Moth's Wings

Picture by electricalgloom @ flickr.com

"Put down your sword and crown
Come lay with me on the ground"

I recently saw Passion Pit live, and it was one of those wonderful "what band is this?" moments while standing in the crowd - instant love. I suggest you go and listen to their song Moth's Wings by clicking this, right now.

(Do it.)

Have you ever had a "what-band-is-this-I'm-instantly-in-love" moment? Who was it? Were you ever the same again?

Paranormal

Picture by whalebones @ flickr.com

I am convinced there is some kind of supernatural being living in my bedroom.

I was just sitting here, minding my own business browsing various internets, when my laptop began to overheat. BUT wait, that's no paranormal activity - and you're right. It's not. It happens from the moment I turn this old thing on. So I plugged in the little fan I have enlisted as my laptop-cooler and aimed it at the keyboard to prevent her shutting down mid-browse.

I then returned to lurking my best friend on Facebook.

This went on for about ten or so minutes before I started getting a little annoyed at constantly having to sweep the hair off my face / pull it out of my mouth thanks to the fan breeze - what? I'm puzzled here, because I aimed the fan AT THE KEYBOARD as you will recall me saying earlier. Either a ghost has moved my fan, or a ghost has moved my fan. Without me noticing. My lamp also flickers ONLY when I lay in bed, but that may have something to do with coincidence and/or the bulb needing to be switched.

So, Dear "ghost" "spirit" "spectre" or what have you: if you're reading this over my shoulder as I type, have some courtesy and stop messing with my electrical appliances or this time you will actually make it to heaven/hell/wherever dead things go. Regards, Natalie.

Things I like About My Job

Here is my own edition of this post from the Secret Society of List Addicts, a wonderful little blog full of sweet, funny, serious, inspiring lists for every occasion (and non-occasion!).

So. On to the Things I like about my job.

1. I do not have one. That's right. I'm gloriously unemployed. But please sir! Wait! It's not all scrimping and saving, and eating crumbs from other people's dinner plates! I may not be able to afford that new Ferrari, but for the moment I like not having a boss and a schedule and a uniform. Humble yet comfortable.

2. The world is my office/oyster. I get to explore all day every day if I want, as if that isn't the best kind of workplace?! As long as there is enough money for a train fare (R.I.P car) I can go wherever my legs can carry me.

3. I can stay in my pyjamas if I want. All day. I can safely wear my purple mickey mouse pants and be lazy and nobody can tell me "take them off! They're faded and have a hole in the knee and don't comply with the company's dress code!"

4. I get to see my ladyfriends all the time. They're all kinds of charming, rude, hilarious, crazy, tall and short. I'm 100% sure they are much better company than co-workers, because co-workers won't parade around in their underwear or share their clothes.

5. I have endless time to read/write/paint/cook/clean/focus on my wall decorating skills. This is my favourite part. It's productive on a whole other non-work level. It's highly time consuming, and highly satisfying.

So the moral is - whatever you're doing today, whether you're working or not-working, embrace it!

"Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it." (Buddha)


Photo by pavlunka @ flickr.com

Origami

I've been feeling particularly fiddly and crafty lately, so I've turned to the often frustrating but clever art of paper origami.
It's challenging - miniscule folding has never been easy, but that's all part of the fun and is worth it in the end when you have a pretty little box to put your rings in, or a crane to hang by your window. You don't really need proper origami paper (pages from a book or magazine works fine) but if you're fancy you can buy the real thing at most craft shops.
Sharing is caring, so here are some easy-to-follow tutorials to get the paper crafting ball rolling for you!

Origami Strawberry
Crane
Origami Box


Photo by funnysky @ flickr.com

Bad Day

Photo by unmadebeds @ flickr.com

Dear Universe,
Here is my wish list for tonight. Please meet all of my demands or else there will be serious trouble! I would like the following things as soon as possible:
1. A big gigantic hug
2. Freshly washed and ironed pyjamas
3. Season five of WEEDS
4. A cup of tea with lemon

Polar Express

I intended to post this before New Year's but I forgot. Here is a little (alcoholic) drink recipe I concocted some time ago that will guarantee you good times, any time and every time! It's positively polar in temperature, and it's your express route to slurred speech!


Party polar bears by gracia+louise @ flickr.com

What You'll Need:
Vodka
Handful of ice cubes
Glass/cup/liquid holder of choice*

Step 1:
Take your liquid holder of choice.

Step 2:
Place ice cubes three quarters of the way up your liquid holder of choice.

Step 3:
Fill the rest with straight vodka.

Step 4:
Drink it! Congratulations, you have made your first Polar Express :)



*The bigger the vessel, the more intoxicated you will be... so don't go all crazy and go filling up the largest bucket in your house!

2010

Photo by disneychick @ flickr.com

Guess what! Tomorrow it will be 2010!
Say goodbye to 2009: a year of immeasurable stress and worry! A year of wandering around with my eyes closed!
Of course with the approach of any new year, one must have a resolution handy - mine?
To have more patience. That is all.
So happy new year, I hope it brings everyone wonderful things and incredible opportunities. And - Drink responsibly! (Heh.)

S.I.P.W.A.

Smiling-In-Public-While-Alone Moment Of The Day:

Young man. Acoustic guitar. Hot N Cold (Katy Perry). My $2 -> his guitar case. Me = grinning. Highly amused. The end!

Oh the things you'll see!

Today I met a Frenchman on the train ride home.

There was a scuffle in our carriage, and as the police turned to take the brawlers away, I turned to the stranger and said "How awkward for them!" and to my surprise he replied with a thick French accent, "Oh yes it is quite awkward isn't it?"

Apparently he was on his way to the local Pick-A-Part to look for a new bumper for his car. We talked about living in busy places, amongst other things, and when it was time to leave I directed him to Pick-A-Part and was on my way to continue my Christmas shopping.

I'm glad I caught the train today. :)