The year that was...

I can't go back to yesterday 
- because I was a different person then 
This will hurt me - December 18 2012

Boredom is rage spread thin
This will hurt me - December 16 2012

The year has nearly passed by.
Using ONE of the ideas in the above post titles from Kris McCracken's blog:

Create an opinion piece OR descriptive narrative with some element of reflection
on your year that was.

 

News Alert! World Peace Day Today!

News Alert! ~ World Peace Day Today!
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Opinion Piece #10~

From the United Nations website:
Finland: “ENO Treeplanting Day in Joensuu, Finland” http://www.enotreeday.net/ - ENO Tree Planting Day is a global tree planting event for children, youth and NGO's. Trees are planted for peace in over 130 countries on 21 September.
~

Write an opinion piece as a poem.
Some suggestions for ideas:
1. Is world peace attainable? How?
2. What does peace mean to you personally?
3. Is there a place for conflict? What kind? Does it stir the creative spirit?~

Opinion Piece #9 ~ Typical Teenager?

elitesuperhaxor — February 19, 2008 — a funny Aussie outback song about a typical teenager
~
Opinion Piece #9 ~ Typical Teenager?~

Create a song of your own which reflects the typical teenager.
Are there a few identities?~

Opinion Piece #8 ~ Requiem for Beauty or Beast?

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ Cover of a book I read over the Easter holidays.
It closes with the words:
For there is another darkness coming. See those clouds out there? They bring the storm, the battering rain and the wind. But the storm is also a nurturing thing, a thing that allows the land and the people to grow again. We all have to stand in the rain, however long it lasts.~
(Sonia Helbig wrote a fascinating review of the book in March 2008.)
~
But this post is not about the book.
These words are just an introduction to tantalise your thoughts as you view the video called The Future of Publishing.~
Opinion Piece #8 ~ Requiem for Beauty or Beast?~

A. In any form you choose:
What do you think?
Do books have a future?

B. There is some interesting information behind this video.
(a) PenguinGroup USA — March 09, 2010 — This video was prepared by the UK branch of Dorling Kindersley Books and produced by Khaki Films (http://www.thekhakigroup.com/). Originally meant solely for a DK sales conference, the video was such a hit internally that it is now being shared externally.
(b) jibyollee ~ Shameless copy of the original video called 'Lost Generation'. So the future of publishing is stealing an original content? Thanks, Penguin.

C. Here is Lost Generation:
D. Does the added information modify your opinion? Explain.
~

History Waves #2 + Opinion Piece #7 ~ The Hobbit Connection

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ A window on other worlds at Melbourne Museum
~
How a hobbit is rewriting the history of the human race is an article written on 22nd February, 2010 Guardian UK in the Archaeology Daily News.
Here is the introduction:
The discovery of the bones of tiny primitive people on an Indonesian island six years ago stunned scientists. Now, further research suggests that the little apemen, not Homo erectus, were the first to leave Africa and colonise other parts of the world, reports Robin McKie...~
Click on the link above and read the whole article.~
Try ONE of the following:
* Create a possible scenario explaining the origins of these "little people" and how they managed to be at Flores. (Try to be both creative and logical.)
OR
* Write an opinion piece exploring the historical value of the hobbits.~

Opinion Piece #6 ~ The Carnival Is Over

Dead Can Dance video "The Carnival Is Over" directed by Ondrej Rudavsky.
[From "Dead Can Dance" box set 1981-1998 ].
The original song was taken from "Into the Labyrinth" album.
Ondrej Rudavsky Biography + Dead Can Dance Biography
~
Opinion Piece #6 ~ The Carnival Is Over~
Answer any or ALL of the following:
1. What is your interpretation of this video?
2. Is this just a visual and aural experience or does it have meaning?
3. Connections with Cirque du Soleil?~
LYRICS FOR THE CARNIVAL IS OVER
Outside
The storm clouds gathering,
Moved silently along the dusty boulevard.
Where flowers turning crane their fragile necks
So they can in turn
Reach up and kiss the sky.
They are driven by a strange desire
Unseen by the human eye
Someone is calling.
I remember when you held my hand
In the park we would play when the circus came to town.
Look! Over here.
Outside
The circus gathering
Moved silently along the rainswept boulevard.
The procession moved on the shouting is over
The fabulous freaks are leaving town.
They are driven by a strange desire
Unseen by the human eye.
The carnival is over
We sat and watched
As the moon rose again
For the very first time.
~

Opinion Piece #5 ~ Christmas is in a rut

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ 2009 (red background on walls) and 2008 Christmas decoration outside the Dromana Hub Shopping Centre, Mornington Peninsula.
These dolphin images grace the entrance and outside walls of the shopping centre. Each is decorated in the same way.
~
Opinion Piece #5 ~ Christmas is in a rut. Do you agree?


~

Opinion Piece #4 ~ Wildlife are becoming too urbanised

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ Magpie on my verandah railing in the Dromana Hills, Mornington Peninsula
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Opinion Piece #4 ~ Wildlife are becoming too urbanised.
They are losing their wild spirit.
Do you agree?~

Creative Sport #1 + Opinion Piece #3 ~ Sport is Too Competitive

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ Riders competing in the Round the Bay bike ride in October 2008.
Here they are passing through Dromana shopping centre, Mornington Peninsula
~
Creative Sport #1 +
Opinion Piece #3 ~ Sport is too competitive, too stressful. There is no fun anymore.
Do you agree?~

Opinion Piece #2 ~ The darkness of night

Pic by G.W. aka P.A.
~
Opinion Piece #2 ~ The darkness of night links with dark minds.~

Do you agree or disagree?
Write in any form for a specific context.~

Opinion Piece #1 ~ New school subjects?

Pic by G.W. aka P.A. ~ Dive Victoria boat leaving Portsea pier
~

Imagine you have the opportunity to present some new school subjects.
1. What would they be?
2. What age group?
3. Core or electives?
4. Link with university/TAFE courses?

Write an article on this subject for a teenage newspaper.
~