Journal of a Canadian Kiwi

Movie Review - Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince

2009-07-21T07:33:16Z

I liked it. Good movie, although as is usual, not as good as the book. Still, no headache like in TF2.

Movie Review - Transformers 2

2009-06-30T08:51:05Z

Well, what can you say about a film when you develop a headache almost at the beginning of it? A little too much robot detail (ie spikey things with no conceivable use...) and REALLY close filming just makes it look out of focus. Yes, I know that was the effect they were going for, but UGH just the same.

Having a Transformers fan for a husband has lent me an appreciation for the original cartoon, the characters and their personalities. Perhaps I have also picked up an unhealthy biased attitude towards Michael Bay from <cough> others, but I think the movie could have been better. It seemed to me, in the best of the Bay traditions, to be a 2.5 hour flick that devoted 2 full hours to non-stop blowing-things-up action, with a couple of really weird things thrown in. (enter the scantilly-clad co-ed with a 5 meter long robotic tongue.) Story? We don't need no stinkin story! We're gonna blow $200million on explosions! hehehe And for myself, not being as devoted a fan as some others, it was really hard to tell one Transformer from another, let alone Autobots from Deceptacons. But I could have accepted all this happily if... IF ONLY they had got Starscream's voice right! He's MUCH whinier than that! COMMON' PEOPLE! Words aren't enough. You've got to have the proper level of annoying whine to the voice to make the character! <shakes head sadly>

The silver linings... Two good things about this one. #1 the music... #2 Bumblebee stopped getting beat up so much. Yay!

My rating: **/*****

Until...

2009-06-18T06:08:16Z

Ok. I have full-time work until 2nd of August. That is, excluding the two-week term break, for which I will not be paid. After that the principal expects I'll have lots of relief days, and she told me that she's also informed the Board that the school wants to retain me, so that might mean good news if and when another position comes up. She told me that she has now appointed two very experienced people to the school and next time should be able to appoint someone less experienced (aka ME). Let's hope it isn't that far away.

No Job for me

2009-06-13T21:07:41Z

Apparently I gave "an excellent interview" and the principal "would love to have hired me", but someone with more experience applied for the job. Back to square 1.

Well...

2009-06-06T22:42:59Z

Have got an interview for my long-term job on Tuesday. Great time for the cold to have hit...

Back to work

2009-06-02T08:24:18Z

As some of you know, I have finally landed a long-term relieving job at a school just outside of Chch. It's taken me three years of searching and applying, so you can imagine that the confidence has taken a bit of a beating, and those of you who know all about my first teaching job will know it wasn't that great to begin with. So I'm really happy to be getting this opportunity, for more than the obvious reasons of finance, and thanks to everyone who has wished me luck.

I've been going in, at the request of the principal, unpaid for the past two weeks so that I could learn the ropes from the outgoing teacher and have as smooth a transition as posible. Well, it was a nice theory, with lots of potential... Unfortunately the outgoing teacher had a lot on his mind and on his plate, as he and his wife were moving their young family out of the country on the day after his last day of work! Needless to say, I missed a lot of the practical things, such as a tour around the school network, and where the resource room is located. Oh well, the hardest part (in my opinion) was taken care of - I got to know the kids and they got to know me in a comfortable, relatively stressless environment. Today, my first day flying solo with the class, went pretty well. I always think that, as a reliever, most of your problems stem from not knowing the kids' names, but that was a non-issue for us. We had a moment this morning - one of those "Oh boy, what do I do now?" moments - when some of the work that was to be left by the outgoing teacher could not be located. We improvised. Critical world meltdown averted. Everyone was happy. At the end of class we found the missing paper work, so now I don't have to scramble around for something to do tomorrow. Everyone is happier. Tomorrow is sussed, as is the rest of the week, pretty much, so I'm hoping everything will continue to go smoothly. Little bumps in the road are okay, but it's always so much nicer when the potholes can be avoided.

The applications for the permanent position closed today, so they'll be looking at the CVs and holding interviews next week, I think. I'll be surprised if I don't get an interview, but stranger things have happened. I'm REALLY hoping that no one else more qualified or experienced applies for the job, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens.

The other little kitty

2008-11-04T09:59:46Z

You may remember a few weeks ago my post about the kitty we found on our driveway, and how the lady who came looking for him later came looking for her younger cat that hadn't come home either. Well I'm HAPPY to report that today I spotted that other little kitty, at the end of our driveway, sniffing around the garden. Normally I wouldn't be too pleased about THAT, but I was happy to see him alive and well. I don't think he's learned much over the past few weeks though, as he saw me getting into the car and immediately DASHED across our busy road, back up his own driveway. I guess the "dash away from danger" instinct is still stronger than the "look both ways before you cross the road" instinct.

Ugh But OK, It's All GOOD

2008-10-28T05:33:07Z

I went to my first Irish dance class in 6 years last Tuesday and spent the rest of the week in agony from the knees down. It was nice to get out and do it again, and talk to people who weren't discussing how naughty their students/children are, but UGH the pain! I'm sitting here tonight contemplating all the reasons why I shouldn't go again, but then this pesky little voice in my head, we'll call him my conscience, keeps reminding me that excuses are too easy, and never much good either. That and the fact that some of the weight I lost up North is starting to creep back now that I'm not going to the gym or attending WW meetings. Do I WANT to look like a hippo in the sister-in-law's wedding photos this January? Ok, so I'll go. I know it, my conscience knows it, now we just have to find someone to tell my poor calves and feet!

Unknown Kitty is now Known

2008-10-10T20:00:08Z

The poor little kitty who pulled himself up our driveway after being hit by a car and dying there, was loved and missed. Stephen and I hadn't really known where to start looking for an owner, as there are houses to either side of us, behind us, and across the street from us, but I always felt bad thinking that there might be someone out there missing and worrying about their little kitty. Thursday night there was a knock on the door. This lady was going around the neighbourhood asking about her little black and white cat. She didn't want to believe our unkown kitty and her missing kitty were the same at first, but she showed us a picture and it was all confirmed. It was hard, she was very upset, but I'm glad that she at least KNOWS and to know that the little kitty was loved and will be missed by someone.

End of the Holidays

2008-10-08T20:18:01Z

Blah. Second last day of holidays today (I don't count weekends as I wouldn't have to work those anyway...) and then it's back to the grind next week. I'm booked at one of the tougher schools for the first two weeks of term, doing round robin release so teachers can get running records and testing done, but after that I fully expect business to slow down. You know, teachers are on the home stretch now and can see the light at the end of the tunnel - better to slog through than take that day off to feel better. Anyway, I've managed to put out 9 more applications over the last two weeks, and am hoping another permanent position at "my school" will be posted next term. I'm going for a record 10 rejections at once this time!

Thinking of possible summer employment already. Fruit picking comes to mind. Isn't seasonal work supposed to be paid fairly well? Hmm, as long as it warms up a little, I say! It's only forecast to 12 degrees today!

Unknown Kitty

2008-10-03T20:24:39Z

Woke up this morning at about 6:30 for one reason an another, and noticed that our back security light was on. Had a peak through the back curtains and saw a little black cat with white paws and markings on his chin, lying on our driveway. He wasn't moving. Got Stephen up to confirm, the poor little thing was dead. He must've been hit by a car and dragged himself up our driveway to die. Sad. None of the immediate neighbours is missing a cat, but he could be from anywhere, knowing how cats roam and how their territories aren't necessarily near their own homes. Anyway, called the SPCA who put us onto the body collection people, who didn't want to come get him/her because s/he was on private property. Stephen managed to sweet talk them into coming, despite their regulations, which is good because we don't have a shovel to move the poor thing onto the sidewalk so that they WILL come get him/her.

Nothing Much

2008-08-19T07:06:52Z

Thought of the day... Isn't it odd how you can have nothing to do and yet not enough hours in the day in which to do it?

Two Droughts in One Day

2008-08-16T22:28:22Z

Isn't it nice? Both NZ and Canada have ended their Olympic medal droughts on the same day! Because really, EVERYONE deserves a medal.

Retraction

2008-07-31T04:16:19Z

Yes, it DOES happen, and not just because someone threatens to sue you if you don't! (Although that is still the most probable reason for retractions occuring, that is not the case in this... case!)

Now that I have figured out how to upload posts to my Facebook page and have experimented with what is available (and what is not) on Facebook, I have decided to take

atomsmith's advice and not delete my LJ page. There is much more scope for ranting, raving, and whinging here :)

A week in review

2008-07-26T00:24:16Z

3.5 days of work last week. Not bad for the first week of term and being the new girl in town. I hope the rest of the term is as profitable and leads to that all-elusive permanent position. Rumors are begining to circulate about a bulge and theoretical primary teacher shortage in the next few years, but I want a job before that, and don't want to hang my hope on rumors.

Have been thinking about old friends a lot lately, even dreaming about some of them. I think it's always a shame when people who've shared a bond of some sort drift apart and allow themselves to completely lose touch with each other, even if you aren't the best of friends anymore. I've been trying to reconnect with a few old friends through Facebook and e-mails but so far I've encountered nothing. Hope that changes because I'd love to catch up again. With the state the world is in today, can you honestly say you have enough friends already?

Stephen started his course on Monday. It was a bit of a slow start but I think it will begin to pick up momentum next week. He's feeling more comfortable about the classes now that he knows he's not the youngest or oldest student and has found out they will be largely working at their own pace. It's hard to get back into the routine of early mornings though, especially when you've got to get up in the dark (it's darker later in the morning here than it was up north) and stand at the bus stop in the cold. I'm sure my nagging will help him along. We all do our bit. :)

WOOT!

2008-07-21T06:33:29Z

**Ok, following a friend's advice and going to see how it goes linking my LJ posts to Facebook**

School term began today. So far I'm down on the relieving lists of 13 schools, and registered with the relief-teaching agency here in Chch. Great. Of course, being the new kid on the block, I certainly didn't expect any work to fall my way in the first week of term. However, within 2 hours of dropping my CV at one of the schools, they called me and offered me a day this week. And just 5 minutes ago I got another call, offering me another day and a half this week! Hopefully this positive trend will continue, culminating in a permanent full-time position! It seems we're off to a good start in Christchurch!

As it goes...

2008-03-22T20:22:41Z

HAPPY EASTER to all! No matter what your faith, I hope that you are enjoying this holiday with loved ones or friends, and that you are healthy, happy, and safe.

World Jr Champions!!

2008-01-06T07:54:32Z

WooHOO! Congratulations to Canada's world junior hockey CHAMPIONS after a 3-2 OT (overtime) victory over Sweden. My only regret is that I didn't get to see any of the action.

What's WRONG in this world?

2008-01-05T21:58:22Z

Maybe I'm just having a bad day, but really, there's nothing that's gone wrong in my life today, so I doubt that's it. However I find myself increasingly ANGRY at the state the world is in.

No, I'm not referring to climate change or the slaughter of innocent whales by the Japanese.

It's the smaller, everyday little things that are starting to make me dispair. Rude people. Inconsiderate drivers who border on the extremely dangerous. Kids murdering kids. Murdering kids being tried as young offenders when a 15 year-old KNOWS what they are doing when they stab someone two or three times. Kids torturing animals. Where has all this shite come from? Why are we putting up with it? Why are we not doing something more effective?

Personally, I'm all for trying "young offenders" as adults and throwing the book at them. Of course, that would have to be AFTER we've modified the book to life-means-life and let's give offenders what they really deserve status. Perhaps in concrete. And as far as animal cruelty goes, I'm so completely an eye-for-an-eye kinda gal. If you wanna kill a cat in a microwave, well, let's just built a person-sized microwave and see how YOU like it, eh?

I would like to be in a better mood, but I suppose that would mean closing my eyes to the world around me or burying my head in the sand. I think THAT is the root of the problem though; not enough people are outraged by declining social standards. No one in a position of power is doing enough to prevent kids from becoming criminals and murderers. No one in a position of power is doing enough to promote consideration for others and just plain manners! What to do? I don't have all the answers, but we could start by holding parents accountable. YES! OH MY GOODNESS, YES! Accountable for why they get drunk in front of their kids. Accountable for why they hit their kids. Accountable for their own petty or large criminal activities. Accountable for being on the dole for 15 years. Accountable for why they've allowed their kids to skip school every Monday and Friday during the school year. (I'm talking primary kids. Yes, I've had parents say they couldn't bring their kids to school the other day because they were too hung over. BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT!) Accountable for not knowing where their 12 year olds are at 3am.

I could rant about this all day, but it doesn't change anything and it doesn't even make me feel better about it. I guess I'll just go back to doing what I can about the situation; every student I teach I try to instill a sense of caring and responsibility. Do I succeed? Only time will tell. But it's what I can do, and I truly hope that all of you do whatever you can as well, because I truly fear for the state of humanity.

Okay, end rant.

Sorry about that, but sometimes you just have to vent. Today was one of those days for me.

2008

2008-01-02T00:53:32Z

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

One Night Only

2007-10-19T03:17:35Z

Bon Jovi.

Christchurch.

27 January, 2008.

Guess where Stephen and I are taking an unexpected holiday this summer?

Falling Down

2007-10-19T03:15:53Z

Just heard Duran Duran's newest release/saw their newest video, called Falling Down (which will be on their Red Carpet Massacre album, released in Nauzzieland in November). View it here. Anyway, unlike a lot of other fans who've had previews of the music from the upcoming album, this was completely new to me. Simon's voice makes it seem very familiar, while at the same time it's a bit strange for Duran Duran. It's not bad; at no time did I go "Ugh! What the crap is this??" but I think I will have to listen to it a few more times. The video was definitely interesting, from an objective point of view and also from an ironic-look-at-the-lifestyles-they've-had point of view.

Reality shifts back into focus

2007-02-03T06:04:10Z

Okay, things seem to be back to normal now. We still look really good, but Canada has lost to Fiji and then to England. Actually, we pretty much got our asses whooped! Still, the crowd looks like it's having a lot of fun. It would be kinda kewl to be there.

Now it's NZ and Fiji in the semis. GO NZ!!

Oh My God!

2007-02-02T04:40:07Z

I don't believe it... It's absolutely AMAZING! Canada actually *snarfs* beat Australia in the rugby 7s! We actually WON A GAME in addition to looking good! Wow, I always tell the husband that we may not do well outside of hockey, but we always look good on the field of play, and we do, but this is like icing on the cake! I don't know who we play next, but this has made my day!

(I'm in such a good mood that I'm even feeling sorry for team USA who is currently having their butt's whooped by Fiji. Man, the US players look like KIDS next to the Fijians... they're so big!)

Thanks

2007-01-12T06:15:55Z

Thanks sophiedb! Your Christmas card arrived the other day :)