Author Archives: David Sweet
Moulin Rouge
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Gay Paris yesterday and Sunday night sex tonight. This is a link to more photos.
A Weekend in Paris
Well it is actually a little longer than a weekend, but so much is packed in to these past couple of days. However, wit literary licence my journey continues. Have a look at the next chapter in the meanderings to Oxford.
Day Five, Paris
Travel is a challenge, interesting and full of surprises. The plane flights have been untroubled. The accommodation is reasonable and the enjoyment level peaking. I will add details and some photographs to the GO to Oxford page shortly. It is getting close to midnight here in Paris and the eyes are getting heavy.
Sharing the good earth
I attended a humourous and interesting discussion on the 175 year history of the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia (Inc). To read more of my enjoyable two hours, follow this link.
Conference Update
I have set up a separate ‘Page’ GO to Oxford (a little play on words) that will have regular updates on my trip to Paris, London, Brighton, Oxford and Singapore. I hope that you enjoy my stories, the places I visit and a few photographs.
A busy couple of weeks
The past three weeks have been some what busy. University teaching becomes a little tense with students worrying about final assessments – was I ever that concerned in my undergraduate days? I probably was, I just don’t remember the stress. Coupled with teaching is keeping on top of the never ending assignments to mark. Six tutorial groups of at least twenty-five students in each, three assessments each – you can do the sums. It adds up to many hours of reading and commenting.
There has been a slight change to my presentation at the British Sociological Association Auto/Biography Summer Residential Conference at the Wolfson College, Oxford University in July. I’m now presenting for forty minutes followed by twenty minutes of questions. A little more daunting. It is only fourteen days to departure as well.
Last weekend (May 31) I attended the State Media Awards at the National Wine Centre, here in Adelaide. Together with one of our leading photojournalists, Bryan Charlton, and a guest judge we have been reviewing photojournalists pictorial work. You may wish to view further information about the Awards following this link.
Besides the enjoyable ‘work’ I have managed to get up to the Barossa Valley and have an enjoyable evening listening to the Tanunda Town Band with renowned Jazz player, James Morrison. I love my Jazz and this night was special. Even in a big agricultural barn, Morrison made it intimate and special.
Adelaide Photo treasures from the 1920s
What is in your ‘shoe box’? This beautiful series of photographs of Adelaide in the 1920s. I quote form the ABC web site:
Discovered in a filing box left in the old City Engineers Department of the Adelaide City Council in 2011, it is believed the photographs were taken from the bell tower of the General Post Office in the city.
Judging from the skyline and buildings, Adelaide City Council archivist Rob Thorton believes the photos were taken in either 1921 or 1922.
The first detailed series of photographs taken of the skyline since a panoramic shot taken in the 1866, the photos detail the progress of expansion and development over the five decades.
“We were amazed that these had lain dormant for all this time.
“We spent quite a lot of time almost drooling over them,” Rob laughed,” because it was such a comprehensive record of what the city looked like at that time.”
Black and White Adelaide – A collection of panoramic photographs show eight of the 12 photographs, enlarged and reproduced on canvas in the northern gallery of the first floor of the Adelaide Town Hall, 128 King William Street, from 12 May till 30 May 2014, as part of the About Time Festival. Admission is free, so check it out.
The Finding Nell Thomson Project
In my developing interest in oral history and photography I came across this example of a brief, but an engaging use of what can be done using multimedia and the internet. Quoting from the web site: ‘finding Nell Thomson is about war’s lingering impact, and about family secrets and healing histories.’ Check it out for an interesting and provocative story.
Thesis Milestone — now what next?
Now I’m getting to the scary part of my thesis — the end. I have produced the first completed draft of the research and early next week it will go to my supervisors for their critique. Although others have read and commented on passages in the past, this is the first full review of my research, writing and arguments/theory. There is still a long way to go and I expect it will be October or November before it is ready for submission to be marked.
That raises the next challenge, to find two suitable markers — one Australian and another international academic. I have some input to the list of possible markers, but no control or influence on the final selection. Not only do these two people have to be experts in my field of research, but have the time (and desire) to mark my work.
While I have my own pile of undergraduate marking to wade through, I’m giving some thought to my next project. The first priority will be to write, practice and polish my presentation for the conference at Wolfson College at Oxford University in July. I’m starting to get excited over that.
As for my next ‘big’ project, I’m considering using my thesis research as a template to produce a comprehensive oral history and online photo-story of my 84 year-old mother-in-law. Some mind-mapping on a similar project around my parents (both deceased) is possible, but a challenge. I have a short voice recording of my mother when she was 90 (1994) so I will be looking to interview four to six of their grandchildren and calling on their memories. So more on these projects in the coming weeks and months.
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