Susansaga

2011-04-06T19:40:00.002+10:00

I have a new hero. He is the dog whisperer, Cesar Millan and this is thanks to my good dog walking friends P and B. Probably also my naughty young dog Kali the whippet/ pointer cross who would be in the next suburb in 10 seconds were it not for the fence surrounding our leash free park. She's not really naughty; in fact at home she's a dream. Most of the time she's great...but on those occasions when she takes a dislike to a new dog for no apparent reason....and that time when she ran so fast that she torpedoed into a person and knocked her flying. Fortunately that has only happened once, and to someone with good bone density but that was enough. More. Perhaps there is a reason for all this. Perhaps I needed this dog to shake my life up a bit. Although I am one friend less (I don't think the person who Kali ran into will speak to me again - very grumpy and I don't blame her), I have discovered that some of the dog walkers are much better friends than I thought. Friends in a constructive way. P has lent me her dog whisperer book and B his dvd series with lots of episodes. I am now happily overdosing on both the book and the episodes and wondering what I can do to thank them. Chocolate cake for P? A slab for B? Or just a promise that they won't get torpedoed by a big black hund? In a way it has been a nice outcome. And I am practising being calm assertive.

2011-03-18T17:11:00.002+11:00

Ahhhh. breathe a sigh of relief. Another busy week over and I have survived! On campus and online students started their new semesters together and I have been swamped. In fact i didn't think I'd be able to meet my commitments for the first time. Unless I've forgotten something (very likely) I think I've got there for this week at least.

I've spent the past few weeks feeling quite out of breath. Even stopping to hear a voice message has taken too much time (it takes a few seconds to work - too long).

It also seems busy on the home front. Eldest son recently moved from South Yarra to Brighton. We think he moves every two years or less and it always means lots of hard physical labour - mainly for dear old dada this time. We paid for cleaners to come in this time - that was his birthday present and have to say that although it cost a bit it was great not to be scrubbing and cleaning all day and night (yes he had to hand in the keys on a Friday so we didn't even have the weekend). I wonder how long the Brighton pad will last? It's a lovely place and you can see the sea.

Daughter has been in the Philippines for a school friend's wedding for the past couple of weeks. That hasn't really made work for us but proximity to Japan caused a bit of anxiety for a while. We also helped to look after her kitten for a night. Lovely, but keeping Coco separated from our three dogs was a bit of a challenge. The two small ones are OK (small mouths). Sort of, but Kali could eat her for a snack if she wanted and we're not quite sure if she wants to or not.

Have just spoken to aged p who does not want to see me after all this weekend, due to my developing sore throat. In a away that's a relief although I do want to spend as much time with her as I can - she's great fun - because who knows how much time she has left. The way she's going it should be ages. Hopefully. She's been wheezing a lot lately but swears it's just a cold, and gets very coy when I ask if she's seen her doctor (her doctor is one of her favourite people so curious why she hasn't been to visit).

Tomorrow we might go out for breakfast and enjoy our day. Sunday - busy morning and then in the afternoon I have a date at the Ringwood Sound Shell, where a swing band will be playing. My friend Kenneth wants to have a dance or two or three with me and I have to be there. He turns 80 on Monday and this will be like a birthday celebration. So - we'll lindy hop and triple six our way through some great music. After that I'll collapse and Kenneth will probably party on.

That's the plan but wonder if it will really happen that way?

2010-12-07T11:34:00.002+11:00

It's official. I'm in a chemically induced remission from the scourge of rheumatoid arthritis. I still have to take aggressive amounts of methotrexate and mobic but the pain is pretty minimal and isn't spreading to more joints. Although I hate taking methotrexate, knowing that it will make me feel sick, it's certainly worth it because I can move freely. Relatively freely.

I am feeling very stiff and a bit sore today but that's only because I did a lot of dancing last night, before and after the class (Shim Sham and routine refresher). By the the time I finished I'd had more than enough, and could hardly move my feet. Such a shame because there was a surplus of very good leads who were keen to have a bit of a social dance. Also, I needed the exercise because of all the Christmas festivities which generally revolve around eating far too much. At lunchtime today TAFE is putting on a spit roast for the campus....tonight it's mother in law's nursing home Christmas party.

2010-11-25T16:24:00.002+11:00

Our lovely 17 year old cat, Woody, died on Monday and it feels like the end of an era. He has been failing for the last little while but it was really over last weekend that we became alarmed about him. He was very uncomfortable and went off his food, apart from small pieces of fillet steak that he enjoyed right up to Sunday evening.

I was at the vets first thing Monday, after being escorted out of the house by the three dogs. They seemed very quiet, as if they knew something. Same with the vets two cats. Each of them approached Woody in his cat basket, put a paw through and touched him. Until then they had always ignored him. As the vet lifted him out of the basket he said, "Oh no, there's something terribly wrong with him, I'm afraid". That was it.

2010-11-16T15:33:00.002+11:00

Made it! Through another weekend, that is.
I felt quite sick for most of it and hope it's worth it. Friday was a good day - I took leave to help set up for our fete and it was great to be so organised in good time. On friday night I tried my hand at the new recipe I was given for can't fail cupcakes and they worked! They were lovely and light.

Early on Saturday morning I arose and made many scones because they really do need to be fresh. All went well even though it rained pretty well incessantly. Proceeds were down but the atmosphere was great. By the time we went home though, 2LF and I were exhausted. We really didn't feel much like putting on a roast and entertaining aged P that evening but we soldiered on. I didn't really do anything very productive on Sunday except bath one dog and brush the other two, take them for a run. Well. They ran. I walked.

Last night I sacrificed my much loved dancing class for a local Council meeting. The Council was voting on some altered recommendations of dog walking areas in our municipality. I have been an active part of a campaign to make our lovely park a leash free area (previously it had been decided in a report that it was to be on leash). We won. When we were writing our letters to the Council, the newspaper, having journalists and photographers meet us in the park with our doggies and getting petitions together, we had no idea that we might win. We just thought we'd go down trying.

The Council members, in fact, were very sympathetic when they heard our submissions. They hadn't realised what how many of their voters were part of dog walking communities around the Shire. From now on I will believe in community power. So happy. Molly and Pearl are ageing ladies and it doesn't matter so much to them (although Molly loves tearing about bossing all the big dogs around) but Kali is only two and built for lots of fast running. Once she's had her daily run she's happy to relax in a beanbag and be good as gold. Without it...she could tear the place apart.

2010-11-11T13:20:00.002+11:00

Where did the time go. I had a look at this the other day and couldn't believe that my last post was in April. Since then I have been to and returned from New Zealand (very nice thanks and lovely to catch up with cousin S who is delightful and quite mad). We also travelled to Airlie Beach for a family wedding in September. Initially we grumbled at the cost of all this but in the end decided to make it worth our while and had five wonderful days and nights. We really enjoyed spending so much time with family, and adored Airlie Beach. B and C - great idea. The wedding was, of course, lovely, but so was the time we had reconnecting with each other. Also our day on a maxi yacht, Ragamuffin, when I took the opportunity to scuba dive.

It really must be our travel year, or even better, the start of a new way of life. We recently flew to Mildura and spent a few days with brother E who lives and works in the Riverland with his partner R. Very happy that we've done that and seen how they live - very well, and I think I'm in awe of all my siblings. How could they have an ordinary person like me as their sister?

Another thing I noticed is that the nasty horrible drugs i've been taking for RA must be working. Earlier this year the posts seemed to be one long grizzle about the pain that has become quite minimal. Thanks to my nice Rheumatologist I think I might have a chemically induced remission. I hope he's happy with me when I visit him next, in early December, and won't nag about the steroids. I really don't think I need them. Methotrexate certainly stuffs up my weekends and I hate it but maybe it's worth it. I won't think so on Saturday though, I know that.

We have a couple of new fur kids in the family. We have taken over the care of Pearl, mother in law's Japanese Spitz who is gorgeous in the extreme. Ma in law had to go into a nursing home, sadly. It is sad. Favourite daughter (of course since she's the only one) has just bought a rag doll kitten and called her Coco Mademoiselle. We took her to the vet yesterday for inoculations and check up and felt as proud as any parent or grandparent. It might be the closest I'll get to being a granny for quite some time if ever.

The year is closing down for some but not for me. I'm gearing up for another intake of online syudents and all the issues that go with it. Fete is on Saturday and it will rain because it always does. Christmas looms...and I want to visit sis before then. She is my special favourite sis because I only have her, although many sisters in law whom I adore. All different, all talented.

2010-04-21T20:23:00.002+10:00

Had a couple of random days off work lately to catch up on friends and visit aged p. (mother). Friday I joined 6 school friends for lunch - lovely in terms of catching up and all very nice but certainly the most expensive lunch I've ever had. That was in town. I travelled home on the train with my friend Robyn, and arrived just in time to feed menagerie and get ready for dinner at M & Js. They live in Menzies Creek and have an amazing view right across the city and over to Geelong.
I also took yesterday off to visit my mother; of course I had to take the gels, who were very spoilt with two walks and some very special titbits. Just before lunch, we were sitting on the balcony (an equally amazing view as M & Js but looking over the bay) when mum suggested that I borrow her bathers and go down for a swim. So I did and it was heavenly. Another one to be stored in my memory banks. it was good too, to test my joints and muscles in the water. I've been worrying about losing muscle tone with that recent diagnosis of RA. Everything hurts so much and I have great problems getting down on the floor. Tummy crunches work really well in the water; must remember that.
I'll be taking off to NZ on Sunday to present that paper - on Monday. 2LF will be joining me late Wednesday night (or very early Thursday) and we'll have a few days together. We haven't gone away together for a long time and of course I worry that something will go wrong at home. I pray that all the kids will be Ok and that they will be able to look after our very spoilt pets. I hope the house stays up, that A gets paid, that the world keeps turning. Also that I'll be able to dress myself properly without the help of 2LF. Somedays it hurts more.

Enough whingeing. Sure it will all be fine. I do have a sense of adventure.

2010-04-14T19:06:00.002+10:00

Once again a long gap between posts. Perhaps because I may written a peer reviewed paper for a conference in New Zealand in the meantime. By the time I finished that I was definitely over writing and wondering why I'd got myself into that situation.

I haven't presentated the paper yet - that's in just under 2 weeks time and I'm still working on the powerpoint. Also hoping that I really do have something to say.

Chrsitmas has been and gone, the students well and truly back.

A month or so ago we decided that it was time to rescue another free to a good home mutt and give Molly a new big brother or sister. As a result we now have a delightful big, black, young shorthaired pointer/whippet cross called Kali. She was rescued from a shelter in NSW by a woman who walks her dogs in our local leash free park where we all go. Pam knew we were looking to rescue something and she does this often - rescues a dog, usually from NSW because of the shorter period on death row - looks after it for a few weeks, brings it up to good condition. Then she sets about finding a permanent home for it.

Kali is gorgeous and loves everyone and everything - vigorously.

Molly is a bit uncertain but coping quite well. She has been hurt though, and as no-one saw what happened, we don't know how. We think she may have lost the sight in one eye and really hope that this is all that happens. The intention was to give her some companionship, not to endanger her in any way.

We're certainly getting a lot more walking done - Kali really needs lots of running and playtime and Molly doesn't mind either. This is a good thing especially in light of my recent diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. This nasty condition came on quite suddenly a few months ago. Swot vac last year actually. I clearly remember the day I got up from the Consultation Desk at work, where I had been sitting for a while, and felt incredibly stiff and sore in my legs - mainly hips and the backs of my knees.

It felt as if I'd had a very hard workout the day before, except I hadn't. As time went on I noticed that my shoulders were very sore, as though I'd been lifting heavy weights without warming up or something. And it all got worse.
I then overcame my phobia of visiting doctors and got a referral to a Rheumatologist, hoping all the time that the stiffness and pain would go away but sadly this didn't happen. Now I'm on all sorts of nasty medication but i think it does help a bit. I resisted steroids but gave in to everything else.

Swing dancing is OK, but there are some times when I just can't do it. This week was fine because we brushed up on the Shim Sham, which is solo. I lasted half an hour into the Lindy class before giving up because the swing outs were hurting my shoulders. Walking is good too, which is why it's probably a good thing we have two dogs again. No excuses. Molly never liked excuses but because she is so tiny we could sometimes get away with it. If we don't take Kali out she'll demolish the place.

Anyhow I really enjoy the company of the owners of Hudson, Fletcher, Rusty, Ruby, Bruce, Holly, Bentley....funny that I know the dogs names but not their owners.

2009-12-23T15:37:00.002+11:00

Logging into this just now, I noticed that I have done 50 posts. It's hard to belive I have done so many - guess it's over many years. Two more sleeps and then it will be Christmas. I'm probably not as sorted as I should be; most presents are bought, some are wrapped, hopefully I will find out how many I'm feeding tonight.I think the main issue is food and where to put it once i've bought it. Our fridge is far too small for a family of 6 adults, let alone for serial festive menus.

2LF and I have been asked to be Mary and Joseph in a play tomorrow night. How's that for desperation. I hope the lights are out or it's a silhouette kind of effect. That or we're M & J in old age reflecting back. I offered the services of my daughter Cat and her fiance but they were rejected. Shame...those two make a good looking couple...and they're young. I haven' t told 2LF yet.

It's been busy here. There isn't a person in the library apart from staff but the phone and emails have been running hot. I have heaps to do and a diminishing amount of time left in which to do it. JB is, according to her phone message (I had to listen to it as her academics were then rining me and chuckling about it) is freezing her extremities off in Germany. The northerly parts of the northern hemisphere does seem to be enjoying a cold snap - and lots of snow.

Here it will be nice for Christmas - mild, good food eating weather. I just have to find a place to store it all until we can get to it.

2009-12-15T12:56:00.002+11:00

I'm very happy to be a discussion thread once again but think I'll get sick of it before too long. I've already had four threads today and it's only been a matter of hours. With over 500 students enrolled in that unit I think I'll have my work cut out.

Feeling a bit smug today as well - I made rocky road slice and rum balls last night and most of our Christmas cards have been posted. How's that?

And - Molly now has her Christmas coat. I booked her into the groomers for yesterday (ages ago - they're booked out) and took her on my way to work. She had a lovely playdate with her doggy friends, especially a labradoodle, and is now ready for the hot weather too. As are we since we had our ceiling fans sorted.

Coffee addicts at Lilydale Campus library are in mourning now that our Hub Cafe has closed for the year. Yesterday C and I took orders and went down the street to a food court, but were very disappointed with the weak watery mixture. Today I went to Frolicking Frog (they weren't open yesterday) and enjoyed my tall skinny latte with a double shot. Nearly as nice as Sams...gotta remeber the brand he uses. I know it's organic and fair trade.

2009-12-14T13:57:00.002+11:00

Yesterday I received my very first Christmas present for the year from my friend J. Two litres of worm wee! Not your usual present but i was happy to get it, and spent some time in the aftnoon sprinkling it on my new seedlings. It was just the thing and they look brighter and happier today.
Many thanks to J for her thoughtfulness.
The silly season is truly upon us and I decided to pace myself after suffering a migraine towards the end of last week. Happily I was over this by midday Friday (about the time I hit the send button and submitted a conference paper - or what i hope will be one) and able to enjoy our whole of university Christmas bash in the evening. As always I had great fun, and spent the remainder of the weekend takings things relatively quietly.
Shopping, house stuff, dog walking times two, Youth group (except there was no youth but nice all the same for the leaders to have a chat), powerpoint on Sunday am, more shopping, and Grandma for dinner last night. We didn't actually eat Grandma - roast lamb Greek style with roast veg followed by strawberries, cream and berry yoghurt on meringue nests - was the preferred menu. Grandma liked this too, although we suspect she had already gone to the manor for dinner before 2LF picked her up. Changing the day from Saturday to Sunday never works; it always confuses someone who is already confused enough, sadly.

2009-11-09T15:24:00.002+11:00

I'm back. From a week's leave, that is, during which time I did very little. Not at all as I'd planned. I guess there were a few small achievements and I must say I enjoyed the change in routine.

On Friday I visited my mother - an overnight stay. The weather was glorious and I had two swims in the bay that will remain in my memory forever. Clear blue cold water, balmy sunshine, the smell of sand and salt. Molly came with me and she loved her walks in the leash free park, with her furry friends. We've been going quite regularly and see the same people each time. It's also a great place for my mother's little dog who has no eyes because there's a path.

Friday evening we went to the usual place for dinner; not sure what it's called any more since new owners took over recently. It's by the Rosebud Pier and serves the most wonderful pizzas. I think the new folk have a bit to learn though, because we got our entrees and mains together. Unusual.

Anyhow, we returned the next morning for our post walking the dogs coffee - with the dogs of course. It was lovely to sit outside in the shade, sip coffee and enjoy the company of the Ulysses club bikies.

2009-10-29T12:04:00.002+11:00

I haven't been feeling very well this week. Last Friday i took the afternoon off to attend two funerals - one for Peggy who sadly died of leukaemia the week before, far too young, and one for my Aunt Helen who died at the age of 94. Both were sent off and acknowledged in very worthy ways; their families did them justice that's for sure. I noticed a nasty tickle in my throat and as the afternoon wore on i just felt worse and worse.

Fortunately my mother came to stay (yes she had yet another funeral up in town - three between us!) and being very tired she happily went to bed very early, so I did too. She also had a very good excuse, being 80 something and tearing all over the countryside in her nippy little car, accompanied by her lovely little dog with no eyes. Since then my cold has moved on, but the tiredness and achiness remained.

Maybe it's because I'm sick so rarely, which is a very good thing, that I feel so tragic when I am, and complain a lot. I hope I never get really sick - with cancer or anything chronic - I'd certainly be the worst patient in the world. I have rather a lot of seriously ill friends at the moment and their strength and courage amazes me. Is there a breast cancer epidemic?

That's enough of a whinge for now. I got up and struggled into work because of course I had to 'test' myself. Now I'm here I'd like to go home but will stay a while. It's a gorgeous day out right now - perfect for getting your dose of vitamin D. Perhaps a quick stroll at lunchtime - or a nap at my desk.

2009-10-02T09:53:00.002+10:00

It's been a while since I last blogged. Many months. I had considered putting this to rest but decided that it does no harm to keep it going, even sporadically.
I've been to Sydney twice this year - once in July for family reasons (great fun) and once a month ago for work - not as much fun of course but certainly very interesting. Actually less than a months ago - I flew up on Sunday 6th September and stayed the night in Rydges World Centre Hotel (very noice) so i could be rested for a Print Disabilities Workshop that was held at CAL headquarters (Copyright Agency Limited). It was a very fruitful day, and i was even able to get home in time for my swing Dance class.

That was very important to me as we are learning a routine for the upcoming Performance Ball (October 10). The routine is not that easy and although only about 1.5 minutes, there are so many moves to remember. Still, it's lots of fun - a mix of charleston and six beat - and I'm not sick of the music yet either. "Suits are picking up the bill" played by the Squirrel Nut Pushers.

I've also been doing things for work that I never thought a librarian would get to do, which excites me immensely. I've been working on orientation modules for a group of student in Singapore (because I was asked to) and we had the idea of an introductory video - just 30-40 seconds, featuring a couple of our students (very gorgeous and friendly ones) walking through the campus (very pretty), into the library and asking for assistance.

This became a project with a project team; we had meetings (mostly teleconferences) and I produced a script and storyboard for comment. The story board is the thing I never thought I'd do and actually get paid while I was doing it. I've had so much fun.

Still, I really do hope that those people that count like the product. I'd hate it to be in vain...or for people not to like it. It fitted in well with my continuing effort to be 'relational' with online, offcampus students etc.

On the home front, I haven't spent much time there this week. I worked a 12 hour day on Wednesday but that was sort of a choice thing. I wanted to go to something at RMIT, thinking it would be sueful and in a way it was but not how I thought it would be. It confirmed that there wasn't something I'd missed. i still had to work the evening shift because we'd had casuals practically all day filling C and Ns shifts while they are both on leave.

Today I have to work late because E rang in sick. She didn't ring me; perhaps she didn't dare. J and I are soldiering on as we do. I'm working late because it really doesn't matter this week; I want to leave early next Friday and visit my mother who is ready for visitors anytime and I'm certainly ready for some spoiling. There are advantages to husbands moving their business home and this is one of them; a quick phone call about the late shift and I find that he's hung out the washing, will get it in when dry, then pop down to the shops for cooked chook, supermarket salad, bottle of wine. And the fire will be laid. I think he may also have some time to get some work done, money earned.

So - not too bad really.

2009-04-29T20:27:00.002+10:00

Almost the end of a fairly busy evening shift. The students have been keeping me awake with interesting questions, which is a very nice thing indeed. I was feeling very tired, coming to work at 12.30 and wondered how I would last. I needn't have worried. Lots of nice, different assignment toipcs to keep me happy, especially since I don't have to write them!

Tomorrow I'm brushing up on Endnote, something I have strongly resisted for some years. No more though. I need to be collegial and pity my poor colleagues who have been soldiering on with the dreaded program.

Our family is in mourning. On Monday I finally had to take the wonderful, loyal kelpie girl to the vet for her final trip. Ove rthe weekend she really stopped enjoying anything in her life - off her food, tail between her legs, struggling to keep her airway clear, weak, finding it hard to sit/lie down and then to get up again...and the final nose bleed.

The vet and his nurse were lovely and arranged that I would be there without other patients. Roxy went peacefully after she raised an objection (half hearted) to the vet about holding her paw and then not finding the vein first thing.

I brought her home and we had a burial that night. Molly isn't sure what's going on and I'm sure she's waiting for big sister to return.

I took Molly for a new 'do' this morning but she didn't enjoy it as much as I would have. Still, she's beautifully clipped (still just a bit fluffy for winter) and I bought her a doggy drizabone for the wet weather. I knitted her a wee jumper last winter but if course it isn't water proof. Can't have anything happening to her or Woody the ageing cat on 'roids.

Vale to a lovely, loyal, intelligent big brown and white dog. We won't have one like you again because there's only one of you. Plus I think I'd be too old to cope with the energy you had when you were young (and not so young).

2009-04-17T16:15:00.003+10:00

Back again. Only a few months between posts and this will be a short one. I got to work very early this morning because my car was the end one and the others needed to get away. Still, I did manage to get dressed and not appear in my pyjamas.

This is the end of a very hard long week; there have been a few of them like that. We lost a very good friend to pancreatic cancer on Monday at 5.10pm. He died at home peacefully and surrounded by family. A good end to a long painful difficult struggle, but far too early. And a great shame that someone so lovely should suffer so much.

Vale my friend.

Very soon I will be going home and hope to light a fire, curl up in my beanbag (daughter's actually) and enjoy a good book. Which reminds me...I'd better find one right now!

2008-12-19T14:49:00.003+11:00

My poor neglected blog! Perhaps it's time to write you a nice Christmas letter. People who don't know what it's like to work here have been asking me when I finished up for the year, or if things are winding down.

Ha.

Unlike those who work in schools we only get the customary 4 weeks annual leave and yes we are busy even when the students aren't around. This week I have been working on next year's rosters, planning for orientation, waited for staff to return my calls, doing some research for an incarcerated student, without even getting to the cleaning out of drawers stage. And they are in a very poor state indeed, with all sorts of things at the bottom that the archaeologists left behind.

Still, the Christmas spirit survives. We have decorated our library to reflect the season and collectively feel quite jolly. I have also been exercising my voice in a choir, something I'm loving very much, except for the solo verse. It's not even a very long verse but since I haven't sung alone since I stopped being a 'skyte' at the age of ten, I find myself very nervous. Still, I'm determied to be grown up about this and to try to do my best. The main thing is to enjoy the rest.

Swing dancing has broken up for the year and I wonder how I'll spend my Monday evenings. Two left feet did really well in the last lessons, kicking out the Charleston with good co-ordination. We hope to do some social dancing over the break, and catch up with a couple of friends we met. I have a new friend who I find very interesting. He is one of Melbourne's five sword swallowers. I believe he also eats fire and juggles.

All four tootsies are doing well I think. Unfortunately our beautiful; kelpie dog isn't. She has been making noises that sound like the death rattle but aren't. Something is blocking her nose and causing the odd nose bleed (awful in a dog because the blood sprays everywhere). Exploration under anaesthetic, pathology and $400 only came up with an infection. No tumor (good) no grass seed - no idea. So poor Roxy suffers on. Still, she enjoys her food, pats, walks so obviously gets some quality of life. The dilemma is - what if she deteriorates over the Christmas and New Year break?

Is it too late to start the Christmas shopping? My house is decorated, cards sent so we're in the spirit but that's about all. I decided to be cruisy this year and reclaim the season for what it's meant to be but still...i may have run out of time. Not yet but if I'm still saying this next Wednesday it will certainly be too late.

Perhaps not quite so cruisy this weekend.

2008-09-12T13:43:00.002+10:00

It was a helmeted honey eater, or I'm pretty sure anyhow. This was the small bird I rescued two weeks ago today. It became trapped in our building overnight, and was perched on a ledge in the library when I arrived at work at about 8.30am. Michelle was already there but unable to do very much as she was (still is) hobbling about on a bad knee.

The bird appeared quite unafraid, and allowed us to approach fairly close before flying off. Michelle showed me the weekbix crumbs they had left out the night before - untouched. We decided that weetbix weren't part if its diet, and that it was most likely becoming exhausted and hungry.

What to do?

Rang security who appeared a few minutes later and presented me with a net. So I was going to catch it? By this time it had flown away out of the library and in the direction of the LC building. Without much hope of finding and catching it I set off anyhow. Up the stairs, along a corridor...no...back...up more stairs...hear a chirp...can't tell where it's coming from...keep looking...Ah.

Perched on a rubbish bin at the top of the stairs, giving the occasional chirp. I crept up stairs and readied the net, wondering how close I would get before it flew off. Closer, closer, more hopeful. It was a dear little bird, black with yellow markings. Closing in, I picked up the bottom of the net so i could catch it without hurting it, still wondering if I would really be able to do it without stuffing up. Yes.

I was able to gently put the net over the bird, who struggled for a couple of seconds and then went completely still. Hoping its little heart wouldn't give out I held the top of the net closed and took it downstairs to the library so Michelle could have a look. (I wanted proof that I did it). Together we took it outside to the back of the building. We spotted a nice large grevillea and I walked down the steps and set the net on the ground.

For a minute or so the bird just sat there on the ground, in the open net. Then it looked around and flew off, to my great delight. Not to the Robin Gordon (grevillea) but to another tree across the way.

That's what I consider tobe a good job done. The things we librarians have to do. Catching copperheads that stray into the building (yes it really happened) to catching and releasing birds. What next?

2008-08-08T15:09:00.002+10:00

I've been reading about the semantic web and think that I feel a grwoing excitement about it. I like the idea of more intelligent results and commend the W3C for moving onto RDF (Resource Description Framework) - based on XML.

Although, thanks to metadata, we are seeing glimmers of an intelligent web, I sense that it's only the first small step.

From my reading however, I get the feeling that those who know a lot more than me about this area are not too bothering by security. According to Tim Berners Lee "Techniques like viruses and chain letters, which we now think of as destructive, will become ways of getting a job done." I'm a newbie to this and can't take that particular jump in my head right now.

Still, in my youth I was an avid reader of sci fi for a while and this seems to be bringing it to life. I think the particular book was "The final encyclopaedia". Or was it? Lost in the mist of time I think.

Things I'm excited about right now are: the Olympic games and watching the opening tonight while sitting in front of a roaring fire, glass of chardy in hand, the fun and successful mid year orientation this week, the fact that I have made it through another week, swing dancing next Monday night.

What I'm not excited about; daughter and fiance moving back home this weekend, and getting them moved (urgh), resulting lack of any spare room. Housework.

2008-08-06T19:24:00.002+10:00

This evening I tried out Voyager RSS feed.
It's certainly different from the one I joined last year (Google reader I think) . Voyager is quite attractive really. I like the way the screen changes as you move the mouse around - and the dark grey background looks quite elegant. I'm still wondering how you join up though - or sign in. I added my favourite ABC RSS feed but will it be there next time I look? And will it be available to everyone else? Maybe it's really clever and recognises my PC. I might keep checking.

Maybe I'll move onto the next thing now.

2008-07-30T14:22:00.002+10:00

Yep. Checked this out a couple of times. I think it looks really cute and apprecaite the graphics but can't really take it seriously. I'm happy to try out semantic web search engines but can't help thinking that if you do find something useful, it's probably due to serendipity.

That's my opinion for now and it's not set in concrete. I had a quick look at a couple of others and decided that it's still google for me but good to know what's new. I'd hate to be left behind.

2008-07-30T14:09:00.003+10:00

I have checked out number 2 of the 23 things plus 7. Vu Find. I liked the look of it, and like the way it can bring different front ends together. I just hope that the underlying system is good and powerful.; that's the most important thing for me, and lots of functionality.

I'm still not convinced that it's more intuitive either.

2008-07-23T17:51:00.002+10:00

Hi here I am again, this time to report that I have joined LinkedIn and started the next five things after the 23. It was thanks to my colleague Melinda in Hawthorn that nudged me to join and actually get started.
Previously I really didn't think I'd have the time - this whole semester break has been spent in a bit of a panic over all the things i was trying to implement. Today I have felt marginally more relaxed.

I did think that I might get the whole of the five things nailed this evening, assuming that it would be a quiet one. I was wrong. In 15 minutes I will be taking a class for a teacher who thought the same thing (quiet night in the library...perhaps the staff will take a tour and catalogue class for me). I must say that i do enjoy taking classes so an happy to do it. It's very declining when staff outnumber the students so the more the better!

On the home front I've been looking after my mother little Cairn terrier while she (mother) is visiting family in Scotland. She (wee dog) is a sweet thing but the cause of much jealously on the part of our Maltese/Shitzu terrier (more of a terror than a terrier). Fortunately mother sue back tomorrow.

2008-04-30T17:23:00.002+10:00

Yes I know it's been a long time between posts. It's getting to the pointy end of the semester as far as our students are concerned, and I guess the same goes for us. We're surveying them this week so down the track we'll find out whether they like us or not. There seem to be lots of them in here most of the time so if that's any indication......

It's 5.30pm on a cold Wednesday evening now. R and I are sharing the late shift as we have done for the past 11 or more years. To think that a few days ago (Friday) Two left feet and I were having a lovely swim at the McCrae foreshore. It was ANZAC day and we took the opportunity to visit my mother instead of painting the house or something equally industrious. I think that was our last swim for the season as it has turned quite cold and wintery now. Time for the fire to be lit; thankfully we are now well supplied with good seasoned wood.

What are my plans for the remainder of the evening? I want to check out the discussion board I set up for Online students on Facebook, do some selection, tidy up the library (I might have to do this very soon as it's incredibly messy) and draft the letter I want to send out to OUA unit conveners for the next teaching period. That might just about do it. Then it will be time to go home and hopefully the washing will be in, the menagerie fed and happy, the 'boys' fed and also happy (having cleaned up before I return home - in my dreams). I might even get time to knit a bit more of the rug I started a couple of days ago. Every now and then I get the urge to knit.

2008-02-22T15:55:00.004+11:00

Friday again, but what a week it's been!

Orientation for incoming first year students always challenges us, but in a very good way. The library ran a double workshop - library overview and network overview - both went well with all groups except one. This group was incredibly large but we didn't realise it until an additional 30 students turned up about 15 minutes late. We didn't do the best we could (which would have been to split them up) but the next best was still OK - sort of.

Each year we rearrange the front area of the library and have about 60 seats in rows. We had a trial run this year with the sorry speech broadcast in the library. Here's a link to a report in the local paper, and a couple of pictures that will give you the idea...

http://www.lilydaleyarravalleyleader.com.au/article/2008/02/19/29846_lev_
news.html

Because I didn't want to miss out on the fun i have worked two very long days this week since both turned out to be evening shifts as well. Last night was good; we had an orientation session for parents of new students. This has always been very popular at Lilydale and last night was no exception. I took a group of them on a tour of the campus (including training restaurant and kitchen thanks to Gage Rossiter who is the head of Hospitality appearing at just the right time). It was great fun and if the parents are any indication then I'm looking forward to their children starting up next week.

Today I work until 6pm and I plan to buy a bottle of icy cold chardonnay on my way home to celebrate making it to Friday night.

Tomorrow is number one's birthday; he will be 29. As is our custom we will gather together in our favourite Vietnamese restaurant in Richmond. Eight or nine of us depending on whether either of the grannies can come. Apart from that it looks as if it may be a quietish weekend but that will probably change.

The week will be quite busy - swing dancing, meetings, Keating the Musical.... I have also finally booked little dog in for a haircut. It was a toss up as to who needed it most, her or me. She is closer to the ground however and brings in all sorts of 'stuff' from the garden so her needs are greater than mine. I used to cut her hair but the kids complained about my lack of hairdressing skills, saying that I always gave her the worst mullet they'd ever seen.

2008-02-08T16:49:00.001+11:00

A month to the day since I last posted and I've run out of time to do this one any justice at all. I fully intended to post today but forgot until now and it's 4.50pm! The week has been busy but good and I feel as if i have accomplished a couple of things at least, thanks to those who have helped me. Thaks to Tom who loaded up my web page suggestions for OUA and Distance students, and thanks also to Debbi and Evan who made me a project. Thanks to them the e-business students will have a good online orientation.

Yesterday was my turn to attend VALA and it was quite useful - in fact it exceeded my (moderate) expectaions so i was pleasantly surprised.

Promise to add more next week; I really have to go now....

2008-01-08T13:38:00.000+11:00

Back again. Lovely Christmas, lots of family gatherings, lounging around reading books, a few days in Clunes and a couple at the beach. Time for a week's work before going on leave again.

23 things finale - or is it?

I was thinking about this earlier today, and decided that for me this project probably won't end. I think I may keep going with this blog, probably delicious since I like being able to access my bookmarks wherever I go; google docs definitely, Facebook....not sure. I very quickly got over throwing sheep around (I've noticed it's elephants now) but may have a quick look every now and then. Perhaps. I never got into MySpace but can see why some like it (rather a lot of them actually).

All good fun and some of it very useful, but hard to fit in with a busy real life.

Can I get my 23rd star now?

I just remembered that I forgot to ring the vet this morning. My old keplie (14 going on 15) has become a bit leaky lately and has had to go on hormone replacement therapy to dry off. We are in the process of getting her dosage right, so every few days i need to ring the vet and he adjusts the dose. Happily it's working and there have been no puddles in the house for a couple of weeks. This was really quite a disaster for us as this dog is definitely a house dog. As a kelpie she takes her duty of looking after family and home very seriously and there was no way she could be relegated to the outdoors permanently. I was also very grateful that we ripped out our carpets and polished the floorboards a few years ago.

2007-12-07T13:44:00.000+11:00

Hey there blog. At last I can relax about one thing. The Big Day In is over and considered to be very successful. Well; that's what people are telling me to my face and the photos on the wiki certainly look like happy ones on the whole.

The question is now: will Kath, Kim and Prue be put to bed or will they have to be resurrected one more time? Wigs are wonderful things even if the one I had to wear was a grey bob.
Yesterday I celebrated by joining my colleagues at a very lovely Christmas lunch for the Lilydale Campus staff, held at the Twisted Vine restaurant at Silvan. Beautiful views, reasonable food, great company and entertainment. Yes the library table won the trivia quiz. Again. The photo is a few of us relaxing after the win, courtesy of Left Foot.

Cat and fiance joined us for dinner last night and we then shopped for our first fake Christmas trees. We have always had real ones; for the last few years it's been one in a very big and heavy red ceramic pot. This has become increasingly difficult to bring inside as it has grown and become home to assorted insects. The men in the family grumbled so much about bringing it in last year that I threatened them with a fake and now we have it! It's quite nice really and doesn't have any insects, nor will it die or grow out of shape.

This evening another party. Albert Park, on a bus. I plan to have fun and will definitely seek out MG from Hawthorn to be my dance partner. With my swing dancing lessons and her Salsa we should do very well.

2007-11-28T16:19:00.000+11:00

Wednesday today; I'm out of my usual routine of blogging on Friday. Why is that?
Perhaps it's because I'm very tired and want to have a very small whinge. Of course it's all my fault; no one made me do all the things I've been doing and i could easily learn how to say no. There's also no reason for me to blog any more now that I've finished my 23 things, or consider that I have.

I discovered that I am a digital explorer at last week's CRIG Forum and that could be why I'm still blogging and keeping on in there.

Along with all the other things I've been doing this week my other dog got sick. She is too small to be sick for long and I was afraid she would disappear so....another very expensive trip to the vet. I think our vet is a very happy man when he sees me. Three ageing pets...lots of money for him. Still, he is very good and I often wish my doctor offered the same level of care. ("Now ring me tomorrow and let me know how she's going. I'll let you know then what to do next..")

Swing dancing was great fun on Monday night so there's one good fun thing I've done this week. Six beat Lindy Hop is lots of fun and we also learnt some easyish but very effective moves. The salt shaker was the best. Next week will be our last class for the year and I will be desolee for two months.

2007-11-23T16:21:00.000+11:00

It's been an interesting week. Tuesday was the annual round up of reference librarians, held at William Angliss and titled Bye Bye Powerpoint. I don't think I heard mention of powerpoint or its demise throughout the day but it was a good one in any case.

I particularly enjoyed Gregor Kennedy the keynote speaker, and the afternoon workshop on using Web 2.0 technologies. I identified myself as a digital explorer and as always it's helpful to know where you stand when you're endeavouring to incorporate these technologies into your classes/resources etc.

Did I feel slightly smug, knowing so much about web2.0 applications already? Definitely.

This week has really whizzed by and I guess it's because I haven't been at my desk all that much. Wednesday - evening shift, Thursday - day off to attend the funeral of a friend of my children. Today - meeting in the morning and now here I am, trying to catch up. I've just been speaking to Left Foot about the build up of excitement in the air (always a bit festy) in our office here ; election day tomorrow.

Will there be a change of government? Left Foot and I live in hope.

2007-11-16T14:53:00.000+11:00

Just checked the list of tasks to see what I've missed. It looks like web 2.0 and summing up.

Call me covered for web 2.0. I've read lots about it and many of the blogs I subscribe to have it pretty well covered. Never fear; I will not leave it alone but will continue to look at ways of engaging online students into a virtual learning community.

2007-11-16T14:26:00.000+11:00

I've been having some fun changing my blog settings. I really prefer the more lairy version but have been advised by better half that this is easier to read, not that I really expect anyone to be all that interested in my ramblings.

Having given up my car to my teenage son (19 so I'm making sure I make the most of his last teenage year, having had one or more of them for the past 16 years) yesterday, I enjoyed travelling to work on the train. Electing to disregard the minor problem of a cancelled train, I enjoyed having the time to read my current book, one of the Number 1 ladies detective agency series. I also bumped into other staff who were enjoying the use of public transport.

Since Grandma's car is sitting in our driveway waiting to be roadworthied for teenboy, I wonder if I will continue to travel by train when we're not sharing my car. Think I'll make a resolution to do that.

Have I made progress on 23 things this week? I won't be actually using Second Life since I'm not interested in getting pounced on even virtually, but I am very interested in the way one US university library has been using Second Life in their orientation programs. Here's a link to the Shifted Librarian's blog:
http://www.theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2006/04/12/second_library.html

Maybe I will have a go after all....

2007-11-07T19:47:00.000+11:00

A very quiet Wednesday evening allows me to post on my Blog once more.

I notice that I am not yet starred for Google docs, a product that really stars in my opinion, having used it to impress my brothers over the weekend. A very good thing if you happen to run out of H Drive.

Web 2.0. Yep. Been reading about that and using the products. What I like about Facebook is that somehow we have got a forum going for our online students....which reminds me, I'd better check it after I've done this.

Thanks to Bec who commented about my dog. She hasn't been to the specialist yet because she appears to have rallied for now. I searched the internet for laryngeal paralysis, prognosis, treatment etc and would definitely rather not put her through the operation just yet. She absolutely adores water but won't be able to swim (or bark) after the operation.

Back to 23 things. By my count I'm up to Second Life (which I have read about but wish to explore further) and feedback. For now it's back to facebook to check out the comments from online students.

2007-10-31T16:12:00.000+11:00

Spent a bit of time yesterday playing around with Google docs. What a concept! I'm most impressed. Saved a word document and even had a go of a spreadsheet. Does this mean that I don't need to worry about Office products at home?

My house looks quite good on Google maps; the hybrid version easiest of course as you do need the street names. Everything looks different from the air.

As for Google Books - it's been a while since I used this so had a bit of fun refamiliarising myself with it, looking up old favourites. John Buchan's turn yesterday. I think my whole online world is being rapidly Googlised. When i went into Google before of course there was my customised iGoogle page, where my daily sudoku tempted me sorely. Can I wait until my break? Guess I'll have to.

Today is my evening shift; happily I will be home by 9.30 so I can settle down to watch The Librarians. I've been assured that there aren't any buns or twin sets in sight so am determined to enjoy it. Now I need to ring about the scanners. There's some nasty malware appearing on many of the student computers that makes them work slow and in Chinese characters. The only solution is to reimage the computers and if they have scanners attached, then the scanning software has to be reinstalled.

2007-10-26T16:20:00.000+10:00

Yep. Friday again.
I'm pleased to report that the cat did not go to heaven; he had an anti-inflammatory injection instead and is spry and happy again. The old dog though, has been diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis and has a referral to see a specialist. I can hear the cash register ticking up the cost as I type. Oh dear.

This week I explored Google maps and was quite won over when I asked for the route from Ringwood to Point Cook. It appeared both on the map and also in exquisitely detailed directions. How did Google know that in all the world this was the Ringwood and Point Cook that I wanted? Very clever. I think I'll book my son's Yak52 extreme aerobatic flight after all! The trip there is nothing to worry about now I know how to use Google maps.

iGoogle is fun and so easy I wonder if I've done it correctly and as a librarian of course I've been searching Google books for some time.

Things yet to do: Play with Google docs and spreadsheets (urgh do I want to?), Second life : yes I will have a go because I've seen what some other libraries have done. Reading up on web2.0: I have already done quite a lot of reading on this topic (various articles and blogs I subscribe to) but am happy to do more.

I may even get started on some of this today since I am here until stumps. It seems like a good thing to do on a quietish Friday afternoon.

2007-10-19T13:05:00.000+10:00

Friday again.
I have just checked my star rating on the wiki and noticed that I must have forgotten to report some of the 23 things that I have done. Too much excitement I guess.
Del.icio.us: yes I've joined up to this. Yet to be convinced that it's better than favourites...I will keep adding to it and hope to be persuaded in the course of time.

Pets on wiki: of course they are! My two lovely girls (well dogs) are there for all to see. Also my gorgeous cat in pet heaven (actually he always looked like road kill before he actually was but we loved him!) I fear that I may have another candidate for pet heaven: another elderly cat who has been a) bashed up by another cat b) fallen out of a tree or off a roof or c) hit by a car (unlikely as he doesn't go anywhere much any more.) I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow and am wondering if he'll be coming home with me or ....will he have been sent to pet heaven? He's very old and both his right legs seem to be hurting him; no internal injuries as far as I can tell and he is still eating, drinking and generally being Woody in the woodpile. I think he feels safe there.

Podcasts: I've been enjoying the podcasts on the ABC website for some time now (time permitting) and also regularly listen to podcasts available through an accessibility mailing list in the US.

Facebook is still the best: I sent my daughter a birthday cake on it yesterday, instead of just throwing the customary sheep. I love those sheep.

2007-10-17T15:34:00.000+10:00

Facebook has won me over. I'm enjoying connecting with my kids, some of their friends and some of my ex youth group members in this way. The best bit is all the sheep I've been able to throw around.
MySpace; don't think this one is for me.
Flickr; yes enjoyed that one too and like checking out the kelpie group. My old kelpie has been to the vets this week and I've been informed that her heart is fine but there appears to be a growth in her throat that makes her couch so much. Could it be a piece of chop bone scavenged from the rubbish bin?

2007-10-09T13:39:00.000+10:00

I joined the Google Reader rss feed today. Since i have a Blogger account it did seem the simplest thing to do. When I log into one the other is there also and frankly the fewer passowrds I need to remember (and the less I need to type then) suits me fine. Anything for an easy life!

In any case, I did install an RSS feed onto my PC a year or more ago so I've had the practice. I've had a new computer since then and haven't got around to installing another one so thanks to this project I'm nicely and easily set up now.

Being a news junkie I immediately subscibed to the news feed but will probably delete it. It's all yank stuff. I will subscribe to the Distant Librarian (think I already have but am getting updates as emails) and the iLibrarian blogs, and also a couple of feeds on the ABC website just for fun.

I am just completing the report on my visit to Sarawak in July! I know it's a bit late but there really hasn't been any time before now. The report is turning into a bit of a saga so perhaps this blog might be the place for it. I'll think about that.

Have I passed the test for this week? Thank you 23 things team; I love that you are allowing me to do these things, although I may skip getting onto Second Life. Not sure if I care to get 'jumped'.

2007-10-04T11:38:00.000+10:00

...and I like this blog:
http://elearning.lse.ac.uk/blogs/socialsoftware/
Social software, libraries and distance learners.

How I wish I'd known about the Libraries without walls conference. I have always wanted to go to Greece! The program sounded good too by the way.

2007-10-04T09:50:00.000+10:00

I really like this Distance Librarian blog and have found it to be an invaluable resource for my new job. I've actually been reading the blog for many months now, but have only just subscribed to it. Here is the link:

http://distlib.blogs.com/distlib/2007/10/index.html

I notice that the University of Calgary library has just got their IM service going; lucky things are allowed to use Meebo to handle all their accounts (eg MSN, AIM, Yahoo). I'm so jealous.
I like this blog because it also belatedly affirmed my use of Camtasia to record a lecture for OUA students.
Captivate gets the thumbs up as well.

2007-10-01T14:01:00.000+10:00

Yes I bought my lovely tree and planted it on Saturday and no it doesn't take much to make me happy. I'm also happy that I drive a truck thing which carries just about anything.(I think they call them crew cab utes). It goes well with my kelpie although she is a bit spoilt and prefers to ride on the back seat.

Saturday's Grand Final win was VERY satisfying. I have a soft spot for the Cats even though they're not my team.

Top all that with a lovely vigorous walk along the McRae foreshore and almost being blown off the Rosebud pier, followed by fish and chips by a blazing fire and it was a perfect weekend.

Now to catch up with the 23...I already have my funny image (me Simpsonised see below). I have an avatar somewhere but I like the Simpsons one best.
Library thing ...yes I've joined that and have added some of my more recent favourites here:

Well I hope that works. I followed the instructions but the link doesn't look live yet.
The week is also starting nicely. Heath is back from leave; Blues Queen will be returning in a couple of days. Left Foot is still in Italy (I have been texting her with footy/Brownlow results etc) and Cee should have made it to Bali by now. I will enjoy my work and my tree.

2007-09-28T13:24:00.000+10:00

The end of another busy week. Left foot, Heath and Blues Queen are all on leave having a wonderful time but Cee and I have managed to soldier on. Cee is having her turn away next week. I won't be going anywhere but I'm getting excited at the thought of buying a tree. How tragic.
I think I've done all my 23 things for the week; have enjoyed making a few comments on people's blogs but haven't really had a lot of time. Thanks for commenting on mine and I promise to find a nice picture of my kelpie girl(quite a nice backview on the wiki).

2007-09-25T11:17:00.000+10:00

My Youtube contribution; the next best thing to Swing dancing (doesn't go down too well in a library) is a bit of dominoes;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwihz7iZlx0

2007-09-21T13:52:00.000+10:00

Today I joined another group on Flickr, out of respect to my ageing but fanatically loyal kelpie whose job in life is to look after and love me and my family for the term of her life. Her heart, eyes and ears are starting to fail but in spite of all that she still enjoys her food with gusto, loves the idea of going for a run and starts off with a spring in her step. She explodes out of the door but very soon slows down and trots along happily, even though her breathing becomes fast and noisy.

2007-09-19T19:36:00.000+10:00

Joined the "I am a librarian" Flickr group today, and tagged one of my photos. Now I'm waiting for it to appear on the group website...

2007-09-19T17:10:00.000+10:00

This is me, simpsonised. I think the only likeness is that I do wear red. A lot.

2007-09-17T11:59:00.000+10:00

Reporting in again, after a relentless weekend. Swing dancing at the Fun Pit was great fun on Friday night and well worth the effort of getting there, even though I was accompanied by two left feet. The remainder of the weekend was so busy that it's really quite nice to get to work. A bit like a rest, really.

I have read the comments on my blog (thank you) and also made a comment or two on other blogs. Is that my 23 things for the week?

2007-09-14T13:05:00.000+10:00

Friday once more and I'm about to go home (well, in and hour or so). It's the end of a very busy week with few spare moments. Tonight I plan to find a second or third wind and go to the Fun Pit in Richmond for some swing dancing. A nice way to end the week if I can do it.

I won't be dancing quite to this standard:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttOfEUQ3aLY
and that's the slow verson. Here's the fast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3lms8aG4z4&mode=related&search

No real progress on the 23 things except to try out a few things on Facebook. That was fun.

2007-09-10T13:02:00.000+10:00

This is my flickr account:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12662167@N06/

This is my Facebook:
http://swinedu.facebook.com/profile.php?id=542783518

and MySpace:
http://home.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user&Mytoken=1189394087114

I think I like Facebook best.

2007-09-07T16:25:00.000+10:00

Friday again and another week over. Where do they go?
I've noticed some of our other 23 things blogs are including favourite quotes. I have collected some favourites but am not sitting at that computer.
Here's one for starters that I do like:
Outside of a dog a book is man's best friend......inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
(Groucho Marx)

Here's another by Groucho:
I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.

Mark Twain is pretty good too:
Be careful of reading health books; you may die of a misprint.

That's all for today.

2007-08-29T17:30:00.000+10:00

Blogging again twice in one week! Unbelievable!

H and I went to the launch of the 23 things (as I mentioned we would) and it was quite different from what we expected. I envisaged very nice food and drink, a couple of speeches perhaps, and some nice socialising. I was looking forward to catching up with my old Deakin buddies.

Instead...a couple of minutes chatting to L and J then about two hours worth of presentation. Actually the presenter, Stephen Abram, was exceptionally good and very interesting even though I had to rest my eyes a couple of times. I think he and we were a little shabbily treated. We should have started a bit earlier and allowed a break in the middle for a scone or something nice like that. Another larger room would have been a good thing also. Air conditioning even better.

Anyhow we are now duly launched and it is nice to be able to blog and manitain my Facebook and MySpace accounts with the blessing of my leaders, so thank you all.

Now I think I'll do some selection and work on spending my budget.

Happy evening.

2007-08-27T11:19:00.000+10:00

Today we are going to Deakin University for the launch of our collaborative 23 things project. I'm going mainly because i hope to catch up with some of my old Deakin friends, having qworked there for a few years last millennium.
Since part of the project involves keeping a blog, I thought I would resurrect this one. Perhaps I'll be better at using it than in my previous attempts.

One of my interests is youth and how they engage/learn so this project interests me greatly. I have already created a MySpace and Facebook, and felt quite proud of myself until my son John showed me his. It's really incredible, and he has obviously spent a lot of time putting his personality into it. Mine is very boring by comparison so I guess I'll have to do something about that.
The thing I like about MySpace is that I seem to have joined a community of Swinburne MySpacers. I have posted (is that the term?) some comments in a couple of discussions and enjoyed reading comments from students.

This all makes me feel very young and modern.

2006-12-07T13:43:00.000+11:00

I really must stop myself from feeling so peaceful at this time of year. If I'm to get everything done for Christmas that needs doing, only panic stations will do. So far - not one present bought or card written. I have done the Kringle list for my side of the family though so that's something.

We had our Faculty Christmas dinner yesterday and it was quite a lot of fun. The food was traditional and pretty good, entertainment OK although not as good as previous years. Perhaps people were happier then. That's one thing done....how many more to go? And I still have to get to the shops.

I'm still feeling mildly euphoric over completing my Grad Cert. I hated it hanging over my head for the past three years. It took so long because I needed a couple of semesters off. This morning i had a look at my written assignment with a view to tweaking it for publication and noticed a couple of errors! I can't understand how they got past my radar; I went over it so many times! Have to fix that. I'll certainly try to get it published or present it somewhere (interesting I hope - perhaps the Maldives? Rome? Paris?). It a bit of a luxury having something more or less ready to go. In the past I have submitted abstracts and then had to hurriedly cobble a paper together. Much stress!

This evening I will be chairing a meeting, tomorrow I hope I don't have to go to Phillip Island to pick No 4 child up from schoolies week. I hope he gets a lift with someone responsible. He doesn't have his license yet but is booked in to do the test later this month. I'm not sure if he will pass first time, and must resolve to give him some more practice in the next couple of weeks. That would make me feel better about sharing the road with him. ot that we can beacuse I have a feeling that he thinks he'll be driving my car. Tomorrow night it's another Christmas party..oh dear.

2006-12-06T11:22:00.000+11:00

I'm not sure why I've decided to renew my acquaintance with blogging. Perhpas it's because I've finished my course; it took 2 semesters longer than intended but never mind. All completed as of yesterday.
Funnily enough, this blog was intended to be my reflective journal and it's been anything but that. Still, the last couple of years have been pretty good. Very busy of course but still - not bad at all. Academia runs on a pattern that somehow reflects the seasons. Once again our students have finished for the year and people (not librarians) are wondering what I'm still doing at work. As I'm not an angry sort of person (fairly peaceful really) I can't say that comment makes me angry, but I certainly do feel a bit indignant.

What do I do when the students aren't here?
Get ready for when they return
Revise class notes
Plan class times
Plan orientation and train O Hosts
Review parts of the book collection
Work out next year's rosters
Plan the training day for casual staff
Network with academic staff and support their research requirements
Tidy up
Plan new services; currently it's getting IM up and running
.....and lots more.

I might actually have some time off. My mother is still very much alive and her new hip behaving wonderfully. Although she doesn't exactly do cartwheels on the beach any more, she has actually retired (did this at age 77) and now enjoys book club, U3A, working in Vinnie's kitchen twice a week, and also volunteers in a hospice. She won't be dying of boredom anytime soon.

There's no such thing as family holidays for us any more. Number one moved out of home 7 years ago and seems to be doing very well. Number two has returned home twice but lives his own life. Number three has returned home after an overseas trip and her fiance seems to have moved in also. He came for a week over two years ago and is still here. He lives in what will become my walk in robe. One day. Number four has just finished school and is currently celebrating the fact by being at 'schoolies'. Actually it's more lilke commiserating as he has always liked school, socially rather than academically. We're not holding our breath for Monday when the results are released.

Better go now as there's stuff I need to do....

2004-05-19T15:56:00.000+10:00

The semester is drawing to a close for some of our students and i can really notice the change. An element of desperation has crept in. You should have seen the response when I posted the Exam timetable. Still, it's nice to see them all working so hard. Not a bad bunch really. I'm just glad that the subject i am doing doesn't have exams. I think that was one of the attractions when I applied to do the course.Of course they are working me pretty hard in other ways and I have done heaps of reading. And writing.

I'll have a good opportunity to do some more catch up reading next week because i am arranging to have a week off to look after my mother who is about to come out of hospital after a hip replacement. This time last week we weren't sure if she would survive the operation after she developed a pulmonary embolism. A few scary days followed but then she rallied round, the embolism dissolved and now there's no stopping her.

Now I'm worried that she will try to rehabilitate so hard that she will fall and actually break her hip. Back to square one or worse then.

Well it's got busier here and I've lost my train of thought so I will finish up here. In the meantime I'm going to have fun thinking up nicknames for my four offspring so i can write about them next time.

2004-04-28T19:55:00.000+10:00

Hello,
I decided that now is the time for me to develop a blog. All my friends are doing it so why not? Today is as good a day as any. At present I am working the evening shift and all seems quiet, all systems working well. That is just as well because it's been quite dodgy today - well, late this afternoon really. One of the student servers crashed and the poor darlings couldn't access their work. It was serious enough for the technicians to be recalled on their way home. I'm glad about that.
I wonder what home will be like when I eventually get there. A mess? Fights? Who knows.