January 1992
The inaugural issue -- bumper edition
It would appear that our separate annual newsletters didn't quite
reach fruition this past year and have now degenerated into a biennial
issue (bumper edition nevertheless). In the interests of
streamlining editorial management, therefore, it has been decided
that this will be the first issue of a new combined
newsletter. Look forward to future issues!
The Big Decision!
One of the most agonising decisions we had to face this year was
in which beautiful European city to live next year - what a
choice! The field narrowed to two locations - Rennes, in Brittany
France or Karlsruhe, in the upper Black Forest region of Germany.
After months of agonising, vacillating between the two final
choices; we were given the ultimatum, and in one decisive
moment, the choice was made. This occurred at the stroke of
midnight, thus ensuing a flurry of electronic messages dispatched
across the globe, prior to our departure to Thredbo in the
Australian Alps. There is nothing like an ultimatum to decide the
issue. As a consequence, our place of residence for 1992 (and
possibly 1993) will be in Karlsruhe. The determinants for this
decision included its central location, the weather (we
understand it rains every second day in Brittany!), and (not
necessarily least), more Geld.
The position in Rennes was a postdoctoral position
researching super-workstations, i.e. how to build a microcomputer
as powerful as a supercomputer. The position in Karlsruhe is with
a software project developing and tuning scientific software for
Siemens supercomputers (similar to the type of work Russell was
doing at the ANU Supercomputer Facility). We don't have a
residential address as yet, however we can be contacted at
Rus's workplace from February onwards at the above address.
We are going to Europe via North America, as this has the best deal in
terms of airfares and luggage restrictions, not to mention the chance
to catch up with good friends. On the way, we will be visiting
LA, Disneyland, and San Fransico and San
Diego to see good friends, New Orleans for the Jazz Carnival, New
York for the Met. Museum and shows on Broadway, and Montreal also
to visit good friends.
STOP PRESS ... Another Big Decision!!
Since going to print
startling new developments have taken place! For those of you who
are physically unable to contain your inquisitiveness, turn
immediately to the last page i.e. Cheat! For the more morally
upright amongst you, read on.
And now back to our main story\ldots
The Year in Review
(pun intended - legally of course! See under: The Higher
Education Supplement)
In keeping with what we believe will become a time-honoured
tradition, we have decided to deal with the most important news
first. Accordingly:
The Social Column
Following on from the successful 1990 party season of the Exotica
Event and The Cocktail Party, this year's extravaganzas have had
more of a family flavour. In February, Kim's brother Greg held
a lavish landmark birthday party on the picturesque Fort Denison,
a Fortress island in Sydney harbour near the Opera House.
The theme for this party was Mystics, Conjurors and
Prestidigitators (upon rushing to the dictionary to find out how
to spell this word, I discovered it means conjuror). Ferry loads
of people dressed in long flowing cloaks and black pointy hats
left from pick up points on the North and South side of the
harbour bound for the island. They were met by champagne and hors
d'oeuvres bearing waiters on arrival. Dinner was served, and
people danced the night away to the sounds of a 60s revival band.
A high point in the evening was a tour through the turret. It
must have made a strange sight to passing yachts, ferries and
other water craft with 80 people parading around the top of the
turret in fantastical costumes. A good time was had by all. No
doubt the memories will linger on.
The other major party with a family flavour was a surprise
dinner dance birthday celebration for Kim's mother (Gwen). The
event took place in Cudal, a small country town of 390 residents
about five and a half hours west of Sydney, where Gwen was born.
This made keeping the secret of the celebration somewhat of a
challenge. 51 guests from various parts of Australia assembled at
the local bowling club, dressed in 1920s/formal gear, and while
the local band crooned away, awaited the guest of honour's
arrival. Gwen, who had been lead to believe that she was dining
at an exclusive restaurant (with the aptly misleading title of
``Le Rendezvous'') located in the vicinity where Kim's cousin
Nicki lives, was astounded to alight from the car beneath the
neon ``Cudal Bowling Club'' sign. Still thinking we were
desperately lost, but desirous of finding a toilet, she
exclaimed ``I hope no-one recognises me here!''. The irony of the
statement sent the rest of us into peals of laughter.
The evening was a raging success. Highlights of the evening included
a ``This is Your Life Presentation'', with slides, videos and
mystery guest speakers. (The preparation of which for Russell and
Kim consumed many an evening hour in which Kim's impending law
essays took second place - with little detrimental effect thank
goodness!) Another highlight was seeing every guest on the
dance floor, much to the delight of the locals, doing the Hokey
Pokey. (For the uninitiated, a dance in which no-one seems to mind
making a fool of themselves.)
The Sports Page
Having deposited Gwen on a flight from Canberra to Sydney (the
birthday celebrations extended for a full 3 days and
progressed to the Nation's Capital ) Kim and Russell got behind
the wheel again, in the company of Kim's brother, Greg, and
sister-in-law, Maggie, to assault the ski-fields at Thredbo.
The picture on the right tells the total story of Rus's skiing
prowess on the downhill slopes! Rus discovered a close affinity
with the snowy terrain. It was, however, a very pleasant few days
skiing.
The Higher Education Supplement
The good news is no more university fees or HECS for Kim!
Following the successful completion of two final annual
subjects in November (with results published shortly thereafter)
it can now be said that Kim is a Lawyer (or at least a fully
fledged Law graduate!) The four year slog of combined work and
study has finally come to an end.
One of the highlights of this academic year, as last year, was
Kim's participation in the annual Law Revue. The Revue took
place over 3 nights performing to capacity audiences
(approximately 1200 over the 3 nights). One of the stars of this
year's Law Revue was Kim's by now famous Pineapple outfit made
for the Exotica event. It had already achieved further notoriety
as a friend at an Elvis Blue Hawaii party wore the outfit as she
tapdanced to the tunes of Leif Garrett (if any of you can
remember this ignominious teenage idol!) The pineapple outfit has
since received further notoriety taking out first place honours
as part of a ``Fruit salad" in the Canberra fun run. (It should
also be noted that the borrower of the outfit, a friend of Kim's
and a fellow Law student, was shortly afterwards successful in
obtaining a coveted Rhodes Scholarship for which Kim was quick to
point out the obvious part played by the by now glowing pineapple
outfit! (A photo of the celebrated outfit and its owner can be
seen on the right.)
On a more serious note, half of the proceeds was given to Community
Aid Abroad and the other half was given to Homeless kids in Canberra.
Both worthy causes.
The Health Colon
The year, (or at least the latter half,) was unfortunately
marred by Kim contracting first glandular fever which (depending
on which medical prognosis you accept) then degenerated into Post
viral syndrome/ ME/chronic fatigue syndrome (these being only a
few of the names by which the disease goes by). In addition,
certain specialists felt that Tuberculosis (it seems
anachronistic!) might be a good contender in the diagnostic
stakes. ( Kim feels that this is highly unlikely and, more
likely, given her third world travels, that she has simply been
exposed to the disease and has built up a strong immunity -
nevertheless further tests are being conducted in this area.)
Of course, all of this was not particularly appreciated at a time
when final Law exams (fortunately only two were remaining) had to
be sat and Kim had returned to full-time work as well! At least
on this score, all's well that ends well, and the Higher
Education Supplement bears testimony to ultimate academic
success. The aerobics three times a week had to go, however.
Stop Press: The Second Big Decision
For those of you who have persevered through the preceding drivel and
for those of you who couldn't wait and turned to the last page first,
we've kept the biggest and the best news till last. We could tease
you along, building up the suspense, but we've decided to be kind. The
big news is that we have thrown principles to the wind and decided to
get married (with a capital M!)
The event is scheduled to take place at the end of April 1992 in
the charming, cobblestoned mediaeval town of Gruyères,
Switzerland. We have managed to persuade elated and stunned
members of both sides of the family to descend on the area at the
same time. A few day's will be spent either side of the wedding
(it still sounds such an awesome word!) at Kim's brother's chalet
on the mountain of Moléson, at which Gruyères is at the base.
Time for all concerned permitting, we then hope to rent a chateau
in one of the wine producing regions of France for a week. This
should ensure that 8 adults (ourselves included) and 2 small
children (Kim's niece and nephew) are adequately catered for and
satisfy our own ideas of romanticism. We are hoping to make it a
small, intimate and memorable event.
This is probably a suitably apt and happy note on which to end
this inaugural bumper edition of The Crichton Chronicle -
Standish Standard. We hope that your Christmas and New
Year just passed were joyous and that the coming year is filled
with happiness for you. We hope to be able to welcome you in
Karlsruhe, our residence for the next year or two. Until then
take care and find a moment or two to write!