Archive for 17/11/2006

It’s my Birthday Tomorrrow

30/11/2006 Joh reading

Start early with your celebrations!
During report writing week, I always read as though there is no tomorrow. My first consumption was ‘Conrad’s Fate‘ by Diana Wynne Jones. It was an enjoyable read and I read The Merlin Conspiracy, when my kids received it as a gift for Christmas a couple of years ago. My sister-in-law said the bookseller had told her it was a suitable replacement for kids who were suffering Harry Potter withdrawal. I enjoyed it, but I don’t think my son got through it.
I totally enjoyed Allie McGregor’s True Colours by Sue Lawson. It captures much of the angst I see in the teenagers who attend the place I work. It was a quick read and easy to devour. The characters were familiar and lovable.
I completed the first draft of my reports last night and am very pleased with myself because it is my birthday tomorrow and I always strive to be complete before then. I love my birthday.

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The Window

27/11/2006 Joh reading


This Revver video reminds me of the book one of my students presented in his wider reading oral this week. The book is called the window and it tells an amazing story, without words.

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Was expecting ‘The Fool’

26/11/2006 Joh random

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

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Ups and Downs

24/11/2006 Joh reading

This week has been a rollercoaster ride. I have been all over the place emotionally and mentally.
My daughter had her graduation this week and because she was school captain, had to give a speech. I was so proud of her and in awe of her speaking abilities. She has such a presence when she speaks in public and I am always bursting with pride when I hear her. I also feel a little nostalgic about her finishing school.
My son has had a bit of a health issue that we’re still not sure about. I am worried yet hopeful it will all be ok at the same time. So therefore quite up and down about that.
Naturally it is report writing week!
I managed to squeeze in ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, with the school and it lived up to it’s name because it was inconvenient. When you live in a regional area though, you have to support these films with small niche audiences,or they don’t come back! Also there was a group organised from school/work, so I didn’t want to miss it either.
I read weblogg-ed: “Is Reading Dead” this morning and remembered a lovely moment this week, I might have forgotten in the big action of this week. One of my year 7s who at the beginning of the year hated reading came to tell me she had finished the book I recommended for her last week. As I was so busy and self absorbed, I nearly brushed her off with a nod and a ‘well done’ smile, but she wouldn’t accept that. She said “Tell me, did you cry?”. I had to have a look then and really remember the book. It was Painted Love Letters by Catherine Bateson. I admitted that I had sobbed when I read it. It was a great book. She really wanted to share the effect it had on her.
These are the peak moments for me as a teacher. I nearly lost that moment in the rush of the week, so my answer to the question ‘Is reading dead?’, is no way. This happens quite regularly enough for me to keep going to school every day, correcting, writing reports, doing yard duty and all the other parts of being a teacher that I find less inspiring and enjoyable.

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Amanda Bloom – WoW

22/11/2006 Joh music

Last night I heard Amanda Bloom’s ‘Magdeline‘ on the radio. It is an amazing song. I loved it on first hearing. I remember the first time I heard Tori Amos and it was a similar experience. She is like Kate Bush. I love Kate Bush.
The lyrics of ‘Magdeline‘ are moving and you can read all about them on her myspace blog.


She is a Sydney woman. Her voice is magic and I look forward to hearing more. I would buy a CD of hers today if I could. The Triple J radio announcer said last night she was classically trained. You can hear that discipline and excellence. I can’t say enough. If you go to Triple J Unearthed, you can download Magdeline and listen for yourself. I am going to register today and vote.
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Oh ZeFrank is good too

20/11/2006 Joh random

PS: Sorry, but this is really good too. Ze Frank too, TED is good. I know, I really should start saving posts as drafts until I am sure I am finished. As a bonus to you for your inconvenience, I am willing to put this other Ze Frank from Revver up, but make sure you watch the TED one, cause it’s good….:
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Ted Talks

20/11/2006 Joh learn

Considering what it costs to see Anthony Robbins live, this is good value. It’s free! He tells a very touching story. I’ve listened to a few Anthony Robbins tapes over the years, but not until today did I hear him say the F word. So that was interesting! I kinda liked it. Made him seem more human to me. I know, I have issues.
Actually you can watch a video of Tony Robbins. He looks good too.
I have been checking out TED Talks again today. I watched a video there the other day, I don’t know if I mentioned it here but it was about Happiness by Dan Gilbert and I really enjoyed it. This is a valuable resource. There are quite a few great speakers on this site and I think you could treat yourself to the time it takes to listen to a half hour or so, or download a podcast.
Oh and since U2 is in Australia, you might like to celebrate that by watching Bono here.

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Paths

19/11/2006 Joh home


Today I swept my paths. I have paths all around my home and because Andy had done such a magnificent job in the back yard, it inspired me to uncover the paths in the front yard, which had been buried, probably since last spring, by tanbark. The path was totally covered. It looks great now.
I do love overgrown and hidden paths though, just not at my home. Here is a picture I took this time last year on a walk at Cape Patterson. I like beach paths especially when they are dark and overgrown and then you emerge out on an open beach that seems so wide open and light in contrast to the path you have taken to get there.

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On the Jellicoe Road

17/11/2006 Joh reading

PS. My son loved this book too.

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Melina Marchetta’s Books

17/11/2006 Joh reading

I have recently consumed ‘On the Jellicoe Road’ by Melina Marchetta. It was like a puzzle I had to patiently pursue as the pieces came together. There were times I felt I had no clue what was going on and I had to reread parts as I knew I’d missed something important. It was worth it though. I felt I had been on a real reading journey when I finished and I found the resolutions satisfying. After finishing it, I am unsure why it wasn’t predictable but I know I didn’t realise the obvious because of the crafty way the author revealed the character’s.
I loved her first book. This was different from Looking for Alibrandi, which was a more straightforward read. Her characters were realistic and rich, and I enjoyed them. I haven’t read Saving Francesca (Bccb Blue Ribbon Fiction Books (Awards)). I am not sure why, but I know after enjoying the latest book so much I will make a point of borrowing it and reading it this summer.

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