.:gem:. - ProfilesArchive

About Me

My blog! www.gemmaholmes.blogspot.com I LOVE BEADS!!!! .... On the 20th July 2007, after three attacks or 'exacerbations': 1) Optical neuritis- where the optic nerve becomes inflamed and vision disappears; I had it in my right eye; 2) Total numbness under my right armpit, across my breat and down my ribcage; and 3) Extreme vertigo (while on the ground!), loss of balance and limited usage of the left side of my body... I was diagnosed with Remitting-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis. .. Medically speaking MS is: "Relapsing/Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) is one of four internationally recognised forms of Multiple Sclerosis.RRMS is characterised by relapses (also known as exacerbations) during which time new symptoms can appear and old ones resurface or worsen. The relapses are followed by periods of remission, during which time the person fully or partially recovers from the deficits acquired during the relapse.Relapses can last for days, weeks or months and recovery can be slow and gradual or almost instantaneous. The vast majority of people presenting with Multiple Sclerosis are first diagnosed with relapsing/remitting. This is typically when they are in their twenties or thirties, though diagnoses much earlier or later are known. Twice as many women as men present with this variety. During relapses, myelin, a protective insulating sheath around the nerve fibres (neurons) in the white matter regions of the central nervous system (CNS), is damaged in an inflammatory response by the body's own immune system. This causes a wide variety of neurological symptoms that vary considerably depending on which areas of the CNS are damaged.Immediately after a relapse, the inflamatory response dies down and a special type of glial cell in the CNS (called an oligodendrocyte) sponsors remyelination - a process whereby the myelin sheath around the axon is repaired. It is this remyelination that is responsible for the remission.Approximately 50% of patients with RRMS convert to Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS) within 10 years of disease onset. After 30 years, this figure rises to 90%.At any one time, the Relapsing-Remitting form of the disease accounts around 55% of all people with multiple sclerosis."In lamen's terms.. it means that inflammation in my brain creates blockages in the messages being sent around the body. The blockages in turn become multiple scars. The brain eventually goes into remission and finds another route to send the messages..however if the progression of the disease isnt stopped inevitably permanent disability ensues.*phew*Big moment in my life- thats for sure! One day at a time!!Other than that, Im engaged, yup taken forever! Living in the most beautiful cottage/home where I can potter about in the garden and fill up with all my favourite nick-nacks! Im totally addicted to music, lots of music, art, food, clothes etc etc oh and did I mention music!? About 4 weeks ago I was diagnosed with Remitting-relapsing Multiple Sclerosis; so thats something to try and deal with! Im me.. thats it! Yupp ;)Thanks for checkin out my page- ADD ME if ya like I like friends ;) .. Here's a wee look into the people who surround me!Im a huge fan of Pop Surrealism and my favourite artist is Mark Ryden..check out his site sometime (www.markryden.com) you wont be disappointed...i didnt say anything about disturbed!!!! haha .. ....Likes:piercings, tattoos, new clothes, fashion, shoes, my new electric wok, the smell of clothes drying on radiators, accents of any kind, iced coffee, broccoli, blazers with jeans, smiling, laughing, crying, the way my parents look at each other after 30 odd years of marriage, my friends, my cat 'tatters', my Dads taste in music, cups of tea and movies under the doona, cuddles, kisses, shoes, teaching children, creating things, having my brother home after 10 years away, my garden, succulents & jelly! ....Dislikes: mosquitos, being cold, capsicum of any colour, rubbish on busses & on the street, people who try too hard to be something they clearly arent, back-stabbing, politics, standing in queues, driving next to large trucks, stubbing my toe, poking myself in the eye, grey hairs, sleazy old men, no air-conditioning, flat coke, running out of batteries for my walkman, no milk in the fridge, arguing with loved ones, relying on others! ..

My Interests

This is my furbaby, Mia. She's a Brown Burmese and literally the best pet Ive EVER owned! She keeps me smiling, knows when Im sad and in need of a cuddle and even plays fetch (better than our whippet!!) Here she was fighting her new felt teddy (that my Mum had made!) It was a pure fluke that I got her so still in the pic and the composition was perfect! Although sad to say that the teddy didnt last long, and isnt around anymore! haha I LOVE 50s pinups! I have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with rockabilly, 50s, vintage, Bettie Page and anything that cinches the waist and looks ultra feminine. (I mostly live vicariously through the beauties cos Im not sure I have the skills to pull it off myself! haha)- or the time...or the money to maintain the look!.. I love listening to my walkman while making jewellery..I design & make earrings, bracelets and necklaces! .. I really enjoy reading comics, drawing & painting. Im a huge fan of good food, cups of tea & kisses in the sunshine and that feeling of warmth you get when your arm is in the sun while youre driving! I also love museums, writing in my journal, rainy days, converse all stars, Baileys, porkpies, bubble gum, making my own mix CD's and anything vintage including clothing& jewellery! ..My fave all time band.. (big call I know!)... 'The second stage turbine blade' and 'In keeping secrets of silent earth:3' Oh and the latest addition to complete the saga 'Good Apollo, Im Burning Star IV, Volume One:From Fear Through The Eyes Of Madness' Seeing them in London December 05 was the major highlight of my recent trip to the UK- their musical skills are phenomenal!.. .. .. .. .. I would love to collect Blythe dolls- however they are rather hard to come across in Australia! ..
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adopt your own virtual pet! ..

I'd like to meet:

Claudio Sanchez, I would just die right there! Creative people, talented artists, people with similar or same tastes as mine, inspirational people.. and the following celebrities:

Music:

Bloc Party/Yeah Yeah Yeahs/The Strokes/The Arctic Monkeys/Sarah Blasko/Thrice/Coheed & Cambria/The Lost Prophets/Thursday/Rise Against/Placebo/Story of the Year/The Used/Missy Higgins/Kaiser Chiefs/The Killers/Razorlight/Katie Tunstall/The Clash/Motown/Jets To Brazil/Fiona Apple/Architecture In Helsinki/Belle & Sebastian/Placebo/Amy Mann/Poe/Frente/Bjork/Stone Roses/The Who/The White Stripes/Franz Ferdinand/The Streets/Reel Big Fish/No Doubt/Spiderbait/Jimmy Eat World/The Superjesus/Fall Out Boy/Sia/The Who/Dashboard Confessional/The Bloodhound Gang/Anything Motown/Salt 'n' Pepa/The Roots/Lior/Sarah Blasko/Regina Spektor

Movies:

What Dreams May Come/Big Fish/Billy Elliot/Millions/Drop Dead Fred/Mallrats/Clueless/Kill Bill/Edward Scissorhands/Beetlejuice/Corpse Bride/The Labyrinth

Television:

I dont watch a lot of the telly- all that american sitcom & reality TV crap REALLY annoy me.. However.. I love Little Britain on the ABC. AND I like: -Scrubs -JTV (Triple J video show like Video Hits but WAY cooler!) -CSI -Medium-Kath&Kim (Prooooo- We're leaving in faaaaaaaaaaaive Muuuuuunutes) -Heroes

Books:

.. Anything by Roald Dahl, he's a favourite childhood author...when I was about 'Matilda's' age.. I read 'Matilda' it was the first novel I ever read! I subscribe to 'JUXTAPOZ' its a wicked 'lowbrow' art magazine from the states.. Im really into pop surrealism at the moment and searching small, smelly comic book stores for something 'different' and inspirational.. The latest place I visited was down Gawler Place.. run by a large woman with a moustache! yeah.. hows THAT for underground! hahaha

Heroes:

Bettie Page- she's one amazing woman and such an inspiration! Too many women with 'real bodies' are dying out!!!! Hail to HIPS! haha .. OMFG! THE POPPLES!!!!!

My Blog

This may come in handy....

...for those with an iphone!! Check out this article! http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/07/simple-hackery-enables-fr ee-itunes-ringtones/ Have fun! ...
Posted by .:gem:. on Sun, 09 Sep 2007 12:16:00 PST

Photo of the day!

http://storage.canalblog.com/26/44/175081/8554682.jpg For those unfortunate few who may not be aware of who this is..... Its Milo Ventimiglia AKA Peter Petrelli from Heroes... ...
Posted by .:gem:. on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 10:38:00 PST

The Ring in 30 seconds Bunny Style!

http://www.starz.com/features/bunnyclub/ring/index.html
Posted by .:gem:. on Sat, 30 Jun 2007 06:34:00 PST

Photo of The Day 28th May 07

Posted by .:gem:. on Mon, 28 May 2007 06:58:00 PST

The Frugality Cheat Sheet

http://frugalist.instantcreditcard.com/2007/the-frugality-ch eat-sheet-147-tiny-tips-to-live-healthier-happier-greener-an d-better/ Nice....
Posted by .:gem:. on Fri, 11 May 2007 10:10:00 PST

Photo of the DAY!

If a picture tells a thousand words.. I know ONE that this kid is thinking! hehehe...
Posted by .:gem:. on Tue, 08 May 2007 05:10:00 PST

What Everybody Ought to Know About Medicinal Uses Of 22 Common Spices

http://odyb.net/nutrients/what-everybody-ought-to-know-about -medicinal-uses-of-general-spices/ This is so handy to have and use... Im a fan of natural remedies!...
Posted by .:gem:. on Tue, 08 May 2007 03:14:00 PST

OOh..sexy!!!

Whats with those boobs? That skin? That dead hand? I seriously nearly spat my tea everywhere! And then I thought, surely this isnt real..and then I just laughed until my stomach hurt! Is this Paris i...
Posted by .:gem:. on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 04:38:00 PST

This is Awesome!

http://axiomsun.com/home/video/railside_graffiti_sequence_cr eates_an_animation.html
Posted by .:gem:. on Sun, 29 Apr 2007 10:41:00 PST