tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38409547976517001512024-02-18T19:42:33.709-08:00Raewyn's Poetic Journey & Trees for TravelUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-82488701094789948592016-09-06T23:12:00.002-07:002016-09-07T00:00:34.184-07:00Scandal and Visitors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo Geneva Alexander-Marsters of Verona Cafe K Rd many moons ago</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Drug busts, sex romps, money stolen (and embezzlement is also stealing), abuse - which sadly covers an enormous range of nasty behaviour - and other truly immoral acts, or any fearful, cruel episode or decision.... A few people may ride out the ensuing storm after such upsets and disasters, some luckily escaping only with a fright, others paying a high price such as a jail term. But many do their best to avoid anything like major trouble. Dodging and weaving, lying and pretending, or leading a truly good life most of the time, (meaning, if everyone did what you do, would that be okay)? What do you do?</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeymoon Period - collage laser copy - Raewyn Alexander soon to be exhibited Tiny Theatre Westmere</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">The drama of calling attention to oneself with a grave noticeable error is stressful, simply, and may cause damage in many ways. But with deliberate harmful behaviour found out, (or even enacted in secret), the ruination of many social connections thereby means despair. Perhaps leisure time is lonely, or lacking decent, trustworthy company, and also, fewer chances appear for good employment, job advancement, and recommendations when someone's badly behaved.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">You could think that politicians and leaders who behave criminally or wrongly have a great job, so what do I mean? They certainly get well paid, and appear perhaps well connected, but the despots, tyrants, and criminals in office are trapped there by all accounts. Those who are puppets cannot simply walk away even if they want to, someone will hurt them and their family if they do. The criminals elected, or who take charge, they seem to know no other way to behave, and are caught in lies and intrigue, unable to really trust anyone. The stress must be horrendous. Look at how some of them age so dreadfully. Then the simply stupid and ignorant politicians, they have to face the consequences of their ridiculous decisions in the media, in their electoral offices, and so on. The health costs and ruined reputation means they have to undergo extensive medical treatment, and sometimes move away from places they love, to avoid the repercussions. Some of these people also go to jail, or are in other ways removed.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power Struggle - the second stage of love - laser copy of collage - Raewyn Alexander<br />
soon to be exhibited Tiny Theatre Westmere - Voices from Rain</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">The day-to-day existence of someone who is scandalous, whether the general public see their awful acts or not, is sure to lack a great deal of goodness. Love may be absent, genuine security and true lasting decent connections barely exist, (they could live in a cloud of lies). Sometimes good health or long-term public success also eludes them, and inner happiness never truly blooms. That is those who in fact behave badly, not those who are framed.<br /><br />Being stitched up, framed, lied about, those kinds of scandals also exist. Some magazines invent shocking tales every week, to boost circulation. One of the hazards of a famous life is learning the media are not your friends, (and often they'll believe whoever gives them the most outrageous story). Developing a tough, thick skin helps, but so does knowing in fact who you really are, and who to absolutely trust.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mature Love - acceptance of people as they are and loving them anyway - Raewyn Alexander 2016<br />
soon to be exhibited in Voices from Rain named after a Pablo Neruda poem </td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />In any case, always trust people to<i> be themselves</i>. It's foolish to think someone weak-willed, or with some kind of defective thinking will in your case be somehow okay. We may love people the way they truly are, faults and all, but hopefully that does not make us blind to the damage they may do.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Avoiding scandal anyway could represent one of the major activities of those with something to lose. What could go? Well, a good name, a "family" brand, a reputation as someone caring and kind, or clever and respected at least.... A hero or heroine, a dependable, decent person, anyone who wants to be considered reliable and useful, those characters in life's story rely on avoiding fraught, illegal, and immoral situations. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">The honourable, (those who act that way, not those who merely spout the word 'honest' in faking it), truly good folk ensure anyone visiting them also works along fine, decent lines. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Also, if anyone has a private life that's alarming, illegal, or other such things, those people will act swiftly to alienate anyone who won't stay quiet, or who criticises, (even if it's simply not wanting to take part in whatever peculiarities may seem usual).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Mere embarrassment alone can present such a terrifying picture to some of us, too. Daring to do very little outside what's usual and rewarding for our group, our everyday culture in case what we plan or hope for goes wrong. Then this kind of coward loses face, or appears ridiculous, stupid, or clumsy, (nothing more than human but they don't like failure). It is shallow, undeveloped, not to allow yourself to sometimes see you're hopeless and need assistance.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">This may seem like news for the few determined to seem faultless or perfect, but failure is an opportunity to learn something new. How will you do better next time? Great to see this opportunity for growth, for correction and maturity, more skills.<br /><br />A mistake also means you're human. Simply say sorry and ask for help. Or maybe get away from whoever you're with, or the work you're doing, causing all this mayhem, if the mistake is enormous? Often big trouble involves more than one participant, team-work is not always worthwhile behaviour. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Being a human being involves working together, and things may go wrong sometimes, though. O well.... Get assistance from a trusted outsider, this usually helps somewhat.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Overly careful or sycophantic and too-agreeable behaviour, however, marks far too many people as part of a going-along-with-anything crowd - nothing much to see here, thank you. That screen of banality or extremely good or cool manners does not mean there is in fact nothing untoward going on.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustration from The Golden Book for Girls c.1930s</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Scandal, now then, that's far worse than embarrassment. It's when the thrown mud sticks, when the messy side's on the outside for all to see the mending, the rips, the dirt, the not cleaned up after all, and your paw prints all over it. No escape.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Scandal scalding too like hot water, it hurts, leaves scars, causes trauma and trouble. Some stories may rip families and communities apart like giant hands appear from mere words, and grip, tear, drop all the tatters.... Those affected by scandal need recovery from the after-shocks, feel deeply affected, sometimes with illness, loss of income, having to move away from a city or country, and so on.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">The famous, the successful, those trusted, and worthy all work to a degree to maintain whatever they think the best public profile, to ensure their continued sunshine and roses existence. But when some rely on an unreal screen hiding hurt and crime, what happens then?<br /><br />A scapegoat can be handy. Some unwitting person used like a decoy and blamed for trouble, all the issues, their fault. By contrast then the people doing actual terrible things, they can make their public persona stand up quite well, next to the scapegoat they're blaming for something real or invented. Story-telling works in mysterious ways. It's a contrast situation, the story-teller's all in the right, the scapegoat's all in the wrong, and a diverting exercise for the public's gaze swivelled to look at who's to blame. (Over there, not here, over there)....<br /><br />Being oneself and maintaining integrity, being of good moral fibre, these are fine defences against blamers and shamers. The storm of dirty stuff the self-righteous and too often evil may whip up, can last however a long, tedious time. They also can gather in more and more support for their dastardly deeds. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">It's a relief from fear to make others feel fearful, that's why bullies behave how they do. Agreeable folk side with a bully to save themselves from pain, or because they're easily fooled, or both.<br /><br />True relief from fear however is joy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Remain as much as possible joyous, kind, associate with those who also quietly do good deeds and work well together, garden, give time to others, brush up on skills you need, and exercise. One or two of those a day, varied through the week, may assist anyone to withstand the slings and arrows....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 3D cat and the abstract cat made a strange pair and they liked it that way - my 100 Days Project 2016<br />
create a positive piece of art every day, any medium, and sometimes with others.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">It could be best to accept ourselves the way we truly are, rather than pretend at something we're not. Everyone has flaws. Beware of anyone who thinks they do not make errors. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Be unafraid to stand alone when frightened of a bully, get as far from them as you can, and tell someone, keep telling until you get a friendly ear, at least. Or contact Shine, or Youthline, or Lifeline, or Women's Refuge, or another agency, ask your doctor. Google for details.<br /><br />Standing alone can mean you have lots of time on your hands. Using time fairly and well improves so much.<br /><br />Lately, I'm doing the 100 Days project, and this is my drawing for today, in any case, above. See more on this website.<br /><br /><a href="http://100daysproject.co.nz/projects/100-days-2016/raewyn-alexander-262/day-15">http://100daysproject.co.nz/projects/100-days-2016/raewyn-alexander-262/day-15</a></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles Mckane and I at Blue Haven yonks ago for Art's Birthday</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Eventually the work shall be exhibited in an actual place in Tamaki Makau-rau Auckland. Could print some images on tea towels, in any case the best drawings shall be for sale, $10- each.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">We're also running a writing workshop here at Blue Haven, Grey Lynn, too soon in October 2016. Two places have been filled already, so contact me raewynalexander [at] hotmail.com for details re where to pay and so on. More info., below.<br /><br />Blue Haven Workshops for writers - enjoyed for decades. Many people from our sessions now published, a few prize winners like Alice Hooton, who had<a href="http://shamfeign.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank"> Shamfeign</a> launched a few years back, read in NZ and overseas, or other students such as Matt McEvoy with <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/74236316/Paul-Little-Why-Grey-Lynn-is-New-Zealands-most-fascinating-suburb" target="_blank">The Grey Lynn Book</a>. Julie Helean was a client of mine, and she went on to have a best seller, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17623038-the-open-accounts-of-an-honesty-box" target="_blank">The Open Accounts of an Honesty Box</a>, and also, won The Katherine Mansfield Award one year. Others run fine blogs like <a href="http://mairangibay.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">this one The Imaginary Museum of Jack Ross'</a> or create other writing projects. Jacqueline Crompton Ottaway has published some finely illustrated books since enjoying my workshops, and enjoyed success with these beautiful volumes. They still hold value some time after publication, too. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Participants enjoy pleasant, informative arts conversations in Blue Haven Workshops and find new, exciting or rewarding directions. These talented people find focus, go on to create family histories, feature articles for magazines, comics, novels, poetry, memoirs, or other projects. Another associate of mine<a href="http://www.wheelers.co.nz/browse/author/5148619-jaq-tweedie/" target="_blank"> Jaq Tweedie recently produced these books for instance</a>. Then there is <a href="http://comics.org.nz/notawiki/Documentation/Interviews/Cornelius_Stone_Comments_to_Darren_Schroeder.php" target="_blank">Cornelius Stone</a>, cartoonist, who attended one of the first writing workshops here and has since then exhibited at The Auckland City Art Gallery amongst other places.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Writers work in countless ways, and successful writing often results from a group effort. Learn to work with editing and critique early on, grow more professional and inspired.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary-Louise Browne and Miles McKane at Happy Tea House a poetry event often held at Blue Haven.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">A weekend writing get together</span><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> - October 2016</span><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Please invite others.</span></span></div>
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<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Blue Haven Weekend Writing Workshop</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"></span><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Grey Lynn - Saturday and Sunday 15th - 16th October 2016</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">10am to 4pm - plus an hour afterwards to chat</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">BYO lunch - teas, coffee, and water provided </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Each day $130- or discounted $245 both Saturday and Sunday</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Limited to four to six people, (two places already booked).</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fun ways offered each day to find lively ideas for starting, strengthening, and polishing work.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">We'll also critique what you've created. Bring your own writing, and paper or a device for more.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How to get published.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Free email follow up for two weeks, happy to answer questions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pre-pay and secure your place - code BHW </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">03 0458 0115694 000</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">
Thank you</span><br />
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Email or call landline ph 09 846 1757, or pop
in to my place after arranging that, Blue Haven, Grey Lynn.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">My publishing record FYI</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="color: #365899; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/alexanderraewyn.html" target="_blank"> www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/alexanderraewyn.html</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4ba524; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOLuaFqr0Pi5k8WHzQ81HEBo34POA75TQ-pHupSKTaPx9REddKSc-XvGCuDeEK5QkSJ6rDzsbjT7TvlJuOPb4qRKFLx93l42sWskJ-7i80IuIKE2xgzQ5vHmgE2-0GKYd848Nly_vMlUD/s1600/S2020001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOLuaFqr0Pi5k8WHzQ81HEBo34POA75TQ-pHupSKTaPx9REddKSc-XvGCuDeEK5QkSJ6rDzsbjT7TvlJuOPb4qRKFLx93l42sWskJ-7i80IuIKE2xgzQ5vHmgE2-0GKYd848Nly_vMlUD/s640/S2020001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alistair Paterson, Alice Hooton, and Jacqueline Crompton Ottaway at Blue Haven in the garden under the lanai</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading and comments most welcome.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-36458686007499606642016-08-30T22:15:00.002-07:002016-08-30T22:30:47.381-07:00What Does an Abuser Look Like?<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgxXEiPXwCOtIpP_vKvlzzb_ppiU6PvAHxb7dTEl_gpVeWPDPlzsWWAQHDjuzs2C4krN6G9U-LCPPLXB3zS0SFFDU0Lg-aplmpkWN0_wmBvZoI27qCXPDpkrLp-PD3ygndx-qbhrWPumt/s1600/P1060613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgxXEiPXwCOtIpP_vKvlzzb_ppiU6PvAHxb7dTEl_gpVeWPDPlzsWWAQHDjuzs2C4krN6G9U-LCPPLXB3zS0SFFDU0Lg-aplmpkWN0_wmBvZoI27qCXPDpkrLp-PD3ygndx-qbhrWPumt/s640/P1060613.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat Commanded by a Conductor, Possibly Misguided <br />
Black ink drawing by Raewyn Alexander</td></tr>
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<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Can
you choose who's a terrible driver in a crowded room? </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That leather
jacket rebel-type, or the arrogant figure in the expensive outfit? But
you don't know for sure until you're in the car, and they're hurtling
around corners at speed in the rain. You white knuckled, grip your
seat, yelling, “Slow down.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They
perhaps shout, “Ha, get over yourself.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You
realise you can't google 'escape from a moving car', because your
fingers holding on are locked in place with fright.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Long,
medium, short or no hair, be they male, female, trans, genderqueer...
anyone may behave badly. But some extremists wreck as a life-style. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Children
bully too, so do tweens, teens, and adults. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What's
accidental? What's forgivable? When is something not acceptable? We
ask such questions every day in difficult circumstances, sometimes we
get the answer wrong, or we do not know what to do to stop someone
hurting someone else. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Relationships
can start out fine, (and some people feel like they've attained
perfection). But taking time before declaring your undying devotion
means your eyes and brain are open. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Decide
what you'll always say no to well in advance. Stick to that - make
boundaries clear. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQXtJLHNela269gzC6dVDNwCRwyuGtG3hWJ-fykmqpIwNLa4vvh4B8MscB2U5N0uh5BNdXisSdY2xos7lMl9SGwcmFzKI_ArNdVVRiNfIOPPaLEUVQXINv08khT0AkDvDGAxdxylV0uIK/s1600/P1050859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQXtJLHNela269gzC6dVDNwCRwyuGtG3hWJ-fykmqpIwNLa4vvh4B8MscB2U5N0uh5BNdXisSdY2xos7lMl9SGwcmFzKI_ArNdVVRiNfIOPPaLEUVQXINv08khT0AkDvDGAxdxylV0uIK/s640/P1050859.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Verge garden edged with glacial rocks - Grey Lynn, Tamaki Makau-rau Auckland</td></tr>
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<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wait
to see their dark side, anyway, surely, it'll appear eventually. No
one's perfect, especially people who think they are and behave like
they're unassailable. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway,
travelling together along life's byways, (rather than a fast road),
you could realise something's wrong. Is it only a mistake, and
everyone makes those? Or, you could be misunderstanding them. Sure.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But
sometimes it's like quicksand, a gluey mess, an extremely dangerous
fix. You're in trouble.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A
friend, I'll call them Lee, they were held hostage as a youngster for
a long time, then rescued and given therapy. The details are terrible
but now, their life-long aim, Lee insists, is to
get more people to focus on abusers, and how they set things to hurt
others. Lee also wants to help develop decent solutions. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What
to do so these criminals don't offend again?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">People
hurt, the victims are too often damaged later again over and over in media
frenzies, in court cases, by unthinking people close to them. The general public may want to know horrible descriptions like they're entertainment, but they're awful things that happened to a real person. That victim deserves better.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So Lee
and I are on this quest to call attention to those who do harm,
instead, the abusers.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjTIIbnoCvUK5spxkYRGtk3fTVuFq3saaxOAuWAJ5Bs5DhJcO5Z7dboqJ0KioOiapIcylWFaVKKOnmG4Y-ouzM07SRCMWlmEb4covXqim2myR4EzmeoeIeMZ3XvNZMJyBRIf3iFDbMhXn/s1600/P1050857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjTIIbnoCvUK5spxkYRGtk3fTVuFq3saaxOAuWAJ5Bs5DhJcO5Z7dboqJ0KioOiapIcylWFaVKKOnmG4Y-ouzM07SRCMWlmEb4covXqim2myR4EzmeoeIeMZ3XvNZMJyBRIf3iFDbMhXn/s640/P1050857.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amaryllis lilies - consider lilies of the field, they neither sow nor do they reap, but they seem more splendid than a king -<br />
(paraphrasing Luke 12.27)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />How
to improve? Well, many savvy people, couples, business partners, educators etc can work
through trouble in various ways. A gym membership for example, to at least try for
the same muscle tone all round, can help a relationship by improving everyone's fitness. Inner
well being's like that too. In therapy, or formalised one-on-one
"relationship meetings", people may sort out difficulties for a
smoother time together. Deliberately seeking to understand ourselves
and others, the bottom line being as kind as possible, proves a change for the better in some manner. This positive effort may also show up anyone hurtful, and all people affected may
figure answers, model how to change behaviour to improve, call in
an expert.... Such moves to get along could use outside help,
(google for ideas, or ask a phone line counsellor, or doctor).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Behaviour,
(it's important to remember), reveals who hurtful people are in any
case. Watch what people do, analyse their actions, are they truthful, are they kind, do they fit the situation? If not why not? Would they mind being asked polite questions? Do you know anyone who knows them and who could illuminate you about their behaviour?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What they say is not so important. Lying is often easy to any abuser. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look out for what people actually do, before you make up your mind
what they are like, overall. Do they lie and let others down, often? That's a red flag warning. Do they behave hugely differently for many different people, as if play-acting the whole time? Again, can be a warning sign, false behaviour could hide hurtful acts, manipulations, even crimes. Do they break the law and try to make you laugh about it? That's a real warning sign, they could be gradually getting you used to more and more dangerous transgressions. Can they say sorry easily and are they usually kind and polite? This may be an act, but respect for others is a good sign, wait to see if it's real. Do they fly into sudden rages and make you fearful? Have they done this after being kind and loving for quite some time, then suddenly you find out their temper is fearsome? This, sadly too, may be a warning sign of worse to come.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
best move is to look to yourself, anyway. Identifying an abuser is
important, definitely, but that's your decision, your insights,
discussions with others and so on.<br /><br />An outside view changes everything. Ask a trusted friend or professional what they think.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe
you are worried about hurting others yourself? That can feel
awful, shameful, and then other unwanted emotions can surface. Sadness and
guilt may stop anyone acting to change, because people can ignore
their own feelings, repress and suppress them. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But you may instead treat this feeling of wanting to hurt others like an illness. Get
help. Research behaviour online, literally google the actions that someone does, or google what you do and feel. Or ask a phone counsellor like <a href="http://www.lifeline.org.nz/corp_Home_378_2001.aspx" target="_blank">Lifeline</a> or
<a href="https://www.youthline.co.nz/" target="_blank">Youthline</a>, or an organisation like <a href="http://www.2shine.org.nz/" target="_blank">Shine</a>, <a href="https://www.ageconcern.org.nz/" target="_blank">Age Concern</a>, (or <a href="http://www.cads.org.nz/" target="_blank">CADS</a>, or
<a href="http://aa.org.nz/" target="_blank">AA</a>, or <a href="http://www.na.org.nz/" target="_blank">NA</a> if substance abuse is a concern), or go and see someone. Find
yourself some time and info.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Discover
small things you can easily do at first. Simple steps are fine to begin with, improving home-life or where you work, and to learn to pick what you
want every day more carefully. Priorities need to be identified like - good health, mental, emotional, and physical well being, to have satisfying work, live within your means, make good associations with others, wherever possible be truthful, and be kind to yourself and others.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Some of those choices can mean you no longer see some people.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ifbrHgY_Tj4Q6PMO9oozzruLycyUbZ1ZnyKSFVr1n-MvKgCf6Th-Suy2B4s3gEVhL-rDPUjJ01qXEG4FajFEDQHbaP5Bi-9L_wlyzU6tj-yGVY6XQZanL48KivhVuwAKinNSkvtT7k74/s1600/P1040172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ifbrHgY_Tj4Q6PMO9oozzruLycyUbZ1ZnyKSFVr1n-MvKgCf6Th-Suy2B4s3gEVhL-rDPUjJ01qXEG4FajFEDQHbaP5Bi-9L_wlyzU6tj-yGVY6XQZanL48KivhVuwAKinNSkvtT7k74/s640/P1040172.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wintergardens - Victorian architecture - Tamaki Makau-rau Auckland 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes to instigate a change, a person simply believes they may learn better. Then like with prayer, positive
thinking's a new direction already, and encourages better choices. “Something will come along,” as The
Beatles so often said at the start of their musical career, according to their <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tune-Beatles-These-Years-Vol/dp/1400083052" target="_blank">recent biography, (by the way, an excellent read).</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sZ-LPZsRt7Zf0_rf_cKqblWSP5wmwrOCfqCveO4a0laEF66qNsM15gEJzA-e1d4kUkSe_NIdQZnqlib-0t9XNJHtdMx2I4Zk8RMokzJlKvWpXFeo93XSNJltFCZmAxf1qsQZ9h2PscyZ/s1600/Raewyn+Alexander+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sZ-LPZsRt7Zf0_rf_cKqblWSP5wmwrOCfqCveO4a0laEF66qNsM15gEJzA-e1d4kUkSe_NIdQZnqlib-0t9XNJHtdMx2I4Zk8RMokzJlKvWpXFeo93XSNJltFCZmAxf1qsQZ9h2PscyZ/s640/Raewyn+Alexander+2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Page from a Zowie Zine hand-made book for Zinefest 2016 - Raewyn Alexander</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Maybe
the trouble's not a crash bang situation, where someone gets hit, or screamed at. But what matters is how you feel and think, what's your inner music like? If you feel
confused and scared, why has this heavy metal madness appeared? What do you need to remove, to make it stop? Is it enough to only talk about it?<br /><br />Always have somewhere else to go, if you have to leave anywhere. Always carry taxi money. Always tell friends and flatmates, family, where you are going and how long you'll be there, more or less.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you're in a situation where people are suddenly leaving you, or have done before, perhaps ask yourself why. Get help to maintain better relationships from friendly experts like <a href="http://homeandfamily.org.nz/" target="_blank">Home and Family Counselling</a>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or if you try to
upset people and get a kick from it, why do you do that? Is pain and hurt amusing to you? Do the other people consent to that? Do they really?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Confusion may
cloud our daily performance. A tough move towards deciding how you
feel, in a fog.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ring someone like Lifeline and discuss the issue with them, or Shine are an organisation working against violent behaviour. Google them or the links are up further in this blog.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
person hurting you could be someone you love and want to keep seeing,
so bring out the violins, it's sad, yes, truly even if I sound flippant. Writing all this is quite a strain, believe me. Anyway, once you've accepted the shock, the sadness, get as far away from them as possible. Later you may reconcile with a professional's assistance, but safety first is important.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or
you hurting someone you love is a whole terrible bunch of bum notes. Isn't it time to play a better song? We may all learn other ways to behave, finer, more rewarding, healthier.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hope exists.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48aCkRrtmGaKNLopJqfLWJe7DmYM-YoPj4twdxM-jMphGwczH06TQCqZqH6-BG0ImelomPAKY7gLHiPiOIT39nA7JTLM4_aH7Q17YdyExk7WuNm0FUmZt-FkWR14WoWS17WmRb-XdLBIc/s1600/thumb_150820164174_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48aCkRrtmGaKNLopJqfLWJe7DmYM-YoPj4twdxM-jMphGwczH06TQCqZqH6-BG0ImelomPAKY7gLHiPiOIT39nA7JTLM4_aH7Q17YdyExk7WuNm0FUmZt-FkWR14WoWS17WmRb-XdLBIc/s640/thumb_150820164174_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wise women talk together and so do wise men.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Wonderful, telling a trusted friend your worries, that helps. The relief you
experience may be glorious too, like finding a conductor for your own orchestra. Various support agencies like Shine, Youthline, Women's Refuge, and others researched at your local Citizen's Advice Bureau can assist in excellent, easy ways.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then
the abuser seems less powerful, simply.<br /><br />But it may take years to recover, and some people remain co-dependent, unable to leave the place where the trouble happened, unable to forget the one who did them harm. Or they stay with that abuser even at the cost of their own health, sometimes their life.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But the lucky and the strong, the fortunate and the supported, the brave and the resilient, we may cry or laugh about the awful past and let it go, at least some of it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Relaxing, easier to think when we've escaped and talked it over. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Strategies then build for change, to be safer, happier, more
productive, like learning to play an instrument you never knew you
could own. It doesn't mean the music's fabulous straight away but changing your life is an education.</span></div>
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<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Obviously a few bad examples exist too. Some celebrities hide behind fame and behave badly. Any cool-seeming man or woman can also lead a
double life. Maybe they're a local sports club star with a team
of friends, or a kind-seeming parent who helps out at school, and so
on, but quite the opposite at home, or at work, or in private where they hurt others. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyone
recognising a switcheroo pattern needs help. It's also called a Jekyll
and Hyde personality, like having two different people in the same body, (or sometimes
more).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik1X9gCJziQqEktD45cASCHysjnK0B7GMspoIZOuuur55wbavFxtjx5Mok_yYvIhL2qEpKvdlvW1iABaogT7RwT7KxCgpmgUmkcIhp3ig75DiruXOnB_KmvqKUQrFccT_Jeas263ewFGj/s1600/Photo+on+1-10-15+at+7.22+am.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik1X9gCJziQqEktD45cASCHysjnK0B7GMspoIZOuuur55wbavFxtjx5Mok_yYvIhL2qEpKvdlvW1iABaogT7RwT7KxCgpmgUmkcIhp3ig75DiruXOnB_KmvqKUQrFccT_Jeas263ewFGj/s320/Photo+on+1-10-15+at+7.22+am.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special Effects using Photobooth</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Clearly
disturbed and unsuccessful individuals also exist. But the obvious
rude idiot, or drunk, or crazed P-addict, or someone grumpy or unpredictable,
they're not the only type who may hurt and malign others. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In fact,
the most obviously strange or individualistic people may not be
harmful. Just being different to the main crowd is not always a bad sign as far as harming others goes.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's
like looking behind the scenes at a show too, we could say. Many people only want to see what's on stage, not behind the action. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some say, “None of my
business,” when you share a worry. Maybe with no idea how to help,
they turn off talking with you. But family and friends could prove helpful. Taking you
out more often may be enough, off to the movies or a park, giving emotional support, or
you could do this for a troubled someone. Simply walking as exercise lifts the spirits, after all.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No
need for a grand hero riding in and saving the day with dramatic
moves, when unable to think of something smart, or feeling scared for yourself. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Simply asking someone if they're okay and
meaning it creates a light of hope. A true smile can make someone
else feel cared for too, including strangers. Goodness brightens a day. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Courage takes many forms, and sometimes small decent acts change destinies
for the better. Staying upbeat and polite may be an act of bravery.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2nfC7t1PC9PLcwfZAKGMIt8ia2xTxY_9A6UTHTUrMbOX71IZTLbYsZ6TkJhWMnT-NOkHvdR-ns3-us1XO7k4bF5cdN_9wqg9W3HqXFoOBqOTqvCGXbT5A1CM4l70eakO84HzKnwocljA/s1600/Photo+on+11-02-15+at+11.47+am.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2nfC7t1PC9PLcwfZAKGMIt8ia2xTxY_9A6UTHTUrMbOX71IZTLbYsZ6TkJhWMnT-NOkHvdR-ns3-us1XO7k4bF5cdN_9wqg9W3HqXFoOBqOTqvCGXbT5A1CM4l70eakO84HzKnwocljA/s400/Photo+on+11-02-15+at+11.47+am.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also,
seriously, who wants to get all fired up on a story, alone? Acting to help someone when you're badly informed may make matters worse.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A thief may be found with fingerprints at the scene or goods in their
possession. Then too, evidence may be left like an attacker's DNA, clothing, or eye witnesses to describe wrong-doing.
But they're difficult enough to prove, those cases.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Abuse however may seem merely
tattle-tale from behind closed doors, and perhaps the accused has a
great public image, more impressive than any bad news? <br /><br />No physical
evidence either with emotional and psychological damage to the
victim, or when bruises or injuries have gradually disappeared. Some
physical violence is also planned to not show any marks, but internal injuries and fearfulness can result, bad dreams, anxieties, nervous conditions like shingles, also, and other ailments.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've
only mentioned that word a few times above, the v-word. We're talking
about abusers, <i>not</i> those they hurt so much, not
victims. Aiming to see abusers noticed, described, and hopefully
changed or at least diverted properly is quite possible, and it's been done
already.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like
any sneak, abusers hide, (but may be found). They also lie, cheat,
dodge and weave. Identified as predators, we see them coming, and get
away or stop them like they're monsters in a story. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or we learn to control
ourselves if we're causing trouble. Stop creating scared people, and think what you may change in your own behaviour. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcxAg62rN3-3fLLzIbYhnH-r3jlJbecJ9SXuDA1hLMdYhPE7rZXhfN6PI_CbT9hw1T2a9-yNbXZiHS-WVailjJ9oxkLMbQJkt04sT3BUMnhixbtPOm-me5S3xbWyhmz8qFMFOvTc7diKL/s1600/P1040218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcxAg62rN3-3fLLzIbYhnH-r3jlJbecJ9SXuDA1hLMdYhPE7rZXhfN6PI_CbT9hw1T2a9-yNbXZiHS-WVailjJ9oxkLMbQJkt04sT3BUMnhixbtPOm-me5S3xbWyhmz8qFMFOvTc7diKL/s640/P1040218.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing in the hot house of The Wintergardens a favourite activity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_the_dangers_of_willful_blindness?language=en" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_the_dangers_of_willful_blindness?language=en" target="_blank">Wilful blindness</a> doesn't help much either, except for letting nasties get
away with mess-making, with hurting, and to fool ourselves nothing's going on. Stop pretending things are fine when they are not. It could be a massive issue or something personal. Ignoring it will not make it disappear. <br /><br />What's odd? Ask why. What makes you think twice about where you work or live? Why? Who's not well, or not paying attention, or furious, or scary, or...? Ask a professional for assistance.<br /><br />Those
who deliberately hurt others need to seek help to change, too. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyone who hurts others needs to be out of circulation, given therapy until they improve, as often and as much as
possible. It does not matter how much strength, (power), money, fame, or responsibility they have, if they're abusive they need to be taken away and some help must be given to them to enable them to change.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Live a better tale, rewrite it, why not?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0d1xItwZvnoJs2TEcUjDHj_nxWk8lQ-KNLdw0uFyep4O_IzqYfRBCoqxx0wREvGDbHjcZ6Xsxm6AGBeNhWLGr_usFeinJLhbtZuM63CFZUwzXV9EvAblMdMbHuQVDlhCGfii5HkkH2zFT/s1600/Raewyn+Alexander+Two+Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0d1xItwZvnoJs2TEcUjDHj_nxWk8lQ-KNLdw0uFyep4O_IzqYfRBCoqxx0wREvGDbHjcZ6Xsxm6AGBeNhWLGr_usFeinJLhbtZuM63CFZUwzXV9EvAblMdMbHuQVDlhCGfii5HkkH2zFT/s640/Raewyn+Alexander+Two+Books.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Covers of two Zowie Zines</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Some of us
love horror movies, but we don't want to live in one.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Vandals who
mess about with property, or shouty workmates who terrorise everyone
except the boss, (who never sees them screaming), or the passive
aggressive close talker, who smells awful too, jabbering on even when
you say you have to go.... </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Countless people suffer indignities and
worse at some point. But we don't want more ruin, an escalation, or
other damaging people to appear. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When discussing danger, it's like bad
dreams have appeared in everyday life, and we can superstitiously feel like
we could attract more trouble just mentioning a problem. The boogey man comes out of the book
to stomp around the room. “Speak of the devil...” a jokey remark
if a friend appears whom you've just been talking about. So, mentioning people who hurt others, could make them turn up at the door? <br /><br />We may over-react in fear. Fear stops us
acting well, at times. It can shut us up too.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Silence
and inaction can be 'read', they're interpreted anyway. A hurtful person
could then feel like no one cares what they do, or that others support
their horrible acts, if no one speaks against them. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good and evil play out in life and stories, but
we need better narratives where good wins more often.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now
with domestic violence, (child and spousal abuse) as one of our most
pressing problems, we're talking about horrible acts. Getting angry
and saying to lock them up, full-stop is a solution? But what about other
trouble-makers also appearing from the same situations the latest
batch, (now caught), appeared from? How to switch that to a better way?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgB9IS7wBy0vMfDlRTZVwlINMDAvp6YCJxGUxVZC2mlxNlVAlgzq5bGF5ZTh09lCt2UhLi15tyR93-Vdu07Lxdf7krn-m2bdl_Q3Iuh7RKhgRkUn-RS0edwuEVy8s-VLOqZwK14qb0IaU/s1600/P1010459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgB9IS7wBy0vMfDlRTZVwlINMDAvp6YCJxGUxVZC2mlxNlVAlgzq5bGF5ZTh09lCt2UhLi15tyR93-Vdu07Lxdf7krn-m2bdl_Q3Iuh7RKhgRkUn-RS0edwuEVy8s-VLOqZwK14qb0IaU/s640/P1010459.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carpet in the ticketing area for <a href="https://www.graceland.com/" target="_blank">Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Schools
offer kapa haka, cultural active-events, sport, dance, performance,
martial arts... to let off steam and develop citizenship. Children then less likely to run amuck, not encouraged to make hurting others a habit. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Any long-term
crime, that's a dangerous habit. Stuck on the same page in a book, and it's like forgetting how to read. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">An instigator maybe thrilled when they hurt someone else, as if starring in a hard-out story, power-tripping. Otherwise they're a kind of empty shell, or a seething mess,
or.... A mania for harm in them anyway, so finer moves are desperately needed. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anti-bullying programmes work with peer groups trained to recognise
gang leaders, to disrupt nasty behaviour. They turn fellow students
around. This also is adaptable for elsewhere.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How to keep ourselves safe? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How to teach someone to love? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How to teach someone whom we despise,
to love others?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb69vEdeeRh1oCAMN_U7sGbrQ9udHdPRnThC13mwo0vIxnYvyox4v1ttLbrtKrL3GdwNBhK8sNvfu-oJNJCT4M6rLtdOoeYjmbH_hzRvSkHyQNLCsCWbn2fj2Q0uGkAIELW7o6k-tQMFue/s1600/S2020011_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb69vEdeeRh1oCAMN_U7sGbrQ9udHdPRnThC13mwo0vIxnYvyox4v1ttLbrtKrL3GdwNBhK8sNvfu-oJNJCT4M6rLtdOoeYjmbH_hzRvSkHyQNLCsCWbn2fj2Q0uGkAIELW7o6k-tQMFue/s640/S2020011_2.JPG" width="552" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bay of Plenty district</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Anyone
may be slightly anti-social at times, unfair a moment, or all full of themselves after a win, or someone may rage under pressure in a disaster.... Maybe we talked too loud a while, or forgot our good manners in a rush. Perfection's not the aim, though, we're not fairy
story characters who think we're completely excellent.<br /><br />Anyone who wants no
others as good or better than them, they're usually baddies. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A too-perfect
image hides terrible behaviour? Could be. What do those perfectly turned out people see in their
magic mirror? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps you're too alarmed to think about their slippery
strangeness?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Okay so your sixth
sense is turned on, eyes open, your brain's engaged, and you can see that behaviour reveals a wrong-doer, in time. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We may go along with bad things a while but then escape them, too. The woodsman who
took Snow White into the forest to be killed, in the ancient story, he left her there instead.
He disobeyed the evil queen, secretly. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We may also choose not to go
along with demands - a small alteration or a private decision. Carefulness keeps us safe.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Someone
vulnerable like a child, (Snow White was not that old), or a person
who's ill, or an old person whom you see, they're being unfairly treated? Sidestep
where possible like the woodsman did, if you can. Simply talking
about this to yourself, like your own best friend, can change the
situation for the better too. Write down what you've seen and know. Think what to do next. Then ask for guidance from someone trusted.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Word
power focuses thinking, ideas bloom from decision,
actions, and change. The flame of knowledge so warming.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Doing
only what you can is fine.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Go
to a place you find easy to be, (the woodsman probably felt more
clear-thinking in his familiar forest). </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Evil queens love to show off
their power, so avoiding them is wise where possible, too.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes,
so, don't like what you see? Change something for good, even a small act of decency is better than nothing.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every kind act works wonders which you may not see, but kindness is its own reward. Behave well towards others and you feel better for it too.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHXO9vAG-7fzDxWUhGU8yFZ1vdDXBSCem2-ffNzCGCXG_kct-Fmlyo5jb8dl6wvxBXiyTGY7AZRa608sOE2rigjEh4J-H5P621KSGVXz1QWXQBIOAhkrXMOrwHr2pbHmcXbF6xBTQ7CdC/s1600/P1070008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHXO9vAG-7fzDxWUhGU8yFZ1vdDXBSCem2-ffNzCGCXG_kct-Fmlyo5jb8dl6wvxBXiyTGY7AZRa608sOE2rigjEh4J-H5P621KSGVXz1QWXQBIOAhkrXMOrwHr2pbHmcXbF6xBTQ7CdC/s640/P1070008.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collage from Zowie Zine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For
instance, this old friend of mine offered to let someone park in
their driveway and use their kitchen and bathroom, while sleeping in
their car. Imagine how good it would feel to have someone you didn't
know offer to assist you in this way. Then the person offering also feels they've changed someone's misfortune a little. They make a new contact, and maybe soon figure out together some better
solution to the issue of the person sleeping in the car.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Someone
else I know used to let people sleeping on the street outside her
second-hand place, sleep on the floor of her shop at night, instead.
Now they've set up a homeless trust to assist people into housing.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">But
then too, it seems our own government and its agencies can be
abusers. This is only one story, (below) about someone's troubles with state
housing, there are many more like this too. Join the facebook group
Save our State Homes
here <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/233483516845350/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/233483516845350/</a></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please
take some time to read this and think, what kind of country do you
want to live in? How will you vote this coming election? Please
don't let it be for the people who support travesties and abuse.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To Whom it May Concern,</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="LTR" id="x_AppleMailSignature">
<br />
<blockquote style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 2cm; margin-right: 2cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">I'm
a state house tenant, I've been in this house 17 years, I'm
physically disabled and able to work from home, I don't receive any
other government assistance, partly by choice because I need to feel
that I contribute to society. If I lost this house I wouldn't be
able to work and inevitably I would end up on a benefit. HNZ twice
served me with a notice to vacate that I believed was in breach of
the Residential Tenancies Act and the Tenancy Tribunal agreed, on
both occasions. I am privileged in that I know how the system works
and the same system that can evict a tenant can protect that
tenant.<br /><br />I thank the foresight of the first Labour
Government who established the Department of Housing Construction in
1936 and I am a direct recipient of that first wave of residential
construction some 70 - 75 years ago.<br /><br />As the state
houses have become vacant in my area, no time is wasted before that
house is on the market, thus taking the state house from its lofty
perch as the answer to all questions of social value to a
deconstructed, demolished and debauched housing policy where the
only value these great assets of the people are to this government
are as cashflow to pay down interest.<br /><br />It's a national
disgrace and I feel guilty that I have a roof over my head every
night and that is just wrong.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />R.... </span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 2cm; margin-right: 2cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">(Name with-held for obvious reasons).</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.21cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">We're
in a position to create a better country by voting
these abusers in office now, out. They're identified as abusers by
how they behave. How can you support them?<br /><br />Any queries or comments please go ahead and thanks for reading.<br /><br />Please also be aware we've started an advice and investigation business, Diana Ruth Bain and myself, Raewyn Alexander - Ooo Wise Women, (that's us the friends talking in the photo on this blog, today). </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.21cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.21cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">We offer a friendly ear, a free first half hour consult, or your answering an online questionnaire, creativity workshops, gap analysis, business and personal advice, day-to-day ideas for better living, tarot readings, referrals to experts in almost any field, and we shall investigate any matter you want us to, and more. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.21cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.21cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">Ask us anything.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1597704113"> </a></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WiseWomenInvestigation/?fref=ts">www.facebook.com/WiseWomenInvestigation/?fref=ts</a></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For poster, wrapping paper, or colouring, do call in and ask to see more.</td></tr>
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</style>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-31924491089896816792016-07-31T14:19:00.003-07:002016-08-04T13:21:40.390-07:00Pleasant Street - Cat Fooks at Anna Miles Gallery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZpc-vK03hjSr2-vAjGiCgGWJfQIMu8JMZsS1h_w_R7aHE53cARX4fR2FiATDmG65LJAJVQ_vkODx_T4ayJ9exA2-TqKiY_uD_PLb87yGRmh1dvVYiCJqFTr3pqMt3bnBR7QbEa6YbYsC/s1600/Cat-Fooks-Clam-Bake-2016-Mixed-Media-520-x-440mm-893x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZpc-vK03hjSr2-vAjGiCgGWJfQIMu8JMZsS1h_w_R7aHE53cARX4fR2FiATDmG65LJAJVQ_vkODx_T4ayJ9exA2-TqKiY_uD_PLb87yGRmh1dvVYiCJqFTr3pqMt3bnBR7QbEa6YbYsC/s640/Cat-Fooks-Clam-Bake-2016-Mixed-Media-520-x-440mm-893x1024.jpg" width="558" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What's that view about? Looking through a window of gloggy plop dash splash opportunity, and such intense, sometimes alarming colours, somehow fun and harmonious in a natural fashion, too. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Cat Fooks' work never ceases to surprise and amuse me. Sometimes bemused as well, pleasantly lost for ages in these compelling works, wondering what to make of them. Unable to stop regarding each densely painted window-like piece in this case, as if they're demanding I figure something out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://artistsalliance.org.nz/events/cat-fooks-pleasant-st/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Fascinating exhibition at Anna Miles Gallery, 20 Upper Queen Street,</span></a><span style="color: #008a17;"><span style="background-color: white;"> mud pies meet buried treasure and excited, rich painting.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">O and also, it's a magical mystery to find the gallery, cleverly tucked away. But behind 20 Upper Queen Street, (a line of pale apartments), is another line of apartments, with Anna Miles Gallery being the one with "Gallery" painted on it in black, and 10/3 I think it was. So welcoming there nevertheless, with such refreshment for the art-starved mind and heart. Opening night a fabulous bloom of conversation. But if you wanted respite, then out on the balcony a stunning view of Symonds Street graveyard, so restful yet dramatic in Victorian déshabillé, (looks like a film set dressed as a ruin but also quite true and sombre, respectful).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4ODCJcnAqWK7-cGTVI4aOYDfuuoCAhfOcV5t4RVJoCtPLP4ZmvET8tu8lqlVjc_WzrZblJn7y-gFt3puRvCo8Py1pC6x5Mse9dJmRho2FecybgJy6pSdSRJicF-2YIcqypo0xo1BHK7k/s1600/Anna+Miles+Gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4ODCJcnAqWK7-cGTVI4aOYDfuuoCAhfOcV5t4RVJoCtPLP4ZmvET8tu8lqlVjc_WzrZblJn7y-gFt3puRvCo8Py1pC6x5Mse9dJmRho2FecybgJy6pSdSRJicF-2YIcqypo0xo1BHK7k/s640/Anna+Miles+Gallery.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another exhibition, this shot, but you can see the fine gallery, part of it, the balcony and graveyard here.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Excuse my vagueness about street numbers by the way, I've been assisting a friend with recovery from illness - rather tiring. But enough of my complaints, on with the art.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Paint paint paint, so much painterly paintingness, Fooks presents gobs and blobs and layers, and mysterious objects entirely subsumed. Seems as if the entire art object is paint, and gorgeous, scary, dynamic stuff it is too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, yes, painting died and came back to life some time ago, a few times, keeps resurrecting itself, or never went away, only disguised itself as something else occasionally. Such definitions depend who you speak to, but these works are undeniably fresh, innovative, and fun, with an intellectualism about them. Inspiring long sentences and plunging into reverie, Pleasant Street has quite a bit going on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cat Fooks with so much heart, herself, of course, so her work does present that way as well, if you've the love to recognise it. Also a canny woman, producing excellent lines in conversation, weaving, gazing, and such a ready wit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">View the works here</span><a href="http://annamilesgallery.com/artists/cat-fooks/" target="_blank"> http://annamilesgallery.com/artists/cat-fooks/</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More mature than her first show that I saw, (which offered a lighter, more curious effort, with some startling subtle elements like those 'related' objects seemingly trying to get away from the paintings). Anyway, this 2016 painting reveals evidence of a great mind and self behind the playfulness, Fooks unafraid to introduce the personal albeit in an abstract fashion, but it resonates like we're hearing a tone of voice or even singing. Objects were also created for this show, to accompany the wall pieces, but Anna Miles decided the paintings were best exhibited, hung alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Got me thinking about changes in life, how art reflects or leads that, and also, recalled Dr. Jack Ross, the writer produced a piece a few years ago. He stated, more or less, that nowadays New Zealand and some other Western poetry we influence, and visa versa, has far more heart. That writing displays more personality and intimacy revealed in a non-ironic manner, or if irony is used it's kinder. Evident in this Fooks visual art too, that attitude, innovative, thoughtful, and yet also harking back to when artists were unafraid to portray themselves as fragile, vulnerable people, who loved others, loved the world, Monet, obviously one example. Also expressing other emotions and states, Van Gogh for instance, or at times Georgia O'Keefe. Marking themselves as far more than intellect, self-control and discipline, (necessary and admirable but they need not be the whole picture). I considered at the time Ross wrote that, that this could be a female influence. So much Western male art has as its tone after all a bravado, or strength, or mysterious covert loveliness for the last, say thirty years before the 2000s. Female artists and writers, I find, are still nowadays encouraged to be 'more male' but in a subversive manner, rarely overtly. But the most daring and generous, the most talented perhaps, dare to allow themselves to be less oppressed and directed, so this softness, this strength of the oest, if I dare say that, appears. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoxEubbNW73XJeCOxeJwrt16a3Jr-2fkBG1uisIw35S11Zu6vbsz9IIpqXL9-HTZ7q9qBpcfWo9IqPW5bd7W6HisjB3uuS9Q_qhWfiQhCB8SxeRP_gdt_aPRtfH4dARYDrJZv8njGWXZg/s1600/Cottonwood+Georgia+O%2527Keefe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoxEubbNW73XJeCOxeJwrt16a3Jr-2fkBG1uisIw35S11Zu6vbsz9IIpqXL9-HTZ7q9qBpcfWo9IqPW5bd7W6HisjB3uuS9Q_qhWfiQhCB8SxeRP_gdt_aPRtfH4dARYDrJZv8njGWXZg/s400/Cottonwood+Georgia+O%2527Keefe.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better to view this online - search - <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cottonwood - Georgia O'Keefe</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #008a17; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: large;">Love inventing words. Thank you Shakespeare. He did that so well of course, what a fine example. (No need to feel intimidated when someone does something well, do what you think best with that example, in your own manner). Strength of the Oest, yes, Pleasant Street could be subtitled that. (Oestrogen is far too obvious a word, not mysterious enough to get across what I'm trying to convey. Also inventing 'oest' could be another grand excuse for people to call me crazy, by the way, can hear the gasps now. The greats often are called names though, aren't we)? *laughing*</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Women are "not supposed to talk about themselves," some say, in high society and the upper middle class slavishly imitate that rule. But that 'good manner' really serves mainly as a guide for public conversation with someone you're not certain about, these days, or when needing to attend to practical matters, straight forwardly. In art, and art-related activities, we may certainly "talk" about ourselves, and long may that continue. With our art work we have nothing but ourselves to use as we see fit or best, to start with. Everything's filtered through our own experience inevitably. The feminine also appears evident in many males too, if we may say that certain qualities do belong to any gender, but it's still discouraged it seems to me, too often. Perhaps this kind of art with oest, however, shall help bring us away from the ridiculously overt patriarchy we suffer under now, to different degrees, almost everywhere. Dangerously so too, this suffering the patriarchy, with the planet threatened as far as us being able to survive here and so much else alive on the way out, do not fool yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I dare make art important in saving the world. Why not? Go along and see for yourself, Cat Fooks at Anna Miles Gallery, 20 Upper Queen Street, opened last night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be lovely to hear what you think too. Comments welcome, and we have a gathering of writers and artists here on occasion, at Blue Haven, Grey Lynn, Tamaki Makaurau Auckland. Inside the house before I move, eventually, whenever that may be, any major change is on hold now. Many changes are afoot. So if you want to be included, make fb friends with me. Let's get to know one another. Art saving us from ourselves. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbq5DwXcGSsk8SbGrwDa7b6LHAq3Dprp4yQmc3IT2Rd2CDtXTb_0JIWGfcSzMWg4hFcPGl-6jv7j9mmQQRBqsBOMh6BbCE9uOGI0vuKReu4Oqaga-BOjkwb_dL80s-LMuY0rGt1QWIg-j/s1600/Cat+Fooks+at+Anna+Miles+by+William+Dart+2016+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbq5DwXcGSsk8SbGrwDa7b6LHAq3Dprp4yQmc3IT2Rd2CDtXTb_0JIWGfcSzMWg4hFcPGl-6jv7j9mmQQRBqsBOMh6BbCE9uOGI0vuKReu4Oqaga-BOjkwb_dL80s-LMuY0rGt1QWIg-j/s640/Cat+Fooks+at+Anna+Miles+by+William+Dart+2016+.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening night 31 July 2016 Cat Fooks at Anna Miles Gallery 20 Upper Queen Street - photo by William Dart<br />
That's Cat Fooks in black mid-right, Michael Onslow-Osborne top middle with his hand to his mouth, thinking probably, and me front lower right, what silvery hair I have these days.</td></tr>
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-83398697690307641512016-07-10T17:24:00.001-07:002016-07-10T17:45:07.765-07:00Idea Collective SoccerPractise Watercooler more SoccerPractise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Time was in the buoyancy of my youth, Aotearoa NZ had almost nothing for people to do of an evening. But now, o how life has changed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3GmvkUIAbxW7BPMGxPU0NMzV4emMCZnpxg4rOz81Aj6C9diArmlxiPIwKg-0eh-8o68-m_6Mjn5tueMOwSsEqVu0Ah193cZiMbWkltDMnxHFp3uT2WEQ8d0CGYSTRQ0lWUvB5IBLoKBu/s1600/P1060819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3GmvkUIAbxW7BPMGxPU0NMzV4emMCZnpxg4rOz81Aj6C9diArmlxiPIwKg-0eh-8o68-m_6Mjn5tueMOwSsEqVu0Ah193cZiMbWkltDMnxHFp3uT2WEQ8d0CGYSTRQ0lWUvB5IBLoKBu/s640/P1060819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.motat.org.nz/exhibitions/the-idea-collective/" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.motat.org.nz/exhibitions/the-idea-collective/" target="_blank">The Idea Collective at MOTAT</a> launched stunning new work this July 2016. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Go play with their 3-D printer, or create games on consoles in the geodesic dome. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Walk the illuminated ramp into other visual worlds. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Find out how artists respond to advances in wine-making, school lunches, and the human eye's mysteries.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Murals move within the images. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Where the 60s took us, and it's more than fine. Inspired glorious.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">In the cinema room, SoccerPractise played their electronic punk dance music. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">More moods than a roomful of youth in any weather. Visuals and sounds as original as nature.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRvmfF-miRs" target="_blank">Soccerpractise online too, click and listen</a>. Windfall. Dancey.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Formed from Moppy a while back, SoccerPractise named by a savvy seven year old.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">They're recently returned from an Aotearoa New Zealand-wide tour, 2016.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SoccerPractise/" target="_blank">Stay in their magic circle of fun and wonder.</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/soccerpractise" target="_blank">Haere Mai E Tama. A cicada-fest of clicking to this music.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">This visual bursts,</span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"> looking like a whole bunch of crazy money </span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">behind Geneva Alexander-Marsters as she sings, "city of sails," in Windfall, or is it "city of sales"- song they dedicated to a family friend real estate agent. Dosh josh.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><a href="https://colab.aut.ac.nz/staff/kim-newall/" target="_blank">Kim Newall operating visuals from his portable laboratory of optic puzzles and tricks. Enter the mystery here.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.google.co.nz/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=geneva%20alexander-marsters" target="_blank">Vocalist, song-writer, actor, designer Geneva Alexander-Marsters wearing light and shade from the VJ.</a> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgVYJz90dDbMEWWuWjZGPxK0cxFOe2iziRV9dfKCf6amU8LVpS1dbH77fUFxYtg6C_uyKPk6qestCykDOm_6HTrOmrL_yeV8XDlYQYcdPKg9JCwTVbt9lbvOWCo3IYm1y10rUsZ2Eh0zS/s1600/P1060868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgVYJz90dDbMEWWuWjZGPxK0cxFOe2iziRV9dfKCf6amU8LVpS1dbH77fUFxYtg6C_uyKPk6qestCykDOm_6HTrOmrL_yeV8XDlYQYcdPKg9JCwTVbt9lbvOWCo3IYm1y10rUsZ2Eh0zS/s640/P1060868.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thomas.p.burton" target="_blank">Thomas Philip Burton master of button-pushing marvellousness, intuition manifested in such sounds, expanded, inquiring, determined, dancing....</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/leo.horgan?pnref=friends.search" target="_blank"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Leo Horgan with this axe slicing through silence, better cuts and chops, wackawacka ready machine of beauty and mean fun, you know. Questions answered. </span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/822915451141364/" target="_blank"><br /></a></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/822915451141364/" target="_blank">Afterwards at The Watercooler, talk and that - Note to Former Self.</a> Admissions, confessions, arrows aimed for some apples once eaten or picked, and targets met or...?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">The Studio Theatre, upstairs in The Basement Theatre, Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Here people talk about what matters, spl</span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">ats, ra</span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">ts, and get that. More of this, please, <a href="http://www.basementtheatre.co.nz/" target="_blank">Basement Theatre. </a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">True stories in the flesh, breath and laughter, some shocks, by Geneva Alexander-Marsters, George Fenwick, and Emily Miller-Sharma. Hosted by Alice Snedden, whose dry wit smouldered and sparked and Anna Bracewell-Worrall guest produced the show.</span></span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">SoccerPractise here too. </span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Downstairs Bar - Basement Theatre. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Travelling, ravelling, it's a style life.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Enough words, here's the eye banquet.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><br />All photographs Raewyn Alexander. <br /><br />Loved this. <br /><br />I've submitted an idea, could speak soon at The Watercooler at The Basement Theatre soon - Punk Rocker Tells All - about the days when Auckland yoof, (about twenty of us anyway), had nothing to do but dress in our best tatty rags and bondage, then go make a fuss in a stupid fast food restaurant. <br /><br />How we changed the world.<br /><br />Thanks for reading and comments welcome. Make friends with me on facebook to keep up with fine fun events around Tamaki Makaurau Auckland.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-26855008699896002022016-07-01T01:42:00.005-07:002016-07-01T01:48:26.929-07:00"Ze" : queer as fu*k ! Review and Interview<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">They're
crying rainbows, and vivid makeup streams all the way down their
cheeks. Their grimace makes their emotions seem real, despite those
cheerful colours. The poster shows someone with short hair, too.
Polished promotional material led me to believe this could be a
slick, amusing rather edgy show, and the image suggested trans
elements. It's a testament to broadly-based, clear trans promotions
and publicity lately that I felt quite comfortable with those ideas,
as if already familiar with their culture. “Ze” : queer as f*ck!
was also not quite what I expected in some ways, yet I felt glad of
that. I saw this performance at the beginning of its short season. By
the end of its run the houses were packed, and deservedly so.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXkhilB7H5qAFFqoooO3aKwG2Zog29cYx7rJZ7NikkpwtMN1QP6ficafLQSlFXxzqDFWjB9Qk51aPllVlOSaOOZzCurFseXxksTNHF88xxQdkWqMZL7NxuJJmOHtlCqkMUxbrF6vt4lr3/s1600/sszgydhywbpb0xxkxmoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXkhilB7H5qAFFqoooO3aKwG2Zog29cYx7rJZ7NikkpwtMN1QP6ficafLQSlFXxzqDFWjB9Qk51aPllVlOSaOOZzCurFseXxksTNHF88xxQdkWqMZL7NxuJJmOHtlCqkMUxbrF6vt4lr3/s640/sszgydhywbpb0xxkxmoe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo from the flyer - <span style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt; text-align: start;">by Virginia Guy with Graphic Design by Riley Vladyr Burns </span></span><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
person in the promo photograph was neither male nor female, to my way
of seeing. More succinctly than before, the language for
communicating about people who identify as another gender has
changed, and grown. In my naive sophistication I also believed I knew
quite a range of facts and terms, regarding this group of people, and
perhaps I knew most of it? Personal stories make great monologues,
too, so I looked forward to some truth told with personal style and
maybe a few odd details I'd find surprising. Quite true. This show is
also much much more than that.<br /><br />Gay or queer or whatever you
call culture that's not heterosexual, often emphasises sexuality to
the degree that it can seem as if that's all there is, perhaps. I
expected some sexy bits and a few shocks. Despite my worldly
experiences I still find discussing sex openly with strangers, or
seeing any kind of sex portrayed in public, somewhat disturbing in
some ways. It feels like a violation of intimacy at times. I'm also
aware that the charged atmosphere with this kind of performance may
cause trouble, from others, and that can bother me. The atmosphere at
Garnet Station's Tiny Theatre is however so welcoming, inclusive, and
safe, that my concerns were considerably reduced.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaYklHDcbO_sMYM9h04aAbmy2IB2t25VirYQxTFrIw5QSgskTRuncKT087p0HbG13b2ucPvB94zbC0__SQ4ebdSMQ7dH9vPLqKODWMXr5UmIAmf1IIsrII6Dxz-Cf-jsjQDUNUVyz1COd/s1600/Ze-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaYklHDcbO_sMYM9h04aAbmy2IB2t25VirYQxTFrIw5QSgskTRuncKT087p0HbG13b2ucPvB94zbC0__SQ4ebdSMQ7dH9vPLqKODWMXr5UmIAmf1IIsrII6Dxz-Cf-jsjQDUNUVyz1COd/s640/Ze-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: start;">All other photos by Goad Studio </span></td></tr>
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<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We all have
idiosyncrasies, except arguably for identical twins, everybody
experiences their own individual reality. Humans mainly all feel to a
degree, alone. But in marginalised or unusual situations we may feel
more alone. Those sidelined or outcast can experience extraordinary
trouble with communicating, or getting whatever's wanted or needed,
more than those with more common backgrounds, do. We've become
accustomed you could say, to hearing about the struggle of somebody
to come out, for instance, as a lesbian, or to admit to be a
cross-dressing, sado-masochist for that matter. Some as well realise
they possess a highly individual, startling identity, or unusual
persona, which they want known to maintain their happiness and
well-being. I expected issues with relating to families and the
general public to feature, and this was the case in “Ze” : queer
as f*ck!<br /><br />Tiny Theatre at Garnet Station Cafe, a converted tiny
house down the back of the property seems rather like an old country
church, or schoolhouse, (with some irony). Many shows there present
genuine edginess, with startling qualities. Although everything I've
seen so far is also professional, and highly original. Anyway I
walked in, the first punter of an almost full house, to see on stage
a short distance away someone doing calisthenics. An army-style
warm-up, with loud dance music playing. This athletic figure on stage
in tight grey camouflage shorts and grey marle singlet, had short
dark hair, but also sported a large transparent purple dildo,
well-attached and completely visible from their fly-front shorts. A
blatant scenario, albeit rather workaday too like an exercise class.
Wide-eyed I sat at the front as the technician/stage manager
suggested, by the wall for support.<br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-Vx4j3q6lAy7y6DPWpAZFGTSqFBIXcpKOZvMARXego7DOk86aN7DFt2FWpvpjUWYGQNxF6_JsnDMwOlFpK8jgdTicE-6RtuJAkELcP310avZJAu2YesPf9xq_0QG1ldZ9DsLQwErD1Aq/s1600/Ze-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-Vx4j3q6lAy7y6DPWpAZFGTSqFBIXcpKOZvMARXego7DOk86aN7DFt2FWpvpjUWYGQNxF6_JsnDMwOlFpK8jgdTicE-6RtuJAkELcP310avZJAu2YesPf9xq_0QG1ldZ9DsLQwErD1Aq/s320/Ze-21.jpg" width="306" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Subtle elements of
Michelle Lunicke's true story, ze (or they) perform as Michelle/Ryan, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">presented in a deeply personal but amusing manner, and sometimes
shocking details also </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">surface. This confessional or honest narrative
eventually makes the audience feel like close </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">friends of this
accomplished performer. Humour and empathy created a genuinely
pleasant </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">experience. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A
simply dressed stage with black surrounds, to the right a blue felt
rectangle board such as at a Sunday School, set up holding various
symbols in bright colours like a red felt heart, a flesh-coloured
brain, and a yellow geometric shape with various sexuality symbols
jutting from it. Props in some cases look jolly, or funky like a
teenager could make. Michelle/Ryan produced various stick-on symbols
to indicate their emotions, their thinking, their sexuality, (quite a
complex drawing) and other such particulars. Cut out shapes from that
blue felt board were easily peeled away then patted into place on
Michelle/Ryan's clothing. A cartoonish quality, amusing, also crafty,
and touching. The homey tone and look of some of this show endears
the character's tale and persona to us. We're drawn in closer, and
Michelle/Ryan gets across the development, awareness, bewilderment,
relationships, and pleasures of their existence in a manner that
convinces the audience every word's the truth. This definitely
matters.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Marginalised
people vary, but perhaps the most isolated are those for whom no
language exists to describe them, or to allow those people to explain
who they are to others, and of course themselves. The genuinely rare,
for instance (to take a quite different example), like the mere 20%
of humanity considered highly sensitive, with them other more common
types do at times notice an unexplained difference. The less
sensitive may act upon their alarm in hostile, dangerous, or outright
criminal ways. If a marginalised person has something unusual about
their gender, others' reactions can manifest dangerously then too.
Worry may come from a perceived lack of order, an inability to know
who someone is, or what to say. But apt work like this play with its
blatant title offer language, including visuals, audio, and humour,
and a friendly intimacy to explain or define. This work defines
gender-queer. Such an intelligent and witty performance, testament to
the acting skill, writing ability, and layered thought processes
involved with the whole production. Director and dramaturg Peter
Larsen, and the writer/actor Michelle Lunicke and their lighting
technician and stage manager together, present something not only
thought provoking, but heart-felt, and highly amusing.<br /><br /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMTPqKiK7iErJIhdgN9fFJyAdhJPAyvzZE23i4bd8qheTsBj72cN1zuJIPnHvPTnTKl8dDGWMJFg1fDY373ptUHRB3tPBjZ_GNI1LpJi3fHhu9IoJYx-5IUlpZ8Tg70ilHr085UA5uYG4/s1600/Ze-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMTPqKiK7iErJIhdgN9fFJyAdhJPAyvzZE23i4bd8qheTsBj72cN1zuJIPnHvPTnTKl8dDGWMJFg1fDY373ptUHRB3tPBjZ_GNI1LpJi3fHhu9IoJYx-5IUlpZ8Tg70ilHr085UA5uYG4/s640/Ze-30.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">“Ze”
: queer as f*ck! proved extraordinarily revealing, clever, and
definitely entertaining, with a sense of something new.
Michelle/Ryan's showed their own startled amazement that they were as
they are, then what that meant in a so-called rainbow community.
Multifarious people too have their mainstream, conservatives, some
rude and annoying folk, their own in-groups and out-groups. Even
there in the sometimes defined as queer community, you're more
acceptable with an easily defined sexuality, anything obvious is
best. Such sobering and upsetting details are also made clear in this
performance.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Various
essentials are revealed about the life of a particular individual who
identifies with no gender at all, and who can swap from one gender to
another, in a breath, or literally appears as genderless. They're
still without a doubt also attractive and sexy, but no sexual
identity creates a kind of blankness at the same time, in the mind of
the viewer. What this means includes not just exploring sexual
activities. Their life provides a strong narrative in this show. But
yes, Michelle Lunicke derives wry satisfaction in explaining some
sexual behaviour, however quite often it's like they're describing a
recipe method, or a particular way to do exercise properly.
Refreshing to see unusual sex discussed so plainly. Then the
unexpected ways these interactions affect our hero/heroine are
revealed, and people's reactions to zir. When some others realise
what a complex being Michelle/Ryan actually is, delight, curiousity,
consternation, distress, and other reactions abound. Many tend to
want a comfortable label, to move on in a fashion that's not
offensive, that's hopeful, and kind, (or in some cases that allows
avoidance). This show openly explains that some never fit an easy to
understand picture, and nor should we. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">All
of us, after all, possess some highly individual qualities. No one's
entirely simple, nor created the way an object is, able to be taken
apart and examined, entirely. This is a good thing we need to accept,
but can we all do this?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Zir
(or their) show also explores themes of loneliness and cruelty, the
role religion plays in what a family allows or does not allow, and
debunks the notion that our sexuality is a choice. It seemed to me if
Michelle/Ryan could choose just one way to be, at a few points in
their life they would've chosen, for respite. They lacked a
decent-sized group to belong to, and suffered from general prejudice,
within and without the gay community. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">But
the varied story also segued into the delights of exploring where few
could've wanted to explore before. Gender-queer combined with high
intelligence, good looks, fitness, and a spirit of adventure means
this character grew quite inspired towards a myriad of relationships,
and curious activities. A kind of sportiness pervaded the whole show
too, adding to the humour and revealing the character's penchant for
plain, simple decisions about complicated notions. Michelle/Ryan
appeared capable of simply trying something out to see how it went,
rather than agonising for too long over possibilities, first.
Sensible use of a rubber glove ensued.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKb6VRwWtZN9qkdlA4lRScjQr-FW1RrphzNiB0L-Ij2_Edcn3rGDCbnm4rFqkKk1Y4LbE6eq-0ljSDpovmVZ5A-e7le2fIG_dz90oBIK215VzXfi2JzgkCc4GNU85NpC0YXWRNkr5G9Sq/s1600/Ze-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKb6VRwWtZN9qkdlA4lRScjQr-FW1RrphzNiB0L-Ij2_Edcn3rGDCbnm4rFqkKk1Y4LbE6eq-0ljSDpovmVZ5A-e7le2fIG_dz90oBIK215VzXfi2JzgkCc4GNU85NpC0YXWRNkr5G9Sq/s640/Ze-36.jpg" width="386" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Inventive
stage lights and management added details and moods to the work which
expertly set it off, and in some cases definitely offered more depth,
or emphasis. Bright, clear lighting at the start felt strangely
reassuring, even if also confronting, it was like they were saying,
“Nothing to hide here, come on in.” Amusing elements worked
visually as well, like with the blue felt board props, but also such
as with the rather hell-fire lighting when the actor produced a
half-metre high, white wooden Christian cross. Lights shining upwards
flashed red, as if from the open gates of Hades. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I've
seen many theatre productions, in countless settings indoors and
outside. This show now sits in my top ten best of all time stage
shows. Sure, the delivery at times may've been better a little less
frantic, a little less hurried, and sometimes words perhaps would've
registered more effectively with better enunciation, while slightly
tidier, or slicker props and costuming could also lift the visuals
into another league, but the overall effect of the performance,
writing, staging, lights and sound proved excellent. Insights offered
into not only the life of one highly idiosyncratic individual, but
into how human beings behave quite often no matter who we are,
provided a fine sense of shared experience, trust, and hope.
Valuable, brave, what we need more of, arts which go to the heart,
soul, and truth of human experience, stating without a doubt that we
need to know such details so we communicate more effectively about so
much more, too, and survive in much better condition in future. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>Interview
on the Last day of the Two Week Run</b> May 2016 Garnet Station Cafe
Westmere, Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Michelle/Ryan's
been performing this in Australia, and opened “Ze” : queer as
f*ck! in Perth at Fringe World, then also staged the show in
Adelaide, Dunedin, Whangarei, and next is Toronto and Vancouver.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Ze
said in the regional culture near Canada where ze was born, there is
a passive aggressive, polite PC sort of attitude which Michelle/Ryan
only discovered in contrast when Michelle/Ryan moved to<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">
a more cosmopolitan region within Canada. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Despite
being in an fairly unchurched part of North America, Michelle/Ryan
grew up exclusively in private Christian schools, Christian youth
groups, bible studies, churches, and associated church activities.
The only interaction with the secular world was the occasional visit
to the local community theatre. Ze never visited a major city without
supervision from Christian adults until ze was 18 years old. In
Canada's wider concept of religion and "being in the world,"
ze became a person.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">There
Michelle/Ryan enjoyed the opportunity to explore the world and
develop beliefs and ideas on zir own, with “some kind of background
to build a foreground from,” not only the church. All of a sudden
there was independence, career options, new culture. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">You
can't possibly know who you are until you have a few things to choose
from, before you know who you are not.”</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Michelle/Ryan
had left </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">zir</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
religious cloistered life “to live </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">a
hair's breadth from a metropolitan city</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
and attend university.” </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">This
meant enormous changes. While ze explained these to me zir animation
emphasised how exciting it felt, the changes, the newness, the huge
range of choices, suddenly.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
asked, “Were you shocked after realising how sheltered you
were?”<br />“At 18 I was, I thought, pretty sophisticated. Pain has
a way of maturing a person. I'd been through a lot of pain,” ze
relayed this information in a matter-of-fact manner. Michelle/Ryan
appears to have come to terms with zir difficult experiences. “The
one thing my family could not shelter me from was me. The family
itself also was this incredible suffering. All this incest and
hitting, and a lot of emotional abuse, and what I would call
spiritual abuse – using religion to shame someone as if it will
make them a different person. But like I say in the show it was all
considered normal.”<br />Michelle/Ryan also emphasised she blames no
one in her family or community for their behaviour, because when you
live in a closed world you have no idea there is any other way. Her
compassion appeared genuine, and touching.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Religion
anyway became the ultimate relief, in such a place. It's the
community identity, the hope in religion provides a kind of
sustenance, routine helps to lull people, and religion grows to
represent a part of who a person believes they are. “You cannot
spend five minutes speaking with my mother, without at least once
discussing God,” smiling, Michelle/Ryan says this lightly, she's
accepting of the way things actually are, and displays a great deal
of understanding.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Leaving
that religious, protected culture at 18, “...despite the suffering,
despite the maturing in a tight cask...” suddenly being in the
world there was a strange juxtaposition in being experienced with
life's pain, but not being able to deal with it all that well, except
with religion.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Michelle/Ryan
had various concerns, she told me, while we sat in Garnet Station
Cafe that afternoon for this interview, sun streaming in the big
window, “I don't get gender. I've never got gender. I looked at the
whole 'man head of the house, women submit' thing, and wondered why
that was a recommended world. The answer I was given was that is how
God made us different. Then I couldn't see how we were different.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">This
discussion grew intense, Michelle/Ryan's sincerity apparent, zir
voice calm and measured, “ When I came out as a lesbian, was when I
finally accepted how different men and women were. How I created
gender parity was by dating the same gender. [But] I don't think men
and women are all that different. I didn't like how I was being
treated differently as a woman, but as a lesbian you do not deal with
gender inequa</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">lity
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">within
the relationship the same way. It's not a claimed source of
misunderstanding so you don't hide behind it</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
There are no pink jobs and blue jobs. [But] the world seems to think
there are different ways of talking to men about some things,
because they're supposedly so different.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We
both agreed these supposed gender differences made for some strange
communication, at times.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
more roles are divided in a hyper way the more inclined I am towards
eliminating that difference.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
guessed in this case ze meant that extreme compartmentalising is done
around gender roles and work, but it's truly not needed, or sensible.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In
a lesbian relationship, ze noticed, “There's no issue about who's
going to initiate affection, who's doing child rearing, who earns
wages, who's more equipped to do certain tasks. The same
socialisation's happened with both of you, when you're in a lesbian
relationship.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Listening
to Michelle/Ryan, I gained insight and felt grateful. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Gender-queerness
changed all of that. I realised it was all made up and could be
remade.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Ze
also noted other effects of gender-queerness, and how there are
biases against it within the gay and queer communities, for various
reasons. “There are gay women and men who would be a bit more
gender-queer. But they don't want to take the step of admitting that,
and lose the significance of their place in the gay community. After
years of fighting for all of that, some of the men might be women.
Their orientation could be a bit in question, but this questioning
could start a giant domino effect, with various other changes ruining
the stable, secure image they want to project, to be validated by
many in the straight community, and their own groups too.”<br />One
plain decision to be more flexible with their gender identity could
create so many more changes, some seem to not want to tell the wider
population any new ideas about themselves.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
want belonging without the fitting in. Fitting in sounds like a real
strain. I guess what I really want is unconditional love. I think if
time is [always] now, then yes unconditional love exists, but humans
change constantly.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We
discussed the philosophy of loving someone no matter what they did or
said, no matter what they were like in their complete self. We all
need to be accepted as we truly are and cared for, but boundaries and
limits also need to be evident. It's also not possible for anyone to
be perfect, to always love ideally, either, or to come out as they
are then lead a trouble-free existence due to their clarity, and
honesty.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsfo8Xlj5NKm9Xvq9vu7i4L5awlYxCrnwNyFo3KyX7_yvAl4E_BzDG-P8gpYmns6C7SydYNyqmWGysCr8YxYA-AmW2x287sm6i059tYlQTauZxfNuQ6p6KBgQcjcPfzUkCnu83GIiBraY/s1600/Ze-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsfo8Xlj5NKm9Xvq9vu7i4L5awlYxCrnwNyFo3KyX7_yvAl4E_BzDG-P8gpYmns6C7SydYNyqmWGysCr8YxYA-AmW2x287sm6i059tYlQTauZxfNuQ6p6KBgQcjcPfzUkCnu83GIiBraY/s640/Ze-16.jpg" width="600" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
asked where ze gathered their ideals from. Michelle/Ryan answered
with the day drawing on and zir show to start in only a few hours,
the last night in Auckland. “Idealism comes from, in some ways,
from being raised so religious. I have experienced miracles, the
unexpected, profound love, compassion and acceptance. [But] I don't
think we c</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">an have
unconditional love all the time </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and
I don't think we can thank or blame religion for that</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.”</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br />“It
can be in a state of flux?”” I asked ze.<br />“Yes, we go in and
out of our unconditional love, like it's a muscle. We flex it. You
create an environment where that can happen. I do want to live in a
world where we all belong, and I'm going to work to create it as much
as possible, and inspire other people to create their own sphere of
“unconditional positive regard” (Rogers said that, a psychologist
who developed what become Positive Psychology, Rogerian psychology),
and appreciation for diversity, and curiousity. Whitman said - Be
curious not judgmental- by the way.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
cafe patrons came and went while we talked, and I typed up as much as
I could, trying not to get distracted. A fascinating subject, erudite
and forthright too. Michelle/Ryan observed each question carefully,
and answered with obvious intelligence, quickly and in-depth.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Do
you think the show creates more open-mindedness?” I asked as time
ticked on, and shifted in my chair at the big white table.<br />Ze
smiled and hefted her phone, looking pleased. “I get calls, and I
also have people coming up to me saying they have to go home and
think again about quite a few things.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
nodded, thinking I did the same.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
always get at least one phone message every morning, from someone the
night before saying they realise there's a lot more running around in
their minds. I'm paraphrasing. They have more to think through than
before. And they're grateful I put words to so much of it.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It
seems to be zir function, one of them, to make it clear to people
that we need to see how useful boundaries are, in fact. Do any limits
we place upon ourselves give rise to useful actions and desires? </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I'm
pretty utilitarian. If someone has a boundary... like how do they
define their gender?” Ze said the function of boundaries needs to
be understood. Ze wanted to get across that people need to see what
their definitions actually do for them. “If the definition's used
as limitation, or to bolster an overly patriarchal hierarchy then
they're not so great.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We
discussed such matters more intently as time passed, and grew deeply
interested in various philosophical notions. Ze prompted me to look
up a quote about contrasts, and I found this, “Contrast is
important.... We understand what light is because we can compare it
with what we know is dark. Sweet is made sweeter after we eat
something bitter. It’s the very same with sadness. And it’s
important to experience sadness, to embrace it in order to truly know
happiness.” Tarryn Fisher from F*ck Love (co-incidentally)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Pain
is just a shadow in order to contrast light,” ze asserted. “I
have such an immense contrast of pleasure with the pain I've
experienced, I show that in the show.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Working
with first nations in America and Canada, a few people called ze
“Permission Giver” because ze has a tendency to say,
“Everything's all right. You as a person are not in need of
'fixing'. Some perspectives could need tweaking, but all is not
lost.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">My
identity comes from how I respond to the world around me, I say in
the show. People who do some mighty cruel things are both creating
the environment and a product of their environment at the same time.
We'll always have to find creative ways to deal with them.
Occasionally you have to isolate those cruel people, but that's a
much smaller minority than we may assume.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
sun lower in the sky now, we needed to wrap the interview up but our
conversation in the cafe did keep us both intrigued. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Authenticity
is in some ways in a dance with belonging, because you can't feel
like you belong if you don't feel authentic. But also you may be
authentic and not belong.” </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Ze
has a somewhat casual or generously accepting attitude to the
profound nature of zir work. It's up to each audience to decide what
they want to take from “Ze” : queer as f*ck!, while writer and
performer Michelle Lunicke as Michelle/Ryan gets whatever they wish
from it too. “I'm saying what I want to say in each work, even if
most of it passes quite a few people by. I feel pretty solid, secure
as a person to know that what I am saying and doing has some
underpinnings for me, about what I am saying in the world and what it
is and how it could work.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We
said goodbye then and Michelle/Ryan went to get ready for zir last
show in Auckland. Next, Canada, and then, who knows?</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Flyer
photo by Virginia Guy with Graphic Design by Riley Vladyr Burns </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">All
other photos by Goad Studio </span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-83275085836888068372016-03-26T00:52:00.000-07:002016-04-24T20:16:29.501-07:00Fame, what's the same?<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vZivRr2fmpEwzjQsSXZxB336Z_OPYabOak_SekRBQg15K_8nGBbZowOPZ6aN5l5EiomGKmEIcokg17eCWZjF3sxGXBy5yWM4-Gx8_UvjfDRcT5B1_YChHyNXZeJPhELtTmd1O-8sEyl1/s1600/14112012875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vZivRr2fmpEwzjQsSXZxB336Z_OPYabOak_SekRBQg15K_8nGBbZowOPZ6aN5l5EiomGKmEIcokg17eCWZjF3sxGXBy5yWM4-Gx8_UvjfDRcT5B1_YChHyNXZeJPhELtTmd1O-8sEyl1/s640/14112012875.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stencil from Unknown Artist Street Art over a Sign for Selling<br />
Visual from the show Naked Food and Takeaway Truth - The Second Stage of Love<br />
first performed at Garnet Station's Tiny Theatre - Raewyn Alexander and Rene Harrison 2016<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">"I love you, and because I love you I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth, than adore me for telling you lies." Pietra Aretino</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Poetic license enables us poets to tell the truth in countless ways. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">This below is from Naked Food and Takeaway Truth, <a href="http://blogs.psychcentral.com/relationships/2011/02/the-3-stages-of-love-from-romance-to-power-struggle-to-a-life-dance-of-conscious-love/" target="_blank">The Second Stage of Love,</a> a recent show Rene Harrison and I did in Westmere, Tamaki Makaurau Auckland at The Tiny Theatre, Garnet Station Cafe. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Nothing </b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Her
Love bangs a gong with a glad stick,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">scares
away lemons and honey grabbers,
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">with
many hands like an Indian God, Her Love.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She noses him as if
they're as close as paint and canvas</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">or
gunpowder inside a firework.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But
stately quite different noises</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">from
separate graces,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and
rumours play roulette with blank looks.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Those
who think they own them fish out glory,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">for
their fates to follow and colour inside the lines.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Struggling
not with each other but hum-drum else,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and
all those meets and muddle turned into cake,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">with
the plain story icing, (lemon probably).</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Bitterness
suits the warp anyway.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Interference
arrives in a white limousine,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">steps
out as if it bones the road and sky,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and
it breaks off a dice of the landscape</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">tosses
that into the luck of the nearest photographer.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Him
and her, they represent sheer obstacles</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">for
Interference's open game,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">as
tall as possible to maybe get swept up</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and
shovelled down-time with hopeful mirrors.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mixing
sharp metaphors,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">because
Interference cuts almost everyone,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">into
a moat of moaning.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Lonely
without inventing robots,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">approximately
the size of do love,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and
yet appearing as plastic taste,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">choking
winged things and ruining swims,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">a
pungent mix of reckless and electronics.
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Karma,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">choices,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">their
riddle to believe they could land so near,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and
then this peddling fear,
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">this
falalala,
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">this
hunching from the inside.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Bobbing
through realising he's jived that way for volumes,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and
here they both bar now,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">whispering
locks together</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">hoping
they find a stray out.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When
all along</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">they're
in hearing</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">daring,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">nowhere
too.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So
now their doves know....</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">- - -</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Relationships matter, we need to read about how people get along, or don't, and study how we can best communicate. Do discuss relationships critically and strategise them, for your survival. Ask experts for guidance, too.<br /><br />Human beings depend on relationships for support, sharing information, protection, and understanding, a sense of belonging, and far more. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Families and friends help each other day-to-day in countless ways when they're functional, well, and decent, in agreement for the most part too, perhaps. Healthy neighbourhoods work together socialising and swapping information, or just offering some support at the least - just saying hello to people next door promotes a friendly atmosphere. Then, in business and organisations, the most successful build strong, well-connected, flexible, finely-resourced communities, sometimes world-wide. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fame can result from when you're known to be helpful, or talented, useful in some way, fame within your own family, neighbourhood, or wider community. Fame may also grow mega, with moola and magnificence to match.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">A relationship with someone famous, or association with them benefits all parties. Fame creates an isolating glamour in some ways. Welcoming people in from outside any usual circle of renown provides fresh ideas, a new outlook, and an outsider's view which may be agreed or disagreed with, to benefit everyone. Dialogue is the only way we progress, the philosopher <a href="http://www.tameri.com/csw/exist/buber.shtml" target="_blank">Buber </a>said. Obviously too, a celebrity's milieu affects the newcomer's status, as if by osmosis, or magic, or accident. This may or may not be welcome, (some people dislike glamour and attention from strangers who appear to be fascinated with them, all of a sudden). Obscurity has its own rewards, too.<br /><br />But sycophantic behaviour, where slavish people agree with the powerful or famous no matter what they do or say, or dominators controlling and virtually imprisoning a celebrity, those situations create a cultish, dangerous, and eventually an ill culture. <br /><br />Agreement <i>at any cost </i>destroys beneficial behaviour to a large degree. Blind obedience denies open and honest discussion, this removes many possibilities which could more likely lead to improvements, and surviving well due to a range of choices, not a limited bunch of them. If it becomes more important to agree than to find the best solutions, if it seems more important to go along with whatever's happened usually, without question, we're perhaps not being careful enough. How may we be sure not to harm or hurt others in light of new developments? We sadly may lose the awareness that we need to respect each other, properly. If we encourage <a href="http://psychology.about.com/od/gindex/g/groupthink.htm" target="_blank">group think,</a> or yes-man behaviour, we lose so much. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />True dialogue results in genuine swapping of views, ideas, solutions, and information, in a dynamic, lively manner. Dialogue may include some arguments or disagreements, dialogue can be puzzling or odd at times, but a to and fro discussion is a natural and absolutely vital part of any healthy relationship.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Think of dialogue as like a road to someplace you've never been. You take bends and rough bits at different speeds, the smooth straights you take more easily, road signs need attention too, the features of this road are unexpected but go with them as you feel best. You want to get to where you're going. But if you grow tired or confused, stop, rethink things, try to see the best way to continue. This illustrates what a worthwhile discussion may also involve.</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sQq6ioFQdNmtkJZtpxIYv5HUxNardGcYU9vqSJh5PvpjSqUTyV3wtuyUqr0yTa7MZDQzS9Vu71JvGNK4S2NJaw98894Grrtzd8PdKiXDrluUXY1-bm2nBcSwlRzXCtBsb2voqynoNSMi/s1600/15102012595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sQq6ioFQdNmtkJZtpxIYv5HUxNardGcYU9vqSJh5PvpjSqUTyV3wtuyUqr0yTa7MZDQzS9Vu71JvGNK4S2NJaw98894Grrtzd8PdKiXDrluUXY1-bm2nBcSwlRzXCtBsb2voqynoNSMi/s640/15102012595.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road to the Coromandel from Highway One Aotearoa New Zealand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Enjoying strong relationships with honest, dependable, talented and/or hard-working people, we could say life's usually going to go well insofar as day-to-day projects appear. Mistakes and errors may be allowed for here too, and redesigning or changing as needs be. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.covenantkeepers.org/online-articles/41-building-your-communication-skills/309-what-causes-communication-breakdown" target="_blank">A communication breakdown </a>can happen then, when something goes awry. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">It's best to leave things a while before reconnecting so all parties have time to figure out what happened. Later, people are more able to go on as a couple or group in future, after a pause, with the new information gathered and understood.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Everyday or ordinary communication is more easily managed, perhaps, since it usually includes only those directly involved. Fame however is about glamour, an</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">d that's tricky, an enhancement and somewhat false, difficult to live with, at times, if you've grown eccentric with all the extra attention. Fame can magnify your ego, a sense of self may swell and overwhelm your reason. But we need will and discipline to function properly, even if a glamorous successful life is involved. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">A hand-book for the famous could provide those who have to work with them with some light relief, and a few laughs, if nothing else. Fame may also be a light thing, someone's well known at work or within their family, or local area, for good deeds, or a skill or talent. In any case, fame's a curious upbeat mood-maker, a heightener of atmosphere, maybe making some people involved more excited and expansive, and more curious, more envious too, and so on.<br /><br />Some people grow famous for being themselves, personalities so charismatic, or they tell great stories, or they're extraordinarily kind, lovely, amusing... but it's their works or actions that attracted the fame, in part at least. Ego makes us feel confident or able, but fame's not all about our sense of identity; the ego, grows to include fame, but allowing renown to completely overwhelm us is unwise. We can then too easily hide the fact we have some serious self-development to do, that fame is masking or making up for other vital qualities we lack and could anyway find and nurture.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">We may start to seem monstrous, even to ourselves. So do we then only have relationships with other monsters, other strange and difficult people? What issues may appear then? And what does our PR expert tell us about having to appear fine to the general public? How does a person seem acceptable to the everyday person, while believing they are also a monster, or strange? How does popularity work?</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">It's fascinating to look into other people's celebrity lives, perhaps, but what does that teach us about ourselves? And what do they know, in their rarified hideouts and headquarters, about fair human behaviour, day-to-day, to stay healthy, to feel good, to enjoy their status in the best possible spirits, genuinely, with love?</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2a6TCeEft_cOXMM6iCIYSYg5oLtH5kgXqAUpw8m051xi2BiXTsdf-3nS8PqGks6a1ATiNH3a31r2tS3BlY2fjTanXc4yJyOnm9Y4AE8hBDO6O4eMYXX-_H9ETaAbTeVcO4094EUPOm12/s1600/041220121206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2a6TCeEft_cOXMM6iCIYSYg5oLtH5kgXqAUpw8m051xi2BiXTsdf-3nS8PqGks6a1ATiNH3a31r2tS3BlY2fjTanXc4yJyOnm9Y4AE8hBDO6O4eMYXX-_H9ETaAbTeVcO4094EUPOm12/s640/041220121206.jpg" width="552" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book cover by Raewyn Alexander - a visual from Naked Food and Takeaway Truth poetry and music show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "baskerville"; font-size: large;"><b>He
Painted Himself as a Monster </b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">and someone gave him a movie about almost extinct animals</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">then on his
birthday stated no one cared about him</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">while I wondered if
poachers could arrive</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">treasure
hunters on safari</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">taking
souvenirs to prove they saw a shadow in habitat</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">fluff
from room corners or books this man read</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">before
the trouble</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">and
I sat there and sit here suspended</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">swinging
away from bruises I guess</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">I
painted myself as a woman made of shadows</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">and
also appear monstrous</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "baskerville";">(told
throughout my life to stay light and smiling </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">don't
notice too much - never think deeply)</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">but
my shape is more realistic than his</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">wondering
what saves how we want to live</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">together
in our treasure house of ideas and pain</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">with
other valuables and setting ourselves alight</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "baskerville";">nobody
escapes some kind of taming </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">no
matter what gallops across every dream</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">living
things often twist or buck in some fashion</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">but
surely we may parlay around kindness?</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">this
large blue cloud we exhaled</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">pieces
trail after us like we're mountains</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">however
moving across landscapes of what we wish</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">trying
to escape the envious with their gusty weather</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">privacy
an enemy to the crowds grabbing snapshots</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">they
demand clear views of when we fall and cry</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">those
who find killing wild things a pleasure</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">swarm
across the world with bleach and concrete</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">power
held inside like another organ</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">gradually
their hearts cease anything but pumping</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">every
pulse closer to more money</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">but
we build ourselves without them</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "baskerville";">he
and I find gardens from nowhere </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">using
nothing but a little fire and threads we think</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">understanding
belief in our plans keeps water fresh</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">even
if someone's stomped through here with noisy dirt</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">refusing
to understand our language or hopes</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "baskerville";">but
he shall stride over the ruins and appear where I am </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "baskerville";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> with
his love translated</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "baskerville"; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">understanding</span></div>
<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VLUW6kcuzZJpARtoiG4fMVOWWueAVXaw0S5tdCbkbv6OwGtU0vUgOtAfLxkjn_xZT0zG4Woh-AU7C-pdx4AJ6OBXgwmJ1fOUCYVrL5e8LxRjYGKW3diCKZnBkowKLgkRgqiMeIm__ZlD/s1600/090620132383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VLUW6kcuzZJpARtoiG4fMVOWWueAVXaw0S5tdCbkbv6OwGtU0vUgOtAfLxkjn_xZT0zG4Woh-AU7C-pdx4AJ6OBXgwmJ1fOUCYVrL5e8LxRjYGKW3diCKZnBkowKLgkRgqiMeIm__ZlD/s640/090620132383.jpg" width="502" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book cover by Raewyn Alexander - also a visual from Naked Food and Takeaway Truth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">But the title of this blog is, <u>Fame, what's the same? </u>The easy answer to that is <i>you are,</i> people stay the same when famous, at least at first. It's the way other people regard and treat you that changes, but you're the same person you were beforehand, more or less. You who brought yourself here, there, and over there, and in a few places you didn't realise you'd ever be, as well. Then those other people take their ideas of you away to yet more places too; talk travels, and writing about your work and you, and reputation builds and changes, sometimes not for the better but hopefully, usually, with fair management, this unfolds well.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">A curious anomaly also can appear to different genders, in different ways, experiencing fame. The way their culture views whatever gender they may be is heightened and exaggerated. Fame magnifies and distorts so much. A woman may be reviled, even if she is famous, for showing off what she's done, more than a man would be, in some places, for instance, for the same amount of boasting or promotion. Famous women have more said and written about what they look like, how they dress, and what their weight may be, than a man would receive such comments. Someone trans also would too often, I'd say, receive in the west, quite different treatment by the mainstream media, than a man or woman would notice in reactions to their own publicity.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">I've noticed a woman discussing her relationship, in a famous context, (or not), is more often expected to include many more people than just herself and her partner. A man discussing his female partner would not be criticised for only mentioning her, and no one else, by the same media, I believe. There appears to be an expectation that women discount themselves in favour of others, too, while men are permitted to discuss relationships as they wish, or not at all, and that's fine. <a href="https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=N4tywnf_FTsC&pg=PT157&lpg=PT157&dq=women+and+men+discussing+relationships+in+public&source=bl&ots=uy6s27r1xs&sig=vJLUctgrAtnnQE2CRtmjRVTSNcc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwib6_eV7N3LAhVBHZQKHd_dCEUQ6AEIGzAA#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank">This is because of a gendered difference in communication.</a> But we may also take on masculine or feminine ways of communicating, as we find necessary, and this needs to be more widely accepted.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Relationships for those who're famous present a different choice than for everyday people, however, surely? Some famous people are kept isolated by those who care for them, like <a href="http://nypost.com/2015/06/04/how-one-quack-doctor-almost-destroyed-brian-wilsons-career/" target="_blank">Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys,</a> or grow isolated due to issues of their own like <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/howard-hughes-9346282" target="_blank">Howard Hughes.</a> But in order to feel humanly happy, connected to the community and to more creative possibilities, the famous also need to<a href="http://lifehacker.com/the-science-of-breaking-out-of-your-comfort-zone-and-w-656426705" target="_blank"> step outside their usual comfort zone</a>, or they may atrophy, (freeze into sameness), and can lose what they felt at the outset, their own excitement and joy for life, for example.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgdYwL0H0P5BUrZ6qdu4mURcsoSyllZp9VkODoBCCINgxHh157g4iyl9Zsn_eHQyo2tZ8fV6ADv_El1TH1F3y8FKicemSpt1UO4SnVryRZcz1jfwLbLpV5PF3EsqXdtUBsadHWg9hPF5w/s1600/180920133192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgdYwL0H0P5BUrZ6qdu4mURcsoSyllZp9VkODoBCCINgxHh157g4iyl9Zsn_eHQyo2tZ8fV6ADv_El1TH1F3y8FKicemSpt1UO4SnVryRZcz1jfwLbLpV5PF3EsqXdtUBsadHWg9hPF5w/s640/180920133192.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchids, photo by Raewyn Alexander</td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">One of the reasons I create shows and perform poetry is to make myself read work aloud to people, live. An audience who do not know me, in new places, often changes the work I do, and usually improves it at the least with a fresh approach or new word play. This stepping outside my everyday work helps my creativity and builds confidence, increases the amount of people who see my work, and develops new relationships, too.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">A writer usually seeks to develop and improve their work, if they're dedicated, in my experience.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">So, fame's a curious atmosphere to inhabit and communicate in, and relationships still appear vital there. At first you're the same person you always were, but fame colours everything whether you realise it or not, and the glamour, the trickery, the strangeness, and the expectations of others putting on the pressure, plus much more can make someone long for what they had before, when life wasn't such a public business. It's healthy to seek outside views, to be flexible, and to realise your limitations, admit mistakes may be made and learn how to say sorry and mean it. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Life is change though, and we need to embrace that with all love and care possible.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Your comments are welcome, and thanks for reading. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><< More artwork follows >></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJX8T-leDA90hyphenhyphenEBdKeS8mUJxANXuykTgaUGdApI4N_lvzD3S8IEY4MH-RPI8A098eM3BtnP5j91eRdm-r-8ZOgX_Vr57bFecA3MqZOhrdsBDwKjT1eE3UPKJQI6nPCDfXI4RuWDNIp6o/s1600/S2020002_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJX8T-leDA90hyphenhyphenEBdKeS8mUJxANXuykTgaUGdApI4N_lvzD3S8IEY4MH-RPI8A098eM3BtnP5j91eRdm-r-8ZOgX_Vr57bFecA3MqZOhrdsBDwKjT1eE3UPKJQI6nPCDfXI4RuWDNIp6o/s640/S2020002_2.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collage book cover, an Inspiration Book, by Raewyn Alexander</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmRt64y6DntJDDZ8o_Hkjhp-5Fgl-UOkp0t45Twh4bTfn6GGkLzeM8JuXKJxn_dicmS-HZVyxSwsXQRokbBsApPnWwsWvZehYyhgltLWMBsz3-LRG4lHyBDQQD_IyNRFmzQqxdnuu-8b3/s1600/P1040167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmRt64y6DntJDDZ8o_Hkjhp-5Fgl-UOkp0t45Twh4bTfn6GGkLzeM8JuXKJxn_dicmS-HZVyxSwsXQRokbBsApPnWwsWvZehYyhgltLWMBsz3-LRG4lHyBDQQD_IyNRFmzQqxdnuu-8b3/s640/P1040167.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Page from my comic, Nothing and Nowhere (but Love), black ink & coloured pencil</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68hgv5WZ6eXyjFdOU3m2X7_W5WzN7_upsdb13iXSYNuK9IViT0seXtr5Qcxpp93FV_Z5Oa3QHiZrWoruMQep80CVeYWRNChHBfpETmTL-zN-0KlbjsKJr8Ub5N8XFP1yDT7MwTTYcCD3D/s1600/P1060266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68hgv5WZ6eXyjFdOU3m2X7_W5WzN7_upsdb13iXSYNuK9IViT0seXtr5Qcxpp93FV_Z5Oa3QHiZrWoruMQep80CVeYWRNChHBfpETmTL-zN-0KlbjsKJr8Ub5N8XFP1yDT7MwTTYcCD3D/s640/P1060266.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The King and Queen of Kindness - black ink drawing</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPbcGrBoRHipp87DqA6UzqAmxmr65WckRXg6MOe5oUYre4-ePEtJrj5qxhZlrrKPI69-UwNWHp-gt22zbfqX1Lw-ufnkbdf_UwH6DUh24NPW47pXSdcmOHM0EIRHt1iFKbchTpivJLFtH/s1600/P1060269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPbcGrBoRHipp87DqA6UzqAmxmr65WckRXg6MOe5oUYre4-ePEtJrj5qxhZlrrKPI69-UwNWHp-gt22zbfqX1Lw-ufnkbdf_UwH6DUh24NPW47pXSdcmOHM0EIRHt1iFKbchTpivJLFtH/s640/P1060269.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piwakawaka http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/fantail-piwakawaka/<br />
drawn to illustrate one of Rene Harrison's poems from Naked Food and Takeaway Truth</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The drawings that follow are also in Naked Food and Takeaway Truth, and in the zine we've had printed too, some of them. These are all by Raewyn Alexander, and in the show are enormous poster-sized pieces of work.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustration from our show for Auckland is a Cat <br />
- inspired by riffing on the idea with Geneva Alexander-Marsters in the car one evening</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-17224807960909133812016-02-23T10:03:00.004-08:002016-02-23T14:12:44.956-08:00Narrative Writing at Unitec<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.15cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Along a sunlit street and into a doorway, who was that tall, white-haired figure? What did they carry? An old valise packed with papers, a live hen who seemed content there tucked under their arm, or was it something clinking away and a party going on...?<br /><br />Kia ora tatou katoa, start anything with a story and people love to read more.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.15cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLglM5ivP7fssAYUM2mSSvrilQjZrWqd2HIcjC1Ce5DZCZhX26q0pkB1za7LCSLe6wH7ogwTaD2mGg10OOnlrQ73jX-A-gDYI8E2E0tMrJ5ZNXfJnZ2wUXUF5bKfJ9MT0ByUycm-oljAO/s1600/UNITEC+grounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLglM5ivP7fssAYUM2mSSvrilQjZrWqd2HIcjC1Ce5DZCZhX26q0pkB1za7LCSLe6wH7ogwTaD2mGg10OOnlrQ73jX-A-gDYI8E2E0tMrJ5ZNXfJnZ2wUXUF5bKfJ9MT0ByUycm-oljAO/s400/UNITEC+grounds.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/no-cancer-sticks-in-unitec-campuses/">http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/no-cancer-sticks-in-unitec-campuses/</a></td></tr>
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<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.15cm; margin-top: 0.15cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes
we walk about the beautiful UNITEC grounds and find the birds inspire us. What is it about flight, the way they arrow across the blue, or flap and soar?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Write for your good self,
(sort out any issue, celebrate great times), for a book, (entertain people or get them in the know), for
advertising, (offer the public excellence), PR, (all the bells and whistles and also lovely music),
websites, (gathering in support, customers, interest).... better report
writing for that matter.... Give a client a good story with all your information in it, they'll remember more, they'll feel good and like you to work for them again, and the ideas you suggest can then be more easily done, get seen, improve the world.<br /><br />A story displays acrobatics, or a subtle graceful
curve. Why not? People remember what you say and do, with narrative,
once upon a time....</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.15cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />You
qualify for my third year Level Seven Narrative Writing course at
UNITEC. You love writing or you're happy to try it out, and want to go professional in
some manner, or already write for a student magazine, or a blog, or reviews on Amazon.<br /><br />Just
pop in here <a href="http://www.unitec.ac.nz/about-us/contact-us/academic-departments/communication-studies" target="_blank">UNITEC School of Communication Studies</a>, and ask. Easy. <br /><br />Narrative Writing courses are part of the Communication degree programme. With a degree in International Communication you can be set on quite a grand journey, one past student has worked online with people all over the world, been invited to conferences overseas, and now their written work sells internationally too. <br /><br />Assisting people with their writing makes the world a better place, just write, learn to write good stories and so much else improves. Yes, simple as that. <br /><br />Writing is always good for us. Simply start a journal or blog, control and focus your thinking, get more done, develop stronger relationships.<br /><br />Also, you'll write at least
100% better than when you started my UNITEC course, or I'll take you through private
lessons until satisfied. Happy to assist. <br /><br />Countless past students out there love my classes and writing events too, probably tens of thousands by now, from Community College, Blue Haven Writing Workshops, Hibiscus Coast Writers, International Writers' Workshop, various arts festivals, Artists Alliance Workshops, Happy Tea House events, Poetry While You Wait at Objectspace and locally in Grey Lynn, while many private students see me for one-to-one tuition with many kinds of writing including learning to write in English.<br /><br />Now this Narrative Writing course at UNITEC covers so much and it's a lovely place to study, great people, excellent grounds, plenty of parking. Or sign up for the degree, so worthwhile.<br /><br />We write and we get better at it. Practise works.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf6FPchlIVs69ht2dthLU_JH_GbIWjVkRYwkQngJyKIsluHi_oGL54aU1H0TRVcYRc3M6XJZJGg_Nwq4s_WfdgYzbQvpe4ySmHlPQZ6DkFZZ0qX6EDLEe7RowoCEtu3Hh8tmePPfnNl_7/s1600/UNITEC+marae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf6FPchlIVs69ht2dthLU_JH_GbIWjVkRYwkQngJyKIsluHi_oGL54aU1H0TRVcYRc3M6XJZJGg_Nwq4s_WfdgYzbQvpe4ySmHlPQZ6DkFZZ0qX6EDLEe7RowoCEtu3Hh8tmePPfnNl_7/s640/UNITEC+marae.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Enrol today at the <a href="http://www.unitec.ac.nz/about-us/contact-us/academic-departments/communication-studies" target="_blank">School of Communication Studies</a>, then haere mai to the<a href="http://www.unitec.ac.nz/marae/" target="_blank"> fabulous Communication Studies powhiri at UNITEC's marae,</a>
on Thursday. The most beautiful building in Auckland if you ask me -
all about the story of Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, too. Yes, the building itself tells a story.<br /><br />Aue, can you
hear whaea calling you?<br /><br />Ataahua, so beautiful. See you there.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.15cm; margin-top: 0.15cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.15cm; margin-top: 0.15cm; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe you'd like to watch a video too? This is the kind of promotion students grow to be more than capable of, at The School of Communication Studies, UNITEC, Tamaki Makaurau Auckland.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="https://youtu.be/8YiK5Ah1Yp0">https://youtu.be/8YiK5Ah1Yp0</a><br /><br /><br />*hugs*</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-45977805688974233882016-02-13T21:31:00.001-08:002016-02-14T00:07:23.193-08:00The Heat<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFfPg7ZdbOEQOEQ6uwchp-KdVWJwE8EOzyBi1RN5x9HE6-e3lxA__AZgj2BJBJhDoqQ0uq89IuajDWTfxBdMoKax85_MQI3GJ6yWONOXBs5PZ23DRufL2UXW1XoAdOctJVf7k58-6Uk_g/s1600/Watercolour+by+Raewyn+Alexander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFfPg7ZdbOEQOEQ6uwchp-KdVWJwE8EOzyBi1RN5x9HE6-e3lxA__AZgj2BJBJhDoqQ0uq89IuajDWTfxBdMoKax85_MQI3GJ6yWONOXBs5PZ23DRufL2UXW1XoAdOctJVf7k58-6Uk_g/s400/Watercolour+by+Raewyn+Alexander.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watercolour title page for my upcoming, Our Mother Flew Unassisted limited edition hand-made book, also available as a paperback, with plain title pages. From brightspark books and paperback available on Amazon world-wide.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />In Aotearoa New Zealand, the intense February heat rattles into a topic of conversation, the way the latest exciting restaurant that's just proved more scary than cheery, could run loose in more urbane chit chat. We're under nuclear stare and glare from the sun these days in this most southern island country, (although the tip of South America is also way down south, we're a series of islands and lack continental protection from the elements).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">On this blog I often speak about planting trees for travel, to cover our carbon costs but also, planting trees presents a wise activity even if you do not travel much. The sooner we get at least half as many of those trees back which human beings have removed, the better. The weather will then grow less extreme, (with more trees growing), the threat of rising oceans shall diminish, and the amount of water in the atmosphere will also lessen. Those results create milder rains and snowfalls, everywhere, less flooding, reducing soil erosion, and providing other benefits.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Lobby your council and government to plant more trees, now. Plant them yourself too, and check they'll grow in the best and the safest place. Some trees endure for 100s of years, so they need room to grow. Others have deep root systems and require a landscape without underground pipes or wires, (no need to create a safety risk).</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />But then too I think about how extremes affect us emotionally in this crazy heat, and such adverse effects appear socially in our frazzled or harried attitudes to work and our families. Tempers and behaviour grow more and more unpredictable here when Silly Season is upon us, many could notice. The summer muggy heat in the north of En Zed plays a part in making some people a bit more erratic, somewhat more illogical, and at times severely ill, but too often those people involved may not realise it's the extreme glare and temperature making them so different to their usual selves.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />Please take it easy.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Think it's best, possibly, not to make any definite weighty decisions about relationships, travel, spending large amounts of money, or major life changes, in extreme weather like this blasted heat and dryness in the south, or mugginess, as mentioned, up where I live, Tamaki Makaurau Auckland. Plan some changes or projects sure, make a few notes, but leave the final decision for when life cools down, if possible.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Supposing this evening that I tend to feel somewhat self-aware about this issue. Telling people I go crazy in the heat seems wise to me. Extreme summer weather means I'm harder to understand, and make more errors than usual, may grow flustered or overly emotional quite fast, at times appearing upset over not much....But usually with those folk tolerant of human beings there's no trouble understanding me there. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Love finds an answer.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzBkC5kEzHODe-msW2bbHpbgShCTI__76dhbyAR6uQCPwwxtUhyVVTe5yqMe4N9dqpbu5a6WrcQVVFBZ9jrlkHyUijIpeW6Zq7qhV6LeOxtPNq5sqWisERidgd347p8lWxin5fvf9cnWP/s1600/Cover+of+Our+Mother+Flew+Unassisted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzBkC5kEzHODe-msW2bbHpbgShCTI__76dhbyAR6uQCPwwxtUhyVVTe5yqMe4N9dqpbu5a6WrcQVVFBZ9jrlkHyUijIpeW6Zq7qhV6LeOxtPNq5sqWisERidgd347p8lWxin5fvf9cnWP/s640/Cover+of+Our+Mother+Flew+Unassisted.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collage cover of Our Mother Flew Unassisted poetry collection - to be launched 6 March 1pm - 6pm The Happy Tea House 45 Ivanhoe Road, Grey Lynn, Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Thanks to Chris Knox for helping me choose this cover for the paperback book. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">When something momentous upsets me however, a virus fever, an upset with a loved one, or other deeply affecting incident, I can go into a strange kind of netherworld. There, <a href="http://psychcentral.com/lib/what-is-catastrophizing/" target="_blank">catastrophising</a> seems as natural as singing is to certain other people. Then I make not only mountains from molehills, but entire mountain ranges of volcanos, and then thunderstorms as well. Steamy, dangerous, and ridiculous, most of this disturbing atmosphere is imaginary and worrying, but I can easily believe in my exaggerated ideas at the time. I wish more people understood me, I suppose, perhaps I need some kind of care manual? What could it be like to offer such a document to new friends and close associates?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Here in a still heat, sitting inside a quiet house, with some occasional traffic soothing by outside, on my second day off from facebook, because I'm reducing stress, life's a bit shaky lately. Sympathy and empathy from some quarters appear lacking or non-existent. This of course makes the situation feel worse. I need to learn to only listen closely to those who prove they love me, through their actions, (again, supposing, here), but doesn't that sound far too ideal? Also, what does 'proof' entail? Lately I'm not sure.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">When under any strain, recent advice is to remove something you usually do but do not have to do, (and then that makes a difference). The lack of social media in my busy days has resulted in a little more texting for me, and those phone messages are generally for only family, close friends, or business, so the distracting (albeit at times delightful) rest-of-the-universe does not appear present, nor intrusive. Our nearest and dearest truly are too, they stay in mind, and without social media I've time to think about what I'd really like to say to only them. But some truly loved people are not around, and there's an issue.<br /><br />My imaginary conversations then also take up a fair amount of time altogether. Although the single dialogues themselves rarely last longer than four or so minutes. Imagining what people may say in reply reveals what I know, and do not know, about those I'm acquainted with; it also makes me feel less lonely.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Recently I've, by the way, associated with someone contradictory, openly hostile when no one else but me much notices, and who seems to believe they're superior to others, while they've covertly hurt a friend of mine for some years, too. The effects of this rather toxic encounter has left me in despair at times. Luckily, I do know some excellent friends with genuine empathy, and also, learnt over many years to exercise self discipline, so I put the troublemaker out of my mind as often as I can. Various steps have been taken too, in order to change their behaviour or minimise the harm, hopefully.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hostile-aggressive-parenting.com/effects_of_hap.asp">http://www.hostile-aggressive-parenting.com/effects_of_hap.asp</a><br />
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<a href="http://pichost.me/1523885/">http://pichost.me/1523885/</a> picture from this website</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">It can feel so dispiriting, however, to realise first-hand how cruel some people truly are to others, nevertheless, and so recuperation feels vital. Staying offline as much as possible does calm me. The garden has assisted enormously, too. Tending the earth, weeding, tidying edges, noting what grows well and what's most admired, all these experiences while gardening, and more, proved deeply engrossing and healing.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://divinemindinstitute.com/inner-child-therapy/">http://divinemindinstitute.com/inner-child-therapy/</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />One of the puzzles of contemporary life in big cities, in some places, is the isolation of people from each other for many reasons.<br /><br />I like to encourage others to act with kindness wherever possible, by acting kindly myself towards others, and to myself. Even one extra kind moment a day may make a difference to someone else or your self. Anyone could then pass kindness on, with their feeling better about life generally so believing they're more able to act gently. <br /><br />Naturally, it's mainly egoists, narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths who behave like they never make mistakes, (therefore many of us know we're <i>not</i> always good company, and feel sorry for that). I've learnt to think after any difficult interaction, "What did I do that I didn't like? How will I do that better, next time?" That's kindness to oneself. To take your self along as if a small child who needs tenderness, this can help anybody to forgive and adjust, in an adult fashion. Saying sorry and meaning it, surely also affects us, well.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravenessences.com/when-the-world-is-dying-plant-a-tree/">http://ravenessences.com/when-the-world-is-dying-plant-a-tree/</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Plant trees, act kindly, take care of one another. Not much to ask, is it? I hope not.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-52548842148826918352015-10-24T13:41:00.002-07:002015-10-24T13:43:05.766-07:00Re-planting the Tropics - Tree Sisters<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">We love to holiday in places unlike where we live, somewhere warmer, more intriguing... but some of those warm, pleasant locales have serious weather issues at times. Look at the cyclone about to hit Mexico. Part of the reason that some countries around the equator are undeveloped is due to their difficult weather. The frequent storms, tsunami, and earthquakes there often wreck buildings, roads, and more, making it hard to create a stable environment and economy.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://intersomma.com/environmental" target="_blank">http://intersomma.com/environmental </a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Deforestation also occurs there at an alarming rate due to a reliance on subsistence farming and primary production. Those trees are needed however for the weather to be more stable, for the land to stay where it is too, (trees help stop erosion), and to provide all the wonderful things trees do give us, like oxygen.<br /><br />Without trees human beings would not exist. We need that oxygen they produce, we need them absorbing carbon, too.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tourists love to spend on treats for themselves, but what say you added a little extra to that budget and helped make those regions more stable and productive?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Already this group has planted over 20,000 trees in the tropics. What say you assist them?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">"TreeSisters is practical, soulful and needed. We’re ready. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">With your help we can get this website built over the winter and </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">launch in the spring with our first major tree campaign </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">to take tree-planting to scale.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">We can do this with your help.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please step in now, with as much generosity makes your heart </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">joyful.<a href="http://www.growtreesisters.com/" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.GrowTreeSisters.com</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then send this to as many people as you know with our </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">sincere gratitude. Thank you so much for helping this dream come </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">true."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">- - - <br /><br />Also, in your own <span style="font-family: inherit;">country</span> plant trees wherever possible to replace </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">the enormous amount of trees human beings have removed for </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">various reasons. <br /><br />Trees produce oxygen we need to breathe, they also stabilise land, </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">provide food, fuel, shelter, and products which assist us to live </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">well. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trees are also beautiful, and make people feel happy and relaxed to </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">be near them.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Plant trees, plant them properly, plant them widely and wisely, </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">make the future a better place. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://7-themes.com/6975441-big-trees-forest.html">http://7-themes.com/6975441-big-trees-forest.html</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-91309923417434169632015-09-20T04:27:00.001-07:002015-09-20T19:00:37.645-07:00Rock 'n' Roll and Alleluya and Music Soaking in<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifufIU0qg4uG9Ef7S0zCeCMeWM7I_nCaUYpUNbm6perm0CTTdyqt0MkolYZLVIRIR102TaF7uldwMTt2WkIgzNOpmBpciMioIXlvRt6GRTY_1c0KxbWCDk-1rubHo6v_yb7t3BLgt9l_Gf/s1600/Stefan+Neville+and+Chris+Knox+at+The+Experiment+2015+by+Raewyn+Alexander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifufIU0qg4uG9Ef7S0zCeCMeWM7I_nCaUYpUNbm6perm0CTTdyqt0MkolYZLVIRIR102TaF7uldwMTt2WkIgzNOpmBpciMioIXlvRt6GRTY_1c0KxbWCDk-1rubHo6v_yb7t3BLgt9l_Gf/s640/Stefan+Neville+and+Chris+Knox+at+The+Experiment+2015+by+Raewyn+Alexander.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stefan Neville and Chris Knox with Rackets by Raewyn Alexander</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Enter a decent sized room, dim the lights, switch on simply a lamp or light an array of candles. Zip open a favourite track, and dance, dancey, dance-arolla. Music makes our bodies jump, gyrate, twist and swoop, sensual or at least freer. Music overflows with tunes, lyrics, sounds as compelling as the smell of good food, or the feeling of someone's kind touch. Sounds we love (and hate) accompany and trigger memories, suggest ideas and scenes we'd never think of otherwise, and music enlivens our spirits like fresh air, good news, or a welcome holiday. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Those who play an instrument well instantly appeal to others, are idolised, and loved. Even simply halfway good musicians receive encouragement - an audience hears the promise of better sounds suggested between off twangs and odd riffs not quite on beat, nor yet all that fine, but with<i> something</i> to them.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rackets at The Experiment 2015 by Raewyn Alexander</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Sociable and often gregarious themselves, aiming for other people to get along and enjoy a few hours, musician friends for many decades have assisted me to be more sociable than I'd achieve otherwise. I'm ever grateful for their talent and friendship.<br /><br />Also, I'm extremely happy to see someone I am pretty sure I do not know has given my latest novel,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glam-Rock-Boyfriends-imaginary-memoir/dp/0473266644" target="_blank"> Glam Rock Boyfriends a five star review on Amazon</a>. Finally, a reader who gets the book, and who the story is for, someone who shared similar experiences to the main character, Athena, and who understands what she went through. The fifteen or so stories this one novel is based on were all true tales from people who worked to change their lives for the better. Anyway, I'm delighted someone read the novel and enjoyed it so much.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The rock music industry, (and any popular culture activity like writing novels), depends upon those musicians, artists, designers, crew, promoters, managers, retailers and more, deserving and receiving enormous amounts of support. In old age or when ill, some performers are not remembered as well as in their heyday, past times when fans clamoured and struggled for just a glimpse of their idols. But usually when a popular musician passes way, fans mourn them as if they were personal friends. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Someone told me once that music was always a reliable friend. It follows then that when someone who's played this comforting, exciting, commanding stuff is gone, it can seem like the music itself also disappears.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EXxxs82TNLyVH8SuCAhFW30b-GqsTF7Wcsl30vYjA2Dn0VgCGmFXD4_V_5OuukLoxBCEjsE9MnmSu9pPlj5kmJJbxV-P7H8AccDPS-xy4fEKOpX9Hj7OxYP5yzY8eh245EdK1fu_6i2e/s1600/Graham%2527s+funeral+at+St+Mathews+%2528from+stuff%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EXxxs82TNLyVH8SuCAhFW30b-GqsTF7Wcsl30vYjA2Dn0VgCGmFXD4_V_5OuukLoxBCEjsE9MnmSu9pPlj5kmJJbxV-P7H8AccDPS-xy4fEKOpX9Hj7OxYP5yzY8eh245EdK1fu_6i2e/s640/Graham%2527s+funeral+at+St+Mathews+%2528from+stuff%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/71933429/graham-brazier-farewelled-and-remembered-by-musical-fraternity">http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/71933429/graham-brazier-farewelled-and-remembered-by-musical-fraternity</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Countless people farewelled Graham Brazier this past week. My daughter and I attended his funeral at St Mathews-in-the City. The huge place was packed, and rain sheeted down outside.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Graham had died of another heart attack in the rehabilitation centre where he'd been taken to recover from an earlier one, I gathered. But you may find out such information from various places online. What I want to write about was how much these blessed men and women of music give to the general public, and how much of their lives they dedicate to ensuring we have a great time. Graham was a good example of this generosity.<br /><br />I recall seeing Graham Brazier outside a Grey Lynn cafe a while back now, say eight years or so. He mentioned just getting out of hospital after a bout of pneumonia, after I asked how he was and explained I once knew their roadie Lindsay, really well, (along with discussing other bits of this and that and the other). A fascinating hour followed in mild sunshine sitting outside Occam Cafe, listening to Graham recite fine poetry, and also explaining he was writing short stories. I hope they surface at some point. <br /><br />I liked seeing him striding around with his lovely wife at the time, and their golden labrador, Graham in tight jeans and a black singlet with muscles bulging. Rock stars tend to look just exactly what they are, and often seem quite a startling, commanding sight. It was fun to have another eye-catching character so obviously in the neighbourhood, to my mind, even if some envious or dull others muttered various dumb or dismissive comments. Then we also bumped into each other at a book fair where he tended a book stall for his mother's Brazier Books. Graham had told me I could like to see what was on offer. I would guess their shop will keep on going, it's such a cool place there in Mt. Eden Rd, I do hope so.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Called Graham a few times to encourage his writing prose. (Once he saw me in the Grey Lynn Tavern, too and told the assembled crowd what a wonderful poet I was - so kind of him). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">But anyway, that cafe day Graham also said he would go back to the hospital with a poster for the nurses about a gig Hello Sailor, (I think it was) were doing that weekend, and invitations for them. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I wondered if he couldn't just mail these materials. I was concerned about his illness. "Take it easy." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">He looked at me as if I spoke an alien language. Graham would go in there to that hospital, and make sure those nurses knew they were definitely, personally invited to this gig.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The best people have that <i>extra </i>quality. The extra mile proves to be their territory, or the extra fifty miles, the extra smile, the extra grinning even when almost ready to drop, a joke, a bank of laughs to get the show not only on the road, but on the plane, on the boat, o just onto the wherever the stage awaits. Good on them, surely? What joy so many musicians and their crews and all associated people bring to the world, let's applaud them, each and every a fabulous creature. Ahhh showbiz....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">---<br /><br />Then there are legends like Peter who's run the Alleluya Cafe for eons, in Karangahape Road, or K' Rd. "A star-maker," I said he was, and with all his arts-encouraging, and gorgeous young people employing, Peter did sure polish up some sparkly sights, and set alight a few sky rockets too. <br /><br />I called him my foster father for years. Definitely gratifying to think Peter was in my corner. Many people would love Peter for a dad, and he commented a few regulars had adopted him like I did. (My own father had passed away). Peter, a fine merry gentleman, but serious when necessary, clever, but no show-off, fit, careful, a great conversationalist, and loved by tens of thousands or even millions it may be by now. Worked hard, knew when to take it easy, one of the first people ever to go on the internet, and o that lovely smile.<br /><br />I want to ghost-write his memoir, and suggested this. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">He told me, "Make it up." laughing, what a great grin. His hand warm on my arm.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Alleluya was sold recently.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/alleluyacafe" target="_blank"> Their facebook page</a> says no one is making Peter leave. The business was simply sold after 21 years in business. The next cafe will be just as wonderful. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Memories so race on <span style="font-family: inherit;">in. An excellent gathering place for such a long time, seems like <span style="font-family: inherit;">Alleluya <span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span>afe </span>alway</span>s existed there in St Kevin's Arcade. Poetry Live called it home for a while. I enjoyed my second novel's book launch there, (Concrete, from Penguin). Did a poetry performance with Olwyn Stewart and David Lyndon Brown, too, one night at Peter's cafe, and <a href="http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/plumbviv.html" target="_blank">Vivienne Plumb</a> and I performed at Alleluya for Aotearoa NZ Poetry Day one year when she first moved to Auckland. Wonderful to hear Mary Aston-Kelsey's opera soaring through the place, too.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpHGalfo6DKumGFKntEMl4wJJcEJZZxV1AP32GWVCkPFwfupueLFLRnkC37aycYHkawxGTdxehZdip7s9B1-A2xq3eAGkfSNItyiblJXhWTTiS2FXvFALJEspVPMnct4NN24TMTkShL_D/s1600/VivRaePoetry+Rdg+Poster.+by+Raewyn+Alexander+2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpHGalfo6DKumGFKntEMl4wJJcEJZZxV1AP32GWVCkPFwfupueLFLRnkC37aycYHkawxGTdxehZdip7s9B1-A2xq3eAGkfSNItyiblJXhWTTiS2FXvFALJEspVPMnct4NN24TMTkShL_D/s640/VivRaePoetry+Rdg+Poster.+by+Raewyn+Alexander+2008.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A fine photograph of St Kevin's Arcade here<br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/darren/6371441133" target="_blank">https://www.flickr.com/photos/darren/6371441133</a><br /><br />Only the other evening in this year of 2015, Titus Books launched three new collections of poetry, there. Excellent. An ebullient literary crowd in conversation beforehand, so convivial. They launched <i>The Burnt Hotel</i> by Olivia Macassey, <i>Carbon Shapes and Dark Matter </i>by Stephanie Christie, and <i>Excerpts from a Natural History</i> by Holly Painter. <a href="http://titus.co.nz/catalogue.xhtml" target="_blank"> http://titus.co.nz/catalogue.xhtml</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I'll add some photos to this blog soon from that launch.<br /><br />Heartening to hear Peter shall enjoy his retirement in a fine villa and with good company.<br /><br />Do call in and enjoy Alleluya Cafe before it turns into something else. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The developer who just bought St Kevin's Arcade is only in his 30s. Someone told me his ego seems to be getting in the way of his team's great ideas ever truly gaining ground. I hope that situation changes and the fine place we know and love as St Kevin's stays as gorgeous as it is now, overall, only a bit more lovely in places where it rather needs a schjuzz.</span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">- - -<br /><br />And myself? Ah the many splendouredness of love encourages me to keep on drawing my comic. A graphic poetry collection called <i>Nothing and Nowhere (but Love).</i> The pages in pencil, then black ink, then coloured pencil, (then once more over the black ink), take forever to draw. But I need to work at lecturing, and teaching, and other writing such as for th<a href="http://www.nzfashionmuseum.org.nz/" target="_blank">e NZ Fashion Museum</a>, to survive, plus I seem to be a bit old now, (dodder dodder), and there's the love of my life to enjoy times with, so it's slow going on the comic front. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNDYVND7ZoChpoXzbtrq3iVj9PPORK9-sDZuMKqlSKcvj0pZYSPw8h3IzxZn8KWJUfOvmNBzJiQ8yY4tg_yQjN2VEGyfo14R2BXO7wSLfuwo3kuKVcDAnotqADx9S06Q9limxglgsgXUB/s1600/Raewyn+Alexander+Poem+2+Page+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNDYVND7ZoChpoXzbtrq3iVj9PPORK9-sDZuMKqlSKcvj0pZYSPw8h3IzxZn8KWJUfOvmNBzJiQ8yY4tg_yQjN2VEGyfo14R2BXO7wSLfuwo3kuKVcDAnotqADx9S06Q9limxglgsgXUB/s640/Raewyn+Alexander+Poem+2+Page+1.JPG" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black ink and coloured pencil graphic poetry by Raewyn Alexander</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">No grant I applied for was successful, either. It often feels like a punch or an attack of some kind when they're turned down. Each grant application takes hours or days of work, then nothing happens. But I must not dwell on disappointments, or I'd waste my valuable time.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A page features above, from my graphic poetry collection, in progress. What do you think?<br /><br />Perhaps I should try a crowdfund campaign, so I may finish it more readily? Contributors could get a free copy and a lovely party at the launch, along with perhaps some other fine rewards? I do believe that's how this style of fundraising works.<br /><br />Please comment on anything here, great to hear from you. Do also offer suggestions for ways to raise funds. Otherwise offers of editing work, are welcome, or writing or manuscript assessment work, or tutoring or lecturing re any kind of writing, also drawing or illustration projects, most gratefully received. My classes in <a href="http://www.leisuretimelearning.co.nz/course-catalogue/13-writing" target="_blank">Creative Writing start at Leisuretime Learning</a> soon. One of the successes has his big book about Grey Lynn soon to be launched. The cover is shown below.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To be launched in late 2015</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">See? Teaching and mentoring does get in. *laughing*</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-70400817453819256652015-08-29T19:34:00.001-07:002015-08-29T19:56:27.289-07:00Zinefest Tamaki Makaurau Auckland<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Curious, funny, serious, arty, wild, polished, rough, and everything-else-too zines, they appeared with attendant makers and customers, browsers and questioners. The buzz of noise in that old church hall under the Methodist place in Pitt Street was overwhelming at times, people talking.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Geneva made a folded zine based on a defaced Rupert colouring-in book, given to her as a child by her Gran. It includes amusing captions invented for some images during her growing up. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">She called it a tribute to her loss of innocence. Ruderp's adventures in irreverent-land. Complete with its own envelope.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'd made a zine with my dear friend Chris Knox. Over about a week we patriarched-up a Schoolgirl Annual from 1962, (that was falling apart). The blonde smiler on the cover now has a crown attached to her pink headband. The spikes are all long pieces of various machinery. Focused work that took us hours, but amusing too.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Printing proved the greatest ordeal, due to the print place needing more staff, really. Once the best print place around here, but now Warehouse Stationery St Lukes is an ordeal of waiting and waiting, then staff simply not being able to do things, or doing them incorrectly. It seems they have too much to do at once, and some lack proper training, from my expert observation. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I suggested they get more staff, but apparently the owners only consider a new computer's needed. I wish vainly for the efficient place it used to be, that's all. It took two days, and about two hours each time, to get merely 30 odd pages printed, and stapled, and a colour cover printed, just ten copies, seems crazy time to me. I also had to go back four times due to various errors made by various staff members. They're great people and do their best but honestly, they need more staff working there. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Colouring in pages I've drawn over the last six months or so, were sold in folders, (they're above to the right of the zine Chrx and I made). Colour in then use as a poster, wrapping paper, or give to someone as a gift. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We also displayed other Waywin Craft wares, all literary crafts, some include poetry, others are notebooks and daydream books, with some pictures on the pages. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Geneva's phone has its own rubber-encased speaker, to play tunes from the misty frequencies. No wires. Ahhh modern life.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Made friends with a young artist next to us, Abee, From Hamilton, and quite a startling talent. The Free Western Papua patches were a lovely giveaway on her table, too. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Zine makers set up all around. We also admired some excellent outfits, or stylish under-stated looks, and quite a few flamboyant creatures too. <br /><br />Be great to get along there next year as well. <a href="http://www.aucklandzinefest.org/" target="_blank">Zinefest</a> has a making day that's free, they also provide an opening party, and a closing party, plus the enormous market event itself. Thanks to all the organisers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Read read read....</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />You're welcome to come to my house and see the merchandise shown here, I'm in Grey Lynn, email raewynalexander [at] hotmail dot com. Or find Waywin Craft on facebook, or here <a href="http://waywincraft.blogspot.co.nz/">http://waywincraft.blogspot.co.nz/</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Good.</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-50292973322948112902015-01-18T03:47:00.004-08:002015-01-18T13:09:48.110-08:00Glam Rock Boyfriends and True Love<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZltv3tlghfAHasHqIB2br9bzI83S3T6iPHc-UQc1ZgnVGaaqdt5vEnSzZ4ANzpJRssITQ9RAqQuROujGVqTz8i1SsT3_ZyHQIUQzWDc00BE-2RCORXZkUvf9uWUUbX9WSnNveRJzcRbCU/s1600/Photo+on+15-01-15+at+11.41+am.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZltv3tlghfAHasHqIB2br9bzI83S3T6iPHc-UQc1ZgnVGaaqdt5vEnSzZ4ANzpJRssITQ9RAqQuROujGVqTz8i1SsT3_ZyHQIUQzWDc00BE-2RCORXZkUvf9uWUUbX9WSnNveRJzcRbCU/s1600/Photo+on+15-01-15+at+11.41+am.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In my writing room 2015</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The film, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bqh-UCY6Zg" target="_blank">Birdman</a> prompted me to write a new entry here, hello. A complex, pointed, but also wondrously blurred story in that movie. A reminder of what hyped situations and confusing or emotional inner worlds artists may live with, the demands of our creative lives. How difficult our everyday can feel, as professional creative people, but we're stuck with this odd fate if we've worked hard enough, used, honed our talent, embraced the luck and wish to continue in the same vein. Somehow we must do the best we can like everyone else, but as far as our work goes we're in a specialist league. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ages since I've written here too, a few months, but readers have been visiting. Thanks for your support, over 22,000 hits now.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickMI77M-BjVsTakqLo1KPGA15GC6esk-WZdGFG__yTrPvZ00qEhERfraFsjFqbHePU4P2ac6qhIG2xfvp46Lfn2qO4HvirONnQjMWxUGm0MMl87E8arlOCHjksSWQfPi-Hx2RtTLhIbrT/s1600/Circus-people-1955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickMI77M-BjVsTakqLo1KPGA15GC6esk-WZdGFG__yTrPvZ00qEhERfraFsjFqbHePU4P2ac6qhIG2xfvp46Lfn2qO4HvirONnQjMWxUGm0MMl87E8arlOCHjksSWQfPi-Hx2RtTLhIbrT/s1600/Circus-people-1955.jpg" height="400" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Circus people from around 1955, when my novel begins</span>.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Quite busy, (it keeps me out of trouble, so far anyway). My third novel and fifteenth book <a href="http://www.brightsparkbooks.net/photo-gallery/" target="_blank">Glam Rock Boyfriends</a>, available as a kindle ebook, (saves trees), and also print-on-demand through Amazon, it was launched late last year, 2014. Promoting this publication has taken up some time, along with my lecturing at UNITEC, narrative writing, (individual classes available to adult students who want to be writers, just ask at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Department-of-Communication-Studies-Unitec/253518431511734?ref=stream" target="_blank">School of Communication Studies</a>), and workshopping writing with many writers who attend my sessions at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raewyn-Alexander-Writing/206633719374118?fref=ts" target="_blank">Blue Haven in Grey Lynn, (my Raewyn Alexander Writing facebook page has more)</a>. Writing write writer, wordy words wording, the page awaits, the pane is a plate, a pant is a state....</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also, I fell in love with someone quite lovely, quite a match, (after decades of extraordinary and necessary mistakes), an old friend who loves me dearly, too. O be happy for us. We've been enjoying the resulting peace and contentment, amongst other pleasures. Who knew serenity could feel so extreme? </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm-eMO_k65ZknbnMKXGGoMug4eyVMUadJnZ8rmYaUhQEpFvDYrLmcIytlo65B4M6BJaKmmRQVF0gMsVrmvXdmUF8ZXkkIZ1HlkOxxhJt0XSSO78pQywDySgTCs7BlATQHdmZPXTx4u_aR/s1600/P1030756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm-eMO_k65ZknbnMKXGGoMug4eyVMUadJnZ8rmYaUhQEpFvDYrLmcIytlo65B4M6BJaKmmRQVF0gMsVrmvXdmUF8ZXkkIZ1HlkOxxhJt0XSSO78pQywDySgTCs7BlATQHdmZPXTx4u_aR/s1600/P1030756.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Xmas lights Franklin Road Tamaki Makaurau Auckland Aotearoa NZ 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Luckily they live nearby here in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, so there's no issue with proximity, or culture for that matter. We've both lived here in Grey Lynn the funky multifarious swept up and over suburb near the city for more than 20 years, and originally escaped from small, repressed places in this country. We took off from our home towns as fast as we could, and we've both worked for decades as artists, in various genre. Many of my friends are delighted with this love, and so are we. Good news, how welcome.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">A miracle when true love appears isn't it? Those first few months bonding in a haze, with bells and whistles ring-a-linging and twoo-a-twooing, singing birds swooning, flowers blooming in every frame of every day, the light more vivid, music more intense....</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Our advancing age and attendant health issues cause some consternation, however, along with a few minor peculiarities which may appear easily laughed away. Naturally too, some serious difficulties still arise, life is like that, but love assists with the deflation, hopefully. Intriguing to see what happens when we fall in love, with any of us, isn't it? In my case the rather quite a few I told initially who were those people I thought would be happy to hear about it, (the trusted and truly close), told me how happy they were for us. So pleased I'd found someone who suits me so well. (They know us both, and have done for years). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Loneliness and heartache being two of my great occupations for a long time, (but I gave up those careers after quite a struggle), so I guess it's wonderful for those who know me well to see I've genuinely found joy with this man. Our ebullience gradually added to the certain contentment I'd finally managed alone. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then slowly, of course, others caught the news, and many varied opinions opened out. Ah, opinions bloom like so many flowers, don't they? When picking flowers, I usually only choose the ones I like, though, so it means the bouquet pleases me, then. What about you? It's the sorting through what to choose that may be arduous.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now I see that if you find some friends or family do not support you in some success you've luckily found, then it can prove to be due
to their own unhappiness, their lack of positive behaviour. They appear clouded, or weak, cannot find it in
their heart to express support. We are all of us struggling with various
troubles, too, naturally. It's best then not to think someone else's nay-saying has anything much to
do with you, their bitterness, or sadness, or doubts, or apparent,
deliberate sabotage. Be as kind as possible without allowing their
negativity to grow. This is one of the obstacles to happiness, allowing
others to unduly influence you to stop feeling happy, and it is most
easily overcome with love. We may also use symbols or other ways to
focus our energies, in order to remove or overcome difficulties.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Appealing to an outside agency, a help-line, a friend, a therapist, some religious figure, or using writing or art or music to express what you're going through, this may assist in learning how to move on in good heart. I like to have imaginary conversations with people involved in an issue, as if they are in a play with me, for instance. I also meditate and give thanks every day, or try to, but sometimes I forget. A routine of some kind, even a loose one, does assist us with maintaining good health, however, and it's as well to recall that.</span></span> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNHEtLWA64QE31xvZL5XeWT3RZu7BE5H3zLmqHoLh4y9vHMGvut2onFqFGq7RKQBhEj0fn4ZdfXTCjPBCwNveQTlqhJtNffy5UTRZA8ul9dbKnIVRdxVF7dXUSEPf9xkiVoUpCuOUI_y5/s1600/Ganesh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNHEtLWA64QE31xvZL5XeWT3RZu7BE5H3zLmqHoLh4y9vHMGvut2onFqFGq7RKQBhEj0fn4ZdfXTCjPBCwNveQTlqhJtNffy5UTRZA8ul9dbKnIVRdxVF7dXUSEPf9xkiVoUpCuOUI_y5/s1600/Ganesh.jpg" height="640" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Religions/Avatars/Ganesh.html">https://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Religions/Avatars/Ganesh.html</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />What struck me, in any case, was that in the book Glam Rock Boyfriends the main character eventually finds true love, too. It feels like I've written myself into this new reality, kind of, like the character of Patricia, (who becomes Athena) - a better standpoint, a healthier way to behave, think, feel, and trust. I'm hoping this is a good sign, because the book is, in fact, intended as a magical document to assist readers to find ways to better relationships. As Dr. Rene Harrison who launched the book says, writing is a magical act. Literature makes what is written, true. This novel is not just an invention, a mere entertainment, and never was meant to be so, hence its genre - an imaginary memoir, which I invented, especially. The expression of truth is supposed to appear more real, then. It is framed as a personal story. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">This imaginary memoir is based in part on a book I was also involved with called, <a href="http://www.engagenz.co.nz/?page_id=1086" target="_blank">The Butterfly Diaries</a> about suicide survivors. Inspiring people to live more fulfilling, safer lives, using true life stories, and various genre to tell those. I wrote an essay in that book, which has proven to be a highly successful publication. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Glam Rock Boyfriends is based, as well, on researching a series of self-help books read years ago, when seeking to never again be in a destructive intimate relationship, with anyone. These kinds of publications often take people through various difficult scenarios, before presenting the more rewarding case studies, I noticed. This way a reader "lives" through destructive love affairs vicariously, then later "lives" the rewarding way, until they've learnt what to look for in order to have true love, self-respect, and dignity, without being idealistic. I read about twelve such books for my own good, and gathered much material from them, discarding what I did not think suited me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Various therapists were also consulted, psycho-therapists and a cognitive behavioural therapist. Then my own training as a phone counsellor did provide some useful background as well. To improve relationships, to feel more secure, these are reasons to visit a therapist, we need not be mentally ill to go there. It is better to go along for maintenance and insights once a month, or once every six months, than to wait until things get really bad, anyway, just like we may go to a GP for a yearly physical health check-up. It was once common to see someone about such things, only 100 years ago. But the industrial revolution produced various social changes like making people think they no longer needed "outsiders" to help them, and so-called nuclear families appeared as easily moveable economic units, with all the attendant troubles that has caused.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">In order to realise ourselves to our fullest potential and stay happy, we do need secure communities, good advice, and some outside viewpoints. We may create these ourselves, with our choices, reach out to others, see what eventuates.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://homeandfamily.org.nz/about/counsellors/">http://homeandfamily.org.nz/about/counsellors/</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">My degree is in social science, International Communication, <a href="http://www.unitec.ac.nz/" target="_blank">UNITEC</a>. That training assisted me to present a novel with a communication background, conducive to assisting people to lead better lives.<br /><br />Glam Rock Boyfriends is not a novel for everyone. It's not an airport book, nor easy-to-digest fiction, not a fun read with jokes about modern life to make the everyday seem easily thrown away for the next best thing promoted, there's no froth and easy flow with a bit of a punch like a good cappuccino. It's presented as a true story and scary at times, confusing at others, it drags you down to the awful depths of despair too, even if the highs are as thrilling as a drug-induced trip-a-loola-whooo, or you're in the most fabulous places luuurrrve may take you, occasionally. Patricia tells her story a little clumsily too, of course, slightly, to be authentic, she's only a beginning writer with one book published so far, this character.<br /><br />This third novel took nine years to write, (and I wrote a few others beforehand which have not been published, too), it took much research, and is put together from about fifteen stories told to me by, or about, survivors of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and related mental or drug-addiction-related illnesses. It took a great deal out of me to write it, and it felt frightening at times, but in the end I was released, freer, more hopeful than I've ever been. I too have had my trials, and had to change to adapt and grow.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Literary writers, we write to learn something, I believe. My work is about me exploring what I think I need to know, places I want to see, human conditions which require development in myself and better understanding. If I come to some change for the better, then surely some readers could too? I also love what I write, as Ray Bradbury said, you must love what you're writing, so the reader also loves the story. Not everyone wants to learn, however, and some will already know what I've shown, sure. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Glam Rock Boyfriends is positive about love, the genuine article, and some great sex is described, and fantastic fashion for each decade, some over-the-top passages are also extremely indulgent about how fabulous and exotic some people looked but hey, the 60s, 70s, 80s were insane, for the daring few.... Don't the scattering of extraverts and stylistas and show-offs make the world just so much more varied and exciting, that little bit more pizazzy on occasion?</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.desiree.co.nz/</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAc5BHtaUFlRciiQh-ie1Jqj1OnmzFXloppHaZmY_4AdJTFPLPWIN2g9JCzMfVdQHBpri_xGxuu8LWVtCKgnzOzbE2oZUmSZ-hSvevUUlbRK9B8sR1uSQenwaddVkVf-__GO85KO2nr3n/s1600/Vivienne-WEstwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAc5BHtaUFlRciiQh-ie1Jqj1OnmzFXloppHaZmY_4AdJTFPLPWIN2g9JCzMfVdQHBpri_xGxuu8LWVtCKgnzOzbE2oZUmSZ-hSvevUUlbRK9B8sR1uSQenwaddVkVf-__GO85KO2nr3n/s1600/Vivienne-WEstwood.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vivienne Westwood - who inspired so much local fashion in Aotearoa NZ <a href="http://www.thecultureconcept.com/circle/punk-chaos-to-couture-a-dialogue-between-art-fashion">http://www.thecultureconcept.com/circle/punk-chaos-to-couture-a-dialogue-between-art-fashion</a></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmwvEZhBwxockYLHsCZ74ou2qs2CjrcBxw-Cls5OrkbBU5yu3Ee_lr89wc6fx9g3z2rMmfSA58M-KqAQ5Rcpzh1oxEYX9ePCfMPscjn8QhRouJHg9Mof6tuddkhd8dJHQRu3Nnmfh3r1c/s1600/Suburban+Reptiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmwvEZhBwxockYLHsCZ74ou2qs2CjrcBxw-Cls5OrkbBU5yu3Ee_lr89wc6fx9g3z2rMmfSA58M-KqAQ5Rcpzh1oxEYX9ePCfMPscjn8QhRouJHg9Mof6tuddkhd8dJHQRu3Nnmfh3r1c/s1600/Suburban+Reptiles.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Suburban-Reptiles/272719231671?fref=ts"><span style="font-size: small;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Suburban-Reptiles/272719231671?fref=ts</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJL5OKf8_kzZyApMqSVqYYKls6nT2QBfIK4aUTzViLTVcY58F5LnwWFpVuE2-vZWJTl2-s6cDGS1GdQV_L-JghQsRD2YBCVCwG9oFl4_lV8TH01KVaZ37EDtjKciAeHbuyfYjsbfxCFjS/s1600/AnnieBonza.float.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJL5OKf8_kzZyApMqSVqYYKls6nT2QBfIK4aUTzViLTVcY58F5LnwWFpVuE2-vZWJTl2-s6cDGS1GdQV_L-JghQsRD2YBCVCwG9oFl4_lV8TH01KVaZ37EDtjKciAeHbuyfYjsbfxCFjS/s1600/AnnieBonza.float.jpg" height="640" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/WhatsOn/exhibitions/Pages/annieBonza.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Annie Bonza design</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I recall those eras, no, I did not indulge in much terrible behaviour - even if some people certainly think I did, they seem to get me muddled up with themselves when I hear their explanations, or they 'heard stories' about me. Mainly I moved on and learnt better, as far as I am concerned. Seems best.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">My memory was not impaired. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was and am what I now call a safety officer. I spent a lot of time observing others behaving badly, discussing earnestly with them why they did that, and how they could take better care of themselves. I guess taking care comes from being the oldest in my family, having to be responsible for a gaggle of neighbourhood children besides, and smart enough as a teen to realise a quick fix, or a wild, unprotected sex life, is not any remedy for changing unhappiness. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't a saint either, sure, some of my own memories did assist with the details in this novel, all fictionalised and changed to suit Patricia, you understand. It is by making a story fiction that we best understand ourselves, Jeanette Winterson said, more or less, and it seems to me she's correct. The freedom and artistic license allows far more in-depth explorations and satisfying outcomes, in fiction.<br /><br />So, the book worked for me on a psychological level, after all the writing and work and research, and editing for nine years, and I learnt how to improve my life, besides, along with Patricia, (later Athena). I went through the agonies of more editing with a fine young editor, Jamie Higgins, who also loved the book. We wrestled with the text and made it behave itself, without losing heart, muscle, shazoom, and originality. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now Glam Rock Boyfriends is out there in the world, getting attention, like the real boyfriends of so many girls and boys did. The story mentions some genuine rock stars too, it's historical fiction and set in Aotearoa New Zealand with various musical heroes included for authenticity, Hello Sailor, Dragon, The Scavengers, The Suburban Reptiles.... I knew some of them.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Musicians are a wonder to me, what they give us for our lives, we're so lucky to have them play and sing for us.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Glam Rock Boyfriends is written in the voice of a character who's an anti-heroine. Patricia behaves in such an irresponsible way, as so many with <a href="http://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/post-traumatic-stress-disorder.htm" target="_blank">shellshock or PTSD</a> do, she's unwittingly mentally ill, doesn't realise initially that not everyone lives a hell life, (like so many sufferers do not realise). She's covertly abused. This girl, then woman, struggles, finds life tough, and simply tells her story later after recovery, without looking for sympathy. She wants to write it down to understand herself, that's all, at times horribly honest about her own stupidity and failings. Then also she does not dwell on terrible details. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many people who change their lives so drastically for the better are barely able to tell their story later, they want to forget it. If they've done their therapy properly they do forget, thankfully. Patricia, who becomes Athena, is not about to drag up the dire, painful details for some readers' momentary entertainment, and awful incidents are not necessary for this tale to work as intended.<br /><br /> Patricia/Athena feels glad to still be alive, but it's been an ordeal. In the book, this woman eventually realises she needs therapy. It's not detailed because therapy is different for everyone, and private. The abuse is also not described precisely due to this being a possible trigger for people who suffer from PTSD, or depression, and really, if anyone wants to know what three cruel brothers could do to a small girl to make her get shellshock, I think that person needs therapy themselves, and pronto. One reviewer, (or two reviewers if the other review oddly like the first - seems plagiarised), wanted details of the abuse apparently in order to believe this character went through something terrible. It's difficult not to see that wish as creepy. I realise the modern age perhaps tends to stunt imagination, and some people simply have none to speak of, as well. Perhaps then this book is not for such people, nor for the countless others who care nothing for anyone who has suffered so horribly they do not want to relive the dreadful stories, but instead want to share how they survived, how they learnt what love meant, how they lived a full and happy life at last. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's worth noting here, however, that part of the problem re abuse in this country Aotearoa NZ, and world-wide, is that too many abused people are not believed. The lucky people who have escaped trauma could be kinder - that could help assist many troubled folk to recovery.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyFP-WJDn_CwqVRcAMDh42FkT1Soe_g7yc95lvjZPU71AXPKy_VL0Wv82oHoz9F73B66bxGk3WDy0XCu3HPxOs-kACTS3usrMq7x9vlPH_vzi_U68vXlt9fe2cNp3nhP0mapq0EiJ5rlY/s1600/victim-support-ad-gimped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyFP-WJDn_CwqVRcAMDh42FkT1Soe_g7yc95lvjZPU71AXPKy_VL0Wv82oHoz9F73B66bxGk3WDy0XCu3HPxOs-kACTS3usrMq7x9vlPH_vzi_U68vXlt9fe2cNp3nhP0mapq0EiJ5rlY/s1600/victim-support-ad-gimped.jpg" height="362" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.hiddenhurt.co.uk/helping_abuse_victims.html">http://www.hiddenhurt.co.uk/helping_abuse_victims.html</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, this blog, (which takes about seven to nine hours for each entry as long as this one, including editing, and adding the images), is partly to set the record straight about the structure of the novel, and how it works. No review considers that so far, none I have seen. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Any piece of literary writing is a machine of words designed to do certain things, to work, to operate in the world of the mind and heart and memory. A novel is not designed to do what you wish it did, nor what most other novels you may like do, a novel is designed to do what the author makes it do, and sometimes such writings are difficult to take. That is also like plays and films and songs which transform or affect us in unusual ways. Writing which seeks to alter people's lives and take them on a genuine journey at the end of which they will never be the same again, can be quite a trip, like a real one in space and time. Such writing may also take longer to read than many other books. It was however common in the past for people to take a year or more to read a novel. Sometimes too you may find a little of this book is enough to affect you in ways that help you think about what would be best for yourself, in future. Art gives us a personal experience. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Meanwhile true love in my actual life appeared. Yes. At first there were various unsuitable people, who I managed to discourage. Then there was one stupendous experience in the guise of an impossible love, a distant love, a fantasy, an alarming affair started in real time, then in texts, then within over 1,000 emails with someone who I am unable to describe, in order to respect their privacy. In any case, it was like a practise run, possibly, co-incidentally also taking me to amrka where I learnt generally what continuous happiness felt like. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think I can truly say I was never truly happy for so long, until that first journey to amrka to see my writer friends there, writers who I'd known online for twelve years. That trip is documented here and it starts at the beginning of this blog. It was a dream come true.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, I learnt that love never goes away if you're willing to let it stay, a valuable lesson. Once we part from a lover, there is no need to stop loving them and succumb to hatred or indifference, nor even sadness that things have changed between us, eventually, after the grief is over. So I could love then all those I've loved before, and the capacity for loving <i>recognised</i> gave me calm, peace, a kind of knowingness in what I call the realm of nowhere and nothing, where time does not exist, only love does.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OkAhQIHfCSTLYh2r1dLUmNAWpDY4blXjENv-YQ3pdX3NOgNs7HIAWvVPqJKmrKIzgct83Y4r-OcR7i1BzHd-mxq3C2iBmgqtPJ34qb8fha0eIk3BsXz-dgt6x6Z_4s37n4n9W2ImzoX3/s1600/xmas+lights+2+raewn+alexander.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OkAhQIHfCSTLYh2r1dLUmNAWpDY4blXjENv-YQ3pdX3NOgNs7HIAWvVPqJKmrKIzgct83Y4r-OcR7i1BzHd-mxq3C2iBmgqtPJ34qb8fha0eIk3BsXz-dgt6x6Z_4s37n4n9W2ImzoX3/s1600/xmas+lights+2+raewn+alexander.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Franklin Rd Xmas Lights 2014 by Raewyn Alexander</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">This all came about while finishing my novel, Glam Rock Boyfriends, and partly from the extraordinary amount of work I did to get it written. Older, I also learnt to forget what I could do nothing much to change, and I decided consciously to get assistance with relationships from professionals.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some of the chapters, by the way, have also been printed as stories, already in literary magazines like Takahe, or broadcast on Radio NZ.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then, just as they say, and just as Patricia, who changes her name to Athena in the book discovers too, when I least expected it, love truly did appear and it grew into something fine, good, mutual, and o yes, of course, difficult. Obstacles always appear with true love, (romance is the scenario where things go rather more smoothly). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every time we overcome one issue, in love, we grow a little more together, and our love strengthens; I think that's what true love is for. Yes, love makes us feel good, but also, when those obstacles appear we want the feeling good to return, so we may then struggle in good spirits, or at least strongly, to find a way to diminish, sideline, or remove the obstacle, or climb over or through it, together. Good company appears to make this arduous exercise more possible and effective, somehow.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">My true love in my everyday life is not like Athena's man in my book however, and I do not live in a small place by the sea as she does. We individually make our own world, our own lives, we live each of us uniquely, and so it is we're quite human. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oddly enough, given the title of my novel, the man I now love is a musician, however, and quite well known - a rather amusing, even stunning, twist in this story of real life intertwined with fiction, and the work of writing a book.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">So hmmm, a novel soon to be in a bookstore or library near you if you order it, do go ahead. The ISBN number is all you need. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Take this to your local bookstore, or library, or order Glam Rock Boyfriends from Amazon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Glam Rock Boyfriends ISBN: 9780473266646</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CGLs4sD28bN3tqGKt9hN_N0qEkH2N7uqxUUfhiTMc6dYs8hgCOZZGwaQA4u8m0O8juZPmMVYuCiMEtYx3Urt5xhoqlLydCZffWAdZozraGtelmsP4E4668jy9v-pfzFffT9408AB6JTa/s1600/kindle+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CGLs4sD28bN3tqGKt9hN_N0qEkH2N7uqxUUfhiTMc6dYs8hgCOZZGwaQA4u8m0O8juZPmMVYuCiMEtYx3Urt5xhoqlLydCZffWAdZozraGtelmsP4E4668jy9v-pfzFffT9408AB6JTa/s1600/kindle+cover.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">A review of Glam Rock Boyfriends is here, more shall appear in time. There is also a review in NZ Books a month or so back but you need to subscribe to read it. That link is also below - </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.takahe.org.nz/reviews/t83/T83ReviewGlamRockBoyfriends.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">www.takahe.org.nz/reviews/t83/T83ReviewGlamRockBoyfriends.pdf </span></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://nzbooks.org.nz/2014/literature/bright-satins-razor-encrusted-leathers-nick-bollinger/" target="_blank">http://nzbooks.org.nz/2014/literature/bright-satins-razor-encrusted-leathers-nick-bollinger/ </a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Buy on Amazon here -</span> </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glam-Rock-Boyfriends-imaginary-memoir/dp/0473266644">http://www.amazon.com/Glam-Rock-Boyfriends-imaginary-memoir/dp/0473266644</a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">To wind this up, I'd like to mention the novel is also about fashion, and music, mostly rock music, and brave, hard-working, talented musicians and those who love them, who support their work. Those who make the sounds, lights, costumes, crowds, and shows happen. Music that rips open the sides as Iggy Pop kind of sang, allowing so many disaffected or simply adventurous music lovers to find some meaning and glorious feeling in a world that's too often hostile, or empty of vitality. Glam Rock Boyfriends is about a search for true love and what a good friend music may be within that possibly long journey. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I'm going to leave you with this excellent <span style="color: red;">video and song</span> <span style="color: red;">(<i>the red link below)</i></span>, by Toy Love, of whom it was said by, 'Terence
Hogan, the group's short-lived A&R man, also remember[ing] the
excitement of this one-of-a-kind band.'</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">"In among the smashed
watermelon and broken glass, drenched in sweat and flecked with blood,
the laughs, confusion, exhilaration, there was a complexity in the
experience that's all about the priceless, messy human-ness that drives
great rock'n'roll."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10838142">www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10838142</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA--zv3L5lE"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA--zv3L5lE</span></span></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVnobC1Dqt79s9MCMwxKzNJLmtXpa6fQDDMAcymJug6Tb9OCcFbQcAkg6KhYMxExRdAvRNjl6Otqf9mOfz_bHxsSv69-w5XcOn1zn51wguLhhA-BlTqymV5grruB9ydGyUBw-uaEmacvc/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVnobC1Dqt79s9MCMwxKzNJLmtXpa6fQDDMAcymJug6Tb9OCcFbQcAkg6KhYMxExRdAvRNjl6Otqf9mOfz_bHxsSv69-w5XcOn1zn51wguLhhA-BlTqymV5grruB9ydGyUBw-uaEmacvc/s1600/images.jpg" height="479" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A still from the Toy Love video </span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-86634401803455841102014-09-12T02:24:00.004-07:002014-09-12T16:33:24.735-07:00Home<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeWO3e9Ysd59kkLAwOIS0sEN_b02wMKXDa3gGpZPXWEuvfca7ek8RHKoZ67ZsM5iPLbWWaf7cYnfji5TXg1PGSSpKad7cItK6zqN1V2q8hH2biKaAsEKjz044DR9v70ep08tjNG-1KMN6/s1600/27082012611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeWO3e9Ysd59kkLAwOIS0sEN_b02wMKXDa3gGpZPXWEuvfca7ek8RHKoZ67ZsM5iPLbWWaf7cYnfji5TXg1PGSSpKad7cItK6zqN1V2q8hH2biKaAsEKjz044DR9v70ep08tjNG-1KMN6/s1600/27082012611.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Detail of applique curtains made to illustrate my first poetic journey to amrka 2012 - the wolf protects and indicates a belief in the group protecting one another, amongst other things. I see these curtains every evening, and every morning. They were made while watching Game of Thrones with my daughter, on my return to Aotearoa NZ.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> No matter where we find ourselves awake or asleep, any place may sneaky feel as if we know it well, eventually, when taken to heart. A cat inching forwards, taking some food, allowing our hand to rub their furry cheek, slowly appears tamer. Various places or settings do rather cajole us too, and they may make us feel almost domesticated there. But are we ever quite tame?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Everyday life grows to feel as true as a story memorised, with routine, common or garden behaviour, the known and comfortable, and how we can value this comfort. But also, the exhilaration of adventure, daring, trying something new....</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSbwHR52T-a3-ACgRibSYCq3iE9qmCREjOapaFgivsHXgEly1B7QGy1hLG2ecBwQuD-ny7RCPCR1nJM9oiG4u2Pm5NiT_X-GYjWKQolk8TVPwMIfVVRwYKGgYgtWPzsbuYwP97sWEes8N/s1600/27082012610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSbwHR52T-a3-ACgRibSYCq3iE9qmCREjOapaFgivsHXgEly1B7QGy1hLG2ecBwQuD-ny7RCPCR1nJM9oiG4u2Pm5NiT_X-GYjWKQolk8TVPwMIfVVRwYKGgYgtWPzsbuYwP97sWEes8N/s1600/27082012610.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Detail from applique curtains made to illustrate my first poetic journey to amrka in 2012 - the flaming sword does not allow anyone but the pure of heart to come near</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">New friends also gradually reveal more of themselves as they, we, grow closer, too, or simply, in time, the experience of each other changes and so do we, discovering more. Connections build, then strengthen, or they change, at the least.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Some of those close to us also may alter like they're supernatural, part-faerie, changelings, if we're fanciful about it, and this can't be easy for them. Some bizarre or ethereal friends, we love them, perhaps understanding their issues to an extent, while also knowing they're never going to be as close as we wish they were, so we could enjoy their company more fully. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Through kindness nevertheless we open up more possibilities and our imaginings tend to appear calmer. We need to genuinely feel and act kindly for this to bear fine results. And perhaps everyone is like a half-wild cat, with instincts alert, so we may never completely cosy up to anyone else, there are boundaries, limits, and mysteries.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">There was a time years ago, too, when I felt like I possessed the ability to see into other realms, living in the past without warning, slipping backwards and sideways into strange visions, because I did that, and considered this was a sign I could be part-faerie. The things we tell ourselves when we've got post-traumatic stress, (or shellshock), and no such words to explain it at the time. </span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr align="left"><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyKk27yX4vEPv21tesjkiOoNYBwa1jSwu9TXUri3lxEacY_4BiFjdN92yODp1p-NXfOeGUq4Mgnt0SEcwF9_5yhS2KsnLpq4u4Zw3oEI2OHbGUbCkIh7R6SHKxIuh7O_7HC3B7BizozK9/s1600/071220121253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyKk27yX4vEPv21tesjkiOoNYBwa1jSwu9TXUri3lxEacY_4BiFjdN92yODp1p-NXfOeGUq4Mgnt0SEcwF9_5yhS2KsnLpq4u4Zw3oEI2OHbGUbCkIh7R6SHKxIuh7O_7HC3B7BizozK9/s1600/071220121253.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Illustration - Gerda and the crow</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.wattpad.com/48931228-the-andersen-fairytale-the-snow-queen" target="_blank">www.wattpad.com/48931228-the-andersen-fairytale-the-snow-queen</a></span></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Hindsight, it's as lovely as a cut diamond, and knowing such facts in retrospect may cost us plenty. Growing to know oneself as heartbroken, for instance, quite a journey. Acceptance of this is a sorrowful but strengthening experience, like recovering from a coma but missing a limb or years of existence.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">This writing is about the unwriteable, so it has to be fiction. Freedom exists there. No one need feel hurt. It's not about you, these are characters.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Simply take from this story what you like, need, or think necessary. Here is where we choose the chocolate, sip some drink we like, decide for a moment we know it all.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Between a blue place and a great deal of water, words made stories, and some tales came alive. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Two lovers turned into birds, and populated days and nights with feathery noises and loud squawks, sent messages to each other on the air. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Then, due to daylight, because of feelings as strong as city traffic or a full orchestra playing a symphony about myths on fire, these heart-bearers showed their true selves. A glimpse, a moment, reality, blinding and true.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The man - made of glass - shattered.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The woman already fragmented, and mended, found her heart was completely broken. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">So they went on. </span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-afoTooRalgZifYIhefV2Kz7IBYte3BxpGAT7pnbot1r4ZdLgixGbPMsU8V8ER1Ti68QoQfZ0hgns-jCr2RiHzk1WTtHs4HTzkNCTrABQYQrw6IKaBgVbjewMeKYWY4MkyFNgPtcjWVU5/s1600/170320132010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-afoTooRalgZifYIhefV2Kz7IBYte3BxpGAT7pnbot1r4ZdLgixGbPMsU8V8ER1Ti68QoQfZ0hgns-jCr2RiHzk1WTtHs4HTzkNCTrABQYQrw6IKaBgVbjewMeKYWY4MkyFNgPtcjWVU5/s1600/170320132010.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Produce given to me by friends a year or two ago, from an organic garden</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The man reformed from the fragments remaining the way he always did. This meant he had to forget some of the people from before, but could recall them if he felt like it, and could see them in a new light.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The woman adapted to her new disability, after a lifetime of practise. She was born hallucinating another world than the one she inhabited, and felt accustomed to living in various dreams, (she could sometimes choose them). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Their true love for one another assisted them. Love mends and heals, smooths and swirls, makes music, creates calm, love does not mind change, love resists destruction and prevails like weather, or nothingness, or dark, or light, and all of those.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Their bunch of friends became a survival game based around how fast people could turn from oil fuel to solar, and also, still enjoyed beer and fast food, occasionally. <br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Fast. It may mean to do without... but....</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCOxi1lWIc1Vs2VYwUYbZTrdn9PMTnASsq4HvLciCLRnGgg7r7U-c6QvR-4KhFMhYaVazGPcVUHVa9sPd6-D5ONxc1bkCX58TrYNp1my1P69Ic5g5rgjyvpv_XSk0xeKlGy3UcgFSv-Er/s1600/Photo+on+25-08-12+at+4.55+PM+%235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCOxi1lWIc1Vs2VYwUYbZTrdn9PMTnASsq4HvLciCLRnGgg7r7U-c6QvR-4KhFMhYaVazGPcVUHVa9sPd6-D5ONxc1bkCX58TrYNp1my1P69Ic5g5rgjyvpv_XSk0xeKlGy3UcgFSv-Er/s1600/Photo+on+25-08-12+at+4.55+PM+%235.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Thousands of dollars were poured into planes, trains, cars, boats, trees for travel, and restaurants. People chased dreams, found disillusion, great art, fine architecture, a pedicure, endless conversations, and then, sensual delights.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">That's it in a surrealist nutshell, really.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A more minimalist story could cast the entire range of characters in grey, black or white clothing, on a bare stage, each reciting lines of their most devastating poetry. The inevitable cacophony reaching a crescendo, and then silence, sudden, startling, empty. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Each embracing the other and walking away without looking back, holding threads of each others clothing, unravelling. Taking some kind of connection, each returning to the shadows, the wings, the unknown.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">No realist story exists for this. It cannot be real. It's true, which is not the same thing.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">If this were as real as rhubarb, or bricks, someone would've spilled the guts of it by now, steaming, reading the resultant mess as if the future made a picture there. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">No, this is an unreality like films, close to music, nearer fragrances mixed to change your perception to belief in tomorrow and your part to play in it, easier. Night requires us to forgive ourselves the day.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUoV0qy9dzTVEq8QyVOCxehKiTTFqHnSFj6PwPXiA-ut3mZqzIejpVeQNwOAFAvHdsULw7Et_LhlPyibZn_Va6vgnVxA5amMLN7kUEzwnKWxHOVfUZ-c43a7RkcOmBNWp5-WuMHR_leR1/s1600/071220121244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUoV0qy9dzTVEq8QyVOCxehKiTTFqHnSFj6PwPXiA-ut3mZqzIejpVeQNwOAFAvHdsULw7Et_LhlPyibZn_Va6vgnVxA5amMLN7kUEzwnKWxHOVfUZ-c43a7RkcOmBNWp5-WuMHR_leR1/s1600/071220121244.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cover of a 1960s Classic Fairy Tales book</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Anyone who wishes they could write this way needs to know how many tears fell in the making of this story. They'd wash along, float a boat to a cliff higher than anyone could climb. I let them go.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">But o, the story, the true tale of this, it's worth the water and salt. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The internet. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">What's that worth? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">None of us can exactly say what it's doing to us, not yet. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">We can't precisely define the friendships made there or because of its existence. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">What impulses are born from these screens and the information flowing forth? Material in every direction, overlapping, undercutting, some true, some half-true, some false, some unproven but probably false, all of it available all the time except when a government blocks it, or individuals remove easy access. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">But echoes, shadows, imprints exist in there somewhere, perhaps, your deleted messages too, maybe. Whispers of who we want to be, pretend to be, make ourselves look like, truly are, and yet, are also, not.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">But everyone likes to feel wanted and loved, don't they?</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpY24SPEPidiFtLsrCCF7Jq527HmInyTg5oQzMYQ7-mUjcZlq5IsZCuePhTtoivAEeixA-f9Llxa1U7JVewoXgKe9CptGQoxlYAuevMljtnZ7G7yTm9wWe-u36HtotUVUehVUDErF-jCZx/s1600/041220121206+-+Version+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpY24SPEPidiFtLsrCCF7Jq527HmInyTg5oQzMYQ7-mUjcZlq5IsZCuePhTtoivAEeixA-f9Llxa1U7JVewoXgKe9CptGQoxlYAuevMljtnZ7G7yTm9wWe-u36HtotUVUehVUDErF-jCZx/s1600/041220121206+-+Version+3.jpg" height="400" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Collage Tiny Title book cover 2011</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Adapting to cyber-place. Growing wider eyes and buying tears to drop into them in case we forget to blink.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Just as we fitted into new countries, or older ages, or a move to another city, suburb, house, room, fashion sense, outfit, belief system, relationship.... We may learn to live here too.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">In some ways we are the same, after all. We feel certain urges, at different times too, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui8trWJ5WqA" target="_blank">Love, hate, revenge</a> like that old song by The Avengers, ohhhh.... Broken hearts, young love, better days, wise sayings.... </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The order is all messed up but does it matter?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A broken hearted person, they may look the same as you or me. No one necessarily knows their pain. Do we ever precisely understand what each other goes through? Time to sit with pain in silence, this may assist us in acceptance, then healing. The value is in the giving of that day or week or month. Happiness results from freely giving to others, after caring for ourselves, did you know? Give and you shall receive happiness.<br /><br />Ah yes but, damaged and also, still alive, the broken-hearted can seem whole, capable, amusing, helpful, however they lack the ability to trust anyone with their attention and belief beyond a certain point. Is that what grown up means? Is it why the idea of maturity is so sad?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKkLppwR46xyKkAJVv_-DnOzem2jd-3ZOWRElcphLRjPfhIRvVArsBQVuinSpWvffLpMsn0w2hErnWBa57isuFpaNXaottGnmUj11ndU4sF2jEGqnqetW_5Shyphenhyphenfk8VMgR96wtOXqiCv6q/s1600/05112012828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKkLppwR46xyKkAJVv_-DnOzem2jd-3ZOWRElcphLRjPfhIRvVArsBQVuinSpWvffLpMsn0w2hErnWBa57isuFpaNXaottGnmUj11ndU4sF2jEGqnqetW_5Shyphenhyphenfk8VMgR96wtOXqiCv6q/s1600/05112012828.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blurry copper pipes found in the garden, tied with string, and trees</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Now, take a word picture, imagery, because these often assist us with seeing. It's like expecting a person in a wheelchair to dive into the sea, chair and all, off a wharf into deep water, to expect anyone with a broken heart to make the necessary, brave, terrifying leap into loving someone else and trusting them to care and love them back. A curious circumstance, and it feels like a war's been waged that no one else can see, ever, not even if the terrible story is described in detail. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">But the broken-hearted may love anyway, miraculous, no?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">To write about this is sometimes like being inside a cupboard shouting for help believing no one can hear. Are you there? <br /><br />This is home for me, here.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">So where are the friends I knew and what say they now? Shakespeare echoes. <br /><br />Enter, bring your gifts of writing, believe we're going to make it, laugh, sing, and swear, make mistakes, discuss anything you wish, and listen, is that music?</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfHAjJqsrIPs5Qi1tZjDTXJdGPE9ZlmCoep7hXogaLDpdSpZHatBf_XQkQy_NkW2H9ro1fIB_m5nm6xNI7BiaLHa_eVa-lD3mpw8jIdWTIPylcxn6G2x2vOoN2JpxO_XNqWDdNtvzaHVN/s1600/P1020803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfHAjJqsrIPs5Qi1tZjDTXJdGPE9ZlmCoep7hXogaLDpdSpZHatBf_XQkQy_NkW2H9ro1fIB_m5nm6xNI7BiaLHa_eVa-lD3mpw8jIdWTIPylcxn6G2x2vOoN2JpxO_XNqWDdNtvzaHVN/s1600/P1020803.jpg" height="640" width="610" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">PRESS/ where the sun is bright/ the symphony volcano on the islands/ put on a disguise/ something cooled/ had strange notions/ work of the heart discovered the truth/ and went out at night/ like the ebb and flow - most famous/ the music garlands/ so find some land bordering the deep/ trees in their temple gardens/ important weather/ trying to make a long time that reaches out/ streams in the forests the instruments </span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This picture is a collage using images from damaged or out-of-date books, including a map book of Aotearoa New Zealand, and words from an old encyclopedia, the volume was from Ghosts to House Plants. The poem is written also as a caption. I have a series of these in progress and hope to exhibit them soon.<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Thanks for reading and please do comment, you're welcome.</span></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-54333188933143493742014-08-25T19:47:00.000-07:002014-08-26T03:34:32.839-07:00Ocean <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr align="left"><td></td><td></td><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHuTiZRxIe8XeIaU0uy0I70_0bSCwKTHY-MRIAT-nJko-lIJHs4fpKVU9SRoJ3xh-rkhGqwUICEPG1OF4mA1O7cAtvybLhTvbx2I5hpZbAWFMEXzVgpLgm4zsaOPXxwy4K3LQQzzDFZsL/s1600/27236-Beautiful-Ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHuTiZRxIe8XeIaU0uy0I70_0bSCwKTHY-MRIAT-nJko-lIJHs4fpKVU9SRoJ3xh-rkhGqwUICEPG1OF4mA1O7cAtvybLhTvbx2I5hpZbAWFMEXzVgpLgm4zsaOPXxwy4K3LQQzzDFZsL/s1600/27236-Beautiful-Ocean.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><a href="http://www.lovethispic.com/image/27236/beautiful-ocean" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">How lovely the ocean may appear</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Someone said the other day we could call this planet Ocean, not Earth, because there is far more sea here than land. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The way we're treating the oceans, however, could mean we have a vast wash of garbage instead of lovely saltwater, sealife and birds.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Want to turn off? But there are solutions.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Sure, those who tire of bad news may experience compassion fatigue, or switch off, refuse to read newspapers, close down all the news stories in our online feed, and stick with the cat pictures. Is this self-protection or wilful blindness? But if it's only too much when we feel hopeless, why not then find ways to change the state of the oceans for the better?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69QC-Y7UBAqKT-N2qSKHT3NSV-P2cwuYahuZJFwwWpkCdJrzdo00xzcu_VCoR2Yh6XNxfKSBESg9TmlCObL2qJDzBVv93NHa5Hb9h9KzKkLmmks3lctHR0Sj4hRg80uhGAbToGBUmFsWT/s1600/t1larg.loaded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69QC-Y7UBAqKT-N2qSKHT3NSV-P2cwuYahuZJFwwWpkCdJrzdo00xzcu_VCoR2Yh6XNxfKSBESg9TmlCObL2qJDzBVv93NHa5Hb9h9KzKkLmmks3lctHR0Sj4hRg80uhGAbToGBUmFsWT/s1600/t1larg.loaded.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/02/03/content.overload/">http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/02/03/content.overload/</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Yes, and the overwhelming internet is too often a whole other rubbish heap, true, a relentless tide of bad news washing over us day and night, whenever we swim there, or just trot along the edges, the beaches of it. Continuous bad news, as I said, can make a person feel ill. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Some are swearing off the internet. A few argue the social media phenomenon is deliberately designed to distract us, and stop us being involved in anything too political, including voting. 'They' want us to feel ill. It is also a powerful way to connect with others, and share information.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">There are unbelievable stories like this one. <a href="http://worldtruth.tv/the-ocean-is-broken-newcastle-yachtsman-ivan-macfadyens-shocking-first-hand-account%e2%80%8f/" target="_blank">A boat travelling across the top of the Pacific Ocean, recently,</a> found almost no life at all, no birds, no fish. But they did discover enormous swathes of rubbish, and a fishing trawler scooping up everything in its path. The trawler then dumped all their half-dead findings, except the tuna. Fish thrown back, to die in the ocean. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The traveller, yachtsman, Ivan MacFadyen felt so appalled he wrote<a href="http://worldtruth.tv/the-ocean-is-broken-newcastle-yachtsman-ivan-macfadyens-shocking-first-hand-account%e2%80%8f/" target="_blank"> this article. </a>The photos below are from the article.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">On a fb thread headed by that article, we social media hounds discussed the horror of it. One of us, James Bean wrote this, which I have permission to reprint - </span></span></div>
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<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm; }</style>
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<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #f6f7f8;">"</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #f6f7f8;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #f6f7f8;">The
saddest thing about this is that nobody seems to be seriously making
an effort to clean this up. Is it because most of this is in
international waters?<br /><br />I realize this is no small affair.
It's more than just raising a few million to build a game, or even a
hundred million to make a movie. It might cost a few billion dollars
to do this right. A drop in the bucket for nations, but they'd rather
blow each other up with that money. Actually, they'd rather blow US
up... the government leaders, power brokers and military contractors
don't get on the wrong end of the weapons... just the general
public.<br /><br />Can't someone just get serious about raising money to
clean this up? No diversion. No shadow project. Just specifically to
clean this up? Prototype a simple method to clean it up, raise the
capital to put it into practice, then shame the nations into funding
the full endeavor?<br /><br />Seriously... take an old tanker or better,
fish processing ship... convert it to sort recyclable garbage. We've
got lots of experience with this, so should be able to take these
systems, installed in nearly every municipality in America, and
around the world, and install them on a ship. Set up a simple
skimming system to skim everything on the surface of the water, and
concentrate it at a point. Attach those to this ship, making it the
focal point (where the skimmed stuff goes) and drag your skimmers
with two other smaller ships.<br /><br />So, you skim waste in a
kilometer wide swath from the ocean, and process it at this ship.
Recyclable waste gets loaded onto barges, real trash could get burned
in incinerators (this can be done so that very little if any
pollution gets into the atmosphere, and maybe even power the ship?).
Or, it also gets loaded onto barges.<br /><br />The recycled materials
get sold at market rates, to recoup a little of the cost to the
operation.<br /><br />I bet, a system like this, operating at full tilt,
could start making a pretty damn good dent in one of the huge debris
islands in the ocean. They don't have to skim every inch of the
ocean. Currents and eddies do this for us, concentrating that
floating crap. Go there, attack it, and get rid of it.<br /><br />A
documentary on the process, and a few good aerial movies of this ship
doing its business, and it would be hard not to make this a popular
political thing, and get the funding to get more of these ships, and
improve their design. And I bet you could modify the design to handle
oil spills too, so there are broader practical applications, and
perhaps other funding partners for it, once you get the
publicity.<br /><br />So, how about it? What do we need to do? Anyone
know a potential funding partner? Three ships (can be leased/rented) and
a small recycling center... how much would that cost? $10,000,000?
Believe it or not, that's not much at all. "</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #f6f7f8;">* </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #f6f7f8;"><span style="background-color: white;">Someone else pointed out that if the stuff were valuable, someone would surely harvest it, be doing so already. But I read this week <a href="https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=plastic+roads&oq=plastic+roads&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.4493j0j4&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=91&ie=UTF-8" target="_blank">they are trialling plastic roads</a>, so maybe discarded plastic in the ocean could be used that way, and for building?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #f6f7f8;"><span style="background-color: white;">Please share and discuss this information widely. This is how we may change the state we're in. The more people know about an issue, the more we talk and write about it, the more likely is it taht solutions and actions shall appear to change the oceans for the better.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #f6f7f8;"><span style="background-color: white;">For instance, this young man, Boyan Slat, has invented <a href="http://inhabitat.com/19-year-old-student-develops-ocean-cleanup-array-that-could-remove-7250000-tons-of-plastic-from-the-worlds-oceans/" target="_blank">a machine to clear the oceans of rubbish, already.</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ntykm1ZslcU6ynmeljdoCmdoHdt6n5XW_QOARFzV6G3NVsfsSdzDnFIhHgcdd1PgdfW9Acnqx3Y9wqtW2rsNRqmb4RceDWDi0tOxS5CmF3nsQ-H0QwIJ0fS59GO9QykkWZOTE70Ga982/s1600/Ocean-Cleanup-Array-by-19-year-old-Boyan-Slat-underwater-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ntykm1ZslcU6ynmeljdoCmdoHdt6n5XW_QOARFzV6G3NVsfsSdzDnFIhHgcdd1PgdfW9Acnqx3Y9wqtW2rsNRqmb4RceDWDi0tOxS5CmF3nsQ-H0QwIJ0fS59GO9QykkWZOTE70Ga982/s1600/Ocean-Cleanup-Array-by-19-year-old-Boyan-Slat-underwater-view.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-size: small;">Underwater view - <a href="http://www.n2e.org/projects/the-ocean-clean-up/" target="_blank">www.n2e.org/projects/the-ocean-clean-up/</a></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I haven't mentioned friends, or love affairs, or exciting travels, this blog. Sometimes I simply have to write about some issue plainly, and here it is. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Let's save ourselves. Who's in? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Writing and talk is action. Even just a link to this blog on your fb or blog is enough. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">People can grow inspired, do something useful. Let's hope so.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCM_2GFlu9trMS63_l7oVblgxhQMdE-qy9gemJqyVcPYgLCymHCRan2fzgnlQBymvfGOztxGK7NfY4Yh2wX6D3ch7kdvTDdekOhVhPfR3G8hiYqRkX2_5aWA4zuzkxA0sfIhn5FkOfAHG/s1600/red-sea-egypt-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCM_2GFlu9trMS63_l7oVblgxhQMdE-qy9gemJqyVcPYgLCymHCRan2fzgnlQBymvfGOztxGK7NfY4Yh2wX6D3ch7kdvTDdekOhVhPfR3G8hiYqRkX2_5aWA4zuzkxA0sfIhn5FkOfAHG/s1600/red-sea-egypt-3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_173511795"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.bashtravel.net/the-underwater-beauty-of-red-sea/">http://www.bashtravel.net/the-underwater-beauty-of-red-sea/</a><br /><br /> </span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-63536772984510481502014-08-16T06:48:00.000-07:002014-08-17T23:07:31.668-07:00Bewitched<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In San Francisco with Natasha Dennerstein at the Art Museum, a fernery, 2014.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmmFBdotq-THbaJtcLVMrGVBeONuCy1ESDojjymN5qAvT8A1ZSPUX86cgP9NuftwEgrutwgTC7M4W4DXC6Q_xDlHwrKDq0TSBUssPyG18n2zOm5-i5tH_cM6GzsIyECa4VwzqznIC5kD4/s1600/P1000651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmmFBdotq-THbaJtcLVMrGVBeONuCy1ESDojjymN5qAvT8A1ZSPUX86cgP9NuftwEgrutwgTC7M4W4DXC6Q_xDlHwrKDq0TSBUssPyG18n2zOm5-i5tH_cM6GzsIyECa4VwzqznIC5kD4/s1600/P1000651.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Art galleries are castles now, fortresses protecting our fine productions.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui2qkf_j5v0-37NjuJqDHh80pSN7rufPp6xi9a6iOFYOkSjF9zcADZBXkE-Q5cPgiMoKklvM29AOGgKgsk5wJ0oztVdnVqMWxwiPw0T38VE7ByV3wKHfRPRmYB6sqCG0WonmhnHDC0Ji_/s1600/P1000959+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui2qkf_j5v0-37NjuJqDHh80pSN7rufPp6xi9a6iOFYOkSjF9zcADZBXkE-Q5cPgiMoKklvM29AOGgKgsk5wJ0oztVdnVqMWxwiPw0T38VE7ByV3wKHfRPRmYB6sqCG0WonmhnHDC0Ji_/s1600/P1000959+2.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amy Tucker's piano told us all we needed to know, in Seattle.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">If You Leave Me can I Come Too? That's a somewhat amusing, old song from Mental as Anything - they're an Australian band. Fun song, and also with a measure of sadness, like so much comic work has, just beneath the surface, the obvious. Tension creates laughter as much as other elements, then. Good spirits, in any case, can appear as an atmosphere, they may arise from familiarity, truth, and surprise, the pleasant feeling takes us over, or not - perhaps we struggle with feeling happy for some reason. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I know I miss pretty well wherever I have been, and wish I could access those places again far more easily. I have to then thank goodness for photos, notebooks, and memories, o and nowadays, social media, I guess. Nothing like being there, however, and I'd like to travel by ship, train, and hot air balloon every month to far off places where friends live. How do I sign up for that?</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9I8Npah8JyXjQVcvyF6_klKc7LkguU22Nhrj72duF-BJdpYJGiuhFGIUWuOLdUNOYZj0ewpzzES2sXE7QZjLoF69OIszmRlAhT3eGZdETnoQRdbB31DLfeI-rwVo4ONL8k3O4VWDeqmgq/s1600/P1000992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9I8Npah8JyXjQVcvyF6_klKc7LkguU22Nhrj72duF-BJdpYJGiuhFGIUWuOLdUNOYZj0ewpzzES2sXE7QZjLoF69OIszmRlAhT3eGZdETnoQRdbB31DLfeI-rwVo4ONL8k3O4VWDeqmgq/s1600/P1000992.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'd travel by a hokey Remlinger Farm horse and cart by jiminey.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMFaWn0e2PGSn7V79G7aIz8QAhf0xWl5NfVOWVbrHZDK8PHoI6fmVXp8WdQLZCjlsTF_vC8mcmDpepNCxnbZ6_5DZKDICPA8EILtQVfZRucI2qTbYbm_pN0yhuOmfhvdBauQxMT3TK0tX/s1600/P1010037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMFaWn0e2PGSn7V79G7aIz8QAhf0xWl5NfVOWVbrHZDK8PHoI6fmVXp8WdQLZCjlsTF_vC8mcmDpepNCxnbZ6_5DZKDICPA8EILtQVfZRucI2qTbYbm_pN0yhuOmfhvdBauQxMT3TK0tX/s1600/P1010037.JPG" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the 4th of July on Indian land near Georgetown, Ron filmed people setting off fireworks - they sell them, and keep a ton for this celebration. Sparks and bangs all day and night, o the irony.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ21eUUB44dFNc5b6-FhCXTtr1rKqyugYUYOjbs_0GZHM_4hhLVf0WcIWRq-VMhzVjhNuphmw6CadinwBaesIsxz9q40dJhxqtPAruf59S9OEIwJj50BL6hNcnaoCfpa6lfZhQakhY0JL/s1600/P1010071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ21eUUB44dFNc5b6-FhCXTtr1rKqyugYUYOjbs_0GZHM_4hhLVf0WcIWRq-VMhzVjhNuphmw6CadinwBaesIsxz9q40dJhxqtPAruf59S9OEIwJj50BL6hNcnaoCfpa6lfZhQakhY0JL/s1600/P1010071.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Walking through Georgetown in Seattle; although once it was its own place; seeing amrkn thaangs.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">O the peculiarities, and o the assumptions deflating, the cliches shattering to smithereens, uh, atomic dust, travel's full of surprises. But it's not vital that I have a great time, or even that I'm always comfortable away somewhere, either, generally, even if I do fiercely complain when things aren't fabulous. The newness, the strangeness simply attracts me, (which luckily these days does <i>not</i> also include the dangerous, but hey, sometimes we don't realise we're headed for trouble either). My hurried or gradual adjustments feel welcome, a novelty, in any case, provoking bemused observations. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A test of creative abilities, any trip may offer that, but also it's an adventure inside myself. We go to unknown and previously unrealised places in our own inner world when we travel, into those mysterious interior territories rarely noted in an everyday routine at home. Somehow we can become more than what we think we are, or more like we wish we were, or someone we never realised we could be, startling in various scary, odd, and wondrous ways. An entertaining activity then, while also, arguably, it's a kind of self-development, with no easy escape from the learning experience, (yes, say that last phrase in a silly voice if you wish, sometimes it's fun).</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5ioza1y9EEBiAbw_JdOHT5MjsQ6NcDaBf6hGijw25R3fSODx7V5DxqD_pN3__Ah0Gvqgek6gAnkYKp5kMg4SYyOfYwQmZ_kyOITGGojM1S5wbEpD0nC5eNz4DewbKIm7sqpP1M6EDOqk/s1600/P1010098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5ioza1y9EEBiAbw_JdOHT5MjsQ6NcDaBf6hGijw25R3fSODx7V5DxqD_pN3__Ah0Gvqgek6gAnkYKp5kMg4SYyOfYwQmZ_kyOITGGojM1S5wbEpD0nC5eNz4DewbKIm7sqpP1M6EDOqk/s1600/P1010098.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">No escaping the Mississippi flooding Bettendorf, either. Streets lay below this walkway before.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">But crockery punctuation helps to erase thoughts of global warming, fast food calms panic.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUya5t06ppVRCeWXVpGLzAgeS0w9RDhqUr7SGQLrHvW02tI5mJiMgBJ8O4BshTLY9drnhb1-noeKICdvah6CoCpHCrkJ6RWpATnCCh-AXDeXo_EIx1Ynz1rtvlvx67wEE3b-fDOxRZPMHX/s1600/P1010187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUya5t06ppVRCeWXVpGLzAgeS0w9RDhqUr7SGQLrHvW02tI5mJiMgBJ8O4BshTLY9drnhb1-noeKICdvah6CoCpHCrkJ6RWpATnCCh-AXDeXo_EIx1Ynz1rtvlvx67wEE3b-fDOxRZPMHX/s1600/P1010187.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.winbornbandb.com/" target="_blank">The Winborn's</a> BnB a cosy, colourful place, with Sandy's artwork all through the house.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">No matter where we go, also, when friendships appear abroad then we may obviously miss those fine people after leaving. A journey has poignant moments and sadness, built-in, when we possess any kind of empathy, surely. Sometimes it feels like I'm being tugged from many directions, thinking about people everywhere whom I'm attached to.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The inevitability of this attachment also serves to help understand what may and may not be controlled, with awareness, and valuing such insights; a multitude of friendships in many places also help us perhaps to let go of more difficult, troubling aspects, as well, at times unconsciously. Knowing there's more than our own little world can keep things in a reasonable perspective. Travel's humbling. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The delightful sense of refreshment in a temporary move to anywhere, could also be partly due to more or less having to forget what we left behind. In order to work with the unknown appearing before us, daily, on holiday, people tend to stay in the moment. I don't mean that growing close to others is only diverting, and entertaining, however, human relationships have far more to them than that. In many ways we can though weave a more dense, thorough picture for and of ourselves, in strange places. That happens the more we allow ourselves to relate to others too, perhaps. Any image or impression that we create is not just a view, but also a kind of protection like a blanket, and a matrix of meanings, language, stories, memories, and support.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lovely magical experiences everywhere</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Implicit in the definition of holiday is also the fact that the experience really will not last, none of it. Anything we do, touch, or see or taste or hear, or think about, or feel, or imagine, because of where we are visiting, has a time limit. Sometimes this may make the break feel a little desperate. It could be why I try to go see and smell and taste and listen to, and touch as much as possible in the time allowed. Forced to forget my neuroses, my tiredness, my fears, having to get on out there and see what happens.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">This voyage, in amrka for the second time to visit wonderful writers I'd met online fourteen years ago, (we also met in 2012 for the first time), I felt painfully aware before leaving en zed that I only had three weeks. I recall hoping it'd be enough, just over 21 days, and feeling like it could never be. But eventually I felt glad to return home, and happy I'd seen so much in around three weeks. My joy also due to developing my relationships with writer friends, more than before, even if some of the revelations were strange, troubling, or puzzling. It was more like we knew each other better, in an everyday kind of way. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">No idea what's going to happen any day, in any case, but that seems more evident on a trip like this.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Travel's a kind of twist in time, a trick, a hop, step and a jump elsewhere, which may seem like the middle of nowhere. Also, somewhere strange can confront us. We may go into shock, faced with oddities, not knowing what on Earth the rules are wherever we may land. In the south of north amrka for instance I was not prepared for how different it looked, how strange I felt, and at times, the dangers I sensed there overwhelmed me. The turn-off we took for gas where the petrol station kiosks were behind heavy bars, still bothers me when I think about the area, (now close to where riots are going on, in Missouri, due to a man there being shot).</span></span><br />
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">The bridge at the top took us out of Iowa, into Illinois, and also to an ubiquitous store you'd know of, if I wrote the name. The kind of place that sells low price items, everywhere there. A building the size of a small housing development, full of goods for sale, and workers barely paid. </span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">We travel to see
what lies beyond the view, we leave home then to return and perhaps to love where we live
even more, refreshed. We go to get, we take off to get away, we
disappear to reappear, reinvented.... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I returned to amrka because I love it there and wanted to see how I could live somewhere in that country at some time in future, hopefully with paid work to do. Applying for writer's residencies seems to be one solution. I simply need to research, then apply, and hope - except that usually I send away applications and forget them in all the other things I do, to keep various wolves and other predators well away from all my doors and windows. </span></span><br />
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Reflections on the car window created ghosts and effects. This reflected my camera case, a two dollar shop purse with embroidered heart. I was also, for a time, in love with the trucks, or semis, along the freeways, they look so grand. Seems like the God of Photography noticed.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNU88IDdev70ZGlEkfQgyr0Q9ZqvtYKPd4RGOfKZX2SL0M_F27dDxqo3_tY2jyEUstH6TVWKO-cXBJJZMDD__csoh5dYzzJTtAYIA5AKLxOaP92A1fZiijOnkYZsWm0UsHVoPtJ0muHdZ/s1600/P1010298_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNU88IDdev70ZGlEkfQgyr0Q9ZqvtYKPd4RGOfKZX2SL0M_F27dDxqo3_tY2jyEUstH6TVWKO-cXBJJZMDD__csoh5dYzzJTtAYIA5AKLxOaP92A1fZiijOnkYZsWm0UsHVoPtJ0muHdZ/s1600/P1010298_2.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Our rental car, an SUV, the kind of vehicle I abhor. Irony appeared everywhere this trip. Blessings be upon it for air-con, however, and providing a sturdy ride for the most part until it broke down. Luckily we could exchange it in Houston for another, even bigger SUV.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Dreams appearing still as free as time and health allow, I guess another solution to my need to visit amrka again, (for my mental and spiritual health), is to become a star performer. I could, at the various conferences where I speak to people re story-telling, and communication, somehow grow to appear spectacular, then see myself invited to speak overseas too. I've addressed celebrants, artists, educators, (and soon communication and story-telling lectures to others; why not real estate agents, architects, shop keepers, travel agents, doctors, librarians, teachers, plumbers).... Anyone who wants to know how to tell a better story to their clients or customers, and how to communicate with more skill, ask me to show you how. Excellent rates, most entertaining and educational. (I'm determined you see, I'll try until something works). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">My celebrant story-telling workshop at their conference in Auckland was such a success, word-of-mouth kudos gained me another booking with their Hamilton branch, soon. My hope springs forth like a kind of intoxicant. No wonder it was an evil in Pandora's box. Nietzsche said that <a href="http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/hope-considered-a-bad-thing" target="_blank">hope prolongs the misery of man</a>, but I have to trust it does not do that for me, for I seem to be unable to stop wishing for this outcome, to go and live in amrka. That even though I now realise it is not a perfect place for me, nor as easy to understand as I first believed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glam-Rock-Boyfriends-imaginary-memoir/dp/0473266644" target="_blank">My new novel</a> could also sell millions of copies. Then I'd sail again on<a href="https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=oriana+cruise&client=firefox-beta&hs=RXq&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=WP3vU_7LMoW48gXZwoKQBg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1078&bih=538#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=KEfSZn47NtOzyM%253A%3BDqMLi7KRGsWsfM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fstatic0.traveltek.net%252Fcruisepics%252Flocal_shipimages_large%252F1244537932.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cruiseabout.com.au%252Fcruise-lines%252Flist%252Fpo-cruises%252Foriana%3B500%3B283" target="_blank"> the lovely Oriana</a> to promote my novel, and future books. Ahhh yes, floating on to live in amrka for a while - say every summer. A successful writer with income flowing in from stories, poems and essays. This watery imagery feels so relaxing, I can almost believe it now.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Immune to scoffing these days, anyway, after escaping for so many years the fearful scythes of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_poppy_syndrome" target="_blank">tall poppy</a> harvesters here, I can believe any of the above may happen. Belief is at the core of our being, I tell myself. Belief helps us to make real what we wish for, what we imagine, and need. I'm happy to consider my financial success as an author as a possibility, and if I repeat that often enough it could drive me to take further action, ensuring it happens. Nietzsche meant it when he explained that hope alone is not enough. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Happiness has finally found me, nevertheless and quite often, after much hard work to improve. The attendant calm and peace also proven to feel like an extreme pleasure, probably until the novelty wears off. Not knowing this feeling before, I feel like someone gave me a wondrous prize. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Also, if anyone reading my blog, out of the thousands who do so, has any suggestions about how I could live and work in amrka, please do let me know. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">With any dream we may ask others for assistance. Why not?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Giving to others, by the way, is the peak of the pinnacle of happiness. Yes, so, if you find it within your kind heart to give me some assistance, purely because you feel generous, you'll grow to feel happier. Highly recommended, and one of the ways I maintain a generally delighted persona at least some of the time, is from generous acts. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Joy in my everyday life is a true success story too, having suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome since before I could talk. The work done to turn that around, to change myself, has meant that now calm, peace, happiness, and contentment are finally realities to me. Nothing can explain the genuine pleasure of finally finding what many others take for granted, a decent, kind life, most of the time, able to react reasonably in most situations. I thank years of professional guidance, and also, realising it is normal to get such assistance. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEazOxMlWOlJmeCAzJXqHpFVxyR2NY911cppwZ0Iopt2pXIDAQMiEUAWHApQ-iWX3qtXkeEZZhh6s679JtBvuvF1SuN-OUe2QnAtdxhm-7LgW1IJOBOCOc8ad6ep6lCza0ZGnuWDFGByT/s1600/P1000661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEazOxMlWOlJmeCAzJXqHpFVxyR2NY911cppwZ0Iopt2pXIDAQMiEUAWHApQ-iWX3qtXkeEZZhh6s679JtBvuvF1SuN-OUe2QnAtdxhm-7LgW1IJOBOCOc8ad6ep6lCza0ZGnuWDFGByT/s1600/P1000661.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Natasha Dennerstein has a whole pad of these in San Fran, a poet shrink in situ.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVK6B6iyiBPIaJivZU9mLF4cHa_L-HICHN43JVxToPm_nXblfXiYjd_m1wIZIlTtSP5jKwvoeE7kTwQTqtt7c-MmlhSYZCH2CtZTV7saQcsyAvKe-P2CNRiB3a6ie1n7Gt2xmKGIccoADn/s1600/P1000676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVK6B6iyiBPIaJivZU9mLF4cHa_L-HICHN43JVxToPm_nXblfXiYjd_m1wIZIlTtSP5jKwvoeE7kTwQTqtt7c-MmlhSYZCH2CtZTV7saQcsyAvKe-P2CNRiB3a6ie1n7Gt2xmKGIccoADn/s1600/P1000676.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">From the train San Fran to Seattle, the landscape hurtling by, colours and sky.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2RNlM-RrXRBok2tzJCzsqR7y8sw0GyDligfxH0XcR96gwWDQ8nCs-EVeKAwAs55fc1jXGNJaXhFoNKxXi5YF2Qarlc015qngYQEZ7kd4Jr5Hg1Usci0OaVe1BVPIFDWPS0lOymMn-mlE/s1600/P1000678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2RNlM-RrXRBok2tzJCzsqR7y8sw0GyDligfxH0XcR96gwWDQ8nCs-EVeKAwAs55fc1jXGNJaXhFoNKxXi5YF2Qarlc015qngYQEZ7kd4Jr5Hg1Usci0OaVe1BVPIFDWPS0lOymMn-mlE/s1600/P1000678.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Once it was quite normal, and widely practised, to seek assistance with our inner balance, to go and see a wise man or woman of the village, or a minister or doctor, to discuss our feelings and ideas, to understand ourselves better and to live more happily. Only within the last hundred or so years, this went out of fashion. The industrial revolution needed more easy to move family units without concerns for their mental and emotional health. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I say take up that habit again, seek solace and guidance, develop your inner self, enjoy your life with more understanding and pleasure. How can this harm anyone? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">My being a <a href="http://www.hsperson.com/" target="_blank">HSP, Highly Sensitive Person</a>, also affected how I reacted to various upsetting incidents in younger days. No one knew I was one of these rare, but normal, human beings. We make up about 15% of the world's population. HSPs feel things more deeply, we notice things others may not, and are often highly creative. Also, for groups to survive well, we're vital, because we see early warning signs, find faster solutions, and are adept with managing some difficult, human circumstances. We HSP may also create the most divine art, in every genre.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I believe a few of my online writer friends, and other sensitive souls whom I know may also be gifted in this way. I hope they read that link in the paragraph above, it saved my life.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nhFzssW6cTQ9r99_Krq1NPuFv7soXvqp_kEthk83o1XYseTynS0Xzr8j4MIliBNVVKYEsR71hDDDKOMnG9MfragVMtd0yyP4845yGxJG-Qp0WwxztWdZfv7_cALPF1Y1hpc7l8er6h_a/s1600/P1000824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nhFzssW6cTQ9r99_Krq1NPuFv7soXvqp_kEthk83o1XYseTynS0Xzr8j4MIliBNVVKYEsR71hDDDKOMnG9MfragVMtd0yyP4845yGxJG-Qp0WwxztWdZfv7_cALPF1Y1hpc7l8er6h_a/s1600/P1000824.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">SF to Seattle train, over a bridge, heading north like a song says.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWgtbyuJDxGGzfAx96YDdjIDcg2sovqnLMMV-yKzPusEtiXDxjdh4nJ1u_f1bVoXtJLutlDSdWFulwPm8PXKMii8yHsVoo2Q-aoJkel8St08hqyKYgddPh8Rkb2ZBsyI5qpXOQlnkZbxT/s1600/P1000942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWgtbyuJDxGGzfAx96YDdjIDcg2sovqnLMMV-yKzPusEtiXDxjdh4nJ1u_f1bVoXtJLutlDSdWFulwPm8PXKMii8yHsVoo2Q-aoJkel8St08hqyKYgddPh8Rkb2ZBsyI5qpXOQlnkZbxT/s1600/P1000942.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Seattle evening ripped with a dancing shouting street man's noise, and our fright making for the train station. My luggage had gone missing, we needed to check it had finally arrived.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Travel also excites, even if it's also as worrying as feeling like at any moment someone is going to take everything you own, and you haven't memorised anyone's phone number or address, nor your own passwords to things, like the internet. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Ah yes, catastrophising, I can still at times panic, unduly.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Travel's changed human life, altered the way homo sapiens lives, and our cultures for countless years. <a href="http://anthro.palomar.edu/homo2/mod_homo_4.htm" target="_blank">Homo sapiens</a>, human beings, we can observe how our movements hunting game, finding a new resource, or just exploring have changed us, through archeology, and imagination, stories, and other records. When homo sapiens <a href="http://www.goldenageproject.org.uk/18secrets.php" target="_blank">discovered boat building</a>, and water travel became easier, we spread across the world with extraordinary rapidity. It's believed we only started building watercraft capable of sea travel around seven thousand years ago. Now we can sail off into outer space.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/1766/lapita-pottery" target="_blank">The Lapita people</a>, for instance, were the first to populate the Pacific Ocean. They travelled across the lower parts of Asia, making pots from clay. Movements were traced through discoveries of clay fragments with the same distinctive markings, in locales along a trail. Then they also travelled into Oceanania, becoming Polynesians on those islands. Traditional markings were then transferred to wooden carvings, and other artifacts. Later, those people we call Polynesians travelled against the wind and tides to populate what we think of as Aotearoa, later called New Zealand. In time, after they'd called themselves Tangata, (people), they became Maori, (which Pakeha named them, after the name of their language, Te Reo Maori, or ordinary/everyday speech). The name Pakeha was born at the same time. Thousands of years of history in those few sentences, and hundreds of thousands of miles of travelling.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Now we can fly. Think of Leonardo da Vinci sometimes when looking out of a plane window. Imagine him standing near one of the people holding glowing orange sticks, and a high-vis jacket, directing planes. Imagine the renaissance artist watching these machines take off into the air, and how delighted he'd appear. <a href="http://www.da-vinci-inventions.com/flying-machine.aspx" target="_blank">The machines he invented long ago </a>would have flown, they are aerodynamic, but he lacked the knowledge to get them airborne.<br /><br />Now, if da Vinci could see what happened only a few hundred years later, imagine his excitement. If he'd been an engineer and known how to make the engines work finely, and the fuel too of course, people would've been in the air then. Queen Elizabeth the First could've flown to challenge the Spanish, the French, if she'd captured this fine artist's expertise, with some science to match his engineering imagination.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Great inventors are needed now too, and as much as ever. Human beings are creating far too much carbon in the atmosphere, with resulting disasters all over the world. There is no escape from climate change which already affects so many. No amount of money, no special shelter, no grand barrier can absolutely protect anyone immediately, we do need to <a href="http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/global-warming-climate-change/help/tips-from-a-nature-conservancy-scientist.xml" target="_blank">change our ways to alleviate the effects</a>. It is far better to change what we are doing in some ways, and therefore stop affecting the climate adversely. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Being more responsible with recycling and so on also saves money. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Buying <a href="https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=trees+for+travel&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-beta&channel=sb&gfe_rd=cr&ei=IQHwU9umHMuN8QfitYC4DQ" target="_blank">trees for travel</a> is one way to take responsibility for your own mess. A return flight to Europe from Aotearoa NZ costs 200 $ in trees, to absorb the carbon one person has produced by being on that return flight.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Aware that some readers dislike the idea of paying for something like trees (often in another country), to avert a disaster they cannot imagine, or do not care about, I hopefully, (there's that word again), do not labour the point. This blog is partly to promote <a href="https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=trees+for+travel&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-beta&channel=sb&gfe_rd=cr&ei=-V_vU-r0CtCF8AX9j4DYCg" target="_blank">trees for travel</a>, however, which could turn our fortunes around, beautifully.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Travel, a new view, a different shade of blue, light changes, fresh sights appear everywhere. Invaluable, learning, yearning, at times just wondering where we are now. Some travel across oceans to meet with lovers only ever known online, and create our own disasters, too, of course. Although we may reveal more to each other online than we ever do in real life, particular personalities are better known at a distance. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The internet, another kind of travel, a different style of unravelling too, we could say. Sending ourselves by satellite in words and pictures and recordings. A magical process and some of us seem bewitching, while others grow entranced. I'm about to tell the story of this last trip as if it is a magical tale, an invention, a fantasy.... The longer I wait the more my memory changes what happened, the more pliable the facts grow.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYINJ4dG5q8uN3VXesukSWv5CJQs1Q_EtTT0URrKPORDH-wi936MmitjIB4_wp_lqzD4sXq_xwvaEGE01z-nlqOf0_VEFRSjQHIamaf7MVyxRRic7zbwHxCBgXht2lvWKWZ8yrj4nJhyphenhyphenNj/s1600/P1010083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYINJ4dG5q8uN3VXesukSWv5CJQs1Q_EtTT0URrKPORDH-wi936MmitjIB4_wp_lqzD4sXq_xwvaEGE01z-nlqOf0_VEFRSjQHIamaf7MVyxRRic7zbwHxCBgXht2lvWKWZ8yrj4nJhyphenhyphenNj/s1600/P1010083.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amy and Ron in his garden, with the ukelele we found on the street, in a pile of hard rubbish. Such a lovely day in Georgetown, Seattle. Summer in amrka, sunny times, much talk, delicious food....</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Southern landscape, near Memphis.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqs0i7TDTd0KXeE2TXoba5BYTP6uocoQerJIhN_yvbC4O1EfosqfHAVRMSeX6g1Z_qvQUmfgknAmFnF6F167GVfzWNu-FTbmhVlmWwTNlBLBELDeL_gTmRNosdL3j0jwXN0MVvv7qgsat/s1600/P1010190_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqs0i7TDTd0KXeE2TXoba5BYTP6uocoQerJIhN_yvbC4O1EfosqfHAVRMSeX6g1Z_qvQUmfgknAmFnF6F167GVfzWNu-FTbmhVlmWwTNlBLBELDeL_gTmRNosdL3j0jwXN0MVvv7qgsat/s1600/P1010190_2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dollshouse in Bettendorf</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Plastic, fantastic, energising, imagination needs to serve some fine story to live on, and take with me. Carefully cut and stitched, tailored tales make a wardrobe for reputation, after all - a dancey prancey rep in a fine array, takin' th' good steps for you. A way to entertain ourselves when the night's cold and dark, with only thoughts to play with, and laugh about, sigh over, shed a few tears or years for.... </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Do we lose or gain time when we're manufacturing stardust between the lines? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">How may I make what happened sing for me?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-28402188416538583042014-07-22T20:24:00.000-07:002014-07-22T20:35:25.934-07:00I belong here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEVXhr_d2fkw5drMDNJE-w2r1SwBzBqQ0XSH__iD-FcHCvKPNHSy4tfxBnN8tUwjAtCgMQ-h-4jlDMzv7SW1IPzURxAYIA1H5aHhu8QCKww3JjcCplpVTLmX82QJm-4jQK6t1V9JwsdGC/s1600/P1000917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEVXhr_d2fkw5drMDNJE-w2r1SwBzBqQ0XSH__iD-FcHCvKPNHSy4tfxBnN8tUwjAtCgMQ-h-4jlDMzv7SW1IPzURxAYIA1H5aHhu8QCKww3JjcCplpVTLmX82QJm-4jQK6t1V9JwsdGC/s1600/P1000917.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm; }</style>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><b>I
belong here forgetting who I am</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">remembering
I leave tomorrow for the southern hemisphere</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">after Creole hoodoo foodie immersion at The Palace Cafe</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">Canal
Street a stream of people wearing summer rather well</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">New
Orleans rain soon steams so Spanish moss drinks more air</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQ63jAKMEfeJ6EMMilAY741LVA7zGru_QOLeYMwTSRV5Zhlel9CSXfyKtou3lfYawk57WJKGjsXOdQnRjBILPHjr3eMYOZPRsYhSB5H3PbcKnSUW_PvLDozDXzkLyFJBM4-k9pDHcCfj_/s1600/P1000649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQ63jAKMEfeJ6EMMilAY741LVA7zGru_QOLeYMwTSRV5Zhlel9CSXfyKtou3lfYawk57WJKGjsXOdQnRjBILPHjr3eMYOZPRsYhSB5H3PbcKnSUW_PvLDozDXzkLyFJBM4-k9pDHcCfj_/s1600/P1000649.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaErFnTpFieoL7wUWgIogf-aRFKSV588j-IcwMJxv0WpmqlCsdqJDviCUCiObzx1U6KKZvzB-xieZP6pp2gWqPBX9PoQw69WuMfhZl-JvMMj7mGCROXMuDaBjC3309B6_dipl5qshbPAf/s1600/P1000646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaErFnTpFieoL7wUWgIogf-aRFKSV588j-IcwMJxv0WpmqlCsdqJDviCUCiObzx1U6KKZvzB-xieZP6pp2gWqPBX9PoQw69WuMfhZl-JvMMj7mGCROXMuDaBjC3309B6_dipl5qshbPAf/s1600/P1000646.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">I
belong here remembering San Francisco sun and stun</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">walking
into the sky and Modernist hoorahs hellos wowees</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">Natasha
and I spilling tour talk for gigantic works in space </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">secrets around blue and yellow plates more useful than a tablecloth</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9Y9Llzd7PXmhrT6L3XmEJ9ra4Udvks_l3is5lZ8YK6HLaotSlcJtQg8ieaK_FZrRazQYhnJs2_Zvuqgpx0fjGs3UKOAyFIeYOh6ZJsUHGgDDbkAWrT2ps3Yb7aDeeYo4dj-69e1x6FWu/s1600/P1000887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9Y9Llzd7PXmhrT6L3XmEJ9ra4Udvks_l3is5lZ8YK6HLaotSlcJtQg8ieaK_FZrRazQYhnJs2_Zvuqgpx0fjGs3UKOAyFIeYOh6ZJsUHGgDDbkAWrT2ps3Yb7aDeeYo4dj-69e1x6FWu/s1600/P1000887.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj326st8lh61c1tY-S1lTp1Lwu5vEpmcl2Xr5AChS7O2o_X_WWx8CYNa4gH3fDSAxL2tNkTpkZdyYHz2wbuYT6nwtevoEz2CNzfXUrbV5TGBVmTYpvF3EcB4R7QOImAG25a97I3eoUdF6d/s1600/P1010214_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj326st8lh61c1tY-S1lTp1Lwu5vEpmcl2Xr5AChS7O2o_X_WWx8CYNa4gH3fDSAxL2tNkTpkZdyYHz2wbuYT6nwtevoEz2CNzfXUrbV5TGBVmTYpvF3EcB4R7QOImAG25a97I3eoUdF6d/s1600/P1010214_2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">I
belong here where you disappeared but stayed put</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">I'm
banking goodness and saving for my life</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">rollercoaster
freeways in Seattle flanked by soldier evergreens</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">disappointment
and knowing too much quite solved with pie</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hbf4GkXG852WaS-bSuaCh6akBM8B8_eKNKLqjTVp7LH4ogBm8-JaspV0XwO1wl6r8VSErLbUr7K69EHZo3WKvudCRz0V06SdSZL-ULnkPSwnCFViBVzPjCWN_oIOeDCAy3qXx6IbuQhH/s1600/P1010166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hbf4GkXG852WaS-bSuaCh6akBM8B8_eKNKLqjTVp7LH4ogBm8-JaspV0XwO1wl6r8VSErLbUr7K69EHZo3WKvudCRz0V06SdSZL-ULnkPSwnCFViBVzPjCWN_oIOeDCAy3qXx6IbuQhH/s1600/P1010166.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">I
belong where squirrels finally looked like rats with pretty tails</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">the
B n B dolls house downstairs not haunted</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">a
mysterious small town packed with safety</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">surrounded
with corn and easy jokes and avoidance of difficulty</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">I
belong there on a road trip rough over expectations</span></span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">falling
into real time without warning</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">knee
joints complaining about age and the silence of pain</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">junk
food scenery and increasingly larger crucifixes</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">I
surely belong in Graceland admiring the Jungle Room</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">Memphis
hotel swimming pool shaped like a ukelele or bass guitar</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">Lennon
said before Elvis there was nothing - billboards say so</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">then
riding into Lake Charles and Houston we half melted</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NrkSOgntfOGg3VnfEyEn4-8Vb0NZ9ETwp0O3_woOgsVFiF0UaY3pNkG_5dKc-zksTpaaIeKRh0pxP6EGAqrcfEm7PnaHqJ9_CU-iisdMQyibRRSAb6mJMv5H9qU_c9ZDDiEe7LNm6mkb/s1600/P1010828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NrkSOgntfOGg3VnfEyEn4-8Vb0NZ9ETwp0O3_woOgsVFiF0UaY3pNkG_5dKc-zksTpaaIeKRh0pxP6EGAqrcfEm7PnaHqJ9_CU-iisdMQyibRRSAb6mJMv5H9qU_c9ZDDiEe7LNm6mkb/s1600/P1010828.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">I
belong where my mother's cowboy songs met Louis Armstrong</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">laughter a jam with peanut butter percussion</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">breakfast
or any meal less complete with TV news</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">and
true love appears a little worn out like favourite luggage</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">I
belong in the French quarter singing Janis Joplin late</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">fanning
myself with a pink Japanese gift</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">thinking
how beautiful men are at night and a distance</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">or
so close they almost inhabit you and then windows open</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKToMDzdwJfqKHK-2p6ryusXgREc_QKWAC0slBaebpBA6XetNG5fy8A7Tmr9Pzbxxtjd-L3Bacx2mhaJBnelM7WFxrAKsOBXduxbFXBPWhaC5i8h32zGtNqfxIpkOfyPGJmuBYvlPAXuMT/s1600/P1020184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKToMDzdwJfqKHK-2p6ryusXgREc_QKWAC0slBaebpBA6XetNG5fy8A7Tmr9Pzbxxtjd-L3Bacx2mhaJBnelM7WFxrAKsOBXduxbFXBPWhaC5i8h32zGtNqfxIpkOfyPGJmuBYvlPAXuMT/s1600/P1020184.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcfLKWStTaIvR1Z5IpXF0GaiUlD4_7-VNQVZrX8ssUNwP_X_2Ktrdi1UbiG3Jpz6hrykU03JPXPGXSHR9fcfooY7B5WBtuHR2aUTgQHDD6J3kfDzadUi1a4ZdqkRCYmfCDanvOEv_s6Gv/s1600/P1020361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcfLKWStTaIvR1Z5IpXF0GaiUlD4_7-VNQVZrX8ssUNwP_X_2Ktrdi1UbiG3Jpz6hrykU03JPXPGXSHR9fcfooY7B5WBtuHR2aUTgQHDD6J3kfDzadUi1a4ZdqkRCYmfCDanvOEv_s6Gv/s1600/P1020361.JPG" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Baskerville;">I
really do belong where the waiters treat me so kindly</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">losing
a few kilos in relaxation to hover just above my seat</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">glad
I found that amrka could disappoint and sadden me</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">before
the fantasy turned into a lurid painting on a black van</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDW0EI8nNbfTPXJb2NBDEu9a1l3CwZPh3Md_fqiO_U161wKL4zmeyx4b7lhrltLGTaD0PVht2p392ONcB5mvWw8nHTW827ibyElTA8TMp9M6fSweCuwFqiAQsh9EJZz__VNIwZbq32g82/s1600/P1020368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDW0EI8nNbfTPXJb2NBDEu9a1l3CwZPh3Md_fqiO_U161wKL4zmeyx4b7lhrltLGTaD0PVht2p392ONcB5mvWw8nHTW827ibyElTA8TMp9M6fSweCuwFqiAQsh9EJZz__VNIwZbq32g82/s1600/P1020368.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbr7FFShPmzUZd1AF5d1ON__l4uybujG7FbRXjKpQDOWrgpXw3m7PjYcg1EaCu61kLTF87De90NNUdoU6Jw2j8v6K3ulDzBHlNMkLrWNLtA5Rqw5qYjwUyRscU5H6CcqCsAxyxbK3msDpS/s1600/P1020417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbr7FFShPmzUZd1AF5d1ON__l4uybujG7FbRXjKpQDOWrgpXw3m7PjYcg1EaCu61kLTF87De90NNUdoU6Jw2j8v6K3ulDzBHlNMkLrWNLtA5Rqw5qYjwUyRscU5H6CcqCsAxyxbK3msDpS/s1600/P1020417.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">and
yes I belong making mistakes and learning more history spells</span></span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">gradually
coming to a standstill delighted with blueberries</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">watching
people make original moves unaware of their own beauty</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">every
day and ordinary - they transcend ideals with surprise</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfApqBwsX98tqvbXwoRVSc9FIIFWDRZj5OIcqLM-bY4UCDpifbcWPQC03qV14U2Viv4KVARP1LhJeDmNq34oFSNtrRsimiuRMULj0Vx2u4AMNgJc8uUUa_3dN1jAJG4y4zkaUNL5C26BDS/s1600/P1020421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfApqBwsX98tqvbXwoRVSc9FIIFWDRZj5OIcqLM-bY4UCDpifbcWPQC03qV14U2Viv4KVARP1LhJeDmNq34oFSNtrRsimiuRMULj0Vx2u4AMNgJc8uUUa_3dN1jAJG4y4zkaUNL5C26BDS/s1600/P1020421.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZv8d-HJLj82gQ3fT9G1MeADsAnDvZACpFvq5HhAh8g1_5AUZPRaQFkJiEs0vzoiKrszy4uU2_uCmt-uRe1ZXwcrsX0uch0QbC97lfD33wWpX3CAmdd-gfxWenHOyvJeHevf4L63nd8fB/s1600/P1020425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZv8d-HJLj82gQ3fT9G1MeADsAnDvZACpFvq5HhAh8g1_5AUZPRaQFkJiEs0vzoiKrszy4uU2_uCmt-uRe1ZXwcrsX0uch0QbC97lfD33wWpX3CAmdd-gfxWenHOyvJeHevf4L63nd8fB/s1600/P1020425.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">O
I belong where I am at any time from this moment</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">because
anywhere amrka lets me be myself and engulfs the acting</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0.42cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">brave
because I'm terrified of everywhere but I still go out</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">taking
my place and collecting words for giving</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">And
I belong knowing I'm not ashamed of my feelings</span></span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">nor
thinking someone else's to blame for my infinite world within</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">cosmic
or elastic the lone anybody view</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">a pulse gives away every attempt at statuary</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">we
belong together like any natural gang-creature - say
hedgehogs</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
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</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">a
little worse for wear such as with favourite toys</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">the
world plays with us and flings our precious selves downstairs</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">we're
in a 1930s B movie in tight costumes or monster suits</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">true
- belong where we are at any time and we love each other </span></span></span>
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</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">the
alternative's close to denying beauty even with venetian blinds</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">simply
in the business of art and solitude transforming irritants</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">including
our view of anyone anywhere any time and ourselves</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">*</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigupgGnu5nTkgf8G5RasK_E-3xtId1PhYmygyYJiH8PbFEBErN7N9ZE0-IobXpACzCibjcexWza35bcdgo1Bj9Rp21tucPQj2DDcWscSmA_7aMXtksV-bPwLIekt_P4mvf59RF-f67lK8q/s1600/P1000567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigupgGnu5nTkgf8G5RasK_E-3xtId1PhYmygyYJiH8PbFEBErN7N9ZE0-IobXpACzCibjcexWza35bcdgo1Bj9Rp21tucPQj2DDcWscSmA_7aMXtksV-bPwLIekt_P4mvf59RF-f67lK8q/s1600/P1000567.JPG" height="400" width="317" /></a></div>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">I fly back to New Zealand tomorrow, 23rd July 2014, thank you to everyone who I visited with, and good luck to us all.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">Thanks for reading, and please do check out my latest novel here, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glam-Rock-Boyfriends-imaginary-memoir/dp/0473266644">www.amazon.com/Glam-Rock-Boyfriends-imaginary-memoir/dp/0473266644</a> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMEj0RD1FZfI8UlsiFVPoVQf80iPy85yIuaNxykXYSqqWkilj7tX9dm4CyEcvfYpWqdlBO_-8TdCqzKifHF0jBFRZlNX17mx9mk1WnNBAFZ7sKVv4rNWLvyMU-f-GOHHK60RQEZQwuMAS/s1600/kindle+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMEj0RD1FZfI8UlsiFVPoVQf80iPy85yIuaNxykXYSqqWkilj7tX9dm4CyEcvfYpWqdlBO_-8TdCqzKifHF0jBFRZlNX17mx9mk1WnNBAFZ7sKVv4rNWLvyMU-f-GOHHK60RQEZQwuMAS/s1600/kindle+cover.jpg" height="640" width="451" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">or my home page <a href="http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/alexanderraewyn.html">www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/alexanderraewyn.html</a> and also this latest poetry book from Random House features my work, it's on the best-selling list at present - <a href="http://www.randomhouse.co.nz/books/siobhan-harvey-harry-ricketts-and-james-norcliffe/essential-new-zealand-poems-9781775534594.aspx">www.randomhouse.co.nz/books/siobhan-harvey-harry-ricketts-and-james-norcliffe/essential-new-zealand-poems-9781775534594.aspx</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">Comments welcome. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-26149731029446513822014-07-21T21:30:00.002-07:002014-07-22T06:27:04.387-07:00Holding an Alligator - and the Big Questions <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Picked up by a
limousine bus, the ride took us through the city, over a bridge across the
Mississippi then out through the suburbs, for about forty minutes. Air-con., chatty passengers, the bus driver stopped at a dollar store so we could purchase rain ponchos and snacks.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Droplets of rain water on the bus windows made for some atmospheric effects. We drove over the Mississippi River and way away on a freeway, then into the outer suburbs, and soon, into the swamp. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The busload of us were then in a whole other place, hurtling along a narrow road barely wide enough for two cars. One side rich green land, where people live in houses up on bricks
and some on high piles. The other side watery, consisting of man-made canals and swampland. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many locals make
their living fishing and hunting there, some live from that. The tour business is part of the local economy. A choice of fast air-boat, which is exciting but a wetter experience than the more sedate, barge-like riverboat under cover.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Captivated, we eventually travelled along the canals, surrounded by dense swamp growth and those broad waterways, lush vegetation and wide, rather eerily smooth water. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The canals stretch from the Gulf of Mexico, to Florida. The water is brackish, a mixture of salt and fresh, at times more salty than others. Sometimes there's no salt in it at all. So various kinds of fish are caught there, both fresh and seawater fish.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many creatures live in the swamp and canals. Fish jumped trying to escape the bigger fish, below, who were after them. Many human beings can identify with that dire situation, perhaps. Except in our case, those who think themselves more powerful set themselves higher than others, (possibly warm blooded predators require rarefied air for their illusions to work properly)?</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pUSyHx-6T_dQDN8095IzNAjerjmmSZofDm0CrVIPIeBl4Sun62guFDNcCD7IAJe2shPhNPvQBVGOT7q2Tv2iW5ZI90oPvbgZKWU2mACl1o7DGaIXSSQrT1TjezYFnrThUzQKtZkrIaY7/s1600/P1020516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pUSyHx-6T_dQDN8095IzNAjerjmmSZofDm0CrVIPIeBl4Sun62guFDNcCD7IAJe2shPhNPvQBVGOT7q2Tv2iW5ZI90oPvbgZKWU2mACl1o7DGaIXSSQrT1TjezYFnrThUzQKtZkrIaY7/s1600/P1020516.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">These rocks are set in place to help stop erosion, which is taking away acres of land. We require wide-spread, extraordinary action to slow and halt climate change now, to make a long-term difference. The damage done by Hurricane Katrina was partly due to wetlands being taken away deliberately, for developers to build hotels and so on. That buffer gone, the hurricane wreaked worse damage than it would've otherwise. Governments must act more wisely for our long-term benefit.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">A white Great Egret, member of the crane family, appeared to pose in some shallows, a one and a half metre high, stark pale bird against green trees and grasses. Its long sleek head gaspingly lovely and somewhat rock 'n' roll, the beak yellow, and long (for fishing). Flying to stand on a log, it next took flight across the backdrop of trees when we'd stopped a while. The enormous wings powerful, fanned well open and taking this creature far from us, quickly.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">A Blue Heron also noticed, it stood extremely still in shallow water, (despite our peering at it from the nearby halted boat), as if imitating a reed. Its plumage variegated, camouflaging. Then it too flew off so we saw its beautiful wings open and carry the bird away, along then up, out of sight. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Airboat</span></td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">An Alligator Garfish head, and a large Alligator head - these were passed around. I am a vegetarian, to reduce my carbon footprint, but I grew up with hunting, fishing, and eating meat. So this kind of thing does not bother me too much. They were startling objects to hold, however, quite awe-inspiring, and somewhat repulsive.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Barge, one of two held there by a tugboat, which we later saw pushing them along someplace.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Orangeish dragonflies hovered everywhere, their warm colour obvious against pale Spanish moss cascading from intensely green trees, and alligators swam in fast when they heard the boat. We saw countless reptiles in the water. One was lifted by its tail a moment, too, by our captain; he grabbed a three or so metre long alligator. It thrashed about in the air, trying to get free and easily did so in seconds. Much splashing from the alligator, and many gasps from passengers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The captain called the alligators co-workers. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm still not sure it's a good idea to bother these beasts by picking them up, but fascination with them at the time over-rode such concerns, then. I had not expected such closeness, to be eyeballing an alligator, many of them in fact. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, it's an oil well. The natural gas is being burnt off, and oil is pumped into tanks.</span></td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">They call to collect the oil every few weeks. I cannot begin to describe how helpless this made me feel, out in the swamp, everywhere beauty, then this. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">A local cemetery by the water had graves above ground, white sepulchre, some with elaborate statuary. If the bodies are placed above ground in tombs then it's less likely they will float out in floods. One friend of the Captain's, however, had to bury his grandmother three times. "He always thought she'd come back and haunt him." The Captain's own grandmother is also buried there. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We all sat in sombre fashion regarding the cemetery. Most of this tour was not sobering however, there were various surprises and a great deal of humour.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FJ50Qj4Wglro4MQ61wdYJ2kQCsYKOJRbo1-HGDVOYqgYmvZTCbAXkYioCxDUJ6MOoXOIKqqooPbjmuqvGxRar6AgjxXZKypZp6deTd_XXbc9H-PH8OlufX1VdIeagbo62XvAluBep0O6/s1600/P1020544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FJ50Qj4Wglro4MQ61wdYJ2kQCsYKOJRbo1-HGDVOYqgYmvZTCbAXkYioCxDUJ6MOoXOIKqqooPbjmuqvGxRar6AgjxXZKypZp6deTd_XXbc9H-PH8OlufX1VdIeagbo62XvAluBep0O6/s1600/P1020544.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">First alligator sighted - it looks like a dark stick by that bottom railing</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GBZiRGXR_7BHHzQHDXXbdj8LkO_QHQXK_zy4bMju3JPJw7MgR1xGzdr7tV4NQcqisLWHgoQhLXg7_P2YW344jIRYUjhQZzxBJo7ezad4dLgSsla02WUZGnmXHM6u6Kp2qjV0swwP7N9j/s1600/P1020548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GBZiRGXR_7BHHzQHDXXbdj8LkO_QHQXK_zy4bMju3JPJw7MgR1xGzdr7tV4NQcqisLWHgoQhLXg7_P2YW344jIRYUjhQZzxBJo7ezad4dLgSsla02WUZGnmXHM6u6Kp2qjV0swwP7N9j/s1600/P1020548.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Large alligator swimming towards the boat - there were many of them at this point</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi849Ha2Y1m-TXpAwY_M6L1QGbWy7_teG4MsLeTS92GwM3YL3wBqyMQ_oBS2-1g0Ra83GAaiPDXpIVkXYjM6owmm-gyg0_O2WrnE1R9rqbjaqvQWZRbYcNzKdQoL_rNCQAR6TUtgyslIDHF/s1600/P1020563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi849Ha2Y1m-TXpAwY_M6L1QGbWy7_teG4MsLeTS92GwM3YL3wBqyMQ_oBS2-1g0Ra83GAaiPDXpIVkXYjM6owmm-gyg0_O2WrnE1R9rqbjaqvQWZRbYcNzKdQoL_rNCQAR6TUtgyslIDHF/s1600/P1020563.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Capt., Reggie fed them giant marshmallows - but not too many because lots of tours are taken every day. Their normal food is small fluffy animals like rats, squirrels and so on. Fish and birds at times, but they are often too quick and get away.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRuIQgZn3CTIh7CJOiybr6z4XaNOxC05o4QPoETYD0E4pVfcnoSYsWmI1SfrNL7njvS3UhXsfOgH5Xpv2qMm_2sLQ-dVTQdxNR-F7OBqNlGYfJbf6423DZEl3rvI4ZoNPlKqqRFWVevCn/s1600/P1020565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRuIQgZn3CTIh7CJOiybr6z4XaNOxC05o4QPoETYD0E4pVfcnoSYsWmI1SfrNL7njvS3UhXsfOgH5Xpv2qMm_2sLQ-dVTQdxNR-F7OBqNlGYfJbf6423DZEl3rvI4ZoNPlKqqRFWVevCn/s1600/P1020565.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Open mouth of an alligator there by the captain's shoulder. They can jump half their length out of the water, too, so he was in danger doing this to feed them by hand.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HQ0eJCG-0wx6OaKJS4RhysLIIxhAN2C_rEcuUK51-KWsgU-IDhAjjmdHMsVRYGmx8gRdBm-ZseaKooKMC0Ua96opVBprrHE_pIfxU3GEoe_PplXuBthQe02yD5urWwh9oX2ZZJn-D2Qv/s1600/P1020566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HQ0eJCG-0wx6OaKJS4RhysLIIxhAN2C_rEcuUK51-KWsgU-IDhAjjmdHMsVRYGmx8gRdBm-ZseaKooKMC0Ua96opVBprrHE_pIfxU3GEoe_PplXuBthQe02yD5urWwh9oX2ZZJn-D2Qv/s1600/P1020566.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, here's some tips and descriptions you could find useful when the captain says, "Let me introduce you to a friend of
mine. His name is Elvis."</span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZl9872cnFIz-vZrM3HjJdR6sGUk62LfZsobVdhrExDyXh8JumpE-LgNq3UlZw6eCxSwIENf-Y-GDwEOYyWAKPV82EaNDu4MnNl5F_fG34q8yrEBg5nldrXntPOaTioUba_FY0WJ1RF3hA/s1600/P1020588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZl9872cnFIz-vZrM3HjJdR6sGUk62LfZsobVdhrExDyXh8JumpE-LgNq3UlZw6eCxSwIENf-Y-GDwEOYyWAKPV82EaNDu4MnNl5F_fG34q8yrEBg5nldrXntPOaTioUba_FY0WJ1RF3hA/s1600/P1020588.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unable
to take my eyes off the creature only a half a metre from me, I dimly heard the captain say we
could hold him, and hurriedly put my camera away. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">"You ready, Chef?"
Captain Reggie has a humorous manner, and nicknames appear as easily as
the water flows by us in the many man-made canals that lead to the
swamp. He handed Elvis gently to me.</span></span> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDtF1IxCJcqF72Pzgsl6ieKy4no8SutH_oywt3KtLBr_GcgfEJOYaXlDyx9V5Z-krTLCFuQpmzVw_anIvSRLx7VxC8R6-bNtmRYhwCdrfzOSFm_xgzHdqOp23gDZ7PWptA1iECSffUZBQ/s1600/P1020589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDtF1IxCJcqF72Pzgsl6ieKy4no8SutH_oywt3KtLBr_GcgfEJOYaXlDyx9V5Z-krTLCFuQpmzVw_anIvSRLx7VxC8R6-bNtmRYhwCdrfzOSFm_xgzHdqOp23gDZ7PWptA1iECSffUZBQ/s1600/P1020589.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">First,
carefully take the alligator from the captain of your tour boat, who has
just produced the animal from a cupboard where it's been in an
aquarium. Follow instructions. Hold an alligator just under the chin and under the bottom of its tail.</span></span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The young alligator lay there in my hands, about a third of a metre, maybe a half a
metre long. The skin underneath a dark cream with faint dark lines, on top it is greenish and brownish, textured, and attractive, even smart. </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">An alligator close-up is a beautiful beast.</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The eyes with their slit pupils appear alert, and the alligator seems to smile. He already has a few tiny teeth, we're told.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I took the alligator and held it a while. My blinking in
amazement didn't seem to faze the animal; it looked proud of itself. A
pulse under its chin against my hand. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Everyone
on board except for maybe one or two held the alligator. A French girl
posed with it on her shoulder. Capt. Reggie held Elvis's tail from the
back, and the alligator sat along her arm in front. Photographs were taken in a storm of clicks.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Elvis the alligator gets bigger he will be released back into the water. They are the size of a thumb when born, and not many of them survive to grow as big as Elvis. But alligator farms have increased their numbers, enormously.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">An Alligator Whisperer - there's proof on youtube - Capt., Reggie feeds them gigantic marshmallows - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWFEYNkSFg4">www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWFEYNkSFg4</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">"They like anything pale. Alligators will go for something white and eat it. So when we throw people overboard, we choose the palest. Or we get those people wearing lots of white." His voice dead-pan, but he grinned, quite the showman.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">A wondrous calm and good humour came over me there in the deep swamp, as if our gliding along smoothed away all my distress, anything at all rough, or disturbing, gone. </span></span><br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful green trees slipped by us hung with trailing, grey Spanish moss - something to do with the serenity, but also, I love sitting on a boat. Reminded of my father, younger I often sailed out on his boat, which he built with my grandfather - ours being a cabin cruiser, however, not a long, river tour boat. It calmed me to think of those days. A decent memory being what it is, the best hours surfaced, the most pleasant water journeys. So many times I drove the boat towards home with everyone feeling tired but happy. Dad took the wheel later, as we neared the channel and harbour.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rain pattered down in the Louisiana swamp, (or is it Mississippi when we are over the river)? anyway, a few drops fell now and then. Circular ripples textured the somewhat calm water's surface, but soon the skies cleared to only a few clouds. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reptiles both repulse and attract people, they're a cold-blooded creature and difficult to charm or identify with, but quite beautiful, nevertheless, and a miracle like everything on this planet. To have explored the swamp and seen these alligators in their usual habitat gave me a sense of nature being so much more powerful than anything human beings may do. The humbling aspects of such excursions surely level us, give a sense of perspective, encourage people to be as kind to nature as we may be. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope many people take my example and buy trees for travel, for instance. Purchase trees for places that need them, like Australia, Borneo, and so on. Trees and people are symbiotic. Trees produce oxygen so we may breathe. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Support natural places by creating as little waste as possible too please, and disposing of any you do have, correctly. On these travels I tend to go buy snacks at a fruit and vegetable place, if I can find one, for instance, with my own bag. It'd be a breakthrough if more tours offered wasteless snacks, and some kind of wilderness support donation system. That instead of offering the heads of alligators for sale, for example. Taxidermy an art surely, but the inert trophy heads of beautiful animals are nowhere near as attractive as a creature alive and swimming out there in the green wilderness. I'd love to think some money I spent created an opportunity for the swamps to stay healthy and beautiful, rather than my simply supporting alligator farming, and trophy creation.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"></span><br />
*<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm missing home now and looking forward to the new term at uni., but glad to have visited New Orleans. I've been from West to East, San Francisco, Seattle, Iowa, Chicago and New York, then flying to Los Angeles and home to NZ, the last time, just over two years ago. That was a visit to meet writers I'd only ever known online, for twelve years. This trip in 2014 also to see some of those writers and friends, while paying back to New Orleans which gave me so much music as a youngster. North to South in this amrkn land of extraordinary differences, San Francisco, Seattle, Iowa, Memphis, Lake Charles, Houston, and finally New Orleans. And there are here too many variations to ever see in what's remaining of my lifetime. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">But I wish I'd seen more of my friends when I was here. This trip it seems we've become accustomed to each other, and knowing as we do how we each like our solitude perhaps that's meant we've not connected as closely as last time, some of us. Also, one has moved away, and some were too far to visit in the three short weeks I was allowed, this being a break from uni lecturing. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I must thank all of the people I met up with again, however, and say how good it was to see them once more, probably for the last time unless they pop over to Aotearoa New Zealand, one day.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nothing is ever the same in any case, every day begins anew no matter where we may find ourselves. Ample time to face big questions for myself, I guess. Long distance travel provides many hours of obvious change. A person may often most easily discover more about what's closest, most important, and valuable long-term, in some strange fashion, because we're forced to think about what truly matters in contrast with all the new places, sights, smells, tastes and people, and so on all about us.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow, a city tour, to see the worst of what Katrina did, amongst
other things. The New Orleans cemetery we visit too, I gather, also taking in
New Orleans as a whole, over four hours. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then the next day I fly home, to winter, and lecturing work once more, then also to see my family and friends in Aotearoa New Zealand, on the edge of the world, a collection of islands. Not this vast continent which fascinates me so. This enormous place, amrka, it helps me to put my life into a perspective I may more easily live with, I think, gives me a framework I can work within realistically, or something like that. Many hours spent here thinking over various aspects of existence, in any case, and all the stories and poems I've yet to write are crowding inside me, like a host of visitors ready to be made welcome, and to show themselves, somehow.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading and please do comment. I appreciate your kind attention.</span></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-22981514468255090732014-07-19T21:40:00.002-07:002014-07-20T15:37:04.365-07:00Travellers and Guests, Learners and Tests<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIjNPFOP1jd3hcMXPc-YaBjPCuIZkw5Sktv8TwsAW166TGggpdt4ZG5jO0Q65tfMr6-yEVBJ5BtKgu_Xge36YddZ3iyC7i__St4lfViPzhJlyos2aeK36S9QKt0dlT-XaSwkEhTjT3Ad3/s1600/P1020068.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIjNPFOP1jd3hcMXPc-YaBjPCuIZkw5Sktv8TwsAW166TGggpdt4ZG5jO0Q65tfMr6-yEVBJ5BtKgu_Xge36YddZ3iyC7i__St4lfViPzhJlyos2aeK36S9QKt0dlT-XaSwkEhTjT3Ad3/s1600/P1020068.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A building with palm trees on our way to New Orleans from Houston</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUEbNjMrDXYROAG7VF7i_dfL6p0-_fd1T8MBPaOhj4JuDQrU8k4Le74zb-xLuvsOkc4dt-jnJ3Ez7Z7w1SMVYowe2myHwHrwC8WbL90JmLBwTtuGcfRm5x0ROb1m7fVjbbTOhsWhf5yLX/s1600/P1020073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUEbNjMrDXYROAG7VF7i_dfL6p0-_fd1T8MBPaOhj4JuDQrU8k4Le74zb-xLuvsOkc4dt-jnJ3Ez7Z7w1SMVYowe2myHwHrwC8WbL90JmLBwTtuGcfRm5x0ROb1m7fVjbbTOhsWhf5yLX/s1600/P1020073.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
journey to New Orleans from Houston I believed someone said would be
four hours, but it was then explained as six. That meant with breaks,
well, we'd be travelling quite a while. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Taking
photographs helped me stay focussed on something outside the car, not
my aching knees, not my need to get up and walk around, but also, I
think they show how different the south is, to elsewhere in amrka.
Culture shock took me over completely at this stage, for some time, it
is still with me, unnervingly, but I'm going to go out and see what's
going on anyway.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cE78T1Oo41M3sXKpAsq66dVLHxC80sYmpcqlCvsRBvvjdHiIfYJlfX4asd1E_-YN-FvlhbcCxFKKNegkFgY5CBpK-ifvOVNMilNZQV0Rw7LVcqS0j-ep2rF4PVVasr_TwmVbU-xeSjER/s1600/P1020092.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cE78T1Oo41M3sXKpAsq66dVLHxC80sYmpcqlCvsRBvvjdHiIfYJlfX4asd1E_-YN-FvlhbcCxFKKNegkFgY5CBpK-ifvOVNMilNZQV0Rw7LVcqS0j-ep2rF4PVVasr_TwmVbU-xeSjER/s1600/P1020092.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Much swamp and strange growth, or possibly dying trees, as we neared New Orleans</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Nearer
the city, we saw some moulded concrete sides of motorway, like some of
the designs we have back in New Zealand. The joy this gave me was
ridiculous, but welcome.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSR3WdPfzt8tstZvfmbn6cYi9-IEP8ITcDC17K4vmTv_7LiZCbHns7yfiyKdWnpIKDSSge51Yc5ZUt5nGOwxIvXOIZT_-QTxqN42n3IywX_aCalHVs9FsS201J7CFcbG5TIHYE5mUohkG/s1600/P1020097.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSR3WdPfzt8tstZvfmbn6cYi9-IEP8ITcDC17K4vmTv_7LiZCbHns7yfiyKdWnpIKDSSge51Yc5ZUt5nGOwxIvXOIZT_-QTxqN42n3IywX_aCalHVs9FsS201J7CFcbG5TIHYE5mUohkG/s1600/P1020097.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then at last there we were, in the city of New Orleans, (said locally as <i>Nawlins</i>, even if I'd learnt to say it as <i>New Orl'ns</i>)
and arriving at our hotel. We could stop outside and get valet parking.
Everything costs, but in a city this size, that's ordinary.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisakEOSX70HtuwCGrR6JIhtVgeJEHNngD61r9fief0j0rrTJAFvbBaAQvl50nKPq-gp5dCdcX1S1XsGSwnkEVaYxFSWj8eu2iVFpzIL26IKuFbf8LxqQHp4D4aQ5rfwb6gGXfjt001hpiT/s1600/P1020133.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisakEOSX70HtuwCGrR6JIhtVgeJEHNngD61r9fief0j0rrTJAFvbBaAQvl50nKPq-gp5dCdcX1S1XsGSwnkEVaYxFSWj8eu2iVFpzIL26IKuFbf8LxqQHp4D4aQ5rfwb6gGXfjt001hpiT/s1600/P1020133.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbF-AVKlkS5V8weQA7iMPZWeM9O-js9ECnFT2lZL5H7FVVYTLqkSlIgpF3DpmME3vHcCpJ6RhPgDtZu7pm0E0TwAcUp3wNZGMgUo19mD1MSMvbuf4yoecEIWNUeUHsxdjvzW1RvrHQdo7/s1600/P1020139.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbF-AVKlkS5V8weQA7iMPZWeM9O-js9ECnFT2lZL5H7FVVYTLqkSlIgpF3DpmME3vHcCpJ6RhPgDtZu7pm0E0TwAcUp3wNZGMgUo19mD1MSMvbuf4yoecEIWNUeUHsxdjvzW1RvrHQdo7/s1600/P1020139.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Those strange shapes are not ghosts, they're reflections on the interior glass car window</span>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">So,
at last in the city that gave me the music of my childhood, joyous
times, (along with various rock and roll songs, and popular radio songs
too). The main character<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glam-Rock-Boyfriends-imaginary-memoir/dp/0473266644" target="_blank"> in my new novel</a> also loved music as much as I did. Music's such a great friend, as someone said to me once. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">After
Katrina, when the people in New Orleans were treated so dismally, I was
appalled and decided to go there one day and pay back for all the
goodness the place had given me. Goodness through <a href="http://www.nola.gov/parks-and-parkways/parks-squares/congo-square-louis-armstrong-park/" target="_blank">Louis Armstrong, for instance, who has his own park</a> here.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_New_Orleans" target="_blank"> Jazz<span style="color: #0b5394;">, (earlier spelt</span> Jass) is said to have been born in Nawlins, and funk.</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sqyjkDypz3NWsgmG9KLheqG9yOpOMdYjlgIbhoo6MJVWS6K5oYeGE5n35s7bkcWxhGHImT4JW8lTO_cKM7O7fV-j08aS8QGtwve0vgt88XOx2EEae_aTdKYKVhhC9c7-dTVZw3fjVwX_/s1600/P1020143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sqyjkDypz3NWsgmG9KLheqG9yOpOMdYjlgIbhoo6MJVWS6K5oYeGE5n35s7bkcWxhGHImT4JW8lTO_cKM7O7fV-j08aS8QGtwve0vgt88XOx2EEae_aTdKYKVhhC9c7-dTVZw3fjVwX_/s1600/P1020143.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKymCIMj35p_ipYQeToHwb8Amd7zx0SXPKVENiEsiyYzYPmTU3ztZyBs1HUPW7wcIZzeE_2vfCx9jv-vOZf9fyvLuI9JxPmuqvh7OiJsGkFbVNnLYi5zOw1zSpK7greuWS-DJYj8zIrNu/s1600/P1020144.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKymCIMj35p_ipYQeToHwb8Amd7zx0SXPKVENiEsiyYzYPmTU3ztZyBs1HUPW7wcIZzeE_2vfCx9jv-vOZf9fyvLuI9JxPmuqvh7OiJsGkFbVNnLYi5zOw1zSpK7greuWS-DJYj8zIrNu/s1600/P1020144.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This mule is<span style="color: #0b5394;">, </span>Blanche DuBois, after the Tennessee Williams character in <span style="color: #0b5394;">A</span> Streetcar Named Desire - written in New Orleans.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">After
meeting with my friends in The French Quarter, we traipsed around
enjoying the place, had a mule buggy ride, then went for cocktails and
for me to eat, at a gumbo place. I ordered a Hurricane, which my friend
from Houston assured me was local. The woman at the next table however,
piped up and said the real local cocktail would be a Sazerac and I
needed to go drink that at <a href="http://therooseveltneworleans.com/dining/the-sazerac-bar.html" target="_blank">The Roosevelt</a> Hotel, they invented it there. It didn't take long for me to discover this was a local writer, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Mari+Kornhauser&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb" target="_blank">Mari Kornhauser. </a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
did not say much to each other but Mari did admire my name, and asked
(laughing) if I'd mind if her and her friend named a dog after me,
"We're dog people." So if you ever see a dog in New Orleans called
Raewyn, well, you'll know how the name got there, I suppose. From Celtic
origins, via New Zealand, via my meeting writers on the internet,
visiting them and then one of the amrkn writers, my friend Julie,
deciding to come along with me, including some of her family, to New
Orleans.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Modern life. Ha.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
French Quarter was stunning. There are a great many photos of it on my
farceberk page. Here are a mere few of those, below. The picture of me
with Death is by Dana Williams. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
love to see evidence of French culture. I'm
descended from French people who sailed from France in navy ships,
because Southern Maori wanted to give the South Island to us, not to the
English. We arrived in NZ, in 1840, on the Comte de Paris, a sailing
ship, but were forced to become English citizens. That did not work well
of course, such measures almost never do. I say 'we' because I identify
with those long-gone French people in Akaroa, so closely, Francois
Leleivre and his wife Justine Rose. Their names a secret from me for so
long then rediscovered recently.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> So, New Orleans, a taste of France, and so much more.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JZy16niqeZmQW6HGUaLBBsZEFX7noJPXm-HfUvoJg-YHzxWwtqwe7uy7rhfw9xBsAhqHqUQQIEq1Z0GzT-bu3DN8RVmgBpYU2guc22Qgm9px8rbdz5c5Qy7S5M45Mhnbl369OxZ-YCPq/s1600/P1020194.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JZy16niqeZmQW6HGUaLBBsZEFX7noJPXm-HfUvoJg-YHzxWwtqwe7uy7rhfw9xBsAhqHqUQQIEq1Z0GzT-bu3DN8RVmgBpYU2guc22Qgm9px8rbdz5c5Qy7S5M45Mhnbl369OxZ-YCPq/s1600/P1020194.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YHCkxrMiPhy35VhxREbur2wnMwnQrikNhvDI4yShH2yhLXtTAfWJAKVcEtEkuLvN9Z7BQGOlMuwKtiHd5GpDHY0ZsjJVcX8_x_P3kbM_FM9iwfUi6loYO_d6goatnxxpxbPD0a0iqOzE/s1600/P1020304.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YHCkxrMiPhy35VhxREbur2wnMwnQrikNhvDI4yShH2yhLXtTAfWJAKVcEtEkuLvN9Z7BQGOlMuwKtiHd5GpDHY0ZsjJVcX8_x_P3kbM_FM9iwfUi6loYO_d6goatnxxpxbPD0a0iqOzE/s1600/P1020304.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoouI4zeC41FWzO2BrlgNLCcqUw7VQ92TasahPM3j1Br8dimNwsJKU5PyVD1H_QagMG01exd7xfTkTkz0EmeUz2C7C7HoTwlxvXfJR3_lQ0PlFYDN5Qdy_EypL9PptkWRpavJq6sQBZQ-/s1600/P1020306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoouI4zeC41FWzO2BrlgNLCcqUw7VQ92TasahPM3j1Br8dimNwsJKU5PyVD1H_QagMG01exd7xfTkTkz0EmeUz2C7C7HoTwlxvXfJR3_lQ0PlFYDN5Qdy_EypL9PptkWRpavJq6sQBZQ-/s1600/P1020306.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojpsWCjDe_Nrrt8k_JqlPDdIQLxRo0PgQZYIGrvLVvnariE9NSqPPxa0rQK2_HB3KsKlpmabvT1MJUNULtsJQEBtAR7hEJtvqR_iXg36U-IOsXpoSek2jKWAke-GQs_BfUZZ4tyQrvLmB/s1600/P1020315.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojpsWCjDe_Nrrt8k_JqlPDdIQLxRo0PgQZYIGrvLVvnariE9NSqPPxa0rQK2_HB3KsKlpmabvT1MJUNULtsJQEBtAR7hEJtvqR_iXg36U-IOsXpoSek2jKWAke-GQs_BfUZZ4tyQrvLmB/s1600/P1020315.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGAqEcHjBXWMPlSytsOi4E_qg2j2KsT_Xzruy0YHY9FGqnizatmEEb_ME4AQFyFO-faHr1ZWZwgzyoe8nc7UmWQviIECFaQLSme4t2r1LsnHrNmey_6RvRkfdW0XeNM-JMfwZHLoXbVim/s1600/P1020425.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGAqEcHjBXWMPlSytsOi4E_qg2j2KsT_Xzruy0YHY9FGqnizatmEEb_ME4AQFyFO-faHr1ZWZwgzyoe8nc7UmWQviIECFaQLSme4t2r1LsnHrNmey_6RvRkfdW0XeNM-JMfwZHLoXbVim/s1600/P1020425.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">* </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then today, sharp-edged, I noted a large heart-shaped hole in the dark grey flagstone
sidewalk near here; a half a metre across. Spied this rock-edged heart
on my way to the corner store for a Naked smoothie, (boosted blue
machine flavour, all natural), sliced Granny Smiths with peanut butter,
(gluten free), and dark chocolate, (full of iron). I've been ill. Food is medicine. <a href="http://www.helenheath.com/1-nov-2010/tuesday-poem-cartographers-moll-natasha-dennerstein" target="_blank">Natasha Dennerstein</a> told me this in San Francisco.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some
flagstones missing here and there in a few places from the pavements of
Nawlins. Where do they go? Often about thirty centimetres or more wide,
about ten centimetres deep at least, and heavy. Does someone heft them
off to perform some garden ritual to promote growth and <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=poozling&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb" target="_blank">poozling</a>? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">What
is a gaping dark heart-shape in hard rock paved ground to me, besides
that? A memory of what romance may feel like at times? Stolen feelings,
squared off, abrupt, far to easy to see and take in, something people
avoid for fear they fall in? Grubby? (The hole lined with true Nawlins'
dirt, after all, no matter its fanciful shape). Or is love resolute, and
oddly engineered to stay in shape, no matter what, albeit a surprise,
an obstacle to easy thoroughfare perhaps, but how delightful to be
reminded of love, surely?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3n8ccLtvDzXwOGPTSp_XEjP-ZFCckT4CG0wbh3ce42DR-aQtKjZhbq2Sra7T3k6Ih-NXOMROdeWZmlv3xkWI2hDzgZIhY4GLjTRAS6pNuouG5ykuf2ZN1Ae7y-vxZHTwA1qHy-sYIYox/s1600/P1020166.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3n8ccLtvDzXwOGPTSp_XEjP-ZFCckT4CG0wbh3ce42DR-aQtKjZhbq2Sra7T3k6Ih-NXOMROdeWZmlv3xkWI2hDzgZIhY4GLjTRAS6pNuouG5ykuf2ZN1Ae7y-vxZHTwA1qHy-sYIYox/s1600/P1020166.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">These are flagstones in The French Quarter. Now,
Canal Street's flagstones are smaller, but you see what I'm getting at
surely? Substantial pieces of rock here, where do they disappear to?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Things
to ponder while I navigated busy Canal Street, red streetcars
clanged by. People drawled loud conversations. No one seems to hold back
here. Words float free and wide. Some wore the most fanciful outfits, a
blond toddler in a bright yellow and green plaid shirt, a tall, slim,
dark girl in a brash silver on black top, with a red fringed mini and
tooled black and tan cowboy boots, two older, fuller fashion figured
black women, one in white
pants and a yellow t-shirt, as tight as upholstery, her equally ample
friend in all red, top to toe including her peaked hat. They laughed at
the tour guide salesman putting his hand inside the taxidermy
alligator's mouth,
behind the display stand. A massive black man in front of me, at the
traffic lights, with perfect dreads to the middle of his back tumbled
over his shiny yellow top, above those shimmering purple shorts past his
knees great with
jazzed trainers, lime green yellow and white. Two slim white teenage
girls wore t-shirts and short skirts, one in red, over patterned blue on
white, the other more subdued in a camel skirt with a white t-shirt,
some logo splashed across the front, shiny black and perhaps touches of
pink.... More black people than pale people here, seems that
way to me anyway. It reminds me of Grey Lynn in many ways, (there I am
often out-numbered by Polynesians, after all, but a whole different
culture here even if some echoes rumble and mumble). </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Too many sights to behold and enjoy to explain easily. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">A
crowd of teens sat on the stairs outside that ubiquitous coffee place
that starts with an S. One striding up and down, he proclaimed this and
that, laughing under his red peaked hat. The others called cheek to him. Their dark faces aglow
with good humour, flashing smiles. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">A
couple of pale matrons in flowery cotton frocks, blue on white, and
their white kerchief head-wear suggesting religion, for some reason.
Each picked their way slowly along, mumbling to each other in the sultry heat.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">All rain that flooded the streets the day before finally gone, but the air humid. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Outside
any one of the many hotels edging the French Quarter, as we are,
various bellhops and other staff smoked cigarettes around the corner
from their usual post. Or they looked for taxis, for guests, for
tomorrow, for a sign, for what we may only imagine. Their, usually, dark
skin set off by white or gold trim on black or dark uniforms.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Travellers
notice things that locals may've grown used to, for instance I've also
noticed that here at the St Christopher Hotel in Magazine Street,
service from the front desk is erratic, sometimes downright unhelpful,
although a couple of receptionists have been okay. The valets and bell
boys are the best assistance. One valet went so far as to google
information for me. I needed to call Visa the other day. This
while the stern receptionist behaved like I was trying to get out of
paying. Then later, she used my Visa card that she'd said <i>did not </i>work,
to pay for my 'part two' booking, which had to be done due to their
mistake. By then I'd taken cash out at a bank, to cover it. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">O the fun
we had at the front desk sorting the paperwork. Just what a holiday is
for, uh huh. I dance to relieve stress, make up songs about the
tiresome, shout and squeal in my dreams, the sounds make patterns in the sky, better than fireworks.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also,
room service took me just now a half hour to get through to, on the
phone. Now they've answered the telephone, but left me hanging on for a
good twenty minutes. Sounds of brassy jazz and cheery voices in the
background, some group has sung happy birthday, too. They must be too busy to serve hotel guests. This kind of
experience helps us to learn patience, certainly, and also, where not to
go again and where not to recommend to anyone to go, in future.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Guests,
hospitality, gratitude, decency, kindness, generosity.... I found them
on google, their menu the same as the one in the back of our hotel
folder with information for guests. They provide a feedback form, I used
it. As a guest, invited to try their service and hospitality, I hope
they are grateful for my comments. I trust they have the decency and
kindness to others to stop pretending they offer a service, being
generous enough to pass on that role to someone who can do the job. The
Oceana in Conti Street, it was, they seem to specialise in frustration.
It's not tasty, or satisfying.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have nevertheless much to rejoice about.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today
there were gold hoop earings the circumference of saucers, in a store
so pink and glittery it was like being inside the dreams of the most
fabulous drag queen who ever existed. I walked across a mosaic skull to
wander a store crammed with colour and shine. The retro tinplate
souvenirs a shock, they reproduce Black Mammy and Picaninny cartoons,
grotesquely exaggerating the features of black people. I thought we'd
learnt better? Is it okay if it's old? Can we pretend we're still
ignorant then? Obviously, some people are. In the middle of the stand a
retro sign advertising oranges, fruit and leaves in glowing
old-fashioned toned colour, Honest Louisianna Oranges.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
did not take my camera, feeling weak after two days in bed, more or
less. I wasn't sure I could walk far, carried as little as possible. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">There
are plantation tours too, you may have a wedding there if you wish. These
grand (and they are spectacular) houses, restored, painted glittering white again,
offer fine dining, offer tours of the slave quarters too, which
have been restored. Made like new. Gobsmacked yet?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
far as I'm concerned those places were
concentration camps, places of torture, slavery, rape, exploitation,
cruelty, families were deliberately broken apart, some people were
murdered, like in Dachau. The slaves were all kidnapped and taken there
in ships like hell, where many died. What kind of sadist would have a
wedding there? Someone
told me recently, "O no one thinks of those places like that [as slavery
places] any more." The fact I'd said I think of them that way was
beside the point, I guess because I'm merely a foreign visitor. In
Dachau they destroyed the huts where prisoners were kept, they were
ashamed of what they'd done to Jews, gypsies, homosexuals and others
considered disposable. They showed they were sorry. What does it mean in
this case then, to have restored these places to what they once were,
intact, slave huts and all?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ready
to do the same business again? Or making it acceptable that so many now
work for slave wages? Many homeless work and cannot afford rent. The
big flash house, that's what to admire though. They're more important
than the lives of men, women and children going to waste. Things. We're
slaves ourselves to things.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">It
is more difficult to write a happy story than a sad one, however, and I
prefer a challenge. Please do protest about whatever you wish,
nevertheless, and boycott anywhere you think beyond the pale. That's
positive. We can rid the world of tyranny, by refusing to take part.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, I've
opted for a swamp tour. It would probably be impossible for me to go to
a plantation tour and keep my mouth shut. Being quite alone, foreign, and female, this could
cause immense trouble for myself. I've learnt to choose my battles.
Please, however, someone, anyone, as many as possible, do something you think best about changing those plantations, won't you?<br /><br />Alligators.
Yes, I want to see some, and the swamp, which I have an extreme
fondness for, the majesty, alien qualities, and danger of it, the lovely, terrifying wilderness. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">After
Katrina, (they just say the name, they don't say "Hurricane Katrina"-
it's as if she was a psycho girlfriend), the tour salesman told me,
there were a few alligators still
around so they rounded them up and kept them on a farm. (I have no idea
if this is at all true, he was somewhat amused while telling me all
this). The alligators therefore got used to being around people, and
although they are wild creatures they are quite safe. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We shall wear life
jackets. But if the boat sinks, which it has never done, it will be us
and the 'gators, in the water, having to somehow get along - and we humans will
need to get out, smartly.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I at least know how to swim. Wish me luck.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"> *</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">My
internet friends have all been visited now, this latest time, those few
writers I know here
who I could make it to see. The last of them, a great writer, Julie
Payne Williams, (I hope to see that book in a year, thank you), being
driven back to
Iowa in the car I hired for us, (as I write). Turned out to
be a Dodge SUV eventually, the first car had a transmission issue.
Magnificent for long-range travel, air
conditioned, comfortable and with extra power when needed. We did
appreciate it, even if some of us got road flu - a disease from
disliking travel, we could say. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sitting
still for so long in that massive car I also suffered extraordinary
pain. Arthritis requires a person to keep active, with some rest but not
too long, this lessens the inflammation. But
full of painkillers and in a hotel now, I've mainly forgotten that. I
simply wish I could get room service, perhaps I shall try again,
soon....</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISUu1jA44B_c3mdA3ZCnYSsETVXwJ09rikbNHdtJJ9W0BEUuvfRU_GqSbztAuPxtotIMdhcdimzPI8V8ZyZYevMZNslBj5wHiepMq5yPj2XdL5fXgJpwASikeoD4aTqVoFMOPKtspqIMK/s1600/P1020290.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISUu1jA44B_c3mdA3ZCnYSsETVXwJ09rikbNHdtJJ9W0BEUuvfRU_GqSbztAuPxtotIMdhcdimzPI8V8ZyZYevMZNslBj5wHiepMq5yPj2XdL5fXgJpwASikeoD4aTqVoFMOPKtspqIMK/s1600/P1020290.JPG" height="626" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Friends,
we go together but are often different, like say these cast iron gates
and this brick wall in The French Quarter, both beautiful, functional,
sympatico, but quite unalike.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">And yes, I've
learnt more about my friends this time. We've </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">possible
grown more
familiar to each other. People change and shift in our relationships,
don't we, as we go on together in this mysterious place, life? I suppose
we could say we've also learnt how vulnerable we each are, in fact, to a
degree; and what we may trust to be true about each other, and the
opposite, for now.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">No
longer like the Christmas fairy as I was two years ago, meeting them
all for the first time, in real space and time. It felt so unreal then
that I
behaved as if I was in a dream, the whole time. We were also somewhat
delighted with ourselves, for having engineered those meetings.
Unimaginable before, the reality startling, exciting, inspiring. I've
won prizes with some of the writing from those experiences too, and been
published in amrka and at home, due to that work. Never
before and impossible to replicate, every day afresh, even for the faded
and jaded, and of
course this trip is quite a different experience.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's not as exciting this time, true Julie, (as you did mention), it is however just as informative, just as good to see you too, and therefore just as valuable. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, we're still friends who met on a legend called the internet, but we also know the story we share
has other aspects. Some of the truths appear so real we're not sure we
want to look at them, not too hard. Facts are after all only any good if
they're useful, aren't they? (To paraphrase a Greek philosopher, who
said the truth is only ever any good if it has help in it).</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My fondness for ancient Greeks led me also to this quote - </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">"The time when most of you should withdraw into yourself is </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">when you are forced to be in a crowd.</span></span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">" - Epicurus. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He also said, "You don't develop courage by being happy in your </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">relationships every day. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">diversity."</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm
not sure what he means about 'challenging diversity', is it something
to do with ensuring any diversity is a genuine state of different
cultures, or necessary change, not simply a chaotic circumstance? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">But
truly, learning how to maintain a
strong sense of self, and what one wants and does not want, especially
in a crowd,
(which to some of us, is simply anyone else and us), is a great survival
ability. It's taken me years of therapy to learn - highly recommended. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Boundaries
are what we will say yes or no
to, for instance, we make those decisions constantly. Reminding
ourselves we may say yes or no at any time, to whatever is occurring, is
a fine
way to stave off anxiety, trouble, and helplessness. Also, maintaining
boundaries is a way not to grow too familiar, and contemptuous with
people. I've vowed we must stay friends, all of us, if at all possible.
Time meanwhile slips on along like a river, like air, like
memories....</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Ah yes, time, it keeps on slipping into tomorrow.</span></span> <br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks
Mark, Kathy and Dana for accompanying me around the French Quarter,
afternoon and into the evening. Also thanks to Mark and Kathy for your
kind hospitality and great company in Houston, just so kind.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love, it's still the best thing, ever.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-34996037185448400442014-07-14T11:57:00.004-07:002014-07-19T16:18:09.992-07:00Unexpected<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3ll5HayK3PnL6yJ6I0BXzmn57C1M7DW67xWKhOzDDZOb1jP7JO6-evF3nYUPU4EWiBPem89ythxpbnjggLiOpVOGPrb_QFKaygWDu5j6MHnkKZtjCYt2feQHc-5ZtLamOZcum_BWRdn5/s1600/P1010665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3ll5HayK3PnL6yJ6I0BXzmn57C1M7DW67xWKhOzDDZOb1jP7JO6-evF3nYUPU4EWiBPem89ythxpbnjggLiOpVOGPrb_QFKaygWDu5j6MHnkKZtjCYt2feQHc-5ZtLamOZcum_BWRdn5/s1600/P1010665.JPG" height="334" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Part of our room in Memphis - we were just down the road from Graceland</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Graceland was spectacular, no doubt about that. A glorious display of kitsch, comfort, excess and rock and roll sensibility. Elvis also was given so many awards, I had no idea. The trophy room was the size of a house, itself, with many rooms and hallways, all stacked and packed with gold, platinum and other awards, along with trophies from films, like costumes, posters and bound movie scripts. His grandchildren will benefit from the proceeds, and the place seems to employ hundreds of people. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Popular culture, we could argue that amrka created it. Bobby soxers in Frank Sinatra's heyday are sometimes called the first teenagers. Hysteria generally around music developed from around then too, in the west, reactions to popular sounds heard on the radio, and readily available to all with the money to pay for recordings.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Graceland</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">In many ways amrka is in everything. No, not like God, but sometimes in New Zealand I feel like we're a far flung outpost of amrka. We eat their food, (many fast food chains across our land, and in the supermarket, various amrkn brands of sauce, soup and so on). Aotearoa New Zealanders watch amrkn movies, (their stars in vivid lurid colour popping up on our magazine covers too), and enjoy their TV shows, have done for decades. Amrkn music of course, has shaped the popular music of most of the world, arguably, and some of the fashion. Aspects of their culture appear here and there, like familiar friends or foes in a crowd, in so many places. So in the north of North America, I felt like everything was naturally somewhat foreign and intriguing, but also there were some echoes of familiarity. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Not so much ease of recognition in the South, here. By the time we got to Memphis I felt like we were in another country. The people, the trees, the style of houses, (shotgun shacks, grand imposing Southern money mansions, long low bungalows).... so much appears extremely different to anything in my own country. Also, churches, everywhere, and some of them displaying enormous crucifixes, and I mean gigantic.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Then there was also this enigmatic monolith being put in place for some reason. It's grey concrete bricks, atop a steel girder base.</span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /><br />So then, the trees changed, the architecture looked different, despite the presence of the usual fast food chains, and then there was also a completely different mix of people, it seemed to me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A great many black people live in amrka, as you may realise, surely a hugely important part of the culture there. I expected this, to see people of African descent, and in the north also many other nationalities, too, Italians, Greeks, French, I noticed, along with those of English background, or Irish and so on. With my not having seen many black people, and their often dressing in fascinating and stylish ways, or at the least in ways I'd not ever seen before, I find it difficult not to just stare. Being unsure of how that would be taken, and anyway believing to stare is rude, I battle here now on this amrkn trip with my natural curiosity every day. Then just outside of Jackson, (yes, the city from the Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra song), I realised we truly travelled in a whole other place and it'd been wise to be careful, generally, and in particular ways too.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">We'd been trying to find our way onto the correct highway, and took a turn-off to then reconfigure and go back the way we'd come. But the neighbourhood that we chanced upon offered at first a gas station with huge bars over the doors, and pay only at the cashier, (then you walked back and pumped your own gas). </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Meanwhile various loiterers were outside by the forecourt and watching our every move.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> Most of the people there appeared to be black, who we saw, and not that well-off. (Also, I'm accustomed, <i>by the way, </i>to being one of only a few pale faces in many places populated by Polynesians, due to my daughter doing kapa haka and full immersion te Reo Maori. I also live in the largest Polynesian city in the world. But this was not like that). Dana drove off extra smartly.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMBsA8DrvVpJKtw6KimXkyZUXJVvc0AOawUsrh7XP4SpxPRff45rlBtcNb15M4zy4XaQCtSE5nkOYZ5PkdRwR1TTaCyQCs-b5GLHqMTOiPaUTbFVGKbfyU2vFrnaw0E66Xq3sD4iQ22Ot/s1600/P1010728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMBsA8DrvVpJKtw6KimXkyZUXJVvc0AOawUsrh7XP4SpxPRff45rlBtcNb15M4zy4XaQCtSE5nkOYZ5PkdRwR1TTaCyQCs-b5GLHqMTOiPaUTbFVGKbfyU2vFrnaw0E66Xq3sD4iQ22Ot/s1600/P1010728.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />The next petrol place even further along the road, (past a few derelict or run-down buildings, one or two quite burnt-out), that looked a little more friendly, but also had bars over the doors. It was pay at the pump, except we could not see how to do that, easily. A growing sense of unease over took us.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhL3VMJ0sXy-qxlBp9hewzZDTx2Je6nJivIGg9QP17QYXpTgMDaMNz4yFIRnh9N_6GXs-LG97vZXvRQBfdCG8tmGc96umYTXtJnNI7f52sv5cpiYB9djN9t5n4awXYFjZLdRsIUSp1NA_/s1600/P1010730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhL3VMJ0sXy-qxlBp9hewzZDTx2Je6nJivIGg9QP17QYXpTgMDaMNz4yFIRnh9N_6GXs-LG97vZXvRQBfdCG8tmGc96umYTXtJnNI7f52sv5cpiYB9djN9t5n4awXYFjZLdRsIUSp1NA_/s1600/P1010730.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This burnt-out place was over the road from the first gas station, just off the highway.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> We got out of there. <br /><br />In this wild, run-down neighbourhood, I took photos as we aimed for the highway again. This man raced into one of my shots and stared at me in this manner. He seemed to really want to know what I was doing.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpXUGQiANACNbWNHf54RNrcR2AMAnpUHweW3MPKSUNY7ljakVgu3yU_8DpUwCUF4JihyhfRdTG8iLA9gA1NiuobPOkfcUsO95CisSW_GMy4jjeAGwebij4XgmQWstLL0aGLbzeVAeQzZD/s1600/P1010729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpXUGQiANACNbWNHf54RNrcR2AMAnpUHweW3MPKSUNY7ljakVgu3yU_8DpUwCUF4JihyhfRdTG8iLA9gA1NiuobPOkfcUsO95CisSW_GMy4jjeAGwebij4XgmQWstLL0aGLbzeVAeQzZD/s1600/P1010729.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Such a relief to get back on the highway in our late model, silver, air conditioned SUV, with tinted back windows. I kept thinking it was a good thing no one could see the lovely child in the back seat, and also, another woman, one of three. We could've appeared even more vulnerable. Breathed far easier once we got away.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">You may think I over-reacted, we were being silly, believe me, we were not. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Great that we always fill up with gas at the half-way mark. This practise wastes less fuel due to evaporation, you see. So we could easily afford to look elsewhere to refuel, take some extra time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The receptionist when I'd earlier checked out of the Memphis hotel did not like my accent either it seemed to me. I supposed she thought I was British, and hoity-toity, but who knows? When I called out "Hello, hello," in a friendly manner, waited, then rang the bell on the desk, she appeared behind me. She waved an arm in the air flamboyantly and announced, "Never you mind about that bell. I am everywhere you know, just everywhere. Ev-eeery-where."<br />"O good, everywhere," I echoed, smiling.<br />But no smile in return from her, and she seemed happier to serve people with obvious southern accents.<br />I gathered then that this part of the country could be, in some places, rather difficult, at times.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I must say however the staff at Graceland were superb, and some chatty.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />It's unexpected, this difference, anyway, and I am in culture shock I think. Could be a day or two to adjust. <a href="http://www.internations.org/magazine/what-is-culture-shock-15332" target="_blank">Culture shock </a>symptoms include home-sickness, anxiety, confusion, and an inability to understand what is required to get what's needed wherever a person may be. Gradually someone adjusts, but we've travelled through so many states in a short time, Iowa, Illinois, </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and now Texas. In only four days we've covered a great deal of ground in that car, Dana's driving's great, we're lucky there. The journey itself is ambitious and at times arduous for us sensitive srtists, however, so we may be two days in Texas before moving on to New Orleans.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I'm starting to see why not many people travel outside their usual area here, that often. The range of variation in culture in amrka is vast, immeasurable, and much that happens is unexpected and at times, bewildering.</span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />The bugs in the south are huge, the weather is over-the-top hot, in the 90s F, and humid, o my, with kudzu vines growing out of control over many trees, and the highways cut through thick trees for hours. Kudzu was an import to stop erosion, but it's taking over, some say. You just know critters live in there too, snakes, spiders (who build enormous webs in the trees, fuzziness the size of a large mixing bowl), black bears, deer and who knows what else? Sometimes alligators come up and lie on the roads, too, Julie tells me. You have to stop until you can get around these reptiles. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">"O look, it's an alligator. We'll just pull off the road a bit and hope it wants to move soon," I suppose someone could say. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Hmmm. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The steep camber each side of some roads, leading to ditches, makes it unlikely you could simply swerve off the sealed throughway a bit, and circumnavigate such a beast. For a while after that discussion, I did uneasily watch the side of the roads near any water, hoping no alligator would shuffle out, waggling its tail.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Brad and Sarah we stayed with last night in a wood-lined house, reached after hours of back country roads. Sarah's a niece of Julie's, and she said, in some consternation, that there is a stretch of highway where dogs can run out at the traffic. It is a 75 miles per hour speed limit there, oddly with houses along close to such fast traffic, and these house animals, pets, can race out at cars. But she's, "...never run across a deer."<br /><br />We'd seen hardly any roadkill on all our journey. Only a couple of possums, and a rat. The point where the rat lay also had a sign saying, Guns, Ammo, Bait, and Ice, near a small country store.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The back country roads we took for some time, two lanes only, and two-way traffic. These roads mainly string through forested areas, past a church every twenty miles or so. We zoomed by at least forty churches in two hours, and so on. Mainly Baptist, with some Pentecostal, and one Apostolic. The radio shows therefore played music, often, where all the passion was missing, replaced with whiny blandness. Whoever decided passionless music had some holy place in the world needs a better education, and fresh ears. But we did at last find one station playing old school rock like Hendrix, Led Zepplin and so on, luckily, then a good country and western station too.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">In a country store, with a diner at the back of it, I searched for beer. Rows of shelves, piles of soda, no beer. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">When I asked directly if they had any beer, the girl behind the counter looked stern, "No,<i> ma'am.</i>"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Julie explained, back in the car, some counties are dry, and sell no alcohol at all ever. I'd chosen a strange place to have a drink after not having any for a week or so.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Sarah explained later that their county does not sell alcohol on Sundays. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">On the way to Sarah and Brad's place we passed a group of men. They'd circled their three pick-up trucks on bare dirt near the intersection, and stood drinking beer there and talking. It looked like you make your own fun on those back roads.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Ravens ate road kill nearing our destination at Lake Charles, they flew up when the car approached. We'd also seen grey Spanish moss hanging from flowering trees as we entered Louisiana. Otherwise not a lot of animal life, but sometimes a paddock of horses, or a few goats, dogs, and then too long horned steer.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZoteuIvSyMaI1q9_CWiaGfi9OKHTHA1lmjv0wyBQHcJOmdRH4a2DZXa8rztZRFfBttJXw-5376QPiecvhq5SzYaI7-TFnLrsf0qKUizKmDHI6kg95xFQL2RkYB8Y8b9ihIJhSroubXfw/s1600/P1010666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZoteuIvSyMaI1q9_CWiaGfi9OKHTHA1lmjv0wyBQHcJOmdRH4a2DZXa8rztZRFfBttJXw-5376QPiecvhq5SzYaI7-TFnLrsf0qKUizKmDHI6kg95xFQL2RkYB8Y8b9ihIJhSroubXfw/s1600/P1010666.JPG" height="388" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dirt roads and driveways commonly run off the back roads</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />We're headed for Houston today. The others've stowed things in the car, but I am not packed yet. Obsessed with writing, wish I had more time. Thanks for reading and I hope to write more when we get to New Orleans, in a few days.<br /><br />Please comment if you wish, be great to hear from you.</span></span> <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-86042186095573121522014-07-08T22:45:00.001-07:002014-07-10T08:27:40.978-07:00Road Trip, Elvis, and Old Friends<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Abstraction of Seattle at Night - inspired by my email and actual conversations with Dean Strom</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Contrary, but don't call me Mary, Mary, (nor should you ask how my flowers grow - like the old nursery rhyme - even if I am a fine gardener). Why that, why contrary? Well, I'm starting at the end of that title, because old friends are the reason I'm in amrka at all. This is nothing to do with foliage either, even if I do plant trees for travel. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Electronic social media is what <i>we</i> grew, and flourished within. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We've known each other fourteen years, these particular amrkns and I. Most of those highly individual and sensitive writers visited here in the land of the free, home of the brave, they know me in ways other people cannot, too, nowadays. Writers online give away more than most, when we're writing seriously in discussion or in our work, and may offer insights and attitudes arguably quite different from folk in other professions, too. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Behind the guise of pseudonyms and various persona, we met on a writing site during<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSN_Groups" target="_blank"> msn groups</a> days. Ah yes, and a far superior online community forum msn proved to be, more so than anything since, especially for writing. In those days it was not primarily a marketing tool, but a genuine forum for sharing ideas and conversation. The ad's were secondary, easily ignored, and primitively formed so anyone halfway clever could avoid them. We were probably guinea pig testing sites for what followed, but we played say while the fun went on.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We writethisians wrote up all manner of tales, weather, and whatnot. A group of wts started a small press in New York, and <a href="http://www.pretendgenius.com/" target="_blank">pGp</a> now is distributed world-wide, using editors from amrka and England, a fine illustrator from Brussels, <a href="http://www.stratosfountoulis.com/10.html" target="_blank">Stratos Fountoulis</a>, (who is in fact Greek), and writers of outer-reach excellence from everywhere. <a href="http://www.willesdenherald.com/competition/welcome.php" target="_blank">The Willesden Short Story Competition</a> began, and is doing famously well, out of London town, even if they seem to never be going to have another round of story-telling fracas ever again. James Browning Kepple also recently developed his <a href="http://www.undergroundbooks.org/" target="_blank">Underground Books</a> even further, and Kim Goransson's writing and recording songs - <a href="https://soundcloud.com/welcometotheamericas" target="_blank">My Hot Air Balloon</a>. Many of us have other projects going, as well. I started Magazine, an arts magazine which ran for six years, sold world-wide from Aotearoa New Zealand and we published some of those writethis writers too, amongst many others, and some visual artists. I have a third novel out this year, it's about the 15th books I've had published I think. Kindle and Print-on-demand - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glam-Rock-Boyfriends-imaginary-memoir/dp/0473266644">http://www.amazon.com/Glam-Rock-Boyfriends-imaginary-memoir/dp/0473266644</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glam-Rock-Boyfriends-imaginary-memoir/dp/0473266644" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Glam-Rock-Boyfriends-imaginary-memoir/dp/0473266644</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now that forum has become <a href="http://www.writethis.com/" target="_blank">writethis</a>, a writing zine, and also Writing Duel on farceberk. We keep getting together.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I've visited some of those amrkn writers, as you may know, (I go on and on about it because it's so gosh darned excellent I can). Friends, colleagues, admired fellow artists and writers across the globe only previously known online. But now we've met in person and grown to be closer, or closerest, or at the least to understand each other better, or betterer, or worserer and that's funny, (peculiar and ha ha). </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTgjNONfL1Bsz-u7asd6Q-yijCmDgmXOAZWnoF6_k6uLT8eveSAKVGkvdKpH6_aIkVIExX3nn_1uDIy6hF2W8Hqc3GTXxIhQ5ZfYXET-fuLtlwq8qCxdYXI0yLXDAOTzqwoTJ6h1ynmah/s1600/raewyn+by+sandra+bell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTgjNONfL1Bsz-u7asd6Q-yijCmDgmXOAZWnoF6_k6uLT8eveSAKVGkvdKpH6_aIkVIExX3nn_1uDIy6hF2W8Hqc3GTXxIhQ5ZfYXET-fuLtlwq8qCxdYXI0yLXDAOTzqwoTJ6h1ynmah/s1600/raewyn+by+sandra+bell.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me about to leave En Zed June 2014 - photo by Sandra Bell</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I use the term amrkn, given to me by <a href="http://www.jamesbrowningkepple.com/" target="_blank">James Browning Kepple</a>, to indicate another more personal and truly intimate country within this place they call the U S A. amrka - a place where my friends live, yours may do too, (and en zed is where I live, co-incidentally).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The internet has only been with us human beings around twenty years. Social media affects us in ways we have no idea of yet, but are beginning to understand. Powerful connections formed can appear to be stronger and more important than those in real time, (more attractive, more multi-dimensional, more exciting than 'ordinary' relationships with people we see and converse with every day, or whom we've known for years, even decades). I trusted these apparent strangers enough to visit them, without knowing them ever before in actual real time. And so far, we do mainly get along pretty well, even excellently. Not perfect, this is no ideal relationship for any of us. But the definite closeness shared to varying degrees, and in some idiosyncratic forms, enables each friend to relate in ways which please the individual, to mutual advantage. Ha, that sounds academic, but then I am one now, working as a lecturer. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">These get togethers with my writer friends and I on amrkn soil are an extension of what we already know, and share, in any case.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Seattle (recently left on a plane, then another smaller plane from Denver, then an even smaller one to Moline, where I was driven to Davenport by one of my fine hosts Ed Winborn), well, in Seattle, there was Amy Tucker, praise be to goodness. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We met again, this time in the stunning King Street Railway Station. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">My suitcase went missing, but we were happy to see each other. Thank goodness I wasn't alone. It'd taken me all night and day to get to Seattle, my suitcase was a long way away, or maybe gone forever.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0EumRc8zXxJ1AFQeUNqdFBWU5mu0WKnclp_9fHMSS8B8PQw8IpQFioq-eOf1xK955bjo-JEMvafmvnUKWxtDt3IXqb36iwA_CpSK9KvHNdFkZgqLryUwfiohZ43UN63Yc9fkp-QMrdDw/s1600/18287560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0EumRc8zXxJ1AFQeUNqdFBWU5mu0WKnclp_9fHMSS8B8PQw8IpQFioq-eOf1xK955bjo-JEMvafmvnUKWxtDt3IXqb36iwA_CpSK9KvHNdFkZgqLryUwfiohZ43UN63Yc9fkp-QMrdDw/s1600/18287560.jpg" height="378" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/18287560"><span style="font-size: large;">www.panoramio.com/photo/18287560</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">But no matter about that. Amy and I sorted out a plan, meanwhile I stayed in downtown Seattle and Mauro at Assagio, about to close, recommended we eat at Lola. <a href="http://tomdouglas.com/index.php?page=lola" target="_blank">http://tomdouglas.com/index.php?page=lola</a></span></span><a href="http://tomdouglas.com/index.php?page=lola" target="_blank"> </a><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Warm wood decor and a charming, knowledgeable waitress, we snacked on sublime kebabs, mine vegetarian, Amy's seafood, (pour ouzo on caramelised onions as they sizzle on a hot serving platter). We also shared the best Coconut Cream Pie ever in existence. Fine company, (o how Amy and I did talk), good food and a little excellent wine, with superb service - heaven could exist somewhere and this was a glimpse of proof of such divinity. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lola next morning also offered a fine breakfast. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Afterwards, outside in the calm evening air, we heard someone muttering, and a ramshackle street person told us we had to see where his girlfriend bit him, and <i>then,</i> (warning - triggers for abuse survivors), tried to remove some of his clothing to show us where the bite occurred. I only heard, "...you have to..." and took off after Amy who was already way on her way, away. (Anyone tells me I <i>have</i> <i>to </i>do something not previously discussed, it's a bad sign and I'm invisible, running, vanished). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">To be blunt, the homeless and distressed appear everywhere now, evident in public across amrka, (and in other countries), in larger and larger numbers. Policies of some governments work to marginalise any who do not fit within profitable paradigms. That's only money we're talking about here too, not considering other ways we may profit, such as by having streets safe to walk at night because the mentally ill are cared for, and the poor have shelter.... My own country also being squeezed like a piece of fruit to extract only the juice, and that to benefit merely a select few, while the rest is tossed away, (often thrown hard in the face of those who need decent food and care). An extreme simile there, extremely messy it is too. We need to speak out against travesty, this ruin. We need governments who provide services again, who care for the people <i>they vowed to serve</i>, speak out yourselves, you may trust your own experiences and voice, of course. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many polar opposite contrasts appear in lovely Seattle, in any case. Balanced people there, and disturbed people too. A genuine sense of sophistication as well, elegance, while also this Washington state city appears equally down-to-earth and friendly. In one night we may enjoy exquisite service, food and atmosphere, then be accosted outside the place by a flasher. (Not an isolated incident either, another evening a wild man in orange pants, nearby, leapt around unpredictably and shouted nonsense. He followed us for a time. Teeth flashing white, his strong dark arms flailing). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We did hasten away that first evening as soon as we realised the blond stranger in grey pants and blue shirt was bothering us, by the way. We waited in the lobby of the rather 70's style Hotel Andra, a beautifully decorated place with coloured glass panels in the walls, like pulled toffee, only lime green. A fine, quick haven, away from any shocks of the evening. I later stayed there when my cheaper room nearby proved unsuitable, to say the least. More about that in another blog, (quite awful, I'm still recovering). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other man in orange who bothered us, we could not avoid as easily, but kept watchful, walked briskly and made the railway station, (for my found suitcase at last). Inside that building it felt safe, no loiterers appeared to be tolerated.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">My friend with me found the initial evening so difficult, (understandably), due to that strange blond man behaving that way after such a delightful time, she wasn't sure if she wanted to go out again. But we discussed things and soon had a new plan for another culinary expedition.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amy, her fine son Connor and I one evening visited <a href="http://www.assaggioseattle.com/" target="_blank">Assagio</a>, where Mauro reigns over his restaurant like no other ever has anywhere in my experience. Such warmth, and insight, such attention to detail, (when Amy fanned herself feeling a little hot, Mauro said he'd change the air conditioning. If we looked up wanting the waiter, Mauro immediately signalled to him. Mauro greeted guests like old friends, genuinely, and so on).... and o what superb dishes appeared. Tears appeared in Connor's eyes when his plate arrived, and Amy and I were also extremely moved. I think we sang at one point.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">About to beautifully sully my tiramisu</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Deeply grateful I'm privileged to do these things, now and then, and it's wonderful to share good fortune, also, even with limited funds, of course. The top of the pyramid of happiness is 'giving to others' and believe me, giving what one can afford, when one truly chooses to, does produce happiness as long as other needs of a person are covered, (food, shelter, clothing, the basics, then intellectual pursuits and goal making with some achievement). I recommend giving, generosity for its own sake, for goodness sake, for your complete happiness.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW73PY8JyqoJmNM1aDyHpDKmk6KNYLCPZhJR4bG5s6w1l5lX8siSRZVErPJK7lfsa-jcRgGta44yvzIkd9D-_cEv5Ph49VyMe2ubszjg033VZ5GSOHCxMcD12TRhJrgWgvIM1t9bi-sWqz/s1600/P1000979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW73PY8JyqoJmNM1aDyHpDKmk6KNYLCPZhJR4bG5s6w1l5lX8siSRZVErPJK7lfsa-jcRgGta44yvzIkd9D-_cEv5Ph49VyMe2ubszjg033VZ5GSOHCxMcD12TRhJrgWgvIM1t9bi-sWqz/s1600/P1000979.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Mist' on the left side of the road is simply a retouched reflection removed, not anything else.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We drove out to <a href="http://www.snoqualmienation.com/" target="_blank">Snoqualmie</a> (People of the Moon, I gather their name means), country, passing massive, mainly evergreen trees, rolling hills covered in dense forest, and also visiting the waterfall at one point. Energising, sublime and relentlessly gorgeous.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Interested as I am in all people, it felt disappointing, however, to hear the Snoqualmie people do not own the falls and developments there, nor the expensive reception lodge near the falls. Their reservation, like so many, sites a casino, but did not include forest lands we drove through for the most part, as far as I know. I'm accustomed to Maori gaining back lands unfairly taken from them, I expected more justice along the same lines by now in amrka, as well. This could appear nonsensical to some locals, but I can only go on what I'm accustomed to, and see working well elsewhere. If I am mistaken please let me know.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Accidentally then, out in the verdant countryside, my old internet writer friend and I spied something neither of us expected. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like I said, Seattle holds some unexpected contrasts, and much of Washington state I've noticed is tended in a subtle, careful manner, with understatement, and even a sombre sternness, like with the many pale or vari-coloured stone walls and square-edged architectural details. Humour and some fine amusements do exist, but I would not say there's anything much crass or hokey done deliberately there, that I've seen. (I like crass and hokey, at times, for a laugh, but it's not around that place as a rule, and Amy, who's a local agreed). So, when we spied a driveway lined with dancing enormous red strawberries, then cruised on down to see a bunting bedecked truck and trailer all glitzy and heehaw for the recent fourth of July, neither of us could contain ourselves. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We talked non-stop together, exclaiming, with enormous grins, parked and walked on in. <a href="http://www.remlingerfarms.com/" target="_blank">Remlinger Farms</a>, famous for pies, (with good reason too), and bedecked and hoe-downed for a carnival-hay-ride of a time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhho4pEjrp0upbZ1UTE_V67iV8jf9YPoN81LRfmIkgGa80qycjpCS1pnxvKQ5wMswsIGNY9WRHBLCQ69NDP0HpuOmyjJqql1qvFZvKVSOoOteNOQ1ChwE4SYjwcG7QY1WxlNc3u4ulXFMYo/s1600/P1000997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhho4pEjrp0upbZ1UTE_V67iV8jf9YPoN81LRfmIkgGa80qycjpCS1pnxvKQ5wMswsIGNY9WRHBLCQ69NDP0HpuOmyjJqql1qvFZvKVSOoOteNOQ1ChwE4SYjwcG7QY1WxlNc3u4ulXFMYo/s1600/P1000997.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Delicious pie, wonderful salad, fine service when they did get it together to find the forks, (but I think they'd had a busy day). The restrooms, however, require better cleaning, scary is putting it mildly. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tremendous entertainment nevertheless, and such a surprise. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We drove out just as the ponies were arriving for rides, tossing their manes and tails about, almost laughing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I cannot explain everything we so enjoyed over the week I stayed in Seattle, but I'm so grateful for knowing Amy, and her family. O Lucy the cat, I miss you so, too, Loopy Lulu Wild One of Wonder. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUQY2DcRl10m_S0N302q3LAj02GwJlEWkqVpLUq4RiEUnsucHwGUkpD2IyEzqSC4OtLxfZ2bIX6E4F-sTanwERjHpi1FAChZ6HhWuOe6S2YK9hcNTmHrhlZLxroijbgsCUsbdPjVrqZ3Y/s1600/P1000967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUQY2DcRl10m_S0N302q3LAj02GwJlEWkqVpLUq4RiEUnsucHwGUkpD2IyEzqSC4OtLxfZ2bIX6E4F-sTanwERjHpi1FAChZ6HhWuOe6S2YK9hcNTmHrhlZLxroijbgsCUsbdPjVrqZ3Y/s1600/P1000967.jpg" height="640" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The trip to Georgetown, (once its own precinct), another highlight, and meeting <a href="http://ronaldaeberhard.com/about.shtml" target="_blank">Ronald Aeberhard</a>, local artist and entrepeneur. What a superb, friendly man, such a conversationalist, and a fine host - thanks for the iced tea, Ron. We sure needed it after our long walk, including a stroll past the haunted house of Georgetown, now renovated by a hard-working couple. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The gentrification of Georgetown not enjoyed by everyone some protests were evident, just like the trouble we're having in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/233483516845350/247677568759278/?notif_t=group_activity" target="_blank">Grey Lynn back home with too much development</a>, too fast and disturbing long-time residents in the middle of winter. Housing NZ properties up for grabs, possibly illegally there.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, I luckily can have some rest and recreation, instead of working seven days a week. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0auTyhLr1JKulaWhAYzr0j73MBCXgCcciqUsDuBM2KPsk12IQOetezNQOSLdCFcIalXyG-T1kTsAQM03HNfkSF0bvEA1ay8UI6r0sqlqWkmmdvSsH3UQlYoMA-c4xl6D9W9jl-d8stGY/s1600/P1010045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0auTyhLr1JKulaWhAYzr0j73MBCXgCcciqUsDuBM2KPsk12IQOetezNQOSLdCFcIalXyG-T1kTsAQM03HNfkSF0bvEA1ay8UI6r0sqlqWkmmdvSsH3UQlYoMA-c4xl6D9W9jl-d8stGY/s1600/P1010045.JPG" height="320" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ron and Amy in Georgetown</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IumS2RxT3Kt9TrLaXuxtqP9QGZgMcfhBqiM5jh2DW7x9fBqGZ6aisPdPrkfmlUjoNZsW6xvORKCU7TFTL-gJLkCUweKs-iCcUCjxG6tZcbbe0SJ7Lq7orSwS5zKl6ODGuSB7vAPMdycO/s1600/P1010051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IumS2RxT3Kt9TrLaXuxtqP9QGZgMcfhBqiM5jh2DW7x9fBqGZ6aisPdPrkfmlUjoNZsW6xvORKCU7TFTL-gJLkCUweKs-iCcUCjxG6tZcbbe0SJ7Lq7orSwS5zKl6ODGuSB7vAPMdycO/s1600/P1010051.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Square Knot Diner - excellent biscuits and vegetarian gravy here</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToxG9Wx9yDc6WfKr5o4ikCU3rmfFVZFWsdRAmWDysz5BhdXlBJ7mWpnhoxPE7ZV94IZJNtY7bgs3pr_X5mYVMd9QeBqJHi8AsKFj2_7wGZw1puBlmHyPDMH7NWCX7BVERhMt99uUKYh5Q/s1600/P1010053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToxG9Wx9yDc6WfKr5o4ikCU3rmfFVZFWsdRAmWDysz5BhdXlBJ7mWpnhoxPE7ZV94IZJNtY7bgs3pr_X5mYVMd9QeBqJHi8AsKFj2_7wGZw1puBlmHyPDMH7NWCX7BVERhMt99uUKYh5Q/s1600/P1010053.jpg" height="322" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Traditional Banana Split with real strawberry sauce, preserved pineapple, chocolate sauce....</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1LWVJ_OzQwjGWjSrmSDyjskmMeD2-itDNJ7AARLWS7e4ChkXs2R80lTXl_TgIowXf5ftSYJbMPd9GibHgqD8u0mw4lXfitdKCZuN2JoCaZ5Q_a_gwFTGB4uiO4Ferl6Scb505KBFs6VB/s1600/P1010055.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgYLZzIsfpzoXrOsNySUid31j630UcnZ2J528IRv2L6FfzEALaWHr11I-WvGAPU2b7xDp-EdPx6FbJTNVVgVYoDMxnISoEqeNqzdnL6BrsHoxU_zvUQFsnjXUmO5O9mejyZVLtABrDvkI/s1600/P1010058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgYLZzIsfpzoXrOsNySUid31j630UcnZ2J528IRv2L6FfzEALaWHr11I-WvGAPU2b7xDp-EdPx6FbJTNVVgVYoDMxnISoEqeNqzdnL6BrsHoxU_zvUQFsnjXUmO5O9mejyZVLtABrDvkI/s1600/P1010058.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is the haunted house in any case, where some poor souls did die in sudden ways, some say. I hope those gone do rest in peace. But some viewers mention they can see strange images in this picture I took, just this last week.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFLg0bpsu2zllRECtSjtvYtr4GgdyIMevKELCBQYIggWE0dMiT3KAzZCztSuym_q6iSLmH5iuGi1Dy1UDlU_M7gRcjCWWnf5iI6t8lORylawiQBSQFMY2IB5YTNCE7kM5gpRwGTttmNQc/s1600/house.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFLg0bpsu2zllRECtSjtvYtr4GgdyIMevKELCBQYIggWE0dMiT3KAzZCztSuym_q6iSLmH5iuGi1Dy1UDlU_M7gRcjCWWnf5iI6t8lORylawiQBSQFMY2IB5YTNCE7kM5gpRwGTttmNQc/s1600/house.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Earlier, I had taken this picture of the house from the car. It turned out there were some strange light effects in the shot. Some can see a woman in the shadows looking at us, others also a bear, or a pig. No other photo taken leading up to there has these light effects. Also, the camera went off in my hand without my touching it and took three images, two of the dash, and one of Amy's rosary hanging on her rear view mirror. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">My fey friend Amy, in touch with much otherness, took great delight in telling me that New Orleans (where Julie, Dana, the Babe and I are going any day) has lots of ghosts. But of course, Aotearoa New Zealand where I am from does too. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We shall see what we see there in New Orleans eventually. Am I too blase? Perhaps....</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We're going to Gracelands I know that, Memphis Tennessee, popping into Elvis' place. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also, Houston to see Julie's sister who lives there. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">New Orleans we're planning for, as mentioned, o music, o ghost trees hung with bottles to catch errant spirits, o trees hung with Spanish moss, o roller skating women in red, or orange, or lacy things, gliding down alleys, others slinking with cats, and men in snazzy suits strolling boulevardes, or lounging in cafes, then there's the food.... Wait and see what happens, good idea?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now here in pretty Davenport, Iowa, my fine friends Julie Payne Williams and Dana Williams have kindly offered to show me around. I'll post some pix of the flooded Mississippi soon, what a startling sight. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then we're going on a road trip, what could be more amrkn than that? Tomorrow we're planning more. The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8GTHXTEvIc" target="_blank">Magoo</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8GTHXTEvIc" target="_blank">s' Road Trip</a> shall commence on Friday. Imagine us muttering and bumping into things, careening about over the road, all the way oopsie everywhere, but lovable, of course.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you like my blog, you could also enjoy my other work, the books are mentioned here on my NZ Book Council website.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/alexanderraewyn.html">http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/alexanderraewyn.html</a></span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Feel free to comment, and thanks for reading. Lovely to know you are there, yes even those who are annoying, or lurking, or trolls - you know who you are. Boo. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Time will tell.</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7iAA6WSnkChG0Ra1PjUYuPItM4VgsmSLm4_d8M8MLSNHbWxY7MJk8-6feA8QnZH60y0Hv-TxZw85wKZPfN2-8CnErpPq5yuX_P9PXQ97yXfjP9Qng1kpvxhUpxPhtm2tZ-fqhdSOgwyB/s1600/P1000949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7iAA6WSnkChG0Ra1PjUYuPItM4VgsmSLm4_d8M8MLSNHbWxY7MJk8-6feA8QnZH60y0Hv-TxZw85wKZPfN2-8CnErpPq5yuX_P9PXQ97yXfjP9Qng1kpvxhUpxPhtm2tZ-fqhdSOgwyB/s1600/P1000949.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amy Tucker in Seattle makes the most beautiful things - this is a banner for New Year's Eve</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.assaggioseattle.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></a></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.assaggioseattle.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></a></span></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.assaggioseattle.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></a></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-65609318779517365672014-07-05T13:37:00.001-07:002014-07-07T05:51:22.596-07:00Train train train from SF to SEA<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljz7FiJDTW_-nPcnj-gTyYifqib9zezyVykaiEuKmRepqGsmx8DpwePeVPV9CGP1a9ILkIuOQQDgjj99SktA-jvPxdaBTl33fNG9BF0C2WKjCsn0Vjf5FzjHAzHY-4j8Xh4I43MJPgV3D/s1600/P1000629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljz7FiJDTW_-nPcnj-gTyYifqib9zezyVykaiEuKmRepqGsmx8DpwePeVPV9CGP1a9ILkIuOQQDgjj99SktA-jvPxdaBTl33fNG9BF0C2WKjCsn0Vjf5FzjHAzHY-4j8Xh4I43MJPgV3D/s1600/P1000629.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good Luck tokens left at my fine <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.nz/users/show/10220182?euid=cc8d5d08-2e90-5359-0d1f-976bc0bed450" target="_blank">AirBnB in San Francisco</a>, (Hi Kenix). Yes, that is Spock giving someone a <a href="http://www.startrek.com/database_article/mind-meld-vulcan" target="_blank">Vulcan mind meld.</a></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggi-_2o_9-gSRgrXtotF-O2v0rcG6ZvGgwEz2-GIh3Z_-XSagngrVRMAsxWpXJfW2jIPSqMEJ8kyQ_3kJaQ-eU3xghkF3OPB0T8Gx0ezRIVelMlotFETGE6NcNrM23-ao5qtutQpD1nv_t/s1600/P1000630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggi-_2o_9-gSRgrXtotF-O2v0rcG6ZvGgwEz2-GIh3Z_-XSagngrVRMAsxWpXJfW2jIPSqMEJ8kyQ_3kJaQ-eU3xghkF3OPB0T8Gx0ezRIVelMlotFETGE6NcNrM23-ao5qtutQpD1nv_t/s1600/P1000630.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.lyft.com/" target="_blank">The Lyft car</a> we called has a pink moustache on the front of the car or dashboard, so you know they are bone fide. It's an app you download for your phone, and half the price of a taxi. So lucky that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gruCPcXSKM4" target="_blank">Natasha Dennerstein</a> showed me around and knew such budget wonders as this existed.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChRh0iRrDIVvzBAeQuhGJNhkUIZaUxEcZSVJ8KmQ-udwBjD_ltAvulBF_jx4FY4K-Ty9NxYL3Csz6Gn04GbiTbqoiXz06p7ME41YAX_CrgLPTkdVlXngCV8mEpKWMLD0mKBMatEadxY2R/s1600/P1000631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChRh0iRrDIVvzBAeQuhGJNhkUIZaUxEcZSVJ8KmQ-udwBjD_ltAvulBF_jx4FY4K-Ty9NxYL3Csz6Gn04GbiTbqoiXz06p7ME41YAX_CrgLPTkdVlXngCV8mEpKWMLD0mKBMatEadxY2R/s1600/P1000631.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">In Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum looms ahead like a blocky castle, (and so it is, a citadel protecting reigning art so we may visit it, and wonder at the royal experience - to labour a metaphor somewhat, ha).</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">With poet Natasha Dennerstein at the de Young in SF. This fernery inside the museum reminded me of En Zed somewhat, nice. An inner courtyard encased with glass, on one side, held an established garden with what appeared to be the ground-cover Baby's Tears soft and fresh green all over naturalistic earth heaped and sloping. Above that, tree ferns otherwise, (our <a href="http://www.visitzealandia.com/species-member/ponga/" target="_blank">Ponga</a> or Silver Fern being the same kind of plant). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Also, when I arrived in the city, I noted a large<a href="http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/pohutukawa-flowers" target="_blank"> pohutukawa</a> in a San Franscisco street. Red, distinctive flowers above a Spanish-style house along from my AirBnB.<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/travel/14hours.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank"> The Mission</a> where I stayed, (and where my newly made poet friend Natasha Dennerstein lives), fascinated me. Feeling quite at home there, I explored the local shops from my AirBnB in Harrington Street, and mainly Mexican people seemed to live and shop in that particular part. There are more trees in the inner Mission area, but I liked where I stayed too.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">My two favourites in the <a href="https://deyoung.famsf.org/deyoung/exhibitions/modernism-national-gallery-art-robert-jane-meyerhoff-collection" target="_blank">de Young Modernist exhibition</a>, (however, every piece in that show is excellent). So excited to view a Cornell in fact, the true art of course much more detailed than any book illustration. Inspired now to make my travel journal, created along the way, (with forget-me-nots and amrkn postage stamps on the cover, a guardian shark, and maps), even more detailed and magical. I hope to have an exhibition of my hand-made books soon, perhaps it will include this journal. The show will also incorporate an immense calico book with poetry-embroidered slightly distressed doilies and runners, my collage-covered first travel record book made during <a href="http://poeticjourneytoamerica.blogspot.com/2014/03/festival-of-uncertainty.html" target="_blank">The Festival of Uncertainty</a>, an immense book called Fuel through Hell made to commemorate my mother's death, and other smaller hand-made books. Anyone who can suggest a Aotearoa New Zealand gallery which they believe could be sympathetic to this kind of show, please let me know. Some of the smaller books, including one exhibited in the UK, feature on my <a href="http://waywincraft.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Waywin blog</a>.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Amtrak bus from SF to Emeryville</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">My lovely sleeper - took a night and day trip by rail to Seattle from </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">San Francisco</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> - fellow loners, thinkers, and writers do find a way to afford this, I say.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">By morning we were out of the city</span></span>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOnmOSk9jLle5YBGHS85D7TSXyew58TYVfi1BGgDETSZSRqqo92zRTEe2yZsyFpb4eK-uTPqOzHNa5JKkUJ87YbTw0eth6qbkFmV5c-BUPeKq8NCexO0ZrMc5aDubof5EwPtXHYm2Ta_p/s1600/P1000687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOnmOSk9jLle5YBGHS85D7TSXyew58TYVfi1BGgDETSZSRqqo92zRTEe2yZsyFpb4eK-uTPqOzHNa5JKkUJ87YbTw0eth6qbkFmV5c-BUPeKq8NCexO0ZrMc5aDubof5EwPtXHYm2Ta_p/s1600/P1000687.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Much of the Californian landscape looked dry. I prayed there'd be no forest fires.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfDgIe94b6JFhtiTd1EVVtf1cmNHnZmhL7twVHdoqXSv8YQVxAYSLDtdIIEFqvoNotEBym9yWjZXPwT3UjbUZW19g8ddhK3-zSeNtnZtNLyVWFbdbN-OGxrWna6UmVIt1ADqlbvK4IZwL/s1600/P1000688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfDgIe94b6JFhtiTd1EVVtf1cmNHnZmhL7twVHdoqXSv8YQVxAYSLDtdIIEFqvoNotEBym9yWjZXPwT3UjbUZW19g8ddhK3-zSeNtnZtNLyVWFbdbN-OGxrWna6UmVIt1ADqlbvK4IZwL/s1600/P1000688.JPG" height="257" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A yellow rose carried with me has quite a story. </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">In San Francisco Amtrak Bus
Terminal appeared a woman who would not stop talking, quite loudly, to
everybody in the rather small space. But she fascinated me, and
appeared kind, sounded cheery too, announcing her stories to the whole
room - although ostensibly chatting to the two men behind the counter.
"Well, my husband was an alcoholic, so he went out and I stayed at home
with the dogs," she said, (for instance). " We spent a lot on overseas
trips for the children. But anyway, he died and the children are grown.
So now I've given away everything I own, and I'm a vagabond," the woman
said. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I listened and tried not to draw attention to myself, because a woman travelling alone, I believe, needs to be careful. This recent acquaintence, if I can say that, however, had no such belief, it seemed to me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">"I'm travelling to see what I missed out on, now I'm retired." She
presented with such a friendly manner, and happily affected almost
everyone, making us listeners a little more relaxed to one degree or
another over time. Although one elderly man did leave, (after she spoke at length to him), saying he felt too tired to make the journey this week. (The bus station staff seemed to know him well, and called this passenger by name, which was Fred if I recall).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Well, in one of the travelling woman's rather worn bags she carried some
roses, lush only-just-opened yellow blooms. One bright rose got knocked out, bumped against a seat, as this woman got off
the bus at Emeryville, to connect with the train to Seattle. So I
quickly said, "O one of your roses has fallen, see?" </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">And to cut a long
story short she gave me the rose, which is still with me and gradually
drying out to become quite a memento - even if I cannot take it back into New Zealand, we do not allow any fruit or vegetable or plant material in without special permits and so on. The colour as intense and rich as California sunshine. It's like the
retro yellow rose embedded in resin I bought at Goodwill in Seattle last
time. A friendship token, and reminder of this excellent
story-teller noted first at the SF Amtrak Bus Station. "Well, the roses were given to me," the woman said, "and
so you may as well have that one." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A good luck
charm. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">She'd said she was off to stay with her Indian friends, on their
reservation, and she'd given up quack doctors. The Indians use herbs and
flowers for medicine, and she uses those now. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">At one stage this
extrovert mentioned (again, to everyone at large in the approximately fifteen by twenty metre room), she was born in what turned
out to be the same year as me, and I have to say this stranger appeared
more healthy than I am, if rather weather-worn, (I guess from all the
travelling). Perhaps her new health regime was effective? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">"O I have relatives all over this country," she'd announced
solemnly. It appeared they were all in for a visit some time soon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Anyway, there it is, another amrkn fairy tale, The Yellow Rose and the Travelling Woman. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I live in my own unbelievable amrkn journey story too for now, (how lucky to be allowed such a privilege to travel this way). Praise be to all that is good and careful.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBLCvzNBcoJjjwSETbJ7_pqzF0wd9RRpzc72oV11llDJOJx2lgyQAR96ZbnMzUWXWF-m4DvvUrqgfVteawY96C41cTRk727hXabAnoWLfYmjdY099f9eIwBWrua4t7XVzMSBfEKatGk94/s1600/P1000691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBLCvzNBcoJjjwSETbJ7_pqzF0wd9RRpzc72oV11llDJOJx2lgyQAR96ZbnMzUWXWF-m4DvvUrqgfVteawY96C41cTRk727hXabAnoWLfYmjdY099f9eIwBWrua4t7XVzMSBfEKatGk94/s1600/P1000691.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A view out the train window, with reflection and curtains each side, it reminds me a little of the <a href="http://www.markrothko.org/" target="_blank">Rothko</a> I saw in the de Young gallery in San Francisco with Natasha.</span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlV10KpSrwQiDQyN2Ve6xEyR6c527gik0EQcMB8pL6Gvh1oos9et86KC97Fdw-IH-XEyz3a3PaJ8BDVgEl4H8kMpna71f_FJUQtBhznCY5raxgV99379ykm29Ob2nm3dyazeUhfLPRG8o/s1600/P1000690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlV10KpSrwQiDQyN2Ve6xEyR6c527gik0EQcMB8pL6Gvh1oos9et86KC97Fdw-IH-XEyz3a3PaJ8BDVgEl4H8kMpna71f_FJUQtBhznCY5raxgV99379ykm29Ob2nm3dyazeUhfLPRG8o/s1600/P1000690.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTEW3OKAK_b4sBisfXjGjjeaN4fQXWSnXJoeywgm3Y5o2bfyciuRBPabhrhcu3RfQMBk8XmIz_22uSK2_gvNAzNdYPevuygOzib4Mz-1ImDDDKAVzaDMEsgcearA7NIIe_YQuHg1Fr3UD/s1600/P1000692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTEW3OKAK_b4sBisfXjGjjeaN4fQXWSnXJoeywgm3Y5o2bfyciuRBPabhrhcu3RfQMBk8XmIz_22uSK2_gvNAzNdYPevuygOzib4Mz-1ImDDDKAVzaDMEsgcearA7NIIe_YQuHg1Fr3UD/s1600/P1000692.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iMvUc_XQcczxphJoEAuzwrunLg_cI9vPpynBkKTPhY9Blq7FU-AoczuDQEQnAb_A43qCQK1oC9eH6NZ1pLGdui7OkB4bamajbKROH3zsx_TvB9xLJEskqLbrEfM2PJh0OI_EMTcRGFpv/s1600/P1000694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iMvUc_XQcczxphJoEAuzwrunLg_cI9vPpynBkKTPhY9Blq7FU-AoczuDQEQnAb_A43qCQK1oC9eH6NZ1pLGdui7OkB4bamajbKROH3zsx_TvB9xLJEskqLbrEfM2PJh0OI_EMTcRGFpv/s1600/P1000694.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shocking to see so many burnt trees, but the picture above does not show their blackness, totally charred. I imagine this is the aftermath of a forest fire some time ago.</span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBIsCigBhQ2hRoko-ijOHKBeKIuLJeL45B51Gn4Zdqx5eW2WyrJ5PLkPlNbrYtnHOjvrI_TY4lbsvwXAy0kQPkfb2RitY7W2L-MLEEyNGKOnYB8azmXnW383F0v9bHUoNs_2xlLYnYQG3/s1600/P1000700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBIsCigBhQ2hRoko-ijOHKBeKIuLJeL45B51Gn4Zdqx5eW2WyrJ5PLkPlNbrYtnHOjvrI_TY4lbsvwXAy0kQPkfb2RitY7W2L-MLEEyNGKOnYB8azmXnW383F0v9bHUoNs_2xlLYnYQG3/s1600/P1000700.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5Kb2v-IJukPp3LuSWsCEVK-A-ITI93zx9xDEGqE9TKV_TOZS3Ga5UDtyhZlunn-Ocj2PzIRLByEVWsHQMVBUCedQGMYphYjNOPjv2nvcBya0k7UiS48O7U_k-EslWtUhbHDTYxUQ1CT2/s1600/P1000702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5Kb2v-IJukPp3LuSWsCEVK-A-ITI93zx9xDEGqE9TKV_TOZS3Ga5UDtyhZlunn-Ocj2PzIRLByEVWsHQMVBUCedQGMYphYjNOPjv2nvcBya0k7UiS48O7U_k-EslWtUhbHDTYxUQ1CT2/s1600/P1000702.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1-ZUhZXj9YUopGxU5PIX4vy2BJ32yfiEypWe_Bq5i3KLDgepxz8nwkfvzpej-fyf5NaPV_YP2qbqRwZOBPG6OYGEJ-mQWm7dLgUlYUUcjfG87vTtxqnMdVwst6KfITKokTkCXKCSN5Gh/s1600/P1000707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1-ZUhZXj9YUopGxU5PIX4vy2BJ32yfiEypWe_Bq5i3KLDgepxz8nwkfvzpej-fyf5NaPV_YP2qbqRwZOBPG6OYGEJ-mQWm7dLgUlYUUcjfG87vTtxqnMdVwst6KfITKokTkCXKCSN5Gh/s1600/P1000707.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrB3FdgSk6chnoLRGXZWUvBB5U36gdL8SgJia7odUv86GFwvC9yCD8J7cm-yUYXTgFuk-VIKJkHP6bDg5FxufpxMwmf0-_BZ8SxEdyT31hhPe6v5pB6baTkkqAK0KpMoTT1S3hRKpxnOx/s1600/P1000711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrB3FdgSk6chnoLRGXZWUvBB5U36gdL8SgJia7odUv86GFwvC9yCD8J7cm-yUYXTgFuk-VIKJkHP6bDg5FxufpxMwmf0-_BZ8SxEdyT31hhPe6v5pB6baTkkqAK0KpMoTT1S3hRKpxnOx/s1600/P1000711.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">OR stands for Oregon, the state north from California.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKt5xwyGT2se7m__F5J-AxD_64EZogPHh7hsopAx9EeahSYb0DVEUvrg6AbQB0-rPpp5X4CPPir2jZnLdSXEjMs6Gd-Rs29W5q5SmXl8p_aKinOgsH-ZzctO_xhnaNAnw8HVNzlfCv-Hla/s1600/P1000712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKt5xwyGT2se7m__F5J-AxD_64EZogPHh7hsopAx9EeahSYb0DVEUvrg6AbQB0-rPpp5X4CPPir2jZnLdSXEjMs6Gd-Rs29W5q5SmXl8p_aKinOgsH-ZzctO_xhnaNAnw8HVNzlfCv-Hla/s1600/P1000712.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I spent some time admiring the design of the cabin, if that's the correct term, perhaps it is a train car, a sleeper car. Always such a pleasure to be inside a well kept train. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Of course, trains also emit less carbon per person than what a plane or a car does, (they just take longer). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Take a chance to relax. Leave your bed up all day, if you like, so you can recline and doze as I did, into dreamland off and on, the train rocking you to sleep. Divine.</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption"></td><td class="tr-caption"></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphho_hpl3r3lSNL7KmYPu7EEXosoqvUxdGnPBSruvvW83wGP7RKzOjS1WlYJuaqUOw5nS2zWDC5laXCED8Tx7lWFHadzghq_m6rmg5h0ZuIzs7yxdPjo2AKCk1FA9n7jLuk19PWawjpyF/s1600/P1000714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphho_hpl3r3lSNL7KmYPu7EEXosoqvUxdGnPBSruvvW83wGP7RKzOjS1WlYJuaqUOw5nS2zWDC5laXCED8Tx7lWFHadzghq_m6rmg5h0ZuIzs7yxdPjo2AKCk1FA9n7jLuk19PWawjpyF/s1600/P1000714.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">We stopped for a while at a particular station. Many passengers got off the train and were encouraged to chat. A charming small town station, an enormous train, (truly), on a fine sunny summer day, and a holiday state of mind. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The attendants and conductor, and other hosts such as the man in the Parlour Car all with chatty commentaries over the speaker system in every car, (or in the attendant's case, in real time), quite amusing.</span></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Thanks to Joe the cabin attendant for this photo.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v9Wa_PykHMfwtb-xGu2nCYTO11AvIMaFKkgZFElvpuhspJpuNMUMQ8b71NxJ1tBRrO34iOd-mOH4rHqUsDzFPrJ-XPrRmTlaUadobVr0O7RyRncFFJPPxNpywbBteZEO_mysRdkYi-Vm/s1600/P1000715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v9Wa_PykHMfwtb-xGu2nCYTO11AvIMaFKkgZFElvpuhspJpuNMUMQ8b71NxJ1tBRrO34iOd-mOH4rHqUsDzFPrJ-XPrRmTlaUadobVr0O7RyRncFFJPPxNpywbBteZEO_mysRdkYi-Vm/s1600/P1000715.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Only about a third to half of the train size we started with, ha.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">More photos than those featured here were taken
over the twelve hours, but I selected enough to give a sense of the
variety, and the beauty, passengers could experience. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Shots from a train
may have a kind of 'rushing by' aspect at times too. I did not attempt to make them seem like images taken at a standstill.</span></span></div>
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CW50l9azVIiQ72JGje3fdTEELO-6oulksrvvDm67a75bH3Ie8j5vS8Kak4hUBEl5i2rxqMvWbfOf_72ShrEVpV7bq_kSwod60K5-CVBMs_J5PlR4AjsspkgvG3zINwcQYoNoVklD2e0d/s1600/P1000745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CW50l9azVIiQ72JGje3fdTEELO-6oulksrvvDm67a75bH3Ie8j5vS8Kak4hUBEl5i2rxqMvWbfOf_72ShrEVpV7bq_kSwod60K5-CVBMs_J5PlR4AjsspkgvG3zINwcQYoNoVklD2e0d/s1600/P1000745.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The reason this is so small, is....</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">...yes, it's Salem. Eeep, ghosts of the witch trials, (although the historical and horrible witch trials were at another Salem, in Massachusetts as Amy Tucker, in Seattle informed me). </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I held my breath a moment and then gave thanks they do not have those witch trials and attendant tortures any more, (or have they just changed the venues and processes? Hmmm)?</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Delighted to
capture some beehives in the shot above this one. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Keep bees if possible,
or allow a beekeeper to keep them on your property. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">We need to take
special care of honey bees nowadays, they need us and our lives depend
on them.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90g9DrT6G7-Ay_VsvtHOBJ35PmhQgyApGBKm1gCXU9erVF11iL8ABqXFixdyHVgHu8wWkkJKP7qb4sfzuMBzM9ZM0lxJLA_WHp0J6JaAcJ5TdzRIM5n_xrMnmwI5lzaJSUdUPz2cSQkdD/s1600/P1000787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90g9DrT6G7-Ay_VsvtHOBJ35PmhQgyApGBKm1gCXU9erVF11iL8ABqXFixdyHVgHu8wWkkJKP7qb4sfzuMBzM9ZM0lxJLA_WHp0J6JaAcJ5TdzRIM5n_xrMnmwI5lzaJSUdUPz2cSQkdD/s1600/P1000787.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A brief case of claustrophobia perhaps caused me to photograph this - ha.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">O my goodness what a long train journey, and there's more. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">(I added these a few hours after I posted the images above).</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">sunlight on the blanket of my sleeper</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">a most excellent door latch</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">So delighted when I saw this mountain, fumbled with my camera, racing to take the picture. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I wondered if it was Mt Rainier, (once Mount Tahoma), but, of course, this is another magnificence. Seattle's largest mountain is more rounded than this at the top, or is it Rainier, at a distance? </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Regarding
mountains, such a joy, (they've represented something like freedom to me since I was a child). In those far off days I at times carried a framed picture of the Swiss
Alps around the house, or kept it to gaze upon, saying, "There is more than this,"
over and over. Thankfully, the immense river plain I lived on and its
attendant small town repression was not the entire world, after all.
Such fanciful, day dreaming activities stopped me falling into despair.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">In the United States, now, for some reason I feel happier than I ever have, anywhere. The place itself, continental, expansive, with a constitution that mentions happiness as a human right, and a variety of cultures and terrain, far too much to ever take in completely, but all somehow strangely linked. My perception of a strange coherence here and open-mindedness, it comforts me. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">To live there in the States, however, would be impossible, I think, but maybe I'll find a way? That's what keeps me going these days, looking for a plan which could work out well, to live in amrka. I imagine I could get short-term contracts at least to lecture here perhaps, as an education consultant or some such, or grants to work as a writer. The Iowa Residency, sadly, seems to have turned into a closed shop with writers only allowed to go there if they're recommended by someone else already involved in the programme. No idea why as yet, could be a sign of our En Zed culture becoming even more narrow, but I do hope not.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Just before reaching Seattle my camera battery ran out. The last shot of my 12 hour or so train journey, San Francisco to Seattle is this rising sun.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">It was some time before I discovered my luggage was missing. (Yes). The next blog shall explain that saga. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Ha. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">O travelling, we never know what may occur. I must say that keeping a change of clothing in one's carry-on luggage, along with all medicines, too, is wiser than I ever believed, previously.</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption"></td><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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Thanks for reading and please do comment, lovely to hear from you.</span></span><br />
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</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-37957169973577431172014-07-01T12:17:00.000-07:002014-07-01T12:19:39.274-07:00Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Before getting here it was something else, and now it's something. O my goodness, yes, it certainly is, uh huh. (Say that last part like Elvis).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The bird has landed, and what kind would that be? Someone here said it was an eagle had landed. Ha. Two did swoon me while they played tag in the sky above my AirBnB garden at Kenrix's place in Harrington Street, Outer Mission, (lovely hospitality, fine people), however I'm a rare bird in my opinion. Of no fixed definition necessarily. There must be a bird that adapts to different places somewhere in mythology? I like to think I'm one of those, part of the time. A Raewynia Bird, there it is. Thanks to Vettolania, a friend in Aotearoa New Zealand giving me that nickname, (Yvette Parsons, playwright, actor, director, producer, wow, what a way with words).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>amrka - raewyn's poetic journey and trees for travel part two - </i>sounds like an indie artsy eco motion picture. But if this were a movie, it wouldn't be called that. And this ain't nothin' like as straight forward, well acted, edited, directed, or fancified up et cetera as a film. Nooo. It's more like a dream.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm doing a fine juggling act between having fun and behaving myself, nevertheless, somehow. Hmmm, no, this feels like more of a dance I guess, with myself and various imaginary friends, perhaps, then also, occasionally with some real friends. Ahhh yes those truly rare and wondrous creatures, but with words like 'real' being taken as brands and copyrighted these days to sometimes seem the opposite, we could say buddies, mates, cohorts and compadres. I have the luck, talent, and hard work on my side so far, (touch wood) to know a few of those delights and trials, (o laugh).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sitting in poet Natasha Dennerstein's Central Mission apartment, the dominant colours are cream, yellow and blue, also, wooden floors, oak I guess. A view out the window of plain flat roofs, chimneys, thin, pale, but one shaped like a half-submerged cricket bat, the lower, broad half is white and the top a dull copper color, where the 'handle' is. I don't think that a giant hand is about to come out of the sky, though, and pick one up to play massive cricket however, even if I sat next to the General Manager of High-Performance for the New Zealand cricket team on the plane over here, days ago. But perhaps without having spoken with him so long, (great conversation), I would think the chimneys looked more like strange long necked bottles.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Time, place, direction, check. My trusty wooden watch on, and a small bag with my passport in it almost always on me too. Travel light, keep necessities close, trust your instincts, err on the side of caution. That's the kind of thing I practise. The watch by the way is wewood, made from salvaged wood, (no beep when going through a metal detector) and a tree is planted for every watch sold. They also have a sustainable business even if they use Chinese labour, because they source family businesses there, rather than any large factory situation which is more difficult to check on. Yes, I know many people get the time from cellphones now, but I'm old-fashioned in some respects. Just before I left I bought this fine accessory at Selector, a boutique only open for a season in Grey Lynn, the Surrey Crescent side there, near the second-hand shop. Lucy-Mae's boutique still overflowing with goodness too, on the other side.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">But enough about home, even if I miss so many people there and the place, (sodden, wet, cold and dreary though it may be this time of year). O go on, tell me it's been fine and sunny since I flew away.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ahhh, San Francisco, this time staying in Mission, bravely going on the BART by myself and making it from one station to another. (<i>Look,</i> I catastrophise, okay, I imagine things could be awfully terrible, but I go on and try to do them anyway, applaud me). So bewildering to buy a ticket, you do not select how much your ticket costs, no, no, you have to subtract what change you will be getting. One IQ test after another here in the land of the free, and not always what you would expect. O yes, we may have in Aotearoa absorbed amrka through music, films, books, and more for most of my life and possibly more, but as much as En Zed may seem influenced by amrka, it is nothing like here, really, not deep down, nor even just below the surface.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wish I could live here and find out more, nevertheless, just love it here. But that seems, sadly, unlikely, ahhh. Imagine wailing and sighing here. <br /><br />My mother, yes, let's quote Dawn, she used to say, "Where there's a will there's a way." I recall such things when I'm in despair. Thought-provoking, so stay with me if you like and see if I find a way to live here after after all, perhaps I can? Way past middle-age, a poet, a lecturer, and consultant, female, feminist, a fourth generation New Zealander descended from French people who sailed on the Comte de Paris to Aotearoa in 1840, maybe I have a whole swag of adventurous genes in here that will find a way? The green card not being the issue, my health is the elephant in the room, and it has arthritis, heart trouble, and neuroses bigger than, o Africa, probably.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The stick thin girl in pale baggy clothes who looked like a 60s mannequin come to bare life, (a small bruise on her cheek), jammed backwards into the doorway of Thriftworld, yesterday serves me a clear warning too. Her eyes so wide watching people walking by. People go a particular kind of crazy here, and the liberal SF governance allows homeless people their rights. So, everywhere in this beautiful city it's clear where someone unlucky could find themselves in future, unless.... What? </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">How to avoid disaster? </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Did any of those homeless people plan this for themselves? Probably not most of them. Did I plan everything in my life? No.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">To give myself hope, I decided that ghost-like rail of a girl was in recovery and every day took herself to the street to be near people, to relearn how to socialise. I decided she was brave. It's possible to find a positive in anything, it's a survival mechanism, like poetry is, (as Alistair Paterson long-time editor of Poetry NZ wrote in one of his essays). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">To write positive believable stories or work is extremely difficult, but worth the effort, A rich life results from it, excellent learning and contacts. Reading such stories and so on also assists us. The film director and writer of the film Amelie, he said he prefers writing positive stories because they are more of a challenge. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Luck, it plays such a part in our breath, our beat, our bounty. I wonder if we may make it our pet, such as when someone calls to other abstracts, with heart. Or is 'pet' the wrong term? Excuse me, thinking aloud here.<br /><br />How may anyone ensure luck remains with them? The high performance manager I sat with talking on the plane and I, we discussed the seven virtues and the seven deadly sins; oddly enough a little like the way Julie Payne Williams and I did two years ago in a Davenport tavern. Anyway, he works with a cricket team, I work with arts and education, but we did find some common ground. The sins are called deadly because they do damage us, the virtues however build us a good life. If we cultivate the virtues as much as we can, then perhaps yes, luck remains with us like a pet cat who's quite fussy, (if anything is ever as certain as a well edited sentence like this may make it).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ahhh, yes, <i>uncertainty,</i> the mark of an individualistic culture. I'm not sure everyone here in amrka, a place I so love, is all that individualistic though. With my being educated into Maoritanga as well, for some years, I have more of a collective sensibility these days. Many of us do with access to information across the globe, contacts with other cultures like never before....</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We swim in a soup of many cultures now, so many of us. Gorgeous tea (mate from South America), at Philz in The Mission yesterday, great service, lovely crowd; a fine Mexican taco with black beans in Outer Mission the day before; my gracious hosts at the AirBnB Chinese people, and a neighbour also Chinese who I spoke with on the street this morning, (been here about twelve years). Every state of amrka has its own culture too of course, every district of every city and town. People behave nomadic-like too, moving on, changing houses, areas, suburbs, countries.... </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">We're attracted to some differences. One of the advantages of my accent is when I speak most people gaze at me in wonder, they've never heard such a thing. Some think it's British, but no, I do not consider myself as such, our accent is New Zealand now, island people who live on the edge of the Pacific and travel the world in extraordinary numbers. Co-incidentally another New Zealander was in the AirBnB I stayed in, or she sounded that way, may've been a well travelled Australian accent.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">So cool to zoom around SF yesterday with Natasha and talk this and that, catch buses, walk, get some stamps from the post office, see what everyday life is like here. It could be a practise run, who knows? Although I'd like to live in the middle of the country, if I did move over, for some reason I feel safest there.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">amrka has me in its spell again anyway, and I'm off on the train to Seattle later, twelve hours, most of it during the day, all along the coast, seeing the country as much as I can. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">The rate I'm falling to bits with age, however, it means I probably won't be able to come back, unless there's a miracle. Maybe there will be? Ha. If we don't accept such things as miracles can occur they could and we'd behave like they do not exist, so I'm a believer. How about you?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll pop some images in here later on, I'm tired now and we still have an art museum to see. </span></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-35736277279709158742014-06-23T16:21:00.000-07:002014-06-23T22:49:01.071-07:00Difficulties and Danger<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindEHk9RJckDFUjUswHd-qcC3YZuQcZ4a_LszP51zuSwtgDrteTm-u2yrAbmQMD4JnsmUYaRXn5FNFb8w6PtLMCE456Dvi8KKT-jTqtYUXejQWuVbOdwfo1iN6FqBMd7k23iZIsL2zOIoc/s1600/tokerau-beach-new-zealand-the-flying-tortoise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindEHk9RJckDFUjUswHd-qcC3YZuQcZ4a_LszP51zuSwtgDrteTm-u2yrAbmQMD4JnsmUYaRXn5FNFb8w6PtLMCE456Dvi8KKT-jTqtYUXejQWuVbOdwfo1iN6FqBMd7k23iZIsL2zOIoc/s1600/tokerau-beach-new-zealand-the-flying-tortoise.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Tokerau Beach - http://theflyingtortoise.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/beautiful-evening-light.html</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">This picture was discovered on a search for an image to illustrate, light. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">When I arrange to travel anywhere usually I travel heavy, with far more than I need. Lately, I make do with far less. This economy made this trip's planning and execution far easier. My bag is small, the clothes summery, they roll up so easily in there. Everything is less. I keep mentioning it, the novelty stuns me. One large paper notebook, not five small ones. I plan to get a tablet, a small e-device, not to take the laptop, (which will be locked away at a friend's house). Although buying a tablet that works has been an issue. My wondrous e-expert friend tells me, however, you do get what you pay for, so I'm returning the one that was cheap and shuts down without warning all the time. If only the trader on trademe would just give me a refund, however, they seem not to want to do that. It does not work, I can get a refund in that case.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Ah yes, stress. It's abounding.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">People are staying in my house, so someone's keeping an eye on things. That's one less stressful thing to think about, naturally, I tell myself. Tick, tick, tick. I'm on list five. It's taken five lists to get things done. At one stage I had four lists at once. They became the one master list. Now it looks terrible so I need a new one. Only six days to go. List six, is that enough? Will I make it? Maybe I should just stay home? Lists, worries, luggage, why o why did I want to do this?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Do you see my issue? I still do not know how to lighten up my feelings and imaginings. As usual, my inner world is enormous, unwieldy and affecting me in ways I find difficult to take. If my emotions were a suit of clothes too big for me, I could have them taken in. Maybe this blog will serve in some manner to take some inner tucks and pleats, to cut away excesses of temperament?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Writing is always good. Then editing helps with clarity. I usually write this blog four or five times, then edit three or four times. This all assists me to see what I'm trying to do, think, believe, recognise as feeling, and get to, often I'm surprised or enlightened, at the least, well, yes, lighter. It changes everything, writing, it's a process of alchemy, making treasure from nothing. Like my one-time favourite perfume, le jardin de bagatelle, a garden from not much....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Do we take our inner world or does it take us? That's the question. Mastery of thought, while useful and a great skill to possess, (when we make our thoughts rule our heart, not the other way round), well, that only goes so far. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Feelings can at times overwhelm and inspire us so we follow them idiotically, and do things <i>we know</i> are illogical, or strange, but carry out these emotion-driven actions anyway. Writers have famously travelled across oceans and continents, for instance, in search of someone they love. Robert Louis Stevenson did this. The Poetry Foundation says, <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/robert-louis-stevenson" target="_blank">"</a></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/robert-louis-stevenson" target="_blank">Many of his journeys were searches for climates which would ease his poor health, but he also had an innate wanderlust. His trip to America in 1879, however, was made to pursue a woman."</a> This trip almost killed him, but eventually he found the happiness he'd sought. I worry upon reading this kind of alarming account if this journey of mine could adversely affect me. It seems to have done so already. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I wake up in a panic thinking I have not got something I have definitely got, (the latter only realised upon waking properly and crying a while in distress). Then I worry I need more of things I knew yesterday that I had enough of, (stockings, leggings, jewellery, first aid kit).... then I think no friends there will want to see me at all this time. It's all a trick. Pathetic, I go on. The 'no one cares' idea is not an unfounded fear. One "friend", who admittedly I'd only known a few years online, not like the others who I've known 14 years now, told me after I'd booked tickets to San Francisco that he could not accommodate me after all, and does not like me now. But I realised later that was probably payback for my not doing what he wanted for him. Obviously he is no friend, then, sadly. Friendship is not based on making other people do what we want them to do, for us, whether they want to or not. I keep telling myself that kind of thing, over and over, sorting through probables and possibles, looking for reason as if it's the only thing I definitely have to pack. "Don't panic, if you think about it, things make sense. You are organised. It's okay." Uncertainty, is though an enormous pool of mental quicksand and my inner landscape seems to be including far too much of it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Why do I bother zipping about the globe? I ask myself. Aotearoa New Zealand is supposedly safe, I know many great people here, have a house in the biggest city near the city centre, a garden, contacts, my family are here.... Why am I running off to an immense place I barely know, especially with the world apparently going to every kind of hell and then some?<br /><br />This whole trip this time is driven by feelings too, where's the logic and sense? My love for a country and its people, a place not my own at all, is pulling me back there as surely as if I am held by some kind of rope. Had I fallen down a mountain, are they hauling me back to safe ground? Who knows. At the same time, I know, I do not belong there for practical reasons, my age and health being such I could not afford to pay the medical bills I could need in the near future. But, oddly, madly, I have to go back and check that is true, in case I could've moved to amrka after all and not known.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Most likely, this will simply be another charming visit, and of course different to the last time, nothing is ever the same. We sometimes have to live with not being able to have what we wish for too, that's life. For many years as a child for instance, I wanted to be Greta Garbo, instantly. Also, I longed to be able to run and climb like other children did, but I was never all that athletic. Now I am making a trip which is to bring me closure, I guess, as the amrkns say, and therefore the whole procedure is tinged with sadness. So of course I am a bit teary. But I believe in facing the truth, it's infinitely rewarding. Learning so much.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I wrote a poem called The Topography of Tears, recently. I cannot post it here, because it has been sent to the excellent, preeminent NZ literary magazine <a href="http://www.otago.ac.nz/press/landfall/currentissue.html" target="_blank">Landfall</a>, and they may publish it, (here's hoping), but the poem was inspired by an article about the many differences in tears, yes, from weeping. I must thank Pamela Gordon for posting the article originally on facebook, (her valuable work as literary executor for <a href="http://www.janetframe.org.nz/Biography.htm" target="_blank">Janet Frame</a>, our most distinguished writer, means Pamela is constantly busy, but anything that takes her attention is often highly rewarding to investigate).</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tears from laughing until crying, which puts me in mind of the view of a harbour city from the air.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I've thought before that tears are not just a reaction to something, but also a process of profound change. The evidence of how different tears may appear microscopically could affirm this. <a href="http://www.lifebuzz.com/tears/#!2MXG9" target="_blank">Rose-Lynn Fisher "</a></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.lifebuzz.com/tears/#!2MXG9" target="_blank">...studied 100 different tears</a> and found that basal tears (the ones
that our body produces to lubricate our eyes) are drastically different
from the tears that happen when we are chopping onions. The tears that
come about from hard laughter aren’t even close to the tears of sorrow." So I am telling myself that all the tears I produce lately as a result of the stress and emotion attached to this trip are a process of change for me, and once I am through that things will be better.<br /><br />I'm also driven to mention the controversial Tate Prize short-listed 1999 work, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracey_Emin" target="_blank">The Bed</a>. A messy, tissue-condom-dirty-knicker-and-book-and-whatnot-strewn bed of the artist, Tracey Emin. For those who perhaps do not feel much at all deeply, it appeared ridiculous, self-indulgent, and even mocking of what art should truly stand for, but I instantly understood it. My gratitude felt boundless. Not that usually my bed looks that way, let me hasten to assure the reading public, but it has done, and may well do again. Lately, it's been a little like that, I'm in a turmoil of leaving and wondering, and grief - any emotional experience brings back all kinds of memories, and then also, there is my marvellous imagination. I find it easy to imagine disasters, trouble, and ruin, the work now is to stop that, but hey, meanwhile....</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Bed by Tracey Emin</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">That someone, like Emin, in such a vulnerable position, (as a woman, an artist, and wanting to 'make it'), would admit to this apparently crazy, messy emotional state, and not only that, act like she deserved a prize for showing an everyday object proving her activity, enthralled and excited me. The Bed said, "People make a mess, we live in states of flux, we are not people in magazine photo shoots, human beings are allowed to feel things deeply, to indulge those emotions too, to forget to tidy up sometimes, to have sex, to leave the bed unmade afterwards, to admit we have emotions, feelings are not a weakness, they make us, partly, who we are, and are also unavoidable." That is my take on it, anyway.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Writing about
tears and crying feels rather taboo, oddly. We all cry sometimes, but in
western culture we tend to see so little of weeping and sorrow,
don't we. Coming mainly from cold countries, paler people perhaps found
grief and so on too energy-consuming, and against the principles of,
"work hard, stay alive", we could think? Many traditions and habits in
our way of life do not always suit the present day, however, I have to say. If
we did spend more time examining why we are sad, and seeing how we could
be changing to accept some truth or new circumstances, then we could
adapt and live with far more flexibility, and eventually, joy.</span></span><br /><br />Even our feelings which we master and control, are still there, they remain with us, a part of our everyday life - just at a low hum instead of a loud roar, a torrent, or crash, or sparkling fireworks. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Surely when we are more aware of when we need to let go, and just go through some extreme, we are better off, though? Allowing repression, and curling into obedience to some imagined authority re what we feel like, is the true insanity; no one else <i>ever knows</i> what our true self is, or what our real thoughts and feelings are, that's the human condition, aloneness. If we cannot admit any true feelings and ideas which we harbour within, to ourselves, however, then we are lost and flailing about in pretense, or ignorance, or both. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">It is far better to find ourselves alive and work through intense feelings, if we can. A whole journey in itself, when we travel through our inner world, and we're changed by it. Then we may live more shallowly again, but with improved knowledge of who we truly are, with this gift, this wonder, our one precious life. How lucky every single person has to be, to have this, surely?<br /><br />And so it is I arrive at a realisation after three hours writing - whatever happens it is full of wonder and learning, experience, whether it be good, bad, in between, o the mix. Writing's helped me again to go on, to get to work and finish marking student papers - still not done correctly, according to my moderator. There is a form to fill in again, and a mark to check the maths on, that kind of thing. Then I will sort the packing again, write perhaps to the trademe man who does not want to give me a refund, or, by some miracle, deliver the faulty tablet to him, with the refund already paid? Then too I must buy those trees for this travel, my second batch, in South Australia, where they really need them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">O yes, and I must write another list, sixth time lucky, I hope.... and pass the tissues, it's all just a bit too much again. Ha.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />Thanks for reading. Please do comment - I'd love to hear from you.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-91260259613946774272014-06-19T03:24:00.000-07:002014-06-19T03:39:22.698-07:00Blue, New and True<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pZyjBDJclBsh2acugm0wE-lVhu41R_TwIZyP1FWXTFLB16THqTvGZQULS84XbVd0BCH4kPlYCR74oyXjz0cBryFIPGH1xG_xRdnXdga5nlWksHRlgwkUoTF8Q6Gr2X4PDj0twNWhiU81/s1600/14062012231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pZyjBDJclBsh2acugm0wE-lVhu41R_TwIZyP1FWXTFLB16THqTvGZQULS84XbVd0BCH4kPlYCR74oyXjz0cBryFIPGH1xG_xRdnXdga5nlWksHRlgwkUoTF8Q6Gr2X4PDj0twNWhiU81/s1600/14062012231.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hothouse, Tamakai Makaurau Auckland Wintergardens</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Love's an excuse, a reason, an inspiration for all manner of curious occurences. People find it difficult to speak properly, dizzy with chemistry and bewilderment, in love we sing songs at random moments, on buses, at our desks, in supermarket queues, in the bank, we languish in hammocks or on building sites at smoko or forgetful in the middle of a conference writing poetry instead of whatever duty prescribed, we may travel vast distances on a whim, leave everything familiar far behind, and we carry out many other rash, flash and beautiful actions some of them scary, for aroha, for amour, for love. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">My intention is to keep this update light-hearted, even if it's difficult to do so. That even though here in New Zealand it's grey, wet and dark. O so extremely sodden wet. More dense dark than many other places too. Not that well lit even in the city, and our night is intense, inky, an octopus ejaculation of mammoth proportions - they squirt darkness when they're afraid, you know. <br /><br />Yes, although I am thankfully, (maybe, hopefully) not an octopus, I'm as usual afraid knowing I'm soon to travel over seven thousand miles north east, then a few more thousand miles south, then back again south west - being a somewhat anxious creature especially as I age, because human beings and nature may cause trouble, you know, and a body needs to be able to face strife, undo it or run. Travelling alone also feels somewhat daunting. Women by themselves are far too often treated badly, believe me, and without warning too. I did, however, love telling off that rude bus driver who took me to Newark Airport, two years ago in New York. He told me loudly I was too old to be travelling and laughed at me, unable to get up his stupid, and probably illegal, broken step. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Also, thinking about the future and my journey, I forget times and dates, lose track of time in daydreams, and I appear interesting, (so my daughter tells me, that's why this happens), so I attract a lot of attention. But my good friend in Iowa, Julie, tells me not to talk to strangers unless they clearly work wherever it is I am. "Only talk to the ones in a uniform, Raaae, only the people with a name badge, okaaay?" </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">But in any case, I love my amrkn friends and I love the place, amrka itself, so I am returning there any day now. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Any. Day. Now. Can't quite believe it. In just over a week, I'm flying.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">O and I call where my friends live, amrka, it's more friendly. Sound it out, if you can't decide what it means.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">After my last month and a half trip two years ago, I'm soon away again to meet for a second, miraculous time the writer friends I first only met and got to know online 14 years ago now. Talented, intriguing people in amrka who I'd never met face-to-face, before. Eventually, on that lovely visit, I said it was obvious I needed to return some time, but could not travel again for at least five years. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Ha. Changed my mind in only a year and a half, back here. Booked it then. The tickets are a lower price the sooner they are paid for.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">That first wonderful trip can never happen again. It will live forever in my memory as the best, a trip of a lifetime, indeed. Magical. Beyond exciting. It was like being a character in a fairy tale sprung to complete life. Well, we do most of us live sublimely in words.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">But now I'm going back, and love's making me do it. I love them and love the place, so much. I felt the happiest I've ever experienced there for the longest time. No idea why, precisely. It just happened. Once you've known joy, too, usually you want more of it. Can you get addicted to a country? Maybe I need my own talk-show to discuss it? O, if only I could live there, but it seems unlikely. Too many odd things falling to bits with my health these days, I need Aotearoa New Zealand's healthcare system.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A visit will need to suffice. I hope it's enough. If you'd like to check in occasionally you may see if I end up going insane through this process, knowing I only have three weeks over there. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Travelling mainly by train, but flying into the stunning San Francisco, the most beautiful city I've ever seen and I've been to many, hundreds probably. Then train along the west coast to Seattle, sophisticated, under-stated, elegant, and oddly also down-to-earth, with crows and dark trees to encourage my fairy story imagination. Later off to Iowa, middle amrka, the rolling wide Mississippi, flat corn-growing farmland to the horizon, a neat picket fence small-town welcome all smiles, squirrels in the trees and Amish on the train. Then wonders of all wonders we're driving to Galesburg, I gather, to train it to New Orleans. Never been there. Love the music and stories, want to give back to the place too since that terrible disaster, (the flooding made me cry at the time). The countryside becoming more and more Spanish-looking with the architecture, a student tells me, (they went by train to New Orleans and also saw teepees along the way). Then lush trees more and more overgrown, Spanish moss drooping from bayou trunks and branches, and soon o the music, and o the food, and o the vibrant, fascinating people of that beleagured lovely place. Louis Armstrong sings my favourite song, (his version only), Moon River, about the Mississippi. He grew up in New Orleans.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />I'm repeating myself on this blog, I think I've written already about this plan. But forgive me please, I can't contain myself. Travelling the globe, it's inspiring and also, I must stay practical. Reiterating the facts helps me stay focused.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />The suitcase given by a friend when I needed a smaller one, (thank you so much), already half-packed. Favourite summer clothes unwearable here and now are rolled up inside. The lemon print sunfrock, my silk caftan, an icy blue and dark brown, various cropped leggings, my Alice in Wonderland knee-highs.... Rolling clothes means they're less likely to be wrinkled, plus it's easier to see what's packed. Rolled clothes take up less room each layer, too.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I've paid for 200 $ NZ trees to cover my carbon already. Trees for travel, such a worthy cause. We all need more trees. <a href="http://adventuresofakiwichick.wordpress.com/2014/04/30/jane-goodall-is-coming-to-new-zealand/" target="_blank">Dr. Jane Goodall, zoologist </a>said this morning on Radio NZ, (she's here to talk to us), that deforestation is a major issue in the world today. We must reforest the world, or ruin the atmosphere for future generations, along with making things worse for ourselves, now. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">It feels good to buy trees for places who need them. I buy mine for Australia, they need trees, desperately. <a href="http://www.treesforlife.org.au/">www.treesforlife.org.au/</a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Trees produce oxygen for everyone, and they also absorb carbon making the world safer for all living things. Human beings have removed about half the world's trees in the short while we've existed. This is not sustainable. That means a lack of trees cannot go on without causing irreparable harm.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Please do consider doing as much as you can to be the change you want to see in the world, as Gandhi said. The future can be more hopeful, we may make it so. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2MIzuO3AKt1B4Yf7zeclo8R8hoHAA1pYPqvFGy-qx1OpHKyIbSK9v0K-b4j1fszOkQcX2cSB3jvYP1sBUXfCGIzAPull3bCAVQJ1-I7UQNS_rMyfJAjGgnIN7i1PdF54dz3ExY1PL3xL/s1600/14062012294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2MIzuO3AKt1B4Yf7zeclo8R8hoHAA1pYPqvFGy-qx1OpHKyIbSK9v0K-b4j1fszOkQcX2cSB3jvYP1sBUXfCGIzAPull3bCAVQJ1-I7UQNS_rMyfJAjGgnIN7i1PdF54dz3ExY1PL3xL/s1600/14062012294.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Temperate House - Wintergardens</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">This time I'm buying double the amount of trees I need to. It makes me feel better to do something extra to assist, and to clean up my own mess. I'm vegetarian for the same reason. My diet expends less carbon and other greenhouse gases in its production.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I've written various poems this year in relation to my love for my friends. Also, I feel pleased to say one of my early poems appears in Random House's anothogy, Essential NZ Poems, launched this year. Such an honour, rather stunning to be included, thank you all concerned. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.randomhouse.co.nz/books/siobhan-harvey-harry-ricketts-and-james-norcliffe/essential-new-zealand-poems-9781775534594.aspx.">www.randomhouse.co.nz/books/siobhan-harvey-harry-ricketts-and-james-norcliffe/essential-new-zealand-poems-9781775534594.aspx.</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Aha, yes, poetry. One of the various classes I take to do with writing, pleasantly surprised me recently. A student read a poem of their own about love, and simplicity and originality worked so well, together. This inspired me to write something more straight forward than usual.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">This was written from notes made on my cellphone. Having only had one for three years, I still feel entranced with anything new I discover it's useful for. Making notes on it probably a waste of power and so on, but it's so easy to do, dammit.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">o</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Plum Sauce, because I hope we make some from Mum's recipe while I'm over there</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For some reason this poem has a ghost line in it I cannot seem to delete. If anyone can advise me I'd be grateful. Meantime, I have written the stanza twice, so you may read it without confusion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>why does it trouble someone to hear amrkns saved her life?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">if only she could travel now instant and stay - she thinks</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">listening to rinky blink in a theatre bar</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">but she stays generating blue like a welding torch</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">simple as a laugh</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">rhyming her mind with careful</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">in preparation for surprises and disguises</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">executive heart trouble where she's in charge</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">however love does not run out or away</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">executive heart trouble where she's in charge </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">however love does not run out or away</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">just uphill like nothing else</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">certainly not a river</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">afterwards she sees them laugh and cry and walk</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">into the sun and moon like actors earning millions</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">*</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">for now she watches amrkn fitness videos in a chinese restuarant</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">waiting to cross a slick bent road to an en zed vampire comedy</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">rainy day so tailored grey it's a sodden flannel suit</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">she's silently asking - is this a tragic noir film?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">nooo, where's my stunning so-star?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">(act live, mean it, our inner action's adoration and ebullience)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">sometimes unlucky with love affairs but fabulous figures of speech</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">skating on her iced up heart</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">this rink carried about for entertainment - crunching on</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">melted when they met</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">misfits as human as any other fool crossed with rhyming spells</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">tricking themselves into something more fitting like pleasure</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">the greatest illusions sustain such a long time</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">such fine dumplings</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">o</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Not sure if that is clearer than usual or not. *laughs* </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">O well, I have to get up early tomorrow so a wonderful tech-geek friend can fix the tablet I just purchased, and cannot make work. I hope to update this blog on it while I am away. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Please wish me well and do comment, always good to hear from you. Thanks for reading.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N364KYnyHl3-sj4LYVqhscHVJNgVZ-fs5Rb3DpW5Tx0ynzL6cj6IClxRPmU299NY8Fcj0DeszeEqYyX5tKQVhwZuzSZHLeuRx6Dc8Fnkh6ymfseRVTACPPVHQw_Hm5NpCtB9TWPVxAnJ/s1600/040120143747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N364KYnyHl3-sj4LYVqhscHVJNgVZ-fs5Rb3DpW5Tx0ynzL6cj6IClxRPmU299NY8Fcj0DeszeEqYyX5tKQVhwZuzSZHLeuRx6Dc8Fnkh6ymfseRVTACPPVHQw_Hm5NpCtB9TWPVxAnJ/s1600/040120143747.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Illustration from Mother Goose c. 1963 published by Collins - London and Glasgow</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3840954797651700151.post-4702082264175423512014-05-28T04:44:00.000-07:002014-06-04T13:51:16.276-07:00FCS - What is that?<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Acronyms, they're everywhere. Some people talk in them as if everyone could know what they mean, in-talk for in-groups with in-jokes. What could FSC stand for? It's nothing to do with Trees for Travel this time, but it is to do with timber, sometimes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Maybe Fun, Silliness and Chortling while taking a break from building?<br /><br />Ahhh, if only that were the case.<br /><br />Perhaps, Fortitude, Strength and Capability? Yes, I think we need a critical mass of such qualities, lately.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courage" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEnYWCwDaGq-qq0LJTUpEsbcwM8CzOxb6FaB0lFEfsWMCB4cO3WxcyF3vqG8htfHN17uBX-XsodBV8OKgS1-jcgwVxqbY3LuJFlwTYQ1z5kjlZxYuH2IoSX8PNkIB15DnKG1Qt8KJPgW2/s1600/220px-Fortitude.jpg" height="640" width="334" /></a></div>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courage" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courage</span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">That acronym, FSC, I've chosen to represent the most basic requirements of life - Food, Clothing, Shelter.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Why? Aha, this is quite a scary tale. My apologies, but we need to know about this, just in case, and it's vital.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />Take away one of those, remove food, or clothing, or shelter, or make it so expensive many people cannot afford to have this necessity, then what happens? Rising unrest, more crime, social disintegration, beggars, bad health, more education failures, and other vital activities are affected adversely, poverty causes dire problems.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">But the government of my country, Aotearoa New Zealand is selling what we the people own. This right wing privatising force have carried out massive amounts of this unfair and unwise dealing already. Selling what they have no right to offer in the first place. They're selling New Zealand's assets to anyone with enough money, (against the will of the people), often to those who they're friends or associated with, (and who may give them a job when they lose the next election). It's that blatant now. They're not just selling power companies either, it's not that obvious any more what's going, and we must surely stand against this disapearance, this thievery, this ruination.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Housing - an election issue, no mistaking it, our homes appear threatened. Everyone's house. They're starting with the poorest people's dwellings, but eventually you may be sure they'd like all NZ property owned by just one or two corporations. Yes, even that over-priced villa you just bought for a million dollars, or someone you know or heard of did, they want that eventually too. Being the government means they can manage things so they can get those places in time too. Gradually moving on over....</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Make a stand now, stand for diversity and fairness. Please keep reading an<span style="font-family: inherit;">d see what you think.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">A friend, Frith Trezevant, who lives in England pointed out this fact - "You're not just saving homes. You are trying to save a way of life and I hope you manage it. Auckland has become the City of Sales. It's destined to become one huge land bank.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Areas of Central London are now like this, with huge empty homes in a dilapidated state because the owners don't live there and don't need to do anything to the houses in order for them to maintain or increase in value. The market does that for them."</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">You may think that if <i>you own a house</i> it's no problem, but then real estate people harrass some home owners daily, (they want to sell to developers, or developers have them doing this badgering), and the council may get you out with a rates increase. City councils also work with central government on pet projects, you see. One rate increase arrives in your inbox or letterbox that finally really is too high. You have to sell the house and move somewhere smaller. But nowhere smaller, and accessible, is affordable in your area by then either. No social housing available in ten or so years time, all the Housing New Zealand places sold to developers. Or if they have some HNZ places, they are for families, or people younger or fitter than you are, sorry.<br /><br />Or, here's the extreme end of this - the government simply takes houses by force. It happened before, to indigenous people. They also take the houses of criminals, nowadays, if the place was used for crime. They could do this again, to everyone, if they wangle it and if you refuse to speak up, now. They make the laws. What say the government makes a law that makes you a criminal? Me one too, for writing this blog? This does happen, it has happened and is happening elsewhere, why not here? They have the police on their side. This government may make things how they want them to be, slowly but surely, and they could behave like you do not matter. That's where we're heading for everyone, if we do not make a stand now.<br /><br />They did take away the laws against treachery, let us not forget. Then they behaved like traitors. That was no accident, (the law change).<br /><br />Writing this blog scares me. That's the country I live in now. I am frightened of writing anything critical of the government. I'm brave, but I also could soon disappear, or lose any hope of working for various reasons created by this government for people like me, or just go insane with the pressure of knowing what trouble we are in and that not enough people are willing to stand against the ruination. Too many cowards, too many ignorant, too many cannot be bothered, and the rest unable to, tired, ill, scared, running away....</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">But yes, so, sorry but these so-called servants of the people, (in a democracy, politicians and government officials are in office to serve us), they may make you home-owners sell to their developer friends, their speculator friends, more often than not. Subtle machinations occur which are hard to see or follow. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">You do notice, however, that house prices go through the roof and into the outer stratosphere. No one can live in outer space without expensive technology, but there are the price tags way up there somewhere unreadable, and anyway unaffordable....</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzL492mSmDYwOBuibj6bB5-sqAMCyTyxqGziBjIuzlwnMWIpkJ45vnsGVuZKEGybovSCv3_rQcfgDFh2qZrXGDZNsDMX2Akhxb64H0625arAUInVgcfG5IdNRSAP2vZPmnZtj6dIES3NE_/s1600/eso-summary_2357457k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzL492mSmDYwOBuibj6bB5-sqAMCyTyxqGziBjIuzlwnMWIpkJ45vnsGVuZKEGybovSCv3_rQcfgDFh2qZrXGDZNsDMX2Akhxb64H0625arAUInVgcfG5IdNRSAP2vZPmnZtj6dIES3NE_/s1600/eso-summary_2357457k.jpg" height="398" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/picture-galleries/9581599/Spectacular-deep-space-images-50-Years-of-the-European-Southern-Observatory.html?frame=2357457</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Those people, this minute, in Housing New Zealand properties, (which were never supposed to be sold, ever, which were always meant to be social housing), they're not as lucky, no luxury of seeing a rates bill slowly rise. Instead they have agreements, legal agreements, ignored, broken; instead they have foul treatment from officials and police. I learnt this at a meeting in Grey Lynn this evening. The stories I'd heard before were nothing compared to what was revealed there tonight.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">This is a NZ-wide issue, too. This government are trying mass evictions and selling housing to developers, in a few places first, to see how they can get away with things. In Pomare, there are entire streets of empty houses, both sides of the road. The government is reducing their housing stock, rebuying only a few when new places are built, (not replacing the many demolished). But they have hundreds of people waiting for houses. <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5742030/Pomare-housing-demolition-begins">http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5742030/Pomare-housing-demolition-begins</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">All of these people in Aotearoa New Zealand are waiting for a place to live - <a href="http://www.hnzc.co.nz/renting-a-house/waiting-lists/waiting-list-by-local-office" target="_blank">http://www.hnzc.co.nz/renting-a-house/waiting-lists/waiting-list-by-local-office </a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">In Glen Innes, Tamaki Makaurau Auckland they get fifteen of these 90 day notices to leave Housing New Zealand (HNZ) homes, a week. Any landlord may give 90 days notice without reason, but these tenants are some of the most vulnerable and they have often nowhere else to go. HNZ is supposed to provide social housing, and it is failing the people of our lovely country. The government is deliberately setting out to wreck lives with this action, and part of that is how officials and police treat the tenants involved.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Locals have been fighting those Glen Innes evictions for three years. Many of them involve older, frail people too. A man who spoke tonight is 'just a labourer' he told us, his mangled hands evidence of years of manual work. He built roads or buildings for people perhaps, valuable work that created assets for someone. Now he's retired he's treated like less than human, because he's in the way of a government plan to privatise assets we all are supposed to own and benefit from?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Officials may arrive without warning in the night with forms to sign, to get tenants to agree to move. These bullies shove papers at women alone, in houses where some have lived for decades. Some women ill, (one woman with breast cancer endured this treatment), also making demands of the widows of returned servicemen, (they always come for the women first). These government officials intimidate them into signing and leaving, sometimes. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Old people lie awake worried at night. They thought they had life-time tenancies, legally given years ago, now they have no idea where they can go. They have no one to help them but their neighbours, and the community faces disintegration.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Shocking stories told tonight in Grey Lynn at the community centre. People from Westmere, Glen Innes, Avondale, Pt Chevalier, Grey Lynn, Mt Albert, Mt Eden, Ponsonby and the central city were there, plus a few others.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">In Grey Lynn, evidence was illegally gathered by HNZ from a bank. They then tried to sue a tenant for fraud, which is not going to happen, because the figures were not understood properly. It appears it was perhaps simply an intimidation tactic. Or maybe they think they can do anything they like? Are government departments now above the law? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Contact people with more information through this facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/233483516845350/?fref=ts">www.facebook.com/groups/233483516845350/?fref=ts</a> and get involved. Read what's posted there and send in more information, please do. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mobilise when needed and get on the ground to stand with the good people of Glen Innes, too. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Stand against the evictions. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">We can stop them.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Send emails and letters to the PM and MPs, including opposition members, cc them in. Tell them we require social housing, and we require fair treatment of all citizens of this country. We also want diverse neighbourhoods. The email addresses are here - <a href="http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/about-parliament/get-involved/contact/00PlibHvYrSayContact1/contact-an-mp">www.parliament.nz/en-nz/about-parliament/get-involved/contact/00PlibHvYrSayContact1/contact-an-mp</a><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">People in Glen Innes (GI) need people on the ground, to feel supported.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnL-vPRA9R5uuxTYlGwxpdcZARiHMI_kwPb4rx_wpD-U8yy0XE5xZO5ECUfJXa_tzLW76mtm1kKeW2X2Smm7ZDTwnx-XJkhias38afYvbgSo0j_87W5Xzeqxs7J9WTHVh9Id34KlNMiDqx/s1600/6763815_600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnL-vPRA9R5uuxTYlGwxpdcZARiHMI_kwPb4rx_wpD-U8yy0XE5xZO5ECUfJXa_tzLW76mtm1kKeW2X2Smm7ZDTwnx-XJkhias38afYvbgSo0j_87W5Xzeqxs7J9WTHVh9Id34KlNMiDqx/s1600/6763815_600x400.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I say HNZ, by the way, but did you know that this agency has recently been demolished in fact, like many of our valuable houses? This is a huge asset for NZ, it was worth 15. 1 billion dollars. Yes, billions. What will happen to it now? HNZ was making money for our country and the people here. All the citizens. Now? <a href="http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/04/02/guest-blog-pat-odea-nationals-assault-on-state-housing/" target="_blank">http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/04/02/guest-blog-pat-odea-nationals-assault-on-state-housing/ </a></span></span><br />
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
On
the 14th of April 2014 Housing New Zealand as a state agency for the
provision of Social Housing is to be abolished, and the $15.1 billion
dollar State House asset will be transferred to WINZ and private sector
charities and Iwi groups.<br />
<b>The last great privatisation</b><br />
The State Housing asset worth is worth $15.1 billion and is one of the
government’s biggest remaining assets, housing approximately 200,000
people and returning to the government roughly $100million per annum
which is regarded by accountants as a very poor return on investment,
but though being a relatively small return on investment it is set to
get worse.<br />
- See more at:
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/04/02/guest-blog-pat-odea-nationals-assault-on-state-housing/#sthash.hmOoMhDq.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
On
the 14th of April 2014 Housing New Zealand as a state agency for the
provision of Social Housing is to be abolished, and the $15.1 billion
dollar State House asset will be transferred to WINZ and private sector
charities and Iwi groups.<br />
<b>The last great privatisation</b><br />
The State Housing asset worth is worth $15.1 billion and is one of the
government’s biggest remaining assets, housing approximately 200,000
people and returning to the government roughly $100million per annum
which is regarded by accountants as a very poor return on investment,
but though being a relatively small return on investment it is set to
get worse.<br />
- See more at:
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/04/02/guest-blog-pat-odea-nationals-assault-on-state-housing/#sthash.hmOoMhDq.dpuf</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">They stopped a house being moved two weeks ago, in GI. But since then, agents who now act for what was HNZ, are sending in people to demolish houses on the spot (if they've got someone out of there). </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">There are many empty houses. This government allows houses to stand empty while people are homeless, while people are on lists waiting for houses for their children and themselves, in winter, why?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Wasteful behaviour too, smashing a house instead of relocating it. That's not only someone's home going either, it's your money being destroyed. That house was worth something to the people of NZ, as income. A relocated house is sold, a destroyed dwelling is mere firewood and landfill.<br /><br />These are state-owned houses bought as a service to the people of New Zealand, bought with your forebears' taxes, (not a business at all). The houses were bought long ago in many cases and have in any case gathered rent money for all New Zealanders, they're now paid off and simply gather revenue. They also house lower income and vulnerable people so they have a place to live, do not beg on the streets, or drift homeless, sleeping rough. Government collected their rents to pay for our schools, hospitals and roads, our rail and other necessities. Such houses are revenue spinners for New Zealand. But this government is selling off assets that make money for us. They sell them to their friends, to developers, speculators, those who then artificially inflate prices. Rents go up, mortgages get heftier. This is ruinous for our long-term prosperity, that of the majority of people who live here.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Our government is managing the country badly. They then lie about the figures, in the media. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">We are horribly in debt now as a country, this government racked that up. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">We need assets to keep us prosperous, to make money for the country to run, we also need diverse communities for real time, broad social networking, for reasonable access to facilities for all, and a sense of equality wherever possible in most areas. This lowers crime, raises standards for everyone, and ensures a more stable place to live. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">We have to change those in charge.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">We must vote this government out. Please, see sense. Everyone vote. Your voice matters. Your vote counts.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Please also, research this and get in to the struggle. They could be going for your house next, otherwise. Stop them now.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I have seven pages of valuable notes from this evening's fine meeting. Do go to the next one. Thanks for reading and comments are welcome.</span></span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOHNSxbGpDMcHjoZxWqdGydIfLQw2QAVk3DGWy3uc-_G_BuHby5Q2EgIOEOFWzzdfVfmUuSVi_9qL_Qqd_E4X-2hdcVljGXJq_ZviFnKlLZPE5mRwYY1Sm1DrLbmuxpJC1Mbwlq2fAR7I/s1600/Houses---NZ-Herald.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/regch/1678483850-housing-nz-defends-handling-of-christchurch-family">http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/regch/1678483850-housing-nz-defends-handling-of-christchurch-family</a></span><br />
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