Sunday update - the fragmented edition

Michelle April 3, 2016

**Important congratulations to Fox on the birth of her beautiful baby**

Daylight savings ended overnight and to celebrate I’ve done almost nothing all day to make the most of the extra hour :)

I started reading Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump last night. I hadn't read any of his stories before. For those of you who might not know, Barry Crump is a celebrated author here in New Zealand; a bushman; a hunter; a good keen man. After three chapters I can tell you, he’s a damned fine writer.

The film adaption of this book has opened in cinemas this week to rave reviews for the cast and director Taika Waititi, so I’ll be able to see that soon and let you know how it turned out.

Projects update

Prep work (carpet removal, floor cleaning, wall sizing/under-sealing) before wallpapering guest bedroom.

Progress is progressing - so that’s good.

Stain retardant undercoat on sanded hutch base.

My work-days are so full at the moment. While my secondment is going well, I have legacy tasks from my previous job which are more than a small distraction. It’s been a month since I left my responsibilities at my old position and finally I’ve been replaced with someone to “hold the fort” while I’m on the project.

Phew - I was feeling quite stretched without enough time or energy to dedicate to completing project work because of the left-overs from the old one. While the coming days and weeks will be full-on and I’ll need every working minute, at least my concentration can be focused on the project at hand and not half on another job at the same time.

Associated links:

Markets, Menopause, and Masterchef Australia

Michelle February 28, 2016

It’s Sunday and it’s threatening to rain. We haven’t had rain much lately (apart from last evening) and so it’s nice for the wet to cut through the humidity we’ve been suffering under this Summer.

The year is fully underway as we’re about to kiss goodbye to February. A new semester starts this week so two of my children get ready to start back at University and into the rhythm of student-life again after a long Summer break.

Meanwhile, I'm currently into Markets, Menopause, and Masterchef Australia - all important parts of my life right now.

Markets

I visited the French Markets in Parnell yesterday. It’s the first time I’ve managed to get myself over to the bustling Saturday markets. It was larger than I was expecting with lots of fresh produce, speciality foods, and dogs to make it well worth my time.

It’s a busy, dog-friendly market, with lots of good food and refreshments, with a distinct French theme in some corners - including the occasional Vespa and bunch of sunflowers.

Delicious pastries at the french market in parnell.

Menopause

If you’re a woman, and live long enough, you will experience the cessation of your menstrual cycle. The average age for this to start happening is between 45 and 55 although it can happen much earlier for some gals, especially if they’ve had a hysterectomy.

This time of a woman’s life spans a number of years as the levels of oestrogen fall and can sometimes be accompanied with symptoms - some mild, other severe - which can include but are not restricted to: irregular and/or heavier periods, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, depression, anxiety, loss of libido, mood swings, difficulties with concentration, memory, headaches, weight gain - sounds like a barrel of laughs, doesn’t it?

I never thought much about menopause at all until recently when I started experiencing some of the symptoms. Symptoms I wasn't expecting at all and was quite an unpleasant surprise for a while. I think I'm getting used to the changes in my life and personality my reduced hormones are presenting but it really does feel like a transitional part of my life.

Masterchef

We’re into “Finals Week” in our viewing of Masterchef Australia here in New Zealand. Of course, in Aussie the series is over with the winner well on their way to a new-found career, but here, we’re just entering the last few weeks of the show.

Recently, a relative has been visiting who happens to be a chef. Like, a proper chef - similar to one of the ones who judge on the show. Our relative, The Chef, has never watched Masterchef before because he's usually working, but has been absorbed into our television watching habits to the point that he’s not missed an episode for the last two weeks.

He chuckles to himself sometimes at what the contestants appear to do - or not do. Not because they’re doing much wrong but because, he says, many more people would be expected to do what a sole, or pair of contestants are challenged with such as cooking and serving 70+ people in a pop-up resHe’s decided which of the contestants will win based on their performance, techniques, and demeanour - and he’s correct because, of course, I Googled the outcome weeks ago so I know the answer.

gorgeous produce at the french markets in parnell.

Associated links

Listening to "Call Your Girlfriend" podcast and eating spaghetti on toast for breakfast.

Blowing off Tom Cruise for spaghetti on toast

Michelle July 19, 2015

I had a ticket for this morning's screening of Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, the Scientology documentary. Fortunately for Tom Cruise and the rest of the crazies at Scientology, I stayed up too late noodling around on the Internet last night so decided to sleep-in and so my seat at the 11am New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) remained empty.

By the time the film was 25 minutes into the 120 minute screening, I was sitting down to a breakfast of leftover (tinned) spaghetti on toast and coffee. It's cold here today - we had a really big storm yesterday that caused a lot of power outages and damage in Auckland (but thankfully for us not in our area) - but the sun has been breaking through the clouds to dapple my living room with patches of brightness.

I've booked nine movies to see during NZIFF. I've seen three already and only have mild regret at ditching today's session.

Song of the Sea

Ben's beloved mother mysteriously disappears giving birth to his little sister Saoirse. His father is so distraught at losing his wife and withdraws into himself leaving the children to pretty much fend for themselves in and around the lighthouse where they live. Ben resents Saoirsa for his mother's disappearance and isn't very accommodating with his toys or his time. Saoirsa hasn't learned to speak and follows Ben and his dog Cu around adoringly, just hungry for his attention and favour.

When Saoirsa is six, Ben's grandmother takes them both away to live in the city. It's here that Ben discovers Saoirsa is a mythical selkie and can turn into a seal - trouble is, in the city they are far from the sea and Saoirsa becomes ill. It's now up to Ben to look after his little sister, keep her safe, get her well and get her home; and it's also up to Saoirsa to find her voice to free all the fairy-folk who have been turned to stone by the evil Macha.

This movie is beautiful. The artwork glows on the screen; weaving traditional Celtic patterns and images into a graphic and beautiful watercoloured backdrop to this story of love an belonging.

When Marnie Was There

I adore Studio Ghibli films and I'm going to say right here and now I think this is the best of all their great body of work. The depth of emotion and complexity of the characters is astonishing. I found myself leaning into the screen as the story unfolded, and tears falling down my cheeks as they overflowed in the eyes of the animated characters on screen.

Like the Song of the Sea, When Marnie Was There is about a child who has lost her mother. Anna is an asthmatic who is sent to the country for the healthy air and lifestyle by her foster mother, who she believes is only looking after her because the government pays her to do so. Anna feels alone and different and doesn't feel like she fits in anywhere.

In the country she feels drawn to a seemingly abandoned mansion across the bay. This is where Marnie lives and Anna soon forms a tight bond with her new friend. Things don't seem right though and a mystery begins to unfold.

The backgrounds and animation are gorgeous. The level of detail of the hand drawn backgrounds, and the beautiful animation of the water and the skies, adds to the mood and

The Misfits

The Misfits (1961) was considered a box-office flop at the time of its release, today it's considered superb. Some say it is Clark Gable's finest performance. All I could see was Marilyn Monroe. To me she owned every scene. Her face shone with vulnerability and nuanced expression that was mesmerising. This movie shows what an incredible actress she was - and what an incredible beauty. It's no wonder the men stopped in their tracks in ever scene to vie for her attention and affections.

I still don't really know what to think of The Misfits. There are scenes that I found really disturbing and I'm not sure if that is because of the comparison of the 1961 sensibilities when compared to modern day or if something else is going on.

When I figure it out I'll let you know. Or, if you see it, tell me what you think.

Associated links

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (trailer)
New Zealand International Film Festival (website)
How to pronounce "Saoirse" (video)
How to pronounce "Ghibli" (video)
Call Your Girlfriend (podcast)