I have finally decided after much discussion, umming and erring, etc, that the name of my jewellery biz will be Sparrow. I have ditched Church of Craft, Ivy Melba, Starling, and my favourite, Heirloom.
Even though there is a saddler's, a construction co in Waikanae and a clothing store in Ashburton with the same name (though I suspect they are named after the surname of the owners) I think Sparrow is a choice name. They're lovely little birds, much underrated, much nicer than pigeons, and if I sell as many pieces as times I've been told I 'eat like a sparrow', I shall be very successful indeed.
December 29, 2006
Bureau of Miscellaneous Information
The genius BBC website that tells me almost everything about anything I want to know, and is complete genius, now brings us this - things we didn't know last year. I have selected a top five things I didn't know last year that I now know, and will be bringing up in conversation as much as possible for the next year.
1. Most condoms are too big for Indian men.
2. The lion costume in the Wizard of Oz is made of real lion pelts, which have been sewn together to form the outfit.
3. The suntan was 'invented' by Coco Chanel, who, while cruising near Cannes in 1923, got sunburned.
4. In Bhutan, government policy is based on gross national happiness. Tobacco, outdoor advertising and plastic bags have been banned.
5. Nelson Mandela used beer to lure and steal pigs when he was a child.
1. Most condoms are too big for Indian men.
2. The lion costume in the Wizard of Oz is made of real lion pelts, which have been sewn together to form the outfit.
3. The suntan was 'invented' by Coco Chanel, who, while cruising near Cannes in 1923, got sunburned.
4. In Bhutan, government policy is based on gross national happiness. Tobacco, outdoor advertising and plastic bags have been banned.
5. Nelson Mandela used beer to lure and steal pigs when he was a child.
December 18, 2006
What the nuns made Sweeney do
Last night, Sweeney and I visited the Sisters of Mercy convent in Thorndon for a story I am doing about Christmas. (see "Angel of the Morning") One of the sisters, who practically smothered S in her enormous bosom, bullied the photographer into taking a picture of S like this ... hilarious watching a 6 foot 1 man get bullied by little old nuns. And the pic? Cheese-o-rama...
Knitting has changed my life
The theme of The Dominion Post's Summer Series is "My Best Year Ever". It got me thinking about my best year ever and everything that's happened in my 34 years of life. Looking back on 2006, I'd say this has been quite a watershed year for me, and here's why it's been so cool:
1. Sweeney Martin Edward O'Neill was born
2. Leonardo Blake Firestone was born
3. Mbenguele Kimpalou Kimberley Shinelle Albrina was born
4. I got my dream job - I am a Features Writer at a daily metro newspaper
5. I won an award for education reporting, and a tasty $1000 cheque
6. I moved back to Wellington
7. I saw Iggy Pop play live at the Big Day Out
8. I learned to play bad guitar - anyone for a round of Kumbyah?
9. I started my own jewellery label - but haven't got a name for it yet
10. I learned to knit and have two nice jersies with another one on the way
11. I met the Mbengueles, Neil and Becc, Susie Poole, and other amazing people who I adore
12. I've spent many a nice evening with my pals, my family and my cat, gazing out at the harbour, eating tasty food, watching crap telly at Matt and Nat's, knitting, huddling over a heater, wearing a beanie to bed (Wellington), wearing nothing to bed (Hamilton), playing netball and cheering on Tahana, fielding calls from people telling me Charlie has wandered into their house, singing Sweeney to sleep, pushing my bike up the hill, lying on my red couch or on my red duvet in my red room, skipping with Benichous, drinking cups of tea with Chris, doing yoga while the cat bites my ankles ...
13. I realised I am the star of my own movie
1. Sweeney Martin Edward O'Neill was born
2. Leonardo Blake Firestone was born
3. Mbenguele Kimpalou Kimberley Shinelle Albrina was born
4. I got my dream job - I am a Features Writer at a daily metro newspaper
5. I won an award for education reporting, and a tasty $1000 cheque
6. I moved back to Wellington
7. I saw Iggy Pop play live at the Big Day Out
8. I learned to play bad guitar - anyone for a round of Kumbyah?
9. I started my own jewellery label - but haven't got a name for it yet
10. I learned to knit and have two nice jersies with another one on the way
11. I met the Mbengueles, Neil and Becc, Susie Poole, and other amazing people who I adore
12. I've spent many a nice evening with my pals, my family and my cat, gazing out at the harbour, eating tasty food, watching crap telly at Matt and Nat's, knitting, huddling over a heater, wearing a beanie to bed (Wellington), wearing nothing to bed (Hamilton), playing netball and cheering on Tahana, fielding calls from people telling me Charlie has wandered into their house, singing Sweeney to sleep, pushing my bike up the hill, lying on my red couch or on my red duvet in my red room, skipping with Benichous, drinking cups of tea with Chris, doing yoga while the cat bites my ankles ...
13. I realised I am the star of my own movie
December 12, 2006
They say it's your birthday
It's my birthday
I'm 34 years old
I woke up at 6.30am and tried to muster some enthusiasm for it, then rolled over and went back to sleep until 8.23am
I've had lots of calls and emails and texts, and Monique bought a training session for an organic farmer in Cambodge on my behalf through Oxfam Unwrapped
I feel kind of queasy because I've eaten too much breakfast
I'm having a really good hair day, and am wearing a pretty skirt
I work with a woman called Serene who has sisters called Helene, Janine, and Corinne
In 45 minutes I'll be having lunch with my sister, and then seeing Martin and Sweeney
It's impossible to be sad in the presence of penguins or Sweeneys or squirrels
I'm hoping that Craig Penn is going to call, because he knows I'm the star of my own movie. We call each other every birthday and usually one of us is drunk - (actually just as I was writing this, he rang. He is tipsy. We're going to meet up in New York next Christmas cos it will be ten years since we were there together in the dodgy backpackers with the smoking guy and the rattly pipes.)
Charlie has not given me any presents
I'm 34 years old
I woke up at 6.30am and tried to muster some enthusiasm for it, then rolled over and went back to sleep until 8.23am
I've had lots of calls and emails and texts, and Monique bought a training session for an organic farmer in Cambodge on my behalf through Oxfam Unwrapped
I feel kind of queasy because I've eaten too much breakfast
I'm having a really good hair day, and am wearing a pretty skirt
I work with a woman called Serene who has sisters called Helene, Janine, and Corinne
In 45 minutes I'll be having lunch with my sister, and then seeing Martin and Sweeney
It's impossible to be sad in the presence of penguins or Sweeneys or squirrels
I'm hoping that Craig Penn is going to call, because he knows I'm the star of my own movie. We call each other every birthday and usually one of us is drunk - (actually just as I was writing this, he rang. He is tipsy. We're going to meet up in New York next Christmas cos it will be ten years since we were there together in the dodgy backpackers with the smoking guy and the rattly pipes.)
Charlie has not given me any presents
December 08, 2006
Getting to know you, getting to know all about you ...
I love tiny happy. I can't remember how I found this blog, probably through Craftwerk, but it's such a nice blog, and Melissa is great. She sent me a lovely coin purse with a picture of a bird on it that I use for my lip balm and sunblock, and a couple of hand printed tops for Sweeney. So nice! If I had a digital camera, I would take pictures and post them. Sweeney wore one of the tops the other day to a bbq, but added his own particular branding on it (his puke) within seconds. Still looked spunky though. Anyway, Melissa had one of those chain letter things on her blog today, and in the interest of wasting a bit of time before lunch, I thought I'd give it a go too.
4 jobs I've had:
Vendageuse in a French vineyard (that's grape picker to you lot)
Receptionist at the International Tennis Federation where my rusty Francaise came in handy
Clapper Loader on a crappy TV show
Checkout chick at New World
4 movies I could watch over and over:
Amelie
Parenthood
Ferris Beuller's Day Off
The Thin Red Line
4 places I've lived
Street 21, Phnom Penh ( but only for a month)
Tokoroa
Earlsfield, London
Los Hamiles
4 TV shows I love
The Late Show with David Letterman for a nightly fix of Noo Yawk and some ridiculous humour (last night they had a special appearance by Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand - she was a blonde leggy model, it made no sense at all, and the night before they blew up a massive pumpkin on Coney Island beach just for the hell of it).
Survivor, it's like eating Weetbix, it has no flavour anymore, but you like it cos you eaten it before
The Simpsons. Who doesn't love it?
The Muppets
4 places I have been for a vacation
Paris for my 29th birthday
Rome for Easter
Eastern Europe cos it was there
Thailand and Cambodia before freezing my ass off in London
4 websites I visit daily
The Beeb
Stuff
Trade me (it will suck me dry of funds, I know)
Yahoo mail
4 favourite foods
Gratin dauphinoise - the king of foods
Peanut slabs
Raspberries
Toffee pops dark
4 places i'd rather be:
With Sweeney and his parents and my friends on the deck at Moir Street in the sunshine, playing stupid guitar and making up songs using the word Sweeney
Riding the subway in New York, wondering where all the people are going and what their stories are
In Bangkok in a tuktuk or on a moto in Cambodia
In a cafe in Grenoble eating Gratin Dauphinoise
4 jobs I've had:
Vendageuse in a French vineyard (that's grape picker to you lot)
Receptionist at the International Tennis Federation where my rusty Francaise came in handy
Clapper Loader on a crappy TV show
Checkout chick at New World
4 movies I could watch over and over:
Amelie
Parenthood
Ferris Beuller's Day Off
The Thin Red Line
4 places I've lived
Street 21, Phnom Penh ( but only for a month)
Tokoroa
Earlsfield, London
Los Hamiles
4 TV shows I love
The Late Show with David Letterman for a nightly fix of Noo Yawk and some ridiculous humour (last night they had a special appearance by Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand - she was a blonde leggy model, it made no sense at all, and the night before they blew up a massive pumpkin on Coney Island beach just for the hell of it).
Survivor, it's like eating Weetbix, it has no flavour anymore, but you like it cos you eaten it before
The Simpsons. Who doesn't love it?
The Muppets
4 places I have been for a vacation
Paris for my 29th birthday
Rome for Easter
Eastern Europe cos it was there
Thailand and Cambodia before freezing my ass off in London
4 websites I visit daily
The Beeb
Stuff
Trade me (it will suck me dry of funds, I know)
Yahoo mail
4 favourite foods
Gratin dauphinoise - the king of foods
Peanut slabs
Raspberries
Toffee pops dark
4 places i'd rather be:
With Sweeney and his parents and my friends on the deck at Moir Street in the sunshine, playing stupid guitar and making up songs using the word Sweeney
Riding the subway in New York, wondering where all the people are going and what their stories are
In Bangkok in a tuktuk or on a moto in Cambodia
In a cafe in Grenoble eating Gratin Dauphinoise
December 06, 2006
Angel of the morning
or a conversation over morning tea with a 74-year-old nun about Christmas that dissolved into me having to stop the interview because I was crying. Up until then, we had chatted amiably about Christmas trees, what the sisters were each going to cook for Christmas dinner, the perils of leaving small children to celebrate midnight mass by themselves with tablecloths and candles, and how commercialism had washed away the link between Christ and Christmas ...
Me: What was your best Christmas ever?
The nun: (looking off into the distance a little) In the 1970s, we were decorating the crib which is at the back of our chapel and we heard one of our sisters had been killed in an accident in Picton. That really told us that death was part of the child’s coming. In some way it was a very memorable Christmas Eve. We’d heard this group had been to Picton to pick up a nun from the ferry were driving back to Blenheim and there was a slick on the road. And one of our sisters was killed and two were injured. I think was forceful memory that this celebration, we were committing to the birth of Christ in the liturgical year and she was committing to eternity, and that both were part of our lives.
Me: (not really getting it) So death is not a sad thing?
The nun: Death is a return to God, but I’m not sure what it is on the other side. For me it is a deep element of faith, where or what the eternity will be, but I have a deep faith that there will be an eternity in one form or another. But I haven’t got visions of beautiful surroundings, I’ve only got a sense that God my creator will be there. I’ve lived in that faith all my life, and that he will bring me to a happy death, a realistic death, and acceptance of death. I watched a 35-year-old nun die of cancer, and after fighting it for 11 months, I thought that death was the nicest thing God could give her. It was a gift, it was the culmination of a life well spent. If you’re fearful of death then you have been badly informed. If you are fearful that death will bring you to a judgement you’ve been badly informed. You’re going to God who made us in love, you’re going to the ultimate, a person who appreciates you and knows all that you’ve done, and all that’s good in you.
Me: (in a tiny mouse like voice, feeling suddenly overcome by tears): Even if you’ve been bad?
The nun: (almost whispering) Yes, God knows why. He knows the conditions in your life that might have driven you to a fragile life. You might have a little insight in to the whys of failure. God has a full insight into the whys of failure, so God sees failure in a different why to what we do. I don’t believe that God comes down with a heavy hand. He is the hand from whom we came. He understands the reasons for failures. He accepts them. Lots of humans won’t, but God will. You didn't really want to know all that?
Me: (gasping for breath, unable to speak) I feel ... I think we'll leave it there for today.
The nun: (smiling) Ok.
Me: What was your best Christmas ever?
The nun: (looking off into the distance a little) In the 1970s, we were decorating the crib which is at the back of our chapel and we heard one of our sisters had been killed in an accident in Picton. That really told us that death was part of the child’s coming. In some way it was a very memorable Christmas Eve. We’d heard this group had been to Picton to pick up a nun from the ferry were driving back to Blenheim and there was a slick on the road. And one of our sisters was killed and two were injured. I think was forceful memory that this celebration, we were committing to the birth of Christ in the liturgical year and she was committing to eternity, and that both were part of our lives.
Me: (not really getting it) So death is not a sad thing?
The nun: Death is a return to God, but I’m not sure what it is on the other side. For me it is a deep element of faith, where or what the eternity will be, but I have a deep faith that there will be an eternity in one form or another. But I haven’t got visions of beautiful surroundings, I’ve only got a sense that God my creator will be there. I’ve lived in that faith all my life, and that he will bring me to a happy death, a realistic death, and acceptance of death. I watched a 35-year-old nun die of cancer, and after fighting it for 11 months, I thought that death was the nicest thing God could give her. It was a gift, it was the culmination of a life well spent. If you’re fearful of death then you have been badly informed. If you are fearful that death will bring you to a judgement you’ve been badly informed. You’re going to God who made us in love, you’re going to the ultimate, a person who appreciates you and knows all that you’ve done, and all that’s good in you.
Me: (in a tiny mouse like voice, feeling suddenly overcome by tears): Even if you’ve been bad?
The nun: (almost whispering) Yes, God knows why. He knows the conditions in your life that might have driven you to a fragile life. You might have a little insight in to the whys of failure. God has a full insight into the whys of failure, so God sees failure in a different why to what we do. I don’t believe that God comes down with a heavy hand. He is the hand from whom we came. He understands the reasons for failures. He accepts them. Lots of humans won’t, but God will. You didn't really want to know all that?
Me: (gasping for breath, unable to speak) I feel ... I think we'll leave it there for today.
The nun: (smiling) Ok.
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