There are many challenges that come with progressing through anxiety and depression. One of the main challenges I am feeling at the moment is the loss of my love and zest for life. Those of you who know me know that I (usually) love life. I maintain a sense of almost childlike wonder for this beautiful world we live in and particularly nature. There’s nothing I enjoy quite so much as being out in the world, encountering all of nature’s beauty.
I also love to laugh, and smile, and talk to anyone and everyone and hear their stories.
Anxiety and depression have overtaken this love and passion that I have for life. I find it difficult to find joy in anything because anxiety and depression become so all-encompassing.
I find myself longing for the day when I once again find joy in the little (and the big) things. It will be a clear sign that I am successfully overcoming this mental illness and finding my old self again.
Friday, March 15, 2019
Thursday, February 28, 2019
The waiting game
One of the most challenging aspects of going on antidepressant medications is the waiting game. None of them work especially quickly, with the general consensus being that they typically take between 4 to 6 weeks to take proper effect on symptoms of depression and anxiety. So you start a medication knowing this, but still hoping you might be one of the lucky ones who gets some good results more quickly.
The other challenging aspect is that you also need to give antidepressants this time to find out if the particular one you are trying is going to be right for you.
It’s a scary time. It’s a time that you try to maintain optimism and hope that you are on the right antidepressant to recovery. The optimism is hard when you are still feeling lots of anxiety... because you haven’t been on the antidepressant long enough yet for it to help with that!
I am choosing optimism. I am working hard on believing that Effexor is the right medication for me. I am reminding myself daily that I firmly believe this. Each morning when I take the pill I am telling myself that I am one day closer to feeling much less anxious. It had only been one week so there might be a lot more days I have to tell myself this before it comes true. But I remain hopeful and believe that I am on the right path and I just need to be patient.
Yesterday I was reminded that it is too early for tbe medication to have taken affect when I attended an appointment with my Psychiatrist and was extremely nervous about having to leave the house. I was anxious on the trip there, anxious for the duration of the 15 minute appointment (I think my Psychiatrist cut it short because she could see how distressed I was), anxious on the trip home and then experienced residual anxiety for some hours afterwards.
And that’s why I’m pinning my hopes on Effexor being the medication that will take away the worst of my anxiety and allow me to start working on exposure therapy and getting out of the house and back into the world top start living again. Because being agoraphobic is no way to live a life and I am so ready to start living again.
So, if you’re thinking what can you do as my friends to help me, please send some positive vibes my way that I am on the right medication and it will start to work for me sooner rather than later. Or send positive vibes that I can remain patient until the medication does its thing!
Patience is a virtue... one I usually have but at the moment it’s proving a challenge.
The other challenging aspect is that you also need to give antidepressants this time to find out if the particular one you are trying is going to be right for you.
It’s a scary time. It’s a time that you try to maintain optimism and hope that you are on the right antidepressant to recovery. The optimism is hard when you are still feeling lots of anxiety... because you haven’t been on the antidepressant long enough yet for it to help with that!
I am choosing optimism. I am working hard on believing that Effexor is the right medication for me. I am reminding myself daily that I firmly believe this. Each morning when I take the pill I am telling myself that I am one day closer to feeling much less anxious. It had only been one week so there might be a lot more days I have to tell myself this before it comes true. But I remain hopeful and believe that I am on the right path and I just need to be patient.
Yesterday I was reminded that it is too early for tbe medication to have taken affect when I attended an appointment with my Psychiatrist and was extremely nervous about having to leave the house. I was anxious on the trip there, anxious for the duration of the 15 minute appointment (I think my Psychiatrist cut it short because she could see how distressed I was), anxious on the trip home and then experienced residual anxiety for some hours afterwards.
And that’s why I’m pinning my hopes on Effexor being the medication that will take away the worst of my anxiety and allow me to start working on exposure therapy and getting out of the house and back into the world top start living again. Because being agoraphobic is no way to live a life and I am so ready to start living again.
So, if you’re thinking what can you do as my friends to help me, please send some positive vibes my way that I am on the right medication and it will start to work for me sooner rather than later. Or send positive vibes that I can remain patient until the medication does its thing!
Patience is a virtue... one I usually have but at the moment it’s proving a challenge.
Friday, February 22, 2019
Paranoia
One of the worst things about suffering a mental illness is the level of paranoia you start to feel with things like medication changes. Now, in the age of the internet, you can feed that paranoia by over-researching.
Having just started my new medication Effexor, I have been doing lots of reading about it to know what I might be in for regarding possible side effects. What I also discover was that I had been given a generic brand of the drug by the pharmacy, which a lot of people have noted seems to have much worse potential side effects than the brand name version of the drug.
So in my paranoia I asked my Mum if she would go to the pharmacy today to see if she could exchange the generic one for the brand name version, which they were happy to do.
Great!
Except the brand name version capsules contain a number of tiny beads instead of the two tablets that were in the generic version, which made taking a half dose easy (as recommended by my doctor for the first four days to allow my body to get used to the medication).
More internet research. Apparently you can open the brand name capsule and sprinkle the beads on food if you don’t want to swallow the capsule. The challenge for me tomorrow will be trying to measure out just half the beads to take. It will be impossible to work out exactly half as the beads are apparently very small and numerous, but this is what I will try.
Hopefully all will go well and after the next two days I can just go straight to taking the full dose capsule as my doctor recommended.
Having just started my new medication Effexor, I have been doing lots of reading about it to know what I might be in for regarding possible side effects. What I also discover was that I had been given a generic brand of the drug by the pharmacy, which a lot of people have noted seems to have much worse potential side effects than the brand name version of the drug.
So in my paranoia I asked my Mum if she would go to the pharmacy today to see if she could exchange the generic one for the brand name version, which they were happy to do.
Great!
Except the brand name version capsules contain a number of tiny beads instead of the two tablets that were in the generic version, which made taking a half dose easy (as recommended by my doctor for the first four days to allow my body to get used to the medication).
More internet research. Apparently you can open the brand name capsule and sprinkle the beads on food if you don’t want to swallow the capsule. The challenge for me tomorrow will be trying to measure out just half the beads to take. It will be impossible to work out exactly half as the beads are apparently very small and numerous, but this is what I will try.
Hopefully all will go well and after the next two days I can just go straight to taking the full dose capsule as my doctor recommended.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Resurrecting the blog.
It’s been a long time since I last blogged. I’ve decided to resurrect my blog to document my journey back to mental health and well-being, which I have been doing on my Facebook account but some of my status updates were getting rather long and cumbersome.
For anyone who stumbles upon this blog and doesn’t know, the current point in my mental health journey sometimes feels like it is still just beginning despite the fact I had my breakdown in April 2018. I did rally somewhat from that initial breakdown only to have another in July. This one landed me in the Prince Charles Hospital for a 6 night stint in their Mental Health Wards. I really haven’t made much progress since then, despite a additional 3 week stay in the Mental Health Wards at Caboolture Hospital in November.
Where am I today? Today was day 1 of starting a new antidepressant: Effexor XR. I have been on a bit of a cocktail of drugs since my breakdown with complete changes when I was in Caboolture Hospital. Unfortunately I haven’t yet found the right medication and/or combination of medications to get me to a sufficiently functioning place to be able to tackle my mental illness... a severe generalised anxiety disorder with (practically housebound) agoraphobia. I have been weaned off medications (sometimes much too quickly) and started on others that have had little to no effect. I have very high hopes for the Effexor because I need to - I am running out of options. It’s a scary thought.
Day 1 was not too bad, as you’d expect as the drug hasn’t had a chance to build up in my system yet. Despite this, I did spend a few hours this morning feeling anxious about potential side effects. The last antidepressant I tried (just last week) had side effects I found so unpleasant that I gave up after 4 days. This time I know I need to do everything to try and stick it out if side effects come on. The one that always gets me is nausea. Why is that, you ask? Well, nausea happens to be one of the main side effects I experience with my anxiety. My agoraphobia stems from a fear of being ill in public and embarrassing myself. This has never, ever, not once, happened. My rational brain knows this. My unhelpful thoughts choose to be intrusive and make me think ‘but this time might be different’. I’ve taken to carrying a sick bag in my handbag. I really look forward to the day I take that damn thing out of there.
So that’s a bit of an intro/where I’m at. I don’t know how often I’ll post but I might use this as a public journal of sorts. People say I’m brave for being so open about my mental illness but I see it as just trying to help people understand what I (and so many others) are going through.
My goal is to get my life back. One year ago I was working, spending time with friends, going to the theatre and for the most part, really enjoying life. I know that if I was there, I can get back to that. Also, I’ve beaten this before... but that was a long time ago and a different story to be told.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Thoughtless, self-involved people
Mobile phones are certainly a useful invention. I personally appreciate the security that my mobile offers me. It's comforting to know that if I'm driving alone on some lonely stretch of highway in the middle of nowhere and my car should happen to choose that precise moment to break down, then I can immediately call for assistance. Oh, unless of course I'm in a "no mobile signal" zone, in which case, my "security blanket" mobile phone is completely useless..! But I'm sure you get my point.
I don't use my mobile phone a great deal to make calls, nor do I receive many, but I do a bit of social sms'ing. I don't really feel the need to be contactable 100% of the time and thusly my mobile phone isn't always switched ON, but it seems there are those in society who are so self-important that they simply MUST be available for anyone to contact them, any time, day or night, no matter where they are.
I consider these people thoughtless and self-involved.
Now, I do believe there are exceptions to this rule - depending on your profession. But the particular person who triggered this here rant is NOT an exception.
That person happened to be in the cinema yesterday, *in theory* enjoying the same movie that I was (Bridge to Terabithia, for those playing at home). The movie is quite beautiful and surprisingly emotional. During the key emotional scene (which actually made me teary, thereby proving I had become emotionally invested in the movie and had been swept into the "movie world", the whole point of going to the cinema as far as I'm concerned), what should happen but *RING RING*. Lo, a mobile phone!
I can forgive someone who may be just so absentminded that they forget to switch off their mobile prior to entering the cinema, but I know for a fact this was not the case. How do I know? Because it was the second time this person's mobile had rung during the movie!
Were they so important a person (eg. a doctor on call) that they simply had to leave their phone on? No they were not! Why? Because they didn't answer their damn phone! The first time it rang a good half-dozen rings before they stopped it, not leaving the cinema to take the call as they would have if they were indeed an important person who needed to be contacted. I forgave them this interruption. But to have then left their phone on so it would ring again, and during the emotional climax of the movie, that is unforgivable!
Unfortunately I couldn't see who it was to steal their phone and flush it down the toilet, as they so deserved. What a complete shame!
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I don't use my mobile phone a great deal to make calls, nor do I receive many, but I do a bit of social sms'ing. I don't really feel the need to be contactable 100% of the time and thusly my mobile phone isn't always switched ON, but it seems there are those in society who are so self-important that they simply MUST be available for anyone to contact them, any time, day or night, no matter where they are.
I consider these people thoughtless and self-involved.
Now, I do believe there are exceptions to this rule - depending on your profession. But the particular person who triggered this here rant is NOT an exception.
That person happened to be in the cinema yesterday, *in theory* enjoying the same movie that I was (Bridge to Terabithia, for those playing at home). The movie is quite beautiful and surprisingly emotional. During the key emotional scene (which actually made me teary, thereby proving I had become emotionally invested in the movie and had been swept into the "movie world", the whole point of going to the cinema as far as I'm concerned), what should happen but *RING RING*. Lo, a mobile phone!
I can forgive someone who may be just so absentminded that they forget to switch off their mobile prior to entering the cinema, but I know for a fact this was not the case. How do I know? Because it was the second time this person's mobile had rung during the movie!
Were they so important a person (eg. a doctor on call) that they simply had to leave their phone on? No they were not! Why? Because they didn't answer their damn phone! The first time it rang a good half-dozen rings before they stopped it, not leaving the cinema to take the call as they would have if they were indeed an important person who needed to be contacted. I forgave them this interruption. But to have then left their phone on so it would ring again, and during the emotional climax of the movie, that is unforgivable!
Unfortunately I couldn't see who it was to steal their phone and flush it down the toilet, as they so deserved. What a complete shame!
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Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Gut Shot!
I had a dream the other night in which a crazed gunman shot me, point blank, right in the stomach. There was no pain, but there sure was a lot of blood. Dream me looked down at it gushing, gushing, gushing out of my belly.
Quite disturbing really. Analyse that, dream analyst people!
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Quite disturbing really. Analyse that, dream analyst people!
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Monday, July 02, 2007
Gold Class for singles
There's no such thing - but there should be, dammit! I moseyed on down to my local Gold Class cinema on Friday night to see Transformers (it's fun, go see it!) and discovered that the Gold Class staff don't seem to accept the possibility that single people enjoy Gold Class too. Now, I do want to make it very clear that the staff were all lovely, professional and courteous (as you would expect), but they just couldn't grasp my solitary presence.
Here's how the evening played out:
Kez presents print@home ticket to Gold Class Staff Member 1 (from here to be known as GCSM-1).
GCSM-1: "Seat B8 - just the one seat then?"
Kez: *quite jazzed at this stage* "That's right!"
Kez wanders over to the bar, perusing the menu. She hands her ticket to GCSM-2.
GCSM-2: "So is it just seat B8?"
Kez: *feeling slightly miffed* "Yeah.. can I get a glass of wine now? And um, one for later?"
Kez heads into the theatre. GCSM-3, usher extraordinaire, glances at Kez's ticket stub.
GCSM-3: "Seats B7 and B8, second row from the front, on the right."
Kez walks to seat muttering about "No freakin' B7 here, mate!"
Two hours later, having enjoyed a coupla wines and a mighty entertaining movie, I had forgotten the frustrations of being a single lass in a couples' world. But it still makes for an episode worth venting about on a blog. And I still like the idea of Gold Class for singles! Especially if everyone gets their OWN dinky little oval table, instead of having to share!
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Here's how the evening played out:
Kez presents print@home ticket to Gold Class Staff Member 1 (from here to be known as GCSM-1).
GCSM-1: "Seat B8 - just the one seat then?"
Kez: *quite jazzed at this stage* "That's right!"
Kez wanders over to the bar, perusing the menu. She hands her ticket to GCSM-2.
GCSM-2: "So is it just seat B8?"
Kez: *feeling slightly miffed* "Yeah.. can I get a glass of wine now? And um, one for later?"
Kez heads into the theatre. GCSM-3, usher extraordinaire, glances at Kez's ticket stub.
GCSM-3: "Seats B7 and B8, second row from the front, on the right."
Kez walks to seat muttering about "No freakin' B7 here, mate!"
Two hours later, having enjoyed a coupla wines and a mighty entertaining movie, I had forgotten the frustrations of being a single lass in a couples' world. But it still makes for an episode worth venting about on a blog. And I still like the idea of Gold Class for singles! Especially if everyone gets their OWN dinky little oval table, instead of having to share!
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Wednesday, June 27, 2007
forgotten friends
dilemma.
Once upon a time you had this really good friend. After a period of friendship, you realised you had stronger feelings for this friend. You dug deep, found some courage, and confessed to this friend that you had feelings.
Your feelings were rejected. The friendship continued for a short while, but then it fizzled out. Time passed.
One day, you started to think of your forgotten good friend. You missed that friendship, and thought how nice it would be to rekindle it. You located contact information for your forgotten friend.
You wondered whether it would be worth attempting to rekindle the friendship. Would the old feelings resurface and prematurely end the friendship again? Would the friend not be interested in even a friendship anyway? Would you have been completely forgotten? Is it fair to re-establish contact when it wasn't you who ended it first time around? Should the past be left right there where it belongs? Does history repeat?
Do I ask too many questions?
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Once upon a time you had this really good friend. After a period of friendship, you realised you had stronger feelings for this friend. You dug deep, found some courage, and confessed to this friend that you had feelings.
Your feelings were rejected. The friendship continued for a short while, but then it fizzled out. Time passed.
One day, you started to think of your forgotten good friend. You missed that friendship, and thought how nice it would be to rekindle it. You located contact information for your forgotten friend.
You wondered whether it would be worth attempting to rekindle the friendship. Would the old feelings resurface and prematurely end the friendship again? Would the friend not be interested in even a friendship anyway? Would you have been completely forgotten? Is it fair to re-establish contact when it wasn't you who ended it first time around? Should the past be left right there where it belongs? Does history repeat?
Do I ask too many questions?
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Monday, June 25, 2007
Where's my Snow Patrol CD?
And my Snow Patrol ticket? I'm sure I purchased it a few weeks back, which is ample time for you (Ticketek) to mail it out to me. And I know it can't have gotten lost in the mail since you (Ticketek) have to send it registered because it's a GA ticket. C'mon Ticketek, don't make me worry unnecessarily!
Meanwhile, I think it's quaint that Snow Patrol are giving away a free CD with every concert ticket purchased. Mine's goin' straight on eBay! (Where it's sure to make me a cool 50c, what with the gazillions of Snow Patrol CDs that will flood eBay since a large portion of the people buying tickets to their show would *already have the CD*.) I sound a bit unappreciative here, don't I? I should really be grateful that any band gives away any kind of bonus when you fork out your hard-earned dosh to see 'em in concert.
So anyway, Snow Patrol are fifth in line in terms of concerts/musical events I shall be gracing with my presence during the next few months. YAHOOOOO!!! First up, this weekend is the loverly Kate Miller-Heidke, whom I am most excited to see as this will be my first time experiencing her music live. She's blessed with an exquisite voice and impressive vocal range, and some mad quirky songwriting skills, which makes for a splendid mix. (And she looks quite the saucy minx on her album cover!)
I'm off to see her in the company of me, myself and I, which is my usual company for concerts. I've never managed to find myself a concert buddy - either people I meet aren't much for live music, or they have different musical tastes. I'm well practiced at the loner-concert-goer thing by now, and mostly it doesn't bother me, but I've gotta say that the pre-concert period and any interval between acts is kind of a downer. Sometimes you can find some friendly strangers to gab with, but often it's a case of people stoically avoiding eye-contact! It makes me wonder if they equate being alone with being a loser, and therefore a person to be ignored. Or have we all just held too closely to stranger danger education as we've progressed into adulthood? I mean, I *could* be hiding lots of candy in my purse that I will use to tempt you, if only you meet my eyes..
hey! Maybe I could find myself some concert buddy friends if I started offering random people candy! "Have some candy! Now be my concert buddy!" Yes, this plan has potential!
now returning you from that tangent..
"Chasing Cars" was a great song pre-"Grey's Anatomy" and it will be a great song post-"Grey's Anatomy". That is all.
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Meanwhile, I think it's quaint that Snow Patrol are giving away a free CD with every concert ticket purchased. Mine's goin' straight on eBay! (Where it's sure to make me a cool 50c, what with the gazillions of Snow Patrol CDs that will flood eBay since a large portion of the people buying tickets to their show would *already have the CD*.) I sound a bit unappreciative here, don't I? I should really be grateful that any band gives away any kind of bonus when you fork out your hard-earned dosh to see 'em in concert.
So anyway, Snow Patrol are fifth in line in terms of concerts/musical events I shall be gracing with my presence during the next few months. YAHOOOOO!!! First up, this weekend is the loverly Kate Miller-Heidke, whom I am most excited to see as this will be my first time experiencing her music live. She's blessed with an exquisite voice and impressive vocal range, and some mad quirky songwriting skills, which makes for a splendid mix. (And she looks quite the saucy minx on her album cover!)
I'm off to see her in the company of me, myself and I, which is my usual company for concerts. I've never managed to find myself a concert buddy - either people I meet aren't much for live music, or they have different musical tastes. I'm well practiced at the loner-concert-goer thing by now, and mostly it doesn't bother me, but I've gotta say that the pre-concert period and any interval between acts is kind of a downer. Sometimes you can find some friendly strangers to gab with, but often it's a case of people stoically avoiding eye-contact! It makes me wonder if they equate being alone with being a loser, and therefore a person to be ignored. Or have we all just held too closely to stranger danger education as we've progressed into adulthood? I mean, I *could* be hiding lots of candy in my purse that I will use to tempt you, if only you meet my eyes..
hey! Maybe I could find myself some concert buddy friends if I started offering random people candy! "Have some candy! Now be my concert buddy!" Yes, this plan has potential!
now returning you from that tangent..
"Chasing Cars" was a great song pre-"Grey's Anatomy" and it will be a great song post-"Grey's Anatomy". That is all.
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Sunday, June 24, 2007
Rebirth
And on the 24th day of the 6th month, in the year oh-seven, the blogGods doth smile upon irregular muzings and deem it worthy. "Thusly are you rebirthed, muzings" they doth declared. "Type forth and blog!"
I have missed my little piece of internet real estate, where I am free to talk as much as I like, about anything I should wish, without having to worry about whether anyone is listening or, if they are, are actually caring. We're all guilty of sometimes not really listening when people speak to us, but here it doesn't matter! And so say I, this is good!
And that begins the rebirth of irregular muzings. Much has changed since my last post, when I was still a university student (degree - check!) and blissful in that warm, well-padded cocoon of higher education. Now I wander through the big bad working world, still with an appropriate sense of wonder - at least outside of the hours of 9-to-5, but sometimes during. And time marches on with me ever chasing, hollering "just stop one moment and let me catch up, won't you?!" Not literally of course, because that would be inappropriate societal behaviour. And we surely can't engage in too much of that!
So let's get this thing kicked off and see how it goes, second time around.
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Saturday, October 08, 2005
Nine minutes of free Serenity
So here's an interesting marketing strategy. Universal, the film company behind Serenity, have made available the opening sequence of the film, which you can stream and watch for free. Not a bad idea I'm thinking. While the opening sequence is far from the best moment in the film (er, when is it ever?) it does have its moments and mayhaps provide enough enticement for people to go "ooh, I have to know what happens next!" Or, people might watch it and go "well that one's not for me" which is okay too - but how nice of Universal to give people that opportunity for free.
And yes, granted, it's all one big marketing ploy - however, it strikes me as one of the few that is actually good for (potential) consumers!
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And yes, granted, it's all one big marketing ploy - however, it strikes me as one of the few that is actually good for (potential) consumers!
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Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Tomorrow is Serenity Day!
Tomorrow is Serenity Day. What are you doing reading my blog? Go see the big damn movie. Showing at all super cool cinemas near you. And probably at the not so cool ones too.
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Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Here's looking at you, baby girl!
Time for a "Proud Aunty" blog post! Those of you who have already popped by Ben's blog today will know that Ben and his lovely wife welcomed their first baby *girl* into the family this morning. Yes, little Emma arrived just after 4am.
Dad and I headed up to Caboolture Hospital late this morning to meet Emma and check on her Mum (who looked so well it was hard to believe she'd given birth earlier today!) and naturally to take some happy snaps of Emma's first day out 'n about in this great wide world. She was a very sleepy little lass, but oh-so-beautiful and contented. And she has gingery coloured hair! Not sure where that comes from.. but it seems to match my current (dyed) hair colour. Ha! As always, click on thumbnails to see full photo. The first two are just of Emma, the third is Emma with delighted Aunty MuzeKez. A niece!! A niece I tells ya! :-)
Dad and I headed up to Caboolture Hospital late this morning to meet Emma and check on her Mum (who looked so well it was hard to believe she'd given birth earlier today!) and naturally to take some happy snaps of Emma's first day out 'n about in this great wide world. She was a very sleepy little lass, but oh-so-beautiful and contented. And she has gingery coloured hair! Not sure where that comes from.. but it seems to match my current (dyed) hair colour. Ha! As always, click on thumbnails to see full photo. The first two are just of Emma, the third is Emma with delighted Aunty MuzeKez. A niece!! A niece I tells ya! :-)
Welcome to the world, Emma! Congratulations bro, sis-in-law and nephews! What an adorable and most welcome addition to the family. :-)
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Thursday, August 04, 2005
Body-Hugging Super Suits
Thankyou Greater Union / Birch Carroll & Coyle Cinemas for once again realising that you overcharge and taking baby steps to rectify this problem by bringing back "Five Buck Tuesday" throughout the month of August!
Not one to squander an opportunity for a cheap flick, I took myself along this past Tuesday to see Fantastic Four. Now, I could write a review, but there are a squillion of those already available on the internet. Suffice to say that this one is squarely aimed at the teenage male demographic. There's plenty of eye-popping whiz-bangery (or is that whiz-bang eye-poppery?), and a scene with a blondified Jessica Alba in pretty pink underwear is a dead giveaway regarding the target market. Despite being a far cry from this target demographic, I thought the movie was humourous, silly (in a good way) and a good, clean, fun way to pass a couple of hours on a cloudy Tuesday afternoon.
(Plus, of course, there was Ioan. *swoon*)
But yes, rather than write a review, I decided that following the positive feedback concerning my previous post about strange musings brought on by a Star Wars viewing, I'd share some further strange musings, this time brought on by a Fantastic Four viewing. Eagle-eyed readers may already have an inkling of what I plan to discuss, having divulged the source of my musings in this post's title...
...that's right. I've been pondering body-hugging superhero outfits! And who hasn't, really?
Now, three of the four members of the Fantastic Four wear body-hugging outfits. One of them can pull it off. (She would be the solitary female in the troupe.) The other two look really, really, *really* silly. There's just a huge ridiculous factor going on when grown men wear full-body, figure-hugging suits. And it's so awkward to look at! One's eyes wage a war with each other as they battle the overwhelming and slightly perverse urge to ogle the, *ahem*, nether regions of said man wearing full-body, figure-hugging suit, while also trying desperately to look away! Look away right now!!
Of course, as I pondered this strange dichotomy (I have no idea if I'm using this big scary word appropriately) I realised that the full-body, figure-hugging suit really works for Spidey. How can this be, that one superhero can pull it off while countless others look like mooks? And, in a moment of clarity, it dawned on me that it works for Spidey because he also covers his head/face! "Ahhh!" you say, "that makes perfect sense!" because, as those who have seen Spidey 2 will tell you, when Spidey is unmasked, suddenly *poof!* the full-body, figure-hugging suit looks really, really, *really* silly!
Mmmmhmm!
All this musing led me to issue a challenge to those of you with artistic ability (and oodles of free time) - I challenge someone, anyone, to redesign some comic superhero outfits: moving away from the spandex into a more breathable and flowing cotton, per say. Yes! You could work with Spidey's suit, or Mr. Fantastic's, or even Superman! Post your fabulous designs in the comments section and I'll topple off my chair with surprise that anyone bothered to take up my challenge. Woohoo!
(But nobody touch Batman's outfit because he is uber-cool as is.)
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Not one to squander an opportunity for a cheap flick, I took myself along this past Tuesday to see Fantastic Four. Now, I could write a review, but there are a squillion of those already available on the internet. Suffice to say that this one is squarely aimed at the teenage male demographic. There's plenty of eye-popping whiz-bangery (or is that whiz-bang eye-poppery?), and a scene with a blondified Jessica Alba in pretty pink underwear is a dead giveaway regarding the target market. Despite being a far cry from this target demographic, I thought the movie was humourous, silly (in a good way) and a good, clean, fun way to pass a couple of hours on a cloudy Tuesday afternoon.
(Plus, of course, there was Ioan. *swoon*)
But yes, rather than write a review, I decided that following the positive feedback concerning my previous post about strange musings brought on by a Star Wars viewing, I'd share some further strange musings, this time brought on by a Fantastic Four viewing. Eagle-eyed readers may already have an inkling of what I plan to discuss, having divulged the source of my musings in this post's title...
...that's right. I've been pondering body-hugging superhero outfits! And who hasn't, really?
Now, three of the four members of the Fantastic Four wear body-hugging outfits. One of them can pull it off. (She would be the solitary female in the troupe.) The other two look really, really, *really* silly. There's just a huge ridiculous factor going on when grown men wear full-body, figure-hugging suits. And it's so awkward to look at! One's eyes wage a war with each other as they battle the overwhelming and slightly perverse urge to ogle the, *ahem*, nether regions of said man wearing full-body, figure-hugging suit, while also trying desperately to look away! Look away right now!!
Of course, as I pondered this strange dichotomy (I have no idea if I'm using this big scary word appropriately) I realised that the full-body, figure-hugging suit really works for Spidey. How can this be, that one superhero can pull it off while countless others look like mooks? And, in a moment of clarity, it dawned on me that it works for Spidey because he also covers his head/face! "Ahhh!" you say, "that makes perfect sense!" because, as those who have seen Spidey 2 will tell you, when Spidey is unmasked, suddenly *poof!* the full-body, figure-hugging suit looks really, really, *really* silly!
Mmmmhmm!
All this musing led me to issue a challenge to those of you with artistic ability (and oodles of free time) - I challenge someone, anyone, to redesign some comic superhero outfits: moving away from the spandex into a more breathable and flowing cotton, per say. Yes! You could work with Spidey's suit, or Mr. Fantastic's, or even Superman! Post your fabulous designs in the comments section and I'll topple off my chair with surprise that anyone bothered to take up my challenge. Woohoo!
(But nobody touch Batman's outfit because he is uber-cool as is.)
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Wednesday, July 27, 2005
giant lizards are cool
Oh look, I still have a blog! And it's taken Star Wars, of all things, to lure me out of my blogblock. Yes, you heard me right gentle readers, Star Wars!
So I saw the Sith movie yesterday. It's still at the cinema, which surprised me because hasn't it been out forever? Maybe I'm just losing track of time. Anywho, a friend of mine wanted to see it on the big screen and invited me along, and despite my lack of enthusiasm for all things Star Wars (I haven't even seen episode 2 yet) I thought, heck, why not? (Been too long since I've had a movie outing, desperation can do funny things to a person.) If nothing else, I figured I would be entertained by the FX.
And entertained I was! Sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a not-so-good way (ie. irresistable urge to giggle everytime Ewan McGregor disrobed, revealing his tan coloured, skirt-ish tunic - Ewan in skirt = laughable!) but at least it managed to sustain my interest for the duration. There were the expected moments of annoyance (no more talkie! whip out those lightsabers and dance monkeys!) but also some unexpected perks (why Anakin, you are so very pretty! until you get messed up by lava and look hideous of course), the biggest of which was Obi-Wan's giant lizard! Ohhh, where can I get me a giant lizard? That thing was awesome, although the sound guys did a crap job of giving it a voice, but that's a teeny complaint.
It got me thinking, as Obi-Wan was bumping along on his super cool giant lizard, that the world would be a much better place if all our automobiles were replaced by giant lizards! Those things sure can motor, they don't require petrol (though I'm sure some form of sustenance would be needed) and how much cooler would road rage be? Some moron cuts you off at the lights on his giant lizard, so you get your giant lizard to chomp him! Ha! Oh, I just realised I answered my own ponderings of potential sustenance. Plenty of morons on the road, I know my giant lizard would be well fed. And then of course, I could form my own army of giant lizards (after disposing of their moronic riders) and have a glorious escort everywhere I went. Wheeeeeeeeeeee!
Yes indeed, giant lizards are cool.
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So I saw the Sith movie yesterday. It's still at the cinema, which surprised me because hasn't it been out forever? Maybe I'm just losing track of time. Anywho, a friend of mine wanted to see it on the big screen and invited me along, and despite my lack of enthusiasm for all things Star Wars (I haven't even seen episode 2 yet) I thought, heck, why not? (Been too long since I've had a movie outing, desperation can do funny things to a person.) If nothing else, I figured I would be entertained by the FX.
And entertained I was! Sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a not-so-good way (ie. irresistable urge to giggle everytime Ewan McGregor disrobed, revealing his tan coloured, skirt-ish tunic - Ewan in skirt = laughable!) but at least it managed to sustain my interest for the duration. There were the expected moments of annoyance (no more talkie! whip out those lightsabers and dance monkeys!) but also some unexpected perks (why Anakin, you are so very pretty! until you get messed up by lava and look hideous of course), the biggest of which was Obi-Wan's giant lizard! Ohhh, where can I get me a giant lizard? That thing was awesome, although the sound guys did a crap job of giving it a voice, but that's a teeny complaint.
It got me thinking, as Obi-Wan was bumping along on his super cool giant lizard, that the world would be a much better place if all our automobiles were replaced by giant lizards! Those things sure can motor, they don't require petrol (though I'm sure some form of sustenance would be needed) and how much cooler would road rage be? Some moron cuts you off at the lights on his giant lizard, so you get your giant lizard to chomp him! Ha! Oh, I just realised I answered my own ponderings of potential sustenance. Plenty of morons on the road, I know my giant lizard would be well fed. And then of course, I could form my own army of giant lizards (after disposing of their moronic riders) and have a glorious escort everywhere I went. Wheeeeeeeeeeee!
Yes indeed, giant lizards are cool.
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Friday, June 10, 2005
life's impossibilities
#367: attempting to write a "statement of reflection" when one is not feeling even remotely reflective
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Monday, May 23, 2005
hooray for animation!
One of the coolest things about studying a subject like 3D Animation is that during the lectures, rather than sitting, bored, listening to a talking head down the front of the lecture theatre, we get to watch lots of great animation examples! For inspiration, ya know? Anyway, I was particularly taken with one we watched recently, simply called "Bert". Thus, I'm spreading the joy - clickie clickie clickie!
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well, I never!
I can no longer suffer the guilt, having been gently cajoled into completing this chain mail/meme thingamajig by Casyn last week. (Plus, I am engaged in some serious assignment procrastination this morning!) Incidentally, I've never done any of Casyn's "nevers" either, bar worked in retail for a three month period in my teens. But, I've attempted to come up with my own list of "nevers" - some are "never nevers!" (never have done, never will do) while others are "never say nevers!" (have not yet done, but, see title) and I'll leave it for people to ponder over which is which. So, in no particular order..
I have never:
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I have never:
- owned either of those most common pets: dog or cat
- been to a costume/mask party
- had a go at karaoke
- auditioned for any television reality or game show
- subjected my body to any kind of "fad" diet
- reached the magical one-year anniversary mark in a relationship
- permanently tattooed any part of my skin
- flown in a helicopter
- taken so much as a single puff from a cigarette
- snuggled up to a slithering snake *hisssss*
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Saturday, May 21, 2005
the perfect gift..
..for the one you love ....to hate! Give 'em syphilis! (Go on and click, it's cute and amusing, not at all gross and icky!)
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Tuesday, April 19, 2005
bite me!
My Mother reckons bearded dragons will bite ya if you tick them off. Do you reckon the guy below looks like he's fixin' to chomp on my finger? ...maybe I should give up on my quest to hand feed a full grown bearded dragon and just stick with hand feeding the little guys, like so:
Dandelion flowers.. yum! Sad to say, this little guy, who had in recent times called our front garden home, seems to have moved on as I haven't seen him since taking this picture a few weeks ago. Farewell little buddy!
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