Back in the Game

I got this stunner of a book selection for the grand total of $9.90 at Borders on Sunday.  You will often find yours truly browsing the sale section at all good bookstores, new and second hand alike, in attempt to bag myself literary bargains that I otherwise would never be able to purchase.  I couldnt believe my luck when I managed to snag a couple of gems I've been wanting to add to the bookshelf for a mere $2 a piece and I even picked up a writers yearbook (albeit a year and half out of date) for the measely price of $1 - I figure the majority of publishers details wont have changed, and besides, it contains some great advice from successful authors on making your work stand out to publishers.  Maybe its meant to be, right?  This is the kick I needed to get back in the game and start sending things away in an attempt to realise my dream... (in the no nonsense words of my charming great uncle "if you dont try...you dont get").

So.  Now I've got some inspiration and some information.  All I need now is to make my drafts pile lighter and for the final pile to come into fruition... I'm working on compiling a portfolio of work for the Creative Writing paper next semester and am thinking about posting some of my pieces on here to step out of my comfort zone and get some "sharing" practise.  Watch this space...

 

(PS the fourth one down is Ondaatje's English Patient - forgive my amateur photography...)

xo

My Friday

I had a proper day off today.  By that I mean no housework, no jewellery making, no attempts at short story or article writing.  I went for a HUGE walk around Christchurch city and it was lovely.  I also picked up some SWEET bargains at a couple of second hand clothing stores.  Some snaps I took along the way...

Have a great weekend!
xo

The 30 Before 30

I was recently invited over for a pre-birthday dinner at a friend's house, where we discussed everything from hockey to high school reunions and ate chickpeas and chocolate.  It was a great catch up (and a well overdue one at that).  We got to discussing things we had always wanted to/thought about/been too scared to do, and this led to us conjuring up a project (not to be confused with a plan: we all know how I tend to despise the latter.  If you don't - check this out).  I will now share the details of this special project with you.


It is pretty simple really.  We have to each come up with a list of 30 things to do before we turn the big 3.0.  (which for me is around about four years time from now).  However, like all good schemes, there is a "catch".

The small but slightly scary catch, is that once we have finalised the list of thirty things to do, we will then give each other a copy of our said "to do's" and will continue to update (and by that I mean confess to each other what we have and haven't done) and motivate (and by that I mean kick each other's asses if we don't stick to the project) each other until the due date for the project arrives.


I will now share the 30 things I would like to do before I reach the third decade of my existance.  Please note that they are in no particular order.  (Just thought I should clarify).

1. Make a pavlova.
2. Try wearing red lipstick.
3. Read "War and Peace".
4. Paint with watercolours.
5. Sing and play guitar at an open mic night.
6. Sew a dress for myself.
7. Be an extra in a movie/ad/tv show.
8. Watch the whole Godfather series.
9. Walk a NZ South Island track. * (have one booked in for February!)
10. Walk a NZ North Island track.
11. Buy a pair of rollerskates (skates, not blades) and actually use them.
12. Send a message in a bottle.
13. Sleep under the stars
14. Make jam.
15. Run a half marathon (No, not a full one.  Let's not be too hasty.  Running is not my forte).
16. Keep a journal every day for a whole year.
17. Own a vintage typewriter.
18. Try snowboarding.
19. Write a novel (or at least have started one.  It might not be finished.  These things take time you know)
20. Have a pet rabbit.
21. Write 9 new songs.*
22. Go camping with my family.              
23. Do some choice as bombs off a pier/bridge/rock.
24. Submit 50 pieces for publication.  *
25. Volunteer.
26. Write a poem in Te Reo Maori.
27. Get a tattoo.
28. Grow a bonsai tree.
29. Visit one of New Zealand's "other" islands (i.e. not the 2 main ones)
30. Get my driver's licence. *

Wohoo.  Wish us luck!
xo

* Currently working on

30 Days of Me Day 19: The Nick in the Name

Day 19- My nicknames and why I have them...

Are you ready for this?

Kirst.

Yep.

That's pretty much it.

Why?  Well, my name is Kirsty.  So, one need only conveniently, and without much complication, omit the Y on the end, thus resultng in the aforementioned "Kirst".  Two syllables becomes one.  Faster to say, easier to spell.  Smiles all round.

I quite like this simplified nickname of mine.  Whilst it may sound as though I am under the constant cloud of a witch or sorcerer's spell (or "cursed" as it were), it's the nickname I've held since birth and my preferred term of address (I've always maintained that I only ever get called the full "Kirsty" by people who either a) don't know me or b) are angry with me...(the latter emphasise the Y - as in, "KirstY!"...) Also, I guess I should count myself lucky in that I didn't inherit my elder's nicknames pertaining to our surname (Dunn) - Dunny, Dunno, Dunnit.  I'd take Kirst over those any day.

I've had a couple of other nick names from my ankle biting days (but they wont be reiterated here in order to preserve my street cred), and on school camp in fourth form a good friend of mine started calling me "Kid" and it kind of stuck.  That one's just between us though.

Between me and my monster? It's pretty simple: just "love": what started out as a joke has now become our delegated daily term of endearment (albeit an old-school and slightly unoriginal one...)

That's it.  That's all.

xo

30 Days of Me: Day 18 - "The Plan"

Day 18: plans/goals/dreams...

If only ALL plans looked THIS groovy...

(Just me or is Donnie slightly Bieber-ish...? Or rather, the other way round... Hmmmm)

And if only all plans were THIS simple...

(It's hard to find good humour these days...)

MY plans will, from now on and forevermore, be set forth in pencil.  I've learned (very recently) that permanent marker plans can get messy when you have to keep putting lines through them and writing new ones underneath.  I also think plans shouldnt be called plans, they should be called "flexible, non concrete lists of stuff I'd like to do at some point in my life time" or "FNCLOSILTDASPIMLT" for short (?)  You know, just to avoid any confusion that may arise at a later date when you a) lose them b) change them or c) forget what they even were in the first place.

So.  I will now share with you, my FNCLOSILTDASPIMLT (in no particular order):

Write a book (novel, short story collection or poetry) and have it published
Own a kombi (preferably candy apple green or orange)
Learn to surf
Travel to Mongolia, Alaska, Israel, Peru, Nepal, New York, Tokoroa (ETC - as in, list so long my fingers will seize up)
Perform at an open mic night
Volunteer here and overseas
Take a photography course
Have a collection of lava lamps/owls/bangin' vinyl/cacti
Learn to drive (I've said it before and I'll say it again: don't judge me!)
Sew my own clothes / curtains / cushion covers
Make jam
Own a cafe/bar and showcase emerging musicians/artists
Live in East London again
Have an article published in Frankie
Spend a winter in Canada
Speak / write fluently in Te Reo Maori
Sell my handcrafts at a market stall
Be a movie extra (and I am too tall to be a hobbit, apparently)
Grow strawberries/lavender/numerous herbs
Walk New Zealand's most picturesque tracks
Sell coffee out of a van at music festivals
Read more
Write more
Bike more
Laugh more
Complain less


And all the while, continue to draw inspiration from my crazy/cool/creative/ friends and family...

(You guys are the bestest)
xo


(Image source)

30 Days of Me: Day 17 - The Switch

So.  The prompt suggests I choose the person I would most like to switch places with for a day and elaborate (favourite word alert) on why said person warrants my selection.  I didnt even have to think about this one.

Haaaaaaaaahahahaha.  Oh frikn awesome.  Faceinhole.com you are my hero.  I love you almost as much as I love making every photo I have turn picture perfect polaroid styles with Poladroid.  I love you almost as much as I love apple juice, walking in the forest, singing to Sam Cooke and eating rice crackers with hummous.  I love you almost as much as I love Robert himself.

Note: Almost.

Ok. Now.  In all seriousness, (for the second time.  I was actually being serious about the first time also).  This question is really quite difficult.  I could be the CEO of a publishing company and "ok" all my own stuff, thus ensuring that I get published!  Hmmm (maybe cheating...), maybe an assistant tour guide on Macchu Picchu, (I couldnt switch with the "main" guide, I dont know enough! We'd all get lost!) Or a curator at the Tate Modern, or on set with the Coen Brothers maybe...

Truth is, I'm not sure I would want to switch with anyone just for a day.  I'd much rather have the chance to meet someone I admire and be able to pick their brain for a while.  Can I get you a coffee Mr Mandela?  A belgium biscuit, Ms Deschanel?  Mr Doherty, could I offer you....

You get the picture.

xo

30 Days of Me: Day 16 Just Call Me Jimi

Prompt says another pic of moi.  (I find that slightly boooooring but I'm not going to argue.  The prompt says what it says and therefore I must ad-here...we...go... )

Glastonbury. 2009. 

(Oh by the way, I am not pulling "the pout".  Although there are times I have resorted to "that pose", I am not actually doing so in this case.  What I am attempting to do (albeit, slightly unaffectively) is to channel my inner Jimi Hendrix, who (rest in peace you galant guitar legend) once sang: "Excuse me, while I kiss the sky").

(Obviously)

PS - Look ma! I'm taking your advice and "keeping my fluids up".  See that monster of a drink bottle there?  Well, that's WATER in there.  No other clear substance, pure, unadulterated, H20 with all its hydration qualities and bodily benefits.  You should be proud of me...

GLASTO - I want to live there, at that festival, forever and ever amen, despite the grungy toilets, lack of hygiene and copious amounts of mud.  (Provided, of course, that my family and friends would join me.  Which I'm sure I woudnt have a problem in persuading to do so, if they'd seen the beast for themselves).

I had the most stupendicallyfantasticaicious time I can't really adequately describe it, other than to say OH YES I WILL be back.  Some day.

I heart you, you great big old rockin music festival you.  Mwah! Good times. 

xo

30 Days of Me: Day 1 - Allow myself to introduce...myself...

So. Day One.  Here we go....

15 interesting facts about yours truly and a recent photograph.

1. I think apple juice is AWESOME.

2. I have met P!NK (when I was 17.  She too, was awesome.  And short.)

3. I am both a qualified barrister and barista.  (I have recently renounced the former and rekindled the latter).

4. My favourite words are elaborate and alas.

5. I can't drive.  (Don't judge me).

6. I can't handle seeing animals dressed in clothes.  It is freaky and just wrong. 

7. When I was little I wanted to be a florist when I grew up.

8. I love the smell of new books (and petrol.  Don't tell anyone).

9. I have had 5 pet dogs in my lifetime.  Their names were Bridie, Jip, Montgomery James (Monty for short), Bailey and Jem.

10. I like to be on the "left".  For example, when I am walking down the street with someone, I have to walk on the left side of them.  Or, if I sit in the back seat of a car, I like the back left.  I dont know why.  I just do.  (Is that weird?) It's not like I have OCD or anything.  I wont freak out if I can't go left.  I just prefer it that way.  Do we have an understanding? Ok.

11. When I was 13 I thought I was going to move to America to meet and eventually marry Leonardo Dicaprio.  My room was wallpapered with his face.  I still think about him sometimes.  Sigh.

12.  I have been on Vietnamese Television. 

13. No matter where I am in the world I always happen to randomly see people I know.  E.g. In Laos, I saw a friend from uni's girlfriend.  The first day I was in London I saw my friend's old flatmate.  In Amsterdam, I saw a girl from an old netball team.  At a Portugese music festival, I saw a friend from university.  At Hogmanay in Edinburgh, I saw my old next door neighbour.  I could go on (but this is sounding less interesting than I first thought.  Sorry guys).

14. I know The Wedding Singer off by heart.  Go on. You can test me if you want.

15. I've been writing poetry since I was 7.  (Unfortunately, I don't think the quality has improved...)

Wohoo.

Oh. And a recent pic of myself.  Taken by my charming boyfriend about a month ago.  Which I poladroided (because I am slightly obsessed by this funky wee program at the moment).

Until next time (tomorrow).

xo

30 Days of Me

That's it.  I'm jumping in.  My friend over at Through Rose Coloured Glasses has inspired me.  I've been considering joining the 30 Days of Me following (check out the kiwi contingent on Pebblesy's blog) but I have confess I have been a) too scared and b) too lazy to join.  That's it! No more! Count me in! Four exclamation marks!

For the next thirty days I'll be using the following prompts as my blog posts.  Posting every day for a month is a challenge in itself, but making them about me?  Hmmmm - I'll just have to get creative right? I don't want it to be yawn material!

Here is THE LIST:  (dun dun DUUUUUUUUUN - please insert ominous sounding orchestra styles here)

day 1- recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

day 2- the meaning behind your blog name

day 3- a picture of you and your friends

day 4- a habit that you wish you didn’t have

day 5- a picture of somewhere you’ve been to

day 6- favourite super hero and why

day 7- a picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

day 8- short term goals for this month and why

day 9- something you’re proud of in the past few days

day 10- songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad

day 11- another picture of you and your friends

day 12- how you found out about blogging and why you have one

day 13- a letter to someone who has hurt you recently

day 14- a picture of you and your family

day 15- put you iPod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play

day 16- another picture of yourself

day 17- someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

day 18- plans/dreams/goals you have

day 19- nicknames you have and why you have them

day 20- someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future

day 21- a picture of something that makes you happy

day 22- what makes you different from everyone else

day 23- something you crave for a lot

day 24- a letter to your parents

day 25- what I would find in your bag

day 26- what do you think about your friends

day 27- why are you doing this 30 day challenge

day 28- a picture of you from last year and now, how have you changed since then?

day 29- in this past month, what have you learned

day 30- your favourite song

Ooooo exciting....