It's the day after yesterday and woke up again to more sexism. This time West Australian radio announcer Howard Sattler thought he'd use the privilege of access to Prime Minister Julia Gillard to repeatedly ask whether her partner Tim Mathison is gay. That he thought it was okay to ask is bad. That he harangued and repeatedly asked as he said "I'm not saying this, but people are" is terrible. That he is "flabbergasted" at his sacking really says something about the man.
Why is this included in a post of my favourite things? Because the radio station acted swiftly and sacked him. No namby-pamby suspension and then quiet reinstatement later when everyone has forgotten - gone. Congratulations 6PR.
Baz Lurhman's film, "The Great Gatsby" took up most of the holiday for the Queen's Birthday on Monday. I loved the film. I loved Leonardo Di Caprio's performance and Joel Edgerton and Carey Mulligan. And the music and the swoon- worthy fashions. My favourite moment though was the footage of a young Queen Elizabeth II with the message "Happy Birthday Liz" played before the film at Yarraville's Sun Theatre. "Oh yeah," I thought, "that's right...that's why it's a public holiday today."
Loved this piece on the 10 books people will judge you for reading. I've read 4 of them and have no intention of reading the remaining 6. E readers are a god send. That's all I'm saying. (I will make no mention of being ensconced in "World War Z - an oral history of the zombie war" at the moment.
It's well and truly winter in Melbourne and I for one am enjoying the chill. It gives me plenty of opportunity to show off my selection of handknitted scarves and fabulous hosiery and boots. The rain is a bit annoying, but it hasn't stopped me achieving my daily target of 10,000 steps in the Global Corporate Challenge.
Monday nights and The Voice are still a great moment in a week's television viewing. The final is on this week and I reckon Harrison will win. I was sad to see Miss Murphy go - it ruined my perfect record of predicting who would go through. I will look forward to Danny Ross' album.
Lastly, I need to finish now so I can make some more sourdough toast with a smear of Maggie Beer's pate to accompany a glass of peppery shiraz. Mmmm.
Showing posts with label The Voice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Voice. Show all posts
Friday, 14 June 2013
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
On my mind - from language to skinny jeans and Ricky Martin
Language is one of my favourite things in the world. I love the sound of words. I love the feel of words - mellifluous - how good does "mellifluous" feel in your mouth as you say it? I pay close attention to the words people choose and how they express themselves. I pay close attention when I choose words and focus on clarity whether I'm speaking or writing.
"Mellifluous" is one of those words that feels and sounds like what it is. It means "sweetly or smoothly flowing". Yes! I really love the way the word itself embodies its own meaning.
This is what I notice about language.
I'm thinking about this because I recently experienced examples of incongruence. I'm noticing it more and more when I'm facilitating and coaching others to achieve their goals. Consider: "Um, I think I want to try and be more passionate?" (The question mark is deliberate.) This sentence was delivered with an apologetic facial expression and a shrug of the shoulders.
I hear the words and am struck by the lack of conviction, the lack of passion in that statement of intent.
I know that it's unclear whether thought follows action or action follows thought, but I'm a firm believer in starting today. If your intention is to be passionate and convey that passion to other people, why not start right now?
Imagine the difference if the statement was "I want to share my passion for Icelandic needlecraft with the world!"; or "I'm passionate about introducing others to the delights of 14th century church music!"
(The exclamation mark at the end of these sentences is deliberate.) I may not have the slightest interest in Icelandic needlecraft or 14th century church music but if you sound like it's exciting when you tell me about it it's likely your energy and enthusiasm will spark a curiosity in me.
These moments of linguistic incongruence leave me wondering; puzzled more than curious.
*****
I discovered today that one of the ingredients listed on my favourite cheese is "cheese flavour".
It's a recent addition.
I am in search of a new favourite cheese.
*****
"The Voice" is back on TV.
I love that show. I am repeating last year's performance, spending most of the blind auditions in tears. I'm not even on the show.
And I look at Ricky Martin and can't believe how handsome he is. Really. He is linguistically congruent. I'm sure. And mellifluous.
*****
It's really hard to top up your myki when the lights are out at the station and it's after sunset.
I hope I topped up my myki and it's not a repeat episode of the time I tried to get into Flinders Street station by touching on with my Boost Juice loyalty card. (They're a similar colour. I was confused.)
*****
Every time I have a shower, there is water on the floor at the other end of the bathroom that wasn't there before I had a shower. I can not find its source. I may be going crazy.
I ponder the conversation with the real estate agent as I explain the problem.
*****
Skinny jeans must be so hard to wear if you need to do anything other than stand in the one spot. Once you're in them how do you bend your legs even to walk? More importantly, what colour are your legs when you take them off?
*****
I've reached my monthly data allowance on my mobile phone. Anxiety accompanies this knowledge. I don't know what to do or how it happened. Will my life ever be the same again?
"Mellifluous" is one of those words that feels and sounds like what it is. It means "sweetly or smoothly flowing". Yes! I really love the way the word itself embodies its own meaning.
This is what I notice about language.
I'm thinking about this because I recently experienced examples of incongruence. I'm noticing it more and more when I'm facilitating and coaching others to achieve their goals. Consider: "Um, I think I want to try and be more passionate?" (The question mark is deliberate.) This sentence was delivered with an apologetic facial expression and a shrug of the shoulders.
I hear the words and am struck by the lack of conviction, the lack of passion in that statement of intent.
I know that it's unclear whether thought follows action or action follows thought, but I'm a firm believer in starting today. If your intention is to be passionate and convey that passion to other people, why not start right now?
Imagine the difference if the statement was "I want to share my passion for Icelandic needlecraft with the world!"; or "I'm passionate about introducing others to the delights of 14th century church music!"
(The exclamation mark at the end of these sentences is deliberate.) I may not have the slightest interest in Icelandic needlecraft or 14th century church music but if you sound like it's exciting when you tell me about it it's likely your energy and enthusiasm will spark a curiosity in me.
These moments of linguistic incongruence leave me wondering; puzzled more than curious.
*****
I discovered today that one of the ingredients listed on my favourite cheese is "cheese flavour".
It's a recent addition.
I am in search of a new favourite cheese.
*****
"The Voice" is back on TV.
I love that show. I am repeating last year's performance, spending most of the blind auditions in tears. I'm not even on the show.
And I look at Ricky Martin and can't believe how handsome he is. Really. He is linguistically congruent. I'm sure. And mellifluous.
*****
It's really hard to top up your myki when the lights are out at the station and it's after sunset.
I hope I topped up my myki and it's not a repeat episode of the time I tried to get into Flinders Street station by touching on with my Boost Juice loyalty card. (They're a similar colour. I was confused.)
*****
Every time I have a shower, there is water on the floor at the other end of the bathroom that wasn't there before I had a shower. I can not find its source. I may be going crazy.
I ponder the conversation with the real estate agent as I explain the problem.
*****
Skinny jeans must be so hard to wear if you need to do anything other than stand in the one spot. Once you're in them how do you bend your legs even to walk? More importantly, what colour are your legs when you take them off?
*****
I've reached my monthly data allowance on my mobile phone. Anxiety accompanies this knowledge. I don't know what to do or how it happened. Will my life ever be the same again?
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
The Voice
Occasionally someone, somewhere has a brilliant idea for a talent or reality based television show and I'll be sucked in.
Not usually a watcher of commercial television, I had barely heard about The Voice, but after only two nights, it is now on my compulsory viewing list. I love it! The idea of the judges selecting singers to be on their team based solely on what they hear when a contestant sings is compelling. The studio and television audience can see the contestants and we also know a bit about them, so we don't experience the singers in the same way as the judges.
I spent yesterday talking to a group of employees about communication and the fact that human beings judge another person based on looking at them within the blink of an eye. Our hard wiring has equipped us to quickly make these judgements so that we can determine whether the person in front of us is friend or foe. Take out the visual channel and the sound and quality of the voice comes strongly into play.
At the moment, the contestants are singing in a "blind" audition, hoping one of the judges choose them to be on their team where they will be coached by the star judge and compete on behalf of the team. Already, it's been an emotional rollercoaster and the desire of the singers to be chosen really comes through in their performances.
The judges, Seal, Deltra Goodrem, Keith Urban and someone called Joel Madden have a great chemistry and it's a joy to watch them delight in each new singer. (A cynic might wonder whether the judges are as in the dark as they are portrayed, but I'm not a cynic.)
It's feel good TV, it's probably making squillions of dollars, but I'd like some more please. I just wish there weren't so many ads. I'm not used to them at all!
Not usually a watcher of commercial television, I had barely heard about The Voice, but after only two nights, it is now on my compulsory viewing list. I love it! The idea of the judges selecting singers to be on their team based solely on what they hear when a contestant sings is compelling. The studio and television audience can see the contestants and we also know a bit about them, so we don't experience the singers in the same way as the judges.
I spent yesterday talking to a group of employees about communication and the fact that human beings judge another person based on looking at them within the blink of an eye. Our hard wiring has equipped us to quickly make these judgements so that we can determine whether the person in front of us is friend or foe. Take out the visual channel and the sound and quality of the voice comes strongly into play.
At the moment, the contestants are singing in a "blind" audition, hoping one of the judges choose them to be on their team where they will be coached by the star judge and compete on behalf of the team. Already, it's been an emotional rollercoaster and the desire of the singers to be chosen really comes through in their performances.
The judges, Seal, Deltra Goodrem, Keith Urban and someone called Joel Madden have a great chemistry and it's a joy to watch them delight in each new singer. (A cynic might wonder whether the judges are as in the dark as they are portrayed, but I'm not a cynic.)
It's feel good TV, it's probably making squillions of dollars, but I'd like some more please. I just wish there weren't so many ads. I'm not used to them at all!
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