Swedish class was a lot easier this week, and therefore a lot more enjoyable.
Amongst the many things we did this week was listen to, and study the lyrics from the recent Melodifestivalen hit song, Snälla snälla by Caroline af Ugglas. Grant did a terrific translation of the song, and I brought a CD along to class. We read the words, attempted our own translation, and then listened to the song.
It was good in many ways. The lyrics were reasonably simple and so we could all follow what was happening without too much difficult. It was great fun to listen to the song, and it seemed to cross the range of age and interests in the group. And mostly, it was a new and contemporary way to practice Swedish.
Oh yeah, and did I mention the rain?
Last night, we were heading home without the power. Tonight, it was in heavy rain.
It was a truly glorious day in Sydney when I took this photograph of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Minutes later, I was enjoying a coffee and banana bread at the Opera Bar. A touch indulgent perhaps, given my diabetes, but I was feeling optimistic about my health and decided to treat myself. The gentle breeze and clear blue sky created a perfect ambiance, with a steady stream of tourists adding to the lively atmosphere.
A winter’s day in Sydney
A similar crowd of “seniors” was making their way to the Concert Hall for a Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) rehearsal. My friend John, a recentish retiree, had invited me along to a mid-morning rehearsal, offering a glimpse into a potential future lifestyle as a “senior” myself.
While I’ve been taking Wednesdays off for medical appointments and recovery, in my return to work after last year’s medical problems, today felt different. It was a genuine mid-week escape, even if I had work commitments later in the day. As I sat and waited for John, I began to envision the many delightful ways to spend my retirement.
A conversation with another former colleague later in the day revealed that her “retirement” still included part-time work and volunteering. I could see myself doing something similar, while still prioritizing leisure activities like attending performances.
I was surprised to learn about the SSO’s free open rehearsals, accessible to supporters, schools, and the general public. It was a wonderful chance to experience the magic of a live rehearsal, with occasional stops and starts that were fairly minimal due to the enthusiastic audience.
To listen to legendary conductor Simone Young’s insights into the performance were fascinating. Her keen ear and ability to analize both the big picture and fine details explained her esteemed reputation.
Augsutin Hadelich with Simone Young, in rehearsal at the Sydney Opera House
The first piece , Symphony No 8 in C minor by Anton Bruckner was a complex and challenging piece for me, lacking familiarity, and at close to 80 minutes in duration,r. Although I enjoy classical music, I’m no expert and this was a bit of a challenge. However, Augustin Hadelich’s performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E monor, Opus 64, was captivating, filled with familiar passages and played with immense passion and skill. I loved it!
There are worse ways to spend a Wednesday morning in the heart of Sydney.
Since I’ve been working from home, preparing meals has become a much more important part of my life. When I was full-time from the office, I’d mostly pick up some takeaway for lunch. But since I’ve been at home, I’m much more inclined to make something, from a simple salad (my favourite is a simple calad of tomato, cheese and cucumber) to something more complex.
My favourite fast lunch
I made a terrific Thai Chicken Curry last week, and in previous years I would have eaten the meal and then frozen the rest. My freezer used to be full of frozen meals. Frozen, but then hardly-ever unfrozen! And so since working from home, I’ve been more inclined to just keep eating the meals until they were finished. I think I set a personal record the other week with that curry – I had it for lunch, dinner, lunch, dinner, and then lunch the next day.
The other thing I’ve done recently is go back to basics wirth bedding.
The first time I had one they were called “continental quilts”. I don’t remember exactly when it was, thoughI suspect it wasn’t until about 1987. Photographs from my day at university, and living in Tarragindi reveal I was still using blankets. It wasn’t until I moved into the house at Taringa that I had a continental quilt, later called a doona.
As part of “growing up”, I think I thought it was time to walk away from blankets, as a thing of “childhood”, and to embrace something a little more”grown up”. And they’ve been with me for the rest of my life.
The one thing I could never do was put on the cover “properly”. It was always a bit of a drama, and once the task was completed, they never really looked “tidy”. Thus, the “organisation” of my childhood gave way to an “unmade bed” look of adulthood.
I was thinking about this the other day when I saw some statistics – I don’t remember where I saw them – about the low percentage of people who make their beds every day. I’m not one of them.
Co-oincidentally, as winter returns, I’ve been thinking of going back to blankets. I’ve been thinking about the environmentalism of the doona. Even though they can appear to be very “natural”, I’ve been wondering about the likely synthetic nature of most doonas. Yes, I use that word now.
The other day I decided it was time to buy a couple of old-style blankets for my bed. I have a couple of lovely “throws” which I use. But I thought maybe a couple of old-style blankets would be something I could use in preference.
And you know what? They’re terrific. They feel warm, they feel good. All I need is for my mum to come into the room to tuck the blankets with an almost-suffocating tightness. Love it!
And in conversations, too, it’s time for back to basics!
I was thinking the other day about the adrenalin rush some people find from having an argument. I was watching a very weird discussion on Facebook about how someone I know who had seen an older man (he was described as being in his 60s) ask a young woman (she was described as being in her 20s) to pick up her newspapers on a crowded train so he could sit down.
By the account of my friend, it was a tense discussion. “Not without a facemask”, she said, to his reply, “I have one, but I don’t need one”. He put the mask on, and that was the end of it. None of the people were there went into overdrive on the Facebook post saying things like “She must have felt threatened”, “He must have been menacing”, and it was about “Women’s right to consent”.
I was a bit surprised about the backlash to the older man, because my response was “If it was me and an older man had asked me to pick up the newspapers, or more than that I would have stood up and offered him my seat. I see this quite a bit on Sydney buses and trains, where younger people will stare are their phones and “pretend” not to see older people. I’ve become the person who says to them, “Get up, there’s an older person who needs a seat, just like the signs say”…
Life continues to return to normal after my big trip. Work went well today. I achieved a lot and felt good about all that I did. I also went out for lunch with Damien ahead of his (very overdue) haircut (after lunch) and trip to New Zealand (tonight). And then tonight I caught up with Michaela for a drink and a meal at our favourite Sydney small bar, Yulli’s.
Oh, by the way, as an aside, Kate came up with a great phrase last night when we too caught up in a small bar. I described it as “One of those Melbourne style bars” to which she replied, noting it wasn’t quite as narrow as they are in Melbourne, “It’s a Sydney-style Melbourne-style bar”. That’s my new phrase I’ll be over-using for the next few months.
We chatted about life, the universe and everything. She’s very excited because she film she has been working on,”Boxing for Palm Island” has been chosen as the opening night film at this years Message Sticks Festival at the Sydney Opera House. It will also have a screening on ABC-TV later in the year.
Before I went to Sweden she asked if I would bring back a snow dome for her collection which includes pieces from all around the world, including, of all places, Dubai. As I was in Stockholm I looked around for snow domes. I mean, they have snow, so presumably they would have snow domes. And to be honest, I wasn’t all that impressed with what was one offer. But then I saw it. The commemorative snow dome for this year’s wedding of the Crown Princess. I told Michaela, the Swedish tourist authority had controversially branded the event with an English language slogan, “the year of love”. You can’t open a paper or a magazine in Sweden without seeing the royal couple. It’s like Charles and Diana, though hopefully with a happier story. And so when I found the commemorative royal snow dome I knew I had a winner. Only problem is, I don’t know how to say “snow dome”. I’ve looked everywhere on the internet for a translation without success. Until then, I’ve come up with my own phrase “Snö Globen”.
Swedish royal wedding snow dome
Swedish lessons resume next Tuesday, which I’m looking forward to very much. Especially as it will give me the chance to ask Marianne about how to say “snow dome” på svenska.
For most people photographs of the construction of a light-rail (tram) aren’t that interesting. For me, they are, especially as it’s happening in my neighbourhood, and will continue to do so for the next 12-18 months. For the most part, it’s still lots of photographs of holes in the ground, but eventually it will get interesting, I am sure.
The “f-word” keeps turning up in this year’s Melodifestivalen, the Swedish heats and final which leads to the Eurovision Song Contest. In the first week, there was the opening number which referred to the contest as “Melo-fucking-di-festivalen”. Last week, Lisa Ajax sang “I don’t give a (fuck), and this week, Robin Bengtsson sang “I can’t go on (when you look this fucking beautiful)”. Obviously for Melodifestivalen, it’s year’s “thing”.
It’s a diversion, I guess, as per the formula that Melodifestivalen continues, combining attractive (all very similarly looking) young men singing limp R&B, (ageing) dance divas singing songs straight from the 90s/00s, and the token old-bloke (to make sure the older generations will still watch the show with their grandkids/barnbarn, vote and therefore contribute to the fundraising part of the show.
It was great to see Greg Pohler, the actor/comedian tweeting again. He’s been noticeably absent, travelling elsewhere, with his wry observations. Thankfully, he’s back, and contributed my favourite tweet of the night, referencing two country/folk singing sisters as “Worst Aid Kit” (a reference to the band “First Aid Kit”).
Unfortunately, there were no songs or performances which I thought constituted a winner for either Melodifestivalen or Eurovision. I’m still singing along though to “I can’t go on, when you look this fucking beautiful…” Robin is a “looker”, and the song is memorable-ish.
David Lingdren, one of the co-hosts continues to impress. I’m guessing he’s the next host of “Allsång på Skansen”.
As I wandered through the park today I noticed a group of young people doing a “dance routine”. “What a fantastic thing”, I thought to myself. In the midst of a chilly winter day in Sydney – still loads warmer than Stockholm in March – it was great to see a bunch of people out and about doing something fun and positive in a public setting.
I was on my way to buy a new CD/DVD for my computer as the one I’ve had has died and needed replacing. Looking for a replacement was surprisingly difficult. Everywhere I looked there were lots of external hard drives etc, but the old CD/DVD seemed to be few and far between. Perhaps they’re on their way out, also?
Speaking of replacement technology, I’ve had a few technological issues lately. I spilled a glass of wine on my netbook computer (not a good look) which is going to require a replacement. I dropped my camera, though it has survived intact. And the power system on my computer also died. Luckily I’ve been able to fix them all, except the netbook keyboard which is going to involve a visit to their service centre at Silverwater. Groan. But replacing a CD/DVD and power system has been reasonably straight-forward, and a reasonably fun way to spend the holiday weekend.
Aside from that bit of computer excitement, I’ve watched a bit of tv and chatted online for a while.
Tonight I also went for a bit of a walk around the neighbourhood. A bit of exercise, you know.
As I walked around the neighbourhood I noticed the pubs were packed to the rafters with soccer fans. I’d imagine quite a few people are using the convenience of tomorrow’s public holiday for an all-nighter to watch the match live at about 4.30am. All of the pubs, however, I suspect have midnight closing times. Thus, I think there might be a few tears tonight.
Looking ahead to the week, there’s the holiday tomorrow which is much appreciated. And then on Thursday morning, I’m flying to Melbourne for the opening of ABBAWORLD.
ABBAWORLD, the Official Interactive Exhibition approved and supported by ABBA, opens at Melbourne’s Federation Square on Saturday 19 June at 10am.
Infused with state-of-the-art technology, the highly interactive experience will take visitors on a mind-blowing journey through ABBAWORLD’S 25 environments, displayed over 3 levels, at Federation Square.
Apart from displaying exclusive footage, stage costumes, images and memorabilia from the personal collections of the world’s most cherished pop icons; Agnetha, Benny, Björn and Frida, ABBAWORLD is also an extraordinary multimedia exhibition that enables visitors to experience the music and magic of ABBA in a completely new and distinctive way.
It will be fun to catch up with some of my fellow fans… esp. as I have tickets to the VIP opening.
