I lied

In fact I do have some stories to tell. Work stories. I am excited about being able to tell work stories again. GOD I love how stupid people are.
First story is about a customer who came in last Monday ans asked if I was going to give him the Monday discount. Of course I do not have a freaking clue as to whether there is any dumb discounts at my new place of work and having fallen into many a trap of assuming my workplace was not stupid I decided to play the innocent card and refer the question to someone else. However this someone else seemed equally as unsure, which is probably a reaction to the audacity and complete stupidity of the question. The answer was finally given as as a resounding NO. So this gave dumb customer the opportunity to raise a very important issue regarding why I did not get down on my hands and knees and give him a blow job with his purchase. Why did we not reward loyal customers? The answer of course is that his penis is too small to do anything with, but we told him that we are an independent bookstore and if he spent over $1000 in a year then he would be entitled to a discount. He did not answer as to whether he spent this much money but he did deftly move the conversation onto how Barnes & Noble give a 20% discount. Despite informing stupid, small penis man that B&N is the biggest bookshop chain in the world and can afford discounts, he kept saying that we should do what they do. His last and most inspired comment was then to say that our bookshop should be buying books from B&N and then passing the saving onto the customer. What can be said to this? Only one thing: FUCK OFF. I stopped talking and gave stupid, small penis man one of my favourite looks of contempt.
Another story comes from last night's 3.5 hours shift in which I am allowed to sit down for 5 minutes, even though we are not officially entitled to it. The circumstances of why this is strange is because just before I went on my break I was talking to another workmate about how he gets 10minutes and I only get 5minutes. I knew he was talking out his small child bottom (he is 18 I think), but I do not care. I went on my break, coming out 1 minute early cos I had to wait for a workmate to finish using the bathroom. I quickly dashed in when she came out and unfortunately this put me, in real terms, 1 minute over time and in clock time, 3 mins over time. Now considering that the break is only 5 minutes and that I can go to the toilet at any time and am not saving it up for the 5 minute break, I think this is quite strange. However, yesterday was quite a strange day for me anyway - you know one of those days where you are all anal about every detail in the world. For me it was PMS, I wonder what my boss' excuse was?

Cut & Paste

In keeping with the theme of random musings from my brain that were created for a completely different purpose, but are being re-contextualised for this blog, here is an excerpt from my report I just handed in about my practical work experience for uni.

The differences between archiving and library work is not that vast in actual fact. I believe the major priority of both occupations and workplaces was to allow discovery of information. To me however, the differences were in the subtle directions of each. It was almost as if the archive tried to draw people in to discover its informational heart and a library’s purpose was to thrust people out and into the thick of information.

Also, I am able to listen to ABC streaming radio without it affecting my downloads too much, so I have been listening to Dig Jazz. It is helping me stay sane...oh and shiraz cab helped a bit. You can paste this link in your windows media player to tune in as well cool cats.
http://abc.net.au/streaming/digjazz.asx

Ah well....

I don't really have much to say and as I have sent two emails this morning I feel a bit lacking in wittiness for any kind of posting. What this means about why I made the decision to persevere with a post anyway is left up to the realms of obsession and narcissism. I am going to put some excerpts online of email stuff from this morning. Then I can gratify my need and be quite postmodern at the same time.

SO, that is news. The other news of course is that my hair is terrible (as usual) and I have so many grey hairs all over the place I feel like I am becoming socially unacceptable. Goddam, I am only 33! However I am listening to Radio National as my regular station nowadays - even streaming over the web - so i guess I deserve those fookin grey hairs. I am quite happy in Perth at the moment - being less than a km away from my siblings who are not talking to each other in a fight that has been going on for two years now is quite enlightening. My mother is still completely mad and made me lose my temper in an uncontrollable and disgusting way, which was also quite confronting for me as I am not used to it. I miss hanging out in Melbourne city, where a good latte is not a hit and miss affair, although not 100% expectancy. In Perth you are lucky to get a coffee that resembles a latte at all! I have found a couple of great cafes in some alleyways in Perth near my work, but of course they are not open at any other time than during the weekdays. Perth sux many arses my friend, but the weather is gorgeous!

Talking of lectures, uni is good. However, I have this subject called Knowledge Management Principles and it drives me mad. I have just had a confrontation (kinda) with the lecturer about the resources she posts up for us. She put up an article about employees downloading software willy nilly off the net and bypassing the corporate IT department and why this is a good thing. It is an interesting article, but she called it a 'case study'. Initially I was confused as to what the case study was as it had not been posted in the right area, and then after I read the article, which is a magazine style thing, I wondered how it was a case study. After my queries she says that she calls anything that is written about something a case study (essentially - not her words *), whereas I call a case study a paper that reveals findings through research of an organisation or group with a theoretical foundation. Something that is quite involved and detailed. Apparently I am being too narrow in my definition. Anyway, that is my rant for today. I went out last saturday night for dinner with my friend Amanda and her girl at the Red Teapot in Northbridge. I feel like I am starting to belong! Ciao for now.

Full details on professional status requirements can be found on the RMAA
website at
www.rmaa.com.au/docs/membership/RMAAProfessionalStatusGuidelines_2006.pdf

Hello Leisa...

Massive Domestic Airfare Sale! Hurry, don't miss out! Check out airfares

Just a reminder, in case you missed out on the latest news...

* (her words) I call a "case study" a paper, which is based on some organizational 
experience as opposed to a theoretical or discussion paper. CIO website 
and magazine has an area for case studies on KM, which week 4&5 material 
was taken from.

Incidentally...

VHS tapes are still the standard for video capture for archival holdings. They do not degrade as easily as DVD. And they are a global standard, unlike DVD which is changing all the time (hello blue ray). Furthermore, holding audiovisual materials in hard drives etc is costly and also fraught with obsolescence issues. VHS machines are easy to maintain and easy to keep. Don't believe me? Film Australia still demand VHS for their holdings.

Games

What game you play is irrelevant. How you play it determines how much fun it is.


Flynn Bard Buckland! Must you always always reduce principles down to pettiness? Of course I cannot deny that getting a dvd from you would be a pleasant experience (I've had so few), but this limp wristed dismissal of the real underlying issue concerning your traitorous thieving is at stake here, not quibbles of precious things. And for that matter, I would assume that in order to repay me in full for your revolting lack of morals, you need to supply both dvd and cd (copies or otherwise, I do not need to be high handed in my demands). I do not remember this being on offer. HOW RUDE. Now that you, and this foolish fight you are making me participate in because of your indecent and offensive skewing of the truth, have been upgraded to formal blog entry, I expect, nay demand, an apology for your deceitfulness by which you have been denying you stole my video for years! That is all young man.

I have been playing this game called bookworm adventure. It is simple and completely addictive. Apparently you can play it online. My only problem with it is that it does not recognise all words and sometimes it allows American slang. I tried 'luddite' and it was a no go. Pity.

Moving on. Part 3 trillion and 54.

I am packing. Again. All I ever seem to do is pack. There is a definite sigh in the situation, but at the same time my energy is high and I am excited about the move. I guess it is just like any move - there is always an element of excitement. And now that I have come out and told the world that I am in a relationship, I suppose I can say that I am excited because I am in a relationship. Its nice to think about someone with a fondness that cannot be accurately described. Some call it love, but I find it interesting that there is a a tennis score which means you got nothing is also called love. Meh.

Anyway, I have been trying to download this file since yesterday from that big bad tech monopoly. It is 502mb and is coming down, behaving like a sexually frustrated Leo. Its not pretty. In fact its fucking horrible for all surrounding entities. Fucking Leos. * Anyway, the interesting thing about this product I bought is that there is a competition for it - you have to mention it in a blog and write some exact phrase or some such. Meh. Nup. I have downloaded nearly a gig of this file cos it mostly crashes at around 300mb. However I learned some things about downloading big files from a nerd friend of mine (ok the boyfriend) which the BBTM did not mention in their answer to my request to send me the damn disk. Why is it that tech people or help desk people cannot answer the question you have asked? I have found this on many many occaisions - particularly eBay. They are the worst offenders. I say, I would like to know how to send someone a manual invoice please. They say, we have forwarded your enquiry to Paypal. Yup.

I am up this late waiting for the download to complete. I am up to 90% and feel like I should jsut be watching the numbers tick over. Never have I felt so much stress. Well actually that is a big fat lie. But I get this little panic when I see that the countdown is pausing at 18mins and 10 secs for ages and when it ticks over to 8secs I almost cry out in relief. hang - gotta check it now. Phew. I always seem to get it at the 10 second mark as well. Wow the life of a nerd.

I finished my final prac today. Edith Cowan Library in Bunbury. I told my mum a story about this lady who worked there who snobbed me for ages and I wondered if she did that to all prac students (cos we must be universally hated). She simply wouldnt talk to me, could never find time to talk to me and generally overlooked everything I did including telling people where the toilets were in the building. I still said hello and goodbye to her everyday though - no need for me to be rude. But two days ago she actually looked at me and we had a conversation. And the last two days she was downright friendly. I mentioned it to mum and she said that it probably was country snobbery. Remember the old addage that cos life in the country was slower meant that you could be a newcomer for 20 years or all your life if you moved to a small town? Remember A Country Practice? I am now convinced I am a victim of this kind of social etiquette.
Of course I am rambling cos in fact I am DOG TIRED and I have to travel to Perth tomorrow and go out tomorrow night and all kinds of things. I will go now. Download is up to 95%. I am praying it comes down all Piscean instead.


*of COURSE I am saying this with LOVE to all the Leos in my life. Hello and kisses to all you beautiful people who are always right and yes, everyone does love you.

I need help

I cannot remember the name of a band. I used to own a CD of this band. If anyone can help me , I would appreciate it. Ok, here goes random information I remember:

1. The cover is in aqua colours and has a close up-ish face of a petite/pixie kinda chick on it.
2. We played it at A&R for ages and ages one summer.
3. I think the A&R copy was owned by Priscilla.
4. I always think the band name starts with S, but when I remember it, that is not true. Could be T? Probably is something random like C. I don't fucking know.
   
5. The music is kinda Beth O, kinda Morcheeba etc.
   
6. Pretty sure this album was early 2000's. Like 2001.
   
7. I cannot remember any of the names of the songs on there.
8. However, I think the over-riding kinda-theme of the album had something to do with water.
   
9. I used to own the album, but I lost it in one of the share house nightmares I am sure.
   
10. That reminds me, if my Tex, Don and Charlie turns up anywhere, please send it to me.
    

Things you know

I would just like to announce to the world that I have a boyfriend. I am officially one of a couple. This is of course fraught with all kind of emotional things, but I have not worked those out in my head yet, so I cannot comment. I have however, included a photo of the happy couple. This is my life now.
p.s. there will be no comments on my hair or my five chins.
p.p.s. do you think that there are toilet paper wars in this kind of share housing environment?

I dont have to leave for work for another 10 mintues

However that does not inspire me to write anything witty or brilliant, not that I write anything of that nature anyway, or at least no one would describe it in those words, but truth is that I actually do not have anything to write about, oh I was going to say something about making a video of a uni presentation I have to do about my prac experiences - it might be my first contribution to YouTube and then when I write essays about YouTube is archived, I can talk about myself as a contributing artist. Perhaps this is the real reason why I formed an interest in this subject in the first place.

You Are Kermit

Hi, ho! Lovable and friendly, you get along well with everyone you know. You're a big thinker, and sometimes you over think life's problems. Don't worry - everyone know's it's not easy being green. Just remember, time's fun when you're having flies!

The Muppet Personality Test

Edith Cowan University used to be WACAE: the Western Australian College of Advanced Education. WACAE was the place you went to become a teacher. Edith Cowan turned into a university much to the mirth of myself and my peers, even though we did not know what we were smirking at. (Well, in fact I rarely do - I just enjoy smirkage). I think they are still struggling to fulfill the big boots of being a university with all that entails. The End.

I wonder if I actually had my rant about Perth's public transport system. I probably did. It was/is diabolical. Being back in Bunbury means that I can slow down a little bit, eat better and relax more. And all of this with studying as well. But Bunbury does not seem as stressful. I reckon it might be that I have completed all my stressful things for now and I am in haitus . Who knows. Anyway, I am rantless at this time. My hair is going through another bad patch. Oh well.

Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us

Moving on

I am in the interim period between practical placements for uni. My JCPML archiving one was done and I think quite successful. I loved being there and the people were awesome. Next week I start at ECU and when I spoke to the Librarian yesterday, she asked me if I really wanted to work full days. I think I might like it there as well.
I have a new job. I start after my library prac. My new job is at an awesome bookshop in Perth called Boffins. It is a tech and specialist bookstore only. No Dan Brown customers to darken my mood. They made me do a typing test and a personality test and I still got hired. They called my references and still they said, "come and work for us...in a supervisory capacity". I did not want to get a job. That was my reason for coming to WA. But two things have changed. Firstly, I am not studying full-time as I anticipated I would be doing. And secondly, I am moving to Perth and into a house. Yes, that is the other piece of news. I am moving into a house where my name is on the lease for the first time in seven years. There are things afoot. The photos below are of my new home.

SMH articles about Sony Tropfest 2007

Tropfest's all the rage
Garry Maddox
February 15, 2007

Keywords: ' '; 'inspire'; 'system'; 'high standard'

The reel deal
Christine Sams
February 18, 2007

Keywords: 'New York'

Finely drawn first - a short and sweet victory
Garry Maddox Film Writer
February 19, 2007

Keywords: 'impact'

Now the blob is back at Tropfest
Garry Maddox
February 20, 2007

Keywords: 'scandal'; 'idea'; 'rip off'

TV lawyers scrutinise Tropfest winner
Emily Dunn Entertainment Writer
February 21, 2007

Keywords: 'coincidence'; 'New York'; 'original work'; 'copyright infringement'

How interesting...

I subscribe to Sony Tropfest email newsletters. The other day I received the email below. I wonder what kind of reputation the Sydney Morning Herald has as a newspaper, where the reporter got the idea for the story, why the editors did not check the validity of the story, whether the article says what the response is from the Tropfest people, whether editors indeed check validity of stories at all anymore, where the records of the doctoring are (items such as memos, requests, original files, edited images) and who is responsible to ordering the doctoring (if indeed it is a true story). Considering Sony Tropfest's defense and quite strong accusations in this story, which I would suggest could constitute defamation (which is also true in the reverse - maybe more so). What amount of denying something like this fix what has already been said? I know that Sony Tropfest has a reputation for being a boys club etc but why would the SMH want to trash it or the founder or the film maker or the judges or anyone involved? Who is the target or is it just sensationalism for the sake of it? Is Polson telling the truth here in this letter, or before to filmmaker or audience? Is it OK to mispronounce your boyfriend's surname for months and months?


THE NEWS VS. THE TRUTH

Dear Friends

We hope you had a great night at Sony Tropfest 2007!

Some of you may know that last week the Sydney Morning Herald published a number of stories relating to the Sony Tropfest 2007 winner, "An Imaginary Life". The newspaper suggested that Steve Baker's winning film may have plagiarized a US television show. Most of what was written was unfounded, misleading and very upsetting - not just to the filmmaker, Steve Baker, but to us at Sony Tropfest. Most surprisingly, the Sydney Morning Herald chose to doctor images of the two characters in question to make them look much more similar than they actually are. Specifically, they removed the legs from Steve Baker's character (below right) and elongated it's body so that it looked more like the other. (Below are the actual undoctored images of these two characters side by side.)



Unsurprisingly, the journalist who "broke" the story told me himself he had never seen an episode of the TV show. When I suggested the responsible thing to do, before writing the story, would be to take a look at the show, he told me, "I have to file by 7". Our subsequent request to the Sydney Morning Herald to publish a correction regarding doctoring the image has also been met with silence.

I wanted to put on the record that we, at Sony Tropfest, stand by Steve Baker's win. Our panel of judges watched all the films on the night and "An Imaginary Life" came out on top. At this stage, nothing concrete has been presented to us suggesting that Steve took his idea from anywhere outside of his own inspiration. Although one Sydney Morning Herald story claimed the owners of the television show were "looking into the matter", neither we nor Steve Baker have been contacted by them. Until such time that there is any evidence that this film is in breach of copyright or other laws, we will continue to stand by Steve Baker and his film.

Again, thanks for supporting us at the festival. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

Best,

John Polson

Festival Founder/Creative Director

I've done stuff

My lax is unfortunate. I have however, come to another turning point in my life. The glasses chain, which I have owned since 1997, but rarely worn (but somehow managed to never lose) is back on. Yep. I am definitely a librarian now.
Please note for future reference that although I have officially started university this week, I have also started Infinite Jest. I can already feel it inside me. Why all the Dave's and not the Chuck's?