Margaret Lynette Sharp's Blog, page 13
October 7, 2012
Music and Dancing: What a Combination!
When life is good and you want to show it: dance!
When life is worrying and you’re feeling low: dance!
And what better tunes to hear and to dance to are the wonderful classics from the fabulous fifties to the exciting eighties!
And what better band to play these gems is Sydney’s awesome cover band, The Bandits!
Presented in their own inspiring way, The Bandits have been pleasing crowds for years, performing tunes made famous by Herman’s Hermit’s, The Everly Brothers, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Roy Orbison, Edison Lighthouse to name just a few.
They say laughter is the best medicine, and maybe it is, but listening and dancing to great Rock and Roll must surely rate the closest of seconds!
http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
When life is worrying and you’re feeling low: dance!
And what better tunes to hear and to dance to are the wonderful classics from the fabulous fifties to the exciting eighties!
And what better band to play these gems is Sydney’s awesome cover band, The Bandits!
Presented in their own inspiring way, The Bandits have been pleasing crowds for years, performing tunes made famous by Herman’s Hermit’s, The Everly Brothers, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Roy Orbison, Edison Lighthouse to name just a few.
They say laughter is the best medicine, and maybe it is, but listening and dancing to great Rock and Roll must surely rate the closest of seconds!
http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
October 4, 2012
Strolling along my Favourite Place
What a lovely morning! Sydney’s run of Spring-like weather continues, beckoning us outdoors, to see and feel its glory.
Chicki, my little white dog, and I strolled along the promenade, besides the river. We seemed quite alone, save for a flock of distant white cockatoos, some magpies, kookaburras, and a few tiny swallows perching on the net of the swimming baths.
For a while, only the sounds of the birds disturbed the peace: but there playful and busy noises in no way detracted from the beauty of the scene.
What a charming, relaxing place!
http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
Chicki, my little white dog, and I strolled along the promenade, besides the river. We seemed quite alone, save for a flock of distant white cockatoos, some magpies, kookaburras, and a few tiny swallows perching on the net of the swimming baths.
For a while, only the sounds of the birds disturbed the peace: but there playful and busy noises in no way detracted from the beauty of the scene.
What a charming, relaxing place!
http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
October 1, 2012
Chicki by the River
Our Maltese Chicki goes wild with excitement every day, as outing time arrives. It’s as though she cannot contain her joy at the prospect!
With so many sights, sounds and smells awaiting her, is it really any surprise?
Secretly, I wonder if she enjoys her role as a photographic model. Posing for the camera seems second nature! Like a pro, she knows what to do!
Here she is, atop the rock! All poised: so intrigued http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
With so many sights, sounds and smells awaiting her, is it really any surprise?
Secretly, I wonder if she enjoys her role as a photographic model. Posing for the camera seems second nature! Like a pro, she knows what to do!
Here she is, atop the rock! All poised: so intrigued http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
A Sunshiny, Spring Day in the Park
Spring! The season for lovers, poets, and just about anyone who loves to see the renewal of life.
Spring! A time for celebration of nature’s beauty: wildflowers.
Spring! A day: today: when the white cockatoos squawked ever louder, flying higher, ever higher, then coming in to land on the branches of old gum trees.http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
Spring! A time for celebration of nature’s beauty: wildflowers.
Spring! A day: today: when the white cockatoos squawked ever louder, flying higher, ever higher, then coming in to land on the branches of old gum trees.http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
September 28, 2012
Is Light Literature Out of Fashion?
Is light literature out of fashion? So often, in perusing reviews of new release, I come across the words 'dark' and 'depressing'. Some, if not most, current best sellers have been described in this manner. Does this mean 'light' literature is not longer in vogue?
My own literature has been described as the antithesis of bleak and depressing. Does this mean its audience will be extremely limited?
Why are readers choosing tales that may well disturb their psyche, instead of perhaps uplifting it? Is this a reflection of modern society? Do we enjoy being confronted by misery?
Is it time we all sat back and analysed the reasons behind our reading choices? Are we reading to be part of the mob, or are to satisfy our own innate desires?
My own literature has been described as the antithesis of bleak and depressing. Does this mean its audience will be extremely limited?
Why are readers choosing tales that may well disturb their psyche, instead of perhaps uplifting it? Is this a reflection of modern society? Do we enjoy being confronted by misery?
Is it time we all sat back and analysed the reasons behind our reading choices? Are we reading to be part of the mob, or are to satisfy our own innate desires?
September 26, 2012
What I Love about Self Publishing
Certainly it has its critics, but as one who has been there and done it, I for one can vouch for its virtues.
In the old days, self publishing's image was often tarnished by the dreaded 'vanity press' tag. Undeniably, those self-published works have not been scrutinized by publishers, whom one might suppose chose the best and rejected the rest. Were this universally true, it would be hard then to fathom the reasoning behind self publishing by such immortals as Jane Austen, James Joyce, Rudyard Kipling and George Bernard Shaw. Sure, anyone can self publish; and, if we believe the critics, there are plenty of books out there that are nothing more than uninspiring collections of words. On the other hand, if we are to believe the reviewers, more than a handful of gems exist.
The beauty of self publishing lies in the degree of control it offers. It's all in the hands of the creator(s). From original text, to editing, layout, cover, and promotion: it's all a hands-on experience. There is no need to please the publisher: you need aim only to please whom you choose to please. Could be your readers, your family, or just yourself: it all depends on you.
The other attraction is the speed of results. No longer do you have to wait, perhaps for years, to see your work in print. It's there: in e-book or physical. Moreover, it's available for as long (or as little) as you choose. Particularly amongst new authors, it can take a while to get established, and develop a fan base. Conventional publishing may see your book withdrawn from sale too soon.
As a veteran of six self published books:25 Stories of Life and Love in Australia, A Taste of Life and Love in Australia, The Essence of Life and Love in Australia, Reflections of Life and Love in Australia, 60 Questions, Insights and Reminiscences, and Long and Short Australian Stories, I can vouch for the advantages of going down the self-published path, and hold my head high as I remember the company I am in.
In the old days, self publishing's image was often tarnished by the dreaded 'vanity press' tag. Undeniably, those self-published works have not been scrutinized by publishers, whom one might suppose chose the best and rejected the rest. Were this universally true, it would be hard then to fathom the reasoning behind self publishing by such immortals as Jane Austen, James Joyce, Rudyard Kipling and George Bernard Shaw. Sure, anyone can self publish; and, if we believe the critics, there are plenty of books out there that are nothing more than uninspiring collections of words. On the other hand, if we are to believe the reviewers, more than a handful of gems exist.
The beauty of self publishing lies in the degree of control it offers. It's all in the hands of the creator(s). From original text, to editing, layout, cover, and promotion: it's all a hands-on experience. There is no need to please the publisher: you need aim only to please whom you choose to please. Could be your readers, your family, or just yourself: it all depends on you.
The other attraction is the speed of results. No longer do you have to wait, perhaps for years, to see your work in print. It's there: in e-book or physical. Moreover, it's available for as long (or as little) as you choose. Particularly amongst new authors, it can take a while to get established, and develop a fan base. Conventional publishing may see your book withdrawn from sale too soon.
As a veteran of six self published books:25 Stories of Life and Love in Australia, A Taste of Life and Love in Australia, The Essence of Life and Love in Australia, Reflections of Life and Love in Australia, 60 Questions, Insights and Reminiscences, and Long and Short Australian Stories, I can vouch for the advantages of going down the self-published path, and hold my head high as I remember the company I am in.
September 24, 2012
It's Springtime: It's Wistaria time!
Here in Australia, it’s Spring: the season for lovers, poets, blossoms and , unfortunately, hay-fever.
Let’s focus on something special: the vine, Wistaria.
Here in Sydney, Wistaria seems more at home in old gardens. There’s something so charming about its glorious, pendulous flowers: something that seems to me to be more a-tune with yesteryear.
It’s in our yard: climbing up the tallest trees, seeking to show off its delightfully perfumed glory. Ours is a common variety: a procession of pale purple-lilac http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
Let’s focus on something special: the vine, Wistaria.
Here in Sydney, Wistaria seems more at home in old gardens. There’s something so charming about its glorious, pendulous flowers: something that seems to me to be more a-tune with yesteryear.
It’s in our yard: climbing up the tallest trees, seeking to show off its delightfully perfumed glory. Ours is a common variety: a procession of pale purple-lilac http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
September 22, 2012
It's Arrived: Love2read T.V..
A couple of months ago, a fellow Friend of the National Year of Reading 2012 approached Ron and me about participating in a wonderful initiative: a collage of videos on the joys and wonders of reading. His name is Timothy Chan.
Timothy has been highly instrumental in getting this project off the drawing-board and into reality. The first episodes are already http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
Timothy has been highly instrumental in getting this project off the drawing-board and into reality. The first episodes are already http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
September 20, 2012
What I Love about Reading
What do you love about reading?
There's so much to choose from: its value runs through many strands.
As a source of information, it gives http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
There's so much to choose from: its value runs through many strands.
As a source of information, it gives http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
September 12, 2012
Who Says You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?
Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Certainly, not me!
Advancing age is no embargo to new interests and discoveries. Take us, for example.
Being both on the wrong side of unspecified numbers has in no way dulled our appreciation and enjoyment of rock and roll dancing. Yes, you heard me: despite being steeped in classics, both Ron and I are now unashamedly devotees of this genre.
Those who are familiar with Ron will, of course, recognise him as the world-famous creator of the Grand Organ in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall: and by extension, assume his soul is with yesterday's musical masterpieces.
At this very moment, he is listening to new recordings of classics of another era: The Beatles. Tunes made famous by The Searchers, Herman's Hermits, Roy Orbison, and Creedence Clearwater Revival now feature amongst his favourites: and mine!
Can't teach an old dog new tricks? Gotta be joking!
Advancing age is no embargo to new interests and discoveries. Take us, for example.
Being both on the wrong side of unspecified numbers has in no way dulled our appreciation and enjoyment of rock and roll dancing. Yes, you heard me: despite being steeped in classics, both Ron and I are now unashamedly devotees of this genre.
Those who are familiar with Ron will, of course, recognise him as the world-famous creator of the Grand Organ in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall: and by extension, assume his soul is with yesterday's musical masterpieces.
At this very moment, he is listening to new recordings of classics of another era: The Beatles. Tunes made famous by The Searchers, Herman's Hermits, Roy Orbison, and Creedence Clearwater Revival now feature amongst his favourites: and mine!
Can't teach an old dog new tricks? Gotta be joking!
