Ahoj, pronounced ‘ahoy’ is Czech for hello or hi, but it’s informal so you can also use it for bye…

I like the word because it’s short and happy and joyous.

Max’ parents have been over for the last few months and I just spent the last day with them. Such lovely people, interested and interesting and kind. There English is poor, so Max spends a lot of time translating, but then again my Czech is even worse.

I was sad to see them go today…I don’t know when I will see them again. They come to Australia quite infrequently. Last time they were in Canberra was 12 years ago, and I’m not sure that they have been to Australia in between as Jem and Max tried to travel to Czech Republic every year or so…

Anyhoo – what am I getting at…

I guess the word ‘ahoj’ and just saying it will always remind me of my (recently) inherited Czech roots – which I embrace- as I embrace Max as my dear brother, and his parents as part of my family.

Ahoj to you x

Vlad, Jana and Max

366 Flickr set

Currently….

• To be a little easier on myself and those around me
• To smile more
• Continue daily exercise & do some weights training
• Continue to lose a little more weight…6 kilos down and few more to go. I do feel better when I am a little lighter (and I have all these extra clothes…)
• Do some type of pic a day challenge (still working on what and how)

…..
These are just todays.
But a very happy new year to you all.
X

For quite a few years I listened to BBC world wide radio. Whatever was on was interesting, documentaries and lots of football. I don’t often listen to cricket on the radio but I have been known to (and I think of my dad!!).

These days I rarely listen to the radio. I listen to podcasts.
What sorts?
Well these are my current subscriptions: lots of ABC and BBC stuff. There must be more good stuff….any suggestions? Alpha order from my phone.

• All in the mind -ABC (and really happy that Natasha Mitchell is going to
• Life Matters in 2012, although I’ll miss Richard A.)
• Arts and Ideas -BBC radio 3
• Background Briefing -ABC
• Big Ideas -ABC
• Book Show – ABC
• By Design -ABC
• Comedy of the week -BBC
• Desert Island Discs -BBC Radio 4. Selected! Recently I have loved Martin Sheen, John Peel, Deborah Harry,
• Documentaries -BBC
• Family -ABC radio
• Film Program -BBC. Like this as well as Oz Movie Show
• Friday night comedy -BBC I do like the news quiz although it’s UK centric and I don’t always get the jokes
• Graham Norton -haven’t really listened to many of these. I love the TV show, this appears to be a medley of his radio show. Again very UK centric.
• Health -ABC
• Health Report -ABC
• Late night live-ABC
• Life Matters -ABC
• Morning interview with Margaret Throsby – ABc classic FM. Selected interviewees
• Movie Time -ABC Julie Rigg
• Play of the week -BBC
• Saturday Extra- ABC although I used to always listen to this live on Sat mornings, not so much these days
• Slow TV – from The Monthly (I think?)
• This American Life -one of my favorites!! So many great episodes here. Loved Act V from July this year, but they are usually great!
• Wellness Guys -Australian. A recent addition, but enjoy this…

So lots of Australian content, lots of current affairs and lots of lifestyle, family and health programs.

## 7 Jan update. Since I wrote this I started thinking about library type podcasts I could/should be listening to….I read a great post by Polly (@pollyalida), and have also subscribed to:

• Adventures in library instruciton
• Bibliotech
• Circulating ideas
• T is for training
• Tech chick tips

and a couple of non-library:

• Food programme – BBC
• Guardian books
• NPR- Wait, wait don’t ell me
• Triple J movies

I jokingly say that I sometimes wish that I had some kind of commute so I could is listen to these podcasts more. Of course listening in the middle of the night often means I don’t hear a whole program.
If I lived alone I would listen to the radio a lot more…I find it difficult to listen to spoken radio programs when there are people around.

Anyway…a record, just now of what I’m listening to…..will be going camping in a few weeks and hope to get some more listening in then (I sleep pretty badly when camping!!)

And I have learnt to relax a bit more about it all. I have 100s to listen to and it’s great having choice and all of these wonderful podcasts to listen to, to learn and to be inspired.

Words of comfort from a friend who lost their sibling last year… “I know xxxx would want me to make the most out of my life, so I’m going to….”
And that is so very true. I know Jeremy wanted us all to go on, to mourn yes of course…..but to live and live happy, fulfilling, full lives. And that’s what I want to do. I love and miss Jeremy so very much. That does not change. But I know he wanted us all to live on…..

Another recent message from a friend….”sit softly with your memories”…this sent on Christmas Day.

x

Media Release

His reach, his legacy, his brilliance – continues to astound me.

Izzy 2003

Carl and I saw the last Harry Potter movie last night.

Harry and friends are a similar age to Jack and his friends, so it’s been more than a little weird watching them all grow up – Harry and his friends in a much more public manner!

Isabel has read and reread all the books many times over. I’m glad that we have them all in hardback as they have had a lot of use. Carl and I read the first five to the children in the evenings as part of their bedtime reading. Funny, though – we would alternate who read depending on lots of other things, so I don’t have a sense of all of the books at all! I also remember a road trip to Queensland when I read the book aloud to the children while we travelled the less spectacular highways.

And Harry Potter has just done the most wonderful things for children reading. The photo above was taken after Isabel and I spent a morning in the Canberra Centre many years ago. One of the HP books came out that day. The mall was full of children and adults of all ages hungrily reading the latest installment. Face painting. Wizards. Crystals!

I would like to spend one summer reading all of the books in one go. Perhaps I’ll do it this summer while camping. That’s if I can wrestle them off Isabel.

We also went to see HP at the Dendy Premium. First time. Weird as well. I love the seats and reclining back and putting my feet up. Truly luxurious. The staff bringing around food was strange though. I found it a little distracting (people at the left front has a lot of food and drinks). It had touches of Roman Empire about it – reclining back and eating. We ordered an Asian snack platter of fresh and fried spring rolls, coconut prawns, wontons. Then an ice cream and coffee. All a bit strange after a gin and tonic while we waited and placed our order (complete with timing of food…yes, snack platter, then ice cream then coffee, all 30 minutes apart). Next time we thought we would just go with the beer and wedges options – get them to bring a beer out every hour or so.

Isabel 2010

I feel like I’ve been quite lazy but I think I’ve just shutdown a little in an attempt to get through. I don’t mean to sound dramatic. Looking at me, you would say that I am keeping it together, and I am, but I am so sad. I feel such loss. Probably just a defence – a way to get through.

Things have changed. Of course they have, and in some ways for the best. Some of Jeremy’s friends are now much closer friends. We all seem to need to be together, retain the link. We don’t sit around in silence or sadness. We laugh, we reminisce, we cry. But it’s all so good. It’s like we give each other permission to mourn in a way. I have also noticed that I am spending quite a lot of time with Jeremy’s children – again – it seems we all have the need to share, to be, with each other. I quite love that. They are such beautiful people. I am so proud of them. They are living, breathing Jeremy. But themselves as well of course.

I have spent a bit of time over the last few months being really angry with Jeremy. Really freaking angry at him going. It’s almost easy not being here, leaving us with all this sadness. I don’t know where he *is* now, but he is at peace and out of suffering, whereas we still are. I actually didn’t realise how much I talked things through with Jem. I mean, I have a wonderful, caring partner, but a big brother, is well…a big brother, and I do miss that relationship and him. There are whinges about my parents that Carl just doesn’t get (and Jem did!).

Max is doing it hard. Of course he is. I’ve stayed with him a few times and the flat, Potts Point – just ooze Jeremy. Max is in the Czech Republic at the moment, at home with his parents,and seeing friends – but he will be back here, his other home,  at the end of the month. I can only give him my love and support.

And it is all so freaking tiring. This grief. So many ads about cancer.

I know I need to get on. Spring is just starting to peep through. New life. Longer days. Warmth. Light.

x

I get emails from Twisted Sister – usually a weekly email, but occasionally (no- I’ve just found out they do this every Wednesday) they do a ‘this day in history’ and yes they did one yesterday for 10 August.

Anyway. Hard going. Grief hits you out of nowhere. I had a big glass of red wine and cheered his birthday. A celebration of life.

Max, Jem and I hamming it up in Huskisson. 2004