The Joy of Remembering

There is a JOY in remembering things that have brought us JOY. 
 It is a small but precious JOY that sits inside oneself and brings a smile to one's lips quickly. 
Celebrate JOYDAY every year on the 25th November. 
(Apologies for this late posting for JOYDAY but I have been very busy with 'undercurrent2011'. 
Check it out at www.undercurrent2011.com.au)

Good Brother Better Coffee Best Furniture

NEWCASTLE, ONCE A CULTURAL BACKWATER, IS NOW THE HOME OF AN ONGOING FLOURISHING SCENE OF ART, STREET ART, CREATIVE INITIATIVES, 
BUT NOW IT IS ALSO THE PLACE WHERE THE BEST CAFES ARE JUST POPPING OUT OF THE FOOTPATHS. 
WHAT IS REALLY COOL IS THERE IS ALWAYS A SHIFT OF A KIND IN THE WAY THESE CAFES CREATE THEIR STRONG INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITIES. 

AT THE SEASIDE END OF KING STREET, NUMBER 40 TO BE EXACT, A CAFE NAMED ‘GOOD BROTHERS’ PLANTS SOME OF THE BEST REINVENTED, 
REINVIGORATED FURNITURE I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME. 
THEY HAVE TAKEN OLD PARKER FURNITURE CHAIRS, RIPPED OUT THE SEATS 
AND MADE THEIR OWN BACKING FROM OLD WOOD PANELS, WHICH IS TOTALLY ENGAGING. AND THE COFFEE IS GOOD TOO! 
THE GOOD BROTHERS ESPRESSO HOUSE_40 KING STREET NEWCASTLE NSW 2300

Song or lament?

Why does a bird’s cage evoke such a sense of beauty when they are in reality tiny little prisons? In a lane way known as Angel Place in Sydney, hundreds of vintage birdcages have been suspended high above the tarmac. The sound of sweet bird songs is present. It is all very strange, unexpected, beautiful and sort of sad. It is special.

Cages hold birds in but sometimes they hold danger out.

Shift yourself down there and feel lots of different emotions all at the same time. And talking about emotions please take the time to read the poems of Maya Angelo and Juan Antonio Rodriguez on the following pages.