Monday, May 28, 2007

"Today"


This morning, in between waking up and heading to work, life presented me with an exceptional moment of clarity, one that I've only experienced twice before.

Thankyou Jake, Nakey, Mum and Dad for your support today.

I'll explain as things become more concrete in the weeks ahead.

posted by Jess @ 4:00 AM 3 Comments

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Mid-read Review

I tend to be very critical about my books. I either love them or hate them. I’m part way through ‘The Veiled Lands’ by Christine Hogan and I’m already leaning towards the latter.

The blurb, and the introduction painted the story of an Australian journalist, who visited Lybia briefly, fell in love with the region and returned for a long-term solo trip to discover places off the beaten track.

Unfortunately, so far it’s a narration of a Contiki Tour-esque tour of the Middle East, complete with shopping and fashion, combined with a copy + paste guidebook history of the area she has visited.

So far she hasn’t come up against any challenges as a woman traveling solo through this area, she hasn’t strayed outside of the shopping district, the hotels seem nice…

...but I’m getting bored.

I’ll update if it suddenly is added to my ‘must read’ list.

posted by Jess @ 9:31 PM 0 Comments

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Evening at the Wesley


Thankyou Sam and Kezz. I owe you one. No. Several.

Contrary to Jake's belief, it's not karma for winning origin.

posted by Jess @ 7:27 PM 0 Comments

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Pro Hart


I've always loved the work of Pro Hart, and I've visited his gallery in Broken Hill on two seperate occaisions (convincing my parents to take major detours on family road trips to the middle of the desert).

His gallery is the most amazing one I've ever visited. A tin and besser block building on the outskirts of a mining town, three stories high with all the works arranged to try and cover as much wall space as possible with Blackman, Boyd, Lindsay, Dali and Rembrandt works. I remember seeing a Picasso print at knee level and just being totally stunned.

The last time I was there I was around 16 and fell in love with his 'Dragonfly' series. I adored a huge, orange and green canvas which was around $750 and trying to convince my parents that buying it for me would cover all gift requirements until I was 30. Unfortunatly, I couldn't convince them enough.

When Hart's death was announced I remember thinking that his prices would now go through the roof, but I never looked into it. Now, the only comparable piece (much smaller, much duller colours and less detail) is $6500 and the only remaining painting in the series.

I've always wanted to be able to invest in art. It's a long term goal but something that has always been at the back of my mind, not so much for their worth but for having really amazing pieces which have part of the artist in them. Something that tells a story. Something individual.

posted by Jess @ 12:12 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Home

Currently there are four places that feel like home to me, and when I think of 'home' all of them come to mind.

I wonder how long it will be before I reach a turning point and one of them becomes more like home than the others.

posted by Jess @ 10:33 PM 0 Comments

Monday, May 21, 2007

Airport

‘Hey hey! I’m getting back from Sydney tonight and I’m stuck for a lift… Can you get me from Virgin at 9:45?’

There are a number of my friends that get a similar text message from me every few weeks.

MPM's marked my 13th AIESEC conference just over two years - 8 of those were interstate, and 1 international. Add this to my frequent Sydney trips and (declining, but still present) flights for racing means that
a) I spend alot of time at airports, and
b) have a decent amount of frequent flier points.

Thankyou to all the people who are constantly taking me to, and picking me up from the airport.

The rough break down is as follows:

25% Laura
40% Kezz/ Sam
10% Kylie
5% Penny
20% Ryan

Next time I'll be bringing you back Krispy Kremes.

posted by Jess @ 4:11 PM 0 Comments

Tired.

Back from MPM’s.

I’ve never been so exhausted after a conference – even the ones I’ve run.

I’m not mentally tired – but physically drained.

If there had have been Day 4, there is no way I would have made it.

Maybe it’s because it’s mid-semester, but I’m completely wiped out, but I feel like I’ve been away for weeks.

I thought about creating a list of people to write e-sugarcubes to, but that in itself was enough of an effort.

posted by Jess @ 4:03 PM 1 Comments

Monday, May 14, 2007

MPM's


Back again tomorrow!

This time for MPM's; May Planning Meeting.

Not quite NLTM.

Not quite YLC.

But still an acronym.

posted by Jess @ 3:15 PM 0 Comments

Anthropology

When I dropped my anthropology degree to move to Brisbane and study business I decided that I would be very active in maintaining my interest in the subject. But I haven't. Hopefully this can kick start things again.

Associate Professor Ian Lilley
Title: Strangers and Brothers? Heritage, Human Rights and a Cosmopolitan Archaeology
What: Evening Seminar
When: 29 May 2007 at 6pm, doors open at 5.30pm
Where: Long room, Customs House, 399 Queen Street, CBD

Asoc. Professor Ian Lilley (University of Qld) is the Secretary of the World Archaeological Congress, and on the executive committee of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association.

Ian Lilley (BA Hons, MA Qld, PhD ANU) is a Reader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (ATSIS). He is a professional archaeologist and has undertaken archaeological and cultural heritage research throughout mainland Australia as well as in Torres Strait, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. He did his PhD studies in PNG, investigating ancient maritime trading systems. His research projects currently focus on archaeological developments in the Gulf of Carpentaria, eastern Torres Strait and New Caledonia. He also manages other projects concerning contemporary Aboriginal heritage and issues in higher education of concern to Indigenous Australians. He is a member of Australia ICOMOS and is currently Secretary of the World Archaeological Congress and on the Executive Committee of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association. His other professional interests are archaeology and social identity, archaeological ethics, and the role of archaeology in contemporary society.

His talk considers whether globalized archaeologists, heritage managers and the like,who as cosmopolitans often behave like, and are treated as strangers in the sociological sense, can really also be "brothers", i.e. part of the family, who are able to empathize with and advocate for local-level interests.

posted by Jess @ 12:11 AM 0 Comments

Thursday, May 10, 2007

There's always a catch.

posted by Jess @ 1:03 AM 7 Comments

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Visual DNA

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

posted by Jess @ 3:27 PM 0 Comments

CONGRATULATIONS!


For my favourite Turk, Bo-shakalaka

CONGRATULATIONS!

Officially an AIESEC Alumni; I hope the new job is all that you wished for and that you have a great time in the UK! Brisbane isn't the same without you.

posted by Jess @ 5:29 AM 0 Comments

B. Bus (Mkt/ PR)

Deep down I know that university isn’t something that I should get hung up on; I just need to grit my teeth and get on with it and focus of the bigger picture. I’m a learn by doing person so memorising chapters and chapters of consumer behaviour theory, only to further discuss that these theories often are not reflected in the actual business environment isn’t something that floats my boat.

Today I met a friend’s housemate (around 25) who is currently the marketing manager at a major shopping centre in Brisbane, having previously worked at the Myer Centre and Queens Plaza. She assured me that working experience will take you leaps and bounds above what your degree will.
This is something that I know, but sometimes I just need to be reminded of.

As soon as I’ve finished exams this semester, I’ll be actively pursuing the summer internship I’ve been offered, and working on gaining credit from my current work as a speechwriter, and credit from my semester in my Arts degree back in 2004. Moving on from this degree as fast as humanly possible.

posted by Jess @ 3:04 AM 0 Comments

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Environment in the budget

BEFORE BUDGET ANNOUNCMENT:

‘Treasurer Peter Costello has declared tomorrow's Federal Budget will "put a map down for the future", by including "practical measures" to tackle climate change and huge defence spending.’ (source)

And this:

'Prime Minister John Howard has hinted this year's federal budget may include a multi-billion dollar investment in climate change measures.

Mr Howard has told The Australian Financial Review that addressing climate change required the government to cover some of the costs of cleaning up existing energy technologies and encouraging new ones.' (source)

(These are just a sample of scores of articles that were released along a similar vein)

AFTER BUDGET ANNOUNCMENT:

‘But Government sources have ruled out major climate change initiatives until the Prime Minister receives a major report into global warming next month’ (source)

(The ONLY article I could find that referenced environment inititives in the budget)

posted by Jess @ 5:37 PM 0 Comments

Valued Characteristics

On the way home I had time for a bit of reflection (updating that PLP) and I created a list of 17 characteristics that I value and admire in people. I then narrowed it down to 7, and finally down to 3.

Ability to connect with others
Tenacity
Loyalty

One of my weaknesses (or strengths, depends how you see it) is that I’m very quick to judge, and pretty stubborn in my opinions from that point onwards. I started applying these three characteristics to people that I gel with, and those that I really, really don’t. It became pretty clear that the former hold at least two of these characteristics (at least in my eyes) and the latter, one or none.

They’re not groundbreaking characteristics, but they hold true to me. I’ll update if I come across anyone who stands out as an anomaly to this for me.

posted by Jess @ 6:58 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

A note to Ben

I can't believe you read my blog...

posted by Jess @ 4:49 AM 2 Comments

Pneumonia (Part II)

I have a very clear memory of Elo fussing over me before YLC (a year ago), telling me that she'd be monitoring my level of scarf-wearing. Today, my doctor confirmed that it's back again, taught me how to use an inhaler then sent me tottering off to get x-rays.

Wah.

posted by Jess @ 12:06 AM 0 Comments