Under pressure

Yes, HP has apparently vanished off the face of the earth again. In the face of everything going on right now, I find myself again thinking about letting this blog go but I'll wait and see how I feel when the pressure (shown beautifully above) lifts.

What pressure? Lots of PhD deadlines, a heavy workload in terms of tutoring and private practice and a visit from my 83 year old mother. In the week since she's been here, we've had a couple of days post-flight delirium, a nasty blood pressure drop due to the accidental overdose of a bp medication and an ambulance/hospitalisation for head injury following a trip down the stairs. I'm feeling rather spent but I do hope to return to blogging in a while.

For my blogpals who I may currently appear to be 'ignoring', hope to also get back to your blogs soon.

Just another day at the office...

Back home in the UK, travelling Australians would always spin us locals a yarn or two about the extensive and extremely dangerous wildlife of Australia. The biggest spiders you'd ever see (and I can vouch for that), snakes crawling through your roof cavities...you catch the drift, not a place for faint hearted (and that's me). I always maintain I meant to go to Aust-ria not Austr-al-ia.

However, I've been here long enough to find out that those stories are probably intended to put us Brits off coming here. I've never had to deal with my very real snake phobia, thank goodness.

I've had some odd moments in my time here, mostly at work, but definitely nothing like this.

A fellow psychologist in North Queensland had to jump on her desk to escape a 1.5 m tall kangeroo which burst into her office through a window. Read more here.

Popped in for a bit of cognitive-behavio-roo-l therapy perhaps?

Remembering

Paul Robert Eckna.

Denis Lavelle.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."
Source unknown.

This is one thing I said I would never forget to do, no matter how busy or hectic life was.

About this time in 2006, along with many fellow bloggers, I took part in the 2,996 project to remember those who lost their lives on September 11th.

I was assigned to post tributes to Paul and Denis. September 11th had a huge impact on me, even though I was half a world away. Taking part in the 2,996 project, learning a little about these two men, simply reinforced the sheer horror of that day and my resolution never to forget. I've often thought about Paul and Denis over the past year and I resolved that I would remember them both here every year.

Please join me in taking time to remember Paul and Denis over the next few days.

Time? Where'd it go?

Again.

Been snowed under marking, really under the hammer with the PhD (still need more respondents!!!!!) and work has been busy too. Add to this the impending visit of my 83 year old mother from the UK, the sudden need to redecorate a room, as well as finally rope in the jungle/garden (remember that?) and there hasn't been a single moment that isn't allocated to something or other.

I have been reading 'The Disease to Please' (see above) by the later Harriet Braiker, PhD. I'm finding it very useful. What was that old saying from the drug campaign? 'Just say no?' I need to make that my new mantra.

Perhaps then I can blog about something sensible!

Upcoming events

Mental Health in the City Conference (21-22 August)

Not that you need a reason to visit beautiful Melbourne but next week sees Melbourne host the 'Mental Health in the City' Conference, 21-22 August, hosted by the University of Melbourne.

Brief “clinical update” sessions have been incorporated into the programme, addressing cutting edge treatments in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Drugs and Alcohol and Borderline Personality Disorders. Other topics discussed are body image and eating disorders, performance-enhancing drugs, drug & alcohol disorders, gambling, HIV, internet addiction and disasters.

Conference topics deal with diverse groups - adolescents, the elderly, asylum seekers, sportspersons and the homeless and addresses mental health services - and some big issues affecting the mentally ill, like stigma and aggression.

National Science Week

National Science Week celebrates achievements in science, engineering, technology and innovation in Australia and provides an opportunity for all Australians to participate in events and activities that showcase science, engineering, technology and innovation, Check out the National Science Week website for more detail here.

National Glaucoma Week

National Glaucoma Week seeks to raise awareness of the 'silent' eye disease – glaucoma, and to encourages all Australians, once they reach the age of 40, to undertake a comprehensive eye test every two years. Glaucoma has no early symptoms, it cannot be self-detected. Take this opportunity to learn more at the National Glaucoma Week website here.

Quality Education in Africa

The Champions of Quality Education in Africa Competition is sponsored by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Over the past few months, more than 300 ideas from over 35 countries have been displayed online in a global competion. These have now been whittled down to the 14 finalists by a panel of judges that included Helen Gayle, president and CEO of CARE, and Fred Swaniker, founder and CEO of the African Leadership Academy.

The competition will give three winners USD $5000 to further their initiative, exensive media exposure, and collaborative support from the global online community.

The 14 finalists provide a range of solutions in education, and represent more than 7 different countries. These finalists illustrate the power of education to create change within communities in Africa.

Please visit here to review the projects and cast your vote. Voting is open until August 19th, 2009.

Blinding you with science

Practical Man has been reading a book.

You have no idea what a coup of mine that was to actually have finally purchased something that he would actually read. He's just no bookworm. While I admit, it's taken him six months to get halfway through, it does represent progress, even if at a glacial speed.

In fact, I've probably read more of it in the moments I've found it abandoned in one of the smaller rooms of the house.

'The Mad Science Book' showcases 100 amazing experiments from the history of science. Written by Reto Schneider, it's full of all sorts of oddities. The dust cover hints at blinking corpses, flying sheep, fanatical theology students and, intriguingly, wandering pubic hair. For those inclined to botox, why not check out guinea pig testicles? Apparently they contain the secret of youth.

I personally favour the story of the scientist who decided to inject himself with the venom of a mamba to observe the effects. A Darwin award in the making if ever there was one, particularly as he choose to drive a car after injecting himself.

Quite a collection of psychological studies also, from' Mr. Skinner's Box' to 'Pavlov only rings once' to 'Psychology with car horns'. If you're going to sit on a green light, apparently you'll cop less abuse if you're driving a Mercedes rather than a Fiat Uno.

Copyright prevents me from reproducing sections of this book but, if I've whet your appetite, check out some of the video clips and other goodies here. Be prepared to waste lots of time!

What's on? Weekly round up

Continence Awareness Week

Continence. One of those issues that we might like to avoid but continence is a big issue, particularly for carers. Exactly that forms the theme of this year's Continence Awareness Week , 'Caring for someone with incontinence', taking place this week. Carers play a vital role in the lives of people with incontinence and research shows they also pay a high price for caring.

More details can be obtained from info@continence.org.au

National Healthy Bones Week

An intiative from Osteoporosis Australia. Osteoporosis Australia News
National Healthy Bones Week 2009 ‘Are You Feeding Your Bones?’ This awareness week encourages people of all ages to ensure they consume the recommended dietary intake of calcium for strong bones. Checl out activities and great prizes to be won at the official website.

National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week

National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week is an opportunity to celebrate the valuable contribution people with cerebral palsy make in our community. People with cerebral palsy are invited to share how they make a difference in the world here.