Turning 24 on Saturday................woot.
I always get funny when it gets close to my birthday. Such a big hoo haa is made out of them when you're young. Then even more fuss is made when you turn 18 then 21 and then, well, I guess you're supposed to, well, not care so much. Well I do care! A little tingle goes down my spine when in the week beforehand you can go to the shop and buy milk that has your birthday as the used by date.
Of course life get's busy, I'm working 2 shows on my birthday and my husband has to leave the house at 5am for the day, I havn't had time to go shopping with him or give him any pointers as to what I would like and that's life. There's been countless birthdays of friends and family which have sailed past unnoticed. And yet as it's big hairy ugly head looms around the corner I realize I still do care about my birthday (as uncool as that is) I get paranoid about who will remember, jealous about who can spend their time with me, greedy about what I will get and upset when the world doesn't stop turning for me. I become a needy, weeping, raging harpy. THIS IS MY ONE DAY A YEAR!!! The one day I can test and judge everyone close to me.
Anyway, I'd like to blame this irrational behavior on a consumerist society, parents who where too loving and doting and whatever else I possibly can.
I think I'll go and hide in a cave till the 21st of November. When I come out. I'd love to tell you about a great book I've finifshed reading call 'As day follows night.'
Stop in the park
Somewhere between Lismore and Tamworth
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Town Profile: Wollongong
Where is it: about 80km south of Sydney (1.5 Hrs drive)
Where to stay: At my mums
Worth seeing: Yes- but don't plan anything longer than a weekend there.
It's a bit like....: Newcastle or Townsville
Wollongong is where I grew up. With a population of around 285000 it's nestled in a long strip between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It was developed as a mining town with the BHP steelworks being the major employer during the 20th century. During the 80's there were significant cut backs in the size of steel manufacture and a lot of people were laid off over the next 15 years. Unlike Newcastle the steelworks managed to stay open and Wollongong managed to avoid whithering away. It's proximity to Sydney means a lot of locals do the commute to work in the big city. It also has a large university which attracts many students to the region.
It's a little bit of a fickle place. It's proximity to Sydney means that it's often overshadowed a bit. Generally if people are looking for a special night out or want to see something they travel. I get the feeling when I'm down there that the city is very thirsty for change. Slowly the mertopolitan area is being vamped up, but the majority of the city - particularly the area at the bottom of crown st feels tired and worn down.
What to do: Go to the beach- beaches in Wollongong are far superior to their Sydney counterparts and although they may not have all the trendy shops and cafe's, they're generally less crowded and cleaner. If visiting either of the city beaches, go for a nice stroll past the harbor and up to the lighthouse. Visit Jambaroo Rec park just 30 mins south of the gong- If you've got a group of friends this can be great fun- but a little crowded on weekends in the middle of summer. Visit the seaside villages to the North of the city. Scarborough pub is an awesome place for lunch. Also check out Thirroul, Austinmere and Stanwell Tops. The Nan Tien Temple out near Unanderra used to be the biggest Bhuddest temple in the Southern Hemisphere - probably the oddest placed one as well- anyway, I'm ashamed to say I've never visited but people who have say that they've thoroughly enjoyed it. Meditation weekends and short courses available there.
Where to stay: At my mums
Worth seeing: Yes- but don't plan anything longer than a weekend there.
It's a bit like....: Newcastle or Townsville
Wollongong is where I grew up. With a population of around 285000 it's nestled in a long strip between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It was developed as a mining town with the BHP steelworks being the major employer during the 20th century. During the 80's there were significant cut backs in the size of steel manufacture and a lot of people were laid off over the next 15 years. Unlike Newcastle the steelworks managed to stay open and Wollongong managed to avoid whithering away. It's proximity to Sydney means a lot of locals do the commute to work in the big city. It also has a large university which attracts many students to the region.
It's a little bit of a fickle place. It's proximity to Sydney means that it's often overshadowed a bit. Generally if people are looking for a special night out or want to see something they travel. I get the feeling when I'm down there that the city is very thirsty for change. Slowly the mertopolitan area is being vamped up, but the majority of the city - particularly the area at the bottom of crown st feels tired and worn down.
What to do: Go to the beach- beaches in Wollongong are far superior to their Sydney counterparts and although they may not have all the trendy shops and cafe's, they're generally less crowded and cleaner. If visiting either of the city beaches, go for a nice stroll past the harbor and up to the lighthouse. Visit Jambaroo Rec park just 30 mins south of the gong- If you've got a group of friends this can be great fun- but a little crowded on weekends in the middle of summer. Visit the seaside villages to the North of the city. Scarborough pub is an awesome place for lunch. Also check out Thirroul, Austinmere and Stanwell Tops. The Nan Tien Temple out near Unanderra used to be the biggest Bhuddest temple in the Southern Hemisphere - probably the oddest placed one as well- anyway, I'm ashamed to say I've never visited but people who have say that they've thoroughly enjoyed it. Meditation weekends and short courses available there.
Friday, November 12, 2010
To all my followers
To all my dedicated followers.
I don't mind that you don't exist. Really I don't. Blogging to just myself is kind of a little private joke I enjoy once in a while. I don't feel guilty when I don't update for a while, I don't feel bad about writing something daggy, or embarrassed that I've written about something I shouldn't have(not that I've written about anything particularly saucy). I don't feel slack that I haven't included pretty pictures or enough witty comments. Tone?- doesn't matter. Neither does grammer, spelling or even content. Are my sentences too long or short?- You can let me know, I won't take offense....... He he hee.
'Why are you blogging then?' I hear no one ask. I guess it's because I often think I come up with
good ideas, but struggle to communicate them. Nervous or critical tension maybe. Anyway, not being forced to write in every day life just makes things worse. So I write to no one here, for now- just to write- and hopefully start to get good at it.
One day, maybe, if I'm lucky, someone may start to follow me. And I will have to start measuring what I write. Hopefully by then I will be good enough at this that it won't matter so much. Oh- and here's a picture
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Back in Sydney
Back in Sydney after a whirlwind 5 month regional tour with Bell Shakespeare. Our season is finishing up with a 5 week season at the Sydney Opera House. I'm looking forward to sharing some amazing things we saw and did on tour. But for now, a list. I title this one 'Things I like and dislike about our season at the Opera House.'
Things I like.
1. Traveling by ferry every afternoon into work. Best part of my day. I adore living in Meadowbank and this is one of the reasons why. After a leasurly 5 min walk through a beautiful park I'm at the wharf. The jet cats up the Parramatta river are a real treat. The staff are always very friendly and the view is sensational.
2. Guylian Cafe Circular Quay. I know it's naughty, but I often spoil myself with a large hot chocolate when I've been good. Heavenly.
3. Opera House Staff. Our venue meachanist and lighting operator are among the nicest people we've encountered on tour, the front of house ladies and men are also very professional.
4. Being able to see my family and friends again whom I missed greatly whilst away.
5. The great reviews we've gotten.
Things I dislike.
1. How tired everyone is. We're used to only doing around 4-5 shows a week with bump-ins and travel. We're also used to staying relatively close to the theater. It's been a big jump up to 8 shows a week with travel especially when everyone has to settle back into normal life. Everyone's just a little tired and uninspired.
2. How the show's gotten much longer since hitting Sydney. It's no particular person or scene but seconds have been added all over the place and It really drags down the show.
3. The plague that has been going around which I now have. Being sick really does suck.
Things I like.
1. Traveling by ferry every afternoon into work. Best part of my day. I adore living in Meadowbank and this is one of the reasons why. After a leasurly 5 min walk through a beautiful park I'm at the wharf. The jet cats up the Parramatta river are a real treat. The staff are always very friendly and the view is sensational.
2. Guylian Cafe Circular Quay. I know it's naughty, but I often spoil myself with a large hot chocolate when I've been good. Heavenly.
3. Opera House Staff. Our venue meachanist and lighting operator are among the nicest people we've encountered on tour, the front of house ladies and men are also very professional.
4. Being able to see my family and friends again whom I missed greatly whilst away.
5. The great reviews we've gotten.
Things I dislike.
1. How tired everyone is. We're used to only doing around 4-5 shows a week with bump-ins and travel. We're also used to staying relatively close to the theater. It's been a big jump up to 8 shows a week with travel especially when everyone has to settle back into normal life. Everyone's just a little tired and uninspired.
2. How the show's gotten much longer since hitting Sydney. It's no particular person or scene but seconds have been added all over the place and It really drags down the show.
3. The plague that has been going around which I now have. Being sick really does suck.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Playing in Hobart
Watching the mid afternoon sun slowly fall behind Mt Wellington.
Had a schools matinee performance today at the beautiful Theatre Royal on Collins St. This is without a doubt the most beautiful theatre in Australia (the oldest too!) Twelfth Night is there till Saturday night before we pack up and head to Wagga Wagga. The Theatre Royal is a gorgeous space to play in. It has 2 very steep, shallow galleries and holds about 698 peeps. It's quite a deep stage with a very narrow proscenium. A divine chandelere dominates the space and the intricate detail and colour in the design of the auditorium is absolutly exquisite. The staff there are great. I'm just thinking to myself as the mid arvo temperature drops as the sun disappears what a joy it is to be in Hobart.
Had a schools matinee performance today at the beautiful Theatre Royal on Collins St. This is without a doubt the most beautiful theatre in Australia (the oldest too!) Twelfth Night is there till Saturday night before we pack up and head to Wagga Wagga. The Theatre Royal is a gorgeous space to play in. It has 2 very steep, shallow galleries and holds about 698 peeps. It's quite a deep stage with a very narrow proscenium. A divine chandelere dominates the space and the intricate detail and colour in the design of the auditorium is absolutly exquisite. The staff there are great. I'm just thinking to myself as the mid arvo temperature drops as the sun disappears what a joy it is to be in Hobart.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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