Watching French Films & Practising Cool Detachment

Perhaps you have noticed that I have been a little quiet lately. I haven't been blogging as much, and I've missed sending out the odd newsletter or two! In the past I would have worried excessively about such things. But not so much now these days. Lately I have felt like pulling back a little from all the mad rush of the last few years. I never really gave myself much of a break and I think I really needed a little time out. At times it felt like there wasn't anytime to draw breath and just be quiet and reflective.

Now I am giving myself that time, and it feels pretty good. I'm just living my life. Sometimes that just means watching French films, rearranging furniture, and having a drink with my friends on a Sunday afternoon. This doesn't mean that I feel any less ambitious than I have in the past. Believe me I do have some exciting design plans underway. But I am generally a little more patient about all of this. I feel like I am over the 'nothing amazing is happening to me RIGHT NOW so I better make something amazing happen!' panic, that used to be my mantra.

I always wanted a metallic green Vespa, but this metallic pink Vespa is so much better! Snap taken on a recent day trip with my friend to the Gold Coast.

Who's A Media Star Now?!!

Every time I talk to my mother she asks me, "Are you in any magazines at the moment?","When are you going to be on TV?", "Have you done any interviews this week?" or "Any more books?" On the odd occasion (!) when I have nothing much to report she sounds so disappointed. I think she is getting a bit too use to it.

After asking me all the usual questions again last week she had some news of her own to tell. Apparently her friend (also a former Tupperware Lady) was reading the local newspaper when she saw a photo of my mum. It was in an article about Tupperware. They had dug up an old SMH image of her, obviously kept of file somewhere. How funny!

pictured above - article with photo of my mum selling Tupperware at a home party about two decades ago. She is the one in black & white.

Blog Comment Censorship

A recent incident on a friend's blog led me to think about the issue of blog comment censorship. I think this is something that all of us bloggers we will have to face from time to time. Especially if we have strong opinions. It would be lovely to think that everybody loves us and nobody has a negative thought against us ever, and at least if they do they have the good manners to keep it to themselves! Well dream on.

I guess there are really two issues here. The first is when someone makes a negative comment against you. The second is when someone makes a negative comment against someone else, and uses your blog as their soapbox. If this happens, what do you do?

I have had some experience with the first issue. During a controversial issue on my blog (copyright) there were some very strong opinions voiced on both sides. I knew that would happen and I expected some mud would be thrown at me, but I still had to say what I thought, and what my experience was. It was important to me. Sometimes you really just can't suck it up, and nor should you. Saying that, you should be prepared for a backlash, because bravery has its price. Anyway, I allowed negative comments against me to be kept up on my blog as I didn't feel that I had a right to delete them. I do think people can disagree with me, and at times do disagree with me. It also gave me the opportunity to respond. That is fair in my opinion.

The other issue is perhaps a little more complex. What do you do when someone says something against someone else? I haven't had this happen so far so I'm not sure what I would actually do. I guess I would have to look at the individual comment and then decide. Would it make a difference if I knew it was a truthful comment, or more than likely to be, (from my own experience) or not? Would it make a difference if the person chose to be anonymous, or not? I do think that if you are going to say something you should stand by it. Although, perhaps there are reasons that I am not aware of for not doing so. I'm still not sure exactly what I would do, but I do know that I don't like the idea of censoring anyone's opinions full stop.

Jack & John earrings - pictured above

Alannah Hill's Words of Wisdom

Sweetie-Pie Bec made a comment, in the self-portrait post, about me looking like Alannah Hill. No doubt it was because of all that (usually) red hair! Anyway I did rather like hearing it because I have been a BIG fan of Ms Hill's for quite some time.

During the inevitable Allanah-Hill-Google-search I found this quote from her that I really liked, and felt that I really needed to hear. I can totally relate to what she has said. It has been a funny few days for me, roller coaster days, and reading this helped put things into perspective. It was indeed nice to know that I am not alone.

Something tells me that the path to happiness is to believe – in a faith or a hobby. I used to have a big, empty hole inside myself and a little dream to be successful. I thought it would make me happy. And it has. I thought having a child would make me happy [Hill’s son, Edward, is four]. And it has.

But I’ve realised that all these goals and achievements also bring lots of new little holes. So the one thing that really stands out for me is to have kindness, love and understanding towards yourself. We can’t be happy all the time. We can’t be achieving and winning all the time. We have to have times when life feels like it’s closing in around us and that we’re all alone in the world. But we have to realise that everybody feels the same. And this is what makes us strong and able to cope.

It’s the little things that make the tough times bearable – a Tim Tam, a new pair of shoes, an invitation to a party, a cheeky smile from your child, the sun on your back. Look forward to the little things, be strong in yourself and when you feel like you’re falling apart, know that you’re not alone.

Article published March 2006

Sweet Project Runway

It is amazing I haven't mentioned Project Runway (season 4) until now. Maybe it is because I know who wins (damn E News)! I'm enjoying watching it regardless. I find the creativity so inspiring. This week's episode was extra special because the designers made outfits out of candy. More specifically, candy, candy wrappers and candy related products. Could it be a more perfect marriage? LOVED IT.

The winning outfit (pictured) was my favourite. I would so wear that (if I had that figure of course. But still...).

Self-Portrait Wednesday

I had to photograph myself today. It is not the first time I have done this, but this time it was a little different because the image was going to be published (magazine). Anyway, it ended up being a bit trickier than I had anticipated (perhaps because I'm not twenty anymore and looking decent now requires some effort). Frankly it was driving me a bit mad too. So I decided to give it a rest and have some fun instead! The results of my 'fun' are posted above and below. Now I must get back to some serious work...