Teabag Fold

Last Saturday, we had our first teabag fold class with a walk-in customer. Glad to hear her say that she enjoyed herself.

Look at the wonderful pieces she created. Check out Pauseability's website for more details.

Misc Too

This ia a fabulous little video based on Everything is Miscellaneous which I talked about earlier.

Ma Pew Poh

While not exactly the equivalent of "Extra! Extra!", "Ma Pew Poh" was what I remember hearing as a kid when the nightime newspaper that carried the 4D results was being sold.

Well, I made frontpage of today's mah pew poh. (Did notice that an earlier copy Shin Min Daily News was without the 4D results and another that was bought later did.)


The headline appears a little sensational - "Ex-P Gives up $8k Pay, Rather Earn $300" - but I am happy with the lovely report inside about the concept of Pauseability. I could never have said it all in Chinese as well as Pauline the journalist did. The photographer also took some really flattering photos, camera-shy as I am.


Today, a mother came in with her 5-year old daughter because the daughter recognised my face in the papers and asked to come in to do some art. That came as a surprise and that was also when I realised that the article has been published.

Media exposure to create some awareness of Pauseability is really much needed at this point. This came at a point when I thought I have tried to get some media interest to no avail. Am thankful.

Hearing Voices - Am I Looney?

I grew up watching Looney Tunes. Do kids still watch them today? This video featuring the man behind the many, many voices is amazing. Presenting Mel Blanc in a 1981 interview. Uber cool.

A-Live 2

It was great to have Ee Wei join us at last Thursday's ATC live trade session. She created some very diverse range of ATCs ranging from photography to collage. Her infectious enthusiasm brightened the evening.

This is what I traded with her. Pretty eh?


It is also wonderful that ATC is a worldwide interest and with the internet, it has been possible to set-up trades with friends from all over the world. At the last session, I was able to show these first few international trades.



Sure look forwarding to meeting again at our next session in November.

I have been having fun creating different handwoven bookmarks, many of which have been sent out with my international trade. These will be put up for sale too.

Misc

Earlier this year, as I began to explore what has been termed "Web 2.0", I soon learned about how information and the idea of knowledge construction in the everyday life on the net have started making some fundamental shifts. It led me to putting together a presentation that I shared with some teachers, although I do not yet know the exact implications of these shifts for learning and schools.

David Weinberger has created a wonderful book that so clearly explains what it is all about. With a good dose of history and drawing from some powerful parallels, he has beautifully described this new digital disorder which he calls going miscellaneous.

I especially enjoyed the chapter "What Nothing Says" in which David explores that idea of the importance of the implicit in what he calls the "third-order world".

This is a 2007 publication that is available at our National Library. Grab "Everything is Miscellaneous" and enjoy a good and, IMHO, an essential read.

Children's Day

Like this set of rather abstract looking ATCs? I must say that I am rather pleased with them and there's certainly a hint of pride each time I introduce them to anyone. These were created using the work of 3-year old David.

David came by with his Mum, sister and aunty Theresa recently. (Read Mum's wonderfully kind blog. Thanks Sher! Cool photos too.) When Theresa tried out painting, David happily dived in too. He was sure what he wanted - colours! With confident strokes and bright colours he painted his house and shimmering water in a pool.



When I posted the ATCs on atcards, JacqueLynn was inspired by them to create these.




It is simply wonderful seeing creativity expressed. I cannot wait to get these ATCs which Jacque has generously offered to send to me.

There is something about the paradoxical mix of wild abandonment and deep focus you see in children when they are creating. I am so happy to have had David made my day. Hope you all had a great Children's Day - appreciate their sense of wonder, the sparkle in their eyes and twinkle in their laughter.

PS I am considering starting "ATC Junior" sessions for children to exchange ATCs they have made. If you are keen for your children to do this, please let me known at pauseability@gmail.com. This could happen as soon as this December.