Incentives

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We all have different incentives and VERY different obstacles that are put in the way of our goals.  

Our goals are varying as well, but since I've put myself on this crazy path when I tell people there is almost always a response of, "I could never do that." 

And the reality is none us of can, or will, if we think that way...
I might not reach my goal but I damn well am going to give it a RED HOT GO!  

Why # 1 - Because if I cross that finish line or not my deceased father would be so proud of me...and that is still a driver in my day to day life.  He was the first man, and possibly only to date, who believed I could genuinely do anything I put my mind to...  #YOLOMF

Cancer is a fucking horrible disease in how it must be fought. In the past two years I have lost three very amazing people who were directly or indirectly a part of this amazing life.  Its been 19 years since I lost the two most important men in my life and I'm now at the age where I'm loosing friends....and watching others fight with tenacity and vigor that is incredible.  Keep it up Cindy! I'm watching and barracking for you daily! 

As it was just Daffodil Day on the 28th of August- please donate here to the Cancer Council:  https://www.daffodilday.com.au/donate

In memory of Richard the Bruce, Bill - Pop-Pop, Aunt Peg, Rani, Mohini....and so many others!

And in linkage with the "Black Panther" who passed away from colon cancer this week - please consider purchasing and reading this book by Rani Middleton about her journey with colon cancer when it's released next month:

http://backroompress.com.au/index.php/me-and-my-semicolon/

Why #2 - Because if I cross that finish line or not I get to get this tattoo that I designed for myself...and not prior.

I have one tattoo - its the same one my sisters and I all have from the year memorial of my father's passing from cancer: Richard the Bruce Stout (RBS). 

I never got another one out of respect to the 17 year relationship I was in knowing that my previous partner didn't like tattoos.  

A few years ago I was asked to design a tattoo - something I have immense respect for as a designer.  The ability of tattoo artists to create imagery on a three dimensional canvas is the reverse challenge of most artists and it's mind blowing!  It's a privilege to be a part of someone's personal story and pain. 

Similar to receiving a brief from an architecture client, as a designer, we must embody the other's vision. We dream for and act as a skilled tool to create their vision - not ours. 

Upon recent reflection, this selfless act is one that comes with the use of intense energy and spirit.  As we truly take our spirit and energy and commit it to someone else's venture - it is selfless and tiring.  

I don't think myself, most designers, or their client's realise how much energy and spirit is given through this process... food for thought. 



While in India last year, I started designing my next tattoo which embodies the closure of one novel and on to writing the next novel of my life via symbolism of my favourite bird in the Top End of Australia (The Rainbow Bee eater), the lotus which represents new life and change in India, and line work that is similar to the stained glass windows of Frank Lloyd Wright.  


During International Women's Day this year, just before Lockdown, the Te Papa museum had a talk by female indigenous tattoo artists!  It was so inspiring and made me consider how important it is to have the 'right' person, and woman, giving me my next tattoo.   And so, next year in March I will be working with these amazing women to finalise the above idea and find the 'right' location on my body.

http://www.karangaink.co.nz/artists


Why # 3 - Because if I cross that finish line or not I hope to support a cause dear to my heart - the youth of this world and those youth have a few more hurdles than the rest of us!

This event takes place in the South Island of New Zealand - Te Wāhi Pounamu.  

As some of you know I've been working on the designs and safety of the designs of youth detention facilities for almost three years now.  As you also know, youth work is and always has been a personal focus of mine since I was asked to be assistant coach to a 12 year old girls soccer team by Coach Kelly at MICDS back when I was just 16 years old myself.  

This continued to coaching 16 year old boys basketball in Melbourne, working at the Broome Drop-in Centre and the HYPE night bus programme in Western Australia, and again coaching basketball in Darwin as part of the Midnight Basketball programme.  

Working in both spaces is challenging and another emotional investment that requires personal reflection and more of that self-kindness.  I recently read this article and at the same time found out about a Youth Hub being developed in Christchurch.  I realised what I want to fundraise for on this selfish journey of mine.

"A new Rangatahi Court has been established at Nga Hau e Wha Marae.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows insists we are not heading towards some kind of dual criminal justice system.

He says this is simply the Youth Court operating on a marae, rather than in a courthouse, where youths are held to account by extended family members.

"68 per cent of our young people who are incarcerated in this country are Maori, but they're only 12 per cent of the population.

"We need to address that specifically or we're not doing a very good job for any of us."

The initiative began in Gisborne in 2008, and is already operating in much of the North Island." - https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/maori/maori-youth-court-system-expands-to-south-island/

These statistics are so similar to the Top End of Australia where I just moved from and this intrinsic cycle will never be slowed and eventually stopped if we do not start when these people are young. 

So, I decided to get in touch with the CEO of The Youth Hub and we will be meeting via zoom over the next couple of weeks to develop a plan on fundraising for their new centre.

For me this fundraising effort will combine my love of architecture, working for the other 99% who cannot afford design services, and the youth of this world! 

Check out the project and I'll be in touch with more info on how to help once we have a strategy discussed and agreed upon:

https://www.youthhubchch.org.nz/



PS - There are many more WHY's - but that's all you get to know about...  :P 


Music listened to while writing this post:

John Butler Trio - Brown Eyed Bird - https://genius.com/John-butler-trio-brown-eyed-bird-lyrics

Imagine Dragons - West Coast - https://genius.com/Imagine-dragons-west-coast-lyrics

Briggs - The Children Came Back - https://genius.com/Briggs-the-children-came-back-lyrics

Jem - Amazing Life - https://genius.com/Jem-amazing-life-lyrics

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