Weekend Reflection - the end of Summer

There is nothing more mood altering than the end of summer. You can try to get enthusiastic about the pending winter by heading to the mountains and revel in the fires and red leaves, but really, the moment when you say goodbye to swimming and the last frail rays share their warmth in a fading glow is tinged with a sadness, a recognition that you have to wait 5 months before the Sydney summer returns.

A bientot, my friend.

Linking with #TellUsAbout

Carmen, Live or Dead

I love the Hayes St theatre

A friend had organised tickets to see iOTA, or at least that's what I thought. I discovered it was actually a play with music by iOTA. However, while it was not what I'd planned, I was certainly glad I went. It's funny (though very course language) and interesting, covering some topics I knew little about (there was a fair bit of googling when I got home).

It runs until the 6th of May, so if you get a chance, run and see it (Tix here)

I was indeed loving life as I laughed heartily for 75 intriguing minutes.

Linking with #LovingLifeLinky

This picture seems appropriate as I'm opening my Writer's Festival with Eddie Ayres tonight.There's something so satisfying when you are always learning new things. This week I've been to a play & a concert, and still have author talk and comedy festival gig to come. That's called #Winning!

Kid/Dub

I've never made it to Hot Dub Time Machine so when I saw the Comedy Festival had Kid/Dub on, I decided I wouldn't miss it. Obviously, it was the perfect school holiday activity, so wins in the good mama department too. Having played at the Adelaide festival when I was at Womad, and more recently the Commonwealth Games, it has been on my radar for awhile with posters taunting me at every turn, so was thrilled when the Sydney Comedy Festival announced Kid/Dub in it's children's progamme.

The bubbles in the forecourt kept the kids entertained while we waited, and was foretelling the fun and frivolity ahead.

The 'time machine' is powered by the dancing, clapping and stomping, so it doesn't take long to get into full swing - there's no 'warm up' in this show. The host, Lulu Loud is just delightful and her exuberance is infectious.

  
The best part of this show, is that the adults seem to get into it more than the children. By midway through, the mums and dads are dancing as if they've transported back to their youth. I'll admit it felt weird not to be downing a few drinks...but it was only 2pm and obviously, I had kids in tow.

The show is basically a musical odyssey through time, and it appeals to all ages - the kids, the parents and even the grandparents! There's balloons, confetti and glow sticks, tuned with the hits of pop, hip hop and rock. It's truly the best dance party ever!



The show sold out pretty quickly, so my tip is to keep your eye out for dates and buy as soon as you see a gig near you. I could have easily kicked on for a few more hours, which I'm guessing is how the adult shows work. Top of my Torshlusspanik list is to get myself to Wine-Machine, the dance party in the vineyards. I'll be ditching the kids and getting a crew together for a road trip!

(Disclosure: I got PR tickets for a different site, but I was going to go anyway, and it was just fortuitous timing. It is a blast and given the grins on the faces, both old and young, I doubt you'll find anyone who didn't have a ball! The poor quality photos are an indication of how hopeless my iphone is and how much I was jumping about and having a good time and PERHAPS forgot to take any proper shots.)

Hot Dub is heading to the UK, Switzerland and Thredbo, so check out for dates & tickets here.

Kid/Dub - no dates announced yet. Watch the website. 

Wine Machine - ditto. Watch the website.

Linking with #WednesdayAroundtheWorld  #TwinklyTuesday  #GlobalBlogging and #FortheloveofBLOG

Taking Stock - April

Loved being on holidays, not entirely committed to coming back online quite yet...so we shall see. Still not written the two stories I'd intended to over the break. Too short a break for me.

Drinking: Finished the Koskenkorva Blueberry and Juniper Vodka. So unhappy. Trying (in vain) to get my hands on more. Anyone with suggestions please let me know! No one seems to stock or ship to Australia. So in the meanwhile, just stuck with gin. It's not cutting it anymore.

Reading: Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine. Not really enjoying it, but I picked it for bookclub so I'm stuck with it. Just started Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs. So far, so good.

Wanting: Some time and motivation to write.

Enjoying: A quick road trip with some of the kids to the mountains, holiday fun and eating too much.

Listening to: Avicii. I woke to a text message from a friend, and have been mildly devastated ever since. I know it's transference, too close to another more personal loss, but I just keep thinking about him, and how young and talented he was. He was a crack in the pattern. It's a huge loss for music. While this is not his best song, I'm playing this on high rotation because it's so pretty, though in retrospect, a little sad. 

What did April bring for you?

Linking this old post with #BlueMonday because there's lots of blues, both colours and feelings here.

Weekend Reflection - Autumn

When the weather finally changes and the leaves turn red, you know that winter is soon ahead.

Do you revel in the colder months?

Linking with  MakroTex on Autumn, as you can see the change in the light and the leaves turning red on the maples...

Treat Yo Self!

can you see me?

Just shutting up shop for the holidays, and took a day 'for me' before I did. I've spoken before about how we run ourselves ragged and put ourselves last until we verge on collapse. This is a reminder to you all to make sometime for yourself.

Treat yo self!

My day allowed for a reflective photo double up to link with
 #WeekendReflection, #WordlessWednesday #TheRandom #PictorialTuesday #SundayBest and #MySundayPhoto

(If stuck for a Mother's day idea, the Langham Day Spa could be for you!)


Housekeeping - I'm off the blog until May. Will be on Instagram but that's about it. Drive safely everyone, careful with the fires in this crazy weather and wishing you all happy holidays.

The Magic of La Boheme on Sydney Harbour

Ending on the 22nd of April, there's still time to grab tickets to La Boheme on Sydney Harbour. It's a visually delightful production, and even the little 8 year old girl sitting next to me was grinning with glee at the magic before us. If you are wanting to take kids, there are children's tickets for $50 and student tickets (16 and over) for $89.

Snow!

There's snow, fireworks, fire and colourful parties. And of course fabulous singing all set before the stunning Sydney Harbour backdrop.


I've never been to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, but when I got an email for cheap tickets, I decided it was time. I was so glad I did, and will definitely return for next year's production.

However, I arrived too late to enjoy the ambiance of the dinner by the water, festooned by fairy lights and tinkling French melodies. Next year, I will plan a full evening to enjoy the festivities.

I can not recommend this enough, even if you aren't a regular Opera goer!

Linking with #Lovinglifelinky #NotSoWordlessWednesday #CityTripping #ThruMyLens #WednesdayAroundtheWorld & #WeeklyPostcard