Kitty van Dyke

Here I am, writing as my alter ego, Kitty van Dyke.

Adventures in Dykeville

Inspiration Avenue - Fantasy Vacation

One of the things that Madelein and I would love to do is to take a road trip around South Africa, stopping off at those little-known towns, visit the Owl House in Nieu Bethesda and see if we can spot the Uniondale Ghost. The trip would include seeing the Namaqualand daisies in bloom and a trip up to Mozambique to swim with Dolphins. The Tsitsikamma Forest. The bushveld. 

Chickens and Roosters - Inspiration Avenue

Chickens and Roosters - An Abstract Interpretation

"I am Mishka the Fierce, Dissolver of Windows! Yah-Hah!"

"Now watch closely, Medeah, as I dissolve the window by licking it so that we can go inside."

"Mmmmm. Tastes like chicken."

A Meme - Via Kerry

Right now, I am updating my blogs

I’m currently obsessed with aliens. I always have been.

Cannot live without Coffee and cats. Not necessarily in that order. OK. In that order.

I’m reading The Richest Man in Babylon. In Afrikaans.

I’m listening to my mellow mix playlist on my iPod. 

Favourite place in Joburg de Ouwe Werf restaurant in (I think) Honeydew.

Favourite place in SA Tsitsikamma forest

Favourite place in the world Venice.

I’ve lived in Tel Aviv, Nazareth, Groningen, London, a rural English village and Johannesburg

Next up on my bucket list is to be super healthy

The last thing I crossed of my bucket list Shave my head

I realized I was an adult when I received my first real pay cheque

I realized I’d never be an adult when I received my first real pay cheque.

In the movie of my life, I want to be played by Janine Garafolo

Best invention since the wheel: iPod

A house is not a home without a cat

This week I’m crushing on art

I’m currently working on some art, two books, poetry, paintings and the business I have with my wife.

I’m really proud of my sense of  humour

You’d be amazed if I showed you my hats

I cannot survive winter without cappuccino

Signature dish spaghetti sauce

Guilty pleasure a bubble bath in the afternoon when I am all alone at home

When no-one’s looking, I put post-it notes up telling people how beautiful they are

In my next life I want to be a cat

Every morning, I cuddle with the dogs. It's the best part of the morning.

I believe that we are all one

I’ve really got to work on my health and fitness

Best advice I was ever given  was to pay attention to the Universal Baseball Bat when it's gently tapping you on the shoulder and before it swats you over the head

Wishes - Inspiration Avenue

"Wishes" - Pencil sketch - by T - 5 June 2012

Sometimes we wish we had what someone else has, but we have no idea what their life is like or what they have had to do to be who they are. It's easy to think someone else has it all. Much harder work loving your life just as it is and enjoying what you already have.

Concluding... and Beginning

Birthdays, in my book, are retrospective. You celebrate your first birthday at the end of your first year. Tomorrow, I turn 39, effectively concluding my 39th year and opening the door to my 40th.

Ten years ago, at the age of 29, I was a very different, and confused person. I was coming to the end of my Saturn Return, which inspired a great deal of upheaval and I had no idea where to turn in my life. I had no idea who I was, what I was meant to be doing in life and I was quite depressed.

In the years that followed, I changed my life quite dramatically. I came out, lived in the English countryside, converted to Nichiren Buddhism, went through a great deal of emotional pain, lost my father, my job and then-girlfriend all in the space of 3 months in 2007. I returned to South Africa, discovered chiropractic, fell out with my sister, met a wonderful lady and married her... It's been a busy ten years.

I have learned great things in my thirties.

I've learned that it's okay to set one's pride aside and ask for help. That no one is actually looking at me all the time. That sometimes, depression presents the gift of being an excellent bullshit filter. That one's purpose is not going to be found popping out of a hat, or a cake, or a fortune cookie: sometimes you create your purpose, sometimes purpose finds you. And that's okay. I've learned that it's okay to make mistakes. The world won't end, lightning won't strike me, and strangers won't be magically imbued with the ability to read every mistake I've made on my face. I've learned that being at the centre of my own life is the most important thing I can do for myself. My happiness is my responsibility and no one else's, and by the same token, I am not responsible for the happiness of others. Family is who you choose to be part of your life, not necessarily those born of the same blood, with the same surname.

Finally, that life is okay, and I am okay, and it's perfectly acceptable to enjoy my life, as I am, with all my quirks, mistakes, weirdness, seriousness, child-likeness, joy, sadness, grab-it-by-the-fucking-balls-ness.

I am more accepting of myself and others than I was ten years ago. I am far more emotionally centred. And I am enjoying my life.

And so, another exciting journey begins as I prepare for another decade in this world. A decade I choose to live in a healthier body, living my purpose, being connected to life and source. Living from the centre of my life. Loving those around me without condition, being more compassionate, especially to myself.

I raise a glass to the woman I was, the woman I am, and the woman I am yet to become. Happy Birthday to me.

Transformation for Charity

For today's post, go HERE!