Un/reality

I recently re-watched 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', having received it for Christmas and I realised that all of Kaufman's films are essentially about the same thing: reality, and our perceptions. This doesn't make me love his films any less, but the Great Epiphany just hit me while watching. Think about it: 'Eternal Sunshine' considers reality through the reliability (or lack thereof) of our memories; 'Adaptation' ponders who controls reality, by playing with the idea of the film writer creating the world around him; and 'Being John Malkovich' explores the reality of our own identities. At the same time, Kaufman leaves us wondering how in control we are of those realities, of our own destinies. This is especially clear in 'Eternal Sunshine', where the characters find themselves unconsciously reliving the same lives they sought to leave behind.

The themes of destiny and identity were followed up in another film I saw yesterday, 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'. Nick, Paul and I went to the Nova to see 'Frost/Nixon' on the cheap, but sadly it was sold out. We took the gamble on 'VCB' (Woody Allen can be such a risk!) and happily it paid off. This film was shot SO beautifully (I found myself wandering off the story at times, so taken was I by a camera angle or sound choice), and made me remember just how much I loved Barcelona. It follows two young women on holiday, exploring different ideas of love and 'what they want'. I loved the way the script juxtaposed the ideas of creative spontaneity and sensible stability and found both lacking and tinged with regret and uncertainty. A really clever and worthwhile film, and strangely uplifting, despite the bittersweet feeling with which the characters leave.

We did also see 'Frost/Nixon', by the way. Yup, over four hours of film in one day- we are HARDCORE. Completely different to 'VCB', but 'Frost/ Nixon' was also an excellent film and again had me considering different realities. For me, born in the early 80s, this film focuses on an essentially historical event. There's no personal connection, but I wonder how the film would have effected me had I been old enough to have lived through these events? I think the enormity of such a moment escapes a younger audience, and causes us a completely different experience of the film. I also wondered about the unreal image we have of public figures, and how the disconnection from them as a human being makes it so much easier to vilify them, and hunger for the 'kill', so to speak. 'Frost/Nixon' (and presumably the interviews themselves) were incredibly humanising of Nixon, and left me feeling undeniably sympathetic. I'd love to know whether older Americans found themselves moved (by the film or the interview), having felt a much closer to the subject matter. I imagine the whole affair would exist in a completely different reality for them.

Creeping on up

Oh look, reports are finished ( in fact, term is finished) and I haven't yet blogged. Oops. I think facebook actually makes me very lazy about blogging, as I figure with a status update I have kept people in the loop that is my life. 

And so, here we are; almost Christmas, which means almost the end of the year. My final weeks of school were so hectic (reports, followed by senior transition, followed by junior transition, followed by packing and relocating my desk, followed by celebrating the end of term) that I've barely had time to keep up with things winding down. And now Christmas peers over my shoulder. Where'd you come from?

The best part about the end of this year is that, for the first time ever, I am being paid for Summer Holidays. Honestly, it makes them SO much more exciting. Having the time to sit and read, or watch movies, or drink coffee, or even CLEAN is given that little bit of extra lustre through being a financed activity. In fact, these are my first Work Free Summer Holidays in TEN YEARS.

Here are my planned holiday activities. (I wish I could put tick boxes next to each item and mark them off as I do them)

- Read the following books for school purposes: "Dinner at the homesick restaurant"; "The Bridge to Wiseman's Cove"; "Shogun"; various stuff on Japanese religions/ shinto/ buddhism/ confucianism.

- Read some other books for pleasure.

- Watch the following films for school purposes: "Witness"; "Look Both Ways"; "Spirited Away/ extra features"; "Tuck Everlasting".

- Watch lots of old films I have been meaning to see for years.

- Use up some of my free movie vouchers :)

- Watch all the rest of Buffy and Angel DVDs I've borrowed from Rami

- Dance lots

- Take up kickboxing (again) or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Or pilates (again)

- Catch up with lots of people :)

- Give blood

- Cook lots of yummy food and give dinner parties

Yeah, sounds doable. Wow. I love holidays.

Neglect

Oh, poor abandoned blog. This is a public promise that I will return to you once reports are finished (When? When?!). I think the insistence by my school that everyone create a blog has left me bitter and jaded... but I find comfort in CHOOSING to write in you, blog. And I also find procrastination from my report writing :) What? No, I wasn't. Must get back to it. I'll do a real post soon. Promise.

Teapots and Puppets

Recently, I caught up with a friend who works in The Arts. As a result, she very rarely views The Arts, so busy is she working within them. She mentioned a concept she and some other Arts friends used to participate in, Cultural Sunday. Basically, every Sunday they would take themselves to some sort of cultural event, be it a gallery, an arena spectacular, a play. Sometimes the events would be fabulous, sometimes they'd be a baffling loss of several hours. The last few days seem like a microcosm of Cultural Sunday.

Yesterday was fabulous. 4 - 8pm was blissfully spent at the Taste of Melbourne Festival. For the record, Melbourne tastes delicious, and is great value for money, especially if you're willing to experiment, share and walk a fair distance. I'll write more in another blog post.

Earlier, though, I spotted a picture in the newspaper and booked last minute tickets to the Teapot Ensemble of Australia, performing at La Mama Theatre. What a fabulous spur of the moment decision! For starters, it took me back to La Mama, which I love and which I have neglected for some time. The positive atmosphere of this tiny space is immense, and in the current struggle to buy La Mama and keep it as a theatre space, I encourage EVERYONE to go see a show there. Every ticket include a tax deductible donation to the Save La Mama fund, and shows are intimate, often experimental, and almost always enjoyable.

But back to the teapots. Oh the teapots. The Teapot Ensemble of Australia (or TEA) is a group of four talented musicians and singers who primarily perform through the medium of teapots. Yes, that's right. Their collection of 'instruments' is huge and hilarious, from the standard medium white pot, to bright little dinky pots, to a red and white spotted pot which moos. Singing through these vessels, the group combine beautiful music with an absolutely hilarious aesthetic. The performance I saw was specifically for kids, and so elements of the show were hammed up to the max (cue whoopie cushions and silly dancing), but it truly was suitable for all ages. Reminiscent of the Adam Simmons Toy Band, but with a strong focus on the glory of tea. I was literally crying from laughter by the end of the show, yet completely moved by the beauty of the music. You simply haven't lived until you've heard Beethoven played through a teapot.

Unfortunately, my Friday night theatre going experience was somewhat more ambiguous. 'The Plains' is a VCA Masters of Theatre performance, and ambitiously combines acting, puppetry, and animation. It's about... um.... well you know what? I'm just not sure. 'The Plains' was inspired by a gallery exhibition, which was in turn inspired by a novel (all of the same name), and tackles notions of ideas bigger than the ability to realise them. I think. Now, I have to admit that I was still recovering from a cold, and that the show was on later than we'd first thought but... well... I almost fell asleep. I don't think that's a good sign. That said, parts of the show were amazing. The puppeteers were simply incredible, both in their manipulative abilities and their vocal control. The set and lighting were really interesting explorations of the space available. But in the end, that's a few hours I'll never get back. At least there were puppets...

Anyway, find below proof that I partake in Cultural Sunday style events from time to time, and even write about them (at the request of my friend Lisa, now located in Paris).

A review of a Sudanese fusion performance for Refugee Week:
http://www.vibewire.net/Members/nmaes/melbourne-under-construction/

A review of the 48 Hour Play Generator, as part of the Emerging Writers' Festival:
http://www.vibewire.net/Members/nmaes/melbourne-48-hour-play-generator/

Gluttony and Glee

I like food. I mean, I REALLY like food. I don't believe in food simply being something you process through your body for means of sustenance. I LOVE eating, and trying new flavours. I'm happy to pay a bit more for a better food experience. Food. is. awesome.

Which is why I'm excited that Food Festival season is gearing up. This year I've felt cashed up enough to visit a few and I'm very pleased about it. Last weekend saw me at Chocolate Rush Festival at the Abbotsford Convent, more specifically at a chocolate and wine matching session- mmmm, two of my favourite indulgences. The wines (mostly fortified, from a Rutherglen winery called Campbells) were lovely; I could probably have stood to match them with a slightly better chocolate, but at a push Heritage will do me.

Sadly, the chocolate market was disappointing, and far overshadowed by the non-chocolate providores. The thing with a chocolate festival is that it draws Chocolate Aficionados and Old Gold Devotees alike. Of course the manufacturers are aware of this, and thus the cheaper end of the chocolate spectrum is well represented. A few of my favourite hand made producers were represented (Lizzy's(Carnegie) and Xocolatl (Canterbury and Kew East)), but I'm just as likely to visit their stores to sample their full range, and so was disappointed with the lack of exciting new chocolate discoveries.

Luckily, the non-chocolate market stalls made up for the chocolate deficiencies. Two thumbs up to Meredith Dairy, who produce irresistible goats' cheese- I shouldn't have touched it (evil lactose), but once I'd tasted, I kept coming back. Also thoroughly impressed by the olive oil, cider and chutney producers. I ended up leaving with a bag of goodies: marinated and blue goat cheese; extra virgin and basil infused olive oils; ingredients for mulled cider; and a deliciously savoury spiced tangelo confiture.

The Convent is a really nice space, and it's exciting to see some of the developments down there as more businesses set up shop. Food wise there are some delicious options. For starters, the first and third Saturdays of the month the area is host to farmers' markets. The Convent Bakery is also a great place to drop into- the egg and spinach pizza I tried there was lovely, nice and light, but really flavoursome. And I'm excited to realise that there is a Lentil As Anything at the Convent. Lentil is a brilliant, brilliant concept. Staffed by volunteers, the rotating menu is vegetarian and oh-so-tasty. At Convent, it runs the gamut of basic breakfast options like eggs and muesli, to the Sri Lankan Farmer's Breakfast (Roti parcels filled with egg and spiced rice). Later in the day, try a mixed curry platter or a lentil burger. Most excitingly, Lentil doesn't have prices; you pay what you feel, so if you're feeling weighed down by cash today, shell out. Otherwise, pay what you can.

I love love love pigging out on vegetarian food. Recently I enjoyed a great group vegaquarian dinner (farewelling a friend relocating overseas), but my usual vego gluttony venue is the brilliant Moroccan Soup Bar. How exciting to realise that Nick's sister's birthday is around the corner, which means a trip to Moroccan... which means the delicious (and extremely well priced) banquet... which means the most delicious chickpea bake in the world! One day, I truly do intend to try the soup at the Moroccan Soup Bar... but the banquet is just so hard to resist!

On the same weekend, I'll also be taking myself to the Taste of Melbourne Festival at the Royal Exhibition Centre in Carlton. This event showcases chefs from high end (and high priced) Melbourne restaurants; the chefs prepare a selection of 'taste' plates, allowing the opportunity for festival goers to try a range of different restaurant experiences. Good advertising line for the restaurants too, I imagine! This festival also features chef q&a sessions, a provisions market and information sessions.

Mmmmm, all this talk of food is making me hungry... better grab a snack!