My Story

[Appleblossom]

Hello @Bec1985 and @Misty-Mirrors

I was shocked that the psychologist dismissed street people as criminals. I sold cards in Sydney subways when I was a child. But if she likes you and likes people that is important. Maybe she was just trying to protect you.

One lady I helped a lot became edgy when she saw me at the supermarket.  I was friendly but she was ashamed and angry that I had seen how her great need.  It was just pride. I felt gutted by her poverty which was among the most extreme I had seen in recent times with teenage kids from my son's school in sleeping bags on floor. I had it tough so it takes tough situation to shock me. etc .. but I did not do it for gratitude or friendship and looked at as part of learning about normal human reactions to things.

Regarding my daughters I am almost at the point where I accept the losses as grief like a death.  I cannot do more. They dont really like each other. I now focus on living my life for my son and keeping myself busy and as happy as possible.

I am ok with my own company, lived alone before, so when son is ready to go I think I will be ok.

The world has changed a great deal with computers, but the boom has slowed down.  My brother, ex husband and his friends were all gung ho about making big money from them.  I dont theink they are evil, but I was very angry about them for a long time.  I have had to get over it and face the fact that they are here to stay.  So eventually I started using them again.

I had trained a little out at Digital before marriage .. but became very 'allergic' to them.  Felt obligated to provide them for children, and a bit out of my depth in managing their use of them and I resented that I had to argue about them with my son .. but .. thats life.

I can see there are also wonderful things about modern technology and I have loved haviing access to all that knowledge.  Now I even have the computer on the piano when an old score has been downloaded etc.

[Appleblossom]

That is a range of community services @Bec1985.  Good on you.

[Misty-Mirrors]

Hello Bec1985.
It sounds like you are very active. I am a bit lazy. I do some voluntary work, but most of the time I spend at cafes, support groups and going out with friends.
Misty.

[Misty-Mirrors]

Hello Appleblossom.
I didn't like what the psychologist said about street people either. However, the more I think about it, I now believe most of them are either mentally ill or criminals.
I think one reason the psychologist said what she did, is that I need affirmations and I am unlikely to get many affirmations from street people.
At Twelve Step programs people say that mothers whose children grow up and live their own lives, should find new interests elsewhere. THAT MAY BE VERY DIFFICULT.
Living with computers is very difficult also. I used to trust them when I was working but I don't trust them any more. Some new changes which are difficult to accept are robots, genetically modified plants and animals and modern pharmacology.
Misty.

[Appleblossom]

It is just that street people are often so desperate that they dont have much extra to give. I meet them a lot still as my church attracts a lot of beggars and people just trying to sleep. Sometimes they seem to think they will be safer if the are on consecrated ground.  Some times they stay for a night or a week or I see them around for years.

I am learning about boundaries with them and learning to walk past them and that I do not feel I have to "save" everybody. Last midnight chrissie mass I had some Lindt extra chocs that the choir did not eat and was so glad to give them to the guys out the front.

I agree with you about big pharma and GM. I have made a decision/boundary about Monsanto's roundup ready canola weeds.  They are not allowed in my place!! Talk about taking over the world.

[Misty-Mirrors]

Hello Appleblossom.
The last few days were warm in Sydney. I believe it will get colder again before spring. What is it like in Melbourne? I envy the rectangular layout of the streets in Melbourne. It is difficult to get lost. Sydney is a labyrinth. I often get lost - especially when I am driving.
How are your children?
Misty.

[Appleblossom]

Hi @Misty-Mirrors

The weather was better yesterday, just ok today.

My son spent today in Sydney's centennial park at the colour run .. for my niece's birthday.

I learned to navigate or orienteer in Sydney on foot as a child .. a handy skill but I have given up trying to drive there .. they are all maniacs on the roads up there ... sorry joke ... I love both cities.

My choir conductor is writing a cantata about General Monash who worked with Hoddle who

"drew the grid" and then the children's choir pipes in singing all the names of the CBD tangled up with aboriginal names .. I love it ..

We are hoping to take it to Turkey in 2018 to help celebrate the end of the WWII...

[Misty-Mirrors]

I don't understand. Did General Monash with a Mr. Hoddle design the layout of the roads and streets in Melbourne? I don't know what a cantata is. I know some things about classical music, but never studied it formerly.
I haven't been overseas for many years. I hope to fly to Adelaide soon. That is far enough. Did your family loose anyone in Turkey? Our family is exceptionally lucky. As far as I know only one young man died in France in the WW1 and one cousin twice removed in the Soviet Union in WW2. One aunt had her 104th birthday a few weeks ago. Sometimes she can still remember her youth and early married life. I have a lot of relatives in Germany.
I hope you are well.

[Appleblossom]

You got it .. yes they worked as engineers together .. anyway it was just topical for me as we did a premier this year because some people want to commemorate Monash and his life story is set to songs .. cantata.. its just that I would be too frightened to travel alone with my neck but might manage it as a tour with my choir. My daughter loves Turkey and I thought it a good bridge between east and west.

After we do our French program we are back to the Christmas Oratorio and a lot of Germans show up for that.

I love Sydney .. wondered around there as a child .. you cant plan that kind of beautiful meandering chaos ... but Melbourne's great too.

No we never lost anyone in WWII .. I am upset as we lost 3 people unnecessarily in peace time Melbourne .. but too much was made of WWII .. that is my story.

[Misty-Mirrors]

Hello Appleblossom.
I am travelling to Adelaide soon. My sister lives there. I also have a school friend there. The catholic cathedral is near the hotel where I am staying. I will go there.
Unfortunately my sister is fairly busy. She works during the day on weekdays and goes to Tafe some evenings.
I am volunteering as a receptionist at a radio station this afternoon.
How are you?
I am glad you like music. It is easier to make friends with people if one has a common interest. Since my voice broke I never learnt to sing in tune. 😞
Misty.