Tomorrow 6pm at the car park rooftop be there

It takes something pretty special to get me out the door on a 38 degree day, and even in my youth I doubt I’d have gone to meet someone on a rooftop car park in the heart of Northbridge, at night, but then times change …

Realising I couldn’t put it off any longer I threw on my lightest clothes and headed out. Arriving in the city I drove into the totally empty multistory car park and parked close to the lift. Taking the lift to the top floor, the doors opened and I was confronted by .…



© The Ponder Room





© The Ponder Room



along with fake grass, palm trees, flamingoes, old caravans and ...



© The Ponder Room



© The Ponder Room

As the sun faded all was revealed. The singer played tunes from Amelie, the movie we were about to watch.

© The Ponder Room

Then we moved to the seated area to settle in and watch the feature.

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The Rooftop Movies film program includes classic and cult movies, recent releases and nightly pre and post screening entertainment. Coming up is: Borat; Beetlejuice and Gremlins; Control & 24 Hour Party People; Revenge of the Nerds; Blow & Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas; and Carrie & Fight Club.

© The Ponder Room

According to Artrage director Marcus Canning,

‘We've had an overwhelmingly positive response to this pilot program. Our opening night screening of The Big Lebowski sold out in a matter of minutes.

The good news is Season 2 will run until the end of April and if that proves successful ‘we will look to running the program annually from December – April,’ says Canning.

It was well worth the risk, a beautiful night out and even when the lift broke down, meaning a toilet break resulted in walking up and down seven flights of steps, it didn’t dampen our spirits.

Some tips:

Get there early to make sure you can sit with your friends (the seats are in groups of four);

Being skipper I was given with a free drink and enough popcorn for the three of us;

You can order a pizza beforehand and pick it up on the night, then sit back and watch the entertainment;
You can combine the cost of parking and the cost of the movie into one ticket price;
The April line up it now out.

© The Ponder Room

Located: on the roof of the Roe Street Car Park in Northbridge, opposite the Dome on the corner.

Pre-sale tickets are $10 plus $2 booking fee. Door sales $13. Tickets for Friday & Saturday Double Features are $15 plus $2 booking fee. Parking options include $5 for 2 hours or $8 all night. For more information go to http://www.rooftopmovies.com.au./

Does blogging make you psychic? (2012 Telstra Drug Aware Pro surfing)

Late Friday night I wrote about John John Florence flying high in the 2012 Telstra Drug Aware Pro (see link). Knowing my Saturday would be extremely busy I scheduled the post to appear on Saturday afternoon, then went to sleep …

Saturday was indeed an incredibly full day and consequently I missed most of the surfing action. It wasn’t until I was on my way home that I heard the results. John John Florence had won!!



Thanks to SC



Florence flying  Thanks to SC

Just like last year when New Zealander Billy Stairmand took out the competition, a young gun had beaten all the champions. Margaret River had once again claimed all the big scalps.

J.J Florence  Thanks to SC

While I know the reality is that anyone who’d seen Florences' fearless, innovative efforts on Friday could have predicted it, it still felt spooky. For some reason he was the one I’d written about above all others. It left me pondering …

1. Does a bloggers incessant keyboard tapping also tap into some psychic universe, instilling bloggers with ‘all seeing’ powers?
2. Have any other bloggers written about something only to find it happen 24 hours later?
3. Should my next post be about the winning lotto numbers, or should I type them in draft mode and not publish them until after the event?

Kelly Slater out, John John Florence flew and I ... (2012 Telstra Drug Aware Pro)

On Thursday I marveled at the female surfers ability to take on the waves and emerge not only intact, but radiating natural beauty even with their hair slicked against their face … very impressive. Today was the men’s turn.

Kelly Slater  © The Ponder Room

Like most people I was sad to see Kelly Slater out early. A repeat of last year (see post), you have to ponder whether he’ll consider Margaret River unfinished business, or a bad luck omen before Bells.



Kelly Slater  © The Ponder Room



With Mick Fanning out and current world champ Taj Burrow breaking his board, perhaps Margs is developing a reputation as the 'Champion Slayer'.  At least the wineries seem to keep a smile on their faces. Here’s hoping it’ll be third time lucky for them next year.

In the meantime ...



Kai Otton © The Ponder Room






Kelly Slater

© The Ponder Room

 

... it was brilliant watching the young pack take off, headed by John John Florence and Kolohe Andino, Kolohe celebrating his 18th birthday.

I could say it was impressive to watch Florence get massive air, full rotation and then ride out of it to score a perfect 10, the only 10 of the day. However having spent the afternoon trying to get my head around … bunny hops, chop hops, back hand grabs, cheese whizzers and larry laybacks, I’d be bound to put the wrong intonation somewhere and out myself as the surfing wannabe that I am.



Florence © The Ponder Room



Instead I’ll just say ….wow he went really, really high, twirled right round and made it down without planting face first into the foam.  In any language it was mighty impressive.

Florence

© The Ponder Room

So Slater out, Florence flew and I solidified my lack of cool ... bring on the finals.

Surf envy (2012 Testra Drug Aware Pro Margaret River)

It’s that time of year again when I remember back to weekends spent body surfing, and ponder what might have been had I … had sun-friendly olive skin, more obedient hair, a modicum of cool, an ounce of balance and something other than the occasional go on a friends squeaky white foam surfboard. As always the Telstra Drug Aware Pro has me pondering life lived on the waves, it looks so idyllically stress free.


Steph Gilmore © The Ponder Room


With no shortage of waves today looked even easier, and yet defending champ Courtney Conlogue only just made it through at the last minute with a score of 9.47, her competitor scored 9.37. Sofia Mulanovich and Kirby Wright also made it through, and four times world champ Stephanie Gilmore got the HIF Wave of the Day.

Today I also learnt ...



Steph Gilmore © The Ponder Room







... that some competitors train by holding their breath for five minutes, so they can stay under for longer without getting scared, hmmm.




Added to that the judges were looking for speed, power, flow and innovation! All that achieved in a split second, while hoping that nature dishes up the perfect wave just as you’re ready to take off, and that you don’t 'interfere' with any competitors on the way in.

Oh and if you're Bethany Hamilton you achieve all this with only one arm ... true inspiration!



Bethany Hamilton © The Ponder Room



Clearly good skin, great hair, balance, a board and ubber cool are just the beginning. 

Forget innovation, I’d spend all my time pondering how to stand up without my bathers bottom taking off to places unknown. How do they do that ... the competitors that is ...not the bather bottoms, I know all too well how they do it? Ultmately I think it's best if I stick to the shore.

© The Ponder Room


Word is that the waves will be huge tomorrow, but not so good on Sunday, which means the comp may end on Saturday. So if you’re planning to head to Margaret River make sure you aim for Saturday not Sunday.

Forgiveness (Sculpture by the Sea 2012)

By now you’ve read about Chen Wenling’s Sculpture by the Sea piece going walkabout, then being found in someone’s roof space. On my way to Cottesloe Beach I pondered what, if anything, would be in its previous resting place, and whether anything would be said during the People’s Choice announcement. What I found was …

Where there once stood …..

© The Ponder Room

© The Ponder Room

Now there was ….

© The Ponder Room

While I don’t know the significance of the piece hanging off the bollard, I’m hoping it wards off evil spirits and sends good health and great success back to the Chen Wenling. Given the reactions of others around me he certainly has a lot of good vibes being sent his way.

This was echoed by Festival Director David Handley who said everyone had been blown away by the community’s reaction, an “outpouring of disbelief and shock at the damage to the sculpture.” Almost as shocking was the fact that Chen Wenling said he’d be back exhibiting in Perth again, an inspirational example of forgiveness. I was left pondering....

1. Whether I would be that generous of spirit.
2. If the original statue was actually wagging it's finger say "Oh no you don't, you really don't want to do that mate."

Why it's good to be late sometimes (NAB Sculpture by the Sea Kid's Choice Prize)

This year over 200,000 locals and tourists flocked to Cottesloe Beach to see the collection of 70 original sculptures from West Australian, interstate and international artists. However if you went to Sculpture by the Sea early to get a jump on the crowds you may have missed the best bit, just ask the kids.

© The Ponder Room



Punctured Sky was a site specific piece put together on Cottesloe Beach by Finnish duo ELIN&KEINO (artists Heini Nieminen and Sandra Nyberg). From the outside it looked like a cardboard igloo or hanger but inside the arched tunnel had pepping holes to the sky.

While other beach goers lazed on their towels or dunked in the surf, the Finnish duo spent days putting the piece together in front of the crowds eyes. Amazing effort considering the heat over the past few weeks.

They also stayed by their sculpture for the run of the exhibition, sitting on iridescent blue deck chairs watching the crowds enjoy their artwork. That must have been extremely rewarding given all the work they put in.

Equally rewarding no doubt was receiving a $1,000 cheque when they were awarded the NAB Kid’s Choice Prize.



© The Ponder Room



The ELIN&KEINO cooperation started in 2009 and the duo has since participated in various outdoor and environmental art events both in Finland and abroad.

In 2011 ELIN&KEINO participated in Denmark’s Sculpture by the Sea, Turku City Arts Festival ‘Livingroom’ and received the grant for the ComPeung Artist in Residence in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The group focuses on the field of environmental and community art; creating artworks related to the politics of human interaction, interference, and reclamation of the natural environment.

At the presentation some cynics near me were heard pondering whether one of the attractions of the tunnel was being able to go inside to escape the 40 degree heat, but somehow I don’t think so … 

 

© The Ponder Room



After all on this occasion the judges were kids,  and according to David Handley, Founding Director of Sculpture by the Sea, there were so many kids wanting to vote that they had to print off more voting slips.





© The Ponder Room



Congratulations to Heini and Sandra for the win and for reminding me that....

1. Sometimes there’s a benefit to not being the first to see a show.
2. Be mindful about what you say when looking at an art piece, the young couple giggling off to the left might not be innocent bystanders, they might be heavily invested artists with extremely sharp implements just out of reach. Don't say I didn't warn you.

More success for local illustrator James Foley

Earlier we profiled James’s first book The Last Viking link. Some of you may also know his work from the front of the Quokka. I’m thrilled to report that he’s been nominated for two awards …

2012 Western Australian Young Readers’ Book Awards

2012 Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature – Children’s Literature Section

‘I’m feeling very chuffed to be nominated alongside Shaun Tan and other Aussie illustrators I admire, like Bruce Whatley, Allison Lester, Simon Martinez and Bob Graham’. James commented when asked about the nominations.



In The Lion by James Foley



I bumped into him at the Perth Writers Festival where, fresh from India, he told me his second book, In the Lion will be published by Walker Books and should be out in Australia in August.

According to James it’s 'a black comedy for kids’.

Here's a sneek peek of one of the drawings.  

Well done James, much deserved!!



Wheelchairs no barrier to a good boogie (Staff Benda Bilili)

Friday night was the Australian premier of Staff Benda Bilili at the Perth Festival Gardens. The blurb suggested it would be a night of life affirming music, of Congolese rumba blended with 70s funk, Cuban son and mambo, from the streets of Kinshasa. Their love of life was clearly on display in Perth.

The band is made up of Congolese paraplegic street musicians and street kids from around the Kinshasa Zoo. Whether you like their music or not, you’ve got to admire their love of life. They certainly don’t let crutches or wheelchairs get in way a good bop. In fact if you’re having a bad day just click on one of these clips link 1 link 2 and it’ll help put your troubles into perspective. The clips also show how a tin can, some wire and a good dollop of ingenuity can led to a weird looking instrument and whole new sound.

I was lucky enough to spot the group at Cottesloe Beach the day before their concert, where they were checking out Sculptures by the Sea.

Staff Benda Bilili © The Ponder Room

Staff Benda Bilili © The Ponder Room

Staff Benda Bilili © The Ponder Room

Watching them laughing and loving the day made me ponder…..

1. What would they think of our strange little isolated city where it appears we dump our artworks on the sand?
2. Would they think we're such an amazingly creative bunch that, even the rubbish we leave behind at the end of a family beach picnic (like a rusty old Holden panelvan), is worthy of being deemed … art? Okay maybe not all of it.
3. Hopefully they thought their street music would fit perfectly with our outdoor street gallery lifestyle.
4. Hopefully they didn’t look behind them or they may have panicked about what’s lurking in our oceans.

100 strategies, tips to get more Me Time ... guilt free Me Time

STOP PRESS: There are now three options for purchasing this book, go to the 'Books By Me' tab for more information.


For the writers amongst us, you'll know all about the months spent writing, re-writing, taking photos, gathering quotes, picking paper stock, deciding on formats, cover designs, throwing it all away, retrieving it, then handing your precious little one over to a professional editor and waiting ....

So I hope you'll excuse me if I take a moment to go ... woohoo ... but my third book Me Time is here!! This being International Women's Day I thought it might be an appropriate day to tell you about it. If you're not interested, no drama at all, we'll be back to the Perth Writers Festival and Sculpture by the Sea shortly.

Ponder this ...

© The Ponder Room

We all want more Me Time, but how do we get it … and how do we enjoy it … guilt free?

Sure we all like chocolate, and diamonds are meant to be our best friend, but as life is becoming faster and faster what we really crave is … time ... just a little bit of time to ourselves.

In a survey undertaken by Procter and Gambles' Ivory brand in 2011 they found that 66% of American mothers confessed to hiding out in the bathroom to get some Me Time.

I've been pondering about Me Time for the past twenty years. Finally I spent 9 months chatting to Australians about their strategies for gaining Me Time, and found that yes hiding out in bathrooms was a popular choice for Australian mums too.

My interest began during the 1980s ‘Greed Is Good’ era, when I often worked through the night developing marketing, advertising and new product strategies for clients. Years later while catching up with colleagues I saw the direct impact of lives lived fast. We worked hard, we played hard and if that wasn't enough we also punished our bodies at the gym. Fast forward to 2010. 

I was asked to help research a difficult, critical social issue, which meant travelling across Australia chatting to both sides of the equation. Those personally affected by the issue, those causing it and those asked to police or provide services to help. While racing across the country my client laughed off the fact that ‘all nighters’ would be required to meet an unrealistic deadline ... I wasn't laughing. It was too late I'd already committed myself to the project and the topic was too important to pass on ... nothing had changed I was back in the 1980's. 

Consequently I decided enough was enough this couldn't happen to another generation of researchers. Once the project was finished I took 9 months off to talk to a wide range of Australians, both men and women, about their own attempts to build a balanced life. As is often the case with qualitative research you end up uncovering more than you mean to as people open up and tell you their story. On this occasion I uncovered a key barrier to Me Time … guilt.

I realised it wasn't enough to just outline some real-life strategies, I needed to explore ways to reduce the guilt so people could enjoy their Me Time. By reviewing medical literature and talking to experts I came across some interesting facts, such as ....

•  Couples in workaholic marriages tend to have twice the divorce rate.
•  Only 2% of us can truly multi-task effectively.
•  People who sit at a desk all day only to go home and plonk themselves on the sofa all night (who me?), are subjecting themselves to health risks as insidious as smoking, or over exposure to the sun.

© The Ponder Room

And so Me Time was born.

Designed as a gift book Me Time contains 100 real-life strategies and tips, quotes, medical facts, plus black and white photographs.

Price: $15+ postage (direct from me). Part proceeds go to Health research. See Stop Press at the top of this page.

Okay ad over, apologies for the interruption, but woohoo!!!! cough sorry.

The Tall Poppy Syndrome strikes again (Sculpture by the Sea 2012)

During the 2012 Sculpture by the Sea opening I got caught up in a weird life imitating art, imitating life kind of loop. Reminiscent of a certain pesky chicken and flagrant egg, my brain hurt just trying to ponder which came first. Please indulge me for a moment …

First put yourself in the position of Paul Capron’s winning entry Dump nab winner. Your yellow chest pumped out, head held high, you obligingly twist and straighten as the media snap you from every angle. Life couldn’t get any better … and then ….

Sure as night follows day, screams of innocence follow plagiarism, or weight gain follows super strict dieting, someone comes along to cut you down to size. In Western Australia the Tall Poppy Syndrome is as reliable as Rick Ardon and Susannha Carr presenting the Channel 7 News Perth …, and so it was less than an hour after the announcement on Cottesloe Beach.

© The Ponder Room

Life has a way of reminding you of your true size and impact. In some ways I think this is a good thing. It keeps you striving to remain in front of the poppy cutter, and prove yourself even more.

Thankfully the media had taken all their photos prior to this interlopers appearance, otherwise the announcement photos could have been extremely embarrassing.

© The Ponder Room

NAB WA Sculptor Scholarship Announced (Sculpture by the Sea 2012)

Breaking News ...

The NAB WA Sculptor Scholarship, for a Western Australian artist exhibiting at the Sculpture by the Sea, was announced this morning at 11am on Cottesloe Beach. The winner receives $15,000 to help them transition to the next stage of their career, along with an invitation to exhibit in Bondi.  And the winner is ….

Paul Caporn for his entry entitled Dump – ‘Overloading a system eventually leads to its failure.’



© The Ponder Room



This is the second time Paul has entered the competition. His work was also on show in 2010 at Cottesloe and Bondi.

Delighted with the win Paul said it took him ‘six to eight weeks to make it, with the help of others’, and that it’s made of high-density styrene, sand and EVA foam ‘kids puzzle mats’. His inspiration was naturally mining, the industry that seems to have taken over the WA pysche over the past few years, and his two boys.



Paul Caporn Royden D'Vaz (State Manager, nabBroker WA)

© The Ponder Room



© The Ponder Room

 

Paul's exhibit breaks down into three sections which was handy when bringing it to the site. Anyone taking the route from Bassendean to Cottesloe earlier in the week would have had a sneak peak as it was transported to Cottesloe on the back of a truck. It left me pondering ...

1. How big is Pauls shed?
2. How big is the sandcastle he and his boys are planning to build, and can I move in?
3. Do boys ever grow out of their Tonka toys?
4. And incase like me you wanted to know ...yes Paul did drive the truck that transported his truck, if you know what I mean, a truck on top of a truck ....big boy heaven.

More Sculpture by the Sea to come.