June Reading

Off to a cracking start this month, inspired by the writers festival. I read Ghost Stoires, which is understandably being translated into 26 languages and winner of the Miles Franklin award. I loved this. I thought it was so funny and clever.

It's not going to be for everyone, but it made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. I adored it.

After seeing him talk at the Writer's Festival, I had to get straight into the second book in the HappyHead series. Finishes the story, or does it? Lots of twists and plenty to keep you entertained. What I liked most about this series, is even though it's YA, it still gets you emotionally engaged, both in the thriller aspect and the intellectual aspect. Lots of mental health issues covered and for me, it highlighted that hetronormative assumptions we take for granted.

All that aside, it's just a ripping yarn as they say! Josh Silver just published an adult book so very keen to read that.

Was putting books in the street library and thought I'd give it a go for my train book, as it fits in my handbag. It's a book in email. It's dated a lot. It was published in 2000 and I'm having trouble working out how to read some of the characters. One guy, I'm not sure if we're meant to think he's a complete jerk or a cool guy - he's misogenistic and homophobic. Is it a sign of how times have changed? Or was he written to be a tool? A lot of the jokes aren't funny any more, just sort of offensive. Not sure I'm going to finish it...will give it a bit longer tho as apparently the e. book was very popular and perhaps we are meant to think all the people in it are awful and that's the joke?

Also stumbled on this and gave it a quick read before putting it on ebay. It's a little picture book on Automatic Negative Thoughts. It's a guide in a story aimed at Year 4 primary kids on managing anxiety. I thought it was pretty good, giving a clear action management plan.

Working my way though the least popular Agatha Christie's - unlike Destination Unknown that I loved, a fun spy thriller (less thrills but more of an adventure), this spy novel is a little strange. Starts off traditionally and then gets very political - and some of those politics have dated or she seems a little out of touch on the matter, though it does also feel a little more relevant than it should be these days. There is reference to the French student protests, and the revolt in the youth is in part to the older population being apathetic and letting them down. The rise of Nazism has returned. Published in 1970, there is also a lot of reference to the growing nuclear power and the dangers that brings, environmentally and politically.  It was her 80th book, published for her 80th birthday. It is different to any of her other spy novels, and a very different read to her other books.

In the to be read pile, I have a new source of inspiration - I am loving Vladimir on Netflix (Rachel Weisz is superb - delightfully distasteful) and each episode title is a book written by a woman. I've read all of them, and adored all of them except 3. So I will track those down as it stands to reason, I'l enjoy those too. And they are the Joyce Carol Oates, the Grace Paley and the Flannery O'Conner.

Linking with  #MonthlyBookworms 

Courtesy

Last night I went to Izzard's Hamlet (I throughly enjoyed it by the way, get tickets if they are available, but that is not what this is about - the Tour details are here, Melbourne, New Zealand etc). When my husband didn't want to go, I just got myself a ticket as I thought it would sell out, so didn't want to waste time waiting on the theatre crew to get back to me.

I was the first in my section of the audience and when the couple next to me arrived, the man in the seat next mine said "Good evening, how are you today?"  My initial reaction was 'how lovely and polite' and then 'I can't remember the last time this happened, it used to be normal'. 

Anyway, we chatted a bit before the show and at interval. I do often chat to people around me if I'm at a show, but it's not after such an immediate greeting. I really felt a shift in the experience.

So let's bring that back. It costs nothing and it is a nice thing to do. People can take it or leave it, as far as ongoing communication goes. While less about respect in the situation I'm talking about, it did build a feeling of social cohesion. This article says it helps build a feeling of shared values. I do think we felt a moment of unity - something that you forget when you read the news these days.

So let's change that in our day to day lives. I'm off to the theatre tonight with friends so will give it a go. It starts with you and it starts today.

"Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. It is the cheapest of the pleasures; costs nothing and conveys much" Erastus Winman 

Secondly, walking to the Opera House is sheer delight at the moment. I'll be so sad when the lights go out on the weekend. I walked straight to the show - no need for dinnr or drinks. But it was lovely and my mood lifted a little just at the dazzling lights and colours. 

In the taxi on the way home, I was chuffed to see this on my insta. Again, these little connections mean so much more than we realise. It's camaraderie, and feeling part of society or a community.

So much to be happy about at the moment. 

Linking with #MySundaySnapShot #WaterThursday #HappyTuesday and #Happynow

Sunrise or Sunset

 With the shorter days, it seems to always be sunrise or sunset on my dog walks.

My husband is back from Morocco and feeling the cold on days which I think are warm and sunny for a change (as he missed the cold snap and all the rain).

I'm rugged up, especially on the days I'm out at VIVID or walking to the theatre.

Winter is officially here.

Linking with #AwwMondays

#Allseasons linky runs from Thursday to Wednesday each week. 

Link one post that shows something seasonal. Traditional weather wise, a seasonal nature marker or a seasonal celebration or event.  Please link relevant posts only. 

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

When?

 Draining the colour sometimes makes the photos age....

This looks post war...

This I was hoping for a few centuries ago but I think it too looks like something in the 1940s. I guess the electric lights and handrail drag it to last century.

And this, well this just made me smile.

Linking with #WordlessWednesday #KeithsRambling #WeeklyWonders #WeekendinB&W #WordlessWednesday

The health benefits of VIVID

I know it sounds funny but as well as a boost to the night economy in winter, there are health benefits to VIVID.

I did my usual 11km Sunday morning walk and the dog walks, but then went with a friend to one of the VIVID music events. After 90 mins of not particularly energetic dancing, I decided to check out some of VIVID. It was a chilly but pleasant evening and I wandered around in the crowds listening to snippets of conversations, some making me laugh, others curious. The art was beautiful or fun. There was much to delight in.

By the time I got home, my sense of wellbeing and contentment was overwhelming, and my steps were boosted to almost triple my normal daily amount:

There are many benefits to dancing (discussed here) and also to walking (discussed here).

There is also the escape from the SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), or at least you are out with people, sharing smiles with strangers or you've organised to go as a group, so there's the social aspect.

It also creeps into conversations, so you have something to talk about with friends other than work or family matters - sharing ideas and expereinces, not just the usual conversation, a more intellectual engagement.

And for me, there's a contentment. After all these years I am still struck by the beauty of the city, and a contentment about where I live. I'm amazed at how lucky I am to be able to enjoy all this for the cost of a train ticket.

So if you are feeling a little low, get out and about after dark. Be part of the city. Enjoy all it's beauty. There are lots of articles now about the health benefits of engaging with arts - lowering cortisol, boosting seratonin, building neuropathways to delay cognative decline - VIVID provides all this but the added benefit of physical exercise.

'Beauty awakens the soul'. Dante Alighieri

Linking with #WordlessWednesday #PictoiralTuesday #TravelTuesday #TalkaboutitTuesday #WordlessWednesday #SundayBest #WeekendCoffeeShare