Share Four Somethings

Street flowers on the dog walk brightened my day!

I find it hard to believe I'm doing this again already! Where did this month go? And I'm still doing the Tax, which I've been doing unsuccessfully for a week. Time is being stolen from me somehow!

Something I loved Tomorrowland (and Parookaville) is my favourite time on Social Media - all the DJs I follow share their sets and it's really wonderful to see all the people having fun. I am supremely jealous and hope one day to get there...(though I know the 'one days' are running out). As you may know, the main stage burnt down the day before it was set to open. Metallica stepped in to help lending speakers and equipment and the show amazingly went on. The best bit, however, that made my feed overwhelmingly wholesome, is how much everyone loved it. The DJs and punters decided it was possibly better than normal, less people on phones, more people in the moment, and all around great vibes. It reminded me of a long lost time when people got together in adversity, and put a positive spin on it, rather than complain. Fun fact - the Voice of Tomorrowland was also Winnie The Pooh! It doesn't get more wholesome than that!

Loving this mix of the Lola Young song. Hot Dub played Messy and announced 'This song goes out to all the parents' and I now can only hear it in those terms, not as a dysfunctional romantic relationship that I thought it was about.

Little smiles - I think I am FINALLY growing ice plants, after a few failed attempts. I can't begin to describe how excited I am about this!

Vinnies in Newtown (our local op shop for those OS) has gone next level in cool. Was walking past and had to go in to investigate after Mick caught my eye...Definitely something to love!

The circle on the right is the moon, the left is a light. I can't get my head around how nuts it was. The world is an amazing place.

The shout out from Is this Mutton made me smile! A lovely surprise. This post did resonate with people. We are all more similar than we realise.

Something I learned  Genghis Khan killed an estimated 40 million people and as a result removed about 700 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the planet. Note human impact on climate began with land clearing for agriculture, not just cars and fossil fuels.

Something that went well I have started breaking my day at my desk with 5 or 10 mins of little stretching and weight exercises. I do believe it's working and I'm feeling physically better and maybe my arms are getting slightly stronger.

Something I let go of  I read this and decided with one group of people I needed to step back and do just that. It was time, there had been too many incidents over the years that were not good for my self esteem. It really hasn't made much of a difference to me as I only saw them when I organised it. I've just stopped putting in the effort. I am sad it took me so long to realise I needed to move on but I am at peace with it now. I'm still seeing those that put in the occasional effort, and I'm letting the others go. My number hasn't changed and my door is open, but if I've extended the last 5 or 10 attempts to see you, as far as I'm concerned,  it's your turn. 

Interestingly a number of people messaged me about the Instagram post when I shared it, and feel in the same boat with their friends, so it seems to be a pattern out there with people our age.  Why persist with people that offer nothing in return?  If I see them at a party or a dinner, it's fine. I'll chat away as normal, happy enough to see them, but I am putting up some boundaries and no longer tolerating people that don't reciprocate friendship. 

Linking with #FloralFridayFotos

Little Loves - July

READ I read this post by The Annoyed Thyroid and it sent me on a nostalgic mania, and a week or so later I've booked a trip we can't really afford for next year to Paris (and Venice). I've got a lot of serious ill health in my family at the moment so I'm guessing this is a reaction to that. As we learnt from Squid Game "Hodie mihi, cras tibi" the Latin for 'Today it is my turn, tomorrow it will be yours."

WATCHED Been to the theatre a bit - saw Betrayal (Pinter) last night at the Old Fitz (ends August 10) and Judy Davis in The Spare Room (based on the Helen Garner book. While I didn't like the narrator in the book, I thought Davis made her much more likeable). We also saw Lisa Simone's show on her mother's legacy. I found it quite sad how tangled up her life is. As a parent, I think you want your child to be their own star. She is in a tricky situation, because she knows why 90% of the audience went, so doesn't want to disappoint, but also wants to showcase her talents in her own music.

HEARD A friend and I went to Kiasmos at the Opera House, not the ideal venue for a dance but after the first song, they waved us up so the whole audience eagerly jumped to their feet and we danced for the rest of the show. In that moment the energy and vibe of the concert hall instantaneously changed. It was so fun and joyful!

The most Sydney street art ever!

Late to the party but I discovered The Guilty Feminist is watching And Just Like That - so listening to those episodes in reverse order. If you find yourself hate watching the show, annoyed with all the characters, it will definitely make you laugh! Seriously though, was Carrie always this awful and why didn't I ever notice? And Aiden? What on earth is she thinking. Big time ick.

WORE I found this dress in the back of my wardrobe and started wearing it again after forgetting I own it. Really like it and it's perfect for winter. Also been living in my Uniqlo fleeces, that are normally too hot for most of the winter but this winter is definitely colder than normal. Lastly, much to the disgust of everyone in the house, my Japanese socks with the corrective walker shoes...but snug and comfy, so who cares? (Reason i am not a fashion blogger!)

AND LASTLY My top three moments? How to narrow it down? I've had lots of lovely dinners, lunches and brunches out. Not sure which to say was the highlight? They were all great. But I guess getting all the kids together for a family catch up is always my favourite. Too rare for my liking but I'm greedy for their time. (And as I said re Lisa Simone, I want them to also have their own lives and happiness, so I try to walk the fine line that works for all of us).

Been going to music trivia and music bingo. These are such fun ways to get out during the week. With groups or just another friend, it's always a laugh and easy catch up.

Went to a fantastic party at the start of the month. We danced like crazy things, met some interesting people and had an all round good time. So that was a highlight! It elevated my mood for days! Good times with good friends - there's nothing better!

My greatest 'little' love - my baby with her baby!

And absolutely last, leaving you with Nina. She really was an extraordinary talent.

There is Christmas in July still to come, so follow along on Instagram.

Note the reflection shots are in the State Theatre, the street art is in Kings Cross (walking to the Old Fitz) and the Opera House is getting new stairs....

Paris - a love affair

A week or so ago, Sammie at Annoyed Thyroid posted about the Emily in Paris walking tour. Now I am ALWAYS happy to look at photos from Paris. I have been sending people to art exhibitions & concerts over there, pleading for photos for decades. I am happy to vicariously travel if I can't do the real deal myself. Even sketch drawings of Paris bring me great joy.

Little surprise it is on my list of favourite places. I went there a lot as a solo traveller, and we had the most wonderful time with two of the kids. It is my favourite city in the world hands down.

My first trip to Europe was to Paris as a 24 year old. I was on my own. I was meant to travel around France but had only prebooked skiing for a week and a visit to my Godmother in the south. I had booked 4 days accommodation in Paris, expecting to move on. Except I didn't. I just kept finding things I wanted to do, and thinking I would move on the day after next. In the end I spent three weeks there. And even so, I didn't make it to the Louvre (though went to many other galleries) and only made it to the Arc de Triomphe the morning of the day I was leaving. I did a LOT in Paris. A lot of tourist things and a lot of local activities. I had the time to explore. I changed hotels to experience different areas, but I still think of the 5th & 6th as 'home' in Paris.

Each trip back to France included a trip to Paris as there was still so much I hadn't seen or done.

Going with the kids made us see it on a different level. So much fun, so much kindness and generosity of spirit in the people towards the kids. It was magical. (But truth be told, I think Paris always is magical - you travel in history and beauty).

My first trip saw me land in Rue Gay-Lussac for a week. I got to know the 5th & 6th very well. I was in the Luxembourg gardens almost daily. So the photos of the walking tour really prompted a flood of memories.

One more than others. Emily's apartment. I walked everywhere when possible (because in Paris there are signs on all the buildings of all the famous people that lived there or resistance fighters shot there or other pieces of history around you). I stumbled across this gorgeous place. I loved it. It was so stunning. So any opportunity I had, I would walk that way to get home.

I have been watching Emily in Paris since the beginning (for the scenery as I find most of the characters infuriating and Emily just obnoxious). Not one time did I make the connection. But seeing Sammie's photo triggered the memory so I had to did it out.

And yes. Years before Emily, I was Emily in Paris. Sort of.

And that is probably why I persist with the show.

I adore the Pantheon. The first time I went there I cried. If you don't know about Jean Moulin, it's a piece of history worth learning. He was an extraordinarily brave man. The building is beautiful and a must see. These were taken between Boxing Day and New Years, I can't remember when the decorations came down, but sometime in January the lights and the Christmas trees disappeared. I think I've been into the Pantheon ever trip to Paris. It's my favourite building in the city. (There is a mural of Jeanne d'Arc and I'm a huge fan of hers too so it ticks a lot of boxes for me).

(Next to it is my favourite church in Paris. Just magical - this shot is taken from the Dome of the Pantheon, I'm not sure if you can still go up there).

I have to include Palais Royale, which also features in Emily in Paris. I went there in the 1994 trip but a few days later it snowed, so I had to go back to take photos. Still one of my favourite memories in Paris.

I apologise for the nostalgia but I had to thank Sammie for the flood of memories her post inspired. And even though we can't really afford it, we are booking a trip next year with our youngest, because she never got to go with the other kids, being in my tummy at the time! You never know, I might do another Then & Now post.... 

Look up

We got out of the uber and were discussing the building in front of us. I noticed the buildings behind me were reflected in the window. (The bar I went to in VIVID is at the top).

"It's all a great mystery...Look up at the sky and you'll see how everything changes"  Antoine de Saint-Exupery 

Below is a pocket dial photo. I just found it on my camera roll. I was getting out of the car, loaded up with items in my arms, and somehow took this. It's weirdly pleasing, yet if I turn it so the sky is up, I don't like it at all. I'm not sure why.....As I've said before, it's all how you look at it!

Linking with #Skywatch and #GaleriaHimmelsblick

Winter

 

Waiting for an Uber and I looked up. The tree, even with the bright blue sky behind it screamed winter at me. The B&W version cemented it.

Super short for this week's #Allseasons linky. Add your posts that show something seasonal (an event like Christmas or anniversary, a festival or something that is to do with the seasons).

#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

July Reading

This is a strange little book I picked at random. It's classed as horror but I wouldn't say horror. Gruesome thriller maybe? I don't know. Almost modern day folk tale? I really enjoyed it. It was fun and surprising in that it starts in one genre and moves to another. It's translated from Icelandic so I don't know if that's what gives it that different feel? It also had this brilliant line on internal criticism (I forget on looks or weight or work?)  'The patriarchy speaks with my mother's voice'. Doesn't take long, if you want something different, it's a fun book. I loved it. (I borrowed it from the library and listened to it on Libby)

I didn't love this book, I've read quite a bit about the Vietnam war, from all sides, and the French occupation. It had some interesting parts about the way women were treated on  their return to the states and the beginning of PTSD becoming a recognised disorder but I found some of the way the story was told treated the reader like an idiot, that they didn't know basic history or that they might have forgotten what happened earlier in the book (it is too long, I thought). That said, it seems pretty popular so most people are loving it.

I stumbled on this by accident, and as I hadn't read any Shirley Jackson, I figured I'd check it out (of the library, on Libby). In the opening paragraphs I realised the timing was perfect, given the mushroom case here. I really enjoyed working out what was going on...it was alluded to from the start but you need to put the pieces together. That's part of the fun of the book. I found this delightfully kooky and a really crazy gem for the reader. 

As you may remember, I've discovered Ryu Murakami and been reading his books all year. This one is quite different to the other two, semi autobiographical, very funny and much more palatable than the other two (In the Miso Soup and Piercing). I found it quite charming (though the main character is not exactly what you would call charming in the traditional sense). It's written from the view point of a teen boy at a time of war and protest, the year 1969 - but on the sidelines, in Japan. I really enjoyed it.

This is a cute idea, rejigging fairy tales but it's aimed at younger readers. I'd say 7-12 or for those with an interest in fairy tales. This collection had Ninja-rella, Zombie Hansel & Gretel, and superhero Billy Goats Gruff and Red Riding Hood. 

(I borrowed it from the library and read it on Hoopla, it only takes an hour, if that)

Finally, Careless People, about working at Facebook and the tech industry in general. It's horrifying, from the gross arrogance of the people there to the disregard of damage while chasing profit and the incredibly obnoxious attitude to other countries (and the ignorance of basic laws and customs in other countries. It's one unbelievable saga after another. Not a must read but definitely fascinating.

Linking with #IMWAYR #SundayPost #SundaySalon  #Bookdate #StackingtheShelves #SeniorSalonPitstop #MonthlyBookworms #TalkaboutitTuesday