Is it all right to use alright?

Is it all right to use alright?

Or is it another English/American thing.

American English prefers – all right.  British English accepts both – all right or alright

1.

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (3/e, Houghton Mifflin, 1996) has this in its usage notes:

All right, usually pronounced as if it were a single word, probably should have followed the same orthographic development as already and altogether. But despite its use by a number of reputable authors, the spelling alright has never been accepted as a standard variant, and the writer who chooses to risk that spelling had best be confident that readers will acknowledge it as a token of wilful unconventionality rather than as a mark of ignorance.

2.

Michael Swan, in Practical English Usage (2/e, Oxford University Press, 1995), says:

The standard spelling is all right. Alright is common, but many people consider it incorrect.

3.

Brian A. Garner, in The Oxford Dictionary of American Usage and Style (Oxford University Press, 2000), comments:

All right. So spelled. The one-word spelling (alright) has never been accepted as standard in American English.

4. The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage (Random House, 1999) states succinctly:

"all right (never alright)."

5. Ann Raimes, in Keys for Writers (Houghton Mifflin, 1996), says:

"Alright is nonstandard. All right is standard."

6. 

 The Collins COBUILD English Dictionary (HarperCollins, 1995):

Under “alright” - alright. See all right

Under “all right” - all right; also spelled alright

knowing a little bit about COPYRIGHT

I was looking into this for someone else, and as it's quite interesting I'm also posting it here. Most of the information comes from the Australian Copyright Council website. I didn't go into music or digital copyright because the original task related to using text on quilts, embroideries and in art work, but music would be similar. It's important to understand what we can use legally but in the end it is a moral issue and we must monitor ourselves.

In Australia, copyright protection is free and automatic; there is no registration system but this does not mean it doesn't exist.  The Australian Copyright Council website has all the information available if you need more detail - http://www.copyright.org.au/    

Copyright is a legal protection for material including writing/poetry, visual images/logos, music/lyrics and more. Copyright protection gives the copyright owner the right to control the use of their material including reproduction and electronic communication - anyone who uses their material without permission will infringe copyright.  An infringement means the copyright owner could bring an action against the person who infringes their copyright to recover damages.

In most cases, copyright lasts from the time the material is created until 70 years after the end of the year the creator dies. During that time the copyright can be inherited by the creator's family or friends, or included in the assets of a business.  

You need permission to quote from a work if the quote forms a "substantial" part of the source work. A part will generally be "substantial" if it is an important, distinctive or recognisable part. The quality of the part is more important than the quantity or proportion. The purpose of the use may be relevant; if you are using it for a commercial purpose you will need permission and possibly will have to pay for the right.  There is no provision in the Copyright Act that allows you to use copyright material after you have tried, but failed, to find the copyright owner if it is still under copyright protection.

There is no special exception which allows you to use copyright material without permission for educational purposes or for a non-profit purpose - you still need to get the permission. And, just because certain information, poetry, lyrics etc is available on the internet does not necessarily mean it is free to use.

A work is in the "public domain" if its copyright protection has expired. There is no list of works that are in the public domain so you'll have to find out who the author was, when the author died and whether the work was first published during the author’s lifetime.  Once copyright on a work has expired, it cannot be revived by subsequent publication ... an  example is the works of William Shakespeare - anyone can reproduce all or parts of his work.  A publisher who produces Shakespeare's work will only own copyright to the typographical arrangement and can prevent another publisher making an exact copy of that publication, but not of Shakespeare's work.  

"Moral rights" are rights relating to a creator’s reputation in connection with their work - in addition to the "economic rights" - like the right to reproduce the work. Creators are entitled to take legal action if they are not credited for their work; if their work is falsely attributed to someone else; or if their work is treated in a derogatory way – for example, by distorting it or modifying it.

If you are requesting permission to use copyright material you should provide the copyright holder with as much detail as possible, such as: title and author (ISBN if possible) of the publication from which you want to take the material; a description of the material you want to use, number of words or line count; the format of publication as well as your details.

Most sport teams would not allow people to use their logo for commercial purposes. In charity situations, they may still control the use very closely so you'll need to inquire about the legal use.  

But if you are buying fabric that has a logo printed on it then the legal use has been sorted out.  This also applies to licensed cartoon characters, other commercial images and creative writing on fabric. Someone else has obtained the permission.

It is risky to use creative work without permission unless you are absolutely certain that the work is in the public domain.  There was a case in the US of a lady who had written a short poem in 1989 titled 'Families are like quilts'. She developed this and sold as a stitchery/embroidery pattern, copyrighted in 2005.   Later she found her poem was being sold on decorative wall hangings and embroidered pillows.  She claimed these were unauthorised copies and filed a lawsuit against 6 companies. I think it's still with the courts.

So, it seems that if it is already printed on fabric bought by the metre, that's alright, but if you appliqué, embroider, knit or paint it on you need permission.

Please keep in mind that creative material has been written, designed or put together by someone and they deserve recognition for their work and control over how it is used. 

looking at the movie, MARGARET

Sometimes on surveys or those 'who are you' fwd emails you get asked to name your favourite movie and I find that difficult.  I don't have a favourites list,  I just have a 'won't watch list'. 

The Movies I like are usually dramas involving the way people relate to one another or mysteries that reveal the true nature of the people involved. I love stories with layers and also appreciate the rather quirky raw life stories like Napoleon Dynamite or Moonrise Kingdom but these can be overdone easily.

There are so many wonderful movies, some are visual works of art, some are brilliant stories, some are just great fun to watch. And names! I couldn't even come up with the best name - such poetic feasts are promised by 'Children of a lesser God' or 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'.  And think of the money invested in these books-come-to-life - millions and millions of dollars and euros are spent every day - employing thousands to stroke the egos of actors, directors and screen writers and all resulting in such rich entertainment for us - we may as well eat all we can.

I like watching DVDs at home. I don't have to go out, I can choose my time and even give myself an intermission. Also DVDs often have extras - interviews and behind the scenes footage. If we enjoy a movie we like to get as much as we can from it.  And you can miss so much in the theatre. Our oldest son studied film and multi media and in turn educated us to the process of filming scenes. In the movie 'The Children of Men' we found a scene in a car that is filmed on a 360 degree pan, all in one take. The shot takes in what is happening outside the car and inside... how did they do that? Where was the camera?  We had a few fun hours with that DVD, rewinding (do you rewind on a DVD?) and slowing it down.  

Shirley and Jack in Bernie

And movies based on true stories often interview the real people. One we saw this year was Bernie, with Jack Black. The movie itself was full of 'real' people from the real Bernie's home town and they were wonderful. Also, the movie changed my attitude towards Jack Black. I love how he sang in the car and dances in his band costume. So cute!

But, if I was asked to name the last really excellent movie I've seen I would be able to answer that.  A few weeks ago I watched a movie called 'Margaret',  and it affected me so much I'm still talking about it.

Maybe I noticed the title because my mother was a Margaret.  I read the brief outline that hinted at an intriguing story despite the fact that the main character was a 17 year old girl. I put it on our list in the movie club and then it arrived in our letterbox as a lovely surprise. 

Through the movie I gained understanding of myself at the age of 17, long ago. And with that came a realisation that would have been very handy back then, if I'd been able to understand. Even just for that personal experience this movie was brilliant, but it's also a good story.

Kenneth Lonergan, an American playwright, screenwriter and director is responsible for the script and direction. He filmed in 2005 and then had post production problems leading to a court case which held it up until 2009 and the movie was finally released in 2011. Apparently he made a movie that was over 3 hours long, hoping to edit it back to the required 150 minutes. On the DVD there is an extended version of 186 mins, which was what I watched and I can't see how you could cut a second of that. The actors, in order of some importance to me as a viewer include; Anna Paquin,  Mark Ruffalo, Jeannie Berlin, Kieran Culkin, Jean Reno and J. Smith-Cameron.

I have since read several reviews and gather that not everyone loved it as I did. I suppose it's not for everyone but I loved it - I loved the sound track, the scenes of the city, the people crossing streets and the snatches of conversation .... all that was part of the story, not just background but a real part of the story, the music and the city were characters too. The title Margaret comes from a poem read by a teacher (Matthew Broderick in a very small part) about two thirds of the way through - 'Spring and Fall' by Gerard Manley Hopkins, which starts ... 'Margaret, are you grieving', the rest of the poem is at the bottom of this page, for those who must know everything (like me).

Anna and Matt in Margaret

The heart of the story begins with a conversation Lisa has with her teacher, Mr Aaron Caije (Matt Damon). She says she doesn't like maths (geometry) and will never need it in her life and he says, haven't you ever thought you didn't like something and then changed and began to like it? She says no, and he asks her again. She says no again and then spends the rest of the movie facing situations that change the way she sees her world. Didn't anyone else get this?

I don't think she is frustrated as some reviews say, I think she is working very hard to find her way through the adult world and she's doing it all alone. No one really supports her, mostly because she's difficult but also they have their own problems, but still she's only 17 and trying to right wrongs but there is no one for her - until the end, at the opera, the music and the perfect duet and Lisa is in tears (and I was in tears too). She understands then that we can't do it alone, we should not be doing it alone ... and there is her mother, also alone and they find each other.

It is a tremendous movie, so touching, so like all our lives, just brilliant, and I am sorry that many people have passively watched this movie expecting to be entertained and missed the beautiful truth it holds. I saw no problem with editing, in fact I enjoyed the editing, the flow, the look and the sound - all 186 minutes. Best movie I've seen for a long time - a not to be missed review by Janine

This is a synopsis I copied from a movie site:     Margaret centres on a 17-year-old New York City high-school student who feels certain that she inadvertently played a role in a traffic accident that has claimed a woman's life. In her attempts to set things right she meets with opposition at every step. Torn apart with frustration, she begins emotionally brutalizing her family, her friends, her teachers, and most of all, herself. She has been confronted quite unexpectedly with a basic truth: that her youthful ideals are on a collision course against the realities and compromises of the adult world.

Anna Paquin plays Lisa in the movie Margaret

My final comment   - If only Lisa knew, if only we all knew at 17,  that the moment we start to think we know it all and can control our lives and other people's responses, that is the moment we should start learning that we don't and never will.

And for those interested,  my 'won't watch list' includes;

... movies made from books that I've read and enjoyed recently (I need to wait a few years), 
I have not been able to watch 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy because visuals of my first reading those books back in 1970 are still strong and I may never be able to see the movie version of 'Life of Pi').

... anything about zombies, vampires, devil worship or demons or those super fantasy video game style movies is a no no. (Back in the video days I even edited our copy of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, removing the bits I didn't like).

... most teen movies, especially involving American college students or sport competitions.

... wrongful imprisonment and torture - some movies I can't watch at all and other's I just have to keep my fingers over my face and peek.

.... but, sometimes we need to know the bad things and sometimes we need to watch to learn. 'Shooting dogs' was one of those, based on true life genocide/slaughter. It had to be watched and I now have a better understanding of some world situations. The characters are fictional but the story is real - based on actual events in 1994.  
After the Hutu President of Rwanda was shot the Hutu militias take it out on the Tutsi people and there is slaughter. The movie focuses on a group of 2,500 Tutsi refugees under siege in a catholic school. When they are abandoned by the UN they are murdered with machetes. 
The UN peacekeepers shoot local dogs that feed on the dead bodies of genocide victims, which were left in the street, but when the Tutsi's ask them to shoot their children to spare them being hacked to death, they refuse. It's a good title but strangely the movie was also shown under the title 'Beyond the Gates' and that does not have the same impact.

The goose bump at the end - going into the credits, we see shots of some of the crew on the movie - who are real life Rwanda genocide survivors. This certainly helps to cope with what went before.

                                                                            ---------------

 

And here is a quote on movies from our Clive James;    'All television ever did was shrink the demand for ordinary movies. The demand for extraordinary movies increased. If any one thing is wrong with the movie industry today, it is the unrelenting effort to astonish.'

Aussie Clive James

... and the poem from Margaret

Spring and Fall   by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1918)
to a young child

Márgarét, áre you gríeving

Over Goldengrove unleaving?

Leáves like the things of man, you

With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?

Ah! ás the heart grows older

It will come to such sights colder

By and by, nor spare a sigh

Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;

And yet you wíll weep and know why.

Now no matter, child, the name:

Sórrow’s spríngs áre the same.

Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed

What heart heard of, ghost guessed:

It ís the blight man was born for,

It is Margaret you mourn for.

choosing a BOOK

I am always very tense to the point of being frightened at the dentist and usually there is nothing I can do to distract myself from that. But one day, trembling in the waiting room chair I forced myself to  look at a newspaper, left on the chair beside me and folded open to a page of book reviews.  The lead article was about the 'humble little book' that had taken New York book stores by surprise. 

And that's how I discovered the  No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, by Alexander McCall Smith. I was able to get the first two books in the series then, and we are now up to No.13.  I buy them all and have a special book shelf for them.  I love the stories of Precious Ramotswe in Botswana,  and I love the story telling style that is sweet and simple, often seeming to state the obvious by our 'sophisticated' standards, but in the search for understanding why people do the things they do, it is just right. Alexander McCall Smith is a philosopher and that is the approach he takes to writing. And yes, there is a TV series now, and while it's a little different to the books, it follows the same stories and is lovely to watch.  These books show a simple world, like going back to the 1950's, and create a place to visit, escape to and hide. 

Alexander McCall Smith writes several series of episodic novels, though I've only ventured into two of them. The Isabel Dalhousie books, Sunday Philosophy Club, is one series, and 44 Scotland Street is the other. 

I like the Scotland Street stories which follow the lives of a group of people who all lived in the same building, at 44 Scotland Street, Edinburgh, in the first book, and though several have since moved out they still appear.  Bertie, the six year old saxophone player with an eccentric mother, and Cyril, the dog of an artist whose best friend lives at number 44, are my favourite characters but I won't spoil it further for those who would like to read the books.  My only complaint is that these books are too short, can be read in a weekend and then I have to wait a year or so for the next one.

Some book discoveries remain very clear in my mind. One winter morning back in 1967, I was on my way through Taylor Square in Darlinghurst, Sydney - to catch a bus to the city. On the corner, where the Bird Cage Nightclub used to be was a news stand. A man set it up in the very early hours of the morning, with folding tables and stands, and took it down before the night life began. On this particular morning he had new books on display and I reached for an interesting title and bought it.  He asked me to let him know if it was any good. I'd never heard of it before but it turned out I'd chosen a book that is often cited as one of the great literary works of the twentieth century.  It was Catch 22 by Joseph Heller.  Yes, it's been made into a movie, but I think it's easier to follow the movie if you've read the book first.

Two other favourite books came from reviews in the Women's Weekly. The Life of Pi was one. I had heard of it before, then after reading the review I bought it - I prefer to buy books rather than borrow them, probably so I can keep the ones that are really special.  I know it's unfair to the author, as they only earn from sales of new books, but many of mine are second hand. I kept Life of Pi.  

The other one was called Started Early, Took My Dog.  Again, I liked the title. The book cover says it's Kate Atkinson's best work to date!  Well, I'm sold.  It was hard going to start with but  once I was in tune with her writing style I found I really enjoyed the story, the characters, the little asides, the sudden switches from one scene/person to the next. I soon discovered this was the last book in a series of four, so I went online and ordered the first three, from different sellers and they didn't arrive in order so I had to wait until I had number one.  But, what a luxury!  I had four books in a series I really enjoyed and I got to read them like one very long novel. Though, the fourth title later became a disappointment because the dog who gets to start early with Jackson Brodie, described as an unlikely but utterly addictive detective and I agree,  is not actually his dog.  I soon went into Kate's other novels, also good, but the Jackson Brodie books are the best. 

Another source of recommendations is TV, in particular The First Tuesday Book Club, hosted by Jennifer Byrne - renamed 'Book Club' for 2013 - I suppose so it doesn't limit them to Tuesday.  As well as new books I've been encouraged to revisit ones I've read before and older books I might never have thought to read.  I have a list from the Book Club that I want to read one day.  The Light Between Oceans by M.L.Stedman is one of those, as is Gilgamesh by Joan London.  I'll wait until I find preloved copies at a good price. In the meantime I have revisited Catcher in the Rye and The Selfish Giant and have discovered new books, and some I've enjoyed a lot, like The Book Thief  by Markus Zusak, which I was put off reading until this cover came out - and just last month,  Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally. He writes about two sisters, from a dairy farm in NSW, who trained as nurses and went overseas during WWI, to nurse the wounded at Gallipoli and in France. Two of my grandmother's sisters, my Great Auntie Ada and Great Auntie Claire, from a dairy farm in NSW, went to France as nurses during WWI - one drove an ambulance.  Not the same story, of course, but details of their lives and events are a little more real to me now.

Sometimes it's fun to read books with other people.  My mother in law borrows 40 books at a time from the library. We've both enjoyed all the Jennifer Chiaverini novels in the Elm Creek Quilts series and they have given us something to day dream about. My favourite is The Runaway Quilt which dips into history, touching on the use of quilts and quilt patterns as signals for runaway slaves.  Then my niece had an Amish period and we shared and swopped Amish novels, mostly in series of three and mostly love stories.  They were relaxing to read and fun to talk about.  I was inspired to read The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas, after watching the min-series.  It was disappointing that the book is so different in several areas and I think the screen writers did a wonderful job on the story, making it much more interesting.   

Finding books can be an adventure in itself.  Recently my lovely friend Mel, who lived with us as a school girl back in 1989, mentioned she was reading a book called Der Hals der Giraffe. I translated that as The Neck of the Giraffe and found the title, written by Francis Hitching, about missing links in the theories of Charles Darwin, that is transitional links between supposedly evolved species.  As we'd been discussing exactly this subject at home that week I ordered a copy. It was actually out of print, but plenty of second hands available.  Excitedly I emailed Mel in Germany and said, 'We are reading the same book'.  Mel replied, saying she didn't realise Judith Schalansky's novel had been translated into English. Hmmmm. I looked again and this time translating a whole web page, instead of just the title, found that Judith Schalansky wrote a book called The Giraffe's Neck about a biology teacher fighting to adhere to the laws of nature, straining her neck while eating forbidden fruit and eventually losing faith in her personal God, Darwin.  Hmmmm.  Maybe not exactly the same book.  Babel Fish strikes again!  

Second hand shops and fete stalls are great places to find books and the most exciting as you can often get lots and lots of books for a few dollars.  I get carried away and end up with books we never look at and which we donate to the next fundraiser.  Last year I packed up a box of books for a school stall, including The Living Planet by David Attenborough.  On the night of the fete I was with my son and his girlfriend, also Mel. She browsed through the book stall, picked out a few to buy and held one out to show me.  "I wonder if this is real", she said holding the book open at the title page. There was a signature -  David Attenborough, it said.  I looked at the cover and it was the book I'd donated, that I'd bought second hand and had been on our shelf at home for at least five years!  Of course we paid the 50c for it. Mel has it on her book shelf now and she recorded the event with a photo layout.

Famous people are often asked what books sit on their bedside table.  As I don't read in bed I can't answer that except to say I think I have a book on patchwork and quilting there, but my husband, Rory, has some favourites that come and go -  a variety of Bill Bryson and Lee Strobel books, plus Sherlock Holmes, Red Dwarf and a huge book on creation. Rory reads books that are given to him or recommended by friends, so doesn't often choose a book unless he is following a particular author or series. He has collected the James Bond novels and books by Wilbur Smith.

My book pile is in the dining room and on the top is How can I use Herbs in my Daily Life? by Isabell Shipard, who lives locally. I am no expert on herbs which is why this book it always on the top. I'm actually more interested in the medicinal qualities of herbs than how to grow them but that should come, I hope.  I my pile to read is Frank McCourt's Teacher Man, Dubliners by James Joyce (I love short stories and my son lived in Dublin last year so...), a P.G. Wodehouse novel, The Girl in Blue, various books on writing and the English language like Bill Bryson's Mother Tongue,  plus patchwork magazines, cross word puzzles and I've just started In Cold Blood by Truman Capote - because I've never read it. 

We were both introduced to reading by our mothers who bought books and read to us at an early age. The Color Kittens was my favourite and I think sparked my enjoyment of interesting book covers.  I joined the local library when I was 10 years old and devoured their entire stock of children's books in two years including the whole series by Lucy Fitch Perkins on twins around the world.  Two old ladies ran the library in a room behind a shop and their book numbers were limited.

 As the closest Council library was out of my reach I attacked the book shelves at home. Dad read classics and war stories and Mum read Readers Digest condensed novels and whatever was popular. I found her books in a suitcase under the bed and read The Carpetbaggers, Mila 18 and Exodus.

I have not, so far, ventured into digital books. I think my hard copy pile-in-waiting will keep me busy for a while yet and then I have stories of my own to write and edit - digital may be the way to go when I am ready - and it will be interesting to see how we choose books from a digital range.

check the details, Michelangelo

A parcel arrived today, as exciting as  getting a present - books I'd ordered from Better World Books - they sell donated books, mostly second hand, postage is included in the low price and as their slogan explains they also donate books to increase literacy .... You buy, we donate - Book for Book.   

Big R (hubby) brings the parcel in from the mailbox. He grabs his book and scuttles away.  I look at the pictures in the patchwork book and then turn to the one I had been waiting to read,  on personality types.  A little disappointed that the writing is a bit wordy, concepts repeated as if talking to a six year old, but I can get used to that, and I have to learn to accept all writing styles, I tell myself.  But, very disappointed when incorrect information is presented to explain one of those concepts.  This really annoys me. Yes, we all remember bits of information we've picked up along the way but please check you've got it right before publishing it in a book.   I've noticed that as I get older my ability to recall something I've read is not as good as it once was. You need to double check, even if you think you're sure.  I've even found a strong memories of something I have done can be wrong at times too ...  while I'm usually pretty good at remembering, being very visual I can often take myself back in my mind to 'see' things again, but there have been times when memory failed me or played tricks ...  like the day I returned the floor fan that only worked for half an hour.  I took it back to Big W.  I had a clear memory of buying it there a few weeks before - I was positive. But I had lost the receipt .... 

'It's not in the system, we don't sell these', said the lady on the returns counter, staring at her computer. 
Trying to appear that I knew what I was talking about I declared that I had a very good memory and I definitely bought it there. 
'But it's not even our brand!' she said.  'I think you bought this from Woollies'.

And, yes I had - it all came back to me - the fans on sale, only a few left, me pushing aside the crumpled box covered in sticky tape to pull the box in good condition from the top shelf .... yes, I did buy it at Woollies.  Oh dear.  They were very nice and gave me my money back.

But, back to the book.  I think it's okay that I quote a short passage while not giving the author's name.   The paragraph is titled;  It's What's Underneath That Counts.

When Michelangelo was ready to carve the statue of David, he spent a long time in selecting the marble, for he knew the quality of the raw material would determine the beauty of the finished product. He knew he could change the shape of the stone, but he couldn't transform the basic ingredient. Every masterpiece he made was unique, for even if he had wanted to , he would not have been able to find a duplicate piece of marble. Similar, but not the same.

This all sounds very nice and I see what she is doing, talking about temperament, getting to know the real you underneath etc etc.  She has been creative in using this example to show quality underneath but it would have been wise to double check the story because anyone who has read about Michelangelo, or who enjoys art documentaries on TV, or is interested in art history would know, as I did, and as Big R did, that Michelangelo did not choose the marble for the statue of David!

The true story is almost as famous as the statue.  Google will throw up a lot more details, but ...  long before Michelangelo was even involved, some very influential people - Overseers of the Office of Works of the Duomo (Operai), made plans for a series of twelve large Old Testament sculptures for the buttresses of the cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore.  This was in Florence.  So, in 1410 they had a famous sculptor, Donatello (not the ninja turtle), create the figure of Joshua in terracotta.  

Then in 1463 they ordered a  statue of Hercules, (I didn't know he was an old testament character) from a Florentine sculptor Agostino di Duccio - though it's assumed that he was working under Donatello. The following year, 1464,  they ordered another sculpture from Agostino, this one was to be David.

Now, this part is important - they provided a block of marble -  they had it brought down from the alps in northern Tuscany, at great expense - so Agostino didn't even choose it.  He started work on the legs and for no reason that is remembered, just stopped.  Then Donatello died in 1466 and the block of marble sat around for ten years before the sculptor, Antonio Rossellino, was commissioned to finish it. But, he was fired and the huge block of marble sat in the yard of the cathedral workshop for 25 more years.

A block of marble from Tuscany - not the original

Finally they looked for another sculptor - and Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonaroti Simoni, known as Michelangelo, a sculptor, painter, architect, poet and engineer won the commission. He was only 26 years old - the block of marble had been quarried and transported to Florence before he was even born - so he didn't choose the block of marble.

After thinking about the design for a few weeks he started carving on Monday, 13 September, 1501 and worked until 25 January, 1504.  Both Michangelo and the statue of David had further adventures but this is where we stop for now.

As the coming together of Michelangelo and the David marble is such a BIG story, spanning over 35 years and involving some famous names and so well known by so many people, you'd wonder how someone could get it so wrong.    Why use it at all?  And, if you must, why not check that you have the facts? And once you had used it, why did no one tell you it was incorrect?  Is it too late for me to do that - it's an old book, printed in 2000 but the original copyright is 1986.

By the time I'd reached Woollies with my fan I had remembered buying it and also remembered buying our similar style but better quality older fan in Big W two years before! - time just goes so fast these days. But, before I remembered. I was on my way to check that what I had been told was correct and that what I remembered was not.... just in case.  So, this is good advice indeed.

And yes, my returning the little squat floor fan is not really a good example to use for getting the details of the marble wrong but then, I don't agree with using a made up scenario involving a well known artist is a good example of the possible quality of our temperament underneath our personality - and that is my point.

a short story - THIS SUMMER AFTERNOON

The afternoon breeze whips up from the bay. It rattles through palm fronds by the house and brings an air of seaweed to the garden.  Standing at the veranda rail for a moment I enjoy the wind in my hair and the call of gulls flying over the beach below. This outdoor room has seen many happy times, family gatherings for watching whales, boat races and sunsets.

Grasping both arms of a deck chair I lower myself into the seat,  groaning slightly, more from habit than discomfort, I tell myself.  The wickerwork creaks as it takes my weight, it’s become a snug fit lately and I know chairs don’t shrink. I think about buying a larger seat. I am thirsty, but comfortable here for the moment, in the breeze with the birds. The sun begins its downward path and I welcome the shade growing out from the house.

The whine of an old gearbox tells me the school bus is crawling up the hill. It stops at our gate, vibrating noisily and I wave one arm in greeting  just in case the driver is looking. The lid on the letter box slams and my princess is on her way up the path,  joggers crunching over gravel. Her backpack, slung over one shoulder, jingles against her hip. The solitary part of my day is over. 

Thump, thump on the steps. Scuff, scuff over the decking. “Arrhhh, isn’t it hot?” she

says.  Her book filled pack thuds to the floor by my feet.

“No, this isn’t hot, it was hot at midday. This is cool.” I laugh at my joke and she kisses me on the cheek, her long silky hair falling across my face.

“You'd be cooler if you tie your hair back,” I say.

“It was tied back, but the clip broke on the bus.”

The screen door slams. I hear her walking through the house. Water pipes hiss and bang in the wall, drowning the song of magpies in the camphor laurels. I rest and wait.

“You want a drink Nan?” she finally calls from the kitchen.

“Yes please. There’s coke in the fridge.”

“Got it,’ she calls.

The screen door bangs again. She trails a scent of pink soap and washing powder. I feel her touch on my shoulder and a cold can is pressed into my hand.

We open our drinks together. Pssstt.

“I hope you left your uniform in the laundry.”

“Yes fuss pot, I did.”

“And you found your clean clothes in the laundry basket under a pile of folded linen?"

She laughs. “It’s so good to be home, Nannie.”

Humming softly she taps her fingers on the veranda rail and turns her face toward the ocean. “Will Mum be late tonight?”

The words blow back to me on the breeze.

“I don’t think so.”

Her voice is louder as she turns toward me. “That’s good. I’ve got to ask her about the school camp and she won’t feel like talking if she’s tired.”

“Was there any mail Princess?”

“Yes. Three for Mum, I left them inside.”

“Good. Now tell me about the camp.”

“OK. I’ll find the note.”  Pouncing on her backpack she rips open the zipper.

"It’s called Late Summer Camp."

The paper crackles in her hands as it unfolds. She is crouching on the floor by my feet.  “March 20th to 30th. That’s ten days, much better than a week.”

“Yes, especially if you’re having fun.” I put my drink on the deck. She leans back, against my legs and I stroke her hair, twisting strands into brushes to tickle her dainty ears.

“We take our own sheets and things. It’s not in tents, they have little cabins, AND they have a dining hall.” She slaps at my hand, like swatting a fly and I wonder if the note mentions washing dishes.

“Sounds very different to last year's camp,” I say.

“Yes, it doesn't rain in March!” We laugh together, remembering.

My finger finds the tiny scar below her ear.

“It all sounds good. What is it you have to ask Mum?”

“To pay for it of course.”  Her slim little hand strokes mine.  “Can you talk to her Nan? I really, really want to go. I just have to go.”

“Of course.” I sigh. It always comes down to the price tag. 

“She might phone your Dad for this one. It could be an early birthday present, he never knows what to send, and fourteen deserves something special.”

“Good idea. If you suggest it she might go for it.” Her head lies on my knee and she plays with my fingers. “I love you Nan.”

“I’m glad princess.”

Her fingernails are strong and neat. Mine were chewed stumps at her age.

She springs to her feet and stretches. I remember doing that, once upon a time. 
I climb from the chair and lean on her shoulder. She is so tall today - this child of my child, full of energy and eager for life.

“Homework?” I ask.

“I want a swim first.”

“Go then, but don’t forget to shout once in a while, just so I know you’re still there.”

“Come down with me, you can sit on the sand.”

“No baby, not today. I have to refold those clean clothes.”

“Whatever you want, Nannie,” she says and laughs. Taking my hand, she presses it onto the back of the chair. Her joggers slap the steps as she jumps two at a time and I hear her on the zigzag path, skipping down to the beach.

The afternoon is moving around me, warm air stirring, tree sap rising, remembering other summer afternoons. Walking around the chair I feel with my feet for the backpack. She’s left it open, of course. I step over the pile of books and clothing. My outstretched hand finds the door and I go inside, letting it bang behind me.  I can still do that, all by myself.

by Janine Camm  (C)2006

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ON WRITING ...

Oh look!  I've pinched the title from a clever writer and added ! to make it mine. On Writing by Steven King is one of the most helpful books I've read. Part biography,  the story of King being run down on the road while jogging and coming back from that - interesting,  and part advice on writing. Amazing. To have that information, from this successful and experienced writer is like finding gold -  or better, the information shared by Steven King changed the way I approach reading and writing.

However,  I am not a Steven King reader, I'm not even sure if I've read any his books, except this one. Certainly not any of his scary stories.

For something like ten years I enjoyed being part of online writing groups. Most of these were critique groups.  All members posted a chapter of whatever they were writing - mostly novels for middle grade readers, around 10 to 14 years. We read and either reviewed these or wrote line by line critiques, which I loved doing, depending on the group.  In one short story group members took turns setting assignments, one every three weeks. We'd all do the assignment and critique the results. Mostly these were to write a story. One of the assignments I set for everyone was to write a story in dialogue only - no speech tags, no descriptions,  just the dialogue - my favourite task. Someone else set us to write about why we write. That was difficult. It was interesting to find this again and read what I'd written back then.

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28.03.2004   Looking at the last few assignments and knowing how far they stretched me, how they have improved my writing and uncovered weaknesses, I wonder just what I want to write and why.

What I know - I like writing for children. I want to give them something, tell them things they would not know if they had not read my story.

But my writing is not cute - no talking teddy bears,  it's not funny - so no Adrian Mole.  It's usually about coping with serious issues like step parents, feelings of rejection, illness, loss... all very serious stuff and in the past rejected by publishers for that reason.  'Subject is too serious'.  So? I'm a serious person!

To improve - to make my stories richer I'd like them to show that in spite of the serious issues we often face life is still wonderful - it's worth it!

What started me on this track? -  I think it's just who I am. I was 'making up' stories at the age of 2 or 3 years. My first story involved a pair of bunnies, with six babies, who adopted another baby who was different.  Yes, I know that's a cutsie-pie story - I had a collection of plastic toy bunnies and as inspired, by the colours. They were all shades of green but one odd one was blue,  so he was different. The adoption didn't change him but they were a family all the same.  30 years later I did just that, took a foster child into my family. It was supposed to be 18 months and ended up more like 18 years plus.

So, looking back at the stories that impressed and inspired me to write - I read all the Secret Seven and Famous Five books at a very young age. I enjoyed them but knew they were not real. I got through the children's classics like Black Beauty, Heidi, Kidnapped, Robinson Crusoe, Tom Sawyer and they were okay but not special. Blinky Bill and the Gumnut babies frightened me and I still avoid Banksia trees.

Two books that made a bit impression on me, because they were much better stories - The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde, (a collection of short stories published in 1888) and The Water Babies by the Rev Charles Kingsley, published in 1963 - such wonderful illustrations. These were the books I loved at 10 years of age. 

So, then onto grown up books, raiding my parent’s collection and the library. More fantasy.  I threw The Carpetbaggers away because at age 12  I thought it was total rubbish - my mother enjoyed reading but usually stuck with the popular titles that everyone else read.  I tried the classics and found idealistic fantasy. I was not easy to please.  Dickens, no, I hated it. Dad's books were mostly war novels and they did keep me busy but only one stands out in memory, The Cruel Sea, by Nicholas Montserrat.  At times scenes from that book pop into my head as if to say ... could you handle this, now?

I picked up The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint Exupery, pub 1943. I'm still learning from the little prince - though try not to be too involved in the story because I fear there is something distasteful there.  The original illustrations are lovely.

But, the greatest treasure I found in my early teens - a little book of incredible beauty, with black line illustrations that I loved. It was The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico. This was a little bit of fiction inside a true story. And what a story!  I was inspired.  I wanted to write stories like that, stories that caused the reader to choke on their breath.

The next precious stone for me was Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. I bought it from a newstand in the street on the way to a bus stop. I was thrilled to read it.  I read favourite bits over again, talked about it and quoted it.  I knew it wasn't in my personality to write like that, but wow, what a book! It gave me an understanding of the world and how it works.

By this time I was over 21 and devouring every book I could get. Someone gave me The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien, to read and I discovered, in that gem, the idea of journey and overcoming. Of course this was in The Water Babies and other stories too, but I hadn't been able to grasp it consciously before.

I don't have these three books on my desk. I don't read them over and over. The spirit of them is inside me. I feel I have absorbed the stories and I'm waiting to see what I have nourished.  I don't plan my writing, I just begin - often not knowing the direction I'm heading in but enjoying the scenery along the way.

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Today, reading over my thoughts from 2004 I am disappointed to find not much has changed. I have not met my goal of being published, apart from a couple of short stories and bits in newspapers and obscure magazines back in the 1990s - nothing that really counts.  And it is probably because I don't work at it like some do - because I do not want to be a salesman. So that's my reason and that's okay.

I have read more books but nothing really outstanding. It is possible I've kept away from outstanding books because life gets in the way of that sort of commitment.  I enjoy all The Number One Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith - simple, sweet philosophy, beautiful tales of gentle people written with understanding - I love them.  

I've also discovered Language Change by Jean Aitchison, and some other similar books,  which release me from becoming what they call a 'word nazi'.  

If I had to pick a modern novelist favourite I'd say Kate Atkinson - her story construction and character building is amazing.  It takes a while to get into step with her but when you do it's like solving a clueless crossword puzzle, an enjoyable achievement. And here it looks like I stopped by the shelf for authors starting with A.

I have been busy with other activates since 2004, enjoyable but time consuming, mostly involving the production of a school yearbook for eight years. I have written very little in that time, except in my head.  There are lots of stories in there.  I know my writing is not literature or philosophy, I just make up stories about made up people -  based on true stories and people, and often any deeper meaning within is invisible to me.  

So now to a blog. This will be writing about things that are not made up and that is actually more difficult. I will continue to write for me though.  Of course writers should write for an audience but I feel the reading of it is not my area; the subject, the story and writing of words is the bit I do.

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