2017 Is Here

Facebook has been overflowing with people wishing 2016 would fuck off and now it has.... thanks to a wonderful thing called time.

2016 had a lot of highs and lows for everyone.

In 2016 we celebrated Audrey's 1st birthday. Something I still haven't blogged about because I'm super slack. Audrey's birthday gave me an excuse to get creative. I worked on my baking skills and did things I've never done before with icing. I had a lot of fun (though it was stressful at times) planning and preparing for her fiesta.

Audrey also had lots of development milestones including walking, first words and first shit in the bath. I turned 30 which I don't think is all that exciting but other people seem to think so.

Both BJ and I had a lot of work stress that weighed us down and took it toll. BJ also had a car accident and we ALL got gastro... fun times!!

But I decided the first week into 2017 that 2017 of the year for me!

This year I'm making time for me, doing things for me, and putting myself first a bit more.

As of February Audrey will be going to child care 3 days a week. I'm separating work days and 'mum' days. As 2016 went on and Audrey grew I found it harder and harder to juggle everything and my mental state at times were pretty bad. I didn't have a way to escape. The decision to send her to childcare for three days a week was not easy for me. It involved a pro's and con's list and a lot of tears.

At first, I felt like I was being selfish, I was a bad mum. But then I realised that it will make me a better mum. Because on the days that she is home I will actually take off my work hat and just be a mum, which is something I've not been able to do since she was born. I've always had to just wear all the hats and hope they don't fall.

In my days without Audrey, I am going to make some time for me. Not just for appointments or food shopping but to do things that make me happy like bake and craft.

I generally don't bother setting goals for a year because I find they never get achieved but this year I've decided to do a few monthly challenges starting this month we a 30-day challenge to learn the techniques needed to be able to do calligraphy. I'm on day two (because I started late) and I love that I have something that requires me to shut my brain off, put down my phone, look away from screens, grab a pen and just go for it.

I've also decided that I'm going to look after myself physically, not just mentally. I'm going to spend more time strengthing my core to reduce my constant back problems which will again help me to become a better mum.

Some other things I would like to achieve this year are more family adventures and a little family holiday somewhere. I'm also going to push BJ a little more to look after himself and take some time to spend with his mates and write more often.

I would love to say that Fork This is going to get back to its regular weekly postings but honestly, it's just one of those things that got a little too hard. The episodes will hopefully continue to be uploaded as often as we can.

I'm also looking forward to blogging more frequently. I enjoy doing this. I do it for me. I honestly don't think anyone really reads it or cares but it makes me feel good so I'm going to keep doing it until I don't enjoy it anymore.

xx
Smorgy

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Monthly Album - MARCH

BJ's Words:

The artwork fits in exactly with the album subject matter and the name of the month. A photo of an army marching just made sense. The punk album was something I had been wanting to do for a while. I regret some of the choices I made with the songs I put on there, but all in all, I'm pretty happy with it.

Artwork:

Tracklist:

The Separation Of Church & Skate - NOFX
Fuck Authority - Pennywise
David Courtney - Rancid
Heart's All Gone - Blind 182
Generator - Bad Religion
Cool To Be You - Descendents
Past Lives - The Bronx
Penguins & Polarbears - Millencolin
Longview - Green Day
Miami - Against Me!
Let's All Go To The Bar - Deer Tick

Samples:

Extras:

BJ created this promo video leading up to the MARCH album release date.


MARCH from BJ Carter on Vimeo.

Copyright:

©FTI RECORDS MARCH 2012. WE’RE STILL PRETTY UNSURE WHAT THIS GUYS DEAL IS, BUT HE LOOKS SHADY, WE HERE AT FTI RECORDS WOULDNT TRUST HIM, ESPECIASLLY WITH MANAGING OUR INVESTMENT BANKING.

My Thoughts:

When BJ was making this album i didn't think i'd enjoy it as much as some of the others. I like a lot of punk-rock music but BJ likes a lot that i don't really care for. In saying that, this album is probably the album i played the most out of the first three albums. It get's me pumped on my drive to work and it's just such a fun album to listen to. 

We'd love to know what you think of MARCH and if you would like a digital copy of the album send me an email silhouettesofknights@gmail.com

xx
Smorgy & BJ

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70 “New-To-Me” Movies 2011

Last year i set myself a realistic goal of 50 'New-To-Me' movies. This year i increased my number to 70 and i made it.

Here is my list of movies I watched in 2011 and my ratings. Looking at the list there are only a couple of ratings that i now regret and would change but have left at my original rating.

January:

Greenberg – 1.5/5

Black Swan – 5/5

February:

127 Hours – 4/5

March:

Just Buried – 1.5/5

Because I said so – 2/5

The Last Kiss – 2/5

Hairspray (1988) – 2.5/5

Youth and Revolt – 2.5/5

Waiting for Guffman – 3.5/5

No Reservations – 3/5

Dinner for Schmucks – 2/5

Cyrus – 3/5

The Runaways – 2/5

Get Him To The Greek – 4/5

April:

How to eat fried worms – 3/5

Hot Rod – 2/5

Thor – 3.5/5 – By the hammer of THOOORRRR!!!!

May:

Paperman – 4/5

Blood into Wine – 4/5

The Hangover 2 – 4/5

June:

The Green Hornet – 3/5

Drive Angry – 3/5

American: The Bill Hicks Story – 4/5

Year One – 1/5

Super 8 – 4/5

DIG! – 3/5

Stranger than fiction – 3/5

Couple’s Retreat – 2.5/5

We own the night – 2/5

Rango – 3/5

July:

District 9 – 3.5/5

You Again – 3/5

Mama Mia – 2/5

Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows Pt 2 – 4/5

Bride Wars – 2/5

Jesus Camp – 3/5

Suckerpunch – 2/5

Bridesmaids – 4/5

Accepted – 3/5

Despicable me – 2.5/5

August:

Sunshine – 3/5

Captain America – 4/5

The Losers – 3/5

Raising Arizona 4/5

Hesher – 4/5

The music never stopped – 4/5

Man with the screaming brain – 2/5

Sourcecode – 2/5

Bad Teacher – 2/5

The Best and the Brightest – 3/5

September:

Everything Must Go – 3/5

The Beaver – 3/5

Burlesque – 2/5

Horrible Bosses – 3/5

Intolerable Cruelty – 3/5

October:

Red State – 4.5/5

November:

Let’s go to Prison – 2/5

Marley and Me – 2/5

Exit through the gift shop – 4.5/5

Tucker and Dale vs Evil – 2.5/5

Welcome to the Dollhouse – 1/5

The Benchwarmers – 3/5

December:

50/50 – 4.5/5

The Help – 4.5/5

The Myth of the American Sleepover – 3/5

The Invention of Lying – 3/5

Contagion – 3.5/5

Our idiot brother – 3/5

Cherrybomb – 1/5

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – 4/5

Project Nim – 5/5

7 Up – 3/5

7 Plus 7 – 3/5

Submarine – 5/5

Total: 74

Good Effort if i do say so myself. Next year I will probably increase it more. With BJ and I moving in together we will have a lot more time to watch movies (AND TV shows).

I should really do a blog like this for TV shows but it's a hard one because there are soo many series we started this year as well as one's we've continued from past years. There is soo much GREAT TV out there at the moment so i might just mention some of my favourites currently.

Great Shows:

Breaking Bad - fantastic show. I wasn't the happiest person with regards to the ending of season 4 but i fucken love that show. Boardwalk Empire - Just amazing. Everything about it is perfect. The acting the sets the costumes. Louie - HILARIOUS!!! Don't need to say anything else. For Animation I'm in love with Bob's Burgers and Archer. I still love How I Met Your Mother. My new favourite sitcom is New Girl. Perfect in every way. Game Of Thrones - Mother fucken Game of THRONES!!!! The Killing is the most depressing show i've watched and actually had to stop for a while because i couldn't handle it but it's such an amazing edge-of-your-seat show. The Walking Dead always gets your heart racing and the season of nothing happening was worth sitting through for the last 10 minutes of the season final. Mike and Molly, Raising Hope and Melissa and Joey are all worth watching, feel good shows. The nerd in me feels enough people don't know about Eureka and should.

Not So Great Shows:

I'm proud to say i've finally quit True Blood. Talk about a shit show. It made me soo angry but i'm not one to finish mid season so i toughed it out. Also, I'm pretty disappointed with how this years season of Dexter went. It turned really soapie and lame. I still can't tell if Colin Hanks was acting really well or REALLY BADLY. Season ending was a twist which HOPEFULLY will improve next season. Entourage's ending was what BJ described as and i quote 'A pile of shit'. Glee has been stinkin' pretty bad since the end of season 1. This season of Chuck has been a bit lagging which makes me sad.

So there is a little insight to SOME of the TV I've watched this year. (I watch a fuckload of TV). 

BJ are I are trying to decide weather to watch a TV show or movies to bring us into 2012.  So i may have to add to this later on.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy new year.
2012 is going to be the best!!

xx

Smorgy

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Honesty

I recently decided to start up a diary again. It’s been years since I had one and I’ve kind of gotten to a point where I need to get a lot of things out on to paper. (virtual paper)

The last couple of months I’ve been struggling a lot, with myself. I’ve had no motivation to craft or do anything that i really enjoy - and it doesn’t seem to be getting any easier.

I’ve had a lot of history come to the surface, a lot of personal things to sort through, a car accident in my 6 month old baby, my puppy having an operation and other bits and pieces that have really brought me down.

I’ve come to realise that I only have one friendship that is there for me always and helps me when I’m down. I don’t have anyone that I can just call up last minute and go hang out with. I seem to just have a lot of acquaintances but very few friends and that’s making life hard.

I make all these beautiful pieces of jewelry which I’m really happy with and I think are awesome, but I have no one to give them to.

I know that everyone has it tough and I’m not THAT person who thinks that there life is the worst and everyone should feel sorry for them… and that’s the last thing I want. But the past 10 years of my life have been a total roller coaster. I’ve lost a lot of people who I cared a great deal about. Some in death, some in disagreements, but a lot of them I couldn’t tell you why because I don’t know myself. (I wish I did)

I do so much for the people in my life, the people who mean something to me. At the drop of a hat I am there for them, they need something made – I do it right away, I am supporting them every way I can… But I don’t seem to get anything in return. All I want is a thank you but mostly; I get nothing.

I’ve given up on going all out and giving 100% to people that just don’t support me back.

I’ve decided to set some goals for this year to improve my head space and get me enjoying life again:

1. If something is bothering me, im going to say something. Im not going to bite my tongue and just pretend there’s nothing wrong.
   
   
2. I’m going to spend more time doing things for me. Im all about helping friends/family, but I need some time for myself too and when they don’t help me why so I put in soo much of an effort?!
   
   
3. I am going to re-design my website. I’ve hated it since about a month after I launched it… I don’t think anyone goes there and I want to change that.
   
   
4. I’m going to craft more. This works with ‘2’ because having some time for myself means that I CAN do ‘4’.
   
   
5. Im going to try and focus on the positive things in life.
   
   

These five goals are a starting point. I have more that I a bit too personal to post. Im going to try and accomplish these goals and improve where im at currently.

I’ve been reminded recently that this year I turn 25.

I just don’t know where the years have gone and I want to be able to look back in another 10 years and see that I am no longer where I am now. That I am a happier, confident and positive person.

Im sorry about posting that on a blog that is ment for craft but I don’t think anyone actually reads my blogs anyway and I had to get this out into the world.

xx

Smorgy 

I dont want to be this person anymore

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