Saturday, Differently

Even though I live in the same city as my nieces and nephews, I don't get all that much auntie time.  Musicians have weird schedules, and my schedule is pretty much opposite that of my brothers with kids.  One of those brothers, though, started teaching at a nearby school (which just happens to be the brother school of the one at which I teach), so when trying to find a time to catch up, he suggested I come along to a home game.  I was hoping a home game would be this week, and early. 

My first Saturday morning student (you know, the 7:30am one) can come on Monday afternoons, and I had gigs later anyway so rearranged the other students.  Instead of enjoying a sleep-in, I woke up even earlier than normal, had breakfast and headed off to the appropriate school oval.  I feel I should point out here that this is not just me doing a not-teaching Saturday morning, but an adult-at-a-school-sport-game Saturday.  And, as I didn't participate in school sport when I was at school (yes, I was a music geek), this was something really new. 

Any uncomfortable new feelings dissolved when my nephews saw me.  Shouts of "It's auntie Anna!!!" followed by racing to greet me with hugs - such a great start to a Saturday.  And then a whole lot of nephew play, and more hugs, and dancing, and photos, and playing, and more hugs. 

After the soccer game (my brother coached, and they won - in soccer! - 9-nil), I got home, did a quick change, then headed off to 2 gigs.  I finally got home at 3 and read a bit in my chair (first time), then started dealing with washing and the seasonal clothing changeover.  It's still ongoing.  Next to find a time to see the other nephew and nieces.

Outfit #130 - Wedding Blacks

Today I played for a wedding, so went straight from school to Mt Tamborine.  All black - but I didn't want to terrorise the kiddies, so I wore these rosebud stockings.

Skirt: Miss Shop (op shop). Top: Ambra. Earrings: Pandora (gift). Stockings: Leona Edmiston. Shoes: Target.

Slightly weird photo today - as we were leaving the gig, I realised this was my only opportunity for an outfit photo.  Pat very kindly took a couple of photos of me (thanks Pat!) - but we both wanted, and needed, to head back, so we didn't stuff around getting a great pose or anything.

Just because I love these stockings, you get a special close-up.

The Graduation

No, I wasn't graduating.  I had an all-day gig yesterday, playing for 3 graduation ceremonies (for Griffith University, at the Gold Coast).  Most boring gig, ever (so far).  We had a sound check at 9:30 (about 15 minutes, all up).  We played from about 10:15ish - 10:55ish, and a piece as the musical interlude (about 3 minutes), at about 11:40.  Repeat the last 2 steps at 2:15ish and 6:15ish.  So, less than 3 hours playing... More than 5 hours not playing...  We were informed in the initial email that there would be lots of break time.  Accordingly, I took along a book, my phone, and my phone charger - all of which I used - plus ear phones, which I left in my bag.  The other players didn't bring anything to do in the break times.  I read a lot of my book and played a lot of games on my phone, as well as texting and checking Facebook a lot - I would have gone totally insane without these things. 

The actual playing bit was easy.  On one hand, much easier than playing for a wedding (no 'it has to be perfect' pressure).  However, just before we started playing, we (and all the soon-to-be graduates) were told the ceremony (and subsequent ceremonies, obviously) would be live streamed for the first time ever.  Ooh, hello pressure!

The whole show was very finely organised and ran really smoothly.  Especially the 2nd and 3rd graduations - more instruction beforehand on the doff, faster reading of names - that's pretty much it, really.  And I trusted our contact would actually come and find us at the right time (as she promised she would, repeatedly), instead of wandering out there 10 minutes too early and being tempted to do cartwheels in all that lovely convention centre wide open space.  Well, in the bit that wasn't housing the hundreds of academic gowns.  And the hangers to accompany them. 

I was disappointed, though, to find our green room lacking its apostrophe.  Now that I think of it, I should have used a pen... Oh well.  Next time.

The Raw Revolution

After today's gig (in Solothurn, just past Maleny), we all needed coffee/hot chocolate.  Stat.  Not much was open in Maleny by this stage of a Sunday afternoon, but we asked a couple who told us the Marketplace was still open and really good. 

The Marketplace is one of those organic places, beautiful wooden tables and benches, organic food and coffee, eco-friendly products... Hippie heaven.  Coffee was good.  I was a tad peckish as well, so I almost bought a Byron Bay Cookie.  But then I spied the Raw Revolution bars and decided to be slightly good.  Warning: they're really good - and really expensive.  No preservatives, or artificial ingredients, or refined sugars or proteins.  Includes Omega-3 & 6, 5g fibre, 7g protein.  But the best bit is I recognise all the ingredients.  They're all actual foods!   And the product itself was delightfully yummy, chewy and chocolatey.  Win.

Today's photo:

The light fittings in this place were beautiful.  Each one was different - this was my favourite.

The Prestige Music Festival

Today was a big day.  The first major event was the Prestige Music Festival.  Not only was this my first Prestige Music Festival event, but it was also the first time I've had a school group (of more than 3) perform in a competition.  I find school performances nerve-wracking enough, but this is huge. 

Well, as it turned out, it wasn't as huge as I expected.  From the masses of people - parents, kids, and siblings - in the foyer, I thought it would be a packed auditorium.  But once you had performed, you could go - so about half of the 30 or so people in the audience (when we performed) were supporting my kids.  I'm very proud of them - not only did they do their regular trick of not being able to keep it together until the last rehearsal, and then stay beautifully together in performance, but they also scored a silver (not that they came 2nd, really, as there are no 1sts etc, but more like a B).  I knew they wouldn't get a gold - because we were still trying to get from beginning to end all together, we hadn't done too much on dynamics or bowings.  Now that I have a bit more awareness of what goes on in these festivals, I feel I could do a better job with them next year. 

As it was my first year, they gave me a little present:

...which is a photo frame.  I feel all warm and fuzzy.  The whole experience was very positive, and so good for the girls.  Bonus - more quotes for my other blog!

Today's photo:

After the festival, I then had to get home, have a quick lunch, finish putting music in folders, and get to the next gig, a wedding at Glengarriff winery in Dayboro.  So pretty... Quickest wedding ceremony ever as they had to beat the storm that rolled in about 30 minutes after this photo was taken.  They made it, with about 10 minutes to spare. 

Running Over Bridges

It's been a while since I've changed my running route.  Last term was not my greatest for fitness, and I generally kept to my river runs.  I have a new running route in mind - but, with the heat, and my parents staying, today was not the day for this new route.  Instead, I added some bridges.  Brisbane is not short on bridges.

My plan was to run to the Go Between, cross the Go Between, run along to the Kurilpa Bridge, cross the Kurilpa, and come back along the bike path.  All was going well, until I realised (about halfway across the Kurilpa) that I couldn't envisage how to get from the end of that bridge back down to the bike path.  Instead, I retraced my steps, making the whole run a little longer (about 10.5km).

Leaving as the sun was nearing the horizon, a blazing ball of fire in a smoky sky, the jacarandas bright in the fading light, the river smooth; seeing the river from above, stretching out in both directions; returning as the sky is nearing indigo and the air cooling - I love running.

Also, as I haven't been able to do longer runs recently, I have been trying to run faster.  I'm not sure it's actually been faster running, but I feel like I'm doing more work.  And it's still having the mental health benefits, so that's a plus.  On my way back (not great signage around that part between GBB and Kurilpa), I also realised that bridges are great for incorporating a bit more inclined running.  Short of running up a mountain (which I intend to do quite a few more times), bridges have that extra bit of upward-ness that make your legs work a bit harder (with a great view to boot), and break up the monotony.  And as my next running goal is rather hilly, this is a good start. 

Today's photo:

The gig today was in the Roma St Parklands.  It took forever to find the Sunset Glade (no maps handy - thanks, Roma St).  In the process of wandering the gardens, I came across a Star Wars party.  My first thought was that this was a wedding party gone to extremes.  Then I found a whole lawn full of costumed people.  If it was a wedding, it wasn't the wedding at which I was playing!

El Violin Y El Sombrero

Today was the second mariachi gig.  We played for the Independence Day celebrations for, pretty much, all of South and Central America.  For our publicity shots in June, we got to wear sombreros.  I found it so awkward, like I had a mega weight on my head... which is, in fact, the case.  Sombreros are heavy!  However, for the first gig (for Columbia's national day), we didn't wear them.  Today, we did.

On the upside, it meant I didn't have to worry about how to deal with the flower and newly short hair (although Elisa, our wardrobe consultant, did a wonderful job).  On the downside - and this is a huge downside - you can't play violin and wear a sombrero at the same time.  Unless you play solely on the G and D strings.  After our 3rd piece, I had to take mine off, I kept missing the string and making awful sounds. 

It was just slightly crowded in the 'backstage' area.  Apart from all of us (7 plus a singer plus Elisa), there were Christmas decorations (as seen in the photo), and about 10 sombreros, and big plastic bags of I have no idea what.  Awkward for photos, among other things.

Today's photo:

After we'd performed, my flower was sitting on one of the other sombreros.

Sunshine Beach

We often play for weddings in great locations.  Yesterday the daily photo was a superb view of the Glasshouse Mountains.  Today's gig was at Sunshine Beach, north of Noosa.  Substantial travel time, but it was worth it.  Often, when we have a gig near a beach, we say beforehand that we'll go to the beach once we've played.  The only time this has come close was October last year, for a wedding in Byron Bay.  It rained most of the way down, and when we were done (for a wedding in which I didn't actually see the bride), it was about to rain again.  We spent about 5 minutes on the beach.

Today, however, none of us had anything pressing.  The weather was gorgeous.  We finished playing at 3:30.  We went to the beach.  YAY!!!  Admittedly, not for a super long time.  And 2 of us were still in gig blacks.  But I still went in the water up to my knees, gleefully.

I don't think I'd been to Sunshine Beach before, either.  Rather lovely.  It reminded me of Lorne, in Victoria, actually.  I know it often won't be possible, but my goodness it was nice to get to the beach after today's gig.

The Haircut

Today was hair day.  I've mentioned before that I usually think about my hair on my way to have it done...and that's about it.  Last night, I was thinking I really want long hair.  When I got to my hairdresser, she asked how it's been.  I said it's been fine...but I'm a bit bored.  Quick as a flash, she said, do you want to go shorter?  And then she played around with my hair a bit.  I'd been thinking about this style for a little while - a little while, as in a few years - but having done the growing out thing for so long, I still had a little part of me that wanted to have Mrs Smith's hair.  (Ok, Angelina Jolie's hair.  Or Ziva's hair.  Or - you get the idea).  I decided to be brave.  And accept that I don't have a team of hairxperts, nor the patience, to volumize my hair on a daily basis. 

As my hairdresser began, she took a deep breath too - she'd never cut my hair this short. 

It's always nice, though, when the hairdresser says they think it looks fabulous.  I'm very happy with it, too.  And there'll be a neater, less windswept, photo later, I'm sure. 

Today's photo:

The first gig today was in Maleny, at Tiffany's Chapel.  Amazing views of the Glasshouse Mountains.  We stopped on the way home to take a photo.

Gardening, Part 2

A couple of weeks ago, I got stuck into the garden.  I needed help, and this resulted in a much-reduced hedge.  Although this has had some negative repercussions, I'm dealing with it as best I can.  More developments are planned, but in the meantime I needed some privacy again.  Stat.

More mock oranges were planned, but as they were the source of the disagreeable red berries, I wasn't totally keen.  Plus, my local plants supplier didn't have any.  They did have crotons, though, so I bought a couple of them.  The problem of course was sunlight.  The above photo was taken mid-morning, and sunlight is strong there for about 3 hours (depending on the time of year) and then non-existent.  Fertilizer and perhaps some added hanging plants, at least for now, will I hope keep things a bit more private.  It does feel rather exposed out there right now.

The above photo was taken maybe an hour later than the top one, and you can tell the difference in sunlight.  I also potted a camellia, hoping it will cope better than the last one.  Since planting the parsley recently, I've taken greater care with the garden so I'm hoping my green thumb is returning.

Today's photo:

The gig today was so cold.  Although it was a sunny day, the temperature was not terribly high (low 20s), and we were playing on the shady side of the hotel, right next to the river.  And it was windy.  Before long, I had donned my post-gig warm top and scarf, and I was still cold.  Viola Man even borrowed a jacket from another violinist playing inside!  Thankfully, the mother of the bride was wonderful, told us to stop playing early because we must be so cold, got us drinks and food, and talked music and musicians.  Just before we played our last piece, the river and sunset were stunning - a silvery river and a sky of solid pastels.  By the time we'd finished, the sky colours had faded somewhat, but the effect was still present.  The whole time we were playing, I was wanting to be running - my 15+km runs take me past this point, and it's been a while, not to mention the cold factor!

Orange Syrup Cake, Anna-Style

Step 1.  Preparation is important.  First, make a chocolate buttermilk cake.  Lament the fact that buttermilk comes in 600mL cartons - but then find out how you can make a more normal amount of buttermilk.  Still, most of a carton remains.  Check out recipes to help use up the remainder.  Worry that there is not much space in the freezer, and ask your brother if he has room in his freezer (he does).  If necessary, have a cold that hangs around so you are off work but too sleepy to do anything, and eating oranges nearly daily to aid vitamins and feeling healthier.

Step 2.  A week later, you should feel energetic enough (in the 3 hours of energy you seem to have on selected afternoons) to attempt this cake.  One that is from a book you've had for several years...11 years, in fact...almost to the day...  Over the course of the week one of your friends will do a blog post about lemon syrup cake which should further inspire you.  On the day, realise you are down to only 1 orange.  Thankfully 1/2 an orange is hiding in the fridge from Wednesday's lunch, and there are still a couple of lemons around.  Make a cup of tea.

Step 3.  Gather ingredients.  Turn on computer, start playing Italian Cafe on iTunes, and dance when inspired.  Arrange ingredients from left to right in recipe order:
125g butter
1/2 cup (110g) sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 (260g) self-raising flour
1/2 cup (125mL) buttermilk
1 tablespoon finely grated orange rind
1/4 cup (60mL) orange juice
...and realise you have gone through way more eggs than normal this week!  Well, this is the official list of ingredients.  The 1 1/2 oranges (at the right, obviously) are joined by 2 lemons.  And you should also think while arranging these ingredients (unmeasured, un-grated, un-juiced) that your friend is so much neater in her food pictures.  Measuring everything and then taking a photo - beautiful!  Maybe in the future.

Step 4.  Turn on oven.  Aim for 'moderate' but don't actually check (to be true 'Anna-style' this will be about 150C, you discover later).  Fish out the loaf pan (14x21cm) from the baking tin cupboard.  Spray with oil, line with baking paper, then enjoy the slightly slippery cork tiles.  Recognise that sliding around is not a good idea at this time.  Measure out the butter in your favourite mixing bowl, soften it a tiny bit in the microwave, and add the sugar.  Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Add an egg, beat until just combined; add the other egg, beat until just combined.  Note how cleanly the eggs slip out of the eggshells and wonder if this has anything to do with egg freshness.

Step 5.  Measure out the flour over a sieve over a bowl.  Only, when you get to the 2nd (or is it the 3rd?) quarter cup after the full cup, stop and think - is this the 2nd or 3rd quarter?  Hmmm...  You're pretty sure it's only the 2nd quarter, so hoping you're correct, continue.  Sift flour (although, writing this, see that you misread that instruction) into bowl.  Choosing not to wear an apron today, notice at this point that your black top is collecting stray flour bits and could probably do with a wash soon.  Measure out the buttermilk, slightly reminiscent of yoghurt by this stage.  Add half the flour to the butter mix and stir with a wooden spoon.  Pour in half the buttermilk, mix.  Grate orange for the rind - the whole orange yields pretty much the tablespoon you're needing.  While you're grating, the sunlight coming through the window is making a pretty picture with the beaters and the batter, so take a few photos.  Add the rind to the mix.  So fragrant!  And yesterday you read that the fruit is named for the Sanskrit word 'narangan' which means fragrant - well named.  Juice the oranges - about 3/4 of an orange provides the 1/4 cup of juice required.  Pour it into the mix, and mix.  Add the rest of the flour (mix) and buttermilk (mix).

Step 6.  Check oven temperature and discover it's only at 150.  Increase temperature to 180.  Spread batter into prepared pan.  You have to push it a bit to spread it to the edges, and wonder if maybe you used too much flour after all.  Keep juicing the orange and lemons until you have a cup of juice; start putting a few ingredients away until oven is properly preheated, then put the tin in the oven and bake for about 50 minutes.  Take your cup of tea, mixing bowl, beaters, wooden spoon, butter knife and phone to sofa; drink tea, licking remains from implements and playing solitaire.

Step 7.  About 45 minutes into cooking time, make orange syrup: 1 cup juice into a small saucepan, 1/2 cup sugar, stir on low heat until sugar is dissolved.  Which doesn't take long at all.  Increase heat to high and bring to the boil - the sound is like an aeroplane taking off, a little bit, or like a swarm of insects.  Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, without stirring, 'for about 10 minutes or until syrup thickens slightly'.  [Ugh.  I'm not a fan of such vague instructions.  How much is slightly?]  After removing cake from the oven and a further 10 minutes, increase the heat to medium.  After another 5 minutes - unattended - you notice the saucepan is about to overflow with bubbling juice, and decide enough is enough, this is surely 'thickened slightly' enough.  Move the cake to a wire rack (out of the tin) over an oven tray, stick the skewer into the cake several times (even though the recipe doesn't state that you should), and pour the syrup over the cake, taking a photo or 3 while pouring.

Step 8.  Go and get dinner.  When you return, your brother and DVD Sam have beaten you back.  "Your house smells amazing" they say.  After dinner, cut 3 slices (about 2cm each) and take a few photos, including a really blurry one after a really funny comment (not food related).  Wonder how one of the plates ended up with syrup underneath it.  Appreciate the compliments of the blokes.  Watch some more of the Olympics, then slice the rest of the loaf (there are 5 more slices), wrap them each in Glad wrap, keeping them in the same order, and transfer to the freezer.  Feel rather virtuous for freezing them straight away and not saving any for coffee time in the next few days.  Think about what you can use that's in the freezer so there's more space.  Watch more of the Olympics.

Today's photo:

Another beautiful Brisbane winter day.  Another gig, this time at the Presbyterian church on St Paul's Tce in Spring Hill.  A bit of a wait to get into the church.  The play of sunlight and stonework and blue sky and clouds.

The Mount Isa Gig - Part 2

On Tuesday, I flew with a quartet to Mt Isa for a gig.  We were a morale-boosting team, effectively, and played for one of the phosphate mine's regular theme nights.  The day after the gig, we were due to be flown by the mine to Townsville - another new place for me.  As breakfast finished at 7 and the bus to the airstrip didn't leave til 9:30, we had a few hours to look around.  The first thing I noticed was the safety record sign.  I don't know if 20 days is a long time in mine safety (can anyone tell me?) but it was definitely a reminder of the sort of environment in which we found ourselves. 

A couple of the miners offered us a look around the mine, but it turned out we needed a 4 hour induction...  The boss, though, organised for us to be driven out to the mine and have a look around, even though we wouldn't be allowed in. 

Cue very Australian scenery.  Tuesday's skies were nothing but blue, but Wednesday had a fair bit of cloud cover.  The sun peeking through made for some fabulous colours!  I kept my eyes peeled for wildlife, but only saw a kangaroo.

The mine itself was impressive - all solar powered too.  The gypsum stacks were so large, the cranes look tiny at the top.  And because of the layout of the land, and the location, as soon as there are lightning strikes as close as 50km they have to pack up.

One last shot of the town - love that red soil and blue sky!

So, mine visit = New Thing #1 for Wednesday.  New Thing #2 was flying in a Fokker 100 to Townsville.  Giggle.  This was much bigger than Tuesday's rubber band plane, this had about 100 seats.  With all these mine folk knocking off, effectively, I was still surprised by the amount of alcohol I saw being consumed on this flight.

Our flight arrived in Townsville about midday.  We all reconnected with the world and didn't talk until we picked up our bags (absolutely no phone service for a whole day).  Our flight to Brisbane wasn't until 8:10pm - the last for the day and obviously the cheapest flight.  Townsville airport doesn't have lockers.  Thankfully, Mikey was just going to study, so we caught a taxi to town, and parked ourselves inside the Townsville Brewery.

After lunch and a game of Scrabble, Viola Man and I set off for Castle Hill - after the obligatory "I'm in Townsville" photo.

Yes, it's winter, but Townsville in the early afternoon is not all that cold.  In the sun, and climbing a steep hill, it was actually quite warm.  Super skinny jeans, long socks, black top and converse were maybe not the greatest choice.  Some workmen we passed even laughed at us, saying "it's really steep!"  But it was worth it - a fabulous view of the water and islands.

We came down for a much-needed coffee, then walked along the Strand and back.

Our flight home...well, we knew we were in for not great treatment.  Jetstar has a reputation, and it is not good.  They are so picky about carry-on size!  Our violin cases were about 10cm too long (although much narrower).  Mikey took out his violin, showed that it was acceptable, and said he would take his violin on board like that.  Viola Man did the same.  I took a deep breath and trusted my case (knowing I'm a bit clumsy and would be likely to run into something).  I then chewed my lip for the entire waiting time and flight time.  The cello always has to be checked in, so Mikey and Viola Man had a jam session.  No one complained - in fact, while waiting at baggage claim, some other passengers started dancing.  Which was great, but if I'm flown somewhere for a gig again, I'll stipulate that I will not fly Jetstar.  Other than that though, this was a great 2nd day.  What an experience!

The Mount Isa Gig

Just before Easter, I received a text from someone I don't know.  "Looking for a violinist for a quartet gig in Mt Isa"... Ok...but I don't know who you are... "Flights, accommodation, food all paid for, plus [$$] for 3 hours playing"... Sounds great, but I don't know who you are!!!  A few more details, then he told me who gave him my number, so I calmed down a bit and checked my diary.  Normally I'm a little cautious about who's playing when I accept a gig, especially if it's a long one, and especially if traveling is involved.  I'm even pickier with travel companions.  But, in the spirit of trying new things, I told myself to just plug in my earphones if necessary and just play, enjoy going to somewhere new in the middle of a school week.  The next day I found out who else was playing and I breathed a sigh of relief, then did a little happy dance.  Tuesday morning found me then at the airport, bound for Mt Isa.

First New Thing: traveling Qantas for the first time in years and years.  More than that though was the commuter feel of the flight.  No-one seemed to be going on holidays, Mt Isa is pretty much a working town.  And I've never had to catch 2 planes to a gig before!

New Thing #2: hitching a ride on a rubber-band plane.  This was a slightly larger one than they would normally use - ours was a 10-seater instead of the usual 5-seater.  I loved it.  Felt much more like real flying.  From reading a detective book a long time ago, I was prepared for the "how much does your luggage weigh?" and "how much do you weigh?" questions.

The pilot, our co-passengers, the miners and everyone else we came across - they were all so friendly, warm, and welcoming.  I felt not quite like a part of the family, not quite an honoured guest, but somewhere in between.

It was about a 20 minute flight to the mine.  The airstrip is about halfway between the actual mine and the village.  We found out those are 20km apart because they know if there's an acid explosion it can travel up to 19km.  The village used to be an actual town named Monument (there's an Aboriginal sacred site visible from most of the town), and it's mostly blocks of 4 rooms and 2 bathrooms, with some houses.  It's basic, but people are there to work.  There is a big emphasis on health and safety.  Health facilities (a gym, pool, tennis courts, lumpy football field) as well as nutritional advice and self-test breathalysers surrounded us.  Rules are strict and enforced - failing to wear a seat belt, driving over the speed limit, and turning up to a shift over the limit are all instant-sacking offences. 

The gig itself was in 2 bits, a set for those just waking up for the night shift, then a longer set for those coming off a shift.  The idea was a black-tie theme night, and we were the first live band they've flown in.  I wasn't really sure what to expect.  We definitely weren't doing the 'oh my special day must be perfect and I just want classy strings playing just classical music' thing.  We played a mix of classical and not - like tangos, ACDC, Beatles, jazz, Billy Joel, Queen.  And they seemed to love it!  We were warned the first crew would probably be not so enthusiastic - they would have just woken up and knew they were missing out on the 'real' party, and were just about to work - but I got a nice vibe from them, some took photos and some hung around to listen.  The second crew were definitely enthusiastic.  The black-tie idea was embraced by some, and given a nod by others.  Most there were just coming in from working, were still in their fluoro work gear but added a bow-tie.  A few sparkles, a few broken glasses, nice food.  Many people came up and complimented us.

We went to the bar area afterwards and had some drinks, played ping pong, foosball (for one goal - then the ball was lost and a very Aussie scene ensued), and pool.  Standing around gossiping about other musos, we were then approached by a miner in a yellow, acid-resistant suit.  A bit of chat later, and it came out that most of the miners were out in the beer garden and thought we were too posh to have a party.  Acid Suit Man said, he was pretty sure we would have gone to uni, so we'd be fine for a bit of drinking.  And so we got to know the miners a little better.

I must admit, I was quite anti-mine before this.  The destruction of our country is not something I can readily support.  However, from the first plane flight onwards, I started to realise that this is life for so many people.  It's not an easy life - the work is dangerous, the locations are isolated, you're away from your family and friends for stretches of time - so the mines try to make it as bearable as possible.  There was a real vibe of trying to look after the workers in body and soul.

Aside from that, I felt so much a part of the Real Australia.  The red soil, big blue skies, flies, that feeling of being so far in the middle of the country (relative to Brisbane anyway!), the silence, emus and kangaroos and all sorts of birds, and the people.  Greetings are standard and often sound like Carl Barron's "Owzitgarn".  People work out how to do things without a shopping centre down the street - like Luke's cufflinks made from nuts and bolts.  Acid Suit Man's suit he'd stapled together that afternoon - I wish I'd got a photo before it was ripped off him (he only just avoided a face plant - yes, this was a tame night).  Interesting fact: you have to be clean-shaven to work.  You can tell if someone's going home the next day as they won't have shaved.

Ooh, New Thing # whatever we're up to - I don't normally do drinks with lots of people I don't know.  Our other violinist had an early night so he could study, but photos were taken of me, Viola Man, Dani (our cellist), Luke (cufflinks) and Acid Suit Man (Tyson).

I think I like this less-composed photo better!

Kitchen Appliance Reorganisation

A few months ago, Viola Man hosted a quartet night and I discovered we had matching coffee grinders and coffee machines.  His were side by side, which is nice and logical.  Mine were not.  My grinder was to the left of the sink, in the corner next to the stove.  My coffee machine was to the right of the sink, next to the microwave.  This irregularity has been on my mind ever since that quartet night.  This morning, I decided enough was enough.  I would move the microwave to the left of the sink, and the coffee grinder next to the coffee machine. 

After today's gig (playing for the official opening of the North Lakes Day Hospital), I had a snack and a cup of tea, then got to work.  The coffee grinder I moved to the bit of bench in front of the microwave.  The microwave is huge (the reason, in fact, I have it - my old neighbour redid her kitchen and it wouldn't fit in the new one), and it is heavy, so I kind of slid it along past the sink.  There I remembered why it's been where it's been.  It takes up almost the entire corner between the stove and the sink.  Hmm.  Plan B: keep the microwave in its corner, move the coffee machine to the left of the sink (keeping the grinder there, obviously).  This has the added benefit of not dripping water over clean dishes in the drying rack.  The drawback is, if it's to look all neat and symmetrical, it's a long reach to get to the switch on the grinder, but I think I can deal with it.

Yes, I bought a 'cappuccino shaker' about a week ago.  I love it.

Today's Daily Photo:

3 parts of this photo.  1 - it's at a gig (it's Saturday, after all), during the speeches.  2 - I'm wearing my new leopard print stockings, purchased yesterday, and feeling rather daring.  3 - I have my violin back!  Just before the staff concert, the fingerboard started coming off.  Yes, that was 2 months ago and I only just got him repaired (not by my regular violin repairer, who's on leave for a while).  I love having my violin back.  The other violin I play is lovely and I am so fortunate to be able to play her, but she's not mine, and I'm very conscious of her story when playing.  But my violin is my violin, and it feels so right playing him again.  And yes, the other violin is female (a 'strong woman' according to her maker), and mine is male.  A very French male.

Not a Subtle Bag

This was another Saturday where I barely had a half hour to myself.  I used my half hour to sit on the courtyard steps, drinking coffee and enjoying the sunshine and the plants.  However, once I'd finished teaching I had 15 minutes to get changed and get to the Botanic Gardens for a gig, then to the cathedral for the final rehearsal then performance of Handel's Theodora.  I decided to use my bright floral bag.  It is not subtle, it is not black, but it does hold a lot of stuff.  I'm pretty sure nearly everything would have fit into my bright green handbag, but not the music as well.

After last week, when I'd done the "I'll buy something to eat on the way" thing which resulted in really bad food choices, I decided to pack dinner (including a fork) and a snack for today.  Plus an extra snack for just in case.  I was really good and actually ate the snack with post-gig coffee instead of indulging in fruit toast.  Also in this bag I packed a long-sleeved top, my black velvet jacket, and a black scarf.  The Theodora music (slightly bigger than A4) was the reason for the large bag so in it went.  My normal handbag things also made it in - water bottle, purse, phone, gocard, earphones, lip balm, and lip gloss.  I think that was about it. 

Although I like being able to fit music in this bag, I can't actually get anything out of it without using 2 hands.  And today I did feel seasonally mismatched.  I may have mentioned before the problem of having my brother take photos.  This was the least weird of the cast-offs.  You can still tell I'm laughing, but I'm not blurry which is a plus.  Also, I think in this one he'd actually told me he was about to take the photo, unlike several others.  Candid shots (at least for me) are usually very strange shots.

It was a beautiful day for a wedding - clear blue skies, a bit of warmth.  Gorgeous.  I snapped this last picture as we were leaving the gardens.  I missed out on a photo of a reptile swimming after the ducks which was disappointing, but Theodora awaited.

Outfit #24 - Guess What...

You're mad and I'm not... sorry.  Old habits die hard. 

From this term I'm at school on Thursdays as well.  The teacher who was taking the youngest string orchestra (children in grades 3 - 5) is on maternity leave for the rest of the year, and this way I get some conducting practice before next year's summer school.  Of course, these are really energetic kids.  And by energetic, I mean noisy, talkative, and in some cases, violent.  I think next week I'll push the desks further back so we can have a teensy bit more space.  Bows plus kids equals danger.


Outfit details:
Skirt: Miss Shop (op shop). Singlet: Ambra.  Top: David Lawrence.  Long sleeved top: Dotti.  Shoes: Hot Options.  Earrings: made by me.


I love wearing black.  I wouldn't normally wear all black to school though, unless I'm performing.  After conducting, I had a bit of spare time (hello coffee) and then a gig.  A great gig - corporate, a 90th birthday celebration for a company, they had speeches, they gave us drinks, they insisted we had food.  I love corporate gigs.






The skirt is one of my best buys.  It has had so many outings - I can't remember exactly how much it cost, but it was about $10-12, and with several, several gig wearings... it's definitely down to less than $1 per wear.  Woohoo! 

Hairstyle

This is only a small step up from my normal boring hairstyles.  A ponytail, or this pictured hairstyle minus the plait.  Not the greatest photo... not the greatest plait either, obviously more practice required.  But, different.  And, after 9 hours, nothing's budged.  Played a 1.5 hr gig by a lake (read: windy), plus transport on a very hot and humid day to and from, plus a walk to the video store and back, shower, lounging on the sofa watching a movie - it's done well.  Plus the fringe at the front looks more like it knows what it's doing.  This is important.