Archive for the ‘random’ Category

• In which I try to blog each day in October…

  Date: 2010.10.01 | Category: random | Response: 0

  

  … and you laugh at me. Because if you look at my previous posting history, it seems unlikely.

  BUT. When I look at my previous blogging history, I see something else. A distinct and predictable pattern: I blog during University holidays. You see, I stated this blog during “leave of absence” for my first child. In 2006. And then I went back to Uni to study, part-time, until my second child was one.

  Since then I’ve studied full-time and minded the kids.  Which is, for me, quite a bit of work. I like Uni, I try to do my best.  So I decided early on something (well, some things) had to give: (1) a tidy house, fancy home-cooked meals and general domestic godessness, and (2) blogging, crafting, other extra-curricular activities.

  So there you have it: why I don’t blog much.

  I can see plenty of reasons why Blogtoberfest mightn’t work: exams, lots of major assignments due in October (that’s what ended kid’s clothes week). But I want to give it a go anyway.  I’m nearly graduated, I’m nearly out of this no-spare-time-even-nights-or-weekends tunnel…

• My creative space #003

  Date: 2010.02.11 | Category: random | Response: 6

  Hope you’re enjoying seeing the little changes, week by week, to my creative space and my thoughts. This time, only one photo to show what’s changed. The rest is the same.

  1. From A. Because it’s a nice, smooth stone.

  2. This sticky tape is too big. But very useful. So if it’s staying on my desk, it can hold all my post-its, used bus tickets and little bits of paper.

  3. Notes from school, forms to fill out, things to remember …

  4. Mess. It moves, it changes, it’s always there!

  5.  My current book bag. The kids don’t go to the local school, I wanted Montessori. So I spend a lot of time in a café or at the library, waiting for them to finish. Reading, doing homework, thinking. Underneath there’s my pile of pattern-making books. I plan to read each one this year, slowly. And a Vogue Living from Mum (in turn, a gift from Nan).

  6. I had to check for my post last night.

  7. More library books. I might use some flowers in my tea towel swap. What will happen when libraries go digital? When books go digital? And we no longer visit libraries or book shops? We’ll still have the information, but is it the same? And what of the second-hand booksellers? I’ve found a lot of interesting things second-hand, books I never could/would have bought new. And I’ve become expert at browsing libraries for hidden treasures…

  8. More crochet project. I’ll tell you about it once I’ve made more.

  I know some of you only visit me on Thursdays, so: Have a great week everyone!

• Happy New Year*, Happy New Blog*

  Date: 2009.01.01 | Category: random | Response: 0

  Happy 2009, may it be your best year yet!

  * actually, New Year’s is my least favourite holiday.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against fireworks, traditions  or community celebrations.  I like all of them.  But it’s the underlying threat of drunken violence on a Sydney New Years Eve that gets to me.  And the Summer heat.  Apparently most people behaved themselves this year, good.

  So how did I spend New Year’s?  Like always, in a long queue of people, straining to catch a glimpse of some distant event.  But this time, I was at Asakusa.  My sorta/ kinda/ gaijin-style hatsumode, the first temple/shrine visit of the year.

  

  And, yes, like many people in my neighbourhood, I have two pine trees outside my door, with paper decorations.  Even work vehicles are decorated.  And police stations, convenience stores, tyre shops.  New Year’s is big in Japan.  I rather like it, especially the patient but quietly hopeful feeling of the crowd last night.

  

  Sure, like everyone, I’ve been thinking about my year … last one, next one.  I’m not really into resolutions, more continuous improvement (!) And I agree with Pip, I’m rather against the whole publicising your wishlist, then beating yourself up (publicly) for not achieving the measurably perfect life, all in one year. That said, I’d like to be a bit more organised this year … see if planning and preparing in advance doesn’t save time in the long run.  And make sure I put my time into whats important to me, to my family.  Be smarter about time, generally.  I’ll see how I go ; )

  * not really a new blog for a new year. But a new direction, focus and lotsa new content planned … stay tuned.  I’ll  be filling out the archives a bit throughout the day … 4am bedtime (trains) permitting

• Made Today: a visit to Inokashira Park

  Date: 2008.08.05 | Category: random | Response: 0

  

  Which was totally worth it. I’ve learnt to lower my expectations of Japanese parks: they’re usually tiny by Australian standards (even the Botanic Gardens at Kyoto was a disappointment) and they’re mud/dirt … what is it with Australians and lawns? But Inokashira Park was totally worth the visit. It’s big, even for an Australian, with a huge lake with boats in the shape of ducks (next time); giant Koi (75cm or more); a small zoo (next time, again); lots of shady paths under trees for walking; foresty areas for the kids to play in; snack foods and restaurants; and interesting road of shops leading up to the park (if touristy in a hippy/goth kinda way) … and we didn’t explore the half of it;)

  

  Oh, and the sound of lots of insects: some I know, like cicadas, and some I don’t … I really miss having wildlife in the city, other than those huge black crows.

• just a photo I like

  Date: 2008.08.01 | Category: random | Response: 0

  
  Isn’t it odd that when you’re most interested in what you’re making, you don’t have the energy to blog about it? Or perhaps it’s becuase I got up so early this morning, I’m worn out?

  So just a photo today, taken on the West side of Shinjuku station.

• Wow, so clever! (Scroll down to see how these wall hangings were made!) http://t.co/oh2Uuhci From Design*Sponge about 8 hours ago from TweetDeck
• Grey water RT @sarahfielke Colour of your pants + last thing you ate or drank = #yourbandname about 9 hours ago from TweetDeck
• This is what I miss about Japan: things that just fit back into their boxes, with no trouble, clear instructions which way up... *sigh* 07:55:05 am 04 February 2012 from TweetDeck
• #talknt Fabric travel is global warming worry, but Organic is still worthwhile > rivers, land near cotton fields not damaged by pesticide 02:24:45 am 01 February 2012 from TweetDeck
• Good question! RT @helishingly: why don't UFO's visit us now we all have camera phones? #AFPInvestigates 10:34:08 am 30 January 2012 from TweetDeck