Hope not far gone...

It’s that horror filled time of year – school holidays. Not any old fear-instilling school holidays, but the US summer holidays. ‘What does that mean to those of us in Australia?’ I hear you cry. Well, it results in a drought and a deep and foreboding darkness in my soul. It’s time for the onslaught of Hollywood blockbusters, in their explosive, glossy, excessive and expensive glory, reeking of quantity over quality.

The world slows, crawling along like a never ending slow motion picture show. But, don’t despair my friends hope is never lost for long. Despite the fact that you fear you might be lost in the wilderness forever, you know as well as I do, over that distant horizon are the Boxing Day releases, the films jostling for award season recognition, a time when all is right with the world (well, as long as the films are deserving of their reputation).

It is this hope, deluded or otherwise, that helps me navigate the seemingly endless winter. This year is no exception with a number of tantalising prospects. The first movie on my shortlist is Inside Llewyn Davis (Australian release date TBC).

The formidable brothers Coen, Ethan and Joel, return with a film that brings to life Greenwich Village, New York City in the 1960s. The film is loosely based on the life of a prominent figure of the burgeoning NY folk music scene, Dave van Ronk. A guy who may not spring to mind immediately (well, he didn’t for me at least), but I understand he rubbed shoulders with the likes of some of the biggest folk/blues icons – think, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell.

One of my favourite things: Autumn

Autumn in Canberra.  For me, there’s no better time of year.  Many of you will probably disagree, already mourning the departure of summer barbecues, the end of daylight savings and sad that the warm weather seems only a fading memory.  Not me.

The days are becoming cooler, the trees are changing colour (bold red, burnt orange, golden yellow – like a beautiful oil painting) and I know that the weeks and months that stretch ahead will be filled with fluffy blankets, woollen socks, movie nights, Sunday morning sleep-ins, hot chocolates, comfort food and rich red wine.  

Yes, it’s time for the annual hibernation to begin, you can feel the pace slowing down, you wake to crisp and frosty mornings, your breath visible from your lips.  It’s time for jackets and scarves, boots and gloves.  What is not to love?  In this spirit I share with you a few of my favourite things about autumn:

Bags of pears, apples and pomegranates...

 Endless hot cups of tea and movies...

Slippers and cuddles with Bailey...

An obvious outsider

This post comes to you thanks to a recent work trip, a hotel bar, a beer and a desire to appear absorbed in something both important and interesting.

While sitting by myself in a hotel bar in Adelaide recently I noticed that I had updated my Facebook status at least five times with inane, mundane and generally pointless crap (I hear you, what else is Facebook for?).  I had also managed to enter into a playful stoush on white chocolate, and read the material for my meeting cover to cover at least three times.

Oh, what to do?  I shall not flea to my hotel room at 6:00pm, and I have to eat.  But how to do this on your own without feeling and appearing like a loser.  Or how to avoid appearing like a serial killer as you listen intently to the conversations that are happening nearby because if you didn’t you would end up speaking to yourself....

I’m wondering, who out there is fearless enough to dine in strange cities independently?  And, if you do, please share the secret to how you do it?

Movies Reviewed: The Ides of March

The Ides of March is George Clooney's fourth film as director, having already offered up: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Good Night and Good Luck and Leatherheads.

At the centre of the plot is the determined and focused young political campaign staffer Stephen Myers, played by Ryan Gossling.  He’s working for Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney) who is trying to get the nod to be the Democratic presidential candidate.

Judging the book by its cover

While perusing the shelves of the local news agency I was taken by this Tatler cover. Initially, I had to do a double take to work out who the cover girl was.    

It is Emily Mortimer who is beautiful, and quirky, and interesting...  I loved her in season one of 30 Rock where she plays Jack Donaghy’s fiancée, Phoebe who could not be touched because she suffered from ‘avian bone syndrome’.

Anyway, what struck me about this cover was:

a) Tatler's need to exclaim that she is in a dress

b) that it is a ‘nice’ dress, but

c) could you really call it a 'nice dress'?
 
Firstly, it would appear to be more of a top and skirt.  But secondly, and crucially, to me it looks more like she hasn't realised that her skirt is see through and we can see her underwear...


I am quite sure that this makes me prude. 

For your viewing pleasure, here is the offending cover.

Clearing out the cupboards

My parents have recently returned from overseas, with a new desire to lead an uncluttered and simple life.  If you know my parents, this is a big deal.  Prior to moving to remote south pacific countries, their home was filled with well loved, in some circumstances, well used, junk.

Upon their return, and seeing the mountainous piles of useless material that returned from storage, they decided to cull.  In some ways I think it was a therapeutic experience for them – letting go of things that you no longer need, but have some strange emotional bond to, can be cathartic.

The next issue, however, was what to do with all the things they had broken their emotional ties with.  In the end they decided on having a garage sale.  It makes some sense, after you have spent your hard earned money on these things, it is nice to get something back.

We hoped that some lucky shopper would come across our garage sale, and would see – amongst our discarded goods – something that they needed, wanted, had to have, and could possibly love.