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!

Drama Queen

So, I've been somewhat lax about blog writing this year. In first semester that was because I was working in a doomed boys' school which is closing down at the end of the year, resulting in increasing student misbehaviour and decreasing staff morale. Takes up a fair whack of your day.

This semester I am facing a whole new set of challenges, having started at a new school with a whole new set of (somewhat unexpected) responsibilities. I now teach in a co-ed, middle class 'burbs school, where, unbeknownst to me, I had been awarded the position of Head of Drama. How does one receive a job without being aware, you may ask. WELL...

I applied for an ongoing Drama/ English teaching position. I interviewed for the same position, and at no point was co-ordination mentioned. They then checked my references, raved about me to my principal and... nothing. Just as I got REALLY annoyed at not hearing anything, they called me; the terms of the job had changed (due to falling student numbers. Why does this happen everywhere I go???). Not to include co-ordination, mind you. It was simply a fixed contract, with a view to permanency. I took the job.

You'll note there's still no co-ordination involved. A few days before the position commenced, I went to school for orientation and received my timetable, which included a few free periods. What are these for, I asked? Why, to co-ordinate the department! Yes, of course they were...

Sadly, the teacher I replaced had been quite unwell in Semester one, leaving behind a few neglected and disheveled English classes (including a VCE class), a failed musical, and a complete absence of a Year Ten Drama curriculum. I had been of the impression that my job involved picking up and rearranging these pieces. Now people were mentioning tasks such as resurrecting a VCE Drama course and forward planning for the following year's performing arts festival.

A few days ago, the Assistant Principal mentioned a VCE expo (which I'd heard nothing of), for which a VCE Drama stall needed to be constructed, requiring information, pamphlets, photos, possible performances. In passing, the AP noted that, as we hadn't a Head of Drama, I might need to assist the Head of Arts in this. What? No Head of Drama? What was I, then? CHOPPED LIVER? I'd only just gotten my head around the surprise position and already it was being taken away! (And did this mean that I was able to shirk any extra responsibility? *pleasepleaseplease*)

Cue emergency meeting with Head of Arts, who outlined my responsibilities as *possible* Head of Drama, as well as expectations for the VCE Expo. He also checked with the AP, and confirmed that, as I had a time allowance, I MUST be Head of Drama! And so, my title has been re-bestowed upon me. What a week...

In viewing news, I have recently: seen and absolutely loved the musical, 'Wicked'; seen and been disappointed by the dance-ical, 'Edward Scissorhands'; seen and thoroughly enjoyed (although not as much as the previous Batman film) the Heath-ical, 'The Dark Knight'; been reminded of the rock opera shambles of last year, through the much better organised Complete Works Theater Company's version of 'Macbeth'; and am expecting to very much enjoy tomorrow's performance of Bell Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.

In eating news, I am soon attending a chocolate festival (including a very exciting wine and chocolate matching session); am planning to attend the Taste of Melbourne food festival; am considering buying far more wine than I require (but it includes freebies!); have discovered the best churros in Melbourne so far (Juanita's, Brunswick St Fitzroy); and am excited to be gathering with a whole hope of long lost friends in a group dinner at the Quiet Man pub tomorrow.

And that's all, folks!

Funding shortfall

You may know that I am a mentor. Through a welfare organisation called Good Shepherd, I, and other like minded volunteers in the MOOOV program provide a stable adult presence for around 50 disadvantaged young people. Or at least, we did. Today we have had it confirmed that our program is out of funding, both from philanthropic partners and the government. The program has no choice; it is selecting which mentoring matches are to be terminated immediately, and then phasing out all other matches.



This is such a huge disappointment. The program funds the volunteers to meet up with their young person and just 'hang out' for a minimum of an hour a week. Quite often mentors spend a lot more time than this (especially if you count travel time and costs, which are the mentors own costs). But in the end, the benefits are so great that no-one begrudges the time they have put into this fantastic program; seeing these kids, who've seen too much of life's negativities, blossom into confident and happier young people is such an incredible reward.



Our kids in the program come from a range of difficult situations; poverty, foster care, refugees, school refusers, substance abuse, personal abuse. These young people have seen more of the dark side of life than many lucky adults will experience in their whole lifetime. These kids have learned not to trust adults, to only rely on themselves, to disconnect from a society that has harmed them. Through valuable programs like MOOOV, we help them to plug back into the mainstream, and look forward to their own futures. And now, due to a lack of funds, these kids are likely to find themselves back on society's trash heap.



Sadly, mentoring is not a focus for our current government. They're focused on band aid solutions, like Juvenile Justice, but haven't the inclination to look at the source of the wound. So much can be done by helping kids gain the confidence to pull themselves up out of grim situations before they become dire situations that lead to darker cycles.



If you know anyone in government, in companies interested in financially supporting a charity, or in media, please help to promote our excellent cause. Expressions of funding interest, and all communications should be directed to Sue Parkes, Communications Manager at Good Shepherd, on 03 9418 3000.

I don't like Mondays

I just KNEW today would be messy. Despite the extra day of weekend, I didn't get enough work done (again), therefore needing to stay up fairly late to do some more marking and feel more fulfilled. Extra early morning, to get in to school and make up for what I didn't prepare over the weekend... hectic, but doable. Pity I knocked over and broke my bedside lamp in the extra-early darkness- I wonder if superglue can fix that, or if the heat of the light would just melt it all over again? Hmm.

I had felt sluggish all weekend, not helped by the fact that I can't wear most of my shoes, because I got stiletto stabbed in the foot at the formal, and my shoes all seem to rub that spot. So no shoes = no exercise + no orthotics = fat and sore Naomi. Still on ill fitting shoes today. Not good, but workable.

As I zoomed out the door, realising I'd actually intended to leave about 20 minutes earlier (should have just slept longer, I guess), I was confronted with my open car bonnet. That's right, the car inexplicably overheated last night. Gurgled some water into the radiator and headed out... slowly... and noisily... and, as the trip progressed, steamily... Overheating again. I prayed to the saint of roads and radiators and steam and traffic lights and explosions and personal protection to please get me to school in one piece. Mission successful.

Feeling anxious at the thought of an exploding car, no way of getting to school without my car, and also the impending cost of repairs, I wasted my extra preparation time on the phone to various parties hoping to magically fix my car. Rocked into my first class and realised I was completely nauseous (anxiety or fumes? Who knows?). But hooray, they were pretty good, and I survived my following classes too without too much hassle.

The drive home was a terrifying prospect. I filled the car with as much water as she could drink, drove about five metres, realised the oil light had flashed on and pulled over to check it out. Bone dry, and strangely (considering the service and radiator core replacement she had four weeks ago) the oil cap was not on properly. I suspect maybe the oil fill I was charged for might not have been carried out? Again, who knows. Filled with all the oil I had, called the garage to change 'check in' from tomorrow morning to this afternoon and putted my pathetic, smokey way to the garage.

Conclusion? A blown head gasket. So now I'm looking at about $600 (not anywhere near as it could be, admittedly), 3 days carless (thank god for Sam driving by my area and being happy to give me a lift), and a bit more stress in my days. Yay.

And THAT is why I don't like Mondays. Thank goodness I've got a nice glass of wine to relieve the pressure :)

(Innocent bystander sangiovese merlot. Very nice)