Help Me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're My Only Hope

I did have a new New Years Resolution but didn't think it noteworthy to broadcast to everyone. Especially considering I am a horrible gift giver and this resolution is all about the gifts.

I have decided to hand make or at least give gifts on time all year. May seem like an average resolution but I believe that all my gifts last year were given quite late after the date (a few weeks at least).

I have major gift anxiety. I stress that the gift will be to obscure or odd so either avoid giving it or stress so long about finding that elusive perfect gift that I end up giving it a few weeks late.

I used to think I had fantastic time management skills, no idea where they went or even if I had them at all. I also seem to overestimate my abilities. I started this cross-stitch for a friends birthday a few days before I was to give it mainly because I thought it would be so easy as it is kind of small. It ended up taking me nearly 30 hours to complete. Briefly thought about keeping it myself but another of my habits is blurting that I have the gift or giving way easy hints of what it is.

I found the pattern here. It is the first cross-stitch I have done from a pattern and not in a pack thingo.
Prit-tay happy with the results!.

- A

I Get Knocked Down...

Forgot my camera... what an idiot. Had a mega day planned with Bin and my Niece. Started of with lunch at East Ocean for Yum Cha. I had heard that this is tha place for Yum Cha in Sydney and so it made it's way onto The List. Maybe I just enjoy the fan fare of Yum Cha more than the food. East Ocean does not have the trolley thing anymore, just order and it gets delivered. Good food though.

Next stop was Hyde Park Barracks, one of my favourite museums in Sydney. Then a brief tour through The Rocks and a guided tour through Susannah Place Museum, mostly unchanged since they were built in 1844. My Niece seemed to enjoy these museums but this was probably overshadowed by ending up at Luna Park. Think I pulled them throughout Sydney on a 10km walk!

 Susannah Place - 19/01

We spent Bin's last day of her Sydney 'holiday' at IKEA! I ended up finally buying a bedside table. Much needed. For the evenings activities I met up with some of the girls I play Netball with of a Thursday night at Forresters Hotel in Surry Hills.I went the classic Fish and Chips. Oddly it came it a bamboo steamer... This was the first time I had ordered something of their actual menu and not just one of the $5 meals which was not on offer the night we went there.

 Crunchy with only a hint of salad - 20/01

Friday was Scace's birthday drinks! Started of at Sussex Hotel. The place looks on to Bangaroo so it pretty much has an unbroken skyline, kinda. I did take other photos but most were on other peoples camera or of nothing on mine. Why does this happen???

 Being all artistic - 21/01

What did I do on sat the 22nd of Jan? Sat around. Decided I should buy a cheap hat to wear at Big Day Out on Weds. Drove to Bondi Junction Westfields, still holds Aly's '#1 Worst Car park in Sydney' title, close second is Rhodes car park especially when trying to find IKEA pickup. Could not find a worthy hat. Started to drive home. Got a call from P. Went to her house. Tried to take a photo of a spider in the front yard and got what you see below. Nothing. It looks as though they grow corn in their front garden. Don't think they do though.
 

 Spiders (?) - 22/01

I have way to many clothes for someone who pretty much has the same items on heavy rotation. Bought some new coat hangers for those unused clothes which will hopefully entice to wear them and decided to re-do my wardrobe. Intending to throw stuff out but did not. I own a lot of pinks and heaps of dresses. Both I did not realise until I started to sort.

 Nothing changed - 23/01

I finally bought a new bedside table. I didn't want one with draws. Mainly because my old one was holding stuff I rarely use. Hair straightener??? Have had short hair for a year. Am thinking of growing it again... (tangent) The old one was a gift from my ex. Think I may of wanted/needed it. I did not, however, need nor want the Lazy Susan he gave me as an anniversary gift a few years later... romance.

 Sup. Check out tha whiteness - 24/01

Hat was bought for Big Day Out from a cheap shop! Realised at about 930 at night that I would need a bag. Huzzah! I shall make one. I made a lined messenger style one strap bag. But with the strap was on either side thus stopping any would be thieves stealing all my important trinkets. This does work when then straps are put on correct. If a 'This is me wearing' photo is requesting suppose I could get to posing and put one up. Bag worked well and allowed me to create a minor dint in my sewing stash.

 The straps are wrong... don't sew!!! - 25/01

Big Day Out was massive! I went on the Australia Day one. Heaps of bands seen. Nearly 3 litres of water downed before sunset. Four applications of sunscreen and still managed to get an unusual sunburn. Huge day. So big I an unable to summarise in a short sentence, or in a single photo. 

The masses - 26/01

I really wanted to see Sia as I had heard that she will be taking some time off touring, confirmed the day after BDO. So I missed the start of Rammsteins set. Wish they were on separate times. Sia is quite funny, very chatty wish I could have stayed for more. We saw some fireworks which later found out it was to blast off the sheet fully covering Rammstein's stage. During Du Hast there were some more fireworks and flames and finally a giant canon shooting out white flakes which I understood to be a penis... Possibly one of the best sets I have ever seen and I only got half of it! 

Flames are hard to photograph - 26/01

Netball. I stacked it. Major stack. Left ankle went both sides. Crunch. Crunch. Fell over onto knees. And elbows. And wrist. I felt OK. It hurt but I could stand on it. I am an arse. I also filled in for a friends team on Tues. Stacked it there too. It was an indoor court with floorboards, I'm used to cement. Managed to bruise my left front calf... what is that called???

That's a major lump on the right knee - 27/01

So, I went to work. It wasn't that bad when I went to bed. Bit of a pain to try and sleep. Sunburn on back from BDO, cuts on knees and a bruised elbow made finding an OK position crap. After a few hours standing at work I had to go home. Not a major sprain (I'm no Doctor though).
.

 The film probably makes it look more dramatic - 28/01

New years resolution should have been to make posting regular. I still haven't made any. Anyone out in the interwebs have an interesting one to lend me while I try and figure one myself????

- A

Interest in Colors, I discover Myself

Last thing I have felt like doing has been playing about on the computer. Now that I have FINISHED Uni for the year!!! *pause for virtual pats on the back*. I did however spend some time at the photo printing place printing some photos. Truly it is getting out of hand. I am doing 200 at a time and I still have some on my card.

 284 photo-a-day photos - 22/11

It is getting to the time where I have to decide what I am going to do with all my photo-a-day photos. I have printed them so I have a hard copy. I was also thinking of making one of those photo book things. Umming and arrgghhhing. All done while I was still in Uni mode.

Salad Days - 23/11

Ben and Jerry's for dinner after last nights salad feast. Bland as. Salmon and other salad things that were kicking about the fridge. So I decided a drive to Manly Ben and Jerry's was called for. Just not the same as the closer Ben and Jerry's Hoyts Broadway... not even a real store. FARCE!

I had the Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk. Really don't think anyone needs a review. The ice-cream is good. Get some. They sell the mini pints in stores/deli around Sydney if you can't make the trek to Manly. Or, to the scabby half shop at Broadway.

 Creamy Ice - 24/11

Got rid of all my Uni crap off my wall. Still have some of my textbooks and notes flying about on my desk. At least I don't have to look up and see notes and deadlines for a few more months. Woo Hoo and other such celebratory chants. Now it is just has cards, A-Town related stuff and my Big Day Out ticket. Note the registered post envelope on for the ticket... my postie threw it on the ground near the box. Idiot. BDO won't replace and lost tickets either. Much fist shaking was going on. 

 Ma Wall - 25/11

Really have to get my shit together on this A-Town deal! I have 122 towns/places on the list and so far I have done16. Planning it has been the hardest. I probably could have just gone to most of these places already and seen them, but that is not what the A-Town thing is about. I spend a fair amount of time researching the places and planning when will be the best time to go these places based on events.

If I were to do this again I would have researched and planned the trips and then said that I planned on going travelling around NSW within 2010. Think I'm just going to make it an ongoing thing. Whenever I finish A I'll probably move onto another random letter. Or, maybe places with 'can' or 'son' in the name... But first I need to go to 106 places.

A-Towns (Key To Do,  Miss,  Done) - 26/11

My Cousins eldest Daughter, Maddison, had her 4th birthday part-tay at her place on the sat night. Really nice cake, wish I managed to get one of the flowers though.

Happy Birthday - 27/11

My cousin lives out west so I thought I'd knock over one of the move out of the way A-Towns whilst there. Agnes Banks was on the cards. Not the best day to be taking photos. Am yet to do the post. Nice scenery, looks like a little village.

Serenity - 28/11

 

Obscure photo of nothing....is the lane way near my house. Could not rotate the photo. Comp was having none of it.

Tilt - 29/11

DVD! My brother used to call them DDD's. Ooo the comedy Max. I have been avoiding getting Pushing Daisies as I knew it would be the final season and there would be many a loose end. Great show. Don't know why it was cancelled. Do The Right Thing is being promoted heaps in the past few months because of the anniversary. NOTORIOUS, after bringing it home I got the feeling that I have seen it already and Some Like It Hot. It was in my notebook with an arrow pointing to it which means 'this is important'. Have no idea why I was quite set on myself seeing it. I think someone famous really likes it. I also have a memory of watching a doco on Little Richie and 'it' being compared 'that film'. I thought "obviously" and didn't bother taking notes.

DDD's - 30/11

Must remember not to use shorthand with myself.

- A

Rollin' With Ma Homies

Have not done much of late to actually knock anything off 'The List'. Will hopefully be doing more of that fun stuff when Uni is on break in about two weeks. Until then I will be taking random shots of crap to learn more about my camera.

 Pile o' wood. That's it - 03/11

 Can not remember taking the next one or where it is actually... Kinda goes against my 'a photo to represent everday' thing. Maybe that day was completely forgettable? Not really, it just rained and crap weather. Did go to a friends musical, not allowed to take photos though.

 Flowers of some sort - 04/11

 A can of soft drink watching traffic on Epping Rd. I like foreign packaging. They always look so happy and colourful. The ants crawling around it said it tasted OK also.

 Coconuts in Marsfield - 05/11

One event of the week was a friends birthday at Petersham Bowling Club. Bit of a rainy day so we didn't get many rolls in.

I was second closest on this roll - 06/11

So... last night it had been raining. They was a lack of cabs. I was on the phone calling one as I was leaping out of the way of a puddle onto the kerb and BAMMM my phone jumped out of my hand. Still works. Just can't clean it or press hard o the screen. Or put it close to my face. I surveyed the damage this morn. Apart from that it's awesome!

Awww crap - 07/11

- A

Puddin' and Nelly

 Met up with P for a mid week run. Neither of us had dinner supplies so we joined our coin and made a feast! Followed by some pudding and ice-cream. P made dinner while I prepared the puddings.

 Gooey gooey goodness - 06/10

Random, saw this on a back of a van. I remember seeing something like this somewhere. Perhaps Tropic Thunder....? Never thought it to be real. Pimpjuice supplies you with 100% of your daily Vit C!

Where's Nelly at now? - 07/10

Never had birthday drinks before. Organised birthday drinks where people turn up because of me. Had a fantastic night. Started off at Madame Fling Flong in Newtown and ended up at a friend of a friends birthday house party.

Cheers to my birthday festival - 08/10

Met up with some of the fam who were in town for Breakfast on the Bridge on Sunday morning. Had a bite to eat at Darling Harbour and then watched some fireworks.

Fireworks - 09/10

- A

Sew Fresh and Sew Clean

As part of my 30 Days Has September I decided to finish off all of my 'To Mend' clothing. That is the clothing that I wish to change into other things, or needs to be fixed.

 Stacks o fabric - 26/09

In descending order we have a large blue kaftan thing with 'gold' embroidery. A hot pink, raw silk, box-pleat, knee length size 6 skirt. An XXL green and yellow pinstripe short sleeve business shirt. Size 14 Broideree white dress. Already altered polyester blue long sleeve dress (with shoulder pads!). Nursing home uniform style shade of blue cotton dress, possible size 18. Halter neck dress.

I have plans for each of these. It has just been finding the time (and desk space) to finish them off. 

Woke up in the morning to find a birthday gift left for me from E! Super cute wrapping paper. I do have a thing for animals acting like people.

gifts! - 27/09

Inside was a sewing book I have wanted for awhile. It was an import so I must have put the contents out of my mind because I was pleasantly surprised by the projects. Thanks E, Chris and Will. 

And inside...

 

Apartment Therapy image

- A

Happy Birthday to Me!

Its my birthday....

Went for brunch at Thelma and Louise. Food and service was fantastic. We got there at about 1030 so it was easy to get a table out on the deck overlooking the water.

We decided to share breakfasts. First on order was the 'Rustic Brreakfast'. Overall it was great. I really liked all of it. I never like fat sausages but gave this one a go.

We also had the 'Famous Berry and Ricotta Crepes'. I think there was also rhubarb in there which was quite tasty. Huge serving. P and I shared both these meals and could only just finish off the breakfast. There was still part of the crepes left over.

 

Such a great start to the day. Weather was a little overcast, picked up a fair bit during the day. 

P decided we should go on the Hermitage Harbour Walk.

Starting off at Rose Bay

 

Strickland House in Vaucluse. Built in the 1850's and became a women's convalescent hospital in 1915. You can take tours during the week.  

I was then surprised with a birthday carrot cake!  

- A

MEGA MEGA post.

Borrowing a computer just to get things. Don't realise how handy and necessary a computer is until you don't have one all the time. Well me anyway. Am really quite worried that I won't be able to get all (or any) or my stuff off the comp. That is years worth of shit and highly important info stored on there. Most photos have been saved to disk. But, I may lose all my travel notes, uni stuff and iTunes library... NOOOO!

Have had to wing a few of these photos just from the sequence in the camera and my funtastic memory. 

Utter nonsense (possible slow day) - 25/08

Went and saw 'Scott Pilgrim vs The World'. Fantastic. One of my fav movies of the year. Massive claim considering it has been the year of 3D. Am yet to see Pirahana 3D which is apparently quite a good flick so maybe Scott will be knocked off... highly doubtful though.  

Ben & Jerry's at the movies 26/08

I had Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz (??) and Choc Fudge Brownie. mmmmmm

Spring is getting closer and things are getting saucy at Uni - 27/08

Mel celebrates another year of walking about on the planet with a dinner at Al Mustafa complete with awkward drunken dancing from some other diners. Top food and if I were a little more drunk and not high heeled up I would of given the belly dancer a run for her money.

Glasses - 28/08

Some days I have nothing - 29/08

I think the front one is a sculpture and the back is just junk. There is some construction going on.

'sculpture' at Uni - 30/08

Pinko makes a flying visit into town. Pinko, Scace P and I all go to The Rose for trivia and steal a trivia table. Apparently you should book. I suspect there was some cheating going on the other tables... Team 'Moving Forward' put in a good effort and came 5th... I think. 

The winning answers - 31/08

I ran. New running singlet in preparation for the Bridge Run. Running not going that great still a bit sick from a few weeks ago. Walking and a brisk jog is fine. Maybe my new racing stripes will get me over the line!

New gear - 01/09

I have signed up for 30 Days Has September where all the money that gets sponsored to me goes to the Ted Noffs Foundation. It is suppose to be something new or interesting everyday of September. I tried chili on the 2nd of September. I don't eat spicy (or flavourful food).

Hawt - 02/09

Another 30DHS thing. I went and saw Dead Letter Circus at The Metro. I had, somewhat, avoided heavier concerts in the past because I seem to always be near the group of dickheads that like to push others around. Type of people that use a rock concert to let out any aggression. 

I really like their work. The Evening Son warmed the room. A Newcastle group that I will keep an eye out for when they tour again. Best gig I have been to in a while. 

Dead Letter Circus - 03/09

Painted my nails. Never really do it, don't see the point. Usually have shoes on *and* I am not exactly the best at it (shaky hands)

Little piggies - 04/09

Mel and I take on some A-Towns. Avalon and Akuna Bay. First stop on the way... Pirate Mini Golf!

Practicing for my other 30DHS task... surfing - 05/09

P bought me a chocolate from her trip over the mountains. From a chocolate shop in Leura. Must visit myself. Despite the lingering flu I could still taste the chocolate-y coffee-y goodness.

A boat - 06/09

She also gave me some Avo's. Nailed near a full one for breakie!

Teeny tiny Avo - 07/09

Its a kettle from a film noir film.You would expect to see a looming figure at the backdoor. I was home alone so that couldn't be arranged.

Shiny - 08/09

Birthday Dinner at Billy Kwongs! Have walked past and read about this place for a bit but had to await a special occasion to go. P's birthday fiesta continued so off to the awkward three legged stools we went. 

Fantastic. Get some. We had pancakes and cinnamon and orange duck some chicken and a little bit of wine. Hope you had a wonderful birthday festival P! Lovely staff, awesome food. Worth the wait. 

The debate continues as to what to order - 09/09

Hopefully my comp will be fixed soon...