Friday Top FIve: Drawing Challenges

So, if you have been paying attention, you will know that I like to draw. And I like to draw 2 drawings a day. Yes, I am a bit mental.

I play along B Being Cool's Draw Me October and Fat Mum Slims Photo a Day. These are my faves from the last 2 months.

L-R: 

Fruit: Fat Mum Slim Photo a Day Oct 17th 

Makes You Laugh: Fat Mum Slim Photo a Day Oct 14th  

Steps: Draw Me October 14th September 

Cake: Draw Me October Oct 18th 

Angle/Song: Fat Mum Slim  17th October / Draw Me October 17th October 

Friday Top Five: Advertising Catchphrases

I love it when advertising catchphrases/ slogans  become part of the public's vernacluar. These little nuggets that wedge themselves in our subconsciouness', and before we know it, they are just part of our lives. The point is to create an association, so that every time we say "Like a sunrise" we are subconsciously re-seeing the Aami Ad. I think we often forget the ad they came from in the first place, and the saying itself becomes the 'product'. Which is the total opposite of the intention, I guess.

 SO, here's my list of little ear worms...

1) "Not Happy Jan" 

Telstra Yellow Pages. That one was everywhere. That ad aired between 2000 and 2003 AND PEOPLE STILL SAY IT!

2) "That'll be the phone , Reg" *

This was a Telstra one too. Old couple on the porch and wife says the line. I think there were others in the series, but this one was the one that stuck. Although, it kinda fits in one of my most hated Advertising ctegories- The Idiot Husband ads. There were a rash of ads a few years ago that all followed the same brief- Wife Rolls Eyes at Idiot husband. The End. Lazy, insulting advertising makes me wanna punch someone.

3) "Sic 'em, Rex" 

Very eighties, this one. The girl in the ad was the darling of Dolly magazine- constant cover model. It was  bit naughty and very suggestive, but when I was a teenager, I just thought Rex the anteater was cute.

4) "G-O-GG-O"

I love that dude. Who doesn't love impersonating his accent???? Do it now. It will cheer you up. Let's do it together... G-O-GG-O. Awesome.

5) "O Kono No!" "He says he doesn't know..." 

This was a John West tuna ad. From 1987. It's one of those little hangers on that I still say, and until today, probably couldn't have told you where it came from. Well played, John West. Well Played.

I am totally showing my age here!!

My mum does still say "Drink it, Freddie!" Which was a Nestles Quick ad from 1970!!!! In Black and White!! Hmmmm..... I wonder what the OLDEST catchphrase that is still in the vernacular is?

What are your favourite ad catchphrases?




* I can't find a single image or video of this ad on the whole interwebz! What's that about??? If anyone can find it, i'll give you a million dollars. I won't really... ask my husband. I owe him, like, 47 million dollars. He thinks I am good for it. I am totally not.

Friday Top FIve: Stephen King Good Guys

So it's not new information that I am a Stephen King fan. Look to your right.. over there... yep, check out the Stephen King Universe Flow Chart if you haven't already... it's kinda like my 4th child....

Anyhoo, I know I have spoken about my favorite SK books before, but today, for Friday Top Five, I thought I would look at my favourite:

Stephen King GOOD GUYS 

1) Jack Sawyer (The Talisman/ Black House) 

In the Talisman, Jack is the eternal little boy lost on a big adventure (a character that is seen in many books/ films- parentless kids out trying to save the world eg: Harry Potter) Jack is just so likeable and charismatic and essentially GOOD. Everyone roots for him. Everyone wants him to win. And then to give him a big hug. Then we get to see him as a grown man in Black House. And we still wanna hug him, but now it's because he's a big, handsome cop.

2) Eddie Dean (The Dark Tower series) 

Yes, Yes, I am finally reading the DT series! I have just finished The Wolves of Calla (my favourite so far). For me, the star of the series is junkie-turned-gunlinger Eddie Dean. Eddie's character is reminiscent of some other fast talking, wise-cracking jokers in SK literature- think Richie Tozier in It or Teddy Duchamp in The Body. Eddie's smart-assery is awesome, but I am intrigued by his transformation and redemption. I will be very sad if he dies. Don't tell me. I don't wanna know.

3) Frannie Goldsmith (The Stand) 

Frannie is awesome. She doesn't take any bullshit from anyone. She shoulda know better than to let creepy Harold Lauder tag along with her when she left Oganquit, but whatevs. SK writes strong women expertly. Frannie, Polly Chalmers (Needful Things) Sussanah Dean (The Dark Tower Series) are all kick ass chicks who aren't perfect and handle all the crazy shit going on around them with style and grace.

4) WOLF! (The Talisman) 

As I read Talisman's sequel Black House, all I wanted was for Jack to go to the Territories and find another Wolf. Man, I loved Wolf. In the same way I love Tom Cullen (The Stand). Stephen King manages to write these mentally challenged characters with dignity, warmth and extreme love. Characters like Wolf and Tom (and Dudders in Dreamcatcher and Sheemie Ruiz in The Tower) often have the answers that the protagonists can't see. They are often more than they seem. I like to think that these characters remind us that people who are often marginalised in our society are so valuable and important. 

5) Ray Garraty (The Long Walk) 

I remember the first time I read the long walk, I developed a bit of a crush on Ray Garraty. I visualised him as about my age (I was probably 14/15 at the time), sensitive and handsome, willing to do anything for his family. That story is harsh, dude. The Long Walk is a story ahead of it's time. Ray's world, where teenagers are disposable pawns used for the entertainment of the masses came way before The Hunger Games. King builds the desperation, injustice and violence of this world. It is shocking and so very sad. But Stephen King still manages to create these compelling, developed, intriguing characters. Ray was my hero. Go Go Garraty!


OK, so that may have been a bit specialised for the Stephen King readers out there. But I would love to think that someone who isn't a big King fan may think, 'Oh, OK, I might give one of his books a read, I didn't realise there was more to the Stephen King Universe than rabid dogs and creepy clowns.' 

There is, people. Heaps more. There is time traveling and love stories and humour and gunslinging and a fair amount of bad swears. All the bestest stuff.

Friday Top Five: Fonts

What's your favourite font?

Friday Top Five: These pretzels are making me thirsty

Todays' Friday Tope Five is:

Seinfeld Episodes

Seinfeld is more than a show. It is part of my DNA. It is a huge contributor to our vernacular, the way we express ourselves. And its funny as, dude.

1) 'The Betrayal'

AKA: The Backwards Episode.

 Elaine takes George and Jerry to India for her frenemy Sue Ellen Miscke's wedding. George wont take his boots off. Elaine gets pissed. Kramer stays behind. His lollipop is an awesome prop for the backwars editing. Episode is in reverse. Ends with Jerry moving in eleven years earlier, telling Kramer, 'What's mine is yours' Big Mistake. Huge.

2) 'The Alternate Side'

AKA 'THESE PRETZELS ARE MAKIN ME THIRSTY'

Elaine dates an old guy who has a stroke. George is moving cars. Kramer is in a Woody Allen film- his line is "These pretzels are makin me thirsty'. The line become an answer to any frustrating or nervewracking situation

3) 'The Outing'

AKA Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Jerry and George pretend to be gay to trick an eavesdropper. It snowballs out of hand. It's Jerry's birthday. Elaine gets him Bette Midler CDs and George gets him tickets to 'Guys and Dolls'. "Isn't that a lavish Broadway musical?" "It's Guys and DOlls, not Guys and Guys!" Kramer gets him a piece of crap 2 line phone that makes the whole situation worse.

4) 'The Mom and Pop Store'

AKA Jon Voight's car.

George buys Jon Voight's Le Baron. Tim Whatley has a Thanksgiving Party. Last Stop Pottersville. Jerry's Sneakers are all stolen, leaving him only with cowboy boots. "But I don;t wanna be a cowboy!" Fantastic homage to Midnight Cowboy- Jerry and Kramer in the bus heading off to find stolen sneakers.

5) The Puerto Rican Day.

AKA The flag burning one

All get stuck in a Puerto Rican Day Parade. Elaine re enacts the Poseiden Adventure underneath the bleachers. Kramer stomps on the burning flag and angers the mean gay couple who previously stole Elaine's bureau in 'The Soup Nazi'. George is taunted by a laser pointer guy. Awesome meeting of wealthy industrialists H.E Pennypacker,  Art Vandaly (former potential latex salesman) and Kel Varnson in the apartment for rent. 'Who is watching the Saab factory!!!

OK, that was hard, but that was my Top Five Seinfeld Episodes.

What are your favourite Seinfeld episodes. How many Seinfeld references are still in your current vernacular?

Friday Top Five: Firsts

Here is the first installment of what I hope will become a regular feature.. and maybe a linky in the future!!

I love lists. 

I will be sharing, and asking you to share your Top Five Lists in different cataegories. On Friday. So it's called Tessiegirl's Friday Top 5!!

Am I over explaining this? Sure!

Ok, because this is the first edition, todays list is:

FIRSTS

1) FIRST CONCERT: I like to tell people it was Morrissey in 1991, but it was actually the Hoodoo Gurus in about 1989. I went with 2 girls who I have no memory of, other than one of them shaved her arms. In Grade Ten. I thought that was weird.

2) ALBUM: Mum and Dad had such an awesome album collection, I was spoilt for good music. The Beatles, The Yardbirds, The Animals... All the 'The's' from the sixties. When I finally bought music with my own money, it was 'We Built this City' on 45. Not cool. And the first full length album? Billy Joel. 'The Bridge'. Also not super cool. 
I wanna change my answer. First single on 45.... 'Love Will Tear Us Apart: Joy Division. First Album: The Queen is Dead- The Smiths.

You don't know! You weren't there!

3) FIRST LOVE: Grade One. His name was Nico Papagianis. He looked like a little greek Ray Martin impersonator. He didn't know I was alive.

4) FIRST CIGARETTE: Dec 1991. Moreton Island. Worst Schoolies Week EVER. 
LAST CIGARETTE: Dec 2007 when Gavin and Max and I moved into this house together. I am so glad my Lovely Husband encouraged me to kick it. Sometimes I have dreams where I forget that I don't smoke.. and I smoke. And I wake up thinking, "Oh No! I am a smoker again! What the hell?!"

5) FIRST CAR: I came late to the whole driving thing. I was 32 when I got my license. I bought my first car in Aug 2006. It was a Mazda something and I loved it because I  bought it with my own money that I earned and saved up. So there.

What are your Top Five Firsts? What was your first album? Why didn't Nico Papaginis love me?