Magical Mumbai

I was in Mumbai (with my wife Darn) late July last year - our first time in India and my God - what a magical place and what beautiful people.

I took the above picture late in the late morning of July 27. Of course we were in Mumbai during the middle of the monsoon (which runs from June to Sept.) and it (the rain) didn't stop for the entire time we were there. I particularly like the 'old world charm' of this shot - but a brief moment in time. Note: the words on the back of the cab window appropriately read WATER KINGDOM.

I shot the above image less than 10 minutes later. We were on the renowned Falkland Rd - the red light district. The two girls above (like many of the Mumbai people) were impossibly beautiful at that time, in that place, amongst the challenges that Mumbai puts to its 20 million inhabitants every minute of every day - just incredibly moving.

Starr

'Vivacious' (above) & 'Mad Hatter' (below) by Brisbane artist Starr.

I fell in love with this artist's work the moment I saw it - bought a piece immediately and 'another' just last year when I could least afford it. But hey - when art pulls at your heart, you're no longer in control... or rational for that matter.

Anyway - Starr's style speaks for itself and her paintings have been exhibited in Singapore and New York and of course right around Australia. In Brisbane her work is represented by Red Hill Gallery, Red Hill - see: http://www.redhillgallery.com.au/

For more info on Starr, check-out: http://www.starrartanddesign.com/paintings.html

Down the rabbit hole...

How far down the rabbit hole are we really prepared to go? I dare say that most of us aren't prepared to go far... not because of what we might find, but rather what we may not. The 'not' being that which supports and/or validates our view of ourselves, our God, our being, our everything. In other words, it's 'just' easier to accept as truth that which we already believe because somehow at some point, we've decided to make a call. We've decided that if something's not congruent with what we believe, that it's wrong and so we get what we've got in the world today.

While it's important to have beliefs, it's equally important that we allow ourselves - give ourselves the right to challenge them, to question them day-in, day-out.

The video (click on it below - it only goes for 5 mins) blew my mind when I first saw it. It's a clip from the documentary 'What the BLEEP Do We Know'. If you like this 5 minute clip, tap on the Title above - it links to the BLEEP website where you'll be able to purchase the full doco and trust me, watching it will cause you to question more than you think you're capable of.

Art Deco

Tamara de Lempicka's 'Girl in Green' (1929) - also known as 'Girl with Gloves'.

Absolutely one of the most memorable art deco paintings ever. Elegent and modern, sophisticated yet entirely innocent... beautifully perfect!

See: http://www.artinthepicture.com/artists/Tamara_de-Lempicka/

Hmm...

If someone says "I always lie", are they telling the truth? Or are they lying? Unknown

Shantaram - Brilliant!

Even if you're not a 'reader' of books & even if you've never been to Mumbai, read this anyway - you will not regret it! Thanks for this gift Ren -))

The book's about Gregory David Roberts and his life after breaking out of an Australian jail in the early 80's. It tells of his escape to Mumbai and describes in powerful and poetic detail of his experience (living & working) in a Mumbai slum - his time in an Indian prison (Arthur Rd) - his work with the Mumbai Mafia - his learning of Hindi & Marathi - et cetera.

A beautifully witten book - you'll have a better understanding, appreciation and love of India and its people after reading it. check out the Wiki link (click on the title above) or Google for more info!