Forget love, I'd rather fall in chocolate!

Not really a recap of 2013 but it could have been

mefeather — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 23:51:27 GMT

Right, no point in me saying I have been absent. No point in coming up with all sorts of excuses to say why or what I have been doing while I could have been posting to LJ.

I just wanted to say that as for the emotions of me during this year there have been a few huge lows.

An aunt of mine died last summer of cancer. That made me really sad. She's not an aunt by blood, but by heart - which counts more in my opinion - and I have known her all my life since she lived next to my parents.

And more recent... last night a friend of mine died. She would have turned 41 next Sunday. Leaving behind a husband and a toddler. So sad. I knew it was coming, since she was very ill, but I still hadn't expected it to happen quite so soon. Although, the updates I got on her were not very positive the last few weeks. I hoped she would have made it to 2014, but I think that was a selfish wish on my part.

So these songs express all the lows.

There have been highs too, but since the loss is still fresh it's very hard to see them and be positive about them. :( Sorry. I hope 2014 will be better because this year @#$!

Weekend

mefeather — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:59:08 GMT

Wonderful weekend. Great weather. Sunny, not too hot. :-) And Open Monumental Building Day, or Days actually since that event took place whole weekend. So last Saturday I visited some monumental buildings. One being the building that houses Sociëteit De Witte.

To see a detail from the interior, I will give you a link to a pic on my Flickr page. Sunny Picture, Literally

For more information about this building and the Society using it, visit the Societeit De Witte Homepage

Writer's Block: White air

mefeather — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:42:05 GMT

No, it's raining.

365 Days Project - update

mefeather — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:30:26 GMT

I'm sorry to say that I'm behind with this. It's not that I don't have the pictures or stuff picked, but I simply don't have the time right now to make the posts. I hope I will be stepping up next week to make the posts and so on. Just... it might take a few days to complete. Sorry guys. I haven't forgotten about you. It's just RL is busy right now. :) To quote the Terminator I'll be back! :D

365 Days - Day 51

mefeather — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:25:42 GMT

Post a postcard every day and before you do take a picture of it and post it on your blog

365 Days - Day 50

mefeather — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:34:27 GMT

Cut out a picture that fits your mood

Because I have my dear, old Panasonic back again. Yay! Wooooooot! :) So, I thought it was only appropriate to post a pic of a camera cake. :D

365 Days - Day 49

mefeather — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:50:57 GMT

Take a picture of your evening meal

Took a picture of the dish while it was still on the stove, since I wanted to show the cinnamon sticks you use in this dish for flavour and smell. Once it's on your plate you can use goat cheese or feta cheese to finish it.

The rest of the ingredients for this dish: pumpkin, tomato in cubes, olive oil, onion, pepper, cajun pepper, salt, cumminseed, chickpeas, garlic and zucchini (courgette).

365 Days - Day 48

mefeather — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:44:35 GMT

Take your picture of the day and post it on your blog/

Today I had a blast after work. :) Went to the beach with a friend. Just to chat and take pictures, watch the sunset, take more pictures and finally a nice meal in a Thai restaurant. Wonderful way to end a busy week. *happily celebrating weekend*

365 Days - Day 47

mefeather — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:34:29 GMT

Post every day the lyrics of a song you like

Wicked - For Good

(Elphaba):
I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
For both of us - now it's up to you...

(Glinda):
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

(Glinda):
Because I knew you

(Both):
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

(Glinda):
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

(Both):
And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda):
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba):
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood

(Both):
Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

(Glinda):
And because I knew you...

(Elphaba):
Because I knew you...

(Both):
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good...

365 Days - Day 46

mefeather — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:56:37 GMT

Collect a beautiful quote

On my Dutch blog I used Dutch quotes today. I can't find the translations of them in English and fair is fair... sometimes there's something not right when translating quotes. So I won't do that. :) I will however use the same theme. *winks* *points to icon*

"There’s more to life than chocolate, but not right now." - Anonymous

Extra quotes

"Other things are just food. But chocolate’s chocolate." - Patrick Skene Catling

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." - Charles M. Schulz

"Strength is the ability to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of those pieces." - Judith Viorst

365 Days - Day 45

mefeather — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:30:25 GMT

Take a picture of something different in the same colour every day

My colour of choice is red, but you might have guessed that already when seeing the picture. :)

365 Days - Day 44

mefeather — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:50:31 GMT

Take your picture of the day and post it on your blog

There's only one picture that I could chose today. Because it's SO special to see them during day time. They're mostly seen walking around during dusk. SO... without further ado, I give you

365 Days - Day 43

mefeather — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 19:22:33 GMT

Read every day an article in a foreign newspaper

Rescued from the trash can: Harper the deformed puppy is back on his feet again
Daily Mail, 24 September 2011

A deformed puppy rescued from a garbage bag has finally learnt to walk.

Little Harper was saved from a certain death when a woman in Sanford, Florida, saw a man selling pit-bull puppies outside a Save-A-Lot holding a squirming trash bag.

When she asked him what was in the bag he at first refused to show her but he finally handed over the bag containing a puppy so deformed it couldn’t walk or hold up its head.

Veterinarians and shelter workers all agreed the dog should be euthanized.

But all was not lost for little Harper, Erica Daniel, a regular at the local animal shelter, stepped in and decided to take the puppy home for one full and final day of love and affection.

She told Today.com: 'I had to show her what it was like to be loved.

'I’d planned on taking her home that night, letting her sleep in bed with us, and having her humanely euthanized in the morning.'

Harper’s speedy recovery began on that first day with Daniel. The puppy had been born with a condition commonly dubbed “swimmer puppy disorder,” and most dogs afflicted with it don’t survive.

The disorder, pectus excavatum, causes puppies to lie flat on their chests with their legs perpetually splayed out, as if they were humans — or perhaps frogs — swimming through water.

'The longer she was like that, the more she stayed in that position,' Daniel said. 'It felt like rigor mortis — like her legs might break.'

Daniel persevered, continually massaging Harper’s tight muscles, hoping to alleviate at least some of her stiffness and pain.

Within just a few hours, Harper started lifting her head and looking around. Her front legs became more limber as well, so much so that she tried using them to walk and pull herself around.

Convinced that this determined little dog needed a second opinion, she cancelled the following morning’s appointment and made a new, hopeful one with a veterinarian at the University of Florida.

At first, the vet described the reasons Harper probably would need to be put to sleep. The list included the likelihood of degenerative bone disease, brain abnormalities and a severe heart murmur.

But after tests they found her organs were functioning fine, and she had no heart murmur or serious brain abnormalities. The medical conditions she did have required treatment — but nothing that warranted putting her to sleep.

Today, Harper is not only alive but she’s thriving. The frisky gray puppy is gaining more and more mobility each day, to the astonishment of onlookers and medical professionals.

The Hip Dog Canine Hydrotherapy & Fitness in Winter Park, Florida., heard about Harper and donated free hydrotherapy and massage therapy to the puppy.

She responded well to the treatment, and before long she actually started walking.

'She started out on grass, then carpet, then concrete. She still can’t walk on tile or hardwood floors, but she’s getting there,' Daniel said.

Bev McCartt, a Hip Dog therapist, explained said swimming has helped teach Harper what her natural gait should be.

'Her brain kicked in and by the end of her first session, she was like, ‘Oh, I can do this,’' McCartt said. 'She’s a walking miracle. She’s a real testament to a dog’s determination to get up and just go.'

Today, Harper is about 11 weeks old, and she’s holding her own playing with the seven other dogs at Daniel’s home. Daniel estimates that Harper should be ready to be adopted in about a month — that is, if she can handle parting with her.

'The whole world was against her, but she’s such a fighter,' Daniel said. 'She’s a blessing. She’s awesome.'

Earlier this year Daniel set up Dolly’s Foundation, named after another dog she rescued. The organisation rescues and rehabilitates homeless, neglected and abused American Pit Bull Terriers and other bully breed dogs, and it has plenty of puppies and dogs available for adoption.

365 Days - Day 42

mefeather — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:33:19 GMT

A new camera means you have to get used to it. :) It's a hard job, but it's so much fun. *grins* One of the things I need to learn is how to make the pictures bigger. I'm sure I will get the hang of the all the new stuff. I switched brands, so that's one of the things I need to get used to. But it's fun as well. :) It really it is.

Photograph a detail of a building everyday, e.g., a tile, a corner, a window or a stone

This is the most beautiful Art Nouveau detail that can be found in The Hague, imo. Wonderful. I really like the option on my new friend to make a pic where one colour can be seen and the rest of the pic is black & white. It's gorgeous!

Because I'm so happy with this option I'll post two more pics I made using it. *grins*

365 Days - Day 41

mefeather — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:38:20 GMT

I'm SO sorry. Yesterday I was preoccupied with a lot of things. Mostly checking out websites and blogs for information about cameras. Because I didn't know, yet, what it was I was looking for. Well, I knew a few things I wanted I just didn't know exactly which type or which brand would fit with those wishes. :D It was hard to focus on my 365 Days Project with all those things running through my mind.

Because I have a new friend today I'm in an exceptional good mood. :D And it's time to get back to my 365 Days Project.

I need to learn all about my new friend. So I don't know when I will have something ready to post. Maybe - if all goes well - tomorrow. But I will most definitely will try to learn as much about my new friend as I can this weekend. :D

There's only one little project that fits my mood. :D

Cut out a picture that fits your mood

And because I'm in an exceptional good mood I will post more pictures to fit my project. *grins*

My Dutch Blog doesn't allow uploading animated pics. SO, I'm sorry guys, I'm going to spam some more. *winks*

365 Days - Day 40

mefeather — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:53:49 GMT

Search what happened this day in your year of birth and blog it

September 20th 1973

The Battle of the Sexes: Billie Jean King defeats Bobby Riggs in a televised tennis match, 6–4, 6–4, 6–3, at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas.

Girl Power!!!

Yay! Awesome.

365 Days - Day 39

mefeather — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:26:26 GMT

Take a black and white picture of something you think is beautiful

365 Days - Day 38

mefeather — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 20:16:40 GMT

Make an invitation for something you normally don't make invitations, e.g., swimming, grocery shopping, etcetera

365 Days - Day 37

mefeather — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 18:35:17 GMT

Draw or take a picture of a tree every day

365 Days - Day 36

mefeather — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:46:52 GMT

Take a picture of a street sign - every day another sign - and post it on your blog

Duivelsbruglaan, Devil's Bridge Lane in English. :D

Still not happy with missing my camera. I know it's for the best. I just really really miss it.

365 Days - Day 35

mefeather — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:45:25 GMT

I'm not in a very good mood today. I had to take my camera to the shop I bought it last year. Sadly, it needs to be returned to Panasonic, to see whether they can fix it. Aaaaaaaah! I can't survive without my camera. I need my camera. *sighs* Unfortunately, I will have to try to live without it. When it returns they didn't know. *sighs*

I have luckily some projects on my list where I don't need my camera. However, I love taking pictures. I still have a lot of them on my laptop that I haven't posted. So, I will - during the time my camera needs to have surgery - use old pictures. I will promise not to use the project Take a picture of the day since that would really feel like cheating. But pictures of street signs, traffic signs, doors, trees, etcetera I might use. :D

Still... I need my camera already!! ;)

Take a black and white picture of something you think is beautiful

365 Days - Day 34

mefeather — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:20:57 GMT

Take a picture of a clock

Aaah. Which clock should I chose? The wonderful clock in the façade of a building that used to be the Ministry of Justice or the wonderful clock in the tower of the Ridderzaal - Knights' Hall? Decisions... decisions. Well I declare this decision too difficult. So I'm posting both clocks and let you guys decide which you like best. :D Sounds perfect, doesn't it? :D

Clock in the façade of the building that used to be the Ministry of Justice

Clock in the tower of the Ridderzaal - Knights' Hall

I was in a very good mood today. :) So, I have another picture for you. Of a street sign. I really love this street sign. :D Such a fun name for a street. :D

Achterom = The back way out or Round the back

365 Days - Day 33

mefeather — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:29:47 GMT

Doodle something and post it on your blog

I added this to my list of projects because I missed it. :D I didn't check in the magazine whether it was part of the big list and I hadn't noticed or whether it was not part of the masterlist at all. I hoped you wouldn't mind either way. ;-)

365 Days - Day 32

mefeather — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:48:18 GMT

Take a picture of a window

365 Days - Day 31

mefeather — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:42:48 GMT

Post every day the lyrics of a song you like

Vaya Con Dios - Just a friend of mine

He said baby, what's your name
Are you new in this town?
Since you walked in things don't look the same
How about sticking around?
The place was dark and the band played loud
His voice sounded kind of fry
He said: who's that guy with the funny smile?
She said: he's just a friend of mine
He's just a friend of mine
He's just a friend of mine

They talked a little, drank a lot
As the evening went by
The place got crowded and the air too hot
he said: let's go out for a while
the night was clear and the wind was soft
as we walked side by side
He said: who's that guy following us about?
She said: he's just a friend of mine
He's just a friend of mine
He's just a friend of mine

He was nice and gentle, still rough enough
To keep her satisfied
She said: hold it baby, it gets too much
I feel like I'm gonnna die
He took her home in the early mornin'
She said: please do come inside
He said: who's that guy in the dressing gown?
She said: he's just a friend of mine
He's just a friend of mine
He's just a friend of mine

He said: who's that guy in the dressing gown?
She said: baby don't you mind
He's just a friend, just a friend,
He's just a friend of mine