Friday 28 January 2022

Hamilton


The Hamilton lottery seemed like the perfect opportunity to see it again before it leaves. I took a friend who loved the show, so it was lovely to be able to do that for her, and benefit from the energy of her excitement.

For those that don't know, you can enter a lottery for $10 tickets here. The seats we got were AMAZINGLY good, infact better than when either or us paid for our seats last year!

Hamilton leaves Sydney 27th February. Tickets available here.

However, after second viewing, I am still 100% team Burr. I don't get Hamilton is the hero?? But over them both, I'm a Thomas Paine girl. It's just Common Sense. (See what I did there??!!)

 


Linking with #SundayBest

Thursday 27 January 2022

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see" Henry David Thoreau

The last lockdown was really hard for me for a number of reasons, and the post COVID world is difficult and confusing, even though we have yet to catch it. I have spent more time reading and thinking about it, and more importantly, trying to manage it safely at times when I think the government is being irresponsible. I heard a terrible story from friend about a little baby with COVID turned away from hospital and the GP who had sent them had no idea what they could do. It was very distressing and I decided I didn't want to be a contributor to those deaths in any way, and so I had to not catch it, and more importantly, not spread it. It is a very difficult headspace to navigate.

I have spoken before about how we are changed by this, in ways we aren't aware of until it bursts fotth upon us, and I expereinced it again last night.

In the 5km lockdown, I went to pick up takeaway from Long Chim which sits right on my 5km line and the empty laneway with the bird cages brought tears to my eyes. I lamented that I wanted my city back. By that, I really meant I wanted my life back. My very lovely life in a beautiful city with a lot to offer, that was a luxury I took for granted until now. I was hit with the loneliness and isolation, and a sense of loss that lockdown gave me. And I was well aware I was one of the lucky ones, and my heart broke for those that had suffered greater losses, both personal and financial. Those that had to live in fear, those that lacked access to basic needs and protections. Those who were dealing with a great many deaths on a personal level. Those unable to be with their dying. Those dying alone.

Come January, I had booked a number of Sydney Festival shows, and had been to a number of the free events too. I've been enjoying the city and the arts, and things I love. Last night was the absolutely magnificent Italian Baroque with Circa at Angel Place. It was exactly the show I needed. It was beautiful, both visually and musically, it was funny and charming. It was awe inspiring and mesmerising. It was not of this time and place. It was an escape. It was the perfect antidote to these confusing and sad times.

On arrival, as I rounded the corner, I saw the cages but this time above diners in the restaurants, people walking to the recital hall, fairy lights strung across the bars and laneway. It felt almost like a mirage, but it was really happening. My heart expanded in happiness. I could physically feel it!

So two pictures but percieved through a different lens. To other viewers, they are probably the same. To me, they are grossly different. 

And that, I guess, is one of the lessons in life. How we view the world is impacted by how we are experiencing the world.

That's what people talk about when they talk of privilege.

 

May we get to the end of this without losing too much. Our human cost is already too great.

Stay safe everyone, but also reach out to friends and family. Everyone is struggling in some way, even if it isn't evident.

Linking with #TrafficJamWeekend and #InspireMeMonday


loopyloulaura
Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday

There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments. – Janet Kilburn Phillips

 I mentioned in lockdown that I had taken to planting without purpose, just to watch things grow, and I'm continuing this zen practice as I find it very satisfying.



I was so excited when these pretty little violets appeared.









However a day or so later I was put to shame when I saw some street tomatoes, apparently grown from a wayward seed dropped by a bird or a compost spill from the garbage truck....Evidently no tending, no watering and no care is a better gardener than my good self!  



Lastly, I saw this strange one on the dog walk - anyone know what it is?


Linking with #FloralFridayFoto




Tuesday 25 January 2022

Ruffled Feathers

As the birds flew in, they'd take a few seconds for their feathers to settle down.

They would also land with their crest flared. I failed this night to capture that.  

 If nothing else, it was very good for me to work on my observation skills. My attenton to detail is somewhat lacking.... 



They also spaced out. If they didn't land apart, they would walk a certain distance to their 'spot'. Does anyone know why they do this?



One of the things I love about Sydney, is even in the city there is nature and wildlife if you look properly.



It's time for #Allseasons for another week.
All Seasons is open from Friday through Wednesday 5pm, Sydney Time. 
2. Please link one  'seasonal' post a week. 
3. Make sure you link back to this  #AllSeasons post.
4. Please comment on the post before yours. Don't dump and run 















You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Visitors


While staying at Palm Beach (destination picked when I thought Sydney might be in semi lockdown at Xmas), I was lucky enough to get these visitors up close and personal morning and night.


I did regret not bringing my camera to get good close ups, but the birds didn't seem to mind getting close up to me, so there are still a few good ones (hint, a corker for next week!).


The people next door made the mistake of feeding them and then yelled and screamed when the birds stole their dinner as well.

The birds and I seemed to have an understanding. Mine based in fear or at least cautious of those claws and beak....

I have noted before that good bird photography is an exercise in patience and perserverance, something which I lack. So I enjoyed the mindful encounters, waiting for good shots.


RachelSwirl


It's time for #Allseasons for another week.
All Seasons is open from Friday through Wednesday 5pm, Sydney Time. 
2. Please link one  'seasonal' post a week. 
3. Make sure you link back to this  #AllSeasons post.
4. Please comment on the post before yours. Don't dump and run


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Monday 24 January 2022

“Each of us has the power and responsibility to become a rainbow in the clouds.” - Maya Angelou


Linking with #BlueMonday


GRATITUDE: We had a long weekend away with all the kids, including the eldest who moved out last year. I loved having everyone together. And I think the younger siblings loved having their big sister back. I am so grateful we got to do that, though I am sad because I suspect it was the last...










LOVE: The Jeffrey Smart exhibition in Canberra is well worth the visit. It's joyous and uplifting, it's funny (humourous) and it makes you look at every day objects and streetscapes in a new light. It really changed, at least for awhile, how I viewed the world, and I saw beauty in the strangest of places!

I love this one because I'm often on this road and it was instantly recognisable - though very differnet landscape these days.
Linking wiht #RubyTuesdayToo





HEALTH: So far, all good. I do feel it's only a matter of time, and probably when schools go back is when we will get hit.....We've not been eating in restaurants or bars but have been going to shows (masked the whole time). However, we did eat out in Narooma. I thought I might do a RAT this morning before my daughter's friend comes over as I've a stuffy nose (but I suspect that is more from the ice cold waters with the seals...see below).

CONNECTION: I have a friend that loves Hamilton and I am taking her on Australia Day as I won the $10 tickets. It will be fun seeing it with someone who is so into it.  I haven't celebrated Australia day the last few years as it feels false to celebrate when it is dividing the country....




APPRECIATION: We snorkelled with seals in Barunguba (Montague Island) off Narooma. It was AMAZING. I have a deeper appreciation for these wonderful creatures as well as how we humans are really such a small part of the planet (yet sadly the have a  destructive streak that impacts on a grand scale). Unfortunately, my camera has broken and the zoom won't focus so I missed a lot of fantastic shots. I am hoping a service will fix it as the same camera has gone UP in price, serveral hundred dollars. It's weird!! I had thought I'd get this fixed & give to my youngest and get me a newer one with better capabilities but the prices are bananas.


CARE:  A friend put up a meme that she thought was a speech her friend made - and one of the lines is 'You are not Atlas, you don't carry the world on your shoulders'. Everyone seemed to like that. My mother said something similar about not bothering herself with the troubles of the world. I am at odds with this. I understand you can't save everyone, nor can you change everything, but surely you have to try? Isn't it how we got into this mess by just caring about our own personal worries, rather than the big picture? Why do we only care about what impacts us? I am really surprised that no one seems to care anymore? I understand there's a futility in railing against things you can't change, but surely you have to at least try? 


Linking with #SaturdayCritters (for the seals) #FridayBliss  #OurWorldTuesday  #MCoW #TheRandom   #LinkupPotpourri  #FriendshipFriday