I just saw the film. *cries into pillow*
New Blogs April 29, 2008
Dan recently recommended I have a look at some other blogs, not that I really need to devour any more of my time by being as vicarious as I can be sometimes. However, I thought I’d flick my eyes over them this morning in order to given them a shot.
Why Did The Insulin Die In My Pancreas and Jimney, D., and Me both had me on the verge of tears by the end of the page. Kate and Liz both have touching stories reflecting on their experiences with their loved one’s battles with diabetes.
I have only known people with Type 2 Diabetes, mostly induced by poor lifestyle choices, or just bad luck (I’m fairly certain my Aunt Rosemary’s de facto partner Dennis is Type 2, but I forget, and I seem to remember it was in the family, not lifestyle-related). Both Kate and Liz have recently posted interviews with each other about their lives as carers, which were touching and insightful. I recommend reading them when you have time, though they are rather lengthy.
I shall endevour to keep up with their plights.
New Blogs April 29, 2008
Dan recently recommended I have a look at some other blogs, not that I really need to devour any more of my time by being as vicarious as I can be sometimes. However, I thought I’d flick my eyes over them this morning in order to given them a shot.
Why Did The Insulin Die In My Pancreas and Jimney, D., and Me both had me on the verge of tears by the end of the page. Kate and Liz both have touching stories reflecting on their experiences with their loved one’s battles with diabetes.
I have only known people with Type 2 Diabetes, mostly induced by poor lifestyle choices, or just bad luck (I’m fairly certain my Aunt Rosemary’s de facto partner Dennis is Type 2, but I forget, and I seem to remember it was in the family, not lifestyle-related). Both Kate and Liz have recently posted interviews with each other about their lives as carers, which were touching and insightful. I recommend reading them when you have time, though they are rather lengthy.
I shall endevour to keep up with their plights.
The Continued Adventures of Janek, PhD Candidate… April 28, 2008
Gosh, well, umm, where to begin.
Last Saturday, I decided to do three parties in one night. Whilst this seemed like a really good idea, it meant that I left two parties as I was enjoying them, and the third party I could have missed entirely, which is not to say I didn’t want to see Jordan, Kate, and company, just that it was a little dull. I was glad to have seen Emil again, I quite enjoy his company, and hope to keep in touch with him. Aly sets off to England soon, too, so it will be a loss when she goes, she’s always so much fun.
On Monday, we had QueerForum, which I was looking forward to because Danielle was going to be there. She didn’t turn up, though, which was a disappointment, least of all because she is the chair and you can’t have a meeting with the chair. Tutoring was dull, and I have found I mostly just chat to my students on Mondays now, because we have a mutual disinterest in Heat Transfer.
Tuesday, Postgraduate Forum, which is the Postgraduate equivalent of QueerForum. I turned up, expecting there to be a reasonable turnout, much the same as with the 20-odd people who turn up to QueerForum. I found the Loggia Room in Manning about 5 minutes before the forum was due to begin, and there was only one lady on the phone inside. I waited until her call was finished, cautiously entred the room, and asked if this was the location of the Postgraduate Forum… the scene continues below
Alice: Yes, it is. Are you a Postgraduate?
Me: Yes, I am.
Alice: Oh, wow, I’ve never had an actual Postgraduate attend one of these before!
…later…
Alice: Welcome to the least successful of the USU’s Forums! We have our biggest turnout ever, today! (At this point, another Postgraduate had joined us).
Through the course of this meeting, Alice repeatedly mentioned that the position of Postgraduate Convenor was unfilled. In fact, it had been unfilled for more than 2 years. So, being the person I am, I toddled back to my desk after the meeting and considered this for some time. Then I wrote an application. I am, officially, mad. I am doing 111 hours of tutoring this semester, a PhD, keeping up with Queer Politics, seem to be facilitating Queer Discussion Group, and keeping an active social life… so of course I need another job. Well, at least this one pays a small wage.
Otherwise, Wednesday and Thursday passed reasonably without event. I went to QuAC on Wednesday, not intending on staying because Asperges Gay was supposed to be facilitating, and I don’t like him, and ended up staying for the whole meeting, facilitating, and giving my own 2 cents worth. Discussion Group was on Queer Mental Health, and it seemed ok, but I think I needed more background research first, because some people seemed quite lost. I just sat there and got people to share stories.
Umm, the weekend was interesting. Thursday night was a farewell at Lizard Lounge for Izzy, and god I’m getting sick of farewells. Sigh, just gone to one too many this year already, it is becoming my year of the farewell and housewarming. Friday was DJ’s birthday lunch, which was overpriced, but lovely to see the crew again. Especially Aly, who hadn’t left. And still hasn’t. Anyway.
Friday night I had a lovely time at Rhi-rhi’s housewarming, chatted to Byron whom I’ve not really spoken with before. He and I share a lot of common links: travel through Europe, for example, and a number of friends. The GamesNight group were there, and we all had a blast, despite a Scary Straight Guy whom I feared might have started a fight had I answered his question about whether I was gay. Oh, and the floor being so slippery, that when Byron grabbed me for an impromtu tango, I slipped and hurt my knee (it still aches 
).
Not much else is happening atm, really. I’m waiting to hear back about my application for the postgraduate convenorship. Oh, and I graduate in three Friday’s time, this should be exciting. Whole family is going, of course. I have no idea why my brother wants to go to the graduates dinner, he certainly can’t brag about going to a good university, getting a brilliant HSC, or anything other than the fact he’s about 3mm taller than I am.
Protected: The Continued Adventures of Janek, PhD Candidate… April 28, 2008
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A Few Updates April 28, 2008
I decided to play around with the background on my lj, purely because I can.
I also finally worked out how to introduce a blogroll. Yay for other people’s blogs, most of whom have ones probably far more interesting than my own. If you don’t want it up there (or you do), let me know.
Apologies for the week-long break, I’ve been a wee bit busy. More to come!
A Few Updates April 28, 2008
I decided to play around with the background on my lj, purely because I can.
I also finally worked out how to introduce a blogroll. Yay for other people’s blogs, most of whom have ones probably far more interesting than my own. If you don’t want it up there (or you do), let me know.
Apologies for the week-long break, I’ve been a wee bit busy. More to come!
The Laramie Project April 17, 2008
I went last night to see what has been one of the most moving theatrical pieces I’ve ever had the fortune of viewing. The Laramie Project tells the story of the opinions and aftermath of the brutal murder of university student Matthew Shepard, the subsequent trial, and the famous actions of the Westboro Baptist Church and the “Gay panic defence” used by the defendants during the trial. This production was done by SUDS.
Wow.
The staging was fantastic. I’ve not seen SUDS performances before, but the way that the stage was used, the decent into madness at the end of the second act, the changing of costumes, the props, even the way the whole theatre was used, with chalk scrawling messages on the walls and the walkway around the top for some of the moments, it helped significantly in the understanding of this tragic story.
I won’t go into much detail about the story itself, first because it’s a retelling of people’s recollections which means that we don’t meet Matthew at any time during the play, and second because I think it means something different to everyone. Plus, there’s a film version of it I have been told is absolutely marvelous.
In other related news:
- May 17 is the International Day Against HOmophobia (IDAHO). Nothing’s been organised in Australia yet, other than people joining the Facebook event, though I understand CAAH are doing it. I’ve been told to be weary of CAAH. There seems to be crossover in membership with SA and no one likes SA.
- There was a news story in the paper today about making schools more gay-friendly by removing the words “Mum”, “Dad”, “boyfriend”, “girlfriend”, etc, and just sticking to “partner” and, I assume, “parent”. First, take note of the paper in which it was published. I wouldn’t normally pay The Daily Telegraph a moment of my time, it just happened to be on the front cover and my mother, as a high school teacher, has a subscription. Of course, a paper of more repute had a politely worded comment that it wasn’t going to happen. Look, I’m all for progressive schooling, keeping things politically correct, and avoiding offense. But, how is removing “Mum” going to make things better? Seems like a bit of a lost cause to me.
The Laramie Project April 17, 2008
I went last night to see what has been one of the most moving theatrical pieces I’ve ever had the fortune of viewing. The Laramie Project tells the story of the opinions and aftermath of the brutal murder of university student Matthew Shepard, the subsequent trial, and the famous actions of the Westboro Baptist Church and the “Gay panic defence” used by the defendants during the trial. This production was done by SUDS.
Wow.
The staging was fantastic. I’ve not seen SUDS performances before, but the way that the stage was used, the decent into madness at the end of the second act, the changing of costumes, the props, even the way the whole theatre was used, with chalk scrawling messages on the walls and the walkway around the top for some of the moments, it helped significantly in the understanding of this tragic story.
I won’t go into much detail about the story itself, first because it’s a retelling of people’s recollections which means that we don’t meet Matthew at any time during the play, and second because I think it means something different to everyone. Plus, there’s a film version of it I have been told is absolutely marvelous.
In other related news:
- May 17 is the International Day Against HOmophobia (IDAHO). Nothing’s been organised in Australia yet, other than people joining the Facebook event, though I understand CAAH are doing it. I’ve been told to be weary of CAAH. There seems to be crossover in membership with SA and no one likes SA.
- There was a news story in the paper today about making schools more gay-friendly by removing the words “Mum”, “Dad”, “boyfriend”, “girlfriend”, etc, and just sticking to “partner” and, I assume, “parent”. First, take note of the paper in which it was published. I wouldn’t normally pay The Daily Telegraph a moment of my time, it just happened to be on the front cover and my mother, as a high school teacher, has a subscription. Of course, a paper of more repute had a politely worded comment that it wasn’t going to happen. Look, I’m all for progressive schooling, keeping things politically correct, and avoiding offense. But, how is removing “Mum” going to make things better? Seems like a bit of a lost cause to me.
Sydney Uni at Night April 14, 2008
As I stumbled back to my car on Friday Night after the pride party, I took some photos on my journey. Look! See!
