A day at the zoo

We went to the zoo today. Here is a video of young meerkats playfighting. I love the one that hastily exits stage right around the 23 second mark, then runs back into the fray. 

(Note: that annoying voice isn't mine. Neither is.)

 Basking

 Snoozing 

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

 Sleeping cormorant

My, what long legs you have

 An intimate moment
 (yes, they really were doing it)

 I'm not a pig! I'm a peccary! 

Grazing

Now that's a furry tail (badly photographed)

The things you see...

Ducklings! Victoria Gardens

A grassy car! Don't ask; I have no idea. 

I'm just a d-d-dork addicted to haberdashery

How has it taken me so long to discover the joy of Google Translate? Type in the word 'dork' and then after it translates, tap the 'listen' button at fairly rapid but irregular intervals. The lady translator in the computer does the stutter-rap. Dork-dork-d-d-d-d-dork-dor-dork-dork-dork. That kept me entertained and cackling for many minutes yesterday. As did translating silly expressions and rude words into German. It was ace Hosen.  Arcuh-hawzen-ar-ar-arcuh-haw-haw-hawzen. Maybe you had to be there...Sigh.

Yesterday was an absolutely stunning winter's day in Melbourne. It's back to gloomy today, but the smell of jasmine on the night air and the blooming of magnolias tells me that spring is packing its bags and wondering where it left its car keys.

Sometimes when I'm at home I can hear a currawong calling. It reminds me of my wonderful get-away to Walhalla with Luke for my birthday in July.

I have a confession to make: I'm addicted to haberdashery, and art and craft stores. I can wander for ages looking at all the bits and bobs and pretty things. I used to wander around feeling an urge to get crafty and then walk out empty-handed. But yesterday I went a bit bonkers in Clegs and spent $70 (and got a receipt longer than my arm. Literally). It was like I was on The Price is Right: Crafters Edition. I have several little (and easy) projects planned for my week off (which started today. Hurrah!).

Luke is going overseas for a couple of weeks tomorrow night. I bought him this to take with him as a sort of tiny proxy me.

There's a very cute moose in the hoose

List nerdery, inner child and cute robots

Swooshy clouds yesterday

I spent all afternoon today hiding from the heat and completing a job that has been on my to-do list for months: reviewing and revising my list of 101 Things to Do Before I'm 40 (which is 525 days away. Eep.)

Yes, I've reached the point of listoholism where my to-do list includes updating my lists. Goodness. I'm so glad I've finished it though, because I hate having tasks on a list that keep getting carried over and over and over. Often that's a sign that the thing probably isn't worth doing and should be struck off the list, but not this task. 

It's been over two years since I started my 101/40 list and although my dedication to it waxes and wanes, I think it has enhanced my life and I enjoy doing it. I only put off the review/revision for so long because I knew it would be time consuming and I am rather lazy (despite perhaps appearing otherwise merely by having such a list). 

I decided to update the list because my priorities and interests have changed since I started it, and my commitment to quite a few of the initial goals on the list had diminished or disappeared altogether.  I'm hoping the overhaul will renew my motivation for it.

Today's review and revision also gave me a clear picture of what I've achieved.  I've crossed 28 things off the list so far, which doesn't seem like much progress in two years, but I have crossed off the number one thing, which was to take my first overseas trip. And, in any case,  (cliche alert) it's about the journey, not the destination. It's about making life more meaningful and fun; not about robotically achieving and crossing off goals (as much as I love the crossing off bit).

I should also add that many of the goals are ongoing - for example buying myself flowers or getting a massage once a month - so I'm going have a crossing off frenzy on 9 July 2012!

Indulging my inner child. Yet again

I bought myself some coloured pens. Pink, purple and blue ones. Yes, the back-to-school display at the supermarket got to me again. I didn't need them;  I just wanted them.

I also bought some wee robots from etsy.com. Is this not the cutest robot ever? Completely frivolous, but adorable (perfectly summed up in the shop's slogan: Things U never knew you needed until today). I can't wait for them to arrive. 

Lemur day

This video makes me chuckle (although it's not a lemur - it's a tarsier). Make sure you watch it with sound.

And this is one is so cute. I want a lemur. It can ride round on my mini donkey. (Another stupid video immune to my editing efforts.)

Bargain

I bought The Panics' CD Cruel Guards tonight (featuring the song I posted Sunday, Get Us Home). It was only $13, which I didn't even notice until I was on the way to pay for it. Noice! Bite me, iTunes! So far, I likey.

Taut(er)

I've been back at the gym for five weeks now and my butt and arms feel more toned. Go, me (or, more to point, keep going, me).