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are you a blamer?

are you a blamer?

A lot of people jump to blaming others rather than dealing with the situation at hand. This delightfully illustrated animation explains it perfectly. This video is a collaboration between Breńe Brown Ph.D. (researcher & storyteller), RSA (21st Century Enlightenment) and animator Katy Davis (amazingly talented freelance animator and illustrator).
[youtube id=”RZWf2_2L2v8″ maxwidth=”1000″]

Sit back, relax and challenge yourself to the question “am I a blamer?” and if the answer is yes… start doing something about it.

This video optimises excellent communication through short, concise story telling using simple and beautiful visuals.

As an illustrator I’m particularly in love with Katy Davis’s work (AKA Gobbylynne) and you can check out her work on her site gobblynne.com, on her facebook page or her twitter profile.

If you have any other beautiful, poinient or amazing videos to share, please get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

my mamma said: gabrielle

my mamma said: gabrielle

#MyMammaSaid
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Now for some very specific advice… however it is spot on. If you show the world that you care about yourself, you’re subconsciously letting people know that you’re worth caring for. It can be hard to find the right balance between making an effort to look after yourself and going all out makeover each morning… however, if you don’t make an effort at all then you’re telling the world you don’t rate yourself so why should they. Plus we always feel great after a relaxing pedi 🙂

I recently asked a bunch of people to share with me a piece of advice their mother had given them. Some are wise, others are hilarious but most of all, they are all true.

While the words in these illustrations are direct quotes, the characters are inspired by each advice recipient and are not meant to be an exact likeness. I am only using their first name so they can stay anonymous, if they choose.

Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site). It would be awesome if you could send me your mothers best words of wisdom… it might just help someone else out 🙂

What did your mamma say? Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

pop culture robots, a historical study: rosie the robot

pop culture robots, a historical study: rosie the robot

#popculturerobots
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I wasn’t allowed to watch a lot of TV growing up… it was restricted to Friday afternoon and weekends. Every Saturday morning I’d wake up super early and watch cartoons for as long as I could. I loved reruns of The Jetsons and I particularly loved Rosie the Robot.

The Jetsons hit TV screens in 1962 and started out in black and white. It fed off the belief that in the early part of the 21st century we would all have robot maids… well that hasn’t come true (at least not yet). In the 80’s The Jetsons was played in high rotation (by then they were in colour). Here is an original ad from 1963…
[youtube id=”48itJfUr8ZM” maxwidth=”1000″]

Rosie also appeared in a 2006 AT&T advertisement along with Robby the Robot form Lost in Space, cementing their place in the pop culture psyche of the western world.
[youtube id=”IEp6ca9Ppks” maxwidth=”1000″]

Rosie also appeared in Kanye Wests Heartless video (2009). This is a rather lovely video clip and the animation is so illustrative it’s wonderful.Kanye West Heartless (2009)

I will be publishing 15 robot profiles over the coming weeks. Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site).

Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

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what i learnt this week :: WEEK 34

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 34

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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I am an overwhelmingly positive person and my optimism can rub some people the wrong way. However, positive thinking can only get you so far. We often think that we can control everything in our lives but we really can’t.

I started getting the flu the other day and I stayed positive, I tried really hard to ‘mind over matter’ my way out of falling into the flu. Needless to say I failed dismally.

While a good attitude and positive thoughts make any situation better it doesn’t render us invincible. No amount of strong mindedness can prevent illness, tragedy or misfortune… however walking on the sunny side of the street has the great advantage of getting you through the shit with a smile on your face.

The mind is strong but it cannot beat all and accepting that can be a very liberating experience 🙂

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pop culture robots, a historical study: optimus prime

pop culture robots, a historical study: optimus prime

#popculturerobots
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The Transformers started out as a toy line in 1980’s Japan that evolved into comic books, a TV Series and eventually big Hollywood blockbuster movies.

I loved comic books and cartoons growing up and as soon as The Transformers hit our chunky 80’s TV Screens I was hooked. The bright colours + transforming alien technology + that catchy theme song guaranteed The Transformers cult status. I didn’t expect it to last as long as it did but it franchised really well with ongoing comic books and the cinematic reboot starting in 2007.

Transformers… more than meets the eye! This is the catchy theme song from the 80’s cartoon series… I can still remember singing this in the playground.
[youtube id=”nLS2N9mHWaw” maxwidth=”1000″]

Advancements in CGI made 2007 the right time for the big screen adaptation of Transformers… any earlier and it could have been a bit hokey. These movies really were great and they propelled Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox’s careers to the next big box office level. Here is the trailer for the first non-animated movie Transformers (2007)…
[youtube id=”UxI_JI6chas” maxwidth=”1000″]

Not unlike his transforming buddies, Shia LaBeouf has transformed himself into somewhat an enigma and is now trying to motivate you to ‘just do it’… don’t forget, anything is possible.
[youtube id=”nuHfVn_cfHU” maxwidth=”1000″]
Pop Culture Robots, a Historical Study is an anthropological review of the robots that have graced the pages of our comic books, entertained us in novels and dazzled us on many different types of screens in recent human history.

I will be publishing 15 robot profiles over the coming weeks. Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site).

Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 33

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 33

Lil Wendy 33
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my mamma said: denise

my mamma said: denise

#MyMammaSaid
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It wasn’t just Rihanna who sung the praises of the humble umbrella… Denise’s mum also held it in high esteem. Perhaps it was because she knew what rain does to curly hair or maybe she didn’t want her girl to catch a cold. Either way, it’s solid advice. I know that if I ever get caught in the rain with Denise, I can always stand under her umbrella ella ella eh eh eh.

[youtube id=”CvBfHwUxHIk” maxwidth=”1000″]

I recently asked a bunch of people to share with me a piece of advice their mother had given them. Some are wise, others are hilarious but most of all, they are all true.

While the words in these illustrations are direct quotes, the characters are inspired by each advice recipient and are not meant to be an exact likeness. I am only using their first name so they can stay anonymous, if they choose.

Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site). It would be awesome if you could send me your mothers best words of wisdom… it might just help someone else out 🙂

What did your mamma say? Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 33

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 33

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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When I was a kid I dreamt of being a grown up and spending all of my wages on chocolate. It’s safe to say I’ve always had a strong relationship with the coco bean. In my 20’s I ate a lot of the cheep stuff and didn’t limit my intake. In my 30’s I modified my consumption by choosing the better quality chocolates and using the greater expense to better ration my sweet love.

After a few years of questionable health and increasing food intolerances, in January this year I started a very strict elimination diet with the RPA Allergy Clinic. To say that my diet was limited for the first six months of this year would be a gross understatement. However, it wasn’t difficult for me to adjust. I work from home and as long as I’m good at the supermarket, I’m ok for the week. Now that I’m able to eat a lot more (still not everything) it is somewhat more challenging. I could not eat chocolate until July… I couldn’t eat chocolate on my birthday or at Easter… but now I’m making up for it. I have had HUGE chocolate cravings lately.

The other night I remembered that my sister had a GIANT chocolate bunny left over from Easter and I ceremonially smashed it on the kitchen island for all to share. I am taking solace in the fact that it’s dark chocolate… so there are some health benefits! However, twice now I have eaten more chocolate in one sitting than I care to admit. I have conversations in my head along the lines of ‘this is my last piece’, ‘surely you can’t eat any more’ and ‘for fucks sake stop eating chocolate’. I don’t trust myself to be around the remains of that GIANT bunny and have left it at my sister’s place. However, I will be visiting her on the weekend and I’m sure I can finish it off 🙂

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pop culture robots, a historical study: data

pop culture robots, a historical study: data

#popculturerobots
Scan 5.jpeg copyWhen I first came across Star Trek The Next Generation on late night TV in the early 90’s I fell in love with the show and the awesome characters, including Lieutenant Commander Data (an artificial intelligence and synthetic life form).

During the series and the subsequent movies, Data wanted to become human but he struggled with human idiosyncrasies. He eventually installed an “emotion chip” and developed sensitivity, compassion and eventually put the needs of others above his own.

Thankfully, Data appeared in all of the Next Generation movies, however I think we have seen the last of him as this franchise is well and truly over. If you haven’t already watched it then I recommend you do… it’s a bit dated by now but it’s just old enough to be retro cool. He does live on in a small way with his many quotes becoming animated gif’s and memes.

I chose to believe that I was a person, that I had the potential to become more than a collection of circuits and sub-processors.” – Data
3oftj7  giphy

There are too many great snippets of Data to display here… in this one you get his iconic quote “If you prick me, do I not… leek?”

[youtube id=”2j8kUXxxStA” maxwidth=”1000″]

Pop Culture Robots, a Historical Study is an anthropological review of the robots that have graced the pages of our comic books, entertained us in novels and dazzled us on many different types of screens in recent human history.

I will be publishing 15 robot profiles over the coming weeks. Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site).

Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 32

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 32

Lil Wendy 32
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my mamma said: fred

my mamma said: fred

#MyMammaSaid
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Thanks to a flawed scientific study in the 1950’s, a US army survival manual in 1970 recommended hat use due to the belief that “40 to 45 percent of body heat” is lost from the head. This has since been debunked and current science believes that any part of the body that is left uncovered in cold temperatures will lose heat.

Having said that, a lot of people are told to wear hats to protect them from the cold. Also, in the hotter countries, hats have a different function… protecting us form the sun’s rays. Regardless of why, Fred’s mum wanted to protect her son when she wasn’t around… so she always told him to wear a hat. Sound advice Fred’s mum, regardless of where you live on this rock we lovingly call earth 🙂

However, some people ALWAYS wear a hat… and who knows why…?
[youtube id=”B0l8fnCkJDU” maxwidth=”1000″]

I recently asked a bunch of people to share with me a piece of advice their mother had given them. Some are wise, others are hilarious but most of all, they are all true.

While the words in these illustrations are direct quotes, the characters are inspired by each advice recipient and are not meant to be an exact likeness. I am only using their first name so they can stay anonymous, if they choose.

Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site). It would be awesome if you could send me your mothers best words of wisdom… it might just help someone else out 🙂

What did your mamma say? Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

i prefer to use my own opinion

i prefer to use my own opinion

#DesignerHanmiao @ProjectRunway @TimGunn
cectimm_hanmiao_i_prefer_to_use_my_own_opinion.jpg

Perhaps the best quote from the Project Runway Season 14 premier was from designer Hanmiao Yang… “I prefer to use my own opinion.” Just killer. A very polite way of saying “Shut up Tim Gunn… I’ll do whatever the hell I want.” Love it! I’m always baffled why some designers dismiss Tim so quickly… don’t they know who he is?!?

Here is Hanmiao’s wardrobe tour featuring gifts from Christian Siriano (winner of season 4 Project Runway).
[youtube id=”WlQ7kVyJMb4″ maxwidth=”1000″]

Follow Project Runway on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

innovations in science and technology

innovations in science and technology

@TonyAbbottMHR @neiltyson
cectimm_attonyabbotinnovationsinscience.jpg
Neil DeGrasse Tyson is a super star of modern science and with his recent trip to Oz he has been gracing our TV screens all week. Yay! He was on QandA at the beginning of the week and The Project at the end of the week.

This is why I love science… “Science works on the frontier between knowledge and ignorance. We’re not afraid to admit what we don’t know. There’s no shame in that. The only shame is to pretend that we have all the answers.” – Neil in his ground breaking show Cosmos.

On the project he threw out another great quote… “Innovations in science and technology will be the engines of tomorrow’s economy.” If only our politicians had such vision. Australia is such an innovative country with great minds but not enough funding. It’s sad because the great minds have to go overseas to complete their work, taking the profits with them.

If only our pollies were able to see the value that science and technology could bring to our future economy but they can’t see past the next election. Instead they cherry pick the science that suits their agenda… maybe we need more scientists in parliament house.

Here is his answer to the question “How do scientists prevent scientific ideas becoming politically partisan?”
[youtube id=”DMwFjOsbLp8″ maxwidth=”1000″]

Neil Degrasse Tyson, you are a fucking legend!

 

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 32

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 32

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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This week I read and shared an article tilted How Walking in Nature Changes the Brain (The New York Times). You don’t really need a science degree to observe that city dwellers experience more anxiety and lots of studies have confirmed this long held suspicion. It seems that now scientists are focusing on opposite side of this argument, the notion that walking in nature can have positive effects on your brain.

Even though we know this instinctively to be true, us humans seem to be addicted to suffering. We know what will make us happier and healthier but we rarely do it. Going form bed to commute to office and back again leaves little contact with green spaces. Try to find somewhere in this cycle to wonder through a garden or take the dog for a walk somewhere green rather than in a concrete jungle.

It’s interesting that brooding thoughts (morbid rumination or chewing over bad things in our lives) were reduced in individuals who walked along quiet tree lined spaces. You can imagine how these negative thought patterns could feed into anxiety and increase stress.

cectimm_sculptures_by_the_ssea_2014_park

One study does not create a rule but the trend is there. Spending a bit of time each day in a green space could really help you out. So why not try it. It’s not going to hurt you… there are no negative side effects… so put on your shoes and start walking 🙂

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pop culture robots, a historical study: wall-e

pop culture robots, a historical study: wall-e

#popculturerobots
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WALL-E is an adorable robot who is left on earth to clean up all of the garbage left by the long-gone human race. Set 700 years in the future, this lovely Pixar/Disney film (2008) explores the life of this lonely robot, how he finds love and helps save the human race. It’s all very lovely and despite the fact that it’s a kids movie, there is plenty in it for the grown ups. I love this film… if you haven’t already seen it then rent it and watch it with your kids… and if you have seen it, watch it again 🙂

Here is the trailer for the film…
[youtube id=”ZisWjdjs-gM” maxwidth=”1000″]

Pop Culture Robots, a Historical Study is an anthropological review of the robots that have graced the pages of our comic books, entertained us in novels and dazzled us on many different types of screens in recent human history.

I will be publishing 15 robot profiles over the coming weeks. Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site).

Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

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my mamma said: eve

my mamma said: eve

#MyMammaSaid
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This is a fantastic bit of advice that is universal in its appeal and application. All you can do is your best.

Problems start when we don’t do our best and then we wonder somewhere in the back of our minds what we could have done to be better. So problem solved, do as Eve’s mum said and “TRY YOUR BEST.” How many of us really do that!?! You can’t go wrong with that.

I recently asked a bunch of people to share with me a piece of advice their mother had given them. Some are wise, others are hilarious but most of all, they are all true.

While the words in these illustrations are direct quotes, the characters are inspired by each advice recipient and are not meant to be an exact likeness. I am only using their first name so they can stay anonymous, if they choose.

Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site). It would be awesome if you could send me your mothers best words of wisdom… it might just help someone else out 🙂

What did your mamma say? Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 31

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 31

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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Although we all know this on some level, there are some lessons we keep learning again and again on deeper levels.

Yesterday was my beautiful mother’s birthday. It was a big birthday and lets say it ends in a “0”. We took her out for lunch to the beautiful Seasalt Restaurant in Cronulla and at the end of a very long and amazing meal the staff came up to ask if the age on my mothers card was a prank or real. They could not believe her age. She has an incredibly youthful or perhaps timeless spirit, is blessed with great genes and stays relevant with the times (not getting stuck in some random old era). It took some convincing and they were stunned as to how young she looks.

I guess this is why I don’t care about age. It’s been drummed into me by my wise mother that it doesn’t matter. I have friends as young as 10 and some as old as 80 years old. We learn different things from the young and the old and being ageist only limits our own experience of the world.

Conversely, many people are so obsessed with age, relying on plastic surgery to stay young and beautiful. It’s sad because if we only focus on the outside, the inside can seem empty and unkept. Saying that, I think it is important to look after yourself, dress well, do your hair and face for yourself as much as for anyone else. Looking after yourself tells you and the world that you matter… and you do.

So let go of any misconceptions you may have that old people are boring or kids are silly. Hanging out with all age groups will fill your life with so much fun and friendship. Also, having a good attitude will help you age with grace and stay beautiful on the inside (and the outside) for a long long time.

If you’re lucky and look after yourself (inside and out) you might grow up to be as beautiful as my gorgeous mum ♥ Happy Birthday Mum… you really are the best & most beautiful mum in the world xo

my mum cectimm

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 31

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 31

Lil Wendy 31
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my mamma said: michelle

my mamma said: michelle

#MyMammaSaid
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The advice Michelle got from her mum seems rather bleak… but this untrusting attitude seems to have skipped a generation. Michelle bucked against this advice and became a very open and trusting person. Sometimes the advice that is given in love shows us what we don’t want to be and that is just fine. It’s up to us to decide to follow advice… good or bad 🙂

I recently asked a bunch of people to share with me a piece of advice their mother had given them. Some are wise, others are hilarious but most of all, they are all true.

While the words in these illustrations are direct quotes, the characters are inspired by each advice recipient and are not meant to be an exact likeness. I am only using their first name so they can stay anonymous, if they choose.

Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site). It would be awesome if you could send me your mothers best words of wisdom… it might just help someone else out 🙂

What did your mamma say? Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

pop culture robots, a historical study: astro boy

pop culture robots, a historical study: astro boy

#popculturerobots
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Astro Boy (AKA Shin Tetsuwan Atomu if you’re Japanese) is a firm favourite from my childhood. This was my first experience with Japanese animation and this style later evolved into anime (another childhood love of mine). In the story (original manga and subsequent TV series) Doctor Tenma loses his son in a car accident and decides to build a robot to replace him. After a year of testing and manufacture Astro Boy is born. This 4 minute video shows the creation and birth of Astro Boy from the 1963 TV show.
[youtube id=”yv_Tb8NhxhY” maxwidth=”1000″]

This is the opening sequence of the 1980 TV show that I grew up with… with lyrics like “Stronger than all the rest, this mighty robot will pass the test, oh villains fear him, so we cheer him, the amazing Astro Boy!” no wonder a 7 year old me fell in love with this colourful do gooder.
[youtube id=”mGY9AOiNtcg” maxwidth=”1000″]

It seems that hollywood only does remakes now days and Astro Boy is no exception. The Australian animation studio behind The Lego Movie, Animal Logic will make a live-action superhero movie based Astro Boy and is scheduled to start shooting it in 2016 (ref. SMH).

Pop Culture Robots, a Historical Study is an anthropological review of the robots that have graced the pages of our comic books, entertained us in novels and dazzled us on many different types of screens in recent human history.

I will be publishing 15 robot profiles over the coming weeks. Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site).

Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

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what i learnt this week :: WEEK 30

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 30

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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Regardless of what is going on in your life… playing with a puppy will make EVERYTHING seem somewhat better.

Our family got a new puppy this week… Archie Brown is the latest addition to Team BB, joining the very senior 16 year old Leroy Brown and the now middle child Jackson Brown. From the moment his paws made contact with the pavers in the front yard Jackson Brown welcomed him to the team with a sniff and a lick.

I love all of my dogs and they give me so much love and joy. There is however, a very special energy that comes from spending time with a puppy. I’m not sure if it’s their frantic energy, playfulness, lack of coordination or pure innocence, but being in their company is somehow rejuvenating. It’s almost as if some of their youthful energy rubs off and makes us feel young again. Whatever it is… it’s wonderful and it’s filled me up with youthful energy 🙂

Maybe you have a dog or maybe you don’t. Maybe you can have a dog and maybe you can’t. But you can always cuddle a dog on the street, walk a neighbours dog or volunteer at a shelter/pound… just get yoself some puppy love and fill your boots.

You can follow the Brown Brothers on Instagram and Twitter.

cectimm_archie_brown_first_day

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 30

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 30

Lil Wendy 30
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pop culture robots, a historical study: k-9

pop culture robots, a historical study: k-9

#popculturerobots
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First appearing in Doctor Who in 1977 in an episode called The Invisible Enemy, K-9 was a robot dog companion invented by Professor Marius in the year 5000. He became a faithful companion to the fourth Doctor played by Tom Baker. K-9 helped out the doctor with a handy concealed laser in his his nose and an encyclopaedic knowledge and artificial intelligence that helped the doctor immensely. The initial K-9 unit was know as “K-9 Mark I” and in 1978 in an episode called The Invasion of Time he decided to stay on Doctor Who’s home planet Gallifrey. More advanced versions of K-9 appeared in later episodes of the series, as well as in a few spin offs.

Pop Culture Robots, a Historical Study is an anthropological review of the robots that have graced the pages of our comic books, entertained us in novels and dazzled us on many different types of screens in recent human history.

I will be publishing 15 robot profiles over the coming weeks. Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site).

Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

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my mamma said: margaret

my mamma said: margaret

#MyMammaSaid
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While Margaret’s mum’s advice is a tad more traditional it still holds true. We have to look after our families and ourselves… so being a good person and going to church is looking after yourself (for some) and looking after your husband just makes sense. You have to assume he is also looking after you at the same time 🙂 if you’ve got each others backs then everything will be alright.

I recently asked a bunch of people to share with me a piece of advice their mother had given them. Some are wise, others are hilarious but most of all, they are all true.

While the words in these illustrations are direct quotes, the characters are inspired by each advice recipient and are not meant to be an exact likeness. I am only using their first name so they can stay anonymous, if they choose.

Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site). It would be awesome if you could send me your mothers best words of wisdom… it might just help someone else out 🙂

What did your mamma say? Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 29

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 29

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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Anyone who knows me knows I eat really well. I don’t entertain any fantasies of being paleo or 100% carbohydrate free (impossible) but I make a point of eating mainly good carbs and keeping the bad ones to a minimum.

This has been the coldest winter in Sydney in 40 years (and I’m really feeling it). I REALLY WANT TO EAT MORE CARBS. I know this is at odds with last weeks post about sugar being the opium of the masses… sometimes it comes down to whatever gets you through.

Today’s bitter cold, icy rain and howling winds have made me want to go carb crazy. There might be an evolutionary reason for this. Perhaps shivering puts demands on our energy needs as our bodies try to keep us warm. Or maybe our bodies think we are entering a new ice age and want to lay down some fat to make sure we survive. Whatever the reason, the desire is strong and I’m not going to fight it. Wholemeal toast with butter or soup with potatoes and noodles or egg and homemade oven potato chips. I say go forth and stock up on carbs… whatever gets you through.

Notice my carb choices are still relatively healthy… I’m not eating buckets of processed foods that have a lot of added yuckies. So carb out but stay sensible and don’t do it for too long… it’s only 45 days till spring and 136 days till summer in Australia so keep your carb loading to days under 15 degrees and we should emerge from winter in decent shape 😛

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 29

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 29

Lil Wendy 29
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pop culture robots, a historical study: bender

pop culture robots, a historical study: bender

#popculturerobots
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I LOVE ROBOTS. I LOVE SCI FI. I LOVE DRAWING.

It was only a matter of time before these three loves would come together in one awesome project.

Pop Culture Robots, a Historical Study is an anthropological review of the robots that have graced the pages of our comic books, entertained us in novels and dazzled us on many different types of screens in recent human history.

Bender is a very cheeky industrial metalworking robot built in 2996 and is a leading character in Matt Groening’s much-loved Futurama (1999 TV Series). He was made in Fábrica Robótica De La Madre (Spanish: “Mom’s Robot Factory”), a manufacturing facility of Mom’s Friendly Robot Company in Tijuana, Mexico but he ends up living in New New York City working with his friends, the crew of the Planet Express delivery space ship. Bender’s wit and disregard for humanity doesn’t get in the way of eventually looking out for his friends. If you haven’t already watched Futurama, then do yourself a favour.

I will be publishing 15 robot profiles over the coming weeks. Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site).

Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

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my mamma said: jo

my mamma said: jo

#MyMammaSaid
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Perfect motherly advice. Jo’s mum got it right. At the end of the day, we will all be the best we can be if we look after ourselves and our siblings and we are never happier than when we can truly be ourselves. Rock on!

I recently asked a bunch of people to share with me a piece of advice their mother had given them. Some are wise, others are hilarious but most of all, they are all true.

While the words in these illustrations are direct quotes, the characters are inspired by each advice recipient and are not meant to be an exact likeness. I am only using their first name so they can stay anonymous, if they choose.

Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site). It would be awesome if you could send me your mothers best words of wisdom… it might just help someone else out 🙂

What did your mamma say? Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 28

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 28

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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I had been sugar free for quite a while… almost two years. In January this year, I had to start a strict elimination diet with the RPA Allergy Clinic and my diet was soooo restricted that the dietician suggested I not worry about the sugar thing until this strict diet was over. So I have gone back on sugar. I haven’t died or anything… but I have noticed a few kilos slowly piling on, less mental clarity and distinct ebb and flow of energy.

I really think that excessive sugar consumption is keeping us all from reaching our fullest potential.

My diet will hopefully be over soon and once I’m eating a broader range of foods I will be able to get back to what I consider to be normal sugar consumption… not a lot of it. Anyone who has gone off sugar will testify to the mental clarity and greater feeling of wellbeing they have.

This week I watched That Sugar Film and it was great. As a scientist it had enough meat to keep me interested and as a consumer of food (aren’t we all) I found it immensely helpful. One amazing tool is to read the label on your food and find out how many grams of sugar it has… then divide that number by 4 (as there are roughly 4 grams of sugar in a tablespoon). This calculation will tell you how many tablespoons of sugar contained in whatever it is you’re about to eat.

The World Health Organisation has recommended we eat no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar a day… that is only 2 tablespoons. I think it’s safe to say that we ALL eat way more than that.

So do whatever it is you have to do to reduce sugar in your diet. It will make your life better.

Also, do yourself a favour and watch That Sugar Film. It should be compulsory viewing 🙂

Watch the trailer…
[youtube id=”6uaWekLrilY” maxwidth=”500″]

that-sugar-film-qa-stephen-fry-isabel-lucas-brento1

I am not affiliated with iTunes or this film and don’t make any money from you clicking through to iTunes to watch it.

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Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 28

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 28

Lil Wendy 28
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my mamma said: cam

my mamma said: cam

#MyMammaSaid
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Cam is always impeccably dressed… however I didn’t know the origins of his dapper stylings. His mother instilled in him a sense of personal pride and it works. If you don’t make an effort to look after yourself, then how can you expect anyone else to. Start with yourself. Great advice Cam’s mum 🙂

I recently asked a bunch of people to share with me a piece of advice their mother had given them. Some are wise, others are hilarious but most of all, they are all true.

While the words in these illustrations are direct quotes, the characters are inspired by each advice recipient and are not meant to be an exact likeness. I am only using their first name so they can stay anonymous, if they choose.

Feel free to share on social media (please link back to my site). It would be awesome if you could send me your mothers best words of wisdom… it might just help someone else out 🙂

What did your mamma say? Get in touch via Twitter, Instagram or by email 🙂

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 27

Lil’ Wendy: 52 week illustration challenge WEEK 27

Lil Wendy 27
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what i learnt this week :: WEEK 27

what i learnt this week :: WEEK 27

#WhatILearntThisWeek
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hibernate

[hi-ber-neyt]

verb (used without object), hibernated, hibernating.

1. Zoology. to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition, as bears and certain other animals.
2. to withdraw or be in seclusion; retire.
3. to winter in a place with a milder climate:

We all hibernate for different reasons. Some people hide out because they are introverted or depressed… others might retreat from the world because of illness or physical limitations. However, most of us do hibernate to some extent in winter. The cold and the darkness make it hard to find the motivation to go out.

This winter in Sydney has been very cold. Too cold for me. I have fully withdrawn myself and will not be leaving the house until the temperature once again raises above 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit).

My excuse is medical but even if you don’t have a solid excuse, it is ok to hide out sometimes… just for a little while. There can be a lot of reflection and repair in some time alone. Just don’t do it for too long and drop out of circulation entirely 🙂

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