My first...

Today I found my first grey hair, ever.
29 years, 5 months, 29 days, 13 hours.

!

You tried your best, Dad

Down here in the Southern Hemisphere it's Father's Day this coming weekend.

Yep, all that last minute shopping for something he won't appreciate and a card that says 'World's No. 1 Dad.'

I'm afraid my Dad would hit me if I bought him a card like that. He would think I was taking the piss! I have been trying for about a week to find a card that says something like 'You tried your best, Dad,' or 'It's better if we don't spend holidays together.'

These ones suit better...

You can learn about the history of Father's Day here.

Quote of the Day

"Screw ambiguity. Perversion and corruption masquerade as ambiguity. I don't trust ambiguity." - John Wayne

This photo is so beautiful...

This photo is so beautiful, I just had to put it here.
From left: Peter holding Sanne, Charley, Jess, Amanda, Katie, and Libby.
"Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends." - Cindy Lew

Monthly Drop In

Well, mid-month already, and time to tell you what I have been up to!
A lot of this email will be health-related, a sure sign we are all getting older, regrettably. First, the good news: I am officially an ex-smoker! I went to see my doctor two weeks ago and I told him about it, and he even changed my record. I can hardly believe it, it's been the most pleasant surprise of like, the last 10 years! So I'd like to thank cheap nicotine patches, changes in pub smoking laws, and an encouraging boyfriend. Sure, I got drunk and smoked three fags on Saturday, but that is nothing compared to the pack a day I started smoking after Christmas in 2004. What next?!
I had that flu, yeah the really bad one that has been on the news. On the second day I was actually borderline delirious and could barely get out of bed to get a glass of water. And I say it quite seriously: I had not felt that bad since April of 2000 when I was living in a tent in the snow and coughing blood. So be careful! And if you get sick, stay at home! (No doubt I got it off one of the critters at school.)
Oh and I think I'm getting nits again, so it's back to the tea tree shampoo.

Health stuff out of the way, the next news is, I am moving away from the inner west! Geez, in the last seven years I have lived in Glebe, Annandale, Stanmore and Newtown - and finally it's time to move on to the inner east, to Potts Point actually, and I'll be moving in about four weeks. It's great to put more of the past behind me, even though I have had so many fun times (and hangovers!) and have made so many great friends. I'll forward on my new address shortly, but won't be putting it in the blog.

In the world of love Mark and I are going super well, we made our first ever trip to Ikea yesterday and we didn't fight, a good sign the relationship is still healthy! We have been dreaming about holidays together and it's great news his brother is moving to New York for work shortly. Hopefully we'll get to the USA sometime in 2008, depending on my job and case, which is still up in the air. It has all been stressing me out a bit again lately but I have been trying to take it one day at a time. Just try and send some kind thoughts, if you will!

My mum is off to Nepal and India again in the coming weeks for a trek and my niece Lily is busy growing! I'm going over to see her tomorrow night, which I can't wait for, because being sick means I haven't been able to hang out with her. My dad has been hogging her lately and it's time to get some quality aunty time in.
Anyways, that's my news for now, hope I find you all well and sending light and love! Laura xx

PS Promise to get some photos etc. happening soon.

I HEART: Lunch by water that sparkles, organic pumpkin and goats cheese pizza from 'about life', Urthboy's new track 'We get around'(Sorry, keep saying I'm over hip-hop!), The Gossip's 'Standing in the way of control' (Yes, I know it's over 6 months old...) My fluff friend Phillip on facebook, double monitors on desktop computers, organic apples, ikea tea cups that stack, the Sass and Bide jeans I just got at $200 off.

I DON'T HEART: Pedestrians wearing ipods, mean-spirited people, misdirected anger, apathy, the growing number of books at Mark's place that have no shelves! The idea that I will be moving again in a few weeks, people riding Vespas in shorts and t-shirts, mould, online scrabble.

People I'm Fascinated With, Part One: Amanda Blank

Amanda Blank is just plain god-damned hot (in a non-lesbian way.) She reminds me of better days when I didn't mind coming down or hanging over... and I could get out of work the next day because when I smiled my whole face lit up and it came across as decadent and cheeky, like I was having a better time than anyone else and nobody could stop that!
I don't really like hip-hop anymore but when this girl raps you first think she is black. Then you think about doing naughty things. Then you wish you were younger again and could get away with simply being precocious and taking the piss out of things, like 80's fashion, that you are too young to remember the first time round!
Oh, and her boyfriend's Spankrock. Her real name is Amanda Mallory. She likes to wear white jeans. She is also in a really gay band called Sweatheart, and it sort of shows off the feather-brained drug-taking side a little too much, which makes me feel better, sort of. And she has cool friends like Diplo and MIA, but I feel too long in the tooth to be admitting I know this.
Anyway, I wish I were as hot as Amanda Blank.

Visit her website here: http://www.myspace.com/littleamandablank

I feel like this...

I went to work today but I still feel sick. I would send me this card above if I could. Even six year olds raise their eyebrows when they hear me cough like a horse. And this one's for my deathbed...



You can find similar free e-cards to send friends and foes at http://www.someecards.com/

Hello Bondi Markets!

Team Kozakura headed for Bondi Markets and amazed the locals with their wares! The sun was shining and the wind was blowing making it a little chilly, but it wasn't enough to stop the smiles all round!


Cute hand-carved bowls I hope to own one day...


Amanda casts a super magic spell over her stall....


Beautiful handmade goodness, from Japan to you!

Don't forget you can learn of Kozakura's travels by visiting: http://www.kozakura.com.au/index.htm


PS On the way home we dropped by Katie's old house on Wairoa Avenue to get a photo. The memories!!

I am finally getting over my killer Winter flu and hope to add some more to my blog soon!