Apple, Tarantino, Art and Life (and crickets)

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Watched Iconoclasts with Fiona Apple and Quentin Tarantino this week. I love how they talked about being artists and where inspiration comes from, a kind of 'God Antenna' (see above).

And I've just read in Katherine Mansfield's Letters:

November 1920

What you quote from Van Gogh is very fine.

["...Nevertheless I find in my work a certain reverberation of what fascinated me. I know that Nature told me something, that she spoke to me, and that I took down her message in shorthand. Perhaps my transcript contains words that are undecipherable; belike there are faults and omission in it too, - still it may possess something that the wood, the beach or the figures said."]

... Tchehov felt just like that.

...I don't believe there are any short cuts to Art. Victory is the reward of battle just exactly as it is in Life. And the more one knows of one's soldiers the better chance one has. That's not an absolutely true analogy tho'. The thing is more subtle.

But what I do believe with my whole soul is that one's outlook is the climate in which one's art either thrives or doesn't grow. I am dead certain that there is no separating Art and Life. And no artist can afford to leave out Life. If we mean to work we must go straight to Life for our nourishment. There's no substitute. But I am violent on this subjick. I must leave it.

I think with both art and life: neither can be pushed. And this is what Fiona and Quentin were discussing. If it's not all there and filling you up, then there's no use in trying to create something... from nothing. I believe also with life it's just cruel to yourself, and the natural state of things, to pressure yourself to do something when you don't feel called, compelled or inspired to do so. If it's a 'should do' then you most likely shouldn't. Or, as I've similarly heard: If in doubt... don't.

I typically have been a thinker, ruminator, cogitator, (agitator!)... i.e. worrier. Going through a list of shoulds in my head concerning the 'best' to do for the future. Of course the future doesn't exist. One only has 'now' and one ought to sense the now and how one is feeling now, because that is what will guide one in the 'future'. If you stick with that you can't go wrong.

So, this is the God Antenna of which the Apple and the Tarantino speak. You sense what's happening with you at each moment and when inspiration or interest comes, it comes. No use erecting voluminous satellite dishes just to find something. Stick with where you're at this moment and it will come to you.


*sits*



*crickets chirp*


so... *sits listening to crickets*


P.S. I meant to put this on my other blog, but seeing as I've put it here I'll leave it. I've been wanting to bring this blog back to its former eclecticness anyway. Also... can't think of anything else I'm interested in writing about at the moment. (at least these means I'm walking the walk, or the talk, or the blog, or whatever...!)

Yes he can... He did... He has... And, hopefully, he will!

Wow. What a day. We've witnessed history... and I can't believe how moved I have been by Barack Obama's election. I wept! It truly feels a momentous occasion in the world's history - and I'm really shocked that I'm finding it to be so dramatic.

It does feel as though change such as the Kennedy's' brought has returned - or, as my mum said, actually a lot bigger (she was in the US in the 60's, and we also lived there when I was a kid).

I found much of his acceptance speech truly moving. A couple of excerpts:

...The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. ...

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores... our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security – we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from ... the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

And Obama also mentioned a woman 106 years old who'd voted today. What was so moving here was how the crowd, hundreds of thousands of them, responded with great cries of 'Yes we can!'.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the colour of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbour and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. ...

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time... out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can.

Well, indeed he can. What a speech!

This is an amazing day, and Obama appears to be an amazing man. Let's hope this is indeed the case and he can turn things around for the US and therefore for much of the world. He has a pretty big workload ahead of him! He has to dig the US out of a major hole.
But now, to see an African-American man and his family up on that stage - a black President and First Lady - to see them in that position... to have this actually, finally happen... makes it seem as though much is possible, so hopefully it will continue and that Yes He Can.


(And thanks Penni for the link to some of these photos.)

Gotta have something Supernatural for Halloween...

Jensen Ackles
&
Eye of the Tiger*

* 'twas a prank - they didn't give him the cue to stop at the initial drum solo, so he just went along with it and kept going...!

Q & A mosaic

.

(click for bigger image)

Have been immersing myself in a lazy Sunday today. The only active thing I've done is hack at the bougainvillea, and the intertwined and rampant passionfruit vine which is eternally attempting to choke it. I won btw. My aim was also to warm myself up, which I achieved nicely... for a while. Very sunny lately at least.

So, being a lazy day, I thought it was an opportune moment to have a go at a flickr-mosaic meme that's been going around the blogosphere.

It goes like this:

• Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
• Using only the first page of results, pick one image.
• Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.

And the questions are these:

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favorite food right now?

3. What high school did you go to?

4. What is your favorite color?

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

6. What is your favourite drink?

7. What is your dream vacation?

8. What is your favourite dessert?

9. What do you want to be when you grow up?

10. What do you love most in life?

11. What is one word that describes you?

12. What is your flickr name?

They're answered in rows, left to right.

I'm quite happy with how it turned out actually - it will do well as my new desktop image (although it could be quite dangerous as it will surely encourage me to up my indulgence in sweet treats - how good does that mud pie look!!!).


Update: Thanks to kiki's encouragement, I shall annoy, I mean, tag people to do the meme. I hereby tag kiki, kath, mai, ariel and homo j. Enjoy or ignore as you wish!

Suu Kyi - They done it again

Yes, it's that time of year again already!

Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest has been extended for another 6 months by the Burmese junta.

I think the reason they've made it only 6 months this time, instead of usual 12, is because it's against the law for them to hold anyone for more than 5 years (which it will be in November) without trial.

And, of course, her supporters have been seized by police... so say some prayers or whatever.



Poor bloody Burma...

2020 enthusiasm

Managed to see some of the 2020 Summit on the telly today and felt a complete nerd for wishing I'd watched it all weekend! I love seeing people converse about ideas, and I also enjoy seeing how people organise such brainstorming (some 'streams' were better than others I noted; eg. economists over farmers, although, apparently the formality (or lack thereof) of the rooms could be responsible for this - interesting in itself).


Overall, I noticed a couple of themes that flowed through all the streams (note the lovely imagery there).

1. Including the greater community more in politics and collective decision making. There was talk in the Governance stream of information going both ways: accessible to the public (via a website) and also feedback and input from the public. Social inclusion. Nice.

2. Many were enthusiastic about multi-lateral approaches and greater integration between different areas, ie. government, business and community. Also to fix the troublesome and overly complex relationship between federal and state governments. Therefore, integration of governance. Hurrah.

The themes that PM Rudd noticed were:

• the desire for a seamless national economy
• climate change: impact is wide-ranging and affects all policy areas
• fix the relationship between Commonwealth and state governments
• desire for a more open government and improved public service
• increasing our role for 'good' in the world

The Initial Report from the Summit notes four overall themes: "Responding to climate change, creating a seamless economy through a national approach, developing people [this could mean lots of procreating... but I don't think so], and strengthening civil society..."

_________________

APPLAUSE!!!

In regard to the brief summaries and ideas of note that each stream presented, I noticed that the following received enthusiastic responses from the audience:

PRODUCTIVITY

Community Corps, to enable reduction of HECS debt (ie. student loans, if you're o/s) through participation in community service.

Having one national curriculum, which would save money which can be better used by schools.

HEALTH

"Have a health system structured around the person rather than the provider – in which every Australian has access to their own health data, and there are better and transparent data flows across all health players."

"Have health policy focused on prevention."

"Have “One Health System” – a community-driven system with single governance, management and funding."
And a national (independent) preventative health agency "funded by taxes on products with high social cost, e.g. alcohol, cigarettes and junk food (like a national version of VicHealth)."

"Make healthy food choices easy", eg. fruit at schools and delivered to Indigenous communities, easy 'traffic light' food labelling, ban on marketing junk food to kids, and "regulating the allowable content of unhealthy ingredients."

Also a couple of 'out of the the box' ideas such as educating children about a wide range of health issues, and organ donation being an 'opt out system'.

SECURITY & PROSPERITY

"To ensure that the major languages and cultures of our region are no longer foreign to Australians but are familiar and mainstreamed into Australian society."

SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE CHANGE

"The implementation of tax and other policies that encourage the use of public transport."

GOVERNANCE

This one got the biggest applause of all: An Australian republic. Simple!

"A top priority in this stream was the need for an Australian republic, to be enabled by a proposed two-stage process, with wide community involvement and ownership of the outcome."

They also liked the idea of a more collaborative government:

"Another major theme was the need to strengthen the participation of Australians in their governance: a revolution in community and government interaction through grassroots and non-traditional community engagement, as well as more formal electoral processes."

And, wonderfully, there was much support for the vision of Parliament 'question time' being a 'real exchange' instead of the useless mess it currently is. (Oh please please please!!!)

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES

There was some support of NAB donating millions to support disadvantaged groups in starting new businesses.

But there was mostly enthusiasm for a National Development Index which could measure social growth. The example was that we see politics, sport and finance on the news (as they are readily measured) and should also be able to hear, for eg., how many trees had been planted that day, and other such good things (like what celebrity has just had a baby... oh, that's right, we already get that).

"A National Development Index, based on economic, social and environmental measures, which would incorporate social inclusion indicators."

-----

Myself, I didn't think the Healthbook idea sounded that flash (one's private health details on a web page like Facebook, so your doctor and friends can see all that's wrong with you - oh, woo hoo, that sounds like fun: "Oh hi Mum... Yeah, well, that thing with the zucchini was just an accident, really! You know how enthusiastic I get in the kitchen...!"). And the Indigenous stream didn't seem to come up with anything concrete which was quite disappointing.

I did like the ideas of greater freedom of (government) information and community participation in decision making. As well as the ideas that supported Australia being more involved in the region and Australians being more familiar with Asian cultures and languages. Also, of course, the republic and a more modern Australian federation instead of all this federal vs states nonsense.

____________________

Anyway... you might think the 'gab-fest' a big waste of time (ie. there perhaps could have been more effort in how aspirations could actually be achieved, and there should have been more 'ordinary' people)... or truly inspirational and the bringer of much 'warm-and-fuzzy'ness!

My view so far is both cynical and optimistic.

I can see how our Kev is able to use this to promote himself politically, but I can also see how, at the very least, it encourages more Australians to become involved in political debates and to feel they, we, have a role in shaping our future. Of course our role is very limited and instigating change is never easy, even for politicians! But really, anything that encourages us to take a step back, to stop and get some perspective on what direction might be best at a local, national, regional and even a global level, can't be such a bad thing.
Even if it merely inspires people (or gives Kev a good excuse to make some major changes - ie. "Hey, you guys wanted this! I'm just making Australia happy.") it's a good thing.

And really I'm envious, it looked like they were having a lot of fun...! Although, as PM Rudd pointed out, it wasn't all inspirational: the 'breakfast box' with the apricot jam bagel apparently was none too flash. Oh, how they've suffered for our well-being! *sniff*

'Australians all let us rejoice...!'

*wipes away tears with national flag*

Oh it just makes ya so proud!!!!

5 things meme (with pictures!!)

The lovely Ariel has tagged me for a meme. Apparently it's for those of us who are random and weird...
Oh... no. Sorry. It's actually for telling 5 random or weird facts about yourself.


The rules of this meme are:
Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names, and links to their blogs.
Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


Right then. These are the facts:


1. I'm someone who needs time on my own more than I need time with other people. I've known lots of people that hate being alone, and some can't even stand silence. I'm content with quiet; it doesn't bother me. Unlike others who say they'd go nuts without company, I think I would go nuts if I never had time alone... which is probably why living on my own suits me so much. I love it!


2. I watch motorbike races; MotoGP.
I have been exposed to a fair bit of motorsport over the years due to various boyfriends, but it's only been the MotoGP that's stuck (I can do without the F1 cars or the V8s).

That I like the GP is probably partly due to Valentino Rossi. He's been the champion rider for years and is very entertaining on and off the track - quite a personality and an exciting rider. (Hmm, this doesn't sound suggestive at all does it?)

Of course last year it was Aussie rider, Casey Stoner, who took the championship off Rossi. So it's been even better to watch.



3. I have a small, private collection of etchings... Would you like to see them?
Sorry. I meant to say: I have a small collection of other people's photos and postcards. They are all decades old and I just find them beautiful and romantic somehow. And a bit mysterious. Have bought them in market stalls and from unusual people at swap meets.

Here are some from the 1920s and 30s. Just click to enlarge them:

Florence postcard, front and back (a few ghosts in this one):


Who are these people? The first one says on the back it is Joe and Peter in 1932.

(Obviously not on a good day...)

These are a bit more picturesque:



And another postcard, front and back:




4. I also love owning old books. I love them all aesthetically most of all, but many for their content too, like Keats' poetry and letters. And the much outdated content of the volumes of 'The Popular Educator':


For example:

"In searching for a record of the process of creation, we naturally turn our attention to that only Book the human library contains which did not emanate from the mind of man. But [in] the Bible... we only find the sacred historian dedicating a few verses to the subject of 'the creation of the world'. Yet we may rest assured that, although the short notice only touches the prominent points, yet every word is true; and the more science has discovered, the more has she proved to be the commentator and unfolder of the great truths contained in those few words.
...Explorers now in every part of the world collect information, and every right-minded man rests assured that in the end Scripture will not be contradicted, but confirmed."

Religious Education, right? No. This is under the heading "Lessons in Geology - I". Yes, 'Educator' indeed.

In case you're interested there are also lessons in Arithmetic, Hydrostatics, Greek, Italian, Latin, German, Geometrical Perspective, Algebra, Botany (eg. Anacardiaceae: 'Flowers ordinarily dicecious by abortion... petals inserted upon a perigynous disc... imbricated in aestivation...' Don't fret people. Spell-check doesn't know what these words mean either.), Readings in French, Lessons in Shorthand, Music, Architecture, Recreative Natural History (where we learn about stages in the metamorphosis of various crabs for example), Historical Sketches, Our Holiday (which includes Athletic Sports, with diagrams: 'Fig. 1 - Running')... I think you get the idea.

There's also Comparative Anatomy, a game boys have always been fond of (after they're shown you their etchings).


5. I lived in the US when I was a kid.

When I came back to a new Australian primary school - after having been well-educated in acquiring a perfect American accent in a US elementary school (only took me 2 weeks) - I found I was a freak. No one had an accent of any kind in this school, possibly not even Kiwi. So at recess I would be in the middle of the school yard with the majority of the student body surrounding me shouting 'Say something! Say something!'.
'Uh, what do you want me to say?'
'Ahahahahahahahaha! Say something else!'
'What?'
'Say rollerskates!'
'Uh... Rollerrrskates'
'Ah-hahahahahahaha!! Say something else!'
and on and on...

Of course, after the above treatment, I tried frantically to get my Aussie accent back - and succeeded, and thankfully stopped getting mobbed.

Oh, but they all decided I was a bit strange and possibly a bit thick as in addition to my freaky way of speaking, I had learnt a different method of long division (of course I was successful at it, but that didn't mean I was allowed to do it that way!) and had never learnt netball (only baseball, softball, indoor hockey... not much use). So me, the American freak.

Many of these kids who continued on to the same high school later could never be convinced I was Australian.

-----

I will now politely tag (ie. don't have to do it if you don't want!) The Blakkat, Mai, Wyn Richards, Davey (cause you're all a bit weird and random... *heh*) and Rosanna (who, of course, is Practically Perfect)!

Not to put too fine a point on it... and perhaps no point at all...

You may have thought by my recent and thorough blog absence that this year, being a leap year and all, I was going to leap my way over February altogether and not return until March. But you are quite mistaken (obviously!) as I have now returned to opine upon the limitations and inclinations of beliefs.

Yes, you heard rightly. Phil-oss-o-fee.

*clears throat in a ladylike manner*


Everybody believes in something and everybody, by virtue of the fact that they believe in something, use that something to support their own existence.
- Frank Zappa

The wise Mr Zappa is quite correct. I have been pondering such things myself lately and have realised that absolutely everything we humans believe in - including what we choose not to believe in - is a mere choice, you know, nothing can be proven and all that. (ie. Reality is in the eye of the beholder... Oooh...)

Some of you may find such an understanding of reality heartening as you appreciate the absolute freedom this gives a person. Others may take a more pessimistic approach and sigh in longing for answers which, it seems, you can only make up for yourself. Oh why cannot some worldly or (even more wonderfully) unworldly soul come along and show one the way; explain what's black and what's white! *holding back of hand to pale forehead as one beseeches the night sky above* I mean, everything is just a choice to believe or not believe? How heartbreakingly grey! And how can anything have any meaning at all if that is the case!??

Well, continuing in such thinking will only create a well worn path from your pacing treads upon the carpet and the only thing you will catch is likely your own tail (or, more aptly, 'tale') so don't get one's self in knots but instead distract yourself and feel some sympathy for those living in the time of Oscar Wilde...

It is a very sad thing that nowadays there is so little useless information.
- Oscar Wilde

...as they obviously did not have the internet.



Mr Wilde also believed "only the shallow know themselves." This makes a lot of sense considering the philosophical ponderings above... (she says out of the corner of her mouth as she is busy chewing her own tail).


The wonderful lass Mr George Eliot opined that "We are all apt to believe what the world believes about us." True, true. And also sheds extra light on how the shallow know themselves so well.


Sir Francis Bacon: "If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts he shall end in certainties."
Well... I suppose from my latest ponderings I am certain that everything I think I know or believe is purely my choice, and same goes for everyone else... But then, that's just what I choose to believe, I suppose... so, how certain am I?

Oh. He said "a man"! Well, there you go...



Ah, hell to it all. Let us instead reveal and revel in the wisdom of Lily Tomlin: "Reality is a crutch for people who can't cope with drugs."


Obviously the trick is to be shallow and eternally inebriated.



*hic*

Top up my vodka will you George darling...

Sorry, Mary Anne then...

Er, aren't you dead dear?

Hmm, I could take your lack of response as affirmation... as inebriation... but... as I belieeeve you're here......

Panties for Peace

Calling all women.

Your knickers have the power! Don't be afraid to use it!



Women in several countries have begun sending their panties to Myanmar embassies in a culturally insulting gesture of protest against the recent brutal crackdown there, a campaign supporter said Friday.

"It's an extremely strong message in Burmese and in all Southeast Asian culture,'' said Liz Hilton, who supports an activist group that launched the "Panties for Peace'' drive earlier this week.

The group, Lanna Action for Burma, says the country's superstitious generals, especially junta leader Gen. Than Shwe, also believe that contact with women's underwear saps them of power.

Hilton said women in Thailand, Australia, Singapore, England and other European countries have started sending or delivering their underwear to Myanmar missions following informal coordination among activist organizations and individuals.

"You can post, deliver or fling your panties at the closest Burmese Embassy any day from today. Send early, send often!'' the Lanna Action for Burma website urges.



Wow. I'm gonna make my knickers as *evil* as possible.
Perhaps I will even write "FREE BURMA" on them...

...in blood. *Mwahahahahahahaaaa!*

TAKE THAT THAN SHWE!!!
Wooo hooo!!!!

Burma's Embassy in Australia:

22 Arkana St, YARRALUMNA, ACT 2600

SPDC Embassies Worldwide

Hmmm.... I wonder if I will need to put a 'hazardous material' warning on the package...


You know, this is also rather practical. What a great way to recycle! Don't throw away those ratty old, fraying at the edges or (even better) stained knickers! Post them to Burmese authorities and save the world at the same time!

Also useful for Miss America contestants. Instead of that stale old "What's most important to me is world peace" reply, they can say, "I'm actually working toward world peace. I send my dirty knickers to the generals in Burma! *hee*"

“The people of Burma are doing what they can inside [the country],” said Liz Hilton. “We should do whatever we can outside. Most of us are not politicians, we are not powerful people. But women do have the power of their panties—let’s use that.”

Ah Liz, I salute you.

Do you laugh or cry?

So happy about those millions...


Of course everyone knows about The Chaser boys' prank at APEC yesterday - onya lads!


The convoy of three black cars, decked out to resemble an official Canadian motorcade, came within metres of the hotel where US President George W Bush is staying, before finally being pulled over by authorities.



A source inside the show has told The Daily Telegraph the team never expected to get so far. The skit had been approved by ABC lawyers but was written in the assumption they would be stopped at the first checkpoint.

Instead they were waved through the first on Macquarie St, then a second, which had sniffer dogs, and eventually stopped themselves at Bridge St.

"As they did Chas got out of a car dressed as Osama bin Laden and said something like 'I'm an important world leader why don't I have a seat at the APEC table?'. Apparently that was the first time the police realised it was not authentic and they swooped in and arrested everybody," the source said.



"What happened is not a joke and we we would have preferred it did not happen,'' (state Premier) Mr Iemma said.


I bloody bet they'd rather it didn't happen. How dumb does all that security hoo ha look when 11 people get past security checks with passes that say 'It's pretty obvious this isn't a real pass' and: 'Chaser's War', 'JOKE', 'Insecurity'?



That we're spending $250 million on security and it doesn't even work is the real joke.

Watch out for turkeys Dubya, there's obviously plenty around.

...

True life, spirit, suffering, love, loss & strength

HEY, have you READ about Mai's life yet?

Here is a Woman who has died a few times,
experienced torture,
known murder (of those she loves; AND has inflicted it rightfully upon a vile scum of a [man] in self-defence).

Plus her life experiences are full of love and magical occurrences.


If she weren't a few continents away I would, literally, bow at her feet. I don't know anyone who has as much life and spirit and fire and strength and soul and love and beauty as Mai.

She has my love and blessings always.

And just for being who she is.

Mai (my inspiration)

Please, go & read some of Mai's life-stories. They are very moving. She's warrior, heroine & saint (not that she'd say so); plus the history is important.

LINK


...