The 18 Months Enigma

Squeeeeee !

It was just a random cold call but it reminded me how strange time is measured in certain countries. The girl said she had just moved to Melbourne. She randomly said she hadn’t been in Melbourne that long and I asked her when she moved and she said “oh, I’ve only been here for 18 months”….18 months? Why not say one and a half years? Or, when totally unsure about the specific timing, why not say “eh, oh, about 2 years?” No! it’s 18 months.

That way you are sounding precise without needing any specific need for explanation or dates. It is apparently common knowledge that “one” can say “18 months” without having to back it up. It’s as if saying “i don’t know, it’s ABOUT so many months ago”is an absolute crime.

One apparently has to take time seriously and mixing measurement of time with the vague concept of “about”, well,is just not on. I think it’s odd and totally worth a scientific study which will take at least…..18 months.

When I first arrived in Australia, now almost 10 years ago, it struck me as odd how many people apparently at random and without giving it too much thought, use a total illogical measurement of time: the 18 months clause I call it. They use it for just about anything.

I think, mind you this is just a hypothesis and has no scientific base whatsoever since no statistical study has been done on the frequency of this phenomenon, that every time an Australian has to refer to a time when he or she is not really certain when it occurred, it is automatically referred to as “oh it’s been 18 months”, Ï’ve been here for 18 months”, “that knitting project started eh..18 months ago”.. I ask you, what is it that makes this “18 months phenomena”so special?? I mean, why not use 10 months, 11 months or even , dare I say it , 1 year? But, as it goes, it is so subconsciously embedded in the Australian Culture and Social behaviour, that 18 months is simply THE norm.

Here’s the deal, listen to the radio, watch some news show, talk show (Australian ofcourse otherwise you won’t hear it) and have a notepad at the ready. Tick off how many times you hear “18 months”and I am absolutely sure you will be amazed. Listen to yourself. Take note of how easy the “18 months”is slipping off your tongue and ask yourself “why?” Is this piece of time information secretly implanted by aliens?

I am not sure where the 18 months phenomena came from, but my guess is England. I mean, what other country started talking about fortnights? Another strange viral timing notion, unless you are living on say Kepler-10b, a small rocky planet discovered recently outside of our solar system in the constellation of Cygnus and Lyra, where maybe the whole Keplerian population is talking in fortnights and 18 months.

Something completely different now, but equally baffling: Gilderoy Victoria has been officially put on the map in print. I am betting it’s the only map in the world where Melbourne is strangely omitted. How come and where? I hear you say. I received my Spin off magazine Spring issue today. Oh happy day ! Our little fluffy fibre farm was actually mentioned , thanks to Jacey Boggs armchair traveller section (see page 28). It is a great honour to be seen in print in my favourite magazine I tell ya! I am sure the whole +/- 100 population of Gilderoy and all its fluffy animals, are over the moon. Yes, Life is strange, but oh so much Fun.

Gilderoy on the map…..

Spin off Spring issue 2011 Here’s this weeks update . Email me , message me on Rav or on FB. Enjoy Life, enjoy spinning and most of all : Have a ball !

Having a Ball !

Hand dyed baby Camel and Yak Tops (90% Baby Camel+10% Yak)

50g AU$18

Super soft and a luxury to spin! So soft it should be illegal.

A unique IxCHeL blend ! A fabulous sensuous amazingly soft top that not only gives you a super softness that is out of this world but also is an easy spin and so warm to wear!

Again, resistance is futile ;-)

BoomBoom Berries

Kangaroo Hop

Manamana!

Platypus dive

Possum party

Wallaby Walk

Hand dyed Corriedale Bunny Tops (95% organic Corriedale/5% angora bunny)

100grams AU$20

So easy to spin it almost spins itself! Soft, lofty and luscious. Dyed with love

close up of Bumblebee

Bladerunner

Bumblebee

Camelot

Indigo Babylon

Purple Rain

Sad Clown at the Party

Soylent Green

Stargate

Email me on Ixchelbunny@yahoo.com.au if you want to adopt any of these babies or message me on Ravelry or facebook where I am Ixchelbunny !

Dates to Remember:

Bunny Spin in at the Ixchel Fibre Farm:

Saturday April 16th! Thursday April 28th

Bring your wheel, spindle, knitting, crocheting and a plate to share with everybody. There is cake and coffee and tea and a lovely bunny to cuddle and lots of fibres and yarn!) very important ! : Please, please let me now beforehand by email or message that you would like to come and visit so I can prepare the infrastructure and cake ofcourse ! Contact me on Ravelry where I am Ixchelbunny, message me on facebook there or email me on Ixchelbunny@yahoo.com.au

Thanks heaps for your support !

Monday , April 18th

Doncaster and Templestowe Spinners & Weavers Spin in Day “Celebrate the year of the Rabbit” 10am-2pm

The Upper Hall at Templestowe Uniting Church, Woods street, Templestowe.

I will be doing a bunny talk and a very nice way to get information on angora bunnies, their care and their fibre. You will also be able to get close and personal with an English angora rabbit that will get a haircut AND last but not least: there willl be heaps of fibres and yarns and Batts for sale as well ! Don’t miss out and RSVP Pat of the Doncaster + Templestowe spinners and weavers by april 11th.

Monday 23rd of May

Gembrook Craft group Spin in !!! It’s a bi-annual event so come and visit this year! Gembrook Community Hall, 9-3pm

Saturday 28th of May

Brunswick Town Hall Handknitters Guild of Victoria Wool show An absolute MUST for every fibre fan !

Saturday 11th of June International Yarn Bomb Day !

Want to get involved in a public Yarn Bombing avction in the Yarra Valley? Come to a bunny spin in to discuss a plan of action , call me or email me or message me on RAV or FB ;-) Start preparing your yarn bomb products people ! and remember : it can be anything: knitting, crochet, weaving, YARN! Tags will be supplied by yours truly ! Join the Guerrilla Yarn Bunny Bombers (GYBBies for short) and if you cannot make it to Yarra Junction, Lilydale or Healesville (we will end at the WHITE RABBIT brewery ) on that day, please make the international yarn bomb day a special one by yarn bombing where you live ! Help make International Yarn Bombing Day happen! The Knitting Ninja is promoting June 11th as a day where all things should be knit. Join the facebook group and find out more: http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Yarn-Bombing-Day-June-11th-2011/104441312968198 There also a Ravelry page (you must also be signed in to join this): http://www.ravelry.com/groups/international-yarn-bombing-day.

The BENDI PARTY is ON! 15-16-17th of July !

Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show (with a big dash of Rabbit from yours truly) see website ; www.sheepshow.com Woolcraft entries close june 10th. Contact Dot Vallence at the Woolcraft committee for more info or come to one of the Bunny Spin ins to g et your copy oif the woolcraft schedule book. Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show is NOT to miss in this year of the rabbit ! Lots of special goodies on offer, prizes to be won and a super competition of “Bunny dress up”again this year! Make a a statement ! This year there’s a “Rock-a-Billy Bunny-dress up competition”and win a super duper Bunny Spin or Yarn bunny Prize! C’mon be a rockin”Fibre Bunny! You know you want to

All the preperations are already on their way to make this years Bendi show an amazingly FUN FIBRE EVENT !!!!!

RABBIT ON ! ((hugs)) Charly