Tuesday, 25 March 2025

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?

Linking with #WWWhimsy #WordlessWednesday

Monday, 24 March 2025

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 #WeekendCoffeeShare

#TheRandom #SeniorSalonpitstop

#MCoW

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

March Reading

This was a bookclub pick. I struggled with it. It's a lot of exposition and I'm really did not enjoy it. I felt like I was waiting for the story to start almost all the way through. I only made it to the end because my friend said she cried buckets. I missed that part (feeling any emotion) because I think I was just so fed up with it. In fact, I'm sort of curious about that she did. So maybe you'll love it (as one of my book club friends said "you always think the opposite of me"). That said, I did listen to this interview after I read it and I found the interview interesting and I had already been donating to some of the campaigns to prevent the destruction of Ningaloo.

I really liked this book. It's a feminist manifesto of sorts, but to me, more of a way to think about how beauty standards affect you, and consent. I actually want my adult son to read the consent part and I'm getting copies for my daughters because it points out red flags in relationships and acceptable boundaries to have with partners. And consent. Great book and a great gift for young people, women in particular.

This is my other bookclub's title and I had thought it was fiction. Midway through I worked out it was autobiographical (I knew the names of some of the legal people), and that she wasn't just referencing real events. It's engaging from the very first paragraph and a real insight into the violence against women in both this country and other cultures. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it but I was definitely engrossed in it and recommend it as a good read. (Trigger warning on domestic violence).

This just turned up in the post. I've no idea when I ordered it but I love Brian K. Vaughan so I definitely ordered it. It was written in 2017 and is about the US invading Canada (and the Canadian resistance). It is fascinatingly accurate given what is happening due to the real reason why. Vaughan is always one to make you think! If one of the bloggers recommended it, thanks for the tip!

I read this play one Saturday afternoon. It was a lovely way to spend a sunny 90 mins. The play was in London and the Edinburgh Festival and I think is currently touring in the US (Boston and New York?). It's about disability and ableism. I laughed out loud quite a few times, and also grimaced uncomfortably when I recognised myself and some of my well meaning but offensive ideas. I was also shocked at somethings I hadn't thought about. We really can do better. If you get a chance to see it, I'd def go! It's great fun and very clever.

Slow reading this month as the Tim Winton was long and I was not eager to get back to it....

What's been on your list?

Linking with #IMWAYR Older teens would enjoy the Vaughan and the play. I also think Women don't owe you pretty is a good read for older teen girls.

Sunday, 23 March 2025

Jonothan Livingston Seagull

I spent a good amount of time trying to capture the seagulls in flight on the beach. With the sunrise, and where they were flying, the light was always in the wrong spot (though it looked pretty). I still got a great deal of enjoyment out of trying, even though none of the pictures were particularly what I was after.

Happiness is found in the doing, not always in the achieving.

I am not a patient person, so it's good exercise for me to wait and focus on such a simple task.

I read an article that said it was a sign of ageing if you become really interested in birds. So mea culpa. What can I say?

Linking with #GardenAffair #Skywatch #GaleriaHimmelslich #WaterThursday #KeithsRamblings #NaturesNotes

Thursday, 20 March 2025

Share Four Somethings - March

Something I loved At lunch, a friend suggested we walk back to the house, an hour away (only 4kms, so not far). I initially said no. Then I said yes but in my head thought it would be too hot and it was a stupid thing to do but I would be a 'team player'. How wrong was I? It was the highlight of the weekend for me. Stunningly beautiful, and she is always good company. It was just that really lovely, relaxed fun. Chicken soup for the soul as they say, So the moral is, as I've written before, not to default to NO.

It's an oldie but a goodie that's made it's way back into my playlist. Loving this song again!

Something I learned Baby corn is just unpollinated corn. Gardeners correct me if I'm wrong but basically the ear of corn is female and the silk threads at the end are male, so you harvest the corn before the silks appear (or just as they appear). Wild, huh? Who knew?

Something that went well I went on a weekend away and one woman was so rude to another, I was really shocked. I immediately made a comment that the rudeness was actually aimed at me, even though it was being said to her and it made her laugh. I was thinking I had playfully made the first woman check her tone but then she unbelievably did it a second time. So I spoke up again. I did make the target smile and feel better, and at least know someone had her back but she was obviously hurt and we were both uncomfortable. We are far too old to behave like that. Even if you don't like someone, on a group weekend you suck it up. Surely the goal is to make everyone welcome? It's a big group so you can pretty much avoid anyone you need to. It really tarnished what could have been an overall lovely day for me and question what I was doing there, because that is not my type of vibe at all. I am putting it down to the speaker having a bad day, and it just coming out wrong, as we all have those moments. I am however now wary.

Something I let go of This one I need to work on. There was more fall out from that weekend and I honestly wish I hadn't gone. I am so close to saying things I can't walk back from so am just keeping my mouth shut, and not bring past baggage with that group into play. I have to see one of them next week and I really don't want to, but it's too petty if I fail to show. This is not appropriate for an adult and I'm not proud of this at all. I am glad I have a fun weekend planned with other friends, and really glad I'm seeing those pals that have my back next week. I hope in a few days I've moved on. I'm a little ashamed that I'm still carrying it. That says more about me than them, and it is not good.