Friday 11 February 2011

Sending Some Un Valentine's Day Love



I've held back on posting this because I don't buy into the whole Valentine thing*.

There's enough out there to remind the single-not-by-choice they don't have a Valentine.
Also Valentine's Day can alienate religious people who don't recognise Christian Saints.
And my final bah humbug is in defence of the people who are in perfectly fine relationships who feel they're lacking something if they don't receive a Valentine card (let alone a weekend in Paris with a bed covered in rose petals). We all know romance comes in many forms and, for me, someone protecting me is the most romantic of acts.

I'm all for us being reminded that if we actually quite like someone then February is a good month to tell/show them. We're officially in Spring (but the layers of clothes we're wearing say 'Winter') so this is a good month to snuggle up and exchange tokens of our affection.

But it doesn't have to be on February 14th and it can be something which will last as a reminder for another twelve months (unlike flowers and chocolates).

So just to be sure you're too late for ordering for Monday, I'm posting this today. The artist sends hearts all round the world and throughout the year. Love, thank goodness, IS celebrated 365 days of the year ... somewhere! Surprise the one you love with this after the 14th.
























There are two types of heart offered by Your Alchemy, I especially like the clay version and the artist is offering a limited edition in wood. Beautiful.

Meanwhile, if there is someone you really like (friend, potential lover, lover) you may like this song enough to send them the link to the video. Just don't feel you have to send it on Monday!



Happy Un-Valentine's Day to you on whatever the date is when you read this, including Monday.

Love.

* If you have sent me a card, ordered flowers or planned a romantic surprise for me for February 14th, thank you. How lovely. Please don't read this post!

Wednesday 2 February 2011

Get Fit, Watch More Videos

Instead of signing up for a gym (and staying home anyway), I spent a lot of January researching skateboarding videos from my sofa. And it seems to work. After watching boarders' satisfaction when they pull off a move, I feel great*.
So this is a tribute to the guys of Brighton, Madrid and Venice Beach. Three different worlds. Three very different moods. And all of them just having so much fun.

Brighton: Harvey Saunders Warning: You may want to stick your fingers in your ears, for the opening minute ...




Madrid: by Juan Rayos (introduced to me by one of my favourite blogs It's Nice That)




California : Beginner (yeh not) Devendra Banhart



* Health note: The author of this post understands the value of a good healthy lifestyle and respects everyone who attends a gym more than once. Watching extreme sports videos is no compensation for a healthy diet and exercise. While lightening her winter mood watching other people achieve feats she is incapable of, she also decreased her calorie intake, drank lots of green tea and water. She does, however, credit the armchair skateboarding for the adrenaline rush which inspired her to walk miles and dance for hours.