Shoes, Books & Cynicism
Kate Stone Matheson
The Wax That Melts Our Wings

I’d say it’s what separates us, not from the beasts, but the bestial. Creating the future, renewing a learned past - these are reasons to strive. Writing for and with love, taking and framing an image, stretching new melodic skins onto old skeletons of song… it’s how we manage to fly. It’s how we stay you and me, not us and them.

The Wax That Melts Our Wings
Shoes, Books & Cynicism
Kate Stone Matheson
The Lady Jellypants Guide to Grace and Poise

Unlike Osk, who seemed to establish his own tactical task force wherever we lived, scooping up neighbourhood feline troublemakers as sidekicks (including the memorable ginger behemoth Watson, with whom he used to scope the street from the safety of the shed roof), Jelly has the intelligence gathering skills of a sponge cake.

The Lady Jellypants Guide to Grace and Poise
Shoes, Books & Cynicism
Kate Stone Matheson
Love Me Tender

Anyway, somewhere in between my 'and then you should've done this' and 'why didn't you say x and y, rather than z', and 'for the love of monkeys and the general public's eyesight, you didn't honestly wear that heinous shirt did you', something he was saying about the dating extravaganza we were picking to pieces finally penetrated my cloud of self-congratulatory cumulo-waffle. 

"Most people don't talk about how dates are progressing as a tender process, do they?" he asked. 

"What?"

"She said I was 'part way through the tender process' and that she was judging me on my submission. I'd like to think there was irony involved, and I think at the time I may have given an admittedly weak "haha, yesssss, quite". Looking back, I'd have to conclude, computer says no on the presence of Fabulon or other aids to achieving crisply pressed linen."

Love Me Tender

Chinese New Year

Exit The Dragon...

““Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake.” ”

— W.C. Fields

Happy Chinese New Year! Having exited Asia at the same time as the Year of The Dragon, I feel quite invested in what the Year of The Snake has to bring.

Admittedly I know next to nothing about the Chinese Zodiac apart from the fact that apparently I am a Rat; but that makes as much sense as being an Aquarian and way more sense than most if not all of the major religions. As far as I know, there are no current wars being fought over whether or not one is an Ox or a Tiger. Although perhaps I should shut up in case I give any die-hard with a vengeance Roosters any ideas...

According to my meticulous (sort of) research, the Snake's place and its significance as a symbol of worship is far less than that of the Dragon.

It carries the meanings of malevolence, cattiness and mystery, as well as acumen, divination and the ability to distinguish herbs. In some places, people believe that a snake found in their court can bring delight.

I am not certain what most of this means, or how a snake can be catty, but they certainly are malevolent at times (but only when interfered with) and I do think they are mysterious. The herbs and the delight I will leave well alone.

My main hope, with Chinese New Year, just as it was with the 'western' start of 2013 and will be with Rosh Hashanah in September, is that it brings some kind of fulfillment to those who are celebrating it. Snake, Pig, Rat, Horse or Dragon, may you find yourself in uninteresting times - which is a blessing not many of us get in a lifetime, let alone in a year.

Now my next question... when is it Rat's turn again? Because we Rats are definitely the coolest dudes in the horoscope.

I think we deserve a double dip...