Halloween Reflections

I like the honoring the dead idea, and have lit some candles tonight to remember mine. There have been small interesting signs that have made me smile and reflect.

I know it's not really seasonally appropriate in Australia. My son is gathering his friends and they are having a bit of a small night here. It has the feel of a spring carnival though, as they dress up, laugh and eat together.

I explored the origins of Halloween in my classes today. The year 7 novel 'Remote Man' makes some references to the way it's celebrated in the US.

We shared with each other what we find scary. The year 9s discussed scary stories written by well known authors, and the retelling in other media of scary stories. The favourite example was "The Simpsons" doing Poe's 'Raven'. My favourite of course is Kate Bush's 'Wuthering Heights', none of my students had heard of it!

The students wrote some of their own scary stories and read them very well to the class. There were some treasures. I was delighted that they heeded my comment that violence and destruction did not necessarily make scary. They even went sparingly on the gore.

Halloween elsewhere :

Parent Sense on Halloween : Imaginif

Dia de los Muertos, All Saints Day, and Halloween 2007: Aquarius Papers

Halloween? I don't think so! This is Australia right?:Life in the Country

Trick or Treating: Do you let your kids beg for lollies?: Red Sultana

I Just Can't Seem to Get Halloween Right: Blogpond

Moments of Pleasure

Tonight is massage night. I have been having a massage once a month since July. I have enjoyed every one of them and am looking forward to tonight's pleasure.

My Kate Bush CD came in the mail today. I now have all her CD's and this latest one, "Never For Ever" was the first Kate Bush album I bought so I am enjoying it and flashing back to being 16. I worked in a record shop and would listen to Kate Bush as frequently as I could. My favourite tracks were "The Wedding List", "Army Dreamers" and "Breathing". I loved them all in the end after hearing them over and over!
The title of this blog is a Kate Bush song as shown in this YouTube video. So after my earlier post this month on the imitations, here is the real thing. Enjoy!

I am up to season 5 in 'The Gilmour Girls'. Last night I watched episode 11, when Luke created an ice-skating rink on Lorelai's front lawn to reconcile her with snow. Such a romantic moment. I am loving their relationship.

So whilst I am missing Andy,(Postman Pat in Hobart), I am filling my life with some simple pleasures.

Kate Bush Covers

My brother Tim, (the musical one) directed my attention to the latest version of a classic Kate Bush song, "Wuthering Heights" by Josh Pyke. I have it on myspace. It's not bad. I think her songs are awesome in themselves and enjoy different versions of them.



Placebo's version of Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill'. The video is an interesting compilation of fans. There's a live version of them singing it on YouTube, if you are interested.

This artist also has a great version of one of my favourite Kate songs. I like what he says at the start of the clip also.Maxwell sings "This Woman's Work"

There are more, but some are not so good. I am patiently waiting for my 'Never For Ever' CD to replace my scratched LP.

Mr Wong Delivers Prize

I got my black nano iPod today. It's 8 GB! I am thrilled with it. It's my first iPod. I have been happily listening to Kate Bush today among others. Thanks Mister Wong. In case you missed my previous post, Mister Wong is a new bookmarking tool that began in Europe and has recently launched in English speaking countries. I was invited to beta test and won this iPod as a result.

Women Who run With the Wolves

My musing on Red Shoes has led me back to that classic resource Women who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Chapter 8, titled 'Self-Preservation: Identifying Leg Traps, Cages, and Poisoned Bait' contains 'The Red Shoes'.

"There is an old women's teaching tale about the plight of the starved and feral woman. It is variously known by the names "The Devil's Dancing Shoes," "The Red-Hot Shoes of the Devil," and "The Red Shoes." Hans Christian Anderson wrote a story by the same name"(p215)

She speaks of a 'loss of instinct' and warns to 'guard the treasures of our basic natures'. This theme was certainly present in 'The Lollipop Shoes'. I am looking forward to exploring further this chapter. In rereading I hope to discover what is drawing me to this little story.

The Kate Bush site GaffaWeb has a discussion about Red Shoes and compares the Magyar-Germanic version from 'Women Who run With the Wolves' to the Hans Christian Anderson version.

The Red Shoe by Ursula Dubosarsky and other Red Shoes

I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Red Shoe'. The book contains some imaginative historical insight into the times and Ursula Dubosarsky has written 'How I came to write 'The Red Shoe'' explaining this. It was a beautifully written story containing many touching moments. I explained to my students it dealt with dark subjects from the vague experience and sensations of a child, who described things she couldn't understand without judgement and with a innocent perception.

It has been shortlisted for the CBCA Awards in the 'Books for Mature Readers' category. Interestingly the other book I have read also has the same colour in it's title. They were both so great, I don't know how they will choose.

There is something wild about the image of red shoes. The Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale The Red Shoes about the girl who can't stop dancing was one of my favourites. I also love the Kate Bush song and album by the same name.

Picture with permission from Lucinda Surber, check out the blog Red Stuff for more cool photos of red things.

Cloudbursting by Kate Bush

I wish Kate would bring her machine here and make some rain. Our town is drying up. All the people who cut their lawns really short, now have dead lawns. Ours still has a little green because we keep it long and leave the clippings on it, which I think helps to keep the grass alive.
It's less smoky here today though than yesterday. I got a clip of the smoke coming from the nearby hills, but am having some issues with Revver right now so I can't put it up. I will probably put it on Blip TV later tonight if I haven't sorted it out and post it here tomorrow or later.
This blog post Cloudbursting on the blog "Cool Looking Stuff" is a great compilation of clips associated with Kate Bush's great song from the 'Hounds of Love' album, Cloudbusting. There is an interview on the post that explains where she got her inspiration. I just love to learn about the inspiration behind the art. Whatever the art! It truly helps me to learn to draw from my own different sources when I am creating.

Amanda Bloom - WoW

Last night I heard Amanda Bloom's 'Magdeline' on the radio. It is an amazing song. I loved it on first hearing. I remember the first time I heard Tori Amos and it was a similar experience. She is like Kate Bush. I love Kate Bush.
The lyrics of 'Magdeline' are moving and you can read all about them on her myspace blog.

She is a Sydney woman. Her voice is magic and I look forward to hearing more. I would buy a CD of hers today if I could. The Triple J radio announcer said last night she was classically trained. You can hear that discipline and excellence. I can't say enough. If you go to Triple J Unearthed, you can download Magdeline and listen for yourself. I am going to register today and vote.

Kate Bush on YouTube

I have finally checked out YouTube. I have been avoiding it because of my obsession with Revver and I just didn't want to get hooked into something else. I have really enjoyed watching these Kate Bush clips tonight. Rocket Man is great with a bit of history. They are all from clips from TV as far as I can tell. I have been listening to "Like a Version 2" and the soundtrack from "I am Sam", lately. There is something I like about hearing another version and interpretation of a song and lyrics.
Enjoyed this one too, one of my favourites Moments of Pleasure. The lyrics are amazing and she just delivers it magically, I reckon. I am such a fan! I am going to be back to check out more another time. This one with Peter Gabriel, 'Don't Give Up' is another good one.

Leisure time

I haven't had time like this for ages and I love it. Andy has worked this week, the kids have been mostly occupied outside the house and it has just been Ella and I mooching around the house. I have It is great to have no set agenda and to be able to just potter about from one project or chore to another.
I have listened to Kate Bush. The family bought me the new CD Aerial for my birthday but they complain loudly when I listen to it, so it has been great to having it blaring with no complaints.
I have resumed work on my mosaic table and come up with a design I really like. Nearly two years ago I began it and managed to complete the border and then I was stuck. I had some ideas about what I wanted but no real clear vision. The other night in bed, it all came together in my head. Tom had been using the incomplete table for the computer upstairs and now that Asha has her own computer he has moved his into the desk in his bedroom. Ah the luxury of wireless! Anyway whilst I was cleaning up there I noticed the now vacant half finished table and thought, I must finish that, as you do. Then I got the vision in bed and now I am steaming along each night whilst I watch TV, crunching up tiles and positioning and I am delighted with how it is coming together. I will put a photo up when I have finished, but in the meantime, here is the photo of the mask I made at school last year. Another thing I said I'd do but hadn't got around to it.
It is like a spiral of completions. I have noticed this before, once you start making positive progress in keeping agreements or completing things, it creates like a current taking you further into that direction with more force and ease. It is a good spiral.

This Womans Work

I listen to this song over and over again when I am missing my nana.
'Give me these moments back
Give them back to me
Give me that little kiss
Give me your hand'

It just expresses how I feel. It is nearly 7 years since my nana died but she was my best person if you know what I mean and from time to time I miss her and I want to feel sad about it. This morning I am feeling like that.

Excited about Kate Bush new Album

I know it is old news, but today I have felt excited about Kate Bush's new album coming out. It makes me feel hopeful and I listened to 'King of the Mountain' online this afternoon and totally enjoyed that familiar style that is unique to her and often imitated.

I enjoyed my day today. I just appreciated all the little details of my life. Even being back at work was pleasant because there are so many great people I work with that make me smile. My workmates, my students and friends there are a major part of my life and I feel blessed by them all. I enjoy learning and am lucky to be in a job that I love.