The Summer of YES

In the book I'm reading at the moment (Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close, since you asked), the main characters embark upon the Summer of Yes, in which they agree to attend every invitation or opportunity that comes their way.

And although it's slightly exhausting, no-one dies and nothing bad happens. In fact, a few Very Good Things happen.

Apropos of nothing, I have decided to do a bit of literary shoplifting and adopt the concept. I will say Yes every time someone asks me to do something, attend something or show up. And I will enjoy it. Now that I've written it down, I have to go through with it.

It started well enough: yesterday I said Yes to a event manager friend's high tea on Sunday (it's an annual thing she does which pivots around judging table directions). It's not really my cup of green tea but in the spirit of the Summer of Yes (SoY?) I have embraced my inner Martha Stewart.

I have also just RSVPed to a neighbour's invitation to attend their birthday party, which will be on a boat-cum-restaurant they own. I am on a roll.        

If nothing else, the SoY may be one way to crest the rising tide of crazy that I increasingly find myself paddling in...

(Pic Credit: Google Images)

Bare legs

It's true I get most of my exercise by jumping to conclusions, but would whoever stole Spring please put it back?

My barometer for the breadth and severity of winter is how long I've been wearing tights. This year, it feels as though I've spent more time with thick black hose than with family and friends.

But today it looked as though the tide was turning so I thought I'd leave the buggars at home; bad move. Yes the sun was out, but by knock off time, an absurdly cold wind was blowing. Tomorrow, I'll be rocking tights once again.

I cannot tell you on how many levels this displeases me.

Go the Giants!

A lovely Sunday.

There was cleaning, baking, 538 words of an article were written and bubbly and cake were shared with Rob, my pod buddy from the last contract, and his delightful partner Wendi.

Later, Bristol agreed to be wrapped in his Mummy's San Francisco Giants top to support his half-sister Molly and her humans Doug and Suzi, whose baseball team is one win away from another World Series.

Not really sure orange is working for him but he'll do anything for the Giants.

UK Dance Gazette Magazine

Apart from a few lessons when I was about 13, what I don't know about ballet would fill entire libraries. But that didn't stop the above magazine from commissioning me to write this piece in the current issue (link here). Or asking me to cover the Royal Academy of Dance's Genee competition which is taking place in Welly in December.

I may know slightly more by the end of it.

Kind words

What I like to call a snakes-and-ladders kind of week - a few moves forward, only to slither back down.

But today at my (hopefully) last visit to the physio to fix my dodgy shoulder/neck, a chink of light filtered in.

My lovely physiotherapist, an English import who followed a man to NZ, said to me,"You have such a positive energy. It's why you've chosen such an interesting path. Don't ever stop being you".

As well as being better than a bucket of red wine or a fistful of chemicals, this woman is amazing at what she does. Not only is my shoulder sorted, I also have a smile on my face for one of the first times this week.

The following made me beam from ear to ear for another reason. Let's be clear, I don't approve of armed conflict in any shape or form, or of using innocent animals as cannon fodder, but even I couldn't fail to swell with pride at British army dog Theo who was today awarded the UK's highest award for animal bravery. The poor poppet died a few hours after his handler was killed, apparently from stress and a broken heart. Proves once again that canines are superior to us in every possible way.

Click here to read the story

            

Waiheke travel article

The Dompost used my Waiheke travel piece today.

Which of course makes me want to go back there. The wanderlust seems to have crawled back out of its box; it must be restrained and returned to said place before I do something stupid like throw cash at a one-way ticket.

Click here to read the story:

(Pic Credit: DominionPost)

Halloween for dogs

The Animator has always said he wouldn't allow any of his canines to be dressed up and "made to feel stupid". And while I agree with him, I can't help but smile at these crazy New Yorkers who visited all sorts of indignities on their furry friends at the largest Halloween parade in the US.

Click here for the Guardian pics          

Can't make up my mind: is the chihuahua impersonating a Thanksgiving turkey or the Yorkie who came as a plate of spaghetti and meatballs the most ridiculous?