Share Four Somethings - April

I've had a great April. I've been away every weekend except one, and I've been catching up with lots of friends at gigs and the comedy festival, so feeling relaxed and a comforting level of wellbeing. Busy transporting the teen on school holidays but taken a bit of pressure off the family obligations. Not enough to actually get time to exercise, but a lot of walking to help balance that.

Something I loved Bluesfest, the Comedy Festival but Ultra is my fav weekend. Ely Oaks was the highlight and I'm loving all that he's posting. I've watched this Insta link over and over, and I feel the burst of energy in my chest that I felt at the time. I 100% agree with him. 

Sharing another of his songs I love.

Something I learned Epilepsy was diagnosed in Ancient Egypt. It is thought some of the Pharaohs had it. It is also believed that King Tut had a club foot and a cleft palate. None of this really matters, I just find it interesting that they were so medically advanced and here we are trying to argue with established science and medicine over every little thing.

Something that went well  The kiddo's driving lessons are so far going well. We have a wedding this weekend so I'm really hoping our flight up to the Gold Coast goes well and we make it on time and with no rush to get changed. I did write a story for a competition but I'm not very happy with it so I have low expectations on that going well.

Something I let go of  So many things I want to say here, but I haven't really let go of them. Still working on it. 

Signing off with the Bluesfest wrap up video. Hope to be back next year! 

 

Linking with #ShareFourSomethings 

An ode to Bluesfest

 

While it's not a cheap holiday, it is worth every cent. We had already booked for Bluesfest when it was announced it would be the last. We were very saddened to hear that news but given Spilt Milk and Splendor cancelling, and Wanderer having a 'pause', I was not surprised. The last two times we'd been, the numbers had been noticeably down.

My husband and I have quite different tastes in music but Bluesfest allows us to discover new bands together, or split up for a set and then meet up for the next one. It's really lovely to share it with him.

Where we stay has morning yoga and I have to say that's a really great thing for me to do, followed by some pool time with a book. We catch up with friends and family or go out for lunch before hitting the festival mid afternoon.

It's impossible not to shut off from the outside world and truly relax.

We saw a magician last year who said that 'some people loved magic, not to be tricked or the illusion, but because of how it made them feel, inside' and festivals are the same. You get buzzed with emotions. As someone with no musical talent, I spent a lot of time feeling joy and wonder, thinking how lucky we were to have people in this world that could create this glorious noise with their body or an instrument.

As I turned around to leave the tent after Cimafunk, the crowd was stationary, still looking at the now empty stage with the broadest grins. Thousands of people. That moment captured what we'd all shared. There's something we carry away with us after the music stops.

I know I quote it all the time but this applies to all music, not just blues. "The blues can't drive depression clear out of a house, but it can drive it into the corners of any room where it's being played."

I for one, am glad it is on again next year and hope I can make it!

You can buy tickets to next year's Bluesfest here.

My Insta has lots of clips of the music - but I don't edit it or really even look at it while filming, so prepare for terrible quality....It's really just for me to remember the vibes.

Linking with  #MondayMusicMovesMe #WBOYC #TalkaboutitTuesday

I love this pic. The extra 4kms is from vigorously ska dancing to the frenzied fun of Melbourne Ska Orchestra. 

``In the embrace of rain, the world feels renewed, as if nature is washing away the burdens of yesterday.''

I can't find who said either of these quotes so if you know, please let me know so I can attribute them accordingly.

It's had been a few days of rain but the massive spider web in the backyard stayed undisturbed. It shimmered when the sun came out, like a thousand little diamonds catching the light.

"Rain cleanses the soul's windows to see life's beauty once more"

Linking with #GardenAffair #SundayBest #NaturesNotes  #TalkaboutitTuesday #WaterThursday #MySundaySnapshot

(Note a fair bit of skin but nothing rude - so not sure if suitable for work or not)

Seasonal laughs

    
 Last night I started my Sydney Comedy Festival season  I line up 10 or more shows, picked at random, usually for the time or the $25 price tag. I pick women or Asian comedians as I think they have to work harder for their audiences. I've pick some with interesting ideas (who dunnit concept is this years intrigue).

Last night I saw a fav, Nish Kumar. He did not disappoint. Very smart, very provocative on political issues (and race). He always makes me think about things and what goes on in the world. He has 2 more shows - tonight and tomorrow (23 & 24th) at the Factory (Tix here) so get along if you can.

The one disappointment, is Charlene Kane did THREE weeks at Melbourne Comedy Festival but not even one night in Sydney! I begged and pleaded but no luck (don't laugh. I really did. That's what's SM is for!)

Last night I went with a friend, tonight's show's are with a different friend and Thursday is with my husband. It's a great way to catch up with people, share a laugh and good vibes with friends.

And right now, we need a good laugh!

#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. 

Make sure you link back to this  #AllSeasons post. 

Please comment on the post before yours and the host. Don't dump and run. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

April Reading

 

This is a small hard cover book, but it's really a short story. I read it from start to finish on the plane to Melbourne (an hour and 5 mins). It's funny and sweet and a lot of what we know - ageing, Covid, irrelevance and I guess the human condition and interaction. I liked it but the price for the short read makes it a gift or find it in the library.

A number of other bloggers were reading this so I thought it might be a bit of fun, plus I might learn a few tips to be more supportive of friends going through it. I wasn't sure I liked the narrator voice at times, and there was one bit that just horrified me (Maybe I am a prude??)

I read this because like many of the other Australian bloggers, we'd link up weekly and visit Seana's blog. I met her at the theatre back in 2015, and I will say I found it hard to marry the person in the book with the person I 'knew'. There was also a funny moment when she mentioned another blogger I know in person. I remembered that woman going on the cruise she mentions. So it was a strange mix of what felt like a fictional character (a person I don't know) with real events and people. It's very open, honest and raw. It's a generous sharing of difficult life issues & a life long struggle with alcohol.

I guess the real lesson is we don't know what's going on for people. The confident, successful & gregarious person might still be plagued with self loathing or insecurities.

This is a book club book. I looked at the cover and title and thought 'Snore'. However, it's great. It's really got me thinking about lots of aspects of literature and how we use the written word in our day to day lives.  It's not a huge book in length, so even if it's not your usual thing, worth giving it a try. 

Linking with #SeniorSalonPitstop #TalkaboutitTuesday #SundayPost #SundaySalon

All roads lead to Rone....

I was lucky enough to get to the Time Exhibition back in 2023. It moved me to tears with it's beauty. It was little wonder it sold out and was impossible to see.

I have heard a whisper it might hit Sydney, so definitely get tickets if that pans out.

When I heard one of the rooms was installed into The Outsiders, the fabulous street art gallery in Melbourne, I knew I had to squeeze it into our packed itinerary for Ultra. The gallery has a number of Rone works.

It's not quite the same as it felt stumbling onto an abandoned floor of the Flinders Street Station but it is still mesmerizing.

Get in to see it while you can. The gallery is free and just round the corner from Hosier Lane so easy to duck into on your lunch break, or while heading off to sightsee...

Linking with #MuralMondays #TravelTuesday #MCoW #WednesdayAroundtheWorld #WordlessWednesday #KeithsRamblings