Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Hazel Edwards and Garry Disher

As part of the Baw Baw Shire's Literary Celebrations on Saturday 21st July there were talks given by Hazel Edwards and Garry Disher at the Old Butter Factory, Drouin.

The last time I was in Drouin I was with Beryl Anderson and I was with her again today.

Hazel seemed to have lost weight since I last saw her in 1998, but she said no. She was vivacious. She talked about blogs in the morning and focused on the blog created by her son when he travelled by bike from Ireland across Europe.

Using the blog as a basis they wrote a book together about it. Not a topic I'm interested in but it has sold well because of the number of people interested in biking.

In the afternoon we had another session with Hazel and she spoke about her Antaractic trip. Now this was something I was more interested in as Cliff's step brother Graham Wills was in the Antaractic around 2000.

Cliff says he has a book that mentions everyone who has been in the Antaractic and when they were there and it has Graham's name in it. He will try to find it for me. He's not sure when it was published.

As a result of her trip Hazel wrote:-
"Antarctic Writer on Ice" a non fiction book about the trip.
"Antarctic Dad" a childrens fiction picture book.
An adult fictional book based on the first book.
A book were you insert a child's name.
A sign lanuage DVD.

I bought the first two. The first one for me. The second one to replace the 'lost' book I had bought Kirsten. It is a first edition. One never knows it may be worth money in a hundred years. In a picture towards the end of the book there is a class room scene with a cork board. Hazel's photo is actually on the board.

I also bought another of Hazel's books about writing and a teenage novel "Outback Ferals" about a pandemic in Australia.

Garry Disher spoke about making the characters in your story alive. Ironic perhaps because he himself was looking very tired and washed out. A good talk though.

I was not interested in his teenage books, but did buy his Challis series of four detective books and am reading "The Dragon Man."

Before Hazel and Garry gave their afternoon talk there was a drumming workshop. We had to go to the very bowels of the factory down what seemed like hundreds of stairs and a number of us were having difficulties. When we reached the area the man and woman in charge insisted everyone stand up and take part. Beryl and I had to explain that was not possible after the stair feat so along with the two women with canes were allowed to sit down. Garry Disher just wanted to sit and observe the workshop and the woman said no he had to take part. He left. His action surprised many people. Hazel threw herself into the activity and was laughting and banging away with a vengeance.

I was surprised by the poor response. I could not see any of the fellow FAW members but there were a number of other Writing students from TAFE there and I believe a good time was had by all. The cost for the whole day, including lunch, which consisted of sandwiches, was $35. If you only went in the afternoon it was $25. Not bad really.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Kirsten and Ross's Birthday - Meg and Simon

Kirsten was nine on 19th July. Kath wanted the family to have a party for her because it is the last single digit birthday. That means next year we have to have a party because it is her first double digit birthday! I had one party as a child and that was for my tenth birthday. The next party I had was my 21st.

We went to the Morwell Bowling Club as the top pub was undergoing renovations. Meg and Simon reckon that the Italian Club meals have gone down hill since he left there. I know the meals got worse when he left the Morwell Club.

Yes, Meg and Simon are back together again. I think he is afraid of committment. When things get too serious he breaks up to put distance between them. Meg has finally realised he doesn't mean it. He is just taking a breath for a week or two, then he comes back and says he really loves her and can she forgive him. The first three times he did it she was really hurt but now knows that what I have said is true and just nods and says "Whatever." I'm sure there will be another break up before the end of the year, as there are plans to build a house and last time, when it came time to sign the contract that's when he got cold feet.

Back to the birthday party. As stated before Ross and Kirsten share a birthday. When Ross found out that she had been born on his birthday he said "She's stolen my birthday." Other uncles would have been pleased that a niece shared their birthday but no he is jealous. Shows the level of maturity.

So we always include him in her birthday celebrations so he doesn't feel left out. He was 28. Naturally Cliff and Keith were there. But Nathen would not allow Talhia and Jasmine to come. Kirsten received about six Bratz dolls. Plus clothes for them. Meg and Simon gave her lots of clothes for herself. She is in a growth spurt. I gave her a strap with Kirsten on it that she will use for her Tamagotchi, which she plans to buy at the weekend with her birthday money. I also gave her a Bratz writing book and a Bratz pencil case. She says she will write her stories in the book. I bought her a book to read but put it away safe from her eyes and now can't find it.

Kath promised to bake her a cake. That made me laugh and Kath hit me on the arm. As it turned out she got Meg to buy one from Coles. I didn't say a WORD.

All in all a good night.

Yarragon Book Fair

For the third year in a row Cliff and I had a stall at the Book Fair. It was run over Saturday the 14th and Sunday 15th July. I don't know if it has been the case in past years but this year it was part of the Baw Baw Shire Literary Program.

Instead of just the main hall the back hall was stacked with books too. However, this year there was a lack of up to date paperbacks. I found three over the two days and I was keeping a close watch on the man putting out the books. I grab these for my own reading.

Of course all the dealers including Cliff are hoping to find a treasure among the old hard back books which seemed to dominant the tables.

At the dinner we all attended on Saturday night at the Yarragon pub the other dealers said that the day had been slow for them. One bloke said if it had not been for the preorders he would have already gone home.

Another dealer who only sells on the internet was having a 'fire sale' of the books he had not been able to move in the last year, $10 each or 6 for $50. By noon on Sunday he had made that $8 each or 10 for $50.

We have never broken even at the event but we have gone home with some great buys. This year was our worse yet and we found very little to take with us.

Best to just think of it as our 'dirty weekend holiday.'

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Friday the 13th July 2007

As I said in my last entry I should have questioned Nathen's motives for wanting the girls overnight. When Kath went the day after my birthday, Thursday 12th July, to pick up the girls, he gave back Kirsten but said he was seeking full custody of Talhia and Jasmine.

So Kath and I spent Friday trying to find someone to help her. We went to legal aid but they said they couldn't help as Nathen had already been in and they would be acting for him. They gave us a list of private lawyers and we had to make an appointment for Tuesday 17th. It was the earliest we could get.

By then she was in tears and we ended up going to Anglicare so she could talk to someone.

Meg tried to put a good spin on it and said she would get custody. I don't doubt that, but the question is what is she to do in the meantime as that could take months.

She is still very angry with Nathen. I don't think she had actually made up her mind to leave him but his pre-emptive strike was the last straw.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

My Birthday

I was 58 on the 11th July. It is not a special birthday so there was no need for a family party. I was looking forward to just Cliff and I having tea at the Morweel Club and then buying some raffle tickets and maybe a little play on the machines.

Then on Monday I was having my afternoon nanna nap when I dreamt that I heard my daughter and her three children. When I woke up it was no dream, they were here.

So on the Wednesday Kathleen decided that she wanted to come out with me and bring the kids along.

So when Nathen rang up and asked to have the girls overnight I was overjoyed and didn't think "Hang on a moment, here is a bloke who would rather spend hours on his play station than even fetch one of them a drink of water. What does he want them for the whole night for?"

So Kath sent them up to Yallourn North with him and went out with Meg and I had my night with Cliff.

As our membership renewal had just been paid we were entitled to two half price meals so we ordered the prawns and paid under twenty dollars. We splurged on ten dollars woth of raffle tickets and ended up with a seafood tray and a voucher for twenty dollars worth of seafood. I put in five dollars in the machines and won ten and Cliff put in fifty dollars and won a hundred so it was a GREAT night.

The only let down was that orginally Cliff was going to stay the night but with Kath here he went home.

I received a phone message from Meg and a card from Meg and Kath. Meg bought me "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time." (I had asked for it after reading a "Spot of Bother") and Don Jr rang and gave me "Lean Mean Thirteen" (Which I also asked for.)

All in all a good day.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

The New Seven Wonders of the World

Am a bit behind because I had the harddrive in for a service in the holidays.

So on the 07/07/07, in Portugal 'they' announced the New Seven Wonders of the World, as voted for on line from people all around the world.

Here they are:
1. THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA, China...It was not built to keep the rabbits out, but rather the invaders from the north. Made from earth and stone, much of it has been vanalised and pulled dowm. Three main sections are maintained for the tourist trade and after being put on the list I would image the government will continue this. It was constructed ciria 220 -200BC and stretched for 6,440 kms from the Yellow River to the Bohai Sea. Contray to popular belief it is not visiable from space as many astronauts have tried to see it and failed. I voted for it.

2. PETRA, Jordan...Other than the fact this temple was in the Indianna Jones film "The Last Crusade" and "The Mummy Returns" it has nothing going fot it. These ruins are believed to have been built about 6th Century BC. It is located in a basin that runs from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqeba. I did not select this. My second choice was The Statue of Liberty, I felt that in the times we are now living, more than any other time even, with our fears eroding our cival liberties, our system of freedom needs to be remembered. What better way to do this than by selecting this reconisable American icon, a gift from the French in 1886. On the table that the statue holds is the date of American Independance 'July IV MDCCLXXVI.'

3. CHRIST THE REDEEMER, Brazil...It was erected on OCT 12, 1931 and is made of reinforced concrete with an outer layer of soapstone. It is not unique. There are similiar stautes in Argentina and Portugal. Other than it is a religious icon and been hailed as a symbol of the country it is not out of the ordinary. Hence not a wonder. I would have put the Eiffel Tower, in France. It trully is a wonder of engineering and is in fact the most widely visited icon that was on the list. I was most surprised to find it was not selected.

4. TAJ MAHAL, India...Situated in Agra it was the tomb the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It was started in 1632 and completed in 1648. It was originally white marble inlaid with semi precious stones. The surrounding gardens also contained roses, daffodils and fruit trees but when the British ruled the country they changed the landscapping to resemble the formal gardens of London. A beautiful love story. Yes I voted for this.

5. CHICHEN ITZA, Mexico...A place of ritural sacrifice to the Mayan god. Thousands died on the altar and now it has been selected as a wonder of the world. Not to mention the fact that 'some' people believe that along with The Pyramids and the Stone Statues of Easter Island that this structure was built by some 'alien' power. Definately not on my list. I had pride in my country's selection of The Opera House another feat of engineering. Yes it is the baby of the group but that does not make it any less a wonder. It has become a recognisable Australian icon.

6. COLOSSEUM Italy...Built from blood money as a sports entertainment center where gladiator killed gladiator for the amusement of the rich and where later early christians were thrown to the lions. Just the sort of place the world wants to immortalise. Instead I chose The Acropolis were one of the greastest civilisations of the world had their teaching and learning centers.

7. MACHU PICCHUC, Peru...Needless to say there are those that also believe that this city was built by 'aliens.' Especially as the people did not use the wheel and scientists have not been able to work out how the stones were transported to the site. The struction is so perfect a fit without morter that it is thought to be impossible with the tools that were available at the time. Not to mention that the mountains surrounding the city are in alignment with key astronomical events. The water system is far in advance to any other used at the time. All very X file. I wavered at this point between The Pyramids (after all they are the only surviving Ancient wonder and give credit where credit is due, when the 'aliens' bulit it they knew what they were doing) and Neuschwanstein Castle built as a homage to a great musico Richard Wagner.

Someone said what about a good church, but there are so many of those not even on the list that I think they would have to have a list of their own. "The Seven Greatest Churches Ever Built." We'll see.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Holiday Delight.

Once I handed in my final two assignments at TAFE two weeks ago I breathed a sigh of relief. Although I still have work to do on my non fiction project I decided to have a break and do some reading.

"Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult is actually the first book of hers I have read, though I must admit I have about three, in the house, from the shop.

It unfortunately came out at the same time as the last school shooting in America.

I liked the way she looked at the parent's point of view of the 'child killer.' I agree as I have thought about this a lot over the years. I would love my child no matter what they did but I would not condone what they did. Also it is only human nature to want to 'blame someone.' Again it is the 'poor' parents who are 'dumped' on. Yes there are some parents who neglect their children and do not give them a morale compass, but there are many good parents out there who do all the right things and their child turns out 'bad.'

In "Nineteen Minutes" it is the school bullying and the fact that no one prevented it that lead to the slaughter. What was so sad was that even then the 'surviving bullies' could not admit that they did anything wrong. If we can't learn from our mistakes we are condemmed to repeat them. Well written and I like the different point of views, which I have found is something difficult for a new writer to achieve, with any reasonable chance of distinguishing between the voices.

"Blood Ties" by Sam Hayes. The publisher gave a guarantee that if you wre not happy with this book you could have your money back. I wonder if I would be the first to ask for my money. I felt really gypped. The story led the reader in one direction all through the book and then gave a totally different ending. As if to say "Fooled you!" A tale of a kidnapped child, every parent's worse nightmare.

"A Spot of Bother" by Mark Haddon. An English author this is the first of his I have read. A story about a man's mid life crisis, and the fallout surrounding it. Loved the story, a laugh a minute. With some really poignant moments that struck home. Have heard of his "The Incident of the Dog in the Night Time" and asked Meg to get it for my birthday.

"Until Death" by Sandy Curtis. An Australian author, this is the first of her's that I have read. I love my murder mysteries, but this was more a J.D Robb style, with a greater emphasis on the romantic side and without all the furture gadgets. O.K. but as with all romances you know they will end uo 'happily ever afetr.'

"Cell" by Stephen King. Not the first of his I have read and I did enjoy it. The premise of a world sent mad by a mobile phone signal. I liked the variety in the survivors as well as 'crazy phone people' from the young to the old. Not a world split eg. all the people under 50 (say) who use mobile phones go crazy and all the old people who don't believe in them or have or use them stay sane. Very "Lord of the Flies" but on a grander scale, though we only stay with our small group of 'heroes.'

This week it is back to writing with only a small amount of reading.

Winners are Grinners!

Cliff and I started playing Euchre about April 2003. So we are just going into our fifth year. In that time I have come 3rd twice with scores of 121 and 130. I have come 2nd twice with scores of 115 and 136. (I really thought the 136 would get me first place but Big John scored 148! that was about a month ago!) So imagine my surprise and delight when this week I came FIRST! and with a score of only 126! MY first 1st!! And my friend Karen who was the one who first brought Cliff and I was there to see it! Monday 2nd July 2007! a day to remember!

We play eleven games. No one has ever got the perfect score of 165. Everyone aims at scoring 10 per game to get an average of 100. Most players average over a 100. My average has gone up each year. Starting with 86, 92, 96 and 101. This year my average stands at 105.2. I am like the cat that got that bird. All smug. So Meg brought me down to earth when I told her by saying "What do you get for that?" "$10" I reply. "How much does it cost you per week to go?" Me "$4" "So that covered it ah?"

I think she missed the whole point it's not the money otherwise I would not still be going. It's the fun, the company and of course improving one's own score!

This week because of the no smoking rules inside public venues we started at 7 p.m. instead of 7.30 p.m. So instead of a minute or two to go to the toilet after the third and ninth game we have a five minute break for the smokers. No more "Come on Gloria hurry up we're waiting to start" when I go to the toilet. It was wonderful!