Posts in category Linda’s Blog

One of the most amazing experiences I have had in my travels around the world is VIVID in Sydney which happens in May. For 18 days the city becomes an open air playground of lights and technology while indoors, people flock to conferences to see where their ideas fit within our rapidly changing world. I interviewed one of the masterminds behind the event, Anthony Bastic, a gentile, humble man who created this fete of light and other mind blowing creations for events like the Sydney Olympics, which I attended. At the opening ceremonies of that event, I thought,“could anyone ever top this?” Well, he did with VIVID! We marvel at …

  I cannot think of a better name for my guide when I was in the Outback of Australia than “Ranger Nick.” Thanks to Ranger Nick, I know that a group of Kangaroos is called a mob, I am more familiar with the smaller, fluffy gray wallaroos, and it is fascinating that the males jockey for position, and their females much the same way humans do! (see video here  ) I marveled at Nick’s pure joy of the wilderness but what I liked most was his confidence. which made me and the crew feel comfortable, engaged and happy. I could see he truly enjoyed educating people about what he loves …

Alex Perry is a force. He’s fun to watch because he speaks his mind and doesn’t take himself too seriously. He does take his art seriously. I would imagine an attack on his character would not effect him as much as an attack on his fashions. He speaks as he thinks, which puts him in a back peddle situation from time to time, but he owns his mistakes and we forgive him. How many times was I told to think before I speak growing up by my mom? There is great merit in that as once words are said, they can never be retrieved. The key is to not over …

Training your brain to think of humbling experiences is a great exercise for the ego. One for me is Ta Prohm in Angkor, Cambodia, made famous in Lara Croft; Tomb Raiders with Angelina Jolie. This amazing temple which dates back to the 12th century was made to withstand the test of time yet again, nature outsmarts. The trees, some, 400 years old, send their roots down from a seed caught in the roof and grow for hundreds of years using the temple as support so when the trees die, the temple crumbles. Then one day the only record of this amazing structure will be what we capture on camera and …

As I watched the rhino grazing in the African plain, I wondered if my grandkids would be looking at photos of rhinos in a book one day like we look at dinosaurs. Their extinction would be much more palatable if it were due to an ice age. However, they are being killed off in staggering numbers now for their horns which happen to be made of the same thing as our fingernails, keratin. So, if biting our fingernails doesn’t cure our ills or make us feel “horny,” killing rhinos won’t do the trick either. Rhino horns are also in high demand for dagger handles, a long standing status symbol of …

Visiting Burj Khalifa While here in Dubai, Ian and I went to the top of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, measuring 829.8 m (2,722 ft). It is absolutely amazing and one should not visit Dubai without having the experience of the ascent, the view, and the state of the art sights and sounds on the way up to the top. We enjoyed a 60 second lift off to the 148th floor in an elevator that projected images of the tallest buildings around the world as we passed over them.   Flower of Life It was in the elevator that I noticed the Burj Khalifa’s logo on …

I opened the issue of Philly Style and my first impression was happiness because they chose a photo of designer, Alex Perry and me that was taken by my son, Ian II, who accompanied us  on our shoot in Australia for Tapping IN show.  I also knew I did not need to worry about anything they printed about me in the article because they never slam anyone. In fact, they always find the good in people and make them shine. I have noticed that their publication seems to add pages of advertising while exploitive ones seem to be thinning these days.  I believe very strongly in “change yourself, change the …

  I climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge with my guide, Jackson Mitchell with two last names. Jackson is super happy and has been guiding people up this 52,000 ton steel structure daily for six years. And, he’s smiling from ear to ear!  There are over a thousand steps to get to the top of the bridge. At first you think, boy, this sounds tiring! But, it’s not what you expect. You climb 40 or so steps at a time and come to a catwalk where you go along, stop, and take in the view of the breathtaking harbor, and listen to Jackson tell great stories that make you appreciate the …