Learning Jo

The Dorm as a blog does look at various aspects of being me and from that my life that do not necessarily fit into other blogs no least that because of a changing world and some past issues around studying I am having to learn things anew.

One area is around the use of computers as all I had connected with with some rudimentary typing instruction in my teens and later on studying for my R.S.A 1 in typing skills and Word Processing as I worked in a clerical capacity and needed to type quickly and accurately and typing technology was evolving from electric and electronic typewriters with limited in-line correction to Word Processors that allowed for easier correction and functions like personalizing standard letters, advanced tabulation integrating this with preparing envelope labels and so on.
I later had to learn about emailing, using office suites as we'd moved away from Word-Processors to using personal computers with software like office suites for correspondence and using websites to look up information.
Of course it wasn't long before I discovered the dangers of emails sent in hast, completely misreading messages and earning the odd threat of a spanking!

Rag Dolls

I enjoyed playing with other girls dolls a lot and there was a series that I particularly liked during the 80's.

 This is Heather Hollie

 And here's Hollie Hobbie
I like their simple rustic style and the pretty dresses they wore.

Junior vs Senior

I do have what is usually described as being an Inner Child although in my case it has more to do with an enduring being a child because my disabilities mean that from an developmental angle I cannot be an adult.
When it comes to presentation for me it could easily swing one of two ways because my natural limits are on the cusp of junior and senior school age and parts are most definitely in junior even if some interests are that bit more senior.

 

That's really more a UK Senior state school type uniform  which is blouse and skirt, blazer over the top and may just as well be worn with plain grey tights as traditional black, grey or white knee length socks on a 13ish girl.

 

This is a more Junior  or junior part of a 5-11+ Primary school uniform with pinafored Tunic (UK speak: Gymslip), cardigan and more modern polo shirt both with the school logo where others might have a actual blouse short or long sleeved.

It would be worn with grey woollen tights or traditional long socks.

I come down to more junior simply because I feel that is more where my head for good or ill has been left and feels happiest in given I need as much oversight as nine and ten year olds.

Laputa: Castle in the Sky

I recently brought this anime for my collection

The high-flying journey begins when Pazu, an engineer's apprentice, finds a young girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky, wearing a glowing pendant. Together, they discover both of them  are searching for the legendary floating castle, Laputa, vowing to unravel the mystery of the luminous crystal around her neck. Their quest it has to be said will not be easy, however for there are sky pirates, secret agents and monumental obstacles stopping them from discovering the truth - and each other. However, Laputa is more than it appears, and some seek to use it for evil.
Director Hayao Miyazaki's love of air travel shows thropugh this anime that I greatly enjoyed.

Edited 2017 from dvd to blu ray edition by Miss J Chan.

What is age

How many people realize there is a difference in the mental ages of differing aspects of themselves and their full chronological age?
For instance some parts of a individual may remain at a Teen or 'tweenie' level and yet they many in other fields function very much as mature adults holding down responsible jobs.
As a Teen I could talk about many grown up matters like Politics and still love to collect plush toys following the Care Bears!
I believe there is a spectrum along this from people who are much older than their years to those who go more toward the so-called Adult Baby field. Without criticizing how they live their lives, it seems to me that those at each extreme risk difficulties in sustaining relationships with their peers

Vacation!

Having returned from my vacation, I thought I'd share some pictures of Conway harbour, North Wales, with you all taken on Olympus OM10 film SLR.

The weather forecast was grim - strong winds and heavy showers - but actually it was really sunny and only on the Wednesday was there a one hour shower mid afternoon.It was as well I had my waterproof jacket with me I guess.
This first picture was taken using the Zuiko 50mm lens with polarizer. 

Conway Harbour Aquarium. Taken with Zuiko 35mm lens

Taken with Tamron 90mm

You can take a cruise along the River Conway. Taken with Zuiko 135mm lens

Here are a few more pictures I took of Llandudno where I stayed

Some more vacation pictures - Llandudno sea front showing the War Memorial - done using a cheap digital camera.

Llandudno beach looking toward the Pier and Grand Hotel.
Whenever I go away I always  pack my swimsuit as I love either sitting around or playing on the beach making sand castles and the like armed with a bucket and spade. Being the child I am my school girl attire is always packed when I go away as well as such essentials as camera, sun cream and nivea cream in case I get burnt or cut myself.

I went on the Great Orme so here are a few pictures I took on film

 A restful scene with the hardy Sheep grazing

The original of this was over exposed but I corrected the exposure in Roxio Photosuite

Pictures taken with Olympus Zuiko 35, 50 and 135mm lenses on Olympus OM10 camera using Fuji Superia 200 colour print film.

You, me and the rest of the world.

 

How we handle our 'Little Girl' side is in some respects down to us but we do need to think sometimes about how being the way we are can impact on others.

 
For instance some us may just be more at the point of maintaining many of the interests we had from our childhood such as playing with dolls, doing sticker albums and so on and whatever the rest of world may think about this, it just between us and causes no harm.

 
Some may be more into the look which can vary from what is just 'adult' clothes based on childhood likes, though larger versions of children's clothes to those who may wear oversized school children's clothing as a means of building on how they feel. 

The latter may seem a little odd although in the UK at least middle aged do put on school uniforms - usually high school ones mind - to wear to school reunion discos and social meet ups! In that context it is accepted and in your own home what you do is very much your own affair.

 
Every so often though we read stories of people, generally men, who dress as school girls hanging around recreation grounds or actual schools which attracts the attentions of the local media and host of other people.

 
Now their intent may not necessarily be to harm any child and for one thing most kids would soon realize this person wasn't their (chronological)  age, however it does cause children especially the 12's and younger to feel ill at ease and in some circumstances distressed even.

 
Many parents will feel at least a sense of unease at your presence in oversized school pinafore dress, white socks  and pigtails and most would conclude you wanted their child's attention to harm them.

 In that context it isn't that surprising that your local police department will be called and will expect you explain yourself.

 
Causing children to feel this uncomfortable is just plain wrong, may well result in verbal even physical abuse to you from parents and is a extremely stupid AND serious thing to do even if from your point of view you're just placing yourself back at school feeling still that age.

 
I used to work in child protection not least as a 'Little Girl' I had a great empathy toward the role of protecting children from harm and it makes my blood boil!

 
Remember being a 'Little Girl' doesn't excuse us from respecting the emotional needs of children and avoiding needless distress.  In fact it ought to inform them!