The End of Thigh July

I'm quite surprised and proud of myself that I made it through the Thigh July No Chocolate Challenge. I was almost tempted to continue through August, but that seemed to bust the whole "July" narrative a bit. And I'm all about creating a satisfying ending. It wasn't about getting stuck into some chocolate, no.

It's interesting that it took me a few days into August to break the cacao fast - for some reason, I just felt it was wrong to eat chocolate. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I even bought a bar of Peppermint Aero on Monday, intending to eat it - but instead gave it away!

I don't know if I've actually learnt anything from the experiment, but I'm going to try to restrict my chocolate portions a bit more, and perhaps that's enough.

Now! I haven't eaten any Cheezels or Twisties yet in August, so I'm going to see how I go avoiding those for a month...

Thigh July Near Miss

That was a near miss in Canberra. Thanks to Dan for the comic, and for saving me from myself.

Last Supper

Hopefully I will be able to distract myself from the choco drought with Agatha Holmes, ImproMafia's latest six-show season of improvised murder mysteries. I've been busily working away on this behind the scenes - but now I get to take to the stage in my 1920s finery. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it. The great wonder of impro is the ability to lose yourself in the moment, in the "play" - even while remaining conscious of who you are and what you're doing. It's an interesting dichotomy. I don't ever quite forget that I'm Natalie (particularly when I injure myself, which happens all too often), but for an hour or so, I forget a little bit about the stresses of daily life, and escape into a world of infinite possibility and fun. I suspect other improvisers may feel something similar; however, we all experience the form in our own way.

But this is all a roundabout way of saying YOU SHOULD COME ALONG TO AGATHA HOLMES. If nothing else, you SHOULD see my fabulous blonde wig.

There are six shows - and you can even get a season pass if you'd like to come see all six. However, each night is different and self-contained, so it would be great to see you at one show at least!

Thigh July

A few people around the place are signing up for this Dry July campaign. The idea is you give up booze for a month, get your friends to sponsor you, and raise money for cancer while seeing if you can function without your daily quart of Old Speckled Hen or Fruity Lexia.

It's a great opportunity for sanctamonious teetotallers like me to get all up on our high horses and sniff at the sad drunken plebs who so enjoy their loosened inhibitions and ability to relax. It sucks being a control freak, it really does.

Except I'm NOT a control freak, really. I'm actually a giant bladder of self-indulgence, a veritable cornucopia of disgusting habits and poor life choices. So while I'm perfectly at ease refusing the manna from heaven that is fermented plant matter in all its forms, throw a block of Top Deck at me and it'll be gone faster than an unpopular Prime Minister.