Tuesday 22 January 2013

flotsam, jetsam, froth and bubble

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The internet is rather like the ocean. A lot of stuff floats about in it that we might never see, hear or know of – but thanks to a clever bit of programming called ‘google alerts’ you can cast a net on an ongoing basis and regularly have an interesting kettle of fish delivered right to your lap[top]
I have a google alert on my name and on a few key phrases. It brings things I want to learn more about to my attention and sooner or later it also tells me whenever my name is mentioned and in what context. It’s how I discovered that the phrase eco-dye had been trademarked and where I read that a person I have never [consciously] met is giving masterclasses in ecoprinting. Perhaps I should attend.
A haul this morning revealed several people referencing my work [thank you kindly] along with the virtual version of a newspaper article in which a person not only used my name [without actually bothering to ask] to endorse their new business venture but also claimed they had been “trained by India Flint”. 
The only people I have EVER trained have been horses and Border Collies…and quite frankly I think it was more the other way around.
When things like that wash in on the tide it’s a bit like being thumped by a drifting log that you didn’t realise was floating in behind you on the same wave. In this instance I feel a friendship has been seriously compromised. If it happens again I may even take legal advice, given it’s a matter of intellectual property, blatant mis-representation and [not to put too fine a point on it] openly trades on my ‘good name’.  
Fortunately today I am by the blessed sea, which has washed away the cares of the whirled and let me float like a leaf adrift on the waters, gazing down through the crystal clear blue to the rocks and sand drawings below.
So many mixed metaphors. 


happily the internet also brought me these lovely words
Somehow it doesn’t matter that I’m not in the Lud Valley – it
feels good that you and your group are working with leafage
while some children at Otaki Kindergarten look at leaves differently and
sip berry tea from agee jars before painting it onto fabric.  Energy travels.”

as well as a link to an article about the workshop this week
and
my horoscope  [fellow Sagittarians will enjoy this]
Well folks, thanks for reading, have a truly splendiferous day wherever you are…and before you go do please take a moment to swing by Lotta Helleberg’s blog. She has written a wonderful story about sustainability and clothing [and very kindly mentioned me]. and she makes gorgeous ecoprinted paper journals that are well worth your investment...


20 comments:

  1. I read lotta's post this morning and was suitably inspired.... and when I have a few less irons in the fire I'm hoping to immerse myself in a sea of dyed and sewn goodness

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    1. perhaps a few less fires in the irons [of our big red island] might help, too

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  2. Google alert.... I might try that. Glad you are at the sea and can float the annoyances away. Breathe in... breathe out .... smelling the salt air.

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    1. the sea here is simply wonderful. it tastes salty and i can lie back in it as though it were a big armchair but oddly it doesn't seem to give that prickly feeling later on, when standing in the breeze on the beach, drying out. just lovely.

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  3. The horoscope might explain the deep powerful calm I'm experiencing......I agree.....breathe in.....breathe out.........wish I were there too. Along with Lotta, I'm at last joining the sewing club. ox

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    1. and remember Natalie Chanin's good advice "love" that thread :o)

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  4. So disturbing....thank goodness for the calming rhythms of the sea.

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  5. The sea surely washes us clean... too cold for the sea here today... and we're heading into a deeper freeze day by day. The crackling fire is the balm today :)

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  6. i'm in the deep freeze w/ v. but i can IMAGINE i'm in your lovely ocean, afloat, something i love to do. must be right for this sag.

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  7. Dear India, I work in a law school which has a clinic, and we are local to you. If you would like to pursue or even find out about your legal rights in relation to the trademark issue, they may be prepared to assist you. I've spoken to one of the staff. Please contact me if you'd like me to put you in touch. I haven't been able to find your email address so hope it's Ok to put this in comments...

    I have a lot of trouble posting comments on your blog and they often vanish without trace. Fingers crossed on this one!!! Mary

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  8. Such success, I'm coming back for a second go... thanks for the link to Lotte's post and for the inspiration of your books and your blog. I hope 2013 is a great year for you.

    If your blog doesn't give you my email address, look for Mary Heath at that University in the Southern suburbs of Adelaide beginning with F.

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    1. thanks for the kind thought Mary...the trademark issue in this instance isn't worth pursuing [Karen Diadick Casselman of Canada is the originator of eco-dye]
      I was annoyed at the use of my name without permission - let's hope this warning deters others from taking similar liberties.

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    2. You're welcome... best wishes for the future.

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  9. Sorry about the ongoing issues regarding your rights and the lack of respect for your expertise. I wish it was not so. Thank you for the link to my blog - it seems like we will have a small informal sewing club before soon. XO.

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    1. the occasional fly in the teacup makes me appreciate my good friends even more. i'll be sewing with you at long distance xo

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  10. Yes, google alerts are wonderful for getting all sides of a story, quite informative and surprising at times.

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  11. I don't understand why someone would think it is acceptable to use your good name to establish themselves as a teacher, an expert, or whatever-may-be-the-claim. I am disheartened by this.

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    1. it made me sad. but tis now behind me and i'm pootling happily off on the next adventure

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    2. Sometimes putting it behind you beats even revenge. It sure leads to a calmer heart! But congratulations on achieving equanimity... not so easy.

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