Anzac Day always makes me emotional. I've just been watching the march (sydney) on TV, seeing all those men and women marching, so of them very old. And I know that it's only natural that every year, there are less in some units, old people die. But it still makes me have a bit of a cry. To remember is what today is about, and I try to do that.
Both my grandfathers served in WWII (or should I say World War, 1939-1945). Grandpa served in New Guinea in the tanks, Matilda class I think. Grandad was in Italy. I'm not sure what exactly he was, but he built bridges, being of the brickie profession. I know Grandad marched a couple of times. I'm not sure about Grandpa. Stuart and Tim have their medals.
I think, when I go travelling after I finish Uni, I would like to go to Gallipoli on this day. It seems like a cliche for a young Australian abroad to do that, but I have wanted to since I was little. I distinctly remember one of the anniversaries of Gallipoli, I was still in primary school, but I cannot remember which one. It was a big one. anyway, there was lots of shows on TV about it, and I remember the old diggers taliking about the flies in the jam, and the horrid conditions. All dead now, and one day, in the future, the last of the WWII veterans will die. And hopefully the Anzac tradition will live on. We will remember, Gallipoli and Flanders, Kokoda, Singapore, places where Australians fought and died.
Wednesday 25 April 2007
Monday 23 April 2007
Great reads
I've been reading this series by Christian Jacq about Ramses the Great (Ramses II). It's interesting reading, in that it's HISTORICAL FIction so several liberties have been taken with certain things. I know from background research (librarian!) that Ramses had at least a few children by the time he actually became pharaoh, and in these books he only has two at the moment, and only has two wives. Sure, Nefretari is Great wife, and his most beloved, apparent in the impressive tombs and monuments he made for her.
I suppose if you're writing historical fiction you can do this. Especially for characters that lived over 3200 years ago. Still, it seems that Jacq idolises this particular pharaoh. So he (I think he's a he) has modernised a few elements of Ramses character. Made him a nice romantic lead, in love with his frail lady wife, not one who would wed his own daughter (yep, Ramses marries his daughter Meritamon, whom he had by Nefertari). In Egypt, this was acceptable, as it cemented royal bloodlines and the right to be pharoah. You've gotta wonder though, didn't they notice that this sort of thing produced sickly children? In lots of other cultures this was forbidden. Maybe no sex was involved. Just marriage. Prevents her from marrying other guys too. Great way for a father to keep his little girl safe from men...
eww.
I'm also reading 'The Quiet American' by Graham Greene. It's wonderfully written, so poetic and descriptive. the story is quite simple, but complex as well. I saw the movie with Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser before I started to read it, but so far things are very similar. The book is more descriptive and the character of Pyle a little more naive than he seems in the movie, a bit more fleshed out. Which in turn makes him seem more dangerous. When you evetually discover his real mission in Vietnam, is seems like war mongering, but under the flag of 'helping make things right'.
School is back. Erck. Still, only one day till Anzac day, then only two days till the weekend. and, I don't think I have to drive this week. Hooray.
I suppose if you're writing historical fiction you can do this. Especially for characters that lived over 3200 years ago. Still, it seems that Jacq idolises this particular pharaoh. So he (I think he's a he) has modernised a few elements of Ramses character. Made him a nice romantic lead, in love with his frail lady wife, not one who would wed his own daughter (yep, Ramses marries his daughter Meritamon, whom he had by Nefertari). In Egypt, this was acceptable, as it cemented royal bloodlines and the right to be pharoah. You've gotta wonder though, didn't they notice that this sort of thing produced sickly children? In lots of other cultures this was forbidden. Maybe no sex was involved. Just marriage. Prevents her from marrying other guys too. Great way for a father to keep his little girl safe from men...
eww.
I'm also reading 'The Quiet American' by Graham Greene. It's wonderfully written, so poetic and descriptive. the story is quite simple, but complex as well. I saw the movie with Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser before I started to read it, but so far things are very similar. The book is more descriptive and the character of Pyle a little more naive than he seems in the movie, a bit more fleshed out. Which in turn makes him seem more dangerous. When you evetually discover his real mission in Vietnam, is seems like war mongering, but under the flag of 'helping make things right'.
School is back. Erck. Still, only one day till Anzac day, then only two days till the weekend. and, I don't think I have to drive this week. Hooray.
Sunday 15 April 2007
Big News Weekend
Wow. It's been a big news weekend. A weekend where I have an essay due on Tuesday, and its Sunday night and I havn't even done half.
So, Friday night, I found out that Stuart (my cousin) and Tracee's baby was born at 4.07pm on Friday. 7lb, 8 oz, 49 cm. Noah Isaac Perry. I spoke to Stuart on Friday night and he souned happy, very proud of himself and exhausted.
Went with Mum to the Southern Highlands on Saturday. Was lovley, all the trees turning autumn colours and it was a lot warmer than I thought it would be. Didn't buy much, but I got some lovely jam and dukkah, I like dukkah. While we were there, got a message from Nicole Buchanon, she got engaged to 'a nice boy called Liam' (Fadgirl's words).
And then tonight, Fadgirl told me that a guy we know also got engaged. A bit of a surprise, but amusing.
My Aunty Ros told me about a job at the University of Wollong, Library Professional Cadet. It's a 3 year cadetship, where they want someone who is currently undergoing, or about to start the librarianship degree (and that's me!). and I have 2 years experience working in a library, and I really would love to work in the Uni library, it's a good library, with so much more possibilities than Macarthur. I like working at Macarthur, but advancement is not really possible. So I'm very determined to get at least an interview. Then I want the job. It's time for a change!
Oh yes, I agree with Fadgirl. Getting Fat Kids to hunt is wrong. and after they learn to hunt, what in the name of all that is strange, is going to happen! Fat Kids with nothing to stand in the way of them eating cats and dogs because they were too slow to get away from the chubbers.
So, Friday night, I found out that Stuart (my cousin) and Tracee's baby was born at 4.07pm on Friday. 7lb, 8 oz, 49 cm. Noah Isaac Perry. I spoke to Stuart on Friday night and he souned happy, very proud of himself and exhausted.
Went with Mum to the Southern Highlands on Saturday. Was lovley, all the trees turning autumn colours and it was a lot warmer than I thought it would be. Didn't buy much, but I got some lovely jam and dukkah, I like dukkah. While we were there, got a message from Nicole Buchanon, she got engaged to 'a nice boy called Liam' (Fadgirl's words).
And then tonight, Fadgirl told me that a guy we know also got engaged. A bit of a surprise, but amusing.
My Aunty Ros told me about a job at the University of Wollong, Library Professional Cadet. It's a 3 year cadetship, where they want someone who is currently undergoing, or about to start the librarianship degree (and that's me!). and I have 2 years experience working in a library, and I really would love to work in the Uni library, it's a good library, with so much more possibilities than Macarthur. I like working at Macarthur, but advancement is not really possible. So I'm very determined to get at least an interview. Then I want the job. It's time for a change!
Oh yes, I agree with Fadgirl. Getting Fat Kids to hunt is wrong. and after they learn to hunt, what in the name of all that is strange, is going to happen! Fat Kids with nothing to stand in the way of them eating cats and dogs because they were too slow to get away from the chubbers.
Monday 9 April 2007
Occy, the unintentional bonehead
Shelley Neasby's 21st. Dress up, Disney cartoon characters. I took along 'Octavius' as he is green and I was going as 'Boo' from Monsters Inc.
Incidentaly, Occy only has 6 legs. So, he's an insect instead of an octopus.
Occy turned up in a suprising amount of photos. Some intentional, others not.
Friday 6 April 2007
Good Friday
Good Friday. It's an interesting day. The day when we remember Christ's death, but also his resurrection, which we celebrate on Sunday.
Went to church this morning. then came to Mum and Dad's (still here, LOVE their broadband speed) and had morning tea then ocean trout for lunch. Yum! Juicy and well cooked.
Met Tim's girlfriend, Clare, who is Irish. she's very nice. Says that Tim takes longer to get ready to go out than she does. Hee.
Listening to the soundtrack from the Last King of Scotland and playing with Photo Booth. V. fun.
It's nice to just relax on days like this. It's a little cold outisde, though the sun is shining at the moment. I hope it gets nice for tomorrow! We're planning on relaxing and beach, water related activities!
I plan to not think about Uni till Monday. My next essay is due on the 17th, but if I can get a good bit done on Monday and Tuesday (I get Tuesday off, Yeah!) then I won't feel so aanxious next weekend. I have noticed that all the assignments for INF 100 are due on the Tuesday and then ones for INF Wednesday. I wonder why that is.
Planning to go see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tonight. Might be able to get Mum and Dad along. Maybe. should be fun anyway. Vic's coming. Will see 300 another day, possibly Sunday, probably Monday.
Went to church this morning. then came to Mum and Dad's (still here, LOVE their broadband speed) and had morning tea then ocean trout for lunch. Yum! Juicy and well cooked.
Met Tim's girlfriend, Clare, who is Irish. she's very nice. Says that Tim takes longer to get ready to go out than she does. Hee.
Listening to the soundtrack from the Last King of Scotland and playing with Photo Booth. V. fun.
It's nice to just relax on days like this. It's a little cold outisde, though the sun is shining at the moment. I hope it gets nice for tomorrow! We're planning on relaxing and beach, water related activities!
I plan to not think about Uni till Monday. My next essay is due on the 17th, but if I can get a good bit done on Monday and Tuesday (I get Tuesday off, Yeah!) then I won't feel so aanxious next weekend. I have noticed that all the assignments for INF 100 are due on the Tuesday and then ones for INF Wednesday. I wonder why that is.
Planning to go see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tonight. Might be able to get Mum and Dad along. Maybe. should be fun anyway. Vic's coming. Will see 300 another day, possibly Sunday, probably Monday.
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