When silence doesn’t cut it.
24 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: silence, Debate, Discussion, Decisions, Committee, Vote, Advocacy, Opinions
I’ve written twice now about the topic of silence and its various effects, but brace yourself, as I am about to tout the benefits of making some noise.
It’s currently just after 11pm and I’ve just arrived home from a committee meeting for the theatre company I work with. I have been on the committee for a year but compared to some of the members, I am still a relative newbie. This year in particular however, I have vowed to myself to be more involved and outspoken in my role.
This is particularly an issue because there are those on the committee that are very opinionated and have no problem expressing themselves. And not always in the most diplomatic way. Amongst such strong personalities, it is easy to fade into the background or get lost in the crowd.
Tonight’s meeting was quite an important one as it is a vital part of the process of organising our annual major musical. Naturally, tension was high as there were some big decisions to be made, and they weren’t all clear-cut.
In particular, an idea was put forward at one point that caused some serious controversy. Whilst I can’t go into details, it was a choice that was incredibly high risk in terms of the reputation of the company, but had the potential to bring enormous benefits.
I was opposed to it from the start. And for once, I made this known. Amongst the group of ten present, only about four were very vocal in the discussion, with the others preferring to observe and comment occasionally. And I was in there, guns blazing.
In my mind, the fact that going with the plan suggested could help us greatly did not matter in the slightest. To do so would have meant risking the reputation of the company – snd seriously compromising my personal morals.
I am proud of myself tonight. I stuck by my values, and reiterated my ethical standpoint on the decision. As attractive as the option was, I couldn’t look past its unfair nature and unprofessional methods, and I made this known.
Amongst those actively discussing the issue, I was outnumbered. It was clear that the others were really attracted to the almost certain benefits of the decision. I do not judge them for this at all, obviously I believe everyone is entitled to hold whatever opinion they like and should feel free to express it. But at the time, it felt like I was fighting a losing battle. I was mentally preparing my resignation letter as I was sure I would lose the vote and was not willing to stay on the committee if this went ahead.
When the decision went to the vote, it was rejected. ‘My side’ of the argument won by one vote – according to our constitution for this sort of decision, a sufficient amount for the vote to stand.
So it was clear that either I had convinced some people, or they had held those opinions all along and had just not voiced them.
If my language was persuasive, I am surprised. Whilst I wanted my opinion explained and put on the record for my own sake, I did not set out to convince everyone to vote with me. If my words were simply voicing a common view, I am even more proud. I stood up for my own beliefs and in doing so, those of others who were not comfortable expressing them.
Silence can be incredibly powerful. But sometimes you have to step up and make some noise. You only stand to regret it if you don’t.
Research: an appeal for help!!
23 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Teaching, Professional development, PD, Teachers, TeachMeet
My mother (also an avid blogger) today introduced me to the idea of using a blog as a research and learning tool – that is, rather than presenting a finished piece as a blog post, encouraging interaction with readers by asking questions, leaving things open and appealing for help in achieving your goals.
So today I am going to put my trust in the powers of the internet and word of mouth, attempt to use my blog for this purpose. As part of my Journalism studies I am required to write a feature article, and I have decided to focus mine on the dynamics of professional development for teachers and in particular, the idea of ‘TeachMeets’.
If you’ve been referred to this blog I thank you for your effort, and I now have a request of you. If you are a teacher and have experienced a TeachMeet, I would love to hear your thoughts on the process and on professional development in general.
Anyone who is willing and able to answer a few of these questions, your efforts would be very much appreciated.
If you are happy to be quoted directly, please include your full name. This article is for assessment purposes rather than publication, but I may post the piece here on my blog at a later date.
And so, in hope and anticipation, THANK YOU!
Making an impression
21 May 2012 Leave a Comment
As I write this, I am engaging in one of my favourite pastimes. It’s a little activity I like to call “people watching”. It’s fairly self-explanatory, and whilst some may think its slightly creepy, I find it fascinating.
As I sit here outside a cafe at uni, I am surrounded by characters of every type you could imagine, despite the fact that it’s quite late in the typical uni day. There are solitary people and people in groups. Smiling people, concentrating people, people on the lookout for companions that are yet to arrive, people deeply engaged in conversation. People rugged up for the winter weather and people who must be freezing or crazy. Those dressed for fashion and those dressed for comfort. Tall people, short people, thin people, round people. Blondes, brunettes, redheads and everything in between. One with blue hair.
And as I look around at all these people sitting by and drinking their coffees or chatting with friends or desperately trying to catch up on readings for the class they have next, I move on to the next phase of people watching – formulating their stories.
How much can I tell from what they are wearing, how they are acting and who they are with about who they are? Have they just met the people with them or are they lifelong friends?
The girl in front of me has been sitting alone for around ten minutes, alternating between looking towards a major walkway nearby and checking her phone. Is she waiting on a friend for their weekly coffee catch up? Is she meeting a teacher to discuss an assignment that she simply can’t hand in on time? Has she been stood up?
A woman who I would estimate to be in her mid-40s ambles past quite slowly. She is clearly heading somewhere but is in no rush. She is alone but smiling to herself. Has she just received good news? Knows that wherever she is heading is bound to be lots of fun? Just hung up the phone after an unexpected and sweet call? Or is she just naturally optimistic and high on life?
I suppose there are a few reasons this activity interests me so much. Firstly, I am a student of Media and Communications, and a major part of my studies last year revolved around nonverbal communication and how we can convey so much about ourselves and our personalities without talking.
It also interests me on a personal level because I’ve come to feel recently that I don’t make a very good first impression. I don’t really know why, but I feel sometimes people tend to warm to me after a few encounters more than they do on first meeting, as you can do with some. I can’t put a finger on why I feel like this, but I’ve just been mulling over the idea of impressions recently.
But I suppose the main reason I do this is that I just like people. I like to think I’m fairly observant, and I like to notice the individual. It’s not just a crowd; a collective mass. It’s a group of people. And as strange or soppy as it may sound, I like to think about how each member of the crowd came to be there and where they’re off to next.
Oh well, it keeps my overactive imagination busy, at least.
Experience is essential
13 May 2012 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: employment, experience, job, job hunting, jobs, PR, public relations
Those three little words have brought me down so many times.
As if job hunting isn’t difficult enough, it seems that particularly in the retail and hospitality industries (typically the most suitable for a full time student), no one wants to hire a rookie. No one has the time or money or patience to train someone from scratch and therefore won’t consider taking on someone who hasn’t worked in a very similar business before.
I’ve spent a bit of time over the last few months trawling through online job listings trying to find something appropriate for me, and it always goes exactly the same way: find an ideal job, discover it is in a perfect location, check off all my qualifications and personal qualities and then hit that brick wall: “Experience is essential”.
The paradox is then, how does one get experience if no one is willing to hire you without it? I have been lucky to get another job in a completely unrelated area but for those who are in need of employment and are looking to these industries, where are they supposed to go?
In the end, it comes down to being willing to give someone a chance. To acknowledge that a decision might have temporary negative effects or might take a while to pay off, but sticking with it for the sake of giving someone an opportunity to start out.
I’m studying public relations and journalism but I am also a theatre nut. So naturally, when I saw that a national theatre website that I follow religiously was looking for volunteers to join their publicity department and help with shooting and editing videos, I jumped at the chance. It was a bit off my usual area of expertise but I thought; “hey, it’s still a foot in the door and it’ll look great on a resume”.
I shot an expression of interest off into the cosmos via email and was feeling quite blasé about it (as I didn’t expect to be successful, given my lack of experience), but within three minutes I had received a response from the manager. The crux of his message was that considering what I was studying, this role probably wasn’t right for me but he’d love to meet with me to discuss the possibility of doing some PR work for them.
This was way beyond anything I had imagined and despite being incredibly anxious about it, I met with him a few weeks later. After about forty-five minutes chatting with him in his inner-city office, I came away as the newest member of the website’s staff, in a role that the manager intended to invent just for me. I am now referred to as their ‘Communications Manager’, and I handle their social media, PR and event management.
I don’t yet have my degree. I have never worked in the communications industry and so have little vocational experience. Yet this man must have seen some sort of potential in me and was willing to give me a shot despite my age and background.
Granted, this is a volunteer position, but there is just as much at stake for him than there would be for any other company. I am one of the public voices of the site – I post from their Facebook and Twitter accounts, share site content and interact with followers – of which there are almost 9,000. But I have been trusted with this job and, so far, I don’t believe I’ve let them down.
I understand for some, taking on a newbie just seems like too high a risk. But I am now and always will be grateful to those who are willing to give you that ‘foot in the door’ chance to learn new skills, gain some experience and prove yourself.
Where does one find the funny bone?
15 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: comedy, comedy festival, funny, melbourne international comedy festival, michael jackson, twitter, whitney houston
Shock horror! I’m writing again! Yes, I am aware it has been a number of months since my last post, but I’m not even going to go there. This blog is already far too full of apologies for tardiness.
I’ve been musing recently on the topic of comedy, in no small part because I am now part of the cast of a comedy revue. It’s a sketch comedy show, with each skit lasting anywhere from ten seconds to a couple of minutes, and we’re performing in a couple of months as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
One vital part of the rehearsal/workshopping process is our test audience; when a group experienced in comedy watch our show and give feedback on the sketches. So this poses the question: will they find it funny?
And this has got me thinking, why is it we find things ‘funny’? And why is it that comics can so easily cause uproar by making jokes that are deemed ‘inappropriate’?
Following the death of Whitney Houston, an Australian comedian was technologically crucified for Tweeting something along the lines of “Whitney Houston now regretting hiring Michael Jackson’s doctor” (I can neither remember nor find the exact wording of the Tweet). According to critics, it was ‘too soon’ to make light of her passing. So what is the time limit? Is there one? Will we at some point come to an unspoken agreement that it is suddenly okay to joke about it?
When rehearsing our show, there is always a little part of my mind that is aware that my family and friends will likely come to see it. And in a way, this makes me rethink some of the sketches. I wonder if my parents will take offence to jokes, if some of the content will be too risqué for my younger sister, or if my friends will be surprised to see me in such a production.
But why should I worry? There seems to be some unwritten understanding that drama can cover sticky concepts, but comedy must steer clear. Whilst I may not always agree with making jokes about someone’s death, I can not rationally explain why it should never be allowed. I’m sure it is no one’s intention to imply that Whitney’s death is insignificant or that it wouldn’t be devastating for her nearest and dearest, and many of her fans – but why is it seen as sacrilege to find something funny to say about it? When you dissect the aforementioned joke, it really has a stab at the wrongdoings of MJ’s doctor and his track record with famous patients, not at Whitney’s death.
There is something very personal about comedy. If someone doesn’t like a dramatic work, a non-fiction piece of writing or a piece of music for example, they will say they dislike it. But if someone doesn’t like your sense of humour, it instantly becomes personal. People can easily be offended and repulsed, and many a critic has gone on a rampage against one comic or another for content they disagreed with. But if it appeals to someone’s sense of humour, what right does anyone else have to say that it isn’t funny?
Again I seem to have written a post that has no conclusion, but I guess all there is to say is this: I think our show is funny. We have a mix of gags that should cater for just about any sense of humour (those rather twisted included). I think we’ll put it on and enjoy ourselves and entertain some people. And if anyone doesn’t like it, then they don’t have to laugh. No one’s making them.
A Terrible Affliction
16 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
So, it has been quite a while since I last wrote a blog post. I could give any number of excuses – I have indeed been fairly busy the last month or so – but to be totally honest, my tardiness has nothing to do with a jam-packed schedule. I have instead been suffering from a terrible affliction that has undoubtedly struck just about everyone who has had a pressing need to put pen to paper (or, fingers to keys). That’s right, I’ve been battling Writer’s Block.
Writer’s Block is a funny sensation. It always hits at the worst time; right when you have the least amount of energy to tackle it, or the greatest need for it to stay away. Somehow the same switch in your brain that tells you “right, it’s time for work” also decides “ah, let’s see what havoc we can wreak here”. It gets into your head and simply stops ideas in their tracks. You’ll get an idea; a stroke of genius, and begin to piece it into a sentence – and then you’ll hit a wall. Not only are you unable to continue with that thought, but you’ve forgotten what it was to begin with.
Writer’s Block has some serious long-term outcomes. It leads to frustration, procrastination and agitation, and if you’re anything like me, usually results in a toddler-esque tantrum in which everything aside from your own inabilities is blamed for your lack of productivity, including your work conditions, the weather and anybody in the near vicinity.
Of course, when it comes to Motzie, it is not absolutely essential that I overcome Writer’s Block. There won’t be any serious long-term harm if my blog doesn’t continue. But there is another side effect of this condition that I am always struck by – the accompanying guilt. Despite there being no pressing urgency for me to write another post, the time wasting that Writer’s Block leads me to always makes me feel that my time should be being spent more effectively.
It was a serious struggle to get this post up and running. In the time since I last wrote, a lot has happened and I have on occasion had a stroke of inspiration for a new post, but none of these ideas have made it past the first paragraph – or in some cases, even past the title. My draft folder is full of posts that consist of gems such as “Today I came across…”, “I was thinking that…” and “Something I’ve realised is…”.
Maybe it says something about me – that my ideas are meant to stay in my head and not be put into words. Maybe it just means that I’m lazy and undisciplined. But either way, I’m going to continue my research for a cure for Writer’s Block, because I’m not ready to let Motzie die just yet.
Day Thirty – Whatever Tickles Your Fancy (aka. Why Harry Matters)
17 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: basilisk, books, deathly hallows, draco, draco malfoy, granger, harry, harry potter, harry potter generation, hermione, hermione granger, JK Rowling, longbottom, malfoy, movie, neville, neville longbottom, philosopher's stone, potter, ron, ron weasley, weasley, why harry matters
So I finally made it! The final day of the blogging challenge. The challenge that was supposed to take me 30 days and has in fact taken me 132 days…but I completed it, nonetheless (ignoring the fact that this means I averaged 4.4 days per post).
So this challenge coming to its completion got me thinking about the concept of endings, and it seems fitting that I mull over such a topic the day after another era of my life came to an end. I speak of a common theme in the lives of many of my peers, something we have grown up with since its beginnings ten years ago, and something that I can safely say has impacted our lives.
I am speaking of Harry Potter.
Yes, as cheesy as it sounds, the impact of this phenomenon has been summed up in Facebook-group forms such as “3 heroes. 7 books. 8 movies. 10 years. We are the Harry Potter generation.” And whilst it may seem frivolous to name one’s generation after a book and film franchise, it is not an unfair statement.
As an eighteen year old, the first HP film premièred when I was eight, and the main characters of the film were eleven in the first instalment – not that much older than myself and my age mates. Magical powers aside, they were still ordinary kids with ordinary problems, and a great number of us were ‘spellbound’ (*shudders at corny pun*) by the story.
I remember being eight or nine (and indeed, this wish may have persisted for quite a number of years) and wanting nothing more than to be Hermione Granger. I too was a nerdy, shy, book-loving child with rather frizzy hair and I was captivated by this young girl who I related with so strongly. I admired the courage of Harry Potter, laughed with (and at) the gawky Ron Weasley, learned to pity Neville Longbottom and to hate Draco Malfoy. Terms like the Philosopher’s stone, basilisks and OWLs became part of everyday vocabulary, and I would have sold my soul to trade in Maths and English for Charms and Transfiguration.
As I said, I loved reading as a child – and still do – so when the books came out I just consumed them. But something I’ve noticed about this series is that even those who weren’t big readers could get into them. I’m sure there would be many people (and I know of some myself) who claim not to enjoy or have an interest in reading, but who will willingly admit to completing the entire series. Supposedly, 11 million copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows were sold in its first 24 hours after release. That’s a whole lotta books. So even if you are not a fan of the books and the subsequent franchise, and you prefer to stick to the classics – you can’t deny the impact the series had on the reading habits of entire populations.
So now the last film has been released – a few years after the final book – and with it, the new material has come to an end. On paper, Harry’s story has reached its finale. But in the hearts of devoted fans everywhere, it’s here to stay.
Day Twenty Nine – Hopes, Dreams And Plans For The Next 365 Days
12 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: blog, blogging, blogging challenge, dreams, future, goals, hopes, hopes and dreams, plans
Now this is a tough one. If this year so far is anything to go by, I have no idea what the next 365 days could have in store for me. To begin with the obvious, I will complete my first year of University. At this point, it doesn’t seem that much will get in the way of this (touch wood).
Trimester 2 began yesterday, and unlike last trimester, I actually have a standard number of hours. But, being me, I couldn’t just let this result in a normal timetable. No, I have condensed my hours into one full day and two half days (if you can call them that), which meant that I began the new term with an 8am start to kick off an eight hour day. It’s funny how this seems to be such a struggle – I did just finish Year 12, which was 8 hours a day, 5 days a week…yet somehow to do that for even one day at Uni seems like immensely hard work. Ah, the life of a university student.
So what else?
Well, I’m getting back into theatre! Following a few unsuccessful auditions (aka, rejections), I’ve been cast in the ensemble for another show – which I am UBER excited about. As far as I’m concerned, it has been far too long since I’ve been on stage, and I’m just massively grateful to have another chance to get out there.
I’m still umpiring (in fact, I have to disappear to one of my shifts in a minute or two), which is hard work but worth it in the end, despite my perpetual complaining about it. Unfortunately rehearsals for the musical means I won’t be playing netball every week, but I will still try and play as often as I can.
So clearly I’m keeping busy. But what about hopes and dreams for the next 365 days? That’s harder to say. At the moment my goal is just to reach some sort of equilibrium. So far, Uni life has been treating me well. I’m really loving it. But the mix-and-match timetables and free days, combined with irregular work shifts and rehearsal schedules means that time management is exponentially more difficult. I go from being crazily busy and run off my feet to having more free time than I can deal with. So I suppose my hopes for the next 365 days is to figure out some way to balance it all, so that I don’t end up as some sobbing heap in the corner of my bedroom. And this can only put me in good stead for all those 365-days-es to follow.
