March Photo a Day Challenge - Day Twenty-Three.... "Moon"

Day 23 and today's theme is "moon". I didn't think my trusty iPhone (no matter how good I think it is) would capture an amazing shot of the moon so I went with a photo of the "Mineral Moon".

The photo I took is of the image recorded by the Jupiter-bound Galileo spacecraft as it passed near our own large natural satellite in 1992 showing the different minerals on the moon. It still absolutely blows my mind away!

Green Thumb in Training!

My new Primula ... potted to "perfection" and brightening my kitchen window!



There's a lot of thinking you can do when you're off work for months on end. Evenmore when you're housebound and bed-ridden. Not being able to do anything soon has you dreaming when you're fighting fit and back in the "land of the living".

As the days passed, I would dream about travelling or redecorating or new hobbies. So much so I started writing a list.

Be a gardener. Be passionate about gardening.  These two small things surprisingly wheedled their way onto my list. Where did they come from? In 36 years, I've never shown an interest (besides picking the one lone daffodil Mum painstakingly grew for five years in Australia ... by the head alone! It's STILL a sore spot...)

Fortunately I come from a long line of accomplished gardeners and before I knew it, I was surrounded with magazines, books, planners and a whole host of tools ready for when I can hit the ground running! It could be part "cabin fever", part "frustration" (at not being able to do anything at all) and part the yearning of a secret gardener inside of me. Whatever it is, I am REALLY excited to tackle this new hobby and as for right now, well I can't to snuggle down tonight and read more about pruning roses and preparing soil in this month's Gardener's World!

March Photo a Day Challenge - Day Eighteen.... "Corner of your Home"

Day Eighteen of the Photo-a-Day Challenge and today's suggestion for interpretation and representation is "Corner of your Home" so here's a snap taken in my bedroom (the corner, naturally).

39 Sleeps....

until I, yours truly, will be at the home of Downton Abbey (aka Highclere Castle!)

*S-Q-U-E-A-K*

Words don't exist for how ridiculously excited I am. The countdown is on people!

Today I am Excited About Everything

I felt it sneak up on me last night .... excitement. Excitement about *everything*. Sure there are some specific things that make me *SQUEAK* with pure delight; namely finding out Darius Rucker (*Squeak*) is the opening act (*Squeak*) for Brad Paisley (*Squeak*) but it's been a while since I have just been excited generally.

Wish I could bottle it up - this feeling - and send it worldwide to all those I hold dear in my heart. We all should feel excited about everything today and every day! One of my many wishes for you.

I heart Karen Salmansohn

Stop what you're doing. Yes, you. I know it's Monday morning and you have 101 things to do but I promise your week will be infinitely better and brighter if you start it visiting Karen Salmansohn's website: http://notsalmon.com/

While you're at it, why not treat yourself to one of her fabulous books of awesomeness? (A gift that keeps giving).

I accidentally discovered Karen last week; I love getting random and unrelated hits to Google searches and everything I've found (from the book I read, blog posts and her fabulous posters) makes me ooze happiness.

With everything going on in the world today - so much sadness, tragedy and violence - I love how there's this one woman tour de force on a mission to spread as much peace, joy, contentment, happiness and healing as possible.

“One person can make a difference and every person should try.” John F Kennedy

Five more sleeps..

until Brad Paisley rocks the 02 in London .... *squeak*
I absolutely cannot wait and will be there with bestie enjoying everything the H20 II tour has to offer.

Still no word on the support act but have glimpsed a possible set-list from Setlist.FM and I LOVE IT!

This is the perfect remedy to all the malaise of recent! Paisley Party! Here I come!

Be Happy.... Stay Happy

'nough said.

The Pale Blue Dot of Home

The photo above was taken by Voyager 1 in 1990 as it sailed away from Earth, more than 4 billion miles in the distance.


"We succeeded in taking that picture [from deep space], and, if you look at it, you see a dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever lived, lived out their lives. The aggregate of all our joys and sufferings, thousands of confident religions, ideologies and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilizations, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every hopeful child, every mother and father, every inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every superstar, every supreme leader, every saint and sinner in the history of our species, lived there on a mote of dust, suspended in a sunbeam.

The earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that in glory and in triumph they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of the dot on scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner of the dot. How frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity -- in all this vastness -- there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves. It is up to us. It's been said that astronomy is a humbling, and I might add, a character-building experience. To my mind, there is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly and compassionately with one another and to preserve and cherish that pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known."

Taken from Dr Carl Sagan's lecture at Cornell on October 13, 1994.

I adore this picture and message - a simple and gentle nudge to remind us to look at everything with a new perspective and approach it with a bit more love, kindness and compassion.

The Potential of the Average Person

The potential of the average person is like a huge ocean unsailed, a new continent unexplored, a world of possibilities waiting to be released and channeled toward some great good.

—
Brian Tracy

Today my Life Changed

Technically, if I wanted to be pedantic, my life changed at 5pm yesterday afternoon when I met, fell in love and bought my new puppy, Georgie. A gorgeous, lively and utterly adorable 8 week old Shih Tzu.

From reading the ad until I visited with the owner, I devoured everything I could (online) on Shih Tzu (a.k.a. the Chrysanthemum Dog, originally from China / Tibet!) and puppy training. Information overload with the very best of intentions.

You see, I'm one of those people.... the OCD über organised creature. The one with spreadsheets for groceries and alphabetised blu-rays! Less than 24 hours later and I can honestly say, not any more, and I couldn't be happier. This morning as Georgie leapt and tumbled around the house, I tried to feed her, my cat, shower, have coffee, get ready for work, remember to brush my hair etc and so on. It was a chaotic whirlwind of excited Shih Tzu, one blasé cat and me working out how I was going to get me and the pooch out the door (me being presentable for work) in the time required. As a result bags were left, hair was unbrushed and a rather emotional me left my gorgeous new puppy with my Mum as I headed off to the office.

This new topsy turvy wonderland of puppy-dom is going to be an adventure. I am sure Georgie will have me whipped into shape in no time!

Beard Love .... the Evidence

The delectable Chris Young .... what can be said other than heellllooooooooo?!

Bailey Chase with a hint o' scruff!

Richard Armitage rocking the beard!

Rupert Penry Jones with some sexy stubble...

Mr Tim McGraw, the man who started the whole beard scruff loving!

Keith Urban, the ultimate cool rocker scruff!

Garrett Hedlund in Country Strong. Need I say anymore? Really? Didn't think so.

Dierks Bentley -in a word? Scruffalicious!

Henry Cavill - the man making the Tudors HOT!

The proof in undeniable. I am officially a lover-of-men-with-beards.

I heart Beards???!!!

Truth be told, I blame my insomnia. Who knew that four days into another insomnia bender, I would have an life-altering ephiphany.

True..... during these heaven-blessed ephiphanical episodes other folk have discovered cures, stumbled upon philosophical marvels or made technological breakthroughs. I don't even want to analyse why my breakthrough comes in the form of beard love. Still it is what it is.

So there I was leaving work, walking along in that I'm-so-tired-I-can't-hold-a-thought phase that comes with four days of little or no sleep when suddenly it dawned on me that I love men with beards.

Shut...up!
How can I be 36 and only know this now?!
As the bearded men catalogued through my mind to only strengthen this belief, I felt compelled to blurt out to a passerby "but not Grizzly Adams type beards".

Julien Green said "The greatest explorer on this earth never takes voyages as long as those of the man who descends to the depth of his heart". True, I don't think he was talking about beard love but still.... spooky!

Land of Hope and Glory

Those who know me and even those who have only read my blog and random tweets, will know I am a Royalist. So it will come as no surprise to hear I thought the wedding, the pageantry and the iconic Balcony moment was, quite simply, perfection!

However, it may not be for the reasons you think.

True, no one, and I truly mean no one, can do pomp and circumstance like the Brits and wearing my Australian hat for a moment, I can say how awe-inspiring it is to see these displays of tradition, in real life. It has left me awestruck when I have witnessed it and I thought it came across wonderfully on television today.

Then there’s also the fact a little bit of history was made today. We all love a wedding and I too, love to pour through magazines when a celebrity marries, but when royalty marries, it becomes historic. I can’t help but think how in hundreds of years our descendants will be learning about the date Prince William of Wales married his princess.

But the overriding reason today was perfection personified was how William and Catherine managed to make a grand, historic and momentous event seem intimate. A true love story unfolded for us in Westminster Abbey and as I pondered the feeling growing in my chest, I realised it was hope.

The world is suffering and our hearts, thoughts and prayers are always with those in anguish and although there’s a constant need for all of us to rise above and do more, today for a little moment, we could all smile and hope for a better future for all of us.

God Bless the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ... and thank you for letting me, along with 2 billion of my newest friends, witness your special day.

Pièce de Résistance of Royal Wedding memorabilia

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the pièce de résistance of Royal Wedding memorabilia ... the Catherine and William Deely Bopper.

* muffled excited squeal of joy *




'Nough said!

Blood Nuisance

Terror threat (a.k.a. Bloody nuisance)

By John Cleese

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved". Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross". The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards". They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide". The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender". The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralysing the country's military capability.

Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing". Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides".

The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs". They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose".

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Australia , meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be alright, Mate". Two more escalation levels remain: "Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!" and "The barbie is cancelled". So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.

I Got a Feeling ... Woo Hooo

The Black Eye Peas' "I Got a Feeling" is stuck in my head which is actually quite perfect. It's the ideal happy-woo-hoo-smiley-life-is-good song. And friends, life is good. I've finished work, leaving a clean and tidy desk and have eleven glorious, wonderful and if I do say so myself, well-deserved days off work. Woo hoo!

To kick start the festivities, I've put up my bunting. After pondering, umming, ahhing and one precarious moment of having three quarters of my body leaning out of the window, I decided to display my bunting on the INSIDE. (Note to self, buy a large ladder for future celebatory events).

It's my small nod to my adopted country. A way of saying I'm happy to be here and celebrating St George's Day (which also happens to be my birthday!) and marking the Royal Wedding.



Here's to a really amazing Easter for us all. I hope there are countless moments that make you smile.

Liberty loves William and Catherine

Saw this on the Liberty website and loved it. How can this fail to make you smile?

Regent Street joins the Party

Regent Street has come to the Party.

Some genius in their Marketing Department has come up with the phenomenal idea to install an inspiring display of 200 giant union flags from Thursday, 21st April through to Monday, 2nd May 2011. These gigantic flags run all the way along from Piccadilly Circus in the south to beyond Oxford Circus to the BBC in the north.

Each flag is 4 x 2.5 metres in size and they are hung from 22 crossings to celebrate the Royal Wedding, recreating a majestic architectural view of one of the world’s most famous historical shopping thoroughfares.

In a word ..... Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Altogether now .... There'll alllllllways be an England.... While there's a country lane ..... Wherever there's a cottage small .... Besides a field of grain .....

Sniff. Brilliant!

Country Strong: The Verdict

The short and simple version is I adored "Country Strong". On the surface, you may mistakenly assume it was inevitable - I'm a Tim McGraw fan and somewhere along the way Garrett Hedlund came into view. But this isn't about a cute boy in a cowboy hat.

True, I am a Tim McGraw fan - there's something about his music and country music in general - that just speaks to me. When he poked his toe into the acting waters, I was apprehensive and despite my unwavering support, I admit I've not seen all his movies and the ones I have, I can't say I've liked them all. But I admire his determination and passion to keep trying new things.

So last year when there were rumblings that Tim was doing a movie about country music, I already was excited. I didn't know anything about the plot, his fellow actors or his role but I knew I wanted to see it.

And so it debuted in America in January. Reviews were gushing but I waited for my best friend to see it. What would she think? Her review would be the most important.

She loved it. She laughed. She cried. She even knew I would have a new crush in Garrett. And the countdown began. 130 days until it would be released in cinemas in England.

Soon enough the DVD date was announced and as it was around the same time - and knowing how I can cry at mere commercials - I thought I would savour "Country Strong" in the privacy of my own home. As you know, thanks to my bestie and a recent trip to NYC, the blu-ray popped through my mailbox today.

There are a handful of movies that I truly adore. That I ache when I watch them from just how much they move or touch me or because they are just simply beautiful. It's more than good cinematography or good actors. It's almost magical. Country Strong joins the list that includes The Painted Veil, It's a Beautiful Life, Australia and Amelie.

I was mesmerised and I did cry. I loved how it showed Honky Tonk country and also that hard-edge brutality of the music industry. I loved how it showed love and friendship and pain and misery. I even loved the inevitable Hollywood cliché.

I've spoken about the boys of Country Strong but unequivocally this movie belongs to Gwyneth Paltrow. I thought she was a star and she blew me away.

I wanted to watch this movie because I was a fan of Tim McGraw and later stumbled on a rather hot Garrett Hedlund and ended up absorbed by a story that itself could be a country song.

I adored it. And if you love country music, I think you will too!