Alouk

A little puppy with empathy?

2011-08-13T12:16:00.002+10:00

When I read the puppy books I was told over and over to yelp like a little pup would whenever my girl bit me- well that NEVER worked for me!

Or did it?

Stella has had two major issues when she is walking- biting and spinning on the lead and pulling ahead of me. A few weeks ago Stella was going crazy on the end of the lead, spinning around, biting it and in her confusion she went behind me and I accidentally stepped on her toe! She yelped! Then, out of instinct the next time she put her teeth to the lead- I yelped- loudly!

She has never mucked around on her lead since, it has truly changed our lives!

I thought the other day when she was pulling on the lead that I should give the same thing a whirl. The timing worked well as my partner had been walking her, she was being very silly and he accidentally trod on her toe- so the sound and meaning of a yelp was clear in her head.

She pulled, I yelped and she turned as if to say "Sorry! Are you ok?" she went on walking and turning every now and then to check on me..and her lead stayed slack the whole time!

Since then it has continued to work, unlike the first time I still have to yelp every now and then to remind her as the boundaries aren't as clear as they were with the lead biting, but it has been so lovely to walk with her by my side, trotting along and looking out for me.

What an empathetic little thing!

Back to School

2011-06-20T21:28:00.000+10:00

My occupation has again rocked our world today as school is back in session! Launching into my second term of teaching I am excited, apprehensive and now...quite tired!! It always shocks me how tired I get after one day of teaching- I think 'How on Earth will I get through the week?'. Twenty-six kids on your heels all day is a bit of a handful!

So after a big, but wonderful day, I came home to a little girl who had been alone most of the day- and she has been a defiant little one! Geared up to play all evening!

I learnt something very cool today that I thought was worth sharing!

At puppy school on Sunday we were told to pay attention to our body language when giving our pups a command, as they often pick up on little things we say or do. With simple things like 'lie down' I move my hand from Stella's nose to the ground. She needs both signals in order to lie down.

My partner taught Stella to fetch a frisbee very early on, she loves them more than balls, but she doesn't quite get the 'drop' part of the game! So I have been working on it with two frisbees at a time. I will throw one to get her to drop the other, as she does I say 'drop'...BUT- maybe she'll start to think that 'drop' means 'run after the frisbee' as by the time I say it she is running. I thought about what else have I been doing when she drops it....and I realised that I click my tongue all the time without thinking!

So I tested her, and sure enough 80% of the time, down the disc would go and into full border collie hunting mode she would go ready for the next throw- Woo!! Perhaps by the time the original frisbee thrower gets home she will really have it down! Success!

Her first experience with a ball in our house! about 8 and a half weeks.

A boy leaves and two girls weep?

2011-06-18T23:31:00.003+10:00

As expected when my partner left to go overseas for 6 weeks last week, I shed a little tear or 60 as I squashed my face against the cold, 6am, airport window. But what was happening in the back of my car in the parking lot?

I don't know if I am misreading her now, or if I thoroughly misjudged their connection a week ago but little Stella is down in the dumps.

R departed after living with Stella for about 6 weeks, I am really the primary carer, he was busy and not around as much but, she never play bit him like she did me, she always sat at his feet to be patted and only had to hear him turn in bed to go and wait at the closed bedroom door after we returned from our morning walk. Sure, strong signs of respect from one very little girl, to one very tall man.

We headed off to the farm after R left, Stella ran,dived into creeks and rolled in mud. It seems like reality has hit us both now we're home and he is not. Melancholic would be the best way to describe her, a dreamy look in her eyes and a half hearted lope after the frisbee he once threw- oh when will he come back?!

I wonder, how long will it last? How will she react when he comes home? And oh, does she miss him as much as me?

Stella- 6 weeks in!

2011-06-10T21:00:00.008+10:00

This is Stella! She is now 15 weeks old! These are all a bit out of order but you can see by her size where they should be I think! I reckon yesterday was the best day of her life- a farm, a creek and a lot of mud!

The most wonderful thing in the world!

2011-04-18T20:36:00.001+10:00

Our little puppy! At our first meeting day- she was a real gem! We just need to wait one week, then it is into puppydom we step, pointers welcome!

Another year....and not many posts more!

2011-04-16T17:51:00.005+10:00

It has been a long long time since I have posted to my own blog- shame on me!

Now I am teaching at a little country school and am about to bring home my first puppy...so I may try and keep track of her development on here- might have to change this to the Border Collie gaa gaa blog, we'll see.

Tomorrow is the first day we will meet our girl, she is coming from Borregoperro Border Collies (www.bordercolliestasmania.com)- so far we have been kept in the loop with one picture a week- but that is not enough!

Time for play tomorrow!

Ravioli alla Val Camonica

2010-06-29T20:32:00.017+10:00

A deliciously extravagant ravioli from northern Italia!

When I was staying in Val Camonica with my namesake's family, it was Luisa's papa's birthday. Guided by Luisa's mamma we made the family's signature dish! With equal parts bread crumbs and parmesan (300g), some prosciutto, parsley, lemon rind, garlic, an apricot kernel, some mixed spice, stock and some eggs as the filling, the finished pasta is served with a delicious coating of melted lard, prosciutto rind (made nice and crispy), butter and sage leaves and even more parmesan! Talk about woh a! So full, so heavy, so satisfied! Afterwards this is what we had to do..a lovely walk through the Italian country side, dreaming about renovating old Italian farmhouses and living on ravioli and bread and salad and fruit and biscotti....for ever.

It was an intense experience that I tried to recreate in my own kitchen. I replaced the prosciutto with 'not bacon' which worked surprisingly well and instead of using the lard and rind I just coated the pasta in melted butter with sage. It worked really well- I was surprised with myself!

Can you believe we finished off the meal with creme brulee? Also my first attempt, and surprisingly good- just wish I had a kitchen blow torch to caramelise the sugar properly! We were so full!

Miss Saigon Bake Off!

2009-11-15T00:43:00.007+11:00

Hello! Did you see Miss Saigon, at the Theatre Royal in Hobart? what a wonderful show it was! And there was good stuff going on back stage too...the Miss Saigon Bake Off! Cast members brought goodness to the dressing rooms nearly every night to keep their tummies happy! The last night was Rowan's turn...so we went mad and made this! And these...a star for each of the stars- yum! Thank you to our friends P and J for their help!

Frustration is rife!

2009-09-21T17:16:00.002+10:00

Hello! I am dying to update my blog, I have moved house, created a new vege patch, taken pictures of it with a lovely new camera, felted my first vest but I can't tell anyone about it properly cause I am trying to do assignments! Oh it is heartbreaking! I will be back once this semester is out of the way!

The wonderful place in which we live- Tasmania!

2009-07-27T17:41:00.005+10:00

Inspiration for the beginning of the week. A little look back at a wonderful weekend walking in Mount Field National Park- ahhhhh...just to be there now!

Quincey Quincey Quincey paste!

2009-06-12T18:46:00.007+10:00

One day recently, I took the plunge, I had never touched a raw quince before but I decided to make quince paste! What a good decision! Yum! My Method! Roughly chop up all the quinces and place them in a large saucepan, cover them with water. Add two strips of lemon peel (1cm/ 4cm, no white pith) (and a vanilla pod if you have one, I didn't though) and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and let cook until the quince pieces can be broken with a fork (30-40 minutes). Then strain off the water, throw away the vanilla but keep the lemon peel with the quince. Next, you need to puree the quince pieces, I did this with a bamix, of course you can use a blender or food processor. Then, measure the quince puree, this is how you work out how much sugar you need, add as much sugar as there is quince (ie, 5 cups of quince, 5 cups of sugar). Heat the quince and sugar on a medium to low heat. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar has completely dissolved. Now add the 3 table spoons of lemon juice. Cook the puree over a low heat, stirring occasionally, for 1-1 1/2 hours, until the quince paste is very thick and has a deep orange pink color. it gets even darker than this, I just forgot to take the picture! Now, once it is very thick, spread it into lined pans, I put mine into a slice tin and into some patty pans. Cook in an oven at a about 50 degrees Celsius, very low, to dry it out and help it set. This seemed to take a long time for me and part way through I moved the paste that was in the slice tins onto flat trays and I spread it out further (to about 1.5 centimetres) as it just didn't seem like it was ever going to set! Once they felt 'right', solid and not very liquidy (I know I use good, proper terms here!) pull it out and let cool. I then wrapped mine up in kitchen paper and now keep it in the fridge- it is the best thing to just have a stash of! I love it! With brie! Camembert! goats cheese! vintage cheddar! it constitutes a meal in itself in my opinion! I hope you make it and love it as much as I do! Wooo hooo!!

Re- inspire yourself.

2009-05-27T15:53:00.007+10:00

After a bit of a drought on the felting front, I re-inspired myself with some amazing alpaca that I bought at an Australia Alpaca Day celebration- which was pretty funny in itself! So I made this special scarfe, I really wanted to play with a different way of finishing the edges of the scarfe so I made little holes and loops, which ended up working a lot better than expected if I may say so! It was lovely being back at the felting board! But I haven't been again for a couple of weeks- I have too much homework! But it is winter so it is felting season, I'm gearing up for a good one! The second scarfe I have here is one of the first I ever made, I just realised I haven't ever put it up! I made it for my partner but it was too girly for him apparently so when I saw my cousin wearing a lovely knitted dress and a top that matched the blue perfectly, around her neck it went! Here she is with it.

Explorations with 3D wet felting!

2009-05-17T14:38:00.006+10:00

This was fun! I read instructions for making childrens' booties with wet felt, and then decided to go a bit further with the concept and make some random things ...tea cosies...robin hood explorer hats...little dollies, purses, melodica cases..it was great! I really like making my big shawls though as I can create images and feelings and relate more of myself with them, but these were a fun diversion for a while- I will certainly make more booties and I want to make some handbags with the method too!

Eggs! Eggs!Eggs!

2009-05-13T14:28:00.005+10:00

It was easter time and I was on my teaching Prac, so I made eggs for all my students! I had some lovely friends help add the beads the night before..thank you! The eggs were different than I expected but good! The students really liked them too!

Micah and Beanie are out and about!

2009-04-21T23:15:00.006+10:00

Here are some shots of the big day! I'll add some more notes in the next day or so...funny stories, but for now it is bed time.....I hope Micah is getting a big feed in tonight! Ok so weeks later I return to tell the story. When we released them it all went really well, at one stage they took off down the driveway and sat in the middle of the road, but we managed to call them back up- I think they were pretty scared so responded well to the 'tch tch tch' that Micah used to be comforted by. They got split up at one stage too, it was getting darker but finally they found each other and had a little kiss, when we knew they were together we said goodbye! This is the last Ro and I saw of them. After Micah was released, Des (who has been looking after him) woke up in the morning and saw a little wobbly waiting at the orchard gate, but he ran off when she went to see him. Later that day though, on dusk, Micah appeared on her doorstep! Des gave him a little treat of rolled oats which he guzzled of course! She offered him some water and apparently he just drank and drank and drank! Micah used to have a habit of sitting in the burning sun and being too lazy to get up and have a drink, once I was worried about him and put some water in front of him and he drank solidly for 10 minutes! This time he did the same! Des said she's never seen a hopper go so crazy about it! Poor little boy musn't have been able to find any water for 24 hours! Des told me she then filled up a little water pond near the house, the smell of the water (they have good noses!) drew out Beanie from the bushes, he hopped up and started guzzling too! But the best bit was when Micah and Beanie saw each other- apparently they hopped up to each other and put their arms around each others necks and had a little cuddle! How beautiful! So great! It was so good to hear stories from Des of Micah reappearing over the next couple of weeks, especially after a long stormy weekend! He turned up looking like a drowned rat! It was amazing releasing them! I didn't get sad and neither did Rowan, we are just so proud of him and glad he is out where he is supposed to be! It is great he has had a pretty good life even when he was orphaned. I think that he had it all going for him though, luckily his mum wasn't hit by a car, she broke her legs in a fence and was put down. This meant that Micah didn't have to sit in a dead mummy :( for a long time getting cold and thirsty. When we got him he was a little bit dehydrated but only as to be expected after such a change. He spent a lot of time outside when he was growing up, 10 minutes in the morning to start with in just a tiny pen, with me right next to him but he got really confident outside quickly so he didn't hold on to any signs of domestication for long at all. The day we took him outside to stay (and not come in over night) was after we had friends sleeping on the floor in our loungeroom, where Micah's area was. In the middle of the night he broke free, jumped on the couch, on the coffee table and my friend woke up and looked up to see Micah staring at him above his head!!! It was a sign, he needed to be foraging out there in the world! Now he certainly is! Hurrah for Micah!

Orchard time for Micah the Wallaby

2009-04-16T11:14:00.005+10:00

Hello! We released Micah our wallaby (See previous posts!) into a big orchard in late February, and then visited him about a month later, this was who we saw! A lovely grown up boy! We are now preparing to release him this coming Saturday, I am so excited! He has been with another wallaby boy, Beanie, which another carer raised. At first Micah would quickly run away when they saw each other- he had never seen another one of his kind since his mother in October so I suppose it was fair enough! They seem to get along alright now, last time I went down Micah was grooming Beanie so I think there is some brotherly love there!!We hope they help each other out on Saturday! I've also added a picture that was taken in about November...for a bit of size comparison!

The harvest begins!

2009-03-16T15:11:00.006+11:00

The harvest begins! Apples apples everywhere, tomatoes and peas! The Apple trees have gone really well this year, we have been here three years and in that time only one of the three trees has given us anything worthwhile- the other trees have just produced shrivelled up little things! But this year all three are going absolutely nuts! With the most delicious varieties! I think one is a cox's orange- my favourite. Our Tomatoes haven't been so good but are starting to pick up and bring in some decent numbers. And already, after a week and a half my new vegie patch is springing to life! It is a no dig patch that I started after I got so frustrated with all the weeds in my patch- and the very very poor quality soil that is there. so after wads and wads of newspaper laid out on the soil, and lots of water I layered cow poo and straw, and cow poo and straw and mushroom compost up and up till it was about half a metre high, then with very regular watering it all broke down into one lovely nutritious patch! I have planted out the 'Anti-Oxidents Patch' which is from the book One Magic Square by Lolo Houbein, this is a magnificent book! I couldn't recommend it more! It contains many designs for vegie patches that are only one metre square in size. For example there is the winter stir fry plot, the soup plot, the salad plot- it is amazing! It also contains planting times for nearly all the vegies and fruit you can imagine, and descriptions of these to help you decide! I love it! GO and GET it now! (its for temperate climates by the way!) So here are some piccies of my apple harvest, the trees and my patch, close up you can see thousands of little mustard seedlings (I tend to over sow, as I always think they will all just die- but these haven't yet!)

Its been a while!

2009-03-05T22:11:00.005+11:00

Hi all! A little hello cause its been a while! I have been off having a lovely time in the summer sun shine of Tasmania (yes we got some!) and haven't been inside much to be getting crafty! I will start putting up updates on my new no dig, one magic square veggie patch which I have been working on- I sowed many seeds and because it has been so lovely and warm and rainy down here the have germinated- in only 4 days! Yippee!! we are on our way to more sustainable living! I was saying to my partner that all I need is a cow, some chickens and a sheep, then I'll be right, I will have milk, eggs and wool for felting....oh if I could! Our wallaby has headed off to its next home, he is now in a big orchard a bit south of us, apparently he has been chatting up the ladies in the evenings- so we are very proud! Here are some pictures of our grown up one- look back to a previous video- Introducing Micah Asha Harris-d'Arville to get some idea of how he has grown! He is bashing us up in some of these- don't worry- it is love! We are proud of his fighting skills, he will be able to tell them whats what in the wild! Go Micah!

but wait there's more!

2009-01-02T16:42:00.005+11:00

A few more bits! BOOTIES! My pride and joy! I love these! you can order them from me at my etsy shop www.alouk.etsy.com, yummy yummy yummy! And one of my favourite scarves, Summer to Winter, which I have given to a friend named Annie.

The Felted Bonanza continues

2009-01-02T16:20:00.005+11:00

A few more, the Caramel and the Snow Queen, and another little random one. The Snow Queen and the Caramel feature some wool that my grandad pulled out of the back of a cupboard for me, it is so fine and soft it is incredible! The Caramel is now with Sara Sister, the Snow Queen eagerly awaits her new home!

A felted bonanza begins!

2009-01-02T15:45:00.006+11:00

Well well, throughout a pause in blogging I went felt crazy, here are some of my most recent felted bits and pieces! I was part of the ODD + EVEN Makers Market that was held on the 20th of December in Salamanca, so I felted every day for a week straight getting things ready! Geepers I was happy when market day came and I could just sit in a chair for hours, I was so sore! a number of these sold, and some were given as gifts to friends and family. I hope everyone had a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Making a Baby Blanket!

2008-12-06T14:18:00.011+11:00

On a lovely day in Sandfly four of us each made a felted square to become a baby's blanket, we each had a season to draw some sort of inspiration from, in the pictures they are in the order, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring. We are now working on sewing down all the little loose hairy bits that a little baby is sure to suck at then we will sew them onto a woolen blanket, I think that it is likely to be a bit of a mat rather than a blanket to rug up in...as the baby will be living in Cairns! Little bubba is due in January- yay!

Crafternoon Blog- SHARE event

2008-11-15T18:36:00.003+11:00

I was involved in an event with Crafternoon (www.crafternoon.com.au) during which we set up a factory and made sanitary pads for girls in Kenya! It was a great Crafternoon, lots of laughter, sewing and scones! More information is on Bec's blog at the link above.

My Mania

2008-11-12T15:33:00.008+11:00

I made this wall hanging to be displayed at the Sustainable Living Expo that was held in Hobart over the first weekend in November. It is wet and dry felted. The nice curly bits of wool are from my Grandads collection from when he used to spin, my Grandma used to dye it.

Felted scarves! at alouk.etsy.com

2008-11-04T16:15:00.009+11:00

Here are two more scarves! One that I have shown before with silly pictures, so these are nicer ones! Find these for sale at alouk.etsy.com! The second one was made just after I went to the the Botanical Gardens, when it was gearing up for the tulip festival, so it is called the tulip scarfe!

Introducing Micah Asha Harris-d'Arville!!

2008-10-28T16:27:00.004+11:00

Our orphaned wallaby (Bennetts Wallaby/Red-Necked Wallaby). Music by Ally Mok 'Cold and Blue', see www.myspace.com/allisonmok for more.

Yellow Yellow Yellow!! My favourite!

2008-10-09T22:25:00.002+11:00

Yellow, need I say more? I love yellow so I made myself a treat, yum.

the beginning of felt....

2008-09-30T20:59:00.007+10:00

A bit of the felting process! I actually haven't got the final product up loaded yet, but will get it here shortly. I made this one after I went to the Botanical Gardens and saw all the tulips on show....its the first felt that I have made that has some sort of picture involved...not sure how comfortable I am with that! ha ha, will have some more nice felt on here soon :)

A felted adventure

2008-09-25T19:08:00.003+10:00

For my mum, however modelled by myself as mum was not wearing clothing with appropriate colours!I didn't think rainbow thermals quite complemented this shawl/scarf/cape! This was wet felted, merino and silk, yummy colour mix from the Hand Dyers, Spinners and Weavers Guild of Tasmania, Claret from the same lovely ladies! My favourite shawl dimensions so far, just the right thickness to save you from that little nip in the Spring wind, especially in Hobart at the moment!

Felted silk/merino scarfe! First Etsy item!

2008-09-20T23:50:00.006+10:00

A felted scarfe! Finally I have got around to putting some felt on here, this one is for sale too! If you like it, visit www.alouk.etsy.com, my shop, where you can buy it! Alouk :)

Spring is in the air!

2008-09-17T21:56:00.003+10:00

I must admit that these were not all taken this year! and I am not sure if they were all taken in the spring, but they look pretty! Happy Spring! My favourite season.

'Floral' Aprons!

2008-09-17T20:55:00.007+10:00

Well, here I go again! I did these aprons for a friend at work, my first paid Job I think! She asked for floral and this is what I gave her! But she was happy. I couldn't bear all the awful quilting florals in the shop, no offence to those who love floral! I just couldn't see past yuck, I am sure there were nice ones buried in there somewhere! These were another new design, I think I still like wearing the other type more (the french theme and red striped ones from a couple of blogs ago), but these were quite nice as they incorporate the pleat, which was a request from the person who is hopefully enjoying them now!

a Darter? another interest of mine

2008-08-27T21:10:00.004+10:00

http://tassiebirds.blogspot.com/2008/08/possible-darter-sighting.html

A dress and some flowers

2008-08-27T20:22:00.005+10:00

A dress I made for a competition...we'll see how it goes, I don't think it is a winner though! Some flowers from the nursery at Ridgeway Tasmania

an evening with Andy and Elvis

2008-08-11T22:26:00.006+10:00

Something totally off beat... when we saw Andy Muirhead in Hobart, my friends jumped at the chance of having a picture with him:) These are for your granny Cas. And this is my brother, otherwise known as Elvis.

Aprons...I am still addicted... Bastille Day at the d'En (the Don!)!!

2008-08-11T22:09:00.015+10:00

First is a dress that I made for myself, nothing too special really, but it turned out well so I was happy! Here are two new aprons that I made, One for myself in a flurry of excitement about my new imagined style, which I love! It is much cooler to wear and covers more of your belly so it stops bench spillage more effectively! The second one was for Bastille day which we celebrated at the d'Entrecasteaux Hotel in Howden Tas (www.dentrecasteaux.com). The Consuming Passions man (Ian Palmerton) was there, a childhood hero! And we had lovely crepes :)

2008-07-29T18:44:00.003+10:00

Oh! Cushion covers I made for my friend! Her mum did the house and soldiers appliqué and I turned them into cushions!

A skirt and a little dog

2008-06-15T17:40:00.008+10:00

A skirt I made for myself, with silk from Wafu Works, a Japanese textiles shop at Kingston Beach, Tasmania (a treasure chest). And a handkerchief I made for my Grandmas birthday. Wafu Works 18 Beach Road Kingston Beach, Tasmania 7050 Australia

another apron

2008-05-22T20:34:00.003+10:00

Another one I did, for Nicola la la, you see I really got into the ric-rac with this one :)

Crafternoon- check this out!

2008-05-22T20:18:00.004+10:00

Fun fun fun fun fun on a lazy Sunday afternoon.....www.crafternoon.com.au

Semco Silkette

2008-05-22T20:11:00.002+10:00

I just think this is cool. Before I used it I wanted to record its coolness!

Blue Birds

2008-05-22T19:39:00.004+10:00

Hello! its been a while :) I emroidered these pillowcases to go with a sheet set for my brother and new sister! was very chuffed with them. It was the first time I had used stiches other than whipped backstitch, there is chain (blue) and a sort of off-set backstitch (in white), I really like the chain stitch as it stays close to the material and is well defined. A pekingese knot/ french knot makes up the eyes, a fun stich! xx

THE HORSE OPERA (nothing to do with sewing!)

2008-04-16T16:36:00.006+10:00

Naaaay! Come along to the Peacock Theatre, in Salamanca Hobart,on the 30 April, 1st or 2nd of May to see THE HORSE OPERA- An Epic Pageant. An eclectic, horsey show full of history and 80's fashion- it is a must see! Show begins at 8pm and costs $5! (Starring local puppeteers musicians dancers, you musn't miss out!) http://www.hobartfringe.org/node/155

My New Machine!!

2008-04-06T10:19:00.003+10:00

Here is my first sewing machine! wooo hoooo! Isn't she beautiful? Yes I thought so too! 30 years old and going strong!I have made her a case but I forgot to take a pic of it, will do later, for now this is enough!

lets ric-rac it up..

2008-03-28T22:28:00.009+11:00

After being given some of my mums old ric-rac I started to get inspired, this zig zagy stuff is very cool! I found this material which just reminded me so much of my boyfriends auntie and cousin, I made these for them, spatulas for mum, tea pots for daughter. Luckily both their birthdays are in March! ps. I am very excited cause my very own sewing machine should turn up in the post next week!woo hoo! I'll show you a pic when it gets here, an Elna of my own!....I know, they need to be ironed...oh well!

Here comes the fancy stuff

2008-03-27T22:24:00.008+11:00

My friend's Mum jokingly asked me to make her a white frilly apron with a satin ribbon, lace and d'Entrecasteaux embroidered across the front, and so I did. I took her joke as a challenge I suppose and taught myself to embroider, well at least I taught myself to do more than backstitch... after lots of hand sewing, for the words and when the machine wasn't gentle enough for the frills, it was finished, whoopie!

Hello

2008-03-27T19:37:00.007+11:00

A first taste of my newest obsession, and the reason I have begun this blog. These are the first two aprons I made, one for me and one for my buddy Jetika. They are lovely and trusty, now however, since I have moved on in apron land I look at them and wonder where the Ric-rac is...