summer; ahhhhh

Happy new year there,
You know I found an explanation for why I much prefer to read printed words than to read anything on a computer screen. The writer of this article I read (printed, I might say), mentioned that reading printed words relaxes your eyes because they are concentrating on the contrast between passive black letters and a passive white background. Reading anything on a computer screen, however, and your eyes are being exposed to radiation; it’s the same idea as staring at a light bulb (though obviously not as intense). Have you ever had a computer terminal on at night in a dark room? Lots of radiation comin’ outta there.
I guess we’d all better print this onto recycled paper. Paperless office? Maybe we’re heading towards a prematurely blinded generation of office (&home office) workers.

This summer has been a wonderful time, making little trips from our base camp in Coburg. Rather than write about these adventures in too much detail, however, I’m going to take a different tack. Hopefully this will appease the restless thoughts I’ve had regarding people’s privacy & the propensity of internet nasties stalking the e-world.
No, I don’t think this is giving in to fear; though I’ve wondered that, too. I prefer to think of it as an excuse for creativity & the shedding of other people’s concerns.

You know I was once reprimanded by an acquaintance for posting e-photos that included images of her, without seeking her permission. I was taken aback. Was there now some international diplomatic crisis imminent? Was she facing mortal danger as a result? No, it was more to do with “respecting personal privacy.” If everyone’s personal privacy extended to this point, the world and our interactions in it would be very different. No group photos unless authority is signed across to the photographer. No attending major speeches/ concerts/ sporting events as your image may be shown by a broadcaster. Et cetera.

So with that, let me say that, personally, this summer holiday period lived up to stratospheric expectations. Christmas gatherings, a New Year’s gathering, two weddings and a week of walks, food, mimicking bird calls, “take two,” music, bushwalks, more food, conversation, toddler/crawler-watching, chocolate scones and splashing in the surf have left me feeling both wonderfully reflectively happy & completely at ease.

It seems, in writing that, that we’ve been busy. In reality, we have pottered about & taken each day as it has come. The summer has been a hot one and a dry one as we in Victoria know. Yet it has seen our little girl call us: “Mum-mum-ma” and “Dad-dad-da.” And yes, Juz, it makes my heart swell to bursting. When she sees me & points & calls Dad-dad-da, I could simply not be any happier at all. She is walking around. She is waking up earlier than ever. She is singing. She will learn/memorise anything you teach her in about 2 minutes flat. Even to mimic the call of a warbling magpie.

Catherine is back at work part time & is 30 weeks pregnant now. All going well and tiredness taking a firm grip. Not only is there a little one to grow, but there’s a 15-month-old to teach & supervise as well. I’ve been at home full time since the start of November. But next week I’m back at work. New job. New career, really. Teaching. If all the portents and harbingers of advice are correct, you may not hear from me until the Term 1 holidays. I understand I am about to become seriously busy. If that turns out to be true, and I do not post anything further at this site until early April, keep an eye out for message around that time; childbirth is forecast for 30 March.

Hope all is well in your patch for you & yours & for all of ours.
love dave.