since May 11 1996
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WORK!

Brilliant piece here

Four Weddings Piece

About a great Australian

Personality Test	Sayings of Lazarus Long

Knowledge Is Never Truly Lost

All censorships exist to prevent anyone from challenging current conceptions and existing institutions. All progress is initiated by challenging current conceptions, and executed by supplanting existing institutions. Consequently the first condition of progress is the removal of censorships. - George Bernard Shaw

So ... Who is this Stephen character?

Well, I was born on Valentine's Day and I usually live in Victoria on Australia's stunning east coast. I am a Gypsy though, having lived and worked in most states of Australia. I have also lived and worked in the USA, in Claremont, California. Great Place! Great People! Great Time!!! Hopefully this site will give you an insight into what makes me tick.

I am insatiably curious about nearly everything. I have tried/done a lot of things in my life – and have failed at times, succeeded at others. Remember, failing does NOT make us failures!
"Failure is staying down, not falling down!"
It all depends what we learn from our failures and how we move forward from them. Often, we fear success as much as failure! When we treat the better results of our hard work as stepping-stones to a better life, we prosper. Many times this takes great effort of will, as we may have been conditioned to "stay in the pack" where it is supposed to be safer. It is no safer in the long run. If we push forward and derive joy from doing our best at something we are passionate about, then we will be on the road to happiness.

We are here to strive – that’s it.

Here is some of the work I have done

Graphic Designer Electronics in the RAAF Sweeping floors & cleaning toilets Engineering Sales Copywriter Carpenter

Insurance Sales Management Financial Services Art Director Youth Counsellor Furniture Designer/Maker/Restorer Training Consultant

Actor Marketing Consultant Radio Network Executive Career Management Consultant Architectural Advisor Mentor

PERSONALITY TEST - You may get a BIG surprise like I did!

INTERESTS

PORSCHE 911

I love the Porsche 911 and its derivatives.... This car has been produced for over thirty years and has one of the most distinctive shapes in automotive history! The number of race wins the 911 series has achieved over its time is amazing! Of the Porsches I have owned, the one pictured has been the most fun and challenge as it started out life as a 1974 911S and I rebuilt it into a replica of a 1993 911 Turbo. Porsches are a most cost effective means of transport...their resale value is better than just about any other vehicle and servicing costs are surprisingly low.

My favourite all time car however, is one almost no one has seen or heard of. The Borgward Isabella Coupe is remarkable. Its lines are timeless and elegant in either hard or soft top forms. One day I hope to own one of these beautiful marques.

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FINE DESIGN

Beautiful design is a joy. We'd all have things in our lives that we consider beautiful – I know scale & proportion have much to do with beauty, as does the “line” of an object, but there's more to it. I'll always be intrigued to know what makes something beautiful. Of course, not only objects are beautiful – well placed words can be – music of course – even silence.

I would love to hear back from you with your thoughts on beauty and design. It's important to me in my work with design and human/career development. The house pictured here is beautiful to me and I hope you like it - For anyone living in Adelaide it is situated on Mt. Barkers Road, Stirling. When I travelled to Stirling in January 2002, I was privileged to photograph it.

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ANTIQUE MUSIC MACHINES

The whole concept is incredible - Edison created a machine in the 1880's that could record and reproduce sound. I read a book called "STREAK OF LUCK". It was a great account of the man and his machines, so I became interested in Phonographs and Gramophones. Here are three fully functional Gramophones and an Edison Diamond Disc cabinet I made in the 1990's - I have retained the blue gramophone as my prototype.

ANTIQUE FURNITURE

My particular love is for 18th, 19th & early 20th century country style furniture including Provincial, Tuscan, American Colonial and the beautiful Arts & Crafts styles. The beauty of these pieces is in their scale, proportions and the materials used. For me, that furniture is among the most beautiful in the world. Here is my first bookcase and a pair of CD cabinets I made. I will be including further images of my work & pieces I will be making...including my favourites – the beautiful Welsh Dresser. Below is my response to wishing to maintain the "period" feel in my 120 year old home. I built this cabinet to block a redundant doorway – the legacy of making two rooms into one - and to store my DVDs, while allowing for expansion of the collection. One side of this cabinet is in the French Provincial style - the other is akin to a Victorian Hall Cupboard. Both sides currently hold around 1600 DVDs. The other cabinets are a pair I made for a customer who wanted to display his ever-growing collection.

Beautiful examples of furniture can be found from all cultures and periods, from the beautiful asymmetry of Japanese Futon Cabinets to the stunning Biedermeier Style, King of Art Deco.

One particular antique that has a lot of carving and attention to detail that I love and will attempt to reproduce is the WOOTON PATENT DESK. The Wooton Superior Grade desk I have my sights on was made around 1880 by the William S. Wooton Co. in Indianapolis. As I do not have the required $150,000 U.S. for one of these, I will reproduce it as faithfully as I am able. I have scanned several images and a friend in Perth has sent me some others. As you will see, I have a serious task before me.... but hey, someone made it once so why can't another make it again? Of course it will not be the original desk, though it will faithfully follow the spirit while incorporating modern features and functions. I hope to be able to store my computer inside as well as a printer, scanner and accessories.

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Here are images from a long-term project completed in 2000.This home started life in 1920 as a Californian Bungalow of modest proportions.

Today, with the addition of garage/workshop, sunroom, dining-room, mezzanine bedrooms and music-room it is a very comfortable family home, still retaining its period features but with modern amenity.

The kitchen is European country style, complete with original 18th century French tiles on the splashback and exposed H-pattern taps. Benchtops are all in "aged" Douglas Fir.

The New Zealand Rimu-lined (fixed at 70 degrees)master bedroom is over two levels - the lower containing parents retreat, en-suite, french doors and bay window and the mezzanine-level with pitched Rimu ceiling, walk-in robes and opening roof-window.

The lounge, dining, kitchen and sunroom have heavy use of natural materials, including welsh slate floors, timber walls and clinker brick fireplace. The music-room, accessed via a timber staircase, is situated above the main lounge and overlooks the backyard. I learned a lot re-building this home, performing the great majority of work myself (with help of course).

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GRAPHIC DESIGN WORK

Here are some designs I created over the past year. When you operate in a creative framework, lots of interesting things happen. I have thoroughly enjoyed the process of developing this skill – it has opened up my creativity further and enabled me to offer clients a further enhancement to my more traditional consultancy work.

Right brain activity is important in all work. In work that is traditionally analytical in nature, it is vital. The difference it makes at many levels is remarkable. This graphic design work was created without any training – just hours of trial and error… and hours! Graphic design, like all creative design is fascinating! If you would like to explore how to operate more creatively, or share with me your stories of how you broke free from a largely analytical work-style, I would love to hear from you.

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	MUSIC THEATRE

Music theatre is the one of best things I have ever done as a pastime! If you think it is a SISSY thing to do...try it! It requires stamina, nerves of steel and in my case a LOT of makeup! Seriously, it is the best fun and I have met the most attractive, clever, caring and incredibly funny people throughout the years. Actors appear to have enormous egos – something our society deems inappropriate for some reason. The people I have had the privilege to work with in theatre have been truly giving individuals, with frailties and strengths like us all. One thing actors have in common though, is a deep desire to deliver the best gift they can to their audience.

Shows I have worked in

Brigadoon (USA and Oz) Lola Montez Plenty

Beggar's Opera Oklahoma Phantom Of The Opera

Annie Wizard of Oz Evita

Mack and Mabel Strictly Loungeroom Godspell

L'il Abner From Broadway With Love Forbidden Fruits

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AUSTRALIAN MUSIC THEATRE INDUSTRY TRAGEDY

25October1996 While riding home after the final rehearsal of Sunset Boulevard Brian Stacey, Australia's foremost musical director was struck down and killed. Brian's contribution to music theatre is immeasurable. The following may I hope, add some small insight into this great talent. Brian and I met during a rehearsal run of a musical in 1988 in which his life partner, Kate Sadler and I were performing. Brian's tremendous spirit and support of Kate shone through. In addition to Brian's support of Kate, I am reminded of the following; Throughout the eight years I knew him, he was always ready to spend what little free time he could, helping 'unknowns' like me with our theatre projects. Brian had a sincere and active interest in what we were doing and many times, over a cup of Earl Grey, we chatted and enjoyed a laugh about our various successes and failures. Brian’s invaluable support manifested itself most markedly when he and Kate assisted Catchment Theatre Company (Victoria, Australia) with an hour-long radio interview (during the rehearsal run of EVITA). He and Kate did this on their only day off in an incredibly demanding working week. In addition, while living in Perth, Western Australia and going through a time of particular sadness, Brian had a few days work there auditioning several shows. Brian found time to call and arrange a luncheon full of loving support and information about how things were back home in Melbourne. This is how I will remember Brian Stacey; as a man with a ready smile and hug, who gave and strove because he loved those he worked with, who did what he loved. Brian lived life on his terms. I feel proud to have been counted among his friends. Are you doing what you love?

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MAN OF LA MANCHA

This is my favourite musical and movie. There are many wonderful works of stage and screen, though for whatever reason, Man Of La Mancha is my favourite. Peter O'Toole plays dual roles of Don Miguel de Cervantes and Don Quixote. He is among the world's finest actors.

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MUSIC

All types of different music. Of course, lots of musical and movie soundtracks.Here are some of the soundtracks I've been listening to

SOUNDTRACKS Philadelphia & Finding Forrester Howard's End & A Room With A View The Mission & Plunkett and McLeane Frankie And Johnny Brazil & The Big Blue City Of Lost Children O Brother Where Art Thou

MUSICALS Tommy Sunday In The Park With George Into The Woods Les Miserables Jesus Christ Superstar City Of Angels Barnum Falsettoland Rent

Cheap CD's here WORLD WIDE MAIL ORDER

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FAVOURITE SONGS

The Greatest Discovery by Bernie Taupin and Elton John
Just about anything performed by Eva Cassidy
Claire De Lune by Claude Debussy
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Rachmaninoff Opus 43.
Somewhere Over The Rainbow – from the soundtrack to Finding Forrester
But Anyway, By Blues Traveller – from the soundtrack to Kingpin
Man Of Constant Sorrow – from the soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou
Leter to Hermione & Five Years - David Bowie
Mandoline Rain - Bruce Hornsby and The Range
The Aria from Delibes' Opera, Lakme, as played on the soundtrack of The Hunger.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT?

The above are important parts of my life. On a spiritual level I believe we're all amazing or can be, even though we may not always feel great!

Someone far wiser than me once said "When I was a young man I was impressed by clever people. Now I am old and realise we are all clever, I am impressed by kind people. Let's be kind to each other." I believe that searching for greater self-knowledge is most important. I believe too, that discernment - knowing who to give our time and effort to, is almost as important.We can’t know all the secrets, especially when it comes to human relationships – but we can be true to ourselves and give to others freely and without expectation.

These are worthy tasks and can result in happiness, though such is not assured. Living by these rules may not be greatness, but I rather suspect it is goodness. Inadequate as I am, I try to be a good person … while this may not be enough, it is something I can always attempt, no matter what state my life is in.

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BOOKS Well, I have finally made time to get some reading done! WOW there is some brilliant material available!

Women In The Background (B. Humphries) Out Of Africa (Karen Blixen) Howard's End (E.M.Forster) All I Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten (R.Fulghum)

The Diceman (L. Rineheart) Leadership & Self-Deception The Alchemist (P.Coelho) Man's Search for Meaning (V.Frankl)

Illywhacker (Peter Carey) A Confederacy of Dunces (J.Kennedy Toole) Leadership is an Art (M.DePree) Telling Lies for God (I.Plimer) The Selfish Gene (R. Dawkins)

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"Seeing that I can find no subject specially useful or pleasing - since the men who have come before me, have taken for their own every useful or necessary theme - I must do like one who, being poor, comes last to the fair, and can find no other way of providing himself than by taking all the things already seen by other buyers, and not taken, but refused by reason of their lesser value. I, then, will load my humble pack with this despised and rejected merchandise, the refuse of so many buyers; and will go about to distribute it, not indeed in the great cities, but in the poorer towns, taking such as the wares I offer may be worth." Leonardo Da Vinci January 1494

These words moved me deeply. I find his statement a powerful reminder that we are all here to give and to serve.

For DaVinci, certainly one of the greatest thinkers and inventors to have ever lived, to speak with this humility reminds me that I matter, and can make a difference by doing the best I can with what I have – it is as simple as that. And as hard.

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THE FAMOUS 4 WEDDINGS POEM Stop all the clocks Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone Silence the piano and with muffled drum bring out the coffin let the mourners come Let aeroplanes, circling overhead scribble in the sky, the message he is dead Put great bows 'round the necks of the public doves Let traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves He was my north, my south my east, my west my working week, my Sunday rest My noon, my midnight my talk, my song I thought that love would last forever I was wrong The stars are not wanted now put out every one Pack up the moon dismantle the sun pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood for nothing there can come to any good W.H. Auden

THE GREATEST DISCOVERY Peering out of tiny eyes the grubby hands that gripped the rail wipe the window clean of frost as the morning air laid on the latch A whistle awakens someone there next door to the nursery just down the hall a strange new sound you never heard before a strange new sound that makes boys explore Tread neat so small those little feet amid the morning his small heart beats so much excitement yesterday must be rewarded, must be displayed Large hands lift him through the air excited eyes contain him there the eyes of those he loves and knows but what's this extra bed just here His puzzled head tipped to one side amazement swims in those bright green eyes glancing down upon this thing that makes strange sounds, strange sounds that sing In those silent happy seconds that surround the sound of this event a parent smile is made in moments they have made for you a friend And all you ever learned from them until you grew much older could not compare with when they said this is your brand new brother Lyrics by Bernie Taupin. Music by Elton John

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SOMEWHERE IN TIME

The man of my dreams is almost faded now
The one I have created in my mind
The sort of man each woman dreams of in the deepest
and most secret reaches of her heart

I can almost see him now before me
What would I say to him if he were really here?
Forgive me, for I have never known this feeling
Is it any wonder then I fail to recognise you?
You brought it to me for the first time
Is there any way that I can tell you how my life has changed?
Any way at all to let you know what sweetness you have given me?
There is so much to say, I cannot find the words, except for these
I love you

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MY FAVOURITE MOVIES

The list is long but I have categorised it into genres. It will grow of course but that's the great thing about movies.

All the images above and below are links to reviews of each film.

COMEDY A Night At The Opera O Brother Where Art Thou The Big Lebowski Hercules Returns Blues Brothers Brazil Monty Python's Life Of Brian Noises Off Head Office Ferris Beuller's Day Off Bliss	THOUGHT PROVOKERS and FEELGOODS Man Of La Mancha One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Jesus Of Montreal The Grapes Of Wrath Inherit The Wind It's A Wonderful Life Elephant Man Schindler's List My Life As A Dog	SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY Blade Runner Metropolis Star Wars The Day The Earth Stood Still City Of Lost Children The Witches Of Eastwick Terminator 1 & 2 Matrix
ANIMATED Mr. Hoppity Goes To Town Fantasia Watership Down Lion King ANTZ A Bug’s Life	ROMANCE A Room With A View Where Angels Fear To Tread Besieged Moulin Rouge Il Postino Kiss Of The Spiderwoman The Unbearable Lightness Of Being Somewhere In Time Out Of Africa	ACTION Die Hard 1, 2 & 3 The Long Kiss Goodnight True Lies The Rock First Blood Black Rain The Game Enemy Of The State

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TIME ENOUGH FOR LOVE

The following are from the "Sayings of Lazarus Long", as penned by Robert Anson Heinlein, a master of the Science Fiction genre. They are taken from the novel "Time Enough For Love". I hope they amuse and stimulate. I will begin with two of my all time favourites.

What are the facts? Again and again and again.....what are the facts?
Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what the "stars foretell,"
avoid opinion, care not what the neighbours think, never mind the unguessable "verdict of history" - what are the facts, and to how many decimal places?
You pilot always into an unknown future; the facts are your single clue.
Get the facts!

One man's theology is another man's belly laugh.

Don't burden your children by making their childhood too easy;
Keep them long on hugs and short on pocketmoney.

Secrecy is the beginning of tyranny.

If it can't be expressed in figures it is not science: it is opinion.
It has been long known that one horse can run faster than another - but which one?!!! Differences are crucial.

A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.

What a wonderful world it is that has girls in it!

Men rarely (if ever) manage to dream up a god superior to themselves. Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child
Little girls, like butterflies, need no excuse.
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once.

Place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark.

A zygote is a gamete's way of producing more gametes. This may be the purpose of the universe.
Democracy is based on the assumption that a million men are wiser than one man. How's that again? I missed something.

A MOTION TO ADJOURN IS ALWAYS IN ORDER


He who asks a question may be a fool for five minutes, but he who never asks a question remains a fool forever. - Tom J. Connelly

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© 1996

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