Muji meets Idée. So much apartment inspiration for the upcoming summer months!

Morning ride

2011-05-09T09:52:00.000+09:00

Word to ya mother

2011-05-08T18:17:00.002+09:00

I'm no craft master but I managed to whip this up for Mum. Only the best effort for the very best of mothers! My Mum is an enigma wrapped in a riddle who still continues to amaze and baffle me. Only when you get a little bit older do you come to realise how spectacular the people closest to you are. Bessy defied a 1700 year old tradition to marry the man she loved. She moved to the other side of the world knowing no one but him and set up an amazing life for herself. She makes the best food I have ever tasted, loves ABBA and Lady Gaga and is selfless in everything that she does. Happy Mothers day Mum! xx

Cançó de l'alba - Bedroom

2011-05-08T18:05:00.000+09:00

Maybe if all adults kept the imagination they had when they were children, the world would be more like this?

Just because

2011-05-07T08:42:00.000+09:00

Helplessness Blues

2011-05-07T08:39:00.000+09:00

I spent last night lying on the couch listening to Helplessness Blues. It's been a long wait for the new album but I definitely wasn't disappointed. Would it make sense if I said it's the same but different? There's a new direction which is amazing but it's distinctly them. Ahh happiness.

You can stream the album on NPR.