06 Lessons

This year I learned how not to play the victim.

And...
I learned how to knit. Kind of.
I learned that you can change your life by changing your thinking.
I learned that we are all good people. Good people can do bad things when they are in bad situations.
I learned that exceptional people do good things in bad situations.
I learned that what was my shit, what was others.
I learned not to take other's shit on as my own.
I learned how to play sudoku.
I learned how to stop playing sudoku. This was harder.
I learned that the world was in graver trouble than ever suspected.
I learned not to be fearful of that, but to make actions for that.
I learned how to make puff pastry.
I learned that it's loaded with butter, and that's why I like it so much.
I learned that sometimes we all make mistakes. Infact, I knew that already.
What I really learned is that a friend will never take the moral high ground over another person's mistakes. We all need to learn in our own way.
I learned never to try to cancel my birthday again. That really did feel like crap. No matter where I think I might 'be', life is to be celebrated.
I learned that there is inspiration everywhere.
I learned that I am really happy, naturally.
I learned that on top of that happiness sometimes sits fear.
I learned how to face that fear.

In 2007, the fear and I are going head to head.

Inspiration: Subversive Art

Ron English is an American subversive artist. I dig the reclaiming of billboards for the free speech of individuals.

Reclaim an ad today!

Inspiration: BLESS

I was shopping with my mate Deb, who's quite up the duff, and I stumbled on the world's most amazing hoody. I don't need to buy the world's most amazing hoody (having recently bought the world's most comfortable hoody), but it did introduce me to BLESS.

From the web:

BLESS is a provocative collaborative project by Desiree Heiss and Ines Kaag generating products in the fields of fashion accessories, design and fine art. The products respond to personal needs in the areas of work, cooperation and living, and go beyond existing archetypes and conventions.

Back to me:

These people are just clever. For instance, they design cable jewellry that is to draw attentions to wires and plugs rather than to hide them. Stockings, socks and hoods to go over clothing. Covers for doors. Vacuums that are double as chairs.

Their work sits somewhere between fine art and fashion. Wherever it sits, I like it.
Here's Deb modelling the chain bag...

127

My IQ.

Just found out this morning. So, now what?

Art Day becomes Angst Day

My energy was totally fucked up today. I think it might have something to do with the block of chocolate I ate last night.

My days off are precious and I really wanted to do some art stuff, but push never came to shove and so the most creative thing I achieved was the dishes.

I hung out with Tash and we looked at blogs on life in Darfur in Sudan. I think that freaked us out a little. Tash is soon to spend two years there working with refugees. I have to admit that I feel quite ashamed about not really knowing much about what is going on - but basically it is the century's first genocide. And it's happening today, under the same sky that I ate gelati and worried about the rent and what I am doing with my life.

Then I went for a swim. I always notice my breathing when I swim and today it was especially catchy - it took ages to get it nice and even. I feel like going out and getting pissed, and yet I aslo feel like being alone. I'm muddled.

On Tuesday I was full of great inspiration and had loads of ideas about stuff I want to do. Today, somehow, I can't even remember what Tuesday's ideas were all about.

I keep on thinking about energy following thought. Perhaps today's thoughts were so scattered the energy got confused. Tonight I will meditate and hope for better thoughts tomorrow. Or I'll get pissed. Can't decide..

Inspiration: Ben Long

I used to live in Sydney, and have never forgotten stumbling onto an amazing exhibition called New Drawing: The Line Fell off the Page. It showcased a variety of new media for drawing: tyre lines from doing burnouts, braille drawings and embroidery.

But by far the stand out piece (for me) was the work of Ben Long. Wierdly I can only tiny morcel on the web about him now. He's draw on the back of dirty trucks, using his finger as a pen. The piece was a video installation, showing him at work, and the public reaction as the works travel.

I have one more image that I just need to scan in. Stay tuned.