Freezing Life

I caught the end of Life of Pi, on television this weekend, and if you've watched it, you'll know that 'adult' Pi says: "I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye"

Those words stayed with me, this whole weekend.

My life, has been pretty spectacular the past few months. I got engaged, we've been overwhelmed with calls, questions, love and support in these past months. My business has grown enormously, we've moved into a new home, and we've spent countless hours lovingly painting, hammering and doing all sorts of DIY's in and around the apartment.

I've been fortunate to attend some of the grandest and at the same time the most humbling wedding's I've ever seen. Photography has exposed me to a world of the grandest aesthetic and I'm fortunate to see people committing their lives to each other. I've seen men weep at the alter, at the sight of their bride. I've seen men serenading their brides with songs on guitars they've only just learnt to play.

My life is good, my life is pretty spectacular.

Sometimes, I want to pinch myself - say, "hey wake up - this can't be real". But it is - and man, I'm fortunate. Some sort of divine favour I believe.

Why is the Life of Pi quote relevant - well, what he says is so very true. Our whole lives are an act of letting go, and even though my life is wonderful at the moment, I fear that I haven't said goodbye to times when things weren't so great. Times that keep you grounded, and filled with humility. There are various elements, people and circumstances, that happen throughout life, that make us the individuals that we are. Life is a continuous act of letting go.

I think of the times Etienne and I would really fight, and not get on at all. The times I used to live with my mom. That's all gone now. We move on so quickly.

I suppose all I'm trying to say, is that live is precious. Love it, live it - take time to breath. Take time to smell the air after a thunderstorm, remember how the grass felt under your feet when you were on holiday. Remember - spend time to take it all in. Live.

Be a human. Take your time. Remember - live.

The Great Gatsby

Last night, my mom invited me to watch The Great Gatsby with her. She's recently revisited her love for movies on the big screen, which suits me well, as I've always loved a night at the cinema.

I was quite unaware of the magnitude that is The Great Gatsby, we didn't have it as prescribed reading in High School and so I blissfully went through life without giving it a thought. 

I saw, and went to many parties friends hosted with a 'Great Gatsby' theme, and to my uninformed mind it simply meant putting on a dress that swirls and sparkles in the light. That, complimented with a headband - and you were on your way.

That's the most I was interested in knowing about The Great Gatsby, until last night. 

I walked out of that cinema with a odd feeling, I couldn't quite put my figure on it, and I still can't. I suppose it is because I've taken several thoughts home with me after the movie. Themes I could relate to.

God looking down on us, seeing everything, flamboyant lives to cover up heartache and corruptness, and then there was hope - the single most important thing that Gatsby stands for, illustrated by that constant green light.

That story, so beautifully illustrated by director extraordinaire Baz Luhrmann (Romeo + Juliet & Moulin Rouge) illustrates the book beautifully through absolute and utter opulence. The costumes throughout the film, from the dancers, the guests, the men and most certainly the women have you breathless in each scene. 

The only thing better than the costumes are the elaborate set designs. Walls that are decorated like those of royal palaces, lawns as big as rugby fields and easy breezes that blows sheer curtains to look like light clouds passing the sun room. It simply leaves you in awe of that era and lifestyle.

In my opinion, this is what the movies should forever be like. For 2 hours and 20 min I was not in Cape Town, I was in the 1920's captivated by profound storytelling and illustration. I was anxious when he was anxious, I was sad when she was sad, I felt tolerant in some parts and questioned reasoning in others. 

The most truthful thing, and the single most important thing I took home after watching the movie, is one of the last lines the narrator speaks before the credits come up. He says: "He was living in a corrupted world, with a in corrupted dream". 

I cannot explain the wave of emotions, true meanings, and own truths you experience throughout this film. It is one of the best movies I have ever seen.

Now go see The Great Gatsby and be amazed. L

This Wild Idea

I've realised recently that I prefer checking my Instagram feed to my Facebook and Twitter feeds, which I can attribute to 2 things. 1) I'm a visual person, so naturally I prefer pictures to text and 2) I get to make assumptions about your life looking at what you post.

Now, last night while my dog was bouncing around the house, I posted a picture of her. Got a follow from a friend, checked out who he follows, and found this man. Theron Humphrey

This guy, and in my opinion the definition of wanderlust, has traveled the 50 states of  'merica documenting the life of 1 person per day. While on this adventure, Theron started placing his dog on top of things, and photographing him, which resulted in a incredible amount of exposure- having had features on various publications including CNN, People Magazine & Ellen.

Here's a little exert from a article about Theron and Maddie from Anthology Magazine:

"Photographer Theron Humphrey is traversing the United States with his camera and his trusty canine companion to document the lives of everyday people. Entitled This Wild Idea, the project has taken him over 17,000 miles already. He’s taken 1,825 photos, and met hundreds of people, each with their own unique story to tell. Along the way, Theron began to capture his dog Maddie, a Maine coonhound, perched atop some of the most peculiar things. This burgeoning side project, aptly (and adorably) named Maddie on Things, is delightful. " found here

Also have a look at some of the things Maddie has stood on here.

Is this not the best thing you have ever seen?

Root 44 Market

This past Sunday,we spent celebrating Mothers day at the Root44 Market just past Stellenbosch. I love a good market, and spend many a Sunday drinking white wine at a local market. As they say, 'don't let Monday spoil your Sunday'. *blush

This market is a relatively new one, when you compare it to veteran markets like the City Bowl market and the Bay Harbour market in Hout Bay, and caters for kids in a big way. They've got all sorts of rides, jungle gyms, a sand pit and even a train that takes the kids on a scenic drive through the vineyards.

The food is delicious and not too pricy, you'll spend about R50 on a meal. The selection is unreal, from lamb curry, to home baked pies, Thai  (I was served my pork stir-fry from a gentleman in a fantastically bold floral shirt) and for the metropolitan individual in all of us, some sushi.

Oysters are served cold with champagne. Various craft beers are also available, but I especially liked the peer cider from Kopparberg I tasted. That was only a taste though, the bulk of the day was spent sipping on delicious sauvignon blanc. 

In addition to the food for sale, there are loads of vendors selling all sorts of goods form leather handbags, second-hand clothing, jewellery and even knives. Etienne got himself a brand new hoodie from Maybru and I picked up a ring from Glove Jewellery.

Live music puts the last finishing touch on a already magnificent setting. I'm not too sure who the band was, but it was a duo who had everyone's feet tapping to their jazz and blues covers. Something reminiscent of the Shouting Matches.

After a hearty meal, the family left and Etienne and I spent the rest of the afternoon with the band and a bottle of wine. Absolutely divine. 

Below are some pictures of our time spent at at the market this past Sunday.

Must have artwall