Homework and Hamilton

Harriette had a piece of homework today. Read The Chimney Sweep by William Blake and answer 3 questions.
Q.2. Explain, using specific examples, how the tone of the poem changes (Hint.....it changes from a sombre, sad tone to one that is much more hopeful.)!!!!! I have 2 questions. If that was a hint, what was an answer? And, does the English teacher have a different definition of the word 'hint' to me?!?!?!?!? Oh well, it gave Eric and I a laugh.

I have been a very poor blogger of late. No. I am not going to apologise, or make excuses.

I have just returned from Auckland after a couple of good days training. I usually return very stressed, and desparate for some peace and quiet, but for some reason this time has been more relaxed. I also did a teaching session, teaching new (and old) facilitators how to teach a particular topic. It went even better than I thought and I had brilliantly positive feedback on the evaluations, and, 5 people came up to me and said how much they enjoyed the session. One even said I was a natural in front of a class, had I always been that way, or did I learn it. I just said I am good a talking! It might sound like I'm blowing my own trumpet but what the hell. It does a girl good to have her self esteem given a lift once in awhile.

We have been going into Hamilton for a few events at the Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival. I get the programme each year, list want I want to attend, then actually go to nothing! I was determined it would be different this year, and chivvied along by Harriette, we have managed a few events. The first evening they had a Mardi Gras with heaps of activites on different stages dotted around the place. There was also a dance performance on that I was keen to see. It was not what I expected, being performed with almost no music, but I enjoyed it none the less. Alice was impressed, H was bored! The following day, we went through to see Mom and Daddy in Paeroa then into Hamilton to see 'Much Ado About Nothing' performed on the lakeside. It was excellent but we could not see, or hear very well! Thinking it was being performed on the stage we parked ourselves with an excellent view, but.. it was performed at 2 o'clock to the stage and between them and us were a row of people seated on chairs (we were on rugs!). I would definately go again but arrive earlier, and be more careful about where we sat! The performance, when we could see, was very good, and so funny. This weekend, we plan to go in for the Right Bank Arts Day and the sustainable living talks.