Archive for 12/10/2008

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

30/10/2008 Joh reading

The last book I am aware of in Scot Westerfeld’s Uglies series is Extras. A new central character is introduced and Tally arrives part way through the novel to save the day. The world has changed and no longer are standards of beauty imposed and brains numbed to accept it. The currency for this new place is fame or popularity and credit is supplied on the basis of face rank.

It is a very interesting idea when reflecting on the rankings that occur on the Internet currently. The protagonist is a young ugly who plots and lusts after fame and finds the reality of it a bit of a rude shock. Her love interest is a young person whose fame was created from introducing a new clique that has had ‘surge’ to prevent him from lying. The truth and fame create all kinds of complications for them in another fast paced adventure.

I enjoyed this book the most of the series. I recommend this series though not only for the interesting way Scot Westerfeld has taken some of the technologies we have already to further levels, but also for the characters and relationships. Many of my students have enjoyed these books and it is difficult to get the first in the series in our school library.

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New Moon in Scorpio – Wednesday 29th October 2008

27/10/2008 Joh astrology

Well I am certainly feeling the intensity of the coming new moon and when I read Lynda Hill’s Sabian Symbol: Gold Rush! November’s Scorpio New Moon I had a few realisations. According to This New Moon this one is about truth telling and getting back to who you really are and finding what’s really important.

I have been experimenting with some different ways of being and have had some awakenings to my truth lately. I feel I have made some mistakes and as I have plenty of experience with doing that, I have had to correct a few things lately, and I’ve had others corrected for me.

I haven’t had time to blog much lately. I will get back into my routines after Tom has finished his exams, Ash has finished teaching rounds and I will have more time on my hands than I want!

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Tamboritha 2008

25/10/2008 Joh travel, work

Tamboritha 08I drove alone to camp this year in the school 4WD. It was a gorgeous clear day and the countryside was magnificent(as you can see in the photo). The floods have changed the waterways and there was a lot of running water. The trees have started to grow leaves over their blackened stumps hiding the bushfires. I nearly didn’t take my warm hat and scarf as the day was so clear and bright. Lucky I did because it snowed on the second morning. I’ll upload some video over the weekend.

I rode horses for two sessions and went on the walk for one. The horse riding was great and I am a lot more relaxed on a horse now after these annual rides. Last year at the Blairgowrie camp I was very uncomfortable as we took the kids over a road, in suburbia. The instructors there gave them very little instruction, yet at Tamboritha the guy is a lot more direct and down to earth. He lets them know clearly (if somewhat gruffly) what they are to do to stay safe and not confuse the horses. I feel like they had a more authentic experience. Having said that, on my second ride, I was unfortunate enough to have another horse attempt to bite mine a couple of times, which was a little scary for both of us. Spring! Once I separated the two they were fine.

The students were wonderfully behaved. I enjoyed their company and they amused themselves and socialised with one another beautifully. They played cards and sat around the campfire. I actually managed to read a small book whilst I was there, which I’ve never managed on camp before. They participated enthusiastically in all the activities, especially the night one, ‘stalk the lantern’, which involves them sneaking up to a base, whilst I try to catch them in a spotlight. I am quite enthusiastic myself when it comes to that game and a couple of them commented they were glad I didn’t have a gun! I didn’t enjoy it as much the second night when snow started to fall on us again, but the kids remained keen. I fell off a log in my zealous attempt to capture one of them, much to the amusement of those already caught.  

Tonight I am relieved as I have been replaced on Monday’s trip. I felt uneasy about leaving Tom at this time, with his VCE exams looming. I didn’t want to let people down, but I appreciate my compassionate principal and co-coordinator for recognising that I am not up for it and getting someone else. He phoned me tonight as I was driving my car less daughter back to Melbourne. Although the students were great, I still had to get up and put wood on the fire possibly 5 times during both nights, so I have been really overtired the last couple of days and Tom’s end of school celebrations have added to that. I am glad to be home. I can properly unpack now and get things in order.  

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Finishing School

23/10/2008 Joh friends

Last night I arrived home from Tamboritha (which I will probably blog about tomorrow?). I had made some plans for my evening to celebrate a friends birthday. I was totally organised and had some treats lined up as I love celebrating birthdays. The evening was cancelled with a phone call and I was disappointed.

 Shortly afterward, I realised I’d been saved from a big stress. One of the gifts I had bought my friend had been worn by my son, who thought they were a gift for him cause they were so cool (as you do when you are in and out so briefly, and grabbing the nearest, best thing to wear). 

I had my weeks confused with all that I have on right now. My son arrived home from school, with barely a ‘how was camp mum?’, let alone ‘thanks for the cool thongs’. We flew into action to get him to his pressing engagements. He had his final school mass and festivities for the last day of school to arrange. His car is majorly broken down, so I went along for that ride.

My daughter is home doing teaching rounds, her car was also getting repaired, so she had my car and was out having coffee with a friend. We retrieved the car and flew around, getting things done. I rushed back home, quickly showered and attended the very long mass.

I had taught many kids in Tom’s year level so it was lovely to see them all grown and about to complete their school lives. As each of them went up to get their certificates I remembered them as a year 7, 8 or 9 student I’d spent a year with. I was a little emotional about it all. That’s the end of it for me as far as my own children go. It’s an overwhelming feeling when you’re overtired.

This morning they headed off from the shopping centre carpark, in their school uniforms, armed with water pistols machine guns, on rollerblades, scooters and bikes and wearing brightly coloured safety vests over the top. I just hope they arrived safely, but luckily I will find out shortly at the final year whole school assembly.

I realise I am optimistic when I imagine I am getting any sleep in the next week! Last night I lay awake listening for the taxi or text message to go pick them up from their festivities.

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The Week

19/10/2008 Joh gratitude, health

I got my test results this week, I ended up having the chest x-ray as well (caved in to pressure from loved ones) and all is good. No diseases whatsoever and lungs are all good too, even with the punishing I have given them. It was a relief. I am really glad now I didn’t take all that medication because I must have just had a virus. I knew I was ok though, because I have felt so much better.

I found out a friend at work is pregnant this week, so that’s exciting. She’s going to be a great mum and has wanted this for a while. I am so delighted for her. It’s her first!

Although I’ve been really busy this week, I’ve read a fair bit. I seem to read the most when I am really busy. It’s weird. I think it’s my favourite way to escape and turn off, so I do it more when I am under pressure.

Yesterday was a great day. We went shopping and lunching in Sorrento and then swam at Flinders. I like Flinders beach because it is less populated. The water was freezing yet again, but I loved it. Wilma and I relived many old memories and thrashed out current issues as we do when we get together. As always, a lot of laughter occurred. Friday night was great to catch up with old friends. When I lived in that area I would spend a lot of time with that circle of friends and some of them I hadn’t seen for 5 years. Too long!

Tom’s car broke down on the way to the beach yesterday though, so we have to go retrieve it this afternoon. He was really lucky one of his friends mum’s rescued him. I love that we have friends like that. I was still in Melbourne and his dad was at work. He had to solve the problem himself.

I am off to Tamboritha this week for a couple of days. I will be horse riding, which I only seem to do once a year on camp. I like it. This year I expect to go on a couple of rides because we have restructured the activities on camp. It’s a beautiful place. I haven’t been there for 2 years due to the fires, floods and road damage. Last year we had to take our year 9s to Blairgowrie, which was easier, but not as good in many ways.

My daughter is going to be home for a few weeks. She’s got teaching rounds and has finished for the year at Uni. I think I need to work there! It’s great timing because I don’t want Tom to be alone while I am on camp and he is studying for his exams. I can’t believe it’s this time already.

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Celebrating Wilma

17/10/2008 Joh friends

I’m celebrating my long time friend and once business partner, Wilma’s birthday tonight. It was her birthday on the 16th, but since we no longer live in the same area and mid week celebrations aren’t as fun, tonight’s the night. I met Wilma over 20 years ago when I was 18. We were both at Uni together. She is around 10 years older than me and we were studying different courses, but had a couple of subjects together.  The stories she could tell about me!

Later, we had a couple of businesses together and I have learnt so much from my friend I feel forever in her debt. She taught me plenty about business and took me under her wing so to speak when I was barely 20 and clueless. Our times in business together were always a lot of fun and we socialised and worked alongside of each other with a lot of laughter. People said to me at the time that you shouldn’t go into business with friends, but that has certainly not been my experience.

We have had some very wild nights together and some of my best memories include her. When Wilma and I are together there is always laughter. We bring out the light, you could say silly, sides of one another. We’ve also done a lot of courses together and personal growth, constantly challenging one another to be the best we can be. It’s pretty awesome to have a friend like that.

She’s also been around for the not so light times in my life. We’ve had one another to cry on whether in person or on the phone. When I was leaving my husband I spent half my wages on STD phone calls to her whilst I was struggling with the decision. She always listened and I never felt judged by her.

Tomorrow I’m taking her out for the day, but I can’t say where, cause it’s a surprise and whilst she very rarely reads my blog, today might be the day. I don’t want to blow it!

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Specials by Scott Westerfeld

16/10/2008 Joh reading

I am enjoying Scott Westerfeld’s series more with each book. In ‘Specials’ the main character, Tally is made into a new form of Pretty after being recaptured from the wild yet again. She is basically a weapon and as such becomes a cold hearted person who is unable to relate to those she once loved.

In each of these novels she is manipulated and goes through a process and journey to refind herself after the ‘surge’ (plastic surgery affecting both physical and mental). In this installment Tally cops huge losses and whilst she overthrows a system and regains hope for the future of all in this new world, she pays a high price.

I have often felt the word special is quite redundant. The definition of special as being unique or particular to a person is really true of everyone. Everyone is unique and therefore special, yet we throw this word around as though it raises people above others.

Scott Westerfeld has really tapped into some prevailing climate of our world and ‘Specials’ again is fast paced and yet offers insights into very relevant issues for young people today.

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Blog Action Day

15/10/2008 Joh gratitude

A couple of years ago I taught humanities to year 9 students. In the first term of the year, one of our topics was poverty. I was quite surprised by the passion and urge to do something that students felt. At the end of the year when the class filled out their feedback sheets, the majority of them mentioned the poverty unit as the most educational and enjoyable. They learnt plenty and felt good about the projects they undertook.

 I think most of us want to do something, but get confused and unsure about what to do. Some students mentioned it made them feel guilty to think about the suffering of people they didn’t feel they could help so they tried to ignore it. Our students generate thousands of dollars each year for World Vision, local Vinnies christmas hampers and recently 40 Hour Famine.  When people are aware, it often translates to action.

The Blog Action Day site has a list of 88 things to do. My favourite way to give money is via Global Giving cause I like to read about the innovative ways that motivated people have found to make a difference and then send something to support them. You can give as little as $10. If you aren’t in a position to give money, raising awareness is always a good thing to do also. Earlier this year at school we had a Global Reality Meal, which was really effective as an awareness raiser, as well as raising some money to donate.

With all the depressing economic news I think it’s a great reality check to contemplate giving to those who have never been able to lose money on the share market or their superannuation fund. Giving makes me feel good, that’s the bottom line for me.

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Only Yesterday..

13/10/2008 Joh gratitude

Joh at InverlochI was lying on the beach after having the most wonderfully chilling swim. The first swim since winter and it took my breath away with each wave. I met Tom and his friends and they sat with my stuff whilst I had a swim, then headed into the town for icecream! I lay in the afternoon sun reading John Marsdon’s ‘Hamlet’ and soaking up the cosy temperature.

I met the young people in town after a long period of loveliness and we enjoyed our delicious pasta, pizza and coffee from the Italian food shop.  There is nothing like good food after a big swim is there not. The couple in the restaurant are such happy, alive people, which is why I always go there. I feel like friends are feeding me.

We sat outside in the warm early evening and laughed and gorged ourselves. I enjoyed their wicked humour. They explained a few new terms to me such as ‘cutting a mainy’, which can be loosely translated as driving your car down the main street. I couldn’t possibly share the rest as they were uncouth, but hilarious.

I am shaking off that winter misery and feeling better than I have for a long while.

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My Reasons to be Cheerful

12/10/2008 Joh gratitude, home, music

Kate made it and we have heard from her. It was great last night to get a message from her on facebook to say she was safe and it was 21 in London and sunny. Mum was here helping me garden yesterday and she was quite anxious waiting to hear from her. Dad and I confused her with time differences for a little while, but eventually she worked it out and went back to worrying and wondering why she hadn’t heard from her.

My garden looks amazing. It was overgrown with weeds and long grass when I woke up yesterday. The flowers and blooming wisteria and apple blossom were difficult to appreciate obscured by weedy beds. I channelled my parents anxiety into some physical labour and now I can sit outside in this magic weather without keeping my eyes closed. I was amazed at how much we got done in an afternoon. I felt it was beyond repair and had started to look at new houses, thinking it would be easier to move!

Fit Again! For the first time in over 2 months I have not coughed my way through the nights and woken up sounding like a burnt out chain smoker. I finally got fully back into exercise this week. It has taken all week to get back to the level of exercise I was doing in June, which isn’t too shabby really considering I had dramatically slashed the frequency of my exercise and spent around 3 weeks doing nothing. Interestingly I went to the doctors, finally, in the last week of the holidays. He gave me prescriptions for anti-biotics, steriods and ventolin. I also had to get blood tests and a chest xray. I was kind of anxious about that. I had the blood test, cause as far as I know there are no side effects from blood tests. I have neglected to get the prescription filled after looking up on the internet what the effects of the medication was. I haven’t had the xray due to a combination of too busy and not really wanting to know. I don’t think I need to bother now.

Musical highlights. During the last week of the holidays, my very gorgeous friend gave me some CD’s of musicians I hadn’t discovered and I have really got into them this week. Joan as Policewoman and Liz Phair were my favourites.

I also watched ‘The Angels’ documentary last night on SBS. It was pretty sad, but brought back lots of partying in my youth memories, which were pleasant. I felt the advertising during that show was a little cruel though. It seemed to me to be directed at old men and the entire experience including the aged appearances of the band, were a little confronting. In keeping with being cheerful though, I will focus on the pleasant memories.

The sunny weather and improved health have given me the energy to get my home back in order. I swam in the ocean today and feel like I can handle this busy term.

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