Theresa Lennon Blunt was born in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1931 but emigrated to Canada in 1957 and currently lives in Vancouver. She is the author of Judas in Kilkenny (also published under the title I Sailed the Sky in a Silver Ship), her memories of growing-up in the Kilkenny of the 1940s and 1950s. In addition, she has just published her second book, 'The Boodyman.' Theresa has recently finished her third book, "On Broken Wings."
Joe Sidney (born Joseph Sidney Gershon on 29 February 1984) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and activist from Bayside, New York. He is considered an obscure star in the indie rock scene, particularly off of “[The Favourite Game” and “Beautiful Losers” EPs, both named after poet Leonard Cohen’s only forays into fiction.
Sidney’s live performances are sporadic, giving a sense of personal instability that also lends itself to his rotating list of band members and his lo-fi recording quality.
Biography
Early Life: 1984-1998
Joe was born 29 February 1984 in Flushing, New York to a Jewish family of Germanic ancestry that dates back as far as nine generations, before displacement to America and Argentina in 1919.
Raised by his Grandparents as a young child, Joe was enrolled in Jewish nursery school and followed his family into music, as his Grandparents were in the first graduating class of the High School of Music & Art in 1940. This led to his befriending of composer Cy Coleman.
His parents remained out of the picture until 1988, settling down to raise Joe in Port Washington, New York.
In Junior High School, he learned his family’s name Gershon had been rudely changed to Smith at Ellis Island, but was reverted back by the 1950’s. After reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Joe was inspired to drop Gershon entirely and revert to his Joe Sidney moniker.
Career
1998-2005
Sidney began self-releasing home recordings of original material after his move to Great Neck, New York in the early nineties.
Noted performances of the era include instances of standing on his head, waving and throwing a 10 foot American flag at an auditorium show, performing in garbage bags, and shaving his face and tongue to Indian music (a performance piece and optical illusion).
Accounts from friends run the gamut on what Sidney did besides release recordings, including practice of mysticism, secret retreats, and psychedelic drugs; perhaps a pre-cursor to Sidney’s speculative schizophrenia.
Things took a turn for the worse upon a return to Great Neck after September 11, 2001 where records indicate various incomplete college semesters around the time, along with Sidney’s own admittance on stage to a rampant alcoholism that began at the same time.
Sidney did however remain sober enough for two months in 2005 to record the album “Preface” with producer Mike Ingber, the first Sidney record to garner press, and a college radio hit in Slovenia, though nothing short of remaining obscure and unreleased in America.
2005-2007
Sidney organized the successful fundraiser “Benefit for Hurricane Katrina Victims” in September 2005 featuring Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray) who headlined the event.
With that momentum, Sidney was invited to perform at the 2nd Annual Athens Popfest alongside Deerhoof and Mountain Goats in 2006, but didn't show up or cancel. This was going to be his biggest show to date.
Before a turn-around in treating his substance abuse problems, he was in a near-fatal car accident in October 2006, and among other things, shattered his left wrist bones.
2007-Present
Sidney moved on and released “The Favourite Game” EP in 2007, another obscure hit overseas, although he has failed to perform in public since July 2006.
He currently has an April release date for his EP “Beautiful Losers” which he is also self-releasing on iTunes in America this year (2008).
Personal Life & Controversy
Specualtion but no clarification led belief that Sidney suffers from symptoms of schizophrenia and manic depression, though obtained hospital records indicate he battles a severe panic disorder. Sidney has even said in show banter that he was drinking to ease a panic condition. This attributes to unknown reasons to why Sidney hasn't performed since 2006.
The Mineola Rehabilitation Clinic has a Joseph Gershon on file, believed to be Sidney seeking treatment since November 2007.
Trivia
• The song “I Am Destined for Greatness” from We Versus The Shark’s debut album (2006) is based on Joe Sidney’s struggle for record distribution. Sidney is good friends with the band.
Albums
*Preface (25 July, 2005) Out-of-Print
EPs
*The Favourite Game (26 June, 2007)
*Beautiful Losers (22 April, 2008)
Sidney’s live performances are sporadic, giving a sense of personal instability that also lends itself to his rotating list of band members and his lo-fi recording quality.
Biography
Early Life: 1984-1998
Joe was born 29 February 1984 in Flushing, New York to a Jewish family of Germanic ancestry that dates back as far as nine generations, before displacement to America and Argentina in 1919.
Raised by his Grandparents as a young child, Joe was enrolled in Jewish nursery school and followed his family into music, as his Grandparents were in the first graduating class of the High School of Music & Art in 1940. This led to his befriending of composer Cy Coleman.
His parents remained out of the picture until 1988, settling down to raise Joe in Port Washington, New York.
In Junior High School, he learned his family’s name Gershon had been rudely changed to Smith at Ellis Island, but was reverted back by the 1950’s. After reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Joe was inspired to drop Gershon entirely and revert to his Joe Sidney moniker.
Career
1998-2005
Sidney began self-releasing home recordings of original material after his move to Great Neck, New York in the early nineties.
Noted performances of the era include instances of standing on his head, waving and throwing a 10 foot American flag at an auditorium show, performing in garbage bags, and shaving his face and tongue to Indian music (a performance piece and optical illusion).
Accounts from friends run the gamut on what Sidney did besides release recordings, including practice of mysticism, secret retreats, and psychedelic drugs; perhaps a pre-cursor to Sidney’s speculative schizophrenia.
Things took a turn for the worse upon a return to Great Neck after September 11, 2001 where records indicate various incomplete college semesters around the time, along with Sidney’s own admittance on stage to a rampant alcoholism that began at the same time.
Sidney did however remain sober enough for two months in 2005 to record the album “Preface” with producer Mike Ingber, the first Sidney record to garner press, and a college radio hit in Slovenia, though nothing short of remaining obscure and unreleased in America.
2005-2007
Sidney organized the successful fundraiser “Benefit for Hurricane Katrina Victims” in September 2005 featuring Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray) who headlined the event.
With that momentum, Sidney was invited to perform at the 2nd Annual Athens Popfest alongside Deerhoof and Mountain Goats in 2006, but didn't show up or cancel. This was going to be his biggest show to date.
Before a turn-around in treating his substance abuse problems, he was in a near-fatal car accident in October 2006, and among other things, shattered his left wrist bones.
2007-Present
Sidney moved on and released “The Favourite Game” EP in 2007, another obscure hit overseas, although he has failed to perform in public since July 2006.
He currently has an April release date for his EP “Beautiful Losers” which he is also self-releasing on iTunes in America this year (2008).
Personal Life & Controversy
Specualtion but no clarification led belief that Sidney suffers from symptoms of schizophrenia and manic depression, though obtained hospital records indicate he battles a severe panic disorder. Sidney has even said in show banter that he was drinking to ease a panic condition. This attributes to unknown reasons to why Sidney hasn't performed since 2006.
The Mineola Rehabilitation Clinic has a Joseph Gershon on file, believed to be Sidney seeking treatment since November 2007.
Trivia
• The song “I Am Destined for Greatness” from We Versus The Shark’s debut album (2006) is based on Joe Sidney’s struggle for record distribution. Sidney is good friends with the band.
Albums
*Preface (25 July, 2005) Out-of-Print
EPs
*The Favourite Game (26 June, 2007)
*Beautiful Losers (22 April, 2008)
There are two main student representative bodies at La Trobe University. The La Trobe University Students' Union is responsible for the Eagle Bar, Contact Student Services and so forth. The La Trobe University Student Representative Council consists of 9 elected office bearers and 7 elected general representatives. It also employs a student rights officer, an accountant and a class delegates organiser. The 2007 President is Sarah Cole.
History
During the 1970s and 1980s, La Trobe University, along with Monash University, was considered to have the most politically active student body of any university in Australia. The was a prominent organisation on campus, often with the cover of a front organisation sometimes encouraging the name 'La Trot'. The social activism of the university students is demonstrated by the following La Trobe students who were of a leftist persuasion that were all good friends at the time and played a major part in student politics; Bill Kelty from the ACTU and AFL Commissioner, former Treasurer Tony Sheehan, Don Watson, Geoff Walsh (Bob Hawke's press secretary, High profile union officials Brian Boyd, John Cummins and Garry Weaven, former federal treasury official and now Westpac CEO, David Morgan. Some other Labor figures and people from the left side of politics include Mary Delahunty, Phil Cleary. Despite the general socialist/leftist atmosphere several conservative corporate/business figures and Liberal politicians have also emerged from La Trobe.
Present
At present the student body at La Trobe is less actively involved in politics, as is the case at most other universities. Socialist Alternative, and National Labor Students (NLS), are still very active, with both the SRC and Union President coming from NLS. La Trobe student organisations (both SRC and Guild) have been largely run by NLS over previous years, in coalition with various independent groupings. The Federal Government's introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) is beginning to again politicise students. This year (2007) in the SRC the office bearers are members of the NLS with also 2 independents and 1 member of the Greens
Related organisations
The SRC publishes a student newspaper, the notorious , which was the subject of a Federal Court case in 1995 after the Office of Film and Literature Classification ruled that it "...promotes, incites and instructs in matters of crime" because of an article on shoplifting (reprinted from elsewhere). Some members of Rabelais' editorial staff served prison sentences.
The SRC funds and administers Clubs and Societies. This body is responsible for funding the various student clubs on campus. The largest faculty-based student club on campus is the Law Students Association (LSA).
Postgraduate students are represented by the La Trobe University Postgraduate Association, a member of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations.
The students at the Bendigo campus are represented by the Bendigo Student Association (BSA), a much less activist and political organisation than the student union. The BSA publishes the 3RD Degree.
The La Trobe University SRC is affiliated to the National Union of Students of Australia and sends 6 voting representatives to its annual conference in December.
History
During the 1970s and 1980s, La Trobe University, along with Monash University, was considered to have the most politically active student body of any university in Australia. The was a prominent organisation on campus, often with the cover of a front organisation sometimes encouraging the name 'La Trot'. The social activism of the university students is demonstrated by the following La Trobe students who were of a leftist persuasion that were all good friends at the time and played a major part in student politics; Bill Kelty from the ACTU and AFL Commissioner, former Treasurer Tony Sheehan, Don Watson, Geoff Walsh (Bob Hawke's press secretary, High profile union officials Brian Boyd, John Cummins and Garry Weaven, former federal treasury official and now Westpac CEO, David Morgan. Some other Labor figures and people from the left side of politics include Mary Delahunty, Phil Cleary. Despite the general socialist/leftist atmosphere several conservative corporate/business figures and Liberal politicians have also emerged from La Trobe.
Present
At present the student body at La Trobe is less actively involved in politics, as is the case at most other universities. Socialist Alternative, and National Labor Students (NLS), are still very active, with both the SRC and Union President coming from NLS. La Trobe student organisations (both SRC and Guild) have been largely run by NLS over previous years, in coalition with various independent groupings. The Federal Government's introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) is beginning to again politicise students. This year (2007) in the SRC the office bearers are members of the NLS with also 2 independents and 1 member of the Greens
Related organisations
The SRC publishes a student newspaper, the notorious , which was the subject of a Federal Court case in 1995 after the Office of Film and Literature Classification ruled that it "...promotes, incites and instructs in matters of crime" because of an article on shoplifting (reprinted from elsewhere). Some members of Rabelais' editorial staff served prison sentences.
The SRC funds and administers Clubs and Societies. This body is responsible for funding the various student clubs on campus. The largest faculty-based student club on campus is the Law Students Association (LSA).
Postgraduate students are represented by the La Trobe University Postgraduate Association, a member of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations.
The students at the Bendigo campus are represented by the Bendigo Student Association (BSA), a much less activist and political organisation than the student union. The BSA publishes the 3RD Degree.
The La Trobe University SRC is affiliated to the National Union of Students of Australia and sends 6 voting representatives to its annual conference in December.
Pamela J. Ball is an author, counsellor, and therapist. She has worked in the USA, Switzerland and the UK. Her book topics range from dream interpretation and natural magic to psychic research on Jack the Ripper and Nostradamus. Many of her books have been published in other languages.
Bibliography
* The Complete Book of Dreams and Dreaming (2004) Arcturus Publishing Ltd ISBN 1841931519, ISBN 978-1841931517
* The Complete Dream Dictionary (1999) Bookmart Ltd ISBN 1894102940, ISBN 978-1900032674
* The Essence of Tao (2005) Arcturus foulsham ISBN 0572030533, ISBN 978-0572030537
* The Great Book of Spells (2005) Capella ASIN B000QC9GE8
* Jack the Ripper, A Psychic Investigation (1998) Bookmart ISBN 1900032139, ISBN 978-1900032131
* Lucid Dreaming ISBN 1841930024, ISBN 978-1841930022
* Natural Magic: Spells, Enchantments and Self-Development (2002) Chartwell Books ASIN: B0006S97ZK
* The Power of Creative Dreaming (2006) Gramercy ISBN 0517227967, ISBN 978-0517227961
* The Prophecies of Nostradamus: A Selection of the Seer's Most Intriguing Predictions, with Commentaries (2005) Gramercy ISBN 0517226634, ISBN 978-0517226636
* The Quantum Dream Dictionary (2002) Quantum ISBN 0572028199, ISBN 978-0572028190
* Spells, Charms, Talismans and Amulets (2001) Book Sales ISBN 0785814108, ISBN 978-0785814108
* 10, 000 Dreams Interpreted (2000) Gramercy ISBN 0517209470, ISBN 978-0517209479
* The Ultimate Book of Spells: A Complete Guide to Using Magic to Improve Your Life and the World Around You (2007) Arcturus Publishing ISBN 978-1-84193-577-5
* A Woman's Way to Wisdom Through an Understanding of Her Sexuality & Relationships (2001) Arcturus Publishing Limited ISBN 1841930490, ISBN 978-1841930497
* Your Sexual Dreams Interpreted (2003) Gramercy Books ISBN 051722187X, ISBN 978-0517221877
* The A to Z of Dream Interpretation (2008) Arcturus/Foulsham ISBN 978-0-572-03332-3
Bibliography
* The Complete Book of Dreams and Dreaming (2004) Arcturus Publishing Ltd ISBN 1841931519, ISBN 978-1841931517
* The Complete Dream Dictionary (1999) Bookmart Ltd ISBN 1894102940, ISBN 978-1900032674
* The Essence of Tao (2005) Arcturus foulsham ISBN 0572030533, ISBN 978-0572030537
* The Great Book of Spells (2005) Capella ASIN B000QC9GE8
* Jack the Ripper, A Psychic Investigation (1998) Bookmart ISBN 1900032139, ISBN 978-1900032131
* Lucid Dreaming ISBN 1841930024, ISBN 978-1841930022
* Natural Magic: Spells, Enchantments and Self-Development (2002) Chartwell Books ASIN: B0006S97ZK
* The Power of Creative Dreaming (2006) Gramercy ISBN 0517227967, ISBN 978-0517227961
* The Prophecies of Nostradamus: A Selection of the Seer's Most Intriguing Predictions, with Commentaries (2005) Gramercy ISBN 0517226634, ISBN 978-0517226636
* The Quantum Dream Dictionary (2002) Quantum ISBN 0572028199, ISBN 978-0572028190
* Spells, Charms, Talismans and Amulets (2001) Book Sales ISBN 0785814108, ISBN 978-0785814108
* 10, 000 Dreams Interpreted (2000) Gramercy ISBN 0517209470, ISBN 978-0517209479
* The Ultimate Book of Spells: A Complete Guide to Using Magic to Improve Your Life and the World Around You (2007) Arcturus Publishing ISBN 978-1-84193-577-5
* A Woman's Way to Wisdom Through an Understanding of Her Sexuality & Relationships (2001) Arcturus Publishing Limited ISBN 1841930490, ISBN 978-1841930497
* Your Sexual Dreams Interpreted (2003) Gramercy Books ISBN 051722187X, ISBN 978-0517221877
* The A to Z of Dream Interpretation (2008) Arcturus/Foulsham ISBN 978-0-572-03332-3