This week I was so privileged to see the Dalai Lama and hear him speak not once but twice in one day. He was truly inspiring and his message of compassion and humanity is delivered in a humble, down to earth, and honest way that resonates with everyone he meets. The positive effect of his presence is undeniable.
December 9, 2009
November 27, 2009
30 countries in 30 days
There are two guys having a loud discussion on the balcony of the unit next door to mine. They’re young and ‘entrepreneurial’! One is trying to convince the other that he should take part in an incredible business opportunity .
‘30 countries in 30 days man’
‘it’s never been done before’
‘it isn’t high risk, we’ll be leveraging off the work of others…’
‘come on man, why can’t you understand’
‘it’s all about residual earnings’
This is so depressing this guy KNOWS exactly how the system works but the other one is more sceptical is raising concerns to no avail. All that youthful energy and enthusiasm.
They’re drinking and I can hear that one is either pissing or pouring his drink onto the driveway below, gawd! The conversation degenerates into WTFs and insults all round. Are these guys refugees from schoolies? They sound like they’re 17 but could be 35 year old toolies for all I know.
‘Can you pour me a shot of vodka’
There’s another guy inside and maybe they’re gay.
‘I’m not OUT man, he was OUT last night and that’s what scares me’.
It’s all accompanied by banging and the general loudness of males who’ve had too much to drink. Their voices have that ’bored with life’ drawl that seems to be common amongst twenty somethings and teenagers. Nasaly and slightly posh. The words ’like’ and ‘man’ are ubiquitous. Spoken too quickly their words run into each other and imply a ‘don’t give a F’ and ‘too cool for school’ attitude.
‘We’re waaaasted!’
‘Treeeent you’re not having any more dude, we’ll have a break’
‘I’m not drunk’
‘I love Tom Cruise, Tom Cruise is hilarious. I love Robert Downey jnr’
‘The universe it talking to us man’
‘There’s no RISK we’re in the same band’… [Oh they're a band and 30 countries in 30 days makes sense now].
They’ve gone inside and I can’t hear anymore. it’s a mystery to me who lives next door. Since the couple with the wifi number plate moved out 2 months ago the unit has been rented by a middle aged Polish woman called Gresna, whom I met briefly but have barely seen since. No one seems to actually sleep there. But now and again people turn up for an hour or so. I’ve seen one of these boys/men once and he’s what I’d call a swoopie, that is he has a large swoop of straightened blonde streaked hair across his forehead and a slight bouffant at the crown, super low cut skinny black jeans and a mobile stuck to his ear. Way too camp when you think about it, but they all look like that now. Too much emphasis on the hair I think.
No one ever stays long in the unit next door.
May 17, 2009
Put your money where your heart is: Northey Street Organic Markets
What I bought today
A little spiritual journey I try and take every week is to my local organic market. The Northey Street Markets are tucked away beside a creek next to the Northey Street City Farm, on Brisbane’s northside. Today the air was fresh and chill, a perfect early winter Brisbane day. The beanies, scarves and ugh boots are starting to come out now and people watching is fun. Northey Street is a real gem with stalls spread out under beautiful shade trees and lots of greenery. There’s space to move here not like some of the more commercial markets around town. (more…)