Did I ever like Xmas?

Hope you are all looking forward to a relaxed time with family or friends or your pets or whatever.
I lost the vibe for christmas some time ago, about the same time I realised Sea Monkeys were just tiny prawny things.
Of course it is a confused festival down under.
Christmas or Yule or whatever just doesn't make sense in the horrible heat.
Yes I am Captain Bah Humbug.
Fake snow,Christmas lights, fake pine trees, overeating, overdrinking,boring racist relatives, shopping centres on sterioids, it drives me insane.
This year I bought a crate of champagne and that is it.
Everyone gets one even the kids.
It's quality stuff dont worry.
Santa of course is evil as any one who has seen "silent night deadly night" will know. I'm not recommending you do.
Anyway enjoy your time off.
Heres a stupid game to get Santa off his faceand on the floor
Heres a sickly sweet one for ya
too.
And be nice to people and your credit card.
And don't eat the fake snow.

Living in a Westside story

Well....
Looks like we aren't in for a summer of love this silly season.
We Sydneyites are in for our own version of Westside story.
We even have the Sharks.
Unfortunately I fear it won't stop until someone is push off this mortal coil.
Racism and hatred are very hard to get back in the bottle once they have been let out., and boy are they out.
But it is nearly all young men I believe having the same turf war they have always had.
Unfortunatly there are some other salts in the wound.
Osama,Tampa,gang rape,Bali,Alan Jones and The patriotic youth league and lets not forget the media who have endlessly publicised the whole thing.
And they will sell more papers over this dull time for news.
Which makes me wonder is there reallyless news over Xmas or is it just that Journos are all on holiday?
On a lighter note did you see Podcast was voted word of the
year?
I was slightly ahead of my time? or am I now passe.
Maye I should change my nom de plume to Peter Podjackas this seems to be the next little thing!
Untill we pod again.
Peter

Who let the Blog Monster out?

I have tried to maintain some discretion between my work at various institutions and my other lifes.
Which i admit is counter to the spirit of blogging I know.
I talked my brother who is a international cult rock star (at least to my Mum) into starting his own blog and although he was dubious has now declared it to be a wonderful thing.
He is posting every day, long poetic, silly, touching entries that I really enjoy reading.
And so do his fans.
And they have all started blogging too.
I wont be advertising his site though coz I don't want my secret identity to be revealed.:-)
By Google I reckon at least 100 people have been infected through me.
Should I get vacinated?
My little doco may be on in Federation Sq in Melbourne which is a little exciting.
Must show it to the class with popcorn an jaffas.
Blog ye well.

Why rainy days are best

Yesterday just teemed down and I remembered how great that is for getting stuff done.
I worked all day at my friend Micheals studio, trying to finish off some tracks for the Karmic Hit christmas give away. Did some good work with no crashes or stuff ups but am feeling a little tired today.
This is why Melbourne is a much more inducive to artistic endevour.
Final week for my Music business students. They have to hand in assignments and practical work for marking.Will be sad to see them go as always.
Hopefully my afternoon podcasters had a successful time out in the field with no mishaps.(It's my butt on the line).
Here is a little article on a sound designer for computer games.
Students with more than one blog might want to check out super glue
This will get you thinking. Seems 90% of students in NSW selective schools are from a non english background. Mostly from China and Korea. Are Asian students are just more motivated? Less distracted and focused on the game? If your parents are working non stop to put you through school you have do your best.
And make your mark.

My son stole my bandwidth

Yes that's my lame excuse for not posting this week.
I have a 7 year old son who hogs the computer. He trades neopets, which is suposed to be like the stock market. I guess theres a slim chance he might be learning how to make a fortune but I'm not sure. I watched the bandwidth dissapear until it ground to a crawl.
So I had to cough up to get extra. The joys of parenting.
Have you seen Kiss Kiss Bang Bang yet?
It is hilarious in a way that you might think I shouldn't be laughing at this but....
Also saw The Corpse Bride which is macabre and heartwarming at the same time.
There are two interesting movies about to be released.Heres a review. Oil and suicide bombers theres a link there somewhere.
Heres a great blog about blogging.
Apparently there is now a trade show for podcasters.
Also the rules for gathering an audience. Which we should all take note of....
A good podcast should have
• Truth rather than dishonesty
• Goodness rather than evil
• Beauty
• Unity
• Aliveness
• Uniqueness
• Perfection
• Simplicity
• Richness
• Effortlessness
• Playfulness
• Meaningfulness
• Passion
Is that aiming too high?
We create our own reality. Ask any quantum physicist.

Whoops No World!

I read a lot of interesting news stories that are really quite grim.
I guess I am a little like the guy watching the aftermath of a car accident, I just can't help myself.
On the other hand grim stories are easy to find.
Heres an example.
Seems like the Amazon is drying up which is a real worry seeing as it's the largest source of fresh water in the world.
I find the idea of manatees and fresh water dolphins drying out on a river bank deeply disturbing.
Pass me another world waiter this ones dry.
If you thought blogging was for only for panty waists, geeks and girly men, then check this out.
Seems the riots/revolution in France is being provoked by bloggers.
Yes bloggers are the new pamphleteers.
In China there is a sexual Blogalution going on apparently.
Young and not so young ladies command huge audiences telling all about their loorve lifes.
I don't think thats an angle I can take regretably.

We have an Audio Kit or two

Yes tomorrow we will gather up news stories from the dirty streets of harbour town.
Our fearless cub reporters will be out in force. No story is too big or too scarey.
We will break open pandora's box, stir up the hornet's nest and empty the can of worms onto the table to be sliced and diced with Audacity.Karen Silkwood would be proud of us as we leave no stone unturned in our search for truth and justice and a free counter meal.

Bandicoots lurk in my backyard

The other day I discovered termites in the laundry. I thought I better call the landlord before the house fell over.
He turned up with the pest control man, a big friendly
Samoan .
My landlord is a little bit.........gone. At least something has left him and he can ask you the same question 3 or 4 times.
He was freaking out about the termites and I said "You know there are bandicoots living in this backyard (which is quite rare).
He looked horrorfied."Oh no we'll have to get rid of them too." He looked fearfully around the backyard like they might pounce on him. I don't know if he had bandicoots confused with another animal like saltwater crocodiles.
I try to convince him bandicoots were cute and furry and almost extinct but he would have none of it, he could sense their evil presence. They seem harmless and shy to me but maybe I should be more careful in future.

Mice sing in ultrasonic sqeaks

This is quite amazing,seems male mice compose complex songs to sing to potential mates.
You can't HEAR them except if they are pitched down.
That's because they sing in ultrasound.
This is no april fools Joke.
There is another world beyond our senses.
Or maybe many worlds.
We just can't quite reach it.

Bring your flipping Headphones

Hope you all remember to bring some headphones.
They have promised me that our equipment will arrive soon but who knows, nevertheless we will be getting stuck into Audacity this class.
I've had a traumatic week so I must give apologies for my tardy entries.
Saw a great film last night"Crash" all about race relations in America.
A very clever film. No one is what they seem. Your assumptions are challenged all the time.
Just when you thought Hollywood was a rotten carcass along comes something fresh and tasty.
This is more of a concern. Looks like Australia might not roll over so quickly.
What were they were thinking......
Trying to put through some very very important legislation on Melbourne cup day. Were they hoping we'd all be too drunk to notice........

Here is a interesting thing

Here is a link to a great story on the battle for control of the internet.

The real meaning of the word Idiot.

Now correct me if I'm wrong but the original meaning of the word idiot ( which comes from Ancient Greece) is one who is only interested in private life ie one who plays no part in Democracy. The Greeks were big on democracy, at least for men.
Unfortunately women had to wait another 2500 years or so.
Just thought that was interesting.
Also interesting is the fact Idiot box is slang for TV.

There are interesting winds blowing in Washington at the moment.
Seems there may have been a conspiracy to silence a diplomat who was investigating forged documents used to justify the war in Iraq.
You can read about it HERE
Also some interesting reactions to Australia's anti-terror laws.
Humour is used in this one.
Who are we fighting this week Oceania?
Thats a reference to your favourite book Winston.
I was going to quote a section but decided it would scare my meagre audience.

The week end went quickly as it always does.
I made a feeble attempt to clear some privett from the future rainforest opposite my house.
I didn't get any ticks which totally love me so that was good.
Met my new niece (see below). She had the most bewitching eyes.Seemed to like me.
Of course new borns can't really see much so she might change her mind when her eyesight improves.
May the farce be with you.

Teaching and meetings and meetings about teaching

Teachers have to go to a lot of meetings and they have to learn a lot of acronyms too.
They also have to deal with a lot of curriculum commisioned by managment and written by people who seem ill qualified.
You get music courses written by plumbers and other strange mismatching.
Don't worry Winston this course is being written by moi.
And I am a hopeless plumber although I made plum jam once.
I dont think it set.
I must link to this early Blog for a good description of what a blog is.
One of my film students asked me to be in his film, being a homeless person.
I had to decline, not that there is anything wrong with the part but I can't spare the time.
Secretly of course I am a closet actor so I should jump at the part but my agent said I should wait for a better offer.
Strangley I scored the part of a doctor just minutes later which I said I'd think about.
It was almost a delicate situation which I handled with utmost indiscetion.
I wish I was better at telling lies.
So off to more meetings tommorrow, better practise some fibbing skills.

Big Brother is not a TV show

Well check this out.
Want to check your email?
Seems like Winston isn't a flatmate in a silly TV show.
Seems he might have been Italian.
Get a identity less yahoo mailbox now before it's too late.
All over the world Government are cracking down a supposed threat.
I'm feeling deja vu.
Perhaps those disinclined to check out 1984 the movie could have a look at
This

Lastly a great speech from the editor of Harpers Magazine
Ignorance is strength,comrade.

See my new niece.

Her name is Scarlett.
As in O'hara.

What have I done?

Today I launched a thousand blogs.
Well not quite but we certainly did a bit for the cause.
If there are 40 million blogs we have increased there number by.0000000056%.
Don't bother to check my maths- I just made it up.
Find teaching International students an interesting experience and feel very lucky to have such a decent bunch.
Some real characters.
Esp. since I have a little peephole into their psyche with regards to their blogs.
Had trouble with my voice, just wasn't up to too much vocal work.
Maybe I should switch to singing?
Or sign language?
Or telepathy?
Anyway seemed like both classes went super well today.
Will actually relax when I have worked out photocopiers and door locks etc.
Working in the Mac lab is so much better for me.
Will talk more on this later.
Still no sign of equipment.
Better hurry up or I'll get jolly baity.
See you in Class!

To be honest am I really being honest

There is a paradox in blogging and all diary writing.
The more honest they are, the more interesting they become which can only mean the more dangerous they are to the person telling the truth. The blog can be read by a spouse,a boss or a Government and that can land the writer into hot water, sacked or a permanent holiday in Siberia.
Conversely I guess the more dishonest/imaginative they are, the more interesting they become too.
Or a Tom Clancy novel or even a Dan Brown.
But I forgot Dear Reader, you may not read.
Another paradox.
The above are cheesy novelists.

Can one be trully honest with ones self?
We are all onions ........you peel off one layer only to find another, and yes to extend the metaphor I guess we are all smelly at times and can make people cry too.
The danger with searching your soul is you may find you don't really have one or part of it missing or it's not what you were expecting.
Lisa Simpson said a soul has to be earned and she would know.
See you in class!

Meet the Students

Day one went well I think.
Morning class are a lovely bunch.
Seemed very into it.
Stayed past the bell which is unusual.
Think perhaps I have made it too easy and need to try for more podcasting.
Afternoon class are lovely too but had a case of the afternoon attention span deficit.
Perhaps I was dull? Impossible!
Although I was full from lunch at the Japanese down the stairs.
Looked at some food blog sites.
Definity have to make this course full of suprises.
Wondering about the old PC's they've given me.
May have to throw a hissy fit!
There is so much happening out in the blogosphere and the podosphere too.
Thinking of changing my pseudonym to Peter Podcast.What do you think?

Dipping my toes into cyber-ink

Firstly the irony of starting my first blog the night before I start teaching a near university level course investigating blogging and podcasting is not lost on me but how hard can it be?
Well trickier than thought.
I discovered a aussie blog hosting site called whitepages and thought being a patriot I'd try it.
Two tries and a peeved letter resulted in no luck , no log in.
I think the templates for pages were a bit daggy too. (Daggy is slang for uncool,unfashionable)
So much for being a patriot.
Still I bought Australian fetta cheese the other day even though it cost more than the danish stuff.
Euro subsidies no doubt.
Ended here at blogger and it feels OK.
So tomorrow I embark on a slightly new but interesting road teaching mostly foreign students the ins and outs of Citizen Journalism.
Will be the guide on the side for sure.