For this week I am diving back a few months to some photos I took of the Christmas tree here in Bethlehem, New Zealand.
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All posts by Joanne Bryant
Wordless Wednesday
Completely unrelated subject:
Protect Amazon.com Users and Indie Publishing Authors from Bullying and Harassment by Removing Anonymity and Requiring Identity Verification for Reviewing and Forum Participation – Sign This Petition !!!
I invented a pie…oh yes I did. And you can vote on it so I can well…win kudos of course, plus money !!! Mine is the “Under the Sea” pie in the Pie Warmer.
Underwater Dolphin Rescue
This is the way I imagine our world to be. Species reaching out to help each other. Species valuing other species.
Hoping I am not too old to learn a new skill.
I have a Japanese student staying with me. He is sweet and polite, but speaks very little English, which leads to some funny conversations. Yusuke is here until Tuesday 11th of March. Not a long time, but hopefully an enjoyable one.
I hope to learn from Yusuke a thing or two. One skill he has tried very patiently to impart is origami. And here is my first attempt.
A crane…
100 % Natural
Oh and BTW…
Writers’ Envy Gone Mad
I follow Anne Rice on facebook because she touches on some very interesting topics, and the discussions that follow are often lively and informative from her followers.
On the 21st of February a writer named Lynn Shepherd started a furore amongst Anne’s followers so I went off to investigate.
Lynn Shepard is mystery author with a few books to her credit. Seems she also manages to get stuff published at The Huffington Post UK.
It seems Lynn has a beef with JK Rowling.
Did you notice the sentence at the start of paragraph 3 ??? While she previously admits to never having read Harry Potter, it also seems she hasn’t read The Casual Vacancy either. Yet she goes on to not only trash it by way of other people’s opinions, but to argue that this book [by way of oxygen sucking - anyone out there know how to do that - from the publishing and reading atmosphere] made it impossible for other authors to survive let alone thrive.
When I read the following…
By all means keep writing for kids, or for your personal pleasure – I would never deny anyone that – but when it comes to the adult market you’ve had your turn.
I just about chocked on my coffee.
What happened to the society that is formed by writers to encourage ALL other writers to do what they do ?
JK Rowling no doubt already does write for her own personal pleasure [or is it pain]. Writers write because THEY HAVE TO !!!! It isn’t something you just pick up and leave off. Writing is worse than any drug I know of.
While some of the writing you do may never be shown, and some will, a writer has no choice but to write.
Writing is a lonely, frustrating, ego bashing way to spend your time. All writers know this. We live it everyday.
That is what makes it so important to support other writers to do the same.
There will never be ENOUGH books out there for me, or ENOUGH writers to pen them.
Breaking in to the wonderful world of being a published author is difficult, being a successful one…even more difficult. That JK Rowling has done both is an amazing feat.
I applaud JK Rowling for so many thing. Harry Potter has brought reading back to being something cool, because her books have reached out on such a broad spectrum. She has hero status in my house because of the way she turned non readers in to readers.
I will proudly admit to having read ALL the Harry Potter books, so when I read this snippet…I got a little incensed.
I did think it a shame that adults were reading them (rather than just reading them to their children, which is another thing altogether), mainly because there’s so many other books out there that are surely more stimulating for grown-up minds.
Excuse me…she hasn’t read one !!! Being in the middle of writing a book that demands you completely construct a world that is believable, I know how hard that is. The Harry Potter world is the most magical place [for every age reader], and to top that off it all makes sense. Every piece fits, has a reason for being so, and it appears seamlessly to do so. I am an adult…well most of the time, and those books delighted me enough that I have read them more than once.
I am not sure what this author was hoping to achieve with her little rant. Maybe one of her PR people suggested it might be a good way to get some publicity.
“Hoi Lynn, your sales are down.”
“Oh shit, really. Whatever will I do ??”
“I know, I know, let’s trash some famous writer. Get the fans worked up. Get some buzz.”
Okay…right then is where she should have realised her PR was a blathering idiot and now was the time to run as far away as possible.
Because the feedback was pretty darn immediate, and little of it was good.
This is a sample of a review that was put up on Amazon.
I can’t help thinking she might be wondering at the choice she made in writing this piece now. Her friends should have hidden her laptop if you ask me.
I think it is sad in another way too.
If you read the majority of reviews since this article came out then it is clear that many readers will never pick up one of her books in protest. Which is kind of ‘swings and roundabouts’ I guess. But there is already enough bullying going on in certain review forums. We don’t need anymore.
I think that any writer must expect bad reviews…of their work. They should expect it, deal with it and get on to the next book.
I have written a bad review or two in my time. One was for ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, which I absolutely disliked. But…yes, finally, here comes my but…I never trashed the author. I actually admire her. She tapped a market and ran with it. Brilliant strategy if you ask me. Well done EL James…well done !!!
What I did was tell what I disliked and why. One HUGE point here…I actually read the books first, another thing that surprised me about Lynn Shepherd.
This all made me a little sad. Lynn Shepherd needs to learn that you do not need to step on others to make your way about this thing we call life. What she should have been doing was applauding the fact that after years of work, years of rejection and years of frustration JK Rowling made it. In doing so she proved that any one of us can and should aspire to do the same.
Related content:
Weekly Photo Challenge: Abandoned
There was no way I couldn’t think outside the box on this one.
A while ago I went to see Rodriguez in concert.
To me…Rodriguez was one of the most abandoned singers of my generation. Abandoned by his record company, he was kept from most of the world for decades until two men went in search of the real story about what happened to this talented singer/songwriter.
And so the film SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN was born.
Finally Rodriguez was brought in from the cold to a world that rejoiced not only in his music, but in his story. One that showed it is never to late for any of us, as long as we don’t abandon what we love and what are our truths.
Here is a taste of what I saw that night.
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Kevin and music
It is never too late in the game to change what you do with your life. I guess that is what gives me hope about my writing and photography, especially as I have taken them up again at this late stage in my life.
Kevin Costner has proven that. The last few years he has taken his interest in music and together with his band mates from Modern West has been pumping out tracks and performing around the world.
Sadly, he has not yet made it to New Zealand, but I am hopeful. I am not sure what you would classify his music as. Maybe you could tell me what you think it falls under. The following song is the song that really drew me to his music. It remains a favourite to this day.
The band has had three albums released.
- Untold Truths
- Turn It On
- From Where I Stand
As well as Famous for Killing Each Other: Music from and Inspired By Hatfields & McCoys.
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Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: The Color White
Cee’s challenge this week is the colour WHITE.
These guys caught my attention at the local A&P Show a few weeks back.
I had to add one with what is one of my favourite birds.
Three Lamps Bar and Eatery
When I went up to Auckland last, we went out in Ponsonby for lunch, as the next day was The Son’s 23rd birthday, but he had plans.
The Son’s brief was for a pub lunch, so guided by The Daughter we wandered around and headed to the Three Lamps and Eatery. It is a beautiful building.
It was quiet when we arrived. That is probably because we were having an early lunch after spending the morning watching the Wet Hot Beauties frolic in the sea. I imagine most Aucklanders tend to eat a bit later on a Saturday afternoon. Inside were only the bar staff I think, but they had a lovely outside area…again not busy but that was good.
When the menu arrived it was huge. What I wasn’t prepared for was that only one page had food on it while the other 6 pages were beers mostly. I imagine there is a different menu for the dinner crowd, so as a lunch menu goes it was more than sufficient.
Okay, it is a ‘craft beer’ bar, so as you might imagine the range of beers was incredible. You can see the list here.
Impressive no ????
While we waited for our order we all tucked in to the fresh baked breads with house made dips, olive oil, balsamic marinated olives, three lamps style. A very nice way to enjoy sitting around with a beer and having a chat.
Looking good !!!!
My choice for the day !!!
How do they balance ALL that ??
I had the chilli and garlic prawns and wasn’t sorry that I did.
Chilli and garlic prawns
Yummy !!!!!!
Smoked venison sausage
Cider and dill battered fish, hand cut agrias, crushed peas, tartar sauce, watercress salad
The birthday boy with his beef burger.
Pork belly burger
I liked the atmosphere for a summer’s afternoon and I was with friends and family…so in the end…it was perfect.
Friends from Katikati
With The Daughter
With The Son
Oh my word my girl is a giggle !!!!
Time for a wee tipple !!!
The Son’s lovely partner.
Nothing to say really
Except…turn the sound on and enjoy !!
Careful if you are at work…because you WILL laugh. But if you let the boss watch, they may laugh as well.
Quizzes Go Viral
I have a friend…read further and you’ll know who you are !
Not often does a day go by lately without she posts something that says: “I got…” Today it was “I got You Belong in the 80′s.” She wanted to know which decade she belonged in. Which naturally we ALL do !!!
To do this she had to answer a series of questions.
- Pick a colour
- Pick a slang term
- What’s the best cartoon show ?
- Pick a power clique
- How do you take pics ?
- Pick a movie
- You’re running late for work. What do you do ?
- What’s your favourite fashion accessory ?
- What would you do if you won the lottery ?
- What’s your vice ?
Of course you have a set of 9 answers for each question to pick from.
Naturally I followed the link [research for this post of course] and answered the questions.
My answers were:
- Purple
- Daddy-O
- Scooby Doo
- The Pink Ladies from Grease
- With my IPhone [which isn't actually an IPhone at all].
- Across The Universe
- It will be OK
- Cat-eye glasses
- Get a sweet vintage ride
- Sweets
Turns out…I belong in the ‘60s!
What you would give to experience Woodstock back when. But seriously, if you could throw sexy, psychedelic parties in tribalistic communes your whole life, you would. Oh, wait…
All in the name of research you understand !!!!
It seems the WWW has gone a little mental with silly quizzes that tell us where we belong. On Buzzfeed you can find out everything from what your fate would be in The Hunger Games to…what kind of dog are you ?
You think I am kidding ??
I got Death in The Hunger Games. I succumbed to a career in the final showdown. I almost made it. I was THIS close! Unfortunately, I couldn’t overtake the career I ended the games with. The good news is I was so popular with viewers that they made an action figure out of me. Neat ! – great news !! Who wouldn’t want to be a DEAD action figure ??????
Seems as dogs go, I am a Great Dane…oh yes I am. I am so humble I don’t notice how much I stand out in a crowded room. [Lot of good it does me as a DEAD ACTION FIGURE] I am extremely smart [yet I'm a DEAD action figure...how does that work ???] but are still approachable due to my warm demeanor. I’d probably make a great pediatrician or duchess of Cambridge.
[No wonder my career got me killed in The Hunger Games]
Check out Buzzfeed’s QUIZZES section. I got tired of scrolling and scrolling and scrolling.
These quizzes are generating more comments than almost anything in Facebook’s history. Buzzfeed has a team that numbers about 100 making sure that around 5 quizzes a day are put out at the moment.
Hey GIRLFRIEND…you know who I am talking to !!! Did you hear that…FIVE a day !!!!
So…if you…like millions of other people are trying to answer the age old question of “who am I ?”, Buzzfeed is more than willing to help you out in case you are having trouble working it out yourself.
Me ?? Well I am going to grab my bellbottoms, hop in the combi and head to the beach while I listen to The Beatles. After I find out which Beatle I actually am of course.
Wordless Wednesday
Weekly Photo Challenge: Threes
So the THREE challenge is essentially the following.
- An establishing shot: a broad photo of your subject.
- A relationship: two elements interacting with one another.
- A detail: a close-up of one part of your subject.
I decided to use some I took when I went to see The Daughter in her water ballet with the Wet Hot Beauties…We Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside !!
The Daughter is in two of the three shots.
And just to show you some of what I saw. I am going to add a video as well.
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Travel Theme: Work
It looks more like fun to me, but that’s what these guys do for a job.
And so cute to boot !!!!
Never Tear Us Apart.
As most of you know I grew up in Sydney. It was a time that it was okay to hitchhike home at 3 in the morning from a club. The beaches weren’t crowded. Bands such as INXS were just starting out. I was lucky enough to see these guys before they became a worldwide hit. Unless you have stood in a crowded, smoky club, where you have to yell to be heard and the floor actually vibrates to the music that travels through your body, where a voice slides smooth and deep over words that tell YOUR story then I perhaps you will not understand the truly amazing experience that was INXS live. Every bit of an INXS concert was a high without the after effects. I have never lost my love of their music, their showmanship, their brilliance.
I cried when Michael Hutchence died alone in a hotel room in Sydney. Because we lost a genius. A flawed genius maybe, but aren’t they usually the ones who take us to places we never thought to experience?
Michael as I first saw him.
I have just finished watching ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ – an Australian mini series about the band.
There is a bit of controversy. Well of course there is. Family members who hate the series, claiming it contains completely fabricated scenes. Friends of Michael Hutchence who feel it is still too soon for this. Critics who slam it for not being in depth enough, for not choosing either to be only about the band or only about Michael. Then there are the slurs about it being a marketing ploy to sell more INXS CDs.
Taking in to account all the above…it is still a series worth seeing.
Why ???
Lots of reasons.
I am going to tell you two of why I actually really enjoyed this, as well as give what are my thoughts on the controversy.
- The cast. Luke Arnold is Michael Hutchence. It really is eerie watching him at times. He has the mannerisms, the charisma…like I said, eerie at times watching him. That said, he isn’t the only piece of terrific casting. I do have to say that they got it a bit wrong with two characters. Bono and Molly Meldrum…oh dear. Considering how brilliant the other casting is, how did they get these two so wrong ????
- The story. It crosses. Between the fans and the non-fans. What do I mean by that? For the fans, like me, it brings you the beginning, the middle, the end. There was so much I never knew. How young John [the drummer] was. How steadfast, staid, yet beautifully normal [in so many ways] Andy was. Talking about Andy…he really was such a musical genius. I have to mention this…as a girl who played Yum Yum at school in the Mikado…I loved the scene where his wife sang “Three Little Maids From School.” The fact that Michael lost his sense of smell and taste, something I never knew, and how that impacted on him. But for the non-fans…this series really shows you what it actually took to be a success, as well as highlighting the incredible music. I read one review from an artist from the same time in Australia who criticised some scenes. I want to use one instance to argue my point that he, and others are wrong. He said that the few scenes used to show how they toured the world to get famous does not show what it is really like. WRONG. This is a 3 hour plus mini series trying to show 20 plus years. You have to compact. As a viewer…I thought that how they showed what that time was like was very good. Other criticism has been that it must either be about the band or Michael. WRONG. I am a huge fan of INXS…but Michael’s story has never let me go. Chris Murphy says that this series is about giving Michael his dignity back. I think he has a point. Michael’s death has always been the end note of INXS for me. Until now. While I will say that never once since Michael died has INXS been the same for me, but…oh yes…there is the but again…this series makes you realise these guys were more than just Michael’s backing band. It is a story not just of INXS, not just of Michael Hutchence, but of Chris Murphy and the incredible drive that made him MAKE this band a success. And this mini series is also about giving Michael something more than being remembered for the way he died. I am a fan of the Australian mini series. They do it well. They did this well. Yes they glorify INXS. Why wouldn’t they? Yes, they glorify the time, but take it from someone who lived that time…they did a good job. Forget the scandal of Paula Yates, forget the scandal of how he died, watch this and remember the music, the genius of a group of boys from Australia who made rock history.
And the ending…perfect !!!
Don’t ask me what you know is true
Don’t have to tell you, I love your precious heart
I, I was standing, you were there
Two worlds collided and they could never tear us apartWe could live for a thousand years but if I hurt you, I’d make wine from your tears
I told you that we could fly, ’cause we all have wings but some of us don’t know why
I was standing, you were there
Two worlds collided and they could never ever tear us apartI (Don’t ask me), I was standing (What you know is true), you were there (Worlds collided)
Two worlds collided (We’re shining through) and they could never tear us apart
You (Don’t ask me), you were standing (What you know is true), I was there (Worlds collided)
Two worlds collided (We’re shining through) and they could never tear us apart
I, I was standing, you were there, two worlds collided…Related Posts:
A Turbulent Mind
darkness shrouds the bleached square
my mirror image like the inside curve of a wave,
dishevelled
slashes of silver, running, spiralling together, complex,
to raise the dourest of spirits
your incessant babble flies over the ground
no sound, no imprint in the earth,
I see the moon begin to rise
a city shimmers, moonbeams bouncing into the air
no tender traits, yet a softness under the night sky
dust flows upon the earth,
fog circles a clandestine realm
each face a portrait of home
keep your thoughts inside
flailing to gain silence,
before the sun rises
thoughts light the surface
gives way to its zenith,
smaller pinnacles of molten fire under my skin prickle
a deep pain
my turbulent mind bursting into the open,
crouched,
a flaming light springing luminous scarlet and gold,
spreading a dreadful screeching.
gusts of air knocking me
my rage is palpable,
I have failed you tearing at me,
I am falling,
an intense cry reaches into my heart,
slows its beating
its echo waits to claim me.
This is a ‘redactive poem’ taken from a chapter of my own work. I chose to leave out the ‘erased’ parts which many do leave in. Here below is a screenshot of what my page looked like.
Cee’s Fun Photo Challenge: The Colour Orange
Wordless Wednesday
Travel Theme: Yellow
Dogmatic was at the A & P show this year. meet Legend…who with great gusto had fun jumping through a YELLOW hula hoop.
