Category Archives: inspiration
Links of the Week (or WHAT? You mean there’s more to cyberspace than just me?!)
Just for the sake of being honest, I should let you know I’ve been clambering through a rather thick fog of depression lately. No real reason, (well, other than some pretty epic burn-out, I suppose), but that’s the thing about depression: it doesn’t need a “reason” to strike. Which makes you feel even worse for being such a stupid-first-world-problem-kind-of-whinger and thus, the cycle of yuck continues…
Anyway, no need for sympathy (no really: I’ve given myself more than my quota in this here pity party, I’m bout to crack open the Poor-Me Pinyada, it’s gonna be awesome) but just wanted to explain why I’ve been a little light on the social media side of late. I will get there.
In the meantime, please enjoy these rather wonderful linkedy links.
Hope you are well, whatever you are doing.
x
LOVE this post from Seth Godin on the silliness of constantly reconsidering decisions.
Spending that creative energy wondering about the plan merely subtracts from the passion you could put into making it succeed.
Adore this poem.
Candy Bowers is a kick ass woman after my own heart. I already wrote a gushy bit of blather about her show Australian after seeing it at MICF if you recall; well, she has some shows coming up and da da da da da! To get the buzz going she is organising some dance flash mobs! I am honestly rather excited at the serendipity for me selfishly (because it is all about me, daaaaahlings) as I’d literally just written down a bunch of things I wish to do in this life, one of which was to be part of a dance flash mob. I am doing it. Come shake your booty with me.
I know the blogosphere has already been all over this but I want to repost for any who missed it. I really love Eden and her blog; her honesty is just awe-inspiring and her writing consistently rocks me; this post is a perfect example. I did all but hold my hubby at fork-point to make him read it with me.
In fact, her post inspired us big-time to start thinking about the big picture of how we want our life to look. Nothing’s planned yet, it’s all just the fun of dreaming up options but this site certainly got my mind awhirl…
10 Tips for a Less Hectic Life: yes please. Damn I hate myself sometimes for being such a sucker for lifehacky stuff. But there tis. It’s just who I am, folks.
Finally a shameless plug; next Monday I’ll be in my beloved Byron Bay for a special Mother’s Day themed comedy show. I am truly stoked to get back there. Northern NSW really is just balm for the soul.
Quick Catch-Up: Car Crash (Another One) and unadulterated Draw Something genius
My little rockstar with his bestie, cousin Noah.
Please forgive the slack blogging of late. Friday just gone, both myself and the little Cass-meister were in ANOTHER FREAKING CAR CRASH. Ugh. I cannot believe it. I do confess I believe I that mere moments after impact I yelled out the exact words “Are you f****ing kidding me?!”
Seriously. Really? Grrr.
The good news is it was not nearly as traumatising as the head-on collision of 2010; this one was a pretty seriously violent rear-ender, us having the back of our car taken out by a poor young p-plater. I really felt bad for her; she made a stupid mistake, seemed genuinely gutted about it, especially when she saw me pull littlest out of the car, I stood there in disbelief while she started crying and I involuntarily gave her a hug, trying to comfort her and Cass together. Mother Hen is apparently my default “in shock” setting.
Anyhoo, it tops off quite a crazy year thus far. I am sore and bracing myself for more physio shortly. Aye carumba.
I will return to my regular blogging schedule shortly.
In the meantime, please entertain yourself with these stunning displays of my Draw Something genius.
You’re welcome.
Dicaprio!
Frodo!
Vampire! MOIHAHAHAHA!
Realise Your Dream Applications Open (Or “On Being The Best”)
British-ish teapot spotted this week.
Whenever there’s a call out for applications for amazing opportunities my insides kinda digest themselves in a fit of excitement. Most of which I never actually apply for (time, money, realistic thoughts of the logistical nightmare of sorting out family arrangements) but the simple prospect of possibility gets my blood pumping in a way I rather enjoy.
Anyhoo, I tell you all this because the British Council’s Realise Your Dream Awards are currently open for submissions – so if that tickles your fancy, hop right on it, I say! I was having a little fantasy traipse through their website and came across this extremely charming video made by one of last year’s winners, writer Briony Stewart.
Besides being incredibly clever, sweet and clearly displaying her very impressive talents, this one part really hit a nerve…towards the end of the video, there is a piece of text that reads “I want to be the best children’s book writer and illustrator…” followed by a pause.
“The best children’s book writer and illustrator what?” I thought. “In Australia? In the world? In the Commonwealth? Where?”
Then it came…
“…the best children’s book writer and illustrator I can be.“
Beautiful.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Tour Diary: No Sleep Til Brooklyn! (Brooklyn = End of Festival)
The roller coaster is almost at its end.
I am utterly exhausted in each and every way. I heard some terribly sad news today about a friend of mine from Canada who passed away suddenly a few days ago; I went into shock followed by sadness followed immediately by what I can only describe as emotional disconnection, my body/psyche knowing full well that in the midst of this insanity, I need to put any kind of “dealing” on hold until next week. I am constantly reminded that a) life really is an unexpected variety show; and b) there really is no need to worry about my career, because in the grand scheme of things, it really just ain’t all that important.
Many epiphanies have resulted from this entire festival experience; I have not yet processed them all in any shape or form so will leave their dissection for later, but for now, a debrief.
SHOWS I’VE SEEN
Sam Simmons’ “About the Weather” – loved the concept, I think I spent most of the show just taking in his plethora of ideas, rather than laughing out loud. The show is so ridiculously clever and unique: I think I kinda love him.
Tim Key’s “Masterslut” – again, I didn’t laugh out loud terribly much (perhaps this common thread is thus more of a reflection on me and my festival fatigue) but he is an original for sure. Poetry, multimedia and a bath. Dig.
Tim Key sauntering before the audience in Masterslut.
Set List – I absolutely LOVED this show as I knew I would. Again, improvised stuff always makes me laugh so much more than scripted; I’m not quite sure why, other than to say that it’s something about the magic of knowing that it’s a never-to-be-repeated thing. Particularly brilliant the night I saw it were Mark Watson, Marcel LeCont and Canada’s own John Dorr, who looked so relaxed and happy to be up there (a good lesson!) I could have watched him make stuff up for hours.
The Horne Section – AGAIN! Yes, I could not keep away. They just inspire me so much, I feel like throwing a tantrum until someone brings me a giant improv comedy band of my very own. I shall call it “pony”.
Simon Amstell onstage with The Horne Section
While the nights have been packed with performing and spectating, I have spent my days trying to catch up on much needed zeds, writing new stuff – including some sketches for my next show, whatever it may turn out to be! – catching up with friends and strolling the streets of beautiful Melbourne.
Just another cute Melbourne alley...
Dame Edna Place! I would say it made me "inexplicably" happy but I think it's technically explicable.
Much window shopping has been done. And photography of said window shopping. You're welcome.
Cafe shot
The shows have been beautiful for the most part; we’ve had a couple of slow nights but fortunately each time the crowd has proven it’s not quantity but quality, proving rather lovely. And now I find myself with only ONE show left…woohoo! I’m so excited about tomorrow, it’s already selling solidly, so should be a rather nice one to go out on. I am very much looking forward to giving it my all and then putting the show to bed for a little while. I am in desperate need for some rejuvenation time and am so so so pumped to write the next one!
The stars behind the scenes of "Unexpected!" Tech and stage manager, Eden and Belle!
Thanks for following the journey!
xxx
P.S. Yes I am still missing my kids so badly I’m ready to tear off somebody’s limb if I don’t get to cuddle them soon. So please, if you see me, just hide your appendages. You have been warned.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Tour Diary: Heartache and The Horne Section
At the risk of sounding like the nutbag of fatigued emotion that I am right now, let me tell you that while the performances have been lovely, I’ve been soaking up the sights of Melbourne and enjoying a number of most excellent comedy shows, it’s all through a rather pathetic lens of “I CANNOT STOP THINKING ABOUT HOW MUCH I MISS THE KIDS.”
I had a dream the other night that I was cuddling them all in my bed, then I woke up and realised they weren’t there. They weren’t even close to there. And it’s my choice to come here that’s put us in this predicament.
While I feel extremely lucky on the one hand to have the practical ease that comes with travelling solo, my heart feels like it’s being shredded. They themselves are fine. My hubby is doing a stellar job, we have some extra help in the home front to keep the cupboard full, the house clean and the lunches packed, the kids are doing great, it’s just I have really realised so fully how much I hate being separated. HATE it.
Ugh. End of vent.
On the upside I went to one of my favourite shows of the fest so far last night, The Horne Section.
If you are in Melbourne and are able, you MUST MUST MUST see this! Described on their site as “part improvised, part honed, part performance, part party,” it’s a jazz/comedy group who improvise musical comedy, turn an audience member into the star of each show, spin a giant wheel to determine what segment will appear that night and invite guest comics on the stage to perform a piece for which the band provides musical/sound effect backing.
At the end of it I felt like a little kid who’s just witnessed their calling, pointing a helpless finger at the stage and whispering to nobody in particular: “I want to do THAT.”
The fact it’s at the Spiegeltent is just the icing on the comedy cake.
It cheered me up immensely.
Meet Liz Skitch: Comedic Gem and All-round Rockstar Human Being
I wouldn’t be about to even embark on this mad adventure were it not for many, MANY different people helping me along the way, not the least of which is this wonderful wacky woman before you, Ms Liz Skitch.
Post-car crash, while I’d been easing my way back onto the stage, Liz really is the one who got me not just back on the comedy horse, but through her generosity, back on a horse that was even bigger, greater and friendlier than the one I’d started with. For Lizzie was the one who urged me to attend – and then hooked it up so that I was invited to perform a few guest spots at – last year’s one and only Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Without her, I wouldn’t have gone. I wouldn’t have been introduced to Sheridan Stewart, the dynamo of awesome who runs Titters (where I’m thrilled to be performing all Fringe this year as well). I also wouldn’t have discovered the fabulous Cabaret Fringe Festival, where Liz urged me to put my show on, in a run that wound up being the Aussie launch of the rough version of “An Unexpected Variety Show”, gave me some lovely reviews and a bit of press to get the ball a-rolling. Indeed, Liz was even the one who encouraged me to think about myself as being part of the cabaret world. I am indebted to her.
I just find this woman incredibly inspiring: I truly hope that I can be like her, to be wide open to sharing opportunities, offering encouragement and finding joy in helping to lift other people up, rather than the alternative (which I have certainly been privy to in my short career) of holding all your cards close to your chest in the fear that one person’s opportunity means one less for you.
Liz, you are a most rocking lady and whatever happens from here I am so grateful for your open, joyous heart and for being a true performing friend. I wouldn’t be here without you!
Huzzah for the generous rockstars in this life. The world would suck buttocks without you.
x
Our artsy attempt at a Family Purpose Statement
This vision you see before you is the result of a family bonding event gone this past weekend.
Let me start by being honest: things can get pretty nuts around here. I know this is true of pretty much every family household I know, so I’m certainly not pleading special circumstances, but just with the added factor of Mummy dearest to-ing and fro-ing all over the countryside for performances and such, well yes…I’m pleading special circumstances.
And with more performances coming up this year than ever before in our family’s history, I’ve recently realised more than ever how much we are in dire need of some help in:
a) making our time together really, REALLY TRULY count; and
b) getting more organised in terms of practicalities. (Oh dear HEAVENS when we can finally afford professional help with that I will consider that my moment of having “made it”. You have it in writing.)
So, I headed for the first place any approaching-overwhelm mother would in such circumstances: an all-you-can-drink buffet a helpful e-book. After seeing it plugged on another blog, I opted in for this one: One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler.
Thus far, I’ve checked off a couple of these projects, much to my delight (hello morning routine! Menu planning! IS THERE NOTHING I CANNOT CONQUER?!) and last night, the five of us gathered together to nut out one of these tasks as a family: crafting our Family Purpose Statement. A little cheesy? Sure. But those of you who know me well know how I love to embrace the dairy in life.
We each contributed ideas to the kind of family we want to be, even littlest (whose contribution of a Buzz Lightyear quote: “I come in peace!” was included on the grounds that:
a) we wanted everybody in the family to be a part of the statement; and
b) once we adapted it to “we”, it actually is rather cool indeed. WE COME IN PEACE, YO!
Then today, we set about emblazoning it in gold. Only that didn’t work out, so we opted for the next best thing: a mixed media collage.
It now has prime position in our kitchen. And I kinda love it. Now I finally have something to stare dreamily at when I find my happy place.
Note: I have already uttered the phrase today (that’s right, on DAY ZERO):
“Where does it say “hit each other!” on the family purpose statement? WHERE?!?!?!”
I am not proud.
And yet…I am.
A Peek Inside My Office If You Dare…
Where the magic happens. (If by "magic" you mean "endless facebooking."
I’d love to tell you that the reason I’m sharing this little tour of my home office is because I was simply inspired to do so by its sheer beauty, its gorgeousness and its wondrous ability to lift me up where I belong…but the truth is, I finally pulled my finger out today and shovelled about a gazillion bits of un-filed paper into other unknown crevices in an attempt to make it look at least semi-decent. And as Fiona O’Loughlin herself says, “there’s no point to doing anything without an audience”! So the moment I had mopped my brow from such complete and utter cleaning-exhaustion, I put finger to i-phone and documented the shizz out of it.
Because if I’m totally honest, heaven knows when or indeed if it will ever look this way again.
A few bits and pieces I'm reading right now.
I swear I didn’t line these up specifically to show you; they are quite truly what are on my desk at the mo. I’m about halfway through “Dear Fatty” which I’m enjoying very much and connecting with in more ways than one (see my previous post on this here).
My PRECIOUS.
This is my prize and joy (yes, that’s right, I said PRIZE!) I ripped the original poster off a pole in Saskatchewan, Canada, where I had spent the entire day driving across the state 7 months pregnant, with two small children in the back of the car, just to seize my once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the man himself live. When he walked out onstage, I almost wept. What a masterclass in comedy that was. I should write an entire post just on that gig. Note to self: add to to-do list.
The clutter corner! At least it's colourful.
My philosophy on interior design? If it’s gonna be messy, at least make it a mess of pretty things.
My magnetic noticeboard. I'm just proud that after months of having it sit on my floor, I finally pulled my finger out to hang it!
I originally bought this from Ikea thinking I would stack it with to-do lists (one of which is actually up there; if you look closely you’ll see my daughter has thoughtfully ticked off every time and then written DONE down the bottom, despite me having not even read through the thing since it was put up), but instead it’s just become a bit of a rotating arty board, filled with magnets from my travels, photos and works of awesome from my kidlets.
And I love it umpteen times more than even the most inspired to-do list in the world.
2012 Mission: Dance Every Day For A Year
I have challenged myself this year in a very spontaneous fashion (meaning that the resolution gave birth the moment I actually sprang into action doing it on January 1st) to dance EVERY SINGLE DAY in 2012.
It doesn’t matter if it’s one song or one entire night.
But I am gonna dance, damn it.
Why?
Today I even jumped onto iTunes (thanks to my wonderful hubby who gifted me with a nice juicy voucher for Christmas) and downloaded some of my favourite ever dance tracks, the majority of which involve some element of 80′s cheese.
I am armed.
I am dangerous.
I am DANCE.
2012 Goals and other Shiny Things
Goals.
Yes, I know, I know, carrying on from my last post about the year that’s been, clearly I have absolutely NO lightbulbs going off at all as to how to go about lowering my ambitions. I know all about the ‘why’, but it doesn’t translate into any tangible changes.
As I watched Eddie Izzard’s “Believe” doco again the other day, this time with my sister, it really struck me how even though he came to the realisation that his ridiculous over-achieving compulsion was directly related to his early childhood trauma of his mother’s death, evidently, just knowing it is not enough to actually change it. For instance, since that doco was made I believe he’s run something like two billion marathons, day after day, all in the name of charity.
Point is, understanding the why of your behaviour, doesn’t automatically equal changing your behaviour.
You may hereafter refer to me as Doctor Phyllis.
Anyhoo, being the change-impaired ball of compulsive “doing things” that I am, I have made my usual list of year goals, however this year I am doing so with the help of Accompl.sh.
I’m not sure if it will help me any. I tend to jump on the newest and latest exciting bandwagon all the time, only to get a little distracted by the next bright and shiny thing that comes my way. But heck, why not?
Oh look! Something shiny!
More Pip and Pop. Are you not helpless in its wonder-grips?
