September 2009 Archives

Bryan Grasby

Disclaimer: Philosophical post ahead. If you’re not in the mood, I’d suggest reading it at another time.

I believe in destiny and that we all have a path. Sometimes choices temporarily take you off that path, but I do think there’s certain things that will happen no matter what, which will impact greatly on your life. That’s just what I believe…

September 2008, T.R.A.F.F.I.C. New York – Like all domain conferences, there was plenty of “networking” (that’s what we like to call it ;-) ). We were ‘networking’ at the hotel bar on the first night, when my friend, Dave Harry, introduced me to Bryan Grasby. We only spoke briefly but I thought Bryan was a nice man.

Fast-forward a few days, and the show was a wrap. Mike Fabulous (my brother from another Mother) and I were headed back to Oz – we arrived at JFK airport, two trade show booths in tow, and our flight was canceled :-S While waiting to be assigned rooms at a 70s-inspired Holiday Inn, I saw Bryan standing at the back of the line. We got to chatting and it turned out it was Bryan’s birthday the next day! AND his family was having a dinner for him which he’d miss!!! Not so boogie :-( So I offered to take Bryan out for dinner with Mike and I.

We found an Italian restaurant – food was nice – wine was nicer. Bryan told us about Door Of Hope Australia and some of his experiences while traveling. I was honestly in awe. I even cried at one stage :-S, and later called my husband and told him about Bryan and the organization, and that we had to help them…

12-months later and I’m packing my bags for Sudan (I even used the Qantas ‘we’re sorry you had to stay in a ‘Debbie Does Dallas’ hotel’ voucher for the first leg of the trip), we’ve produced over 100 t-shirts in two (1, 2) designs for DOHA, and I hope to launch a new website for the organization when the documentary we’re filming is released.

I believe I was meant to meet Bryan and help DOHA. I’m surrounded by truly amazing people and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Happy Birthday Bryan!!! :-D

Just watched Ponyo (HUGE fan of Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away) with my gorgeous son, Elijah (movie night before I go to Sudan for 3-weeks). Andrew mistakenly downloaded the Japanese version (no subtitles)… it was seriously brilliant! Felt like I watched the film through my 4-yr old’s eyes – I picked up the primary concepts but didn’t ‘get’ the details (…not fluent in Japanese, stink!). This movie is now in my top ten… highly recommended.

In other news, I’m still not packed…

Alice in Wonderland was my most favourite film when I was little… hang on… it still is :-)

Time for something a little upbeat me thinks… My feel good song of the minute is You and I by Ingrid Michaelson. Because who wouldn’t want to get rich and give everybody nice sweaters and teach them how to dance?!?

Untitled by Kevin Carter
© Kevin Carter

Kevin Carter took a picture that made the world weep. A starving Sudanese toddler collapses on her way to a feeding center while a vulture waits nearby. Carter was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography in 1994. Three months later he sadly committed suicide due to depression.
(Source: Wikipedia.org)

They say a picture can paint a thousand words. I struggle to find the words. I feel extreme sadness and physically ill when I look at this photo. I honestly have to catch my breath and keep it together.

Comments welcome – your voice will create awareness that I hope leads to action and change.