Halfway into December writing this and November seems to
be very long ago. It was a month of ups and downs, highs and lows. I was also
convalescing from Wisdom Tooth removal (all 4) so had plenty of down time
towards the beginning of the month. But I still managed to pack in a huge amount
of fun!
Let's see how I went with my 42 things
first:
1. Finish sorting my
holiday photos
Yes, I may even get this
complete by the end of the year. It's been a big job, as there are a LOT of
photos and being the good Librarian I am, I am being very precise in my labeling
of them, which given my awful memory means a lot of research identifying things,
which I find fascinating.
3. Have one night a
week where I turn off all electronics and read
Oh boy, did I do this,
mostly due to my convalescing, see my reading list below, and that is only the
really good stuff!!!
4. Walk more and
explore my own surroundings...there is so much I haven't seen in Newcastle, Lake
Macquarie and other areas nearby
A few walks at Green Point,
an excursion up to Maitland and Morpeth, and one out to Lake Macquarie Art
Gallery, where I had a little wander around the gardens there.
5. Read more of my
own books. I tend to purchase these, but they get pushed aside for books I bring
home from work
See 3 above and my list
below!
Plus our November
Bibliotweeps Book Club title was The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, a signed
copy no less, from his author talk earlier in the year at Charlestown
Library.
6. More live music -
the very poor list above is very abnormal for me. I'm open to pretty much
anything, though snooty about venues!
Bahahaha, well I tempted
fate and went to see Leonard Cohen at the Vineyards, something I was always very
snooty about...read my review here:
8. Don't let the
things that usually bother me, irritate me too much
I had a lot of stuff out of
my hands while I was recovering, and was in the most relaxed state, it was
wonderful...mind you, that could have been the painkillers!
9. Go on a picnic,
cannot remember the last one I had
I had a lovely impromptu
picnic with my friend L at Leonard Cohen.
14. Whip my little
backyard back into shape
I spent time at the beginning and end of the month
gardening, very good for the soul. Is it in shape? I highly doubt it, but it
helps keep me in sorta shape and good for my soul.
19. Eat and
drink out more/20. Get through my list of
local restaurants and cafes
After a couple of weeks on
mash, and jelly and custard I was thrilled to tempt my taste buds again! I did
manage a few very bad places like Coco Monde, and Euro on Darby. I also had a
fabulous seafood platter at Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club for my BIL, M's
birthday. Dined at the Morpeth Creperie with T and L, and celebrated C's
birthday with Thai. Lunched on Pork Belly at The Royal Inn with J, and Fish and
Chips at Murray's Beach Cafe with R and R. Our bookclub had dinner at our
Bookclub venue, Talulahs, wow what divine food and cocktails.
22. Wash my car more
often
I did this at
the beginning of the month, woo hoo for me!
33. Go to lots of
fun social events
Despite being housebound for a few weeks, I really made
up for it the rest of the month! Morning teas, lunches and dinner with friends
at all the above cafes and restaurants. Birthday and family celebrations.
We had a marvelous weekend the first weekend in
November, with the official opening of the Whiteley on Water exhibition at
Newcastle Art gallery by none other than Wendy Whiteley herself. The amazing
new sculpture, Black Totem II, or The Egg as it is known has been quite the draw
card with people flocking to get an Egghead (a la the Leaning Tower of Pisa) and
the exhibition itself is remarkable. The following day we returned to hear Wendy
in conversation, an amazing afternoon, what a woman! I spoke to her briefly on
the first day to thank her for donating the sculpture to Newcastle, she was
beautiful. I didn't want to bother her, but my friend C made me! So glad she
did, I have no idea why but I took her hand, she held my hold and looked me
straight in then eyes, her dark blue eyes warm and kind, was one of those
unforgettable moments in life!
I ended the month by seeing another exhibit by another
hero, Christo. This was at Lake Macquarie Art Gallery and was based around his
wrapping at Little Bay in Sydney, but incorporated other etching and models of
wraps elsewhere and some of his smaller pieces. Hard to capture what he created
with Jean-Claude, but it was a great exhibition.
The final French Friday for the year was a great film,
called, Poupoudidou (Nobody else but you). When A young woman who believes she
is the reincarnation of Marilyn Monroe turns up dead in a remote French town
during winter, a crime novelist, Rousseau, stumbles across the story of a
lifetime. The ruling is suicide, but as Rousseau investigates all sorts of
intrigue unravels. I really enjoyed this film, which I admit was very different
to most other French films.
J and I also saw Enough Said at the movies, a lovely
mature aged romantic comedy starring the late James Gandalfini and the luminous
Julia Louis-Dreyfus. They both lit up the big screen, with humour and drama, so
lovely to see an intelligent film about romance.
L and I attend the Civic Theatre Subscription launch, a
well attended affair with a decent program, much improved on last year, but
still not hugely inspiring. Though there will be enough to make a sub from, so
that is good.
I celebrated the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary with C, A
and her family. We saw the Day of the Doctor in 3D on the big screen and it was
wonderful.
L, A, D and I were dazzled by the performers at Empire
in The Spiegeltent at Wheeler Place. A fun, adult, and astonishing circus type
show in the round, hard to describe really, but the most wonderful evening. Jaw
dropping acts and loads of laughs.
And it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Club
Cathy is decorated, with a new tree and some new decorations amongst the older
ones. I do love Christmas. I did some Christmas shopping at the fabulous Twig
and Moss and Morpeth, and went to the opening of Newcastle Mall Christmas one
cold and wet Friday night, much shopping and frivolity was had with friends. I
like to try and find unusual but local gifts if I can to give. Better than
loosing IQ points by entering big shopping centres!
36. Take time to do
nothing and daydream more often
During my convalesence I had plenty of time to sit, be
still and daydream and it was wonderful. I slept a lot, sat and did nothing,
read heaps and watched lots of DVDs, not much else I could do, and whilst I was
pleased when it all ended and I could get moving again, I really enjoyed the
down time. Good for the soul
Books
Icons on vintage fashion: definitive designer
classics at auction 1900-2000 by Penelope Blanckaert and Angele Rincheval
Hernu. A stunning coffee table book with hundreds and hundreds of amazing frocks
and ensembles over the years. Totally swoon worthy.
Brett Whiteley: art and life. Fabulous coffee
table book with a few essays on his work, and Q and A with Wendy and LOTS of
wonderful paintings arranged chronologically. Glorious!
Raven Girl by Audrey Niffenegger - a short
story with divine illustrations about a Postman who falls in love with a Raven.
Total fantasy but fantastic!
George Clooney's haircut and other cries for
help by Richard Glover - A collection of his columns, interesting and
humourous perspectives from a male point of view. It was an easy and fun
read.
Sincerely: further adventures in the art of
correspondence from Women of Letters created by Marieke Hardy and Michaela
McGuire. Book 2 of these remarkable letters. For those that do not know, Marieke
and Michaela invite women (and sometimes men) to write a letter and read them
out on stage with literary salon in mind. This is a compilation of these
letters, funny, sad, whimsical, and always fascinating. My favourites were Libbi
Gorr's To my most treasured possession, her iphone and KK Juggy's To the moment
I knew it was time to go home, about touring with Kiss. I loved Kate
Miller-Heidke's love letter to her 12 year old self, and Patience Hodgson's to
New York. Of the men, writing To the woman who changed my life, George Negus's
letter to JB was stunning (JB = Jennifer Byrne), And Rhys Muldoon's was very
sexy. Catherine Deveny's Apology letter was unapologetic as you can imagine.
Angie Hart's heartbreaking but uplifting letter to her ex husband, was To the
best decision I ever made, Deborah Conway's same was much funnier and about the
bulldog her family made her buy. Helen Garner, spare as ever, wrote To the
person I misjudged, a school teacher. But my favourite of all and the most
surprising of subject matter was my hero, Ita Buttrose, writing To the life I
could have lived...as an opera singer. Yes, Ita can sing opera, now that's
something I'd love to hear!
Life is a gift: the zen of Bennett by Tony
Bennett. This is an lovely and easy read with tales from Tony's life about
music, performing, art and the people he met along the way and the lessons he
has learned. A generous soul who seems to draw the most interesting people into
his atmosphere, this is a great read and also includes his amazing
drawings.
Cyndi Lauper: a memoir by Cyndi Lauper with
Jancee Dunn. This is a great read, Cyndi's wit and strength shine through in her
tales. A sassy chic with a supreme talent, Cyndi tells the stories of her life
before, during and after fame. An easy but fun read, this tells all about her
ride and the people she met along the way.
What came between by Patrick Cullen. Older
novella, set in Newcastle between the earthquake and BHP closing, a lovely spare
tale of melancholy, longing and loss between 3 very different couples living
near each other on Laman Street. Evocative prose and knowingly
real.
Me and Rory
Macbeath - Richard Beasley - excellent coming of age story set in Adelaide
in 1977 about a Scottish family who come to live in young Jake's street and the
life changing events that follow. It had a great sense of place, person and
children during that era, very evocative!
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. I was
lucky enough to meet Graeme at a book reading at Charlestown Library earlier in
the year, on Valentine's Day no less. This was only moments before The Rosie
Project hit it big. It was the most fascinating evening with him being a
gracious, quirky and interesting speaker. It has taken me this long to read the
book, unsure why, I have the signed copy I bought on the night. I saved it for
the final Bibliotweeps Book Club of the year and just love it. It is an easy
read, a page turner, yet it stays with you and makes you think think think about
those around you and what they may be feeling or suffering and how they appear.
Let us not judge, but love. It is a story of a man in his late 30s in search of
a wife, he has issues, it is never really said what, though he is likely a
candidate for aspergers. He, Don, creates a survey that he feels will bring him
the perfect wife but life doesn't always go to plan no matter how meticulously
you plan it. I shall say not more, ultimately a romance story, but that is
purely the backdrop, this book is much smarter than that. Just do yourself a
favour and go and read The Rosie Project, it's the best thing you'll do all
year!
Music - DVDs
10cc in Concert, recorded I think in 2007 and
wonderful. They sound amazing! I loved the section in the middle of the concert
where they play songs Graham Gouldman wrote for others in the 60s. I think
I did know this, but had forgotten, his versions of Bus Stop, No Milk Today, and
For Your Love were wonderful. But the show stopper for me was I'm Not In Love,
this sounded exactly like the original recording, a surefire example of talent
not sliding, it brought tears to my eyes as it always does! They ended with a
solid rocking of Rubber Bullets, brilliant!
ELO - Out of the Blue, Live at Wembley. Filmed
in 1978 at their height, this was an awesome display of lights, lasers, satin,
white suits, big hair and beards, and flamboyant string playing! At times some
of the songs didn't quite play out as well as the record, I guess they were
tightly produced. But the one, two, three of Sweet Talkin' Woman, Mr Blue Sky
and Do Ya towards the end of the show was quite simply perfection!
Pink Floyd: the story of Wish You Were Here -
this is a great doco on the making of this seminal album. With interviews of all
the key players and special time devoted to their absent friend, Syd. Not only
are songs and music dissected but the album cover and history of the band. A
must see for fans.
DVDS - television
Choccywoccydoodah S 1 & 2- I am not a fan
of reality TV and certainly not cooking ones, however this amazing show about
behind the scenes of the most amazing chocolate cake shop in Brighton is pure
addiction! The 30min episodes revolve around usually 2 cakes, often for
celebrities or special events and the talented artists cooking and decorating
these masterpieces. Love!
Power Games - finally caught up with this as I
missed it on television. Great mini series about the Packer Murdoch wars.
Patrick Brammall and Lachy Hulme as Murdoch and Packer were
outstanding!
Hemingway and Gellhorn - this was only ok, I
struggled, Kidman annoyed me and Clive Owen looked like Tom Hanks with glasses,
I adore Hemingway, or at least his writing and this fell
short...severely.
Charley Boorman's extreme frontiers: South
Africa. Charley is off on his motorcycle again and this time in South
Africa. I do like his natural charm and ability to chat to anyone about
anything, this is a great journey showing the beauty and horror of South
Africa.
Call the midwife S2 - dare I say, this was
better than S1. An utterly delightful and beautifully produced series about
Midwives working in the London suburbs in the 1950s. Not normally my type of
subject matter, but this is outstanding drama and highly addictive. S1 is being
replayed at present, check it out if you haven't seen it.
The walking dead S3 - Holy Crap, this up the
ante and then some this season. One of the grossest (those walkers are getting
so bad a friend said he feels like he needs a shower after watching them!) yet
most compelling shows around. Fabulous and endearing characters and brilliant
writing, if you can get your head around the zombies, this is why they invented
the phrase, "must see TV".
House of Cards S1 - Wow, this is brilliant. I
have always loved Kevin Spacey and when he plays bad he is the best and this
show about his stepped over senator and all he will do to get on in Washington
is Machiavellian and compelling. Robin Wright as his stoic above all wife also
creepy. Again, must see TV, cannot wait for S2.
DVDs - movies
Performance - this was a magnificent drama
about a string quartet about to celebrate their 25th anniversary. But everything
falls apart around them when their 'leader" and celloist Christopher Walken
(whom I just adore!) is diagnosed with possible Parkinsons. The other three,
Philip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener, a couple, and Mark Ivanir also have
their own dramas and the quartet looks likely to implode. This brilliant drama
is backdropped by Winter in New York and the most wonderful classical tunes. The
performances in Performance were stellar and I loved the movie. Highly
recommend!
An education - I loved this film so much, I cannot
believe it has taken me this long to see it. Carey Mulligan is an absolute star
in this, the tale of a smart school girl swept off her feet but an older and
charming man. She has to decide between an education with him, so beguiling and
classical, or an education traditionally by schooling. I was so drawn in by this
and so guarded in what I thought she should do. Surely this was all to good to
be true, without giving away the ending, it is a stunning story with heartbreak
and beauty. An absolute must see.
Music
I've been listening to the new Franz Ferdinand and
Birdie, both which I loved and the album by Eddie Perfect and Tripod redoing
classics was really good.
The new Paul McCartney called New is outstanding, coming
in at No 4 on Rolling Stone's albums of the year is no surprise if you have
listened to it. A return to form with Beatle and Wings like tracks, a youngish
sound and quite simply, great tracks all round.
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