38. Costumes.

Spotted on the bus: one alligator and one fox. Both were man-sized and had a stubbly face. Both were wearing t-shirts saying "Jackknive Mavericks - Chuck Norris Approved". It may have been the most amazing thing ever.

Just saying.

37. Converse.

Every day is Casual Friday in my world, and actual Casual Fridays tend towards the positively ratty:

I'm not big on promoting massive corporations selling over-priced goods, especially since there are alternatives like No Sweat Shoes (http://www.nosweatstuff.com.au/index.html), but I have a soft spot for chucks that I just can't shake. I bought this pair five years ago before going trekking across the Mediterranean. Since then, they have seen me through rock-climbing, wading through shrubbery, many nights of dancing and, of course, several hundreds of kilometres of walking. They look hideous, but are still the comfiest, lightest shoes I have alongside with my Ecco sandals (which have saved me from limping on particularly long walks).

Protect your feet: those stilettos might make your feet look amazing now, but bunions will not do so twenty years from now.

36. Compliments.

Note: The above picture has little to do with this post apart from being a fairly accurate depiction of the grin I've been wearing all afternoon.

I was on a Saturday morning stroll when a young man stopped right as he was walking past me. "What a beautiful woman You are," he said. (Yes, in the polite form of address.) "Thank You, thank You," I said and continued walking. And grinned the entire afternoon.

To me, there are two types of compliments. There are the ones you get from people trying to hit on you ("You seem like such a smart lady - can I touch your boobs?") or after wheedling them out of your friends or partners ("No honey, you don't look fat in that dress.") or in return for complimenting someone ("Thanks, I enjoyed your presentation as well."). These can be lovely, but they tend to leave you wondering how earnest they are. Then there are extra-special compliments. These come when you least expect them, and when the people giving them don't expect to get anything in return. You pass someone at a nightclub in your swankiest top and will accidentally overhear them whisper "Wow, did you see that redhead?" to their friend. Your friend will get hilariously drunk and tell you they think you're the nicest person they know (and not remember any of it the next day). A random stranger will stop you to say they think you have a cool style. Someone whose respect you've worked hard to earn finally and reluctantly gives it to you.

I challenge myself and you to give a compliment to a random stranger. It just might make their day.

35. Mothers.

Last Sunday was Mother's Day here. I know it's not a happy holiday for all; giving birth does not entitle you to call yourself a mother, and some people never learn to be worthy of that title. I am extremely fortunate to have a mother who is easy to love and who loves me back even more.

Whenever I talk about my mother, I end up talking about myself. This is fitting in many ways. My mother is not a perfect person; some might argue she's very flawed. She is, however, a perfect mother, to the point where the idea of motherhood terrifies me a lot of the time. How could I ever devote my life to someone as selflessly as my mother has done? She was a a typical middle child; I was an only child and always spoiled with attention. I have always been the centre of my mother's life. Will I ever be able to move from the centre of gravity into a planet circling it? I don't know.

I do know, however, that my mother has taught me many things. She's taught me to always put others' needs before your own. (I have mostly unlearnt this one.) She's taught me there is no shame in embarrassing yourself to save someone else's face. She's taught me making stupid faces will never stop being funny - as a matter of fact, it gets exponentially funnier the more wrinkles you have. She's taught me to always pay my taxes and like it. She's taught me all people are equal, no exceptions allowed. She's taught me it's okay to make mistakes as long as you don't hurt others. She's taught me chocolate and dancing by yourself makes everything better. She's taught me to always wear sensible shoes and bring tissues. She's taught me I'm great but no better than anyone else, and that I don't need to be the best to be good. She's taught me to stand up for things I believe in and to shut up when I have nothing constructive to say. (Okay, I'm working on this one as well.) She's taught me women can fix the plumbing better than most men. She's taught me that family will stick by you, no matter how messed up you are, what colour your hair or skin is, how many times you've been institutionalized, what your fetishes are, how many times you lose at this game called life. You're ours, and we'll be damned if we ever let you go.

She's mine, and I'll be damned if I ever let her go.