The nights are getting colder.

It's when it gets colder, and I'm alone, and decided to procrastinate that I start thinking. Not my usual thinking (which is usually along the lines of, 'my goodness, I would ever so love a moose on my wall'. I'm being serious here). But there are times that my love of Poe and Nabokov start seeping melancholy into my life, and I get philosophical. And I mean, really philosophical.

It doesn't help that mugs of lovely things and soft music enhances this state of mind. As does lack of sleep. And as I feel quite mentally depraved and rather unpoetical, I shall give you some writings and be on my way. (mind you, they are impartial observations not meant to offend anybody with skin of average thickness)

Of all practices employed by humanity, it is science, commerce and the arts that are constantly developing. It is a combination of these three aspects that defines the development and advancement of a society. The level of sophistication (and the most fashionable combination of each) is what humans use to determine the superiority of a culture or society, the development of others and as a ranking system to devise superiority (mostly percieved) to other cultures and previous generations, both where the advancement and/or combination of the three is lesser.


A girl in my college asked why religion still exists. Why, with all advancements in science and controversy in religious groups, does it still have sway in modern society.

Religion, like philosophy, is not vital to the survival of society as a whole, yet society still embraces religion as one of its foundations. The western law is based around the moral codes found in basically all religions. Love and treat others with the respect you think you deserve. Don't hurt others. Go through life being the best person you can be. You have responsibility over your own life, yet you can choose to put your faith in something you believe in. Of course, religion is more mulit-faceted than that, but western society has the basics, which, as most people will acknowledge, make for a more peaceful society.
But this embracement of moral codes still does not explain why people still hold to religion, though science and reasoning may be thrown at it again and again. It should be noted that religion is most definately not a western phenomenon. It is without the aid of the western world that isolated societies have found reason to believe in other-worldly beings. It is a craving inside each human to validate their existance. In such isolated societies, they base their existance around nature and the different spirits they feel around them. In a world of men, imperfection is everywhere, and to believe religion is an exception is a mighty arrogant act. When you take away the pretenses and form placed by men, religion (and more precisely, spirituality) is just a belief in something that gives meaning to ones life.
Just like science cannot prove or disprove the existance of the individual conscience, it cannot prove or discredit something that cannot be seen or touched, that is niether tactile nor aural, merely felt by the individual. But who is to say that what one feels is just a part of ones imagination? Who is to say that things that are only felt are not real? Instincts are merely felt, yet as part of human nature one knows to trust these. Who are men to say that religion cannot exist, soley on the basis that it is an outdated practice and that, because the belief of a higher power is wholly visceral?
Religion, like philosophy, is not vital to the survival of society as a whole, society has to power to build and destruct by itself, yet religion and philosophy are vital to the survival of the individual. It gives one something to believe, and therefore justifies and validates ones existance.
That is why (I believe) religion still exists today. That isn't to say that people haven't found other ways to subconsciously explain their existance. That is the wonder of humanity, it never stops looking for solutions and reason.

Side note, this is not thrusting religion onto anyone, I personally believe forcing ones beliefs onto another is a very rude thing to do. This is basically to put my mind at ease from answering what was a rhetorical question asked to nobody in particular. And I am feeling mighty deep right now. Run for cover!


So, after that mind-boggling bamboozle, go hunt some deer (or the native equivalent).


[The above image is a (tiny, tiny) section of an illustration I am working on at the moment. When I finish it I'll share.]

It's a riot!

I think this one is going to be a party of tiny stories that have made my week... Interesting. A blog riot!

I have a hole in the back of my shorts. I've had them for years... And I mean years. I bought them in 2003. Yeah. Old. (And you know how really good demin lasts and lasts and lasts? These aren't good denim) First they were jeans, then got a tear so I cut them off into tiny shorts. And the thing with these shorts (and alot of my clothing, actually) is that I'll stop wearing them, because of said innapropriate holes, and one day, I'll forget. So I'll put them on, thinking, why on earth do I never wear these anymore? They are the most comfortable shorts ever! And about 3/4 through the day I'll realise, and (out loud, mind you) exclaim, Oh, that's why!.
But I refuse to throw them out.

I've been researching an illustrator from the 1920-30's, W. Heath Robinson. I first saw his work on the Antiques Roadshow (words cannot explain how much I love that show) and I fell in love with him right away.
At college we have to do an assignment where we take inspiration from an artist (we were given a full page 12pt list of artists to choose from) and give a presentation, and create two works inspired by the artist.
I was really worried about it because I couldn't decide on who I would do it on. So I thought outside the box and have been researching Robinson. My goodness, he is incredible. The images are his work.
He did alot of illustration work for Hans Andersons book of Fairy Tales, as well as images for Kipling and a whole bunch of others. I am smitten.

Yesterday I saw one of my friends who is visiting from Japan. It was so lovely to see him again, and it was fun. We went back to this old antique store that I used to go to all the time. (It was on the way to my work, and I did get an amazing bucket of full peacock feathers once for $20. And I'm talking, I could only just fit my arms around the bundle. It probably made my year). So we went back there, and I tell you, it is even more amazing than I remember it. There were mountains of brilliant old clocks, and some of the best antique furniture you will see in a long time. (Mind you, it is in a massive old warehouse, so anything you get will have to be cleaned. Intensely). But in there (which I will have to go back soon, with mountains of money, and a car, and come out with brilliant, brilliant things) I found a book by Lawrence Durrell!

Side note, for those of you who don't know who Lawrence Durrell is, he is the writer brother of Gerald Durrell, of My Family and Other Animals, which is the funniest book I have ever read, and up in the top ten favorites. Totally excited at that, may have seemed a little too weird.
Anyway, we got onto the topic of old books, and Lewk (said friend) told me he had bought a few first edition something or others (I can't for the life of me remember who they were by) for an old girlfriend, and as the story goes, they ended up falling off the face of the earth. I almost had a heart attack. Give them to me! I'll have them!
But they were gone. I may or may not have had tears in my eyes.

I did get some amazing books, and two little framed pictures of the ballet, which at first look like miniature Degas, but on closer inspection aren't impressionistic.
It was a wonderful week. And again on the topic oh Heath Robinson, Look at his contraption illustrations, they are delightful!

Be off, my loves, and find me those first editions!

The Week of the Cupcake!

And who decided that it was the week of the cupcake? Well, if you didn't realise, it was me.

Now, I'll just apologise in advance, this is going to be a long one. (Yes, you may quietly giggle and whisper 'That's what she said'). Not because I have all that much to say, just because I have a whole lot of pictures of cupcakes, and I really am feeling the need to celebrate those sweet darlings, so I'll just chatter to fill the voids.

But, so its not completely weird and I don't end up seeming like a massive fatty that dotes on cupcakes ALL the time, I'll tell you about my week as well! Hoorah!

But first I'll explain to you how it came to be the week of the cupcake. It started at the store yesterday, when I saw a cupcake mix thing. Usually I would have passed it thinking I could just make them at home and they'd be doubly as good. (True and false. Those croissants I made? A disaster.) But I had bought some Winne The Pooh cake decorations and really wanted to use them. So I bought the mix (Or more, my mother bought the mix, because she was buying my groceries for the week. So lovely).

Cupcake break!

                         

By the way, just so you know, my cupcakes look nothing like thses glorious angels here. I just like pictures of cool food.

Anyway, I couldn't make them yesterday because my mother and I were going to see King Lear at the Opera House. (Side note; John Bell's Shakespeare is some of the best Shakespeare you will ever see. I'll gush about this later).

And I was planning to make them this morning, but as I kind of had a crippling cold this week I postponed ALL of my uni homework (mainly due to the fact that I can't even remember half the week, so I doubt that I would have even been in a proper state to do anything. Except wash my hair. I stayed home on Wednesday and when I woke up on thursday I had clean hair. I don't remember washing or drying it. but it happened. Weird, I know). Therefore, I kind of left myself one day to catch up on everything. Luckily, Criminal Minds is like some brain steroid for me and I managed to get everything done. Wow, I know. Plus, a bit of it was analysing the fashion weeks, so it was pretty fun. So after I finished everything I thought I would reward myself and bake those cupcakes!

                               

You know, (and I'm not sure if I've said this before) but for someone with the last name of Baker, I am terrible at baking! Absolutely dreadful! I think it's because I'm impatient and I never measure things properly, I just guess.. (Having said that, I am a brilliant cook. I'll cook you heaven in a savoury dish anyday). The thing with the cupcakes (or my oven. Or my impatience) was that they were undercooked. And kind of sqaure-ish. And they didn't rise nicely. (Though that could be because I don't have an electric mixer. I have to hand whip everything). But they taste nice! And they look pretty. Thats all that matters... Isn't it?

                                

And so, as there is only one of me, and it will (sadly) probably only take me a week to finish the twelve, this week is officially the week of the cupcake. I would give them to friends, but I'm sure no one wants half-cooked cupcakes. If someone gave me a half-cooked cupcake I'd be kind of dissapointed. Just saying.

Oh, you'll love this one.

Yeah. Thought so. And now, because if I go over the other parts of my week in this, such as seeing one of my friends for the first time in over a year (he's been in Japan) or King Lear, I'm afraid you would get dreadfully bored with me. So, I'll leave you with some more yummy pictures, and tell you about them later!

Until we meet again (slightly softer around the middle), let's go jogging!

(These are more like what mine look like. But square, and a little uglier, and with Winnie the Pooh faces)

Look closer. Yes, that's right.

I hope this made your (cupcake) week.

Knives and forks and shiny, pretty things!

I stayed up late the other night to watch the Oscars. I think that it may have contributed to this deathly cold that is incubating in my brain, but the truth is, as much as I proclaim to not care about celebrities, I REALLY wanted to see what they were wearing. Unfortunately, my TV is quite old, and is prone to playing up at the most inopportune times. This time it went back and white. And all I wanted to see what what everyone was wearing. And if Alexandre Desplat would win Best Score. And if Meryl Streep would win Best Actress again. AND if Bright Star would win anything... Anything? Come on, Academy, get your priorites straight!

And for those who live under a rock and have NO idea what happened, no, no and no. Total dissapointment. Also, I was really annoyed that Sandra Bullock won*. I mean, Meryl Streep is too brilliant. (Maybe that's why they have to have others win occasionally, I suppose a monopoly by Meryl could get a little overwhelming).

But, after watching The Hurt Locker win AGAIN I went to bed.

The next day at college my friend Maddie (who is pretty darn amazing, just so you know) asked me if I had watched the Oscars last night.

"Uh, yeah, of course. I watch it every year for the outfits."

"Okay, did you see Carey Mulligans dress?"

"Uh, let me rephrase that, I tried to watch it, but my TV was black and white and pretty terrible reception. So I tried to see the outfits, and kind of failed." I admit, kind of shamefaced.

"Well, you need to see it. It looked like it was beaded, but when you look closer the beads are actually little knives and forks!"

"Seriously? That's amazingly cool!" And continue with gushing, and a few ninja moves, just to frighten the new first years.

                                      

And now I bring it to you, my dears, as consolation for my lack of wit. (When I'm this sick, I lose all humour. That isn't to say that I don't laugh. More like I laugh too much at everything. Even if it's not funny. Total delirium. Basically I become horribly lame and sort of... Kitsch.). Important side note, it was made by Muiccia Prada. Doesn't that make you love it even more?!

Now, I'm off to finish this roll of toilet paper I am so ungraciously using in place of tissues. (Gross, I know, that I should be sharing my sick-stories, but you should be grateful that I haven't elaborated on my suspision that I sleep-eat. Yeah. Breathe that sigh of relief).

Untill we meet again in this phantasmogorigal cyber-world, I bid you goodbye and don't forget those multi-vitamins!!

*And please, do not say that Sandra Bullock won because she has amazing talent. If Bullock and Streep swapped roles, Meryl would have won. So there, Lawyered. That's right, LAWYERED.

[Insert Witty and Engaging Title Here]

Bonjour!

It was my first week back at college, this past week. I've enjoyed it much more than I think most people did. It wasn't even proper classes or anything. Just a computer GERBER patternmaking class. I was scared to do it, because it's not often that computers and I get along well. Amazingly enough, this was one of those times where we got along swell.

I'd like to say that it was seeing everyone again after so long a break. I could even put it down to the fact that I didn't have much teenagery stuff to do, as my car died, and then most of my electronic possesions then followed suit (Not that I do much teenagery stuff, but still. I'm proving a point here). Part of it was, but I think the most part was to be doing something again, to be going into the city without the need for money, to go to my coffee place and have the barista still know who I was. Even after four and a half months.*



So in the spirit of all things that are wonderful, let me tell you what made my week lovely.

1. The fact that it has slowly been getting colder. You could only feel it in the evening at first, but it's slowly taking over more and more of the day. You can see it in the way people dress, and let me tell you something. I love sleeves.

2. Mugs. All sorts of mugs. Because mugs mean comfort. Mugs mean steaming hot drinks and a warm belly. Need I say more?

3. My birthday. The week coming up to my birthday I usually get really restless and unsettled. It was the same this year, but the day actually made up for it. My best friends birthday is the day before mine so we had a massive birthday extravaganza which involved a little bit (alot) of strawberry champagne. Yum. We went out an I looked like Ariel from the Little Mermaid. That made me very happy. I was wearing this amazing green bustier dress that was, to put it simply, freaking awesome.

4. An attempt to make croissants. Now, I really need to get a camera to show this, but you'll just have to imagine it. Butter everywhere, flour, wine bottle... (I don't have a rolling pin, but I DO have many wine bottles. It works okay, until you get butter on it. Then you have to watch out, because you can have as much trouble holding onto it as if you had drunk the whole bottle.**) I haven't finished them, but I'll let you know if they work out. Ah! The suspense! It kills me too!***


5. Artisan Guns. They are a New Zealand band and they are AMAZING! If you don't know about them (which I didn't until recently) I would highly reccomend that you listen to them. If you like guitars and voices that make you fall in love, you'll love them. (Sort of a cross between Mumford & Sons and Joshua Radin with a touch of old world charm).



Now, I'm off to smear more butter into my pastry, in the baking sense.

Until you grace my waters next, make friends with someone wearing a sweet t-shirt.

Au Revoir! (I'm totally embracing the french style!)

*Okay, am I the only person on earth that thinks four and a half months is WAY too long for uni holidays?

**Which I didn't. Wine and croissants and Sunday evenings after a birthday weekend? okay, add by myself? Yeah. It's a little too much, don't you think?]

***Actually, it's quite ironic that my my last name is Baker and I can't bake very well. Perhaps it's because I guess measurements. (I do have the cups and things, but it's just too much to do). But, there you go.