Hey! How's things?
I thought I'd drop by and say hi, see if my blog had been made extinct or self imploded, but all seems pretty much the same.
Sorry I've not been around, but, you know..... stuff..... Things get busy..... You forget a post or two, then suddenly it's been almost a year! So sorry about that.
But hey, you're looking great, haven't aged a bit, and I love your hair!!!
Anyhoo, look, I made something
I'm writing this on my phone and I'm
not too sure how the images work on mobile blogger, so super hoping its showing something, and not just random space.
So I've been running a lot, like ridiculous amounts, which has been great for focussing me and helping with stress and the like. I decided to crochet a headband I could wear running and to bike am yoga which is my other new favourite thing.
Not sure if I will wear it or not, but it got me making stuff again so yay
Anyway, just thought I'd say hi, and will hopefully chat soon
Xx
Ok just reread this: thanks autocorrect for making bikram yoga bike am yoga!!
Also my hair looks feral in that selfie but I had flat hair from running!!
Grateful 4 Crochet
Saturday 9 March 2013
Monday 5 November 2012
If you like reading and want to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy...........
Hi, thought I'd drop by and tell you about this. One of my favourite authors has a way to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and enjoy a rollicking good humorous tale at the same time.This is his blog post with details below.........
Philby and Frank and the Marathon that Never Was
There are always risks writing stories set in the here and now and, as I’ve learned these past couple of days, even greater risks in placing a safe-looking bet on the near future.
Most of the time when I’ve tried to anticipate events it’s got me nowhere and, really, fiction needs to be bolder than that. Excessive caution doesn’t make for a great novel. When I was writing The True Story of Butterfish in 2007, aiming it for publication in 2009 and sending one of the characters partying with Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion, I was aware that Hef was past 80 and my inner actuary told me there was at least some risk associated with slipping him into a novel that needed to be current in 2009 and preferably for a few more years. Happily for Hef and those close to him, that concern came to nothing. Since I wrote the novel, he’s dated twins, got divorced, got engaged, almost got married, saved the Hollywood sign and had a species of marsh rabbit named after him – party on.
But world events don’t always play along with the fiction that’s written to fit them.
As some people know, I’ve started releasing some of my older works as ebooks, through Exciting Press in the US and through Allen & Unwin’s House of Books in Australia. In some cases, I’ve used this not merely as an opportunity to put books back into print, but to do something different. A lot of my short stories are now stand-alone ebooks, but I’ve also been working on something bigger.
In 1995, I wrote a story called Green, about a newbie med student at Qld Uni in 1981 who, at a socially critical time in a pub, chokes and makes a seriously embarrassing drink choice. Phil and his disinhibited buddy Frank stuck around and appeared in a few more stories in Headgames in 1999. With World of Chickens (aka Two To Go), they got themselves a novel in 2001.
For quite a few years, I’d wanted to bring all the Phil and Frank stories together – a novel and five short stories covering 1981-1999 in one fat book. I’d call it Green, after the opening story.
More recently, I’ve joined the team adapting World of Chickens into a film – we hope to go into production next year – so I’ve been working with Phil and Frank again, and loving it. And that made me realise I wanted something extra for Green. A new story. A 2012 story. Phil and Frank facing down 50, each in his own way.
I figured Frank would be prone to a big mid-life gesture and, in May this year, I decided it would be, of all things, the 2012 New York Marathon. Okay, so it was slightly in the future but, in its more than 40 years, nothing had cancelled the New York Marathon, right?
So I got online and read all about it – the sign-up, the start, the route, the comfort stops. I booked Jackson Browne for the entertainment at the final bend, figuring readers would allow me a little latitude if someone else showed up in real life. I came up with Otter, Frank’s hirsute personal trainer with an unlikely suite of pre-race prep techniques. And I wrote my story set six months in the future and prepared for an October US/UK release of Green – The Ultimate Author’s Edition, followed by an Australian release on 1 Dec*.
Then along came Hurricane Sandy, causing damage and loss of life in the Caribbean and eastern US. The New York marathon, which around now should be a litter of Gatorade cups on New York streets, was cancelled.
So I’ve got myself a brand new 7500-word Frank and Phil story that can only exist in a parallel universe, where the weather was November average and the only chaos affected my two characters (chaos affecting their marathon at least was inevitable).
Meanwhile there’s a lot of damage still to be dealt with in New York and elsewhere and the New York marathon people have created the Race to Recover Fund to support a number of charities involved in relief efforts, including the Mayor’s Fund. So I’m going to donate my New York marathon that never was. And so’s my publisher, Exciting Press. For the rest of November, we’re giving every cent that comes in from sales of Green to the Mayor’s Fund. That applies to all purchases of the Exciting Press edition of Green, which is the version available everywhere but Australia and New Zealand. Each copy sold should raise close to $3.50 to support relief work.
So, if you know anyone in the world beyond ANZ who might be keen on a blockbuster Phil & Frank book featuring a novel and six stories (one brand new) and would like to be part of a different way of raising funds for people affected by Sandy, please spread the word. I’d like to raise as much money as possible, so I’d welcome any tweeting, FBing, blogging, etc, that you’re prepared to give this.
Here’s the link to Green on Amazon.
Thank you.
* Why the delay for ANZ? The 1 Dec release allows us to do paper (print on demand) as well as ebooks, and makes the ebook available through all local channels, as well as Amazon. I know some people love paper, and like supporting their local retailers, so I
Sunday 16 September 2012
Zen and the Art of Crochet
I've been reading a few things lately about zen and running, including this book and this blog. They have got me interested in the the whole concept of zen, and how it relates to crochet, and other crafts.
Clearly many people far more qualified than I can give you an explanation on what zen is, but for me zen is being in the moment, noticing, and appreciating that moment.
So how do crochet and zen connect?
For me, when I crochet, it's generally a time of relaxation, and focus. It can be almost a meditative state at times when I crochet.
I don't use patterns when I crochet, I just kind of look at something and try and work out how to make it myself.
I like not reading patterns, as it totally frees up my mind to the calming monotony of crochet.
Not reading or following patterns also means I do lots and lots of frogging when something goes wrong!
And that I make lots of simple things like blankets, scarves, and these cushions, which were made from using one of those sharp hooks to crochet a tea towel into a cushion cover.
But one of the things I love about crochet, is how it makes me appreciate the moment I am in. I will often sit with my youngest whilst she plays in her room, and crochet and chat with her. She will often ask me to play a game with her, where she is the princess, and I am the queen who sits and crochets. Makes game playing quite easy when that happens! It also makes me more amenable to spending more time one on one with her. (Not that I need assistance really for that, as she is so adorable and lovely I cherish most every minute with her.) I guess what i'm clumsily trying to say is that it's kind of multitasking, but where I am totally focused on both her and the crochet.
So this is quite a rambly post here, and i'm not quite sure what I'm trying to say. I think I started thinking about the zen component of crochet, when I recently had some extended sick leave from work. At the beginning of my leave, I was quite positive and focused that looking on the bright side of my extended leave would mean that I would be able to do lots of crochet, as I often feel I cant fit everything in. And I know I'm not Robinson Crusoe there either!
However the strange thing was, once I had all the time in the world, I just could not pick up a crochet hook. I made maybe three things in the whole four months I was off work!
It really made me think about why that was, which is how I came to write this post.
I think that when I had lots of time, was unwell, and a teensy bit stressed, I perhaps did not want so much to be "in the moment". I wanted more of an escape from where I was. And by sitting and crocheting, I would be forced to think and ruminate. Which I clearly did not want to do so much at that time.
So this post is not really earth shattering, but I just thought it was quite interesting to chart how for me, crochet is a really useful tool for me to be still, to think, and to appreciate.
And that maybe, for me, when I find I'm not in the mood to crochet, I should probably look a bit deeper as to why, and think about what I might be avoiding.
Or it might just mean I'm not in the mood. And that I think too much :-)
What does crochet/ knitting/whatever mean to you?
Clearly many people far more qualified than I can give you an explanation on what zen is, but for me zen is being in the moment, noticing, and appreciating that moment.
So how do crochet and zen connect?
For me, when I crochet, it's generally a time of relaxation, and focus. It can be almost a meditative state at times when I crochet.
I don't use patterns when I crochet, I just kind of look at something and try and work out how to make it myself.
I like not reading patterns, as it totally frees up my mind to the calming monotony of crochet.
Not reading or following patterns also means I do lots and lots of frogging when something goes wrong!
And that I make lots of simple things like blankets, scarves, and these cushions, which were made from using one of those sharp hooks to crochet a tea towel into a cushion cover.
But one of the things I love about crochet, is how it makes me appreciate the moment I am in. I will often sit with my youngest whilst she plays in her room, and crochet and chat with her. She will often ask me to play a game with her, where she is the princess, and I am the queen who sits and crochets. Makes game playing quite easy when that happens! It also makes me more amenable to spending more time one on one with her. (Not that I need assistance really for that, as she is so adorable and lovely I cherish most every minute with her.) I guess what i'm clumsily trying to say is that it's kind of multitasking, but where I am totally focused on both her and the crochet.
So this is quite a rambly post here, and i'm not quite sure what I'm trying to say. I think I started thinking about the zen component of crochet, when I recently had some extended sick leave from work. At the beginning of my leave, I was quite positive and focused that looking on the bright side of my extended leave would mean that I would be able to do lots of crochet, as I often feel I cant fit everything in. And I know I'm not Robinson Crusoe there either!
However the strange thing was, once I had all the time in the world, I just could not pick up a crochet hook. I made maybe three things in the whole four months I was off work!
It really made me think about why that was, which is how I came to write this post.
I think that when I had lots of time, was unwell, and a teensy bit stressed, I perhaps did not want so much to be "in the moment". I wanted more of an escape from where I was. And by sitting and crocheting, I would be forced to think and ruminate. Which I clearly did not want to do so much at that time.
So this post is not really earth shattering, but I just thought it was quite interesting to chart how for me, crochet is a really useful tool for me to be still, to think, and to appreciate.
And that maybe, for me, when I find I'm not in the mood to crochet, I should probably look a bit deeper as to why, and think about what I might be avoiding.
Or it might just mean I'm not in the mood. And that I think too much :-)
What does crochet/ knitting/whatever mean to you?
Wednesday 29 August 2012
Oh Hi!
It's been a while, and I have been sent to the naughty corner by myself for being a bad bad blogger. But you know, sometimes life gets in the way of blogging....
Anyhoo, todays post is all about getting back to the roots of the name of this blog, and being grateful.
Today I am super grateful that I was lucky enough to win this adorably awesome toadstool from the lovely Lori at Hippywitch crafts. It is just beautiful, and I feel very lucky to have received such a fabulous prize. Thanks so much Lori!!
Also, I am very sorry for any lack of commenting, I have been reading all your lovely blogs, but it has generally been very late at night, and from my phone, which is super tricky to comment with.
In the meantime, I hope you are all well and happy and enjoying life
Take care
xx
Wednesday 25 July 2012
and it was all yellow....
So this week I got some new yellow clogs, which I totally adore. I thought that to celebrate them, I would do a yellow post.
Yellow is one of my favourite colours. My bedroom is done in a bright cheery yellow, and I love waking and looking at the bright happiness each morning.
We went to the markets on the weekend, and got a lovely bunch of gerbria's, hand chosen by the smallest one. She loves flowers. And yellow. Yellow is actually her favourite colour, mainly because its the colour of the dress worn by Belle, her favourite Disney Princess, who she is a mite obsessed with.
And here are the clogs. They are made in Sweden, which I am loving, due to my current obsession with Swedish crime fiction.
I can now imagine I am a Swedish crimefighter, clad in awesome yellow clogs. Or something like that.
With winter slowly coming to an end around these parts, we have the wattle coming out, in all its yellow glory.
Sorry about the photo sizing here. I'm experiencing the exceeding my storage limit issue on Picasa at the moment, and have spent ages deleting a few photos to try and do this post. Somehow whilst doing this, I have stuffed up the sizing..... and I just can't be bothered changing them right now.
Because I'm lazy.
So I hope you are all having a lovely lovely week, full of things that make you happy, whatever they are, whether they are yellow or not.
Take care
Sunday 15 July 2012
Blanket Ta-Dah, a Half Marathon, and some penguins and polar bears
Hello there. Today's post title makes me think of being in an episode of Lost. Hopefully, this post will not be as convoluted as a Lost storyline. (I actually loved Lost!!)
I have a lot to fit in, due to my fairly sporadic recent posting.
So, to begin....
Also I misjudged the amount of yarn needed, and was just too lazy to go and buy more. So instead of fitting a queen size bed, it's more of a single bed size........
Unfortunately, the happy day when I finished this bad boy, was overcast and rainy, so I only got a few shots of it in all its finished glory.
Here it is in its home on the lounge
Luckily before finishing the blanket, we went away for the night, and stayed in a beautiful Treehouse with an ocean view on my favourite mountain. Obviously, I took the blanket, and took heaps of photos of it in its almost finished state.
It is possible that I may have gotten carried away with "styling" the blanket., and may have thought I was a participant on Project Crochet Runway or the like.
Anyway, as you can see, I took ridiculous amounts of photos. The good news is that it encouraged me to try the collage on picmonkey for the first time, which is pretty easy to use.
On to the polar bears and penguins component of the post.... we took the shortest one to Seaworld this week, where all of us were captured by these guys in particular.
They were ridiculously adorable. they just promenaded up and down, back and forth, looking through the glass. So crazily cute!!
And this guy,........... loved his work.
On to the half marathon. I did it!!! It was great, I was fairly sore afterwards.
Thanks to all of you for the support and kind words.
I always find it inspirational reading about people's exercise, and it often motivates me to lace up and go out, so I thought I would tell you what I find useful, and good about running.
1. It's really really easy to do, requires no equipment, just shoes
2. It's awesome, and addictive
3. It teaches you patience and resilience.
4. It's really fun.
5. It's alone time, or thinking time
6. It's great for weight loss/maintenance. Which is great, as I love eating!!!
The things that I have found useful in getting back in to running have been- reading lots of running books to motivate me, and having a great playlist to listen to.
I cannot overestimate the impact for me of listening to great music while I run.
Everyone has their own musical tastes, but for some reason, my favourite music to run to, that gets me ridiculously motivated, and always, always lifts my steps, is nineties hip hop. Yes, my spotify running playlist includes such awesomely fabulous classics as "Bust a Move" "Baby got Back" and far too many Salt n Pepa songs.
They have fantastic beats to run too, and often make me laugh whilst running. Just because.
Anyway, I will leave you with this shot, and hope that you are all relaxing like this guy, whatever the weather is like where you are.
Take care of yourselves
xxx
Wednesday 20 June 2012
A bit of this and a bit of that
Hello! How's things? I hope you're all well, and happy.
I thought I would start this post with some flowers, the above ones I saw on a recent run, and the below ones were sent to me.
This week, the youngest daughter and I have been having fun. We went on this.....
and looked out and saw this.....
walked along here.....
and manouevered our way around this giant sticky maze. It was a giant maze, made of sticky tape, and you were given strips of paper as you entered, to add to the maze.
This was part of the Out Of the Box festival in our town. It's a massive under eights festival, with fabulous performances, and so much great stuff to do. I have no idea who the random child in the below picture is, but he seems to be enjoying the maze. Unfortunately I cant tell you if he made it through or not....fingers crossed he did :-)
We also went to a dinosaur petting zoo, which had fabulous huge, frighteningly realistic puppets. I mean, really realistic puppets, they were amazing!!!! We also saw a couple of amazing performances, The race for the Chinese Zodiac, and Me and My Shadow, both of which were based on books.
I've been doing a bit of running lately, and have decided to enter in a half marathon in a week and a half. I used to run regularly, but have had about a seven year break from it. I have really been enjoying getting back into it. The above photo was from one of my longer runs. I like taking photos along the way, as it gives me a chance to stop and catch my breath.
On the making and reading front, I am linking in as always with Ginny AND Tami . I'm reading The Snowman, by Jo Nesbo, and really enjoying it. I have become quite fond of the Scandinavian thriller genre lately.
I'm not sure what it is that I'm making here.
I started thinking it was going to be a cushion cover that I was going to try felting, but I had totally misjudged the amount of yarn I had for this, and the length of the cushion. So it's been a success in terms of felting, although I think it needs a couple more goes in the washing machine, but I have no idea what to do with it.
Any ideas will be gratefully welcomed.
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