This is why you marry your best friend - 21st Nov 2012

Laughs and love

Three years ago today I married the love of my life. It's not something I ever thought I would do, but I have to say, it's been all together lovely. I realise now my life long objection to marriage was more with weddings than with marriage as a whole. The thought of wasting all that money and being the centre of attention for a day was my idea of hell. So three years on, what's changed? Not much at all. I still adore my husband, I'm still a fiercely independent woman, and I still hope we end up laughing our way through old age together. Because that's what happens when you marry your best friend - even the shitty days have a silver lining. Today I am grateful for a happy anniversary celebrated with ice cream and my husband in the same time zone.

The true value of a moment - 20th Nov 2012

It's been almost a year since I started The Perspective Project. This realisation has led me to think back over of the fantastic things I have learned on the journey, some in the most unexpected of places. I'm in the process of compiling a list of the key insights from this plan to try and reinvigorate my soul. The Project has been turned out to be a thousand times more helful than I could ever have imagined. The one thing that hit me today: "Sometimes you will never now the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory." I am beyond grateful I got off my whinging bum and started this.

My very own criminal - 19th Nov 2012

My very own Chop Chop

You can imagine my delight when I drove to the airport to pick James up tonight after a few weeks away. Airport reunions are a fantasy of mine, full of hugs and kisses and gushes of passion. Not to mention they signal the return of my chef and co-pet-parent. 
Tonight my fantasy slammed into the hard wall of reality when I was greeted by my very own Chopper Read. Movember has a lot to answer for. While it is a great initiative for charity, it has a shocking impact on desire and romance. I'm not keen on getting it on with a criminal. Today I am begrudgingly grateful that my lovely husband has a social conscience. He responded flatly to my protects of "you look ridiculous, shave it off" with "get over yourself, it's for charity. My only worry is how much he likes the Mo. Thank god there are only 11 days to go.

Thought for the day - 18th Nov 2012

Wise works from the great Wayne Gretzky. "You miss 100% of the shots you never take." I love this quote and it is inspiring me to take more chances this week. The first few months in any new job are a balancing act. I'm still in the stage of being caught between taking things in, making assessments and working out where to exert influence and press for change. I will be keeping Wayne's words in mind this week. 

Fratty Satty - 17th Nov 2012

Loving the leotard

Today I felt privileged to be part of a real life scene straight out of an American movie. My darling friend Tala had a fancy dress birthday in the park with the theme of 'Fratty Satty'. As the most brilliantly passionate American I know, celebrating everything that is sorority/fraternity was the perfect fit (BTW brilliantly organised Booker!).

What did I love the most about today? It's a close race between Tala's leotard and the fact I felt like I really was in a movie. There were drinking games, hilarious costumes and raucous carry on… just as it should be.

My one disappointment – I still don't know how to do a keg stand. Apparently Australian kegs are not made for this fine act, so I wait and wonder. Tala, thanks for making my sides ache with laughter today. 

Makeup malfunction - 16th Nov 2012

Oh the shame

Don't you hate it when you think you are rocking a hot look, then you clock yourself in the mirror. Tonight's sideways glance revealed my empowering red lipstick was in fact smudged across my face. More crack whore than confident woman. It was 5pm and I looked like I'd staggered out of a club in the pre-dawn hours. Oh the shame! 
The upside, I'm grateful said smudging occurred as I rubbed my face on the drive home tonight. Well, that's what I'm telling myself because I can't deal with the thought I may have been rocking the Courtney Love look in the office. Ahhh!!

My calm place - 15th Nov 2012

I could sit and watch this view all day

Normally my mental happy place is a million miles away on a tropical island with aqua water lapping a white sand beach. Today, I found one a little closer to home. This is the view from the end of the park in Rushcutters Bay where I walk the dogs. There is something about this view I find incredibly relaxing. I've always loved sitting on the stone wall listening to the little waves splash onto the beach and watching the boats swaying on the water. But tonight I realised that just a few minutes on the wall is akin to a mental detox for me. Staring out tonight cleared my mind and brightened my mood. It seems my brian likes a mental staycation as much as a vacation. How would have guessed?