my first word was book

snow and the city

2009-02-02T01:50:00.000-08:00

It's like living in Mongolia! This is the view from my office window.

snow

2008-11-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Global warming huh?

A sneaky snap

2008-09-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

Another fashion spot in London on Saturday, this guy was in a band that was playing at the London Fields Broadway markets. He looks like an extra out of My Fair Lady - love it.

A sad day and a recap

2008-09-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

So my bike got nicked. That's the bad news - poor little commuter, probably flogged by some council flat dwelling, chav scum. All that was left in the Brick Lane side street we parked in was a sad, snipped bike lock in a gutter. Yes, that's right, I typed 'we' which means Sandy's bike got taken too. Bastards.

On a happier note, Sandy and I went on our driving tour of the emerald isle the other week and it was delightful, apart from insistent phone calls from the office in London, we had a lovely drunken, relaxing holiday. Some proof...

Notting Hill fashion

2008-08-25T11:07:00.001-07:00

Just got home from a bracing ride back from the Notting Hill carnival. Lots of fun, lots of cops, lots of people and a shit load of chicken carcasses.

I've been inspired over that last few weeks by the numerous street fashion websites over here, so many good pics of painfully cool and beautiful people, favourite is here So I thought I might give it a try and todays Notting Hill carnival was my first attempt.

First up, cool girls, cool headbands and loving the skirt on the girl on the right. Paperbaggery at it's best.

I saw these guys strutting up the street in their cool kid gang and had to get the camera out.

And I include a picture of myself standing beside a mountain of rubbish, not because I think I am some sort of fashionista, but I altered the dress I'm wearing yesterday from being a nanna-tastic mid calf monstrosity to being a mid thigh jewel toned party dress. Bit proud.

And last but not least, the coolest kids I saw all day. Winners.

Nemo

2008-08-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

So, I have been listening to my body recently and it has been telling me to eat fish. Just to fill you in on the back story I gave up eating red meat 15 years ago and fish and chicken about 13 years ago. This is a long time to not eat certain foods and really, after so long, this has become a part of my story, who I am, part of my identity. So, it's been a bit of an internal struggle to reconcile myself with losing a part of this identity.

But I decided that my body knows best and tonight Sandy (who was very excited, being a mad fish lover) cooked me a lovely meal of cod, home cooked chips and salad.

It was delicious and I am now, officially, an eater of fish. Sorry Nemo.

Book club

2008-08-12T03:28:00.000-07:00

In my recent quest to be a) more creative in my spare time b) meet new and interesting people and c) use my brain for more than ingesting the latest episode of Americas Next Top Model - I have joined a local book club. I am excited. We are meeting next month to discuss 'The End of Mr Y' - of course I have already devoured it and am chomping at the bit to discuss it with other people who have read it and I have to wait a whole month.

Herewith - my review.

Ariel Manto is a sexually adventurous (although some may say disturbed) part time university lecturer completing her thesis on thought experiments whilst debating, and failing to resist, her rather nasty affair with an older, married, professor. So far so sordid. But when her mentor disappears amidst rumours of a rare cursed book by Victorian author and spiritualist Thomas Lumas called The End of Mr Y things get infinitely more interesting and complicated.
Of course Ariel happens upon a copy of The End of Mr Y and her taste for self harm and destruction is aroused by the promise of being cursed by the small book. Things get dark and dangerous for Ariel, the book is rare for a reason and there are some sadistic opportunists who are willing to do awful things, to an awful lot of people, to get the book and the magic it contains.
Fantastic journeys of thought and matter, mouse gods, time travel, paradoxes and mind bending space/time geography ensue. And by the end you come back to the beginning (you'll have to read it see what I mean) and I felt as if my brain had been on boot camp. It's a rare book (geddit!?) like this that really makes you think, that makes you push yourself and your understanding of the world and your ideas about reality and perception.

I can't wait for the book club!

Rice pudding mishaps and jewelery

2008-08-09T05:40:00.000-07:00

What a busy week! Haven't kept up the blogging every day, really - who was I kidding?
Anyway here's a wrap up of the last week or so:

In the most hilarious moment of the week, Sandy was making a rice pudding - finishing it off with a delicious sprinkle of 'nutmeg' before realizing the 'nutmeg' was actually curry powder. I laughed until tears ran down my face as Sandy tried desperately to remove the curry powder and salvage his dessert. A good reason to label the jars that look pretty much the same with ingredients that, again, look very similar.

I decided last week to pull my finger out and actually make this necklace I had been thinking about for ages. So I dragged the parents and Sandy off to the Islington antique market to forage for some bits and pieces, all purchased for a tenner by the by. I sourced my chain from a bead supply store in Covent Garden and then set about trying to figure out how I wanted to pull it all together. I ended up as 3 necklaces instead of one but to be honest, I'm a bit chuffed about how they turned out. Can't wait to give them an outing.

My favourite photo

2008-07-26T10:20:00.001-07:00

On last weekend's excursion to Soho we found this sign on the front of someones door. Well at least that's clear then!

Memories

2008-07-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

I had a vivid dream the other night and an old friend of mine was in it. About 6 years ago, for about a year, we were really close. We hung out and ate winegums, listened to hip hop, ordered pancakes at Dennys at 4 in the morning and were generally on the same wavelength. Lots of time has passed now and we lost touch, I hadn't thought about him for ages but it's funny how the brain can throw memories up at you when you least expect it. It made me feel all sorts of nostalgic about that time in my life and also made me think about other friends I have let go to the forces of distance and changes in circumstance and time.

I guess it's one of those things that happens as you get older, you have the distance to look back and remember - and the knowledge that good memories are a great thing - but you can never go back.

Saturday and the City

2008-07-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

Coffee in Soho last weekend with our lovely friends.

Thoughts

2008-07-18T03:55:00.000-07:00

OK, so that didn't start off so well, but I got busy... and lazy, anyway - here goes.

In an effort to expand my internet experience (for work and play) outside of the Perez Hilton zone I am exploring blogs, video sites and general cool stuff online with renewed vigor.

First up is http://www.thethinkmovement.com a site that doesn't tell you what to think, but inquires and prods and leads you to a place where you have to (shock!) think for yourself.

Check it out.

Every day

2008-07-18T02:31:00.000-07:00

For the next month (barring odd days when I am away) I am going to try posting every day. It doesn't have to be life changing stuff, let's face it, what has been on this blog so far? But it's an exercise in discipline, of which I am sadly lacking!

P-A-R-T-Y

2008-07-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

For those of you whom I love scattered all around the world and not living in London, here's the early 90's video mash up invite I made for our housewarming party.

Sniff! I wish you could be there, rocking the Hypercolour T Shirts and busting out your best running man moves...

Going out to Miss Payne

2008-07-03T07:43:00.000-07:00

I am having a early 90's rap revival over here in London, also on the playlist...

and...

...you know Sandy and I are planning a housewarming soon, I sense a music theme emerging for the evening.

xxx

Lou makes the mix, Sandy takes the pics

2008-06-16T01:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a wee video I made from a series of pics Sandy took during the summer in Melbourne. Mojitos were the drink of the season and Sandy and Lou's in Greeves St was the place to have them.

...for my Kitty all the way on the other side of the world... Mongolia would be closer you realise?

The little garage sale that couldn't

2007-08-18T23:09:00.000-07:00

Look at that, that is a good looking garage sale, what went wrong....so much effort to art design the backyard to set up shop for the day and only $7 measly dollars in takings...disappointing really. It's a tough road for a small business. sniff.

Those tricky 8 things

2007-08-17T02:24:00.000-07:00

OK, so the lovely Emily has tagged me in this 8 things you don't know about me challenge...here we go...

1. I like to wear fake glasses. See picture below. I don't need them, I think I have pretty near perfect vision, but I like them as an accessory and maybe as a bit of a disguise, it's like playing dress ups!

2. I somehow still think I'm going to have a novel published one day. It's all there in my head with a few notes scribbled down on scraps of paper, I'll get round to it one day.

3. I'm a list writer. I love writing a list of things to do and the satisfaction of crossing things off.

4. I don't seem like the type but I sometimes imagine the day that Sandy and I will get married, including great detail about the dress, food, location and decoration. I imagine it to be a lucious garden party with tea lights, paper decorations in the trees, fat swathes of fabric draping overhead and Stevie Wonder on the stereo.

5. I love to sing. In the shower, in the car, while I wash the dishes, cooking dinner and scrubbing the bathroom. Favourites include Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson and Cat Power. I'm not bad, but I'm scared to sing in front of people (unless there's champagne and a karaoke system around) which is funny seeing as my parents are musicians.

6. My family's a bit mental. I was born on a commune, at Nimbin no less. I also have 9 brothers and sisters... count them - 9! In a gloriously disfunctional jumble of steps and halves.

7. Anyone who works with me will know this one and the furtive looks at this website all day long but here it is... I am obsessed with perezhilton.com. It's so bitchy and evil - I love it.

8. I'm a bit weird about certain noises, polystyrine rubbing together is just horrible but the worst is the sound of an airoplane toilet flushing - it's painful, I'm not sure what it is, regular flushes are fine, in any case I have to block my ears when I flush an aioplane toilet, call me weird but there it is.

And seeing as I am hugely unpopular in the world of blogging and know only Emily and Leslie this particular thread will have to die with me.

Lou

long weekends at home

2007-07-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

Since Sandy is working his little bum off out at the factory in preparation for his Furnitex exhibition I have had a homey weekend lounging around watching videos (Lost Boys, Some crappy Jennifer Garner movie and another movie where Antonio Banderas teaches inner city kids to change their lives through the power of ballroom dancing...)
many life lessons to be learnt in that one I can tell you!
Off to the Gold Coast this week for 2 nights for our work conference, lots of drinking, training and Sea World all mixed in together...should be fun!

Random Tomato Based Meal

2007-07-14T04:59:00.000-07:00

In an effort to expand my cooking repertoire I went online today to discover some new vege recipes to mix things up a bit. So here's my latest meal attempt.

Start with the slow roasted tomatoes

2 tomatoes sliced lengthways
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
soft brown sugar

Mix the oil vinegar and sugar together to taste (I prefer sweet myself!) spoon the mixture over the tomato halves in an oven tray. Place in an oven on low heat (about 100 degrees should do). They'll take about an hour and a half to two hours to cook, during this time keep applying the mixture as needed.

1 1/3 tbsp olive oil
1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped
1 can diced tomato
1 can chickpeas drained
3/4 cup feta
salt & pepper to taste

Heat the oil, stir in the onion and garlic and cook for 10 min til tender.
Mix in the tomatoes til heated through for 15 min.
Stir chickpeas and feta through and cook for another 5 min.

Serve with Couscous and the Slow Roasted Tomatoes.

Series Number 1: Good Videos I Find on the Internet Part 2

2007-07-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

Here is another just lovely and delightful video that was sent to me by a friend in far off North America (Hi Iowa!). Loving the Amelie-esque nature of the whole thing, the haircuts, the art direction and cute animations. Apparently directed by one of Tom Pettys kids... so there you go! Enjoy!

Series Number 1: Good Videos I Find on the Internet

2007-06-21T20:42:00.000-07:00

So here is the first in this series, I saw this video a few months ago now but it's so good, really great stop motion and an awesome song...

Curry-Tastic

2007-06-14T23:23:00.000-07:00

So seeing as I brazenly advertise in my blog header that I will post recipes and have not yet done so here is the recipe for a delightful veggie curry passed onto me by Sands sister Pennie.

1 onion
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp sesame kernels
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tsp red curry paste/powder
1 small tin coconut milk
1/2 cup veggie stock
4 cups of steamed veggies (I used pumpkin and beans, but you can use any really)

Fry the onion till browned and add the curry paste/powder, then add the brown sugar, honey and then the rest of the ingredients. Simmer for 20 min or so and voila! The easiest curry recipe ever. Serve with rice.

Rock...Robot Rock....

2007-06-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

Hometown boys done good. Flight of the Conchords are an NZ comedy duo who have made it huge in the States by getting a show on HBO. Thought I'd give them a plug, not that they need it now!

New York City Baby!

2007-06-13T19:32:00.001-07:00

After much talking about video projects and not so much on the presenting of said video projects, I present to you my newest video of my 3 wonderful days in NY.

pretty things

2006-11-30T01:50:00.000-08:00

Been a while since I've posted, but I have some pics to share of some of the beautiful things my boyfriend has been making. Clocks, tables and lightshades. Very clever.

Boy (singular)

2006-11-01T19:53:00.000-08:00

Realised that although the photo I posted of Sand and Oscar was cute you couldn't see his lovely face! So heres another one... just cause he's so freaking cute.

Boys

2006-10-30T21:36:00.000-08:00

On a nicer (and much cuter) note, just wanted to share a lovely pic of me boyfriend with his 1 year old nephew Oscar, the cutest little bean I know. I love him.

The Monster Mash

2006-10-30T16:10:00.000-08:00

It being Halloween this week, we went to a Zombie party on Saturday night with my most lovliest friend Courtney (girlfriend of Tongan adventurer Owen) who was down from Sydney for the weekend. Armed with our fake skin, fake blood and gory flesh wound accesories, much fun was had. We danced to many Michael Jackson songs, it was good. Here are some pics of the preparation and final zombie-tastic results.

Stupid internet fun

2006-10-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

hehe, this website is hilarious, create your own South Park character, here is me and sandy....hours of fun.

My friend Owen

2006-10-19T22:51:00.000-07:00

Hello there,

Just wanted to share a pic of my dear friend Owen, who has just moved to Tonga, looking very dashing in his ceremonial man skirt. Hi Owen!

Other things to report... are not much really, am re-igniting the work on my doco - which has taken a back seat in recent months, also gathering ideas and thought for a short story. Resolving to be a bit more creative rather than wasting my weeknights watching Australian Idol and drinking red wine. So tempting though.

Will try to post more often also for my overseas friends who are inevitably checking this every chance they get as I am so popular..... mmm yeah.

Lou

celebrate good times - come on!

2006-10-01T16:28:00.000-07:00

Such amazing news, Sandy, my lovely talented boyfriend, won the Fringe Furniture Competition here in Melbourne. Pretty big deal here and I am so so happy for him!

This is the piece that he won the competition with, a 4 panelled screen made from old wooden squash raquets. He's a keeper I tell you!

Photo-Madness

2006-09-14T23:26:00.000-07:00

A lovely lovely pic that my lovely lovely friend Leslie took of me in our lunchbreak. Not posting it because of my massive ego, but you know it's nice and my Mum will like to see it.... Hi Mum.

lou

Snap Shot City

2006-09-07T21:21:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Sandy and I were involved with Snap Shot City, a photo scavenger hunt that I talked about in my last post, and happily yesterday we were told we got shortlisted for 4 of our photos! The topics were "Sign of the Times" "Love" "Boys" and "Shout it from the Rooftops" pretty easy to figure out which is which!

So we are up for some prizes and our photos will be exhibited at Workshop in a couple of weeks. Yay us.

Snip Snip

2006-09-04T00:33:00.000-07:00

Just some pics of the lovely Sandy's spanking new haircut. So so cute, how did I get so lucky?

On another note, Sandy and I did the most fun project on the weekend Snap Shot City a mad photo scavenger hunt over 6 hours, snapping and uploading along the way. There will be an exhibition at Workshop in Melbourne in a couple of weeks with all the photos up for display. It was all in all so much fun and a really challenging and inspiring way to spend a Saturday. So thanks to all involved and to the organizers.

Bar-Wok

2006-08-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

Additionally as a promotion for my gorgeous boyfriend, I wanted to show a pic of his light that he's entering in the Fringe Furniture Show and a picture of the piles of re-usable waste that it was made out of. Isn't he clever!?

Photos

2006-08-28T16:41:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Had a lovely weekend wandering the city taking photos with Sand, also looking after his 10 month old nephew who is becoming a little boy as we watch.
Here are some pics I took over the weekend, of pretty little nooks and details around Fitzroy.

The Bangles

2006-08-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share pics of bangles that the very talented Pennie (sister of my very gorgeous boyfriend) made for her textiles project. Aren't they beautiful? Have been wearing with much pride pretty much every day since I guilted her into giving them to me.

All other things are going well, Barry is being very helpful, taking me to and from work, the computer at home is insanely fun, am currently cutting a doco a friend and I are making about a local independant gallery starting up, so hopefully will have a link to a trailer or maybe even the whole thing pretty soon!

Photos from my colour weekend still pending.

Lou

Last minute self portrait

2006-08-15T00:47:00.000-07:00

Hi again,

a flurry of photos this afternoon, here is my last minute self portrait for this week, my very first one in fact.

Barry

2006-08-15T00:23:00.000-07:00

The car is now in my possesion. As the car is a Barina we have settled on Barry as a name and I love him, he is fuel efficient (a good thing in these ecologically unsound times.) and am looking at LPG conversion to further ease my concience.

However I am pleased with purchase so here's a pic of me being silly with Barry.

The Black Lung

2006-08-13T18:13:00.000-07:00

Am suffering at the hands of a very nasty cold, not nasty enough for a sick day but nasty enough to make me feel like crap.

Sadly the scooter dream is over, long story but will now be driving a Beep-Beep-Barina from this afternoon!!!! Very excited and is probably for the best, didn't fancy having an accident when the only thing between me and the road is a leather jacket.

In other exciting news I have inherited a G4 from my work which was not being used, and along with the very fancy HD Sony Camera I also got from work last week, the spare room in our house is now a veritable edit suite. The doco I started a few months ago can now be finished at home instead of furtively after hours at work, much more civilised.

All in all I am excited and positive about things, it's getting warmer and sunnier and although logically I am mad at myself for being so happy at the aquisition of material things..... I really like them and it makes my life that little bit more fun. Also am excited at the prospect of doing video projects outside of work and unleashing the creativity. hurrah.

lou

photo weekender

2006-08-03T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Spent last weekend trawling the Melbourne "Saturday in Design" show, which consists of traveling to lots of showrooms throughout the city, ogling beautiful furniture, drinking the free champagne and eating the food, all very swish, with the minor exception to the office furniture place that had 2 people in white shiny suits and ray bans doing some sort of performance art with office dividers - AND they didn't even have any drinks..... just water and fruit - bollocks. But all in all a good day.

Also pinching the idea from the lovely blog by Mati Rose. I went on a colour photo mission on the weekend, colour was crimson red, photos are yet to be developed as I am hopelessly old fashioned and haven't yet made the digital switch. Results if any good will be uploaded next week.

Other than that, have the exciting development of getting a scooter in the next few weeks and will soon be purring around Melbourne with my massive sunglasses and a silk scarf tied jauntliy around my next and it will all be very Roman Holiday. Am studiously ignoring the reality that it will probably be putting through the driving rain and the best accessory will probably be a helmet with windscreen wipers over the visor. Not quite as chic.

lou

Technologic

2006-07-30T17:11:00.000-07:00

Hello there,

This is my first blog and I am still working out how this all works and even more pressingly, what I can write and/or upload that will be of any interest to anyone.

Bear with me. lou