Road trip, coffee quitting and a poll

Next week The Boyf and I are off on a little holiday. We will be visiting some of his family, who are staying a couple of hours away (whoohoo...mini roadtrip!). I probably wont have alot of internet access, So I dont know how much I will be able to blog next week (dont worry, i'll be back before you know it)

At the moment I am trying to quit caffeine again (click here to read some reasons why I am constantly trying to quit). Quitting is hard. It takes alot of willpower. Plus My body seems angry about the sudden lack of caffeine in my diet and I have been having the worst headaches ever (not nice).

I wish I could have a vanilla latte right now *sigh*. .......but i cant, only caffeine -free drinks for me for a while (lets see how long I can handle it).

Today I put up a brand new poll (look to the right). The question is : "What does The Boyf do that really annoys Brazen?" -please go vote if like like :)

Its for you...book edition

Today I thought i'd do an "its for you..." post with a book theme. I'm a huge book junkie and its always interesting to hear what other people like to read.

How it works: I will (as always) answer all the below questions first, then you will answer the questions in my comments section (if you like). Why? because sharing is caring (of course) *winks*

1. Currently reading: "The truth about forever" by Sarah Dessen ( i should have finished it ages ago, but i have been very distracted lately)
2. Current favourite author/s: Alice Hoffman, Sarah Addison Allen and Nicholas Evans
3. Book you wished would never end: The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer - it was so intoxicating and highly addictive
4. Next book you want to read: "Dead until Dark" by Charlaine Harris & "The Story Sisters" by Alice Hoffman

5. I find new books/authors mostly by....reading alot of online book reviews, blogs and visiting Amazon to see whats new.
6. Name a few of your favourite books: "The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton, "Practical Magic" by Alice Hoffman, "The Horse Whisperer" by Nicholas Evans and "Summer Sisters" by Judy Blume.

Ok...your turn...

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. I seem to be turning into a crazed neat freak (i may need help)

2. Cute babies make me too broody (note to self: do not spend any time near cute babies until you stop feeling like this)

3. You can get tamato sauce out of a cream carpet

4. Bugs look sooooo freaky when seen through a macro camera lens (think horror and aliens)

5. "The Sarah Connor Chronicles" is a great TV show - and really makes me think that robots will one day try take over the world.

6. Sometimes its ok to just embrace and rock the curly hair (pass the mousse please...*winks*)

7. I need to drink less caffeine - My caffeine "come down" is not very pretty.

8. Running makes me feel great. Now if I could just make it to the end of my street without collapsing.

9. I dont think I could ever give up toasted white bread.

10. I'm definitely a winter girl. For me, there is something inspiring and soul searching about cold, gloomy, rainy weather.

Happy Friday!

“Passion, it lies in all of us, sleeping... waiting... and though unwanted... unbidden... it will stir... open its jaws and howl. It speaks to us... guides us... passion rules us all, and we obey. What other choice do we have? Passion is the source of our finest moments. The joy of love... the clarity of hatred... and the ecstasy of grief. It hurts sometimes more than we can bear. If we could live without passion maybe we'd know some kind of peace... but we would be hollow... Empty rooms shuttered and dank. Without passion we'd be truly dead.”

- Joss Whedon (American Screenwriter, Producer)

>

*photo found at myvintagelove on flickr

Copy cat

Plagiarism is very uncool.

Today I read that Miss Musing, a blogger I enjoyed and I had been reading for a while, had been copying other peoples blog posts and passing them off as her own (very uncool & naughty!). Her blog has now been removed by blogger.

Its very hard for me to understand why someone would do this. Isn't a personal blog suppose to be a place to express "YOU"? To me, copying someone else's thoughts and sharing someone elses experiences is just pointless. Why even bother blogging then?

*

Sure, I have been inspired by other peoples writing and secretly wished it was my work (haven't we all had a moment like that ?). Would I copy any of it and say its mine? No.

>

Thoughts? opinions?

voting and chilling

For those of you who dont know, today is the South African elections. Which also means that it is a public holiday here and that this post will be not be too interesting.

This morning The Boyf and I got up super early so we could avoid getting stuck in long voting lines. By 7:15 am we had already voted (we rock!) . After voting we went for breakfast at a nice coffee shop and then took a long, scenic drive home.

I think I am just going to chill and do random things around the house for the rest of the day (blissful).

Have a fabulous Wednesday, darling readers - i assure you I will post something less random tomorrow. Oh and if you live in South Africa - Go Vote! (if you haven't already)
>
What you up to today?

You may be right, I may be crazy

My last poll asked the question: "What does Brazen most struggle to control?"

The right answer to this question is: OCD, my emotions and an over active imagination (yes, I struggle to control all 3). To me all three are usually linked - -Example: My over active imagination causes me to think that somehow I have left the iron on - even though I never used it - then my OCD tells me I must go back home and check. when i get back home and find the iron is off my emotions cause me to get mad at myself for being so silly and doubting myself.

Occassionally I do also struggle to control junk food cravings and a mild case of shopping addiction (but thats only because sometimes I can't control the voices in my head) *chuckles*
>
I think all people have a little crazy or quirky in them - its just that some people are better at hiding it than others.

What crazy habits, addictions or quirks do you struggle to control?
*

(cartoon by doug savage)

Its for you....

In the mood for a little Q & A?

How this post works: I answer the questions (below) - then you answer the questions as a comment. Why? because sharing is caring, darlings.......Plus, its Monday and I'm sure you don't actually feel like working *winks*

1. Thought for the day: Look for the good in every situation
2. Song of the week: "Kids" by MGMT
3. Word of the week: "Vote" - because I will on Wednesday
4. Drink of the moment: Red wine (Shiraz)
5. Currently enjoying: chilly days and my fluffy bathrobe
6. Currently annoyed by: my bank balance and politics
7. Goal/s for the week: make it to payday without starving or running out of petrol (gas), finish reading at least one of my study books and try get to work earlier
8. Last thing you bought: Food

Happy Friday!

"At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities." - Jean Houston

How did you get my number?

The other day my ex from a million years ago called me. Why did he call? Well, I wondered that myself....until he said...

Ex: I called because I was thinking about you (which, at least is not as bad as "because I had a dream about you" - which was the reason given to me the last time I got a weird call)

Me: hmmm....okay. How did you get my work number?

Ex: Well, i knew what company you worked for, so i just called around a bit.

Me: Oh (possible stalker alert)

Ex: Would you like to go to coffee sometime?

Me: Hmmm...No, I dont think thats a good idea.

Ex: Why?

Me: because i dont want to. Plus It would be weird..... (and he only seems to "look me up" when he is having a life crisis)

Ex: I think your reading too much into this

Me: Maybe I am , but thats what I think.

>

When I got home I told The Boyf about the call. The Boyf , who is not a jealous type, obviously didn't seem to mind too much that one of my ex's had called me and even said I could go to coffee if I wanted to (which I don't). Though, I think we both found it odd that he still randomly calls.

>

Will I go to coffee with my ex sometime? NO. I dont think there is any point to having coffee with him, I dont want to be his friend and I really feel that most ex's are best left in the past -

Have you ever got a weird ex call?

Do you stay in contact with your ex's?

Bugged by a bug

I dont like bugs... at all. In fact it might be more accurate to say I loathe and fear bugs. (Note: when I say "bugs" this includes spiders too - but does not include butterflies or ladybugs).

Last night I noticed the most freaky, alien-like, little green creature chilling on my bedroom floor. It was a praying mantis. ewwww.

Finding any bug in the house at all is awful, but in my bedroom....well, thats just plain wrong. There should be some kind of anti -bug force field around bedrooms. I mean who knows how long it had been sitting there, watching me and plotting its sleepy time attack? ( I never trust bugs)

I needed to do something about this room invasion, but what? After a moment of thinking I realised a few things: The Boyf would be mad if I killed it (he likes praying mantises), the bug was rather large and I couldn't leave it to just hang out in my bedroom...alone. grrrrrr....I decided that I must get something to put over it so I can keep it in one place until The Boyf (aka the brave bug handler) got home.

*

Me: *grabs plastic container from kitchen and stands a few feet from praying mantis* Im sorry I have to do this. Personally I would rather squish you, but The Boyf likes your kind.

Praying Mantis: *Tilts evil, green head and looks at me with its dead green eyes *

Me: *takes deep breaths* Dont look at me like that. Now listen, I am going to put this container on you. Please dont move

Praying Mantis: *moves its evil greens hands over its alien face a few time*

Me: *shudders and moves a bit closer*

Praying Mantis: *moves a few steps forward*

Me: *moves a few steps back* Dont make this hard. Stand still or I will go get the biggest book I can find and drop it on you.

Praying Mantis: *tilts head left and right as if to say no, you wont*

Me: So, you dont think I will, hey? Well, I have a rather large, heavy photo book. It would definitely kill you.

Praying Mantis: *stands completely still for a few moments*

Me: *moves forward and quickly throws container over praying Mantis before squealing* See, that wasnt so hard.

*

Whats your strategy when it comes to bugs? Do you squish them, toss them outside, leave them alone or have a little chat with them?

smokey eyes

For those of you who wanted to know how to do it without looking like a raccoon *winks*....... Superficial Girl has a smokey eye look on her blog today. Click HERE to check it out :)

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. 4 day weekends are wonderful. I need one a month.

2. Meat tastes better when cooked on a wood braai (aka BBQ)

3. Dark smokey eye make-up is my new favourite look

4. Marshmallow Easter eggs are very addictive

5.The Boyf looks good with super short hair.

6. Drinking lots of red wine always seems like a good idea, until you wake up the next morning.

7. "The Big Bang Theory" is a funny TV show. Nerds rock!

8. Confidence makes everyone look better

9. Watching too much TV makes your brain mushy.

10. I may have too many routines - and this may be a bad thing

>

What did you learn this weekend?

Mumblings and ninja leaves

Yesterday was a rather crap day. Nothing profound or blog-worthy happened. The day dragged and the photocopy machine became my enemy..... So, this is why, my dear bloggy friends, I couldnt bring myself to post anything yesterday.

Today is a great day. For 3 main reasons: 1. we are having pizza at work 2. Its the last day of the work week and 3. I feel better than yesterday (notice my nice, long blog post)

Im so happy that its the Easter weekend - Hooray!!! 4 days off! The Boyf and I have been invited to a few things and we are going to a wedding on Saturday. busy, busy. All I know for sure is that this weekend I will be eating alot of food and relaxing.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend!

>

The winning answer to my last poll (yes, its over already) question, What's one of the weirdest things Brazen did as a child, was "pretended to play dead to scare my baby sister" with 34% of the votes.

*

The right answer to the question is "ran screaming from leaves". Thats right, I was afraid of leaves when i was very little. I didnt like the crafty way they would twirl in the wind. They looked liked crazed, green ninja's that wanted to attack me (I guess it would be safe to say that I was a rather over dramatic child). I was afraid of quite alot when i was a kid, but leaves were definitely the weirdest fear. *grins*

QUESTION: Were you afraid of anything strange when you were a child?

>

(Ps - new poll is up!)

My day job

I never thought of becoming a Personal assistant (aka PA), I just kind of stumbled into being one.

I got my first PA job in 2005 while I was living in California. It was not the best PA job, but it did teach me a lot. I quickly realised that I was pretty well suited to being a PA. So I decided I would continue along this career path and see where it went.

A few months after returning to South Africa I landed a much better PA job with a well known company. I am still working there now, but I am hoping in the next year or two that I will either find a more exciting PA job, win the lottery or quit PA work to become a full time writer.

I think the thing I most enjoy about being a PA is the organising aspect. I also like that a PA job can be very different depending on the environment and person you work for.

I definitely dont want to do this job forever, but until I get my dream job being a PA is paying the bills.

Question: What do you do for living? What is your dream job?

>

*Notes: The winning answer (which was obviously wrong) to the last poll question "What does brazen do?" was Graphic Designer with 17% of the votes.

A new poll is up - Please play along and vote.

Its for you......

Because its Monday and I dont really feel like writing anything much -I thought today would be a great time for an "Its for you..." post. (you love them, you know you do!)

How it works: I answer the questions - then you answer the questions as a comment. Why? because sharing is caring (plus we all like to talk about ourselves) *winks*

ok, here goes...

1. Thought for the day: So much to do , so little time

2. Song of the moment: "Spotlight" by Mute Math
3. Drink of the moment: flavoured water

4. Currently I spend too much time: watching TV shows, being a neat freak and procrastinating

5. Word of the week: "Copious" - i like the way it sounds
6. Currently annoyed by: bad drivers and my procrastinating
7. Currently reading: The same book Ive been reading for ages, Magazines and too many blogs :)
8. Last movie you watched: "Bolt" and "Twilight"
9. Currently lusting after: calf length black leather boots

* To read past "Its for you..." posts click HERE

Indecision is a decision

hmm...guess I'm not as indecisive as I thought *grins*
>

( I heart Savage Chickens)

Happy Friday!

“We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories. Some take us forward, they're called dreams.”

- Jeremy Irons, actor

(Photo by littlegirlblue on flickr)

Current Addictions

* List making - I have always been a bit of a compulsive list maker (I'm sure you have noticed this on my blog) but sometimes I go through stages when I make alot more lists than usual. Lately I've been going through one of those stages *chuckles*

* True Blood -Right now I am devouring the first season of this show. Its really interesting, good and Bill (the main vampire) is rather appealing. Not everyone will be crazy about this TV series (as its definitely not a family show) -but if you like vampires, twisted and paranormal stuff you will love it.

* Coats - Since winter is just around the corner for me and the shops are flooded with winter clothes, its not surprising that I have developed a lust for winter coats . Last month I luckily got two new coats. If my finances allow, which they probably won't, I would still like to buy a black coat and a plaid coat.

* Poached eggs - My mom bought The Boyf and I an egg poacher not too long ago and I am loving it. Poached eggs always look so perfectly round. I have been eating poached eggs as often as I can for breakfast. yum yum.

* Arabella Shiraz - This rather cheap red wine seriously rocks. If you can get hold of a bottle, you really should try it. This is one wine I could happily drink every night :)

>

What are you currently addicted to?

>

*To read my past monthly "Current Addictions" click HERE

April goals and polls

Happy April everyone! I cant believe how this year is flying by.

This morning I went to gym and felt rather unfit ('cause I havent done any exercise in 2 weeks) . Going to gym was a really good start to the month though. Now, I just need to keep going.

This month my goals are:

*exercise more (I know, I say this all the time)

*get my yearly pap smear (too much information?? lol)

*Finish reading at least one of my study books ( I am a procrastinator)

*make a budget (that I can stick to)

*buy the Twilight DVD

*eat less bread (I think I eat way too much bread)

*drink more red wine (it calms me *winks*)

What are your April goals??

The results of my last poll were interesting. A total of 50 people voted. The winning answer to "What do you think Brazen looks like" was Crazy Hippy Chick with 10 votes. In a close second was Brunette and Mousey with 9 votes.

What was the right answer? Well, I have to say "brunette and mousey" fits me better than any of the other answers. At the moment I have medium to dark brown hair and I am quite petite. I have brown eyes and very pale skin.

Today I have put up a new poll (oh yes, another one). This time I want to know - what do you think I do for a living? Go tick an answer if you have time....

(Note: I'm sure this poll addiction is just a phase - until it passes just humour me *grins*).