Confessions of a Lapsed Philatelist

This pains me to share but I once collected stamps. Not just any run-of-the-mill common Australian stamps but English stamps.

My UK relatives somehow thought a beach and surf obsessed 15 year old girl would rather spend her time using a set of tweezers to delicately admire mint condition stamps that spanned subjects ranging from dandelions and cow breeds to Houses of Devon. They were wrong. But I must say I did and still do appreciate their placement of each stamp set into individually made little envelopes lovingly stapled together with names, date and boredom factor printed neatly on the front...

Which leads me to my deepest darkest secret of all (gulps):

I have Prince Charles & Princess Diana Commemorative Wedding Stamps.

I hear your gasps of shock, the horror, the embarrassment of knowing that I once subscribed to such nerdy pursuits!  Oh would I that I could change such repugnant deeds! Will the excuse of 'My mother made me do it' suffice? Yes? No?!

Alas, I fear my darkest past rears its gummy portrait at the announcement of Prince William and Ms Kate Middleton's engagement.  It isn't like we weren't expecting it, it isn't as if we didn't know that a Commemorative Stamp Issue was on the cards; I just simply hadn't conceived what it would do to me personally.

But now I have a massive dilemma that I hope you can help me solve: am I obliged to collect the stamps for this event too, considering the precedent exists albeit stuffed in a dark place?  Do I need a matched pair? A timeline of history contained in one little blue stamp book? Or do I merely scoff and then secretly wish I had when it turns out they'd be worth a lot more as a set??

You have to understand, this is quite obviously hand wringing stuff. The Australian political landscape has taken a back seat,  the children are neglected and the dog looks at me with a mournful 'Goodo's now please?' expression. I'm not answering the phone, collecting the mail and talks with other mums at the bus stop have become meaningless. Worst of all? The Australian House of Representative televised Question Time has become ...banal.

In short, this Royal Wedding has caused hitherto unexpected angst and I'm stuck between a stamp and a hard place. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Remembrance Day

Today in Australia and in Commonwealth countries around the world, we celebrate the contribution of our soldiers that have died for their nation. It is a time to reflect, respect and never forget that the society and freedoms we enjoy today have been built upon the sacrifices of others.

At 11am AEST, a minute's silence was observed to mark this occasion. This is a tradition that commenced with the end of WWI and will be echoed throughout each Commonwealth nation as their days tick over to the 11th November.

Perhaps this opportunity for reflection has made me a little sentimental but I would like to share an amazing video I found about the Everest Region in Nepal.

http://vimeo.com/14622087

Naturally I found it whilst studying... Is it relevant to my units of study I hear you ask? Absolutely not - don't be ridiculous!  But it is particularly poignant as it serves as a tangible reminder of my trek to Mt Everest 12 years ago. It really isn't about me at all but the beauty of the Himalayas and the people that dwell within her harsh but stunning environment.  My own personal acknowledgement, if you will, of a place that changed me forever.

A lesson for us all on this day is to hold dear to that which defines you, discard that which does not and celebrate those whose contributions enable you to enjoy the life you lead.

If you would like to find out more about Remembrance Day, please see the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day

Lest We Forget

Epiphanies in the Key of E

AKA Smacked in the Head by the Fist of Reality (no violence intended)

Epiphany. I just love saying the word.  It feels like it should be whispered over and over like the first drops of rain on a tin roof... e-pip-hany e-pip-hany ... until it gets louder and faster, bursting into a sun shower of reality. Well, hopefully.

Last time I had an epiphany was along the Khumbu Trail enroute to Mt Everest. A little place called Lobuche actually, 4930m above sea level.  Suffering from a combination of altitude sickness and the sort of sleep apnoea that does away with stupid Western trekkers, my hacking cough rendered me momentarily doubled over in agony. 

Khumbu Trail approaching Lobuche (Mt Everest in background)

Which is when I saw 'it'. A massive piece of amber, glinting in the bright sunlight reflecting off the Khumbu moraine I was currently almost prone upon. The leaves of some long ago plant or tree were still visible, forever cocooned in this soft warm ancient sap.

At a time when breathing was my sole purpose in life, closely followed by one step in front of the other, trying to keep my SLR from freezing and avoiding the annoying American (sorry) called Hank, the last thing my oxygen starved brain needed was further complication in the form of an epiphany.

So here's my amber moment:

The Earth will always be an enigma, we will never understand everything about it. 

Your life is nothing in relation to Earth's time span.

You live, you will die as all before you but the Earth will continue.

Now, I suppose it all seems rather obvious and maybe the lightheadedness of oxygen starvation created some sort of mini stroke BUT I still remember this moment clearly. If I may liken it to the molt of a cicada's shell (thanks @lapuntadelfin) it was a mini rebirth as such.  From that moment on I have looked with new eyes at many things and in fact came home and moved away from the city, so fake and grossly opulent with wastage.  

Yet 12 years later, I find myself having another epiphany, albeit a rather basic one. 

I really hate the cold.

(Small Issue: currently residing 960m above sea level/chilly most days)

This is where I live

So here I am in a place I should not be, but this time around it isn't as easy as upping sticks. A child of the sea, the closest I get these days is a once a year holiday to Northern Rivers region or a beach somewhere in Queensland.  This results in silent crying for most of the 1200km car journey home again... tad self indulgent? You bet! *winks But there's nothing like leaving the pristine blue skies of your youth to return to the omnipresent grey of your current abode and saying 'how did I end up here?'. 

Epiphanies: we all have them but when was the last time you acted on yours? Undertaking my personal revelations straightaway may not always be an option but having my own spiritual 'To Do List' means some things get dealt with sooner than even I anticipate.

But for now, it has just started raining again so I think I'll go and let the rain speak to me awhile. 

All photography Copyright by Lis Petersen unless otherwise stated