Sunday, March 22, 2009

Week Eleven / Day One

Nope, this isn't actually in Australia; though, I'm still here... This is a camel I encountered as I walked through Dubai, a few years ago. I have no photos of this week, but didn't like the look of a bare headline; thus, I thought I'd share this character...

It's been a week of gentle revelation, here, on all fronts. Well, the chiropractor wasn't the most gentle of revelations; but the subtle differences with which the back crackers crack backs, here near the Outback, took me aback, a crack... On the one hand, the intake at this new (for me) clinic is significantly more thorough than I have experienced, historically; full medical history and a good 30 minutes of simple conversation with the doctor. During this conversation, though, the relationship between the possible existence of immense amounts of stress in my life and the presence of a bale of barbed wire in my neck and shoulders, preventing me from turning my head was, in fact, explored...

On the other hand, the physical experience seems less thorough; in that one remains fully clothed, there is minimal muscle working before the adjustment part of the process, making it almost seem peremptory; and the adjustment takes place on a sort of "breakaway" bed - the part of the body being adjusted is positioned on a raised area of the bed, and that section drops back to flush with the bed as the sharp pressure is applied. The theory seems to be that this offers the body "less of the work." To me, I think it short-circuits the actual adjustment.  I'll have to check this out with my former Chiro when I am in NYC, next month...

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This has been a good week of work with #1. In Perth, together, we delivered the first event with which I have been involved from close to initiation. A massive awards ceremony, simply and elegantly produced; it gave the two of us the opportunity to actually test our respective "definition of terms" with respect to organization, production value, standards, vision, philosophy... Frankly, it was again a reinforcement of the potential that exists between us to really do some exceptional work, together. As we worked through the weekend - attending another event, the night before, on which we are bidding for next year and delivering our own event - time and again we spontaneously shared points of view that are complementary and mutually supportive.

So often, when people discuss standards or specifics, when delivery time comes it can be discovered that different things were meant while using identical terminology. This doesn't seem to be happening, here. On the contrary, I truly think we are on the same wavelength. From the moment we met up at the airport for the flight out and throughout the period; time and again I believe we felt a solid connection, an exciting meeting of the minds and the taking root of trust where trust has been sought. 

I can't tell you the value of that...I don't need t'tell ya. I think both of us felt ourselves moving in from the proverbial limb, through this sojourn. The relationship is taking root; and I feel very good about it.

Having more or less "observed" through this past weekend's project; I am taking a more central role in next week's event, again in Perth. Now that I know the players, somewhat, and have a stronger sense of how things are approached, here; I am going to immerse myself more centrally in this next production to test how I can integrate most effectively and help fuel our movement forward...

I did catch a glimpse of the manifestation of my own frustration, this past weekend; experiencing a brief flash o'wrath, from the sidelines, as I observed a fumble. It startled me, a bit, as I am working to maintain more zen a 'tude as I pass through this transition...overall, though, a good thing to have noticed while on the sidelines, so that I can keep my eye on the Insidious Critter o'Impatience and keep 'im docile.

It was a good week. I'm feeling much better about being here; stronger connection with #1, of course, but the effect of actually having a positive affect on the work being done can't be downplayed or overvalued, either. Stay tuned...

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So, OzLightenment for the Week...

They charge by the byte for the web, here. In the US, we essentially subscribe to broadband via cable or some other method, buying our portal and broadband speed and using as much or as little time and download capacity as we like for a regular price. Not so, here. Here, one must estimate usage and buy a plan for a specific amount of gigabytes per month. Not such an easy thing for we right-brainers...I mean I have NO idea how much I've used, per month, week or day during the past ten years; nor how to estimate or predict.

Which ain't so great; as, when one is approaching one's purchased limit, they SLOW YOUR SERVICE DOWN AND CHARGE HUGE FEES FOR ANYTHING PAST "PLAN." SOMEBODY is making a LOT of money, here.  This also affects public access to the web: where in the US, entire municipalities offer free internet connections on every sidewalk or park bench and most airports, convention centers and public spaces have access to free WiFi, one won't find that, here, due to this cultural anomaly. Most frustratin'...

Terms and Contractions

Moreish - when something is so good that one always wants more of it. "Those chocolate cookies are moreish, aren't they?" Never heard this one, before...

Arvo - Afternoon. "See you tomorrow in the arvo..." Where "arvo" comes out of "afternoon" is anyone's guess; but arvo, it is... 

Doco - Documentary film...

Chook - Chicken; as in Roast...

Lippy - Lipstick..."the women'll want to run do their lippy..."

In subtle and enjoyable ways, the colloquial language, here, reflects the overall upbeat enjoyment of life inherent in the great majority of Aussies...at least in my experience. Irrespective of position in life, responsibility of job or career, to pretty much the last man or woman it is far more likely to see a smile on the face than a frown; no matter how tough the going, short of tragedy or disaster. Knowing this is key to making the transition, here. The quality of taking things seriously looks and feels differently than it might, from where I come. 

This is a nuance to be remembered at all times; and nothing I would want to change, anyway...