If you’re having work problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but a job ain’t one. Not till next week anyway. So till then I’ll do my part to ease the suffering at the end of your first week and offer you a bumper list of distractions. Welcome back.
This is Greece. A country full of people reaching for their Plan Bs and exit strategies. Eleni Zoe is experiencing it and making me cry at the helplessness I feel.
2011 was a bitch for so many people. The 45 most powerful images of 2011 show just how much a muderous wench mother nature can be. Fingers crossed 2012 is better for all.
I lurve gin. If you love gin too perhaps a different gin drink for every day of ginuary would appeal?
And if gin isn’t your thing how about flavoured vodka? Laura made 2 amazing concoctions for our NY beach getaway. I spent NYE getting pretty drunk off homemade peppermint schnaps and forty-four because they tasted too good to be straight vodka. :/
I’m still so disappointed in myself for not making it to Yayoi Kusama’s exhibition when it was in Wellington for months! Especially when I see these photos of the result of white room + kids + thousands of stickers.
If there were to ever be an xkcd comic for me to live by it’s this one. Going on my cubicle wall on Monday. Fuck. That. Shit.
Eeeeeeeee! This hedwig costume is adorable, elegant, and not at all “sexy big bird”.
Trees are my favourite thing in the world that isn’t my Mum. I want to stay at the Treehotel so bad!
These 25 ideas to make life better have been all over my internet the past few days. If you haven’t seen them yet prepare to be pissed that you didn’t think of them earlier.
Even if you don’t know who Amanda Palmer or Neil Gaiman is the story of their wedding will suck you in.
These sacred Indian sites are so beautiful. Even without the gorgeous animals photoshopped into them.
Wear everything. All the time! There are almost no items in my wardrobe that I wouldn’t wear just because. That has a lot to do with my level of confidence and sense of style, but also because I don’t want to hide something in my wardrobe if I really love it!
AFI’s 100 best heroes and villains are even more fun when you imagine a hero in a movie with the villain of the same ranking. The best is Lassie vs Cruella de Vil.
Smart Pretty and Awkward is one of my favourite blogs. There are always brilliant seeds that make me really think. Like this: Imagine writing down every single idea you had for a whole day, or even a week, including all the “bad” ideas. You’d have so many things to run with!
Two lesbians raised a baby and this is what they got.
They don’t tell you in the diet books that this food plan might make you SHIT YOUR PANTS!
I have zero clues about anything to do with make up…but this looks totally doable. Now where does one actually buy the tools for this trick? And how do I remind myself that I shouldn’t rub my eyes with my fists?
Klara Harden hiked over Iceland by herself for 25 days. This mini doco is beautiful and made me start looking at flight prices immediately (again). Her FAQ on the MADE IN ICELAND doco is an inspiring short read as well.
This little girl will change the world
Do you guys watch Community? The christmas episode was one of the best things I’ve ever seen. We are all still singing the songs from it over a month later.
Xmas not your favourite time of year? Broke? Bored? Totally over the tradition of buying crap that no one needs? How about not doing that this year? (p.s. I’ll be posting a bunch of posts soon with awesome ideas for not new not crap presents.)
What do you want? Ask yourself this question, ask your friend this question, ask your client this question. It might help you see the bigger picture and get where you’re going.
Remember that Simpson’s party I mentioned? Laura wrote up some tips on throwing your own Simpsons party and kindly shares the recipe for her GIANT DONUT.
For all of my posturing against war and the people that decide fighting with guns is a valid career choice it’s still infinitely sad when they die. Final Salute follows Steve Beck, a marine who has the hard job of telling families when their person has been killed. It’s a long read, and very sad so save it for home lest you end up crying at your desk like I did.
Ever wanted to get something designed, maybe a logo, but you’ve heard all this talk about terrible clients that don’t know what they want and you definitely don’t want to be that person. Take these tips from actual logo designers and you won’t be the one they hate.
Nikki Kaye doesn’t seem to understand the internet.
I’m slowly getting used to the Google Reader changes, but the insane amount of vertical space they’ve stolen is dumb. Jason created a script to reclaim some of the space.
I’m loving Natalies blog, Extra Large as Life. We have very similar tastes so all her finds make me add things to my wishlists and pinterest boards. Recently she posted photos of her awesome self in nothing more than a cropped tee and undies. Not an unusual thing to see on the internet right? Except it is when the person in the photos isn’t catwalk model sized. I’m thankful for people brave enough to put themselves out there in a quest to normalise bodies of every size!
I’m kinda in love with Nicki Minaj and her crazy style. So discovering this video she did with other awesome people (John Waters and The Lonely Island) made me very happy. The Creep.
The ABC guide to drama-free female friendships! Plenty that I need to remember and plenty I would like people to learn. I’m a bit sick of hearing woman say that they can’t get along with other ladies.
If only I had the words to express how amazing Hyperbole and a Half is. Adventures in depression, a pretty accurate depiction of what a depressive episode looks like for a lot of people.
Now that you’re big / There’s some stuff you should know / There’s some stuff you should know / About your bits down below.
Rachel lets us inside the world of sugar daddies and sugar babies at a ball arranged for those seeking “mutually beneficial relationships”.
Flatmate Jason occasionally emails us pictures that are either hilarious or controversial or both. I’m particularly fond of ones that include one of my favourite fictional characters and his cross. Stop! Hammer time. + This is going to be hilarious.
More crazy ways to paint your nails. Do you remember marbling paper in school? That! But for your nails!
Nowt nor summit kindly rescued this article from behind The Times’ paywall. Differences between being rich and being poor and why those that have never been poor can’t know what it’s really like. The poverty trap.
“Lauren Conrad, well-known chronicler of the down and out in Orange County, wore shorts to the polo match to show her support for people who can’t afford long pants, something she read about online one time or something.”
New Years break with the gang last year consisted of 5 days of eating and drinking at Waitarere Beach and Jason finally got his photos developed! Can’t wait till this New Years break at a different beach with even more of my favourite people.
“People with the ‘wrong’ opinion are viciously cut down. I am frightened of speaking about how I feel,because I have not read enough,do not know enough,am too privileged am not a “good enough” feminist. Because I do not fit into the rhetoric that is currently in vogue, I am too afraid to trust my own voice,my own opinions. It is not merely me questioning my beliefs and privileges, it is about being afraid because I am not doing it the right way, because I don’t agree with what everyone else says, because I haven’t researched enough, because I am not thinking deeply enough.”
and this:
“I do not like leggings. I think they are ugly…” “…But in the feminist blogosphere,if one has the audacity to say that one does not like leggings, this is not what that statement means. It means that one hates fat people, that one is body policing and fashion policing and oppressing women who choose to wear what they want.”
I lovefancy weirdo style! In my head this is who I am…the reality is a lot more clothes on the floor and piles of laser cut plastic.
Remember Blossom?! Refinery 29 talked to costume designer Sherry Thompson. Mayim Bialik is on The Big Bang Theory these days and has a PhD in neuroscience!
Taylor Swift doesn’t understand yet that her constant intense desire to fall in love is mostly just the desire to fuck everything, and that she can fuck everything without automatically falling in love. And that she can fuck everything AND fall in love.
I’m not a big rugby fan, in fact before the cup started we made jokes like ‘Winter is coming’ (holla Game of Thrones reference) because we thought the RWC was going to be a huge munter fest.
While we did miss out on news of much importance over the last 2 months, and Jason’s bumper was torn off his car by French tourists, and I may not ever hear the word groin without thinking of Dan Carter again, I also did watch the final and kinda enjoyed it. And I would be lying if watching this video didn’t make me feel a little emotional.
This country loves the shit out of rugby. For better or worse.
Thank goodness it’s all over now.
Oh and I’d also be lying if this video wasn’t my second favourite* part of the whole RWC. SHAME JOHN KEY. It’s ok to be mean-spirited towards JK because he’s a horrible person.
*My favourite was the three way handshake fail but the IRB claimed copyright on that video! A hilarious tumblr parodying the fumble is up though: keyhandshake.tumblr.com
The craziest thing happened to Bede when he arrived in Nepal to help Edventure Nepal Orphanage. And then he managed to raise $7000 nzd for them in 14 days! What a guy!
I am fucking awful at painting nails (and also just have awful nails), but I think I could maybe pull off this fancy little idea for ombre nails. Syl makes it look really easy.
Cookie bowls! So simple, so genius. At xmas my brother always fills brandy baskets with mums trifle, maybe he’d like this too.
CV writing and applying for jobs is the worst! These “buzz words” for your CV could help though. Especially if you’re like me and have completely forgotten what office managers are looking for in an employee.
A fun way to help ensure your camera is returned to you if you leave it somewhere stupid. I always keep a business card in my camera case but this is way more fun.
I’m not married, so can’t speak to actual experience, but this is definitely why I do think that marriage is still relevant. And why I really want to be married one day.
“The Fun parts of Being Married come when you accept that this is what marriage is: as well as being a patriarchal hangover and an historical structure of oppression etc, practically it is the institutionalisation of two people as Super Friends. “
That girl you hate. Do you actually hate her? Getting over girl hate:
“Girl hate is not hating someone who happens to be a girl, it’s hating someone because we’re told that, as girls, we should hate other girls who are as awesome as or more awesome than ourselves. That there can ever only be ONE cool girl, ONE funny girl, ONE smart girl, etc., in a circle of people.”
Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett – The Lady is a Tramp (give it a listen even if you don’t like Lady Gaga, her voice is amazing).
‘Being Elmo’ trailer
Proposal by flash mob! I bawled a little.
I used to think that maybe, just maybe, Jugallos were just misunderstood weirdos. Now I know that they’re actually really fucking stupid. But an overarching message of family and good directing make this mini doco well worth the watch.
David Beckham undercover at Target. He’s definitely earned some cred in my book.
I’ve already tweeted this link at least twice. The first pic is also my desktop background and I keep calling to Brend and shoving the screen in his face while cooing isn’t he cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute?! The ginger blue eyed seal pup who didn’t belong. I am so in love.
What it’s like coming home after a long trip. Things you used to value, you no longer value. “Some people are married, some are divorced but most are the same only two years older.”
Things that fascinate me: Words that don’t exist in the English language (but do in other languages). Especially German words. Like Waldeinsamkeit, the feeling of being alone in the woods.
When my detox is finished I am SO playing the restaurant website drinking game. But with something really really week or the game will be over after one website. Have SEEN any restaurant websites lately? They are awful. (Birthday drinks idea perhaps?)
So the Rugby World Cup is in full swing in NZ and I’ve successfully avoided seeing any games, accidentally walking through any fanzones, or giving a shit about who wins. This piece on Gay NZ (NSFW) got me interested for a few minutes though. And then I went back to not knowing who Sonny Bill Williams is.
How to be a hipster. Chapter 1: Appearance.Chapter 2: Interests.Chapter 3: Lifestyle. Just go look, her drawings are awesome, plus now you’ll know what to say when someone asks WTF a hipster is anyway. (for the record, according to Hannah I’m a hipster only in that I like tea and blog/photograph/craft.)
Benhi is selling her rainbow shuffle shirt! (picture a unicorn dragging its butt leaving behind a rainbow trail)
Neo-Hipster. “I know, I look different, but before you all start saying how I look like some midtown suit, let me explain. I haven’t gone pleb on you, I’m actually a neo-hipster now. It’s basically where you’re a hipster, but since hipsterism has gone so mainstream you dress and act like a regular person, ironically.”
Sometimes people just don’t work for each other anymore. Friends can grow apart and fall out of love, just like, well, lovers. Sometimes you have to break up with your friends.
“You’re so sensitive. You’re so emotional. You’re defensive. You’re overreacting. Calm down. Relax. Stop freaking out! You’re crazy! I was just joking, don’t you have a sense of humor? You’re so dramatic. Just get over it already!” Sound familiar?
The interesting (slash scary) story of internet star Kiki Kannibal.
Evolving happiness. “They say that you need to be a whole person on your own in order to be part of a successful relationship, and I believe that that’s true, too. But what they don’t tell you – what nobody seems willing to tell you – is that it’s also okay to work this stuff out with someone else by your side.”
Brend has almost convinced me to grow something with all the gardening he’s been doing. I think it’s far more likely that I’ll make some succulent terrariums or vertical gardens though.
Remember that one time it snowed in Wellington? This video captures that day perfectly.
Feminism, that touchy subject that shouldn’t be touchy because can’t we all agree that women deserve to be treated just as well as men are? I like how Sarah explains that feminism is not about being better than men, or being the same as them, but that we’re all equally as awesome as each other (or have the potential to be) and good at different stuff.
Goddamn Sal is a brave woman for putting all of this out in the open. Body hair is one of those things you just. don’t. talk. about. I’m happy for that to change though! We’ve all got it, it’s all different, we all deal with it somehow.
On the subject of privilege. “What other people are trying to say, and you aren’t really hearing properly, is that the way you have experienced the world has been shaped by a series of factors that you’ve probably never had to think about before.”
While I’m sure we’re all aware that it’s not up to the victim to prevent sexual assault (a la this list) this video put out in New Zealand is a really great reminder that everyone can help prevent assault. Especially when a victim is not aware what is happening and may not be able to help themselves.
If you love Instagram and/or can’t get access to it on a phone then these Instagram Photoshop actions will be right up your alley. Filter all of the photos you can get your hands on.
I hate dealing with service people and getting appliances delivered. Seems that even a woman listed a the 26th most influential woman in media has the same problems!
Extremely bad advice. “Sometimes I see people at the gym using the machines incorrectly, occasionally in ways that could be dangerous. Should I tell them?”
Glamour publishes a photo of a beautiful size 12 model and readers go crazy. And yet, I have doubts that showing a range of body types in magazines and fashion shows will become the norm any time soon.
I’m guessing that we’re all familiar with the WTF and demotivational images that get forwarded around and posted online. Well, Cracked.com found explanations for a few of them, and the explanations are about as crazy as the pictures.
This meringue and raspberry ice cream cake looks delicious! If only it didn’t have raw egg in it I would consider making it for Chickie Little’s baby shower. O well.
Agent Lover introduces a new feature ‘Ask a Gay‘. This month Shaun answers “What happens if 2 bottoms or 2 tops fall in love? does that ever happen? and How do u tell who’s a bottom or top?”. So great!
Unexpected online eyeglasses epiphanies. Now that I’ve got 3 pairs of glasses that have the correct prescription in them, and the opportunity to buy more, I think every glasses wearer should get on the cheap internet bandwagon.
If you feel comfortable reading books online then you should definitely read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. I read it a couple of years ago, but just stumbled across it online in its entirety. Published in 1932 it is a vision of the distant future where reproduction has been mechanised, a caste system is in place, and people are conditioned to accept their place in society. (If you don’t feel comfortable reading books online you should still try to find a paper copy because it’s a great book!)
I often make plain bread with the bread maker, but this week when we had a few courgettes and mushrooms to use I did a quick recipe search and found a courgette and mushroom bread recipe. It turned out delicious!
The busiest day for this blog happened when the Murder Burger ad was submitted to StumbleUpon. But they’re not the only ones that can come up with straight talking humorous job ads. Resn (another NZ company) can do it too. Their ad had to be censored by request of Seek, the job site it was posted on. But here’s the original version for your amusement.
This is a very old post, ancient in internet terms as it was published in 2004. However, it is valuable information for anyone considering writing a book. The author reveals what most wouldn’t, information about living and struggling as a midlist author. It’s a really interesting read.
Many (most?) of you reading this will be bloggers, and you’re all computer users. You need to look after your body, in particular your fingers, hands, and arms. Besides our eyes hands are often the first things to suffer. Adam Steer has posted some great exercises on the ProBlogger blog to help keep your fingers and arms nimble.
I get most of my ideas in the shower. I suppose everything else gets blocked out so I can let random thoughts come into my head. Only problem is that you can’t take notes in the shower so I have to repeat the thought constantly in order to not forget it.
Until now that is (or until someone gets these for me anyway). Aqua notes! Waterproof paper that you can stick inside your shower to take notes. Amazing!
I love Dooce dearly. I think she is an amazing writer, she’s hilarious, and sarcastic, and real. The final instalment of the story of Marlo’s birth is beautiful and funny.
Not three minutes after taking that sleeping pill I get hit with a contraction that knocks me to the ground. TO. THE. GROUND. Those cramps go from NO, REALLY, I GOT THIS BLOUSE ON SALE! to MOTHERFUCKING SNAKES ON A MOTHERFUCKING PLANE!!!!!!!!!!
Sometimes when you think your relationship is over, that you’re falling out of love with your partner, that it’s time to move out, it’s actually because something else is going on. Laura recognised that her husband was probably going through a mid life crisis and didn’t mean it when he said that he no longer loved her. What she did to deal with it must have taken a lot of strength.
Authority rules, so you need to know how to get it if you want to rule. Brian Clark from Copyblogger has written a completely free ebook on the subject. At a total of 18 well spaced pages it’s not too big, so you have no excuse for not taking a look.
Vixel of Sparkle and Glitter has been feeding my Gala fascination lately with two great posts (and consequential discussions) addressing some of the current issues in the female blogosphere centring around Gala behind the scenes and whether she is all she and her fans claim her to be.
I’m going to be completely honest here and say I’ve been following the discussions on Sparkle and Glitter and Cut Out + Keep like I would a celebrity scandal, more so probably – I feel more invested in Gala and iCiNG. I’ve loved hearing other peoples take on Gala and the matter at hand and Vixel’s articles on constructive questioning and copycat accusations have provided a perfect place for discussion. I know I’m not the only one doing it. Why do people feel the need to hide their fascination with this internet blogger celebrity (e-lebrity?) I wonder.
Matt Mullenweg speaking at WordCamp NZ this weekend. The start of the video shows me winning a prize and shaking Matt’s hand! His session was a Q&A on WordPress, definitely worth a watch if you’re interested in WordPress and where it’s going.
