I have been thinking a lot about what teaching and learning means to me.
I am entering the last year of my bikes-for-education PhD research while continuing to work amidst a range of significant social, political, economic, health and educational changes.
I thought about what informs, sustains and inspires my personal pedagogy – and I am grateful for the opportunities that I have – and the opportunities I get to share with others.
As part of this reflection, I wrote my first ever Teaching and Learning Manifesto.
I did this to identify what was most important to me – a kind of reinforcing personal statement.
It is a public declaration of my educational principles, approaches or intentions.
It was challenging, revealing and reassuring to do – and totally worth it!
My manifesto has 12 leading principles that encapsulate my current approach to teaching and learning.
My manifesto outlines what and how I co-create my educational passion.
I will update it regularly to incorporate changes over time.
Below is my Teaching and Learning Manifesto (2021).
I appreciate the sentiment of Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day) in taking time to recognise and celebrate the hard work parents do.
I like to think that mums are always appreciated as much as they are on Mother’s Day (ie for the other 364 days of the year as well) – not just one day a year … I hope …
Traditionally Mother’s Day is celebrated with breakfast in bed, flowers or lunches out with loved ones.
With much work needed to address systemic gender inequities, I’m proposing that this Mother’s Day is an opportunity to recognize such issues and think more carefully about how we celebrate mums and other (female) carers.
Mother’s Day is an opportunity to consider more critically the presence and presents we are giving to mums and what these ‘gifts’ communicate, expect and perpetuate.
Keep in mind that Mother’s Day (and other similar commemorative events) are overwhelmingly driven by corporate advertising and marketers who don’t give a shit about mums – they just want to sell more crap.
Such ‘gifts’ are not very honouring, nor are they particularly thoughtful.
So for Mother’s Day 2021, consider doing things a little differently.
Consider talking to a mother (key person) in your life – and dig a little deeper. Have a D & M (deep and meaningful). Be curious about their life (if they are willing to share) listening to what they have to say – and take your time. Go beyond the superficial and every day. Ask them more probing questions and listen to their experiences. Take time to really listen to what life is like for them – to be a mum/carer and a woman-person in the world. Ask them what their life is like – all the ups and downs. Tell them you notice all the small, thankless, important things they do – and that you know there are thousands of other hidden things that you are not aware of, but you know they do anyway, to make your life easier. Explain how you are aware of how hard they work – for you, in the home, at work, in the world.
A conversation like this is something a box of chocolates can’t achieve.
Oh… and if you do want to get them a present, ask them what they really want. Something just for them – and when they tell you what it is, don’t question it, discuss it or negotiate it- just do it.
And maybe you might want to add in something else – something more thoughtful and personal. Something just from you – that you think is an adequate tribute to that special person in your life.
I am recovering from a 3-week intensive marking bender.
My eyes are itchy, my lower back aches and my approachablity is incendiary.
A tight uni turnaround to mark 28 x 6,000-word research reports and 28 x 2,000-word workplace assessments (both Masters level and worth 80% of the total course!) PLUS 21 x 3,300-word undergrad mixed-method research reports (worth 50%). Epic!
I am grateful for the work. Like many others, I’ve had no uni teaching or lecturing for Trimeter 1 due to university COVID response measures. No sessional work, only marking. Thank goodness for my educational consultancy. Tough times.
The students worked hard and so did I. There’s a lot riding on these assessments – and I take the job seriously. I’m not the kind of academic who breezes over assessments and gives 3 comments like: good or need more work here and interesting point– what the hell kind of feedback is that? So unhelpful! I am NOT that kind of marker – I hate that shit! So, I put in the work and gave each assessment my full attention.
So in a similar mood for @Artcrank, I looked for a new source to lift the spirits and remind me of the creative playfulness betwixt bikes, community, action, spaces, materiality, bodies and brazenness.
Here is a 100-word worlding I wrote after seeing @bikeart.gallery for the first time.
I love bikeart, too.
Eyes itchy, shoulders aching and approachablity is incendiary. Time for bike art. @bikeart.gallery – newly discovered on Instagram. Stickers, prints, icons, charcoals, photos, cartoons, designs, and paper cuts. I love bikes and I love art, too. Some super progressive bikeart, others not so. Hypersexualized disembodied females with-on bikes (really? still?!) – cringe-worthy. Elsewhere, I marvel at super spunky rider couples, surreal adventure rides, fantastical bici creaturing, and cheeky postmodern velo classical reinterpretations. A few memes. Close-ups, portraits and movement. Audaciousness. Lego, flames, tattoos, air travel, and (Fr)eddie Merxc(ury). @jctdesign’s spontaneous napkin doodle ‘unplug and ride your bike’ is good advice.
Image: @andy_warlord
Image: Rachel aka @rachpetru!
Image: IG @artbike.gallery
Image: @bikeart.gallery
Image: @AlvaroLopeMoralesQuevado
Image: @tadapota
Image: @bikeart.gallery
Image: @bazasportpenza
Image: @josekoebrugge
Image: @abphart
Image:
Image: @hello_mrbaker
Image: IG @artbike.gallery
Image: @daemoncycling
Image: @kosuke_masuda_5
Image: @lbbjkt
Image: @bikeart.gallery
Image: @eila_kai
Image: @davidlgill
Image: “Organic Growth” art installation (umbrellas & bicycle tires) by @izaskunchinchilla (account not longer exists) at Govenor’s Island.
In this post, we are looking at a very specific subset of bike tattoo and that is – bike tattoos that have specifically detailed colour or design included in the bike wheels … or what I call … ‘wheelie’ specific bike tattoos.
I scoured the internet and rolled through hundreds of cool, funny and (at times) questionable bike tattoos to find 5 solid representations of tattoos that have details in the bike wheels as their central focus.
In each of these cases, colour and form was used as the central cohesive design feature.
Let’s have a look…
@Mountainbike on Pintrest
@Mountainbike on Pintrest
The first two tattoos (see above) have a similar aesthetic which uses a sunset or landscape scenery as the key motif. I put two versions of this design here as the gentle difference in colours has quite a significant impact on the ‘feel’ of the overall tattoo, yet the symbolism is equally clear and meaningful. Having mountains on the side and a river or track running through the middle helps accentuate the perspective of the ‘never-ending great outdoors’ so desired by bike riders. This iconography is made all the more striking when contained within the circular frame of both wheels which (also) forms a simple black bike frame silhouette with no background. Interestingly, I sourced both these tattoos from the same location, which makes me wonder if this specific design is ‘a mountainbike thang.’
Image: Bicycling.com
The third tattoo (above) is more of a whimsical, flowery bike design interpretation made more impactful with the use of the two strongly contrasting and complementary colors of blue and red. This is an unsual and particular tattoo that stands out for its unconventional and creative design – a bold choice for a permanent tattoo!
Scott Schmidt on Pintrest
The fourth tattoo (above) is a calf single wheel tattoo highlighted by the distinctive red and black diagrammatic colouring that really makes it pop. This tattoo is dramatic in its almost tribal-style patterning. The composition is controlled, yet creative with clean and authoritative lines that clearly accentuate the ‘wheel-ness’ of the design. The strong outlines are offset by the red 5-petaled flower at the centre of the wheel, hinting to the softer interior of the ‘hard-wheeled’ rider-owner who is bold enough to wear it.
Image: Next luxury
The last tattoo (above) looks like it takes its cue from graphic design using both colour, texture and geometric patterning to good effect. On closer inspection, it almost looks like the texture of puff paints (it did make me second guess whether this was a ‘real’ tattoo) or maybe the tattoo had just been applied and was brand new, hence the raised (or skin reactive) beveling of work.
Tattoos – and more specifically bike tattoos – are not for everyone. But there are many people who love riding and want to celebrate, share and commemorate bikes with tattoos. And these ‘wheelie’ bike tattoos are just one example of people do this.
Which begs the question:
If you were to get a bike tattoo, where and what would you get?
As I sit at my work desk forcing myself (at time unconvincingly) to focus on my bike PhD research, I feel Kissime (my bike packing bike) glaring at me through the walls.
The indignant heat of her inattention radiates out, burning my skin 12 feet away.
Okay, Okay!
On a longer break, I maneuver closer to her for reassurance and flick on YouTube.
Together we sit, hand in grip, enjoying the latest offering from Katrin Hollendung. We have an unspoken agreement to go on a similar epic adventure (just as soon as the PhD is accepted).
Katrin Hollendung is a German adventure bike-packer who started posting her international rides on YouTube only in the last 12 months.
Her page is my new favorite reprieve.
So what do I like about it? You mean aside from the fact that she travels to awesome locations, riding her bike for love, not ego and takes the time to enjoy the uniqueness of it all? ……Well, it’s not in English. She usually travels with one, select intrepid buddy. Oh, and she gets super, extra, EXTRA kudos points for having ridden the Cairngorms (Scotland), where I lived for 2 years.
In Katrin’s videos, there is a good mixture of riding ups and downs, local culture, odd encounters, breathtaking vistas, necessary language and personality readjustments and a bit of local history and storytelling mixed in with Katrin’s reflections of life, two wheels and the world at large.
I like that the videos are no super polished or over produced – they are personable, interesting, approachable and at times daggy….. you know….normal!
Her videos range from 15 mins to 37 mins and are purposefully narrated with English subtitles. Here are a few of her trips:
I appreciate not only the trip itself, but the amount of video editing and work Katrin puts into sharing her bike packing adventures.
As I look lovingly over at Kissime, (who, for now at least, is consoled), I relish Katrin’s adventurous spirit and patiently await the time when I’ll be out there exploring trails with Kissime and mate, just like Katrin.
Jon is an everyday guy
who lives in the US. He is a mountain biker, runner, camper and loves a good beer.
He has a daughter called Sara who is mad about football (soccer), is an active outdoorswoman and keen musician.
Jon has been uploading
short videos on YouTube for 10 years. When he first started out in 2010, he
uploaded one video per month. His videos range from 11 seconds to 7 minutes and
they document everyday life moments – family outings, work commutes, football highlights,
music jams and Sara at various stages of growing up.
In 2019, it looks like
Jon set himself a challenge to upload one video per day for the whole year. Each
video is no longer than 1 minute.
The video that caught my eye was from Jon’s 2019 collection. It was the title that got my attention first. It was calledDay 89: Fairy Houses and Mountain Bikes.
Jon and Sara out MTB riding.
It features his daughter Sara working on a fairy house and then the pair going for a ride in the woods. Perfect!
When I watched this
video, it made me smile.
This video has it all – simple pleasures, whimsical creative play, celebrating everyday moments, quality father-daughter time, trying new things (thrills, spills) and getting outdoors – and of course bikes!
I also love the juxtaposition of fairy houses and MTB –very original!
Sara’s Fairy House
It always makes me so happy to see MTB dads getting out with their daughters/kids on bikes – and Jon not only does that, but also incorporates Sara’s interest in the Fairy House into the video as well. GOLD!
This video spoke to me of connection, fun, action, playfulness, diversity and inclusion.
Which is what riding bikes is all about for most riders.
I like watching MTB videos
(like on Pink Bike) and
appreciate the beautiful cinematography, scenery, skills and soundtracks. But
equally, I can be turned off by how polished, white, male, elite rider centric most
of the videos are.
I prefer videos that show a wider range of MTB experiences – like riders of all shapes, sizes, places, colours, ages and skills.
And having a twist – and the Fairy House is a great addition. I have seen a few ‘creative’ things on the side of MTB trials – why not MTB fairy houses. Why so serious?
It is also great to see
the more experienced male riders – and dads in particular – genuinely encouraging
more young girls/daughters to ride more.
Yup, it makes me smile.
We definitely need more videos, men, dads and riders like Jon (and Sara).
Happy riding all!
All images courtesy of Jonathon Wilkins video (see above).
This time last year, I was down in Melbourne performing our roving performance The BioBike Your Future Thanks You! at the Sustainable Living Festival. This just happened to coincide with Bike Rave Melburn 2018 Pink Flamingo – which of course I went to. I took the BioBike with me, met up with some mates and got amongst it at the rave. As always, we had an absolute blast! It was awesome being back in my home town, catching up with old crew, making new friends, checking out people’s wicked pimped out rides and cruising around Melbs as the sun when down to pumping tunes – all on two wheels (*sigh*).
FB: @Bike Rave AUS
Brisbane, my dear, when are you having a bike rave?
Sat 16th February was the 2019 GOLD – Melbourne Bike Rave!
Hells Yeah!!!
Thanks to everyone who sent through pics and well wishes – I missed being with you all this year…but was stoked to see such an awesome turn out!
“Dare to love yourself as if you were a rainbow with gold at both ends.”
Bike Rave is a free event – but we ask you to bring along a cash donation for charity Bicycles for Humanity. We will be collecting throughout the evening.
THE MUSIC: We have curated a whopping 4.5-hour mix from some very talented DJ’s for this Bike Rave. The mix is full of pumping party tunes to keep you dancing all night long. You should download this and put it onto an mp3 player.
SOUND: Bike Rave is a DIY event. Grab an MP3 player and put the mix on it. Bring your own speakers, build a sound bike, be creative! Need sound for your bike? Get a basket and some computer speakers, or head to Jaycar, JB-HIFI, etc to set up a self-contained set. There are some great solutions from $15, and some pretty impressive creations. Just remember to charge those batteries.
BRIGHT LIGHTS: Think bright lights, reflective jackets, fluoro hair, glow sticks, EL wire, or anything else that flashes and blinks. This isn’t just about making sure that you look awesome, make sure your bike is pimped out also.
DRESS UP: Gold, shiny, shimmer, bling, the ol’ razzle-dazzle. We want the Bike Rave to be a shiny shimmering mess as we ride along the river into the sunset.
THE WEATHER: If it’s nice out, we ride. If it’s cloudy, we ride. If it’s raining a little, we might ride. If it’s pouring, we don’t ride. Our speakers will get messed up. If you aren’t sure, show up anyways. Someone will be there from 5:30pm to let people know if the ride is canceled.
Bike Rave was founded in Vancouver but is shared around the world.
@alleyratlowriders
RAVE RULES: There are a few rules that we would like you to follow to ride the rave. This makes it safer for everyone and avoids problems on the night. We’ve never had an issue in the 6 years of running this event, so let’s work together to keep it that way.
Protect Your Head Stay to the Left Stop at Lights Ride Straight Don’t Hate Pack Your Trash Don’t Get Smashed
IMPORTANT! We are not responsible for your safety; YOU ARE! We have done our best to ensure that the route is well lit and safe, but it does involve a little riding on the road and in the dark and past people. We should attempt to obey all traffic laws. If we get split up, we can rejoin at one of the several stopping points along the ride, so please stop at red lights and stop signs.
Bike ravers around the world unite! See you all next year!
Pablo Neruda and his wife, Matilda Urrutia. Image: Unapizcadechmha via Pintrest
Valentine’s
Day is celebrated internationally as ‘Lover’s Day’.
Poems are often shared as a way to express that which we love.
This
year, I’ve turned to Chilean Poet Pablo Neruda.
Neruda was a prolific poet, a political and social activist, and an international diplomat.
He had a wonderful sense of humour and wrote collections of love and life. Neruda also wrote many odes to celebrate simple daily objects that may be taken for granted, like tomatoes, salt and socks … and bicycles!
This is a gorgeous film in its own right, only made better by having the lead character delivering love poems by bicycle!
Perfecto!
So for all the lovers of bicycles – and the people who ride them, here is Pablo Neruda’s Ode to Bicycles.
Happy Valentine’s Day.
Enjoy!
Il Postino. Image: cranesareflying1
Ode to Bicycles
I was walking down a sizzling road: the sun popped like a field of blazing maize, the earth was hot, an infinite circle with an empty blue sky overhead.
A few
bicycles
passed
me by,
the only
insects
in
that dry
moment of summer,
silent,
swift,
translucent;
they
barely stirred
the air.
Workers
and girls
were riding to their
factories,
giving
their eyes
to summer,
their heads to the sky,
sitting on the
hard
beetle backs
of the whirling
bicycles
that whirred
as they rode by
bridges, rosebushes, brambles
and midday.
I thought about evening when the boys wash up, sing, eat, raise a cup of wine in honor of love and life, and waiting at the door, the bicycle, stilled, because only moving does it have a soul, and fallen there it isn’t a translucent insect humming through summer but a cold skeleton that will return to life only when it’s needed, when it’s light, that is, with the resurrection of each day.
Oda a la Bicicleta. Image: lesmolletsmoteursPablo Neruda. Image: Only Melbourne
This means that after three years of doing my PhD part-time, as of January 1st 2019, I’m going full time for the next two years and paid a stipend to complete my research!
Awesome!!
The scholarship means that I can take a step back from teaching so much and focus solely on completing my PhD and publishing a few journal articles.
I put the CSSS application in about two months ago. I worked hard on it and did the right thing by seeking advice from a couple of academics on how to boost my chances. I made edits and changes as needed and then submitted it with fingers crossed knowing because the CSSS is quite competitive.
Image: Ramzi Hachicho
Getting the call
I was in a shopping center at an Apple store when I got the call. I was putting my laptop for service and sitting at the customer desk with all the other customers. My help I have just gone up the back for a couple minutes so I took the call when my phone rang. It was GGRS letting me know that my scholarship application was successful. What a great call to get!
After I
hung up the phone I couldn’t help myself.
I turned around to face the store, and no one in particular, and called out excitedly to anyone who cared to hear:
“I just won a super competitive scholarship which means I’ll be paid to complete my PhD research for the next two years!”
The store erupted into unified joyous
celebration of clapping and cheering and people’s congratulations.
The couple next to me was smiling broadly and the woman said:
Can I give you a hug? It sounds like a hug-worthy event.
Hells yeah, said I! It was a lovely hug and a very memorable moment.
Three years
into my PhD and I know how important it is for motivation and progress to celebrate
milestones and achievements.
And this is certainly one to celebrate.
Image: Griffith University
So what is the CSSS?
Griffith
University offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships are available to
continuing HDR candidates who have successfully confirmed their candidature and
are progressing well with their research. The Continuing Student Scholarship
Scheme is designed to provide financial support to outstanding HDR candidates,
with the purpose of accelerating progress to thesis submission.
My
application entailed two steps.
I had to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
outlining my academic basis for scholarship eligibility (i.e. qualifications,
publications etc.), confirming I meet all other eligibility criteria, and
provide a referee report from my current principal supervisor.
Once the EOI was assessed by the HDR Convenor,
you can then submit an application.
I had discussed with Dr Christine McDonald (our
much respected HDR Convenor) that I was going for this scholarship. She was
fully supportive. She gave me some excellent advice on some extra bits to
include in the EOI and application and went into bat for me during the
moderation meeting where they ranked and argued over which applications the
committee was going to award scholarships to. I have no doubt that my
application success had a large part to do with her input. Thanks so much
Christine!
The application was quite intense. I had to put
together:
a covering letter
a Continuing Student Scholarship Scheme application form
a referee report from your current principal supervisor
an updated research outline and completion plan
an updated CV
evidence of research publications or other research outputs (achieved since original application).
The whole application took far longer than I excepted. But of course, it was well worth the effort. Not only did I get clarity around my PhD progress, but the end result was well worth the initial effort outlaid.
I am super excited about going full-time and super motivated to make the most of this opportunity.
Artist Studio. Creative Workshop. Innovation Space. Art & Design Workroom. Conceptual Atelier.
Call
it what you will.
Having
a designated space to produce original creative work is a blessing.
Most artists I know have some kind of space to produce work, leave out their tools, percolate ideas and have room to let their creative juices flow.
Very
few people who are not full-time artists (with the exception of retirees and empty-nesters)
are lucky to have such a space.
Personally,
I’ve never had such a space.
Until recently….
This year I have been working hard juggling teaching, PhDing and a range of other projects. I like to have one creative project on the go to help keep me balanced.
One of my ongoing side projects has been making custom-made recycled bottle cap medallions made only of recycled materials.
Regular readers of this blog will be familiar with them.
I make them out of bottle caps filled with predominately bicycle inner tubes and bike parts, but also miscellaneous materials, discarded paper, buttons, board game pieces, broken jewellery and any other manner of opp-shop or scrap bits-and-bobs.
I love how meditative the process is. I often will set aside a few hours, pull out all my gear, have a beer, put on some good music and settle in for a crafternoon session.
I’ve been making these medallions for nearly two years now and have quite a collection.
When I make them, I sometimes set up a ‘crafternoon’ workstation out the front of my house under the carport. I love working outside and the neighbors often drop in to say hi and see what designs I’m working on that day.
Invariably they’ll leave with a medallion that takes their fancy.
It still
makes me smile when I see my recycled bicycle medallions on hats, coats and
bags being worn around my community.
There’s a running joke around our streets that the locals are ‘supporting the arts’ by drinking beer and giving me the caps. Hilarious!
I often come home to find small bags of bottle caps in my letterbox or on the front steps. Gold.
Thank you to The Sunshine Family
But one
particular family have gone above and beyond.
Four months ago, a family (who I’ll call The Sunshine Family because they asked to remain anonymous, but you know who you are!) offered me the use of their double-fronted shed as a designated art workshop until the end of the year.
Oh joy!
What an
offer!
Hells yeah!
It is a massive, clean space and had everything I might ever need.
Having this studio meant I could have all my gear set out and ready to go.
I got so many more medallions done when I was in there.
Talk about productive!
Whenever I had
the time, I’d get in there and easily smash out 50 medallions at a time.
One of the best (and most unique) features of this space is the double-fronted garage doors rolled up to look out on the private backyard.
So when all the local musos came over for the weekly jam session, I had a primo position to enjoy the tunes, banter and company!
Best studio
ever!
But now it is the end of the year, so its time pack up my materials and return the shed.
This post is to say thank you to the Sunshines.
Thank you for letting me use the space so I know what it feels like to have a designated creative workspace, for the wonderful offer, for good company, for trusting me, for ‘supporting the arts’ and for giving me my first-ever studio space! I will treasure your thoughtfulness and generosity always.
To The Sunshine Family, a massive big, heart-felt THANK YOU!
