Author: johblogs

This week was full and I didn’t manage to avoid working on my ‘day off’, but I did have a leisurely start to the day. I am not sure if I will pick up another sessional teaching subject next semester, but I will keep a day free if not. It may boost my productivity if this article is anything to go by.

https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/four-day-working-week-could-make-us-happier-and-more-productive/10833924

I did have my final massage with the student I have been seeing at our local TAFE. I have probably had 10 massages from this students and each was amazing. I’ve been having massages for over 30 years now, so I am a little selective. When I first started going for student massages I would select the option to have any student and had been pleased with all the massages I had received. One night I got Beth and she was amazing! I ended up regularly going to her and now she is a qualified practitioner. If you live in East Gippsland I recommend her to you. If you contact the amazing Lynda Western who is the massage teacher at TAFE Gippsland in Traralgon, she can probably pass on details. If you want to book in to the next massage school and support the learning (as well as get some bargain self care)- Book Here.

I listened to a great podcast from Impact Boom this week: https://www.impactboom.org/blog/2019/6/20/dr-easkey-britton-on-the-ebb-flow-of-life-as-a-changemaker-adapting-to-shifting-environments. One of the things I love about Impact Boom podcasts is that the transcript is online with links so if you hear something you want to explore more, it’s very easy to do so.

This was my favourite TED Talk –

I finished listening to The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh. It was ok. I started listening to The Alchemist read by Jeremy Irons. I’ve read the paperback many years ago and it’s beautiful to revisit on audio.

Sunday 23rd June 2019

June 23, 2019

johblogs

reflection No Comments

I’ve had a great week. I spent time with my family. I had a few social occasions. I did a fair bit of cooking and had a float, a massage and got to one exercise class.

I finished my corrections so I now have a midweek ‘holiday’. One day a week to do holiday things. I am disciplining myself to avoid work on those days, but it’s tricky, when you are passionate about your work to avoid the many ways people contact for work, even just going down the street on a weekend you will bump into a work related conversation. I am aiming for sustainability this year in my projects and it starts with me.

I did not take one photo this week.

I caught up with one of the original co-founders of Alt_Art this week, Xelious. It was amazing to hear about his journey since being with us at The VRI and after meeting with him, I was curious about one of his jobs with a company called Replika. AI that learns who you are and opens intimate conversation – with yourself? I want to learn more. Users are reporting connection.

Last night I went to the Startup Gippsland Pitch night. It was great to see the 40 or so businesses pitch their ideas. Elena Kelareva and her team have made a huge impact on Gippsland in the short time they’ve been in Warragul. It’s wonderful to see the opportunity and capacity building. The audience was also full of supportive people and it was a great social event. It’s such a promising thing for our region to be getting around.

This week I’ve been listening to three books – Your Daughters of Freedom by Clare Wright, The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh and Everybody Lies by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz. I’ve been reading The Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris and These Things Happen by Greg Fleet.

Interesting things I’ve listened to this week have been:

Podcasts

https://www.thegloaming.com.au/podcast/june2019/euansemple – lots to reflect on.

I also revisited this podcast cause I was driving and it came on. Such a good one though – probably my favourite from The Gloaming:

https://www.thegloaming.com.au/podcast/2018/7/16/hackerhustlerhipstersept2018

TED talks are apparently according to the first mentioned podcast are a bit passe now, I’ve heard this from a lot of people but I won’t give up my subscription. I love hearing predictions about the future:

Favourite TED Talk this week

Now I’m off to watch the latest episode of The Handmaid’s Tale. I hope you have a good week.

Two Weeks

February 25, 2018

johblogs

I missed posting last Sunday.

I spent the day at ReActivate Latrobe Valley‘s event: Get Cheffed and was straight to bed at the end. The event was fun. We had around 500 local food lovers come through our market and 100 spectators for the main event. The marquee was full of supporters who by pledging to our crowdfunding had made the Chef off and Chef up a reality. So many people contributed to the day and donated their time or cash or goods. It is overwhelming sometimes how generous people are.

My parents had their 53rd wedding anniversary this week. I got married on the same day as them, 30 years ago, but did not go the distance, despite choosing what I thought would be an auspicious day. I only lasted around 5 years married. Enough time to have two amazing children, so no regrets.

Jane had her final day at Serving the Valley on Friday. She worked tirelessly right up until the last second following up opportunities for participants and sharing news on social media. We will miss Jane’s dedication to Serving the Valley, but fortunately we work together on other projects and are friends. Jane has volunteered at The VRI and Traralgon Neighbourhood House from the start. I am happy for her that she has a more rewarding job and I believe she will make a greater contribution where she is going and that she may be able to improve opportunities for more people. Jane is one of the kindest people I know. We had a great party on Friday night!

Lots of other stuff has happened and I’m left tonight feeling very grateful for all the wonderful people we have on our teams. People who step up to help out and support in lots of ways. Brilliant people who roll up their sleeves and get stuff done, and make it fun.

30th June 2019

Two Weeks

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