My mantra to get me through all that is going is this: I am here, I am alive, and I have a job. And we'll leave it there and look at the fun stuff!!!
Filtered through these months, there was one constant! And it was pure joy. It was my vinyl project. I have always listened to and bought vinyl, it had never disappeared, even though technically it had. So with the resurging trend of vinyl actually being a thing again, I was like a pig in mud. A cool vinyl shop popped up nearby and my collecting amped up. But my faithful stereo of over 30 years was failing me. The turntable broke for the third time and I needed to upgrade it. I had brought a little portable turntable but the sound was tinny. So for Christmas and birthday everyone gave me money to put towards this project. But with being unwell I hadn't really spent time working out what I needed. Stereos had changed very much over the past 30 years, and I needed better storage and it became a egg and chicken situation. Finally in early August I got into it and bought lovely while cube storage with plenty of room for adding to the collection. I sourced a great stereo and bought a fantastic new turntable.
I spent a lot of time making it all work and sorting my collection. As a Librarian, this kind of organisation is extremely pleasurable! On Father's Day, my Father decided to give me his entire collection (it had always been promised to me) and I had this to add in and I needed to buy more storage. The project was a little out of control and I was very overwhelmed by the enormity of gaining this beloved collection. But I got there, and I cannot begin to tell you how enjoyable it was. I am currently adding the collection to discogs, an app on my phone that catalogues each piece. It is mostly to have so I don't double up and can work out where the holes in my collection are. I'm only up to C! I also intend to write some pieces about the collection, specifically my father's and how it influenced my own musical tastes growing up. But at least it is all there looking good and with decent equipment to play it on now and that kind of pleasure and enjoyment is immeasurable.
The month started celebrating one of my heroes, Frida Kahlo. Linda and I headed to Thai prior to meeting Jayne to see the doco on her life, and I decided to dress up because I needed some fun.
I also saw the wonderful film, The Public, about a large public library during one night when it was overrun by a group of homeless people. It showed the relevance of libraries and how they are the great leveler of our society. I highly recommend it.
I attended one function during the Newcastle Music Festival, a fabulous Opera Soiree at Adamstown Church. High Tea and opera are meant to go together, and it was a glorious afternoon of indulgence.
I went back to The Edwards to celebrate it's reopening for lunch, it all looks much the same and the food as amazing as always.
Athena, Jayne and I saw the wonderful Thelma Plum at the Cambridge. It was a great night, albeit over packed and hot. The following night Yes Commissioner at The Stag to celebrate Alex's birthday, much fun and dancing were had!
Amanda flew home to celebrate her birthday before heading out to Paris, we had an amazing Italian restaurant in Medowie of all places. It was a great family night out.
I saw the new Tarantino, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. It was superb, and possibly his best since Pulp Fiction. I loved the nod to that era and the acting was just brilliant.
Athena, Jayne and I headed to Hudson Street Hum, a cool arts venue, to see the booklaunch of State of Origin by David Kelly. Launched by the one and only Helen Garner, it was a great afternoon.
Mum, Dad, and I had a lovely Father's Day lunch and later that week we all met for a family support of Lachlan in his mixed ages soccer Grand Final. It was a dark, cold night up at The Terrace and they sadly didn't get up. It was a rough game against a vile and nasty team who played dirty, the boys can hold their head up high of being the better team on the day. Morals are far more important than winning.
Mary and I had a lovely long lunch to celebrate her birthday at Merewether Surf House. Whilst it was a super windy and cold day, the views never fail to amaze.
I had lunch at the markets at Bellingen, a wander and a shop. There was a nice vibe, it was a little muggy after raining. The drive in and around the area was divine, but it was busy in the main street and I needed to be at my destination.
We mostly watched the girls kick arse at soccer throughout the weekend, the stadium at Coffs was newish and comfy. I stayed in a lovely motel on the edge of Coffs but we dined at Sawtell mostly as the rest of the family stayed there. A good solid Chinese meal at the Bowlo on the first night and a seafood meal at the pub on the second night. The girls did extremely well winning 3 games out of 6, I am in awe of my niece, as goalie she has the toughest gig on the team and she is amazing and fierce.
On the last time I had a little time to myself and had a lovely breakfast at the yacht club overlooking the beach and then had a drive and wander around the beaches.
On the way home i headed back into Bellingen and had a lovely walk in the much quieter main street and a little shop before heading home. It was a much needed break and time away, very relaxing.
We had another family weekend the following weekend, with Amanda home for Charlotte's birthday seafood extravanganza and BBQ the following evening. A good time had by all.
I ended the month with a Sunday afternoon bus trip around a few art galleries with the Art Gallery Society. Linda and I had a lovely time on a perfect spring afternoon, visiting Timeless Textiles, Curve Gallery, Art Systems Wickham, and Creative Incubator where we bought some art as jewellery and had a lovely afternoon tea and wine.
As always my regular outings to the markets, soccer, bookclub, and One Song Sing. Still meeting at Babylon, a glorious venue, in August we got our rap on with TLC's Waterfalls, and in September, our 80s vibe with Hold Me Now by The Thompson Twins. Always fun and joyful!
And additional pics.
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