ebay sucks

Hi there eBay bitch buyer,

I understand you were hoping to have the parcel sent out today via express post, so that you could wear these oh-so-important shoes to your so-ever-important event. Just to clarify, I sent a message at 2:13pm regarding post options and did not receive a response until 4:32pm. In your last email you advised that you sent a response 'instantly' ... I'm not sure how instant you think 2 hours is, but I guess this explains your slow nature, in which case I feel sorry for you I guess it sucks to be you. It's also been brought to my attention that next day postage ends at 4:00pm, so either way you would not have received the parcel as promptly as you'd hoped. I suggest you act a little quicker next time ... preferably quicker than your version of 'instantly'.

Now, I can understand that someone as uneducated as yourself, may not be able to comprehend the concept of full-time work, regardless ... given I do work full-time, it is difficult for me to spontaneously head out of the office at 4:30pm. Unlike yourself, I have a life and eBay is not my number one priority. That said, despite the unrealistic 28 minute time frame, I did attempt to post your parcel after work. Needless to say, the post office was closed. Shocker. Had I received a message from you earlier in the day, this would have allowed me the time to attend to your needs ... your royal highness.

In addition, the domestic handling time states 'Will usually post within 2 business days of receiving cleared payment'. I do endeavour to send out parcels as soon as possible, but I'm sure you can understand sometimes things don't always go according to plan. So, although I may have stated that I could potentially send out the shoes via express post today, the 2 business days allowance still applies due to unforeseeable events, such as your stupidity.

If I could, I would cancel the transaction ... as I would never want someone in your condition to be walking in my shoes. No, that would be asking too much of your poor unfortunate soul. See, I'm thinking of you, and I do have your best interests at heart. However, due to eBay's intolerable terms and conditions, it seems I'm obliged to send you the shoes. Enjoy falling flat on your face in 5 inch heels.

Sincerely awaiting negative feedback,

A

P.S. It would be in your best interests to either provide positive feedback or no feedback at all ... because remember, I know where you live.

focal length

"don't get a 35mm or 50mm lens if you have a D7000" - michaels

yes, i do own a 35mm f1.8, so perhaps this makes me a tad biased, but i'm pretty certain a majority of DSLR owners out there have at least one of these lenses. and don't get me wrong, i am a fan of michaels. what i'm not a fan of is bullshit advice. pardon my french.

you can't judge a prime lens by its focal length. i'd like to see you try to find some justifiable reason to do so. okay, sure - perhaps it isn't worthwhile for some individuals to purchase a 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm lens, but that's not to say the difference in focal lengths is non-existent. certain focal lengths are used achieve different shots and perspectives. shooting with a 35mm lens, isn't going to help you achieve the best portrait shots; neither is shooting with an 85mm lens for street photography. the metrics are there for a reason. your disregard and lack of acknowledgement for its significance makes you an ignorant photographer, and that's coming from me ... a self-proclaimed mediocre photographer.

i'd also like to query your reasoning behind advising against the 35mm or 50mm for the D7000, specifically. how else would you suggest the photographer shoot street or portrait photography? and how exactly does the body change the metrics of a prime lens' focal length ? regardless of the body, the 35mm lens will always be the same distance between the lens and image sensor ... unless there is some miraculous change that occurs between the body switch. highly doubtful. so please, explain yourself ... or don't - i think i've heard enough from you.

image source: brokenlens

the manipulated truth

girls have a tendency to manipulate the truth in order to get their way.

image source: meh.ro

the lanterns on degraves st

i walk past these every morning on my way to work. yes, that street - every hipster's location of choice for a bite to eat, some shutterbug action, and a little mingling. perhaps it is an over-hyped street, but i still like it. back to the lanterns - they're an installation of some sort, so i'm not sure how much longer they'll be around. a while, i hope. i think they're sweet. a touch of innocence in an alley overwhelmed by graffiti. it's a visual contradiction. not that i dislike graffiti, but the transition is a pleasant change of scenery. bringing some much needed positivity to the lives of those heading back to the grind. i'm sure we've all felt that way at some point in our lives, so i hope everyone can appreciate this artwork as a sign that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, or in this case, the street.

ETA: i know the photos aren't top notch. so please excuse the slight blur ... i was in a rush.

bliss

like water off a duck's back.
relieving the mental strain that is you.

shattered expectations

the extended wait for something you anticipate to be amazing.
only to realise upon its long awaited arrival,
that it's not what you had hoped for ... at all.


image source: fuckyeahpyts

what's for you, won't pass you

i used to have this vision that i would climb the corporate ladder and be successful. yes, it's still something i hope to accomplish - however, i feel my passion and motivation for this goal has transferred to my life outside the walls of my humble office. i used to feel it was important to 'live to work', to enjoy your 9 to 5 day job given it is where most of your life resides. i still do believe this to a certain extent, but it isn't the be-all and end-all. sure, it's important to find a sense of joy and accomplishment in the work you do, but in the end - a job is a job. there's a life outside client liaison and number crunching. that's not to say i've given up on that aspect of my life, but rather than spending my life consumed in the narrow minded thoughts of career progression, i want to get out there and enjoy the things i love - family, friends, hobbies, interests and whatnot.

what's for you, won't pass you. go with the flow, live life, and if something is meant to be, then it will come your way. i guess to some people this may seem a lazy or vagabond-like way to live life, but it takes away the unnecessary strain placed in life. more importantly, it allows you to open up your mind to the, otherwise omitted, possibilities and experiences the world has to offer.

image source: jetblackheart

metamorphosis

metamorphosis: [met-uh-mawr-fuh-sis] –noun, plural

Biology . a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism, as from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly.

when we're in our teens we have an excuse to screw up. this is the period where we attempt to find who we are and what we want in life. the ethical and moral behaviours that we are exposed to in our teens is a significant factor in moulding the person we become. it is expected that we make mistakes along the way, and here's to hoping that we learn from them.

as we approach our mid 20's, we should have a fairly decent understanding of the social norms and etiquettes that we, as quality people, should adhere to. however, it seems a select few people, due to their superiority complex, are forgetting the crucial post-screw-up steps. that is, learning from their mistakes, ensuring that shit does not hit the fan again, and ultimately becoming a better person because of it.

i know i'm not perfect, but i respect people and i take others into account before following through with my actions. it seems that respect for others has been taken for granted. i've said it before, i'll say it again - it's a give and take world. if you're not willing to cooperate, slowly but surely - there will be no one left to scratch your back. in my opinion, if you've reached adulthood and you're still an obnoxious arrogant prick, unless you're willing to do something about it, then this is essentially what will define you. there's only so much bullshit one can tolerate, and i'm done with chances. so here's my two cents - stop being so self-absorbed and ignorant. take a good look around and gain some much needed perspective.

image source: ihavebonywrists

questionable friend

there's a fine line between witty and rude commentary.
be a little more considerate of others feelings.
filter your thoughts before you speak and tone it down a notch ... or two.

socially awkward

i wish i wasn't so socially awkward around people i find intimidating ...

image source: esparist

debaser

sometimes i question your honesty and integrity as a friend. i feel like we're close, but at times i feel like we couldn't be any further apart. i wonder if all the things you say, including the advice you give, are in my best interests, not just your own. i don't know if it's intentional on your part, but that's how i've been feeling over the past year. not only that, but there have been several occasions where you've degraded me in public. it's a tad humiliating, and given the time that we've known each other, i think i deserve more than that. in the past i've just dealt with your habits, but to my surprise, i've since grown a backbone - albeit, small and fragile. you've changed and perhaps i have, too. we've grown apart and i'm ready to accept that fact. i hope you are, too.

image source: jetblackheart

happy days

when my blogs lack emotional content, it generally means i'm fairly content with life.

image source: fluorescentnadolescent

msfw show 4

"The modern urban palette is represented here exclusively with a grouping of Melbourne designers. This show is a celebration of idiosyncratic Melbourne style; the aesthetic of the innovative Melbourne designer, the fashion of our lane-ways, hidden bars and architectural contrasts. Pin-pointing the modern Melbourne look, the runway will be filled with a muted palette, technical design and a sprinkling of irony." - msfw

now this is more my kind of thing. i'll make it short and sweet. first things first, the hair. every year this designer series manages to come up with a unique style - usually pulled back with plaits, but different every time. sheer brilliance. it completes the look. i was seated for this show. not impressed with the seating arrangements. why they decided to seat people in the middle of the runway bewilders me. also, not sure if this was an issue every other year, but they really need to elevate seat rows per row, like in the cinemas, rather than every second. quick rundown of the night below.

alpha60
colour palette: as per usual - black and grey, pastel purple, purple-grey tones
featuring: snow owls, knit patterns, draping
loved: draping more focused on the back
extra comments: i browsed alphaville before attending the show, i was disappointed that they'd already had these pieces in stock at alphaville. last year i had to wait months for the piece i was eying to come out. i like the anticipation, don't take that away from me.

above
colour palette: cream, burnt orange-red, poppy red, grey
featuring: cute shorts, tailored to look non-tailored suits, criss cross back
loved: the jumpsuit with the criss cross back

limedrop
colour palette: white, grey, black, exotic green patterns
featuring: exotic holiday-ish patterns, lamé, buttoned shirts
loved: the black lamé skirt. very cute. the long shirts i could never wear due to my vertically challenged body type
extra comments: not a fan of the exotic holiday-ish pattern, looked tacky in my opinion. especially in the men's blazer. but each to his own. apparently the limedrop pieces are also already in stock.

tesla
colour palette: blue, light blue, black, cream
featuring: plain simple designs, large frills, one shoulder dresses
loved: nothing sparked my interest
extra comments: the large shoulder engulfing frills were not flattering. not to mention, the fabric looked cheap. in an attempt to liven up the plain designs, they accessorised with these hideous large cheap gold double chain earings. apologies for the harsh comments, i only speak the truth.

jack london
colour palette: taupe, purple, purple-grey tones, grey, black, deep red
featuring: purple pants, cuffed pants, glittery suit, ruffled cuffs
loved: nothing sparked my interest, although i did think the ruffled cuffs were cute. wouldn't support the look off the runway though.
extra comments: are these models relatively short, or is it just me?

fat
note: i'm not sure what this series is really. i think it's just fat revealing their new spring stock.
loved: pussy bows, leather backpack, silky long shirt jacket, grey fluffy woolly jumper.

claude maus denim
colour palette: as per usual - black and grey
featuring: black denim, shiny black denim
loved: nothing sparked my interest
extra comments: i honestly thought this was going to be a claude maus series, rather than just claude maus denim. needless to say, i'm a tad disappointed.

trimapee
colour palette: black, grey
featuring: cropped jacket, cape, tie-dye
loved: nothing sparked my interest

carly hunter
colour palette: cream, ivory, black, mustard, light grey
featuring: large spots on sheer fabric, draping, collars, back slits
loved: the feminine cutesy collars. subtle but effective back slits.

msfw show 2

"Elegant and embellished threads are celebrated with this mix of artistic designers.

Expressive and doctored fabrics as well as a luscious mixture of pleats, ruching and ruffles will be seen in this year’s collections. An emphasis on luxury fabric: silk, satin, georgette, leather and feathers add to the opulence of this special designer grouping.

Featuring exquisite workmanship, this is a show which venerates the artistic elegance of fashion." - msfw

not the usual fashion show i would attend, but my brother's girlfriend was in dire need of fashion show cherry poppage, and prior commitments did not allow me the option to attend show 1 or 3. loved all the brunette's strutting down the runway, they're truly taking over. a quick debrief from yours truly, a simple fashion minion with no expertise in fashion other than her own judgment.

aurelio costarella
colour palette: neutral cream and black separates combined to create a simple yet tasteful contrast
featuring: frills, sequins, tulip skirts
loved: the puffy fluffy black cropped jacket held together by a large waist belt. creating the ultra skinny waist illusion, or maybe she just had a really small waist.

gwendolynne
colour palette: angelic white shades, creams, pastels
featuring: long silky gowns, glimmer/bling
loved: alice burdeu's appearance with her long red loose locks and dainty figure

thurley
colour palette: cream, beige, grey, brown, poppy red, ivory
featuring: draping
loved: the perfectly coordinated order of appearance. beginning with neutral plain colours, followed by hints of poppy red, full blown poppy red, and digressing with neutrals, ending with ivory whites.

arthur galan
colour palette: black and white separates, grey, cream, pinkish-red, green
featuring: frills, slim tailored suits
loved: the preppy boy look. black and white contrast. slick hair, but only on the runway. skinny tailored suits that give the height illusion.
extra comments: i found the colourful outfits a tad boring. a repetition of what's already out there.

lisa ho
colour palette: the perfect shades of purple, orchid, lilac, khaki
featuring: pretty patterns, purple
loved: finally a designer who used colour tastefully. represented what a spring collection should really be. don't get me wrong, i love neutral tones and creams, but it's nice to have some colour in a spring collection. not overdone, perfect.
extra comments: hands down my favourite collection from msfw show 2

megan park
colour palette: beigh, purples, lilac, red, aqua, peach, salmon
featuring: turban headbands, boho, loose fit
loved: the turban headbands, very cute. the purple and red combination.
extra comments: i'm really over this boho look, not sure why people keep trying to bring it back

yeojin bae
colour palette: pink, taupe, peach, blue-ish grey, blue, green
featuring: slim tailored suits, simple additions that make the piece unique
loved: slim tailored suits, blue-ish grey tones

collette dinnigan
colour palette: poppy red, pink, grey, neutral tones
featuring: patterns, glimmer/bling
loved: glimmer and neutral tone combination. i'm generally not a fan of glimmer/bling, but collette dinnigan seems to have mastered the art of subtle glimmer.

akira
colour palette: white, ivory, cream, dark and light greys, hints of deep purple, burnt orange
featuring: pretty collars, sheer fabric, draped outerwear, floral patterns
loved: the subtle and feminine collars. very cute.

christine
colour palette: soft pastels, grey, blue, purple, cream, taupe
featuring: checkered outerwear, loose fit, frills
loved: anything checkered. the use of soft pastel colours
extra comments: not a fan of the metallic purple bag. barf. the headwear, especially the one that highly resembled a satellite dish was ... interesting.

letter to my 5th grade teacher

dear miss gauci,

i liked you, i really did. that was until you accused me of not returning that book. i understand, the class was required to return all their books to gain credit for being ... a quality class that didn't misplace books? regardless, it seemed to be something the class took pride in. being the reserved little asian girl with a sparse number of friends, i could not afford to be disliked for something as simple as not returning a book. i hold you responsible for the negativity placed towards me at the end of 1997 by my fellow classmates. i feel i was unfairly blamed for the class' lack of book-returning skills.

you accused me because, being the forgetful child i was, i didn't write the date i had borrowed the book in the log. however, i had written the date i had borrowed and returned other books before and after that book. forgetting to log the return of a book doesn't imply the book was never returned. how narrow minded you were. i suggest you delve into your research a little deeper before pointing fingers, perhaps then you would have realised another student, nicole, had borrowed the book after me. i married up the dates with my own student log. you know, the one that you write in to state which book you've deciphered and how many pages, followed by your guardian's signature. cleared up my name just fine, so i took the initiative to transfer the date to the log book. proud of my ingenious analytical and problem solving efforts, i approached you with my head held high, hoping to rid all allegations and perhaps deflect the negativity from my peers. needless to say, you were not very happy with my approach. had you given me a mere 5 seconds to explain the situation i would not have been publicly humiliated with your pointing finger and stern, somewhat constipated, facial expression. i shat myself. i'd given up on proving myself innocent at this point. fortunately, a classmate ended up finding the book in the crevice between the lockers and the wall. brilliant. i could progress to the 6th grade without being a complete loser.

then there was that time you suggested i read a picture book rather than a novel. your reasoning behind this was actually valid. according to my reading log, it took me 2 weeks to read 'dollhouse of the dead'. my log lied. i finished reading this book within a few days, i just couldn't be bothered borrowing another book and logging it. to avoid doing so, i mass logged each chapter of the book over a span of 2 weeks, then got my dad to sign it on a daily basis. success - portion of homework complete. then you shoved a picture book about a mouse and his cheese in my face. i was beyond this but i had to make a choice. keep quiet about my mass logging strategy or play dumb. i opted for the latter.

all in all, you were a nice teacher but a tad narrow minded and gullible. children can be smart, too. i hope you've worked that out by now.

regards, A

inspired by: daniel evans from frankie

hello

you're kind of gorgeous. swoons.

image source: mo88mo

at least you're consistent

there's always one thing i can rely on,

you never fail to disappoint.


image source: hebem

the track record

the track record - a record of the number of times you've been a dumper or a dumpee. some people take pride in such trivial matters. question - is being a renowned dumper a negative or positive thing? we can look at this from a positive or a negative perspective. i'm all about negatives, and i will blog as such. so here goes ...

let's be biased and take the genuine good guys/girls out of the equation i.e. the ones who are just trying to find the right person but constantly fail because they're a bad judge of character. now we're left with the class-a jerks i.e. the ones that like to pull at other's heart strings with their good looks and charm. they live by the shameful but effective love them and leave them tactic. from my perspective, people who do keep a track record are obnoxious and thus, fit in the latter category. if this is the case, then would being the dumper be all it's cracked up to be? do people take pride in being, for lack of a better word, a player?

the player will refuse to be anything other than the upper-hand. so much so, that should their record be threatened, in an attempt to keep their track record, they will retreat to the dreaded breakup call. there's no time to think, my reputation is on the line. needless to say, in the off chance that the player does get dumped, he/she will either deny it or deem the break up mutual.

which brings me to my next discussion point - when are you classified as the dumper? consider the following situation:

boy who previously cheated on girl wants to get drunk and crash at a chicks house with a bunch of other chicks. insecure girlfriend does not appreciate this and thinks over the relationship overnight. girlfriend calls boy the following day to tell him she doesn't feel like there is enough effort and she is done with his bullshit (note: girl initially offered to meet up to discuss the situation, but boy was stubborn and preferred to hear it over the phone as there was 'no point' in meeting up). end.

clearly, this was not a mutual breakup. yet, to this day, boy believes it is. how can something so obvious be misinterpreted, you ask? well, in an attempt to keep his track record he'll tell the world that he has never been dumped. repetition and selective memory have come in to play. such a method is very effective and generally produces the intended result. chances are he'll end up convincing himself. insert-ego-boost-here. so there you go kids, a classic example of a person who takes so much pride in his so-called track record, that he is blinded by the fact that - no, it wasn't a mutual break up, you were dumped. insert-gasp-here.

let me reiterate, i don't care for the track record. the issue here is a case of acknowledgment. if these white lies keep you from the truth, if you've managed to convince even yourself, then how are you going to ever learn from your mistakes? you'll never face the issues that led to the break up in the first place. it's a little disappointing. not to mention, i can't imagine a track record would be viewed as a feat or an attractive demeanor. if anything, it makes you seem all the more intimidating. but hey, perhaps that's the impression you're going for.

image source: fuckyeahloveliness

plan it

i find it really offensive when a so called friend doesn't want to make solid plans with you. it's fairly standard, you make plans and meet at a specified time and place. holding off on making plans may be a way out of blowing the person off on the day, but that does not necessarily make it a better alternative. although the intentions may be in the right place, it doesn't leave the recipient feeling all that fantastic. in fact, it's a little degrading.

unless there is a legitimate reason for a person's lack of ability to commit to a set plan, then from where i see it, they're questioning whether or not you're worthy of their time. essentially, "let's not plan till last minute" translates to one of the following: -

1. "yeah sounds good, but if something better comes up i might have to cancel on you"; or
2. "yeah sounds good, but if i'm too hung over to function i might have to cancel on you"; or
3. "yeah sounds good, but if i get lucky that night i most definitely will cancel on you"

i'd much rather spend time with people who appreciate my company, than waste it on someone who can't commit a mere two hours of their time to me. it's a give and take world my dear, there are social etiquettes that us civilised and considerate beings adhere to. perhaps you have achieved some sort of self-proclaimed higher authority where you have attained the ultimate power to treat people like shit without any repercussions, or you could just be an ass. my best bet would be the latter.

so here's my two cents, be the good friend that you claim to be, set a date and just um, oh i don't know ... show up? genius.

image source: thecherryblossomgirl

the ellipsis

like many, i also have a tendency to use points of ellipsis (a.k.a. dot-dot-dot) in my written communication. i have nothing against it when used in the right context. however, there are certain people who overuse the ellipsis, and unintentionally come off as rude or impatient. it's unnecessary. as such, i strongly encourage people to have an understanding of when it is appropriate to use an ellipsis. please find below an extract from wikipedia for your perusal:

' ... a mark or series of marks that usually indicate a pause in speech, an unfinished thought, or, at the end of a sentence, a trailing off into silence. When placed at the end of a sentence, the ellipsis can also inspire a feeling of melancholy longing. The ellipsis calls for a slight pause in speech.'