Happy things and memories

Dancing ya guts out to De La Soul at Belvoir under the random sky and occasional trees

Cranes

The light catching an eye just so

The Internet

The love and support of supportive loved ones

The warmth beneath the surface 

Dog whiskers

Happy laughter

There's more but I'm sleepy now, thankfully

My dog just farted

It's half midnight, I am working on my work that I'm supposed to get done in my new 9-5 (8-4) job. Earlier this evening, Lucy did such a big fart that we both had to evacuate the study area. That's a big one if the dog is grossed out by her own fart.

It forced me to stand up, have a break and have a glass of water. I had prune hands from dehydration.

I suppose I should be grateful today for flatulent canines.

Let's make this moment (of gratitude) last

Dancing around the house to Moloko, I suddenly felt very well. I am singing again.

Gratefulness has happened in bursts and moments these last few days:

Sensible colleagues to share bemuddlement and confusion with, most grateful

Dry humour from surgical colleague, hilarity gratitude...
Dry - "What's everyone up to tonight (Vday)?"
Me - "Dunno. Might watch Kung Fu Panda and eat instant noodles."
Dry - "So, high yield then?"
Much laughter.

Learning, learning, learning. Frameworks. Inspiration. Understanding. The keen desire to turn this motivation into momentum.

Retail therapy.

Amazingly open moments with strangers. Shared smiles. Human beings.

Dog's ears half up, tips flipping up and down with each bounce of the trot.

Bamboo pyjamas. So smooth!

A funny thought. Named after the moon. Well, the halo of light around the moon. Moonlight goodvibes, basically. Hence, the epiphany, not to worry, I'm not all dark and nocturnal. In fact,

I'M MADE OF SUNSHINE!

Archival footage and live music. What it means to be me, and us. Best friend time. Pine trees, deck chairs, fairy lights, moths in the cinema projector light.

True talent, and hilariousness. So impressed, and uplifted, with a friend who probably needs the same. Feeling grown up and knowingly childish all at once.

Earnest doorman wants to see my ID. Ha!

Silent disco OMG so much fun have to say it again - sweat, bounce, singalong, smiles, smiles, smiles. Enormous.

Fringe world. Bringing my kind of people out of the fringe and into the light.

Finding more things to explore, like Neil Gaiman's blog. Sigh. Embrace and brace for the impending procrastination power.

Telling the truth.

Trying my best.

Crying at rest.

Knowing ultimately that nothing can break me, nothing can take me down.

I hope I can sleep soon. I think I've earned it. Feeling stronger.



There's more to you
than meets the eye.

Dancing

Silent disco
Bohemian Rhapsody
Jump Around
Rebel Rebel
Loveshack
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

It's not what you think, it's what you do

Grateful that I am doing what I set out to do.
Grateful that in a room full of fear I can speak out and protect those who cannot do it themselves, despite others in the room being far more powerful in rank than myself.

I'm back.
For real.

Real achievements

Grateful for Matthew Mitcham's beautiful show "Twists and Turns" and the concept that whilst you can't really get a gold medal at Mental Health, but you can still win it. I will keep on trying to achieve the highest pinnacle that I can for myself. Plus marry it to my achievements in other domains. Proud of myself but still infinite improvement achievable ahead.
Friendships
Battles won
Soldiering on
Grateful indeed.

Leave a path of stardust, it will light the way for others (even if you can't see it behind you).

Even if you are in a dark place, don't forget, you are a ray of sunshine in this funny world, you may be lighting the way for others and they would be lost if you were snuffed out. Sending out love, across the universe. Even if you feel absent, your presence is noted. And it is a valuable gift. Thank you.



That's what unicorns do.

Sky blue toenails

Being human.
Seeing a glimmer of hope on the path ahead.
I hope it is a firefly.

Things you can rely on

A cup of tea made by a friend

The pink fairy floss sky at sunset over Perth, reflected in the Swan

The black swans being tough, but also fluffing up their tutu feathers and spreading their breathtakingly elegant wings to remind you that strength and beauty are not mutually exclusive

The canine enthusiasm of a kelpie cross

The love of your family, expressed in a table full of food to share and a shoulder to cry on, no matter how snotty it gets

Reflecting on how much you have learnt yet still being able to learn even more new things

These are the things you can rely on, and be grateful for

New

First day at a new job, loving the things I bring

Grateful for the precison of the thin, new moon

the sun setting over the Indian Ocean
the kickback of the boxing pads of a good friend
and a tiny young man watching on, enthralled, and finding his own arms, and feet
the shaky hands and arms that come from full use
the sand and the waves on my feet
the brightest star I have ever seen
the inspiration of the world and b-boys
the knowledge that we are all in this together and most of us are trying to help and some of us are very good

we will find each other, one of these days.

I can't sleep, but it's a small price to pay

You are a liar and a coward.
I am real and I am brave.

You have hurt me and I will always wear this pain.
I am grateful that I can face up to myself each morning, how do you live with yourself?
Alone.

Go for it!

Fake it til you make it
You just might end up with something that's
even better than the real thing



As I said before, ENTHUSIASM!
AND JOY!!!

Mad skills

Grateful today for employment, a roof over my head, the skillset to continue to earn money to live and not having to rely on someone else financially. Having the freedom to travel. Enjoying the work that I am being given. Grateful for change even though I am apprehensive. It is an honour to have to step up. The only way is up.

Yesterday... all my troubles

made me feel very tired and upset. I allowed myself some meditative sitting still and contemplating the absurd time, watching the Mighty Boosh Future Sailors show on youtube on my nice new AppleTV on my very large television.

I am glad I can see the fun in complete and utter nonsense and also its relevance in numerous situations. Laughter therapy.

Grateful that I still managed to drag my body out of the house to see the physio; have a final last minute catch up with a dear friend who is moving away for 6 months and will be sorely missed; and to work drinks. Moving is important, as is the occasional vegetative state. Today is cleaning day. I will see how it goes.

Today I am grateful for writing a list, The Cat Empire, Tom Jones, mangoes, Nandos, sound advice, blocking on Facebook, deleting of numbers and attempting to move on out of pain. Stinky garbage be gone!

Gung Hei Fat Choi - Chinese New Year of the Horse

31st of January - I had another tough day.

Grateful for Pilates and my amazing Physio
Grateful for household chores and the normality they can bring even if you can't get them all done
Grateful for a shoulder to cry on and a caring ear to listen to me during their busy day
Grateful for the spotty socked dog and the places we go together
Grateful for Chinese New Year family traditions, banquets and lion dances and the childhood nostalgia and giddy joy they bring
Grateful for Fringe World filling up Northbridge with more of my people, enjoying The Pleasure Garden, enjoying talented free clowning under the stars with people I like
Grateful for being old and wise but young at heart
Grateful for dancing to all kinds of music and getting excited and remembering past events and raves
- once someone said to me as I was dancing on a table with a friend who is an actual dancer: "you should be a dancer, for real" - it's a moment in time to appreciate that enthusiasm is sometimes all you need. Experience is a plus.



I will approach this year with enthusiasm, and joy