ReflEKKAtions

It is no longer EKKA day. Something just as special. My day off. And, while I need to get a birthday card ready for my Uncle Carroll and prepare Christine's and Nan's gifts to mail, I am instead playing with Photoshop and writing up- or at least planning to write up- our recent EKKA EKKsperience.

We went on Sunday. My goal was to beat the crowds and go early. Alas, we are not good at beating crowds. Kevin was frustrated that he only bought a ticket to the city and not a week-long pass to the city...until he was boarding the train and remembered. He would have been really miffed if he'd purchased the pass because he only had to go into work on Monday. Providence. Its not just in Rhode Island.

After a prolonged wait on the sidewalk - no- footpath outside the entrance, we approached the small rectangular hole cut into the 10 inch deep cement wall and bought our EKKA tickets. $22. That seems really expensive for entrance to a fair. I tried to check the price for entrance to the Ohio State Fair for comparison, but as the fair has closed for the year, that information is no longer available.

I've already reviewed the highlights for you. This is just to provide the visual log - not to be confused with the auditory log that WOULD hear if a tree fell in the forest. I've tried something new- and posted the comments about the photos as titles. You may have to replay- I cannot figure out how to increase the amount of time that each photo is displayed.

EKKA DAY

Tomorrow is Ekka Day. Ekka is Australian for Exposition which is Australian for "The State Fair". Around here (to Kevin and I) Ekka Day is known as "the last holiday until Christmas". What sort of country does something like this??? Surely, there is some historic figure with a birthday or a landing or a discovery that would warrant a day off - say, in October? Kevin and I need to lobby for a holiday situation like my cousin Steve has in South Carolina- where they (state employees) take off not only for national holidays but for all the Confederate holidays, as well. The 4th of July, Columbus Day, and Thanksgiving at a minimum. Deluxe package to include Memorial Day, Labor Day (I'll even spell it with a "u", it that would help) and Martin Luther King Day.

Anyway, tomorrow - you'll never guess- Kevin is celebrating with a Big Gaming Event.

We spent last Sunday at "The Exposition". Three hours before the crush of humanity got to be overwhelming. That was enough time to take in my "must sees": a quick run through some of the animal barns, the dog show, the produce and flower displays, and the fine arts competition. We missed the midway and the "man-cutting-wood-with-axe" competition. And, the show bags.

Showbags. They are quite the tradition here. A showbag is a plastic shopping bag filled with stuff- like samples of chips and a ball cap, or six candy bars and a training bra. Honest to god, they fill an entire page in the newspaper with descriptions of all the show bags that will be available FOR PURCHASE. I'm trying to make sense of them- I think that "Christmas stocking" is perhaps more accurate a description than "Halloween bag" - though I suspect that it is the absence of a candy orgy in October that created the emptiness of the soul that showbags fill. A very clever merchandising scheme, Australians get hooked on "Power Ranger" bags as kids... and find as they mature- there is always a showbag designed for them. "My Pretty Pony" gives way to "Perfume" samples. "Ninja Turtles" to "Footie team with beer". Maybe I sound bitter. Maybe I need a little showbag in my life. What would that be.... "Muscle relaxant + Estrogen". Sign me up.

I Am Legend

But are his needs more shocking than the needs of other animals and men? Are his deeds more outrageous than the deeds of the parent who drained the spirit from his child? The vampire may foster quickened heartbeats and levitated hair. But, is he worse than the parent who gave to society a neurotic child who became a politician? Is he worse than the manufacturer who set up a foundations with the money he made by handling bombs and guns to suicidal nationalists? Is he worse than the distiller who gave bastardized grain juice to stultify further the brains of those who, sober, were incapable of a progressive thought?... Really, now, search your soul, lovie - is the vampire so bad?

All he does is drink blood.

What fun! It hasn't been too long since we watched the movie- and the first thing Kevin did after we finished the film was to request a copy of the book from the library for me. Thank you, Kevin.

I got a little bored with Robert's obsession with sex - not having sex and being tormented by lust inspired by the female vampires - and his drinking. Part of that was possibly the inertia of my prior identification of Will Smith as Robert. Part of it is that it is completely outside of my range of experience... unlike confronting the undead. In contrast with the Will Smith movie version of Robert Neville, the novel Neville is a blue collar factory man who has to learn biology from scratch in order to understand the vampires. As a consequence, the reader has a greater understanding of the makings of these ghouls than the movie viewer. I liked that. Most importantly, the end of the book was very, very different from that of the movie. And, while I enjoyed the movie - especially the dog and the dog vampires - the conclusion of the novel (novelette?) was far superior. "I am legend."

Reminded me a bit of Bradbury's "The Million-Year Picnic"

And, now for a little Kipling

I will remember what I was. I am sick of rope and chain.
I will remember my old strength
And all of my forest affairs.
I will not sell my back to man
For a bundle of sugar-cane.
I will go out to my own kind
And the wood-folk in their lairs.
I will go out until the day.
Until the morning break,
Out to the winds’ untainted kiss,
The water ’s clean caress.
I will forget my ankle-ring
And snap my picket-stake.
I will revisit my lost loves
And playmates, masterless.

–Rudyard Kipling, “The Captive’s Dream”

The weekly word

One day two weeks ago when I had the day off, Rob and Kayla came up with the idea that we would all start enhancing our vocabulary. Each week we would each bring a new word into the clinic to share. The word was supposed to be something you've encountered but didn't really know. You'd look that up then educate everyone.

My first word was halcyon (peaceful or heavenly). Last week it was alliteration. I cheated with that word. I already knew it. Thanks, Tim.

But, this is not a story of my words. This is a story of Rob's word. Rob's word for next week.

First, an aside. Rob and Di crack me up. They cannot contain themselves. I wanted to write that they cannot keep a secret- but that may be an exaggeration. They certainly can't keep their next word to themselves until the day of the unveiling. With Di, it went like this.

"You won't get it. My word is oology"

Ann sez "The study of eggs". (It really helps to learn a bit of Latin when embarking on a career in a medical science.)

"Bitch"

Back to the story.

Rob tells me today that he's got his word ready for next week. He's got a big smile. He likes this word and he's hoping he has a word I don't know.

"It's querulous". (See, I told you. They can't keep it in.)

"Argumentative." I said.

"Not quite," he corrected. "It means to be argumentative about trivial matters."

To which Kevin adds- "They say Americans don't understand irony."

Fill up

I stopped today at the Caltex station that is conveniently placed between home and work. It is Saturday and even at 9 AM all but one pump was in use. Well, there were two pumps- but that first pump- the first one I pulled up to was "out of order". So, I say, there was only one available pump.

Number 15.

I filled our tank. ($1.42/liter- it takes higher math to convert that to gallons.) I went inside and was surprised that there was only one person ahead of me at the counter.

"I'll take this bottle of oil." (A good thing to keep handy. Saint Michael has been a bit haphazard with our protection, lately. That's another story.) "And, I have gas on pump 15."

"You mean petrol" the clerk said.

"Yes". Internal dialog- "Argh. Gas- petrol. Petrol - gas. Is it absolutely necessary to correct me? How many pumps do you have numbered 15????" I didn't say any of this.

And, now I have to explain that in Australia there is some sort of fuel they call "Auto gas" or "L.P. gas" that some cars use. I have NO IDEA what this is- except it is cheaper than diesel fuel or normal GASOLINE - I mean petrol.

The exchange between the clerk and I continued.

"In the US, they call everything gas?" She asked.

"Yes." I answered. A bit surprised to not be Canadian.

"What do they call L.P. gas?"

"Uh, don't know. I don't think we have that." I answered. I'm sure I had a confused expression on my face.

"Then", now she is perplexed, "nobody uses gas?"

"No, everybody does."

The man behind me laughed.

I want to believe

The haunting tune...it really makes me smile. I had such a good time checking in with my old friends- Fox Mulder and Dana Scully - last night! Kevin will tell you it was like a long and not exactly superior (he'd actually be less generous) episode from the TV series. Still, I was very pleased. I believe.

Oh, and a tip for those who may not yet have seen the film. Go ahead and watch the credits...all the way to the end.

Waving goodbye.

NNV/ANN

Mammo- grammo

I've already alluded to the fact that last week I finally had my semi-annual mammogram. I was only 2 and 1/2 years late. In Cleveland I had such problems with my health care provider. I was sent an urgent message to "get thyself to a surgeon" after a medical appointment to evaluate a rash I had on my belly and chest. Without even removing my shirt or bra- or any touching- the doctor had identified a lump in my breast for which I required a surgical consult.** I was pissed - and concerned that somewhere there was likely a woman that did have a lump that needed assessing. Well, the surgeon checked me out anyway - after I told him the story. He told me I was OK but that I should have bi-annual exams, including mammograms, to monitor me. WTF?? This was an HMO, so I am not sure what the motivation. I have to guess it was just habit for him. I'd hate to think his brain was engaged.

In January of 2006- before I left Cleveland - I had my mammogram. Again, I was "recalled" to the surgeon. I had calcification in my left breast and they wanted a biopsy. I was a nervous wreck. The house wasn't selling. I had a funky something on my skin that the dermatologist biopsied and now this. The biopsy was just a xray guided needle biopsy. The worst part was the local anaesthetic placement...though it was very strange to see a stereoscopic platform mounted on one's own bloody breast. I had to fight to prevent the subsequent implantation of a piece of titanium to mark the biopsy site. (I'm not sure, but I suspect it had a little flag on it with the words "Kilroy was here" emblazoned on it.) "It is completely safe," they told me. "What kind of LONG RANGE data do you have to support that statement?" I asked as in my mind I reviewed the statistic that dogs with metal bone implants are more likely to develop osteosarcoma. I won. Yay. Small victory.

It took every day as long as they predicted to get the result and that result did not include calling me with report. I had to repeatedly call both the surgeon and the dermatologist trying to learn whether I'd live longer than our house was on the market.

Still, you know the outcome. The house sold at the end of the month and both biopsies came back clear.

So, I've been reluctant to enter back into the clutches of the breast police. I've had an order for the test since Oct 2006! Somehow, I screwed up my courage and made the call. I wanted to do the test during my break in June- but it takes calling more than 6 weeks ahead of time to get to pick your preferred date. Hence- mid July.

Australian mammography equipment is no warmer or more comfortable than US equipment. In fact, in the US they let me wear half a hospital gown. Here, I had to chuck the entire piece onto the waiting chair. At least I had an early morning appointment and the a/c hadn't "warmed up" yet to fully chill the room. Like most of my previous mammograms, I had the pleasure of repeated views. This time, however, I was able to just wait around and didn't have to reschedule for another day. Oh, and then they added a breast ultrasound. At the conclusion of the morning, the technician was "pleased to tell me" that I was "OK".

This week I received the report written by the radiologist who examined my films. I have fascinating breasts with dense, nodular and complex parenchyma and scattered microcalifications. No wonder the good folks in Cleveland wanted to view them so often. I'm beginning to feel a bit like Mt. Rushmore.

**Not to interrupt the flow of this narrative, but there is a funny story to accompany this breast lump saga. Not long after my "surgical scare" one of our finest receptionists left our clinic to move with her partner to Florida. We prepared a photo album of clinic images for her as a remembrance- including a photo of all the female staff with their shirts pulled up over their heads. (Really, it made sense for her at that time.) Anyway, in honor of my super-you-can-see-them-from-across-the-room-fully-clothed, lumpy breasts, I glued gum balls all over my bra. Ah. Those were good days!

The best of both worlds

That is the phrase that Phil used when discussing our new Australian-ness - while remaining U.S. citizens.

And, it's true. I was just contemplating today what I have found to be a really great Australian invention...and, when I came home from work, there was a notice from the U.S. government letting us know that despite record debt and being at war- still we were to receive a check- within 7 weeks - for $600!

Yes! Truly! The best of both!

Oh, and the best thing I've found in Australia.

The sanitary napkins have trivia tidbits printed on the peel-off adhesive paper.

A Creed for the Third Millennium

"And love -- ah, what can I say about love that you, all too human, do not already know? Love yourselves! Love those around you! Love those you do not even know! Waste not your love on God, Who does not expect it and does not need it. For if He is perfect and eternal, then He needs nothing. You are Man, and it is Man you must love. Love wards off loneliness. Love warms the spirit no matter how cold the body might be. Love is the light of Man!" (p. 336)

My- it has taken me months to slog through this book. First published in 1985 by an Australian (Colleen McCullough- of "The Thorn Birds" - fame), I found it one Sunday in May when Kevin very graciously dropped me off in Fortitude Valley for the weekly outdoor, Chinatown Tai Chi class. Except, the Tai Chi gods had decided that May was too much like "winter" and, therefore, there could be no class. Kevin - after leaving me at the Brunswick Street Mall - headed into the city to do some work at his office. His locked office. His locked office from which he would emerge 2 and 1/2 hours later to let me in. So, I flipped through the books at the the used book stall in Chinatown market and picked up this novel. I'm not sure when this copy was printed. The last "printed" date listed is 1992. It originally sold in Australia for $10.95. So, now ten or fifteen years later I bought it for $5.00. I certainly wish we could have obtained that kind of money for all the books I eliminated from our collections before moving from Cleveland.

It took me almost 200 pages of fine print to become engaged with this book. (I do have a problem with letting go of relationships that aren't satisfying!) Beyond being - what is the word? - SLOW, I kept finding myself mildly irritated by the scattered bits of misogynism from a book written in what I felt should have been a reasonably feminist time and taking place in what I believed would be a more enlightened future. Additionally, this Australian has set her novel in "the United States in the not-too-distant future" - yet, for reasons never revealed or maybe even considered, the last president (Augustus Rome) had been in office for four terms and a similar longevity seems likely for the current president. It is probably just me feeling hypercritical- but that's a pretty big departure from American government sensibilities... you know, the 22nd Amendment. Still, I suppose it is no greater change than having a King of Australia and New Zealand. (I learned of that much later.)

Anyway, by the time I found myself yesterday spending all morning at the "Women's Imaging Center"- paying almost $400 for my much postponed mammogram with bonus breast ultrasound - I was hooked. And, as a consequence of that 2 hour wait and 35 minute train ride home and doing nothing yesterday afternoon or this morning, I have finished the book. I enjoyed it- but I'd recommend to anyone interested to start reading midway through. I'll tell you the beginning. In about 6 sentences.

My "infringement"

We got the notice a couple of weeks ago- but I've been negligent in keeping this blog up to date. The speeding ticket.

Of course, it was sent to Kevin. He had to sign a statement- a notarized statement- that he was not the demon behind the wheel on the night in question. We are still waiting for the ticket to come back to me. (ooo! its here!)

But, here are the pieces of the story that interest me.

First.

It isn't a speeding ticket. It is an "infringement notice". It is like talking about toll evasion being an offence- a funny word with more of a social character than I would expect.

Second.

I was going 71 KPH in a 60 KPH zone. Heart pounding- racing home as I feared I was watching my car disintegrate- I was going 6.6 MPH greater than the sanctioned speed. If you are bleeding and need immediate medical care, obviously I am not the person you want to rush you to the emergency room.

Dream a little dream

After a difficult night of trying to sleep while the sliding door beside our bedroom kept grinding open and slamming shut (gamers), I woke this morning to an exciting dream. (Just wait.)

I dreamed I was back at COW and, although I was still teaching there, I was also a student and I needed to do my Independent Study. It was the last weekend of the Fall Semester and, while I had a basic idea of what I wanted to do, I had barely done any library research and I had not yet started writing my literature review. Gary was my advisor and I was at his house trying to talk with him a bit about my project (for the first time). As I'd describe the experiment he would snore comments back to me. (Maybe that was Kevin.) Still, Gary, they were pretty insightful.

My question was whether my subjects, rats I presume, could use taste as a discriminative stimulus in maze learning. (I started out by imagining a complex maze but Gary set me straight. All I need is a Y or T maze. Though in truth, he suggested an X maze.) Anyway, a lick of maple flavor means the reinforcer is in the right arm. A lick of apple means the left arm. I was trying to explain to Gary why this might be interesting- that Garcia's original paper (which is the only one I know since I haven't been to the library- and I've taught that one!) suggested that animals could not necessarily link just any stimulus with any behavior. They could learn to avoid a taste that made them sick but not a solution that was "identified" by noise or light.

This is where Gary got excited and asked (snored) if I was familiar his paper about the power of words (he's a cognitive psychologist) and in my dream now, I did. Words allow us to link disparate sensory information because it is all transformed into a common symbolic language. Animals, lacking words, have greater difficulty making these connections.

So, now I'm thinking if the rats fail to learn the discrimination of which way to turn based on taste - which I thought they still might be able to learn since taste could be associated with foraging and food- but, anyway, if they fail, then perhaps they could learn to turn when the taste was not only associated with a specific turn but with a specific tasting reinforcer. Maple taste - turn left- get maple candy. Apple taste - turn right- get piece of apple. That is even cooler!

Are you excited? I am! I'm ready to jump back into animal learning and cognition with both feet! Let me at it!

I wish I had written this

As I was browsing yesterday's "Blog of Note" ("Beyond Salmon" by Helen Rennie), I found this beautiful descriptive quote about sushi.

It felt like velvet that dissolved in the mouth, like getting a tuna French kiss.

Wow. I want that. But, maybe not for breakfast. (Would I need to brush my teeth first to ban morning breath?)

6:34 AM

Weather report

Winter finally arrived in Brisbane. Overnight lows this week have been around 6 centigrade. As any Queenslander would tell you- that is frrrreeeezing.

While it is easy (very, very easy) for those with Northern North American leanings to say, "Low forties? Freezing? Hah!"- it is pretty uncomfortable when you are living in a building with no insulation and no heat.

(Funny- my spell check / corrector has suggested I mean Queen slander!)

Thanks to John

Thank you for the use of the scanner.

My "not-at-Gen-con" masterpieces.

A face.

A fantastic animal.

A flower.

Building up layers.

(And, maybe later, I'll add the fish.)

B-Con

This weekend the gaming event of the year is being held in our home.

B-Con.

That's Birthday Con.

We're celebrating Brendan's, John's, and Kevin's birthdays.

And, there is only one way to do that. Game from 7 PM Friday until the wee hours of Monday morning.

By the way- I love the way Kevin's "Bootleggers" men wait their turn - like perfect little mobsters- there's only one man standing!

Cursing Ikea

Blasphemy!

Still, last night as I put the futon frame together wrong in yet a 4th way (!), I must admit, I was taking the great four letter name in vain. This frame, the Grankulla, is by no means a sensible creation. Why? Why? Why? would it be necessary to have two different mechanisms for attaching the slats to the lift-me-off-the floor supports???? Yes. On two of the sections the slats screw on (not easily) and on the third they are attached by plastic, yes plastic, nails. Bam! Bam! Bam!

I'm pretty good at reading directions- at least when I start before 8:30 pm. Obviously, this is not true after 8:30. I started out well, sorting the slats into three piles for the 3 futon sections. I carefully studied the pre-drilled holes so that I knew which were the "wide" ones that went in the middle vs the "narrow" ones that went on the other two sections.

Following the wordless directions, I started with the top section. Using our lamo screw driver I "started" the attachment of all the slats associated with this section. I screwed them in as far as I could. Kevin was going to have to finish screwing them in the remaining 3 cm. (Check out the use of that base ten measurement...more of that to come.)

Then, I moved onto the next section: the plastic nail section. Bam! Bam! Bam! I attached the first slat. Then, I was inspired and decided it would be much easier to drive the nails through the slats first so that a bit was poking out that could then be lined up more easily with the holes in the support! I hammered and hammered and hammered until Zelda had a headache. Then, I picked up the first and tried to line it up on the support. It didn't fit!!! Somehow, I had attached the first slat- a wide one- then prenailed the remaining four, NARROW slats! Ugh!

And, wouldn't you know it- the wide slats that I needed were not the slats remaining for the bottom section. Noooooo. Of course not. They were already attached by my painful screw driving maneuvers to the first section.

Let me tell you, as difficult as it is to drive a plastic nail into a too small hole (which I had just done) - that is NOTHING compared to trying to pull out a plastic nail. The nail head is really not meant for that. They would fold and slip out of the teeth of the hammer. Or, just fall apart.

Eventually, with Kevin's help I got them all out- and the screws out and got everything rescrewed (Kevin did this and has the blisters to prove it) and re-hammered. Mostly. The nails fit much better in the slats they were meant for- but still there were two that would neither nail in nor pull out. (See above.)

Next- attach the top two sections together.

Using the wrong screws.

It was as I was replacing these screws and discovering that I had attached the top section to the bottom of the second section (wrong) that I got a mammoth splinter and collapsed. It was after 10:30!





This morning Kevin lovingly asked me if I had recovered. "Yup".

Then, I took a shower. I washed my hair. Applied and rinsed out the conditioner. Then grabbed my Oil of Olay facial cleaner- and washed my hair.

Maybe I answered too soon.

And, so tonight Julian is sleeping in a bed for which the sections are merely pushed together. Hope he sleeps quietly.

Our Big News

After only a week we received notice from the solicitor (that's Australian for lawyer) that our application for permanent residency was approved. Great news- just in time for Kevin's birthday!

Now I need a scanner

I had the best time this weekend cutting and pasting in my collage course! I believe my teacher liked a couple of my "creations"- at least that was what I figured when he kept coming over to "neaten" them up. (And, this wasn't something he did on every piece- and I'm quite certain I was no more tidy on them!) It was really, really fun- though I don't think I have the personality to one day be a great collage master. I am not (in any part of my life) meticulous and extremely precise. I do enjoy messing around, however. I'd love to share with you... but I'd have to buy a scanner. That is unlikely to happen.

Besides, I'm about to mail them off to my mother for her frig.

Happy Independence Day!!

Like any good Australian, I celebrated July 4 by getting my teeth cleaned and a cavity filled. Then, I signed up for a 2 day course at the Brisbane Institute of Art in collage. Finally, I ate Indian food.

Hot dogs. Apple Pie. Fireworks. It ain't.

Still, I want to pause here to celebrate past Independence Days. Would someone light a sparkler for me, please?

Ann's Mini-vacation day Friday

I've been looking forward to this for weeks. The dentist!

I had an 8:30 AM appointment. I was out by 8:45. Yes. And with a new side to my broken tooth. I also left with an appointment for July 4 to get my teeth cleaned and a new filling. Wow.

Ann's Mini-vacation - Day Thursday.

I finally made it to Alma Park Zoo. I thought I should do something vacationy. And, I really wanted to just shoot photographs. I really ought to do something systematically- figure this new camera out. It didn't happen today.



Next on the agenda- fix supper and get hair cut.

Then, maybe, just maybe we'll finish "The Wire".

Edited to add- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. It is over. I'm having a hard time accepting what has happened to Duquan- though Kevin is absolutely right. He was left in a bad place.

The Christmas Pearl

I forgot to record this. My mother sent me the book on tape (well, CD) and I have finished listening about 2 weeks ago and have already sent it off to my cousin, Steve, for his birthday. This is one well traveled book! Anyway, it seems like this is the better time to record it anyway- just 6 months to Christmas! I've already bought my sister two (count 'em- 1...2) gifts! I've got to get my holiday plans figured out for Christmas, etc.

Anyway: today's quote- it wasn't hard to pick this one out.

"Any problem you can fix with a handful of money isn't a problem at all."

In looking up the image from Amazon, I found that there were recipes included on the CD. Geesh! I should tell Steve. Wonder what I missed....

Ann's Mini-vacation - Day Wednesday

I had plan for today. That ought to count for something.

I had a plan- but it got scrapped about 8 AM. The plan is still viable. Maybe tomorrow. Yes. Maybe.

Zelda and I had a kick around the house day. I put a little time into my "to do" list. Not enough to knock much off the list. For example, I didn't even try to start the lawn mower. Still, I made some progress.

I don't think I have the concept of vacation down.

First and foremost, Zelda FINALLY got her walk. Today I took her to the Boondall wetlands. She is not a happy-to-ride-in-the-car girl - so I came back an hour later recognizing she'd have been happier with a 30 min around the neighborhood walk. Still, I enjoyed walking through trees rather than down the suburban canyons. I must admit, however, that it is much quieter to walk here at home. The "near" walk at Boondall parallels the Gateway Motorway. Perhaps I've told you?

I read over the schedule for the upcoming veterinary conference (next weekend) and decided I could find more fun ways to spend $500. Then, as I was driving home from the grocery this afternoon, I wondered if maybe I'd enjoy going to the behavior meeting. I wonder if I could scare up some behavior research project. Unlike most (veterinary) behavior students I've met, I really don't have much of an interest in clinical behavior practice. Cats pee. Dogs bite. Nobody is happy. However, I enjoy reading and thinking and talking and writing behavior.

All this thinking was probably spurred on by my effort at the mall. I spent an hour at Border's Bookstore with the entire stack of dog care books they had (once) shelved. I read through (ok, skimmed) each one's chapter on housebreaking. I need to have some references ready for my clients who know nothing about having a puppy. I could write my own, but this is quicker. Interestingly, every single book I looked at made use of a crate for housebreaking. So, why is it that Australians have never heard of the concept? Oh, yes. They aren't reading any books. I must admit, I was in no hurry to buy any of these texts. I still find the cost of books here to be incredible.

And, speaking of books, I found that my dissertation (about the development of courtship behavior in doves) is listed at Amazon.com. ("Out of Print--Limited Availability.") I thought this was kinda cool- but what amused me more were the books that were listed as alternative titles.

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Carl never did like my title. I can see why now. Totally leads a person down the wrong track. (And, WHO ARE these customers who are making these suggestions?)

Ann's Mini-Vacation - Day Tuesday

Eventually I was going to run into a day that sounds like real life. Tuesday is that day. (I'm sure that it is not a coincidence that this is a day where Kevin had to work and I was on my own to "entertain" myself.) Laundry, dishes, cooking. An attempt was made to mow the lawn- but I couldn't get the mower started. Keeping this short as there are still a bunch of items on the "to do" list and I don't want to bleed this sort of day into tomorrow.

Oh, tonight we DO have plans to see "The Incredible Hulk".

Edited to add: Do not in any way consider this an endorsement for "The Incredible Hulk".

Ann's Mini-vacation - Day 5 (Monday)

Kevin took off today. At one time we had thought we'd spend the weekend, a long weekend, in Cairns. Then, later, in Christchurch New Zealand. Finally, we decided to spend money on other things- like applying for permanent residency and Kevin's big, cool birthday gift...the one I'm not allowed to talk about yet. So, we're here in Brisbane. Taking it easy. Zooming through the last season of "The Wire" and today seeing the new Picasso and his collection exhibition at the GoMA.

Kevin, spoiled by the recent Warhol exhibit gives it a 2 of 10. I liked it better. We both suffer from having no real knowledge of art history. Lots of nudity. Well, female nudity. That pleased Kevin. We were sadly disappointed to find that our dream of a photo booth that took your photo and converted it into a cubist masterpiece was not realized.

Ann's Mini-Vacation - Day 4

The day in which Zelda misses not one but two walks in the Boondall Wetlands.

Way back in August I picked up a book at the Brisbane Museum on parks around Brisbane and thought I needed to check out the Boondall Wetlands. We drive past a sign for it at least weekly. It is right at the end of Beams Road- just an exit off the roundabout that loads you onto the Gateway Motorway.

We didn't know what to expect and I wanted to keep Zelda's bandaged feet dry- as well as her incisions- so the poor girl had to wait at home. Again. As it turned out the walk around the northern portion of the wetlands is only about 2 km and mostly mud free. She could have handled it- and really enjoyed it. Bad Ann.



After, we decided we really should try walking the bike path: 8.7 km. But, before this we needed a snack and bit of water to carry along. So, we zoomed back home and then not looking Zelda in the eye, left again. We both agreed that 8.7 km was too much for an 11 year old dog who doesn't get much exercise.



This time we drove down to the southern entrance. We noticed that much of the bike path here was just walking along the road. We also began to suspect that the 8.7 was a one-way measurement. So, we did the little loop at the end: 1.2 km. Yes. A very superior little walk. Very dog worthy. I'm going to do it again early one morning. I'm hoping doing this might result in actually seeing birds while sitting in the bird hide. And, I'll take Zelda.



Since it was now only about 2 pm, we headed into the city. I had been pushing Kevin to see "The Orphanage" and he had been resisting- because he had work he wanted to do. But, we could see the 2:30 show and be home before dark. Even in Brisbane. Even in June.

The movie was great fun! At one point- well two- even Kevin jumped in his seat. It was, however, me and me alone that SCREAMED out loud later. Kevin says the entire theater appreciated it. It was a fine ghost story and Kevin and I have enjoyed chewing on it since.

Ann's Mini-vacation - Day 3 (Saturday)

Kevin and I were among the thirteen throng that were invited to gather in Indooroopilly for games, games, games and Indian food to celebrate John's 42nd birthday. Funny how a guy named Friendless could fill so many seats at a birthday party.

The food was great. The company was superb. Kevin and I had a run of unbelievable luck at Tichu (1045 to -45). The only negative was my usual camera woes. Now, you'll note the flash works. It just doesn't seem to have any sort of mechanism for recording an image from a relatively short distance in somewhat low light. The choices are either an image the camera is happy with but I am not:



or one that doesn't please either the camera or me. ("Hey, Bitch. The image is fuzzy. Haven't we talked about camera shake enough?")



Following the party I wanted to go to a celebration of the winter solstice in Windsor. A party that featured, I must add, traditional fire sculptures.

Wow! I've never seen a fire sculpture- let alone a traditional fire sculpture!

However, by the time we got home and took care of Zelda, a night on the couch with the men of Oz sounded just right. Alas. My pagan nature must be suppressed for another year.

Ann's Mini-vacation - Day 2: Friday- Head Screwing

So, I thought I'd try getting my head screwed on straight. I called a woman that my doctor recommended who said she did day long intensive therapy. I had to write up a history of myself and my concerns- all my pet neuroses- and email her ahead of time. She deftly saw through my self disclosure: "lonely, homesick, and lacking purpose". Somehow, it took about 5 pages for me to convey that. It seems so simple here.

The first hurdle, however, was that she is located in Palm Beach - on the Gold Coast. That is about a 90 min drive - even without traffic. I got up extra early and was ON SCHEDULE until, while I was talking with my mother on the phone, Zelda started scratching and pulled a stitch.

Run. Run. Run. It was still before 7 AM so alone I bandaged her chest (in purple to match her collar), both her feet, put an e-collar on her and popped her a Mr. Ace the Promazine tablet.

In all, I was less than an hour late arriving.

I don't know about the day. It was exhausting with lots of emotion, but I thought I was doing OK until we reached the point where she asked me if I knew about the six things that people require to feel happy (or satisfied or ??).

"Do you mean Maslow's hierarchy of needs?" I asked as I tried to count them off in my head.

"No."

The six: connection, significance, variety, consistency, growth, and contribution. For a reason that doesn't seem intuitive for me, satisfying only three creates an addiction.

"Well", I said. "At least I don't have an addiction."

I didn't recognize that any of these were satisfied in my life. It was at this point that I pretty much gave up on the day. Or, more honestly, I gave up on anything more from the day. I was tired and now I felt like I'd spend most of a day and way too much money to have someone tell me in new words that "I'm lonely, homesick and lack a sense of purpose". Afterward she wanted me to design a plan to satisfy these needs- but I was too tired and too frustrated and I just wanted to go home.

So, I have some homework to do this week. I need to identify the things I love and the things I will not tolerate and then somehow these in combination with the list of relationship values and lifestyle values I created and hierarchically arranged, my blueprint for making healthy decisions for my life will emerge.

Actually, as this is being written some days later, I do feel better. And, Zelda, to the best of my knowledge, has not pulled any additional stitches.

Ann's Mini-vacation - Day 1

Finally, the long awaited day has arrived! Time off for good behavior. Actually, time off for any behavior of MY CHOICE!!!!!!!

Before going further, I must confess that though this episode is time marked 6/19, it is being composed at a point beyond 6/19. It is just that the content shall reflect upon 6/19. Or, 19/06...if you insist.

6/19 a day that will live in infamy. Zelda didn't get breakfast.

Yes, it is true. It wasn't for a lack of gazing or sitting in the right place or stamping of feet. It was because the way I celebrated the beginning of my holiday was to schedule the dog for a dental cleaning. Oh, and if there is time, could you remove her warts?

The rest of the day was similarly exciting. Errands. Errands. Errands. Oh, and retrieve the dog.

Thursday evening, however, we had tickets for the THEATRE. Yes, second row from the front in the dead center of the row, tickets for....... Puppetry of the Penis. Two Australian men dressed only in socks, shoes, and capes performed amazing feats of genitalian acrobatics. Ah, Art.

While we enjoyed the show, it wasn't until later, until Kevin discussed the performance with our man Terry, that we truly appreciated the wonder of it all. You see, we were not just watching a couple of brazen young blokes manipulating their undersides for the amusement of an audience. We were witnessing a part of the national culture of Australia. As I understand it, all around Australia it is a common feature of a late night, drunken barbecue to participate in a competition of "dick tricks". How have we missed this? Where were our invitations?

And, Zelda, still recovering from the anaesthetic missed it all.

The Wire

Have I mentioned we're watching "The Wire"? Wow. Amazing. Sometimes, I think I need a score card to keep up with all the characters. Particularly as seasons stretch into years.

We've just finished season 4- and started season 5. That means a boatload of new characters. Of course, in general, by the time a season ends it is a bit easier to keep track of people because they tend to kill a significant number of them.

Baltimore. It's a wicked city.

Although I'm looking forward to what season 5 has to tell me about the media (and crime and politics and...), I'm missing the rendition of the theme song from season 4. If you've never watched The Wire, or only watched a few episodes or only a single season, then you don't know that while the theme song stays the same, the singer changes. Season four - definitely my favorite. For you poor souls who aren't HBO junkies, I've included it up top.

Arghhhhhh

It has been that kind of week. Little stumbling blocks. Day after day of stubbed toes. A new set of antibiotics which will undoubtedly lead to a new set of antifungals. A wild, mad, heart-thumping dash home on Wed as I watched my temperature guage peg out at hot...and the startling >flash!< of the camera at the speed trap on Beams Rd. A broken tooth.

Yet, at the same time nothing has been dire- just niggling. The car- which was low on water and oil- suffered no damage from my poor judgement. Strangely enough, the garage can't even find a leak. The tooth- I do have to wait two weeks to be seen- but at least it isn't painful. And, the ticket. At least the double fines/double demerits holiday weekend was over!

It is all, however, starting to wear me down.

Update on the camera situation

I took my problem camera into the camera shop at the mall today. (Thank goodness the mall was celebrating the queen's birthday by allowing us to shop for her.) The man at the desk first assumed I had the camera set to do not flash- but quickly found out that while it WAS set to that (now) it didn't matter. There was to be "no flash". Fortunately, I asked the right question.

Do you think it could be the battery?

And, vwala! It was.

I now own $60 worth of rechargeable batteries and the plan is that I will be back in business.

The curse is lifting.

Unfortunately, my cat isn't looking too good today. Her owner called me and I went in to meet with them. She's wayyyy to high and I'm reluctant to give her insulin for fear she'll be seizuring either at her mom's or at the clinic where she'd be alone (or I'd be spending my day off there. I'm not completely opposed to being there for her, it is just that if she needed IV glucose I cannot do it alone.) Of course, the best option is STILL the emergency clinic- but the owner won't consider that. Looking forward to Tuesday.

Once again, the Queen's Birthday

May: I wasn't so good about birthdays. I missed Carolyn's and Tim's and Diana's, my mother's and my own. I'm suspecting that subconsciously I've found it difficult to face another birthday- even though I think 47 is a very cool number. Prime. It will be a while before that is true again. I still need to take stock of all my stressors in an effort to identify why my immune system let the chicken pox back out of its little ganglionic box. I'm thinking, however, that maybe my birthday was a critical factor. Another year passing so far from home and family. How many more years will I have that home and family to be with? Or, in this case, not be with.

But, moving along. It is now June. And, I have no qualms about celebrating the Queen's birthday. That only brings good things- like days off from work. And, I got a terrific gift! My troublesome cat patient is doing well at home so I have been absolved from guilt about sending her home instead of keeping her in the hospital and working on her all weekend. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

So, Queen's birthday = Australian Games Expo = Kevin in Albury NSW for the weekend. I chose not to go. I went to the first. Somewhere here there is a post. It involved too much falling asleep while driving, bizarre brain drink/drive billboards, and Kevin being consumed with Carcassonne. It was a bit interesting to see snow flakes in the Australian air- but only briefly interesting. Mostly, I was bored and lonely. I can do that (or better) here.

With that in mind I spent Sunday as follows:

Go to Carseldine Garden Center and buy a couple of house plants with which Zelda can meditate and three 6 packs of sweet pea seedlings. They look so fresh and vulnerable. I felt like a melodrama villain sticking them in an Australian flower bed. Still, we've had rain several days this week and there is more to come. Perhaps, it will be enough to get them established. Perhaps, the winter sun will not fry them. I was smart enough to plant them in a variety of positions- full sun, partial sun, shade. One of them might make it. I hope it is a fragrant one.

After, I packed myself onto the standing room only train to head into the city. I was not going to the Lion's game- though I got off at Roma Street Station. Instead, I was heading to the Convention Center to the Scrap Booking and Paper Crafts show AND the Lifeline Book Sale. I immediately recognized my mistake as soon as I had handed my $10 ticket to the door person and enter the craft show. The hall was huge and packed - jam packed - with women all pushing and squeezing up to myriad booths where paper was being sold at extraordinary prices. (I think anytime paper is sold by the piece it is frightening.) I was hoping to be inspired- maybe by digital scrap booking. I certainly enjoy my digital blogging and my efforts at digital photo manipulation. There were several room dividers with scrap booking pages hanging and I do not exaggerate when I tell you that greater than 85% featured babies and children. Sorry. That is really boring. Too much pastel. Too much cutesy. Too fuzzy, too flowery, too nauseating. After 30 minutes I ran screaming from the hall.

The next hall down from the scrapbook show was the book sale. I'd estimate that the hall is about the size of 3 gymnasiums and each was packed with used books. The oldest, most worn, and smelliest are sold at standard prices based on book size. The clean and good condition books are sold as marked. The like new books have premium prices. I walked down to the newish books and walked down an aisle. While the tables are marked with general themes (Sports, Gardening, Hobbies, Health, Australiana) the books are then randomly lined up or piled up. It was too much disarray- too much stimulus overload- particularly after the human/paper pressure cooker that was the craft show. I had to leave. I couldn't imagine wanting any book badly enough.

So, it was still early. About 1:30. I intended to see "The Orphanage" at 4:15 on the other side of town. But, I remembered the earlier show was at 2:30. I decided to make a dash across the city to the Palace Centro for the movie.

I was amazingly successful at finding a bus that was headed for the valley. Unfortunately, I figured out that it was going that way as it pulled away from me. There was another one. Later.

I made it to Chinatown by 2:10 or so. It isn't too long of a walk to the theater. You just have to know where you're going. And, let me help you, it is best not to start by walking down Wickham Street in search of James. Eventually, I turned around, crossed the Brunswick Street Mall and, running, found the Palace Theater. 2:30 on the dot!

And, the movie?

It started at 2:03.

I considered wandering around until 4:15- but there was a 20% chance of rain and the dark clouds were starting to gather (weren't they?) and the movie would end after dark and I didn't have an umbrella and what was I going to do until 4:15??- so I went home, filed some papers, and watched OZ.

I don't know. Except for the gardening, it really wasn't any better than Albury. Well, I wasn't walking in a freezing drizzle. That's better. I'm suspecting that as an American, I am incapable of freely enjoying the Queen's Birthday. Maybe that capacity was traded in for our Bill of Rights. I think I'll go throw some tea into the river. That should exorcise any monarchical demons. I must be ready for tomorrow.

Oh, you like the photo? This wall is about 1/2 a block from the Palace. I did try to entertain myself for a bit. It is my antidote for the scrapbook pages I observed.

Work update

Here, things at the clinic have slowed down. I guess this is seasonal. Slow in winter. Additionally, this week we had some rainy days. The high was probably in the low 60's- so that meant that everyone was putting a jacket on their dog or wrapping the puppy up in a blanket. How funny. One new puppy owner wanted to know what would be too hot and too cold for the dog to be outside. I'm not really much of a believer in outside dogs- but they didn't ask about that. I told them about heat stroke and shade and fresh water...and that in Brisbane- where it has never gotten cold enough to snow- it probably was never going to be too cold for the dog.

Then, there was the new puppy owner who was going to wait for a couple more days before taking the puppy outside to start housebreaking because it was raining! I could not contain myself and had to say, "Do you know there are places in the world where it rains all the time? And, do you know what people do there? They put on a rain coat and grab an umbrella and take the dog out in the rain."

But, despite the downturn in numbers of visits, there's been a big jump in really sick animals: seizures (3), heart failure (2), diabetes with outrageous hypothermia (1), and a kelpie with a color change of the tongue!

Well, the kelpie feels OK, actually, But, I do need everyone's healthy cat thoughts going out to BooBoo who, sporting her new feeding tube, I sent home today for the long holiday weekend.

Thinking of Cleveland

We have a new vet at the clinic. He's an old school mate of my boss who is here to work so the boss can get a vacation. (Thank you for not leaving me alone!) As a bonus, he's going to work for me for 10 days at the end of the month! (and a big thank you for that!!)

Anyway, I was talking with him about Ohio. Australians cannot differentiate Ohio from Iowa. Sometimes, that can't even pronounce them- I guess it is hard for them. No silent R's. So, I had to move Ohio east and under the great lakes and, yes, way up north ("bordering Canada?" "Well, on the other side of the lake." "You get snow there?" "Yes") I was trying to connect Ohio with things he might know. So, naturally, I said I had last lived in Cleveland- where the river had caught on fire.

That didn't work for him.

But, it did reconnect me with Randy Newman.

I always liked this song - way before I lived in Cleveland. And, now, having lived in Cleveland I wistfully sing "Cleveland, city of light, city of magic".

The video is great- though I'm disappointed that the author cut out a verse in the beginning.

"Now the Lord can make you tumble
And the Lord can make you turn
And the Lord can make you overflow
But, the Lord can't make you burn."

My new camera

SUCKS.

I am not complaining about the lack of a view finder- though I would prefer to have one. I'm not convinced I will ever master the art of composing an image using two eyes. Maybe they just don't look in the same direction...

And, I'm not complaining (today) about the sarcastic remarks the camera makes about fuzzy images. Or, even the fact that images that it doesn't tell me are fuzzy- ARE. How does this function work? It has to be malevolent.

What I'm bitching about here is the fact that ever since I changed the batteries the VERY FIRST TIME the flash hasn't worked. It doesn't matter if it is set to AUTO, or red-eye, or ON- damn you- ON. It doesn't matter if I choose to shoot in "scene" mode and select a type of scene where flash is employed. The flash doesn't fire and the photograph is appropriately underexposed.

Yet- not fuzzy? What's with that Mr. New York Nikon??

Then, randomly the flash fires. Boom. Yet still- it must be out of sync because the photo is underexposed still.

Geesh.

I found a web site for Nikon Asia... that includes Australia. I wrote them. I sent along an example of a photo on which the flash did supposedly fire. At least we saw a pulse of light leave the camera...even if it didn't then bounce off the subjects and onto the receptor.

And, what, pray tell, did Nikon say?

"We think it is F#**ed; if it is under warranty you should mail it back to its country of origin."

Alas, somewhere between the time we bought it and the resulting laps around Manhattan and Queens and New Jersey and then Brisbane the receipt has been lost.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know. I think I'm going through a pretty rough spell here. I hope the planets align soon so I can throw off all the bad cameras and viruses.

Today's post

Post meaning mail.

Though, it is obviously a blog post for today, too. Hmmmmm.

To: Ann
From: Divisional Returning Officer of PETRIE
AEC
Australian Electoral Commission

Dear Resident (what happened to Ann?)

It's important that you are correctly enrolled to vote because otherwise you can't vote (really?) in federal, state/territory or local government elections. Our records show that you are not enrolled for your current residential address.

Then it tells me what to do.

I don't know, but I'm guessing- since Kevin didn't get a similar letter- that all you need in Australia to entitle you to vote is a registered dog.

What a country! Truly, their priorities are in the right place!

Meanwhile, I really need to get myself registered as an absentee voter in the US. I guess it is obvious why there is nearly 100% voter compliance in Australia and something much, much, much smaller in the US.

Oh, and my belated congratulations to Barak Obama.

Do these vesicles make my butt look big?

It all started a week ago. Something raised. Something red. Something itchy and painful and hidden where I couldn't see. I knew immediately: flesh eating bacteria. Had to be. But, it was a Sunday. I would probably not die before Monday morning.

So, before work I took myself with my expanding redness, my increasing pain to the doctor's clinic beside our veterinary surgery. When could I get in to see the doctor? Tuesday. 3:30 PM. First available.

I went to work. I went home. I tried to sleep. It hurt to walk. It hurt to sit. It hurt to lie in bed. It hurt to wear pants.

I arrived at 3:15 on Tues. As the receptionist advised, I had cleared my schedule from then until 4 PM. About 3:35 the guy ahead of me was called in. "This is going pretty well", I thought. But, at 3:45 I was starting to worry. And, at 3:55 I went up to the desk. I was fighting back tears.

"I have to go. I have appointments. We are double booked."

"You are next."

"I have to go. What is available tomorrow?"

She found a time during our surgery break- a time I knew would work better than smack in the middle of afternoon appointments.

So, I went back to work. I went home. I tried to sleep.

I did get seen on Wednesday. The doctor let me know I could have come back later on Tues. He was there until 5:30. I guess he thought I would somehow know this or that it would help me now.

Anyway, he looked at my bottom.

"That would be very painful....You should have come in sooner....This should help if you haven't waited too long."

He told me I had herpes, not flesh eating bacteria.

And, so I bought my $130 of antiviral medication. Went back to work and hoped "I had not waited too long." I hoped while I meticulously examined my life wondering how and when I had contracted herpes.

"Have you had this before?" the doctor asked.

"No."

"Is this the first time you've been seen for this condition?"

"Um, yes."

What would this mean for me? According to the website I was reading, often people will get 4 to 6 breakouts in the first year. That's a lot of discomfort. That's a lot of $130 boxes of medication.

Yesterday I stopped by the doctor's clinic to get the results of the swab he had submitted "for the government". ?? I wasn't sure if/how/when he was going to get the results to me. It was my day off. I asked that he leave the result at home on the answering machine.

Herpes. Yes.

Herpes simplex. No.

I have shigles. Herpes zoster.

Chickenpox has returned.

An attempt to redeem myself

Kevin has pointed out to me that my "themes" might suggest a disturbed personality - or at least a very repressed one. He wonders why I have not had a year of romance? Hmmmm.

My themes have never been conscious choices. I just figure them out. The year Kevin and I got back together did have a theme of time travel and second chances. There, that's not so bleak.

I must admit, however, that while I have enjoyed some romantic movies- I have never been a reader of romantic fiction. Well, at least not popular romance. I've read Jane Austen, for example. I DO like a love story. Particularly love stories about friends. It was the love between friends in "Il Postino" and more recently "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" that most touched me.

But though I would present myself as an optimistic and happy person, I do have a very deep blue streak. Cobalt, maybe. In both those movies those loving friends part. Even more extreme, my favorite love songs are pretty damn sad. This thought emerges as I listen to my newly acquired CD of one of my favorite albums: "So Many Partings" by Silly Wizard. I heard it first from the window of the record store above Bernie's Bagels on High Street when I was a student at OSU. (I recognize that this is not the record you'd first pick as a favorite of a 19 year old in 1980- especially one for whom a good week involved the disco at Susie's Lounge both Wednesday and Friday nights.) I don't know what it is. It reached right into my heart. Here's an example- though it is from "Kiss the Tears Away". (The video. What can I say? It was all I could find.)

Golden, Golden

Slowly, slowly, walk the path,
And you might never stumble or fall.
Slowly, slowly, walk the path,
And you might never fall in love at all.

CHORUS:

Golden, golden, is her hair,
Like the morning sun over fields of corn.
Golden, golden, is her love,
So sweet and clear and warm.

Lonely, lonely, is the heart
That ne'er another can call its own.
Lonely, lonely, lies the part
That has to live all alone.

Wildly, wildly, beats the heart
With a rush of love like a mountain stream.
Wildly, wildly, play your part
As free as a wild bird's dream

Quotes from books 2008

"From what I can see, miracles are built from love, and as far as love is concerned, I am a true believer." from "Oh My Stars" by Lorna Landvik

"What we love about our books are the depths of many marvellous moments seen all at one time." from "Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut


"Memories can be everything if we choose to make them so..." from "The Story of Lucy Gault" by William Trevor


'Just how many names does ths ox have?" I repeated. "He's got only one," the old man replied. "he's called Fugui". "But just now you called him a whole bunch of names." "Oh..." The old man smiled and gestured cryptically for me to move closer. As I neared him it seemed as if he wanted to say something but stopped. When he saw the ox raise its head, he gave him a reprimand, "No eavesdropping! Lower your head!" The ox did lower his head, and then the old man whispered to me, "I'm afraid he'll discover he's the only one working the field, so I call out some other names to fool him. If he hears that there are other oxen around working the fields, he'll work harder and won't feel so depressed." from "To Live: A Novel" by Yu Hua

"She pulled in her horizon like a great fish-net. Pulled it from around the waist of the world and draped it over her shoulder. So much of life in its meshes! She called in her soul to come and see." from "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neal Hurston

The Lucifer Effect

Some years I am mysteriously drawn to read and view certain kinds of stories. For example, I've had a mafia/organized crime year. I've had an American Civil War year. This year the story line is either "prisons" or "hell on earth"- of which prisons are just one example. These years don't start off with a theme- it just is something I recognize once it is begun. And, then I feed it.

So: Oz, The Wire, and now The Lucifer Effect.

The Lucifer Effect is written by Phillip Zimbardo (of the Stanford Prison Study fame)and is a great review of much of social psychology...which is then applied to the abuses which occurred at Abu Ghraib prison. Typically, I do not read non-fiction. At least not since I stopped being an academic. Reading this I found that I really miss reading psychological research.

Damn. Somedays I just miss being a psychologist.

And, they aren't only days that are marked by cat pus, dog vomit, or dying snakes.

Anyway, I have been including a pithy quotation from the books I've been reading- putting said quotes in the list at the right. But, I feel like that list is getting pretty long (mostly thanks to the quotes)and that it isn't very easy to read. So, I'm removing the quotes and instead putting them (from now on) as blog entries.

So- two from Phillip Zimbardo.

Any deed that any human being has ever committed, however horrible, is possible for any of us--under the right or wrong situational circumstances. That knowledge does not excuse evil" rather, it democratizes it, sharing its blame among ordinary actors rather than declaring it the province only of deviants and despots--or Them but not Us. (p. 211)

And this- which is what it feels like to me to live in Australia:

Endless routines and undifferentiated daily activities create a seeming circularity of time--it just flows on, undivided into meaningful linear units but creeping onward as if it were an ants' journey on a Mobius strip of life. (p. 244)

I miss seasons and people who engage fully in celebrating milestones of the passing year.

By the way, if you are intrigued see the web site: thelucifereffect.com

End of Darwin

Sunday.

We began the day by grabbing what we thought would be a fabulous breakfast at the Duck's Nuts Restaurant up the street. So did half a million Lions. (The Lion's are in town. That is why we had a bit of a challenge finding a room.) The good folks at Duck's Nuts are not prepared to cope with people sitting at most of their tables AND ordering food! It was a long, long, long wait and Ann was getting antsy and grumpy.

After lunch we spent the day wandering through the city, again. This time-

The Botanic Garden

The Museum of the Northern Territory

Mindil Beach

Doctor's Gully

The Botanic Garden was very nice- as most of the gardens are in the capital cities of Australia. I particularly enjoyed the children's garden with its fabulous tree house. We climbed all the way to the top- but only Kevin slid down the slide at the end. He posited that adult pants are not as slippery as kids pants. I wonder.

The Museum of the NT does not allow photography of their art exhibits. But, that's OK. We were more interested in the natural history part of the museum. Once again we were confronted with the fact that "nature" in Australia- particularly the NT- is trying to kill you. First and once again- cyclone Tracy. Two rooms of photos and recorded remembrances of destruction. In one large closet you can experience (something like) the sound of a cyclone. Horrifying. Haunting.



Then, there is a taxidermied (my own verb, incidentally), 17 foot, 1700 pound crocodile, Sweetheart. He was accidentally killed while capturing him for relocation. They didn't like the way he was putting teeth holes into the boats of fishermen.




Finally, and what I really wanted to see, there were mounted box jelly fish and blue ringed octopus (which wikipedia tells me is one of the most venomous animals on the planet!) My camera kept insisting that the photos of the jelly fish- which can kill a child, put a woman in the hospital for 2 weeks and a man in for 3 days...and you can't stop the screaming!!!!!! - was inadequate ("Hey man, your photo sucks. Where'd you learn to focus? Hold the damn camera still, will ya?" Don't buy a camera from NYC. Attitude.) So, I didn't try to photograph the octopus which is only the size of a golf ball! but, is still capable of killing 26 people within minutes!!!!!

Kevin wants to point out that I am the sick one.

We took the shore walk to Mindil Beach where they were setting up for the Sunday Market. It was still about 90 minutes away- so we just ducked into the Casino to remind ourselves that we aren't interested in gambling- and walked on to Doctor's Gully for "Aquascene"!

I would be remiss here if I failed to mention that all through this afternoon's walk I am constantly asking Kevin to look at my skin. I am convinced I am burning...but I arrive back in Brisbane unscathed.

Aquascene! for the last 50 years people have been coming down to the dock at Doctor's Gully at high tide to feed bread to fish. That's right. They are rather big fish- as you might imagine. The crowd on Sunday was primarily composed of milk fish, cat fish, and mullet. I hope the photos convey some of the ravenous enthusiasm of the fish.



Finally, we ended the evening at Darwin's Deck Chair Cinema watching "Sweeney Todd" under the stars. It was fun- even though I had to watch it one eyed as I'd lost the screw from my left lens while waiting to be served at the snack bar before the film. Ugh. Interestingly, the feeling of immersion you get watching a big screen doesn't happen when you close one eye. The experience feels more like watching a picture of the movie screen. I was always aware of the borders of the screen and the trees and sky surrounding it. Oh, and the possum who was bopping through the rows inspecting every one's packages for food with which it could abscond.

Darwin C

Saturday.

7 AM we boarded the van along with our traveling companions from Ontario. (We had met them at the Indo-Pacific Marine. We don't know their names- but we keep turning up at the same places.) Kevin and I are pleased to find that we are not the oldest people on this tour. We come very close to being the youngest! Woo Hoo! Go Youth Shack!



Our first stop is the Fogg Damn wetlands. At the end of the dry season there are hundreds of thousands of birds here. That would be cool! That would be October. Still, it is glorious seeing all those egrets and geese and water lilies and cat tails...even a wallaby and a croc! (By the way, the croc is in the photo....Just on the shore at about 1:30.)

Next- the jumping crocodile cruise down the Adelaide River. Yes! As our boat glides down the river the local croc's come swimming over for their every-third-hourly hunk of pork. The croc feeder hangs the meat on a piece of string suspended from a fishing pole like structure. First, she slaps it on the surface of the water to attract
. attention.* Once the croc is focused and zeroing in on the tidbit, she raises it out of the water. The croc gets into position then raises out of the water to snap at the meat- which our guide has pulled up even higher and out of reach. Each croc must jump at least twice. I think that is in their contract. On the way back the croc feeder becomes a kite feeder and tosses bits of meat into the air for the kites to catch mid-air. She is a bit nervous about this- afraid of being sliced open by their talons.




Don't be afraid to tell us "you don't believe your eyes". We were told that would happen to the people back home.

Lunch. Kevin and I make the same salad- without any communication. Lettuce-less.

Finally- Litchfield Park. Termite mounds. Water falls. Swimming in beautiful clear water pools that have been deemed free of "salties".



*This was Zelda's addition. She has a new trick- jumping onto the desk and typing.

Darwin II

It is, no doubt, obvious what happens when I spend a week between doing something and writing about it. The details drop out and the writing becomes terse. I resort to lists.

So, here goes.

Friday in Darwin:

1. Walking tour of Darwin hitting most of the high points downtown as indicated by the local guide book. The history of Darwin seems primarily defined by destruction. First, Darwin was attacked by the Japanese during WWII ala Pearl Harbour. Then, on Christmas Day 1974 Cyclone Tracy flattened the city. So, there aren't much in the way of "old" buildings remaining. There is still at least one WWII oil storage tunnel remaining- but we arrived too late to walk through it.

2. Lunch (Fish and Chips) at Stokes Hill Wharf. More history of the bombings during WWII. I found it interesting that in the 60's or 70's it was a Japanese company that did the salvage work on ships sunk in the harbor. Very clever business people, those Japanese. No doubt, part of the motivation to sink those ships was to later get paid to retrieve them.

3. Indo-pacific Marine- the self described most interesting attraction in Darwin. Forty years ago the founder of this organization (and our guide's wife) created a closed ecosystem that mirrors the reef off the shore of Darwin. It is a large (room sized) pool about 3 feet deep in which live various coral, fish, crabs, (etc) and importantly plankton. It is all fed or supported by sunlight. Only. The water volume is maintained by additions of rain water. There is no filtration. Everything that is born in the pool lives in the pool. Everything that dies in the pool is consumed by the pool. It was very cool. Unfortunately, they do not allow cameras. ???

4. The best part, in my opinion however, was the wall across from McDonald's (where we had breakfast). The building is on a corner and both road exposures are covered with street art. You know I am a sucker for that.

Darwin 1- or Why United is better than Jet Star

It is sort of amazing. The flight from Brisbane to Darwin is about 5 hours long! I could get to LA from Ohio in that amount of time...and that feels like a much bigger change. But, even if we disregard the duration of the flight, Darwin is a serious challenge for travel. Point 2: 9:05 PM departure. Even if it hadn't been delayed- which is was, until 10:15, we would not have arrived until 1:05 AM. (OK. You math(s) gurus- that IS 4 hours and I said five. However, there is a time difference and, granted, it is only 30 min, but, come on, you don't come here for "just the facts".) Point 3: the flight "home" departs at midnight-ish...and arrives at 5:30 AM (late, though- like 6 AM)...then you go to work. Sure, you can try to cram in a nap- but a certain dog will spend 60 minutes either licking, scooting, or just changing position from one side of you to the other. This happens even if you are careful to give her breakfast!

The Jet Star Airbus is very attractive with faux leather seats- but it isn't sleep worthy. No head rest. Minimal recline. And, nothing is free. If you want water, you'll pay. As you will for coffee or food. Unfortunately, you can't buy a pillow or blanket.

And, they fly to Hawaii. Eegads! What sins must you possess to board the purgatory plane?

Important update

Kevin and I both succeeded in keeping Friday May 16 fatality free.

I haven't been able to find out how the rest of Australia did, however. Not for want of looking, I might add.

In the meantime, much to say about Darwin. Just need the time to say it.

Oh Superman- For Mother's Day

We went to the Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens for Mother's Day- along with 50 thousand Brisbanites all sporting picnic baskets. Ugh. Picnics. Combine cooking with packing. Then eat on the ground while ants crawl into your shorts.

Anyway, new at the gardens were some interesting sculptures. Here's the first. And, it can only be paired with Laurie Anderson's song "Oh, Superman"- which is also fitting (note- not seizuring) for Mother's Day.

Not that I am cynical about mother's- particularly my mother- I love her. And, I am an American who likes living in America. With my mother. I also love Laurie Anderson- and this piece is particularly wonderful.

What else could one think about this sculpture but "in your long arms?"



O Superman
O Superman. O judge. O Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad.
O Superman. O judge. O Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad.
Hi. I'm not home right now. But if you want to leave a
message, just start talking at the sound of the tone.
Hello? This is your Mother. Are you there? Are you coming home?
Hello? Is anybody home? Well, you don't know me,
but I know you.
And I've got a message to give to you.
Here come the planes.
So you better get ready. Ready to go.
You can come as you are, but pay as you go. Pay as you go.
And I said: OK. Who is this really? And the voice said:
This is the hand, the hand that takes. This is the
hand, the hand that takes.
This is the hand, the hand that takes.
Here come the planes.
They're American planes. Made in America.
Smoking or non-smoking?
And the voice said: Neither snow nor rain nor gloom
of night shall stay these couriers from the swift
completion of their appointed rounds.

'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice.
And when justice is gone, there's always force.
And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!

So hold me, Mom, in your long arms. So hold me,
Mom, in your long arms.
In your automatic arms. Your electronic arms.
In your arms.
So hold me, Mom, in your long arms.
Your petrochemical arms. Your military arms.
In your electronic arms.

This weekend

We are off to Darwin! Stay tuned...but remember - no fatalities on Friday the 16th!

Fatality Free Friday

May 16.

Get ready. It's a big ambition. 2008 is year 2 of this national Australian program. Last year Queensland was successful- but NSW and Victoria- gee - not exactly team players. Now, I'm not sure if my goal is primarily not to be killed or not to kill someone, though I am sure that it is only applicable when in a car. Probably the car must be moving.

As I said, this is year two. Last year- across the nation there were 6 fatalities. The national average for a Friday is

5.3.

Now, I'm not saying the idea of a fatality free Friday is stupid. But, I am suggesting that, in general, most drivers (Australian and otherwise) do not enter a car and commence driving with a devil-may-care, nonchalant attitude about either dying or killing someone. In fact, I'd put money on my belief that most drivers are always entering the highway with the goal of arriving back home unhurt- let alone undead.

There I go: zombies again.

More on Victimless Leather

Kevin found this update: the victimless leather that was growing at the MoMA has been euthanized! After only 5 weeks it was threatening to over-run the museum!!! Can anyone say "Audrey 2"?

OK.

Slight exaggeration.

Anyway, I am very pleased that I got to see this "living coat"... and I am now wondering if it is still "victimless"?

Another superhero discussion

Kevin and I went to see "Iron Man" last night after work. He told me to be prepared for 2 hours of "awesomeness"-- at least as rated by 94% of rottentomatoes.com reviewers. I was dubious. I have a hard time imagining that awesomeness can be extended over 90 minutes.

What can I say? We enjoyed Robert Downey Jr. and the suit and the technology (computers, robots) in Dr. Stark's lab- But, awesome? And, the tease that the scene at the end of the credits was "the best ever"- no one or no thing can live up to that kind of hype.

What was more interesting to me was Kevin's answer to which superhero he wanted to be. Wonder Woman. He likes the bracelets.

Then he fessed up. He really wants to be Superman. He told me that everyone wants to be Superman.

Me? I'm not the superhero type- I prefer Fox Mulder or Vic Mackey or Jack Bauer or Kay Scarpetta... but I am willing to take a ride in Kevin's invisible car- if he can find it.

The Buddha's Birthday

This is the second holiday weekend in a row. Not bad, I'd say. Last week (Friday) was ANZAC Day. This week (Monday) is Labour Day.

Conveniently, this weekend is also the celebration of Buddha's Birthday. I've introduced that earlier. You remember, I wasn't tai chi-ing.

I did get the chance to venture down to South Bank Friday and Saturday evening to witness the festivities. Lots of lanterns. Lots of vegetarian food. Even the material called "chicken curry", I am told, was actually vegetarian. I didn't try it, however, so I cannot testify to that fact.




The features that stood out for me:

1. Although Buddha was from India, everything - except for the Hare Krishna food stand was Chinese.

2. The Buddhists seem to celebrate by providing opportunities to purchase blessings for a donation.

3. The shrine set up in the Sun Corp Stadium captured virtually every holiday motif I could imagine. Golden idols. Fresh foods. Fresh flowers. Baby Buddhas. Christmas trees. Easter eggs. Birthday cake-like mountains of pink egg-ish things. Go ahead. Look. I'll wait.

4. If you get the chance, learn from my mistake. You bathe the Baby Buddha by pouring water on his shoulders. Not over his head. I'm afraid I'm looking at seven years of bad luck.

I did quite enjoy the performances I stumbled upon just when I was getting ready to leave. I watched a band perform with a variety of interesting of Chinese stringed instruments. This was followed by a lion dance. Then, a couple of dances performed by a troop from the Royal Brisbane International College. I enjoyed their costumes which featured white flowing from their arms. The choreography made much of this- especially the second piece which was set to a selection from the film "Hero" (Ying Xiong- I love "Hero" and the soundtrack. If you haven't figured it out, this is a selection from "Hero" that is playing above) and used "flowing fans" to create moving water. The best, however, were the "martial artists" doing amazing acrobatics- I mean kung fu- all set to a cross between traditional Chinese and gay disco music.

Happy Birthday, Buddha.

Peace on Earth.

An account of the body

Yes. Still. Really.

Also, let it be known that I am officially, as far as ultrasound technicians are concerned at least, a very small person. That was the verdict based on my "outflow track" at Friday's echocardiogram. In addition, I have a small amount of tricuspid regurgitation. We'll see what the health system of Australia makes of this.

I am a bit concerned that even though they "should" say, "Hey, no big deal", that they will find multiple ways to make it outrageously difficult for me. I kept offering the kind folks at the Mater Hospital the letter written by the health department and they kept turning it down. No. They didn't need that. No.

"Do you need to see my identification?" I asked the technician as I was getting ready to leave following the procedure- and hoping that my driver's license would suffice since I had run off without my passport.

"No."

"Don't you need to know that I am really the person you were supposed to be echoing?"

"When I called your name you immediately got up and came with me."

"Oh".

Somehow, I suspect they'll eat up my day off next week. My money is on the option that they will want to filter the ultrasound report through another $100 doctor's visit.

Kevin thinks I am just being cynical.

And, I must admit that overall I am feeling cynical and anxious and depressed lately. I'm calling it "spring withdrawal". Or, maybe, "going on week two of this stupid cold".

Missing another cool event

Normally, I'm missing my favorite musical performers. This week, however, I'm missing my opportunity to (once again) make history!

First, let us step back. I am thankful that Kevin informed me that this was the Buddha's birthday celebration weekend at South Bank.

From ourbrisbane.com.au:

Buddha Birth Day Festival 2008
2 – 4 May 2008
South Bank Parklands

Come along and bring the family to the 12th annual Buddha Birth Day Festival at South Bank. There’s heaps to see and do with 300 performers, two performance stages, children’s amusement area, lots of delicious vegetarian food stalls, an art exhibition and various workshops.

I inserted that quote as a bit of a thrill for non-Australian readers. "Heaps". For my Australian readers- in the US you'd only hear the adjective "heaps" on some black and white film made in the 40s or 50's and then it would be by some corny, teenage or slightly younger boy. Heap is more commonly a verb. "They continued to heap on the abuse."

But, I'm getting off topic.

Each morning at 7:45 they are having free Tai Chi classes. Great. Except I'm WORKING. Still- I have Friday off...and on Friday they are hoping to have the largest Tai Chi class in the Southern Hemisphere!!!! Oh boy! Oh boy!

But, alas. My long awaited echocardiogram is scheduled for that morning at 8 AM!

I will have to be satisfied with my efforts as a freshman at OSU in helping to set a world record for largest game of musical chairs.

I think I am going to live

You have, no doubt, been wondering what fascinating tidbits you've been missing from Australia while I've been recapping our Northern Hemisphere exploits. And, while there has been work and gaming and a national holiday (Anzac Day- Friday 25 April)- there has been, at least for me, much, much, much mucous. Also, coughing, muscles aches, and fever. Already on Monday of last week- just fresh off our trip- I was saying to Kevin that I felt like I might be coming down with something. Like any good virus, however, it waited until my day off to set in with any fervor. That would have been Thurs. And, said Anzac Day on Friday. Then, a work day, Saturday. You get the picture. I only worked about 2 hours on Monday. But, then by Monday evening I could start to feel the cloud lifting. Tuesday I felt weak but almost human- though I didn't exactly sound like one.

Today is Wednesday. I still can't sleep through the night without taking breaks from sleep for some good non-productive coughing. A paroxysm! There! I said it! But, I do believe I am going to pull through. I am a bit worried, however, that I have lost my sense of taste.

Does that ever happen? Can it just go? Poof??

I'm guessing my sense of smell isn't very good yet, either. Perhaps they're traveling together. I haven't yet checked the mailbox for postcards.

Please come back.

And this should have been the first

04/04/08

At the Brisbane airport. My bag- the new red one- the one that lost one wheel on its fist trip with me to Australia- weighed in at 14.7 kg.
"Is that all?" asked the Qantas man behind the counter.

I am traveling light.

On the flight I was tired but found it hard to let go of the movies to nap. I watched:
"Margot at the Wedding"- probably a smart story with fascinating characters and dialog. I was tired, however, and wanted everyone to SPEAK SLOWLY and LOUDLY. Maybe, I am becoming foreign.
"Gone Baby, Gone" - I thought drama/action might fit my mind better. An OK story that needed 20 min removed. Why, I wonder, make the detective's partner his girlfriend? I guess only so he has to lose her when he makes his choice. Otherwise, she has no role in the story.
"Extended Play". "A hilarious Greek film". I didn't laugh. The concept was interesting, however, and in a shorter drama, I might have really liked it. Initially, I thought the end was wrong. The protagonist should be a new man - ala Jimmy Stewart in "A Wonderful Life"- but now I've changed my mind. It is more real.
Finally, the only film I really enjoyed and actually laughed out loud at- though I didn't finish it- again - "Ten Things I Hate About You". Qantas is having a Heath Ledger love fest and while I'd probably have preferred seeing "The Patriot"- THAT film was over 2 hours long! I fast forwarded through the beginning but still the movie service ended before I did.

Luggage pickup at LAX was a breeze. There are fewer red bags than browny ones. Many fewer with green name tags and only 1 with 1 wheel. Too easy.

Reason 47 I don't like to fly United.
In LAX to enter the "sterile zone" you have to queue OUTSIDE on the walkway across the airport drive! Probably 20 min! Fortunately, the day was warm.

Reason 134 I don't like to fly United.
There are no hotcakes at the McDonald's in the United Terminal...let alone tea or hot water!

Reason #1 I don't like to fly United.
Chicago.

In a week or so, I'm going to sort these blog entries so the dates make some sense. Yes. That is the plan.