On storytelling - "Relative Stranger: A Life After Death"

I find it really difficult to title this post, but ultimately I think it's mainly about the importance of storytelling. I have recently read "Relative Stranger: A Life After Death"by Mary Loudon. The book is a personal account of a woman's journey to re-discover her relationship with one of her sisters...just after receiving the news that her sister passed away. It's a well written, very moving story which on many pages makes you stop and read a sentence over and over again. It's one of those books you could read with a pencil in your hand to mark your favourite quotes. It's a story of a journey that many of us at certain point in our lives might have to take too. It touches upon few problems I myself feel very strongly about: family relationships, mental problems of people close to you, systems we live in and society we rely on...and finally the core problem: how do we handle death of our relatives and how to we fill out the gap and all the unanswered questions?

All those notions were really important to me. You can say that the book has changed me a little, made me more sensitive to some issues, crystallised attitudes I had already. But what really is important about this particular book is the context of the story. You see, Mary Loudon is my son's best friend's mother. She lives down the road and we meet quite often. I did not connect that she writes books and only about two weeks ago Mary gave me this book to read - it happened to be on her desk when I was around. Reading such a personal account from someone you already "know" is pretty powerful. Mary's father used to work together with my landlord (both doctors) in the main house of our current property, so when in the book, Mary quoted his diary I felt something I have felt few times in my life: a touch of reality. 

Since I was a kid I used to argue the value of fiction and reality with my parents, friends, later teachers. The two are so insanely connected that very often one cannot tell them apart! So as a student I used to rage against all the categorisation of authors and books (which obviously did not help my studies!;)). I used to hate boxes we would put past and contemporary writers. Those I met off-line at the time would most definitely hate the boxes they belonged to and prefer to have a drink or a coffee with me. So...when does it leave me now? I know that linguistically speaking we need to categorise things and name them to be able to talk about things but ultimately it is the effect the stories have on us that matters!

Mary's book combined with few conversations we had in the past (and few very personal events from the last few days) have inspired me to open up and plan writing about topics I have left for my Moleskine so far. It reminded me of the value of storytelling for public consumption. If you tell your story right it can actually shift the boxes in our heads so much that the changes will come. Hopefully for better. It also made me realise that if you want to use the power of storytelling you need to do it right! 

Oxford twestival..

..is a great event, something I strongly believe in regardless of criticism. The second Oxford Twestival is happening tomorrow thanks to support of @amandafclark, @benwerd, @mapkyca, @ernmander and @girlterate; great Oxford artists and brilliant sponsors! It will be an awesome party, one of a kind - documented on-line but also in form of a book (ok, one page, since there is another 149 cities celebrating;)). So if you want to see us there tomorrow, support Oxfam in their efforts in Mali, get a present, network and have fun - get a ticket now!

As a reminder, here is why I personally get involved in it;)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vBsuDViOuk]

Thank you to all my friends and everyone else for support on this one!:) Hugs!

Let's just stop for one second...- shy tribute to prof. Leszek Kołakowski

Photo from gazeta.pl

"A modern philosopher who has never once suspected himself

of being a charlatan must be such a shallow mind that his work

is probably not worth reading."

Leszek Kołakowski in 'Metaphysical Horror'

Let's stop for one second! If we do not, the news will hit us! As it did hit me on Friday last week, when I read that the most famous Polish philosopher, prof. Leszek Kołakowski has passed away in Oxford hospital. It really shocked me for various reasons.

First of all, we - at least I do - assume that huge minds will never pass away and every time I read about them going away I cannot comprehend why? I know, I am being highly unfair on those, who live a regular, normal life and contribute less to the canonic sciences, maybe...Maybe I just think big minds should live forever...

Secondly, I heard misspilat talking about him so many times...I remember her first impressions after she drove him home from a lecture once. I remember her mentioning the accidental meetings with professor, who lived just few streets away...

And finally, because I never went to his lecture - just 40 min away from my town! I lived next doors to someone whose books I read as a kid, and whose books I even hated for having to study sometimes - because they were so good. And to whose books I had to come back once I was bigger and wiser.

Misspilat drove me next to their house this weekend, and even though we haven't talked about it much, I felt a horrible pain in my heart looking as small house, with tall windows and imagining him still sitting there...

What a loss for Poles! What a loss for Oxford and global community of philosophers! What a loss for all of us!:/

(I just managed to put in on paper today, apologies..)

Preview invite from Cornerstones in Didcot

Image by jrawle via Flickr

You are invited along with your family & friends to the fabulous preview launch of the South's Artweek Taster Exhibition

at

Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot, OX11 7NE

On  Thursday 30th April, 2009

Time: 6pm- 8pm

Plenty of Parking available at the Orchard Centre by Sainsbury's ( walk up the pedestrian shopping street and the Arts Centre is opposite the big Cineworld Cinema)

A licensed bar will be open for drinks & light snacks

There is a vast range of talented work on show, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, jewellery and more.

It will be lovely to see you there if you can make it, bring your business cards as there wil be other people attending for a show so could be good a good opportunity to mingle and promote!

Barcamp Transparency - logo, time, no venue yet

We had the first organizers meet-up this Wednesday. We have our logo now, kindly designed by Gemma:) and we have decided that the date of the event will be Sunday, 26th of July. We are strongly considering a virtual event on Saturday evening for those, who cannot make it to Oxford and for attendees, just as a warm up. Currently working on the website and sponsorship pack, we hope to be able to secure the venue quite soon. Rest is really up to all of you, interested - we give you space and time, we make sure it happens but everyone needs to contribute:) I am sure you all will!

So go on, put your name on our wiki and let us know how you can help!:)