On good music and talking to ducks

With Son Number Two being a music student, we had booked tickets for a concert featuring Tommy Emmanuel. I have to admit I had not heard of him, but Son Number Two told me he was one of the best guitarists in the world, so why not? Last Thursday, we battled our way through cycling students in Cambridge and I did my best to look educated and guitar-savvy. We had pretty good seats, and I enjoyed some people-watching as the place filled up. We'd been to the Corn Exchange a few times, and it was strange to see the downstairs bit (sorry, I don't know theatre-speak) filled with seats rather than loads of sweaty 20-somethings jumping about and throwing plastic cups of beer. The tickets had said there was a support act, but not who it was. All that Son Number Two knew was that it was 'some Australian guy'. That guy turned out to be Anthony Snape who, in my opinion, was worth the ticket price himself. So, a good night with lots of music to be added to the 'to buy' list, and tickets to be bought when Anthony Snape returns later in the year. 

OU-wise, I have had the marks back for my last assignment. Feeling that I had taken huge liberties with the question, I was not expecting a good mark and shut my eyes as I clicked the link for my results. 50 would be acceptable, I thought, as long as I didn't get any sarcastic feedback (it wouldn't have been the first time). Less than that, and there could be tears. I got 86. I refreshed the page a couple of times and checked that a dirty computer screen wasn't turning a 3 into an 8, but no. So now it's on to the next one. Animism or the Scopes Trial? (Thanks go to Paul, for the book and film suggestions that helped me get my head around the Scopes Trial.) The chapter on animism started with a 'light-hearted quiz'; the first question being 'Have you ever sworn at your computer?' (Not personally, but the school's photocopier has taken a fair bit of verbal abuse.) 'Do you talk to animals?' it went on. Obviously not. Well, apart from the cats. And we did rescue two abandoned ducks which would quack back at you when you chatted to them. But I don't talk to animals in a Dr Doolittle kind of way. I have implored frogs to come back to life, after the cats have been playing with them, but that's different. 

Ducks... Can't live with 'em...

 Son Number One many years ago, with Duck 1

By the end of the quiz, I had answered 'yes' to an alarming amount of questions. I blame books. When you spend your childhood (and beyond) reading that rabbits can wear blue velvet jackets, that dormice sleep in teapots and that most wolves are on the side of the White Witch, there's no hope of believing in rational things. 

The next course book looks interesting - bring on the apocalypse! Not literally, you understand. I have things to do, and animals to talk to...

And on to Book 3

I made a good choice with this course on religion and controversy. Obviously, my feelings may change when I get the marks back for my assignment. Sadly, the news this week has been reinforcing just how many sides there are to 'religion' or what is done in the name of religion. The issue of religion vs. free speech was one that was covered in my assignment, and yet again, it's in the news in such a shocking and bloody horrible way. I suppose it's kind of good that I can understand such issues a bit better than I did? It does make me really sad, though, when some students on the course still show deliberate ignorance. They act in the way a couple of our Year 5 children have done: 'So, if you're a Muslim you kill people.' It seems the children I've spoken to are more open-minded and willing to listen, though. Oh well, 'haters are gonna hate', as Son Number One says to me (along with 'Stop living in your little rainbow-coloured world, Mother.')

So, onwards to Book 3 of the course, which is about controversial ideas: science, new atheism, cognitive theory of religion, and animism, followed by an assignment on either the Scopes Trial or debates on animism. Both look appealing for a change. I usually have to pick an option depending on which I hate least. Apparently, the assignment is 'double-weighted', which I think could also relate to me, post-Christmas. Actually, looking at the Scopes Trial stuff (I had never heard of it before now), it has highlighted my ignorance at how we'd teach the origins of life at the school where I work. We are a Church of England school, but children don't have to be church-goers to attend. Basically, we're just the nearest primary school for most of our pupils, with a handful coming from out of our catchment area because of our C of E status. I don't recall going into creation in any of our lessons, but I'd like to think we'd do it in a kind of science-y way, with a 'some people think this...' added, and let them make their own minds up, rather than forcing some kind of view on them. (It would only be an introduction, anyway, as it's more of a high school subject.) And then they could learn creation myths from all around the world, and if they like the idea of Chaos and Gaia, then fine. I love the stories of the Thunderbirds, myself (no, not the puppets...). 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haida_double_thunderbird,_plate_XXIV.png

Anyway, I should really be getting back to the subject, myself. Today, my target is to read:

• Revolution and the rejection of Christianity
• From persecution to 'culture wars'
• Atheists and fundamentalists: the Scopes Trial
• The 1960s and after: religious crisis and resurgence.

Sigh. Or I may just eat biscuits and finish Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. 

Onwards into 2015

Mid-assignment, I just wanted to wish you a very Happy New Year. We saw the new year in by watching films we'd got as Christmas presents. One of mine was Looper, which was my sort of thing, but will have to be watched for a second time (minus alcohol), as there were a few 'I'm-not-quite-sure-I-got-that' moments (to which I didn't want to admit, in case I got sighs and rolls-of-eyes because it was obvious to everyone else). My hearing has been kind of fixed, so I didn't have to use the subtitles I relied on a couple of weeks ago. They took a while to get the hang of, what with italics for someone out of shot, and all that. I was also glad I'm a quick reader, because all the bits in brackets (music in the background; a door slams etc) plus speech, took some speedy reading. Anyway, the hearing is making everything sound very loud and harsh (must get a quieter keyboard), but at least I can join in with things again. 

As I said, I'm halfway through an assignment. We had to choose out of two journal articles to read, and relate it to what we'd learnt from the second course book. So I've been reading about the banning of a play called Behzti (which I keep spelling wrong. The spellchecker's no help - it just asked me if I meant 'Betty'?) and am writing about how it relates to multiculturalism, identity, authority and the media. Not the most exciting of essays, although that may just be mine. Apologies, Mr Tutor. 

Because of the assignment, I am behind with everything else. Actually, that's a lie. Because of reading the entire series of Harry Potter books in an attempt to put off writing the assignment, the Christmas tree is still up and I have not been food-shopping for ages. The cats may have to have spaghetti hoops for dinner, and I think we'll have to choose from the dregs of Christmas biscuits and chocolate for ours. Never mind. There is still beer. 

So, what did I get for Christmas, apart from fatter? Books, obviously. Nail polish, which may prod me into stopping picking my fingers and make me at least try to look vaguely feminine... or not. Chocolate, always good. Boots, extra good. Wine, of course (I always think it sounds bad when you say your children got you alcohol for Christmas, but it probably makes their lives easier, too).

Family-wise, The Daughter and her boyfriend were up from Cornwall, which was brilliant. Sorry about the broken foot, Tim. There's a story for another day. My Dad is three weeks into his radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer, and finding it exhausting, but refused to let it spoil his Christmas. Kudos to you, Dad. Hang in there.

And that's it, so far. I must now go and rummage in the freezer, and make tea for the family. Chips and raspberry sorbet, anyone?