Its been so long since I've had my own decent camera - finally invested in a cheap little Canon Powershot and it works a dream! A dream for me, that is! I'm just really into candid, relaxed, non planned shots right now....just being in the moment and being a right doofus!! A friend asked me recently why I dont take many photos (even though I LOVE taking photos) and its purely because I'm out of practise and I just love living in each moment rather than recording it for later reference. Theres just been too many years of my life spent observing, NOW is the time to get in there and get stuck in and roll around in the goodness of all things good and life affirming!! Haha!!....
Of course, in saying that, I have had my eye on the sexy Canon EOS 1100 Digital SLR for a loooong time...... ah the old camera perve....what a beast!
Here are some pics from the last few months that I though I'd share.... just to get me back up to speed with this whole blog posting thingy.... yes, feeling rusty! ha!
alfreso dining on Ben's veranda....
mmmmm....snacks......the winning treat of the night was the flaky salt dashed with fresh thyme....best discovery ever thanks to Helena.....
rainbow salad....mostly bought ingredients but enjoyed foraging in Tori's garden for floral treats to add!
Eve about to castrate our mushroom pie.... such clever handiwork our Eve!
A tessellation artwork I created for my little brother and his girlfriend for christmas - made from an old encyclopedia.
The hilariously 'sneaky note' I found to explain my half eaten, well, ravaged Morrocan dish..... passing the buck again aye Eve! (I also found a note from 'Katie' on a bag of my muffins...minus two....I know your handwriting now Miss Clark!)
kids on swings
punks on streets
A tidy bedroom.....At Last!!! It HAS taken hmmm 5 DAYS OF CLEANING/SORTING/CHUCKING! Just finished it today. Phew!
My 'new' (to me) all-in-one desk/shelving system... for organisational extravaganza's!!
a clear table to work on....perfect for the year ahead!
Where do you start when its been a ridiculous stretch of time since you last posted....?
So much has happened in the time since...... I'm just going to do this in some kind of backwards timeline bullet pointed list format...
waiting in a hallway while people talk about me...
I quit teaching! I was driving home one day, miserable that I wasnt in a job where I was somehow creating SOMETHING each day...... Heard an ad on 95Bfm for the post-grad course in graphic design @ AUT... went home.... inquired....enrolments had actually closed the previous day....they gave me a week..... completed proposal....had interview....was accepted.....resigned from job..... 2 days later school ended for the year. This was all in the space of a week! Yeah that was planned..... hmmmmm..... best way to do it though! Like pulling off a bandaid! I love changing shit up.... Cant wait to start making and designing every day!!
Said goodbye to the raddest class ever.... they are all off to intermediate this year... they've grown up so much since the beginning of the year. I created a class facebook page so we could keep in touch.... we still chat every now and then. I miss them heaps already and hope they come find me when they are all grown up!! These kids were what kept me going through all the other crap that comes with teaching - inspiring me to challenge their thinking and expand their understanding of the world around them. We explored so many interesting topics this year; C.C.D - Colony Collapse Disorder (of Bees), making zines and even creating a Zine-ing station complete with typewriter! Graffiti art - focusing on local auckland artist FLOX and visiting the Cut Collective Street Artist studio behind K-Road...just to mention a few... (By the way, thought I should add... these pics were taken on their graduation day so thats why some of them are dressed all fancy - usually they are a pretty chilled slightly rugged bunch!)
Went back to Sydney for a family christmas at my little brother and his gorgeous girlfriends house in Manly. Me, Ma and Pa stayed with them in their cute little apartment and Helena's parents came and spent Xmas day with us too. Helena cooked up a storm and blew us all away with her amazing cuisine; every meal she whipped up was done with such grace and delight, exceptionally fresh ingredients and a lot of love!
Also went and visited our relly's in Oz - our first cuzzies and aunties and uncles! So cool! Recreated this photo of us 4 kids - my how we have changed! Was so lovely to see them all, especially getting to properly meet their awesome kids and see their beautiful new homes! Thats cousins Ben and Melina and my little bro Braden in the foreground!
Photo by Sue Tsang
Went to Raglan and spent New Year then the following 2 weeks with this delightful boy......... Had the best time ever!!............. Gettin knees up and low-bus on the new year d-floor in Jo's kitchen.......... running round with giant sparklers in the backyard to celebrate 2012.......... jumping off the bridge and being a shoulder for Ben to lean on to bust backflips off the top rail.......... doing bombs (or attempts) and backflips of the jetty.......... eating fresh fruit yoghurt icecreams.......... having a deliciously floral alfreso evening meal with my flatmate Eve and her lovely dude Sam - Eve topped it off with a mushroom pie emblazened with a pastry phallus! Classy broad she is!.......... busting totally hilariously stupid Spoonerisms....... Drinking too much 'Hole in The Wall' coffee (mmmmm).......... watching a sweet boy surf waves and wishing I was on them too (just bought a board today!) .......... eating Raglans legendary Tofu Masubi (MMMMMM).......... sharing beautiful meals with Bens flatmates.......... crackin up at random shit round the dinner table.......... rummaging round at Kahu's Nest (The Xtreme Waste dump shop).......... trying to recapture my chai-making youth.......... staying up late assisting in making shoes.......... cranking raucous wild beats in the workshop.......... playing on the industrial sewing machine.......... making shoe bags and a wallet and generally helping out with my organisational MacGyver style set of skills........Ha! All resulting in a trip with him back up to Auckland to set up his amazing display in the Sitka Newmarket store.... Looks freakin awesome!
Photo from Solscape Website
And last but definitly not least... I am about to spend a week at this amazing place!! I think I may have mentioned that I was doing some design work last year... well this is it! I designed the brochure for Solscapes 'Eco-Logic Learning Adventure' course.... of which I will be attending as a barter for my design services! What an amazing opportunity! Will let you know how it all goes on my return; well rested and inspired to begin a year of creating!
This is where I will be this weekend - supporting the delightful Ben and the gorgeous Jodi in their shared stall at the Little Big Market in Mount Maunganui; Ben with his freakin ridiculously cool Raglan-Made, recycled material sandals and Jodi with her beautifully quirky artful creations and craftiness - and lil ol me..... with my first real attempt at market art sales.... making my weird little DIY diamond tessellation installation kits (I still cant decide what they are called!!).... come and visit us and we will love you forever!! xo
Eyeless in the morning sun you were Pale and mild A modern girl Taken with thought still prone to care Making tea In your underwear You went out in the yard to find Something to eat And clear your mind And something bad inside me went away
Quaking leaves and broken light Shifting skin The coming night The bearers of all good things arrive Climb inside us Twist and cry A kiss on your molten eyes Myriad lives Like blades of grass Yet to be realized Bow as they pass
They are cold Still Waiting in the Ether to Form Feel Kill Propogate Only to die
They are cold Still Waiting in the Ether to Form Feel Kill Propogate Only to die Dissolve magically Absurdly They'll end Leave Dissipate Coldly and Strangely Return
Just wanted to share these amazing photos taken of the crew before attending Zombie Prom at The Winchester on Saturday Night ... thanks to our lovely Eves mean azz photographic skills, we now have a delightfully ghastly set of portraits to adorn our flat hallway! Love that asylum style lighting! Now, to find a set of 5 sexy vintage matching frames to hang them in...
For those of you that were interested last time, there will be another delightful Lindy Hop class happening in Raglan this Sunday!!
Sorry for the poster blurriness - you can go and investigate more details on the Cats Corner Swing Facebook Page :-)
I, myself, will be attending only if I can manage to fly down there in time after the many other events that I am whisking myself off to this weekend!
SO...On Saturday DAY I will be helping my friend Ben at his Trash Footwear stall at the K-Road Markets - I helped him out at the Mission Bay Markets on Monday Labour Day and that boy was kicking ass with his new designs etc!! Lots of keen people interested and talking about his awesome range! I have a delicious pair of ballet slippers that he made for me as a first trial pair and I've had so many queries he better be crankin those sweet things out by the dozen soon! These beeeauties are made from conveyer belt, recycled canvas and some black satin ribbon that I added after the fact to feminine-ise them up a bit more! Just love those cute ass ankle bows!!
Here is a sweet pic that my brother took whilst stopping for a well deserved Coopers after shopping in Newtown, Sydney (I've just been there on holiday for ten days - but more on that later!)
And while I'm at this devilish plug, I spent a few days down in Raglan before I went to Oz, helping Ben in the workshop to make my brother and his lovely lady some sandals to take over to them as gifts on my visit... here are my little brothers ones and his stoked azzz testimonial! These ones are made from conveyer belt and recycled charcoal denim. Thats one happy jandal owner!
“Best jandals/thongs I've ever owned...made by Ben at Trash Footwear made from 100% recycled materials by hand in Raglan NZ. Primo bro! trashfootwear@gmail.com and trashfootwear.blogspot.com - check it y'all!”
AND...On Saturday EVENING, myself and a posse of corpses will be attending the 95bFM, NO magazine, & Lonely Hearts ZOMBIE PROM... a night to be dismembered!! Cant wait to dress up like a dead thing and roam the streets and zombie hop the dance floor!!
Found some very cool makeup tutorials on how to look 'dead' - thought this one was an exceptionally good and simple one using mostly makeup you could find around the home! (or at least in our girly as flat!)
SO yes, thats the plans for the weekend! How about you?? Anyone delving into the darkness to explore their inner zombie?? Anyone planning a trip to the seaside to learn some devilishly dapper Lindy moves?? Anyhoo - Hope y'all have a saucy sunshiny weekend/beastly bewitching halloween!! Mucho Hugz to you all xoxox
P.S While Im here I just HAD to pop this gorgeous pic of my wee cousin Claudie in her very first modelling shoot - it terrifies me how grown up she looks! Yikes! But what a stunner!!
A few weeks overdue, but went down to Raglan on the 24th September for the Cats Corner Swing Dance Lindy Hop Workshop & Blue Tuxedo Band/Dance at Orca Bar (the gig I designed the poster for!). What an amazing weekend!!
The Saturday workshop was packed full of keen Lindy first timers (or at least mostly first timers!). Class began with an awesome intro swing dance by the teachers, Michelle and Simon - followed by a cool off-the-cuff blast of Lindy from my lovely friend Ben and his mate Karin (They organised the whole Lindy weekend in Raglan). Despite the nerves, those guys hit that floor like nobodies biz!!
The class was just so much fun with heaps of laughs and cool moves with some hilarious freestyled maneuvers added in by some of the peeps for some extra exhilarating dancing! Everyone just got stuck right in and we all work up a sweat boppin round the church hall!!
That night, Simons band, Blue Tuxedo, played at the local Orca Bar - a night of slightly drunk and disorderly freestyling by most of the class and many locals who joined the dancefloor with avid enthusiasm!! Heaps of fun, tons of smiling faces and many newly converted Lindy Hoppers!
Here are some pics from Cats Corner Swing Dance's facebook page :-)
The workshop teacher, Michelle Parish and Simon Crowfoot of Cats Corner Swing
Showing us a sample of their Lindy goodness
Ben and Karin getting geared up to bust some public Lindy.... they were so nervous but sooo good!
Love the onlookers faces!
Partnering up
My listening face as Ben tries to describe an obscure move...
Boppin the floor!
Look at those delightful faces!! Me ol' mate Simon and Karin having a dance. Such a cool night! Wish there were more pics of everyone... I do remember some very messy Lindy though, so perhaps lack of evidence is for the best!
I will keep you posted as there are going to be more workshops in Raglan - its such an amazing place to spend the weekend and you'll be partaking in something really exciting and special - dont miss out!!
Also, go check the Cats Corner page for more pics and events!!
With all thats been happening you'd think I would have had no time to go collecting new music... but I just cant help myself! These tracks aren't necessarily new... in fact a couple of them could be classed as old (NO WAY!).... however they are all certainly rockin my boat at the moment!
The Checks - Candyman Shimmer ...... saw these guys live recently but was slightly too distracted to concentrate....... such a sweet tune to just bop around to.... definitely got that NZ summertime sound ......
Watercolours - Under ....... first heard this beautiful girl in an interview with Charlotte Ryan on 95Bfm's Morning Glory show... just deliciously hypnotic...
Mount Kimbie - Mayor (Slower Version) ...... me and my lovely mate Louie have had an awesome arrangement where we send each other tracks each night - highly recommend this set-up between musically like-minded individuals.... it was so exciting every night to receive pieces of absolute GOLD.... this track is one of my personal highlights of that exchange (which is currently on hold as he is out sailing the seas!) ...... cant wait for more track sharing goodness!! You can go check out his freakin sweet mix on Soundcloud HERE ...... just about blew my socks off that he used a tune I had sent him for the first track - Lovely Bloodflow by Baths is also one my most ULTIMATE tunes to make my head want to explode...hehehe (had to put another link to that track - go on.... go listen awwwww its just SOOOOO GOOD - amazing video too!)
Radiohead - House of Cards...... just love the words.... tingleberrys and butterflies in belly... In Rainbows is an absolutely brilliant album.....
Roots Manuva - Let the Spirit (Hot Chip Remix) ...... hells YEEEEAH!! this track came to me from my gorgeous new roomie Eve via Facebook..... tis a crankin 'get up and farken MOVE' tune.... no more slouchin around feelin sorry for ones self!!
Remember I am 'always' posting new tunes and bits and pieces under 'Bliss For Your Ears' (to the right of my posts) plus also heapsa goodies on my YouTube channel and my Soundcloud account (see links to the left)......... ENJOY!! :-) XOXO
Crikey!! Its been waaaay too long since I last posted ( I always say that!) ... but then, a lot has been happening....
Me..... on my birthday..... enjoying the last few rays of sunshine on the new houses front porch.... having a celebratory beer whilst reading my delicious present from my new roomies ('FANZINES' by Teal Triggs). Looking forward to the adventures ahead.... :-)
I've just moved into a new home in the 'city' (or approximately 'the city'.... a lot closer than I was before thats for sure!)... Living in a flat again with my beautiful friends Eve and Katie, baby Ivy and cat/dog FiFi. Its an awesome house and I cant wait till we truly make it our own.... very exciting when it feels like summer is just sneakily awaiting around the corner - its the perfect house for long summer barbeques and beers on the front porch.... aah.... bliss! The first night here (and my birthday) was celebrated with champagne and pizza in that very spot - oh the potential for languid summer soirees!!
Moving house really puts things into perspective. It has been almost 9 years since I last boxed up all of my belongings and hauled them off to a new abode. Its amazing how much crap I have accumulated, but what is possibly even more amazing is how much I want to get rid of. This may because of my current state of mind; embracing the new and experiencing the life-affirming nature of just letting go......
Not only have I moved house but I have also been working my ass off doing even MORE freelance graphic design stuff!! Such excitement!! I will post some of the work I've been doing soon - just gotta wait till these events actually happen first - don't want to divulge any bits and pieces I shouldn't be just yet!
But here is one I whipped up last night for a Lindy Hop event in Raglan - I desperately want to go but will be meeting most of my class in town for the Moving Planet march up Queen Street.... more on that later..... :-)
So........posts, henceforth, will be erratic while I am getting my life back in order........ I will get back on track eventually but until then.. peas and love to you all xoxo
P.S You should ALL come along to the Moving Planet march this weekend - September 24th!! Im encouraging all my kids (in my class, I don't have multiple children!) to take their friends and families along - we're screen-printing our own t-shirts and everything!! Check out the website 350.org
