"If I were braver, I'd smile at you." - Enmore (12 Nov 2010)

"If I were braver, I'd smile at you." #1 - Enmore - Fri 12 Nov 2010
Can somehow empathise with this little character.

"If I were braver, I'd smile at you." #2 - Enmore - Mon 15 Nov 2010
Spot the Guerrilla Knitting on the sign post. A lot of it around the inner city and will post a few photos over the next few weeks (will tag with Guerrilla Knitting).

Smile #3 and #4- Circle Line Ferry / Hudson River / New York (Sat 13 Aug 2011)

Smile #3 - Circle Line Ferry / Hudson River / New York (Sat 13 Aug 2011)
Smile #4 - Circle Line Ferry / Hudson River / New York (Sat 13 Aug 2011)
Just continuing on from yesterday (*).

It was not only fun to watch the City Skyline pass by, but to watch how everyone else did take it in and respond to record an experience (*) of a lifetime.

I like the way these two photos relate to each other. There seems to be an inwards and outwards focus which is emphasised by the other.

The next photo and the last in this series from last Aug is to come shortly. It seems to tie it all together.

For me this was the second time on the Round Manhattan Ferry Trip. First time was back in Sep 1988. I have a few photos from that trip which I will put here at some stage.

On Street Photography - Kaushal Parikh / Alex Coghe Street Photographer (Thu 31 May 2012)

Smile (1 of 2) - Pier 83 / 42nd Street / New York (Sat 13 Aug 2011)
Kaushal Parikh (*) On Street Photography:

Street Photography I feel is now the most challenging genre of photography.

Most photographers if sent to the Himalayas are likely to return with some spectacular images, but put photographers on a city street and the resulting images will most likely fail to inspire.

Capturing special moments in ordinary circumstances is not easy which is why we see an abundance of average street work online.

Technology and software are less important in a street photographers pursuit of the decisive moment.

Ten years from now new street photography styles may emerge but I hope there are as many photographers roaming the streets and documenting the evolution of life and society.

From an Interview with Kaushal Parikh from Indian Street Photography Collective-Thats Life (*) at Alex Coghe / Street Photography (*)

Smile (2 of 2) - Circle Line Ferry / Hudson River / New York (Sat 13 Aug 2011)

The Pacific Dragon's Inspire Award - In Jenny's Memory

Jenny - Byron Bay (Fri 05 Oct 2007)
From Pacific Dragons Annual Award Nomination email, the Inspire Award is described as follows ..

This award is dedicated to the memory of Jenny Petterson who we lost to breast cancer in June 2009, this is the second season since we have introduced this very special perpetual club award. Jenny was an inspiration to everyone who knew her. She was a key member of our Dragon Boat and Outrigging crews for several years, and a NSW and Australian representative and medallist many times over. She was an excellent stroke, her power , fitness and endurance made her a strong addition to any crew. She had the honour of being the Australian flag bearer at the Asian Championships in Macau 2006.

Off the water, Jenny loved a good party (often in costume) and looked fabulous in an orange wig! She made the best birthday cakes and along with her twin sister Joanne, gifted many of her teammates with a special keepsake to celebrate being orange, or pink or blue or wearing the green and gold.

Jenny would always greet you with the most amazing smile, her dedication and commitment to her sport was unquestionable no matter what she was going through with her illness and her enjoyment and passion for her paddling was contagious.

So what reasons would you nominate a club member for this award? There are many reasons you could choose, for example, they may have inspired you to take up coaching, to improve your technique, to get fitter, to learn to steer, to be more involved with the administration of the club or to reach a paddling goal you though you could never reach. Here are some definitions of the word inspire that may help you think about a suitable person for this award:

• To stimulate to action; motivate


• To affect or touch


• To have an animating effect upon; influence or impel; esp to stimulate or impel to some creative or effective effort


• To cause, guide, communicate or motivate as by divine or supernatural influence

Jenny, Julia and Joanne - 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 Life Purpose - Niña Terol (Wed 23 Jul 2003)

Listen to your heart - Erskineville (Sep 2012)
Niña Terol (*) writes (*) on Life Purpose (*):

Paulo Coelho says, "To realize one's destiny is a person's only obligation."

I'm not fatalistic, and I still believe that we make our choices. Nothing is pre-destined to the point where we're no longer required to act on anything. But I believe that signs guide us to the right path, so that we can achieve our dreams sooner.

These signs are found within us, in the stillness of our hearts, in the deepest recesses of our being.

To actually see them, and recognize them for what they are, we have to clear ourselves of all doubts, fears, and worries. We've got to remove the trappings that stay stuck inside us. We've got to know who we really are and what we're really meant to do. It's a painful task, but it will be even more painful to go through life not knowing our life's purpose, our life's worth.

Listen to your heart. Just try.

(I've always been a mind-over-heart person, but the moment I listened to my heart everything just fell into place. "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.")

From Paulo Coelho-isms (Dedicated to my friend, Ellen Joy) (*) via Five Years in Paulo Coelho’s blog (*) and Five Years in Paulo Coelho’s blog (*).

Stumbled across this today. Funny how things work out. Here is a photo from around the initial post was made. Always puts a smile on my face.

Smile - Jenny after a long Chemo Session that day - Kogarah (Jul 2003)

Smile #5 - Circle Line Ferry / Hudson River / New York (Sat 13 Aug 2011)

Smile #5 - Circle Line Ferry / Hudson River / New York (Sat 13 Aug 2011)


Details #1, #2 (Hands) & #3 - Circle Line Ferry / Hudson River / New York (Sat 13 Aug 2011)
I can clearly remember this day and standing at the front of the Ferry as we travelled south along the Hudson River back towards where we had started our journey almost three hours earlier.

A beautiful summers day, in an amazing City - we had travelled from all parts of the planet to share this experience. Three hours together and then we would part, never to meet again. But I have a feeling the photos we have, unite us all and our feelings and emotions of a shared experience.

I remember these moments so clearly, though I had not really looked closely at these photos (*) since I have been back.

This one is my favourite and it has a lot going on (*), as the tiny details above show. It seems to be have a tenderness and a sense of awe about it - strengthened if looked at as a series of photos (*) which bonds everyone together. I would dearly love to give prints to the people in the photos (I was able to do this once in Shanghai, a story for another day).

I am now reminded of this post (*) and it is in moments like this that I am glad to have had this blog to scratch out my thoughts in words (even if they don't really make too much sense at times) and mostly now through my photos (maybe I am just happy, like the Girl above, just hoping for someone to look at my photos - even if it is just me).

It also makes me realise how lucky I have been to be able to do the things I have done.

Smile - Teramachi Street / Kyoto (Sat 14 Sep 2012)

Smile - Teramachi Street / Kyoto (Sat 14 Sep 2012)
Love the red in his shoes.

Five One Hundredths of a Second - 500m Premier Opens Final - AusDBF Nats / Penrith (Fri 19 Apr 2013)

Five One Hundredths of a Second - 500m Premier Opens Final - AusDBF Nats / Penrith (Fri 19 Apr 2013)
Once, twice or, maybe three times (if you are fortunate enough and willing to take the risks) in a paddling career you do something unbelievable. Something you just can’ t explain, though sometimes it worth giving it a try. Here goes ..

You are happy you have made the major final. You know you are up against strong teams. The favourite, the team directly on your left, you have not beaten in three years. In fact you have not been within a boat length, over 500m, for the last two years. Against the odds, and your failing self-confidence, you still somehow believe that we can still get across the line first. To be part of of something great. There is always hope at the start. It is a chance to create who you want to be. You don't get your hopes up too high, as you have been disappointed in the past. You don't think about all of this too much at this point. The focus is putting your best race on the water and seeing how it compares to the others when you have all crossed the line. You are not overly nervous, but you are excited and proud to be there. A supportive and encouraging tap on the knee for those around you. Remember it is a 30 stroke start. Just focus on the first 3 strokes and take it one by one from there. Clean water. Hand out of the water. Blade buried. Make sure you feel and stay connected with the water with every stroke. The starter aligns us and we ready. "Paddlers, are you ready, attention please" .... the gun does not fire for some reason. This has happened a few time before over the years. Keep your focus, no distractions. We will be away soon. Refocus, lets do it again - 30 Start, first 3, deep and clean - feel the water. "Paddlers, are you ready, attention please" ... "GO". You Go on the "G". 1-2-3, up, up, .. 10, up, up, .. 20, up, up, ..7,..30, reach, reach, hinge, hinge. The boat is up and running and there is something there. We are hingeing and driving through the stroke. The boat is more than running, it is been driven through the stroke like it has felt in training over last few weeks, except this time it is race intensity, not level 4, Remember this Geoff, Remember this moment. We are there next to them, where usually they pull away here, but we talked about staying connected. Give it everything to the 250m and refocus. Somehow, we are sttil there at the 250m. Refocus and reinvent yourself, I think. Drive, Drive is the call, We are still there, connected. You have a 6th sense (and good hearing) and you know without looking that our drummers are side by side. Passing the 200m start hut and the little red lane marker buoy. There is something uplifting in our Sweep's voice - "you are doing it". The lane buoys turn to red - we are 100m out. We have done everything our training has given our bodies - it's amazing to find that something extra that the sport scientists say should not be there. Mentally, prepare for the lift home. This is the most crucial part of the race - they are probably a nose ahead. We are going to have to do something amazing - something the other teams have pulled on us often over the years. "do it for the gold (or was it girls?)" is the call. We lift. We lift. The rate comes up a touch and the boat becomes light as we surge forward with every stroke - narrowing the margin. It is all clear as day, those last few strokes. You give it everything you've got when there is nothing to give. You cross the line, you hear the finish horn blast away in succussion. You look across and you know you have done it. The look in your competitors faces tell you that they know you have also done it and you take a few quiet moments to take it all in, while some of the others around you show their elation more jubilantly. Gasping for air, you touch the same knees as you did before the start. This time the "ritual" tap is to acknowledge your team mates efforts and the fact that you have done something that does not happen that often in a paddling career. "Three cheers for the other crews" is the call from our Drummer - three "hip hip". and a breathless "hooray". We bring the boats in and we all get off. Back slaps and hugs all around. Not even a second thought who won that one as you make your way through the other 180 or so paddlers you have just competed against. You smile and for some reason laugh. This kind of win does not happen that often - "take it in", "take it in" you say to yourself. You see many familiar faces as you walk through the line. They are happy for you. Many you have experienced some amazing experiences around the world in Australian Campaigns past and you hope that the journey with them will continue. Somewhere along the way you hear that we did it by five one hundredths of a second. You know the course well and you smile that you can pick such a small amount of time moments after crossing the line. What a race. You think to yourself, "it's not that we won it, it is how we won it" – it's just not what was expected by many (including yourself) and that is the beauty of dragon boat racing - the randomness and uncertainty to some extent. The boat has never felt like that out of the start and into the transition. You think to yourself, you have never paddled like that before. You feel fortunate that you took the risk to be there, you did the training, the testing, you've put yourself on the line time and time again. You have been crushed by the ramifications of defeat and oddly enough, those one or two other once in a life time victories . At the end of the day you know that it is worth the sacrifices you make to do what you have done, do and hope to do. Maybe this is not the end, but a new beginning ..

I will leave this unedited. It’s just a stream of thought that came out of my subconscious in the last 20 mins. Hope it makes sense and it will be fun to read, many year’s into the future.

Five One Hundredths of a Second - 500m Premier Opens Final - AusDBF Nats / Penrith (Fri 19 Apr 2013)

Vale: Maurie Cowan (1960-2010) - Pride, Intensity, Passion and Power ..

To represent your country at any event is an honour that very few people achieve in their life time. I am fortunate in that I have the opportunity to do it twice in one go and so whether I'm paddling in a dragonboat or performing the haka both will be done with the same amount of pride, intensity, passion and power that they deserve. .. Maurie Cowan - Tue 05 Jul 2005 (email to Australian Dragon Boat Team)

Maurie Cowan - Performing the Haka - Maori Culture Group - Schlitz/Germany - Jul 2005

Maurie Cowan - Australian Premier Open Dragon Boat Team - Thu 04 Aug 2005
This afternoon I have learnt of the passing of Maurice Cowan (Maurie), last night after a 5 year journey with advanced prostate cancer. He was 50 years old.

Strangely enough, yesterday, I had only just thought of him and how he was going, on the way home from the Roseville Dragon Boat Regatta. 

My first memory of Maurie is from the 2004 Australian National Dragon Boat Championships in Perth in April 2004. He paddled in the NSW Masters Open Team and the Masters Mixed Team, alongside Jenny and Joanne. I remember everyone being very excited about the resulting wins, becoming National Champions and the resulting opportunity it presented to represent Australia at the IDBF World Dragon Boat Championships in Shanghai in the following October.

National Champs - Shanghai - here we come - NSW Masters Mixed Team - AusDBF 2004 National Dragon Boat Championships - Perth/WA - Fri 9 Apr 2004
National Champs - Shanghai - here we come - NSW Masters Mixed Team - AusDBF 2004 National Dragon Boat Championships - Perth/WA - Fri 9 Apr 2004 (picasa)
The NSW Masters Open, Women's and Mixed Teams then trained through the Winter of 2004 and represented Australia with great pride, intensity, passion and power in Qingpu/Shanghai in late October 2004 at the 2004 IDBF World Dragon Boat Championships.

Training Session - Australian Masters Mixed Dragon Boat Team - 2004 IDBF World Dragon Boat Championships - Qingpu/Shanghai - Mon 18 Oct 2004
Training Session - Australian Masters Open Dragon Boat Team - 2004 IDBF World Dragon Boat Championships - Qingpu/Shanghai - Mon 18 Oct 2004

Maurie would then go on to be a member of the victorious 2005 NSW Dragon Boat Team.

2005 NSW Dragon Boat Team - Maurie's up the back (as per usual) on the left - AusDBF National Dragon Boat Championships - Canberra (Fri 08 Apr 2005)
Maurie then became a member of the 2005 Australian Dragon Boat Team which competed at the World Dragon Boat Championships in Berlin. On the same trip to Germany he also represented  New Zealand in a Maori Cultural Group that performed in Schlitz. He was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer shortly after his return from Germany that year.

Maurie is in Row 6 on the right - Australian Masters Mixed Dragon Boat 500m Team - 2005 IDBF World Dragon Boat Championships - Berlin - Fri 05 Aug 2005
The cancer and it's painful treatment did not stop him from paddling and Jenny, Joanne and I would often see him at Dragon Boat Regatta's, where he would often take the time to talk to us, and in particular Jenny. They seemed to have a special relationship and I always made sure that they had the opportunity to have some time together so that they could talk about their own Journey's with cancer in a way that only cancer survivors can truly relate to and understand.

It was not until Jenny's Flowers on the Water (FOW) Ceremony last December, that I realised how much of impression that Jenny had had on Maurie's own Journey with Cancer.

In a moving email, he wrote to me to apologise for probably not being able to attend the FOW Ceremony and to write about the inspiration Jenny had provided to him during his own Journey with Cancer. I know he would not have minded if I publish a copy of the email below. I think it truly represents his kind nature and big heart. More so, I think it gives an insight into how he dealt with the cancer and highlights his own inspiring approach to living life with advance cancer.

Also have attached a couple of photos from the 2009 Dragon Boat Nationals After Party at Kawana/Caloundra (picasa), which always put a smile on my face. Also a couple of other photos from the World Dragon Boat Championships in Berlin in 2005.

Thank you Maurie - we will remember you with very fond memories. In particular, I will remember the special friendship and bond that you had with Jenny. I know she enjoyed the little chats you had and I also know your own Journey, not only inspired Jenny, but all of those that had the pleasure of knowing you.

Regards .. Geoff

From: Maurice Cowan [moreza.cowan@??.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 1 December 2009 1:38 PM
To: Eldridge Geoff
Subject: My Inspiration

Hi Geoff,

I was very dissappointed to hear about Jenny's passing. She has been a inspiration for me for a few years now, since I first discovered my prostate cancer in 2005 after returning from the world championships in Germany. I reminded her at Caloundra how much of an inspiration she was for me (see gave me one of those big smiles), and wished her luck not knowing it would be the last time that I would see her.

I can remember her on that trip to germany, she was an inspiration to me even before I learnt of my own condition. I can remember feeling sorry for her at that time,but respected her strength and passion that she had for paddling and for life, it was inspiring.

So when I had first discovered that I had advanced prostate cancer a few months after that trip in 2005, the first person I thought of was Jenny and how she was handling herself,that really helped me to deal with my own situation pretty easily. For me it was like ok we know what it is, so lets just get on and deal with. And as long as I can still paddle I'll be fine.

So every regatta since then, I would always look for her and think she looks well whenever I saw her, so this year at Roseville, it just wasnt the same without her there.

She still remains an inspiration for me as I continue my own battle. Unfortunately my pain levels vary from day to day from comfortable to very painful. I am hoping to come to bank st, but I hope that you will understand if I cant.

Regardless I will be thinking of Jenny during that time, I will always remember my friend with the big smile on her face and a huge heart, who has made such a huge impression on me.

kindest regards,
Maurie

Jo, Maurie and Jenny - 2009 Australian Dragon Boat Nationals - Kawana - 26 Apr 2009 (picasa)
Jenny and Maurie - Inspirational - Big Smiles and Huge Hearts - 2009 Australian Dragon Boat Nationals - Kawana - 26 Apr 2009  (picasa)
Maurie is in Row 6 on the left - Australian Premier Open Dragon Boat Team - 1000m - Thu 04 Aug 2005
Team Huddle (Maurie is on the left, Mark Madden, Geoff Eldridge, Vivianne Bustos, Cynthia Kupier, George Louie, Toni, Peter Richardson and Jon Taylor (who passed away from Prostate Cancer in Dec 2008) - Australian Senior Mixed Dragon Boat Team - Berlin - Sun 07 Aug 2005

When he wins a battle, the warrior celebrates

When he wins a battle, the warrior celebrates.

This victory has cost him anxious moments, nights racked with doubt, endless days of waiting. Since ancient times, celebrating a triumph has been part of the ritual of life itself: celebration is a rite of passage.

His companions see the warrior of light's joy and think: 'Why is he doing that? He might be disappointed in his next battle. He might draw down on himself the wrath of his enemy.'

But the warrior knows why he is celebrating. He is savouring the best gift that victory can bring: confidence.

He celebrates yesterday's victory in order to gain more strength for tomorrow's battle.

From the Manual of Warrior of Light by Paulo Coelho - (more here).

The above passage now makes me realise why we should celebrate our little successes and achievements - it is not just about celebrating the victory!!

Jenny - she has just been presented with 2006 Aus Flag Bearer Recognition Trophy (Macau 2006 - a story for another day) - Kawana - 23 Apr 2009 (picasa)
Hard to believe that 12 months has almost gone by since the 2009 AusDBF National Dragon Boat Titles at Kawana. As we go through the final selection process and complete our final training sessions, I guess it is a good time to reflect on past experiences.

We did have a great time at the 2009 Nationals and it was fantastic that Jenny was with us. The day before we flew to the Sunshine coast, Jenny had her 5th cycle of fortnightly treatment (chemo and another drug, Avastin) and was still able to paddle for her State and Club over the Regatta. She did experience numerous visual migraines at night, which a month later would be diagnosed as being caused by a 4cm brain tumor. She also worried that the tumors in her liver would cause painful cramping in her stomach, but this did not occur while she was paddling.

Jenny, Geoff and Joanne - State - Kawana - 23 Apr 2009 (picass)

Jenny, Jo and Geoff - 200m Men's and Women's Tropy's - Breakfree Resort/Caloundra - 26 Apr 2009 (picasa)

The following is a small photo essay of the "9 from 9" effort by my club, the Pacific Dragons. This result was never expected and we took it one race at a time. Each day the Women's Crew would put the race of a lifetime on the water in the final and somehow come across the line first. This then put the pressure on the Men's crew to do the same. A few strategic words, a couple of calming and distracting jokes, and the moving story of brave little Tommy , from Gav would get us on the water to do the best we could. The rest is now history.

Gav gave Eugene (my seat 1 partner) and myself, the great honour of receiving the last club trophy to be presented at the Regatta. It was an amazing moment for Eugene and I, as we held aloft the Gold Medals and 200m Open's Winning Trophy. The assembled Australian Dragon Boat Community stood and applauded the amazing and historic achievement of our club, the Pacific Dragons. I had never seen anything like it and was humbled by the genorosity of spirit the Australian Dragon Boat community displayed that day to our Coaches, Teams, and Club.

All the best to every competing at the 2010 AusDBF National Dragon Boat Championships in Adelaide over the Anzac Weekend. Look forward to some great racing and catching up with many friends, and hopefully making some new friends on and off the water.

See you in Adelaide. Jenny's Spirit and Memory will be with us. She Guides and Inspires us from Above.

PD's Premier Open 200m Final - Kawana - Sun 26 Apr 2010 (picasa)

Premier Opens 200m Final - AusDBF 2009 National Dragon Boat Champs - Kawana/Qld - Sun 26 Apr 2009 (at youtube by warwick27au)

The smile says it all - "9 from 9" - tidying up the Cox Vox cable after the Premier Open 200m Final - Anne would ask me to come and celebrate with the Team off the water - Kawana - Sun 26 Apr 2009 (picasa)

Eugene and Geoff - Premier Open 200m Presentation - "PD's - nine from nine !! - I did not really want this weekend to end as I kind of knew the end was beginning to start (Editors: An End has a Start)." - Kawana - Sun 26 Apr 2009 (picasa)

The Australian Dragon Boat Community acknowledging Pacific Dragons "9 from 9" - Kawana - Sun 26 Apr 2009 (picasa)

Lost in the Crowd - Kawana - Sun 26 Apr 2009 (picasa)

PD's Premier Open Men - After Party Celebration - Kawana - Sun 26 Apr 2010 (picasa)

Pacific Dragons - After Party Celebration - Kawana - Sun 26 Apr 2010 (picasa)

The Orange Wave - Gav Crowd Surfing - Just go with it Gav - After Party Celebration - Kawana - Sun 26 Apr 2010 (picasa)

Joanne, Helen, Jenny and Nicola - After Party Celebration - Kawana - Sun 26 Apr 2010 (picasa)

Joanne, Jenny and Geoff - After Party Celebration - Kawana - Sun 26 Apr 2010 (picasa)


Vale Jenny Petterson - picasaweb - A Pocketful of Sequins - PD's Tribute (picasa)

On Photography - I love to make portraits - Kirk Tuck (Fri 07 Dec 2012)

Grandpa (Eric) [1] - John Sharman (*) Gallery / Mogo (Sun 07 Dec 2003)
Kirk Tuck (*) writes about the beauty the wonderful relationship he has with photography in (*):

I love to make portraits.

I love that not all of my subjects are required to smile.

I love that we can spend time talking about life while we're making portraits.

I love to work in black and white but I don't fear color.

I love light that can be both dramatic and flattering.

I love the contrast of dark shirts against light skin.

I love longish lenses and continuous lights.

I love going back and looking at old contact sheets to look at the "paths" not taken and then re-scanning and reprinting to see if my tastes have grown or changed since we last peeked into the contact sheets and made our choices.

Another amazing piece of writing about photography by a professional photographer. Got to love that. Thanks Kirk.

[1] Random Recollection - This is a photo of my Grandfather (my Father's Father). My brother, along with my Aunt took him on a drive and at my Aunt's suggestion we ended up at John Sharman's Art Gallery. My Aunt knows him well and she has a few of his paintings. John had also made some paintings from the cliff on the edge of my Grandfathers property at Malua Bay. One of the paintings is the unframed painting behind my Grandfather. This is a nice reminder of my childhood days spend at Malua Bay with my Grandparents.

I have a few more portraits from that day which I will publish here at some stage.

Photos and how we feel when we Remember - Colin Pantell (Tue 18 Mar2014)

Joanne and Jenny - "puts a smile on face" - Dobroyd (Sun 27 Aug 2006)

Colin Pantall on Photography and Remembering:

It's strange how one remembers things without being aware on any conscious level of why one remembers or how one remembers. [..]

Perhaps it might be good to reach elsewhere for our ideas on photography, outside the small, incestuous world of photo-theory so that we can add to and enrich our understanding of how images work with added engagement and added interest. Today, cognitive and social psychology might be good places to start. [..]

I can't help but feel that there is also an element of the false memory (more of which in a different post) and wish fulfilment in there as well.

The idea that when we see those happy pictures, we remember them and feel that those happy times will come again.

Via A Happy Post for Happy People by Colin Pantall.

Pacific Dragons Crew Photos - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)

Alison Linn, Kath Burrows, Annett Happich, Amanda Wyllie (S), Nicola Frowen, Cath Gale - Pacific Dragons Long Course Women - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)
Steve Jack, Ian Amos, Stu Young, Nuku Taia, Adrian Chua, Geoff Eldridge (S) - Pacific Dragons Long Course Open - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)
Tim Vose, Eelin Tan, Paul Wilkins, Kirsi Niinimaki, Stu Young (S), Liz Cowen - Pacific Dragons Short Course Mixed 1 - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)
Geoff Eldridge (S), Kaizer Austin, Jo Petterson, Paul Webster, Jane Hill, Kayleene Eagles - Pacific Dragons Short Course Mixed 2 - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)
First big race of the season for most of us. As usual I learnt a lot today about steering on a choppy ocean in strong winds. Tough way to learn, so thanks to the LC Mens Crew for putting up with me.

The SC Mixed - congrats to Kayleene and Jane for first time in such challenging conditions. To the crew, thank you for your belief in yourselves and me as your steerer.

Great work everyone today, you put a smile on an old paddlers face.