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November 1997

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A "QUIET" WEEK
Sunday, 30 November 1997

Believe it or not, it's been a relatively quiet week. Sure there has been plenty to do - I still had classes for this last week, and also this coming week, and then there is all the marking of exams and assignments to get done, but it's not as if I have been so overwhelmed and engrossed in these activities that I haven't had time for anything else. It's more, well you know, it's been so hard to get enthused about anything. Even having to clear out the study/spare room has not been so inspiring, but it did eventually happen. We will be having guest for a few weeks. Our friend Ronnie and her daughter Laura will be staying. Ronnie had her own home, but has been burgled once too often where she was, and has had enough - she will stay with us until she can find somewhere else a bit more secure. The last break-in would have been quite funny had it not been such a serious situation. Ronnie was asleep at the time, and the would be thieves made one mistake - they forgot to turn their mobile phone off!!! And it rang!!! And so Ronnie woke up thinking "That's not what my phone sounds like". The first time was also some what humorous - when she woke as they were attempting to enter through the lounge room window, she reached for something to throw at whoever it was - trouble was, the first thing she grabbed was a bottle of fingernail polish! And, yeah, she got 'em, right on the head. So moral of this story - don't mess with Ronnie!

Yesterday at Easyslim my weigh in was a pleasant surprise - only halfa kilo to go to target weight! Woo hoo!! Hopefully I can FreeSlim before Christmas! (Yeah, and then watch it all get put back on - ha!)
Today we had a bar-b-que for my stamp club. We drove all the way over to Coolgardie (40 km west) for a pleasant lunch in the park there, and a quiet chat in the shade of the trees.

So, the week wasn't all that exciting, and now its the end of the month - and only a few weeks before Christmas.

WEEKEND TRIPPING
Monday, 24 November 1997

Just got back from a great weekend down in Perth. We decided that it was time to go visit Leonie's family, so off we went Friday afternoon. We had a great hire car to drive - complete with CD player. It is a fairly long trip by road to Perth - about a "6 or 7 CD play" trip (depending on which CD's you put in, of course). Weather was a bit warm, so the airconditioning made it a bit more comfortable too.
Friday night was real cool for me - Monique Brumby was on tour and playing in Perth at the Civic Hotel in Inglewood. So, of course, I took myself along and managed to get a table right by the stage. Then, as a bonus, the sister of her bass player also sat at the table and I was able to get to meet her band and manager (who I have had email contact with for my Monique Brumby page). Unfortunately, I was not able to meet Monique, but I was real pleased to talk to the band and her manager. And the show really rocked which made for a really nice night out.

After sleeping in a bit on Saturday morning, it was off shopping (another good reason for the trip down to Perth - the shops!). And on Sunday I got to meet one of my e-pals LadyHawk. We met for coffee at Hillary's Marina. It was so great to be able to chat with someone that I have only known as an "e-mail address, a chat handle and a web page". Hopefully, in time, I'll be able to meet all of you, my internet friends.
Then it was the long haul home - with more great CD's to while away the kilometers.

The only disturbing thing about the weekend was the news concerning Michael Hutchence. I'm not sure what I think of this. In someways it is certainly sad that a great talent has gone, but somehow I find the suicide aspect disturbing. I don't know, maybe I've never been that depressed about life to do something like that - I mean most people will think about it at some time - but to actually carry through with it? I just find the whole thing pretty hard to comprehend.

THE END OF AN ASSIGNMENT
Tuesday, 18 November 1997

Finally, it is over! Phew! I can relax a bit now and enjoy life (now that I have it back for a few months anyway). This morning I just finished my last assignment for my Graduate Diploma, and at last its handed in. Two weeks late mind you, but it's done. Not that it was particularly hard - only a 1500 word critical review of a report - it just took a bit of getting in to. I did the reading last week, and on the weekend, started the writing yesterday and completed it this morning. By the time I was finishing it off today I had got to the point where I just didn't care anymore. I know I could have done a much better job if I'd put more of an effort into it - but I just didn't care anymore. Get the report in, get "something" for it and let the marks fall where they may. That means I'm now half way through my study - another year to go.
But for now, I'm gonna play a bit!

SOMEONE LEFT MY CAKE OUT IN THE RAIN
Sunday, 16 November 1997

I am reminded of those famous words from the song Macathurs Park:

Someone left my cake out in the rain
And I don't think I can take it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again

All because of a birthday party, and rain! Next Wednesday is Kathryn's birthday, and we planned to celebrate it this weekend with a joint birthday party for her and her friend Kaitlyn, who had her fifth birthday last week. We had planned a big extravaganza (silly us), with a Bouncing Castle, and a Face Painter, and lots of food and running around in Hammond Park! Then on Friday, we couldn't get the Bouncing Castle at the time we wanted, it had to be earlier. Now, silly us, we sent the invitations out to everyone in Kathryns class earlier in the week. Now we had to change the time, and had no way to contact all the kids! (Kathryn doesn't have school on Fridays) - and no list of phone numbers. The school helped out with a notice to go home with older brothers and sisters, but we had to rely on the "grape vine" to let the rest know.
Then this morning, it was pouring with rain! Of all days at this time of year it had to choose our day! So, more changes, now we had to try to fit 20 excited kids into our little terraced house - and let them all know before the party started at 11am! Thank goodness the "grape vine" was well oiled - it swung into action as soon as the decision was made, and just about everyone got the message - but just in case, I braved the storm and left a notice on the park gate - there certainly wouldn't have been much competition for the bar-b-ques!
Anyway, Kathryn had a great time. There are some photos which you can see from Kathryns page.

I've also been doing a few renovations to this site. I now have a What's New page, where you will be able to keep up to date with my latest site modifications and additions. I also wanted show the world some of what I like about where I live, and so KalCam is born. It's not like all the other "'Cams" you'll find on the web, this one's not live, and the views probably wont chane all that often (I'm aiming at every few days or so - depending on when I can borrow the digital cameras from work to go out and about). I've started with a beautiful scene of jacaranda trees outside the School of Mines building. I chose this as I walk past here on my way to work each morning, and I am most impressed with the vibrant colours of the jacaranda flowers - kinda like purple "snow". Anyway, hope you like the views I come up with. Take a look regularly as they will change. I'd be interested in any comments you may have on this project, too.

YOU DON'T "GET OVER IT", YOU JUST GET ON WITH LIFE
Friday, 14 November 1997

Yesterday in the mail I received a copy of my birth certificate that I had ordered so I can get my passport for our Bali holiday. It was only when I sat down to actually read the details on it, was I reminded of my mother. She was 41 when I was born. I have been told that she was a "war baby" from World War 1, a product of those so uncertain times. Yet she was my mother, the woman that bore me and gave me life.
My mother died from cancer some years ago. It all came back to me as I sat there reading. You never really "get over" losing someone that is that close to you. Sometimes I desperately miss her understanding presence that only a mother has. But life goes on. And now I'm just about as old as she was when she had me.

THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!
Tuesday, 11 November 1997

These last few days have been VERY busy. On Friday I completed a presentation on a teaching model for one of my assignments for the Grad Dip. Then just about the entire weekend was spent writing up the two videoed teaching sessions I'd undertaken during the week (One of them was a but pathetic - I only ended up with one student in the class that night - of all the night for them to miss, they had to pick the one I was taping! - still, that one student sure got lots of good training) So, thats one of the modules completely out of the way. On my calculation of the marks I have so far, I should do reasonably well in this module.
Now there is some light at the end of the tunnel. I only have one more assignment to go for this year - a 1500 word briefing paper. I have a bit of reading to do on the report I am to review, then the paper to write and thats it! - till next year. Then I'll do it all again!

The Bali holiday is looking a bit better - we're now booked with Ansett, only a day's difference in travel times, but at slightly more cost - and it looks like the deposit with the other lot might be salvaged. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Oh, nearly forgot to mention it - the other day I joined my first web ring. I was just surfing about looking for some info on Monique Brumby, and came across a site where she was mentioned in someone's on-line journal - and from there I got onto this ring called Tell Me! Go to my main page to check it out - there are some really cool pages here (Thanks, Roger for getting me on so quick)

PIERCING COMMENTS
Thursday, 6 November 1997

An amusing conversation in the car today:
Kathryn is deep in thought for some time. Then she askes "When I'm 5, can I have my ears pierced?" (She will turn five soon) Rather surprised I answer "Why do you want your ears pierced?" "Because Laura has her's done", came the reply.
Trying to dissuade her we think fast "But, if you have that done, they'll have to stick needles through your ear, and that will hurt lots!"
She thought for a while, then came back with "Maybe I'll wait 'till I'm 6!"

THE HORSE RACE THAT STOPS A NATION and CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
Tuesday, 4 November 1997

The bloke that wrote They're a Wierd Mob certianly got it right about one thing with this nation; what other country stops completely for the running of a horse race? Today is Melbourne Cup Day - a half day holiday for the fortunate residence of metropolitan Melbourne, a brief escape from work for the rest of us. It's quite comical really, the way we get dressed up and parade at the racing tracks throughout this country (whether there are any horses running there or not), or the elaborate parties organised complete with lashings of chicken and champagne. And then there are the ubiquitous sweeps, winner take all (well, at least the three place getters, and "tail-end-charlie" gets their money back). And the gambling! On the news this evening it was reported that $90 million dollars was waged on the Cup alone - thats about $5 for every man, woman and child in the entire country. Well all I can say is, someone must have bet big, 'cause it was a cheap year for me this year. Somehow I just couldn't get enthused before hand this year - not even a rough chance in an office sweep. And even if you can't get to an office party, come 3:20 pm on the first Tuesday in November (here in the West its a more convenient 12:20 - right in lunchtime!) every man and his dog (not to mention the women), will crowd around the nearest television or radio to hear the call of the big race. So powerful is this force, I even remeber when I was at school being allowed out into the grounds of the school to hear the race broadcast over the public address system! (That was the year a great Tasmanian horse - Piping Lane - won the Cup).
Oh, and for the record, this years race was won by a nag named Might and Power - lead all the way. It was a close finish in the end though - the local Kalgoorlie favourite, Dorimus (which won in 1995), nearly got up and was only beaten by a short nose. There now, don't I sound like a seasoned punter!

A trip to a school fair on Sunday brought back memories for this old dog. I was searching through a stack of second-hand Little Golden Books (as one is want to do at such functions) when I came across a book I've been searching for for years - the delightful tale of Mister Dog. My brother had it when we were young, and I remember I was always so envious of his ownership of such an impressive tomb. Standing there flipping through the pages suddenly had me back all those years enjoying the tale and the gorgeous pictures of Crispan's Crispian - the dog who belonged to himself, and the Boy who belonged to himself, and the fun they had together! At only 10 cents, how could I pass this one up. So I'm now the proud owner of a piece of my childhood memories.

DINING IN STYLE, WHERE DID THAT AIRLINE GO
and DID THE EARTH MOVE FOR YOU TOO
Saturday, 1 November 1997

Last night was 9 Flights Dining In Night. This is a formal social occasion for the cadets and has its basis in time honoured military tradition. For the senior cadets, who planned and organised the whole event, it was the culmination of part of their cadet training program in what is known as "Service Knowledge". It was held at one of the local hotels, although as the cadets are mostly under age, no alcohol was served. I was accompanied by Leonie and Kathryn (although she became tired during proceedings and went to sleep at the table!). As well as fine food, and pleasant company, there was a formal side with various traditional toasts and awards. All in all it was a very enjoyable evening, and those involved with the organisation should be well pleased with themselves.

Out shopping this morning, we found a delightfully cute cow money box. It is about 20cm square (yes, a square cow!) with feet and a cows head (complete with huge ears and horns), and a little tail. The cutest part though is the sliding udder that opens the bottom of the money box! We've been giving Kathryn loose change to save in her money box, "Bali money" as she calls it - saving up her spending money for our summer holiday to Bali (see paragraph below). her old box was getting rather full; this one should see her through until January!
Speaking of Bali, we heard a nasty rumour that the airline we are booked on is about to go bust! The aircraft they currently use to service the Perth-Denpasar route is still sitting on the tarmac at Perth awaiting a spare part. Not real encouraging! Leonie immediately rang up our travel agent and hopefully we are able to book with a different airline (thankfully we haven't fully paid for the tickets, and only a deposit of a couple hundred dollars might go down).
Yesterday was the final date for lodgement of this years tax returns - just got them in on time! The expected refund will pay for our holiday!

The other exciting thing today was the big blast in the Mt Charlotte underground mine. Every so often they have what is known as a pillar blast - where the underground chambers (and much of the roof above) is blasted to extract the ore and prepare for moving on to the next level in the mine. Although you can't see it, it is quite a spectacular blast - being virtually right under the city and lasting for about ten seconds - kinda like an earth tremor. Sometimes even the normal daily blasting can be kinda scary, particularly when you aren't expecting it. There is also the open cut mine - the SuperPit - which is quite interesting to watch too - those huge haulpacks look so tiny at the bottom of the pit! The scale of the mining here just has to be seen to be believed - they don't call it "The Golden Mile" for nothing!