Cadel Evans on Calmness:
Stay calm. Enjoy the race. Do your bestvia Tour de France 2017: Cadel Evans tells Richie Porte to 'stay calm' and cycle on by Rupert Guinness.
Showing posts sorted by date for query Enjoy. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Enjoy. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Calmness - Cadel Evans / Rupert Guinness (Sat 01 Jul 2017)
Sunday, December 27, 2015
On Photography and Life - Eric Kim (Sun 27 Dec 2015)
Never forget where you Came From [..]via Photography is Escapism by Eric Kim.
And never forget to always love yourself
Had the pleasure of hearing Eric talk back April 2012. Quite the philosopher and I always enjoy reading his posts and many a quote has found its way here, today being another.
What I have found about photography is that is a reflection on and of Life. The beauty of the act of photography and thinking of photography.
On photography as a form of escapism. It is perfect, because sometimes that is what need to get through. And for me, along with the paddling, that is how it has been and will continue to be I suspect And there is nothing the matter with that.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
"That is my life story up until now" - Remembering Jenny (Mon 06 Jul 2009)
The cackle of a Laughing Kookaburra announces the first light of dawn as the sun rose on that cold winters day. With no sleep that night preparing for Jenny's Funeral later in the day, I penned these words to honour Jenny's Life at her Funeral. Six and half years later, looking back at what came out in those last few hours, I am happy. What strikes me most is how I chose to "reflect on the little things". And they are what I miss most. Here it is ..
Jennifer Joy Petterson
24 Mar 1962 - 30 Jun 2009
Age 47 years 3 months and 6 days
"That is my life story up until now."
This is how Jenny ended her "Autobiography" written in 5th class (being 1972). I always enjoyed reading this lengthy account (it had 3 three parts) of Jenny's life up to the age of 10. I loved this story and scanned the original into my computer so that I could read it during a quiet moment at work.
Jenny was the eldest identical twin daughter of Norm and Margaret Petterson of Holt Road, Sylvania. With feet eagerly pressing on Jenny's back at the birth, a younger sister followed 5 minutes after Jenny's arrival. This was her identical twin sister Joanne. She was ready to play and from that time on they were inseparable. On the day of their birth Jenny writes there was a fete at the hospital. Jenny would always tell me that Norm bought a wind up koala at the fete that played music. For some reason she did not write this
The Autobiography, even at the age of 10, shows that Jenny had an eye for detail, as this quote reveals.
"At the age of 4 years and 10 months and 15 days we started school and cried when mummy left us."
It documents many facts and figures - birth weights and lengths, when they first walked, where they holidayed and details such as the colour of the caravans they stayed in - all well recorded for prosperity.
They participated in many sporting activities (which has been a constant throughout Jenny's life) - swimming, physie, jazz ballet, and little athletics, to mention a few.
Furthermore, she recalls the date of their first hair cut. - and even allowing me to determine that her first tooth fell out on my 7th birthday .
More generally what can be summarized from the autobiography is that Jenny had a fun filled, active childhood with her sister Joie and friends, which was encouraged and fostered by their loving parents.
Even as babies there seemed to be an order to things and this became even more apparent once they started to talk (yes that date is also recorded). In Part 1 of Jenny's Autobiography:
"One the 3rd Oct 1964 we had our first haircut and Joie said, 'Denny First', meaning Jenny first".Jenny even then was a stabilizing influence on Joanne.
As stated above Jenny finishes her "Autobiography" with:
"That is my life story up until now."
Obviously she looks forward to the future and how she will fit into the world as she grows up. In recent years these words struck a chord with me. Today, these words have even greater meaning.
Jenny and Jo progressed to Sylvania High. They started part time work at Grace Bros’, Miranda Fair. Jo in "Cosmetics and Womens Clothing" and Jenny in "Hardware and Gardening" - "Same, Same but Different". I often asked Jenny to recall these days and I would get a kick when she could still recite the cost codes of power tools and various hardware items. The attention for detail was paying off out in the real world!!
During high school, the Girls ramped up their sporting activities and started to focus on Athletics, Cross Country Running and also a bit of Tennis. Interestingly enough, Jo and I would have crossed paths at the CHS State Cross Country Championships held at Hurlstone Ag College in 1977.
They also found time to also progress from Brownies to Girl Guides. Musters and camps were attended and they both rose quickly though the ranks to Patrol Leaders, finally achieving the highest rank of Queen's Guide with presentation of the award by the Governor of NSW, Sir Rodden Cuttler.
School and High School Certificates were sat and good grades recorded in all subjects. Geography was Jenny's favourite - definitely an early sign of a future "Travel Bug". She loved a map and an atlas, and this remained another constant throughout her life.
Successful Grades accomplished in the HSC saw the Girls accepted into the Bachelor of Business at UTS.
Following interviews the Girls accepted Business/Administration cadetships with the Electricity Commission of NSW. Our lives crossed similar paths again, as I had the same Interviewer for my successful application for an Engineering Cadetship. We were now working for the same company - be it 12,000 people.
Group assignments were the norm at UTS and they always found it easier if the group consisted of two members - more specifically themselves. Minimizing traveling, they were on the same wavelength, which provided for a consistent approach to completing the assignment just in time.
At work, as was the case during their school days at Sylvania, Jenny and Jo made many friends. There were lots of "Work Outings" with friends from [Work and] Uni.
Being at an age to travel independently, they made many "trips away". These were always well documented with many photographs taken, always with people in them (themselves typical) and some local landmark behind.
Jenny documents in a 1995 twin survey that they had traveled overseas on 13 occasions, as well as numerous holidays in Australia.
At work Jenny was provided with early work experiences, mainly in Purchasing (there were lots of cost codes to remember there). Jenny then pursued a career in Internal Audit, specializing in large mainframe computer systems and business systems. This was the days before PC's. Joanne followed a more traditional path into financial and management accounting. As PC progresses throughout the organization, there were now many PC Id numbers to remember.
All kinds of sporting activities were tried and some pursued more than others. The main sport would then become Touch Football, participating in three separate competitions each week. Also they found the water and learnt to row single and double sculls, as well as 4's and 8's.
Through a combined interest in running, Jenny and I crossed paths in organising our company's participation in the inaugural Corporate Games held in Nov 1989. I can remember the first time we met and I how I was instantly attracted to her smile, blue eyes and lovely [nature]. On the [day of the Games] I realized that Jenny was an identical twin. We all had a great day.
Afterwards, I often thought of Jenny and a few months later out of the blue, she arranged to give me a team photo from the day and then asked me to partner her to a wedding. I was stunned. We agreed to go out on 30th March 1990 before the wedding in order to get to know each other better. We had dinner and saw a movie. She then showed me photo albums of her travels late into the night - it just seemed so easy to listen and talk to her and even then I hoped that she we would be the one for me. I could not believe she was interested in me. After a month we were going out and a 10 year courtship ensued.
During this time many milestones and life changing experiences occurred. The Girls completed their Masters [in Finance at UTS], Norm (their father) passed away suddenly in hospital, on [Tue 0]2 Jun 1992.
In late Mar 1997 Jenny was diagnosed with breast cancer and a mastectomy followed a few weeks later. She returned to work and got on with her life. On New Years Eve 1997, Margaret (their mother) was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Margaret was referred to Jodi as her Oncologist and numerous chemo courses followed. The Girls would attend all consultations with her. Around the same time Jenny's cancer recurred in the scar tissue of the mastectomy. This is when Jodi also became Jenny's Oncologist. Now Margaret and Jenny were having chemo at the same time.
Through a cancer course at Royal Nth Shore, Jenny found Barbara (now Sister Suscila) and that's where they found meditation and a natural/spiritual approach to healing. Around this time Jenny also joined the Sutherland Shire Cancer Support Group which was facilitated by Liz, a social worker with Calvary.
Stong relationships were established and developed with Jodi, Suscila and Liz and though each of their own skill sets and support networks helped influence Jenny's approach and ensuing journey with cancer. I believe they helped Jenny to embrace her cancer and to live life to the full.
Unfortunately Margaret's cancer was quite advanced and spread quickly. Jodi saw in Jenny and Joanne a strength of character and asked them to care palliatively for Margaret at home, while she would make house calls. This has been Jenny and Jo's greatest gift in life, caring for their mother at home for 8 weeks (Jenny was still having her chemo at this time) until Margaret succumbed to her cancer on 28 April 1999 (her wedding anniversary).
Jenny's breast cancer spread to her lungs and in late 1999 scans revealed 10 tumors. A hormone therapy treatment started. Jenny and Jo traveled to visit Suscila in Alice Springs and visited Uluru for the Millennium. Jenny would recall later that she had an amazing experience lying in the red desert sand at the foot of Uluru.
Shortly after her return from Uluru we became engaged and we set about organizing our wedding in just 10 weeks. The big day being the 30th April 2000. What a day. We sang “Song of Joy”. We exchanged vows and rings and then kissed as Husband and Wife. At the reception we made toasts, spoke and danced the night away. A rainbow theme being the unifying element with rainbow inspired flowers, ribbons, cake, speeches and songs. We honeymooned on Lord Howe and shortly after our return Jenny retired from work to pursue her passions (on Jodi's suggestion).
At the Sydney Olympics later that year we must have held the record for the most sessions attended - handball becoming our favourite. We had many fond and inspiring memories from the whole event.
At that time, just over 9 years ago, we had no idea how long we would have together. This did not stop us and we tried to live a normal life with goals set for six months at a time. Holidays were planned and taken - a trip to the Cook Islands to visit Susila over Xmas 2000, a 4 week trip to North West Australia in May 2001 and a return to Lord Howe in Oct 2001 so Joanne and my Mother could share the experience.
Another constant was our annual trip to Mt Kosciusko for a benchmarking 22km walk around the Main Range. This year was her hardest effort – but she did it. Maybe it was a sign of things to come.
In late 2000 I bought a small digital camera to document our travels and lives. I did not know how much time we would have share and the camera gave me some comfort that I could capture our memories.
Jenny's cancer was ever persistent and there was always something going on - radiation, more chemo, hormone injections or tablets and numerous operations - we could watch “House” and could easily relate to the medical terms.
Through one of her chemo treatments, Jenny found a Dragons Abreast flyer at the hospital. This would be start of the biggest change in our lives. Jenny and Joanne took to paddling like "ducks to water" and I found myself photographing them and the dragon boats that they trained and raced. It gave them opportunities to travel wide and far. Our holidays were now planned around Dragon Boat regattas locally and internationally.
Jo would make the NSW and Australian Team to Poland in 2003. Jenny was held back by a course of chemo and numerous trips to the hospital. She still remained involved by videoing the teams at time trials at Penrith.
In 2004 she would make the NSW Team and compete for her country in the World Championships in Shanghai. There could not have been a prouder person when Joanne's Premier Mixed Team won a bronze medal in the 500m race.
During the 2004 Shanghai campaign Jenny’s journey was captured by an Australian Story episode titled "In the Pink". She was nervous participant and a little uncertain about how it would be scripted and received. We all nervously awaited its airing on that June long weekend Monday - unaware as to its content. The episode captured the essence of the Dragons Abreast Movement in Australia, showing all sides to cancer and it's impact - positive and negative.
The episode would popularize Dragons Abreast Australia beyond it's creators wildest dreams. Clubs quickly popped up everywhere across the country and continue to do so. Meanwhile, Jenny and Joanne would become the most well known (yet most humble) paddlers in Australia.
Others today have told of Jenny's inspiring feats on the water and there is no need for me to repeat them. She just loved to paddle and found great comfort amongst her paddling colleagues. It provided a sense of normality to her life and she just seem to fit in, even with compression sleeve on her right arm or the missing hair on her head which was always discreetly hidden by a colourful selection of bandana's.
Jenny empowered many people (with and without) cancer to pursue their dreams. She will live on through Joanne and I and no doubt many others from her inspiring journey. Thinking of Jenny will help influence our decisions and motivate us to achieve our dreams and to decide what is right.
I will miss hearing you breath as you slept. I will miss calling out “I love you” as I leave for work each day. Whistling at the front door when I got home and hearing you whistle back. You were the most amazing thing to happen in my life I am having trouble comprehending the way forward. You provided me with love and gave me hope and life purpose. I would always say to Jenny “I am the lucky one”.
A couple of quotes from her regular talks and Australian Story follow and I think there is something there to inspire us all. No matter the circumstance.
“Cancer is something that people do not expect to happen to them and no matter who is diagnosed, and at whatever time in their life, it is a shock which has huge ramifications for not only the person involved but also their family and friends. It takes a lot of adjustment to get used to.”“I feel I am so lucky and have a wonderful life. I have had some great opportunities through breast cancer to meet some very inspiring people. Geoff and Jo have been a constant source of support for me. Breast cancer has totally changed my life but for the best.”
“I don't understand how things work out, and why things work out the way they do. I feel like I've been lucky. I don't understand how cancer works, I don't know why I've been blessed the way I have been.”
“It's just in the lap of the gods.”
Enjoy your new “Island Home” and those that surround you [there]. You know that “We’ll be There” and we know that “You’ll be There”.
As we said to each other before we nodded off each night .. Jenny:
“Good Night, God Bless, I Love You.”
"That is my life story up until now."
Friday, October 9, 2015
On the Joy of Paddling - Honolulu (Sun 10 Sep 2011)
Paddling has changed my life. It has given me so much Joy. It has given me purpose and goals through the good and tough times.
Going back to Hawaii just now for the biggest paddling challenge for an Outrigger Paddler. Thanks to all who have supported and encouraged us to get to this Moment (yes it's just there now ready for us to firmly grasp with both hands). It takes much effort by many people. It can be hard, uncomfortable and difficult but that's why you do it.
Hoping we might be able to catch a few runners just like we did here off the beach in Sep 2011, and minimise the mistakes as we do the 66 km crossing with 110 crews from all over the world. See you on the other side, all going well ..
Saturday, July 11, 2015
On Photography and Life - Andre D. Wagner / Freddy Martinez (Tue 26 May2015)
Andre D. Wagner on Photography and Life:
Photography has definitely saved me. Because of it, I enjoy life, so I don’t spend time thinking about the suffering of life.via Andre D. Wagner Interview: New York Portraits That Give Face to Connection by Freddy Martinez.
Friday, May 29, 2015
A Heart of Bronze, A Heart of Stone - Tim Winton / Intelligent Life Magazine (May/June 2015)
Tim Winton on Humane and Heart:
there was a quality to it I later recognised as humane. I didn’t just take shelter from it; I took heart.
via SPURNED NO LONGER by Tim Winton.
And so she was and so I did.
[1] Bella - Inscription "The freedom to be who you are and to enjoy what is!" - Sculpture by Greg James.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Enjoy Life - Bronnie Ware (Sun 05 Apr 2015)
Bronnie Ware on Life
Change is constant. We make it easiest on ourselves by accepting that fact. Our ability in letting go of the need for control, giving up the insistence that things have to be a certain way, is a courageous gift of freedom.via Enjoy Life by Bronnie Ware.It is also a gift of love and gratitude. By surrendering to life, accepting that change is a natural part of the flow, we learn to appreciate the moment for what it is.[..]
Life really is such a short and precious gift. It can also change unexpectedly in one tiny moment. So please, love yourself enough to commit to enjoying your life. Make decisions that support your happiness – your genuine, heartfelt happiness.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Learning to Fly - Coming Home / Sydney to Coffs Harbour (Mon 16 Mar 2015)
Back to Coffs Harbour for another week at home with Mum. On a whim I decided to take a few photographs on my iPhone6 to capture the wild ocean as we came in for a landing in Coffs from the North. Decided to put it on video mode and leave it on for the last 4 or 5 minutes. And if it worked out I thought I would add the Foo Fighters Learn to Fly (it takes me back to Sydney 2000) as a soundtrack. In the end, I used the following, which is far more appropriate in spirit and mood. A lovely song. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did putting it all together on the iPhone6 - who would have thought this could all be done on a mobile so easily and effortlessly.
Learning To Fly Lyrics
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
Well, I started out down a dirty road
Started out all alone
And the sun went down as I crossed the hill
And the town lit up, the world got still
I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Well, the good ol' days may not return
And the rocks might melt and the sea may burn
I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Well, some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I've started out for God knows where
I guess I'll know when I get there
I'm learning to fly around the clouds
But what goes up must come down
I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
I'm learning to fly around the clouds
But what goes up must come down
I'm learning to fly
I'm learning to fly
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Give it Everything - Cameron Wurf (Thu 25 Dec 2014)
Cameron Wurf (*) writes on Giving it Everything (*):
give it everything you have to get the best possible result you can achieve. That way when you cross the line you have no regrets because you've given it all you have and you can now relax and enjoy what you've just done, win or lose.via Socal ing with Cal! (*) by Cameron Wurf (*).
Happy New Year.
Friday, November 7, 2014
An Approach to Modern Life - Kirk Tuck (Thu 06 Nov 2014)
Kirk Tuck (*) observes:
Sometimes experiencing (*) something with undiluted intention (*) is the only way to either enjoy (*) it or even understand (*) it.via Imagine life at high speed. Imagine the adrenaline on all the time (*) by Kirk Tuck (*).
Thursday, January 30, 2014
The Reward of Photoblogging for the Little People - Reciprocity Failure (Wed 29 Jan 2014)
Reciprocity Failure (*) writes On Photography (*):
And then there's a whole 'nother echelon, the rest of us- guys like me. The bottom of the barrel, the pissing in the wind crowd, the no respect guys- like most everyone else in blogdom. We do it for the same reasons we continue to photograph without fanfare- although we may aspire to bigger and better, after a coupla years, it becomes obvious it's because we want to, have to. For better or for worse...via The Art Of Photoblogging... (*) by Reciprocity Failure (*).
And the reward (*) is, the reward is whatever we find of it within ourselves..
Happy to say this little blog and the photos here, are for me, but I hope maybe there might be one or two others out there who enjoy what has appeared here over the last almost five years.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Adam Goodes Talk - Auroras 2013 Team Captains Announcement - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)
Adam Goodes (*) talks to the Sydney based Australian Dragon Boat Team Members, the 2013 Auroras.
It was a few weeks before we flew out to Hungary for our final training camp in Gyor (*) and then onto Szeged (*) a few days later, for the World Championships.
It was an amazing moment. To think that Adam would come down to say a few words to us.
You knew it was special at the time. But today, looking at this video, it made me realise how special it was. Thanks Adam. You are a Gentleman, a Champion and represent everything that which we aspire to as people and paddlers.
Following Adam's Talk, Kel announced the 2013 Aurora Divisional Team Leaders and overall Team Captains. As each was named, Adam presented the Sydney based Leaders and Captains with a Plaque which acknowledges each persons achievements in being selected to their position.
Finally, Kel thanked Adam for making time to see us, following which he was presented a plaque to remember his time with us. Needless to say, Adam was more than happy to spend a bit of time speaking to us individually and to make a few photos. See below.
Here is my humble efforts to transcribe what Adam said..
Kel suggested I come down here to see you guys who are going off to represent your country which I think is fantastic.Here are a few photos from the day. Thanks Adam and of course, Kel, for asking Adam.
I do like to give back to community as much as possible and thought this was great opportunity.
You know this is not a sport that I am involved with. A sport which I have never tried before, but
[.. from the crowd .. we have got a spare seat. ]
I would hate to kick somebody out of their spot.
It is a fantastic thing, whether, you know, it's your first time representing Australia or whether you have been doing it for so many years as a Master. It is always the same. You have got that Green and Gold.
I have played for Australia four times, I have captained Australia in 2011 over in Ireland at the International Series there.
I didn't really feel what it was like to be a patriot to my Country until I represnted Australia. To see the Americans and how patriotic they are about the flag and everything.
It's not until you represent Australia and you are going away from Australian shores to do it that you actually feel how proud I am about the Country I come from, the Country I am representing and the people that we are.
Look at how diverse we all are just looking at us right now.
It is fantastic that we can go away and represent Australia and give our best. I think that is what being Australian is all about is giving our best.
You are also doing it for ..
The main reason I wanted to come down here today for you guys is to give you a pat on the back. Wish you good luck.
You know it is a fantastic opportunity to ..
You know I have never been to Hungary before. It is a great opportunity to see a different Country. Embrace their culture. Learn somehting new. But also, let them embrace our culture as well. Let them see what Australian people are like.
Have fun. You know, win, lose or draw, you are over there to enjoy yourself.
Get to know people on a different level. Travel together. I know the boys don't like travelling with me because I am a bit of a snorer.
[.. from the crowd - much laughter ..]
I dont have a problem with it, ..
but enjoy, have fun and go and do us proud.
That is the great thing about representing your Country.
It is what it is all about. Good luck.
[.. from the crowd - applause.]
Sunday, September 15, 2013
On Destiny - Chris Horner - Twisted Spoke (Sat 14 Sep 2013)
Chris Horner (*) talks On Destiny (* | w):
I don’t need any time for this to sink in, I’ve had lots of time to think about it and what this accomplishment would be like, [..] I’ve had lots of time to think about how much I suffered (*) to get here, and the feelings (*) I have now will last a lifetime (*).via Horner king of Angliru and winner of Vuelta (*) by Twisted Spoke (*).
Congrats to Chris Horner (*) who rolls into Madrid tonight to become the oldest rider to win a modern Grand Tour Cycling Event.
For someone who has assisted so many great riders over the years, he must have known that winning feeling, to stand on the top level of the Podium and to hear his National Anthem, to be the one to receive the accolades.
Everyone at that level in their sport dreams about it and now Chris will be fortunate enough to live it, tonight and for the rest of his life. For one who has pretty much done it his way for most of his career, congrats and enjoy the moment.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
A Team is a Powerful Thing - Darren Lehmann / The Australian (Wed 26 Jun 2013)
Darren Lehmann (*) writes (*):
Sure, you are playing a professional sport and you want to be a success. But life is more important than any game or any sport. I'm really big on getting closer as a Bulls group - we are almost like a family - and we want to look after each other outside the game, not just within the game. I've told the players they can't leave the ground for at least an hour after play. We talk about a whole heap of things - it might be cricket but it might be something else. There were some players who used to leave within five minutes. It works well; we all just enjoy each other's company and that is probably the best thing we have got going.via Headmaster of mateship (*) by Will Swanton (*).
As my Nephew, Thomas (*), told me when he was all of the age of three,
A Team is a Powerful ThingAlways make me laugh when I think of that. The wisdom of a three year old.
I have been involved in team sports all my life, so being and working together (*) is an important. It is something that everyone needs to recognise and work towards. Darren's approach of spending time together after play is one way, though I am sure there are more ways. It depends on the team (*).
Friday, January 25, 2013
Viva La Vida - ColdPlay - Letterman Live (Tue 20 Sep 2011)
Heard this song on the car radio the day after Lance Armstrong's confession to the world via Oprah.
When I heard the lyrics I could not help but think of Lance. So many analogies.
Like Lance, the song is part of me and my life experiences. It is too hard to write about here now and I will save it for another day.
Here are the lyrics. Enjoy ...
Viva La Vida Lyrics
I used to rule the worldvia (*) by (*).
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Where all the Good Stuff Happens - Spencer Lum (Tue 28 Aug 2012)
Spencer Lum (*) observes (*) that:
The 90% point is deceptive. It feels like you’re nearly there. But you’re really just getting started. And if you don’t make the big push right then and there, you’re not doing the things you need to do to learn what you are really all about. It’s in the final 10% that all the good stuff happens.A Big Thank You to all the Sydney based 2012 Auroras. The training is now done here in Sydney, though the journey continues and the final push starts - Brisbane this weekend and Busan (*) / South Korea the following week. Enjoy the final phases of preparation.
I hope you find all the Good Stuff that comes with the sacrifices made and risks taken to get to this point.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The most Successful Art is almost on the Verge of Failure - Garry Winogrand (Aug 1976)
In Coffee and Workprints: A Workshop With Garry Winogrand (*), Mason Resnick writes about some photographic advice given to him by Garry Winogrand (*):
[..] treat editing photographs as "an adventure in seeing" and to enjoy the whole process.I think all these points can be applied to all aspects of life. Photography gives photographers a great chance to experience life and to abstract what they observe and learn.
[..] tension between the form and content of a photograph makes it succeed.
[..] the most successful art is almost on the verge of failure.
Particularly like the last point. I know from my own paddling experiences that our best efforts have verged on the edge of failure. You are in, then you are out. Things are breaking down and coming back together again - and so it goes all way the way through the set or race. My GPS has told me this time and time again in our training sessions. The sets that feel the worst are often better than the ones with that perfect feeling. Something I have known for a long time. It is hard to talk to others about this counter intuitiative observation of performance. This quote might come in handy.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Self Portrait - Melbourne Museum (Wed 26 Apr 2006)
I'm in there somewhere. Have a large print of this one and iI enjoy the visual complexity that comes from the glass and the reflections.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Splendid isolation - Sebastian Smee - Weekend Australian, 8-9 Jan 2005
From the text of the article above Splendid Isolation - Sebastian Smee - Weekend Australian, 8-9 Jan 2005, R15. (*) ..
All these paintings, like the geology that so fascinated both artists, were fastidiously composed. In Willimas case, the compositions were partly inspired by the Chinese landscapes he had seen on a trip to China in 1976.Recently found a copy of this in an old folder. I had thought of it many times over the years and really enjoy the paintings of Fred Williams (follow label below). I remember reading this while we were staying at Boonoona Ski Lodge in January 2005. I had my large format camera with me and the article helped me find some transparencies from the time in the mountains during that summer visit.
"Dynamic symmetery" was his underlying principle. Rather than constructing a simple, balanced form around a central point. Williams tried to achieve a dynamic relationship between various elements in his work, often around an empty core.
He had learned some of the principles of dynamic symmetery from George Bell at Bell's private art school in Melbourne. But his sensitivity to them was enhanced by his exposure to Asian art. Many of Australia's greatest landscape artists have been similarly influenced by Asian principles of composition - John Olsen, Ian Fairweather, Rosalie Cascoigne and Joe Furlonger, to name just a few - no doubt because the idea shifting elements relating to each other around an empty core seems tailor-made fro the Australian landscape, with its absence of obvious focal points.
"One of the few thoughts I have ever had about Australia is that it is the oldest continent, in the sense that it is flat," Williams said "and I have always been fascinated to think that the water leaves the Snowy Mountains, leaves Kosciuszko. If you tip a bucket of water up in Kosciuszko, seven months later it comes out in Adelaide - seven months, because the landscape is horizontal."
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Paradise - Coldplay - Letterman (Tue 20 Sep 2011)
Woke up on the lounge just as the song was ending. Just thought I would watch it to see what I had missed ..
Always find I hear the bass in most songs before anything else. So I enjoy the fact that the bass player, Guy Berryman (*), features prominently on the stage and I can see him doing his thing with the bass.
Paradise Lyrics
Oo-oo-oo, oo-oo-oo, oo-oo-oo.
Oo-oo-oo, oo-oo-oo, oo-oo-oo.
When she was just a girl
She expected the world
But it flew away from her reach
So she ran away in her sleep
And dreamed of para-para-paradise,
Para-para-paradise,
Para-para-paradise,
Every time she closed her eyes.
Oo-oo-oo, oo-oo-oo, oo-oo-oo.
Oo-oo-oo, oo-oo-oo, oo-oo-oo.
When she was just a girl
She expected the world
But it flew away from her reach
And the bullets catch in her teeth
Life goes on, gets so heavy,
The wheel breaks the butterfly
Every tear a waterfall
In the night, the stormy night
She close her eyes,
In the night, the stormy night
Away she flied
And dreamed of para-para-paradise,
Para-para-paradise,
Para-para-paradise,
Whoa-oh-oh oh-oooh oh-oh-oh.
She dreamed of para-para-paradise,
Para-para-paradise,
Para-para-paradise,
Whoa-oh-oh oh-oooh oh-oh-oh.
La-la
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la.
So lying underneath the stormy skies.
She said oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.
I know the sun's set to rise.
This could be para-para-paradise,
Para-para-paradise,
Para-para-paradise,
Whoa-oh-oh oh-oooh oh-oh-oh.
This could be para-para-paradise,
Para-para-paradise,
Para-para-paradise,
Whoa-oh-oh oh-oooh oh-oh-oh.
Oh, oh. Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo.
This could be para-para-paradise,
Para-para-paradise,
Para-para-paradise,
Whoa-oh-oh oh-oooh oh-oh-oh.
Oo-oo-oo, oo-oo-ooo, oo-oo-oo
Oo-oo-oo, oo-oo-ooo, oo-oo-oo
Oo-oo-oo, oo-oo-ooo, oo-oo-oo
Oo-oo-oo, oo-oo-ooo...
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