sideways - home is where the wine is

it hasn't been terribly inspiring for me of late, no brilliant reds. just the put-putting along of wolf blass' budget offering to the masses, the inconspicous eaglehawk merlot (2005). damn unhappening, just a little better than a jacob creek's merlot or cab sav i reckon... doesn't even enhance the taste of ya pasta... decent budget wine but definitely not inspiring for the senses at all. and yep, not like jamieson rum's coonawarra cab sav (2001) was that good either. sighs.

well, thankfully, there's other sources of inspiration apart from the wonderful world of oenology, such as the myriad of themes and ideas that only celluloid can deliver

i guess as an educator, ya're predisposed or swept wilfully against your well-meaning cineaste/celluloid preferences to a mishmash of movies glorifying the education profession or even highlighting the issues that blight it. afterall, its not only to trawl for ideas and pedagogies but perhaps to stay 'in-tune' with ya students...

anyways, the history boys deserve a mention. despite its 80s' setting, the issues the boys and their teachers face are a 'real and present danger'. yes, a tonne of cliches from the movies. but hey, till i find a better red or cool crisp white that brings me into another realm; that will do. the pressure by the headmaster on the teachers and students to raise the educational prestige and image of the school, the dilemmas the teachers (hector and irwin) face over the 'right' philosophy and pedagogies to employ in aiding the students to do their best, et al. and also, the flaws and fallacies teachers live with and create - how does that make them more human and perhaps, a better educator? i don't believe the movie answers all these questions and more, but it does give the educator much to think about: what kinda teacher should i be? hector or irwin? or a combination of both... hmmmm.

whats interesting to note about the movie was the lack of ICT apparatus in the school and ability of the teachers to engage their students in their subject but more so, the inculcation of love for language, for words as words are a mean to meaning... ahhh, the lost art of socratic and roundtable discussions. gone never to return amidst the declining attention span of our youths and the ever-rising tide of ICT utilisation that threatens to swamps us all...

anyways, enough of of my verbose verbiage. perhaps, its time to move along and find that illusive wine...

its been awhile. it isn't my kinda style but felt the need to say something to me fellow labourers out there who are already in the heady throes of their teaching practice. its interesting to notice/observe the fluidity of words and actions that belie the deeper currents that run beneath an otherwise smooth flowing river...

power and rationality. the shadowplay of power, the allure of power and its influence to rationalise, the corruption of reason by fear (to borrow V's words)... ahr, the entertainment quotient just increases while my mental stimuli decreases inversely amidst the smooth flowing waters. anyways, enough of flowing waters. waters ought to bring life not sweep people away in their torrential unidirectional flow.

anyways, moving on. was just reviewing and reflecting upon some wonderful movies i caught recently. wonderful as they are, they had a myriad of lessons for all and sundry but more importantly for, individuals without a name in the rivers where they are now placed...

perhaps, the movie that ought to be made compulsory viewing (ie part of the syllabus) for the philosophy of education would be the last king of scotland. i do believe that the movie has an evergreen message about the perils of idealism and youthful exuberance. it is essential to believe in the truth that one might serve effectively but it is even more important that the truth one clings to dearly isn't sincerely wrong. moreover, the sagely advice should be heeded or at the very least rigourously assessed before deposed off. as wise godly men have said: right theology makes right living but that has to be practiced in the midst of a community hence the importance of 'shape' as so eloquently put by a best-selling author. the effectiveness of individuals depends on their 'shape' and the 'fit' achieved within the perceived and/or obvious niches/holes/needs in the community. needless to elucidate, the wrong 'shape' in the wrong place is bound to cause more harm than good...

perhaps, the other lesson to be drawn from 300 aside from the importance of good leadership, and good physical conditioning; would be to do what is right because it is the right thing, regardless of ya circumstances, and even to die for it. another more important message would be to choose your battles wisely, ie, you might lose the battle but win the war... the bottomline counts!

alrighty, its enough of preaching/nagging for one day. perhaps, House's quote: 'the truth begins in lies' might just help us cope better in the days ahead