Day 13, Level 2.5: Madness, creativity, oysters and Toni Childs

Dear loyal readers, I've been doing this blog every day for almost 25 weeks, that's 175 days, that's almost half the year! If nothing else, it proves I have perseverance and discipline, haha! (I knew that anyway - I'm a woman, it goes with the territory!!) 

As we are nowhere near Beyond Covid in NZ at this point, I guess I will be rambling for some time yet! It's become a bit of a shared diary, with a dose of provocation, a splash of observation, a sprinkle of opinion, a dollop of ramble and a dash of madness. A recipe of crazy times! Forgive me if I repeat anything!

Oh yes, I'm the first to admit that I'm just a little bit mad (maybe I should remove the word "little"!?) - but the fact that I admit this probably means that I'm actually more sane than most! 

Reality is, most creative types are tinged with more than an ounce of madness. New and wonderful things are not dreamt up by following rules, enduring groundhog day, going about perfunctory daily business, doing what's expected, following the pack or toeing a dull line. (BTW, it's toe not tow - to do with putting your toe on the line, ready and waiting to run when someone says "go". I always used to think it was about towing rope or something until at some point I realised the reality!)

Creativation - my self-coined term for all things creative: inspiration, innovation, intuition, imagination, motivation, exploration and ... through all this ... creation. 

Creativity comes from a place far beyond the square that most people feel safe in. It requires guts and gumption and utter fearlessness. It requires self-belief and an acceptance to fail. It requires you to open your soul. Without this, creativity can't happen. 

It also involves going to a somewhat chaotic place inside yourself, making sense of the madness which we all have inside us, and then hopefully producing something worthwhile. At the very least, if the creation is not worthwhile, then it's the learnings that are valuable. And we try again ...

For some, creation comes from anguish. For me it largely comes from the pleasurable experience of immersing myself in the exploration and discovery of wonderful far off lands and fabulous people - which at the moment can only sadly be done by floating around in my own mind! Fortunately I have a lot of memories and resources to draw on! People, places, cultures - they trigger my creativity. 

Creative madness is usually a positive, chaotic and benevolent madness; a madness that aims to enlighten; a madness that exposes your inner core a bit more than most people ever would; a madness that invites and incites - and then enables you to create things that you never knew you could. 

The creative process may make you proud, happy, frustrated or possibly even famous! Or it may lead down the path to despondency ... and utter madness. So much about success in the creative realm relies on having someone in the art world latch on to you and spin your story - and that's  very rare indeed. And, as we know, often comes post-humously. 

Or, in life, you have to push yourself beyond the boundaries of your studio - and that doesn't usually come easy. Creative people are generally not good at marketing themselves (too busy creating) and, consequently, many creations remain hidden or under-appreciated. 

It's easy for creativity to go into abeyance for one reason or another. Sometimes it just runs its course and there comes a time when you need to concentrate on other things. And then, just like that, the creativity can erupt into life again. I love the volatility of it all, the fact that mood and inspiration play such a huge part, that nothing comes from nothing, that inspiration can come from anything. The main thing is to be open to all the nuances. As an artist, there is nothing quite like the feeling of someone admiring or purchasing your work, or receiving an award or commendation for your work. It makes it worthwhile and keeps you going! But it doesn't mean you make any money out of it. Becoming a Banksy is a pipedream. That whole thing still has me shaking my head. Boy did he have the best spin PR person there ever was. And it may well have been him. 

Many people can't cope with critique about anything they do, as they view it as criticism and feel less worthy and resentful. 

Artists will mostly (and always should) welcome critique - and move forward thanks to it. Never be afraid to offer your critique - especially if it's invited. Even though the majority of people can't take criticism, artists are not afraid to hear what people think. It's how we learn and evolve. 

I went to Matakana Market today and wandered around happily. Quite a few empty stalls - either sold out by the time I got there or didn't bother because of Covid restrictions. It was the most stunning day - but a day of two temperatures. In the sun it was HOT. Step into the shade and it was FREEZING. I've never heard so many people complain about such bitter cold when the sun was shining so bright and there wasn't a cloud in the sky or even a breath of wind! There was a bitter southerly chill that got into your bones the moment you got out of the sunlight - except there was no wind. 

The air temperature literally froze people to their bones today. It was weird. As is life in all its guises these days.

Ah, sunshine and warmth at Matakana Market.
Beware the shade - even though not visible here, it was freezing when you were in it!

On the left of this photo, there were families having great fun feeding what I though were ducks (they were floating around on the river). And then when I went closer, I realised there were dozens of eels flocking in for a feed. They were big buggers too, and they had everyone entranced. The ducks were a bit of a decoy!

Such a relaxed and lovely vibe at this market today - often (non-Covid) it's really crowded and a bit frenetic, but today it was just perfect. Had a catch up with stallholders I know, grabbed some fresh produce and bread, popped into the sports bar to watch a few races en route, got a few supplies. Nice vibe all through the town today.

I went to a lovely art shop in the village called Pigment, which I've been avoiding because I just knew it's product would entice me to indulge. Relating to what I wrote above about creativity, I haven't really felt in creative mood since lockdown. It's not about having time, it's about having mood and inspiration and purpose. I've been busy with other work and creative endeavours, namely writing and words - for pleasure, for purpose, for work ... I've done a LOT of writing these past months and it's all good because I love writing. 

But going into Pigment, I knew that it was time to get my inks out, roll my sleeves up, get creating some pieces of art again. Even if they don't see the light of day. 

Pigment has the most luscious fabulous gorgeous collection of inks and pens and whatnot. Luminescence, vibrancy, jewel colours, sleek and inviting in every way. It's top end product and I was in heaven. But I was also restrained - rather than purchase what I really want, I thought I'd go away and assess what I already have, work out what I really need. And then go back and purchase with utter purpose. And then ... GET CREATING!  

Back to Omaha and en route I picked up some oysters from The Green Shed. It's one of my most favourite foodie places - not only does it sell delicious local oysters, there's a scallywag charm to the place and a huge LP collection out back with music and life happening right there. You can eat there on site or takeaway - they'll give you ice but I don't need it as I'm only 5 minutes from [Omaha] home. They make their own delicious sauces. They also sell honey. The serving team are friendly and fun - wearing all manner of masks. Such a treat to call in.

And then there's the signage ... as you drive towards the place there's a road-sign saying "BEWARE, OYSTERS CROSSING AHEAD". It's like a proper yellow/black road-sign! They may get asked to remove it by authorities. But meanwhile it makes me smile - and pull in to get oysters!

The election is coming and there are hoardings everywhere throughout the land. This one, that The Green Shed guys have recently erected on site, is the best of them all! Says everything!

Back to Madness ...

I've always been amused by the aptly-named band Madness and their catchy brand of ska. I went to see them at the Logan Campbell Centre in Auckland in May 1981. Gosh, I remember being at that concert like it was yesterday. Loved them well into the 80s.  And wow, I see they are doing a 40th Anniversary tour in May next year in the USA.

Such fun songs ... "Our House", "Baggy Trousers", "House of Fun", "One Step Beyond" ... and I loved "Night Boat to Cairo". I listened/watched some of the songs/videos tonight to remind myself of those songs and that era - so upbeat and totally silly - it's madness of the most positive, chaotic and benevolent kind. I love this sort of madness. 

But what exactly is "mad"ness?

Whilst I consider myself a bit mad, I'm certainly not mad as in angry - that is not, and never has been, my nature. I might get a bit cross with utter idiocy but I'm not an angry person. 

And I really don't think I'm mad as in insane, although some incomprehensible and infathomable things drive me towards losing the will to live! 

I freely admit to being a bit bonkers, which is more about zaniness and unconventionality than madness. And I won't be giving that up any time soon!

Went for a beach walk around 5pm - it was pretty nice down there - but despite the blue skies and sunshine, it was COLD. Not sure what it was about today but there was no spring mildness in the air. This photo was taken at our beach entrance - there are never any shells there - but today, loads of shells. Often shells down the far northern end, but never at our section. Not in years. 

Thing is, the beach changes every day, and even though you never know what you're going to get, it's always glorious. The colours of blue were take-your-breath-away stunning today, with a spring lustre. BTW no colour filters in my photos, I never use them. I'm not into enhancements of any kind - nature showcases itself well enough. 

Enjoyed my oysters for entree. Served with lemon juice, pepper and balsamic vinegar. And a nice drop of pinot gris. Just for me!

And then I made a pizza. Last night I'd made a prawn korma curry. Had leftovers, so plonked it on a pizza base with a few others bits and bobs and a dollop of sour cream and ... voila, new and bloody good dinner!

Brett's playing golf in Auckland - he's part of a group of guys who play a match thingamy on Saturdays, which keeps him in the big smoke at weekends. I'm offngone north! 

As I think I've mentioned before in this blog, I've done the golf thing the other way round to most - learning as a young kid (in the days when kids didn't play golf). And then I gave it up as I got to middle age, which is when other middle-agers generally start taking it up and getting hooked. I do know the obsession and that drive to improve your score and prove yourself beyond yourself. But there comes a point when you realise that's as good as it gets. I got to that point at a younger age than most. 

It's a game that takes up a lot of time. Yes, it's great camaraderie and exercise - but having done it for 35 years, I'm over it. As a young girl, the friendships and camaraderie I made in those days in the 70s/80s were amazing and I remember just about every game I ever played on every course everywhere all over the show (hundreds). Memories with me forever. But now, I'm done. No more golf for me - except for maybe the odd Ambrose tournament. I've invested enough of my life in golf and I'm simply over it. Not a fan of all the golf club shenanigans either. Get me outta there. 

People keep playing into their 80s and 90s and that's all very admirable. My grandfather in Dunedin played into his 90s - there's even a newspaper article about him. But I won't be, I don't need accolades about being physically fabulous when I'm an old old lady. 

I'm just glad I had the privilege to live and love golf when I was so young. Through the years, it gave me so many insights into serious etiquette, how human beings work, a reality check on my own ability (I got to a reasonable handicap but was never going lower), and best of all, travel to so many fabulous golf courses all over the world.

I vividly remember playing golf in Richmond Park, London, with my then fiance. It was 2nd January, it was freezing, snow lay on the ground and the greens were ice rinks. We were the only people on the golf course - apart from the deer.  

Now that was pure total and utter madness! And the best fun!

SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
Toni Childs ...

Love Toni Childs. Ever since I discovered her in the late 80s, I've been a fan. She's so cool and engaging and has an incredible voice. Still going strong. Saw her in concert here in Auckland quite some years ago. Divine. 

"Stop Your Fussin'" - from her album Union - best song! She flew a bit under the radar generally but this song was - and still is - a huge part of the expansive soundtrack of my life. 

It was my favourite song to listen to when skiing - it has accompanied me, via the old Walkman, down slopes in Austria, Italy, Switzerland, the USA, Canada, as well as NZ. When you're swooping down a pristine slope in St Moritz, Whistler or, close to home, Turoa skifield on a perfect blue sky day with Toni's lyrics and melody in your ear ... what's not to love about life! 

 It puts everything into perspective and I'm sure it made me ski better and more confidently!

Why you look so sad
When the sky is perfect blue
And you're getting everything
You ever wanted to
Stop your fussin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOCaBCGuJxM