Redsultana

Following my last post, after two days in Sydney I can no longer fit into my daughter’s size 5 jeans (size 5 is about a 9 in real language). A pork roll from James’s favourite cheap lunch spot. Lasagne! At least I have avoided all the yummy pastries from the (count them) five gorgeous bakeries that surround our hotel. The food in Sydney is cheap and delicious and so difficult to not eat. The first night we went to a little Vietnamese place in Surry Hills (or was it Darlinghurst) called Phamish. They started serving at 6pm and there was a queue waiting to be seated (including us). The highlight – the to-die-for duck and prawn rolls – watching mum eat one and then realise they had prawns in them was priceless. We’ve also gone to see Wicked – the musical. Clever story, great music and amazing set and costumes.

So last night my baby brother’s exhibition opened in Melbourne. If you live there – maybe pop along. More info on his Facebook page and webpage. I’ll be going to the Sydney opening (I think) and I can’t wait. I’m hoping to get a few pics from the opening but in the meantime check out this cutie from the publicity shots: The woman in the painting is my mum. Exhibitions are such hard work and I admire my brother and his fiancée for the hard slog. Best of luck guys and see you in Siddeney!

A couple of new restaurant/wine bars have opened near us and today we popped into one of them, Pink Zulu, to check it out. The coffees were great as was the hot chocolate but for Dippity the highlight was the Zulu Rose dessert. Almond and date filo coil, vanilla bean ice cream, rose syrup and fairy floss. 16 My favourite was the Kefta, complete with cinnamon stick… er stick.  Perfect for those of us on a carb-free diet. Kefta lamb with harissa and minted yoghurt.  19 In case you’re wondering, those numbers are the prices. Yes dahling, so vulgar to put the dollar sign don’t you think? The food is not cheap but I can tell you it is delicious, and the Zulu Rose dessert is spectacular. And… I like the decor, although I did have a private chuckle to myself when a patron arrived in a black and white

Tonight we went to the Phoenix Theatre in Hamilton Hill to see the last night of the community theatre production of “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-moon Marigolds” a play by Paul Zindel, directed by Jane Sherwood. When I first saw this on Facebook I was immediately keen to go. I was a big fan of Paul Zindel’s work as a teenager. They are quite dark, darker in fact than I remember. The story in Marigolds is about a young girl who is working on a science project. It’s set in the family home, populated by her manic older sister, her alcoholic, slovenly mother and an elderly lodger who brings in what appears to be the only income. She is the “mutation”. Groover and I sat front row centre. The theatre has recently been refurbished and it is a great little theatre. The seats are the pull out kind

Not that I’m biased but I do agree with this particular review of Groover’s first ever stage production (with lines and everything) – Arsenic and Old Lace: Within this set we meet Joseph Kesselring’s bizarre characters, all of whom are presented by well-chosen actors, but one must say that the standout character of Teddy Brewster/Roosevelt is played in a manic, no-holds-barred fashion by Groover. He brings a new dimension to the term ’barking mad’. Einstein: My how I’ve changed… Teddy: Well, you see, that picture hasn’t even been taken yet… A classic moment. Teddy:  I’m President Roosevelt. Charge! Mortimer:  Good news Mr President, your term of office is over. Teddy:  It’s out of my hands.  He’ll have to be told.  Army regulations you know. Teddy:  When the President of the United States can be treated like that, what is the country coming to? Teddy:  So that’s it, a nature faker!

One of the things I like about commuting (rather than driving) to work is the feeling that I am part of something bigger. Yesterday for example, looking  up as I walked up the ramp from the station I was struck by this image of my city shrouded in low lying cloud. It doesn’t happen often. Even today, when it was raining, the city was free and clear. If I had driven in, chances are I wouldn’t have noticed. I love over-hearing other people’s conversations as well. Getting an insight into their lives and sometimes into mine. The other day on the way home I heard two young executive types discussing the various talk radio shows in Perth. So weird hearing strangers talking about people you know. (and even funnier when you agree with their astute assessment!) Amazing what comes through on the radio – you can’t hide! Apart from commuting

Only a month to go before the opening night of Arsenic and Old Lace, the play Groover is appearing in at the Midland Junction Arts Centre. Four weeks to find out where that actually is! Groover is the one with the bugle. Scripts are already down and the group are doing full run throughs which I think is pretty impressive. And I’m learning new phrases… Like “speedlining”. Or at least I think that’s what it’s called. Where you go through the script at speed without the actions just to get the words down. It also apparently has something to do with logging and is a brand of spray on ute tray liner. I’m pretty sure Groover isn’t going out at night for a spot of logging. His hands are too soft. Anyway I’ve booked out tickets and – no pressure darl – but we’ll be there in force! If you’d

Yes community theatre is all very well in theory – a fun time out showing off in front of your mates. But there’s some serious line learning to be done – even if you’ve got a smallish character part. So… what better way than to learn them and exercise at the same time. Once at rehearsal Groover says the lines didn’t come as easily as he hoped. Apparently that’s quite common. I can’t remember how I used to learn lines back at uni but maybe you have some tips to share. How do you learn lines?

Well rehearsals have started and now we are without Groover’s company two to three nights a week as he heads to Midland to rehearse for Blak Yak‘s upcoming production of Arsenic and Old Lace. (the season is in June – don’t miss it) This is Groover’s first foray into community theatre and he has to learn the bugle. (Luckily I spoke to someone today whose brother is in the Navy band and plays the bugle – how cool is that!) Anyway… he’s done Mr Cha Cha’s ballroom and Theatresports but this is “proper” theatre with lines to learn and everything. And it’s quite a commitment – 2 to 3 nights a week and more as the season gets closer. He seems to relish this new experience and told me over dinner tonight he would definitely look for more opportunities. Having said that he was spotted listening to the last five

I’m in Dunsborough with most of my family and some friends and as usual it’s the normal round of sleeping, drinking, eating and reading.  Oh and playing cards. My daughter has worked out that I’m a soft touch as long as she intends to buy a book so today we went down to the town to check out the bookstores. What are you looking for?  I ask sweetly.  Something with vampires? Duh, mum, no.  She scoffs. Angels are the new vampires. Right. So now I’m reading the book she was reading on the way down which is indeed about angels (Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick) because I reckon in two years time we’ll be going to Angel movies.