Archive for the ‘Encouragement’ Category
Miracle escapes and sad fatalities
My family and I are feeling pretty subdued by the disaster in Christchurch. Miracle escapes and sad fatalities. We humans are resilient and fragile (another paradox). One can’t help but be positively impressed by the bravery and determination of some of the rescue workers … and co-ordinators/spokesmen, like Christchurch’s eloquent mayor Bob Parker. These are […]
Paradox
I’m big on perceiving paradox and contradictions, quoting the already oft-quoted Walt Whitman from his Song of Myself: Do I contradict myself? Very well, I contradict myself. (I am large, I contain multitudes.) I see this everywhere. It’s OK. And I acknowledge that if I reach for the comfort/licence of that philosophy (which I do) […]
The street won.
On Hosni Mubarak finally acknowledging the obvious: “The street won. There was nothing that could be done. It’s good that he did what he did,” former Defence Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, who knew Mubarak well, told Israel TV’s Channel 10. Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel, and there are […]
I agree: Steven Tyler is an improvement
American Idol. You either like it or hate it. I’m in the former camp. I enjoy the talent and the ‘quest’ that the show provides … but winning the popular vote isn’t an indicator of talent. Plenty of ‘also-rans’ were super-talented and (in my eyes) more interesting than the eventual winners. I will NEVER forget […]
Don McLean
There’s a very nice interview with singer-singwriter Don McLean over at the Sunday Star Times in the lead up to his NZ tour. I like what he says about not ‘explaining’ his lyrics after the fact… “Songwriters should make their statements and move on, maintaining a dignified silence.” I saw him in concert in Wellington […]
A process
From one of my favourite, favourite people on the interwebs, Havi Brooks (theFluentSelf.com) recently: We all have our stuff. We’re all working on our stuff. It’s a process. *Sigh.* So true Havi. Thanks for the reminder. – P PS Havi’s list ‘Some things I have learned about sovereignty‘ is absolutely golden.
Ravenous predator
SURPRISE! Watch this video of Great White sharks using the element of surprise to catch hapless Cape Fur seals who are forced to cross a narrow strip of shark-infested water (literally) to go fishing for their own food. Amazing. (STUNNING 3 min video below the fold)
Spotted on the road … gulp
First time I’ve seen this … I saw this on my travels this morning. I guess that’s one time you don’t want to be using a van with your business sign-writing all over it. – P
Steve Jobs
At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company. — Apple CEO Steve Jobs 17/1/11 Full statement at apple.com All I can say is I wish him […]
The Letters … by Leonard Cohen
You never liked to get The letters that I sent. But now you’ve got the gist Of what my letters meant. You’re reading them again, The ones you didn’t burn. You press them to your lips, My pages of concern. I said there’d been a flood. I said there’s nothing left. I hoped that you […]
Elementary — so how many of these do we do?
from Robert Valett’s Prescriptions for Happiness — one of those A-Z’s that can be a combination of corny and insightful. Better than reading the news! – P
Best wishes to our mates in Queensland
With the flooding, the last thing they’ll have time for is browsing the internet (!), so they won’t see this, but I wanted to ‘send’ my best wishes for their recovery, and condolences to the grief stricken. It’s a tough situation. – P
Dagmar Andres-Dahmen. Wow.
An artist friend of ours* is displaying her latest work … if you’re in Auckland and you’re interested, go check it out … and this cool invitation … Otherwise (or as well) you might enjoy her website: www.dagmarandresdahmen.co.nz * We bought a painting of hers a few years ago and she’s just gotten better and […]
A subliminal message to ‘investors’ getting ‘educated’ [groan] about distressed US properties
That’s actually me under the cap … I got it from Neil Jenman with some other cool stuff when he visited Auckland a few years back to harass the local property spruikers and give some advice to buyers and sellers … I wear it with a chuckle. It reads DON’T SIGN ANYTHING … with Jenman’s […]
