tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26067696836308467662024-02-21T06:48:54.776+11:00blogging my proclivitiesStellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-13179220516667931502013-11-07T19:16:00.002+11:002013-11-07T19:16:35.785+11:00More of Your Guide to Melbourne: Oaks DayWent to Oaks Day at Flemington today as part of the Spring Racing Carnival - I think I enjoyed it more than the Cup last year. Less people, fewer crowds.<br />
<br />
The trains, however, were still very crowded with people going to Oaks Day, which is traditionally Ladies' Day. So there is great hooha about getting dressed up, matching your hat or fascinator to your outfit and having matching gloves, shoes and clutch.<br />
<br />
While everyone I say had fascinators or little tiny hats on no one had the matching clutch or gloves. That must be de rigeur for people entering Fashions on the Fields. Apparently that is a big deal- at least according to the advertising it is. Or maybe it's people sitting in the Members stand, or maybe it's just for celebrities.<br />
<br />
I had a look at some links of what I assumed were <a href="http://au.sports.yahoo.com/racing/galleries/g/19726046/2013-crown-oaks-day/19728023/">people at the races</a>, or even just Fashion in the Field entrants, but were in fact just celebrities. Not terribly well-known celebrities either.<br />
<br />
I didn't even know who the first person was - Lance Franklin, apparently a famous footballer. And then there were a lot of his girlfriend but finally someone I did recognise Jennifer Hawkins. Strange, I did not at any time see any of these people so unless you had entrance to the celebrity tent or wherever they hung out it was like we were attending different races entirely.<br />
<br />
Just sayin'. . .Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-1692423853731432282013-11-06T20:09:00.002+11:002013-11-06T20:09:24.554+11:00NaBloPoMo quandariesUgh . . . if I blog but no one reads it. . . is it still a blog?<br />
<br />
What if I do it in the forest and no one reads it?<br />
<br />
What if I do it every day (in November) and no one reads it?<br />
<br />
What if I blog, and then one person reads it - me? (I'll make a note to get back to myself about that.)<br />
<br />
Yeah, I get it, I'm meant to go and read other people's blogs but they all appear to be mummy blogs and I'm not. However, that's not really the only reason- I just don't seem to have much time. I haven't even been reading the latest postings from blogs I already follow.<br />
<br />
What happened to my spare time?<br />
<br />
Tonight I spent ages requesting DVDs from the TAFE library to introduce <i>Blade Runner</i>, which we're watching as another example of dystopian literature/film; we read <i>The Handmaid's Tale</i> previously. I think they're gonna be just as 'impressed' with <i>Blade Runner</i>. . . they're both kind of bleak. But I guess that's the point of dystopian fiction.<br />
<br />
And did you know/realise that <i>Blade Runner</i> has some very film noir qualities? The first release most especially with the 'hard boiled' detective - Deckard, the femme fatale- Rachel, and the voice over effects. It has been called neo noir, in fact. Huh, the interesting things you discover as a teacher!<br />
<br />
Anyway, so I spent some time requesting some film noir DVDs to show them also.<br />
<br />
Rightyo signing off now, I have two units that I have to design, devise and invent to teach next year and a Cert IV in Training and Assessment that I have to demonstrate RPL (recognised prior learning) for even though I'm a fully trained up secondary teacher with muchos experience. However that doesn't count I still have to show that I can and do apply everything a Certificate qualification outlines- that'd be stuff I've been doing without even thinking about it for the last 15 years.<br />
<br />
Huh, still it'll be worth it for the extra $2 I'll get an hour!<br />
<br />
Ah. . . I am discovering that as I am blogging in the forest I feel A LOT of freedom to vent any which way I like.<br />
<br />
Yay me!Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-82942222631922724712013-11-05T17:21:00.002+11:002013-11-05T22:15:56.095+11:00Your Guide to Melbourne Life: The Cup<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-US">Cup Day- the race that stops a nation. So
they say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Melbourne Cup, a race for three year
(and older) horses is a traditional day off for the majority of Victorians, if
not Australians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> I
have no idea why. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Held every year on the first Tuesday in November
at Flemington Racecourse, Cup Day has been an official public holiday since
1877. This year the race had about 20 horses and prize money of over six
million dollars. The race is run over 3, 200 metres (2 miles) and horses from
around the globe are flown into Australia for the Cup.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The first race was in 1861, and won by
Archer, who also won it the next year too.
He may have won it the year after as well if his owner had submitted the
entry form on time; as it was he didn’t, and the horse wasn’t allowed to race. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Phar Lap is the most famous winner of the
Melbourne Cup, in 1930 and claimed by Australians as one of their own but in
reality is a New Zealand born horse. Other famous winners of the Melbourne Cup
include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Peter Pan 1932/1934<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Rain Lover 1968/ 1969<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Think Big 1974/1975<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Makybe Diva 2003/ 2004/ 2005 (the only
horse to win three years in a row.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Each year 300-400 horses nominate to run in
the race but only 24 are selected. It costs $50, 805 to enter a horse into the
Melbourne Cup. Winners of the previous year’s Cup, the Cox Plate or the
Caulfield Cup gain automatic entry into the race. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">At the races there is much celebration and
dressing up. Hats and fashion are a feature of the race, there is even a
Fashions on the Field competition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Many workplaces around Victoria will have a
Cup Sweep where people will buy a ticket
and be randomly allocated a horse number. They’ll then follow the race
to see if their horse wins. Of course people will also place bets at the track
with bookies, or with the TAB. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">As it is a public holiday many Victorians,
and those from interstate, will go to the races. Others will hold barbeques and
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television sets to be turned on just before 3pm to watch the race, whether at
home or at work.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">By this point in time you're dying to see the real thing aren't you? Go on, go and look at the running of this year's <a href="http://au.sports.yahoo.com/videos/watch/70687191-9039-3ed2-9f26-95fc5b171e8d/race-7-melbourne-cup/"> Melbourne Cup</a>.</span><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-40144823254793445032013-11-04T18:56:00.001+11:002013-11-04T19:49:24.439+11:00That's the way it's always been done, and other reasonings of a well run college<b>The Setting: </b>TAFE college, locked classroom.<br />
<br />
<b>When:</b> Monday before Cup Day. (No, it's not important other than to signal to other Australians that there would be a very low attendance rate as Cup Day, the next day, is a holiday.)<br />
<br />
<b>Time:</b> 8.30am. (And I pride myself on getting there on time. Me and two students. )<br />
<br />
<b>The Aggravation:</b> The fact that this classroom is locked for the 13th time in a row despite the fact that I am timetabled in there, same time, every week.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>More Aggravation</b>: That I have to ring Security EVERY SINGLE WEEK to ask them to unlock the freakin' door.<br />
<br />
As you can tell, I'm taking this is my stride. I actually enjoy whipping out my mobile (cell phone for you northern continent types) and ringing Security to ask them to unlock the door despite the fact that there are FOUR other classrooms in the same corridor and no one else bothers to ring Security, and the Security guards DO NOT turn up until they've been rung, and that I'm actually on time.<br />
<br />
<b>The Query:</b> Good morning Security. This is Stella. I need my classroom unlocked. Again. Is this how it's meant to be? Am I meant to ring every, single, Monday morning to get access to the classroom I'm timetabled in?<br />
<br />
<b>The Advice: </b>Speak to your Faculty Head and get them to write to Security.<br />
<br />
So I speak to my manager. She speaks to whoever. . . possibly someone called Nancy.<br />
<br />
<b>The Outcome:</b> No, I cannot have a key. There are no keys. No reason given.<br />
<br />
<b>Security's Reality:</b> They don't like to unlock computer rooms until the teacher's there. It's security ya know. (These are the worlds oldest yuckiest computers.)<br />
<br />
<b>More of Security's Unreality: </b>The fact that TWO windows in the classroom have been left open over the weekend and anyone who <i>wanted</i> to - I repeat these are very old computers - could break in and steal any computers that weren't damaged by the rain swishing in all weekend is NOT a security issue.<br />
<br />
<b>Furthermore (AKA Final Rant) : </b>This is how it's always been done. This is the way they did it at the <i>other</i> campus so this is the way we're gonna do it here. No, don't be silly the Security guards couldn't possibly have the doors unlocked already for me to start my class. . . or even just happen to stroll down that particular corridor and open ALL FOUR OF THE FREAKIN' CLASSROOMS that are scheduled to have a class in them. Or even simply HANG AROUND at the allotted time for when I appear ON TIME to teach my class instead of making me wait FIFTEEN MINUTES to get into my classroom. You know, the one with the TWO OPEN WINDOWS.<br />
<br />
Phew.<br />
I feel much better now.<br />
<br />Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-69699486249308957722013-11-03T11:29:00.002+11:002013-11-03T11:29:42.698+11:00Technical DificultiesYep, if you neglect your blog for a while you forget all sorts of passwords and then have technical difficulties.<br />
<br />
Like the password to sign into your blog.<br />
And the password to your email account where you follow other people's blogs.<br />
And the google password. . . is that the same or different from my email password?<br />
<br />
And compounding the difficulties is my tendency to change my mind.<br />
<br />
When I started this new anonymous blog, because I no longer wanted to be Josie, I started a Wordpress blog. And I followed other blogs using Wordpress account and the associated email address. I ran into issues following Blogspot blogs so got rid of that blog and started again with Blogspot.<br />
<br />
But it didn't all get cleared away, did it?<br />
<br />
No, I couldn't manage to change my followings and somehow when I comment on someone's Wordpress blog it prompts me to log on with my old blog. Which I can't do as I cleared it.<br />
<br />
Then I decided that a gmail account would be more useful as an email account so changed the account associated with this blog. Now I can't access my yahoo email but for some reason I can log into my blog using that email address- there are just no emails for me to read.<br />
<br />
It's taken a couple of hours to access my blog again- yay - but I still can't access my yahoo emails.<br />
<br />
Then I needed to log onto Blogher to sign up for Nablomopo . . . with a Facebook account for some reason. So I had to create passwords for both of those AND a Facebook account, which I don't particularly want to be on, but I was quite motivated to do Nablopomo this November so I persevered.<br />
<br />
I'm quite confused now. I'd like to go and read other Nablopomo blogs but I'm quite worn out from figuring out how to access my blog and some of my emails.<br />
<br />
And there are all the other things competing for my time. There's the five or six books I have borrowed from the library that I really want to read, and the units I'll be teaching next year that I was to start researching and writing up, and marking, and all the other nitty gritty aspects of life. . .<br />
<br />
Phew. So, my aim will be to keep up with Nablopomo every day this month, attempt to log onto Blogher, and find some time to read other people's blogs.<br />
<br />
Stella x<br />
<br />Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-90942654535374444622013-11-02T18:30:00.001+11:002013-11-02T18:34:09.796+11:00GOP, the wacky world of politics, and all that jazz<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
I’m trying to become more “aware” and
follow Obama’s Affordable Care Act, after all a major crisis has only just been
averted with Congress getting the go ahead to keep on . . . congressing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">See?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My knowledge is thin and weedy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The very first article I looked at had me stumped:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="color: windowtext;">Here’s how GOP Obamacare hypocrisy backfires</span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">First I had to figure out who or what GOP was, OK, easy fixed. Thanks
google. They’re the Republicans, also called the Grand Old Party. Apparently
this was an ironic title bestowed upon them, which started out life as the
Gallant Old Party. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Huh, and I thought it was some official
acronym.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So, then I started reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Why Obamacare Grandfathered Plans are Going Extinct<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">And was stumped again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Grandfathered?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So what, are they taken down to the park,
given sweeties, and pushed on the swings?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Still I persevered:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Kludgeocracy: The American Way of Policy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And what in the sweet green grass is kludgeocracy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I might just stop calling myself an English
teacher since I am following none of that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I guess the only positive thing – the only thing – to be said
about Australian politics is their use of plain English. Or should that be
Australianisms?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In an interview with <i>The Washington Post</i> our newest Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, explains the previous government’s
policies thus:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">''Welcome to the wonderful, wacko world of the former government.''</span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Mr Fernandes, an associate professor of
international and political studies at the University of New South Wales, offers
this observation:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Generally speaking the convention is that
you don’t go to a foreign country and attack your political opponents at home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Their commentators will be privately
thinking that this is extremely uncouth.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Fantastic- I don’t understand American
politics, and we’re the country with an uncouth PM. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-67039958947381498022013-11-01T14:04:00.002+11:002013-11-01T14:05:14.055+11:00When nerdom equals success<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the past few months I have been teaching in the TAFE system- that's Technical and Further Education for those not in the know. My students are mainly ones who completed year 12 (final year of secondary school) last year but did not do well enough to get into university. There is also a smattering of mature age students.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a class last week my students were working on an essay. The course demands I teach them essay skills as it provides them with the skills to succeed at university. I have broken down the steps to researching and writing an essay and then needed to decide on an essay topic.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Because I am an awesome teacher I decided on a topic that would be applicable to them: What factors contribute to success at the tertiary level. Brillliant, I thought. They learn to write an essay and in the process find out what their stumbling blocks may be at university.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Most don't really appreciate the topic, however, one mature age student told me last week:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I feel like such a nerd in your class because I'm finding this so interesting." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And, 'TOUCH DOWN!" as they say on certain TV shows when applauding success. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My work here is done. I walked away with a warm fuzzy feeling.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Stella x</div>
Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-58496400174764188652013-07-04T14:44:00.004+10:002013-07-04T14:46:51.079+10:00Ready, Set, Bake<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I have joined the female race, at last.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Wait, maybe that’s stereotyping: perhaps
it’s the human race I have joined. Or at least the proportion of it that bakes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">That’s right. You heard me, the part of the
human race that bakes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Every woman I know bakes. And I don’t.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">But today I baked a cheesecake. I vaguely
remember baking a cake once. Four years ago. I don’t remember, however, cooking
a baked cheesecake. Ever. In my childhood I remember creating a refrigerated
cheesecake but never a baked one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">And a good thing that is too because now I
know what is actually <i>in</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> a cheesecake I am
horrified and may never order one for dessert again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">However, I have a cheesecake in my
oven right now and based on its title <i>Foolproof Baked Cheesecake,</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> and the fact that when I licked the bowl out I almost swooned, I am
fairly confident that this cheesecake will be edible. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Anyway, how could it fail when you consider
the raw ingredients?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Cream cheese</li>
<li>Eggs</li>
<li>Sugar</li>
<li>Butter</li>
<li>Sour cream</li>
<li>Lemon</li>
<li>And biscuits (It seemed a bit ambitious to create a base from scratch but presumably people actually do that.)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </span>Mix that together and anything kind of
result is going to taste nice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Fingers crossed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">However, now I have discovered the joys of
baking I must watch out in case I’m lured into watching one of those cooking
shows. My major objection to them is that everytime one of the participants has to leave, or something they've cooked doesn't turn out as expected, or the judges speak harshly to them and they pathetically dissolve into tears NO ONE goes all 'parent' on them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">i.e. One of the judges should grab their
arm and shout:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Are you crying?! What are you crying about?! Come here!
I’ll give you something to cry about!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Possibly while brandishing a rolling pin. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Stella x</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-24912994525632361312013-07-01T20:17:00.001+10:002013-07-01T20:17:58.291+10:00The Cost of Work
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">A friend of mine is pretty much scandalised
by some of my life choices. What is he scandalised about? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Excessive drinking? No.</li>
<li>Excessive smoking? No.</li>
<li>Sleeping around with a different partner
every night? (Ha, as if.) No.</li>
<li>Eating too much sugar? No.</li>
<li>Cheating the tax system? No.</li>
<li>Being mean to animals? No.</li>
<li>Being a lapsed vegequarian? No.</li>
<li>My preference for tea over coffee? No.</li>
<li>My ability to rock red lipstick? No.</li>
<li>My desire to live in the hills for a while
longer and endure a long journey into town? Possibly but not the complete
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nope, none of the above. It is, however, fairly controversial: It’s my
preference to work part time rather than full time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Shocking, no?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Financially things have been tougher than
the last year and the emergency teaching not quite as lucrative. As a
result I have whinged a bit more about money, and work. (Perhaps this is what
he objects too.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I have also been proactive and been
applying for jobs. However, I really don’t want to work full time again and
initially I only applied for part time work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Now I am applying for full time or part
time work, even though I’d prefer part time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">At any rate, one of my friends disapproves
of my desire to work part time. I’m not sure why this bothers him so much. (Well possibly he objects to my whining which is fair enough.) And I'm surprised by his judgement; and initially I was defensive, now I'm realising I should be indifferent. It’s my decision how I spend my life and what my priorities
are - perhaps not working full time is a good priority for me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It would be a strange world if we all had
the same priorities.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">He also has children. I don’t have children
and I never wanted children. So I decided I wouldn’t have children unless I
changed my mind over the years. This never, ever happened. So: no children. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">See? Different priorities. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The decision to work part time came at a
cost. I found myself stressed, depressed, and unable to sleep when teaching
full time. I did not enjoy my quality of life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Then my husband got sick and I learnt a
real lesson about life. Watching someone die at 42 will make you re-assess your
priorities. If I am financially able to survive on part time work, then that is
what I am going to do. If I am financially able to survive working casually,
then that is what I am going to do and bugger anyone who wants to judge
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The beauty of being an adult is that I can make my own decisions. And I have learnt not let other people's judgements dictate my life. I just need to remember that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Stella x </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-53270042337945778962013-06-22T16:17:00.000+10:002013-06-22T16:17:09.688+10:00Want Ads for Teachers Who Walk On Water and Other Miracles
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hyperbole in teaching positions appears to
be all the rage. I am looking for a new teaching job and the standards seem
very high. I consider myself a good teacher, not great, just good, but I’m not
sure I’m at the standard required to actually get a teaching job these days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">If these ads are to be believed then the
standard of teaching is so high these days I’m shocked we are not leading the
world in education and turning out actual world leaders!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">These examples are taken from real ads.
(Just reading them made me so exhausted I had to have a Bex and a lie down.) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">They want really good teachers who:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0cm;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;">Demonstrate experience in developing exciting, innovative and
age-appropriate curriculum to engage all levels of students.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;">Have an ability to foster positive relationships with students, with
a commitment to their personal growth, education and care.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;">Demonstrate ability to work as part of Learning and Pastoral Teams.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;">Have strong communication skills.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;">Have a commitment to excellence in girls’ education.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </span>Hm, yes, we all have to be involved in
teams now: Pastoral, Learning, Writing Curriculm/ Rewriting Curriculum/ Writing
The Curriculum to Satisfy the New Improved Independent Schools Standards/ State
Standards/New Improved National Standards . . .</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US">Surely if we got it <s>write </s>right the first time
we wrote the curriculum we wouldn’t have to keep re-writing it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">Or they want us to
be </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt;">energetic
and innovative</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">. Well, I row twice
a week, is that energetic enough?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13.0pt;">This is an opportunity for a talented Maths teacher to join a
supportive and engaging work environment that fosters diversity, communication
and professional growth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">Talented? Probably
not. And fortunately I’m not a Maths teacher so I won’t be applying for that
one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #141414; font-family: Helvetica;">ABC
Teaching Agency is seeking dynamic, outgoing and enthusiastic secondary teachers
to work with our client schools.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #141414;">Er, dynamic?
Outgoing? Enthusiastic? I’m afraid my enthusiasm gets worn down just reading
the ads. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I enjoy teaching, like the kids, and want to do the best by them but I just don’t think I can live up to all
these new expectations. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Anyway, you’ll be relieved to hear that I keep my new found cynicism to myself and should I actually get invited
to interview for a teaching position (which hasn't happened yet, must work on my water walking skills) I will not be saying anything at all about
my blog. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Stella x</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-42916220924670964052013-06-19T21:50:00.001+10:002013-06-19T21:53:58.600+10:00Believe it or not. . . <div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">I have been sitting on the couch flipping through the TV channels and scanning the TV guide for something to watch, in vain. I have also been feeling pathetic that I am doing this and not something more interesting like yoga (which I was scheduled to do with a friend but I am sick) or the Ballet Classes for Adults that I have signed up for - I just can't wait - but right now I am sick and need to stay near the tissue box. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">So, I muse about things I just cannot believe:</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<ul style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">That there is a show on TV called <i>Auction
Hunters</i></span>. That they've actually <i>made</i> a show
about men who make a living buying other people's abandoned storage
units. And they show this on TV. (Maybe I’m more incredulous than
unbelieving.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">
I just saw the credits. Now I also can't believe that there was an
"original concept" involved in the making of this program.<br />
</span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: small;">That there are men who consider buying
other people's storage units a career. Seriously. </span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US">
That the majority of programs on TV are reality shows - to do with cooking.
<i>Master chef</i>, <i>My Kitchen Rules</i>, <i>The Great Australian Bake Off</i> etc. </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US">
Also can’t believe I was wrong: the majority of reality shows are not to do
with cooking after all. Look at these reality TV shows - <i>The Biggest Loser</i>, <i>The Block</i>, <i>The Block Skyhigh</i>, <i>Embarrassing Bodies</i>,
<i>Cops</i>, <i>Judge Judy</i>, <i>Fear Factor</i>, <i>Pawn Stars</i>, <i>Hardcore Pawn</i>, <i>Pimp My
Ride</i>, <i>Supernanny</i>, <i>Celebrity Apprentice</i>, <i>Highway Patrol</i>, <i>Motorway Patrol</i>,
<i>Hoarding: Buried Alive</i>, <i>Swamp People</i>, <i>Auction Kings</i>, <i>Operation Repo</i> and so on. </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US">
Also, I cannot believe the number of cooking shows on TV, even if
they're not reality shows: <i>Huey's Kitchen</i>, <i>Ready, Steady, Cook</i>, <i>Good Chef Bad
Chef</i>, <i>Everyday Gourmet with Justine Scholfield, </i>(and they're all on ONE
channel), <i>Poh's Kitchen</i> – or are they reality shows? I’m confused now. </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Anyway, you get the picture. But so who cares? Well if they were any good
then I'd be watching them . . . not scouring the TV guide and writing about them. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">That's all.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US">Oh, and while I was still sort of watching
TV . . . also that Americans call pizza "pie". Why? I know we have
really dumb names for things but surely it's either a pie or a pizza. Decide already!</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US">And finally, despite selecting all the text AND changing the font about ten times so it is consistent throughout this posting. . . it WON'T do it. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Stella x</span></div>
Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-42147355256746565592013-06-18T11:26:00.003+10:002013-06-18T11:27:52.685+10:00Men Behaving Badly<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many years ago,
I was a foolish thing and attempted on-line dating. Well, it worked. Recently,
still being foolish, I have been trying on-line dating again. Specifically,
RSVP, and an old flame saw me again, recognized me despite the
intervening 14 years and the change of hair colour, and contacted me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I was mildly
horrified.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">He was pleased
to see me. He said if I wanted to catch up for a coffee, or chat, or whatever to
get in touch with him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">It appears I am
the only one with a good working long-term memory. We dated for a couple of
months and had some good times. However, during that time I learnt that he was
rather passive-aggressive, and not really someone I wanted a long-term relationship
with. Fortunately he then went overseas and didn’t maintain contact.
Ever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">On a couple of
occasions while dating him I should have re-thought the wisdom of continuing
with the relationship. At one point he photo-shopped a photo of my head onto a
naked woman with . . . hm, how shall I say this. . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>different attributes to mine and emailed it to me, thinking
it was funny. I didn’t and was quite upset about this and rang him to tell him
so.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Instead of being
apologetic, or even simply understanding, he become angry with me for ringing
him late at night, leaving a message on his machine, and disturbing him when he had to get up early the next day.
I’m not even certain I actually got to speak to him but he was annoyed with me
anyway. Nor did he ever see my point of view. Then he maintained radio silence
for several days. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Eventually,
because I <s>am</s> was a sucker I contacted him and said that this felt like
we were breaking up, etc. Anyway, to bring an embarrassing story to a close -
he did not apologize and we picked up where we left off and continued dating.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Then he accepted a
short-term contract to work overseas, Chile. Previously he had failed to
mention that this was a possibility. (Nice of him.) So we went shopping for him
and I mentioned I had a discount card that I’d be happy for him to use. Buying
shirts is boring so while he was looking I explored the cosmetics part of the
department store on the same floor. Not too far away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">When it came
time to pay I was not there, hovering, with the discount card in my hand but
elsewhere. (Gosh, what a bad girlfriend.) The option of leaving the clothes
with the sales clerk and seeking me out was, apparently, not open to him. So,
angry, he paid for the clothes and then went and stood <i>outside</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> the shop and waited for me to find him. Which I did eventually. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Things were patched up eventually when he decided to speak to me again, then he went away, and even lent me some exercise equipment. I was, for some
reason, still interested in pursuing this relationship, and took this as a good
sign. I had a brief phone call when he first arrived but then no contact at
all, despite a couple of emails on my part. After a week I asked what was going on, why the
radio silence again?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">He informed me,
angrily, that although he worked at a computer all day, he could not email me as
the boss sat right next time him/ in front of him/ in close proximity to him etc
which made it difficult. He also requested that I return his exercise
equipment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">It was at this
point that I finally concluded that this guy was a jerk and I didn’t deserve to
be treated like that. I drove over there while he was still overseas and put
the exercise equipment in the garage by rolling it underneath, as he had
requested, and encouraged my little dog to poop in his yard. It didn’t. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Then my
self-respect raised its head and I realized that I had made a lucky escape from
this manipulative, passive-aggressive man who never apologised, or listened to
my feelings. Phew. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">When he
contacted me again I recoiled with horror, read his email, and replied “That’s
nice, yes, it’s been a while. Good luck on-line.” Or words to that effect.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I have not heard
from him again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Yay!</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-53788680438459618882013-06-11T21:10:00.002+10:002013-06-11T21:20:35.467+10:00Rock the boat, don’t rock the boat, baby.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The damn “fun” regatta has raised its ugly head
again. It’s a charity regatta, we went in it last year and it was fun, mostly.
This year I thought it’d be OK to row in it with my crew. After all, we work
reasonably well together and we’d have six weeks or so to practice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">That was the plan anyway. On the other
hand, this is how it is actually panning out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Week One Crew – Stella, Ann, Mikaela,
and Amanda.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Our coach, who also runs the rowing school,
decides that Amanda will row with another crew. Amanda rows twice a week and
the other crew has also entered the regatta, so she’s gonna row with them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Amanda is then replaced by Julie. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Week Two Crew – Stella, Ann, Mikaela, <strike>Amanda</strike>, and Julie</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The only problem is that Julie can’t row
with us for practice. Darn. Still, we falter along and keep practicing. In effect what this means is that our coach
keeps yelling at our stroke seat person as she’s ‘rushing the slide.’ It is
very, very hard not to rush the slide. It is something we are all working on at
all times.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">We have some practice races against another
crew. Coach does her nut roaring at us: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“<span style="text-transform: uppercase;">Don’t
let them get away from you. You’ve got them now hang on</span>! COME ON! KICK
IT UP A GEAR!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">And so on, and so forth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Sigh. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">We practice for a couple of weeks without
Julie as she is not available to practice with us. </span>Then after a not-particularly-good row our
Stroke, Mikaela, hurts her neck as we are carrying the boat back to the
trailer. And pulls out of the regatta.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br />
Darn.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So we replace her with Jane. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Week Four Crew – Stella, Ann, Julie, <strike>Mikaela</strike>, and Jane.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then we have ONE practice row with both Julie
and Jane. Julie has bravely volunteered to be Stroke. The problem with being
Stroke is that all the pressure is on you to set the pace, the rest of the crew
simply have to follow her lead.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The other problem is that our coach acts as
if this is the Olympics, but it’s not and we’re just semi-fit middle aged women</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Not Olympians. Hell, we’ve all been rowing
less than two years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Anyway, we have a practice row together.
And we are crap. The entire time: the boat lists to the left, we’re out of
time, we simply can’t “kick it up a gear,” ever, and our racing start looks
like we’re all splashing around in a kiddy’s pool. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Sigh. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Anyway, this doesn’t matter because it
turns out that Jane cannot row with us in the regatta anyway. So her daughter
is going to row instead- we’ll call her Leeanne. (I am running out of names
here.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Week Four Crew – Stella, Ann, Julie, <strike>Jane</strike>, and
new newbie Leeanne.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, despite my misgivings and wanting
to get out of the damn thing, and despite the fact that we HAVE NEVER ALL ROWED
TOGETHER, I’m still in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">The day before the regatta the river is
flooded; we have the largest single rainfall in one day in June since records
begin etc. So the regatta is cancelled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Yay!” I think, but alas, it’s only
postponed a fortnight. Instead it’s this Sunday. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Today, Tuesday, Ann texts us to say she has
a family commitment on Sunday and she can’t row. Julie offers to find a
replacement or just leave it if I don’t want to row either.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Week Six Crew – Stella, Julie, Leeanne,
and <s>Ann</s>.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I can’t stand it any longer and admit that
I’d like to pike also. I tell Julie I’d be happy to leave it, assuming none of
us are rowing now after three members of the original crew are unable to make
it. However, Julie agrees to take responsibility of what remains of the crew
and find two extra people. (I assume Leeanne is still rowing in the regatta but
I have never met her, and as a result never rowed with her either.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Week Six Crew – <s>Stella</s>, Julie,
Leeanne, and <s>Ann</s>.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Several hours later, on reading all the
texts, Ann feels bad and texts back, apologises to Julie, and says she will row
after all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Week Six Crew 2 hours later – <s>Stella</s>,
Julie, Leeanne, and Ann.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’m not completely certain of my rowing
status as a result.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I believe the last text I sent said I
wanted to be replaced. I am thoroughly sick of any mention of the regatta and
will be happy if I never hear from any of them again. Ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Just sayin’ . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-41234248927782824362013-05-27T15:43:00.002+10:002013-05-27T15:43:32.448+10:00The Journey.
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t you hate it when people talk about
healing and grieving as being all part of a journey? I do. But then, it is.
Kind of like walking on pebbles at first, it’s painful and uncomfortable and
you have to go slowly. Then gradually the path changes and becomes easier to
negotiate, perhaps from pebbles to gravel, to sand, to sidewalk.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In the beginning there was actual relief
that my husband’s suffering was over. Not many of the books on grief mentioned
that so I felt a little guilty, but gradually my commonsense took over: of
course I’d be relieved he was no longer in pain, in such a broken down body
that made me cry just to look at him, and I decided not to feel guilty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Then the <i>journey</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> began. The process went something like, this requiring
concentration: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>On slowly going back to work. My brain was
in a fog, I had to concentrate really hard on the simplest of tasks. I often
felt like a complete idiot.</li>
<li>On coming off the antidepressants. Really,
how does anyone cope without these when you think you will die from the grief?
Really - die. When you think you can’t possibly survive, and you don’t know how
you will manage to get through the day. And yet, you do.</li>
<li>On sprucing up the house ready for sale</li>
<li>On moving</li>
<li>On cutting my hair inexplicably short.
(Very unattractive it was too – perhaps that should be in all the self-help
books: don’t cut your hair just because you can, you are not thinking
straight.)</li>
<li>On going back to university</li>
<li>On not crying in public at random moments. I cannot explain how much of a relief it was when I gradually stopped.<span> </span>I didn’t want everyone to see my grief, or have to explain why I had suddenly dissolved into tears. I was embarrassed, and so relieved when I could stop adding to the Places I Have Cried In Public list. I last cried in public over a year ago. It was my birthday, so it was kind of extenuating circumstances. Anniversaries and significant days are nowhere near as bad now.</li>
<li>On participating in the real world</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </span>The latter was somewhat difficult as losing
my husband had been the focus of my world for a couple of years and it felt
like it informed everything I did. Or should. And yet it felt terribly private
so that I didn’t want to talk about it even though it seemed to define me so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So this <i>journey</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> – I really dislike that word, I must try another – so my experience
of grief and healing was so different to almost everything I read in books. The
only advice I felt that resonated with me was that we all experience grief
differently, and to treat yourself gently.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I saw a counselor who advised me to get out
there and join things, start new hobbies, meet new people. So I tried slowly at
first. I’d report back to her that I couldn’t get somewhere as I was crying
hysterically earlier in the day. What do I do?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">She advised: go anyway.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So I did. And it worked. I gradually looked
forward to these events even if I initially had to talk myself into going.
Sometimes I had to promise myself I could come home after an hour if I didn’t
like it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And so here I am now, just over three years
later with new friends, new activities and new hobbies, nearly healed, and
walking on smooth pavements. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Oh and rowing - I finally got into a racer
recently.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It is like flying!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-9277481539471442102013-05-26T19:15:00.001+10:002013-05-26T19:23:12.387+10:00To embrace.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It’s been almost four years without him. In
a way I’m sad as that’s almost as long as our relationship, our marriage. I’m sad that the
time can go so quickly, and that our time together is getting more and more distant. And I feel a bit cheated that the comfort I felt in
being married to my husband was so short lived.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Half of me thinks I will meet someone
again. I’m not sure where this absurd optimism comes from as I haven’t
met anyone since I’d seriously want a relationship with. In that time I’ve had
two ‘almost’ relationships, so short that they weren’t ever really going
anywhere, and I knew that from the outset.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I’ve tried online dating.
I’ve ended up feeling too old, not attractive enough, and not enticing enough.
I’ve met men who have been nice and genuine, and men who were out for whatever
they could get, men who were simply focused on meeting their own needs. And so
I gave up online dating, this was a good thing. (On the downside it certainly gives me less to blog about!)</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">However, in the last year despite being
busy going out and socializing I have rarely met anyone I even want to date. I
have had a handful of dates, but when I’m brutally honest, I went on these
dates just to keep in practice. I didn’t really think I wanted to date these
men but gave it a go anyway. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">And then the other half of me thinks I’m better off
alone anyway. After all, I love a multitude of things about being single. And I
love the solitude of living alone. But then I worry that I love it too much.
How will I ever fit someone back into my life?</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Still, I suppose it’s good to have
something to worry about. Here I am with a dearth of men I’d like to date and
I’m worrying how I will accommodate them into my life.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">And then a friend, bless his cotton socks,
worries about the state of my sex life. </span>What sex life?! Although I have to say that
having no sex life means I am at least spared any of the complications. (It’s
good to look on the bright side.)</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Never mind sex, I miss having someone to
dance with . . . I mean dance-as-a-couple dance. People have recommended I find
a friend-with-benefits, which sounds good in theory and I have to admit I have
tried to ‘source’ one, but I’d settle for a man to lead me through a dance. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">That’d be something . . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-24348472395867331462013-04-03T15:08:00.000+11:002013-04-03T16:03:35.546+11:00Irregardless of the silliness of it all. . . <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">
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</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Irregardless of my love of apostrophes, today I want to talk about non-words, such as <i>irregardless</i>. (Ah, if only I were at
school teaching right this second. Gosh, the fun we would have.)</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">I have just had a ‘script filled for
antibiotics because it is school holidays and as per standard operating
procedures during school<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>holidays
I have gone and fallen prey to a lurgy (surely that’s a non-word too?) and
cosseted it along until it has turned into a lung infection. Yay me.</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Anyway (or should I say irregardless?) the
pharmacist’s directions state:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">"Irregardless of food intake take one
capsule. . ."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Oh wait, just checked the actual pack, it
says “irrespective” - darn, that sheds a different light on things. Huh, why
let the truth get in the way of a ‘good’ story. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Irregardless of the actual instructions I
have forged ahead and investigated the use of this word. According to that well
known, authoritative source Wikipedia<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irregardless">irregardless</a></span><span lang="EN-US"> was first known to have appeared in print as early as 1795. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br />
Cool.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And most dictionaries treat it as a
nonstandard or incorrect. Phew, that’s what I thought too. It is of course a
blend of <i>regardless</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> and <i>irrespective</i></span><span lang="EN-US">. Furthermore it is in the lucky position of being a portmanteau
word</span><span lang="EN-US">. What fun!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">If one follows up on the cited references
and checks the <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irregardless?show=0&t=1364959646">New International Webster Dictionary</a>, or at least its on-line
version, they lay the blame squarely on America: “Irregardless originated in
dialectal American speech in the early 20th century.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So it’s kind of fitting that if you click on the speaker and listen to the pronunciation it has a definite American flavour to it as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The irony, of course - should anyone still
be reading - is that despite its official status as a non-word, it still has an
entry in the dictionary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Score one for irregardless. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><span lang="EN-US">And then an Australian linguist, Pam Peters
(I mean come on really, with alliteration like that she had to become a
linguist) points out “ that irregardless has become </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetishism"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">fetishized</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"> because natural examples of this word in corpora of written and
spoken English are greatly outnumbered by examples where it is in fact only
cited as an incorrect term.” (Is it me, or are </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">there simpler ways to say that?)<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">To sum up:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">a/ It’s school holidays and I am sick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">b/ Irregardless is a non-word that still appears
in the dictionary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">c/ Irregardless is described as a
portmanteau word that has been fetishized. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">d/ I have a blog and therefore don’t
have to bore my friends silly with these things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></span></span>Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-81488960652262598372013-04-01T21:09:00.001+11:002013-04-01T21:09:45.403+11:00Waiting for the Upswing
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After two months of putting up with a RSI’d
elbow scotching any chance of rowing or yoga I was starting to feel pudgy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This feeling was met with NO SMPATHY from
my workmates coz my pudginess simply wasn’t recognized.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Ok. So suck it up, Stella. (See even that
bit of alliteration makes me feel better.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Things had started to improve:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>More work. Yay. I don’t feel so
impoverished.</li>
<li>Best buddies are back in town. Yay, friends to
dance with. Who love me, pudgy or not.</li>
<li>Manage to row once a week. Forking out to
go to the osteo helps.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </span>BUT- a migraine (apparently it’s a hormonal
thing) had me feeling blue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">When said migraine re-appeared two weeks
later, I cried “Cruel and unjust treatment.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">But figured it’d be gone in two days.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Coz it always is.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Instead: it was gone in one day. Yeehaa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Some would say.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Instead I came down with a snotty, wheezy,
cold-type situation in lieu of said migraine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Oh crappity crap crap!” and “Give me
freakin” a break!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">On the plus side the migraine’s gone I had to cancel rowing tomorrow coz you need working lungs for that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Instead I am ensconced on the couch
watching TV. (Not pay TV, but TV nevertheless.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">OK, a little confession: I had been reading
<i>A Wise Heart</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> by Jack Kornfield all about
Buddhism and the beginning it talks about being compassionate to yourself and
others. . and well. . . it may have reminded me of the last time I read it,
when my husband was ill, and I was feeling all sad and lonely anyway. . . and
it’s possible there may have been tears. . . </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">But don’t let that put you of, it’s really
ONE of the BEST books I’ve ever read. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Anyway, I turned to the TV. Coz that’s what
modern day America/Australia/Britain etc does.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Besides my eyes were puffy and hurt so reading was out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So I’m “torn” (using that word with all the
sarcasm you can muster) between watching <i>Mean Girls</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> and <i>Salt</i></span><span lang="EN-US">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Neither of which I can relate to.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I am not an American/possibly Russian spy.
Nor am I as skinny as Angelina- we just had that pudgy discussion, remember? </span>And no one's ever going to say:"Do you have any idea who this woman is? What she's done for this country?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And I am not - no matter how much I lie about
my age - a high school student befriended by the “cool” girls. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Although I do work in a school.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Sometimes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Sigh. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">But still, little redemption here:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Clearly tonight cries out for more
Drambuie.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And, yeah, I am feeling better now. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Stella-the-drunk xx</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-60710144746099827762013-03-20T09:36:00.001+11:002013-04-01T21:11:07.769+11:00Ten Indicators That You’ve Finally Hit Old<br />
<ol>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The glamorous waitressing job you picked up over the holidays
gives you RSI in your arm/elbow.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Rowing aggravates the RSI in your arm. (Well der.)</li>
<li><span lang="EN-US"> </span>Yoga is seriously bad for RSI in your arm. (Probably shouldn’t
be doing a powerflow class.)</li>
<li> Yoga gives you a funky knee. (Kinda feels like the kneecap is
in the wrong place.)</li>
<li><span lang="EN-US"> </span>Six weeks later you still have RSI and a funky knee. (You
assumed it’d all get better with time, because it always has. Besides, you
got the glamorous waitressing job coz money was tight and so you don’t
bother to go to the doctor when you probably should.)</li>
<li> Your hip and QL starts to play up, aching at all times of the
day for no good reason.</li>
<li><span lang="EN-US"> </span>You end up visiting the osteopath because nothing else gives
you relief. Not even Deep Heat.</li>
<li> You go back to the osteopath because you’re still not getting
relief. And you’re sick of smelling of Deep Heat.</li>
<li><span lang="EN-US"> </span>You wake during the night due to the ache in your hip – surely
it’s not time for a hip replacement yet – and end up sprawled on the floor
for 20 minutes with your leg in front of you bent at the knee at right
angles while you try to lean into pigeon pose and release that darn hip.</li>
<li> You realize your QL is probably so sore because you are not
exercising at all due to the strained elbow, sore knee, achey QL, and
heels that feel bruised<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(you
think that’s down to your orthotics.)</li>
<li><span lang="EN-US"> </span>You turn into a big whingey broken ol’ thing and
pessimistically wonder what you’ll injure if you go to a Spin class. You
go anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
</ol>
<div>
(Not being able to count to ten is a big give away too.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Stella x</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-12665477702362842292013-03-18T13:17:00.001+11:002013-03-18T13:17:55.726+11:00Is this a man I see before me?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Goodness, of course it’s not. Don’t be so
silly. Don’t tell me you thought I’d stopped blogging because I’d met some
bloke, did you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The title actually refers to Friday night
and my latest exploits in town. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My best buddies were out of town for work;
yes, they have the kind of job that requires them to travel. Seems like a good
deal to me, who as a teacher has only ever traveled <i>overseas</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> to Phillip Island. For school camp. Three days, two night of fun,
fun, fun with 200 adolescents who don’t want to go to sleep. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">But I digress, as ever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As my buddies were out of town I went
out last Friday with a couple of other friends. I have previously been out with
them in a group, had a few drinks, a few dances, chatted to a few men etc. It’s
all been good.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This Friday was different though and I have
been musing, as is my wont, as to why. (Actually, it’d be good if I could do
less musing at times and more sleeping.) I think I have discovered why. The
point of the exercise on Friday night appeared to be ONLY to check out and pick
up men. And if there were <i>no</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> men at a particular
venue –as was pronounced at one place - we needed to move on. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now on my usual Friday night I am not
averse to checking out men but it’s more of a sideline. The main business of
the evening tends to be having fun with my friends. Usually that means a lot of
dancing, and some drinking also, but not to excess. Well, the drinking that is,
not the dancing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And if we end up talking to men, or men
talk to us - probably because we’re having such a good time – then that’s fine.
Last Friday, however, was a concerted effort to hunt down hot men. Then admire
them, loudly, speak to the them, if possible, and finally lament them, should
they happen to pick up someone else before we’d made our move.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br />
Then we could go somewhere else and loudly lament them on the way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I mean really, ladies, how old are we? 22?
No, we are not and I ended up abandoning them both early on in a club when they
were busy talking to the bouncer; who was, apparently, hot. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I thought this was quite canny of me as
they were too engaged with chatting with him to object to my leaving. Even more
canny of me was to check my iPhone to see which way was which. When that didn’t
help I asked the Cloak Room girl where the nearest train station was and we
pinpointed it on my iPhone too, just for good measure. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Unfortunately since I was beating a hasty
retreat I didn’t have time to think about the train schedule and ending up
waiting 24 minutes for the next train out to the boon docks where I (still)
live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-81809796990505275182013-03-17T16:22:00.003+11:002013-03-17T16:25:28.516+11:00Ask Yahoo: absence does NOT make the heart grow fonder<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Oh no.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It’s been so long since I’ve blogged, or
read anyone else’s blog that Yahoo has blocked me from checking my emails
because I cannot remember my password. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Darn. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately I could remember and access my blog and my google password so all is not lost even if Yahoo has gone all <i>security</i> on me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The problem appears to be that I am logging on from a device they do not recognize.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hogswash. I am logging on from the same old faithful iMac I've been using for the last four or five years. (Yeah, if I get more work I just might upgrade.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So, I eventually remembered my password successfully but then they wanted me to correctly enter the security numbers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Managed that OK since I'm not a robot or spam or anything. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">But then I got the security answer wrong.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Apparently I am impersonating me and don’t
know the name of my favourite uncle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This is perplexing as I only had one uncle.
. . </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So then they blocked me for 24 hours. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Plan B - I went back and asked them to send me a new password to another account. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I only hope that I can remember how to get into that account as I never, ever use it. To remain anonymous I have not linked my blog or associated emails to my regular email account. Otherwise somehow <i>they</i> figure out you're the same person and all of a sudden - especially if you are on Facebook, which I'm not - everything is linked and any anonymity is just blown right out of the water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(How very Big Brother of them.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Yes, indeed, I have been thwarted by my own cleverness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Stella The Anonymous xx</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-67046844558885877062013-03-15T14:28:00.001+11:002013-03-15T14:33:40.305+11:00She's ba-a-a-a-ck! And still an apostrophe Nazi.I have been feeling guilty, of late. Yes, guilty because I have just left my blog withering in the ether. (Ooh, I like that. I do have a way with words, don't I?)<br />
<br />
I attended a talk by an author recently which I enjoyed immensely, even though I hadn't read any of this books. I am attempting to remedy that now. I wish I had a book in me to write.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, back on topic.<br />
<br />
So while I was there I picked up one of the Centre's booklet listing all the interesting writing courses they offer. "Gosh, these look great. I must do some. I do miss writing," I mused to myself. " You idiot, Stella. You have a perfectly good blog so go back to using it."<br />
<br />
And.<br />
<br />
Ta-dum! Here I am.<br />
<br />
The bad news though is I am here just to have a whinge, it's a punctuation thing. There is a new Aussie film out, good for us. What bothers me, quite a lot, is the poor use of punctuation in the promotional poster that insists on appearing on my yahoo homepage.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
Annoyingly I cannot capture the <a href="http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/payless-buys-payless-shoes-administration-002449188.html">image</a> but the poster heading is:</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Goddess</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Theres one in all of us</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And if you click on the image, even if you don't, there's a short clip promoting the video.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This irritates me beyond all rational reason. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it's because if they're prepared to spend all that money promoting the film they might bother to employ someone to proofread their advertisements. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Or maybe employ an ad agency that has basic literacy skills.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just sayin' . . . </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Interestingly, on all other versions of the poster they have fixed this. Needless to say I am far too annoyed to even consider going to see this film. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Stella xx</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-61357102512127860342012-12-25T12:01:00.004+11:002012-12-25T12:03:44.618+11:00And a merry dysfunctional Christmas to you!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Christmas
is turning out much better than the last three. The first one, three months
after I lost my husband, was fairly sucky as you can imagine. This year, here
it is Christmas Day and I haven’t felt sad at all or even cried.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br />
The major reason for this I imagine would be the new friends I’ve made - the
majority of who are Canadian – and lots of opportunities to go out and
socialize. I’ve also kept busy rowing and am lucky enough to be rowing every
single Sunday before and after Christmas and New Years. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">So onto this
year’s dysfunctional family Christmas:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">My divorced
parents - neither has remarried - are both coming to Christmas at my house. The
bizarreness of this is only apparent when you realize that for several years
they didn’t even speak to each other and we celebrated two Christmases, one
with each parent. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">When I say “we”
I mean my sister and I. She’s not married and I’m now widowed. She’s currently
– well, actually for a long time now – a drug addict who still abuses dope, she
has done everything other drug over the years too. This hasn’t done her brain
any favours and she now has mental issues. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">As a consequence
she’s moved out into the country and doesn’t want to see my father. She did
text me this year to wish me Merry Christmas but last year I didn’t hear from
her at all. (It is very hard to have any sort of sane relationship with an addict.
Has been for years.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">So much for the
heavy stuff, now for the planning stuff. You’d think that with a mere THREE
people the planning would go smoothly. Not so much.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">There are three
of us, and one of us (not me) is on a diet, despite this we have three
desserts. Everyone brought a dessert. Not that any of us actually cooked
dessert but we’ve all turned up with dessert. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">My father and I
had decided a roast pork would be the go, that’s our favourite. When I invited
my mother she hinted at her preference for turkey because it’s “slimming”- Dad
and I both laughed at that and over ruled her, we’re having pork. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">So Dad turns up
this morning with some turkey to roast for my mum. Unfortunately it is still
frozen and needs to cook longer and at a different temperature to the pork, and
in water. This means we can’t roast vegetables in the dish. Nevertheless I
persevered and threw everything in the oven.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br />
Except everything didn’t fit in the oven. There wasn’t enough room for all the
vegetables. So Dad has taken the turkey home, he lives 4.5 minutes from my
place, and will roast the turkey in his oven. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Assuming this
all works and everything eventually cooks, which I ‘spose will happen, we will
end up with:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Roast pork </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Roast turkey</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Minced pies</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Christmas pudding </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">AND a chocolate pudding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">For three of us, and one of us is on a
diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Oh well. Happy dysfunctional Christmas!!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-89447478506069469052012-11-29T18:58:00.001+11:002012-11-29T19:02:10.735+11:00The Accidental Shopper<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Shopping appears to have become one of my
hobbies. I’m not sure when that happened but if you do not have a regular job
and rely on emergency teaching then shopping should not be your number one
priority. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Next week is the last week of school for
six whole weeks, so that means NO WORK for six weeks. Meanwhile the bills keep
coming in and I keep shopping. The most frightening of which was last month’s
credit card bill; my savings will look far less healthy once I have paid it
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I have declared that I
will NOT use my credit card until next February (at least). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I’ve been reflecting on how I have allowed
my spending to ramp up to such unprecedented levels and while I can pinpoint a
couple of instances where I have gone wrong I think that on the whole I
probably should not be allowed in shopping centres unsupervised.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">This is what happens: a couple of weeks ago
I went looking for an outfit for the Melbourne Cup. I had a dress that was
almost, at a pinch, suitable but I suspected it was more Garden Tea Party than
Melbourne Cup. So I browsed the shops. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">And left with a white jacket that I did not
end up wearing with the dress. In fact, I still haven’t worn it over a month
later. I also managed to purchase a very nice dress but not one that would be
suitable for the Cup. I thought I could wear this one to my Friday night
social-drinky-doos. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Yes, well that’s all very well but when I
got it home and put it on with real shoes it appeared very short. When I tried
it on at the shop I may have made that classic mistake of throwing it on over
the jeans and just dropping my jeans to my knees. You know how it’s far too
much effort to untie your runners and kick them off your feet to get out of
your jeans totally. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Oh sure, when there’s a pair of jeans
around your knees anything you’re wearing on top looks a/ fairly good, and b/
long enough. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Turns out it wasn’t. Or it doesn’t feel
like it. So I’ve added a hem of lace to make it longer. Now I am completely
unconvinced about the whole thing and still haven’t worn it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">And then I also had to rush out and buy a
copy of “The Princess Bride” for a friend’s birthday. Trouble is on the way to
the DVD store, which I couldn't find, I got waylaid in a shoe shop. I ended up looking at Dr Martens.
They’re so funky and I fell in love with these:</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8g1m3GBguvQ-i-wUjCG_gt9oxci71nSx4yDMEdsap60q9AYUKmW6NJjGQ2sPPSuXRpTRdHmZ_1n3zRkhUIW26b3n3gXzCROTQgiuTKQVJWH0Hqo1rqBFveX6A3CFIVx9bgbaKS6a8OQ/s1600/80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8g1m3GBguvQ-i-wUjCG_gt9oxci71nSx4yDMEdsap60q9AYUKmW6NJjGQ2sPPSuXRpTRdHmZ_1n3zRkhUIW26b3n3gXzCROTQgiuTKQVJWH0Hqo1rqBFveX6A3CFIVx9bgbaKS6a8OQ/s200/80.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry about the poor quality image, I had<br />
to stop looking once I found this one<br />
in case I found other shoes I simply had to buy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Look how cute they are, inside the lining is a pretty floral. And instead of laces they come with these really pretty ribbons, I fell in love pretty much instantly. And they actually make them in my size. However, once I saw
the price I was very strong and left the store intent on looking for the DVD
store.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Before I could get to the DVD store I found
another shoe store and ended up with a pair of black Converse type
runner/boots. I figured these were less than half the price of the Dr Martens
and would be very useful for the waitressing job I’d picked up to help out with
my shopping addiction. Plus they were on sale. (True story.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">See how you can get yourself into trouble
with these things?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I did not find the DVD store. Instead I
sensibly left the shopping centre.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">"Sensibly" didn't last very long: when I got home I
discovered I had a real craving for those Dr Martens and try as I might I could
not kick the thought of them from my head. And, I reasoned to myself, I’m not
getting any younger if I don’t buy these boots now I’ll be too old to get away
with wearing them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">So the next day I got on-line and bought them anyway!</span></div>
<span lang="EN-US">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Nooooooooo!!!!!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Did you see what happened? I didn’t buy the
DVD for my friend and I ended up with not one but TWO pairs of shoes. And the
credit card still needs to be paid off. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Fortunately school has rung up and asked me
to work three days in the last week of term; I have even sacrificed one of my rowing sessions so I can work. Sob. This will help but I have to ban
myself from using the credit card. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yours-in-debt-Stella xx</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-23387483978382659212012-11-27T16:12:00.000+11:002012-11-27T16:12:11.949+11:00Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, New Year's Hell *
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">* With a little effort you can make that work, it's all in the timing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s been
a long time since I blogged, or even read a blog, and that’s because I’ve been out and about having a
lovely time. I’ve made new friends in the social group I attend and so most
weekends I am now out socializing, drinking and dancing with them, and having a
blast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I also find time to row twice a week. Yes,
I am definitely a rowing tragic now. I go to yoga as often as I can, although I
have given Bikram the heave-ho and go to a Vinyasa powerflow class. (I still can’t
do handstands.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I also get to
tango classes on a haphazard basis. Oh and I picked up a casual waitressing job once a week too. Even that can be fun and social. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I have cleansed my life of on-line dating,
and am happier for it. I go on dates with men I meet socially but there is
still no one significant in my life. (And that still sucks.) But on the whole I
am much, much happier than the same time last year. . .</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"> . . . until the prospect of Christmas rears its
ugly head. And New Year’s Eve. There are still a few anniversaries and days
that have the power to make me pensive. I am relieved to say I hardly ever cry in public anymore! Three years on, now that's progress! (Yes, I am gently mocking myself but it's still true.) However the holidays still sometimes suck (gotta love alliteration) and I never did figure out where I could run away to so as to avoid Christmas entirely. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Today I was unexpectedly reminded of that.
A friend of a friend has emailed us all and encouraged us to attend a function
on New Year’s Eve. You know, it’ll be about champagne and canapes. My friends
are all keen to go, I am less so. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Apart from the logistics of getting home
after drinking on New Year’s Eve I don’t enjoy the crowds or the pressure to
have a really-good-time-because-it’s-New-Year’s-Eve. Yet the alternative is to
stay home. Hardly fun either.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">When the hubby was around we’d go to
another couple’s place and have a low key celebration locally. That was enough
for me. I didn’t want to throw my own party, or make a big deal out of New
Year’s but hanging out with friends for a casual drink was fine. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Now those friends have packed up and moved
back interstate, other friends we often saw go away for Christmas until New
Year’s and so I’m left torn between going out with other single friends or
staying home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">And neither appeals. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Any advice?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Stella-the-wet-blanket x</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606769683630846766.post-28062153870987601702012-08-09T19:24:00.000+10:002012-08-09T19:35:23.900+10:00Not sweet enough. Apparently<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">You know how
when people ask if you want sugar in your tea/coffee and, being virtuous, you
don’t take any so say, “No thanks, I’m sweet enough.” Well, that’s not me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">About two months
ago I read some startling ‘facts’ about sugar. According to Robin McGraw’s book <a href="http://www.itsallabouthome.com/babe-or-banshee/">What's Age Got To Do With It?</a> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sugar bonds with
something or the other and may help cause wrinkles. Plus they’re a toxin. I’m a
bit hazy on the details but the bottom line is I decided to give up sugar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Robin, bless her
cotton socks, gave up sugar for an entire year. She probably had her husband,
Dr Phil (I found out they're married when I tried to google* her
book) providing all sorts of fabulous moral support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An entire year, people! No cookies, no cake, no chocolate,
no lollies. Hm, now that I write it out it just doesn’t seem possible. Who
could be that virtuous?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, inspired by
both Robin and vanity I decided to cut out sugar for two weeks. A year seemed a
bit excessive. I thought I’d start with something more reasonable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Cakes and
biscuits weren’t too hard to forego, although those TimTams in my fridge did
have a very loud siren call. And my beloved lemon sherbet lollies which I turn
to two or three times a day were reasonably easy to kick but tea without sugar proved not sweet enough.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">In the past
friends have expressed horror that I have two teaspoons of sugar in my tea. “Two!”
they exclaim with dismay. But it’s not that bad, I don’t have that many cups
of tea in a day, maybe four on a bad day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Not anymore, tea
is so disappointing without sugar I have maybe two cups a day. I’ve survived
the two weeks without sugar and now am back to eating a little tiny bit but
still have no sugar in my tea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">So disappointing. Tea i</span>s no fun at
all. (Did I mention that already?)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">So I’ve become a
bit of a tea slut, trying Lady Grey, Russian Caravan (ugh), Ceylon, Oolong,
Darjeeling. They all sound exotic, some taste better than others, but all would
be improved by a couple of teaspoons of sugar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Alas.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">* When I wrote "google" on my iMac, it came up as spelt incorrectly. Is it just me who sees the irony here? </span></div>Stellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15166527552362784957noreply@blogger.com2