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There’s No Magic in Christmas
By: Catherine Ham
Tags: Christmas, Self Reliance, Disappointment, Christmas Gifts, Conditioning

I unwrapped the last present. It was something I could use, practical, filled a need. Not necessarily a want.

“That’s it?” I thought to myself. Not realizing how ungrateful my internal dialogue was. My usual demeanor was not ungracious.

But Christmas is not usual. It is a season of believing in magic and being conditioned to ask Santa for what I want.

A puppy. Broadway tickets. A cabbage patch doll.

Did I mention a puppy?

And it is a season of conditioning me for disappointment.

“That’s it?” — the question is not about greed and encapsulates more than mere disappointment. It is me wondering why I am asked what I want if my wants are not answered, not fulfilled.

Why ask me? Why fill me with this idea of magic only to have the magic not materialize? If I hadn’t been asked what I wanted, I would not have focused on those things. I would not have thought about all that I could not have. I would not have been ungrateful.

Opening that last present was such a let-down. Every year. The build-up all month. The anticipation. The excitement. The boxes collecting under the tree. Me collecting my own money from my ceramic piggy bank so that I could carefully hand-pick gifts at the school fair for each member of my family. Gifts that were likely only a few dollars each because what 8-year-old has access to disposable income?

All that build-up.

The friend who told me that if I prayed about the gift every night, it would show up.

The last gift opened.

The air let out of the balloon.

The crash after the high.

The failed expectations.

That friend either lied or was simply wrong. I felt wronged. I don’t think that was supposed to be the spirit of the season.

So why was I told to dream, when the results were in the hands of others? It was early conditioning to not rely on others — especially that Santa Claus.

My favorite Christmas gifts? The ones I never got!

As an adult, I went out and got my own damn puppy. And it didn’t require any magic. 😉

Catherine W Ham © 2020
Christmas Rugs 2019 Sale that you’ll love
By: Interior Design Maven
Tags: Christmas Rugs Sale 2019, Carpets, Christmas, Christmas Gifts, Rugs

Christmas is the Season to be merry and there is festivity all around. It is the most wonderful time of the year when all friends and family get together and cherish moments while making new memories. It is at this time, when guests are expected at home and dinners are prepared. However, before all the arrangements are made, it is important to plan out everything. From decorating your home to cooking scrumptious meals, one should have it all covered before the big day. Before we begin with other things, lets discuss the best ways to decorate your home this Christmas 2019 using fine handmade rugs and other decorating items.

Christmas Rugs and Carpets Sale 2019: Decorating a home can be cumbersome. However, it doesn’t really seem like a burden when one enjoys decorating and there are great rug offers and carpet sales to grab on. One such platform that we highly recommend is Rugs and Beyond. They are a pioneer in handmade rugs and carpets and have an excellent collection of fine kashmir silk rugs and also modern rugs in contemporary designs which are perfect to accentuate your space this festive Season.

Rugs and Beyond also has an on-going Christmas Sale where you can easily choose a fine handmade rug of your choice and apply coupon code RNBXMAS19 for upto 50% off. Moreover, they are also offering 1 free rug with any order along with free shipping worldwide, which is incredible since rugs are bulky items and it does cost a lot to ship anywhere in the world. Their venerable list of clients from around the world are primarily through word of mouth or via satisfied customers who appreciate exclusive carpets and excellent customer service offered by Rugs and Beyond.

Apart from using fine, handmade rugs and carpets, other pointers to use this Christmas Season are:

Tidy up your Space

Tidying up your space simply means de-cluttering your home and removing all unwanted things. For example, wrap up the clothes, shoes etc. that you are not currently using. Make space for other items and remember, less is more.

2. Accessorize all things Christmas

Apart from using a traditional Christmas Tree, hang stockings, prepare the dinner table as per Christmas traditions and play Christmas carols. The season is to be merry and bright. Rugs and Beyond also undertakes custom order rugs, for example you can get a Christmas spirit rug made and have it all ready for the big day and use it in your living room or bedroom.

3. Cook Scrumptious Meals

If cooking is too much of a hassle for you, one can always order food or simply get catering done. Many people enjoy cooking Christmas meals during this season and put on their best chef hats.

Hence, follow the above mentioned decorating ideas and get into that Christmas spirit to enjoy and cherish the moments while making more memories. After all, its the season and reason to be merry and cheerful.
Christmas Gift Ideas | Skipwish
Tags: Christmas Celebrations, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Gifts, Holiday Gift Guide

on 05 Mar 2021 on 05 Mar 2021

The most exciting and wonderful time of the year is the holiday season. However, when the happy season is not well planned, it can be stressful if you do not have the best Christmas gift ideas. Sometimes, people may not have the time to get gifts that do not reflect their true intentions. Christmas gifts and presents are acts that symbolize and carry a significance of love and affection, especially during this festive season, so we want to help you navigate that process efficiently.

Getting unique Christmas gift ideas can be pretty difficult and with the Christmas season being around the corner, people can become too stressed. Though you can send merry Christmas cards and host parties, offering a unique Christmas gift shows how well you know and care about those you’re gifting to.

The following are the most creative, thoughtful, and convenient tips for the best and stress-free giving for the Christmas season.

Gift basket

Everybody loves traditional dishes when well prepared but pre-made products can be enjoyed just as well. If you want to get the best gift basket, purchase premium traditional food products that are made using quality ingredients. Buy the products with holiday or green and read labels. This will help with the aesthetics. For example, you can buy chocolate truffles with Christmas-themed packaging. Also, items such as teddy bears, coffee mugs, and many similar products make your loved ones feel special. After purchasing all these items, you can wrap them inside a gorgeous basket or container with festive bows and ribbons. The basket has to be beautifully decorated to effectively express your sincerity and demonstrate your thoughtfulness.

Specialty Store Gift Cards

While gift cards are not considered to be thoughtful and unique Christmas, teenagers and young adults will make use of them and they’ll appreciate it often more than a gift. If done properly, a gift card can be a great gift. Some cards have multiple users like a visa gift card or a gift card to a family of restaurants.

Give The Gift Yourself

There is nothing more special than when you present a gift you’ve crafted on your own. The effort you’ve put into creating something tailor-made will go a long way. After you have gone through all the trouble of finding the best Christmas gift, you might find you’ve spent just as much time as you would have to design and create something for them. There are many kits you can look for to create things like custom mugs, glasses, clothing, and more.

Holidays are supposed to be enjoyable, don’t let the gifting process stress you out. To find our latest recommendations, check out our popular gift ideas page and click the “Christmas” tag to see the latest Christmas gift ideas added by our users. With many businesses offering 2-day shipping these days, it’s not too late to order online (unless it’s already the 23rd in which case you better find a store!)
12/2010: King or Shepherd?
By: Christiane Woerner
Tags: Christmas Gifts

I had never thought about the two groups selected to worship the newborn Savior of the world until now. After some reflection, I came to realize the differences between these groups symbolize one’s willingness to serve under any circumstance.

A group of kings came from the East, traveled far to discover the reason for a new star in the sky. With them, they provided gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh–gifts to show honor and humility to the recipient: a newborn king, Christ. In the scriptures, we’re not told how they knew to find the Savior, but we are told that in a shared dream they were warned to not report back to Herod. So they adored the Savior and then returned home.

The other group was shepherds that worked locally. After being visited by the host of heaven, these men hastened to the Savior’s side. Their humility was greater than the kings’ humility since they brought no gift–they had none to give.

I am more like a shepherd than a king. I have nothing to give Christ except for my humility and devotion. There are no riches I can give Him. Those are gifts He does not need.

All He desires is that I accept His gift of the atonement and to keep our Father’s commandments to love God and our fellow man as we love ourselves.
Christmas Craft: Bead and Pipe Cleaner Ornaments
Tags: Christmas Craft, Christmas, Christmas Kids, Art, Christmas Gifts

Christmas ornaments made from ordinary pipe cleaners and inexpensive acrylic beads are very pretty and easy to make. They look quite impressive yet are easy enough for small children to make. This is one Christmas craft idea to use again and again. Older people will enjoy making this Christmas craft, too, which can be varied to make a number of different sparkling ornaments for your Christmas tree.

To make the bead and pipe cleaner ornaments, you need common pipe cleaners in desired colors and acrylic beads. Two types of beads are particularly effective when strung on pipe cleaners. One type is called sunburst beads but are also known as paddlewheel beads, snowflake beads, or starburst beads. These beads have six faceted paddles spaced equally around a center that contains the hole for stringing. When several of these sunburst beads are strung consecutively, they fit against each other in an interlocking pattern.

The other type of bead that is also effective for this Christmas craft is called the tri bead or propeller bead. It has three rounded bumps arranged around the stringing hole. Like the sunburst beads, the tri beads interlock when strung consecutively. For the most sparkly and attractive Christmas ornaments, get tri beads and/or sunburst beads in translucent colors of red, green, and clear. The tri beads can also be found in metallic gold and silver which can be used in this Christmas craft as well.

Pipe cleaners can be found in silver and gold tinsel as well as chenille of all colors. For the Christmas craft, the best colors to use are metallics and Christmas colors. The beads cover the pipe cleaners, but the ends will need to be twisted together and made into hangers, so they show.

Anyone, even small children, can string these beads on pipe cleaners. Bend up the end of the pipe cleaner so the beads don’t fall off. The pipe cleaner works like a needle, making a needle unnecessary. For best results, show the children how to alternate colors when stringing, or start a pattern of three colors. When the beads are strung on the pipe cleaners, they can be bent into different Christmas shapes. For instance, string red and clear beads alternately, then bend down one end of the pipe cleaner for a candy cane shape. Or alternate red and green beads and form a circle for a wreath. Use a red pipe cleaner to form a small bow to decorate the wreath. Form a hanger for the Christmas craft or simply slip the circle over a branch of the tree.

If you experiment with clear beads and silver pipe cleaners, you can make some beautiful snowflakes or star ornaments. Snowflake designs can be twisted of silver pipe cleaner only, without the beads for a simple but pretty decoration.

Bead and pipe cleaner ornaments are a Christmas craft you will find yourself using every year. Children and their parents will both appreciate this simple yet pretty Christmas craft.
5 Ways to Rock Your Corporate Gift Program: Saul Good Gift Co.
By: Saul Good Gift Company
Tags: Corporate Gifts, Client Relationship, Employee Retention, Gifts, Christmas Gifts

Creating a corporate gift program can seem like a daunting task — but with a little planning and preparation, you can craft a gift experience that’s both memorable and meaningful for your recipients. As your partner in gifting, we’re giving you 5 tips to make this gifting season a breeze.

1 — Prepare your list and check it twice

Over the past twelve years, we’ve noted that gift programs run smoothest when recipient lists are organized early. Give us a call to learn more about how to make this as easy as possible. We are here to help!

2 — Gifts for groups vs. individuals

Gifts for groups must be easy to share. And by sharing we don’t mean dividing up the unopened goodies. You want to avoid the “who wants the tapenade? I’m taking the crackers” scenario. The ideal group gift experience involves your recipients gathered around, enjoying their treats and talking about how great it’s been working with your team.

3 — Send your gifts early

Timing is essential. Holiday gift programs are best delivered early in December. It can be a busy time of year, so getting your order in early creates space to relax and enjoy the season. Consider Thanksgiving or Valentine’s Day as alternatives for showing appreciation.

Bonus: order by November 1 to get free custom greeting cards.

4 — Hand-deliver whenever it’s possible

When was the last time you closed a deal without some eye-contact and a handshake? Nothing consummates a relationship like facetime. Not only does it demonstrate genuine appreciation, it’s fun too: you get to share in the gift experience and build the relationship. Since we know hand delivery isn’t always possible, we’ve always got you covered with free or $10 flat rate shipping across canada.

5 — Know if it is appropriate to gift alcohol

Corporate gifts are about building relationships. While many people enjoy a nice bottle of wine (and we have a great selection to choose from), the last thing you want to do is make someone feel uncomfortable or insulted by your gesture. Make sure your gift will be 100% well received by taking the following into consideration:

Bottom line: If you’re not 100% sure your gift recipient is going to enjoy the bottle of wine, beer or spirits, leave it on the shelf.

Looking for the best shareable baskets for corporate appreciation? Check out our corporate gift baskets or download our 2018–19 Gift Guide.
How to make Christmas decorations (DIY craft) | Paper craft world
By: Sulochana Shehani
Tags: Paper Star, Paper Quilling, Christmas, Decoration, Christmas Gifts

I’m going to tell you how to make a Christmas decoration that you can easily make. This is a beautiful and quick decoration that I made. I use this as a Christmas decoration as well as a party decoration.

This will be important for you in the future. So, you try to make it more beautiful than I did.

How to make Christmas decorations

What You Need:

Two red and green A4

Scissor

Glue

A string or paper strip to hang.

Let’s see how we make it now!

First, fold both colored A4s into four and cut into four pieces.

Then fold all four parts as follows.

Then fold the folded parts in half as shown.

Stick in the middle of the folded parts.

Put the pieces together and glue them to the circle.

Paste the paper star we took in the middle of the circle.

(How to make a paper star is in my paper quilling category for those who need it.)

Finally glue the string or paper strip we took to hang as shown in the picture.

Should be considered: I glued the paper star, and you can paste something you like to make the decoration beautiful.

link to How to make flower using paper quilling (simple)

How to make flower using paper quilling (simple)

We all love flowers. Everyone loves flowers, regardless of whether they are adults or children. Flowers make the whole environment beautiful. Flowers or the beauty of the environment fades away. We…

link to How to make a paper handbag (step by step)

How to make a paper handbag (step by step)

I am going to tell you about another new creation I made, That is how to make a handbag out of paper. So, ladies are not necessarily a handbag, and one can have as many designs as one wants. Isn’t…
These are three great gift ideas for Christmas
Tags: Sexy Lingerie, Santa Lingerie, Christmas, Sexy, Christmas Gifts

Santa won’t be coming to your home this holiday season! Santa still has lingerie to give, so don’t panic! The traditional attire of the naughty king of all men has found a new and special place in modern society as well. It’s not only women that can wear his beauty. You can even get something sweet and sensual under your Christmas tree. We have a glimpse at what Santa’s most hot lingerie will look like this Christmas.

Miya Lingerie — If you are looking for the ideal holiday gift, a Miya lingerie hamper is bound to please! This versatile, sexy piece of holiday clothing will also be loved by groomsmen. You will find the following features: reversible jacket, authentic leather belt, genuine buckle headband and matching wallet. A sash, cellophane gift bags, and certificates for one, two, or three drinks are included in this festive look. Other items that can be included are: plastic key chains, silver business card holders, and red sashes.

Crotchless Christmas Lingerie — Santa is human, so he needs to take a breather from time to time. It’s a great way to get some steam in the holiday season, and to wear red frilly Christmas bottoms. You thought that sexy clothes were only for women! You’re sure to be a favorite among female friends with this hot Christmas gift. Plus, it’s an affordable, must-have Christmas present!

The Christmas Tree Embroidered Thongs are a unique and soft thong. They come in a variety of pastel colors including pink, purple and green. These slip-on sandals are machine washable, have a cushioned insole to provide comfort, and include a slip clutch for extra support as you wait until Christmas. These babies will fit so well on all body types. The best part about these babies is that they are great for stocking stuffers.

Red, White, and Pink Dresses: Are your red, white, and pink dresses still fashionable after Christmas? No! But what if you were able to wear your favorite color pair of duds along with all-white? It’s possible now. This silk slipcover features a gorgeous silk bow at the front, and a stunning ruffled bodice that will make it a wonderful Christmas gift.

So there you have it — three great gift ideas for Christmas. This Christmas gift set is perfect for anyone who enjoys sexy lingerie and is looking to gift it as a gift. You’ll love and appreciate it. Don’t wait! You can search online right now for adorable and intimate items!
How to make a Christmas wreath out of paper (in five minutes) | Paper craft world
By: Sulochana Shehani
Tags: Christmas Tree, Christmas Wreath, Christmas, Paper Wreath, Christmas Gifts

How to make a Christmas wreath out of paper (in five minutes) | Paper craft world Sulochana Shehani Sep 5·4 min read

I have brought you another new design for Christmas today. You can use this unique decoration for Christmas as well as any festive occasion. Today I am going to teach you how to make a Christmas wreath easily from the paper.

A Christmas wreath is a beautiful Christmas decoration. So, let’s see how to make this beautiful Christmas wreath.

I hope this wreath that I am making for you will help you to add even more to the Christmas spirit.

So, let’s see what we need to make our Christmas wreath.

What you need:

We need green paper to create the Christmas wreath, and what we need is a circle cut out of cardboard. All you need is a circle made of cardboard the size of the wreath you will make. You need to cut a circle in the middle of the circle and remove it. (I have put the circle I want to cut in the photo where I have put the things I want. Cut it that way)

We also need a paper bow made of red paper.

We also need a piece of red paper and scissors as well as glue

Have all of the above ready.

Way of the making

Step 01: Cutting the paper required to make the paper wreath.

Christmas wreaths are often made of green. That’s why I also took the green papers.

First, fold the green paper in half. The form should fold the long side.

Cut the folded green paper from the other side, not the fordable side, but from the inside to the inside. The form is not cut separately. Cut inwards to leave about 2 cm. Cut the whole paper into single strips.

Note: Do not cut the paper apart.

Step 02: Glue the cut paper to the wreath.

Next, we are going to stick the cut paper strip to the cardboard circle.

The size of the green paper we go with can vary depending on the cardboard circle we take. I have taken three green forms. All three forms should have been folded in half and cut into strips, as I said earlier.

Wrap the cut paper strips around the cardboard circle.

It should be glued to stay wrapped around.

Step 03: Decorating a Christmas Wreath.

We are now going to make the Christmas wreath even more beautiful.

First, cut small circles out of a piece of red paper. Cut the rounds into tiny pieces. Beautiful when the band is small.

Next, stick the red bow we took in the middle of the wreath we made.

Then place the cut red small circles around the Christmas wreath we made.

Step 04: Finishing Christmas Wreath

Now we have finished making our paper Christmas wreath. Now you can make your own beautiful Christmas wreath for this Christmas.

Continue Reading…

How to make quilling christmas ornaments How to make a Christmas Paper Bag How to make paper Christmas stars How to make Christmas tree with paper? How to make Christmas decorations
Why People Curse When I Gift Them Presents
Tags: Gift Ideas, Gift Guide, Gifts, Gifting, Christmas Gifts

Growing up, I did have some perverse tendencies.

For one:

Whenever I gifted someone a present…

… whether it be for their birthday…

… or Christmas…

… or some other events…

… I liked to see them working for it. 🙂

After buying my gift, putting it in a nice little present box, and wrapping it up finely… I would often take the packaged gift, and then… put it in another bigger box, and… wrap that up too!

And then I would find another even bigger box.

And put the packaged gift into that even bigger box.

And continue wrapping it up again.

You get the picture.

I like to make my gifts as hard to open as possible. Because it’s fun to imagine the look on people’s faces when they try to open my gifts. It gives me inspiration for creating my art. He he.

Around 5 to 10 layers of boxes and packaging is normally my ideal range.

Boxes within boxes within boxes.

So…

Why am I telling you this?

Well, I just recently created a new packaged present box. Just for you.

But unlike the ones I normally gift my family and friends, this one isn’t going to be gifted to you, so you don’t have to worry about me pranking you and imagining as you pull your hair out while opening it.

I will have a little less enjoyment, no doubt.

But, no.

No prank here.

This is something a lot easier for you to open and use, and you’ll enjoy using it too.

If this sounds like fun, and you can’t wait to get your hands on it, just clicky here to feast your eyes on my new creation …

Sincerely,

Aurelia Nobleia

“Santa’s Most Blacklisted Bunny”
FUNERAL
Tags: Playwrights, Playwriting, Shakespeare, Death, Theatre

(Short play #11)

Macbeth’s castle, Inverness.

Dimly lit, shrouded in fog. Near the back of the stage, a small, opulent coffin lies open. We can just glimpse the serene, pale face of MACBETH’S SON lying peacefully.

MACBETH and LADY MACBETH stand at the front of the stage, dressed in simple mourning attire, greeting guests.

Some time passes.

Guests step forward to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, present a gift, maybe shake their hand, and then depart.

LADY MACBETH

Thank you.

MACBETH

Thanks.

LADY MACBETH

Thank you so much for coming.

MACBETH

We really appreciate it.

At some point, MACDUFF and LADY MACDUFF make it to the front.

Their dress is the opposite of the Macbeth’s: gaudy, ruffled, a burlesque version of medieval attire.

Macbeth extends his hand to Macduff.

MACBETH

Thanks for coming.

They shake.

A pause.

Lady Macbeth looks behind them.

LADY MACBETH

Where’s the king?

MACDUFF

He couldn’t make it.

LADY MACBETH

(beat)

He couldn’t make it?

Macduff laughs, looks to Macbeth for support.

MACDUFF

We’re going to war — he’s very busy.

LADY MACBETH

Right.

It’s just…

MACDUFF

What?

A pause.

LADY MACBETH

You’re not at war yet.

MACDUFF

No, we’re not.

For a moment, it looks as though Lady Macbeth is about to pounce on Macduff.

Lady Macduff steps between them, places a wrapped GIFT in Lady Macbeth’s hands. Places her hand softly on Lady Macbeth’s cheek.

Leading Macduff by the arm:

MACBETH

There is some mead and wine in the next hall —

LADY MACDUFF

We should really be going—

MACBETH

(an order)

Please, I insist.

Eat, drink.

I’ll be with you shortly.

Macduff and Lady Macduff exit.

Macbeth turns to the remaining mourners.

MACBETH

Leave us.

The auditorium empties.

Soon Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are alone.

Some time passes.

LADY MACBETH

Bootlicker.

Brown nose.

Scum.

MACBETH

(re. Macduff)

I have to go.

LADY MACBETH

I’ll kill that smug bitch.

I’ll punch him in the face.

Macbeth approaches her. Tries to wrap her in an embrace.

She flinches, pushes him away.

A moment; he’s hurt. He leans forward and kisses her on the top of the head.

MACBETH

You’re grieving.

You should get some rest.

He waits to see if she’ll respond — she doesn’t.

With last sad look, he exits.

Lady Macbeth walks towards the coffin.

LADY MACBETH

(sotto)

No rest…

No rest for the wicked.

She reaches down into the coffin…

… and picks up the dead CHILD.

Cradles it in her arms, and begins to sing:

LADY MACBETH

She left her baby lying here,

Lying here, lying here,

She left her baby lying here

To go and gather blaeberries*.

She saw the wee brown otter’s track,

Otter’s track, otter’s track ;

She saw the wee brown otter’s track,

But she ne’er saw her baby!

Ho-van, ho-van gorry o go,

Gorry o go, gorry o go;

Ho-van, ho-van gorry o go,

She never found her baby.

Lady Macbeth remains on stage for the next play.
Playlists Got Me Thinking
By: Randall Brammer
Tags: Creativity, Theater, Art, Playlist, Theatre

One of my past students made a playlist for the theater department I work as an adjunct professor. We’re Facebook friends because we performed in the same musical on a more professional level. Influenced by the quarantine, she posted on Facebook:

I’m missing all of you guys and thought up of an idea of a department-wide playlist to have while we’re all indefinitely socially distanced. I would like for all of us to contribute ONE song to the playlist! The catch is that the song isn’t necessarily your favorite song… it is one that you think will make others think of you when they hear it. (For example, mine may or may not be a cheesy faux 80s song 😂) The idea isn’t for us to relive roles we played per se, it is to make a playlist that is exactly as diverse as our department is — so while we may not be in the theatre for a while, we still have these silhouettes of each other to go to whenever we miss one another a little more than usual. Please drop your song in the comments if you’d like to contribute. ❤️ If you know of someone who might not have me on here but know they’d like to add something, either tell me what they have chosen or please let me know how to get ahold of them! Here is a link to the playlist itself: A playlist featuring St. Lucia and Ben Platt

I listened to the songs on this playlist, and they hit me on a lot of levels. Musical theater songs that I perused for my own audition material, musical theater songs I never heard of that were on a “metal” level, songs that leaned towards the emo, and ironic songs like All Star by Smash Mouth and Believe by Cher. Which, the last two weren’t ironic when I remember them coming out. Which has me feeling certain ways.

My recommendation is: To Know Your Mission by Jens Lekman and LouLou Lamotte (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7k-5kkw9LQ)

I could do better to unpack how these songs in this playlist affects me. I’m not going to, but I hope you give it a listen and see how it affects you.

What I hope my students glean from my choice? Forget trying to be “famous”. Pursue your weird art.

To have a dream

A GPS in your heart

A path to follow

Through the dark

Well, Jens says, “I write songs sometimes

But they’re kinda bad

So if that doesn’t work out

I want to be a social worker just like my dad

I just want to listen to people’s stories

Hear what they have to say”

My friends say, “Just be a shrink then”

But I don’t know, I don’t think I’ll have the grades

But in a world of mouths

I want to be an ear

If there’s a purpose to all this

Then that’s why God put me here

To Know Your Mission

Featuring Loulou Lamotte
5 Curious Facts about KURIOS
By: Monica Cutler
Tags: Acrobatics, Entertainment, Cirque Du Soleil, Circus, Theatre

When you hear “Cirque du Soleil” you know you’re in for a good time. So when they announced they were bringing their newest show KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities™ to Australia, we were instantly excited! But bringing a show like this across the world is no easy feat. Take a look at what we can expect when KURIOS comes to Australia this year!

1. A talented cast

In order to put on a show of this calibre you need the best of the best. KURIOS’ 57-member cast includes performers hailing from 23 different countries, from the US and Australia to Kazakhstan and Mongolia. And they have a range of talents including contortion, acrobatics, unicycling, juggling and even yo-yoing! Among the cast is the smallest woman in the world, at just 3.3 feet tall and 18.6kg.

One of the smallest people in the world

2. A cabinet of couture

With such a brilliant cast, you need brilliant costumes to dress them in. KURIOS features more than 100 custom costumes, with more than 800 pieces including accessories, shoes and wigs. And these are not your everyday Halloween costumes. Some pieces, like the Accordion Man’s attire, took more than a week to sew just the inside. Mr. Microcosmo’s belly took around 250 hours to build, weighs more than 9kg and houses its own lighting and ventilation system. At one point his coat even unfolds into a 19-metre long locomotive, out of which a swarm of travellers emerge.

3. One man’s trash

Set in what could be described as a retro-future, KURIOS takes place in a steampunk Victorian fantasy. Set designer Stéphane Roy describes it as “Jules Verne meets Thomas Edison in an alternate reality, out of time”, and she brings this world to life with everything from gramophones to old typewriters and turbines. In fact, many items were salvaged from junkyards, then dismantled and fused back together with tubes and pipes. One piece in particular, The Seeker’s chair (which stands at a whopping 3.5 metres tall), is decorated entirely with recycled pieces of metal.

The Seeker

4. The most objects in Cirque history

This parallel reality is filled with literally tonnes of unusual objects to pique your curiosity. 426 unusual objects to be exact — the most of any production in Cirque du Soleil history. These unusual objects include everything from a giant hot-air balloon to a massive mechanical hand that weighs 340kg and measures almost five metres by two metres in size. These objects are so extreme that it takes around 65 trucks to transport close to 2,000 tonnes of equipment.
The Art Of Keeping Music Alive
By: Shelley Theatre
Tags: Music, Dorset, Bournemouth, Theatre

The Art Of Keeping Music Alive

A lost art of musicianship is shared at Shelley Theatre at the end of this month. Shelley Theatre Jun 17, 2019·2 min read

Doug Gould presents The Art Of Piano Improvisation on Friday 28th June.

Piano improvisation is effectively performing without preparation, but recognising structure, melody and composition.

Doug shares what he is looking forward to and reinvigorating a type of performance for the modern day. Doug says “Improvisation started to become a lost art as more people followed what was on the page. I love this whole feeling of being on the spot.”

“When I was 10 years old, I was part of a concert party and we would play all sorts of music where improvisation was at its core. This thing of being on the spot has been with me ever since. I have built a technique that becomes a beautiful experience for 50 years.”

Doug looks at improvisation as a skill that has been lost over the generations, “When you look back, over time the likes of Bach and Beethoven were the finest improvisers. There are not too many people who can do it today. I effectively learn a song and give it a 21st century reflection.”

Doug recognises the importance for audiences to appreciate the art of creating music. He says, “This is about being part of a moment that you share with others. There are times when I become so engrossed in the music that it becomes this occasion everyone feels a part of. It is so much about connectivity. When a moment is shared, it becomes unrepeatable.”

Doug is looking forward to an evening at Shelley Theatre, a place where he is familiar with as has performed before. “The acoustics are fantastic in the main theatre. A performer has a real sense of the audience that is with them. For instance, during moments of quiet, you can hear the breathing of others.”

“The evening is going to be split into two sections. The first half has a classical slant, whereas the second part of the evening, will be popular jazz pieces and sharing some of the work from the finest improvisers, such as Art Tatum. I even have a section with David Bowie mixed with Elton John. I believe that performance cannot be confined from a printed score.”

When it comes to the evening at Shelley Theatre, Doug is looking forward to sharing the tradition of music making and the power of it. He says, “Improvisation is about a step into uncertainty. You don’t know when that spark happens, but when it does it is an incredible experience for everyone.”
One simple complicated framework that changed my life.
By: Anmol Loonia
Tags: Productivity, Inspiration, Daily Blog

Dwight D. Eisenhower — was a general during World War II and the 34th president of the United States. In a 1954 speech, Eisenhower quoted, “I have two kinds of problems, the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.”

This led to the birth of a very important theory that helped adapt my goals, recognize their importance, or upgrade them to make their realization inevitable.

Urgent tasks in this matrix require utmost attention and action, these tasks put you into execution mode and make you occupied.

Important tasks in this matrix contribute to your long-term goals and are usually not urgent in the very instant. These goals however are the sweet spot. Items here meet the qualifications of being something that you actually need for psychological, emotional, physical, or financial stability.

This framework works very well to a large extent and it promptly directs you to the best tasks for your success, long-term goals, and your well-being. While the urgency of the circumstance is fairly easy to spot, the importance is far more elusive. The outcome as a result, is a decent measure but the exact result of the activities cannot be determined quite necessarily. Success and well-being are both measured very subjectively, hence this should be applied to the importance of your goals.

Obvious question? HOW

I designed a homemade tool based on my mother’s teachings — NEEDS, WANTS, AND DESIRES. Cracked it a few years too late, but I did. The only way my millennial brain would understand this concept was probably using emojis, so I did the needful.

Image copyright: Anmol Loonia

My mother always taught me to evaluate, like all Indian mothers. Decisions, people, films, food to recognize the level of that thing’s importance to my life. As a result, I unknowingly developed feelings, preferences, likes, and dislikes which brought me close to my immediate goals.

Will this pair of AirPods benefit my long call hours in the long term or I could do with the legacy wired earphones. Is it a fad or does it require my attention? Can I live without noise cancellation or hand gestures? Is it absolutely necessary? I evaluated every single thing. In true designer fashion, I also tried fitting it into the bottom block of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, if the shoe fit — the prince would find the princess. If not, it is a temporary urge.

With every want, comes an attached price (always). Was I ready to pay the price? Did I want it bad enough or did I want it because my friends had it?
What if they don’t know?
By: Ivan Brovdi
Tags: Opinion, Life, Daily Blog

What if some people who said some stupid thing or did something bad, are not that bad, but misinformed?

What if they do things because they don’t know better, like a child?

Probably you wouldn’t berate a child for making mistakes, you would try your best to explain it. You don’t assume the child is bad, she simply doesn’t know stuff.

But what happens when people grow up? One bad remark regarding feminism, racism, some other ism, and the person is crosified on social media. Berating people is much easier that educating them, it also brings more clicks. But what happens when you tell someone off and critique them? They will get on defensive and try to justify themselves, and the more you push, the more they push back. And really soon, an uneducated person, who could easily be shown how to be better, turns to opposition.

Assuming a person doesn’t know is better than assuming the person is bad (at least until proved otherwise).

P.S. Sure, some people do bad stuff because they want it and they fully understand the consequences, but some don’t. When someone one is mugging you, they know it’s wrong.
Huntrr has biblical question
By: Hunter Allen
Tags: Daily Blog

Huntrr has biblical question

Hi there, by I have a biblical question I mean I have a question regarding a parable in the bible. So my biblical scholars lets get right to it. In the bible there is a parable called the parable of the talents. A master give each servant some talents and leaves. No one knows when he is coming back. He returns and 2 of the servants have double their talents while the other one just buried his to protect it. The first 2 receive praise and a reward from the master while the last one gets reprimanded and fired from his position. Ok now that we have a brief recap lets get right to my question. What do you think would have happened if the 3rd servant didn’t bury his talent but went to invest it and lost it? Would the master have rewarded him? Here is what I think: I dont believe he would have received the same level of praise as the other 2, I think he would have received a small reprimand. Then he would be given another chance. Maybe the master would even give him some brief instruction then given him another talent to try again. If you were the master what would you do? Would you let him try again?

Holla at your boy if you have an answer and if you agree with me lets be better friends. Of course we will keep the appropriate distance that is required. Thanks for reading. Hunter out.
#117: Joaquin Phoenix Oscar Speech — Spread The Word #8
Tags: Oscars, Joaquin Phoenix, Speech, Daily Blog, Spread The Word

Read The Turning Point — Spread The Word #2 to understand why I’m making a “Spread The Word” post once every week.

This one is about the oscar speech from Joaquin Phoenix:

God, I’m full of so much gratitude right now. And I do not feel elevated above any of my fellow nominees or anyone in this room because we share the same love, the love of film. And this form of expression has given me the most extraordinary life. I don’t know what I’d be without it. But I think the greatest gift that it’s given me, and many of us in this room, is the opportunity to use our voice for the voiceless.

I’ve been thinking a lot about some of the distressing issues that we are facing collectively. I think at times we feel, or we’re made to feel, that we champion different causes. But for me, I see commonality. I think, whether we’re talking about gender inequality or racism or queer rights or indigenous rights or animal rights, we’re talking about the fight against injustice. We’re talking about the fight against the belief that one nation, one people, one race, one gender or one species has the right to dominate, control and use and exploit another with impunity.

I think that we’ve become very disconnected from the natural world, and many of us, what we’re guilty of is an egocentric world view — the belief that we’re the center of the universe. We go into the natural world, and we plunder it for its resources. We feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow, and when she gives birth, we steal her baby, even though her cries of anguish are unmistakable. Then we take her milk that’s intended for her calf, and we put it in our coffee and our cereal. And I think we fear the idea of personal change because we think that we have to sacrifice something, to give something up, but human beings, at our best, are so inventive and creative and ingenious. And I think that when we use love and compassion as our guiding principles, we can create, develop and implement systems of change that are beneficial to all sentient beings and to the environment.

Now, I have been, I have been a scoundrel in my life. I’ve been selfish. I’ve been cruel at times, hard to work with, and I’m grateful that so many of you in this room have given me a second chance. And I think that’s when we’re at our best, when we support each other, not when we cancel each other out for past mistakes, but when we help each other to grow, when we educate each other, when we guide each other toward redemption. That is the best of humanity.

When he was 17, my brother wrote this lyric. He said, ‘Run to the rescue with love, and peace will follow.’ — Joaquin Phoenix
6th July, 2021
By: That Noob Friend
Tags: Daily Blog

I don’t like public speaking but I am huge attention seeker. This statement I believe is the most contradictory yet so true for so many os us. Let me break this further and make it easy to digest. When you are sitting among few of your best friends and each one of you is sharing a story, there is this one person ; that might be you — who is willing to tell his story first, has the longing to make his story the best, picks on stuff from others stories to drive the attention towards him/her or worst changes the topic just because the limelight signs on somebody else, there you have your attention seeker. Now put this same person in between bunch of strangers, unknown individuals, huge crowd and put the limelight on that person — not a single word that comes out of the mouth now makes any sense or its pleasurable to any degree thats what I am talking about. Where you are uncomfortable to the extreme degree in public but enjoying the limelight when its your bunch of close friends. Your story is interesting for sure, you know how to speak and articulate since that is the reason your friends too are interested to listen to you, but you have is a stage anxiety or being in an uncomfortable position. If you deliver that speech or tell your story or present your deck to those set of strangers and then you feel a sense of pride then you absolutely love public speaking but the anxiety of getting into the stage is what kills you inside. In order to tackle this the best formula that I have found is to believe in your story and repeat it so many times that the story takes all the attention and not you, the audience become irrelevant and the story speaks for itself. Just like an interview process where you answer a question with a 100% belief that its correct, you might modify the scale depending on the position you are interviewing or the person sitting across you but the core of the story is still the same. Now whether the interviewer buys your story or not depends on the judgement of the interviewer, but your story still remains the same across the process. So throwing yourself into an uncomfortable position with a lot of preparation and belief in your story will get you the necessary attention irrespective of the audience being ‘general public’ or your ‘friends’ you don’t hate public speaking — you hate the anxiety of unpreparedness.
Day 6: The Lament of the Absentminded
By: Kaily Garcia
Tags: Creativity, Distraction, Writing, Daily Blog, Writing Every Day

I never zip my purse or backpack closed.

I don’t charge my iPad, laptop, or any other device till it’s almost dead.

I can’t ever remember where I put my phone.

And I can never figure out how much time it will take me to do anything, be it to travel, leave a room, or do a task.

Like my mother before me, I am habitually distracted.

It’s certainly not my intention to never pay attention or plan ahead. But somehow I end up here, time and time again.

I’m pretty good at focusing at work and organizing ideas and various other abstract tasks. But when it comes to real, physical things in the real, physical world I am totally lost. Ask me to guess how long something will take to do, or how to get somewhere, or almost anything quantitative, and I’ll fumble over my words until admitting I have no idea.

Sometimes this is more of a problem than others. I get lost frequently, far too much for someone who’s lived in the same area of the same city for the past twelve years. I almost always leave my house for work twice. Once at the planned time, and then again after my inevitable return inside to retrieve something I forgot, usually my phone, keys, or wallet.

I am sometimes frustrated with my mother when she forgets what seem to be basic tasks. Fortunately, God gave me the same failing, for the purpose of growing in humility I guess.

I’ve always been a head-in-the-clouds, lives-in-her-own-world kind of person, and it seems as though mild incompetence at basic tasks is the price I pay for it.

I’d like to be able to leave on time, or guess how many people are in a room, or recognize my friends’ cars, but these skills just don’t seem to be in the cards for me at the moment. Perhaps one day I’ll get there. Until then, hopefully my failings will continue to bring about humility in me and mirth in others.