Kitten and Ink

A little shy, and sad of eye, but very wise was he.

Mooie kleine Nederlandse kinderen

Hey Mumma

I love this shot of my mum rocking a magazine shoot in the 60's.  I found it in a box of old photos when I was little and fell in love with it.  Isn't she a glamour!  Dad says whenever she walked into a room, all you'd hear was the dull thud of jaws hitting the floor.  

As a six year old I'd never really considered my parents having a life before I was born.  Finding this, I discovered not only that mum was this stunning creature, but that my parents lived exciting, remarkable lives before the concept of my siblings and me even existed.  I like that.  Growing up, Mum made sure we understood the importance of maintaining your own identity; that no matter the roles you play throughout your life - daughter, wife, mother - you're a person first and foremost and a powerful entity on your own.  This photo helps me to remember that when I feel like I'm losing myself.

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

Robert Frost; the master of making simple words say profound things.

Sometimes when I meet new people, I worry I'll mention something they haven't told me but that I've discovered through some light Internet stalking.

Cursing at the Moon

Sometimes, a loud, resounding, "fuck you" is the best answer.

But not always, sadly.

Sexy Virgin Girls

"My life is easy. My skin is thick. I have no agendas and no unshakable beliefs. I hate no one and my hot eyes admire many. I have a temper, but that is a family curse. When I'm not writing I lie on my back and imagine sexy virgin girls calling my telephone."

- Crazy-talented Derek Rielly, editor of STAB mag. Sigh!

A circus, a sailer, and me.

Sometimes I dream of running away and joining a travelling circus; I'll spend my days reading Hugo and Tolstoy and exploring the night with an ex-naval officer from France called Olivier. He'll watch me dance across the tightrope, perched in the back with a carnation in his lapel and stars in his eyes. We'll slink into the shadows of a crowded bar and he'll regale me with stories of piratic adventures and swashbuckling on the high seas. He'll name his sailing ship LuLu and as I leave to chase my next horizon, I'll be forever tattooed across his heart...

Fiscal Policy

Exchange your self loathing for cash. Turn it into something you can use.

Sing to me Bruno Mars...

The Ugly

It's ok to be angry. Just don't let it masquarade as anything other than what it is. Don't sprout your vitriole on the Internet. Don't let it change who you are. Nothing is more repugnant than bitterness and passive-agression. You have no control over anything anyone else does. But you have the right and the responsibility to make choices about where you go from here. Ownership is powerful. Don't let your hurt consume you. Let it go.