An Everage Day in Moonee Ponds

I went lawn bowling again: this time in leafy Moonee Ponds. Thanks to Soapy for organising such a lovely BBQ and lovely afternoon.

If I Could...

I think at some level I believe that we have led other lives.
This could be on a linear scale, like those that believe in reincarnation might think that we (d)evolve from ant to person to dragonfly. Then again, this idea could be as Terry Pratchett describes, where we exist in many parallel universes that represent every possible permutation of a scenario.
So it's comforting to know that even though I sometimes daydream about being this, that or the other, chances are I have been or are or will be pursuing the following vocations.

* My first childhood dream was to be a writer

* My second childhood dream was to be a concert pianist in the era of Mozart, Beethoven or Debussy

* My dream job in the 90s was to be a sound engineer or journalist during the mid90s 'Britpop' explosion

* Or maybe the lead singer of a punk band... (not too popular mind you haha)

* Dressmaker - anything to do with colours and textures, kool fabrics/buttons/ribbons. Ah, to have clothes that Fit Well!

* Pastry chef without the bad hours and licence for grouchy temperament (!)

Check out Flygirl, Yossarian, Cassiopeia Gegenbauer III, Serenity Later and Sartorial Splendour for more thoughts on dream professions.

Love & War

"Picasso: Love & War 1935-45" is this year's winter blockbuster at the NGV International and centres around a tumultuous decade in Picasso's life. In addition to the political events of the period, the exhibition explores the dynamic relationship with his muse Dora Maar, an artist in her own right.

I came to this exihibiton with respect but also ignorance of the man. I've never found Picasso very accessible and felt too much anguish and/or sadness in the few paintings I've seen here and there. This excellently curated collection was a revelation, showing many facets of Picasso including still life and etchings and also a compelling series of photographs showing the development of his anti-war manifesto Guernica.
A whole room is devoted to representations of the Minotaur, a mythological creature that Picasso strongly identified with, and it is within this mythic setting that Dora Maar is first seen in a graceful, bird-like form.
And it's the portraits of Maar that represent the real heart of this show. They are striking in their use of media (photographs, paintings, etchings) and also in the various moods that Maar is portrayed in. I found the use of contrasting colours in the paintings especially inspiring.
One fascinating idea was that of Maar and Picasso's obsession with sleep-watching and documentation thereof - this series is at once tender and funny.
Hightail it down to NGV International to catch the last few weeks.

Everyone loves a (c)log

I am in a bit of a pickle.

My lab shoes have holes in them and as I'm a 'fussy' person (pointed out by a kind, slightly over gel-ed salesman), it will definitely take me a while to replace said item. And it's not raining anymore, so there's no hurry yet.
.
My sib suffers through constant um-ing and ah-ing about shoe#x blah and shoe#xx blah blah. I can't help it! I know what I want when I see it, but it just takes me a while to 'see'. Does anyone else suffer these conundrums? Please say it is so.

In the meantime, I can dream about these bright red clogs. Too bad they were only a temporary loan...

Moving on and moving up

A tisket a tasket

Let me introduce you to Ella the Elephant. Ella features on a new album from the Baby Loves Music series. These are produced from the legendary Verve record label and is designed to get kids into all different genres of music such as salsa, hip hop (!) and jazz. As an avid music fan myself, I wouldn't mind getting my mitts on some of these - can I borrow a kid anyone?
The koolest thing about Ella? She is voiced by none other than Miss Sharon Jones. There's even an accompanying book where Ella teaches you how to scat! I've often considered jazz to be a four letter word, but with this pedigree, it's gotta be full of fun and spirit.
Even better news, the forthcoming hip hop version is going to be produced by Prince Paul (of De La Soul fame). If kids are supposedly sponges (brain-wise that is), then what better way than to edu-ma-cate them via Sharon Jones as an elephant and the beats of Prince Paul?

So Silly

How's this for a little piece of happiness?

This week sees a couple of great old friends getting married - as measured by years of friendship rather than years of existence!!
As such, familiar faces from the northern hemisphere/states are returning home so the next few days encompasses reconnections and maybe a little bit of nostalgia.
This present is from the northern climes: someone who obviously knows me well. As to what I'm going to do with them? At the moment, I'm quite content to just sit and admire!