Music For Fire and Snow!

My son is studying Romeo and Juliet in English right now, but with the need for teachers to make things cool, they've actually been watching the Baz Luhrmann film version rather than reading the actual Shakespeare play. To be honest with you, I didn't like the film, despite Radiohead's "Talk Show Host" and "Exit Music (For A Film)" being included. At best, I would be willing to sit through the closing credits and listen to Exit Music (For A Film) playing, an absolutely fantastic song which sums up more about Romeo and Juliet for me, than the film ever could.

Vanilla Sky, now there's a decent film with Radiohead music in it, and Sigur Ros too, superbly selected music for a soundtrack. I like this film, even though many peple think it's strange and I guess Tom Cruise had become a deridable figure having lost much off this popularity since then, But, Vanilla Sky is one of these films which force you to stop and think, and I just love that in a film. For some people it's action, romance or gore, whatever... for me, it's bizarre philosophical Sci-fi type shennanigans. And, with some decent music too, an unstoppable combination.

Dammit, I've just realised that I've mentioned Radiohead and Sigur Ros, two posts in a row. At this rate, the cat will be out of the bag and it will be clear as day to all insundry, exactly where my musical devotions lie. Someplace between this sceptred isle and the land of fire and snow. That would be either Shetland or the Faroe Isles by my insane reckoning. If you think this is mad, don't expect things to become clearer anytime soon.

A Mountain To Climb!

I've been using free beta versions of this program Geno Pro since around 2000. It's probably about time I purchased a copy. It only costs £20, but I've never seen the need until recently. It's a damn nifty piece of software anyhow, but having been trying out a beta version of the newest release over the last week or so, I am absolutely astounded by the number of fantastic features that this program now has. I know I sound as though I'm marketing it or something, but as Family Tree software goes, this one knocks everything else into orbit.

Unfortunately for me, I've already gifted myself this years Christmas prezzies in the form of Radiohead's "In Rainbows" boxset, due to arrive in a week or so, and the new Sigur Ros double dvd; "Heima". Mind you, Geno Pro is a one time only purchase, all future updates are free if you already own it, so I think I better find the cash from somewhere, because life is so much easier when you have the right tools for the job, am I correct?

So, another week of school experience, then it's back to Uni. I'm quite keen to get back to Uni, only I have an assignment to complete and hand in a week after returning, so that's really going to put a damper on things, until I'm clear of that. Did I tell you how my Critical Observation went? No, I don't think so. Actually, it went about as well as I could possibly have hoped for, so I'm on to the next mountain and let's start climbing again!

Look Ma, No Wires!

In the very near future I'm going to take a step into the unknown and set-up a wireless home network, and probably change ISP after 4 years as well. There are a few very good reasons for doing so; firstly the kids are screaming out for the Internet all the time, and my pc is the only one in the house with Internet access, secondly they both want laptops for Christmas, and thirdly, so my son and I can play games against each other on a WLAN.

I can't really afford to buy them laptops, but an opportunity has presented itself, allowing me the possibility of purchasing them without VAT, which knocks off £100 for starters. Besides which, I recently acquired a wireless eTEC Modem/Router for nothing, so I have that ready to set-up, and also, I'm presently paying £25 a month for 4Mbps DSL, and I saw an ISP advertising 8Mbps in my area, for £20, with free local and international calls. A much better offer, I thnk you'll agree, which also means that I won't detect too much slowing down of my Internet speeds, should the kids be using it too.

Well, the fact is, that I have no idea how to set-up a wireless network and it may well require some other bits and pieces to do so, but in terms of Internt use, if as I supect, the kids have to go through my computer to access the Internet, then Netlimiter will allow me some means by which to ensure that they don't slow me down noticeably. Don't tell them though, they don't need to know do they? And if I'm on a priority download, I'm sure they'll quite readily accept that there are quite often problems associated with being on a wirelss network.

A Little Light Around the Ice-Caps!

I used to believe that those people who moaned about the town Christmas lights being a waste of money, electric and so on, were just a bunch of sourpusses. But, the cost of switching on the Christmas Lights is getting to the point where many towns are no longer bothering. They simply don't have the coffers to make it happen, especially with the government seeming to make local authorities responsible for paying for everything going, via our Council Tax of course.

Anyway, my wife's away helping with the school stalls or whatever, at the grand switch-on tonight, and my daughter will be singing carols with the school choir. Of course I said "used to believe" above implying that I've changed my position. Well I have and I haven't. Now that the kids don't believe in Santa anymore, the whole spark has gone out of it for me. They'll just become cynical about the whole thing. Beside, the eco-warriors would say that Chrismas Lights are killing the planet. Why is it always the small things we do at home and in public that are to blame as opposed to large scale industrial pollution and de-forestation. I don't feel particularly accountable for ice-shelf's breaking free and such like.

What really annoys me is the fact that every household could be self-sufficient for energy with simple tried and tested devices, cars can run on water (totally green), and as for recycling, why do we recycle everything except the stuff that isn't bio-degradable? As much as to say, recycling is a waste of time, unless it's plastic being recycled! So, yes, those people are sourpusses, but I think I'm heading the same way. Someone save me from unending cynicism?

Faust Arp - Webcast Deliciousness!

Told you I wouldn't have much time today, and that hasn't changed. Said I might give you a video and that hasn't changed either. If you don't like Radiohead then that's too bad (what's wrong with you). Regardless, watch this video of Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood with nothing but Thom's mic and Jonny's acoustic, on top of some Wintery hill someplace, just as it's getting dark. From their recent Webcast this is so cobbled together, yet utterly sublime. Talent oozing from every pore!

Stare Into the Chaos!

Weird picture eh? I can't tell you where I got it, or indeed how in fact it came to look like it does? Suffice to say, I know and you probably don't. Let's keep it that way for now, and I'll just say it wasn't photo-shopped or anything, so that should confuse you sufficiently much to make you want to know more. Yes, I am a tease! I let you have a glimpse into the chaos, tell you that it all makes perfect sense, then leave you at the altar. What a wicked person I must be!

So, Ive been busting a gut to get ready for the big event, which is imminent to say the least. I mean of course, my Critical Observation, when after less than 3 weeks practice, someone from the University is going to come and watch me teaching, take notes and form some sort of opinion of my ability. I'm not frightened, but I am feeling the pressure, because, get through this successfully and I won't have to endure a repeat process in January. That definitely makes it worthwhile doing well.

All that being said, I may not have much for you tomorrow, it's "Parents Night" and I will be there in observation mode. I will definitely do something for you though, no matter how brief and content free it will turn out to be! Probably just a video clip or something. Think I''ll go and find it now actually!

A Light In the Dark!

I found this image someplace and thought I would "borrow" it for your viewing pleasure. Apparently, this event only takes place once a year and for 5 minutes only even then. Click on the image to see it full size, it really is a viewing pleasure.

Ok, I had today off, but I've been working from 9 till 9 basically, trying to get stuff organised for my Critical Observation later this week. Even while planning for this special one-off lesson, I still have to get material ready for other lessons, and it's difficult, believe me. Anyone who says that teachers have it easy is either lying or knows nothing about it. My experience so far tells me that teachers actually live teaching. It's all encompassing, you have very little time left for anything outside of the school.

I have so many other things I'd like to get done right now, films to watch, books to read, music to listen to, and theres is absolutely no chance of me finding the time for those things for at least another 3 weeks. I have this week and next of school experience, and a week later I have an assignment to be submitted. It's going to be intense!

The Key To Change!

This is quite a big week for me, as I'm going to be critically observed teaching a lesson, near the end of it. I will be required to be all singing, all dancing, stimulating, motivating and entertaining, while also getting information across to the pupils. As you might guess, this will be no mean feat! I am presently working hard to try and produce a lesson with bells and whistles on it, but that in itself will not be enough, I still have to deliver it with panache, and then of course there is the one truly unpredictable factor... the kids!

In preparation for this, since there are in-sevice days today and tomorrow, I was given the opportunity to travel to another school today, and to hear from an experienced teacher, how they were getting results. This particular teacher had taken it upon themselves to completely change the way they taught, and had basically shifted then entire emphasis from themselves on to the pupils. This combined with the introduction of a competitive edge to every aspect of the work, meant that the pupils had taken repsonsibility for their own learning. The pupils operated as teams against each other, to be the best, even berrating each other for not revising! Additionally, there was a no homework policy in place. I thought "ingenious... I will steal every scrap I can from this".

I've also been considering my position vis a vis my ISP. I've been with them for 4 years now, and although I can't complain about the service, a certain other ISP is offering a much more attractive package than the one I'm currently on. So, change is imminent all around it would seem!

Borne Afar By Hercules!

We always think we're having a hard time of it, it's human nature, things could always be better, if only our luck would change. What we tend to forget, is just how desperate and often futile were the lives our ancestors lived. We may have very different backgrounds, you and I, but the likelihood is that no matter where your family originated, you can be rest assured that there was ample frustration, misery and misfortune along the years.

What has all this to do with Hercules then (as seen in the picture above)? Well, if you've followed my posts from a while back, you will know my affinity with genealogy (family history). Yes, I've done a bit of research, and even as an amateur, I now have around 11,000 individuals on my family tree. When I was at my researching peak (not working) around 2002-2003, I uploaded my tree to several major family history websites, and I've been receiving contacts from distant relatives ever since. It's a great way of expanding your family tree without doing any real work.

Wee, in a series of odd coincidences, just lately I've been receiving independent contact from several indiviuals in Australia, claiming to be related. They are indeed related. The basis of our relationship, lies in a dark passage of Scottish history, the Highland Clearances. Around about the 1850's, our mutual ancestors were living contentedly on the island of North Uist, when the landowner, the Lord of the Isles, decided to get rid of them and replace them with sheep. They were thrown out of their houses and their houses were torn down right in front of them, often at the onset of Winter.

They were then given paid passage as bonded labour, to the colonies; either Australia, New Zealand, America or Canada. In this instance, my ancestors went to America, but returned within a few years, but a large batch of their near relatives were dispatched to South Australia, onboard a ship called the "Hercules" (tenuous connection to picture established). There they married into a already well established Irish community, became Catholics themselves (of necessity) and proceeded to have enormous families in consequence. The odd thing was that I was contacted by 3 descendants of those emigrants virtually within a day of each other, purely by coincidence. Perhaps it's in vogue right now for Australians to trace their heritage. These things do seem to become popular in certain places, all of a sudden.

A Force Of Nature!

Apparently, record numbers will be leaving the UK this Winter break, seeking sunshine in distant locales. They say this every year, as though it has come as some surprise that people might prefer 2 weeks of sunshine, to darkness, rain, sleat, wind, family get-togethers and sherry. It's a no-brainer in my opinion. If you have the cash, do it! Personally I hate the long hours of darkness, I think I suffer from SAD (Sunshine... something or other disorder). It's very common in the North of Scotland. That's why people in Orkney and Shetland kill themselves more per head than anywhere else, during these long dark months.

It's not even as though we get snow anymore either. At least that cheered people up a little bit, and since it reflected back the light, it was reversing some of the effects of SAD. But we don't really get snow anymore, the weather patterns have long lost that predictability which they once had. I've heard the eldsters talking about 6 feet of snow, and I can't recall more than a few inches at best.

Perhaps you're reading this and as a resident of someplace either very hot or very cold, you might think it unacceptable for me to complain about weather which is nether here nor there, but believe me when I say that extremes are the way to go. We don't want overcast, windy and mild everyday. We want heatwaves and blizzards. That's what makes it bearable, natures fury unleashed. Well, a little bit of it anyhow, not the full whack. Couldn't have that!