You've gotta learn to get a little happy along the way

A severe case of PMT the other day methinks. Plus a few other factors, bad day at work, grumpy boyfriend, miserable winter weather etc. One of my strengths is definately over-reacting. And I'm a born pessimist ;o) Two things not to mention in interviews.

Perspective is a wonderful thing, I felt like the world was going to end the other day. Part of this blog is learning to appreciate those moments where everything is perfect, to remember to be grateful and to be able to draw strength from them in the moments when you really need reminding that things ain't that bad, and always get better.

Langhorne Slim put it better than me:

Toss your misery, out the door
What are you waiting for?
You've got to learn to get a little happy, along the way
It's alright to change your style, it's alright to smile
It's alright to get a little happy along the way

Tough day at the office, and worse, not at home
Don't wanna talk about it, Just wanna be left alone
There's no joy in living,
You're giving all and getting none
It's a new beginning, you thought you lost, but honey you won.

New Years Resolution number 2: Take a deep breath and smile, or as wonderful blogger Fabulous Lorraine so perfectly put it, "Even One perfect minute a day.....Or one moment where you are completely happy, and take the time to acknowledge it and say so."

Last night my Pilates class did me the power of good, I got home feeling completely relaxed, had a candlelit bath listening to more Thea Gilmore (one of the more cheery albums though). That was pretty close to perfect, except for the bit where the PVR didn't record Masterchef, but never mind! Today I'm going to meet some old friends after work. We all worked in the same office together when I started my first job at the University. That was 7 years ago, I left the Uni 5 years ago, and we are all still good friends. It will be an evening of catching up, gossiping and laughing. That's pretty perfect. I'm lucky to have good friends. I'm happy.

Sometimes I feel it, you know how it is,
You wake up in the morning and everything fits
I'm still hoping tomorrow feels like this
My Perfect Day
- My Perfect Day, Feeder

A particularly perfect day - view from Mt Sunday (Edoras), December 2007

It’s so easy to drift through these things with your eyes half open

I've been listening to Thea Gilmore a lot lately. She was one of those singers that I'd heard many good things about, but never quite got around to checking out. After getting into the habit of reading Neil Gaiman's blog, I noticed he would rave about her fairly frequently. She probably gets a mention most weeks. With good reason, as it turns out. I reasoned that a music recommendation from one of my favourite writers was probably worth exploring, so I started with Avalanche. A-Mazing. Thea's songs range from the soft and emotional to sharp and clever, they are full of imagery that forms vivid pictures in your mind.

I got her new record Liejacker for my birthday (thanks Mum & Dad!) and I think it's my favourite of all. Soaring and emotional and full of some of the most evocative lyrics yet. I feel weary at the moment, sad for no clear reason and Dance in New York seems to sum up how I feel perfectly.

‘Cos I want to run run run fast as I can
Let those grey gloves wrap their fingers around my heart
I want to run run run so far from here
‘Till the streets of Manhattan just tear this waster apart
No I don’t wanna talk, I wanna dance in New York'

I used to carry my passport to work every day, because I'd pass a travel agent on my way. I would daydream of walking in and buying the first flight I laid my eyes on, disappearing into the blue and feel the world I knew melting away and giving way to change. For a long time I've been settled and happy but lately, maybe it's this time of year, which I hate, I am restless again, tired of fighting to stay afloat and functioning in daily life. Tired of explaining my frustrations and getting the same promises in return. I wonder if I am just a perfectionist or if other people feel the same, if I'll ever move past them or if I'm caught in a slowly rotating cycle, where mostly my eyes are half closed and then I open them and don't like where I am - I guess this is just me and my psyche. However I don't want to make this song the soundtrack to my year. You make your own happiness and somehow I need to recapture the optimism and joie de vivre that was bubbling in me so recently. Can't be that hard can it? I suspect that a long, good nights' sleep would do me the power of good.

Show me the ways to button up buttons...

Show me the ways to button up buttons...















That have forgotten they're buttons....















Well, we can't have that.











Coraline the movie! Can't wait. Coming to a cinema near you, very soon!