Mission complete

A grey clouds falls over WHS as I take my leave, everything will change until nothing remains. So yes, I have completed my tour at Waitara and am now officially on holiday, although I do still get paid through to the end of the holidays which is great. I wanted to make a memorable exit so I spoilt the junior classes with candy and shouted my year 13's KFC. I also had a couple of demonstrations planned however these did not go off as planned. Although the trial thermite demo worked when I did the actual one I couldn't initiate the reaction. Also my sodium demo was a fizzer, literally. Bloody Murphy's law. However I did the sodium demo last period with my year 9 class and it worked much better than expected. Better as in, exploded with such force the ceiling was wet, the glass bowl shattered and I am still trying to remove glass shards from my hand and arm. Certainly went out with a bang didn't I? Although I am still trying to convince myself it's over, doesn't really feel like holidays yet.

Went to watch the student's Shakespeare performance at the festival on Wednesday night. Took the bike and nearly got run over as some stupid cow didn't know how to look before entering an intersection. The festival was pretty good, although I did get roped into being doorman for it. Of the performances I did see, I thought our two were definitely in the top three, but neither won first. Then I got my first real night riding experience as I tried to beat the stupid 10pm curfew on learner licence bikers going at the stupid 70kmh learner licence speed limit. Stupid rules. Time to get some more practice in and find a course that will cut the time limit down before restricted methinks.

You think I care?

Yay, last week. Four days to go and I will be finished with Waitara High School for a good while. As much as some days have been enjoyable, I can't wait to start my holiday and start gearing up for deployment. Apparently you need to do lots of things before you go overseas, who knew? If only I wasn't sick at the moment these four days would go a lot smoother. But at least this way I should be better by the time I go on holiday, woo!

Went to the staff quiz night on Friday. Played for the youngsters team which managed to come in second behind the dinosaurs team (which included my parents), Which I don't think is too bad. However I was the only science teacher there, but the science questions were hardly scientific. (What is the birthstone for November. Seriously?). And I still dispute the newest country question. It is not East Timor, that was created in 2002. The newest country is Kosovo, created in February and I know as I have a friend serving there and during their first independence day.

Paddled in the gutbuster on Saturday for the 'pie munchers' team. We came in seventh in our division which I think is pretty good considering I am relatively new to kayaking and our cyclist was 14 weeks pregnant. And the team that won had an olympic triathlete in their team. The 12km paddle went ok however it was longer than I thought it would be, every corner was a case of 'Just one more bend'. On the bright side, I still haven't been struck down with muscle aches and stiffness so I must have done enough training. Although maybe this cold is my body's revenge, stupid body.

Played poker on Saturday night. Texas hold'em is a rather complicated game with the big blind and small blinds and all that. As we drank more and more the game devolved into straight bet hold'em, asshole, last card and finally pyramid. Then I walked all the way into town and didn't go into a single pub, what fun. still, overall it was a good night, what with playing the old records on 45 (Bowie's a chipmunk!).

Oh, the bike is now complete, got all of my riding gears and tail pack so I can go touring in it properly now, just need a fine weekend or some free time to head off...

Pridem: painkiller

The wandering soldier returns from another weekend training unbeaten and weary. Live fire this time which made for interesting times however nothing got shot that wasn't supposed to so all good. However we did face an enemy we had not anticipated, the dreaded thistle bush. Seriously, my body is covered with tiny wounds where the buggers got in under my uniform and then rubbed for the rest of the exercise. We practiced section assaults and jungle lanes and I managed to cut down a branch with a burst of automatic fire. Then someone decided it would be a good idea for us to walk along the ridgeline to the pick up point. A good half dozen or so kilometres later and we roll up to the truck, blistered, dehydrated and tired but otherwise fine.

Only got out on short cruises on the bike this week due to kayaking and other stuff getting in the way, however getting more and more comfortable with the lil beast. Still haven't thought of a name for her though. Kayaking is going well, got 5 days left before the gutbuster and no longer have to do the run which makes things easier. Had better get out a few times this week and practice. I went to the Mole on wednesday night to watch Joe Morton play some music at open mic night. It was reasonably busy for a wednesday and there were some very talented musicians there, especially since I was expecting it to be, well, not so much. Oh, and Joe was pretty good too with a good range of music played. If I was sticking around in this town I might have made it a regular thing.

School wasn't too bad this week. I mean, I had the usual scallywags giving me grief but overall it was good. Plus I now only have ten days of work left, haven't started counting the hours yet though but it won't be far away. I'm sure I can survive the ten days I have left, I mean, how hard can it be? (Famous last words).

Ground floor: motorcycles, sporting goods and drunken memories

Three days have never seemed longer. It seems like you give these kids a break longer than two days and they forget themselves. The worst part is I have to then go and write it up on the computer. Oh well, only 15 days to go now anyway. Hopefully the coming week does not bring any unwelcome surprises as I don't even get a break next weekend due to army work.

Tried my hand (once again) at canoe polo on thursday. Gotta say, one helluva lot different from multisport I'll tell you for free. The game I was in was like one 30 minute game of spring scrag except with water and paddles thrown in. Still, it was a lot of fun and I even learnt how to roll, sort of. Oh and on the subject of kayaking, somehow my name got put down to not only do the kayak of the gutbuster, but also the run if the other guy doesn't finish the kayak before me. Funsy.

I now have my motorbike and I am starting to get used to going faster than 30kmh. After a few days on the paddocks I have been out and about on the roads with it, might nearly be time to go on a more substantial trip. say something which requires more than 15 mins. However, she runs good and as soon as I get my dark visor I'll look right evil in my riding get-up. As Bob says, bring on the hot biker babes.

Speaking of, went to a party last night, some guy's leaving party I think. 12 rounds with mister Cody and whatever else I was thieving have left my impressions of the night spotty to say they least. However I clearly recall playing a form of beer pong, Making fun of people for some reason that is entirely appropriate (Can't remember), messing with the sound system so it would only repeat one song, heading off to town with a couple of girls at some unknown time, never making it to town due to REDACTED, and finally walking back in the rain from some house at 11 this morning. Overall the word used to describe the night? Eventful, even if some of those events are foggy. Best head off to bed now, gonna need my sleep if I wanna do a halfway decent job of educating our future leaders.