The Great Pretender

Hello and hello! (Dusting and removing all the cobwebs)

Phew, it's been a while you guys. I didn't even post about my birthday, which was a month ago. I think I just got lost in...life. You know how it is: when life gives you lemons, but you can't make lemonade quickly enough. Then you don't want to do anything, but sit all day and think about a new strategy, while watching seasons of Supernatural and Merlin and Glee. In my absence from the blogging world, I've grown up a lot. I've met so many people and opportunities, I've learnt to accept my talents and who I am, I've discovered that taking the little things as they come might be better than planning ahead (let my hair down a little), and I've solidified many friendships. During this process, I couldn't come on Ziggie Talk and pretend like everything is alright. It's very hard to hide distress under a smile on my face, even though I do it well in reality. I've just run out of things to write about on this blog, because of that.

I just hope I'm back! There should be a new direction and schedule, and I just hope my 'readership' has not totally deserted me O.o. Until next time...

Ziggie Going Green

(Warning: This article contains a lot of green).

I’m certain we’ve all heard it a million times already, from all kinds of perspectives. Some choose to ignore it, and some have embraced it. It was going to be fact, sooner or later; as it’s pretty clear that Green is the new Black! Multitudes are going green all over the world: girls; boys; chipmunks!...have you?

This article is primarily based on Al Gore’s:An Inconvenient Truth; a documentary I watched a few years ago. It’s had a big impact on my life and each day from then, I’ve been trying to make a lifestyle change by being a Green Diva.

By definition, global warming is the rise in temperature of the earth’s oceans and atmospheres. Global warming, as you might know, is causing serious problems across the globe. I need to remind you that ice at the poles is melting and so water levels are rising; the whole ecosystem is being thrown off balance; it’s extremely hot or cold; drought, floods, hurricanes; all sorts of natural disasters!

The science behind it is that greenhouse gases have increased drastically over the years, and they are trapping infrared rays which are causing the rise in temperature.

Ways to help the sitch!

1.   The obvious: plant trees. Especially deciduous trees. Whether it’s around your house or in your community; advocate for tree planting. Reforestation is a very funky word and deed!

2.    

       Walk! I got my driver’s licence a year ago and it’s sure fun, to be in the driver’s seat for once. But hey, if the store is just a few twenty minutes by foot; get your sunnies and hat on, and walk! Not only will this be one less carbon emitting vehicle on the road, it’s exercise for you. Walking exercises the body and the mind. You gotta love it.

3.      Reduce, reuse, recyclllllllle! It’s all about recycling!

i.)                  If it has the badge, make it match! Start being picky. If the product you’re buying does not have a recycled logo on it, look away. Things like the paper you use for your printer, toilet tissue, anything really! It’s actually a load off the conscience when your products have been recycled.

ii.)                Recycle cans, bottles, paper, plastic, newspapers. This will reduce carbon dioxide emissions caused by manufacturing them.

iii.)              Recycle water. My dad has placed a big old rusty steel basin at the water outlet thingy-pipe outside our kitchen, to collect all the dirty dishwater. With this water, he waters his vegetable patch. I help him out everyday when I’m home to water to bigger fruit trees in our garden because I just love the initiative! Not only does saving water help with the water bill, it saves energy too. It saves the energy used to purify it, for firsties. (less carbon emissions)!

4.    Like just mentioned, save water. Use less hot water... Install efficient shower heads if you have to. Saving hot water, is saving energy.

5.    Speaking a whole lot of energy, switch off unnecessary appliances during the day. The geyser, the aircon, the heater, the fan, the telly, the lights, etc. Again, it’s not about the bill at the end of the month, it’s about saving energy. Insulate your geyser and your homes. Buy energy efficient appliances...and the list goes on and on.

6.    Spread the word, and be an affiliate:

i.)                  Start with the family and community. If your community does not have recycling bins and stuff, then write or talk to the mayor or whoever is in charge, to make a change.

ii.)                Join ‘Green Organisations’, and help out a much as you can as a member.

iii.)              Talk about it, make presentations. I made a killer oral presentation three years ago in my class and they’re still talking about. Not only did I kick butt, I believe got the message across.

iv.)              Write articles to local newspapers whenever you get the chance. Let your voice be heard, and to stick in the mind of the beholder. Navigate the cause across your perimeters because honey, it’s up to you!

A lot of efforts are being made across the globe to save our planet. I know I’m only one voice among many. I also know that you’ve read/ seen something like this many times before. My only hope and wish is that whoever you are, wherever you are- you join my wittle voice and go green! The time is now, it’s time to change.

Some links for more info:

http://an-inconvenient-truth.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming

http://environment.about.com/od/globalwarming/tp/globalwarmtips.htm

http://www.nrdc.org/water/files/energywater.pdf

Green Websites:

http://www.treehugger.com/

http://uk.freecycle.org/

http://www.recyclenow.com/

http://www.planetark.com/

http://ecogeek.org/

Online Organisations:

http://www.globalgreen.org.za/

http://www.panda.org/

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice

Plot

Elizabeth's over-the-top mother is determined to get her five daughters married as soon as possible, to suitable bachelors. Her older sister, Jane, is introduced to a Mr Bingley- an eligible and rich suitor who moves to the neighborhood. Mr Bingley's well mannered persona is liked by everyone. But Mr Bingley has a friend, Mr Darcy, a very proud man who Elizabeth dislikes on their first meeting at a ball after he disses her. Soon he develops feelings for Elizabeth, but from what she's seen and heard of him, Elizabeth considers him 'disagreeable' to every degree. She soon discovers that he has been meddling in her family affairs, which puts her off even more. But Mr Darcy's motives are not what she expects. He's in love with her. On the most part of the story he will not admit it, until he's feelings are too strong to hold back. He goes far and beyond to try and please her and make her see that he's not the man she thinks he is. Soon, she also falls for him but neither one of them is prepared to take the first step. Elizabeth more especially because she is not sure if he still feels the same about her...well, you know how it ends.

Ziggie's Thoughts

I loved it. I go weak in the knees over love stories and this one was just perfect. Ah! Jane Austen is a genius. This story is so romantic and funny and just effortlessly beautiful. I would trade watching a romantic chick flick to read it again, it's that amazing. Mr Darcy. Oh Mr Darcy. I'm sure after reading the story, you'll also want a Mr Darcy kind of story for yourself. So considerate is he ^_^. The story is set in the 1800s. Comparing that time in the story to today, those societies valued balls, dinner parties, getting married, etc. The men too were very chivalrous. Courtship in the story is very different from today, obviously; very conservative. I enjoyed reading this. I highly recommend you get yourself a copy and I personally cannot wait to read some more of Jane Austen's work. Bravo!

See you Friday :)

Looking Forward

Hey guys!

A happy new year to you all once again. I had a wonderful festive season at home. On Christmas I went to my home-village, Kalamare. I had an interesting time- which would explain the picture. That is a...well it's not a small hill (duh), it's a rock or a boulder embedded on the ground. This is where local kids play. My dad claims that this place was one of his favourite pastimes as a child. They used cardboard boxes to slide from the top. Anyway, I had an even better time on new year's eve with my family and extended family. The celebration was just what I needed.

It's back to reality now. School-school-school! I won't let that depress me though, I have big plans for the year 2012 concerning my life and this blog too. I know that the combination of my busy schedule as a student and my character as a procrastinator, make me fail to post regularly- I know! I intend to share when I can, how I can...watch this space :) .

I wish you all a fruitful 2012. 

'Till next time...see ya!

Happppppy 2012!!!!!!!!!!!

Farewell 2011

Hey Zigglets!

I'll be honest, I'm not going to miss anything about 2011. I don't think there's anything I can highlight as being exceptional and life changing. However, I'm pretty thankful for the blessings that came with 2011. I'm thankful for my family, my friends, my sanity and my blog. I'm really excited about the next year as I have so many hopes and wishes for it.

Thank you for following me and my randomness in the year 2011. I really appreciate the visits and the comments and hopefully next year will bring with it more posts from yours truly! :)

Until next time...bye 2011 *waves*

Um, Where's the Guitar Solo?

The question has been gnawing at the back of my mind for quite some time. Is rock evolution causing the dissolution of the quintessential improv technique in a rock song? Are we losing the guitar solo?

Growing up in rock music, I’ve always known a rock song to have a guitar solo. I even coined it the ‘heart’ of a rock song. Some were wild and untamed (cue in the ‘80s hair metal era), some were just genius (Paige, Hendrix, Iommi, anyone?), and some were just so unique (Yep, Brian May). You know these are just examples of fantastic guitar players who understood what ‘being in your element’ really meant; taking the extra mile, taking a chance, showing off! Anyone remember Slash from Guns and Roses? Maybe you’ll also remember their song Sweet child o’ mine...from the guitar riff at the beginning to the that smashing guitar solo, I don’t think I need to further elaborate on that.

Whoooeee, let’s talk about the riff! Maan, oh maan! Certain songs pop into my mind: Cream- Sunshine of your love; Led Zeppelin- Whole lotta love OR Kashmir; Black Sabbath- Iron man OR Paranoid, just to name few of those that pop in my head first chance.

Fast forward to modern day ‘rock music’. Yes, it’s been spilt into several new entities. Now we have indie and emo and pop rock and goth and Pete’s pyjamas knows what else! Now, tell me, is it the same? I mean some songs will have a guitar solo lasting like two seconds and some, just progressions that are meant to be a solo. What’s happening to the rock solo? I’m just going to come out and say that these days, the musicians are not as hardcore as back in the day. Some element of passion and writing songs that really mean something, writing songs that you can feel becoming apart of you when they play, songs that give you goosebumps or make you smile just for no reason- is missing. Songs that make a difference. I’d say, today rock songs are just written to sell records and the adventure has just disappeared. Call me ignorant.

Tell me this, what will happen to our beloved “Air guitar” if we lose the rock solo? This is our culture!

Now I’m all for evolution and moving on with the times, but please rock solo, come back- improv, come back! I have a theory also gnawing at the back of my head. The future generations who really understand, are going to go back and start listening to the classics. I’m talking about ’60s, ’70s, ‘80s and ‘90s rock. You know why? They’ll be in search of that element again- the definition of rock music- the guitar solos and eloquence in music lyrics, the culture.

Alas, not all hope is lost...they call it Jack White! The man is a genius and a half and if you listen to the White Stripes or the Raconteurs or any of his music- hey, Jack White has got it going on. His guitar solos are just complex and brilliant- tell me I’m wrong! I'm not sure of any others.

Feel free to comment on this one though, where is the guitar solo disappearing to?  

A Very Christmas-y month!

A Very Christmasy hat!

Hello, far and wide- deep and shallow!

Hope I'm not too late, but my list is here and I'm ready to rock!...and do stuff. Okay introductions for this post are pretty simple and straight forward. If you're the ultimate Zigglet, you'd know that I like coming up with lists to get the month going and to repopulate my uneventful life with things to do. Because it's A very Christmasy month, we're going to have a list every week...I hope. So here's A very Christmasy list: take

1. Go out and get a job this week; preferably today...even if it's for free. Sitting at home waiting for school to resume and watching the telly all day has become old.

2. Draft a couple more introductions to my new novel

3. Watch Drunken Master again...(I'm still trying to figure out why people think it's the best kunfu movie ever made)

4. Start reading Daina Wynne Jones's "Year of the Griffin". It's going to be on the "Book Review" segment next week.

5. Bake, bake, bake! ...hmm, I see a carrot cake in that vision.

6. Active Sunday is back...we'll call it "Active Everyday". Yoga, aerobics, skipping rope 7 days a week. Which will bring me to a notion I want to prove. How effective is skipping rope on toning legs...well, I've got 3 weeks to prove it. I am the lab rat of course. Skipping for 15mins a day until Christmas. We gotta keep fit for that special day on the 25th (I want to eat with a clear conscience, feeling lighter- light as a feather).

There you have it. Well it's a little boring, I know...but quite eventful, you must admit. Well, I've got to go look for a job now :)See you tomorrow.

Ziggie ~~~

Book Review: Withering Tights

Withering Tights: The Misadventures of Tallulah Casey.
Author: Louise Rennison
Rating: 3/5


Withering Tights is a bubbly story that follows fourteen year old Tallulah Casey who is obsessed with her long legs and 'knobbly' knees, as she puts it. She embarks on an at adventure at a summer acting college, Dother Hall for a course. There she's hosted by a more than eccentric family, the Dobbins, and she gets much of a culture shock living in the Yorkshire country side. There she meets other crazy-bonkers teammates at Dother Hall and let the fun begin!

• Boys- check!
• Dazzling humor- check! 
• Fabulosity- check!
• Rolling on the floor laughing- check, check and check!

Many questions arise when reading this book, will Tallulah adapt to this land filled with sheep and energetic citizens? Will she find love? Will she make the best of her experience at her summer school? Will she forget about her knobbly knees?

I must admit, when I bought this book I was really skeptical about the turn out. For those who have been following the Georgia Nicholson series by this author and loved it, you'd know it to be funny, juicy and more than accommodating when it comes to addressing teenage boy crazy issues. This story is more of a spin off from Georgia as Tallulah and Georgia are cousins, and it doesn't disappoint in the funny department-at all!
However, I was a little disappointed with the story- a bit. I mean, since this is a spin-off, I kept comparing it to Georgia and to me it just didn't get to that level. Maybe it's because this is aimed at a younger audience, maybe not. Again- sometimes I couldn't help but feel like this was not so different from Georgia, Tallulah's character more especially.

I'm not suggesting that this is not good enough, it's a good read and a must have if you are a die hard fan Louise Rennison books.

-Haven't read it yet? Go out and get it. :)

Smile :)

Sweet Hellos to you!

I know it’s been a long while, but sue me for being such a procrastinator. It’s been weird, away from the writing field and my blog. I feel a sense of emptiness because something that’s a part of my life has been stopped, because of my laziness. The good news is, I’ve refuelled, and therefore, I’ve got plenty to share with you...plenty! *nods head in a weird way*.

So, it’s October, mid. I’d wanted to start this month with a bang and list all my aspirations and goals; but hey, it’s not too late I should think.

After months of reflecting, I’ve come to the conclusion that I might be too negative on life. I don’t ever like seeing the bright side of things; in fact I hate anything that’s bright! So, I’ve formulated a kind of positivity meter. Some of my friends kind of know about it because I sing the chorus every now and then. Okay, on the extreme positive side of the meter is a ‘Smile’, in the middle it’s a smirk or grin, and on the other extreme side, is pure negativity; be it depression, bad stress or just plain sadness. Ever since October started I’ve been trying to weigh the possibilities (mine), based on this meter. If I find the meter going to the negative side, I try by all means to surround myself with some positive structure; be it a laugh with good friends or just...smiling. Just get those pearly whites into shape and show them to the world! Of course people will think you’re crazy, going around smiling by yourself; but hey, who gives a hay! It’s contagious, and it makes me feel so much better in the end (OMG, I just said ‘hay’).

Smiling makes things go easier in your day...try it. If you find yourself stuck in a sitch where there’s no way out, smile. It’s like a ray of sunshine, bursting out of the darkness.

Anywho, that’s all for today folks! See ya real soon.