Social Worker Guilt

     As a social worker fresh out of university, we come equipped with fresh ideas of how we are going to change the world, be the agent of change, to HELP people. Then give it ten years and one starts thinking about the people they have encountered over the years. Every once in awhile there is a child that crawls into your lap and camps out in your heart in the middle of all the chaos. For me it is a little one I met here. The child of a fifteen year old mother who is diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. They both needed a mother. I never saw as strong a bond as I have witnessed between these two in any family I've come across prior or since they came into my life. They were more like sisters than mother and daughter, and the point came when the daughter was gaining on the mother's knowledge and common sense. I'm not the caseworker anymore as I do just short term involvement, but this case I kept for many months past when I should, hoping things would improve. They didn't, they got worse, but yet that bond between them remained.
     I haven't seen this little one for many months, but I see her mother all the time in my local community, and despite what has transpired over the months, this mother will come up to me, all 4'10" of her and give me a big embrace. She smiles when I see her, calls me by name, and talks to me about her daughter, and how much they both liked me, that she misses me. I saw her again tonight, intoxicated, being followed around by two men who clearly were looking to take advantage of her. She came up to me again, and hugged me for more than usual. She wanted to tell me what her plans were for the night, get some food to cook for supper and go home. I knew it wasn't the truth. I felt sad knowing she would likely be going for more alcohol with these men, and end up who knows where while her daughter was raised by others. How can I help her? There is no easy answer. Her damaged brain makes it difficult to make the positive choices in her life, so she finds herself a victim over and over. Who will help her? What can be done?
     Her life story is full of trauma and ugliness, sprinkled with times with her beautiful daughter who has done exceptionally well despite the troublesome history. A bright and engaging child, smart as a whip, and charming to a fault, she captures the heart of everyone who encounters her. Her mother has clearly done many things well for this child who has beautiful manners, growing curiosity about the world. and most of all, unrelenting love for her mother. This too makes me feel sad. Will this child grow up knowing her mother? Or will she drift apart from her? Where will these two be in fifteen or twenty years when the child has grown and left the system far behind? Was there something I could have done differently to alter the path they were set upon? Was there something I did that caused the current path to continue? Will I even know what happened to them both? Not likely. It is rare that we get to hear what happens to the families we encounter over the years, particularly if as social workers, we ourselves move on to new opportunities in other towns, states, countries.
     Yes, I am feeling rather melancholy tonight, thinking about these two. I wish things could be different for them. They deserve to be happy. They deserve to live together. In an ideal world, they could be in care together, with someone helping them get through life together. I know there are programs like that around the world, but not here. Not now. My heart is heavy. I wish them well.

Raising Joeys

 So my friend K. fosters baby joeys that have lost their mother either through hunting or accident on the highway. These are Rose and Dora, just the cutest things! I fed one of the girls, and then they hopped around for a bit, and got their nappy changed before jumping headfirst into their pillowcases which is where they sleep as it's pouch like. They are then wrapped in blankets and sweaters to keep them warm as there isn't much fat on them yet to keep them warm. Cute as ever!!

Beware of Racing Camels

 So yesterday I went to my first ever Camel Cup here in Alice Springs. I went with friends which is always fun and we tossed back some cans of XXXX beer in the warm winter sun. I'd never seen camels racing and it was hilarious! Camels were clearly not cut out for racing as they are hard to manage. Some want to simply turn around and go back the other way, some just want to hang out with the crowd, and some buck their rider and continue bucking long after the rider has been thrown, while others just trot along with no rider enjoying the run. Crazy! Camels are such funny creatures, it was a joy to see their personalities come out. There were tons of people too, it constantly amazes me at how many people turn out for events here when there seems to be something going on almost every weekend year round in Alice Springs. I love it!

the real camel toe

What's Up Down Under

Life has been ticking right along here in Alice Springs. We are in the dead of winter now, and what a winter it has been...heh heh. Temperatures have plummeted as low as -4.7C at night, and as high as 30C during the day. I can live with that. I do not know how I will ever go back to a Canadian winter...

Of course, the frigid temperatures here in central Australia has sent the locals running to bundle up in winter boots, puffy jackets, hats aka beanies, scarves, gloves, and thermal underwear. I kid you not. Meanwhile I'm still wearing sundresses and sandals...which of us looks ridiculous in the hot afternoon sun? I'll admit the mornings are a little chilly and I do put on a cardigan to walk to work, but it is shed after I arrive and not worn for the rest of the day, as it doesn't take very long to warm up outside once the sun rises.

One would think they were in the frozen Canadian temperatures too with the issues people have been having with water pipes too. It happened at the house of a friend and in my building as well. Thankfully I have had no leaks but I reckon the freezing comes from having absolutely no insulation in the houses or around the pipes. I'm not sure why that is, because the winters do get chilly here, so why wouldn't you insulate your house and pipes? Winter comes every single year...

My garden continues to thrive, and I am getting very good at pressing that button ever day to water. Someday I may even figure out the timer...the birds have been coming in after my seed bells finally, and drive Dundee nuts as they swoop into the courtyard to feed. We have also had another feline in our courtyard, one that I would like to capture and set free about a 100kms from here, the little bastard. He stalks my house, and between the hours of 1-3am, comes into the courtyard to terrorize and taunt Dundee through the window. It's a huge orange long haired tom cat and sometimes he just sits there on the awning above the window, peeping down through it, while Dundee leaps up the window frames. Damn, Dundee is dumb as a bag of hammers sometimes...I don't know what he thinks he will accomplish by leaping at the window. I'm sure my neighbor must hear the racket and commotion each night when the bastard is out there. I haven't seen her in weeks to explain what has been going on.

Had a brawl break out in front of my building a few nights ago. I woke to people yelling in English, which was odd, so that tells me they were from two different mobs. There must have been about 10 people, and there was talk of weapons (which usually do not mean guns) and then I heard someone pick up a steel pipe from somewhere, so I called the police. Of course, then a car came by and they scattered like mice, so by the time the police came, there wasn't much going on. It did make me nervous though, as I knew someone was going to get beat if they hadn't broke up like they did.

Went to an 80's party last weekend and it was a hoot and a half. Between dancing to the retro tunes (yeah, my high school years are now considered retro years) and sending up fireworks, I had a great time. The fireworks were a bit risky, and totally illegal to set them off now, as the law states you can only purchase and use fireworks on Territory Day in the Northern Territory. They are banned in all of the states. I can see why...people lose their damned minds over them. For some of the fellas, the goal was to tip them over as they shot out at everyone and caught shit on fire. Great. One even flew under my car and I'm certain, if it burned much longer, my car would have gone up in flames...and I'm quite certain my insurance does not cover fireworks damage...

This weekend is the annual Camel Cup, which I'll be heading out to on Saturday with some friends. I didn't go last year, but plan to take it all in this year for sure. Apparently there is about 30 minutes of racing and the rest of the day is spent drinking pints...sounds like a great day!

San Francisco in Summer

     So not only am I going to San Francisco for Outside Lands in August, my daughter is also going! I didn't think she had any vacation leave left but she did, so I bought her a ticket and she's coming to hang out with me and my hippy friends in Golden Gate Park. There were several bands on the lineup that she was interested, some different from what were my favorites, but some of her favorites are the same as the other girls who are coming so we'll all enjoy 3 days of awesome music. Top of my list are Neil Young, Stevie Wonder, and Jack White...and I'm almost excited to see Metallica. It has been a long time since Metallica and I parted ways. Can I find my way back?
     One more epic adventure for the year and then buckle down for work to pay for it all, heh heh. I will sign up for more on-call shifts, and will be here over Christmas alone this year, first time in years. Then the heat of the summer comes back and I'm chillbernating in the air con. No steaming summer travel this year, thanks.
     Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans...let's get busy!

Outta Shape!

So today I had my good friend F. over for brunch - bacon and pancakes, fruit, juice. She had never had bacon together with pancakes before, and thought it was very odd. I was surprised! They are both breakfast food, so why wouldn't one have them together? In any event, she enjoyed the combination and the Canadian maple syrup. Then we went off for a hike up Mount Gillen. We were certain we wouldn't hike to the summit, as it is quite a hike and steep. Going with a full stomach was a bad idea...and for the first real hike this year, I was definitely out of shape. We made it nearly half way up. It was still a beautiful vantage point. Next week we will shoot for the summit, and have brunch AFTER the hike!

The Finke Experience

     So next weekend is the Finke Desert Race which takes place between Alice Springs and the community of Finke. People come from all over to race bikes, quads, cars, and buggies. I went last year to the start line for the cars and buggies, which was quite exciting. The more popular thing to do though is camp along the over 200km long race track through the desert scrub between Alice Springs and Finke. There is a parallel bush road to the track and people camp alongside that bush road the entire way. I didn't go last year as I didn't know many folks yet and the one friend I had made was away for the weekend. I did go to the start line last year with my bushwalking buddy, but he wasn't keen to camp as it was cold and rainy that weekend. Yes, it does get cold in the desert, but nothing like a Canadian winter, so no big deal for me. This year will be completely different - I know a ton of people and we have several of us heading out to camp together along the track, and it should be a total blast!
     The buggies are worth a half a million bucks if you can believe that, but they are so exciting to watch bouncing down the trail, vrroooomm! I didn't get to see the bikes or quads last year, so this year it will be new for me. It's also well known to be quite a piss up (drunk) which can be both exciting and annoying if you find yourself camped next to a group of rowdies, so choosing a good campsite will be very important. No services on the bush road either, so we have to bring everything, and boy am I glad I hung on to my portable toilet seat. I went out and bought a small shovel to go with it, as the rule is here, crap where you like, but bury it when you are done, so one must head off into the bush with the toilet seat, the shovel and some toilet paper. The toilet seat will come in real handy as it has legs so you don't have to squat/hover...I know men have it easy, they can just stand up and whiz, but women have a far more difficult task and as one gets more intoxicated, it becomes quite a difficult task, so the seat will hopefully help a great deal.

billy can

     I've been adding to my camping gear stock each time I head out, and have managed to gather a good collection of stuff to make camping a pleasant experience for all. I have a good bit of kitchen gear for outdoor cooking - no plastic plates or paper cups for me! I have not yet bought a billy can as I have a nice set of pots from Mountain Equipment Coop back home that works just as well, if not better. I may buy one at some point just for the novelty of it as they are super popular here in Australia. I also have a dual burner stove, a single burner stove, and a portable barbecue, so lots to cook on. I haven't had to use them much at campgrounds as they provide free gas barbecues at most of them. Well, at least their version of a barbecue. I like the open grill. I've been through a few tents and chairs so far, but have a real nice chair and am on my third tent. I've also had to replace the first table I bought. It was a nice table, but with repeated use, and cheap fittings, the plastic broke and the table became very unstable, which is not good when your supper is sitting on it, or the cookstove is boiling the kettle. I bought a better table in WA when my sis and I were camping out. I've also been using my foamie that I had in the Karma van which is not too bad on it's own, but I could use some more thickness. I might see about a better one that is not as wide and thicker. The ground is hard underneath when you're bush camping - no grassy spots to find, only prickly spinifex grass which is like needles.
     It will be awesome to be out under the stars again, so I hope the sky doesn't cloud over. Campgrounds are dark enough most of the time, but to be away from all artificial light will be just amazing. I've been able to find the Southern Cross every night, along with a few other constellations I hadn't seen before. We'll be on the last quarter of the moon next weekend, so won't get much brightness from that. Of course, we'll have a campfire, candles, lanterns and such, but because the landscape is so very flat around here when you're away from the mountain ranges, the sky is enormous! I shall be taking my good camera with me for some awesome photos.



the desert track

taking the bumps

bikes lining up

start line in Alice Springs

tearing up the dirt!

vrrrrrrooommm!

racing along the track

    So I've included some photos here from the internet of the race in past years. I'll be posting my own after we return from the races. I just wanted to put in a few here to give you an idea of what the race track and vehicles are like. Vrrooooommmm!