I recon these were pretty good, might be worth a look back.
Ruined Christmas Miracle (December 15) The worst computer I’ve ever had (February 2016) Leadership and Learning (October 2016) Enough (August 2021) What do you think, any other good ones in the archives?
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Right, so in the 80s there was an annual running race organised from the biggest Westfield shopping centre in Sydney to the biggest Westfield shopping centre in Melbourne - incredible promotion from them. The distance was 875kms and the course was set to take runners 6 days to complete. This kind of race, an ultra marathon, is obviously only possible for elite and highly specialised runners, and if you know the story, you know where I’m going. If you don’t, it’s incredible.
In 1983 the race was set. Runners would start inside the halls of the massive shopping centre amidst significant public interest, news crews, announcers, the whole deal. They’d head off through the Westfield, out on the street, then onto the highway and hook in for 6 days of running to Melbourne. From Sydney. The field of highly prepared runners included 1 unusual entrant. A 61 year old sheep farmer who was completely unknown to the other competitors, Cliff Young. He left his dentures at home for the race. They rattled when he ran. The race began, the pack took off and Cliff’s shuffling gait was much slower than the other competitors. By the time convention and race strategy dictated the athletes stop that night for their meal and 6 hour sleep session Cliff was a long way behind. Cliff didn’t stop though, he just held on to his strange efficient shuffle through the night. By the morning he was in front. The pack woke up, took on their pre-calculated calorie dense fuel and charged after him. Cliff ran for 5 days straight, won the race by 10 hours and completed the run from Sydney to Melbourne 2 days faster than anyone had ever done it before. During the race he was interviewed over a jar of milk served from his support van’s window. “…what’s your secret do you recon?” Cliff looked deep into his near empty jar and said “you’ve just got to keep going I think.” 6 runners finished the race in 1983, all in fast times. Cliff said he wasn’t aware there was a $10 000 prize for the winner. He split it and gave the other 5 athletes $2000 each before heading back to the sheep farm. I drove the car slowly up the street. Pan boy sat in the back. We do this morning drive every week, from our house to day care, it’s the same drive and it’s always a little different. This day it was quiet, no music, no baby squeaking and no chatting from the four years old.
A bus turned slowly left in front of us, briefly we could see figures blurred by the thick glass windows clouded by fog or condensation. A pushbike rolled past us at a pedestrian crossing, the tires were gloss black with water from a puddle. It’s always a little different. Both of us watched the suburb turn, hustled movement of people on their way. Some of the trees were starting to change colour with the season, the traffic on Short Street was fine. Students in uniform walked to school. It was contemplative. We arrived. Breaking the silence of seven minutes a small voice spoke, full of query. “Dad? Why when Andy’s home are his toys not alive, but when he goes out they do come alive?” Why indeed. It’s the same drive every week and it’s always a little different. Flâneur
- noun a man who saunters around observing society. I always knew I took strongly from my mother’s side of the family; the hair, the eyes, the inability to read in a moving car. Then at our wedding she gave a speech that was emotive and personal and I thought, “yeah! that’s how I’ve been trying to do it.” This week my mum introduced me to the French word/concept of flâneur, and now I finally understand who I am and where I come from. My mother is a Flâneuse and I am a Flâneur. The term seems to have begun with a real lounging around, drifting aimlessly type of French vibe. People with nothing better to do than saunter slowly about a city. Then flâneur grew and had a little bit of a revival with some real positive appreciation of architecture and society components linked in to all that walking and looking around. It's important to have people move around a place and appreciate the minutiae and the splendid. There is even a real nice element you can graft on to flâneur about deliberately rejecting the over consumption and distractions of life to make way for meaningful observation, interaction and reflection on the world. Mum told me she thinks this whole blog is a place for the thoughts I develop though various saunters around observing. I think she might be onto something. Ripples in the water. A large creature moved gracefully, steadily. White feathers, mighty wings and a smooth long neck. The other water animals made way. This was a prince. Uncoiling its limbs the large bird rose to the bank, it stretched and stood proud. Head high, wings wide, confidence, youth, pride - its whole stance a challenge. The beast was waiting. It had come to stand in front of the bird, it had come to be measured. It was hardened, standing firm on four powerful legs. Eyes set in determination within a large golden head. Hair burst in all directions back from its crown, a mane of power. The white bird and the golden beast. They looked at each other in stillness. Then it began. They rushed together intently. They pushed and struck, poised and pounded. Power vs skill. Grace vs passion. The beast had the upper hand then the bird rallied and surged. Well matched, each with their strengths. The contest turned again and the bird fell, feathers struck mud. Back to the water, defeated. They exchanged a look; respect, gratitude. Turning in a plume of golden hair the big cat puffed its chest in victory. It began to stride back into the jungle and suddenly halted, a huge front paw suspended mid stride. The path was not clear, fiery eyes glared from blue and red shadow. The way forward lead to a demon. The beast flexed and stepped forward. For reference for those confused: https://www.afl.com.au/news/752475/lions-survive-a-buddy-blitz-to-go-top-two
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AuthorHigh school teacher Archives
September 2023
CategoriesThemes |