When life imitates art...

I was wandering around waiting to pick up takeaway (shout out to Dumpling Master - it's the bomb!) when I saw these ibis. 

They didn't look real, and the whole scene reminded me of the mural in Chippendale....

"Art is making something out of nothing" Frank Zappa

Linking with #NaturesNotes #MySundaySnapshot

``Use your smile to change the world; don't let the world change your smile.'' -- Anonymous

I had stupidly missed my rego papers and discovered I couldn't drive my car. It was a complete drama and I will admit overwhelmed me a little at the emotional upset it caused me. (I have since discovered menopause affects your resilience so I've decided it was that, as even I couldn't understand why I felt so overloaded by it all).

As I wandered around the mechanic's neighbourhood, waiting for the pink slip, I saw these fun guys and burst into a smile.

Suddenly it didn't seem so bad.

Linking these meerkats with #AwwMondays 

I was meant to be walking to the theatre with a friend, but as I'd been so caught up in car drama, I didn't see the message that she would meet me there until I was at her door. I'd left my headphones at home so was feeling disappointed I'd wasted the opportunity to walk with music (as it always makes my soul soar, and I walk much faster so much better exercise).

Then I rounded the corner and saw this. It made me think of the Elegant Squatch in Dispatches from Elsewhere and it made me so happy that someone liked it too. (You may remember I've written about it here, here and here).

It truly filled me with delight, enough to put that spring in my step that makes me speed up with joy.

It's been raining all weekend and so our sunrise kayak got cancelled and our evening beach picnic has moved to a restaurant. My morning walk & talk with a friend was also cancelled....however, I needed the sleep in after a late night and I went to dance class instead of the kayak so still all good.

This web was beautiful, glistening from the rain (though I'm hoping my camera photos show it better).

The leaves on this plant glimmered and shone as if doused in balls of mercury. Again the iPhone doesn't show the beauty but the rain brings with it it's own delights. 

I do however, look forward to reading on the deck in the sunshine again....

Linking with #GardenAffair

Reflections

 

At dinner the other night, I kept thinking of this Edith Wharton quote "There are two ways of spreading the light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." I think we all need to lift our game in spreading some light in the world.

I loved the purple vase but it's $495 price tag made it just an object to be admired. There are so many reflections in this shot. The more you look, the more you see - the vases, the lights, the buidlings over the road and of course, me!

"Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful" Margaret J. Wheatley.

It is really hard watching the unintended consequences (or maybe they are intentional) of some of the political decisions around the world. As we go into our own election, make sure greed doesn't cloud our judgement, because we all know who really benefits when when government funding is cut. It's not the general population or lower income tax brackets.

There is a faux reflection in the mural below. It made me smile.

Linking with #MuralMonday and #WWOT

THE PLAYER KINGS Part 1 & Part 2 Shakespeare & Marlowe’s History Cycle

Last night I went to part 1 of the Player Kings. I hadn't really paid much attention to what it was and thought it was just the main speeches out of the Henry's and Richards of Shakespeare by the wonderful Sport for Jove company, who did the best production of Taming of the Shrew I've ever seen.

However, as the course of the night rolled on, watching the recognisable decades of social upheaval in the 50's through to 80's, I realise of course where (& who) Richard III will be. Glancing at the website, it was confirmed "the story glances backward to the journey from Richard II to Richard III, in order to thrust our gaze forward to how political systems collapse and societies devour their own potential."

This is an ambitious project. condensing 6 plays into two nights, with a large ensemble cast, requiring versatility of both skill and visual imagery. It's engaging and entertaining. I also enjoyed recognising moments and characters in our living history (as well as the obvious events featured in the play).

The live music is a lovely touch, and is used artistically both in song and background ambiance or heightening the impact of war. The use of film and projection is also a nice touch, and the space is more physical than a normal theatrical staging. There is even some hilarious audience participation. It feels a little more like the Globe theatre than the Seymour Centre is.

For a Shakespeare production (of sorts) there is nothing usual about this, in concept or execution.

On a personal note, what I like about this most, is while we all know Henry IV and Richard III very well, the other Henry plays (and Richard II) I could watch like a normal play, for the story, as I didn't know what would happen. It's a lovely experience to engage in Shakespeare performances on that level (it helps my English history of that period is a little rusty too). When you are watching events unfold rather than waiting for speeches to be made, it's a very different emotional experience. You are judging the characters on their deeds, and at times this is surprising.

If you can get tickets, it is worth going to. Part 1 ran for 5 hours, so if you do both in a day, you will be in the theatre for 10 hours or so. I am glad we spaced ours out, but eager to see the finale in a week's time.

Tickets are available here. I don't know if it's touring, but for your sake, I hope that it is.

That's #WBOYC - what have you been up to?

Early Easter?

Greek Easter is not until the 20th of April either, so I'm not entirely sure why the decorations were already out at Alpha.

Our Greek friends took us out for lunch to say farewell after their 6 weeks here. I was very sad to say goodbye as it had been lovely sightseeing with them. Lots of laughs and harbour filled days.

I've not been to Alpha for many years but the food is still delicious.

Has anyone else noticed Easter seems to have come early?

#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.

 

Little Loves - March

READ That the fabulous Rone has installed one of his magnificent TIME rooms into The Outsiders, that brilliant Street Art gallery. You have until May to see it. Don't miss it. It's free. I will be down in Melbourne for Ultra so I am very excited.

I also read in a meme yesterday, so need to find more detailed and fact checked information on it that Segregated facilities are no longer prohibited, as Trump has axed a clause in federal contracting agreements from the 1960s that protected against separate bathrooms, drinking fountains, housing etc. An American friend of mine joked he had better stay out of the sun. It's not feeling very funny at the moment. [Edit. Another American friend said the Civil Rights Act of 1964 still over rules it and segregation is still illegal. However, I feel this is the thin edge of the wedge so to speak. Will investigate further.]

WATCHED Mickey 17. I liked it. I'm surprised it's not getting universal love but I thought it was funny and entertaining. Hadestown was a pleasant surprise as I had no idea what it was about and was thrilled it was Greek Mythology. Lots of fun. Song of First Desire gave me a lot to think about. A very meaty play on the long term impact on the people of the rise of a fascist dictatorship, though you could also relate the same to colonialism.

HEARD The fun of the 5.6.7.8's and the alarming rise of the Tech Bros by Kara Swisher, as well as Ben Elton talking less humorously on AI. (and that it's end goal, according to what Musk said to Rishi Sunak was to erase the need for people. Honestly, how did we get to here so fast?) [Edit - there is a meme going around that says that the purpose of AI is to allow wealth to access skill while removing from the skilled the ability to access wealth and I can't stop thinking about it.]

   

WORE I dug out this dress, which I've not worn for about 20 years (not for any reason, just haven't). It still fit but my bigger butt made it rise up at the back if I raised my arms over my head, so I wore bike pants underneath as there was good chance that would happen at the gig. It was the perfect outfit for the 5678's, out from Japan. They were fun but the Crowbar was packed. As my husband was meeting me there later, I had to stay up the back.

I also dug this old favourite out. It's a little tighter but still fits perfectly. I used to wear it all the time. It's probably 15 years old. No idea why I stopped wearing it.

LASTLY My three favourite moments in March were again very hard to choose. It's been a great month with lots of fun with friends, seeing bands, shows and art as well as plenty of scenic walks and beach time. What more could you want? 

My top 3? A lovely Anniversary dinner at the fabulous Ora. Playing Squid Games with the kids for a belated birthday and at random, dancing with the crowd at Elderbrook - I love the way people with the same energy level gravitate to each other and you all move in unison with the music. There's something so uplifting and energising about it. 

My wish to you, may we always have such a great month it's hard to pick our favourite moments!

Linking with #LittleLoves  and #WWWhimsy #Stylewithasmile

#TheRandom #SeniorSalonpitstop 

Note the food pictures are all from Ora, my favourite restaurant in Sydney. It never disappoints.