Surviving Oz

Three men times four

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:53:00 +0000

This is quite possibly my favorite photo of the three men in my life, and I'm thinking of getting it printed on a canvas.

I love it in color...

...I love it faded....

...I love it in black and white...

...and I love it in sepia:

I'm not sure which version I like the best, although I'm leaning toward the sepia. Thoughts?

Doppelgangers

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:47:00 +0000

Every time I see my husband holding our boys, I'm stunned at how much they resemble him:

For anyone who is wondering, Dash is on the left and Will is on the right.

I mean...LOOK at them! They're like little Mini-Hims.

At least Ben can feel pretty confident that the milkman wasn't involved, eh?

The aunt

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:19:00 +0000

Before I post the following photos, I need to explain something. As some of you may remember, I'm something of a baby hater. Yes, I love my own (since they are obviously perfection), but other peoples' children...not so much. But even for all that, my sister Eryn makes me look like a crazed child snatcher who kisses every infant I can find - that is the extent of her baby aversion. Now please proceed to the following photos:

The Aunt and Will (aka Mama's Little Skeptic)

The Aunt and Dash (aka Mama's Little Ham)

ERYN IS TOUCHING A BABY!

ERYN IS TOUCHING TWO BABIES!

Goddamn, my kids really MUST be cute! Either that, or she's sucking it up because they are her sister's offspring and because our father requested photos. But I'm going with cute.

A little cave music

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:09:00 +0000

My sister is the last member of My Family Who Flew Over From The USA To See The Oz Bebbehs to arrive. She's an elementary music teacher, so as a special treat I took her to see a concert at the nearby Jenolan Caves. The Paganini Duo play gypsy music in the Cathedral Cave (arguably the best natural amphitheater in the world).

We picked up our tickets from the Guide's Office...

...and then strolled down to the main entrance to the caves:

You're not allowed to roam around the caves without a Jenolan staff member present, so while we waited for a guide with our fellow concert-goers, Eryn entertained herself by taking photos of the cave, while I took photos of Eryn:

We spotted the musicians heading down to the cave...

...and a few minutes later we were on our way! No photos, sorry - I was too busy concentrating on not dying as I dragged my poor post-twin body up and down approximately eleventy million stairs to get into the heart of Lucas Cave, where the Cathedral is located. We were banned from taking pictures during the actual performance, but I snapped a few of the "stage" before the duo started playing:

The music was fantastic, and the caves themselves are stunning - I'd like to return to see more of them in the future, although preferably when I'm in better shape and the weather is warmer, because I damn near froze my imaginary bollocks off. But it was worth it to see a place as beautiful as this:

Seeing double

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:24:00 +0000

Even though they're identical twins, I thought Will and Dash looked very different when they were born; sometimes it surprised me when people exclaimed how much they looked alike. But the older they've gotten - and the more hair Dash has grown - the more I'm realizing that hey, they are identical! Case in point:

Like the horse? My dad and stepmom brought it for them. It laughs and vibrates like a lunatic!

Well what do you know...they DO look alike! And they're pretty cute too, eh?

The funniest thing I've seen lately

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 02:56:00 +0000

My fellow nerds have probably already seen this, but I'm behind the times:

More Chad here!

Now we are eleven

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:22:00 +0000

Eleven weeks old, that is. Time flies, eh?

Today's little dose of awesome

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:26:00 +0000

Now here's an exercise regimen I can get behind! A gym in Illinois is offering ZombieFit classes, which are exactly what they sound like: cardio, weight training and parkour workouts designed to help you survive the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

T-shirt here. Yes, this really is a shirt design. As are all awesome things.

Say it with me, people: SAH-WEET!

Grandparent love

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 22:54:00 +0000

I'm so happy that my Dad and Awesome Stepmom Myra could come to see Will and Dash while they're still little...

Grammy M and Dash

Grandpa with Dash (left) and Will (right)

...but you know what the problem is when family visits? That it sucks so much when they leave. I'm not looking forward to Saturday, so how about you guys just stay forever instead? That sounds like a good idea to me!

234 years later...

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 11:48:00 +0000

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear America
Happy Birthday to you!

~from your favorite Aussie-American expat

Taking over the world...part deux

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 09:21:00 +0000

Remember when I posted several birth announcement designs? And then I asked you guys to vote on which one I should use? And there was an official poll and everything?

Yeah...I ended up not going with the winner.

In fact, I didn't go with any of those designs because I was inspired at the very last second to make this instead:

They're printed on oversized postcards, with each boy taking up one entire side. Yes, this means that you can't put them on your fridge and see both boys at one time, but I figure that aside from the grandparents, most people probably won't want to do that anyway.

All of the envelopes are addressed and we're mailing them out next week - what do you think?

My former life

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:07:00 +0000

I was sorting through some old pictures on my laptop this afternoon when I stumbled across these. I've mentioned my former life as a Fine Art major before - here's a little proof. These photos were taken at my senior exhibit; I think there were around 15 pieces, all charcoal and Conté crayon on distressed raw canvas:

The concept was that the mundane and the ugly - such as rocks, sticks and bones - can hold depth and even beauty when viewed up close. I don't have a photo of my favorite piece, which now hangs in my dad and stepmom's dining room - a massive, almost abstract drawing of a horse's skull. Sounds morbid, but it was really quite lovely.

I also came across a few sketches (not finished drawings, just quick captures of whatever caught my eye) that I scanned a couple years ago - none are terribly exciting, but eh, what the hell:

I've always enjoyed sketching in pen...I'm not sure why I prefer it over pencil. Something about the permanence of it, the way every line has to matter.

This is probably my favorite sketch of all time, although it's not the most impressive - the subject is my late Grandma, and this was the last time I saw her, as she passed away while I was out of the country:

I don't create much art these days. I don't think I was ever really cut out to be a studio artist...I always loved the art itself, but hated the politics of gallery showings and the fake depth that so many artists attach to their work (I do believe profound meaning can exist within art, but that in general it's grossly overinflated - a point of view that didn't exactly endear me to either my instructors or colleagues).

So there you have it - The Lisa Formerly Known As An Artist.

Cranky McCrankerson

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 01:36:00 +0000

I'm wearing my extra-binding crankypants this morning, and I'll tell you why: it is effing cold here right now.

I need an Aussie out there to explain something to me: in a country of dramatic temperature shifts (I live in a relatively temperate zone and it's still well below freezing during the winter and bone-meltingly hot in the summer), why aren't houses here built with central air conditioning and heat? WHYYYYYY? Whenever I ask this question, I'm invariably told that it's because it's too expensive to install. However, the reason that it's expensive is because not many people have it. But the reason not many people have it is because it's too expensive...you can see the cycle of doom here.

I've talked about my frustration with not having central air conditioning before, and now I'm feeling the same way about not having heat. It was -5.5C last night, and the temperature in my living room was in the single digits this morning. That is way too damn cold not to have a climate controlled home, which I would have thought would be fairly standard in first world countries by this point (or at LEAST have wall heaters in all the rooms). We have a column heater in the nursery, and even that room was still pretty chilly last night.

So. Over. It.

P.S. If anyone mentions the affect of air conditioning, etc., on global warming to me, I will cutabitch. I am that cranky right now due to trying to type with half frozen fingers even though my poor babies (who are wearing three layers) and I are snuggled up near our gas fireplace. Cranky McCrankerson out.

Evolution

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:49:00 +0000

A little while ago, a child-free friend asked me what life with children is like. She said it seemed to her like you lose yourself - that your world suddenly revolves around your baby, that you have no other interests in life. She wanted to know if your life really changes as much as it seems like it does from the outside.

I told her that yes, it does - it has to. Becoming a parent means you evolve from a person who only has to look after their own needs to one who has to put the needs of another first - always first. It's exhausting and difficult and rewarding and inspiring and all-consuming. My world revolves around my children, around their needs. I quite literally spend my entire day - all 24 hours - with them, either directly caring for them or simply just in the same house.

I'm still the same me that I was before they were born. I still have the same interests and like doing the same things, but by and large my ability to pursue those interests and take part in those things has been put on hold, albeit temporarily. And as you, my readers, can doubtlessly tell, my children are foremost on my mind; I used to post about zombies and my minor obsession with etsy - now I put up photos of my kids.

It won't always be this way. They won't always be so needy (and I don't mean that in a negative way, simply that they need me), and I won't always have to arrange my life around them. But for now, this is how it is.

So yes - your life changes. And yes - it's worth it.

Piggies

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 03:19:00 +0000

One of the most entertaining things about having our boys has been watching Ben in baby play mode. He doesn't remember many rhymes from his childhood, which means that a game of piggies inevitably goes something like:

This little piggy went to the store.

This little piggy had steak.

This little piggy...umm...flew on a plane.

This one - I mean this little piggy...he....had steak again.

And THIS little piggy went eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee until he got home!

I think it's a modern classic - don't you?

Generations

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 06:16:00 +0000

When I was a baby, my mother gave me a small stuffed Snoopy doll.

I loved that Snoopy doll.

I loved him until most of his hair was loved off, and his eyes dropped out and he got loose in the joints and very shabby.

And I loved him for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loved him, so he become Real.

Now my sons have my Snoopy. I hope he can be Real for them, too.

With thanks to Margery Williams.

Bacon mail

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 05:49:00 +0000

My love of all things bacon is nothing new (mmmmm), nor is my willingness to try it in weird ways (helllooooo bacon brownies!), so it should come as no surprise that I've been wanting to try Vosges Mo's Bacon Bar for a while. I was resigned to never sampling this potentially divine combination as, sadly, Vosges chocolate isn't sold in Australia...at least until this showed up in the mail, courtesy of my sweet friend Sandra:

The verdict? Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly) tasty! It's a lot more bacon-y than the brownies I made - the initial flavor is all chocolate, but then BAM! Bacon! Ben wasn't so crazy about it, but I'm considerably more fond of salty/sweet combinations (like chocolate covered pretzels) than he is.

Thank you soooo much, Sandra! I can die happy - my life is now complete.

The Secret

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:23:00 +0000

A friend asked me recently how I get good photos of our boys. So I swore her to secrecy, and then told her The Secret.

Are you ready?

I take lots of photos. LOTS of photos. LOOOOOOOOTS of them.

Because for every photo that looks like these...

...there are about a hundred that look like these:

Blurry and drunk!

Crying hysterically!

But sometimes even the "bad" photos turn out pretty good. Case in point - pictures where it looks like my little dudes are shaking their groove thangs? Not exactly traditional portraiture, but absolutely priceless:

Confession

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 07:35:00 +0000

I read the blog (Baby Makes Four) of a funny twin mom named Erica; today she wrote a post on bathroom performance anxiety and oh my gawwwd people - it was like looking in a mirror.

Unlike Erica, I won't go so far as to travel home to avoid pooing at work, but I'll only do a #2 if there is no one else in the bathroom. The fact that everyone poops is totally irrelevant. If someone is in the stall next to me, I will hold it in until I die. Or until the other person leaves. You know, whichever comes first.

That said, it gets pretty awkward when there's someone in the stall next to you and it's been dead silent for several minutes, and then you realize that they're doing the exact same thing you are: waiting.it.out. Now THOSE are the times that try men's souls. What do you do in this situation? Give up and leave, figuring you can always poo another day? Stick to your guns and sit it out, while trying to surreptitiously spy the other person's shoes under the stall wall so you can identify who it is and carefully avoid them for the rest of the day? Or just go for it while howling "Bombs awaaaaaaay!"

Is anyone else going to 'fess up to this? Or am I alone in my weirdness?

The Many Hairstyles of Will

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:27:00 +0000

The Standard

This is Will's everyday look. It can go from a day at the office to a night out on the town (he takes milk - straight up, no rocks).

The Comb Over

A clear favorite when playing James Bond and attending movie premieres. Also when invading Poland.

The Little Punk

A faux-hawk that Will likes to sport when he's grinding some sick curbs on his skateboard. Always popular with the ladies.

The Nerdling

Ideal for days when his techie skills are in demand. Not so popular with the ladies.

The Mad Scientist

A double shot so you can properly appreciate it from multiple angles - this is Will's natural state. Perfect for those stormy nights when he's trying to reanimate the dead.

It's a good mail day

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 03:24:00 +0000

Today I got a package in the mail - I opened it up and this is what I saw:

It was a gift for Will and Dash from my friend Kristen, who has an etsy store called 303Baby:

And look! Look at the gorgeous handmade bib and burp cloths! Loooove the fabric and the sweet snap detail:

And of course, an action shot was required...clearly there is NOTHING to smile about when you're modeling bibs:

Well, not at first, anyway...

But eventually, Mama dancing like a looney and making chirpy noises will get some smiles, which only goes to prove just how well trained I am:

Kristen also sent some sweet thank you notecards...I know who's getting the first one!

Bits and pieces

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:56:00 +0000

Robot salt and pepper shakers. Cuteness factor is off the charts. I feel I may need them.

This is my new favorite blog. Start with this story - I laughed so hard that I think I may actually have peed a little.

If you watch Mad Men, check this out - it's a very cool and interesting review/analysis of the awesome clothes that all the women wear on the show. If you don't watch Mad Men, you should since it's quite possibly the best show on TV right now (last season's finale was particularly awesome and the wait for the next season to start is killing me).

It is EFFING COLD here right now. I grew up in Southern California. I don't do cold. And now we have a forecast of snow in a few days. If I don't post for a week, send a St Bernard. And brandy.

Lastly, Subway has finally agreed to tessellate their cheese. All I can say is: IT'S ABOUT FREAKING TIME!

Snug as a...

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 06:58:00 +0000

...baby in a Miracle Blanket.

Taking over the world...one photo at a time

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:15:00 +0000

Six weeks might be a little late to send out birth announcements, but Ben asked me to whip one up so we can flood the planet with pictures of the wee pirates. After an evening of tinkering with layouts I've narrowed it down to one of these two designs:

#1:

#2:

Yes, they're the exact same except for the color, but I can't decide which one I like better! I think the first one has a nice symmetry and possibly puts more focus on the photo, but the second appeals to me because the illustrations are the same yet different (just like our boys).

Here's a clicky poll (if you're reading this in an RSS feed it won't show up, sorry), and feel free to let me know what you think in the comments as well!

poll by twiigs.com

Six weeks ago today...

survivingoz@gmail.com (Lisa in Oz) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:16:00 +0000

...I discovered what it feels like to have my heart go walking around outside my body.

I love these boys.