Creation Station

Before you continue reading this post, I think you really need to have a look at this post.

My studio, or dungeon of hell as it was refered to, is still being transformed and I can't wait to show you guys what it looks like - but I can't find my fucking camera's battery charger and my phone has no camera.  So, instead, I'll take you on a tour of the mind.

The 3 major walls have been insulated and plastered.  Micko built me a fabulous new sound proof recording booth... with a beautiful door... and yesterday I started painting.  I've picked a bright lilac and teal blue.... the purple walls are ready to go - just got the teal ones to go, which I'll be sinking my teeth into tomorrow.

Cornice goes up over the weekend and carpet in the next few weeks.  Then, it will be finito!

Already the space feels solid, cleaner (even though there is shit everywhere) and really creative.  I'm so freaking excited watching it all come together into my own little creation of space.  All mine! 

And just look what I got as my 'whiteboard'...

Not my office - although it's going to look fab here for sure!  Check out all the rad chalkboard decals at this kickarse Etsy store.

What makes it all the more perfect is that the lightbulb is part of my logo... remember?

Perfection!

In other news... tonight Micko and I are having an early anniversary dinner - we'll be flying to Melbs for a wedding on our actual anni.  It's at our fav local restaurant 'The Jaaning Tree' and it's a 6 course menu!   OH. MY. GOD!  How the hell am I going to fit it all in... here is the menu... so you can die of envy.

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Canapes and bubbles on the deck.

Seared scallops with black pudding and cauliflower puree.

Chilli and Vietnamese mint squid with avocado and a strawberry vinegrette.

Oxtail Terrine with confit onions and an Illawarra plum sauce.

Beef roulade filled with fetta, pinenuts and seasoned with oregano served with salad and a wattleseed sauce.

Dessert tasting plate - white chocolate and pistachio nut mousse, lemon myrtle chilled custard and a chocolate and macadamia nut slice with lillipilli cream.
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Mmmmmm... have a good weekend!

Having a whale of a time!

I've just returned from my daily walk with Billy down the beach.  It's a glorious day here today... mid 20s, sun is shining, skies are blue and the ocean is gleaming turquoise.  Stunning!

I was thinking to myself (and I tend to do a shitload of thinking on the beach), I'm down here almost every day, either running or walking with Bill, and during the past 18 months I've not seen a single whale.  Word is, the last couple of seasons, they have been staying quite a distance away from the shore... hence, not too many sightings in this neck of the woods.

Anyways... as I turned around to walk back something caught the corner of my eye.  It was only a couple of hundred metres out from shore and it is quite windy here today, so my initial thought was 'oh it's a windsurfer'.  But then... I saw a big splash... and an even bigger Y shape flying up towards the horizon.  That's no windsurfer... it's a whale!

This whale was having an absolute whale of a time (pun intended).  It frolicked around while I made my way back.  Tail flicking up into the air... then it's huuuuuge body jumping out of the water and crashing down into the turquoise waters below.  Truly incredible!

I felt blessed... and so lucky to be living in this breathtaking corner of our wonderful planet.  Sure, there are times when the isolation is suffocating...  I whinge about this town catering for the unemployed and the elderly only... or when the lack of decent amenties and shopping does my absolute head in...

And then... I have an experience like I did just now, and I wouldn't dare live any other place on earth.  I feel connected to Mother Nature here and I'm ever so grateful!

Vaginamite

Any of you rad as fuck fellow Aussies out there - this blogs made for you (this blo-oo-ogs, made for you...  Anyone else remember the Swan Lager ad from the early 80s?  Just me?  Okay bitches... way to make a woman feel old.)

I've said it before... for the most part I'm a proud Aussie.  I say things like 'G'day mate', 'fucking oath', 'deadset', 'fair go', 'dunny', 'my shout', 'arvo', 'flat out like a lizard drinking'.  Some might even go as far to say that I have a little 'bogan' in me. 

**Disclaimer** - there are also things that make me not so proud... but I've been there before once, or twice.

I love beer, barbies (especially when there are chicken sauso's involved), the beach, meat pies, the footy (Aussie rules of course - go Tiges), Tim Tams, our wildlife (hence working with WIRES), lamingtons, the look of pavlova (not a real fan of the taste) and, of course, vegemite!   (affectionately known as Vaginamite... kind of like eating radioactive waste mixed with road tar on toast - for those who haven't tried it before - but waaaaay fucking tastier!)

So, imagine the sheer delight when the one and only Peter Alexander announces a line of Vegemite PJ's!
 I. had. to. have. them!

Check 'em...

Image found here...

I got the ones good ol' Pete is decked out in. (just the pants... too much of a good thing can in fact be, well, too much!)

 Oh you're spewing now, aren't ya mate!

I'm starting with the (wo)man in the mirror...

Most days I'd wake and look in the mirror and wouldn't like a single thing that's staring back at me.  It was a rare day that I'd be even slightly impressed. 

I'd beat myself up about my wrinkles, my grey hair, my moustache, my double chin, my thin eyelashes, my face cellulite (does anybody relate to the face cellulite??).  And that was just my face!  If I were to write a list of things that I didn't like about my body, I'd be here until the very end of time.

Let's just say that I'm not my biggest fan (physically - I actually do like myself as a person - quite a contradiction and I'm aware of that - but that's just the way it is... at this moment).

Surprisingly, this comes as an utter shock to most people I tell.  On the outside I seem so confident... and *shudder - their words not mine* attractive.

One thing I've come to realise is that the way I see myself, certainly isn't the way others see me.  Now, I'm no supermodel or oil painting - but I'm not the hideous monster that looks back at me from time to time. 

I'm me!  And I am beautiful... the sooner I embrace that, the better (oh I'm working on it).

Why is it that we are sooooo fucking critical of ourselves, but not of others?  (Well... I am - I can't say this relates to everyone because everyone hasn't had the same experience or belief system as I do - but I'm sure there are quite a few of you out there!)

See, the thing is... regardless of who you are, what you look like, what you've been though... there is someone out there that looks up to you.  Someone who wishes they could be as brave, strong, emotional, free, happy, slim, pretty, tall, big boobed, small boobed, arsey, funny, creative, smart, witty (I think you get the picture) as you are. 

I propose that each day... you tell at least one person, who wouldn't expect it, something that you admire about them. 

And if you are lucky enough to be at the receiving end of such a compliment, that you accept that compliment graciously.  Don't question it... Just accept it.  The truth shall set you free - as one would say.

Go forth and compliment,  people!

Spring has sprung...

There has to be something said for spring... and it's close association with new life and regeneration. 

I feel like I'm turning over a new leaf (pun intended) and starting anew. 

I've had a rough trot the past 6 or so months (mentally) and now I've emerged out of a dark and long tunnel (which I'm so grateful was a tunnel, and not the deep shit hole I'd originally thought it to be).  I'm renewed... and ready to once again grab life by the balls and run with it.

When I started this blog I called it Karlosophies for a reason... I wanted to share stories and my philosophies - lessons I'd learnt, situations I'd been in, where I've been and where I'm going. 

Over the past few months, it's been pushed aside while I got my shit together and immersed myself in 'the real world'.  I'm not sure I'm back for good... but I'm here now - and it's exactly where I'm meant to be.

There are things shifting in Karlsville.  Change is in the air... Now is the time I need to refocus on the good things.  Let this be known... I'm taking the time to shine.

I'd love for you to join me!