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March 1999

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Let it rain
Thursday, 25 March 1999

Phil Collins had a song called Let it Rain. I fell a bit like that lately.

Firstly in the literal sense. Kalgoorlie has had a record breaking rainfall month - in the last couple of weeks. Just after I wrote the last journal entry we had a HUGE thunderstorm through here that seemed to go on for a couple o days. That dumped heaps of rain as well and had water levels in the gutter (this town has very poor storm water drainage) rising.

Then last weekend was the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Fair - and of course, it had to rain on that - all weekend. Our little cadet unit had the usual job of manning the carparks to raise much needed funds - I can tell you it wasn't all that much fun in the rain. By now the gutters were beginning to overflow.

Then to top it all off, we get Tropical Cyclone Vance which has just flattened Exmouth bearing down on us. Well, the remainents of it any way - more rain! It was really so exciting - we had all the warning for a day before it actually arrived - even cancelled evening classes on Tuesday night just to be safe. When the storm arrived there was a bit of wind, a bit of rain, and that was it - gone!

In the other sense of the Phil Collins song, I've been a bit stupid lately. I've allowed myself to get over stressed and ended up being a real grumpy-bum on the weekend. So much so that Leonie stopped talking to me - for two whole days. Thats her way of dealing with me when I've upset her - she doesn't rant and rave - just goes quiet and avoids me. I get the message, and generally start trying to make amends. We usually end up making up, with a few tears and sorry's and life goes on. However, I really shouldn't let it get to that stage. I've been working so hard lately, and there have been so many external pressures - I've been ignoring my family which is definitely NOT good. So, I can relate to Phils song. I just want to rain down (emotionally).

Anyway, enough of that. Classes are now finishwed for the week. Tomorrow is Graduation Ceremony for our students from last year, and I have to introduce all the Certificate graduands at the proceedings.

Mad March...
Saturday, 13 March 1999

OK - so I have long gaps in my journal - gimme a break! And I know its getting repettive to say that "I've been sooooo busy lately". But 'tis true - I have been.

I know many people work hard - and I'm not trying to prove anything, but I did a little hour count of how much time I spent last week on work related things - it was in excess of 50 hours - only 20 of which was actually in front of a class. Part of the rest of it was administrative - the usual student rolls to be kept up to date - letters and emails to write to external students - mountains of emails to read. Some of it was academic - notes (both printed, and increasingly, on-line) to be written, updated, and such. Now that some modules are completeing there is also assignments and exams to mark.

Increasingly as lecturers, our method of delivery is changing - not always up in front of a class at school - now we are required to go and train in the workplace. This can be good (its at least an excuse to be out and about) - and it earns valuable funding for the University. The big thing here though is that many of the workplaces are on mine sites - this is a gold mining region after all. So, before I can even go out to train on site, I need some training myself.

Last Tuesday I attended a MARCSTA course (stands for Mining and Resource Contractors Safety Training Association) on General Safety. It was a full day (8am until about 5pm by the time I finished the assessments, and then I had to teach 3 hours that evening). I did however pass the course and am now deemed competent to be let loose on mine sites! ("Hmmmmm... and what does that plunger do?...")

I've completed my move to my new office now - and I've been issued with a wad of keys for offices and classrooms and the like (is that the correct collective noun for keys?)

At home, Thomas is beginning to settle more and now only wakes twice a night. For some reason, he seems to have developed a dislike for the bassinette, so he now sleeps in on the spare double bed in the study / spare room. He is beginning to chatter and gurgle more and has intense interest in his surroundings - its always amusing to watch him when we wheel him about the street.

Lately I have been getting very tired and irritable though - which is not good - too much work, needing to be a good father, a good husband, a good teacher, a good this, good that..., but not what I need to relax. Its been hard for Leonie and I to find the time or the energy to be good lovers - like we used to. I know this is just a temporary thing - but I find it hard. I miss the quiet romantic times together.

Anyway, enough of that - I have some assignmenst to get done - just as soon as I get my home PC back from having the new CD-ROM replaced!