May 2006 Archives

Feelings are about how we interpret an event, how you think or react to it. The same event would be interpreted by many others in a very different manner. We're conditioned from an early age to represent certain events, like a death for example, as tragic. Yet others see this as a time to celebrate. You see, events have no meaning but what meaning you assign to it. And by assigning a meaning to the event, is what causes you to feel a certain way.

For the algebra inclined, lets use this sum I was once shown: E + R = O (Event + your Reaction to it = Outcome). Now whilst you have no control over the Event, you have complete control over the Reaction. In essence you have control over half of the formula. Far more than most people think they have.

Here's an example, someone told me once that I wasn't a very good artist. I only felt bad about it because I believed it myself. But I didn't have to think that. What he said to me was only half the formula. I only felt bad because I agreed. What I should have told myself is that I am only in the early part of a long journey as an artist, my art will only get better. My self esteem won't go down, if anything it will go up! Between stimulus and response lies opportunity for a conscious choice.

Charles Schulz was failed at art school in the subject of drawing children. Colonel Sanders was knocked back over 1200 times when trying to sell his secret recipe around America, don't know about you but I would have probably given up after the first 10 knockbacks. How many times has Donald Trump been bankrupt, yet he continues to even greater wealth. You can be dumped by your girlfriend, be suicidal, get divorced, have an alcohol problem and still bounce back. Billy Joel did. I remember slaving during my career in animation and earning $60 one week! thinking about how I'm going to survive, I've been married:getting divorced, I've had alcohol and substance abuse and feelings of suicide with constant personal doubt. Survive I did.

From these few people I mentioned, you can see how someone can turn a seemingly negative event into an empowering experience. And following the unviversal theory of balance, there is equally someone who can turn a positive experience into a soul destroyer. The truly amazing gift is that you have the power to make the change.

Producing cartoons and submitting them, I am constantly rejected. I'm not the only one. But we are of few who choose a life of rejection in the graphic industry.

Late last year, early this year I was suffering from a severe cramping pain that made my joints swell and my body temperature increase like an oven. I went to the doctors who gave no clear concept to what was happening. I was crying heavily with pain, folding over to try and ease the intencity of fire that ripped through my body. I looked for the sharpest knife in the kitchen as I was prepared to cut my left arm at the shoulder clear off. I had the towels ready. The pain was nothing I had ever experienced. No volume of pain killers taken from those at the hospital or emergency medical centre could give me relief. The pain grew worse and the diagnosis was so long in coming, it didn't help. I was terrified, I didn't want to know what was happening. I knew there was something wrong and I just wanted to die. I couldn't think of anything else but how I could end the pain myself. I was finally injected with cortersone and began to feel temporary relief. Days went by and the pain came back slowly. I looked inward to my training in tai chi for answers. It was meditation that gave me the answer I needed. My mental anguish was causing the imbalance. As fear was growing inside me, the disturbance it created had detrimental effect on my body. I had let my fears grow and overtake my skills. My ability and knowledge I had taken for granted.

It is still a journey I am taking but the role that fear plays in my life, I chose not to allow it - my fear - to stop me moving forward. No matter what happens, I can still choose to be at peace.

Learning to understand and face my fears has made me understand that life is full of fears. You just have to tame them. To many, my management and ability to tame them is what they see only as my courage. A word I've taken for granted. A word that I have given new meaning. A word many respect.

Courage

It seems a fascination to some as why I'd be tattooed. Well after a number of emails, let me use this space to explain my view.

Tattooing is an ancient art form and found in many cultures throughout the world. In some cultures, tattoos were a rite of passage symbolising transition. Tattoos have the power to transform people. The decision or desire to tattoo is to make change on many levels mentally. The pain you go through is a point in your life that is a marking. The marking of time. This ritual is what seperates the 'marked' from the 'unmarked'. The experience is an authentic ritual. We live in a world where rituals seem to have faded with generations.

For me it is a significant change in my life in time. Without time to reflect on life itself, it will stop making sense. This is similar for many other people that may go through major change in their lives from the loss of loved ones to personal awakening, confusion or success/failure. It’s a point in time that has been marked. Like a journal. Like a talisman, a tattoo brings its wearer strength and confidence, and a living breathing history that cannot be denied.

I carry on marking from family.

To my grandfather, you taught me a tradition in carving for which I am forever grateful. Thank you. Wherever you may now be.....

He rerekē nga tikanga a ētahi atu iwi i a tātau, ki te whatu Maori, he mea ātaahua te moko.

You know it's gonna be cold when you have a pet that is covered in long thick fur and she climbs under the quilt an hour before you go to bed.

Anticipation? Did you know that cats scratch behind their ears before it rains. The barometric pressure changes and it affects their senses. So next time you see a cat scratch behind its ears, run for cover!

As a cartoonist you get commissions that find you doing all sorts of things. Over the years you learn quite a large amount of knowledge that just accumulates in your mind. It's only ever really helpful when playing trivia. Any other time, your burst of wisdom is mistaken for either a) being a smartarse or b) being superior in intelligence." i'll take C thanks"

You know when your boss tells you you're of great value to the organisation? he really means that you're the only one to show up at work on time. And for those who class work as their first priority it generally means they're saying you are too ugly to get a date.

You must come with me to Los Iceles if you are to join up with the rebellion ...

I've always been grateful that I learnt music from such an early age. To appreciate such a large variety of music helps me get through the best and worst times. Music is emotional. It can inspire emotions. I don't think people realise they take the music they listen to for granted, its speaking with them as well as to them. I've listened to classical, rock, rap, blues, jazz and pop at many given points to help me along. Each brings a different tone. It's all the same.

This was taken off my mobile's camera, i'd only just gotten to my airborne seat at the Sydney Superdome at a concert. Talk about suffering vertigo. The Superdome was very neatly packed with more people spilling in to who knows where, there weren't an equal amount of seats for these people. All I can say is that concert was the best i've seen in ages.

Here is the guy who designed the Apple logo. Comforting knowing that you weren't the only artist to be ripped off at some point in your life.

I was going through my book collection recently when I came across my 5oth Anniversary edition of Peanuts. Inside was a letter that Sparky's wife had written to me. 5 years ago, just before my birthday, a great friend and colleague passed away. Jean Schulz wrote a lovely letter explaining her relations and memories of Jim Russell. She shared some lovely thoughts with me. Jim had friends of all ages and walks of life. I'm glad Jean wrote me that letter.

The funny thing was, I couldn't believe the letter made it to me without having half the envelope torn apart from collectors. Check it out :

Lucky they didn't see the contents .........

Thank you Jean.

I've got a thumping headache. I need to get away from Sydney I think. The change of season always plays havoc with my allergies. Making it damn hard to concentrate and do any work.

Know of any good places to visit? I've got something in mind.

Busy waiting for the Tropfest signature item to be announced. Hurry up you bastards!

Recently I was on a flight to Hobart with Jetstar, they issue colour denoted boarding passes as you check in your luggage. If you check in early you receive an silver boarding pass, if you are there later you receive a blue pass. I was in line at the terminal waiting for the flight to start boarding. They make the announcement for boarding. The line is extremely long as people got up from their seats and joined the queue. It seemed strange that they'd issue this many silver passes. My eyes scan the line and I see many people in line with blue passes. Clearly they have no idea on how the system works. I giggle as one by one they hand over their boarding pass only to be given it back and informed only silver passes are being accepted on board right now. The line seems to reduce quickly as these people are quickly denied access. I'm now the second last at the front. There is a group of indonesian tourists in front of me. Turns out they have blue passes. They stand to the side and start discussing why have been knocked back. They appear to be first time travellers, totally gullible. My evil streak surfaces as I show them my cheeky side.

me: "You need a silver pass to board now."
them: "What does a silver pass mean?"
me: "The company likes you and would prefer you get priority seating."
them: "So what does a blue pass mean?"
me: "Well once the silver pass holders are seated there is no room left."
them: "What happens then?"
me: "Blue passes are for standing room only, a little strap hangs down from the ceiling like in the buses. Don't worry it's only hard to hang on as we take off and landing is a little rocky. The advantage is that blue pass holders allow silver pass holders something soft and squooshy to land on during an emergency. You seem quite cuddly, could you stand in from of me?"
them: "Are you serious, we have to stand?"
me: "Yes ma'am. Trust me, I am the Prime Minister of Tasmania and this is my royal plane."

The men she was travelling with stood behind her and were wetting themselves with laughter as this poor girl grew more and more frightened of boarding the plane after I explained interstate travel to her. Clearly they have considered what I was saying and only realised too soon that I was joking when I said I was the Prime Minister of Tasmania.

My grandfather was struck by lightning twice. I am yet to keep that tradition in the family. If I keep up telling porkies I think I'm bettering my chances. Frankly, I'm quite looney. If you see me in public, don't stand near metal objects or me.