Cream Coloured Ponies and Crisp Apple Strudels

I've never really cared for social networking.  Quite unexpectedly and somewhat disappointingly I found myself to be of the "get off my lawn" and "turn down that music" crowd, despite being decades too young to be so technologically old-fashioned.  In saying that, I am often in awe of the communities, romances and friendships born from people making heart-full and mindful connections online.  But even with the proof and the hope of there being MANY kindred spirits in this world, I have shied away from establishing an online identity.

Please don't mistake my apprehension for blogging or commenting or connecting as an overall dislike of technology or the web ... or people.  I am a proud geek-gamer-girl at heart and my days are always filled to the brim with techie concepts and delirious web-speak through my job with one of Australia's leading online companies.  My love for my work, my love for pop-culture and my LOVE for all pretty things ever created and showcased online, often has me losing track of hours and losing track of days (translation: no sleep).  And while I have delighted in finding amazing online treasures, be they people, stories or art,  I have always been satisfied with just peeking in and smiling a secret noncommittal hello or shedding a quiet tear for the strangers whose stories I follow.

And now here we are.

As much as I would like to hoist up my caftan and retreat back to the safety of my online solitude, just me, my twitter feed and my lemon honey tea, I am determined to do things differently this year.  I have been inspired to carve out my own public corner of this world so that I can share my love of all the creativity that surrounds us.

In keeping with my conviction to break down my barriers to social-networking, I'd like to over time also share a little more of myself.  It's my way of encouraging those that stumble through here to stick around for a while and maybe find something that will inspire them in their journey.  Not only do I want this space to celebrate creativity, I also want it to celebrate people.  Or, let's all just CELEBRATE.

With that, I give you my first attempt at a Gratitude Journal.  Oprah has always said we need one and I don't think we're allowed to poo-poo Oprah.

I always find so many different things to be grateful for in my day.  From simple little things, like my housekeys being where I left them, to the more obscure things, like being the only one in my apartment block choosing to use the communal washing machine on the first and potentially only sunny day of the week.  Instead of making a boring list of all the things I love, I'm going to give you a random selection of 3.

I am grateful for the awesomeness that is/was/will be again - Gene Kelly.  As much as I believe that souls do reincarnate, I also believe that a little bit of Gene Kelly's spirit fuses itself to anyone that is lucky enough to watch him dance.  Or maybe I'm just biased because I love his movies so much?

I love(!!) old movies.  The black&whites, the slooooow drawn out westerns, the classics and the musicals.  Oh how I love the musicals.  But none make my heart sing as loudly as Gene Kelly.  The man could MOVE! (and sing and act), and it didn't hurt that he was also very pretty.  I am grateful that Gene Kelly existed in this world and I am grateful that his work still exists and maybe inspires future generations?

Next, I am grateful for the awesomeness that is Anna Beth Chao.  I have known of Anna Beth from her very first blog entry maybe 10 years ago?  I've watched her stunning daughter grow up in what feels like seconds, I've watched AB's creativity touch so many people's lives and I've been inspired to look at my life through a high quality lens and get the most out of the colours and angles of my day.  That's a metaphorical lens.  I was trying something clever there.

Anna Beth's humour, compassion and stunning designs are a gift to friends, family and complete strangers and after 10 years of inspiration my thank you is way overdue!

Lastly for today, I am grateful for the awesomeness that are deliveries! From groceries right to your kitchen bench, or parcels from distant family and friends, to Lost Season 6 rental DVDs right to your letterbox. Or in this case, my letterbox - please no one say anything spoilerish about Lost. Regardless of what the delivery is, that knock signifies a gift of some sort has arrived and those few footsteps to the front door are filled with a burst of excitement and if you're me, a brief musing about whether there's time to change this ratty t-shirt.

And there you have it.  A small peek into the inner ramblings of the person behind this AngelVibe project.  I wish you many things in your day that make your own gratitude list!