Send warm things

It's not really cold here, but then again --- it kind of is. The mercury is expected to plummet below 10 degrees this week!
You know, if you're just wondering what the heck to do with yourself now that it's fully summer back in Canada, then I have three suggestions for you:

1. Send Paola Hot Chocolate!
Instant Hot chocolate is called Cocoa here, and you just can't "add boiling water". You have to "add hot milk". It's a problem.

2. Send Paola Maple Syrup!
In Melbourne, Camp Maple Syrup will run you anywhere from $10 - $13 at the supermarket! Outrageous.

3. Send Paola Hot Choclate AND Maple Syrup!
I don't ask for much, really. And if it's too dear to mail me treats from home then feel free to call or send a postcard. That would warm me up too!

The Northcote address is back in the April posts if you're going to take this on board... :)

Winter Solstice

While everyone back in Canada is looking forward to summer holidays and days on the lake or at the beach, winter is fully arrived here on the opposite end of the world. The shortest day of the year came and went on Sunday. It was a glorious sunny day, and I spent a few good hours of it in the waves. They were little waves, but they were glassy and clear. I had good company too!

Apropos of nothing, this crazy little toadstool is growing along the drive at the Great Ocean Road Cottages. It will make a nice winter house for a little spider...

I'd just like a little off the back, please.

So, before I even begin.... the lesson is NEVER, EVER go to "JUST ANY" hairdresser because yours is booked solid for two weeks, you are overdue for a cut and your hair is driving you mad. Deal with madness. Fully embrace cup-a-crazy because the alternative is the worst haircut of your life.

All I said to this new,random chick was: I really like the length my hair is right now. I don't want to lose any of the length. I'd just like a bit taken off the back 'cuz it looks a bit heavy, and if you have to texturize.... I understand.

My regular stylist? He knows what I like. He'd use his judgement and I'd trust that.

When she was done, and I sat in the chair with all the colour drained from my face and my jaw on the floor. I said, "I'm shocked." She kept saying "It'll be much easier." OF COURSE IT WILL BE MUCH EASIER, YOU DUMB BITCH! I screamed in my head, YOU HAVEN'T LEFT ME ANY EFFING HAIR TO DEAL WITH!!

To her face, I said. "I asked for a little off the back. You used the clippers. I am not happy, and I will not be back." I exited with a straight back and all the dignity of a shorn sheep.


Bless my hairdresser. He didn't say "I told you so." All he said was, "Let's fix it, dahling." And he did. It's still short, but.

One Down...One to Go

I handed in my last paper of the semester last Thursday, and now I am officially on a break from uni until late July! I celebrated by going to see my friend Benny play some jazz at the Paris Cat, a well-known Melbourne Jazz bar in the city. Benny is a guitarist, and on Thursday he was playing with his band, Bob. They are astonishingly talented musicians! Benny's partner, Nadia was there as well, and Damian, my housemate, came along after he finished his jam session at a Spanish bar in Fitzroy.

Here's Benny at work.
The bar was as cool. Lots of brown velvet curtains, funky lamps in corners and jazz on the ceilings!

Swag Time

I have very recently had the occasion to spend the night on the beach in a true blue Aussie swag. And yeah, NO, dear decorator and design friends, that does NOT mean I was wrapped up in a gorgeous moire taffeta window treatment! Your taste is decadent and very gothic--- and in this case, ridiculous and far from practical!


An Aussie swag is an ingenious cross between a bed, a sleeping bag and a pup tent...all in one! They roll up like bed rolls, and this particular one was made of that hardcore outdoorsy waterproof canvas.
Okay, so you install your little dome tent supports at the top of the swag and peg it down. This means you have a bit of space above and behind your head when you're lying down. You can also thread supports through at the end of the swag and peg it down so you have space at your feet.
When you unzip the swag, inside you find a mattress,sheets, pillows and a duvet. Have a drink of red wine on the beach....then you hop in and spend the night outdoors in comfort and style!
If the weather is rainy or windy, you just zip/velcro the swag at your head, and you are dry and warm and very cozy. If the stars are out, you could leave it unzipped and gaze up at the night sky until you fall asleep...also very cozy. They're pretty spacious too, You know, for those who like company or prefer a lot of personal space.
What more can I say? ...Hmm. Well. A fair bit more actually --- but at this time, suffice it to say: I'm a fan of the swag!

I'm not a name dropper, but...

This past year, I worked at the VCA with Dale Ferguson, who is the Set and Costume designer for the Australian production of Exit the King which has taken Broadway by storm --- so much storm in fact, that Dale is nominated for a Tony Award for his set and costume design! Geoffrey Rush is nominated too, of course, for Best Actor...but I don't know him. :)

Industrial Moonscape

Some days I must have faith there is a suburban neighbourhood and a school just a few blocks further...

Note to Self #19

Without a vehicle, it can be a fair mission out to the 'burbs to teach. Always be prepared with the essentials:

#1 - Cute and comfortable walking shoes.
#2 - Umbrella
#3 - Google Map directions to the school of the day.
#4 - iPod and/or newspaper for the train.
#5 - Bottle of water