On Empathy - Jorg Colberg (Mon 25 Aug 2014)

Untitled - Picadilly Circus / London (Sat 17 Aug 2013)
Jorg Colberg (*) writes on Photography (*) and Empathy (*):

You can approach the photograph formally and study its composition, you can study its visual content, but you can also feel something here.

To be able to make photographs that convey feelings is an immense gift, but of course in part it is rooted in being able to be susceptible to what other people might feel.

Photographers’ empathy (or lack thereof) is a topic that is rarely discussed.

via PROJECT PROFILES: Ute Mahler – Zusammenleben (*) by Jorg Colberg (*).

On the Photographic Process and Discovery - Trent Parke (Wed 27 Aug 2014)

Untitled - Oxford Street / London (Sun 18 Aug 2013)
Trent Parke (*) writes On The Photographic Process (*) and Disocvery (*):

Question everything. Make work that is meaningful to you. Take time.

I have always found that mistakes and accidents usually lead to the best discoveries.

from Interview with: Trent Parke (*) via jotoole: (via An interview with Trent Parke - Try Hard... (*) by Douglas Lowell (*).

Water - Blackwattle Bay / Sydney (Sun 24 Aug 2014)

Water (*) - Blackwattle Bay (*) / Sydney (Sun 24 Aug 2014)

Be Audacious - Ravenna 2014

Home (*) - Blackwattle Bay / Sydney (Sun 24 Aug 2014)
Creature of habit, but I like this routine. Always go to Blackwattle Bay on the last Sunday before we leave to compete. I walk, take a few photos (*), read, think and reflect. And this time I wrote something, so here it is ..

I’ve been thinking lately about how every year seems to be different. It's natural. With time, things do change and I thought that this was the only reason things appeared to change. But you know what, even if everything did stay the same, it is still different, because you are different. You see things differently because you are a year older and all that goes with that, if you are doing something with your life.

With that rather random introduction (but I think there might be something in it), I thank everyone at Pacific Dragons for making Ravenna 2014 (*) happen.

How does such a small club get itself half way across the world to compete against the best clubs in the world?

It takes a thought, a dream, a goal, some intention, commitment and dedication. That's part of what it takes and the Club has lots of this and all the other things needed to be competing at our 4th consecutive World Club Crew Championships. I thank you all.

So with another candle on the cake, and with two sessions to go, I've come to love and appreciate this part of the campaign. I’ve been thinking lately:

• You know you are being coached by the best in the world - I told the boys this at the AB when we met in Feb this year, that alone is a good enough reason to buy in on the campaign.


• You feel fit and you know the effort is paying off – a conversion and gelling process is happening. After 70 or so water sessions, we are doing some really intense sets now. Things you just could not do, even a few months ago – and you thought were pretty good back then


• It’s scary but you love it.


• More so now, it’s not just what you are doing, it’s what you are thinking, what you believe.


• It’s not just to do your best, but to go beyond that and to give it everything.


• It’s not just for you, but for everyone who has loved, supported and helped you to get to this point.

Finally, going back to where it all began for most of us this campaign, I was asked in front of the Group, at the AB, that night back in Feb:

What is it like to be a World Champion?

I did not know what to say (and it was the reason I sent out that Five One Hundreths of Second (*) Post on FB after the meeting). And, I'm not sure that it is even the right question, but I did say something like this:

It's one step at a time. It is great to feel like you are in the game. You can’t expect to win, it’s not your fate or destiny to win and you definitely can’t just hope to win. You have to try. And you have to have confidence and belief in yourself, your support network and your team. [1]

and with that I concluded:

Be Audacious!!! [1]

And, so I am and so I think we all should be ..

Regards .. Geoff

[1] the essence of these thoughts came from a great blog post (*) I had just read at that time by a Canadian Olympic Kayaker, Adam Van Koeverden (*). For me, he is Canada’s Drew Ginn (*), both who are inspirations to me.

Some Days Are Like This - Cameron Wurf (Sat 23 Aug 2014)

Bike Rider - Copenhagen (Fri 23 Aug 2013)
Cameron Wurf (*) writes On Bicycle Racing (*):

the sport is so often very humbling and today I simply had to accept my fate.

via the truth hurts in the race of truth! (*) by Cameron Wurf (*).

On Saul Leiter - Tomas Leach (Fri 22 Aug 2014)

Untitled - Manhattan Bridge - Brooklyn (Mon 22 Aug 2011)
Tomas Leach (*) on Saul Leiter (*):

Saul’s greatest lesson was to believe in yourself and your own way of seeing the world.

Tomas admired Saul's:

ability to be himself in his work and in his life.

via The Legendary Photographer Who Captured the Softer Side of NYC - Wired (*) by Pete Brook (*).

On being You - The Story of Telling (Fri 22 Aug 2014)

Meditation - Green Park (*) / London (Sun 18 Aug 2013)
The Story of Telling (*) writes on being Yourself (*):

People don’t want another cheap imitation. They want to connect with and experience you and the meaning you bring to your work.

There’s no more effective way to be different than to be exactly who you are.

via How To Be Different (*) by The Story of Telling (*).

How and Why - Max S. Gerber (Thu 21 Aug 2014)

How? (*) and (even better) Why? (*) = I don't know - Madrid (Sat 12 Aug 2013)
Max S. Gerber (*) on Process (*):

focusing on the how distracts from the why.

via The Daily Edit – Max S. Gerber iPhone Promo (*) by A Photo Editor (*).

Doing the best I can - Seth Godin (Thu 14 Aug 2014)

Doing his everything - Sacre-Coeur / Montmartre / Paris (Aug 2005)
Seth Godin (*) writes on Doing our Best (*):

Doing the best I can

...is actually not the same as, "doing everything I can."

When we tell people we're doing the best we can, we're actually saying, "I'm doing the best I'm comfortable doing."

As you've probably discovered, great work makes us uncomfortable.

via Doing the best I can (*) by Seth Godin (*).

On Photos and Process - Jörg Colberg (Tue 19 Aug 2014)

Water (*) (more (*)) and Trees (*) (more (*)) - Copenhagen (Fri 23 Aug 2013)
Jörg Colberg (*) writes on Photos (*) and Process (*):

At the end of the day, it should be about the pictures. [..]

So I look at the pictures first – are they any good? – and then at the process.

via On Process (Further Down the Rabbit Hole) (*) by Jörg Colberg (*).

On Photography - Blake Andrews (Thu 14 Aug 2014)

Jenny and Joanne - Glen Coe / Scotland (Sun 04 Sep 2005)
Blake Andrews (*) writes On Photography (*):

The ones [photos] which seem to change over time, that in fact remind me that I'm changing —I suspect those are the keepers.

via The Same River Twice (*) by Blake Andrews (*).

This photo already has it's own story (*), which still continues to be written (*). It is certainly a keeper and one that I continue to see more as my life changes from unknown to unknown.

Duplicity 2 - Hyde Park Corner / London (Sun 18 Aug 2013)

Duplicity 2 - Hyde Park Corner / London (Sun 18 Aug 2013)

Is first place the only way to get to where you're going? - Seth Godin (Fri 15 Aug 2014)

National Champions (photo taken by Jenny) - and sometimes when you least expect it, you do come first!! - Geoff (*) - 2006 AusDBF National Dragon Boat Champs - Nagambie (*) (Sun 16 April 2006)
From yesterdays post (*), Seth Godin (*) asks:

Is first place the only way to get to where you're going?

A very good question.

And I know of one response (*) through experience (*).

More specifically, from an earlier post (*)..

Julia Ryall (*) writes On Performance (*) and Expectation (*) amongst other things:

Performance (*) is not about crossing the line first, it is about having great plan, the right preparation (*), the ability to execute the plan (*) well on the day, realistic expectations (*) and an ability to celebrate (*) the performance rather than the placing.

via PDdb - DB Paddling Update: The ultimate performance is a greater reward than first place by Julia Ryall (*).

Written, what now seems so long ago, but still so right and relevant. Almost six years on, and so many amazing experiences (*) in between, these words makes much more sense now than they did back then.

And even more so now. Thanks Julia.

The Pacific Dragons 2014 Inspire Award in the Memory of Jenny Petterson - Glebe/Sydney (Sat 09 Aug 2014)

Nicola, Julia, Joanne and Geoff - Pacific Dragons Presentation Night - Glebe (Sat 09 Aug 2014)
Julia Ryall (*) is the 2014 Inspire Award (*) Winner. She is an amazing person and a most worthy recipient. Here are a few words in support:

Julia has been a member of the club for over 10 years now. She has been the Women’s Dragon Coach for at least 10 years and as such a member of the committee also. She has therefore been a key contributor the functioning of the club, and the creation and shaping of its culture - it's values and ideals [along with our dreams].

Most importantly Julia provides Inspiration to all in her leadership role.

[Leadership and] Inspiration is the key to allowing people to achieve things that deep down we know we can, but often can’t achieve on our own.

The writer David Foster Wallace describes this kind of Leadership as a “mysterious quality, hard to define, but we always know it when we see”. So for me, I know I have seen it with Julia. Rarely I have seen it, experienced it in the community I live, my workplace or the sports I have participated, but feel fortunate to have experienced and seen that mysterious quality through Julia.

She has always been there for us. Sometimes it is hard to be leader, but a real leader does not shy away from difficult decisions, particularly when it is the best for the team.

This year Julia was not able to paddle due to the impending arrival of their first child, Zach. This did not stop her from being on the front of the boat, when she could, coaching us to be the best we can. Drawing out of us, what we knew we could always do, but were afraid to face, maybe due to a lack of self-belief or the fear of failing.

In February, I was privileged to see Julia at her natural best, to motivate the PD’s Women’s team prior to their record 8th time win of the CNY. Her pre-race talk was completely inspiring and there was not dry eye and everyone knew what they had to do to become who they always knew they could be. And, many feel the successful result of that day would not have been achieved without Julia’s leadership, her words, her inspiration. She inspired the team to be achieve what they always knew they could do.

There are dozens of other instances of this and one I can fondly recount is her role as co-Campaign and sole-Regatta [Head] Coach for Macau 2010. She lead us to be the World Club Champions for the Premier Mixed 500m Event. Again her pre-race talk, motivated us to believe in ourselves to become world champions that day.

Julia creates, leads, unifies and motivates a team, and the individuals within it. She is the true essence of the word inspiration.

Congratulations Julia.

National Champions (photo taken by Jenny) - 2006 AusDBF National Dragon Boat Champs - Nagambie (*) (Sun 16 April 2006)
Pacific Dragons Premier Women's Crew - CNY Pre-Final Huddle / Darling Harbour (Sat 08 Feb 2014)
Pacific Dragons Premier Women's Crew - CNY Post Final Photo / Darling Harbour (Sat 08 Feb 2014)
Joanne, Julia and Jenny - AusDBF Australian Champs After Party - Kawana (*) / Qld (Sun 25 Apr 2009)
Remembering Jenny by Julia Ryall

When the swell and the wind combine to treat us to runners,

when the boat run is magical and the sun shines on our backs,

when the water is warm and dolphins swim beside us,

when a rainbow forms overhead or gold hangs warmly on our chests,

when there is a splash, a laugh, a smile or an embrace,

when each individual feels a sense of achievement and

when the team is proud…

We will think of Jen. And, she’ll be there, smiling, shining, sharing the moment.

Always.

Julia Ryall - Tue 30 Jun 2009

On Getting There - Seth Godin (Fri 15 Aug 2014)

Untitled - Lisbon (Thu 15 Aug 2013)
Seth Godin (*) writes Getting There (*):

Is first place the only way to get to where you're going?

via Your arms race (*) by Seth Godin (*).

A very good question.

On Belief - Streetshooter (Wed 13 Aug 2014)

Untitled - Lisbon (Wed 14 Aug 2013)
Streetshooter (*) writes On Belief (*):

always believe in what you do and who you are…………….if you don’t how can you expect other[s] to…….

via August 13th, 2014 … Fuji X100s … Observations On A Walkabout (*) by Streetshooter (*).

Don't Hate, Appreciate - Memorial Gates / London (Sun 18 Aug 2013)

"Don't Hate (*), Appreciate (*)" - Memorial Gates (*) / London (Sun 18 Aug 2013)
Don't hate your competitor in the field where you compete (*), appreciate that they make you stronger and better than you would be without them. May they be the best they can, so you will be the best you can. That's the way I like to look at it, at least.

On Living - The Story of Telling (Wed 13 Aug 2014)

I have battles in my life ("but I'm better for it") - Alexandria (Feb 2014)
The Story of Telling (*) writes On Life (*):

The irony of the human condition is that we fear (*) being invisible (*) and yet we fear being seen. We want to feel (*) like what we do matters (*), that our time here stood for something. And yet we know that when we stick our necks out we are opening (*) ourselves up to criticism (*) and failure (*). [..]

What Will Your Verse Be?

via What Will Your Verse Be? (*) by The Story of Telling (*).

Mine is already done (*), but I hope (*) I will be lucky enough to add to it.

On Competing - Alex Gregory (Sat 09 Aug 2014)

Love (*) - Lisbon (Wed 14 Aug 2013)
Alex Gregory (*) writes On Competing (*):

you can hate (*) your opposition (*), think whatever you need to think to get over that line first – that’s sport, but leave it on the field of play.

via Lasting Traditions - Henley Royal Regatta 2014 (*) by Alex Gregory (*).

On Observervation - Humbled by Beauty - Streetshooter (Mon 11 Aug 2014)

Flower (*) - Madrid (Sun 11 Aug 2013)
Streetshooter (*) writes On being an Observer (*):

find the beauty (*) placed in the garden and nurtured (*) by a higher source (*), the same source (*) that nurtures (*) you, that gives life (*) to all beings. To me, when I see the garden that my wife Tanya works so diligently (*) to make fruitful and beautiful, I am humbled (*).

via August 11th, 2014 … Fuji X100s …Observations (*) by Streetshooter (*).

A beautiful observation.

On Sport - Simon Barnes (Mon 28 Jul 2014)

Skaters - Hyde Park / London (Sun 18 Aug 2013)
Simon Barnes (*) writes in Fun and Games Serve Meaningful Purpose (*) on Sport (*):

Sport is one of the ways we can fulfill our human, our animal need for others; to do things together, to share things. [..]

Sport moves on from this to be many other things, sometimes complex and disturbing, sometimes beautiful, sublime, inspiring, humbling, and joyous.

Sport is many things and sometimes feels like all things.

But sport starts with sharing.

The sporting impulse begins in our dread of isolation, in our soul-deep need for contact.

via Why Sport? (*) by Patrick McHugh (*).

On Art - Thomas Barnett (Fri 08 Aug 2014)

Scaffolding (* - Just off Oxford Street / London (Sun 18 Aug 2013)
Thomas Barnett (*) writes On Art (*):

the most fundamental of questions about art – if it has no audience, does it exist?

via The beautiful desecration of Vivian Maier (*) by Thomas Barnett (*). More on Vivian Maier (*).

On Happiness - Sidney Rittenberg

Happiness - Copenhagen (Sat 24 Aug 2013)
Sidney Rittenberg (*) talks On Happiness (*):

happiness...is not a function of your circumstances; it’s a function of your outlook on life.

via Crucibles of Leadership (*) by Warren Bennis (*) and Robert Thomas (*).

On Discovery - Christopher Columbus via Danny Zapalac (Thu 07 Aug 2014)

Follow the Light - Genoa / Italy (14 Aug 2005)
Christopher Columbus (*) writes On Discovery (*):

Following the light (*) of the sun (*), we left the Old World.

via Tumblr (*) by Danny Zapalac (*).

On Success - The Story of Telling (Wed 06 Aug 2014)

A Little Bit of Red (*) - Barcelona (Tue 06 Aug 2013)
The Story of Telling (*) writes On Succeeding (*):

doing the obvious (*) isn’t always the shortcut (*) to success (*).

via The Truth about Vanilla (*) by The Story of Telling (*).

Follow Your Curiosity - Eric Kim (Tue 05 Aug 2014)

follow - Madrid (Sun 11 Aug 2013)
Eric Kim writes:

[..] follow your curiosity. Passion and interest cannot be faked. Your subconscious is wiser and smarter than you think. Follow what your subconscious tells you.

via Advice for Young Street Photographers by Eric Kim.

Why Photography Matters - Kirk Tuck (Sun 03 Aug 2014)

Untitled - Lisbon (Thu 15 Aug 2013)
Kirk Tuck (*) writes On Photography (*) and why it Matters (*) :

Shoot (*) for the fun (*) of it. Shoot for your own self-discovery (*). Shoot for the glory (*) of having seen something unique (*) and having savored it well. [..]

Let the images you take be your enduring guides (*) to your own vision (*) and your own past (*) and leave it at that.

via Celebration Post. Landmark. Milestone. Crazy accomplishment. A "Thank You" to the readers who have stuck around over the years. And more. (*) by Kirk Tuck (*).

On What Matters - The Story of Telling (Mon 04 Aug 2014)

Untitled - Sydney (Oct 2013)
The Story of Telling (*) writes and asks:

It’s never been more important to take time to work out who you are and why that matters

via Play To Your Strengths (*) by The Story of Telling (*).

On Lost Inspiration and Purpose - The Manual of the Warrior of Light

Jenny and Geoff - 2nd Wedding Anniversay - Quay West/Sydney (Tue 30 Apr 2002)
Following on from yesterday's post (*), Paulo Coelho (*) writes on lost Inspiration (*) and Purpose (*):

One day, for no apparent reason, the warrior realises that he does not feel the same enthusiasm for the fight that he used to.

He continues to do what he has always done, but every gesture seems meaningless. At such a time, he has only one choice: to continue fighting the Good Fight. He says his prayers out of duty or fear or whatever, but he does not abandon the path.

He knows that the angel of the One who inspires him has simply wandered off somewhere. The warrior keeps his attention focused on the battle and he perseveres, even when everything seems utterly pointless. The angel will soon return and the merest flutter of her wings will restore the warrior's joy to him.

via The Manual of the Warrior of Light (*) by Paulo Coelho (*).

I posted this passage back in Aug 2010 (*), while struggling with Jenny's loss. I think of it often and I guess that is why yesterday's post (*) seemed so important. I just thought I would repost it (*) again as my Angel did flutter her wings and my joys of paddling and life did return. Maybe it started here (*)?

On Leadership and Influence - Tim Elmore (Fri 05 Oct 2012)

Untitled - Kawana (*) (Thu 17 Apr 2014)
Tim Elmore (*) writes On Leadership (*) and Influence (*):

every[one] who is willing has the potential (*) to lead (*) and influence (*) others [..]

every one of us, even the shy ones, are influencing (*) others.

So Tim (*) asks:

what breadth of influence (*) could people have who become intentional (*) about it?

via Is Everyone a Leader? (*) by Tim Elmore (*).

Reminds me of this Post (*), which has provided me with the knowledge, confidence and intention of influencing (*) others in a positive way, where I can within my limited abilities. After all, as Tim states:

We all have the responsibility (*) to do what we can—based upon our strengths.

I know it works. Thanks Tim.

On Love, Inspiration and Purpose - Khalik Allah (Fri 01 Aug 2014)

Love Foundation - Amsterdam (Tue 20 Aug 2013)
Khalik Allah (*) responds to the following question On Inspiration (*) and purpose (*):

Question: how did you find your purpose (*)? how did you know? how do you tap into that thing that inspires (*) you deep within and never leaves? thank you. Bless

Khalik Allah (*): When you’re in love (*) you’re inspired (*). Love (*) is magnetic. If I love photography (*) then I’m just gonna keep being with it. If you wanna consistently remain inspired (*) then you gotta have a purpose (*) bigger than photography (*), and then do it for that purpose (*).

via Tumblr (*) by Khalik Allah (*).

Obviously applicable to everything in our lives. Nice to see it so clearly abstracted and stated. Thanks Khalik (*).

On Photography - The Photo Album of Ireland Blog (Wed 30 Jul 2014)

David, Joanne, Jack, Eileen, Jenny, Geoff - Wollongong (21 Oct 2007
Stephanie McBride (*) writes Photography (*):

Our photographs tell us what matters, what mattered, who we are and what we were.

via An evening with the photograph album (*) by The Photo Album of Ireland Blog (*).