Things I Love #66

So it's super early on a Sunday morning and it's been a good weekend.  That's all there really is to say.  Here's this week's list of internet goodness:

Glorious, glorious sloth t-shirts.  I want them all.

Speaking of t-shirts, will someone please organise a Bill Murray t-shirt for me?

Hyper-realistic drawings of owls by John Pusateri.

Pussy Riot members take tour to New York.

Neil Gaiman reads Green Eggs and Ham to the internet:

Adorable Guinea Pig Cosplay.

Vote for this super awesome X Mansion Lego set right now!  If it gets made, the Lego Death Star will have some serious competition for my affection.

Finland's frozen forests are both breathtaking and creepy.

Wear the stars with constellation earrings.

Learn to sneeze in 10 different languages.

A real Adventure Time card game and a digital one.  

Some photos from the Dirty Royal show on Friday night:

Eleanor Catton on Literature and Elitism.  Interesting read.

23 Signs you're an awkward individual.

Super, super cool Domo watch face from Modify watches.

Seen anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments:)

Things I Love #55

It's cold, miserable and wet this morning.  The perfect day for couches and food and doing nothing.  Here's some internet goodness to keep you company:

Ordinary Batman is one of my favourite new things on the internet!  Check out this awesome Buzzfeed collection and the artist's tumblr.

Dying to read Dave Eggers' new book The Circle!  Here's one reader's reaction that I found quite interesting.

Leland Bobbe's photo series Half Drag...A Different Kind of Beauty is really awesome.

A list of bus stops in Japan where Totoro actually shows up.  All on my list of places to visit when I eventually get to Japan...

On a related note, here are some pics of real Catbuses! So cool!!

10 Reasons It's Not That Bad To Be A Walker From The Walking Dead.  So glad to be finally caught up with show and to be able to watch the online reaction after each episode!!

I held a hedgehog on Thursday night.  So cute and so much spikier that I expected:

Wax Nostalgic is  a tumblr dedicated to wax crayon carvings of pop culture characters.  They are AMAZING!!

Ceramics melting like ice cream...so pretty.

Bee and Puppcat have a Kickstarter.  I don't know about you guys but I would love to see this turned into a series!!

Pretty rings on Etsy:  Han Solo in carbonite,  Boba Fett and Godzilla.

Check out these gorgeous photos of the Hindu Fesitval Holi.  

Look at this super unusual cactus/succulent my folks found for me.  Love the colours:

Joel Micah Harris has put together the most awesome collection of X-men Manatees.  I want them all!!

Neil Gaiman did a Sandman Q&A with Rolling Stone.  Yay!

And, you can read Haruki Murakami's new short story Samsa In Love on The New Yorker site.

Awesome, awesome customised Stromtrooper helmets.  I want them all!

Wired put together a collection of some really amazing Lego art.  It's pretty impressive what you can create with such a simple toy.

Seen anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments:)

Currently...

New Favourite Stockings/New Neil Gaiman/Essay Outlining

Reading:  I am about to start The Ocean At The End Of The Lane.  I got it about a week ago and I've put off starting it to catch up on varsity readings and finish my essay.  Talk about a test of my willpower!  I have read/heard so much about the book that I hope I haven't ruined it for myself.  I am also currently reading a lot of South African fiction.  The second half of my course is focused on post-colonial feminism and it's shaping up to be rather interesting.

Watching:  A new season of Deadliest Catch.  I honestly cannot say what draws me to this show.  I don't like fishing, you won't catch me dead on a boat but for some reason this show captivates me.  I love the human interactions, the danger and the way of life these guys lead which, as I type, I realise is exactly what draws me to this show.  So far there is already tension on The Northwestern, engine trouble on the Time Bandit and sneakiness aboard the Seabrooke!

Thinking About:  The concept of Othering and how we use it to make judgements on different people and, in extreme cases, justify our treatment of them.  It's come up in both of my courses this year and I'm starting to see it in action in my day to day life. For example, there is a lot of very justifiable anger at the truck driver that caused last week's accident.  He was irresponsible and shouldn't have been on that freeway at all.  His actions make it easy for us to assume that all truck drivers are irresponsible and treat them accordingly.  What that fails to realise though is that there are a) a lot of really good truck drivers out there, b) there is more to the problem than just irresponsibility and c) every single person who runs a red light or cuts someone off in traffic is as bad as that driver, the only difference is that they haven't caused an accident yet.  I don't know, I hate trucks with such a passion and banning them from using the M13 is a start but there are so many other factors to consider as well...

Listening To:  All of the Biffy Clyro.  I am so excited about the possibility of seeing these guys next year.  I am currently plotting the logistics and that sort of thing but I am sure we can make it work!

Enjoying:  Roller Derby!!  This might be a getting a bit old to hear about but it really is so much fun.  It's great exercise and an awesome way to meet new people.  It's so cool to learn new skills especially when they are things you'd never thought you'd be able to do.  I had zero confidence in my skating ability when I started and now I am skating backwards, in a pack and through obstacles with relative ease!  We have a Fresh Meat Bootcamp coming up at the end of the month and I am more than a little excited.

Loving:  The warmer weather, the opportunity to prove myself, coffee and fresh cinnamon buns, the fact that it's getting light earlier and earlier and that my essay is finally submitted.  Yay!

This post is inspired by the ones over at Sometimes Sweet.  You can check out the latest one here.

Things I Love #49

Happy Spring guys!!  I am so excited about the end of winter it's a little bit ridiculous.  I am excited for less layers, potential water world visits and the ability to wear the other half of my closet.  Also, it's my birthday in a month and eleven days...the big 3-oh.  Very excited to celebrate even if it is the end of a decade!  Now, on to this week's list:

Finally got my hands on The Ocean At The End Of The Lane...yay!

Funko are adding to their Adventure Time range with Fionna, Cake, Gunter, PB, Lemongrab and BMO.  I can't decide which ones I want more....leaning towards PB and BMO right now.

18 Ways Adventure Time is making you a better person.  I can think of more the 18 but this is a good start.

And my last Adventure Time link for this week, here are the show's 28 best guest voice actors.  Quite surprised by some of these!

I don't wear heels but these Star Wars heels make my heart happy.  The Pantone ones are pretty cool too.

Here's a photo of my favourite artist, Salvador Dali, skipping rope.  Love it!!

How amazing does this candy sushi look?  Super tempted to do this for my birthday party...

This is the best prank I have ever seen:

 

I love these retro Pokemon ads, especially the Jigglypuff one.

No, Pandas are not a hopeless and wasteful species.  Seriously, it bugs me that anyone could think this in the first place!

Pictures of cats in the sink.  I really have nothing to add to this.

28 Things that happened after the Harry Potter books ended.  A collection of all the bits and pieces JK Rowling has revealed over the years.  It always makes me smile that Neville ends up happy.

Gummi Storm Troopers.  This is such a cool idea and I can assure you that I will be purchasing a bag of gummi bears and adorning them with all our mini figs head gear.

I got to meet my friend Liz's new gerbils this week.  Their names are Mac and Cheese and they are the friendliest little dudes:

And lastly, Anna Grape's super awesome illustrations of different pug species.  I want them all!!

I am off to track down the band announcements for next year's Ramfest.  Considering they are bypassing Durban again despite a good response this year, I am secretly hoping the line-up sucks.  Or not...there's been rumour that Biffy Clyro are coming to our part of the world.  I'll forgive them if it's Biffy. 

Things I Love #44

Happy Sunday everyone!!  It's a little hard to believe that it's already the last Sunday in July.  That means winter is almost over and, more importantly, my birthday is just over 3 months away.  This is probably another post for another day but I'm really not all that stressed over the idea of 30.  In fact, I am kind of looking forward to it.  Maybe that'll change as we get closer to October who knows but right now, I'm okay with it.  Rambling aside, here is what I loved this week:

DIY Terrarium Necklace Tutorial.  I am determined to make this and wear my succulent obsession proudly (thanks Gerry for sharing this on Facebook).

Another friend on Facebook linked to this article about creepy dudes on Captain Awkward.  Seriously, this should be required reading for everyone.  Especially the comments that follow.  Its long, it's a little scary but it's also very enlightening...

On a lighter note, cats dressed as Hello Kitty.  Some of them are cute, some just look really, really grumpy.

I found this awesome sound effect necklace in the kiddies section at Diva:

A 102-year old ship got a new lease on life as a floating forest.   Slightly spooky but very cool.

Nicholas Cage as Disney Princesses.  These made me laugh so much! 

The Mary Sue put together a slideshow of awesome cosplay at Comic Con.  I love the Tetris hair ladies.

If I had this awesome cutting board, I might be more inclined to cook.  Or at least cut things that can be cooked.  

I just love this unicorn onesie.  I (probably) wouldn't wear it but still...

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Aki Inomata created amazing new shelters for hermit crabs.  Seriously, these are beautiful and the concept behind it is food for thought.  

Adevnture Time Mashups are my very favourite things.  Here's a Wolverine one (about halfway down the page) and another with The Walking Dead and Star Wars.

Neil Gaiman is going to release his first video game.  Can we say excited???

Olly Moss has done some awesome Studio Ghibli posters for Mondo and I want them all!!  

And finally, I went to an extra fresh meat practice at the stadium this morning and it was so much fun:

Seen anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments:)

Things I Love #43

Growing up I was completely anti team sports.  I rode horses and I swam and I was good at those things because it was just me.  I was just too shy to really interact with a team.  Today, I went to buy myself a helmet and skate padding to go with my shiny new skates because I think I have finally found a team sport that I could get into.  It's early days still but so far, I am loving being on skates and I am loving the idea of roller derby.  Now, moving on to other things I love:

Am I too old for a R2-D2 princess dress? Possibly but it's still very cool.

Look at this Lumpy Space Princess Tutu from We Love Fine.  I'd never wear it but it's still pretty to look at.

Also in Adventure Time, Is BMO a Third-Wave Feminist? Super interesting video about all the different things BMO means:

I just love these Macarbre Gadget Skull rings...I'll take one of each please!

If, like me, you were wishing you were at the San Diego Comic Con then check out the round ups on The Mary Sue for Day One, Day Two and Day Three.

Speak, Memory.  A very interesting read from The New York Review of Books about real vs invented memories.

14 Things You Didn't Know About Neil Gaiman.  I only knew one of these... 

I don't wear heels but these Batman Heels with Swarovski Crystals and Glitter from Etsy might just change my mind.

Now these I might be more inclined to wear, LEGO Building Brick Slippers from Think Geek:

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Henry Hargreaves has taken some interesting photos of what musicians order backstage.

This week there has been two awesome articles one on the NY Times and the other on Salon about creating characters. Definitely worth a read.

Something else worth a read is Jon Negroni's Pixar Theory.  I see some re-watching in my future...

I love this Cut Along the Dotted Line jewellery from Etsy seller lapinPetite.  Such a unique idea!

Periodic Tableware is a super awesome Kick Starter to create glassware based on the type of glass equipment used in labs.  Best part, its already fully funded.

A TED Talk that might turn every man who watches it into a feminist.  Worth the 20 mins it takes to watch.

And finally, here is an interesting article from the AV Club about The Art of Death in Superhero Comics.

See anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments:)  

Things I Love #36

So, tomorrow I have my last lecture of my first semester back at university!  Crazy right?  June is going to be full of essays and studying and exams so I am going to make the most of what's left of May!  In other news...I have no other news really so here's this weeks list:

Here's a rather old Time interview (2005!!) with Neil Gaiman and Joss Whedon.  What a great combination.

These Angelique Houtkamp necklaces are so, so beautiful!  I just wish they were more within my price range because then I would have this one, this one and this one.

Have you read Angeline Jolie's NY Times op-ed yet?  I totally support her choice and I think it's an incredibly brave move especially in light of what she does and what she represents.

I love this variant cover for Brain Woods' new X-Men series...just perfect!

The Mary Sue got an exclusive look at the covers for Adventure Time Candy Capers #2 and they are super cool!  They also got a sneak preview of Fionna and Cake #5.

And speaking of exclusive looks, Bleeding Cool have an AWESOME preview of the first issue of The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.

Dirty Royal played their first show at Live - The Venue last night and it was awesome.  They opened for Dance You're On Fire who were pretty great as well:



So you can take a look at F. Scott Fitzgerald'a ledger online and it's as awesome as it sounds.  From the site:

"F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Ledger is one of the richest primary source documents in existence for any literary author. Fitzgerald began recording information in this business ledger sometime in 1919 or 1920 after leaving the Army and moving to New York to begin his professional life as a writer."

Also, here are 16 things that F. Scott Fitzgerald doesn't want you to worry about.  Taken from a letter to his daughter.

How The Internet Destroyed the Middle Class.  A super interesting interview on Salon.  Lots to think about.

How awesome does a Cake Batter Martini sound?  Definitely need to try one of these!

This floating cloud couch is too cool for words.  It looks like the perfect spot for a nap.

Check out these fan made posters for Star Wars VIII.  I like the first one the most.

On the subject of Star Wars, who wants to make these Jabba the Hutt cookies for me?  I will make you coffee in return and we can have a Star Wars coffee party...or something...

Loving these Post-Punk/New Wave Super Friends by Butcher Billy.  Such a great combination!

Now you can type with cats courtesy of Nekofont.  Man I love the internet!

Seen anything you love this week?  Let me know in the comments:)

Happy New Year and Back To Work

Happy New Year guys!  I know it's late but better late than never right?  Sadly today is my last day of leave and tomorrow I have to put on work clothes and go back into my office.  The last day of leave is always rather bittersweet - you're motivated to get started with things and back into routines but on the other hand, the thought of early mornings, desk lunches and being indoors in this beautiful weather kind of just sucks.
Anyway, that is all beside the point because what I really wanted to share was this Neil Gaiman quote I found on tumblr the other day.  I think it sums up what I am hoping for this year pretty well:

“It’s a New Year and with it comes a fresh opportunity to shape our world. 
So this is my wish, a wish for me as much as it is a wish for you: in the world to come, let us be brave – let us walk into the dark without fear, and step into the unknown with smiles on our faces, even if we’re faking them. And whatever happens to us, whatever we make, whatever we learn, let us take joy in it. We can find joy in the world if it’s joy we’re looking for, we can take joy in the act of creation. So that is my wish for you, and for me. Bravery and joy.” 
- Neil Gaiman

Rather nice hey?  I have some goals and plans in mind for this year but they all really come down to me being brave enough because to be honest, I am a bit of a chicken.  And what better way to make the most of things than to look for joy where you can and when you can!!
What are you hoping for this year? 

Believe

So, I have kind of been taking a mini break from my blog.  I have lots of post ideas but nothing is really working right now.  I blame end of year rattiness/exhaustion.  I'll be back on Sunday with a list of things I love but in the meantime, here is my favourite part of American Gods:

“I can believe things that are true and things that aren't true and I can believe things where nobody knows if they're true or not. 

I can believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and the Beatles and Marilyn Monroe and Elvis and Mister Ed. Listen - I believe that people are perfectable, that knowledge is infinite, that the world is run by secret banking cartels and is visited by aliens on a regular basis, nice ones that look like wrinkled lemurs and bad ones who mutilate cattle and want our water and our women. 

I believe that the future sucks and I believe that the future rocks and I believe that one day White Buffalo Woman is going to come back and kick everyone's ass. I believe that all men are just overgrown boys with deep problems communicating and that the decline in good sex in America is coincident with the decline in drive-in movie theaters from state to state.

I believe that all politicians are unprincipled crooks and I still believe that they are better than the alternative. I believe that California is going to sink into the sea when the big one comes, while Florida is going to dissolve into madness and alligators and toxic waste.

I believe that antibacterial soap is destroying our resistance to dirt and disease so that one day we'll all be wiped out by the common cold like martians in War of the Worlds.

I believe that the greatest poets of the last century were Edith Sitwell and Don Marquis, that jade is dried dragon sperm, and that thousands of years ago in a former life I was a one-armed Siberian shaman.

I believe that mankind's destiny lies in the stars. I believe that candy really did taste better when I was a kid, that it's aerodynamically impossible for a bumble bee to fly, that light is a wave and a particle, that there's a cat in a box somewhere who's alive and dead at the same time (although if they don't ever open the box to feed it it'll eventually just be two different kinds of dead), and that there are stars in the universe billions of years older than the universe itself.

I believe in a personal god who cares about me and worries and oversees everything I do. I believe in an impersonal god who set the universe in motion and went off to hang with her girlfriends and doesn't even know that I'm alive. I believe in an empty and godless universe of causal chaos, background noise, and sheer blind luck.

I believe that anyone who says sex is overrated just hasn't done it properly. I believe that anyone who claims to know what's going on will lie about the little things too.

I believe in absolute honesty and sensible social lies. I believe in a woman's right to choose, a baby's right to live, that while all human life is sacred there's nothing wrong with the death penalty if you can trust the legal system implicitly, and that no one but a moron would ever trust the legal system.

I believe that life is a game, that life is a cruel joke, and that life is what happens when you're alive and that you might as well lie back and enjoy it.” 
― Neil Gaiman, American Gods