JUNE ROUND UP

June was a strange old month, up and down, and all over the shop!

 

Mostly June was about strange weather that messed up my sinuses. So much so, I had to take time off work because of it, which is a first for me.

 

I also struggled a little with that bloody black dog during the month, nothing major and my bounce back wasn’t too bad. But enough to make you realise that you can be sailing along beautifully and can really drop back without anything much bothering you. Goddamn little fucker, lol!!!

 

Having said that I was not alone, many people I spoke to were suffering sinus, anxiety, depression, and other forms of crappy health. So let’s blame June and the weather!

And that’s the thing about talking about such things, you find others suffering similarly and realise you are not alone, and just by chatting you can find yourself lifted.

 

And sometimes that is all you need you help you from completely drowning, a chat with a friend, an upbeat piece of music or a movie or a book to escape into, a walk in the sun, or something yummy to eat. You gotta do what you can to ensure you feel better!

 

So as you can see from my June Reviews, I spent a bit of time inside, keeping the weather out and hopefully the demons at bay with much entertainment!

 

But it wasn’t all doom and gloom!

My gals and I finally checked out the new Gold Cinema at Garden City (it will always be Garden City to me) and what a divine experience that was. We saw The Clooney/Roberts Film, Money Maker, which was really good!

M, P and I saw the play Trailer, at The Playhouse, which was great. A local production about a young teen just out of school and unsure what he wants to do with his life. PIcking up a temporary job and travelling the central coast line trains put him in the orbit of people he probably wouldn’t otherwise meet.

E, C, and I had tickets to our yearly APIA tour, but E became unwell, so Mum and Dad were called upon to accompany me and we had a great time.

 

Work was busy, we played one of my faves, All About Eve for our Library Movie Night, I’ve been juggling some interesting projects, and doing a lot of school and community liaison.

 

At Bookclub we discussed The Maltese Falcon, which was a lot of fun.

 

And we celebrated Mum’s birthday at the pub.

 

There was the usual walks, markets, and photos taken.

 

APRIL ROUND UP

April was fabulous, I got lots done, work was crazy busy, and I had fun.

 

The month started with the wonderful Newcastle Writers Festival, which was also the end of my little staycation.

 

I finally framed some of my art and hung them in my place!

Work was full of training, me working with our new trainee, all of us doing this marvellous strength training and various side projects relating to it. I did plenty of stock work, we had great school holiday programs, and all the usual stuff! We also headed out for a team dinner at Parry Street Garage, excellent meal! I am lucky to have such a great job, I really know it. I have moments of frustration, but that’s because I love what I do and want perfection and wonderful and to get that you need to trample through mud to get that. But you know, mostly my time at work, makes me smile and feel content and for that I am grateful.

I finally succumbed to the NBN, which after some initial annoyance is working wonderfully and as part of the deal got Foxtel installed. Trialling it for free for a few months, so loving having access to some things, especially Game of Thrones live! This was rather time consuming and annoying to get moving, but glad I kept pushing through as it is great, saving me money, and adding a little extra couch surfing to my life, lol!

 

I spent a late Saturday walking around the beaches in Newcastle and witnesses the most spectacular sunset at Nobbys. I really cherish living in an amazing town where I can do such things, be with my own thoughts, take some photos, daydream, and be me.

 

I got to meet National Treasure, Tom Keneally and his lovely daughter at the latest Share the Story with Carol Duncan at Belmont Library.

 

I saw the latest David Williamson play at The Civic with M and P, which was good but not great.

Of course Prince died and my inner world was rocked once again, come on universe no more unnecessary deaths for a while please!

 

I spent time with the wonderful A and also the gorgeous J, I think you guys – separately – save me and make me a better person!

 

We celebrated my sister’s birthday with a family gathering and a great Italian meal at El Nonnos.

 

I looked after myself with a flushot, hair and beautician appointments, and purchasing some essential oils at a lovely afternoon workshop with my wonderful friends A and B.

 

And ended the month with my gals, A, J, and L, eating, drinking, chatting, and laughing at our French Night!

As always there was markets and sunsets and bookclub and my reviews on books, cds, dvds etc.

 

 

JANUARY ROUND UP

Ahhh January, where did you go!?

Day one ended with a hamburger and a lovely sunset.

 

Day two a fab day in the city, indulging and wandering about with the gorgeous C.

My new car suffered an injury, a flat tyre, quelle horreur!

 

I had one of those perfect days, where I walked and walked at Warners Bay and read in the sun, then headed out for a lovely evening with J seeing Suffragette and indulging in our favourite, Saigon Feast.

And then Boom, David Bowie dies and the year isn't exactly feeling shiny anymore.

 You can read my thoughts on that here.

 

But life marches on...

 

We entertained the kids at work by way of Star Wars, everyone had a galaxial time.

We had first movie night of the year at work, and first date of the year...not at work!

 

I began Oscar Watch and saw The Revenent, The Big Short, Joy, The Danish Girl, The Hateful Eight, and Carol.

 

I saw Sedaris at The Civic, and also Steve Smyth up close and personal with my gals.

I helped C and B celebrate milestone birthdays at Sephardim.

Later in the month I had a proper look at the Mambo exhibit and met C for a talk of the irreverence of art hosted by HG Nelson. It was brilliant.

Wild was the first book for Bibliotweeps for the year, huge turn out, loads of great discussion and a little online banter with the author herself.

 

I dined for one on Scotties and caught up with Catapult dance with A, L and S.

Here’s what I’ve been reading, watching, and listening to.

 

And some photos from around and about.