By
helen on January 18th, 2008
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We visited Tom last night at camp with Once Was Lost. And what an eventful night it was. It was really nice to see everyone again and remember why we’re doing what we’re doing.
Jon and I hired some lights from Lots of Watts for not very much money. I felt extremely ‘techy’ driving across Sydney with lighting bars, parcans, trees, a lighting desk and a couple of mega cords.
Sadly other technical elements of our night were a little less successful. The DVD skipped and stopped in the middle of a live scene heading towards the climax of the show. Two ‘intervals’ and a change of DVD player later we managed to finish off the show. Thank God for exciting drumming at the end to lift our spirits!
I enjoyed dancing though and chatting to people afterwards. It was nice to do something practical and creative in the midst of lots of emails, phonecalls and paperwork.
We also brought the lights up overnight so they didn’t get stolen. They filled up our whole lift and our hallway. A little odd. But fun.
Took them back today and picked up a rowing machine that we bought on ebay.
Our first ebay purchase! It’s very exciting. We’re going to get fit in the comfort of our own home. Well…we think so anyway….maybe…we’ll see….
I also just bought credit on Skype and am attempting to call Helen on her mobile in Hong Kong. Seem to be having difficulty with sound…I’m sure we’ll work it out.
Seems to be the week of new technological experiences 
By
helen on January 16th, 2008
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Today Jon and I took Andy and Emily to James and the Giant Peach at the New Theatre.
Twas fun. It’s quite difficult staging live a story about a giant peach rolling, swimming and flying with various insect characters. They did some clever stage tricks. And it was nice to be surrounded by little people delightfully taking in the story unfolding before them.
I’m now sitting on our futon typing away on our new laptop. Quite enjoying the reorientating epxerience of a new machine. Praise the Lord for Christmas money.
Been back at work these last 2 days. A little overwhelmed. But looking froward to things being up and running. We met our new staff member at out new office on Mon night. At the moment the office is a room with 2 second hand desks, 3 chairs and a printer. The newness of it all is quite exciting.
Back in action with Once Was Lost tomorrow night at Camp. Hope I remember how it goes…
By
helen on January 11th, 2008
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My end of my holidays is fast approaching. Monday it’s back to work.
Yesterday we had the most wonderful of adventure days. We drove to Mt Tomah, the cold climate part of the Botanic Gardens on the Lithgow side of the Blue Mountians. It was beautiful. Seems we did a world tour of vegetation and flora. We began amongst the trees of North America (my favourite) and headed through the plant life of Australia, Africa, South America, East Asia and a landscaped formal garden of Europe. It felt very adventurous. I love doing a drive out of Sydney and experience lots of green open spaces. It’s good for the soul. We bought a tray of nectarines, freshly picked that day from an orchid in Bilpin. Oh yeah.
Then it was off to a Sydney Festival dance work with Jen. The piece was called Construct by Tanja Liedtke (the to be Sydney Dance co director who passed away a few months ago). It was an amazing work of art. Filled with comedy, commentary, character and story. I loved it. It gave me faith again in the world of contemporary dance. It connected. Not all contemporary dance does. And the audience loved it. I’m inspired.
Other holiday adventures have included…
staring at the ocean at avalon
walking Bangalley headland
playing board games whilst staring at the ocean
west wing season 7
swimming at coogee
koorong
reading books, drawing pictures & snoozing in Lane Cove River Park
welcoming Dave, DJ & Amalie to Sydney
Helen & Mike in town
the Swans in town
PS I Love You with DJ, Hornsby Greater Union
The Golden Compass with Jon, Entertainment Quarter
coffee, coffee, breakfast, coffee
an ipod and a toasted sandwich maker….go gift vouchers!
a contemporary class at Mango dance
a jog
walks on the beach
creative journalling
reading a book
Some time well spent.
I’m trying really hard not to be scared of next week.
I think 2008 is going to be a really big year.
By
helen on November 30th, 2007
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Today I felt like I’d been run over by a bus. Wasn’t expecting that. I think I didn’t allow myself to stop after tues so since today was my first proper day off in a while my body decided to go on holidays. I slept solidly till 11am which I haven’t done for a long time. My husband informs me I was snoring. I was unaware that I was a snorer. You learn something new everyday!
And so we’re working our way through West Wing again. We’re part way through series 3. I love it. Definatley a great way to crash.
I enjoyed Impact this year. It feels different these days. The team rallies and I don’t carry it as much as I use to. It’s great. Ready for something new and different next year though…
So great to do OWL on the big stage, what it was designed for. I could balance. Amazing what a proper dance floor does for one’s technique. And I loved seeing the community gather around creativity. Yep, I love what I do.
I went to Prophesy week yesterday at college. I wasn’t sure how I’d find it. But I loved it. It felt like returning to my creative spiritual home to be sent out again into a new season. I feel kind of commissioned into what’s next. God is good.
And so these next few weeks I enter new teritorry….auditioning people for our new core ensemble, interviewing people for our new position, raising funds, appointing leadership, discussing new partnerships….scary but exciting. Good old pioneeering me really does love a new challenge. Well, love it when I’m not scared.
‘If God is for us, then who can be against us?’
In other news, I really am excited about a new government. Much interesting dicsussion and debate. I’m curious to know if I still like Kevin Rudd in 6 months time. And Tanya Plibersek. I like Tanya. I got to meet her in Canberra to talk about poverty and the aid budget. She was great. But I fear things are different once people are in government. What they do and say has different implications. Watch this space…
And good old Maxine McKew
By
helen on November 23rd, 2007
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These past 2 nights we’ve had DJ and Amalie staying in our small 1 bedroom apartment. Bizarre. Woke up several times to crying baby thinking I was still dreaming and then remembering again they were just upstairs. It was really nice to see them. It’s amazing how quickly babies develop. DJ was down for a job interview and got it. So it’s really real now. Another part of the Wright family will be Sydney dwellers. Wow. Feels odd becuase they’ve always been the Rockhamptonites in my mind. I guess at some point it will all become normal. Will be really nice to be closer to Amalie growing up.
It’s Impact week. Which means lots of emails and text messages and lots of small things to remember to do. Like buy silver string and white electric tape. At least the big things are done. I think it will be fun. Doesn’t stress me out so much anymore. 2008 is much more scary than next Tuesday. Scary, but exciting.
Am slowly recovering from a killer throat infection. Hoping and praying my body starts working again properly by Tuesday.
Had my last class at college for the year yesterday. We watched a DVD talk by Erwin McManus from Mosaic. He talked about leadership styles. I’ve decided I’m a ‘catalytic’ leader driven by a mixture of vision and passion. Now I just need to find a ‘causal’ leader and a ‘corporate’ leader to work with me and we can conquer the world together! Yeah!
Must remember to vote tomorrow.
By
helen on September 20th, 2007
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Well, today’s a day off and I’m gonna try and keep it that way. So far it’s inlcuded some Facebook time, blog reading, photo sorting….. Am hoping to perhaps get a little sun that I sense is out the window, perhaps when my husband comes back to life I might convince hm to take me to a random suburb for a late breakfast…
I’m glad I’ve learnt to have days off.
By
helen on September 19th, 2007
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Oh it’s a big couple of weeks….
Sat final rehearsals for everything
Sun church, Impact meeting, homegroup, future planning
Mon, Tues be artistic director at Instill at Glen St Theater and help light dances
Thurs final classes etc
Fri go to Blackstump - Fri 1020pm Once Was Lost, Sat 9am Dance on mainstage, Sat 535pm Once Was Lost, Sat 1130pm dance in Conversations, Sun 2pm run workshop, Sun night dance on mainstage …..oh yeah biggest Stump ever!
Sun sleep at home
Mon fly to Alice Springs
Mon-Sat teach and perform at CDFA Conference
Sat visit Keith & Stella
Sun fly home
Woah…
I can do it
By
helen on September 7th, 2007
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I fear facebook has been distracting me from the world of blogs. I’ve not been faithful. I’m sorry.
So nice to spend a morning pottering. It’s been a while. I finally feel like I can stop today.
Ah.
By
helen on August 17th, 2007
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUSBAND!!!!
By
helen on July 13th, 2007
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Yesterday was great.
We headed down the Princes Highway and explored the Royal National Park. Went driving, sat on rock & ate lunch in Bundeena and then went walking by the Hacking River at Audley. I lvoe the bush. We have such an amazing diversity of scenery in Sydney. Blessed.
We then spontaneously met up with Jon’s brother and wife for dinner. Felt good to be spontaneous and nice to catch up with them.
In other news, on Wed I taught tap at the Hillsong Performing Arts Winter Workshops. Was fun. And had an amazing conversation with a visiting dancer from the States and the head of dance at Hillsong. Very fascinating.
I’m thinking a lot about the future at the moment. God’s got it. I’m excited. And petrified. All at the same time.
It’s been nice to have a bit of space. Next week is back to teaching, college and work. 
Today I’m off to hang out with Christian dancers performing at Circular Quay. Should be interesting.