Things I Love #57

First off, I apologise for the silence in these parts.  Between exam prep and bout prep, I found myself desperately short of time and energy but, now that both are done and dusted things can go back to normal!  Kind of!  Secondly, GUYS!!  I skated in my first bout last night and it was all kinds of amazing.  Seriously, I am so proud of myself and everyone involved!  Can't wait to see some of the photos and pics as they surface!  Now, onto things I found on the internet over the last two weeks:

Have you guys heard about SF BatKid?  It's my new favourite thing on the internet and completely restores my faith in humanity.

Another story with a similar effect?  This tortoise with a Lego prosthetic leg.

The Lessons of Comicbook Loss.  Such an interesting read.

Bee and Puppycat has been officially Kickstarted you guys.  Can't wait for more episodes!!

On the subject of Kickstarters, here is one of the super awesome kitten skeleton candle.  As it burns, it reveals a wire skeleton underneath.

Love, love Siamese Fighting Fish but sadly, I don't have a very good track record with fish so I'm just going to look at these amazing portraits instead.

Bad moods face off in this cute Oscar the Grouch vs Grumpy Cat video:

The Star Wars Furniture You've Been Looking For.  How did they know???

The Walking Dead version of Monopoly looks so super cool!

Your favourite movies as pictograms.  Love the one for Ghost!!

I love this collection of completely useless inventions by Italian artist Giuseppe Colarusso.  

Free, downloadable Star Wars Snowflake patterns are solving all my Christmas decorative needs.  Seriously, I am hanging these EVERYWHERE!

On the subject of Star Wars and Christmas, who wants to buy me a Star Wars Onesie??

Check out these literary tea blends conceptualised by Flora Chan.  I'd like The Great Gatsby and Moby Dick please.

Did you know that there is such a thing as an Owl Cafe in Japan?  Yet another reason to visit!

And lastly, look at these ADORABLE pictures of Fennec Foxes.  Can you imagine having one as a pet?  

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

Things I Love #56

So here we are, back in November.  This year really has gone by super fast and, with everything going on this month, it's going to be December and Christmas time before we even know it!!  Kind of hard to believe hey?

AMC officially confirms The Walking Dead for Season 5.  YAY!!!

Googly Eye Books is one of the best blogs I have ever laid eyes on.  No pun intended.

This Star Wars blooper reel is all kinds of awesome:

This Lego ring from FORMA Laboratories is all kinds of awesome.  I would put Yoda on mine. 

Just love these surreal floating eye sculptures by Sophie Ryder.

Real life reinterpretations of Studio Ghibli characters.  Totoro remains the cutest character EVER!!

This super awesome hair clip is currently on it's way to me!!  Can't wait:

What Should I Read Next? is an awesome website that recommends your next read.  Love it!

Iconic movie posters by Drew Struzan...so many of my favourite movies here!

I don't particularly love this news but Bill Willingham has announced that the Fables series will come to an end with issue 150...so sad...

Chubbs the pug has the best Halloween costumes.  That is all.

How to make me cook more:  buy me this skull pancake mold, this skull baking pan and this skull egg mold:

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Staying on the subject of skulls, how great is this skull DIY from A Beautiful Mess?

Hooray!!  There is a Bee and Puppycat comic coming our way!!

Church of the Jedi...super interesting read.

Have you seen The Simpsons Hobbit couch gag?  So awesome!!

I can't seem to translate this site but it has pictures of some of the quirkiest ceramic art you ever did see!

And finally, I am definitely attempting this galaxy necklace DIY from Oh The Lovely Things.  So simple and effective!

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:)

Things I Love #53

Believe it or not, this is the last Sunday in September.  That means my birthday is just short of two weeks away and Christmas is around the corner.  And I am not kidding about the Christmas part, I have already seen Christmas chocolates and decorations in the stores!!  Earlier and earlier every year!!  Anyway, here is what I loved this week:

Strawberries.  Tons and tons of strawberries:

How cute are these cats in sweaters?? Adorable.

Check out these 19 amazing photos of female riveters during World Wars II.

New Adventure Time comic unites your favourite weird princesses for a single quest.  With LSP, Skeleton Princess and Breakfast Princess, this sounds like a winner.

Want to see some of the outfits Finn has sported in Adventure Time?  Click here.

Jay Hynes has an awesome photo-series called Grandmas Rock.  It's super cool.

Overheard in New York is exactly what the name suggests: snippets of overheard conversations in New York.

Spencer Chamberlain from UnderOath has a new band called Sleepwave.  Very curious about this...

Oreo Peanut Butter sounds like the most amazing thing ever.

4 Rules to make Star Wars Great again - an animated open letter to JJ Abrams.

 

How awesome is this X-Wing and Millenium Falcon pencil skirt from Her Universe?  Must.  Have.

Society, Science, Survival:  Lessons from AMC's The Walking Dead.  This is a real course you can take.  Sign me up please!

Also, how The Walking Dead and Toy Story are the same.  This is crazy!

Eau De Toast because you wouldn't want to smell like toast?!?  Sadly it's limited edition and all gone...

30 Pieces of wisdom from Haruki Murakami books.

My Little Pony taxidermy custom made for you by Misfit Menagerie.

And lastly, I won my first ever internet giveaway recently and the prize was this super awesome print by Kim Longhurst:

Thanks again Kim, I love her so much!!

And that's all for this week.  If you've seen anything you love this week, let me know in the comments.

Fresh Meat: Week Four

So this week's Fresh Meat post is a little late.  I have had one of those weeks all week and by the time I got home yesterday all I wanted to do was sit on the couch and watch The Walking Dead. I am trying to catch up on Season 3 before Season 4 starts and each episode leaves me just a little more addicted.  I love that show...but back to the topic at hand.  This week I took a Berocca before I left work to go to varsity which meant that by the time I got to derby, I had a lot more energy than I usually do.  For those of you who don't know, on a Thursday I go from work to my two hour lecture and then all the way back to Hillcrest for practice.  It's all worth it but it makes for a very long day.  Anyway, the extra energy helped a lot because I wasn't nearly as pooped by the end of practice as I usually am!

My skates when they were still shiny and new...

After doing several warm-up laps around the track we practiced some more t-stops and plow stops.  There is no better motivation to stop before the line that the threat of crunches or jumping jacks in skates to make you want to stop!  Unfortunately I was slightly over cautious which earned me the same punishment as failing stop...oh well...at least it was crunches.

Next it was backwards skating which is much easier than it sounds.  We paired up and took turns pushing each other backwards and trusting our partners to stop us before the line.  The hardest part was keeping in a straight line but luckily we found a line on the floor to follow.

Thursday night was also the first night we skated in a proper pack.  We broke up into two teams of nine or ten and then skated slowly around the track as close to our team mates as possible...basically like a big blob.  When our coach called out touch, we had to be close enough to reach out and touch two people without moving.  When she called out touch again, we had to have moved around enough so that we could touch two different people.  It's one way to get to know the other skaters and resulted in a fair amount of laughter.  I must admit that our amoeba did super well...we kept together, kept our derby stance and managed to work out a system to move each other around.  It was an excellent exercise in team work.

We ended of the evening with more stopping practice and the surprising news that we had basically been examined that evening and that we had checked the first box in our fresh meat training....yay!  Next week we are starting some new skills and I am probably more excited than necessary:)

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 #42

Right now the internet is full of news of the upcoming San Diego Comic Con and, as per usual, the desire to be there myself is overwhelming.  It's definitely one of our long term goals to go.  We'll need a ton of cash though because I know I will want to buy ALL OF THE THINGS.  Daydreams aside, here's what I loved this week:

Malala Yousafzai is AMAZING.  Not only did she stand up to the Taliban and survive an assassination attempt but she's also addressed the UN on her 16th birthday.

Since I bought my piggy planter at the I Heart Market, I've been on the lookout for awesome animal DIYs.  Buzzfeed has a collection 14 that I'd really like to try starting with the Plastic Animal Taxidermy Plaques.

Also on Buzzfeed, 38 Signs You're a Basset Hound.  The puppies on this list are so adorable!!

Goodreads have put together an interesting infographic about the Psychology of Abandonment.

One of the biggest reasons I wish I was going to SDCC this year?  This amazing Wolverine Labbit!!

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I want everything in this awesome new The Walking Dead clothing line from Her Universe.

There is a new Ratchet and Clank coming!  Yay!

The Revolution will be Crowd-funded.  An interesting interview with Alan Moore from Salon.

The Secret Toy Society is possibly one of the coolest ideas I have seen in a long time.  Basically you make a toy and leave it somewhere for someone to find.  Just the idea makes me smile.

Neon Werewolf takes photos of everyday Wookies and they are just as awesome as they sound.

Have you seen these Star Wars inspired Mickey Mouse ears from Etsy?  I'd like the Boba Fett ones please.

Street Art Utopia put together this list of some of the year's best street art.  Blows my mind.

Look at this Totoro hat form Scotako Boutique on Etsy.  I need this in my life before Winter ends....

On the subject of Totoro, look at this adorable Pickachu/Totoro mashup I saw on Tumblr:

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The NeuroKnitting project turns brainwave activity into awesome knitted scarves.  Awesome.

Hello Kitty gets her first comic, launches fan-fiction contest.  In another SDCC exclusive, Sanrio is releasing a Hello Kitty comic called Hello Kitty Fashion Music Wonderland inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

I am in love with these Day of the Dead Nightmare Before Christmas Funko Pop toys.  They are available for pre-order and I am definitely going to try get my hands on Jack:

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Lastly, I am fairly sure I have the best parents ever.  Today they surprised me with a Kindle!  Yay!! Thanks guys, I love you both!!!

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

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 #40

Happy Father's day to my most awesome dad!!  And also to all the other fathers I know, hope you've all been spoilt rotten.   The first item on this weeks list is quite fitting...

Lego released a happy Star Wars Fathers day video and it just warms my heart:

On the subject of LEGO, check out these amazing pictures of Nathan Sawaya's Art of the Brick show.  Who ever said LEGO was for kids!

 I love Stan Lee but I am not so sure how much I'd like to smell like him.  What do you think about Stan Lee's signature fragrance?

Least Helpful rounds up all the most useless reviews on Amazon and presents them for our enjoyment. I got a few good laughs out of this one.

Textile artist Claire Moynihan creates the most amazing 3D embroidered insects and bugs.  My favourite is the snail.

Ever wanted to make bread rolls that look like xenomorph eggs?  Well now you can.  

Have I mentioned how much I am loving the Walking Dead?  Well I am and this Walking Dead debit card would be so super awesome:

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Jason sent me this Buzzfeed article with 12 scientific way that reading can improve your life.  Needless to say I am feeling pretty awesome about the amount of reading I am doing these days.

This Social Media Job Title Generator makes me laugh.  My favourite one so far has been Virality Cornholio.

I love this Iron Fist Spineless Blouse so very much.  That said, the word blouse really bugs me, it sounds terribly old fashioned...

This Instant Shakespeare Insult Kit is my new favourite thing!  If you cross me, prepare to be called an artless, beef-witted dewberry or a fobbing, fly-bitten fustilarian or....you get the picture.

Frank Iero from My Chemical Romance and Leathermouth has released a very rough solo track:

In other My Chem related news, The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys was released this week.  MTV Geek had an exclusive interview with Gerard Way to celebrate.

I don't really uses Twitter much but I enjoyed this article about 7 SA Twitter terms that need to go global.

This poster series featuring inspirational quotes from the DC universe is so cool.  I want to cover my walls with them!

Another poster series I'd love to have?  The Slothzilla series which "depict the tedious and nap-filled chaos created by the Slothzilla."  Need I say more?

This photo of a wedding party being chased by AT-ATs makes me smile.  It also makes me sad that we didn't think of that...oh well...

Some interesting thoughts on Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby.  I'm so sad that I didn't get around to seeing it before it went of circuit but, considering I was sceptical about the 3D maybe that's not such a bad thing?

This chair belongs in my life.  That is all.

Finally, Rolo's reaction to the smell of toast never fails to make me smile:

And that's all for this week.  Seen anything you love?  Let me know in the comments:)  

PS.  I am going to be taking a little break for the next week and a half.  My exam is on the 24th and I really need the extra revision time so I will be back to blogging next week Wednesday or thereabouts.