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Screen free week

I recently completed a screen free week.  Here were my rules:

  • Monday to Friday (coincidently Friday was a public holiday)
  • aim for less than 30 minutes of use of my phone per day, measured by the app Moment
  • no computer screens
  • no TV screens

How I made sure it might work, were doing things like

  • creating a paper calendar for the few weeks beyond the screen free week
  • turning off ALL notifications except conventional text messages and phone calls
  • turned sound BACK ON. Usually it’s on silent with vibrate, but now I knew if I got a call, it would be important
  • warn near and dear – people I chat to regularly, that they could call me
  • hand wrote a list of 30 questions I’d seen online, as a journaling exercise.  Hardly used them.

Did I pass?

YES I DID!  Here’s the image of the app I was using, and how I did.

I should outline a few things I did allow and weren’t captured by that picture

  • I listened to podcasts in the later days, using another phone which doesn’t use the app.  But I just listened
  • I looked up on recipe on my laptop in the whole five days, and that would have added to that time
  • I helped the parish office with a certain task, and so jumped on their PC for a short stint to update a spreadsheet

Honestly, it went well.  It resulted in my reading two novels, the Economist magazine cover to cover in one sitting, and a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle!  Plus lots of socialising that was long and uninterrupted.  There were a few junctures that challenged me: I opened a bank account specifically for the flowers I do for the church. When I had the account details, I wanted to email the people who needed it straight away! Instead, I waited a day til I knew I’d be in the parish office, and then asked the administrator to send it out to who needed it.

The state library

Another time, I was to meet someone at Coogee.  Usually, I’d plug this into the GPS.  Instead, as I was told to take my time, I drove to Bondi and then just kept heading along the coast, hoping that after Bronte, somewhere, was Coogee.  It was!  And now I feel I know more, geographically, about the beaches of Sydney!  I did use the GPS to leave much later in the night, and the dark, but only as far as a main road, and then off it went.  I also used GPS to get from one suburb to another – I’m not used to the cross country nature.  The route there was madness, the route home was super sensible and simple.  Face palm!

I really loved my close friend rang me and checked in.  It was super touching.  My parents, oppsy, weren’t warned and had some time sensitive things to sort for them (having just relocated).  In the end, it wasn’t a problem, the item was found with them, but much back and forth!  My brother lives with me, so I was confident that he was an avenue for them if there was a true need to contact me. Instead, I checked in once or twice a day with their communications, replied, and called it done.

Ideally, I hoped the digital silence would leave space for an epiphany about my work and career.  I can’t say it appeared, but on the Saturday following this screen free week, I had two fortune tellings and debriefed with friends, and perhaps that’s helped plant some seeds…

How do you do with screen time?  Do you have limits on yourself? Do you use an app like Moment to track the time you do spend?

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Cambodia

For the week after New Years, I joined my friends for two nights in Bangkok and four nights in Siam Reap.  They has been in Vietnam prior, and continued onto Phuket.  I probably couldn’t have articulated why I wanted to go to Cambodia, but I am glad I did.  It has a very laid back feel to it, and feels still a little unspoilt.  There’s countless hotels, of the 4-5 story size, with strong European influences.  January is the dry season, but being South East Asia, it was humid and hot.  It always is!

Cambodian’s seem to be very capable basket weavers, and I think they were used somewhat for fishing, not just as a decorative food serving device. This tree was at the airport
Does this not look like bliss? The bikes were used, but the pedal taxi was merely decorative
Despite it’s name, it was incredibly tame compared to similar streets in Bali, Phuket or similar.
A remork is the Cambodian’s answer to a tuktuk. Usually a scooter with four seats, though the rear facing back rest could fold down and then your suitcases or other transportable items could fit
A canoe idling at the rear entrance to Angkor Wat. I think these are traditional, as I saw one in the man made lake at the resort too
Approaching Angkor Wat from behind
This etching demonstrates how work on Angkor stopped when a king died. So there’s lighter etchings in the top areas, compared to around where his hand is.
Angkor Wat from the front – the light is all wrong, so I am thankful we started by seeing it from the behind
To the left is the very common etched pillars, which to an electrical engineer like me, looked like insulators we use on poles! We saw glossy stylised versions at the airport – what a great room divider
The brighter/lighter head has been replaces or restored. These figures were also repeatedly etched on the walls in Angkor Wat
The concubines… which is Cambodian is a word that includes ‘sara’ so it sounds like I’m partially a concubine?
Side profile of one of the smiling buddha’s at the second temple we visited – it had 49 pillars, all with a face etached on the four sides
Lotus flowers were everywhere, with the petals folded in various ways. They seem to be the national flower
When the humidity was too much, or after a work out 🙂
Inside Ta Prom – a temple overtaking by trees
The silvery trunks of trees growing
Nature always wins
It’s hard to know if the rubble was a result of nature, or humans

Cambodia had always been on my bucket list, as I’d been to it’s neighbours: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam.  The bulk of the holiday was relaxing and eating and drinking, we saw all three temples in one day, and that was just enough for us 🙂

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November Summary

November was quite a busy month with packing and moving house.

Culture

Does a pizza making class with some friends count?  I say so!

Even learnt how to ‘throw’ the dough

I also saw a film, Geostorm.   Despite out hopes, it was as sub standard as the last few ‘end of the world’ films.

Romance

I had one date – he suggested a great location – a cafe on the top floor of a gallery by the harbour, but alas it was closed.  Given it was Melbourne Cup day (ie when people day drink!) it was tricky to find somewhere to grab a drink without a raucous crowd.  We did manage to find a cute pub.  We talked easily but there wasn’t a match and we’ve not been in contact since.

Lest this post, and recent posts seem like dating is all misses, I feel like in the past year there’s been two or three guys who really did have something special, and for a short time, things were hopeful and fun and nice.  With those great experiences I remain open and hopeful to finding a long term match.

Work 

Drafting this a few days into December I realise ‘most’ of the work drama started unfolding on 1 December, and it’s not yet resolved.  So I’ll update on that later.

What I can say is: I applied for the same job title/role in another group.  I did a graduate program at my company and spent six months in the group I’ve applied to.  I smashed out the application in one sitting and *then* rang the hiring manager.  He cautioned me to ‘take my time’ on my application as the role will have strong competition.  It was already too late – I’d hit submit!  I was shortlisted to interview – five applicants of the 20 went to interview.  That was the last Tuesday in November, and I found it easy and relaxed.  Given the current occupant of the role will be leaving mid december, I will find out the outcome soon enough.  Being an internal role, I know the other four short listed applicants and will be keen to see which direction they go – as we’re all unique!

Health

Ugh, so this month, I moved house. I planned a Monday/Tuesday off work to move house.  As ‘luck’ would have it, I started getting a light flu on the Wednesday afternoon prior.  So a few days of bed rest, and then some time packing.  It was wonderful to have a run of days off work, and chip away at packing rather than rushing through it.

Bought

I’d have been MAD to buy anything, only to MOVE it.  I literally felt sick being in a shopping centre, and considering packing those items.  Or thinking about where I might store it.  Usually when I move, I do have a handful of tweaks to make, and buy a few useful things, such as towel rails or storage solutions.  I haven’t yet done that here, mainly cause… this house does not lack for hidey holes, but they are largely FULL!

Ate out

Far too much?  I came to love a cafe local to the ‘light house’, and with my days numbered in that area, I made a LOT of visits.

Halloween themed b’fast. THe charcoal actually felt gritty in my teeth
From the same cafe as the spider pancakes – it had rice inside!
Bubbly waffle dessert I shared with my brother on family dinner night out
French toast and the paper 🙂
Loaded waffle fries. The beer is not mine

Read

I stopped borrowing books with the move.  Thankfully, my parent’s home doesn’t lack books.  Mum suggests Stella Rimington, and I really enjoyed it.

So, I finished:

The Build Up by Phillip Gwynne

Present Danger by Stella Rimington which jumped from Northern Ireland and a little bit in the South of France and a budding romance. It’s her 5th book in the series about Liz Carlyle

Close Call by Stella Rimington felt like I was following on from Present Danger, but there’ s actually three books in between!  This book (the 8th) shared some ‘baddies’ from Present Danger, but was a new story.

And I’m pages away from finishing Berlin by Pierre Frei and translated by Anthea Bell. It’s set a month after the end of the second world war, and is a whodunnit crime novel but only lightly.  Each murdered woman gets a extensive chapter on their life during the war.  I have to say, I lost track of the characters as there’s a lot of names that aren’t in my memory.  And there’s some interesting intersections between the women who are killed.  I know who committed the crimes, but was so desperate for sleep, haven’t quite finished.  Who knows what the last few pages may reveal?

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Moving day

I recall thinking I liked moving.  I think I liked having things organised into boxes perhaps?  But I decidedly do NOT like moving.  Not this time!  I’ve moved into my parents home, as in two months time they’ll head overseas for a school year, and I’ll house sit.  It’ll be great to live in a house, with a garden and a pool and a delightful dog.

Pretty back yard

I’m dealing with the crunch of my household of stuff into an existing household of stuff!

Let’s look at the positives

  • No whitegoods.  The ‘light house’ came with a fridge and a washing machine, which aren’t usually included in rentals in Australia.  I did move into that home with a washing machine which I subsequently sold to a guy I dated a handful of times
  • One less sofa: I visited a friend recently who’d moved into a new home.  His floor plan could easily do with another sofa – given there was one two seater and I was there for a six person dinner party.  He and his flatmate agreed to a year long loan, and came and collected the bigger of the sofas the day before the move!
  • Sold second hand items again: I sold some items, all of which I identified as not ‘love’ and ‘long term’ items.  All were Ikea.  They were
    • stainless steel dining room table
    • Kallax four box storage cubby I used in the laundry and bought just for the light house
    • TV cabinet I bought for $25 and sold for $40 + $40 for delivery.  Profiteering right there!
Profit making TV cabinet
  • Clothing rationalised: I went through my wardrobe and donated items I moved a year ago and hadn’t worn.  Yep, two pairs of jeans that continued unworn.  A jacket I kept ear marking to replace, and when I didn’t wear it all this year… out it went.
  • Food pantry: I donated my handful of canned goods to the refugee collection my church runs

Things that I am yet to work out

All loaded into my parents house – but alone I wasn’t game to start moving stuff in newly painted rooms
  • Clothing chaos: when I last lived at home, more than 6 years ago, I owned a wardrobe.  I sold it when I moved to the loft which had built ins, and the subsequent two homes had built ins.  Now I’m back and in a ‘not really’ bedroom, so no built ins.  And the bedrooms with built ins have occupants and are FULL.  I also need somewhere for smalls, and folded items.  A puzzle still to resolve right there.
  • My functionless furniture:
    • A wooden trolley: which houses a small wine rack – no need in my bedroom!
    • A coffee table: at least the wood tones match the fireplace tones
    • Shoe rack: again, there just seems no logical place to put this!
    • Buffet: was my entry ‘landing strip’ where I also store things like hardware, handbags, sewing kit – you know, things people need!
    • Six upholstered chairs: from my dining table which is gone. update: the friend who took a couch also took these chairs.  He’s worth his weight in gold!
  • My parents existing furniture in my room (whilst my parents are still home)
    • Glass fronted book case
    • Antique dining table… and there’s a dozen chairs I think, scattered now throughout the house.  Of course, we also have a kitchen table with modern chairs
    • Piano
  • Art: I have so much art.  And it’s genetic – so do my parents!!  Thankfully most of the house has picture rails, so it’s not a hue struggle to put it up.  Of course, I like to ensure art sort of matches in theme or framing.  At least a large home has a stack of walls

Even two weeks later, there’s still more work to be done!

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October Summary

Culture

I had intentions to enjoy a meal as part of Good Food Month.  Traditionally, I’d take a Friday off and meet my father for lunch.  But since he’s no longer a city banker and is now a suburban teacher, never got our act together and booked anything in!  I see my parents most Sunday evenings, and it’s usually at their home, for a homecooked meal.  I went out to a restaurant with friends recently, near my parents house, and so this Sunday I suggested we try the restaurant.  It feels so novel to have ‘planned’ a Sunday dinner out!

Again, I did church flowers

Romance

The first week of October I crammed an almost daily date in – it was a distractionary tactic as a guy I’d come to quite like had gone quiet.  One date was at a historic, multi storey pub in a waterside suburb in the south of Sydney.  The guy has sweetly booked a table too – this place was huge, and we arrived at the time the bistro opened, so it was all a little over the top to have booked.  He had two kids, but I try to remain open minded particularly with first dates, and we’d chatted (like, digital chat) well.  Alas, it wasn’t to be.  I do appreciate ‘bad’ first dates that don’t require an awkward moment of having to articulate that you don’t want to meet again.  He wasn’t the only ‘one and done’ date.  The other ‘one and done’ was a drink after a birthday dinner.  GIven I go to bed so early, I should have backed away quietly when he first suggested meeting at 8pm on a Monday.  In the end we met on a Friday.  He was wrong in so many ways!  He had lots of strong opinions, about the property market in Sydney, his sister’s career and study choices… what else was there?  So yes, I was thankful when my one cocktail was finished.  There were two guys I met with twice, but haven’t seen since… shrugs.

Work 

Still rough.  Let’s move on shall we?

Actually, a silver lining.  A older staff member has long been keen to get a voluntary redundancy package.  He’s been off work for MONTHS with knee reconstructions.  Thankfully, he had sufficient sick leave so he was still being paid.  This month I was able to facilitate the redundancy for him, as it was contingent on someone who was ‘redundant’ elsewhere, filling his role that we do need.  He was so appreciative, he came in to complete paperwork, and bought me a bunch of flowers!

They smell great too!

Health

I’m averaging about two to three sessions of F45 each week.  Weekend sessions seem to book out almost instantaneously (there’s only two sessions on each morning).  I had a second ‘proper’ weigh in, eight weeks after the last one.  It costs $45, which is not to be sneezed at, but I was keen to see what progress these work outs had made, beyond a rough kilogram measurement.  It seems I have gained a lot of muscle in place of fat, and the circumference of all my body parts are calculated to have reduced, except my chest, which I can handle!

Bought

How about sold?  With a move happening in November, I listed a number of furniture items I bought second hand: kitchen table, laundry storage shelves, TV cabinet, cushions (those aren’t second hand). Two items sold pretty quickly, the others have had NO interest, so I have adjusted their prices down.  Given I’ll be storing the items for a year in my parents home, I figure there’s no need to move anything I don’t love and want to keep.  I can and will ultimately give items away, but trying this whilst I have time on my hands.  I also sold two winter accessories for my scooter  on Ebay.  Aside from hardly using my scooter, I was using these items even less, so for $20 for the handlebar mittens and the same money for a fleeced leg apron was a nice little bonus.

Ate out

Looked good, tasted like nothing

The photo is a stand in for a large number of delicious cocktails that I didn’t take photos of! Almost every line item on my transaction account is my ‘tap and go’ for food or drinks!  And that’s not accounting for the shared meals out where I usually present cash for!

Read

I’m currently reading The Build Up by Phillip Gwynne on my mother’s recommendation/she handed it to me from her bookshelves. It so very ‘aussie’ and set around Darwin with a cop/crime angle.  I’m enjoying it.

With a move coming, I’ve sworn off library books as I have one less errand. Actually, I’ll be sad to move to a different group of libraries after five years of City of Sydney libraries…

Limitations by Scott Turow

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi someone recommended this book online, and it had a really interesting format, with each chapter by a different generation.

The kind worth killing by Peter Swanson

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September Summary

A little later than I’d hoped to get this post out, but it’s better to keep note of what I did, even if not promptly!

Beautiful wedding tables became magical as evening fell and the fairy lights glowed

Culture

The big ticket item here was making an effort to see the Archibald Prize at the Gallery of NSW, which I did a post about here.  Otherwise, I went to Byron Bay for the Labor Day weekend, which made flights back to Sydney on Sunday cheaper than they might otherwise have been.  A delightful friend of me was getting married, and had the most beautiful garden wedding and reception.

I’ve taken some seeds… now for a garden!

Romance

So many dates!  I saw one guy five times, and over quite a short period of time.  But then he seemed to get really busy, so… not sure where that’s headed, but we’re meeting again soon, and I might have a better idea afterwards.

I also met with some ‘misses’.  Thankfully, for one first dates, there was enough lack of spark of chemistry that I never heard another thing from them, which avoided any awkward or uncomfortable conversations.  I did meet another guy twice, and had to let him know I didn’t see a future, but we’re content to proceed as friends and do things like bowling and kayaking.

Work 

I took a week off work after my Grandmother passed away.  The week off was a great pressure relief valve, but it wasn’t a holiday, as I became involved in packing up my Grandma’s house and preparing the funeral, including doing flowers in my Aunt’s church.  As I’d had some sick days in the past month or two, I knew I was best to take a full week and appoint someone into my role for that period of time.  My successor for that week did a great job – stayed on top of time sensitive issues and made some proactive steps in my absence, all whilst keeping me in the loop for an easy transition back into work.

I also got a chance to go to a one day conference, thanks to my boss suggesting I attend.  It was very intense, as I expected – there’s always some very specific presentations on such in depth topics.  Those topics makes me wonder how someone is paid for such detailed analysis, when my brain often breaks with the sheer quantity of day to day operational decisions.  I feel like the tempo of their work is so vastly different to mine – potentially so controlled and a level of focus which I don’t really know!

Health

Should you be wondering what F45 looks like

I was pretty good at F45.  The week I took off work, I made an effort to attend Church and F45 both days – attending to my physical and mental health.  I was actually pleasantly surprised when planning to meet my mother and aunt, that we all were structuring our meeting time to meet our hopes of working out.  It made me feel like I was in good company; with shared habits.  In other circumstances, I might have cancelled a class rather than try to adapt plans.

Bought

I had a little op shopping spree which I blogged about.  I’ve worn all the items too! The teal dress was worn to the funeral, and the white dress has been worn once and is a little too short to be overly decent… I might take mum’s suggestion and modify it to get a little more length.

Ate out

Far too much?  I didn’t track it as much, and combined with lots of dates in late September…

My friend had a birthday, so I took the day off work to spend with her.  We had brunch, browsed stores, had high tea and then a massage.  The QVB tea rooms are quite a lovely location!

QVB high tea

My friends from water polo have been great at planning and suggesting events, so we had a picnic one Saturday afternoon in Balmain, and then continued back at one person’s house, playing games.  The following weekend they went on a 14km bushwalk, which I declined…  Perhaps a shorter distance and I’ll join in!

Picnic’s view

Read

I picked up Gone Girl from a little library on the street, and I read it, and was disappointed that there was nothing to be gained between reading the novel, having watched the film.  It was a great movie, in the twists, but there wasn’t anything in the novel that the movie missed.

I also battled through A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara on a recommendation from a friend.  She was adamant I was NOT to start Gone Girl (which I picked up when I was with her) until I’d finished A Little Life, which at 700 pages, was no mean feat.  In a strange coincidence, I saw it on my parents’ shelves, right at eye level when I sit at their dinner table!  I couldn’t reconcile the unwavering friendships in the book, and I wonder if that bond came through what was lacking in the childhoods of two peers, and the loss of a child in the adoptive father.  How could a workaholic who clearly didn’t care for himself, have such solid support people, who just seemed to unrelentingly support him?

How was your September?  Can you remember?

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August Summary

Church flowers – meant to look ‘flame like’ due to the patronal festival story

Culture

In the month of August, I didn’t make it to any’cultural’ events (yesterday’s post was in Septemebr). I did put two book talks into my calendar, and then got analysis paralysis.  You can purchase an annual membership and then book talks are included.  I always want to ensure I get the value for money.  Perhaps I need to ‘treat’ myself the $40 for a year – it also garner’s a discount on book purchases, but I know that’s a habit I don’t have.

I met with Mum, on her birthday, to complete two urns of flowers for the church for our ‘feast day’, St Laurence, who was burnt on a grill if I recall correctly!

Romance

After laying low one day (ie a sick day) I was starved for company and said yes to a drink nearby.  It turned into dinner and he was generous to pay for the whole event.  That being said, we were not a match.  For me, there’s one thing I’m not ‘liberal minded’ about and it’s drug use.  I’m all for them being legalised, and reducing harm.  But they aren’t for me, and they aren’t for someone I would share a life with.  So it was a lovely night out, easy conversation and no awkward follow up.

Some friends sometimes keep me ‘at home’ and we cook!

Work

Recently spending a day with a friend with a baby, who I don’t see regularly, she said ‘you’ve not been happy in your job for a while now’, and even mentioned a year!  It was shocking to have this reflected to me.  I do admit that it’s been more challenging since Easter when there were big changes in management.  I was definitely refreshed by my three week holiday in May. I took the step of telling my boss this today – he didn’t offer much reassurance.  I actually drafted a long post about work, but figured there was nothing to be shared but it did help me process and sort my thoughts a little.

Health

I seem to persistently have a niggling cough or sore throat.  I took 3.5 sick days, around what would have usually been a weekend I’d have worked, due to a huge wind storm.  One upside of the bed ridden time was seeing my weight down to my target weight (72kg), and it hasn’t stayed that low, but it was a small reward.

I have noticed that I often only need two meals in a day.  That helps reducing my eating out expenditure at least :p

In between the on again off again cold, I went to F45.  My three months is rapidly approaching, and so is water polo season.  I’m trying to decide if I do one or both.  I am intending to change water polo clubs to be closer to one closer to where I live.

Bought

New work out top selfie (after working out!)

I had set myself a weight loss reward, and I met it, so I went and purchased more work out gear.  I went planning to buy ‘a top’ and ended up with two tops and a sports bra.  Two were on sale.  I can’t even recall when I last bought a sports bra, so I’m hardly being reckless.

I also bought

  • two part epoxy to mend a glass bowl I store pegs in
  • Lush items – solid deodorant & shampoo & tooth powder
  • flights, a night’s accomodation and car hire to Byron Bay for a wedding at the end of September
  • hair cut and colour <- MY FIRST HAIR DYE EVER

I’m noticing other than the above, eating out and targeted savings, there’s nothing too interesting in my expenses: some fuel, public transit card top up, phone credit & insurance for my scooter.  I feel reassured that I’m not cluttering up my home with things,

Ate out

My friends drag me to the prettiest places (yes, sick weekend)

Oh so many times! It seems predominantly on the weekends, and almost all meals!  Thankful for a ‘sick’ weekend, but I still went out to savour some social contact! I tallied up as best I could, and it comes to about $500, and 5 a piece on b’fasts, lunches and dinners, and then some ‘drinks’ either coffees, alcohol, or dessert/cake.  I’m not sure the numbers are enough to see me start havign people over for meals – I just get such anxiety about their comfort, but also waste.

Read

The hyperlinks are to Goodreads – I don’t believe in buying books remember

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea – Barbara Derrick – incredibly well written, and given I’ve felt down on my life, it’s helped me realise how extremely comfortable and happy I am.

The Most Good You Can Do: How effective altruism is changing ideas about living ethically – Peter Singer. I didn’t finish this and couldn’t renew it as it was requested by someone else.  I did enjoy it, and it certainly further added to my analysis paralysis on career, earnings, spending and the ‘most good’.

From Sand and Ash – Amy Harmon. This was read in ONE SITTING.  This isn’t at all common for me – I was off sick, but I just loved this book.  Reading about war was interesting, especially after reading about war last month too, by Scott Turow

What was the highlight of your August?

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Archibald Prize 2017

As per my 2017 goals, I’m trying to make an effort to do cultural things, that I enjoy but often pass me by.  If I’m smart, I can time my visit to the Archibald portrait prize with the weekend for complimentary tickets for people who bank with the major sponsor, ANZ.  Last year, I went a weekend late, but there’s been a black out and so they were extending the generous deal in the following weekends!  Again, I mis-timed this visit, but they did reduce the price to concession, which was a nice bonus.

This was an amazing collaboration – painted blocks by school children to make a portrait of their outgoing principal. I remember very similar wooden cubes being used in early schooling to aid counting practice.

Going to the exhibit alone, I had so many thoughts, so I started drafting this post (in notes in my phone).

Australia seems so small sometimes – none more so that attending the annual portraiture prize this year.
For example, Ahn Do is a well known comedian, whose written at least one book “the happiest refugee”, his family having migrated from Vietnam. But also, he’s more recently had a tv show where he paints portraits – usually known characters so there’s interest in the conversation as much as the outcome.  Therefore; not at all surprising one of his works is in the exhibit.
Notice the reflection. The subject is incredibly interesting in and of themself.
Then there were staid paintings, and on reading the blurbs, all dull and boring in their similarities: chairman of this board or that. Largely conservative but redeemed by philanthropy. The conservatism, politically, was actually expressed by listing the subjects family line. It just bored me. And it was a commission for one of the board he sits on. How is it that people have high executive roles 9-5 and also chair boards? It’s just not something I’m buying into.
There’s also a lot of artists painting other artists (the next picture). That figures. Like fashion designers modelling.  And then there’s pieces that I think “I saw this last year” or was it last prize, when the style remains consistent if the subject has changed.
It’s not to say the prize wasn’t without some stunning pieces but overall, there weren’t many I loved or appreciated.
Are artist couple – the artist intentionally stripped the surroundings.
Another coincidence was a stunning portrait of an old (you can surely say that of people older than a centrists?) women, a dancer and choreographer. What surprised and delighted me was that she was painted by a plastic surgeon. The juxtaposition of a wrinkly old lady by a person whose career in some part is about refining and restoring skin.
A very well executed piece of art – the subject is a 102 years old!
This was an interesting comment on souvenirs and the projection of indigenous culture onto artefacts for tourism.
One of at least two self portraits of recent mothers. This one she’s named it clown or similar, and it’s her daughter’s tutu. The other mother self portrait was… not at all to my taste.
A famous TV personality – so the TV behind her shows a reflection of her family. I didn’t realise it was a reflection until reading the children’s blurb. The red bandana’ed man was painted for the portrait prize the year prior by the same artist.
Some pieces do not seem to indicate any talent. Even any real investment of time to make something – be it thoughtful or beautiful. I wonder if that art is just someone making a joke at the expense of the gallery or the ticket buyers?
Not my favourites

The black with white writing was plastic sheeting with ‘unstirred’ house paint.  Seriously?  And the blurb was as inane.  At least the bottom right was related to Cane and Abel and a self portrait, and it seemed a little more considered at least.

In addition to the Archibald, there’s the Sulman and Wynne’s – one is indigenous art, another is landscapes.

The caption panel for this said: In my opinion it is axiomatic that if a painting requires an explanatory text it has failed. IN this particular painting, the title is specific. I certainly need someone to explain it! It was called The Arcadian repose
Related to the connections of conscious and sub conscious mind. Incredibly well done, the artist is Michael Peck
Invisibleness: this was a comment on how women of colour are both invisible and highly visible. It’s incredibly true (from my non coloured perspective). In television, mainstream film politics and art, coloured women are largely invisible. Unfamiliarity makes her highly visible in her everyday life. It’s features which are noticed and seem peculiar.

Lastly, they have (outside the exhibit) children’s contributions.  I loved the one below:

What a dad

As I expected, I’m thankful I took the time to look at this art (and then the gift store – I love museum and gallery gift stores).  It helped me think and ponder what I do and don’t like.   Do you have a favourite of the art I photographed?

Oh, and Lucinda, I couldn’t help but think of you:

Fascinating story!
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Bridge Room

A friend and I decided to have a healthy month, which included her starting work outs (I’d been going F45 for about two weeks at that stage I think).  She also somehow shoehorned me into Dry July a few bottles of wine in too… And we settled on an ‘end of month’ reward being a fine dining meal at The Bridge Room.  I’m no stranger to some fancy fine dining, so of course I was in.

Rose sake cocktail

Awkwardly, I was about 30 minutes EARLY for the reservation and my friends.  So I broke Dry July with a great cocktail.  I love when you can’t taste the harshness of alcohol, and this was definitely easily drinkable!!  I did feel completely slack using my phone in a fine diner, but I was alone, and a drinks menu isn’t captivating reading for that long!

Raw fish I’d never heard of (Emperador) with smoked white eggplant
Raw wagyu shoulder

The above dish was a little tricky to cut, with the raw meat, and even the mushrooms (enoki).  This was a clearly Japanese inspired meal, but the decor was largely Scandinavian.

Murray cod cooked with butter

The puddle it’s on is black vinegar, and aged pancetta on top.  We weren’t loving seeing the translucent fat on the pancetta!

Ash grilled duck with prunes, burnt apple and canele

 

An enjoyable sweetness to this dish (and I AM a sweet tooth), but I wouldn’t say I’m a duck fan like some.  My father drools at the thought I think!

Bring on the desserts:

Whipped black sesame (not actually ice cream)

The vertical column was melon, and quite tart compared an otherwise very sweet dish.

Honey pear, burnt bread, pear butter, muscovado sugar, candied pear, lace biscuit

This was delicious, although one of our table of three missed it being served, and the habit of them explaining the dish.  A misstep for a fine dining resturant.

Petit fours

One of the fabulous things about fine dining with set menus is that ‘six courses’ was seven course with a petit fours.  So, BONUS!  There was a jelly like thing there,  and I have no recollection of what the ball was!

It has the top accolades with 3 hats, but I have to say, it didn’t feel three hats.  I’m not sure if I’m jaded in all my experience? I’m not for a minute saying it was horrible.  Just it lacked sparkle or something perhaps?

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July Summary

Vera Blue – yep, second concert of hers this year I’ve been to

Culture

Zero waste events – screening of the clean bin project with a great three person panel afterwards.  Also a waste reduction talk which was a little more homegrown.  I’m so thankful for a friend I play water polo with for suggesting these, and proud all my nattering about my ways over the years have taken seed in her mind.

Caught up with a friend who lives out of town, but we went to school together.  She announced she’s got a great job ‘back’ in Melbourne, where she was until her role brought her to Newcastle.  IT feels right for her, but me too, for her to be in Melbourne.

A close friend had a birthday and quite last minute I joined our friends to axe throw! Yep, inner Sydney has a place to axe throw.  We were all equally rubbish and awesome in different rounds so there were lots of laughs and fun had.  Here’s our instructor – looks the part right?

Maniax

Right on the border of the end of the month, I went to a concert with a close friend, whose middle name is also Vera! It was my second Vera Blue show this year, and I did prefer the other venue as it was more spacious, and I didn’t experience a group of unruly men last time.  This same friend and her partner joined me for a great fancy dinner, post up next.

Romance

Brunch with a gal pal – rose water porridge. SO much awesome.

Started talking to one or two guys in a more authentic and genuine chats than recent experiences – I continue to refine my profile to include my thoughts/expectations and I think it’s weeded out some of the sorts of people who used to reach out but I found no match with. I also added or started using a different app (Bumble) as another single male friend kept mentioning it.  It’s a lot less information about people, and women must initiate conversation.  It’s not struck any gold yet.

There was someone I was very keen on lately, but realised that we weren’t a good match and it would only lead to me being very hurt later on.  I made the tough decision to stop contacting him, with a brief warning to him.  It’s been easy some days and incredibly hard other days.

Work

Agh, can we not?  Work’s been challenging.  The change is really impacting one of the team, and I take his outbursts and dissatisfaction to heart.  Many of the things that are driving him to be so angry are beyond my control and sometimes, squarely sit with decisions of my manager.  Taking it one day at a time.  Some days are better than others.

Health

Trending the right way, but life y’know

The first week I was injured with a glute strain, so I did 2 works outs at F45, Sat (injury day) and Monday and a Barre on Tuesday. After seeing a physio and giving myself a little rest, it cam good, and I got back to F45 3-4 times a week.  Barre kept being booked out when I wanted to go (or just far more challenging than before), so I decided to drop the $35 a week cost for two classes, and focus on F45 for the remainder of my 3 month trial.  This month I took on Dry July somewhat unexpectedly.  I have a friend who has a way of phrasing things like we’d already talked about it, and it’s decided.  She’s done the same with a Christmas trip to Japan, but that’s a bigger thing to be roped into!  Anyhow, I started being dry earlier than July to allow for our ‘reward’ dinner  which I’ll blog about.  Part of our goals were to both lose 4kgs.  Neither of us truly met out targets.  However, I did, in a way…  The night after our Dry July pact, I weighed myself and was 80kg.  This was uncharacteristically high and I attribute to some food poisoning.  Sometime in July I did weigh 75.7kg.  So, target met! However, I haven’t stayed that low, since going back to 77kg, and then back to under 76kg.  Late in July, I paid to have a full body analysis as part of F45, which goes beyond weight.  They explained that water retention changes throughout a month for women, so perhaps it’s that?  In any case, the body scan is repeated in eight weeks, so I’ll see how I go with that.

Bought

I like to track all the stuff that trickles into my home – cause having a streamlined or minimal home takes a watchful eye.  I did eat out and spend on food, and sometimes think I should track my eating out and keep it a little lower for financial savings, but also help my health.  Maybe a new category (and a way to share food photos I take :p) The first two dot points hardly count, as they are gifts and not staying!

  • An engagement gift, right in line with my zero waste ways and help them set up their home 🙂
  • Two gifts for hostesses – one was a plant, the other was a bunch of flowers
  • Lush tooth powder
  • Phone case – after dropping it cleaning and cracking the glass screen protector, I decided on a robust case and haven’t looked back

Read

I borrowed a book by an author I quite like, Scott Turow, but between it being large print, hard cover and a slow start, I just couldn’t get into it, and returned it rather than renewed it when it came time.  Not to be discouraged, I borrowed another Turow book to try again, as I have really enjoyed the other two I have read.

  • Money: A love story – Kate Northrup – I can’t recall how this was on my reading list.  I found it a little too meandering for my liking, so started leafing through to the activities, which were lots of journal writing.  When I did the money quiz, it was clear I had little need for reform! Actually, I thought I wasn’t tracking well in the quiz (ie not knowing my bank balance within $100s, not knowing how much I spent last month within $100) but overall, I scored sufficiently to be in the most proficient category.
  • A beginners guide to acting English – Shappi Khorsandi – I LOVED this book. I didn’t realise until I had finished the book that she’s a comedian.  It’s about her childhood and moving from Iran to England, during a very interesting time in Iran’s history.  I would now read anything she writes!
  • The most good you can do – Peter Singer – an interesting book to be reading after my post on paying off my mortgage, and in the month I received an inheritance.

How was your month?