As for the the other image, why yes, that's a neon crucifix light bulb. What else would it be? I take no claim to owning that one, but I'm kind of tempted to plug it in, just to see what it looks like. I hurriedly put that one back where I found it, I don't want to be messing with anyone's religious light-bulb collection, that's for sure.
Have you ever discovered random stuff lying around your home?
I've been trying to think of ways to add simple challenges on to 'The List' for the past few days now - and came up with the perfect one, with thanks to V at Simply Charmed. You see, I'm a big fan of anything Disney. I am obsessed with the theme parks, I own quite a few of the films and there have been several occasions over the past few years throughout my childhood where I came home from visiting the Disney store with giant stuffed animals. I have a real soft spot for Eeyore, I'll admit it. But how can you not? He's so gloomy all the time.
I always liked this movie, even if it is slightly morbid. I mean, a glass coffin? Really? And the whole love at first sight/sound (tra la laaaa) makes me cynical. Still, Snow White is so beautiful.
Jiminy Cricket! Figaro and Cleo make this movie - they really do. I always wondered what happened to the island full of donkey boys though: did they just get left behind? Gotta love the Disney subliminal messaging: that's what happens when you're naughty, boys and girls, mwahaha.
I tweeted about this yesterday: "Watching 'Fantasia' while feeling ill was probably not a good idea. Good music but wow, my head is spinning." And it was, too. The scene with the enchanted broomsticks was more than a little scary. But not as scary as the next flick...
OH MY GOSH. Dumbo is so precious. I bawled like a baby watching this scene with his momma. LIKE A BABY. And then proceeded to snuggle the cat (much to his disgust) because heismybaby and WAH. And then later proceeded to freak the heck out from watching one of the scariest ever Disney scenes: SWEET JESUS THOSE PINK ELEPHANTS ARE ON CRACK, how is this a children's movie?
I haven't watched this movie in years, because I always remembered what happened in the movie and I was too much of a sook. But, I watched it. And I cried again. And then I enjoyed it, because I love movies with cute and twitchy animals in them - but oh Bambi, GO LOOK AT YOUR BABIES.
I'd never heard of this one prior to researching this list, but I watched it anyway and um, yep. Cute but wow, did I lose an hour of my life there or what?
MEH. I get that it sort of follows on from Saludos Amigos, but MEH.
I had this playing while I was trying to nap earlier, so I was kind of half watching and mostly listening. I love what Disney does with music in the films, but to be honest, this was mostly cheese. The first scene would have been better with the 'Claire de Lune' music.
I'll be honest; this one didn't interest me all that much. I was glad they were short.
As above.
I never knew this was a Disney movie until now. Huh.
Oh, this was lovely! The mice, oh I'd forgotten about them. This is a real classic, I really enjoyed watching it again.
Um, trippy? I still don't get this movie. (I always loved the 1984 version, non cartoon, that used to scare the life out of me when the Jabberwocky made its appearance.) I remember my mum once dressed me up as Alice for a book fair: I think if I ever try and do a Halloween party, I'll go as her again. Nice and simple. The caterpillar was definitely smoking crack.
He's an ugly little man, isn't he? The way they portrayed the Native Americans was kind of cringe worthy (oh man, that song!) and Wendy's voice is about 50 years older than she is. Tinkerbell is so cute! And Michael's little teddy! Precious.
The Lion King
So there you have it: a nice little activity to keep me busy. And who knows? Maybe I'll have a new favourite film by the end, as there are certainly quite a few that I haven't seen on this list: the more recent ones in particular.
# Exercise at least 25 days of every month. I'm aiming to work out every day during the week, so that I can relax on weekends guilt-free. June: 0/25, July: 0/25, August: 0/25, September: 0/25.
# Go punting in Cambridge. Again, just another one of those things I haven't got around to yet.
# Go fishing. No, really.
# Hit 95. Gulp.
# Hit 90. Where I was this time last year.
# Hit 85. Baby steps.
# Don't complain about anything for a week. Ha. Anyone who knows me, knows I will struggle with this one. I'm not that bad, I swear.
# Give acupuncture a try. So, I'm scared of needles. But I've heard it can be good for regulating hormones, infertility and also as a stress reliever - I'll try that!
# Write a book review. Either on this blog or through a different avenue.
# Buy a postcard in every country I visit this year. I have big plans for this one.
# Explore the Berlin Wall. Have never been to Berlin before, looking forward to it.
# Drink sangria in Spain. What better place to indulge?
# Get married to my best friend. Working on that one.
I've gone from being completely motivated to completing items off "The List", to slouching around in the afternoons feeling lazy. Such a change of heart in such a short time, it's a bit of a worry! I figured I'd refresh my memory about some of those items, and see what opportunities I'll have coming up in the coming weeks.
Exercising? Well, I've been fairly good, but I can say for certain it hasn't been done on 25 days this month. I've kept on blogging every day, which is to be expected. Yada Yada Yada. I don't shutup that easily. I'll be stalking Kirby again in a few weeks to see Snow Patrol in concert, so that's killing two birds with one stone. (Writing that expression just made me realise exactly how much I HATE that expression. Poor birds. Why would people want to kill them, anyway?)
Moving along . . . I did manage to save $2000 this month, which is fantastic. I was about ready to apply for my UK Visa, but Jase suggested leaving it another month, so I'll follow his advice and wait a little longer. I had a room clean-out a few weeks ago, and there's not really much else I can do until I'm closer to moving out, so there's another dead end. I'm going scale free until September 1st, so I have no idea what my weight is, but judging by the size of my belly from this angle? It hasn't changed a great deal. And I haven't really got any plans to head out anywhere, at least not until the next school holidays arrive.
In fact, about the only exciting thing I can think of involves a new friend of mine. Her name's Kelly, and we met through a weight loss blogging community a couple of months ago. My greatest achievement so far, has been convincing her to start her own wordpress blog, which you should all stop by and visit.
Kel has even started her own version of "The List" (also complete with speech marks) and is helping me out on one of my items: The dreaded colour pink. In case you're not aware, I'm not a fan of anything pink. I usually get looks of shock when I announce this, because apparently all blondes should be wearing pink, but I've just never liked it. I have precisely one pink item in my cupboard, and I certainly didn't buy it for myself. Kel has made it her mission to pinkify me, and is going to send me a little something in my favourite shade. The rules? I have to wear it out in public and take a photograph of myself while doing so. I'm excited (and a little nervous) about what she's got in store for me, and can't wait!
As for the technical part of this post, I've had a few people email me and let me know that they are having trouble seeing my blog being updated via Bloglines & Google Reader. I've recently registered my blog with Feedburner so if you are having any trouble, I would recommend removing my ramblings from your reader and re-adding it.
If you're wondering why your Readers are telling you that I've gone quiet all of a sudden, just remember: I'm the Aussie freak who posts every day. Chances are they've just gone crazy, as they tend to do sometimes. They're a wonderful invention, but can be very fickle wee things at times.
Since I know a few of you are addicted to coffee, make sure you pay a visit to the Oracle of Starbucks. I have to admit, he's pretty all-seeing and all-knowing, he got me down to a tee: "You don't go to Starbucks much; when you do you just tag along with other people since you have nothing better to do. You would like to order a Tazo Chai Crème but don't know how to pronounce it. Most people who drink Tall Caramel Macchiato are strippers." It's true. I really don't visit Starbucks much. And I am a stripper. What does the Oracle say about you?
[The post in which I waffle on about trivial things like hair and eyelashes and things. Five minutes of your life you'll never be able to get back again.]
I think in whatever field of work you reside in, there's a need to be empathetic about things which may be sensitive or emotionally disturbing to you or your clients/peers. For teaching, it can be as simple as not going on and on about Mothers Day, when you've got a kidlet in your class who doesn't have a mother. If you're a hairdresser? To me, it means you listen to the client and try to do what they want, clarifying what you're doing along the way.
In simpler terms? Do not fuck with their hair. Give them what they want. Give them only what they want. Because if you fuck with their hair? It takes a mighty long time to grow back. And yes. This is coming from personal experience.
In December, I visited a salon near my work - we had a year six farewell dinner that night and I thought I'd have a shampoo and blowdry, since only hairdressers can make my hair go all smooth and flippy and frizz-free. While I was there, I decided to get my hair trimmed. Keep in mind, I have long hair. It was about mid-way down my back at that stage, with only one mid-sized layer to keep it thick. I'm sure you see where this story as going. To quote myself, here's what happened;
I went into the hairdresser today with high hopes and a few simple words. "Just a tiny trim off the length - I’m trying to grow it out. Oh and just trim my fringe too, please." I thought that meant "Just a tiny trim off the length - I’m trying to grow it, oh and just trim my fringe too, please." [As you would, right?] Apparently what it actually meant was "Hack at my hair in large chunks, giving me Rachel-style bangs around my face and chopping at least 2 inches of length off the back and 5 inches around my face. And then beat me with a stick."
Yep, she really did that. Left me with mutilated hair and layers that refuse to grow out, eight months later. As well as a fear of people wielding scissors.
To say I was nervous about visiting the salon yesterday was an understatement. I relaxed a little while being shampooed (somehow, massaging your own scalp in the shower just doesn't have the same effect as lying in a comfy chair with someone else doing it to you) and ended up spilling my hair horror story to my stylist, who did a great job of acting surprised, sympathetic & outraged all at once.(I love that woman.)
To cut an already-getting-long story short, she fixed the damage. She fixed the straggly bits, re-shaped the will-be-growing-out-forever layers & gave me some side swept bangs, that seem to be behaving so far.
(And no, I didn't get brave and have my hair colour changed while I was there, it's just that my el-cheapo camera has apparently decided I look better as a brownish red-head. And what el-cheapo camera wants, el-cheapo camera gets.)
As for the eyelash tinting? Me and my spectacular MS Paint skills put together a little before & after diagram for you. Let me just share an occupational health and safety warning before we begin, as viewing these up close photographs may cause blinding and retinal damage. Thank you.
You may click here to see the results, if you're so inclined.
And on a completely unrelated note, I have just added some of my new-found blog stalkees to my "Stalkeriffic Blogs" page. Check it out, and do drop me a line if I've forgotten you. Will remedy immediately, for chocolates of course.
I've got a few upcoming events from "The List" planned for the next couple of days, which should be fairly interesting. What's that? I should just spit them all out?
Alrighty then.
Perhaps the most exciting one is that as of last night? I'm officially reading the Deathly Hallows. Only a few chapters in, and I've bawled already. I don't know how I'm going to get through this one without a tissue box by my side at all times.
Tonight I'm experimenting in the kitchen: chicken & herb meatballs with pasta.
Tomorrow I'm heading to the hairdressers & have booked in for eyelash tinting!
On Saturday, I might be going and seeing another movie in Gold Class. How's that for extravagance? Must start saving my pennies . . . for gourmet pizza. Also on Saturday, I'm heading out for a night on the town with my mum and some of her friends. I'm trying to drag along one of my colleagues for a night of people watching and dancing, so if you're reading this Ms KC? You have to come along with me.
And finally, I'm now the proud owner of a Swear Jar! Of course, I'm too poor to use it as I'm saving up, but at least it's there. Must start talking like a lady . . .
Am looking forward to them all! I think even after this year ends and I make the big seachange, I will keep a list of sorts up and running. Is good. I like it uh-lot.
(Of course, I'm saving all of the er, less interesting items for last; such as giving blood, cleaning my room, going to the dentist. But honestly, wouldn't you?)
Chalk off another few list items if you will, because I killed two birds with one stone yesterday. To start with, I had my first Kirby catch-up, and am proud to announce to the internet that I didn't get lost ONCE. I made it all the way to her place, without heading in the wrong direction and in record time. I'm proud of myself. You should be too.
(I probably needed to add 'stop being so bloody useless when driving to unfamiliar places' as an item on my list, although I was trying to be realistic with my expectations, wasn't I?)
Stupid Aly idea of the day: Ordering a caramel macchiato from Starbucks. In grande size. With extra sugar. I don't drink coffee, ever, especially not 'gourmet' coffee, so I was hyper before even beginning our movie adventure. Just ask Kirby.
Yep, a good month after everyone else, we finally watched Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix. In Gold Class. What is that exactly? Basically, it's a really overpriced option of seeing a movie at any old theatre. You pay double the price, but get cushy seats and the option of being catered to while you enjoy the movie. I had a rough idea of what to expect, but yesterday's movie experience turned out to be much more extravagant than I predicted.
Firstly, we were told to bypass the candy bar and head towards the sign on the wall saying, yep, Gold Class. Once there, we stared around blankly, wondering where to go next and if we had to walk through the fire exit, when a sliding door magically opened in front of us. Once we shuffled awkwardly inside, we were greeted by a huge bar with one hell of a lot of wine bottles on it, and dozens of funky lounges with giant cushions. The lounge also had faces on the walls, roof and lamps, which was a little creepy and warranted me taking a photo.
(Unfortunately for you though, until I figure out how to get the images OFF my phone and onto the computer, you'll just have to imagine seeing Audrey Hepburn's face made out of dots on the ceiling. And random babies in lamps. Was weird.)
Feeling completely overwhelmed, we wandered up to the bar and asked what to do next. Here, we were given a menu (!) by the usher and asked to check it out and decide whether we'd like to order anything. As fascinated as I was by the $12 meat pies & $18 gourmet pizzas, all I wanted was my standard movie fare of popcorn and a drink. Which weren't on the menu. I was dismayed. And too embarrassed to ask for it. Especially since I was at this stage giggling like a schoolgirl because it was all so darned fancy. And because of caffeine. Lots of caffeine.
We eventually decided to be brave and ask the usher if we could have our popcorn, after which he proceeded to ask us at what time in the movie would we like our food? I was like, er, whenever? To which he sort of raised an eyebrow and probably thought about how I was a big stupid moron. We sat back down on the comfy lounge suite, singing along to Kylie Minogue on the speakers, and were soon showed into the theatre.
I thought we'd just be in a special section of the normal theatre, but I was way off on that one. We had our own private movie theatre! Well, not just Kirby and I. But there were only about 32 seats in the entire place. And boy, were they seats. Full reclining lounge chairs, with a table in front of them for food. It was just crazy. Sitting there in the big chairs playing with the recliner button, I felt like a little kid who was being naughty, I don't think I've laughed so much in a long time. (Kirby's fantastic company is to be commended.)
Despite a few minutes of mild panic when everyone else was delivered their gourmet food and cocktails (!) and our popcorn hadn't arrived, we did finally get our food. And it wasn't just in your standard cardboard packaging, either. Oh no. We got our popcorn in a big serving bowl, and our frozen cokes in tall drinking glasses. How's that for service?
All up, the movie itself was fantastic, the lounges were so comfortable and the whole experience was such a good day, I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to watching movies in 'economy class' anymore. But with a $36 price tag (plus food) I don't think I'll be able to afford the movies very much, either. I think Gold Class is excellent for longer movies, but definitely not a weekly thing. It's a shame though. One could get used to the luxury!
I find it amazing just how excited I've become about actually doing things that I've marked as important enough to be on "The List". (Click here if you have no idea what I'm rambling on about, or want to refresh your memory.)
In fact I've been so excited, I've already planned ways I can cross things off. Here's a list of the things I've already done/am planning to do in the next few weeks:
- Gone to the library and borrowed five random novels. (I might add that all of those suggestions you lovely readers left for me in my comments or emailed me, were NOT in my local library catelogue. Apparently I'm going to be reading ten year old fiction, but hey. At least they're still new.)
- Attended a rugby league game watching Parramatta vs Manly. (All the while, still sporting this bloody cold. I was armed with tissues. Lots of tissues.)
- I will be stalking Kirby on Sunday. We will be (finally!) watching Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix. In Gold Class. Phwoar!
- My parents are buying me the suitcase of my dreams for my birthday.
- Tomorrow afternoon's staff development meeting is teaching us CPR. Nifty.
- I've already started searching for low-fat recipes to make, my family being the guinea pigs. And I've started typing up recipes to take away with me.
- Charmed Season 8, Dawson's Creek Season 6 & CSI Season 5 are waiting for me.
You see? I'm obviously a nerd, but "The List" seems to be working for me.
Now if only I could stop thinking too much about Jason leaving .. this Friday. Sniff.
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