Still being tired from yesterday's adventures with the Fuck Up Fairies - also known as Qantas, here are a few things that have been front of mind - with music.
1) I got my flu shot today. Had a meeting, got out of the meeting, then went down the chemist to get jabbed.
But I got jabbed twice.
I've been getting flu jabs after getting a noxious dose of it about twenty years ago. It makes sense. If you get your vaccination and you get the flu, it's hopefully going to be a lot milder version of it.
While I was there, I asked about COVID jabs
According to the pharmacist who was doing the sticking, it seems healthy people between 18-70 are due a COVID booster annually, unless they're immuno-compromised or doing a lot of travel.
I asked if by a lot of travel, a trip a month to Darwin would count as lots of travel. I last had a COVID shot in August.
I walked away with a shot in both arms. I might be radioactive, but hopefully I won't get massively sick.
2) Baked beans on toast for dinner tonight. I haven't been food shopping today as I had a full day at work, then saw Cleo for a training session.
Why are baked beans some of the best food in the world? Simple, easy, comforting on a cold winter's night. The only thing maybe better would be canned tomato soup - and it must be canned, with cheese savouries - or savoury toast as it is known in Tasmania. I think Barney and I need to have another savory toast off again. He puts the bacon in his mixture, I put it on top.
I'd also like to know why Lou Reed was in my head while making this delightful dinner. And why to the coloured girls go doo, de doo.?
3) I should stop watching Bridgerton
Bridgerton is one of my guilty pleasures, and this season it cutting things a little close.
For I am Penelope Featherington, and I so get Penelope Featherington. This season is all about her. And Colin, the Bridgerton she's been in love with forever.
But there was one scene in the second episode, where Penelope asks Colin to kiss her, as she doesn't want to die without knowing what it is to be kissed. Instantaneously, my heart went out to her.
Know exactly how you're feeling, love. Not that I have never been kissed, but it has been sooooooo bloody long. I think I've reclaimed my virginity.
Penelope and I have a few more things in common:
We're both the black sheep of the family
We're a bit on the chubby side
We like writing
I say good luck to her for asking for what she wants. It's very courageous. I mean, she tells Colin to kiss her so if she dies she'll know what it feels like. Colin then tells her that she won't know anything because she'll be dead. Such a bloke thing to say.
Oh, to even have somebody like that in your life.
I'm not sure I could be that brave.
(This is the best song James Blunt has penned - it's incredible).
4) While I was away, my cat got very spoiled.
I came back to a very spoiled, slightly petulant cat.
Aunty Kat spoiled him big time.
He also nearly destroyed the curtains in the spare room - mostly my fault as the big chair was pressing them against the wall, and they were crumbling, but still.
And Aunty Cat bought him some other treats. I'm not sure where she got them from, but he loves them.
Daft critter.
5) I have not watched Baby Reindeer yet.
I'm wondering if it really is worth the hype.
I like the actress who plays Martha too much in Pride - she was fantastic as Sian.
We'll see.
If you haven't seen Pride, it's on ABC iView at the moment. Fantastic film. How can it be bad? It's got Andrew Scott in it!
"Get your arse down here, you should see King Stingray - they're on at three."
I had been summoned. And it was okay. When my old colleague, Drew says I need to listen to somebody, I take heed. His taste in music is impeccable. And despite a little reticence, I slopped on some sunscreen, shoved on my trusty green baseball cap, shoved on my runners and went along with my colleagues to Bass in the Grass, Darwin's premiere music festival.
Bass in the Grass is a young person's festival, yet it caters for all. The group of us did the sensible thing when buying tickets and bought a premium package that gave us access to a couple of drinks (excellent), some seating (never a bad thing) and shade (absolutely critical). Oh, and toilets that weren't going to be used by every man, his dog, crocodile, drug dealer and wine merchant. Best $220 I've spent, just to have a bit of comfort away from the big noise, crowds and general rabble.
A quick Uber ride to Mindil Beach and we were there.
I've not been to many music festivals. There were becoming popular when I left England. Glastonbury was the big one, but the thought of camping, rolling around in the mud and being stoned among 100,000 of my nearest and dearest never sat well with me. Besides, I didn't have friends who were into that sort of thing while I was over there - more the Michael Buble crowd.
I went to the V-Festival in the Gold Coast in the mid-noughties, mainly to see The Pixies, but I also got to see some great acts.
But as a purveyor of music, I'm better off going to see acts one or two at a time as I find festivals are overwhelming.
Regardless, a short Uber ride to Mindil Beach, a very thorough course through security and we had arrived, just in time to see King Stingray on the main stage.
They were excellent. (See today's song)
But this was under the full Darwin sun, at 3 p.m. on a Saturday.
Once the band went off, one of my colleagues and I went to find our special area. The place with drinks and shade and toilets with running water, away from the big noise. The space we'd spent good money on - and it was worth every dollar. Being out of the sun, and a way away from the main speakers and dancing was a good thing. You could hear everything, just as you could hear yourself talk. (Also, in my defense, I was struck down with laryngitis most of the week and wasn't up for racing around in the heat. Besides, we found a possie which suited my purposes - a place to congregate, meet. drink and eat without being overrun by the revelers.
My colleagues, chilling at Bass in the Grass.
There were two main stages where the big acts played - the set up allowing for one act to be on while the other one was being set up. There was also what I call the doof doof stage out the front, where various DJ's plied their trade.
Me, I was happy the back on my covered milk crate, drinking hard Solo and eating fresh cinnamon donuts.
And I got to listen to Middle Kids (enjoyable), Northlane (a bit like a harder Metallica without the heart) Bag Raiders (wonderful dance music which I could identify) and Ziggy Alberts (an artist I've got a lot of time for).
Did I go back out to the main area - no - but I didn't have to.
And yes, I could have stayed around for Jet, and Macklemore, or gone and seen some more dance music, but after a day in the sun, knowing that drinking too much while you're still on antibiotics is not a good thing, but as the sun had gone down and my energy was depleted, I made my way out, walking down to the Casino with a nice random bloke chatting all the way, where I found a cab back to the city.
Did I enjoy myself - absolutely.
Being a person who hates crowds and noise, I knew what I was getting into. I also know my limits, and at 7 pm, it was time to go, but I'm very glad I went.
Drew did say it was a young person's event. Good for those with the energy and stamina to last well into the night.
I was just happy, in the end, to arrive back at the hotel, get in Uber Eats, do the worst of my packing and watch Bridgerton.
But if King Stingray ever come to Melbourne again, I'd happily go along. I know they're touring America with King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard in the near future. And yes, that doesn't mean that much to me either...
Note to self. Even if offered, don't eat duck. I like duck. Duck does not like me. And okay, if it's duck breast, I can get away with it, but roast duck, or duck confit, or anything else, avoid at all costs. After a lovely breakfast with my friend (and old P.E. teacher from 40 years ago) I had to race home. And I only had had a little bit. Two small pieces.
Regardless of the runny tummy (which has abated - just have to get some fluids into me) I will have a good day. And I'm looking forward to going home tomorrow. It will be good to be back in the cool, rather than the tropics. It will be nice to be sleeping with the cat again - if he still loves me, that is.
Lots of things. Art. Kindness. Courage. Joy. Perseverance. Happiness. The human condition. You can find inspiration anywhere. You just have to look for it with open eyes and an open heart.
2. How do you think the world will change in 20 years?
Considering how much the world has changed in the last 20 years I hate to think. I'd love to imagine a kinder, more peaceful, less antagonistic, more environmentally aware world, but would that ever happen? I can only hope.
3. Cats or dogs and why?
I love both dogs and cats, but as the servant of one black cat named Lucifer, I have to say cats. I love their independence, their quirky personalities and their ability to empathise, even if they don't show that very often. Dogs are absolutely wonderful, but far more needy.
4. What is the funniest memory from your childhood?
I can't really think of anything - I suppose driving a tractor into creek was pretty funny. I had a funny childhood, but more funny-peculiar than funny-humorous. But that is also indicative of being a child of the seventies.
5. Where do you not mind waiting?
In the Qantas Club lounge at the airport. It's nice to be away from the rabble. A comfortable chair. A Bloody Mary. Liquorice Allsorts - it's a good place to wait for your plane.
For those not in Australia, these are liquorice allsorts.
6. What was the best thing before sliced bread?
The flushing toilet? Underground plumbing? The mangle? No idea.
7. What product would you stockpile if you found out they weren’t going to sell it anymore?
Oh, I discovered this a few weeks ago. It's not that they don't sell it anymore, but the company doesn't ship my natural deodorant to Australia anymore (bastards). I love Native deodorant. I used to put in an order a year. So, if I have friends going to America, I ask them to bring back a few sticks. But I have found an Australian alternative, which I like a lot. Woohoo is about the best I've found that really works all day.
8. What do you get every time you go grocery shopping?
Fresh fruit, bread and almond milk are on my shopping list most weeks.
9. What do people do too much of today?
Doom scrolling. Get off your bloody phones and stop complaining you have no time.
10. Are you a GoodWill, or any second-hand store customer?
Not really. The difficulty I find with second-hand stores is that they're not good for bigger sizes. However, at my writer's retreats, we have a trading table where people bring along their pre-loved clothes which we sell on and all proceeds go to charity. It feels good knowing the money is going somewhere where it will do good. And I've got a number of bargains there.
11. How do you feel about the death penalty?
I don't believe in it at all. In Australia, we haven't had the death penalty on the federal statutes since 1972 - the last person to be executed in Australia was back in 1967. Looking outside of Australia, I think it's barbaric. It's not a deterrent, and it's too open to failure. Too many innocent people have been killed by the state. It's not for me.
12. Are there brands of certain items that you will ONLY buy that brand? Ie paper towels, ketchup etc.
Yes. I will only buy:
Heinz Baked Beans
Lea and Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
Coke (never Pepsi)
Farmer's Union Iced Coffee (I come from the one place in the world where a milk drink outsells Coca Cola)
There are a few other things, but these come to mind.
13. What are some things that you will buy the Store brand, and find the quality to be great?
Aldi chocolate is fantastic. Actually, Aldi has some quality brands. Not sure if you Aldi is in America, bit it is a lot cheaper than our two major supermarkets. But they put the chocolate in the first aisle as you enter the shop and I find this far too dangerous. (My local Aldi is in a dodgy part of the suburb too - another reason to avoid it.)
14. What is a Name brand item that really disappointed you recently?
Sheridan bed linen is not as good as it used to be. It doesn't last as long as it used to.
15. Do you wear glasses or contacts?
I wear glasses for distance - have done for many years. I have to take them off to read anything on a page or screen. This is called getting old.
There are things I'd forgotten, but have been reminded of tonight.
It's been a long week, and in many ways, a hard week. This morning, for a few minutes, I was thinking "Why don't you resign." I was a fleeting feeling, and it left, and I looked and the monumental pile of impossible work myself and my colleague have to do, the breathed in, stood up, and went and got a coffee, and felt better. Why fret? It's just work.
And just because the work feels like it has one of those Harry Potter doubling charms on it, doesn't mean it's impossible - just hard. You touch one thing, three other things spring up to join them. It's great. Not.
Regardless, I finished something this afternoon, which for this week, was a bonus. I was the last one in the call centre. I took my bags and walked the 200 metres to the new hotel on the esplanade and checked in.
After a short lie down, I found my bathers and went down to the pool, where I'd arranged to meet my colleague.
This job is very different to any other I've had. For one, giving the day a post-mortem in the pool is a necessary evil. It's the only role I can remember where I've seen most of my colleagues in their bathers. And I have no shame in putting on my swimmers and joining people - bugger the body image. I've always been the first in/last out of the pool person. Nothing changes. I get out when I start to prune. That's the rules.
Making things even easier, my colleague and I have been mates for a couple of years.
And the pool here is good.
We got the stories of a hard week out of our systems. We both needed a bit of a vent. But once that was done, we settled in to being human. Even did the 'Hey, watch me do freestyle!" and I bobbed under the water and did a lap of the pool. Stupidly, I'd left my goggles in the room, but I'd forgotten how much I love swimming freestyle - doing laps. I'm not a fast swimmer, but I am competent. But as an adult, when was the last time you told somebody to watch you swim?
After a quick change, and a quick look at the sunset from Bicentennial Park, we went out for a drink at a local bar, where they serve a local Kakadu Plum gin. I rate it.
After this, a lovely dinner at a local restaurant.
Another beer was had. The conversation flowed easily. We know enough of each other's stories to not have to explain things to each other. We're both from the country. Both a little nerdy in an arty sort of way. Our politics align for the most part. Easy company.
Then he walked me back to my hotel, stopping for an ice cream on the way. (Cold Rock Rum and Raisin, with a Caramello Koala mashed in for good measure in a kiddie cup - who knew?).
And I had forgotten home much an easy night with good company can be for the soul.
I serenaded a friend this afternoon for her birthday. It was a bit of a dare.
You see, you can't really sing when you have laryngitis. She thought it was scary. And hilarious.
Currently, I'm sounding like Darth Vader's kid sister. I truly sound awful, but the stupid thing is I don't feel too bad. Sure, I'm not 100%, but I'm also up to do a day in the office.
Making things a little worse, I'm up in Darwin on a work trip and there's a music festival to go to on Saturday, which, if I'm honest, at present, I have no desire to go to - but that's three days away.
On the good side of things, I'm not coughing, spluttering, blowing my nose, feverish. Even my throat, which is a little sore, is not really giving me grief. And sure, I'm not feeling one hundred percent, but I can think and write and get on with things. But as I'm travelling and have another two flights to get me home on Sunday, I thought it best to see a doctor and see what they thought.
"You've lost your voice," said the doctor.
"No shit, Sherlock," I thought, "Minister for the Bleeding Obvious, this one."
Five minutes later I walked out with a prescription for antibiotics, more out of prevention, possibly for a cure.
It's fun, this having no voice.
I got to use hand gestures in a meeting today.
I'm scaring people.
And worst of all, I can't swim at the moment. I was looking forward to going to the Parap pool after work and doing some laps. The thought of getting wet, getting dry, and then going in and out of air conditioning did not sit well. Hopefully the drugs will kick in and I'll be able to go for a swim on the weekend.
And Darwin is about to kick off with this festival over the weekend.
I'm just glad it's not COVID. Or RSV. Or something worse.
And if all goes to seed, I could go work for one of those phone sex lines.
I’ve been watching a documentary about Rock Hudson while waiting for my washing to finish. I can only feel incredibly sad. In many ways, his is a sad story.
He’s always been one of my favourite actors. I have a little bit of a penchant for Doris Day and her silly movies of the 50s and sixties. He was so handsome, but he had this daft side that I found charming - a bit like my cat.
I’m seeing all of these news clips which I saw for the first time when I was a teenager. It’s so scary to see the views portrayed here. The people who betrayed him. And those who stuck by him. And the lack of understanding. And the horribly homophobic ideals of the age.
I wonder he might have been like if you’ve been born 20 years later. Maybe he would have got out of the closet. Possibly the drugs would have allowed him to leave a normal, long life.
It’s just sad.
It’s been a pretty good day here in D-Town. It’s been a day out at the depot, what we are referring to his family dinner when my colleagues came and we had a barbecue chicken and salad on the balcony for dinner, rather than frequent a local restaurant.
I went to book group over zoom where we read a really good book this month. I can highly recommend Edenglassie by Melissa Lukaschenko. Eye opening. Educational in many ways. As there was only four of us there, the conversation was great.
Oh, and my cousin got in contact and asked about places to eat in Darwin. She and her daughter were going to be up for a couple of days before catching the Ghan back down to Adelaide. We're going out for dinner on Thursday.
And now I’m just waiting for this bloody washing machine, so I can hang out the washing and go to bed. I'd pop down to take out the recycling, which is banking up, but I'm in my pyjamas, and nobody needs to see me in a lift without a bra. (I'm on the 18th floor, the recycling bins are on the 4th...)
Sorry, it’s not much of a blog. I’m just not feeling it at the moment. Blame the croaky voice.
