Uno
Even when things are good, they can be pretty stressful and sometimes life just feels a little overwhelming. It’s at those times that the fantasies come, normally on Sundays or first thing in the morning when the prospect of the week or the day ahead seems like just too much to get through. I fantasize of being with you on a tropical island or deep in a forest, away from the responsibilities of reality, away from the pressure of this life. But what I do is open my eyes and do the next thing I have to and then the next and then the next…and by the end of the day, just before we fall asleep, I close my eyes and I am grateful that I am here…with you.
Side-B
It was my birthday earlier this month and Leigh did a very naughty thing when she got me an awesome Pro-Ject Debut III turntable. Sick! So naturally, this got me thinking about vinyl and what a cool concept it is. It’s basically a piece of plastic with some grooves in it right, and one record looks pretty much the same as the next right, but put a needle in those grooves and you can unlock a world of joy or sadness or just all out raw power. I just love the idea of all that emotion and experience trapped in the plastic – sure we’ve got digital versions of this nowadays, but the vinyl is so much more visceral and magical. The album artwork is also kinda cool and the format is really impactful, but I reckon records are a lot like books when it comes to that stuff. So I came to the conclusion that LPs are also a lot like people – when you find one with great artwork and you pull it out of the sleeve, place it on the table, drop the arm down and the music that drifts out of the speakers is surprising, clever, funny and sincere…then best you look after it.
Eagle vs Robin
The last 2 years have shown me that it’s not totally cuckoo to go beyond your robiness, especially when you’re lucky enough to catch a sweet thermal and you can flow with the current, without flapping your little wings wildly against the wind. At those times it doesn’t matter what kind of bird you are, it’s just awesome to be a bird.
Happy Happy
So for our one year anniversary, Leigh made this lovely little cupcake. She loves cake. And this got me thinking about cake and boyfriend/girlfriend stuff. I think, like most people, I am particularly fond of the icing bit of the cake. It’s the sweetest bit. A good deal of the cake however, is made of…well..cake. So, I guess it’s a pretty important part. I have come to believe that the cake bit is as vital to a good cake as the icing bit is because without a firm well-made cake bit, there’d be nowhere to put the icing bit. They also seem to balance each other out and make the enjoyment of the two parts that much more enjoyable i.e. A cupcake that is all icing is only good for so long. So thank you girlfriend for teaching me to enjoy the cake bit.
Naked
Being honest is hard, but it’s worth the effort. I wrote this with a desire for a relationship built on honesty (especially from myself), a desire to take the leap and say, “This is who I am, do you still want me?” After writing this, I actually tried it and it’s working out pretty good so far…I think she still wants me. We try to be honest with each other, so here goes - “Leigh, you draw naked people pretty good…for a girl.”
Lambert Wolfe
This is a part of a poem I wrote almost 2 years ago. It was a dark time. I liked the idea that I was some kind of lone wolf, but I think that I was mostly just lonely. This was highlighted by the fact that I got bitten by a lamb. Wolves generally don’t get bitten by lambs, they more often than not are the ones doing the biting. This event forced me to realise that perhaps I was not a wolf, but just a boy. It was sad at first, but I’m ok with it now. The lamb and I are quite close today (probably because I don’t think I’m a wolf anymore), and in fact she was even nice enough to draw this pictorial representation of the humbling event. Thank you, little lamb.
No. 1
A human being’s basic needs are food, water, shelter and love. Food equals pizza - tick. Water equals cappuccino - tick. Shelter equals 4 Mentone Court, 2nd Ave, Killarney - tick. Love equals the girl in the picture - tick. And it’s okay to feel like you need a pizza from Piccola Prima Donna when you’re hungry. It’s human. I left the “a” out of the words because I am in fact… retarded.
The Ride
Relationships are a lot like riding a tandem bicycle (not that either of us have actually ridden a tandem bicycle). The ride is more enjoyable when both of you are pedaling. Sometimes one of you doesn’t have the energy to pedal and the other one has to do a little more. Getting to the top of a hill can seem like hard work, but free-wheeling down the other side with the wind lapping at your curls is a feeling that can’t be beat. But most of all, it’s just kinda cool to have someone along for the ride.
Let’s Eat Grandpa
This is a horribly violent kids story we did as a project for someone. The only time it was diddled by a digital old man was when it was scanned, the rest was drawn and painted by Leigh’s pretty little hand and I hauled out my gran’s old Olivetti typewriter and clacked away. We think it kicks butt… mostly ours and that’s why we like it.
Dos
This is our first thing. It won’t be the last. Leigh drew it because she was inspired by these ponchoesque jersey things we bought in Patagonia, Argentina. She’s never worn hers, but I have. I think people laughed at me, but I didn’t care that much. And I wrote what I wrote because I love Leigh and Jesus.