inspiration

I always see the most inspiring things when I'm just sitting somewhere, watching people pass on by. I was over at Straddie last Sunday sitting down in the sun just reading and silently purring while the sun warmed me up from my swim. When I noticed this girl, that was waitressing over at the fish and chip shop, sit down for her break. She intrigued me in a completely non-lesbian and stalker way. She was the kinda character I'd like to use for a book or a movie even. I think it was because she was living in such a beautiful, happy part of the world- Stradbroke Island amongst all these other teenagers with tan skin, long hair and a constant smile on their face and meanwhile this girl, who couldn't have been older than 18 looked so unbearably sad. She had short died bright blonde hair (this was clear by the dark regrowth at her roots), a pretty, pixie-like face, a medium height and skinny frame and she was wearing a black singlet and black shorts with black converse sneakers. As she sat down smoking a cigarette looking like the world could not possibly be anymore ugly (which is ridiculous because she lives on a beautiful island!) I had this strange urge to just want to sketch her or photograph her or write about her. She was the kinda person you see and you're just positive she has an interesting story to tell- to explain why she looked so sad on that lovely sunny Sunday afternoon. Maybe she was just tired and bored during a long shift or maybe she was dealing with a dickhead boyfriend or maybe a thousand other things. The point is- I love when you spot people or things happening around you and it causes you to imagine all these possibilities. Anyway, I may not have taken a picture of sad waitress gal but I did get some other photos that I edited: (for more/bigger size photos see my OTHER (the neglected and unloved) blog www.anniehickling.blogspot.com

my brother jack having a nannas nap

snapped the popo boat while waiting for the barge to leave

cylinders beach

some rotting apple that washed up onto the sand

happy birthday holly

Firstly, I'd like to say Happy birthday to my soul mate HOLLY BATES, I hope you had a fantastic day and enjoyed all of our gifts and goodies in the city this afternoon (see above for the cake we made her.. nah a couple of girls bought 2 cakes from coles and fin proceeded to attempt to throw one at her face) Secondly, sorry for the severe lack in posting this past week, school work has been HECTIC and I just have been too mentally drained to do any worthwhile posts.

Today when I was waiting for the train to go into the city and see Holly, I was just sitting around (for bloody ages thanks to yet another fuck up by brisbane rail), listening to music on my phone (because my ipod is screwed, thanks a lot apple) and people watching. I actually love waiting at train stations by myself as there is always something interesting to observe on a train platform. Being the train going home from school the platform was full with different guys and girls from all the grades. In particular there was a cute group of Grade 8 girls whom spent a solid 15 minutes changing this one girls hair twenty times, pinning a flower in and out and in and out, only to end back up in a pony tail, which is sad because her hair looked lovely out.

Anyway, after I stalked the platform the train arrived and I continued to people watch on the train now. By the time I got into the city I was in this sentimental, black and white sorta mood where I wished I had my camera on me to take photos of all these beautiful moments that were occurring left, right and centre. I ducked into the bathroom on the way out of the station only to find in giant engraved words "ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE" on the back of a cubicle door. For some reason this quote irritated the shit out of me, effectively ruining my "black and white life is great and complex mood" and replacing it with a "holy shit this is the most naive and ridiculous quote I want to kick this door down mood". Love is most certainly not all you need, in fact the moment you start needing something you love, that is when all the trouble begins. Friendship, family, hobbies, a job, money all of that shit in life is what you really need. I'm happy to say that I don't need "love" today. Today I'm content to be surrounded by beautiful friends, loving parents and a fantastic older brother. Today "love" is on the bottom of my "wish I had list".

At the top is sleep. Goodnight