Well it is mid May in 2013 and I am once again struggeling to get my study done. Unfortunately I had to enroll fultime in first semester but i am now facing the reality that the workload was more than my current health will permit. I have to decide within the next week which subjects I will continue and which I will put off till next year,

The New Dawn of a New Year

2012 is here and I have my timetable for the new year. Some of my classes are early morning starting at 9.00am which means I have to be at the bus stop by 7.20 am to get to university on time,( no thanks to the adelaide metro for cancelling the bus service through to Flinders University).

Tomorrow I will be going to Univerisity to learn how to find my way around the adaptive technologies room. This is the room that I hope to be able to go to and use as if I was going to an office to work, instead though I will be studying.

A musing on various subjects for 2012

In 2012 I will be studying Civil Litigation , Trusts Law and Labor Law in first semester with an intention to finish out the year and my course in second semester with Civil Litigation II and Intellectual Property law as well as an elective research project.

While this is not a full student load it will be a big challenge for me given that it is so long since I have studied.

The semester doesn't start till the end of February so I have a few months to get myself organised ready to hit the ground running in 2012.

Hiatus

Hiatus

My short hiatus of one semester blew out to be a two and a half year break, so now i am returning to study after an extensixe period away,

I am learning to use Dragon Dictate software which I will use in conjunction with Office 2007 suite, particularly One Note and the Outlook Calendar with task bar options..

I plan on using a laptop computer for university that i want to synchronise with a home desktop. Using my Dragon Desktop on both computers.
the store law software was a good product to use initally but is not interactive with my dragon dictate and one note software is.

I also found with store law that when I needed to re-install the software on my computer and by a back up copy and use one on a my newer desktop, that i could not make contact with the company.

Time is an illusion- study time doubly so

Well I am technically on a break from my university studies and return next semester to face two subjects.

I have purchased a copy of a computer programme called store law and plan to become aquainted with the software through doing some study revision/preparation on the subjects of trusts and assignments and civil procedure.
While these are subjects that I will study next year and not next semester, they are both laiden with heaps of reading in a short space of time and complex fact scenarios in the cases to comprehend as well.

Also on the agenda is to get back into the habit of reading whith my scotopic sensory glasses ( Irlen's syndrome ) on.

I think my next post will be explaining a bit about how I was diagnosed and assessed with Irlen's Syndrome and the benefits of wearing coloured glasses when reading.

Highlighter Pens and reading cases IRAC

Hello Blog followers,
I havent written for some time. MY study path took a bit of a meandering track last year with little academic progress but completion of a course as a Housing Appeals Convenor - for Cooperative housing in South Australia.

Getting back into formal study though is proving to be a little bit of a challenge as i procastinate and find concentration difficult.

One thing i have done is ventured onto youtube where I came accross the Video Blog "Dom's Law Degree Blog"

Dominic gives lots of useful tips for students with dyslexia who are studying law and it is following in this vein that i now intend to practice and review my highlighter use skills when analysing case law for my studies.

Assessment Questions in my law degree fall into one of two types.
1.Essay Questions and
2. Problem Questions.

this year the subjects I am studying are Principles of Civil LItigation ( South AUstralian Jurisdiction) and Trusts and Assignments.

Both subjects have exams which will involve Problem Questions and is the perpartion for these in which i wish to improve my use of highlighter pens.

I have been to the shop and bought myself a new set of four highlighter pens and intend to analyse cases using them on the basis of the IRAC method- which is the same method I intend applying in my exams.

what is the IRAC method you may ask? more detail to come on that in the next installment.

a variation on IRAC i am thinking of using

Issue- what was the issue in the case
Rule-
Application- what are the facts
Conclusion- the decision held in relation to a case- note dissenting judgments too

a treasure trove or discovery, discloses a process in dissaray

the current assignment topic for principles of civil litigation is as follows.

the common law protected the treasured right of each litigant to store up, in secret, as many unpleasant surprises for his opponent as he could muster, any only reveal them at trial... in the presence of the judicial umpire.'

Liberty & Society Conference= Discrimination

There is to be a Conference called the Liberty & Society Conference, the orgainsers have limited access to the conference to people between the ages of 18-30, this is blatant age discrimination against mature age students.

Liberty and Society Bah humbug
age discrimination stinks!

I would really like to go to this conference and learn about classical liberalism, the progam looks interesting,

but the conference organisers wont accept aplications from students unless they are between the ages of 18 and 30.

its taken a lot of really hard effort in the face of much discrimination and ill health to get to law school and now that i am finally there i find discrimnatory organisations like this wont let me apply.

age discrimination stinks.
( i have dyslexia so sorry about the spelling and grammar mistakes)

what i want to know is why they dont want me there at this conference?
why dont they value the input of a student over 30 compared to a student under 30?

what actual charaterists/qualities separate the needs of students based on an arbitrary age limit?

so far the only one i can think of is length of life left on the planet and that stinks.
because on that basis all indigenous australians should be excluded too because they dont live long enough to contribute to society.

Footcare and Footware tips

Your foorwear is important in protecting you rfeet during activity and can play a large role in determining your foot health in the future.

Here are some tips about footwear and gederal footcare to keep in mind.

Shoes

The ideal footwear should be lace-up, with absorbing sole(improtant these days because most of our walking surfaces are concrete based.)

Shoes such as sneakers, "Dr Martins" and similar are great, because they meet these criteria well.

Avoid shoes made of vinly, however as they are unable to pass moisture away from the skin and socks, causing the foot to become incredibly sweaty. This can lead to skin infections and will do little to enhance you love life, as the bacteria in these conditions also make your feet smell awful.

For summer/hot weather use, the "Reef Sandal" design of open toed shoes is generally good. as it provides protection for the foot with support from anke straps. Avoid thongs or the "massage sandal" for daily use as they afford little protection.

The most common complaints cause by footwear are:
*corns and calus (caused by tight or ill fitting shoes)
*ankle, KNee, hip and back pain (shoes too high or lack shock absorption)
*painful or ingrown toe nails(shoe too short, too shallow or too tight)

Looking After Your Feet
Feet need regular maintenace. Make sure that you keep them clean and protected in appropriate footwear.

Use Cream on your heals daily if you get dry or cracked hills( especially in summer).Some people find that using a pumice stone, or even fine sandpaper on healvily callused areas helaps to keep their feet comfortable

seven turns to eight

Week seven of semester was a bit of a blur, now its the first day of week eight and life has thrown a spanner in the works, being unwell for and unable to study.

so the perpetuality of this law student will persist.

hitting a six

Here it is, the start of week 6 of the semester and the last week of term one. The Australian Cricket Team is playing well at the world cup and i find myself well underway with researching assignments.

The internet is a great source of information and a great means for keeping in touch with distant friends.

Four to Five

So here it is almost the end of term and Autumn leaves are falling around thhe University Campus.

Assignments have been set now in all of my subjects and I seem to have a pile of books on my desk to read.

It seems there is no end to the reading...

One of my lecturers summed it up when they said "law is about words"

Becomming a lawyer is about being a wordsmith and lots of reading.

from two to three

Well, It's the Adelaide Cup Long Weekend and this means i have time to get my head down and work on my Trusts Assignment and Workshop Tute perparations.

so for today the question is...

"The most imporant institution in equity was, and is, the trust." (Ong Trusts Law in Australia, (2003). What is it about the nature and charactersistics of the trust and the lwa of trusts that make the trust such an important equitable institution?

One week in and on the cusp of week two

The first week back has come and gone and it's head down.

Law and Medicine and the challenges of accountablity and ethics

week 2 seminar questions

1) There is merit in your client's claim but you have a strong aversion to him/her because
a) her/his case is against people that you like and respect,
b) you disapprove of her/his conduct in the matter or
c) she/he bullied you when you were at school

2) You really want this case. It will be good experience for you and the fees will be lucrative. Unfortunately, a) you are ignorant of the law and (b) you know that there is another lawyer available who will do a much better job than you at less cost to the client.

3) you are a medical practioner and your patient has asked you to attend to a gunshot wound which you believe was inflicted
a) in a gun battle between two rival criminal gangs or
b) in a domestic dispute in which one of the issues was child abuse by your patient.

getting back to basics- first day back

So here i am at the end of the first day back at flinders law school.

As a mature age student on campus i feel somewhat out of the picture, even though my place at law school is just as valid as anyone elses.

there seems to be a collegiate attitude amongst the younger students that does not encompass my age group.

anyway today was Law and Medicine with Andrew Alston. I enjoyed the lecture where we exploed the issue of Accountabliity with regards to ending life and the role that the criminal law plays in South Australia.

After this two hour lecture there was time to do some reading for the subject Trusts and Assignments.

Getting to yes,
getting to positives
getting motivated
the challenge of 2007

LLB/LP 2007

Well here it is Orientation week in 2007 and I am pondering whether to focus on finishing the law degree or whether to include a Diploma of Languages (german).

News: International Guitar Festival comes to Adelaide


Hon MIKE RANN MP, Premier
Premier
Minister for Economic Development
Minister for Social Inclusion
Minister for the Arts
Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change
Contact details



July 9, 2006


Adelaide has won a new prestigious annual international arts event – a guitar festival inspired and assisted by the New York Guitar Festival.



Premier and Arts Minister Mike Rann says securing this annual two-week event is as part of the Adelaide Festival Centre’s commitment to a bolder, more extensive program of festivals, events, performance and activities under the leadership of the Centre’s new CEO, Douglas Gautier.



The first Adelaide International Guitar Festival, expected to attract world-wide audience, will be held at the Adelaide Festival Centre in Adelaide in November 2007.



“The guitar is one of the world’s most recognised, accessible and identifiable instruments in the world,” Mr Rann said.



“This new annual event will feature performances by local, national and international artists across a variety of genres including rock n roll, classical, Spanish, blues, roots and jazz and experimental.



“It will expand the public appreciation for the guitar as well as foster young and emerging Australian talent. The program will also include artist forums, a visual arts component and an artist in residence throughout the festival.



“The Festival will feature the curatorial expertise of David Spelman, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of the New York Guitar Festival, an event considered one of the most high calibre and respected specialist guitar festivals of its kind in the world.



“This year’s New York Guitar Festival featured Pepe Romero, Daniel Lanois, Jorma Kaukonen, Bill Frisell, Sonny Landreth, Cindy Cashdollar, Taj Mahal, and surprise guests Bruce Springsteen and Emmylou Harris.



“I met with Mr Spelman in New York in April to discuss plans to bring the festival to Adelaide,” Mr Rann said.



Mr Gautier said this new festival epitomises what the Adelaide Festival Centre is all about.



“This is about supporting innovative collaborations between outstanding international and local artists, facilitating new and exclusive works and artistic partnerships and developing new audiences,” said Mr Gautier.

Mr Spelman said he was thrilled that Adelaide would be holding this new international festival.
“There may be people who call New York City the centre of the cultural universe, but I believe Adelaide is one of the most intellectually dynamic and artistically sophisticated communities I've ever visited,” Mr Spelman said.



“The people of South Australia have a wonderful appetite and openness to art and new ideas. The success of Womadelaide and the Thinkers in Residence program are two great examples of what I think is possible in this community.



"It's my hope that this festival will tell the story of the guitar itself - where it originated, what countries it has visited, which genres it has impacted, and, to some degree, where it is heading.



“The story of the guitar is far too complex and interesting to tell in just 10 days, but this will be a wonderful start,” Mr Spelman said.





INFORMATION ABOUT GUITARIST SINGER/SONGWRITER JEFF LANG:



Singer-songwriter Jeff Lang, described by Rolling Stone as “Australia’s best roots-music artisan" will feature at the new Adelaide International Guitar Festival. Jeff has just returned from a two and a half month world tour including 24 dates with Jon Butler in the United States, as well as headlining shows in Arts Centres across the UK and showcases through Belgium, France and Ireland. He will be releasing a new album 'Dislocation Blues' through ABC in August.

Blade's Dahl recipe

Blade's Kickarse Dhal
adapted from a recipe in Charmaine Solomon's Complete Vegetarian Cookbook
This recipe uses red lentils which don't need soaking like some other varieties - so excellent for those of us who aren't organised enough to think about dinner the night before.


Ingredients:
1 cup (6 oz) dried red lentils
1 1/2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) or oil - I usually use canola oil
1 large onion, finely sliced - this usually ends up either being sliced or chopped depending on whether I remember the recipe doesn't say dice
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic - or to taste, I probably use about twice this amount ... coz I like garlic
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger - or chopped because I like my fingers un-grated, plus see above comment about garlic
1/2 teaspoon turmeric - again, I use at least twice this amount ... a few good shakes with the widest 'mouth' shaker so everything starts getting a lovely dark yellow colour
3 cups (24 fl oz) hot water
salt, to taste
garam masala, to taste - recipe says 1/2 teaspoon but I probably put at least 2 teaspoons or more in because, after having had dhal at a Northern Indian style food establishment, I am of the opinion that dhal should be a much darker brown than the 1/2 teaspoon produces

Blade's additional ingredients:
enough of a hard vegetable for the number of people you're serving, chopped into approx 2 - 3 cm cubes - potato and sweet potato/kumera have proved excellent, haven't tried pumpkin yet
broccoli sufficient for the number of people you're serving, cut into smallish florets
any other veggies you feel like!

n.b. your choice of saucepan will need to consider the volume of water as well as the lentils and other ingredients - better to go too big than too small!

Method:

Wash lentils thorougly, removing any bits that float on the surface of the water. Drain well. Heat ghee or oil in a saucepan and fry onion, garlic and ginger until onion is golden. Add turmeric and stir well. Mix in drained lentils and fry for 1 - 2 mins. Add hot water, bring to the boil, then reduce heat to simmer.

Cover and simmer for 15 - 20 mins or until lentils are half cooked (what does a half baked cooked lentil look like?? I hear you cry - 20 mins is probably the go if you've got it on a nice slow simmer). Add salt and garam masala, mix well (and carefully - it can spit at you) and continue cooking. Throw your hard vegetable about this point so it gets a chance to cook through while the lentils are still cooking. Cook until the lentils are soft and about the consistency of porridge and your hard vegetable passes the fork test. If you've ended up with too much liquid, leave the lid off to allow evaporation. Chuck the broccoli (and other veggies) in a microwave dish and nuke until the equivalent of lightly steamed. Throw the lot in and mix well.

Goes well with rice, naan, pappadums, as a side dish or as a meal on its own. I usually make double the quantity above (2 cups lentils, 6 cups water) and it makes a decent amount of leftovers. It reheats spectacularly well and like many curries and stews, can even improve the next day or after freezing.