When TED Talks, I listen...

Have you heard about TED?

Have you been to their website 'just to take a look', only to find yourself still there 3 hours later, inspired and a little overwhelmed, but unable to drag yourself away before listening to just one more talk?

Have you listened to Jane Goodall talk about her years with the chimpanzees, Ken Livingston talk about education and creativity, have you listened to talks about answered dreams and been inspired by speaker's passions? Have you laughed and cried as you have heard people's tragedies and triumphs?

Have you ever dreamed of going to a TED conference or imagined yourself on the stage... Have you wished to be on that stage and motivate a huge group of people and share something in a speech that is possibly THE BEST TALK EVER?

Well, you might just be interested to hear, that this year TED is auditioning around the world in a global search to uncover a hidden gem, a person from the crowd, someone who has something important to say, that is just waiting for a chance to speak to a greater audience. It could be you! What would you say?

As advertised on their website...

The best moments at TED have often come from unexpected places. But this year, we're pushing that to an entirely new level. We're staging a global talent search to bring together the most remarkable lineup in TED's history. A series of public auditions in cities around the world will reveal voices, talents and ideas that delight and surprise. As a result, at least half of our TED2013 program will literally be crowd-sourced. Welcome to TED2013: "The Young. The Wise. The Undiscovered."

I heart home #4...

My special treasures board. 

And surprise surprise - a few more J's.

I'm not really liking the way the iphone blog app is bringing in images... there is no formatting options (size, position etc) and it seems low res. Hmmm... will have to look into this at home.

Have a good day everyone!

Where to begin?

I have an absolute stack of books that I am attempting to read at the moment (this is just the first pile)...
I have so many, I'm not even sure where to begin...
Any recommendations on where to start?

Winging it in the USA and holding onto adventure...

I have been meaning to add an update post to my blog for ages, but because my plans have been changing (and more countdown posts were getting a little bit boring), it was hard to know where to start. And on top of all that, I have been super busy.

All the planning (tickets/itinerary/accommodation/contacting friends)

The paper work (passport/money/visa)

Organising my life and home in my absence (house sitter/bills to be paid/work replacement)
Making decisions (where to go/what to do/where to stay)

Google has become my best computer buddy, taking over temporarily from my bff - blogging. Any free time I have had, has been spent researching, planning, changing plans and thinking about other plans.

As if procrastination isn't bad enough, add in indecision (a slightly different affliction) and a touch of nervousness and the plans have been rotating and changing on a daily basis.

The internet, in some ways makes it all a little too accessible, too easy to plan everything before even boarding the plane. Down to an itinerary for each and every day, each moment accounted for, each meal, tour and destination planned. But where is the adventure in that?

So, instead of over planning, I have decided to wing it a little.

I had plans. Lots of them.

Maybe too many.

Some have changed.

Some remain the same.

Many more will no doubt change along the way...

And so, as far as telling you my plans, I can't tell you that much at all.
What I do know of my six weeks in the USA is this...
I be staying in Maine for the first week and renewing my love for beautiful New England.
I am staying with old friends and we will be having a small reunion with a few others too.
I am spending ten nights in NYC, and at least three in Washington DC.

I am meeting up with some blogging friends.

And the rest?
There are many options of course, but right now, I am trying to hold on a little to the adventure of not knowing what might happen... being open to all the possibilities, embracing the freedom, relaxing... and remembering to breathe. At least three of the six weeks are a mystery at this stage, and that is how it's going to stay for now.

Maybe it's a little bit crazy, but it's pretty exciting too!

And so you know, it's just over two weeks to go...

Stitches & Craft loveliness

Last Friday, I took the day off work and headed to the Stitches and Craft show. It's always a treat to take a Friday off work, but to be spending time doing crafty workshops and meeting lovely crafty people and bloggers is hard to beat.


And then, as if Friday wasn't enough, I also went on Saturday too to catch up with more crafty goodness.

I created a sock owl, in Claire's workshop. Go take a look at her blog and say hi at Craft Schmaft. She is gorgeous and the workshop was lots of fun, she was so patient and looked after us all (even when I took the LONGEST TIME EVER to decide what colour sock to choose. The owls were all so different and so so cute.

Then, how could I possibly go to the Stitches and Craft Show and not do a workshop with Sandra from Pepperberry. I actually met Sandra last year at the same show at Flemington, where we found ourselves in a few of the same classes. She is AMAZING and I love her creations! And she has done such incredible things in the last year. Truly, I don't know how she does it all.

She has such an incredible energy and is obviously loving what she is doing, it's impossible not to be inspired.

I also caught up with other faves Nikki, Michelle, Cathy, Jodie, Bec, and met lots of lovely new blogging friends too... Caitlin from pippijoe, Holly from two cheese please, Jacqueline from Zippyzippy in Horsham, Gillian from Silly Gilly fame, and Kim from Emiti Crafts (she is new to blogging, so make sure you drop by and say hello).

I know I met lots of other crafters and bloggers too, so I am sorry if I have forgotten to mention you here, but it was lovely to meet you all and thanks for dropping by and saying hello to me. Leave me a comment and I will come and visit.

And, as it is Friday already, I am excited to say I will be meeting lots of these lovely people again, and lots of other crafty bloggers too, as we all head to Sew it Together, tonight at Nikki's studio, and then all day tomorrow in the city. Hopefully I'll see you there.

Yay!

Colourful chaos...

I have been wanting to re-hang my printers tray on the lounge room wall, since I rearranged my studio and didn't have any suitable wall space left. Finally last weekend I managed to get around to it... 

I stuck a hook in the wall and using the same wire from before, I hung the tray up and it worked exactly as I had hoped. Pleased with my progress, and congratulating myself on my decision, I got to work and filled it with cotton reels and lots of little bits and pieces that I have collected that are small enough to fit in the holes. And it was looking good. 


And then, just as I was adding the final bits...


I heard a tiny ping ping ping as each little bit of wire cable snapped in quick succession and, as I tilted my head to listen to try and work out what was going on, the wire snapped, and the printers tray with all it's collection fell off the wall!

Made quite a crash too. Who would have thought that tying wire in knots to make it shorter, would weaken it!!! Lots of stuff scattered EVERYWHERE.


Surprisingly, I didn’t even swear! No really! Who’d have thought it was possible.

But seriously, I was like a character in a cartoon scene. I was left standing there with a cotton reel in my hand... chaos all around me, and a look of stunned silence on my face. Is there such a look as stunned silence? Believe me, there is!


Thankfully nothing damaged or broken, though it did seem like a waste of over an hour and it has taken me another week to buy new wire and hooks and eventually re-do everything!

I'm very happy with the result. I think it's looking good. 
Again.

And order is restored... just as I like it 
(until the next bit if chaos hits that is!)
What do you think? 

I need a holiday...

For months now, I have been talking about taking a holiday. An escape of some sort. I know I have spoken about it before. But I am still here, and my annual leave has barely been touched.

I never wanted to be one of those people that had 2 weeks away each summer, only to begin to plan my next summer holiday, to the same destination, the moment I returned. I wanted to be adventurous. To go to new places, experience new things. Spread my wings and see a new part of the world each time I went away. I had travelled broadly for the 8 years I lived overseas and planned to continue to do so.

As it turned out, it didn't quite go as I had hoped...

It occurred to me just last week, that the last time I took a holiday, a proper, more than one week away type holiday, was January 2007. Before that it would have been a one week trip to Darwin, I think in 2005. Before that, maybe 2003 or even 2002. It's 2010 already!

Seems in avoiding what I saw as 'ordinary', I have somehow managed to go without a decent holiday altogether! What the fuck have I been doing?

For whatever reason, even though a holiday well and truly beckons, I can't seem to make my mind up as to what to do, when to go, or even where to go. There are any number of excuses for not making a decision, most of them in no way logical or sensible. And my passport remains unstamped. The furthest I have travelled in the last 2 years is Canberra, a mere one hour flight from home!

I am driving my friends mad.
I am driving my family mad.
But most of all,
I am driving myself mad.

I have considered...
Thailand
The UK
Cambodia
Vietnam
India
New Zealand
The USA
A caravan on the coast of NSW (Aus)
A road trip around the coast of Australia
Cairns
Darwin
God help me, I have even considered the Gold Coast!
I have considered
Camping in the backyard!
Camping in the front yard!
An artist retreat
A health retreat
A retreat from the world...

Right now, indecision is my biggest problem.

I know it's not a problem of epic proportions.
In fact, I can barely call it a problem.
Not in the true sense of the word.
But I need a holiday.

Help me.

I want them and I want them NOW!

Ohhh, I love these. Of course, I could just get one, but lets face it, a set of 10 would look so good in my studio (when I eventually get a studio that is).

Pantone Mugs - Pack of 10
$220
You can buy them online here

And the Awe-summm award goes to...

Me! Yes me!
I've been given and Awe-summm award from the lovely Lilli at Lilli Boo And what a lovely surprise, on a day that has (I'm sorry to say) been less than fabulous.

I have been asked to join in and list 7 things that make me Awe-Summm and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers I love. Saying what makes me awe-summm, is not something I feel especially comfortable with... but I have searched and thought and here is my list.

My list of Awe-Summm'ness:

1. I am a hard worker and live an honest life.
2. I defend people if I think they are being treated unfairly, and I try to treat everyone equally.
3. I love my family and I am happy to count them amongst my best friends.
4. I love to live creatively and try new things.
5. I was so terrified of spiders that I was letting my fear control my life, so I did an arachnophobia course. I held several huntsmen and a taranntula in my bare hands and now I find spiders fascinating as opposed to fearful.
6. I like to push myself out of the comfort zone and encourage others to challenge themselves too.
7. I remind myself every day how lucky I am to be surrounded by such incredible people and beauty in my life.

It was a tough decision to select just seven awesome blogs, but I know you will all spread the love even further. So, I now award the following for their awe-summmness.... I think they deserve it:

1. Hurrah!
2. Flossy-p
3. Pepperberry
4. Luhlahh
5. Circling my head
6. Adventures of Netgirl (I am missing her blogging and hope this gets her posting again!)
7. Everyday Calm


Below are the rules and guidelines to the Awe-summm award:

* List 7 things that make you Awe-Summm and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love.

* Make sure to tag your recipients and let them know they have won!

* And finally link back to the blogger that tagged you.

Dreaming of escape to a simpler life...

There are days, as the summer fades into autumn and I sit at my desk after a long week-end, that I dream of escape.

I don't want much really... a peaceful view of the water, sunshine on my shoulders, sand between my toes, a pile of books, a few pens, brushes and an empty notebook... and a caravan in which to make up a mug of hot chocolate in the cooler evenings and curl up each night.

This little beauty is an Airstream Bambi, and you can buy one here. At $51,000 it's a bit out of my price range (and I think that might even be US dollars), so I'll just have to keep dreaming.

Spring has sprung...

Hellllooooo Springtime!

Well, winter is now officially over and I am so so SO happy to say good-bye to winter and hello to spring. The last 2 months have been horrendous for a number of reasons (I may well fill you in sometime) and with the first days of Spring it feels like there may well be hope in the air.

Not just pink boas and heavy make-up...

Today is the anniversary of the birth of Dame Barbara Cartland. Happy Birthday Babs!

Some time ago, I stumbled upon a documentary about Dame Barbara Cartland. I paused for a moment to amuse myself, and found, to my total surprise that I was transfixed. She was an incredible woman. I had always imagined her pink outfits and thick make-up to be an indication of a woman of little substancce. I was wrong. She became a mainstay of the popular media in her trademark pink dresses and plumed hats, an expert on matters of love, marriage, politics, religion, health and fashion. To most people she was known for her prolific romance writing, but in reality she was so much more. Barbara Cartland was an amazing woman.

Not only was she a successful and well-loved author but she also lived a truly amazing life which spanned two world wars.

She was born 9th July, 1901 and her father was killed on a Flanders battlefield in World War 1 and her mother raised her and her two brothers - who were both killed (one day apart) in World War 2.

Cartland became successful as a society reporter and writer of romantic fiction. After a year as a gossip columnist for the Daily Express, Cartland published her first novel, Jigsaw (1923), a slightly naughty society thriller that became a bestseller. One of her plays, Blood Money (1926), was banned by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office. She sold over 1,000 million books sold in over 36 countries, giving her a place in the Guinness book of Records.

During the Second World War Barbara Cartland was Chief Lady Welfare Officer in Bedfordshire looking after 20,000 service men and women. She had the idea of gathering as many wedding dresses as she could for hire, so that service brides would have a white dress to wear on their wedding day. She bought 1,000 second hand gowns without coupons and made many brides’ big day, very special. In 1945 Barbara Cartland received the Certificate of Merit from Eastern Command.

The war marked the beginning of a life-long interest in civic welfare and politics for Barbara Cartland, who served the War Office in various charitable capacities as well as the St. John Ambulance Brigade; in 1953 she was invested at Buckingham Palace as a Commander of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem for her services.

In 1955 Barbara Cartland was elected a councillor on Hertfordshire County Council and served for nine years. One of Barbara’s passions was fighting for better conditions and salaries for midwives and nurses. Through this cause she became a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, Chairman of the St John Council in Hertfordshire and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.

In the early 1960’s she campaigned for the rights of gypsies’ to have a permanent place to live which resulted in an act of Parliament. One of the first gypsy camps was opened by Barbara Cartland in 1964 and called Barbaraville and there are now 14 in Hertfordshire. This has meant thousands of gypsies and their families have a place to call home and their children can be educated in their local area.

In 1964 Barbara founded the National Association for Health in the UK, of which she was President.

As well as her romantic novels she also wrote books on health and vitamins and was a great believer in the healing power of honey and the benefits of vitamins. She also wrote a number of cookery books; the recipes from which were often used in the House of Commons.

In 1978 she sang an Album of Love Songs with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 1981 Barbara was made a Dame of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year’s Honours List by Her Majesty the Queen, for her contribution to literature and for her work for the Community.

Barbara Cartland produced a total of 723 titles. After years of wearing her trademark anti-wrinkle cream and heavy makeup, she had herself photographed repeatedly without any cosmetics before she died. She was 98 years of age at her death.

Due to her concern for the environment, she requested to be buried in a cardboard coffin. This request was honoured and she was buried at her estate in Hatfield under a tree that had been planted by Queen Elizabeth I.

Much of the information for this post was found at barbaracartland.com

The roller coaster life of the budding artist...

Do you believe I am nearing the end of my Arts course? I have barely posted about it, but I must tell you it has been amazing. I feel like a new person. As hoped, it has been an intense introduction to fine arts and given me a chance to immerse myself into creativity. I have been so lucky and feel so privileged to be a part of such an amazing group. It has been a great taster, but as with many entrees it has left me wanting more... looking forward to the next course.

I am already stressing about leaving the group, about keeping myself motivated, about whether I can continue my studies (if work will allow it and if I can afford it) and about returning to full time work in the meantime.

I have learned a lot and grown a lot, and I have loved the course - a lot. I have been challenged continually. Most of all, I have been surprised to find that the course has been as much about the mental journey as the development of skills.

My inner critic has become my constant companion.

I’m good, I’m bad. I’m committed, I should be committed. I have progressed, I have regressed. I am competent, I am incompetent. I have talent, I have no talent. I have high expectations, I have low expectations. I am overwhelmed, I am underwhelmed. I am confident, I lack confidence. I’m positive, I’m negative. I have ideas, too many ideas or too few ideas. I lack time and then when I have time, I waste time.

And while I know I shouldn’t, and I try not to, I see the quality and quantity of other people’s work and I can’t help but compare their work to my own and I feel overwhelmed. What am I doing? Who am I kidding? Why am I bothering!

Take lino and print making for example. I wanted this to ‘be my thing’. I love the graphic qualities of print making. I love the technique. I love the feel of the tools in my hands. I love the results. And yet, when I see fellow student's results - their detail and their imagination - I compare myself to them and I am inadequate. I paralyse myself into inactivity.

Self imposed pressure rests on my shoulders every time I pick up a pen, a paintbrush, a tool to carve lino. If it was someone else having these feelings of doubt, I would reassure them they were doing ok, to keep going. And yet I can’t seem to give myself the same freedom... the same reassurance. I am trying, trying, trying to shake off these self doubtss and focus on my own art and no-body else's, but it is a constant battle. It's like riding a roller coaster.

Amazonian surprises...

Amazon is a treasure trove. An evil evil treasure trove. And I love it. I especially love it now the Australian dollar is at a 24 year high exchange rate. YIPPEE! I have wasted many hours browsing and dreaming and calculating and adding things to an ever increasing wish list. Writing, art, magazines, home, design, craft, health - the range is extraordinary. Endless in fact. As is my wish list. Dreams dreams dreams...

Did you know that at amazon.com you can browse books and add them to a wish list?

I did.

Did you know that next time you log into Amazon, you can go back to that wish list and the books will still be there?

I did.

Did you know that other people could enter your name and check out your wish list and buy you a gift from your choices - knowing that it will be a perfect gift because it was something you wished for?

I didn't - but Mal did.

Totally out of the blue it arrived.
A perfect surprise.



And what amazing insight!
He knew just what I wanted.
Incredible!

This is my favourite book... actually I just couldn't stop at one...

I deliberated for some time over which of my 'favourite' books to include on this weeks "This is" meme. Sorry guys - I couldn't restrict it to JUST ONE. I tried... really I did. But finally I decided on three... It was a tough call and I have so many more I could have included... How could I not include "The power of One" or "The Alchemist"? And I feel almost guilty for omitting "The Book Thief" and "The Orange Girl". But here they are... just three. It is an odd collection, but all worthy of a mention.

The Man Who Planted Trees is one of my favourite stories because it is such a beautiful and universal tale. It is a story I have read a number of times now, and have given to friends and family as gifts. A link to the entire story can be found here so you too can enjoy it's magic.

Gone With The Wind is the book I read when I SHOULD have been studying for my HSC exams. You may well laugh! It is corny and melodramatic and an epic I could not put down once I had started. Afterall, how could I resist the charms of Rhett Butler and the unbreakable determination of Scarlett O'Hara. It was far more interesting than biology and Maths!

The Tattooed Flower is a recent addition to my Favourites, and I am adding it in the hope it will inspire you to track it down. It is written by a Melbourne woman (Suzy Zail) about her dying father and his experiences as a child of the Holocaust. I cried in the first pages and again in the last, and in between, it regularly took my breath away at the incredible story of survival against the odds. It is definitely worth a read.

Here is part of a review from Scribe Publications... "The Tattooed Flower is the tender and illuminating story of how a father and daughter choose to spend their last years together: Suzy discovering her father’s past as a child of the Holocaust; and her father teaching his family, by example, how to live well, love fully, and die without fear or regret.

The Tattooed Flower finds hope, love, and beauty in the saddest of places. This is a remarkable, compelling book about life’s lessons, and how one man can leave a mark and make a difference."

The subject for this weeks "This is..." was bought to you by Dees at DaisyinLaLaLand.
The "This is..." meme started by the very creative Angela of Three Buttons fame.

I am almost too scared to read everyone else's posts as I just know it will only add to the pile of books already waiting to be read. But how can I resist? Wish me luck!

My Mum is amazing...

My Mum is amazing...
She turned 68 on Sunday and she rose at her regular time of 7am, dressed and then walked the short distance to the local beach and went swimming. It was only 9 degrees. It is a daily routine in Summer and she generally continues well into April when it eventually gets too cold. As she swam, I went for a walk and met her as she emerged smiling and pink from the cold and the glow of the rising sun.

My Mum is amazing...
She has raised 3 brilliant children (all now in their 40's) and loves them all despite the fact none of them have produced any Grandchildren. She has an oak trunk full of hand knitted goodies ready and waiting for gifting to friends and family with new babies.

My Mum is amazing...
She cooks an incredible traditional Christmas dinner which has been enjoyed across the years by extended family and friends from all corners of the globe. Her Christmas pudding is impossible to stop at one helping.

My Mum is amazing...
She understands the importance of silence without the need for conversation.

My Mum is amazing...
She is an extensive reader. Of course this often makes it a bit tricky to buy her books as gifts, but she always has a book at hand to recommend and a pile more at her bedside waiting to be read.

My Mum is amazing...
She has a wicked sense of fun and likes playing jokes. When she was visiting me in London once, I returned home from work on Halloween night, to find a burning jack-o-lantern in our darkened room and her draped in a sheet, waving her arms, and making ghost noises in the corner. I was in my late 20's at the time, but boy did we laugh!

My Mum is amazing...
Last year Mum was instrumental in helping 2 local elderly ladies escape the constraints of a greedy niece who was intent on locking them into a nursing home and selling their home in their absence. After a rather lengthy and stressful battle, their home is now safe and they have now returned to live in peace in their own space. With the support of Mum and a few local women who visit them daily, they will hopefully stay there for some time to come.

My Mum is amazing...
At 68, she loves a round of golf, cooks a wicked roast dinner, is a tough scrabble opponent and is a cryptic crossword guru. She always greets me with a hug and a smile and enjoys the company of a large group of friends. On Sunday she turned 68 and yet I know she still feels like she's in her 40's. No wonder we are such good friends!

Happy Birthday Mum. I love you, and just in case you didn't know, I think you're amazing.

This is... the contents of my handbag

Wow! Now I understand why my bag feels so heavy! And having taken the shot, I realised I hadn't even included my mobile phone or my second (yes SECOND!) set of house keys!

So here it is... the contents of my handbag...
2 sets of "paint your own" Russian Matryoshka nesting dolls!
1 lipgloss and 3 lipsticks - crazy really for a girl who barely wears makeup, and certainly not on a daily basis!
3 purses - one for all my 'normal' purse 'stuff', one for change (that doen't fit in purse no.1) and the third for my Canon IXUS camera which I carry everywhere.
A badge (which I made myself) which is intended to remind me to seriously consider setting up an ETSY store...
A print out of business cards I am mocking up for my cousin's massage business... and a blank CD...
A packet of magnets along with a few cardboard disks to be covered and stuck on my fridge...
A gift voucher for a Thai cooking class which I am taking this Thursday at Pip's Cooking School...
A pay-slip, a travel pass, a few loose coins, and a few hair clips...
The inevitable 3 pens, tissues and my car key...
Yes, there is some needlepoint I started yesterday...
Oh, and 2 diaries... one a daily planner and the second my creative journal...
Phew! I think that's it - I have given myself a bit of a headache! Luckily I have a few Aspro and Panadol close at hand!

The subject for this weeks "This is..." was suggested by Sharon from Iris & Lily.
The "This is..." meme started with the very creative Angela of Three Buttons fame.

The philosophy of Charles Schultz

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with. Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials... the most money... or the most awards. They are simply the ones that care the most. Thanks for dropping by. Have a good day.

I saw this at Yolanda's blog... and I just had to share it. Go say hi!

Saying the right thing at just the right time...

I start my course tomorrow... the one I applied for in the first week of November... the course which now seems like it's never going to happen even though tomorrow it begins. It's an arts course which includes painting and drawing, art theory, visiting artists in their studios and hopefully some classes in print making and sculpture.

I will be at school 2 full days a week. Thursday and Friday. I am going part time at work which I consider will be a move in the right direction, though financially it will take a bit of adjustment. New challenges are just around the corner. I am stepping outside the comfort zone once again, which always fills me with a combination of nerves and excitement.

And so, as the day draws nearer and the excitement grows, so too does the doubt. It's the nerves talking, I know it's crazy, but I can't help it. What if I am hopeless? What if I have no talent? What if no-one likes me? What if I don't even like the course? So many doubts swimming round in my head.

I admit only two aloud to Mal.

What if I am no good?
You'll be fine... comes the reply.

"Or worse than that, what if I am the worst in the whole group?"
And the reply? ... "Then you'll be most improved."

That was a pretty cool response. It was a positive angle I hadn't considered.

And there you go, he said just the right thing at just the right time. Put it all in perspective somehow. And I am still nervous and I still have (a few) doubts, but it will all be fine. Of course I know everything will be OK, but it's nice to hear it from some-one else sometimes.

Now... where's my pencil case?

Quote of the day...

The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
Anonymous