The Little Things - May

 I can't believe how fast this month has flown. And then we are almost half way thru the year, less than 50 days until my trip. I don't know how the wheels keep spinning so fast. And yet they do.

Terrifyingly large fungus

I get a lot of benefit from these monthly summaries. It's like a gratitude post for all that I've not acknowledge in the last 30 days. I often feel I've done nothing but when I look back, I'm always struggling to find my top 3, to narrow down the field.

The pictures for the most part this month are just things that made me happy when I saw them.

READ My husband sent me an article about going to live music keeps you younger - that reseach show it reudces biological ageing by 4 years. I don't know about that, and it definitely takes a toll on hearing so wear earplugs (ONE BILLION people are suffering hearing loss from going to festivals apparently). Apparently going to gigs fortnightly could boost life expectancy by up to nine years. I'm not sure how this can all really be true, and the article was a little lose on it's explanations. I will say for me, it definitely helps with my well being (and mental health). Some of the reasons are because it reduces cortisol and boosts endorphins, I would also add certain gigs for me are the equivalent of 10kms or a festival up to 30 kms (I've got bounce...mad jumper!) so there is heart health and general fitness (but by the end I feel every bit of my age and hobble home). Apparently listening to music stimulates the auditory pathways and encourages neuroplasticity - but surely the same would happen if you listened to new music (unfamilliar music) at home? Singing and dancing in a crowd creates collective effervescence and according to the article reduces loneliness and increases self worth. Again, I'm not sure about the loneliness and self worth however these is something in the collective effervescence. I definitely find myself smiling at people like we're sharing something, or when we all move together in unison, there is something unifying in that. There are studies that say The Arts do this - and I would agree there's something very nourishing in theatre or galleries. Reducing aging though? I'm really not sure that's possible. No matter how much we wish for it!

(To clarify, I don't have any facts to argue it's not true, I'd need to see more of the study details. I'm not dismissing science outright, I'm just saying my personal expereince, as someone who by their outlines should be reducing ageing.)

WATCHED I've been to so many great plays this month. A young playwright, Ruby Blinkhorn had her first play produced and it was so clever (and funny). Yet it's left me thinking about things, about how no one is incorruptible and how power corrupts for it's own end (benenfit). Tickets to Cadaver Synod are here until next Saturday. (Based on a historical event). If this is her first place, it's safe to assume she'll go onto great success.

Guttenberg at Hayes Street theatre was hilarious (mentioned here) and the Illiad at STC was excellent. Both superb staging and acting. If you don't have tickets, make sure you go. This show is worth every cent. It's incredible.

Lastly I saw Savior (on until 14 June). It's something I think about when giving money to charity. Who decides who gets what? How is it delivered? How do they treat the on the ground workers? Does government or local power brokers corrupt the process?  This is a very funny show but will leave you thinking about the issue. 

I also had a great time at the Comedy Festival and the Writer's Festival. Sydney is in full festival mode and I do love to be part of it all.

HEARD Had a string of gigs - Eric Bibb, Ev Jones singing Sam Cooke, Jeff Goldblum, Beck(husband's pick but a good way for me to see the SSO without having to struggle with classical music), Frank Turner, Clayton Doley, Electric Fields, Galantis, Genesis Owusu and Hot Dub Time Machine. A little bit of everything and a lot of fun dancing. I was very disappointed to miss Ruthie Foster and Jaguar Jonze due to clashes but you literally can't have everything.

 

MADE The most of my husband being away by having a gaggle of friends for dinner before Hot Dub and the Mah Jong ladies over for dinner and mah jong. Not that he minds if I have people over but you don't like to be taking over the dining room and lounge all the time. All that open plan living becomes in convenient at times...

WORE More in the giving away dresses. Another from Paris that is just a little too tight. And my friend gave me these socks, and as I'm part Moomin, I absolutely adore them and have been wearing them non stop! Sparkes and Moomin themed - what more could you want?!

In the street library

MY TOP THREE MOMENTS FROM THE MONTH GONE BY Now the tricky part. I'm not sure I can narrow it down to three. I laughed so hard with Takashi Wakasugi and Gutenberg (so I will tie them for that post show moment where you are a little giddy from laughing and feel your cheeks hurting from smiling so hard). I spent time with so many different friends this month. That was really lovely, to catch up with so many different people. While I will admit I accidently overbooked myself this month, as I'm at the end of it, I will also admit it was really wonderful and I feel lucky I got to engage in so many different aspects of the arts. As I've said before, I find it stimulating and nourishing. (I also had a family get together for my mother for Mother's Day and my MIL for her birthday, so it was lovely to see all the extended family together too).

As always, you can follow along on Instagram here.

I am amazed this is not Sam Cooke's most famous song. I'd forgotten about it and now can't stop playing it.

  

 

I leave you with this fabulous gift from a friend! I adore them! Practical and funny! Perfect for the avid reader!