Stuff

I read a news article about a month ago and I bookmarked it as I wanted to write a post about it.... Then I forgot lol It's a good thing I bookmarked it. Then this morning I was reading the news and there was a new article that reminded me of the previous article, and since I have some free time I thought I would write about both articles now. They're about stuff. Yep, stuff. All the stuff we buy because we think we need it, are told we need it, it's advertised to make our lives easier or some just acquire stuff because they're keeping up with the Joneses - so to speak.

The older article (If we downsize and de-clutter our lives can we get more out of life?) discusses the amount of stuff we have and the stress it can cause, the minimalist movement, the growing size of Australian homes although family sizes are shrinking - I wrote about this in another post and Red Balloon - I was going to write a separate post about Red Balloon, but I will touch on it in this post.

The second article (Blender wars: Why sellers of stuff are stuffed) is about two companies (JB Hi-Fi and Dick Smith) entering the small appliance market. These two companies at present primarily sell electronics and associated gadgets. The reason they're expanding into the small appliance market is because you can buy a toaster for less than a loaf of bread, a blender for less than a smoothie and a vacuum cleaner for less than the cost of hiring a cleaner. This is due to most of the products being manufactured in China, thus reducing the cost. As they're now cheaper we no longer want them as they don't show a personal status of wealth. The article states that the less we want stuff, the more it's discounted.

A Google image - Not my kitchen lol

Personally, I used to be a huge buyer of stuff. In fact the pantry is full of kitchen electrical stuff that I rarely use, however when I do use them, they do cut down preparation time. Could I throw them all out and live without them? Yes I could. Will I? Probably not as they do come in handy. It's the same in my garage - I have a range of power tools that I rarely use, however they're there for when I do use them and although they take up a lot of room they're effective time wise.

About 2-3 years ago my wife and I decided for birthdays and Christmas to only buy each other limited stuff that we would use. We were notorious for buying each other huge amounts of stuff, it got out of hand! So now we buy a couple of trinkets and the rest of the present is in the form of an outing or an event such as concert tickets etc.

These days the only physical stuff I mainly buy is things like pet toys which get demolished, components for my ceramics like glazes which get used to create pieces for me to sell (more on this in a future post) and scented candles and essential oils for my oil burner as I like the fresh scent. Any music I buy is a digital download as my CD shelf is full or I use Guvera a music streaming service. Any books I buy go on my Kindle as my bookshelves are full! Seriously full and that's after 2-3 clean outs! I will on the odd occasion buy a physical book, however it's usually a cookbook as I find it easier than using my Kindle for when I'm cooking. 

There's one book I purchased a physical copy of recently and that's only because this book has a lot of activities in it, it's one of those books where you find yourself reading up to a certain section then flipping back to another section that you have already read. I'm no where near finished this book and I can honestly say from what I have read to date, this is one of my favourite books! It's written by Naomi Simson, an Australian entrepreneur who started the company Red Balloon. This company sells experiences, rather than stuff. My wife an I have purchased a number of these experiences for ourselves and as gifts. Naomi started this company with the belief that people find more enjoyment from doing, giving and receiving experiences, rather accumulating stuff. She was right! Like everyone else, she worked a regular job - however felt she wasn't doing what made her happy. So she sunk all her savings into building a website so that she could sell happiness.  

Back to the book, now don't let the title or the blurb on the back fool you into believing that this book is about how to make a million dollars overnight. It's not one of those 'self help, guru, lifestyle coaching' themed books. In a nutshell this book questions you about every aspect of your life. The activities really make you sit back and think about who you are, what you want, what you've achieved, what you want to achieve. It applies to everyone! It doesn't matter if you want to achieve millionaire status, figure out how to climb the ladder where you currently work, run your own small business or most importantly just figure out who you really are. 

I think to some degree we all 'believe' we know who we are. This book really makes you question whether you do or not. The activities are quite insightful, some are easy, but some really make you think. When you have to really think about a question that asks you about yourself, that's a good indication that you don't know yourself as well you first thought you did. So if you're in business, are employed or just want greater insight into yourself, you need this book! 

Now I know this is a bit of a jumbled post lol but the first two news articles were related and one mentioned Red Balloon and Naomi Simson - all topics I was wanting to write about, so that's why it might seem a bit disjointed, but in my mind they're linked lol So I guess in conclusion I want you to look at how much stuff you have, how often you have a clean out and I mean a proper clean out. Maybe give experiences as gifts instead of stuff, memories are built on what we do, not what we have.        

A Couple Of Outings!

Finding time to go out between my wife's roster and my 7 day a week business is a nightmare! In fact it had been months since we actually went out - just the two of us. However we got to go out on the weekend and we went out again for lunch yesterday! My system didn't know what hit it! Two outings in almost as many days!

The view from where we were sitting. 

On the weekend we went to a local art/craft market and then instead of going to a cafe for lunch as we usually would, we got some take away wraps and drinks and had lunch in a nearby park in the sun by the water - it was so relaxing!!! I seriously could have just sat in the park, in the sun looking at the water, the birds, and the other people all day!

The view in the other direction. 

Even though there were quite a few people in the park, it wasn't noisy because the park's a decent size. I really miss being outside, either being surrounded by nature or at least being able to see it. I feel much calmer and at ease within myself when I can smell and see trees, see or hear birds, look out the windows or doors and see natural beauty rather than the neighbours fence or wall. The suburb we live in has parks, but they're really small, surrounded by houses and are purely designed for children with play equipment installed. Don't get me wrong, kids need somewhere to play, but adults need somewhere to go as well. 

Sadly the area I live in has new housing estates popping up every couple of weeks, the bulldozers roll in and rip out all the trees and McMansions are erected in no time - shiny, pretty and generic in appearance - without a tree or flower in sight. Only last week a Rosella landed on our fence, it was the first native bird I have seen since living here. 

Anyway back to our weekend outing! While we were having lunch, there was this guy doing some kind of Tai Chi nearby. Perception is a funny thing lol I found watching him holding his poses somewhat relaxing, where my wife did not lol I don't know if this is because when I lived in the City I would often see people in the parks doing this as a group and it was a normal sight for me, where you just don't see it much where we live.

My purchases.

After we had lunch in the park, watched the ducks, saw some boats and watched the Tai Chi guy, we went back to the markets and I bought a glass mosaic oil burner and essential oils. We did go to the markets before lunch and I saw it then, but I didn't buy it. It wasn't until we were having lunch that I decided that I wanted to buy it lol It looks amazing in the dark! I absolutely love it!

Yesterday we went to this cute-out-of-the-way cafe for lunch. This cafe has such an airy feel about it as it has huge doorways and windows, allowing for so much natural light and there aren't too many tables, so it doesn't have a cluttered feel. It's also situated right across from three parks and the ocean! Heaven! So instead of dining in, we got take away sandwiches and drinks and had lunch in the park overlooking the ocean. 

The stunning view from where we were sitting. 

It was such a busy little place considering how out of the way it is, but it was so peaceful sitting in the park amongst the trees, with the ocean down below and birds flying all around us. There was just this feeling of total freedom and openness. 

The sky was crystal clear like the ocean, not a cloud in sight. Some of the trees near where we were sitting were quite large, with holes and patches of moss. I love gnarly looking trees :)

Gnarly, mossy, holey trees and flowers. 

We've decided that we will have to make an extra effort to try and go out more, especially now that we're moving out of winter and into spring. Even if it's just packing a picnic lunch and going where there aren't any shops or cafes, and just having a peaceful day outdoors in nature, away from home and work. 

Echovox And New Technology.... Argh!!!

Yes readers I'm back and I have another Echovox EVP clip for you! lol It's only 20 seconds long, so it wont take you all day to listen to. I recorded it yesterday, but I only put it together this morning. I've also inserted a picture of my neighbourhood in the clip, just to give you an idea of what the voice may have been saying....

It took me a while to figure out how to put a 3rd image into the audio clip, but with some trial and error..... And holding my head in my hands for a while lol I finally got it.... I think??? I still have some way to go when it comes to fading images in and out like the pros do. :) :)

I've also started my own YouTube Channel, where I will also load my clips. In the past I have often watched a lot of videos on there, but I hadn't set up my own channel, so it's a work in progress, my channel can be found Here.

I haven't just been recording EVP's :o) My wife and I went out for breakfast yesterday morning, rather than going out for lunch as it has been so hot here, and then we went to the local markets which were just across from where we had breakfast. I purchased a couple of soy candles and 2 crystals.

It was my birthday last month, and I received some money from my Mum. I had no idea what I wanted to buy with it..... Anyway, yesterday, a whole month after my birthday, I decided to buy a video camera. It's nothing fancy at all, after all I'm not a professional, I just wanted something that I could use for everyday stuff - that was no fuss and easy to use. OMG.... I 'used' to be sooo tech savvy.... The older I get, the easier I want things to be, because it's all just too much, and does my head in lol.... Is this a sign that I'm getting old? Am I turning into the kind of person that needs a 3 year old to program their TV? lol

So I did my research and picked out what I wanted, I found a store that was selling it for the lowest price, but when I got to the store, I noticed that the price on the camera was $80 dearer than was it was advertised for! I was thinking that maybe I had missed a sale or maybe read the wrong model number. Anyway, the sales guy came over and I told him that the camera I wanted was advertised online for $80 less...... He looked a bit perplexed. So he went online and confirmed that I was right, and then gave me an extra $10 off! lol So I guess at the end of the day, check your prices and don't worry about asking questions... And yes, when I left the store, the original price tag displaying the added $80, was still being displayed.... Shoppers beware!

I let the camera charge last night, now I have never owned a video camera for a couple of reasons. The main reason is that I really dislike the sound of my own voice when I hear it recorded. I don't even record my own message on my mobile phone voice mail! lol My friends have video cameras, and when they bring them out, I hardly say 2 words. The other reason is that a lot of people have cameras because they have kids or are into sport etc. I don't fit into either of those categories.

After I read the manual this morning, I made my first 'video'. I haven't used any editing software, I just recorded it and then transferred it to the computer, so I hope that you are able to view it. If you can't it's on my YouTube channel and I know works there :o)

Markets, Shopping... And A Bit Of A Whinge

My wife and I are the kind of couple that go out everywhere together, except for grocery shopping.... My wife mostly does that herself lol as she says that it costs more when I go along lol... Anyway sorry, wandering off the topic here as I do.... My wife is working nightshift at the moment, so she's asleep during the day, and there were some markets on that I wanted to check out. So I decided that I would go by myself, it was a bit of a weird feeling being there without her.

The view from the markets

I love markets! Especially when it's a nice sunny day - not too hot, and just being able to browse around at all of the handcrafts and unique items for sale. But there is one thing that I am starting to see a trend in, and that's the number of stalls that are selling mother/baby type stuff. Now before I get flamed or some troll rolls in and abuses me, I do not have an issue with mothers or babies. My wife and I don't have children - because we can't, not because we didn't want any. Neither of us begrudge other people or hold any ill-will towards those who do have children either. . .

Alert! Whinge Below!

Today when I went to these markets, the number of mother/baby stalls were out of control... Seriously. Yes I know that they say that males don't like to shop, or that women make most of the purchases..... But there is also the flip side of the coin, that if there were items for sale that were directed at a male market, men will buy them. I am a male and I shop. If I see items that I can use, or that I think would look nice in our home, I will pull my wallet out of my pocket and I will buy them. I'm also a huge supporter of buying locally and supporting 'the little guy'. But how do I do this, when most of the stuff that is being sold locally is aimed at mothers and babies? We don't all have children, we don't all know people that have children and some of us don't have family members with children. Okay, I had to get that out. I'm not normally someone who 'whinges', but this handmade baby culture thing just got to me today. 

Whinge Over! :o)

A small selection. . . 

On a positive note I found some soy candles! There were so many different ones to choose from, sometimes too much choice is a bad thing for me when it comes to candles lol! I normally go for the same or similar scented candles, but today I decided to be a bit adventurous and buy some that I hadn't purchased before. Daring, I know! lol

So decided on four, which should keep me going until I find some more markets to check out. I hope whatever it is that you did on your weekend was a blast! 

I'm also just going to take this chance to give Lisa over at Button Brain a plug :o) She has started a Weekend Writers Group, click here for the details :o) 

The Ancient Egyptian Oracle - The Cards Of Ra-Maat

Today I decided that I would dust off my deck of - The Ancient Egyptian Oracle - The Cards Of Ra-Maat. I haven't used them for quite sometime.... I wasn't looking to do a full reading, I just wanted one card for a general pointer... The card I selected was the card "Concerns ~ Problems and Worries". I thought that this was a pretty good card to draw from the pack, as it is regarding other peoples perception that I am/have become distant and detached and I'm in a world of my own.

To a degree this is very true! However in saying that, there is the quote:- For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction - Isaac Newton. As some of you know, I have had a lot going on in my life over the past months. I'm not just talking about losing my Aunt, but also simultaneously being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Adult ADHD (you can click here for more on that topic) and the trials that come with taking medication that alters the way you feel/think.

Most people in my life have been very understanding and supportive, yet there is always that one apple in the cart - so to speak. It is that one apple that has caused a chunk of me to become - distant, detached and in a world of my own - and for the time being, I am quite happy being there!

One Of Those Weekends

You know when you're looking forward to something and it just doesn't turn out as you had hoped? That's how I feel about our outing today, I had been looking forward to it and it just wasn't what I expected. We had planned to go to The Entrance markets first, then have lunch, and then drive over to a Food and Music Festival. 

The main reason I was looking forward to The Entrance markets, is because there was a stall holder there that used to make and sell my favourite soy candles. For some reason he wasn't there, and my wife and I both agreed that there were quite a few stalls missing. As a result, we finished up there quite early. So we decided to drive over to the Food and Music Festival and have lunch there instead.

Now I had been looking forward to this festival, as it's an annual event and we had heard about how great it was, and we had managed to miss it every year! I really don't know what I was expecting, but clearly I had set my expectations too high. When I hear "food festival" I think I envision all sorts of lovely treats to try and buy. What I saw was a bunch of kids sports groups holding sausage sizzles. . . To me, this is hardly food festival material. 

We did find one stall that was selling Thai food, as they had opened a new restaurant in the area and were promoting their business. The food wasn't bad for market stall food, so we grabbed a menu and may go to the actual restaurant at some point.  

I'm not sure where the music part came into the title of the festival, the local radio station was there, but they weren't playing live. There was however a young girl belly dancing to Middle Eastern music, which really wasn't all that interesting.  

There were a couple of classic cars parked outside of the festival on the road, they were interesting to look at and were in immaculate condition. I don't know if they were part of the festival or if there was a car club in the area. There was also a small baby-animal farmyard zoo for kids to play with. All in all, The Food and Music Festival was lacking in both food and music. It was nothing more than what you would find at a regular market or school fete. It was quite disappointing.  .  .

Never mind, there's always next weekend to look forward to! We're going out to lunch with friends to a restaurant that we haven't been to before. The menu looks interesting and the reviews are all positive :o) **Fingers Crossed!!**

10 Day You Challenge - Day Two - Nine Loves

Day Two - Nine Loves

1. My wife - I have listed my wife as my first love as she is not only my wife, but she is my best friend. We met thirteen years ago (I had to use a calculator to work that one out sshhhh lol) when we were working together. I had already made a pact with myself years before, that I would never get involved with anyone I worked with, because if it didn't work out.... It could just get messy. To be honest, I had no idea that she liked me. I'm not particularly good at picking up on signals or hints. If you want me to know something.... I'm afraid you're going to have to spell it out or even better, draw me a picture lol Which she did lol Oh, and never say never lol

My wife and I on our first segway ride

We are the kind of couple that goes out, and does things together. For example, I don't have a separate group of friends, that I go out with on the side - we have the same group of friends that we socialise with. However, we also have our own interests, we're not a Stepford couple lol For example, I like to paint ceramics and while I do that, my wife may play her piano or she may cross stitch while I play on the computer or read. Even though we have things in our lives that we do as individuals, we still spend time together, even it's just watching a movie or going out for a simple meal together.

2. Food - I love food! For a number of years I was a vegetarian and ate vegan where possible. However when I started taking the medication that I'm taking today, I started craving meat. The only way I can describe it, is when you hear about women who are pregnant, and start craving things that they would not normally eat. So meat is now in my diet again, along side vegetarian dishes. I'm not a picky eater and I will try anything at least once. I also love to cook and try new recipes, even if the ending result is a disaster..... You live and learn! :)

3. Music - I cannot read music or play an instrument. God only knows I have tried lol. I love music. To me music can be an emotion, it can be a memory and it can make you think. The right music, played at the right time is perfection. I admire anyone with any kind of musical talent, because it takes dedication and passion, and I feel that these two traits are often missing from people today.

4. Halloween - What can I say? I live in Australia. Yes Halloween is growing in popularity, but we still live in a country that is divided by two camps. The first camp being: Halloween is commercial American garbage and we are Australian! The second camp is: Halloween is not American, chill out, stop whinging and have some fun! I'm in the second camp lol When I was a child I used to watch the American TV shows, and wish we had Halloween. Of course we didn't. However, as an adult I now decorate our house and throw a Halloween party every year! :)

5. Cold weather - I love the cold, I love snow, I love those rainy days where you just close the front door, and curl up on the lounge in front of a good movie. This is a funny comment coming from someone, who now lives on the coast, surrounded by beaches where it gets very, very hot (yuck)! We do get a lot of rain, but with that comes humidity (also yuck). We used to live in the mountains, and winter was just brilliant! There's just nothing that compares to snow gently falling to the ground, while you're inside by an open fire.

6. Being a hermit - I'm not afraid to say that I enjoy my own company. I can keep myself amused for hours on end! I don't have the need to frequent shopping centres, clubs, pubs, parties, events etc. . . Of course I do go out, my wife and I will go out for lunch occasionally. However, we often go to places that are not over run with people, as all the noise generated by them grates on my nerves. If we do go to a shopping centre etc, we often go early and leave early to avoid the crowds.

7. Retro - Call me old, but I just can't move forward with the times lol My taste in clothes hasn't changed in years lol I wear almost a 'uniform' of jeans and shirts or shorts and t-shirts. I haven't heard a new song that I've fallen in love with for years, and when I mean new, I mean newly written, not a new cover... I love retro art, music, cars, movies, etc. Yes, I'm old. lol

8. Candles - I don't buy candles as much as I would like to, mostly because I can't see my money in them, the way I used too. Years ago, I used to buy candles a lot! The problem is, that all those years ago when I used to buy candles, they weren't 'popular' then. I bought them because I liked the mood they created, the scent that they emitted and the overall look of them in a room. But now, candles are very vogue and with vogue comes the price tag. 

These days, when I can, I tend to buy my candles from art and craft markets. Yes, they still carry the price tag, but I would rather support the 'little guy', who I know has put the effort in. Don't get me wrong, I have and still do purchase candles from the shopping centre stores, and their candles are just as nice, I just prefer to put my money in a smaller pocket.

9. Learning - We should never stop learning! If you believe that you know all you need to know, one day you are going to have a rude awakening! There are so many things in the world, that we need to open our eyes and minds too. Just the other day I started an E Course, which I mentioned in my Lisa Williams post. I'm not saying that you need to fork out money, that you don't have and enroll in a course, no not at all. Look around you, listen to other people, pick a topic out of thin air and look it up on you tube! Seriously lol I have learnt so many things from watching you tube clips :)

You can borrow a book from a friend or library, watch a documentary, talk to an elderly person, talk to a child.... Yep, even children can teach you things, they don't see the world the way we do. You could ask a family member or friend what is involved in their job. In this day and age we have so many opportunities right in front of us, don't ignore the chances you have to broaden your mind. You'll never hear anyone say that they regretted learning something! :)