Archives for August 2008

My boy

August 31, 2008 by Jen

This photo was taken just over three years ago, making him four years old. It was a lot easier then in a lot of ways. He hadn’t started school!

What is it about school that’s so problematic for him, and consequently for me? What is it about schools that see suspension as the only answer to behavioural problems?

I have so many questions and unfortunately there’s no easy answer. We need time. I need to become more in the school’s face to try and get them to help my boy, not just punish him when things go bad.

I want to work with the school but perhaps it’s better for him to make a fresh start elsewhere? I don’t bloody know!

A few months ago I jumped on the bandwagon that is Twitter. There was so much talk about it on the interweb that I felt a bit left out not using it. I ummed and aahhed, however, because I feel like I’ve got enough on my plate but I eventually caved in and created myself an account and started Twittering. I actually quite like it because it has attractions that writing a longer blog post doesn’t.

Just as I did this I started hearing about Plurk. For those who haven’t heard of Plurk, it’s similar to Twitter in that it’s a micro-blogging platform but it’s a lot friendlier in its reply mechanism and timeline scenario. You can now easily add your Twitter friends who are also on Plurk.

On the weekend I created a Plurk account. I soon realised that I did not want to update on one platform, then switch to another and update that. It also means that I have to create new friends on Plurk when I’ve already got them on Twitter (well some anyway).

The updating in two different places is the main timewaster for me though. I thought there must be a way of doing both and after a short search, I found that there is. A website called Ping.fm is ‘a simple service that makes updating your social networks a snap.’

I had to email them to get a code to join as it’s still in Beta. I did this, and two days later got the email. It was really easy to get setup and I’ve added Twitter and Plurk to my list of social networks I want to manage. I may also add Facebook down the track after some more experimenting.

Now that I’m a Pinger I have a code to pass onto whoever’s interested in joining. Just leave me a comment and I’ll email you back with it. I also have no objection to having more friends on either platform – hint hint.

This post is part of Problogger’s group writing project.

Time out

August 25, 2008 by Jen

Tonight I got home from work, and immediately started whizzing around doing bits and pieces. One job I did was water the flower seedlings we planted over the weekend after the mammoth weeding effort.

As I stood there watering them I breathed out a big sigh and thought that this is what I’d rather be doing than being at work.

I would have twittered this, but it would have had to have been two parts.

Day at a time

August 22, 2008 by Jen

‘My little treasure’, I called him as I talked to his after school carer the other day. It had been an interesting day. I’d spoken to the deputy prinicipal earlier that day, as JJ spent most of the day in his office after being really disruptive in the classroom.

A year or so ago I’d have really taken this to heart but now I’m a lot more philosophical about it. The deputy told me that JJ’s really intelligent and he knows what he’s doing when he’s being disruptive like this but he does it anyway. He said that in 25 years time I’d look back and think, ‘gee he was a ratbag at school’. I hope he’s right but I hope it’s sooner than 25 years.

These days I take one day at a time. The day before this phone call JJ won a gold medal at after school care for excellent behaviour and he was the best kid to have around that night. When he’s being really nice to me, and polite it’s almost seems surreal but I do enjoy those moments because they don’t last.

The next morning he was very different and I knew that he’d be in for a bad day at school. Sure enough I was right. But then yesterday he was fine. I could be living in Topsy Turvy land because I don’t know which way it will be at any given time. One way of looking at this is that at least if it is bad at one time, then I know it won’t stay this way.

This is all a huge learning experience for me and I’m sure it’s making me a stronger and better person. Yes it is.

PS: I took the photo above in King’s Park when we had our recent Perth trip. I was standing around admiring the scenery, or sheltering from the rain, or both. JJ had disappeared then he appeared just above me in this tree. Don’t you just love the texture in the tree? I’ve got no idea what type it is but I love it.

A snippet of my son

August 19, 2008 by Jen

I’ve been getting a bit creative tonight. Go have a look at some video of my lad absolutely knowing that I’m filming him. It’s also the second review of the phone I’ve been trying out.

Video on the Sony Ericsson C902 phone

Further to my initial thoughts about the Sony Ericsson phone I’m trying out I’ve been keen to try its photo capabilities. Instead I got sidetracked by the video option and above are the results. I also got the tiniest bit creative using Nero.

It’s dead easy to transfer files from the phone to my computer. I just hooked up the USB cable supplied, everything was recognised and I just copied files using Windows explorer. I am only using the phone’s internal memory as this phone uses a different type of memory card than the mini SD card that my Nokia uses. I presume it would all still be pretty easy though.

I also created myself a Vimeo account to upload the video to. I’ve been impressed with other movies I’ve watched that are on this website and I thought I’d compare it with YouTube. If I’d put this on YouTube the quality would probably be the same, but I must say it was a damn site easier to embed the Vimeo video on this blog than using the YouTube embed code which always seemed to break my layout.

I should do more of this, that is take little videos of the everyday, and it’s so easy to do these days with devices like this. Now, if only I could remember that I have this camera and video capability in my handbag I’d use it more often. I also wish I’d remember to do these things when there’s more natural light because this video is a bit dark.

I’ve had the phone now for two-three weeks now and apart from a dead reception zone in my kitchen (not the phone’s fault as it’s happened with other phones I’ve had) it’s served me well. If I could pick on anything it would be that the letters on the keypad are a bit small and not all completely backlit so they can be a bit hard to see, especially for eyes that aren’t as young as they used to be.

All a Twitter

August 15, 2008 by Jen

On 27 April 2008 I started Twittering. This isn’t a post about what it’s about or how to use it, but an observation about Twitter and how it’s kind of like blogging for me.

Twitter only allows you to post up to 140 characters which isn’t that much. It is, however, a great exercise in being succinct and for that alone it’s worth it. Because you can only post a small amount, it’s also very quick which obviously satisfies a lot of people because a lot of people are doing it.

For those of you who only read me via a feed reader I’ve taken the liberty of posting my tweets (nearly all of them). It gives some insight into the (minutae – I knew I’d spelt this wrong) minutiae of my life that I don’t write about in my blog. I do have my latest tweets in my sidebar.

If you twitter and would like to follow me, please feel free. I might even follow you back. Like some other social networks I’m not a slave to it as my fairly infrequent posting attests to, but I do get over every now and again and see what people are up to and to add something myself.

One tweet I would have added but by the time I got home all I wanted was a drink, was ‘It took one hour to get home last night because a lane was blocked off on South Road. Grrr’. (It normally takes 20 minutes max!).

Here goes:

_____________________

Home from work, delousing of child’s hair now done. 11:38 AM August 11, 2008 from web

Can’t help myself. Am watching the opening ceremony of the olympics. It is a feast. 09:32 PM August 08, 2008 from web

Unfortunately those dishes will not wash themselves. 01:56 PM August 08, 2008 from web

A new season of Heroes is about to start. I’m SOO excited! 09:22 PM August 06, 2008 from web

Teacher’s are on strike this morning, so I’m not at work. 08:27 AM August 06, 2008 from web

So, tax still not done, and I have one day a bit to prepare for a job interview! Any tips? 08:03 PM August 04, 2008 from web

Today – need to blog, do tax, clean the dirty floors, clean up paperwork, go shopping. Aaarrrgggghhh! 10:27 AM August 01, 2008 from web

I spoke to soon about my hours of sleep. I awoke, and got up, at 5.30am today. 06:26 AM July 31, 2008 from web

@shaicoggins I’m really busy at work, therefore not much time for other online activities. Things will get back to normal soon I hope. 02:00 PM July 30, 2008 from web in reply to shaicoggins

What is it about rain, that makes everyone want to catch the bus at the same time, making them full and therefore making me miss out! 10:15 AM July 30, 2008 from web

@shaicoggins Usually to bed around 10.30, up at 6.30 during the week. Those hours change on non-work days. 10:13 AM July 30, 2008 from web in reply to shaicoggins

He’s onto the fact that I use the ‘let’s have a race’ trick to make him do things quicker! 08:17 PM July 29, 2008 from web

Someone’s hacked one of my blogs damnit! 07:09 PM July 25, 2008 from web

Writing for my blog is SO much more interesting than writing a job application. Write the application I must! 06:37 PM July 24, 2008 from web

Ah, it’s good to be home and eat proper home cooked food. Just made soup and roast chicken is on the menu tonight. 02:03 PM July 20, 2008 from web

Am in Perth and am hoping the rain will hold off for a bit today. Bringing only non waterproof shoes for the boy was a mistake. 10:45 AM July 16, 2008 from web

Was gonna write a blog post but my server’s down. Am all packed to head to Perth tomorrow morn. About to watch Amazing Race, then bed. 09:19 PM July 10, 2008 from web

@Miscmum Congratulations. That is huge and I’m sure you’ll be great. Wish I could be there. 04:44 PM July 09, 2008 from web in reply to Miscmum

Am addicted to Playstation at the moment. Blogging is taking a back seat. 10:57 AM July 01, 2008 from web

Am going to a ladies lunch soon – a childfree one. To say I’m looking forward to it is an understatement. 10:28 AM June 29, 2008 from web

This time seven years ago I was trying to push a 91b 6oz human out of my body. 09:14 AM June 26, 2008 from web

My son is writing a book about a fish and a mean octopus. 08:47 PM June 24, 2008 from web

Cake baking, pasta bake making – it’s a cooking fest here. 01:59 PM June 20, 2008 from web

Sore eyes – damn computer! 03:18 PM June 19, 2008 from web

Someone wash my dishes for me please! 08:51 PM June 18, 2008 from web

Got to clean windows, cut the boy’s hair today – and just relax. Off to bed now. 10:57 PM June 17, 2008 from web

Day at home today because of the teacher’s strike. 10:49 AM June 17, 2008 from web

Overheard on bus: ‘Apparently they’ll give you $10,000 to cut your little toe off and sew it back on.’ 09:21 PM June 12, 2008 from web

My fire is all ready to light when I get home from work tonight. Think we’ll need it – it’s chilly! 08:53 AM June 12, 2008 from web

Have booked my Perth accommodation. Thank goodness for the internet! 06:32 PM June 09, 2008 from web

Sex and the City was fun and pretty much what I expected it to be. It’ll be Prince Caspian next Friday. 06:12 PM June 06, 2008 from web

It’s time to wear the beanie when walking the dog in the morning. Frosty! 09:00 AM May 27, 2008 from web

It’s nearly half past 10 and I’m going to get into my pyjamas. Sweet dreams to me. 10:24 PM May 26, 2008 from web

It’s nearly 10am and I’m still in my pyjamas. 09:55 AM May 25, 2008 from web

Am getting a ridiculous amount of comment spam lately. Anyone else? 01:06 PM May 24, 2008 from web

Just walked for one hour return to take my boots to get fixed and the cobbler’s was shut! 02:38 PM May 23, 2008 from web

@shaicoggins Yes, twas a bad day indeed and my fault to boot. Today will be a lot better. Talk about learning from mistakes! 08:17 AM May 23, 2008 from web in reply to shaicoggins

Am glad today at work is OVER. 06:59 PM May 22, 2008 from web

The lad and I didn’t lock horns today. Things are looking up! 10:01 PM May 21, 2008 from web

Get back to work me. 11:56 AM May 21, 2008 from web

The moon just before it went to bed this morning was absolutely marvellous. 10:33 AM May 20, 2008 from web

All I want is a peaceful Saturday afternoon without phone or door salespeople demanding things of me! 04:06 PM May 17, 2008 from web

I lit the fire last night and I’ve still got it going this morning. 08:55 AM May 17, 2008 from web

He’s in a right silly mood this evening. 06:36 PM May 16, 2008 from web

About to be off to circus school with junior. 03:33 PM May 16, 2008 from web

@rckstrscott So sorry to hear about your mum. 08:21 AM May 16, 2008 from web in reply to rckstrscott

Is a dream about quicksand ominous or not? I’m still remembering it tonight. 07:44 PM May 15, 2008 from web

@ninjapoodles And I thought you just loved me. You started following me yesterday. 07:43 PM May 15, 2008 from web in reply to ninjapoodles

The lad cried himself to sleep because a song he was listening to made him sad. Poor love. 08:38 PM May 14, 2008 from web

@shaicoggins So sorry you didn’t make it in time Shai. My thoughts are with you. 09:03 AM May 14, 2008 from web in reply to shaicoggins

Ukulele done and dusted for the night. Watching a bit of tv then night night for me. 09:30 PM May 13, 2008 from web

Am shortly going to see Sex and the City. 09:47 AM June 06, 2008 from web

I am still around – just haven’t blogged for the last few days. 08:53 AM June 05, 2008 from web

Tired today. My aunt kept me up singing to old songs last night! 09:06 AM June 04, 2008 from web

Thought there was a conspiracy happening in Perth when trying to ring businesses today and nobody answered, but no just a public holiday. 06:17 PM June 02, 2008 from web

I think I’ve cleaned my computer of spyware. I think…. 05:31 PM May 31, 2008 from web

My computer is has been infected. Have borrowed my sister’s laptop to research problem. 10:26 AM May 30, 2008 from web

I really think Telstra could design their bills SO much better. I find them hard to understand. 08:41 PM May 28, 2008 from web

Today was really busy and the cold beer when I got home was very welcome indeed. 06:35 PM May 28, 2008 from web