Thursday 14 February 2013

Extravagance

Last August, I got an email saying Driving Miss Daisy was coming to Brisbane with Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones. Both actors who I'm very fond of - Angela Lansbury was a young beauty in the old black and white movies I watched as a kid, and then came back as a force in my teen years with Murder She Wrote. James Earl Jones - well, who doesn't love that voice? The resonance alone is moving! Star Wars, Lion King - "if you build it, he will come". So I quickly emailed a friend in Brisbane and got us tickets - all within an hour of receiving the promotional email.



I got myself a cheap flight ($85) and a room on points, so the extravagance is the actual theatre ticket, which was over $100. And yet it feels like such a decadent thing to do - especially now that the show is touring nationally. That announcement was made about 6 weeks after I'd committed.

This Saturday I'll be footloose and fancy-free (kid-free) and reading on a plane, pottering around the art gallery then off to the theatre. I am so excited by this little jaunt, you could say disproportionately so. I think it's more to do with the feeling of it being a little over the top, than the actual expense or voyage.

I have done this once before, and I loved it. I went to Melbourne for the day to see the Tim Burton exhibition, have lunch then head to the Titanic Exhibition. A friend came too, and we got $50 return Tiger fares, so the airport parking cost more than the flight. In the lead up we took delight in saying "oh, we're going Melbourne for lunch that day" in answer to any request.

The idea of getting on a plane with no luggage and no children to disturb me is now so alien. I hate flying but I'm even looking forward to the idea of looking in the shops at the airport!! Sitting in a taxi without fiddling with seat belts. Sleeping in! It's like someone will be taking over my life for 24 hours - or rather I'll be taking over some carefree person's life.

I'll be the extravagant body-snatcher, if you will. Sometimes it really isn't the destination, it's the idea of the journey.

Do you have moments of extravagance? Can be of time or of money? Or something else entirely...

Linking up with Some Grace for  #FYBF - see who else dropped by!

17 comments:

  1. My last moment of extravagance was leaving the family and flying from Perth to Sydney, with an overnight stay in a 5 star hotel with upgrade and off to the taping of the Oprah Winfrey show. Followed by a dash to the airport to be home in time for my daughters birthday dinner. I spent a small fortune, I didn't sleep for 2 days and while I have a gorgeous pearl diamond necklace to show for it, I was left rather disappointed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Upgrade and jewellery? Disappointing? How so?? You've got me very intrigued now...

      Delete
  2. I saw the billboards for this when we were at QPAC recently for a magic show (as you do!?!)
    I thought it looked terrific. I hope it's as good as we're both anticipating!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oooh! I LOVE magicians! I drag the kids along who are only mildly interested...

      Delete
  3. Good on you Lydia. A lady deserves to spoil herself from time to time. Sounds lovely! I haven't had much extravagance for a while, but that's OK, my time will come. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree! Everyone needs a few 'treat yourself' days...

      Delete
  4. I think $100 is worth it to see these two actors live on stage. I heard James Earl Jones interviewed by Richard Fidler yesterday. He is an amazing person. Hope you thoroughly enjoy your little adventure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He has the BEST VOICE EVER. Still. I am getting so excited. Was doing a little research for a review and I can't get over how many awards they've won and how many films and plays they've been in between them! Both over 50 years work in the industry...amazing!

      Delete
  5. Sounds like you will have an absolute ball !!!!! I'll e-mail you my number then if you have a spare hour or two, and would like to catch up and I can make it, I will come up and see you !!!
    LOL - maybe you are older than me - I remember watching Murder She Wrote when I was a kid but I don't remember any black and white movies with her in them !!!!!
    Have the bestest time and travel safely !
    Love, hugs and positive energy.
    Me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did you see the original Manchurian Candidate? She's in that.. also a Bette Davis one (All about eve? Or Maybe a Joan Crawford one - my memory is shot - she's the young starlet in the film)

      Delete
    2. She was also in the Three Musketeers when Gene Kelly was D'artagnan (linking back to my Listmania post the other day...) and yes, I'm a female Tony D'Nozo (sp? NCIS)

      Delete
  6. Ooh, I love the sound of your night away. It's my favourite thing to do, since having kids. I had two jaunts to Melbourne last year - I crashed my husband's work trip for a night, and the other was a weekend with my teenager (when the kids get old enough to be great company, sleep in and wipe their own butts, they are welcome to come along).

    ReplyDelete
  7. Have an awesome time Lydia - that does sound beautifully indulgent but oh so well deserved! Kirsty @ My Home Truths

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh, I'm so jealous! I heard James Earl Jones on the radio the other day and oh yes, that voice just warms your heart.
    I don't think if it's being extravagant to do what you're doing. It's going to feed your soul and rejuvenate your love for the theatre and the arts so it's worth every penny!
    Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  9. WOW!! I am seriously jealous. I had no idea they would be travelling with the show to Australia. That's fantastic!
    Have a ball :)
    Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello! I blogged about such a similar thing on Friday as well, about how uplifting it is to have a holiday booked, things to look forward to. here's hoping that more great things are popping up for you again soon. Why the hell not!??

    ReplyDelete