It would appear that there is much betrayal going on in Singaporean schools. Oh yes, and a whole lot of tearing. No, no, not like when you rip a phone book in half to impress a girl. Apparently this tearing is crying, or at least starting to cry. I've been a teacher for some years now and am curious to know whether I am being sold down the river or whether I truly am as dumb as I look. Have any of you guys heard of the verb 'tearing'? I've only ever heard it from Singaporeans which lends credence to my this-is-a-made-up-Singlish-word theory. But I'm open to being utterly wrong. So is 'tearing' actually a word? I've never heard it used in Australia but it is said/written here with such regularity and conviction that I have to wonder whether maybe I'm the one with the vocabulary problem.
Oh yes, and betrayal. It's such a great word that I almost never use - someone recently said that this was because I'm so careful that it would be very difficult for anyone to betray me. And yet, it would appear that the majority of my students have been betrayed by their 'best' friends. Whether is was their friend stealing something and then blaming it on the writer or them making a pact to cheat only to have the friend inform the examiner at the last minute, there seems to be an undercurrent of skulduggery and quite knifing going on across the island. I'm not sure whether this can be attributed to astounding naivety on the writer's part or a willingness to partake in petty criminal activities, but I've just spent the last 2 hours reading all about 'tearing' and betrayal from a bunch of Secondary 4 (equivalent to Year 10) students. My brain hurts.
I'm not yet finished Potter so I'm avoiding all of your blogs and won't read the comments on this one til I'm done. Yes, I've learnt from my students that I can't trust anyone ;)
I'm planning some commentary on the writing styles of Geoff Johns, Brian Bendis and Gail Simone soon. I know how much you all love comics so I'm sure you're drooling in anticipation.
OooooOOOoooooOOOOOoooh!!!
WHEN DID AVRIL LAVIGNE GET HEY OWN MANGA!!!??!?!?!
I noticed this in Kinokuniya the other day. She has manga... my head is still trying to grasp this concept. I understand that she's a record label creation. I get that. It's a carefully constructed image made palatable for the 11-15 year old girl crowd, while being just (corporate) "edgy" enough to avoid total deconstruction by the mainstream media. And now she has manga. Tapping the EXACT same demographic that would buy her albums, hence doubling sales. This news doesn't make me want to vomit, it makes me want to shake the hand of whichever low-ranking office clerk passed off this brilliant idea to the boss that then claimed it as his own in a high-ranking board meeting. It's genius.
Welcome to the reign of black and white. Despite being laughed out of a bbq at a friend's house at the beginning of the season, I take much pleasure in noting that Collingwood are the only team supported by anyone from the conversation that is going to be playing finals this year.
RIP Sheedy's Essendon reign.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Prata
This is prata. All the good stuff is inside!
I haven't talked much about the food here. So W, and all the other foodies too, here we go. The above prata could cost me anywhere between SG$2-5. The Italian one I had the other night cost $5 but was so ridiculously big and filled with goodness that I basked in my own glow of fullness for about an hour afterwards.
Near my current workplace (I change branches in 4 weeks) there are hawker centres next to hawker centres and small restaurants in between. The food, because this is out in the suburbs, is much cheaper than around the area where I live. I can get some really good chicken and rice for SG$2.50. I've taken to the Muslim hawker centre around the corner from my work where they just have everything (except pork, ba-dum-ca!). I can get prata, roti, kway teow, chicken and rice, nasi ayam goreng and the list goes on. All for about $2-3.
Despite the proliferation of cheap seafood I still remain reluctant. Am just not such a huge fan of the crustaceans. They're all tentacles and arms and legs and just not my idea of a good time. So many friends watch on with green faces as I live in these countries where seafood is cheap, delicious and plentiful and yet I don't touch much of it. So sorry guys, there'll be no seafood ideas for you on this page.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Who are you?
Which Annoying B-list Celebrity Are You?
Brought to you by Rum and Monkey.
Wow, I must be far more annoying than I ever imagined...
One thing that has shocked me since being in Singapore is the absolutely appalling customer service on display in corporate environments. Think Starhub, California Fitness or any other Singaporean store I have a grudge against more so than your local hawker. In the case of Starhub, my provider for all things communicative, I was so outraged by their blatant lack of helpfulness that I wanted to move to another provider. Sadly, I swallowed my pride and signed on up because they were the only provider that could do everything for me... I'm so weak. I've not been to very many countries (yet) but so far I've found the service here to be intolerably poor in many places (again, small shops don't count because they rely on you). Thus Singapore now holds the distinction of having the poorest customer service of any country I've been to.
What about you guys? Which country really gets your goat as far as poor service goes?
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Since arriving in Singapore I've met the predictable assortment of weirdos, perverts, alcoholics and the girls that love them. I'm always a magnet for the bizarre and unusual when I'm overseas. A co-worker, with the tone of hard-won wisdom, advised me that Singapore turns expat men into one of three things : a predator, an asshole or a father. Were such bar wisdom true to any degree then I would hope to God that I become a father soon!
I've become addicted to prata. Last night I had an Italian Prata which is like having pizza topping inside the pizza itself. I would love to open a small little place on Brunswick St or Fitzroy Street to serve pratas. It could be the next kebab!! I'm sure I could make an easy couple of mill out of this.
I've also joined a gym. The last time I was a member of a gym was around December 2005. Dangerously unfit may be one way to describe me at present. So with fitness in mind, I joined up the "gayest gym in Singapore". I excuse this because it is highly convenient and keeps hours that suit my current work schedule. I went there this morning and did my first workout. For a gym that is renowned as the "gayest in Singapore" there were a ridiculous amount of hot MILFs at the gym. I think this is because I'm there in the morning and the clientel is of a different nature. So there may be hope for me with the MILF that cast the smouldering, wanton look in my direction.
But the gym types are a scary bunch. The way they diet and use personal trainers (yes, they tried to put the pressure on me to get one for the wonderful price of SG$360/month. Thanks but no thanks.) defies belief. The trainer that did my orientation today looked aghast when I suggested that I was joining the gym because I get bored easily. Apparently everyone else has goals and plans for their gym experience. Me? I have few more plans than perving on girls and adding a bit of mass. But it's all good. I just get weirded out when I hear things like :
Needless to say, I'll be staying away from the gym freaks and personal trainers and plugging in the iPod and doing my own thing.
I've become addicted to prata. Last night I had an Italian Prata which is like having pizza topping inside the pizza itself. I would love to open a small little place on Brunswick St or Fitzroy Street to serve pratas. It could be the next kebab!! I'm sure I could make an easy couple of mill out of this.
I've also joined a gym. The last time I was a member of a gym was around December 2005. Dangerously unfit may be one way to describe me at present. So with fitness in mind, I joined up the "gayest gym in Singapore". I excuse this because it is highly convenient and keeps hours that suit my current work schedule. I went there this morning and did my first workout. For a gym that is renowned as the "gayest in Singapore" there were a ridiculous amount of hot MILFs at the gym. I think this is because I'm there in the morning and the clientel is of a different nature. So there may be hope for me with the MILF that cast the smouldering, wanton look in my direction.
But the gym types are a scary bunch. The way they diet and use personal trainers (yes, they tried to put the pressure on me to get one for the wonderful price of SG$360/month. Thanks but no thanks.) defies belief. The trainer that did my orientation today looked aghast when I suggested that I was joining the gym because I get bored easily. Apparently everyone else has goals and plans for their gym experience. Me? I have few more plans than perving on girls and adding a bit of mass. But it's all good. I just get weirded out when I hear things like :
"Roaaaaa!!! How many protein shakes have you drunk today??? Roaaaaaa!!! If you aren't in pain afterwards then you've wasted your time working out!! Roaaaaaaaaa!!!!"
Needless to say, I'll be staying away from the gym freaks and personal trainers and plugging in the iPod and doing my own thing.
Friday, July 06, 2007
The Red Line
On the train home last night a Mormon, book in hand, sat next to me. After he alighted, a former supermodel sat next to me. I'm not sure which experience was more terrifying.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
First Post
It was only a matter of time. I honestly think that every time something like this happens, John Howard rubs his hands with glee seeing opinion poll numbers increasing like a broken pokie machine. But yes, Little John has begun to play the terrorism/oil card in the lead up to the election. *Yawn*, could he be any more boring and predictable?
If one was a clever polly then you'd be playing up more stringent gun control as an election issue. Examples outside of the recent Melbourne shooting can be found here, here, here, here and here.
While admittedly, the above examples are all from one source and a couple of them are the results of trials from gun-related violence earlier in the year, what becomes more sinister is that all of them are from the last 8 days. Clearly Australia needs to consider the proliferation of illegal (and perhaps in some cases legal) firearms which seem to be making their way to our streets. As I said, a clever polly would raise this issue.
What kinda of B-grade journalists are currently being employed by The Age?? I'm pretty sure her size is not in the public interest. Nor are descriptions of how large her family's house is or how poor and ratty her husband's family's house is. It's almost like they found a Wikipedia article about these people and just through as much information as they could into the article with a complete disregard for what the article was actually about.
In Sg
Yes I'm here. Living in a new place and having started a new job. Obviously it's obscenely hot here much of the time and while I like to think that I think green, that's pretty much gone out the window. Though interestingly I still employ many of the same water-crisis techniques that I had to endure in Melbourne for the past couple of years. I am able to get weekly doses of AFL here as they show three or four games every weekend on the Australia Network. They seem to have an affinity for Collingwood and Richmond games which suits me just fine. I live in an apartment building about ten minutes walk from Orchard Rd. Prime real estate if you know Singapore at all. Unfortunately due to the insane increase in real estate price (there are reasons but I can't be bothered going into it) I live in the tiniest apartment imaginable. Still it's mine and that's all good.
The job itself is quite good. I'm getting my head around their way of doing things as much as I can and am stoked to learn I have 12 weeks paid vacation a year!!! I think this is karmic. The universe is repaying for being such an excellent worker. It's the only possible explanation. Right now I am teaching primary and secondary students though in about a month I will go back to teaching adults. Surprisingly I really love teaching primary because they're pretty much on my same intellectual level.
I've watched a number of movies since being here. On the more expensive days (Fri/Sat/Sun) a movie here costs SGD$9.50 which I guess is about AUD$8.40 very very roughly. So since arriving I've seen Fantastic Four (stupidest epilogue in the history of cinema - it literally makes no sense or is horribly racist), Deathproof (ok, but I'm still not entirely sure whether I like it or not) and Transformers (which I loved loved loved). Lots of stupid segments in Transformers but I knew what I was getting into by paying money to see a Michael Bay film. I realised just now that I've actually only seen one of his films before which was Armageddon. Watched in Japan where you consume every single crappy English language movie you can get your hands on. However, there were giant robots belting the axel grease out of one another and that's what I paid money to see. Using the original cartoon's voice actor for Optimus Prime for Optimus Prime in the movie was genius. The nostalgia all comes flooding back as soon as you here his voice. I'm also now sold on the idea of Shia Labeouf as Indiana Jones' son. He has the right kind of comic timing and stupidity to do it justice.
If one was a clever polly then you'd be playing up more stringent gun control as an election issue. Examples outside of the recent Melbourne shooting can be found here, here, here, here and here.
While admittedly, the above examples are all from one source and a couple of them are the results of trials from gun-related violence earlier in the year, what becomes more sinister is that all of them are from the last 8 days. Clearly Australia needs to consider the proliferation of illegal (and perhaps in some cases legal) firearms which seem to be making their way to our streets. As I said, a clever polly would raise this issue.
"We don't know what Sabeel did with it or who he called. I am convinced that it's the card that has got my husband into trouble," says Firdous, still looking big after her pregnancy.From this article.
What kinda of B-grade journalists are currently being employed by The Age?? I'm pretty sure her size is not in the public interest. Nor are descriptions of how large her family's house is or how poor and ratty her husband's family's house is. It's almost like they found a Wikipedia article about these people and just through as much information as they could into the article with a complete disregard for what the article was actually about.
In Sg
Yes I'm here. Living in a new place and having started a new job. Obviously it's obscenely hot here much of the time and while I like to think that I think green, that's pretty much gone out the window. Though interestingly I still employ many of the same water-crisis techniques that I had to endure in Melbourne for the past couple of years. I am able to get weekly doses of AFL here as they show three or four games every weekend on the Australia Network. They seem to have an affinity for Collingwood and Richmond games which suits me just fine. I live in an apartment building about ten minutes walk from Orchard Rd. Prime real estate if you know Singapore at all. Unfortunately due to the insane increase in real estate price (there are reasons but I can't be bothered going into it) I live in the tiniest apartment imaginable. Still it's mine and that's all good.
The job itself is quite good. I'm getting my head around their way of doing things as much as I can and am stoked to learn I have 12 weeks paid vacation a year!!! I think this is karmic. The universe is repaying for being such an excellent worker. It's the only possible explanation. Right now I am teaching primary and secondary students though in about a month I will go back to teaching adults. Surprisingly I really love teaching primary because they're pretty much on my same intellectual level.
I've watched a number of movies since being here. On the more expensive days (Fri/Sat/Sun) a movie here costs SGD$9.50 which I guess is about AUD$8.40 very very roughly. So since arriving I've seen Fantastic Four (stupidest epilogue in the history of cinema - it literally makes no sense or is horribly racist), Deathproof (ok, but I'm still not entirely sure whether I like it or not) and Transformers (which I loved loved loved). Lots of stupid segments in Transformers but I knew what I was getting into by paying money to see a Michael Bay film. I realised just now that I've actually only seen one of his films before which was Armageddon. Watched in Japan where you consume every single crappy English language movie you can get your hands on. However, there were giant robots belting the axel grease out of one another and that's what I paid money to see. Using the original cartoon's voice actor for Optimus Prime for Optimus Prime in the movie was genius. The nostalgia all comes flooding back as soon as you here his voice. I'm also now sold on the idea of Shia Labeouf as Indiana Jones' son. He has the right kind of comic timing and stupidity to do it justice.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Web 2.0 what hast thou wrought?
This is where the InterWeb has positioned us. I fully admit to loving this clip. More out of a total sense of awe at what this cat can do. It's truly very impressive. But so far the InterWeb hasn't delivered on its Communism-inspired promised land of peace love and mung beans. It will happen. I have faith in that. Guess it'll just take us a while to stop downloading porn and uploading Earth's Funniest (?) Home Videos before coming to that place. But back to Nora. Nora's talent for piano got me thinking - what would I like my cat to be able to do? Now I love the Tomster and in a Marge-like way he's my 'special little guy' but it's hard to think off the top of my head what I'd like him to be able to do most. Probably I'd say iron. Mostly because of all domestic duties I really really hate ironing.
What would you like your cat/s to be able to do?
Had my last day at work today which was both sad and a relief. Sad because there are some people I'm really going to miss very very much. Relieving because it being over means I'm jumping on a plane in less than 48 hours and the next phase begins. I sit currently amidst the ruins of my Australian life. Boxes and bags and things hanging from drawers. I'll get all this done tomorrow after I say my last goodbyes to my oldest friends. I have nothing particularly sentimental or insightful to say about picking up sticks and leaving again. Only that I'm beginning to really understand W-ko and that this is probably just me and the way life works.
Speak to you next from N'Sg'K.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Shizuoka City Blues
The thing I dislike most about leaving is saying goodbye. I'm not good at it, I'm not a fan of it and I never quite know how to let people know how much they mean when I'm forced to do it. I said goodbye to two close friends today (D and JK). Makes it seem more real that I'm heading off but as usual I use my old skool philosophy and figure I'll deal with it once I'm on the plane. Tears add that extra something to scotch, I find. As an aside, JK gave me some wonderful parting gifts which I absolutely cannot wait to read. Some Gaimany goodness as well as another book that sounds very very interesting.
I've written before about my special ability to marry off ex-girlfriends. An ex emailed me out of the blue on Sunday night. It seems to be the year for it, as this is the third one to do it this year. I'm wondering if there's a Chris fansite somewhere that is encouraging anyone from my past to get in touch. Naturally, upon her follow up email she told me that she is now married and has an 8 month old child. Besides being happy for her, the real upshot is that there's no possible way the child could be mine. But seriously, that's 4 ex gfs in the past 7 years that have gotten married after dating me. I really really should set up my own marriage service website. I can see it now :
"Date me! Know how good it can be and then settle for second best just so you can contact me later because you've never truly forgotten!".
I'm a magnet for girls dating me and then marrying another guy not long after. I think this is my mutant power. Given that it's not an overtly world-conquering power I figure I should at least be able to make money off this. So if you know anyone that is desperate to marry then you know what to do! ;)
I've written before about my special ability to marry off ex-girlfriends. An ex emailed me out of the blue on Sunday night. It seems to be the year for it, as this is the third one to do it this year. I'm wondering if there's a Chris fansite somewhere that is encouraging anyone from my past to get in touch. Naturally, upon her follow up email she told me that she is now married and has an 8 month old child. Besides being happy for her, the real upshot is that there's no possible way the child could be mine. But seriously, that's 4 ex gfs in the past 7 years that have gotten married after dating me. I really really should set up my own marriage service website. I can see it now :
"Date me! Know how good it can be and then settle for second best just so you can contact me later because you've never truly forgotten!".
I'm a magnet for girls dating me and then marrying another guy not long after. I think this is my mutant power. Given that it's not an overtly world-conquering power I figure I should at least be able to make money off this. So if you know anyone that is desperate to marry then you know what to do! ;)
Monday, June 04, 2007
One foot out the door
It's election year here once more. In addition to the glut of ads where the Liberal Party re-endorses poorly received policies and those in which the ALP points out those poorly received policies, there has been one particular advertisement that has caught my eye. This advertisement first made an appearance here a couple of years ago much to the horror of liberal-minded thinkers everywhere. The fear and mistrust that such a high profile advertisement engenders makes me truly queasy. The rational side of my mind does indeed see the need for such a service. What concerns me is that the advertisement gets airplay during programs such as Big Brother - they're playing to the lowest common denominator. Those most likely to be afraid and not accept difference. I must admit though that I don't like fear campaigns being part of an election year - perhaps the most important election Australia has seen in many many years (I said that last time too!). I'm a bit innocent like that.
I've spent the day feeling horrible and sick. Have taken baths and naps and am feeling a little more human now than I did when I was at work earlier. I began packing yesterday which was far more horrifying than I thought. While I don't own the world's largest amount of books, they do begin to look scary when you have to box them. As I learnt quickly, you can't just pile books on top of books because then you can't lift the box later!
Am now at the stage of not sleeping at night; a million things running through my head in these last few days. Will have much to do once I hit the ground there and am also hoping to have just a little bit of fun too! My party animal days are rapidly closing behind me, though as Friday night attested, I still have the occasional blowout left in me. I'm actually really looking forward to starting the new job. Will no doubt do my head in initially as I try to wrap my head around things, but the potential of the job has me quite excited. Will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Oh yes, and I now have an emulator with Sonic the Hedgehog that works so I'm truly doing very little. Must finish my marking...
I've spent the day feeling horrible and sick. Have taken baths and naps and am feeling a little more human now than I did when I was at work earlier. I began packing yesterday which was far more horrifying than I thought. While I don't own the world's largest amount of books, they do begin to look scary when you have to box them. As I learnt quickly, you can't just pile books on top of books because then you can't lift the box later!
Am now at the stage of not sleeping at night; a million things running through my head in these last few days. Will have much to do once I hit the ground there and am also hoping to have just a little bit of fun too! My party animal days are rapidly closing behind me, though as Friday night attested, I still have the occasional blowout left in me. I'm actually really looking forward to starting the new job. Will no doubt do my head in initially as I try to wrap my head around things, but the potential of the job has me quite excited. Will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Oh yes, and I now have an emulator with Sonic the Hedgehog that works so I'm truly doing very little. Must finish my marking...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Visions of the Future
A Singaporean colleague provided me this sample of what I may have to expect when I teach in Singapore :
Hi Sir. You're the ang moh teacher from Melbourne, is it? If you got
time, give me private tuition, can or not? Alamak! My English so terok,
my teacher also cannot understand. Wah lau, the Singapore garment want
us to speak like Lee Kuan Yew! Where can? Also, where got time to
learn?
My parents so kia su, want me to go to Raffles Junior College. Chee
sin!
Down there, the teachers so chiong hey, use big, big, words, where can
understand? Already, I so blur in Chang Kat Changi Secondary School,
where got hope go to Raffles? My friend mother say you dam good
teacher.
You help me get 8 A in O level, I be your good friend. I got pretty
sister. Also can cook. Wah lau, her laksa is dam shiok! I think you
like
her. I be your pen friend, can or not?
Fabian Oh Ah Beng
*DISCLAIMER* - I've not experienced this kind of English on my trips to Singapore so far. I'm not sure whether this reflects on the people I associate with or the stereotype contained herein. However I did piss myself laughing when I was sent this. As a teacher of English as a Second Language you are occasionally faced with utter garbage, there's no other way to put it. That says nothing about the speaker's intelligence and more about the difficulty of becoming proficient in a second language you didn't learn from childhood. But at times it's either laugh or cry stuff.
Hi Sir. You're the ang moh teacher from Melbourne, is it? If you got
time, give me private tuition, can or not? Alamak! My English so terok,
my teacher also cannot understand. Wah lau, the Singapore garment want
us to speak like Lee Kuan Yew! Where can? Also, where got time to
learn?
My parents so kia su, want me to go to Raffles Junior College. Chee
sin!
Down there, the teachers so chiong hey, use big, big, words, where can
understand? Already, I so blur in Chang Kat Changi Secondary School,
where got hope go to Raffles? My friend mother say you dam good
teacher.
You help me get 8 A in O level, I be your good friend. I got pretty
sister. Also can cook. Wah lau, her laksa is dam shiok! I think you
like
her. I be your pen friend, can or not?
Fabian Oh Ah Beng
*DISCLAIMER* - I've not experienced this kind of English on my trips to Singapore so far. I'm not sure whether this reflects on the people I associate with or the stereotype contained herein. However I did piss myself laughing when I was sent this. As a teacher of English as a Second Language you are occasionally faced with utter garbage, there's no other way to put it. That says nothing about the speaker's intelligence and more about the difficulty of becoming proficient in a second language you didn't learn from childhood. But at times it's either laugh or cry stuff.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Lust for Life
I was asked this evening to compile a list of the things I would like to achieve with my life. It's cheesy but an interesting thought. I'm not especially ambitious, though I seem to quickly climb ladders in all my places of employment. I attribute that to boredom more than anything else and an utter contempt for all things stupid and inefficient. So after a toilet break's length think about this questions, here's a few ideas :
- have a partner to share in my adventurous life and crazy mind.
- write and have published a comic (preferably for DC - one creator-owned Vertigo and a crack at Batman).
- become a permanent resident of another country.
- work in some capacity for Collingwood Football Club.
- have a place with a library and fireplace.
- create my own religion (not a cult and not like the organised religions - the world needs to be better and if I have to take on that responsibility myself then goddamn it I will).
- go back in time and hang out with the Beatles for a few weeks circa 1967.
- write something that is important to me and those that read it (not necessarily for publication).
- *perhaps* own my own school.
That's as much as I've got at this point. I've already achieved several things I wanted to do with my life so at least I'm somewhat on the path.
It's interesting to speak with a friend that will be finishing up uni at the end of this year. She's very scared. Doesn't know if she's done the right thing, whether she'll get a job etc. I understand the fears, I've been there myself, however I think back to when I finished up and can't help but remember it as one of the most liberating moments of my life. Perhaps because I was in Japan within 3 weeks of handing in my final assignment. Good times. You're missed Wakayama (though not by my liver!).
- have a partner to share in my adventurous life and crazy mind.
- write and have published a comic (preferably for DC - one creator-owned Vertigo and a crack at Batman).
- become a permanent resident of another country.
- work in some capacity for Collingwood Football Club.
- have a place with a library and fireplace.
- create my own religion (not a cult and not like the organised religions - the world needs to be better and if I have to take on that responsibility myself then goddamn it I will).
- go back in time and hang out with the Beatles for a few weeks circa 1967.
- write something that is important to me and those that read it (not necessarily for publication).
- *perhaps* own my own school.
That's as much as I've got at this point. I've already achieved several things I wanted to do with my life so at least I'm somewhat on the path.
It's interesting to speak with a friend that will be finishing up uni at the end of this year. She's very scared. Doesn't know if she's done the right thing, whether she'll get a job etc. I understand the fears, I've been there myself, however I think back to when I finished up and can't help but remember it as one of the most liberating moments of my life. Perhaps because I was in Japan within 3 weeks of handing in my final assignment. Good times. You're missed Wakayama (though not by my liver!).
Monday, May 28, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Bear watch
My resolve is breaking. Recently my older brother (saying I don't get along with him would be to undervalue the concept of dislike) moved back in to my parents house. Along with him has come all manner of odd and stinky things from the farm he lived on. He seems to think that horse saddles don't smell. I can assure you that the house smells like a mixture of barn and pizza. My parents are currently up in Queensland taking care of my Aunty and Uncle so we're left to our own devices. This really has no effect on my own routine and lifestyle but apparently the same cannot be said for my two brothers. They've had takeaway pizza or Chinese food every single night for the past 11 days. It's honestly quite disgusting but if that's what they like, that's what they like.
One of the things that made it back with my brother about a week ago is a giant plastic bag full of cutlery. The issue with the cutlery is that it has not been washed and is currently sitting on the kitchen bench. I've made it known that it's an affront to decency and needs to be taken care of. If for no other reason than it will attract ants and bears. However there it still remains. I've been refusing to wash it, after all, I'm not the savage that left a bag of dirty, food-encrusted cutlery on the bench. Getting up this morning and seeing it still there has gotten to me. I'm actually thinking about washing it because it is starting to make me violently ill to look at. So I'm left torn between my own refusal to do my brother's horrendous work and my inner gag at seeing the cutlery sitting there. At this stage there's no sign of bears so I may be able t hold off another day.
I have a full day's marking ahead of me and I really can't find the motivation to do it. Perhaps this is due to the fact that I'm finishing up in three weeks time but I also think I'm feeling a little burnt out on teaching university entrance. It's been seven months straight of this kind of marking load and I'm feeling the need for a break. Oh well, three weeks left...
One of the things that made it back with my brother about a week ago is a giant plastic bag full of cutlery. The issue with the cutlery is that it has not been washed and is currently sitting on the kitchen bench. I've made it known that it's an affront to decency and needs to be taken care of. If for no other reason than it will attract ants and bears. However there it still remains. I've been refusing to wash it, after all, I'm not the savage that left a bag of dirty, food-encrusted cutlery on the bench. Getting up this morning and seeing it still there has gotten to me. I'm actually thinking about washing it because it is starting to make me violently ill to look at. So I'm left torn between my own refusal to do my brother's horrendous work and my inner gag at seeing the cutlery sitting there. At this stage there's no sign of bears so I may be able t hold off another day.
I have a full day's marking ahead of me and I really can't find the motivation to do it. Perhaps this is due to the fact that I'm finishing up in three weeks time but I also think I'm feeling a little burnt out on teaching university entrance. It's been seven months straight of this kind of marking load and I'm feeling the need for a break. Oh well, three weeks left...
Friday, May 18, 2007
Hey Hey My My
I had to say goodbye to two very close friends last night. It's starting to hit that I am actually leaving. Rather than an abstract concept, you actually have to say goodbye to the best that you know. Honestly, I should be used to this by now. In seven years, this is the fourth time I've jetted off for another country (to live that is). There's good conversation, a couple of beers and a tendency to avoid anything too sentimental. There are the hugs and the heavy thoughts that we carry with after we've drifted from sight. There are the lies we tell about when we'll see one another again, because the truth is that it probably won't be anywhere near that soon. Mostly the point is that I have exceptional friends here in Melbourne. The kind that are so special you could never think of a reason why you'd move away. That particular pull is one that is just a part of me that's tough to explain. But my friends? Well, they're with me every step of the way.
I received a particularly scary email from my soon-to-be-employers regarding accommodation. The prices they've quoted to me are way out of my price range. Fortunately my own research has brought forth much more reasonable options. In addition a friend of a friend has offered me a place to stay (with a whole family ~ maybe not my scene) on a permanent basis or just somewhere to stay until I find something. So even though I have a theoretical two week accommodation search limit I have a grace period thanks to this kind offer. Really, I'm trying not to think about such things because I have to maintain the faith that things will be ok once I arrive. And if I've learnt anything, it's that things are generally ok or work out for me at some point or another.
I had some odd dreams the other night. Besides dreaming about a co-worker that will be on a gameshow here (he actually will be on it - it just hasn't actually been on tv yet) I also had the classic pirate dream. Someone suggested that it may be because of the impending Pirates sequel. As deep as my Johnny Depp man-crush goes, I honestly haven't been thinking about that film. And certainly not to the degree that it would infect my sleeping hours. In the dream there were pirate ghosts walking around on the bottom of the ocean eating the skeletons of fishes. The head was still attached to the fish but the rest of the body was just bones. And these greedy greedy ghost pirates were throwing them back like all you can eat seafood buffet. The interesting thing about these ghost pirates was that they looked like the kinds of ghosts you see in old Scooby Doo cartoons. White but a faded look that implies that what you see are 'ghosts'.
Scooby dooby doo... where are you??
I received a particularly scary email from my soon-to-be-employers regarding accommodation. The prices they've quoted to me are way out of my price range. Fortunately my own research has brought forth much more reasonable options. In addition a friend of a friend has offered me a place to stay (with a whole family ~ maybe not my scene) on a permanent basis or just somewhere to stay until I find something. So even though I have a theoretical two week accommodation search limit I have a grace period thanks to this kind offer. Really, I'm trying not to think about such things because I have to maintain the faith that things will be ok once I arrive. And if I've learnt anything, it's that things are generally ok or work out for me at some point or another.
I had some odd dreams the other night. Besides dreaming about a co-worker that will be on a gameshow here (he actually will be on it - it just hasn't actually been on tv yet) I also had the classic pirate dream. Someone suggested that it may be because of the impending Pirates sequel. As deep as my Johnny Depp man-crush goes, I honestly haven't been thinking about that film. And certainly not to the degree that it would infect my sleeping hours. In the dream there were pirate ghosts walking around on the bottom of the ocean eating the skeletons of fishes. The head was still attached to the fish but the rest of the body was just bones. And these greedy greedy ghost pirates were throwing them back like all you can eat seafood buffet. The interesting thing about these ghost pirates was that they looked like the kinds of ghosts you see in old Scooby Doo cartoons. White but a faded look that implies that what you see are 'ghosts'.
Scooby dooby doo... where are you??
Monday, May 14, 2007
Here kitty kitty kitty
Well, I'm back. After feeling very weird for the past week or two I feel like my head is returning to a reasonable space. I took some Brazilian students to see Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday. Besides Collingwood winning yet another game (hmmm... we're clear third on the ladder...) they got to experience their first AFL game with 77,000 people in attendance and a quarter time melee. The game honestly had everything. Oh yes, and we won.
I was thinking recently that people who don't like cats actually contain a serious character flaw. Naturally there are those that are allergic and I can understand that. But to just outright dislike cats means there is something missing in that human being. Aside from being regal, intelligent creatures they have been revered throughout history by people of all stratas of society. Cats are clean creatures with a predator's heart and the incisiveness of the truly self-aware. Of course dogs are 'faithful', though let's face it, a dog can be had by anyone with a pocketful of steak. Nor do cats eat their own pooh, a little known skill that dog-lovers prefer to ignore. Cats are very selective about who they choose to associate with ~ much like humans. If a cat decides to love you, you have a mate for life. You don't have a slave, or a housewife or a sycophant ~ just an equal that will sit with you and fight for you should it come down to it.
Hmmm... I kind of doubt I need to further extol the virtues of the feline kind. I've already bored myself. The whole point of this is just that I think people who don't like cats are a tad difficult to trust.
I was thinking recently that people who don't like cats actually contain a serious character flaw. Naturally there are those that are allergic and I can understand that. But to just outright dislike cats means there is something missing in that human being. Aside from being regal, intelligent creatures they have been revered throughout history by people of all stratas of society. Cats are clean creatures with a predator's heart and the incisiveness of the truly self-aware. Of course dogs are 'faithful', though let's face it, a dog can be had by anyone with a pocketful of steak. Nor do cats eat their own pooh, a little known skill that dog-lovers prefer to ignore. Cats are very selective about who they choose to associate with ~ much like humans. If a cat decides to love you, you have a mate for life. You don't have a slave, or a housewife or a sycophant ~ just an equal that will sit with you and fight for you should it come down to it.
Hmmm... I kind of doubt I need to further extol the virtues of the feline kind. I've already bored myself. The whole point of this is just that I think people who don't like cats are a tad difficult to trust.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Micah?!? WTF!
Micah Sanders |
Congratulations, you're Micah Sanders! You're good-natured, intelligent, perceptive, and naturally inclined toward technology. You're also quite innocent and loving. You've got a fondness for computers and Scrabble. Your best quality: You're extremely perceptive Your worst quality: You can be a little demanding at times |
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My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The Heroes Personality Test written by freedomdegrees on OkCupid, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
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