the monday project

Coming Soon in 2011

2011-01-13T20:23:00.001+11:00

Hello everyone,

Welcome back to the Monday Project! We hope everyone has had a fun and safe holiday season.

We're happy to announce that soon we'll be re-launching the Monday Project. But we're moving! You can find us here now.

Also, we have a new helper, Mr Sketchy.

We're currently in the process of setting up the new blog and preparing a years worth of themes to help inspire the creative impulses of anyone who wishes to join in. We've also set up a Monday Project twitter feed. You'll find all our thoughts that are less than 170 characters under Monday_Project.

We're going to be launching the first theme for 2011 at the start of February. Posting over at the new site will be a little scarce until then while we finish polishing things off over there, but we hope you stick around.

See you soon. Happy creating.

~ Soph, Kate and Mr Sketchy

I know we haven't posted responses (more on that soon) but for now

2010-04-06T21:28:00.001+10:00

This is Manisha from Nepal, who I have recently sponsored to attend school for this year. I realise this is not really monday project news, but I feel it is important news none the less!

My sister Amanda has recently travelled to Nepal, and upon her return to Australia has started a website and a charity that will support a Nepalese orphanage she spent most of her time at.

The website is newly launched (you can check it out here) and is currently seeking sponsors for the children to be able to attend the school this year. Amanda has done a fantastic job of raising enough money for 9 of the 12 kids, and with only 3 kids remaining any spare dollars you throw towards this great cause would be greatly appreciated! It makes me terribly sad to think of the 3 kids not yet sponsored who will not be attending, so please, take a look.

You can also check out Amanda's story and her plans for her imminent return to Nepal at the blog.

(also posted here)

2010-03-22T21:41:00.001+11:00

I didn’t mean to go silent. I guess it’s just that for someone who’s only sporadically employed, I’m really very busy.

I’ve been quiet here because I’ve started my yoga teacher training, and it’s forced so much introspection that I’m not quite sure I’ll come out the other end of it with my head intact. I won’t say much about it now, mainly because I don’t think I’ll do the teachings much justice at the moment. But I will say that the philosophy behind yoga practice has moved me slightly — that is, I feel like I’m looking at the world from a standing point a few metres to the right of where I was before.

The other reason, though, that I haven’t been here much is more writerly. I’ve been writing and writing and writing. I’m still working on the food writing that had me posting up recipes and pictures of what I was cooking a month or so ago, so I thought I’d give you another food picture. I went grocery shopping today, and here’s what I’m going to eat for the rest of this week (with the addition of some staples like pasta). Yum!

Other than that essay (well, it’s quickly turning into multiple essays), I’ve got a few other writing-related projects on the go at the moment. It’s really very exciting to have the time to give to these things I love doing. I’m very poor, but I don’t mind in the slightest!

Hopefully more on some of the other projects sometime soon; and maybe one day something about what I’m learning at yoga teacher training. But for now, I’m off to make some more bread.

PS. This month’s Monday Project is due in a week — if you’re playing along, send your response through to Kate and I sometime before Monday 29 March is over.

------

Cross posted at avocadoandlemon.

advice to writers - or any creative really...

2010-03-09T12:33:00.002+11:00

I saw this over on swissmiss and thought it was worth sharing. Even though it's titled advice for writers I think its applies to anyone really, and its definitly something I can relate to.

Even if it keeps you up all night,
wash down the walls and scrub the floor
of your study before composing a syllable.

Clean the place as if the Pope were on his way.
Spotlessness is the niece of inspiration.

The more you clean, the more brilliant
your writing will be, so do not hesitate to take
to the open fields to scour the undersides
of rocks or swab in the dark forest
upper branches, nests full of eggs.

When you find your way back home
and stow the sponges and brushes under the sink,
you will behold in the light of dawn
the immaculate altar of your desk,
a clean surface in the middle of a clean world.

From a small vase, sparkling blue, lift
a yellow pencil, the sharpest of the bouquet,
and cover pages with tiny sentences
like long rows of devoted ants
that followed you in from the woods.

By Billy Collins via swissmiss via bobulate

Quote

2010-02-26T17:36:00.000+11:00

“It’s not your expertise that counts [as a writer]; it’s the quality of your wondering.”
- Mark Tredinnick, The Little Red Writing Book

Made my day.

Reading inspiration

2010-02-23T09:15:00.000+11:00

This last weekend I’ve been in Canberra for my brother’s 21st (it was a dress-up party; I may put up some pictures when I get them from Mum — I did my usual trick of forgetting to take any). To get to Canberra from Sydney, there’s a three and a half hour bus trip each way, which I often look forward to. I love staring out the window, musing over things in my life, making plans or just playing make-believe. I also often use the time to catch up on my podcast listening.

I subscribe to a few, but hardly ever listen to them. I’ve probably got about fifty episodes of the Book Show left to listen to, for example.

So on the trip back yesterday I got through a couple of them. In one episode Ramona Koval was talking to Sarah Waters, who is known for her novels set in the Victorian era, usually with some kind of lesbian storyline. They were speaking about her then-new (the episode was six months old) book, The Little Stranger. I’ve not read the book, but its gothic nature appealed to me and I suddenly remembered the books I devoured as a teenager: Frankenstein, The Turn of the Screw, Northanger Abbey, Dracula, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

I loved gothic literature. As Waters mentioned in the interview, the supernatural is a wonderful space to explore anxieties and uncertainties, dysfunction and, possibly, mental illness. Of course, these are things I am obsessed with in my own fiction, albeit in a more realist way.

But as a teen I wrote creepy little gothic stories, which were probably really very bad. Unexpectedly empty houses with all the lights on, stormy nights, taps turning on by themselves, steep hills to walk up in the dark, footsteps coming from nowhere. All these things appeared in my stories. And they were fun!

I feel a return to the gothic coming on, at least in my reading. Now if I could just find my copy of The Woman in White…

---

Cross-posted at avocadoandlemon.

Dinner

2010-02-14T13:11:00.004+11:00

Okay, in an effort to be more active here, I'm going to try to post here, and on avocadoandlemon at the same time. Sometimes these will be simple cross-posts, but I will try to make them unique as much as possible.

Today, however, I'm going to post a slightly modified version of what I've got over there at the moment.

Last night I was really looking forward to a night in, and it ended up being a lovely one. All my housemates were away for the weekend, or out for the night, so it was just me and Astro the monkey-cat. I put on a podcast and my apron and cooked away.

Tomato, lentil and vegetable soup seemed like the perfect dinner on a rainy Saturday night. I made this from a recipe out of my favourite cook book, and added a few things here and there. I love it when I modify a recipe and it works!

The only way this could have been better was with some home-made bread. One of my favourite bloggers, Claire, tentatively tried this recipe and had great results, so I’ve been inspired to give it a go myself tonight…

I’ll probably be writing a whole lot more about my cooking adventures on here for the next little while, because I’m researching a food essay I’m writing. If anyone’s interested, I can start posting up recipes for these things I’m making.

Oh! Please check out the latest theme here. Which reminds me, I really should send out the email that’s supposed to accompany new themes…

(PS. I have no idea why I included the peeler in that shot. It’s not like it was all that important in cooking this… let’s hope my food-photography improves.)

Still alive and kicking!

2010-02-09T08:56:00.000+11:00

So, here we are.... back again... can't get rid of us that easily! Sorry to have been away so long but alas we have returned!

Both Soph and I have had some big exciting changes in our lives over the last couple of months which have kept us pretty busy - we've both cut back or left our jobs, we've both travelled overseas for awhile, and we are both starting some new study this year!

It will be an interesting and exciting year for both of us, but we are both excited and ready to get back into The Monday Project type projects, and see what interesting and different responses everyone can come up with.

Also this year we are thinking we would love to get some people playing along to come up with some ideas for monthly themes, so let us know if you are interested!

The first project for the year is going to be finishing on the 29th of March, so all photo's, stories, sketches, jewellery, drawings, songs, and interpretative dances will be due in then! As always, submissions can be emailed through to us at themondayproject85@gmail.com for us to put up, or just post it on your link and let us know so we can link back to it!

The theme is..... (drumroll) ........

"She looked at the pile of books and wondered how she would ever fit them inside her head."

image by life spirit1

In a name

2009-11-15T10:41:00.007+11:00

In some reading completely unrelated to last month's theme, I came across this article on onomastics. It's funny to think that the way in which we organise people names now is not how it's always been, and it's not even how it is in all the cultures that exist on this planet right now. Maiden names, at least in the way we think about them, are mostly a Western society concern.

I remember writing an essay for uni a few years ago (well, okay, probably five years ago) for a subject called something like 'Mass Media in Asia' and getting very confused about how to correctly site a Chinese academic. Which of the names on the page was his family name, and which was his given name? I know that in a lot of Asian countries the order in which those names appear is different, and I was concerned about committing some kind of citation faux pas, especially because my tutor was Chinese. I probably should have been more concerned about getting the essay written, really, but that's another story.

I ended up emailing the tutor to ask. He was helpful and kind in his response -- but he probably thought it was hilarious.

I'm not sure I have a point here, but I have a feeling that this theme will continue to run around in my head, and I might find myself reading more about anthroponomy than is probably healthy.

PS. We'll set a new theme soon, I promise.

2009-11-13T16:27:00.002+11:00

Today I was sent this link to a talk by Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love. It is about nurturing creativity and the idea that we all "have" genius. It is worth taking a look, or you can check it out here

Another response to this month's theme

2009-11-05T20:59:00.002+11:00

The Sultan of Sai Ying Pun has played along as well this month with a wonderful photo essay. I really want to travel to HK now!

a simple solution

2009-11-05T11:55:00.002+11:00

Here is another submission by Tania Ritchie. Click on the image to enlarge, I love her idea!
Image by Tania Ritchie.

Marrying left your maiden name disused

2009-11-05T11:24:00.005+11:00

My response for this month didn't actually get to the production stage, but this theme has been my favorite so far. It has really got me thinking about maiden names - to change or not to change!!

My idea is a locket (surprise) that has a little domed gold piece inside that could come out, perhaps with some text on it or some symbols that symbolize a previous maiden name.

My idea is that even though maiden names may become disused, it doesn't make them any less precious, or important. A previous name is still a special thing that symbolises past experiences and memories and it is the name that has gotten you to a certain point in your life. I wanted to explore the idea that maiden names are still important and something to be treasured, and disused doesn't have to mean insignificant and forgettable.

I am disappointed that I didn't get around to making my piece this month, I have been very busy finishing off another big project which I will be sharing soon!

Ahem...

2009-11-04T21:49:00.004+11:00

Seriously, every month I tell myself I'm going to be good. This month I will get my post up on time, I swear. And every month that fails to happen. Sigh.

Anyway, no real excuse this month. I've been working on this story for a while now and I'm at the point where it's actually driving me insane. But it will continue to do so unless I finish it, and so I must continue to toil away.

Wish me luck!

Thanks to Pseudo Rhys and Megan Blom for playing along this month. And good luck to Hybrid J who is taking part in NaNoWriMo. If I were a braver writer I would do so too.

Rain, rain

2009-10-26T07:10:00.001+11:00

Wouldn't it be nice to stay at home dozing, reading, writing?

A poem

2009-10-21T08:35:00.003+11:00

This morning I came across this poem by Philip Larkin, titled Maiden Name. I wonder whether this is where your teacher got the idea from, Sophie? I quite liked it so I thought I'd share it.

Marrying left your maiden name disused.
Its five light sounds no longer mean your face,
Your voice, and all your variants of grace;
For since you were so thankfully confused
By law with someone else, you cannot be
Semantically the same as that young beauty:
It was of her that these two words were used.

Now it's a phrase applicable to no one,
Lying just where you left it, scattered through
Old lists, old programmes, a school prize or two
Packets of letters tied with tartan ribbon -
Then is it scentless, weightless, strengthless, wholly
Untruthful? Try whispering it slowly.
No, it means you. Or, since you're past and gone,

It means what we feel now about you then:
How beautiful you were, and near, and young,
So vivid, you might still be there among
Those first few days, unfingermarked again.
So your old name shelters our faithfulness,
Instead of losing shape and meaning less
With your depreciating luggage laden.

 -- Philip Larkin

these are the thoughts that i think...

2009-10-20T18:04:00.002+11:00

So. I've been busy pondering lately. As I have talked about on here before, not a day goes by that I don't dream of being a crazy and free-spirited artist, creating and making whatever it is that my heart so desires that day, without worrying about money or whether anyone would want to buy it. I find that part of the process (the selling part) is such a creative killer. I find it really hard to just play and experiment when my mind is already reeling ahead to the customer and the marketing part. I find it really tough to get out of that mindset of "will this work?", as oppose to just going with it and seeing what happens.

I really wish for a day where I can just wake up and create and do as I please and know that abundance and success will follow. (And I don't mean riches and fame... I could really care less about that, I just mean being able to eat and put and roof over my head).

Do you think that it is possible to achieve this? I don't think I think it's impossible. My question is this: Is the reason that most people seem to tell me that you can't actually live like that is because you can't? Or do most people not live like that because they think they can't?

I don't know if I'm even making any sense hahaha I'll stop rambling now... Please share your thoughts and try to help me make sense of my thoughts...

beautiful image from here

New theme: Marrying left your maiden name disused.

2009-10-07T20:48:00.003+11:00

So we're slightly more on it with the new theme this month. This one came from a writing exercise I was given in class (I didn't actually get around to doing it, so I don't have any kind of head start!).

"Marrying left your maiden name disused."

I have absolutely no idea where to even start with this one, but then I guess that's the fun of it.

Happy creating!

PS. I tried really hard to find a picture that somehow related to this post. It was nigh on impossible! So there's a challenge to all you visual people.

"... and there followed a moment's silence": a response

2009-10-07T20:05:00.003+11:00

They sat by the phone together, he and she, brother and sister. Waiting. They did not look at the phone with their eyes, but their bodies tried to turn towards it. She pulled at her handkerchief, he bit his lip. The branches of the bare tree outside scratched at the window glass.

When the phone did finally ring its sound filled the room and silenced the tree. The siblings held their breath, locked in a silent argument with one another. ‘You answer it.’ ‘No, you.’ ‘I did it last time.’ ‘You did not.’ ‘Did too.’ ‘Did not.’

He answered it.

“Yes. Thank you. No thank you. No. They didn’t want us to. Yes. The crematorium. Thank you. Goodbye.”

The phone clunked as he put it down. Silence, for a moment.

“So,” she said, and dabbed at her eyes, which were not wet.

“Yes,” he replied. “We should organise the funeral.”

“We’ve already done that. They’ve already done that.”

The tree was scratching again at the window.

“What should we do then?” he said.

She pulled at her handkerchief.

“Stella?”

“Let’s eat out.” She was up, quickly, striding towards the door that led to the next room. “They would want us to celebrate, finally. I’ll wear that red lipstick with that green dress; you can wear that tie Mum always loved.”

He raised his eyebrows at his sister; he’d owned the tie more than ten years ago.

"Oh. Well, not that one then.” She removed her hand from the door knob. “What then, Stuart?”

He stood up. “Sit down Stella. We need to absorb this.”

“You’re not sitting down.”

“No. I’m not.”

The tree scratched louder. The siblings blinked at each other from opposite sides of the room. She felt she should cry, but could not. She had been sure she would be able to. He could not believe his sister was not crying; she always did. She had cried when their parents had first told them what they were going to do. (“Weak eyes,” their father had said kindly. “Just like your mother.” Their mother glowered at him briefly, through eyes filled with tears.)

Stuart had wanted to be strong for Stella, to support her while she cried, but she appeared perfectly able to support herself for now, and he felt himself close to tears instead.

“I could wear a different tie.”

“Oh Stuart.” She took a step towards him.

“Don’t. I’m hungry. Let’s go to dinner.”

---

There's more to this story, but I'm still working on it, and hope to have it published at some point, so I'm sort of keeping it to myself at the moment. I might share a little more of it later on. Any feedback on this part would be greatly appreciated though.

In other news, I've been updating avocadoandlemon a little more frequently lately, since I became an iPhone dork and downloaded an app that lets me do it on the fly. I'll try to co-post here, but I might forget sometimes...

So, by way of a catch up: look here, and here, and here.

Also, check out the sidebar for a few other responses to this month's project -- thanks for playing along everyone!

Yes, I know

2009-10-06T22:36:00.001+11:00

I would just like to point out that I realise I'm late (again!) but I do actually have something written, and I have been away from a computer...

I will post my response tomorrow. Far too tired now. I really should have been organised last week when I sent this story off to my class and set it up then to autopost today. Like how I made sure I had homecooked meals in the freezer for this week, knowing I'd be away for the weekend.

There is a limit to my organisation, okay?

..and there followed a moments silence

2009-10-05T23:10:00.002+11:00

I just want to begin my making sure that everyone notices that I am NOT late today!! woohoo!! It may be that I am posting in the final hour of Monday but it is still Monday!

This month I was TOTALLY stumped with our theme... I very early on decided jewellery was way too hard to try and find something in this theme so I decided to go with a photo.

"...and there followed a moments silence" at first make me think about when you have an argument with someone and it ends and you don't know what to do with yourself and you kind of just wait... like... "well......"

It also brought to mind that moment at the end of the day when I get home from work and I just need "a moments silence" or calmness to just sit and process and unwind... and I guess that was what I was going for here in this picture...

Not sure how I feel about it, but there it is! With 45 minutes to spare!

I look forward to seeing if everyone else did better!

Monday project: Box of Sun

2009-09-30T20:06:00.003+10:00

Okay, so I'm not a bad friend this time. Sarah only put this post up yesterday! Promise.

This is her response to the Box of Sun theme. You'll need a password, and it's the same as last time: 'monday'.

I wish I could write poetry like this (or at all)!

Monday project: Brave

2009-09-27T21:02:00.002+10:00

Sigh. I'm really revealing myself as a person with a very distinct lack of organisation skills. My friend Sarah responded to the theme before the last theme, Brave, and I'm only just linking it now. Great friend I am!

But! Sarah is a lovely poet, so please have a look-see. You'll need a password to read it. The password is 'monday'.

Also....

2009-09-27T20:47:00.001+10:00

I found this fellow in the park near my house the other day.

He only visited for a couple of days, so I'm glad I got the photos when I did.

You can tell I live in a really fancy pants area, can't you? All the graffiti and beer bottles at the local playground really give it away.

Safety In Art and other craftiness

2009-09-27T20:43:00.002+10:00

So I've been told by Pseudo Rhys that I really must write something, because he's impatient to read more about Safety In Art, which Kate and I attended in Melbourne last weekend. I too am beginning to see a pattern here with mine and Kate's level of organisation...

Pseudo and I both went to an arts and crafternoon this afternoon (the afternoon's name was borrowed from my good friend Sarah, whose friend coined the term). This is, well, sort of the aftermath.

In a lot of ways, this afternoon's efforts were reminiscent of Safety In Art last weekend, in that it was a bunch of people getting together and creating stuff. This was certainly a part of Safety In Art.

I've found it difficult to describe Catacomb Creative's efforts to people who weren't there. It was group crafting, it was discussion with the Creative Women's Circle, it was live art, it was people selling their wares. It was people continuing to sketch even when we all moved to a nearby bar. Kate and I made ourselves some business cards and joined in the discussions and the laughter, but we kind of forgot to tell anyone in attendance the theme. Or that they should be responding to it... I guess we were too caught up in meeting people and having conversations about all things creative.

Ummm... yeah. We also neglected to take any photos. Go Monday Project!

It was such a great day. Thanks to Catacomb Creative for putting it on. We promise we'll be more organised for the next one!

The only negative thing I will say about the day is that it made me miss Melbourne like crazy. But then only a few of you would agree that's a bad thing...

PS. Responses to this month's theme are due Monday week, 5 October.

new project and exciting news!

2009-09-14T19:16:00.003+10:00

So we are a bit behind with announcing the new theme - hmm okay I am seeing a pattern here for us - but we have some excited news to share which I think definitely makes up for our lack of organisation this month!

As you no doubt heard, this Saturday is Safety in Art! Kel from Catacomb Creative has put together one awesome day out for all you creatives. You can read more about it here and here but basically it is one action packed arty kinda day being held at Guildford Lane Gallery in the city. It is bringing all type of interesting and excited people together to meet and chat and make and share their wares.

There will be round table discussions, artists selling their work, live art, all kinds of crazy creating, as well as coffee and nibbles and a bunch of awesome people to meet.

AND! Also... most importantly! We will be there for the day with a bit of a challenge to keep you all busy!

Which brings me to the theme for this month! Things will work a little bit differently for September so listen up!

Submissions can be sent to us or blogged about up until 5th of October, however during the Safety in Art event we will be running a competition to see what you all can create on this given theme in one day. It does have to be polished and perfect, it's just about getting your ideas out and having a go! So come along and play!

Okay, the theme:

"... and there followed a moment's silence"

Travel

2009-09-13T18:08:00.001+10:00

I know I've written about this here before, but travel does wonders for me. I might've only travelled three hours away physically this weekend, but in my head I travelled to the other side of the world and back, into the future and back into the past. When I'm not tied down to my regular life I find myself free to go anywhere, mentally. Which can only be good for creativity, right?

I'm ready to have an adventure (and to write about it).

(PS. I did take some photos at Floriade, but stupidly forgot to take my own camera, so they, along with some ridiculous shots of my brothers wearing matching bright yellow sunglasses, are still in Canberra on my Mum's camera -- her birthday present. I'll upload a couple once she's sent them through to me.)

I am a bad Monday Project organiser

2009-09-10T21:03:00.004+10:00

Yep. I'm both late and incomplete. In fact, hardly even started. I do have an assignment and a new, unrelated short story to use as excuses, but I still feel like I should be a little more organised...

Anyway, I thought I'd share some of my ideas instead.

My first idea involved a small box used by a woman to put bits and pieces of happy things in her life into, saving them up for a rainy day. A wee bit corny, so that's where the idea stayed.
My second idea was similar to the above, but it was about a child collecting treasured things in a box and coming across them many years later by accident -- if anyone's seen the opening few scenes of Amelie, you'll know the kind of thing I was thinking of.
The third idea was similar to Mr Sketchy's, and involved a window, or, more specifically, the two windows in my room, which are such lovely boxes of sun for me.

So that's it, really. And unfortunately that's as far as I got. Hopefully I'll be able to share some bits and pieces of a new story I'm working on with you soon, so you actually believe that I was writing something else.

In other news, Pseudo Rhys and I went to life drawing this week (both drawing, neither modelling). It's been such a long time since I've sat down to draw. I was a bit creaky at first, a little hesitant with my HB pencil (where my graphites are, I do not know), but once I'd got warmed up it was as wonderful as I remember. If I get around to scanning or taking any pictures of my efforts, I'll be sure to share them here.

I'm off to Canberra for the weekend for my Mum's birthday, and hopefully to have a look at Floriade. Hopefully I'll have some pictures to share when I get back.

Thanks to everyone who played along this month! We've got a new theme to go up soon, and some exciting news about something we're up to in Melbourne on 19/20 September. More details soon!

A box of sun

2009-09-09T20:51:00.003+10:00

...and when I said "tonight" you realise I really meant TOMORROW night...

yup, I suck. It's true. But gimme a break I am sick with a cold and headache and snuggled up in bed....

I didn't get to production stages this month, but I can tell you my idea. (Yes an explanation will be necessary - sorry about the terrible picture, I really cannot draw...). My idea was very literal. I am going to make a sterling silver locket, with 18ct yellow gold on the inside. A box of sun!

I also toyed with the idea of making a locket with a little internal pocket that you could put a little note in, with some kind words... the idea being it would be a little box of positivity and sunshine! I like this idea, so I think I might play with it a little bit more...

coming soon...

2009-09-08T15:18:00.003+10:00

Yup okay, we are a bit behind schedule!! We're coming!! I will put my response up tonight! Until then, here are a few great responses here and here from those more organised than us.... please go and check them out because they are really good!

I am really excited by this month's responses! For a theme that a lot of people said was really hard the responses have been so detailed and in depth and varied! It's great!

Walking

2009-09-06T21:51:00.003+10:00

Today I went for a big walk over to a friend's house for a writers' group meeting. The meeting, as usual, was great, but it was the walk that surprised me with its positivity-inducing ability.

I'm not sure why I was surprised. I walk everywhere. I love it. But I guess most of the time I walk to get somewhere. Today I was doing just that, but I also made sure to enjoy the journey itself. I didn't hurry, I positively strolled. My brain slowed down with my pace, and I was able to think through some things more clearly; I came up with a new idea for a non-fiction piece. The sun shone, but not too warmly, and I could smell spring (jasmine, in my mind) in the air. All in all a good walk.

Enjoying the journey isn't new to me either, I guess I just haven't done it for quite some time. Today must be a day for reminders.

sometimes i need a little reminding....

2009-09-06T15:38:00.001+10:00

New things

2009-09-02T21:04:00.003+10:00

I love new things. They're exciting and unknown, and full of potential. I started a new story this week, inspired by something I was half-watching on the tele. I went to a new cafe to write on Sunday, a recommendation from a friend of mine.

Two new things I think I will persist with.

2009-08-27T20:17:00.002+10:00

I was in Melbourne this past weekend, for the Writers' Festival. I had the nicest weekend. Plenty of ideas and motivation at the writers' festival, good catch ups with a number of friends (Kate included!) and some frantic writing.

It was just what I needed. I feel creatively and emotionally refreshed and am ready to tackle some serious projects. This week I've written quite a lot. I haven't yet felt like I've achieved anything great yet, but I've definitely done some small things that will get me somewhere in the long run.

So now I just need to get myself to continue in this vein. Wish me luck!

--

PS. The image above I took in Federation Square at about lunch time on Saturday. I love the guy in the background, completely oblivious.

Making space

2009-08-24T10:56:00.003+10:00

This weekend I had a big clean up and clean out of my work space. I've recently moved out of the house and into the garage which has been great - more space, I don't have to worry about dust and mess... except I've been surrounded by bikes and boxes and general household clutter which was making me feel like I didn't really want to be in there and feeling kinda unprofessional.

So, as I was saying, on Saturday I had a huge clean up and organise, and my space is feeling nice and uncluttered and a pleasure to be in. I actually want to get out here in the mornings now!

I'm a big believe of making space in your life for whatever it is you might be wanting or needing. In my case, making space for work and clients. I was feeling before like I was too busy and cluttered and couldn't be bothered being out there, so who would commission me for work when I'm feeling like that?

But today, I'm ready and waiting!

image from renedrivers

life is peachy

2009-08-20T08:00:00.000+10:00

I haven't really posted for awhile, not that I haven't wanted too... Many times I've sat at my computer and opened the new post page and tried to write but I just haven't been able to think of anything important or interesting to contribute!

But I figured out my problem: LIFE IS GOOD! I've quit the job that was making me stressed and miserable, I'm working less for money and more for enjoyment, I have more time, I'm jogging, I'm eating better, I'm enjoying cooking....pretty much most things in my life in my control are great! I have a spark back!! Which isn't a problem at all really, far from, but I realised it so much easier to write when things are shitty and stressful and hard. It's easier to complain and whinge and seek advice than to write and say 'things are awesome'. Is it just me that feels like that?

I think this is a bit sad really, so here is to spreading more goodness from here on out :)

image by adwriter

Be Brave: New submission

2009-08-19T06:32:00.003+10:00

Decipher the Day has played along with last month's project: Be Brave. She has bravely ventured into a new area for her, and posted up stickers around Melbourne.

Check them out here.

Don't forget that the next project is due in a few weeks on Monday 7 September.

Writing exercises

2009-08-15T19:35:00.002+10:00

This semester I'm doing just the one subject at uni, in an effort to slow down. It's a short story workshop, which is right up my alley, because I love short stories (to read and write). Each week we're being given an exercise to explore the various elements of stories (short or long, really); character, place etc etc. I thought I might share them each week.

For last week's class we had to take a character from one of our stories to the supermarket. In writing, that is. I'm working on a short story I wrote last year -- and that needs a lot of improvement! -- so any feedback would be more than welcome.

I'll also be posting these entries on avocadoandlemon.

------

The supermarket is only just opening when Bella steps off the bus. This is her favourite time to shop because the place is virtually empty and she can be as slow as she likes without worrying that she will in someone's way.

She recognises the cashier at the only open register and attempts a smile, but is rebuffed with a look of confusion and lack of recognition. The girl is here every week, but Bella supposes there's not much interest in remembering a little old lady with a squeaky fabric grocery trolley. She certainly wouldn't have been interested when she was the girl's age. Bella sighs and moves to the toilet paper and laundry powder end of the supermarket. She has always moved through the supermarket this way, 'backwards' as her husband put it on the few times she convinced him to come shopping with her. He hated supermarkets and couldn't understand the sense of freedom she found in them. "They depress me," he used to say, but would not, or could not elaborate further.

After comparing the prices, Bella chooses the least expensive toilet paper, which is unfortunately located on the top shelf, almost out of her reach. She will have to risk an avalanche of toilet paper to get a packet down. She looks around her. There is no one in the aisle; no one who could help. On her tip toes, her hand on the handle of her cart to push herself a little higher, Bella manages to knock the paper towards herself and move out of the way to let it drop to the floor. She smiles. Last time she knocked down four or five packets and was too embarrassed to ask for help, so piled the packets on the floor neatly. Later that day, when she got home, she realised that the store probably had cameras and that the store manager could have watched the whole thing. She had caught two extra buses to shop in another supermarket for the next three weeks.

She carefully crosses toilet paper off her list with a pencil from her dress pocket. Laundry powder is also on the list. Thankfully her favoured brand is usually found on the bottom shelf -- she assumes this is because not many other people buy it. Sometimes it is not in stock, but today she is in luck. Another straight pencil line on her list.

Quickly, some self promotion

2009-08-14T21:10:00.004+10:00

So I finally got around to buying a copy of the magazine I had story published in last month. If you get a chance, check it out here. It's a non-fiction piece (a personal essay, even) about connection to place.

Voiceworks is an incredible publication -- and not just because they kindly published my piece. Each edition (it's a quarterly magazine) features new writing from young Australian writers and provides a wonderful opportunity for writers and artists under 25 to get there work out there. Even if you don't buy this particular issue, please do check it out.

I'm very bad at self promotion, so I'll leave it there.

A box of sunshine

2009-08-04T08:28:00.000+10:00

New theme for this month is:

A Box of Sun

The theme came from this post from the snail and the cyclops. A Box of Sun, I think, is the title of a book by Joseph Pintauro, but I can't find too much more information about that particular book. It seems like a cute and interesting book so I'm going to try and find a copy. I'll keep you posted!

But basically, I really just liked the sound of A Box of Sun, and the images it conjoured up, so I thought it would be fun to see what comes to mind for other people. Good luck!

image by media monster

Brave

2009-08-03T13:45:00.004+10:00

I've only realised in the last couple of days how timely this theme is for me. My post from a few weeks ago is really telling me that I need to be brave and do something that might be considered reckless. I have some ideas. I'll let you know how I go!

For now though, here's my submission for this month.

2009-08-03T12:45:00.002+10:00

go here to read a lovely story about a little wooden box and being brave. i love this story.

Project's due!

2009-08-03T09:11:00.003+10:00

image from PsuedoRhys

August project due today! The theme was BRAVERY! Check back soon as I will be adding submissions over in the sidebar.

I'm off now to finish off mine...

Slowing Down

2009-07-30T14:58:00.001+10:00

I actually wrote this post two weeks ago (the last time I was sick!) but for some reason (probably crappy internet connection and impatience) I didn't get to actually post it. I've been busy since, and now have got sick all over again. Very irritating!
-------------------

Yesterday, in between my fevered sleeps and horredous coughing fits, I was reading this lovely lady's blog. As well as some photos of her oh-so-cute little man, she often makes wonderfully insightful comments. The post I have linked to is all about slowing down.

The timing of this post, for me, is excellent. I rush around. I try to stretch my days to fit just that little extra bit of 'stuff' in. I like to be busy. And where does it lead me? To a sick bed. Which is where I will probably be for the next three days.

Now, I don't want to blame this illness entirely on myself -- the flu is, after all, going around at the moment. But I do think that if I gave myself just a little more time to do, well, nothing, I might avoid falling quite so hard when I do get sick. So Jodi's post is a nicely timed reminder to slow down, just a little, and give myself some thinking and resting time.

As well as being good for my health, I can't help but think some slow time will be good for my writing. If my brain's too full of scheduling, as it often is of late, how will there ever be room for stories and ideas?

If nothing else good comes of this horrid flu, I guess at least it's forcing me to stop for a while!

Image by Mister Rad.

Fingers crossed!

2009-07-28T20:17:00.002+10:00

This is an exciting week for me this week. Well, next week will probably be the MOST exciting, but this one is leading up to it.

I have three days left of employment at my current work. I've taken the plunge and I'm going out on my own. I figured it was now or never to embark on my own jewellery adventure, so fingers crossed it all works out.

I'm feeling pretty good, and I just think it might....

Now I will have plenty of time to finish off my submission for this month. I have quite a few ideas! And we have some new people playing along, so I look forward to sharing them soon.

New work & a mini-rant...

2009-07-22T19:56:00.005+10:00

Something that is really important to me in my jewellery practise is being able to create pieces that impact on the planet as lightly as possible. I do this in a number of ways, mainly by using recycled gold and silver. Usually I just buy this straight a supplier, that saves the metal from old phones and such from going into landfill. Such a fantastic idea! In no way does this result in an inferior type of gold - it's exactly the same - or does this save any money, in fact it often costs more by the time to refine it, but the important thing is to reduce, reuse, recycle!! Also to avoid supporting a dirty, harmful industry. You can read more about it here or here if you are interested, and I will try to keep my rants to a minimum.

Anyway, the above piece was made recycling a customers gold and stones, and I just finished it yesterday and thought I might share as I think it came out pretty nice! Its using 4 rubies and 11 diamonds set around the edge which you can hardly see in this photo. I really need to get better at taking photo's!

I know its daggy but...

2009-07-14T22:32:00.003+10:00

...I just love this song. I've been listening to it all night!

I'm compiling a mixed cd of those songs that you just cannot HELP but love... the old ones... for when I just cannot get motivated in my workship. Like Tracey Chapman's Fast Car. I love that song too. Been playing her best of CD on repeat all week.

Hit me with your suggestions!

Frustration

2009-07-13T20:29:00.003+10:00

Sigh. I'm frustrated. I don't seem to be able to get over it either. I try to be positive, I really do, but at the moment I feel like I'm wasting time. I'm working, I'm even writing, but I don't feel like I'm achieving anything.

This all began to become obvious about three weeks ago. My Mum came to visit for the weekend and we went to see Ruben Guthrie, a play by Australian playwright and actor Brendan Cowell. I loved it. But I began to wonder why I wasn't writing plays myself. Or anything, really. I mean, I am writing, but nothing feels finished and I still have to go to my day job. I feel somehow trapped. Somewhere.

I wish writing was my day job but I have no idea how to get from here to there. And that, more than the fact that I'm not there yet, is what I'm frustrated about. I'm a proactive person. I like to have plans and implement them. I like to make decisions and act on them (for instance, when I moved away from Melbourne the time between me deciding to do so, and actually getting on a plane was about eight days, and it was only that long because I had to give notice at work). I've made some decisions about things I want to do in the near future, but I can't act on them yet. Patience is certainly not my strong point.

All that said, I do have some things to be positive about at the moment. I have received some wonderfully positive feedback from my teachers about a screenplay and a short story I have written; and a non-fiction piece I wrote last year is about to be published in Voiceworks.

So why am I complaining, I think. Well, I'm just impatient I guess.

Jumping in Puddles... late (again)

2009-07-11T09:12:00.001+10:00

Okay, so this is more post-puddle than actually jumping in puddles. Like Ben Zen, I found myself wanting to play with this theme. So I haven't written anything. Instead, I've looked around me. I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do with these three -- perhaps I'll make them into paintings on canvas -- but I'm sure their number will grow.

More than anything, this month's theme (okay, last month's theme) has helped me to remember how fun it is to be observant. To just look. This can't be a bad thing for my writing.

It's also reminded me how much I miss visual art. I used to paint on a fairly regular basis. I'm sure it wasn't always good. But it was always fun. Perhaps I'll pick it up again.

Now, onto the current project...

new theme!

2009-07-09T20:24:00.004+10:00

This week's theme is:

BRAVERY!

(or "courage" if you like... we're flexible... I just liked this picture hehe)

It will be due August 3rd. Go! Get creating!

image by karen m andersen

Jumping in puddles...

2009-07-08T20:38:00.008+10:00

I'm embarassed to even say it... but I'm late. Very late. Again. And so is Sophie. We are terrible players and someone should tell us we aren't allowed to play anymore... next month we promise we will be better! Check out those who DID get a submission in over the side, or as follows:

Ben Zen:

Pseudo Rhys:

Mr. Sketchy:

What can you teach me?

2009-07-04T21:16:00.005+10:00

These are a great idea and twist on traditional name tags, but it got me thinking... Thinking about how we all have those things that we are quietly confident that we KNOW we are good at, even if sometimes they are ridiculous and impractical. Check more out here

I can teach you...

to make a bed, even with someone in it. Hospital corners and all. (6 months of a nursing degree will teach you that.)
about Parkes - 'home of the dish'
to make a casserole.

What can you teach me?

image from creative mornings, via cup of jo

Rain, rain, rain

2009-06-27T08:32:00.001+10:00

It's taken me a while to put these up. I took these on a failed adventure to the Everleigh Markets with my housemates -- failed because we got there just as the markets shut. How I wish I'd had my gumboots on!

I've been motivated this week. I've had two nights at home writing, and wished I was doing it the other three nights. I've also been noticing the (sometimes) very interesting people around me as I train and walk it to work, and have taken down little notes, which hopefully will be the start of... well, something.

Hard to believe it's only just over a week until this month's project is due. I swear it was only January yesterday.

too, too nice...

2009-06-19T22:12:00.005+10:00

I wish I went to this university and knew these guys. What a lovely idea :)

via milk

image via sarah.louise11

I've been quiet

2009-06-19T20:05:00.001+10:00

I'm not entirely sure why. My busy period has been over for about a week now, but I guess I've needed some time to be still. I had two days off work this week and am only tonight venturing out for an evening.

I feel like i'm rebuilding my energy stores though. I've got some ideas bubbling away in my brain, ready to be written about once I feel motivated (hopefully soon!).

Oh, and the rain has continued on and off, much to the annoyance of almost everyone I know. But it's certainly had me smiling!

A little bit late...

2009-06-16T16:56:00.005+10:00

Excuse us for being late to add A Simple Tune's submission to the links on the side, I was a bit late in seeing she had contributed, but I'm glad to she did, it is such a lovely sounding song! She is the first one to simbit a sound submission! You can check it out here but head over to her blog as well to read about her ideas :)

It's so fun to have more people playing along, with different mediums being explored!

I have a dream....

2009-06-15T00:15:00.001+10:00

I have a dream of running away to some little village in France or Greece or Spain and being a crazy passionate artist...

I've just been watching Vicky Cristina Barcelona and all but packing my bags and paints and heading off for here...

1. BjarteFronsdal
2. Santi MB
3. xeroinsanity
4. shirl581

Can't get motivated...

2009-06-09T10:46:00.003+10:00

It is so cold today, I have lots to do but I just can't bring myself to leave the warmth of my house for the freezing concrete that is my workshop. Yesterday there was condensation on my tools!!

I've been so productive lately, but today I just cannot...get....moving...........

Bring back summer...

image from Chad_UK

Is popcorn bad for you?....

2009-06-08T16:22:00.002+10:00

This has nothing to do with anything.... except I'm munching on down on a fresh bowl of popcorn, and it's so good. How bad is it for you? I mean... it's corn... its a vegetable... it's basically GOOD for me...right?

Yum Yum!

image from jmacphoto.com

Monthly project: Jumping in Puddles

2009-06-03T10:28:00.003+10:00

Yes. I know. I haven't posted my response to the last project yet. I promise I'm not being lazy, I've just been incredibly busy.

This week is the last week of semester; it also happens to be a week at work when we're one person down and it's my role to pick up the slack (which is fine, it's just bad timing!). I will say this: if you're thinking of studying while working full time, I urge you to reconsider! It's insane. But then I do have a habit of biting off more than I can chew...

Anyway, my point is (I've also always been good at waffling on and getting distracted from my main point) that I do have an idea, it's just still in my head. Hopefully I'll be able to get it on paper in the next couple of weeks.

My other point is this: this month's project is Jumping In Puddles.

It's been raining quite a bit on and off in Sydney in the last few weeks, so I've spent a lot of time avoiding puddles because I'm wearing the wrong shoes, when I really just want to jump in them. I love rain. And I love puddles!

Perhaps serendipitously, it started pouring and pouring when I was out to dinner with a friend last night. King Street in Newtown, which is where we were eating, is a watershed, that is, a ridge or crest dividing two drainage areas, so when it rains there are often small rivers running down the street. As you can see from the photo above, this was definitely the case last night!

I desperately wanted to jump in that huge flowing puddle but, again, I was wearing the wrong shoes. If only gumboots weren't so cumbersome! I'd carry them around just in case.

So responses to this month's project will be due on Monday 6 July.

Looking forward to seeing them!

Staying on task....

2009-06-02T20:52:00.004+10:00

I have a problem sometimes with keeping myself on task and not getting distracted. Now that I'm working at home two days a week can sometimes be a problem, but I've figured out a secret. Of course I have the usual tricks and suggestions such as setting my alarm and working for one hour then breaking, coffee, or reward based systems, but my newest and most successful idea to date is this:

Dirty old cons. Well, any shoes for that matter, although I find those with laces seem to work the best, that way I can't accidently slip them off under my workbench. I find that if I get up in the morning, get dressed and put my shoes straight on then I feel in much more of a working mood, as oppose to long weekend lazing around mood, and there is that extra little thing between getting back into bed or snuggling up in front of the TV.

What weird and wonderful things do other people have to keep them on task?

Awesome :)

2009-06-01T15:10:00.006+10:00

Yay! We've never received any awards here before and I thought what the hell? I shall give it a go! We received the Awe-summmm award from Yvonne at Safe Space, and Kerry from Awaken.... I highly recommend heading over to their blogs to check them out because I always find something relevant and uplifting to read and they always brighten my day just that little bit :)

So... I have to list 7 awesome things about myself... I don't know if I have SEVEN but I will see how I go:

1. I am caring. I care a lot about the important people in my life, and I would do anything I could to help those people that I love.
2. I am good at reading maps, and knowing where I am going. I have a GREAT sense of direction.
3. I can make beautiful things that people always are suprised by and appreciate.
4. I am a hardworker.
5. I pride myself on my work, and always work to a high standard, even though this may mean sometimes things take me a bit longer than others, I would rather do a GREAT job than a quick job.
6. I am thoughtful. I am considerate of what those around me need.
7. Oh no close... one more.... ummmm.... I am a great girlfriend, and an EXCELLENT cuddler :)

I'm going to cheat a bit and whoever reads this and wants to play along go for it... it was actually kind of fun and challenging trying to think of things about myself... but I will leave you with some great places I like to visit:

Of course Awaken and Safe Space, as well as:

Ben Zen
Mr Sketchy
Truth Be Told and
My Charlie Girl for great drawings and musings...

rememo
You are Remarkable and
So she tells you for nice pictures and words...

Letters I'd wish I'd written and
Pacing the Panic Room just because... and there are so many more but that will have to do for now as I have work to be done!! :)

no No no no No

2009-06-01T11:15:00.004+10:00

This month was a really tough one! Due to the short time, due to our laziness, I decided to give jewellery making a miss and was planning to do a bit of a mixed media kinda thing. When I was at school I did a lot of this kind of thing because I couldn't draw to save myself.

I started out by thinking about 'sadly, no', and when you would hear that, and that got me thinking situations where you REALLY want something and you can't have it, and the biggest thing in my life where I remember feeling like that is in a relationship that just wasn't working but I really wanted it to at the time.

So I was going to make a bit of an artwork about that, and I started making little pieces of words and colour and text that I intended to cut up and piece together, however I got a bit carried away and I liked the DOING so much that I ended up with this:

Check out other submissions as they are added over on the side bar!

So...

2009-05-30T19:09:00.004+10:00

I'm at home on a Saturday night. Working on a screenplay and short story. I feel like a bit of a dork, having nothing social to do. But secretly I'm really enjoying it. I've been so busy of late, it's nice to slow down a bit.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the way my life is organised at the moment, and how much time I have to pursue any kind of creativity. The balance has been very far from right in the last few months and I, like Kate, have been anxious. Things aren't quite right. I'm stressed out and feeling cranky all the time.

But again, like Kate, I've just got to wait it out. It will pass. Soon I will have finished my semester at uni, things will settle down at work, and I'll have time to breathe again.

Looking forward to seeing some more responses to this month's project on Monday!

Image by hickoree.

Sitting, waiting....

2009-05-25T16:29:00.003+10:00

I'm feeling anxious. I have this sick tight feeling in my stomach all the time at the moment and it makes me want to run away. Or stay in bed for days on end watch episodes of Grey's Anatomy... yes, it's true I shall admit it....

At the start of this year I went to see an astrologer, and know everyone has differing opinions of astrology but lets not get into that as that is not really the point of this post. She was someone who had been recommended to me by a few people who had seen her, and she told me a lot of things about myself that were very true, and things that upon going away and thinking about or asking my parents definitely did happen.

Last week I was listening through the recording of my session with her again and she mentioned that about this time I would be feeling like this, and that I would want to run away but that I needed to stay and deal with it otherwise I would feel like this again and again...

So, that's what I am doing....

Here is to sitting and not running away....

image by André Pipa

2009-05-24T19:03:00.001+10:00

again via rememo

I know I'm just a whinger, but I'm feeling a little like...

2009-05-18T19:59:00.002+10:00

“Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world.”

via Rememo

New project!

2009-05-17T18:58:00.003+10:00

Okay so we are running very behind with this month's project... however we have finally come up with something! Kindly suggested by Mr Sketchy the idea is.....(drumroll....)

"Sadly, no."

I have NO idea WHATsoever I am going to do, but I'm excited and up for the challenge!! Get creating!!

Submissions will be posted up on the 1st of June. Only two weeks away seeing we were so lazy!

Image by ryuuchiba

Made Up Words

2009-05-13T13:38:00.002+10:00

I'm sure I'm not the only one who uses made up words. Or words used in the wrong context for amusement. But I've just noticed that I often make up words when I make typing errors. And they're recurring words. My current recurring typo is 'activon', used instead of 'action'.

This is something that I love about language -- it's so fluid and playful.

I'm curious as to what, exactly, 'activon' would mean. Any ideas?

Samson & Delilah

2009-05-08T15:42:00.004+10:00

Again, I'm going to leave it to my good friend Gerard at Celluloid Tongue to write a comprehensive review of this film, but I will say that, harrowing as the experience of watching it was, I loved this film. It was honest, brutal, and surprisingly quiet. The two main characters barely speak to each other at all. Such a beautiful portrayal of the communication problems that can be such a huge part of adolescence.

This film deserves to do well, simply because it is such a wonderful story so beautifully told. I have a horrible feeling that it will not do very well commercially, just because it is so honest with its material, but I'm hoping to at least get a couple more bums on seats for this film by mentioning it here. Please go and see it. Even if it's not the happiest experience you have in a cinema, it will certainly be one of the most worthwhile.

Studying on Sunday

2009-05-06T21:48:00.002+10:00

This is the picture I tried to post yesterday. This is why I didn't get my submission this month in on time. Yes, I was under the blankets while I was studying. Several nanna-naps were in order that day.

An admission or two

2009-05-06T18:18:00.002+10:00

I'm struggling at the moment. Creatively I mean. The ideas, the stories, just aren't there. I can write analytically, but as soon as I try to write fiction I lose the plot (pun sort of almost intended). I used to have a new idea nearly every day, now I just seem to be rehashing old ones all the time. And even then, the outcome doesn't excite me. The writing, I think, is stale.

I think I know why this is. Last year was incredibly tough for me. Those of you who know me well will have some idea why. I spent so much of last year trying to rebuild my life, get comfortable in a new city, with new (and some old) friends. This took up a lot of time and energy. Necessarily, obviously. But my writing has really suffered.

I realised earlier this week that I've been walking through my days with blinkers on, when I used to look around me; listen, smell, feel around me. I'm missing things. I've become an unobservant city robot, intent on getting to and from in the most efficient way possible. How
boring.

So my new mission is to try to reconnect, to notice, to 'stop and smell the roses' as my boss said to me this afternoon, smiling at the cliché.

I'm taking a deep breath and diving back in. Wish me luck.

Late! Again.

2009-05-05T21:41:00.004+10:00

Grrr... I've been trying and trying to put up a picture that demonstrates nicely why I am late again this month, but it won't load. Oh well.

You can read my submission for this month's project here.

It's only half-finished, and I've just realised it sort of picks up on similar themes to last month's piece. Any feedback would be very welcome! I'm trying to move away for a while from continually writing about something else, so I'm wondering whether taking this idea a little further might help me do that. I guess I'd like to know whether or not it's worth it!

playing along...

2009-05-04T14:34:00.003+10:00

I'm very excited today because Ben from Ben Zen Illustration is playing along. I will admit I have had a bit of a blog-crush for a little while now and was thrilled to see him playing along!

Ben draws the cutest little tree men and women and singing birds, and I always enjoy dropping into his blog to check out what new drawings he has done. I so wish I could draw :) Head on over to check out his ideas for treasure as well as whatever else he is up to...

Also have new blogger from A Simple Tune playing along, and the always talented Mr Sketchy who always beats us finished. Anyone else who needs some inspiration or simply wants to play along, let us know and we'll add your link in the side bar.

image from Ben Zen Illustration

Keeping my treasures close to my heart

2009-05-04T13:43:00.003+10:00

So...

I feel like here I am first Monday of the month with yet another excuse, so I'm going to be honest. I'm having a bit of a hard time at the moment, and I'm not feeling particularly creative or productive.
Last Thursday my Nanna died, and I spent the weekend away with my family saying goodbye. Also my other grandmother is also very sick in hospital, and that is weighing heavily on my mind. I'm feeling a bit stressed about things going on back home with my family, and hating being so far away being unable to help, as well as feeling confused and unproductive about work and where I'm wanting to go.

So there is my whinge. I don't say it so that anyone feels sorry for me, because I am fine, I just say it to justify to myself why the first Monday in May has come around so quickly and I am empty handed...

I was very excited about this months project and I knew what I was going to make from day one, so I will try to explain my ideas, and hopefully soon it might come into being?? Along with my storybook locket.

I wanted to make another locket (yup I'm a sucker for moving parts and hidden compartments) that on the inside was broken up into little sections, and each section was going to have a mini "treasure", things to represent what was important to me.

This morning as I was thinking about it a bit more, I started to lean towards another idea, which was a heart shaped locket and on the inside make some little figurines to represent all the people that are important to me, because at the moment I'm starting to appreciate that these are my real treasures, and that would be a way to keep them close and in my heart...

okay enough mushy stuff...

In light of my not getting around to making either of these, I'm going to share something else.

This little box is an important box that keeps all my collected knick-nacks and trinkets safe, sound and tucked away, but the box itself is a treasure too. I got it on my 15th birthday, at a surprise party thrown for me by my beautiful friends. The box was a present from some of those friends, their names all burnt in on the back.

I get it out occasionally and go through it all, marvelling at the contents I have collected over the years, and at the craftmanship and the time taken to make it. I remember a time back in highschool and all the years since, all the fun I have had, and the sad times I have gone through. The people come and gone, the adventures had, and the many more to come. It makes me feel happy and loved.

Procrastination

2009-04-21T13:31:00.002+10:00

I'm at home today trying to get a large chunk of an assignment that's due soon over and done with. It's an essay on a topic that I'm immensely interested in but I'm still have huge trouble actually doing it. I've hung out washing, emailed people I work with, emailed my brother and now here I am writing a post here.

It's not that I haven't done any work. I've just done very little.

Procrastination should be my middle name. Any tips on how to avoid it?

Mary and Max post script

2009-04-09T12:30:00.001+10:00

Since I didn't feel comfortable reviewing Mary and Max, you might as well read a review from someone who has every reason to feel comfortable writing a review. Gerard's review of Mary and Max is much more eloquent than mine. You can read it here.

If you're ever interested in finding out a bit more about a film that's already been released, one that is yet to be released, or even one that is yet to be produced, head here and visit my friend Gerard at Celluloid Tongue.

seeking out the treasure

2009-04-07T22:52:00.006+10:00

“They were seeking out the treasure of their destiny, without actually wanting to live out their destiny.” - Paulo Coelho

The idea for this months project came to me from a quote I was reminded of the other day on another blog. (I cannot for the life of me remember where but if anyone else has seen it please let me know so I can give due credit...) I think its from The Alchemist, but again I'm not 100% so correct me if I'm wrong. I tried to check but computer is having some issues...

For some reason it just really appealed to me at the moment, so this month's project is TREASURE. This can be interpreted in a number of ways, and I look forward to seeing some different responses! These can be posted up on May 4th.

image by art nahpro

Late: Missing You

2009-04-07T21:08:00.003+10:00

Sorry, this is late because I've been busy and tired and had computer troubles (wireless internet is great if it actually works, mine does most of the time). And I had to hand in a screenplay yesterday that I only started work on two weeks ago! I swear I am crazy, thinking I can fit all of this into one normal person's life...

My response to this month's project can be found here. I was also thinking about submitting this, but it's old so I thought I shouldn't really cheat.

Miss Maybel and Mr Sketchy also played along this month. As did Hybrid J and lovegeek; and of course Kate!

They all, of course, got their submissions in on time. I'm the only bum who's late. Next month I'll be more organised -- promise!

I'm off to Melbourne this weekend and I can't wait! I get to see many of my favourite people and feel like I'm at home again. I will undoubtedly blog about how much I miss it on my return.

Have a lovely weekend!

Empty spaces

2009-04-06T08:30:00.004+10:00

For this months project I decided to go with a photo. The idea of missing you first conjures up ideas of being miserable and sad, and of empty spaces.

I liked this photo because for me it works in two ways, the first being if I'm miserable and missing someone I could think of nothing better to jump back into bed and sleep the sadness away. And secondly, the empty side of the bed implying someone who use to be there and is no longer.

Sunday morning

2009-04-05T08:11:00.004+10:00

So... I forgot about daylight savings ending overnight. And I'm up an hour before I really needed to be.

About half of me is really annoyed about it; the extra hour's sleep would've been nice. But the other half of me is amused and enjoying the fact that I unexpectedly have an extra hour in the day. In this hour I've just about finished off the first draft of a script I've been working on, and now I'm starting work (yes, yes, I know I should be more organised for something I help run) on my response to this month's project.

In about 45 minutes I'll head off to my first Sunday-morning yoga class. I've taken this class many times before, just not on a Sunday morning. I think it will be a nice not-really-start to the day.

PS. Responses to the Missing You theme are due tomorrow.

its going to be messy

2009-04-03T11:32:00.001+11:00

From an inspiring blog So She Tells You

2009-04-02T21:10:00.005+11:00

i love being up before everybody else

Rain, rain

2009-04-01T09:46:00.002+11:00

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is (presumably) snoring...

I really feel like winter has started; it's bucketing down. And I love it! Okay, so I got wet from the waist down on my way to work this morning, and had to jump through a rather large puddle on the Pyrmont Bridge and am feeling a little cold in my air conditioned office, but I still really love rain.

When I was little I used to sit at our back windows (they were floor to ceiling glass -- lovely) when it rained and watch the water rush down the glass. I was fascinated by it. And I used to love falling asleep to the sound of rain on our tin roof.

I don't have a tin roof now, but I still love falling asleep to the sound of rain drops hitting my bedroom windows.

This morning I got up at 6 (I've been a bit slack and haven't done this for quite some time) and sat up in bed to write a screenplay that I'm working on. I can't think of a better soundtrack to that than the sound of rain falling outside and the quiet of the house around me. I didn't want to leave this quiet little writing space I'd found.

I hope I can find it tomorrow.

This picture is from here; it's actually in Coffs Harbour, but I feel like the rain was almost that heavy here!

Tears

2009-03-28T13:34:00.004+11:00

I usually write about sad things. Until today I had never really felt like I was greatly affected by that sadness.

Today I was doing some research for one of my stories and I cried. I cried solidly for about five minutes; tears dripped off my chin.

I'm not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing that I had such a violent reaction to what I'm writing about. I guess it means that I will write with empathy and passion; but maybe I will be too close to this writing. Maybe I won't be able to make sense of the topic enough to write coherently about it. Maybe it will just come off as soppy, emotional crap.

This is new to me; I'm very confused about it.

Sorry about the lack of pictures in my last few posts. I don't seem to be able to find or take anything appropriate.

Publishing

2009-03-26T22:00:00.002+11:00

I’ve been published in print just once. On the web (other than here), I’ve been published a few more times. But I’m still not entirely sure how one goes about moving from Written Piece (notice I don’t say ‘finished’ – my pieces are never really finished) to Published Piece.

I do know that it involves putting your work out there. Sending your baby off to people you don’t know, who will judge whether or not it is worth publication. I find it a little terrifying.

The piece I had published in print was the first thing I ever really sent off. I should be proud of that, but it has, in fact, made it much more difficult for me to send anything else for consideration. What if it was just beginners’ luck? What if I only had one good piece of writing in me?

I know these are all just silly excuses for me to avoid having to face potential rejection. If I don’t send anything for consideration, I won’t have anything published. Simple as that.

I’ve made a mini-vow to myself. I am going to sit down at my computer and go through all of my short stories; and I am going to pick two, three, maybe four to start sending off to potential publishers. I will keep sending these stories until everywhere I can think of has said ‘no’ (or not replied).

The other issue here, of course, is that I do need to feel like something is at least finished enough for publication. So this is the first part of my mission: I am going to try to get three or four pieces to a Finished Enough point and then out they will go, into the big, scary world of Please Publish Me.

Wish me luck!

Mary and Max

2009-03-25T20:46:00.002+11:00

I've just been to a preview screening of Mary and Max, the new animation by Oscar-winning Harvey Krumpet writer/director, Adam Elliot.

I absolutely adored this film. Visually, it is spectacular to look at and it has a simple, touching story. The film is about the twenty year pen-friendship that forms between an eight year-old Mary in Australia and a forty-something year-old Max in New York.

Whatever I say about this film will sound trite, so I won't try to review it, only say that films like this one inspire my storytelling and motivate me to try harder. Never a bad thing!

Definitely see this one if you can.

Red Bubble

2009-03-25T14:35:00.000+11:00

I love Red Bubble; I could spend hours looking through people's art, and reading their writing. Some inspirational stuff here! Have a look.

I've never ordered anything from here, but now's as good a time to start as any. Bring on the Red Bubble present-buying.

Recycled notebooks

2009-03-24T19:31:00.003+11:00

I've finally got around to uploading a picture of the notebooks I have been making in my spare moments at work.

Here are two of them, in beautiful yellow and purple.

I'm yet to use these, because I'm still filling up the last notebooks I bought, but I'll be excited when the time comes!

17 reasons I'm looking forward to the fast approaching winter...

2009-03-24T09:38:00.001+11:00

1. Skirts and boots.
2. Hot water bottles.
3. Handmade scarves.
4. Fresh crisps mornings where everything feels new and clean.
5. Hearty vegetable soups.
6. Stockings.
7. Snuggling in bed.
8. That chilling feeling when you are all rugged up and toasty warm on the inside but a cold wind blows and your nose gets cold.
9. Warm baths.
10. Being snuggled up inside when it's raining.
11. Wearing socks.
12. Slippers and flannel pyjamas.
13. Puddles.
14. Frozen foggy breath.
15. Dark mornings where you get into the city and its foggy and cold and the lights are only just turning off and it still feels a little bit like night.
16. Hot air balloons in the sky in the morning (why do I only see these in winter?)
17. Hot chocolates being more acceptable and necessary.

images by doogsta and OZpics2007

Quiet

2009-03-23T14:43:00.000+11:00

Sorry I've been a bit quiet of late. I've been quiet here because my life has been far from. Last week I didn't have a single school night at home (I usually only get one, so that's probably not all that different) and I've been really busy on the weekends. I feel a little like I'm trying to explain away a sick day or something here...!

I have a few post ideas up my sleeve though, so I promise there will be something more substantial soon. For the moment though, I'm just trying to get some sleep in my spare time.

Some interesting thoughts...

2009-03-13T16:03:00.004+11:00

"....where do we as individuals find the most value? What kind of world would I most like to create? (because I am creating it on a daily basis whether I like it of not)? I am responsible for what I put out into the world. Is it in line with my beliefs?"

From here

via a lovely blog I've recently discovered - Lisa Currie

Workshopping

2009-03-12T22:04:00.003+11:00

I've just come home from class and am utterly exhausted, so this will be brief (and picture-less...).

Tonight in class I workshopped a fiction piece. I'm not sure what it was about this particular class, or this particular instance of me putting a piece of my writing out into a group of people for scrutiny, but I found tonight's class immeasurably helpful. It's made me really think about the idea of workshopping something, and expecting (and receiving) immediate feedback on it. For me that process is invaluable. It's why I'm in a writers' group.

I'm interested to find out whether other people (writers or not) find this process helpful, or if, in fact, you have any kind of regular feedback system in place.

I'm also seeing the potential for the monthly projects to be used more explicitly for this purpose. Of course the feedback would have to be constructive criticism (read: helpful, diplomatic). What do you think?

Lists update

2009-03-11T06:00:00.000+11:00

I bought a book that I intended to use for lists. I haven’t even opened it. When I bought it there was a sale, and I convinced myself that I would use it, that I would get over its obvious systematic failures. I would do this because the book cost me a dollar.

But, as is usually the case with these things, just because it was on sale did not mean it was a good idea to buy it.

So a new list system is in the works. It will involve a ring binder of some description, so I can move pages around if lists get longer than the pages I have allocated them; it will probably have dividers; but most importantly I will be making a fabric cover for it (probably something similar to what Kristy has on Kootoyoo) so it can be discreet. It will also remain something for my eyes only. Why? Because I’m embarrassed about how organised I’m being about this (why am I telling you about it then, you ask? I don’t know, to be honest) and I don’t want anyone to see the proof that I’m pedantic.

I also want to thank Kristy for her Menu Planner – I’ve given my Dad a book full of these for his birthday, which I hope is a wonderful present for someone who puts so much effort into his grocery shopping lists.

Oh dear. We really are a List Family.

Craftiness at work

2009-03-10T06:00:00.001+11:00

I'm so pleased with myself! For the last few months I've been collecting paper at work with only one side printed on that would otherwise go into the recycling; and I've just made myself a bound notebook, with old, unused manilla folders cut down to size as the front and back cover. I've even got about three different colours to choose from for the covers.

I've no doubt that my work colleagues think I'm crazy, but I consulted Miss B (who sits on the other side of the petition) at each stage and she said she thought it was great; and J even taught me how to use the binder (it's a very large, rather intimidating machine with a fancy LCD screen). So I guess they're at least happy to go along with the craziness!

I still have a huge pile of paper, all the staples removed, clipped together into notebook-thickness sections, and I plan to make about ten more of these when I have a few spare moments at work. I'll use the notebooks for my writing, doodling, uni work. I love that I can make them exactly the size that I like.

But the best part about it is the fact that I am putting a small dent in the waste the company I work for creates; or the energy it uses to recycle. And what a feeling of well-being and smug pride it's given me! I can't wait to start using them.

Unfortunately I don't have a photo to post as yet. I feel a wee bit silly getting my camera out at work...

Canberra in the autumn

2009-03-08T21:08:00.004+11:00

I'm cheating slightly; these images were taken a couple of years ago at around this time (my youngest brother, in the fog of the first photo, is much larger and man-like -- they grow up so quickly!). But the fact remains that I love Canberra in the autumn. Blue skies, a slight (or major) chill in the air and falling leaves.

I've been in Canberra visiting my family this weekend. It's been lovely, and it's given me a small break, away from my life, to re-stock and quietly re-examine where I am in that life.

On top of that, obviously, I've been able to spend some time with my much-loved family, which is always a very worthy way to spend my weekend!

And so I feel (just vaguely) re-invigorated, after a week of busy-ness and exhaustion. I might even be ready for my thirteen hour day tomorrow!

Perfect Saturdays

2009-03-07T18:22:00.003+11:00

Now that I'm no longer working on Saturdays, I've been doing a lot of relaxing and drinking coffee.

Seeing I'm not working Fridays anymore either I'm able to get all of my jobs done and leave the weekends for taking it easy!

Today I met up with my sister for a coffee and a chat, some shopping and some discussions about our new project. It's so nice having her a little bit closer than she use to be, and it nice to have someone to go and waste away the afternoon strolling through the city with.

hiding away

2009-03-06T12:44:00.004+11:00

....no better place to be on rainy days like this, than hiding away in my workshop. Except for maybe being rugged up in bed??

storybook locket

2009-03-02T10:28:00.003+11:00

So, anyone would assume going part-time would give me so much more time to work on creative projects.... It has, but its also made me lazy.... hey, its okay to start with right? I was going to lie and say I've been busy, but really I've just been having a mini-holiday :)

I LOVE making things that move or have secret little hidden compartments. Like lockets! So my idea for this month's project was to make a little book that opened up and was either going to be a locket or just a little box the wearer could keep something in.

At the moment its still in pieces on my bench, but I plan to get finish it off so I will add some photo's at a later date. I think it is going to look good! Eventually..... okay from now on I'm being more organised I promise!

Thanks to everyone that got involved this month!

Miss Maybel
Mr sketchy
Hybrid J
Sophie

Its so exciting to see a range of different responses to the same idea. It was interesting I thought that while my response was quite literal, all the writers seemed to end up with quite sad stories? Or maybe they weren't necessarily sad but that was the impression I got and how they made me feel. A list of anyone involved will be added to the side bar today.

New project starts today, the idea is "missing you". Feel free to play along!! Make sure you send us any links or responses so that we can post them up for everyone to see.

Monthly project: Missing You

2009-03-02T06:00:00.002+11:00

So, perhaps off the back of me missing a certain city, this month's theme is 'Missing You'. Of course, the 'you' could be a person, a thing, a place -- it's entirely up to you!

The deadline for responses to this project will be a month from now on Monday 6 April.

As usual, please send any responses through to themondayproject85@gmail.com (you can send us a file, as long as it's not too big, or a link to your response posted on your own blog/site); and they can be in any medium you like.

We'll be posting up this month's responses shortly, so keep an eye out.

Happy creating!