It just keeps arriving

Well, there goes June.

Somewhere in between my last post in May and this last day of the Australian fiscal year, I saw fireflies in Ashland, drove to Portland (Portlandia is real, but more on that later) and had a couple of weeks back in the ol' hometown, where people still run topless during 'the coldest winter in 57 years'.  Now back where people don't swim at the beach even though it's technically summer, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  New job started last week, I'm really enjoying having too many questions and no idea about anything.  I'll hopefully find lunch buddies soon too, haha.

This guy.  On the sunsetting shores of Bondi.  Magnificently #nofilter

And, of course time with this one.  This is a tired little post, more just to start breaking the drought - but I will finish with a quote from a dear friend that I am overdue posting:

'Love is a train that just keeps arriving' 
- John Berger.

And so it does.

Read / watch

So, it's been awhile.  Again, there is a direct correlation between how much I plop life updates on here and how much is going on in my actual life.  A small handful of things I have collected along the way, that have stuck with me of late -

This thoughtful animation that takes a portion of George Saunders' commencement speech on kindness:

This quote from my beloved Elizabeth Gilbert:

"Someday you’re gonna look back on this moment of your life as such a sweet time of grieving. You’ll see that you were in mourning and your heart was broken, but your life was changing."

And I've been really enjoying this woman's writing recently.

Read / watch.  These are are all thinking words.

I will never tire of you

New York.

All Coachella'd out, I hopped on a redeye last week to spend a few days over in the city of my obsession.  Seeing all the popcorn trees I realised it was one year exactly since my first visit, although no less magical than the first time.  Some snaps that I took between hurried steps:

Despite some snow, spring was well and truly springing - seasons are totally a thing over here.

Finally made it out to MOMA and this guy, which I completely bypassed the first time.  Good touristy fun.

I ran into this woman at a flea market on 5th.  She asked me if I wanted to take a picture of her ducky hat (yes, obviously) and then insisted on posing with her carton of Sexy.  HONY watch out  :)

A terrible photo, but captures the moment of swinging on a rooftop bar at 1am, cocktail in hand, celebrating that we were all wearing flat shoes for Sleep No More - which, for the record, I 100% recommend but it is definitely not for the faint hearted.  Four cheese and truffle pizza followed shortly after this photo was taken, of course.

Not pictured but no less wonderful: a walk along my beloved High Line, hot dogs in Central Park and Easter breakfasts with old friends.  Making a mental note now to not let a whole year go by before my next visit.  I still love you NY!

On vunerability

This weekend was a lot of catching up on life admin - laundry, getting keys copied, having pants hemmed and also catching up on talks and videos people have sent me as 'must watches' and just hadn't gotten around to.  As a part of that I finally watched this excellent talk on the power of vulnerability by Brene Brown - also the voice behind this piece on empathy that I raved about.  

Somewhat related to Louis C.K.'s rant on just allowing yourself to be sad, she hilariously and sincerely talks about vulnerability being necessary - don't block your emotions out with a "beer and a banana nut muffin".  Ok, I'm not explaining this well, just watch it.  Then after that, watch the her follow up on listening to shame.

Good thoughts as we enter the chaos of the working week.

Back. More to come.

Phwoar.  It's been a long time between drinks on this patch of internet o'er here.

The most excellent tattoo I ever had, courtesy of a buddy and inter-office mail.

Oh, where to start?!  Since I plodded around on here there have been so many firsts: I turned 30, added Utah and Washington to my visited states, had a spell in Latin America, enjoyed the most wonderful, special engagement party of my life (well, and the only one of my life really) and I'm officially a terrible skier.  There was a lot on, but I'm back.  Much to catch up on and too many great photos that must be shared.  Expect more #laterposts and love to come.

I hope you're enjoying the start of your weekend as much as I am!  x