Theatre Review: The Jungle and The Sea

 Wow

Review coming tomorrow.

Mrs Norris

I found out something today. Mrs Norris, Mr Filch's cat in the Harry Potter series is named after a character in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. 

Currently, I'm listening to the audiobook of Mansfield Park, delighting at Austen's witty banter and funny characters, so I was rather delighted to meet the original Mrs Norris - a complete pain in the butt and a bit of a thorn in the protagonist, Fanny Price's side. It makes sense. Mrs Norris in Harry Potter is just the same. 

Of course, Mansfield Park is one of the secondary Austens. Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma always ring out as the favourites. Mansfield Park sits with Northanger Abbey and Persuasion and the more underated novels (though I have a soft spot for Persuasion, and rather like the Netflix take on things - I know, an unpopular opinion.)

And if I was to name a cat after an Austen character, I'd probably go with something like Willoughby (horny scoundrel), Mary Bennet (misunderstood), Mr Collins (big, supercilious creep) or Brandon (Saviour)

Mind you, if I was to get another black cat, I'd call him Belly - short of Beelzebub. Beelzebub and Lucifer - what a pair. (Lucifer would eat a kitten - not going to do it.)

Anyway, that's what I discovered today.

I also wanted to get this out before my psychologist appointment, so I don't have to sit in front of the computer afterwards. 

My job is done. 

Today's song:

August Reading

 It's that time of the month. Kneecap (movie) is playing on SBS World Movies (Keep your hands off our SBS Pauline Hanson) and I'm about to tell you about what I read last month while singing along to Irish Hip Hop (or Hip Hop in Irish).

Anyway, despite the chaotic start to this post, here's what I read last month. 

I read seven and a half books last month. The half is important - I got within 30 pages of finishing this, so it should count for something, 

1) Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinneman  - Audio - 4 Stars

This isn't my normal fare, but it's great fun. The plot is fairly simple. Carl, a veteran and fireman, finds himself on a large-scale computer game after the world is destroyed. He has no trousers. His only friend is his ex-girlfriend's persian cat, Princess Donut. This is manic, fun, rather violent in places, and sure, a little repetitive as we see Carl and Donut come to terms with the game - which is a mix between the Hunger Games, Tron and Zelda, and try to come out on top. 

The audio book of this is fantastic. 

But the commitment to the series - I'm not sure. There are now seven or eight books in the series - and they are huge. But I'm glad I've consumed this one. Even if it is just for the talking cat, who's hysterical. 

2) Writers and Lovers by Lily King - Paper - 4.5 stars

I adored Lily King's Heart the Lover. Stunning little book. This was nearly as good. 

Casey is trying to navigate life, writing and grief in her early 30s. This book looks at her navigating new relationships with a couple of men. It also looks at the writing process, the stuff we put ourselves through to be writers and how grief permeates our lives. The writing is gorgeous. This was very enjoyable. It comes highly recommended. 

3) The Names by Florence Knapp - Paper - 4.5 Stars

This was my second reading of this, as it made it into our book group list. It really stands up to a second reading. 

In The Names we first of all meet Cora, a woman in a joyless marriage about to go to register her son's birth. There are three strands to this. In the first, her son is given the name Bear, named by his sister Maya. In the second, the boy is named Julian - Cora's choice for his name. And in the third, he's named after his abusive father, Gordon. 

This is a cracker of a book. It also comes with a trigger warning and there are themes of domestic violence and coercive control running though the story. 

It's fantastic. 

4)  Lady Tremain by Rachel Hochhauser - Audio - 4

In this twist on the Cinderella story, we see this timeless take from the view of the step-mother, and to great effect. 

Amazon give the blurb as such:

"After the death of her second husband, Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramley is solely responsible for her two daughters, Rosamund and Mathilde, her simpering stepdaughter Elin, a razor-taloned peregrine falcon, and a crumbling manor buried in the woods.

When a royal ball offers the chance to change their fortunes, Ethel risks her pride in pursuit of an invitation for all three of girls - only for her hopes to be fulfilled by the wrong one: Elin.

Yet as her stepdaughter's engagement to the future king unfolds, Ethel discovers a sordid secret hidden in the depths of the royal family, forcing her to choose between the security she craves and the feckless stepdaughter who has rebuffed her at every turn..."

Fast paced, feminist, and fierce, it shows what women will do for their children, and their survival. 

As I consumed this as an audiobook, I highly recommend Tanya Reynolds narration of the tale - she's currently playing Alice Chilton on Ted Lasso. 

If your live revisionist stories, this might be your cup of tea. You see the evil step-mother as somebody else entirely. And can view Cinderella as somebody else entirely. 

5) The Glassmaker by Tracey Chevalier - Audio - 4 stars

The Girl with the Pearl Earring is a favourite book of mine, so I was interested to pick up Tracy Chevalier's latest novel, which starts in Venice on the island of Murano, where the famous glass is produced. 

Amazon provides this synopsis:

"Venice, 1486. Across the lagoon lies Murano. Time flows differently here – like the glass the island’s maestros spend their lives learning to handle.

Women are not meant to work with glass, but Orsola Rosso flouts convention to save her family from ruin. She works in secret, knowing her creations must be perfect to be accepted by men. But perfection may take a lifetime.

Skipping like a stone through the centuries, we follow Orsola as she hones her craft through war and plague, tragedy and triumph, love and loss.

The beads she creates will adorn the necks of empresses and courtesans from Paris to Vienna – but will she ever earn the respect of those closest to her?"

There is a lot to this book, not only the relationships and the family, but the research that's gone into aspects of glassmaking is fantastic. 

Some may find the wandering timeline a bit difficult, but I loved how this took us on a journey of a couple of hundred years. It's a very worthwhile book. Tracy Chevalier writes brilliantly on all aspects of art and history. I'd happily read more of her works. 

6)  Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes - Audiobook - 3.5 stars. 

Hands up, this is not my favourite Marian Keyes book. It's okay, but not great. First published in 2012, some of the themes have dated. Also, of the three main characters, Ashling, Lisa and Clodagh, I wanted to belt all of them regularly. Ashling needed to grow a spine, Lisa should be less up herself (though she and Ashling to get better, but there was very little to redeem Clodagh, a whining stay at home mother looking for more. 

It was an okay diversion, but that is about it. 

7) There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak - Audio - 5 Stars

This is going to go down as one of my books of the year. It is superb - but then again, everything Elif Shafak writes is amazing. 

Like The Names, the book follows three strands, all of which are linked by a single drop of water.

As a brief synopsis, provided by Nile books, 

"In 1840 London, Arthur is born beside the stinking, sewage-filled River Thames. With an abusive, alcoholic father and a mentally ill mother, Arthur’s only chance of escaping destitution is his brilliant memory. When his gift earns him a spot as an apprentice at a leading publisher, Arthur’s world opens up far beyond the slums, and one book in particular catches his interest: Nineveh and Its Remains.

In 2014 Turkey, Narin, a ten-year-old Yazidi girl, is diagnosed with a rare disorder that will soon cause her to go deaf. Before that happens, her grandmother is determined to baptize her in a sacred Iraqi temple. But with the rising presence of ISIS and the destruction of the family’s ancestral lands along the Tigris, Narin is running out of time.

In 2018 London, the newly divorced Zaleekah, a hydrologist, moves into a houseboat on the Thames to escape her husband. Orphaned and raised by her wealthy uncle, Zaleekah had made the decision to take her own life in one month, until a curious book about her homeland changes everything."

This is stunning. I've bought a copy for a friend who's travelling to Turkiye and who has a huge interest in the legends of Gilgamesh and Mesopotamia. 

7.5) Sophie, Standing There by Meg Mason - Paper - ??

I will review this next month. As I said, I got within 30 pages of finishing this, but by rights I can't review it as it's a September book. 

I might have a better opinion of it them, too. 

Today's song:

It came in the mail

 I want to write this in French - but I will refrain, but this would sound better in French. Most things sound better in French. 

Tonight, coming home from work, I checked the letterbox. I'm used to checking it and finding nothing but the odd political flyer or piece of junk mail. 

Today, there was a letter, addressed to me, in my handwriting, sent from France. 

I wrote this to myself at Bistro des Lettres in Paris last year. 

This bistro on the leafy Boulevard Saint Germain in the Fifth Arondisement not only has excellent food, bit it's a place where you can write a letter, to whomever you choose, and the bistro will send it on. You place the letter in a box when you want it sent, and they will send it on for you. 

I wrote a letter to myself. 

In French (because I can). 

I asked for it to be sent in August of the following year. It arrived today. 

I had no recollection of what I wrote. I remember sitting in the cafe. I remember that I was sick with the starts of a nasty cold. I remember having steak tartare and a very good creme brulee. 

Also, I remember writing the letter and putting it in the August 2026 box.

And today it arrived. In French. Wishing me a happy birthday, and that I wasn't forgotten. It hoped I was happy and gainfully employed again (as I was technically between jobs when I wrote this. 

I also like how this was signed off. 

"Take this holiday. Say I love you all the time. Do your exercise. Love your life. Do all this, because you are the best. You deserve the world. Take the world in your hands. I love you. Me xx"

It sounded better in French. 

Most things do. 

But I'm chuffed with this. 

Today's song:

Week One New Gym

 Week one at the new gym has come and gone and the sky is not falling in. 

I've discovered the following:

1)  You do get used to the new machines. There are three leg presses at the new place. They are all different. None of them are comparable to old faithful, but it's just a matter of adjusting. There's also lots of different machines - the same as the old place, but just a little bit different.

2)  It appears to be busy between 5-7 on weekdays. We train with Cleo and Chuck at 6.30. It does seem to calm down during that last half hour.

3)  Lots of ordinary people go to this gym. I love this about the place. 

4)  I rather like the zones in this place. Cardio machines are upstairs and out of the way. There's also a studio of classes up another set of stairs. The main gym is huge, but there's a back room with a couple of cable machines, some squat racks and lots of free weights - it's cool. I also like the bookable pilates reformer beds and infrared saunas - which all come free with membership. 

5)  Continuing with the boxing lessons at the other gym has been great. I'm a little fitter than I think I am. It's certainly helped reduce my fear of cardio and I've made the commitment to myself to do a couple of half hour sessions going forward. I can do it. It makes me feel good even if I go red in the face.

6)  And I'm really loving that the gym is an easy five-minute's walk from my front door. It's keeping me out of Coles after they gym (though the local, and rather expensive IGA is only a few doors down, but in the wrong direction.)

It's all settling into a good regime. The routine is being found. Things are being found more easily. I don't feel intimidated.  I'm happy. 

Today's song:

Movie Review: & Sons

 Movie Number 33 of 2026

The Movie: & Sons

The Cinema: Palace Cinemas Kino Cinema

Runtime: 1 hour 59 minutes

Stars: 4

This wasn't what I was expecting. 

I was expecting a pseudo comedy starring Bill Nighy being Bill Nighy. This wasn't that. I was expecting Bill Nighy to have his normal Bill Nighy character. I didn't get that either. 

Neither of these are bad things. 

The other thing that took me to this film was its writer, Sarah Polley. She's a Canadian writer and actress who always produces really interesting movies. This movie is adapted from David Gilbert's novel of the same name. 

As I said, what you think you're going to get is not what's on screen. This is okay, if not a little strange in places. 

I'm not going to pepper this review with spoilers. 

What I can tell you is daffy, reclusive author, Andrew Dyer (Nighy) thinks that he's dying. To be honest, he looks pretty mad and decrepit. He lives in a huge house with his housekeeper. Gerte (Anna Geislerova) and son Andy (Noah Jupe).

Having this feeling of imminent death, he asks his older, estranged sons to come and visit. Richard (Johnny Flynn), a recovering addict who's sorted his life out, is trying to sell a script. Son Jamie (George McKay) is experimenting producing various media. Both sons have been alienated by their father's actions, that of being the conception of their third brother, Andy. Instead, they took the side of their mother, Isabel (Imelda Staunton). 

I'm going to say nothing more of the plot - but it doesn't go anywhere you think it will go. Is Andrew mad? Possibly. Is the situation real? I'm not sure. It is a great film to watch? From a cinematic standpoint, yes. 

The acting in this is great. An aging man. A fractured family dealing with a famous father and his actions. It's worth seeing just for this. And for a change, Bill Nighy gets to break out from his normal foppish roles and gets to really act. 

This was unexpected and entertaining. You just have to run with the plot to really enjoy it. 

Today's song:

Sunday Stealing says Yeah

 It's Saturday morning. I'm having a lovely quiet one. I've made the bed, mainly because the cat said that I have to. I've done some crocket. I've done a little job hunting. I need to go down the shopping centre to go to the chemist and to drop some trousers for mending. I'm going to go for a swim later this afternoon. I want to get some other writing done. And my taxes. All on a nice sunny Saturday. It's lovely and relaxing. 

Questions, as always, come from Sunday Stealing. 

1. What will you remember from August 2026?

I hate to say it, but August 2026 will always be about the fact that Dolly Parton and Tim Curry died in quick succession. I admired both performers for different reasons. It's sad that they're gone, but their work will live on. 

My birthday was a bit of a non-event this year, so nothing to write home about there. 

2. When will you start your holiday shopping?

Oh, when will I start Christmas shopping? Probably two weeks before Christmas. I have, however, started making Blarney's blanket for her Christmas present. Crocheting blankets takes time, but it is well under way. Then I'll get a start on the dog and cat blanket for various people. I like making people things for Christmas. 

3. Where did you meet the person you fell the hardest for?

Work. 

4. Where did you meet your best friend?

I have a number of close friends. Geetangeli I met at university college. Mariah, Blarney and Jonella I met at work - different jobs, but all at work. 

5. Share a fact about the last person who texted you.

Jay is my gym buddy. We're discussing what time to meet at the gym tomorrow. 

Today's song:

Movie Review: Tony

Movie Number 32 of 2026

The Movie: Tony

The Cinema: Palace Cinemas - Balwyn

Runtime: One hour 46 Minutes

Stars: 4

The movie Tony is based on the early life of chef Anthony Bourdain, cook, chef, writer and traveler. A bon vivant in many ways, I was a fan of his Parts Unknown series where he went off the beaten track to find delicacies.

Tony looks at the time in his life when he cultivated his love of food and the cultural values he placed on it. 

At the start of the film, Tony (Dominic Sessa), or Anthony to his mother, is a shit of a kid. In his own words he says he was a 'pretentious, insufferable little snot who thought he was smarter than everybody else.' The young Tony, overconfident trash bag that he is, follows a girl, Nancy (Emilia Jones) on holidays in Provincetown. Turning up with nowhere to live, next to no money and a broken heart after finding out Nancy was seeing somebody else, he gets a job as a dishwasher in a bar, where there are four things on the menu, a narky chef (Antonio Banderas) and a bunch of reprobate kitchen hands. 

Sal (Leo Woodall) one of the kitchenhands takes him down the wrong path for a bit, before chef takes him under his wing and sees what Tony can't - that he's a chef in the making.

There's a lot to like in this film. It's fast-paced and with an edge of danger, as Sal introduces Tony to some of the recreational drugs that can be found in these American seaside towns. The other thing that had me looking away was watching the young Tony's knife skills. There is inherent danger when it comes to shucking oysters. 

It's also deliciously funny and wise a lot of the time. It also show's America in its mid-70s best. The sets and costumes set the period beautifully.

This is a really enjoyable film. Dominic Sessa shines as young Tony, Antonio Banderas's Chef helps to tame the insufferable youth. I really enjoyed Emilia Jones' turn as the plucky Nancy. Leo Woodall is great as the slightly unhinged Sal - he's been making some cool choices of late - this is one of them. 

Matt Johnson, who directed the under-rated film Blackberry has done a very good job on this. He also worked with Todd Bartels and Lou Howe on the script. It's really well done. 

I recommend this one for something different. It's not too long, engaging and shows the in auspicious start of a man who grew into a cultural icon. 

Today's song: 

 Just, no.

Okay, look, he was 80. He's been infirm for years but still working. He's allowed to go. 

But...

His menacing cackle was one of the best on the planet. That sneery smile. That wicked look behind his eyes in every role he took on. 

He was an icon. 

It's a bad week for celebrities. I just wish it wasn't the good ones who are going.  

Rest in Power, Tim Curry. You're going home.

Today's song:

From today

 I was woken by a notification on the phone. 

"We're playing Dolly Parton back-to-back this morning, What a loss."

It is a loss. A huge loss. And for somebody born in a one-room shack in Tennessee, she's done more for the world than almost anybody. Her Imagination Library distributed more than 300 million books to children, promoting a love of reading, is the stuff that makes me tear up. Her own father couldn't read or write - she didn't want anybody to not have the opportunity to learn just what reading and writing could bring you. 

She was smart, funny and humble. She treated people as people. 

The world has lost a good one. 

I grew up with her. As a child of the seventies, she was everywhere - I remember her singing with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. I remember her films of the 80s and 90s. She's always been around. 

The song of the day is my favourite song of hers - it came out when I was nine. 

Anyway, it's been a sad day. 

Making up for it, I'm teaching my cousin how to crochet. She's been staying with me for a few nights while she attends a course here in Melbourne.

She's a bit older than me. There's lots of interesting things about her - too much to mention here. She's also the wife of an Anglican priest. 

Our grandmother always said that she wasn't cut out for crochet - however, she does knit very well. 

Regardless, she's sitting here on the couch trying to master this crochet thing. 

After an hour of trying to use more technical terms, I tried a more novel approach.

"Strangle it. Stab it. Strangle it again. Hang it. Tie it up. Tie it up. Start again."

Very technical. 

She thinks it's the best way to remember the stitches. 

It's just the recipe for granny squares. 

Coming out of the mouth of a vicar's wife, it's quite funny. 

Today's song:

Men's Privilege

Remind me why middle-aged men think they own the place? 

Case in point. The tram this afternoon. A 109 tram, on Collins Street. it's busy. Not hideous can't get on the tram busy, but busy enough. 

There is a man, sitting on the seat next to the aisle. The seat next to him is vacant. 

"Excuse me," I motion towards the seat. Two young men are sitting in the opposite two seats. 

The man looks up from his phone and looks at me as if I'm something he's stepped in at the dog park. 

"Excuse me," I repeat, a little more forcefully.

He doesn't move. 

The two young men make some room, and I take the seat by the window - I mean, it's a vacant seat on a busy tram. The absolute audacity of me wanting to take a free seat on a busy tram next to a middle-aged. He made it known that my presence on the next seat was unwelcome. 

MAAAATE! IT'S PUBLIC FUCKING TRANSPORT!

I sit in the seat. I refuse to make myself small. I can make myself small, but in this case, with this tosser, I refuse to bundle myself into a ball to make room for his arse on my side of the seat. 

I don't go into knees and elbows mode, but I sit quietly.

I could do one of the following: 

• Make a loud, personal phone call
• Play music on the phone, not through the headphones
• Play a game with the noise on
• Try and find something smelly to eat.
• File my nails
• Produce eggy farts

Or any number of other antisocial ways that you can irritate the shit out of people when you're on the tram. 

No, I just sat there, with my bag on my lap, quietly seething.

At the stop before mine, I made a move to stand . 

"Excuse me."

He grunted. 

The young men again made some room. 

I was tempted to dong him with my backpack. 

I didn't. But I did think about it. 

I just don't get why middle-aged men don't have to play by the rules the rest of us have to. 

Today's song: 

Hello, Gym

 First night in the new gym. There were feelings of trepidation and grief. After, I remain hopeful. 

One of the issues of going to the same gym for nearly 20 years is that you know where everything is, how everything works and what to expect. You also have to remember that it's not the same place. 

Jay was at the old gym today as it closed its doors at midday. I said my goodbyes yesterday. 

Onwards, I say. 

And yes, things are different. The machines have different set ups, things are in strange places. There are few bouncy medicine balls, but heaps of dead balls. (I hate dead balls). The feel of the machines are a bit different - of course they are. The leg press bench isn't as padded, the lat pull down machine felt a bit strange. There are fewer mats. Stuff, which will work itself out with a few sessions. 

It also felt busier than the old place but considering they've taken on a lot of people from the old gym, it's to be expected. 

I saw a few familiar places around the place. Another trainer from the old place was showing around a client. We smiled at each other. Familiar faces are gold. 

And after a 45-minute session with Cleo, I have the sense that this place will be okay. I love that they have reformer beds with inbuilt video lessons - I'd like to try Pilates but can't be bothered with the expense. I like that they have yoga at 8 pm on a Saturday morning. I like that their cardio room looks over Victoria Street. 

After this session, I went two doors down to meet up with my boxing trainer, for another half an hour of punishment. 

This was our third session boxing. I'm getting back into the swing of things. I love this interval training lark. Okay, after a 45-minutes of weights, it might not have been the most sensible thing to have done, but I lasted well. Sure, my arms felt like they were going to drop off at the end of the session, my legs a little wobbly, but I did it. 

An hour and a half and 500 calories later, I stumbled home. 

I think I'll sleep tonight. 

Today's song:

Goodbye, Gym

 Let me introduce you to some friends of mine. 

This is my favourite leg press. 

This is one of the TRX bands and the cardio area. 

These are the ski ergs. 

This is the 'easy' leg press and the leg extension machines - they come as a pair. 

This is my favourite lat pull down machine. My favourite bar, with the V grip has been stolen. I loved that bar. 

This is the good chest press. There are other chest press machines, but this one is the best.

And this is the sled track and the battle ropes.

And this is the studio where they hold classes. I contemplated going to BodyCombat this morning, but there was about 40 people in the room. But I did say goodbye to the instructors, who I've known for years. Until around two years ago I was in here most Sunday mornings - but the heat, the crowds and the noise all did my head in a bit too much. 

I think about the great people I've met here. My trainers over the years. Ricardo (Pinochet), Ivan, Dave, Mani, and now Jack, who've all helped keep me on track. 

There's the guys on the front desk. Nic, whose been on the desk for an age, is currently in Edinburgh Comedy Festival, taking her one woman show about being a receptionist at the gym to the world. (She's awesome). 

I think of the many friends I've made here. 

I love the community spirit of this place. That people regularly stop for a chat, say hello, egg you on. There's the people who've become actual friends outside of the gym.

At midday tomorrow, this all ends. They're closing down. 

I didn't know I was going to feel so emotional, but this place has been and extension of home for nearly 20 years. It's safe and convenient - and the parking is good. 

Sure, I have a new gym to go to - where they have all these machines, and it's 5 minutes' walk from the front door and quite a few people will be going to the new gym because the alternatives to go to the fancy gym off Church Street are not palatable (Too many posers, shit parking and you get stuck behind a tram two journey's out of three.)

It's the end of an era. 

I'm sad. 

Today's song:

Sunday Stealing: They Say It's Your Birthday.

It's interesting that Sunday Stealing put this up as this week's questions, as it was, indeed, my birthday this week. 

It wasn't a 'big' birthday, but it's been a pleasant week. Lots of gentle socialising, and a bit of down time. I couldn't ask for more. 

Anyway, here goes this week's questions. 

First, what is your birthday (month/day)?

19 August. 

Now, go to Wikipedia and list:

1) Four historic events 

According to Wikipedia:

1) In 1561 Mary, Queen of Scots returned to Scotland after 13 years in France. 

2) In 1944, France was liberated from Germany with the help of Allied Troops. 

3) In 1960, Russia sends two dogs, Belka and Strelka into space as part of the Sputnik program. 

4) In 2004, Google first lists on the NASDAQ.

2) Three births

I share my birthday with some pretty cool people: 

• John Dryden
• Madame du Barry
• Coco Chanel (1883)
• Ogden Nash (1902) (Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker)
• Gene Roddenberry (1921) Creator of Star Trek
• Bill Clinton (1946)
• Matthew Perry (Chandler from Friends) (1969)
• Missy Higgins (Australian singer) (1983)

3) Two deaths

Groucho Marx (1977) and Otto Frank, Anne Frank's father, died on 19 August.  

1) One holiday or observance 

Allegedly, August 19 is World Humanitarian Day. It's not a day I've ever celebrated or know about

Today's song: 

Night in

 The fourth day of birthday week saw me do something out of the ordinary. I had somebody come over to my place!

Although not a big deal, it is a big deal - as it has been impressed on me that the fact that I don't 'entertain' is a bit strange. 

Okay, I don't have the set up to host a dinner party without a lot of movement, cleaning, arranging furniture and the like - but I can have people over to watch a movie. 

Last night, Alice and I had a movie night. We went down the pub for dinner, then we watched The Sheep Detectives - a film I love, and Alice really wanted to see. The Sheep Detectives is on Amazon Prime. 

Alice was told to bring some cow's milk for a cup of tea, because I only have almond milk in the fridge. We put the world to rights over dinner and settled in for a movie after, tucking Alice up in a blanket. 

Old friends are great. They don't mind if you keep falling asleep on the couch after going boxing at lunch time. 

After The Sheep Detectives, I introduced her to Ted Lasso - because she was rather taken with Ronnie and Reggie, the twin blackfaced sheep voiced by Brett Goldstein. She had not heard about Roy Kent. Alice, being from England, would LOVE Roy Kent. I LOVE Roy Kent. 

But it was very nice to have somebody over. 

I should do it more often. 

Today's song: 

The Cheese Grater

I went into the session fortified on Chinese takeaway and came out feeling like my psyche had been flayed with a cheese grater. 

On the good side of things, after the session, I wasn't in tears, curled up in the foetal position, but it does feel like things have shifted and I'm a bit raw.

Every second Thursday is shrink night. 

Tonight, I got shrunk. 

We covered a lot of ground. I'm not up to talking about most of it. I've got to process this in another way. She made the interesting observation that I possibly write because it's a good way to process my emotions and other things I don't understand.

I told her about going to a party on the weekend, where, after having a minor internal freak out where the main party was happening, ended up in the shed with a couple of other neurodivergents until the kids turned up and made noise. I was happy. I was with my tribe. 

I hypothosised that I probably smoked in my twenties because it got me away from noisy environments. Once again, I'm much better in a place where there's room to move, fresh air and fewer people. I gave up smoking over 15 years ago. 

We talked a bit about the horrors of internet dating in your 50s and the dreadfully uninspiring nature of middle-aged men. 

And I told her that I had two opportunities to go out on Saturday. A friend's choir at Hamer Hall or another friend's partners jazz album launch. I related that the last time I was at the bar I had some very cool chats with various people. Then, I said I'd probably stay at home with the cat and work on my blankets. 

Gently, she said that maybe the jazz club might be a good place to practice the art of talking to people. You're not going to meet anybody in your lounge room sniffing your cat's paws. If worse comes to worst, I could always bum a smoke off somebody and feel comfortable standing outside with the pariahs. 

I asked if I could treat myself to a bowl of ice cream after the session, She reckoned that was a good idea. 

I've bought the ticket to the jazz club. I've enjoyed the ice cream.

I'm upright and not crying, as the Dutch say, even if I am a little bit emotionally raw. 

It's a process.

I'll sign off. The cat wants his chair back. His claws are making mincemeat of my leg. 

Grated from two ways. Great!

Today's song:

Day Off

It's my birthday. 

I don't get the day off work, but I do get the day off blogging. 

But the post goes up regardless. 

Happy birthday to me.

Today's song:

Jump Start

Phone messages from this evening.

Slim 5.45 p.m.: Are you about later?

Pand 5.47 p.m: I can be.

Slim 5.48 p.m.: Would you be able to give me a jump start? My car hasn't moved for six weeks and the batteries dead.

Pand 5.51 p.m.: Serves you right for going to Europe. I'll give you a buzz when I'm getting off the tram. Just buying a cake. Give me 20 minutes and I'll be home. 

Slim 5.52 p.m.: You're a legend. 

Pand 5.53 p.m.: You'd do the same. 

Having grown up driving a 25-year-old EJ Holden named Edna, there's some things I can do and that I understand. I get what it is to check oil, water and tyres. I get what it is when your battery fails you. These days the art of minor car mechanics has gone by the wayside. Having somebody to give you a jump start is heaven sent. I'm not sure many Gen-Zedders would know how to jump start a car. 

I should also say, Slim drives an early 90s V8 Holden ute. Well retro. Slim lives downstairs. Slim is also a mechanic. He's a lovely bloke. A lovely bloke who has jumper cables, something many people had in the boot of their cars when I was a kid. 

As I said I would, I texted Slim as I was getting off the tram, Coles toffee and pecan roulade and some macarons in tow (in lieu of a birthday cake for the book group girls.) He was waiting at the end of the driveway for me. 

We edged up the cars, he set the jumper leads in place - joys of having a mechanic in the building - and he started his ute. 

Vrrrroooooommm

There is something about the roar of a V8 engine. I know they are crap for the environment, but it's a familiar roar from my childhood. 

Today's cars aren't the same. If you drive a hybrid or EV, they're even quieter.

Slim was happy. He took his beast out for a drive to properly charge up the battery. 

I went upstairs, fed the cat and went down the pub for book group - birthday cake and macarons ready for the bar staff to put in the fridge. 

The point of this post, other than it is very easy to be neighourly?

Nostalgia can be found in the strangest of places. 

And I got to blow out some birthday candles which the lovely staff at the National Hotel had arranged on top of the cake. 

Today's song:

p.s. I think I was at this performance in 1992... love this song.

Jazz or Classical

Uncommon dilemma. 

I've got two options for Saturday night. 

I rarely go out Saturday night, but here I am with two choices after what's going to be a busy week. 

Option One:

A friend's partner plays in a jazz trio. They are having an album release at a jazz bar in Brunswick on Saturday night. I don’t mind jazz. I’ve heard the trio play on a number of occasions. The only downside is it means going to Brunswick.

Options Two: 

A friend and his choir are singing at Hamer Hall on Saturday night. It’s something like choir in a day where everybody gets the music in the week before, they have one days rehearsal, And then they go on on the Saturday night. They’re not playing anything I’ve heard other than it’s classical, and it’s a one night only thing. I do know that my friend’s choir would be very good. He’s a bass.

Both events cost about the same. Both require some travel. Both are one night only events. Both would require me to put on proper clothes and some spakfilla on my face. 

It’s just not a dilemma I’m used to. Two events on the one night.who knew.

And I can’t go to both.

Maybe, I should sit on the couch and do some crochet instead.

Today's song:

A Difference of Opinion

I didn't want to talk to him, although after three years or so of no contact, I was half-interested in what he wanted to say. 

There's a strict no-contact caveat on him from my end. Not that he doesn't contact me - but I don't make any contact with him. He's not blocked, but his number is no longer in my phone. Years ago, when I made this choice, it was hard at first, but no-contact is like a muscle - it gets stronger the more you exercise it. Like my McDonalds ban this year. I've not gone to McDonalds this year. At all. not even for coffee - but the no longer do decaf, so no reason for me to go. I will keep this going, with an exception to be made if Christmas is at Blarney and Barney's place. We always go to McDonalds for coffee on Christmas morning - it's our happy little bogan tradition - that and it's one of the few places open for coffee Christmas morning. The bogans are lining up around the block in Altona. 

Regardless, not contacting him, like my McDonalds ban, makes me feel good. Less rubbish going in, the better I feel. 

He rang when I was in the gym first up. I was on the leg extension machine. 

"Fuck off," I yelled at my watch, before not accepting the call. 

"But you like leg extensions," Chuck countered.

I did a number of personal bests in the gym that night. 

He called again a minute later. 

"I'm at the gym, call later," I yelled into my Apple watch, before going back to exercising my quads.

Later we spoke. 

I kept non-committal. He said we hadn't caught up for a while (three years). His first question was "So, are you married yet?"

My response. "What the fuck would I want to do that for?"

There was more idle chit chat. For somebody who's known me for around 30 years, he asked whether both my sisters are gay. He conveniently forgot that I had a cat. He somehow forgot that my niece passed away from leukaemia ten years ago. 

The conversation turned. He lives in the north of England in a small seaside village near the Scottish border. The comment was made, "England's full of immigrants."

My response. "Shite, you're one of them."

The anti-immigration diatribe going on around here, the rise of Trump, Nigel Farage and Pauline Fucking Hypocrite Hanson gets right up my nose.

He was a somewhat shocked. 

I walked my comment back a little. I told him that I realised that the situation in Britain, and America was different to the situation in Australia, however, I come from a country of immigrants. Unless you're of First Nations blood, you're an immigrant. And if you don't like immigration, then give up on your bahn mi, curries, Chinese food, pizza, festivals and the like. I also confessed that I live in a left-wing enclave, and that I like the diversity immigration provides. 

His next question. "What's left-wing?"

This used to be a very smart person. He was accepted into Oxbridge in his youth. He ran for parliament back in the day for a left-wing party. 

Maybe he's in the first stages of neurological decline. 

Regardless, when we got off the phone, I was overwhelmingly aware of the nuclear missile sized bullet that I'd dodged, and realised that the no-contact status, on my part, has been very good for my psyche. 

A wise friend once told me, "As we age, women expand, men contract."

He's so right. 

Today's song:

Sunday Stealing Does Favourites

 I've had a very social day. First of I got to meet my friends' puppy - which was an utter delight (along with seeing my friends) Then it was out to a party, where I was overjoyed to find that there was a shed where all the neurodivergents met up, away from the noise and crowds in the main house. We sat by the fire and discussed what it is to be a late diagnosed neurodivergent. I found my people. Then their kids came and found us, it got noisy, so I drove home. 

I now know why I smoked socially - it got me away from the rabble. Who knew?

Anyway, here are this week's questions, brought by Sunday Stealing.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ...? 

1. Flavor?

Probably vanilla. If not, lemon. But vanilla is strangely complex when done well

2. Movie?

I have many favourite movies, but these three spring to mind. So, I outsourced this to AI - and this is what it came up with. 

"Yes. I found a post on Princess Pandora – Queen of Denial specifically titled “Ten films that get me”, published September 23, 2020. She describes these as films that “get me at a cellular level” and says they are films she loves and cherishes.

Pandora’s top ten films

Garden State (2004) — Zach Braff

Bull Durham (1988) — Ron Shelton

Donnie Darko (2001) — Richard Kelly

Pride (2014) — Matthew Warchus

Closer (2004) — Mike Nichols

The Boys Are Back (2009) — Scott Hicks

Henry V (1989) — Kenneth Branagh

Three Colours: Blue (1993) — Krzysztof Kieślowski

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) — Martin McDonagh

The Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) — Taika Waititi

A couple of interesting qualifications: Three Colours: Blue is described as one of her “most cherished films ever,” while Bull Durham is her go-to film when she needs cheering up. She also says she saw Branagh's Henry V eight times in the cinema.

She subsequently listed a somewhat different set of films she “never get[s] tired of watching” in September 2020, including The Princess Bride, Logan Lucky, V for Vendetta, Deadpool and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.

My two favourite Australian films are Rabbit Proof Fence and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. (Muriel's Wedding is a bit to close to my own family.)

3. Piece of jewelry?

I don't wear much jewelry, and when I do it's silver - but I have a number of Pandora bracelets. I should wear them more often. But they're heavy.

4. Place to be?

Pick one of the following:

• My bed
• Paris
• In a cinema or theatre
• London
• Any cathedral or castle in Britain
• In a room filled with puppies and kittens (or any baby animal)

5. Boy's name?

Moot point as I'll never be having children, but I rather like Matthew.

6. Girl's name?

As above, but I alway said that if I had a daughter I'd call her Freya. 

7. Candy?

Do you mean lolly - small, sweet things. Australia used to have a culture where 20 cents would get you a bag of pick and mix lollies. In my bag I would have:

• A Freckle
• A jaffa 
• A caramel swirl
• A spearmint leaf or two
• A red frog
• A jelly snake
• A Freddo
• And maybe a candy banana, as that's the only way I'll eat bananas willingly. 

8. Sports team?

The Adelaide Crows. It's the Australian Rules Football team from my hometown. I don't get other football. It's Aussie Rules or nothing. 

9. Color?

Pillarbox red.

10. Month? 

I love April, even if TS Eliot says it's the cruelest month. It's not to hot or cold, the leaves are turning (remember, I'm in Australia, things are backward here) and it's no longer daylight savings. 

Today's song:

Theatre Review: Break of Day

 The Play: Break of Day by Steve Rodgers

The Space: The Merlyn Theatre at The Malthouse

Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes

Until 29 August

Stars: 5

This evening had the potential to go awry, considering a large school group turned up just before the lights went down. I was here on spec. I saw Kat Stewart was in the play - she's always fabulous. And with Sarah Goodes directing the show, it was bound to be good.

Thankfully, the students, a group of year eleven theatre studies students from the Middle Eastern suburbs behaved beautifully. I also found out from the teacher who was sitting in front of me, that this is a part of the syllabus. 

Lucky kids. 

This is exemplary theatre. An engrossing, thought provoking, part tragic, part hopeful drama about life on the fringes. 

Pam (Kat Stewart) is a grafter. A single mum from Burra Creek, a place the NBN forget. She had dreams. She has dreams, especially for her daughter Rae (Sherry-Lee Watson), a smart kid who deserves better. Rae's aware that her mum takes three buses each way to do her 12-hour shift at the local retail warehouse where she packs goods for the rest of the country's whims. 

At work, Pam has a friend in her supervisor, Sanjeeva (Chum Ehelepola) who looks after her, sometimes taking a blind eye to her small slips. Jedediah (Theo Clarke), a local kid who's in care, and a friend of Rae, works at the warehouse as well, hoping to fund his way into college, and out of the town. 

Adding to the action, Pam's father, Rae's Pop (Richard Piper) is busy getting thrown out of his hostel and hell bent on alienating the family. As Rae tries to finish an important assignment on her failing laptop without internet, things start to fall apart. 

I will say no more about the plot. The play is testament to a mother's love, what you do for family and the ultimate choices you make when your life on the fringes at the gaps between the haves and have nots explodes. 

All of the cast put in extraordinary performances. Kat Stewart nails Pam's fight and fragility. Richard Piper's performance as Pop rivals his turn at playing King Lear a few years ago, where he was also exceptional. Sherry-Lee Watson and Theo Clarke are their perfect foil as the young, bright kids with their futures in their hands. 

Anna Cordingley's set, based on the warehouse and Pam's one-bedroom flat on the outskirts of the outskirts is wonderful, and is supported with Paul Jackson's lighting, which brings this all to life. 

Check TodayTix for seats - you can pick them up for a steal. This is definitely worth seeing. If it can keep 25 Year Elevens entranced, they're doing their job. Of the school group, the young girl next to me had to leave - it was too much for her - far too much like real life. The number of blowing noses and sniffles at the end was gratifying. 

Break of Day is bound to become an Australian classic. 

I can't recommend this play enough. 

Today's song:

Muscle Memory

 The text came through early this morning.

Mike: Do you have boxing gloves?

Me: I can get some boxing gloves. Pop into Kmart on the way home.

Mike: Excellent. See you at 7.30.

Me: I warn you. I used to train under one of Lennox Lewis's trainers.

Mike: Should I be worried?

Me: I'm pretty unfit. You'll be fine. 

I used to box. I used to love boxing. I got very fit boxing in the 90s. But other than BodyCombat and a few boxing sessions over the years, I don't think I've done any boxing in five years. 

I got a bit excited. 

After work, I made my way to Rebel Sport and got myself a cheap pair of cardio gloves, went home, fed the cats, got changed and made my way to the middle gym to see Mike the trainer for half an hour of boxing. 

Mike had a student shadowing him. Nice fellow. He introduced himself. 

"Hi, I'm Scary," I told him with a big smile on my face. 

Please remember. I do train regularly. I've strong - last night's string of personal bests last night with Chuck - Deadbugs, straight legs with a 10 kg plate anybody? 

It turns out muscle memory is a great thing. 

My body instinctively knows how to jab, punch, duck, uppercut, hook. I know how to use my knees, breathe, protect my face and keep going. 

I did my 30 minutes without complaint. It was a brilliant session. 

There is something very satisfying about the sound of a glove hitting a focus pad.

I am going to really hurt tomorrow. The magnesium drink has been drunk, a hot shower, 10 minutes longer than I usually take, is complete, and I'm going to go to bed soon.

But I'm officially in my late 50s next week. I've been going to the gym for a very long time. I've trained myself to be able to do this sort of thing without injuring myself. 

I feel intensely proud that I have had a man tell me, "You punch. You punch hard. I really wouldn't like to get on the wrong side of you."

The gym work has paid off. 

Today's song:

The To Do List

I need to have a checklist. There is so much to do, and I keep sitting here on my couch crocheting blankets. This has to stop.

Also, I find that it’s good to have a list, I have something to mark off, something that shows that I’m making some sort of progress.

Here are the things that I need to start getting done:

1) Start getting my tax in order. 

It’s that time of year. Thankfully, my tax affairs are fairly simple. But it’s a matter of getting the spreadsheet done, getting all the receipts and putting them in order, and I am waiting for one piece of paper from one of my managed funds. They said they would be out at the end of the month. What’s that happens? I can ring the accountant and get that done. 

2) Call the New York Times

My subscription to the New York Times, which I do read every day, as well as do the Wordle and their connections puzzle, went from four dollars a month to $25 a month. I need to speak to a human for this one. Hopefully they will put me on some special deal for another year at a few dollars a month and life will be okay again. I do like reading the New York Times, just to see what’s going on in the United States of Hell. At least you know everything has been fact checked.

3) Look at the mason’s books

I am the auditor for one order, and the treasurer for another. One is a 20-minute job. The other is a half hour job. I must stop procrastinating.

4) Learn my mason’s ritual for next week

Learning ritual is like learning lines for a play. I have quite apart in the ritual for the week after next. I have done this a number of times before but I have to bone up on what I need to do. It’s a nice thing to do.

5) Put a few more things on Depop

I’ve been having a cleanup around this place and it’s been good. I’ve sold a few things. There are a few more things to go on this wonderful website which helps you sell off pieces of your wardrobe. Very easy to use to, I just have to stop procrastinating.

6) Price up birthday cake

I probably should bring a birthday cake to book group next week. We’re meeting in person at my local pub. There is no cakeage, but if I’m going to bring my own birthday cake to book group, it might as well be something I enjoy. Jonella offered to make me a birthday cake, And that was very lovely of her, but I have a feeling I want something that’s either vanilla or caramel. Not chocolate. I can also get something very little, cause nobody in my book group seems to eat anything sweet after 4 pm.

7) Start looking for a new job.

It’s that time again. I have a job until the end of September, but about six weeks out I start looking again. This is not to say that where I am at the moment might have something for me after September, but I would like to get ahead of the game. I’ve started to make my list about what I’m looking for. I’m gonna get a job, and it’s gonna be great. Just watch me..

8) Start watching Ted Lasso

The new series of Ted Lasso is out. One episode a week. I love Ted Lasso.

Now let’s start marking some of these things off.

Today's song:

It's Census Night

 The form is in - did it yesterday. 

It wasn't that controversial - not at all.

I am home. 

I'm still living where I was ten years ago. 

I'm still alone.

The questions about financial status, home ownership status, child ownership status and marital status were all pretty standard - not that marital status means anything to me. Why anybody would want to get married is beyond me. 

I remember for the last census there was a lot of bluster around the non-inclusion of a question about sexuality. There was one this year - no fanfare, no hassle - pretty straight-forward really. According to AI, the question read:

The Australian Bureau of Statistics includes a sexual orientation question on the census for people aged 16 and older. 

The exact wording asks: "How does the person describe their sexual orientation?"

Key Details About the Question: Optional to Answer: It is completely voluntary, and respondents can choose not to answer.

Age Limit: It is only asked of individuals 16 years of age and older.

Purpose: The data helps plan targeted health, social programs, and community services.

Available Response Options

• Straight
• Gay or Lesbian
• Bisexual
• Use another term (with a write-in text field)
• Don't know
• Prefer not to answer

I suppose it appeases the wowsers to have this as an optional question. And if you're trans, or pan, or a-sexual, or whatever you might be, there's space to write it in. 

The other question that tickled me was the one on religion. AI says it read:

"What is your religion?" on individual digital forms.

Answering this optional question is managed through a combination of common tick-box selections and a free-text write-in field.

Tick-Box Options: Based on the most common mutually exclusive responses from the previous 2021 Census, the listed choices include:

• No religion
• Catholic
• Anglican (Church of England)
• Islam
• Hinduism
• Uniting Church
• Presbyterian
• Buddhism
• Greek Orthodox
• Baptist
• Free-Text Field: A write-in space is provided for any religion or spiritual/secular belief not explicitly listed among the standard tick boxes.

Rather than say that I'm a masonic, Kabbalistic Wiccan, I erred on the side of No Religion. I'm certainly not a Christian, there was no box for agnostics and it's easier to just say you don't participate in organised religion, than say something else. I'm a bit surprised that there wasn't a check box for Judaism - or maybe it's the circle of friends I keep. 

To be honest, I think this is a fairly important question. Hopefully the non-Conservative Christians can see that they're in the minority and they can take their religious beliefs and either keep them to themselves or stick them up their bum. (Can I say it any plainer?)

And though they've said that there's a large fine for those who don't answer truthfully, I reckon there might be a few transexual Jedis who never got out of kindergarten filling out the form.

Today's song:

Movie Review: One Night Only

Movie Number 31 of 2026

The Movie: One Night Only

The Cinema: Hoyts Victoria Gardens

Runtime: One hour 42 minutes

Opens next week. 

Stars: 4

There is a hell of a lot more to One Night Only than you initially expect. I went in thinking it was going to be a run of the mill, second-rate romantic comedy. I was very pleasantly surprised, despite the dodgy premise. Yes, it's a rom-com. It's also a very pointed social commentary if you wish to view it that way. It's also rather funny. It makes for a good film. 

If you can relax into the bizarre proposition of the film, you can enjoy it. Set in our times in New York, the country has outlawed pre-marital sex. People are tagged with these tattoos which can tell if you're married or single. However, there is one 12-hour window, once a year, where the unmarried population can do the deed without being arrested. 

We then meet Owen (Callum Turner) and Ali (Monica Barbaro). Owen has been told by his girlfriend that she wants to see somebody else on this auspicious evening. Allie, who was out to find somebody with a bit of substance with her friend, is left to her own devices. 

Of course, Owen and Allie keep running into each other over the night. There is a lot of off-colour humour, some running gags, a savvy script and in-jokes. Of course, you see it coming that Allie and Owen are made for each other - and that their attraction is not just about sex. Will Travis's script has some genuinely funny and sweet moments, which let the political subversion of the whole set up go by relatively unnoticed. Director Will Gluck has directed some of the better romantic comedies in the last few years. He brought charm to Anyone But You, and a lot of fun to Easy A. He knows what he's doing. 

What's stuck out to me was that in this period of authoritarian right-wing Christian Nationalism in America, despite the dodgy tracking, you could feasibly see something like this happening over there. What made it even more realistic is the community backlash to the mandate, and as with all political protest, the more humorous the better. This part of the film isn't rammed down your throat, but it is there, rounding out the film. 

I went in thinking it might be lame. I came out pleasantly surprised. It's a fun, easy watch even if it is a little off-colour in places. 

Today's song:

Sunday Stealing: Why not just meme...

 It's late on a Sunday. Time to get the weekly questions out of the way after a steady weekend.

Questions, as always, come from Sunday Stealing. 

When You Can't Think of Anything to Blog About ... (Normal state of affairs here)

1) Describe your typical weekend, and tell us how this weekend has been different. 

A typical weekend will have a mix of the following:

• A sleep in
• Gym
• Laundry and housework
• A meditation session every second week
• Breakfast with friends
• Reading
• Writing
• Call my mother
• Go round and see Blarney
• Talk to the cat

Most of these happen over the weekend, but there's not real order to them. 

2) What food hits your bliss spot?

 Ice cream

If you're looking for something more savoury, nothing beats a good bahn mi. I go for the barbeque chicken ones over roast pork any day. And they have to go gently on the chilli. 

3) Where did you stay on your last vacation (hotel, Airbnb/Vrbo, friends/family)?

My last big holiday was in England and France. I had a mix of accommodation, from staying with friends, to hotels, to the amazing Hotel de L'Oranges in Sommieres to a fabulous Airbnb in Paris. It was a great trip. 

4) If you had a personality eraser, what part of yours would you erase?

 You know, I'm pretty comfortable with me. It's taken me a long time to get here. Maybe I'd like to tone down the depression and the rejection sensitivity, but you know, I'm okay. 

5) Think of your friends. Tell us about the first one who popped into your head.

I'm not in the space to do that tonight as the first person to pop into my head got back in contact and other than ghosting him, I'd prefer not to think about him at the moment. I've got better things to do. 

Today's song:

Theatre Review: Funeral Flowers

The Play: Funeral Flowers by Emma Dennis-Edwards

The Theatre: Red Stitch Actors Theatre St Kilda

Runtime: 60 Minutes

Until: August 23

Stars: 4.5

I love the Red Stitch Actors Theatre. They're quality. Their production of Emma Dennis-Edwards' play Funeral Flowers is everything you expect and maybe a little more. This short one-hander is extraordinary. For a short play, it packs an incredible punch. 

Angelique (Lucy Ansell) is seventeen, and she dreams of being a florist. She's from North London. To be honest, she's not having a great time of things. She's in the foster system, her mother's in prison, she's been bullied at school, her boyfriend is being needy and inconsistent... she's not had a great time of things. Her salvation is coming with her working with flowers. They give her hope, and joy and a reason to get up in the morning. 

During the one hour of the play we not only meet Angelique, but her foster carer, Sam, the feckless boyfriend, Mickey, and Angelique's downtrodden mother. We watch as Angelique makes both bad, then much better choices. She grows up a hell of a lot in this hour on the stage.

Lucy Ansell is incredible. This is a tour de force. The intimate nature of the 90-seather theatre is perfect for this play. You get to see every emotion flow over her face. Ansell's accents are spot on. I will admit that on numerous occasions I thought I was watching an old flatmate from London. 

Candy Bowers direction is perfect, bringing both the joy, despair and ultimate growth in this amazing character. Based on the life of Tottenham community leader Gina Moffatt, Funeral Flowers is a raw, lyrical and deeply human monologue about growing up, fighting back, and finding hope where it seems impossible.

This is definitely worth a look. 

I've fallen in love with the work of the Red Stitch Actors Theatre. Their work is superlative. I'll be back for more.

Today's song:

Movie Review: Spiderman - Brand New Day

 Movie Number 30 of 2026

The Movie: Spiderman: Brand New Day

The Cinema: Hoyts Victoria Gardens

Runtime: Two hours 25 minutes

Stars: 4

I was talking to a friend earlier today. She said she'd seen the latest Spiderman film. She's not seen the ones before, nor has she been a part of the Marvel Universe. 

I might have to convert her. I say this with a big smile on my face. My friend and I talk movies a lot, so we're going to watch the other two Spiderman films (Far from Home and No Way Home) to compare and contrast. As somebody who's au fait with the Marvel Universe, recommended going through from the start - from Iron Man, so you get the gist of everything. Regardless, we've both seen this new Spiderman film, we both enjoyed it, and I'm happy to recommend it for a lot of reasons, whether you're into Marvel or not. A good action film is just that. 

Regardless of whether you're a Marvel ticket holder or not, there's a lot to enjoy in this film. You do get more out of it if you've got some knowledge of the MCU - but it's not essential. 

Spiderman: Brand New Day takes place four years after the end of No Way Home. Peter Parker/Spiderman (Tom Holland) is still fighting crime with the NYPD. He's also living the life of a recluse. Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) died at the end of the last film. Ned (Jacob Batalon) and MJ (Zendaya) have had their memories wiped regarding Peter - and they've been at university in Boston. It's lonely. Making matters worse Peter's spider abilities are acting up and there is a new threat in town which the perceived good guys, led by Bill Metzger (Travis Tillman) are trying to keep under wraps. 

It wouldn't be a good Marvel film if some of the old crew didn't come back. Bruce Banner/The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) is there to help out. The scenes with Yelena Balova/ The Black Widow (Florence Pugh) are some of the best bits of the film. And of course, there is a lot of action, as Spiderman and the crew try to work out just what is going on with this new threat - which comes in the form of Jean Grey (Sadie Sink). If you're an X-Men fan, you'll know what we're on about. Also, a shout out to Jon Bernthal who plays Frank Castle - a character from the MCU's Punisher series - he's very cool. Another character who has a great arc.

The addition of Jean Grey also signals that work is in the offing to bring the X-Men in with the New Avengers films. Just watch. 

If not, you'll work it out.

What I really liked about this film is we're seeing a man who's growing up. Peter's now a young man. Sensitive, kind and still wanting to do everything to make a better place - yet he's contemplative - and thinks things out. He sees the bigger picture. This film has a lot more going on at an emotional level - and it is wonderful to see. 

Also, the clip at the very end - after the credits - is small but informative. I will say no more. 

Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers have taken Stan Lee's thoughts and run with them. This script is great. Fun and action-filled, but also contemplative. This film looks at what matters most - family and friends, and finding your place in the world.

Which, when you think about it, is what Marvel movies are all about. 

This was great. It's worth a look - particularly if you're a Marvel fan.

(And I will be gently convincing my friend to start at the start and work her way through these films. Some are fantastic, some not so good - but it's a worth universe to be a part of.)

Today's song: 

New Shrink

First consult with the new shrink tonight - shrink as in psychologist, not psychiatrist. 

I like her. She's down to earth. 

I've come out of the session with my head screwed on - first sessions are there to work out what you want, and need from the session. I'm not a puddle. Yay. 

But I've got some things to think about.

I do like the fact you need to be absolutely 100% honest with your shrink. 

It's refreshing. 

And because of this I'm going to do some more crochet and go to bed and not write any more. 

Lots to think about. 

Today's song: