Day for Mothers

Last year, Melissa and I noted the participants all in pink completing the Mother's Day Classic, and talked about doing it this year. This morning, I joined the 1000 other women, kids, and men, dressed in pink, here in Ballarat, for a lap of the lake.

This is the second year the Classic has been held around Lake Wendouree, and with a growing turnout, must raise a decent amount for breast cancer research. Just before the run/walk commencement, a General and Breast Surgeon spoke about local services, early detection importance, and the fact that 1 in 9 of us will have or know someone effected by breast cancer.

A sea of pink runners and walkers then set off, trailing around the track, leaving a band of pink all the way around the Lake. It's just such a shame the Lake is so dry, still. Completing in just under the hour, in line with my usual lake walk, the walk had a great camaraderie and community spirit feel about it this morning.

Catching up with my own Mum, and Melissa and Katrina, we met for High Tea at the Lydiard Wine Bar, which is on this weekend as part of Heritage Weekend, to celebrate Mother's Day. Little morsels of savoury bites arrived, accompanied by tea, and then an array of miniature sweets.

Happy Mother's Day, Mum!

Graduate Katie

Having made each of my sister's sit through a graduation ceremony for me, it was my turn this week to return the favour. I met Mum, and our gowned graduate, outside Her Majesty's Theatre, as the bag pipes played, and people and graduates of the University of Ballarat shuffled in.

The youngest and final Reid girl to graduate, Katie has completed the achievement, after a few hiccups, and we are very proud of her. She has completed her Bachelor of Visual Arts, in Graphic Design/Multimedia, after loads of toil, sweat and tears, and late nights.

From Ph.Ds to Certificates, the ceremony awarded each student the piece of paper they had been striving for. Katie's little course group were right in the middle. The day was really a tribute to the students, and to this regional university, who claim to be one of the oldest institutes in Australia. I am also part of the alumni, for my Honours year.

I have finally received my MICD testamur by the looks of the card in the letter box this afternoon, after sorting out a library fine.

Congratulations Katrina!

Basic Train Wreck

For the first of the May Tuesday night residency at the Northcote Social Club for The Basics, Mary and Springer and I met out in the beer garden for a pub meal. Once we made our way into the band room, it was dark and hush and everyone was sitting cross-legged on the floor for Tash Parker...who was accompanied by Wally De Backer on percussion. The banter between these two was so sweet!

The boys soon took their positions on stage, and launched into a track they called Jungle Juice, and then joked about how bad it was. This song, and Kris, were all over the shop...which set the scene for the night. He opened with the comment that there were times recently where playing together again hadn't looked likely.

Just Hold On seemed to pull the show back for a few minutes, before Kris admitted that they haven't played together for sometime, and that we were witnessing a live rehersal. Mingling tracks with experiemental jams and covers, at one point Kris and Tim started in on completely different songs, and Wally laughed that Tim was still trying to follow the set list.

One track from the current album, being The No 1 Cause Of Death Amongst Youth Today. No mention of the new EP to be launched this month, in line with Wally's 30th birthday. They did play Happy Birthday, and dedicated it to a couple of birthdays in the room!

The crowd was uncomfortable, and unsure how to react. A glimpse of The Basics we all love met with resounding support, and tentative engagement, but most of the gig was awkward silence. Kris asked the crowd for support at one point, for Wally to play bass, and they swapped. Kris danced across the stage, bumping into Tim at times. It was all very random.

Better was a highlight for me, and made gains to pulling the set back from despair. Wally's vocals will always shine. Tim belted out his version of Have Love, Will Travel. Kris apologised for the show being such a shambles.

Wow. The crowd was stunned, and a strange lull hung over us all as we exited the Northcote. Will we see the boys next week?

Thought You Said Maple Leaves

I raced down to Melbourne in crazy traffic on Tuesday afternoon, to drive an essay into the submission box. I think I was technically 7 minutes late, for which I blame a road rage altercation going on in front of me in Royal Parade...but alas, our admin there stamped it for me nonetheless.

My reward was to meet up with Springer, at The Vegie Bar, for some wine, and to hear stories of her recent South America travels. Very dangerous exercise for me! Mary soon joined us, as we were given a table upstairs, and all enjoyed a different awesome vegie curry. Mmmm, so good.

Across the road to The Evelyn, we made our way to the left of the stage for position Pretty Strangers were playing at this stage, and soon followed by Francolin.

Finalising their month long Residency, The Good China filled the stage, and engaged the crowd with there collection of indie-pop tunes. Common People by Pulp was the cover of the night, which Springer instantly got into. Mit really shone for this one.

The encore was The Good China's verson of Jen Lekman's Maple Leaves, with Ryan and Mit taking leads here. The grab of Barry White in here, and the China's combined sound, make this cover so amazing!

This was such a good gig, with such a great feel to it. The band were working really well together, and sounding so great.

Recent Cullinary Finds

In my break between subjects at uni on Monday last week, Julie and I went into a little place I had spotted - a cafe set up inside a garage. From walking past the entrance I had seen an eatery set up, and was intrigued.

The Garage Cafe touts Indonesian fare, with the Balinese style furniture, and Asia feel to the set up. We grabbed a big table, made our choices off the long menu, and were delighted with the outcome. The meals were great!

And then on Thursday we received an email about the menu for lunch at BRACE, where the Certificate II in Hospitality test out their cooking and serving skills. Michelle, Matt and I put up the closed sign at the office, and took up our booked table for a two course meal at the BRACE Cafe. I'm not sure if anyone can just call and book, but we will certainly be back. A chance to support these students in gaining their skills for later employment.

Whale of a Time

During the week, I had to travel down to Warrnambool, and back, for work. Wow, that's a long drive in one day, for one appointment. Still, that's the job! Thanks god for the iPod!

 

To have lunch, and actually walk around a bit before driving back, I sought out Logan's Beach, which is where the whale watching happens. If this case gets off the ground, I may have to schedule a few reviews during the watching months!

The Good China Residency

Leaving work in the dark, after the clocks have changed out of daylight savings, and driving into wind, rain and fog, I was started the understand the test this winter is going to be on my resolve to see live bands in Melbourne on a school night! Driving down and back for the first week of The Good China residency was a little crazy...but has to be done!

I picked up Nicole, and we had dinner at Bimbo Deluxe, before finding a couch at The Evelyn. Mercury White got started, as I grabbed a beer. Fun, polished pop rock, Sticks and Stone was a standout.

The 8 Chinas soon assembled on stage, with a group entrance, and opened with No More Maps. Quite a few new tracks were included in the set list, along with Turn The Page. 39 Black and The Couch Song were in their, albeit some mic issues. Battling through rain coming through the roof, reportedly a collective cold, and a dwindling crowd on this dark night, the group put in their usual impressive energy.

During the month of Tuesdays in April at the Evelyn, the band will do a requested cover each week, with this week's being Arcade Fire and Rebellion (Lies) as an ode to their 2 year anniversary as a band. We Found 3 Whistles finished the set.

An encore of All Nothing, which is always such a treat experienced live! They'll be there all month!