The first 50 hours

Over our recent holidays I enjoyed reading Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book, “The Outliers”, where he researches the secrets of the remarkably successful (as opposed to being a success in one’s own mind). While he banished the myth of the self-made man demonstrating the importance of luck and opportunity, he also introduced me to the law of 10,000 hours. Simply stated, work 10,000 hours at something and you will be a master.

The same holidays I also purchased a new camera. My old one had been dropped one too many times and the lens cover could not decide if it was open or closed, preferring the half-awake look. Securing it open with stickytape, I passed the now startled-looking camera onto my enthusiastic children.

Then I spent a week on research. Shying away from the bulky (showy) digital SLR, I finally decided on a compact point-and-shoot used at a back-up camera by professionals. And I love it – to the annoyance of many around me.

This week I wasn’t so well and so had an opportunity to begin reading through the manual in earnest. From the sick-bed, I began exploring the world of ISO, auto exposure and shutter speeds. I have discovered that it will be some time before I am able to choose better than the automatic mode / pre-set scene suggestions.

I’m not sure why but this photo is my favourite from my first 50 hours. Only 9,950 hours to go.

A full schedule.. and homework hassles

I missed a meeting last night. Not sure why. After all, it was written on the calendar...

Thanks to Mr Happy I have a full schedule for the next couple of weeks.

He's also given Princess the most original excuse for not handing in her homework.

"My little brother drew on my homework, then stabbed it over and over with a pen, and then for good measure peed on it."

As you do, when you're two.

Tired

People watching (also unfairly known as "staring") is a past-time that Steve and I enjoy and have developed in this stare-friendly country. On a date, we are frequently found watching and wondering at the glorious mix of diners around us - making up stories about who they are and why they are there.

Last Thursday, a particular group near us was bothering me. Although the foreigners were outnumbered by the Khmer, my gut-instinct told me they were new to the country. Over the next while, we worked out the cues...

* one wore a CLEAN white shirt
* they spoke English
* the ladies' coloured hair showed no roots
* they looked "fresh"

Yes. They didn't look TIRED. I'm back from three weeks of holiday and I'm still tired. I'm also suffering from "who would ever want to live here" post-holiday blues. I think I'll keep my mouth shut for another couple of weeks until it passes...

Evictions up-date

The world doesn't stop while we're on holidays (surprised??). So there is a bit to update on the evictions issue...


* The last man standing was forcibly removed later that day.


* Representatives of the Australian Embassy have agreed to visit the communities that have been relocated outside the city.

* Following the Group 78 evictions, the Australian Embassy joined a number of concerned Embassies, the World Bank and United Nations to make a statement against the forced evictions of communities in disputed areas.

* For the Khmer, it is getting more and more difficult to speak out. Newspapers have been shut down, editors jailed, politicians fined, human rights workers threatened.


Now that our first level of requests have been answered by the Embassy, it's time to consider "what's next?". Hmm.