tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9617675992016776482024-03-04T23:43:42.324-08:00KDKDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-26005481801270945042016-08-03T03:05:00.001-07:002016-08-30T04:40:27.788-07:00Year One: There was a time...When I had no idea what I was doing. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But I'm not sure anyone knew except Nonna.</span> I could cover content and I could design activities for different types of learners like they sort of, kind of, maybe taught us in the dip Ed. But I didn't really have an embedded pedagogy. I could put on a show. But Nonna's office had a window that faced my whiteboard. And Nonna could see everything. Nonna knew I couldn't spell to save myself and clearly hadn't been taught grammar at high school. So she taught me, often in front of the kids I was suppose to be teaching. I was never threatened or insulted by her, she did it with such a humor and an honest desire to help me get better. But man did I make sure my board work was flawless before the end of the year. She suffered no fools and if I really had no idea she wouldn't have let me get away with it for long. <div><br></div><div>When I nearly died inside because bad kids felt like it was my fault. Two of my students were the first kids in years to be sent home early from year 7 camp. I was mortified. They beat up another kid when I wasn't watching and it felt like it was all my fault and I was a horrible teacher and probably a horrible person for not stopping something I didn't know was<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> happening. </span></div><div><br></div><div>When I didn't have a back wall in my classroom. More than once I caught myself watching my colleague teach in the classroom across the room because it was way more interesting than what I was doing. Nonna found this hilarious. </div><div><br></div><div>When I had to sleep for 30 minutes every night when I got home from work.</div><div><br></div><div>When I first took up responsibilities beyond the classroom. Somehow I ended up leading a literacy PLT in year one. At least I actually applied for and was successful in taking over the SRC coordination. And I learnt a hell of a lot more about kids and teachers than I did by just being in the classroom. The penny dropped - what I really liked was learning. I got to know a group of kids with different qualities and capabilities beyond what they were invited to show in the classroom. These kids inspired me to do better as we plotted ways of doing good in the world - even it was just painting a dividing line so students could stick to the left side when using the staircase to the portables. We staged a winter sleep out and at the end of term 1 my shaved head ended up in the local paper for lukemia fundraising.</div><div><br></div><div>When I needed therapy to figure out how to cope with it all. It was personal as much as professional but at one stage he told me that "I could be a principal at 33 if I really wanted but would probably burn out and then be stuck with nothing." Or I could slow it down a bit and get a life. It took me a while to adjust but eventually it became manageable. Nine Inch Nails helped tremendously here. The boozy weekends not so much. </div><div><br></div><div>When the principal asked what I wanted to do and the other graduates were shocked at my answer. I was far too confident and wasn't afraid of what we (as in the team of graduates) had accomplished up until that point. I wouldn't learn humility until much later.</div><div><br></div><div>When my mentor showed me what was possible and we ran with it. For my VIT registration we designed a lesson where my year 8s would teach his year 7s about poetry (form, poetic devices, message and purpose). We took over the whole library for a double period and coached them through it. It was amazing. It was what I would come to understand as 'the right work'. Researched based risk taking in the classroom. When after the portfolio was finished he challenged me to publish journal articles, based on the adjustment we would make to common content strategies. I worked these into reflective practices in my teaching that are still the best part of my 'game.' </div><div><br></div><div>When I knew I could do this, that I loved it, and it was all going to be ok. When Tanya, Ashok, Lauren, Jacinta, Alana and Eric found out I was taking their class for English again the next year their reaction confirmed that I hadn't ruined their education or their lives. They believed in me before I believed in myself. </div><div><br></div><div>When I sat next to Mel the music teacher and knew this was going to be my life.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5OnPqZYa3hx3eC8HvgATOA-e5yFmhocPzYmEuzP0COG5p4ZUt_laz7Vvc4ds4moF-towAJMHbBzgxsxJvNF4I9uaXkHsXoEnzaiW4AvgrYLkmaAq_gnD6tMuTOh8HiEX6QJs66cHgJI/s640/blogger-image--1260500453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5OnPqZYa3hx3eC8HvgATOA-e5yFmhocPzYmEuzP0COG5p4ZUt_laz7Vvc4ds4moF-towAJMHbBzgxsxJvNF4I9uaXkHsXoEnzaiW4AvgrYLkmaAq_gnD6tMuTOh8HiEX6QJs66cHgJI/s640/blogger-image--1260500453.jpg"></a></div>KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-58097403444919869882015-12-30T13:01:00.001-08:002015-12-30T14:52:38.804-08:00Best albums of 2015Listed in no particular order.<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Listen to Best of 2015 METAL by Kristyan on @AppleMusic.</span><div>https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/best-of-2015-metal/idpl.f5636646bab542208e801091a9ab6f6e</div><div><div>Listen to Best of 2015 by Kristyan on @AppleMusic.</div><div>https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/best-of-2015/idpl.808cccf6cd2645c0a260c2471c8b6de5</div></div><div><br></div><div><b>Alabama Shakes - sound and color</b></div><div>Lead single 'Don't wanna fight no more' captures the essence of their sound - groovy guitar, funky bass and a soulful vocal line to sing along with. Brittany Howard's old soul vocals is the best blues voice going around right now and it is just what the world needs to be listening to. 'Gimme all your love' is another nightlight. It is a album that everyone should pay attention to. Highly recommended.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Gary Clarke Jnr - the story of sonny boy slim</b></div><div>The opener, 'the healing', is one of the best songs of 2015 - in a year when we sorely needed it. There's some gorgeous guitar work before the second half of the album leaves behind the blues for a more Neo-soul vibe, helped in no part by the gospel singers employed for backing vocals. Not the follow up everyone was expecting after so long but still a great talent who will continue to surprise and grow. Recommended.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Soulfly - archangel</b> </div><div>Max sold his soul to metal long ago and comes roaring back after a couple of average albums (including the disappointing Cavelera Conspiracy disc - Pandemoneium). The tracks 'Archangel' and 'Sodomites' standout for being groovy with massive choruses. If you've checked out on what Max has been doing, it is time to re-engage. Recommended.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Faith No More - sol Invictis</b> </div><div>Oh man did they nail this. After the reunion tour fell away they got on with the business of recapturing what made FNM so vital and they came through in a big way. Lead single 'motherfucker' is perfectly irreverent and a great set opener, led more by Roddy's vocals than Mike's, and sets the tone for another classic FNM album - there's plenty of genre bending, between ballads and punk rockers like 'superhero'. Highly recommended.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Dallas Frasca - LoveArmy</b></div><div>I first saw Dallas at Bluesfest in 2009 as she rocked one of the smaller tents. Six years later this album captures both the blues and groove of her older work with a few poppier moments and a lead single, 'success is the best revenge' that you can stomp the dance floor to. Should've been bigger. Check out this and 'you are beautiful'. Then tell a friend. Recommended.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Muse - drones</b></div><div>If you've heard 'psycho' and 'mercy' you know what's happening here. No dub step influences, few grandiose attempts to sound like Queen. Muse at their rockin, hook laden, sweet harmony, guitar heavy best. Best album since 'blackholes...' Like Soulfly, if you fell out of love with them over the last couple of albums then it is time to go back and hang out for the tour. Not convinced? Download 'reapers'. Recommended.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Parkway Drive - ire</b></div><div>To think they were a metal core band! Whilst Bring Me the Horizon have gone off into a far more pop-rock territory, Parkway have gotten 'poppier' and 'rockier' without losing any of their heaviness, this is the best metal album in Australia by the best metal band. There isn't a endless stream of breakdowns, they continue the song writing evolution that started with Deep Blue, now with strings, slower tempos and a bit of melody. This might sound scary to the older fans, but it completely works and adds a lot of colour and shade to their sound. Just look at the song titles! 'Destroyer', 'vice grip', 'crushed', 'bottom feeder'. Probably my favourite metal album this year. Highly recommended.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Lamb of God - VII Sturm Und Drang</b></div><div>They sound like LoG. The lyrics are the highlight as Randy draws in his imprisonment in Prague on songs like 'still echoes' and '512'. Heavy, groovy and then surprising melodic on the ballad! Yes, Randy actually sings on an epic metal ballad that should be part of their live set. Great to see them try something new. It won't work for everyone but it was the biggest surprise and one that worked for me. Recommended. </div><div><br></div><div><b>Hollywood Vampires</b></div><div>Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Joe Perry convince Brain Johnston to sing Whole Lotta Love and School's Out. What's not to like? Recommended if you like rock n roll. You won't get it if you don't.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Fear Factory - genexus</b></div><div>Early reviews compared this to Digimortal and Transgression (the two worse FF albums) but it turned out to be closer to Obsolete. Plenty of groove, some melodic keys to go with the contrasting Burton C Bell vocals. 'Soulhacker' is a standout FF track, in the tradition of Replica and Edgecrusher. Fits well in their cannon, better than the Dino-less albums at the very least. Won't convince you if you're not a fan. Recommended.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Iron Maiden - book of souls</b></div><div>Wow. Even at this stage Iron Maiden still evolve. They've never rested on their laurels when it comes to new material and, whilst this one took 5 years, there's still some new sounds for the band to discover. The double album is bookended by two Bruce epics - the opener 'if eternity should fail' is brilliant, the closer 'empire of the clouds' is um, long. At 18 minutes it is probably 7 minutes too long despite the interesting story he tells in the lyrics. Elsewhere, 'speed of light' is an old school Iron Maiden single (with cowbell) and there's still plenty of head banging and singing to be done on 'death or glory', 'boo of souls' and the epic 'the red and the black'. However it is bloody long and I'm not sure how many get into the second disc. Still a better album than most are capable of. Recommended.</div><div><br></div><div>Also worth listening to: Chris Cornell - higher truth, Ryan Adams - 1989, Courtney Barnett - sometimes I sit and think and sometimes I just sit, Teenage Time Killers, Metal Allegence, </div><div><br></div><div>Special mentions - Daniel Johns 'talk' and Bring Me The Horizon 'that's the spirit'. Kudos to both for having the courage to do what they want to do with their sound. It's just not for me. Some of it is great but ultimately I know Daniel Johns is way more gifted than a soul-influenced (Chet faker?), beats heavy album shows. Start with 'preach' and then go from there. Turn it back up to eleven next time. For BMTH, I hope they continue to grow and be massive for the sake of British rock music. Removing the heavy elements though has lost me.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-87987893023338561432015-12-28T22:33:00.001-08:002015-12-28T22:33:51.286-08:00LemmyThe last real outlaw. <div><br></div><div>For 40 years Motörhead set the standard for rock n roll. 100% pure rock n roll. Their early albums fell in with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal but they were way more than those flash in the pan bands, and had nothing in common with Maiden, Priest or Def Leppard. Whilst the initial line up would flame out, Lemmy was always at the center of it or more particularly, positioned stage right - bass across his shoulder and chin angled up to growl into the microphone. Warts and all.</div><div><br></div><div>He's the last outlaw because at no stage has Lemmy given a hoot what others thought of him. The warts remained despite being offered plenty to remove them. They flirted with the mainstream thanks to Ace of Spades, appearances on The Young Ones and various mainstream music shows, but they never wavered from doing what Lemmy wanted. He drank a bottle of jack before hitting the stage and usually a bottle while he was up there. And really, until he was well into his 60s, he never slowed down. While AC/DC have released 3 albums since 2000, Motörhead have recorded and toured behind 8 new albums this millennium alone, each of them dipped in the vibes of Chuck Berry, the blues and a healthy shot of punk rock attitude. </div><div><br></div><div>Their war pig mascot has adored almost every one of their 23 studio albums and combined with their typeface is perhaps the most recognizable symbol of heavy metal in the world. There is far more to this band than that. And far more to the man.</div><div><br></div><div>The documentary Lemmy (2010) captured both the legacy and lifestyle of the man himself. Whilst it was mostly a tribute to exactly how badarse he was, there are moments tinged with sadness (he sits alone playing machines in the Rainbow, his difficulties being a largely absent father) but the man himself regrets nothing. He apologizes for even less. </div><div><br></div><div>I had the experience of seeing Motörhead at the forum in 2007. He stepped onto stage in his cowboy hat and boots and leered into the microphone - "we are Motörhead and we play rock n roll". And for 90 minutes they played new stuff, 90s stuff, and ended with Killed By Death, Ace of Spades and Overkill. They pulled out their acoustic number, Whorehouse Blues, too with Lemmy on harmonica.</div><div><br></div><div>Lemmy's legacy spreads beyond just Motörhead. He inspired others for 40 years. At his 50th birthday the house band was 4 dudes known as The Lemmys, whose day job was being Metallica. He's worked with Slash numerous times, helped out Dave Grohl on his probot project and wrote a Grammy winner for Ozzy Osbourne. Hell he wrote ballads for Ozzy, far away from the usual thunder of Chase is Better Than The Catch, Killed By Death and Iron Fist. He's covered Whiplash, God Save The Queen, Louie Louie and Stand By Your Man. </div><div><br></div><div>He was rock n roll. And rock n roll isn't the same without him. To quote the film Airheads - "who would win in a wrestling match - Lemmy or God?</div><div>Trick question. Lemmy is God"</div><div><br></div><div>Rest in ... Who are we kidding? He's gonna still be louder than everything else.</div><div><br></div><div>40 years of Motörhead playlist on Apple Music</div><div><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/motorhead-40/idpl.7c2b6ad323a6421891817a0d6100e6fb">https://itunes.apple.com/au/playlist/motorhead-40/idpl.7c2b6ad323a6421891817a0d6100e6fb</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIq59AvhS1XQP7bo5nw7wKFTcPPBUJYVUI_zzN3sjvLH2lPI141CwUdRaffaIuiOSS9hhgByOAjMTdEs-DIa9nOEXvP4vkCH81SW1Ridf9uTYs6D6z8vfms8MrXyDwGpHCh4pIkb29xo/s640/blogger-image--1450335126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIq59AvhS1XQP7bo5nw7wKFTcPPBUJYVUI_zzN3sjvLH2lPI141CwUdRaffaIuiOSS9hhgByOAjMTdEs-DIa9nOEXvP4vkCH81SW1Ridf9uTYs6D6z8vfms8MrXyDwGpHCh4pIkb29xo/s640/blogger-image--1450335126.jpg"></a></div>KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-66794735595121853732014-12-26T03:54:00.001-08:002014-12-26T03:54:42.575-08:00Slave to many masters - the problem of prequelsPeter Jackson is finally leaving Middle Earth behind. Lucky for us, Star Wars is back next year and the Marvel Universe will keep kicking along with the All Star DC-verse ready to launch in 2015. These large multi-film story archs that these films try to tell are great for fans to follow along with - Easter eggs are hardly in short supply these days. But needing to link together with other films drags down the story we are trying to enjoy now. The need to prepare for the future, in particular, shoe horns the director and writer into serving dual purposes with their story telling. Sometimes a director balances the two masters. Others struggle to do this.<div><br></div><div>The Hobbit, as a trilogy, falls into the second category. The original novel, as prequel to Lord of The Rings, contains only fleeting connections. There is the scene with Gollum and Bilbo's discovery of the ring, and the presence of Gandalf. From this Tolkien was able to create a rich tapestry fantasy world. But The Hobbit, as a novel works on its own. The story is succinct but still has a number of subplots, most of which are resolved adequately without the need for appendices. For those who came to Middle Earth via the LOTR trilogy, reading The Hobbit as a prequel is stil a rewarding experience.</div><div><br></div><div>The films weren't comfortable with mere fleeting connections. Without being cynical as to why it took nearly nine hours to tell a story of less than 300 pages, it is worth considering how effective the films added material to build a coherent six part story, from Unexpected Journey to Return of the King. </div><div><br></div><div>The primary story of The Hobbit follows Bilbo Baggins as he aids Theron's company of Dwalves in reclaiming the Lonley Mountain from the dragon, Smaug. There are three additional subplots added to this: the white council's investigation of the necromancer, the elf-dwarf sexual tension, and the orcs' pursuit of Theron. The white council stuff sees Elderon, Sauraman and Gandriel return to the series to create a link to the LOTR trilogy. The elf-dwarf romance adds a romantic subplot but little to Bilbo's story (hell, it's not even clear if either Bilbo, Theron or Gandalf even know about it!) and allowed Peter Jackson to include Orlando Bloom again. The Orc subplot does enrich the battle scenes and provides the orcs chasing the company with some purpose. This subplot also has nothing to do with LOTR. </div><div><br></div><div>The white council parts are essentially pointless and distract from the main story. For viewers it is nice to see familiar faces and, for those who pay attention, it is nice to see that they knew of Saurein'a return 60 years before Gandalf visited Frodo to get the One Ring (now there's a plot hole for you). But it is The Hobbit's version of including C3PO and R2D2 in the Star Wars prequels. Familiar faces are fine but they create plot holes and actually take the audience out of the story. The distraction from the main story isn't a sign of good story telling - it's a sign of trying to serve too many masters. Even though The Battle of Five Armies is the shortest of the Middle Earth movies, it still spends time dealing with subplots that set up a separate trilogy - one that runs between nine and eleven hours depending on the versions you watch. Due to the excellent prologue in Fellowship of the Ring, there is little that needed to be set up anyway. The Easter egg in this case has developed into a significant number of extra scenes, none of which serve the story, and only serve to prolong the length of the film. (Someone there's even more for the extended additions!) Still, this is still better than Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, which pacts so many Easter eggs and video game scenes into it that it has little, if any, connection to even Episode II, let alone the original trilogy it is a prequel to. </div><div><br></div><div>Sequels have been pushed into this problem too. The need to include a larger story sees stories that full of characters with little time for the audience to connect to them. Iron Man 2 sunk from the need to include scenes fleshing out SHIELD and the Avengers, at the expense of their antagonists and sidekick dynamic. XMen: The Last Stand and Origins: Wolverine both loaded themselves with characters and tried to fit into a larger story, creating plot holes and leaving themselves with little room to even tell their primary story well. It's worth noting that the First Class X-Men films, The Wolverine and Iron Man 3 cut down on the number of characters and subplots and told much tighter stories that ignored the overall continuity with a preference to telling their primary story as well as they can. </div><div><br></div><div>A rare exception to all of this is the excellent Captain America: Winter Solider, mainly because its primary story is one that pushes the larger universe forward. For prequels, this just isn't possible. The audience already knows how it is going to end. Better off exploring a different part of the world, as X Men First Class and the Hobbit novel does, than telling a direct story that we know the resolution too (the Star Wars prequels). It will be interesting to see how the forthcoming Pan (a darker, grittier prequel to Peter Pan) handles these different demands.</div><div><br></div><div>In the end, whilst there are some cool moments for fans of the original triligies, prequels would be best if they kept the references to future stories to a minimum. Easter eggs are fine, but not when they don't serve their true master - the primary story they're trying to tell. I don't think the audience is even crying out for these parts of the story to be told - most likely they just want the story to be told well so they can lose themselves in another world for two (or three) hours.</div>KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-17723662295892707192014-04-17T17:13:00.000-07:002014-04-17T17:13:02.028-07:00The Case for Relgation in AFLRecently I've upset the odd friend with my references to the AFL needing a Division II. While it is intended to be deliberately provocative, there is some merit to include the possibility of splitting the AFL on a year-by-year basis so that we get a more even and (here's the buzz word) <b>equitable </b>competition. <br />
<br />
How is introducing two division more equitable? The idea would be to play against teams of roughly equal standing. I wouldn't label each division numerically, but would go with Premiership Cup Division and Shield Division. Sell off naming rights for the Shield Division, and name the Shield after a significant figure, and you've already open up new revenue to distribute amongst those clubs. The Premiership Cup Division should be exclusive to Ch7. <br />
<br />
How would the particulars work? I'm glad you asked!<br />
<br />
<b>The Split</b><br />
The easy bit. For examples I'm going to use the 2012 season as a guide, mainly due to the Essendon fiasco last year compromising the make up of the bottom 10 teams. <br />
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<br />After the season we would split the AFL into two divisions. The top 9 teams would be the Premiership Cup Division, with the bottom 9 comprising the Shield Division. <br />
For example, based on 2012, we would have: <br />
<ul>
<li>Premiership Cup Division: Hawthorn, Adelaide, Sydney, Collingwood, West Coast, Geelong, Fremantle, North Melbourne.</li>
<li>Shield Division: St Kilda, Carlton, Essendon, Richmond, Brisbane, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne, Gold Coast, GWS.</li>
</ul>
<b>The Season Schedule (not a FIXture)</b><br />
Team would play each team in their division twice (home and away) making for a 16 game schedule. This would enable teams to play against teams of roughly equal footing (though incidentally, several of the top Shield teams from the above list beat GWS by 90-100 points, and North lost their 2012 elimination final to West Coast by 100 points too, so it wouldn't be perfect). There is 4 games a week in each division with one bye. <br />
<br />
The AFL could introduce additional games, and revenue, via one of the two following methods:<br />
<ul>
<li><u>Two heritage or rivalry rounds</u> - Teams would nominate two teams to play against from another division for historical reasons. In the above example, Essendon could nominate Collingwood and perhaps West Coast or North Melbourne. St Kilda might nominate Collingwood and Geelong as a grand final rematch. Since everyone would want to play Collingwood, the AFL would make these decisions. These games could be played for premiership points since every team gets the same number of games against someone in the other division.</li>
<li><u>A secondary 'knockout' competition </u>- the NAB Cup. Teams play preliminary pre-season games for a 'seeding' in the knockout cup. The knockout cup would take place over four rounds throughout the season. Teams that are already out would get a bye that week. This would enable the AFL to schedule some of these rivalry games across divisions and create a longer season. </li>
</ul>
<b>Finals series 1 - Winning the Shield Division </b><br />
After 16 games, the top four teams would play an elimination finals series over two weeks.<br />
<ul>
<li>Week 1 - 1 v 4, 2 v 3. </li>
<li>Week 2 - Shield Grand Final: The winner plays off for the Shield. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Finals series 2 - Winning the Premiership Cup Division </b><br />
After 16 games, the top six teams would play a final series in the following format:<br />
<ul>
<li>Week 1 - Elimination Finals: 1, 2 get a bye. 3 v 6, 4 v 5. </li>
<li>Week 2 - Semi Finals: 1 v winner of 3 v 6, 2 v winner of 4 v 5</li>
<li>Week 3 - Grand final between winners of semi finals</li>
</ul>
Between the two divisions there are 10 teams involved in finals. From the Premiership Cup Division only the 7th placed team isn't involved in anything (see below for teams 8 & 9). You could have a playoff for 6 (the 'wild card' spot) between 6 and 7<br />
<br />
<b>Promotion/Relegation or Playoffs?</b><br />
The grand finalist of the Shield Division play against teams 8 and 9 from the Premiership Cup Division. 9P v 1S, 8P v 2S. Winners are promoted, losers are relegated (or stay in the Shield Division). These games could be played as preludes to the Premiership Grand Final.<br />
We could also just promote or relegate based on finishing position without the need for games between the two. <br />
<br />
<b>The Draft</b><br />
The draft could still occur as is. Bottom teams from the Shield Division get top picks. Ideally it would be a lottery amongst the bottom five Shield Division teams to make tanking a less desirable option. I would, however, mandate four year contracts for first round picks. This would avoid the temptation for top picks to jump to Premiership Cup Division clubs after just two years. <br />
<br />
<b>The Benefits</b><br />
<ol>
<li>An equitable schedule. Teams play similar teams twice. Removes all confusion about the FIXture. Everyone plays everyone in their division twice (home and away).</li>
<li>Less games for players minimum 16, with maybe a couple more - no more 'rest' listed next to big names and veteran players. No chance of top players playing 26 games (including finals). Teams get two byes a season.</li>
<li>More teams involved in finals. 10 instead of 9. A wild card playoff in the Premiership Division between 6 and 7 would make this 11 teams. </li>
<li>Teams playing against teams of a similar skill level (as noted previously this would never be perfect but it is a start). </li>
</ol>
<b>The Drawbacks (and some responses)</b><br />
<ol>
<li>Missing out on some big drawing games. Using the basics of scheduling and the 2012 example, Essendon, Richmond and Carlton would not have played Collingwood in 2013, meaning all three and the AFL miss out on big crowds. There also would not have been a Showdown in Adelaide or a Battle of the Bridge in Sydney. (This has been addressed via the heritage or knockout cup suggestions.)</li>
<li>Some teams get stuck in a division meaning there is a widening gap between big and small clubs. (But isn't is the case already? When was the last time Melbourne played finals? When was the last time Hawthorn, Geelong, Sydney and Collingwood missed finals? At least if Melbourne managed to play more games against the likes of GWS, Bulldogs & Essendon - who they beat in 2012 - they might be a better chance of playing off for the Shield, even if they didn't get promoted.)</li>
<li>Loss of revenue due to TV rights. Less games means less money. (Hence the suggestion for additional games that don't compromise the overall integrity of the competition). </li>
</ol>
<h2>
<b><i> What do you think? </i></b></h2>
KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-88588407314378322982013-07-08T00:06:00.002-07:002015-07-12T04:36:15.989-07:00Man of Tomorrow<div><i>This was an idea I had for a sequel to Man of Steel... It isn't very good</i>.</div><div><br></div>One year after the Battle of Metropolis, Lois Lane is constantly followed by federal agents, who believe she knows how to contact Superman, making it difficult for her to be seen with him. She has however begun a relationship with new journalist Clarke Kent. Superman sightings have become non-existent in Metropolis but there are consistent reports of him helping in other cities. Despite him initially helping in the rebuild efforts, there is a rising Anti-Superman sentiment. Lex Luthor is elected president
on a campaign where he vows to protect America from future alien
invasion. He claims to be able to control Superman but refuses to reveal
how. <br>
<br>
At the Daily Planet Lois Lane is investigating LexCorp's investments, including a mining operation in Arctic Canada. The operation is close to the site where a kryptonian ship had been hidden twelve months earlier and involves a huge dug out crater at the bottom of a mountain. She is captured when she discovers they are mining the remains of the crashed Kryptonian scout ship. She notices a large Hercules class plane that is co-branded with Wayne Enterprises Logistics and LexCorp Transport. Superman arrives to free her and easily defeats the Army guards. However, the cargo hold of the plane opens to reveal three robots that attack both. After easily defeating two of the machines, Superman is weakened by the third, which has glowing green gauntlets. LexCorp employees, guarded by military personnel, film the encounter. Lois eventually swings a crane into the arm of the machine, damaging the gauntlet. Superman is able to remove its head and in anger throws it towards the north pole. He attempts to use his heat vision to destroy the Hercules but is unable to muster the required energy. Feeling depleted he scoops up Lois and flies back to American soil. <br>
<br>
Upon return to Metropolis, Clarke Kent becomes unwell. Desperate to know more, Lois travels to Gotham City to interview Wayne Enterprises President Lucius Fox. Fox reveals that WE is helping to fund the LexCorp operation as part of a government defense contract but refuses to reveal more, citing the top secret nature of their military contract. When she is escorted out, she is complimented by a younger Wayne employee who says he can tell her more. Eventually he reveals himself to be Bruce Wayne, eccentric billionaire. He shows Lois the camera footage from the Arctic battle and notes that the substance used is alien and can weaken Superman. He offers to help but Lois does not reveal Clarke's secret.<br>
<br>In Metropolis Luther publically releases the footage of Superman fighting the army up north. The footage does not reveal the robots or show Superman weakened. Supported by psychiatrist Professor Milton Fine, he declares Superman an enemy of the state and orders his arrest. Lois is arrested for aiding and abetting a fugitive and transported to a secure facility. Wayne contacts Clarke and meets with him. He reveals that Luthor has obtained an alien crystal from the ruins of the arctic ship. He also admits he knows Clarke is Superman and tells him, "you don't think the glasses are fooling anyone do you?" Clarke neither confirms not denies. Wayne reveals Lois is likely imprisoned in the Navada desert.<div><br></div><div>Luthor interrogates Lois himself. Lois asks Luthor about the substance, which he calls Kryptonite, and confirms he wants Superman to give himself up and join the military. Lois continues to resist Luthor so he calls for 'him.' Telling Lois that Superman has changed things - he has changed what is possible. Luthor calls for Professor Fine to enter. A hooded man enters the room and does not speak. Fine removes his hood, revealing diodes running out of his head. He touches his hand to Lois' head and merges with her brain. Her memories are transferred to the alien and she collapses unconscious. He nods to Luthor and communicates telepathically with him - he knows that Superman will be on his way.</div><div><br></div><div>Superman arrives but cannot break through the facility's walls because they have been laced with Kryptonite. Stuck outside he is surrounded by helicopters, tanks and armoured vehicles. Weakened, he is beaten by military strongmen in Kryptonite enhanced armour. Unwilling to risk killing them Superman does not resist and is taken into custody. The footage is played across the world as Luthor declares the War on Superman over.</div><div><br></div><div>Superman is placed in a cell with Lois. She does not recognise him, despite him trying to jog her memory. Luthor faces Superman himself. He offers him the chance to join the military. Clarke refuses, declaring his loyalty is to the people of earth - not a military ruler. Professor Fine emerges from the darkness and calls him Kal El. He introduces himself as the Brainiac - a being of Krypton who was part of the artificial intelligence in the original scout ship. He tells Clarke he is programmed to ensure the safety of Krypton and that he needs Clarke's help to do so. Luthor begins to get nervous and asks what is happening. Clarke tells him that Braniac means to kill him. Luthor orders the Braniac arrested but the military are unable to restrain him. Brainiac escapes into the desert and heads for Metropolis. Clarke is unable to stand due to the restraints and asks to be freed so he can stop brainiac. Luthor reluctantly agrees and Clarke leaves with Lois.</div><div><br></div><div>He is unable to fly so they begin walking until a Wayne Enterprises jet meets them. The pilot informs them that Mr Fox asked that they be escorted to where ever they want to go. Fox has also supplied a Wayne Tech suit that absorbs the sun's radiation and heats the body. It is black and already has the House of El shield emblazoned on it. </div><div><br></div><div>In Metropolis, Brainiac uses LexCorp construction vehicles to rebuild parts of the city to resemble Krypton. Using his enhanced powers he is able to rebuild skyscrapers as defense towers. </div><div> </div><div>Clarke returns to Metroplois and, with help from Perry White, arranges a national broadcast. He apologises for the destruction of the city a year before and plays a video of Luthor conspiring with Braniac, supplied by Wayne. He calls on Braniac to meet him in the arctic to settle the score.</div><div><br></div><div>Clarke and Braniac battle at the North Pole. The battle rages across the arctic, south towards Canada. Frustrated, Braniac uses projections of his Jor El to convince Clarke to surrender. Clarke eventually resists and weakens Brainiac using a kryptonite laser supplied by Wayne. He uses his ice breath to freeze Braniac. Rather than kill Brainiac, Clarke imprisons him in the remains of the LexCorp crater in Canada, and causes the mountain to avalanche into the crater. Brainiac, and the last remains of the Kryptonite, are buried within. Superman rips the black suit from his body, revealling his usual blue costume beneath. Still weakened by his exposure to the Kryptonite Superman submits to the Canadian military, acknowledging that in order to help others he needs to play by their rules. </div><div><br></div><div>Clarke Kent returns to work for the daily planet, on the day Luthor is impeached, and is called into Perry White's office. He sends him on assignment to Central City where rumours are circulating that another 'superhero', dubbed The Flash, has been fighting crime. Before leaving he visit Lois in hospital and promises to do whatever he can to restore her memory. </div><div><br></div><div>Sometime later, beneath the collapsed mountain, the remains of Brainiac melt and are fused with the corpse of a nearby kryptonian solider. The corpse begins to mutate. It's eyes glow red as the creature is reanimated amongst the rubble. Doomsday is born.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>
<br>
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<br></div>KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-26897440628445393042013-04-30T04:25:00.002-07:002013-04-30T22:01:21.304-07:00Brightest Day or Blackest Night?I am conflicted.<br />
<br />
But first, thank you for reading my
blogs throughout the campaign. Your support been appreciated. From the
first blog in June until now I had triple the amount of views. The last
blog in February had more than 1500 views. Your messages of support
helped me, and my colleagues, through the campaign.<br />
<br />
And here we are.<br />
<br />
Conflicted.<br />
<br />
In
each blog I was clear - this was never about the money. I said so to
motivate my colleagues, to educate the lay person on why we had to fight
for a better deal, and on why we inconvenienced parents and students
for three-and-a-half days. I meant every single word. More money would
be nice. But I saw this as an opportunity to advance our profession. Our
log of claims had more provisions that would improve our conditions
than it did details about money. I had hope we could take a stand and
push teaching well into the 21st Century. That's why I call it a
profession - it is more than a mere job or career. It is a calling. It
is a noble occupation - one of service and one critical to our
development as a society. The best of us are amongst the kindest, more
generous and selfless people in the country. We deserve to be treated as
such and be able to work in conditions that allow us to excel at our
profession. <br />
<br />
My expectations have not changed at all.
That is why I am conflicted. My government and my union do not share my expectations.<br />
<br />
The government is only concerned
with where they can save money. That's why they gutted the regional
offices, cut VCAL funding and look to put up performance pay and make it
available to only a fixed amount of staff - regardless of overall
school performance. (Allow me to digress for a moment - performance
standards should be maintained, enforced and developed. Hell perhaps
there should be bonuses. But this is not what the government suggested,
nor did they put up for a model for what the performance standards would
look like. It was dollars and cents - nothing else.) The government has
shown no interest in our welfare or creating conditions that would
allow us to educate every single kid. Instead we will remain overworked
and under resourced. Quite simply - this government does not care about
our students or the people we entrust them too everyday. School
improvement does not fit the election cycle, nor is it sexy for the TV.<br />
<br />
Sadly
my union is no better. The campaign was flawed from the start and
treated the public like idiots. Instead of promoting our conditions they
focused solely on the "best paid in the country" election promise.
Politicians lie - especially when seeking re-election. Highlighting this
does not court the public's sympathy or support. And it sets us up for
failure. When you publicly campaign on the prospect of increased wages
you better deliver. The proposed agreement does not give us 30% over
three years. It does not give us all 12% over three years either (our
revised offer). The figures quoted by the union include the automatic
2.75% from the previous agreement (for not having a new agreement by
January 1, 2012). It include the $1000 sign-on bonus. Which is great - I
lost just under $900 in pay for striking. At my current pay level I'll
end up with around 10% more by 2016. Which I will take.<br />
<br />
What
I won't take is the conditions. Class sizes are the same (we wanted
them lower). Face-to-face hours are the same (we should have wanted them
lower). There have been changes to the excess rules which will save the
government money because more expensive, experienced teachers will not
be able to transfer to another school if their school downsizes or
closes. This is great news for the thousand graduates looking for a job.
Not so great for the hundreds who have been displaced already. There
have been no changes to the situation with contracts. This was a central
part of our campaign (as it was in 2004 and 2008) and we have made no
progress. Monitoring contracts does not mean a thing - they are
monitored now. Maintaining the status quo is fine if you're satisfied
with the status quo. And here in lies the problem. <br />
<br />
The
worst part if the agreement has (as it was in 2008) been presented to
the public as a win. From this there is no turning back. It was released
to members, finally, on Friday afternoon. Confusingly the government
also called it a win and quoted different figures! The public's patience
has been stretched by our strikes, the government's stubbornness and
the fact that a lot of people don't rate what we do.<br />
<br />
Here
is the conflict. We vote NO and reject a pretty shitty deal and we
probably spend another year negotiating. The government does not want to give us more money - which is why they have not in the proposed deal. The public will not support us
through more strikes and don't even notice the other bans we had in
place with the exception of reports. The 38 hour week? My school
cancelled exactly one event - and it was one that teachers barely
attended anyway. Teachers don't like to do things that disadvantage
students. Our hearts are just too big. And that's why the campaign is
over. <br />
<br />
If we vote YES we accept the deal and the
conditions. This is great if you're fine with how things are now. It is
basically the same. We have made no progress and, to be honest, the
union is not interested in this either. I doubt most teachers are
interested in it. But they should be. We allowed them to run a campaign
about the pay, and allowed factions to debate the place of entertainment
in our rallies. It is time we expect more of ourselves and our
officials. <br />
<br />
The answer then lies with the teachers. If
you want to be treated like a professional you need to act like one and
we, as a profession, need start holding each other to a higher standard.
Most importantly we need to hold our government and our union to that
standard. If we want progress then it will come from us. We deserve to
be paid and treated as if we are being entrusted to enrich and develop the next
generation. We must work to convince others, including our union
leaders, that this is what we want. <br />
<br />
But not this battle. This campaign is done. We have a government and union that are only interested in dollars and cents.<br />
<br />
I am conflicted on how I will vote for this agreement. I don't see the point in voting NO, but barely agree with the YES.<br />
<br />
I am clear about what I expect from my government and my union. When the time comes I will vote accordingly on both. <br />
<br />
We are a great profession. We need to remind them of it.<br />
<br />
I want this profession to move forward. And I will continue to fight for conditions that are better for our children. <br />
<br />
Do
me a favour. This week write to a teacher (current or former). You can
find them on facebook no doubt. Express your gratitude. Their union and
our government has kicked them - pick them up again. Trust me, we rarely get
acknowledged for what we do. If you know someone who deserves send them
a quick note. <br />
<br />
"People should not be afraid of their governments - Governments should be afraid of their people."<br />
Thank you for your support. KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-67191386558330397322013-04-29T04:34:00.001-07:002013-04-30T03:27:23.997-07:00The best, worst & strange comic book movies10 that worked -<br />
In order to work they need to both represent the source material fairly and still make the most of the cinematic medium. Ideally a comic book movie will be worthy of a simple title- film. The following films had great directors, Oscar worthy casts, a solid script and an immersive experience that makes the audience believe in heroes. They might be fun but never disrespect the source material or comic book fans. <br />
<br />
10. X Men First Class<br />
9. Batman 89<br />
8. X men 2<br />
7. Kick Ass<br />
6. Hell Boy<br />
5. Superman II<br />
4. Spider-Man 2<br />
3. Iron man<br />
2. Avengers<br />
1. The dark knight trilogy<br />
<i>UPDATE: After suggestions on Facebook I need to include The Crow and Blade (actually I rate Blade 2 higher than the first one). These two made comic book movies 'adult' again after the last couple of Batman films pushed them too far into being camp and <strike>kid</strike> toy friendly. Just outside the top 10 include: Thor, X-Men, Spider-Man, Hell Boy and the awesome (but far different to the source comic) V For Vendetta. </i> <br />
<br />
10 that didn't -<br />
Comic book movies that don't work usually have some of the follow characteristics: too many crap villains, a dull plot, uninspired dialogue and usually at least one really strange and misplaced sequence. The featured hero usually strays in a weird way from the source material too. The top one here has them all.<br />
10. Spider-Man 3<br />
9. Wolverine<br />
8. Fantastic Four 2<br />
7. Daredevil<br />
6. Elektra<br />
5. Hulk (ang lee)<br />
4. Catwoman<br />
3. Green lantern<br />
2. Batman & Robin<br />
1. Superman IV<br />
<i>UPDATE: How could I forget SuperGirl? The first Fantastic Four isn't great either but the second one is worse. Ditto Superman 3 - the next one was just dull and a far worse film. Others that would come outside the top 10 include Amazing Spider-Man, Blade Trinity, Jonah Hex, and Judge Dredd (Stallone version), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III. </i><br />
<i> </i><br />
10 weird ones that could go either way -<br />
Sometimes a producer deserves credit for trying. Sometimes the source material itself is really tough to fit into a film. 10-6 here gave it a good cracked but were plagued by shitty effects, a pointless plot (ahem 9 & 8), or something just not feeling right. I actually like 1-5. They're pretty bold in their approach but for different reasons didn't quite click with audiences. <br />
10. The Shadow<br />
9. Dredd (2012) <br />
8. Superman Returns<br />
7. Ghost Rider<br />
6. Flash<br />
5. Batman Returns<br />
4. Incredible Hulk<br />
3. Punisher<br />
2. Sin City<br />
1. Watchmen<br />
<i>UPDATE: A few that fit here (good films that were a bit weird or tried too hard and didn't find an audience): The Phantom, Swamp Thing, TNMT (animated film), Spawn, 300, Captain America: First Avenger. </i>KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-91194393047558809222013-04-10T05:08:00.003-07:002013-04-10T05:08:42.399-07:00The importance of friendship at workIn the last episode of The Office (UK) Tim turns to the camera and says this:<br />
<br />
"The people you work with are people you were just thrown together with. I mean, you don't know them, it wasn't your choice. And yet you spend more time with them than you do your friends or your family. But probably all you have in common is the fact that you walk around on the same bit of carpet for eight hours a day."<br />
<br />
Tim of course runs out into the night to chase the one colleague he could stand walking around on the same bit of carpet with. They make out. It's lovely. The audience had been waiting three years for it to happen.<br />
<br />
It is easy to be cynical about the nature of work relationships. Tim is right. Most of our week is spent with people we are just thrown together with. But we don't need to limit ourselves to this lonely and soulless reality. Some of the best moments I've had in my professional life have come from working with people I care about. I've been blessed to meet people I've come to call friends - who I've shared wedding days with, the births of our children, engagements, new houses, new pets, renovations and birthdays. There have been sad times too - funerals, changing jobs, break ups and bust ups. These triumphs and tragedies, unite us, bind us and bring us together. It gives us something share beyond carpet and work. And it's really important we make the effort to know our colleagues.<br />
<br />
In The Happiness Advantage, Shawn Achor lists social investment as one of the seven principles that fuels success at work. Achor explains that in times of stress and difficulty at work most people tend to shy away and spend more time 'on work' (even when at home) than they do with people. Research shows that successful people, and by extension organisations, actually strengthen their connection with people during times of high stress. They still take time to laugh and swap stories, to share coffee and have lunch. People who work together on a problem are more likely to solve that problem. Social investment, even just stopping in the hallway and asking someone how they are, is a positive interaction that sparks a moment of happiness. The more of these moments we share, the stronger our social connection and the better we can perform our work.<br />
<br />
In each of the places I have worked I have sought to do this. I am not by nature an extrovert. But I like people and I like learning. I really like people who like learning which is a major reason why I've made friends with teachers. Our job is incredibly demanding and rarely acknowledged (at least by government). The friendships I have formed have sustained me through some tough times. Like any profession it is full of politics, pressure to perform and strange traditions. My relationships with the people I work with make it all bearable. <br />
<br />
When I was disappointed at not being promoted it was the people around me who pulled me through. They encouraged me, dissected it with me, drank with me. One told me to stop moping and realise the opportunity for what it was - a step forward. <br />
<br />
The good times are just as important. At work we celebrate birthdays with a morning tea or lunch. One person's special day is everyone's chance to catch up and descend on the staff room. A few years ago, having made the decision to work the day before my wedding, I arrived to find my desk "wedding bombed". I was still picking glitter out of books eight months later. It will be one of my enduring memories of the place - even as I forget the kids, VCE score and curriculum documents. My recent blog on the trivia team was a collection of colleagues who got together in the middle of school holidays. I've stopped counting all the Strathmore and Rosehill aunts/uncles who have visited my new born. <br />
<br />
It is easy to be cynical. It is really hard to be open and honest with our colleagues. But it is worth it. I, for one, can't imagine working in a place where all I shared with people is the carpet. I've managed to achieve a lot in a relatively short amount of time. I know I could not have done any of it without my friends.<br />
<br />
Especially the one I ended up chasing, making out with, marrying and having a daughter with. She's one of a kind.<br />
<br />
Tim knows what I mean.<br />
KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-58113825922362418642013-04-05T17:58:00.001-07:002013-04-05T17:59:40.588-07:00Part 3 - Reimagining the Star Wars Prequels The last installment is here.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">You can read part one here: <a href="http://daprano.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/reimagining-star-wars-prequels.html" target="_blank">http://daprano.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/reimagining-star-wars-prequels.html</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">And part two here: <a href="http://daprano.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/reimagining-star-wars-prequels-part-2.html" target="_blank">http://daprano.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/reimagining-star-wars-prequels-part-2.html </a></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">By the third episode the differences between Obi Wan and Anakin are pronounced. Anakin's lust for power an glory means he ignores the Jedi code in favour of methods that guarantee victory. Obi Wan however continues to follow the code and behave honourably, even as his friend begins to pull away from him. Naturally they must face each other, though I've changed the context from the original Episode 3. Lucas put darth vader's physical state firmly on the shoulders of Obi Wan. My version is a little different. I think Obi wan has seen vader's mask before they cross paths in episode 4 so I've addressed that here. I also thought it was important to address why Obi Wan lies to Luke, so I've tried to do something about that. </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">I've also added to the Emporer's character in a way that is more fitting to the vibe of the original trilogy. The Empire always gave the appearance they were an entirely human army led by a charismatic dictator. This vibe was lost in the prequels as Palpatine's was surrounded by more colorful advisors. </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
There's a neat sequence that provides some nice context to the Bobba Fett-Vader relationship too. I just thought it would be good to establish that prior to Empire Strikes Back. There's also Wookies, Tarkin and we end in a similar place to Lucas' own episode 3. Why? Cuz I actually didn't mind that part of it.<br />
<br />
Let me know what you think.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">EPISODE
3: REVENGE OF THE SITH</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Over the ocean planet Mon Calamari, a star
destroyer pursues a Corellian cruiser firing on it to slow it down. Fighters
are deployed from underneath to engage the clone fighters. After a skirmish the
star destroyer is successful in slowing the cruiser. Using their tractor beam
them capture the craft and board. Anakin Skywalker leads the storm troopers in
and captures the clone captain. When the captain refuses to cooperate, he uses
the force to choke him into revealing the clone facility on the planet below.
He reports this information to Admiral Tarkin who commences bombing of the
planet. The two communicate the success of their mission to Emperor Palpatine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">With the Clone Army fighting for survival,
the Republic begins to reorganize to ensure their survival in a prolonged
battle. Palpatine grants himself emergency powers to give specific orders to
the military. Padme meets with Bail and Mon Motha to discuss these developments
and agree to present their concerns to Master Yoda. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Anakin returns home with Tarkin and meets
with Padme. The two have continued their affair in private and she is pregnant
with twins. They discuss the new order and Anakin admits he is pleased Palpatine
is seeking to end the war quickly. Padme worries about the direction and admits
to wanting an audience with Yoda. Anakin dismisses her fears as he as fallen
out with the Jedi over his relationship with Palpatine. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Obi Wan finds Anakin training with Boba
Fett. Obi Wan wants a report on Anakin’s mission, which he delivers flippantly.
Noticing the change in his demeanor, Obi Wan senses his fear and asks what is
wrong. He rudely dismisses Fett from the room. Anakin admits to having visions
of Padme’s death. Obi Wan warns him of fear, and encourages him to meditate and
find his balance again. He suggests they retreat together away from the war, a
suggestion Anakin resents. He complains that the council would not recongise
the rank Palpatine has bestowed on him and accuses Yoda of playing favourites. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Palpatine summons Obi Wan to his quarters.
There he offers Obi Wan the chance to replace Yoda as head of the order. Not
willing to betray his master, he declines but realizes Palpatine attempts to
use the Jedi Mind trick. Palpatine flatters Obi Wan and offers to train him so
that he can stand by his side in bringing justice back to the galaxy. Palpatine
orders him to track down Grevious to prove his loyalty. Obi Wan appears to
accept though has been alerted to Palpatine’s use of the force. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Before his departure Obi Wan meets with
Yoda and Padme. He admits to them his suspicions that Palpatine is strong in
the darkside of the force. Padme tells them she has been meeting with Organa
and Motha about the possibility of defeating Palpatine once victory over the
clones is assured. Yoda explains that the future is cloudy and no Jedi has been
able to see it clearly for sometime. Motha unveils the results of her own
research<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- each of the planets that have
had a clone facility homes a non-human race. Each had won a defense contact,
which had later been proven to clone factory, approved by Palpatine. Palpatine’s
xenophobia has seen him attack only planets with alien races. Sensing a
conspiracy, Obi Wan promises to bring back Grevious alive. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Anakin finds out Obi Wan has been given the
mission and confronts Yoda. Angry that he has again been over looked he quits
the order. He goes to Palpatine who tells him that the Jedi do not see him as
someone capable of wielding unlimited power. He tells him that Obi Wan is
considered the successor to Yoda’s title and that he knows they plan to control
the republic for themselves. Jealous, Anakin pledges his allegiance to the
Emperor and swears to protect his legacy. Palpatine offers to complete his
training and show him things the Jedi would not.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Anakin sends Boba to kill Grevious, telling
him to stop Obi Wan if he interferes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Obi Wan finds Gervious and after a chase
through the caves is able to corner him. Grevious reveals his lightsaber and
admits to having undergone Sith training. The two duel and Obi Wan forces
Grevious to submit. As he loads him into his ship, Fett appears and uses a
disintegrating gun to assassinate Grevious. Obi Wan chases him but Fett
escapes. Furious, Obi Wan returns to Courscant to confront Anakin.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Anakin announces the defeat of Grevious.
Padme is elated that Obi Wan is victorious but Anakin shoots this notion down,
explaining that he had Grevious assassinated. He dismisses her optimism that
Motha will now take over calling her a traitor. Angry at her weakness he force
chokes her, before releasing her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The alliance attempt to force a vote
against Palpatine though he is undaunted by the rebellion. Palpatine wins when
other senators refuse to vote against him. He declares there is a Jedi plot to
over throw him and orders the arrest of master Yoda. He introduces his new
commander, Darth Vader, who emerges dressed in a mask and black cloak. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">While this is happening, assassins attempt
to kills the leaders of the alliance and a number of Jedi masters. They are
successful in killing most of them, though Mace Windu and Yoda evade capture.
Obi Wan manages to arrive back and protect Organa and Motha- who agree to leave
the planet with Yoda. Windu decides to confront the Sith Lords to aid their
escape. Vader himself kills Windu after a battle in which Vader is badly burned.
He requires extensive robotic surgery that Palpatine organizes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Having successfully declared himself
Emperor and defeated his local enemies, Palpatine decides to end the clone wars.
He gives Vader and Tarkin the location of the final cloning facility- a planet
known as Kyysshk. From their new base on Dantooee, the Organa and Motha realize
Kayysshk has also received a defense factory and, antipating The Emporer's move, they
send Obi Wan and a rogue squadron of fighters to Kyyyssshk to confront Vader
and restore the Jedi name.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The wookies, who realise the threat posed
by the invading storm troopers, attempt to defend their home planet. The Empire
unleashes their walkers who attack the wookies while Tarkin’s star destroyers
bomb the cloning facility. The Rogue Squadron engage the star destroyers with
limited success.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Inside the facility Vader faces Obi Wan who, despite Vader's face </span>being completely hidden by a mask and helmet, recognises him as Anakin. Obi Wan attempts to reason with his friend but
realises he is overcome with fear and hate. Vader dismisses Obi Wan for trying
to soften him and taunts him for being afraid of solitude and power – a result
of being abandoned as a child. He offers Obi Wan the chance to join him on the
darkside. Obi retorts that his friend is dead so he is alone anyway – he will
not succumb to temptation. Realizing Obi Wan will not join him Vader attacks Obi
Wan. During the battle Obi Wan is successful in injuring Vader. Vader attempts
to use his force lightning but is unable to do so, his physical humanity having
been replaced by wires and gears. Obi Wan seizes the opportunity to remove the
last of Vader’s human legs. Standing over Vader, Obi Wan admits he has been
afraid. He knew Anakin was turning to the dark side but couldn’t confront him. He
apologizes since Anakin’s failure to find balance in the force means he failed
as a teacher and friend.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Having defeated the Rogue Squadron, Tarkin
continues to bomb the facility and villages so Obi Wan escapes, leaving Vader
behind. Vader recovers and is rescued by Storm troopers. The Empire wins and enslaves
the wookies. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">On small cruiser the principle members of
the rebel alliance meet. Padme’s wounds are fatal but she asks if Anakin
survived Vader’s assault. Obi Wan replies that Vader murdered Anakin. Yoda’s
gaze indicates he knows this is not the truth but he nods his approval. Padme
clings to life as she gives birth to twins but soon dies. They mourn Padme and
Anakin. Organa agrees to take the girl of the two twins. Yoda and Obi Wan agree
to watch over the male and both go into hiding in separate locations. Motha
returns to Courscant to monitor the Emperor. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Emperor, a repaired and upgraded Vader and Admiral Tarkin over look the
construction of their new space station- the death star.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Obi Wan delivers the child to his childhood
planet of Tatooee and watches as Owen and Beau Lars take the boy inside. He
dons a brown cloak and retreats into the mountains as the twin suns set.</span></div>
KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-63705562117618450672013-04-04T16:42:00.003-07:002013-04-04T17:14:25.280-07:00April 4 - The Tale of the Lucky 13The frustration had been growing. Too many Thursday nights, in the heat and the cold, had ended in defeat. There had been consolation prizes of course - the odd jug of beer, a Jesus Disco Lamp - but nothing that could be considered victory. There were moral victories - the night just three showed up only to lose by the smallest of margins was one moment that is still spoken of with pride. There were 'could have beens' - the failure to recognize 'Complicated' as Avril Lavigne's first single, or forgetting the name of the dog in the Brady Bunch, being talked into naming Suzie Quattro as the voice of 'I Love Rock & Roll'. Such is the life of a trivia team. To compete is to court disappointment and, yes, a difficult life of regret and shame. <br />
<br />
So a plan was formed. A plan that would bring glory to each of them. A plan that would end the frustration. A plan so audacious that Danny Ocean himself would walk away without taking a cent. An all in, all star assault on the Lord Newry Hotel's monthly trivia crown. For once invites would be sent two weeks before to rally the troops. The rally cry was simple - Help us win. No exclamation mark, nor all caps, were required. And rally they did. Three returned to the team from time away. New faces joined. The torch bearers, who had more than their fair share of disappointment, all arrived. The Lucky 13, as they were to be known, had assembled.<br />
<br />
There was nervous laughter as the host began his opening monologue. Would they be victorious? Did they have all the major knowledge categories covered? There were an awful lot of humanities teachers of course. The first question threw seeds of doubt upon their fragile alliance. Where the hell was Fanny Bay? There was much head scratching, biting of lips and gnawing of teeth. And then the power of the 13 became realized. One of the new comers had been there! With much prompting they recalled the trip and low and behold the state was realized! One point to the Lucky 13!<br />
<br />
Their relationships would be tested. There was furious debate as to which hit was Lady Gaga's first single. One declared that this was "Sk8r Boi all over again." No phones were used and the answer was selected. It was wrong but it would not matter. The first round would be won by a solitary point. A jug of beer was the prize and they celebrated clearing this initial hurdle (much like you will celebrate when I stop using cliches and mixing metaphors). The subsequent music round played to the groups strengths with 17/18 scored and another round win. The final round was flawless. Each team member contributed. <br />
<br />
And they were made to wait. The ShitHouse Showcase was played before they announced the winner! The tension built. Men headed for the bathroom while women stared stone faced at the host. Finally, after an exhaustive wait (at least as long as it takes for an AFL goal review), the Lucky 13 knew the result.<br />
<br />
They had won. Finally they were victorious. Two years of frustration and moral victories ended. They now held the title of Monthly Trivia Champions. Thirteen unique minds who bound together to defeat more than 80 others. It was glorious. They celebrated together before heading separately into the night.<br />
<br />
Until next month when they will defend their crown. As David Bowie would say: they are heroes, just for one day.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>(You were expecting the final part of the Star Wars remake? Come back over the weekend. You won't be disappointed.)</i>KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-7500528120633942432013-04-03T23:01:00.000-07:002013-04-03T23:01:34.350-07:00Reimagining the Star Wars prequels - Part 2If you haven't read yesterday's blog which featured the rationale for remaking the prequels and the first episode then you can do so here: <a href="http://daprano.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/reimagining-star-wars-prequels.html">http://daprano.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/reimagining-star-wars-prequels.html</a><br />
<br />
Having used the first episode to both establish the relationship between Anakin and Obi Wan, and show off Anakin's piloting abilities, it is time to show their differences.<br />
<br />
At the end of my Episode 1, Anakin and Obi Wan are victorious. They worked together to save the day. Of course, it was Anakin who saved Obi Wan but he was unable to defeat Darth Maul who managed to escape. Publically at least they are seen as equals. However Obi Wan is promoted ahead of Anakin, a move Anakin mocks. In this Episode the goal is to show why Anakin is tempted to choose a different path to Obi Wan. The audience is left to decide which of the two has behaved heroically.<br />
<br />
For sub-plots there is the growing relationship between Padme and Anakin, the partnership between Obi Wan and Bail Organa (which Leia hints at in A New Hope) as well as the first appearances of General Grevious and the Fetts. I always liked in Empire Strikes Back that Bobba and Vader seemed familiar with each other. Some seeds for this are planted in this episode.<br />
<br />
The goal with these remakes is to position the characters better for the original trilogy. <br />
<br />
Let me know what you think!<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">EPISODE
2: THE EMPIRE RISES</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">A Jedi shuttles descends to a desert planet
Geonosis and lands behind a hill. Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi emerge
wearing Jedi military attire. Anakin comments on Obi Wan’s new rank of general
as they move into a position to observe the installation below. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Below them is a massive plant. Complete
with smoke stacks, the industrial complex is used to produce clones. Obi Wan
radios to their in-orbit command ship that they will move in. The two reach an
air duct that will allow them to enter. Inside they are able to observe and
photograph the production line that incubates clones so they are born quicker.
Anakin comments on the implications of this discovery – the clones will out
number the inexperienced Republic army before long. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">They are detected by droids and forced from
their hiding place. Surrounded, they are able to use their force powers (speed,
jump and push) to escape. They agree to split up to make and rendezvous at
their shuttle. Anakin runs into a dead end and is surrounded by warrior
Geonosisians. He takes out his light sabre and attacks them- dismembering all
so that he is able to escape into a hatch. Obi Wan is able to use his force
skills to mind tricks to leave via a side door. The two reunite outside and
head for their shuttle though Obi Wan falls into a pit. With droids and
warriors approaching, Anakin is able to force-lift Obi Wan out of trouble and
uses his force-push to knock away the approaching droids. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Following a chase the two Jedi return to
their shuttle to meet the approaching lander. From the lander giant Walkers
emerge to approach the complex. Obi Wan and Anakin watch from afar as the
Walkers fire on and destroy the complex.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Upon their return to Coruscant they debrief
with their Commander Mace Windu. Both make light of their brushes with trouble
and report the success of the mission. Yoda enters and warns the two that they
must remain mindful of the bigger threat- the two Sith lords who have not been
seen for sometime. Anakin boasts that they would be no match for Obi Wan and
himself, which Yoda does not find amusing so he mocks Anakin’s overconfidence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In the Senate, the senator for Mustafar
admonishes the decision to attack his allied system – Geonosis. Palpatine
argues that anyone who aids the clones is no friend of the Republic. With an
election looming his speech has taken on a strong nationalist rhetoric. Padme
and Organa exchange worrying glances, as the Mustafar senator is silence by the
cheering senators who support Palpatine’s campaign to be elected High
Chancellor. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Later, Padme meets with Anakin and Obi Wan
to catch up. While they discuss the political climate, something Anakin has
little interest in, the sky turns dark. Sensing a disturbance in the force, the
two Jedi take Padme to the Jedi temple and realize Pirate Clone ships have
filled the sky. The Senate reconvenes. The Jedi plan a strategy as the Senate
prepares an evacuation. It is decided to have Jedi accompany the Senators in
their escape. Anakin accompanies Padme, and Obi Wan accompanies Organa. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Padme and Anakin use Anakin’s star fighter
to escape the new blockade and escape to Naboo. Obi Wan and Bail head to
Dantooee on a commercial ship. Palpatine refuses Windu’s offer to go and
pledges to remain until there is nothing of Coruscant left. With a depleted
reserve, and the majority of Jedi Knights elsewhere, the capital falls quickly
and Palpatine goes into hiding. General Grevious, a part cyborg/alien who leads
the attack, declares victory for the pirate army as they occupy the capital.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Meanwhile on Naboo, Anakin and Padme find a
safe house. Padme admits her attraction to him, but Anakin is unable to
reciprocate due to his Jedi Oath – whci forbids the indulgence of intense
emotions including passion. An assassin eventually finds them and attempts to
kill both. Anakin is able to defeat them easily though not without sustaining
damage to his leg. While nursing him, Padme seduces him and Anakin willingly
accepts. Knowing that they are not safe, Padme decides they must leave, as she
won’t risk damage to Naboo.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">At the same time Bail and Obi Wan find
themselves disguised as pirates on Dantooee. Unable to remain incapacitated the
two agree to see what they can find out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They eventually find themselves recruited into a mission with a weapons
expert known as Jango Fett. They journey to Yavin 4 and attend a pirate
meeting. They are astonished to find a battalion of pirate clones ready for
battle. There they also see plans for a facility that Jango confesses will “win
the war.” The Death Star is a space station that, when built, will destroy all.
Organa doubts the pirates will be able to secure the funds to build such a
station but Obi Wan senses a dark presence nearby. Obi Wan recognizes Darth
Maul and begins to follow him but he evades him. Deciding to return to
Coruscant, the two confront Jango with their true identities and arrest him.
They commandeer his ship, The Slave, and head back home. They allow his son
Bobba to accompany them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">On the outskirts of the system the two
parties meet with senator Mon Motha and Yoda. They receive a message from
Palpatine who asks for reinforcements. Motha has gathered the remnants of the
Republic fleet to take back the capital but has been unable to contact
Palpatine on the surface. Anakin suggests a full assault on Grevious to bring
down the army once and for all. They eventually agree on a more elusive
strategy that should force them from the planet and allow Motha to restore
government. Privately, Obi Wan tells Yoda of Maul and the Death Star.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">They use The Slave to approach the system.
Obi Wan notices the closeness between Anakin and Padme but says nothing. The
plan works and they are able to land. Making their way through the Jedi Temple
they find Sidious, Maul and Grevious. Sidious flees but Maul uses his force
powers to bring the roof down, while Grevious throws grenades. Padme and Motha
are injured, while Obi Wan is able to save Organa. Fett is killed when he
attempts to follow the Sith lords. Anakin gives chase to Maul, Obi Wan tracks
down Sidious and Organa tends to the injured women. Bobba and Yoda emerge from
the rubble, though head in different directions. Obi wan is unable to locate
Sideous but finds Palpatine imprisoned and frees him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Finally, Anakin confronts Maul. They battle
furiously with Anakin the aggressor. He succeeds in relieving Maul of his double-edged
lightsaber, though Maul reveals a second spare one. Maul manages to cut off
Anakin’s hand leaving him defenseless and in agony. Maul offers Anakin mercy –
if he will join him on the darkside. Anakin, enraged by Maul’s renewed taunts,
unleashes a stream of white lighting from his good hand towards his enemy. Maul
is knocked from the platform and falls into the electrical station below. Staring
at his smokey hand he realizes he has avenged his parents and collapses to the ground
in tears cradling his injured arm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Clone troopers find the weakened Anakin and
attack him. Anakin is able to hold them off, using Maul’s second lightsaber, but finds
himself cornered. When he nudges them away using the force, Bobba appears and
distracts the clones. Anakin beheads them. He gives a knowing wink to the young
boy as they leave the area.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Palpatine uses Anakin’s exploits and “promotes”
him to Jedi Master. Anakin, a hero of the battle, stands at the side of
Palpatine as he wins the election when Mon Motha concedes defeat. He describes
the republic as an unbreakable empire that will now crush the clone menace. Yoda,
Obi Wan and Mace exchanged concerned looks as Padme looks into Anakin’s eyes
across the great hall.</span></div>
KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-72340719381174657422013-04-03T01:31:00.000-07:002013-04-03T01:31:20.880-07:00Reimagining the Star Wars prequels I don't usually write fan fiction. The very phrase carries with it a plethora of connotations - most of them involving <a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_19992_5-fan-fiction-sex-scenes-you-wont-believe-exist.html" target="_blank">weird sex</a> (think very carefully before you click that link).<br />
<br />
But after watching <a href="http://redlettermedia.com/plinkett/star-wars/" target="_blank">Red Letter Media's Plickett reviews</a> of the Star Wars prequels I did jot down some ideas. (If you haven't seen the reviews set aside a couple of hours and click on that link. It is worth it.)<br />
<br />
So I had a little crack at rewriting the prequels based around the following problems:<br />
<ul>
<li>There is no protagonist in The Phantom Menace. </li>
<li>There is no likeable protagonist in any of the films. Obi Wan just does dumb things that he learned from his dumb master. </li>
<li>Having C3-PO and R2-D2 around causes more plot headaches than it is worth. </li>
<li>Jar Jar Binks exists. </li>
<li>There is actually little action and lots of talking about trade federations and blockades and midichroleans. This stuff, coupled with some really dull characters and directing choices, makes the movies boring.</li>
</ul>
What had me most excited about the prequels were some of the insights we received from Obi Wan in the original film (A New Hope). This was all we had about the time before Luke found the droids. He spoke of nobility when discussing the Jedi and provided two important pieces of information about Anakin Skywalker - he was "the best star pilot in the galaxy" and he was "a good friend." Well the prequels as they exist don't show us any of this. Being able to race pods makes him the best pilot? Strange, especially when Obi Wan isn't even present for the whole sequence. For my remake the story centers on Obi Wan and Anakin's friendship - from meeting to disintegration.<br />
<br />
I didn't think too much about it so many of the planets and characters from the available prequels still appear. I've also tried to show that Leia's father (Bail Organa) served with Obi Wan in the Clone Wars <u>since this is the only reason she messages him in the original film anyway</u>. I've kept Darth Maul and Padme (though her character is much more straight forward). What I did axe was some of the characters who appeared far too often (the trade federation, Count Douku) or in roles they were ill suited (Yoda should not wield a lightsaber. Ever.) There's no droids, Jar Jar or Chewbacca. But there are Wookies and some more background on Boba Fett (though not in the episode below). There's no Han Solo but there's pirates. And a clone war that actually appears in the films - not an accompanying animated series. <br />
<br />
What follows is a really rough outline for a remade Episode 1. I'll post the other episodes over the next few days too. Comments and crticisms are more than welcome.<br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">EPISODE
1: THE BALANCE OF THE FORCE</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Above Naboo, a Mon Calamari cruiser is
attacked by a pirates. On board is teenager Anakin Skywalker and his parents.
The pirates face off against the security squad of Senator Palpatine of Naboo. Specifically
the leading pirate wears a black, hooded cloak that hides his face. The pirates
are successful in subduing the bridge and begin to clear the decks, looking for
the senator. While ransacking guest quarters, they are stopped by the
Skywalkers who are killed in front of Anakin. Anakin escapes to the dock and
commandeers one of the pirate star fighters. He attacks the pirate ship is able
to out maneuver their fighters. His piloting appears to be on instinct and he is
successful in disabling the pirate ship. Escape pods manage to get away. The
lead hooded pirate escapes without the senator and watches the space battle
from the outskirts of the battle. As a new starship enters the system from
hyperspace he orders his pilot to leave. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Jedi Knights arrive from hyperspace to arrest
the pirates and find the Senator. After hearing details of Anakin’s exploits,
the two Jedi request a meeting him. Believing Anakin to be strong in the Force
they offer to take him with them to Coruscant. He is skeptical, claiming he was
lucky in attacking the ships, but accepts when Palpatine also offers his
support.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">On Coruscant Anakin is taken to the Jedi
Temple to meet Master Yoda and his pupil, Obi Wan Kenobi. After testing him
with a Jedi Mind Trick, Yoda allows Obi Wan to train him. That night, Anakin is
invited to a reception hosted by Palpatine, which Obi Wan attends as well.
There they meet Padme Amidala, an ambassador from Naboo and Senator Bail Organa
of Alderaan. Organa expresses his concern at the rising number of pirate
attacks on peaceful systems. Palpatine advocates for a stricter response which
the others disagree with. Both Anakin and Obi Wan take a liking to Padme,
though Obi Wan reminds Anakin of the Jedi oath he will take tomorrow.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Before Yoda and Mace Windu, Anakin takes
his Jedi Oath. He begins his training with Obi Wan on an isolated part of one
of Coruscant’s moon. The training comprises of both physical challenges and
mental puzzles. Anakin is successful in anticipating threats, such as rocks
hurled at him by Obi Wan, but struggles to manipulate other objects such as the
entrance to an ancient temple. At night they discuss fear, as Anakin admits his
frustration at not being able to save his parents. Obi Wan reveals that he was
orphaned as a boy. He resented his parents until a Jedi taught him how to find
balance in the force. Anakin hopes he can find this inner peace. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Elsewhere, the planet Kemino comes under
attack from a pirate army. It is unusual for pirates to attack an entire
planet. Obi Wan is sent to investigate and takes Anakin with him. A pirate army
blockades the planet. Obi Wan is unable to sense their thoughts. Knowing of
Anakin’s exploits above Naboo he entrusts the piloting to Anakin to is able to
breach the blockade and evade the enemy fighters. Landing on Kemino, they make
their way to the capital with Anakin flying through the difficult terrain and
avoiding ground-to-air cannons. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Upon reaching the parliament they realize
why they could not sense their thoughts- the pirate army is made up entirely of
clones. They appear to be under the command of the hooded pirate whom Anakin
identifies, and Obi Wan realizes (from the insignias on his tunic), is a Sith
Lord. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">They retreat to contact Yoda and Palpatine.
Palpatine sends Padme to negotiate but she is captured upon entry into the
system. Obi Wan and Anakin see this from their hidden ship and re enter the
capital to save her.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Meanwhile on Coruscant the clone army
arrives and blockades the planet. A second Sith Lord, identifying himself as Darth
Sideous, attacks the High Chancellor and assassinates him. Mace Windu arrives
with the Royal Guard and the army retreats. Under attack from Republic Navy reserves, the Clones
retreat from the system.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">On Kemino the Jedi are successful in
freeing Padme and rescuing the Prime Minister. The reserve navy arrives and
engages the clones in battle. The clone army promptly retreat. As they try to
escape, the hooded pirate reveals himself. Darth Maul confronts the Jedi and
Padme. Obi Wan attempts to hold them off and draws Maul into another room. Maul
destroys the door control before defeating Obi Wan with his double edge light
sabre. Obi Wan is injured and left unconscious. Frustrated and sensing Obi
Wan’s pain Anakin angrily uses the force to open the door. Anakin picks up Obi
Wan’s light sabre and attacks Maul fighting him to a stale mate. Maul taunts
Anakin telling him that his parents died because they were weak and that true
power comes from true hate. He uses the force to block Anakin’s path and fires
a lightning bolt towards Anakin. Anakin anticipates the attack and the bolt
misses though Maul escapes. He reunites with Padme as Obi Wan regains
consciousness and the arriving Jedi rescue them.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Having returned to Coruscant, the two Jedi
are awarded honours by Organa and Palpatine for saving Padme. Anakin smiles,
pleased with the recognition, while Obi Wan remains stoned faced and neutral, his emotions balanced in the force. </span></div>
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<br />
KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-39456413055631517142013-04-01T22:10:00.000-07:002013-04-01T22:10:27.999-07:00School Leadership and Kennett's eight year theoryJeff Kennett's <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/clarkson-should-leave-says-kennett-20130401-2h33r.html" target="_blank">recent declaration</a> that Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson should "be sacked or resign" at the end of the year has caused significant discussion in footy mad Melbourne. Is failing to beat Geelong since winning the 2008 AFL Premiership against said team justification for dismissal? Kennett claims the side has underachieved by winning only one Premiership from two grand final appearances since 2004. The merits of this are debatable but I'm interested in Kennett's theory on leadership. <br />
<br />
Kennett's stance is that after years of hearing Clarkson's voice the players become numb to a roasting or verbal push. In the world of coaching this is probably true. AFL has a strong culture of unity with rules to prevent players from readily changing clubs. Unlike EPL or NBA coaches (who rarely last as long as he has anyway), Clarkson probably has faced the same players regularly throughout his tenure. Kennett's statement that "six to eight years was as long enough as any coach should stay at a club" is perhaps based on his own failure to win a third term when he was Victorian Premier. He has pulled out a similar number though when discussing AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou's future as league boss. The argument then was that leaders come in fresh and can establish themselves as leaders. Eight year is time enough to lead change and still provide stability. At the eight year mark, again a figure probably chosen based on Kennett's own experience of public office, a leader and their team becomes too familiar and much less effective. Certainly in Demetriou's case, and perhaps Clarkson's, recent form suggests those around them are tired of the same song and dance. Kennett's argument is that a change in leadership after six to eight years can only be good and preempt the decline that a self-satisfied leader might oversee. <br />
<br />
So what does this have to do with school leadership? With a new EBA looming perhaps it is time to discuss the role we want leaders to play in schools. Kennett's belief, though there is little research to support it, could have some basis for how we contract and appoint our principals. The current government school principal contract is a standard five years - the same length as the standard strategic plan. Principal's rarely are appointed at the end of the last review period so can spend the bulk to their first contract implementing a plan they had no say in. An eight year contract would allow them time to settle in and participate in a review of the previous five years. Having been through a few reviews there is no better way to get to know the big picture of a school. Then they would be able to set direction and plan for the next five years - all of which they will be around for. In their last couple of contracted years they would begin a new strategic plan to maintain or readjust the school's goals. An eight year contract would provide this stability. <br />
<br />
The biggest problem is that principal's do not always leave after their five years (and why would you want them to if they're doing good things in the school?). Two principal contracts would mean sixteen years at the same school instead of ten. As Kennett says though, people become tired of the same voice and the same personality. Change can be good and can be a catalyst for renewal. It can re-energise people who didn't even know they were stagnating. This seems to be the core belief of the American presidential system - it certainly ensures there is a different voice for the State of the Union address at least every eight years.<br />
<br />
So perhaps school leaders should be moved on after eight years? It might work. But it would be conditional on a clear appointment process and development program. The current government has stripped principal's of access to these regional resources. No one is perfect - but imagine being stuck with the equivalent of [insert crappy sport coach here] for eight whole years? There's a reason Clarkson will stay at the Hawks and Demetriou will stay as CEO. It is the same reason Collingwood stuck with Mick Malthouse despite taking TEN years to deliver a premiership (what must Kennett make of that success rate?). We prefer the devil we know to the devil we don't - at least when things are going well. There would need to be regular review periods of course and a chance for 360degree feedback. These mechanisms exist in the current system and should be utilized regularly.<br />
<br />
A mentor once told me four years was plenty in a school. Perhaps it is sometimes. But sometimes the job is only half done and a second term is necessary. Whether we need a third term is a question worth asking. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I'm on school holidays so I'm hoping I can blog everyday. If the one month old lets me. They won't all be teacher/education/leadership type stuff. </i>KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-3688613255954201832013-02-12T23:34:00.001-08:002013-02-13T01:19:34.632-08:00My Profession Strikes BackBack in June 2012 I wrote a blog explaining why I was striking. In February 2013 we are back out again, having also stopped work in September and November. The government has had our log of claims since December 2010. Two freaking years.<br />
<br />
Sadly we are still 'negotiating'. The DEECD (pronounced Dik'd) has taken us to court in a futile attempt to stop our protected and perfectly legal action. Of course it's legal - under the Fair Work Act you can only take action when negotiations break down. The gov still hasn't worked out the give and take of negotiations. Meanwhile we've reduced our claim to "being the best paid teachers in Australia" to being paid as well as our colleagues in South Australia and New South Wales.<br />
<br />
I'm tired. Today I arrived at work at 7.55am to be ready for my 8.15am class. The rest of the day proceeded as normal but I had to work through lunch to get a few extras bits done. I'm not a full time classroom teacher because I have a leadership role (large faculty, 30 teachers, 1400+ students). So my time is spent working on mechanisms to make sure my classroom teachers can support our students. In the last week this has meant:<br />
<br />
- spending a night drafting an email on how to work a 38 hour week (in line with the work we are actually paid to do) so that staff feel comfortable working to rule. Obviously this occurred outside MY 38 hour week.<br />
<br />
- consoled a colleague who had been abused by a truly horrible student. This student must stay at school for another two years despite his utter dissatisfaction with learning as a concept and his aggressive behaviour towards staff. Sadly, since TAFE places have been cut, he will probably be stuck doing something he dislikes during his formative years. But for now my colleague still has to put up with his abuse.<br />
<br />
- completed around four hours of professional reading so that I can advise staff on more effective methods of giving students feedback (yes, it is part of my role to teach teachers - the government isn't interested in doing that anymore since they sacked the regional experts who supported schools). <br />
<br />
- a full diary of meetings that means I'm only halfway through my 46 year 12 practice sacs sitting on my desk that might get done before Friday afternoon. There's 23 year 9 diagnostic persuasive essays under that pile.<br />
<br />
In my inbox right now are emails from colleagues, parents and book sellers (you would not believe how many) all waiting for me to enrich their lives. <br />
<br />
Plus, none of us are on PEDs - we enhance our performance by working freaking hard because we love this profession, not because you'll give us one percent extra to meet an abstract productivity target. Invest in us and we will give you everything we have. (And quit with the 'we haven't been performing' - our results are better than most other states, all of whom are paid better).<br />
<br />
So I'm tired. And Ted doesn't care. He has no understanding of what it takes to work with children and adults day after day. Some good friends have left this industry since December 2010, some brilliant, passionate teachers. <br />
<br />
And then a colleague sent me the image below (apologies for the swearing).<br />
<br />
At least someone appreciates what we do.<br />
<br />
So out we go again. I'm tired but my resolve will not waiver. Neither should yours. We are very, very good at what we do and the government's propaganda, misguided press releases, phone legal threats, and incompetent, immature negotiating tactics will not daunt us.<br />
<br />
Teaching is not a job. It is a profession of men and women who will not stand for attacks on our good name. We will never hurt your children (even when your children hurt us). We will always support each other (even when others won't). We will not be divided by performance pay or restrictions that pits teacher against teacher for bread crumbs. But we are proud and won't tolerate blatant disrespect. <br />
<br />
To my colleagues, we are not done yet. Keep your head held high.<br />
<br />
To my employer, treat us like we matter. Treat us with an offer that recognises that we are worthy to guide your children through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood.<br />
<br />
Treat us like professionals. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCB9WQ65XISBquSFWfFYtX_MPv3pVAHdSPnMh5SZLO3JGEH6YY2b02UuNkkqxq-6HkBjtyJ3X6vpronMRQaiRZm_OowGp15CuwR_lB2Aw1Z0Ptj10WLD7YURnYG-u7cvdghn1_8czy9lY/s640/blogger-image-1389976034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCB9WQ65XISBquSFWfFYtX_MPv3pVAHdSPnMh5SZLO3JGEH6YY2b02UuNkkqxq-6HkBjtyJ3X6vpronMRQaiRZm_OowGp15CuwR_lB2Aw1Z0Ptj10WLD7YURnYG-u7cvdghn1_8czy9lY/s640/blogger-image-1389976034.jpg" /></a></div>KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-12457726741596116672012-12-25T17:03:00.001-08:002012-12-25T22:14:26.377-08:00Albums of the Year 2012I brought more CDs this year than I had in a while, mainly because there were so many killer releases that I had to check out. If you got a JB Hi Fi voucher then read on for some recommendations of things you might have missed.<br />
<br />
This was a year for excellent metal with a number of bands putting out some of their best work in years. Certainly Soulfly, Testament, Gojira and Kreator unleashed their new beasts that rarely left my car. Each contains the thrash that made them famous but has enough diversions to make them mandatory listens. Parkway Drive is actually still on rotation - they've outgrown the metalcore label that many get stuck with by producing collection that is genre breaking but still contains some of the best breakdowns and gang vocals of their career. Lamb of God's Resolution was more of the same from them, which means it kicked all sorts of arse, but has been overshadowed by Randy's imprisonment dramas in Prague. It looks like they'll continue to release excellent albums without topping Ashes of the Wake (and there is nothing wrong with that). The same could be said of Fear Factory, though The Industrialist isn't as good as Demanufacture or Obsolete but does its best to get there. Wonderfully heavy with some great melodies it still ranks in the top half of their cannon. <br />
<br />
There were comebacks this year too - Soundgarden became more than a nostalgia act by releasing King Animal. The power on show in first single 'Ive been away too long' is a nice teaser for an album that picks up from where Superunknown and Down On The Upside left off. Hell it sounds like they were never apart! Likewise Jack White's first solo disc sounds exactly like you thought it would which isn't a bad thing. Each track feels loved and any of them would make fine singles. Kiss finally unleashed Monster as well. It is better than Sonic Boom and contains some real rockers that easily fit amongst the hits from the 70s. (Actually some of the 80s albums, like Creatures of the Night, might be a better comparison.) The Killers returned from their hiatus with Battle Born, an album that promised a lot, thanks to lead single Runaway, but doesn't quite deliver. It has grown on me though, thanks to Flesh and Bone, Miss Atomic Bomb and Matter of Time being absolutely cracking songs with huge choruses, but it is essentially their first misfire. Bruce Springsteen's Wrecking Ball came out early but will get a boost when he finally tours next year. There is some great stuff on it as he again captures the challenges of working class life. Not sure about the hip hop beats though. <br />
<br />
Muse's The 2nd Law was a mixed bag. Like Resistance, it aims for the bombastic whenever it gets the chance which is admirable but doesn't always work. The better moments find it difficult to stand out when everything is from a different genre. Their musicianship is still brilliant but I couldn't help but feel I'd heard this all before. And it hit me - half the album sounds like Silverchair's Neon Ballroom and Diorama, albums that came out a decade ago. The other half moves closer to Nine Inch Nails. With this in mind their genre bending has been done before and probably done better. Download 'Supremacy', 'Panic Station' and 'Madness' and leave it at that (and seriously what the hell is Survival? Just terrible lyrics). <br />
<br />
Slash's second solo album (this time fronted in full by the ace Myles Kennedy) was my favourite album this year. It is much more consistent than the previous album with guest singers while still retaining some of the variety that made that release so great. 'Halo', 'You're a Lie', 'Anastasia', 'Staring Out at the Sun' and 'One Last Thrill' rank with his best efforts in Guns n Roses and Velvet Revolver. Indeed the new stuff were amongst the highlights of his show in August. I consider this a must have. It's pure RnF'R and should be turned up to 11.<br />
<br />
Best of 2012<br />
1. Slash ft Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators - Apocalyptic Love<br />
2. Testament - Dark Roots of the Earth<br />
3. Soundgarden - King Animal<br />
4. Gojira - L'Enfant Sauvage<br />
5. Kreator - Phantom Antichrist<br />
6. Soulfly - Enslaved<br />
7. Parkway Drive - Atlas <br />
8. Fear Factory - The Industrialist<br />
9. Lamb of God - Resolution<br />
10. The Killers - Battle Born<br />
<br />
Check out<br />
Gary Clarke Jnr - Black and Blu (blues and rnb for the new decade. Do it)<br />
Lana del Rey - Born To Die (really good lyrics and beats)<br />
Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball<br />
Fozzy - Sin & Bones (vast improvement on previous work)<br />
Jack White - Blunderbuss <br />
<br />
Forget about<br />
Pink - Truth About Love (sounds like a parody of her better work)<br />
Green Day - all three albums (radio still playing the single off the first one. No one gives a crap)<br />
Marilyn Manson - Born Villain (lost and totally irrelevant. More than a decade since he did anything good)<br />
<br />
Feedback welcome as always<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-87577340185342762472012-07-24T03:36:00.002-07:002012-07-24T03:38:31.010-07:00How the Dark Knight RoseSo by now you've hopefully seen Christopher Nolan's superhero masterpiece <u>The Dark Knight Rises</u>. With TDKR completing the (originally unplanned) trilogy, there won't be a Batman film for sometime. Sure, they might go through with the Justice League film that appears to be moving forward, but Batman as a serious protagonist is done with for now.<br />
<br />
What I have enjoyed most about Nolan's series is that he culls some of the best stuff from some brilliant Batman stories. Unlike the Marvel films which are largely adaptations of key story lines, while some of Chris Nolan, David Goyer and Jonothan Nolan's stories draw heavily on source material they most pinch hit ideas and even sub plots. It was an absolute thrill to watch the subtle hints to Batman's comic book history and this greatly added to my enjoyment. Since not everyone is familiar with the comics (which are best purchased as graphic novels/trade paperbacks), I'm here to help you get below the surface of the films and perhaps, give you some reading to fill the void before the bat-signal shines on the cinema screen again.<br />
<br />
If you like this blog let me know and I'll do a follow up for The Dark Knight and Batman Begins!<br />
<br />
<b>The Dark Knight Returns</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.comicsdungeon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/NOV118095-BATMAN-DARK-KNIGHT-RETURNS-TP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.comicsdungeon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/NOV118095-BATMAN-DARK-KNIGHT-RETURNS-TP.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
<a href="http://cdn.screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/darknightreturnsbatssupes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://cdn.screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/darknightreturnsbatssupes.jpg" width="200" /></a>This book, by Sin City creator Frank Miller, reinvented Batman. Set in the future where a long retired Batman reemerges to right wrong's in Gotham. Nolan used the theme of Batman's redemption for a past wrong from this comic. Armed with a iron will to defeat crime this old timer retrains and punches the crap out of Superman. That alone is worth the purchase price. The sequel, <b>The Dark Knight Strikes Again</b>, is not nearly as good. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Knightfall</b><br />
<a href="http://geekactually.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/knightfall-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://geekactually.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/knightfall-cover.jpg" width="134" /></a>Bane's debut. There is a new release that contains the entire Bane portion of the saga in one huge volume. The first part gives extensive time to Bane's early life and arrival in Gotham. He is a calculating and physically imposing villian that was captured well by Tom Hardy in TDKR. While Bane's personality is very similar in this book, there is a difference in the use of his mask. I can't believe to tell you how much I reverted to a little kid when I saw the image below replicated on screen. There is a pretty good side story too featuring Scarecrow as a central figure, so if you liked Nolan's version of Jonathon Crane it is well worth checking out. The second volume (KnightQuest) covers Bruce's journey to reclaim the cowl from Azareal (who goes bonkers at the end of this volume).<br />
<br />
<b>HUSH</b><br />
<a href="http://escapefromrl.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/batman-hush1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://escapefromrl.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/batman-hush1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://images.borders.com.au/images/bau/97818485/9781848563407/0/0/plain/batman-hush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://images.borders.com.au/images/bau/97818485/9781848563407/0/0/plain/batman-hush.jpg" width="128" /></a>Catwoman is easily one of Batman's most enduring and complex characters. While previous depictions have focused on her sexuality, rather than her psychology, Nolan seems to get the balance right. Fully expecting something more throwaway, Anne Hathaway manages to strike a balance between justifiable crime and a desire to do the right thing. I love that she still used guns, a sign that her alliance with Batman is actually as fragile as shown in the comics. In many ways she is his greatest love - and love was never easy. Hush is introduced as a new villain in a year long story. (Actually he would've been a good fit for Nolan's world). I won't spoil it but Catwoman plays a central role and the mystery of Hush's identity keeps the pages turning. Plenty of other rogues jump on for the ride too. You could also check out <b>The Long Halloween </b>or <b>Catwoman:When In Rome </b>for more Catwoman - especially if your only previous exposure was via Michelle Pfiffer or Halle Berry (both of whom played weird supernatural versions that missed Catwoman's humour). <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>No Man's Land</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.atomicbooks.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/a/batmannmlv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.atomicbooks.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/a/batmannmlv1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Gotham is hit by an earthquake and decends into warfare. There are different gangs - led by some of Batman's greatest villains. America gives up on Gotham but Batman has a little something to say about that. Catwoman plays a prominent role too, not unlike TDKR. This was a loooong arc though, and even with the newer releases there are still three volumes to get through. <br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>The last two are spoilers. Stop now if you haven't seen the film since I'm giving away gold. </b></u><br />
<br />
<b>Talia al Ghul. </b><br />
<a href="http://screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/Talia-al-Ghul-Dark-Knight-Rises.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/Talia-al-Ghul-Dark-Knight-Rises.jpg" width="200" /></a>I understand why Nolan chose to put in this twist (which for fans was ridiculously obvious and long rumoured) and I'll give it a tick because it brought a nice conclusion to the story he started in Batman Begins (as did Bane's League of Shadows affiliation - something that he only briefly aligned with in the comics). But Talia has a lot more going for her than revenge. Whilst I said earlier Catwoman is Bruce's true love, it is Talia who gives him a son. Damien Wayne has, in my opinion, revitalized the story line's as he brings a completely different vibe to the role of Robin. But I digress. Like Catwoman, Talia is a powerful woman who needs a powerful man. Who better than the world's greatest detective? Originally introduced alongside her father, who sees Batman as a worth successor, she spends much of her time engaging Batman in mind games and seduction. Grant Morrison's work - starting with <b>Batman and Son</b> through to <b>Batman Incorporated</b> has returned her to prominence as ally and obstacle in Batman's war on crime. Start with <b>Birth of the Demon</b>, a recent release that contains three Ra's & Talia stories. Then check out <b>The Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul </b>and <b>Batman & Son</b>. <br />
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<b>Robin "John" Blake</b><br />
<a href="http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/timdrake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/timdrake2.jpg" width="215" /></a>Now I hated that they put the name Robin out there. See that Batcave revelation in the closing moment doesn't work when the name Robin is attached. Robin is always Batman's second. ALWAYS. When Robin graduates beyond this role, as Dick Grayson and recently Tim Drake/Wayne did, they take on their own superhero codename. Grayson became Nightwing and Drake became Red Robin. While Grayson has donned that Batman uniform on two distinct occasions, including breifly while Bruce recuperated from Bane's beatings, Robin has never really been Gotham's sole protector. So instead, I choose to believe that Blake becomes the next Batman - something that fits in with Nolan's original mantra in Begins. Batman is an idea, a symbol, more than a man. If Blake continues the symbolism than that is fine. But again, I'm off track. What I did like is that the chat Blake has with Bruce is similar to Drake's origin. While Grayson's tale as a ex-circus acrobat was captured in Batman Forever (urgh) and is fairly well know, Drake's story is a less so. Drake deduced Batman's identity as Wayne in a similar manner to Blake in the film. In this light, it is a nice tribute to an awesome, but seemingly forgotten Robin. (Note - ALL of the books mentioned above actually feature Drake as Robin, not Grayson.)<br />
<a href="http://images.wikia.com/marvel_dc/images/b/b4/Red_Robin_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://images.wikia.com/marvel_dc/images/b/b4/Red_Robin_9.jpg" width="130" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.destroythecyb.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/batman_and_robin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.destroythecyb.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/batman_and_robin.jpg" width="147" /></a>Tim Drake's solo adventures took place as <b>Red Robin</b>. If you are interested in a book with both a different Batman and a new Robin than check out Grant Morrison's opening run on <b>Batman And Robin</b>. With Bruce Wayne believed dead (ring a bell?) Dick Grayson becomes Batman with Damien Wayne as Robin. The dynamic is reversed from usual as Dick lets fly with the quick quips and Damien is a little bit of a psychopath. Kind of like his old man!<br />
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If you have other suggestions let me know! And if you're in then I'll give you a trail to follow for the first two films.<br />
<br />KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-37189952216255218182012-06-02T18:06:00.000-07:002012-06-03T05:13:32.583-07:00Why I am wearing REDJust a quick note on the June 7 Strike.<br />
<br />
Ted doesn't think we work hard enough because in a DEECD survey of face-to-face teaching hours they found teachers only teach an average 16.3 hours. This surveyed teachers across the state but did not acknowledge time release for additional duties.<br />
<br />
At my school, the standard teaching load is 23 x 47minute periods. This is 18.1 hours and does not include home group, assembly or yard duty. My load as a coordinator is 15 x 47 minute periods (11.75 hours) since I also spend 4 x 47 minute periods a week coaching other staff, and have the rest to coordinate 30 staff and 1500 kids.<br />
<br />
This week staff at my school did their 18 hours but also completed the following duties:<br />
<ul>
<li>Several took out excursions that took them beyond their usual allotment. </li>
<li>8 English teachers spent an additional 100 minutes supervising a SAC after school until 5pm on Thursday. </li>
<li>2 Physics teachers were with students until 9pm the same night.</li>
<li>2 Psychology teachers were with students until 6pm on Monday night. </li>
<li>10 staff spent all of Wednesday's lunchtime in a trivia contest with students. </li>
<li>PE staff took teams to state championships that took them past their usual allotment. </li>
<li>Music staff ran band rehearsals from 8am to 5pm Tuesday and Wednesday in addition to teaching their usual classes. </li>
<li>20 teachers supervised the Year 9 Social until 10pm Thursday. </li>
<li>With VCE at a peak period a significant number of teachers spent an immeasurable amount of time with groups of students to help them prepare for SACs and exams. This usually occurred during meal breaks and between meetings. </li>
</ul>
All of this was in addition to mandatory and voluntary meetings. None of this is covered by extra pay, time in lieu, or any proposed performance pay method. It is all unpaid overtime to give students the best chance they have to experience success. <br />
<br />
<br />
The current system prays on the good will of teachers. To not acknowledge this hard work is insulting. If they want us to teach another hour then it will be harder for us to make the extra efforts described above. The extra hour will come at the expense of more than 1000 teaching jobs. Teachers will be pushed harder for their time. Class sizes will probably be bigger. Certainly I would expect to lose my coaching time to help improve teaching and learning in classrooms. Who is the biggest loser in this scenario?<br />
<br />
That is why I'll be wearing red on Thursday.<br />
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Feel free to join me.<br />
<br />
More on Ted: <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/baillieu-wants-longer-hours-and-merit-pay-for-teachers-20120602-1zp1v.html" target="_blank">http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/baillieu-wants-longer-hours-and-merit-pay-for-teachers-20120602-1zp1v.html</a><br />
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<br />KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-36121753978613463062012-05-09T05:23:00.001-07:002012-06-03T21:42:32.955-07:00My professionTwo stories from the last two days.<br />
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Yesterday I worked with a colleague to help improve their performance. I had observed their practice for 45 minutes and taken comprehensive notes, mostly related to their management and communication skills. These topics had been decided upon in a thirty minute pre-observation meeting the week before. The colleague was gracious and enthusiastic about the opportunity to have someone watch their work. To prepare for the subsequent meeting I spent around 90 minutes reading through various journals, meta-analysis books and handbooks to find the right bit of research that I could use to frame our discussion. I reflected on my notes and chose a central theme that I felt would benefit her. The conversation was brilliant and quite inspiring on both sides. We shared theory and practical ideas that we'd tried and seen work in other settings. All up we've put in a couple of hours work on top of our usual business and it was wonderful. I'll observe her practice again next week to provide further feedback since now I'm invested in her development. I'll also need to make arrangements with two other colleagues to go through a similar process to help increase the capacity of my team to deliver on a number of KPIs and strategic targets. It's a major part of my leadership role in the organization.<br />
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The second moment involves a client who has proven, to be honest, quite difficult lately. She has been rude on occasion and while I've worked hard to deliver my service and expertise as required, she has not met her deadlines or obligations. And so it was again today when she kept making strange noises during our allotted time. Rather than draw attention to this I took a positive approach (an idea from the Masters I'm doing on the weekends so I can further myself in my profession). I focused on what she'd done right and recognized that she'd actually asked a good question, in between interruptions, and had acknowledged she wasn't sure how to proceed. While aspects of this clients behavior could be labelled counter-productive, immature and irresponsible, the fact they'd actually called on my expertise was encouraging. I was not about to let out previous problems resurface. I decided on a strategy whereby I help her begin her work and eventually paired her with someone who could fill in the gaps since I had 25 other clients to attends to at the same time. I did however free significant attention regularly and ensured she knew I wanted her to e successful. She left the meeting with a smile, as did many of my clients that day. All in all I saw 75 clients from 9am to 3pm. I gave each one the best attention I could and, using some of the strategies I'd developed during several recent full days of training, ensured each client got the best out of me. On average I only have 1.5 minutes per client a day. The rest is taken up with preparing for clients and providing them with improvement strategies to better their performance. <br />
<br />
It felt good.<br />
<br />
Until I went to a union meeting and was told that the government, my official employer, doesn't value what I do and wants me to see more clients, more often, at the expense of developing the capacity efficacy of my colleagues. They also don't really want to pay me more since they consider my current profession to be unproductive and inadequate. Apparently I'm not doing enough. Even more disturbingly, my colleague, who participated in the mentoring process on a good-will & voluntary basis, is being told the same thing. She has 125 clients she sees most days. She literally gave up free time in her otherwise hectic day to get better at what she has dedicated her life to. <br />
<br />
But dedication isn't measurable.<br />
<br />
Ted, if we are doing such an immeasurable and unprofessional job of looking after our children- imagine what our world will look like if we have to stop?<br />
<br />
<br />KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-66562875235713343542012-03-14T04:54:00.003-07:002012-03-15T02:38:58.514-07:00Handing the inmates the keysI learned three things today. But first a little context about how I got there.<br />
<br />
There are occasions when they drive me nuts. It isn't the lack of progress because I am patient. It isn't their idiosyncrasies because I am amazingly tolerant (though this isn't always apparent). It is the whinging. The whining. Some are vocal about this and that I can handle. When they harp on about being boring I know they are giving me feedback. But that feedback can be interpreted in a number of ways. Yes, sometimes the structure is repetitive. Sometimes the content is uninteresting. What the young, unengaged mind fails to appreciate is that sometimes repetition is necessary.<br />
<br />
My class uses an objective goal sheet. I put the goal on the board, they write it down and score themselves at the beginning of the lesson. This efficiently tells me how much they think they already know. At the end of the lesson they score themselves again and hopefully realized they have learned something. They score their effort too. Most kids understand what to do and do it well. Sometimes they fill it in with the purpose of helping me achieve MY goal (which is to see a progression in their learning). Interestingly most tend to be pretty honest with their effort score. They know when they've tried and when they haven't been "feeling it."<br />
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Something happened yesterday that changed this pattern.<br />
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Five students gave themselves the maximum score of four at the start and end of the lesson. They were telling me they knew it before I taught it, and still knew at the end. My first reaction was immediate offense - how can they be so arrogant? How can they know something before I taught it? Why are they such smart alecs?<br />
<br />
Then I thought - what if they are right?<br />
<br />
I decided to test this group of students. In homeroom I announced they would be teaching the afternoon class. I literally handed them the keys and said you need to continue our learning as a class. Set the goal, deliver the lesson. There wasn't a randomness to this challenge since we are working our way through a novel. I'll admit I was petrified. What if the boss wanders by and sees the anarchy? What if they completely stuff this up and I've got to reteach the whole lesson tomorrow? <br />
<br />
I decided to throw caution into the wind. I sat myself in a student's chair at the back of the room. And I learned.<br />
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Firstly, the students did not understand the implications of a learning goal. The goal they set was narrow. "React to Old Bill." Actually that was the second goal. The first goal was "do the same as yesterday." (It should be noted that Old Bill doesn't even appear until well into the section we are reading. For the most part, we weren't going to be reading anything to do with our learning goal.)<br />
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The negativity (and I'll admit it, glee) I felt towards this apparent failure was soon replaced by something grander. As I watched them and completed the lesson to their instructions I saw them copy my lesson format. Without notes. Without planning or discussing it at lunch (refer to that goal - they clearly weren't prepared.) They managed to organise people to read and set out a note-taking form for quotes and reflections. And the students followed them. Herein lied my second lesson - the students had reached a point of aromaticity in the learning process. For all intents and purposes the boring repetition has served its function. Their notebooks are full of good quotes and thoughtful insights into them. And now they could do it with minimal instruction. I had in front of me, a group of students who had been influenced by my teaching and could independently put it into practice. It was a joy to watch and complete the questions the students set alongside them. I offered my own responses at appropriate times and pointed out some interesting insights. I paired and shared with my table group. <u>It was an opportunity to model from the back of the room</u>. (What a great idea! How had I not done this before?) And I loved it.<br />
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They liked it to. Not the authority (for ultimately they had none). But they learned. There was five of them who had to be active and checking student responses and making sure the class stayed on track. They realised it was harder than it looked. <br />
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The third lesson was more of a confirmation than a new idea. Risk taking can work. Every once and awhile I need to throw away the lesson plan and rely on my instinct. These kids gave me some feedback so I gave them a challenge. And they responded. Not perfectly mind you, they need a hand with the learning goal and making sure the lesson stays relevant throughout. But so do lots of qualified teachers. It is a lesson we can learn together. They had picked up on the key aspects of my modelling though had not been able to apply them perfectly. There is time for mastery. Hell, Bob Marzano says it takes a reflective, expert teacher ten years to reach mastery. I can't expect these kids to get it in 45 minutes. <br />
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When I got home I continued reading Roland Barth's 'Learning By Heart' for my Masters. In a chapter on the need for teachers to be active learners and researchers Barth summed it up perfectly - <b>"[schools] can become cultures where youngsters are discovering the joy, the difficulty, and the excitement of learning and where adults are continually <i>re</i>discovering the joy, the difficulty, and the excitement of learning." </b>The message my students had been sending me was clear. The message I replied with broke some new ground for them and helped them develop a new appreciation for what we do. And I learned more about my class by not being the teacher and perhaps taught more by being a fellow student.<br />
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So how do I top that tomorrow? I probably can't. But I'm certainly going to try. <br />
<br />KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-3562435091327528472011-12-30T18:07:00.001-08:002011-12-30T18:07:18.496-08:00Albums of the Year 2011Happy New Years from Vegas! Here are my favorite albums of the year-<br />
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1. Wasting Light- Foo Fighters <br />
2. Age Of Hell- Chimaira<br />
3. Unto The Locust- Machine Head<br />
4. Blunt Force Trauma- Cavalera Conspiracy<br />
6. 13- Megadeth<br />
7. The Hunter- Mastodon<br />
8. Watch The Throne- Jay Z & Kanye West<br />
9. Worship Music- Anthrax<br />
10. Making Mirrors- Gotye<br />
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Honorable mentions:<br />
21- Adele<br />
Beast- Devildriver<br />
King Of Limbs- Radiohead<br />
The End Is Just The Beginning Repeating- Living End<br />
Kosiosko- Jebediah<br />
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Forget About-<br />
Lulu- Lou Reed & Metallica<br />
Kaos Legions- Arch Enemy<br />
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Wasting Light is just a ripper and I listed to it again and again. These Days and I Should Have Known are the best songs Dave Grohl has written since Everlong (think about that- that included Best Of You, The Pretender and All My Life). <br />
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Chimaira's album was one that pushed their sound forward again. They even brought in saxophone (Clockwork) and slowed it down to Sabbath like grooves (Beyond The Grave). Year of The Snake and Trigger Finger are crowd pleasers. An awesome album . Unto The Locust was MH pushing everything they could to the limit. Epic arrangements and Robb Flynn singing his arse off. Not sure where they go with the long song format, I think they've done all they can. Maybe this explains the shorter more focused songs on Mastodon's album. It featured some great riffs too. Megadeth and Anthrax returned with really solid albums with excellent musicianship and great choruses. <br />
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Let me know what you think! What did you spend 2011 listening to?KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-71665667345699999122011-12-14T03:10:00.000-08:002011-12-14T03:28:02.351-08:00Change shapes my realitySomeone requested that I sum up the year. So here goes...<br />
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The move to the new school is been good for me in every sense. Whatever staleness or cynicism I had about teaching last year has been swept away. Reinvigorated <strike>like a butterfly from a cocoon.</strike> (<i>OK fuck this. I am not doing the cliche thing again. I've heard way too many graduation speeches full of the bloody things. And I won't swear again.)</i><br />
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So they year began with an oath. I wouldn't swear. See the best thing about changing school, the invigorating thing, was that I could start again. With much of the old reputation left behind I could forge a new way of doing things. Not that I would want to be anything but myself, and yet, I felt liberated by the chance to forge new relationships with people and choose how I would maintain the old ones. Evolution was the name of the game and I was hungry for the opportunity. So I didn't say a swear word in the office.<br />
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<i> </i>For about a week.<br />
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I lasted about two weeks in Year 12.<br />
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So The D'Aprano was unleashed in all his glory for all to see. Unashamed and brutally honest. Having been a chest beater in my time at RSC I was a little more humble this year. Perhaps the rejections of last year wised me up a little. And it helped. A sign of growth if you will. The staff accepted me too, though for a minute there, I thought it was a case of the Emperor wearing new clothes.<br />
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The staff here are, in a word, brilliant. They have, against all odds, been completely welcoming and up for anything I've presented. They have been unafraid to challenge me too. They are a diverse group, at very different stages of their life and careers. It makes for a great environment of opinions and talents. And talented they are! I'm lucky enough to have a number of leading teachers in my team, the timetabler, a god sent assistant coordinator and who knows how many future leaders. Specific people for ESL and English Language. People who ride bikes and people end up on Millionaire Hot Seat. I reckon I've met some of the best graduates since, well, us. It was been interesting and I've learned a lot from working with them. Amanda said this was the idea - work with people you can learn from. And I am. It helps that we have one kick arse trivia team and plenty of laughs in plenty of pubs. Celebrating our birthdays and successes is nice too. Their impact on me was such that it meant a lot that they came to watch Mel and I say our vowels. <br />
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The school itself is interesting and eye opening. The timetabling is a nightmare. Different rooms every period. It took me a week to get used to the shorter length. My first double finished twenty minutes early. My first single had barely got out of first gear when the bell went to end the day. There were plenty of these mis-steps. One Year 8, in an extra, called me a prick. TO MY FACE. So the kids are different too, or at least my reputation is. The year ended today with a Year 9 calling me a douchebag. That was a different too.<br />
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I don't want to talk about my Year 12s. I met some brilliant kids who worked really hard. I met some others. It was the biggest challenge I've had in five years. I'll be better prepared next year.<br />
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In many ways being in other school has improved some of my old relationships - both as a teaching peer and a friend. <br />
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And I guess that is the idea. The change has been a breath of fresh air (<i>FUCK</i> there I go!). I've had the privilege of working closely with some brilliant teachers and professional instructors. It has been a tremendous experience and one that I look forward to tackling again next year. There are a whole range of challenges we will face in 2012 and I really can't wait!<br />
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We are going to do some amazing things together.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>My memoir "FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME (and other stories about bulls on parade) will probably never come out. But if it does, this story will be in it. </i>KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-4748400321982095622011-12-10T14:47:00.001-08:002011-12-10T15:35:09.813-08:00Sentimental BullshitThe bowels of Rod Laver Arena aren't the most intimate setting for a rock show. For a large percentage of the concert going audience this is where they see their favorite bands. Why they would subject themselves to the merchandise, beer and toilet ques is beyond me. A typical event is going to cost you in excess of a hundred dollars, often to sit in the upper and watch stick figures prance and preen on stage. The sound isn't bad most of the time I suppose though most people who come here for gigs don't go anywhere else so aren't going to be the harshest critics.<br />
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Actually it is their version of criticism that is the target of this blog. Friday night saw Cold Chisel play the last of three shows at the Arena as part of their latest reunion. I knew I was in for 'a night' when the guys with mullets out numbered the girls with long hair. Yes, this was Bogan-ville at its finest. A quick visual survey of the T-shirts being sported by punters revealed an eclectic and, somewhat, strange crowd. There was the usual AC/DC shirts (2010 tour) and a spattering of Metallica (2010 tour) but the odd Judas Priest helped lift my spirits. Maybe this would be a the day that Chisel would ascend the radio friendly fair that had plagued my previous experience.<br />
<br />
But alas, the number of morons in Chisel singlets (2011 tour) and cheap (but being sold for $20) headbands outweighed any sense of musical diversity. They were here to hear the hits. I could smell it in the air. (If you're wondering, the average Chisel punter smells like they showered and sprayed Brut For Men just for this night.) For myself, I wore my Zappa t-shirt, perhaps my most snobbish act in sometime. Without realizing it I was making a statement about my musical knowledge- that I was in to something that was A) classic, and B) not played on the radio. Like the brilliant two-set tour Ringside (2005 I think) that occupied Festival Hall I wanted to hear some of the lesser known masterpieces from Don Walker. Home and Broken Hearted. Hound Dog. Fallen Angel. Yakuza Girls. Maybe even Last Wave Of Summer.<br />
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Of course the power of Chisel is in its singles and these would be welcomed too. The importance of hearing Chisel on the radio can't really be understated. Keep in mind that Khe Sahn was banned soon after it debuted on radio for being too explicit in its description of the post-Vet mentality. What other band has ensured that abortion is a subject of mainstream radio? Or prison life? Don Walker's best songs have a meatiness to them. Their subject matter forces the listener to consider his contention and feel something for his protagonists. Other songs capture the working class mentality, and for the majority, this is where their love of Chisel was born. I won't begrudge them their moment with these songs.<br />
<br />
But I'm cynical. The Arena is full of people who only see shows here. This for them is a gig, despite it having all the hall marks of a show, rather than a smaller, more immediate experience. I remark to my wife that it would be awesome to see Chisel at Byron Bay Bluesfest at Easter. Most would never see the charm of standing on the edge of big top in the driving rain with 20,000 people singing along. There is magic in the Autumn dampness. A magic rarely found in the Tennis Center. My cynisim is well justified as thousands scream during Standing On The Outside, Cheap Wine and Choir Girl, but then head for the bar and loo when they break out Things I Love In You (which was their friggin' COMEBACK single for pete's sake!) I remark this to my wife who nods approvingly. I sing along anyway, one of only a few nearby. (Actually there is one guy I admire. Despite his poor choice of the Nitro Tour black singlet he rocks out to EVERYTHING all night. His unbridled joy at everything the band do isn't contagious enough for the people around him unfortunately.) The same thing happened at Meat Load in October. The crowd was welcoming and forgiving of the poor vocals when they new the Triple M approved songs but fled, leading to rumours they had walked out, when he played newer or more obscure stuff (if you call Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through obscure- its off his second highest selling album!) The crowd here wants their radio songs and Chisel gives it to them. The mother's club shrieks when they finally recognise the beat to Forever Now. Never mind that the band had been jamming on the bass line for a couple of minutes prior. So feeling smug about my judgements I bask in the knowledge that I am better than these average punters. My dad shares a similar sentiment- at the Ringside shows he lamented the fact that the crowd stood and sang along for Forever Now and My Baby but not Shipping Steel or Star Hotel. <br />
<br />
Then something happens. The occasion gets to me. Even though I loved that they played Hound Dog and appreciated the acoustic interpretation of Yakuza Girls there was only one moment that a I lost myself. When Jimmy croons, "Who needs that sentimental bullshit anyway?" I close my eyes and sing with him. The moment of magic arrives. Forget the irony of me enjoying that line but my shield drops to the size and I embrace the light. I'm not embarrassed. I'm not ashamed. In that instant I am one of the Triple M punters. There is a power to that band to transcend class, gender and, indeed, time and trends themselves. That's why we give up the intimacy to share the music with thousands of strangers. The radio song got me. It does every time. <br />
<br />
They rip through Khe Sahn and the crowd sits down again for Bow River. I don't retreat to my shielded, superior, elitist views. I enjoy the encore of Saturday Night, Don't Let Go and Four Walls (my favourite song). By the time they rip through Goodbye and we've headed out I'm reminded of why I bothered. This was my wife's first time seeing THE real band play When The War Is Over and, of course, Khe Sahn. There was probably several thousand of them tonight who had only ever heard crap cover bands play these Australian classics. These were songs they grew up hearing and singing about trains heading to Vietnam. They deserve their chance to see it live and in-person.<br />
<br />
Even if half those morons paid $20 for a plain white headband.KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-68821443256402704712011-12-02T15:56:00.001-08:002011-12-02T15:58:02.468-08:00A sample for Whose Reality - using Michael Leunig's THE LOT<h3 id="toc2">
'Our environment shapes our reality'</h3>
The family holidays of my youth have largely molded together in my
head. Despite remembering nothing else about it, a clear memory of a
trip to Joanna is the birth of a new born calf. As most holidays are a
mental montage of theme parks, resort pools, or beach side caravans,
baring witness to such a wonderful moment is entirely unique. There it
was; defenseless, damp and incapable; the calf lied next to its mother
as excited farm hands simultaneously kept us away and ensured we could
see. Despite their familiarity with the lifestyle it was clearly a
special moment for them.<br />
<br />
Why then do I remember the moment but not the year? Hell, it took me two
goes to remember the exact place! I remember it because of its wonder,
its uniqueness, its natural beauty. I am distant from the calf's rural
and raw lifestyle, even on holiday. Michael Leunig would no doubt knock
my lack of authentic experience, though perhaps he could acknowledge my
appreciation for this moment. He detests the rampant commercialism of
modern society. Indeed he celebrates being entranced by the "widely
peculiar" sight of foal born during the recent drought. He is right to
knock me. Most of my holidays are common, the result of commercial
bookings rather than a chance encounter with ugliness in an
uncomfortable environment. But in this wiz bang society the package tour
is easier than a chance encounter with God's work.<br />
<br />
There is still room for the pure moment though. No travel agent could
guarantee being able to witness a natural birth. I am glad that I have
been reminded of this moment. I have traveled the Great Ocean Road many
times but have never been to back to Joanna. Would I appreciate the
moment if I saw it every year? Probably not. It has made me realise that
these singular moments, often left in my unconscious, are precisely the
best kind of memories. They are chance encounters that remind me how
wonderful the world is. One trip to Skeene's Creek on the Great Ocean
Road was rudely interrupted when a gale swept through the caravan park
sending kids, adults and tents flying down the dirt road. While most
braved the night, one simply scooped up the tattered remains of his tent
and began the two hour drive back to Melbourne. It has become an iconic
camping story in-spite of the plush toilets and availability of
electricity. Whenever I stare up at another ridiculous roller coaster,
smell chlorine in the pool or notice the trees that have been trimmed to
ensure I see the Opera House, I am reminded of these distinctive
moments. The natural juxtaposed with the forced reality of a commercial
holiday. My favourite moment on the Gold Coast was being caught walking
home in what can only be described as a Monsoon (and people say
Melbourne's weather is unpredictable!) So soaked were we that no cab
would pick is up, making for a long, damp walk back to the apartment. I
could only laugh at the mess as we collapsed when we arrived.<br />
<br />
Leunig can be cynical of society's obsession with artificial appearance,
false wit and faux personality. He has every reason to smirk at Occupy
Melbourne protestors who use iPhones and Twitter to spread their
message. But the purity of nature can still be appreciated. As the
recent drought and floods have shown, we can wear whatever mask we want,
but our environment will always frame our perception. I choose to
remember great moments of my holidays, the moments when, like the new
born calf, the place allowed me to experience something new and utterly
unforgettable.KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961767599201677648.post-52529855399432773302011-11-16T23:53:00.001-08:002011-11-17T02:02:22.975-08:00Dead Cats, Puckdefenders and Buying PoniesNow that I'm 30 I'd like to think I have the maturity to reflect on my youth with some degree of objectivity. 1997 was, undoubtedly for all who experienced it, a wonderful year. Bill Clinton was sworn in for a second term (arguably his best and most honest work), Jordan led the Bulls to greatness again, Versace was shot, Stuart Diver survived Threadbo. Colonel Tom Parker, Notorious BIG, Jeff Buckley, Mother Teresa and Princess Diana all died. Rebecca Black was born. OK, so maybe some people had a shit time and indeed one of these tragic events is intrinsically linked to my fondest memories of 1997. <br />
<br />
A group of us braved the late spring heat and headed to Shed 14 to see a host of local Aussie music. It's a restaurant and function center now and, without Etihad Stadium giving it a boutique stadium shadow, it felt dangerous to be down that close to the docks. It felt, at 16 anyway, like the perfect place to see rock n roll. The day started with a local north-west band called Delirium. (Personal connection time- the guitarist was my best mate Rob's cousin.) They were great and were one of the few bands who brought a prop. Despite the occasionally aggressive lyric ("THAT GUY AT WORK IS FUCKED!") they wore singlets and bounced on a trampoline during solos. They were from our neck of the woods and were playing on the biggest small stage we'd ever seen. They weren't going anywhere (see the above lyric) but brought an enthusiasm that you just don't see anymore.<br />
<br />
The day flew by with out incident. We say Dylan Lewis front Brown Hornet and discovered The Living End. This was before Prisoner of Society blew them up all over Triple M. So minor were they that they played early and didn't even headline the small stage. That was left to up-and-comers Grinspoon, who pre-'Chemical Heart', really just had this killer riff about a cat. (DEAD CAT! THREE TIMES!- how they got so big may remain a mystery.) Actually this was pre-'Just Ace.' What we saw was the best Aussie Hard Rock band since the original AC/DC. Big fat riffs and a front man with a bit of swagger. But they weren't the headliners either. That was left to ARIA winners Regurgitator and Finley's finest Spiderbait. They were at the peak of their powers in 1997- all 'Kong Foo Sing' and 'Calypso'. They were wonderful. A packed, sweaty shed on the docks with what felt like several thousand teens.I crowd surfed for the first time during Spiderbait and hit the ground with a wonderfully hard thump. It was everything I thought it would be.<br />
<br />
The afternoon though remains the defining memory. Around 2pm, or maybe earlier, I passed the Triple J tent on my way to see Jebediah. Now later that year we would form our own band and play our first show in 1999, with mostly Jebediah covers. Clearly me seeing this band for the first time was a significant moment in my musical evolution but it is the trip to the stage that is burned into my head. As we passed the Triple J tent we noticed a sign with crudely, quickly written texta. That was the moment I first heard that Michael Hutchence had died. There it was, literally, in black and white. I was not the world's biggest INXS fan but I remembered the hoopla over their Wembley performance and, in the middle of a national tour, there seemed to be a rebirth in Australia's love for the band. It seemed strange that on the day I was discovering more about Aussie rock, somewhere a significant piece of its history had died. I liked their 80s hits, the song they did with Ray Charles and even their newer song 'Elegantly Wasted' made me tap my toe in between Martin-Molloy sketches.<br />
<br />
Sometimes you immediately recognise the significance of an event. Pushover 1997 represented the best and worst of that year. It was, quite simply, the best Aussie music I had ever been exposed to. Soon after I was clamoring for CDs by the 'gurge, the 'bait and the 'spoon (Guide To Better Living is one of the better debut albums you'll ever here- even now.) This extended to discovering Powderfinger, Superjesus, Silverchair, You Am I, Tumbleweed, Magic Dirt, Frenzal Rhomb, Something For Kate and Shihad. These were one hell of a collection of rock bands. Raw. Honest. Not like that shit the kids listen to now.<br />
<br />
And maybe that's how some people felt about INXS that day in November. <br />
<br />
Maybe I can't take off the rose coloured glasses after all.<br />
<br />
<b><i>From my memoir "FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME (and other stories about me getting my way)"</i> </b>KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748001285225278259noreply@blogger.com2