One of the things on my 101/1001 list was to see a sunrise and a sunset in the same day. You know how it is, you put it on your list because it sounds like a pretty thing. But then you realise you actually have to do it. And that's not as good. This is why it has remained untouched on my to do list since the start (and, if I'm honest, looked likely to remain so).

But then! on this last school holidays we headed to Albury/Wodonga for a geocaching event (more to follow)... and it necessitated an early start... and it occurred to me that this was likely my one and only chance to fulfill this task without crying. Of course, my brain took a great deal of waking up before I realised this, luckily for me we left around 4:30 am and so had some time to spare.

And so, for your viewing pleasure. The sunrise and sunset of the 3rd April, 2012.

Sunrise...sunset...

by Rebecca Johnson on Monday, April 30, 2012

One of the things on my 101/1001 list was to see a sunrise and a sunset in the same day. You know how it is, you put it on your list becaus...

One of the things I've been meaning to do for the past few weeks is to go in and update my 101/1001 list as I knew there were a few things I had managed to complete. Which meant that, per my own mandate, I was to blog about.

The first of which was #64 See a drive-in movie. Slack person that I am that was, this night was over four months ago. The night was a surprise outing from Brett (we got all the way there before I realised where we were going) and we had a great time (we may be drive in converts). In any case, I thought I'd just share some of the photos of the night and then move on to the other posts I'm behind on *gulp*.

"WOW! I can hear things!"

I was rather enamoured with the lightning bolt speakers

Drive by posting

by Rebecca Johnson on Monday, April 30, 2012

One of the things I've been meaning to do for the past few weeks is to go in and update my 101/1001 list as I knew there were a few thi...

Wordless Wednesday

by Rebecca Johnson on Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

by Rebecca Johnson on Wednesday, March 21, 2012

You know that determined feeling you have when you park outside the library, the one where you're telling yourself that you're only going in for one book? What's more, you even know which book you're looking for, and exactly where it is shelved so you'll be in and out so speedy, nothing will be tripping you up today. You know that feeling?

I hate that feeling.

Because I know it's a lie.

I tell myself this all the time, and even trick myself into believing it, but even so, my inner self - the one nestled deep down in my brain, happily munching on popcorn and just waiting to revel in the fall out - knows that it is a complete and utter false belief.

All this is my way of saying that I've given up on the pretense. Having added the sixth book to the pile in the crook of my arm, I have secured myself a table and am sitting here telling the world of my inability to control my book gathering tendencies before I delve into my nice little pile.

Written Lives - Javier Marías
The Country of the Blind and Other Selected Stories - HG Wells
A Reading Diary - Alberto Manguel
Letters from a Nut - Ted L. Nancy
Should We Burn Babar?: Essays on Children's Literature and the Power of Stories - Herbert Kohl
80 Great Poems: From Chaucer to Now - Geoff Page

Unchaperoned

by Rebecca Johnson on Sunday, March 18, 2012

You know that determined feeling you have when you park outside the library, the one where you're telling yourself that you're only...

Wordless Wednesday

by Rebecca Johnson on Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Once upon a time, about a gazillion years ago (or December last year), my friend Brett rang and give me a rather cryptic instruction: “Be out the front at 5 o’clock. I am kidnapping you...”

And that was all the information I got.

Little did I (or even he) know, but ‘kidnapping’ would soon become a recurring thing for the two of us over the coming months. And each time would be announced only by a time and the mention of kidnapping.

As part of my catch-up-a-thon, I thought I would share some of these kidnapping escapes with you.

The Drive-In

Neither Brett nor I had ever been to the drive in before, and as such it made it to both of our 101/1001 lists. Brett, who is pretty good at surprises, thought it might be nice to ‘kidnap’ me and go to the drive in so we could both cross something off our list. We managed to get all the way there before I realised where we were going, so I think he was pretty pleased with himself.

“Wow! I can hear things!”

All in all, we had a lovely evening, and I’m thinking we shall be frequenting the drive in again in the future.

Shakespeare in the Park

Last year Brett, Bethany and I went to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of Sydney’s annual Shakespeare Festival. It was (and correct me if I’m wrong, Brett) Brett’s first live performance of any Shakespeare. We all really enjoyed it and Brett had been itching to go again ever since. Seeing my opportunity to do some kidnapping of my own, I booked us two tickets to go see The Taming of the Shrew and whisked him away…

Birthday Kidnapping

Since today was my birthday, Brett decided that another kidnapping was in order. Again I was given instructions to be ready at a certain time last night for kidnapping. Again I wasn’t given any clues but he did let it slip that the location could be reached for the starting time within half an hour, so naturally I spent quite some time trying to guess what it could have been. I didn’t guess it and was very glad that I didn’t. I always try to guess, but I prefer a good surprise.

When Studio Ghibli announced that it was producing it’s own adaption of Mary Norton’s The Borrowers, we were both very excited. Myself as a huge fan of the story and lover of children’s books, Brett as a massive Hayao Miyazaki fan. We both very much wanted to see Arrietty but were a little concerned about finding a cinema screening it.

Luckily for us, Brett had discovered that a small mountains cinema, which only airs select films on it’s own weird little schedule, was showing it and so - birthday kidnapping! It was such good choosing on his part, and I heartily recommend you go see it if you can, it was beautiful.

Kidnapped

by Rebecca Johnson on Monday, March 12, 2012

Once upon a time, about a gazillion years ago (or December last year), my friend Brett rang and give me a rather cryptic instruction: “Be o...

How do you start a monthly update post when you’re so behind you’re actually closer to the next one? I have no idea – except perhaps to declare my state of general behindness. You name it, I’m scrambling to catch up, so having the chance to sit and actually do this is a GOOD thing, because ‘blog’ was pushed rather low down on the to do list. BUT! Melissa ever so nicely requested (and reminded) me about this post, and I daren’t disappoint her*.
So, if you scroll down a smidge (because, sadly, the last time I updated was at the start of this project), you will see that my friends Wendy, Renae, and I are undertaking a year-long project (*gulp*) that we have dubbed our “Block of the Month club” – or, when we get a little silly: ‘Botm... hehe bottom” club’.
We met up recently (blatant lie, was nearly a whole month ago) and compared/traded our first round of blocks. Camera at the ready, I snapped a few shots to document the occasion.

Here you can see my contributions… yes I know, I’m a bad crafter, look at their unblocked state. It was remedied by the end of the night, however, as you shall see.

This was the block that Wendy chose for the month, which clearly shows the difference in our colour schemes. The one at the front is Renae’s, the middle mine, and the final one, Wendy’s own.

Wendy’s scrap yarn glass, to which she kindly allowed us to add.

Instagram monsters that we have become, the phones were out that evening. Here Renae gives Wendy some pointers.

There was another delightful part of the evening, which Wendy’s excitement had scheduled right off the bat. Wendy, kind person that she is, had made Renae and I a little botm treat…

Our very own blocking boards!

And there you have our February update on the botm project. We are aiming to do two blocks this month to make up for our planning/no block in January. I know for a fact that Wendy is right on target, and I’m pretty sure Renae is closing in on it also - so I had better stop the blogging and start crocheting.

* if only because I’m slightly concerned that she can use her crafty super powers to overhear our plans to kidnap her and bring her to craft night.

BOTM - February

by Rebecca Johnson on Sunday, March 11, 2012

How do you start a monthly update post when you’re so behind you’re actually closer to the next one? I have no idea – except perhaps to decl...

My name is Rebecca and I am a Project-a-holic.
There I said it. I confess. I will do anything if you tell me it will be a full project. Luckily for me I have several friends who are crazy enough to believe me when I give them the ‘fun project’ spiel.
This year Wendy, Renae and I are doing a Block of the Month (BotM – which Wendy has dubbed ‘bottom’) Granny Square blanket.
Every month we will each pick a granny square we like and make three of each. By the years end we’ll each have 36 squares to arrange and play with to make our blankets.
The best part of the entire project is that we all picked very different wool to work with, Renae has some Carnival Super Soft, Wendy opted for Merino Magic, and I raided my stash and uncovered a large bag of Moda Vera Beetle that I had been saving for a ripple blanket.
But you’re not here to hear the logistics, you want the shiny photos, I know. So here you go. This is what happens when three craft nerds get together and fawn over wool. Be sure to check in at the end of the month to check out our first lot of blocks.

Confess, you’re completely jealous that you’re not here swimming in our wool pile.

Granny Square A Long

by Rebecca Johnson on Friday, January 20, 2012

My name is Rebecca and I am a Project-a-holic. There I said it. I confess. I will do anything if you tell me it will be a full project. Lu...

TI was thoroughly spoiled by my work Secret Santa last year and one of the goodies I found in my stocking was a nice box of tea. I was very excited about this – partly because I love tea, but moreso because it was raspberry tea and I love love love raspberry. I’ve been saving it for when I could sit down and brew a nice pot and enjoy it properly.

(Tea: T2; Rocking Rasberry)

So this morning I was sitting here at the table, enjoying a rare quiet moment at home, and I got to thinking about different kinds of tea (as you do) and jumped up to grab the tea pot...only to realise that I’ve never brewed tea in a pot before. And so with Lisa enlisted as my tea guru, she helped me through the process.

Once I managed to stop playing around with the tea itself (seriously, look at it - it’s so pretty! I was tempted to eat it as it was), I managed to measure it out and brew it up in a teapot I found. Didn’t know I actually HAD a teapot, but still, managed to brew up my tea.

It was a white tea, which I’m not used to but I have to say, I loved this tea to bits. It smelt amazing and was a lovely sweet tea, which led me to go investigate the ingredients a little closer…

And I’m sorry - but do you see ‘tea’ anywhere on that list? Cause I don’t - which leads me to the most exciting thing about this tea present. I learnt a new word! (yes I’m a nerd, but I so love when I stumble across a new word!)

tisane: A herbal tea, tisane, or ptisan is a herbal or plant infusion and usually not made from the leaves of the tea bush (Cameillia sinensis). Like brews made of the tea bush, such infusions are prepared by combining hot water and fruits, leaves, roots or grains. (Wikipedia)

Tea Time

by Rebecca Johnson on Thursday, January 19, 2012

TI was thoroughly spoiled by my work Secret Santa last year and one of the goodies I found in my stocking was a nice box of tea. I was very ...

Wordless Wednesday

by Rebecca Johnson on Wednesday, January 18, 2012

One of the things I like best about being a teacher is that I share a staff room with a large amount of nerdy people. And being an English teacher means that book recommendations are easily come by. While visiting a friend from work, Denise, she retrieved a book from her shelves telling me how much she enjoyed it and that I must read it. Always happy for a book to read (and entering the holidays with lots of reading time making it all the better) I tucked it under my arm to take home.

However it seems that Denise is a little like me when it comes to book recommendations – like me she gets a little excited when people are happy to receive suggestions. I left her house with 13 graphic novels in my possession and the promise of more when I was done.

I’ve been a little busy this holidays after all and haven’t had the chance to sit down and truly enjoy them. But today is a cold rainy day and I’m thinking that I shall settle down for the afternoon with a cup of tea and a collection of comics. What do you think?

Blue Monday, Vol 2: Absolute Beginners - Chynna Clugston-Major
Blue Monday, Vol 3: Inbetween Days - Chynna Clugston-Major
Blue Monday, Vol 4: Painted Moon - Chynna Clugston-Major
9-11: Artists Respond, Vol. 1 - Will Eisner
9-11: Artists Respond, Vol. 2 - Will Eisner
9-11: Emergency Relief - Will Eisner
Y: The Last Man, Vol 1: Unmanned - Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, José Marzán, Jr.
Y: The Last Man, Vol 2: Cycles- Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, José Marzán, Jr.
Y: The Last Man, Vol 3: One Small Step - Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, José Marzán, Jr., Paul Chadwick
Kingdom Come - Mark Ward and Alex Ross’
Wolverine: Origin - Paul Jenkins
Superman/Batman: Absolute Power - Jeph Loeb, Carlos Pacheco, José Merino
Superman/Batman: Supergirl - Jeph Loeb, Michael Turner, Peter Steigerwald