I Have Returned!

Lack of internet has meant a much longer break than I originally intended but I think it was for the best.  We are settled in our new place, I have a second roller derby bout under my belt and I am fast approaching the end of my second last semester as an Honours student.  2014 has been an interesting year so far, full of change and new things but ultimately good.  Here’s a few things that happened while I was away: 

The littlest Stinker died:  Poor little Rolo had been looking very geriatric since the beginning of the year and his little hamster heart threw in the towel on the 21^st of March.  It’s amazing how such small creatures have such huge personalities.  I miss his special brand of fluffy stupidity.

We moved house:  We moved on the 1^st of April to our shiny new flat.  Because the two flats were only about 2 to 3 kilometres apart, we decided that we would move ourselves.  Never again.  It was the most exhausting 3 days of my life and the next time we move, we are hiring people to do EVERYTHING.  Our new place is pretty amazing though.  We have a lot more space, beautiful parquet floors, tons of natural light and a balcony.  We also have two stunning ring-neck parrots that live in the roof outside our bedroom.  They hang out outside our lounge window all the time.

I got new skates:  These deserve a mention on their own because they are just so cool. 

I skated in my second bout:  In January I officially joined the Miss-Fits and this past weekend I skated in my first bout with them (and my second bout ever).  It was so much fun and I am pleased to report that we won!!  They are such an awesome group of people and I am super proud to call them my teams.

Team picture courtesy of Knot Just Pics

I survived (so far) Critical Theory:  This semester I had to do a course that I had been dreading, Critical Theory.  It’s a pretty complicated course to start with and, to top it off, I realised I had no choice but to do my research project this semester.  Talk about intimidating.  So far I have managed to maintain my marks from last year which I am pleased with.  I still have to hand in the research project though so fingers crossed.

And that's that:) 

Things I Love #59

Happy December you guys.  Can't believe there are only 31 days left of 2013!!  Rolo the hamster got an early Christmas present this afternoon when I cleaned his cage which is why this picture is at the tops of this week's list:

I might have posted this before but how hilarious are these cats in tights??

Although if I had these super cute Totoro tights I would not put them on my cat (if I had a cat).

There are rumours circulating that Joseph Gordon-Levitt will star in a Sandman adaptation and Norman Reedus will make an appearance in The Crow.

Duncan Shotton's Rainbow Pencils leave beautiful paper rainbows when you sharpen them.  Such a pretty idea...

5 Rules For Being a Grown-up is about how the "real requirements of life don't require genius, just lots of practice."

3 previously unpublished J.D. Salinger stories have been leaked online.

I am busy reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and its making me want to learn to pick locks.  I think I need these lock pick earrings to get me started.

How cute is this Winnie the Pooh Oh Bother supercut from Disney?  Still one of my very favourite characters:

The 30 Greatest Comic Book Moments of 2013.  I haven't read all of these but I think the exchange between Harley Quinn and the Green Arrow is my favourite.  And the puppy bomb.  

Check out this awesome collection of the Christmas sweaters worn by the inhabitants of Ooo.  

I just love this Skeletal Beauty photo series by Pauline Darley.  Someone come and do my makeup like this please!!

Fernando Reza has created a set of retro travel posters featuring mythical beasts.  Check out Series One as well.

Make boring meals more fun with Manga Plates!!!  Seriously wishing for all of these....

Looooooove this Skull Armchair by French designer Harold Sangouard:  

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The Moment After the Show is a pretty awesome collection of pictures of musicians right after they leave the stage.  Check out the book here.

10 Star Wars Episode VII Fan Posters that are really, really great.  Cautiously optimistic about the new movies...

And finally, I am loving Uetsuji Shotaro's dream-like visions of alien encounters and ghostly visitations.

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

Currently...The Almost 30 Edition

Three more sleeps until I am thirty!!  What better time to do a currently post so one day when I am old and grey I can look back at what I was thinking/doing at the end of my twenties.  Or not.  I am feeling a bit over-dramatic this evening.  Anyway, here's what I am reading, watching and thinking about, plus some photos from the past year...

Reading:  Fables, Fables and more Fables.  I have mentioned before how much I love the Fables series and my awesome friend Clare hooked me up with a huge big pile to catch up on.  I never could've expected a series filled with story book characters to be so compelling and human.  This series has had me in tears, in suspense and laughing out loud.  I've also just read two South African novels for varsity: And They Didn't Die which is set right here in KZN and A Man Who Is Not A Man.  Both are such good reads and if you don't mind slightly uncomfortable subject matter then they are highly recommended!

Listening to:  The National.  A lot.  The other day I sat down and made a playlist of all my favourite songs and I have had it one repeat since then.  So often this band fits my mood perfectly.  Sometimes it even seems to fit the weather perfectly.  Most of my playlist is made up of songs from High Violet and Trouble Will Find Me which is weird because I very ambivalent towards Trouble not too long ago...

Thinking about:  Where I am right now and how lucky I am.  Sometimes I am tempted to compare where I am in my life with where other people are.  Especially people who are the same age as me and drive a better car, go on fancy holidays or just generally appear to be living it up.  Appearances can be deceiving though and I am making a real effort to stop that whole thing.  I am really lucky to be where I am right now.  I have a good job, an amazing husband, friends and family who love and support me and hobbies that make me happy.  What more could I ask for?  Except for a pug of course;)

Enjoying:  Roller Derby!!  I think this has been my staple answer for this part of the Currently posts for the last few months.  It still amazes me that I am finding so much joy in a contact, team sport!!  I even bought a mouth guard the other day...who would've thought?!? One unexpected bonus of roller derby has been meeting so many awesome new people.  Honestly, the girls that I train with are so much fun, so friendly and so welcoming.  Durban's first bout is taking place on the 16th of November and I am so super proud to announce to you guys that I will be skating!!!  Eeek!!  More details as they become available...

Watching:  The Walking Dead/Deadliest Catch.  Honestly, between derby, studying and French lessons I am not watching too much TV.  That said, I ALWAYS have time for these two shows.  Every time I think that The Walking Dead can't upset me more, it does.  So often when the credit's roll I have tears brimming or my jaw is dropped.  The season 4 premier is on Monday in this part of the world and I cannot wait.  Deadliest Catch is so ridiculously good this season...so much drama on so many of the boats and from the previews, so much more to come!!

Loving:  Orange flavoured Aeros, the fact that tomorrow is technically my Friday, birthday present anticipation (I am like a small child about birthday presents), quirky new jewelry, Ghostbusters, the Stinker's cage antics, warmer days and just generally feeling a little more comfortable with myself.

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

Currently...

New Dragon Ball Z shirt/Stinker/Shiny New Skates

I have returned!  Granted it's a few days later than I planned but still, I have returned!  I can’t tell you what a relief it is to have my exam out of the way.  I am one of those people that completely inflate situations in my head and I’d worked myself into such a panic on exam day, only to find that I had nothing to worry about in the slightest!  Go figure!!  Anyway, I thought a Currently post would be a nice way to catch up so here we go:

Reading: Right now I am in between three different things.  First of all, I am halfway through Moby Dick which I am finding so, so tough.  I am just way too tired at night right now to make much more progress which is why I am also reading The Buddha of Suburbia.  This was one of the first books I read for last semester’s course and I read it so quickly I hardly got a chance to absorb it.  It’s a funny and easy read which makes it a perfect alternate to Moby Dick.  Lastly, I've been catching up on the happenings of the Marvel universe.  Fun times:)

Listening to: Today I am trying the new Editors album The Weight of Love on for size.  It’s got quite an eighties feel to it but so far I am enjoying it.  I will keep you posted.  I've also been listening to A LOT of The National and I've finally found a favourite song on the new album:

 

Thinking about:  How unpredictable life is - in the best possible and worst possible way.  I'm not really going to expand on that but, as cheesy as it sounds, make sure the people you love know it.  That is all.

Watching:  I am still kind of obsessed with The Walking Dead.  Seriously, I can’t get enough of this show.  I am on to season 2 now and every single episode just leaves me dying for more!   We’ve also started watching Happy Endings which is quite fun.

Looking forward to:  Trying out my new skates!  Yesterday I bought myself a shiny new pair of roller skates.  I am almost done with my six weeks of Fresh Meat training for roller derby and decided it was time to get my own pair.  They are pink and white and remind me of marshmallows (see above)!  I am hoping that having my own skates will help me get more steady on my feet.  It also makes it easier for me to practice.  I still need padding and a helmet though...

Loving: Raisin tumbles, my new Dragon Ball Z t-shirt, not having to study until the end of July, getting into a warm bed at night, fresh bread and playing my favourite songs over and over and over and....

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

Things I Love #33

Well, lets just jump straight into things I love this week...I just booked tickets to the Stars of the Russian Ballet at the Playhouse Opera Theatre in June.  I have missed them the last two times they were out here so I'm extra excited!!  Now, onto other internet (and real life) goodness from this week:

Check out the very awesome new Skeleton Labbits from Kidrobot and Frank Kozik.  I like the names the best - Somethings Under the Bed and Frightmare!

Here's a peek at The Great Gatsby soundtrack...I am curious to see how it fits with the aesthetic of the movie but it does look pretty good. 

And on the subject of Gatsby, here are 6 reasons the movie needs to be amazing!

My pug obsession is reaching new heights!  Here are 10 pugs who look like things and 20 pugs dressed like Darth Vader and Yoda!

This photo series of a 12 year old boy with muscular dystrophy  living his dreams just warms my heart, Seriously.

At long last, they are making a Ratchet and Klank movie AND they are using the voice artists from the game!

Rolo got a new home today because he pee'd his old home to death.  Seriously, he pee'd in his wheel so much that the plastic got brittle and broke.  Nice one rodent!



And on a related note, why can't I write THESE user manuals for a living???

I just love this Qwerty Sofa from ZO_loft.  Not sure how comfortable it'd be though...

Here are 14 Old Words That Should Still Be Used Today.  My favourite is Gubbins!

Throne of Games is a collection of video game toilets.  Sometimes I think people have too much time on their hands...

Check out Thomas Lamadieu's awesome Sky Art photos.  Such a unique idea!

Daniel Picard uses collectible toys to take these super cool photos.  My favourite is number four.

And finally, these 1940's mugshots of Joker, Mr Freeze, Two-face and the Penguin are outstanding.

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

Currently...

A new coaster for my desk, gratuitous hamster photo, Saturday morning reading

Watching:  Right now I am rather obsessed with Pawn Stars and Storage Wars on the History Channel.  I never really paid much attention to them but when Jason and I were off sick two weeks ago, we got totally sucked in.  Out of the two I think I prefer Pawn Stars.  I can’t believe all the random things people bring in to sell!!

Thinking About:  Being an adult and doing adulty things. Every now and again I get the feeling that I am a small person playing at being an adult.  I look at the things I do every day, the things happening around me and my increased responsibility at work and find myself thinking “How am I old enough for this??”  Other days, I get on with my job, sorting out my life and being married without it even crossing my mind.  Does this ever happen to anyone else?  

Reading:  Life, The Universe and Everything.  One of the books on my 10 Books List for 2013 is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.  My friend was kind enough to lend me her boxset so I thought I’d tackle all of them.  While I loved Hitchhiker's, I am finding the rest a little hard to get through.  I am also reading Blog Inc which I have heard so many good things about.  I am still in the early stages (setting up your blog etc) but I will keep you posted.

Celebrating:  The fact that I have been accepted to do my Honours in English.  Hooray!!  I can’t even explain how excited/nervous I am about this.  I know that I can do it and I am excited about being forced to think in a different way but I am also a little socially awkward and meeting new people always makes me nervous.

Making Me Happy:  Pictures of bunnies and sad pugs on the internet.  I’ve said it before but if the internet’s sole purpose was the dissemination of cute animal pictures, I would be okay with that.  Also making me happy?  Playing Ratchet & Klank again from the very beginning, my terrarium, marshmallow Easter eggs, watching The Avengers AGAIN and the idea of buying cute stationary for varsity.  

These currently posts are inspired by the ones over at Sometimes Sweet.  You can check out the most recent one here:)

New Things...

So one thing I can say about 2012  is that it's been a year full of new things - some of them good, some of them not so good.  I thought I'd share a few of those new things here:

1) I blogged.  For a whole year.  This is a pretty big thing for me because, as I have mentioned before, I've always been very nervous about writing for any kind of audience.  I took part in 30 Days of Lists, I was Geek of the Week on Chocolate & Cream Cake, I started my own feature and I even managed to finish the 5 Books I set for myself.  I am full of ideas for 2013 and I am going to use my mini break to really plot them out.  Stay tuned!

2) I joined a gym!!  This is another huge one for me.  I never played team sports and, aside from swimming, have a well documented disdain for public exercise.  However, after failing at early morning yoga and breaking my stepper, I was left with no choice but to join Curves!  I can honestly say that it was a great experience.  The branch I go to are super friendly and there is zero pressure to look great at gym.  It's basically perfect for me.

3) I crashed the car...

4) And we bought a new one.  Yup, that was my first accident in almost 8 years of driving.  As bummed as I was to part with the old car, it was just the motivation we needed to upgrade to a bigger, more powerful car.  It's also pretty much the best colour ever!

5) I studied.  For the first time since varsity, I applied my mind and learnt a new skill namely Conceptual Writing for Brands.  I learnt a lot, met some cool people and got great feedback on my writing abilities.

6) I got a hamster!!  After years of mice, I switched to a different variety of rodent and I can honestly say that Rolo is an awesome dog substitute.  He is so small but has so much character even though he can be a little savage!!

7) I made a Totoro plushie.  Using a pattern I found online, I managed to make a passable version of Totoro!!  He turned out quite well, even if I do say so myself.  I hadn't sewed for years and I forgot how cool it is too make something from scratch like that.  I am planning a Domo and a Pikachu in the very near future.

8) I visited a new province.  In July my mom, dad and I took a roadtrip to Mpumalanga, place of poorly marked roads, tons of sugar cane  and cute pups.  It was great fun travelling with my folks, visiting with my cousins and seeing a new part of South Africa.

8) I discovered Wakaberry.  Oh how I love frozen yoghurt!!  That is all.

9) I finally went up the stadium.  If you ask me, Moses Mabidha stadium is on of the coolest things to come from the 2010 Soccer World Cup.  I love it so much.  In February, my friend Sam and I took the Sky Car trip to the top.  Highly recommended!

And that's just a small sample of what I got up too.  In 2013 I am going to be a Maid of Honour for the first time, I have another tattoo lined up, Rise Against are coming, I'll have a junior technical writer assisting me at work and I am hoping to work up the nerve to try Roller Derby.  Plus I'll be 30!!  On paper it's looking like a good year already!

Rolo, Rolo and Some More Rolo...

**Every week this month, I am going to attempt to post some kind of review/recap of this year, starting with Rolo because who doesn't need some extra cuteness in their lives??

All my life I've had pets.  Big ones, small ones, giant ones.  I grew up with a Great Dane called Kelly who tripped my dad, broke his boat and watched my food for me while I toddled around.  I had a cat called Tiger who was bad tempered beyond belief and only loved you on his terms.  I've had goldfish and hamsters that I thought were girls and who turned out to be boys.  I had three amazing dogs who put up with me styling their hair, crying into their fur and trying to coax them into the pool to swim with me...I still miss them!  I've had birds called Woodstock and Murphy and Tidbit who all ended up flying away somehow or another.  Most recently, I have had rodents - Sullivan and Stinky the mice and now Rolo the hamster.  It's amazing how much personality such a small little creature can have.  He is a toast addict who begs for food so often you'd think we never feed him.  He rolls over all the time, falls off his slide and likes to keep toilet paper in his food pouches for reasons I will never understand.  He is my substitute dog and in January he will be a year old.  Every time I swear not to get another pet because of the heartbreak of losing them, I remember the difference it makes to have another little life in the house and I get sucked in all over again:)  Anyway, enough with the rambling, here are some pics of Rolo from this year:

In the beginning..

In the toilet roll...

Munching...

Begging...

Snoozing...

And that is pretty much how he spends his day!  The luck of some!!

Rolo Cuteness

I must be totally honest, I am a bit short on blogging ideas this week.  In the absence of something more interesting, here are some really cute pictures of Rolo.  Enjoy:)

Things I Love #7

The last few weeks have been rather strange.  I've been feeling a bit out of sorts and not quite like myself. Luckily that hasn't stopped me from finding cool things on the internet!  In all seriousness though, I am hoping that this week everything will be back to normal and I'll find the time and the motivation to write the blog posts swimming in my head.  In the meantime, here is Things I Love #7 to tide you over:

Totoro Nail Art.  I wish I had the time and patience to paint my nails like this!

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Woolworths Vanilla Chai Tea.  I have a box of this at work and I have been drinking it daily.  Sometimes twice a day.  It has cinammon, vanilla and cardamon in it.  Yum!

Jaws Vs Jaws.  This print is awesome!  I'd love to have it in our flat.

Classic Literary Novels starring you.  This company adds your name to classic stories for a small fee.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly tempted to do this.

Even the birds love our new car!  Seriously, it's shaped like a heart.  Also, this is bound to be the strangest picture on this blog.

Laser Cut Sushi.  Looks too cool to eat though...

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The Cactus Couch.  We have been looking everywhere for a new couch that will actually fit into our flat.  Pity we cant get this one.

The Bella Morte Collection from this Esty store.  So many cameos!  My favourite is the anatomical heart!

Rolo eating toast.  I suspect this is why he is getting so fat!

We have seen the Avengers twice in the last week once in 2D and once in 3D.  Needless to say we loved it just as much the second time round.

And staying on the subject, here is some awesome Avengers inspired eye make-up.

And my new Avengers Assemble sweatshirt from the little boys section in Mr Price.

Here are 33 animals who are very disappointed in you.  And another 25 ones who are feeling a bit existential.  I swear if the internets sole purpose was photos of cute animals I would be okay with that!

We've recently started watching Heroes again from the beginning.  It's still awesome!

I would like this Tokidoki chair please.

This article about Facebook and this article about handwriting were pretty interesting.

Comic book inspired fashion anyone?  I've seen something similar for Spongebob as well but I couldn't find the link.

I really hope that the animated version of Axe Cop will be as cool as the comic.

Yesterday we went shopping for Lego of all things.  Needless to day I spent most of the time drooling over the Star Wars collection and playing with the Avengers merchandise...

These sculptures are pretty amazing.

I would LOVE one of these ninja watches.

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Adventure Time t-shirts.  So cool!

And finally, my mom has a cute new kitten who needs a name!  Go check out his pics and leave a suggestion:)

Prepare for Cute

For the last few months I have been in constant debate – hamster vs mouse.  My last two pets have been mice.  Sullivan was awesome and friendly and feisty.  Stinky was also awesome but also a little shy and mentally imbalanced…poor little guy.

Sullivan (left) and Stinky (right)

Anyway, last week I decided:  Russian Dwarf Hamster.  So, on Sunday morning Jason and I headed out on a pet shopping mission and came home with a fuzzy bundle (or rather ventilated cake box) of joy.  So without further ado, meet Rolo:

We named him Rolo (like the sweet) because he keeps rolling over…and sometimes falling over!  Clumsy, just like his owner:)  His cage is pretty awesome too.  It has a detachable exercise ball, a run tracker, a seesaw and a slide!

 I am really glad to have another pet.  Life without a fuzzy friend is just not the same.