Storytime

School holidays at work means lots of folks...lots of kids on console games and computers, lots of adults with lots of DVD's because 'there's nothing decent on the telly'. For us it also means school holiday programs. The January ones are always a hit/ miss. Folks are either away and numbers are low, or no one goes away and we have hordes. It doesn't really matter as long as we are providing something for someone. This year I am running a new program -  a Tinies Hands On...which incorporates the regular reading of stories and singing of songs but with an arty crafty ending. The hardest part of this is dealing with adult interpretation. We have to focus on the journey, it's not the end product that matters. So if, after reading a book about the sea and singing row row row your boat, if we attempt to make a fish.....it really doesn't matter what the fish ends up looking like. It could have five tails....seven fins or no fins...it could have two e...

There are a lot of quotes out there about learning but this one resonates with me. I do like to learn new things. Doesn't matter if it's a new system at work, new craft or a new technique for writing. I like to try new things, see if they work for me. Over the years I've attempted a lot of tricks and techniques from writers, famous and not so famous, to see if they would spur me on to great copious bursts of creativity.  I'm still trying to find the right one for me. However recently Lovely Daughter and I ventured on a cake decorating course. For me this was very intimidating. Now Lovely Daughter is a great baker and creates the most amazing cakes. Her decorating skills are some that I am in awe of. However I was there to learn. Even though the majority, hell EVERYONE in the class makes cakes for weddings and engagements, 21sts and anniversaries. You name a huge celebration, and these women were making cakes for it. One lovely young one had won last yea...

Lately I've done a lot of thinking and understanding about how I motivate myself. Or don't as I fear is the major factor. Through work we've had the opportunity lately for some workshops to discover what motivates us, and how we set goals. This of course, flows on into our personal life goals and ambitions as well. Not only have we looked at how we are motivated but also our values. Now this won't be a surprise to many but one of my top five values is tradition (it isn't my top value though). Actually one value stands out amongst the others - Universalism. For these particular workshops this equates to having an understanding, appreciation, tolerance and protection for the welfare of all people and for nature. Then the next three values- tradition- respect, commitment and acceptance of the customs and ideas provided by traditional culture or religion benevolence - preserving and enhancing the welfare of those with whom you are in frequent personal contact...

Last week I headed up to Warragul for Arts Merge..this time at Mango Wood Cafe. New intimate venue and some new (for me) features. We had some amazing flamenco guitar from the Travelling Kirkbridges, Peter and Hedy. Beautiful! There was some great original songs from Acoustic Kitchen. and from Wendy Selling, complete with ukulele. I have no musical talent and was so much in awe of all of these acts, and in fact did pick up a few tips on how to present from them. The open stage offered up some great work... and of course there was Yvette Stubbs and her poetry / performance. Watching others perform is a great way of learning more. Of picking up ideas. How they deliver their work, how they even stand, how they notice (or not) the audience. The lead up was great, but dare I say, the main features were amazing. Amanda Anastasi and Anthony O'Sullivan. Very different in their voice and style, their delivery and their topics. They held the a...

It's school holidays. A lot of folks will be enjoying this time spent with their little (and not so little) ones. Whether the whole two weeks or a few days snatched here and there. For some of us we work through and for those in library land, the holidays are full on  busy. For the holidays we always have special programs. And these are no different, and for the first time I ran a Tinies Dance and Play session. We had bubble wrap (LOVED walking and rolling on this), hula hoops, balloons, beach balls, toys and bubbles. We had music and songs and much much laughter. It was amazing to see how much the toddlers (and mums...one dad and three grandparents...)enjoyed themselves. For a lot of people we think of libraries of being full of books. And they are. We associate any program run by libraries to be focused on books. I won't lie, the majority are. But children also learn by play. Especially babies and toddlers. Watching as babies and toddlers tried to catc...

Yes i'm busy relearning the intricacies of technology. (hard for a dinosaur like myself- I still have trouble with my mobile phone and take way too long to figure out which remote is for the DVD player).  I was recently given an iMac for my birthday - a big surprise for a PC girl like me. My first question was how do I turn it on? - quickly followed by and where are the buttons on the mouse? Once these two questions were answered - it became the job of showing no fear in front of it. Bit like facing a large wild animal- appear confident and it will leave you alone. That is the theory and so far it is working. I will confess to deleting a lot of windows when I merely want to go back, and have no idea what most of the icons at the bottom of the screen mean - but it is on my to-do list. Another goal for the year- become master of the machine - show no fear and move forward bravely. As for goals - and I know it's only 2 months in to the year and things may change - bu...