My goodness it has been chilly here.
To think that four months ago we were freaking out with temperatures over 40C. Last night the temp was about 2C around my house.
I was cold but I had the lovely quilt that Frogdancer made for me on top of my doona. I was toasty under the covers but when I put my head out, I just about freaked out. I had no time to worry as I was out and about and off to work about 7am. I got there by 7.30 so that I could take a theory class. They have their exam in 4 weeks time and I am determined to help them get a great result.
Normal teaching as well - then off to Singfest where a few of our cherubs were taking part. I went yesterday afternoon and I was quite surprised at the change that I heard when I got there. The woman who was running the show was quite amazing. What she produced from the kids was amazing. I learnt lots from the few hours I spent there.
Tomorrow I am off to Geelong to learn about VET and music. Funny thing -a piece of paper disappeared......Scott? anyone? If it was on my desk it probably did disappear! I know it wasn't, but my desk at work is a complete black hole. Things just disappear.
I am looking forward to the weekend - just a little bit! Heaps of things to do still but I am looking forward to the idea of a sleep in under my warm duvets and thinking warm thoughts in the chilly air.
Thanks Kitkat for the info re Frank Oz and the fact that Yoda is a serious Fozzie Bear. You sent me looking and now I found out he did Animal, Miss Piggy, Sam the Eagle from the Muppets not to mention Grover, Bert and Cookie Monster from Sesame Street. All my favourite characters!
Speaking of Favourite characters.......Avenue Q is coming to Australia and I must get to see it! I love the music from the show. If you are unfamiliar think Sesame Street a little risque! (in some cases very very naughty)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
May the fourth be with you
There is a lot of talk on the radio at the moment about Star Wars.
There is a new exhibition starting in a few days for Star Wars.
The radio station I am listening to played a number of excerpts from the movies featuring Yoda.
Without the visual I started thinking that I was listening to a very serious Fozzie Bear from The Muppet Show.
Maybe it's just me.
There is a new exhibition starting in a few days for Star Wars.
The radio station I am listening to played a number of excerpts from the movies featuring Yoda.
Without the visual I started thinking that I was listening to a very serious Fozzie Bear from The Muppet Show.
Maybe it's just me.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
why
I just sat through an excruciating half hour of badly produced Australian drama.
I don't understand why there are so many BADLY written, acted, directed and produced Australian drama shows on.
Actually I do. Television seems to be a dying form here. Especially free to air television. As a result little, if any, money is spent on developing the medium.
Recently I have seen some very predictable story lines that have annoyed me to distraction.
I must say that there are very few drama shows from any country that are interesting. Last night I watched an episode of The Bill. I hadn't watched this in about 7 years. Should have left it to what I remember from 7 years ago. I was so disappointed.
Then we get imports from the US which are poor copies (word for word!) of English drama. 'Life on Mars' is an example of this. I loved the English version of this. It was quirky but I feel that the US version doesn't make the mark. I don't understand why as it is almost an exact copy.
I will have to stay with quirky comedies.
I don't understand why there are so many BADLY written, acted, directed and produced Australian drama shows on.
Actually I do. Television seems to be a dying form here. Especially free to air television. As a result little, if any, money is spent on developing the medium.
Recently I have seen some very predictable story lines that have annoyed me to distraction.
I must say that there are very few drama shows from any country that are interesting. Last night I watched an episode of The Bill. I hadn't watched this in about 7 years. Should have left it to what I remember from 7 years ago. I was so disappointed.
Then we get imports from the US which are poor copies (word for word!) of English drama. 'Life on Mars' is an example of this. I loved the English version of this. It was quirky but I feel that the US version doesn't make the mark. I don't understand why as it is almost an exact copy.
I will have to stay with quirky comedies.
Friday, April 24, 2009
one down, nine to go!
One week into term two and I feel as if I have been caught in an eddy.
I will try and give you a small break down of the week......
MONDAY - new photocopier log in procedure which STUFFED everyone up! We have these whizzbang copiers which store a number of jobs in a row......but the new system has deleted that excellent aspect. Standing at the copier I swipe my card in and I work out the systemal procedure and the touch screen goes out of action when a colleague sends their work from their computer......another frustrating feature that I discovered was the fact that you can't multitask. You could log in, set and walk away. The machine would remember. Now you log in and if you happen to log out before your job is done then the job is deleted. Considering all of this I went to class slightly unprepared. Got it sorted eventually. Normal day of teaching. Went home so tired.........but I had a massage on the way home and collapsed into my bed - after dinner.
TUESDAY - General Assembly. Whole school. One hour. Not one of my most favourite things but there are always a few highlights amongst the presentations. Shortened lessons as a consequence. Crazy lady I work with in my department came in and set up her whirlwind. Amazing. Staff meeting after school where we were informed that due to the economic crises we have lots more kids trying to get into the school. Still thinking through that one - how big are these classes going to get? (most of my junior classes are on 27.....) Saw the osteopath and the back is so much better. Still tired.
WEDNESDAY - More shortened lessons (I should say that a normal lesson is 42 or so minutes. Shortened brings back to 37 or so.) Work my butt off to get through the work.....Year 12s not prepared for performances as requested at the end of last term. Got cross at them but I do understand their lack of focus. Those that did perform were great. Choir rehearsal at lunchtime where we learnt some of two new songs and worked a little on an older one. Parent-teacher interviews with Year 9 and 10s. I only teach one class at these levels. I had 8 booked in but ended up getting through twelve. That was fun.
THURSDAY - Late start....except I had organised for my theory students to come to an early class. They didn't I was there 2 hours early! (Swearing profusely!) Again short lessons. Mad catch up with colleagues for various things. Collected year 8 work and year 9 assignments. Taught Frogdancer's son after school. Came home and collapsed - I was in bed by 10!
FRIDAY - today. NORMAL length lessons but I couldn't cope! I had 5-7 minutes extra which I had to think about......Freaked out my year 12s by playing Shirley Bassey to them! I had Year 7's at the end of the day and they were CRAZY! At lunch I rehearsed with a kid from the school production. Can I tell you that the music in that is so hard! I decided to do my household shopping tonight after school. And now I am sitting on the couch listening to Smokey Robinson on the Elvis Costello show. Love it.
The weekend will be correcting, socialising and just kicking back.
Tomorrow is ANZAC day where we commemorate the sacrifices that our old soldiers (diggers) made, particularly the landing at Gallipoli during WWI. I had planned on going to the dawn service but the weather is not the best and it's cold at dawn, with my back still not 1o0% I have decided not to go.
I will try and give you a small break down of the week......
MONDAY - new photocopier log in procedure which STUFFED everyone up! We have these whizzbang copiers which store a number of jobs in a row......but the new system has deleted that excellent aspect. Standing at the copier I swipe my card in and I work out the systemal procedure and the touch screen goes out of action when a colleague sends their work from their computer......another frustrating feature that I discovered was the fact that you can't multitask. You could log in, set and walk away. The machine would remember. Now you log in and if you happen to log out before your job is done then the job is deleted. Considering all of this I went to class slightly unprepared. Got it sorted eventually. Normal day of teaching. Went home so tired.........but I had a massage on the way home and collapsed into my bed - after dinner.
TUESDAY - General Assembly. Whole school. One hour. Not one of my most favourite things but there are always a few highlights amongst the presentations. Shortened lessons as a consequence. Crazy lady I work with in my department came in and set up her whirlwind. Amazing. Staff meeting after school where we were informed that due to the economic crises we have lots more kids trying to get into the school. Still thinking through that one - how big are these classes going to get? (most of my junior classes are on 27.....) Saw the osteopath and the back is so much better. Still tired.
WEDNESDAY - More shortened lessons (I should say that a normal lesson is 42 or so minutes. Shortened brings back to 37 or so.) Work my butt off to get through the work.....Year 12s not prepared for performances as requested at the end of last term. Got cross at them but I do understand their lack of focus. Those that did perform were great. Choir rehearsal at lunchtime where we learnt some of two new songs and worked a little on an older one. Parent-teacher interviews with Year 9 and 10s. I only teach one class at these levels. I had 8 booked in but ended up getting through twelve. That was fun.
THURSDAY - Late start....except I had organised for my theory students to come to an early class. They didn't I was there 2 hours early! (Swearing profusely!) Again short lessons. Mad catch up with colleagues for various things. Collected year 8 work and year 9 assignments. Taught Frogdancer's son after school. Came home and collapsed - I was in bed by 10!
FRIDAY - today. NORMAL length lessons but I couldn't cope! I had 5-7 minutes extra which I had to think about......Freaked out my year 12s by playing Shirley Bassey to them! I had Year 7's at the end of the day and they were CRAZY! At lunch I rehearsed with a kid from the school production. Can I tell you that the music in that is so hard! I decided to do my household shopping tonight after school. And now I am sitting on the couch listening to Smokey Robinson on the Elvis Costello show. Love it.
The weekend will be correcting, socialising and just kicking back.
Tomorrow is ANZAC day where we commemorate the sacrifices that our old soldiers (diggers) made, particularly the landing at Gallipoli during WWI. I had planned on going to the dawn service but the weather is not the best and it's cold at dawn, with my back still not 1o0% I have decided not to go.
Friday, April 17, 2009
back to it.
The back is much improved. I sat to get my hair done today. Well, I sat for the coloring, then wandered the room while it set. I then sat for the wash, wandered and finally sat for the cut and blow-wave. I think I wandered for half an hour in the 2 hours of hairdressing appointment.
Once home I lay on the floor for a bit - about half an hour.
Back to the osteopath this afternoon.
Strangely enough I am very excited to be going back to work on Monday - not so much because I am missing work. I have been very bored - I think I have mentioned this before. Having a back issue has really annoyed me. I have not really contacted anyone over this time as I was not in a happy place physically and mentally to do so.
One thing I have been doing is looking at weird signs. My favourite was for a waxing studio which, according to the sign, catered for all male and female waxing. My reaction: Is there any other kind?
Once home I lay on the floor for a bit - about half an hour.
Back to the osteopath this afternoon.
Strangely enough I am very excited to be going back to work on Monday - not so much because I am missing work. I have been very bored - I think I have mentioned this before. Having a back issue has really annoyed me. I have not really contacted anyone over this time as I was not in a happy place physically and mentally to do so.
One thing I have been doing is looking at weird signs. My favourite was for a waxing studio which, according to the sign, catered for all male and female waxing. My reaction: Is there any other kind?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
back to back
I saw my regular osteopath today and he was impressed by the state of my back. Impressed that I am sitting considering what I have done to it. In his words "it was a great job on an already good situation".
I do hope you understand that 'great' and 'good' are not really meant as they are spoken in the regular world.
As I said to him, I have NEVER BEEN SO BORED DURING MY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. I go to do something and then the sciatic pain drives me to distraction. Driving anywhere is fraught with sciatic temptation....then having people over means that I might have to entertain them. That doesn't really work when I am completely ok with the use of my body.
I am off to a pilates class in about 20 minutes and I am looking forward to it. My osteopath suggested that I might need to have a few classes on my own to get the exercises sorted out correctly. I told him it is a very small group that are in the class which he seemed fairly happy about.
I do hope you understand that 'great' and 'good' are not really meant as they are spoken in the regular world.
As I said to him, I have NEVER BEEN SO BORED DURING MY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. I go to do something and then the sciatic pain drives me to distraction. Driving anywhere is fraught with sciatic temptation....then having people over means that I might have to entertain them. That doesn't really work when I am completely ok with the use of my body.
I am off to a pilates class in about 20 minutes and I am looking forward to it. My osteopath suggested that I might need to have a few classes on my own to get the exercises sorted out correctly. I told him it is a very small group that are in the class which he seemed fairly happy about.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
what?
Something really weird happened on my blog. Posted one post today (until now) and it came up 3 times on my blog reader. (I have my own blog on the reader so I know what it looks like).
Came back to my site here and only one here. Crazy.
Still a lab though. I have my piano in the front hall now. Been playing it a little but it is SO out of tune. Nearly all the keys have that -I'm almost a honky-tonk piano sound to them. Interesting when you are trying really hard to play some Bach!
Came back to my site here and only one here. Crazy.
Still a lab though. I have my piano in the front hall now. Been playing it a little but it is SO out of tune. Nearly all the keys have that -I'm almost a honky-tonk piano sound to them. Interesting when you are trying really hard to play some Bach!
Lab Retriever here
I got this from Scott and thought it looked like a hoot.
In other news - the back is doing a lot better. Just need to start the days with all my stretches......enjoy your day
In other news - the back is doing a lot better. Just need to start the days with all my stretches......enjoy your day
Monday, April 13, 2009
follow up
So you post about something and then it all changes.
Well not quite. Back still sore but not spasming. Thanks to all who sent best wishes - I no longer have to retreat to the floor for hours on end. I was beginning to get a lot bored!
I have been stretching lots. Am still going to investigate the pilates etc because buggered if I am going to allow this happen again.
Sciatic pain is a bitch. You think all is fine and dandy and then pain down the leg because you sat the wrong way, moved the wrong way etc. I know it is there as a reminder to chill out and take it slowly. Um? What? Don't really know how to take it that slow. Probably why I ended up the way I did! Actually I am very good at slothing - but once I get going I move fast. I don't think there is a happy medium for me. It's either go or stop.
Hope all had a lovely Easter/Passover etc. Those who are orthodox - I'll try to remember next week to wish you a lovely easter. Public holiday here and I'm loving today. Probably cause I can move a little more freely and get a few things done. Family gathering today as well - which means getting out of the house. Yay.
Well not quite. Back still sore but not spasming. Thanks to all who sent best wishes - I no longer have to retreat to the floor for hours on end. I was beginning to get a lot bored!
I have been stretching lots. Am still going to investigate the pilates etc because buggered if I am going to allow this happen again.
Sciatic pain is a bitch. You think all is fine and dandy and then pain down the leg because you sat the wrong way, moved the wrong way etc. I know it is there as a reminder to chill out and take it slowly. Um? What? Don't really know how to take it that slow. Probably why I ended up the way I did! Actually I am very good at slothing - but once I get going I move fast. I don't think there is a happy medium for me. It's either go or stop.
Hope all had a lovely Easter/Passover etc. Those who are orthodox - I'll try to remember next week to wish you a lovely easter. Public holiday here and I'm loving today. Probably cause I can move a little more freely and get a few things done. Family gathering today as well - which means getting out of the house. Yay.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
pain in the backside
So my holidays have been sent on a curve that I don't really appreciate. On Wednesday I tripped over a lead in my house and caused my back to spasm like there is no tomorrow.
I have this ongoing issue with my back - 15 years. I have kept it under control for most of the last 15 years. Stupidly I backed off a little in the last few months and my back is now telling me how it really is and will be.
The world looks really different from the floor. I should know as I have spent the better part of four days down there.
I am seeing an osteopath and he gave me an elephant stamp for effort! I am so proud. That was Thursday.
He told me I should try and get out and walk to stop the back from stiffening up. I think he might have meant about 30 minutes worth. I did an hour, which included a walk along the beach, and suffered for about 2 hours afterwards. The last 20 minutes walking home were horrible!
Yesterday I had a massage which has helped a great deal to get some movement into the base of my back. I am now able to get some stretches in without too much pain......ha!
I haven't been out much. Joined K for dinner on Friday night and lasted 2 hours maximum. The drive home was yucky! Was meant to go out for dinner and catch up last night but turned that down after my relaxing massage. GRRRR!
I have been investigating pilates classes. Also looking into good yoga places. Need to improve those core muscles.
Back to the lie down time......and the heat pack.
I have this ongoing issue with my back - 15 years. I have kept it under control for most of the last 15 years. Stupidly I backed off a little in the last few months and my back is now telling me how it really is and will be.
The world looks really different from the floor. I should know as I have spent the better part of four days down there.
I am seeing an osteopath and he gave me an elephant stamp for effort! I am so proud. That was Thursday.
He told me I should try and get out and walk to stop the back from stiffening up. I think he might have meant about 30 minutes worth. I did an hour, which included a walk along the beach, and suffered for about 2 hours afterwards. The last 20 minutes walking home were horrible!
Yesterday I had a massage which has helped a great deal to get some movement into the base of my back. I am now able to get some stretches in without too much pain......ha!
I haven't been out much. Joined K for dinner on Friday night and lasted 2 hours maximum. The drive home was yucky! Was meant to go out for dinner and catch up last night but turned that down after my relaxing massage. GRRRR!
I have been investigating pilates classes. Also looking into good yoga places. Need to improve those core muscles.
Back to the lie down time......and the heat pack.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
woo hoo
So it's Tuesday, week 1 of my holidays. So far I have done some impressive things.
Saturday - mooched on the couch. Loved that! Was going to go out but couldn't be bothered.
Sunday - met up with a group of people I have never been associated with before at a jazz performance. The music was ok. The company was mixed - some interesting people and a few I was scratching my head over. You get that in any crowd so I'm not complaining.
Monday - caught up with a friend I haven't seen for a while - in fact most of the term. Saw the osteopath and he crunched the bejeesus out of my back. I am a bit over my back at the moment. Sciatic pain is annoying to say the least. Night time saw me with another group of friends at dinner and then off to see Anjelique Kidjo. What an amazing performer.
Tuesday - I met the cleaner I have employed. Yes, I have decided to go with a cleaner. I am a bit over trying to clean my house when I am over exhausted. She came in and for two hours she cleaned, dusted and then vacuumed away. There is/was a lot of work to do and next week she will probably finish getting the basic stuff organised. Once that is done she will then maintain my house....Hooray! I then sorted out the study - or as it really should be called, the dumping room. We all have one and it gets out of control. At the moment I am discovering my desk! It's there but I just have to search it out. I will have it completely sorted out by tomorrow morning.
I have also done the ironing - well ahead of time for me. I have sorted out two kitchen shelves under the sink, cleaned out a drawer to put my teatowels in and then started on the pantry shelves. The shelves in my laundry have been sorted. Two loads of washing, including the net curtains that the cleaner took down and told me to wash (yes ma'am!) and a few bags of recycling done!
I am sorting out the books on the shelves and tomorrow or Thursday I will take them to the book exhange. I really don't want any books in exchange but I am seriously running out of book shelf space.
I have also decided to re arrange the lounge and the study but that is once I have sorted out the mess of the study.
Over the next few days I will get some shoe racks to keep my shoes on in my cupboard. I will also get some other bits and pieces to sort out the storage systems (or lack there of) around my house. Scott you will be impressed!
Other things I have done - made two scarves! Beautiful.
Painted my vision board. Great colour. Now to find the photos of what I am seeing in my future to attach to it.
Planning on going away this weekend - Easter - so I might have to sort out what to do with the kitty. 3 nights away should be great for the soul.
so now I am back to sorting out the sheet music - alphabetising it! CD's will be completed soon as well.
Saturday - mooched on the couch. Loved that! Was going to go out but couldn't be bothered.
Sunday - met up with a group of people I have never been associated with before at a jazz performance. The music was ok. The company was mixed - some interesting people and a few I was scratching my head over. You get that in any crowd so I'm not complaining.
Monday - caught up with a friend I haven't seen for a while - in fact most of the term. Saw the osteopath and he crunched the bejeesus out of my back. I am a bit over my back at the moment. Sciatic pain is annoying to say the least. Night time saw me with another group of friends at dinner and then off to see Anjelique Kidjo. What an amazing performer.
Tuesday - I met the cleaner I have employed. Yes, I have decided to go with a cleaner. I am a bit over trying to clean my house when I am over exhausted. She came in and for two hours she cleaned, dusted and then vacuumed away. There is/was a lot of work to do and next week she will probably finish getting the basic stuff organised. Once that is done she will then maintain my house....Hooray! I then sorted out the study - or as it really should be called, the dumping room. We all have one and it gets out of control. At the moment I am discovering my desk! It's there but I just have to search it out. I will have it completely sorted out by tomorrow morning.
I have also done the ironing - well ahead of time for me. I have sorted out two kitchen shelves under the sink, cleaned out a drawer to put my teatowels in and then started on the pantry shelves. The shelves in my laundry have been sorted. Two loads of washing, including the net curtains that the cleaner took down and told me to wash (yes ma'am!) and a few bags of recycling done!
I am sorting out the books on the shelves and tomorrow or Thursday I will take them to the book exhange. I really don't want any books in exchange but I am seriously running out of book shelf space.
I have also decided to re arrange the lounge and the study but that is once I have sorted out the mess of the study.
Over the next few days I will get some shoe racks to keep my shoes on in my cupboard. I will also get some other bits and pieces to sort out the storage systems (or lack there of) around my house. Scott you will be impressed!
Other things I have done - made two scarves! Beautiful.
Painted my vision board. Great colour. Now to find the photos of what I am seeing in my future to attach to it.
Planning on going away this weekend - Easter - so I might have to sort out what to do with the kitty. 3 nights away should be great for the soul.
so now I am back to sorting out the sheet music - alphabetising it! CD's will be completed soon as well.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
holidays
I'm on holidays! I am so relieved that I made it. This term has been CRAZY to say the least. The last few weeks I have been so busy that I didn't know if I was Arthur or Martha.
So this is what I have planned for my holidays.......
So this is what I have planned for my holidays.......
- obligatory school work - teaching the number of kidlets that I do I decided that I need to plan my whole term during th holidays. I am planning on at least an hour a day. I'll see how I go.
- sorting out the financial part of buying property - speaking of which I will need to run now and look at another one very soon.
- getting my house sorted out - the study organised properly, cleaning through my clothes etc.
- catching up with friends and family
- hair appointment and other girly things
- go away with a friend for the night - a girly night or two away.
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