The Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW (till June 3rd)

We just had an exquisite weekend in Sydney. High on the 'to do' list was a visit to the Art Gallery of NSW. to see the finalists for the Archibald Prize. What an array of beautiful work. What an array of artistic technique. Bliss for a couple of hours working our way through the crowd, standing in awe, trying to get a sense if why the artist chose to paint this person, at this time in this way.
Loved Kate Tucker's 'Melody'. Overwhelmed by Jodi Daley's 'Private X' and Vernon Ah Kee's 'Isee deadly people'. Struggled for some with Tim Storrier's 'The histrionic wayfarer', until I got it - and then could see just how brilliant it is with all it's allegory. Also felt the pain of Jenny Sage's 'After Jack' (we have been there, Jenny).
There is so much phenomenal talent in this country.
And then we had lunch in the Gallery restaurant. Double bliss, double artistic talent.

http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/archibald-wynne-sulman-prizes-2012/

I just got 'craoked' by Mind Yoga

The Random Act of Kindness group on Facebook (see my last blogpost) (http://www.facebook.com/groups/9714516349/) seems to have meant something to many people. Just the idea that by doing something small for another being, we make the world a better place... So there have been a string of beautiful personal stories which make delightful reading. In fact each of them has made me smile.
Someone then CRAOKed me. This apparently stands for Create a Random Act of Kindness today. Nice. You can take a look at the CRAOK idea at
http://www.mindyoga.com.au/a/Mind-Yoga/CRAOK

Old photos never die; they, like the memories, just fade a bit...

Going through some slides found in a box in the cupboard, clearly my father's photos we had never seen. Pictures of Jan and I as teenagers on our first visit to Australia in 1963. Precious photos of my Mother - precious because she never liked having her photo taken, and so these are gold dust. Photos of my two sons as littlies in the garden of a beautiful old house we lived in in Kent (Old Gates, Coleman's Stairs Rd, Birchington). Photos of my sister with a Dachshund we had as children (Mitzi). Photos of a dog we had when our children were small (Scamp).
So we made a decision to buy a digitizer to convert the really good ones to a format for computers. Then we can share them.

Bigoted Psychiatrists and Sexual Preference

Sometimes my colleagues leave me in utter despair. What do these supposedly knowledgeable people think they are doing? There is absolutely no evidence that sexual preference has any impact on the way Australian children grow up.
http://mobile.news.com.au/national/gay-unions-a-risk-to-kids-chief-psychiatrist/story-e6frfkvr-1226353925146

Random Acts of Kindness (2) The FB RAK Group

This group sets out to increase the number of random acts of kindness across the world. These are usually small actions that cost nothing except a little time perhaps. RAKs do not set out to change others' lives, redirect them, or in any way control - they do not really have a purpose; you just do them because it occurred to you at the time.You don't have to 'try' to do a random act of kindness
However, they may encourage other people in their own lives, help them out of the holes they seem to fall into. RAKs may offer a helping hand, improve self confidence or self-esteem. make another human being smile, or just remind them they are alive.
There is no set upper or lower limit on how many you should do in any set time frame. However, you might like to achieve at least one RAK per day.
Please tell us what you did, or how it happened, or what you imagine the impact may have been. I guess the other side of this might be that someone shared a RAK with you. Tell us what you felt...
http://www.facebook.com/groups/9714516349/

Due to talk at the Transverse Myelitis Association Thursday 17th May

I have been asked to reflect on my recovery from Acute Transverse Myelitis at the Transverse Myelitis Association meeting next week, and it is troubling me. Me, who can talk under water and never gets nerves. We have discussed reading bits from chapters from my book. But which chapters do you choose? Should I choose those that might resonate with other sufferers - the struggles to come to terms with being handicapped, the awfulness of being a cypher in the system? Or should I choose those that are about my recovery. I suspect there will be people there who may not have had the supports I have had, have not been able to access Acupuncture, or were just more serious at the beginning. I don't want to offend. Mmmm, what a lot of dilemmas.

What exactly is a Random Act of Kindness?

As it says, a RAK is something spontaneous and unplanned. You are in place at a time when another human needs a small amount of help. You respond without really thinking, and go on your way. You may reflect on it later, or you may forget that you ever gave a helping hand. Your soul will never forget, and the person who received the Random Act of Kindness may never know your name, and never have the opportunity to repay your kindness, but they are also unlikely to forget.
It takes seconds of your time, costs next to nothing, but leaves a glow.
Join a Facebook discussion group about Random Acts of Kindness. Contribute to the group; change a bit of your world. Remind yourself to be aware enough to offer something when needed.

Random Acts of Kindness Facebook Group.