Some pictures really do tell a story - Cancun

This is a blog from the archive - August 2010 - that I have decided to republish. Why? I hear you ask. Because I'm unable to write anything meaningful lately. My mind has gone blank. And I love these pictures.

(...)

Photos courtesy of the Cancun Underwater Museum in Mexico.

The project began in November 2009 with the placement of 100 statues in shallow waters of the Cancún National Marine Park and will eventually 'house' 400 works by artist Jason DeCaires Taylor.

As creator of the world’s first underwater sculpture park, Jason DeCaires Taylor has gained international accolades for his work. His sculptures highlight ecological processes and delve with the intricate relationship between modern art and the environment. By using sculptures to create artificial reefs, the artist underlines our need to understand and protect the natural world.

It is a wonderful idea, but being the sceptic that I am I must question the obvious. What about the Health & Safety aspect for the visitors?  The gulf of Mexico is home to all kinds of sharks, including the great white! Can the museum guarantee the safety of it's customers? 

 

Maybe 'duty of care' is not so important in Mexico, the land where men women & children consume sulphuric acid and caustic soda flavoured mince (known locally as chilli con carne) and don't bat an eye lid. The following picture illustrates my concerns;

Call me a spoil-sport, but I wont be taking my diving suit to Cancun. Tequila, cerveza and late nights are not conducive with scuba diving. Health & Safety for me (at least safety).

Are men happier than women?

I received an e-mail earlier and thought I'd share it with you. Well, at least with you men folk out there - women may not agree.

Why men are happier.

 1-Your last name stays put.

2-You can never be pregnant.

3-You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.

4-You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

5-Car mechanics tell you the truth.

6-The world is your urinal.

7-You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.

8-Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.

9-People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.

10-Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

11-A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.

12-You can open all your own  jars.

13-You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes..

14-The same hairstyle lasts for years, even decades.

15-You only have to shave your face and neck.

16-You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache.



:)

An appeal

Many people read my blog regularly (according to stats) and I would love to hear from them. Those who peruse my pages but don't leave comments or follow me.

I would love to know what part of the world they live in; what they like/dislike about my blog and if they too have a blog I could check out.

I feel as if I am connected  to all those who happen upon  my words regularly. A kind of  bond - for we must have a lot in common.

Please let me know; you can leave an anonymous comment, if you prefer.

I would like to thank each and everyone of you for taking the time to share my thoughts, opinions and observations.

Love to you all

Update from Paradise - part 12

A quick update from sunny Madeira. The weather is divine as usual and around 22 degrees centigrade. Not bad for winter!

Still living the bachelor life - for the time being anyway - and getting home between 4 and 6 am, getting up around 1 pm. Luckily my work allows for such a routine. But I do work four nights a week between 9 and 12, so don't think I'm a lazy slob, OK?

I recently made a guest appearance with the CoolFeel Band at The Rocks Club - great night. Here are some pics

I don't usually look at the guitar when I play !

See? I told you.

and the rest of the boys

I am presently building a garden wall. There is no cement mixer and I have to do it all by hand. No Ready Mix either - I'm mixing cement sand and gravel, just like a proper builder! Sometimes I surprise myself and this is one of those times. The wall is looking very good.

Kiara on the left helping out - That's me in the corner...

 

 

 

 

 

...that's me in the spotlight, losing my religion... energy I mean.

 The only problem so far is that every single muscle in my body aches and I'm surprised I have so many muscles. I had no idea I was so well built! I don't know if I can take another couple of days of this - truly back-breaking work. And I'm not exactly used to hard manual labour. Or any kind of labour.

I'm told it will do me good - by the person who's getting her wall built, of course. I doubt her sincerity.

:)

To you, brother

It's coming up to two years since you left. I can't recall ever missing anyone as much as I miss you.

I think of you every single day. Everyday I see something that reminds me of you, or I hear a song you liked and the pain erupts in my chest with the same intensity as it did when I first received the dreadful news you had died.

Life will never be the same without you

No, the pain is not lessening Paulo,and it's nearly two years. What do the experts know? The same experts who say the mourning period lasts 2 years.

But please don't worry about my pain, Paulo - it's not your fault. You would never do anything to hurt me, I know that. You never did.

All I have left of you as a source of comfort are memories, photos and  the occasional precious dream. In my dreams you are very much alive. And I wake up startled, and for a brief moment I wonder if you still are. Then the dreadful truth dawns on me when I pick up my phone to call you.

As you know Mum has gone also. Unexpected, like in your case.  We were unprepared. Not to say that being prepared would have lessened the anguish.

I wrote this poem for you Paulo, as you know, last year. I posted it then, but feel the need to do so again. Please forgive the repetition. I know you will forgive me - you always did.

The space you filled among us, remains empty

The air you breathed is laid to waste
The joy you gave us, no longer flows
The laughter you brought has fallen silent
The love you spread now fills a void in our hearts
The grave you  fill now has your selfless attention
And the spring blossom awaits your precious gift
For the flowers will reflect your essence
With their resplendent colour and fragrant scent
And we will admire the flowers like we admired you.
And in our minds and those of our children
Your eternal flame will glow bright and warm
To light up the hours of darkness
And bring comfort to our winters of discontent

***
See you in my dreams, Paulo.

I love and miss you.

:(