Gillian Polack's Blog, page 257
April 7, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-04-07T22:48:00
I've been in doing-everything-at-once mode for so long that I feel bereft because teaching is almost over. I have a new deadline to keep me working. It's a deadline with a difference.
I won't have any electricity for the full business day next Thursday, since apparently we need new poles of power for our little bit of Canberra. This means I have to finish the contents of my fridge and freezer *days* before I was due to, so I might as well use it in other ways. I'm finishing my reviews before then and doing several pieces that will be published in the next few months. I have a couple of applications that need to be done (three, to be precise). My emptying fridge will help me catch up on a lot of the small things that sometimes make me feel like I'm running in circles.
On Thursday I get a whole day off. Lack of electricity has this effect. I shall sleep in and then do some messages.
After Thursday I'll be back in research mode. Except for Passover and my birthday. I'm taking 2 days off for Passover, one for ANZAC Day and then the rest of my holidays when I work out what on earth I'm to do with them. UWA thinks I'm taking half my annual leave in April, but I really do have trouble leaving books alone for two weeks at a time. It hurts me, I think.
If anyone is in Canberra (for whatever reason) in the last week of April or maybe the first week in May and has a desire to go on a day trip somewhere or to visit a gallery or museum or just to walk in a park, give me a call. Or if you need coffee and a chat, or a movie evening. I'm supposed to take this thing called 'holidays'...
I won't have any electricity for the full business day next Thursday, since apparently we need new poles of power for our little bit of Canberra. This means I have to finish the contents of my fridge and freezer *days* before I was due to, so I might as well use it in other ways. I'm finishing my reviews before then and doing several pieces that will be published in the next few months. I have a couple of applications that need to be done (three, to be precise). My emptying fridge will help me catch up on a lot of the small things that sometimes make me feel like I'm running in circles.
On Thursday I get a whole day off. Lack of electricity has this effect. I shall sleep in and then do some messages.
After Thursday I'll be back in research mode. Except for Passover and my birthday. I'm taking 2 days off for Passover, one for ANZAC Day and then the rest of my holidays when I work out what on earth I'm to do with them. UWA thinks I'm taking half my annual leave in April, but I really do have trouble leaving books alone for two weeks at a time. It hurts me, I think.
If anyone is in Canberra (for whatever reason) in the last week of April or maybe the first week in May and has a desire to go on a day trip somewhere or to visit a gallery or museum or just to walk in a park, give me a call. Or if you need coffee and a chat, or a movie evening. I'm supposed to take this thing called 'holidays'...
gillpolack @ 2011-04-07T20:55:00
One of my family history students gave me a card, just before the end of class. I thanked her and put it away, to look at later. Now is later. It was a thank you signed by every single student! They said the nicest things. What a good way to end the term.
gillpolack @ 2011-04-07T14:43:00
I am reeling in astonishment. The shape of my loungeroom is almost apparent. It won't actually show until the weekend (when all the recycling and finihsed books are gone) but there are definitely flat surfaces and things emerging. I just need to keep working through my backlog and ticking things off, one at a time.
Because I still can't breathe terribly well, which limits sleeping, I've read my two book minimum for today and I've finished an article and sent it and I'll have a half hour of tax done before I do today's messages and teach. See, it's an ill wind! (also a visit to the chemist on the way to work)
Because I still can't breathe terribly well, which limits sleeping, I've read my two book minimum for today and I've finished an article and sent it and I'll have a half hour of tax done before I do today's messages and teach. See, it's an ill wind! (also a visit to the chemist on the way to work)
April 6, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-04-06T18:57:00
No quantum poets today. We had missing people last week and we will have an excursion next week, so I asked permission to carry over to next term. One of my students was particularly enthusiastic, for she had sums in her eyes. "This means we will finish the book," she crowed.
Instead of quantum physics, we wrote tales of Illtud vs Arthur (clash of the giants, sometimes over altars and sometimes over fine cars). My favourite bit had to be when one of my students commented that iambic caffeine leads to iambic understanding (which ought to be subtitled 'How He Sorted the Sonnet').
And we worked out what we wanted to do next term. Remember that this is a class on creative writing. This is what my wisest of all classes has chosen:
more quantum physics
more poetic forms (starting with ballads)
skills in reading aloud
an introduction to self-publishing
vocabulary expansion and etymology
more myths and legends and fairytales
grammar and punctuation
And they set themselves extra homework, too.
Instead of quantum physics, we wrote tales of Illtud vs Arthur (clash of the giants, sometimes over altars and sometimes over fine cars). My favourite bit had to be when one of my students commented that iambic caffeine leads to iambic understanding (which ought to be subtitled 'How He Sorted the Sonnet').
And we worked out what we wanted to do next term. Remember that this is a class on creative writing. This is what my wisest of all classes has chosen:
more quantum physics
more poetic forms (starting with ballads)
skills in reading aloud
an introduction to self-publishing
vocabulary expansion and etymology
more myths and legends and fairytales
grammar and punctuation
And they set themselves extra homework, too.
April 5, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-04-05T22:37:00
No more timetravel! Tonight my "Timetravelling in the Middle Ages" course ended. On Thursday, my family history course finishes. End of term nearly here.
Also, I've read my two book minimum for today and done some messages. Tomorrow I need to do more messages. And tonight I am just very tired and don't want to think about them. End of courses does that, every time.
Also, I've read my two book minimum for today and done some messages. Tomorrow I need to do more messages. And tonight I am just very tired and don't want to think about them. End of courses does that, every time.
gillpolack @ 2011-04-05T13:15:00
Dear Pens
When I put you where I need you, whether it be on my computer desk or next to my review book, I expect you to still be there when I start working on the computer or reviewing. In either case (or, today, in both cases) if you disappear (again), I shall do something that will terrify your little socks. In fact, I've done it. I've replaced you. Your replacement says "Australian Federal Police." It's too late to be afraid. The police are after you.
Gillian
When I put you where I need you, whether it be on my computer desk or next to my review book, I expect you to still be there when I start working on the computer or reviewing. In either case (or, today, in both cases) if you disappear (again), I shall do something that will terrify your little socks. In fact, I've done it. I've replaced you. Your replacement says "Australian Federal Police." It's too late to be afraid. The police are after you.
Gillian
gillpolack @ 2011-04-05T12:30:00
I'm at the stage in April when too much seems to be happening. Before I can get one thing under control, three more things pop up and say "Deal with me now." This means my novel is not getting written. It also means that (despite my recent reviewing frenzy) I have more books to read and reviews to write.
The big thing I haven't done is put course proposals in for the CCE for the second half year. Oh, and my tax. The tax is underway, at least. The course proposals, not so much. I've lost that understanding I once had of what subjects are trendy and will be wanted.
I shall give myself all of today to think of what I want to teach (and it won't be a lot of teaching, as I only have 3 months in which to teach, due to travel) and tomorrow I shall put those proposals in, regardless. And I shall hope I get it right.
Right now, the only subject I can think of is "Fantasy fiction and its historical roots." I would look at George RR Martin, and Naomi Novik and use them as a lead in to Medieval-based fantsy and Napoleonic-based. This seems pretty half-baked though, plus it requires more pre-reading than evening students tend to enjoy. Quite obviously I *need* a full day to contemplate!
The big thing I haven't done is put course proposals in for the CCE for the second half year. Oh, and my tax. The tax is underway, at least. The course proposals, not so much. I've lost that understanding I once had of what subjects are trendy and will be wanted.
I shall give myself all of today to think of what I want to teach (and it won't be a lot of teaching, as I only have 3 months in which to teach, due to travel) and tomorrow I shall put those proposals in, regardless. And I shall hope I get it right.
Right now, the only subject I can think of is "Fantasy fiction and its historical roots." I would look at George RR Martin, and Naomi Novik and use them as a lead in to Medieval-based fantsy and Napoleonic-based. This seems pretty half-baked though, plus it requires more pre-reading than evening students tend to enjoy. Quite obviously I *need* a full day to contemplate!
April 4, 2011
Competition!!
Note the exclamation marks (here, let me give you some more!!!!!!!!!).
This is not the usual type of competition. This is probably because I am not the usual type of person. Also, it's not my competition - it's the Conflux Committee's. But it's mine, sort of.
The committee would very much like me to run a workshop at Conflux this year. Me, I love doing workshops and so of *course* I want to run one. The problem is, of all the things I teach, what do Conflux members want to learn? Setting an early 19th century table? Food for Medieval travellers? History for writers? More Middle Ages? Evil punctuation? The structural analysis of manuscripts (Gillian-style)? Epic legends? The Arthurian Matter? Languedoc in 1305? Writing suburban fantasy? Quantum physics for poets? How to insult someone (direly) in Old French? Judaism 101 for writers? Local history and the spec fic writer? Or something else?
The competition is to suggest a workshop title and outline. The winner will not only see that workshop presented at Conflux, but will get free entry into said workshop. All complications and decisions will be handled at the committee meeting in May and the title and etc will be put into the program immediately after that.
You have until 25 April to get your suggestions to me. The method is arduous and difficult and will take much of your time. It involves walking to Everest carrying 40 kg of lead and then... no, it actually involves commenting on this blog.
You can be as daft in your suggestions as you like, but I'll only be forwarding on the workshops I feel capable of teaching. If you want a workshop in advanced theatre design or flying using the roofs of cars, you may suggest them, but I won't pass the suggestion on. I do, however, reserve the right to chortle quietly.
Summary (since I'm in scholarly mode):
A competition to decide what workshop I shall give begins now and ends on 25 April. A decision will be made at the first committee meeting thereafter. The prize is free entry to that workshop at Conflux. Enter here. Now.
This is not the usual type of competition. This is probably because I am not the usual type of person. Also, it's not my competition - it's the Conflux Committee's. But it's mine, sort of.
The committee would very much like me to run a workshop at Conflux this year. Me, I love doing workshops and so of *course* I want to run one. The problem is, of all the things I teach, what do Conflux members want to learn? Setting an early 19th century table? Food for Medieval travellers? History for writers? More Middle Ages? Evil punctuation? The structural analysis of manuscripts (Gillian-style)? Epic legends? The Arthurian Matter? Languedoc in 1305? Writing suburban fantasy? Quantum physics for poets? How to insult someone (direly) in Old French? Judaism 101 for writers? Local history and the spec fic writer? Or something else?
The competition is to suggest a workshop title and outline. The winner will not only see that workshop presented at Conflux, but will get free entry into said workshop. All complications and decisions will be handled at the committee meeting in May and the title and etc will be put into the program immediately after that.
You have until 25 April to get your suggestions to me. The method is arduous and difficult and will take much of your time. It involves walking to Everest carrying 40 kg of lead and then... no, it actually involves commenting on this blog.
You can be as daft in your suggestions as you like, but I'll only be forwarding on the workshops I feel capable of teaching. If you want a workshop in advanced theatre design or flying using the roofs of cars, you may suggest them, but I won't pass the suggestion on. I do, however, reserve the right to chortle quietly.
Summary (since I'm in scholarly mode):
A competition to decide what workshop I shall give begins now and ends on 25 April. A decision will be made at the first committee meeting thereafter. The prize is free entry to that workshop at Conflux. Enter here. Now.
gillpolack @ 2011-04-04T13:03:00
I've just been looking at my calendar, because it's Passover-preparation time. I like Passover this year. Eightth day Passover is my birthday, of course, but it's also ANZAC Day (not a big surprise, since my birthday is always on ANZAC Day) and also Easter. Not to mention school holidays. Obviously an auspicious day.
April 3, 2011
gillpolack @ 2011-04-03T13:27:00
In the continuing saga of Gillian winning the paper battle (she's lost the war but is determined never to surrender*), I have just paid all my bills. Tonight I get to do taxes (a whole *box* of papers can then be put away. And maybe even a book review. Just maybe.
Tomorrow? Tomorrow is the big day. Tomorrow I clear the chairs and find all the things I'd completely forgotten.
Tuesday is rather exciting. About fifty books go away on Tuesday, after class, for that course will have finished. What this means is that my couch will be reclaimed and friends can come to visit. Or if they do come to visit, there will be somewhere to sit. Maybe.
All this amazing action has to wait, however, for right now I'm off to a Conflux meeting. I'm even wearing my Conflux t-shirt. I shall blend in with the rest of the committee and I shall not look like someone who is in the midst of warring with paper.
*winning skirmishes helps. My latest skirmish is only half-won, however, because the paper is in the recycling bags, but hasn't yet reached the bins. This is because I dropped a plate on my foot, edge first, and whenever I try to walk I find myself stopping to admire the deep bruise that has made my big toe such a fascinating colour. What's really interesting, is that the pain from it is less than the pain I have most days from everything else, which just shows that it's possible to deal with pain, if it lasts long enough. I'm thinking of giving this skirmish a name: the Abercrombie, I should call it.
Tomorrow? Tomorrow is the big day. Tomorrow I clear the chairs and find all the things I'd completely forgotten.
Tuesday is rather exciting. About fifty books go away on Tuesday, after class, for that course will have finished. What this means is that my couch will be reclaimed and friends can come to visit. Or if they do come to visit, there will be somewhere to sit. Maybe.
All this amazing action has to wait, however, for right now I'm off to a Conflux meeting. I'm even wearing my Conflux t-shirt. I shall blend in with the rest of the committee and I shall not look like someone who is in the midst of warring with paper.
*winning skirmishes helps. My latest skirmish is only half-won, however, because the paper is in the recycling bags, but hasn't yet reached the bins. This is because I dropped a plate on my foot, edge first, and whenever I try to walk I find myself stopping to admire the deep bruise that has made my big toe such a fascinating colour. What's really interesting, is that the pain from it is less than the pain I have most days from everything else, which just shows that it's possible to deal with pain, if it lasts long enough. I'm thinking of giving this skirmish a name: the Abercrombie, I should call it.
