2010 was the year of the unexpected. It was filled with all kinds of surprises, disasters, ups, downs, new music, amazing films, new skills, new friends, new books, new kicks, family moments, big and hard decisions, travel to new places, some new tattoos, plenty of great food and a whole lot of other shit. And while it may have been hard while in the midst of it all to try and be thankful, I really, really am. So instead of making nonsense new years resolutions, I’m going to reflect on the things in my life that I’m thankful for. Here are a few:
On a more serious (or, as serious as I can be) note:
1. Where I live – geographically speaking
my home in the sand.
While Dubai does have its drawbacks, some of them insane, I am pretty lucky to live here right now. It’s safe, comfortable and clean. There is no imminent war at hand, no famine and no frightening statistics that affect the ones I love. People have jobs and food on their tables. There are so many interesting nationalities here too. Sure, Dubai has a long way to go before it can call itself a capital in the world of street culture and cool-ness, but it’s a great place to live anyway. Dubai, I digz you.
2. Where I live – as in, my apartment
When I first moved into my little studio, it very closely resembled a crack den inhabited by 19 year-old boys. I had a bed and a sofa and a kettle. And a teaspoon. And I kind of left it this way for a few months because I felt so transitory. But of course, my female nesting-ness kicked in, and I have spent the last year creating a sanctuary where I can hide from everything – happily. It’s like a cavern filled with all the things I love and good vibes and sometimes – when I’m cooking – good smells. I don’t get a lot of visitors, but maybe that can change.
3. A cool job – as far as jobs go
I’m a copywriter. What that translates into is ‘big child who can write. Goes to play at ad agency every day with toys and other big children’. Kind of. But I am very lucky. I love what I do (except for the really bad days when I want to go and work at Mc Donald’s), and I work with a pretty nice bunch of people. 2010 was hard on us, but we pulled through and we’re all still here. I like that I can wear headphones while I work, wear pyjamas if I feel like it, and only be judged on the merits of my mind. And I fucking LOVE the foosball table. I’m working on improving foosball skills. Watch this space.
4. Nice people of the world
There are lots of assholes on this planet. For sure. But then there are those people that just pop out of nowhere to surprise you with all levels of empathy, kindness, compassion, humility, sense of humour, intelligence and friendship. I’ve met so many rad people in the past year. From all over, and while visiting all over. Some of them I’ll only ever meet once and never again, and some have remained friends. Either way, we all offer one another something cool, even if it’s only for a few seconds. Yay to that. And yay to rediscovering family members and their great personalities as I’ve grown a bit older.
5. Travel to new places
I am from South Africa. Not only is in located in the arse end of the world, but it’s also far, far away from everywhere else. This means that traveling is rare and pretty much too much of a big deal when and as it happens. I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to travel to 2 new places in the past year. Kerala in India, and Istanbul in Turkey. Both were weird and wonderful experiences – each with their own set of memories and lessons. I plan to do a lot more of this kind of thing in 2011.
On a less serious (but still mui mui importante) note:
6. Cooking skills and recipe creation
I have an Italian mother, and so it seems almost unthinkable that I would have lived most of my life not caring about the incredible world of food and all its glory. I went on a bit of a diet at the second half of 2009 to lose a bit of podge that I had acquired, and it basically forced me to start preparing my own meals all the time. This forced me to get my shit together in terms of using as many good foods and fruits and veg as possible. I started being really fussy about what I was putting into my meals, choosing only to buy my stuff at stores that I knew provided good quality. I started creating recipes out of nowhere in order to keep the healthfood romance going with my tummy, and I also started wanting to cook lots of yummy things for other people. This has all resulted in a massive love for cooking and sharing. I bought my first cookbook yesterday, too, so I’m pretty stoked about getting some recipes right and learning many gourmet tricks. From being an emotional crutch and plain bad for my waistline, food has become a joy and a hobby. I say, fuck yes to that.
This week’s cooking episode will be my first-ever attempt at a Dhal. Behold: The herbs. The spices. The wonder.
my very small and impressive spice collection.
7. Muzak (otherwise known as ‘music’)
I guess anyone who knows me only a little bit will know first and foremost that I am a music freak. This in no way means that I am an expert, but I love my tunes. 2010 was a great year for many albums, as well as for my music collection. I’ve spent hours and hours collecting, sorting and appreciating the talents of this world’s musicians. It brings me immense joy. Here is a list of some of the albums that blew my head open in 2010. And i have tried to offer up my favourite song from each of the albums, so click and have a listen:
• Arcade Fire ‘The Suburbs’
• Autolux ‘Transit Transit’
• Coma Cinema ‘Blue Suicide’
• Disappears ‘Lux’
• Helios ‘Unleft’
• Hola A Todo El Mundo ‘Hola A Todo El Mundo’
• Jamaica ‘No Problem’
• Kixnare ‘Digital Garden’
• Las Robertas ‘Cry Out Loud’
• Maserati ‘Pyramid of the Sun’
• Mew ‘Eggs are Funny’
• Mouth Kimbie ‘Crooks & Lovers’
• Pomegranates ‘One of Us’
• Slow Loris ‘Extra Colors’
• Sun Airway ‘Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier’
• Toro Y Moi ‘Causers of This’
Simply amazing. Each and every one.
8. Films
No words, just trailers: Click on the links to watch if you’re curious
Ok. Ok. One trailer. Here is my favourite one:
9. Taking photographs of silly things
Such a small, but great pleasure in my life has been taking photographs. The frequency of which increased dramatically during 2010. And not only during travel times, but also of everyday things. having a nice camera to carry on my person has allowed me to see things very differently. It’s almost as though we are able to pick up a pencil and scribble in the scenes of life when we photograph them. For example: last Christmas, Carolyne bought me this little Jesus figurine as a joke. It is, by far, one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my life, and I’m sure a lot of the Jewish community would agree. The, yesterday, while I was in Borders buying some books, I bought this a Mary glitter money box. It basically looks as though Mary got swallowed and shat out by a twinkly Vegas stripper. It’s amazing. So I took these photographs this morning and came up with this bizarre skit I my head. Think: Harvey Pekar story darkness.
jesus: coming soon. apparently.
Jesus: Mother, it’s time. I am preparing for my trip back to earth. I must return to my people so that they do not go on thinking I am a phony. It’s too much for me to bear. My beard is trimmed. My sandals are polished. My whites have been bleached white. I’ve flossed. And had breakfast. I am ready!
Mary: Jesus! NO! You cannot go yet. I am not full. I have not collected enough bus fare for your journey. If you leave now, you will never make it!
jesus: still delusional.
Jesus: Mother. Mary. Whatever. I’m Jesus, remember. I can hitch. And if all else fails, I’ll walk on water. Wire me the money when they break you open. Bye. Oh, and why are you sparkly? Did Edward Cullen bite you?
10. Books
So many good reads were had in 2010. I discovered a plethora of amazing new authors. People introduced other authors to me, and I also made a mission of getting through some classics. Fighting for first place at the top of my list are:
F. Scott. Fitzgerald ‘Tender is the Night’
And
Kinky Friedman ‘Kill Two Birds and Get Stoned’
And of course, anything by the wonderful Dr Seuss
bought these yesterday. absolute joy.
And that, young children, concludes my story of 2010 and some of the nice things that have happened to me. It’s been great.
Ha ha ha. That conversation between Jesus and Mary actually made me cackle, like a witch. Hi-larious! Sounds like you had an awesome year.
Don’t forget, “How many feet I meet” Dr. Zeus!!!!! My most Fav! Loved this blog babes.
Love you so much!!!! You are so much of nice!! Xxxx
Hey, I dig the articles and shit you post!!
I also spent a little time in the middle east, rad place, warm at times, but still cool!!
Cape Town is home tho.
Keep up the good work!!