So Long Red Bubble by Robert Knapman

WOW~ How very exciting! Bummer that youe wont be bubbling, enjoyied your images very much.. They were begining to tell a story collectively..

Good luck with the work that you will doing for the UN, People like you are needed to create pathways to a better more humaine world.. Thankyou.

I really appreciate the opportunity to meet you and your work through RB – it’s been such a great journey for me to experience a wonderful piece of your arts. Good luck in Geneva, also for whatever you will do from now on – and remember there will be always a passion in every distance you are flying to. “You are only one life, flying to passion to passion” – Good luck and thank you Robert.

This sounds so wonderfully exciting and interesting Robert but I miss you already!! :(
Have a wonderful time, good luck with your studies, say hello to Marie and I will keep in touch……..and don’t forget your camera! bon voyage!!!

did I mention that I miss you??

Good luck mate! All the best! :D

Ohhhhhhhhhh so sad now, I will miss you too, you have been such an inspiration and a breath of fresh air and lately scaring me with your spooky stuff.

I hope all your dreams come true and you continue to make the dreams of others come true too.

Have a wonderful time and I am very intersted to see how you overcome the addiction……….you might be the first to try………
I kinda hope you don’t succeed so we get to see you real soon.

Drop us a photo of you and what you are doing every once in a while so we can be apart of what you are doing for the world.

Lots of Love and Hugs to take on your Journey to share around
Take Care of you and Yours
Love Karen

all the best robert! luv yer work…

Robert please tell me you will still be going on Saturday? Miss you already!

Good Luck Robert…will look foward to your return.

Best of luck with the next phase of your life :)

Many thanks Robert, and good luck with all your new ventures. I am sure you will be successful. I will email you with the image that I produce using yours.

Have a great time.

Cheers everyone. Thanks for your thoughts and well wishes, journey’s and wonderful diverse creative gifts. Oh jeez this is harder than I thought. Yep, camera’s coming with. Ill take your hugs and kisses to share :D I’m not sure about the Sydney meet up MB. Would love to but may have to sleep on it. xo

Thanks Gayle – that would be brilliant
Hehe – will do Karen
Cheers Minoanphotography – thanks buddy ,)
Sylvia – very cool look forward to it
Mayuphoto – ditto ditto ditto: passion is the creator x

Bon voyage Robert, I look forward to seeing your work in the future :)

I switch my computer on a while ago.. it’s only morning for me in France …

Read this .. I am and am not sad ..
Sad because I will miss your photos … Not sad.. , I should say happy ; because of our encounter .. As I said..from Geneva to our house is only 1.30 hour driving or less…

I take advantage of your writing.. to thank you the friends asking for a hello/hug to me.
I’m very moved.
Love you too Robert and friends from the other side of the rainbow.
Hug and kisses from a happy French lady !
Robert …. waiting for you
Fingers crossed .

Wow Robert, what a wonderful opportunity you have! Congratulations!

Do pop in to say hello once in a while, we will miss you around here.

Love reading your poetry and writings, as well as you unique style of photography.

Take your camera, you never know what delights or truths you may uncover in Geneva.

I truly hope it is all you expect it to be! I’m certain that catching will not be required!

All the best Robert will miss you! Maybe in future you`ll find a way to squeese RB in your I imagine tight schedules…..

Will miss your contributions Robert. Bon Chance!

Carpe Diem!! (Seize the day …but go out at night!!) Loredana x

See you later Robert (I hate goodbyes so will avoid them!) and all the best with your travels and activities. I’ve found your emotional honesty and creative works inspiring. Sounds like you have a good strong heart and strength of will…. I know what you mean about internet addiction and was thinking of writing a journal entry about it myself today, while walking in the forest and feeling myself being restored :) I’ve seen the effects on families and friends and it isn’t pretty, for all we joke about it!
Look forward to your return and hearing about your experiences :) Take care xx

More goodbyes …um not goodbyes…cya’s – this is cool, like friends randomly dropping over on a Suday arvo for drinks. Also meeans I can feed my needs a bit longer :))Cheers.

Thanks everyone – you’ve all offered me so much in different ways over the months (feels like ages coz its so regular and instant) and its been very excellent indeed. I’ve laughed, cried (good crying – passionate stuff), hoped, wished, cursed, ranted, created, written, explored, hidden, climbed, fallen and also loved. Thanks for the gifts – because you’ve all been a part of it in different ways and given me that – I hope I’ve also left you with something similar to a greater or lesser degree. Funny to be thinking of popping in to see Marie en France too. Bugger – knew I should have learnt how to speak French at school.

Salut …for now.
Be thinking of you…whenever I take out my camera, and…when I go out at night Loredana .))

Friends

In my pocket
Lives a family of elephants
Who don’t like being disturbed

Their days are full
Of endless accoutrements
And sometimes adventures absurd

They forage alone
Fearless and strong
Taking turns at playing the hunted

Their lives are strong
Obscure and strange
Yet oddly enough never stunted

best of luck Robert. Please keep in touch. John

We’ll always be here to welcome your return :0)

Wow Robert, your life is a varied and fascinating one – just like your wonderful art. I’ll so miss seeing your work. Will you leave your profile for us to linger over? Only a week in the bubble for me and I’ll miss you already! thank you for your encouragement. Best wishes for your UN work – amazing stuff!

Thanks for the support Dude
You and I started almost the same day and pretty much hooked up straight away, though we did tend to find our own paths eventually.
You always seemed to have what I wanted just as I needed it and you were always willing to share and give support.
I have never met you but even via an impersonal media like the Net, I can tell Robert, you arte the genuine article.
Cheers buddy
Danny

sounds like very important work Robert. all the best and much success.

How Ironic that I only just discovered you as you are leaving. I must have had my head in a bucket!

Your art is extraordinary as is your life. I wish you wonderful experiences and achievements.

Please continue to share with us!

Ok, so now I’m officially feeling the loss.

John, one thing I want to do before I go is buy some of your images / cartoons on cards (coz I think they are brilliant in their originality) – ill let you know .)

kseriphyn – yay! The return will then be that much sweeter ,)

Thanks Louise, I will definely be leaving my folio to linger over and please enjoy it as much as you want. I know – a week here stretches forever. I wish you all the best to you also and your rich adventures in the bubble I am convinced :)

Danny, mate. You are a unique soul and the only one that really made me laugh randomly and sometimes uncontrolably out loud. Thats some wild gift! Never underestimate it. I remember well when we met – something about a war in Iraq?? hehe ;)) Anyway keep the revolution strong buddy. Your the good oil with one of those hearts of gold. Thanks for all your support too, collaborations, thoughts, ideas and mostly your honesty. Worth a bloody mint. Ciao.

Thanks magicman – your another that got under my skin (whether you realise or not) and thats a good thing. Keep it edgy and keep it real.

Neil, nothing wrong with buckets – buckets are good .) Thanks for that and I’ll do my best to pop in from time to time…unexpected like ;) Go well and thanks for your support.

Wanna leave you with the lyrics to a song that sends shudders down my spine EVERY time I hear it. Its ‘Up to Our Necks in it’ by Skunk Hour (an Australian band) and its a track I’ve been working towards creating an image for. But if anyone here is so inspired go for it – would really love to see what you come up with. Find it on youtube and have a listen – it’s wild.

Thats it.
X0

Broken free…almost
Prettier than that butterfly i watch you head off through this night sky
The thought of you lingers like the smoke that’s drifting from my fingers
While I sit, i see, there’s a tree outside my room
My face reflected in the pain of this moon
Outside the cold rain cleanses my soul,
Whole, the distance between the rooms of my thoughts of us all
Sitting in that room sometimes i get to thinking about myself
Love, where does it come from?
For days on end i would plead to the moon
Where can i find someone to strip my flesh back bare to where the word begins,
Strip my flesh back bare to the wind that violates my skin

Washing away, under the sun, I vanish in the street heat
Melting on tar, lost in a wave of cut-throat urban values
Looking for some, getting too few, breathing fumes and pipe-dreams
Sliding, Holding…

We’re up to our necks in it
We’re up to our necks in it

Walking the streets of this big shitty gritty city called Sydney
On a day when i feel like I’m living too close to the big electric light bulb in the sky
Shy, the rats with wings mingle about my feet
When i come to meet a man, a forsaken man
He is alone, he has no home, no family here
No brother, no mother, no sister, no other
He cries to me, he is tired
Where does he send his message?
To what, to whom, to why, to where does he send it?
What force is going to mend it?
If we wished we could help this man and our backs would not break
But hypocrisy only leaves us constantly bended
He wishes to end it

The progress that eats the soul of the past
Demolished, lost and rebuilt
Dehumanised, regimented
When nine-to-five’s the doctrine
Give me the sky red behind the grey
Buildings framed in a sunset
I’m Sliding, holding

We’re up to our necks in it
We’re up to our necks in it

Well, I didn’t see that one coming;) Geez.
I doubt I can say anymore than has already been expressed in the messages above; the many, many messages. Fitting testimony to your many contributions.
I can see you making many fantastic contributions to the world, Robert! I hope to see just a few of them around the bubble sometime:) though I wish you all the best in your travels, regardless. It’s been nice getting to know the artist, the poet and the thoughtful guy you are.
Cheers for all your support and comments,
Laura

HI Robert, what an exciting opportunity and I wish you every success with your internship and feel sure you will excel and help make this world a better place and ease suffering.

I’ll miss you, your wonderful poems, stunning photographs and your encouraging comments,

Goodbye for now as I feel our paths will cross somewhere down the road
Hugs
Shanina

Hi there
I just checked by RB and noticed your comment. Thanks so much!
Its amazing to see that you are concerned for refugee and asylum seeker
issues…. thats my inspiration for my photos!! Anyway, I’ll cut out the full
explaination of that but I’ll be sure to take note of your email, because
I would love to hear about your internship in Geneva, and work in the
Australian refugee sector the because thats a direction I would like to go in the future.
Absolute, best of luck to you, and much success, and happiness!
Peace,

Bonne Rahni

Hi Robert, I hope I haven’t missed you!
I’m sad to hear you won’t be around here for awhile! But I understand totally about the need to focus on your postgrad work – it just won’t write itself, more’s the pity! Brilliant news about your internship and UN meetings, I’m sure that will go well!
Thanks for your support and encouragement of my writing and images, I’ve appreciated your thoughts.
I know you’ll be back, so I’ll wait for some fresh adventures ;)
Take care, Damian
btw, love the Skunk Hour song; I’ve used its mellow goodness to get me through many a work afternoon!

Just popped back in. I’ve been sneaking around the bubble off and on over the last couple of days tying up some loose and not so loose ends… hehe. Its weird not being a ‘player’, totally different perspective and energy – fascinating ,)

pinkelephant – I always wanted to know why your name. But there’s something about it that must remain a mystery…somehow. I have fully enjoyed connecting with the writer and the person that’s pinkelephant. Your wordsmithsman(woman)ship (is that a word?) and expression I’ve found totally inspiring and exciting. Wish you joy, joy and more abundant joy.

Shanina, I never did get around to following up on that great info you offered on digtal manipulation programs and tools – ah maybe thats the next incarnation or metamorphosis (I’ve saved it all). Been watching your impressive evolution too and I couldn’t match it if I tried :P Thanks for your well wishes and I think you mght be right about paths…. .)

Cheers Bonne. Yeah drop me an email for sure. I’ve worked in the human services for many years in Australia yet mostly on the edges of refugee issues. This internship is taking me into the thick of it. I’m nervous and excited. The sexual minority field is my passion and an area that is never straight (sorry) forward. It’s complex yet rich. Cheers for now.

Damian – nope not missed at all. Really hoping you’d catch me. I would have found you otherwise .) Yeah bugga it won’t write itself – but then where’s the fun in that :) Yep I’ll be back end of year most likely. But one minute out there seems like months in here so you might have all aged amazingly in that time…hehe. Thanks for all your comments and feedback on my stuff too. It’s always been very much appreciated and valued. I like your mind and talent – your writing just rocks. Oh…by the way you never got back to me on that suggestion of you finding a set of long black false eylashes…lol Ciao :))

One for the Road

Dearest darkest secret
Gallivanting
Like an erotic amphetamine
Take a breather

Slip across your ancient’s face
And high board dive
Gracefully
Off his back

The host
Is getting over monkeys
And claws
Anyway

Your purifying plunge
Aqua and butt naked
Arouses virginal nights
In waiting

Curled in an open hand
Like Jupiter’s smile
Like a journey
Like dew

And fantasy alone

Wow, Robert, why haven’t I seen you amazing photographs before? I look forward to your return. Best wishes for you new venture, Michelle.

goodbye and good luck with your degree. I am just finishing a research masters degree and while I’ve loved it I also know how time consumming it all is. Come back soon with your lovely photographs.

All the best, Robert.

Thanks for your well wishes all. Juilee it must be a good feeling to be nearly finished. well worth it I am sure. See y’all sooner rather than later…hopefully. Alloha :)

I find it hard to say anything, I really enjoyed your work, and I will and am missing you. Enough of me being selfish, all the luck in the world for your future, though I’m sure a person with as much passion as you definately wont have to rely on luck!
Have a great journey!
Hopefully see you tomorrow!

Hey Robert. You’ve been nothing but supportive of my work with words and suggestions. All these comments show what an awesome bloke you are. Congratulations on your opportunity. Soar with the wind my friend. Hold on to the coat tails of your dreams and dance iwith the hope and dettermination with which you travel xx

YER YER YER Whippety KRACK!!!! what melinda said n stuff.

Keep coming back here to continue this long goodbye. So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen goodnight. Adieu adieu adieu.

Saw some pics of you in Sydney with a small black and white gang MB – wish I was there. There’ll be others…pleeaaseee. Thanks for your words. Ohh I don’t know, luck’s good…very good ;)

Thanks heaps Melinda. I’ll be holding on for dear life…and determination :))) xo

Whippety KRACK!!!!!! ‘n other high brow stuff. You’ll keep.

Oh Robert. Miss ya. Great work, May you have good experiences and safe journey’s along the streach of road called LIFE.

I’m so sad I just found you!!! BUT…this journey you’re about to partake on, is of all the meaning in the world. Good luck to you, and don’t forget us :)

Hey there Robert… it’s good to see you give everyone a fair go… that is i guess…. the reason why you are successful at what you do….. you can come by my blog and spam it up….. nothing offends me i have a very thick complexion …. and as for xxzx he’s a mate of mine from when i was at art school he’s doin a masters he can’t stay away from the place!! clever bloke ….like you……. anyways I WILL STAY TUNED AND AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS ……..Whippety KRACK!!!!

Well…a lot of time has passed since you wrote this blog..I wonder how you are and where you are?

I don’t know you Robert..but I wish you well. I look forward to getting lost in your work..from what I’ve seen so far, I’m enthralled.

HEY ROBERT HERE IS AN ANSWER
TO THE BIG QUESTION.

Been and now I’m back – just in case you are reading this and wondered ;)

Thank God for that! Was wondering when i was gonna get to the end of it! WB BTW !Not that i knew till you commented on my art! Thanks! :)

P.s hope the trip was all it was meant to be and more.