I had a lousy sleep last night. Which is unlike me. I'm normally a pretty good sleeper. Shove on the fan if it's warm, a drop of lavender oil on the pillow if sleep is being elusive, but generally, I get my six hour of sleep pretty easily.
Not last night.
I was complaining about this to my similarly aged workmate today.
P: Forgive me if I'm a bit grumpy. I didn't sleep well.
Workmate: What happened? The cat keep you up?
P: No, I forgot to take my blood pressure meds yesterday morning. Only worked this out late, so I took them around 9 p.m. Thing is, there's a diuretic element to the tablet - I had to get up to piss like a racehorse every two hours. Not happy.
My workmate laughed. It appears they have a supplement they take for a condition which they have to take in the morning too. If it's after 3 pm they're up all night too.
Middle aged is a bitch.
Thankfully, the pill was taken at 8 a.m. this morning and I'm hoping that I'll have a better night's sleep.
At least I don't have a CPAP machine. One of the joys of watching MAFS was seeing one of the older couples with his CPAP machine. Dead sexy.
Mind you, it's a lot more palatable than Man-Bun One's veneers.
I get you want healthy, straight teeth.
What I don't get is why you might want them to shine like a lighthouse.
I know I go on about how I love Coles Radio, but today, after going to the gym, I popped in to the supermarket to pick up a few incidentals, and what should be playing, but Smooth, that gorgeous Rob Thomas and Santana song that came out over twenty years ago.
Smooth is one of those songs that makes me wish I knew how to dance. It starts from the arms and works its way down your body and in 30 seconds, you're dancing down the aisles.
The only other song that does this to me is the song, Havana.
Maybe I should take salsa classes.
Or maybe I should go to Cuba on my next long holiday.
Needing some respite from the heat, I took myself off to see a film - a favourite thing to do when the weather gets over 30 degrees. Today's viewing fare was Argylle, starring Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell, among others including Alfie the cat. Please note, no cats were harmed in the making of this film.
What drew me to the film, other than the inclusion of Henry Cavill, is the director, Matthew Vaughn, who's responsible for the Kingsman franchise. I love these films, so there was a good chance I'd enjoy this.
So, what is this about? Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) is a reclusive, best-selling author who's spy series, Argylle is mirroring life just a little too closely. In the background, we see the fictional Argylle's (Henry Cavill, oh be still my dear dead ovaries) and the mischief he gets up to. On a train ride to see her parents, she encounters Aiden Wilde (Sam Rockwell) and the fun begins. Wilde explains how her books are being freakishly accurate in predicting world events. With the arrival of some weaponised goons, she, and the cat, are dragged along for the ride.
We meet some wonderful characters. The boss of The Directive (Bryan Cranston), Elly's mum (Catherine O'Hara), another hired good (Dua Lipa) among others, and slowly, but surely you work out that there is a bit more to Elly's history and you work out that there is more to this Argylle guy than meets the eye. And yes, it's Henry Cavill. Swoon.
And there is a big twist about halfway through the film, when you work out just what is going on. I will say no more than this.
As with many of Michael Vaughn's films, there's great action scenes. The action is full on, but not too gory or messed up - just the level of violence that I can do with ease. This is also very funny in places. Perfect for the day when you want to escape the heat in a nice air-conditioned cinema.
If anything, it's Jason Fuch's script which lets this down a bit. it's pretty convoluted and maybe just a little long, but the action, the laughs, and Henry Cavill make up for it. I mean, it's got Henry Cavill in it. You can forgive him for just about anything - except maybe the dodgy haircuts he sports in this film - they are pretty terrible.
Argylle is great fun. Everybody on screen looks like they are having a hoot. Even if you don't see it in the cinema, check it out on the streaming services, even if it is to just perve on Henry Cavill.
The Location: The Concert Hall at the Sydney Opera House
Playing: Tomorrow at the same place, at the Myer Music Bowl on 7 February and Perth Concert Hall 9-11 February.
Stars: 5
This was my Christmas present to myself. A night in a lovely hotel, followed by a short mooch in the Museum of Contemporary Art, then a restricted view ticket, up in the nosebleed section of the Sydney Opera House to see Ludovico Einaudi.
"Who?" you might ask.
Well, he is a bit of a case of IYKYK (if you know, you know).
Einaudi is sublime.
"And?" you continue.
It had to be done. I love Einaudi, and it appears, so do the five thousand people who packed out yesterday's matinee at the Sydney Opera House. Standing ovations. Wolf whistles. The desire to take him home for a barbeque because he looks like a good bloke, even if he is pushing 70, he'd happily be there with a glass of wine in one hand, barbeque tongs in the other.
Yes, that's what I like about Einaudi. For classical music, it's very accessible. It's meditative, quiet, often gentle. He reminds me a lot of Michael Nyman (think of The Piano soundtrack) with a bit of Yann Tiersen (think the Amelie soundtrack). A lot of his music relies on the premise of a variation on a theme, building on melodies, then coming back to them. You could say that all music does this - but Einaudi does this so well. For those who like arthouse films, he did the soundtracks for Nomadland and The Intouchables (brilliant French film, if you haven't seen it - must be seen in French - the Brian Cranston version doesn't hold a candle to it).
I'd chosen a restricted view seat in the nosebleed section, leaving the closer seats to watch the man and his hands in detail. To be honest, I spent a lot of time sitting there with my eyes closed drinking in what he can do on a piano. A little later he was joined by a cellist, a bloke on the violin and a percussionist, adding to the soundscape.
He played for the full two hours. Do not ask me the names of the pieces he played. I don't know them. I just know I love his music.
He introduced his ensemble to loud applause. "And I am Ludovico on the piano," he said humbly.
He received a ten- minute standing ovation.
He is very loved. Loved so much that there was a queue at the merchandise stand both before and after the performance.
Maybe it's the excitement of being in the Sydney Opera House, iconic building that it is. You see it all the time, but you rarely go in there. Maybe it's the joy of watching the very mixed crowd of people, being a lot younger than your average classical music set. It's fun seeing how many really dress up for these events. Those in jeans and t-shirts mixed with those dressed up to the nines - even up in the gods where I chose to sit.
All of this made for a great afternoon, but essentially, this man, his piano and his genius made it memorable.
If you can score a ticket to one of his concerts, just do it. He comes to Australia fairly regularly.
Greetings from a swanky hotel in Sydney. I managed to pick up a bargain on the room, complete with a big bathtub and even bigger bed - my Christmas treat to myself before seeing Ludovico Einaudi this afternoon. A healthy breakfast of fresh fruit salad and a proper coffee. Life is good.
Questions, as always, brought to us by Bev at Sunday Stealing.
1. What three words best describe you?
Eclectic, kind, bonkers.
2. What makes you unique?
I don't think I'm that unique. I know that being a little arty and eccentric makes me a bit different. That I have a mix if highbrow tastes mixed in with a love of some very low brow things (for example, I religiously watch Married at First Sight and I can sing along to most Cold Chisel songs, the latter being an Australian thing. Oh, and I like Australian Rules Football). A lot of people don't get that it is very okay to love arthouse movies as much as you like romantic comedies.
3. Who is someone important in your life?
I have a funny feeling it will be my new financial adviser.
4. What is something that always makes you laugh?
Cat videos. Cats are such little cretins at times. So proud yet so dopey.
5. Who is someone who can always cheer you up?
I have a group of women, with whom I've gone on retreat. Loud, proud and unabashedly themselves. I love spending time with them, and I always come away feeling refreshed, ready for anything and glad to be alive. They're known as the Gunnas and I am very proud to be among their ranks.
6. When was a time you were really proud of yourself?
Other than when I completed my Masters degree - that was a big thing. Actually getting off my bum and seeking financial advice - that's huge for me too. I'm starting on the journey, but I'm optimistic.
7. What is something that is difficult for you?
Losing weight. Once you hit menopause it's so hard. At least I'm eating well and keeping fit, even if the kilos aren't shifting.
8. What three places would you love to travel to?
I love to travel and want to do a lot more if it. And I really want to go and live in Paris for a while. A temporary move, but I'd love to get my French better.
But three places I'd love to go to are:
Japan - it looks amazing.
Cambodia, in particular, Angkor Wat - in spite of the heat.
And I want to go back and do more of Spain - I love that country.
9. What is a fun memory you have with your best friend?
I have a number of best friends, not just one. So I have lots of good memories with all of them, whether it be hanging out with Geetangeli at some foodie place (Can't wait for Easter when she will be in Melbourne), swimming with Jonella in the bay, Christmas with Blarney and Barney in Tasmania. I'm very blessed.
10. If you could have dessert for breakfast, what would you eat?
Creme Brulee. There is a French cafe near where I live - and they let you do that. It's very popular.
11. If you published a book or wrote a movie, what would it be about?
I have three novels in various states of disrepair.
The first is a modern dystopian novel about what happens when the Conservatives get even more bonkers.
The second is a lighter comedic book about the Lady Freemasons of Gilgamesh Lodge. My own lodge is providing a lot of fodder.
The third is a kid's book about the daughter of an accountant and a rock star who has to go and stay with her grandmother. Her grandma is a big hippy.
12. Which is easier, math or English?
English. Just. I used to be pretty good at maths. I'm also normally the person who sorts the bill out when there's a big group.
13.What three things make you the happiest?
Lucifer - my cat.
Holidays in Europe. A big thing. A wonderful think.
The turn of a beautiful sentence in a well crafted book.
14. What is an event in your life that has shaped who you are today?
Staying in England in my 20s. I'm not sure where I would be if I'd come back like I was supposed to after two years.
15. Which is more important, being kind or being honest?
Both of these things are really important to me, but being kind is paramount to everything. Honesty is a very close second.
I love the decadence of a five-star hotel room. I love the little touches. The carriage alarm clock. The coffee maker. The white fluffy bath sheets which have been plumped into clouds. The proper air conditioning which feels like an Antarctic breeze - the perfect foil for the Sydney humidity.
Somehow, I managed to find a deal on this wonderful room. For an extra $50 I could trade in booking at a nearby hotel, cheap, but nowhere near as nice, for this, with the promise of a long, deep bath, and quiet hallways (the other place gets a bit noisy - it's a haunt for air crews) and the armchair in which it is great to read.
The king-sized bed is the perfect mix or not to hard, and not too soft. Goldilocks wouldn't have to think about it.
And the bathroom products are Balmain.
The room service, comes with crispy chips and a very polite server who was enchanted when I thanked her in Thai. (ขอบคุณ - the only bit of Thai I know.)
"How did you know I'm Thai?" she asked.
"There's about 20 letters in your first name?" I smiled.
"Can you say it?" she asked.
I gave it a crack. Seems I did good and didn't stuff up the pronunciation too badly.
Nice people appear to work in five-star hotels. Well, the service staff are exceptional.
I'd forgotten how nice it is to treat yourself to a big room and a comfy bed and room service for a night. This is my Christmas present to myself. Well, this and the Ludovico Einaudi concert at the Opera House tomorrow. He's playing at the Myer Music Bowl next week - it wouldn't be the same.
I'm now going to drink my gin and tonic and read a book.
Let me qualify this. I actually like training in the exercise form. And I don't mind sitting through all sorts of training sessions.
I really don't like delivering training. Which is what I was doing this afternoon - providing training to a lot of people online, showing them around the new system.
It's awful.
You have to talk for an hour - while your camera is on
And while fielding questions.
And keeping the tone right.
And not throwing out too many red herrings.
And keep reiterating that the system is still being built.
While trying to remain positive.
And keeping to the time limit.
And yeah...
Coming out of the session all I wanted was a gin and tonic.
