Emotional Break Up

It's not me, it's you.

I've become infected. In fact, I think I've been a victim for quite some time, but it's only now that the symptoms are so severe that I've noticed. The signs are plastered all over Facebook and in guild chat. It's beyond ridiculous; it's time for an intervention. My emoticon addiction has got to go!

Happy! :D
Silly! :P
Dog died! T_T
Mischievous! >:3
I'm right and you're wrong! ;)

It's beyond stupid. Now we even have crying faces whose tears defy gravity... :'(

My personal vice is that damned silly face. It's practically at the end of every sentence I write now. It's like a self defence mechanism or something. Whoops, that comment was a bit too close to home and may be crossing some boundaries. Time for a silly face! They'll never suspect that I actually think they're an idiot. [Insert mischievous face here]

Meanwhile, the books behind them weep.

Since I seem to be wholly embracing this "Cranky Old Nanna" persona I've got going, I'm going to run an experiment. I'm going to spend the next week refraining from any use of emoticons or their equally lazy cousins, "LOL" and "ROFL". It will be interesting to see if my communication improves... and if my snark gets me into any trouble!

Special thanks to Beâarthur helping me with the screenshot. I expect you to keep me in line!

The Lemon

Deliciously guilt free... if you're a Blood Elf.

This week I have turned into what can only be described as a monster. My husband is currently on a massive health kick, and it's like I need to pick up where his poor eating habits left off. Cake, pie, pizza, noodle box, McMuffins - nothing can escape the gravitational pull of my gut. It scares me how quickly I've thrown away my self control in the pursuit of delicious food. It also explains why he was always so glutinous whenever I was trying to shed a few kilograms. We're both evil bastards who get sick pleasure in eating what the other cannot.

I have good news though! If you too suffer from this terrible trait, today I discovered something out in the garden that will cure us all. Once you've seen what I have to show you, you'll never want to eat food again. I know, I know. I'm such a kind and caring soul to be sharing this with you all. Anyhow! It's with great pride that I present to you, 'The Lemon':-

Seriously though, wtf is that stuff?!

Okay, so I lied about the kind and caring part. I'm getting my wisdom teeth out this week, and if I have to suffer and eat nothing but soup, then so do you.

You're welcome.

Lets Talk About Tattoos

One morning in the 70's, after a particularly boozy night, a young man woke up to find his arms had been used as a practice canvas and he was now sporting some rather crude prison style tatts. Needless to say, he regrets them to this day and tried his hardest to convince his kids that tattoos are a bad idea.

In today's society, the negative connotations of tattoos have eroded away. Some may even say that they're the latest "fashion trend". So, what happens when (if) tattoos become unfashionable again? Commenter Gia from The Punch: Trendsetters aren't the only fashion victims sums it up nicely:

"People who get tattoos as a fashion trend and picked some random flash off the wall of a mediocre tattoo parlour may well regret them. Those who choose to tattoo themselves in order to mark a significant event, collect amazing artwork and have well thought out, planned custom pieces will be unaffected by the changes in ‘trends’.

Some people’s idea of beauty is more classic, others like to add some colour to their lives! I know quite a number of people in their mid/late 40s/50s who are just getting in the chair for the first time now. Some of them secretly wanted a tattoo for a long time but never did because of the social stigma, others getting ink now because of a significant moment in their lives. Some of these people used to have a revulsion for tattoos - often because it was only opinion ingrained from childhood, i.e the previous generation drilled it into them that tattoos are for easy women/bikers/criminals. Now that people from all walks of life are increasingly expressing themselves via art on their skin, it’s challenged such close-minded beliefs."

I have some wonderful friends and family whose choices in body art have really showed me that a tattoo so much more than a fashion accessory: they're deeply personal reflections of yourself. From names, to lyrics, to symbols of our childhood, it doesn't matter what it is and what others think about it. It is for yourself and no-one else. In many ways I am envious of people who have something they feel so passionately for that they find the inspiration for a tattoo. Sadly, as much as I want to take the plunge, such inspiration is yet to find me and so it's back to the drawing board, sigh.

Neri approves of tattoos, regardless of what daddy thinks!

PS. Show me your tatts, tell me your stories in the comments! I need all the help I can get in the inspiration department!

Apparently it's Fashion Week, or something

Only 30kg left to lose and I will totes be rocking this frock...

I spent most of my teenage years raging against the 'girl' streotype by playing Footy at lunch, spending my afternoons at the river fishing and constantly getting in trouble for wearing pants to school that were violating the dress code. I had no real interest in magazines like 'Dolly' and 'Girlfriend' (Unless it was to have a chuckle at the sex section) and was not allowed to wear makeup. I was basically a 12 year old boy.

I remember the day in year 12 when I decided that I'd have a crack at this whole "pretty" thing. I wore a skirt. I wore my hair out. I even snuck some mascara and fountation on! So many people complimented on how great I looked! My new found femininity only lasted a few days though; doing all that work was just totes too hard.

Fast forward 12 years and I find myself on the opposite end of the spectrum. If I know people are coming over, or if I'm going out - even just to do the grocery shopping - I always try to make sure I look presentable. I might not spend two hours getting ready, but I'll make sure I switch my Warcraft shirt and baggy jeans for a nice, feminine top (That conceals my mothers' apron) and some nice skinny leg jeans, as well as throwing on some tinted moisturiser and maybe some mascara.

In a cruel twist of irony, I do not have the figure for fashion at all. In highscool I was a twig; but now I am pushing it if I can shop in a normal boutique store (Not that there is any of them here in Alice Springs). So why the hell am I looking at Fashion Week runway photos? Am I a sucker for punishment?

Anyhow, in case you didn't know, it was Fashion Week in America. Jezebel has been covering the shows all week, but I'm a slow and only just realised this now. Derp.

Neri approves of Gwen Stefani's Spring 2011 L.A.M.B collection. There's some gross shit in there, but there are some very funky pieces also.

OMG I'm on Facebook

I am unsure why I have done this, or if I'm even entirely happy about it, but Neri Approves is now on Facebook. Yippee! I feel a bit like a showoff really. "Oh, hey guys, it's not enough that I am cluttering the blogsphere with this stuff, but now I'm doing it on Facebook too! 'Like' me! Validate my existence!".

...

What?

...

Oh, okay, so I totally did this because I love praise and attention. Since I can't get my attention hit in real life, I'll just do it online instead! Go, join the page, make me feel good about myself!

Neri approves of, well, Neri Approves