Yep, I had a brilliant day out at Brunswick North West Primary last week. I saw the Grade 4, 5 and 6 kids, and they were AWESOME! Funny, creative, and occasionally chatty but always fun to hang around with!
They did some killer drawings too, it was very impressive. I am starting to wonder if these kids I teach are actually better drawers than me!
And so I move on to The Incredible Journey of Pete Mcgee! WOOOOO! i am still waiting for the stock to actually arrive, but it will be here any moment now, and I can't wait to get it ... partly because I just want it here in my hands, and partly because there are 18 books to get to the kids at Brunswick North West primary, and school holidays are fast approaching!
The launch is getting closer too! It's at 6pm on Wednesday the 6th of July at Readings in Hawthorn, and should be heapsa fun! That's an old medieval term that one, heapsa, all the knights were saying it back in the day. Seriously.
Okay, that's me out for the day. Just a quick one today. I am thinking of having this blog be less about me and more about just writing stuff. So that's what you can expect on your next reading ... of course, going by my track record that could be in a month or two, but I will try and get on it quicker than that this time!
Have a great week, and keep living the dream.
Stay gold.
Wally
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
C-C-C-C-COLD!
Yep. It's winter, and it's cold. As I write this, my fingers are actually turning into ice and little bits are falling off and melting on the kepyboard ... so if there are some typos, if there are some weird symbols and letters, that's why.
It's the melting ice fingers seeping into the electrical circuits of the keyboard!
Nah, I'm kidding, it ain't that cold! I actually like the cold. I mean, I don't like being cold, I just reckon that when it's cold you can rug up and do stuff, but when it's really hot you don't feel like doing anything!
So what's been going on in Wally's World?
Well.
I had a brilliant school visit out at Ascot Vale West P.S. last week. It was a school with an awesome feel about it, and kids who had great senses of humour, but who also knew when to listen and when to speak and when to laugh (most important!).
AND ... The Incredible Journey of Pete McGee is so close now. The advance copies are due at the end of May which is ... hey ... today is the last day of May! I need to go and make a phone call!
Have a brilliant week everyone, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
It's the melting ice fingers seeping into the electrical circuits of the keyboard!
Nah, I'm kidding, it ain't that cold! I actually like the cold. I mean, I don't like being cold, I just reckon that when it's cold you can rug up and do stuff, but when it's really hot you don't feel like doing anything!
So what's been going on in Wally's World?
Well.
I had a brilliant school visit out at Ascot Vale West P.S. last week. It was a school with an awesome feel about it, and kids who had great senses of humour, but who also knew when to listen and when to speak and when to laugh (most important!).
AND ... The Incredible Journey of Pete McGee is so close now. The advance copies are due at the end of May which is ... hey ... today is the last day of May! I need to go and make a phone call!
Have a brilliant week everyone, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The Incredible Journey of Pete McGee is coming!
It's true, and I AM EXCITED! I don't get excited much ... well, sometimes I do. If I tell a good joke that cracks someone up ... if someone tells a good joke that cracks me up ... if I do a nice robot dance ... if the MIGHTY PIES win ... if I wake up from a great siesta.
Okay, so I get excited quite a bit! But this has got me more excited than I have been in a while.
The Incredible Journey of Pete McGee is a book that has been on quite a journey itself. I wrote it in 2002. Or maybe 2001. Or was it ... no ... wait, it was a long time ago okay?
I have sent it to quite a few publishers. They all said no. One publisher said if I changed a few things they would be interested. I changed the things. They weren't interested.
D'OH!
It has been to an assessment agency. It has had a full copy edit. It has gone through about 8 drafts. Even at this late stage, there were about 8 or 9 different versions that went back and forth between me, Mandy (the editor) and Luke (the layouter).
But now, I do believe we have done it. It is finished and edited and laid out and ready to send off to the printer! JoJo Publishing, who are publishing the book, are aiming for a June release ... so that isn't too far away at all!
SO I AM EXCITED!
The Incredible Journey of Pete McGee is a story about a boy with one arm who wants to become a great knight ... but it's so much more than that. It's a story about going for your dreams, overcoming obstacles, finding true love, loyalty, adventure, facing adversity with humour and determination.
It's all this and more.
Look, it doesn't have any giraffes in it, so I am sorry about that.
Truly.
Read it anyway, maybe I will try and get a giraffe or two in the sequel ...
For now, have a brilliant week, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally.
Okay, so I get excited quite a bit! But this has got me more excited than I have been in a while.
The Incredible Journey of Pete McGee is a book that has been on quite a journey itself. I wrote it in 2002. Or maybe 2001. Or was it ... no ... wait, it was a long time ago okay?
I have sent it to quite a few publishers. They all said no. One publisher said if I changed a few things they would be interested. I changed the things. They weren't interested.
D'OH!
It has been to an assessment agency. It has had a full copy edit. It has gone through about 8 drafts. Even at this late stage, there were about 8 or 9 different versions that went back and forth between me, Mandy (the editor) and Luke (the layouter).
But now, I do believe we have done it. It is finished and edited and laid out and ready to send off to the printer! JoJo Publishing, who are publishing the book, are aiming for a June release ... so that isn't too far away at all!
SO I AM EXCITED!
The Incredible Journey of Pete McGee is a story about a boy with one arm who wants to become a great knight ... but it's so much more than that. It's a story about going for your dreams, overcoming obstacles, finding true love, loyalty, adventure, facing adversity with humour and determination.
It's all this and more.
Look, it doesn't have any giraffes in it, so I am sorry about that.
Truly.
Read it anyway, maybe I will try and get a giraffe or two in the sequel ...
For now, have a brilliant week, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Just wondering ...
I have been wondering a bit lately. Just about random sort of things. Fax machines. Snot. Planes. You know, random stuff.
None of which is worth writing about here, and my eyes are tired.
But I DID have a great time out at a school last week ... Coldstream Primary School. It's out past Lilydale, and was a really nice school, with a great feel about it, and they had a sausage sizzle on the day I was there ... JACKPOT! So we did some pictures, and we had some fun, lots of laughs and lots of sausages ... well, I only had one, but there were lots there!
Not a lot else happening this week. I am back out to Red Hill Market on Saturday, and then Healesville Market on Sunday, with a wedding on Saturday night to break it all up ... BUSY WEEKEND!
But it is all good fun, and I am looking forward to the wedding of two great people, Mel and Dave, who will be a brilliant married couple with a long and happy life together ahead of them ... as long as they don't get a fax machine. Seriously. Those things freak me out.
I'm done. I am going to take a shower because I stink, then I am going to do some more writing on my newwwwwwwww story!
Have a great week, aim high, and be great!
Stay Gold.
Wally
None of which is worth writing about here, and my eyes are tired.
But I DID have a great time out at a school last week ... Coldstream Primary School. It's out past Lilydale, and was a really nice school, with a great feel about it, and they had a sausage sizzle on the day I was there ... JACKPOT! So we did some pictures, and we had some fun, lots of laughs and lots of sausages ... well, I only had one, but there were lots there!
Not a lot else happening this week. I am back out to Red Hill Market on Saturday, and then Healesville Market on Sunday, with a wedding on Saturday night to break it all up ... BUSY WEEKEND!
But it is all good fun, and I am looking forward to the wedding of two great people, Mel and Dave, who will be a brilliant married couple with a long and happy life together ahead of them ... as long as they don't get a fax machine. Seriously. Those things freak me out.
I'm done. I am going to take a shower because I stink, then I am going to do some more writing on my newwwwwwwww story!
Have a great week, aim high, and be great!
Stay Gold.
Wally
Monday, February 21, 2011
The Hills
It wasn't the TV series (I've never even watched The Hills, but I've heard it's pretty good), but it was actually three days out at Croydon Hills Primary School. Eh, it was okay ... I'M KIDDING OF COURSE! It was AWESOME, I had such a good time. The kids out there were so very cool ... they listened very well, laughed loud when they thought something was funny, and groaned at all the grossness! Who would write such gross stories anyway, I think there must be something wrong with my brain ... maybe the good taste part of it got knocked about when I was a baby. Or maybe that was the part that that damn zombie ate that time. He only took a nibble, but I bet it was the good taste part that he got. Oh well, means I can write gross funny stories instead of boring stories about art galleries or something (To all the people who like art galleries, I'm sorry about that last comment, but seriously, a kid's book about an art gallery is going to be pretty boring, am I right? What's that? You think not? You think that only I couldn't make a story about an art gallery interesting? Really? Is that so? Is that a challenge I hear in the distance? Right then ... challenge accepted ... I am going to write a story about an art gallery that isn't bore you to death poke me in the eye with a teaspoon boring).
So anyway, how have you been?
Croydon Hills was great, getting back to that. And talented kids, wow! I saw some amazing pictures, and they weren't drawn by me, they were drawn by the kids. It was sensational.
This week I am off to Coldstream Primary School ... for workshops, hopefully not for a swim, sounds cold.
And I am writing a new story as well. It is leaning towards zombies, as did my last one. And it looks as though I will be writing a book about an art gallery too, maybe an art gallery with zombies in it. What is it with me and zombies at the moment, aside from the fact that they are TOTALY COOL!
Braaaaaaaiiiiiinnnnsssss!
Until next week, aim high, be great, and take risks.
Stay Gold.
Wally
So anyway, how have you been?
Croydon Hills was great, getting back to that. And talented kids, wow! I saw some amazing pictures, and they weren't drawn by me, they were drawn by the kids. It was sensational.
This week I am off to Coldstream Primary School ... for workshops, hopefully not for a swim, sounds cold.
And I am writing a new story as well. It is leaning towards zombies, as did my last one. And it looks as though I will be writing a book about an art gallery too, maybe an art gallery with zombies in it. What is it with me and zombies at the moment, aside from the fact that they are TOTALY COOL!
Braaaaaaaiiiiiinnnnsssss!
Until next week, aim high, be great, and take risks.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Sunday, February 6, 2011
New books and waiting
Greetings one and all, and welcome to another awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping, blow your mind blog entry ... actually, it's just me talking about stuff that's happening, but you know what? Maybe that's inspiring and jaw-dropping for some people. Hi Mum!
So things are moving! Here's a list of upcoming events in the life of me and my books ...
I am going out to Croydon Hills Primary School next week for three days of drawing and fun.
The giant Book of Jokes Binder is coming VERY soon ... it is due for release into bookstores in March, so BRING THAT ON! I haven't read the 6 sections that I didn't write yet, but I am backing they will be great.
I saw the rough drafts of the illustrations for my ferret books ... they are AWESOME! This is going to be a cracker and heaps and heaps of fun for kids. I believe July is the date aimed for with these ... or at least the first one ... look, I don't really know to be honest! July was mentioned at some stage, so I am hoping that is when they will be out.
The Incredible Journey of Pete McGee is with the editor, and I have a meeting with the publishers in a couple of weeks. Pete is my favourite book I have ever written ... EVER! I am HANGING for it to come out ... this is going to be, I believe, may or June. So come on editor! Get finished and let's get this book happening!
And I need to take a shower. I have spent all morning writing stuff and reading stuff and I pretty much probably stink ...
So I am going to leave you all now, and I am going to go and take a shower, and then maybe watch the superbowl, and then do some writing, and maybe I will go for a walk, and perhaps I will take an afternoon nap, and I need to do my Tai Chi, and of course I will eat at some stage, and I assume that I will probably check my emails a couple of times, go on Facebook, and then it wil be time to go to bed.
Day done!
Dream big everyone, this is going to be a GREAT year.
Stay Gold.
Wally
So things are moving! Here's a list of upcoming events in the life of me and my books ...
I am going out to Croydon Hills Primary School next week for three days of drawing and fun.
The giant Book of Jokes Binder is coming VERY soon ... it is due for release into bookstores in March, so BRING THAT ON! I haven't read the 6 sections that I didn't write yet, but I am backing they will be great.
I saw the rough drafts of the illustrations for my ferret books ... they are AWESOME! This is going to be a cracker and heaps and heaps of fun for kids. I believe July is the date aimed for with these ... or at least the first one ... look, I don't really know to be honest! July was mentioned at some stage, so I am hoping that is when they will be out.
The Incredible Journey of Pete McGee is with the editor, and I have a meeting with the publishers in a couple of weeks. Pete is my favourite book I have ever written ... EVER! I am HANGING for it to come out ... this is going to be, I believe, may or June. So come on editor! Get finished and let's get this book happening!
And I need to take a shower. I have spent all morning writing stuff and reading stuff and I pretty much probably stink ...
So I am going to leave you all now, and I am going to go and take a shower, and then maybe watch the superbowl, and then do some writing, and maybe I will go for a walk, and perhaps I will take an afternoon nap, and I need to do my Tai Chi, and of course I will eat at some stage, and I assume that I will probably check my emails a couple of times, go on Facebook, and then it wil be time to go to bed.
Day done!
Dream big everyone, this is going to be a GREAT year.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Monday, January 10, 2011
It's a new year!
Okay. Copying the first sentence from my last entry, I officially suck at entering entries on this blog! OFFICIALLY! If there was an award for blog entry suckiness, I would win it ... actually, that would be kinda cool ... but no, I am going to be better this year, I swear, and not in a rude way, but in a promise way.
So, a quick update on what has happened SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR!
A lot.
Thank you, and good bye.
Just kidding. So, I have released a new book, The Negatees, which looks AWESOME thanks to Heath mcKenzie's AWESOME illustrations.
I also released to new How to Draw Books, How to Draw a Skateboard Gorilla, and How to Draw a Ping Pong Playing Alien Giraffe. These are most likely the last two How to draw books, for now at least ... sometime in the future, possibly when there are hover cars, I will do some more.
And I watched the mighty Pies win the Premiership, live at the MCG, helping me cross off one of my 100 things list, to be atthe ground when they won a premiership. I want to do this one again.
Speaking of my 100 things list, I also ran 10kms without stopping to walk, so that was pretty cool, although my legs disagreed.
Looking ahead to this year, I have an 8-in-1 Joke book, which I wrote two sections for, coming out very soon, thanks to Hinkler Books.
Also coming out through Hinkler will be books with a little ferret toy in them, who creates chaos!
And then my pride and joy. I mean, I have been happy with everything that I have had published so far, it has been awesome. But the book I have coming out in June this year is my all-time favourite story I have written, so I am HANGING to see it in print. It is called The Incredible Journey of Pete McGee. I will give nothing else away just yet, except to say that it is about a kid with one arm who ... nope, that's it ... more will be revealed later.
So that is it for me for now.
I am just about ready to go and do some exercises.
Stay tuned for more updates, possibly even more than once a year! Martial arts and more awaits me this year!
Have a great week, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
So, a quick update on what has happened SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR!
A lot.
Thank you, and good bye.
Just kidding. So, I have released a new book, The Negatees, which looks AWESOME thanks to Heath mcKenzie's AWESOME illustrations.
I also released to new How to Draw Books, How to Draw a Skateboard Gorilla, and How to Draw a Ping Pong Playing Alien Giraffe. These are most likely the last two How to draw books, for now at least ... sometime in the future, possibly when there are hover cars, I will do some more.
And I watched the mighty Pies win the Premiership, live at the MCG, helping me cross off one of my 100 things list, to be atthe ground when they won a premiership. I want to do this one again.
Speaking of my 100 things list, I also ran 10kms without stopping to walk, so that was pretty cool, although my legs disagreed.
Looking ahead to this year, I have an 8-in-1 Joke book, which I wrote two sections for, coming out very soon, thanks to Hinkler Books.
Also coming out through Hinkler will be books with a little ferret toy in them, who creates chaos!
And then my pride and joy. I mean, I have been happy with everything that I have had published so far, it has been awesome. But the book I have coming out in June this year is my all-time favourite story I have written, so I am HANGING to see it in print. It is called The Incredible Journey of Pete McGee. I will give nothing else away just yet, except to say that it is about a kid with one arm who ... nope, that's it ... more will be revealed later.
So that is it for me for now.
I am just about ready to go and do some exercises.
Stay tuned for more updates, possibly even more than once a year! Martial arts and more awaits me this year!
Have a great week, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Seville and the Hill
Yep, I officially suck at regularly updating on here. Part of the reason for that is that I now have a Facebook Page that I update a lot, so it feels as though I am doing something. Speaking of doing, does it feel weird to anyone else that doing and boing don't rhyme? And going? I mean, come on. Seriously.
Anyway, it has been a great month since I last wrote on here. I went out and visited Seville Primary School, where Erin Portingale, my step-niece is in her first year of teaching and doing an awesome job!!! I had a great day out there with the kids, and it was nice to be out towards Warburton as well, a loverly part of the world for sure.
Then I also visited Princes Hill Primary School in Carlton, and this was awesome as well. It was a school that was a little more open-learning style, where the classes were neighbourhoods rather than specific class groups. Anyway, it worked well and I had great fun out there as well.
So all in all a great month for schools, and I also just went out to Healesville Craft market which went really well in a beautiful setting.
So life is good!
In other news, I have a new project I have been working on for Hinkler Books. I will keep you updated as to release dates and so on, but basically I am 2 parts out of 8 in a big collection of things. I wrote some rhymes and some tongue twisters, so it was great fun and I am hanging to see it when it is done.
Have a great week, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Anyway, it has been a great month since I last wrote on here. I went out and visited Seville Primary School, where Erin Portingale, my step-niece is in her first year of teaching and doing an awesome job!!! I had a great day out there with the kids, and it was nice to be out towards Warburton as well, a loverly part of the world for sure.
Then I also visited Princes Hill Primary School in Carlton, and this was awesome as well. It was a school that was a little more open-learning style, where the classes were neighbourhoods rather than specific class groups. Anyway, it worked well and I had great fun out there as well.
So all in all a great month for schools, and I also just went out to Healesville Craft market which went really well in a beautiful setting.
So life is good!
In other news, I have a new project I have been working on for Hinkler Books. I will keep you updated as to release dates and so on, but basically I am 2 parts out of 8 in a big collection of things. I wrote some rhymes and some tongue twisters, so it was great fun and I am hanging to see it when it is done.
Have a great week, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Saturday, March 6, 2010
What's on at Watsonia Primary???
I'll tell you what's on ... well, I'll tell you what was on ... ME!!! That's right, I got back into the swing of school visits with a visit to Watsonia Primary. I spent the day out there drawing and reading and writing and generally just having a great time. The kids were awesome fun, and we had some good laughs.
Then last week I spent the week in Adelaide. Yep, we drove over to spend the week at the Adelaide Writer's week. It was actually really great. I saw a whole lot of people speaking, writers and publishers from all over the world. They all had their own special personality, and I learnt a lot from watching them ... now I just need to learn from them how to sell a few million copies of my books!!!
It was great though, even just being surrounded by people who love books and writing was amazing, as it inspires you to keep going, keep writing, keep creating, and keep doing what you love.
So until next time, and I promise it won't be as far apart as the last two posts, have a great week and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Then last week I spent the week in Adelaide. Yep, we drove over to spend the week at the Adelaide Writer's week. It was actually really great. I saw a whole lot of people speaking, writers and publishers from all over the world. They all had their own special personality, and I learnt a lot from watching them ... now I just need to learn from them how to sell a few million copies of my books!!!
It was great though, even just being surrounded by people who love books and writing was amazing, as it inspires you to keep going, keep writing, keep creating, and keep doing what you love.
So until next time, and I promise it won't be as far apart as the last two posts, have a great week and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Merry Christmas everyone!!! I hope you have just the best Christmas day ever. Lots of great presents, lots of great company, lots of great laughs, lots of great everything all day.
This is a quick entry, but I wish every single one of you who reads this, and even everyone who doesn't read it, a fantastic Christmas and New Year, and bring on 2010.
I can't wait for 2010, bring it on, it's going to be awesome.
Have a great one, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
This is a quick entry, but I wish every single one of you who reads this, and even everyone who doesn't read it, a fantastic Christmas and New Year, and bring on 2010.
I can't wait for 2010, bring it on, it's going to be awesome.
Have a great one, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Sunday, November 22, 2009
I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.
Hey. Check me out! Only a couple of weeks between posts! How good is that? Pretty doggone awesome I reckon, if not still a little bit too slack. It's okay. I am working on it. Who knows, if I keep getting better I will be doing a post every day ... well, maybe not that often!
Anyway, this week is an exciting week indeed. I am going to be a guest speaker/presenter type person at an illustrating competition award night in Hobsons Bay, at the library. How cool is that? Very very VERY I reckon. I am really looking forward to it, and have written up a little speech for the night. I am on for about ten minutes, there are other speakers, and the winners will be announced, should be extremely very great.
Aside from that, what's been going on in the world of Wallace? Welllllll, life in general! I have been going out to markets, and almost getting washed away yesterday at Flemington. I went out to Ruthven primary School, to do some drawings with the Prep, 1 and 2 classes. Ummm, what else, aside from watching the new Twilight movie, New Moon at Gold Class! I love Gold Class. If I could have a loungeroom that was like Gold Class, including being able to push a button and order food and drinks, that would be ideal I reckon. Anyway, the movie was alright but Gold Class kept up to its reputation. One of the friends I went with even fell asleep the chairs were so comfy!
So not much else to report today. Christmas is coming up fast, so I am going to have to start thinking about presents for people other than my niece soon.
Have a great week everyone, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Anyway, this week is an exciting week indeed. I am going to be a guest speaker/presenter type person at an illustrating competition award night in Hobsons Bay, at the library. How cool is that? Very very VERY I reckon. I am really looking forward to it, and have written up a little speech for the night. I am on for about ten minutes, there are other speakers, and the winners will be announced, should be extremely very great.
Aside from that, what's been going on in the world of Wallace? Welllllll, life in general! I have been going out to markets, and almost getting washed away yesterday at Flemington. I went out to Ruthven primary School, to do some drawings with the Prep, 1 and 2 classes. Ummm, what else, aside from watching the new Twilight movie, New Moon at Gold Class! I love Gold Class. If I could have a loungeroom that was like Gold Class, including being able to push a button and order food and drinks, that would be ideal I reckon. Anyway, the movie was alright but Gold Class kept up to its reputation. One of the friends I went with even fell asleep the chairs were so comfy!
So not much else to report today. Christmas is coming up fast, so I am going to have to start thinking about presents for people other than my niece soon.
Have a great week everyone, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Sunday, November 8, 2009
In a land far, far away!
That's right, I went to Star Wars ... well not quite that far, but almost! A coupld of weeks ago I spent the entire, that's right, all of it, the entire week out in East Gippsland. So I was in places including Sale, Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Orbost and Yarram ... and when I say including, actually that was all the places I went to!
It was awesome fun. I spent time in libraries at the various places, and kids from the local schools came and visited and we did the readings and the drawings and the writings with one group as well. Really varied groups of kids, but all really, really good fun. I met loverly people, I stayed in some nice places and, wait for it, I had one of the best chicken schnitzels ever. it was a cracker, bolognese sauce on it and all. It was at the Gaslight Bistro in Sale. If you are ever in Sale, go to this place, there are like 15 different schnitzels you can have, it is awesome, very tasty, and nice big serves.
So that was great, and I still have a story I need to write about Spots the monster, so I must get onto that.
Aside from that I have a had a few markets going on, some no money but fun, some money and fun also! I also went to a wedding of one of my great friends from Uni. The wedding was at Ripponlea, as was lovely, complete with one of the most intense downpours of rain I have ever seen, just as we were about to head to the car! We didn't head for the car ... there was clothes and hair and no umbrealla to worry about!
One of my other uni friends got married over in the USA, y'all, so unfortunately we couldn't get to that one, but our thoughts were over there.
And then in a few weeks one of my oldest friends (as in known her for a long time) is getting married! It's wedding season people! This wedding should be great too, not least because I'm doing a reading at the ceremony ... I have been given free licence, and have written a cracking poem, so am looking forward to reading that one.
Melbourne Cup has come and gone. I lost money. Betting on horses used to be something I knew about, now it's a case of "I'm going for the third favourite!" So I have no idea, and apparently neither do the third favourites!
That's it, I am done. Time to go and pay for all my horse and rabbit books I had printed.
Have a great week everyone, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
It was awesome fun. I spent time in libraries at the various places, and kids from the local schools came and visited and we did the readings and the drawings and the writings with one group as well. Really varied groups of kids, but all really, really good fun. I met loverly people, I stayed in some nice places and, wait for it, I had one of the best chicken schnitzels ever. it was a cracker, bolognese sauce on it and all. It was at the Gaslight Bistro in Sale. If you are ever in Sale, go to this place, there are like 15 different schnitzels you can have, it is awesome, very tasty, and nice big serves.
So that was great, and I still have a story I need to write about Spots the monster, so I must get onto that.
Aside from that I have a had a few markets going on, some no money but fun, some money and fun also! I also went to a wedding of one of my great friends from Uni. The wedding was at Ripponlea, as was lovely, complete with one of the most intense downpours of rain I have ever seen, just as we were about to head to the car! We didn't head for the car ... there was clothes and hair and no umbrealla to worry about!
One of my other uni friends got married over in the USA, y'all, so unfortunately we couldn't get to that one, but our thoughts were over there.
And then in a few weeks one of my oldest friends (as in known her for a long time) is getting married! It's wedding season people! This wedding should be great too, not least because I'm doing a reading at the ceremony ... I have been given free licence, and have written a cracking poem, so am looking forward to reading that one.
Melbourne Cup has come and gone. I lost money. Betting on horses used to be something I knew about, now it's a case of "I'm going for the third favourite!" So I have no idea, and apparently neither do the third favourites!
That's it, I am done. Time to go and pay for all my horse and rabbit books I had printed.
Have a great week everyone, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Gippy, here I come!
That's right folks, as of Sunday I will be way way way away from my little town of Ivanhoe, heading down the Princes Hwy to Bairnsdale for a few days, then up to Sale after that for a couple of days. All of this is to give workshops to the kids out Gippsland way, and I am hanging for it, it is going to be a real adventure.
The car's been serviced, I have a whole truckload, well carload of books ready to take down for some sellin', and I am all good to go.
In between now and leaving on Sunday, however, there are still some times to be had.
First up I am out to Bangholme tomorrow for a school market, and then out to Ringwood Church on Saturday for a church market.
Then, after all that it is time for a little time out, and I have a big partay for one of my friends who will be getting married to one of my oldest and favourite friends in November.
So all very, very good stuff!
In the last few weeks I had a couple of school visits, heading out to Mount View Primary School, courtesy of my Aunty-in-law who teaches there, and I had a ball with all the grade 3s and 4s. They were awesome, and we had a whole heap of laughs.
I also went out to Haileybury College in East Brighton, which funnily enough is actually where I went to Kindergarten many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many years ago. But I spent an hour learning about creating eBooks, something I am seriously looking into, and then 50 minutes with a very cool group of grade 6 girls, who drew my pictures better than I do I think . Again, we had some great laughs and a really good fun time.
So that is me to now, and next week I will be out in green Gippsland having even more fun. That's what it's all about people. If you aren't having fun, it may be time to look for something else to be doing.
Have a great week, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
The car's been serviced, I have a whole truckload, well carload of books ready to take down for some sellin', and I am all good to go.
In between now and leaving on Sunday, however, there are still some times to be had.
First up I am out to Bangholme tomorrow for a school market, and then out to Ringwood Church on Saturday for a church market.
Then, after all that it is time for a little time out, and I have a big partay for one of my friends who will be getting married to one of my oldest and favourite friends in November.
So all very, very good stuff!
In the last few weeks I had a couple of school visits, heading out to Mount View Primary School, courtesy of my Aunty-in-law who teaches there, and I had a ball with all the grade 3s and 4s. They were awesome, and we had a whole heap of laughs.
I also went out to Haileybury College in East Brighton, which funnily enough is actually where I went to Kindergarten many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many years ago. But I spent an hour learning about creating eBooks, something I am seriously looking into, and then 50 minutes with a very cool group of grade 6 girls, who drew my pictures better than I do I think . Again, we had some great laughs and a really good fun time.
So that is me to now, and next week I will be out in green Gippsland having even more fun. That's what it's all about people. If you aren't having fun, it may be time to look for something else to be doing.
Have a great week, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
I AM SLACK!
But I am here now. You can all relax, breathe easy, untense those shoulders, and get to reading this post!!! So much has happened since my last post, not the least of which was International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Did you do it? Did you talk like a pirate on September 19th? Yes? No? Well, it's every year so you have another chance next year, and I will be checking, me hearties, I will be checking!
What else? Well, I had a couple of great days out Werribee way, at Collins Bookstoer in Werribee Plaza. I did some drawing workshops and they were great fun, although one time I thought the evil laugh when I was reading Valerie's Vomit may have scared a few book browsers ... it was great fun though, and I am probably going to be back out there again next year to do some writing.
What else? Well, I had a few cool markets around Victoria, from Federation Square to Healesville and Murrumbeena, all of which served up nice people, great sales, and occassionally a downpour of rain!
I also spoke at RMIT Bundoora, to the graduationg class of 2009 teachers. A whole group of potential 2010 Primary School teachers, and I had a great time there too. I only spoke for around 15 minutes, but got some good laughs (always good when you're doing a talk on humour!), made some amazing sales, and met some amazing people. It was all organised by Erin (my step-niece!), Leigh and Liz, and they organised a fantastic day. Good luck to all of you next year in your very own classerooms! The kids are lucky to have you.
That's about it. We also remembered, on the 30th of September, a year since Bryan Portingale (my step-dad and Erin's Pa) passed away from cancer. He was a great man, and an inspiration to me in many ways, the most important to me being facing life with a smile and positivity, even in the face of crushing circumstances. I miss Bryan and it was nice to spend a day with family remembering him.
So I am done. I will try and get back sooner next time.
Have a great week, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
What else? Well, I had a couple of great days out Werribee way, at Collins Bookstoer in Werribee Plaza. I did some drawing workshops and they were great fun, although one time I thought the evil laugh when I was reading Valerie's Vomit may have scared a few book browsers ... it was great fun though, and I am probably going to be back out there again next year to do some writing.
What else? Well, I had a few cool markets around Victoria, from Federation Square to Healesville and Murrumbeena, all of which served up nice people, great sales, and occassionally a downpour of rain!
I also spoke at RMIT Bundoora, to the graduationg class of 2009 teachers. A whole group of potential 2010 Primary School teachers, and I had a great time there too. I only spoke for around 15 minutes, but got some good laughs (always good when you're doing a talk on humour!), made some amazing sales, and met some amazing people. It was all organised by Erin (my step-niece!), Leigh and Liz, and they organised a fantastic day. Good luck to all of you next year in your very own classerooms! The kids are lucky to have you.
That's about it. We also remembered, on the 30th of September, a year since Bryan Portingale (my step-dad and Erin's Pa) passed away from cancer. He was a great man, and an inspiration to me in many ways, the most important to me being facing life with a smile and positivity, even in the face of crushing circumstances. I miss Bryan and it was nice to spend a day with family remembering him.
So I am done. I will try and get back sooner next time.
Have a great week, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Yaaaaar, me hearties!!! It be great to be here again, on the rollickin' seven seas of the the internet, writing me thoughts for all ye scurvy landlubbers to read.
That's right folks, it's almost here again. International Talk Like a Pirate Day is on Saturday, the 19th of September, 2009 ... well it's on the 19th of September every year, just happens to be a Saturday this year.
Ah, talking like a pirate, it's just so much fun, although it can be harsh on the throat after a little while. I don't know how they did it, maybe that's why they had to drink so much rum, because their throats were a little tender from all the pirate talking they did. Makes sense to me!
So that is the excitement coming up this weekend and, happily for someone who loves talking like a pirate, International Talk Like a Pirate day just happens to fall on my birthday! How cool is that? I think very is the appropriate answer.
So what else has been happening in the life of Wally? Well, I almos tgot blown away at Werribee Market, which was more fun than it sounds, I went and saw NOOLLLLLSSSSY (aka Shannon Noll) perform at Crown Casino and he was absolutely the champion I thought he would be, it was a great night, and I am sure I have done lots of other really interesting and exciting stuff that I can't remember. Maybe if you just make up some cool stuff you reckon I might have done, then imagine me doing it, and that can be what I have spent the last few weeks doing.
Yeah.
That would be good.
Have a great week everyone, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally.
PS Check out www.talklikeapirate.com
That's right folks, it's almost here again. International Talk Like a Pirate Day is on Saturday, the 19th of September, 2009 ... well it's on the 19th of September every year, just happens to be a Saturday this year.
Ah, talking like a pirate, it's just so much fun, although it can be harsh on the throat after a little while. I don't know how they did it, maybe that's why they had to drink so much rum, because their throats were a little tender from all the pirate talking they did. Makes sense to me!
So that is the excitement coming up this weekend and, happily for someone who loves talking like a pirate, International Talk Like a Pirate day just happens to fall on my birthday! How cool is that? I think very is the appropriate answer.
So what else has been happening in the life of Wally? Well, I almos tgot blown away at Werribee Market, which was more fun than it sounds, I went and saw NOOLLLLLSSSSY (aka Shannon Noll) perform at Crown Casino and he was absolutely the champion I thought he would be, it was a great night, and I am sure I have done lots of other really interesting and exciting stuff that I can't remember. Maybe if you just make up some cool stuff you reckon I might have done, then imagine me doing it, and that can be what I have spent the last few weeks doing.
Yeah.
That would be good.
Have a great week everyone, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally.
PS Check out www.talklikeapirate.com
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Hawks up North, Westgarth Vader and a pasting in Hastings
Well helloooooo! Once again it's been a little while since my last visit here. Why? Because I am slack slack slack! I think about writing, then think Oh, I'll do that tomorrow, which as we know is the day that never comes. So my blog never gets written. And you, dear readers, never get to read the wisdom that flows from my mind ... well, something is flowing from my mind, but I doubt that it is wisdom!
So. What's been going on in Wally's World then?
Well. I headed back down the Calder Highway to Bendigo a couple of weeks ago for a visit to Eaglehawk North Primary. I had been out there last year, and it was awesome, and they asked me to come back again! So I did. And once again I had a great time. The kdis remembered me which was nice ... I remembered them, which was also nice. And I got to hang out with one Anthony Bortolot, my old friend from Uni, where we did our teaching degree together. He's a champion, and it was great to catch up with him again.
Then I popped back to Westgarth Primary. This was another revisit, although last time was the garde 5/6s, and this year it was Prep to 4, so the rest of the school. It was great fun again, and we had lots of laughs drawing and reading.
Finally, in school terms, I spent two days out at Hastings earlier this week as a presenter for the Hastings Literacy Festival. This was a thing where kids from about 5 or 6 different schools all converged in the one place and swamped us! There were a number of authors and illustrators there, and we all did three sessions a day with the kids in small groups ... except for Doug Macleod, who scored three groups of 75 kids at a time! In a squash court! It was nice meeting different authors too. It was interesting sitting around and listening to them talking about festivals and things they had been to, and hearing the names of people they knew and hung out with ... names I have only ever seen on the front of books! Interesting.
So that was that. Phew, it's been a busy few weeks, combined with waiting for the reprint, that's right, REPRINT of Better Out Than In to arrive ... was supposed to be here weeks ago but only got here yesterday, so that was a little stressful, as I had heaps of orders from the various schools. But it is here now, I go and pick up some boxes today, and all is well. Yaaaaay.
And now I am done. Footy finals are here which is just AWESOME, as the Pies' season continues on.
Have a great week everyone, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
So. What's been going on in Wally's World then?
Well. I headed back down the Calder Highway to Bendigo a couple of weeks ago for a visit to Eaglehawk North Primary. I had been out there last year, and it was awesome, and they asked me to come back again! So I did. And once again I had a great time. The kdis remembered me which was nice ... I remembered them, which was also nice. And I got to hang out with one Anthony Bortolot, my old friend from Uni, where we did our teaching degree together. He's a champion, and it was great to catch up with him again.
Then I popped back to Westgarth Primary. This was another revisit, although last time was the garde 5/6s, and this year it was Prep to 4, so the rest of the school. It was great fun again, and we had lots of laughs drawing and reading.
Finally, in school terms, I spent two days out at Hastings earlier this week as a presenter for the Hastings Literacy Festival. This was a thing where kids from about 5 or 6 different schools all converged in the one place and swamped us! There were a number of authors and illustrators there, and we all did three sessions a day with the kids in small groups ... except for Doug Macleod, who scored three groups of 75 kids at a time! In a squash court! It was nice meeting different authors too. It was interesting sitting around and listening to them talking about festivals and things they had been to, and hearing the names of people they knew and hung out with ... names I have only ever seen on the front of books! Interesting.
So that was that. Phew, it's been a busy few weeks, combined with waiting for the reprint, that's right, REPRINT of Better Out Than In to arrive ... was supposed to be here weeks ago but only got here yesterday, so that was a little stressful, as I had heaps of orders from the various schools. But it is here now, I go and pick up some boxes today, and all is well. Yaaaaay.
And now I am done. Footy finals are here which is just AWESOME, as the Pies' season continues on.
Have a great week everyone, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Rising to the occasion
Well hellooooooo. It's been a busy couple of weeks since I last thrilled you with my writings and thoughts and blabbings on. Let me fill you in. Hold on to your hats, it's going to be an exciting read. Woooo, you may just explode from the excitement. Are you ready? Okay.
Well ... first off there have been a couple of birthdays. Yay. My very cool sister had her 40th, which is a very impressive achievement I reckon, and scarily enough it isn't actually all that long until my 40th ... only a few years ... oh my god, I am almost 40, that means I am almost old! I shall have to remember to grow up one day.
At the other end of the age scale my amazing niece Makhala turned 7 yesterday. We had a party here on Sunday for it, which was a very quiet, calm affair with 15 six and seven year olds running around. It was awesome though, and even the 6 million blows to the head with helium balloons couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Great fun. We gave Mak a keyboard for her birthday, so can't wait to use, I mean hear her playing that.
I also went to the Eltham Craft Market last weekend for a workout. What's that? A workout at a market? Surely I jest. But I jest not, there were gale-force winds and rain and there was little old me clinging on to my tent in the hope that not only would it not break or fly off, but if it did that it didn't take me with it ... and if it did take me with it, hopefully it would come down somewhere near my house.
Than earlier this week I went out to Mulgrave to visit Albany Rise Primary School, which was great fun. The kids gave me a wonderful reception when I went into the classrooms, which always helps in me getting straight into fun mode with a little bit of the crazy. So I had a ball out there, and once again some amazing drawings were done by the kids. Even one dog I think it was with his eyes popping out of his head. Awesome.
So that is it from me for now. My bathroom is just being painted ... for the third time since we have lived here ... I think someone in the house needs to stop farting in the shower and making the paint peel off the walls.
Have a great week everyone, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Well ... first off there have been a couple of birthdays. Yay. My very cool sister had her 40th, which is a very impressive achievement I reckon, and scarily enough it isn't actually all that long until my 40th ... only a few years ... oh my god, I am almost 40, that means I am almost old! I shall have to remember to grow up one day.
At the other end of the age scale my amazing niece Makhala turned 7 yesterday. We had a party here on Sunday for it, which was a very quiet, calm affair with 15 six and seven year olds running around. It was awesome though, and even the 6 million blows to the head with helium balloons couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Great fun. We gave Mak a keyboard for her birthday, so can't wait to use, I mean hear her playing that.
I also went to the Eltham Craft Market last weekend for a workout. What's that? A workout at a market? Surely I jest. But I jest not, there were gale-force winds and rain and there was little old me clinging on to my tent in the hope that not only would it not break or fly off, but if it did that it didn't take me with it ... and if it did take me with it, hopefully it would come down somewhere near my house.
Than earlier this week I went out to Mulgrave to visit Albany Rise Primary School, which was great fun. The kids gave me a wonderful reception when I went into the classrooms, which always helps in me getting straight into fun mode with a little bit of the crazy. So I had a ball out there, and once again some amazing drawings were done by the kids. Even one dog I think it was with his eyes popping out of his head. Awesome.
So that is it from me for now. My bathroom is just being painted ... for the third time since we have lived here ... I think someone in the house needs to stop farting in the shower and making the paint peel off the walls.
Have a great week everyone, and keep living the dream.
Stay Gold.
Wally
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Scoping out Mt Scopus and visiting Lily and Dale
Well helllooooooooooo! I'm back, haha, I'll be back. You have to read that in an Arnie accent, or it makes no sense at all, well the last bit at least. All of it in an Arnie accent might sound a bit weird, especially the well helloooooooooo bit!
Anyway, it's great to be back. I've been away from typing here for a while, and it's great to see such a huge crowd waiting to see me again ... Hi Mum, how are you? Actually, I don't think even my mum reads this. Oh well, it might make her think I am even weirder if she did!
It's been a great couple of weeks since I last wrote. I visited two schools, Mt Scopus College and Lilydale Primary School.
Mt Scopus was first. I visited there last year, as the Grade 4s were doing a unit of work on Humour. i thought it was just the best thing ever. they look at all different types of humour, at different senses of humour, and more. They go deeper than just looking at funny movies or spending the day on You Tube like I do ... whoops, I have said too much. Anyway, they are doing the unit again this year with the new Grade 4s, so I was invited out again to do my thing, and I had an absolute ball again. Those kids are a great audience, and they offer as much as they take humour-wise, so it was a really great experience.
Then last week I was out at Lilydale Primary School for a couple of days, drawing with the kids out there. Again I had a great time. On the first day one class in particular was perhaps the best audience I have ever had in terms of response. I'm sure they laughed when I breathed one time, and it wasn't even with a whislte nose or anything, just a normal breath! It wasn't really like that, but they did have some great laughs, and as a consequence I upped the crazy a little bit more as I fed off their response.
It's an interesting point actually. I find that two things get me acting more "out there" and a little bit crazy. One is when I get a great response. It spurs me on to get more laughs. The other is when I get no laughs at all. My response is I'm going to get you guys laughing one way or another and I up the crazies. One of the things I am working on is just having the crazy there no matter the response, just because I let go of my inhibitions and go for it without worrying about looking silly. That is when I am at my best and most relaxed and probably funniest as well.
This is one of the great things about performing in one way or another. You always learn, and can always improve on what you do. If you rest on your laurels you won't get anything out of it. You should always be looking for new and exciting ways to get your message across.
The other thing to remember, and I have found this out, is that the same jokes and routines won't always get the same response. I guess this follows on from the Mt Scopus different sense of humour focus. I can do one thing in one class and get a great response, and in the next the kids will sit and look at me like I'm some kind of weird boring guy. This doesn't mean the material is bad, it just means you need more up your sleeve, more ways and means to entertain. It may even mean you strike on something brand new in that moment. I am learning to not be afraid to try things as I go along. All that can happen is that I don't get a great laugh, and I sometimes get that anyway!
So go for it. Take risks. Fall flat on your face sometimes, but have a great time doing it, get up, and go for it all over again.
Have a great week, and keep living the dream.
Stay gold.
Wally
Anyway, it's great to be back. I've been away from typing here for a while, and it's great to see such a huge crowd waiting to see me again ... Hi Mum, how are you? Actually, I don't think even my mum reads this. Oh well, it might make her think I am even weirder if she did!
It's been a great couple of weeks since I last wrote. I visited two schools, Mt Scopus College and Lilydale Primary School.
Mt Scopus was first. I visited there last year, as the Grade 4s were doing a unit of work on Humour. i thought it was just the best thing ever. they look at all different types of humour, at different senses of humour, and more. They go deeper than just looking at funny movies or spending the day on You Tube like I do ... whoops, I have said too much. Anyway, they are doing the unit again this year with the new Grade 4s, so I was invited out again to do my thing, and I had an absolute ball again. Those kids are a great audience, and they offer as much as they take humour-wise, so it was a really great experience.
Then last week I was out at Lilydale Primary School for a couple of days, drawing with the kids out there. Again I had a great time. On the first day one class in particular was perhaps the best audience I have ever had in terms of response. I'm sure they laughed when I breathed one time, and it wasn't even with a whislte nose or anything, just a normal breath! It wasn't really like that, but they did have some great laughs, and as a consequence I upped the crazy a little bit more as I fed off their response.
It's an interesting point actually. I find that two things get me acting more "out there" and a little bit crazy. One is when I get a great response. It spurs me on to get more laughs. The other is when I get no laughs at all. My response is I'm going to get you guys laughing one way or another and I up the crazies. One of the things I am working on is just having the crazy there no matter the response, just because I let go of my inhibitions and go for it without worrying about looking silly. That is when I am at my best and most relaxed and probably funniest as well.
This is one of the great things about performing in one way or another. You always learn, and can always improve on what you do. If you rest on your laurels you won't get anything out of it. You should always be looking for new and exciting ways to get your message across.
The other thing to remember, and I have found this out, is that the same jokes and routines won't always get the same response. I guess this follows on from the Mt Scopus different sense of humour focus. I can do one thing in one class and get a great response, and in the next the kids will sit and look at me like I'm some kind of weird boring guy. This doesn't mean the material is bad, it just means you need more up your sleeve, more ways and means to entertain. It may even mean you strike on something brand new in that moment. I am learning to not be afraid to try things as I go along. All that can happen is that I don't get a great laugh, and I sometimes get that anyway!
So go for it. Take risks. Fall flat on your face sometimes, but have a great time doing it, get up, and go for it all over again.
Have a great week, and keep living the dream.
Stay gold.
Wally
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
BALI!
Hellooooooooooooooo everybody! Wow, what a wild few weeks it has been ... relatively at least, compared to the usual stuff that goes on. Anyway, here it is. I have just got back from Bali! That's right, yesterday morning, at around 5:20am, after exactly ZERO hours sleep, I walked off the plane at Tullamarine Airport in a bit of a daze. And it was freeeeeeeeeeezing! After a week in Bali, where the temperature went from a low of around 25 to a high of about 30 every day, Melbourne's kinda chilly!
It was good though, swam at the beach, sat around the pool, went to a market where 5 million people try to sell you their stuff at the one time, got driven around by the coolest, most laid-back guy in the world, and basically chilled out. It was great. I did want to meet Boss Monkey, my nemesis from 25 years ago, but he was nowhere to be seen, the coward!
Also, I applied for the new ABC3 channel, which is taking applications for people to be hosts and presenters! How cool would that be? Very, I will answer for you if you didn't say anything, very cool indeed. So now it is wait and see. Everything is crossed, which is kinda painful, but apparently brings you good luck.
So that is really that for the last couple of weeks. Now I am just gearing up for the next few months which will be nice and busy with markets and schools and Mac O'Beasty launching and all sorts of other cool stuff.
Have a great week, and keep living the dream.
Stay gold.
Seeya.
Wally
It was good though, swam at the beach, sat around the pool, went to a market where 5 million people try to sell you their stuff at the one time, got driven around by the coolest, most laid-back guy in the world, and basically chilled out. It was great. I did want to meet Boss Monkey, my nemesis from 25 years ago, but he was nowhere to be seen, the coward!
Also, I applied for the new ABC3 channel, which is taking applications for people to be hosts and presenters! How cool would that be? Very, I will answer for you if you didn't say anything, very cool indeed. So now it is wait and see. Everything is crossed, which is kinda painful, but apparently brings you good luck.
So that is really that for the last couple of weeks. Now I am just gearing up for the next few months which will be nice and busy with markets and schools and Mac O'Beasty launching and all sorts of other cool stuff.
Have a great week, and keep living the dream.
Stay gold.
Seeya.
Wally
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Der Wally!
Okay, so it has been a month since I last posted anything on here, and there is good reason for that. I am a bit of a der. I have a new email address, and last time I posted I changed to the new email address for my blogging account. All well and good, except since then every time I have tried to log on to blog I have used the old address, and have wondered why I couldn't log in. Well, again, there was a very good reason. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN USING THE NEW ADDRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tried different passwords, everything, and only tonight I was like, "Oh, hey, like, maybe I should try the new email address and see if that works." Lo and behold, it did, so once again I will have to give a month run down of my activities.
Here we go.
I went to Kew Primary over a couple of days and saw the Grade 3/4s, and had just a sensational time. It was great fun at a great school, and was close to home, so the regional tour stopped for a couple of days.
I also started out as ambassador for the Boys, Blokes, Books and Bytes program at the Reservoir library, for Ruthven Primary. This has also been fun, and finishes next week, although I have struggled a bit with what my role should be. I hope I have done okay, but aim to finish well next week.
I did a session at my niece, Makhala's school. Mak's teacher asked if I could go in so I went and we drew and read and they asked a lot of awesome, awesome questions. It was so much fun, and one of the absolute highlights of my year. It's actually one of the highlights of my writing career.
I appeared at the Emerging Writer's Festival, which was great fun. I did a reading and then a short interview, which I really enjoyed and learnt a lot from.
What else? Well, the regional tour continued with a drive out to Newborough East Primary. I got to stay at Mum's for a couple of days, which meant bread and butter pudding and a roast yeah! It also meant a couple of awesome days out at a really nice school. Again, the kids and teachers were so welcoming, and made me feel right at home over the two days I was there.
Then last week I was out at Mossfiel Primary in Hoppers Crossing. I had been out a couple of years ago to see the older kids, and this time it was the Grade prep/1/2s I saw. Fun? Yep. I was even rapping and being called DJ in one class, it was very funny.
And that pretty much brings us to now. OH! And I have How to Draw a Shark. That's right folks, How to Draw a Shark!!! Very exciting, I almost fell off my chair I was so excited.
Check it out on the site, and hopefully I will be bacj with a new post in less than a month!
Tomorrow is haircut day, and then Thursday I am off to see Pink! I love Pink, she's great.
Have a great week (or month) and keep living the dream.
Stay gold.
Seeya
Wally
Here we go.
I went to Kew Primary over a couple of days and saw the Grade 3/4s, and had just a sensational time. It was great fun at a great school, and was close to home, so the regional tour stopped for a couple of days.
I also started out as ambassador for the Boys, Blokes, Books and Bytes program at the Reservoir library, for Ruthven Primary. This has also been fun, and finishes next week, although I have struggled a bit with what my role should be. I hope I have done okay, but aim to finish well next week.
I did a session at my niece, Makhala's school. Mak's teacher asked if I could go in so I went and we drew and read and they asked a lot of awesome, awesome questions. It was so much fun, and one of the absolute highlights of my year. It's actually one of the highlights of my writing career.
I appeared at the Emerging Writer's Festival, which was great fun. I did a reading and then a short interview, which I really enjoyed and learnt a lot from.
What else? Well, the regional tour continued with a drive out to Newborough East Primary. I got to stay at Mum's for a couple of days, which meant bread and butter pudding and a roast yeah! It also meant a couple of awesome days out at a really nice school. Again, the kids and teachers were so welcoming, and made me feel right at home over the two days I was there.
Then last week I was out at Mossfiel Primary in Hoppers Crossing. I had been out a couple of years ago to see the older kids, and this time it was the Grade prep/1/2s I saw. Fun? Yep. I was even rapping and being called DJ in one class, it was very funny.
And that pretty much brings us to now. OH! And I have How to Draw a Shark. That's right folks, How to Draw a Shark!!! Very exciting, I almost fell off my chair I was so excited.
Check it out on the site, and hopefully I will be bacj with a new post in less than a month!
Tomorrow is haircut day, and then Thursday I am off to see Pink! I love Pink, she's great.
Have a great week (or month) and keep living the dream.
Stay gold.
Seeya
Wally
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)