John would be proud - artists make a stand for human rights

“When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.” .....JOHN LENNON

Even as a young child, I had incredible respect for John Lennon and his beliefs.


Those of you that know me personally know just how much many of his principles have shaped the way I think.

“My role in society, or any artist's or poet's role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all.”...JOHN LENNON

One of the darkest days I can recall was when I found out John had been murdered. Aside from the obvious and sad loss of a husband (to Yoko), a father (to John's children), a musical virtuoso (to us fans) I saw it as a huge loss to the promotion of human rights and peace protests of our era. The movements that John was so dedicated to.

John Lennon connected with people.

People related to John.

He was a very rare person, an influential activist.

Without John, how many others had the ability via music, or any other avenue, to get the message out so distinctly to earth's inhabitants. Who had the guts to stand up in the face of those in power and give them what for?

Bob Geldof stood up and shouldered some of the responsibility.

"It's really very simple, Governor. When people are hungry they die. So spare me your politics and tell me what you need and how you're going to get it to these people"...... BOB GELDOF

He was the face of, and the driving force behind, Band Aid & Band Aid 20 - and now, amongst other things, does a fantastic job fighting to Make Poverty History.

'There's a world outside your window, and it's a world of dread and fear'.....BAND AID

Bob is extremely vocal and very well informed. I respect him greatly on this issue - but not on all of his beliefs.

"The total amount of aid going into Africa on annual basis by 2010 will be $50 billion. That's between the seven richest countries on the planet who count their annual budgets in trillions of dollars. It's like me saying to my little kid: 'Here is $3 pocket money and I'm going to take 2¢ out of that and give it to Africa'." .......BOB GELDOF

I could waffle on for hours about John Lennon & Bob Geldof.. but..ahem..I've gone off on a tangent again havn't I? I'm good at that.. now, back to what I was going to blog about!

Instant Karma: The Campaign To Save Darfur

"Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur," the new global "Make Some Noise" project from Amnesty International, seeks to mobilize millions around the urgent catastrophe in Darfur, Sudan. It combines the power of John Lennon's music recorded by some of the world's best-known artists, together with cutting-edge forms of instant activism enabled by Internet and mobile technologies.

This album, I will be purchasing this week.
I (we) are so very fortunate to live in the style we do.

Where you sit, right now, reading this, take a look at your life...stop for just a minute, look at what you have

now.....compare it to someone in Sudan.

PERSPECTIVE PEOPLE,

PERSPECTIVE!

This work is a great gesture from musical artists of today. I'm sure John would be very impressed and honoured to have his music played by a new generation and more importantly, still sending out his message.

Proceeds derived from the entire campaign will go directly to support Amnesty International’s urgent work in Darfur, Sedan and other human rights crises worldwide.

double click on the arrow in the middle of the box to watch this short video

Yoko Ono granted the rights to John Lennon’s entire solo songbook to Amnesty International (the world’s largest grassroots human rights organisation) to use as the centerpiece of this project and to inspire and invigorate a new generation of human rights activists.

As a solo artist, John Lennon's unique talent and passionate campaign for world peace made him one of the most influential activists the world has ever known.

"Peace is no violence, no frustration, no fear," claimed Lennon - and with this lyrical mantra, he strived to promote the issues he believed in, inspiring change through music which both provoked and united communities.

In a world plagued by war, poverty, and fear, John's message is just as relevant today as it was when first written.

Lennon's use of music, modern communication techniques, and celebrity status created unprecedented support for the peace and civil rights movements. He was a man who not only spoke truth to power, but understood that music was itself power - a unique way to touch people's hearts and minds, and inspire them to stand up for human rights.

Amnesty International is profoundly grateful to Yoko Ono for her extraordinary gift of Lennon's solo catalogue for use in this project. With the gift, she had in mind to help Amnesty International create the next generation of activists.

May this new generation join us in making a positive impact on our world.

From speaking to my friends recently, I know a few really appreciated some of the quotes I used in an earlier post on my blog. Here is a small selection of some of my favorites.

"Poverty is the worst form of violence"..... Mohandas Gandhi

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it".....ALBERT EINSTEIN

"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world".....ROBIN WILLIAMS

"If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it".....JESSE JACKSON

"I really feel this is such a serious time for us all that being silent is not an option".....GEORGE MICHAEL

"Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent".....NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

"You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say".....MARTIN LUTHER

"The things which are most important don't always scream the loudest".....BOB HAWKE

"Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind - even if your voice shakes".....MAGGIE KUHN

Let us collectively raise our voices in the on going struggle for peace & human rights.
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Springbrook National Park part 1 The Purlingbrook Falls

This is Purlingbrook Falls, located in Springwood National Park, South East Queensland. Infact, it's right on the New South Wales border. It is about a 45 - 60 minute drive at a guess. One can never be exactly sure because you are always so distracted by the scenic tour on the drive there... and ....because I have such a crap memory.

You can go here four times a year (very easily, I might add) and each time you go, the falls will look different. The amount of recent rainfall makes a huge difference in the view and the temperture. I have been to this place when it was 34c with 85% humidity at home.. but it is always cool in this valley. The walk to get to the bottom of the falls, however, may not always be as cool. (i.e. carry lots of drinking water!)

The walk does take a few hours, but as most of it is in shade its a delight to go. Not for the totally unfit unless you have 4-5 (or so) hours to spare.. must add that.

Most of the photographs I have posted today, were taken in October 2005. It was about 30c but I'm guessing not much more than 23c by the time we got to the bottom. We comfortably did this walk, 3 Adults & 5 children, in umm not sure.. around 3 hours? You can spend far more time than that - so much to see.. stop and take in nature.. it's wonderful.

Mind you, we stopped so I could photograph every thing that moved and many many things that didnt. Much fun was had - apologies to those we may have disturbed with our frequent laughter which often broke the delicious calm of the valley.

Then again, if laughter annoys you, stiff shit... it's a great sound. If you don't like laughter.. you know what you can do :D

OOhh...must NOT forget to mention our fake tropical bird calls.

"Ga gaah Ga gaah" and "Ahh ahh eeh eeh toockie toockie" (a la George of the Jungle) were crowd favorites for our walking party - and honestly, I can not say it was only the children doing it.. but they did participate at some stage ....hee hee

OK lets start with some real info rather than my dribble.

There is no right and wrong way to walk this trail..(legs do help & walking on your hands would just be bloody stupid). Just start at either end and make sure you exit the other. For some reason, we have always started on the same side. Creature of habit I am..

Don't forget, you can click on the images to enlarge them

The path kinda runs in a large wobbly circle. It heads down hill.. zig zagging all the way so it is never too steep. The path is well looked after and very safe .. just stay on the path ! I have many photographs of the walking trail, but they mainly have people in them, and as I have not asked their permission to show their faces.. I will not post. Sounds like a good excuse to go for another Springbrook National Park walk with the camera? Remind me of that will ya? Just not when its gonna be 5c tonight.. brrr

This is the water pooling at the top of the falls. Nothing incredibly spectacular about this area really I guess. It could be any smallish waterway. The fun starts just a few metres away !
In this photo, off in the distance you can see the Gold Coast .. err. coast? hmm.. water?.. ocean.. yes.. thats the word, ocean. . The altitude is 900 metres (2953 feet for you imperial buggers),
Purlingbrook Falls itself has a drop of 100 metres (approx 328 feet )

This walk way is roughly the half way point. Yes, you do walk BEHIND the waterfall. In high summer this would be magnificent as I'm thinking you would be damn hot by then.


As I said, different times of the year = diff volume of water.

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OOh.. edit ! I just found this photo online.. thief ! It must have been right after a good rain.. check out the volume of water going over! Bags me not walking under that waterfall in this weather ! Summer.. maybe.

My camera did get slightly wet when I took this photo. I was standing infront of the cliff wall, but behind the waterfall. I love this place.

Still behind the waterfall, but looking across the other side.



Then looking upwards. Vertigo, is not my friend. Vertigo is a right bitch.I held the camera with one hand and gripped the handrail extremely firmly with the other. Even if you don't like this photo, or can't work it out.. I don't care.. You MUST LOVE this picture cause it made me feel sick to take it. Did I mention that I intensely dislike Vertigo?

This photograph ... I stole from a website. A thief.. but at least I confess.

The volcanic rock at the bottom of the falls.. it's actually very soothing.. the constant rushing water sound hitting the rocks.


Just past the waterfall itself, this tree fern used to live. It is no longer there.

Why it is not there anymore, I'm not sure. I know I didn't take it home.. although I'd love to !

Ok.. thats it for the water shots. I've got some other photos to sort.. and I'll post them soon. Also looking into the indigenous history of the area. It is very interesting.

Damn it's cold tonight!.. remind me of this when I am whinging in summer please?

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A glorious drive just minutes from home

Went for a drive to fix a friends computer today.

What a terrible chore it is to HAVE to drive out this way !

Even after (more than) 3 years, I am still overcome by the beauty of the area I live in.

Maybe the reason I love the green hinterlands is because I grew up living in South Australia (the driest state, of the driest inhabited continent)

Here, when you drive south, the roads are surrounded with sugar cane fields.



















Today, as I left the 'burbs in my rear vision mirror, one of the first critters to pop out and say hello, was a bush turkey. This photo was actually taken a while ago, but this is what he looked like.

15 minutes down the road, you could be forgiven in thinking that you are almost in the middle of nowhere.

In some places (where I couldn't stop the car to take a photo..grrr!) the tree tops almost touch above you. Very enticing in our hot summer let me tell you!

Today, however, it was very cool for us... bah.. its winter.. what can I expect?

Of course, with all these wonderful trees here, the bird life is incredible. The most colourful noisy bastards live here - but I still love em.

I will do a post on our local birds soon, I have been asked about them by many people.. probably cause I always whinge about their noise?

















What appears to be a large rock in the background is the World Heritage Listed Mount Warning. It was named Mt Warning by Captain Cook in May, 1770.

It was ORIGINALLY named Wollumbin by the local Indigenous Bundjalung people. Many (including me) think that this should be its correct title and in recent times, it has been widely adopted.



















It is actually an extinct volcano, who's naughty wrath ceased over 20 million years ago.
For quite a good read on this, click here

This helps to explain why we have such lush, generous soil in our region.



Very close to where I took these photographs is a lovely National Park. I have photos that I have taken there, and will make a post of that very soon :) just gotta resize the pics for those that are still on dial up
(*shudder * I still recall the 56k days)

I was gonna dribble on a bit more about our region, and Wollumbin certainly deserves it, but damn it, im freezing my arse off here.

Off to the warm bed with me !

Ha Ha .. Gotta love Keating

They just don't make them with a colourful tongue like Keating anymore.....

I've waited quite a while to find recorded footage of this !





desiccated coconut.... pmsl

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OOps nearly forgot

We WON netball on Saturday..

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Final Score 43 - 7

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Well done girls !

Sunday lunch - in Paradise

Today, we went to a friends place for lunch.

As always, we were spoilt rotten with wonderful food, excellent company & magnificent views.

The garden.. is many acres.. not sure exactly how many.. 10 I think?

This garden puts most botanical gardens to shame. Many species of plants from all over the globe inhabit this property - even some that are NOT supposed to grow in this part of the world.

Many years of love and much hard work has gone into it, and it shows. I would dearly love to buy this house & land should it ever come on the market. Although, I do not see that happening - who could ever leave it?

From the balcony (which we always have lunch on) we feasted not only on the yummy souffle & homegrown salad for lunch but also on the wonderful view which spreads right out to the coast. It's only about a 20 minute drive to the water, so even though you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere...it's not far back to the bump & grind of the 'burbs.

As always, don't forget you can click on the photographs to enlarge them

View from the balcony.

One of the paths I love!

Hard to show in photographs,

but the diversity of plant life is incredible.

I stuck a little stick man on this photo

to show you just how tall some of these trees are..

still doesn't really show it.. shame.

The colours are amazing

and the trees shade you from the vicious sun.

Imagine laying back in a swiming pool to this view?

This is a type of magnolia but I'm unsure which one.

The flowers are like orchids.

The petals are wax like,

the flowers last for a long time on the tree.

Be nice in a floral arrangement too I think..

what ya think Hope? lol

The orange flowers here are called Bird of Paradise (Strelizia reginae). I know that one of our friends, from Canada, pays a huge amount of money for just a single Bird of Paradise flower. Here, they grow like weeds! .. sorry Rox!

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The big grassy tree next to it is called a 'Blackboy' (Xanthorrhoea australis) but I think the new politically correct name is Grass Tree. It was called a Blackboy due to its dark coloured trunk. The dark colour was either the result of natural aging or by the scorching from wildfires (which helps them germinate). As this Grass Tree (Blackboy) was in a healthy wet garden, you can not see its trunk.

Another theory on the history of the name Blackboy is that this strange looking tree was named by the early settlers of Australia. They named it such because to them it resembled, from a distance, an Aborigine with a spear. Not quite sure how they could make that mistake.. they look very different to me .. so I go with the first explanation.

'Blackboy' OR 'Grass Tree'(Xanthorrhoea australis)

Bananas are cut from the tree in the garden

then hung on the balcony to ripen

this is done so the Fruit Bats (Flying Foxes)

don't feast on them before we do!

Mel, this is their Kaffir Lime tree..

and I'm holding the fruit for you to see also

Some of the home grown produce.

Oranges, Bananas, Avocado, Tomato, Capsicum, Mandarins,

Lemons and a very odd looking yellow critter..

This is the critter.

It is a Buddha's Hand or

(Citrus medica var. sarcodactylus)

Now that's one weird fruit!

This was one of the first crops

The next ones will be bigger!

We came home with a bag full of home grown goodies. We are spoilt !

So that concludes our wonderful afternoon.

I will endeavor to take a decent camera with me next time as all these photographs were, once again, taken with my camera phone.

Evening walk at the beach again... gotta love it

Well the headcold is finally releasing it's grip on me, so I thought it best I went back to my evening walks - I've been quite the lazy bum this last fortnight.
These photgraphs were Saturday night, got there a bit later than planned but still enough daylight to enjoy.
Sun was just going down over the horizon as you can see.

I just love the colours we get along the whole horizon as the sun sets. These photos were taken with my phone - will take the decent camera down one day.......

The sun always gives one final blast of brightness before it goes away for the night.


Sun is reflecting on the Q1 - shame the photo did not do it justice.. it was really pretty STILL I'd never live there (I've said that before I believe!)


Couldn't help but think of Mel when I saw the fishing rod on the beach.


This pic was taken 25 - 30 minutes after the first... as you can see, we have very long sunsets!





And.. two die hard fisherman.. sitting on the beach with their rods in the water .. and hot coffee in their hands ! Was rather chilly by this time.

Nude.. gets attention

NAKED PROTESTING

Although an odd subject, I thought it worthy of a post

Protesting, is a good way of letting people know how you feel.

Naked protesting, is a good way of letting people know how you feel, and showing them what it is that you would like them to feel?..... No? I got that wrong? Damn, count me out then!

No.. I know that's not their intention - but it could be a nice bonus?

To be honest, I don't really get it but I guess protesting naked definitely gets you more media attention, therefor gets your message out to more people.

Here are some examples from all around the world.

Bikes, seem to go hand in hand (or should that be seat in arse?)

with naked protesting.

one word .....OUCH

All the colours of the rainbow!

No Bush? I dunno 'bout that...

you can see quite a few there !

And in the snow? brrr chilly bush

Hmm yes, we get the point.

I've heard of up shit creek without a paddle

but up a street sign without clothing?

I live on a steep hill.

lucky they didn't try that in my back garden

Is that not the biggest cross section of arses

that you have ever seen..?

Effective

but I'm sure mum would have prefered he folded his clothes

Nude rollercoasting?

Gawd, don't invite me to that party !

Hmm, which reminds me

Federal election is a comin!

Interesting greeting

This was a group of locals advertising the name of their township & welcoming the cyclists

Paw print inserted here to protect the .......danglies

Nicely done

Protesting against pension cuts in the UK

- hopefully it was summer!

Byron Bay, Australia

Not sure what it was about tho..

Very artistic!

They actually were supposed to have a love heart around the outside

but they were short a few naked bodies..

BP burning the planet..

bike seat burning the....

Breasts & Bombs

Eh what? Do they do the same thing?

Even peacefully,

Sand simply gets....in the worst places!

Got the love heart this time !

unfortunately

this photograph was not taken at my local beach

How to be naked.....

yet fully clothed

I guess one dipped out on the fully naked part

Nudity in protests, is by far, not a new thing

She's got a point

5 bodies = an effective protest

It's certainly more fun with more!

Bloody sand again

nice socks

I think that guy on the steps is a bit shocked?

......Protesting nude ......

to promote nude protesting I think?

I think these photographs exhibit numerous things - including that there are ways to promote your beliefs and that doing it nude ultimately gets you good media coverage.

However, in saying that, I don't see our next 'Your Rights At Work' rally marching nude down the streets of Coolangatta - or I will be working in the background & not marching in the front line !

Worth fighting AND VOTING for

this coming federal election

let your vote be your voice

if you so desire (& at your own risk)

do it naked !

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