Dear The Reader
Today a horrific crash occurred on the M4 in Sydney. A car was forced into the path of an 8 wheel truck, causing a man and a woman to be trapped inside a twisted hunk of metal that used to be their car.
Police are looking for a black and silver car that failed to stop after the crash. If you saw it please call 1800 333 000.
On my drive home from uni today I was appalled at how crap Sydney "drivers" are. Tailgating, changing lanes without indicating, even driving on the wrong side of the road. It is disgusting and should be covered by heavier punishments, especially during peak hour and on the Motorways.
I'm not saying the driver of the black and silver car forced the other driver's direction, but if they did they had better be ready for a long vacation at Long Bay.
For creative literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Centrelink stereotype
Dear The Reader
I have always had (and seen) the image of the Centrelink client stereotype. They show an extreme entitlement to the money they receive, as if they have managed some incredible feat for it.
Today, I applied for student assistance. I imagined it would take half an hour tops. 95 minutes after the operator finally answered I completed the online application form, only to be told I have to fill out two more forms, get my parents to fill out a third, and take that, with a whole bunch of other stuff, into a branch so I can finish applying. More than two and a half (expected) hours and I may be rejected. It is taking everything within me to stay grateful to the commonwealth of Australia for the assistance they can provide.
So, next time you see a stereotypical Centrelink client, just remember they jump through hoop after bureaucratic hoop every fortnight. The other people who do that are politicians and lawyers, and look at their paycheque afterwards.
I'm still grateful for Australia's welfare system, no matter how frustrating it is.
For creative literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I have always had (and seen) the image of the Centrelink client stereotype. They show an extreme entitlement to the money they receive, as if they have managed some incredible feat for it.
Today, I applied for student assistance. I imagined it would take half an hour tops. 95 minutes after the operator finally answered I completed the online application form, only to be told I have to fill out two more forms, get my parents to fill out a third, and take that, with a whole bunch of other stuff, into a branch so I can finish applying. More than two and a half (expected) hours and I may be rejected. It is taking everything within me to stay grateful to the commonwealth of Australia for the assistance they can provide.
So, next time you see a stereotypical Centrelink client, just remember they jump through hoop after bureaucratic hoop every fortnight. The other people who do that are politicians and lawyers, and look at their paycheque afterwards.
I'm still grateful for Australia's welfare system, no matter how frustrating it is.
For creative literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Three mistakes guitarists make
Dear The Reader
Budding guitarists may have found that over the last couple of years ads have been popping up on guitar music websites claiming to show you the mistakes guitarists make. Here are some real mistakes guitarists make:
1. Clicking on ads claiming impossible feats like learning the guitar in a half hour or three basic rules. These guys just want your money! They give you a couple of "duh, everyone knows this" videos, then asks you to pay $1,000 a month to see the rest of their videos.
2. Going to group lessons. This is fun, but unless your main priority is to meet other beginner guitarists it's a waste of money. You will learn faster by just teaching yourself. It is better to find a guitar teacher who offers reasonably priced lessons to teach you correct technique and the basics, learn some theory, then learn the rest by playing songs. (Yes, I teach guitar here in Sydney. Email me at jared.spence89@gmail.com for info).
3. Comparing yourself to others. Every guitarist is different. Everyone learns at different speeds and everyone has different has different tastes in music. Instead, set yourself some goals (a teacher can help you with them). You will build confidence, learn faster, and be playing live in no time!
Follow these rules and you will be a guitar hero in no time.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
Budding guitarists may have found that over the last couple of years ads have been popping up on guitar music websites claiming to show you the mistakes guitarists make. Here are some real mistakes guitarists make:
1. Clicking on ads claiming impossible feats like learning the guitar in a half hour or three basic rules. These guys just want your money! They give you a couple of "duh, everyone knows this" videos, then asks you to pay $1,000 a month to see the rest of their videos.
2. Going to group lessons. This is fun, but unless your main priority is to meet other beginner guitarists it's a waste of money. You will learn faster by just teaching yourself. It is better to find a guitar teacher who offers reasonably priced lessons to teach you correct technique and the basics, learn some theory, then learn the rest by playing songs. (Yes, I teach guitar here in Sydney. Email me at jared.spence89@gmail.com for info).
3. Comparing yourself to others. Every guitarist is different. Everyone learns at different speeds and everyone has different has different tastes in music. Instead, set yourself some goals (a teacher can help you with them). You will build confidence, learn faster, and be playing live in no time!
Follow these rules and you will be a guitar hero in no time.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
Friday, 19 August 2011
"Good work dude"
Dear The Reader,
If you get bored today go out and tell someone you appreciate them. "Good work dude" goes a long way.
For creative literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
If you get bored today go out and tell someone you appreciate them. "Good work dude" goes a long way.
For creative literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Email from author Kim Scott
Dear The Reader
I recently email Kim Scott about his book That Deadman Dance to help with my major essay on the book. It's always good to get an author's thoughts on their work, just so you get the context of the story and a guide on how to interpret it.
I asked two questions:
1. What would you say the differences and confluences are of the Black and White Australian cultures in the novel?
2. What happens at the end of the story? Who is shooting and why?
This was his reply...
This was actually more helpful to me than a straight "didactic" answer would have been.
For creative literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I recently email Kim Scott about his book That Deadman Dance to help with my major essay on the book. It's always good to get an author's thoughts on their work, just so you get the context of the story and a guide on how to interpret it.
I asked two questions:
1. What would you say the differences and confluences are of the Black and White Australian cultures in the novel?
2. What happens at the end of the story? Who is shooting and why?
This was his reply...
Hi Jared,
Sorry, but I'm not helping you with the resolution. I believe there's something called the 'intentional fallacy' - that is, it's irrelevant, really, what the author intended since it's you and the text that make the meaning! But maybe the end is something about colonial violence and
certain imperatives about control/power suddenly rushing into Bobby's (and our) consciousness. It's been lurking the whole time, I think, there in the background, or just 'out of frame'.
Equally, I'm not sure I can quickly explain my take on "the main
differences and confluences between the two cultures in the book", however I do think there's something there about 'strategic,
goal-orientated thinking' versu something more like 'improvisation, and trust in spirit' (one's own, and that of one's place'). I suppose 'creativity' might be another word for that.
But sometimes the difference between cultures gets obscured by similarities and an 'affinity' between individuals that allows them to have 'human contact' despite their differences. A perhaps one culture has a greater propensity to allow for, and even facilitate, this?
Once again, sorry, but I think the real business of reading ficiton has to be you coming to your own opinions as a reader, and thinking about the relationship between you and various 'triggers' in the text. Kind
of different to the way you read more didactic work.
Thanks for your interest, Jared. Hope you can forgive my reluctance to give you answers.
Yrs, kimS
This was actually more helpful to me than a straight "didactic" answer would have been.
For creative literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Unsure
Thanks The Reader
You have given me my first 1000 page views. I'm so excited that people actually care.
You know I'm really confused with life at the moment. I don't know what I want for the future and I don't know if I'm doing exactly what I should be doing. What I do know is that if I keep living, loving and writing it all down then it will begin to make some sort of sense.
Keep reading, my best is yet to come.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
For fictional literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
You have given me my first 1000 page views. I'm so excited that people actually care.
You know I'm really confused with life at the moment. I don't know what I want for the future and I don't know if I'm doing exactly what I should be doing. What I do know is that if I keep living, loving and writing it all down then it will begin to make some sort of sense.
Keep reading, my best is yet to come.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
For fictional literature go to projectjared.wordpress.com
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, 1 August 2011
If I were a uni lecturer
Dear The Reader,
I had a uni class recently (I won't say which one, just in case) with a lecturer who seemed to think the best way to teach a bunch of young adults was to spout out a bunch of information then tell the students they are wrong if they don't 100% agree with their opinions. The main opinion that came up was that teachers shouldn't do anything beyond teaching. That caring should be left up to the parents and if a student is falling behind it's up to the school counsellor to fix them.
This is absolutely crap and I would never send my child to a school where teachers held this view. I found this from another uni that really shows what teaching is all about.
Teaching is a holistic profession. Knowledge cannot be passed on without nurturing and motivating the student. The most famous teachers of all time, Jesus and Socrates, both worked with their students and showed compassion in their lessons.
Lev Vygotsky's social learning theory explains that a teacher MUST discern the student's ability and teach accordingly.
There is no room for "doing the bare minimum" when it comes to teaching. It's the most important job in the world and "bare minimum" teachers are what will bury all the intelligence in the next generation.
Now, coming back to treating adults like little children in the 30s, you make another adult feel like a stupid child and one day you may find yourself humiliating the wrong person. Choose your teaching methods wisely.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.
I had a uni class recently (I won't say which one, just in case) with a lecturer who seemed to think the best way to teach a bunch of young adults was to spout out a bunch of information then tell the students they are wrong if they don't 100% agree with their opinions. The main opinion that came up was that teachers shouldn't do anything beyond teaching. That caring should be left up to the parents and if a student is falling behind it's up to the school counsellor to fix them.
This is absolutely crap and I would never send my child to a school where teachers held this view. I found this from another uni that really shows what teaching is all about.
Teaching is a holistic profession. Knowledge cannot be passed on without nurturing and motivating the student. The most famous teachers of all time, Jesus and Socrates, both worked with their students and showed compassion in their lessons.
Lev Vygotsky's social learning theory explains that a teacher MUST discern the student's ability and teach accordingly.
There is no room for "doing the bare minimum" when it comes to teaching. It's the most important job in the world and "bare minimum" teachers are what will bury all the intelligence in the next generation.
Now, coming back to treating adults like little children in the 30s, you make another adult feel like a stupid child and one day you may find yourself humiliating the wrong person. Choose your teaching methods wisely.
Educate. Entertain. Inspire.