tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70341169587119876282024-03-13T10:03:08.984+11:00Good Things**now with added wordsejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.comBlogger565125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-3928261541371524292024-02-27T09:53:00.003+11:002024-02-29T19:18:21.758+11:00King Ferdi + The Little Rat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDE4KqoqgxHYiUzCPbPsdzJnNZ37O2KjuCo-SL2HlnVfLoOJuVkS8B8YfsSNuxmYrgqy5kir9IYTDCw8HU_MVlucIDHd39XUlx9YiUN1yVoobB0MG1bAW1AbMze1YPrU0f5JWqqKKPVI0XzBOcMm89OWSXHWHhome7ih2oxeHQVao8Lz6HW7e2gDHQ9A/s2048/Ferdi%20Elfi%20up.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDE4KqoqgxHYiUzCPbPsdzJnNZ37O2KjuCo-SL2HlnVfLoOJuVkS8B8YfsSNuxmYrgqy5kir9IYTDCw8HU_MVlucIDHd39XUlx9YiUN1yVoobB0MG1bAW1AbMze1YPrU0f5JWqqKKPVI0XzBOcMm89OWSXHWHhome7ih2oxeHQVao8Lz6HW7e2gDHQ9A/w640-h480/Ferdi%20Elfi%20up.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;">Ferdi was the physically challenged long hair, the runt of the litter I picked up from an odd little hobby farm in the outer suburbs of north west Sydney, desperate to add a dog to our instant family. He was tiny and had a broken tail (a pig had stepped on it), and as soon as I held him in my hands I knew I wasn't handing him back. Elfi came a year later - Ferdi looked so sad all the time, we thought he needed a friend. We had moved to Hong Kong by then. I found a breeder and a pup in Melbourne, sent my Mum to check her out, and a few weeks later she flew over; so little and so full of energy. But Ferdi still looked sad. (Turns out, that's just how he looked.)</div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;">King Ferdi and the Little Rat. Their respective nicknames tell you a bit about their standing in the family hierarchy. According to Sean, Ferdi was the most perfect creature that ever lived, even with his overbite and crooked tail and inability to jump. Ferdi was incredibly stubborn, he always knew exactly what he wanted (not to walk on the grass, not to walk in the rain, not to walk on a lead...). As long as you let Ferdi do his thing, he was happy to live his life with minimal fuss. He was calm and quiet and entirely himself. </div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;">Elfi, on the other hand, was demanding, neurotic and needy. If you were patting Ferdi she would charge over, pushing him out of the way with scant regard for his well-being. She talked, constantly. She yelped to remind you she needed love, attention and human grade food every waking hour. And she always wanted to be with you - on your lap, at your feet. She inserted herself into everything. </div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;">The general consensus in the household was that Elfi was annoying, too loud, a bully. Ferdi, however, was a noble, thoughtful, wise creature. I, of course, went out of my way to love and defend Elfi. She was the underdog. She was my dog. She was my shadow.</div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;">I say <i>was</i> because a little over a week ago I had to say goodbye to her. She was 16 (-ish) and had dementia, a suspected brain lesion plus all the symptoms of lymphoma. She was dropping weight rapidly, no matter how much I fed her or what meds she was on. It was the toughest decision. She was going down hill quickly which was really difficult to see, but...she still got excited at dinnertime, she still loved a good scratch on her haunch. </div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;">I miss her like crazy. I haven't been able to pack her bed away yet, and my heart still drops every time I put the key in the front door and realise she's not home. There's no excited tippy taps to greet me.</div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;">And it's even harder for my brain to process because the end of Elfi also signifies the end of an era. That household I'm talking about, is no more. Sean died four years ago (how tf is it four years? so short, so long...), Ferdi two years later. I sold the house we bought and built together. My step-sons have girlfriends and apartments and whole other lives (well, one does, the other lives in a granny flat / mansion out the back of my place, but still - he is <i>very </i>self-sufficient). </div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;">Life moves on, that's what it does. And it takes you with it. I'm busy building new memories - with a new house, new dogs, new people - but I hope Sean and Ferdi and Elfi know that I think of them every single day. I hope they find each other, wherever they are. And I hope they know that I am okay, that I am happy.</div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px 70px 0px 60px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div>ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-68734787306705745122020-05-16T22:37:00.000+10:002020-05-16T22:37:01.809+10:00Safe Travels My Friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mostly, I'm okay. But occasionally I have these days where I am so bereft, so lonely and sad, so physically heart broken that it's almost impossible to pull myself out of it. Today is one of those days. Coming home to no Sean is the worst, and it's magnified on the weekends, especially after a hectic day at work. Sean was my actual best friend, and sometimes I miss him so much I can't breathe (not COVID-19, promise). He was my favourite person; one of the few people in this world that u<span style="font-family: inherit;">nderstood me, and loved me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the things I've found that ca<span style="font-family: inherit;">lms my min</span>d on these nights is reading the eulogy I wrote for Sean. It might seem strange, that this would calm me, but it does. The eulogy reminds me of our life together, and how wonderful it was; it makes me sm<span style="font-family: inherit;">ile. It reminds me that I had the strength to stand up and read this at his service, that I got to say goodbye the way I wanted to. So, here it is...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We all know Sean loved a list, so here we go.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a list of Things Sean Taught Me. It is by no means a comprehensive list or else we'd never get to the pub... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. One of the biggest things Sean taught me was to be smarter, wittier, sharper. I'm not saying I'm smart, witty, or sharp - that's for you all to decide - but I am saying Sean pushed me to use my brain, more so than anyone else. He had expectations of me, and those expectations included being smart. He loved to argue, and would often play devil's advocate just to push the discussion a little further. </span><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With Sean, I could never just have an opinion, I had to be able to back my opinion up, explain it, argue it, and maybe even *sometimes* convince him of it. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. When making a decision, or dealing with a tricky situation, Sean taught me to think through all the possibilities and consequences but also to keep things simple, to not forget the big picture. When it came to McDonald’s, he was a genius at analysing the business and the individuals in the business. He’d think through all sorts of scenarios and possible impacts. But in the end, he always reminded me (and anyone else that would listen) - it’s just about selling tasty cheeseburgers. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. How to keep a sink dry. It’s a Sydney thing, apparently… </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. To pay attention to the lyrics. If you liked a song, saying it’s just got a nice vibe was never a good enough answer for Sean. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. To take very seriously the things that matter, and realise that everything else is nonsense. The list of things that mattered to Sean was pretty short - dachshunds, his sons, his family, reason and logic, education, respect for the past, quarter pounders. These things he did not mess with. But - everything else was free game in this ludicrous, nonsensical thing we call life. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6A. How to travel, and more specifically how to drink coffee and eat meals in Italy. There are rules, and Sean taught me them. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6B. Related - how to say ‘two large beers please’ in basically every European language. Dave - I think you maybe learnt this lesson too. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7. How to drive a manual car on the Italian motorway. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just joking, that was a lesson I never learnt. We tried it once, for about ten minutes. It ended in three near fatal accidents, stalling at a three way intersection with a large truck bearing down on us, and me sobbing behind the wheel. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sean drove in Italy from then on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. That good things are better than not good things - a good song is better than a not good song, a good painting is better than a not good painting. This was something I always intuitively knew, but he gave me words for it. In recent years there was a lot of discussion about this long standing belief.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sean was trying to rank Bohemian Rhapsody against a composition by Bach, and Joe suggested that the theory didn’t hold up when comparing across such different genres. But Sean held firm, so throughout his day we’d randomly ask him to compare and rank different things: Hey Sean - what’s better, a kiwi fruit or a llama? (A llama, of course...)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9. Sean taught me that steak is a good thing. I'd been a vegetarian for about eight years when I met Sean. After our first dinner out I was no longer a vegetarian. I remember the waiter saying - jeepers, if you’re willing to eat a medium rare steak for him this has got to be something really special. And it was. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10. How to get a crowd talking. Every family dinner or social function, Sean came prepared. Not with small talk, but with conversation prompters. He had the attention span of a gnat and he needed us all to amuse him. </span></span><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes it was a quiz, sometimes it was a pack of cards, sometimes it was a controversial question - we spent a whole December once discussing seatbelt laws at every, single xmas function we attended...</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sean always had something up his sleeve to engage those around him and get people talking. Even if sometimes the talking was <i>DO WE REALLY HAVE TO DO THE DAMN QUIZ? Can’t we just talk, like normal people? </i>No, Jen, no we can’t… </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11. How to listen when someone speaks. Sean taught me to stop thinking about my reply when someone is talking, and instead to pay attention to what they’re saying, to be curious. Sean taught me to focus on their story, not on what I have to say about it. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12. That it’s okay to be a little bit odd, sometimes. We were both a little bit odd, sometimes. It’s part of the reason we worked so well. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">13. To be proud of my strengths and honest about my weaknesses. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">14. And this is a big one, how to be a parent. One of the things I am truly grateful for is that being with Sean gave me an instant family with Sam and Joe, and to some extent Pepe as well, not to mention the whole extended Newton clan, who welcomed me into their fold (after a few initial reservations, but that’s a story for another time), plus the amazing Macca’s family. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I remember first meeting the boys when they were 6 and 8. We went to Taronga Zoo together. I was completely utterly terrified. But Sean was so happy - he loved me, and he loved his boys, and he couldn’t see any reason why we wouldn’t all just love each other. </span></span><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sean always made an effort to include me, especially in those early days - drawing me into the conversation, making sure I felt a part of the family. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you also to Pepe, for letting me be a part of raising Sam and Joe, for trusting Sean and therefore trusting me. A lot of people don’t get it, but we do - everything was and is about the boys. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">15. And lastly, Sean taught me that odd numbers were better than even numbers. Hence this last point so I finish on 15, not 14. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am so grateful that I found Sean, that he found me. I am so grateful that I got to experience his humour, intelligence, and love for life; that he wanted to take the time to teach me these things. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know every single one of you will have your own lists of things Sean taught you, or at least had a damn good crack at trying to teach you. And he never did it with arrogance, it was always with joy, openness, and humility. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sean, I love you. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I miss you, terribly. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But - I also know you will live on through all the things we’ve learnt, from you. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Safe travels my friend. </span></div>
ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-85679095425633151612020-04-27T21:51:00.001+10:002020-04-27T22:59:21.682+10:00Grief is a Bitch and Other Random Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After feeling surprisingly upbeat recently I've been a bit all over the goddamn place the past week or so, so I'm writing because that's what I do. (I also feel that if I can't revive a blog during a pandemic when it's basically illegal to leave the house then when the heck will I ever revive it? Also some thoughts are too long and rambling to constrain to Facebook posts or Instagram stories. So.) </div>
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- Grief is a bitch. It sneaks up on you. Just when you think you've got your shit a bit sorted and even possibly you may be facing sunnier days something comes along and BAM there you are all sad and alone and heartbroken again. And then you get up, again, feeling okay but bracing for the next wave. </div>
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- You don't have good days and bad days, you have good hours and bad hours.</div>
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- Some days I just get so sick of being sad. Some days I deliberately don't look at photos of Sean. Some days I deliberately don't listen to our favourite songs, or watch our favourite shows. Some days I am manically looking for anything new. Some days I need a break from remembering. </div>
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- Sydney in Autumn is pure magic. The warm days and crips evenings; the cool, crystal clear nights. The colours on the trees, the afternoon light. Magic. </div>
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- I have realised lately that I don't just miss Sean, I also miss being Sean's wife. I miss taking care of someone I loved, I miss doing little things every day to make him happy. I miss the routine, the daily interactions, the working together. </div>
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- The trauma of being with Sean when he died will be with me forever. It will / has changed me. I have to figure out how to move forward with that.</div>
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- I am swearing more than usual lately. I think I get a free pass on that though.</div>
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- A few signs it really is the end of times: I actually crave video chats right now; I am listening to music recommended to me by young people and I like it; I have completed two jigsaw puzzles and am about to start on a third. </div>
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- I am so grateful that I still get to go to work everyday and interact with a bunch of awesome people who really do give their all whilst also being funny and interesting and entertaining, They make me so proud to be their boss and, most days, they give me the strength to deal with the trash fire that has been 2020. </div>
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- I loudly said 'hello' to a dog outside the supermarket the other night and thought well that probably sounded a bit crazy and then noticed the guy right behind me also took the time to say 'aren't you a good boy' as he walked past. So, maybe we are all mad. </div>
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- Things I'm really looking forward to post lockdown: hanging out with my sister; going out for dinner (anyone else exhausted by having to decide what to cook / order / eat every damn night?); catching up over wine or coffee; getting my lashes done, getting waxed; seeing a play or movie or exhibition or live gig, or anything that's not my Instagram feed really...oh and TRAVEL, in all caps. </div>
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- Things I quite like about lockdown: not having awkward interactions with food delivery drivers; people showing so much gratitude for posties and cleaners and nurses; having a narrowed focus on what's really important, today; less emails; a sense of community returning; notes to and from my neighbours. </div>
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- I'm going to miss my long late night walks when we all return to 'normal'. There is such a quiet calm late at night, no traffic. The skies have been so incredibly still and clear, and there's a warm glow from all the full houses. You can often overhear snippets of heartfelt conversation, or smell a delicious dinner. On Fridays and Saturdays there's always people out on their verandahs and balconies, sharing a physically distanced bottle of wine or loudly figuring out a playlist over Zoom. It is my current favourite thing. </div>
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I hope you have found a favourite thing during these strange times. </div>
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I hope you are holding on to the bits of your sanity that matter to you.</div>
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And I very much look forward to seeing you all on the other side of this x</div>
ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-69334190152377999382020-01-04T23:09:00.000+11:002020-01-04T23:09:02.781+11:0019 Things in the Year of the Pig : The One + Only Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So.<br />
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One of the things I wanted to achieve in the Year of the Pig was to blog again. There was a rebirth, a reboot. </div>
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Yeah. </div>
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Nah.<br />
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But it's the start of a new year and that fever of naive optimism has infected me once again. I'm already working on a '20 things in the Year of the Rat' list but before I get to that I thought I'd update how I went on the last list. Which basically - and following the exact same pattern of previous years - is not so well...</div>
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<b>1.</b> Get back to blogging and writing more in general. I'll count this as a win if I end the year with twelve blog posts and one published article. <b>F-</b>. Okay, so I wrote TWO whole blog posts, both in the first two weeks of January, and then zip, nada, zilch. I did write a profile piece on the amazing <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rarepearstudio/" target="_blank">Shani</a> and her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/breadtagproject/" target="_blank">Breadtag Project</a> for my favourite magazine <a href="https://www.uppercasemagazine.com/" target="_blank">UPPERCASE</a> though so that's something.</div>
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<b>2.</b> Related, get back to taking photographs on a regular basis. I'd like to end the year with at least 52 Instagram posts. <b>B-</b>. I ended up with over 52 posts but almost all of them were from our trip to the Arctic so does it really count? Probably not. Related - do visit my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ejorpin/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> if you like walruses!</div>
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<b>3. </b>Read more. Specifically read twenty books in 2019. <b>A+</b>. Smashed this one! Read 23 books from many and varied genres. Reading is definitely an entrenched habit now, hurrah! You can see all the books I read and my reviews on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/23649573-emily" target="_blank">Good Reads</a> (or on Facebook if you're my friend there).</div>
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<b>4.</b> Do <a href="https://1se.co/" target="_blank">1SE</a> more consistently. <b>B</b>. Did okay on this one, I guess. I ended up with a 6ish minute video that I'm pretty happy with and that the husband enjoyed. (FYI this is a really great app to get if you want an fun, easy creative project for the year!)</div>
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<b>5. </b>Learn the piano. <b>E-</b>. Okay, so I was going really well, and then I just...stopped. Occasionally I'll find five minutes and have a go, but not playing it consistently just means those five minutes I find are really frustrating. </div>
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<b>6. </b>Get back to properly learning Italian. <b>F</b>. Niente.</div>
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<b>7. </b>Call and message people more. <b>C+</b>. Better but not best. </div>
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<b>8. </b>Visit my Dad at least once. <b>F</b>. Nope, sorry Dad.</div>
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<b>9. </b>Visit my Mum. <b>B</b>. Yes, did this and had a blast. My sister came too! Drank gin; watched Fleabag; found out Mum had signed up for a dating app, once; walked the dog; laughed, a lot. Was wonderful.</div>
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<b>10. </b><a href="https://konmari.com/" target="_blank">KonMari</a> every drawer in the house. And my office. <b>C</b>. My drawers look great, have tided the husband's clothes and the step-son's clothes, and the kitchen drawers are pretty solid but my office still looks like a total goddamn tip. It may have actually got worse to be honest.</div>
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<b>11. </b>Use my large collection of cookbooks more. <b>B-</b>. There's some I definitely use more, but there's a lot that are still gathering dust.</div>
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<b>12. </b>Related - expand my veg / mainly veg cooking repertoire. <b>C</b>. Um, sort of, maybe? I think I have but it really hasn't been intentional so who knows.</div>
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<b>13.</b> Eat less carbs. <b>B-</b>. Yes, I believe so. And feeling better for it. I've found a few people to follow on Instagram who have really great, super simple but healthy low carb (not no carb) meal ideas. I've always struggled with getting the balance between protein and carbs right but I feel like lately I'm nailing it (more on that in another post, maybe).</div>
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<b>14.</b> Eat less sugar. <b>D-</b>. Let's be honest, this should probably be an F.</div>
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<b>15. </b>Keep up my steps. <b>A</b>. Indeed. Most days I smash my 12,000 step target. I maybe miss one day a month and that's usually because I'm sick or just really run down.</div>
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<b>16.</b> Visit the gym at least once per week. Preferably twice, but once is the goal. <b>F-</b>. If you'd asked me in April I'd get a B+ but things kind of stopped, completely in the last six months.</div>
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<b>17. </b>Complete the City2Surf again. <b>A+</b>. Completed, with a bigger team, and raised a heap of money for RMHC!</div>
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<b>18. </b>Personally raise $2000 for our local Ronald McDonald House (Sydney). <b>A+</b>. See above, plus another fun run earlier in the year and a few additional donations.</div>
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<b>19. </b>Catch up on three years of <a href="https://jorpins.blogspot.com/2014/07/photography-memory-part-3-making-great.html" target="_blank">photo books</a>. <b>F-</b>. No, and it hurts my heart a little. Have started, but am so behind...</div>
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So there you have it, actually not all bad. I'll share my new list with you soon (I bet you can't wait). Will this be the year Good Things* actually does make a comeback? Should I start a betting pool?</div>
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<i>ps. It does feel a little frivolous writing this while our country is on fire, but I actually needed the distraction, the time out from watching relentless videos of flames and animal carcasses. </i><i>It is all so devastating and heartbreaking, and at times utterly infuriating, but at the same time there are so many people doing so many good good things. I'm trying to help out when and where I can, it helps me feel a little less hopeless. </i></div>
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<i>There are a hundreds of posts out there letting you know the best places to donate or volunteer, I won't add to them but if you do want any tips or links just let me know. </i></div>
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<i>Stay safe x</i></div>
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ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-39254581825569228642019-01-19T19:58:00.000+11:002019-02-03T11:37:09.506+11:0019 Things in the Year of The Pig<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Because it's worked so well in <a href="https://jorpins.blogspot.com/2016/10/15-things-in-year-of-sheep-very-very.html" target="_blank">the past</a> (it hasn't) I thought I'd kick this blog reboot off with a list of things I want to achieve in the Year of the Pig.<br />
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If previous years are anything to go by I'll update my progress once around eight months in and then do a final recap post approximately nine months after the year has finished and everyone has moved on. These recap posts will mostly consist of me mocking my earlier self - so filled with naive enthusiasm and unwarranted optimism - as I detail all the ways I have failed to complete any of the things I thought I wanted to. However, I'm feeling like this year is going to be different (she says with a naive optimism...). It's going to be different because my list is going to be different; it's going to be realistic. Maybe. I hope.<br />
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Here goes:<br />
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<b>1.</b> Get back to blogging and writing more in general. I'll count this as a win if I end the year with twelve blog posts and one published article.<br />
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<b>2.</b> Related, get back to taking photographs on a regular basis. I'd like to end the year with at least 52 Instagram posts.<br />
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<b>3. </b>Read more. Specifically read twenty books in 2019. On reflection twenty seems pretty unlikely to be honest, but I'll give it my best shot. I've kicked off with an absolute pearler - the book of the moment, <i>Boy Swallows Universe</i>. I'm currently halfway through and am completely loving it and missing hours of sleep because of it. (ps. If you're on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/" target="_blank">Good Reads</a> please be my friend! And if you're not on Good Reads and you love reading you should definitely download the app - it's such a good way to keep track of your 'to read' list, as well as providing even more ideas on what to read next.)<br />
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<b>4.</b> Do <a href="https://1se.co/" target="_blank">1SE</a> more consistently. Note 'consistently' not 'everyday'. I know it's meant to be '1 Second <i>Everyday</i>' but this is meant to be a realistic list and I know based on previous years there is zero chance I'll remember to film one second every single day. But I'd like to remember <i>most</i> days.<br />
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<b>5. </b>Learn the piano. We have a beautiful piano in our house because the youngest step-son is a pretty accomplished musician. It seems a pity for it not be be used more, and whilst I'm not particularly musical I did play clarinet as a kid and I can sort of read music if I pay attention. I've downloaded the <a href="https://www.joytunes.com/simply-piano" target="_blank">Simply Piano</a> app and whilst it's early days I am completely hooked so far. I plan to keep the momentum going and practice at least four times a week.<br />
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<b>6. </b>Get back to properly learning Italian. I've picked up a bit from our travels and the husband talking to me (hence the learning of very useful phrases like <i>Io non sono un polipo</i> for when everyone is expecting you to carry everything, and <i>Potrei mangier un cavil</i> for when you're really really hungry) but I really don't know a lot. I've downloaded an app - <a href="https://apps.babbel.com/en/lp-lang-sel-ppf/?bsc=aw6b_engall_tbox&btp=default&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-JXiBRCpARIsAGqF8wWLVLDT2RixiMqU8_Ilo-2ywWkRPSpuI0cc5a6aPJHSV_KaAKjAvJEaApuPEALw_wcB" target="_blank">+Babbel</a> - and started off strong but then just neglected it. Time to get back to it.<br />
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<b>7. </b>Call and message people more. I've found as I get older it's super easy for me to become Ms Hermit and basically restrict my social interactions to my husband, sister, mum and two friends I've had since forever. Which - although mostly ace - isn't always enough. I need to make an effort, get over my phone phobia and initiate things more.<br />
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<b>8. </b>Visit my Dad at least once. My Dad lives in Lakes Entrance, about four hours drive outside of Melbourne. I know that's not that far but our trips to Melbourne are always just a few nights and they're packed with catch ups and meetings. It's hard to get away. But, my Dad isn't getting any younger (and neither am I, come to think of it), and I really want to go see him. Also there are some killer op shops to visit along the way, so win-win.<br />
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<b>9. </b>Likewise, my Mum has just moved to the Mornington Peninsula, about an hours drive from Melbourne. I know she'll come visit me in Sydney but I want to make sure I take the time to go visit her too. Also - op shops, wineries, hot springs, beaches, fancy restaurants. But mainly it's about visiting my Mum...<br />
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<b>10. </b><a href="https://konmari.com/" target="_blank">KonMari</a> every drawer in the house. And my office. I've never read Marie Kondo's books but I've fallen hard for this tiny crazy lady whilst watching her Netflix show. I love her because contrary to popular backlash she is not a minimalist, she just wants us to really appreciate and take care of the things we have. And FYI 'sparking joy' isn't some shallow happiness-at-all-costs mantra, it's more about meaningfulness and emotion (I read somewhere that 'joy' would be better translated as something more like 'jolt'). Anyway, she's ace and I've folded most of my clothing because of her. But I still want to tackle the husband's drawers, and the step-son's. And if I can figure out a way to tidy up my home office, and keep it tidy, that would be amazing.<br />
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<b>11. </b>Use my large collection of cookbooks more. And maybe don't buy any more until I've really worked with the ones I've got. Maybe.<br />
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<b>12. </b>Related - expand my veg / mainly veg cooking repertoire. The husband has gone from a must eat steak every night kind of guy to a that tofu actually tastes good kind of guy, which is brilliant news for me because I'm naturally veg-leaning anyway. There's only so many times you can have omelette or stir fry for dinner so I'd like to up my veg / mainly veg game.<br />
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<b>13.</b> Eat less carbs. I adore carbs but I also realise I am of an age where if I eat them for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks I put on about a kilo a week. Yay. I'm struggling to tame the middle age spread as it is so this year I'd like to treat carbs with a bit more respect. Some very thin and healthy and restrained person I follow on Instagram is doing the one carb a day thing, which seems extreme. I'm thinking two a day might work for me.<br />
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<b>14.</b> Eat less sugar. Now, I don't think sugar is evil. I don't think any food is inherently good or bad or virtuous or sinful. However, I would like to have some control over the mid-morning chocolate habit that I've developed. (See also taming the middle aged spread.)<br />
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<b>15. </b>Keep up my steps. I have a Fitbit and I love it. (Side note - writing this I'm starting to think technology does actually rule my life...but that's a whole other discussion...). My favourite thing is when it tells me exactly to the minute exactly how little sleep I've had the previous night. But I digress...I've been meeting my step goal almost every day and I keep pushing it up (currently on 12,000). Hoping by the end of the year it's a little higher than that again.<br />
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<b>16.</b> Visit the gym at least once per week. Preferably twice, but once is the goal (I told you it was going to be a realistic list). I'm currently using the <a href="https://www.kaylaitsines.com/" target="_blank">Sweat</a> app and it's so good (yes, more technology...). Very challenging and with loads of variety.<br />
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<b>17. </b>Complete the City2Surf again. It's become a bit of an annual tradition (twice counts as an annual tradition right?).<br />
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<b>18. </b>Personally raise $2000 for our local Ronald McDonald House (Sydney).<br />
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<b>19. </b>Catch up on three years of <a href="https://jorpins.blogspot.com/2014/07/photography-memory-part-3-making-great.html" target="_blank">photo books</a>. I used to make one for the husband every year. I loved making them and we love looking through them, but I'm a a bit behind. I need to carve out those big chunks of time and just get them done.<br />
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And that's it folks - an ambitious but slightly more realistic list of things I want to achieve, personally, in the Year of the Pig. What's on your list this year?<br />
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ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-60853000590713193642019-01-19T19:51:00.000+11:002019-01-19T20:00:45.717+11:00The Reboot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week I was strolling the streets of Paddington in the sunshine, feeling a bit flat and thinking about how much I miss doing creative things. Things like terrible embroidery and taking photos just for the heck of it and writing - I really miss writing. I was having a bit of a whinge to myself about the fact I don't have time to do all that stuff anymore...when the other logical, optimistic part of my brain piped up: '<i>Um, actually these days you do have time! You just choose to spend that time watching clips from The Voice / Ellen / AGT on YouTube or stressing about things that may never happen or doing all the things that aren't really that necessary and probably won't be noticed if you just don't do them</i>.' </div>
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And it's true - we have a really great team at work now, the store is doing pretty well, so I do get days off and I do get snippets of time to myself. I just haven't been making writing and photo-taking and all that stuff a priority. But I want to change that, starting now!</div>
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Last time around I said I was just blogging for me, but that wasn't completely true. I was an ex-pat mostly non-working wife at the time and at the back of my head there was always a teensy little thought that I should make something commercial of it. These days I have a very full-time job. There is absolutely no thought of turning any of this into a 'business'. It is just an outlet, for me (Instagram stories can only quash the desire to write for so long...). If anyone out there reads a word or looks at a photo that's completely ace, but not at all necessary. </div>
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So, what am I going to write about? </div>
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Travel, as always. We have three big trips booked this year. Firstly we're heading to Chicago in May and scored a great deal on a round-the-world airfare (half the price of flying direct!) so we'll also spend a few days in Hong Kong and Vienna. Then we have another amazing family adventure booked in July - we've done Antartica, so now we're going in the other direction, to the Arctic. And then towards the end of the year we'll be heading back to Seoul for the first time since we lived there (mainly to r<a href="https://jorpins.blogspot.com/2013/08/seoul-walking-getting-crafty-in.html" target="_blank">eplenish my ribbon stash</a>, to be honest...). </div>
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I'll definitely be posting about dachshunds, of course. And family, work, life. And just generally things I love - books, movies, clothes, recipes, people. My goal is to post once a month (I'm keeping it realistic!); we'll see...</div>
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Blogging is dead, long live blogging!</div>
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<br />ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-10345233561056114692017-03-10T18:58:00.003+11:002017-03-11T11:06:29.329+11:00Ptop Ptips for dealing with a Pterygium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First things first - a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterygium_(conjunctiva)" target="_blank">pterygium</a>* is a growth on the eye. (*Warning: do not click on that link if you are in any way squeamish, especially about eye related things. Also FYI it's pronounced <i>ter-ridge-eeum</i>...) Science-y types are not completely certain what causes them, but they are associated with excessive exposure to sand, wind and sunlight. They are apparently pretty common in Australia, a country known for its abundant UV rays. </div>
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I had no idea they existed, until I visited an optometrist a few years back and was told I had one in my right eye. The optometrist said to monitor it, and to consider getting it removed at some point - if they encroach on your pupil they can impact vision. Since then, my pterygium has been going from strength to strength so recently I had to have it removed. Yay. </div>
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Now, most eye surgery - especially laser surgery - is apparently a breeze, a Summer's stroll in the park, a warm evening watching the sunset on a deserted beach. But removing pterygiums? Apparently that's a bitch. Every, single person you encounter along the fun path to pterygium removal surgery will, with a grimace, tell you how painful the recovery is. They'll tell you that you'll feel like you've got grit in your eye for a month; that there's a darn good reason *they* still have their own pterygiums intact; that you should take a week off work (ha!). </div>
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I had my surgery last Tuesday, and whilst it's not the most fun, it's definitely not the worst either. In case you're facing your own eye growth removal, here's a few more thoughts: </div>
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<b>1) </b>Waiting for the thing is most definitely worse than the thing. Just the thought of having someone touch my eye, heck no! And then surgery and anaesthetic, most definitely heck no! (I'm very lucky that I've had pretty limited dealings with hospitals and medical procedures. I always wonder about the people who have to deal with this s**t day in, day out. How tough and strong and just getting-it-done they must be.<b>)</b> </div>
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In the days leading up to the surgery I tried not to think about it, but when I did it'd set off a mild panic. But then it happened and it was okay. Surreal, but okay. Everyone was lovely and clearly knew what they were doing. The anaesthesiologist knocked me out efficiently and effectively - it was the best five minute nap of my life - and then while I was under numbed my right eyeball and half my face. During the operation you're awake but you can't really see what's going on; one eye is covered by a blue sheet, the other one has been knocked out so whilst you can kind of see shapes and light and dark you're not getting a visual of the scalpel, needle or thread. Thank goodness. </div>
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<b>2) </b>Give yourself a day doing nothing afterwards. Anaesthetic really knocks you about, even a little of it. And your eye will be all puffy and swollen and exhausting to open. I basically spent the day after lying in bed, with my eyes closed, which is not something I ever normally do. But it was necessary. Also I can highly recommend a loyal dachshund if you're looking for a daytime snoozing pal. </div>
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<b>3) </b>Have a pain killer ready for about twelve hours post-op when the local anaesthetic really wears off. And make it a strong one.<br />
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<b>4) </b>Get your hands on one of those gel ice packs, so good for the swelling and pain in the first few days. Highly recommended.<br />
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<b>5)</b> Buy a big bottle of saline solution (you know the stuff people use to clean contact lenses?). Then when your eye is gummed up with gunk you can squirt some on a tissue, clean it all off and feel vaguely human again.</div>
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<b>6) </b>If you're like me you'll draft yourself an overly ambitious to do list of all the things you'll get done while you're not at work. Awesome. Just don't have reading your way through your book pile or binge watching Netflix on there. Not until day three anyway. You just had eye surgery, remember? </div>
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<b>7) </b>Get someone to send you flowers, even if that's you. My Mum sent me some <a href="https://www.littleflowers.com.au/" target="_blank">little flowers</a>, so sweet! </div>
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<b>8) </b>Tell the world and get as much sympathy as you can. I'm not sick very often, at all, so I kind of had to milk it. Plus someone took a scalpel to my eye, I deserve a little sympathy! (I should clarify - I want sympathy from afar. If you're sharing a house with me then get the feck away with your sympathy and questions and just leave me alone as much as possible, are we clear?) </div>
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<b>9) </b>It's not nearly as bad as everyone kept telling me it was going to be. It's only early days but I've hardly touched the painkillers. My eye looks a little red and gooey and gross, and it is fairly irritating, but I'm not writhing around in pain. Maybe all those people telling me to expect the worst was a good thing, because the reality can't be nearly as bad as the expectation? A bit like watching Finding Dory?</div>
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Long story short - I'd definitely prefer not to be managing three different types of eye drops or wearing sunglasses to dinner so as not to shock my fellow diners right now. So, protect your eyes people! Whether your biking, hiking or skiing, wear sunglasses, wear goggles! Whatever you do look after those eye balls, and then hopefully you'll never have to learn to how to spell pterygium...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking nervous pre-surgery. <br />
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giant needle into the correct eye.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking relieved post surgery.</td></tr>
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ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-56078868676869636232016-10-14T12:40:00.000+11:002016-10-14T12:40:05.881+11:0015 Things in The Year of The Sheep : A Very Very Belated Final Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remember way back, when I still blogged semi-regularily and the shape of life looked a little different? Remember when I used to write myself a list of things I wanted to do for the year, and then basically never actually do them, but I'd still update you all on my progress anyway? Here's the thing, I never wrote my final update for <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/15-things-in-year-of-sheep.html" target="_blank">15 things in the Year of the Sheep</a>, and it's keeping me awake at nights. So, ten months late, here's an update on how I went in 2015...<br />
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<b>1. </b>Read more. Specifically, read at least fourteen books in twelve months. <b>B-</b>. I ended up reading twelve books, which is pretty good I think. (By-the-by I am killing it in the book reading stakes this year. Not blogging, not being on line so much, opens up all this time which one can fill with reading. It's pretty great actually.)<br />
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Here's what I read in 2015 after my last update:<br />
<i>- Joyful </i>by Robert Hillman which I actually really loved. It took awhile but it hooked me in, eventually. A slightly mad, beautiful tale of love and death.<br />
- <i>Hot Little Hands </i>by Abigail Ulman. A collection of short stories noted for the fact all the protagonists are female. At the time I was a bit ho hum about it, it was a good solid read but not life changing. However, two of the characters have stayed with me, for some time, so I think perhaps it had more power than I gave it credit for at the time.<br />
- <i>We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves</i> by Karen Joy Fowler. Go read this. Now. Seriously, do it. It's bloody brilliant.<br />
- <i>We're All Going to Die</i> by Joel Meares. A collection of essays, about life and stuff. A nice read with occasional moments of brilliance. One to carry in your bag and dip in to during those stolen moments when you're waiting in the doctors office or stuck on a train.<br />
- <i>The Embassy of Cambodia</i> by Zadie Smith. A tiny little book I kinda just threw in to make up the numbers. Pleasant enough but really, I can't even remember what it's actually about...<br />
- <i>Ready Player One</i> by Ernest Cline. One for the 80s geeks. Packed full of fun nerdy references. A bit tiresome and cliched at first but I thoroughly enjoyed the action packed end...looking forward to seeing what they Spielberg does with the movie.<br />
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<b>2. </b>Read more blogs. Randomly quantified with the goal of posting three thoughtful comments a week. <b>F for Fail</b>. Life did a complete flip around late last year. I went from a keeping-the-home-fires-burning wife of a constantly travelling executive to a retail/hospitality business owner and manager working six or seven days a week.* So, not a lot of time or motivation for blog reading.<br />
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(*In case you didn't know, we bought a McDonald's store! For more on my history with the golden arches have a look at <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/my-firstrebellion.html" target="_blank">this post</a>.)<br />
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<b>3.</b> Blog more. Specifically, blog at least six times per month. <b>F</b>. Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Aha. Ha.<br />
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<b>4.</b> Write more. About everything. Specifically, write a <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/search/label/My...">My...</a> post every month in 2015. <b>F</b>. See above, especially points 2 and 3.</div>
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<b>5.</b> Related, pitch at least five stories to magazines. <b>F</b>. I'm not just going to write 'see above' for all of these, but...see above...<br />
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The really awesome thing is that despite having a million other things asking for my attention I've somehow been able to keep writing and submitting articles; a few pieces for <a href="http://www.extracurricular.co.nz/" target="_blank">Extra Curricular</a>, and something in <a href="http://uppercasemagazine.com/" target="_blank">UPPERCASE</a> every issue since that first piece on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/1eZhDfqKZC/" target="_blank">lace making</a>. I am so grateful to UPPERCASE editor Janine Vangool for giving me the chance to interview and photograph so many amazing people. My latest piece, which will be in <a href="http://uppercasemagazine.com/blog/2016/8/24/first-look-at-fall#.WAAcWTJ7Gb8" target="_blank">issue 31</a>, is about artist <a href="http://www.amyjoywatson.com/" target="_blank">Amy Joy Watson</a>, her work his heavenly - colours and stitching and playing with mediums and scale, all the things I adore. If you don't subscribe to Janine's amazing mag you definitely should.<br />
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<b>6.</b> Finish my 365 project on Instagram. <b>B-</b>. I finished it! Very, very late (there's a theme here right?) but I finished it! You can see the full collection <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/jorpins365/" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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<b>7.</b> Hit fifty sales in my Etsy shop, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/jorpinsvintage">Jorpins Vintage</a>. <b>C+</b>. I'm on fifty sales right now, not sure when I passed that milestone but I'm pretty sure it wasn't in 2015, hence the C grade. The store is looking pretty empty at the moment. I do have loads of gorgeous retro wares to photograph and list, but it won't happen just yet. Maybe 2017 will be the year?</div>
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<b>8.</b> Finish three walking events. <b>C</b>. I finished up with two events - the <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/done-jabulani-challenge.html" target="_blank">22km Jabulani Challenge</a> and the <a href="http://www.sydneyrunningfestival.com.au/enter/bridge-run" target="_blank">9km Bridge Run</a>. The Bridge Run was part of the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival and I loved it so much that I immediately signed up for the 2016 half marathon, which I completed in September (BOOM!). I am now contemplating the full marathon for 2017...</div>
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<b>9.</b> Walk 1500 kilometres by the end of December. <b>F</b>. Nope.<br />
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<b>10.</b> Sort my health out. <b>B+</b>. Never made it to the physio but I'm doing okay in the health department I reckon.</div>
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<b>11.</b> Cook at least one new meal for the family each month. <b>C</b>. Sort of. Maybe. Well, probably not.<br />
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<b>12.</b> Related, attend two cooking classes. <b>F</b>. Nope, not one.<br />
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<b>13.</b> Watch twelve movies. And blog about them. <b>F</b>. Watch? Yes. Blog about them? Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Aha. Ha.<br />
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<b>14.</b> Organise my office, and keep it organised. <b>B-</b>. Husband would probably rate me an F- on this one but I think my office is pretty neat and if he wants to grade me he can start his own freaking blog.<br />
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<b>15. </b>Do more road trips! <b>F</b>. Nope.<br />
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So, there you have it. A very, very belated look over my 2015. I've said this before but I do love looking back over the goals I set for myself, remembering that optimism and hope, that naive belief that change isn't the only certainty and things will pan out a certain way. Ah bless my early 2015 self...<br />
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ps. I think I may have missed the boat for 2016 but I might try and get back on the horse for 2017. 17 Things in the Year of The Rooster, I like it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitv4w93uGoxbr7EJx8ZxxbFecmXIDtM1gLsKpcwndqcgpZNgyN2AeHF1443RMyWTKXrO5nphcxoaf-61KD9aXkfgb6ZV3D_0Ysdz-gG3-_KS0BsGVq_ghaGvSh54pb5_cxfB7a4_8bxjA/s1600/Lily+Pink_20150919_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitv4w93uGoxbr7EJx8ZxxbFecmXIDtM1gLsKpcwndqcgpZNgyN2AeHF1443RMyWTKXrO5nphcxoaf-61KD9aXkfgb6ZV3D_0Ysdz-gG3-_KS0BsGVq_ghaGvSh54pb5_cxfB7a4_8bxjA/s640/Lily+Pink_20150919_1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLihrmNNXMGoqpeU4YNXWWnvIzhKcSQZ-7a45VMvS-r_hPDtVsgTwz7dxlHmQS_qsbNW-fVlY3wKoJfvVE6-_Ujt_r0NdsKkJ43BOv_eBK_ZSKUS7FqKR4DTKkRQu9A8-94a09sZ9Xut0/s1600/prom+dress+crop+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLihrmNNXMGoqpeU4YNXWWnvIzhKcSQZ-7a45VMvS-r_hPDtVsgTwz7dxlHmQS_qsbNW-fVlY3wKoJfvVE6-_Ujt_r0NdsKkJ43BOv_eBK_ZSKUS7FqKR4DTKkRQu9A8-94a09sZ9Xut0/s640/prom+dress+crop+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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No matter how I twist and turn it I really don't need more dresses in my wardrobe. And I really, <i>really</i> don't need a prom dress in my wardrobe. Nope, not at all. Sure, these days I sort of go to a few more slightly fancy work-related dinners, but none are quite giant-bow, pouffy-skirt level fancy. </div>
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Which is a pity, because just look at how pretty these frocks are...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iw4uEj5afmp7KbDQ-XLJ4-bQTE9K6wpvq7HeArgT6WwqiyUVVSQka4B2O4BZ6iNARXS21q98IkjjRiAhLe8GY5QF216OjfZYDWNTgKQEc1M2JYTH8DN71928SzzubF5CUIBS495HmXQ/s1600/TSFTP+Prom+Dress.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iw4uEj5afmp7KbDQ-XLJ4-bQTE9K6wpvq7HeArgT6WwqiyUVVSQka4B2O4BZ6iNARXS21q98IkjjRiAhLe8GY5QF216OjfZYDWNTgKQEc1M2JYTH8DN71928SzzubF5CUIBS495HmXQ/s640/TSFTP+Prom+Dress.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5100758&CTAref=Saved+Items+Page" target="_blank">1. ASOS Salon Holographic Shimmer Midi Prom Dress</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4936387&CTAref=Saved+Items+Page" target="_blank">2. ASOS Salon Rose Print Bandeau Midi Prom Dress</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5112388&CTAref=Saved+Items+Page" target="_blank">3. ASOS Salon Lace + Embroidered Panel Maxi Dress</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5521385&CTAref=Saved+Items+Page" target="_blank">4. ASOS Mono Floral Jacquard Belted Midi Prom Dress</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4993116&CTAref=Saved+Items+Page" target="_blank">5. ASOS Beautiful Floral Super Full Prom Dress</a> </div>
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Okay, so I did buy one. Oops. It was on sale, I couldn't resist... Can you guess which one I bought and why?<br />
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ps. Not sponsored, I just really love ASOS! Such cute frocks at nice prices. And for those of you who like to shop ethical ASOS <a href="http://ecocult.com/2012/can-you-get-guilt-free-fast-fashion-yep-heres-how/" target="_blank">here's some information</a> on their green and ethical standards, it's from 2012 though - if you have more up-to-date info let me know.</div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3758104819828244681%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-G7vZTxrwD5Y%2FVouM6oYXMtI%2FAAAAAAAAHys%2FrasKq78kL_8%2Fs640%2FTSFTP%252BProm%252BDress.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=KAy7Xxy3uXCV&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 538px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3758104819828244681%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-G7vZTxrwD5Y%2FVouM6oYXMtI%2FAAAAAAAAHys%2FrasKq78kL_8%2Fs640%2FTSFTP%252BProm%252BDress.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=KAy7Xxy3uXCV&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 538px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3758104819828244681%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-G7vZTxrwD5Y%2FVouM6oYXMtI%2FAAAAAAAAHys%2FrasKq78kL_8%2Fs640%2FTSFTP%252BProm%252BDress.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=KAy7Xxy3uXCV&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 538px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3758104819828244681%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-G7vZTxrwD5Y%2FVouM6oYXMtI%2FAAAAAAAAHys%2FrasKq78kL_8%2Fs640%2FTSFTP%252BProm%252BDress.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=KAy7Xxy3uXCV&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 538px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-89344275235130299842016-01-02T19:39:00.001+11:002016-01-03T10:49:58.556+11:00Death by Doxie : The Festive Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJI-Ngw-xslaKCS0snziAz1LONPzDgAAWcl6-4GGsiQxHBNIVrftGNhiu8TqSPRLhZ9Ha-OsmKV5kNoxYbeTX4KFYGF4FxvKZOOpP8TeHKYeBAjqQhGyZ2sOFm36fYm3RWCpfEn3r-xhQ/s1600/Xmas+2015_20151225_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJI-Ngw-xslaKCS0snziAz1LONPzDgAAWcl6-4GGsiQxHBNIVrftGNhiu8TqSPRLhZ9Ha-OsmKV5kNoxYbeTX4KFYGF4FxvKZOOpP8TeHKYeBAjqQhGyZ2sOFm36fYm3RWCpfEn3r-xhQ/s640/Xmas+2015_20151225_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I haven't really missed blogging at all, these past crazy few months. I've drafted a few posts in my head but I haven't felt that overwhelming urge to carve out the time for writing and image making. Until yesterday. For some reason the new year has bought with it an overwhelming urge to awaken Good Things*. And whilst I'd like the clear air to write about what's changed and what hasn't, and what I miss and what I don't, and what a day in the life of a Macca's supervisor / owner / fry girl is really like, I've realised that if I want to blog it needs to be short and sweet, for now. So here's the dogs, on xmas day. </div>
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We had a really lovely xmas day. I popped into the store in the morning, planning on just saying 'hi' and handing out some festive goodies, but oh my goodness was it busy. I kind of forgot that everyone is in their cars xmas morning, driving to Aunt Mabel's, and that everyone still needs coffee (actually everyone <i>especially</i> needs coffee), and we are basically the only thing open. So yeah, it was busy. </div>
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I love it when it's really busy, when everyone just knuckles down and works together to get through the mad rush. It's kind of zen too, because you really can't think of anything other than the task immediately at hand. You have to be completely in the moment, completely focussed, to get all those coffees out that drive thru window.</div>
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While I was caffeinating the good people of western Sydney, at home the husband and step sons were tending to a giant turkey, which we had for lunch with <a href="http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/recipe-search/feature-recipe/2015/12/roast-turkey-with-sour-cherry-stuffing-and-pickled-cherries/" target="_blank">pickled cherries</a> and gravy and mash. For afters there was cheese and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_vFvo-KKe4/?taken-by=ejorpin" target="_blank">pav</a> (of course there was pav). There was seven of us for lunch and it was relaxed and lovely, and later two more came over for roast turkey rolls with cranberry, rocket and brie (so yum). And then it was just the husband and I and the calm that comes after all that festive build up. </div>
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The dogs got turkey too of course, for many days afterwards actually (it really was a big bird!). I've said before it's really not xmas unless your hounds are dressed up. This year there was no santa outfits or reindeer antlers (they never stay on for more than a minute anyway), but Ferdi wore a red polkadot bowtie and Elfi had a matching rosette. Very cute, both of them. </div>
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Here they are watching the oldest step-son strip the bird, hoping with all their little hearts that a scrap or two might fall their way.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWttdisFjY-HRCZGyFpJMHMVCOivAb_I_yGaUvyBdky9RAWO_y8gpTR-eQI9whYReFhK2WFdddc182PmB6rOEcTRZZNIniCqzQldc_yhZHaw_OEjRR6WvjhK9sNi1hafRl5_Yw_ub-1GA/s1600/Xmas+2015_20151225_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWttdisFjY-HRCZGyFpJMHMVCOivAb_I_yGaUvyBdky9RAWO_y8gpTR-eQI9whYReFhK2WFdddc182PmB6rOEcTRZZNIniCqzQldc_yhZHaw_OEjRR6WvjhK9sNi1hafRl5_Yw_ub-1GA/s640/Xmas+2015_20151225_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Hope you all had a lovely day too, and that you survived new year's eve, and that 2016 is treating you well so far. x</span></div>
ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-5043718157348993802015-08-31T15:13:00.004+10:002015-08-31T15:13:40.996+10:00Jorpins 365 : July Favourites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/ejorpin" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sGzPupTYmoFVhYy6ABHV-ZT46fEmOOR3XuDsxsP2JJZhZE5g6EW_qP8eMCOajd4Z-QsSg5lQv4bBmbN_ym8KrNlzPZqse1j-OIc_1XBMY94pWDDlaXn3QMCmKNhix0ZvdBYo3XajMVg/s640/July+grid.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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So you may have noticed that after a pretty consistent first six months, things have come crashing to a halt lately. I have good, and exciting, and exhausting, reasons for that which will be explained if I ever find the time to write a longer blog post (which I will, hopefully, next week, maybe). I'm still posting pretty much everyday over at Instagram though, so feel free to <a href="https://instagram.com/ejorpin" target="_blank">follow me over there</a> if you're missing your monthly dose of dachshunds and/or my random ramblings! </div>
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Anyway, remember July? It seems an age ago, doesn't it? There was a mad dash to the complete-lack-of-snow, and another mad dash to Cowra (Hi <a href="http://rarepearstudio.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Shani</a>!). There was a rather laid back wedding anniversary, and a heart breaking, but beautiful, funeral. There were many late night talks, and stress and worry. And sunshine and crisp air and snuggly sleep-ins with the dogs. And thinking that this year has hit me with about all I can deal with...and then - maybe it hasn't, maybe there's light; maybe things are going to be a-okay, things are going to be awesome, after all. </div>
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What a month it was.</div>
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D504371815734899380%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-8B--gBTqd_E%2FVePgHJrv7KI%2FAAAAAAAAHxw%2FlevmefGzxDk%2Fs640%2FJuly%252Bgrid.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=xRgj0qbatRSH&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D504371815734899380%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-8B--gBTqd_E%2FVePgHJrv7KI%2FAAAAAAAAHxw%2FlevmefGzxDk%2Fs640%2FJuly%252Bgrid.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=xRgj0qbatRSH&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-9213749775157259242015-07-29T14:07:00.000+10:002015-08-02T14:44:45.519+10:00Three Etsy Things : Dog Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptFQmL99vpf1jabDnNa8XFyIcDs5DCrySW1evWwvQmdy4hoxzLDaZ4tyaMgJ2Ssdi_s9xnyyTYvTK4sHPliasBSdbFUgFqW0gsoyjB_dcebzpRtTjHDXnI71SG0SdLT56PpUFiE0iZKA/s1600/Dog+Art.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptFQmL99vpf1jabDnNa8XFyIcDs5DCrySW1evWwvQmdy4hoxzLDaZ4tyaMgJ2Ssdi_s9xnyyTYvTK4sHPliasBSdbFUgFqW0gsoyjB_dcebzpRtTjHDXnI71SG0SdLT56PpUFiE0iZKA/s640/Dog+Art.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Etsy is a great place to buy prints big and small. There's a whole world of amazingly talented artists and illustrators with Easy shops, just waiting for you to fall in love with their style. Plus they often offer a heap of options - from large originals to A4 prints to art cards - so you can normally find the right sized print to fit both your wall space and your budget. </div>
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Right now I'm sitting next to a pile of prints that I've been meaning to get framed for months, and I'm wondering where on earth I'll find the wall space to hang them, so yeah, I'm on a print buying ban. But I can still look, right? </div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/207212688/a4-print-dogs-dogs-dogs" target="_blank">1. Dogs Dogs Dogs A4 print | Surfing Sloth (Art by Luka Va)</a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/186497247/plant-dogs-risograph-prints-on-archival?ref=favs_view_6" target="_blank">2. Plant Dogs risograph prints (set of two) | Sarah McNeil</a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/192396147/dogs-in-a-floral-doodle-garden-8-x-11?ref=shop_home_active_12" target="_blank">3. Dogs in a Floral Doodle Garden giclee print | Studio Legohead</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aPo1A7K2nKzFpJ7Fy4WErg61CQcr60RVwMh0OVJgRkCfYiFqA4rxcOWqbdM1IRNX1mRwTvisT9AOec8fZZgov4DA7IsN4zugG9RvXNe5Mx3HMqbXplNEomDPDBNA85CCwGI7VqC99Tc/s1600/Cheekyburger+Bar_20150226_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aPo1A7K2nKzFpJ7Fy4WErg61CQcr60RVwMh0OVJgRkCfYiFqA4rxcOWqbdM1IRNX1mRwTvisT9AOec8fZZgov4DA7IsN4zugG9RvXNe5Mx3HMqbXplNEomDPDBNA85CCwGI7VqC99Tc/s640/Cheekyburger+Bar_20150226_6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you go to <a href="http://cheekyburgerbar.com/" target="_blank">Cheekyburger</a>, go hungry. Cheekyburger is all about calories - delicious, American-inspired calories - so you don't want to go there after a big breakfast or a long, late lunch. You want to go there hungry, so you can eat all the things. Starting with a Cheekyburger - super soft, slightly sweet bun; gooey, melty cheese; juicy, still pink meat, relish and pickles. If they're on their game quality wise it is heavenly, especially if you're a pickle lover like me. </div>
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Speaking of pickles, and calories, their deep-fried pickles are pretty freaking amazing too. But make sure you've got someone to share them with as more than two will leave you feeling rather greased up. Other family favourites include chilli cheese fries, a straight up mac and cheese, crazy tangy spicy-sour buffalo wings, and guacamole (just so we feel like we're having a balanced meal). </div>
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I can also highly recommend their cocktails, by the jug. The long island ice tea is especially delicious/lethal/excellent value for money, although in our effort to live a <i>slightly</i> more healthier lifestyle (note the slightly) we don't indulge in those any more. These days we opt for a beer, or cider, or one of the definitely drinkable wines by the glass. Or - if we can fit one in - one of their dense, creamy, flavour filled shakes (the husband likes old school chocolate, the step-sons prefer Oreo or salted caramel). </div>
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Cheekyburger is very much a cheap, cheerful, delicious local for us; the perfect everyone-has-had-a-crazy-busy-day-and-no-one-can-be-arsed-cooking midweek saviour. Consistency can sometimes be an issue (we've had the odd cold bun or overcooked burger patty), and they need to get the guacamole out of the fridge and up to room temperature, and invest in some quality corn chips, but despite all that it's a firm favourite that we return to often. Very often.</div>
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Cheekyburger - super tasty, good value burgers and shakes, served with a smile and a side of nostalgia thanks to the 80s and 90s hip hop soundtrack. You really can't go wrong. </div>
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<b>Bookings?</b> Yes, but walks ups are fine. And if you don't book and there's wait for a table you're normally not waiting for too long. </div>
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<b>Kid friendly?</b> Definitely, depending on your tolerance for slightly sweary rap music. </div>
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<b>Dog friendly?</b> Not really. There is a courtyard out the back but it's pretty tight. You might be able to sneak in a tea cup poodle but a great dane would cause some problems. </div>
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<b>Good for groups?</b> Absolutely. Book one of the big long tables out the back, order a bunch of sides, a burger each, a cocktail jug or two, and enjoy!</div>
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+61 2 9331 7436</div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/312+Oxford+St,+Paddington+NSW+2021/@-33.88543,151.228746,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x6b12ae066c66e59b:0x9d6d9bc024e4cf7f?hl=en" target="_blank">312 Oxford Street, Paddington</a></div>
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ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-68417893952338884342015-07-24T17:50:00.000+10:002015-07-24T17:50:00.543+10:00Death by Doxie : Elfi Wants In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh what a life the dog with a snap happy owner leads! </div>
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I was in the garage, doing some task or other. Elfi was not in the garage, but - because she is my shadow - she wanted to be in the garage. The sliding door was open a crack, the light was magnificent, and there was that gorgeous little head, looking longingly in. </div>
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Do you think I let her in? Well yes, I did. <i>Eventually</i>. But first I had to take some photos...</div>
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ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-26194142627102833992015-07-22T17:58:00.000+10:002015-07-22T17:58:27.253+10:00Renovating With Dogs : Things To Consider<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whilst most of our reno was completed without us and the dogs around (and what's left of our sanity will be forever grateful for that) for a good six months or more after <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/the-big-project-we-moved-in.html" target="_blank">move in day</a> tradesmen were very much a regular part of our lives. The house might have been finished enough for us to live in, but there was a lot left to do. </div>
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We had carpenters on site building our garage and installing our deck; we had the tilers and the pool guy (technical tradie name) working on our big spa/small pool; we had a whole flock of joiners finishing our kitchen and our wardrobe. Some days there were electricians and tilers and landscapers and painters. And there were stonemasons, who brought their own gas stove and coffee percolator. </div>
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I didn't think too much about what that would mean for the dogs, apart from some vague notion of staying home to make sure they didn't run away. But after one day of trying to get my own stuff done whilst juggling all the tradies and two very curious and loud and possibly likely to escape dachshunds I realised I needed a better plan. </div>
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So if you're about to start a building project and you're dealing with dogs, here's some things to think about:</div>
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<b>Find a good doggy day care</b>. Day one I tried to have the dogs at home. By 11am I was googling doggy day care. If you have a lot of tradespeople going in and out of your house it's worth thinking about putting your dog in day care, or finding someone to watch them. With all the comings and goings gates and doors will be left open, even with the best of intentions. It's not worth the stress or the risk. </div>
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Doggy day care also saved my eardrums. Our dogs are quite <strike>annoying</strike> protective and so feel it's their duty to bark, loudly, every time someone comes in the front door, or back door, or moves more than a metre in any direction. Taking them out of the equation when the tradies were in the house made for a much more peaceful day all round. </div>
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<b>Dogs and power tools don't mix. </b>And neither do dogs and paint cans, or dogs and excavators, or dogs and giant pits in the backyard. Whilst a building site might be a fine environment for a smart working dog who is used to all the mess and noise and sharp edges (my dad was a builder and always had his dog on site), it's definitely not a suitable environment for two dachshunds who think they need to play with and / or attack everything, including power saws. </div>
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<b>Tradies like to eat. So do dogs. </b>At the end of a long day at day care Elfi loved coming back home and having a good sniff about, and cleaning up whatever food scraps she could find. Which might have been fun for her, but I'm pretty sure cheezel crumbs, yogurt tubs and banana skins aren't part of a healthy dog diet.</div>
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Once she found the remains of a kebab, in amongst all the builders rubble. (I only realised because things had been very, very quiet for awhile which always means the dogs are either dead or up to no good.) After that I made very sure to check the site over for any food scraps before they came home. (It's worth checking the site over at the end of each day for anything else not dog-friendly too, like paint and chemicals, or dog-sized crevices.)</div>
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A few months later we had some painters on site. Two guys who are lovely and who I trust to never leave a door or gate open, so the dogs were home too. The painters had brought their lunch with them, a sandwich of some sort, which Elfi dutifully sought out and ate. Luckily they were quite taken by our hounds and laughed it off, but it was all rather embarrassing. I made sure they had a safe spot up high to store their lunch after that.</div>
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<b>Dogs get stressed too.</b> Renovations are stressful. Aside from the logistics of it all there's the emotional part too - you constantly have people in your house, in your space. Your happy calm place, your retreat from the world, is not that at all during a renovation. And your dogs will feel that too. </div>
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Although doggy day care was the best and safest option for us, Elfi (the neurotic one) found it incredibly stressful going there each day. And on the days I kept her at home she found the constant invasions by strangers incredibly stressful too. She actually began to show physical signs of distress - her coat wasn't so shiny, she had a temperature and an upset stomach. Poor thing. Luckily the vet had some good advice on diet and other things we could tweak to help her through. </div>
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If you've got a dog that's bit nervy keep an extra eye on them. Do whatever you can to make them feel loved, and to give them a stable environment, and get them to the vet if they're feeling under the weather.</div>
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<i>Have you renovated with pets in the house? How did you manage?</i></div>
ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-7620253412039874372015-07-11T13:10:00.002+10:002015-07-11T17:12:10.033+10:00Jorpins 365 : June Favourites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/ejorpin" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjrdpW6vb07fYi5gFiuRgbjvwiSWXRCXibyj7qECziKjlMKZdWCxTXlYcYCvV_wYY59wq7c4kShsAkgAhyo8WoFjntGaYSJmc5y1bstTjsN2M6y8Ioa9-_828ZlJEb4JcsQ6F4ub0caI/s640/June+grid.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Grab every cliche you can and throw it at June. It came at us like a freight train; it was a roller coaster ride, too fast and full of ups and downs, twists and turns; it was a hard slog in the foothills. It was muddy and cold and sad, cut through with moments of absolute beauty (see: yellow tailed black cockatoos, heart stopping skies at dusk, soft morning light, all the leaf litter).<br />
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We cancelled our trip to Europe and we learnt of death and loss. We had long, exhausting days; we made some difficult decisions. But life kept rolling on, as it does, demanding our attention, asking us to focus, to move forward.<br />
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You can find all of my 365 photos <a href="https://instagram.com/explore/tags/jorpins365/">here</a>, and you can follow me on Instagram <a href="https://instagram.com/ejorpin/">here</a> </div>
ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-73287355836460503142015-06-30T18:28:00.003+10:002015-07-01T09:39:05.303+10:00My...Neighbourhood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrGiotjKw9TAVuh5ZEKobHfpFFek9HMm7vUxPDK27SCIXcMBhi8TiURlJ-UbysZBc-isPl-QrMOL4GJgMoloT2qwZeix5oSD58Y5SqNwIB9azSyot3bRJx_gwoAQa3Uhyphenhyphenj6gb10zw2dk/s1600/My+Neighbourhood+Header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrGiotjKw9TAVuh5ZEKobHfpFFek9HMm7vUxPDK27SCIXcMBhi8TiURlJ-UbysZBc-isPl-QrMOL4GJgMoloT2qwZeix5oSD58Y5SqNwIB9azSyot3bRJx_gwoAQa3Uhyphenhyphenj6gb10zw2dk/s640/My+Neighbourhood+Header.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thinking about what to write for this post has made me realise I've been really quite lucky to have lived in some great neighbourhoods over the years. (It's also made me a bit nostalgic and wistful...damn those itchy feet of mine.) They've all been unique in some way, but there's also a few defining commonalities regardless of city or country - greenery, walking distance to a village (somewhere to eat, somewhere to shop), and friendliness in shared spaces. </div>
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I grew up in the leafy suburbs of Melbourne's east - not the inner east like South Yarra, or the outer east like Ringwood or Ivanhoe, but the mid-east, Kew. It was (and still is) suburban Melbourne at its finest. It was a pretty nice place to grow up, actually. The streets were blessed with long established oak trees, the parks were plentiful (perfect for tree climbing and dog walking and finding some space of your own-ing), the trams frequent-ish and the schools were not too bad at all. </div>
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And it had a sense of community. In primary school the neighbourhood kids walked together most mornings, and in high school we caught the tram together. We had a street party, at least once. And I remember epic water fights in the heat of Melbourne's long dry summers, running in and out of neighbour's gardens to refill our various watery weapons. We knew our street, our neighbourhood. It felt safe, it felt like ours. My parents still live in the same street, and they still know their neighbours. A dying art they say, this neighbour thing. </div>
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After a few moves around Melbourne's mid-east, the next stop for me was Balmain, Sydney. I still marvel at my luck, picking Balmain out of all the places to pick when I moved to Sydney. It's a suburb full of dogs and pubs, with winding streets that lead you on to patches of green and surprising harbour views. Being a peninsula it's a bit isolated, a bit cut off from the rest of Sydney, but there's a gorgeous main street with restaurants and cafes and cute little shops so come the weekend you really don't need the rest of Sydney. </div>
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Balmain was pretty great, although I don't remember anyone ever saying 'hello' to me in the street. Maybe because it's a bit of a destination suburb, there's a lot of day trippers. You can't tell who is your neighbour and who isn't. Or maybe I just wasn't feeling so friendly around that time. Maybe. </div>
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Then the husband and I moved to Potts Point for a year. We lived in an apartment, which had harbour views from the tiny balcony right at the top, if you stood on your tippy toes and angled your head the right way. Potts Point is just a short walk from the city (a little longer if you take a detour past the sparkling waters of Woolloomoloo and the Gallery and the gardens, and why wouldn't you?) but it feels like it's one perfectly contained city in itself. It's unusual as it's one of the few high density suburbs in Sydney, and the high density living happens mostly in gorgeous deco apartment buildings (swoon). </div>
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You'd think living a little on top of each other would lead to niggles and tension, but in our experience it lead to thought and consideration and <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/the-kindness-of-almost-strangers.html" target="_blank">small acts of kindness</a>. I'd move back there in a heart beat. </div>
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Then we headed overseas and drove our relocation consultants to distraction searching for the right place to live. They'd show us a shiny new apartment with all the mod cons in a 'great expat area', and we'd say '<i>Hmmmm, it's nice but can we go for a stroll and get some dinner, or groceries?</i>". Because for us where we lived was just as important, possibly more important, than what the actual place was like. We'd happily sacrifice space and newness if it meant we'd be in walking distance of a shop or a cafe or a bar. Which, apparently, in Hong Kong at least, is not a typical consideration for expats and relocation consultants. </div>
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The thought of having to jump in a cab every time I needed some milk filled me with dread, so we pressed on, and - after some frustration and a few tears (mainly mine) - ended up in the most perfect spot. Our apartment was a short but steep fifteen minute walk into Central yet it was surrounded by lush masses of greenery. And flamingos, and monkeys. You see, our apartment was perched just above the zoo. At night we would wander down the street for a martini and a steak and then head home, normally in a taxi - the hill really was steep! Come morning we'd awake to the sound of <a href="https://soundcloud.com/jnussbaum/howling-monkeys-hong-kong-zoo" target="_blank">howler monkeys</a> and red-crowned cranes in the gardens below. Pretty freaking awesome. </div>
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Next was Seoul, and another great neighbourhood - Hoehyundong - which you can read about <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/seoul-walking-hoehyundong-above-ground.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/seoul-walking-hoehyundong-under-ground.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It was one of those crumbling old areas, a rabbit warren of shacks and concrete and <strike>incredibly</strike> slightly dodgy looking massage shops. It was just starting to be redeveloped, hence our shiny new skyscraper of an apartment building. On one side we had <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/seoul-walking-moment-in-namsan.html" target="_blank">Namsan</a>, on the other was <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/seoul-walking-fast-fashion-in.html" target="_blank">Myeongdong</a> and the sprawling Namdaemun market. It was a great spot to spend three and a bit years. </div>
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(Slight tangent - after all our moves I've come to the conclusion that it takes a minimum of twelve months to start to get to know a place, to start to feel like you belong to a place. What do you think of that timeline?)</div>
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And then we moved back to Sydney, and we bought a house in Paddington. Paddington is a great suburb filled with all the things we love - cafes and restaurants and pubs and parks and trees and dogs. There's a little community garden at one end of our street, and an excellent butcher up on Oxford Street who happily shares cooking tips, and not too far away is Centennial Park where a whole herd of dachshunds meet up once a month. I can walk into the city if I fancy, and on a warm sunny day we can drive to the beach in fifteen minutes or so. </div>
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We've got a rental on one side, so our neighbours change fairly frequently. But on the other side we have a neighbour who grows exotic orchids under shade cloth and listens to opera, loudly, on a Sunday morning. And almost everyone stops in the street to pat Ferdi on our morning walks, which makes him ridiculously happy.<br />
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We're close to the boy's other house, and to their school. We have three locals within walking distance - places we're happy to go when we want a break from cooking, places where the staff say hi. Since leaving Melbourne's east I'm used to moving, often, but I think I'll be happy to settle in this neighbourhood for a little while longer.</div>
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<i>The My... posts are a way to get me writing more throughout 2015. There'll be one a month, each with a different My... prompt. You can play along as well, whenever and wherever you want. This month's prompt (June) is My Neighbourhood. Next month's prompt (July) is My Wardrobe. Interpret each prompt however you like - a story or a jumble of thoughts, fact or fiction, personal or not. Don't feel too constrained by the months either, if you like a prompt then have a go. And make sure to let me know if you do join in!</i></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7034116958711987628" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7034116958711987628" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-72494619826803937902015-06-30T07:05:00.000+10:002015-06-30T07:05:00.196+10:00Typography Tuesday : Ann Patchett on Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I knew I wanted to highlight this quote which comes right at the end of Ann Patchett's essay <i>Dog Without End</i> (from her wonderful collection <i>This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage</i>) as soon as I read it a few weeks ago. And it's become even more poignant given some pretty sad news we received over the weekend. Yes, the endings will so often break you in half. But yes, all the stuff in between - the life and love and blue skies on winter days - make it worthwhile. I've said it once and I'll say it again, go seek out this book. It's brilliant. </div>
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The font is another from the mix and match Harman family designed by Ahmet Altun - <a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/ahmet-altun/harman/" target="_blank">Harman Retro</a>. I reckon the whole font family is pretty ace, worth the investment especially as it's<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"> on special right now.</span></span></div>
ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-18609811586761809512015-06-19T15:40:00.000+10:002015-06-19T15:40:12.961+10:00Death by Doxie : Extra Curricular<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And this is why you won't see too many flat lays around these parts - the dogs think that if it's on the floor, it's theirs. </div>
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These photos are from a month or so ago, when the lovely folks at <a href="http://extracurricularmag.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">Extra Curricular magazine</a> sent me a few copies of their super cute and gorgeously put together magazine (payment in kind for an interview I did with <a href="http://www.helenaleslie.com/" target="_blank">Helena Leslie</a> for their <a href="http://extracurricularmag.bigcartel.com/product/extra-curricular-issue-17" target="_blank">Messy issue</a>). I'd just bought some gorgeous banksias, so I thought - mags + flowers + concrete floor = perfect Instagram shot, yes? Well, maybe, in a Ferdi and Elfi free house. </div>
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As soon as the magazines were on the ground Elfi came and sat on them, and showed no intention of moving. Then Ferdi decided to see if the banksias were tasty (they weren't). The dogs were saying - loud and clear - <i>If you're going to give your attention to something close to the ground, it should be us. </i>Elfi even blew me a raspberry...</div>
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<br />ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-29785303070129160582015-06-16T09:47:00.000+10:002015-06-16T09:47:00.776+10:0015 Things in The Year of The Sheep : An Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ahhhh yes. It's that time of year again, that glorious time when I publicly shame myself by revisiting all those things I said I'd do when I had a song in my heart and a skip in my step and a firm <strike>delusion</strike> belief that this year would be different.<br />
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But guess what? With an average grade of <b>B</b> (-ish) things actually aren't looking too shabby so far, despite life throwing its usual hilarious curve balls at us. So, with head held high, I present this update on <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/15-things-in-year-of-sheep.html" target="_blank">15 things in the Year of the Sheep</a>.<br />
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<b>1. </b>Read more. Specifically, read at least fourteen books in twelve months. <b>B-</b>. Slow but steady progress. I feel like I'm closer to achieving this than the stats say, because the stats say that I've only actually finished three books<i>. </i>But I'm reading pretty much every day, and I'm reading on flights, and when I'm waiting at the doctors, and when I'm out eating solo, so it feels like more. I've tackled a few doorstoppers to date, but I've got some thinner reads lined up so I'm hoping to make some more ground on this one in the coming months.<br />
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If you're interested so far I've read: <i>The Year of the Flood </i>by Margaret Atwood (excellent in all kinds of ways); <i>The Narrow Road to the Deep North </i>by Richard Flanagan (I hate to say it but...disappointing; parts of it are so over the top and hysterical - all that mooning over a girl - but parts of it are heart achingly sad/beautiful - the fish and chip shop scene for one, but on balance, disappointing); and <i>Waiting for Doggo</i> by Mark Mills (a bit of light fluff, completely inoffensive, I forgot it as soon as I read it).<br />
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I'm currently most of the way through <i>Questions of Travel </i>by Michelle de Krester, which I'm thoroughly enjoying, especially for the writing on travel and the way it captures the very essence of Sydney. And I'm on the brink of finishing <i>This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage</i> by Ann Patchett, a collection of essays that I cannot possibly say enough good things about. If you have any interest in writing, or family, or dogs, or friendship, or life, go read it. Go read it now.<br />
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I've been on the brink of finishing it for awhile, but I can't quite bring myself to. Not because I don't want to say goodbye to such a great book, but because the second last essay starts "<i>Two days before my dog Rose died..."</i> and I haven't yet been able to make it past that opening sentence.<br />
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<b>2. </b>Read more blogs. Randomly quantified with the goal of posting three thoughtful comments a week. <b>D-</b>. Like most things I have good weeks and bad. Okay, good months and bad. This past month has been a bad one.<br />
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<b>3.</b> Blog more. Specifically, blog at least six times per month. <b>A+++</b>. Six posts every month in 2015! Oh yeah! I'm a flipping bloggy superstar, no?<br />
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<b>4.</b> Write more. About everything. Specifically, write a <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/search/label/My...">My...</a> post every month in 2015. <b>A</b>. I might just squeeze them in on the last day of the month but I've got them done. I've really enjoyed writing them; I hope you've enjoyed reading them. I think my favourite to date as been <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/mytravel.html" target="_blank">the one on travel</a>.</div>
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<b>5.</b> Related, pitch at least five stories to magazines. <b>F</b>. I made one pitch, which translated into an article on modern lace makers - three profile pieces, plus an introduction, plus a bunch of photos. Ummm, Y to the AY! You'll be able to see it in the upcoming <a href="http://uppercasemagazine.com/blog/2015/6/12/issue-26-on-press#.VX5HFOtVtO0" target="_blank">Issue 26 of Uppercase</a>. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!<br />
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I also had the chance to interview the lovely and clever <a href="http://www.helenaleslie.com/" target="_blank">Helena Leslie</a> for Extra Curricular (she did the cover illustration for their Messy issue, which you can find <a href="http://extracurricularmag.bigcartel.com/product/extra-curricular-issue-17" target="_blank">here</a>). Outside of that I've done zip, zero, zilch. And seeing as things are all a bit akimbo in our life right now (yet again! more on that later...) realistically it's probably all I will get to do this year.<br />
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<b>6.</b> Finish my 365 project on Instagram. <b>A</b>. Half way through and going strong! You can see some of my favourites <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/search/label/jorpins365" target="_blank">here</a>, or <a href="https://instagram.com/ejorpin" target="_blank">follow me on Instagram</a> to get the full shebang!</div>
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<b>7.</b> Hit fifty sales in my Etsy shop, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/jorpinsvintage">Jorpins Vintage</a>. <b>B</b>. On track! I'm sitting on 26 items sold. I've got a ton of amazing stock still to clean and photograph and list. I'm feeling vaguely confident about this one.</div>
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<b>8.</b> Finish three walking events. <b>C</b>. I <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/done-jabulani-challenge.html" target="_blank">completed the 22km Jabulani Challenge</a> in April (yay me!), and I've signed up for the <a href="http://www.sydneyrunningfestival.com.au/enter/bridge-run" target="_blank">9km Bridge Run</a> - not a long distance but it has tight-ish (for a walker!) cut off times, so it'll help me focus on pace. As for the third event...stay tuned!</div>
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<b>9.</b> Walk 1500 kilometres by the end of December. <b>C</b>. I was doing really well with this! I was doing a good 25 to 35kms per week, I made it to <a href="http://rundownunder.com.au/" target="_blank">Forster</a>, and then, well, life happened. The past few weeks I've barely managed 15kms. But, thanks to my cheer squad (aka the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/opmove/" target="_blank">Operation Move community</a>!) I'm feeling inspired again. I've got a plan to kickstart things, this goal isn't over yet!<br />
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<b>10.</b> Sort my health out. <b>B+</b>. I've been seeing the dentist regularly and we've got a long term plan for a bunch of stuff. I finally got around to getting a pap smear, and discussed contraception pros and cons with a GP. The other day I even visited an optometrist for a full eye health check up. Next on the list - physio.</div>
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<b>11.</b> Cook at least one new meal for the family each month. <b>B</b>. I haven't been keeping track of this, but I feel like we've been kicking its arse. I recently refreshed our cookbook shelf - ditched some we'd never used and bought some new-to-us classics (ie. everything by Karen Martini).<br />
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We've been cooking at home, heaps. Okay, yes, maybe last night we had tacos, <i>again</i>, but we have been adding some new stuff to our standard repertoire. This <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/roman-pork-sausage-ragu-20121003-29trn.html" target="_blank">sausage ragu</a> has become a firm favourite. We've also tackled mince pies, <a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/1615/chicken+and+mushroom+pot+pies" target="_blank">chicken pot pies</a>, all kinds of stews and soups, and a slow roasted lamb cooked on the BBQ. Have I told you how much I adore winter cooking? I freaking adore it.<br />
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<b>12.</b> Related, attend two cooking classes. <b>F</b>. Nope. The one I had booked got cancelled. Right now unless someone is willing to provide two all expenses paid trips - one to Italy, one to Thailand - I can't see this happening.<br />
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<b>13.</b> Watch twelve movies. And blog about them. <b>D-</b>. Well, I am watching loads of new movies this year, but I'm not really blogging about them. I do have some draft posts, just asking to be finished. So maybe.<br />
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<b>14.</b> Organise my office, and keep it organised. <b>B+</b>. I had been chipping away at this, little by little, and then last week I spent two whole days on a final push. It's still not there but it's really, really, really close.<br />
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<b>15. </b>Do more road trips! <b>F</b>. I've wanted to, I've really wanted to, but I just haven't. I did have one booked, but I had to cancel (for a pretty substantial reason, none of this dog ate my homework stuff). The next six months are looking good though - we've got trips to Canberra, Thredbo, and the Hunter Valley planned. Oh, and I'm hopefully heading to Cowra to meet <a href="http://rarepearstudio.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">this talented lady</a>!<br />
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Do you have a list of things you were hoping to achieve this year? How are you tracking?</div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2978530307012916058%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Qj7T1KhiGCw%2FVXpD9j5ry9I%2FAAAAAAAAHqs%2FSB8yGxbKB-o%2Fs640%2FDahlia%252Bcrazy%252Bpurple_20150112_4.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2586px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2978530307012916058%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Qj7T1KhiGCw%2FVXpD9j5ry9I%2FAAAAAAAAHqs%2FSB8yGxbKB-o%2Fs640%2FDahlia%252Bcrazy%252Bpurple_20150112_4.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2586px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-40807824718745944532015-06-11T17:50:00.000+10:002015-06-11T17:50:37.082+10:00The Search For The Perfect Winter Wedding Outfit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.extraordinaryordinaryday.co/shop/ecstasy-gold" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAJa2JfDTjDZkIfvw4DSrwAiQo8aevgjJWK0nqfcMe1XwcKxqBvpFntxHV8ps0F3MbJtYOlNsbpRH1QYpNc4rkRw10GFLlIBgpMarZVShz5TgtPKLuatL6MmTGdXiLtp0PsicsACW_gs/s640/wedding+EOD+Ecstasy_gold-side2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Weddings and spring and pretty floral frocks just all fit together, don't they? But what about winter weddings? What does one wear that's celebratory but warm? Cosy without being drab? I've got a wedding to go to in August, and <a href="https://instagram.com/p/1-VrfKqKan/?taken-by=ejorpin" target="_blank">when I spied these shoes</a> a month or so ago I thought all my wedding outfit dilemmas were solved - a classic black dress, black stockings, and then BAM! these beauties sparkling on my feet. Perfect, yes? </div>
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But now I'm not so sure. Traditionally one isn't meant to wear black to a wedding, so I've been expanding my options. </div>
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Here's a few of the favourites right now:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsGVq-63_JH5tZSwoI55Ci6y07_-InWstSd3TlfWAez9UTEiFecmd8m0nnZ0qeYa100Dq5UqszT3FQ9S6fx0zL-oH_1BINwPJg1nckT973dM9DykRWI-De64ujfnCoxK79-oKc89sc1Q/s1600/TSFTP+Wedding.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsGVq-63_JH5tZSwoI55Ci6y07_-InWstSd3TlfWAez9UTEiFecmd8m0nnZ0qeYa100Dq5UqszT3FQ9S6fx0zL-oH_1BINwPJg1nckT973dM9DykRWI-De64ujfnCoxK79-oKc89sc1Q/s640/TSFTP+Wedding.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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1. <a href="http://leonaedmiston.com/dress-collections/frocks/claudia-slinky-w15-1848-sl-b.html" target="_blank">Claudia Dress | Leona Edmiston</a> <a href="http://www.extraordinaryordinaryday.co/shop/ecstasy-gold" target="_blank">Ecstasy Gold Loafers | Extraordinary Ordinary Day</a> </div>
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2. <a href="http://obus.com.au/collections/dresses/products/donatelladresscopper" target="_blank">Donatella Dress | Obus</a> </div>
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3. <a href="http://www.stemonline.com.au/products/marimekko-kipale-dress" target="_blank">Kipale Dress | Marimekko</a> </div>
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4. <a href="http://www.gormanshop.com.au/clothing/all/moon-moth-jacquard-shift.html" target="_blank">Moon Moth Jacquard Shift | Gorman</a></div>
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5. <a href="http://www.asos.com//Little-Mistress/Little-Mistress-Wrap-Front-Crochet-Detail-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4519319" target="_blank">Wrap Front Crochet Detail Dress | Little Mistress</a> <a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp" target="_blank">Carla Patent Leather Pumps | Salvatore Ferragamo</a> </div>
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So - classic and cute black frock from Leona Edmiston with gorgeous gold loafers, clearly a winner (and whilst we're on the topic of Leona Edmiston how ridiculously gorgeous is <a href="http://leonaedmiston.com/dress-collections/frocks/saskia-brocade-print-w15-1805-bp.html" target="_blank">this frock</a>?). But then just look at the copper metallic goodness that is the Obus dress! Hard to resist for some sparkly fun! (Just quietly I'm quite obsessed with everything Obus right now, they get better with every season.) Sticking with the bronze theme I do love the Gorman shift, so many options for layering too. (Oops, I just clicked over and saw that it's on sale...it <i>may</i> have jumped into my shopping cart...) </div>
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That pale green frock is a bit more traditionally wedding-y; such a pretty colour and cut. It's got longish sleeves plus I reckon it'd look awesome with opaque black stockings, hence it could work for a winter wedding. It's pretty sweet huh? And cheap too...</div>
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But then there's the Marimekko dress. It's velvet people, velvet! Swoon! I <i>may </i>have actually bought it six months ago with the justification that I could wear it to this August wedding, but I've worn it so much since then it doesn't feel 'special' enough anymore. Gosh I'm glad I got it though; it was bloody expensive but I already know it's going to be one of those frocks I'll still be wearing out to dinner in ten, twenty years time.</div>
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Okay, let's be honest. I'm not really looking for the perfect winter wedding outfit, I'm just using it as a - rather shaky - rationalisation to buy some things I love. And despite all the above at the moment I actually think I'm going to wear <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/111163848" target="_blank">this crazy vintage 70s maxi dress</a> that I've had for years. It's shimmery and silvery; floor length with slits up the side, long sleeves, a big collar and a zip down the front. Oh yeah!</div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4080782471874594453%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ut15PWl5FgE%2FVXkvO2wIhaI%2FAAAAAAAAHp4%2Fj5w-iS-swrU%2Fs640%2FTSFTP%252BWedding.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 734px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4080782471874594453%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ut15PWl5FgE%2FVXkvO2wIhaI%2FAAAAAAAAHp4%2Fj5w-iS-swrU%2Fs640%2FTSFTP%252BWedding.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 734px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4080782471874594453%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ut15PWl5FgE%2FVXkvO2wIhaI%2FAAAAAAAAHp4%2Fj5w-iS-swrU%2Fs640%2FTSFTP%252BWedding.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 734px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4080782471874594453%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ut15PWl5FgE%2FVXkvO2wIhaI%2FAAAAAAAAHp4%2Fj5w-iS-swrU%2Fs640%2FTSFTP%252BWedding.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 734px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-4483621337195251952015-06-02T09:54:00.000+10:002015-06-02T09:54:00.063+10:00Jorpins 365 : May Favourites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuL94b9u3ruhmdiFG2RCIWFbgNQI9H-WwgJBB6AtSO8jQmLFuFo0_hmqSR1cve1tdbthMsDjxTzDo7b0fukbA8utkdxEupw_8fLp5qCmU7BzpRe3yUbnbgoJFJQt7Pvsd9yjOwaVMNjvA/s1600/May+grid.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuL94b9u3ruhmdiFG2RCIWFbgNQI9H-WwgJBB6AtSO8jQmLFuFo0_hmqSR1cve1tdbthMsDjxTzDo7b0fukbA8utkdxEupw_8fLp5qCmU7BzpRe3yUbnbgoJFJQt7Pvsd9yjOwaVMNjvA/s640/May+grid.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Farewell May. You had some highs - seeing my photo in a gallery as part of the awesome Head On Photo Festival; all those gorgeous skies, blue and pink and golden; tasty food and autumn leaves.<br />
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But my goodness you also had some lows. In all honesty it's been a pretty tough month for us health wise, and there's a lot of uncertainty loitering about too. Although I should have learnt by now that the only constant in life is uncertainty, I still don't cope well with it. Change I can do, but not knowing - that I can't do so well.<br />
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So on balance, I'm not sad to see the back of May. Bring on June I say! Bring on hopefully maybe some certainty; bring on winter with all its comfort cooking and cosy knits and pottering about the house. And bring on trips to Europe, oh yes please!<br />
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By the by - I'm finding it interesting this photo a day for a year thing, especially seeing how the colours and tones of my photos change with the seasons, without me consciously intending it. So many golden browns and soft reds in my feed this month, all the colours of autumn. Such a contrast to the brights of summer at the start of the year.<br />
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You can see all my 365 photos <a href="https://instagram.com/explore/tags/jorpins365/">here</a>, or you can follow me on Instagram <a href="https://instagram.com/ejorpin/">here</a>.</div>
<br />ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-1602933940663583732015-05-31T16:32:00.000+10:002015-05-31T16:32:16.614+10:00My...Travel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNO-8pRrmpGS5j5fNum0nGtqrYn7kWPQMZ3VD61IWHIjJ-rlRgY9w5RmxwZuiHU1tHV3Vnw9CMe1d-WvnbHvOQS8LL_ohcisjQ8tt4xWiWWQnRwQrJ2CNlzNMogqTqgKj1NHNM3QoYmlY/s1600/My+Travel+Header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNO-8pRrmpGS5j5fNum0nGtqrYn7kWPQMZ3VD61IWHIjJ-rlRgY9w5RmxwZuiHU1tHV3Vnw9CMe1d-WvnbHvOQS8LL_ohcisjQ8tt4xWiWWQnRwQrJ2CNlzNMogqTqgKj1NHNM3QoYmlY/s640/My+Travel+Header.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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It is such an Australian thing, this overwhelming desire to travel. A cliche, but a cliche because it's true. To be Australian is to travel, from city to city or country to country. We are born knowing we are isolated, knowing we are far far away - from the rest of Australia, from the rest of the world. We grow up accepting long distances, accepting the tedium of travel in order to get someplace else. Travel is just what we do, if we want to do anything at all. And we are a migrant community, so all around us are reminders that there is a big wide world out there filled with sights to see and delicious food to eat and wonderful, intriguing, new people. Just waiting to be discovered. </div>
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I'm no different. I've always wanted to travel.</div>
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As a kid, each year during the long summer break we'd pile into the car and do a road trip up the coast, visiting friends and family along the way. Heading north we'd visit country farms, stopping to ride the horses and swim in the creeks; we'd visit homesteads and hippie communes and flash apartments. We stopped in Sydney and the Gold Coast and Corryong and Toowoomba, and Nimbin. </div>
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Despite the odd bout of travel sickness, and what was I'm sure hours and hours of annoying our parents with complaints and niggles, I have very fond memories of these journeys. I have memories of swimming pools and a ukelele under the palm trees; of gorging myself on mangoes, bought by the box-load at roadside stalls; of hand feeding overexcited baby goats in our underwear (Nimbin), of rainforest walks and leeches - eeeek! - and getting bogged in the mud (Nimbin, again); and of watching the most spectacular thunderstorms whip around the gums whilst perched on the outside pit toilet (yep, Nimbin again). </div>
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Road trips are still one of my favourite ways to travel, whether it's an overnight stay in the country or six weeks in Europe. I love the freedom having a car gives you, you can stay or go as you please. I love knowing you've got everything with you in the car - the people you love, your clothes, the wine, the snacks, your toothbrush...</div>
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And then there's the music. Some road trips we get organised and create a special playlist. When <a href="http://jorpins.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/holiday-slideshow-mammoth-to-death.html" target="_blank">we drove through Death Valley</a>, from Mammoth Mountain down to Las Vegas, we listened to nothing but Simon and Garfunkel, The Carpenters, Dusty Springfield, and Johnny Cash. But on some drives, when we're a bit disorganised, we're reduced to digging through those cheap CD bins in service stations to find something half decent. This has happened in Italy more times than I can remember. </div>
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So on our Italian road trips we normally end up flicking between unbelievably terrible dance music on Radio 105 and unbelievably soppy love songs on whatever Eros Ramazzotti CD my husband (slightly too excitedly) bought at the last <a href="http://www.autogrill.com/" target="_blank">Autogrill</a>. One trip we were lucky enough to find a 5 CD set - <i>Le 100 Canzoni de Sempre Internazionale </i>- packed with gems from Wham!, Patti Smith, Toto, Survivor and Whitney Houston. It's still on high rotation in my iTunes playlist. And then there was the trip where I forced my not-then-husband to listen to Mariah Carey's<i> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emancipation_of_Mimi" target="_blank">The Emancipation of Mimi</a>. </i>On repeat. I have a feeling I owe my entire marriage to this trip. I'm pretty sure listening to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0habxsuXW4g" target="_blank">We Belong Together</a> thirty eight times as we drove through the Italian countryside is what finally convinced my husband that we did, in fact, belong together. But that's a whole other tale... </div>
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Anyway, road trips are ace. Unfortunately despite (because of?) dragging them on road trips across all of the continents except for Africa, we are yet to convince the step-sons of this fact. They'd much rather fly / teleport everywhere. Yawn.</div>
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For me, part of the joy of travel is the getting there. Which is an odd thing to say because airport queues and flying anxieties and hours in a car seat are not joyous things, are they? But they are part of the ritual, they are sign posts of the fun and adventure to come. And in and of themselves there is something meditative, calming about them - a kind of enforced stillness. I want to get to x, but I have to endure a, b and c to get to x. So I will endure a, b and c. And, strangely, endure them with pleasure. But the step-sons would rather skip a, b and c and go straight to x. </div>
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Maybe I was like that as a kid too, but I don't think so. Is it a generational thing? A result of the just-one-google-away times they live in? Or perhaps it's a result of the ridiculous amount of travel they've done, at such a young age? Maybe there's still room for a little romance when you're catching your third flight ever at age twenty-something, but if you're on your thirtieth flight ever before puberty it all gets a bit ho-hum? </div>
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Anyway, I digress. </div>
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Although I always had the desire to travel I was a bit of a late bloomer in the international stakes. Sure, when I was seventeen I spent a pretty incredible two months with a host family in Nepal. But that was followed by a stretch when - outside of a trip to Fiji - I didn't leave Australia's shores. But then in my middish twenties I cobbled together a six week solo around the world trip and everything changed. I landed in Madrid, my first European city, and fell completely, utterly in love. The Prado! The cobbled lanes! The age of everything - so old, so historic! The late late meals! The croquettes! The pig! Then I caught the train to Barcelona, and swooned. In San Sebastian I wandered, wide eyed and fluttery. And then Prague, how could I not love thee? I was smitten, and I was hooked. </div>
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A few years later I did it all again, but this time I went to San Francisco and New York and Paris. And then I met my husband, and we travelled to Italy. And then we moved overseas and my goodness did we travel, across Asia and America and Europe. I may have been a late bloomer but I sure as heck made up for it. </div>
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I sometimes ponder what this urge is - what this desire to move, to go somewhere, anywhere new is. (As an aside as a teen I used to rearrange my room every year or so. And the three and a half year stint in our apartment in Seoul was the longest I'd lived anywhere, outside of the house I grew up in). </div>
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I could say it's driven by all the noble things. I could say it's driven by a desire for compassion and understanding; history, curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. But it's probably more about escape, about avoiding the mundane (I am so scared of the soul destroying mundane...). It's probably more about that feeling of stepping outside yourself. When you're in a foreign land, a foreign city, there are no preconceptions, there are no known knowns. Everything is an adventure. </div>
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I was lucky enough to listen to one of my favourite authors, Robert Dessaix, speak about why he travels at the Sydney Writers' Festival last year. He talked about travelling to cheat time. We can't ever stop time, but when we travel we somehow manage to stretch it out. When we're at home there are constant reminders that time is ticking by - there are due dates for bills, there are places to be at specific times, there are dinner dates and doctors appointments, and all kinds of things that we <i>must</i> do. But when we travel, all that fades into the background. And it is a most wonderful thing. In the end I think that's why we travel too, to cheat time in a way. </div>
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And to eat, of course.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7KTvCAt-2sZ6AytD3bxUJQY6TGNwjJtYxGKuV01QkMMig2c_i7-fDDdQCd0RVuRWAXONqUtOMD_pCDaPU9G3His0gGYpc5DWHZmbtTDkfFYi7SqlVS5VABQpi_WAfZnK8ihslTblJDQ/s1600/Travel_20150330_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7KTvCAt-2sZ6AytD3bxUJQY6TGNwjJtYxGKuV01QkMMig2c_i7-fDDdQCd0RVuRWAXONqUtOMD_pCDaPU9G3His0gGYpc5DWHZmbtTDkfFYi7SqlVS5VABQpi_WAfZnK8ihslTblJDQ/s640/Travel_20150330_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>The My... posts are a way to get me writing more throughout 2015. There'll be one a month, each with a different My... prompt. You can play along as well, whenever and wherever you want. This month's prompt (May) is My Travel. Next month's prompt (June) is My Neighbourhood. Interpret each prompt however you like - a story or a jumble of thoughts, fact or fiction, personal or not. Don't feel too constrained by the months either, if you like a prompt then have a go. And make sure to let me know if you do join in!</i></div>
ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-16674258642014254952015-05-23T17:43:00.000+10:002015-05-23T17:43:13.996+10:00IGEC : Travel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbcW1LZ0F0ZfmXcRhrUZHEyT36ViOYaboPL0rMok0Yax7GZ9D8ltQWB1ZKitx4r70Z1czsNYOYCEZg_sDy3Ys85W_lMxHC80YrdeehB_zVOhSflIRrts8o95GmFBq8knAxbJF1oUKJZc/s1600/IGEC+Header+Travel+A+2015.05.20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbcW1LZ0F0ZfmXcRhrUZHEyT36ViOYaboPL0rMok0Yax7GZ9D8ltQWB1ZKitx4r70Z1czsNYOYCEZg_sDy3Ys85W_lMxHC80YrdeehB_zVOhSflIRrts8o95GmFBq8knAxbJF1oUKJZc/s640/IGEC+Header+Travel+A+2015.05.20.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Instagram isn't just a great place to get inspired for your next meal, craft project or photo walk - it's also a perfect cure (or trigger) for itchy feet. So many gorgeous photos of so many far flung destinations. </div>
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I'm constantly drooling over all kinds of sights and cities in my feed, plotting and planning a dream trip that'll somehow include hiking in the great national parks of America, a dip in the hot springs of Finland, a visit to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. And that's just the first week... Take it from me - following these accounts may trigger a severe case of wanderlust. You have been warned.</div>
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First up, a curated account. I knew nothing about <a href="https://instagram.com/foundlost_/" target="_blank">@foundlost_</a> when I started following them. I was just drawn to the name and the wonderful images they select. Their (infrequent) posts have a focus on wilderness and adventure travel. I love the magical quality of the images they select, often featuring tiny people in grand landscapes. And mist, lots of mist.</div>
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It seems the account is attached to a Hong Kong based social enterprise called the <a href="http://www.youthendurance.com/" target="_blank">Youth Endurance Network</a> which takes young people on some pretty hard core holidays - expeditions with scientific, humanitarian or philanthropic goals. Looking at their website kind of makes me wish I was under 25 years old again... </div>
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Credits for the images I've chosen are -<br />
TL: <a href="https://instagram.com/gess8" target="_blank">@gess8</a> TR: <a href="https://instagram.com/ldl_jr/" target="_blank">@ldl_jr</a><br />
BL: <a href="https://instagram.com/greatwildopen" target="_blank">@greatwildopen</a> BR: <a href="https://instagram.com/joelle_tso" target="_blank">@joelle_tso</a></div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/foundlost_/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnn-GgnV_pBJF-o50ncvfafQQ5PrM3BENPpu37WGI62sF7vGv9mZa4R0lx3-7YT4KJoD6Lb0H-nAoVAcmsBQzJ9KYQvSB0AFtHz761s6PdmvQGKOTaUKAji8494b9ltOhUqhQpkofSjE/s640/travel+foundlost.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tim Coulson (<a href="https://instagram.com/timcoulson/" target="_blank">@timcoulson</a>) is a Sydney based wedding photographer. He's a family man who loves to take his wife and young kids on all kinds of adventures. Think you can't travel with kidlets in tow? Tim shows that you can (and that you can take some breathtakingly beautiful shots in the process!). His caption for the photo on the top right? <i>Never stop exploring. My new mission in life.</i> Sounds like a pretty great mission to me.</div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/timcoulson/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7I-QzGSnt7AbSe84FcEFSNAqeeuxxeegEb4AIRPful_ml8c2y7TkEamB3tGbrPn2tIkbpGP5iXOUIhZ272l3IWT4B_Nyg8t0HXojJgkjGZ91g1WH124oJiSOmiwGZPT9HoSsD9psPW9s/s640/travel+timcoulson.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another curated account, and one well worth following, is <a href="https://instagram.com/passionpassport" target="_blank">@passionpassport</a>. Their regularly updated feed is filled with gorgeous travel shots from all corners of the globe. Passion Passport covers all kinds of travel; their feed is an eclectic mix of architecture, culture and food. You'll find crowded cities and wide open spaces, well known landmarks and isolated country cabins; markets and mountains, castles and canoes, llamas and camels, stretching right across Europe and Asia and the Mid East. It's all pretty great. </div>
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Credits for the images I've chosen are -<br />
TL: <a href="https://instagram.com/abbeard" target="_blank">@abbeard</a> TR: <a href="https://instagram.com/zachspassport" target="_blank">@zachspassport</a> (Passion Passport founder)<br />
BL: <a href="https://instagram.com/zckrf" target="_blank">@zckrf</a> BR: <a href="https://instagram.com/forestwoodward" target="_blank">@forestwoodward</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxr67hHpbfU_yUq7THGllJRPGO5wYq7iyfz58ZutwFJDFhDaVT1ELOsZFGIxJ7N8AGp3eZWKUVNlW8_6gRB-6aNw4VUQE0pHNJmWpEWXLPfaTpXUf-YVwXslYIgFcpFtkWSShCbEgqmRY/s1600/travel+passionpassport.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxr67hHpbfU_yUq7THGllJRPGO5wYq7iyfz58ZutwFJDFhDaVT1ELOsZFGIxJ7N8AGp3eZWKUVNlW8_6gRB-6aNw4VUQE0pHNJmWpEWXLPfaTpXUf-YVwXslYIgFcpFtkWSShCbEgqmRY/s640/travel+passionpassport.png" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: justify;"></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Bonus! If you love to travel (or just to dream of travel) it's also worth having a look at </span><a href="https://instagram.com/awol_aus/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">@awol_aus</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, </span><a href="https://instagram.com/travellerau" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">@travellerau</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> and </span><a href="https://instagram.com/tasmania" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">@tasmania</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - all full of inspiring images that'll have you checking flight deals (and your bank balance) in no time. Do you follow any great travellers on Instagram? I'd love to know if you do! </span><br />
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<i style="text-align: justify;">Instagram is chockfull of the some of the most inspiring, creative, hilarious, clever people I've ever had the pleasure of encountering on the internets. IGEC is my chance to share some of those inspiring, creative, hilarious, clever people with you! Oh and you can find me on Instagram <a href="http://instagram.com/ejorpin">here</a>.</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D1667425864201425495%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-EqkeFRjfteg%2FVV6_bjV6rOI%2FAAAAAAAAHoU%2FScS-wJJ0ulE%2Fs640%2Ftravel%252Bpassionpassport.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2348px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7034116958711987628%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D1667425864201425495%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-EqkeFRjfteg%2FVV6_bjV6rOI%2FAAAAAAAAHoU%2FScS-wJJ0ulE%2Fs640%2Ftravel%252Bpassionpassport.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2348px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>ejorpinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803356774463998436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7034116958711987628.post-69609679735783797832015-05-14T10:45:00.000+10:002015-05-14T10:45:00.640+10:00Three Etsy Things : Clutches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholcavrD9aqi5nEQEps-aJ69-Y8etoQGRZov-nBoz9NdsiQ2dciiwajHQXCyv1sYNzxMZYmMybZgIUFr7VjEyyb6_Dq41IzLdg86OYqPJxiWNDvbZkQWLzdWRJdZHyhZecMH5uetQIpNE/s1600/Clutches.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholcavrD9aqi5nEQEps-aJ69-Y8etoQGRZov-nBoz9NdsiQ2dciiwajHQXCyv1sYNzxMZYmMybZgIUFr7VjEyyb6_Dq41IzLdg86OYqPJxiWNDvbZkQWLzdWRJdZHyhZecMH5uetQIpNE/s640/Clutches.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't usually travel with a handbag - I prefer to take a backpack so I can carry my laptop, camera, chargers, hard drives and other fun stuff in there. But a backpack doesn't really cut it for a night on the town, so I always throw a clutch in my suitcase.<br />
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Something not too big and not too small; something that sits flat so it doesn't take up too much valuable suitcase real estate. It needs to double as storage for bracelets and the like, and it needs to work with any outfit.<br />
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Here's three on Etsy that I reckon tick all those boxes and more.</div>
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1. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/207534094/leather-wallet-with-gold-dots-gold-dots" target="_blank">Leather wallet with gold dots | Raramodo</a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px 70px; text-align: justify;">
2. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/171676490/golden-palm-leaf-leather-wallet-pouch" target="_blank">Golden palm leaf leather pouch | Kertis</a></div>
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3. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/211605943/tonala-media-clutch-black-marble" target="_blank">Tonala media clutch in black marble | Scout & Catalogue</a><br />
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ps. If you're looking for some more clutch, tote, zip pouch inspiration I've got just the collection of favourites for you <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/people/JorpinsVintage/favorites/carry" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
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