tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post6336266227184435489..comments2023-06-28T22:58:28.247+10:00Comments on Sixth In Line: Elephants and GazellesElisabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015624747225433940noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-89384063483723565902010-02-21T06:08:31.220+11:002010-02-21T06:08:31.220+11:00No, I did not know those words either. I didn'...No, I did not know those words either. I didn't know my mother had any name besides Mother.<br /><br />I think back in those days it was a different world.Beth Niquettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12123973998090266918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-7287173063415962092010-02-20T09:27:43.121+11:002010-02-20T09:27:43.121+11:00Thanks, Jay for your encouragement here.
I am b...Thanks, Jay for your encouragement here. <br /><br />I am beginning to feel better about blogging given all the supportive comments I've received from people like you and my other fellow bloggers, so once again thank you.Elisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04015624747225433940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-56160438622495519722010-02-20T09:26:08.936+11:002010-02-20T09:26:08.936+11:00Thanks, Rebecca. I responded to your comment here...Thanks, Rebecca. I responded to your comment here on your blog, as you know by now. <br /><br />To add to is, I am amazed at how tough it us for children when parents use euphemisms of ordinary objects as a means of referring to that which is taboo and children get it wrong. <br /><br />What happens for children when words do not signify the things they're meant to symbolise? How confusing. <br /><br />To be smacked for such an innocent expression as 'front of the box' is amazing - a double entendre. Here in Australia, the term box is also a slang word for women's genitalia. <br /><br />In my family we were not allowed to say pregnant. My mother was forever pregnant throughout my childhood. We were only allowed to say 'expecting'. That word puzzled me a great deal. Thanks.Elisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04015624747225433940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-87223073153600866312010-02-20T02:16:47.005+11:002010-02-20T02:16:47.005+11:00Of course you blog properly! I wish I blogged as ...Of course you blog properly! I wish I blogged as well as you do -- thoughtful, well-written posts that linger in my thoughts for the rest of the day.<br /><br />I try to include images or videos or sometimes even graphs in my posts to distract away from the poorer content -- you don't need to.Come Back Brighterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06265267087716795746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-9475582492591907762010-02-19T06:33:30.748+11:002010-02-19T06:33:30.748+11:00Elisabeth, But blogging is more than that. It dema...Elisabeth, <i>But blogging is more than that. It demands an active readership. It demands a response.</i><br /><br />I write purely for my writing practice. That is to say I ignore my audience for the most part because it's the only way I can stay honest with myself. I like to play, frequently, but for the past 5+ years my blog has simply been that, my practice. <br /><br />It helps to write every day the way I practice my violin every day. I believe strongly that mastering practice is the only way to master any art.<br /><br />I didn't know those words either even though my mother claimed to have been a former nurse (she lied about this.) We said "front" and "back." I made the mistake of innocently calling the front of the breakfast cereal box the "front of the box" and got a good smack for it.<br /><br />RebeccaRadish Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06534752971317927559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-77813421649846978342010-02-13T09:20:55.863+11:002010-02-13T09:20:55.863+11:00There are plenty of photographs out there. If you...There are plenty of photographs out there. If you prefer text, go with it. Of course, that's just my opinion... You've addressed a lot of topics here, I'll respond to the topic of television. We ousted our television many years ago. It opens up so much space (mental and physical) for other things. Like you, we watch on our laptop sometimes, so we are not purists.Denise | Chez Danissehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06418226690328176970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-25317481130852296452010-02-13T02:44:27.799+11:002010-02-13T02:44:27.799+11:00I think you are well-spoken. You have a gift of w...I think you are well-spoken. You have a gift of writing. That kind of gift is quite rare.<br /><br />I had to smile at your comment about the melancholy cloud man. <br /><br />My precious Daddy is short, cute and bald. The man in the clouds has a long face rather like my Grandfather, or the man I drew in chalk on black constructino paper, when I was in fifth grade. I called that one "Tears." <br /><br />The reason it is called Tears is because when I took it out of the frame (it had been in that frame for over 30 years), I noticed the tracks of tears coming from the man's eyes trickling down through the chalk.<br /><br />It was the oddest thing. I posted it awhile back under chalk...you'll see the resemblence.Beth Niquettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12123973998090266918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-34768833863690059022010-02-12T22:47:15.569+11:002010-02-12T22:47:15.569+11:00Thanks, Grandpa. I'm glad you see the humour ...Thanks, Grandpa. I'm glad you see the humour in it. <br /><br />You're right Sylvia, there are no prescribed blog formats. It's more a hunch I have, an anxiety perhaps that maybe there should be if there aren't. I'd hate it if there were.Elisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04015624747225433940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-49667599008538335392010-02-12T16:31:04.908+11:002010-02-12T16:31:04.908+11:00Hi Elisabeth, I didn't realise there was a pre...Hi Elisabeth, I didn't realise there was a prescribed format for Blog posts. I enjoy reading your posts. Since I don't have a lyrical or great mastery of literature, I write, using photos, and I write about Melbourne or my art work, as this is the area in which I feel confident. How boring would Blogland be, if we all posted in the same manner?<br />I appreciate comments, as I value the time taken to write them down. I sometimes don't leave comments, as I feel that all has been said and my words would be superfluous, or I can't find the words to write whaty I feel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-52723037998516546922010-02-12T02:02:39.377+11:002010-02-12T02:02:39.377+11:00The image of an elephant entering a graceful dinne...The image of an elephant entering a graceful dinner party conducted by gazelles is priceless, and why you shouldn't stop entering text,The Grandpahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08548802274156524456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-14277199675181219292010-02-10T22:31:06.431+11:002010-02-10T22:31:06.431+11:00Yes, Cuban, this is my nephew, Christian Schooneve...Yes, Cuban, this is my nephew, Christian Schooneveldt-Reid, the one with the blond dreadlocks. He's immensely talented and as well he's a terrific person - generous, humble and understated. <br /><br />For anyone else interested who might happen to read this see: www.thissideupacrobatics.com<br /><br />It is amazing what the human body can do. That first photo of yours Cuban, the one with the dances mid air, looks for all the world as though they are indeed flying. Wow.Elisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04015624747225433940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-38312342330815324622010-02-10T22:13:35.825+11:002010-02-10T22:13:35.825+11:00Is that your nephew? I skimmed through the Guardia...Is that your nephew? I skimmed through the Guardian review when it first came out (to be honest with you the Edinburgh Festival never really resonates with me) but I did read it more carefully now and saw the media section on their website. Amazing stuff. As you said, it sometimes blows my mind what some people can do with their bodies.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-51545372046710949492010-02-10T21:41:56.289+11:002010-02-10T21:41:56.289+11:00Thanks David, high praise indeed, but I suppose it...Thanks David, high praise indeed, but I suppose it depends on how many blogs you've read this week. <br /><br />Still I'm grateful for your kind words and I should not be churlish. <br /><br />Momo, thanks to you, too. I am so aware that English tends to be the 'dominant' language on line. This is unfair. <br /><br />I appreciate comments and ideas from everyone whose first language is not English because I can imagine what a struggle it must be and I recognize you are all smarter than me by miles. <br /><br />I can only speak English fluently and can only understand a smattering of French and a little more Dutch. Thanks, Momo.Elisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04015624747225433940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-24530808061508955212010-02-10T08:58:48.788+11:002010-02-10T08:58:48.788+11:00As the above comments also point out: you don'...As the above comments also point out: you don't need no images because your words are creating their own in the readers mind. I don't miss images on your blog. Sure when i see many, many words on a blog i sometimes haven't the time or feel like to read them, especially when it's not in my mothertongue. But here on your place (where you make your own rules ;-)) i don't have this feelings at all. I begin to read your post and want to read it all. I like your writings a lot! That's what i wanted to say.... ;-)<br /><br />Sweet greetz for you!Momo Luna S!gnalshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00170657311754852851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-50134467762829821082010-02-10T06:54:06.616+11:002010-02-10T06:54:06.616+11:00This is one of the best blog posts I have read thi...This is one of the best blog posts I have read this week. <br /><br />And never worry about commenting. People love to see their comments numbers go up no matter what is said.<br /><br />(I had my mom toss all my nude shots of me at that tender age but now I regret it)David Cranmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04749857752139212888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-51941727311118717182010-02-09T23:30:29.711+11:002010-02-09T23:30:29.711+11:00Thanks for your generous words Phoenix. You'r...Thanks for your generous words Phoenix. You're right about the need to be ourselves and to offer of our best, but how easy it is to get sidetracked.Elisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04015624747225433940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-47026654062136491842010-02-09T23:28:43.665+11:002010-02-09T23:28:43.665+11:00Lesley, thank you for reiterating all those things...Lesley, thank you for reiterating all those things I need to have reiterated. If I were more confident with the technology I might not mutter about my dreadful fears about tagging and images etc, but I'm not.<br /><br />Did you ever read about a book called the Admirable Crighton. It's a book I often think about. It tells the story of a cruise ship full of wealthy people that winds up shipwrecked on a deserted island. The survivors, most of whom in their usual lives have all the power become utterly powerless when thrown onto their own resources and so they rely on the admirable Crichton the butler, 'a mere servant', to keep them alive. <br /><br />It happens often, this reversal of roles and I like to be reminded of it. We can sometimes be good at things we don't notice and yet others value our skill because they lack that skill. Thanks, Leslie.Elisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04015624747225433940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-57957639072837220662010-02-09T23:19:36.362+11:002010-02-09T23:19:36.362+11:00Thank you Liosis, for your kind words.
I fear y...Thank you Liosis, for your kind words. <br /><br />I fear you overestimate my capacities. I have long considered myself fairly ordinary when it comes to matters of the intellect and especially when it comes to matters philosophical. <br /><br />I could never get my mind around philosophy and when I was young the very name Nietzsche struck terror in my heart. Why Nietzsche? you might ask. It's a long story.<br /><br />I've noticed that we, you and I and others, start off timidly in our blogs and gradually we get more confidence. Our writing reflects this. <br /><br />I thought reading your last post that you write like a person much older than her years. Your capacity is shining through your increased blog confidence, and I'm glad that my comments may have helped. <br /><br />There have been a number of bloggers who have heped me to gain confidence. It's all that stuff about 'finding your voice'. Thanks again. Liosis.Elisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04015624747225433940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-11762431703103213002010-02-09T23:12:17.651+11:002010-02-09T23:12:17.651+11:00Thanks, Cuban. Was it the Russian formalists who ...Thanks, Cuban. Was it the Russian formalists who spoke of the task of the writer/poet to 'make the stone more stony'? <br /><br />It's always stuck in my head, the idea of making the thing that you walk past in your street everyday, the thing you scarcely notice, to make it into something that you see with fresh eyes. Thanks for your support. <br /><br />Thanks Gabi for the invitation to my 'elephant' self at our blog. I agree it's important to be yourself and yet I still find this monkey that creeps onto my back from time to time and weighs me down, sometimes almost topples me over.<br /><br />Well Kass, so you agree, there seems to be some sort of unspoken etiquette for blogs, although people don't necessarily adhere to the rules all the time. I suspect that were someone to flagrantly break those bogging rules then perhaps no one would read them, or else they might become extremely popular. <br /><br />I enjoy your story about your father's 'goofy' penis. Its amazing how embarrassed we become as parents when it comes to dealing with the sexual. I suspect it's because it stirs up our own uncomfortable childhood feelings even when we are grownups, a bit like your embarrassed father. <br />Thanks, Kass.Elisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04015624747225433940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-22312427298587007702010-02-09T10:15:03.624+11:002010-02-09T10:15:03.624+11:00I don't think there is one correct way to blog...I don't think there is one correct way to blog (or to leave comments, for that matter.) <br /><br />We write our thoughts, our hearts, and our words and let them go into the universe. That's all we can do at the end of the day.<br /><br />Beautiful post.Phoenixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07477498671080132176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-15128590079698073652010-02-09T09:14:05.266+11:002010-02-09T09:14:05.266+11:00Elisabeth, I am sorry to be ringing in on this so ...Elisabeth, I am sorry to be ringing in on this so late, but it struck such a chord in me . . . you know I've suffered some of the same angst about the blogging "rules" and etiquette. I like things to be well defined and I read instructions and rules and I feel very secure in a setting with highly visible outlines. Blogging doesn't have any of that. We get brave and we just make our way. After you and others helped me out about this on my blog, here's where I've landed: Say something if you have something to say. Don't if you don't. Be as kind as you can be to people. Just like in life.<br /><br />As for the tagging and linking, here's my take: I know how to do all of that stuff because I am very computer literate. It didn't take any stretch for me to include that in the blog. It doesn't make me brilliant. It's just what I know how to do.<br /><br />I think we go to the blogs of others, drawn by what the blogger does that is special. People come to you, Elisabeth, because you are an awe-inspring writer. That's what you DO. Would we all enjoy looking at a picture you posted? Sure! Will we fail to come back here if you don't post a picture? Ha!<br /><br />You're right about it being addictive. And it does eat up our time. I (mostly) have felt blogging has been time well spent. I've connected with some of the most wonderful people whom I truly value.<br /><br />And I should like to thank you for the times you've commented on my blog. You have not once failed to miss the exact point I tried to make. Your comments are meaningful and I have felt a closeness because you understand me.<br /><br />I appreciate you. I share that tendency toward "I don't need to know everything there is to know."Leslie Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15702472429383639709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-12408186130638767172010-02-09T05:34:07.022+11:002010-02-09T05:34:07.022+11:00This may be breaking some of those unwritten rules...This may be breaking some of those unwritten rules but it always baffles me to see a person like you, who is brilliant and wonderful and competent, having the same doubts about themselves that I do. I know that everyone can learn more, but in my mind there is always a boundary marker beyond which some people travel and beyond which I have not yet gone. To hear thoughts from the other side of that line and have them be the same thoughts is disorienting.<br /><br />I like including pictures as an obedience to those rules of blogging, but it took me a while to realise you didn't because I always go away from your blog with vivid images in my head.<br /><br />I also want to take a moment to thank you for your comments on my blog. It warms my heart to read them.jessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17691419332751944215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-51859932418668749012010-02-09T02:16:47.338+11:002010-02-09T02:16:47.338+11:00It's funny how the etiquette for blogging kind...It's funny how the etiquette for blogging kind of spontaneously evolved to the point where I find myself getting irritated at people who don't have the courtesy to follow rules that were never formally defined. But the great thing about blogging for me is my ability to dismiss my irritation, or any emotion for that matter, immediately - so unlike the me of real life.<br /><br />I was never told the real words for <i>down there</i> body parts. When my older sister caught a glimpse of my dad's penis, she pointed and asked what it was. Dad quickly covered himself and said, "Oh, it's just something I have. Isn't it goofy?" From then on, a penis was a goofy. My sisters and I always made the association of the shape of the Walt Disney Goofy's nose with the shape of a penis. His ears came into question, though. We didn't stew over whether Disney's Goofy was a mouse or a dog. We <i>knew</i> what it was.Kasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05233330248952156754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-29520015923978981052010-02-09T00:54:52.839+11:002010-02-09T00:54:52.839+11:00We are all different, then our writing and our way...We are all different, then our writing and our way of blogging is also different. Each of us do it in our very own way.. that determines the type of audience we have. <br />What is important is to be authentic and faithful to yourself, instead of becoming someone you are not.<br />People like your blog the way it is, they find it honest, written from the heart and realistic. <br />Being you is what inspire others.<br /> <br />Elephants are welcome at my blog, as well as any other type of animal ;) <br /><br />loveNlight<br />GabiGabriela Abalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11316879938383542026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-24306826919517687452010-02-08T23:08:13.886+11:002010-02-08T23:08:13.886+11:00No telly fro fifteen years= an amazing capacity to...No telly fro fifteen years= an amazing capacity to make the mundane look extraordinary. I'm never tired of reading your posts. The second part of this one reminded me how I, too, was oblivious to certain terms I ought to have known by secondary school and yet I was ignorant about. Well, it goes to show, doesn't it? Many thanks for sharing your stories and wonderful tales with us, lucky bloggers.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.com