She's Leaving Home...

Best quote of last night, amid much laughter and dancing: "You should leave more often!" Oh, Tessa...

First then: my heartfelt thanks to the ever-fabulous Perrys for their outstanding hospitality last night. It was a gorgeous send-off. We met in Jacobs Bar, headed over to Bushes, and made our way up the hill from Algiers to Caseys (bolstered by the Fabulous Baking Lady's double espresso and cappuccino cupcakes - thank you Sarah). Obviously there weren't enough establishments en route, and prosecco appeared from a home along the way (thank you, Petra). And then to the Glebe.

I'm certain that I can't do justice to the myriad elements: the Glebe courtyard by candlelight, delicious food, DJ Dev keeping us on the floor for the night... Sharon Rose's serious skirt action; John M holding court by the bar; Allie revising so many lyrics "Cheveley's off to London... Big Mistake..."; Paula leading us in a reprise of All the Single Ladies; me reuniting with the Shakespeare ladies for one last moment together in the garden; and throughout the night, friends old and new dropping in to chat, and dance, and laugh.

And cry a little.

Thank to everyone for the support and cards and advice and gifts and good wishes - and super-special thanks to Tom G for all the help with the move - but most of all, and most simply, thank you for sharing last night, and so many other soulful and sparkling and treasured days and nights. I found more than I ever dreamed of in this precious community, and to paraphrase e e cummings, I will carry your heart with me.

Onwards.

Maximum Safety

Fearing that you might be left behind?

Sleep on the luggage :-)

Seeing and Doing

Wanted to link to one of TED's talks today: photographer Taryn Simon gives a brief tour (18 mins) of two projects.

The first began after September 11: instead of looking outward to map other lands, she spent five years gaining access to traditionally secret American sites (her favourite rejection letter was from Disney, who didn't want a photograph to threaten their created world). A great presentation, from inbred white tigers and Lucas's Death Star to live HIV virus. Gets the neurons firing :-)

The second project focuses on men who were wrongly convicted based on photographs, highlighting how easily images can be distorted, and deceive.



In the midst of prepping for being in Dublin most of this week, and from there I'm head on to an artists' retreat.

Sigh. Perhaps I'll just type that again, slowly, and savour those words:

An artists' retreat.
For a week.

Drawing together

My family is scattered today. Everyone's travelling; busy with work, funerals, children. But tomorrow we'll come together for a christening - and although we may be jet-lagged, travel-weary, sleep-deprived, and/or a smidge hungover - I am SO looking forward to it!

Safe travels, everyone. Have a great weekend.