Share Four Somethings September

 I honestly feel I just did this. I've no idea where the month went. Lost in a frantic chasing lost passport applications and subsequent break down, trying to book a holiday at Xmas with insane travel prices and no appropriate accommodation left and the overwhelming work not being done so I have to squeeze it in on weekends.

Something Loved: We had planned a weekend down at the Wanderer festival, with most of the bands I wanted to see on the Friday night. Unfortunately we have some family circumstances that meant I had to change the flights (at increased expense. of course) to Saturday morning) and none oof the Friday expenses are refundable so effectively we are now spending $80 a minute for Curtis Harding's 50 minute set and a fleeting 24 hour visit (including flying time). However, I am happy to still get to see him at all and trying not to think about what a bad fiscal decision this turned out to be...If you haven't checked him out, Curtis Harding is definitely a musician you will love. He also does a song with Rufus who I'm seeing in November...but I'm guessing he won't be making a sneak appearance there. In short, I love that we are still going, I love the idea of a festival again and I love Curtis Harding's music! 

Something Gleaned: I had a learning moment on the weekend. I went to FODI, Precious White Lives b Sisonke Msimang (which was brilliant and if it goes digital, check it out).  At one point she reads out some appalling racist rhetoric from a science journal written in 1910. I was shocked but in my head, it was 'ye olde' history etc. At the end of the talk, Stan Grant said to her 'I'm sorry you had to read out and hear some of that damaging material. I'm sorry you had to put yourself in a distressing position to educate these white people'. And that for me was when the penny dropped. It hadn't occurred to me that it was still insulting or damaging to anyone of colour (because I feel we have improved since then - which I realise might also be naive). It didn't occur to me that looking back at history would still be upsetting for people, just because the words are so insulting to you now. Most importantly, it made me realise how much I think I get it, I'm not even close to understanding it. It was such a powerful learning moment for me.

Something Braved or Saved: At Fodi, I had tickets to Alok Vaid-Menon's speech, Beyond the Gender Binary but I also had a dinner with friends I had to go to, so had to leave early. Because it started 20 mins late, I only managed to hear 20 mins of the the talk. It was so powerful I was very disappointed to have to miss it. They emailed that it is available on line (for a price) so I will pay that and listen to the rest of it today. It's top of my bookmarked listening list. I can't recommend this in full, as I only heard the beginning, but for that alone, it's worth checking out.

Something Achieved: I won another StoryBox award and the story will be shown in Campsie at the end of the month and later in Canberra, so I'm very excited as the last time they displayed my work, we went into lockdown so I never got to see it. I also had to do an author interview and I feel a bit daft about that. I'm keen to see what the other writers said so I will find some time to head down there and stake it out for a bit.

You can follow StoryBox on Instagram

I also entered YeahWrites competition, and came in the top 3 of my group. While shortlisted, I didn't eventually win one of the prizes. I do have to be happy though as it was my first ever 'retelling' and the word count was so tight, I found it quite restrictive and difficult. So great outcome for something that was quite a stretch for me.

Taking a break come Thursday until the 10th of October. My Insta should have some cool pics (hopefully) over the next few weeks so check in there if you miss me....or just to follow along.

Linking with #ShareFourSomethings and #KeithsRamblings  #ThruMylens #WildbirdWednesday