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| Oh so cute |
Wednesday 31 October 2012
An animal lovers delight - 31st October 2012
Tuesday 30 October 2012
I spoke too soon - 30th October 2012
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| Is this real? |
I spoke to soon. Yesterday I was lauding the value of the
internet and its ability to increase your intelligence. And then, today, the
smart dumb balance in the world was restored. Social media sites have been awash
all day with dramatic photos of ‘Superstorm Sandy’ battering NYC. Some are brilliant,
and others are clearly good Photoshop jobs. The remainder – it’s hard to tell. Where
did you fall in the smart dumb balance today. Were you fooled?
The pic above caused a split in our office. Some were
convinced, others not so much. Proof appeared a few hours later with the
slightly enhanced version of the original below. I love it!
While I can’t stop laughing, I am also questioning the validity
of all that ‘knowledge’ I gained yesterday. Shit, have I been duped?
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| Surely, this isn't real |
Monday 29 October 2012
In the wise words of Michelangelo - 29th October 2012
What the hell did we do before the internet? Oh that's right, in my case I use to spend hours in the parliamentary library researching through newspaper archives and hard copy reports. Now everything we need is at the touch of a button. Today, thanks to the internet, I became a little smarter. In just an hour I gained a wealth of knowledge on a topic I now need to become a master in. It's quite incredible when you stop and think about the impact the internet has on our lives. I always say it's a bad day if you don't learn something. By all measures, it has been a very good day.
Sunday 28 October 2012
Raspberry beret - 28th October 2012
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| Hilarious picture of Prince |
Music has
been the theme of my day. It started at 12.20am this morning when I knew I
should be sleeping, but couldn't drag myself away from the 80's Party Mix on
MAX TV. Raspberry Beret, need I say more. The theme continued in a shop this
afternoon when a sales assistance broke into a rather badly choreographed set
of dance moves as my credit card was processing. To me he looked ridiculous, but
the look on his face said he was in his happy place. That's what music does, it
takes you to your happy place. I may not appreciate the bags under my eyes from
lack of sleep, but I am grateful for the smile music gave my soul today.
Barack Obama on a bus - 27th October 2012
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| Barack found in the middle of Kenya |
This time
four years ago we saw Barack Obama on the back of a bus...in Kenya. The proud
African nation was gripped with US election fever and we were immersed in the
travel experience of a lifetime. How can those glorious days be a whole presidential
campaign ago? Tell me where, where has the time gone?
The constant media coverage of the upcoming US
election is making me nostalgic for those glory days. At the time I knew our
trip – from the top to bottom of Africa's east coast – would be an incredible experience.
What I didn’t know is that is would change my view of the world, alter who I am and awaken a restlessness in me that I haven’t been able to settle.
Africa changed my world.
Every
time I've seen Barack this week, my mind goes back to Africa. For that I am
incredibly grateful. It’s been a timely reminder to focus on the plans I set at
the end of that trip. It is time to kick a few of them into action.
As a side note, I wish it could be mandated that people
must travel the world before they can settle down and make grown up decisions.
Decisions are better made with perspective that you can’t get in your own backyard.
My little butterfly - 26th October 2012
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| My little butterfly |
Today I have something big to be truly grateful
for. Everything is right in the world again and I can breath. For the past few
days I’ve been holding my breath as my beautiful little niece quickly went from
having a cold to lying in hospital with pneumonia. She has been a vey sick
little girl and the reality of this has frightened me to my core. I'm only her
aunty, so I can’t begin to image how her mum (my sister) has felt, but she is
one of the most important things in my world. A life without her in it is something
I cannot contemplate. Today, after many prays and tears (ours not hers) she has
improved enough to go home. There are not enough words to express how grateful
I am. My world also has a little more perspective today. Big kisses to my princess
with the butterfly face.
Fortune cookies - 25th October 2012
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| Yummy food but weird fortunes at China Lane |
Speaking of good hands, that is exactly what I was in tonight. A dinner with good friends I haven't seen for a while was never going to disappoint. Here's to a fantastic evening with yummy food at China Lane.
Saturday 27 October 2012
Falling off the sugar wagon, again - 24th October 2012
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| Sweet delights |
A Sydney sunset - 23rd October 2012
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| A classic Sydney skyline |
I'm feeling empowered - 22nd October 2012
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| Feeling like I can take on the world |
My Time Square brain - 21st October 2012
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| Like Time Square, my brain never stops |
Tuesday 23 October 2012
First World Problems - 20th October
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| A tidy little haul |
Monday 22 October 2012
Rockstar - 19th October 2012
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| A Rockstar park |
Small steps big wins - 18th October 2012
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| Still not sexy footwear, but it's an improvement |
Never before did I think I would be this excited
to wear a pair of joggers. But after three weeks hobbling around in a
'moon boot' and an even less sexy 'medical shoe' I have finally taken a big
step forward. I am now back in real shoes...well joggers, but it's still hugely
exciting. I savoured every moment of my walk to the sandwich shop at lunch. Oh,
the simple things. It's a small step that felt like a big win.
Flowers by the bridge - 17th October 2012
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| The bridge as I've never seen it |
Looking through stunning images like this in the
name of research – not a bad day at the office! I wanted to share this image on
the blog because I think it is simply stunning. I am a sucker for a view of
Sydney Harbour and this is one of the best I’ve seen. The framing is perfect.
It makes me smile every time I look at it, which is quite a bit now, as it's become
my desktop background.
When roses meet fruit - 16th October 2012
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| Beautiful and delicate |
New beginnings - 15th October 2012
Rarely do we get a chance to start over, to make
first impressions, create new dreams and put our best foot forward. New
beginnings are like blue moons – they are a rare occurrence. Today is my first
day in the new job. Excitement is coursing through my veins with the world of possibilities
this new beginning could bring.
Where your mind wanders - 14th October 2012
Where does your mind wander to? Mine goes to a place where I feel free and in control of every decision shaping my life. I am writing my book and living my dream. This quote has inspired me to keep chasing that dream: "If you want to know where your heart is; look where your mind wanders..."
Memories from the blue lagoon - 13th October 2012
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| A scene from the glory days |
Bathing in the Nordic glory of the blue
lagoon...today I took a trip down memory lane. And I didn't need to go all
the way to Reykavik. I was just a quick trip out to Mortdale. I want to thank
the Jepsons for their years of friendship forged on a booze cruise from Stockholm
to Helsinki many moons ago, and sustained with booze and god honest
conversation ever since. A catch up with good friends can transport you back to
the glory days in minutes. Thanks for the laughs today. My sides are still
splitting. It’s also good to know the repercussions of my shocking hangover at
the Blue Lagoon still raise a laugh.
Sunday 21 October 2012
Cirque du Soleil - 12th October 2012
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| Incredible footwork in Ovo |
Expectations
can be dangerous things. A few weeks ago I booked tickets to Cirque du Soleil
and I've been so excited ever since. I'd imagined a romantic night with dinner
before the show and James and I enjoying each other’s company. Reality was
bound to disappoint in hilarious proportions. And so it did.
My dream
date kicked off with us having a ridiculous argument. We then tried four
restaurants before finding one that could fit us for dinner. This was done with
minimal conversation and me hobbling everywhere in a 'moon boot'. Finally we
were seated for dinner with exactly one hour until show time. Tight but ok, I
thought. We ordered and waited patiently, still minimal conversation. Patiently
turned into impatiently when we were still without food 45 minutes later. The
kicker came when we discovered they had forgotten our order altogether! Dinner
ended up consisting of twisties and popcorn. Filling.
The good news is we got over our stupid argument
and the show was great. Best of all, we had great seats and they were my second
choice. Right now I am so grateful that I didn’t pay for front row. That was
the saving grace tonight. I’m grateful for small mercies.
Staycation - 11th October 2012
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| Oh yes please |
By sheer
unexpected chance, James and I have ended up in the same town with a few days
off, at the same time, together. That's a big deal in our world. Had we
known about this in advance, we would have booked a mini-break. But it was all so
last minute. The result – we are now in the middle of our first
staycation.
I’ve heard
about staycations, but I never really got the point. Why stay at home when you
can go somewhere exotic? But now I get it. I'm a staycation believer.
We are having the most brilliant time! We’ve
been to local restaurants we always talk about going to but never do, we've
slept in and snuggled up watching movies, and we’ve done a bit of personal
admin (you know, all that crap you never have time to do like lining up at
Medicare). It has felt like a big extended weekend in business hours. I could get use to this. All hail
the staycation!
The lazy surfers - 10th October 2012
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| Come on people, it's a school day |
You can
tell a lot about a suburb by the activity of its residence. We are thinking
about moving to the beach. Really we just need a grassy backyard for the dogs,
but after my Coogee epiphany the other day we’ve decided we may as well get
grass and the beach all at once. Several hours on domain.com later and we
though we'd found our dream home. That is until we did a drive by today. Issues
with the house aside, I was most alarmed by the scene I found at the beach,
just five minutes walk from the house. See all of those black dots in the water
in the pic above? They are surfers. Let me remind you that today is a Wednesday
and this pic was taken at 10.30am. Why the hell aren’t these people at work?
They can't all work in bars and nightclubs!
I feel like we had a lucky escape today. Any property
close to Maroubra will no longer be considered. The percentage of unemployed residences
is clearly too high. Closer to Coogee it is. As a side note, I had the most
delightful day driving around and stopping at cafes to enjoy the sun. I wish every
day could be like today.
The last goodbye - 9th October 2012
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| My last Tim Tam delivery |
Today was a big one. It was my last day at work.
I've made the decision to take a big chance, and step off a cliff into the
unknown with my fingers crossed. Right now I feel a combination of intrigued,
excited, tentative and apprehensive. One thing is for sure – I feel alive!
Today I am grateful for the brilliant people I have meet through this job and
for the opportunity that has landed in my lap. May my horizons expand and my
dreams come true. PS: I will certainly miss the 3pm chocolate delivery.
Sunday 14 October 2012
The jerk whisperer - 8th October 2012
How hilarious is this quote...I just love it.
"Don’t try to win over the haters, you are not the idiot whisperer."
No I’m not, despite my many efforts to reform idiots! This made me laugh so
hard all day. And I love a good laugh.
A new view and perspective - 7th October 2012
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| Coogee you 'wowed' me |
I am a little bit snobby and slightly judgmental. I
admit that. For years I've shunned Coogee because it reminds me of seaweed in
the ocean and a cafe strip filled with fried chicken shops. While this was true
in the summer of 2000, I have deemed it the reality ever since. Wow, have I
been missing out. It seems in this case perception is no longer reality. Today
I accidentally discovered the current day Coogee and I've fallen in love. Gone
are the take away shops and in their place are trendy cafes. The water is now crystal clear. Then there is the
hidden gem Barzura, where my darling friend took me for lunch. I admit I was
skeptical – lunch in Coogee – ahhhh. But after just 10 minutes soaking up the sun and the stunning view,
I was ready to move suburbs. Coogee here we come. Today I am grateful to my
dear friend Tracy for taking me out of my comfort zone and showing me what you can
find when you stop being a suburb snob. I’m hatching a plan to move to the
beach as we speak. Coogee = 1 Judgmental Patrice = 0.
Benefits of a beauty overhaul - 6th October 2012
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| A haircut and a bit of lippy goes a long way |
It's amazing what a difference a cut and colour can
make. I love going to the hairdressers. It's one of my favourite bits of
'personal admin'. It starts with the pleasure of having someone else wash your
hair, continues with divine relaxation in the form of a head massage and is
topped off when you walk out feeling like a new woman. If I ever win the lotto
I will hire a hairdresser to come to my house every morning to do my hair. No
matter how many times I watch them straighten my fringe, I still can’t do it as
well. Three cheers for the automatic confidence boost that come with a good cut
and colour. Smiles all around today.
A timely warning - 5th October 2012
As I was mentally shopping my way through each new stylish department of Top Shop this morning, this quote popped up on my Facebook feed. What a timely reminder. I am close to stealing a small fortune from myself for a wardrobe update I don't really need. While I am grateful for the potential of this 'Swedish Proverb' to prevent my likely post purchase remorse, I just hope I am up to the task of resisting.
Hail Top Shop - 4th October 2012
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| I'm counting the sleeps |
The 3pm sugar rush - 3rd October 2012
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| Two of my favourites |
Wet wet foot - 2nd October 2012
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| It was bound to happen! |
Yes...your
are correct. I am drying my bandaged foot with a hairdryer. I am an idiot – need
I say more. It's been almost a week since the surgery and until today I
had managed to keep my foot dry with a high tech combination of a garbage bag
and masking tape while in the shower. But I got cocky. Tonight, feeling smug
about my wrapping skills, I did a quick whirl of the masking tape and jumped
in. As the hot water cascaded down my back I noticed an odd sensational. It
felt like a torrent of warm water was flowing down the back of my leg.
"How funny that I can feel the warmth through the garbage bag," I
thought. It turns out that feeling wasn't a sensation. I was actual water
running down my leg.
In a bid to dry the wet bandages I attacked my foot
with a hairdryer for half an hour. I thought I'd nailed it. Foot finally
dry...no damage done. That is until I noticed an intense burning sensation in
my three littlest toes. It turns out I burnt my toes in the dryer process! That
happens when you forget you don't have feeling in your foot. Oh well, at least
I gave myself a good laugh in the process.
Dearest Dad - 1st October 2012
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| My darling Dad |
Today I am saying a big thank you to the universe
for giving me such amazing parents. After six days on Mum and Dad's couch it's time to return to reality. Boo Hoo. The upside is Dad and I got to
spend some great quality time together, just the two of us, when he drove me
back this afternoon. You realise how amazing your parents are when in your
moment of need, nothing is too much trouble. I am so grateful for the parents I
have been blessed with.
From the mouths of babes - 30th September 2012
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| Serioulsy...is she going out like this? |
I am still laughing. As I was reading Grazia today my four-year-old niece,
reading over my shoulder, piped up as I flicked onto the page above. Pointing
at the model she said matter-of-factly: "Aunty Trice, she has no pants on.
She shouldn't go outside like that!" Ohhh...from the mouths of babes. I
was lost for words.
No, she doesn’t have pants on and I couldn't think of a
simple explanation as to why said model she can do it but my niece can't go outside
without her pants on. Instead I opted for: "Yes, you're right, she
shouldn't," and I dissolved in laughter. In fact I am still laughing.
Mad Men - 29th September 2012
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| Am I the last to arrive at the party? |
It
appears I am the last person on earth to discover Mad Men. For years I've read
about the great fashion and the rave reviews on the charms of Don Draper. But
until now, I've never bothered to watch it. Thanks to the joys of my injured
foot resulting in plenty of TV viewing time, I am now half way through season
one. And I love it!
Here's to my new TV obsession. Good TV always makes
me smile. PS: Note to self – must jump on emerging trends sooner.
Sunday 7 October 2012
Junior nurses and helping hands - 28th September 2012
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| The patient and her crazy nurses |
I have
two new nurses. They are four and 18 months. The latter plays gigging games
with me and occasionally tries to hit me with a plastic golf stick. The former,
on account of her age, is a little more helpful. In fact she is really helpful.
I didn't realise what great little PAs kids can be. In an instant Payten melted my heart today.
"I'll help you Aunty Trice," she said as she slipped her little hand
into mine as I limped to the bathroom. She then stood at the door ready for the
return trip. Hand extended she smiled at me and said: "Don't worry, I walk
slow for you." Priceless.
A dinner worth the trip - 27th September 2012
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| The picture doesn't do it justice |
I've come
home to Mum and Dad's for a few days post-op R&R as James is away for work.
Being the protective husband he is, and knowing I have limited domestic skills
at the best of times, he feared I would starve to death if I stayed at home on
my own. He had a fair point. I couldn't get down the stairs to collect the
takeaway!
Today I am grateful for the people in my life who
know me better than I know myself. They were all right. I've had a great
day lying on the couch laughing and watching daytime TV with mum. To top things
off, she whipped up the most incredible baked dinner I've had in ages. Why did
I put up such a fight? This is so much better than feeling sorry for myself as
I lay in bed and eat 2 Minute Noodles alone. Idiot.
Big Foot - 26th September 2012
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| Not exactly sexy footware |
The day has finally arrived. I am now the proud
owner of a sexy remodeled foot and ankle. Well, I say sexy in anticipation of
what my foot will look like in about two months. Right now it is numb and I am
as high as a kite –two things that are reasonably pleasant.
I am also sporting some rather industrial looking
footware. Gone are my heels for quite a while. While this last point brings a
tear to my eye, I am simply delighted to have survived the surgery. As I
mentioned a few days ago, I am a chronic worrier. I have been visualising my
death and about 20 disastrous outcomes from the operation (including losing my
foot) for the past week. Obviously I was going to be fine, but I have never
been this pleased to be wrong. I am feeling so grateful for the outcome
that I may just go and find a ‘Life Be In It’ t-short to wear while I sit on
the couch for the next week.
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