Stingray migration photos

This is the most amazing photograph - reminds me of Escher's work - but it's real!

http://derrenbrownart.com/blog/?p=2835

Tricks of the Mind

Derren Brown is a TV and stage performer - he is a showman who taps into human psychology to create the most amazing stunts and illusions.

In this book he explores magic, perception, and the psychology that allows magicians and others to do what they do to trick us, perplex us and manipulate us (in good and bad ways).

I absolutely loved reading this book. First of all, because Derren writes with an easy to read style even when dealing with complex and detailed concepts. Secondly, he explores each area he covers in great depth. For example, in Part Two - Magic - he fully explains how to make a coin "disappear" - a basic magic trick - but then goes on to show how to finesse the trick and why it works.

To quote from that section
"...magic...is about entering into a relationship with a person whereby you can lead him, economically and deftly, to experience an event as magical. That experience has something to do with a rather child-like feeling of astonishment, but also contains an adult intellectual conundrum. It exists only in the head of the spectator; and though your skills may have led him there, it is not the same as those skills. It inhabits an experience the spectator has..."

The book covers memory systems; hypnosis and suggestibility (with the surprising suggestion that there is possibly no such thing as a trance "state"); unconscious communication, and anti-science, pseudo-science and bad thinking (including the work of mediums and psychics).

If you love to find out more about how we tick, if you are interested in exploring your beliefs, or if you just love magic as I do - you will love this book. Highly recommended.

Sacking the Stork

This is the first book by writing duo Kris Webb and Kathy Wilson who are sisters. Kathy lives in Brisbane and Kris lives in Dubai and they both have busy lives - so writing a book together is some feat! They have also written "Inheriting Jack" and "Other People's Diaries".

The main story line is that Sophie and Debbie are friends who live together. Debbie is playing the field, while Sophie has a steady boyfriend Max, although the relationship isn't really going anywhere. After Sophie breaks up with Max, she discovers she is pregnant, but doesn't tell Max as he is off to San Francisco with his job. Sophie ends up moving into her own place, and much of the story revolves around her experiences as a new mother on her own (although she has a strong group of friends). She and Debbie come up with a great business idea, and juggling that, motherhood, and a new man add complications.

This is not a hard to read book, and I did finish it - but I found a lot of the writing rather wooden. The characters had a sameness about them and the dialogue lacked liveliness and spark. I guess I am not the right demographic - it probably appeals to readers in their 20s and 30s who have not yet had children or whose children are young. The writing seemed to pick up at the end, the plotting was good, and everything was resolved nicely at the end.

So - not a bad book, but not one I would recommend you rush out and read.

Block a Day

Last year I decided to do a Block a Day this year (mostly) following this calendar -

Of course, I'm behind - but I thought if I started posting some of the blocks I have finished, it will force me to catch up!! Good plan? Will let you know....

The first instalment of photos - how about 5 to start with?

My Sewing Room - Part III

Final round, ladies and gentlemen!

The storage closet. Projects in boxes, neatly labelled (I'm sorry - I just can't help it!!).

I know you'll be shocked - but the drawers contain fabric....

More projects

and quilt tops waiting to be quilted.

My cutting table. If you don't have one, rush out and get one - the best thing I've ever bought.

Trivia Win(e)

It's necessary to lubricate the wheels and cogs when getting ready for trivia.

Yep - it worked!

We won a round on a tiebreaker - as it had jackpotted, we won more than the overall winner!

The question? What colour are the "g"s in "Google"? Well, I've only stared at them about a million times - I'll call all that surfing "research" - shall I?

Market Day again

The things you find at the markets.
I also bought some bush lemons and limes.