A Fresh Start

Gwen Stefani

To Whom It May Concern,

Hey gang, what's new? I had no Internet the whole day yesterday. Man, was I pissed! The server crashed YET AGAIN!!! I hate this sodding country!

I realise it's strange to be making a fresh start now, but I never do anything the right way around! I'm a Capricorn for god's sake, so I'm living in reverse anyway! Yup, many would think it foolish to start a new plan now, when the Winter Solstice is 3 weeks away, but I have this burning question gnawing away at me...

 

No time like the present, right? Tomorrow is a new day and a new month! The first half of the year is already gone and what do I have to show for it? A string of failures and bad days? ENOUGH!!! I want more, more that this perpetual yo-yo cycle, more than this disappointment! I want results! The best way to have what you want is to go out there and get it! Stop waiting for your life to begin, go out and meet it half way!

 I must admit it's not the best day to start thinking about a new diet and exercise plan, it's 16°C (60°F) and it's raining! My body just wants to hibernate and binge, but I won't let it! I must be strong if I want to achieve my goals and I'm not about to give up because of a little cold weather! Fuck you, BOB, it's not going to happen!

So, time now for a piping hot cup of flavoured coffee and another jersey (sweater)! It looks like tomorrow will be fine and mild, perfect for starting a new challenge! Bring it on! Let's do it, ladies!

Sincerely,
Cinnamon Brown.

Fun With Ariana!

To Who It May Concern,

Hey everybody, how's it going? Have you all had a pleasant weekend? I spent a lovely afternoon at the beach! Despite winter drawing ever nearer, the weather is still mild enough here to enjoy a walk on the beach, just take a jersey (sweater) with you! The only upside to living in Southern Africa is the mild winters!

I'm going to do the 30 Day Challenge with Ariana as of Wednesday, the 1st of June. Ari, I know I said I wasn't going to do the questionaire, but I've decided to stop being such a wuss and support you, because you deserve it! Yup, I'm going to step up to the plate and be a mensch for a change! A while back, I posted about taking responsabitlity for my actions and I'm going to do just that! So, come Tuesday, I will report my stats, faults and failures for you all to see. (no laughing!) I plan to follow the Fab. 500, as I like to call it, using my Ramekin Diet. The Fab. 500 means that I will consume no more than 500 calories per day. If I do, I will work it off. I plan to work out for at least 1 hour, 5 days a week. I will also try to answer a question each day, meaning a post a day for the next month. Wish me luck, guys! All the best and all my love.

Sincerely,
Cinnamon Brown.

Tennis With Mich!

Anaïs Nin

To Whom It May Concern,

Dear Mini&Merry,
Thank you so much for signing in with me. I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Maria de Medeiros

Thanks again for all your wonderful comments. It's really great to hear from you all!

So, after an extremely busy day, I finally got around to buying my new scale at 7:15pm this evening and there's no way in hell I'm weighing in now! I think I'm going to wimp out again and put it off for one more week. Instead, I'm going to engage in a game of tennis with the beautiful Mich! These are some of the women I adored growing up. (Excellent idea, by the way, M.!)

I, too have a thing for Anaïs Nin and naturally loved the movie Henry and June! The picture at the top is very me! The boys and I often sit and chat in one bed with me in the middle! Isn't Richard. E. Grant (left) dashing?! He's Southern African, you know?! Maria de Madeiros, who played Anaïs is the tiniest little thing I've ever seen! So pretty! Ah, Uma, she's incredibly versatile!Those eyes!

Paulina Poriskova

As far as models go, I always thought Paulina was beautiful. Pretteh kitteh, too! And, who doesn't love the wonderfully waify Kate Moss?!

Kate Moss

Being a teenager in the 90's meant that I watched a lot of Jennifer Jason Leigh movies. However, the first movie I saw her in was The Best Little Girl In The World, back in the early 80's. She's an incredible actress! She was brilliant as Dorothy Parker, my favourite poetess, in Mrs Parker And The Vicious Circle.

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Speaking of the 90's, my favourite shows are from then as well and the leading ladies I admire most are Janine Turner form Northern Exposure and...

Janine Turner

Sherilyn Fenn of Twin Peaks fame! Utterly obsessed with Twin Peaks! Can you tell?!

Sherilyn Fenn as Audrey Horne in Twin Peaks

                                          

Marilyn Monroe

Who doesn't adore Marylin? The woman is a goddess! As a girl, I stole my mother's cerise spaghetti-strap night dress. It had little diamantes and the words "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend!" embroidered in silver thread across the chest. I made her take the straps up and take it in to fit me. In return I sang Marilyn songs to entertain her and her friends! It was hilarious because I can't carry a tune in a bucket!

Anyway, I hope you're all enjoying a great weekend and getting up to lots of mischief! Look after yourselves and let's begin next week with a vengeance! All my love as always.

Sincerely,
Cinnamon Brown.

Music, Lyrics & Hope

To Whom It May Concern,

RECOMMENDATION FOR THE DAY:

Ariana's Monday Morning Encouragement Post

We all need to check this one out!

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Interpretation: To change your life, first change your thinking!

Hey gang, what's shakin'?! Sorry for being such a dumb ass! Regarding  my previous post, dessert coffees are actually just flavoured coffees. So flavours such as 'Hazelnut Cream', 'Vanilla Fudge' and 'Blueberry Muffin' will all fall under the category of dessert coffees in this country. Heather, so envious! I'd kill for 'Blueberry Muffin' flavoured coffee. Hope your flat mate's into sharing!

You may have noticed that I've added a new page to my blog, titled 'Jukebox'. It's a collection of 40 songs with which to get your noir freak on! If you click on the little music note (♪) next to each song, it will take you to a link where you can listen to it! There's everything from bossanova to swing to jazz and a few murder ballads thrown in just for fun! I cheated a little and added 'The Music From Twin Peaks' as one song, but you can listen to the whole album, thanks to the fantastic folks at Last Fm! I love Jim White. His music is of special significance to me as his songs all have a message. The man has the most beautiful voice. Some days I feel as though he sings my pain. Jailbird is killer! I'm dedicating it to you, Heather!

Speaking of Jims, I've added another Jim you might not have heard of, Jim Neversink! Check out his website here. He hails from Durban, South Africa, our 'Seattle', only not as cool! Critics call his music a 'South African take on Americana', but he describes his work simply as 'loserbilly'. I like it because it's unpretentious and real with a hefty dose of the hopelessness that comes with living in this country! I can't blame him for upping and moving to Denmark! I like that he sings in his own accent. Many musicians in this country sing with a faux American twang. It's just ridiculous! My current favourite of his is a song called Hope, off the album Skinny Girls Are Trouble, which is currently in my CD player! It's about a girl who jumps off  of Van Stadens Bridge (suicide bridge). This bridge is in my town!

Van Stadens Bridge

I've also added Ride, Ride, Ride, from his self titled album. It's a song about one of our most notorious bad guys, Andre Stander. In my opinion, Thomas Jane did a outstanding job playing Stander! The typical South African accent is particularly difficult to mimic and even worse to understand. Just watch District 9 to see why! Also appearing is Transfer To Harding, from the same album to give the feel of living in a shitty, one horse town like I do! Hope you enjoy the music!

HOPE

She was standing looking pretty
She didn't even see me

So I went over just to say hello

She handed me her things

And said something vague

And pointed to where her car was parked

I watched that little girl go

I watched her skinny body blow

To the bottom of Van Stadens Bridge
It's a terrible thing

I wish that girl had wings
I wish that I could say that it's not true

I went over to her car, looked down at the note
There was a pentagram written with blood
A list of some names
And mine circled on it
And a sticker on the dash
That said 'HOPE'

I raised the bridge-side phone and a voice said
Don't do it, why is your life so bad?
And suddenly I felt cold and believed I was dead

So I uttered one word
Hope

POINTLESS INFO: I know a woman who answers the calls from the bridge-side phone. She's a wonderful and compassionate person who has saved countless lives and gives people hope in their darkest hour. I'm privileged to know her. Have a great week everyone. I wish you all hope! It's out there, we just gotta find it!

Sincerely,

Cinnamon Brown.

A Slight Chill

Angelina Jolie

To Whom It May Concern,

Dear thelifeofm, ~Nessa~ Human, Ana's Angel, Lou and Jenn cattaneo,
Thanks so much for signing in. I hope you all have a fabulous weekend and get up to lots of mischief!

Marlena Dietrich

Hi everyone! Thanks for all the great comments. Brr.. it's getting chilly! This morning's temperature, when I got up (5:30am) was 6°C (42°F). I realise this is a warm and sunny day in some places but it's cold for here! Peri, my heart goes out to you. Being closer to the South Pole, you must be fucking freezing! Keep warm, Babe! Well, judging by your comments on my last post, it seems that, like most things, chili is one of those things, you either like it or you don't. Fair nuff!  Mich, I totally agree, the best way to clear out your sinuses is with a hefty dollop of wasabi! I bloody loves it! I thought of you Izzy, I came across a wicked recipe for chili-chocolate covered strawberries. How evil! Starving Artist, you are such a clever girl! Cinnamon is a great way to warm up and it's a blood sugar regulator. Perfect for girls on restrictions or on the fast! You ladies are all so wonderful for popping in to chat with me. I can't thank you enough! Your comments always make my day!

Carol Lombard

I'm still hanging in there. Another Friday without weighing in and I'm getting a little antsy! Ariana, like you, I have a terrible sense of apprehension about getting a new scale. What if the old one was faulty all along and I'm really heavier then I thought I was and now I have to work twice as hard to reach my goal weight. Murder me! Oh well, it's all part of the process, innit?!

Greta Garbo

I've not had a binge in ages and it feels great! I think I've finally swung the other way, back into restriction and exercise. I love it when that happens! The binge hump is not my favourite place to be. I'm still working hard at making exercise my new addiction. I'm starting to feel the rush of the workout and I find myself wanting more. This pleases me. I can see a difference in my size, but next week will decide whether or not I've made any significant progress. This last binge caused a disturbing gain. I put on 5kg (11lbs), putting my weight back at 60kg (132lbs). I was too ashamed to change my stats, but I've decided that if next week's weigh-in shows no significant change, I will change them and live with the shame. Mia culpa!

Uma Thurman

I hope you're all enjoying a better week and that this weekend will be a good one. I've decided that if it's cold here this weekend, I'm staying in bed with the kitties and a big mug of raspberry and rose hip tea! Next week, I'm going to spoil myself with a packet of Masterton's Irish Cream Dessert Coffee. Goddess bless Masterton's, the only decent establishment in this crappy, one-horse town! I'm rather fond of dessert coffees. Girly may they be, they do help for sweet cravings and it's coffee, dammit, what's not to love?!

Marylin Monroe

Until next time, I wish you all the best and all my love. Be good to yourselves.

Sincerely,
Cinnamon Brown.

Ag, No!!!

To Whom It May Concern,

Dear angelz_141, foreverana_sfp and parisienne.love,
Thank you all so much for signing in with me. May that which you seek find it's way to you at long last!

Hey everybody, how's it going? Thanks for all your super comments, it's always so good to hear from you. What a trying week last week was! First, my scale gave up the ghost, then Blogger went on the fritz, what next?! I was so pissed, my trusty, digital scale packed up after 10 short years. I expected more from German engineering! Oh, well! I'll have to wait until the end of the month to get a new one. I don't exactly have R200 ($28.61) lying around now! Then again, who does?! I was so disgusted with Blogger for losing three of my comments. I'm quite attached to them, you know! They're my precious comments, from my precious friends. How dare they?! I felt bad for Mich though, she lost her entire stock of comments from one post and that's saying something. She's a popular lass, who gets heaps of comments! I hope they were able to restore them, Michi! Still, I couldn't be too angry with Blogger, they did leave updated reports as to what was was wrong and how close they were to fixing it, so I forgave them!

I've been very good on the eating front, not exceeding 500 calories and I've developed an new addiction. I put Tabasco Habanero on EVERYTHING!!! I love it, it burns like a bastard! I did cheat a little this weekend, though. I had a bit more than 500 and a nibble of chocolate for hormonal benefit. I never restrict when I have my monthlies, otherwise I turn into a menstrual monster and that will never do! I've also managed to get my butt on the elliptical for an hour (20 km/ 12 miles) every week day. Some days I also go for an extra 2.2km/1.3 mile run around the block and fit in an hour long (5.5km/ 3.4 miles) power walk at night with FishPyjamas! All in all, not bad! I want to see how much weight I can shift before the Winter Solstice on 21 June. Keep fingers crossed for me!

I hope you all have a great week. Best of luck to all those who are back on the fast, to all those restricting and those who've been having a shitty time of late, but are soldiering on regardless! Stay strong, sisters. I believe in you! WE CAN DO IT!!! All my love, as always.

Sincerely,
Cinnamon Brown.

11 Ferrari car wallpapers

U + Me = ♥

To Whom It May Concern,

Thank you all so much for your kind words of concern and inspiration. It means the world to me. I love you all dearly. I'm truly sorry about yesterday's shitty post. I guess I just hit rock bottom. Lack of sleep will be the death of me! I don't do well on little to no sleep and these days I feel like I could sleep for a hundred years! The older I get, the harder it seems to be to get back up again, but what else can I do, right? If it were that easy to just lay down and die, over-population would not be a problem! 

QUOTE FOR THE DAY:

"If It's Meant To Be, It's Up To Me! "  -Terri Gulick.

I think we all need to remember that one more often. No one's going to do it for us, now are they? We must be the masters of our own happiness. We may not be able to control of what happens to us, but we can choose how we react to these things. The choice is ours, victim or victor! It's up to us and no one else!

I don't know what triggered it, but yesterday after I posted, something just clicked into place and I got my shit together. (catharsis, maybe?) I planned my meals in accordance with my ramekin diet and to not exceed 500 calories. I got on the elliptical for an hour and put in 20 km (12 miles). I burned 300 calories. Bye-bye breakfast! I had roughly 300 calories after that, so well under 500. I also went for a walk last night, but only managed to 2.2km (1.3 miles). I returned home soaking wet, thanks to an almighty thunderstorm! All in all, despite a rocky start, a pretty good day! I really needed one of those. It seems like it's been ages since I've had one. My sleep patterns also seem to be returning to 'normal', which is very good news indeed! I've never been an '8 hours of sleep a night' kind of person, but when it gets to two hours of broken sleep or less, I come undone! If I get between 5-6 hours a night, I'm OK. Here's hoping it lasts for a bit!

Anyway, enough about me. I'd like to draw your attention now to some new ladies, just starting out on their journey or starting a new blog. Their blogs are awesome, but their followers are few. Stop by and show them a little support. They were kind enough to follow me, even when I was posting trash and popped in to leave a word of encouragement when I needed it most. One good turn deserves another! They are, in no particular order:

mia - a total peach and 'sister doin' it for herself'! This girl oozes positivity! You go, girl! Teach me your ways!

bones - picking up the pieces, one at a time and doing a damn fine job! Check out her cool playlist and awesome collection of thinspo! Hot stuff!

Francine - clever, determined and a heart of gold!  Damn good writing from a damn fine girl! Waiting for your autobiography, F.! It's that good!

skinnybutterfly - starting over and taking it one day at a time. Honest writing from an independent, straightforward and forthcoming soul! Rock on, Lone Star Girl! Yeah!

You know, in my ordinary life, I don't have a single friend. I'm constantly amazed by how many friends I have online. You are all so good to me. Thanks again for your love and support. I couldn't do it without you!

Sincerely,
Cinnamon Brown.