Friday Thoughts

It's not what we do once in a while that counts, but our consistent actions.

And what is the father of all action?

What ultimately determines who we become and where we go in life ?

The answer is our decisions!

It's in these moments that our destiny is shaped.

More than anything else, I believe our decisions - not the conditions of our lives - determine our destiny.

- Anthony Robbins (Giant Steps)

The Uses of Twitter

I know that most people don't 'get' Twitter and think that it's a waste of time. Facebook status updates on steroids would be an apt description you might think, however, it really isn't the case.

For me Twitter is about sharing news, links, information. OK some people use it to complain and talk about their inane lives (those are the ones whom you will Unfollow once they've annoyed you enough and passed the 'Get a life' threshold) but on the most part people use Twitter for good reasons.

Like just this morning I got to know about a band called Carbon Leaf whom I had never heard about so I checked them out on YouTube and I love their music! It's very me :)

So thanks to Valorie for sharing useful information on Twitter! If you use Twitter leave your username in the comments below and I'll check out your stream (I'm @allaboutg).

Here's some Carbon Leaf for your listening pleasure with Life Less Ordinary.

Death of a Doornail

Showing at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
30 - 31 October 2010

Because it's Halloween Week...

I'm currently busy being Assistant Stage Manager (aka Book) for a local theatre club that's putting up Death of a Doornail.

It's being held over Halloween weekend and the theme of the play is a murder mystery. It's frivolous and funny and should be lots of fun especially for the audience who are asked to dress up for the occasion, either going all dark and murdersome or else very oppulent and eccentric. The play includes audience participation which I think is just brilliant, because usually you go to the theatre, sit your bum on a seat, watch the actors do their bit on stage, clap and leave.

But this time the audience gets to be involved - they're part of the show. It's a wonderful change to the norm.

As with all theatre productions though it is very time consuming and my evenings are all taken up (thankfully not the weekends!). So once the final curtain is drawn I'm looking forward to stacking up my 'Still to Read' books and happily plod my way through them.

Sunday Tunes

I don't really keep up with modern music because:

1. I don't have a radio in my car any longer after it was stolen earlier this year
2. I don't have a radio at home that I actually listen to
3. I don't watch music TV all that much, if at all

Given the above circumstances my knowledge of current music trends tends to be somewhat lacking; however, yesterday evening after we came home from the theatre we chilled in front of the TV and just left VH1 on in the background* (while we both did other stuff).

And I was listening to all this new music that I'd never heard before including this song which I think is just really sweet. It's a lovely message and has a really cool video.

Have a listen...

*MTV was showing one of their stupid 'reality' shows

TWO - The Weekend Overview

What are your plans for this weekend?

I've got rehearsals to attend this evening followed by a good wind-down drink (or three!)

There's a walk in aid of Breast Cancer tomorrow that I was thinking of going to; however, I'm not so sure now because it's a long walk and registration is at 9:00 a.m.

Sometimes weekends are for sleeping in.

I'll make up for it though by doing something productive in the house (rehearsals take up all my time and I haven't had a chance to do anything!)

We've also got afternoon tea planned for tomorrow followed by a play - watching this time - so it should be a very pleasant Saturday.

On Sunday we've got a friend over and in the afternoon and we should all be having a scrumptious dinner together later in the evening.

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend whatever you get up to.

Woozy Doozy Days

This was me yesterday. Perhaps not so melancholic, but not so great either.

I had a terrible bout of stomach pain and had to leave work because I was feeling all faint and perspiratory.

P (my wonderful bf for those who may not know who I'm referring to) was lovely and called for me from work so that I wouldn't have to drive (just in case).

Thankfully I started feeling better as the hours went by and I'm back at work today.

And P drove me to work again this morning so I didn't have to walk through the morning traffic pollution - bless!

And soon it's the weekend and that's definitely NOT a time to be unwell!

NSFM - Not Safe For Men

Just when you thought that you'd seen, or maybe heard (sometimes it's the safer option) it all, something new comes along and leaves you rather gobsmacked and wondering 'Why?!'

Apparently keeping 'down there' just tidy, you know trimmed, pruned and shaped, isn't enough for some people, they want to add jewels to their bits - kind of like the lights they use to light up airport runways at night. Really make sure that they're heading in the right direction.

A bit OTT for me, but for people who love their bling, I get it. However, this latest fad is just awful, really. It's known as Vatooing, and as the name implies, it's essentially temporarily tattooing 'down there'.

So you've had your Brazilian bikini wax or Hollywood bikini wax done and then you decide that you want to decorate it with any image that you want, which is airbrushed on you and lasts for 5 days.

Isn't that just thrilling?

Life's Simple Pleasures

Photo from http://bit.ly/cs8R85

You know how sometimes the simplest things in life are the ones that give you the most pleasure?

Well, Sunday afternoon I had a craving for tea and cake. So simple, yet so satisfying. We didn't have cake; however, we did have biscuits which is a very close second.

Thus a very pleasant, cosy couple of hours were spent on the sofa drinking tea and dunking biscuits (because with tea everything must be dunked).

The next step would be to enjoy it in front of the fireplace. Another special moment to be appreciated in the approaching colder months.

 

Because you inspire...

Yesterday it occurred to me just how far into the year we are. We're already mid-October - Christmas is just over 2 months away. That's nothing! Although what really made me realise is that my birthday is just 4 months away... ;)

This year has been a good one (until now and hopefully it will get even better!) It's also been a very different one for me in terms of lifestyle with a few twist and turns thrown in for good measure, as well as some firsts.

For example, it's the first time that:

• I'm no longer living at home (OK I technically moved out last November, but it's coming up to a year)
• I'm in my longest relationship of my life
• I've attended weddings abroad
• I've made a pasta sauce from scratch!
• I've learnt that disagreements are a part of relationships and help to strengthem them (yes, it took this long!)
• I've felt truly independent (mainly due to the living situation)

This year has been mainly about P and I - how after our not-very-smooth start we came together and found a happy place where we can be ourselves and be in each other's company.

How has this year treated you so far?

Colour Me In

Today I was in the mood for a quote that was happy, meaningful and dealt with life - and I came across this one. I liked it... and it's perfect for my picture :)

Look, I don't really want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you're alive you've got to flap your arms and legs, you got to jump around a lot, you got to make a lot of noise, because life is the very opposite of death. And therefore, as I see it, if you're quiet, you're not living. You've got to be noisy and colorful and lively - Mel Brooks

Trick or Treat

I know that it's still early to be thinking about Halloween but a recent stop at the supermarket last weekend has led to just that. On the shelves they had Jack-O-Lantern 'baskets' for kids to collect their sweets in and I thought they were adorable.

Halloween isn't a big deal here although it has been gathering popularity in recent years and children do go trick or treating. And I really hope that they come round this year because I want to have a Jack-O-Lantern grinning in the window and a basketful of candy ready for them.

Lazy Days

I had the loveliest, laziest Saturday spent indoors with the man. We just chilled, watched episodes of House, cooked, played cards and just enjoyed each other's company while the rain pelted down outside. It was really blissful and refreshed me to face another week!

Wonderful Women

I've made an appointment to have a facial soon because my skin isn't very happy with me and is displaying its outrage in the form of blemishes and a couple of well-placed spots.

I also need a manicure, but one thing at a time.

And it got me thinking that we females really do go through a lot to keep ourselves looking good (or trying to at least!) and I really think we should be commended for it :)

We spend our hard-earnt cash to lie on beautician's tables while they squeeze and smoothen all in the name of 'looking good'. And apart from our faces there's also our bodies which we pluck and wax and douse in oils and creams ending up slippier than an eel while smelling of strawberries or peaches. I know that there are men who are fans of male waxing and who want to be spruced and plucked in the hope of looking like Michaelangelo's David; however, ultimately it is us women who are devout beautiholics knowing that this isn't a whim, it's a way of life.

An Important Message from Ellen About Bullying - The Ellen DeGeneres Show

I was going to post about something trivial and fun... but this is so much more important. Please watch it and spread the word. This isn't something that happens only in the US but all over the world. Let's stop intolerance and ignorance - let's put an end to bullying of all kinds.

An Important Message from Ellen About Bullying - The Ellen DeGeneres Show

BNTM 2010 Winner

Yesterday was the much-awaited live Finale of Britain's Next Top Model - much-awaited because one of the final three girls is half-Maltese half-English so there was a certain patriotic pull. And the best news of all is... she won!

Here's Tiffany Pisani with Elle MacPherson.

Thanks to Alison for the picture!

I Shoes You

After my not-very-smile-inspriring week, the weekend finally arrived and it was a very lovely one indeed with a dash of relaxation and a dash of hectic to bring it to a perfect boil. Ha, I don't know where the food analogy came from - maybe it's because I'm still full from lunchtime!

Yesterday was a lovely day spent in the company of friends and it ended at the airport where the man and I were scheduled to collect a friend who was returning from London. His flight was intended to land at 12:30 a.m. however we were unaware of the delay due to no credit on one phone and no battery on the other (when Sod wants to be a b*st*rd he's very good at it!) and the flight came in at 2:15 a.m.

So while at the airport I took the opportunity to buy a mobile top-up card, we browsed the books on the shelves as well as the magazines and I picked up the October edition of Cosmo for myself. It was part treat, part time-passing exercise - which it turns out I didn't quite need because we ended up chatting for most of the 2-3 hours there about anything and everything which was really nice.

I did however flip through a few pages, the fashion pages grabbing my eye as always and it seems that this style of boots are on trend this winter.

I like them! I like the cosy look of the fur and they must be so comfy to wear.

Unlike these brogues which are also in fashion, but which I think are really rather horrendous and unflattering.

Guess I know what I'll be looking at in the shoe shops this winter.

Removing the straw

For some reason unbeknownst to me, I've had this sort of week (refer to image). So I'm glad that the weekend is upon us so that I can chill, relax and get back into a better state of mind.