The Green Photo Series.
Found five-year-old character studies I made in 2005 as I developed concepts for my book.
I did a writing course in Sydney at the time with a creativity expert from the States who teaches people to use art, music and movement to find your characters - how they move, how they speak, what they look like. It's all part of making it real - rather than an idea in your head. Boolissimo never made it into the book. But I can't let the girl character go yet - even though she's been tossed for the moment. BTW, Basil was a beloved member of the family for 10 years. He used to listen to me sing the score of Les Mis a cappella as we worked in the garden. He hated bum notes and rock'n'roll.
Did you know that downunder, a whipper snipper has a heart shape? Who would've thought eh?
My niece invented Pig Parooney and then plays the part.
So I've finally edited a little piece for her.
Don't make fun of Pig's name ... or ... or ... beware the curse ...
You'll hate me for saying this but those little stick figure stickers of happy families that usually appear on the tanks that pervade the roads get to me sometimes.
The stick figures are the next milestone parents graduate to from that "Baby on Board" sticker.
It's like they are warning everyone else on the road of their precious cargo like it's someone else's responsibility to take care of their kids.
What about the people they might maim or murder while they're reaching round to hold the crying child's hand with one hand on the wheel and their mind only half focused on the road?
What about they stick to the road rules instead of pretending that sticker (and their 4WD or SUV if you prefer) gives them right of way?
Recently I had a conversation with a pregnant woman about the gnarly issue bundling babies into childcare at three months so mothers - who don't want to be at home with the baby because they would go "out of their minds" - can return to "work". Of course there are some mothers who really do have to bring in a second income to pay the bills.
I was quite frank because she seemed like an intelligent person capable of accepting a different point of view. But this was a mistake on my part.
This is not a conversation to have with any pregnant woman. The right conversation is one in support of paid parental leave - ra! RA! ra!
I'm afraid all I did was make a bad impression by expressing my true point of view. Really stupid thing to do.
Afterall, she was one of the women who was going to return to work three months after having the baby.
But her husband has six months parental leave so it's not the same thing as sticking the infant in child care.
I expressed another belief that we don't hear about the detrimental effects - basically it's a coverup - because women in the media (quite a powerful group when you think about it) don't want to hear about it.
You all may disagree but I think it's akin to taking your eyes off the road.
Rearing a family is important work - I don't think you can do your best if your attention is divided between the road and the family or work and the family.
Yes many families need two incomes but then I've noticed also that many parents seem to equate their needs with their children's needs.
Computations are variable depending on variables:
Does the child's makeup predispose it to a greater need for security?
How much stress or anxiety can children endure before it affects their development pattern?
Will a chain mail fence do instead of a white picket fence? (There's a cost differential.)
What do you think?
Listen to Radio National's All In The Mind podcast about stress.
Amy Chua's new book on parenting Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.
Chinese ownership versus Western coddling
Here's interesting research I found on Chris Brogan's blog about the role of parenting in the development of a child's personality and creativity:
December 27, 2012.
November 25, 2012:
Murray Darling's Tumblr: Leap the Great Unknown
October 29, 2012
October 22, 2012
Gone back to the first drafts. Some of it is ok. Some giggles have been lost in drafts.
I made a few watercolours and photographed them to try to depict light waves - three years ago. Found while rummaging - a sleeping dragon. _ Lisa.
September 17, 2012
September 12, 2012. Update on Evolution Flunkies From Kapoot.
I started designing the website and realised an important thing about the nature of this book - it's a bible for a digital project and as such needs to be split into specific sections.
It's hard wrapping my mind around the scope of this thing.
The chapters have been halved and then cut down to between 200 and 500 words. Hilarious considering I've spent so much time developing all these backstories.
There are two blogs and story pages - so far.
@Janitor_Luck has a blog. This is his first post. In honour of Leadbeater's Possum - Victoria's State Emblem which is on the brink of extiction.
So I know I keep pushing back the publication date but I want it to be right.
Here's a taste. - Lisa.
Whorls of Existence (242)
Trip it up, trip it down, trip the others, take them down. Music is a very elemental thing. It drowns out the screams…
Did I say screams? Sorry.
This is your final boarding call… This is your Whorl.
You are here, on the Earth. Basically, the planet is a particle cloud in deep space – just like almost everything else, including skeletal remains.
Rip it up, rip it down, Yeah-Yeah! Shake it! Ah-ha! Ta-ra-ra b-OO-M-sey-Eh! Unhinged in The Whorl. Whoo-hoo!
Here’s a tip if you happen to meet a creature from deep space: Scream! No, but seriously. I tell you this in all genuine honesty.
We are one and the same – unfortunate circumstances force me to admit this. You and I need each other to survive evolution.
There’s more deep space in you than there is water – and you are 80 percent water.
Since 80 percent is more than half, how exactly can there be more deep space than water? Easy. Deep space connects everything.
There’s deep space in water too! Am I right? Don’t stress dopey.
This is a little more advanced than Lego, or even nanobots, so don’t you worry if you don’t get it. It may not matter soon anyway. Ha!
Extinction is part of evolution. So relax. Breathe while you can.
The true inhabitants of deep space are a little more special than you. Ne’er been seen by the naked eye. But deep space connects all Whorls.
Welcome to my Whorl! The Whorl of the Great UnKnown, Kapoot.
Animation: Click through the images rapidly.
August 14: Dr Charles Lineweaver's Stanhope Oration
The Australian Science Teachers Association's 2012 conference
Cool factoids about the Big Bang, Black Holes and Aliens
July 16, 2012:
I started working on the Evolution Flunkies website two weeks ago. Adapting the book for online takes a little tweaking but I will post some updates soon. _ Lisa.
February 21, 2012:
I have a cover for my book. I hope to finalize the manuscript by the end of March.
And, if things go well, I may even have a prototype website up.
I've changed the name of the book. It is amazing how this creative process of building multiple assets at the same time feeds upon itself. I can't wait to introduce the world to The Evolution Flunkies.
