rest day - the good, the bad and 007
July 29, 2012 at 17:17 it's a rest day for the blog hop - Zentangle Untangled has had a HUGE week! The webinar was a huge success and will be accessible hopefully Monday for those who missed it or want to review it.
We had a busy week here at home too. We had dinner last Wednesday night with my beautiful Godmother, Cliohdna, an Irish Australian gem. I hadn't seen her in some years as she's been back in Ireland living but she hasn't changed one bit - as intelligent, charming, beautiful as ever. I adopted her as my Godmother when her former husband was sacked (by me) as my Godfather - and it was the smartest thing I ever did (maybe other than marrying Michael!). She is an inspiration in so many ways to me, someone I can only hope to be a shadow of as a person.
Thursday night Michael and I went to the opening of the New Hamer Hall here in Melbourne. We were right in amongst the beautiful people of Melbourne (and clearly stood out as interlopers!) but it was worth it to hear kd lang sing in the new hall. Sublime doesn't do it justice - her VOICE is unfaltering and with the new, improved accoustics in Hamer Hall, she sounded out of this world. The photo is from outside, a Barry Humphries commissioned work to celebrate the glorious Dame Edna and her famous flowers - gladiolas! They are 13 metres tall and I think rather fabulous. Wish it was a permanent installation!
We won the tickets in a ballot that they conducted to ensure there were a mix of people ar "the people's hall" and I would also mention how fantastic Eddie Perfect (Mick in Offspring) was too - he and kd were the highlight for Michael and I (and most others from the feedback I've seen).
Friday I awoke to sad news. When I was a little girl, one of my favourite shows was The Early Bird Show on Saturday mornings, hosted by Darryl Cotton. I though Darryl was gorgeous. As a teenager involved in Challenge (a cancer support group for kids with cancer), I got to know Darryl well as he was a volunteer then employee with the group. He was hands down one of the nicest people I'd ever met and for a kid who grew up watching him on television, it was so cool to know the real person and see he was even more lovely in real life. I always enjoyed hanging out with Dags, even when he (often) stole my hot chips.
I'm not even going to pretend I minding him stealing my chips actually, I thought it was pretty awesome to share them with him!
I haven't seen him for quite a few years, the last time being at Floriade in Canberra where he was performing with Russell Morris and Ronnie Burns. They were fantastic and I went and said hi afterwards. His first question was "how's your Mum?" and then how I was, what I'd been up to, how was my health etc. Just a great guy.
Darryl was diagnosed with liver cancer two months ago and lost his battle on Friday. I had sent him an email of love and support, telling him that I'd had liver cancer too last year and I was sending all my lucky vibes his way. Unfortunately Dags had stage 4 cancer and my vibes were not enough, and at 62 has been robbed of too many years and his family and friends robbed of a dear man who was universally loved. I'll always remember his cheeky smile and kind heart. We'll miss you Dags.
Losing Darryl serves as a reminder (though I don't need one) of just how lucky I have been in my own health battle. I sent late last week copies of Zentangle Untangled to four key members of "Team Kass" - the specialists who have been looking after me and saving my life for many years now, each in a different but vital capacity.
I've had three lovely emails thanking me from these doctors and each has been so lovely, but today especially I had one from my radiologist of 12 years, a man who has twice saved my life literally by knowing me so well that he's noticed the tiniest of changes that have ultimately been malignancies. I owe him BIG time. His words today made me cry, they were so kind and so sweet. I'd never wish cancer upon anyone and I hate living with it, but having people like these in my life, knowing they are on my team: THEY are why I am alive, well and I cope as well as I do. I have 100% trust and faith in their abilities and judgement, but best of all, they are GOOD PEOPLE. Decent, compassionate, good people. It really makes everything so much easier - almost worth it - on this track of my life. I feel so blessed.
I'm well and truly in Olympic mode - I'll be a zombie by the end of competition given the times of the good finals and the like but it's worth it! How fantastic was the Opening Ceremony. As an Aussie who thought Sydney 2000 would never be topped, I though London's effort was superb (and that's really difficult to admit!). The winning moment - almost my all time favourite Olympic moment ever - was the Bond scene with Queen Elizabeth II. Not only a stroke of genius, but proof of what I have long suspected - she has a wicked sense of homour and is a good sport!! Good on you, Liz - you're my favourite Bond Girl for sure.
(perhaps next time, Ma'am, you might order 007 his shirt off. You know, just to perfect the scene. Thanks!)
So it's been a week of good times, sadness, gratitude and thanks. Hopefully next week will be just as fun.
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