Listography - 5 Finals

Now just hold on a minute - what on earth does this mean? I might have to think REALLY hard about this one...

This week I'm joining in with the newly appointed Take 5 King (but just for a week) Reluctant Housedad - and now following his fabulous blog too!

You may recall the recent non-event when the world did NOT end - apparently it has now been re-scheduled to December 21 2012. So with 18 months to prepare for the end (again), here are my 5 finals (in no particular order):

1. Final act of stupidity - paying off my credit card just before the end. That would be just like me, having to leave things all neat and tidy.

2. Final act of futility - joining a gym. I had a gym membership once. I started off well, enthusiastically, mainly attending step classes but also frequently using the machines. It gradually petered off to dragging myself to step classes once a week, then I found more and more excuses for not going. Making excuses to myself! "Dear Christine, Christine won't be attending the gym today as she has to do the washing", etc. Yes, joining a gym would be futile as I already know the outcome. But if the end of the world was coming, maybe I would try again - after all, it wouldn't be forever...

3. Final act of madness - I guess I would go skydiving. I mean, if there was nothing to lose anyway, why not do something daring? But then again, probably not. I'm not really a risk taker or a thrill seeker, so I'd probably just watch everyone else do it on TV.

4. Final act of abandon - sleeping in. Oh yes, with nothing to get up for, I'd just like to get a really long sleep in for a change. Abandoning all responsibilities that go with rising first for the day. No lunches to make, uniforms to iron, buses to catch or places to be. Hooray!

5. Final act of friendship - saying goodbye on Facebook. Thanks to the mass communication and social networking of today, I will be able to say goodbye to everyone who has ever known me, and plenty of others who haven't yet had the chance. Of course, everyone else will be doing the same, so the chances of my little message being seen amongst the billions of others will be miniscule, even if the servers don't collapse from the incredible overload of a world saying goodbye to itself.

Thanks Reluctant Housedad, this list has required far too much thinking this week! If you would like to join in too, take a look at Reluctant Housedad & Kate Takes 5!

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Mini-Me Handcrafts - Google Android Statues

I was set a huge challenge a short time ago. Leanne had seen some of my handmade creations on madeit including my little cupcake pincushion. She emailed to ask if I could create a cupcake and a froyo similar to the Google Android statues.

 For those of you that don't know what I am talking about (and I didn't either until this challenge), Android is Google's mobile device software. Each new version is developed under a code name based on a dessert item - so far the updates are Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread and Honeycomb. There is a giant dessert statue for each of these outside Google Headquarters and these statues are what I was asked to recreate in crochet.

A challenge - yes! But then I made it even harder by attempting to recreate ALL of them. So I set to work, and here are the finished products: 

Android - Cupcake - Donut - Gingerbread

Eclair - Froyo - Honeycomb - The whole lot!

I hope you like these Leanne! Now I'm off to make some new creations - I've found a beautiful crochet doll I'd like to make!

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Listography - Top 5 Albums by a Band (eek!)

Once again I will join the party at Kate Takes 5. This week the fun is all about my top 5 band albums. Hmmm, this could really show my age but here goes...

1. INXS - Shabooh Shoobah

I completed years 11 & 12 at Penshurst Girls High School, and it was renowned that INXS had performed for the end of year school concert there in 1980 - before I attended the school and before they became Australian rock legends. Their first studio album came out later that year.

Shabooh Shoobah was released in 1982 - to me this is when INXS really started. My best friend lent her album to me, I taped it, my Dad photocopied the lyric sheet, and I was set. Who can forget "The One Thing"and "Don't Change" - High School would not have been the same without INXS. I later bought the album, and when I bought CDs to replace my LPs this was one of the first on the list; it brings back memories of high school every time I listen to it.

2. The Cars - Heartbeat City

This album was released in 1984 - just at the time when I was breaking up with a long-time boyfriend and "Looking for Love" was written about me, wasn't it? I recall first hearing this album at a party - and buying it the next day. This is another LP replaced by CD and I still sing along to it - every song.

3. Depeche Mode - Some Great Reward

1984. While "People are people" was the big hit from this album, I loved every song. My stepsister and I had a friend who died in a motorcycle accident and "Somebody" was a song which reminded us of him - and still does.

4. Pink - Try This

Fast forward to 2003. I had been through a bit of a rough patch in my love life and moved to a new city. I was introduced to this album by a friend at work - we would listen to music through headphones while processing orders on the PC. It was hard not to sing aloud! This album will always remind me of starting a new life - new city, new job, new friends, new music.

[Edit: Woops! I know this isn't a band, but I'm sure Pink won't mind].

5. Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane

I think it would have been early 2004 when I walked past a music store and "Sunday Morning" was playing. I usually like to make sure that I will like at least a couple of songs from an album before I buy, but I couldn't help myself, I had to go in and purchase the album straight away. This was my favourite album for such a long time - it was played over and over again so I hope my neighbours liked it too! Still a favourite, but played at a moderate volume now.

What a blast this list has been to make! If you would like to join in too, take a look at Kate Takes 5!

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My Day on Sesame Street - The eyes of a four-year-old

This travel blog post belongs to Julia (Miss 4). She took a few photos during the trip on her little vtech kids camera.

(clockwise from top left) The view from the roof of our hotel in San Francisco; a favourite on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood; Mummy on the steps of the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood; a fabulous pattern on the sidewalk (also Hollywood I think).

(clockwise from top left) Our hotel in San Diego; pretty flowers in San Diego; the shuttle bus to Disneyland; postcards in the hotel lobby shop in Anaheim.

Our family trip to California through the eyes of a four-year-old.

My Day on Sesame Street
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Listography - 5 products I couldn't live without...

With thanks to a fabulous blog at Life with a Fussy Eater I have just been introduced to Listography at Kate Takes 5. I'd like to join in too!

This week's list is products you couldn't live without. I think it's sad to say that after reflection I have realised that every product I truly need revolves around the computer in some way.

1. Computer - I'm not sure how I ever got by without a computer. I can't imagine not being able to shop online, look up recipes, send email, play online games, keep business records, browse Facebook... remember the olden days of shopping centres, recipe books, snail mail, board games, ledger books and real-life friends?

2. Glasses - I know I am getting a little older (and a little wiser I hope) and so my eyes need a little help to see books, crochet patterns, television and of course, the computer. Well actually I can see them but I need the glasses to decipher what it is I am reading or seeing. Blurry is not good.

3. Paypal - how else would I pay for my online shopping?

4. Sticky Notes - kept close to the computer and essential for planning all those things to do online!

5. Ugg boots - Canberra nights (and days) get a little chilly, so I wear my ugg boots every chance I get during winter, especially when tapping away on the computer.

If you would like to join in too, take a look at Kate Takes 5!

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My Day on Sesame Street - Dreaming of Disneyland...

The last stop and probably the highlight of our USA trip was Disneyland. Six fun-filled days at the happiest place on earth. It was fantastic! Julia (Miss 4) loved meeting the Disney Princesses and her favourite rides were two rollercoasters - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad & Space Mountain. Actually, those were my favourite rides too!

(left) At the Disneyland entrance.
(centre) The Mad Hatters tea cup.
(right) Sleeping Beauty's castle.

(left to right) Meeting some Disney favourites - Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy.

(left to right) Meeting the Disney Princesses - Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel.

(left) Having fun with Alice in Wonderland & The Mad Hatter.
(centre) Posing with the White Rabbit.
(right) Thinking in "Pooh's Thotful Spot".

(left) Mickey's Fun Wheel at Disney California Adventure Park.
(centre) Meeting Donald Duck.
(right) Posing with the Green Army Man from Toy Story.

(left) Riding on the Astro Orbiter.
(centre) Outside It's a Small World at Disneyland.
(right) Travelling with a 4 year old, sometimes you wish this was real...

Disneyland was so much fun! By the end we had seen just about everything and we were ready to come home. After a long flight back to Australia, it was so nice to be home.

So this is the end of my travels in the land of Sesame Street - thanks for travelling with me!

My Day on Sesame Street
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My Day on Sesame Street - Hasta la vista San Diego!

The third stop on my recent family trip to California, USA was San Diego. Rich in history, this city has a beautiful harbour and a huge naval presence.

(left) Mural at Old Town, San Diego.
(centre) Watching tortillas being made by hand.
(right) Harbour cruise - San Diego city in background.

(left) Statues at the entrance of Balboa Park.
(centre) Inside the Botanical Building at Balboa Park.
(right) Posing at Balboa Park.

(left) Waiting for one of the shows at Seaworld.
(centre) The Dolphin Show - Blue Horizons.
(right) Meeting the Count at Seaworld.

(left) Lego Darth Vader at Legoland. 
(centre) Miniland - awesome models.
(right) A face-painted Julia roaring as a lego lion.

(left & centre) Flying planes on the USS Midway. 
(right) The giant sized kissing couple statue near USS Midway.

San Diego was such a lovely city to visit with so much to do. There was just one disappointment at Legoland for Julia: "I thought the toilets would be made of Lego!"

Just one more California stop to go - can you guess where?

My Day on Sesame Street
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My Day on Sesame Street - Hooray for Hollywood!

Here's another glimpse of my recent family trip to California, USA. Our second stop was Los Angeles - staying right in the heart of Hollywood. This place is bustling with tourists and a never ending allusion to stars and celebrities.

(left) Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
(centre) Hand & footprints outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Julia: "I wish the ground was wet so I could do my footprints".
(right) One of many out of work actors posing for tips along Hollywood Boulevard.

(left) Griffith Park Observatory - the show in the planetarium was awesome!
(centre) The mammoths at the La Brea Tar Pits.
(right) "Urban Light" sculpture at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

(left) Santa Monica beach.
(centre) Outside Universal Studios.
(right) Julia with Shrek and Princess Fiona at Universal Studios.

(left) Hollywood Bowl. 
(centre) Shopping on Rodeo Drive.
(right) The famous Hollywood sign.

While we were staying in LA, there was night shooting for the Wonder Woman movie on Hollywood Boulevard, Penelope Cruz received her star on the Walk of Fame, and Helen Mirren left her hand and footprints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre just a few days earlier.

LA was a wonderful place to visit - more California travels soon!

My Day on Sesame Street
Deluxe Personalised Children's Book
$21.50 each with free shipping for delivery within Australia only.
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