tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53162335269417818722024-02-19T19:44:38.310+10:00Surely SarahThoughts, encounters, dreams and wonderingsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.comBlogger338125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-66388625386569728862016-08-08T20:18:00.001+10:002016-08-08T20:18:42.212+10:00On hiatusWe're undertaking a new project! Surely Sarah is on hiatus for the indefinite future, whilst we work on our new blog <a href="http://weloveweekends.com.au/" target="_blank">We Love Weekends</a>. Please join me over there.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-90831292531472062552015-10-15T07:12:00.001+10:002015-10-15T07:18:47.332+10:00Taking StockI'm in a bit of a blogging rut at the moment. I am doing the wonderful Blog With Pip blogging course and it is being immensely helpful in not only teaching me things but giving me strategies on how to be motivated and creative. <div><br></div><div>So here's a little summary of what else I've been up to lately. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5heYQ8Wghw00-NifS5OPJWlsxFCaLUErfyTIvKkmSTgEHyd3ZvJR-kozY_6Hw9BWWCF4KkSXml6m3Xo_xLZjh5JbtlcS5pACf6luU946yV01M2x97g4oDH8qGPmTB6dkoe3V8c6c-P9j/s640/blogger-image-1696252998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5heYQ8Wghw00-NifS5OPJWlsxFCaLUErfyTIvKkmSTgEHyd3ZvJR-kozY_6Hw9BWWCF4KkSXml6m3Xo_xLZjh5JbtlcS5pACf6luU946yV01M2x97g4oDH8qGPmTB6dkoe3V8c6c-P9j/s640/blogger-image-1696252998.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Making: A new blog! (Shh!)</div><div><br></div><div>Cooking: My usual repertoire of boring dinners</div><div><br></div><div>Drinking: Coke Zero for life</div><div><br></div><div>Reading: The Long Mars by Terry Prattchet and Stephen Baxter. It's the 3rd in a very good series, loving it. </div><div><br></div><div>Watching: The Walking Dead now it's back on. Also reruns of Burn Notice and Death in Paradise every night. </div><div><br></div><div>Wanting: A holiday at the beach</div><div><br></div><div>Looking: At pretty things in magazines, trying to collate some Xmas ideas</div><div><br></div><div>Playing: I don't listen to much music but when I do Taylor Swift is my main gal</div><div><br></div><div>Enjoying: The gorgeous Brisbane spring weather </div><div><br></div><div>Liking: Jacarandas starting to bloom</div><div><br></div><div>Pondering: Ways to promote our new small business cheaply</div><div><br></div><div>Loving: Collective Renegade magazine. Where has this been for me the last few years? Wish I'd discovered sooner. </div><div><br></div><div>Buying: A new iPhone. It's an investment in myself - I got the 6S Plus so it's basically a mini tablet that can make calls. I want to run my online empire from it!</div><div><br></div><div>Hoping: For some leave at Xmas so we can do some travelling</div><div><br></div><div>Disliking: People who don't help others out</div><div><br></div><div><i>What have you been up to lately? Anything cool that I need to get across?</i></div><div><i><br></i></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-14489683597019631782015-09-22T07:21:00.001+10:002015-09-22T07:21:38.197+10:00Geeking Out at Oz Comic ConI've been feeling a bit like Austin Powers lately - that is, that I've lost my mojo. I know it happens to us all, but ultimately one learns that it was there the whole time, you'd just lost touch with it!<div><br></div><div>One way to rejuvenate your mojo and really get those creative juices flowing is to hang out with people who share your interests and be inspired by what they are creating. So it was very timely that Oz Comic Con Brisbane happened at the Convention Centre on the weekend!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7e2Ss3kTQgLf9TBZjfHFogDG0sykex6YuPpOstJMU0DicbBHs2aC31AGkqH3VIX8rptxmJTR_-8K6wyZTfVqU4KmUnDkSoaVRgHDoxolrIs-qHDC8u4_h5FruE0BL7GmFY9zGN84LOvr/s640/blogger-image-1463277448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7e2Ss3kTQgLf9TBZjfHFogDG0sykex6YuPpOstJMU0DicbBHs2aC31AGkqH3VIX8rptxmJTR_-8K6wyZTfVqU4KmUnDkSoaVRgHDoxolrIs-qHDC8u4_h5FruE0BL7GmFY9zGN84LOvr/s640/blogger-image-1463277448.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>The only pop culture/scifi/fantasy/geekdom con I'd ever been to before is Supanova. I found Oz Comic Con quite different - bigger, better and a more inclusive vibe. The cosplay game was seriously On Point too - I was just walking around in awe most of the time, feeling a bit left out! When you're not in costume and you're in the minority, that's a pretty odd feeling!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqGXunhsB_379ldITySTfYEs4UQSKp2p1npc7W6vNP814yZtrb9duG4RvvyV9K9YE6OzKOIA5shNS7w7sP7BFZyvrjrfEQqTmiEb9bsWByFoJeDxYszWktmI35XNHZjHjnpTuu6a2NDI-/s640/blogger-image-1988918167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqGXunhsB_379ldITySTfYEs4UQSKp2p1npc7W6vNP814yZtrb9duG4RvvyV9K9YE6OzKOIA5shNS7w7sP7BFZyvrjrfEQqTmiEb9bsWByFoJeDxYszWktmI35XNHZjHjnpTuu6a2NDI-/s640/blogger-image-1988918167.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>We checked out the interactive spaces (art, gaming, kids) and stalls for a while before grabbing a bite to eat. I was lined up between gender-bent Marty McFly & a steampunk lady explorer. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJL0I1FE8drjTxMERpv4tTpL5DRGxRmi3P_moyKuzpi7xbxJYjFZ9CGPhh0r0excnA5IRf4sEHB4UUTKkKTDd3IlEoSZcCMvVy6O-sKUlj5V4VOoTbgtcVVaG1pGTYomWc3lNYH1v8eEi/s640/blogger-image-2012312813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJL0I1FE8drjTxMERpv4tTpL5DRGxRmi3P_moyKuzpi7xbxJYjFZ9CGPhh0r0excnA5IRf4sEHB4UUTKkKTDd3IlEoSZcCMvVy6O-sKUlj5V4VOoTbgtcVVaG1pGTYomWc3lNYH1v8eEi/s640/blogger-image-2012312813.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We headed over to the big stage to war Richard Dean Anderson's talk next. He answered a lot of questions about both Stargate and Macgyver, was a funny guy. </div><div><br></div><div>We could have spent oodles of money on cool things, from authorised merch to handmade crafts, but in the end we just got some stickers and patches. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyCewLgOy0ZENYzP0iEz-SAaCjaZSUAcBcmMlHQkueYar5NaKteEVgNtZbf-ChumsJdtbsRgMOtD5j3l1CpJ7kdTyXZDgm1SlfjxSlFFX9V8gD8vquWq526rfpipznX5R6ljzv5YO1adD/s640/blogger-image-317502400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyCewLgOy0ZENYzP0iEz-SAaCjaZSUAcBcmMlHQkueYar5NaKteEVgNtZbf-ChumsJdtbsRgMOtD5j3l1CpJ7kdTyXZDgm1SlfjxSlFFX9V8gD8vquWq526rfpipznX5R6ljzv5YO1adD/s640/blogger-image-317502400.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Oz Comic Con was a heck of a lot of fun! I highly recommend it to anyone with a love of all things cult and pop culture-y. </div><div><br></div><div><i>*I was a guest of Oz Comic Con and received a free double pass to attend. Not a sponsored post. </i></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-61405929705741758892015-09-07T07:52:00.001+10:002015-09-07T08:00:42.581+10:00Hustle and Flow: Finding Inspiration and Keeping MotivatedOne of the downsides to going to conferences is they pump me up with ideas and motivation, but without the self-drive to follow through my best intentions to Do Stuff tend to fall flat. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAQBmDpOEea4BLZ3geTLoQ6f-0GPGyX1VZ4hSqh_-ZM0pnkXbKgPg_4-JNBT2vHAj3Xb7tatqx1N9dDhHgyvprJoRUCf_2mrC0JP7qGcQZbvz91FNNrzlutyPIl5vr-c2-H7FQ89S-NUW/s640/blogger-image--464720359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAQBmDpOEea4BLZ3geTLoQ6f-0GPGyX1VZ4hSqh_-ZM0pnkXbKgPg_4-JNBT2vHAj3Xb7tatqx1N9dDhHgyvprJoRUCf_2mrC0JP7qGcQZbvz91FNNrzlutyPIl5vr-c2-H7FQ89S-NUW/s640/blogger-image--464720359.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>I've realised somewhere along the line, I've lost my hustle. Yes, I go through brief periods of inspiration and productive work, creating content and seeking new knowledge. Then good old Lazy Sarah rolls back in and starts questioning the point, preferring to Netflix And Chill. I get thinking perhaps average isn't so bad. That mediocrity has itsmerits. </div><div><br></div><div>Every successful person, every high-flying entrepreneur, every salesman of the year or employee of the month tends to have the same ethic: they're always working hard. They set goals and hustle to get to them. They're insatiably ambitious and they have a drive to achieve that frankly I'm jealous of. </div><div><br></div><div>When I take a frank look at myself, I begin to wonder if I ever actually had any hustle. Life up until entering the workforce was pretty easy, I achieved academic success without much effort but after entering the Real World I quickly learned that unless you're a trust fund kid, not much gets handed to you. </div><div><br></div><div>I have read some commentary lately that some people feel like sites such as Problogger "dupe" folk into believing they can get rich by blogging. I wonder if these armchair experts have ever actually read any articles or attended a blogging event, because all I've learned over the past few years is that success in the blogosphere comes only from a lot of hard work. You have to put in the time to earn the dime, if you will. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm determined to find my hustle. If I never had it after all, perhaps I just need to develop it. Work on saying inspired as motivated - goodness knows there are plenty of bloggers and high achievers to look up to and learn from. </div><div><br></div><div><i>How do you keep yourself on track with your goals? Do you ever feel like everything is just too much hard work?</i></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-28892070391640394062015-08-24T22:34:00.000+10:002015-08-25T07:12:34.663+10:00Treasures from the Past: Thrifting TodayToday's we have a guest post from Sue at <a href="http://fiftyplustravel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fifty Plus Travel</a>. She's also my mum! Please make her welcome.<br>
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Every now and then while thrifting you come across something so precious it makes you pause and wonder how much it meant to the original owner. Last Saturday, I brought home the most beautiful Meakin soup tureen, a beautiful bowl edged with royal red and reminiscent of my mother's perfectly appointed table.<br>
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We would sit down for dinner with knives, forks and soup or sweets spoons lined up in order, napkins in their old worn silver holders, salt and pepper cellars and tablecloth freshly starched. I thought of the time when this tureen had been cherished and placed on the table filled with soup and ladled out to each family member sitting around the table! It speaks of love and long lost table manners!<br>
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I also collect gloves, handbags and oddments like my magnificent old trunk which has a mystery to it to be solved! I love the see through spotted voile wrist styled gloves I own and the long evening gold gloves like those my older sister used to wear to balls! I have some of my mother's worn gloves and also own another precious pair, carefully preserved in their original Dents plastic covering! Most of my handbags are from the 60's like Glomesh and Oroton - some being mine, some with a locked history from the past.<br>
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But my prized possession is bound for the curator at the Cobb & Co Museum in Toowoomba. I found this at an auction centre a few years ago. Nothing I have ever bought has been so evocative of the past and so mysterious as to its origin. I found it underneath a bench with many other vintage items, just waiting for me it seemed! It has hessian laid over timber and rusted steel bands over that. it is a traveling trunk of the type you would see atop an old stage coach....just the kind of trunk you can imagine a lady would take laden with her possessions - on her way to a distant destination in the 1890's!<br>
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Maybe I can hear the echo of the young boys rushing out to unharness the horse team ready for a fresh one, as she stepped down from the coach with the help of an outstretched arm of a gentleman traveller! This trunk was used by the photographers at my daughter's wedding on the farm to display her wedding dress.....those memories will overlay the history of yester year.<br><br>
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Layer upon layer, that's how thrifting builds upon the previous person's usage, what a wonderful legacy we leave when things are passed on and lovingly cared for by their new owner!<br>
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<i>Have you ever been absolutely overcome by the history of an item you have thrifted like me? </i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-52919798285662480542015-08-20T22:28:00.003+10:002015-08-21T08:13:33.651+10:00More Things This Weekend Has Taught Me - a Problogger Training Event
debrief<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6a3L-GkfNGZccjo89W2y7Gej9Nq8aMieEQvfYY2eysLKPIwMiO4KngxjAk8fZalHzPPTGEI5Imtb7pjVE39jRqPACPj7vU9OoTrFaxaO9oDh9xnq2BjkSANIbpJ8zWgdIlu44nx3SQov/s640/blogger-image--1261139359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6a3L-GkfNGZccjo89W2y7Gej9Nq8aMieEQvfYY2eysLKPIwMiO4KngxjAk8fZalHzPPTGEI5Imtb7pjVE39jRqPACPj7vU9OoTrFaxaO9oDh9xnq2BjkSANIbpJ8zWgdIlu44nx3SQov/s640/blogger-image--1261139359.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>One of the common tips you read a lot in the blogosphere is to use popular past content to guide your future posts. Well, as one of my all-time most read posts is titled "Things This Weekend Has Taught Me", I thought I'd do a sequel.<br>
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That post was about a stormy weekend with a blackout. This post is about an awesome weekend away at the Gold Coast for Problogger Training Event, an annual blogging conference. This year it was held at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast. <div><br><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5L2BZ2WhcnXu2A7eR76FTmsGsW0Q82wUZcU0ba1CALf7kyxvO-Zy7JQh204w3oWibIzkKZx6mkZ4kcbgOioolEbQ9VMRU5cWk-YaZhtL5hIKQE27q3OgvCQJQurxWGuImHpxuc38-OCc/s640/blogger-image--623702669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5L2BZ2WhcnXu2A7eR76FTmsGsW0Q82wUZcU0ba1CALf7kyxvO-Zy7JQh204w3oWibIzkKZx6mkZ4kcbgOioolEbQ9VMRU5cWk-YaZhtL5hIKQE27q3OgvCQJQurxWGuImHpxuc38-OCc/s640/blogger-image--623702669.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To say the weekend was great would be an understatement. This was my second time attending the event and once again I was impressed by the quality of speakers, the networking opportunities, the venue and mostly the value for money. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NEfAYsGLnSx85LXHxb1FMRkcDAOvKcBzrmnztSx8MTLBELENMISrQRwM6_ypXDB7D9q7jo0qNQXaGXhTZUDC57rIomP6E5p-YEACNpGDsGr7yw63TxewMZuBysUt19fNtsB8lZk6TU71/s640/blogger-image-455791200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NEfAYsGLnSx85LXHxb1FMRkcDAOvKcBzrmnztSx8MTLBELENMISrQRwM6_ypXDB7D9q7jo0qNQXaGXhTZUDC57rIomP6E5p-YEACNpGDsGr7yw63TxewMZuBysUt19fNtsB8lZk6TU71/s640/blogger-image-455791200.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What was I taught? That blogging isn't always about monetization (though I did know that already). That for a lot of people, reader engagement and community-building is more important. Sharing stories, solving problems, bringing joy or comfort or happiness are worthy goals too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JWBDSGLSrDwsVLdP0VYO5Aw5MIO2igqPDONFWLJB_6x8ftgD96h1-UchkzbxnY59XznI3eZE2hq5_eocJ6si4mcrkXzVnV17qLMwqsw-Iq6eHAWBWLUPPnDqL3Gn0b93l5qXvkFK6yCP/s640/blogger-image--1988490735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JWBDSGLSrDwsVLdP0VYO5Aw5MIO2igqPDONFWLJB_6x8ftgD96h1-UchkzbxnY59XznI3eZE2hq5_eocJ6si4mcrkXzVnV17qLMwqsw-Iq6eHAWBWLUPPnDqL3Gn0b93l5qXvkFK6yCP/s640/blogger-image--1988490735.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I met so many people that I have known online for many years, and everyone was so kind and encouraging. I cannot describe to you what it's like to connect meaningfully with people of your "tribe", who GET what you're passionate about. I hope you have experienced this before because it is the greatest thing!</div><div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25RlMmFntiKuQT6Kx6PH0JWpQ_HsDgybbWVTbjnk50sf8sPPlxR_VkhMo85-LBr722AbTS_OWI1adPvFDFn1soNTqMowiWML2-wGJYOsJNT20kDZET8YPCk8x8dzEiaNRuEAAfyDbhZco/s640/blogger-image--1395763788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25RlMmFntiKuQT6Kx6PH0JWpQ_HsDgybbWVTbjnk50sf8sPPlxR_VkhMo85-LBr722AbTS_OWI1adPvFDFn1soNTqMowiWML2-wGJYOsJNT20kDZET8YPCk8x8dzEiaNRuEAAfyDbhZco/s640/blogger-image--1395763788.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After two days of sessions and excellent company, I was exhausted but reinvigorated about blogging. I have lots of strategies to implement and ideas rolling around in my head. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1DQ9Lv6N3kwwL84OPMDrOX6dnea4lgZKZ1H9IadAXTqEqoP3UAFlsbhy9-vSWYhCd84l15eNO0Ja8zXIo5YeKDGXOH8EnXznIuRtBmOovg24e-ouux53WI5kLbQzJwxFijoATIdZ2Xcs/s640/blogger-image-1608489615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1DQ9Lv6N3kwwL84OPMDrOX6dnea4lgZKZ1H9IadAXTqEqoP3UAFlsbhy9-vSWYhCd84l15eNO0Ja8zXIo5YeKDGXOH8EnXznIuRtBmOovg24e-ouux53WI5kLbQzJwxFijoATIdZ2Xcs/s640/blogger-image-1608489615.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But the greatest thing of all was experiencing the event with my mum, who has just started a travel blog. She had a fabulous time too, and it was extra cool to see how wonderful the blogging community treats it's newbies. </div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvd429tUrnSIepccyvD_C591Ixsv2RhXCP11d56D8yd1bbhAoIIgXDu42Az8P1272SwdqwdB6Q5_ZSV41biILiNNm6wnqb71_I_dg5FpReuicubd3N4DMr0LAaj_DGwf8wthDSEvV168X/s640/blogger-image--1553547573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvd429tUrnSIepccyvD_C591Ixsv2RhXCP11d56D8yd1bbhAoIIgXDu42Az8P1272SwdqwdB6Q5_ZSV41biILiNNm6wnqb71_I_dg5FpReuicubd3N4DMr0LAaj_DGwf8wthDSEvV168X/s640/blogger-image--1553547573.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Did you go to PBEvent, or follow along on social media? What's the most important thing a conference has taught you?</div><br></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-20135763126295916502015-08-19T05:00:00.000+10:002015-09-02T21:02:15.704+10:00Oz Comic-Con 2015 Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KnU8xdMal60ESCXvionBtow0Hc0VK3Ko84f6tXHMFTYYl9hBUIR1FHFK1R-OYfg3oCLEMbhe0naBy63T7lFBznjJZjdtrk6_i_iwQfnuCWoaSTYz7KqUW6bGlT8ZYJgcBadCztGjuWKA/s1600/IMG_8458.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KnU8xdMal60ESCXvionBtow0Hc0VK3Ko84f6tXHMFTYYl9hBUIR1FHFK1R-OYfg3oCLEMbhe0naBy63T7lFBznjJZjdtrk6_i_iwQfnuCWoaSTYz7KqUW6bGlT8ZYJgcBadCztGjuWKA/s400/IMG_8458.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm noticing a trend in 2015. And that trend is that being a geek is going mainstream.<br />
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In between a plethora of Marvel movies and the huge popularity of Game of Thrones, more and more people are getting into what was previously the domain of nerds - comic books, science fiction and fantasy, animation and cult movies.<br />
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Back when I was a young geek, it was a fairly lonely old life. It wasn't until I got to university and found The Internet that I discovered there were people out there who loved Star Wars! And Tolkien! It was like finding my tribe.<br />
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Flashforward a few years and now you can find geeks everywhere. They're at your work, making coffee and talking about why Jon Snow Knows Nothing. They're in cinema foyers, munching popcorn in their Captain America t-shirt.<br />
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And, joyfully, geeks can now congregate at conventions like <a href="http://www.ozcomiccon.com/" target="_blank">Oz Comic-Con</a>. We can dress up as our favourite characters, chatter with other like-minded folk about the latest fandom news; and most exciting of all... chat to our favourite actors, authors and artists!<br />
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Oz Comic-Con is coming to Brisbane in September and <b>I've got 2 x family passes (that's 2 x adults and 2 x children) to give away.</b> It's on at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre 19-20 September, enter to win! Each pass is for the WHOLE WEEKEND and is worth $160. Check out the con website to see what guests are expected. If you're a Stargate fan, you'll be particularly excited. Plus there's plenty of other cool stuff to see, experience and buy.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>To be in the running, just leave a comment below (along with a way for me to contact you) and tell me - if you had an an unlimited Cosplay budget, who would you dress up as? <b>[THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED]</b></i></span><br />
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Me, <a href="http://surelysarah.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/defining-nerd.html" target="_blank">I've already been a Jedi</a>, but if I had oodles of money and time I've always wanted to try the Kaylee's Layer Cake Dress from Firefly!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwNkqUV2dUORLHZBxxfBxw3CVRjTr1oI-EmlYnN7UrRG4QaRrgoYNpQT0A5XRAy3k7qg3zQc7eVnDY5t06pZmpW5bJZN7JvYtEF1oPY7Wd8qRzVaPCuuVLzH5BQSe2zCxK61jjFe7PpS0/s1600/kaylee_mal_shindig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwNkqUV2dUORLHZBxxfBxw3CVRjTr1oI-EmlYnN7UrRG4QaRrgoYNpQT0A5XRAy3k7qg3zQc7eVnDY5t06pZmpW5bJZN7JvYtEF1oPY7Wd8qRzVaPCuuVLzH5BQSe2zCxK61jjFe7PpS0/s400/kaylee_mal_shindig.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Terms and Conditions:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This is a game of skill. Chance plays no part. Open only to Australia
residents. This competition closes 11.59pm AEST Tues 1st September 2015.
Winners will be announced Wed 2nd September. Prize is not transferable and is not redeemable for cash.</i></span><span style="color: #555555;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-46182405758194397692015-08-17T06:06:00.001+10:002015-08-17T07:18:04.334+10:00C is for Caloundra - A-Z Guidebook linkup<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKQxEDSJsmBeCtgqkZhxa7VryxiyfvqGH7oT8nk0zmhrN-oOpylLjYtFoLIsqztJuDNz81BvDNZxmDEBIfgXjCov1CRv7-xxq5V1siAL7WCSTpAEFqVLVQORprt6rKcUl6Vf66WnX4eSg/s640/blogger-image-1917956979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKQxEDSJsmBeCtgqkZhxa7VryxiyfvqGH7oT8nk0zmhrN-oOpylLjYtFoLIsqztJuDNz81BvDNZxmDEBIfgXjCov1CRv7-xxq5V1siAL7WCSTpAEFqVLVQORprt6rKcUl6Vf66WnX4eSg/s640/blogger-image-1917956979.jpg" /></a></div>
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Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast has long been a favourite getaway spot for Queenslanders. Offering four or five different beaches, there's plenty of sand and waves for everyone. </div>
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When my husband and I first started dating we took a weekend away at Bulcock Beach and it's been a top spot of ours ever since. Facing Pumicestone Passage, there's no surf so the calm water attracts young families and people who just want to float around in the sparkling sea. </div>
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Caloundra itself has changed a lot over the decades with more and more holiday apartments going up, but it has retained a lot of its sleepy seaside town appeal. </div>
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There's not a lot to do unless like me you're a fan of late breakfasts, going for walks, reading trashy novels, eating ice cream, having a paddle and taking afternoon naps like me!</div>
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And at only 1-2 hours drive north of Brisbane (depending on traffic), it's close enough to home that you don't have to waste a lot of your precious holiday time getting there. </div>
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<i>Do you have a favourite beach holiday spot?</i></div>
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<strong>Linking up with <a href="http://www.tiffinbitesized.com.au/2015/08/15/a-z-guidebook-croatia-plitvice-lakes/" target="_blank">TIFFIN Bite Sized Food Adventures monthly travel A-Z Guidebook</a> </strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-27781334004757717582015-08-13T07:51:00.001+10:002015-08-13T08:04:40.191+10:00Conference Jitters<div>Tomorrow I'm off to a two-day conference. Yep. Like some puffed up self-important businessman. Except it's more of an "event" I guess. It's Problogger Event, the biggest thing in an Aussie blogger's calendar. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUq3zhQOsgz1RwupVgEQmHsl5tvFNu22RuD75W6aFwr80z_mwWmUWS5Zqt8HgsL6jjSVTp4hfNLCiJLqhJqOesxoVG55306VBP8nV94iZ44vzlIxNx2mNon7H8fw8ilENtcHu-etV_xgx/s640/blogger-image-1349882737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUq3zhQOsgz1RwupVgEQmHsl5tvFNu22RuD75W6aFwr80z_mwWmUWS5Zqt8HgsL6jjSVTp4hfNLCiJLqhJqOesxoVG55306VBP8nV94iZ44vzlIxNx2mNon7H8fw8ilENtcHu-etV_xgx/s640/blogger-image-1349882737.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm mostly prepped. I'm down to thinking of last-minute things. This is my second time and I think I'm less nervous because of that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lNrIoiMsFaNazixo-fsayMcxieyencdgf7FVJIkTrLORovQOymuQX_xJY8x4GLunBToVevbYzdi7DvtEPNroUW6rSUO2qCZmNOaY_3_hzWBu-OG6jkPRntWj8VH19hv5CsYImWFt_GK4/s640/blogger-image--1787639924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lNrIoiMsFaNazixo-fsayMcxieyencdgf7FVJIkTrLORovQOymuQX_xJY8x4GLunBToVevbYzdi7DvtEPNroUW6rSUO2qCZmNOaY_3_hzWBu-OG6jkPRntWj8VH19hv5CsYImWFt_GK4/s640/blogger-image--1787639924.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm not great in large gatherings. But as I get older (and wiser?) I've realised that other people are mostly blundering their way through social interactions too so that's ok. And this time I will know two whole people in real life! Doesn't matter if one of them is my mum!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm also more connected with other bloggers in the online space this time around. There are people who I feel I will be able to go up to and say hi because we've interacted on social media, rather than me just being familiar with them from reading their writing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And I'm staying overnight this year, so it's kind of like a mini-holiday on the Gold Coast! It's even at a resort. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But most of all I'm looking forward to hanging out with my "tribe" - a mob of people that just GET blogging, love blogging, live blogging. If you're going, maybe I'll see you there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Do you ever go to conferences or industry events? Do you get a lot out of them?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-30364986220450618602015-08-07T08:08:00.001+10:002015-08-07T08:11:25.247+10:004x4 Fun<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZWOmUIG2GVa9UOX14RKIs-JPti04DkVYBy5mZ_A6e4B-rm_zq7_PCPWDh1sputH6R-bkklfGDZH0AOkrEstDQWwQ9pdqxme7DyB8D9vQRfzfv_4HAvopcYd10rxOX843WPU8CxCVJB3b/s640/blogger-image-573522833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZWOmUIG2GVa9UOX14RKIs-JPti04DkVYBy5mZ_A6e4B-rm_zq7_PCPWDh1sputH6R-bkklfGDZH0AOkrEstDQWwQ9pdqxme7DyB8D9vQRfzfv_4HAvopcYd10rxOX843WPU8CxCVJB3b/s640/blogger-image-573522833.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>I<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">'d never been off-road with my husband before last weekend. When I was young I fondly remember my dad barreling the XF down dirt tracks to remote campsites, box trailer in tow. What fun. </span><div><div><br></div><div>But I've never really been "4WD-ing" so when C decided he wanted to give another go to the mountain trail that I'd freaked out on a few weeks prior, I was a bit nervous. </div><div><br></div><div>Lucky my husband is a prepper - he likes to be prepared for all eventualities. As he loaded a first aid kit, some "Max Trax" and a roll of loo paper into the back of the X-Trail my fears were somewhat assauged. </div><div><br></div><div>The road we'd decided to take started at amount Kilcoy and ended Who-Knows-Where. We'd managed to find it on a Hema map but weren't sure where we would end up as there were multiple intersecting roads. I was having visions of the RACQ rescue chopper having to winch us out. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1hagIQtt3GZUZXFNR0rTaCKnU5DCAAOj_MHzDm1JIF_3dTQENjvGMy_GldbtPQPBJiGunz6l21ylqa0A1pm6DW2-RjEHeD3w-9f2BX-PL-EUYWfnOBUPVNh89NVpUOUAOWamz3Kz7HUs/s640/blogger-image--937648723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1hagIQtt3GZUZXFNR0rTaCKnU5DCAAOj_MHzDm1JIF_3dTQENjvGMy_GldbtPQPBJiGunz6l21ylqa0A1pm6DW2-RjEHeD3w-9f2BX-PL-EUYWfnOBUPVNh89NVpUOUAOWamz3Kz7HUs/s640/blogger-image--937648723.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I must admit, being completely alone in the Australian bush unnerves me. I was on Yowie-watch the whole time! The difficult parts of the road scared me, whereas C was having a complete ball tacking washouts and slippery corners. The scenery up there is stunning. At times over 600m above sea level, the bush changes from scrubby gums to semi-tropical rainforest as you go. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6sqUqYODIYlyj_dXJE9lm64R4rWB90oOkd3oRAzM4lTbKvA-n6wMsb1Bk6x_v-FjPVU_PuI4BRX98VyTX6RbZHLDOD75Mg9EGMT4_A2JZLq384leNdq3u0e709lPPW3K6LBHUDaOENOh/s640/blogger-image-201270741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6sqUqYODIYlyj_dXJE9lm64R4rWB90oOkd3oRAzM4lTbKvA-n6wMsb1Bk6x_v-FjPVU_PuI4BRX98VyTX6RbZHLDOD75Mg9EGMT4_A2JZLq384leNdq3u0e709lPPW3K6LBHUDaOENOh/s640/blogger-image-201270741.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>In the end it wasn't a particularly challenging trail (apparently) but more than enough for my nerves! After a couple of hours I was ready for home and the promise of a hot shower. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYMKdJ9wBmHqjRp6bdqA8ZNybf2Zge20Bfi6ri2bWJ39y-O_1eabpbbqrIC6r0zZGCd0ba1aD-096XllKv2iRG9bNm1FL6i4p0tcmzUYOM3O29FViMyynHVk2TkgdNZt_Awy42OpLe9b1/s640/blogger-image-1527749865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYMKdJ9wBmHqjRp6bdqA8ZNybf2Zge20Bfi6ri2bWJ39y-O_1eabpbbqrIC6r0zZGCd0ba1aD-096XllKv2iRG9bNm1FL6i4p0tcmzUYOM3O29FViMyynHVk2TkgdNZt_Awy42OpLe9b1/s640/blogger-image-1527749865.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>What I did like was taking the new camera and tripod and practicing our photography. And we even saw a kangaroo. </div><div><br></div><div>Now we just have to decide where to go next! Any suggestions?</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-79706794476346769062015-08-03T08:15:00.001+10:002015-08-04T08:28:39.083+10:00Travel Essentials You Can't Pack in Your SuitcaseThese days, the average person will know the basics of international travel. Roll your clothes, take an emergency outfit in your carry-on, layering for the plane etc. But what about preparing your attitude like you do your luggage?<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMEzP_cclQzatuAWejIn3PyY7sp-MJ-sMMO30o4GgqQtoH5ArfWJmvseigI71xg7qBeWZ7Uqx1RI7KNMAGsX5A1KP3ROhmTU-ClEVNKB1PmgpZUrV0Zami-nZF69hp1C41rnfGU6WKbFx/s640/blogger-image-192323883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMEzP_cclQzatuAWejIn3PyY7sp-MJ-sMMO30o4GgqQtoH5ArfWJmvseigI71xg7qBeWZ7Uqx1RI7KNMAGsX5A1KP3ROhmTU-ClEVNKB1PmgpZUrV0Zami-nZF69hp1C41rnfGU6WKbFx/s640/blogger-image-192323883.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>These are my favorite things to <i>mentally</i> pack when headed over the ocean blue: </div><div><br></div><div>1. An Open Mind</div><div>Australians sometimes don't realise until they travel just how lucky they are to live in such a clean country with universal healthcare. Even if you're headed to another First World country, you should be prepared to see (and smell!) things that may shock or disturb you. Poverty, beggars, thieves, gypsies, garbage, sewerage - you'll need to keep an open mind and realise not everywhere is just like home. </div><div><br></div><div>2. A Sense of Adventure</div><div>If you're not traveling for work, you're probably traveling to see new things, new places, experience the world - don't forget to bring along your sense of adventure! Being overly cautious can sometimes mean you'll make decisions you regret later. Try the street food! Visit that remote temple. Talk to the locals. You'll get so much more out of the experience. </div><div><br></div><div>3. Common Sense</div><div>Point 2 should be tempered by point 3. Yes, be adventurous and take advantage of exciting opportunities, but always apply common sense. If that bungy jumping operation doesn't look like it's had any HS&E inspections lately, perhaps don't do it. Likewise give a miss to things like drinking the local water if travel guidelines say it's unsafe. And don't believe the taxi driver when they try to tell you that major tourist attraction is closed! I once nearly missed out on seeing Bangkok's Grand Palace because of a cheeky tuk-tuk driver!</div><div><br></div><div>4. Flexibility</div><div>I heard once there's an unofficial second motto of the US Marines: "Semper Gumby". It's a joking way of reminding themselves to be flexible. When you're traveling, circumstances can change at a moment's notice. Connections get missed, weather ruins plans. Scaffolding happens.* Don't let these things ruin your day! Look for alternatives and make the best of any situation of possible. </div><div><br></div><div>5. A Backup Plan</div><div>When things upset your itinerary or that museum you wanted to visit is closed on the only day you're in the city, it helps to have a backup plan. If you suspect a certain something you'd like to do might be closed/inaccessible/impossible, think of some alternatives. Don't go Clarke Griswald on everyone! Google is your friend, more so now than the large Lonely Planet tome we used to cart about. A good backup plan saves a lot of worry and anxiety!</div><div><br></div><div>With these tips in your mental kitbag, you're sure to have smoother travels. I've navigated my way though multiple travel disasters by using them!</div><div><br></div><div><i>This post is an entry in the Virgin Australia Problogger Event competition. </i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><br></div><div>*There's a Murphy's Law that applies to traveling in Europe - your favourite monument or cathedral is probably going to be covered in scaffolding. Old buildings need lots of restoration!</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-855927425281679862015-07-27T06:59:00.001+10:002015-07-28T19:55:43.823+10:00Zenning Out in the Japanese GardensA few Saturdays past on a trip to Toowoomba, we decided we wanted to do a photography walk. Foiled by lack of information about the street art I had heard abounds in the CBD and put off a walk up historic Russell St by the cold wind, we opted for the sheltered, calm and beautiful Japanese Gardens.<br />
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The gardens are a real city treasure and you can find them in the grounds I the Universiy of Southern Queensland. Just look for the big red gates!</div>
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A popular wedding venue, we found the gardens still well-attended on a cold Saturday afternoon. Plenty of people, including families, we walking about at a sedate pace, feeding the ducks and geese or just sitting quietly taking it the quiet beauty of it all. </div>
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The main paths circumnavigate the lake but wandering of the beaten track soon take you into quiet woods or stands of bamboo. You'll discover a burbling brook or a gushing waterfall. Terribly photogenic red bridges abound. </div>
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My favourite though is the Zen Garden. Beautifully raked lines of pebbles meander along a garden bed like a pale river. I wonder who keeps it so neat?</div>
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We even came across a group of cosplayers staging a photo shoot in the bamboo. What a wonderful public space!</div>
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If you're in Toowoomba, it is well worth the drive south of the city to see the gardens. Particularly of you're looking for a place to calm down after experiencing the unique displeasure of Toowoomba drivers! You can even leave a donation at the front gate for upkeep of the grounds. </div>
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<i>Have you ever been to a Japanese Garden? Do you find them as calming as I do?</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-46046814518721813412015-07-22T07:41:00.001+10:002015-07-22T08:05:26.174+10:00My Internal Jukebox<div>Ever get a song stuck in your head? I think it happens to us all sometimes. Earworms, I've heard this phenomenon called. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrTo4ijo7BEJckwTMM2WPEdH-WC9zgOVkpw7KMDmWtf5cT6oYipDPqR5J5y0Map41qNUa-SJ2berDnMbDnqRszpqIUrnPnDgy_4-O3ycFlaI8DilVmaz4LNX_-Nsc5KRap5u0ue1DQqJn/s640/blogger-image-937528763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrTo4ijo7BEJckwTMM2WPEdH-WC9zgOVkpw7KMDmWtf5cT6oYipDPqR5J5y0Map41qNUa-SJ2berDnMbDnqRszpqIUrnPnDgy_4-O3ycFlaI8DilVmaz4LNX_-Nsc5KRap5u0ue1DQqJn/s640/blogger-image-937528763.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I always seem to be humming or muttering songs under my breath, usually something I've heard on the radio, or tv. Working in accounts receivable, this can become hilariously inappropriate when that song is "Bitch Better Have My Money".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But I also have an "internal jukebox". This seems to be where my brain chooses independently of any outside stimulus (that I can discover) to start playing from its own stored reportoire. Songs I have not heard in years, or sometimes don't even know where I heard them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For example, last night when I went to bed I realised that I'd had a Bryan Adams song running through my thoughts all day. That song was "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman" and I swear I have not heard or even thought about it for over a decade. RANDOM. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So in addition to the incessantly catchy ad jingles and latest chart-topping hooks that I am bombarded with daily by media, I seem to have my own little radio station inside my head that sometimes chooses what tracks to spin in my thoughts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm curious to know - does your brain do this? I wonder how it chooses what to play next...</div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-24254078572735138032015-07-19T21:07:00.000+10:002015-07-20T07:08:44.982+10:00Top Tips to Save You Money on Car MaintenanceToday's post is brought to you in conjuction with the wisdom of my husband C, a mechanic who is passionate about people looking after their cars. We want to share with you a few easy ways to look after your car, and hopefully save you money down the track with preventative maintenance!<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2PWeQiy7JaLi6fBGLydLBmN_agJZwKHUy8yma6EwETXmqswd2skdst9kgsUaShAwSPw60ThnltRUwG0tY5fOmivmWNxjmbie9UxtbfGvYv6lm3CtZDkiSW9Do2EI7FxpUg6OJANostJ-/s640/blogger-image--555952197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2PWeQiy7JaLi6fBGLydLBmN_agJZwKHUy8yma6EwETXmqswd2skdst9kgsUaShAwSPw60ThnltRUwG0tY5fOmivmWNxjmbie9UxtbfGvYv6lm3CtZDkiSW9Do2EI7FxpUg6OJANostJ-/s640/blogger-image--555952197.jpg"></a></div><br><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">On to the tips!</span></div><div>
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* Regular servicing. It doesn't have to be with the dealer, but always use a mechanic who looks after your car for a fair price. A service usually includes engine oil change and a new oil filter. Sometimes it will include a new air filter if you need it. Some mechanics will also do a full safety inspection. A regular service ensures that any small issues are caught before they become big ones. Eg. a good mechanic will identify if you need a wheel alignment before you incur the cost of two new front tyres. You should have all your oils looked at at least once a year - for a front wheel drive the gearbox oil, a rear wheel drive will need gearbox and diff oils checked, 4WDs need both diffs, gearbox and transfer case oils. Even people who think they know all about home mechanics regularly miss these! <br>
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* Tyres. If you don't know how to check your tyre inflation and wear, ask your mechanic or learn how yourself from a knowledgable friend or YouTube. Under-inflation costs you in the long run as your car will use more fuel. Improperly aligned tyres will wear unevenly and quickly, costing you money to replace and are also dangerous. Bald tyres will aquaplane in the wet.<br>
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* Occasionally drive with the radio off and listen to the noises your car makes. Any clanks and clunks and pings that you may not have noticed before may indicate something is wearing. Don't be afraid to tell your mechanic about odd noises. Eg. a hard knock while going over a bump may indicate a worn bush or ball-joint.<br>
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* Pay attention to indicator panel warning lights. In modern cars, they only come on for a reason. Even if the car appears to be driving fine, take it the mechanic - something may be causing you to use more fuel or be causing wear/damage in a major part that can cost you later. If your car has a ABS brake or SRS airbag light on do not drive it anywhere except to a mechanic to get it checked. Both these lights indicate issues that can result in major injury if these components fail.<br>
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* Wash your car with a proper car wash product. This makes your paint last longer because it prevents dirt scratching the surface and protects your top coat. It also gives you a chance to give your car a good once over. Look out for broken lights, bits falling off, leaks etc. <br>
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And lastly, a bonus list!<br>
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<b>Top five reasons cars fail roadworthy checks </b><br>
(note some of these can get you fined if stopped and inspected by the transport department)<br>
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- window tint - a single bubble or haze is an immediate fail<br>
- inside edge of tyres are bald<br>
- low brake pads <br>
- steering wheel damage<br>
- bulbs or indicators not working<br>
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I hope these tips are helpful, and if you have any questions for the mechanic, let me know - he's happy to do an "Ask the Mechanic" Q&A post in future!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-1850079796299482972015-07-16T19:27:00.000+10:002015-07-16T19:27:38.794+10:00B is for Bath - A-Z Travel Guide Linkup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't describe how excited I was to visit Bath. After a steady diet of Jane Austen in my formative years, of course I yearned to walk the streets of the place where her characters and she herself spent so much time.</div>
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The Pump Room! Where the Georgians went every day to "take the waters". The signs seemed magical to me, like books brought to life - but of course Austen was writing from life experience after all. </div>
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The Pump Room is just one of many wonderful sights to see in Bath. Starting at the bottom of the hill there is the Baths themselves (interesting tour) and the Cathedral (many famous people buried there, and beautiful in its own right). </div>
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Further up the slope is the Jane Austen Museum (spent a lovely time there!) and the Assembly Rooms, location of so much of the drama in Northanger Abbey. </div>
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At the top of the hill is the Royal Crescent - one of the most beautiful examples of residential architecture you will ever see. I couldn't help but imagine the carriages coming and going and the people promenading in the afternoon in Austen's time. </div>
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On my way back down I discovered paths through gardens and woods. How delightful! And then I stumbled across the very spot where Captain Wentworth caught up with Anne Elliot, I'm sure of it...</div>
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If it wasn't for the awful backpackers hostel I was in, Bath would have been 100% perfect. Even non-Austen fans would love its gorgeous sandstone buildings and deep history. </div>
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.tiffinbitesized.com.au/2015/07/15/a-z-guidebook-brooklyn-bridge-nyc/" target="_blank">Tiffin Bite-Sized Adventures A-Z Guidebook</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-28272018842075097402015-07-07T07:59:00.001+10:002015-07-07T08:09:18.748+10:00Dark Universe at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium<div>Hubby and I are always on the lookout for interesting date ideas and after watching the TV series "Cosmos" last year the Planetarium has been on our list. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5l9pXjw6YSDkz4T1U8qp6HVrgMw5BKkROwtokL72kyGXC2O0_sFi-7EsI_2kOb5x5jbMfDuS5WeIvJOfh3LXcraK27QMtkgdJZz_howG0arHlR9xHb6ZaCiWR62p1SWE-vluA8iieJMa/s640/blogger-image--1928734508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5l9pXjw6YSDkz4T1U8qp6HVrgMw5BKkROwtokL72kyGXC2O0_sFi-7EsI_2kOb5x5jbMfDuS5WeIvJOfh3LXcraK27QMtkgdJZz_howG0arHlR9xHb6ZaCiWR62p1SWE-vluA8iieJMa/s640/blogger-image--1928734508.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Though both a bit geeky we don't know a lot about astronomy so on Saturday night - for the price of going to the movies - we decided to go see the Neil deGrasse Tyson-narrated show "Dark Universe". It was amazing! The show was projected into the roof dome, and sitting back in chairs that are angled towards the ceiling you really feel like you are flying through space. Pretty trippy! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNMQcbyDV7suWp33vvtGNE-ZSod7wWFiXnt1LiLTs9gjwlHhXmDQ-TM4q0yOlOk7kbycb45dc2Z0TepLN6Zr4d44yxttw0zXRqZI7HRbDBUvU7t8ljj0oshfCPQVVa073Q91sM0LDW1je/s640/blogger-image--339419602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNMQcbyDV7suWp33vvtGNE-ZSod7wWFiXnt1LiLTs9gjwlHhXmDQ-TM4q0yOlOk7kbycb45dc2Z0TepLN6Zr4d44yxttw0zXRqZI7HRbDBUvU7t8ljj0oshfCPQVVa073Q91sM0LDW1je/s640/blogger-image--339419602.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And the show itself was mind-blowing, being focused on the latest developments in astro-physics and our knowledge of the universe. It went for about half an hour, and was followed by a look at Brisbane's night sky with one of the resident experts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY10SK-RUi68JFL7Elx5qoArKjzssTQe0rt7WW4uHDJM75G8R41lG_6t_KTMPzfUfm-oCUWlBS6k7gGrwBwykQAnwuBSiHJ6RqBCgUrSpe6-TFDzl3ppizlKwc8n7bb7vLH70RH3Buz-_/s640/blogger-image--522669298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY10SK-RUi68JFL7Elx5qoArKjzssTQe0rt7WW4uHDJM75G8R41lG_6t_KTMPzfUfm-oCUWlBS6k7gGrwBwykQAnwuBSiHJ6RqBCgUrSpe6-TFDzl3ppizlKwc8n7bb7vLH70RH3Buz-_/s640/blogger-image--522669298.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The session was surprisingly popular and nearly full so I was glad we booked. I would recommend Dark Universe for teens and up, but the Planetarium has plenty of different shows that can be enjoyed by all ages. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Have you ever been to the Planetarium? Do you ever think about how looking at the stars is looking into the past?</i></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-86489172601823003022015-06-30T07:09:00.001+10:002015-06-30T08:14:13.246+10:00A Pirate's Life For Me<div>On Saturday I spied a tweet saying that an old ship was going to be docked at Southbank for the weekend. </div><div><br></div><div>Upon further investigation, I discovered it was the <i>Notorious, </i>a replica 15th Century Spanish caravel. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiF09oKNBa-t0VLN9pmudbX-Fd5MM2NRDo78oVi55ETz5jPIQ3NcFsnNWuqw2k1w9NSlypQf8nQkqwkHcPZS_xhUSYVTebjbppKuFRgP4TId67EygPDlRm9-D2ApYAb_BG-cT42QtHAHk-/s640/blogger-image-269662564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiF09oKNBa-t0VLN9pmudbX-Fd5MM2NRDo78oVi55ETz5jPIQ3NcFsnNWuqw2k1w9NSlypQf8nQkqwkHcPZS_xhUSYVTebjbppKuFRgP4TId67EygPDlRm9-D2ApYAb_BG-cT42QtHAHk-/s640/blogger-image-269662564.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE_APDZX1jHLHL5I1HNnJLf8HZ_n9QbAzFh2xwgfvfJD6CYUHnfdpUnWtOcdbZYU4Fvc8B8fdR5ytIKOHiyxAzkFZnhwR14pxhvzcsmbz_qvybX4onaba6QEY2e5fxJv7qxNXwW2ZhtZw/s640/blogger-image-553282745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE_APDZX1jHLHL5I1HNnJLf8HZ_n9QbAzFh2xwgfvfJD6CYUHnfdpUnWtOcdbZYU4Fvc8B8fdR5ytIKOHiyxAzkFZnhwR14pxhvzcsmbz_qvybX4onaba6QEY2e5fxJv7qxNXwW2ZhtZw/s640/blogger-image-553282745.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I'm a big fan of all things nautical, we headed in to the city to take a look. Apparently it has been part of the filming of the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie at the Gold Coast. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was so tiny! It blew my mind to think this is the kind of ship those explorers in the Age of Discovery sailed across the world in!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pae13nrjzkjX55HVuJltMES4qyQSR8z0NP1ayy9PyXH51P3Z67WbhzEj1nA5ZwRq8vdXswZyjQA1RWsD5paXAioeR2S0z69Dy-p-MmDNxfOcO86v04DympHYqmFHHsGSsvyJ_tI81NkJ/s640/blogger-image-815129231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pae13nrjzkjX55HVuJltMES4qyQSR8z0NP1ayy9PyXH51P3Z67WbhzEj1nA5ZwRq8vdXswZyjQA1RWsD5paXAioeR2S0z69Dy-p-MmDNxfOcO86v04DympHYqmFHHsGSsvyJ_tI81NkJ/s640/blogger-image-815129231.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A guy from Port Fairy built it. Imagine that dream. One day waking up and deciding you're going to scratch-build a historical sailing ship!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVCxXtfWt1Kh1cPtlugQYSTLlDTCTcmGfZoWTkw5P5TP2JwRMmQDDHhpAsRlr9J_YfsD_wnHbeWDRjvFovQPPvF83doy_GeWMClGDSipKuQYNk4jJdaZ81wPA8iCiwsYID4Q9r14K4jri/s640/blogger-image-1404625487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVCxXtfWt1Kh1cPtlugQYSTLlDTCTcmGfZoWTkw5P5TP2JwRMmQDDHhpAsRlr9J_YfsD_wnHbeWDRjvFovQPPvF83doy_GeWMClGDSipKuQYNk4jJdaZ81wPA8iCiwsYID4Q9r14K4jri/s640/blogger-image-1404625487.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There's a story there's a ship like this wrecked off the coast of Victoria. If so it would predate most Dutch exploration of this area of the world. What a good mystery! I'm going to have to find out more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Have you ever been on a sailing ship? Yo ho!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-13128669280618149562015-06-24T22:41:00.001+10:002015-06-25T08:14:19.460+10:00Crowdfunding Convert<div>Have you ever backed a project financially? Flashback ten years ago and this would have meant you were an investor with thousands to splash about on things like property development. </div><div><br></div><div>But now, thanks to the magic of crowdfunding, you can contribute even just $5 towards something you think is worthy. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEm2fF1MJV7NToxxP0yCQEsY6pNceZmviVwOZaTviWfTCe3kUfcH3OPbDh8andoWxl_sK3XVLQNrq4i70adpsn3cvgcqT7ou3KpgSiVk2JCzRJfdKi4Rbo9G9IHlgqiammyaplqeDezm_-/s640/blogger-image-1439724044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEm2fF1MJV7NToxxP0yCQEsY6pNceZmviVwOZaTviWfTCe3kUfcH3OPbDh8andoWxl_sK3XVLQNrq4i70adpsn3cvgcqT7ou3KpgSiVk2JCzRJfdKi4Rbo9G9IHlgqiammyaplqeDezm_-/s640/blogger-image-1439724044.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I must admit I have always been a but sceptical about the begging-bowl aspect of people launching a crowdfunded project. I must have seen it as a bandwagon upon which every struggling artist and tech entrepreneur had jumped. "Give me money to make my amazing app a reality!" "Cash me up & I'll put on an exhibition!" I imagined them shouting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And sure, there are thousands of projects out there I wouldn't fund because of disinterest, but also because I judge that the person or group doesn't "deserve" my money. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last night, after watching a partially crowdfunded movie, I'm willing to review my opinions. Why? Because I'm always whinging about the lack of original content in film and on tv. Sure, I'll go and watch the lastest sequel in a big franchise but I'm also wanting to hear new stories, about new characters in new worlds. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And the reality is, tv and movie studios just don't like gambling their money on things they aren't 100% sure will make a profit. Thus, we get a lot of stuff on our screens that has always proved to be a sure-fire hit formula in the past. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The beauty of crowdfunding is people who normally wouldn't get a cent of studio backing can ask the general public if they'll pay for them to create their content. Genius! Especially when it's people who are already known good performers or creators. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In this case, I watched the Veronica Mars movie. Previously a tv show that was canned, the star Kristin Bell got a big-screen sequel off the ground with the power of crowdfunding. Without this revenue-raising platform, the project would have been almost certainly dead in the water. Fans were willing to pay to have another story created for their favourite character. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another great crowdfunded project I'm looking forward to is Alan Tudyk's Con Man. This is going to be a web series - a medium along with streaming services that I think may eventually </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> kill commercial tv. Funded by thousands of dollars of Firefly (Alan's previous tv show) fans' money, the series is filming at present.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, I'm a total convert. If crowdfunding can help creative people put great movies and tv shows in front of my eyeballs, I say we should put our hands in our pockets occasionally, instead of paying studios and watching advertisements. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i>Have you ever backed a crowdfunded project? What was it?</i> </span></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-76851507285814236452015-06-19T07:15:00.001+10:002015-06-19T08:04:33.329+10:00Scrapbooking Camp at Lake PerserverenceRegular readers (hello!) will know that every year in June my mum and I go to a camp in the bush for the weekend for a scrapbooking retreat. Why? Because we love it!<br><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1xlmrpzVW2LXF3OqDoky10sWHiAfOXYkmKF_6-qut2xuln16EIXkYQ5k_wpfIYQ83lIeF7qxb4CJ462GaQNwsPzD-3KzCP_V17xZgiPDMxzYZtKBvLmZfUbG0Qa1nZiYudZXc54O2wGI/s640/blogger-image--1566412612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1xlmrpzVW2LXF3OqDoky10sWHiAfOXYkmKF_6-qut2xuln16EIXkYQ5k_wpfIYQ83lIeF7qxb4CJ462GaQNwsPzD-3KzCP_V17xZgiPDMxzYZtKBvLmZfUbG0Qa1nZiYudZXc54O2wGI/s640/blogger-image--1566412612.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not only is it an escape from the busyness of everyday life, who wouldn't like a few days breathing fresh air and being surrounded by nature?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUyx_4c1EtYtEV5G8uq_Wr58UtiUDfHzT7ravxB8ZZJnYHM9VxrShT_Dw74_aOaivLGHOkEYI7kGXOcI0iUe2nrxJEgLXPM70pjCnm5KfUHPDcnBEddo71RVaa6ksiZ8kqKM2Rq3pp3ho/s640/blogger-image-135259353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUyx_4c1EtYtEV5G8uq_Wr58UtiUDfHzT7ravxB8ZZJnYHM9VxrShT_Dw74_aOaivLGHOkEYI7kGXOcI0iUe2nrxJEgLXPM70pjCnm5KfUHPDcnBEddo71RVaa6ksiZ8kqKM2Rq3pp3ho/s640/blogger-image-135259353.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On top of that; someone else does all the cooking and cleaning, you get to share a cabin with friends just like school camp, AND you can spend as much time as you like scrapbooking. And for most of us ladies (yes, it's all female, I wish there were more guys into this hobby), that's nearly every waking moment!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GlR6StqorAtOl6vHcjZeXkh6JNMYrCD28xYY1XQsz9ghxSmh9gkPFB0N-ga8GLBYwlHA40LWK0sQqLqm3tc31WR7AApIzr94xiBb-MCfFi_8IZ0soTq-0R4Btd1HUhW-OF05ThpN6Ngs/s640/blogger-image-1869823690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GlR6StqorAtOl6vHcjZeXkh6JNMYrCD28xYY1XQsz9ghxSmh9gkPFB0N-ga8GLBYwlHA40LWK0sQqLqm3tc31WR7AApIzr94xiBb-MCfFi_8IZ0soTq-0R4Btd1HUhW-OF05ThpN6Ngs/s640/blogger-image-1869823690.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Mum and I like to go for walks in the early morning. It's usually quite brisk! The lake looks different every year. This year it was quite misty. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpb_BmFH4gpQMJkWwKZIVistYCLviXwRYVOxg2Hz08cOS0K_t8emAQ9tI-MLQFqUxSDcsmu_NSEFEJENgvCoR80ZGAFN-DriX4702ERCiipvPKhsX2n42p1VBvxWK2XjGdPr_A3DGRPoj/s640/blogger-image-93002915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpb_BmFH4gpQMJkWwKZIVistYCLviXwRYVOxg2Hz08cOS0K_t8emAQ9tI-MLQFqUxSDcsmu_NSEFEJENgvCoR80ZGAFN-DriX4702ERCiipvPKhsX2n42p1VBvxWK2XjGdPr_A3DGRPoj/s640/blogger-image-93002915.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had an ace time again this year, I was genuinely sad to come home on the Sunday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFonBfRfgZXK73ynF_lhVNh5SVIIGqafWB3tLi6ue48Vr-OzjGXv0ThDHZBcZagtC8B5Yr96RArKGklJ6yp0K2JqLxa5hy5H5Mzyb97tzKhcbtAf25MsPptm06Ke-nmzSkG1iNz93XO0C/s640/blogger-image--1342127329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFonBfRfgZXK73ynF_lhVNh5SVIIGqafWB3tLi6ue48Vr-OzjGXv0ThDHZBcZagtC8B5Yr96RArKGklJ6yp0K2JqLxa5hy5H5Mzyb97tzKhcbtAf25MsPptm06Ke-nmzSkG1iNz93XO0C/s640/blogger-image--1342127329.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's a pic of mum brushing up on her photography!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Do you ever "go away" for your hobby? Where and what's it like?</span></div></div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-75073994126864246812015-06-17T21:50:00.000+10:002015-06-17T21:50:22.010+10:00A-Z Guidebook: AyutthayaIn 2006, I took off on a mad adventure. Inspired by my travels in Europe the year before, I decided a solo jaunt through SE Asia was in order. On my own. When I look back at it now, I can't help but think how worried my parents must have been. Heck, I worry just thinking about how crazy it was!<br />
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One of the highlights of my time in Thailand was a day-trip to the ancient capital of Ayuttaya. Never heard of it? Neither had I, but my parents had recommended it having been there on a previous trip. Google maps calls the area<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.</span></span></span><br />
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After an early morning drive in a packed minivan from Bangkok, we arrived. What a place! The complex of ancient ruins is vast, and you could spend hours wandering around. As my tour guide kept repeating - "many stupa, many temple!".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zDArzngkzc2tdFhIOPL38deKC7FBi_PUcrkYN42AETeDi1SmUgtCpqSBhi5AwL30aYMjLzdRYfddr7DovDrNFtO4_UlvfiLzwj7uIteZpiJ2I_dTVQg4QxoLXR5LgPw8Slx3i3pwALAI/s1600/_+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zDArzngkzc2tdFhIOPL38deKC7FBi_PUcrkYN42AETeDi1SmUgtCpqSBhi5AwL30aYMjLzdRYfddr7DovDrNFtO4_UlvfiLzwj7uIteZpiJ2I_dTVQg4QxoLXR5LgPw8Slx3i3pwALAI/s640/_+074.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I took this photo with the timer on my very new digital camera, and is one of the very few of me on this trip. The price you pay for traveling alone BEFORE the advent of the Selfie Stick! The headless Buddhas were damaged in one of the wars between the old kingdom of Siam and their neighbours the Cambodians.<br />
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Many statues are smashed and the heads thrown to the ground, but the Thai still venerate them by draping them in cloth and flowers. It was a hot day but I bought a palm fan from a roadside seller and pressed on, taking in the history and spending a lot of time looking up at tall ruins.<br />
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For the purposes of this post, I'm only sharing one photo but if you're interested in SE Asian history, I recommend googling some more. The city ruins and stupas are truly amazing, as are the massive statues, still standing after so many centuries have passed.<br />
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<i>This post is for the A-Z Guidebook linkup on Tiffin Bite Sized Food Adventures. Be sure and check out the other posts!</i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-80709160441081482672015-06-10T08:07:00.001+10:002015-06-10T08:07:42.780+10:00Something to look forward to<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIipIQS_jpZZ12jsWJJwxfbuOLSPrsZKMHYEP4U4sqNNNZsNBEFDVrU7DXCGYKI6Wr86UZOhzAWI0PUhoNVZrikiG7HudZ-t7rbpJ4d79i6AIT9qkyFysOzrxqM8CtTWWf8cT7pXhHAjQ/s640/blogger-image-860793154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIipIQS_jpZZ12jsWJJwxfbuOLSPrsZKMHYEP4U4sqNNNZsNBEFDVrU7DXCGYKI6Wr86UZOhzAWI0PUhoNVZrikiG7HudZ-t7rbpJ4d79i6AIT9qkyFysOzrxqM8CtTWWf8cT7pXhHAjQ/s640/blogger-image-860793154.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today I would like to impart some of the wisdom I've gained from my years as a cubicle-dwelling office drone. I like to think,however, that no matter whether you're a microscopic cog in a vast organisation or working for yourself or something in between, this may be of use to you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sometimes life gets you down. I'm not talking about depression, which is another issue altogether. I mean that the daily grind can sometimes wear thin. Positivity is harder, and you tend to focus on negative things. When this happens, it helps to have something to look forward to. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For myself, I've always found that having some future annual leave booked helps. It gives you a sense of perspective when you're having a bad day. "Oh well," you mumble to yourself, "only X days/weeks until I'm on holidays!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If holidays are not possible, you could also focus on an event. Like a birthday or even just the weekend if you're planning something interesting or fun. Small things can bring great joy, after all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This last month I've been solely focused on battling through to this Friday, because I'm going on scrapbooking camp again. Regular readers know that every year my mum, my scrapping buddies and I go out to a place with cabins by a lake and just scrap the whole weekend. It's bliss. And it's a cheap holiday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It has really helped me get through some tough days at work lately, having this to look forward to. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What about you? What are you looking forward to soon?</div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-44959310544084037292015-06-03T07:38:00.001+10:002015-06-03T08:03:04.328+10:00Winter Woes<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vdco_4_53fdc2GhGUKBPn5uUCoNymmeKSJNqYwXQA4JhTqOhHLmKs4jTlFL96HUW1rmRh_7-wcNi3PqHg0Wo2KGn2RO7hf81cbu0URFF3cxd_B9A5r-EQtXI-a3ytmb3MoXbKGzC5S2y/s640/blogger-image--1235492679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vdco_4_53fdc2GhGUKBPn5uUCoNymmeKSJNqYwXQA4JhTqOhHLmKs4jTlFL96HUW1rmRh_7-wcNi3PqHg0Wo2KGn2RO7hf81cbu0URFF3cxd_B9A5r-EQtXI-a3ytmb3MoXbKGzC5S2y/s640/blogger-image--1235492679.jpg"></a></div><i>(Photo credit: @globalfarm on Instagram)</i></div></div><div><br></div><div>This week, it finally got cold. I know, I know. Brisbane is only truly "winter" for about 6 weeks of the year, but we like to make a big deal of it. </div><div><br></div><div>For example, today I pulled my winter coat out of the wardrobe for the first time in 10 months. I silently congratulated myself on remembering to get it dry-cleaned and immediately accessorized with a scarf. </div><div><br></div><div>It occurs to me for someone who lives where I do, I have a lot of scarves. Oh well. </div><div><br></div><div>I've probably written before about how I dislike cold weather. The pic above was taken at my parents' farm on the Darling Downs last week, where they are already getting frosts and hitting zero. I have less than fond memories of walking to the school bus in minus temperatures. </div><div><br></div><div>Here in BrisVegas, the first bite of winter means running noses and endless, bronchial coughing on public transport. But it also means lovely things like coats, scarves, boots and wooly hats. And fireplaces (if you can find one) and snuggling under a granny blanket in front of the tv at night. With a cup of hot Milo. Or is that just me?</div><div><br></div><div>My British workmates LOVE it. Winter here is normal temperatures for them. Weirdos. </div><div><br></div><div>And so, I reserve the right to whinge about the cold all the while secretly loving being cosy. I think I'm going to need a few more pairs of fluffy socks this time around. </div><div><br></div><div><i>Winter - love it or hate it?</i></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-74454438000610521762015-06-01T08:05:00.001+10:002015-06-01T08:05:03.716+10:00Baking FailI find baking can be therapeutic sometimes. On Saturday I decided I wanted some scones for afternoon tea. I've made them before, never had any major issues. Sure, they weren't country show winners but my scones were ok. <div><br></div><div>This time I even googled tips for light, fluffy scones. I read about the importance of cold butter, warnings against over handling the dough, making sure the rounds are touching on the baking tray etc. I thought I had it. </div><div><br></div><div>Except I didn't. After 20 mins in a hot oven they had hardly risen. I pulled them out to find then mostly hard on top and doughy almost-raw in the middle. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZCsjRZWR-4G253JO6M_Z_cLr2hmTp6QOLU0tr_luvVqPV1GNPlDh3-nNf8r98PDnlWFhmAIOktZM_QfUB96n4AgASk0JRa7ITQf0TCPaXAO-dYQv3CrUIIHQU2bmOylRWAPOcwF37me7/s640/blogger-image--1675209810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZCsjRZWR-4G253JO6M_Z_cLr2hmTp6QOLU0tr_luvVqPV1GNPlDh3-nNf8r98PDnlWFhmAIOktZM_QfUB96n4AgASk0JRa7ITQf0TCPaXAO-dYQv3CrUIIHQU2bmOylRWAPOcwF37me7/s640/blogger-image--1675209810.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>And you know the worst part? I was so determined not to let all that time, effort and ingredients go to waste, we ate some of them anyway. Smothered in butter and honey of course. And regretted it later. </div><div><br></div><div>Next time I'm trying the never-fail lemonade ones I think. </div><div><br></div><div><i>Had any major baking fails lately? Got a good scone-making tip for me?</i></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-53070727008973827232015-05-27T08:16:00.001+10:002015-05-27T08:16:14.086+10:00Sarah Suggests: May 2015 Edition<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBNR7av5rHoLw1a7KwBSDd3OfUzZ9h0v1scyEwYv7dNngDOlEAlveng25DhXGfTSffKVXnFX62XBFx3lXr1gjgGQ6vJcXRr8V5a6xQAYac611-Uobk78W6A6_JodiYoVzx-1Vf2W743VT/s640/blogger-image--337754966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBNR7av5rHoLw1a7KwBSDd3OfUzZ9h0v1scyEwYv7dNngDOlEAlveng25DhXGfTSffKVXnFX62XBFx3lXr1gjgGQ6vJcXRr8V5a6xQAYac611-Uobk78W6A6_JodiYoVzx-1Vf2W743VT/s640/blogger-image--337754966.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>I've been watching a lot of TV lately. Why? Because there's so much on that's good. <div><br></div><div>I'm trying to watch less "crap" (a fluid definition based purely on personal judgement!) and finding that shows I would have found dead boring when I was younger hold much more fascination. </div><div><br></div><div>However, my suggestions today are based purely on entertainment value! </div><div><br></div><div><i>The Following</i></div><div>Season 2 is now showing on both Foxtel and Free to Air I believe. A thriller/drama about a non-religious murder cult, Season 1 had more twists than a corkscrew and Kevin Bacon too. It can be quite gory, so if you're squeamish you may need to hide behind a pillow. </div><div><br></div><div><i>Fortitude</i></div><div>This incredibly beautiful, bizarre, horrible and excellent drama has recently been shown on ABC. I've been very slowly working my way through it because it's one of those shows I can only digest one episode at a time. Set on a fictionalArctic island, a series of grisly murders will keep you guessing. Michael Gambon is just one of a stellar ensemble cast that also includes Stanley Tucci, who automatically makes anything he's in 10 times better. This one is also quite gory and even has moments where it becomes almost horror. Five stars. </div><div><br></div><div><i>The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt </i></div><div>Written by Tina Fey and possessing the catchiest theme song of the year, this comedy series is available on Netflix. About a girl who escapes a bunker where a cult leader has kept her & other women for years, our heroine has to learn about modern life. It's funnier than it sounds. I loved it. Ten hearts. </div><div><br></div><div><i>The Soup</i></div><div>It's hard to describe this show. Basically it's a weekly half hour of television clips that host Joel McHale (of Community fame) makes fun of. It's been showing on E! forever and it has great guests and sometimes surprisingly cutting edge satire. TV that pokes fun at other TV - I'm a fan. </div><div><br></div><div>***</div><div><br></div><div>So that's a few of the things I've been devoting my eyeballs to lately. What have you been watching?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316233526941781872.post-68946392403292243032015-05-24T22:42:00.001+10:002015-05-25T08:06:43.911+10:00Online versus Reality: a shopping dilemma<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5N5Kp1I40_n-_9z9Vho9a923FoCtyZuRv_SImv7uBg8Sr0mox0XatTO9B-0SDj071nI7UAa0gfQtUi-eaCcew7Pl5Rtfi3HIJTCxLX8vTXj-t2g3OR1TkajJrMcfW7fOdSGvIYTVa4ymz/s640/blogger-image--73595390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5N5Kp1I40_n-_9z9Vho9a923FoCtyZuRv_SImv7uBg8Sr0mox0XatTO9B-0SDj071nI7UAa0gfQtUi-eaCcew7Pl5Rtfi3HIJTCxLX8vTXj-t2g3OR1TkajJrMcfW7fOdSGvIYTVa4ymz/s640/blogger-image--73595390.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Do you remember the time before the internet? I do. It was a time when a good fundraiser in a country town was the "warehouse shopping trip". Essentially you booked a bus and charged people to drive them to Brisbane and take them to d<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">ifferent shopping outlets. Because everyone was bored with their local small country town retailers, these trips were VERY popular. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Now of course, if you want anything from any shop, as long as you're willing to pay for shipping it's only a click of the mouse away. So convenient!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I must admit however I don't love online shopping. I browse but never seem to buy, the insubstantiality of the item on the screen putting me off. Sure, I can judge whether it's going to fit by the measurements, but what will it look and feel like on? The model is no help, even the plus size ones are not my shape. And yes I can always return it - but the thought of going to the post office these days gives me hives. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And so when I need clothes I go to the shops. I like to touch the fabric and put things on and twirl about. But even this gets tiresome after a while; endless items that aren't in my size or are too expensive and outfits that do that look awful - all this can get you down. And then there's the tiresome marching about between stores, endlessly tempted by window displays, distracted by other shiny objects and hassled by mall salespeople about Dead Sea Salt Scrubs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So I guess I don't really like shopping in real life either. Catch-22?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At least there's always op-shopping. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i>What do you prefer when buying clothes, online or reality?</i></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06056352992066648207noreply@blogger.com2