Jodene is the co-founder of:
and founder of:
Published July 16th, 2011
What gets me blogging every single day of me life?
That’s always an interesting question and I would have to listen back to the radio interview this morning to see if I actually used the words “auto pilot”. If I did I don’t think that’s entirely true. While I sit here and type, my mother is finally home and I have a million things I want to tell her. In the other room, I have a very sick man who is fast asleep at 7pm and I know he’s not over-dramatising man flu. I could feel as though I were torn in three places at one time, but the truth is that the only place I want to be is right here, typing this post.
The combination of the comfort of my traditional cup of tea and the sifting through my thoughts as I share my day, is my saving grace right now.
Still, Mr Unexpected woke up at sparrows and made sure he got me to the SABC building way before time. I’m never shy to confess that it’s stressful enough for me to do new things without also having to find my way there. Don’t tell me that GPS makes it easier, but it my world, it just doesn’t. Of course it was much easier to find and navigate my way to and through the building, but I still would have wanted him by my side.
My little piece of paper was the other comfort that freed up my mind from the totally ego thought that I actually have no clue what I’m talking about. It was the thought of those big earphones and a microphone in my face that made it all feel too big for me. Greggie always gives me the eye when I say the words ‘just’ or ‘little’ when referring to all I have achieved with the blog and within the online space.
That little piece of paper was filled with stats about South Africa in the social networking sphere and all the Mashable social media day numbers from around the world.
Myself with Angela Ludek and Tsheko Mosito of the Radio 2000 FM breakfast show
From the moment Tsheko Mosito from Radio 2000 contacted me, I felt like that social influencer that I have worked so hard at becoming. It’s impossible to make myself look the roll at 7:30am but I felt it all fall into place from the moment Tsheko walked me into the studio.
I love the irony of my interview and the journey that I suddenly find myself in. Angela Ludek, the bright and bubbly (even on Saturday at 7:30am) breakfast show host is nowhere to be found. No, not in the real world, but in my world of Twitter, Facebook or any other platform you can think of. I loved the instant connection between us and I can see the underlying passion for our beautiful country, sharing knowledge and the power of social media.
The thought of being on air for 30 minutes freaked me out most of all and I truly had thoughts of me not knowing enough about social media to fill that time. Okay, so I still have some ‘project me’ work to do on my esteem, me thinks.
Not only did the words just tumble out of my mouth, did it feel totally natural and did I want to carry on speaking forever … but 30 minutes flew by ridiculously fast. So fast, in fact, that I only got to use one line out of all my notes on my little piece of papers. I was thrilled to be able to share the concept of #followSA, which sparked the realisation that this interview was just the tip of the ice berg. With the next guest waiting in the wings, a date was set for 5 weeks time and my next on-air chat with Angela … which let to the invitation to do regular features about Social Media every 5 weeks.
I’m stoked … I needed to hear myself reminisce on such a fantastic experience and not rip anything apart. The old me, pre ‘project me’ would have found fault with everything, yet I felt perfect.
This post and my entire journey would be incomplete if it were not for the social networking platforms that have create the beautiful people in my world. To all the Twits who sent such special message, my Facebook friends for love and to my dear friend, China Doll, who streamed the interview all the way in Hong Kong … you guys are truly awesome!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published June 8th, 2011
With DJ Fresh at the #TBD
It’s another awesome day in Cape Town and I’m thrilled to be sitting indoors and avoiding being blown away by a wind that this Jozi girl seriously is not used to. I’m clinging to my handbag that is big enough to fit a laptop into and wondering if it’s going to pick up speed and carry me away. I hear the weather in Jozi is no better and now I’m beginning to understand why there is so much back and forth complaining about who moans more about the weather. At this point, the competition is stiff between Jozi and Cape Town.
It’s one thing to be blown away by a gust of wind, but another by the overwhelming things that are beginning to happen with ‘project me’ on a personal level and with the blog. We all know that when something very exciting happens I immediately want to cry and the past few days have been filled with moments like that.
I began blogging because a movie inspired me to, but more than that, I wanted to show people that it is possible to live in truth, integrity and to make dreams a reality even when I wasn’t sure if it were truly possible myself. The whole point of being goalless but purposeful is proved more and more each day because where I thought I would be and where I am are world apart. Honestly, I’m much happier with where I am than where I dreamed of being. The purpose hasn’t changed at all and my voice is being heard while I prove that what we teach through Lifeology can be achieved.
Yes, I’m still freaking out about money, but hanging onto those dreams through financial pressure might be the greatest lesson of all. Putting all financial drama aside, I have to say that I think I have had the most mind blowing couple of days where the power of social networking takes my breath away.
It was an honour to be involved in the Twitter Blanket Drive in Jozi and that is getting a special blog after a few more incredible blanket donations are complete. More than that, I couldn’t believe how many people read my blog and were following me on Twitter. It might not seem like a big thing, but people aren’t great at commenting on blogs and sometimes I feel as though it might be sitting in a studio at a radio station. You never quite know who is listening and I’m sure every DJ has at least one moment of feeling as though they are talking to themselves.
I had a few people who wanted to meet me and in return there are always going to be people that I want to meet in exchange. I had those moments too. I Tweet and blog because I love it and I chat to people who inspire and motivate me, so it’s mind blowing to finally acknowledge that I have that impact on the world.
My little milestone was being followed back by DJ Fresh. Not because I’m a groupie, but because I have plans to get as many people sharing and living their ‘project me’ story that an awesomely powerful voice sure will get a little extra wind in my sail. There are celebs and then there are those who I believe do things from the heart. I have started to wonder whether people will think I have any hidden motives besides just spreading the power of ‘project me’. I guess it goes with the territory, but it was refreshing to see a man with such a following and the most down to earth spirit … I needed that! Now to get Fresh to tell his ‘project me’ story for us and trust me, I’m working on that.
The hugest thank you goes to Fred Felton, who I met on Twitter and feel as though we have been friends for years. Fred also did a blog post on the Twitter Blanket Drive and the power of social networking and I got a mention that was so good for the esteem.
I can’t believe what Cape Town has been like. Greggie and I arrived here with an empty calendar and the determination to make this trip as productive as possible … and wow it has been.
All through the power of Twitter and Facebook, we have had meetings and exciting things happen. Business opportunities have sprung from a Tweet and no one has to whip out their diaries and only see you in a week’s time. I’m loving the energy of Cape Town and am grateful that I don’t think I would cope with the wind or I might have moments of not wanting to go home.
Of all the wind sailing moments, mine came this morning when ‘project me’ stats did something I have been waiting for since about November last year. I had one day where my daily visits hit about 810 and I thought they would just keep climbing with ease, but they settled into around the 650 per day figures. I always stress when I am away from my laptop and am only learning that I don’t have to retweet my posts like a nut, because people are finally reading my blog because they want to. Today I woke up to 1068 visits for yesterday and I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am.
I never started blogging for any of this. I started it because I wasn’t finding that I could stick to what I was teaching and when I watched Julie and Julia I had a brainwave. Never did I think that Social Networking would become an avenue of my career … so I hope you aren’t thinking about where you are going, but are focusing on why you are choosing what you are at this very moment. The reason should be no more than making sure you are having fun, living in your truth and with purpose!
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 June 1st, 2011
I can’t believe the day is nearly done and this is the first moment I’ve had to sit down and blog. Reflecting on the hours I have a picture of a day that truly bounced between moments of perfection and disillusion. I know life is supposed to be like that, but some days the pendulum swings so rapidly that it feels as though I’m going to fall of the edge of the my world.
I think of Soldier Guy in the middle of the icy depths of Canada and I know we don’t even begin to get the concept of winter here, but it was freaking freezing this morning. I only had a meeting at 10am and still I was petrified to face the cold.
The morning was filled with excitement and the prospects of a new sponsor (that I will soon be calling ‘partners’) in Project Me and more specifically, Project Body. Straight after that I had a meeting with an SA magazine that I have heard so much about and I have been looking forward to meeting the team. I wouldn’t have the courage to go ahead with ‘project body’ if I didn’t have the support of some very special people. One of those people is ‘project me’ sponsor, Niel of Slimlab. It made the moment even more thrilling knowing that Niel would be a part of both of the meetings.
All dressed up and heading out into the cold was tough enough, but when my poor car wouldn’t start (again) I felt completely disillusioned. Clearly something is wrong! It’s either the battery or something draining the battery and there truly isn’t the finances to have car trouble now. I’m not a ‘why me’ girl and I don’t believe that we are punished by the gods, but I did throw my hands up in the air and give a glare to whoever was looking down on me.
The rest of the day went pretty much the same … awesome meeting, and I officially have a personal trainer. It might be all exciting but I’m not a morning girl (seriously) and exercising with this back injury scares the living daylights out of me. I’m blessed that Patrick (who I will introduce to you formally in an upcoming blog) is so spunky and excited about this venture of ours. I’m also blessed to have Niel tell Patrick not to let me get away with my antics (shit) even if I burst out crying … and we all know how often I do that. I have gym at 8am in the mornings from the week after next and don’t anyone dare tell me they go to gym at 5am … I can’t help it if you’re nuts!
It’s always glaringly obvious that Lifeology’s philosophy is so different when we try and collaborate with others and I am feeling the pressure of making sure that our philosophy and that of the magazine align, but that’s what Friday’s meeting is about.
While sitting in that very exciting meeting and breathing life into ‘project body’, I got an email telling me that my proposal to socialise a company online had not been chosen over another company. I would have been gutted were I not sitting amidst so much positivity … unfortunately positivity doesn’t pay the bills and I feel the stress mounting.
Isn’t this just a typical end of the month post? Money! Stress! Doubt!
And then I get asked to socialise a prominent SA personality! I get to set up his blog and website for him and help him use all his social platforms to his advantage. I’m so excited I don’t know what to do with myself.
In that very breath, there are some technical things I can’t do on the blog and although I’m happy to help him out, not everyone else is on the same page with energy exchange as I am. So excitement turns to a bit of fear about tomorrow.
When I stress, I cough and a lung almost detaches from it’s tendons (or something anatomy life that) and after a phone call to find out why I didn’t land the job, the coughing spree began. The tipping point is that the other company was hired for a whole lot of reason that has nothing to do with the online platform. Being well connected has nothing to do with creating the right platforms for social media … but I felt better understanding that it wasn’t my offering or my quote. It’s still yet another ‘no’ from a once was potential client.
I can give you a whole lot more examples of the yo-yo my day had, but I think we all get the drift! This morning I was doing my visualisation and imagining the successes, work, published books, online presence, public appearances … blah, blah … but most of all, I saw the impact I made in the South African psyche when it comes to the online space. I saw South Africa actually getting the concept, implementing it and catching up to the rest of the world and that made the roller coaster ride a little more bearable!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 19th, 2011
Fantastic, another day of forgetting to blog and then rushing from one thing to the next. Yesterday a doctor friends said that in the medical profession you can only really count your success after you have been in practice for 1 000 days. It’s it ironic that he made such a statement when the last thing I feel like doing tonight is blogging.
You’ve all asked what happens on the days I don’t want to … so here it is!
I’ve sat the whole day trying to do quotes for socialising other people’s businesses (which is my passion) but I hate dealing with figuring out what to charge for each individual client. I come from the spa background where everything had a set price. A body massage was so much and a facial was so much. Cut and dry. No assessing what the person needs and evaluating my time. It stresses me out beyond belief. I am trying very hard to ‘project me’ myself right before going to my very dear friends for dinner … but I am frazzled.
It doesn’t help that the damn ‘A’ of my laptop keeps flying off after a sentence or two. That does make me put the brat down for a moment and say that I’m totally thrilled at the fact that a friend of Greggie’s and mine (God only knows if that is correct english … me/mine/I) spoke to his IT solutions guy and he’s more than happy to sponsor a laptop. There’s a dance of joy in there somewhere.
I now have to climb in the car and explain to my dearest business partner that he treats me exactly like my father used to. Not loving any of them any less … just don’t test me the whole time. My dad used to know how he wanted to word something and then he would let me type out a whole document and stand over my shoulder and correct spelling (yes … I’m a writer who sucks at spelling) and correct sentence structures. Greggie is the son of an English teacher … need I say more.
Today I told Greg that I’m missing my dad more than I have in a very long time. He told me that it’s because I’m doing so many new things and this is when anyone would need a father figure most of all. In so many ways Greg doesn’t allow for that co dependance of fathering but in another breathe, my father may as well have been alive and bugging the crap out of me while doing a quote that is supposed to be very exciting.
So I’m being a brat and I don’t care if I can’t leave for dinner on time … I’m getting this blog done. The only frustrating this is that it’s done …. with 10 minutes to spare and enough time to put on my lipstick!
PS … I didn’t tell you that a while back I committed to do work for a company for a certain amount of time (at no cost) to prove to them that social networking actually works. I’m now so pissed off at myself for thinking so little of me and my talents that I’m in this situation. On the other hand … I stick to my commitments and I’m in a state that I didn’t get to do as much networking as I would have liked! So truth be told … it’s not really aimed at the A that flies off the keyboard all the time, or my best friend and business partner that only trying to help me or the memory of my dad that would be saying “I told you so”.
It’s all aimed at me and ‘project me’ is supposed to fix it by telling my truth (hence the ratty blog), being conscious (hence the ratty blog) and doing something different (hence ending this blog, putting on lipstick and going out to see my friend). All in all, I didn’t fail as much as I feel I did and by tomorrow I will realise that I didn’t fail at all!
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 12th, 2011
People think I’m crazy all of the time. Some are in awe at the commitment to blog daily and others don’t get how I put my personal life online for the world to read, but no one knows what it means to blog every single day … no matter what.
Today is one of those no matter what days. It’s one of those days that I think I’m crazy and I try convince myself that one day without it will go unnoticed! Who am I kidding? It won’t go unnoticed by you and it won’t go unnoticed by me. I chose this for all the right reasons and not one ounce of today would have existed without the birth of the blog … but that doesn’t take away from the fact that I’m tired, sore and drained on all levels.
I might sound like Moaning Minny now, but by the time I’m finished blogging I will be dragging my butt to bed with a big smile of fulfillment and gratitude on my face.
When I’m done I won’t be moaning about having dragged my ass out of bed before the sun rose (remembering that I’m a 7:30 … ok, 8am riser).
I won’t be complaining about my bruised toe (or is that broken) that I whacked on the chest in my bedroom because it was still dark when I got up and felt my way to my bathroom. Yes … also not moaning that I haven’t found the time to do the simple chore of buying a lamp for my beautiful new bedroom in my precious new home.
I have no reason to complain about the morning I spent with my newest sponsor, Pat Sloane at his photo studio. Okay, I was a bit complainy in the photo but that’s because I still hate photos of me and they were compulsory … to launch the sponsorship and for media for Sunday. That’s what I am most impressed about with Pat. I fall into that bigger girl category and I hate photos for that very reason. He made me feel so pretty … and look so pretty (yes, I know I’m pretty but I’m also hippy, booby and double chinny) and he made it all look fab … pics tomorrow when I launch the sponsorship!
I certainly didn’t complain when Greg and I went to do the final arrangements at Cafe Culture. I can’t believe that Sunday is 3 sleeps away and that I have these two incredible sponsors in the venue and 6 on 13th who are giving away a Kathy van Zeeland handbag. Beyond venue and bag sponsorship, these incredible people and so many Twitter friends and followers have embraced the journey I have been on and they are turning this event into one that is beyond my wildest expectations of my blog or my journey.
It was lunching with Greg and Hustler Girl and then off to do some socialising of an online product. In between that it was RSVP’s, media invites, counting guest numbers and making sure #D500 gets as much exposure as possible.
The throbbing toe didn’t help … pain never does! Seriously what happens if I have to go to my own event on Sunday with a slipper on? Yes … it’s that sore!
I’m certainly not moaning, although I won’t even remember what I typed in this blog from pure exhaustion, but after all the hype of the day it was Thursday Club.
Once a month we have this amazing networking event and everyone mingles, a few prizes are given away and it’s always at a gorgeous venue in Jozi. Tonight it was at Turbine Hall in Braamfontein and the venue was incredible. I won a prize … yippee … no wait, I wont two prizes. Okay … that needs some explaining. So Greggie won a dress, that wouldn’t have suited him, so he gave it to me. But then when I won the one night’s stay at Hotel Lamunu I gave him back his dress and went to claim my prize.
I’m lucky enough to have been offered a night at Hotel Lamunu as a blogger and to do a post on my experience, so the prize is wasted on me … hence I have decided to donate it to a lucky person at the #D500 event. I love networking … used to hate doing it offline, but I’m into it now. It didn’t take away from the fact that my poor toe was killing me and that I’m overwhelmed and exhausted from all the #D500 hype.
I even tried to get out of blogging, but my best friend gave me the ‘not a chance’ look.
So here I am … there it is … and sometimes blogging daily means bitching about it, but realising why you chose to do it when you are done!
PS … I can’t remember when last I was this excited, having as much fun or prouder of myself!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published April 29th, 2011
I have to admit that I did miss the actual moment of kissing because I was in a meeting. I did try to catch glimpses over the shoulders of a few peeps in the coffee shop, but sadly the meeting won the toss up of where I most wanted to be today.
I did catch a glimpse of Kate and Will on the balcony and between the hopeless romantic libran in me and the modern day chick who teaches about sex … I was hoping for something a little more racy. They should be a young, spunky couple. Couldn’t there have been a little snog or an inappropriate dip of dearest Kate?
I love princesses. I honestly believe that I was a princess (or a queen) in a charming past life and I therefore I love princess things. When I was a little girl and I watched Princess Diana getting married, I think I thought it was the prettiest day of my life.
Princess just is … I don’t believe they can be groomed or molded. Princesses are born. When I was a little girl, my favourite story was that of The Princess and the pea. It’s a story about a queen who searches for a princess for her son and she puts a pea underneath dozens and dozens of mattresses and then she invites fair maidens to sleep on the bed. Very long and beautiful story short is that one maiden (they are always servants of some kind in fairytales) slept on the bed and wasn’t part of the queens plan at all, but she woke up after a terrible night’s sleep because there was something very uncomfortable in the bed. Yes … she was the princess because she felt the pea through all those mattresses. I haven’t read that story for far too many years and I remember every detail. Sadly, I don’t see that princess in Kate, but that doesn’t take away from the fairytale wedding, the beautiful tea party surrounded by crazy wedding watchers and a fine display of English eats. I hope the fairytale girl in me hasn’t been tarnished by all the frogs I’ve kissed.
Thank you to Christoper for a loverly affair 
This time around it will be memories made by me and when people mention the day Kate and William got married and the very disappointing kiss, I will remember these things:
Today was the first day that I officially launched my involvement with Ucit social buying. What a way to get involved … giving away an Apple ipad 2!
Social networking is my passion and all started because of this precious blog that I share with the world every day of my conscious, fun and fulfilled life. ‘Project Me’ started as a journey of sharing how I lived every day absolutely goallessly, yet totally purposefully. Had I set goals, I would say that I was heading in the wrong direction because 484 days ago social networking wasn’t in my plan at all. Doing what I love best was though … and here it is!
I will also never forget this day as one where friendship proved to fall into my beliefs of their endless possibility. I can’t thank Twinkletoes enough for seeing that, sometimes, when you are told you are loved, it is true. It’s a lasting friendship that can bear the scars of a massive explosion, potential sabotage and then a blatant conversation that speaks truth. We learned the power of communication today. We also learned that sorry really is the most valuable word when it’s true.
Somehow my kiss and make up will always outshine the balcony scene.
PS … Everyone in the photo is part of my Twitter family, so here’s a shout out to @ohgodknows, @mattcounihan, @helcopromotions, @samcowen and @trainerplat … it was a blast despite our hasty exit to go and do grown-up things like run a business on a day such as this
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published April 28th, 2011
When I first watched Julie and Julia, one of the scenes that struck me most was when Julie and her hubby had a fight and he warned her not to blog about it. “That’s pretty impossible for a personal blogger,” was my initial reaction. Then why am I finding myself not blogging in absolute and open truth at the moment?
Okay, so the past few days have been wafty and distracting excuses for a blog, but when I was outed by my dearest friend Nikki who happens to be a personal blogger herself (The Lunatic Cafe), I had some truth to tell.
I have some truth to tell …
I don’t quite know where to start because I don’t quite know what is going on with anything and I think that’s why I’ve been so vague.
Obviously the biggest concern is that I’ve been hinting at falling apart friendships and to settle everyone’s minds, it’s not Greggie. It has a lot to do with him too though because everyone seems to throw us in the communal pot and it highly pisses me off. Do you know how many times Greg has been invited to events and I have been shocked that I wasnt and then when he gets there the persons asks where I am because they assumed that he knew the invite was for both of us. Um … no … we are not a couple! We are best friend! Huge difference people!
So … when the fight happens between Greg and Twinkletoes, my books got returned and I got kicked off the friendship list too.
I can’t explain what happens when I’m pissed off. It’s this silent processing and in that moment I am evaluating how I have been treated and what I did to be treated so unfairly. It’s pretty impossible to evaluate anything when I didn’t actually do anything. So I’m upset! I’m pissed off and I’m confused. I’m mostly confused because now he’s carrying on as if nothing happened.
Of course I didn’t want to talk about this on the blog … but then I would have to admit that I don’t have the ability or balls to be a personal blogger … and I do! And I am!
Men … she got me on that one too! I honestly don’t know what to say here either. A part of ‘project me’ is acknowledging that there is a natural part of myself that has flirt written all over it. I do know, however, that I have a different kind of flirt if I like someone and it’s pretty hard not to miss.
First it was Inked guy who was chatting to me nearly every day (for hours) … with sms’s of “have a beautiful day” and “sweet dream” and when dinner had been put off for the 5 or 6th time and I called to say “that’s it … let’s set a dinner date!”, I never heard from him again.
Wait there’s more … There’s the Prince who was so sweet and charming and making it very clear to everyone in the room that there was a ‘spark’ with “hello’s” here, there and everywhere on Skype and then all of a sudden … nothing! Well sort of nothing. Now I hear nothing more than his single life and his very vague hints at shagging other people.
No, you won’t believe it … there’s more! Mr Tweet (I have never, ever found a flirt on Twitter before) starts getting very chatty and finally says that Twitter isn’t the place. We hook up on Blackberry chat and Skype and messages are back and forth like a tennis final. He suggests on the Thursday that we meet on Saturday and when I ask for a time … I only hear from him again on Sunday! Like nothing happened! Then it goes back to “I hope to get to know you better” and … of crap … did you really have to ask about men?
I can’t really say much about work until I have settled a few things with the offers on the table, but that’s an acceptable secret I hope. It does seem that my career path is on it’s own mission and I’m slowly being guided to do what I love the most … blogging and social networking! Hold thumbs …. I really want this one.
Oh … and I haven’t posted pics of the new house because every person who offers to help hand up pictures and light fittings just doesn’t bother to materialise and I don’t want to show you until it’s all sorted … but I am frustrated with it all, that’s the truth.
I hope there are no secrets left un-spilled!
This hasn’t been easy, of course … but it has been true!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published April 14th, 2011
So the social networking girl who thought that I could hide behind my laptop all day and make a success of it from behind the scenes has found that I don’t mind being thrown out into the world nearly as much I thought I would. In actual fact, I’m staring at blanks spots in my diary and conjuring up ways to plot another meeting or networking opportunity. It’s just another thing that adds to the rush of what seems to be a magnificent life purpose.
That’s why yesterday was one of the most exciting days I have had in ages. No wait, I think I’ve said that every 4th day for the last few weeks. Money is still so tight that it’s ridiculously scary but opportunity seems to be knocking on every door and we just have to keep fighting on and heading out to meeting with lipstick in hand … the lipstick is for me and not for Greg, of course.
Meetings lead to more meetings and those meetings lead to meeting more people and introducing people to people … and I’m loving it.
So the diary is a little fuller and as the opportunities turn to reality I will let you in on all the happenings. In the meantime, I got to have a quick pic snapped in a studio that is going to be a very big part of my Organic O ventures. This curvy girl has been offered a boudoir shoot as part of my campaign to show women of all shapes and sizes that we are sexy no matter what our waist size. It’s easy to stand up in front of a room full of women and say it, but to actually do a sexy boudoir shoot with a little flesh exposed and some more racy pics being taken … well that’s a different ball game.
Thanks to some branding, website changes and marketing plans, I am only scheduled to do the shoot in about 4 weeks but none the less, it’s feather boas, corsets and a … well lets see where the boldness and the incredible creativity of the soon to be announced photographer takes this.
Project me is soon to have advertisers … now that’s a moment I have long been waiting for. Organic O is having it’s branding face lift and I’m checking out some hot venues to do talks around Jozi. Cape Town needs to settle a little and I need to decide if I have the time and energy to get something off the ground remotely. Social networking opportunities have my name written all over it … and … oh, I have a personal life too.
On that note … I’m back to feeling fabulous and have started eating the way I used to when I was thin(er) and happy. It’s simple … fat makes fat. I cut down on (and not out of my life) my fat intake and then I eat what I life. Nothing in my home has a fat % of more than 5 and all those 5′s add up to what is a healthy quantity in the day. Slimlab is still helping me along in the most unbelievable way. I don’t know what I would do if I were trying to juggle all of these balls and still be dealing with constant cravings and night binges.
Boys are all around and the flattery is great … but this girl wants someone who I can call mine for more than a fleeting kiss, flirt or one night stand.
PS … I’m not sure if I’m liking the red in my hair … what do you think? Darker maybe?
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
