I haven’t written anything about this month’s horoscope. Once again it doesn’t really seem to relate to me.
Susan Miller's horoscope says nothing about a different job – new challenges and a new start. Nothing about success, nothing about a good time to make a move - although it would be too late for that. I’m committed to the move.
Once again it is all about money and not getting what is my due. As I write I see that it could perhaps apply. Getting any salary that I was owed from my other job has taken a few phone calls. I now have what I assume must be my final pay but it appears to me to be short – not enough money.
My horoscope says that there could be problems with finances over a divorce or child support or a business break down. I guess my salary would fall into that category – a job that has broken down.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Saturday, September 8, 2007
The Home Song Stories
J and I go to the movies on a regular basis and our choice of movie depends on the time it is being shown. Our time frame is between 6.15 and 6.45pm on a week night. Last week the Australian film ‘The Home Song Stories’ was on at our time. We chat about the movie over coffee but it would be good to get other opinions. I will post my thoughts on our weekly movie. Even if I don't get your thoughts it may help you to decide whether you want to see the film or not.
The Home Song Stories is the story of a Hong Kong nightclub singer who has two children and marries an Aussie sailor, Bill played by Steve Vidler. He brings them all home to his suburban brick veneer house that is inhabited by his mother. The mother is portrayed as a bigoted, sour and unhappy woman who resents the new comers and makes no effort to welcome them. We don’t find out why she is like this or in fact anything about her life and this is a pity.
Bill leaves them there while he goes back to sea. This is an obvious recipe for disaster.
The film grabbed me right at the beginning and held me as the characters pitch from one disaster to the next. I pitched with them and in the end J and I were wrung out and emotionally drained
The film is said to be the true childhood story of the director Tony Ayres. Joan Chen, who is such a pleasure to look at, plays Rose, his mother and eleven year old Joel Lok plays Tony Ayres or Tom as he is called in the film. Joel was remarkable in the part. Very expressionless most of the time but his actions conveyed all the emotion. J and I wondered afterward whether because his face showed so little emotion we projected what we thought he was feeling onto a sort of blank canvas. It’s hard to know I would have to see it again to be sure.
You do feel a sort of emptiness or desolation in the characters but this doesn’t carry through to the end because we know that things turn out surprisingly well for the two children.
This is a film for a chat around the water cooler and I hope enough people see it to make it talked about. It is easy to discuss what Rose could have and should have done but like so many of the film’s characters she was flawed. It’s also hard to take ourselves back to the mid 60’s and understand how life would have been for someone like Rose, a night club singer from Hong Kong, dumped into suburbia with no friends or support and a husband who takes off to sea again. Bill her husband is a remarkable character. He appears not to understand Rose but he is forgiving and accepting of the person she is and is ready to look after her and her children should they need him.
A great movie – go to see it if you get the chance.
The Home Song Stories is the story of a Hong Kong nightclub singer who has two children and marries an Aussie sailor, Bill played by Steve Vidler. He brings them all home to his suburban brick veneer house that is inhabited by his mother. The mother is portrayed as a bigoted, sour and unhappy woman who resents the new comers and makes no effort to welcome them. We don’t find out why she is like this or in fact anything about her life and this is a pity.
Bill leaves them there while he goes back to sea. This is an obvious recipe for disaster.
The film grabbed me right at the beginning and held me as the characters pitch from one disaster to the next. I pitched with them and in the end J and I were wrung out and emotionally drained
The film is said to be the true childhood story of the director Tony Ayres. Joan Chen, who is such a pleasure to look at, plays Rose, his mother and eleven year old Joel Lok plays Tony Ayres or Tom as he is called in the film. Joel was remarkable in the part. Very expressionless most of the time but his actions conveyed all the emotion. J and I wondered afterward whether because his face showed so little emotion we projected what we thought he was feeling onto a sort of blank canvas. It’s hard to know I would have to see it again to be sure.
You do feel a sort of emptiness or desolation in the characters but this doesn’t carry through to the end because we know that things turn out surprisingly well for the two children.
This is a film for a chat around the water cooler and I hope enough people see it to make it talked about. It is easy to discuss what Rose could have and should have done but like so many of the film’s characters she was flawed. It’s also hard to take ourselves back to the mid 60’s and understand how life would have been for someone like Rose, a night club singer from Hong Kong, dumped into suburbia with no friends or support and a husband who takes off to sea again. Bill her husband is a remarkable character. He appears not to understand Rose but he is forgiving and accepting of the person she is and is ready to look after her and her children should they need him.
A great movie – go to see it if you get the chance.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Wine glasses and watches
Time out from work and I’ve been browsing. Not at your big shopping malls but in those quirky little shops along the shopping strips.
I’m sucker for wine glasses. I love them and I know the wine tastes better when it’s drunk from a beautiful glass. This one is so like some really expensive coloured ones that I’ve seen around. The ruby colour becomes more transparent with the light and gives a beautiful glow to red wine. I’ve tried red and white but red is the one. It’s a sensual pleasure to look at, swirl the wine then take a sip. Such amazing value at $30.00
My other delight is the ladybird key holder that opens to become a watch. It is ticking away merrily and keeps excellent time. All this, including the battery, for only $11.00. The ladybird will be my talisman for the new job.
I’m sucker for wine glasses. I love them and I know the wine tastes better when it’s drunk from a beautiful glass. This one is so like some really expensive coloured ones that I’ve seen around. The ruby colour becomes more transparent with the light and gives a beautiful glow to red wine. I’ve tried red and white but red is the one. It’s a sensual pleasure to look at, swirl the wine then take a sip. Such amazing value at $30.00
My other delight is the ladybird key holder that opens to become a watch. It is ticking away merrily and keeps excellent time. All this, including the battery, for only $11.00. The ladybird will be my talisman for the new job.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Waking at 2am
I have more time - a few days off work before my new job. It’s a chance to re-charge but also to become nervous about the new job. I woke up last night and began to worry as you do in the early hours of the morning. Two or three am is when a slight rise on a flat surface takes on the form of a steep mountain.
My doubts are about whether I will be able to deliver all those things I professed to be skilled at during the job interview. This time next week I will start to find out. I start at 9.00am next Wednesday the 12th. I will have to learn a new computer programme first off. In my interview I said I didn’t see this being a problem as I had used two other Property Management Programmes in the past. At 2.00am the doubts crept in.
I had to get up and make a cup of tea and find a boring book to read. In the past I have found one way to go back to sleep in the middle of the night is to try to remember the plot line of a recent read novel or movie I’ve seen and follow it in detail. This is usually a winner and before I know it morning has arrived. Last night it took ages to drift back into sleep.
This morning things were different and I found I was looking forward to the challenge of the new programme and increasing the number of properties the companyhas under management. That was another thing that I didn’t see as a problem when I went for the interview. I’m also looking forward to the working environment. From this distance the vibes in the office feel good and people helpful and friendly.
My doubts are about whether I will be able to deliver all those things I professed to be skilled at during the job interview. This time next week I will start to find out. I start at 9.00am next Wednesday the 12th. I will have to learn a new computer programme first off. In my interview I said I didn’t see this being a problem as I had used two other Property Management Programmes in the past. At 2.00am the doubts crept in.
I had to get up and make a cup of tea and find a boring book to read. In the past I have found one way to go back to sleep in the middle of the night is to try to remember the plot line of a recent read novel or movie I’ve seen and follow it in detail. This is usually a winner and before I know it morning has arrived. Last night it took ages to drift back into sleep.
This morning things were different and I found I was looking forward to the challenge of the new programme and increasing the number of properties the companyhas under management. That was another thing that I didn’t see as a problem when I went for the interview. I’m also looking forward to the working environment. From this distance the vibes in the office feel good and people helpful and friendly.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Flat-Packs
The words ‘flat pack’ should be eliminated from our language. I have spent Sunday assembling a bookcase.
A few months ago I gave over an entire long weekend and my living room to assembling two sets of shelving from Bunnings for my shed. The second set should have been easier and quicker but it wasn’t. When I finally got them together I proudly displayed them in their new home and I found that the slightest touch caused the units to move. Someone else tightened the numerous screws for me and I now have my shed organised. The assembly of the metal was damaging to my hands and nails and I vowed not to buy a flat pack again.
This statement is easier to say than to stick by. Everything comes in a flat pack. A lot of research has shown me that a set of white books shelves is only available in a flat pack.
Ikea was my first choice but I live outside the delivery circle so delivery was going to cost more the flat pack. I measured for the car but the pack was too wide.
The ones I assembled came from Fantastic Furniture and they were maneuvered into the car and strapped into the fully reclining front seat as if they were a passenger. The quality is not great but I have finally got them assembled. Assembly has to be done on the floor. They suggest laying out each piece as if it was a jigsaw puzzle so a space had to be cleared to allow this to happen. For the rest of the day I crawled around the floor with my hammer and screwdriver. I won’t say never again but I will be very wary of anything that says ‘self-assembly”. I have booked a massage. I ache from the body contortions and I have realized that I can have two massages for the price of the Ikea delivery.
Now that I have sorted out my books I find that I need another set. The shelves look good and there is a space that is just right for a second set …………….
A few months ago I gave over an entire long weekend and my living room to assembling two sets of shelving from Bunnings for my shed. The second set should have been easier and quicker but it wasn’t. When I finally got them together I proudly displayed them in their new home and I found that the slightest touch caused the units to move. Someone else tightened the numerous screws for me and I now have my shed organised. The assembly of the metal was damaging to my hands and nails and I vowed not to buy a flat pack again.
This statement is easier to say than to stick by. Everything comes in a flat pack. A lot of research has shown me that a set of white books shelves is only available in a flat pack.
Ikea was my first choice but I live outside the delivery circle so delivery was going to cost more the flat pack. I measured for the car but the pack was too wide.
The ones I assembled came from Fantastic Furniture and they were maneuvered into the car and strapped into the fully reclining front seat as if they were a passenger. The quality is not great but I have finally got them assembled. Assembly has to be done on the floor. They suggest laying out each piece as if it was a jigsaw puzzle so a space had to be cleared to allow this to happen. For the rest of the day I crawled around the floor with my hammer and screwdriver. I won’t say never again but I will be very wary of anything that says ‘self-assembly”. I have booked a massage. I ache from the body contortions and I have realized that I can have two massages for the price of the Ikea delivery.
Now that I have sorted out my books I find that I need another set. The shelves look good and there is a space that is just right for a second set …………….
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Avalon Road
Where I live and work I always find places that become special to me. These places delight me, warm me, leave me in awe, amuse me or trigger some long forgotten memory. This photo is of Avalon Road. It warms and amuses me.
The road has a twist at one end and if you enter from the other end it appears to wind into the distance rather than to a busy thoroughfare. I don’t know the history of the road but I see it as someone’s folly and it never ceases to make me smile.
Today we live with councils that are heavy with regulations so it’s hard to imagine anyone getting permission to plant trees with such disregard for their future growth. To plant trees in the roadway today would be impossible. As you can see in the photo there is a pavement and some nature strip but these trees grow in the road pushing the surface up with their heavy roots. The other wonderful thing about this is that the council trims the trees and lets them remain. This is one of my favourite streets in Melbourne and I drive down it whenever I’m in the area.
One or other of the houses along the strip are always being renovated so during the day the place is jammed with tradesmen’s vehicles. After they leave and before the residents return to park between the trees there is a short time when the street is empty. That’s when I took the photo; just before dusk.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Summer has arrived. People with glasses in their hands are swelling out of the cafes and clogging the streets as they bask in the warmth. More tables than ever are squeezed onto the narrow footpaths of Carlisle Street and everyone is smiling.
This exciting city of Melbourne is my ‘Seachange’. And I can’t believe I have been moaning about the winter and how long and cold it has been this year. Melbourne today and yesterday have been magical compared with August in my home city. How complacent I have become since I have been here. Expecting the winter to be mild and the sun to shine daily. It is so easy to become accustomed to our good fortune. Melbourne is my lucky city. Today and yesterday I felt bathed in sun, luck and the delight of daffodils. I drank tea in my courtyard and purred.
I’m trying to see where I can put some vegetables in my tiny garden. Years ago I read a cook book written by Don Dustan the then Premier of South Australia. I hadn’t been to Australia at the time and knew nothing of South Australia however his book captivated me – he cooked and grew his own vegetables. It was very evocative and if I remember it correctly full of good recipes and gardening hints. I’d love to come across it again especially now I live in Australia. I wonder if he mentions vegetables that possums do not eat?
Recently I heard a snippet of a radio programme asking listeners who they thought was charismatic. His book had that sort of pull. I wonder if he was charismatic in real life.
Where I’ve lived in Melbourne there are dead trees. In this house there are two in the property behind me. Pigeons like them. I can’t tell one pigeon from another but when I’m in my courtyard several of them will sit and coo at me from one of the dead trees. In the photo my still living silver birch is softening the dead limbs of the next door tree.
This exciting city of Melbourne is my ‘Seachange’. And I can’t believe I have been moaning about the winter and how long and cold it has been this year. Melbourne today and yesterday have been magical compared with August in my home city. How complacent I have become since I have been here. Expecting the winter to be mild and the sun to shine daily. It is so easy to become accustomed to our good fortune. Melbourne is my lucky city. Today and yesterday I felt bathed in sun, luck and the delight of daffodils. I drank tea in my courtyard and purred.
I’m trying to see where I can put some vegetables in my tiny garden. Years ago I read a cook book written by Don Dustan the then Premier of South Australia. I hadn’t been to Australia at the time and knew nothing of South Australia however his book captivated me – he cooked and grew his own vegetables. It was very evocative and if I remember it correctly full of good recipes and gardening hints. I’d love to come across it again especially now I live in Australia. I wonder if he mentions vegetables that possums do not eat?
Recently I heard a snippet of a radio programme asking listeners who they thought was charismatic. His book had that sort of pull. I wonder if he was charismatic in real life.
Where I’ve lived in Melbourne there are dead trees. In this house there are two in the property behind me. Pigeons like them. I can’t tell one pigeon from another but when I’m in my courtyard several of them will sit and coo at me from one of the dead trees. In the photo my still living silver birch is softening the dead limbs of the next door tree.
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