Markings on walls

Yesterday my two little brothers came to be "looked after."

I gave them a day in the city, doing city things. We went to the museum, we saw an Imax film, we rode trams, we ate sandwiches in the park, we walked down Lygon St to buy icecreams and a coffee, and they noticed new stuff.

That's the part that I always hope I can help them with, the 'noticing.' I love what kids see, what they pick out as interesting, and how quickly they learn and form opinions. But it's an accidental goal; you hope it will happen, but can't plan for it.


For example, while walking to the tram,

"What are all those markings on things?"

"It's graffiti. People draw art on the walls, or sometimes just write their name."

"Why?"

"Well, if it's art they want to show people something, if it's their name it's to say they've been there; they think it makes them cool." [I believe sometimes it's okay to generalise grossly for children. When walking fast to catch the tram, for example.]

> brief conversation by both boys about where they draw art - art room, desk at home, etc<


"I'll never do that. Even the word, 'graffiti', it sounds like a bad thing to do."


Next time I'm going to show him Graffiti Ally in Fitzroy and some of the stencils around Brunswick. And maybe Banksy's Little Diver. Maybe he can make up a word that sounds better.

Dr Seuss as an alcoholic bibliophile

I will eat, drink and read on Christmas Day


I will eat, drink and read on a plane


I will eat, drink and read, it's not that hard

I will even do it in my backyard


Perfect cocktails:
#1 Grasshopper, Zealous Family recipe:
1 part creme de cacao
2 parts creme de menthe
2 parts cream
shake up really well with lots of ice
serve with nutmeg (sprinkled on top)

#2 Virgin Gin and Tonic over the sunset:
1 x UDL, makes four little cups. Drink really fast because they come to take your rubbish away after 20 mins of giving you the drink!

#3 Gin Cocktail. Modified from Hairy Canary's 'Sunset something-or-other...'
juice of 1/2 a lime
juice of 1/2 an orange
1 and 1/2... oh, go on, 2 shots of gin
1/2 shot of amaretto
a few drops of vanilla essence
shake well with ice

A Very Happy New Year

So far 2008 has been wonderful. It's probably the fact that summer holidays are so full of promise and the opportunity to do any-damn-thing I want, but there's also a lot to look forward to this year. I'm going 0.8 - so have a day off a week to concentrate on music, I'll be working in an office with just one other person, who is another young teacher and lots of fun, and I have some new choirs, music lessons, and a sports team on the go.

Christmas was sedate and lovely. I gave my little brothers mp3 players, so am Awesome Sister 3000. Was asked to put a photo of the Christmas tree onto one of the said mp3 players, so that he could "remember this day forever." I love that about Christmas; we aren't a religious family, but keeping up the magic of Santa and presents and special food is really important to me.

I finished the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy. Amazing, amazing. I cried pretty much non-stop for the last 80 pages. Will maybe write more about these books, particularly the Amber Spyglass, when I'm sure that everyone I know who reads this blog (ie. My Mother) has finished them.

So, with Christmas over for another year,


(The Remember Forever Tree)

here's to the next year of living well, and happily.


(sunset at Hut Paddock, Mansfield)