The First Class Backpacker Update

A quick update on the First Class Backpacker post: Satoshi has now returned from his round the world trip and put together a brilliant display of his favourite photographs. You can find the site here.

The Count

The first class backpacker

First Class Backpacker
One of my former students, Satoshi Onoda, an enterprising young man from Japan, has set himself the task of backpacking around the world. Nothing so unusual there you might think, except that he has decided to travel first class. You have to admire his ambition. For more information, to offer your support, or just to follow his adventures, click on the link above and then bookmark his website.

Lark or Night Owl?

OK let's skip the heartfelt apologies for my lack of posts. I'm here now dammit so quit whingeing!

I had to share with you an item from Focus magazine:

Night Owls can work longer and harder than early risers, according to scientists. A study at the university of Liege in Belgium found that a group of early risers were slower and less effective in performing complex tasks than those who love lie-ins. In the test, the brain activity of early risers and night owls was measured using a scanner as they performed tasks.

So I no longer have to apologize to the world for still being in my dressing-gown when the postie knocks the door at 11.30 a.m. to deliver obscure science fiction DVDs from EBay. Yes!

Apology

So I really just popped in to apologize. It's been months since I last blogged anything. It's not that I don't have anything to say, you know I can always find something to whinge about, more that I haven't had time to spit let alone blog.

This working full time is a killer. I get up early, I go to work, I come home, work some more at the computer, go to bed, get up, go to work... You get the picture. Now this is all very well if you like that type of thing or if you know no better, or if you are getting paid oodles of dosh but none of the above applies to me. Especially the last one.

Working in the winter is one thing, after all what else are you going to do? But spring has sprung and the grass has riz as the poet said so my thoughts are turning once more to leisurely strolls along the seafront to the ice-cream parlour.

Anyway, my apologies and you can blame the teacher shortage for the lack of blogging. After five months without a break I'm getting three days off in October. I'm REALLY looking forward to it but I may just sleep through the entire time. If not, I'll try to jot a few random thoughts then.

Employee of the Month

So there I was at the staff, ritual, TGIF morning tea stuffing my face with chocolate cake whilst calculating if I had enough time to wolf a few more bikkies and still photocopy a class set of EDTs ('ere do this') for next lesson when there was the tinkling of a glass being tapped with a teaspoon and the usual mutterings of disgruntled teachers faded to a sullen silence in anticipation of a few words of wisdom from the Boss.

"I would like to present the award for 'Employee of the Month...'
I crammed another mouthful, casting my eye around the room for someone looking hopeful.
".. to YOU!"
I spluttered, somewhat and sprayed the Boss with cracker crumbs.

As I've only been working there for two minutes, I wasn't even aware that we had an Employee of the Month Award so for sure my cries of 'so unexpected' etc were genuine. Not like those phonies on the Oscars who have been rehearsing their acceptance speech for months.

A scene from the Simpsons flashed before my eyes and I half expected Mr Burns to appear and present me with a baked ham. But no, a $100 David Jones gift voucher was my reward. Jim says he's seen a lovely saucepan in DJ that I can buy him.

I can only assume that so few employees make it to the end of the month that six weeks on staff gives me the edge.
:-)

Bollywood Delights

I've just come back from a cheery afternoon of watching 'The Merchants of Bollywood' at the Regal Theatre in Subiaco. It's a very colourful musical with lots of fidgety young people in bright costumes dancing to loud music. It was delightful and I loved every minute. The story? What story? Anyway, it didn't need a story. I danced all the way down Rokeby road to the train on the way home. Ok, that's a lie. If I danced like the cast for a mere five minutes I'd need to lie down for a week.

I went alone. Jim refused to accompany me. He said he had lots of sport to watch on TV. Ok, that's a lie too. He said he'd rather remove his own head with a rusty saw. That man just has no sense of fun.

I love Bollywood movies. Yes, they are formulaic but aren't most Hollywood movies too? You have to admire the energy. What's your view? Love 'em or hate 'em?

I'm off to buy a sari. You can check out the show here:

http://www.merchantsofbollywood.com.au/