"I'm sure I have better things to do" I say to Lucy as we are trudging up the hill with the wind chill at about 5 degrees right in our face this morning. Obviously the thing that would have been better to do would be writing my blog because I forgot yesterday. How does one forget it's Friday when it is Friday? The same way I forgot the kids' Saturday sports games til it was nearly too late this morning.
So without further ado… Five for Friday. (Saturday, but if you are in New York or Hawaii it's still Friday, right?)
Things I have learnt and highlights of the Howard home this week:
1. Face Off has to be one of the most under-estimated most fun TV programmes EVER.
This programme was a gem that I found at 10.30pm Saturdays on some random TV channel while wishing there was something better on than Geordie Shore. It's a Project Life type scenario but they build costumes and props for movies.. like monsters, aliens, etc, transforming models into all sorts of creatures through the use of art mediums, paints, prosthesis etc. Braden wants to work in animation etc when he is older so he loved this. This series is ending but if you see Face Off advertised again, be sure to record it. I wish it was Prime time for sure.
My favourite episode? When they created real creatures from Dr Suess books. Awesome!
2. Another scrapbooking event on my calender… SENZ is locked in for July 5th – 7th here in Manukau, Auckland.
I had a booth last year and although I had the BEST time, I don't have a booth and I've chosen not to teach again this year. BUT It's an awesome annual event on the New Zealand calender, circle it if you haven't already, hopefully I'll see you there as I'm wandering the halls! (See the website here).
I truly did have the best time last year, I loved mixing and mingling with everyone, doing make n takes and demos, it was awesome – it's a great event on the NZ crafting calender. Classes open for registration 1st June. I hope I'll catch up with some of you then.
3. The Movies.
I don't go often. In fact it's a bit of a joke that I sleep everytime I go to the movies. I barely see the plot through to the end before I'm curled up fast asleep. I braved the movies twice in the past month though and I have to say I had the coolest time with the kids.
Ever wondered how the Wizard of Oz got to be in Oz? "OZ the great and powerful" tells you exactly how. Not a bad movie, would have been better with someone like, wait… Brad Pitt, as the leading role because we see a LOT of closeups of the leading guy but overall it was pretty cool. I was only tempted to fall asleep once about 2/3 the way through, I even closed my eyes and the kids outbursts of hilarious laughter woke me. Back in the game plan and I saw the whole movie. *high fives to me*.
My favourite was The Croods though. Anyone else see that? Not only did I stay awake but I'd go see it again. I know.
Cute guys in it too. In a cartooney kind of a way. Can I say that?
4. I am about to do my first ever obsacle course and I can't wait!
Actually that was just some sort of fake talking-myself-into-it kinda thing, really I can wait. Really actually I might even be a little afraid.
A friend asked me to sign up for ORock (the O stands for obstacles) a few months back. I laughed and said nuuuh I'm not that silly. I hate obstacles and I don't run far anymore.
Then just Thursday another friends had to pull out due to being sick. I was asked to replace her. Paul told me I'd have an awesome time and during the split second that I believed him I also said I'd go in as replacement. Then the split second of believing him was over and panic set in. Cargo nets. Wire. Walls. Ropes. WTF was I thinking.
In fact I freaked out so much I went to the school this morning to see if I'd overcome my childhood fear of the fire-pole and rope walls. Clearly it was spur-of-the-moment because I'm in my jeans.
Apparently I have. I can pull myself up an 8 foot wall, don't know about any further and I don't know how I'd get back down though. I also totally aced the fire-pole but those pics weren't so glamourous. I know. More high fives to me, this time for acing the obstacles designed for 9 year olds.
5. Autumn Escape is SOLD OUT.
Our event in April 2014 sold out within 8 days. Eight days. I can't tell you how happy it is that we have created an event that is obviously enjoyed by so many. It makes all the hard work worth it and it makes the whole crew excited to create yet another totally memorable event.
We know some have missed out because we are getting the emails! We have a waitlist but we also are suggesting those that miss out might be able to get into our September event, "ArtVenture". This event is shaping up to be exactly like Autumn Escape but it has more teachers, a bigger range of classes, more prizes,and is full backed by a large US manufacturer, Prima Marketing Flowers. A lot of people think it might be too flowery for them but with teachers like Janine Koczwara, Trina McClune and Louise Nelson, there will be just as much technique, inspiration and creativity as Autumn Escape - including those boy pages! Yay! I did a full blog post here if you want to know more.
Prima ArtVenture still has spaces at the moment but the overflow to Autumn Escape is headed that way.
Alrighty, retreats to brainstorm, rope walls to fret about. I'm sure I'll be tagged on facebook while on the Orock obstacle course, one can't make a fool of themselves an stay untagged these days, can they? Have a good weekend!
Laters.