I have recently had a friend return to Oz from India and every time he jets off somewhere new it reminds me of that one time I was able to adventure off to foreign shores.
There is nothing like travelling overseas! Whether it is for work or pleasure or a mixture of both it can be a real thrill to hop onto a plane and leave the safety and security of friends and family. I see travel as the greatest education one can ever get, it is an opportunity to truly see and learn about other countries, other cultures and other people. It is also the ultimate education about yourself. Travel exposes you to new and unusual situations that you must deal with and learn from and all the while you have this great freedom and this eagerness to discover the new and unexplored.
I hope one day soon that I will get to travel again... This time it would be great to have my wonderful wife and beautiful kids along too... A chance to learn even more about ourselves and each other. Until that chance comes along though I will watch enviously (the sky and the web) as planes fly over my head and as gorgeous views from America, Italy, Spain, Ireland, etc. appear in my inbox or on facebook, glad that my mates are discovering a new experience, a new place and even something new about themselves.
Happy travels!!
Thursday, 24 July 2014
Tuesday, 22 July 2014
The Wonderful Chaos of School Term in Winter
The school term has begun again and I am beginning to curse the cool winter mornings.
The holidays have been great with the kids rising early with me so we can eat breakfast together while I get ready for work (a big thanks to my beautiful wife and our amazing friends who have looked after the little ones over the two week holiday break). Now that the older two are back at school and kindy has started another term I am finding less and less that the kids are up with me and happy around the breakfast table... Now I get them out of bed and they find a way to crawl back in.
I am struggling to get up each morning when the radio tells me it is a brisk 3 degrees, so I can sympathize with my kids... almost admiring their determination to gain that extra five minutes of warm snug as a bug feeling that can only be found under the blankets and eiderdown and surrounded by millions of teddy bears. I did say almost... Get up! Get out of bed!! Breakfast time!
Following breakfast is always two of the most frustrating games that parents and kids can ever play... Game one I like to call 'who can get dressed the slowest' and game two is 'what can I leave at home which I desperately need with me at school/kindy'. I wonder if you can guess how these games are played (and who usually wins!)?
I say bring on the weekend and a looooooovely sleep in!!!
The holidays have been great with the kids rising early with me so we can eat breakfast together while I get ready for work (a big thanks to my beautiful wife and our amazing friends who have looked after the little ones over the two week holiday break). Now that the older two are back at school and kindy has started another term I am finding less and less that the kids are up with me and happy around the breakfast table... Now I get them out of bed and they find a way to crawl back in.
I am struggling to get up each morning when the radio tells me it is a brisk 3 degrees, so I can sympathize with my kids... almost admiring their determination to gain that extra five minutes of warm snug as a bug feeling that can only be found under the blankets and eiderdown and surrounded by millions of teddy bears. I did say almost... Get up! Get out of bed!! Breakfast time!
Following breakfast is always two of the most frustrating games that parents and kids can ever play... Game one I like to call 'who can get dressed the slowest' and game two is 'what can I leave at home which I desperately need with me at school/kindy'. I wonder if you can guess how these games are played (and who usually wins!)?
I say bring on the weekend and a looooooovely sleep in!!!
Monday, 7 July 2014
Winter V Summer... Why I love winter the most
The greatest argument of all, the battle of the seasons... extreme heat verses extreme cool. Well here is why I love winter the most.
1. My birthday is in July and it is always a great chance to catch up with friends and family, get spoiled by the people I love and who love me, a wonderful reminder that life is awesome.
2. So many bed covers you feel like a bear slumbering until the spring (snuggling with the kids and my gorgeous wife are really nice too).
3. The wild weather, the sound of rain on the roof and windows, the flash of lightning and the BOOM of thunder... Nature at its wildest and craziest.
4. Fine red wine and dark chocolate... It seems to suit winter the best. If you can combine those two pleasures with an open fire roaring away then you have it made.
These are just four great things that come to mind when I think of winter. I argue that the old man image with the wispy white beard is unfair to label on such a wonderful season.
What do you think though? Do you love hitting the beach on a hot hot day and enjoying ice cream while soaking up the sweet sunshine?
1. My birthday is in July and it is always a great chance to catch up with friends and family, get spoiled by the people I love and who love me, a wonderful reminder that life is awesome.
2. So many bed covers you feel like a bear slumbering until the spring (snuggling with the kids and my gorgeous wife are really nice too).
3. The wild weather, the sound of rain on the roof and windows, the flash of lightning and the BOOM of thunder... Nature at its wildest and craziest.
4. Fine red wine and dark chocolate... It seems to suit winter the best. If you can combine those two pleasures with an open fire roaring away then you have it made.
These are just four great things that come to mind when I think of winter. I argue that the old man image with the wispy white beard is unfair to label on such a wonderful season.
What do you think though? Do you love hitting the beach on a hot hot day and enjoying ice cream while soaking up the sweet sunshine?
Thursday, 3 July 2014
Goodbye 34 years...
Such a special day yesterday. My birthday come and gone for another year. It reminds me of just how lucky I am with a family who loves me and does everything in their power to make my day such a special one. My youngest spent all lunchtime telling me she loved me (every five minutes... adorable) while my eight year old son and almost seven year old daughter were so eager to wish me the best day ever. My gorgeous wife, my princess and the love of my life went above and beyond as always to truly make me feel like her prince.
My friends too sent out text messages and other forms of social media to remind me that I was in their thoughts. So much love I hardly had time to respond to them all. Thank you everyone for your kind words and well wishes. To top off a brilliant day I also got a call from my brother and God son who did a happy birthday duet over the phone (got my birthday hug and high five!)
At work there was cake and a card and more well wishes. Thanks guys... A great day even if I was at work.
So I say goodbye to 34 and look forward to what lies ahead. I must say... So far so good!!
My friends too sent out text messages and other forms of social media to remind me that I was in their thoughts. So much love I hardly had time to respond to them all. Thank you everyone for your kind words and well wishes. To top off a brilliant day I also got a call from my brother and God son who did a happy birthday duet over the phone (got my birthday hug and high five!)
At work there was cake and a card and more well wishes. Thanks guys... A great day even if I was at work.
So I say goodbye to 34 and look forward to what lies ahead. I must say... So far so good!!
Sunday, 22 June 2014
Two weeks in June
What a great holiday I have had. Two weeks off in June. Cold but not wet or not too wet anyway. It has been a wonderful time spent with my beautiful wife and my three gorgeous kids. There have been more school and kindy runs than I am used to doing and I have an even greater respect for Heidi (I don't know how you do it all darling girl...)
I loved celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary, escaping from the children for a night to enjoy some together time (many thanks to our wonderful friends Larissa and Ben and Maria for making this possible). Dinner and a movie and so much bubbles... what an amazing night.
I finally got out to the front and back yard... weeding... mowing... all the fun jobs. With help from Heidi's mum and dad I was able to cram so many odd jobs that were well overdue into my second week. I must say the house is looking pretty good.
Finally I even managed to get a short story written and submitted... It is a 1,000 word thriller based on James Pattersons' character Alex Cross (Kiss the Girls, Along Came a Spider, etc.) When I know how the voting works I will send out a link and give you a chance to have a read.
Back at work now (hit the ground running) but looking forward to September... But first my main bread and butter the school holiday activities.
Stay tuned...
I loved celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary, escaping from the children for a night to enjoy some together time (many thanks to our wonderful friends Larissa and Ben and Maria for making this possible). Dinner and a movie and so much bubbles... what an amazing night.
I finally got out to the front and back yard... weeding... mowing... all the fun jobs. With help from Heidi's mum and dad I was able to cram so many odd jobs that were well overdue into my second week. I must say the house is looking pretty good.
Finally I even managed to get a short story written and submitted... It is a 1,000 word thriller based on James Pattersons' character Alex Cross (Kiss the Girls, Along Came a Spider, etc.) When I know how the voting works I will send out a link and give you a chance to have a read.
Back at work now (hit the ground running) but looking forward to September... But first my main bread and butter the school holiday activities.
Stay tuned...
Saturday, 21 June 2014
From the diary of Stephan, Knowledge Keeper of the city of Andrapaal
From the diary of Stephan, Knowledge Keeper of the city of Andrapaal
Year 496, Season Spring, Edward Bear-Heart is Chief Sage, Fredrick the Red is King
I Stephan from the Northern Road to Nowhere, Knowledge Keeper of our famed capital, the city of Andrapaal do so record these words as truth. The year is 496 since the sylvi released us from the vorsurk dogs. I am honoured to be one who has benefited from their gift of the holy knowledge of literacy.
Today it rained, a fine sun shower that wet my blue robes as they hung drenched from washing, seeking the sun's rays. The pit pat of the light droplets upon my slate roof humoured me. The tune brought to my mind a bard's performance I had attended as a student sage.
This was my sole moment of pleasure this day. As the sun shower passed I left my home and strode towards the palace. I was waylaid by a foreign merchant from the south, could not the man see I had no time to view his patterned clay pots? Three visitors to the city I reminded to visit the hall and record their business. Surely in a kingdom where tradition and communication are equally key the word should have passed from citizen to citizen that each and every visitor needs to record their business?
Then my lessons began. Half a day of young giggling boys in yellow robes, not interested in fact, in fact only interested in themselves and where the power that comes with being a sage can take them in this kingdom. Being a Knowledge Keeper is a great responsibility, we record every moment of our people's lives. Life influences kingdom which in turn improves life.
One yellow robed boy concerns me most though. A young one named Morthos seems to be focused upon our laws, how they are made and how they can be changed. Some of what I have overheard this youngster discuss with his peers can almost be considered manipulation! I have every mind to discuss this boy with Bear-Heart, though I fear the man who is our senior will see no err in what the child says. Troubling, for it is not what the children say, but perhaps how they say it.
Thus ends this entry.
Year 496, Season Spring, Edward Bear-Heart is Chief Sage, Fredrick the Red is King
I Stephan from the Northern Road to Nowhere, Knowledge Keeper of our famed capital, the city of Andrapaal do so record these words as truth. The year is 496 since the sylvi released us from the vorsurk dogs. I am honoured to be one who has benefited from their gift of the holy knowledge of literacy.
Today it rained, a fine sun shower that wet my blue robes as they hung drenched from washing, seeking the sun's rays. The pit pat of the light droplets upon my slate roof humoured me. The tune brought to my mind a bard's performance I had attended as a student sage.
This was my sole moment of pleasure this day. As the sun shower passed I left my home and strode towards the palace. I was waylaid by a foreign merchant from the south, could not the man see I had no time to view his patterned clay pots? Three visitors to the city I reminded to visit the hall and record their business. Surely in a kingdom where tradition and communication are equally key the word should have passed from citizen to citizen that each and every visitor needs to record their business?
Then my lessons began. Half a day of young giggling boys in yellow robes, not interested in fact, in fact only interested in themselves and where the power that comes with being a sage can take them in this kingdom. Being a Knowledge Keeper is a great responsibility, we record every moment of our people's lives. Life influences kingdom which in turn improves life.
One yellow robed boy concerns me most though. A young one named Morthos seems to be focused upon our laws, how they are made and how they can be changed. Some of what I have overheard this youngster discuss with his peers can almost be considered manipulation! I have every mind to discuss this boy with Bear-Heart, though I fear the man who is our senior will see no err in what the child says. Troubling, for it is not what the children say, but perhaps how they say it.
Thus ends this entry.
Monday, 2 June 2014
Welcome to Thaerun
To all... This is my first attempt at writing a blog post (diary entry) from the point of view of one of the characters from my novel The Eleventh Tome. It has definitely been a challenge but hopefully I have done a good job. Please tell me what you think.
From the diary of Sebastian, Knowledge Keeper of the city of Merchant's Castle:
Year 495, Season Summer, Edward Bear-Heart is Chief Sage, Fredrick the Red is King
I Sebastian Greyhawke, Knowledge Keeper of the city Merchant's Castle do so record these words as truth. The year is 495 since we have been released as a people by the sylvi and given the written word to record our lives. The season is summer and the day was warm. The perfect weather for such a special day.
The highlight of this day has been the arrival of an envoy from Andrapaal. I was lucky enough to meet them at the gates to our fine city. Our great Chief Sage Bear-Heart has come to speak with me on matters associated with the sylvi border. It is not often that the chief of sages will leave the heart of the kingdom, the fine and fair city of Andrapaal and take the Path of Truth beyond the Vale of History. To traverse to the very western border, an eleven day journey is quite a feat for a man of Edward's age. He is a rare one though, strong in stature from his time as a holy warrior, a celebrated Truth Keeper, but then a wise and studious one who undertook a challenging task to become a student sage. Still we are all amazed at how Bear-Heart now wears the blue robes of Knowledge Keeper, the head of our kind.The Chief Sage had naught but kind words to say about our relationship with the strange forest dwelling sylvi. I look forward to escorting the old man beyond our kingdom to meet with our allies and the people who are our peaceful neighbours.
Thus ends this entry.
From the diary of Sebastian, Knowledge Keeper of the city of Merchant's Castle:
Year 495, Season Summer, Edward Bear-Heart is Chief Sage, Fredrick the Red is King
I Sebastian Greyhawke, Knowledge Keeper of the city Merchant's Castle do so record these words as truth. The year is 495 since we have been released as a people by the sylvi and given the written word to record our lives. The season is summer and the day was warm. The perfect weather for such a special day.
The highlight of this day has been the arrival of an envoy from Andrapaal. I was lucky enough to meet them at the gates to our fine city. Our great Chief Sage Bear-Heart has come to speak with me on matters associated with the sylvi border. It is not often that the chief of sages will leave the heart of the kingdom, the fine and fair city of Andrapaal and take the Path of Truth beyond the Vale of History. To traverse to the very western border, an eleven day journey is quite a feat for a man of Edward's age. He is a rare one though, strong in stature from his time as a holy warrior, a celebrated Truth Keeper, but then a wise and studious one who undertook a challenging task to become a student sage. Still we are all amazed at how Bear-Heart now wears the blue robes of Knowledge Keeper, the head of our kind.The Chief Sage had naught but kind words to say about our relationship with the strange forest dwelling sylvi. I look forward to escorting the old man beyond our kingdom to meet with our allies and the people who are our peaceful neighbours.
Thus ends this entry.
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