31 December 2010

31 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT 2010 HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD YEAR - IN PART DUE TO THIS GRATITUDE EXERCISE I HAVE UNDERTAKEN.

365 DAYS OF MINDFULNESS HAS FORCED ME TO LOOK TO THE POSITIVES EVERYDAY.  SOME PEOPLE UNDERTAKE 20 PUSH-UPS A DAY TO STRENGTHEN THEIR CHEST, MY DAILY GRATITUDE REFLECTIONS HAVE CREATED NEW PATHWAYS IN MY BRAIN AND THEN REINFORCED THESE NEW BEHAVIOURS. 

THAT SILLY "THE SECRET" BOOK THAT SOLD MILLIONS A FEW YEARS AGO (WHICH I THINK IS A LOAD OF CRAP) IS REALLY BASED ON MINDFULNESS.  IF WE LOOK TO THE POSITIVES,  WE PLACE OURSELVES IN JUST THE RIGHT PLACE FOR MORE POSITIVES TO OCCUR.

THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING THIS BLOG. IT'S BEEN A HARD SLOG AND I'VE FELT LIKE THROWING IN THE TOWEL A FEW TIMES BUT I'VE PERSERVERED AND NOW HAVE 365 GRATITUDES TO LOOK BACK ON AND NEW EYES TO GO WITH THEM.

LOOK OUT FOR 2011'S BLOG http://365-risks.blogspot.com/

30 December 2010

30 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


TO HAVE A GREAT FAMILY.  WE CAN TAKE FAMILY FOR GRANTED BUT THE REWARDS FROM SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER AND KEEPING CONNECTED ARE IMMEASURABLE.

29 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


TO MY GORGEOUS GUTSY BUBBLY MUM WHO PUTS SO MUCH EFFORT INTO CELEBRATING ELLA'S BIRTHDAY EACH YEAR (TERRIBLE DATE FOR A BIRTHDAY)
SHE SHOPS WITH HER, BAKES AN AMAZING DINNER AND IS THE DRIVING FORCE IN CREATING SUCH A HAPPY CRAZY FAMILY.

THANKS MUM, I LOVE YOU!

28 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


TO BE LIVING AND WORKING IN BRISBANE.  THIS CITY IS ONE OF MY TOOLS OF TRADE AND DESPITE THERE BEING AMAZING CITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD - THIS IS THE PLACE FOR ME

28 December 2010

27 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE FLOODING PROBLEMS (DRAINAGE SYSTEMS?) OF 1974 OTHERWISE I'D SAY WE'D BE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION.
DO WE HAVE CLEM JONES TO THANK FOR THAT?

HERE IS THE PARK NEAR US - THE RIVER IS OVER THE FOOTPATHS AND LAPPING INTO THE PARK.

26 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


WE DIDN'T OVER-INDULGE ON XMAS

SO BOXING DAY WAS SPENT WITH LITTLE REGRET.  IT'S WAS JUST ME AND PETE SO WE HUNG OUT, WENT TO THE PUB FOR BEER AND CHIPS AND WATCHED THE RAIN BUCKET DOWN.

25 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


FOR THE BEST XMAS EVER!
AMAZING ITALIAN FOOD THAT WE SAMPLED SLOWLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY, FUNNY GAMES, HAPPY CHILDREN AND A WONDERFUL FAMILY.  BLISS.

22 December 2010

21 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT I LIVE IN THE HIPPY SUBURB OF BRISBANE (WEST END).
THIS MEANS THAT ON THE NIGHT OF THE 21ST WHICH WAS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE, THE FULL MOON AND THE LUNAR ECLIPSE, THE DRED LOCKS AND FIREY HOOLA HOOPS WERE OUT IN FORCE!

20 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


I'VE JOINED CITY CYCLE AND THAT I SURVIVED MY FIRST TRIP WHICH INVOLVED 2 KILLER HILLS WEARING A DRESS THAT WANTED TO BE UP AROUND MY EARS AND NO HELMET BECAUSE IT WAS AN UNPLANNED TRIP HOME FROM A MEETING.

20 December 2010

19 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS FOR ME HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RELIGION AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH WONDER AND FAMILY

18 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL

THAT IF YOU NEED A NEW BOWEL, MYER IS THE PLACE TO SHOP!

CLICK ON THE INSTAGRAM LINK TO SEE MY FIND!

instagr.am

19 December 2010

AN EXTRA BIT OF WISDOM FOR DECEMBER

“Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else” – Judy Garland

18 December 2010

17 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT SAM GOT AN O.P. SCORE OF SIX!

HE DID THIS (SENIOR) IN A VERY METHODICAL, CALM AND BALANCED MANNER.

GOOD ON YA SAMMY - MAY YOUR FUTURE BE FILLED WITH A VARIETY OF CAREERS AND THE CONFIDENCE TO BACK YOURSELF 100%

16 December 2010

16 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


TO BE SCOUTING SOME WAREHOUSES - A NICE GRIMEY CHANGE TO HIGH GLOSS WHITE KITCHENS AND MANICURED GARDENS.

15 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT WITH AGE COMES A NEW APPRECIATION FOR THINGS I SCORNED IN THE PAST.

14 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


FOR CHANGING SKIES.

I'VE BECOME A REAL SKY WATCHER LATELY (MUST BE OLD AGE) AND I LOVE THE CLEAR SKY MORNINGS, THE BIG FAIRY TALE CUMULUS CLOUDS AT MIDDAY AND THEN THE OMINOUS SHARP BLACK DUDES IN THE AFTERNOON.

THAT'S SUMMER IN BRISBANE

13 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


FOR LOYAL FRIENDS AND THEIR ABILITY TO SEE SENSE BEYOND REASON.

-A WONDERFUL EVENING SPENT WITH CASS, HELEN, DELENA AND JOY.
THANK YOU LADIES - YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME.

12 December 2010

12 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


WHEN I CAN SLIP AWAY FOR A QUICK COFFEE WITH PETE.

HERE AT BLACKSTAR WEST END (I'VE DECIDED THEY HAVE THE BEST COFFEE IN BRISBANE) WHERE YOU DON'T GET A NUMBER TO IDENTIFY YOUR ORDER, YOU GET A TOY!

WE HAD THE BEST BREAKFAST HERE TOO!  I HAD A BREAKFAST TRIFLE WHICH WAS MUESLI, AND YUMMY YOGHURT AND THE MOST AMAZING FRUIT SALAD THAT HAD LYCHEES AND RASPBERRIES AND PASSIONFRUIT AND MMMMMMMM!

11 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


FOR THE FREE PRODUCTS FROM THE BAM! TVC!

EASY OFF BAM! AND THE DIRT IS GONE!

(I DIDN'T GET ALL OF THESE - THEY WERE TO SHARE AMONGST THE CREW)

10 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT I'M MEETING ALL THE BIG NAMES IN AUSTRALIAN TV.

LAST WEEK IT WAS GEORGE NEGUS -
THIS WEEK, ALL DAY, WITH THE BAM! MAN.

BAM! ONE SQUIRT AND THE DIRT IS GONE!

9 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


TO REBOUND BOOKS WHO REMEMBERED MY PLEA FROM LAST YEAR TO SAVE "PEPPER PLAYS NURSE" FOR MY DIARY THIS YEAR.

NAT FROM REBOUND (GREAT NAME!) CAME THRU AND LET ME KNOW SHE HAD ONE WHEN SHE NOTICED MY ORDER.

THIS WAS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS AS A LITTLE GIRL.
REBOUND UP-CYCLES OLD BOOKS INTO DIARIES, NOTEPADS ETC.

SO I CAN HAVE WARM FUZZY MEMORIES ALL THROUGH 2011.

07 December 2010

8 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT MY DARLIN' BRO AND HIS GORGEOUS PARTNER ARE HOLDING A CHARITY EVENING AT RYAN RENSHAW GALLERY.
ON TUESDAY 14 DECEMBER THEY WILL SELL ARTWORKS FOR $200 EACH IN ORDER TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THEIR LITTLE FRIEND EVA WHO HAS RETT SYNDROME.
ALL FUNDS RAISED WILL GO TOWARD SPECIALISED EQUIPMENT FOR 3YR OLD EVA.


ARTISTS WHO HAVE KINDLY DONATED WORKS ARE

Tony Albert
Ben Ali Ong
Peter Alwast
Isabel & Alfredo Aquilizan
Eleanor & James Avery
Anna Carey
Emma Darrouzet
Kim Demuth
Roger D'Souza
Stacie Gibson
Nathan Gray
Irene Hanenberg
Amanda Harris
PJ Hickman
Petrina Hicks
Nat Koyama
Peter Madden
Jen Marchant
Alasdair Macintyre
Donna Marcus
Daniel Marsden
Phoebe McDonald
Kath McLean
Scott Miles
Sebastian Moody
John Nicholson
Jesse Olsen
Zoe Porter
Marissa Purcell
Emma Reilly
Bruce Reynolds
Pia Robinson
Luisa Rossitto
Nike Savvas
Carly Scoufos
Kate Shaw
Belinda Smith
Gemma Smith
Hannah Smith
Martin Smith
Bryan Spier
Genevieve Staines
Jerko Starcevic
Matthew Tobin
Daniel Tobin
Alanah Walker
Judy Watson
Jo Woolley
Michael Zavros


http://www.ryanrenshaw.com.au/

7 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT WORK IS APLENTY AND MY DATABASE IS GETTING A GOOD WORK OUT.

NICHE, NICHE NICHE - AND YOU WILL FIND YOUR HAPPINESS.

6 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


FOR THE LOVE I RECEIVE. 
(SO EASY TO TAKE FOR GRANTED)

5 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


FOR THE NANA NAP I HAD TO TAKE IN BETWEEN GOING TO BED AT 2.30AM, BUMPING IN A CREW THE NEXT MORNING AND HAVING TO BUMP THEM OUT AGAIN THAT EVENING - ALL IN THE RAIN!

SLEEP I LOVE YOU

4 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL



TO MY GOOD FRIENDS THE WATERBOY, HELEN, PAUL AND CHERIE WHO CAME OVER TO OUR HOUSE FOR DINNER ON SATURDAY NITE.

A BIG THUMBS UP TO THE FRESH PRAWNS WITH BREAD SAUCE AND THE COCONUT TART WITH TROPICAL SALSA THAT THEY BROUGHT WITH THEM!

AND THANK YOU COUNTRY BOY FOR BEING THE FINEST SOUS CHEF THIS SIDE OF THE RANGE.

GREAT COMPANY, GREAT FRIENDS....

03 December 2010

3 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT ALMOST EVERY 2ND SHOOT I'M WORKING ON IS EMPLOYING THESE 5D CANON CAMERAS TO SHOOT 15 AND 30 SEC TV COMMERCIALS!

YEP!  LOCATION MANAGERS LOVE SMALL THINGS (CAMERA'S, TROLLEYS, VANS, OUTFITS, UNIT BASES) 

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL AND MAKES MY JOB EASIER.

2 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


TO GORGEOUS PRODUCTION MANAGERS AND PRODUCERS JUST LIKE JACINTA.
THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THEY WILL GET THEIR BEST WORK FROM PEOPLE BY LOOKING FOR THE POSITIVES, EXPRESSING GRATITUDE AND STAYING CALM.

1 DECEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL



TO SUNCORP.  ESPECIALLY A GENTLEMAN CALLED JAMIN.  GREAT COMPANY!  AMAZING EMPLOYEES.  MANY MANY THANKS GUYS! 

01 December 2010

30 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


TO WORK WITH AN AUSTRALIAN TV LEGEND.
GEORGE IS FROM A TIME WHEN MEN WERE MEN AND JOURNO'S WERE REAL JOURNALISTS  -  INTEGRITY, GUTS, TRUTH AND GETTING THE STORY WITHOUT MAKING A FOOL OF THEMSELVES.

29 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT A LADY CALLED KATE STUMBLED UPON PRECINKT THIS WEEK AND SENT ME AN EMAIL THAT SAID

"hope youre well and the energy is still high for spending time on your amazing site!! visited some awesome places in brisbane over the weekend thanks to you and am now speading the word about my little secret ........The Precinkt!"

KATE WORKS AT VINTAGE ESPRESSO AT MERMAID BEACH (SEE PIC).  SHE'S SINCE SENT ME ANOTHER EMAIL ABOUT OTHER COOL PLACES TO ADD TO MY MERMAID PRECINKT PAGE.

WHEN WE RECEIVE WARM POSITIVE FEEDBACK ON SOMETHING WE HAVE NURTURED (WHETHER IT BE OUR KIDS, A SITE, A BUSINESS, A GARDEN, A RECIPE....) IT IS SUCH A WONDERFUL FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.

28 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


I HAVE NEVER AND WILL NEVER WORK IN THIS ENVIRONMENT

I LOVE SCOUTING THESE LOCATIONS - I WALK BACK OUT INTO THE SUN AND THANK MY LUCKY STARS.

29 November 2010

27 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


FOR THE BEAUTIFUL SMILE AND GREETING I GET FROM A GUY SELLING THE BIG ISSUE EACH MORNING AT THE WEST END CITY CAT TERMINAL.
HIS SMILE IS GENUINE AND HE'S SO GORGEOUSLY RESPECTFUL.

HE SEEMS WELL SPOKEN AND WELL EDUCATED AND I OFTEN WONDER ABOUT HIS LIFE AND WHAT HAS LEAD HIM TO BE HERE.
(THIS IS NOT A PIC OF HIM, JUST A PIC FROM THE WEB)

28 November 2010

26 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT BY HAVING TO SCOUT ICONIC BRISBANE LANDMARKS THIS WEEK I'VE DEVELOPED A DEEPER LOVE FOR MY HOME TOWN

25 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT AS A SCOUT I FIND TREASURES IN BRISBANE THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE UNKNOWN - LIKE A DECENT STRETCH OF SANDY BEACH IN THE INNER CITY (AND IT'S NOT SOUTHBANK!)

24 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


AGAIN AND AGAIN FOR WHAT BLACK DOVE BODY BAR AT WEST END DOES FOR MY WELLNESS.  I KNOW I'VE HARPED ON AND ON ABOUT MY GRATITUDE FOR THIS BUSINESS BUT JOINING HAS REALLY IMPROVED MY QUALITY OF LIFE.

I AM SO IMPRESSED WITH THEIR ATTENTION TO THE INDIVIDUAL.  I'VE ATTENDED PILATES LESSONS WHERE I CAN FEEL LINDSAY FOCUSSING ON MY NEEDS AND THOSE OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS.   WHEN IT'S TIME FOR A MASSAGE FROM LINDSAY I KNOW IT'S SO UNIQUELY FORMULATED FOR MY NEEDS ACCORDING TO HER KNOWLEDGE OF MY BODY AND MIND THAT THE RESULTS ARE OUTSTANDING.
I'VE ATTENDED YOGA LESSONS WHERE IF KNOW THAT PHOEBE AND HEIDI GENUINELY CARE ABOUT MY WELFARE.
I'VE HAD FACIALS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CLAIRE WHERE I REALISE SHE NOTICES CHANGES, CELEBRATES IMPROVEMENTS AND GENUINELY LOVES WHAT SHE DOES.

IT'S SO GOOD SOMETIMES I FEEL IT CAN'T BE REAL - BUT IT IS.

23 November 2010

23 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


TO HAVE DISCOVERED AN ABC TV PROGRAM CALLED "MAKING AUSTRALIA HAPPY"

IT SEEMS TO BE REINFORCING ALL OF THE STUFF I'VE BEEN PRACTISING THIS YEAR - POSITIVITY, MINDFULNESS, LIVING IN THE MOMENT, GRATITUDE, GLASS-HALF-FULL, RISK TAKING, FILLING MY CUP, INTRINSIC SATISFACTION VS EXTRINSIC REWARDS.

"Formerly the domain of philosophy, religion and self-styled gurus, happiness is now a hot topic of scientific enquiry. What is it, how can we become happier and why should we even bother? These are some of the key questions driving current psychology, neuroscience and medical research the world over. Making Australia Happy draws upon the latest and most fascinating research from around the world and takes the theories to the suburban streets of Sydney."

22 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


FOR SUNDAY BREAKFAST ON THE DECK

21 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT PETE KNOWS WHEN TO BRING HOME CHOCOLATE.
(REMINDS ME OF WHEN THE CAVE MAN DRAGS THE SLAUGHTERED BEAST HOME TO SATIATE THE WOMAN AND SHOW HE IS THE PROVIDER)

19 November 2010

20 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT SAMMY ISN'T GOING TO "SCHOOLIES" AT THE GOLD COAST.
I'VE BEEN DREADING THIS WEEKEND (SECRETLY) SINCE THE DAY HE WAS BORN.

HE'S AT A GRADUATION PARTY INSTEAD (AS I WRITE) SO I GUESS AS PARENTS WE NEED TO REMEMBER DANGER IS EVERYWHERE (NOT JUST SCHOOLIES) AND THAT WE HAVE TO TRUST THAT OUR GOOD PARENTING WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG WILL STAND THEM IN GOOD STEAD FOR THE FUTURE.

19 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT MY DARLIN' FRIEND BIANCA IS ON HER WAY TO GOOD HEALTH AGAIN.
I MET HER TODAY HAVING NOT SEEN HER IN MANY MONTHS AS SHE BATTLED HER BI-POLAR ILLNESS.  DARK TIMES BUT LUCKILY SHE HAD HER GORGEOUS HUSBAND AND WONDERFUL MUM TO SUPPORT HER.
XXX

18 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT PETE HAS DEVELOPED "THE EYE" AFTER LIVING WITH 2 MAD PHOTOGRAPHERS.
I'VE TWEAKED THE COLOURS BUT THE COMPOSITION AND DISCOVERY IS HIS.
PRETTY GOOD HUH?

17 November 2010

17 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT YOU CAN CATCH MORE FLIES WITH HONEY THAN WITH VINEGAR.


16 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


TO MY FRIEND HELEN WHO HAS THE SHARPEST, MOST ACID SENSE OF HUMOUR.
AND IN THIS CASE, PROBABLY VERY APT.
WE'LL ENJOY DRINKING IT.

15 November 2010

15 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


I MADE THE EFFORT TO SEE PLENTY OF FILMS AT THE BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WHICH CLOSED TODAY.  NEXT YEAR I PLAN TO DOUBLE THIS EFFORT.

YOU MUST MUST MUST SEE OUT THE FOLLOWING FILMS IF YOU CAN

WINTER'S BONE (see pic above - probably my favourite of the festival)
MUGABE AND THE WHITE AFRICAN (shocking and happening today)
BILL CUNNINGHAM - NEW YORK (Amazing doco - I wanna love this man)
ORCHIDS - MY INTERSEX ADVENTURE (Highgate Hill girl's brave doco)
GLENN OWEN DODDS (I have a copy if you want to borrow it!)
I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS (Jim Carrey good, but Ewan McGregor shines)
I AM YOU (damn this film had a grreat location scout!  Moi!)
BLUE VALENTINE (depressingly real)
FREAKONOMICS (if you loved the book, enjoy this arty interpretation)
COWBOYS IN PARADISE (You go girls!)
MACHETE MAIDENS UNLEASHED (awesomely funny but could have been shorter)

14 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


TO THE MEN IN MY LIFE.  ON THIS DAY I STOOD ON OUR VERANDAH AND WATCHED MY PARTNER, MY FATHER, MY EX-HUSBAND, HIS PARTNER AND MY SON ALL PUT UP THE FINAL PIECE OF THE SHED.
HOW FREAKIN' MOMENTOUS IS THIS EVENT UPON REFLECTION?

13 NOVEMBER - I'M GRATEFUL


THAT WEST OF BRISBANE IS GREEN AND LUSH AFTER RECORD RAINS.
IT SEEMED SO STRANGE BEING OUT THERE WITH GREEN ROLLING HILLS AROUND US.
THE PEOPLE MUST BE OVER THE MOON!