Jodene is the co-founder of:
and founder of:
Published January 26th, 2012
A huge thank you to the biggest #FollowSA crowd to date ... 130 people, for making #howzite2012 such a memorable event!
I don’t know whether yesterday, the day of the event, or today was more of a whirlwind. What an incredible event #FollowSA #Howzit2012 turned out to be. My very rough estimate is that #followsa was Tweeted over 1000 times for the event.
The Fire and Ice Melrose Arch team headed by Anton Gillis who just happens to be an amazing DJ on the side. What a bonus
Twitter was an absolute frenzy of Tweets with the hashtag #fireandicema thanks to the generous hospitality of Anton Gillis and his Protea Hotels Fire and Ice team. I don’t have words to express the pride and emotion that filled my night as I took in the venue that made #FollowSA #Howzit2012 the most spectacular event to date.
A special thanks to Karen Battaliou who doubled as an employee and a very dear friend. #FollowSA was born because of my wish that people connected to amazing individuals in the way that I have and K, you are a shining example. Thank you!
The food just never stopped ... wow!
It’s the first time that a venue has catered for a #FollowSA event as part of the sponsorship and the combination of mindbogglingly delicious and the endless supply of it was just spectacular.
I mean, have you EVA?
Yes, that was desert. An unbelievably delicious tower of heavenly pastry, cream, chocolate and strawberry. I’m sure there’s a pic of me walking around with an entire plate full at some point.
Lovoka Milkshakes .... mmmmm
Thanks to Franco D’ Onofrio of Twiga Communications for organising the Lovoka sponsorship so that #followsa could welcome each guest with an adult milkshake that Fire and Ice Melrose Arch hotel is famous for.
Greggie talking the crowd through a very interesting prize from Hustler Girl's store, Hustler Extreme!
A huge thank you to the prize givers, @lovokaSA, @hustlergirl, @daisydeblonde of @lamb_media, @jdhairbeauty and @proteahotels #fireandicema … it’s always such a fun time at the events and with you guys there would surely be something amiss at #followsa
A host of amazing celebs graced the stage
I’m always so humbled by the amazing entertainers who have found their way to the #FollowSA events and found such joy in being a part of the excitement.
Thank you to my dear Sibu Radebe, who I happened to meet through my blogging journey, for stepping in to be emergency MC for the night. You are such a great presence and we were honoured to share the stage with you.
Crushanda Forbes came 3rd in the Idols finals last year and it was so great to have her join us on stage to hand out prizes. Thanks for being such a great sport and for you enthusiasm to be a part of a future #followsa event.
Then there’s Caitlin the electric violinist …
Caitlin, you are an entertainer beyond words and you took the crowd’s breath away by your incredible talent with the violin. Thank you for giving so generously of your time to make #FollowSA #Howzit2012 what it was … and thanks most of all for honouring my special request and playing Cotton Eye Joe for me! I love you kid!!!
I will be posting a video of Caitlin in action for her project me interview on the blog in the near future.
To the new faces and the old, you are #followsa and these events are for you and because of you and on behalf of Greg, Lifeology and me I thank you for every Tweet and every questions that asks: “when is the next #FollowSA event?”
Lastly … to the man in my life who doubles as #FollowSA’s resident photographer, Pat Sloane (and I don’t have a pic because he’s always hiding behind the camera) I thank you for capturing every event as a perfect moment in time, for loving and supporting me and putting up with speed wobble before, during and after every event!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published September 24th, 2011
Today is a special day, not only because it is Jodene’s birthday but also because Jo has asked me to guest blog on Project Me for Day 629.
Let me introduce myself, *ahem* drum roll please…. I am Kimmie otherwise known as Hustler Girl.
Jo and I go waaaaaay back. I knew Jo before Project Me was even a twinkle in her eye. Jo was my Business Management lecturer at Beauty College. Our paths crossed again through the wonderful world of social networking on a little thing called Facebook, you may have heard of it. We reconnected and soon after that Jo started blogging and she hasn’t stopped since!
While I am busy typing this post Jo is off on a well deserved naughty romantic getaway with Mr Unexpected at the Mount Grace Country House and Spa.
Birthdays are always a good time to reflect on the past year and acknowledge all the successes that you have achieved. Jo, I hope that you look back on the last year and give yourself a “PAT” on the back for a job well done! J What a wonderful journey you have been on since starting Project Me. I have watched you grow so much as a person and overcome so many fears. I admire your perseverance and that you continue to push yourself and achieve goals which you thought you never would.
I am so proud to call you my friend. We have shared so many fun times together and I look forward to many more.
I wish you a very Happy Birthday filled with the best things that life has to offer. May all the dreams you have become reality.
You once read out the lyrics to this song at college and it really had an impact on me so I sign off with these lyrics as a reminder that we must live life to the fullest and appreciate and embrace each moment.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be
it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering
experience…I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not
understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and
recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you
imagine.
Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as
effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing
bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that
never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm
on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you
Sing
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with
people who are reckless with yours.
Floss
Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes
you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with
yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you
succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your
life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they
wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year
olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe
you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky
chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t
congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your
choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body,
use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people
think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever
own..
Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for
good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the
people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you
should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and
lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you
knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live
in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will
philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize
that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were
noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one
might run out.
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you’re 40, it will
look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than
it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen…
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published September 16th, 2011
The Bobbi Brown team from Melrose Arch store, a kidnapped Ashwin Willemse and my super special friends ... pic taken by the one and only Pat Sloane
I’m the first to admit that this blog has been a bit blah of late but tonight I got a whole lot of smiling to do. I know my best friend is somewhere between Seattle and San Francisco at this very moment so I’m not even sure if he will be reading this. I don’t think he’s missed a blog in the 620-odd days unless he fakes it really well. Whether he reads it or not, the fact are the same … I miss my boy, but it’s been very empowering having to stand on my own two feet.
I’ve set my GPS to places near and far and I’ve found them all. I’ve discussed finances and make monitory decisions. I’ve requested invoices from the accountant and kept track of the bank account. All the big girl stuff that I just haven’t had to do for as long as Greggie and I have been business partners.
Something is beginning to shift and a part of me knows that there’s a new blossoming of a much bolder and determined person. I started to feel it a few days ago, but had a surge of confidence and self respect when I was surrounded by the most amazing group of women because of one incredible woman.
I fell in love with the story of Bobbi Brown and her journey of creating such a world renowned product before I had ever had the joy of putting a lipstick to my lips or a foundation to my cheek.
It was my first Bobbi Brown experience on Wednesday night and I can’t believe how I felt when I looked around the Melrose Arch store and saw the women who surround me. I got to bring 9 of my closest and it was so easy to choose them. Most of these super ladies have met me through Twitter … actually, besides Hustler Girl who reconnected with me on Facebook, we are all Twit friends. Well, Khanyi is more of an extension of Twitter because I was invited to an event that she was at, but we were Twit friends before the night was through. Liesl, Liza, Michele and Lindsey are all definitely Twits and Carol is another great extension of my social media life.
It was such a joy to see everyone having fun, switching off from our worlds for a moment and getting lost in the girlie world of makeup. It was an even greater joy knowing that my journey of blogging and dedication to my career brought us all together.
And … amidst the crowd of friends and talented Bobbi Brown Makeup artists was the other boy. The very special boy … Mr Unexpected. It’s just as awesome to see that my photographer, who is now my man is so loved and cherished by my friends. So much so that he was asked to gate crash the rest of the girl’s night out that extended to dinner just before our Kleenex girl’s night out.
It’s always bound to happen with this crowd and no one was letting SA’s dishy rugby player, Ashwin Willemse walk past the store without being dragged in for the final pic of our Bobbi Brown experience.
I’m also grinning from ear to ear because my new friend and an inspiration for every person who has a dream, Tazz Nginda finally got his cute ass onto Twitter. Don’t worry, Mr Unexpected knows all about my admiration of this sexy actor, model and role model.
For a meeting that was supposed to be quick few minutes to do a few adjustments to Tazz’s social media presence, we ended up talking for hours. It’s definitely one of the reasons I snapped my attitude back into shape. Listening to the story a boy who had a dream and is living it despite all the odds … that’s project me. Just like I share my story with others and hope it inspires people to do one little thing that could get them that little bit closer to their dreams … I need that too.
Between Bobbi Brown, Tazz Nginda, a loving best friend, a treasure boyfriend and the most rocking friends a girl could ask for and a kleenex girl’s night out … I’m BACK!
As always … a big thank you to Instant Grass and The Venus Networks for making my Bobbi Brown Experience a reality!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published July 18th, 2011
Book tickets by clicking the sizzling hot pic and heading off to the Joburg Theatre website
I’m not a journalist, entertainment blogger or dance critic. I’m a girl who is blogging her way through life and was lucky enough to be invited to the opening night of Burn the Floor at the Joburg Theatre on my 560th day.
I’m that girl who left a sick boyfriend at home for my mother to take care of. Whose day was filled with worry and nursing that I hadn’t blogged day 559 yet. Who had the looming return to gym after only getting over my own sickness. Who … was that the most perfect body on a man I have ever seen?
Um … where was I? Worries? What worries?
That’s the power of this incredible dance production called Burn the Floor.
As quoted by the Joburg Theatre: “From Harlem’s hot nights at The Savoy, where dances such as the Lindy, Foxtrot and Charleston were born, to the Latin Quarter where the Cha-Cha, Rumba and Salsa steamed up the stage, BURN THE FLOOR takes audiences on a journey through the passionate drama of dance. The elegance of the Viennese Waltz, the exuberance of the Jive, the intensity of the Paso Doble – audiences will experience them all, as well as the Tango, Samba, Mambo, Quickstep and Swing.”
What next? How do I? When is the right time to? Why would anyone want to? If I try this will it? That’s how most of my thoughts begin and it’s always a day of incessant self questioning … until …
I don’t do it often. Actually I don’t do it at all. This mind of mine never stops and even when I’m trying to meditate I never get very far without my bossy and noisy brain taking over the process. I used to love reading but haven’t done it in ages because my head won’t shut up and I find myself re-reading paragraphs far too often. Music almost gets it right for me, but never for very long and I’m the first to say that’s the furthest away from ‘project me’ that I should be with myself.
I love the theatre thanks to the cultured flair that my best friend has added to my life and I’ve seen many productions in my time. I’ve loved a whole bunch of them, but I can’t say when last I had a moment such as last night. To review a production like this must be fun with words like sizzling, steamy, hot-t-t and spectacular, but for me, it was a ‘project me’ moment that is rare and very personal.
I contemplated canceling because the collective questions asks if you should leave the man you love at home while you go to the theatre? ‘Project me’, on the other hand, tries to show the world that it’s okay to put myself first, have fun and still live totally within my integrity. It didn’t feel that way when I left him fast asleep and knew he would wake up, sick and alone. It didn’t feel that way while driving in the car and while waiting for the show to begin. Even though I was surrounded by my special friends including Greggie, Jared who was instrumental in my being at the show and Hustler Girl who was my +1 after Mr Unexpected couldn’t make it. Still … I had all those ‘what if’s’ floating through my head and felt like the most uncaring woman in the world for leaving him.
Follow all the sexy and talented dancers from Burn the Floor on Twitter
And then … nothing … but everything all at once.
If I breathed, I don’t remember. What I do remember it the total stillness of my mind as I watched the most spectacular dance production I have seen. The description says it all but words can never captivate the experience of the combination of powerful voices and flawless dance.
Of course the nattering of my mind began the second the curtain rose and all I wanted to do was get home … well, that was until the dancers all began to emerge and mingle with the crowd. Bless the Joburg Theatre for their hospitality and flowing wine that kept most people sipping instead of drooling. Where beautiful bodies and talent collide … it’s easy to forget about a sick man … but not forever though.
Reality always returns after a night as mesmerising as this and when I got home I did my usual … cry! While the tears were flowing I had a thought. I saw the most incredible partnerships on that stage. The ultimate in trust as one partner throws, catches and twirls another. It could never have been that flawless in the beginning. I bet a dancer or two where dropped on their head. There must have been tears and pain and hours of exhaustion that created something so spectacular … and all of a sudden my mind fell silent once again … to dream!
Jozi peeps and Tweeps … I would love to go see Burn the Floor again, so if you are keen please Tweet me @jodenecoza and let’s make a Tweetup out of it!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published July 3rd, 2011
Once again, I’m always thrilled about the truth of my fears that I speak so that when these things actually occur I’m not saying that I promised I thought that or wished I had mentioned something else. We all have our own pattern of sabotage and for some reason I decided to make my journey a very physical and painful one.
One week into gym, one week into a gorgeous relationship, doing things in my career that I only dreamed of and having lost weight within the first 7 days of getting my act together. How does my body react?
I’m not going to go into the crazy thoughts of my mind to try and figure out why, but I am going to tell you that in conjunction with what I’m telling you, I’m adding some alternative healing to my ‘project body’ regime.
I have to because what I’m about to tell you is gross, painful and of course … a little embarrassing. Yes, you know me! That’s why I have to tell you … because carrying shame is the one that kicks addiction back in and I’m not in any mood for that.
It all started as a very painful moment on the loo. One that I thought would just pass if I did a home remedy or two for a very swollen back end. I was relieved that Mr Unexpected didn’t spend his week nights here and did my best to hide the absolute agony I was in. Of course, Greggie saw it all over my face and thank heavens for the friendship we have … I can tell him anything. The girlie bits weren’t feeling so great either but I still pushed on and even dragged myself to gym the following morning.
It eventually got so bad that I had to tell my mom too because I needed to reduce some crazy fears that were going on in my head and by the time I phoned Hustler Girl (in an absolute state) with horrid sores all the way down there … I knew it was doctor time.
Believe it or not, I suffered through the whole exciting evening of Social Media Day and even loved how much better my body is looking while my special man took full length body shots of me and reflected how well I am already doing. That aside … I was in agony that night and faked my whole way through. The excitement and magic of the evening dulled some of the discomfort, pain and embarrassment but that was it … Mr Unexpected was sleeping at me that night.
I teach this stuff, so I have to live it. I had to tell him what was wrong and it was so amazing to feel safe and supported.
So it goes like this. It seems I have shingles down there … OMG … if there is any way to describe the pain then please feel free, because it’s beyond words for me. I was thinking today that when you have one pain you always say it is far worse than another pain you once thought you would never survive. Seriously … this is worse … no, seriously.
So it’s no gym for me next week and of course that throws me in a state, but project body is about building a relationship with my body, so there is no time to get angry at me. I’m super proud of myself for remaining healthy through these horrid days and I’m so touched that my man has cooked me every meal I have needed to eat.
I didn’t stand on the scale and I haven’t drunk the water I am supposed to, but tea has been comforting me and well … peeing has been so ouch that I’ve kinda been dodging the gallons. It might not be the best thing, but it’s the one that keeping me from going totally insane right now.
Not the post you expected I bet, and not the post I ever expected to share. I contemplated this for days and was going to tell a half baked story to just get by … but that’s not ‘project me’ and it’s not what you would expect either. Thank you for being you so that I can be me … no matter how sore or potentially embarrassing it is!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published June 20th, 2011
Like having country music in common wasn’t a sign from the get go?
I’ve heard this song 100 times and even posted it on Facebook and Tweeted because it as one of my faves:
We were sittin’ up there on your momma’s roof
Talkin’ bout everything under the moon
With the smell of honeysuckle and your perfume
All I could think about was my next move
Oh, but you were so shy and so was I
Maybe that’s why it was so hard to believe
When you smiled and said to me…
Are you gonna kiss me or not
Are we gonna do this or what
I think you know I like you a lot
But you’re ’bout to miss your shot
Are you gonna kiss me or not
I thought nothing of it when Mr Unexpected and myself where playing it over again the car when we went grocery shopping and while we cooked dinner.
Who is Mr Unexpected? I knew you’d ask!
Unbelievably I have known this special man since before the blog even existed and only when I thought about blogging did I realise that I have never mentioned him. I’m not even analysing if that’s a good or bad thing, but the fact is that the whole time there has been a dear friend by my side and all of a sudden there’s an unexpected story to tell.
We met on a dating site but never actually met. It took months and months … and months to get that right and I don’t think we met at the right time at all. By then I had decided there was too much water under the bridge and taken it very personally that we had not tried harder to make a plan and meet sooner. The truth is that we bonded way before we met and I was settled into a friendship by the time we stood face to face.
We have grown into awesome friends and are comfortable enough with each other to be the most vulnerable and real. Through it all I only saw friendship. So he’s become the guy I talk to about other guys. The one I call to come cook with me when I’m cold, lonely or … just because. Sometimes we sit for hours, both on our laptops and we don’t even have to talk much.
Saturday was one of those typical nights where we listened to country music, worked on our laptops and cooked dinner together. Mr Unexpected knows all my fears and insecurities to his hugs and gentle smiles were so much more appreciated. And then it happened … I went to show him all my Yule branches, acorns and pine cones in my room and we ended up lying comfy on the bed. Mr Unexpected fell asleep and I didn’t want him to go home, so I did what any 37 year old woman would do. I went to my mom and asked her what the hell to do … she basically shoved me in the room and slammed the door.
We could do this. We could fall asleep as friends as wake up as friends.
At this point I can imagine Hustler Girl giggling with an ‘I told you so’ smirk on her face.
Should I be surprised that it got to that point? That … are you gonna kiss me or not, point? We could do this. We could kiss and sleep and wake up as friends.
At this point I can imagine Hustler Girl chuckling wickedly with that ‘I saw this coming’ grin.
To explain everything that went though my head over he next few minutes is impossible but needless to say the kissing went well and as they say in the modern day classics ‘…’
We could do this, we could ‘…’ and wake up in the morning and still be friends.
And Hustler Girl (who clearly has been saying this for months and I’ve been slapper her silly notions away) is now doing the air-punch and yelling ‘YES’.
Needless to say, it was the most special time and a scary space to be in the morning after. It’s also a test of so many things … a friendship most of all.
We both had our totally insecure moments after he left and I have to admit that we aren’t great at communicating face to face, but when we get onto skype all the truth comes bubbling out.
So here’s my version of where we are. We are friends who realised that there’s a bond that far overshot our expectations. We are both just taking it one day at a time and we are both hoping the other will share their fears as they creep up and before we do crazy things with the situation in our own head.
In between the ‘…’ I would like to share my ‘project me’ lesson. Apparently I was the last to know that this is where Mr Unexpected and I would end up. So what’s my lesson? Sometimes you are the last to know but don’t fight the inevitable just to prove yourself right (when you are so wrong) and when you are faced with the choice ti kiss you friend or not …
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published June 3rd, 2011
This is one of those typical days that people ask me about. The days where I have 30 minutes at home to blog and get ready to go out. Why is it 6pm and I haven’t blogged the whole day? Well … most of it is secret!
Good secrets though … but things that I’m waiting for the final signature on the dotted line before I talk about celebs I helping to socialise online, two new sponsors, an opportunity to write for a magazine and date for ‘project me’ and Organic O talks.
You might not be thrilled that it’s all secret, but I’m so stoked because I don’t have to write very much tonight … Now I have to leave in about 25 minutes!
The main reason why I’m so freaking rushed is because my poor car’s battery has officially died. It’s been a very hard working little battery and served me to the bitter end. I’m on a plane to Cape Town on Sunday morning and time is so tight that we decided to fix the car when I get back and I would share the car with my mom for the next few days.
Why are those the days when we both need the car? So it’s been juggling meetings, fetching international guests from airport drop-offs and entertaining her this evening so that we can carpool.
Luckily it’s an easy convincing seeing as though we are going to a gorgeous Jozi restaurant with my precious friend, Hustler Girl to see my newfound friend Emmanuel singing. (More about that tomorrow seeing as though I now have 20 minutes!)
So … clearly there are thrilling things to share with you and it will all be revealed as I get the confirmation along the way.
The one thing that I do get to tell you is that I intend to prove that you can make a living as a blogger and social influencer in South Africa. If you are in SA you know how large a statement that is. If you are anywhere else in the world and that challenge seems easy … it’s not! We have a whole lot of catching up to do with the power of the online space and I have every intention of being fundamental in paving the way … that’s no secret!
Right … 15 minutes to pretty myself up for dinner, international guests, awesome friends, mommy & me time and SA talent!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 26th, 2011
The standard ‘project me’ joke is that I say I don’t complain often (but I do) and it’s going to be a short blog (but it never is). So tonight I’m going to try not complain, but fok it’s cold. Keeping it short might be on the cards because I’ve had a very offish day!
Of course I didn’t tell anyone around me, but it’s also why I’ve left blogging until the very last moment.
Blog wise, it’s been so exciting that I don’t quite know what to do with myself, so let’s share the positive. Today I got to interview Stephen van Niekerk for Your Project Me Story. For my international friends, he is one awesome South African actor and I have been honoured to get to know Stephen and slowly share my passion for blogging and social networking and its endless possibilities with him. When everything fell into place and one of the charities he supports had it’s national day on the same day as the scheduled interview (ok, I coordinated that a little), I woke up so excited.
The rest of me woke up freezing cold and irritated that the landlords haven’t sorted out what they promised to and I ended up acting like a big baby and sleeping with my mom behind locked doors last night, because the alarm still isn’t working.
Back to the excited part of me that had a glimmer of being a part of the National Soup Day in Stephen’s featured post. The whole start to the day got me thinking and I couldn’t quite shake the feeling that a part of ‘project me’ will always be the platform to allow others the use it as a voice. I’m very stuck on not calling people needy, less fortunate and I watch how I use the word charity.
In combination with the build up to the Twitter Blanket Drive and the CANSA event that Lifeology is a part of and that my very talented business partner, Greg Arthur is singing in, I felt the need to explain what ‘charity’ means to me. I won’t do it tonight because I said I wasn’t in the blogging mood, but I know it’s going to become an integral message in ‘project me’.
Tomorrow is Greggie’s birthday and it’s dinner at my house. My dearest friend, Hustler Girl is stressed because life is in that scary about to fall over the edge part of the journey. So the other part of my day was filled with what to cook for my special friends in the combination of happy and scary times. Last night I invented an awesome recipe of chopped herbs, lemon, garlic, chilli and reduced fat cream for the grilled chicken. Of course it was a hit, but I can’t repeat one day later … sigh! That also got me thinking that it seriously is time to start recording some of my recipes. As a Pagan witchin’ in the kitchen, I should be …
I’m obviously very nervous to begin ‘project body’ and I’ve decided to start it when we return from Cape Town on the 14th of June. Oh, did I forget to tell you that? Thanks to the incredible peeps of 6 on Thirteenth, Greggie and I are off to combine some work and writing (well, I’m writing) for a good few days. In the time that I have been writing my novel, two of my friends have published theirs. My dad was still alive when I started writing it … I mean really! So it’s time to get down and do it and I’m hoping a wet winter in Cape Town is the perfect place.
Okay, about 200 words short of normal … but about 400 words more than planned! See you all on day 512 … the big Birthday!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 14th, 2011
A part of me can’t believe that I am writing my 499th post and other part of me can feel every moment of every word that has been typed. Sometimes I can’t live without it and other times I can’t believe I ever started it.
Today I had a mini primary school reunion. A part of me felt rushed and just wanted to get back to sorting out arrangements for tomorrow’s big #D500 party. On the other hand, it was so good to get together and catch up after about 25 years. Of course, both moments are thanks to the same thing … social networking.
Without Facebook, the 3 of us would not have connected and without Twitter I would not have the platform to have shared my blog with the world. Well, I would not even have a blog had it not become one of the post powerful forms of communication.
I’ve had a very melancholy few days and I keep bursting out crying with excitement and then overwhelming amazement at the journey. In all the emotion I’ve reflected on how I got to tomorrow being so supported, online and off and I’ve realised this … besides my mother and my best friend/business partner Greggie, every other person surrounding me is a part of my life thanks to social networking.
EVERY!!!!
Then I thought about the turning point when I knew that the blog went from being a commitment for 365 day to an open journey with limitless possibility … it was the day I looked at my blog and saw ‘sponsors’ in red writing and went … “WOW … I have sponsors”!
There is something in that. Something in someone believing in you so much that they put their brand behind you, spend time or money on you and encourage you to carry on way beyond 365, with a promise to be by your side.
I have those sponsors and I ask you to indulge me as I thank each one of them for their role in making ‘project me’ what it is today.
The gorgeousness of this blog is all thanks to Bruce Young and his combination of patience and web design genius.
Bruce, thank you for the countless hours committed to bringing ‘project me’ to life. I have requested the impossible and expected everything to happen at the click of a button. I have crashed my site and turned it upside down and each time, there you are … my knight in shining web designed armour!
Hustler Girl, where do I begin to thank you for the support and dedication to my blog and our friendship?
Never once did I question the need for the sponsorship of your adult store. When it comes to being a single girl with an open mind about sex, it is refreshing to know that there is someone in the industry with the compassion, care and discreet respect for every client. It’s the greatest joy and fun to be able to call on you during the single days and the attached ones (as fleeting as they have been of late!)
I think that the journey with weight never leaves a person whether they get to their goal or not. Obviously the whole point of ‘project me’ is to show that it’s more about the purpose than the goal and that is a difficult route to take when dealing with a sponsorship that is driven by the scale or the tape measure.
I don’t know how to explain my gratitude for this sponsorship or how to thank Niel for taking his time to understand the choice to not follow the route of the goal, but to live the purpose. Your support has been unfailing and after I injured my back and couldn’t train for month while the weight crept back on, you kept cheering me on. Your product is truly all it promised to be and still it stick within my beliefs that you might have support, but you still have to do the work yourself. Thank you for believing in me … always!
Tracey, when my mother told me that you had heard my story of having teenage skin in my (late) 30′s and wanted to sponsor my blog, I was beyond thrilled. Every day that I wash my face, put on my day or night cream and look at myself in the mirror and smile at my clear skin … I give thanks to you and the amazing product your represent.
I got told that I looked ten years younger than I am but it was when the person nearly fell over at my real age that I said: “It’s thanks to my amazing sponsor, Regim A!”
This sponsorship began in an instant, with a touch of spice and a warmth of hospitality.
To ‘my family’ at Thava Indian Restaurant, I am blessed to have you share so many special moments where you feed my friends, family and myself. When I was sick in bed for months, you bought me food. When I have had celebrations, you have opened your hearts to my guests. You have rescued my sister during shock Joburg floods and you have fed my heart with an unfailing warmth.
As for the food … well, I don’t say you’re the best in town for nothing!
The new kid on the block:
I hate having my picture taken. Okay, I hated having my picture taken and now I can handle having my picture taken. I am tired of hearing that there are rules to photography and that what I look like is what the world must see. It’s not easy trying to explain what it’s like being a bigger woman and wanting to feel sexy in front of the camera. Well, it wasn’t easy until Pat Sloan entered the picture and told me how he specialises in photographing woman for boudoir shots. Pat, for the first time ever I have felt ‘semi’ comfortable with a camera in my face. The picture featured on my post tonight is that very confirmation … wow, I love me in that shot!
I thank you for the comfort with which you make me feel and for making me brave making the camera my friend … here’s to my boudoir shoot (a few weeks down the line of course).
My #D500 Sponsors
Well am I not just the luckiest girl to have the awesome duo of mom and son sponsoring my big day! Bev and Matt, you have been unfailing in your support and your excitement for tomorrow. I am honoured to be inspired by your passion to shine.
Thank you for the support when the wheels fell of and for helping every step of the way. I can’t wait for everyone to see the Kathy van Zeeland bags and to give one away courtesy of 6 on Thirteenth.
I have a sneaky suspicion that this is just the first step along and exciting journey of collaboration and celebrations.
I fell in love with the venue before I even walked in the door and with every step through it I just knew that I wanted to host #D500 at Cafe Culture.
Kerry, you have embraced this special day with such excitement and have the same vision as me for the endless possibility of networking and socialising as the greatest tool to explore endless possibility.
I see myself sharing your venue with so many people, be if for project me or any of the other products within Lifeology. I can’t wait to taste the prego rolls you are raving about … oh, and the potato wedges. I know they are going to be worth a few tweets.
Project Me would love to welcome more sponsors on board and now has advertising space, so please read more about it where it says ‘sponsorship/advertising’ in the tool bar.
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 8th, 2011
You know when you get a song stuck in your head and you don’t quite know how to get rid of it? Well I don’t have a song … I have 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, … I kid you not.
Since finding the ultimate venue with the ultimate sponsors to celebrate ‘project me’ day 500 with me, I can feel the countdown tick down with every heartbeat! So it went from being a little frazzled (ok, a lot frazzled) that the initial venue got canceled at the last moment, but life lesson no. 132 354 is that everything really does happen for a reason.
I’ve decided to hold back on the venue and sponsors … and the plans for the big event (that started as my idea to have a pot of soup on the stove for a couple of friends) as the countdown continues and I make plans.
Yep … every day for the next week you’re gonna know exactly what’s going on as I build up to a day that was never on my vision board, not in my affirmations and beyond my wildest dreams.
I spend my life telling Greg that “I just wanna write”. I never said what, how or where because those are the ‘hows’ … the little details that get us all caught up and tripping over the rocks instead of stepping over them along our path to happiness.
Of all the joys in the near 500 days … the people I have met have been my greatest gift. The fellow bloggers around the world, the Twitter followers who are friends without ever having met, the followers who are now truly friends (hng on, my … fell off nd my brother hs to put it bck on!) aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa … laptop sponsorship anyone?
Back to where I was … oh right, the incredible people that I am celebrating in a mere week’s time. There are so many and in the days that creep up, I will be thanking everyone. But for now … I have to thank my two bestest friends!
How lucky can one girl be?
Not one, but two totally nutty, off the wall and incredibly loving and supportive friends in one lifetime.
So I might have asked them to pose a little for the pic, but I literally had to tell these two clowns, Greggie and Hustler Girl, to repeat the faces they genuinely pull and Tweet the things that fall out of their mouth with reckless abandon.
That’s my ‘thank you’ to these two treasures in my life. I have needed a lot of encouragement and coaxing to allow my personality to flow through the blog and it has been these magical souls and my observation of how they throw themselves into the world and realised that it’s a much better place to be.
I have an odd feeling that every day is going to have the following sentence in it: “I cried today because …” and I have an even more sneaky suspicion that a box of kleenex of 7 should be scattered around the exquisite venue.
So … one incredible new ‘project me’ sponsor is soon to be announced and thanks to them, I have the ideal venue. It’s a rush but invites go out tonight and tomorrow. A little ‘project me’ exercise is to breathe and trust that invites aren’t going out too late with the venue change glitch.
The second massive ‘project me’ thing is to get over my uptight personality and let it go that I sent out a save the date to friends and the time is changing for the third time. Well, the only thing constant is change … right!
So now it’s mother’s day and I do have so much to celebrate with the special mother that I have … but she gets her own blog dedication this week. So have yourselves a beautiful Sunday wherever you are and if you are a mom, have a mom or miss a mom … my love goes out to you!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
