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
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
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
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