Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Austen and Auctions

I recently received my news letter from the Jane Austen Society which noted the recently held Sotheby's auction.  Sotheby's had come into possession of an unfinished manuscript by Miss Austen - called The Watsons.  As it was believed by experts to be about a quarter of the actual novel, the expected price was 200,000 pounds.  To real lovers of Austen's work and the lack of direct link to Austen herself or her works as time has destroyed much, it would come as no surprise that the purchase of this unfinished manuscript far surpassed the expected amount.  Here is the article which supposes Austen's possible reasons for not completing the novel as well as the price it fetched...
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Jane-Austen-s-unfinished-Bath-novel-sold-993k/story-12949457-detail/story.html

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Bad Movies, Good Movies

Last night I went and saw the final in Harry Potter series.  I enjoyed it.  They actually finished it off well and gave the books justice (as much as film medium can).  There were a couple of things I would have liked in there - Lupin at Shell Cottage asking Harry to be Godfather to Teddy, and young Lily having brown eyes.  But on a whole, it was good.  On the other end of the scope - Bad Teacher - really should have been named "Bad" full stop!  It is crap...and as much as I like Cameron Diaz I think she seriously should have rethought her decision to even make this movie.

So, how many good/bad movies have you seen - what's your favourite movie/s or worst movie/s?

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Blowin' in the Wind

My morning began with quite an event...but I really need to go back so you can understand where I'm coming from.  Just over 2 weeks ago I moved out of my bedroom so that my grandfather could move in - permanently.  This meant for all intents and purposes that whilst we have a large house I had no where to call my own...and I still don't.  I'm staying at my grandfather's place whilst it is on the market.  It's a pain because although I have my own space, it's not really mine.  I can't have all my books, my cat or most of my clothes there - simply because we are trying to sell it and thus don't want a lot of clutter.  In regards to my cat, well my grandfather has an old cat that already lives there therefore making it impossible to introduce my cat to the environment, and I don't think it's fair to him to uproot him from home just to bring him back in a few months.


Anyway, it's been difficult all around - particularly because my grandfather brought his dog that has a horrible temperament and none of us can stand this animal...I hate saying that because I am such an animal lover but this dog has to be muzzled for walks, baths and to go to the vet...yep, not a nice animal.


So, this morning at about 5am I was woken up by the howling wind.  Since I couldn't get back to sleep I read a bit, then had a shower and got dressed for work.  All set I then went to feed the cat.  The cat usually follows me outside but not today.  Just as I went to step down into the patio outside she ran in front of me - I tripped, the food and milk went everywhere and I landed on my butt with my leg behind me and the ankle in an agonising position.  After the shock I got up - VERY delicately, finding I couldn't quite put pressure on my foot.  I cleaned up the cat's food & drink, managed to get her some more then came home to get a bandage.  By the time I put a bandage on the foot it was almost twice the size.


So, no work today - but after tests there is no break but strained ligaments and bruising...and whilst this is all going on the wind is blowing a gale...reminding me of Bob Dylan's song...


Change happens.  Things happen.  Sometimes you just have to go with it and smile your way through it.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Winter Escapisms...

It's less than a month now until the final Harry Potter movie hits the cinemas...I'm already lucky enough to have my ticket for the final event and even more happy with the fact that I can take my time re-watching the other movies in preparation as I have no classes until the last week in July!  I know, as with any art, there are people out there who don't like the franchise - book or movies - but it is one that I thoroughly enjoy escaping into - much like Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton.  To each their own I say and if you are small minded enough to disagree with anyone having their own choice or opinion that differs to your own then go stick your head up...well you get the point.


Not only is this movie on the cards this winter, but NBC, ABC and SyFy all have some interesting shows premiering.  Well, once again it's an opinion thing - interesting to me that is.  We have three titles that have grabbed my interest: Alphas, Once Upon A Time, and Grimm.  Look them up if you get the chance...if you are a X-men style fan, then Alphas may capture your interest, or if you enjoy the darker side of fairy tales then the other two shows may tickle your fancy.  There are another two shows out there that I thought may be of some interest but I'm waiting on the jury on these - Terra Nova and Falling Skies.  Spielberg productions with a fairly good cast but the trailers seem rather over the top, so I'm not too sure if they're trying to give it that big Spielberg send up or if it really is that over the top!


In the meantime, these shows are all due out over the next month - in the USA.  Once I've seen them I'll be able to give my opinion, but based on concepts and trailers, they look promising, and really with so many shows that have run their course (or should just learn to quit) it's nice to find fresh ideas...not the same reality tv has beens that need to find a sewer bend and never return.



Saturday, May 7, 2011

Game of Thrones

About a week ago I watched the first episode of a series produced by HBO called Game of Thrones.  I have to say I found it a bit slow but will still watch the second episode (eventually) to see if it 1. picks up and 2. actually sucks me in.  Interestingly, this article:


http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2011/04/times-irks-geek-girls-with-thrones-review.html


brings up some points which I think should be considered, especially since the female side of society have had an enormous impact on the fantasy genre - particularly when you consider the rise in popularity!

Rainy Day Ruminations

I'm sitting here in my lounge room on the sofa in front of the fire.  The rain is coming down outside and we're all gathered around doing things waiting for the Sunday roast to finish cooking for lunch.  I know I've been quite scarce lately but between madly doing things for my teaching rounds, looking at my upcoming assessments and working I find that I am spending less time online than on the computer planning lessons or looking up research for upcoming lessons/assessments!


It's days like this though that I love.  Rain outside, fire going, the cat draped over my feet as I type away and a cup of tea to drink.  I have no where I have to be, nothing that can't wait a few hours and no one demanding my time....simply bliss.  Some of the things I'm looking forward to in the next few weeks are: 
my grandfather's 90th Birthday, successfully completing my teaching rounds (paperwork included), finishing my 1st semester of Grad DipEd, having time to relax & read all the books I've put in my TBR pile and simply spending time with people I've placed onto the back burner for the past 18 months...you know who you are!


What do you love about rainy days?  There's something great about them...even if it's minor.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Ecological Footprints

Today's class was on ecological footprints, global warming, greenhouse effects and generally sustainability.  I will admit that I am slightly cynical when it comes to the environment debate.  Not that I don't believe that there are areas that need fixing and better management, but that there needs to be a compromise.  I would love to have solar power in my home or a hybrid car but really, there is no incentive to outlay the exorbitant initial funds to gain in the long term.  Society lives in a 'here and now' situation and with the cost of living rising continually the ability to fork out money to change to these 'sustainable' or 'ecological' avenues are not actually a viable possibility for the average person.

I'm more than happy for people to have a differing opinion - I even agree with a lot of them but I do NOT agree, nor condone fanatacism or fundamentalism - in ANY form.  Greenies, Zealots, Political Activists...nope, if you are fundamentalist on any of those I tune out.  There needs to be a compromise between everything.  The government placing higher taxes as a way to decrease our carbon footprint is a joke.  Make sustainable homes a viable option - the rebates were ridiculous as they still didn't encourage people to convert due the overall cost.  Just look at water tanks.  If you submit the paperwork for the rebate by having them connected by a registered plumber there are local laws that will screw you over for water usage!  Hello the water comes from nature - how the hell can you charge for usage & collection when you've done nothing but pay back a measly rebate???

Governments are the problem - here in Australia we are over governed.  There is no need for 3 levels of government - I came to that conclusion when I studied Australian Politics in High School and in University.  Even worse, Victoria is a Nanny State - get some balls people.  It's not that the average person doesn't want to support the ecology and be more sustainable, it's that the reality of daily life works against such a premise beyond basic recycling, lighting & organic seasonal foods - with governments charging more taxes, and privatised companies raising costs on basic amenities.  Support your local Farmer's Markets - buy bulk - go to Aldi...reject the worst grocery retailers: Woolworths & Coles!!

Anyway, enough of my rant....I could go off on more tangents but then I'd just get more frustrated!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Candles

On a recent road trip with my sister and mum, we decided to stop at the town of Berry in New South Wales.  Whilst walking along the street our senses were hit with a lovely smell...and not one that came from a bakery!  Following the smell we entered a small arcade where there was a lovely shop that had quilts and candles.  So impressed by the owner of the shop, his knowledge & interest in our preferences we walked out with 4 candles.  


The candles we ended up getting burn for approx. 100 hours (and that's the medium one!).  The cost was very reasonable considering and even better it doesn't burn with black smoke rising from the flame.  It is an American brand with a soy base.  However, the seller for me was the sound.  Sound?  but isn't is a candle so wouldn't I mean smell????  Nope, I definitely mean sound.  The wick is actually wood and therefore sounds like a mini open fire as it burns...and for some unknown reason this adds to the appeal for me.


So, if any of you are interested I've attached the link to the website.  The candles that I'm talking about are called 'WoodWick'.  Enjoy!!


http://www.candleberries.com.au/

Monday, April 11, 2011

Children's Poetry

I was finally catching up with my website reading and came across this article on the New York Times website:


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/arts/spare-times-for-children-for-april-8-14.html?_r=1

I have to say that adults (including high brow literary critics) continue to delude themselves when it comes to what children can and can't handle.  The first article discusses the adaptation of Roald Dahl's subversive poems on to the stage and suggests that one shouldn't "take timid preschoolers" in fear of them being scarred or emotionally stunted due to the horrifying picture that Dahl's words create....puhleese!!  It is, I would argue, the fact that there is some horrible outcome or 'revolting' aspect in character and setting that attracts children.  Let's face it, children are horrible.  The more stomach churning or disgusting the topic then the more engaged they are.  They find the humour in the revolting - just like many adults do, so why should we censor their visual stimulation and label them as timid and unable to deal with the 'reality'?  Isn't this what we've done with Disney?  Sure there are aspects of old versions of Disney's work that have some dark imagery, but today it's all fluff and sweetness.  The villains are now humourous and clownish, not foreboding or worrying to the audience...we are all cotton-woolled and kept from the realities of life.


So remember, fairy tales are not a Disney interpretation, hell they're not even the Grimms!  They are dark, violent and didn't always have a HEA.  Just look at Charles Perrault's Little Red Riding Hood - she's eaten by the wolf in the end!!  There is NO saviour, and the villain is really quite Machiavellian.  For all those adults that want to dummify children and not give them the credit of adapting - censorship has been taken too far - GROW UP!!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Gendering Clothes

Just a quick add on post...I was trawling one of my favourite blogs "Doc in Boots" and came across her link to the Smithsonian.  There is an interesting article about the gendering of children's clothes and the history behind it.  I loved the thought of all those macho men having to come to terms with the reality that if they had been born prior to 1940 there was a very good likelihood that they would spend the first 6 years of their life in a white dress and then more than likely take up the colour pink as part of their clothing repertoire!  The link is below - enjoy it, I did!

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/When-Did-Girls-Start-Wearing-Pink.html

Polls

Today I did a poll on movies run by Empire Magazine.  I don't often do these, but to be honest my head was cotton-wool stuffed and I needed something fairly random and stupid to stop me from groaning 'woe is me'.  So, I did the damn poll.  Out of 500 selected movies I had seen 366...not that they were great movies, because I'm telling you, most of them listed could have been stuck in a garbage compactor and left on until it had well and truly killed any possibility of resurrection!  I know that movies, like anything creative, are a personal choice.  This isn't the point I'm trying to make...it was the damn poll!  Who the hell decides these things?  Honestly, want to get me off side then do something as stupid as a poll.  Particularly for something that is based within the creative arts movement.  It's like the wankers out there that say that something is shit when they've never read, seen, visited or experienced said thing they're putting down! GRRR


So, I just can't stand them, and even worse I know how annoyed I get so why when I'm sick would I put myself through such a thing?  So saying, I'd love to know what your opinion is...poll anyone?  LOL.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Teaching & Surviving...

Teaching rounds. Hmmm.  Well, the first two weeks are over and now it's back to 'student' mode. The kids are all cleared out from the school grounds and now it gives the parents at home a chance to realise why they should appreciate teachers just that bit (or a helluva lot) more.  My impression of teaching can be summed up in one word with lots of adjectives tacked on...challenging.  I've come down with a cold that really should have made itself scarce within a few days...however, as I've been advised by my practicum mentor in my first couple of years in teaching I will catch everything & it will take longer to get rid of anything!  Yippee...uh, yup. 


Well, I was just wondering, what do you do to survive the days, weeks, years?  I always aim for positivity. I think that there should always be aims...not that I ever expect to reach them all, but then the aims should never be unrealistic either.  So, my aims are immediate, short term, long term & yes, sometimes wishful.  One of my goals is to get more done & be organised...not going so well at the moment but then Rome wasn't built in a day, or so the saying goes!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Ruminations of a Ratbag: Autumn Afternoons

Ruminations of a Ratbag: Autumn Afternoons

Autumn Afternoons

As I write this latest instalment the sky is overcast, the air is fresh & the air around me is awash with the scents of cloves and oranges from the candle burning on the shelf.  I love Autumn.  Mind you I really can love any season depending where I'm enjoying it from.  Winter is great when you're home, snuggled on the sofa with the open fire crackling & the rain squalling outside.  Summer's lovely with the sun in the crisp blue skies & the sound of cicadas serenading you.  Spring is brilliant in its rainbow of colours and scents that assault the senses...yet, still for me it's Autumn.  You can have lovely crisp cool days with the sun shining and blues skies or the wind cutting through a hillside and the leaves all golden, reds & browns skipping down the sidewalks.


Most of all I love the food.  I'm a comfort food type of girl. What's your favourite season/food?  I love the puddings, stews and generally the warming hot chocolates - sometimes with chilli, sometimes with cinnamon...mmmm.  


So, today's just a brief rumination...more so I was wondering what you like to do on these days were it not for the immediacy of life intruding?  I would happily not get out of pj's, curl up with a good book, or two, or three...a great pot of tea, the cat on my lap & become a living humanoid sloth.  This is surprisingly not too far from a possibility!


So, for those of you who have managed to enjoy an Autumn day which involved doing very little but was sublimely satisfying...I tip my cup of tea in your direction.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Teaching...

Here I am, day 2 of my teaching rounds and I am exhausted.  I have so much work to do it's really scary.  Technically I'm meant to be observing classes at the moment, but one of my mentors has so much faith with me that she is allowing me to run with a unit.  It's actually pretty special considering that the students I have are those who are in what is called "enhancement" classes.  These are the children that for some unknown reason (or maybe too many reasons) have slipped through the educational net that is out there.  


When I began my journey to become a teacher I naively thought that bad students (in relation to education) was due to bad teachers, teaching practices or just not caring about the individual child.  That may be true for some, but it's sadly not the case for many.  Attitude, home life, peer groups - these are all contributors to the whole.  I mentioned my mentor earlier...well, the one thing I can say about her is she is brilliant.  She is supportive, direct, understanding, disciplined...and that's not just her attitude to me but to all who she interacts with.  I'm also lucky enough that she is a Year level Co-ordinator.  Therefore I am seeing a lot more of school dynamics than just a classroom, yard duties & standard year level meetings.  


Funnily enough my other Co-ordinator doesn't quite inspire me.  I get the feeling I'm just there so he doesn't have to actually do some classes...on the other hand, I'm taking advantage of his main stream class of Year 11 History.  I have yet to meet these students - in fact tomorrow is my first session with them.  Fingers crossed!!!  Particularly when you consider I haven't done any modern History in ages...um, since high school actually.


So, that's me for today....  

Sunday, March 27, 2011

ARRC2011 - the good bits, the bad bits; the hello's & the goodbyes

Okay, so for all of you who had no idea, I was this weekend in Bondi at the Australian Romance Readers Convention.  This is a fantastic opportunity for readers of the genre to participate in discussions about the genre's trends, expectations, pros & cons.  Even better it's an opportunity to explore the genre by interacting with like minded people & AUTHORS!!!!  Yep, these bloody brilliant people actually give a damn about their 'fans'.  


So, the convention, well since I'm the anal person I am at times I'll start with the good bits & then follow through the points as my title says:


The Good Bits
New friends!  For me this was not just new friendly readers, but authors too.  I had a squee moment with Lexxie Couper whilst enjoying a drink on Friday evening...scary to think that she actually gets the way my brain works!  Other fabulous mentions in my opinion were Rhian Cahill, Heather Boyd & Jess Dee.  Funnily enough they are also all Australian authors.


Free Books!  Yep, I have well & truly overloaded the car with the amount of books I've dragged back with me...Fi(my sister) & Mum also helped themselves out.


Panels! These discussed specific sub-genres but really were just an area for us to be let in on the joke...there were some serious questions but on the whole it wasn't a boring lecture.


Lots of room!  There was plenty of room to spread ourselves out for the convention - this really is a blessing considering the 130 people that were attending.


The Bad Bits
Price!  Bondi is very expensive.  We were at a 4 1/2 star hotel which in my opinion was more like a 3 star.  There was no free internet except in the business centre & that was from the whole 2 computers that was there & then there was a sign that said "Please limit your use to 25 minutes".  Next there was the fact that breakfast was a whopping $33. I have no problem paying for hotel breakfasts except that the breakfasts were very ordinary.


Food!  The food at the hotel was terrible.  I had something that was supposedly a chicken curry for lunch which tasted like boiled chicken in a watery bit of sauce that may have had a spice in there but really required me adding butter & lots of salt & pepper.  It really didn't get better from there - average is about the best I can give the attempts at cuisine from this hotel.  Pretty sad when you consider the delights of culinary cuisine Sydney has to offer and that all other Accor groups have met wonderful standards without calling themselves 4 1/2 stars.  I'm a picky bitch I know but hell, I've travelled & I know the difference between the star ratings!


Service!  I was appalled that I had to ask 3 times for my sister's bed to be made up, extra towels given because, uh duh there were 3 of us staying in the room, and had asked for a paper each day & had to go get them myself!  Sadly the Swiss Grand Hotel in Bondi is a flop and misleading when stating it's rating. Drop the star rating to a 3 & adjust the prices accordingly, and voila you have an honest interpretation.


The Hello's
It was fabulous to meet Nalini Singh - particularly after conversing with her last year for my thesis.  Mum was almost wetting herself in meeting one of her all time favourite authors Cindy Gerard & of course I don't know who was more tongue tied - mum or Jess Dee when they were introduced to each other!  Jess still can't believe that my mother reads her books and mum was just so excited to meet an author she really admires.  I was touched and delighted to be part of conversations with Lex Couper, Rhian Cahill & Heather Boyd.  These ladies ROCK!!!


The Goodbyes
It was ambivalent to say goodbye to so many friends....because really that is what happens at these conventions we become friends.  More gifts were given out & then it suddenly was the end...we were saying "see you next time".  The Organising Committee well & truly deserved kudos - they were well and truly, in the words of Julia Quinn SPLENDID!


So, that was my weekend...well there was a lot more of course but these ruminations have exceeded anyone's attention span.  Till next time, Huggles!!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Beachside...

Well after leaving promptly at 4.30am this morning we made it to Bateman's Bay in record time.  I was feeling a little tired just before Lakes Entrance but soon perked up and continued the drive.  As we got near Bega Mum & I reminisced on how the last time we travelled up this way we were going to stop at a pub for dinner.  Now, you'd think that a town the size of Bega would have counter meals at least until 7pm wouldn't you...well, like us you'd be dead wrong!  in fact the nicest thing I can say about the town is you get through it pretty quick & that they're now looking at building a bypass - thank God!!!! Today we saw the town in daylight...grungy & we were detoured because of flooding...I could be mean here and make some comments re: the flooding, but I'll leave it to your imagination.  There are some really gorgeous towns as you drive around & some that should be ashamed...


So, now I'm sitting down opposite the water; the sun is shining brightly here and the temperature is mid 20's...apparently you Melbournites will be annoyed at that as Dad said it's currently raining there.  Well, to annoy you even more, the forecast for this weekend here is sunny & staying in the mid-20's.  


So, the breeze is lovely and fresh - there isn't too much traffic noise annoying my serenity & i feel just like the Kernigans at Bonnie Doon....


Have a great day all and I'll write soon....

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Brand Spanking New....

Here we are nearing the end of March 2011...well and truly a year since my last posting. So, here it is - a brand new looking Blog and my New Year's resolution to actually post more than once or twice a year!

This year I'm pursuing my Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary). This year has presented many challenges already. If I thought that Honours was a challenge then obviously teaching is going to be a breeze....um, nope...that's just another 'think happy thoughts' line. It is unfortunate for me to contemplate such thoughts but this is my forum for airing all sorts of things and this is one of them - education theory is BORING. The specialisms are great (although often constrained by the 6 way tug of war curriculum guidelines) and I'm really looking forward to teaching students that anything can be challenged to be a part of literature. At the moment I'm quite tempted to buy some graphic novels on Shakespeare to re-enthuse 14/15 & 16 year olds.

In the next few weeks I have many things I'll be posting about: ARRC2011 where I'll be discussing my thesis from last year, my first round of placements at Hampton Park Secondary College & spending more time with my new baby - a crazy kitten I've named Lucifer ( a fallen angel he most definitely is!)

So, stay tuned...