77 Ayes

Normally "proud to be a Kiwi" comments make my face crumple into a visual definition of 'cringe'. But this evening it's totally appropriate and appreciated. Our Parliament passed the final reading of a bill to amend the Marriage Act allowing same-sex couples to marry. 77 votes for, 44 against. Wonderful!

I'm really tired, and trying to watch the first My Kitchen Rules finale decider before I fall asleep in my chair, as I type this (boy do politicians faff about). But I just had to type a teeny tiny possibly incoherent acknowledgement of what is a very important day for many of my fellow Kiwis, and really the country as a whole. There's a looong way to go judging by so many views I've read from those who were opposed, but it's a great step towards a country I can really be proud of.

Lovecats

Hey everyone! I've been working on a couple of commissions so far this month, which I'll hopefully be able to show you once they have been gifted. I just did this quick pencil drawing of Charlie and Wallace for fun. Yes, it's most definitely from a photo - as if Wallace would sit still in someone's arms long enough to be drawn. I realised I've actually never drawn Wallace before - don't think the mouth is quite right, and his forehead isn't dark enough looking at it now. But he still looks cute, so that's the main thing.

Work is almost over for the year, and everything's still going great in my new role. Got the gist of it down, but still learning new things all the time which keeps it interesting. We had a couple of staff Christmas functions to attend in the past few weeks, including a day at the horse races which was really fun. The weather overall has been brilliant, just hoping it stays that way for Christmas day.

I'm looking forward to taking a fresh approach to my blog in the New Year; seems like a good time to do so. Hopefully I'll be posting more before then, but regardless I hope December is treating you well and you're feeling suitably festive.

Sweet comic, Valentine

Just be in a picture with me, pleeease.

Yeah, but just look happy!

Smileee.

There it is.

Happy St Valentine's Day, you guys! It is seriously crazy (and awesome!) that this is the third we've spent together. We haven't really done much of anything to celebrate because we're broke and preparing for the move (note the boxes in the background) - Charlie's present to me is agreeing to the new place, and mine to him is paying for a moving company so we don't have to do it ourselves haha.

iLove

My first iPhone arrived yesterday! It is only a 3GS, but considering I'm the worst saver in the world, I never expected to be able to convert so soon. Vodafone has some contract deals on at the moment, and while the monthly fees add up to quite a sum, I can afford it, and it sure beats scraping together a few hundred bucks.

Charlie's had the same model for a couple of years, and I steal it frequently! But it's definitely not the same as having your own- downloading all the silly girly Apps especially! Let me know if there's any Apps you highly recommend, and also feel free to follow me on Instagram. I'm still learning how it all works, so if that link is wrong my username, as always, is niceties.

Top Three TV

The New Zealand Government has passed a law which means those downloading content illegally can be fined up to $15,000. Cannot be bothered blogging about it- obviously in my last job I heard about it all the time, but now that it's in the news and I'm hearing the opinions of stupid people all day long in my current job, I am really sick of the whole thing.

It's not going to stop me watching my top three TV shows (TV is the only thing I download anyway, these days). We would be waiting a year or two to get new episodes here in NZ otherwise, and if there's one thing I hate, it's shows being spoiled!

I am loving my job, but starting to hate my country because of it. If that makes sense.

Do you watch much TV? What shows do you love?

Dexter image source.
Breaking Bad image source.
Damages image source.

Stomp

It is extremely fortunate that I don't have a credit card. A very generous credit card. Today I am drooling over amazing pairs of Rupert Sanderson shoes; Pigalle on the left, and Hydra on the right. I can't wait until I've got my budgeting all sorted out, and I can go clothing and shoe shopping for winter... although spending a fraction of the price of one pair of Sandersons on my entire wardrobe, no doubt. But fear not, the end of seriously slobby dressing is nigh, promise.

I also found these Viktor & Rolf ankle boots, which are kind of old but therefore cheaper. I don't think I could pull them off- don't much like covering my ankles- but I still love them. Grey is my colour. Buy them cheap here.

Bi-atch.

Sneaky peeks

Had the first session of my second tattoo yesterday afternoon! Took just over two hours, and Simon the tattoo artist got all the line and shading work done, plus coloured in the DH-88 with such a perfect shade of red- hoping it stays a similar tone once it's done scabbin' and itchin'. The Tiger Moth is going to be yellow, but not 100% sure about the rest yet. Have my next appointment in a couple of weeks! Will definitely post a clear photo once it is all finished, but for now you can squint at the blur and admire Wallace!

PS: My flatmate Matt also got tattooed by Simon yesterday (field trip!) and you can view photos of his tattoo/follow him on Twitter.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Have you done/are you doing anything to celebrate?

I have to say I am absolutely sick of all the anti-Valentine's whingey bullshit I have heard from single people today (this is largely due to my job, not people I actually know). Seriously- get over it! I do appreciate it can't be the most joyous occassion for those unhappy to be alone, but it's the equivalent of people who are estranged from their parents complaining about Mothers' and Fathers' Day (maybe they do?)

This is the second Valentine's that Charlie and I have been together for. We don't really have a relationship-anniversary that we recognise (does Facebook-official count?) so it's nice to have this day to be happy and cutesy and together.

Day 18 of 30/Father's Day

It's Father's Day today here in NZ. Unfortunately I don't really have the spare funds to go home for the weekend, but hopefully soon (it is one of my goals for September after all!) I mailed Dad this watercolour I did of his motorbike, and a card. I love him heaps.

For Day 18 I have to name some plans/dreams/goals I have. In no particular order:

• Have a solo exhibition of my artwork
• Travel to South America, USA and Canada
• Live in NYC (most likely a dream, unless we do the illegal alien thing as Charlie suggested!)
• Meet Rufus Wainwright while he's here next month!
• Work out where I want to go in my career and damn well do it

No sweat...

Have a whole bunch of cleaning to do now, while Charlie's at work. My friend Vikkie and her new boyfriend are coming to stay tonight so best make the apartment presentable! She lives in Auckland now, and I only see her when she's doing trips through Wellington. She's in Christchurch today, flew down this morning and is driving back up to Picton today. So will be interesting to get her take on the damage down there.

Charlie & Wallace