So back in 2009 I wrote this about John Key in my blog (on the topic of Christine Rankin)....
It seems a little self-serving to deny it now and it seems a little suspicious for Key to say that he'd heard nothing of it until after her appointment. He's had a few embarrassing underling slipups recently - I wonder how long he can keep up the whole 'we all make mistakes - but I'm loyal to my people' stance.
The answer is, he can keep it up at least another 5 years.
I am really loving the present media environment, where every which way you turn you find anti-Key sentiment. It's long over-due. I look forward to tonight's Media Take episode on the censorship of the 'Planet Key' video. Then there was the 'f*** Key' chant at the Internet Mana conference, and of course Dirty Politics.
And ten minutes in, John Key and his weasel words.. .. http://www.tv3.co.nz/CAMPBELL-LIVE-Monday-August-18-2014/tabid/3692/articleID/102195/MCat/2908/Default.aspx
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Say it with flowers
To 'Hide Your Love Away' cover by Pearl Jam.
At work the other day we had a special ceremony to honour staff who have been at our school for ten or more years.
I think many of us felt a little conspicuous, as the current seems to be running against valuing long-term employees. Some teachers saw this as a bit of an equivalent to a gold watch or hint to get on with it.
But it was nice.
Undeniably, the nicest bits were these
- there were staff from very different parts of the school recognised (including a cleaner, the tea-lady, a teacher aide and a couple of grounds-keepers)
- seeing a guy well over six feet tall standing up there with a bunch of flowers was a nice moment; I did wonder if he's ever been given flowers before
- there were standing ovations for the teachers who had been here over 30 years; I know that they often feel self-conscious about this so it was nice to put it in a positive light
- the 40+ years teacher was so taken aback by the standing ovation that she had tears in her eyes; it is certainly nice to feel appreciated
I just really like the demographic of kids and families at our school and every few years I get given really great opportunities, so the thought of starting at a new school back at zero seems very daunting (especially now that I have a mortgage). I like having strong institutional knowledge. I don't think our school is perfect, but then I don't think any school is likely to be perfect. People are fallible and National is in power. Ours does pretty well though.
Anyway, I got a big bunch of flowers out of it. So big I have had to separate it into two vases at home.
The only travesty was really that a colleague of mine didn't get recognised. She has been there 16 years, but had a break of two years in the middle (where she went and did a couple of other jobs, then came back). I doubt anybody else was in that same boat, but they decided to draw the line at having to have been here in ten consecutive years to get honoured. Seemed a bit petty.
To 'Shortnin' Bread' by Mississippi John Hurt
Weekend
1. Pandora
I like this.
I have had a pleasing random selection that has included some John Lennon and Pearl Jam and some old blues singer. And Donovan.
2. Silly Me
I had not considered the high likelihood of being involved in some low level graffiti wars, when I moved into a house on a main street. I have had three minor bits of graffiti in the last week (just on my letterbox and 2 on my gas meter). They all pretty much came off with terps. 'Lazeye' seems to be a big culprit, though there was a new one today.
My neighbour was not so lucky and had to paint a big chunk of their garage, plus another new one I spotted today.
Stop with the turf wars, local youths! It's annoying. I have taken to keeping my bottle of terps right by the front door for convenience.
On a nicer note, two houses just up from me have Green Party billboards. I came home yesterday to see a Green party representative had been door-knocking and missed me, leaving a card. I was almost sad to have missed that one (having had to talk awkwardly to man trying to see some insulation deal last week). I like that aspect of my suburban demographic; seems to be a Green zone.
3. ETV
One of the better educational tools I've come across in a while (along with delicious.com and google docs).
They tape stuff off of TV (including some Sky channels - such as Rialto) and stream it online for member schools to access. And you can download recordings and send kids links to watch it online in their own time.
I have made a master-list of links to all the films and docos I like. So now when I have 15 minutes of spare time in a lesson, I pick one to show them. I entice them with the first bit, then tell them to go home and watch more if they're interested.
Black Fish went down a treat with all levels (though I nearly made some more sensitive children cry).
Then I've tried pushing some Kiwi films; Heavenly Creatures, The Piano and Once Were Warriors.
And some other docos; Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, Being Elmo.
And some other films; Run Lola Run, The Big Lebowki (though, while it's rated R16 there are a LOT of swear words, so I abandoned that one), Inglorious Basterds.
Beasts of the Southern Wild is on Rialto soon - I can't wait to show them some of that!
4. Media Consumption
Watching some old episodes of Bunheads (made by the Gilmore Girls creators, I totally missed it on TV at the time but found it on ETV). I like it, but it really is a poor man's version of GG. Very similar plots and characters (and a lot of the same actors). The main character really is like Loralei, but a ballet dancer. I hear they only made one series and I'm nearly at the end of it now.
Loving Backbenches. It's quite funny. I always thought it would be too high brow for me, but it's quite accessible.
Nashville. Richard recommended this to me and it's ok. It's like Glee, but with country singers who can actually sing. Most of the characters are quite self absorbed and annoying. Such is life.
Hating that new 'Late Night Breakfast Show'. I get that NZ is good at that sort of awkward, low-budget humour (like Flight of the Conchords). But this just doesn't work. Shame, as it has some funny people on it. Jeremy Wells probably needs to do more.
Media Take is ok. It's a more awkward format with the co-hosts. To me, Russell is far superior to his co-host (who seems like a side-kick in training). Still, good to see it on again. I usually end up staying on Maori TV for a while after this - it really is a nice channel with positive programming. I've been liking their documentary night too (Tuesday night?).
5. Education
I am mildly worried about some movements in education at the moment. Some of them will probably work in some way and be do-able.
But the underlying thrust is that education should be about making students job-ready and that they should be making all the choices and we shouldn't be 'making' them do anything. I fear a generation of very self-important, precocious teenagers may be coming.
Nowhere in this rhetoric is any mention of education for higher-order thinking or cognitive development in general. Not sure where learning for the love of it, or exposing kids to things they never knew they would enjoy, comes into it.
Oh well. I guess teachers will sneak it in somehow, but it's certainly not the thrust. I probably long for a different era. We are very much becoming 'facilitators of learning', rather than teachers.
6. Dirty Politics
I have enjoyed this who unravelling of what goes on behind the scenes.
It is very worrying though. It has long frustrated me how little John Key will say in interviews, trying to shut down criticism with minimising statements. Very much the George W Bush style of politics; people aren't afraid of the smiling idiot.
It baffles me that most of NZ still want to vote for that party. I think I've become insulated in my city/occupation/friends/family groups. People I know are overwhelmingly left wing. I forget there are other types of people out there.
I like this.
I have had a pleasing random selection that has included some John Lennon and Pearl Jam and some old blues singer. And Donovan.
2. Silly Me
I had not considered the high likelihood of being involved in some low level graffiti wars, when I moved into a house on a main street. I have had three minor bits of graffiti in the last week (just on my letterbox and 2 on my gas meter). They all pretty much came off with terps. 'Lazeye' seems to be a big culprit, though there was a new one today.
My neighbour was not so lucky and had to paint a big chunk of their garage, plus another new one I spotted today.
Stop with the turf wars, local youths! It's annoying. I have taken to keeping my bottle of terps right by the front door for convenience.
On a nicer note, two houses just up from me have Green Party billboards. I came home yesterday to see a Green party representative had been door-knocking and missed me, leaving a card. I was almost sad to have missed that one (having had to talk awkwardly to man trying to see some insulation deal last week). I like that aspect of my suburban demographic; seems to be a Green zone.
3. ETV
One of the better educational tools I've come across in a while (along with delicious.com and google docs).
They tape stuff off of TV (including some Sky channels - such as Rialto) and stream it online for member schools to access. And you can download recordings and send kids links to watch it online in their own time.
I have made a master-list of links to all the films and docos I like. So now when I have 15 minutes of spare time in a lesson, I pick one to show them. I entice them with the first bit, then tell them to go home and watch more if they're interested.
Black Fish went down a treat with all levels (though I nearly made some more sensitive children cry).
Then I've tried pushing some Kiwi films; Heavenly Creatures, The Piano and Once Were Warriors.
And some other docos; Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, Being Elmo.
And some other films; Run Lola Run, The Big Lebowki (though, while it's rated R16 there are a LOT of swear words, so I abandoned that one), Inglorious Basterds.
Beasts of the Southern Wild is on Rialto soon - I can't wait to show them some of that!
4. Media Consumption
Watching some old episodes of Bunheads (made by the Gilmore Girls creators, I totally missed it on TV at the time but found it on ETV). I like it, but it really is a poor man's version of GG. Very similar plots and characters (and a lot of the same actors). The main character really is like Loralei, but a ballet dancer. I hear they only made one series and I'm nearly at the end of it now.
Loving Backbenches. It's quite funny. I always thought it would be too high brow for me, but it's quite accessible.
Nashville. Richard recommended this to me and it's ok. It's like Glee, but with country singers who can actually sing. Most of the characters are quite self absorbed and annoying. Such is life.
Hating that new 'Late Night Breakfast Show'. I get that NZ is good at that sort of awkward, low-budget humour (like Flight of the Conchords). But this just doesn't work. Shame, as it has some funny people on it. Jeremy Wells probably needs to do more.
Media Take is ok. It's a more awkward format with the co-hosts. To me, Russell is far superior to his co-host (who seems like a side-kick in training). Still, good to see it on again. I usually end up staying on Maori TV for a while after this - it really is a nice channel with positive programming. I've been liking their documentary night too (Tuesday night?).
5. Education
I am mildly worried about some movements in education at the moment. Some of them will probably work in some way and be do-able.
But the underlying thrust is that education should be about making students job-ready and that they should be making all the choices and we shouldn't be 'making' them do anything. I fear a generation of very self-important, precocious teenagers may be coming.
Nowhere in this rhetoric is any mention of education for higher-order thinking or cognitive development in general. Not sure where learning for the love of it, or exposing kids to things they never knew they would enjoy, comes into it.
Oh well. I guess teachers will sneak it in somehow, but it's certainly not the thrust. I probably long for a different era. We are very much becoming 'facilitators of learning', rather than teachers.
6. Dirty Politics
I have enjoyed this who unravelling of what goes on behind the scenes.
It is very worrying though. It has long frustrated me how little John Key will say in interviews, trying to shut down criticism with minimising statements. Very much the George W Bush style of politics; people aren't afraid of the smiling idiot.
It baffles me that most of NZ still want to vote for that party. I think I've become insulated in my city/occupation/friends/family groups. People I know are overwhelmingly left wing. I forget there are other types of people out there.
Tuesday, July 08, 2014
Scandal
Cassie got me on to Scandal this season, so I've been watching it eagerly. Starting at Series 2. Took me a few episodes to get up to speed, but then I figured out the basics.
I have now gone back to Series 1.
I don't buy it. Fitz is a sleazy, domineering jerk. He bullies Olivia every time she tries to pull out of the affair. And she's held up as this strong female character, and she's putty in his hands. I find her incredibly irritating - forever barking out orders and never smiling. And then a quivering heap of vulnerability when in the arms of the philandering president. I kinda bought it as a 'true love' thing in the middle of a marriage of convenience. But I have now found out that in Season 1, he had ANOTHER affair, between affairs with Olivia. With a young staffer (played by Paris, from Gilmore Girls). Now he's just a jerk. I already suspected as much but I have him a little more credit.
The show is ok because of some of the more fleshed out minor characters; Huck, the red-head lady, Cyrus and even Mellie. Oh, and I like the navy guy (the actor from Felicity).
But the two main characters are awful. Irredeemable, which would be ok, but I think they're supposed to be the heart of the show and they're supposed to be sympathetic.
Nevertheless, I will continue to watch. But I do protest the poor quality. Not quite sure why it gets Emmy and Golden Globe attention. Olivia is portrayed as constantly on the edge of proud tears or spitefully assertive or pathetically vulnerable. I don't know how that two-toned performance gets critical acclaim. She honestly has not relaxed or smiled once so far this season. I know that's supposed to be a character point, but it's dumb. People that serious all the time are boring.
* * *
On a lighter note, I got a 1kg bag of roasted cashew nuts today for $10, down from $20. An oddly huge discount for Countdown (and yet they are not about to expire).
* * *
On another note, I have discovered an odd shop in Queensgate. Mirrou. Looks cheap and tacky (and may well be) but had nice layering tops for under $10 each (with viscose, a very nicely draping fabric). Even if they only last a few washes before losing all shape, that's not a bad investment.
* * *
And I am slightly addicted to Pinterest.
I have now gone back to Series 1.
I don't buy it. Fitz is a sleazy, domineering jerk. He bullies Olivia every time she tries to pull out of the affair. And she's held up as this strong female character, and she's putty in his hands. I find her incredibly irritating - forever barking out orders and never smiling. And then a quivering heap of vulnerability when in the arms of the philandering president. I kinda bought it as a 'true love' thing in the middle of a marriage of convenience. But I have now found out that in Season 1, he had ANOTHER affair, between affairs with Olivia. With a young staffer (played by Paris, from Gilmore Girls). Now he's just a jerk. I already suspected as much but I have him a little more credit.
The show is ok because of some of the more fleshed out minor characters; Huck, the red-head lady, Cyrus and even Mellie. Oh, and I like the navy guy (the actor from Felicity).
But the two main characters are awful. Irredeemable, which would be ok, but I think they're supposed to be the heart of the show and they're supposed to be sympathetic.
Nevertheless, I will continue to watch. But I do protest the poor quality. Not quite sure why it gets Emmy and Golden Globe attention. Olivia is portrayed as constantly on the edge of proud tears or spitefully assertive or pathetically vulnerable. I don't know how that two-toned performance gets critical acclaim. She honestly has not relaxed or smiled once so far this season. I know that's supposed to be a character point, but it's dumb. People that serious all the time are boring.
* * *
On a lighter note, I got a 1kg bag of roasted cashew nuts today for $10, down from $20. An oddly huge discount for Countdown (and yet they are not about to expire).
* * *
On another note, I have discovered an odd shop in Queensgate. Mirrou. Looks cheap and tacky (and may well be) but had nice layering tops for under $10 each (with viscose, a very nicely draping fabric). Even if they only last a few washes before losing all shape, that's not a bad investment.
* * *
And I am slightly addicted to Pinterest.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Teevee
My parents were never as into TV as me and my brother.
There is a famous story in my family about when my brother was about three. He was outside playing on his wee plastic motor-bike and mum called him inside. He kept saying, 'I can't!' and refused to come inside. This worried my mother slightly.
But turns out he was copying a scene from CHiPS and yelling out something akin to 'I'm stuck in the glue!'
I remember growing up on Play School. My favourites were always Barry (not sure why - google tells me he is now a lawyer). http://www.andersonlloyd.co.nz/barry-dorking/
I also liked Little Ted, because I was a Little Sister, I imagine.
My memories of the 80s are mostly of a strange mixture of macho late-night action shows and Tiger Beat pre-teen family comedies. Once we had our bath and got into our jammies, me and my brother would be allowed to stay up and watch the 7.30pm action show; Rip Tide, Simon and Simon, McGyver, Magnum PI, Knight Rider. My brother always liked the underdog character, the sidekick who got beaten up a lot. So while he liked John Baker, I was left to like the more arrogant alpha male, the Ponches and the Han Solos (in the film world). Such is the lot of the Little Sister, complementing the favourites of the Big Brother.
I think Cody (right) from Rip Tide was one of my first crushes. My first crushes were odd. Another one I remember was Ray from Ghostbusters. The theme song from Rip Tide really shows it all; short shorts, pretty ladies, jet-boat chases, a giant pink helicopter, a robot, dodging bullets. All you could want from an 80s action show. Are they the pre-cursor to the current spate of bro-mances? Bro-mances with actual macho men? Minus the self-aware need to express their loyalty to each other?
Then, in the daytime I'd watch My Two Dads and Full House and Growing Pains and TV101 (with a young Matt Le Blanc). My family would humour me.
Sundays were the strangest of times in TV Land. They were the day where Dad would take us out on adventures in the Austin Maxi, apple picking at the orchard or taking bamboo to the dump or taking the dog to the river. But then if we tuned in some time in the late afternoon we would find gems.
Monkey Magic. For years we couldn't remember what this was called and we thought it was akin to strange fragmented flashbacks from an LSD trip and we may have just made it up (though we didn't articulate it quite like this).
We even confused it in our memories with the similar Sunday afternoon show, Tales of the Golden Monkey.
I'm sure our parents preferred TV1 and some British fare. But to us the more exciting music and exaggerated accents and bright, saturated colours of American TV was superior. I remember playing Summer Games on the C64 and usually picking to represent the US (or whoever had a nice anthem) and I would call my competitors 'Joey', 'JJ' and 'Leroy', which were the most American names I could think of.
Oh. That brings me to The Greatest American Hero. He may have been one of my brother's all-time favourites, being a completely hapless hero. In my memory this was on Saturday morning.
There is a famous story in my family about when my brother was about three. He was outside playing on his wee plastic motor-bike and mum called him inside. He kept saying, 'I can't!' and refused to come inside. This worried my mother slightly.
But turns out he was copying a scene from CHiPS and yelling out something akin to 'I'm stuck in the glue!'
I remember growing up on Play School. My favourites were always Barry (not sure why - google tells me he is now a lawyer). http://www.andersonlloyd.co.nz/barry-dorking/
I also liked Little Ted, because I was a Little Sister, I imagine.
My memories of the 80s are mostly of a strange mixture of macho late-night action shows and Tiger Beat pre-teen family comedies. Once we had our bath and got into our jammies, me and my brother would be allowed to stay up and watch the 7.30pm action show; Rip Tide, Simon and Simon, McGyver, Magnum PI, Knight Rider. My brother always liked the underdog character, the sidekick who got beaten up a lot. So while he liked John Baker, I was left to like the more arrogant alpha male, the Ponches and the Han Solos (in the film world). Such is the lot of the Little Sister, complementing the favourites of the Big Brother.
I think Cody (right) from Rip Tide was one of my first crushes. My first crushes were odd. Another one I remember was Ray from Ghostbusters. The theme song from Rip Tide really shows it all; short shorts, pretty ladies, jet-boat chases, a giant pink helicopter, a robot, dodging bullets. All you could want from an 80s action show. Are they the pre-cursor to the current spate of bro-mances? Bro-mances with actual macho men? Minus the self-aware need to express their loyalty to each other?
Then, in the daytime I'd watch My Two Dads and Full House and Growing Pains and TV101 (with a young Matt Le Blanc). My family would humour me.
Sundays were the strangest of times in TV Land. They were the day where Dad would take us out on adventures in the Austin Maxi, apple picking at the orchard or taking bamboo to the dump or taking the dog to the river. But then if we tuned in some time in the late afternoon we would find gems.
Monkey Magic. For years we couldn't remember what this was called and we thought it was akin to strange fragmented flashbacks from an LSD trip and we may have just made it up (though we didn't articulate it quite like this).
We even confused it in our memories with the similar Sunday afternoon show, Tales of the Golden Monkey.
I'm sure our parents preferred TV1 and some British fare. But to us the more exciting music and exaggerated accents and bright, saturated colours of American TV was superior. I remember playing Summer Games on the C64 and usually picking to represent the US (or whoever had a nice anthem) and I would call my competitors 'Joey', 'JJ' and 'Leroy', which were the most American names I could think of.
Oh. That brings me to The Greatest American Hero. He may have been one of my brother's all-time favourites, being a completely hapless hero. In my memory this was on Saturday morning.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Grown-up
Today I found a giant slug on my kitchen floor. It was the biggest slug I have seen in my life. I thought it was a chunk of avodcado, so we quite taken aback after I picked it up and it wriggled.
It seemed too big to just squash, and I didn't want it getting into my lettuces (this may be how it got in) so I put it under a glass to deal with when I got home from work.
Only..... when I got home, it was gone.
I feel a little afraid.
Revenge of the Slug. Coming to a unexpected crevice or corner near me soon.
* * *
So I now have my own home. It's good.
Pros
Cons
Two of the houses along my strip have been put on the market since I moved in. There goes the neighbourhood! And I liked all my quiet neighbours.... hope the new ones are all good.
Growing my own lettuces also rules. For the longest time I have bought packets from the supermarket and had to throw away uneconomic amounts of slimy lettuce leaves. Now I pick at my own leisure.
* * *
I am getting in quite dire need of some fitness refreshing. I suspect my niggling injuries would much appreciate at least 5kgs less weight (I think I'm 7kg over my 'tipping point' for fitness - the point where injuries seem to happen way more often).
I suspect that is the theme of most women-of-a-certain-age's blogs. So that's a bit boring and I will stop.
* * *
I'm disappointed by some new TV shows.
'Super Fun Night' is kinda luke warm. It feels like it could be good.... but it's just ok. My theory is that Rebel Wilson usually plays the quirky/sassy/delusional girl who is kinda awesome because she just doesn't give a shit and is totally happy in her own skin. I think the character she's playing in this is a bit self conscious and ultimately not happy in her own skin.... which kinda ruins it.
Then there's the 'Michael J Fox Show'. He's funny. But the writers aren't giving him much to work with and the ensemble isn't great. They're kinda all about the wise-cracks and there's not much heart behind it all - doesn't have the subtle moments of revealing the layers of characters. Maybe.
* * *
It's still good being a teacher. I like when kids are quietly proud of themselves. It's nice to bring that out in them. Maybe that's the meaning of it all.
On that note, I'm pissed off at teachers who keep moaning about having a few low ability kids in their classes. Makes me think of Joseph and Mary ending up in the stable.... where are these kids sposed to go???
* * *
Over and out.
I'm thinking I may use the blogging as my new way of venting. Seems a step up from ranting to myself.
It seemed too big to just squash, and I didn't want it getting into my lettuces (this may be how it got in) so I put it under a glass to deal with when I got home from work.
Only..... when I got home, it was gone.
I feel a little afraid.
Revenge of the Slug. Coming to a unexpected crevice or corner near me soon.
* * *
So I now have my own home. It's good.
Pros
- Being able to clean stuff up out of pride, rather than guilt (and not being annoyed at anybody else's mess).
- Using and buying all my nice stuff, 'cause only me and my friends are gonna use it
- Walking around half dressed - I cannot over-emphasise how awesome this is. I can wax my legs in front of the TV now. And it brings back childhood memories to have a shower, then have my pjs waiting by the heater in the lounge to get dressed by the TV ......
- Using up all of the fridge and all of the pantry - I have lots of extra stuff now
- No noise :)
Cons
- Nobody to vent with when I come home angry from basketball - as I did tonight. That is one of the first cons I've noticed.
- Nobody to share snacks with - this is bad from a calorie counting stand-point mostly.
Two of the houses along my strip have been put on the market since I moved in. There goes the neighbourhood! And I liked all my quiet neighbours.... hope the new ones are all good.
Growing my own lettuces also rules. For the longest time I have bought packets from the supermarket and had to throw away uneconomic amounts of slimy lettuce leaves. Now I pick at my own leisure.
* * *
I am getting in quite dire need of some fitness refreshing. I suspect my niggling injuries would much appreciate at least 5kgs less weight (I think I'm 7kg over my 'tipping point' for fitness - the point where injuries seem to happen way more often).
I suspect that is the theme of most women-of-a-certain-age's blogs. So that's a bit boring and I will stop.
* * *
I'm disappointed by some new TV shows.
'Super Fun Night' is kinda luke warm. It feels like it could be good.... but it's just ok. My theory is that Rebel Wilson usually plays the quirky/sassy/delusional girl who is kinda awesome because she just doesn't give a shit and is totally happy in her own skin. I think the character she's playing in this is a bit self conscious and ultimately not happy in her own skin.... which kinda ruins it.
Then there's the 'Michael J Fox Show'. He's funny. But the writers aren't giving him much to work with and the ensemble isn't great. They're kinda all about the wise-cracks and there's not much heart behind it all - doesn't have the subtle moments of revealing the layers of characters. Maybe.
* * *
It's still good being a teacher. I like when kids are quietly proud of themselves. It's nice to bring that out in them. Maybe that's the meaning of it all.
On that note, I'm pissed off at teachers who keep moaning about having a few low ability kids in their classes. Makes me think of Joseph and Mary ending up in the stable.... where are these kids sposed to go???
* * *
Over and out.
I'm thinking I may use the blogging as my new way of venting. Seems a step up from ranting to myself.
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