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 #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

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 #KeithsRambling #WeeklyWonders #WeekendinB&W

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 #PictoiralTuesday #TravelTuesday #TalkaboutitTuesday #SundayBest #WeekendCoffeeShare

Every time my husband goes away....

For some reason, every time my husband goes away, one of the smoke alarms starts beeping that it needs it's battery changed. 

At the old house, I was too short to reach the roof and had to ring my friend with the tallest husband I know and get him to come over and do it. As a woman, I was not happy about having to rely on a man, but I didn't have a longer ladder and there was no way I could reach it.

In the apartment I could put a chair on the table and do it myself.

This time, I was given a warning with a single beep a week before it happened. Alas I had a group of people over and thought it was one of their phones and not everyone had heard it over the gabbling laughter so I wondered if it was in my head. It wasn't.

It started beeping incessantly one Friday. I pulled out the trusty Stephanie Alexander cookbook and rearch it. I was so happy I would be able to do it myself, only to discover I couldn't work out how to pull off the cover. Usually it's a twist and click or a little lever, but it wouldn't budge. Worried I'd rip out the plaster, I had to admit defeat and get an electrician in.

When he arrived, I discovered embarressingly, you just pull them down - no twisting involved. However, they werre expiring (in 2026) so we replaced the lot. I know remember the electrician showing me how to remove them and saying 'but you won't need to do this for another 10 years'. 

While I probably could have done it cheaper, I couldn't have done it myself.

You know that joke about women needing men to open jars?  Well I can open my own jars - I have plenty of tricks to manage that. Apparently smoke alarms are my Achillies heel. So there are two lessons. Know when you need help and ask for it, and keep the big thick cookbook you never use as it's the perfect height adjuster on the step ladder. Stephanie Alexander is saved from the street library....

“It takes a well-adjusted animal to know when to ask for help”
― Sara Pascoe, 

Linking with #TrafficJamReboot #TalkaboutitTuesday

VIVID season

Long time readers will be wondering where my photos are - as usually every post at this time is splashed with a rainbow of shimmering lights.

I saw the tech testing night - a little preview and then rain. Non stop rain! (or just busy elsewhere).

Finally got into the city, and after the shows or the choir session (thank you Opera House!), I wandered around VIVID. Alas my camera wasn't charged properly the first night so ran out. The second night was worse! The battery was fully charged but I didn't put it in the camera I was lugging around with me all night! (In my defence, I left in a hurry for the train as Choir is an early 5.30 start).

So here are some pics from the phone - not nearly the quality I would like.

I will be out again Wednesday night so I'm hoping that bags me some good ones!

Do you love VIVID?

For those overseas, Sydney has a Winter Festival that lights up the city quite literally, along with music and talks and food events. It's a fabulous time to come. An American friend we took round said in surprise "And all this is free?' Oh, yes!

And special shout out to the Drone show viewing at Home for refunding our tickets. Very disapointed to miss the drones but appreciate the refund as I wouldn't have gone in for the replacement fireworks.

#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.

HOUSEKEEPING Make sure you link back to this #AllSeasons post.  And please comment on the post before yours and the host. Don't dump and run. I will start reminding the dumpers to comment and 2 weeks running I'm deleting the posts. Please link with something seasonal. Make it clear in writing if the photo isn't obvious. I am considering disbanding the link up as it's really limping along. 

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