Why do we like roller coasters? Fitting in boat renovations and downsizing on top of our full-time jobs could be compared to being on a roller-coaster.
Que music, Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs singing “Most people I know think that I am crazy…” The second line is most pertinent. “And I know at times I act a little hazy….”
The week started with me muttering away to myself… “Where are my keys?”. I go on, “Where did I put them? This is ridiculous, I had only had them 30 seconds ago!” I mutter louder, in the hope that anyone in the near vicinity might decide to help me find them.
I finally ask, “Can you help me find my keys?” The subsequent hunt doesn’t unveil the illusive keys so I leave knowing someone would be home before me. I find them in the bottom of my handbag at lunch time. It is a tight rope of frustration and relief all at the same time.
I am not alone. Wednesday, Martin phoned me to say he accidently picked up my wallet (black) instead of his (brown) and thanks for paying for his parking by the way. Luckily, I worked from home.
All week my inner voice was nagging me about what I had not got done that day and I know that I needed to let go of my “to do” list for the day and try to relax. But I am really not sure how to turn my brain off right at this point in time. If I try to turn my mind away from work, it lands on something else that needs doing. I ask myself why? The answer is fairly obvious.
Simply, the last few weeks have been a roller-coaster.
We have a few really big things on the go. And this is creating our stress. A visiting friend asked a very simple and practical question, “What can you remove or let go off?” It is a strategy I like for work, reprioritise, move a deadline, delegate. It works well in most cases.
In the reality of our private life at the moment, there is nothing we can change. Everything is locked into the tracks, like the carriage of a roller coaster. I think the agony and stress occurs as the carriage slowly groans up to the top of the rise and everything is out of our hands and we are locked in our seats. And the adrenalin kicks in as the carriage approaches the top and starts moving over the crest. I hold my breath. Others scream. We all handle stress differently. And you feel the wind rush through your hair as the carriage plummets down the tracks.
My personal philosophy at stressful times is to focus on the positive. OK, I hear some of you say, but you are already so positive. Even more so. When stressed I don’t have time for negativity. It is like my ocean of understanding has dried up and I need to protect my head space, including not over thinking what is not working. I also become very, very practical.
Fade music…
Queue music… “The Greatest Show” sung by the cast of The Greatest Showman
So, following my philosophy I am going to focus on the highlights of the week, and we have had some awesome moments.
Here they are…
By far the most significant event and amazing highlight of the week was Monday evening where we attended the Magdala Rose Movie Premiere. Martin had a principle part in the movie. It is an Indie movie and the turn out for opening night was amazing. Thank you to our friends for coming and supporting Martin. Congratulations to Paul Day and his production crew.
It wonderful to see the movie come together over the last three years and see the fruit of everyone’s labour being honoured on the screen. It was a pleasure to meet the amazing cast and crew. Hopefully, the production houses will pick up the movie.
Side note: Martin had done many years of theatre and musicals and a little bit of screen acting prior to having his gorgeous daughters. Three years ago, for his birthday I gave him some screen acting lessons with Joss McWilliam. Martin was spotted at the first lesson by the producer Paul Day of Angel Studios. He approached Martin during a break in the second lesson and asked him to audition for a part in the movie which he did prior to his third lesson. The rest is history. I am not sure I will ever top that as a birthday present.
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My downsizing continues.
It has made the highlights list even though it is like its own mini rollercoaster. This week has seen significant progress. Just as personal as my shoes, my attention has been on my art equipment.
For approximately 15 years I have had two trolleys each with 4 drawings full of art equipment, water-colours, conte, pastel, charcoal, pen, inks, glass paints, sketch books and a small collection of my favourite sketches. I loved storing my equipment in a trolley. I simply wheeled the trolley around the house to were ever I wanted to work. One trolley I used to sculpt on.
I also have a full chest of draws of paints and brushes etc. Anyway, a very good friend was here for the movie premiere and spent the morning helping me reduce it all down to one draw to keep. It will go into a box and on to the boat. I have a second draw to be sorted. They need to be sorted by the end of next week. Having deadlines appears to be working for me. And my trusted friend helping me get rid off things.
The main activity is scanning some smaller drawings, sketches and paintings. I throw out a lot. And I want to scan some. It is funny, when it comes to getting rid of my drawings, I all of a sudden get attached to something I have not looked at in many years. I wonder even once I scan them, how long it will be before I look at the scans again. The other activity I need to do is to give the nominated art materials to my niece and another friend both who are getting into painting again. Super happy.
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And…
On the wardrobe front I have also booked a table at the Her Wardrobe Markets (1644 Logan Rd, Mt Gravatt) for this Sunday 1st December… I will be selling some gorgeous clothes, handbags, accessories and yes shoes. At this stage I don’t need counselling.
And finally, the boat renovations. As I shared on an earlier face book post we have been frustrated by delays beyond everyone’s control. Especially ours. During the week we have had many of the missing pieces of information come together. The teak is now off the deck, they say the deck will be glassed next early next week. We were polishing the sides of the boat on today. Yippee!!! I love being on the tools. Seriously, I have enjoyed it. While I am at the markets Martin will be back at it tomorrow weather permitting.
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So back to why do we like roller coasters… is it breaking through the challenge and the relief after the carriage slows down and you feel your heart racing knowing you did it. I think it this is part of it. I also think the without highs and lows we would not appreciate how good life is. And we are living a good life. Even if this transition is stressful.
Fade The Greatest Show Man.
Queue, Billy Thorpe, “Most people I know think that I am a little crazy….”
#ilovesailing #whatareyouwaitingfor #liveyourlife #magdelarose #billythorpe #Mostpeopleiknowthinkthatiamcrazy
