Edward, my hero

I can’t stand spelling mistakes or grammatical errors or incorrect punctuation or lack legibility in writing. If I ever see any of these - in an email I’ve been sent, in an article I’ve been reading, or (worst of all) in an assessment I’ve been given to mark, I cringe. When I was in school my friends would often pass me notes to forward on to other friends sitting in front of me. I would open the note, pick up a red pen and happily correct any such mistakes inherent in that little piece of highly folded and decorated file paper. I rarely paid attention to their contents. If you’ve seen one “do you like (insert name of schoolyard crush here)? Tick yes or no.” you’ve seen ‘em all.

This obsession has pervaded my adult life. I did get a little lax for a time but taking on teaching and the techno age promptly put an end to that. I refuse to use text speak (c u l8ter? Not if I can help it) and I’ve been known to take forever to scribe a simple text or instant message. I even delete and re-write erroneous errors that I make when updating such menial things as my facebook comment. Yes, I am just that anal. And if you’ve ever had to give up marking an exam paper until you can get a second (and third) opinion to confirm your suspicions about what the student has actually written, you’ll understand my issues with legibility. I have been known to compliment students on their penmanship. Yes, I am just that anal.

My reasoning is this – it’s really not that hard to learn how to accurately communicate in your native language. These little mistakes are often evidence of laziness or apathy and are easily corrected, yet a lot of people just don’t bother. Standards are slipping people, and I won’t be a party to it!

As a result I have found this cartoon to be utterly hilarious. Please excuse the colourful language. Edward is my hero.

It's funny cos it's true!

I found this edition of PhD Comics laugh-out-loud funny. Mainly because I'm sitting at home in my pyjamas at 1:38pm on a Monday wondering if I should have a shower and if I could possibly get away with not washing my hair for one more day. In my defence I was on a roll last night with my PhD and didn't make it to bed until 5:45am this morning. I find that inspiration comes so rarely these days it's best not to interrupt it for menial tasks like showering or sleeping. I'm also working from home today, playing email tennis with my supervisor, so I can fit in some exam marking between the spurts of genius without the distractions that come with shared office spaces. If I'm really motivated I may get around to consuming something other than coffee too!

UPDATE: I've just had a shower, washed my hair, brushed my teeth and had something to eat. It is 5:14pm.

You should visit Broome too!

The view from the plane on the way up. I loved the contrast of the blue sky and the red dirt as we flew over the Kimberley.

We had a mandi or outdoor bathroom at our accomodation. I could see palm trees while taking a shower - it was lovely!

There were frangipanis EVERYWHERE.

The gorgeous blue waters of Cable Beach.

Even the clouds were gorgeous!

The pink sands of Roebuck Bay.

The 'real' reason you need to visit Broome.

The Japanese cemetery. Many of the pearl divers came to Broome from Japan.

Heading up to Gantheaume Point in search of 130 million year old dinosaur footprints.

Alas, the tide was too high. But The Boy had fun adventuring through the rocks.

A beer tasting plate at Matso's Brewery (note: Monsoonal Blonde is a winner!)

Seafood platter at Zander's on Cable Beach. I ate only seafood the whole time I was in Broome - it was just so fresh and good!

A pearl lugger out to sea.

A stunning Cable Beach sunset.

Driftwood in the post-sunset glow.

Camel trains take tourists for sunset walks along the length of Cable Beach.

Leaving an impression in that perfect white sand.

The sunset from the plane window on the journey home.

It was a wonderful wedding...

Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral, Broome WA.

Inside the cathedral waiting for the bride to arrive.

The bride's father hands her over to her groom.

Gendered seating - girls in one row, boys in another.

Looking over shoulders.

One of the bridesmaid's bouquets featuring white roses and frangipanis.

The tropical garden at the resort where the reception was held.

The veranda outside the reception room.

Gorgeous fairy lights.

The bride floating through the room.

The food was THE BEST food I've ever had at a reception. Spectacular.

I loved the polished jarrah floors in the reception room.

The beautiful cake with fresh frangipanis and diamantes trailing down the tiers.

Busting a move on the dancefloor.

Back from Broome...

We're back from Broome and it was fantastic! The place is great, the wedding was wonderful and oh my, the sunsets. Such a shame to be back to work...

Positive reinforcement

It's amazing how much some positive reinforcement can lift one's spirits. For the first time in... oh, ever... good things are happening with my PhD. I've been given a $10,000 grant to complete the qualitative component to my study which involves interviewing migrant mothers (in the presence of qualified interpreters) about their pregnancy and childbirth experiences, as well as interviewing several midwives about their experiences dealing with culturally diverse women. It really was just dumb luck that I came to know about this funding opportunity while complaining to a colleague about the lack of money available to PhD students. I've never been so grateful to be a bitcher and moaner.

The colleague who put my project to the funding body told me that he really didn't have to do a lot of work on my behalf, in fact one of the board members joked that she'd pay for my research with her own cheque book. This statement, flippant as it was, has managed to lift an enormous weight from my shoulders. I'm so happy to hear that someone (other than The Boy or my supervisors) believes that what I am doing is worthwhile. Obviously things haven't been going that well for me in regards to my postgraduate career, and I've been questioning my motivation for doing this a lot lately, particularly in light of everything I'm missing out on. Finally, a sign that perhaps I haven't been wasting my time.

So while I'm still in a positive frame of mind The Boy and I are heading for the outback. Actually we have a wedding in Broome on Saturday so we're heading up tomorrow morning and staying until Monday, with a rented car and some rather splendid accommodation. I think it'll be just what I need to refresh me in preparation for the onslaught that will begin when I return. The next 6-18 months are going to be intense, but for the first time in a long time I'm feeling up to the challenge.

Bring it on.

Only in America

If you get a spare minute check out thisiswhyyourefat.com. If, like me, you've had trouble sticking to a diet you may just find your inspiration here. It's alarming, yet intriguing. Kind of like watching a car crash happen before your eyes. I actually believe that a good number of these 'recipes' are admirable, if only for the sheer time and effort the cooks have put into constructing these artery clogging meals. No doubt a good proportion of them were devised by inspired (read: intoxicated) uni students. What I find bizarre is the number of them which aren't drunken concoctions hastily constructed in mum's kitchen at 3am, but have been purchased from established eateries. Seriously, I can't believe you can buy this stuff!

Behold, meatloaf. Not just any meatloaf but meatloaf with a layer of mac and cheese in the middle and wrapped in bacon.

An enormous burger constructed with half a cow, eggs, cheese and using two family sized pizzas as the 'bun'.

Yes, that's right, chocolate cake with fresh grilled bacon sprinkled over the frosting.

What every dining table needs - a meat ship. Constructed from bacon, sausages, pastry, franks and pork mince.

Whole White Castle burgers which have been dipped in batter and deep fried. Why? God knows.

Sticks of mozarella cheese wrapped in bacon and deep fried. Of course.

Four, count 'em, four layers to this cheese and bacon burger. Served with fries. Cos you don't want to walk away feeling only half full.

PS - If you do manage to check out the website perhaps you could solve a puzzle for me. I am absolutley mystified by what passes for cheese in America. Picture after picture shows a bright yellow congealed goo? What the hell is that stuff?

Crossing my fingers and hoping for the best

So the current PhD issue has been resolved. Well, as best it can be. I'm getting data from another source. It's not as up-to-date as the data I wanted but I'm just gonna have to suck it up and deal. I'll have it next week. And the kicker? I could have had it in October last year. Yep, I ran around in circles for 7 months. For nothing. I'm laughing about it, really. Mainly because if I didn't laugh, I'd cry. I'm done crying. So now I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

On a happier note I have a new macro lens for my camera. I'm still getting used to it and the blur from camera shake due to unsteady hands is really noticeable at times. I'll have to keep practicing steadying myself and revert to my tripod when I need to.

Ever have the feeling...

I have a meeting scheduled for this afternoon which should be attended by myself, one supervisor, one data custodian and one institute big-wig. We're going to see exactly what can be salvaged from my original research proposal, considering all the constraints I now have. Sadly, starting over is not an option. Dammit.

Wish me luck.