Place: Kym’s office 

Poison: Diet Coke 

Favourite Things: Kym Rolle and Polly on the phone 

Well, in the aftermath of Capture, many people have made comments about the green tea cup club! They are an amazing group of girls that has grown since the book was published. It’s grown by one, miss Sara, Red rooster advert pin up girl Polanski! 

Anyway- many people have given me gifts of green tea, also a favourite cafe owner told us very confidently that he has acquired a fresh new batch of green tea just for us! Ouch, we don’t drink green tea, we just have green tea cups! Semantics you say, no way its more than semantics we are passionate coffee drinkers. 

Coffee. I am very passionate about great coffee. Write to me your favourite cafes.

Here are my Perth top five: 

1) Milkd- North Perth  2) Harvest- North Freo  3) Sunsets- Rockingham  4) Cafe 130′s- Leederville (although it currently has barista issues!!) 

5) Atomic- South Perth (soon to be open, however our favourite barista from 130′s is there)        

Place: Milkd

Poison: Cappucino

Favourite Thing: My Spencer and Rutherford Laptop Bag!

A friend sent me this essay last night that I think may be the author of the quote, in the dedication page of my book. Have a read!

PS- I vehemently dislike forwarded emails and chain emails, but some do bring about good.

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do
everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent. Remember, to say, “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

Place: Milkd

Poison: Long Mac

Favourite Thing: Trucker Hat from Kym

Growing up I totally struggled with the concept of beauty. Am I beautiful enough? What really is beautiful? Why are my peers so focussed on beauty?

I can’t say I am completely numb to these questions, but recently I read a quote about beauty that intrigued me…

‘Beauty overwhelms us, enchants us, fascinates us, and calls us’ Fr Andrew Greeley

I think the word beautiful has been given a false identity by the covers of Vouge and Marie Clare.

Beauty can be found in the folds of wrinkled skin, it can be found in the eyes of a friend towards another who continually hurts her or it can be found in the midst of a rubbish heap as a mother feeds her son.

I love beautiful things, but mostly am obsessed with finding beauty in others.

I was recently in Thailand, with Sr Joan, a heroic woman, who lives breathes and beautifies the slums of Khlong Toei, Bangkok. One photo memory that I cannot remove from my mind is this picture of a grandmother feeding her grandchild milk, whilst sitting right on top of a rubbish dump.

The quote ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ is so completely true. Many would be repulsed by the rubbish dump, many would be annoyed with the mangy dogs sniffing about, however this grandmothers eyes were lost in her grandchild’s with complete abandonment.

The recent media campaign by Dove, is brilliant. They are trying to remind the public that beauty is not defined to a size 8, waify, blonde, big-breasted woman. Yes, she is beautiful, but so are you.

Creativity and beauty go hand in hand. Without beauty, why paint, photograph or capture the sunset in a lovers eye. Without beauty, why even notice the flowers in the middle of a field of dirt? Without beauty why even bother to express creativity?

My little thought basically is, that beauty can be found in anything, even you! It all rides on the perspective and the eye of the beholder.

Beauty beckons, Beauty invites… come, explore, immerse, love, follow, intrigue, unveil, connect, enjoy…

Beautiful!

A

Place: My Office

Poison: Water

Favourite Thing: new lamp from Ikea!

Wandered around a great coffee haunch this morning and was intrigued by a new word they had on their chalkboard out the front.

Word: Bathos

Meaning: sudden change in speech or writing from a serious subject to a trivial one.

This made me smile. As intense as I am about creativity and life, I can become so full -on in the midst of conversations and get completely frustrated when one of my friends are completely random and take the conversation in a million directions.

In my immaturity, I would get frustrated as I try to make sense out of what is happening in the midst of the conversation. In my old age I am hopefully becoming more flexible, and realise that a bit of bathos is good for the soul!

Last night we saw a great friend off at the airport. As the gang stood around waiting for the final boarding call, there was much bathos. One minute deep, the next minute very random potato watching!

Whilst lining up for coffee I thought about bathos and creativity…To be deep and random, to be spiritual but flexible, to be thoughtful yet spontaneous, is a beautiful way to live.

Here, here…

A

Place: At Green Tea Cup Club- Location (top secret)

Poison: Chai Latte

Favourite Things: Polly & Bonnie

Well, this week after much soul searching, I have come face to face with a couple of little, but startling mistakes. When you move so fast and life keeps on steaming on, we all make mistakes. Its good to address them, maybe ask forgiveness from those closest and then move right along addressing the problems and making the necessary changes.

When it comes to creativity though, sometimes there are mistakes or parts of our expressions of creativity where those mistakes create an authenticity, that makes the artwork fresh!

In my book Capture- 30 days of inspiration, I had an amazing editor, Sarah Churchill, who helped me keep it real, but edited the mistakes out of my book, without editing out my creativity and voice.

Despite both our fine tooth combing of the commas, question marks and abbreviations, we came a cropper with a few small grammatical errors in the book.

Here is one mistake. ‘Map Page- Hannah Story- instead of Hannah’s Story’

Have you found any others?

Humbly yours

A

Place: Milkd

Poison: Cappuccino

Favourite things: Book ‘Great Speeches- words that made history’

I have a random book that lazes on my bedside table, begging for me to read and get some late night inspiration. And last night that I did!

It is a book of great speeches that made a difference in history. The one that captured my attention last night was from our former Prime Minister, John Curtin (held office 1941-1945).

This speech went over the airwaves to support Australia’s allegiance to America in its war against Japan.

‘I speak to you from Australia. I speak from a united people to a united people, and my speech is aimed to serve all the people of the nation’s united in the struggle to save mankind…We have all made mistakes, we have all been too slow; we have all sown weakness- all of us! This is not a time to wrangle about who is most to blame. Now our eyes are open.’

My eyes are open. I have never been exposed to war before in my life, and one month ago I arrived back from the Middle East, in which I spent one week in the most beautiful village on the border of Syria and Israel in South Lebanon called ‘Mimess’. Mimess and its people have captured my heart and since I have been back I have been a wreck trying to figure out what I can possibly do to make a difference in the political and humanitarian mess, called the Middle East.

Many of my friends and family who have taken the time to notice what is happening are asking, How did this happen? Who is too blame? And I truthfully hold the same sentiments as John Curtin. We are all to blame! I hate war, I hate it right to the very core, but sometimes there is nothing else that can bring change to the hearts filled with much pride, arrogance and selfishness.

Many generations that have gone before us, (in fact I would say all generations) have been confronted someway by war. However, I don’t want to live my life encased by my cushy, cafe-enhanced everyday, without being aware and making a difference to what is happening today, right now, on our planet.

But what can I do, But what change can one very flawed, wreck of a woman, sitting here in Perth, Western Australia bring to Mimess, Lebanon.

That is right where creativity becomes powerful. Creativity is the ability to take something confusing, baffling, and emotional, bringing some sense of reality and purpose to it.

I pray today that I would find some divine inspiration; so that I can do something to help those children I played soccer with on the streets of Mimess. I hope that I can help in someway to let the lady I helped redecorate her fruit fridge, know that my thoughts and prayers are with her and her family and that they are not forgotten.

Affected, but so willing to do something to bring change!
A

Place: Riverview Auditorium  

Poison: Diet Coke  

Favourite things: Riverview Music Team, rehearsing!  

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?  

Thou are more lovely and more temperate.  

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,  

And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.  

Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines,  

And often is his gold complexion dimmed;  

And every fair from fair sometime declines,  

By chance, or nature’s changing course untrimmed.  

But thy eternal summer shall not fade  

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;  

Nor shall death brag thou wand’rest in his shade,  

When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st,  

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,  

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.  

William Shakespeare  

Although today was nothing like a summer’s day, it was a fine one indeed. Started with a coffee and a stroll, then a brief drop in on some breakfast lovin, then bridesmaids shopping, finished with a catnap in the arvo! Who can complain about that.  

Whilst shopping with Miss Elly and Tam, I found Morrison’s, new summer catalogue which Shakespeare’s finest sonnet was spotted throughout.  

Here’s a toast to a hot chocolate, with lots of marshmallow’s and syrypy type of winter’s day. I hope someone writes a poem like this about me one day, ‘When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st’  

Am I like a summers day? Warm, embracing, inspiring and fresh!  

Sleepily  

A 

 

Place: Farrell’s Cafe- Vic Park

Poison: Long Back

Favourite Things: Cream Scarf knitted by my gran!

Well, in true green tea cup style, ‘Operation Llama’ began last night. Its brief to sneak Belinda Rolle, ‘Kymmie’s’ younger sister into this great communist state of Western Australia, without her big sister knowing. Last night, with stealth and coffee, I sped away to the airport and picked her up. With the help of Polanski we snuck her into the Llama Bar, to surprise her big sis! What transposed after the discovery of this Gold Coast Refugee, was reminiscent of a 12 year old pyjama party in the midst of a 30 year old jazz/ funk club! Screaming, crying, sniffing and lots of jumping, created much curiosity amongst the USS marine core who were decorating the Subiaco haunch!

Anyways, it is the morning after, with much coffee, smiling and memories. How I love sisters, friendships, screaming, squealing, covert operations and most of all surprising the ones we love. Keep it real, Keep it interesting, Life is worth so much more than the bland boringness of the everyday. Captured!

A

Place: Foyer- Riverview

Poison: Diet Coke

Favourite Things: Leather couch, lazing on!

In wild preparations for the bloke, an event for males only!! Event managed by 5 girls! NICE…

Anyways, is going to be a great event. With a Bucking Mad Cow, Mechanical Surfboard, Arm wrestling comps, Duncan ARM-strong, Glynn Nicholas and the Riverview crew. I am so stoked that our leadership team have the balls to put on something that slaps religiosity in the face and says come into the 21st century.

The worst part of this event is our auditorium, smells from 1000 testosterone filled bodies! (very intimidating!)

Capture: a wild day of male focussed event management

A

Place: Milkd- North Perth

Poison: Skinny Cappucino

Favourite Things: Bracelet from Annie!

I confess I have a personality that easily becomes addicted. The internet, coffee, people, love (with a capital L) I know it has something to do with my choleric-competitiveness-passion-filled-family heritage…

So I need to be careful as I start this blog as it could become an obsession. With my life being as it is, I need to watch what becomes foreground in the everyday.

Anyway, I hope whoever is reading this, gets inspiration wherever you are at…

Here’s to day one of Capture: ? days of inspiration (an extension of the book- get it if you don’t already, buy it for a friend if you do!)

A