Video of the day
Elizabeth January 31st, 2009
Archive for January, 2009
This is so not cool.
Elizabeth January 26th, 2009
Literally.
For those of you still working in the imperial system, 40 Celcius is equivalent to 104 Fahrenheit.
I’m expecting public transport to be extra wonderful this week. There’s just nothing more refreshing than being wedged into somebody’s armpit on an overcrowded tram.
T-Mobile, guerilla-style.
Elizabeth January 18th, 2009
I know this has been doing the rounds over the past few days, but I thought I’d share it here in case anyone has missed it. The commercial below was filmed last week at Liverpool St Station, using hidden TV cameras to capture dancing flash mobbers. It must have been incredible to see this in person!
This is one of those times when the high-res version is a must, so head to YouTube and click the “watch in high quality” link below the video.
#54 – Be part of a live audience for a TV show
Elizabeth January 18th, 2009
Part of my 101 Things in 1001 Days challenge.
A few weeks ago I was sent an email inviting me to a taping of Australia’s Got Talent. I don’t know where the email came from, but suspect I’m on some sort of list after attending a TV pilot last year. (That show never aired, incidentally, so I never felt comfortable crossing this item off my list!)
So last night Tim and I went to the National Theatre in St Kilda to see what it was all about. Neither of us had ever seen the show, but we had a pretty good idea of the format from the stuff we’d seen on youtube. I was pretty certain that it was going to be lame, but hey – it’s not every day you see what happens behind the cameras! At the very least it would be one more completed item on my list, and anything else was a bonus.
I’m glad that I didn’t go in with high hopes, because I might have been disappointed. Last night’s taping was for one of the preliminary auditions (although they had clearly been pre-auditioned and shipped in from interstate) so the quality wasn’t terribly high. Also, it took about 3 hours to tape eight or nine 3-minute acts, due to the lengthy breaks they needed between contestants for technical reasons. I am now truly grateful for the magic of editing!
I don’t mean to say that it wasn’t fun, I am really glad I went. It was interesting to note the order in which they taped segments for the show, and to watch the black-shirted crew running around the place doing their jobs. It will be even more interesting to watch when it airs in a few weeks, so that I can compare the tv product to the live experience. Being in the audience gave me a new appreciation for all of the work that goes into this type of program.
(Plus, an old TAFE student of mine was one of the competitors. That was a bit of a surprise!)
I can now confidently say that after attending Talent and a taping of Rove a couple of years ago, the “just because” factor won’t be enough to get me to another taping. I’d like to do this again in the future, but will wait for a show that I’m genuinely interested in before signing up.
Anyway, it remains to be seen whether Australia’s got talent… but I can confirm that Dannii Minogue does. And it looked incredible in that dress!
Cute things falling asleep
Elizabeth January 18th, 2009
cutethingsfallingasleep.com. It’s exactly what it says it is.
If you can watch this without cracking a smile or a little awwwww!, see your cardiologist pronto.
101 Things: An update
Elizabeth January 11th, 2009
I’ve been steadily making progress on my list of 101 Things in 1001 Days. It’s time for a recap post.
I’m just over one year into the 2.75 year challenge, and I have completed 35 items on the list. More importantly, I have another 18 “in progress”, which are ticking along pretty nicely.
COMPLETED
021 I kept a movie list throughout 2008. It wasn’t much of a movie-watching year, but I kept the list updated for 12 months.
037 I have visited 50 suburbs in Melbourne in the past 12 months!
041 We visited Werribee Zoo last week. Big picture post to follow, as soon as I’ve processed the millions of photos I took!
IN PROGRESS
016 I am half-way through drawing up a budget, in preparation for car shopping.
020 I’ve watched 9 movies of Tim’s choosing, 16 to go!
030 I can now identify 3 constellations. This has been a challenge due to our proximity to the bright lights of the city.
054 We will be part of a TV audience this week! I suspect it will be a little bit lame, but I’m still looking forward to it.
086 I have decided upon a jewellery project, and have bought most of the supplies. I’m really excited to see if I can pull off my idea.
SETBACKS
034 I was all set to see the Great Ocean Road and stay at the Twelve Apostles a couple of weeks ago, but at the last minute wasn’t able to go because of my Grandpa’s funeral. I missed out on the trip with Tim and his parents, and ended up spending New Years Eve by myself. Massive bummer. They all had a wonderful time though, and their photos were beautiful. I’m sure I’ll get there this year.
Overall I am really pleased with my progress. I credit my 101 List with helping me to focus and define my direction for the medium-term, and I’m pleased to say that my list is still relevant and exciting. Every little red box puts a grin on my face, and it’s been really fun to watch them multiply!
Reflecting on 2008
Elizabeth January 11th, 2009
It wasn’t clear to me at the time, but 2008 was a big year of personal growth for me. There have been times over the past 18 months where I have struggled to find my place in the world, especially with the loss of identity that came with leaving my old career behind and starting from scratch. It’s so good to feel grounded again.
My first job in Melbourne was a false start, but did serve a purpose in helping me to pay the bills and figure out what I did and didn’t want in my next role. I was proactive about seeking that next job, and was surprised to learn how valuable I really was in the market despite my lack of experience. The entire exercise was extremely empowering and helped me to see myself in a new light.
10 days after beginning my new job my team leader resigned. I found myself performing both roles until about 5 weeks later, when her replacement was found. All my training until then had been theoretical rather than practical, and I found myself with too many juggling balls and only two hands with which to keep them in the air. It was an exercise in keeping my head above water, but I did! And, to my great surprise, other people noticed and complemented me on the grace with which I managed it all.
It was thanks to this feedback that I eventually recognised I was doing more than “coping”, I was really performing – and all without the safety net of experience and training.
I haven’t excelled in all areas of my life this year, but that’s been part of the learning process too. I’ve discovered a great deal about the person I used to be, and the person I want to become. I’ve identified boundaries that needed setting, and values that speak to me in new ways.
I have found myself craving authenticity over perfection, and trusting nothing less.
It hasn’t always been a smooth ride. Right now, I am experiencing the ways in which my shifting priorities are affecting the relationships around me – for better and for worse. While I have my fair share of regrets and hindsight, I am mostly excited about the more enlightened me, and how that prepares me for the future.
In 2009 I believe I will reap the rewards of last year’s struggles and self-doubts. I’m less certain that ever about what’s ahead, but I’m ready to sink my teeth into whatever comes my way.
Everything’s going to be all right.
Full moon
Elizabeth January 10th, 2009
The moon tonight is gorgeous. I’ve been visiting my back deck every half hour to watch it rise.
Click to full-view. It’s almost as good as being there.
