Oot and aboot: Episode 5

We were able to take the opportunity to go out of town last weekend. Friends of ours had moved to the Goulbourn River township of Seymour, about 1.5 hours from Melbourne. We hadn't seen them in ages, so the invitation to visit could not be resisted.

Seymour itself is much like many country areas in Victoria - small, cosy, and quiet. However, since it services many of the surrounding towns as well as Puckapunyal Army Base, the amenities are probably more diverse (includes chain brands like Target Country, Bakers Delight).

Most of our exploration was a bit further up, in Nagambie. There's a community market there every first Saturday, right next to the lake. Really picturesque spot, welcoming atmosphere, usual market fare such as homemade baked goods, fruit preserves, herbal soaps, fresh produce. (We discovered and bought a couple bottles of Ned Kelly red wine spritzer). Jack loved running up and down the grass, and would stop to do a little dance to the ABBA songs playing on the speakers. It was great to see him comfortable in that setting, although sometimes he was so comfortable he didn't mind leaving mum and dad well behind to gawk at toys.

We then drove to the nearby Tahbilk wetlands and winery. We were amazed from the moment we drove over an old wooden bridge into the area, because from both sides of the car we could already see some of the wildness of the wetlands. After lunch at the cafe [reasonably good food with affordable prices], we went for a short walk around. It was so still and peaceful, and ooold. I know that's a strange thing to say, but you do somehow get a sense of the age of the place, as if it hasn't changed much since the Dreamtime.

The fact, of course, is that there have been some changes since the arrival of white men. A winery was established on site in 1860-61, which continues to produce award-winning wines to this day. We were pretty impressed by the idea that some of the grape vines we drove past were well over a hundred years old!

Tahbilk offers wine-tasting in their unassuming cellar building; you can actually go down unsupervised to where the humongous barrels are kept. It's cold, dark, and musty down there, and the smell of fermentation almost makes you feel heady. An interesting experience for non wine connoisseurs like us, and an exciting place for Jack, who freely ran around even into dark spaces. After exploring the subterranean caverns, we went up for some tasting, which was unexpectedly educational. I can now pick up the differences between a grenache, a mourvedre, and a shiraz. The funny thing is that the experience confirmed my unfashionable preference for sweeter and lighter (cheaper) wines.

A great little weekend holiday punctuated by good, long catch-ups with friends.

Oot and aboot: Episode 4

We went to see Dali at the National Gallery of Victoria (Liquid Desire) last Thursday. Can't recall what I was expecting, but whatever it was, I was completely blown away.

Salvador Dali is of course known primarily as a surrealist painter. I can't claim to be an expert on art history, but I definitely tend to gravitate towards surrealism a bit more than other movements. Magritte and Miró are the other two painters whom I admire.

What interested me, as we walked through the Dali exhibit, was the discovery that I had taken for granted what surrealism actually means. There is a richness to the style and technique, but the layers of meaning are also quite subversive (e.g. use of scatology). True, there is some shock value involved, especially with Dali, but the narrative is certainly far more complex than your average Impressionist painting.

Apart from this, the exhibit reveals the complexity of the artist himself. Dali experimented widely, and in fact went through what is called a Renaissance period in his later years, when the visual details of his work became more realistic rather than surrealistic. I also hadn't been aware of his involvement in advertising, photography, jewellery-making and film (Destino, a 2003 short animated feature that was originally a collaboration between Dali and Walt Disney, is a highlight of the exhibit).

If you're up for some eye-opening and mildly mind-bending experience, go ahead and see Dali!

One of those teachers

A small note here about my devastation today, upon hearing that one of my high school teachers is doing rather poorly. He has cancer, mostly in the lungs, which has now spread. It took a while to sink in. It was probably the shock.

I went to the guest room where I keep a box of ancient memorabilia. I found four letters from him, sent during my first years at uni, when I was far away from all that was familiar. He was that kind of teacher.

It sounds strange in these cynical, litigious days. But back then, our school was a bit like that. We had great relationships with our teachers. We respected them; they nurtured us. In senior year, we were particularly taken with this big bear of a man, new to the campus, but who very quickly became popular and much feared at the same time. As was the naming custom for male teachers, he was called Sir Ralph.

The monicker seemed to fit him better than most. He was a bit of a knight, in the way of the Old School. He would deliver lines and lines of poems that we were compelled to memorise. In fact, there is a generation of graduates from my high school who can recite Jabberywocky or Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night at the drop of a hat. Many of the notes and comments on Facebook after news of his illness attest to his passion and his influence on so many. I think there's no greater compliment for a teacher than for students to say they were changed by his teaching.

Oot and aboot: Episode 3

I'm officially on school holidays, and Hubs has also taken the next few weeks off. Brilliant. Some good amount of family time lined up, but also, a few opportunities for couple time, since we still drop Bubs off at childcare (to maintain routine). Hence a Big Day Out today.

We decided to see Ron Howard's Angels and Demons at Rivoli Cinemas in Camberwell.

We've always lurved Rivoli, and it was often our cinema of choice when we used to live out east, even though there were other, closer cinemas. It has retained much of its Art Deco design, so when you arrive in the foyer, and especially if your movie is at Cinema One, it feels very much like you've stepped back in time. You can read more about this National Trust-registered complex at Cinema and Theatre Historical Society.

As for Angels and Demons, it was surprisingly very entertaining. I'd heard it was better than The Da Vinci Code. After the first cardinal died, I did think, Sheesh, there's still a few more, but the pace and exposition were at least snappy and straightforward. The sets and locations were also appropriately highlighted, given that they are woven into the narrative.

For some reason, I was also more comfortable with the idea of Tom Hanks (Robert Langdon) as action hero this time around. But it has to be said that the real star in this film is Ewan McGregor (Camerlengo Patrick McKenna). Regrettably, I often forget how good he is, and how good-looking, until I see him in a film.

After the movie, we had lunch at Samurai Japanese restaurant in Hawthorn (via the urbanspoon app on Hub's iPhone - nifty). A great find, really. It's a hole in a wall establishment, completely without airs and serving super cheap but fresh Japanese fare. I think we spent $43 for a four course meal for both (miso soup each, small prawn tempura for me, deep fried pork dumpling for Hubs, shared sushi and sashimi set, chicken teriyaki main for me, chicken curry for Hubs, a couple bottles of Japanese softdrink called Ramune, and a shared dessert of green tea ice cream). There's also a thermos of green tea provided at each table without charge. Awrsum.

Musing about music

It's almost midnight on a Saturday night, and I'm idly strumming my guitar, looking up song chords to learn. I'm nowhere near public peformance level, but I can sing along to my playing. It's entertaining (me) enough, and on some level, it's therapeutic.

My family isn't necessarily musical, although I grew up with a piano in the house (I can tinker if I have notes in front of me). I auditioned for the high school glee club twice or thrice before they let me in, and that was probably out of pity. Later at uni, my room mate at the dorm taught me a few chords on her guitar, and I taught myself the rest.

Then I tried drumming after I got married. I absolutely enjoyed it. The teacher, Sam Aliano, even said that I pick up pretty quickly. But then we moved house, lessons fell away because Sam was busy, and then I stopped learning. I'd need a drum kit anyway. Someday.

I bought my own 3/4 nylon guitar not long after that. Then last year, Rick bought me a steel string that has a built-in tuner. I can, in theory, also connect this guitar to an amp. Like, if a reason ever came up to go busking on Bourke Street.

Like most people, I've always loved music. I think it's pretty primal. Only this week, German researchers revealed the oldest musical instrument that has ever been unearthed, a 35,000-year old flute made from bird bone. I mean, that's quite a long while ago. Probably before Neanderthals even developed complex language.

It makes sense when I consider how Jack responded to music from early on. I remember being astonished when I saw him dance to music for the first time, with distinct rhythm, because we hadn't even taught him. He very clearly reacts to music differently from language: he once plucked a few strings on my guitar then did a little sway.

It must have made similar sense to Mary Doria Russell, author of my utmost favourite sci-fi novel, The Sparrow. In the story, a whole expedition is sent to Alpha Centauri on the strength of music heard by the SETI program at Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Russell had conceived a civilisation of other beings whose hierarchy is in part shaped by music makers. Of course there were incredibly dark elements to these beings, but still.

Even when we look at an ancient text such as the Bible, especially the Old Testament, we have the Psalms, attributed to the Messiah's own ancestor, David.

Obviously, I can ramble on.

Another day.

Still waiting to grow up

Sometimes I forget that I'm now in my 30s.

I'll be watching some person on telly, and they'll make some pop culture reference that I connect with, and I'll go... hang on, we're the same age (range)?! For example, on tonight's show, Rove McManus remarks to Carrie Bickmore that New Kids on the Block won't be touring Australia after all (blaming it on the financial crisis - although Pink and John Farnham haven't had the same problem). Carrie reacts with disappointment, saying her girlfriends had been asking if she could get free tickets for them.

And I'm like, Aah, so you're from that era. Wait, I'm from that era. What are you doing, being on telly, on the most successful celebrity talk show in the country, sharing a couch with international stars? It's bizarre, seeing people my age being blatantly successful. Not like it hasn't been going on before now, but there's something disconcerting about the realisation that I'm no longer watching people older than me, and that the people I admire are actually at the same life stage.

I remember having this epiphany when I discovered that Angelina Jolie was only two years older than me. I was absolutely astounded, because there I was, thinking, Gee, when I grow up, I'd lurve to be like her, all beautiful and talented and clever and humanitarian. Well... actually, I've wanted to grow up to be like Lisa Simpson, but I admire them both for roughly similar reasons.

The point is, it feels like I must still be waiting to grow up, when people my age are already accomplishing great things (and not just in showbiz). I know my own achievements, and am quite proud of them, but I do feel like a kid still, going through the motions of being a grownup.

Maybe it's a Gen X thing.

Oot and aboot: Episode 2

Last time Jack and I went down to the creek, it was dusk and about to drizzle. So last week, on a (slightly) clear winter noon, we went down again to see what it might be like. Forgot to bring the camera, of course. Had to make do with the one in the mobile, but the scenery still comes out a treat.


It's one of the better things that our local council has managed to accomplish: making up for the bland, cookie-cutter housing estates (of which we are residents) by enhancing the natural features. Our area cops a bit of the regular Westie rep; if only more people had the opportunity to see the great spaces that we have such as this one.

Room for parents: a quick review

[This would be of most interest to those who have bubs and toddlers, but those who don't might also enjoy a peek into Parents Rooms - for future reference?].

While many commercial areas now have a toilet/nappy change/feeding room designed for the comfort of young families, good ones can still be difficult to find. Your best bet are large, new-ish shopping centres. They tend to have a more compassionate view of what parents of very young children require. And yes, it's more than just a flip-down plastic ledge on which to change a nappy.

This obviously isn't comprehensive but it might be helpful to somebody (I myself had found it hard to find somewhere suitable to breastfeed Jack when he was a lot littler).

1. Melbourne Central - There are booths in there with a change surface and a narrow banquette for feeding, but the space is super tiny. Still, having a curtain helps give a semblance of privacy.

2. IKEA Richmond - Really lovely, well-lit, with nice decor and surfaces (obviously an extension of their display centre). Again, there is a curtained nook for feeding, but it is more spacious and comfy than the one at Melbourne Central. It also has a small table with toys for an older sibling. I think they provide nappies or wet wipes or nappy sacks in a dispenser (sorry can't recall which exactly, but I thought it was a nice goodwill gesture).


3. Point Cook Town Centre - The best Parents Room I've seen so far. They weren't too precious about conserving retail space; that area is huuuge. Not only does it have the requisite private feeding rooms and nappy change area, the toilet cubicle has a mini toilet for the little one, a glass enclosed play yard, a mounted television (perfectly positioned to distract toddlers who think they have better things to do than get cleaned up), and a microwave for warming up bottles and food. I think there was a dispenser for nappies (not free), which is great for emergencies. It's a great model for other Parents Rooms.

Oot and aboot: Episode 1

I've started taking Jack for a drive or a walk more often. Because he is at a highly 'interactive' stage, being housebound now has serious drawbacks. After a while, the usual toys, books and games are no longer entertaining. Having a large backyard is convenient, even on chilly winter days (as long as it's dry), but then after a couple of laps around the garden beds, there's not much else to do. (Must think about how to rectify that).

Luckily for us, there's a creek nearby that has been redeveloped into a mini park. It's just absolutely fabulous. I don't know why I hadn't taken Jack down there before. The path meanders around a network of waterways that attract all sorts of water fowl.


As a family, we've also been going on drives about an hour before Sunday Mass. Being in the car tends to put Jack to sleep and having that midmorning catnap before the service does wonders in terms of his tolerance. We've discovered charming little pockets of our 'town', some of which are old areas that can probably be traced back to pastoralist days. At this time of year, driving through fog is of course another plus.

On the odd occasion, we'll also hop in the car on a Saturday just to spend time together. Today, we went further than expected. We had planned to grab lunch at Bacchus Marsh but ended up in... Ballarat! We thought we'd find a cafe along Lake Wendouree, only to find that the lake no longer exists (it's an artificial lake, so a combination of long dry spells and some sort of council stuff-up has completely drained it).


Fortunately, the Boatshed Cafe, which formerly juts out into the water, is still up and running, so we popped in for lunch (Rick) and dessert (Fatima and Jack). [The official review is that it's overpriced and nothing remarkable].

Yep. Oot and aboot and enjoying it.

Stuff

What I'm reading

Latest issue of National Geographic. Should remember to renew. I lurve this magazine. I feel smarter just taking it out of our mailbox. Also finally updated my membership at the local library (as in paid a three-year old $16 fine plus $4 for a new card). We had stopped going because the counter ladies (I refuse to call them librarians) were so rude and abrupt, like we should do an 'Imelda Marcos knee-walk to the altar' thing for getting to borrow things for free. Anyway, I bit the bullet and went back yesterday, and the young librarian there was so easygoing and helpful. Phew! So I got This Charming Man by Marian Keyes, Terrorist by John Updike, and Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan. A bit of an eclectic mix. But that's so me.

What I'm watching

Hooked on Masterchef Australia. How good is this show! High level production values, good pacing (except for the recaps after each break), stellar judges (Gary's my favourite), really talented cooks (no dodgy celebrity-hunting contestants here), interesting weekly structure (mystery box, group challenge, cook-off with a top chef, elimination etc). The UK version has nothing on the Australian program.

Also following Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations travelogue again (incidentally, Matt Preston on Masterchef has the same title for his Epicure weekly column). I secretly (OK, not so secret now) aspire to be like Tony in attitude -- straightforward, acerbic, sarcastic and yet open, generous and even brave. He's... at home in the world. I want to be like that.

Watching Australia's Next Top Model. Rupert's daughter-in-law, model Sarah Murdoch, is doing a fan-bloody-tastic job as host and co-producer (Jodhi Meares was such a script-reading robot). I think the contestants this year are far better looking than last year's, and more talented. Well, as far as posing can be a talent. My top three are Adele, Claire, and Tahnee.

What I'm looking forward to

Staying overnight at our friends' place. School break. Rick being on holiday at the same time and catching a couple of movies together. Going out of town to visit other friends. Getting the first half of the year behind me. Jack growing more teeth. Jack learning to string a sentence together.