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Sunday, 1 September 2013

in memoriam


today i gave a talk at the Glasgow School of Art
in the Mackintosh Lecture Room
an architectural gem
redolent of the forests from which the timber panelling was sourced.



i dedicated my talk to the memory of my father

Professor Emeritus Dr. Peter Schwerdtfeger

B.Sc. M.Sc. (Melb.), Ph.D. (McG.), F.T.S.E., F.R.Met.S.

who was born December 23, 1935 at Gӧttingen, Germany to Hans and Hanna Schwerdtfeger
and departed this life in Adelaide, Australia on August 20, 2013.



my father taught me a many things
including that it is better to allow an extended pause in transmission
than to say
'um'
when giving a lecture
and
that the show must go on

which is why i stayed on in Scotland and completed my engagements here.
tomorrow i will be returning home for his funeral

and for the record, i didn't say 'um'.

at

44 comments:

  1. Penny1 September 2013 at 08:05

    Sad but things happen, usually when you are not home, the show must go on and I am so glad you didnt say um.My regards to your mother.

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  2. Ro Ribeiro1 September 2013 at 08:14

    Meus sentimentos...

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  3. the wild magnolia1 September 2013 at 08:17

    sympathies to you and your family.

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  4. Diana Angus1 September 2013 at 08:17

    Thoughts, prayers and positive energy being sent your way as you and your family mourn the passing of this great man.

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  5. ronnie1 September 2013 at 08:43

    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (and more)

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  6. material witness1 September 2013 at 09:06

    I am so touched by your farewell to your father. I lost mine a few years ago close to this date. Our fathers remain with us in so many ways. His death reminded me that time on this Earth is precious and that we are so much part of it's breath. David Suzuki once explained that our last exhalation continues to circle the Earth for more than 100 years. I breath deeply when I need the comfort of my father.
    I am so sorry for your loss.

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  7. Birdsong1 September 2013 at 09:06

    I am sorry to hear of your loss. A fitting tribute to how he raised you.

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  8. Karen Thiessen1 September 2013 at 09:25

    My thoughts are with you as you grieve. xxoo

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  9. Linda W.1 September 2013 at 09:32

    What sad news, India. My thoughts will be with you as fly those long hours home.

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  10. Unknown1 September 2013 at 09:42

    A beautiful tribute . My thoughts are very much with you .
    Claudia

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  11. Madeline Rains1 September 2013 at 10:12

    What a classy woman you are.
    I am so sorry for your loss.

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  12. Jean Stillmock1 September 2013 at 10:23

    My sympathies to you. Jean

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  13. cedar1 September 2013 at 10:24

    Peace

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  14. Cate Rose1 September 2013 at 11:31

    So sorry about your dad.

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  15. Kailee1 September 2013 at 13:10

    Much love xx

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  16. margery meyers haber1 September 2013 at 13:14

    I am so sorry for your loss.

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  17. Teri1 September 2013 at 13:45

    I'm sorry for your recent loss. I just saw that you will be teaching just 15 minutes away from where I live but the class is full. I just might come into Tin Thimble that day just to ss you in person. You are amazing.

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  18. Anonymous1 September 2013 at 16:26

    My thoughts are with you and your loved ones. I wish your father peace and love on his new journey. A warm hug for you.
    Anja

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  19. Annette1 September 2013 at 16:26

    Hey India, thinking of you during this time. I was in Adelaide recently and thought of you often.. I know you weren't there in body, but I'm guessing you were there in spirit.
    sending warm hugs and strength.

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  20. Jennifer1 September 2013 at 16:30

    Thinking of you as you travel home today for such a sad event.

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  21. Helen Lyôn1 September 2013 at 18:22

    Sending you love and strength for this terribly difficult time India - much love, helen.xxxx

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  22. PixieLouFelt1 September 2013 at 19:48

    He would be proud of you for not saying "um" and for carrying on. Thank you for staying to do the talk. It meant a lot to me to hear you on the other side of the world. Louise

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  23. Marianne Hall1 September 2013 at 20:49

    I feel the release....been there. With you. ox

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  24. Jo Campbell1 September 2013 at 21:25

    I was very grateful to be at your talk yesterday in light of your loss and wish you a safe journey home.

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  25. Patti1 September 2013 at 21:43

    I'm sure your father was very proud of you and especially for following your dreams and calling. What a wonderful tribute to him for you to dedicate your talk to him. I'm sure he loved it. Wishing peace in your heart and mind.

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  26. Velma Bolyard2 September 2013 at 00:12

    and on to another mountain. my best to you.

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  27. Unknown2 September 2013 at 00:44

    love and letting go.

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  28. ArtPropelled2 September 2013 at 00:58

    I'm so sorry for your loss, India. xoxo

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  29. Annie Cholewa2 September 2013 at 01:11

    So very sorry for your loss x

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  30. eva a(r)t work2 September 2013 at 01:23

    Dear India,
    Have a safe journey back to Australia. I love the gesture to dedicate your talk in Glasgow to your father.
    I am not sure I'll choose the right words in English....
    India, mein tief empfundenes Mitgefühl begleitet Dich auf Deiner Heimreise.
    eva

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  31. Valerianna2 September 2013 at 12:09

    I'm keenly aware of what my mother taught me, in this year of her death. Deep peace to you.

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  32. Unknown2 September 2013 at 13:59

    I am so sorry for your loss, India. Looking forward with my whole heart to spending time with you later this month at the Wayfarer's Windfall. Peace and comfort to you until then, sus

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  33. Unknown2 September 2013 at 17:09

    Thus is the cycle- you will never say ummm (or think it, or do it). . . ever, and that will always be his gift to you.

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  34. Sue Hutchen Lay3 September 2013 at 00:53

    I think your father must have been very proud of you. Clearly strength and wisdom are part of your heritage.

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  35. Kristin Hoelscher-Schacker3 September 2013 at 00:54

    Blessings to you and yours.

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  36. Petrena3 September 2013 at 04:38

    So awful about your Dad! I'm so sorry...

    Big, warm hugs to all of you Flints (and, of course, your Momma n sibs.)

    XOXOX

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  37. the woolly dog3 September 2013 at 08:14

    There will always be a space where he was. But believe me when I say from experience, even though it becomes smaller over the years, it will always be there for you to stand in and let it wrap around you when you need comfort. With love.

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  38. Anonymous3 September 2013 at 11:00

    I'm so sorry, India. Wishing you and your family peace.

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  39. Little Mountain Fiber Studio4 September 2013 at 11:03

    Sending you love and blessings
    I have an UMM habit and have been trying to break it, will think of you and your father's words in my next presentation!

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  40. Suzanna4 September 2013 at 23:46

    Sending love, consolation...

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  41. Susan5 September 2013 at 06:29

    Sending sympathy and healing thoughts your way.

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  42. AnnaB5 September 2013 at 17:38

    what a deep shock for you. Safe journies, good wise words he said about umming i'll remember that..

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  43. Marti7 September 2013 at 17:09

    There is a specialness to Fathers ,that transcends their leaving us and what they give us, love, knowledge and memories wrap around us in our time of sadness. Blessings to you and your family..

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  44. Christine11 September 2013 at 09:12

    You and your family have my heartfelt sympathy dear friend.

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