Spring!

Everything I can think of

My biggest problem/barrier when it comes to blogging is not having the time to make it a priority. Obviously the day job comes in at number one because it pays the bills. And lately my work for SYAONZ has come in at number two because of all these events I've been invited to (goodbye weekends) and the fact we've set up a website which still needs a lot of content to be written or assigned to writers. Which is fantastic, and I'm so excited by all the stuff that's happening, but that takes a lot of time too. Then there's my art which is so very neglected right now, due mostly to the lack of time but also to the lack of space in my house. And then there's all the video footage I have stored on Charlie's iMovie (sorry) which I need to whittle down into interesting videos for my YouTube channel, just because it's already helped my speaking-confidence substantially (that and public speaking). And lastly there's blogging. Which I miss. And Caitlin's visiting NZ in two weeks which is so exciting, and I suspect is what caused me to gain a new follower today (hi!) even though I'm posting nothing...

The GUILT!

I'm going to try and play catch-up this week, and perhaps that will get me back into the habit... It's tricky too though, because all the SYAONZ stuff I want to recap here from a personal point of view, I kinda also need to post on the new website in a more professional way.

I should stop apologising and explaining myself and just write, right.

For some reason this image looks better on Facebook than Blogger?

Okay, we covered the Fit for Work Summit in another post. Next was a Halloween party Charlie and I went to at our friends' house. It was a small gathering which was perfect for me because sitting around chatting and playing drinking games is far more appealing to me than mingling with strangers. And the food, oh the food. Best hosts ever. Charlie dressed as La Parka, and I dressed as Becky from Sin City. The absurdly expensive facepaint I bought from Gordon Harris was TERRIBLE, and flaked off my skin within an hour or so of application. I was terribly unimpressed. Followed all the application instructions for prepping my face and using thin layers etc. Tried a sponge and a brush. Just terrible.

The day after that party was almost summer-like so Charlie and I caught a bus and went to visit Wellington Zoo - the first time for both of us in years. Quite a few of the enclosures had changed a lot since the last time I went, and definitely for the better. I do have mixed feelings towards zoos in general, but can't deny I just love seeing the animals. And after missing all kangaroos when I visited Australia (okay, I think I missed a roadkill spotting while dozing in the car) I got to pat one, so that was exciting.

The next highlight after that expedition was throwing out everything I'd said about running my iPhone 3GS into the ground, and instead swooping on a gold iPhone 5S with Telecom as soon as my contract with Vodafone ran out. I just couldn't resist, and I'm so glad I went for it. Had no problems with Vodafone's customer service etc. but their reception in my hometown is terrible, and Telecom offered a better data deal (though still atrociously low. Seriously, who uses the bajillion minutes and texts these plans offer? It's such a scam). So yeah, having a phone that reacts instantly is fabulous. Even though I knew it'd be shoved into a case, I still desperately wanted the gold because I'm an irrational, easily-swayed consumer. This is probably a blog post in itself, but the difference between this phone and my very first cell phone ever (which was such a dream-come-true at the time) is hilarious. I got the Sony Ericsson T206 when I was probably about 14 (?), and boy did I think I was fancy.

Next was the Arthritis New Zealand conference on 9 November at the Waipuna Conference Centre in Auckland (great venue), where I stood up and gave my (slightly adapted) speech again in front of 220+ people on a proper stage. It was exhilarating to be honest, I loved it. I got a laugh at one point and was kind of shocked so probably looked a bit startled-possum before chuckling and carrying on... Really hope I get more opportunities to practice/improve my skills. We had workshops in the afternoon which were really interesting - one brilliant presentation on employment law in relation to chronic illness. Definitely a major to-do of posting notes from that on our website. It was unfortunate there still were very few younger people in attendance, so SYAONZ will definitely try to encourage more of our lot to attend next year. The content of the conference itself is quite valuable for a lot of people on a personal level, but it'd also just be great to make more of an impact with having a lot of younger faces in the crowd. Sarah still got a comment from another (elderly) attendee that she was too young to have arthritis. Groooan.

On Friday just gone I flew up to Auckland again for a one-and-a-half day workshop with 30ish CEOs and managers mostly from not-for-profit organisations in the health sector. I got invited after my Wellington speech at the Fit for Work Summit, and while a lot of it was well above the level SYAONZ is at, it was still super interesting - even relating back to my day job at a not-for-profit - and pretty inspiring to speak to leaders of organisations who started out just like us. We're in such a good position having over 600 people already involved in our community, it's just hard to know where to take it next, so is still an ongoing discussion. Would definitely be easy to over-commit and crash and burn, so we'll be doing some careful thinking about that.

On Friday evening all the workshop participants went to dinner at Vivace which was delicious and a lot of fun. Dylan came along after a work event for a few beers, and as always it was really great to catch up with him. Got back to my hotel room in the wee hours, and contemplated watching a movie before seeing the cost, crap TV, and rubbish selection. Watched YouTube instead. Could surely get used to staying in hotels though! BUT I have to say, the front desk service at Rydges was so bad. So very cold, not at all welcoming. I wasn't asked at all about how my stay was or anything like that on check out. I don't even think the guy said goodbye. Pretty appalling, and I checked out well before there was any line in the lobby. Guess I didn't look rich enough.

In amongst all of this (okay, a while ago now) I got a new tattoo, which those of you following me elsewhere have probably already seen. I'd originally hoped to get Malika Rose to do it, but it was getting a bit iffy as to whether she would be at the Tattoo Expo in New Plymouth or not, so I decided to get Michelle at Sinatra's (now Tattoo Freaky) to do it instead, and I'm thrilled with how it turned out. I still haven't taken a decent healed picture even though it's been weeks, so that one snapped right now in terrible lighting will do for now. Yes, it's Captain von Trapp from The Sound of Music. Because reasons.

Also some time ago I had a lovely day with my family - one of Wellington's first summery days this season. We had brunch at Chalk on the waterfront which I really liked, and then later in the day I took my parents and sister to see Gravity (the boyfriends weren't keen, unimpressed).

That's it. That's all my photos have managed to jog from my memory. We're all caught up.

Meow

Wairarapa Wedding

Sorry I've dropped off the face of planet blog lately, I've been pretty busy. Charlie and I spent the weekend in Martinborough for his friend Sam's wedding. We helped with setting up the venue on Friday evening and it was sooo stinking hot. Thankfully the wedding day itself was a bit cooler for the boys in their tuxes. The ceremony and reception were gorgeous, and it was great to hang out with the girls I met at the hen's party again.

I didn't end up buying the dream dress I mentioned - one day! But I do love the dress I ended up with, and I got the most comfortable black heels in the world from Overland.

I only have some phone photos to share with you, as my camera's still battery-less. But it was nice to just enjoy the day rather than trying to take amazing pictures to be honest. Unfortunately I don't have a clear photo of the bride's dress which stunning.

Oh yeah, and it was our official three year anniversary yesterday too.

Today was just as hot as Friday, so we went and had some BBQ food and played silly games on the lawn before the drive back to Wellington. Only a few days to go until The Hobbit has its red carpet premiere in Wellington, so I'm typing this listening to The Lord of the Rings films which they're playing on a big screen near the waterfront in Waitangi Park.

Hope you all had a good weekend too!

Brun

On Thursday night I watched Bec Winnel's first #artclasswednesday video, which streamed live earlier that day while I was at work. I painted/drew this eye using gouache and coloured pencils while watching along, and I really like it considering I only spent an hour on it.

Today was the first of a three day weekend, and was gloriously sunny. Charlie and I went to a few shops this afternoon and I bought 10 sheets of beauuutiful watercolour paper that I cannot wait to use for the series I've been making notes and sketches for. We had a late lunch and beers at Enigma (turning into regulars). Then we came home and I did some cleaning and spray painted some picture frames white. Productivity!

I have an interview with an amaaazing American artist to post tomorrow, so make sure you check back then! Have a great weekend everyone.

C-17

Home & Living

Here's a few photos from my last phone import, starting with cute snaps of a sleeping Wallace. He's his same old snuggly self, and his cuddles are much appreciated. I hung one of my belts off our closet door the other day, and as it stops just above the floor it's become his new favourite toy.

My tattoo's colour is a few weeks old now, and I adore it. It's pretty difficult to get a clear photo of your own arm, so this was my best attempt! It's all healed up obviously, but I still put a few drops of TINKture on it from time to time because I love the smell. I have to say I was sceptical of the Twitter hype about this product, but Charlie's been using it for his new tattoo and it really has been working brilliantly. Definitely wont be missing the smell and stickiness of Bepanthen.

Charlie's new tattoo is a work in progress, also being done by Simon Morse. It's based on the art of Takashi Murakami, whom both Charlie and Simon are fans of. I believe it's going to contain 24 different colours, so it's going to look pretty amazing!

One of my favourite recent app discoveries is NightCap, which allows you to adjust the exposure and whitebalance of your photos, and also includes a self timer setting.

My art and computer desk is now in our lounge again rather than the bedroom which is so much better, especially since it's still winter temperatures here most days. Excuse the average photo above, but that gives you a look at where I'm typing to y'all from! I just moved the plant on top of the bookshelf tonight, which admittedly isn't the greatest idea earthquake‐safety‐wise, but it needs some time out from Wallace's claws.

Lastly, I got a brilliant make up case in the form of a fishing box from Storage Box recently. Their prices are surprisingly decent, once you step past the home decor section and ignore the products actually advertised as being for make up storage.

I'll be doing some more Friday Flashback posts as I can, but I don't have access to many old photos until I visit my parents again next week.

de Havilland Tattoo - Complete!

First of all, forgive the terrible photos below - it's not easy to photograph your own right arm with a phone, even with the aid of a mirror. I will of course post a clear photo when it's all healed up, but I couldn't wait to share this now - especially since those of you who follow me on Instagram and the like have already seen it.

Finally, finally, I got my tattoo finished! It had been black and red (left) for over a year due to my own laziness, and I'd kind of just gotten used to how it looked. Once the artist, Simon Morse, moved to his own studio recently I decided to book in and get it finished - if I'm going to stick to my one-a-year plan, I had to finish 2011's before getting 2012's, right? We'd established the Tiger Moth would be yellow, but other than that I left the colour decisions up to him.

The middle photo was taken about two thirds of the way through yesterday's sitting, when I got up to have a stretch, and Simon ran his idea of the blue by me. It's probably just because of my AS, but in each of the three tattooing sessions I've had, the pain from keeping my body still is way worse than the actual pain of the needle!

I love love love how it looks with the blue background - eventually I think I'll be adding to this arm, so I didn't want anything too border-y if that makes sense. I can't wait until it's healed so I can post some better pictures - the detail on her headgear especially is so perfect.

If you want to check out more of Simon's work, you can view the Dr Morse INC Facebook page here, and also check out this article on his new premises.

Flashbacks

I won't start regularly posting Instagram photos on here because I think it gets boring fast. However, there are a few photos I thought I'd share, and since it's now June I figured I'd make it a 'best of' the first half of 2012 type of thing. I've cut it down to a mix of my own favourites, and the photos that received the most likes. Pretty much every second photo is of Wallace or our house's view, so some brutal photo culling was most definitely necessary.

Wallace has taken to sleeping on Charlie's pillow now the weather's getting cold. + I framed a couple more prints to hang in this corner of the lounge, and think it looks pretty cute now. + I took this photo after a completing a short bushwalk with my family, east of Masterton.

A photo of a photo (obviously) of myself and our now-passed family dog, Shadow, when she was a puppy. + My parents' cats Lucky and George, waiting for dinner. Lucky had his left eye removed a few weeks ago because he had glaucoma in it. + A photo taken in the Wellington CBD.

My favourite brooch. + One of Wellington's more interesting antique/second hand stores - it's huge, and the whole place is jam packed full of things. + Selfie in my leopard pajamas.

Pink clouds over Wellington. + One of the reject photos from this post. + A toadstool at my parents' house.

Baby me. + My sister Emily washing her car. + A well-'liked' photo of the sun setting over Wellington.

Crescent moon over the city. + A wall of family photos at my parents' house. + Watching TV with Wallace.