My love relationship with Retro

I've always had a fond love of instruments, vinyl players and anything really that projects music.. but my appreciation goes deeper for the vintage pieces which, still, in very few homes these days you will find. There is a certain type that really makes old school look flippen cool. And how we know it to be is - Retro. I would only come to appreciate ALL things retro upon browsing for hours at pictures of old music systems, radios and headphones etc. It's been my thing forever but never have i seen and loved the look of retro 'everything'! Anyway, it's a toss up between ultra mod with clean lines and crisp finishes and that of retro - which too has clean lines and crisp finishes... but it's something about the colour that does it for me........... colours and pictures and colours IN pictures.. Well let's just say my love for it has grown... and in having a photo blog - by now you understand me in this pictures fanatic regard... well some do....

Retail Therapy

Happiness isn’t there every day of the week. Sometimes it’s there abundantly and other times you feel like you’re the only one without it. We are told to do things that we love to do and to do them often. If one does this.... we should be rich with bliss all our days. On the days where happiness is hard to feel, find or show, there are material goods that for some unknown reason can turn a dark day bright, can eliminate negative emotions and can literally bring about a smile and joy that resembles that of someone having just received the best news they could ever hear. Strange, but true.. Hence the idea of retail ‘therapy’ For some reason material desires can make all our problems seem so far away. Anyway, back to my point.... these are the types of material desires that would make me smile on even the glummest of days..

Zoom Nikon Lens or Fish Eye Lens

 Schwinn Beach Cruiser

Vintage Vinyl Player

Beats by Dre Headphones

Soft side....

If you try and fail... are you any better that those who haven't tried at all? It is fair to know that the most successful thing would be to try and succeed. I have come to realise in all I've experienced and witnessed in others how we react to things, when we react to things, what our thoughts are when we do... that it is ALL governed by emotion. We can try as hard as we can to be rational and reasonable when we are content in our emotion and in our minds. But when we are challenged emotionally, it's quite extraordinary how less level-headed we become, we try so hard to maintain the rationality and keep ourselves poised in a situation that causes distress or upset. The look on the face, the change in our tones, the body language all changes. This i deem to be natural. I don't see how we as human beings, can ensure that we 'look' like absolutely nothing is wrong, when the important part is to make certain that we don't act badly on it or unreasonably. That is the part that matters, that is the part that counts and that is the part that saves you from handling something badly. That is where the trying and succeeding comes into play. But the looks and feelings are natural. If they weren't there, then quite honestly - you wouldn't really be being faced with an emotional situation at all. As there was no emotion it would seem. This is impossible. We are all just bodies walking the earth.... but emotion is what makes us human. Controlling it makes us strong..... showing it means we trust and care for those who we let see it..

Rose among the thorns

It's not every day that I am enchanted by something in the areas I work in from day to day. In fact, there is never a day where something will have me say 'woow' in these under resourced and very poverty stricken areas. I have switched off to the pollution, the broken roads, dilapidated 'housing' and looks I get from the people who fill the streets aimlessly in the areas of mention. It's far easier and safer to not appear out of place.... this is why my GPS is vital.. (My co-ords are known to have been shit at times - or maybe the fact that I never wore my contact lenses so consequently couldn't read the road signs til i was passing it :/) I have heard a lot about and seen photo's of the Red Location in New Brighton and did some research into it to see what it was all about. But upon the topic coming up with one of my Dr's in the nearby area, and then further - the recommendation of going to at least take a look, I couldn't resist the urge... was it possible that something of this distinction could be hiding at the end of a street I frequent? Where up until now all I have known is desperation and devastation? I would soon see......

Not all is a pretty sight.... But Red Location is a good depiction of how no matter how dark something may seem, somewhere there is always a little light to inspire...

From A to B

It takes time to take 'leaps of faith' or 'steps in the right direction' and in all this time all I know is that I was always just ...getting there... Cool to finally have arrived at that place in my mind. For all other means of 'getting there' is my still very beloved White A3... Proof that people can achieve things and get things when they put their minds to it coupled with other things that make it happen....

Logic

You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result. - Mahatma Gandhi

And if you are able enough to learn from other people's mistakes then kudos to you... But learn nonetheless....

Food for thought...

When did we all start deciding that in life it's easier to settle? When did we stop searching for enlightenment? And when did we stop striving to do better and ultimately be better? Why has is it become the socially accepted 'norm' to be the perfect average? It seems as though a natural trend to measure oneself against others is the reason. Or at least it’s the ‘excuse’. In a circle of 5 friends for example, 4 of them are on top of their lives 50% and the other 50% needs improvement, sorting, consists of serious issues, whatever the case might be. Then the 5th friend has their life sorted at 80% and feels completely content with how their life is because, well... people maybe compliment them on how they’re so this and so that.. and has their shit together and perhaps that person feels good about themselves at that point and feels like the 20% of life that they don’t get right day in and day out doesn’t really matter because no one is saying to them... ‘Um... why do you do that? Why don’t you sort that out? Why do you believe that choosing that route every time is cool?’ And the result of the lack of motivation coming from those we surround ourselves by, is causing us to settle with our lives, attitudes and decorum. When did we stop motivating each other? But..... if that 80% person had to put themselves in the company of people of a higher ‘standard’ of living or way of life... they might feel the need to improve that 20% they have so easily pretended doesn’t matter in order to live a reasonable life. So then, why aren’t we putting ourselves in the company of those who inspire us, those who can teach us and those who we can be motivated by constantly.... When you see people who you believe (as we all believe differently) are getting it right, why not, talk to them.... pick their minds for stories and ideas and learn to get back to the mindset of seeking enlightenment in order to be better people.  Why aren't we thinking about these things? It’s easy to just be the perfect average.... Without facing resistance and challenge in life – what value at the end of the day does your life hold? Vs the person who took the path less travelled and at the end the reward felt far greater and satisfying, because the reward was having the best as a result of being your best. We need to start trying to be more. And we need to measure ourselves against ourselves, not others. Be your best, not just the best in the company in you keep... otherwise you’re not keeping the best company.....

enlightenment - education that results in understanding...

Rest and Recuperate

Sometimes you need a time out from your life... sometimes you need a holiday... sometimes a getaway is the ideal solution or way to spend it after a long year. With packed bags, music, camera and a brand new book and little clothing other than my bikini... it seemed like it was going to be the perfect R&R vibe. And that it was..

A rested mind is a refreshed mind....

Cheers 2011... Hello 2012

Will blog soon.... so much to say.... so much to show, tell and write.. except it requires some thought first, and I am still in the 'smooth' (haha, sure) transition of holiday to work mode and need to get my ducks in a row first... as they say. 

The faith timeframe

What defining moment makes you say 'ok, enough is enough' or has you believe that faith and hope is dwindling and starting to resemble a level of unrealistic expectation? As natural optimists (I like to believe that naturally we are optimists and that in life certain things turn us into pessimists - and not the other way round) I think that we honestly continue to have faith in anything, any person or any situation until such time that something or someone  else distracts us from this into realising that we needn't limit ourselves to only one faith, hope or dream, we can have many, and that if one dream isn't realised - then we can dust ourselves off and pursue another. For so many people in so many situations it is at least a healthy alternative to just never knowing when enough is enough and trying and failing each time with a repeated scenario. I only had to witness this a few times with people I know, to see that we are all the same in this. It's hard to surrender to an outcome we weren't hoping to surrender to, yet the sooner we did, the sooner we'd adapt and the sooner we'd find comfort and happiness even in what you have or will come to have. It also doesn't have to be the end of the world if we don't always get what we want out of life, because humans by nature are ambitious and by having this inbred characteristic - always desire things beyond our means. Well, not necessarily 'beyond' our means. But something that definitely requires work and effort to attain. I guess, the point is when you know you've exhausted your work and effort, sometimes you need to realise that that particular 'need' or 'want' is something that you're going to have to surrender to as being a different outcome that you had originally hoped.

Blue Monday

Sex and the City

I have recently taken up the series of SATC in a personal quest to see what all the fuss was about. Well, it's not all Fendi and Dolce after all.... in fact the amazing clothes and labels are there just to show upper east side living, and plus, a well thought out story about the cynicism of a group of best girlfriends when it comes to life, relationships, and sex wouldnt be as entertaining were it filmed in an 'average living' state where where life is very ordinary, let's say. But the story behind the bling bags and high stiletto's has me blushing, laughing, nodding my head a hellova lot (not to mention relating.... to almost every single episode) So, needless to say, I am completely in love with SATC. Carrie, who is a columnist asks the same questions I have run through my very mind in question for so long. It's a great show, I take back the stereotype stigma of the type of person who thrives and lives by it... although I'm pretty sure there are many reasons 'other girls' enjoy it vs my reasons. But it's all good. Chick show to the max, but with the witty intellect to keep me eager at unfolding the next episode each time with regards to relationships and life and the conclusions they come up with. Perhaps... somehow... I might be enlightened :) So far, I have come to know that....... I'm not alone in my ways and ideas when it comes to these topics. Perhaps I should mail copies of the series to the few that think I'm 'different' ....... just saying.

Dear Work...

Goodbye..........Au Revoir..........Auf Wiedersehen............Adios...........Farvel............ Til 2012

Cue: Holiday Groove

Hahaha, :P

Change it up!

Ok, so this summer's about changing your look.... Stop being boring.. When you look better, you feel better. Do you feel amazing right now? No, change your look, your vibe and essentially (hopefully) you will start to feel better. Easiest way to change your look is with a new haricut or different style sunnies. I am mildly obsessed with  sunglasses at the moment and think that it is an accessory you should be able to change up depending the mood you're in. This summer's mood - vintage. Chic. Whatever. Out with the old, in with the new. If sunnies isnt enough, change your hair colour, lose weight and maybe even pass yourself off as someone else. Hahahaha. Kidding. I don't really give a shit, I just wanted to post cool pics of awesome sunglasses..... :/

3 days...

Thank God it's almost holiday... or the labour law.... or, erm... the birth of Jesus? Ah screw it... whomever is deserving of the gratitude - here it is.. I feel that I am slowly starting to lose patience sooner than usual, my communicative skills are diminishing and the lack of chocolate in my life is making my brain fuzzy and very, very confused. In fact, this endorphin releasing substance is probably what kept me off the 'bitch fence' ... so yeah, what with the diet, detox and fitness vibe, i have started climbing that fence due to a serious lack of 'sweetness' in my system. It happens. But like I said... thank the pope (forgot about him) that holiday is just about here.. Time to switch off to the sounds of 5fm.. and tune into the sounds of my cd's. Time to get out of bed whenever the hell I feel like it and not grab my phone aimlessly when it starts blaring Adrian lux's 'teenage crime' to wake me up. (In the event that I have actually had a decent night's sleep) Yeah - funny how certain given's become luxuries for the uneasy mind. I will go where I like, when I like and not have to worry about who knows where I am... I will not do anything I don't feel like... this is my holiday after all.......... And very soon I will jump in a car and set off on a holiday where I will have an ambivalent feeling of being away for 5 days. But I am so unbelievably certain that I need it. I promise to come back resembling my usual former self.. (non bitch fence) It's time for a change.. maybe a break from here will inspire that... that and lindt chocolate. Just saying..

Time to dance..