Latest "Battle of the Bulge" Index information

WHERE DID OCTOBER GO!
Thursday, 30 October 1997

I've just realised that it's almost the end of October! Where did the month go? And the rest of 1997 for that matter! I still have five assignments to complete, but at least I now have a plan for getting them done, in the next three or so weeks.
I have been making great progress with sorting out a future direction as well these past few days. My contract for teaching here has been extended until the end of 1998. Although it'd be great to take off before then, I need plenty of time to get the contacts, offers and plans I need. Besides, I still have a year to go on my Graduate Diploma. After that the plan is to go overseas for a year or so. My U.S. friends will be pleased to know my current preference is in their "neck of the woods". I found a great list of US Colleges and Universities to surf through. I'd like to keep teaching, and I'm hoping that maybe one of them would like an Australian lecturer for a while! (Keep your fingers crossed for me, OK?)
It's a dream, I know, but hey, if you don't have dreams, is life really worth living? (Little plug: if anyone knows of anyone thats wants a slightly used, but in-remarkably-good-nick second hand computer lecturer - only used by one little old College that didn't drive me to church on Sunday (fortunately) - then, please give me a "hoy").

IT MAY NOT BE BROADWAY... BUT, A STAR IS BORN
Monday, 27 October 1997

Here it is, hot off the digital camera. Kathryn's Pre-Primary class entertains the school assembly this morning with poems and songs about flowers, butterflies and frogs. Kathryns the "flower" second from the right in the front row (the one with the floral dress). Cute, eh? Not to mention the proud parents there to witness and record the performance!

And the rest of last week and the weekend? I'm finally getting my act together to get to work on those outstanding assignments, Easyslim is marking time as I neither loose nor gain weight, and the restlessness continues! I've had a few suggestions on dealing with that latter problem - but unfortunately they all involve lots of money and/or time, neither of which I have right now! Oh well, I guess it's back to the grindstone. (One day the dream will become reality, though).

LITTLE PETER RABBIT HAD A FLY UP(ON) HIS NOSE
Wednesday, 22 October 1997

And he flipped it and he flapped it, but it still buzzed around his face!
Here in the Antipodes it is now heading towards the warmer weather with a vengance! Today it reached as high as 33 degrees C (for the Metrically Challenged, thats not much under the Century mark). And, while the warmer weather isn't unbearable, it does have its distinct disadvantages. They are small, black, quick and very persisstent! Flys!! Hordes of them!
In this part of the world they come in two sorts. There are the big black bush blowflies, that seem to find a way into a cool house somehow, no matter how careful you are with the fly-wire doors. They buzz relentlessly around, bashing their brains out on the windows. When you go to bed, there always seems to be one left flying around that inevitably ends up in the bedroom attracted to the only remaining light in the house.
Then there are the tiny little evil flies, that gather in great numbers whenever you are walking around outside. These little beggars delight in crawling up your nose, or into an ear. Anywhere, infact, where there is the slightest bit of moisture. They are so bold and quick, its almost impossible to stop them. Its a favourite saying in this part of the world... "The Great Aussie Wave" ... it isn't so much a greeting, as a frantic attempt to deflect an aerial attack from these demons!
Ah, the joys of summer!

THE RESTLESSNESS WITHIN
Tuesday, 21 October 1997

Something has been eating away at me all day. Somethings been weighing heavily on my mind and mood all afternoon, and I'm not sure exactly what it is. There are a number of factors that are at work on me at the moment. At work there is much upheaval and uncertainty as to which way things will go. We are planning for next year unsure of funding and whether some of us will still have (meaningful) jobs. On my personal front with regard to work, I am finding it hard to focus on the task. There is no problem that I can see at home; Leonie and I get on very well, and have talked at length about the coming year(s). There is obviously some pressure with study, as all the assignments come due all at the same time. I guess thats contributing to it - the "mid course study blues" so to speak. I've worked so hard, yet there is still so far to go.
No, I just can't put my finger on it exactly - this feeling of restlessness - like I just need to get up and go - somewhere (anywhere?). I just don't know at the moment.

I sometimes feel that I'm in the wrong place at the moment - trapped here with no clear way out (metaphorically speaking of course - I don't want you all mounting "rescue missions" to save me from the "evil clutches" of whatever). I just need some advice, a chat with someone to help sort it out. I need a new direction. Anybody got a compass?

NOTHING CONTROVERSIAL HAPPENS
Sunday, 19 October 1997

That's right! Nothing! It's been a quiet few days. So, as I have to keep up this journal writing thing, I have to put an entry in to record the fact that its been a quiet time. That's not to say there hasn't been anything happening - I still have a life - just nothing amazing to write home about.

I did get lots of email during the week from several dear friends, and I have had some feed back from Monique Brumby's manager on my fan site for her - that was a bit of a boost for me.

Yesterday was a "good news / bad news" day. The "good news" was that Leonie and Kathryn arrived home safely from Perth. The "bad news" came in the morning at EasySlim - I've gone backwards half a kilo! That goal just seems so frustratingly close, yet so hard to reach!

FRAGILE LIFE
Wednesday, 15 October 1997

A tragic incident in the last couple of days has reminded me just how fragile life is.
Leonies boss in Perth has a daughter; an only child. She was a good kid, involved in rowing at university. A couple of weeks ago she competed in an inter-varsity rowing event in New South Wales. Unfortunately she contracted meningitis, but didn't know it at the time. On Saturday she competed as usual with her rowing team. On Sunday night she died.
I cannot help but be affected by this. I feel so much for her father. I knew him personally. He was so devoted to his only daughter. I kept asking myself, "Why?" The truth is, there probably is no answer to that question. A random act of nature is all I can come up with. Fate can be so cruel sometimes.
What it all comes down to, I suppose, is that we really only have the "here and now". There is no guarantee of "tomorrow". I'm not saying we should forget that there is a tomorrow, just not leave it all until then. We have a right to be happy now, to help make others happy now, and we must make the most of it. A quote from my desk calendar says it perfectly: "Happiness is not something you postpone for the future, it is something you design for the present".

May you rest in peace, Amanda.

THE TRAIN RIDE FROM HELL
Monday, 13 October 1997

I had a nightmare last night that I was stuck on a train going round in circles, continually past the same station, or sitting for long periods in a deserted railway marshalling yard. Then I woke up - but it wasn't a dream - it was really happening!
The train trip home from Perth was not one of WestRails better efforts, to say the least. Oh, it started off innocently enough - lazily watching the suburbs of Perth roll by, then the spectacular Avon River gorge as it winds its way up the Darling Escarpment. About an hour and a half out of Perth is the town of Northam - thats where the problems began. It seems somebody had forgot a little maintenance on the leading railcar - like conveniently forgetting that the engine, etc., needed such a trifling thing as oil! We sat for what seemed like hours in the Northam yard, then slowly on to the Northam Station, where we were at least allowed to get out and stretch our legs. At this point the rail staff decided that the front railcar really could not go any further, and would be left behind. The passengers on that car were all for the half-way town of Merriden, and so were bussed on their way. Meanwhile, the rest of us clambered back onto the train, to be returned to the Northam Yard to have the lead car removed and the end car turned around and placed on the front of the train. This whole episode took about three hours to complete. With very little apology and no compensation, we were finally on our way again, with what should have been a 7-8 hour trip stretching to 10-11 hours and arriving at Kalgoorlie after 3am this morning! Most passengers were heartily *pissed off* by the whole experience (although apparently it is not uncommon), and a petition to the railway management was circulated demanding fare refunds - but I won't hold my breath waiting.

The rest of the weekend was a pleasure. Saturday was spent in Perth City shopping. It was strange being back amongst so many people - I can see how country people get overwhelmed by city life. We wandered around window shopping, and buying a few small items, then went to the State Library where there was a sale of old library books. I was able to find a few, not too old and out-of-date books to add to my library.

After catching a bus back to Leonie's Mum's house, we went off to the hospital to visit Natalie and little Gabrielle. Both are fine, although Natalie was still a little sore after the eighteen hour labour. Both Natalie and Laurie are understandably proud of their little daughter.

Sunday was a fairly lazy morning (we were all still so tired after the travelling). A short stroll up to the local shops for the Sunday paper and a cappucino (neither Leonie, nor I can go anywhere without one of those!). Leonie's Mum's 'fridge is on the blink, so that afternoon we went into the city to arrange a new one for her (sort of advance Christmas present for several years to come). While in the store I noticed a new cyber-cafe, so sat down to check everyone elses journals that I read - it's great to be able to keep in touch so easily.

Then it was off to the train station to catch the train from hell..... (Haven't we been past this station before?)

WELCOME TO THE WORLD
Saturday, 11 October 1997

There is a new addition to this extended family of mine. Yesterday evening at 5:40pm, Gabrielle Lauren Jenkin came into this world. She is the first daughter of Laurie and Natalie (Leonie's youngest sister).
We did not hear the news until we arrived down in Perth about 1am this morning, after travelling by train from Kalgoorlie. (For the curious, Leonie is down in Perth for some work training workshops, and I came down just for the weekend - Kathryn jumped at any opportunity to spend a week with her Nanna!).
The trip down was typical for the "Prospector" train service to and from Kalgoorlie - it arrived late! It is a long journey - about 7-8 hours, leaving late afternoon. While it is still light, there is not much to see, as the country-side for some 200km west of Kalgoorlie is arid range lands and semi-desert (at least it looks that way because the soil is so red and sandy - but somehow the scrub still manages to grow very thickly). But of course, once its dark, there's only books and magazines to read, and the odd catnap as the train bumps and rocks its way toward Perth.
But, it is nice to see family again, particularly in these happy circumstances.

As I am away from Kalgoorlie this weekend, there isn't a weight-in for EasySlim - you'll all have to wait to next weekend!

For those interested, the presentation on Thursday night went well - only slight nerves, which I was able to deal with, and an audience that was at least interested in what I had to say (it's nice to know that someone else thinks all this policy stuff is interesting anyway). Now, if only I can get motivated to to the other five or so assignments before the end of the month!

FAMILY AFFAIR
Wednesday, 8 October 1997

As most of you know, I have adopted a regular early morning walking regime as part of my *keep-fit* drive. Well, yesterday Leonie surprised me by asking if she and Kathryn could come along as well. Now Leonie is not necessarily a "morning person" and she often finds it hard to leave the comfort of a warm bead. Hence my surprise! But up she got, and Kathryn was up and ready as well (but, of course, she's always up at that time of the morning). Kathryn wouldn't be able to keep up with us if she was walking, so she rode in the pusher. This, of couse, gave me some extra weight to lug around, but I figured that was worth the extra effort to get the family out! This morning we had high hopes of repeating the exercise. The pusher, however, is now quite old (it was second hand when we acquired it), and didn't last more than two blocks before one of the front wheels broke off! In the end we had to carry Kathryn (but she did walk a bit). She enjoyed a shoulder ride, as I remembered the effort it used to take me to get around. Kathryn weighs just a bit more than the total amount I've lost since starting EasySlim!

The quiet panic has receded a bit. This morning I have finished my assignment, including preparation of all the overheads for the presentation. Now all I have to do is present it tomorrow night. Then there are the other five assignments to be done before the end of this month!

Today is my grandsons first birthday. Happy Birthday, Jakey!

THE QUIET PANIC
Saturday, 4 October 1997

It's the weekend and my presentation assignment is nowhere near ready for Thursday evening. I still have some time, but the quiet panic is beginning to set in - you know how it is: you know there is something really important to get done, but anything and everything seems to rear up and distract you. Then, when you have nearly run out of time, you start to think "Oh dear, I'd better get this done soon. If only I hadn't wasted the last week!".
My assignment is for a module in the Graduate Diploma course I'm doing that deals with education history and policy matters - admittedly a very *dry* topic at the best of times. The specific topic of my tutorial presentation is on "Equity and access legislation and policy". That means I'm dealing with things like anti-discrimination legislation and equal opportunity policies and stuff like that. I've done all the research and reading, now I just need to sit down and organize my presentation and tutorial session!

The weigh-in this week was a bit of a pleasant surprise! I actually lost half a kilo! This was especially surprising because I didn't have a real good week eating-wise. As I have related above, I'm a bit stressed out with this assignment thing, and I really wasn't concentrating on what I was eating. But perhaps it just shows the importance of the exercise - at least that has developed into a good habit each morning.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS or "DADDY, I'M BORED"
Wednesday, 1 October 1997

Well, here it is, only the second "official" day of the school holidays (Monday was a public holiday in Western Australia - something to do with some other countries monarchs supposed birthday - don't ask, its a long convoluted story of something that could only happen in Australia!), and already Kathryn is crying boredom. Yesterday she had, and for the rest of this week, she will continue to have, her friend Laura over to keep her company - while I try to get some study, and the ever present housework, done. After a short shopping expedition (I needed some new bathers), and lunch with Mum, we headed off to the new season of the local swimming pool (it is only open during the warmer months). As expected the pool temperature was still freezing, but that didn't stop two young girls frolicking about and splashing everything insight, including me! But then when Laura goes home (when her Mum, our good friend Ronnie, finally came to pick her up after work), Kathryn immediately begins "But Daddy, I'm bored, I've got no one to play with". And they wonder what it is that drives parents loony!