Fresh New Day» fun

Don’t forget to check off!

Lynsey — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:55:38 +0000

“You know, if you want to avoid me, you should stop coming here.”

Lea stirred from her daydream and looked around nervously. Who… ? The guy in the other seat stared out the window. The driver concentrated on the obstacle course ahead.

“Over 2.3 million passengers. You know, you’re the only one I talk to.”

The left side of Lea’s top lip twitched. Again. She could feel herself frowning. Perspiring.

“So, you got nowhere. Are you taking care of yourself?”

Lea’s sunglasses started to slide down her perspiration slicked nose.

No-one else seemed to notice the conversation opening. Lea squirmed. The question hung in the air. Someone or something, was trying to talk to her.

“This is crazy. No-one speaks to me on this bus. I am going home. Alone. As usual. Nobody likes me. I am completely alone, and no-one is talking to me now”, Lea hissed under her breath.

The bus lurched and continued to grind up the hill. Lea pushed the stop alert button, and the driver pulled in to the curb.

Lea swiped her bus pass over the monitor, and stumbled out and away without looking back.

“You know,” said the Driver, turning to confront the monitor, “My orange friend, you’re a real laugh; but you’re so damn mean to those single girls!”

There was a moment of silence. They both laughed as the bus pulled away from the curb…

Manifesto
24. Every day is a journey. Not a destination.
28. Every day you will be tested.
32. Every day have a laugh.

Coffee mornings

Lynsey — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 10:12:52 +0000

Oh, Saturday morning. Isn’t today the big day? Big plans, plenty to do? Action packed places to go, people to see? After a very solid week’s work, 48 hours of me-time. So, get up and go! Go! Go!

Can I check back with you later after a cup of coffee or two?

Just kidding. It has been a most productive day. Perhaps one of the most productive in a long time.

Manifesto
19. Every day make time for yourself.
27. Every day pain is a sign of growing.
32. Every day have a laugh.

Zoom!

Lynsey — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:14:09 +0000

Do you ever have one of those days when a number of plans, ideas, blue sky thinking, and general staring into space finally starts to come together? Today was one of those rare and precious days. The first learning was that, clearly, more plans, plotting, and scheming are required, because when there’s enough swirling around, and it all comes together, the world starts to change on to a new path.

The second learning was an acceptance that not only could I not progress to the next step without assistance from other people, I really wanted to collaborate with others. Together we can do it. A bit of motherly advice there, thanks Mum.

We’ve been talking a lot about times of processing compared with times of action. The processing part has sometimes been rather frustrating, but the action part feels good. What’s starting to happen is, after what seems like the longest time waiting – getting ready to get ready – that some of my dreams are starting to roll down the runway, gathering a little momentum. This time last week? Gathering spider webs and dust bunnies. Today, a bit creaky, but moving. Progress, onwards and upwards.

Finally.

Exciting!

Manifesto
04. Every day is an opportunity to cultivate the promise of the future.
08. Every day choose to bring about change.
10. Every day connect with somebody.

JSH

Lynsey — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:06:43 +0000

On the plywood wall, young love sears with a white hot heat.

Somebody JSH has a big, hot red heart for somebody ABs.

Probably someone Joan Stevens Hall, probably someone All Blacks.

Manifesto
18. Every day express love. Some people need to hear it. Most people need to see it. Don’t take it for granted.
38. Every day be brave and give things a go. Use fear to trigger you into action.
42. Every day celebrate. Who you are. What you have achieved. Things that matter to you.

Flash mobs

Lynsey — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:42:55 +0000

I think half the city was involved in the ‘random’, ‘spontaneous’ flash mobbed Samoan haka in downtown Wellington today. I’m unsure whether it was a ‘me-too’ or more of a warning given the recent selection of haka appearing also equally randomly and spontaneously on the web.

I was amused by the fine selection of video gathering hardware phones, ipads – some people even used video cameras – how quaint.

The Rugby World Cup seems to have had rather a small impact on Wellington – apart from providing another excuse for people to get out in the sun and cheer each other on.

Does the scale really matter? An opportunity for people to get together and share some community in a good spirited and happy kind of way is always a good thing, and something that is all too rare. So the people who bravely managed to edge their car through the lunchtime crowds seemed to be having as good a time as the audience as the performers in the chants. I rather like the more informal approaches, where the people on the sidelines are almost impossible to separate from the performers.

Manifesto
10. Every day connect with somebody.
21. Every day seek the support of others. You are not alone.
32. Every day have a laugh.

Making plans

Lynsey — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:52:00 +0000

Early this afternoon a deeply evil looking cloud rolled across Wellington from the south. Soon after, in addition to the outbursts of lightning and loud thunder, hail the size of chick peas hammered the roofs and roads. It was quite entertaining watching the unfortunate drivers trying to manage the suddenly rather dangerous roads.

Whatever plans the drivers had, there was suddenly a new set of plans to be made.

Across the road, students were throwing hail as though it was snow. Down the slopes, courier drivers were trying to get their vans running. Office workers were out having a quick and cold cigarette. Others were taking photos.

Same for me – I had to make a photo or two while the beauty was fresh.

Manifesto
30. Every day use all your senses. Touch. Smell. Taste. Hear. See.
38. Every day be brave and give things a go. Use fear to trigger you into action.
48. Every day there are things you can’t change. You can change the way you think about them and deal with them.

The Big Banana

Lynsey — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 11:48:10 +0000

Tonight, on the waterfront, the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra were in fine form. For sheer musical meaty goodness it’s very, very hard to beat them. I completely applaud their musical aplomb, their good hearted enthusiasm for what they’re doing, and most of all, the friendly way they engage with the audience. It’s a joy to watch – to participate in – partly because of the seemingly effortless performance on stage, and very much because of the way the audience responds. Favourite songs, set pieces, shared understanding, mutual support, very family friendly – their concerts are, justifiably, very popular. The last time we attended a concert we were lucky to get into the second show of the night. This time I got to go to this, the first event, a free concert with the Orchestra to launch the celebrations for the opening of the Rugby World Cup. Thanks guys.

Oh, and the Big Banana? Check out the yellow sleeping bag outfit stage right. Perfect for dealing with the nippy Wellington breeze.

Manifesto
29. Every day eat, drink, rest, work, exercise, play, love, create for your own good. And the good of others.
30. Every day use all your senses. Touch. Smell. Taste. Hear. See.
32. Every day have a laugh.

Stationery

Lynsey — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:15:48 +0000

We were talking about bit mapped graphics and how we used to love those games like ‘Space Invaders’ and ‘Tetrus’. I was pretty useless at them – reflex and twitch muscles not being my forte, and besides, the games bored me after a fairly short while. I did get addicted to the ACS – Adventure Construction Set game on my trusty Amiga. I spent hours building the graphics for an elaborate adventure game based on tropical islands and coral reefs. I called the game ‘Reef’ and the unit of exchange was seashells. To complete the game you learned a lot about tropical marine ecosystems and and and… honestly, look at you – could you be more bored?

From there it to the eye-candy Myst series and then nothing – I haven’t played a computer game for years and years, diverted by writing web pages, drawing, photography, and more writing. I’m very sure the graphics that wowed me in Myst must look absolutely dreary now compared to all the new 3D software apps. Progress starts somewhere…

This morning walking to work I was entertained to see some active person had raided the stationery cupboard and bit mapped the office windows using Post-its. I love the contrast between the old steampunk style building and the bit maps – I hope the idea catches on across the city.

Manifesto
32. Every day have a laugh.
33. Every day try something new.
42. Every day celebrate. Who you are. What you have achieved. Things that matter to you.

Surf’s up, Seth

Lynsey — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 08:34:20 +0000

A beautiful Spring morning is just perfect for friends to go for a walk along the beach. Seth and I mooched along the high tide line at Lyall Bay, each of us happy in our own thoughts. That’s the great thing about some friends – you don’t have to fill in every second with conversation – in fact, some things are best unsaid, not just bad things (of course), but good things too. There’s a definite pleasure in that splendid, comfortable, companionable silence of friends.

There’s another terrific thing about having friends who see things in other ways. There’s a universe of sounds, sights, and smells out there that we don’t always notice, or take the time to pay attention to, let alone to enjoy. If you’ve got a friend who can show you something new to hear, see, or smell, your perception of the world expands to a whole new horizon. It helps you feel better about yourself too, experiencing new things in new ways. And being out, on a bright and beautiful morning, with a friend, on Lyall Bay beach.

Manifesto
01. Every day is a fresh new day.
05. Every day is now. The present moment.
14. Every day the ordinary can be the extraordinary.

Billing

Lynsey — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 09:43:36 +0000

Do you remember those amazing days when you were first in love? When it seemed like the top of your head was going to just explode off? When your heart would start beating madly? If you haven’t checked your email 60 times an hour, or waited up until 2 in the morning in case there was one – last – message… then, dear friend, it’s time you did.

It’s the best thing ever, if for no other reason than when you’re in love, madly in love, you become kind of blind. You just don’t see the world around you in quite the same way – everything is either beautiful – or you don’t care – or both. No-one knows where love grows … but I love that it does.

Manifesto
17. Every day look through a new lens.
18. Every day express love. Some people need to hear it. Most people need to see it. Don’t take it for granted.
46. Every day you can change your thoughts.