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December 1997

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ANOTHER YEAR OVER, AND WHAT HAVE WE DONE...
Wednesday, 31 December 1997

I can't believe it's the end of 1997 already - I know everyone says it, and its a rather trite saying, but, this year has simply flown by. Must be a sure sign that I'm getting old!
Well, here it is New Years Eve - I think I'm supposed to have something deep and meaningful, or philosophical to say at this time. It's a time of looking back over the year, reflecting on what was - hopefully with not too many regrets at what could have been (how we'd ever know for sure what would have been, I don't know). So, what was "My 1997" like? I could probably sum it up with the phrase "wonderful discovery". This year has had quite an impact on my life and my outlook on it. As evidence that I can make such a sweeping statement, and get away with it - well, I am here typing away to you now aren't I! Thats right, this was the year I "found" the 'net, and all that goes with it. Sure, I knew it was there before, but this was the year I got involved. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed it, and learned lots as well. It is a great tool. But, perhaps the greatest thrill was the people I've met. There is always a risk involved with that - Leonie is always saying "But how do you know they're real, or what they tell you is true". I can only answer that by saying, despite the stories that you hear, there has to be a certain amount of trust for it all to work, and I know I'm being up front and honest, so I expect others to be that way too. I trust you guys out there to be open and honest with me, as I am with you. And so far, you've all got me totally fooled! 8^D

The other big time consumer this year was my studies - and they surprised even me. Lets just say I did reasonably well in this first part time year. But I'm only half way - another year to go. And as it was work related, I found this year teaching easier than last year - I guess I've settled into it now.
Not much of a summary of my year, I know, but there you have it.

And of the last few days? Well, there isn't much to report (or rather, there isn't much I want to really write about). Oh dear, I'd better tell you about the clock. I was winding it yesterday, and must have had too many weet-bix for breakfast - I broke the spring! I felt so ashamed, you have no idea. So, it was off to see Willy-the-Clockman again. Unfortunately he'll need to keep it for a few days to fix it. Leonie didn't speak to me for a while (and I don't really blame her).
Today we went out to Guildford to see some of the antique shops, then down to Scarborough Beach. It wasn't too hot, and actually quite pleasant. I wanted to get some pictures for Eva (she runs the Paul Kelly mailing list), and there is one PK song called "Blush" which has the opening line "She walks by the Indian Ocean...." - and the song was written at Scarborough Beach when PK was over here some years ago. Couldn't find an obliging bikini clad girl to pose for me though! Anyway, Happy New Year every one!

HOT CRICKET and FAIRIES IN FREMANTLE
Monday, 29 December 1997

Another opportunity to write - and maybe another opportunity to post to my site. I have had some difficulty in getting a connection. Both Laurie and Greg have had difficulty in getting their machines online - Denise doesn't have an internet connection (but I can use her machine to write the entries). The only cyber cafe I've found down here is "read only" (can't access the disk drives). I found that the local libraries have public internet computers - but not with Netscape that I need to upload to my Geocities account. However, the librarians machine did have Netscape, and she graciously let me use her machine to upload.

There has been a spate of hot weather this last week. Last Tuesday, when we went shopping, it reached just over 41C, Christmas Day wasn't as bad (or at least I didn't notice it as we spent most of the day in doors in the cool airconditioning), Friday was nearly 40C - the hotest Boxing Day on record, and fortunately the last few days have been much cooler (high 20's, low 30's). It's times like these that I am grateful for the "Fremantle Doctor" - the name given to the afternoon seabreeze that often has a refreshing effect.
We spent Saturday rather lazily - watching critcket on TV. With Australia batting, there was some entertaining cricket from young Tasmanian batter Ricky Ponting - he made 105 runs, and then helped in a run out in the South African innings. When I get involved in watching good cricket the whole day can just disappear, as it did on this occasion. At least with the direct telecast from Melbournes' MCG, the day's play was over by mid afternoon, and we did get other things done!

Yesterday we went down to Fremantle, Perths port city, to take Kathryn to see a movie - we chose "Fairy Tale". We arrived in Fremantle with enough time to grab a bite to eat from Fast Eddies (right next door to the cinema). The movie was surprisingly good. I say "surprisingly", as often "kids movies" can be a bit boring for adults to watch. However, Fairy Tale was quite well produced and the story was on several different levels, so adults could find the tale interesting. Needless to say, Kathryn was quite enthralled by the fairies, and afterwards when we were strolling (or should I say squeezing) around the Fremantle Markets, she found some fairy figurines which she just had to have!
Fremantle was quite crowded - being the weekend after Christmas, and delightful weather, I guess that's not surprising. Many of the regular shops were also open with "post-Christmas sales". I found a few second hand books from Elizabeth's, and we enjoyed a relaxing cappucino from one of the cafes along the Cappucino Strip. An enjoyable outing, even if it is across the other side of town from where we are staying (for the curious, my mother-in-law lives in the same suburb where we still have our house down here - Ballajura - to the north east of Perth city).

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
Friday, 26 December 1997

The last few days were anything but quiet and restful - except Christmas Day, yesterday. We finished the required shopping with an hour to spare Christmas Eve. It was so hectic at the shopping centres - everyone try9ing to get that last minute gift, or, in the supermarket, the last bargin. In the evening, we finished wrapping and getting everything under the tree - than finally got Kathryn off to bed. She hung her special stocking (Several years ago, Carol - another of Leonies sisters - gave her a beautiful cross-stich decorated stocking, which she has treasured ever since) on the door knob, and left the requisite glass of milk and cookie for Santa, and a carrot for the reindeer.

Up early Christmas morning (it starts getting light here about 4:30am), she found that "Santa" had indeed been - her stocking was full of little toys. After getting up we all went over to visit Leonies Grandmother (Kathryn affectionately calls her Great Nanna - so as not to confuse with Nanna - Leonies mum). Great Nanna finds it a bit hard to get out and about, so these last few Christmases we have always gone to visit her. It's always a pleasure to see her - there are always stories to tell. She used to live in Kalgoorlie where her husband was a station master on the railways.
Then it was back home where most of the family were gathering for our light lunch - it is a tradition that we don't have a big Christmas dinner - just some nibblies - and light meats, cheeses and salads. I bought a couple of crayfish - one of my favourites for a Christmas lunch - and Carol also does a really great prawn salad. And so the rest of the day is spent chatting, nibbling, and, of course, opening presents. This can take a while - with about ten adults and several children there - there are a lot of presents to get through. Kathryn did a sterling job as the "runner", conveying gifts from Nanna, who sat next to the tree, to each lucky recipient. Mind you. many of them ended up with Kathryn, so she didn't have far to go with those. She was so pleased to get her fairy tutu (that Leonie and I had such a hard time trying to find just the right one).

After a short break, it was back into the other major event for the day - the drawing of the "Veitch Family Trophy". This originated several years ago, when we instituted a small gift lucky dip (each participant provides an anonymous $5 gift to be distributed by a simple lottery draw). That first year, Greg found a most unusual gift - its actually an ashtray carved from wood (the shape of which I can't divulge here - "family column" and all that - if you want to know, email me and I'll tell you). Anyway, ever since then, the lucky recipient of the trophy has been required to display the object prominently within his or her home (to be checked by visiting family members), and is expected to submit it for the following years draw (obviating the need to purchase a $5 gift, of course). The idea is to disguise all the gifts so that it isn't obvious which one is "The Trophy". This allows some horse trading after the draw, and before the presents are unwrapped. Well, this year, Greg was so sure he hadn't had it return home, he started to undo his present - and he got caught! Leonie and I are yet to have the "honour" of The Trophy.

Kathryn spent last night up at Quinns Rocks (and outer northern beachside suburb) with Carol and Greg and their cats - so Leonie and I had a bit of a sleep in, before turning on the TV to watch a bit of the begining of the Boxing Day Test Cricket match (Australia v South Africa). A lazy morning, then a bit of cleaning up from yesterday, and now its off to pick up Kathryn. So, all in all, a great relaxing Christmas Day with family.

HITTING THE STORES
Tuesday, 23 December 1997

Well, it is only a couple of days before Christmas - what else did you expect? And its sooooo hot here in Perth - yesterday was 38C, today its expected to top 40C!
Yesterday we spent more time in the car going from shopping centre to shopping centre than we did actually in the air-conditioned shops. We have a tradition in this family - a sort of Christmas present lottery - so that we don't end up with lots of cheap nasty presents, we have a draw to buy someone else something in a bit more suitable price range (there is a nominal target of $50 - that's usually enough to get something decent). This year I drew my brother-in-law Greg. Greg is a naturopath by profession. I asked him what he wanted - not an easy thing for him at best of times. Lately he had been getting into self-hypnosis, so some books on the subject were a good idea. Now, these aren't the sort of books you'd find in you're local K Mart, or even so-called good book stores like Angus & Robertson or Dymocks. So, after much searching, I found some at a little establishment called (appropriately) Wisdoms Books.
Leonie was a little harder to buy for - she wanted a mantle clock - an old one preferably (not necessarily an antique, but oldish). A very good antique dealer put us on to an excellent clock maker named Willy-the-Clockman. Willy lives up in the Darling Range (the hills surrounding Perth), so a short drive later, we were happliy viewing several hundred clocks (all ticking and some occasionally chiming) in his showroom. We found a great little German made (1935) model with a Westminster chime that wasn't too expensive.
All that took most of the day - and there is still more to do today - then some food shopping tomorrow.

Happy Christmas everyone.

HITTING THE HIGH (AND LOW) NOTES
Sunday, 21 December 1997

Tonight we went to a community "Carols by Candlelight" with Natalie, Laurie (and baby Gabrielle), and Denise. Carol singing at Christmas time is, of course a tradition. In Australia with the warmer weather, it is usually held in a local park, with a brass band and choir. Many people from the neighbourhood attend - it is a great community effort.
This year brought back memories of when I was a child. At the school I went to, every year, the school choir would perform for a Christmas Concert, which was recorded by the local radio stattion and broadcast on Christmas Day. I was in the choir four years in a row, and once had a special part to play as part of a trio singing "We Three Kings" (funny how I can still clearly remember the words of many of these carols after all this time - I guess I've kinda gotten out of the habit of carol singing these last many years, so it was nice to relive it all.
If I don't get to do another entry before the end of this week - have a merry Christmas everyone.

HITTING THE ROAD
Saturday, 20 December 1997

It's Saturday evening and this is my first opportunity to post a journal entry (whether it makes it up onto my site soon I guess is another matter). This past week has been extremely busy getting ready for our holiday departure from Kalgoorlie. I had intended to post an entry on Thursday, before we left - but it just never happened. With all the packing (and carefull screening of everything Kathryn wanted to take), and the preparation of our car (the old girl has just turned ten) with a regular service and two new tires, and then making sure I had all the net and email addresses with me - then the last reading of mail and unsubscribing from various mailing lists (so I don't have a pile of outdated mail by the time I get back) - Thursday was gone before I knew it.

We left very early Friday morning (just after 5am) to avoid travelling when it was too hot. It's a long trip from Kalgoorlie to Perth (as I think I have mentioned before), but we weren't in a hurry, and so had a fairly leisurly drive. I had taped some music to listen to (who else but Paul Kelly, Monique Brumby, and the Corrs) and we fairly rolled along the highway taking in the bush scenery and enjoying the ride. We stopped a few times along the way - at Southern Cross, then Kellerberin and Cunderdin, There is a community museum at Cunderdin that I had always wanted to see. It is built in one of the old steam powered water pumping stations on the Goldfields pipeline (there is very little natural water around Kalgoorlie - its all pumped up via a pipeline from the hills around Perth). There is a very good collection of farm equipment - Cunderdin is a wheat and wool farming community - and a very interesting historical display. During World War Two, there was a flying training school located here - and now the museum has a display including an old Tiger Moth aeroplane.

We arrived at Perth early afternoon, and after unpacking - it was off to the shops! (Anyone would think that we didn't have any shops in Kalgoorlie - we do, but just not as many as Perth!) Last night it was off to a retirement dinner for one of Leonies work collegues from one of the Perth offices, and today was more shopping - I still have to finish my Christmas shopping. Anyway, its great to be back in Perth, around family and able to relax a bit. If I don't get to write too much, don't worry - I'm still around, just enjoying things a bit!

HITTING THE TARGET
Monday, 15 December 1997

I have just returned from a very active, but somewhat satisfying weekend training session at RAAF Base Pearce. As I will be instructing on the January Promotional Courses, and that instructing may involve some weapons training (well, I may not be qualified to instruct weapons, but I may be required to assist supervision on the range mound), it was deemed necessary to train me in the operation, safe use and maintenance of the F88 Steyr - standard issue to the Australian military forces.
I drove down with Terry, my Flight Commander, who also underwent the training, on Friday night, arriving at Pearce at 1:30am Saturday. Saturday was spent in intensive training - explanation, demonstration, and supervised practice - and much shouting from the instructing Flight Seargent! Sunday was our Test of Elementary Training, and the live firing on the range. Strangely, I felt more nerves about the testing than I did up on the mound at the range - the actual shoot was no trouble at all.
I could tell you more about the weekend and the weapon, but then you'd know too much, and I'd have to shoot you! ( - joke! ;^) Needless to say, I wouldn't entrust the defence of Australia to the likes of me - I'm no sharpshooter - only managed 10 out of the 36 rounds on the correct part of the targets!
Still, it was an interesting weekend with much learned.

I'M ON HOLIDAY!
Thursday, 11 December 1997

Yeah! I'm on holidays - but you'd never know it - I'm writing this journal entry at my usual work desk (can't keep me away from this internet thing). I'm on holidays, but it doesn't quite feel like it yet.
The academic year has now ended. After classes finished last week, I hounded and hassled those students that I could who had outstanding assignments - got them all marked by Tuesday afternoon, yesterday was the Exam Board meeting to go over the results - they're all safely into Student Services now. The Director of the Campus provided free drinks and a bit of a social gathering in the afternoon, and last night the Computing department went out to dinner at the new Bullshead Steakhouse here in Kalgoorlie (really nice meal too). Today I have arranged a lunch with some of my students (and another opportunity for pictures for KalCam).
There is still much to do before I leave for Perth next week though - perhaps thats why it doesn't feel like holidays yet.

The week has been quite busy with social engagements - Monday night was the graduation parade for 9 Flight, and Tuesday night was Kathryns school concert. Her class performed first, and did a rather cute rendition of the Ray Stevens song "Guitarzan". If you want to see, click here.

WHO'D BE A TEACHER?
Saturday, 6 December 1997

Teaching is over for another year. Now there is only the assignments to mark - and I've already completed much of that. On Thursday we had the first of our enrolment days for 1998 - atleast I know I'll have some students next year! However, we won't get a true picture until the main enrolment day in February.
It's been a somewhat frustrating few weeks trying to get some of the software to work properly on our systems so the students could complete assignments (it's not always nice running 16-bit Win3.1 software on 32-bit WinNT - somethings just don't do what they should). Then there are the students who leave it to the last few weeks before thay decide to withdraw - usually after they have been assigned to a group project - thus leaving the rest of the group high and dry with a half completed assignment! And also the students that want an extention just as it's due. Now I'm usually pretty lenient and understanding (afterall, I am a student also) - but I still gotta have results ready for the Academic Review Board on Wednesday - which means I gotta have them marked by Tuesday, so I gotta have the assignments no later than Monday!
So, who'd be a teacher!

Easyslim wasn't so easy this week - I put on half a kilo, so no FreeSliming - yet. This was my last meeting for 1997 as we will be going to Perth for Christmas soon, and then holidays in January. So, I won't be weighed again until February - oh well, maybe that means I'll be able to "enjoy" Christmas a bit *wink*

BUT WAIT...THERE'S MORE ANNIVERSARIES
Wednesday, 3 December 1997

Funny how coincidences happen. I'd no sooner posted yesterdays journal entry, when going home to check the mail find that I have received notice of a high school reunion for "Burnie High School 1972 B Class". Go on, do the calculation - thats another one of those 25th anniversaries. There is to be a dinner on 27 December in my home town of Burnie, Tasmania. Unfortunately I won't be able to be there. But I sent off a reply to Wendy, the organiser, with some biographical and recent history details (even some page prints off this site!). She's hoping to do a book of what everyones been up to.
Now thats what I've often wondered - where did everyone go? What have they done in twenty-five years? It's a long time! Then it got me reminiscing - all those years ago when I was at school. I had a few good friends then (and I still do - it's just that they are a different bunch). We laughed together, played together, felt each others embarassment and pain. We learned life together. So where are they all now?
Tasmania is that sort of place where many kids don't stick around - there often aren't any jobs and thus nothing to keep them there. Many of us from that time went elsewhere - literally all over the world (in my time I have at least travelled the length and breadth of this great land). It'll be some job to get a lot of them together for the reunion. Some will never be there. I know of at least one "no longer with us". Peter was the very first friend I ever had - even before I went to school. I grew up with him - we did everything together. His mum taught me to swim. I was often up at his place. Then we kinda grew apart a bit as we hit high school (not exactly a falling out though - more just a moving in different circles). After we left school there was only the occasional word through parents as to what we were doing. Then a couple of years ago I managed to look him up when I was home one year for Christmas - he was now a local policeman, had a family just like I did, and looked to be going places. Last year, however, he was killed in a tragic road smash, right outside his home. He was coming home from work. I'm glad I was able to see him when I did, but sad to know I can never meet him again - not this reunion, not ever. My first friend gone for good.
So, I won't be able to be at the reunion, but I do eagerly look forward to finding out what everyones been up to, and maybe renewing some of those old friendships before its too late.

Our passports arrived from Foreign Affairs today. Now I "exist". Roll on January and Bali.

A TIME OF ANNIVERSARIES
Tuesday, 2 December 1997

I can't believe it's December already! It really doesn't seem all that long ago that I was getting organised to start lectures for 1997, and embarking on my own studies with my Graduate Diploma - yet here it is, the year just about over. What's that they always say about time passing quicker as you get older. I guess its really all just a matter of relative perspective.
It's not quite time for all that "retrospective stuff" - you'll have to wait until the end of the month for that - but I did want to mention some significant anniversaries (well they are significant to me). Firstly, on a personal note, yesterday (1st) was the ninth anniversary since Leonie and I met. There are many reasons why this is significant for me, but perhaps the most important is the personal awakening this caused in my life. OK, I know that sounds mushy, but it is true. The whole-of-life changes I underwent then were perhaps one of the most significant events in my life. Truely, a defining moment that has shaped me.
The other anniversary that I want to recall was also a "defining moment" in my life, but also in so many other Australian lives. (Warning: political discussion ahead!) Today is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the election of the Whitlam government. This man stands tall in Australian politics still (although he is no longer active - his opinions and thoughts still hold considerable sway). This election was not just an ordinary political event - it maked a break with the old; again, a true "whole-of-life" change for this nation. With the sweeping away of 23 years of conservative governments, Gough almost single handedly dragged this country out of the 1950's mentality into the modern world. In many ways, though, his government was a failure - there is a popular belief that, while Gough was great, there was less than competent others around him. The rest, as they say, is history. But to many, including myself, it was much nore than just another government. That time coincided with my political awakening - and the whole course of events had a significant impact on my outlook.
Connecting this to a personal note - I am reminded of a more recent election campaign (well not that recent - it was during the March 1993 Federal election - the "unlosable election that the conservatives lost"), when I was able to meet the man himself. There was an old-fashioned political meeting to support the local candidate and Gough was to speak. So along Leonie and I went, with Kathryn in arms (she was barely four months old at the time). Gough walked in and down the isle past where we sat, saw Kathryn, picked her up and gave her a kiss in true politician style, while the cameras flashed, and everyone laughed and cheered. We were so proud (and thouroughly enjoyed chatting with him after the speeches). The only disappointment was the cameraman "forgot" to put film in his camera! Can you believe it? So we didn't get the pictures of Kathryn with Gough.
So, a time to reflect, and remember. And to contemplate what still needs to be changed. With the way things are in Australia at the moment, maybe the 1972 election slogan is still appropriate - "It's Time!"