One thing you didn't know about me

When I was five my dad surprised me one Saturday by taking me horse riding. We were going to Golden Gate later that year and my dad wanted to me to go on a ride but he also wanted me to have enough skills to cope.

It was the most wonderful day and I never ever ever went back to ballet (I hated ballet). Horse riding on the other hand, was one of my favourite things. I dreamt about horses, read horse books and counted the seconds until my Saturday morning horse ride.

I am thinking of asking Brian for horse riding lessons for my birthday. I miss it and maybe it would help me feel better. Feel powerful and in control? I don't know...its an idea. I finally managed to fall asleep yesterday by imagining myself on an outride. It was so relaxing.

How beautiful is this horse?

6.7 changes for a year

So I had this idea for Madiba's birthday. I didn't get around to organising my 67 minutes and I really want to make a difference. The problem is I often feel its futile. I was watching Harry's Law last week and this conversation really got to me because its such a big part of life in South Africa. She was talking to Tommy Jefferson (T) who is a bit weird so excuse some of the things he says.

T) "Do you ever look at homeless people on the street?"
H) "Sorry?"
(T) "You know. You're walking down the street. See a homeless person sitting on the curb. Do you look? Make eye contact?"
T) "I don't"
H) "They make you nauseous?" (refers to a previous discussion)
T) "No. I don't look because it depresses me. Not so much because they're homeless but because I CAN'T HELP THEM".
T) "Not in the whole. I mean sure - I should give the guy ten bucks. But, 30 yards down the street there's another one... and another one . . . and another one. I don't look because futility overcomes me!"
Harry shaking her head...
(T) "There's suffering all over the world, Harry. I can't make a difference. The futility of it all."

Well, do you look at beggars on the drive home? At every traffic light? In every parking lot? It made be think of two things. The first being the story of the little girl saving washed up starfish - "it makes a difference to the one I throw back" and the second - "be the change you want to see". So this list may not be huge. It may show you exactly how 'small' a person I am but I can only hope to help people if I change myself and the only way to do that is slowly. Also somethings may sound 'colonial' but they are not meant to. I do want to be a better person.

1.) Every month buy a few bags of apples or oranges etc. and give it out to beggars on the side of the road
2.)Click on the Barking Mad website everyday (One click = 1 bowl of food)
3.) Make sure that I have change for petrol attendants (I often run out of change)
4.) Try and compliment everyone I meet - everyone loves a compliment and the world needs happier people. Say hello and thank you to tellers even if I have had a hard day. Ask car guards about their day- show some interest and be a nicer person.
5.) During the holidays, volunteer at different places and donate clothes to charities
6.) Recyle!!! AND .7) Be more positive

Yes, I know that its not huge and its not 67 things either. Some of these things I try do already but I need to try harder. I need to make it part of my life. I need to be a nicer and more positive person. One of the things I have noticed both times that my wallet has been stolen this year is how people don't care. I want to care. I want to help people if they need help, I want to take the time. I think at the moment, its the best I can do to make a difference.

I need to start taking beautiful photos

I need more pictures. Indeed I do. At the blogger shindig there were so many beautiful camera's. It made me salivate. I don't know that much about camera's. I had my dad's old manual years ago and for a 12 year old I was good. Really. But it broke down and with all this digital-ness it is so easy to go automatic. I am going to make it a goal to learn to use my current camera properly. I got it for my birthday from Brian a few years ago and it really nice. Its a Kodak easyshare (I think).

It really helped for my MSc. I took pictures like this:

I was impressed with myself...

Anyway, I was looking for a photo for my twitter profile pic (yes, I joined the modern age finally) and I realised I don't have one picture of myself that is not a.) years old b.) with Brian or Savanah. Sheesh. I am a person on my own dammit! I need to fall in love with photos again.