I hate adulting, but that's what I'm finding myself doing today. Some of me thinks it's punishment. Another part of me is telling myself it's good for me. Another worrying part starts berating myself for past choices and decisions which make me want to throw up.
And then I calm down, take a deep breath and look at the matters to hand.
And then I remember that I can't leave the house until the postie comes - knowing also that the postie will more than likely circumvent the house and leave the parcel at the local post office. Living in a flat, they do that with monotonous regularity.
Regardless, today is "Sort it out" Day.
I've completed the paperwork for my new job. Tick.
For the first time in ages, I've looked at my superannuation balance. It's nearly doubled in the last five years, which is a good thing.
After two years of living on a fixed income, I've split my salary. 10% is going into an account I almost never use - out of sight, out of mind and all that. See, adulting!
I've hoovered. I've cleaned my desk off - which is a task in itself. It needed to be photographed to prove there's an adequate work environment here.
I've booked a ticket to Hobart to see my cousin in September. Despite living 20 minutes walk away, she's never been to MONA. It has to be done. It also gives me something to look forward to.
And now it is time to start putting that clothing I rarely wear onto Facebook Marketplace - I like the thought of shifting it on rather than taking it straight to the Salvos.
I remember a friend once telling me that she wished there was somebody out there to tell them that they were doing a good job as an adult. They were very obsessed with things such as your super balance (often asking what it as dinner conversation - along with questions about your stock portfolio and other completely inappropriate questsions).
What nobody tells you is that nobody is going to tell you that you're doing a good job with your life. You just have to get on with it. What's right for one person is wrong for another. And you have to do what's best for you. And pat yourself on the back for being alive, getting the bills paid and placing one foot in front of the other and getting through it like everybody else.
Oh, and the parcel was delivered straight to the post office. Who knew...
Preparing for Friday night's performance of the MTC's Come Rain or Come Shine.
And I'm procrasti-knitting, procrasti-cleaning, procrasti-binging, procrasti-reading and procrasti-you name it, I'm doing it, instead of doing the following:
the Mason's books
cleaning the flat properly
placing a number of clothing and footwear items onto Facebook Marketplace
preparing my taxes
doing the ergonomic assessment of my work area for my pimp (which means cleaning around that too)
getting my life in order
Instead, I'm doing my research for Friday - which I don't really need to do, but I'm curious.
It's not like I had to read "A Picture of Dorian Gray" again. I've read that too many times over, written essays on the subject and you name it, it's ingrained. I stopped myself going off at a friend after they said they didn't know Dorian Gray was a book (The internal monologue from my critical literary nerd self was really surprised. The rational part of me immediately reminded myself that I was internally being a judgemental cow and that many people are not as well read as myself and you have to be accepting of this... and then offered them my copy to read before they saw the play - which I still think is a good idea.)
Anyway, Come Rain or Come Shine is a musical, devised by Tim Finn of Split Enz fame, based on the short story by Kazuo Ishiguro. From what I've read, Finn beat out a lot of large Hollywood studios to the rights to make this into a play - and he's turned it into a musical.
After what he did to Ladies in Black - which was a superlative musical, done by the MTC a few years ago, I'm curious to see what he's got up to.
And of course, I love Kazuo Ishiguro. Never Let Me Go is one of my favourite books. I adored TheRemains of the Day and Klara and the Sun. So I'm wanting to get this short story read before Friday.
I'm about sixty percent through. It's only fifty pages long. So far I've ascertained:
I know more about the Great American Songbook than I give myself credit
Ishiguro is the master of understated minutiae
Old friends make for brilliant writing fodder
I'm not sure if I would slap or hug the protagonist - like his friends in the story
And I'm yet to see how Tim Finn is going to turn this into a musical
And I am still in awe of every word Ishiguro writes
It's going to be a cultural day on Friday. I've bought myself a ticket to the Picasso Exhibition - which being later in the afternoon, the worst of the School Holiday crowd may be gone.
I've also got to get gussied up enough to have my passport photos taken so I can have my current passport renewed.
Then there's dinner at the new restaurant at the Southbank Theatre before the play.
So yeah, it's busy.
But I'm being procrasti-curious in looking all of this stuff up.
Anway, here's a standard from the Great American Songbook. If you watched as many old movies in your childhood as I did, with all of the old standards, you know these songs. They're ingrained, along with the old advertisments that played on the telly at the time.
I wonder if Le Cornu's Operation Inflation is still going on in Adelaide.
Anyway, back to it. I have more procrastination to do.
I've discovered Stranger Things. And yes, I know it's in it's in it's final season, and I know it's just finishing it's last season, so this makes me a late adopter - but it is great.
It's like a 1980s version of Buffy. Maybe a bit gorier - but I can watch it with ease during the day
I love that Winona Rider is playing somebody's mum.
I love the geeky friends.
I love that the young girl is the hero.
And the eighties sound track.
And that this is all about friendship and community.
And it shows all of the wonderful eighties technologies and fashions.
Why anybody would want to live in Hawkins, Indiana is beyond me (a bit like Pawnee, Indiana...)
But this is what is happening on my days off.
I'm watching Stranger Things.
Oh well. I'm one season down and it's made for great binging.
One of the great things about having some kids in your life is you occasionally get taken along to kid's films, without having to feel guilt of shame.
This weekend I was gifted a ticket to Minions: The Rise of Gru.
This is one of those kids films which adults may appreciate more than the kids. Seriously.
And okay, the kids we went along with are now twelve, and they're probably a bit old for this, Blarney and I LOVED it.
So what's it about? Well, it's gives a back story to Gru, who we've met over the years in the Despicable Me franchise. If you don't know about Gru, he's a bad guy with a heart of gold. This animated film shows how Gru becomes the bad guy he becomes - showing his life as a kid in 1970s San Franscisco.
Rotten Tomatoes describes the plot of this film as such:
"In the heart of the 1970s, amid a flurry of feathered hair and flared jeans, Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carell) is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily, he gets some mayhem-making backup from his loyal followers, the Minions. Together, Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto--a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please--deploy their skills as they and Gru build their first lair, experiment with their first weapons and pull off their first missions. When the Vicious 6 oust their leader, legendary fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar® winner Alan Arkin), Gru interviews to become their newest member. It doesn't go well (to say the least), and only gets worse after Gru outsmarts them and suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. On the run, Gru will turn to an unlikely source for guidance, Wild Knuckles himself, and discover that even bad guys need a little help from their friends."
Blarney and I loved this more than the kids. There's more than enough adult references to keep us happy, blissfully going over the kids' heads. There's also plenty of references to classic Bond films, which I adored as well,
The voice talent in film is great including:
Russell Brand as Nefario - a Q type character
Alan Arkin as Wild Knuckles - Alan Arkin does great bad grandpas.
Taraji P. Henson and Belle Bottom
Julie Andrews as Gru's Mum
Lucy Lawless of Xena Warrior Princess fame as Nun-Chuck (Blarney was tittering about this for hours after)
Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean-Clawed
Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance
And a few others, placed there for good measure.
But as always, the film belongs to the Minions, who are as funny, crazy and silly as we have grown to expect Minions.
My advice on this one is find a kid and take them along and go enjoy this strange gem.
Oh, and the soundtrack is AWESOME. Seventies standards. Brilliant.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would.
And yes, I've been yelling "MINIBOSS!" and "Banana!" regularly since seeing this film.
This was unexpectedly funny. I've not giggled along with a film like this for a long time. It more than kept my interest. It's a lot cleverer than many will give it credit.
It's the middle of Winter here, so it feels a bit strange talking about Summer. Mind you, yesterday I was walking around in a bathers (swimsuit) and a robe, going from pool to pool. Yes, I was at the hot springs and the water is warm, but that is as close to getting hot in nature as we will have for a few months. I also have a feeling summer is a very different experience in Australia to what it is in America.
Let's see.
Oh, and Happy Independence Day to those American readers out there.
Oh, other than sitting in a beer garden or going to my favourite beaches for a swim - in Summer I tend to hide out in what ever air conditioning I can find. In the height of Summer, I'll often be found at the movies.Exercise is done early in the morning before the heat sets in. But summer for me means pubs with beer gardens and bars at night, with outside areas, and beaches during the day - when I can.
2. Favorite cold food/dessert/drink that gets you through the summer heat?
Give me an interesting salad, ice cream and a gin and tonic (preferably an astringent gin, like Bombay Sapphire or Four Pillars - a good dry gin). That will keep me happy.
3. Gone to a drive-in movie
As a child, yes. We went to the drive-in often. It's something that's making a comeback here in Australia. I remember seeing Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo at the drive in - and I have a feeling Dad took me to see my first Bond Film at the drive in as well.
4. What are you planning to do this summer?
I have no idea - Summer is five months away...
5. Did the pandemic ruin any summer plans? If so, what?
Not really, other than over the Pandemic a lot of the theatres and swimming pools were closed, so I couldn't escape the heat like I normally would. Mind you, I went down the beach a bit more.
6. Rode on any water mobile (jetski, ferry, boat, etc)
I'm a great lover of boats and ferries and will take those methods of transport when I can. From memory, the last time I was on a boat was in Sydney when I went and took a ride on the ferries - I love taking the ferry in Sydney - it's the only way to travel.
7. Gone to a summer camp
Nope - Summer Camp is something Americans do to their children.
8. Been to any Asian countries (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite?)
I've been to the following Asian countries.
Indonesia (Bali)
Thailand
Malaysia
Singapore
Hong Kong.
I love Bali as it's cheap and accessible. I love Malaysia for the food, Thailand for the culture - particularly on the mainland and up in the mountains, and a used to adore Hong Kong, but it's changed a lot in the last few years. If you want, you can count India as an Asian country too (well it is a West Asian country by some standards) I've been to India too.
I really want to go to Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia to see Angkor Wat.
9. Been to any African countries (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite and why?)
No. Never had the chance, though I did offer to go to South Africa with Jonella to see her mum a few years ago - didn't eventuate. I'd like to go to Morocco, for the archtecture, Egypt for the pyramids and Kenya or South Africa for the wild life.
10. Been to any North American countries (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite and why?)
I've been the United States, but only to Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Philadephia. I'd like to see a lot more - but I'd also like to go to Canada, and visit my uncle in Mexico - if you count Tijuana as Mexico.
11. Been to any South American countries (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite and why?)
Not yet - but Chile (and the Galapagos Islands), Argentina, Uruguay (a friend would never forgive me if I didn't go) Brazil and Colombia are on my wish list. It looks like a fascinating place.
12. Been to any Australian countries (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite and why?)
Okay, we need to revamp this question, as Australia is a country in it's own right - but there are no Australian countries, unless you want to count the Christmas and Norfolk Islands..., but we're a part of the Pacific group of countries.
I live in Australia. I've been to New Zealand many times - it's like going to another state of Australia with nicer people, cooler weather and less combative politics.
I'd love to go to Tahiti and Fiji, given the chance - they look like great places to take a holiday.
13. Gone to a festival/fair
I've been to a couple of festivals over the years - Adelaide is the city of festivals so it's hard to miss them. The last one I went to was a few weeks ago - the Rising Festival is an arts festival around Melbourne. As for fairs, they're not a thing in Australia - probably the nearest thing is the Royal Shows they have here, which have animals, amusements, competitions and the like over a week. I haven't been to a Royal Show in years.
14. Gone to an amusement park
Other than Universal Studios in Los Angeles and Seaworld on the Gold Coast in Australia, no. That's it.
15. Binge watched 5 different TV show series (what were they)
I binge watch a bit. Favourite include:
Fleabag
Lucifer
Suits
Younger
House (love House)
Mad Men
Everything I Know About Love
And as I have a week off, I'm thinking of binging Stranger Things. I haven't got to that yet, but it may be just up my alley.
Humans gravitate towards water. It's as natural as sunrise and sunset. Is it the weight of water, or just the fact that we humans are well over 90% of this wet stuff, ensuring a natural affinity with this basic element?
We feel at our best when we are near, or in bodies of water. It just is. I'm the first to admit this. I'm also the first to say that if there is a swimming pool, bath or beach, I'm the first one in and the last one out. I love walking in the rain. A water baby. Blame my natal chart with a Cancer Moon. I adore walking along the banks of the Yarra, or along the beach... or just being around water - I even loved walking along Darebin Creek on this morning's Parkrun. It's just me.
My favourite water experience is be found out of Melbourne, at the bottom of the Mornington Peninsula.
I picked up Jonella at 8.30 and we made our way down to the Peninsula Hot Springs. It's become a bit of a ritual. I have a bit of time off between jobs - I ask if she'd like to join me on this minor bunta trip** and she's normally up for this. Besides, when it comes to visiting the springs, we do things at about the same pace. She's my springs friend (Just as I also have gallery friends, movie friends and beach friends - I visit these places with specific people - just the way it is)
An hour's drive down the freeway, we arrived a little before our designated ticket time, and chancing it, went to the reception. We bought the Reset package which gave us free run of the whole complex. There is a ticket for about half the price which gives you access to the general area - this ticket let us into the Spa Dreaming Centre.The big difference with this is that this area, although smaller, but child free area. The higher price point tends to keep out those who want to splash about and make noise too. They also provide you with a bathrobe and towels and locker hire, which is included. It was worth it - especially as the school holidays are in full force.
So we removed our outer clothes - our bathers were already on, donned our bathrobes .slipped on our thongs, and waddled out into the wilderness. You have to waddle. Wet paths, the cold, hilly terrain. You take it all slowly, meditatively, in search of the perfect pool.
And remember - it's all of a about 10 degrees outside during the day at the moment.
Each of the thermal pools is a little different. Most of them let you know their temperature. 34-36 are the cooler pools. 36-38 - body temperature, are the medium pools. 38-40 are the warm pools, great for taking the grumblies out of your muscles and the hot pools, which you can't stay in for too long, at the hotter end of 40-42, make you feel like your alive.
We went and waddled to a warm pool first up - carefully making our way up the hill until we found a barrel pool. Leaving our gowns on a hook, we stepped in, enjoying the difference between the cool day and the warm tub.
And it is absolute bliss.
Over the three hours we were there, we gently wandered around the complex, spending time in different pools, taking in the view from the top of the hill (which I'm sure used to be hotter than it is now), going from the posh section into the general section, having a sauna, visiting the hammam, going into the "Fire and Ice" area, taking a sauna, then walking into the freezer, then back into the sauna and into the plunge pool, then walking over the reflexology walk - a stream with various sized stones at the bottom which massage the bottom of your feet... And yes, the smaller, Spa Dreaming section was quieter, but the whole experience is wonderful.
After a final soak in a hot pool, and a cool down in a cooler one, we dressed, keeping the minerals on our skin rather than shower, and we went and found some lunch at the amazing Blue Mini cafe.
It was an absolute cracker of a day.
Needless to say, I got home around 5 pm, completely exhausted, as all blissful days should leave you.
And it probably doesn't need to be said that I slept well last night too.
I just wish I did this more often.
** Bunta Trip - joy ride - day off which includes doing something you wouldn't normally do, preferably on a weekday, even better if you're playing hooky.
After four hours of driving down and back from the Mornington Peninsula and having soaked my brains out at the Peninsula Hot Springs, I'm not capable of writing today.
Let's just say I'm all blissed out. I left home at quarter to eight. I got back at five, and other than feeding the cat, all I'm capable of doing is sitting on the couch and knitting, or napping.
I'll write about the baths tomorrow. Let's just say, it's a magical place.
Besides, I've talked myself into doing a Parkrun tomorrow morning....the alarm is set. And all I want to do is sleep in tomorrow.
