You can't be a resource for others unless you nourish yourself. Alexandra Stoddard

 When I first saw this prompt, I thought of food and lamented how much I hated my cholesterol lowering diet, as it had taken away one of my favourite past times and ruined it. I do just eat for nourishment now, and that is very dull indeed.  

However, once I got thinking. I realised I thrive on a different nourishment. I am a firm believer that you can't pour from an empty cup, and so whenever I feel my mood dip, or feel I deserve a reward (or let's face it, just want to) I sneak off to an art exhibition, the theatre or a concert. I have written about it many times - too many times to list here. I always find myself elated in these experiences, or transformed, or energised by thought provoking ideas.

"The arts, quite simply, nourish the soul. They sustain, comfort, inspire. There is nothing like that exquisite moment when you first discover the beauty of connecting with others in celebration of larger ideals and shared wisdom". Gordon Gee

I love being in an audience. Sharing the experience with strangers. Dancing in a crowd or laughing, crying in unison. It's not the art itself, but the feeling of community that brings the nourishment I need.

Julian Barnes sums it up best in The Noise of Time, when he says "Art does not exist for art’s sake: it exists for people’s sake.”

COVID has hit the Arts sector hard. If you can, make sure your getting out there in support. I know it can be expensive but there are events put on by the government, or you can use your Discover vouchers at most Sydney theatres to reduce the price by $25.  Look also at Today's Tix or other reduced rate offers. Go to bars that are putting of free live music.  Go to the galleries, many are free like White Rabbit. Remember, use it or lose it. And I really don't want to lose more than what we already have with this thing...and you might discover it makes your heart sing too in the process.

What nourishes you?

Linking with #TrafficJamWeekend

Sydney Harbour Bridge in B&W

 It's been awhile since I've joined in #WeekendinB&W so thought I'd swing by briefly. This was taken at sunset. Interestingly, the person is barely noticeable in the colour shot, but draws the eye in the B&W version because the colours of the sunset are missing and can't distract you.

Which made me wonder about how much we colour our vision? We see what we want to see, rather than what is necessarily there.

"We only see what we want to see; we only hear what we want to hear. Our belief system is just like a mirror that only shows us what we believe."

Don Miguel Ruiz

Linking also with #WeekendReflection as it's sort of a street scene

“Well, I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Sharing this old post because the Little Prince production is returning in January. Link to tickets at the foot of the post. Not an ad, I just want people to see it because I loved it so much.

I adore The Little Prince - long time readers will remember my photo series until my own Little Prince decided to stay in Adelaide. Before lockdown I had tickets to the Paris show that was touring, but like life, it was cancelled. I was thrilled when it finally returned, and I have to say it was exquisitely beautiful. If you can get tickets, where ever it next ventures, definitely go. You won't regret it.

My heart just sang as we enjoyed the show and then dinner in this beautiful city. I love being at the Opera House and around the harbour. I am re-energised by being part of something bigger than my small life, as a friend once described it, 'making the most of what the city has to offer'.

 In Sydney we are currently more or less maskless, which worries me. The minute we open our borders we will be thrown into chaos (and lockdown). I prefer to still wear a mask on public transport and at shows. I am happy for a small inconvenience to get to do so many wonderful things. Please reconsider wearing a mask. It's a very small price to pay to be able to live more or less unhindered. A barely noticeable caterpillar that allows us to continually enjoy the butterflies.

Sharing this old post because the fabulous production will be returning to Sydney Jan 1 2022 at the Coliseum -you can book your tickets here

Linking with #OurWorldTuesday

My favourite reads of 2021 so far....

I stumbled across this old post and was prompted to share what I've enjoyed reading this year so far again....in no particular order, these are the books I've enjoyed.

A Constant Hum -This is not the usual thing I read, but I really enjoyed this. I'm still a little traumatised by the bushfires, so while this is the Victorian fires from the time before, it all still resonated strongly for me. Lovely vignettes of experience.

The Noise of Time - This is a fictional biography of Shostakovich by Julian Barnes. Having just finished a detailed history of his life, I found this a delightful take on certain events. More than that, it's an ode to art. I really enjoyed this one, and it made me love Julian Barnes even more. He's such a masterful writer and storyteller.

Symphony for the City of the Dead - I adore M. T. Anderson (read Feed if you haven't already, or his riotously funny Pals in Peril series for younger kids). So I jumped at this book not really knowing what it was about. Fascinating history, a lot of which I did not know about, seen through the focus on Shostakovitch's life.

The Family Doctor - This is not my usual thing but I found it very interesting and quite informative on how that abusive mind works. So while it's fiction, it's more interesting than just a story and quite educational(at least for me). Maybe needs a trigger warning as the content is a bit graphic at times for family violence.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Someone picked this for book club and when I first started it, I thought 'This is interesting but I don't see how it will carry on for a whole book' and yet, it's fascinating. I really enjoyed it and became quite involved in how it unfolded. Following the story behind the HeLa cells and the lives of the family and scientists.  (I even felt I was walking around with the HeLa cells at the Jenny Lee exhibition, so it was quite a striking book and story). I think there's a movie coming too (and there's already a documentary).

The Old Filth Trilogys by Jane Gardam. I first read Pangs of Love back in 1987, so picked Last Friends up for $8 on sale because I liked the jacket. I read the third book first (written in 2013), then went back for Old Filth (the first 2004) and finished with The Man in the Wooden Hat (2009). I don't think it mattered but it did give some bittersweet moments because I knew the outcome of some of the characters. I really loved these deeply flawed people, in part of their time and place. Charming and funny, endearing despite their foibles. I am keen to read more Gardam as a result - she has a prolific output so suggestions are welcome as to where to begin.

The Queen's Gambit - I'd watched the series and loved it, so listened to the audio version of the book. The book is a little harsher than the series but equally charming. I don't really understand why this book works but big thumbs up from me.

A Spy Among Friends - Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal - Kim Philby kept coming up in books and podcasts so I decided I needed to know more about this saga that apparently is common knowledge that I didn't have. The book is not a brilliant piece of writing but it is an incredible story (incredible in the 'how on earth did that happen?' sense). A bunch of drunks with no background checks because they went to the right schools seemed to be running the Intelligence industry. What could go wrong?).

Devolution - You want to listen to the audio version of this. It's full cast and just engrossing. I picked it because I liked World War Z but when I saw the subject matter, I thought 'This will be stupid". But NO! I listened to it almost non stop. I LOVED it. I don't know if reading it would be the same experience but make it your next audio listen!

Vida Vendela - I read both The Lovers and The Divers Clothes Lie Empty. They are both easy and enjoyable reads. I think The Divers Clothes Lay Empty was probably the better of the two. Both strong anchors to place so good 'travel reads while we can't travel but not travel books per se.

Special Mention - Julia Morris Makes it Easy This was free on audible so I took it, even thought I'd never watched any of her tv shows. That didn't matter, the book made me laugh out loud frequently. Very kooky humour. Uplifting experience in audio.

I also reread The Dinner by Herman Koch- It's still delightful in its wickedness, ad knowing the story doesn't lessen the experience. I love this author so much and can't wait for any new translations of his work to come!

I read other books but these are the top picks so far. Hopefully there's food for thought. If you buy any of these, please try to purchase at your local bookshop - we need to help these stores stay open!

Linking with #Blogtober21 on Novels.

Motivate

Meaning: to inspire someone to act.

 I have a number of friends that have written books, or like to write. I constantly send them places to submit or articles not to be discouraged with the inevitable rejections. I have found if you submit a lot, the rejections are less demotivating, as they're peppered with a few wins as well. Those pats on the back go a long way to motivate you. 

Meaning: To cause to be enthusiastic.

My Wednesday club gets people out and about and I hope enthusiastic about trying new things and exploring what's out there in the city. It does for me, and that energises you, which impacts all aspects of your life. Just as standing up and moving can be enough to shake a bad mood or emotion, a new activity or learning something can provide inspiration in other areas.

Meaning: To provide with an incentive or a reason for doing something; impel

This is where it gets tricky. I'm a great cheer squad for others but I drop the ball a little for myself. I've no discipline when it comes to writing. I've little dedication when it comes to exercise at the moment too. I seem to have lost my mojo for lots of things, truth be told and I'm not entirely sure why. I'm fighting the urge to stay in my snuggly bed on these cold mornings. So far I manage to drag myself out because I realise it's my only chance I'll have to write that day. Or I can see a sliver of the orange of sunrise through the gap in the curtains, and I'm waiting for a good one that lights up the whole sky.

When I can't be motivated to write stories, I at least write for the blog. And writing something is better than stopping completely. Like a muscle, it needs regular exercise or it just gets harder and less agile.

I'm a great hype man for others but less so for myself. As I said to someone recently, 'You're inner Kanye is asleep. Wake him up!' If you don't have someone cheering you on, do it for yourself. (If you have a cheer squad trying to motivate you, make sure you are offering the same back, or passing it on to someone else. A rising tide lifts all boats).

So to go right back in time, and quote the original man "Wake up, Mr West!...Good Morning."

Linking with #Lifethisweek and #FortheLoveofBlog (badge still not working for me - sorry)

“If you keep waiting for the right time, it may never happen. Sometimes you have to make the most of the time you have.”― Priya Ardis

I was booked to go on a girls weekend with my book club but as life often does, some unexpected issues arose and I needed to be home. Instead of cancelling completely, I just shortened the flight times. As a result, like a rock star, I flew to the Gold Coast for lunch.

My friends had given me the window seat, so I basked in the sunshine and sea air, while enjoying the fabulous meal at Rick Shores.

Decadent as it was, it was also restorative and just what the doctor ordered. I felt free and relaxed, something that's been missing of late, and I got to share some of the fun of the big group getaway, even if only for a few hours.

You can't pour from an empty cup as they say, but sometimes you just need to take some time for yourself to realise how full your cup really is.

I lamented  having to return to the airport but managed to read almost two books on the flights (and around the airports), so there was luxury in that too.

It was an extravagance I wouldn't have done if I already hadn't paid for the flights, but it was worth it and definitely was the right decision.

Sometimes you just have to make the most of what you can.

Linking with #MCoW #WednesdayAroundTheWorld #WonderfulWednesday #ThruMyLens #BlueMonday

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“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” ― Søren Kierkegaard

My favourite work at Lumen, the latest exhibition at White Rabbit is this one. The sculpture of lights with a reflective surface underneath, that change patterns and colours, and that in turn alters the reflected image too.

Just like life, there is an ebb and flow to our daily lives that changes everything in ways we don't even see until after it's changed completely. The little child is suddenly an adult, the weight is gained or lost without us noticing until it's enough for an outfit to no longer fit and so on.  

When struggling with difficulties, remember you don't need to fix it all at once. Little by little the changes will happen until you look back and it's a completely different image that you see reflected.

And as always, rejoice in the pretty lights.

Linking with #KeithsRamblings  #WordlessWednesday #PicturePerfectLinky #WWOAT #WWOT  #TheRandom #WeekendReflection and #SundayBest