Picture this: you go to a food court to have a quick coffee with your sister/friend before doing some Christmas shopping in the city. You plan on having a bit of a chat because the last week or so has been hectic and the two of you haven't caught up. Sure, there's the noise of other city-goers, lunches and straggly groups of teenagers enjoying the school holidays, but you expect that in the city anyway.
What you may not expect is to have a giant tv screen right in front of you. With sound. Playing daytime tv at home isn't something I enjoy doing, let alone having one sitting in front of me while I'm out and have a million other things going on around me. What happened to reading a newspaper, book, or talking to someone in person or even on the phone while you're having a break? Do people actually enjoy watching this stuff while they're eating?
And the worst part, the line-crosser, is that these tv's (more than one of them) were throughout the food court. You couldn't really escape them for long.
Is this what technology should be used for? I wonder.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Language update - the irony
Just days after my last post about our "dieing language", I stumbled across even more published mistakes. An Australian news website I occassionally visit had posted an article which used the word organization. While I don't have anything against legitimate reasons for spelling it with a "z" (zed), there is no legitimate reason I can concieve if the author is Australian and has grown up in Australia.
Who should I blame? The author? The editors? The education systum? At a loss on where to lie the blame, I simply published a comment noting the mistake. And no word. I have previously noticed mistakes on the site and made comments, resulting in prompt changes. However this time it might have been overlooked for some reason. And rather than continue to post annoying comments on the site about how the "z" does not belong in an Australian article (alliteration, always alive!), I thought I would post an update on my language lamentations.
Sure, everyone makes mistakes. In my last entry a friend noticed several mistakes which were unintended, and I made the appropriate changes. But to leave a mistake there? That just seems a bit slack.
It's like an ad I saw once which read something like: "Wanted, a legal secretary. Must be friendly, reliable, apathetic."
Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? Then again, who cares?*
*If anyone knows whether businesses are looking for more "apathetic" workers, I believe that demonstrates my apatheticism completely.
Who should I blame? The author? The editors? The education systum? At a loss on where to lie the blame, I simply published a comment noting the mistake. And no word. I have previously noticed mistakes on the site and made comments, resulting in prompt changes. However this time it might have been overlooked for some reason. And rather than continue to post annoying comments on the site about how the "z" does not belong in an Australian article (alliteration, always alive!), I thought I would post an update on my language lamentations.
Sure, everyone makes mistakes. In my last entry a friend noticed several mistakes which were unintended, and I made the appropriate changes. But to leave a mistake there? That just seems a bit slack.
It's like an ad I saw once which read something like: "Wanted, a legal secretary. Must be friendly, reliable, apathetic."
Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? Then again, who cares?*
*If anyone knows whether businesses are looking for more "apathetic" workers, I believe that demonstrates my apatheticism completely.
Monday, December 10, 2007
The Dieing Language
Over the weekend I like to read newspapers. I perused three between Saturday and Sunday of the weekend just passed. And I was disappointed by the (mis)use of language I found.
People saying "a historic shift", when "an" is the correct word, changing tense halfway through, as in "the journalist was sitting at his desk when he used the wrong word, but it would be weeks before he realises the mistake" and simply using the wrong words or mispeling things. It may seem petty to you, but many people read newspapers and, as published writers, journalists have a responsibility to check their spelling and grammar. They should, in theory, set a good example for us all.
That is, of course, unless we want to forget the joys of good grammar and spelling. We could all start writing about how it is hard labor to write good and that it is a specialized skill these days. "U dont need good word skills to talk or right", we might say. And some will agree with that, but I do not.
Simple mistakes are ok, everyone makes them. I constantly have to go through everything I write to check for mistyped words, poor grammar or bad syntax. But I do actually check, and I think that's part of the problem.
The Australian Labor (note the lack of a "u") Party is apparently called so because it was, for a while, run by an American who wrote with American spelling (and rightly so for them). Someone, somewhere, saw "Labor" written by this American and thought "Oh, so that's how the party writes it to differentiate itself from the labour unions*.
Teachers I've had in the past, at school and university, have written globalisation with a "z", suggesting Americanization of Australia is definitely in progress. It would be different if they had grown up somewhere where the "z" was used, but most of them were born in Australia and grew up in Australia.
Why does this matter? After all, doing a google search for "odours" only yeilds 26.7 per cent of the results "odors" does (based on highly academic research using the advanced methodology of a "google" search). It is part of our culture. And I believe that stands for something.
Also, it's pretty annoying to the people who notice it. So we should all try and appease this whingey minority at the expense of our own time. Because stopping people whingeing would also stop people posting annoyingly long, ranty opinions like this.
*The Australian "Labor" Party information is based partly on an urban legend which few people I have asked (including members of the Labor Party) know of. Most say they aren't sure why there is no "u". The rest of that story is based on my own, clearly educated assumptions.
People saying "a historic shift", when "an" is the correct word, changing tense halfway through, as in "the journalist was sitting at his desk when he used the wrong word, but it would be weeks before he realises the mistake" and simply using the wrong words or mispeling things. It may seem petty to you, but many people read newspapers and, as published writers, journalists have a responsibility to check their spelling and grammar. They should, in theory, set a good example for us all.
That is, of course, unless we want to forget the joys of good grammar and spelling. We could all start writing about how it is hard labor to write good and that it is a specialized skill these days. "U dont need good word skills to talk or right", we might say. And some will agree with that, but I do not.
Simple mistakes are ok, everyone makes them. I constantly have to go through everything I write to check for mistyped words, poor grammar or bad syntax. But I do actually check, and I think that's part of the problem.
The Australian Labor (note the lack of a "u") Party is apparently called so because it was, for a while, run by an American who wrote with American spelling (and rightly so for them). Someone, somewhere, saw "Labor" written by this American and thought "Oh, so that's how the party writes it to differentiate itself from the labour unions*.
Teachers I've had in the past, at school and university, have written globalisation with a "z", suggesting Americanization of Australia is definitely in progress. It would be different if they had grown up somewhere where the "z" was used, but most of them were born in Australia and grew up in Australia.
Why does this matter? After all, doing a google search for "odours" only yeilds 26.7 per cent of the results "odors" does (based on highly academic research using the advanced methodology of a "google" search). It is part of our culture. And I believe that stands for something.
Also, it's pretty annoying to the people who notice it. So we should all try and appease this whingey minority at the expense of our own time. Because stopping people whingeing would also stop people posting annoyingly long, ranty opinions like this.
*The Australian "Labor" Party information is based partly on an urban legend which few people I have asked (including members of the Labor Party) know of. Most say they aren't sure why there is no "u". The rest of that story is based on my own, clearly educated assumptions.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
The Tree of Strife
I tree has once again caused people more hate than help in a recent attack on peoples' rights. The Girl Who Fell and Probably Doesn't Wish to Be Named For Fear of Interminable Association With this Article*, was forced to walk with crutches after jumping from a Gold Coast tree which led to an ankle atrocity.
The tree, dendrochonologically unidentifiable while still alive, was seen resenting the crowd of people innocently climbing it and pulling small branches, leaves and bark from it in the process. Witnesses said they knew the tree was involved in the fall after it happened.
"I saw The Girl Who Fell and Probably Doesn't Wish to Be Named For Fear of Interminable Association With this Article fall from the tree, and I think it must have had malicious intent against her," a friend of The Girl Who Fell said.
Gold Coast environmentalists have justified the event as a "human accident".
"The Girl Who Fell clearly antagonised the tree by climbing all over it and being really disrespectful of nature," a spokesperson for the environmentalists said.
Officials are still investigating the tree's involvement, but preliminary reports show the tree is a prime suspect.
"I'm never hugging a tree again," The Girl Who Fell and Probably Doesn't Wish to Be Named For Fear of Interminable Association With this Article said in a press release this morning.
When approached for a comment, the tree was seen to be using the Right to Remain Silent to full advantage.
*Name has been slightly modified to protect The Girl Who Fell from other attacks.
The tree, dendrochonologically unidentifiable while still alive, was seen resenting the crowd of people innocently climbing it and pulling small branches, leaves and bark from it in the process. Witnesses said they knew the tree was involved in the fall after it happened.
"I saw The Girl Who Fell and Probably Doesn't Wish to Be Named For Fear of Interminable Association With this Article fall from the tree, and I think it must have had malicious intent against her," a friend of The Girl Who Fell said.
Gold Coast environmentalists have justified the event as a "human accident".
"The Girl Who Fell clearly antagonised the tree by climbing all over it and being really disrespectful of nature," a spokesperson for the environmentalists said.
Officials are still investigating the tree's involvement, but preliminary reports show the tree is a prime suspect.
"I'm never hugging a tree again," The Girl Who Fell and Probably Doesn't Wish to Be Named For Fear of Interminable Association With this Article said in a press release this morning.
When approached for a comment, the tree was seen to be using the Right to Remain Silent to full advantage.
*Name has been slightly modified to protect The Girl Who Fell from other attacks.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Slightly psychic sites?
I’ve been tracking the developments of the election for the local area where I grew up (Cowper electorate) on the ABC election guide for a week or so now. And it always seems to be updated a few minutes before I check it. The first few times I thought this was simple coincidence, now I’m not so sure. I’ve been running experiments with the site and I’ve come to the conclusion that it must be a slightly psychic web page which can predict when I will be checking it and updates accordingly (and it most definitey wouldn't have anything to do with some kind of automated update system I can't conceive of).
Now if only the results could be in tune with my hopes. I suppose the results don’t directly impact on me, but I have more than a simple investment in the area (more an unhealthy attachment, like a vine that’s out-stayed its welcome) and I want someone who considers what’s best for the people, and makes sure that is at the forefront of their mind when they make decisions. It looks finalised, but I’m glad it has been so close, it means the electorate will be (hopefully) appreciated more. And the person elected can learn from their close victory to figure out what the community wants. Unfortunately I don’t think any slightly psychic powers will help in this area. But I’ll keep a close eye on developments.
And now I am on a mission to find other sites with slightly psychic abilities. The only luck I’ve had there is with User Generated Content pages at news sites, where I sometimes notice grammar and spelling mistakes and then visit later on only to find those mistakes gone. That’s definitely psychic abilities and clearly has nothing to do with me commenting on such mistakes for the site’s benefit. Magic stuff. Next thing you know scientists will be researching slightly psychic sites. Although for the purposes of diminishing the tongue twister value, they may want to call it something like “intuitive internet technology”, which really isn’t much better but sounds a bit more sciencey, in my opinion.Thursday, November 29, 2007
Techology and the "New World"
It's recently been announced that internet giant Google has developed a way to show moblie phone users their location without needing a GPS reciever.
It's been reported that the tracking feature is available in 20 or more countries and and the does not collect personal data from users.
What gets me about this is that while the intentions may be good, it sounds like something out of the great speculative fiction worlds of Orwell's 1984 or Huxley's Brave New World. And while I enjoy following technological developments, it can be startling to see things which may be convenient, also have the potential to be misused by people.
The internet itself is a great example. You've got one of the greatest communication and resource tools (possibly the greatest in this day and age) right in front of you. And so many different people connected. But still the internet is misused by bullies, opportunists and other people who don't deserve publicity here. I like to think not by many, but who knows?
The thing is, the good should balance out the bad. In the case of the internet, while it's still a highly debated topic, I believe it does balance out. There are lots of different opportunities available through networking sites and research is made much easer (I sometimes even search online for books I might need).
And I can see the merit of the new phone technology Google has developed. Sometimes you really do need to be able to see where you are. But I also believe it can be good to explore technology's avenues. And writing is one way of doing that. It's interesting to see that while technology is man-made, it often takes on a persona of it's own. Yet really, the merit of technology can be largely based on individual intentions and opinions.
It's been reported that the tracking feature is available in 20 or more countries and and the does not collect personal data from users.
What gets me about this is that while the intentions may be good, it sounds like something out of the great speculative fiction worlds of Orwell's 1984 or Huxley's Brave New World. And while I enjoy following technological developments, it can be startling to see things which may be convenient, also have the potential to be misused by people.
The internet itself is a great example. You've got one of the greatest communication and resource tools (possibly the greatest in this day and age) right in front of you. And so many different people connected. But still the internet is misused by bullies, opportunists and other people who don't deserve publicity here. I like to think not by many, but who knows?
The thing is, the good should balance out the bad. In the case of the internet, while it's still a highly debated topic, I believe it does balance out. There are lots of different opportunities available through networking sites and research is made much easer (I sometimes even search online for books I might need).
And I can see the merit of the new phone technology Google has developed. Sometimes you really do need to be able to see where you are. But I also believe it can be good to explore technology's avenues. And writing is one way of doing that. It's interesting to see that while technology is man-made, it often takes on a persona of it's own. Yet really, the merit of technology can be largely based on individual intentions and opinions.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Tuesday
I've been a bit of a Cinderella today, cleaning the house in KEY areas, doing the washing up etc. And once again my plans to meet up with friends were foiled. But tomorrow I will be going to the newest cafe in town, a sleek, city-style venue called Elite which opened up last year. Now, I have reservations about it (who in their right mind calls a cafe Elite in a diverse town?), but the idea that the owners, or at least the namers, are pretentious people who don't get this town is one I have to come to terms with and challenge. So I shall. And with my fellow Coffee Conniseur, Sasha, we shall see how it stands in the scheme of things.
Today's blog entry shall be short, and is brought to you by the word blog. I apologise to my brother, who hates the word, but he'll get over it one day, I guess.
I have been following the new web series quarterlife, created by Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick, the producers behind Blood Diamond and a couple of well-recieved tv shows. At first I thought I wouldn't like it - the show is about five twentysomethings and their creative, complex lives. But I do like it. The representations are true, the acting is good and the script is as well. And I like the way it moves between blog-style video and tv-style cinematography. So that is the latest in the world of the web.
And as short I said, short I'll stay (for today).
Today's blog entry shall be short, and is brought to you by the word blog. I apologise to my brother, who hates the word, but he'll get over it one day, I guess.
I have been following the new web series quarterlife, created by Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick, the producers behind Blood Diamond and a couple of well-recieved tv shows. At first I thought I wouldn't like it - the show is about five twentysomethings and their creative, complex lives. But I do like it. The representations are true, the acting is good and the script is as well. And I like the way it moves between blog-style video and tv-style cinematography. So that is the latest in the world of the web.
And as short I said, short I'll stay (for today).
Monday, November 26, 2007
Television Tricks
I knew there was reason to be excited by the idea of shows being broadcast online, and I realised tonight what that reason could include: the trick tv stations play to get in as much advertising and ratings (which amount to about the same) as possible.
Tonight, I was watching one of the few shows I regularly tune into at 8:30pm. Or, actually, I watched the last five minutes of the show before it because the show I wanted to watch didn't start until 8:35pm. This is a technique used so that ratings will go up for two shows instead of one, should people with ratings boxes tune in at the programmed time. I've read about stations doing that for a couple of years, so I know it's fairly routine these days. But after a while you start reading 8:30pm as meaning 8:35pm or even 8:40pm, and on the rare occasion that they are running on time, you miss part of the show you wanted to watch. Annoying.
But there's more. The other thing commercial tv stations love to do for their viewers benefit (of course), is squash the credits into one half of the screen and advertise the next programme. I wonder if they do this to remind people of the former technique, a way of saying "No, silly viewer, your show is still on, we're just running it a bit later, hahaha". Or maybe it's another attempt to boost (moneymoneymoneymoney) ratings. Tonight, they took this one step further and actually squashed the end of the show into half the screen, muted it and went into a "see this show next (but miss out on the end of the show you're watching while we advise you to watch the next show which will be on after this advertisement for it because we're cutting off the end of the show you're watching...)".
Seriously. That is bad advertising, bad programming and bad PR. Sure, try and get ratings by running a show 5 minutes later than scheduled, or squashing the credits (which I enjoy reading, thanks very much, I can definitely read the small, skewed print you substitute for full-screen credits), but not cutting off the end of a show. That's like starting a joke and not...
...
See what I mean?
Tonight, I was watching one of the few shows I regularly tune into at 8:30pm. Or, actually, I watched the last five minutes of the show before it because the show I wanted to watch didn't start until 8:35pm. This is a technique used so that ratings will go up for two shows instead of one, should people with ratings boxes tune in at the programmed time. I've read about stations doing that for a couple of years, so I know it's fairly routine these days. But after a while you start reading 8:30pm as meaning 8:35pm or even 8:40pm, and on the rare occasion that they are running on time, you miss part of the show you wanted to watch. Annoying.
But there's more. The other thing commercial tv stations love to do for their viewers benefit (of course), is squash the credits into one half of the screen and advertise the next programme. I wonder if they do this to remind people of the former technique, a way of saying "No, silly viewer, your show is still on, we're just running it a bit later, hahaha". Or maybe it's another attempt to boost (moneymoneymoneymoney) ratings. Tonight, they took this one step further and actually squashed the end of the show into half the screen, muted it and went into a "see this show next (but miss out on the end of the show you're watching while we advise you to watch the next show which will be on after this advertisement for it because we're cutting off the end of the show you're watching...)".
Seriously. That is bad advertising, bad programming and bad PR. Sure, try and get ratings by running a show 5 minutes later than scheduled, or squashing the credits (which I enjoy reading, thanks very much, I can definitely read the small, skewed print you substitute for full-screen credits), but not cutting off the end of a show. That's like starting a joke and not...
...
See what I mean?
Friday, November 23, 2007
Friday - Election Eve
"We have a strong (track record) and plenty of performance," Howard said as I drank my coffee and listened to the radio. I almost choked at the line "plenty of performance", wondering what kind of performance he is talking about. Certainly he has been in power a long time, but that doesn't mean his performance has been up to standard. In other areas of life men can get drugs to assist in their performance failings, I wonder why they haven't found a way to assist politicians. This election seems to be yet another battle for masculinity - who has the bigger promises? And who's performance is more reliable? I don't want to be left unsatisfied again by the government.
Speaking of the government, I may have come across more differences between politicians and other people in interview situations. And as promised, I will explain some interview techniques and how they might change if you are interviewing a politician.
Technique 1 - The "hard news" interview
"Hard news" is a term used for the short, sharp news stories you might read in the paper, or see or hear on a broadcast news bulletin. This is also the interview technique I first learnt as a journalism student, and one that crops up in most forms of interviewing in some way. The interview should be concise, and questions can be an effective way to achieve that. Ask questions which are to the point. Don't share your opinion on the issue (as a journalist you should not have an opinion, you should try to be balanced, ie harangue both sides of the issue). And - this is an important one - ask "open-ended" questions, ones which will discourage yes/no answers. That way you can get as much information as possible.
Question examples might be:
* How do you feel about the current state of satire in Australia?
* Why do you promote satirical content on your enemies? (although you probably wouldn't use the word "enemies")
You might also include a few closed questions (the yes/no ones) for clarification of an issue, for example "is there satire in Australia?".
Hard news interview and politicians
In a recent interview Kerry O'Brien did with opposition leader Kevin Rudd, I noticed his questions leaned more towards closed questions. And an interesting thing happened. Where a regular interviewee might answer with "yes" or, if you're lucky, "no. But this and that because of this", Rudd's answers were as long as a Mr Regular Interviewee's answers to an open-ended question might be.
This observation led me to create a rule for interviewing politicians:
If you want an answer that goes for 5 minutes or more, ask the politician a closed question. If you have a spare hour, ask an open-ended question.
And another thing. If you ask a question you know they won't answer, expect to be there for a long time, as the politician answers with policies and background to an issue which may possibly be related to the original question, but is not guaranteed to relate at all. They particularly seem to like doing that when it's The Public asking the question. You can call them on this behaviour, but if you do, expect to be there for a long time as the politician answers with policies and background...
And that completes my advice on the "hard news" interview. Some time: I may look at other forms of questioning.
Speaking of the government, I may have come across more differences between politicians and other people in interview situations. And as promised, I will explain some interview techniques and how they might change if you are interviewing a politician.
Technique 1 - The "hard news" interview
"Hard news" is a term used for the short, sharp news stories you might read in the paper, or see or hear on a broadcast news bulletin. This is also the interview technique I first learnt as a journalism student, and one that crops up in most forms of interviewing in some way. The interview should be concise, and questions can be an effective way to achieve that. Ask questions which are to the point. Don't share your opinion on the issue (as a journalist you should not have an opinion, you should try to be balanced, ie harangue both sides of the issue). And - this is an important one - ask "open-ended" questions, ones which will discourage yes/no answers. That way you can get as much information as possible.
Question examples might be:
* How do you feel about the current state of satire in Australia?
* Why do you promote satirical content on your enemies? (although you probably wouldn't use the word "enemies")
You might also include a few closed questions (the yes/no ones) for clarification of an issue, for example "is there satire in Australia?".
Hard news interview and politicians
In a recent interview Kerry O'Brien did with opposition leader Kevin Rudd, I noticed his questions leaned more towards closed questions. And an interesting thing happened. Where a regular interviewee might answer with "yes" or, if you're lucky, "no. But this and that because of this", Rudd's answers were as long as a Mr Regular Interviewee's answers to an open-ended question might be.
This observation led me to create a rule for interviewing politicians:
If you want an answer that goes for 5 minutes or more, ask the politician a closed question. If you have a spare hour, ask an open-ended question.
And another thing. If you ask a question you know they won't answer, expect to be there for a long time, as the politician answers with policies and background to an issue which may possibly be related to the original question, but is not guaranteed to relate at all. They particularly seem to like doing that when it's The Public asking the question. You can call them on this behaviour, but if you do, expect to be there for a long time as the politician answers with policies and background...
And that completes my advice on the "hard news" interview. Some time: I may look at other forms of questioning.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thursday
Is your news limited?
For years I've been dissatisfied with the media in Australia. Journalists seem to come across as sneaky, snide, sleazy, arrogant, unethical and unconcerned individuals which add up to the sum of media in this country. But are they like that?
Since this year (I suppose) I have been wondering whether the media really is as bad as we all seem to think it is. And this train of thought is fuelled largely by my study, but also by my increased interest in current affairs and news and satire like The Chaser and Frontline. I was having a discussion with my brother a few days ago about whether the Australian media help to enforce ideas of democracy. And he was saying that he believed the media is not doing that job in the slightest and is more hinderance than helper.
I used to agree with that sentiment, almost without question, but the (journalistic) cynical side of me questions everything. And really, are the media such a bad element? Should we distrust them, make them the butt of our jokes, treat the phrase "ethical journalism" as an oxymoron of old? What is it about the media that causes regard somewhat lesser than that you might have for mould in the shower?
Most of the journalists in this country are good journalists. They are ethical and they do their job not for glory, but out of an intrinsic human interest (and probably an ingrained duty some of the more weathered journo's feel). Think about journalists like Kerry O'Brien, Sandra Sully (yes, she annoys me, but she's pretty good really), George Negus, Indira Naidoo, David Marr, Michael Idato, Hedley Thomas (who exposed Dr Death and the mistreatment of Haneef). If you know any one of those names, think of whether they fit in with your perceptions of the media. I don't think they would for my brother, but they are good, prominent journalists. And the majority of journalists in this country are just as good.
But if we have so many "good journalists", why does the media seem like it's doing nothing helpful? Therein lies the problem.
I think it has to do with the concentration of media ownership, firstly. Of course, I love Fairfax and News Limited, but with only TWO primary owners of media in this country, there's very little competition. Think of a job you would like. And imagine you are in a position where you could be promoted for doing better than your colleagues. Ok, now imagine there are very few colleagues at a level above you as most are on the same level as you. That's what I think we have with the media here. What's the point in trying to get to the top when most people are level with you and going higher could expose you to a lot of nasty treatment?
There's more legislative influences, but that is a big one, and I don't want to harp on for much longer.
The other element is what makes up the definition of media. It includes news, current affairs, features (in magazines etc), documentary shows like Australian Story and celebrity gossip that you often see in magazines. Are you seeing the contrasts?
I'll probably write a lot more political stuff over the next few days, leading up to and following the election.
Next time: Tune in for the best way to ask questions as a journalist, and the different techniques you can use. Baffle your friends with your investigative, persistant skills and stun politicians with your mastery of questioning.
But for now, I wonder if you might think about how The Chaser's War on Everything only ever satirises a couple of sections of the media. If all of "the media" was the way lots of people think of the media, wouldn't they satirise more than the usual (A Current Affair and Today Tonight)?
For years I've been dissatisfied with the media in Australia. Journalists seem to come across as sneaky, snide, sleazy, arrogant, unethical and unconcerned individuals which add up to the sum of media in this country. But are they like that?
Since this year (I suppose) I have been wondering whether the media really is as bad as we all seem to think it is. And this train of thought is fuelled largely by my study, but also by my increased interest in current affairs and news and satire like The Chaser and Frontline. I was having a discussion with my brother a few days ago about whether the Australian media help to enforce ideas of democracy. And he was saying that he believed the media is not doing that job in the slightest and is more hinderance than helper.
I used to agree with that sentiment, almost without question, but the (journalistic) cynical side of me questions everything. And really, are the media such a bad element? Should we distrust them, make them the butt of our jokes, treat the phrase "ethical journalism" as an oxymoron of old? What is it about the media that causes regard somewhat lesser than that you might have for mould in the shower?
Most of the journalists in this country are good journalists. They are ethical and they do their job not for glory, but out of an intrinsic human interest (and probably an ingrained duty some of the more weathered journo's feel). Think about journalists like Kerry O'Brien, Sandra Sully (yes, she annoys me, but she's pretty good really), George Negus, Indira Naidoo, David Marr, Michael Idato, Hedley Thomas (who exposed Dr Death and the mistreatment of Haneef). If you know any one of those names, think of whether they fit in with your perceptions of the media. I don't think they would for my brother, but they are good, prominent journalists. And the majority of journalists in this country are just as good.
But if we have so many "good journalists", why does the media seem like it's doing nothing helpful? Therein lies the problem.
I think it has to do with the concentration of media ownership, firstly. Of course, I love Fairfax and News Limited, but with only TWO primary owners of media in this country, there's very little competition. Think of a job you would like. And imagine you are in a position where you could be promoted for doing better than your colleagues. Ok, now imagine there are very few colleagues at a level above you as most are on the same level as you. That's what I think we have with the media here. What's the point in trying to get to the top when most people are level with you and going higher could expose you to a lot of nasty treatment?
There's more legislative influences, but that is a big one, and I don't want to harp on for much longer.
The other element is what makes up the definition of media. It includes news, current affairs, features (in magazines etc), documentary shows like Australian Story and celebrity gossip that you often see in magazines. Are you seeing the contrasts?
I'll probably write a lot more political stuff over the next few days, leading up to and following the election.
Next time: Tune in for the best way to ask questions as a journalist, and the different techniques you can use. Baffle your friends with your investigative, persistant skills and stun politicians with your mastery of questioning.
But for now, I wonder if you might think about how The Chaser's War on Everything only ever satirises a couple of sections of the media. If all of "the media" was the way lots of people think of the media, wouldn't they satirise more than the usual (A Current Affair and Today Tonight)?
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Sunday
Paige Smith is a journalist who works in Australia. Where she works doesn't really matter, because she knows who her real bosses are ("their are only two of them", she says in her professional, trained newsreaderspeak). She likes the current political system and what it does (to) for the fourth estate. "The anti-terror legislation is good for journalists...and we know we don't have to concern ourselfs with Freedom of Information requests because what we get back is generally similar to what we start with - a blank page," she reports.
I could go on about Paige, she's certainly interesting in her support of the current system (the 'fourth estate' didn't get it's name from agreeing with governments, I promise), but that is enough. And the laws which Australian journalists abide by are enough. If you follow the code of ethics, set out by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, if you stand by the twelve short points set out, you should be a decent journalist. But under the current laws, following at least one of these principals ("Where confidences are accepted, respect them in all circumstances.") can get you put in (contempt) gaol. Is that fair? Is that allowing journalists to do their jobs properly? Maybe, but I'm not sure we're out of the woods and following the path.
In other news (haha), I am still thinking of all the Writers Guild of America members who are on strike. It seems as though (especially in film) producers and directors and actors get the most respect from the general (not that word) public. I can understand their cause, and I make a point of appreciating the writers of both films and television shows I enjoy (more so with tv shows as you're more likely to become familiar with a writer). I hope it ends soon though, for the sake of the writers and all the other skilled professionals like costume designers who are currently out of work.
At least we can write about it for them.
I could go on about Paige, she's certainly interesting in her support of the current system (the 'fourth estate' didn't get it's name from agreeing with governments, I promise), but that is enough. And the laws which Australian journalists abide by are enough. If you follow the code of ethics, set out by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, if you stand by the twelve short points set out, you should be a decent journalist. But under the current laws, following at least one of these principals ("Where confidences are accepted, respect them in all circumstances.") can get you put in (contempt) gaol. Is that fair? Is that allowing journalists to do their jobs properly? Maybe, but I'm not sure we're out of the woods and following the path.
In other news (haha), I am still thinking of all the Writers Guild of America members who are on strike. It seems as though (especially in film) producers and directors and actors get the most respect from the general (not that word) public. I can understand their cause, and I make a point of appreciating the writers of both films and television shows I enjoy (more so with tv shows as you're more likely to become familiar with a writer). I hope it ends soon though, for the sake of the writers and all the other skilled professionals like costume designers who are currently out of work.
At least we can write about it for them.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Friday
I was having a busy but good day today. I got treated to a coffee this morning at the cafe, had a nice chat there and headed home to cook for mum. I was in the kitchen from 11am til 3pm non-stop with different cooking things - the cake, chocolate coated stawberries and cherries, salsa, hummous. It kept me busy but I enjoyed it.
Just when I was resting (drinking coffee and reading a Stephen King short story), someone stole my thunder.
It so happens that I got an excellent mark for an assignment which was more than an assignment to me. And I have plans for it outside of uni too. Plans I would prefer to keep slightly to myself until they lead to something like the clearing at the end of the path for this assignment. But obviously Fate (or someone there when I got my assignment in the mail), had other plans. I don't like people spreading good news for me. Let alone the part which hasn't been achieved yet. So now my thunders been stolen, but the storms here in a coffee cup (I'm drinking coffee, tired from all the cooking today).
Hopefully things will look up later though.
Just when I was resting (drinking coffee and reading a Stephen King short story), someone stole my thunder.
It so happens that I got an excellent mark for an assignment which was more than an assignment to me. And I have plans for it outside of uni too. Plans I would prefer to keep slightly to myself until they lead to something like the clearing at the end of the path for this assignment. But obviously Fate (or someone there when I got my assignment in the mail), had other plans. I don't like people spreading good news for me. Let alone the part which hasn't been achieved yet. So now my thunders been stolen, but the storms here in a coffee cup (I'm drinking coffee, tired from all the cooking today).
Hopefully things will look up later though.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Tuesday
It's been a while. I actually think I should write one of my inevitably long emails soon, but some recent correspondance from my Future (soon) Director in Hungary made me decide I should do more blog entries.
I have returned to the beautiful town of Bellingen, population somewhere between 2 and 3 thousand people. The river's full, the birdies are singing, crickets chirping and even the yellowish grass is green (much greener than any Brisbane grass, anyway). I am very happy to be away from the city for a while.
Of course, there are things I miss, like access to the movies (particularly for less than $11), shops, and other entertainmenty stuff. But I have actually had a rest since being here. I'd almost forgotten than word existed out of the few hours of sleep I'd get a night during semestertime.
At the end of last week (Friday Saturday) both my performances went well. I was buggered by Sunday, but my first Shakespeare workshop also seemed to be fun for all. And there should be a few more people coming along this Sunday, so that's promising.
I've devoted a lot of the resting to reading, and some to watching shows like Battlestar Galactica, which Sister Dear suggested I'd like (and rightly so). Mainly reading, and drinking coffee. And I think I'll leave it at that for now. I'd enjoy any comments you'd like to leave too.
I have returned to the beautiful town of Bellingen, population somewhere between 2 and 3 thousand people. The river's full, the birdies are singing, crickets chirping and even the yellowish grass is green (much greener than any Brisbane grass, anyway). I am very happy to be away from the city for a while.
Of course, there are things I miss, like access to the movies (particularly for less than $11), shops, and other entertainmenty stuff. But I have actually had a rest since being here. I'd almost forgotten than word existed out of the few hours of sleep I'd get a night during semestertime.
At the end of last week (Friday Saturday) both my performances went well. I was buggered by Sunday, but my first Shakespeare workshop also seemed to be fun for all. And there should be a few more people coming along this Sunday, so that's promising.
I've devoted a lot of the resting to reading, and some to watching shows like Battlestar Galactica, which Sister Dear suggested I'd like (and rightly so). Mainly reading, and drinking coffee. And I think I'll leave it at that for now. I'd enjoy any comments you'd like to leave too.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Tuesday
Time is speeding away from me like cars on the highway at holiday time. I don't mind, but at the same time I do. I feel like things are slipping by me without getting my full attention, and I don't like that idea.
I've started reading Stephen King's Lisey's story, upon Sister Dear's suggestion to do so. I'm not very far into it, but I like it so far. A lot of the King books I've read are not done from a female perspective (the only one which I can think of that uses an exclusively female voice is The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon). While things like male or female perspective rarely bother me, it's interesting to see how they might differ for writers. A few writers I'm familiar with go very cliche when they write from a certain gender perspective. Stephen King does not (at least not from my reading so far).
Today has been spent reading, writing up my last assignment and watching Boston Legal with Sister Dear. We're watching Season 3 at the moment, and I have to say it has been my favourite so far. The characters are good (some of the new ones great), the stories are excellent and the morality behind them highly entertaining. And, I must admit I do enjoy figuring out what angles they might take for their court cases (as I say to some friends "I like it 'cause I know a bit about the law", and never mind that I've only studied Australian law in depth, and only in relation to the media at that!).
Otherwise, things are as they should be.
I've started reading Stephen King's Lisey's story, upon Sister Dear's suggestion to do so. I'm not very far into it, but I like it so far. A lot of the King books I've read are not done from a female perspective (the only one which I can think of that uses an exclusively female voice is The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon). While things like male or female perspective rarely bother me, it's interesting to see how they might differ for writers. A few writers I'm familiar with go very cliche when they write from a certain gender perspective. Stephen King does not (at least not from my reading so far).
Today has been spent reading, writing up my last assignment and watching Boston Legal with Sister Dear. We're watching Season 3 at the moment, and I have to say it has been my favourite so far. The characters are good (some of the new ones great), the stories are excellent and the morality behind them highly entertaining. And, I must admit I do enjoy figuring out what angles they might take for their court cases (as I say to some friends "I like it 'cause I know a bit about the law", and never mind that I've only studied Australian law in depth, and only in relation to the media at that!).
Otherwise, things are as they should be.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Monday
Yes, I took a week off. Well, a bit more than a week, but close enough for government business as some might say. I needed a break from things to try and take it easy. Evidently "taking it easy" is not simple task for me, I've still been busy. But I'm slightly more relaxed.
I spent the first few days of last week writing my last essay for the year, and the rest milling through other forms of work and arranging my holidays and other nonesuch. Rehearsals have played a bigger role the past week or so. And my back has been sore. At first I had no idea why, but I think it's from lifting a girl in the play up and carrying her as if in a funeral procession. Because I'm the shortest cast member the weight isn't distributed fairly, so it's not been good. But I'm doing stretches and I should be ok.
I am looking forward to performing in it. It's just getting to that stage which is difficult. The directors are making some great decisions, but they are not good with time management or considering cast members. For example, they waffle along for half an hour or so before getting started at a rehearsal, don't do very well chosen warm-ups, and ask cast members to come in even when they know that certain cast members won't be needed until hours later.
And they don't understand stage etiquette. One cast member felt they were facing upstage for too long in a scene, but couldn't do much about it because of the blocking, and I heard one of the directors say to the other "does it matter if she's facing upstage?", to which the other director replied "not really, as long as she projects". Ok, rule number one is NEVER have your back to the audience. Obviously once you know this rule you can manipulate it and play with it, but to not know it at all? O, grim looked night!
The weekend just passed was very nice for me. My mum and brother came up to visit and we all went to see the play that Sister Dear assistant directed for. I thought it was good, but at times a bit overacted in a bad way. But it was the first night, and Sister Dear said they were very nervous, so I think it would have improved a great deal since then, and I enjoyed it all the same.
And for now, I think I shall take my leave for another day. It's been a while, but I shall strive to be more constant in the future.
I spent the first few days of last week writing my last essay for the year, and the rest milling through other forms of work and arranging my holidays and other nonesuch. Rehearsals have played a bigger role the past week or so. And my back has been sore. At first I had no idea why, but I think it's from lifting a girl in the play up and carrying her as if in a funeral procession. Because I'm the shortest cast member the weight isn't distributed fairly, so it's not been good. But I'm doing stretches and I should be ok.
I am looking forward to performing in it. It's just getting to that stage which is difficult. The directors are making some great decisions, but they are not good with time management or considering cast members. For example, they waffle along for half an hour or so before getting started at a rehearsal, don't do very well chosen warm-ups, and ask cast members to come in even when they know that certain cast members won't be needed until hours later.
And they don't understand stage etiquette. One cast member felt they were facing upstage for too long in a scene, but couldn't do much about it because of the blocking, and I heard one of the directors say to the other "does it matter if she's facing upstage?", to which the other director replied "not really, as long as she projects". Ok, rule number one is NEVER have your back to the audience. Obviously once you know this rule you can manipulate it and play with it, but to not know it at all? O, grim looked night!
The weekend just passed was very nice for me. My mum and brother came up to visit and we all went to see the play that Sister Dear assistant directed for. I thought it was good, but at times a bit overacted in a bad way. But it was the first night, and Sister Dear said they were very nervous, so I think it would have improved a great deal since then, and I enjoyed it all the same.
And for now, I think I shall take my leave for another day. It's been a while, but I shall strive to be more constant in the future.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Super Saturday
What a day. Never has that short, but to-the-point sentence been so apt for me. I'm very tired right now, but I wanted to quickly write something up before I turn in for the day.
Rehearsals were a bit of a waste of time for me. I could only go for two hours, and because one of the cast members I work quite closely with wasn't there until 10 minutes before I had to leave, the rest of the time was just chatting and watching other scenes. It's not that I mind doing that, but I did let them know over a week in advance that I would have to leave early. Oh well.
The plays were good. I'll talk more about them tomorrow when I'm not falling asleep at my computer. And the company was excellent, we had a lot of fun.
I have study, food shopping and other stuff to do tomorrow, so I'll have to sacrifice catching up on all my lost sleep until tomorrow night/Monday morning when I might get to bed earlier/sleep in. But I'm feeling pretty good anyway.
Rehearsals were a bit of a waste of time for me. I could only go for two hours, and because one of the cast members I work quite closely with wasn't there until 10 minutes before I had to leave, the rest of the time was just chatting and watching other scenes. It's not that I mind doing that, but I did let them know over a week in advance that I would have to leave early. Oh well.
The plays were good. I'll talk more about them tomorrow when I'm not falling asleep at my computer. And the company was excellent, we had a lot of fun.
I have study, food shopping and other stuff to do tomorrow, so I'll have to sacrifice catching up on all my lost sleep until tomorrow night/Monday morning when I might get to bed earlier/sleep in. But I'm feeling pretty good anyway.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Friday
I know, I missed yesterday. Time got away from me (I can't believe 24 hours ago I was writing reference lists and studying for my media law exam - it feels like a week ago). And I was very busy with assignments. From last Friday to this Friday I've done six assignments. And they weren't that evenly spread. But now I have only two left, and they should be goodies.
I went and had drinks this afternoon with my journalism friends and associates at uni. Our lecturer organised it and I'm so glad she did. It was really a lot of fun (minus the bombardment all our ears got - apparently Friday afternoon of the last teaching week is the time to go for a drink). It's interesting, because when I went to submit my three written assignments today, I was thinking about how deserted the campus was. When I headed over to the uni bar, I realised why.
Still, it was fun. I even ended up having a chat about Doctor Who with my lecturer!
Anyway, I think I need to go to bed. I haven't had much sleep this week and tomorrow is Super Saturday (as in rehearsals in the morning, Much Ado About Nothing straight afterwards and The Laramie Project after that). I'll have to write reviews for the plays!
I went and had drinks this afternoon with my journalism friends and associates at uni. Our lecturer organised it and I'm so glad she did. It was really a lot of fun (minus the bombardment all our ears got - apparently Friday afternoon of the last teaching week is the time to go for a drink). It's interesting, because when I went to submit my three written assignments today, I was thinking about how deserted the campus was. When I headed over to the uni bar, I realised why.
Still, it was fun. I even ended up having a chat about Doctor Who with my lecturer!
Anyway, I think I need to go to bed. I haven't had much sleep this week and tomorrow is Super Saturday (as in rehearsals in the morning, Much Ado About Nothing straight afterwards and The Laramie Project after that). I'll have to write reviews for the plays!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Wednesday
We sat in the dark performance space waiting for the audience to enter. An eerie song was playing and the only light came from four torches. Once audience member followed the light to the centre of the room before changing their mind and moving outside the light. When it was dark, we began to talk.
I walked around, taking photos of people in the dark, then handing them disturbing images which they could look at when the lights were turned on. The stockings on our heads made us uniform, and the scattered sentences unsettled a lot of people. The lights, when they came up, were only light enough to illuminate the space, not much more. At the end of our performance someone gave the best feedback I could have asked for.
"My heart was racing. I was scared, but I also asked myself why I was scared."
That was what I had hoped to hear.
I was going to try and put up photos tonight, but I think that will have to wait until I have a bit more time on my hands (like after this week is over). For now, I hope my brief performance description has been enough.
I walked around, taking photos of people in the dark, then handing them disturbing images which they could look at when the lights were turned on. The stockings on our heads made us uniform, and the scattered sentences unsettled a lot of people. The lights, when they came up, were only light enough to illuminate the space, not much more. At the end of our performance someone gave the best feedback I could have asked for.
"My heart was racing. I was scared, but I also asked myself why I was scared."
That was what I had hoped to hear.
I was going to try and put up photos tonight, but I think that will have to wait until I have a bit more time on my hands (like after this week is over). For now, I hope my brief performance description has been enough.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Tuesday
Who would have known walking around with a stocking on your head could be so much fun? Well, I certainly didn't until we had our group dress rehearsal today. Not only did it bring about stomach-cramping laughter, but also some great photos (which I might even try and post tomorrow after the performance).
I'm looking forward to tomorrow, but I'm also feeling exhausted already. And the idea of three more non-stop study days is not very appealing. But, I shall persevere!
At the moment I should get back to fixing up this video for tomorrow. Most of my group thought it was "perfect" (to quote one girl), but I noticed a few sections which were edited badly. So, onward with the video.
More tomorrow (if I don't feel swamped that is).
I'm looking forward to tomorrow, but I'm also feeling exhausted already. And the idea of three more non-stop study days is not very appealing. But, I shall persevere!
At the moment I should get back to fixing up this video for tomorrow. Most of my group thought it was "perfect" (to quote one girl), but I noticed a few sections which were edited badly. So, onward with the video.
More tomorrow (if I don't feel swamped that is).
Monday, October 22, 2007
The Death of the Theatre?
We had a debate today. Team Affirmative, as I decided to call us(one "witty" guy wanted to call us "Team Dan", but I suspected that was an ego thing of sorts), was arguing that theatre is dead. So...is it?
We argued that theatre, as defined by Aristotle some 2000 plus years ago, is not alive. Performance, on the other hand, we believe is very alive. See, theatre, with a linear narrative and fourth wall, only appeals to a small percentage of todays society. Performance is everywhere (and if you read the work of someone like Schechner, everything).
Team Negative argued this was just an evolution of theatre and could still be called "theatre" as such, but I tend to disagree. If, as scientific theory compelling suggests, humans evolved from some form of ape, why then are we not still called apes? Because we have evolved so much that we could hardly be called apes? Isn't that the same as with contemporary "theatre"/performance? I would argue yes, but feel free to rebut.
You might have also noticed my headline for today is alluding to Roland Barthes' essay The Author is Dead, which states that authors are no more than the people writing, and the readers are the ones creating meaning. In his essay, Barthes suggests "death" is a metaphor for a power exhange, or an evolution of sorts. If we apply that same "death" metaphor to the changing face of "theatre", it could easily be seen as dead.
Either way, it was a very interesting discussion and a number of Team Negative attacked me in their rebuttal. I'll admit one of them had a very good reason to do this (I got my theories mixed and my words muddled), but I like to think I got the most notice because what I was saying made them think. And, for me, that is the important thing about debates.
We argued that theatre, as defined by Aristotle some 2000 plus years ago, is not alive. Performance, on the other hand, we believe is very alive. See, theatre, with a linear narrative and fourth wall, only appeals to a small percentage of todays society. Performance is everywhere (and if you read the work of someone like Schechner, everything).
Team Negative argued this was just an evolution of theatre and could still be called "theatre" as such, but I tend to disagree. If, as scientific theory compelling suggests, humans evolved from some form of ape, why then are we not still called apes? Because we have evolved so much that we could hardly be called apes? Isn't that the same as with contemporary "theatre"/performance? I would argue yes, but feel free to rebut.
You might have also noticed my headline for today is alluding to Roland Barthes' essay The Author is Dead, which states that authors are no more than the people writing, and the readers are the ones creating meaning. In his essay, Barthes suggests "death" is a metaphor for a power exhange, or an evolution of sorts. If we apply that same "death" metaphor to the changing face of "theatre", it could easily be seen as dead.
Either way, it was a very interesting discussion and a number of Team Negative attacked me in their rebuttal. I'll admit one of them had a very good reason to do this (I got my theories mixed and my words muddled), but I like to think I got the most notice because what I was saying made them think. And, for me, that is the important thing about debates.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Sunday
A short post today I think, because I almost forgot (again) to make one. I've been working on an essay most of the day, and I feel surprisingly good. Yes, it's true that at one stage, in the late afternoon, I had to run around my study area and do a bit of a physical shake-out to re-focus myself, but I still got a lot done.
I'm now entering the Dreaded Week 13 at uni, and I'm not looking forward to it. But I am looking forward to the end of the week, so that's something to keep me going. And tomorrow I have an appointment about my drama future, so it will be nice to have some more organisation. Until then, I think it's time for bed.
(And for once I have managed to write a short post!)
I'm now entering the Dreaded Week 13 at uni, and I'm not looking forward to it. But I am looking forward to the end of the week, so that's something to keep me going. And tomorrow I have an appointment about my drama future, so it will be nice to have some more organisation. Until then, I think it's time for bed.
(And for once I have managed to write a short post!)
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Saturday - Plays and History
Do you know what I enjoy about studying plays for drama? Part of it is my enthusiasm for drama, but part of it is the history you get to learn. At the moment I'm writing about Kushner's Angels in America and Kaufman's The Laramie Project and I'm learning so much about the United States political history.
At school here you tend to get taught a minimal amount of world history, and a lot about Australian history, so things like Reaganomics and Clinton's policies escaped me for a long, long time. Being able to read about them now, and find links between politics and the plays is proving particularly interesting.
Yes, I have changed my tune (again) about university work. I'm enjoying it at the moment. But I know next week will be my Week of Hell, so making the most of this assignment means I can try and keep sane for everything else I'm not so enthusiastic about. And it's not often I get the chance to write about a play one weekend, and go and see it performed the next. I'm really glad this is the case with The Laramie Project.
When I first read The Project, I was amazed by it's scope and the effectiveness of the docudrama genre (some people call it Verbatim Theatre, but I disagree with that). And also by how much the words effected me. I'm a little ambiguous about seeing it next weekend because I know it will be great, but also very moving. I'm not usually one to cry in things, but I have a feeling I'll need a box of tissues handy next Saturday night.
Anyway, I think I'll turn in for the day (in terms of writing at least). I have to go to the shops and then make dinner for Sister Dear and I.
At school here you tend to get taught a minimal amount of world history, and a lot about Australian history, so things like Reaganomics and Clinton's policies escaped me for a long, long time. Being able to read about them now, and find links between politics and the plays is proving particularly interesting.
Yes, I have changed my tune (again) about university work. I'm enjoying it at the moment. But I know next week will be my Week of Hell, so making the most of this assignment means I can try and keep sane for everything else I'm not so enthusiastic about. And it's not often I get the chance to write about a play one weekend, and go and see it performed the next. I'm really glad this is the case with The Laramie Project.
When I first read The Project, I was amazed by it's scope and the effectiveness of the docudrama genre (some people call it Verbatim Theatre, but I disagree with that). And also by how much the words effected me. I'm a little ambiguous about seeing it next weekend because I know it will be great, but also very moving. I'm not usually one to cry in things, but I have a feeling I'll need a box of tissues handy next Saturday night.
Anyway, I think I'll turn in for the day (in terms of writing at least). I have to go to the shops and then make dinner for Sister Dear and I.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Friday
A short entry is in call for tonight I think. I've had a mad hatter of a day today. Firstly, I went to uni, handed in an assignment and rushed off to my Media Law class, almost colliding with my lecturer in the process. That was, of course, fun.
The class was great, a revision type thing for the exam next week which got me thinking about that on top of everything else I need to think about. After that I raced up to the bus stop to catch the inter-campus bus to get to my group meeting. On the way I realised I had a message from my dad about some projects I have planned for the summer holidays.
Group meeting. Ok, we got stuff done and I don't feel so bad about it all now. But it didn't help that two of the members got really stressed and inadvertently took it out on the group. Yes, fair enough one of the other members was playing director and sounded patronising about it (note the word sounded though because I don't think it was intentional). And yes, we were a bit rude when one member started saying they had an assignment and couldn't meet up the day before the performance, but those were not fair reasons for people to leave almost in tears and blunder off like Heathcliff on a bad day. Seriously.
On the other hand, play rehearsals tonight were lots of fun. So it was good in the end.
The class was great, a revision type thing for the exam next week which got me thinking about that on top of everything else I need to think about. After that I raced up to the bus stop to catch the inter-campus bus to get to my group meeting. On the way I realised I had a message from my dad about some projects I have planned for the summer holidays.
Group meeting. Ok, we got stuff done and I don't feel so bad about it all now. But it didn't help that two of the members got really stressed and inadvertently took it out on the group. Yes, fair enough one of the other members was playing director and sounded patronising about it (note the word sounded though because I don't think it was intentional). And yes, we were a bit rude when one member started saying they had an assignment and couldn't meet up the day before the performance, but those were not fair reasons for people to leave almost in tears and blunder off like Heathcliff on a bad day. Seriously.
On the other hand, play rehearsals tonight were lots of fun. So it was good in the end.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Thursday
I woke up to the sound of construction work this morning, and despite the late night last night, I managed to get up and prepare for my long day of uni work. Surprisingly it wasn't as bad as I'd anticipated and once I got started I was ok. I think my mind blocks certain things to stop me from getting (more) stressed, and sometimes it must forget to unblock certain things when I'm trying to work. Unlike with some computer issues, there's not really a methodology to the unblocking process.
Still, I got things done. And I even had time to read the news online. Now don't get me wrong, I love newspapers (I don't know many "young people" who do, but I do), especially the bigger ones, but I don't like spending money on them. So online it is at the moment.
Of course, with the Federal Election closing in on us all, a lot of the news was about that. Apparently Prime Minister John Howard plans to open a training facility in the Greenslopes Private Hospital (Brisbane, QLD). This is (I think) actually in Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd's electorate. Tactic? Or is Howard addressing the crumbling health system?
With a decreasing number of nurses and doctors being trained in Australia, the opportunity to be trained in a private hospital is certainly something that needs to be considered. However, the proposed project would be done in association with the University of Queensland. Now I'm a fair opportunity type, and very much against university bias (I both acclaim and criticise most universities I know of). But it sounds very much like this project would be readily available to UQ students, and perhaps not to the other major Brisbane uni's - Queensland University of Technology and Griffith.
Would students from Brisbane universities other than UQ get opportunities to work at Greenslopes if the project went ahead? Shouldn't all medical students have the same workplace training opportunities?
I'll be voicing my opinions about things like this as the election process continues.
Still, I got things done. And I even had time to read the news online. Now don't get me wrong, I love newspapers (I don't know many "young people" who do, but I do), especially the bigger ones, but I don't like spending money on them. So online it is at the moment.
Of course, with the Federal Election closing in on us all, a lot of the news was about that. Apparently Prime Minister John Howard plans to open a training facility in the Greenslopes Private Hospital (Brisbane, QLD). This is (I think) actually in Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd's electorate. Tactic? Or is Howard addressing the crumbling health system?
With a decreasing number of nurses and doctors being trained in Australia, the opportunity to be trained in a private hospital is certainly something that needs to be considered. However, the proposed project would be done in association with the University of Queensland. Now I'm a fair opportunity type, and very much against university bias (I both acclaim and criticise most universities I know of). But it sounds very much like this project would be readily available to UQ students, and perhaps not to the other major Brisbane uni's - Queensland University of Technology and Griffith.
Would students from Brisbane universities other than UQ get opportunities to work at Greenslopes if the project went ahead? Shouldn't all medical students have the same workplace training opportunities?
I'll be voicing my opinions about things like this as the election process continues.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Wednesday
A late post, and with only two minutes left before 12am, I'm guessing it will end up being my first of two technically Thursday entries. Oh well, I'm still counting it as daily.
Group work continues to be a bit of an issue. Fortunately we will be getting together on Friday afternoon to work things our further. I am hoping that we'll be set for next week by the end of that four hours. If not, they might just end up seeing the Bad and Rarely Seen Side of Amy.
I apparently have a package I need to pick up from the post office tomorrow. I'm guessing it's some articles I asked mum to send me, but I have no idea why she would have had them sent via registered post. It's a bit of a mystery. I tried to solve it late this afternoon, and apparently the person who "tried" to deliver it (people were home all day, so I doubt there was much trying) hadn't got back to the post office. Oh well, at some stage tomorrow I'll need a break from work, and now I have an excuse.
With the Federal Election campaign well underway now, I have realised there is a good chance I'll be out of the state on election day. My first election, and I will be doing it probably by postal vote, which actually means I get a bit more time to figure out if I've done everything right. Ah, the joys of being a civic-minded citizen. Actually, I found a rather pertinent "letter" from the Opposition Leader in our letterbox today, all about doing postal votes. Hmm, maybe someone know it would be an option for me... you never know...
That's about it for (tonight? today?) now. I'll be back at an earlier hour (today? tomorrow?) later.
Group work continues to be a bit of an issue. Fortunately we will be getting together on Friday afternoon to work things our further. I am hoping that we'll be set for next week by the end of that four hours. If not, they might just end up seeing the Bad and Rarely Seen Side of Amy.
I apparently have a package I need to pick up from the post office tomorrow. I'm guessing it's some articles I asked mum to send me, but I have no idea why she would have had them sent via registered post. It's a bit of a mystery. I tried to solve it late this afternoon, and apparently the person who "tried" to deliver it (people were home all day, so I doubt there was much trying) hadn't got back to the post office. Oh well, at some stage tomorrow I'll need a break from work, and now I have an excuse.
With the Federal Election campaign well underway now, I have realised there is a good chance I'll be out of the state on election day. My first election, and I will be doing it probably by postal vote, which actually means I get a bit more time to figure out if I've done everything right. Ah, the joys of being a civic-minded citizen. Actually, I found a rather pertinent "letter" from the Opposition Leader in our letterbox today, all about doing postal votes. Hmm, maybe someone know it would be an option for me... you never know...
That's about it for (tonight? today?) now. I'll be back at an earlier hour (today? tomorrow?) later.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Books, books, books
I spent about two hours today in the library. It's amazing how time will disappear when you're walking through the isles, looking for the right call number, checking indexes, looking at the contents pages. Amazing, and also rather time consuming.
With that in mind, I was very tempted to not bother writing a blog entry for today. However, I want to see how long I can keep the daily banter up, so I'm continuing.
I have just been asked by my Sister Dear whether I have ever written about Joseph Mallozzi's blog (www.josephmallozzi.blogspot.com) in my blog. The answer would have been no, up until now. His blog entries are a mix of wit, insights and anecdotal stories which I enjoy reading daily. And one of the reasons I so enjoy it is because I can torment Sister Dear by starting a sentence with "In Joe Mallozzi's blog today..." Ah, the sighs of exasperation ensue!
For some reason she doesn't like hearing my stories about reading blogs. Oh well, that's just fine by me (it keeps me sane, you know, tormenting her).
With that in mind, I was very tempted to not bother writing a blog entry for today. However, I want to see how long I can keep the daily banter up, so I'm continuing.
I have just been asked by my Sister Dear whether I have ever written about Joseph Mallozzi's blog (www.josephmallozzi.blogspot.com) in my blog. The answer would have been no, up until now. His blog entries are a mix of wit, insights and anecdotal stories which I enjoy reading daily. And one of the reasons I so enjoy it is because I can torment Sister Dear by starting a sentence with "In Joe Mallozzi's blog today..." Ah, the sighs of exasperation ensue!
For some reason she doesn't like hearing my stories about reading blogs. Oh well, that's just fine by me (it keeps me sane, you know, tormenting her).
Monday, October 15, 2007
Monday, again
I was having a bad case of the Monday Blues today before I went to uni. I'd suddenly realised I essentially have two weeks of uni left from today, but seven assignments due between now and then. That would work out to an assignment every second day (if the people in assignment scheduling wanted to be meaner).
At any rate, this assignment influx isn't bothering me too much. What got me today, with it's persuasive whisperings, was the Idea That Todays Class Might Be Boring. Now, there's normally nothing more enjoyable than going to my drama classes - they're full of funny, interesting people and the stuff we're studying is very interesting to me. But it's the second-last week and things are winding down. Not so fun.
Still, when I got there I found I wasn't the only one with a bout of the blues. Our lecturer was also in That Kind Of Mood. Especially when more than half of the class hadn't done the simple task of writing 300 words on the play they'd read (and a few hadn't even read a play). I thought these people made the rest of us get an undeserved lecture on Making An Effort, but I didn't say anything.
In the end, it turned out I was wrong about today. After all the Monday Issues were issued and dealt with, the class was quite good. It also helped me quite a lot with the essay I have to write. And don't even ask about the Postmodern. Looks like Postmodern will be with me, watching me very closely, for the next week or so while I write this essay. Ah well, I guess there's got to be something good about that (even if it's just another script).
At any rate, this assignment influx isn't bothering me too much. What got me today, with it's persuasive whisperings, was the Idea That Todays Class Might Be Boring. Now, there's normally nothing more enjoyable than going to my drama classes - they're full of funny, interesting people and the stuff we're studying is very interesting to me. But it's the second-last week and things are winding down. Not so fun.
Still, when I got there I found I wasn't the only one with a bout of the blues. Our lecturer was also in That Kind Of Mood. Especially when more than half of the class hadn't done the simple task of writing 300 words on the play they'd read (and a few hadn't even read a play). I thought these people made the rest of us get an undeserved lecture on Making An Effort, but I didn't say anything.
In the end, it turned out I was wrong about today. After all the Monday Issues were issued and dealt with, the class was quite good. It also helped me quite a lot with the essay I have to write. And don't even ask about the Postmodern. Looks like Postmodern will be with me, watching me very closely, for the next week or so while I write this essay. Ah well, I guess there's got to be something good about that (even if it's just another script).
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Sunday: Speculations
If we're to believe the six degrees of separation theory, which as been explored by various researchers since as early as 1929, then it really is a small world. And a lot has changed since the 1967 research done by Stanley Milgram to prove this theory. The internet is something significant which instantly comes to mind as a new tool of networking, and perhaps this has (reduced) changed the six degrees theory.
With that in mind, I'm currently contemplating the idea that in a more communicative world (broadly through internet, more specifically through email, networking sites, search engines etc) things can still be overlooked. Some people might even argue things are more likely to be overlooked because of the vast multitude of websites around. This raises a peculiar question for me: if we can do a basic internet search in 0.08 seconds these days, how is it that academic research can be so secular?
It seems logical that when people write academic articles they would do some of their research online. I mean, I'm a student and I still check to see that some of my ideas are original (to a point, Postmodernism reminds me). But still I will stumble across people/organisations/communities that claim to be "the first" to do something I know has been done before. Or I will find research which seems essentially the same, but with a different name for the theory in question. How does this happen and why don't people strive to address this?
People could write a book on this kind of thing. I doubt it would make many sales, but there's that many cases of it that I have found in just the past month. It can disadvantage researchers and organisations because they might overlook information which could benefit their projects, and it is also extremely confusing.
Some days I wonder if it isn't because technology is being developed so fast that we haven't yet had the time to make the most of it.
With that in mind, I'm currently contemplating the idea that in a more communicative world (broadly through internet, more specifically through email, networking sites, search engines etc) things can still be overlooked. Some people might even argue things are more likely to be overlooked because of the vast multitude of websites around. This raises a peculiar question for me: if we can do a basic internet search in 0.08 seconds these days, how is it that academic research can be so secular?
It seems logical that when people write academic articles they would do some of their research online. I mean, I'm a student and I still check to see that some of my ideas are original (to a point, Postmodernism reminds me). But still I will stumble across people/organisations/communities that claim to be "the first" to do something I know has been done before. Or I will find research which seems essentially the same, but with a different name for the theory in question. How does this happen and why don't people strive to address this?
People could write a book on this kind of thing. I doubt it would make many sales, but there's that many cases of it that I have found in just the past month. It can disadvantage researchers and organisations because they might overlook information which could benefit their projects, and it is also extremely confusing.
Some days I wonder if it isn't because technology is being developed so fast that we haven't yet had the time to make the most of it.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Saturday
Sometimes reading is the best thing to do. Sitting down, relaxing and reading a book sounds so appealing. But apparently not today. I've been reading through academic articles on styles and forms of theatre, Kushner's Angels in America and Kaufman's The Laramie Project. While the plays themselves are excellent, sifting through the theory to find relevant facts can be tedious.
Now, I like study in fact, I'm probably addicted to it in some weird way. But when it gets down to really really specific stuff which might marginally help me, but which I have to read in entirety, that's when it gets tiresome. Still, I shall persevere and hope that I learn lots of facts along the way which might not help me now, but could later on. Always look on the bright side, right?
It is decidedly cold tonight. Actually, it hasn't really warmed up all day and I suspect it is Brisbane's way of saying "I know you want rain, but have a cool temperature instead". Not exactly what I had in mind, but a nice change from the heat and humidity. But for now, I shall bid you adieu for another day.
Now, I like study in fact, I'm probably addicted to it in some weird way. But when it gets down to really really specific stuff which might marginally help me, but which I have to read in entirety, that's when it gets tiresome. Still, I shall persevere and hope that I learn lots of facts along the way which might not help me now, but could later on. Always look on the bright side, right?
It is decidedly cold tonight. Actually, it hasn't really warmed up all day and I suspect it is Brisbane's way of saying "I know you want rain, but have a cool temperature instead". Not exactly what I had in mind, but a nice change from the heat and humidity. But for now, I shall bid you adieu for another day.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Friday
People can be so predictable. I hate to say this, because I hate to think that I am predictable (but I'll admit in some cases I am). Nevertheless, it's true and predictability might as well be one of the characteristics listed under the definition of "Human Nature".
But isn't it sad when this truth extends to sarcastic conversations about what the worse possible thing someone could say or do is? When you don't want to be right, but you are in spite of what you've said? Might as well cut off the leaves of a pineapple to try and make it look "better" (and by now you should know how I feel about that).
At any rate, predictability can be a good thing ("no, she won't eat the pineapple without leaves") and a bad thing ("she'll throw the leafless pineapple in a fit of rage", which then turns out to be true). It can reassure people that they know you, but it can also make you wonder whether that is a good thing.
When I was at school I used to get very annoyed with friends who would try and predict what I would do. So much so that I would try and second guess them so I could do the opposite of what they thought I'd do (eg eat the leafless pineapple and pretend I was not in fact lamenting it's radical aesthetic).
But hey, I just like the way normal pineapple's look.
But isn't it sad when this truth extends to sarcastic conversations about what the worse possible thing someone could say or do is? When you don't want to be right, but you are in spite of what you've said? Might as well cut off the leaves of a pineapple to try and make it look "better" (and by now you should know how I feel about that).
At any rate, predictability can be a good thing ("no, she won't eat the pineapple without leaves") and a bad thing ("she'll throw the leafless pineapple in a fit of rage", which then turns out to be true). It can reassure people that they know you, but it can also make you wonder whether that is a good thing.
When I was at school I used to get very annoyed with friends who would try and predict what I would do. So much so that I would try and second guess them so I could do the opposite of what they thought I'd do (eg eat the leafless pineapple and pretend I was not in fact lamenting it's radical aesthetic).
But hey, I just like the way normal pineapple's look.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Thursday
I don't like to be avoided. I don't like it when people think they are being subtle about something and I know that's what they are trying to do. And believe it or not, somehow this lead to thoughts of Freud...
(Enter Id dressed as a kind of Grendel monster - in keeping with certain Norse references I have made today)
Id: Weakness!! Attack, attack, attack. Or - this could be even more fun - EXTERMINATE/DELETE.
Amy: Uh, I'm not so sure I want to do that...
(Enter Ego, who resembles a sci-fi looking, reptilian in black leathery stuff)
Ego: You know "these people" you talk of Amy, they seem to be trying to trick us.
Amy: Us? There is no us, you're both part of me. (Looks at them both) Actually, I take that back. You're part of my imagination.
Ego: Yes, of course. But what if your imagination is actually reality.
Id: What are you talking about?
Ego: I wouldn't expect something as primitive as you to understand.
Amy: You do realise you're criticising a part of yourself there Ego, right?
Id: None of this is the point! The point is people avoiding stuff.
Ego: I hate to say this, but Id's right. And I don't like the idea of people avoiding me. It seems so very rude and disrespectful and -
Id: WEAK.
Ego: Oh, all right. Weak.
Amy: No one's perfect though.
(As if to prove this Id starts to try and gnaw his tail off)
Ego: (Seemingly without realising Ego is raining spit over Amy and Id during this line. Amy looks disgusted by this, while Id tries to catch it in his mouth.) Well, apart from this "Grendel thing" here, I think we are. So attack, I say. Attack.
(Ego begins to clean up a number of different weapon-like objects)
Amy: Oh dear, I think I need help. (Writing a letter) Dear Freud, you have succeeded in making me go absolutely crazy by creating psychoanalytical features as characters in my imagination. I don't want to thank you for this, I just want to let you know that unless this situation improves, I will be sending you lots of angry mail.
(Cue "heroic" classical music as Superego enters)
Superego: Aha! I am Superego. The super of your Ego, the controller of your Id the...Oh dear, you've created persona's for them, haven't you?
Amy: I, er, it wasn't my fault...
Superego: Never fear! Superego shall save you. (Superego catches a glimpse of its reflection on a shiny surface) Ooh, hell-o.
Amy: Oh dear.
(Enter Id dressed as a kind of Grendel monster - in keeping with certain Norse references I have made today)
Id: Weakness!! Attack, attack, attack. Or - this could be even more fun - EXTERMINATE/DELETE.
Amy: Uh, I'm not so sure I want to do that...
(Enter Ego, who resembles a sci-fi looking, reptilian in black leathery stuff)
Ego: You know "these people" you talk of Amy, they seem to be trying to trick us.
Amy: Us? There is no us, you're both part of me. (Looks at them both) Actually, I take that back. You're part of my imagination.
Ego: Yes, of course. But what if your imagination is actually reality.
Id: What are you talking about?
Ego: I wouldn't expect something as primitive as you to understand.
Amy: You do realise you're criticising a part of yourself there Ego, right?
Id: None of this is the point! The point is people avoiding stuff.
Ego: I hate to say this, but Id's right. And I don't like the idea of people avoiding me. It seems so very rude and disrespectful and -
Id: WEAK.
Ego: Oh, all right. Weak.
Amy: No one's perfect though.
(As if to prove this Id starts to try and gnaw his tail off)
Ego: (Seemingly without realising Ego is raining spit over Amy and Id during this line. Amy looks disgusted by this, while Id tries to catch it in his mouth.) Well, apart from this "Grendel thing" here, I think we are. So attack, I say. Attack.
(Ego begins to clean up a number of different weapon-like objects)
Amy: Oh dear, I think I need help. (Writing a letter) Dear Freud, you have succeeded in making me go absolutely crazy by creating psychoanalytical features as characters in my imagination. I don't want to thank you for this, I just want to let you know that unless this situation improves, I will be sending you lots of angry mail.
(Cue "heroic" classical music as Superego enters)
Superego: Aha! I am Superego. The super of your Ego, the controller of your Id the...Oh dear, you've created persona's for them, haven't you?
Amy: I, er, it wasn't my fault...
Superego: Never fear! Superego shall save you. (Superego catches a glimpse of its reflection on a shiny surface) Ooh, hell-o.
Amy: Oh dear.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Wednesday
My experience with drama at university has generally been good, especially this semester. However, I am now reaching the end of my tether when it comes to a certain group performance I have to do. I love the idea of group work, I really do. And the people I'm working with are great people but apparently not so great ensemblists (apparently in all my frustration I just invented a new word).
I've been let down in group work a few too many times to expect total commitment from people, but because of past experiences I am willing to give up a fair bit of time for groups. But apparently I'm one of the few in my group willing to do this. And frankly, I am getting slightly concerned about it.
We met last Friday to work on it. I typed up what we had, asked for feedback, got none. We had to show our idea to the class today for feedback, and we had about a five minute script (the performance is 20-30). So I typed up some more stuff based on what we had talked about and also on my own ideas. I figured whether we used it or not was unimportant because the feedback could be used to generate more ideas for it anyway. So I explained that to the three of four others who actually turned up today. At first they thought I was "taking over" the group and the script was (in my eyes) set in stone. When I explained my theory on it they were really surprised I'd done so much work and very grateful.
The positive feedback was actually more to do with the added stuff than with the group worked stuff. And because it doesn't look like we can meet very much within the next two weeks I am going to tentatively suggest we consider using it. Stuff not "taking over" the group, I want a good mark. If worst comes to worst I will go and talk to my lecturer about it and see what she thinks. As much as I like people, I can't stand a lack of commitment.
I've been let down in group work a few too many times to expect total commitment from people, but because of past experiences I am willing to give up a fair bit of time for groups. But apparently I'm one of the few in my group willing to do this. And frankly, I am getting slightly concerned about it.
We met last Friday to work on it. I typed up what we had, asked for feedback, got none. We had to show our idea to the class today for feedback, and we had about a five minute script (the performance is 20-30). So I typed up some more stuff based on what we had talked about and also on my own ideas. I figured whether we used it or not was unimportant because the feedback could be used to generate more ideas for it anyway. So I explained that to the three of four others who actually turned up today. At first they thought I was "taking over" the group and the script was (in my eyes) set in stone. When I explained my theory on it they were really surprised I'd done so much work and very grateful.
The positive feedback was actually more to do with the added stuff than with the group worked stuff. And because it doesn't look like we can meet very much within the next two weeks I am going to tentatively suggest we consider using it. Stuff not "taking over" the group, I want a good mark. If worst comes to worst I will go and talk to my lecturer about it and see what she thinks. As much as I like people, I can't stand a lack of commitment.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Tuesday
Picture this: walking up a long, long, long flight of stairs and sitting on a nice-looking but uncomfortable leather pew for three and a half hours. And then another two hours after that. What are you doing? Just listening to people voice their opinions of other people and the other people's opinions. Sound interesting? That was my day.
Ok, to be fair to the institution, watching parliamentary proceedings was very interesting. The general feel was quite good between opposing sides of the arguments, and the building really is quite beautiful. It's heritage listed, and while I don't know all that much about architecture, I know enough to say it's something you don't see done any more. The gold detail on the roof panels was small and extensive nonetheless, and the balcony in the public gallery was decorated with wrought iron bars in intricate designs. Not that I payed much attention to that.
The experience was one I'm glad to have had, but I don't envy the politicians the long days they have in Parliament. To think they might still be there as I'm writing this is enough to convince me of that. Still, it has to be done. And now I know why.
Not much else happened today. I read a bit more of Angels in America, and found the humour a nice contrast to the sadness in a lot of the narrative. And I wrote a script of sorts, for class tomorrow, which is "interesting" to say the least. And somehow I've been tired out by it all, so I'll take my leave of you for another day.
Ok, to be fair to the institution, watching parliamentary proceedings was very interesting. The general feel was quite good between opposing sides of the arguments, and the building really is quite beautiful. It's heritage listed, and while I don't know all that much about architecture, I know enough to say it's something you don't see done any more. The gold detail on the roof panels was small and extensive nonetheless, and the balcony in the public gallery was decorated with wrought iron bars in intricate designs. Not that I payed much attention to that.
The experience was one I'm glad to have had, but I don't envy the politicians the long days they have in Parliament. To think they might still be there as I'm writing this is enough to convince me of that. Still, it has to be done. And now I know why.
Not much else happened today. I read a bit more of Angels in America, and found the humour a nice contrast to the sadness in a lot of the narrative. And I wrote a script of sorts, for class tomorrow, which is "interesting" to say the least. And somehow I've been tired out by it all, so I'll take my leave of you for another day.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Monday
Ah, the sweet, sweet sound of construction right outside my window
It blocks out all thoughts and worries
Leaving empty space in the halls of my mind.
And as I listen to the workers right outside my window
I wonder if I'm going deaf.
I'll refer back to a previous post in which I talked about fear of strangers (particularly in the city). What about fear of neighbours? Apparently that is an issue here, because I don't see why else our next door neighbours would not have warned us about the noise they wanted to make. It would be a general courtesy to let the people who are right next to you know when you're going to be assaulting there ears. You don't see me yelling into strangers ears at bus stops and stuff.
Actually, when I was woken up early by the noise, I thought of getting up at the crack of dawn one morning, sticking my head out my window and signing a song about neighbours. But thoughts of revenge have left me only to be replaced by sheer bafflement. Are they that rude? Do they think if they left a note in our letterbox, or knocked on our door, that they might catch some strange disease. I even checked to see if there was a red mark above our door. Nope, no red mark. It just doesn't make sense to me, especially the large truck parked right in front of our driveway.
The other thing which baffles me is that their chainsaw, prior to cutting things, sounds like some kind of archaic flute melody (under-toned by a rhythmic motor sound, of course). I've never heard of a Musical Chainsaw, but maybe I've found one all the same.
It blocks out all thoughts and worries
Leaving empty space in the halls of my mind.
And as I listen to the workers right outside my window
I wonder if I'm going deaf.
I'll refer back to a previous post in which I talked about fear of strangers (particularly in the city). What about fear of neighbours? Apparently that is an issue here, because I don't see why else our next door neighbours would not have warned us about the noise they wanted to make. It would be a general courtesy to let the people who are right next to you know when you're going to be assaulting there ears. You don't see me yelling into strangers ears at bus stops and stuff.
Actually, when I was woken up early by the noise, I thought of getting up at the crack of dawn one morning, sticking my head out my window and signing a song about neighbours. But thoughts of revenge have left me only to be replaced by sheer bafflement. Are they that rude? Do they think if they left a note in our letterbox, or knocked on our door, that they might catch some strange disease. I even checked to see if there was a red mark above our door. Nope, no red mark. It just doesn't make sense to me, especially the large truck parked right in front of our driveway.
The other thing which baffles me is that their chainsaw, prior to cutting things, sounds like some kind of archaic flute melody (under-toned by a rhythmic motor sound, of course). I've never heard of a Musical Chainsaw, but maybe I've found one all the same.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Sunday
Not much to say today. I've read some Marber, done some research and chatted to Sister Dear about her essay on some of Australia's revolutionary female playwrights. All in all it's been pretty cruisey for me.
I am eager to get this semester over and done with to be honest. While I love my subjects (I don't hink I've had this much fun and intellectual enjoyment ever --- how nerdy is that?), I just want a break from it all. Of course by "holiday" I mean me running around doing a million things not related to uni, but nevertheless important to me, all the while trying to catch up with friends and family and make the most of the summer and all it has to offer. But at the moment a hectic schedule of Ununiversity would be welcome.
I'm trying not to stress about all my major assignments. You know, the ones creeping up behind me as I innocently do readings and try to ignore the horrible sounds they inevitably create in my mind. Those ones. I'm still waiting on two interviews for my major investigative article (which I may have to chase up soon), and I need to get through Perestroika before I can begin my essay on Kushner and Kaufman. But otherwise I'm ok. Just getting by to get on by, you know how it is.
I am eager to get this semester over and done with to be honest. While I love my subjects (I don't hink I've had this much fun and intellectual enjoyment ever --- how nerdy is that?), I just want a break from it all. Of course by "holiday" I mean me running around doing a million things not related to uni, but nevertheless important to me, all the while trying to catch up with friends and family and make the most of the summer and all it has to offer. But at the moment a hectic schedule of Ununiversity would be welcome.
I'm trying not to stress about all my major assignments. You know, the ones creeping up behind me as I innocently do readings and try to ignore the horrible sounds they inevitably create in my mind. Those ones. I'm still waiting on two interviews for my major investigative article (which I may have to chase up soon), and I need to get through Perestroika before I can begin my essay on Kushner and Kaufman. But otherwise I'm ok. Just getting by to get on by, you know how it is.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
A Play on Postmodernism
1. Annoying Amy
(A windy spring night. AMY sits in her room, surrounded by books, pens, paper etc. She is reading a book on Media Law - something about Intellectual property - when a large shadow falls over the page she is on. AMY looks up towards the shadow's origin...)
Amy: No...
Postmodernism: Hello again strange, strange girl.
Amy: What are you doing here? This is Media Law, not theatre or academic theory or anything else relevant to you. You don't belong here.
Postmodernism: I belong everywhere. Our society is Postmodern, remember?
Amy:Yeah, yeah, I get that. But Media Law?!
Postmodernism: It amuses me -
Amy: (cutting Postmodernism off) It amuses you?
Postmodernism: It amuses me.
Amy: It amuses you...hang on, isn't this getting a bit Meisner?
Postmodernism: It's your story, not mine.
Amy: (Sarcastically) Right, it's just that I don't have any originality, being in a postmodern society and all.
Postmodernism: Oooh, very good. Where'd you get that idea? Some obscure pseudo-academic website?
Amy: From you.
(At this stage Postmodernism moves in front of where Amy is sitting, looming over her as if trying to intimidate her)
Postmodernism: (aside) I'm not trying to "intimidate" her, this is my normal stance. (To Amy) You got your idea from me?
Amy: Yep.
Postmodernism: Well, I'll not be damned, as the saying goes...
(Postmodernism begins to fade upwards)
Amy: Oh you're going are you? Excellent. By the way, the sayings "I'll be damned", there's no "not" involved.
(Amy picks up here text book just as Postmodernism is completely disappearing. Before she can resume reading, a strange, jelly-like popping sound is heard and on the ground where Postmodernism was is a large pineapple).
(A windy spring night. AMY sits in her room, surrounded by books, pens, paper etc. She is reading a book on Media Law - something about Intellectual property - when a large shadow falls over the page she is on. AMY looks up towards the shadow's origin...)
Amy: No...
Postmodernism: Hello again strange, strange girl.
Amy: What are you doing here? This is Media Law, not theatre or academic theory or anything else relevant to you. You don't belong here.
Postmodernism: I belong everywhere. Our society is Postmodern, remember?
Amy:Yeah, yeah, I get that. But Media Law?!
Postmodernism: It amuses me -
Amy: (cutting Postmodernism off) It amuses you?
Postmodernism: It amuses me.
Amy: It amuses you...hang on, isn't this getting a bit Meisner?
Postmodernism: It's your story, not mine.
Amy: (Sarcastically) Right, it's just that I don't have any originality, being in a postmodern society and all.
Postmodernism: Oooh, very good. Where'd you get that idea? Some obscure pseudo-academic website?
Amy: From you.
(At this stage Postmodernism moves in front of where Amy is sitting, looming over her as if trying to intimidate her)
Postmodernism: (aside) I'm not trying to "intimidate" her, this is my normal stance. (To Amy) You got your idea from me?
Amy: Yep.
Postmodernism: Well, I'll not be damned, as the saying goes...
(Postmodernism begins to fade upwards)
Amy: Oh you're going are you? Excellent. By the way, the sayings "I'll be damned", there's no "not" involved.
(Amy picks up here text book just as Postmodernism is completely disappearing. Before she can resume reading, a strange, jelly-like popping sound is heard and on the ground where Postmodernism was is a large pineapple).
Friday, October 5, 2007
Friday
Due to my current study topics, I've had a lot of reason to reflect on ideas of fears. And the one that recurs the most for me is probably fear of the "other", the stranger. And I'm not talking about "stranger danger", although that has become part of it. I'm more interested in the way people will isolate themselves in public to avoid talking to strangers, the majority of whom are probably nice people. Ok, so I grew up in a town where you didn't really have to worry about strangers, and pretty much everyone would talk to you, say hello in passing and stuff. But living in the city has given me a different view of group socialisation.
If you sat next to someone on a bus (someone who by chance did not have their personal music player deafening them and shutting out the "real world") and tried to start a conversation with them, chances are they would ignore you, make non-committal responses, or move seats. Some times people will talk to you, but that is usually to ask questions like "Do you have the time?" or "How late is the bus?!" , that kinda jazz. So why? I figure it's because they're scared. Hey, I can understand that, I often listen to music on public transport. But it still bothers me, and I'm aware of it because people seem to find me approachable (even when I've got music in my ears, and I make sure it isn't deafening me).
Thing is, people don't want to talk to people they don't know. Quite possibly (probably) this is because there is a chance the person right next to them at the bus stop is a bit strange. But honestly, your average person isn't going to get all weird (unless you talk to them, then they might think you were strange). Is this defence inbuilt in our subconscious? Or is it something we've developed because of the way society is today, complete with all it's warnings and moral panics.
The way I see it, it's definitely something worth thinking about.
If you sat next to someone on a bus (someone who by chance did not have their personal music player deafening them and shutting out the "real world") and tried to start a conversation with them, chances are they would ignore you, make non-committal responses, or move seats. Some times people will talk to you, but that is usually to ask questions like "Do you have the time?" or "How late is the bus?!" , that kinda jazz. So why? I figure it's because they're scared. Hey, I can understand that, I often listen to music on public transport. But it still bothers me, and I'm aware of it because people seem to find me approachable (even when I've got music in my ears, and I make sure it isn't deafening me).
Thing is, people don't want to talk to people they don't know. Quite possibly (probably) this is because there is a chance the person right next to them at the bus stop is a bit strange. But honestly, your average person isn't going to get all weird (unless you talk to them, then they might think you were strange). Is this defence inbuilt in our subconscious? Or is it something we've developed because of the way society is today, complete with all it's warnings and moral panics.
The way I see it, it's definitely something worth thinking about.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Thursday
I almost forgot my blog today. At this stage it doesn't seem like it would matter (I doubt there are many avid readers out there at the moment), but for the sake of my own compulsiveness, I'd like to be able to not miss a day.
I spent a lot of the morning reading Stephen King's "The Dark Tower", the final book in a series of the same name. I read them all a couple of years ago, but there is so much about them I'd forgotten, or not fully understood. One of the things I like about re-reading books is that you pick up on so much more stuff second (or third or fourth or fifth) time around. Especially when there is a gap of more than a year. A lot of references I missed last time I am now getting, and it makes SK's already brilliant skills even more so, and the text a lot richer with levels of meaning. Plus, seeing as Postmodernism is still lurking in my peripheral vision, I can appreciate a lot of the techniques he uses in this series.
I also did more research for my major journalism assignment this semester. I spent a lot of time searching the net for different things and it looks like I finally got somewhere. I just can't tell you where that is.
After spending today at home, and not frantically trying to get work done for once, I don't particularly feel like getting up early tomorrow and making the trek to uni. But we are starting the copyright module for media law, and I am looking forward to it. "Looking forward to it?!" you might ask, in shock. But yes, strange as it might seem, I am really enjoying learning about the law. Personally I can't say I'd ever want to be a lawyer, or anything like that, but I find it really interesting stuff. That, and my lecturer makes it entertaining.
Until tomorrow, don't forget the pineapple.
I spent a lot of the morning reading Stephen King's "The Dark Tower", the final book in a series of the same name. I read them all a couple of years ago, but there is so much about them I'd forgotten, or not fully understood. One of the things I like about re-reading books is that you pick up on so much more stuff second (or third or fourth or fifth) time around. Especially when there is a gap of more than a year. A lot of references I missed last time I am now getting, and it makes SK's already brilliant skills even more so, and the text a lot richer with levels of meaning. Plus, seeing as Postmodernism is still lurking in my peripheral vision, I can appreciate a lot of the techniques he uses in this series.
I also did more research for my major journalism assignment this semester. I spent a lot of time searching the net for different things and it looks like I finally got somewhere. I just can't tell you where that is.
After spending today at home, and not frantically trying to get work done for once, I don't particularly feel like getting up early tomorrow and making the trek to uni. But we are starting the copyright module for media law, and I am looking forward to it. "Looking forward to it?!" you might ask, in shock. But yes, strange as it might seem, I am really enjoying learning about the law. Personally I can't say I'd ever want to be a lawyer, or anything like that, but I find it really interesting stuff. That, and my lecturer makes it entertaining.
Until tomorrow, don't forget the pineapple.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Twelfth Hour
I finally left uni on the twelfth hour of being there today. Yep, I was there from 9am to 9pm, and only 6 hours of that was in class stuff. The other six hours were divided up into an hour of chatting with uni friends, an hour of emailing uni group members and other friends, and four hours of research. And despite the four hours, I just realised I have more important research to do. Never mind.
Thing seem to be falling into place nicely now, and the post-mid-semester panic I've been feeling over the past few days is somewhat subsiding. Thankfully. Although, it would be nice if group members would turn up to classes, especially with only three weeks left before a 50% performance and 30% folio is due. You'd think they could do that, right? Apparently not. So three out of five of the people in my group spent today working on our performance and when we can meet up. Too bad if they have issues with it as far as I'm concerned. Welcome Focused, Firm Standing Amy Who Will Tell Unreliable Group Members What's What.
In other news, the play I am in really is only 20 minutes, and I am very happy to say the 20 minutes the new-fangled directors have chosen only needs me for two of the six scenes they're doing. That means I don't have as many rehearsals (yay), lines or responsibilities as I'd expected which, in turn, means I am not so stressed. And while tonight was not an Amy Scenes night, I went along and practiced my directorial and dramaturgical skills. One of the directors even thanked me for my input and complimented my ideas.
I'm currently reading plays by Patrick Marber, and I am still surprised by texts which actually make me giggle while I'm reading. Picture this: AMY is sitting at a table in the vast University Library, reading away quietly while the multitude of students around her read quietly. She turns the page and suddenly bursts into gales of giggles, making quite a few heads turn in her direction. So absorbed in what she is reading, AMY does not notice and continues to read, intermittently giggling.
I'll keep you posted.
Thing seem to be falling into place nicely now, and the post-mid-semester panic I've been feeling over the past few days is somewhat subsiding. Thankfully. Although, it would be nice if group members would turn up to classes, especially with only three weeks left before a 50% performance and 30% folio is due. You'd think they could do that, right? Apparently not. So three out of five of the people in my group spent today working on our performance and when we can meet up. Too bad if they have issues with it as far as I'm concerned. Welcome Focused, Firm Standing Amy Who Will Tell Unreliable Group Members What's What.
In other news, the play I am in really is only 20 minutes, and I am very happy to say the 20 minutes the new-fangled directors have chosen only needs me for two of the six scenes they're doing. That means I don't have as many rehearsals (yay), lines or responsibilities as I'd expected which, in turn, means I am not so stressed. And while tonight was not an Amy Scenes night, I went along and practiced my directorial and dramaturgical skills. One of the directors even thanked me for my input and complimented my ideas.
I'm currently reading plays by Patrick Marber, and I am still surprised by texts which actually make me giggle while I'm reading. Picture this: AMY is sitting at a table in the vast University Library, reading away quietly while the multitude of students around her read quietly. She turns the page and suddenly bursts into gales of giggles, making quite a few heads turn in her direction. So absorbed in what she is reading, AMY does not notice and continues to read, intermittently giggling.
I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
The Bad and the Boring
Why is there intrinsically bad music when you're put on hold in the middle of a phone call? I don't understand the meaning of it. Do people have a checklist they go through before setting up a hold line? I can just imagine it: a bunch of people in business suits sitting around a telephone. Slightly fake and patronising voice saying somefting about everyone being busy? Check. A minimum five minute wait to ward off the time wasters? Check. A notice about the call possibly being recorded? Check. Intrinsically bad music? Double-check, AND we've turned it up really loud.
I don't mind being on hold for a few minutes, but my current length is 24min 45secs and rising. How is that customer service?
34min and 50sec later I finally got on to a person.
Any guesses for what the second thing they said to me was?
"Could you please hold for a minute?"
I don't mind being on hold for a few minutes, but my current length is 24min 45secs and rising. How is that customer service?
34min and 50sec later I finally got on to a person.
Any guesses for what the second thing they said to me was?
"Could you please hold for a minute?"
Monday, October 1, 2007
A loooong day
Handing in an assignment, doing three hours of In-Yer-Face Theatre, walking aimlessly around Southbank for an hour or so THEN going to a production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolfe makes for a very long day. Still, being the academically driven, experiential nutcase and eager theatre-goer I am, it was pretty good.
I was blown away by the performances in Virginia Woolfe. But after the In-Yer-Face class today, it was all quite draining and for once I don't have that much to say.
Maybe tomorrow?
I was blown away by the performances in Virginia Woolfe. But after the In-Yer-Face class today, it was all quite draining and for once I don't have that much to say.
Maybe tomorrow?
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Warmups
"What did you say?" I asked my sister when she mentioned the word I have used for todays blog.
"Warm ups," she repeated more slowly.
This is what happens when you're distracted and your sub conscience goes wandering through the halls of entertainment memories. See, although I've done enough "warm ups" in my time to know exactly what they tend to consist of (strange games, physicality and peculiar phrases among other things), when I heard "warmups" I instantly thought Sister Dear had said War Mups. And I was thinking: what on earth is a War Mup? The famous Miss Piggy dressed up in camouflage? Kermit planning strategic moves against some unknown Entertainment Enemy? Possibly the most interesting thing is that both my sister and I can imagine it.
Then again, we both have rather interesting imaginations.
No comments for yesterdays blog, so I'm trying hard not to feel dejected. Or perhaps my target audience is not available in this time slot and I should try my own strategic moves to an earlier time. It could also be an advertising issue, so maybe I should also try posting promotional tag-lines all over the web.
Then again, it's all good in the land of warmups.
"Warm ups," she repeated more slowly.
This is what happens when you're distracted and your sub conscience goes wandering through the halls of entertainment memories. See, although I've done enough "warm ups" in my time to know exactly what they tend to consist of (strange games, physicality and peculiar phrases among other things), when I heard "warmups" I instantly thought Sister Dear had said War Mups. And I was thinking: what on earth is a War Mup? The famous Miss Piggy dressed up in camouflage? Kermit planning strategic moves against some unknown Entertainment Enemy? Possibly the most interesting thing is that both my sister and I can imagine it.
Then again, we both have rather interesting imaginations.
No comments for yesterdays blog, so I'm trying hard not to feel dejected. Or perhaps my target audience is not available in this time slot and I should try my own strategic moves to an earlier time. It could also be an advertising issue, so maybe I should also try posting promotional tag-lines all over the web.
Then again, it's all good in the land of warmups.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Law ya?
The law is a very tricksy thing. Not only can it be dry and difficult for the unsuspecting student (or citizen) to understand but, once you get past all the jargon, it can still seem alien. After spending the majority of my day looking at defamation, I now have two-thirds of an essay done and feel safe in posting social commentary online because I can talk the talk.I've also spent a good few hours reading over defamation cases in Australia and separating the relevant rulings from the irrelevant ones.
Until 2006, each state and territory in Australia had different defamation laws. People could actually go from state to state with their defamation cases to get the best deal (a technique known as forum shopping). The new laws promote settling defamation outside court, and while this is great legally, academically it can be a pain. Sifting through previous cases, trying to find relevant proceedings is rather tiresome when you have to check what state you're dealing with and whether the ruling would be applicable under the new laws. Still, at least I know I'm safer with the new Defamation Act 2005, right?
I'd like to thank Josie and Sam for being fantastic people...and for commenting on my first blog post.
"Now does your pineapple have anything to do with Will Warring? cos seriously its funny."
Actually my pineapple originated from a classroom back in high school. We were studying this great film, and we had to perform monologues from one of three characters. One of my friends, incredibly organised as he was, got up and did his whole performance about the punchline of a joke in the film. To this day I don't know what the whole joke was, but his performance struck me as amusing and it's stayed with me ever since. Then I found out from Sister Dear that William Waring (a Vancouver-based director and camera operator) tried to get pineapples into the background of Stargate SG-1. So now pineapples have become an ongoing theme of mine. Plus they look cool.
Until tomorrow, fare ye well.
Until 2006, each state and territory in Australia had different defamation laws. People could actually go from state to state with their defamation cases to get the best deal (a technique known as forum shopping). The new laws promote settling defamation outside court, and while this is great legally, academically it can be a pain. Sifting through previous cases, trying to find relevant proceedings is rather tiresome when you have to check what state you're dealing with and whether the ruling would be applicable under the new laws. Still, at least I know I'm safer with the new Defamation Act 2005, right?
I'd like to thank Josie and Sam for being fantastic people...and for commenting on my first blog post.
"Now does your pineapple have anything to do with Will Warring? cos seriously its funny."
Actually my pineapple originated from a classroom back in high school. We were studying this great film, and we had to perform monologues from one of three characters. One of my friends, incredibly organised as he was, got up and did his whole performance about the punchline of a joke in the film. To this day I don't know what the whole joke was, but his performance struck me as amusing and it's stayed with me ever since. Then I found out from Sister Dear that William Waring (a Vancouver-based director and camera operator) tried to get pineapples into the background of Stargate SG-1. So now pineapples have become an ongoing theme of mine. Plus they look cool.
Until tomorrow, fare ye well.
Friday, September 28, 2007
My first post.
The impact the internet has on people's lifestyles has become even more interesting to me after three days without wireless internet access.
The first day mildly annoyed me, but by last night I was going slightly crazy from trying to multi-task on dial up internet. Not exactly the best thing to do. But now, thanks to The Tall House Mate Who Knows Stuff About the Internet, we are back in broadband business.
Still, the fact that three days made such a difference surprised me. Before we were on wireless today, I felt as though doing my assignment without having online references (and procrastination devices) at the tips of my fingers would be like working in an unknown age with far less technology. I didn't even realise how dependent on online news, discussion boards, databases, academic sites and blogs I had become. It seems strange.
And the irony of this lack of realisation is that I have done a number of different university assignments relating to new technology, the majority of which dealt with the internet in some form. And I tend to do well on those assignments. Indeed, my major investigation this semester is about online forms of entertainment. But none of this added up to the realisation of society's reliance on the web.
It took an absence of easy internet access to point out the obvious. And on top of the irony of all this, the fact that it was a lack of something which helped me define the importance of the internet in communication on a personal level proves postmodernism really does have some sort of place in contemporary society.
An apt way to start this blog, I suppose.
The first day mildly annoyed me, but by last night I was going slightly crazy from trying to multi-task on dial up internet. Not exactly the best thing to do. But now, thanks to The Tall House Mate Who Knows Stuff About the Internet, we are back in broadband business.
Still, the fact that three days made such a difference surprised me. Before we were on wireless today, I felt as though doing my assignment without having online references (and procrastination devices) at the tips of my fingers would be like working in an unknown age with far less technology. I didn't even realise how dependent on online news, discussion boards, databases, academic sites and blogs I had become. It seems strange.
And the irony of this lack of realisation is that I have done a number of different university assignments relating to new technology, the majority of which dealt with the internet in some form. And I tend to do well on those assignments. Indeed, my major investigation this semester is about online forms of entertainment. But none of this added up to the realisation of society's reliance on the web.
It took an absence of easy internet access to point out the obvious. And on top of the irony of all this, the fact that it was a lack of something which helped me define the importance of the internet in communication on a personal level proves postmodernism really does have some sort of place in contemporary society.
An apt way to start this blog, I suppose.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)