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March 1998

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FAIRGROUND ATTRACTIONS and FINDING MY ROOTS
Tuesday, 31 March 1998

I've been meaning to write this entry for sometime now - it's just that there hasn't been any spare time. I bet you've heard that one before, but this time 'tis true. It is now Tuesday evening - time just enough to get one more journal entry in before April rolls in.

It has been a hectic weekend, and as usual not even half the things I wanted to get done were accomplished. Friday just disappeared, this time at the Kalgoorlie Fair - an annual event in this city. The Fair is held at Cruickshanks Reserve - the same place where the cadets hall is - so, of course, we are heavily involved. We don't go to the Fair, the Fair comes to us! (as it were). Our usual task is car park security (the cadets seem to have a reputation for car park activities, as anyone who is a regular reader of my journal will know). While teams of cadets were out and about ensuring the car park ran smoothly, and raising much needed funds at the same time, I was manning base at the hall, and trying to get some administrative work done, as well as attend to the occassional visitor wandering in to find out what we were about. I eventually did get a fair (no pun intended) amount done as is was, and there was also part of Saturday (which meant no Easyslim - so no weigh in this week) to help out as well.
Sunday just disappeared as the many late nights and an active weekend took its toll. The sleep in the afternoon was kinda refreshing, but didn't really leave me in a mood to do the study I had planned - instead you all got the fifth instalment of the Bali trip. So I hope you've enjoyed it - but it does mean that I haven't done any work on my assignments for this semester yet! (*slap-on-the-wrist*) But then, thats what the coming week, and, if I can wangle an extension, the coming Easter holidays, are for.

The other thing I wanted to write about was the enjoyment I've had at "re-discovering" some of my cultural roots (so to speak). Recall from the last entry the night out to Paddy's and seeing the Celtic City Sons band - well, since then I have been constantly listening to their CD - much to Leonies annoyance - she doesn't relate to it the same way I obviously do (so it gets regular airings at work now instead). I find I relate quite well to the songs, and its started me wondering a bit more about my ancestory. My mum was born in Scotland (there is a whole story there that I might be brave enough to relate one day - but maybe I won't - depends if anyone askes to hear it), so in a way I'm part Scot (though I guess you might have guessed that with a name like Andrew).
But it gets better than that. My dads family originally came from the North of England, and they were *economic refugees* from the Scottish Highlands. "Wilson's" are literally the sons of Will, in this case William Gunn (I believe actually *Sir* William Gunn, no less - but I'm not snobish enough to care about that). So I have ancestory in the Clan Gunn. Whats more interesting is that the Gunns can trace themselves back to a Viking chap named "Olaf the Black" who did a bit of plundering (and other things - you know what I mean) along the Scottish coast. So in there is also a bit of Viking blood as well as Celtic (and God knows what else - but it's funny how we can get selective about our blood lines).
All this from hearing a rollicking pub band!

I might have some interesting new directions in my work coming up soon too. Can't say too much yet - but it may well involve a fair bit of web work. Keep the fingers crossed that it works out. See ya next month.

BREAK THE ROUTINE!
Thursday, 26 March 1998

Last night I did something I haven't done for a long time (for too long in fact). I went out to the pub! Yeah, sounds real exciting. But it was! I haven't done that for so long. The routine has been too well entrenched. Well, I broke out a bit last night.
We had just finished my class for Cirriculum Development for my Graduate Diploma at 9pm, and someone said, "Why don't we all go to Paddy's". So we did. Paddy's is a popular venue here in Kalgoorlie. Named for the famous Paddy Hannan, one of the original finders of the precious metal here, it follows the obvious Irish theme. (One day on my KalCam page I'll feature the hotel were this bar is).
When we got there there was an absolutely fantastic band playing that I had forgotten were touring here - the Celtic City Sons. Yep, thats right, a Celtic Rock band. Talk about high energy music with a great accent! The two co-founders of the band are actually Scottish - but thats still Celtic to a degree. I've never enjoyed a gig so much - even bought the CD which I'm listening to now (great version of the Blackleg Miner!)
I didn't stay too late, enough to enjoy the music, the company and a couple of Guiness to go with it.

It's good to break the mould of over-worn routine sometimes. It's even better if you can have a good time as well.

SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT...
Sunday, 22 March 1998

The Treadmill has come around again. A whole week without an entry, and here it is Sunday again.

The week began on a high note. Remember last December I wrote about a letter out of the blue advising of a 25th anniversary reunion for my old High School class? Well, on Monday I received news of how that went. Wendy has sent me a photocopied, bound book of who was there and news of what most of them have been doing for the last 25 years. (Gee, that makes me feel old!). There was also a comprehensive list of everyone, and where they were now. I was amazed at how many were still in Tasmania, and still around the home town. I regret not having gone to the reunion dinner to meet all those that went. Still it was great just knowing that many of them still cared enough to write a bit about what they had done with their lives. I have since been in contact with a few of them who left their email addresses, and also phoned an old friend I haven't seen in nearly all that time. Leonie says she could never do that with people she hasn't had contact with for so long, but I have never forgotten some of these people, and often wondered what had become of them. We may have gone different ways, but some of these people where there when I was growing up, they helped make me what I am, as I'm sure I probably had an influence on them. You don't forget those sort of things quickly. So, it's great to find these people again.

The rest of the week just flew by - three pretty intensive days lecturing, then Friday disappeared, the weekend was here, and my head was down studying. The Treadmill rolls around...

THE TREADMILL
Sunday, 15 March 1998

Where does the time go! Here it is half way through March already! Sometimes it seems that, after struggling through one week looking forward to the weekend, its gone too quickly. It's Sunday evening and yet there is still so much to do. But the week is rolling around agian. Just like a treadmill. I know I'm not the only on to feel this. Sometimes I think we just make ourselves too busy - we take on too much. And then wonder why we can't do it all. Something has to give. But I'm determined it won't be me.

As for what actually happened since Wednesday, well, I've heard from atleast one of my friends through her journal - so thats OK. An attempt at getting my study project with Adrian going has kinda slipped (we had plans for so much on Friday - but where did the time go). Kathryn had her friend Kaitlyn stay over Friday night. Easyslim on Saturday morning was good news (see chart). I found a great book on Java programming, so I'm going to try to learn more about that (don't worry, I won't try too many useless "thingies" on my web page). This morning, Leonie needed some assistance with some web surfing for her study course (did I mention that she has started a psychology degree through Murdoch University). This after noon was a working bee for cadets - we did some more painting of the hall. Lots of little things that consume the weekend. Still, I guess I have the week to recover! 8^D

FRIENDS
Wednesday, 11 March 1998

There have been a couple of incidences in the past few days that have caused me to think about my friends. Some with sincere concern, others a sense of disbelief almost. The problem I wrote about a week and a half ago has not resolved itself. Infact we keep getting reminders that it still has the potential to affect us greatly. This person does not seem to act any differently, almost as if they are un-aware of what they have done. (And maybe thats the problem - but it is not easy to see how to go about changing it).

And lately I have been moved to concern for some of my 'net friends. This has come about because of something they have written (both keep on line journals). And I've realised how much I care for these people - even though I suppose I hardly know them. It doesn't seem to matter - I "know" them through what they write, whether this be entirely true or not, thats what I know of them, thats what I relate to. And when these things happen, I am reminded of how fragile and vulnerable to the cares of just living we all are. Life itself is fragile enough as we spin through space on the thin layer that is our ecosystem. Yet there is an emotional eggshell that we all spin on, just as important to our well being as the physical one. And I guess sometimes we don't pay enough attention to that one. And when it breaks we break, and run, too. The trick is coming back, building it back up to carry on, and letting others help when its needed. A simple knowledge that others are there and care is often all thats needed. I hope I can be that help to my friends.

Enough of the philospohy for tonight. I've had fun in the last day getting a new page up on my site. Another of my friends, Jennifer, probably better know to most as the face of JenniCam, has inspired a little competition, The JenniCam Caption Competition. Like I said, I've been thinking of my friends alot lately.

BACK TO THE BOOKS
Saturday, 7 March 1998

Like I said last month, things are beginning to get back to the old routine. Week before last was the resumption of studies for me. I know you can all tell, 'cause I haven't been posting journal entries as often! Time just seems to fly by. I mean here it is Saturday afternoon already.

This semester I have another two units to complete. One, Internship 1, is fairly straight forward. It involves the completion of nine "contracts", some of which are short written pieces, some involve observation of aspects of my class work by my tutor. The other unit, Program and Curriculum Development, is evening classes (I had to shift my usual Wednesday evening teaching to Tuesday night so I could attend classes myself!) Part of this course, apart from the mountains of reading and discussions in and out of class, involves a project to conduct a training needs analysis, in other words, to develop a curriculum of study. I have a few excitingg ideas, and will probably work on it with one of the other lecturers in the Computing Department (Adrian). Can't say too much now, but we are hopeful that our work will lead to an actual new course being offered. More on that later.

Anyone that's been following my Easyslim roller-coaster ride, will see that its going the "wrong" direction again. I just can't seem to focus and get serious with it this time around. I'm not going to give up, but sometimes it does seem so hard. Particularly when I am supposed to be up doing my morning walk, and all I want to do is lay in bed cuddling up to Leonie! It's not fair! 8^(

Funny how one can find time for other things though. I have just finished arranging the commencement of a email list for fans of Monique Brumby. Nothing like a little plug for personal projects! I suppose I'd better do some actual study this weekend...

BEING LET DOWN
Monday, 2 March 1998

I have pondered long and hard about a subject that has bothered me much lately. A case of, do I write about it, if so, how much detail, and is it really that important anyway. I guess it is important, as it has been bothering me for sometime. As to whether I write, well, I'm doing that now, aren't I! It's the detail thats the sticker. See, I don't want to identify the source of the problem, but writing about it is hard without sufficient detail to explain what's happened. I guess many others have come to this point. Some have probably decided to keep it to themselves, others have decided, well, let the chips fall where they may. So, with chips flying, here goes.

The whole problem stems from being let down by a friend. It's almost as if our friendship has been abused, and somehow this person doesn't seem to care (perhaps they haven't noticed what they have done?). We trusted this person, and that trust wasn't reciprocated. I wouldn't have minded so much if they had come to us and explained the situation openly and honestly. It's more that they have tried to hide it, or ignored the importance of the situation. Now, I realise that not everyone see things as I do, but (without giving details) this matter was quite serious, and this friend should have at least come to see us to discuss it. So, at the moment, things are in limbo, and I feel very frustrated. If it doesn't resolve it self by the end of the week (there is a possible event which may sort it out), I may have to confront this friend with our feeling. Then the chips will really fly!

And now its March! This marks six months since I started my journal. This weekend (today is Labour Day - a holiday here in Western Australia), we went down to Perth. Friday night was a retirement dinner for Leonie's boss. It was a great evening at the Gloucester Park Trotting track (he is a keen sportsman, and enjoys the trotting, so it was chosen as the venue). The dinner and the company was great, but out tipping in the races wasn't so great. Saturday was spent shopping (we now have a small dining table - one of those ones with the collapsable extensions), and catching up with friends. On Sunday, we, along with hundreds of others, went to see an exhibition of Ancient Egyptian antiquities - "Life and Death Under the Pharaohs". The exhibits were part of the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities, on tour to the Western Australian Museum. Egypt has always fascinated me, and some of the items were quite stunning. Kathryn was intrigued by the several mummies, and also the beautiful jewellery. The exhibits not only covered the religious, but also the everyday life of the ancient Egyptians. If you get a chance to see it, do so. Along with the obligatory exhibition catalogue, we bought some little trinkets for Kathryn (a scarab beetle necklace), and a cool Egyptian cat statuette.

Later, I got to meet another of my email friends. Gino has another Monique Brumby fan page called The Lava Lounge. We have been in contact for a few weeks now, and it was nice to meet someone with similar interests.