One thing that happened in lockdown, I became mesmerised watching the moon. I'd spend a lot of time looking at it, photographing it, noting it's changing shape or the craters.
It appears that hasn't changed. I keep noticing it, if it's visible in the day time and was delighted when there was a dark cloud dusting it. My camera couldn't catch the wispiness of the cloud, but I still like the pics. As the moon changes shape on a cycle, I'm counting it as 'seasonal'.
Do you still have habits or behaviours that started in lockdown?
READ My April books are here but an interesting fact I read is that 20% of people can smell ants. It's a genetic difference in humans, which makes you think there are plenty of genetic differences that seem to have no reason or purpose, they just are, so maybe we should dial back our hatred against anything we don't see as 'normal'. Back to the ants, it's to do with the formic acid they release, and different types of ants smell differently. Some smell chocolatey or vinegary and some smell like rotten coconut or ammonia. Ants talk to each other through smell, by releasing pheromones. Which explains also how ant eaters can smell ants (though there sense of smell is much stronger than that of humans). So can you smell ants?
WATCHED A lot of DJs, a lot of bands, a lot of comedians and a lot of Shakespeare (the second part of player Kings was another 5 hours and brilliant!) Saw some movies - Saint Ex at the French Film Festival and Amateur on a lazy weekend. Been watching Black Mirror and Mobland on TV.
HEARD Ely Oaks did a fast version of this song which is brilliant but it's not been released so I've had to settle with the slow version. Just lovely! (Though Oaks's dance version is better! Please release it!)
WOREI wore this dress when travelling to a wedding,
and this dress to the 'coastal chic cocktail' wedding.
As it's getting cooler, I wore this when sitting outside for Andrea Bocelli.
Currawong from the air made me smile.
LASTLY It's been a great month. I've basically been on holidays. Shorter work hours as I've needed to get the kiddo places, Away three of the 4 weekends. Good times at night with all the fun that's on.
My three fav moments? Most definitely Ultra - so much fun, and the burst of elation from the dance frenzy &such a great high hangover that lasts for days. Bluesfest is always a joy, that bubble of music for hours, and fun with my husband. The Comedy Festival - more than one moment but all one thing. I'm loving the nightly laughs, but also the ideas the shows leave me thinking about. Good times with friends. Nothing better!
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!
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!
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.
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"
