I am a Brownie

My house is clean, I've tidied and sorted all my closets and so with nothing better to do for the rest of the day I started looking up random peoples blogs. I know - no comment. Anyway I found that I am a brownie. Check it out.

You Are a Brownie

Decadent and intense, you aren't for the weakhearted. Those who can deal with your strong flavor find out how sweet you really are.

What Dessert Are You Most Like?

Bizarre Brazil

Last night I had the surreal "pleasure?" of watching Terry Gilliam's Brazil(1985).



Now I have to tell you that I don't think I had time to try and figure out what this movie was about the whole 2hrs 20min I sat watching it. It ended and both Mack and I remained sitting exactly where we were, completely numb and yet enthralled at the same time.

I thought that possibly sleeping on my confusion would help me compartmentalize this movie (I have to do this to everything, it just makes my brain happier), or possibly make up my mind about the subtext of the movie (I was a film major for heaven's sake, I should be able to dissect a film completely). Possibly the reason I can't come to a conclusion about the subtext is because there isn't just one.
I think the whole "man versus machine" text is pretty blatant, then there is the whole "the cost of literally pursuing your dreams/fantasies" at the same time as the "dreams/fantasies are never the same in reality" texts. The "price of consumerism on society" text is also pretty blatant. There are so many other subtexts that I can't completely wrap my mind around right now, like the uncomfortability of the incongruity of the dialog and visuals - they use innocuous terms like "information retrieval" instead of "torture and interrogation". It makes complete sense that this was a deliberate device now that I'm writing it, but in the context of the film, your senses are so bombarded that such obvious things get overlooked in the search for the way deeper meaning.

I have to say thought that there were a couple of scenes that made Mack and me look at one another in total confusion, and then others that made us both laugh out loud.

This picture is from a scene where we both laughed out loud. The protagonists Mother is getting prepped for a face lift. The picture speaks for itself.




I just have to end with this completely pompous quote from a review on Imdb by user mariogreymist: "Brazil is a very cerebral film, so if you are thinking, "What does cerebral mean?" you can probably skip it. Anyone who expects to have a story clearly spelled out for them, and done so in a concise manner with little background interference will hate Brazil. Brazil is a film for those who want texture, emotional involvement and some sort of deeper meaning."

Personally I think the film is just weird, which is what I think the insane genius Terry Gilliam was going for.

New Desk

I'm on my way to actually decorating the "Library" the way I want it to be decorated. Naturally I forgot to take a before shot, but here is an after shot of the new desk we got from Ikea. It doesn't look spectacular yet, but its a start in the right direction.

Caught my Eye

When in Florence, Nicole and I were on our way to see Michael Angelo's "David" and we passed a store totally out of character for the city. It sold a bunch of really contemporary kitchen gadgets. This one was in the window and completely caught my eye. It made me laugh so hard. Sadly it had been sold by the time we came out of the gallery.

BFL vs FWDGF

I wrote about the fact that I was starting the Body for Life twelve week challenge. I told my sister-in-law Allyson I had started and she told me she wanted to do something similar. Her idea was this:

Why don't I do the Body for Life challenge and she would pick a different twelve week course and then we would compare our results at the end. I thought this was a fabulous incentive. I waited for her to pick a challenge. After much consideration, she picked the French Women Don't Get Fat course.

So it starts again, with yesterday being our first day. Now bear in mind that we are tripping to South Africa in the middle of this challenge. I don't know if I'll be able to remain strong with all my childhood sweets and chocolates surrounding me.

You're on Al!

I'm Going Home

Its official. My tickets are booked. I leave 14 September 2007. I will spend 6 weeks in my homeland. It is going to be such fun. My whole family will be there.

Beautiful Cape Town here I come!

Sun, Sand and Lake

Mack and I spent the weekend at Bear Lake with my brother Darren and his family. The weather was absolutely fantastic and we came home completely sunned out.

4th of July Salutations

My first year in America, I was asked the following question:

So how do you celebrate the fourth of July in your country?

I told the questioner that we pretty much did what we do most days - go to work, come home, have supper etc.

This statement was met with an appallingly sour face.

I went on to explain that America is the only country to actually celebrate "American Independence Day".

This statement was met with a blank stare.

So to all my friends who are American and who are celebrating their Independence Day I say "Happy 4th of July" and to all the rest I say "nice day isn't it?"

It Starts

I started my new "Body for Life" program today. I don't think I'll post my before picture, mainly cause its way too hideous for words. And, I don't think I'll post my after picture cause I won't want too many people to be jealous. Seriously though. This diet/exercise program is something that is completely necessary. I feel gross!
My trip back to South Africa in September is my main incentive. I want to look good and feel good for a change.

So this is what I ate today:
9:15 am 1 small egg white omelette
1 small bowl of Optimum Power Organic Breakfast cereal
1/4 C skim milk
500ml water

12:17pm 1 Slim Fast Shake
8 oz lemon rooibos tea

2:49 pm 1 slice of whole wheat bread,
lean sliced ham, lettuce
8 oz lemon rooibos tea

6:18 pm 1 small baked potato
2 Tbsp low fat cottage cheese
1 spinach, cilantro and green onion side salad
1/4 C avocado
1 side of lightly sauteed cabbage
8 oz lemon rooibos tea

I spent 45min at the gym doing strength training on my upper body.

I was completely knackered afterwards and could barely drive home - all in all a good day and a good workout.

30 Years Together - Now Thats What I Call Love

Mack's parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this weekend. They had a great party in their backyard and invited the whole neighbourhood. I got the fabulous job of decorating the cakes. The icing was melting in the heat and my hand was shaking like I was on some sort of medication, so I thought they looked like a two year old could have decorated them, but I got some good feedback. People are so nice. (oh and don't judge my pictures right now, I don't have photoshop.)





Mack grilled chicken like a dutiful son,



and his sisters did what sisters do best.



Funny, I didn't actually take a picture of his parents - the whole reason we were there.

Old Friends

Last night was really great. Two of my old roommates from Ricks College came over. We hadn't seen one another in over a year. Its amazing how rejuvenating getting reacquainted can be. Annie is working as a school teacher just up the road, and Ann and Jedediah are expecting their first baby. They have a house in California where Jed is going through Med school. Its really good to see them doing so well.



Jedediah, Ann, Annie, Me, Mack

Deep thoughts - I stopped doing this after Uni

I have just spent a wonderful hour reading my friend Emily's as well as my friend Jeff's blogs respectively.

These two blogs led me to a thought - something I have managed to avoid since graduating from university.

The thought was this -

I am still capable of deep thought.

Now that might not seem very profound to some, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. Over the last few years, I have allowed my thoughts to be frivolous. I have allowed my mind to atrophy. I have wallowed in the world of reality TV. I have done nothing to try and actually maintain a higher level of brain function needed to do more than lift the remote. And more pathetic than anything - I have been consumed in the pettiness that I once used to call "the company I work for".

So to Emily and Jeff, I say "Thank you". I needed to realize that my blogs can contain and sometimes should contain more than just my sentiments on a pretty pair of shoes I saw, or a little trinket I can't afford. More than that though, just because I am not compelled to study for a test or to take a class I am still capable of study and learning.

I think I'm going to go read a book now.

Underwater

This is what we do for Fun

A few weeks ago Mack and I decided that we really wanted to go camping. We do not however have any camping gear. On a whim we went to Cabelas to check out their gear. Well who would have thought but they were having a great sale at the time and an extra 10% military discount. I think you can see where I'm headed with this - you're right. The next thing I know I have moved my furniture out of the Lounge to make room for our new tent. A tent in which I had to sleep that night. I can't wait till I have a yard!



And here my darling husband is dismantling the tent so I can have my lounge back. Isn't he adorable?

Back Home and Loving it!

So I've been home for a week now and am really enjoying being in my own space again. I picked up some sort of disgusting bug in England and felt absolutely aweful on the plane home. Then I spent the next two days lying on the couch sleeping - what bliss. I completely lost my voice and having been hacking up a lung since then and now just when I finally feel almost human again, Mack has come down with the exact same symptoms. I feel bad, but at least I'm feeling well enough to look after him.

Also this next week is the last week that I work - Woohoo! I am so excited to not have to go deal with my pervy boss everyday anymore.

I will post pictures from my Europe trip in the next few days.

Bloody French Keyboqrds

I am sitting in a quaint little Parisian internet cafe, typing on a keyboard that has me reverting to the two finger method. The keys on this keyboard have been completely switched around and I feel like a begginer typist again.

This trip has been amazing, but I think my companions and I are all in agreement when we say "I want to go home". We are tired and sore and feel like we have walked around the world and back. My feet are protesting so loudly that I can barely stand up.

But we are happy. Thats all.

My Swan Song

I know I haven't been overly talkative lately. I've been trying to figure out what the hell is going on with my body. I'm feeling a bit better, but still have absolutely no idea why, or why I'm still not feeling fantastic. I attribute feeling slightly better to the cravings I've been having for green olives. I'm absolutely addicted to the little green droppings of joy. Hey maybe there is something to be said for the Mediterranean diet.

I will continue to be fairly silent though, cause I am leaving for a three week business trip to Greece, Italy, France and England (Oia, Florence, Paris, London). I know I live a really tough life. Actually this will be my final trip with Rubberball. I have officially quit and will only be working two days a week for them when I return. I am so excited. I want to start working on freelance film projects again. Hopefully I still have enough contacts out there.

I will post plenty of photos of the fab trip once I return. Till then Adieu.

More Pain

So I'm in intense pain again. Yippee! So this time its the abdominal pain, coupled with muscle cramps, joint pain, fatigue and irritability. Sounds lovely doesn't it. Anyway I looked my symptoms up online and I have almost every symptom of Celiac disease. The only symptom I don't have is weight loss (go figure). So I've decided to cut all gluten from my diet for the next two weeks to see if I feel better. If I do I'll go and have myself tested, otherwise I have to start all over in trying to find out whats wrong with me. Doctors don't know what the matter is, homeopaths don't know, so I figured a little bit of self diagnosis might be my best bet right now. I'm holding thumbs I'll figure out what the deal is with me right now. I feel like I'm going crazy.

Too Funny

So I thought these were too stinking hilarious not to write about. Check them out.

Idaho.....need I say more

I was on a shoot in Idaho a week ago and decided to get into the spirit of the farmland. Cute isn't it?

Hard at Work

I know I haven't written in a while, but I've been hard at work in Hawaii. Life is rough I know.

Here I am hard at work on the beautiful Island of Oahu.






On the plane ride over, I developed a weirdness in my belly area. Naturally I had to get it sorted out to enjoy myself in any way, shape or form. I had to go to this dodgy looking Wellness Center where I was checked out by a doctor in a Hawaiian print shirt and Bermuda shorts. What a trip. Here I am celebrating making it out alive with my prescription.

More Pillows

This post is more for me to remember this site than for anybody possibly reading my blog.

Fabulous Little Things

So I was reading my Daily Candy e-mails and came across the Foxy Originals site full of fabulous little bits and pieces of unique jewelery.

These are a few of my favourites:

Not a Bad Idea

I kind of like the idea of these stencils - I just don't know if I would have the nerve to do something like this though.

I Love These

I absolutely love throw pillows. Poor Mack laughs everytime I come home with a new bag full of pillows.

For some women its shoes - for me, Pillows.

Here are some I found that are just too cool.

Comfy Looking Shoes

Have a look at these really comfy looking shoes, for each pair that you buy, the shoemaker donates a pair to an underpriviledged child.

I want to be like that when I grow up, but for now I'm content just buying a cute pair of shoes - these were my favourites.

It Came, It Came

So the new addition to our family finally arrived. We are so excited.

Please say "Hello" to our new toy:

A 20 inch imac with a dual 2.33 gHz processor, 2gb ram, a 500gb HD and a video card with 256 mb ram. WOOHOO!

All the Best Things

I've said this before and I'll say it again, all the best things in my life are Mac.

My Husband (the very best),


My make-up (makes me look my best),


and my computer (I only work on the best).

Allowed to Change my Mind

So I revamped my blog. What do you think? I like it.

I Made a Child Puke

Its true, and the best thing is that I'm really proud of it. Now don't go judging me till you've heard the story.

One of our photographers was doing a shoot where he wanted me to put fake scrapes and scabs on two little boys. They needed to look like they had scuffed their elbows. I put the fake blood on the first little boy. He seemed fine and off he went. The second little boy couldn't look while I was applying the make-up cause he was traumatized by the look of the first wound I had applied. Anyway the next thing we know, the first little boy is as pale as a ghost and is hurling into the toilet. He had taken one look at his fake wound and just gotten sick.

Isn't that amazing. I'm just that good that my fake blood makes people puke.

I think I'm going to write that on my resume - "Made child puke".

This is a proud moment for me.

Here's how the wound on the second child looked.

Smelliness we can all Love

This is the beauty of genius. Recycled pencils made out of newspaper and then given a delicious scent. I personally am throwing out all other writing utensils and dedicating myself whole heartedly to the smencil.

Also available in the UK, Aus, NZ and Canada (Go Commonwealth.)

Pretty Ballerina

A few days ago my boss decided that he wanted to shoot a really large man in a ballet tutu. Well guess what? It is practically impossible to find a XXXL tutu and size 10 wide ballet slipper in one short day - my solution - I made the tutu and the slippers. Yip its true I'm amazing. I didn't have a pattern for either one and just kind of made them up as I went. Here's how they turned out. Don't judge.

Round and Whirring

I have been having the weirdest abdominal pain lately and the doctors I went to didn't know what the matter with me was. To rule out any serious - like needing surgery - abdominal problems, I was sent for a cat scan.

Now this was my very first cat scan and it seemed all very futuristic to me. I had to lie down on this platform that moved in and out of a doughnut shaped machine. Inside the machine had spinning and whirring things that were taking the pictures of my insides. Well As you move through the picture taking process the machine tells you to breathe in and hold your breath. It then takes the picture and lets you know when to take another breath. The first couple of times I didn't take a deep enough breath and so about half way through the picture I thought I wa going to explode. I became savvy to the breath taking thing and the rest of the cat scan went just fine.

This is how the machine I went into looked. I went in feet first cause my scan was abdominal.

All In a Days Work

So this is what I do for work. Looks fun doesn't it? It really is fun ... sometimes.

You can check out alternate images at the Rubberball website. Just click on the image.

These pictures really crack me up.

Total Addiction

I must confess I am totally addicted to Grey's Anatomy. I decided to watch the first season to see what all the hype was about, and I don't know if its my fascination with hospitals and the human body that has me salivating for more, or just the fact that Patrick Dempsey has turned into one luscious older gentleman, but I can't stop watching it.


I Netflixed the first season. Watched the first episode and was hooked. I had to watch every episode on the disc, despite the fact that it was 11:00pm and I was tired.

Last night I watched the first disc of Season 2 while making my curtains. Now I have to wait for the second disc to arrive - I don't have the patience - I need it all now!

Its a good thing I only get one disc at a time. I would most probably call in sick if I could watch them all together.



I need help. I just don't have the power on my own.

An Accent for my Lounge

I'm really excited. I found this cool picture on the Domino Magazine website that gave me an idea for my lounge. Check it out. I think I'm going to paint the one wall a lighter colour and then give it a frame/border with the same mustard as the other walls. Hmmmm - Its worth a try.



Also I absolutely love the wall paper in this room - wish they had fab stuff like that here.

All Warm and Glowing

I like colour. I'm going through a colour phase right now. So, I decided that my lounge was a little bland and definitely too dark. To brighten it up a little and make it feel all warm a glowy I decided to paint my walls a honey colour. I settled on Behr Gold Bluff 310D-4.

I must admit that I did have a slight pang of painters remorese after seeing how bright the walls were, but being too tired after all the work, I decided to sleep on my remorse and decided wether I liked the colour or not in the morning. The sun was shining brightly when I awoke and as I walked into my lounge I could hear the angels serenade me with a gentle aaaah. The room was warm and inviting and exactly how I pictured it.

I went shopping on Saturday for curtain fabric. I wanted something fun, bright and young. I found the most delightful Liz Clairborne Print. Who would have thought she had delved into a little creative decorating. I bought six yards of the fabric and will now proceed to sew my own curtains. I'm still looking for an accent colour or fabric to break up the almost monochromatic yellows and oranges in the room though - If anybody has a fabulous idea I'm open to suggestions.

My New Thing

I have decided to redecorate my home. We barely moved in about two months ago, but I am not really liking what I've done. So, I've decided to rearrange a few things, throw some paint on the walls and lighten and brighten. I will take before and after pictures for all to see.

To the bottom of things

So I figured out what the pain was - I was pregnant and having a miscarriage. Lovely! Let me tell you - if you are ever in this situation (Heaven Forbid) and the doctor asks you if you want to let your body take care of things or if you want medical help - NEVER EVER let your body take care of things - it's way of taking care of things includes large amounts of extreme pain and trauma. As if the situation isn't traumatic enough as it is. It isn't a pleasant situation, but at least you do get over it. I'm on my way to recovery.

Ow, Ow, Ow, Ow Bloody pain!

So I've been having the worst abdominal pains. Not really sure what they are - neither does the bloody doctor. What use is a degree in medicine when all he could tell me was to take some ibuprofen. Time to research WebMD on my own. I'll get to the bottom of this - I wasn't Time Magazines person of the year for nothing.