#music tutor Sydney

[benevolentthorn]

Where I think the counselors would work off-season:

Laura: I feel like her family would own a farm in North Carolina and that she would work with the different animals on the farm. She upkeeps their enclosures, feeds them, etc and provides horseback riding lessons for kids. She gained her love for animals from helping on the family farm starting at a young age.

Max: I don’t know why but I could see Max working at a movie theater concession counter. It’s not his favorite job in the world and he complains a lot to Laura about it but he enjoys seeing different movies come out and sneaking himself snacks when no one’s looking. I could also see him being good at math and tutoring middle schoolers on the side.

Jacob: I could see Jacob working at a sports and gym center as a sports instructor; most likely for either football or soccer. Jacob really loves his job because he loves sports and working with kids! He’s really enthusiastic with the kids he teaches and is always cheering them on to do their best! He’s really funny too and makes the kids laugh and he’s good at cheering up kids if they make a mistake. The kids love him overall. Sometimes Nick and Kaitlyn stop by to work out in the gym with him.

Emma: Realistically I don’t think she would work, since she’s an influencer and she gives me “rich parents who give her a credit card with large spending limit” vibes, but for the sake of this post I will say she would probably work a few days a week at Sephora. She really enjoys all of the different makeup and skincare products and would probably use her employee discount to go shopping frequently. She loves buying new products to review on her YouTube channel. She seems unapproachable and judgy to customers, but she’s actually very sweet and loves helping customers pick out products! Would probably quit the minute she encounters a karen though 😭💀

Abi: Pre game I feel like Abi would have worked at a lush in the same mall where Emma works. She mostly enjoyed it because she loves the different scents of the soaps and bath bombs. However, rude customers would make her very anxious, especially post-game. Post-game, I feel like she would start working at a café but not just any cafe….a cat café!! Abi LOVES cats and she enjoys making all of the different types of drinks. I feel like Abi would especially love boba and would come up with different boba recipes while working there. She also doesn’t encounter any karens because who would be a karen at a cat café of all places?? She loves playing with the kitties in her free time and Emma and Nick frequently stop by to see her, get drinks and pet the cats.

Nick: Nick always was in the restaurant industry. Pre game, he worked at a small restaurant in downtown Sydney as a waiter. Diners loved him but he was very shy and kind of awkward as a waiter, which is what made him consider working in the kitchen instead. Post-game he moved to America permanently and took a line cook position at, you guessed it, an Outback Steakhouse LMAO. He mostly enjoys the job, however he complains about how inaccurate the menu is for an Australian themed restaurant 😭💀. He mostly enjoys the job but sometimes he gets stressed out and becomes the Australian Gordon Ramsey. He works near the cat café where Abi works and likes to stop by to visit her and get coffee during his lunch breaks. He stays extra longer if he’s having a stressful day and pets the cats.

Dylan: Dylan works at a music/record store both pre and post game. He loves the job because it’s not very stressful and he gets to discover different kinds of music just by stocking the shelves and looking through all of the records and CDs that come in! I feel like Dylan would have a wide range of music knowledge and taste and would especially love classic rock and older pop music. The owners love him and he is frequently named employee of the month! He is very chatty with customers and will have their ear for long periods of time nerding out about different bands and artists!

Ryan: Ryan’s first ever job was at a hot topic in the same mall where Abi and Emma worked. He mainly picked up the job to save up for animation school and to help support Sarah and his grandparents. Due to lack of hours, he moved to a Spencer’s shortly before the events of the game. It didn’t take long for him to quit though because he got annoyed with the amount of jokes he would hear about “the back” (if ykyk 💀). Post game, Ryan got even more interested in the paranormal. For this reason, he took up a job at an antique store located right next to the record shop Dylan works at and he really loves it. The owners pay him well and when he’s alone, he likes to investigate the history on all of the antiques and see if he can encounter any spirits. Since they work right next to each other, Dylan and Ryan like to visit each other frequently like the lovebirds they are 💕

Kaitlyn: Kaitlyn first worked at a dick’s sporting goods, since she enjoys sports and fitness. She somewhat enjoyed the job up until one day when she got into an argument with a karen, which resulted in her getting fired. Jacob, like the great friend he is, put in good word for her at the center he works at and helped Kaitlyn get a job as a receptionist for the gym area. She enjoys the job much better and she eventually gets promoted to a fitness instructor position, where she hosts her very own fitness classes! She also gets to bully Jacob as much as she pleases 🤭

If you enjoyed this post, please send me headcanon asks! I really would love to share all of my thoughts on the characters! 💕

[scary-movies-on-netflix]

NOCTURNE (2020)

This movie is about Juliet (Sydney Sweeney) and Vivian (Madison Iseman), who are twins, and they attend a music high school together, but before we get to them we watch as Moira plays “The Devil’s Trill” by Guiseppe Tartini (18th century).  Then she throws herself off a balcony.

Now, to the twins.  They return to school, and the principal tells everyone that, since Moira died, they need a replacement performer for the big school concert later that quarter.  They will hold a competition in Moira’s memory.  We then see the students practicing.  Apparently, Juliet is good enough to turn the pages for Vivian.  The sisters talk about what they’re going to play for the competition, but just then Moira’s old notebook falls on the floor, and Juliet sweeps it up.  Juliet practices her Mozart, but she really wants to play Saint-Saens, which is Vivian’s piece!  She tells “Dr. Cask,” a teacher, that she will play the Saint-Saens, instead of Mozart, and then practices late into the evening.  She hears music from another practice room and ends up in the same room where Moira died!  Juliet finds a symbol etched into the wall, and it matches a symbol on the front of Moira’s notebook!  Juliet plays “The Devil’s Trill” from the notebook, which is also filled with strange drawings.  There are five drawings, but then the next page is missing.

Anyway, the next day is the big competition.  Juliet gets her period.  They go to the auditorium for the competition.  Juliet takes some pills.  Vivian plays the Saint-Saens.  Then Juliet plays the same Saint-Saens!  Awkward!  Then…Juliet is in a world of red!  That is, she’s in a red hallway.  There’s a brilliant yellow light at the end of the passage.  She ends up in the practice room (where Moira died) and steps out onto the balcony, where she looks down on herself completing a successful concert performance.  Everyone is clapping, and the Juliet on the stage looks up at the other Juliet and smiles.  Then Juliet wakes up in the auditorium, by the piano.  The principal tells her that she passed out.  “How’d I play?” she asks.  “Was I good?”

Later, Vivian is furious at Juliet, and Vivian even won the competition, so all of Juliet’s efforts were for naught.  She goes to practice with her tutor, who tells her that she can have a perfectly fine career as a teacher or a member of a chamber group.  Juliet says that she’s sacrificed everything for music and wants more.  Her teacher tells her (and us) that she only applied to Julliard, and no other schools, and since Julliard didn't accept her, her career is on hold.  Juliet then insults the man, and he slaps her.  He is suspended, naturlich, and Juliet demands to be taught by Dr. Cask, who is also Vivian’s teacher. 

Vivian responds by putting some bloody tampons in Juliet’s mailbox.  Juliet goes to yell at her (on a roof), and Vivian plays it off as now they’re even.  “Together forever,” she says.  Juliet goes to her first session with Cask, and he asks why she changed her piece (to Saint-Saens).  “I want to beat her,” Juliet says.  Cask explains that the sisters are essentially equal in skill, but Vivian “plays like the Devil is at the door.”  Juliet asks about Moira.  “She played like the devil was in the room.”

That night Juliet looks at the drawings in the notebook in the mirror, because Moira could write backwards.  The pictures have various ominous titles, but they aren't really important.  Later, as Juliet is sleeping, she wakes up to a glowing yellow light in her bathroom.  She sees Moira, whose head is bashed in!  She smiles at Juliet, who then wakes up.  She receives a text from Max, Vivian’s boyfriend, who invites her to the “senior party.”  They head over.  Juliet takes some drugs and is freaking out.  She overhears Vivian telling someone that their affair is over.  Juliet then talks to Max, Vivian’s boyfriend, but Vivian finds them and thinks that they’re flirting.  The sisters shove each other, and then Juliet runs off.  Juliet sees a brilliant yellow light before her, maybe like an eyeball, and she falls to her knees, but Vivian runs right past her and falls off a cliff.  Max goes to help her and tells Juliet to tell everyone else to leave the party.

Juliet wakes up in the morning.  She has scribbled “VI” on a bunch of papers.  She is summoned to the principal’s office, and the woman explains that Vivian broke her arm in two places, and is suspended!  The principal offers Juliet the solo in the big school concert!  Vivian is pissed.  There is some more bickering between the sisters.  Juliet talks to Max, Vivian’s boyfriend, about Moira’s notebook, and then she tells him that Vivian is cheating on him.  After some more stuff, Juliet and Max end up in practice room and have sex, and then Max runs away.  Then we join the sisters, their parents, and Cask for the girls’ birthday dinner.  Mom asks Cask about the future of “classical” music, since its audience is aging and shrinking, and Cask extols the sacrifice of musicians.  “So long as there are people who appreciate that sacrifice, real music will live on.”  Vivian dumps the birthday cake on Cask.

Cask then takes Juliet to his house.  Juliet looks at a second-place prize he won twenty years previously.  He tries to encourage Juliet, but she kisses him!  He says that she’s misread the situation, but she tells him that she knows he and Vivian have been fucking.  She makes fun of his second-place prize, and she says that’s she going to be “great.”  Cask then tells her that truly great musicians are already accomplished by Juliet’s age.  “You’re not going to miss your chance at greatness, Juliet.  You already have.”  She throws his second-place trophy, a conductor’s wand, into the fireplace.  He tries to save it.

Juliet goes to her room and draws another picture into Moira’s notebook.  It shows a woman standing on an edge, and it says, “SACRIFICE.”  She burns the notebook.  She wakes up the next morning, the day of the big concert!  She goes to a dressing room and puts on a nice dress (the one she was wearing earlier in the vision) and then Vivian enters.  She asks, “What did I do to make you hate me, Jules?”  Vivian recounts a childhood memory, where she had to pull a panicked Juliet off a stage.  Vivian says, “I told you I would always be there for you.”  Vivian accuses Juliet of taking everything from her, but Juliet says that now she’s better than Vivian.  “We’ll see what those scouts from Julliard say when the understudy walks out onstage in ten minutes’ time.”  Vivian laughs and says that schools like Julliard don’t send scouts.  “It’s the best art school in the world.  It doesn’t need to.”  Juliet is shaken.  Vivian calls her “mediocre.”  Or, “mid,” as the kids say these days.

Anywho, Juliet goes out onto the stage.  Everyone is looking at her.  She sits at the piano to play, but she freaks out and runs away.  She sits in a stairwell and bangs her head against a door, but then an “EXIT” sign flashes yellow at her.  It leads her to a ladder going to the rooftop, and Juliet climbs up and then moves to stand on the ledge of the building.  A brilliant yellow light, like the symbol on Moira’s notebook, glows at her, and she steps off the ledge.  Inside the auditorium, Juliet completes her performance, and everyone is clapping for her.  Even Vivian is smiling at her.  The principal says, “Juliet, you’re a star.”  “I am,” Juliet says, and then we are back outside, where we see Juliet’s bloodied face as she hangs off a big art piece in the courtyard.  She manages to smile before dying.  People walk around the courtyard.

This was ok.  There are hints of “Black Swan” (2010), what with the protagonist’s obsession with artistic greatness, but that movie was a work of art.  This was middling.  The movie is supposed to be about sacrificing everything for art, but it lacks any the mania displayed in “Black Swan” or even, say, “Whiplash” (2014).  (“Not my tempo!”)  We also have maybe hints of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Price” (2009), where Harry Potter is inspired by one of Snape’s old notebooks, but that movie actually shows us how the book teaches and inspires Harry Potter.  “Nocturne,” on the other hand, simply says that Juliet is somehow a better musician, without showing us that she’s actually better or explaining how she accomplishes that improvement.  So, yes, the story isn’t great, but the acting is fine.  Sydney Sweeney and Madison Iseman are competent as bickering sisters, and Sweeney does what she can with the artistic mania.  They both adequately pretend to play the piano. There are some strong images, such as the first red hallway, and the ending is nicely creepy and ambiguous, but everything is dragged down by the lackluster and underdeveloped plot.

[multifandom-re-write-01]

Nari's Backstory

Before 1995

Nari's parents met in university when they studied the same major, her mother was an exchange student from China coming to study business, while her father is born and raised in Australia

After falling in love, the two married as soon as they graduated from university, getting marriage visas in China and Australia for the significant other

Building a business together in medical health, it became successful to the point that they do international business with China and Japan (eventually South Korea and America later in the years when Nari is an idol), and were known for being one of the first young couples to achieve such a successful business

1995

Once the parents' business was stable and they had a steady income, Nari was born on the 22nd of October, 1995

She was born in Sydney, Australia, where she grew up for most of her life - thus, becoming an Australian citizen

She visited China when she was a toddler during holidays so her mother's side of the family can visit, which is when she began to learn Mandarin alongside English (and also received Chinese citizenship)

2001 - 2007

Nari attended Primary School in Sydney, but whenever it was the holidays, she would travel to China with her parents for their work

Sometimes she would stay in China with her grandparents while her parents travel elsewhere, though her parents always make sure to keep in contact with her and finish their work as soon as possible so they can reunite with their daughter

Occasionally, she would have holidays in Australia and be with her father's parents so she can also enjoy the life of Australia - this usually happens if her parents worry that they're bringing her around too much and not letting her enjoy the childhood that she should have

2008 - 2012

When Nari started high school, she would attend the first six months before she joins her parents overseas as their work started to become more demanding. While overseas, she would be homeschooled by the top tutors in China/Japan, and would also receive extra lessons to improve the language and how to act in public

Since her parents' business is well-known, it is expected of her to make appearances sometimes at some events so she would be trained on how to act professionally and 'noble' around her parents' coworkers and partnered businesses

Because of this, it was hard for Nari to relate to her high school classmates back in Australia as they didn't have the lifestyle she had, and was often bullied by her classmates for being 'rich' and being treated like 'royalty' most of her life. Because of this, Nari dropped out of the public high school in the last year of high school and did homeschool for the rest of the year

2012 - 2015

After completing Year 12, Nari decided to participate randomly in SM's Global Auditions after coming across SHINee and Exo on the SBS Channel in Australia on the show called 'PopAsia'

After passing auditions, Nari moved to Seoul with her parents (which is when her parents started making partner business in South Korea) and began training at SM

Due to her homeschooling which consisted of a variety of subjects that included musical instruments and languages, Nari became one of the top trainees that SM kept an eye on (also because they realised who her parents were, so they respected her), but this led to jealousy with other female trainees - thus, pushing her away from them, and instead drifting to the male trainees who would later become part of the same group

2016 - 2019

After a lot of hard training, Nari debuted in 2016 with NCT U and NCT 127, receiving lots of criticism and hate for being the only female member in NCT - on the other hand, there were some who recognised her for being the daughter of her parents, so they found her amazing for being an idol

By NCT 2018, fans became used to her and began to like her - especially when she debuted in 2019 with WayV and SuperM, because they got to see more of who she was and see the talent she had

On the other hand, there were some fans who didn't like the fact she was in multiple groups, claiming her to be stealing the attention of other members and commenting on her upbringing again

Bonus: 2019 is the year she and Taeyong began to date

2020 - Present

After covid struck the world, Nari decided to devote that time to exploring other areas such as music production which she then helped produce most of NCT's songs from that time and onwards (also choreography)

She also became interested in photography and afterwards modelling, accepting invitations to fashion shows and magazine covers

She is now considered one of the top successful idols currently being the only female in NCT/WayV/SuperM, being talented in multiple musical instruments and languages, producing music and choreographies, and becoming a model for big fashion companies. Not only that but also becoming an iconic role model for youth - especially to the young women

Bonus: There are rumours going around that she might participate in some acting or variety shows, but nothing is confirmed officially due to her already busy schedule

Masterlist

Tags: @multifandomania06 @stopeatread @sunflower-0180

[scotianostra]

Happy Birthday Scottish operatic soprano Isobel Buchanan.

Buchanan was born in 1954 in Glasgow,and won a scholarship to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where in 1974, she was awarded with Student of the Year prize. She also won the Governor’s Recital Prize that same year.

In 1975 she auditioned for Richard Bonynge and Joan Sutherland and was offered a three year contract with the Australian Opera. Her professional debut was in January 1976, singing the role of Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, one she was to repeat many times throughout the world.

She made her British debut at Glyndebourne in 1978, again singing Pamina, in the Cox/Hockney production and in 1981 she sang The Countess in Peter Hall’s production of The Marriage of Figaro, a role repeated for the 50th Anniversary of the company in 1984 with Bernard Haitink conducting.

1978 saw her as Micaela at the Vienna State Opera in the legendary production by Franco Zefirelli, with Domingo, Obratsova and Mazurok. Conducted by Carlos Kleiber, the performance was broadcast live throughout Europe and released on CD and DVD.

Isobel’s Covent Garden debut was in Parsifal, conducted by Solti. Among other roles, she went on to sing Sophie in Werther, with Alfredo Kraus and Teresa Berganza, later recording the opera with Jose Carreras and Frederica von Stade, Sir Colin Davis conducting. She has appeared in opera houses in Cologne, Paris, Munich, Santa Fe, Brussels,Hamburg,Sydney, Wellington Chicago (with Pavarotti and Bergonzi) and Monte Carlo (with Raimondi).

She has also appeared with all the major British orchestras and has collaborated with many of the world’s leading conductors, including Solti, Haitink, Andrew Davis, Colin Davis, Celibidache, Pritchard, Mariner, Kleiber and Menuhin.

Isobel has made numerous recordings and in 1981 the BBC made a documentary, La Belle Isobel, of her career up to that time. She has had her own television series and has also appeared on such programmes as Face the Music and The Michael Parkinson Show.

After bringing up her two daughters, Isobel has recently resumed her career singing recitals with Eugene Asti and Malcolm Martineau at St John’s, Smith Square, as well as performing Sheherezade with the South Bank Sinfonia and, most recently, Haydn with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Walton’s Façade with Jason Thornton and the Bath Phil at Longleat.

She also teaches voice privately, is a regular tutor for the Samling Foundation, gives master classes and workshops throughout the UK and teaches at the Guildhall School as a visiting professor.

I’m quite biased because this was my mums favourite Burns song, just listen to the clarity in her voice, Perfect….

[ulkaralakbarova]

Christian is an extremely talented as well as unpredictable football player. After his latest screw-up, the president of his team decides to assign him a personal tutor, to help him in controlling his temper. Valerio is a shy and solitary professor, the exact opposite of the champion. Sparks will fly between the two at first, but soon their relationship will change both for the better. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Valerio Fioretti: Stefano Accorsi Christian Ferro: Andrea Carpenzano Alessia: Ludovica Martino Cecilia: Anita Caprioli Nico: Mario Sgueglia Tito: Massimo Popolizio Sylvie: Yuliia Sobol English Football Journalist: Douglas Dean …: Luca Elmi …: Ilir Jacellari Madre di Alessia: Sonia De Meo Paola: Camilla Semino Favro Uomo Elegante: Andrea Onori Super tifosa di Ferro: Holly Irgen Film Crew: Story: Leonardo D’Agostini Story: Antonella Lattanzi Producer: Sydney Sibilia Costume Designer: Valentina Taviani Screenplay: Giulia Louise Steigerwalt Music: Stefano Ratchev Music: Mattia Carratello Editor: Gianni Vezzosi Producer: Matteo Rovere Director of Photography: Michele Paradisi Movie Reviews:

[memorableeventz]

Party Ideas for a Special Occasion

Whether it's your 18th, 21st or 81st birthday, it's always a good idea to celebrate with friends. Luckily, Sydney offers many options to help you do just that.

Get creative and host a DIY night, or go all out with a store takeover. If you love soul music, try a live band at a jazz or soul club.

Theatre

A day out at the theatre is always a winner for birthday parties, especially in Sydney. Whether you go to see the Tina Turner Musical or embrace your inner Mamma Mia dancing queen, there’s sure to be a show to delight all.

Entermission’s unique social VR with hand tracking is a fun birthday Party Ideas Sydney for kids and adults alike. It’s a perfect way to bond as a group and provide countless laughs and ‘wow, this is cool!’ moments.

Art Galleries

Art galleries are the perfect spot to soak up the culture in Sydney. You can enjoy a glass of wine while perusing the artworks, or learn to paint and sketch under a skilled tutor.

Roslyn Oxley gallery has been shaping the art scene since it opened its doors in Paddington in 1982. They showcase artists that push the envelope, both aesthetically and conceptually.

Camping

If the groom-to-be isn’t a fan of female exotic dancers and wants something more relaxing for his last night out before marriage then consider camping in Sydney. You can even book glamping spots for the ultimate experience.

Another party idea is to book a cruise. This way, you don’t have to worry about booking rooms, finding a designated driver or making food reservations. It’s a simple, stress-free option that still makes for an unforgettable night.

Boating

Boat parties are a great way to get people mingling and having fun. Whether you want to hire a luxury yacht or a casual catamaran, there are options available for every style and budget.

Fancy dress is a great way to make a party boat theme extra fun. Men can rock a Hawaiian Tropical theme and ladies can find something in their closet that’s flowery or colourful. It’s also an easy theme to organise.

Glamping

Sleeping under the stars and waking up to picturesque views of Sydney sounds like the perfect birthday party idea. Glamping is available in various sites around NSW, with packages ranging from basic campsites to erected and furnished luxury tents.

Want a bucks party that’s more exciting than the typical dinner and drinks? Activites like nude body sushi won’t disappoint. Or you could try your hand at clay target shooting – perfect for sticking it to the buck!

Brewery Tours

When planning your birthday party, you want something that will be truly unique. You want to find an activity that your friends and family will remember for years to come. And Sydney has many options that will fit the bill.

For example, you can go on a brewery tour. It's a fun way to release your inner ninja while learning about craft beer. Or, you can try a wine road trip. That's perfect for those who love to drink!

Theme Parks

Looking for a thrilling way to celebrate your birthday with your friends? Forget the old fallbacks of dinner and drinks in a bar.

Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or just wanting to get creative, Sydney events party hire has some awesome activities to offer. Climb the Harbour Bridge for a dazzling new perspective of the city, or try out axe throwing for a friendly team competition.

If you’re a foodie, why not take a cooking class? Learn a new skill and walk away with a tasty treat.

Workshops

The Best Man has a lot on his plate – he’s helping to pick out the groomsmen’s suits, providing emotional support during bridal fittings and of course planning an unforgettable Sydney Bucks party. While bar crawls and lap dances can be great options, sometimes you need something a little different.

Workshop parties are a fun and unique option that tap into teens’ love for learning new skills and fostering their creativity. Try a wheel throwing pottery class, a dumpling making workshop or even a brush lettering (very insta-worthy) class!

[braindocacademy]

A Comprehensive Analysis of NSW's Selective Schools

Introduction:

The NSW Selective Test schools are regarded as some of the state's most prestigious and competitive educational opportunities. They give pupils a challenging academic curriculum and the opportunity and resources necessary to achieve in the classroom and other areas.

The Procedure for making an application

The admissions application period for elite schools in New South Wales normally begins in April and continues through June each year. Students interested in attending a selective school must first take the Selective Practice Tests and then apply through the Department of Education. You will be allocated three spots, each of which can be filled with one of your top three choices among the selective schools. After that, the Department of Education will examine each application and decide eligibility based on the applicant's test scores and other relevant factors. 

What sets the NSW Selective Schools apart from other schools?

Selective schools in New South Wales provide exceptionally brilliant and talented children with a one-of-a-kind and rigorous educational experience tailored to their specific needs. Students at these schools have access to the newest forms of technology, are housed in buildings of the highest caliber, and must follow a rigorous academic curriculum that sets them up for future success. Additionally, selective schools typically provide their students with various extracurricular activities, including athletics, music, drama, and other areas of interest, allowing them to explore their passions and develop new abilities. Selective schools encourage intellectual rivalry, which certain students thrive on, while others may find it high-pressure and potentially unpleasant. It is important for you and your child to research the schools you are interested in, inquire about other people's experiences, and take into account your unique circumstances.

What kind of study strategies are recommended for the Selective Schools Test?

Tutoring in college, private tutoring, and practicing online have traditionally been the three primary ways students have prepared for the Selective Practice Tests. Although every student has a unique preference regarding how they like to study, it is in everyone's best interest to investigate their options before settling on a single approach. 

The 2021 version of the Selective High School Placement Test will be used for the 2022 school year. The new exam places a heavier premium on critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving. The relative importance of test questions requiring reasoning, reading comprehension, and math is also modified. The NSW Selective High School Test Department of Education commissioned the 2018 Review of Selective Education Access report, which informed these adjustments. The 2022 placement exam will still be administered on paper. Students can showcase their reading, mathematics, critical thinking, and writing talents on the 2021 SHS placement exam.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sydney High School Ranking provide exceptionally bright and talented kids with an academic experience that is one of a kind and rigorous. These schools give students the resources and opportunity to thrive academically and in other areas by providing a challenging curriculum, up-to-date facilities with technological advancements, and many extracurricular activities. If you live in Sydney and are interested in entering a selective school, you must get familiar with the admissions requirements, the application process, and the preparation methods.

Article source :- https://www.peptalkblogs.com/a-comprehensive-analysis-of-nsws-selective-schools/

[solheimisms]

Modern AU

LIMITED VERSE -- this means we must have ongoing interactions in the Mass Effect verse if you'd like a thread in this verse, either with this muse or one of my other muses.

Miranda is the eldest daughter of Henry Lawson and Astrid Solheim, and was born in Sydney, Australia. For years, they struggled to conceive a child, but Miranda was miraculously conceived via IVF, while other embryos were frozen. Because of Henry Lawson's booming business connections, Miranda was enrolled in a prestigious private school, as well as with private tutoring lessons and violin lessons. She became a child prodigy, performing a number of violin recitals and became somewhat of a local sensation. As she became a teenager her popularity only grew, and she became well-known in the music community. Despite this, Henry Lawson was intent on having Miranda take over the company at some point, and at the age of sixteen he had her enrolled in advanced business classes.

Miranda chafed under his authority, stating that she wanted to study music and continue her career as a star violinist. This caused some rifting between them, with Henry eventually agreeing that Miranda could study both, so long as she was enrolled in business classes at the same time.

When Miranda turned eighteen, her younger sister Oriana was born. This caused even more of a rift between them; behind the scenes, Astrid was not entirely agreeable with the pregnancy, and she and Henry often fought about it. Not long after Oriana's birth, Astrid mysteriously disappeared. While most of the cirumstantial evidence pointed at Henry Lawson, there was not enough concrete evidence for a case.

Due to the mysterious circumstances and Henry Lawson's involvement, it was determined that he would not be a fitting guardian for Oriana, and Miranda was granted full guardianship of her baby sister, along with a significant sum of money: Astrid, years before, had set up an insurance policy with Miranda as the sole beneficiary, leaving her a comfortable sum to live off of while looking after her sister. However, Miranda came to realize this was unsustainable, and instead looked for a family that would adopt Oriana, ensuring that the adoption was closed and that the files were sealed, so that Henry Lawson would have no contact with Oriana.

Suspecting her father’s involvement in Astrid’s disappearance, Miranda enrolled herself in a forensic psychology program in the United States, completing her degree while maintaining regular contact with her sister’s adoptive family, though she never made contact with Oriana directly. She completed her degree with significant honours and perfect scores. Since then, she has worked in the field of forensics, further completing degrees in forensic psychology and criminal justice.

[necros-writing-stuff]

Could you do a few headcannons about Avery being PC's parent. I ultimately see them as the type who makes sure everything is PERFECT

You're right, anon.

Avery is a parent who demands the utmost perfection from their child.

No tattoos. Only ear piercings. No dyed hair.

Your grades have to stay up. If they drop, you're getting a private tutor - and Avery would ignore you if your tutor wanted more than money as payment. You're lying to get away from working.

Same with any bad-mouthing of Leighton. They're an upstanding citizen, you're just wanting to skip school.

Your clothes are all perfectly tailored and your diet would be made by dieticians to keep you healthy. You're expected to exercise.

You will know the classics - books, films, music.

And you will know how to play either viola/violin, piano, or the harp.

Your partners will be scrutinised. Heavily. Whitney is a hell no, Kylar maybe, if they wash, Robin is also a no, Sydney a maybe. Alex is a no. Great Hawk and Black Wolf might get you disowned. And Eden wouldn't give you back anyways.

Will encourage you to keep any and all sexual excursions under wraps. Their child will not be labelled as a whore.

At least your allowance is big.

[transparenttriumphzombie]

Amanda Lepore (born November 21, 1967) is a transgender American model, singer, and performance artist. A former Club Kid, she has appeared in advertising for numerous companies. Lepore is noted as a regular subject in photographer David LaChapelle's work, serving as his muse, as well as many other photographers, such as Terry Richardson and Ruben van Schalm. She participated in LaChapelle's Artists and Prostitutes 1985–2005 exhibit in New York City, where she "lived" in a voyeuristic life-sized set.

Lepore has released several singles, many written by and/or recorded with Cazwell. In 2011, she released her debut studio album, I...Amanda Lepore, on Peace Bisquit.

Amanda grew up in the Essex County community of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, with one sibling, an older brother. Her father was an Italian-American chemical engineer, and her mother was a German-American housewife. Her mother had schizophrenia and spent much time in mental institutions. Lepore later wrote that "Ever since I can first remember, I knew I was a girl. I couldn't understand why my parents were dressing me up in boys' clothing. I thought they were insane."

In her early teens, Lepore began making costumes for a transgender friend in exchange for female hormones. Having already grown isolated from her peers and schooling, her parents withdrew her from public school and hired a private tutor. They also took her to a psychologist, who helped her obtain a prescription to begin hormone therapy.

At the age of 17, and through a legal loophole, Lepore married a male bookstore owner. She was granted permission for gender affirmation surgery, which she had at age 19 in Yonkers, New York. Lepore later left her husband. In 1989, she relocated to New York City.

In the early 1990s, Lepore tried to establish herself as a nightlife figure (including being a member of the Club Kids). She supported herself by working in a nail salon, as a dominatrix, and later as a cosmetics salesgirl for Patricia Field. After meeting photographer David LaChapelle one evening while hosting at Bowery Bar, she began collaborating with him.

Modeling and acting Lepore has appeared in fashion magazines, including French Playboy, Ponytail, DAMn and TUSH. She is on the cover of Lords of Acid's 1999 album Expand Your Head and on Thighpaulsandra's 2006 album The Lepore Extrusion.

Because of her association with the Club Kids, Lepore had a cameo in the documentary Party Monster: The Shockumentary (1998) and the feature film Party Monster (2003). She can be seen briefly in the fashion spoof comedy Zoolander (2001). She was featured in the documentary Dig! (2004) and in Another Gay Sequel (2008). In 2016, Lepore had a major role in José André Sibaja's film The Zanctuary, where she played a drug dealer called Miss Divine. Other cast members included Joey Arias and Sophia Lamar, with whom she also appeared in 2018 documentary I Hate New York from Spanish director Gustavo Sanchez.

Lepore has had cameos in music videos for artists including Elton John, Thalía, The Dandy Warhols, Girl in a Coma, Grace Jones, Keanan Duffty, Sharon Needles, TIGA (for his cover of "Sunglasses at Night"), and the alt rock band The Drums (for "Days"). Lepore appears in many of Cazwell's music videos, including "Watch my Mouth" and "All Over Your Face".

She was Chief of Parade at the 2010 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Australia.

[a---z]

TRANSMISSIONS

www.transmissions.tv

For the sixth and final episode of Season 3, we are pleased to announce an episode curated by Tosh Basco with Sophia Al-Maria, Patrick Belaga, Kelton Campos, Enantios Dromos, Josh Johnson, Asma Maroof, Fred Moten, Lorenzo Moten, Julian Moten,  Matthew Stone and Wu Tsang broadcasting on Wednesday 6th October 9PM BST / 4PM EST / 4AM CST REPLAY on Friday 8th October 10AM BST / 5AM EST / 5PM CST TRANSMISSIONS is back for Season 3!  In the past year we have learned that all forms of community are vital in providing mechanisms to support each other through this precarious time. In the continued pandemic landscape that we occupy many artists, writers and thinkers have had and continue to have exhibitions, opportunities and subsequent fees postponed or cancelled. In response to this, we established TRANSMISSIONS in 2020 as an online platform that commissions artists to share their work within a classic DIY TV show format. Our new season for 2021 comprising 6 episodes will stream on a monthly basis via our website from March to October 2021. Season 3 is supported by: BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Chisenhale Gallery, Forma Arts and Media, Manchester International Festival, Netwerk Aalst, Somerset House Studios, South London Gallery & Wysing Arts Centre.

Episode 6 | 6 October | 9PM BST | 4PM EST | 4AM CST REPLAY |  8 October | 10AM BST | 5AM EST | 5PM CST The Band and Friends The things that emanate from the ones I love. W/ Sophia Al-Maria / Tosh Basco / Patrick Belaga / Kelton Campos  / Enantios Dromos / Josh Johnson / Asma Maroof / Fred Moten / Lorenzo Moten / Julian Moten / Matthew Stone / Wu Tsang Tosh Basco

Tosh Basco is a movement-based performance artist whose work operates through improvisation as a mode of survival and world building in the liminal, performative space where becoming meets representation. Adamant about the visceral experience of live visual performance, she makes a case for how the movement of form can communicate what remains impenetrable in images, and through language. Her performances have been presented at the Gropius Bau, the Venice Biennale, the Sydney Biennial, the Whitney Museum of American Art, MoMA PS1, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, MOCA Los Angeles, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, ICA London, and Berghain. Tosh Basco has toured with Mykki Blanco, and collaborated with Korakrit Arunanondchai and Wu Tsang, as well as the streetwear label Hood By Air.

Thank you to:

All contributing artists, writers, composers and thinkers; Vanessa Carlos; Carlos Ishikawa; Adam Sinclair; Chloe Page; Maxwell Sterling; Simon Parris; Gabriella Price; Donald Smith; BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art; Cinenova; Chisenhale Gallery; Forma Arts and Media; Manchester International Festival; Netwerk Aalst; Somerset House Studios; South London Gallery; Wysing Arts Centre.

Transmissions.tv @transmissions2021

TRANSMISSIONS collective is composed of:

Anne Duffau is a cultural producer, researcher, and founder of A—Z, an exploratory/nomadic curatorial platform exploring artistic practices and knowledge exchange through collaborations, presentations, soundscapes, screenings and discussions. She has collaborated with a range of projects and organisations including ArtLicks, Southwark Park Galleries, Mimosa House and Danielle Arnaud Gallery, London Please Stand By, or-bits .com, PAF Olomouc Czech Republic & Tenderflix. Anne has previously run the StudioRCA Riverlight, London programme (2016-2018) and is currently the interim curator at Wysing Arts Center, a Tutor at the School of Arts and Humanities, and is the acting Lead in Critical Practice, within the Royal College of Art’s Contemporary Art Practice Programme. She has performed live music under Alpha through a number of projects and collaborations.

Hana Noorali is an independent curator and writer based in London. In 2019 she was selected (together with Lynton Talbot) to realise an exhibition titled The Season of Cartesian Weeping at The David Roberts Art Foundation as part of their annual curator’s series. She curated Lisson Presents at Lisson Gallery, London from 2017-2018 and from 2017 -2019, produced and presented the podcast series Lisson ON AIR. In 2018 Hana edited a monograph on the work of artist and Benedictine Monk, Dom Sylvester Houédard. Its release coincided with an exhibition of his work at Lisson Gallery, New York that she co-curated with Matt O’Dell. In 2007, she co-founded a non-profit project space and curatorial collective called RUN active until 2011. In Spring 2021 Hana and her curatorial partner Lynton Talbot published an anthology situated at the intersection of language and art with (p) (prototype) titled Intertitles. Forthcoming exhibitions include projects at Galerija Prozori in Zagreb, Croatia (2021) and Amant Foundation, New York (2022). Hana has written for Art Monthly, The Harun Farocki Institute, The Moving Image Review & Art Journal amongst other publications.

Tai Shani is an artist living and working in London. She is the joint 2019 Turner Prize winner together with Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Helen Cammock and Oscar Murillo. In 2019 Tai was a Max Mara prize nominee. Her work has been shown at Turner Contemporary, UK (2019); Grazer Kunst Verein, Austria (2019); Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Italy (2019); Glasgow International, UK (2018); Wysing Arts Centre, UK (2017); Serpentine Galleries, London (2016); Tate, London (2016); Yvonne Lambert Gallery, Berlin (2016) and Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin (2016).

Lori E Allen is a sound artist and experimental composer working in video, soundtrack/design, text and sculpture. Her collaborative work has been shown and performed in Tate Modern South Tanks, Chisenhale Gallery, Glasgow’s CCA, the Whitechapel Gallery, London Science Gallery, and the Royal College of Physicians. Some publications include Tears of the Material Vulture on the Tapeworm, A Hopeless Place on Wormhole Records, and Pluto’s Return on Bloxham Tapes. She is the Production Director for TRANSMISSIONS.

Mika Lapid is a London based sculpture graduate working as a creative assistant and maker in film and art. She worked with Our Workshop (NGO) and assisted Georgina Gratrix in South Africa before moving to the UK where she currently assists Tai Shani. Alongside this Mika freelances as an art director, set dresser and maker. She is the Production Associate for TRANSMISSIONS.

[whateveridreamup]

The Job Offer

Hi There

Here is the first post for my new story, centered around Taron and a main female character named Claire. There will be many (many) more chapters to come, centered around themes of friendship, lust, and eventual love. This is Part 1 of the first Chapter, as the introduction is a little long.

I hope you like it! Send me any comments you have :-)

*Disclaimer- I don’t know Taron, have never met him, and this is just a work of complete fiction

x

The Job Offer- Chapter 1 (Part 1)

  “Higher! Higher Mummy!” giggled Isabella

 “I’m not sure I can…bounce…any…HIGHER!” Claire replied as she gave one final almighty stomp on the trampoline, sending her and Tom flying high in the air. The screeches of joy that escaped them were like music to Claire’s ears. Hearing her children’s laugh and giggle was truly the best sound in the world.

She was interrupted from their bouncing by the sound of her phone ringing on the trampoline step. Peering at the screen through the trampoline net, she could see the name of one of her colleagues, Amy, flash on the screen. Odd, she thought. She didn’t often get calls from her, especially on a Sunday afternoon.

“Hang on a minute you two, I’ll just answer this and see what my friend wants. You guys keep playing, I won’t be long.”

 The kids happily went back to their game as Claire removed herself from the trampoline enclosure rather ungracefully, grateful for the fact that no one could see how uncoordinated she looked doing it. She grabbed the phone off the step and pressed to answer it.

 “Hi Amy, how are you?” Claire answered, slightly breathless.

 “Claire, hello!...Are you ok? Have I caught you at a bad time?”

 “No not at all” She replied “Just playing with the kids in the backyard, enjoying this beautiful weather. What are you up to?” She enquired, trying to figure out what she could possibly be calling her for on the weekend. They saw each other once a week at the school they both worked at, but it was unusual for them to call each other outside of those times.

 “I’m actually just home from a meeting. It’s what I’m calling you about actually. Have you got a minute to talk? I’ve got a bit of a work offer for you” Amy explained, her tone hopeful.

 Well now she had her intrigued. “I sure do- What’s happening?” She asked as she sat down on the bench seat in the yard.

 “Well, I’ve been offered a job- a sort of tutoring or home schooling set up for a family that has moved out to Sydney all the way from Wales. They have moved here for the Dads work and are out here for around six months.”

“Wales?? My gosh that’s a long way to come- how one earth did you score this job?” Claire interrupted her, wondering out loud.

 “Long story- basically my Aunty is friends with a friend of their family, they were looking for a tutor and my name got thrown out there. Lovely family. They have two girls, aged 8 and 10.” she added.

“The job is for four days a week, starting immediately, and going for around 5 months until Feb I think at this stage? Anyway, I had accepted the job and was meant to start tomorrow, but now Michael has been offered a huge design job for our business, and I really need to work on that with him full time for the next couple of months.”

 “Oh” replied Claire “Well that’s awesome for Michael and for your business, Isn’t it?” Claire asked, noticing the angst in Amy’s voice as she spoke.

“Well yes, it’s amazing for us,” She acknowledged “But as you can probably figure out by now, I’m in a bit of a mess. I’ve committed to this teaching job and the family are relying on me, but I really need to take on this work with Michael because our business really needs it.” She paused for a second before asking her the big question “So I was wondering……Would YOU have any interest in taking on the teaching job?”

 The question caught her off guard, and she felt her jaw job and her eyes widen in surprise. This was certainly not a question Claire had been expecting to be asked today. She was silent for a moment as she let her thoughts gather. Although the offer had taken her by surprise, Claire was certainly not unhappy about it. She had been working across two different schools as an emergency teacher for the past couple of years, trying to consistently build up four solid days of work a week to keep the family finances ticking over on her single income. Finding a school that could cater to that for her, whilst also allowing some flexibility in days or hours was a task she had found near impossible.

She shook her head, a little stunned by the offer her friend had presented her with. “Wow...I’m a little shocked actually Amy. What made you think of me?”

 “Well,” She responded “I remember you mentioning to me in the staff room the other week how you would love to be a little more settled with work, and not have to be in two different places every week. When I was thinking of someone that could potentially take over this job for me- someone that I trust and that I know is a great teacher, and someone that might like the stability of this kind of work, you came to mind straight away.”

 “Gosh I’m flattered” Claire replied honestly “I guess the main question I have is what the hours would be for a job like this? I’m not sure how I’d go working longer than school hours- there is only so much I can rely on the grandparents for drop off and pickups and babysitting duties….”

 “Oh no the hours are great” Amy interrupted her “The family are really flexible- they only want someone four days a week like I said, from 10 until around 2, so you could still drop your kids off and pick them up from school. You wouldn’t even need to ask the grandparents to help out with that anymore. Or send them to before or after school care.’ She added, trying to make the job sound even more appealing to her.

 Claire was silent as she took in this additional information. She really was making this sound almost too good to be true.

 “And as another note” She added “The salary they are offering is excellent, too- well above emergency teaching rates. AND, they have rented a place out in Lane Cove, so not too far from you, either! See? Doesn’t it just sound perfect?” She probed gently, trying to gauge Claire’s response.

 Claire chuckled as she listened to Amy trying to talk it up as much as possible. It was true that she was listing many of the things Claire had been searching for in a job. If she took on this position, she could stop doing emergency teaching and settle into the one job, and still have one day a week to herself to sort out the house, shopping, and anything else the kids or her family needed from her. It would also mean relying less on her families help with the kids, and more importantly, more stability for her- something she had been trying to achieve for the past two years.

Amy could hear her friend silent on the other end of the phone and started to worry.

“I’ve overwhelmed you a little, haven’t I. I’m sorry. Would you like some time to think about it and call me back?” she offered.

 Claire didn’t need any longer to think about it. She knew that offers like this didn’t just come up all the time- to turn it down would be foolish.

 “No, no, my mind is just racing with all you have said...but I’m definitely interested” She replied confidently.

 “Oh, that’s BRILLIANT!” Amy exclaimed. “I just had a good feeling about calling you!”

 The two girls stayed chatting on the phone for another 10 minutes, talking through some more details about what kind of work would be expected from Claire, what she already knew about the two children and their schoolwork in Wales, and a promise to send through some of the background work she had been researching on the curriculum in Wales. As they started to wind up their call, Amy left her with the phone number of Tina, the mother of the family.

 “I’ll give them a call now and let them know that you are interested, and maybe I’ll set up a meeting for you both, say…tomorrow, if you’re sure that’s alright with you?”

“Perfect” Claire replied, a huge grin on her face.

 As the two girls hung up, Claire looked over at her kids, now happily playing tag with each other. Life had certainly been chaotic for the three of them over the past couple of years. She knew that some form of steady job that didn’t involve her working in a different place every day, was exactly what she and the children needed right now. The idea of being able to work with just two children, and really help them to progress in their academic work was also incredibly appealing and exciting. She let out a long, heavy sigh, her mind racing and full of anticipation. She stood up from the bench and walked back over to her children.

 “Come on you two!” She called out to them “Let’s go and start making dinner together. I’m thinking hamburgers- that work for you two?” She asked, knowing full well what the response would be.

 “All RIGHT!” Exclaimed Tom, a huge grin erupting on his face. She smiled back at them both as they ran past her into the house, wondering how she had gotten so lucky to have two such awesome kids.

 After dinner Claire received a text from Amy to say that the family were happy to meet with her tomorrow as a sort of interview. She noted down the families address which was only around 15 minutes from her place, and mentally planned her outfit for tomorrow in her head. She wanted to make a good first impression, as the more she thought about her chat with Amy, the more she started to really want the job.

 Once her children were both fast asleep, their lunches made for school the next day and the house looking somewhat tidier than it had looked earlier, she sat down with her computer and started to do some preparation for the interview. She opened the email Amy had sent her with her notes on the Welsh Curriculum, and studied it carefully, wanting to prepare herself as much as possible for tomorrows meeting. From what she could understand, it aligned quite nicely with the Australian curriculum in Numeracy and Literacy, with similar expectations for student achievement at each age bracket. After making some notes in her work planner, she finally packed it up and got herself ready for bed. The prospect of a job interview the next day and a possible new job arising from it had her buzzing, and she found it difficult to sleep. When sleep finally did overtake her, her thoughts were focused on new beginnings and all the exciting opportunities that could arise from it.

[geminiblackout]

//As said in Holt’s diary, their family moved around a lot when the boys were growing up. This is a big reason why Jackson and Heath know each other, but don’t have a strong relationship, while Heath and Holt never met at all. The cause for all the movement and job switching was both in part Sydney’s and the boys’ fault, where a sudden switch or anything that could arouse suspicion of a monster living in a normie neighborhood would push them out.

Generally Sydney would move at the first hint that someone may know her or her boys’ secret, there were only a couple times where she was fired directly because of her Hyde. Of course, she never let her sons know this, instead explaining it was important for her to spread her knowledge to as many schools as possible as she took on jobs as a teacher, tutor, or substitute. Now she has a job at Marston High, close to Monster High, where she hopes to remain while the boys finish High School.

Neither Jackson or Holt formed many friendships because of the constant moving, but Jackson was able to form some relationships with his classmates before moving again. Holt, however, did not have the advantage of going to a traditional school and having the opportunity to socialize and relied extremely heavily on his image and his music to make himself seem popular enough to be well-liked by acquaintances when he wouldn’t have the time to develop lasting relationships. Holt learned to never create close bonds, as he was almost never told when he would be moving next. This also influenced him to be well guarded and reject authority, as the one keeping him from socializing and going out of the house was his own mother out of fear she would have to move again if he was seen.

[blackswaneuroparedux]

In the past few weeks I have really felt as if the Suez Canal was flowing through my drawing room.

- Clarissa Spancer Churchill Eden, Countess of Avon, on the Suez War 1956

Clarissa Spancer Churchill Eden, Countess of Avon  turned 100 on 28 June 2020.

When she was born Lloyd George was Prime Minister and her uncle Winston Churchill was Secretary of State for War and Air. Her father Jack’s parents were Lord Randolph Churchill and the beautiful Jennie Jerome. Her mother was also a beauty, Lady Gwendoline Bertie. As an only daughter Clarissa felt over-loved and smothered.

Clarissa was never much interested in politics. Self-contained and silent as a girl, she would say, ‘I only spoke when I had something to say’. She made her debut with Deborah Mitford and Pamela Digby, but wanted more and was tutored by famed Oxford philosopher, Isaiah Berlin and Lord David Cecil.

She then joined a heady milieu of artists and writers - Lord Berners, James Pope-Hennessy, Edith Sitwell, Cecil Beaton, Greta Garbo. Her life was like an early volume of Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time. Evelyn Waugh and Duff Cooper were hopelessly in love with her.

But at 32 years old she went from High Bohemia to High Politics on maarrying Foreign Minister Anthony Eden - a surprise to many in high society. The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney and Evelyn Waugh protested that Eden had a wife still living. Much of Waugh’s moral outrage was down to personal jealousy and his unrequited love for Clarissa. Eden had indeed been a loveless marriage to his first wife Beatrice but in 1950 they finally divorced, and in 1952 Anthony married Clarissa.

Anthony Eden was no slouch as he sailed through Eton and, like many of his generation, he served in the First World War losing two brothers killed in action along the way. Eden himself served with distinction in the trenches and front lines of that bloody war. At the age of 19, he was the youngest adjutant on the Western Front and by 1918 because of his conspicious bravery, at the age of 20, Eden became the youngest brigade major in the British Army. He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for her war time service. After the war, he studied Oriental Languages (Persian and Arabic) at Christ Church, Oxford, starting in October 1919. At Oxford, Eden took no part in student politics, and his main leisure interest at the time was art. Eden was in the Oxford University Dramatic Society and President of the Asiatic Society. Along with Lord David Cecil and R. E. Gathorne-Hardy he founded the Uffizi Society, of which he later became President. Possibly under the influence of his father he gave a paper on Paul Cézanne, whose work was not yet widely appreciated. Eden was already collecting paintings.

Eden read the writings of Lord Curzon and was hoping to emulate him by entering politics with a view to specialising in foreign affairs. He went into politics and became an MP at the age of 26 years old. In Parliament he quickly made a name for himself and was already being talked of as a future Prime Minister. He was gently mocked for his fussy self-image and was often regarded as the best-dressed, best-looking politician of his time - although one rival rival said of him, “half- beautiful woman; half- mad baronet’.

Clarissa was deeply in love with Anthony, and he with her. But she wasn’t quite prepared for the high stakes of politics as her husband climbed the greasy pole of political advancement. Eden was deeply ambitious and he eventually became Foreign Secretary in 1931.

Clarissa recalled, ‘My first visitor was the wife of the head of the Foreign Office, Lady Strang, who came to tea….I did wonder what I had got myself into when her opening remark was ‘I hope you are not going to denationalise steel – it is doing so well’ I had previously had no views about steel’

Within 3 years, Anthony at last achiecved his life’s goal and became Prime Minister, having at last succeeded Clarissa’s uncle, Winston Churchill who stepped aside for the younger Eden. Was she the most beautiful cultivated chatelaine of No 10 since Catherine Walpole? Many did then and many think so today. 

A gall-bladder operation gone wrong and the debacle that was the Suez Crisis made for a short and unhappy time for Eden as PM and a trying time for Clarissa. She was famously quoted as saying ‘in the past few weeks I have really felt as if the Suez Canal was flowing through my drawing room’. This was said in a rare political speech at Gateshead on 20 November 1956, but picked up and widely reported.She later regretfully conceded that “drawing room” was perhaps an unfortunate metaphor.

Nevertheless the Suez War took its toll and Eden eventually found his health broken. His stellar political career lay in ruins as Haorld Macmillan plotted behind the scenes (a fact that Clarissa never forgave him for). Eden resigned in 1957 and in 1961 accepted an Earldom (of Avon). Both Anthony and Clarissa enjoyed 20 leisurely years between Wiltshire, Stratford, Paris and the Caribbean.

Her main loves are art and opera, she loved to travel and, though not one for discomfort, she would endure any amount of it to find an obscure chapel in Serbia. In later life she took up sub-aqua swimming, happily enjoying life in deep waters. Though she read serious classics, she took an unexpected enjoyment in soap operas like Dallas, greatly entertained by the antics of J. R. Ewing and Cliff Barnes with their huge Stetson hats, talking about their “Daddies”.

A great many people bored her and still do, but she takes a wry enjoyment from that. I heard an anecdote from a friend that once after a dinner, when she said, “I think we have exhausted the social possibilities of this evening, don’t you?” - a more elegant way of saying it was time to go.

In many ways Clarissa remains a reminder of a nobler age of Britain and who embodied many of the values that made Britain so great before the sunset of its empire and the dawn of counter culture of the Modern Britain of the 1960s. She has always remained enigmatic person, the soul of discretion but fiercely devoted to her loved ones. Above all, she has been a woman of substance in control of her own destiny.

[somerandomwriter1234]

Sydney to the Max Fanfiction: Sydney’s Secret Sister

14 Years Ago...

Max Reynolds was sitting at a kitchen table with a young boy as he said, "And so that's how you multiply that fraction. You get it?" The boy sighed and said, "I guess. But I'm still a little confused." Max then smiled as he said, "Hey. The first step to improving is recognizing what needs to be improved." Then a woman entered the room and said, "How's my little boy doing with his math homework?" Max then said, "Definitely a lot of improvement today ma'am." The woman then said, "Oh come on Max. You can call me Debby. Okay son, you can go to your room and play video games now." The boy then got up and walked away as he said, "Yay!" As Debby sat next to Max she said, "Well Max, you're definitely one of the best tutors I've ever hired. Do you have kids?" Max turned his head and said, "No. Me and my wife Alicia only just got married, and she's too busy with her work as a doctor for us to even consider that right now." Debby smirked as she said, "I understand that. My husband is way too busy with his work to help provide me another kid if you know what I mean. It's been so long since I've even touched another man. Actually, may I..." Debby then pointed to Max's arm, as Max giggled a bit and said, "Sure." Debby then gently touched Max's arm and said, "Mmm. That's some nice arm muscle you got there Max." Max smirked as he said, "Why thank you." Then Debby quickly moved an arm down and touched Max's upper leg and said, "And nice leg muscle down there too." Max then slowly moved away and stood up as he said, "Um... thank you Debby. Anyway, I should be going." As Max began to head out the door, Debby smiled and said, "Well you're always welcome here Max."

The Present

Sydney and Olive were digging through boxes in the garage as Max walked in on the two. Max then said, "You find my old music equipment yet?" Sydney sighed and said, "No dad. Still looking though." Olive then said, "I still can't believe you were in a band in college Mr. Reynolds." Max smiled as he said, "Well it was really just one of many attempts to make some extra money in my 20's. Not only did I try making money playing in a band, I also took up tutoring and running an underground grilled cheese sandwich restaurant from my college dorm room." With a smile, Olive said, "I had a feeling about that when you gave me your old portable oven. Thanks so much for that by the way Mr. R. It was the best Christmas present ever." Max smiled as he said, "You're welcome Olive. So, find my old amplifier Syd?" Sydney sighed and said, "No. But considering we still have fifty more boxes to go through, I'm sure it'll turn up." Max then said, "Well call me if you need anything." Max then stepped out as Olive said, "Wow Syd. Your dad must've held onto everything he ever got in his life here." As Sydney opened one box she said, "Yeah. Look at these old books." Then as Sydney picked up one book, an envelope fell out from between the pages. As Olive picked it up she said, "Hey Syd. Look at this old envelope. It's addressed to your dad but there's no return address." Sydney opened the envelope, and looked at a paper inside as she said, "There's no name listed in terms of who wrote this. But it says: Max, I got tested and took the ultrasound at the hospital today and got the final confirmation. I'm pregnant with a little girl. I know if Alicia finds out, this will destroy your marriage, but I know it's better for you to know the truth than hide it." Olive's eyes widened as she said, "Sydney. Does this mean..." Sydney had a horrified look on her face as she put the paper down and said, "Olive, my... my dad cheated on my mom, and I... I have a secret sister."

14 Years Ago...

Max sat a kitchen table with a young boy as he said, "Great work. You have come so far with multiplying fractions." The boy smiled and said, "Thanks Mr. Reynolds." Then Debby stepped into the kitchen and said, "Okay now son. Off to your room." The boy then stood up and said, "Yeah, yeah. I know. So you can get another of your hour long talks in with Mr. Reynolds. See ya." The boy then walked away as Max and Debby looked at each other for a moment, and then Max said, "I guess we do talk a lot after every tutoring session." Debby sighed and said, "Yeah. It's just... with Frank at work so much, it is nice to talk to another adult." Max then said, "Yeah. And with Alicia out of the country helping deal with medical emergencies in other countries for so long now, I feel the same way." Debby sighed and said, "It's just... if our spouses loved us so much, you'd think they could be there more for us." Max nodded and said, "I know." Max and Debby then looked into each other's eyes silently. Then the two two moved their faces forward and kissed. Within seconds though, Max moved his face away as he said, "Debby, I can't..." Debby then said, "But Max. We've been feeling this tension for six months now. Maybe we should..." Max then stood up and said, "Maybe we should... just end this conversation now." Then Max walked out of the room.

The Present

Sydney and Olive were sitting alone together at at a table near the mall as Sydney said, "I... I just don't get it Olive. How could my dad cheat on my mom. Dad loved mom. He's one of the most loyal and caring guys on the planet." Olive then said, "Sydney, you only have a handful of years' worth of memories of your parents being married. Maybe there was some drama that happened when you were little, or before you were born." Sydney sighed and said, "Yeah. You could be right. But... I still can't over the fact that I have a secret sister out there. A half sister, but still... I mean before this morning, I thought I was an only child this whole time. But now..." Olive smirked and said, "I hear ya. Suddenly it feels like another piece of your heart is out there, and you wanna know who it's connected to." Sydney nodded and said, "Yeah. But first... I need to talk to my dad about this because... I just don't understand how my dad could have cheated on my mom."

14 Years Ago...

Max sat on a couch while holding a phone next to his ear as he said, "Alicia, what do you mean you're not coming home for another five months!?" Max then heard his wife Alicia say, "They're having a bad outbreak here Max. It's my job to help cure all these people." Max sighed and said, "I know you have a duty to help others Alicia. But what about your duty to me and our family? Your patients have many doctors Alicia, but I only have one wife. I need you with me honey." Alicia then said, "I know Max. I know we wanna start a real family one day, but my work..." Max the interrupted Alicia and said, "Your work can't be your whole life Alicia. You need to balance personal and professional needs at some point. I mean, we've only slept together in the same bed just once (when you came home briefly last week) in the last four months. When's the next time we get to sleep together Alicia? Nine months? Twelve!?" Alicia sighed and said, "Max... this is hard for me." Max then angerly said, "Well this is hard for me too!" Then Max angerly hung up the phone, tossed it to the floor, and then walked out the door.

The Present

Max was putting away some groceries in the kitchen, when Sydney walked into the kitchen looking nervous. Max noticing Sydney, then said, "Hey Syd. How was your trip to the mall? You and Olive get some nice new outfits with that gift card I gave you both?" Sydney nodded and said, "Yeah dad. Olive loves her new dress she got with it. But dad... I need to talk to you about something." Max looking more direct at Sydney now said, "Sure. What is it?" Sydney then held up the letter she found earlier and said, "Dad... I found this in a box of your things." As Max saw the letter, his face began to look horrified and guilty as he said, "Sydney, I..." Sydney then had tears in her eyes as she said, "How could you do it dad!? How could you cheat on mom!?"

14 Years Ago...

Max knocked on the door to a small house. Debby answered the door as she said, "Max?" Max looking around said, "Are Frank and the boys here?" Debby turned her head and said, "No. They went with him on his business trip like I told you." Max then stepped into the house and closed the door behind him as he said, "Good." Max the instantly kissed Debby and wrapped his arms around her. Debby then broke the kiss as she said, "Max... are you sure?" Max nodded and said, "Completely sure." Then Max picked up Debby and took her to a bedroom. Then Max and Debby quickly took off all their clothes as Max got on top of Debby and pulled a blanket over them. Max then pushed his body onto Debby, as Debby said, "Ohh! Oh yes Max. Ohhh! Ohhh!"

The Present

Max sat in front of Sydney at the kitchen table as he said, "It was before you were born Sydney. Your mom was gone on long trips helping people fight diseases in other countries, and..." Sydney then interrupted Max and said, "Oh, so it's mom's fault you cheated on her?" Max turned his head and said, "No Sydney. It was completely my fault. A man needs to be loyal to his wife and his family, no matter how hard it is. And yes Sydney, I failed. But you have to understand, I've regretted cheating on your mom every day of my life since my affair ended. Since you were born, I promised myself I'd never let anything divide me and your mom again. I promised myself I'd never hurt her again, just like I promised I'd never try to hurt you." Sydney then with an angry face stood up and said, "Well you did hurt me dad. You cheated on mom, and that's the worst thing in the world you could have ever done!" Then Sydney stormed out of the kitchen, leaving Max alone and sad.

13 Years Ago...

Max and Debby were both laying naked in a hotel bed together with a blanket covering them, as Max smiled and said, "Wow. We climaxed about... what... five times each today? That's gotta be a record for us. Oh wow, that was just what I needed for a long lazy Sunday afternoon." Tears then appeared in Debby's eyes as Max noticed and said, "Debby, what's wrong?" Debby then wrapped a blanket around her body, and stood up as she said, "I'm sorry Max. We can't do this again. We can't ever do this ever again!" Max looking confused said, "What's wrong Debby? Do you think Frank suspects? I mean, there's no way Alicia could know about us, so..." Debby turned her head and said, "It's not that. I... I've been living in denial for the last several weeks but... Max... I think I'm pregnant... with your baby." Max sat up with wide eyes as he said, "What!?"

The Present

Sydney and Olive were watching several other preteens their age playing music at an outdoor stage. As they watched the preteens play, Sydney then said, "Wow. Those kids are good." Olive then said, "I know. You've got some tough competition for this music contest." Sydney then said, "Oh man. When I get super nervous, my voice sounds terrible." Then Olive said, "Too bad. You sounded great when you recorded that demo the other day." Sydney then said, "Wait. That's it. I'll just play my demo for the contest and lip sync to it." Olive then said, "Wait. Isn't that cheating?" Sydney then said, "The judges said I can use already recorded background music for my performance, and even pre-recorded backup singing. I'll just be using my demo as the ultimate back up." Then a loud voice said, "Next up to the stage... Sydney Reynolds!" Sydney took a deep breath and got on stage and connected her phone to a large amplifier. Sydney then began to sing her song while standing up, but within seconds, Sydney while taking a step forward: tripped and fell down. Realizing her vocals from her demo could be still heard, Sydney realized everyone could tell she had been just lip syncing. In humiliation, Sydney then ran off the stage.

13 Years Ago...

Debby sat on a park bench alone. From nearby, Max walked over to Debby and sat down next to her as he said, "Hey. I got your letter. Listen, I..." Debby then interrupted Max and said, "No, let me say everything first. Max... I'm going to work everything out with Frank. We've already talked a bit and he's already gotten a new job so he'll stay at home more with me and the boys. I... I love Frank, and no matter what happens, I want my marriage with him to work." Max nodded and said, "Yeah. And I should do the same thing with Alicia. But... what about our child?" Alicia took a deep breath as tears appeared in her eyes as she said, "Max... there's something difficult I need to tell you."

The Present

Max was cleaning the living room when Sydney walked in through the front door looking humiliated. Max then looking at Sydney said, "So... can I ask how the competition went?" Sydney then sat down on the couch silently as Max eventually sat down next to her. Sydney then looked at Max and said, "Dad... I forgive you. What you did to mom was wrong but... well, today, I experienced how easy it can feel to fall into the trap of wanting to cheat. It may not have been on the scale of cheating you did but... I think I understand how you might have felt now. Like how a moment of weakness can feel. And I know you're sorry, because you've always forgiven me for every time I've been sorry. And... I'm sorry dad." Sydney then hugged Max as Max said, "No apology needed Syd. I'm indeed the one that's so sorry for hurting you. And I promise every day I'll try to be a perfect dad for you." Sydney then looked at Max as she said, "You're not a perfect dad. But you always try. And that's what really makes you perfect. But now that we've gotten past all that... dad... I'd like to meet my secret sister now, wherever she is, or whoever she is." Max had a sad look on his face as he said, "Oh Sydney. I'm sorry but... the woman I had an affair with... she lost the baby. You know what the term miscarriage means?" Sydney now looked devastated as she said, "No. I mean, yes, I know what it means but... you mean I don't have a secret sister?" Max turned his head and said, "No. But I promise you, had the child from my affair been born, I would've helped take responsibility for her. I would've helped provide for her, and definitely would've made sure you'd get a chance to grow up alongside her. I know this is hard to hear Sydney but..." Sydney turned her head and with a brave face said, "No, it's okay dad. I've still got you. That's what matters."

13 Years Ago...

Max was preparing food in the kitchen, when Alicia wearing a long coat walked through the door and said, "Hello Max." Max's face lit up as he said, "Alicia!" Max and Alicia ran into each other's arms and kissed. After a moment, the two stepped away as Max said, "You're home early! How..." Alicia then said, "I thought long and hard about what you said and you're right. There's plenty of sick people out there that need my help to feel better, but there are other people that can help them. However the only person that can help Max Reynolds feel better is me." Max then said, "But Alicia, your work is important. I don't want you to give it up." Alicia then said, "But I'm not. I already got a job at the local hospital. I'll still be using my skills for good. But now it means I get to come home nearly very day now to you and our family." Then Max said, "Wait. Are you saying..." Alicia then took off her long coat and showed her stomach size had increased as she said, "I'm pretty sure it happened last time I was home four months ago. Max... you're going to be a father." Max then smiled as he said, "Alicia. I love you so much. And I promise from now on, I will be 100% committed to you and our child forever!" Max and Alicia smiled and then kissed once again.

The Present

The doorbell rang, and Sydney opened the door seeing Olive. Olive smiled as she said, "Ready for our week long sleepover!" Sydney smiled as she said, "Totally!" Then Max walked into the room as he said, "Hey Olive. You have all your things you need for the week?" Olive then said, "Yep Mr. Reynolds. Thanks for letting me stay over again this week. I always get queasy when my family decides to take their annual week long tour of the world's fastest roller coasters." Then suddenly Olive's mom appeared at the front door and said, "Olive, you forgot one of your suitcases." Olive then took the suitcase and said, "Oh, sorry. Hey Mr. R. You mind taking these up to Sydney's room while the two of us start doing our makeup?" Max then said, "Well maybe you two should start learning to..." Olive then smiled and said, "Thanks Mr. R. You're the best!" Then Sydney and Olive ran up the stairs together. Max then looked at Olive's mom as he said, "That's middle school girls for you." Olive's mom smiled as she said, "Well... thank you Max for always being there... for our daughter." Max nodded and said, "I always will be. By the way... does Frank still think..." Olive's mom then said, "Does he still think Olive is his daughter? Well there are times I think our thirteen year long deception is about to crack, but... so far, so good. Still... if he did find out, I think he would still care for Olive for the rest of his life." Max nodded and said, "And I know I'll still be doing the same."

THE END

[scotianostra]

Happy Birthday Scottish operatic soprano Isobel Buchanan.

Buchanan was born in 1954 in Glasgow,and won a scholarship to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where in 1974, she was awarded with Student of the Year prize. She also won the Governor's Recital Prize that same year.

In 1975 she auditioned for Richard Bonynge and Joan Sutherland and was offered a three year contract with the Australian Opera. Her professional debut was in January 1976, singing the role of Pamina in Mozart's The Magic Flute, one she was to repeat many times throughout the world.

She made her British debut at Glyndebourne in 1978, again singing Pamina, in the Cox/Hockney production and in 1981 she sang The Countess in Peter Hall's production of The Marriage of Figaro, a role repeated for the 50th Anniversary of the company in 1984 with Bernard Haitink conducting.

1978 saw her as Micaela at the Vienna State Opera in the legendary production by Franco Zefirelli, with Domingo, Obratsova and Mazurok. Conducted by Carlos Kleiber, the performance was broadcast live throughout Europe and has recently been released on CD and DVD. Isobel's Covent Garden debut was in Parsifal, conducted by Solti. Among other roles, she went on to sing Sophie in Werther, with Alfredo Kraus and Teresa Berganza, later recording the opera with Jose Carreras and Frederica von Stade, Sir Colin Davis conducting. She has appeared in opera houses in Cologne, Paris, Munich, Santa Fe, Brussels,Hamburg,Sydney, Wellington Chicago (with Pavarotti and Bergonzi) and Monte Carlo (with Raimondi).

She has also appeared with all the major British orchestras and has collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors, including Solti, Haitink, Andrew Davis, Colin Davis, Celibidache, Pritchard, Mariner, Kleiber and Menuhin.

Isobel has made numerous recordings and in 1981 the BBC made a documentary, La Belle Isobel, of her career up to that time. She has had her own television series and has also appeared on such programmes as Face the Music and The Michael Parkinson Show.

After bringing up her two daughters, Isobel has recently resumed her career singing recitals with Eugene Asti and Malcolm Martineau at St John's, Smith Square, as well as performing Sheherezade with the South Bank Sinfonia and, most recently, Haydn with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Walton’s Façade with Jason Thornton and the Bath Phil at Longleat.

She also teaches voice privately, is a regular tutor for the Samling Foundation, gives master classes and workshops throughout the UK and teaches at the Guildhall School as a visiting professor.

I'm quite biased because this was my mums favourite Burns song, just listen to the clarity in her voice, Perfect....