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Updates

OK, first, WordPress backend looks oh so different. Let’s see how I go?

For my readers who I comment on your blogs, you might know that I’m currently not working. My government contract was cut short. It was due to run til mid April but due to budgetary issues, and a looming March election, they cut it short to the beginning of February.

I was actually perfectly OK with this news. This time in 2018, I took four weeks of leave at half pay, to explore boredom and hopefully be inspired as to what to do next in my career. Following that time off, I was offered the contract role, and left the company I’d been at for nine years. Of course, I was paid out the long service leave entitlements (if you have no idea what I’m on about, international readers, this is a helpful post). I started at the state government after Easter 2018.

I was given one week’s notice. Many were aghast it was such short notice – for me, it felt right. My last employer required only a week’s notice. The kicker was that I was told a DAY before both my birthday AND the day I was moving back into the loft. The loft being the property I blogged a lot about in 2012 and 2013. I actually worked my birthday, and Dad supervised the move of furniture. I’d slowly moved all non furniture items in car trips. The property was actually vacant a brief while, as I got it repainted and laid new carpet. The last tenant’s dog damaged the first three stairs (and a few more other things). So I’ve asked the agent to recover costs for repairing those stairs, and the cost of carpet cleaning – which I’ll put towards the new carpet.

In the three weeks I’ve been off, I’ve spent a bit of time getting things sorted around the house. I scoured Facebook Marketplace and have found cheap and free items I was missing. Weird stuff like ice cube trays and some storage in the bathroom/laundry area. I’ve also got rid of strange items – a collection of three cutlery trays.

I’ll try to post more regularly, though I don’t have the internet at home. It’s an intentional decision, to stop me from being a recluse with Netflix. So I take myself to various libraries in the City of Sydney – they are amazing! There’s a whole new on in Green Square, and a beautiful one in Custom’s House. And I’m going to skip the blogging recommendations and post without photos. Might remove some of the road blocks to me posting more often!

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Jetsetting – again

Once again, I find myself travelling.  This time, to Germany, for a fabulous christening and then a side trip to Copenhagen – cause when in Europe, you may as well see the next place on your bucket list!

Delightfully sunny day to arrive in Frankfurt

The beautiful building my friend’s apartment is in. It’s beautifully sunny with lovely wooden floors. I didn’t want to leave.

It was a very short turn around between being asked to be a Godmother, and the actual christening (which, of course, I was not obligated to come to, but couldn’t see any good reason not to attend).

A Sunday stroll around Heidelberg

I had four nights with my lovely friend, her husband and her baby daughter, before taking the train via Hamburg to Copenhagen – they put the train on a ferry! It’s cool!

The funny look is cause i was eating , in Hamburg station(and seriously, it’s hard to see your face as you take a selfie)

The pastry of Hamburg – having German friends helps you use the few minutes between trains to try the best things!

The ferry deck – both the departing shore and the arriving shore has wind turbines, as well as some in the sea.

An attempt at proof of us, in a train, beside trucks, in a ferry!

Getting off the train to go to the upper decks of the ferry

I’ve only just arrived in Copenhagen, and it’s already great.  I arrived as the sun set, it was cool, but not too cold.  The hostel is everything it promised – hip, stylish, but affordable.  The rooms are great – the list of ‘things I could have brought’ for this place include: an s hook or a coat hanger for my coat, a padlock for the locker, thongs (my feet want to be free of shoes!).

Golden hour for me to fall in love with the city by

The train trip started around 7am, and I arrived around 6.30pm, so a long day.  I was well equipped by a delicious snack pack from my friend.  And I bucket load of throat lozenges as I battle the start of a cold.  The journey was quite enjoyable – I saw a lot of really pretty countryside and wind turbines. I passed most of the time listening to podcasts – some I’d pre-downloaded, but many I listening to using the wifi on the trains.

Have you been to Denmark? Any recommendations?

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Podcast overload

I recall when I used to feel overwhelmed by the quantity of blogs I had to read and comment on.  Some how, with some natural attrition, I have overcome the overwhelm.  Now, my issue is podcasts! Figuring that some people may be seeking some podcast recommendations, I thought I’d list them.

By ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) or at least, their employees! – 5

  • Pineapple Project – a podcast by a female comedian, pitched at women getting their finances in order.  Currently on hiatus.
  • Ladies, We Need to Talk – by Yummi Stynes, who I LOVED back when she did radio in the afternoon with Chrissie Swan.  She touches on many topics, money is one, but also female orgasms, mental load.  All sorts of things.  Erratic posting schedule.
  • Bang On – by Zan Rowe and Myf Warhurst for the ABC digital radio service Double J.  I loved Zan when she did mornings on Triple J, before moving radio stations.  They talk about current events, including music (both have been involved with Eurovision) and parodies to fashion.
  • Chat 10, Looks 3 – it’s like Bang On, but I feel like for an ‘older’ audience, just my read of it.  Hosted by Leigh Sales, a journalist* and Annabel Crabb who is a politics journalist.  They steer clear of work (politics) and are firmly in books, baking and random other things that enter their mind, like show tunes and podcasts.
  • Download This Show – my celebrity crush is on the host, Mark Fernell.  He used to do short movie reviews on Triple J.  Now he has two co hosts (who vary) and they discuss the week in technology and media with humour and lightness.

*thanks for the suggested edit 🙂

Other Aussie content – 2

  • Straight and Curly – found based on a recommendation from the Chat10 Facebook group.  Two ladies riffing on life hacks and productivity.
  • The Teacher’s Pet – by The Australian’s journalist about a crime from 1982 that remains unsolved.  If I’m honest, I’m starting to grow tired of this podcast, there’s a LOT of repeating information and using the same descriptors of characters in the narrative.

NPR content – 4

  • Hidden Brain – I love the host’s voice, and he uses interesting academic research and often the experts to discuss how the brain works in so many scenarios.  The topics always pique my interest and his voice has a lovely lilt.
  • Planet Money – two hosts who talk about all sorts of things that relate to economics.  Release FAR too often for my appetite though!
  • How I built this – Guy Raz interviews the entrepreneurs of major companies, most of which I know of.  There’s an occasional company that’s very US centric.  In any case, it explored their journey to wealth and success.
  • Invisibilia – hasn’t been an episode for ages, so I almost forget the details! Should add it to the ‘fade out’ list down below.

The rest – 8

  • Ear Hustle – inside San Quentin jail, this has some incredible into an insight into life in prison. Short seasons and long breaks, so I’m always wanting more!
  • Kind World – in hiatus lately, but a lovely short podcast of serendipitous kindness.  Always warms my heart.
  • Reveal – investigative (US) journalism with person of colour host (he’s never said it, but you can just tell!)  Goes deep into issues in the US and makes you thankful not to live there.
  • Savage Lovecast – a gay advice columnist, with a very liberal political and sexual perspective! Every episode starts with a politics rant which I find keeps me up to date with the US current affairs!
  • Young House Love Has a Podcast – a married couple who had a fabulous blog and then retired from it.  They returned with a podcast about renovating their beach houses.  They are such an upbeat couple – serious relationship goals!
  • The Guilty Feminist – only recently added it to rotation and always a live taped show with guests.  I enjoy the opening where they admit to ‘I’m a feminist but….’ and also, assess whether the day or week has been ‘guilty’ or ‘feminist’.  Lovely plummy British tones of the core host.  Her guests are as diverse as someone with Cerebral Palsy and disability activists.  Really causes me to think, but also laugh out loud.
  • The Shortest Longest Time – a parenting podcast.  A recent change in host has put this into the maybe pile, but they’re current on a break for the US summer.
  • Death, Sex and Money – topics we should talk about more.  Currently doing a ‘summer loving’ series about dating.

That brings the count to 19 podcasts so far!

Things I’m drifting away from – 3

  • Where should we begin – Esther Perel’s recordings of her couple’s counselling.  I find them a little longer than I can handle.  I might find them more insightful in a relationship?
  • Ask a Manager – I found this recommended so I started listening, but I think the host’s voice grates on my ears, even if her ‘work life’ advice is probably well placed.
  • Dear Sugars – two advice columnist who always seem to be able to recall literature that emulates the writers life! Cheryl Strayed is great, but… I get a bit over advice, or the styles of questions which are asked.

Things to devour (ie not on current rotation) – 6

  • The Habitat -about a group of six people who go into a bubble for a year to simulate being on Mars.  It explores every facet of life, including the interpersonal relationships and the simulated delays in emails.  Fascinating, consumed my whole Saturday prepping food!
  • Making Obama – I only listened to the season of Making Oprah, but didn’t get far with Making Obama.  One day?
  • Myths & Legends – I subscribed to this in summer when I took a month off, and would listen to learn about Greek and Roman myths whilst doing jigsaw puzzles.  I imagine I’ll dip back into this when I have a curiosity on certain myths from certain regions, as it’s quite diverse.
  • Getting Serious with Jonathan Van Ness – he’s a little too flighty to continue listen to, but asks innocent questions in serious issues.  His voice isn’t quite the timbre I enjoy.
  • Casefile – an American podcast with an Australia host.  I did the three parts of Silk Road in binge form, but realise I don’t need to hear lots of crime.  The music or sound is really well done however, really improves the mood of the podcast.
  • Alone – A Love Story – two seasons of a woman’s divorce.  Some have reviewed it as self absorbed, but I found it well done, and could really walk in her shoes and know how she felt.

What are your favourite podcasts? Do you listen to any that I do?

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2018 Goals

Back in 2017, I still used my blog as a place to ‘put’ thoughts.  Not always to publish! And look what I found, a list of things for 2018.  What’s great is that I have updated on a few!

Plan a weekend in Canberra for Floriade

A week or two ago, I picked a weekend and booked an Airbnb.  That’s it, I’m now committed before other things crowd out my calendar.  And I have a car, so that bits easier than in some years gone by. Coincidently, Floriade is the same name the Dutch use for their flower show, says my DUtch friend.

Try rowing, in summer

Not yet, but summer comes again in 2018…

Attempt a monthly ‘browse’ of a book store, cause it makes me happy!

I haven’t really done this.  But what I did do, was ask for Christmas to have a membership to a bookstore.  The upside is free entry to book launches and talks.  I also get no postage in Australia and a discount, but given I seldom buy books, I’m not too fussed about those details.  I have bought one book this year, and one book voucher.  And I’ve ‘nicked’ a few books from free libraries.

Getting into ordering Who Gives A Crap toilet paper

The reason I didn’t do this sooner, was that they come in BIG boxes and now I have a big home this year, I’m a bit better at storing them.  They were set up for auto resend, but when I got the reminder, I was a LONG way from running out of toilet paper, so I pushed in out more.  I’m pleased I’ve gone ‘plastic free’ on one more item.

Set up composting at my parents/my house

YES! I ended up with a worm farm for my birthday.  It lives in the garage. After the period of using Bokashi in the loft, I can tell you, the worm farm is way less smelly!

Grow a garden!

It took a while to get going, and only my parents return at Easter gave me the kick in the butt to get onto it.  But I’m please to have five vegetables growing now.

Something is eating my broccolini

Cabbage is also tasty to the slugs

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Overwhelmed by work

Another archived draft that was never published, in late 2017.  Based on my career change lately, I feel it’s topical to share this now.

I’ve blogged in fits and spurts for a number of years, and it all started due to having a lot of idle time at work.  Whilst I’ve remained with the same employee, I have let this blog take a back seat and really seen my career grow and change in the past few years.  I largely don’t blog about work, but if you are interested, I have a smallish collection of tagged posts.

In early 2014, I did a six week period ‘acting’ as a manager, and from there, other opportunities unfolded as my company (six months as a manager of a small team in late 2014) saw many restructures and many generations of staff leave.  I was permanently appointed as a Field Manager in April 2015.

In those to two and a half years in the role has been all elements of managing field staff (here’s the ‘one week in‘ debrief, and ‘one year in‘).  They are powerline workers and labourers who install poles.   Overall, I think the job is a fantastic fit to my skills and my personality.  I like being involved with ‘day to day’ works.  I love that we do emergency response.  I like that I have such diversity in my role: from chairing interview panels to assisting with logistics on setting stock levels or appropriately scraping materials, managing a huge fleet and the renewals/upgrades/returns.  Days rush past and I can nary remember a time when I could draft a blog post in working hours!!

But wow, of late, I’ve been overwhelmed.  Where 2015 and 2016 saw reductions in field staff, and that was brutal and destabilising, 2017 is the year of reductions from all the supporting staff.  There’s been wholesale changes to sections like: training, HR, fleet management, engineering & standards and clerical support.  As an organisation of thousands, I believe have ‘subject matter experts’ in areas like that, REALLY help.  They can make business wide decisions or at least ensure consistency.  They can have specific knowledge.  They can negotiate quantity discounts.  However, with every in a full time employee comes from ‘business savings’.  Sometimes, what that means is pushing some of those tasks to the regions.  Now, I do things like

  • scan and file log books into a centralised system (but only one type – heavy vehicles do TWO log books everyday)
  • updating what was fixed & when.  Previously a paper form went to someone else to process.  I knew those people – they used to get SO bored!
  • write interview questions, complete inordinate additional tables/forms to appoint and wonder why it takes from April to August to get a job even CLOSE to filled

Everything seems to take so long.  And be so hard.  Every decision or email seems to need a handful of people included.

I keep thinking if I do more, I’ll be on top of it.  More will be achieved.  And… I mostly succeed, stuff gets done, things improve or move forward or change for the better.

Then I realise – I let work take all of me.  I literally get annoyed when a friend/date asks me when I’m free during work time.  In my mind, I’m sometimes indigent they’ve also interrupted my day with yet another demand.  How could I possibly predict if I’ll have ANY energy left on a week night to meet with them.  Then I resent that I crowd my weekends with ‘have to dos’ with chores to keep the next working week afloat.  I actually ‘worry’ I can’t socialise as I won’t get the week ahead prepared and chaos may descend.  It’s ridiculous.  This is NOT how people live.  People actually cook and prepare every meal fresh; not batch cook on a weekend or live off ready prepared freezer meals.  Or is that a ‘should’ – I listened to a podcast today and the presenter admitted he doesn’t cook, and I didn’t think he was a bumbling non-adult.  He just… didn’t. Doesn’t (Well he does now, it was an ad for Blue Apron, but anyhow).  Who knows how he feeds himself and his health.  That’s it right – I worry.  I worry I am not eating healthy ‘enough’.  That my convenience meals are generating waste (which long time readers KNOW I hate).  Some of my errands and chores are adding to the burden on weekends – needing to go to a bulk store, drop off compost, drop off soft plastics, return books to the library.  But none of those will I give up, as I really DO feel they align to what’s important to me.  But I resent that they are seemingly taking up time I could have fun in.  Time I could enjoy with others.  And I blame work.  Well, I blame me.  I stay back an hour or two to get some more done.  I know I have a commute, and really, without it, imagine!  In the past few months, I have pushed myself to exercise more and overall, I can’t fault that decision.  I just need to find a balance between work – exercise – life.

Does your work gobble up your life? How do you stop that from happening?

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Getting into the manager groove (in 2016!)

From the archives; drafted but never published. The guys did their training in April 2016, so I expect this is from early 2016!

Some will remember the first time I stepped into a management role in February 2014.  I was really struggling with the influx of communication and how the heck to get people to do stuff.  It was a six week stint, and by the end of it, I had a better handle on things, and really did appreciate readers advice.

Two years on, I’m permanently appointed as a manager.  I started the role just after Easter in 2015, with indirect and direct reports in the vicinity of 75!  It’s hard to imagine now, as that number has seen a number of staff have their volunteer for redundancy.  I’d say my ‘count’ is closer to 45.  I appreciate that everyone who is at work now, wants to be at work.  For a long while, we were struggling with demotivated people who just wanted out!

Moody shot!  All the photos I took when I was working, died with the return of my work phone & iPad

Now, the business is still talking about more cuts, and I can’t see how – not when I look to my team.  We all just hope they’ll find cuts elsewhere.

Despite further staff needing to go, the business has allowed some opportunities for people in the team to develop, train and improve their skills and income. It gives me the greatest pleasure to work one on one with staff and see where they’d like to move long term or how they’d like to develop.  It’s incredibly strategic – working out ‘who goes where’, trying to get people to where they want, but also develop people in time to fill holes in the business.

I’ve shortlisted applications, I’ve interviewed, and I’ve short listed for appointments.  Telling those who haven’t succeeded is hard – and so many people just take it on the chin.  Others, whinge and think it’s unfair.  The best response are those who are mature enough to see there’s somewhere they need to grow.  I’m learning to be better prepared to have and give that feedback.  And with each pass through the system, I learn how to better equip applicants so they can shine in their application as much as they do day to day.  Running a ‘job readiness’ course has made a world of difference to the quality of applications.

Early next week, I’ll announce some of the most long sought promotions.  For SO LONG they’ve wanted to be a live line worker – working at high voltage without turning the power off!  It’s as technically challenging as it can get, and it’s financially rewarding.  It’ll topple the apple cart – as there are some stars that have silently risen.  There are some candidates who have misplaced confidence.  It will be a undertaking to deliver the news with the sensitivity it will require.

This is a lot of words to say – I love the job.  I love developing staff.  I love seeing people grow.  I relish the day they eclipse me!

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Highlights of early 2018

Easter 2018 was a family reunion.  My parents returned for two weeks from their year in Tonga.  My youngest brother came from the UK with his wonderful GF.  SO we did some fun things:

Manly beach for a brunch with my family and aunt & uncle

My brother’s GF loves make up, so I got her to do mine (and Dad took portrait shots of all us kids, to print and display in their home in Tonga)

My bro gave his GF tickets. Buying on arrival (online) was super cheap as April is serious shoulder season. Tricks for young players

Outside of Easter, I got up to some fun with my gfs from water polo.

Being kooky at a concert – the Irish band the Script

The main act

Someone suggested my first ever girls weekend away.  It was awesome! I BYO’d all my challenge meals, and we each took a meal to cater for.  They were kind enough to suggest dessert would be ‘walk to ice cream parlour’ so I could stay home if it was torture.  I didn’t stay home, but asked for high fives when I didn’t give into even a taste!

Weekend away on the cusp of the cold snap, with the girls from water polo. This is how we enjoy Saturday nights!

One of our girl posse got engaged and had AMAZING cakes/sweets.  She’s an awesome baker, but seems she has other friends who are equally amazing.  I think I actually might have left before having some…

Amazing engagement cake, for a gal who dislikes cake

But cake is no good if you don’t like it.  So another friend made her a two beautiful cookies in the initials of the bride and groom

Alternative engagement ‘cookie’ for the non cake bride to be

Casting my mind further back, when I took a month off my ‘old’ job.  I worked on getting one of my bucket list items done!  I picked apples and made a pie.

An apple farm in Bilpin, where I went to pick apples

Apple pie 1

Not settling for boring apple pies 😉

Aside from an engagement party, we also had a WEDDING! It was lovely, just the right size.  All the girls stayed at my place, and we shared ubers in and out of the Eastern Suburbs.  It’s a season of weddings, we have two more before the year is out from the photographed group below!

One of the polo girls got married, and I got a great selfie

And on a quiet weekend, my local friends suggested a flower show.  I thought it was a tour of gardens, but alas it was more of a ‘best in show’ style.  It was right up our alley, as we often walk to the Flemington markets, which sell flowers, fruit and vege!

Went to my first garden show in a neighbouring suburb. My local friends think we might enter next year. I’ll do the arranging, they do the growing!

Well, that’s made up for some lost time (or at least, some time the blog was offline).

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Eight week challenge

With many thanks to a new friend who has worked tirelessly to align the old blog content and integrated my two ‘new’ posts, and now it all look and feels the same, back and front.  Here’s a photo of my lovely French friends who helped make this happen, Antoine and Chloe

Chloe, Antoine & me

Today, I want to share a disturbing number of photos of food, that I’ve taken during the first five weeks in my eight week F45 health challenge.  Yep, yet again, I’m focusing on reducing my weight.  But not just the number. I dream of being able to do unassisted pull ups.  And having defined abs. But the route to this path is to get back to 74kg which I achieved in September 2017.

Up and down

Day 1. Meal 1. Green smoothie. Surprisingly tasty! Seriously, the banana and rice malt syrup elevated the green stuff

The gym I go to, you can order all lunches and dinners to be prepared ($150 for 10 meals as a woman), and you pick up from the gym twice weekly.  That means you only have to handle breakfasts and two snacks per day.  Of course there’s an app and website, with the meal plan.  And you can search all the recipes, should you want to substitute.

Marinated chicken with salsa

Prepped meals come in plastic chinese food containers.  Which, does not really align to my zero waste ways.  So I am washing up every one of them, and reusing them in so many different ways, including on the weeks I prepare my week’s meals, rather than buying them.

Breakfast (I forgot the spinach)

I’ll admit, generally speaking the recipes and meals have been great.  I have also created a few new strong opinions on food.  I do NOT abide by half a meal being parsley.  I understand that baby spinach and lettuce get boring, but there’s no way parsley is an alternative!

Salmon and beans, The garlic bread was a treat as I was away for a weekend with my water polo friends

What i missed out on – ravioli with burnt butter an sage sauce. Even parmesan

The first two weeks are ‘keto’ or no sugar, dairy or carbs like rice or pasta.

Snack – carrot sticks with almond butter

Not all breakfasts are green though:

Berry smoothie

The BEST homemade b’fast – kale, onion, halloumi and boiled eggs

Here’s some of my cooking attempts.  There can be a whole heap of vegie cutting, so I usually get a whole heap done on weekends, so I can come home from work and make life easier for me.

Asian chicken in lettuce cups, which I think I’d call San Chow Bow (but spelling.. no idea)

Spice rubbed steak with sweet potato mash and beans. I started to innovate and add the red cabbage as it was in the fridge and gotta be good for me

Salmon with beans. And ‘use it up’ cucumber.

And the results?

Yippee

So far so good!  At the start, middle and end of the challenge I have detailed weigh in.  The scales works out the body fat percentage and muscle mass.  It can even work out the circumference of your arms and legs and trunk!  I’ve seen improvements in all these measurements, though I did lose a little muscle mass 🙁  I also note that a similar scan from October 2017 were a little better.  Back then, I was doing F45 but no following their diet.  I did often eat small or no dinner as I was feeling queasy after a hard work out.  I’m not sure that’s an optimal long term strategy!

Oh and I asked for some photos whilst I was doing assisted (by oversized rubber bands) chin ups, and I can see muscle definition!!

Can you see those arms working?

I continue to work out at least 4 times, ideally 5 times a week, and follow the meal plan almost religiously.  I allow myself one treat meal per week.  And tomorrow it’s brunch and I CANNOT wait!

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A new job

First – it takes 2 hours to download my past content and the NBN (the government’s National Broadband Network) isn’t stable enough that this hasn’t dropped out on any of my countless attempts. So… yeah, maybe I need Starbucks or similar? A work in progress, this blog revival!

Right, so as to the blog title: after nine years at the same electricity company (where I went as an engineering graduate), I started a new job today. My new job is within the NSW Government, but still related to electrical engineering.

Desk photo, complete with standing desk contraption

Upsides

  • chose my own start and finish times. Today, it was 8:30am to 5:30pm
  • setting an alarm to wake me the same time I usually started work
  • corporate office style job, so I can wear dresses and skirts and NO ugly hi vis orange!
  • their IT support seems to be quick and responsive
  • I have a BRAND NEW iPhone which was completely unexpected (I didn’t expect a desk based role would necessitate a phone, nor such an up to date model!)
  • I was paid out my long service leave accrued in my past job, so a lump sum of savings onto my mortgage

Downsides

  • the way I was hired means I don’t have annual or sick leave
  • my previous employment put 14.5% of my salary into retirement savings, this company does the legal requirement of 9.5%
  • getting home in the dark, with sore feet (as I now walk 15 mins to the station) and then trying to feed a dog in the dark and hurting my finger on the washing rack…

For consideration

  • I no longer have a team. In the past three years, I had a handful of direct reports, and indirect reports from 30 – 75! So you can imagine having no reports is VASTLY different
    day one was all about drafting responses to customers on behalf of a minister or similar, about concerns and issues with their electricity company. Writing doesn’t worry me, but it is a HUGE change
  • The ‘workflow’ is all managed through a computer system I used in my last job, but they use it to a far greater sense. The transition has been easy and made me think ‘why didn’t we use it like this, instead of endless emails?’
  • Overall, I found my work day fine. I don’t think I’ve made a crazy mistake. I do a little bit begrudge my desk position and fluro lighting, but it’s day one, who knows what will come with time! The office is lovely and close to the train station at the other end. Maybe I’ll try the ugly tread of ‘walking’ shoes for the commute. And work on doing more chores and outside tasks in the morning light, as there’s none in the evening.

There’s definitely scope for me to learn: more about the legislation. More about gas and the pipelines. Get to know people in all the electrical industries that can assist in my response writing. And of course, there’ll be other tasks for my job, it’s just the ones I was involved with today.

Any questions? Any words of wisdom?

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Pottery Wheel classes

As regular readers would know, I keep and use my bucket list to enrich day to day life.  To do things out of the ordinary or things I’ve ‘never’ done.  One of the simple experiences was to trying ‘throwing clay’ or making pottery on a wheel.

All my school art classes focused on making clay items out of a coarse, dark brown clay that was quite rough.  You could never achieve the smooth surface of modern ceramics.  Cross hatch and slurry and coiling to build a vessel just didn’t excite the imagination the way the movie Ghost did!

The exterior of the Pottery Shed in Surry Hills, NSW

For many reasons, I’ve decided to take four weeks off work to reflect on my career, but also to pepper this time at home (and not travelling overseas) with some enjoyable activities I’ve ‘always wanted to do’.  So I booked three pottery classes, which start with using a pottery wheel, followed by trimming (making the foot of an item) and then glazing.

There’s a few places in Sydney you can do it, but I chose Surry Hills.  It is ‘my’ part of town – not too far from where I have often lived.  I also liked the chances it was more of a diverse age range, as I feared some daytime, weekday classes may be populated by recent retirees or stay at home mums of teens in private schools – I know, I had STRONG ideas of who might be in my class! In the end, my class was about a dozen, and I’d say the majority were my age, I think one group of three girl friends, two couples and one older woman.  The instructor was a young man, and he did remarkably well teaching us the three steps without once stepping into any innuendos.  He also was incredibly perceptive to our needs for encouragement, guidance and help.  Our searching eyes as things went off kilter, or didn’t quite look anything like we’d hoped!

The unsullied wheel

I loved that the class started with mentioning that there’s minimal waste – if we got ‘over’ our clay or what we made it can crumble and remix with water and ultimately be reused.  Woo hoo.  Of course, once it’s fired and glazed, it’s a different story, but it was nice to know we weren’t wasting in the learning phase on the wheel.

They are missing a graphic or two which were ripe for innuendoes

The clay was wonderfully silky and smooth on the hands too – though also, I was alarmed as how much of the clay did come off on my hands, and bewildered that my huge lump was whittled away – sometimes making something a lot smaller, or finer, than I’d initially envisaged.  I think beginners ultimately need to be guided by whatever their hands form, that starting with an objective in mind!

My handiwork

I return a week later to trim them, and a further week will be to glaze them.  Interesting, there’s not set structure in doing the three classes, which means there’s options: you can come and glaze some existing pieces.  You can pay to have your piece trimmed for you.  All sorts of variations for the busy and time poor.  I have no need or intent for these bowls, but a friend said she like them, and they’re as good as hers now!

Have you tried a pottery wheel?  Where you any good at it?