SBS PopAsia at K-Pop Music Fest 12 November 2011

It was amazing to see the thousands of Australians from diverse backgrounds enjoying the SBS PopAsia outside broadcast!

Cane Fields of Ingham, QLD

We took at week break in far north Queensland doing a road trip from Cairns down to Townsville, including Walter's home town of Ingham.

A favourite scene which stretches pretty much the whole trip is the cane fields.. this one is in the boy's home town of Ingham... stunning!

APG K-Pop Session

Had the great pleasure of presenting K-pop to the Account Planning Group this week as part of their Ideas Exchange sessions.

Girl's Generation's Mr Taxi was a particular crowd favourite, catchy as hell "mr taxi, taxi... supersonic, hypersonic..."



And the Mblaq song got the gals and some of the guys animated, too!



There was some good trade publicity about the event too, including from Australian Creative:

Thang Ngo said that Korean cars, culture and fashion were already spreading through the world like wildfire.

“K-Pop is at the forefront of Korean culture. As it hits Australia, marketers can be riding this wave,” he said.

Onwards and upwards with k-pop!

Girl's Generation: Mr Taxi

I'm in K-pop heaven!

The Commitment Project

Evan Cooper is embarking on a remarkable project... according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics the average length of a marriage is 8.8 years.

The Commitment Project is about equality for all couples regardless of their sexuality.  Evan is looking for couples who have been together for 8.8 years or more to be a part of the Project:

"If you are gay, lesbian, queer (or however you wish to identify yourself) in a relationship longer than 8.8 years (which is about 8 years and 10 months) and would like to be involved in this project please send me an email - evan.r.cooper@gmail.com and put "the commitment project" in the subject line" says Evan.

Walter and I are a part of the Commitment Project, the video above features many of the couples involved in this Project.

It's so touching looking at these wonderful people.

Evan's simple question is "should marriage be open to all?".

I think so.

Interfaith Service for Japan Victims

Last Sunday's Interfaith service was dedicated to the victims of the Japan Disaster.  As always, Stephanie Dowrick, interfaith minister created a wonderfully safe and reflective environment.

The service was held at Pitt Street Uniting Church, Sydney.

House for your ancestors, Cabramatta

Going to my local Asian grocery to buy some incense and stumbled on this 'house' which you buy and burn as an offering to your ancestors.. this way, they get a house in heaven!

Silent Retreat, Wilton

Spent the weekend at a silent retreat with Walter this weekend - 42 hours without talking.  It was  chance to stop the mouth and mind from working overtime and take time out to listen and think.

Apparently our mind goes through 30,000 - 50,000 thoughts a day.. many of which are unnecessary and negative.

We ate healthy vegetarian meals, mediated and just took time to listen, to ourselves, nature and others.

I'm now back, transformed, refreshed, clear-headed and ready to accept the challenges ahead, including this one which I received as a blessing on the final day:

...by filling your thoughts with wisdom and your heat with true love, you fill the world with peace.

Thanks to the Brahma Kumaris' Inner Space Centre for Spiritual Learning.

Inner Space Centre for Spiritual Learning
150 Macarthur Drive Wilton
(02) 4630 8124

Jasmine Buddha

Such a beautiful shot of the Buddha in our back garden surrounded by fragrant jasmine flowers.

Talking with Simon Marnie from ABC Radio 702