Things I Know

 1. There was a link up called #ThingsIKnow back in the day, hosted by a very lovely lady. I miss those days.

2. There was a play called Things I know to be true at the Belvoir. I really enjoyed it. Lots of food for thought.

3. If you are told to wear a mask for three days by the government, as opposed to lockdown, and you go to a show at a venue with 2000 people and you 'wear' it on your bald head like a hat, I know you are a dickhead of the highest order. 

4.I know there are people that want to get their vaccine but are being told  there is a month wait. If you get your shot done without such a lengthy wait, give a shout out to your friends so we can get the ball rolling.

5. When my Mum decided she didn't want to come to what would be a very empty restaurant in the city, even though there had been no new cases today and only two in the city of 5 million people, I knew I had no choice to get the FB input for where I could get a Mother's Day feast that could be driven for 45 minutes to her house. I don't know how I ever survived without SM. Saved the day yet again!

6. I know a lot of people have issues with Mother's Day. SM has also shown me that. Big shout out to Sukin and Mr Consistent for giving the Mother's day opt out on their email lists - you still get their normal emails, just not the Mother's day barrage. Ironically, I got Sukin for all the women that get Mother's Day presents from this house.

7. At the cinema, a slide flashed up on the screen of a smiling couple and the words "Will you marry me, Karen?" Karen wasn't her name but I couldn't remember what it was, so I guess technically that shouldn't be quote....I digress. At first I thought it was an ad for marriage and then I realised they had to be in the audience. About the same time as Karen worked out what was happening. The guy got down on one knee and she said yes. We all clapped. As the champagne came out, she explained out loud that Lux had been their first date. It was so sweet. I've said before that the post Covid, the highs are higher and the lows are lower. I know I need more of these sweet happy stories as they fill me with a warmth more deeply than they used to.

8. I know we need to do more for the countries where COVID is running rampant. 

9. I know we need to do more to help the vulnerable in this country. Heard a horrible story of someone having to turn up to Job network appointments while under going chemo and with a terminal illness. How is that right?

10. I know I want you all to have a great week and I know I'm looking forward to swinging by #Lifethisweek again next Monday!

Linking also with #FriendshipFriday #TrafficJamWeekendand #WeekendCoffeeShare

White Rabbit

 Excellent new collection at White Rabbit. Fantastic and Free. What more could you want?

Why not make a day of it with lunch in Spice Alley or the Teahouse in the Gallery?

Linking with  #WordlessWednesday #PicturePerfect #WWOT #WWOAT #TheRandom #WonderfulWednesday #SundayBest and #WeekendReflection

Rainbow Lorikeets

We had some gorgeous visitors while at a beach house a few weeks back. They found the grapes so I'm guessing have become used to humans. We took the bowl away but watched them finish their bounty. 

As I've not mastered my photography of birds (they're small and move so fast), it was nice to get some relatively static subjects.

Linking with #Allseasons  #WildbirdWednesday

The common always love what is new - The Saga of Olaf Haraldsson (c.33)

Yes, in case you couldn't work it out, I'm going full Viking.  The NSW Govt Dine & Discover vouchers have got me and a crew to try axe throwing. Because why not?

So tomorrow night we'll be heading to Kiss My Axe to learn a few techniques and hopefully vent some stress in a slightly unusual way. 

The list currently stands as follows:

Torshlusspanik List:

1. Shooting (check)
2. Fencing (check)
3. Play croquet at Croquet Club
4. Laser skeet
5. Off road buggy driving
6. Play Assassins Creed
7. Jetpacking (check)
8. The Color Run (check)
9. Invent something
10. Cooking Masterclass (check)
11. Master a Masterclass (check)
12. Perform a rap song (check)
13. Trampoline adventure (check)
14. BMX Riding (check)
15. Do a cart wheel (check)
16. Ride an Electric Bike (check)
17. Astonish Myself
18. Write a book.
19. Participate in a distance event (check)
20. Climb Sydney Tower (check)
21. Dance in a dance class (check)
22. Trust a stranger

23. Get a truck for the Landmine Museum and Relief Centre in Siem Reap

24. Paint a picture

25. Go Rollerskating (check)

26. Do Chinese Square Dancing

27. Do some life drawing

28. Make something on a pottery wheel (check)

29. Try Axe Throwing (Check)

Because I've completed four of the above and not come back to review the experience, this is an all in one. Here's how it went down.....because as told in Grettir's Saga (c.73) 'There is a time for everything".

I have to say, I was hopeless. In the practice I got the axe to stick, even in the points part of the target. In the actual round robin game, I don't think I scored once....or I at least lost every match. It is however, really fun regardless. There were seven of us and it is noisy and jovial. I recommend this with a group of friends - note no drinking allowed beforehand so go early and celebrate afterwards....

You could say I failed but as the Vikings say 'Better to fight and fall than to live without hope'. ~Volsunga, c.12

Linking with #FriendshipFriday

New Home for #AllSeasons

 In a very rushed (and late due to misunderstanding), I will be hosting #AllSeasons for awhile.

I will try to have it live before 6am Monday's on Sydney time.

It will stay open until Wednesday.

Please comment on the person before you at the very least - don't dump and run.  

I will try to sort out the badge but in the meantime, just link back in words, so that people can find the new home.

Will be more organised next week, was away this weekend and traffic caused havoc on the way home.

Thank you for joining in #AllSeasons #WordlessWednesday and #PicturePerfectWednesday

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

A night at the Opera

 

A must do, for anyone in Sydney late March to early April is a night at Handa's Opera on Sydney Harbour. For locals, watch the weather and scout cheap tickets, Hot tips, I usually buy the D-list $99 tickets but get them closest to the stage (not necessarily up the front, but closest to the aisle & the centre block, but in the cheaper block, if that makes sense).  

La Traviata was beautiful visually (as well as musically) but the real scene stealer is of course the back drop of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House all lit up. When the fireworks go off, I really feel I'm so lucky to live in this spectacular city.

Use it or lose it, as they say.

Nothing says farewell to summer for me, as a balmy evening outside harborside, watching the Opera.

Linking this old post with MakroTex on the theme of Good Night, because the Opera on the Harbour is always a good night!

 

Taking Stock - May

From the Harbour Bridge on our walk

Reading: Just finished The Family Doctor by Debra Oswald, which is really engaging. Midway thru The Beijing Conspiracy by Shamini Flint (of the Inspector Singh fam) and enjoying that.

Looking: Forward to visiting the Art Gallery for the Van Gogh after a wedding in Canberra.

Wasting: Time. So much time. I seem to get very little done at the moment. Not entirely sure why.

Wishing: I would write my story for the Grieve competition. I'm fast running out of time and STILL no ideas...it's never usually this hard.

Enjoying:  Getting out for the Sydney Comedy Festival - got a few gigs this week and next. Laughing is so uplifting.

Liking: Going for a 16km walk & talk with friends last weekend, and another on the Bay run with someone today.

Wondering: How the world will ever get back to normal?

Loving: That Handmaid's Tale is back!

Hoping: Youngest's enthusiasm for the clubs and activities at High School continues....I know teens often let great opportunities slide past. Enjoying her excitement.

Needing: To get focused and organised. Becoming so inefficient at the moment.

Smelling: Roses on my dog walks - leaning in over fences to enjoy the fragrance.

Wearing: Jackets - it's getting chilly out there!

Feeling: Tired and run down. Not sure why.

Becoming: Annoyed with online shopping. Ozsale keeps sending the wrong items and it's a pain to send back. Ordered some kids PJ's from another store and one pair came with split. There's no online customer service and I'd popped them in the wash (before use) and only found the split after. My problem is, the returning will be a big hassle and they were only $20 so considering just sewing them up. Also a big hassle but probably quicker than trying to organise a refund...

Delighted: To have had so many catch ups with friends since school went back.

Going: To Spanish Film Festival, a comedy, which I hope will be good after the very depressing Supanova.

Helping: Trying to find out what we can do to help the people in India. What a nightmare.

Staying: In Canberra this weekend for a wedding.

Indulging: Myself with a little time at the spa to read my book!

Happy: To be getting back into the city a bit more for dinners and shows.

Linking the pictures and not the words because this is pretty much what this MAY looks like too. Comedy festival two nights this week. a swim in that pool and walks around the harbour....with