'Dreams'

Dreams are fascinating visually speaking. A question I send out to you all is What colour do you dream in? I have asked this question of many people and the answers vary. There are the people who do not remember their dreams and there are those who believe that their dreams are telling them something.

I dream in black and white and never colour. Whereas, my partner dreams in vivid colour and he can make out faces and objects. The interesting part to my dreams is that most of the time I dream about stories I am writing. I get a visual cue for my story and then I can write.

I see my characters visually and then I picture them in settings that accommodate my narrative. I guess this is probably a bit out there, but it works for me. So if dreams are meant to mean something then, what meaning can be gathered from my dreams?

One of my favourite poems about dreams is Edgar Allan Poe's: 'A Dream Within a Dream'. It is as follows:

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And , in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow-
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night,or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand-
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep-while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

Ref: Aiken, Conrad, A Comprehensive Anthology of American Poetry, Random House,New York, 1944.

This poem is a love poem but it does emphasise the importance of dreams in our lives. Dreams which can work for all!

So go forth and tweak your dreams for writing.

'A compliment goes a long way'

There is something said for the power of a compliment. If you are the receiver of such a thing then it makes you feel good. If you are the giver of such gestures then it is usually received with a smile and a thanks.

I am usually the giver, but every so often I am given such nice words from sometimes a complete stranger. Why does this surprise me? I guess it is the world we live in. I hear this everywhere, 'our society is uncaring' or 'people are just so busy these days', I don't believe for a minute that we cannot take the time to give credit when credit is due or say something nice to someone once a day.

What surprises me is that sometimes people want praise and think they deserve some even though they do not like to reciprocate such an action. Maybe they think they don't have the time to be nice.

I am humbled and sometimes left in disbelief when someone says my 'writing is good' or 'you are a nice person' and 'thanks for your help'. I don't know why taking a compliment is so hard. I guess we are our own biggest critics sometimes.

A compliment a day. I wonder, can we do it!

It is the act of kindness to a fellow human being that keeps us grounded and quite frankly sane. Let there be compliments for everyone!

'My Writing Life'

Writing for me is like the air I breathe. I know that sounds like a cliche but it is true. My life seems to be evolving, it is taking a new direction. Unlike the continued published writer, I am developing and stretching my knowledge of the wordsmith in me.

The written words I find myself placing on a page make my life seem complete. It is not as if I have spent the first forty years of my life not writing but somehow I have been able to find my chosen vocation without even knowing it. Writing as a career is exciting especially when your writing gets recognised by your fellow peers.

It is a passion that I am willing to explore to the farther reaches of the imagination. I get lost in the worlds I choose to write about and I think I have found my strengths and my weaknesses. Enhancing the strengths and tweaking the weaknesses is my ultimate goal.

I spend some time picturing the aspects of my characters and enveloping myself in the scenery in which they are set. Almost like a film. It is clear to me that my dreams contain the answers to any problem that arises. I go to sleep and magically the solution appears. If I can visualize the next step, it becomes easier for me to continue.

I am unsure if this is how every writer works but creativity is the most valued possession an author can have. Without it we are not writers.

I think I have found what it is I am good a writing, however my style I guess is confronting at times. I like to explore how human inadequacies impact human existence. The 'taboo' can be invigorating but I am sure is not all readers taste.
I think there is a place in the world for pointing out our flaws, although tweaking them into a good story is harder.

I am a student of Uni but most of all I am a student of my mind and creative juices.
So I hope those juices keep flowing a river. One which holds a lot of fish!

"The Price of Genetic Technology"

I had switched over to the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) last night to the Four Corners report by Andrew Fowler. It was entitled 'Body Corporate'. This particular program was about Gene Technology and the patent system. I was completely stunned by what I was viewing.

Miriad, a large corporation in America had patent the BRN1 gene for the detection of breast cancer, and therefore, have the monopoly and the rights to charge whatever they seem fit for the very crucial testing procedures.

Unable to comprehend the arrogance and clear disregard for human existence and the health of women (around the world), it seems to me that corporate ideals outweigh that of morality and decency.

It was clear from the minute the story aired that Miriad has only one objective. 'Money is the root of all evil' and it seems greed over rides any commonsense.

Women around the world are being held for ransom, with the test costing from $2000 US each, it is impossible for the majority of breast cancer sufferers to afford clarity. I am appalled at the conduct of Miriad and most of all the governments for allowing a company to patent a human gene. It is clear that they need to tweak their priorities.

Australia has many options for testing here, but we are unable to conduct these very important tests, because Miriad continues to block anyone's attempt or asks enormous fees for the privilege.

It is crucial that for women with direct family links to breast cancer get this vital test. In 2010 I do not understand why women still cannot be the directors of their own health. Although the medical profession eludes that women have the power to their own well-being, it is clear that big business has the power.

Again we are back to the same old story, women are still fighting for the right to their own bodies and to affordable treatment. If you are unable to afford specialized tests and medical aid, there is no hope for early detection. It comes down to the rich verses the poor!

It is truly a serious road in which we find technology heading. If you have ever seen the film 'Gattaca' (although fictitious), it is so close to reality.
Just think about how many women around the world who are diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer every year. How many of them cannot afford these vital tests?

The BRN1 test allows women the right to decide what is best for them. How they will afford these tests should not be something they need to worry about, when the prospect of death is looming.

We have lost what humanity is all about. The medical profession and the technology companies have forgotten what it was they set out to achieve. We are privileged to be the smartest species on Earth, but we are a detriment to our own existence.

Greed should not prevail!

'The Last Station' - Film Review

'The Last Station'is a beautifully directed film depicting the last years of Leo Tolstoy's life.

I was completely captivated and moved by the seamless and honest portrayal of the central characters. Helen Mirren as Countess Sofya is breathtaking and raw in her despair and torment. Christopher Plummer is rightfully brilliant as Leo Tolstoy.

I must say however that I was completely drawn in to James McAvoy's emotionally driven performance as a young man named Valentin. He is hired to be Tolstoy's secretary, although he believes in all that Tolstoy has written, he is torn between his devotion to the cause and his love for Masha. The screen lights up with his tears and you can feel the pain and anguish that he feels.

Valentin is racked with guilt and tormented by his romantic inclinations, when he believes to be a Tolstoy convert, he needs to abstain from a relationship.

The Last Station is truly beautiful, it for all who still believe in a long marriage and for those who think they can still find their soul mate.

If you love Tolstoy's 'War & Peace' and 'Anna Karenina' then this movie is a must!

A small tip: Remember your box of tissues!

'Clowns In Big Shoes'

I cannot believe the state of the current election campaigns. Can it get any worse? Clearly we haven't got anyone in or going for the top job that has any descent policies. I am disappointed that it seems we have a bunch of clowns in big shoes who keep falling over themselves.

Mistake after mistake is all both sides seem to be making. What does seem clear to me is that I do not think Julia Gillard is really running this country. The Australian Labor Party strip Kevin Rudd of his post and now have done a back-flip and reinstated him to the frontbench. I do think they are in severe damage control, hoping to wipe the mud from their faces.

The coalition are not much better, dare we forget that they kicked out Malcolm Turnbull, I guess atleast they didn't kick out the Prime Minister. Their election campaign centres around the cheap swipe policy. This policy entails complaining about everything the ALP is doing.

Disillusioned with both parties I am unsure where to place my vote. Again we the Australian people, have to settle for the lesser of the two evils. Or should I put it like this, which of the leaders we 'least trust the least'. Which is which?

How many clowns fit into a mini? I guess at the moment both the ALP and the Coalition could hold a circus bonanza under the big top. We can vote for the best performance.

Good luck to you all. Hopefully the 'Ringmaster' will step in!

Is it an historical election?

Australia's first female Prime Minister is an enormous achievement, but it comes with a cost. Yes Kevin Rudd's Prime Ministerial leadership at times had been questionable, yet we have forgotten now that there are many front bench Ministers who have made huge mistakes within their portfolio's during his leadership.

I am clearly stating the obvious; the "Education revolution", the "Insulation debacle" not to mention the "Climate change policies". However I would like to know why we think that life will be any better under the leadership of Julia Gillard. I do not think that Tony Abbott or any current politician could do any better.

What I am stating is that we have forgotten what it is we want our voted politician's to do for us and our politicians have forgotten why they entered into the profession. There are so many reasons why today we have no one to lead the people. It is as if politics is a stepping stone to a cosy retirement. One which the constituents do not have the opportunity to have.

We vote them in and out because we have no choice. So much for democracy. Voting today is like a popularity contest. It is like High School all over again. I wonder if we truly ever grow up.

Well where do we go from here, I have absolutely know idea. I am unsure who could lead this country successfully. It is great to think that a female Prime Minister could be a reality but we cannot forget that we need rounded policies that help all Australians. Not just a certain demographic.

I suggest there will be many voters going to the polls simply under obligation and not because of good policy!