Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Squirrel mania

We don't get these little blighters over here which is why it's so cute to see one again. Someone sent Dad an email about this little fella and how he was found at the base of a tree, and this lady hand reared him, and her dog took him under her wing. So sweet. I think I even forgive the squirrel (Madam Nutkin) who once bit me on the finger and caused me to have to have a rabies shot.
See, settling in to the pack just like the other puppies.

Aw. . .I want one!

Sunday, May 21, 2006

A normal Sunday I guess

And the day started at Mum's (Dad is in hospital of course) with a brunch consisting of corn fritters, donuts and cake, and celebrating Helen's birthday. That's her and her crowd of onlookers enjoying her new fake mink blankie and card. It was just the start of her 'treat me like a princess' day.
This is the princess blowing out the candle on her cake - be glad you don't get a closer view. Coffee sponge it was. And an old candle my mother unearthed.
Slightly out of order, this is the roast chicken dinner waiting for Magda and I at home, when we finally got there. Steve cooked it!! AND provided the wine. Lovely lad that.
This is where I spend my days - alone in this case - at the computer lab in the University. I have been asked to be webmaster for the class, so more long hours spent in here are ahead. Oh joy. That's a day in the life of Jenny 'Inklings' Jeffries. Hope it was worth it to you.

Friday, May 19, 2006

UPdate

Just a brief update to any interested parties:
Dad had pacemaker installed today at 10am, and is returned to the Waitakere Hospital near us so how convenient for visiting! It was only a local anaesthetic so he is feeling the pain now but eating dinner so can't be too bad.
AND
my dissertation sent for binding yesterday. Whew.
Now it's just the class publication and the website and our individual webpages to do.
Onward and upward.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Dad in hospital


The rather sad sight of my father in the coronary care unit at Waitakere after fainting today and knocking one of his teeth up into his head. He's being monitored because of irregularity in his heart beat over the next few days and THEN I guess the swelling in his face and the dental stuff can be dealt with.
He's okay. May have to have a pacemaker put in.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

My dissertation

I just have to say I feel like I'm living, breathing, eating my dissertation and web design these days. Only a few more weeks to go and it's ALL GO. I am thrilled that both Steadman and Leunig (Australia) agreed to let me use their 'wild line' illustrations in my dissertation. Here's a favourite from Michael Leunig. You got to love him. He signed the book too, when he was out here a few years ago.
Here's the present state of my dissertation. In case you don't know, it's on the WILD LINE in contemporary New Zealand illustration. I've interviewed eight artists and pieced it all together and now I'm designing the book and facing getting it bound and printed. Has to be done in a week.
And THIS is the state of the side of my bedroom, filled with papers and bits and pieces which all mean something, but I'm not quite sure what at the moment. I scored my first A for the latest assignment on magazine, done in Quark, so feeling pretty pleased with myself. If you don't see another blog for a while, I hope this one explains why.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Autumn

How I like these early crisp mornings, on a Sunday, when you can just come out at leisure and make your coffee and sit and view the sun rising through the network of branches on the front lawn.

This is my studio, next to the kitchen, in which I struggle through a variety of tasks. I'm heading in to AUT where the better computer is today though, AFTER a bit of a leisurely Sunday start.
This is the alternative view in the morning, and I did sit here, with coffee and crumpets and enjoy the neighbours back yard and the slightly frosty feel to things. Ah, well, I'd best get to planting those black Irises for Spring and readying myself for some work in at the Uni.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Late night 'work' ha ha

Oh, gulp, is that really me in my pyjamas, sitting hunched in front of my laptop, viewing the Harry Potter website with zeal and relish. Oops. All my work spread out on the bed behind me, and silly escapist thoughts filling my head. I blame all my work on Flash for web design today.
See, I've moved on and am now in gmail checking for a message from YOU! I'd best to bed I think. Good night

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

The final toadstool stages



And here it is. . . long after the fairies have left, and it is fading to a mellow orange, and becoming merely a memory.
How does something so bizarre and vibrant suddenly spring up from the ground near the path and live a short extraordinary life which touches so many people? Hey, that's good - OH to live life like a toadstool!

Monday, May 01, 2006

The toadstool grows



And here is the next progression of the mighty fairy toadstool. Pretty huh?
Ah, lovely to have Autumn here at last. Enjoy