Greetings all,

Just a reminder that I'm hosting the next Down Under Feminist's Carnival and that I'd love to have as many people submit as possible!! I'm particularly interested in posts that explore invisible sexism or something to do with the proverbial 'elephant in the room'.

From Hoyden About Town:

All flavours of feminism are welcome; however, the host has the final say on what they wish to publish. New bloggers and established bloggers are all welcome – participating in a carnival is a great way to join in the community. Formed ideas and unformed ones are all fine. All posts must be from Australian or New Zealander bloggers, and must be feminism-related (including intersectionality) and/or on feminist blogs. Submit your own posts, and those of others. Please don’t be shy – submit, submit, submit.


You can send me your submission two ways, you can submit through Blog Carnival or email me: transcendancing at gmail dot com.

The month is shaping up to be a brilliant one already thanks to those whom have already submitted - I'm very excited!!

I can't wait to read all your lovely posts!! Please pass this around the blogosphere so that others know what's going on and when and that I'd *love* their submissions :)

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... nil

I have finished my exams for 2009!

Also, there is a significant likelihood of a High Distinction in 'Introduction to Public Relations' which I'm thrilled about. Especially since most of the knowledge came from textbook supplemented by reading I've already done out of interest, things I've already done in the arena and other such things. People, I seem to have a natural knack/instinct for PR. Now to combine this with my Cultural Studies Powers of Win!

Very much looking forward to getting on with my many 'Summer' projects :)

- WASFF values statement (offers of assistance welcome)
- SELP community project - Self Wedding Series across Australia :)
- Reading for pleasure
- Overnight and multi-night adventures depending on who is interested in taking a mini (CHEAP) trip with me
- learning to have fun, be playful, not serious, not always do the 'right' thing
- try new things as they occur as opportunities
- spend time with *awesome* people.

I'm in love with the world, and in love with the people in my life. All of you.

Where am I? Murdoch Tav Feeling... ecstatic Compelled listening... Ring of Fire - not the Johnny Cash version (who else could sing it well?)

A friend of mine is trying to stop the poorly thought out development in her area of Wattle Grove. She's put together this website, and under the 'What Can I Do' tab is the option for a letter wizard. I have my letter ready to mail off, and if you agree that the development shouldn't go ahead I invite you to do the same: http://ruralwattlegrove.com/

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... thoughtful Compelled listening... nil Define... # activism

...disappointment sneaks up on you.

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... disappointed Compelled listening... nil Define... # disappointment

First Year Units (I have to choose 2)

Introduction to Literature
http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/units/detail.lasso?unit=EGL121&year=2010
The unit introduces a wide and challenging range of literary texts. Designed to provide an essential foundation for further literary studies, the unit encourages students to explore different ways of reading and interpreting genres: narrative fiction, poetry and drama. This unit should also have wide appeal to enterprising students from other majors who are interested in reflecting on the role and value of literature in society.

Introduction to Community Development
http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/units/detail.lasso?unit=COD125&year=2010
This unit introduces students to sociological approaches to community development, with particular reference to its application in the Australian context. It will examine the emergence of the concept of community development and its meanings across diverse areas of practice. A key focus of the unit will be challenges posed by matching theory and practice in community development. Towards this end students will be expected to become familiar with, and aware of the limitations of key methodologies in community development.

Critical and Creative Thinking
http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/units/detail.lasso?unit=PHL131&year=2010
Achieving a high level of critical and creative thinking is one of the most important goals of a university education. This unit aims to enhance the thinking and communication skills that are fundamental to all of your academic studies. Employers in most professions and industries regard these abilities as essential. Effective thinking demands rigorous analysis, imagination and insight. In this unit you will develop and practise these skills and learn how to structure a successful, systematically reasoned essay.

Introduction to History
http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/units/detail.lasso?unit=HIS181&year=2010
Different societies and different groups within a society construct different histories. By analysing these different histories, students are introduced to the historian's craft and to the nature of historical knowledge. Topics include: The European witch hunts; British colonisation of New South Wales; Ned Kelly; the significance of the 1914-18 War for Australia; 'Typhoid Mary'; the dropping of the atomic bombs on Japan; the Holocaust as history.

Introduction to Sociology
http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/units/detail.lasso?unit=SOC134&year=2010
To what extent are we products of our social environments? How do gender, class, ethnicity, ideology etc., influence how we think and act? What is power, how is it used, by whom, and for what ends? What methods can we use to study society? Examine Australian society, using research and insights from sociological theories on the nature of social institutions, power and inequality and the possibility of social change. Have your assumptions challenged and your understanding of the world stimulated.


Then, I get to do a second year unit... I have to pick 1.... (I should point out that there some *very* cool units mentioned on the search that aren't being offered in 2010 alas). Link for the degree is here:
http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/courses/detail.lasso?us=88566&year=2010 Just so you know what my second year constraints are :)

Television and Video Cultures (CORE ELECTIVE 1 OF SEVERAL TO CHOOSE FROM, NEED 2 ALL UP)
http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/units/detail.lasso?unit=MCC219&year=2010
This unit examines the cultures which form around television and video technologies. It considers the rise to dominance of broadcast television and the contemporary transformations which are now displacing it. Students will gain an understanding of the distinctiveness of television and video as media and the social and economic forces which have shaped their development. Topics may include: music video, gendered performance in talk shows, reality television, home video and digital storytelling, interactive television and video-downloads.

Popular Culture and Everyday Life (CORE UNIT)
http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/units/detail.lasso?unit=MCC235&year=2010
Develops an awareness of critical themes, research methods and forms of writing appropriate to the study of 'everyday life'. Topics covered include suburbia, shopping, food, sex and urban space. Students will be introduced to major traditions of thinking about the everyday and sensitised to the major forces which are moulding everyday life in the twenty-first century. They will also have the opportunity to develop skills in research with possible applications across the academy, government, industry and the media.

Professional Communication
http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/units/detail.lasso?unit=MCC246&year=2010
This unit teaches students theoretical foundations and practical skills in professional communication. Students critically analyse different modes and genres of communication including public information, rhetorical communication, organisational communication and interpersonal communication. Students will gain skills in planning strategic communication, writing and delivering speeches, integrating visual communication in written work, writing reports, editing written material, conducting interviews and managing professional communication projects.

Moral and Political Philosophy
http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/units/detail.lasso?unit=PHL219&year=2010
Moral and political philosophy is about the study of the values, rules and justifications we use in deciding how we should live individually and together with other people. Questions such as: How do we know right from wrong? What makes a person good? and What makes a society just? are explored in light of the diversity of cultures and values, and the unprecedented freedom of choice for some people in a world of increasing inequalities and exploitation of others.


Apologies for length. However, if I cut the likelihood of a particular person offering their opinion is rather low, and I sincerely hope they'll offer their thoughts, thus I choose not to cut.

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... tired Compelled listening... nil Define... # choices, future, possibilities, study, thoughtful, uni

From Gay in WA blog:

http://gayinwa.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35:pride-parade-survey-results-and-discussion-paper&catid=3:daniel-smith&Itemid=1

Following the near financial collapse of Pride WA at the end of 2007, successive Pride Committees have returned the organisation to a financially viable position. The Committees have taken decisions that have seen Fairday continue to grow and the Pride Party regain its popularity, with both events outsourced to private sector operators to remove financial risk and return a profit to Pride.
The above achievements indicate that Pride has been well managed by successive Committees over the last two years.
Independent of the strong event and management achievements of successive Committees over the last two years, it has been observed that both Pride Parade participation and spectator numbers have declined during this time and that this decline has continued a decline that has been occurring for a number of years.

Where am I? home Feeling... thoughtful Compelled listening... nil Define... # activism, making a difference, perth, pride, queer rights, social

So randomly I logged into Twitter, only to see @messages for me (not direct ones), and apparently around November 4th I missed *something*

The person in question mentioned pharoah_katt as well and shrydar and I'm wondering if either of you have any clue what this was referring to? My own tweets give me no clue at all.

*boggle boggle*

Balancing that little moment of WTFpolarbear?! Was WildlyP prodding me for chat which will be awesome now that I've seen the message and have even now responded - almost 2 weeks since I've paid any vague attention to Twitter - go me for attention and concentration to study (on and off), but fail for people contacting me and wishing to engage and me ignoring them! Sorry WildlyP!

I have studied my butt off today, and I'm feeling alright about the exam, I feel like it will be hard to fail it, even if I don't acquit myself as well as I'd like :)

This week is going to be huge, the weekend also huge, and by the time Monday 23 rocks up, I may just fall over in relief :)

Am already excited and interested to look at what units I can do for Semester 1 2010 though :) Going to do a unit internally too!!!

Went for a really lovely walk with black_samvara tonight, and we were then pounced by Fremantle, and headed there with the intent of Bollywood dancing, this was preceded by kuey teow *omnomonom* and then down to the Freo Esplanade - to see a dance party of Bollywood awesomeness, but alas we had the doggy and didn't want to subject him to the crowd - next time baby!!! I so need to go festival evening dancing.

Actually that goes on my list of things to learn/practise:

- having fun
- playing
- getting in trouble or not always doing the perceived 'right' thing
- adventuring!

Also, I got marks back on my lecture analysis reports - the fucking terrible experience that it was, I got a HD. Win. Still want to kill the tutor however. Grateful to everyone I cried on, who hand held, who read stuff, explained stuff, comforted or reassured me in any way shape or form. Thank you, seriously thank you. Also to those of you who edited the things, in getting them back I became aware that you were far better editors than my tutor :P This makes me happy, and I love you all lots.

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... nil

Learning about Hiroshima and the concept of violence - on a mass authorised scale I believe rather than other kinds. I'm just devastated inside. I hurt so much, and I'm so upset over this. I don't understand at all. I just don't.

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... uncomfortable Compelled listening... nil

This looks so amazingly cool, and has *so* much potential. I invite you to take a look at what's proposed and join in if it interests you. It speaks to me of 'many hands make light work' and that the many hands could really do something to benefit the world, and make a difference from local scale differences to worldwide global differences. I love that idea!

http://www.idealist.org/more

From the beginning of the proposal:

Imagine, Connect, Act
It's time for the world's idealists to work together (seriously)
Walk down the street or open any newspaper, and you'll see something that will make you think, “It's 2009, we have governments, organizations, universities, TV, radio, email, cell phones, a space station... and this is happening? Why?”

Probably for many reasons, all of which can seem beside the point. You know that this—whatever story or situation struck you—is wrong or sad or scary or a horrible waste. And we all know that with all the resources we have now we should be able to do much more about so many of our local and global problems.

The trouble, of course, is that life is complicated. People have egos and interests and different opinions, and groups have histories and conflicts. These things are real and they will always be with us, but what if there is a way around them? What if by looking at the world from a different point of view we can quickly build a network of people and organizations that will allow us to make the most of what each of us has to offer, online and in person?

What you'll find here is a vision for this network, a path and a timeline to get there, and an invitation to be part of this movement from the very start.

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... ecstatic Compelled listening... nil

The week has been crazy and I've swung between feeling in control, full of life and knowing that I'm doing all the right things for bringing a wonderful future into the now. And other times I've just been clinging to the skin of 'I know it gets better than this'.

This morning was very much the latter, left my keys at home and poor buoy_wonder had to come and let me in, I messed up part of the cash up from the night before and had to redo it, then redo the float county thing, then the bank ran out of $5 and $10 notes and I had to convince another bank to give them to me, I found out that the payments I've made this year against my default have been going to the wrong account thanks to inadvertent human error, and one of my final assignments somehow got substituted for an earlier version which got marked as 'not passing'. So, not great :P

The wins of the day were: Great coffee from JK's where my barista Dave continues to make with the awesome coffee! Toasted ham and cheese sandwich! Sold quite a lot of books! No more boxes of books arrived, thus books actually managed to find shelf space with some creativity. K was in the city and gave me his key to get in home rather than me being forlornly hoping it somehow would all work out. I did well in my job interview. A friend made a comment that pinged me pretty badly, but was incredible in owning it and seeing the impact and moving forward (seriously awesome and wonderful and validating!), Google Wave shenanigans! Wonderful time spent tonight conversing with a dear friend who kindly helped me drink a great bottle of Rose, learning about physics and economics and continuing our ongoing conversation about social justice, communication and human relatedness. Tentative plans for adventuring away for a night, just to get away and recharge, with all the work my friend has upcoming between now and January. I have found acceptance in however Monday's exam will go. I'm not prepared, no idea how I can be and really at this point... all I can do is my best and hope.

So. Clearly the good outweighs the bad.

Let me expand on a couple of things...

Google Wave reminds me in a few ways of all the best bits about when I used to chat on MIRC, in the sense of being able to connect with so many people, with no apparent or immediate connection save the technology and whatever information we choose to engage with - thankfully we seem to have moved on from the 'ASL?' question :P I'm loving the scope of this and can see so much potential inside of it as it grows from a baby technology to something truly spectacular - I'm going to love all the playing and testing I can do (especially after next week).

Tonight I had the best explanation for physics *ever* in how it's a bit like a fairytale, which has no need to consider truth, only usefulness. And that usefulness can be measured in such a way as in throwing an object, and that the object is subject to a *magical force* that we decide to call gravity, or that the lemon is not subject to force in the air at all, and thus is going in a straight line, which appears to us as curved cos there's this crazy idea that time and space might be bent. I love how the quantum bits make sense to me moreso than the other bits.

And now, I am going to go to bed at a reasonable hour, and spent the weekend studying (except for an engagement party I'm going to for a little while).

Will have more interesting things to say after my last exam Friday, till then it's probably going to be more of the same :)

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... loved Compelled listening... nil

So! This morning courtesy of angriest I've worked out what I'd like to do for my birthday.

Upstart Theatre Company is presenting a free performance of Othello, and there's a performance on November 29th, which is pretty much the only free time between now and the end of the year with everyone else having awesomely significant birthdays :)

So, full details yet to be decided but I'm looking to culminate a day/afternoon experience with a picnic for the performance as my birthday celebration and would love people to join me for this. If you're interested (or have additional suggestions) please comment or email me ^_^ transcendancing at gmail dot com.

Details of the event:

Upstart Theatre Company invites you to
Shakespeare on the Lake: Othello
Directed by Joanne Williams
FREE EVENT

One of Shakespeare’s most gripping tales and containing some of his most beautiful language, Othello explores the all-too-human traits of jealousy, obsession, and revenge.

Audiences will be able to picnic under the stars, and be transported to a world full of exotic sights, sounds, and smells as they witness the deception and cruelty of the avaricious lago as he plots to bring ruin upon Othello’s successes.


Woodlake Amphitheatre, Woodlake, Ellenbrook
Corner of Highpoint and Woodlake Boulevards
November 20th, 27th and 29th at 7:00pm
November 22nd at 5:30pm (Matinee)
For more information call 0414 474737
http://upstarttheatrecompany.blogspot.com

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... nil

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them

Lest We Forget

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... thoughtful Compelled listening... nil Define... # rememberance

Does anyone have a PDA that they're not using any longer that I could buy or borrow off you indefinitely?

I'm not feeling particularly fussy but not a brick, and not ancient would be ideal, though if it's a few years old, no problem. I want to be able to sync to my google calendar and plan stuff, handwriting recognition is a plus, and ideally is something i could read ebooks on. Unsure what else is relevant to add but happy for advice.

Finding that being out of touch with my google calendar is harder and harder, and still having little luck with keeping a paper diary.

Where am I? home Feeling... hopeful Compelled listening... nil Define... # help, tech

Greetings all,

Just a quick message to mention that I'll be collating the December Down Under Feminists' Carnival and I'm looking forward to reading all your submissions!!

Here's what you need to know:

Optional theme: Invisible sexism – The Elephant in the Room.

Submissions to transcendancing at gmail dot com for those who can’t access blogcarnival.

Information about the carnival is available at Hoyden About Town here.

The carnival is open to submission from anyone blogging from the Australian New Zealand region and I'm looking forward to meeting some of you who I've only been reading for a while!

I love carnival time - it's so exciting! I shall have to get my socks together so that I can put my own post together for submission (oh exams why do you take up so much of my life).

December 5th the Carnival launches - you have till November 30th to submit (but email me before the 5th if you have something and won't make the deadline).

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... hot Compelled listening... "Silence" - Delerium

I'm working at the bookshop today *joy*


I handed in my last assignment this morning - just the exam preparation to go! OMG no idea how I'll do it. Can't wait to collapse!

I'd love to do a super cheap getaway weekend to Margaret River, driving down, camping somewhere cool, and tasting lots of wine and only buying a bottle or two to drink under the stars with company.

I'm interested in any kind of day tripping or overnight tripping adventures actually.

Started my Self Expression and Leadership Program on Saturday - wow, this is going to be so awesome and so much fun! I get to create a community project, and I'm so excited about this! I have a few ideas, but mostly I'm looking at the communities in my life atm and working out which one I'd love to work with and see what occurs as awesome from there :) Loving the creative process!

Cry Havoc inspired me at the level of monologues again - these are my favourite pieces of theatre writing, and seeing the play last week reminded me of this. I expect that just being interested in writing monologues isn't useful however :P Maybe I'll look into this script writing thing afterall :)

Okay, enough of this procrastination thing, time to study while everything is quiet! :)

Where am I? Fantastic Planet Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... nil Define... # amazing conversations, assignment, inspiration, study, transcendence, work

leastconcern
Hi! I am looking for a few titles for a research project I am doing. It's about the comparison/contrast of the Deaf and Queer (focus on Trans/Intersex) cultures. I would like to just borrow for the book no longer than a month, I promise not to highlight in it or dogear. I take good care of books, and will promptly return them no less than a month. If you have a title (or any that fit under this theme), please comment and we can get in touch via private message to discuss semantics :) I have plenty of deaf (written by deaf authors, sans Harlan Lane) books, just not a lot of queer ones (ironically...) Our libraries (and I searched them all through the SAILS network, including college libraries) do not have these titles, so suggestions of looking for the library are unhelpful!

No Pity: People With Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement by Joseph P. Shapiro

Fear Of A Queer Planet: Queer Politics and Social Theory by Michael Warner

Intersex and Identity: The Contested Self by Sharon E. Preves

Transgender Rights by Paisley Currah

Enforcing Normalcy: Disability, Deafness, and the Body by Lennard J. Davis

Transgender History by Susan Stryker

Just Add Hormones: An Insider's Guide to the Transsexual Experience by Matt Kailey

Transmen and FTMs: Identities, Bodies, Genders, and Sexualities by Jason Cromwell

In a Queer Time and Place: Transgender Bodies, Subcultural Lives by Judith Halberstam

Sexing the Body: Gender Politics and the Construction of Sexuality by Anne Fausto-Sterling

No Pity : People with Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement by Joseph P. Shapiro

Imagining Transgender: An Ethnography of a Category by David Valentine

The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals by Stephanie A. Brill

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... "Release" - George Define... # help, queer, study

I've submitted my essay for Ideas in Action *relief*! I think it's a decent effort - hopefully worth an HD, as I could really use one in this particular unit given the awfulness of the tutor.

I'm not looking forward to the exam, but am cheered by the thought of exam prep with a study partner. It's almost like being an internal student!! *grin*

Have my PR Journal which is also due in today (Friday, no I'm not paying attention to the time :P) but I still have some work to go on it. I don't think it's a huge amount, and the assignment itself should be a pretty damned good study for that exam which is kind of awesome.

Next week shall be the land of lectures and note taking and trying to suck all the information out :)


Job hunting is still pants as far as being employed in such a way as being able to support myself, however there has been validation related awesomeness happening, so yay for that at least, it tells me that I'm following the right course of action however difficult I'm finding it to resist capitulating and taking yet another dead end admin job.


I am making fantastical travel plans that exist in a real sense in my commitment to doing them or something like them, but are in no way practically possible going by the $ factor.

I am feeling compelled to go on spontaneous adventures - instead of going home or doing what I'm 'supposed to do' to just, grab some clothes and go on an adventure and explore - without any real planning or decision making or forethought, just letting whimsy and intuition guide me and educate me. I have fantasy's of super cheap trips to Margaret River, camping and tasting lots of wine and lamenting not buying any. e_dan and MS's trip across the Nullabour and back make me hunger for the desert at night time, with all it's wonder - especially at this time of year.

My energy feels vibrant and sometimes fraught - as if I'm only being held back by some fragile string - that perhaps does not exist at all. I don't think it's necessarily good or bad, but it is interesting. My exploration for this year was 'self expression' which also occurs to me as 'exploration', and it has been at that. Fucking year of many opportunities for growth. It's been amazing, and intense, and painful and loving and sad and transcending. I'm still tackling the fact that I keep trying to make myself small, to keep myself back and to keep myself safe rather than actually risking falling flat on my face and failing but having tried to do something more awesome than I think I can do. Baby steps - even as I am committed to let go of this ongoing conversation, it's a bit like kicking and screaming inside my head; it would appear that I am terrified of actually trying, and worse than failing: succeeding. Then I'd really know anything was possible and all the half thought dreams and hopes in my head might actually also be able to come true. Imagine that. *waves to brain which has run off screaming*

So my life is filled with an abundance of love, from almost every imaginable angle. What balance is lacking I am seeking. Some of this is within, and some of this is inside of new connection. I am grateful and happy, committed to learning and growing and always falling in love with the people in my life. However hard the work is sometimes... it has never not been worth it - not when I keep seeing the things I value most becoming ever *more* in my life.

And now, I think bed rather than switching to what's left of PR to do. That shall be Sunday's task.

Oh, but before I go... reasons why ascetic_hedony is one of my favourite and best loved people in the world: (edited from FB)

Ascetic_Hedony: @Damian - 2 hours to go
@James - A Masters was enough for me, I try to avoid masochistic behaviour. I guess some people feel differently

Mynxii: You're one of my best friends and you say you're not into masochistic behaviour?

Ascetic_Hedony: @Ju - I guess that either makes you the exception, or simply exceptional ;)

Mynxii: awwww *is all melty* You're just the awesomest :) *loves*

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... thankful Compelled listening... "Try Not to Breathe" - REM Define... # adventures, amazing conversations, amazing friends, assignment, exploration, life, love, self, self growth, travel, uni, update

Cry Havoc is one of the best pieces of theatre I've ever seen. It's my favourite tied with 'The Oresteia' which I saw last year, also at The Blue Room.

The play is Julius Ceasar x West Wing plus much Grant Watson insight and brilliance. Particularly of note is the monologue in the second half - absolutely captivating.

The performances in this play are truly outstanding. Going to see this performance is worth cancelling things for. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... impressed Compelled listening... "Hilli" - Amina Define... # amazing friends, culture, politics, transcendence

I really want to see Cry Havoc - cheapest option is if I get a group of 5 together, then its $12 each.

But failing that I'd also just really like company to enjoy the play with.

Any one interested?

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... thoughtful Compelled listening... nil Define... # amazing friends, culture

This is coming up so quickly now!! Wow!! I'm still hoping that I might be able to get there for an afternoon or something if I am a good student between now and then!

The weekend is relaxed and friendly with a little bit of something for everyone. There are facilitated discussions looking at topics that are meaningful to people at the moment. The program of discussions is here:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=thr6HMl4wKUdO5TTxaXrj0w&single=true&gid=1&output=html

Other things going on include games like Bocce, Art, Craft not to mention the Library will be there as usual inviting you to curl up with a cup of something in the sunshine and read :)

We are going to Bickley Brook campsite in Orange Grove, as per previous femmeconnes. It is a pleasant spot with bush and dormitory accomodation. Their website is at:

http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/index.php?id=352

Summary Details:

Friday Nov 13 - Sunday Nov 15
Start time: 4pm Friday
End time: 3pm Sunday
Where: Bickley Brook - Orange Grove
Cost: $80 for the weekend including accommodation or $35 per day pass.

Cost includes tea, coffee, hot chocolate and milks as well as fruit for snacks. Other food is the responsibility of individuals.

I love that this weekend is so relaxing - I love spending time with people and getting to know them better where the atmosphere is relaxed. I love the discussions and have learned a lot over the past couple of years from them.

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... "Hands" - Jewel Define... # femmeconne, women

I have a dilemma for Femmeconne coming up - it's scheduled for the weekend that I have just realised is directly before my exams.

So I don't know if I'll make it at all, and if I do it will only be for some of the time.

I'm one of the people who's been supporting kitsune_iii in putting the event together, so this is me asking if there's someone who would be willing to take on a support role to her and callistra for the weekend.

What's involved?

Generally being supportive and reassuring and available. Being a host, being someone who's approachable if someone needs some support/care. Mainly it's just being *there* and *available* and *friendly*.

I was also going to be running a tea tasting which seems unlikely at present, so a volunteer for someone to do this too would be also welcome.

I'm quite devastated by this predicament as I love Femmeconne dearly and really want to go. I hate the idea of it happening without me.

Having said that, exam prep isn't my best skill, and I'm behind and struggling on assessments and preparation as it is, so realistically I don't see how I can make it work and expect to do well (or decently) in the exam.

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... sad Compelled listening... "Hallelujah" - Regina Spektor Define... # femmeconne, help

Lecture Analysis is done. I'll submit them tonight.


Between now and then I'm going to put them up here on my LJ in the hope that if there is anyone who has any suggestions for improvement/enhancement/clarity they feel invited to share them :)

I can't see the words properly any more, and I'm hopelessly over it. I am however very good at taking on edits and considering the feedback offered.

Plus, people may be interested in this stuff - imagined communities and autonomy, what's not to appreciate?

Especially welcomed at this point are means of shortening the pieces without losing detail or meaning by any significant degree.

They're individually a few pages so will post them individually behind cuts.

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... thoughtful Compelled listening... "I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz

But right now I have neither the time, nor the words to say it.

This week has stealthily torn me apart in ways I didn't think possible. Amazing things and realisations have come out of this. So has a reasonable amount of being with and facing up to pain.

I am everything I am, have been, or will be thanks to the people in my life.

Overwhelmingly this is what is there for me right now.

Where am I? home Feeling... indescribable Compelled listening... "Who Would Have Thought?" - Darren Hayes

* My relationships in various amazing forms are a major source of how my happiness is expressed.

* Seeing MS in the flesh is always just as amazing as I imagine it, and hope for it to be. This woman takes my breath away - I wish that we could spend more time together, easier. However, I deeply value and appreciate the time spent, I like to think we make the most of it without applying terrible significance to such events.

* Understanding the material is pants if the means to communicate that is screwed up. Take one brand new unit, add one tutor who talks about formality of language in emails that use nothing of the sort. (Seriously, no spelling, sentence structure, grammar or punctuation at all). This does nothing to convey reasons for me to trust in their ability to mark my work.

* When I am around people like MS, black_samvara and callistra I am bigger and feel like I really can make a positive difference in the world.

* I really am enjoying selling books to people. Today's trend was parents buying Feist for their sons.

* Job hunting is worse than pants. I'm still looking. I still really don't want to work permanently or full time.

* Having MS in the same city reminds me how much I love a shared balance of time spent with Loves in the same city, I'm reminded of how much I value what I shared with e_dan, and still value the trust and closeness, however it looks at any given time.

* I love imagining into the future, where Big Brother is given away to *everyone*. I imagine something not unlike Julian May's vision of a galactic milieu, connected not through special mental abilities, but technology that looks almost within our grasp. I imagine people connecting to other people where the first impression is 'human!' rather than external judgements of colour, body, gender, dress etc. I imagine that people being connected in this way will create a shared intimacy and from this birth the context of valuable personhood.

In the connecting with other humans, sharing their stories and lives and suffering I imagine that certain realities we shrug off now - say homelessness, will become more personal and thus more unacceptable to us. I imagine that there will be less people who are ridiculously rich or poor. I imagine a world where we interact as humanity. This has broader implications, suggestions and possibilities, none of which I'm prepared to discuss right now, here on my blog. Ask me about it in person.

* The sense that I'm meant to be travelling away from Perth for a while gets stronger. I'm called to spend time with others, share lives and experiences and time with them. Explore myself. Explore Australia and its culture, consider the differences in the way people relate state to state. I don't want to wait for conventions in order to get to know and spend time with people - it's too much like 'someday' for my taste. I want to be close to, be connected to and involved with people not in Perth, therefore I will go wandering. This means that gradual plans are being made with my Eastern States Tour in mind, it's going to happen baby!

* I still really want to undertake training as a doula. I want to support, empower and care for families bringing their new babies into the world, helping to create a positive environment where everyone feels capable, vital and connected to the experience. I want to support environments where there is less fear, worry and trauma all around, where babys' introduction to the world is gentle and loving. This is part of several larger conversations.

* Feminism is twisty and turny and every specific conversation links to several others - it all feeds in and all bears consideration. The breadth and depth of it however is boggling and difficult to take in. The more I discover the more I boggle, the more I consider and discuss and research and experience the more I wonder, the stronger I feel and the more I hope in the face of adversity and invisibility. My faith is deeply rooted in the concept of anything being possible.

* I promised vulnerability to you all via this space, and I've been very true to that, although less so these past few weeks as I've had no idea what to write, and a sense of little time in which to write it. I didn't want you to see me struggling with feeling dense and stupid over assessment that should be simple and to the point and not at all stressful. I didn't want you to see me turn myself into little knots over seeing MS here in Perth, introducing her to the boys and to aspects of my life and who I am. I didn't want you to see my experiences of sadness, feeling misunderstood and invisible. I didn't want you to see my experiences of feeling lonely - surrounded by such amazing people, I didn't want anyone to think anything less than that they made an important and vital difference to my world... yet here I continue to seek more. This is the short version of the vulnerability I've hidden from you. I didn't actually mean to... I just don't really have the words... I've been sharing this much more in person of late.

Still a bundle of work to do on these, and much editing needed as well as one whole piece to write and edit tomorrow. I am so over these reports. I'd much rather be concentrating on my essay and exam prep. Bah. Time to wind down and sleep.

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... sad and tired Compelled listening... nil

Best call ever!! MS: "I'm 200km from Perth! I'll see you tomorrow!"

In approximately 25 hours ish in fact :) OMG *FALLS OVER FLAT*

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... ecstatic Compelled listening... SYTYCD

I love XKCD by NoamR (Vimeo)

I Love xkcd from NoamR on Vimeo.

I love xkcd so much :D

Thanks to black_samvara for the link!

Where am I? home Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... nil Define... # fan vid, fangirl, xkcd

Every time I lose faith in myself and that the struggle to truly fulfil on that *something* inside that won't let go... I should watch SYTYCD.

I mentioned watching it for lightness and fluff, but it's anything but. The heart and sweat and artistry that goes into this show, from dancers to judges and choreographers is unspeakably amazing.

I live these journeys with these dancers the whole way through... if fame had been half as good as the episode 1 of season 5 (US) it'd have been twice as good a movie.

I'm not a fan of reality television, far from it. But from the beginning SYTYCD captured my heart and I am absolutely and wholeheartedly a fan. Don't judge it by the reality tv you know, it's very different. It entertains without humiliating people. The judges commentary isn't about ratings, but supporting the dancers and mentoring them to be the best they can be - there is no mean-ness in them. The diversity of dance, of people and talent is amazing, and it's showcased beautifully. The point of this show isn't to win - that's clear, it's the journey for each dancer.

Also, I love the premise that they're not looking for the 'best' that any of the dancers getting through the trials and tribulations of the audition period is amazing. They're looking for the country's favourite - it's there and honest and unhidden. Popularity and winning hearts, combined with all the work the judges do raising the bar on the level of dance performance, technique, passion and expertise means you have an amazing combination - and a selection of television viewing public who now see dance as cool, as something worthy of respect, something not just for a 'type' of person. That's amazing.

Also, for those who watch... E01 S05 - OMG best opening top 20 show EVER! ^_^

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... inspired Compelled listening... nil Define... # creativity, dancing, faith in humans, fangirl, inspiration, making a difference, positive things, possibilities, sytycd, transcendence

So today was a not coping day. I was cranky and low level anxious/upset to begin with. Anxiety and upset ramped up. I managed to let go of it many times during the day, but it kept on creeping back. Lots of walking, in sunshine and breeze, headache, more upset and spirals into unhelpful thought places like 'imminent failure' and 'will never get it together' and other un-useful, untrue thoughts spinning around my head. First really stressful day since leaving other job, and I wish I could say I'd coped better. It wasn't even as if something happened to provoke this... it hasn't. Though I'm on little white pills again as of today so I expect it's in part a surge of hormonal emotiveness. Came home and cried on K for a bit, he patted me and then the puppy hugged me.

Had several conversations with awesome people. Am in a much better place, but still fragile. Am aware that several of my dearest loved friends are also in varying states of fragility, and am sending you all love and gentleness and comfort.

No work tonight as planned, instead fluff with SYTYCD. Back into the thick of it all tomorrow.

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... sad Compelled listening... nil

So, angriest's new play is opening this week and I really really want to see it!

Grant says that if you like any of these things, that you should definitely come see the play:

- adaptations of Shakespeare;
- political drama;
- The West Wing, or;
- good theatre;


Also it's written and directed by Grant, so even if it's not precisely your thing, it never hurts to come along and provide support :)

This is what others think:

Xpress Magazine gave praise to Cry Havoc! for its unabashed political questioning being "not just interesting" but also "pertinent" to today's Society (Much like many classic Shakespearian tales).

Out in Perth called Cry Havoc! "a piece of must see theatre" that is "ambitious in scope and nature".


So, now you know all about it. Fly! Fly my pretties to the box office:

Book your tickets now to avoid disappointment! Call Sally at the Blue Room on 08 9227 7005 or book online at http://www.facebook.com/l/4a6cd;www.blueroom.org.au/blueroomseasons/makeabooking

Where am I? home Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... nil Define... # amazing friends, theatre

I finally have a topic that actually fits 2000 words! The ideas of this unit are so broad that bringing things down far enough to meet the word limit, and yet contain both the concept and the event that the questions describe has been difficult.

This is my question:

1. How has the development of printing affected ideas about community?

This is my current (draft) thesis statement:

....that one of the key developments in print since the Gutenberg Press is the internet, which has similarly revolutionised the idea of imagined communities.

I plan to start with geographic communities, move to imagined communities and then to virtual communities and finally compare the nature of imagined vs virtual communities. Then conclude with awesomeness.

Especial thanks for hand holding, petting, rabbit hole steering, clarification and assistance in scoping goes to cupidsbow, agoodliedown, subtle_eye and angriest.


I am so grateful!!!

I now feel like this is doable! :)

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... ecstatic Compelled listening... nil

If anyone has an invite, I'd really love one :)

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... thoughtful Compelled listening... nil

Awesomest thing involving science, politics and comedy:



ETA: P.S. Boys with PhD's who sing are *hot*. Just sayin' ;)

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... amused Compelled listening... nil Define... # activism, comedy, environmental, science

Greetings all,

Calli has asked me to share with you the draft of the programme she's been working on.

The link is:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=thr6HMl4wKUdO5TTxaXrj0w&single=true&gid=1&output=html


Suggestions etc welcome - this is your programme and we'd like it to be awesome for you :)


Just a reminder to get your memberships in - I believe that kitsune_iii posted about the process for that in one of her last posts.

I can't wait to see you all!

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... "So What" - P!ink Define... # femmeconne, planning, programme

I got an HD for it!!!! *dances* Tutor showed my work to the unit coordinator who was also really impressed!

*more happy dance*

Apparently my budget was particularly good - but I'm a big boggled by this as that bit was so rough and I largely pulled numbers out of my head :P

Still - yay! Apparently I have real understanding of the PR planning process - I think that really I have to thank crankynick in part for that, as much of what he said when we caught up for coffee made a lot of sense :)

Where am I? home Feeling... ecstatic Compelled listening... nil Define... # achievement, assignment, k, positive things, uni

Saw the Rebel Empire Warehouse finally - and OMG how amazing is it?! I'm so pleased for and proud of all of you involved for really making such an amazing space happen! Utterly amazed and seeing the happiness on my beloved's face is just incredible!

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... pleased Compelled listening... "Losing My Religion" - REM

So I thought I'd post briefly about the dreams I've been having.

I should establish some background:

1. I dream, but am almost never aware of it.
2. Apparently it's vivid, but again, not personally aware of it.
3. It's rare for me to remember dreams.
4. They've NEVER had physical sensation that lingers before.

( cut for interest and graphic description )

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... thoughtful Compelled listening... "2JN" - REM

Perhaps me being wishful :P

Must remember to blog about the dreams I've been having - very weird, but also quite cool.

Even desktop pc clutter is more attractive than studying right now *fails*

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... "Dance Without Sleeping" - Melissa Etheridge

Still job hunting, still preferring casual/part time work in either admin or retail. Thanks to FP I even now have some retail experience :P

Putting it out there and seeing what comes back :)

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... happy Compelled listening... nil Define... # job hunting, jobs

Tonight after an epic day, I created that who I get to be is Love. I get to let go of the background noise that is 'listen to me'. I'm still living my amazing life - it just keeps getting better.

Part of what made the day awesome was spending half an hour on the phone to MS and just being with her, feeling connected and just falling in love with her several times over. The love in my life is amazing - it is no wonder that I want to share this with the world.

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... ecstatic Compelled listening... nil

First day of course went well - confronting and challenging and awesome. 78 other people that I'm invested in, who are invested in me. Being connected to anything being possible all over again. Being connected to how important making a difference is to me, and that it's still in the shape of 'love'. Spent the day being myself and never feeling that this was anything other than awesome. Best decision made this year. Thank you vulnerability. Point of it is to get our attention off ourselves, and on others - the group of us there together and the groups of people in our lives, family, work, society, the world. Awesome.

Part of this was sharing that one of my experiences of daily life is falling in love - sometimes that's 'again' with someone, sometimes it's just for a moment or two, appreciating them in some way for a tiny or huge reason. Today it was one lady very nervously introducing herself to the group, was obviously hard for her to do, and I really noticed her commitment to not being stopped by the fear.

Such an epic journey to get to the course, glad I got there given how much got in the way - time, money, circumstances and K almost being seriously ill.

He's feeling better but is taking things very easy for the moment which is awesome.

Didn't get transcription job - fudged the testing somehow, if I'm still hunting in a few months time I'll reapply.

Reapplied to Lush for Perth City again. Determined.

Epic Espresso is still the awesome. So is the Royal India which was dinner.

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... nil Define... # connectionism, falling in love, landmark, learning, love, possibilities, self, self growth

If you can spare some time this evening while I'm working on my assignment that I've only just realised today is due tomorrow (I've been stressing over an essay that turns out isn't due till NOVEMBER) *sigh* Deadline fail :/

I feel like it's doable. It's also a fun assignment - though without the familiarity of knowing how to do it.

But really, any help would be greatly appreciated even if you're not all that confident in your experience/background.

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... busy Compelled listening... "Sun Will Set" - Zoe Keating

Dear Lazyweb... how would I go about trying to get a band on the playlist for one of the music festivals?

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... curious Compelled listening... "It's Oh So Quiet" - Bjork

* Have sold books

* JK's on Hay is a cute little alley way cafe right next to the Chemist up near Shafto Lane. I discovered yesterday morning, much to my delight that my favourite barista Dave now works there! *joy!* I got a delighted exclamation and a big hug, plus awesome coffee! JK's does organic food and is very vegan friendly (agoodliedown and I have had lunch there).

* Organised stuff for dinner tonight, yesterday.

* Finished the second Cassandra Clare novel on my way into work - I knew I should have brought the 3rd one with me too :P I think I may have to buy a book to get me back to Walliston as the bus will take at least an hour.

* Still missing people, but not quite so emo like, still craving other things too. Hormones are funny things and Australia is too spread out :P

* The lovely MS helped me to figure out an approach to my essay which I will attack tonight - basically looking at what's been written about it and falling back on it being a complex issue - so not really taking a position and arguing one, as I can't think of a position that is a 2000 word topic - they're all at least a 5000 topic :P

* Wrote stuff for the women's edition of Metior. Am trying to find words to submit something on poly stuff, but not sure how to start it off, will see how that goes in the next day or so. Maybe I could use the monthly get together as a means of talking about it... *muses* (Any objections flyingblogspot, alexmoon?

* Polanski uproar makes me shake with deep upset and horror. People have said awesome stuff about it, and people I respected (not just celebrities) have left me feeling sad and with less respect.

* I got a beautiful sms from K last night which helped me to sleep.

* I'm going out to Sin on the weekend - and I think I will need the dancing break to just let loose and relax/destress.

* Many thanks to ruavel for conversation and venting last night, especially given both the absurdity and legitimacy of what was on my mind.

* I love selling books. This might be my favourite job ever. I like seeing people take up recommendations, and am hopeful that they'll enjoy the books :)

* I still want to go to the convention I linked to a few days back, alas it's only a month or so away and that's just not going to happen - but maybe next year? I'd also love to go to Wiscon (I'd give up Aussiecon for Wiscon actually).

* Amanda Fucking Palmer blogged just the other day about the changing nature in which artists get paid for their art - she was smart and articulate and hit it on the head, once upon a time before the internet, people had middle men to do the facilitation of money exhange, now with the internet, that's unnecessary and more and more artists are engaging directly with their audiences and fans ans asking for their support - I prefer this approach because I feel there's a genuine connection - there's a real person behind the art, and my contribution really makes a difference so that they get to keep on doing what they love.

* Talking yesterday afternoon with Renee at the Center, about the role I've taken on, and how scared I was - the impact of my responsibility is huge and I don't feel equal to it. She pointed out that if I did, I wouldn't be the right person, but to trust in how much I love it and run from that.

* I'm pining for Freo, and would love to spend a few days there exploring and breathing in the familiar energy.

* I have an interview on Monday afternoon for the transcript typing place, and am hopeful that I'll be accepted. Surely all my essay work that I'm doing will contribute to the fact that my typing and accuracy should be up there :P lol

* Don't think I'll be able to go to the Poly weekend in Melbourne over the Melbourne Cup weekend, alas, but given the Pride March and lady_niav's party are on then this is not all bad. Still, It would have been awesome to sink into the delicious company of the Victorian poly group, particularly a certain Barnawathan. :P

(why yes, hormones: one track mind).

Where am I? Fantastic Planet Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... nil Define... # books, connectionism, cycle, dot points, hormones, landmark, love, positive things, self growth, study, uni

* Today I hit low coping early, with periods of surprising functionality and enjoyment.

* Missed pretty much *EVERYONE* like crazy today. If you're special to me in some way, today I missed you.

* Realised about 10 mins ago that I've just hit the little white pills, and have had an 'aha!' moment of - oh! hormones!

* I still have no essay topic. I'm starting to stress about this - that my brain is so freaking foggy doesn't help.

* It's a huge and awesomely interesting field of enquiry. I am torn between several points of view. Nothing I find I'm focused on is a 2000 word topic. *sigh* This feels 'too hard' atm, even though I should be well capable of it.

* I feel like I'm coming down with something :( My throat is *still* sore, and I have a cough now. *bleck*

* I recognise that I'm feeling sorry for myself, but still wish I could have cuddles for a few hours.

* Eyes are ridiculously leaky.

* I may give up on productivity for at least an hour, if not tonight altogether. This may mean that I am a mad stressbunny for getting essay done. Still behind on lectures :(

I feel like 'bah humbug' sums up everything. Would that I had time for a classic 'doona day'. Happily bookselling is a bit like a doona, at least - so far.

Where am I? Walliston Feeling... sad Compelled listening... 'The Jetsons' in the background Define... # dot points, emo, essays, hormones, study, uni, wibble, wishful

http://www.transcendingboundaries.org/

*wibble*

Where am I? Walliston Feeling... wishful Compelled listening... Channel V in background :)

Just so you know I'm still paying attention - but google reader is prolific atm, and I'm finding a heap of it interesting. Now when I get my act together, a schedule/routine and some hint of productivity, I'll blog about some of the interesting things I've been reading properly. The quick list is:

* Birthing - Twilight Sleep. *horror*

--> obvious that we've come so far, but I'm also well aware that some of that requires considerable squinting.

* Geek Feminism blog - open letter to Mark of Linux.

--> open letter is articulate and well thought out, but the comments stream makes this. So much articulation and patience, several kinds of fail x rinse x repeat. http://geekfeminism.org/2009/09/23/open-letter-to-mark-shuttleworth/

* Smart Girls at the Party on YouTube, in particular this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTtaKlUOnbc which I got via Feministe I believe (if I'm wrong, prod me).

* Life Hacker still makes me feel like win. Favourite post I caught up on over the weekend was a practical laundry tip about revitalising towels, by 'recharging them' with vinegar and baking powder. I simultaneously loved that it was a simple and practical laundry tip, and that it was described using tech language.

Other goings on....

* Putting together a link salad article for the Women's Edition of Metior, I'm collecting quite a variety of links, but if you have a cool feminist resource/blog for me to add to the collection I'd appreciate it. I'm looking for well known and lesser known stuff. I have Hoyden, Feministing, Feministe and Geek Feminism, and several smaller ones but would love suggestions for other cool/interesting reads.

* Juffy provided media crack that I've been wanting to finish watching ever since I was 8 or 9! Win for Cities of Gold and omg thank you Juffy!

* Tea with cricketk many times over the weekend. Sharing of quiet moments, garden freshness, conversation, gaming, music and tech wrestling (we did not win the internet).

* Expanded my music collection requesting cricketk to gives me some of her tunes we'd been listening to.

* Enjoyed a blanket hopping few hours at Fair Day - loved the weather! Wished that there were as many stalls as the year before last (my favourite stall year), but thought the set up of stuff was better than in previous years. Would prefer the entertainment stage to be in the non licensed section. Loved catching up with people that I don't get to see nearly often enough, and should make more effort to do so :)

* Enjoyed the sunshine muchly this weekend - and even got mildly burned.

* Working at FP mornings till 2pm tomorrow, Thursday and through till 5pm ish Friday, morning till 3pm ish Monday.

* Picked mulberries by headlamp in the dark and delighted in it.

* Had lunch with prk and amarillion on Saturday in the Swan Valley. We tasted fortified's at Talijancich which was awesome, and had lunch at The Mallard Duck cafe, which I wanted to like more than I did food wise. Service was lovely and the setting was just idyllic.

* Borrowed book of cricketk 'City of Bones' by Cassandra Clare, and got a good way into it on trains today. Sign of how much I'm enjoying it.

* e_dan and MS will be here soon! Spending time with loved ones for the win. Also, hoping to be able to introduce some of you to MS depending on her movements and schedule :) Consider this the official giddy, blushy, wordless warning :P

* Enjoying Trillian Astra so far, have also downloaded Dexpot to give myself more virtual desktop space. Also downloaded and evaluated FeedDemon 3.0 tonight, but decided within 10 mins I didn't like the setup (how hard is it to include something that marks as read as you scroll? If it's there, I didn't find it - and it shouldn't be that hard). There was no functionality it provided me that I wanted and don't get from google reader itself. Tried to do a user scripts hack to Chrome tonight but the folder maps for the instructions don't match.

* Still really enjoying not being employed and definitely feel that this earning of money thing should be through something casual and fun and not too serious to fit my mood, learning and lifestyle atm. Learning to deal with impermanence and transitive stuff atm seems to be the go. Scary.

* More thinking on doula and child birth education stuff. Still very interested and deeply moved by this, deeply impassioned by this. Having said that, still not sure that I want children ultimately...

* Trying to be more involved with Perth feminist groups, so will try and get along to a Roar Feminist Collective meeting, am going to skype into the Murdoch Wom*n's meeting, and am also going to do some stuff with Unifem. I'd also still like to do some stuff with the Soroptimists, but I need to call them again as they haven't called me back about a city group meetup. Guess I'm in an active feminist space atm :) Enjoying it.

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... tired Compelled listening... "We're All in This Together" - Ben Lee

I have finished my essay! And judging from feedback it is strong :) It also now has a conclusion! Final word count clocked in at 2225 - 25 words over the ideal fudge factor for a 2000 word essay. I must give particular thanks to e_dan who saved me potentially hours of research/fretting. I needed to explain hashtags in order for a particular part of my argument to fully make sense, ordinarily I'd do this with a cute little footnote (I love those)However, I had to reformat the essay into author-date referencing rather than my beloved footnotes, so I needed to explain it but didn't have the word count to do so by expanding the paragraph. Insert one 'non footnote' using an *

It's a little thing, but if I'd had to research what to do, it wouldn't have been pretty. I am grateful for social networks and quick answers to annoying questions like this. Funnily enough my essay was on the power of audiences in the context of social networking, business, and the way in which businesses engage with people (and how they should do so).

I'm deeply impressed by Sunset Events (who were one of my examples in the essay of someone doing it right), google them, check them out.

I've also joined the Wom*n's Collective at Murdoch, and am writing up a link salad piece for their annual women's edition of Metior. If you'd like your blog/resource included please feel free to link me. I'll be clear that everything I'm writing will be opinionative and not reflect the views of those I'm linking to, but the idea is to provide readers something of a printed carnival for where they can go online to discuss women's issues and feminism and all of that stuff - I'm lucky that several of you pointed me at various places, and now I'd like to share this with others.

It should be noted that any lack of coherence in the above is due to the fact that it all went into my essay.

In short, I'd love to mention your blog/resource in a link salad article I'm putting together for the upcoming Metior, if you'd like in link me. I'll also be doing a search of stuff I regularly read and other linked from there stuff. If you'd be up for me running such a list past you before finalising my article to hand in Monday, let me know, I'd be grateful for an opportunity to avoid sticking my foot down my throat if possible.

Other things I came across today and linked on FB but not here:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/taryn_simon_photographs_secret_sites.html

Taryn Simon is a talented photographer. In this TED talk she introduces us to the notion that truth and fiction with photos is an interesting concept. She shares photographs she's taken of secret, hardly seen before places and also of photos taken of wrongfully convicted men who have served time for crimes they did not commit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmHN3JtyUXg

A brilliant review of the upcoming 'special' edition of Origin of Species - absolutely a must watch!

Other wonderful news is that MS and e_dan will be here in a matter of WEEKS!!! I can't wait to see them!!!!

Plus, I learned how to be a shop monkey for Fantastic Planet as a means of helping out when they need someone - I won't be working regularly, but this so far includes all day Tuesday and Monday 5th from 10-3pm if you'd like to come and see me fumble with book selling :)

Hoping either Crumpler or Lush will hire me to be a retail minion as well, as something like that suits my mood, attitude, interest in working and that whole paying bills thing - plus there's scope for me to move them interstate when I run away on my EST (Eastern States Tour).

Okay, it really is time for bed even though I'm sure I've forgotten other stuff I really wanted to mention.... tomorrow is soon enough now that I only have to finish the reference list for my essay :)

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... exhausted Compelled listening... "Any Other World" - Mika

I'm feeling good today. I watched MIB with K and Cam last night while K did my hair.

I'm now officially a red head again. Yay!! I'm really happy with the result, and I also let K trim the ends of my hair for me so that it was a bit neater and less all over the place (I haven't let anyone cut it for possibly 18 months..... or more.... *boggle*)

I feel pretty :)

I have a full afternoon evening coming up, but I've been working on my essay this morning and it's been going well.

I feel loved. Many thanks to cheshirenoir.

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... nil Define... # appreciation, hair, monday

I feel silenced. Because the options for speaking I've been given in a certain situation, only allow me to be crazy.

I feel distinctly not crazy. I feel betrayed in some way I can't really articulate.



The past few days have had an emotional toll - the positives inside of them are beautiful and I value them as always. But I feel tired, and a bit overwrought and sensitive to my personal space.

The events of past days have not been conducive to study, but I have managed to get some stuff done, so I'm trying to concentrate on that being the win.

I visited catunda's lovely house this morning and met their furry family that I'll be looking after in a couple of weeks time :) I'm looking forward to it very much - I feel like I'm going to be spending four nights at a hills retreat :) Hoping it might be a nice opportunity to recharge my batteries.

I also became aware of a job possibility so have sent messages about that and will apply for it :) Thanks to agoodliedown and ratfan for thinking of me.

Where am I? home Feeling... down Compelled listening... nil Define... # thoughtful

http://davehingsburger.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-meaning-for-ot.html

Oh this is just brilliant!!!

I need some kind of icon for this :D

Where am I? home in bed Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... "The Sea" - Carbon Leaf