Hello Paris! Hello Jessie!

My much anticipated trip of the year arrived through a blur of a final essay, and tidying up a million bits and pieces for work, to be able to leave the country for a month! Clexane injections to prevent coagulation, and a hot and surreal plane change in Doho, and finally I was in Paris!

I made my way to our hostel, where I found Jessie, and Heath, who I hadn't seen since Barbados!

After freshening up, we went downstairs and found a street facing table at a nearby bar, for beers and catching up, where Hemant, Rhys, Belinda, Jess, Tamara, Dillo, and Remy found us. As a big group, we weaved through the streets to find the Latin Quarter for dinner.

The next morning, I went with Hemant to Montmarte, whilst Jessie and Heath went to see the Eiffel Tower for the first time. Checking out Sacre Coeur, and the little streets overlooking Paris, we the found the Moulin Rouge in the daylight, and wondered down the red light street for a giggle. He-man and I then got the metro to go and meet up with Jessie and Heath, on the grass below the Tower.

Rhys came to join us, before we walked to the Arc de Triomphe, and under the crazy round-a-bout to explore it. Last time I was here, we didn't climb up into the Arc, but Jessie and I were rewarded for our climb by seeing reference to the Aussie version of the Arc, being the one and only Arch of Victory, in Ballarat!

I loved Paris more this time than last time, I think because I wasn't rushing around to see all the sights, so I could just soak it up. Plus the weather was glorious, and so it wasn't the kind of hard work Winter in Europe makes everything!

Back to the hostel, we all got ourselves ready for our exciting dinner date for the evening. Now, the story goes that when Jessie was working in Edinburgh, she met an older gent who said she should come to his place for dinner when she's in Paris. Turns out that gent was Jim Haynes, and he has a dinner at his place most Sunday evenings, with a collection of people from around the world who hear about it through word of month. How amazing it that!

Our large group made it to the address, and whilst we were not meant to be such a group as it's not the flavour of the event, we soon found a spot out in the courtyard, and enjoyed the meal that was put together by a Chef from London.

Several wines into the evening, a few of us set out to embody the spirit of Jim's vision, and mingled with older couples from Boston, a freelance writer from Edinburgh, a German scientist....and 2 sisters from Ballarat, Australia! No kidding, we are everywhere!

Ghost Writer, Clinic, and Dad

I had so much anticipation with the build up for this year's Melbourne International Film Festival, just because there is always such great, fresh films on display, you feel part of this intensely absorbed community who also trek from one session to the next, and it's one of the best things about Melbourne in winter!

The first of my sessions this year was the new Roman Polanski, starring Ewan McGregor - The Ghost Writer. A political thriller about a writer employed to take over as ghost writer for the British PM's memoirs...after the tragic demise of the first one. Ewan is great in this role, and the twists and turns have your gripped. The final scene leaves you stunned!

A later night screening of a new Aussie film, The Clinic, was next on my schedule, and rattled me! Sign of a good film, if you walk out a little shaken! A story about a young pregnant woman who is kidnapped from the hotel she and her husband are staying in, she wakes in an ice bath with a scar across her belly. She soon finds that she is not the only woman in the rundown farm in the middle of nowhere...and soon the purpose of the makeshift clinic is made clear, and the frights begin! My own clinical knowledge had me disappointed with the portrayal of an Autistic man, but for the purposes of the story and the clear need for some assistance for these scared women, this gaff was overshadowed by the blows and the horror. Loved the ending, with a quote within the lasting frames 'Evolution is a bitch!'

Robin Williams in World's Greatest Dad was my next film, and another disturbing tale. This one directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, which may explain the black, black humour. Laugh out loud moments, inappropriate laughs most of the time, and yet a powerful message about acceptance and fitting in. Dad here is a teacher, and calls on Hemingway at one point, and then points about 'although he did try and scratch an itch at the back of his head with a shotgun'.

*Reviews not as in depth as desired, due to the length of time since viewing!

Hungry Kids, Basics and Clare

Three gigs in a row, three great Aussie bands, each promoting newly released albums. All good!

Saturday night Katie and I went out to Karova to see the Hungry Kids Of Hungray. It turns out Dean's parents are from the 'Rat, as he referred to it, and has lots of family here - that impressed the local crowd. Playing almost all the tracks from their newly released debut album, they added Arrest This Heart and Old Money from the previous EPs to the set list. Ending with Buddy Holly, a Weezer cover, perhaps as a response to the recent online discussions about their name.

Sunday night I met up with Nicole and Mary at the Northcote Social Club, for the second of 2 shows by The Basics, to launch their live album (Which you can download for free at that link). We made it into the bandroom for the second support of the evening was Georgia Fair, who certainly captured the crowd's attention. Sounds of Angus Stone, some great tracks were displayed, before the boys from The Basics graced the spiderweb draped stage, dressed for the Halloween date. Opening with The No 1 Cause of Death Amoung Youth Today, then U R The 1, before With This Ship, the show was showing signs of being one of the best. The first half of the gig was amazing, with the boys at their best, with banter and harmony. But then perhaps the level of alcohol hit for one of the band, and there was tetchiness, and perhaps some evidence as to basis for the planned extended break coming up for the band. An awesome cover of Roxanne, plus Just Hold On, had Wally showcasing his talents. Tim was also in full flight, with witty comebacks and crazy dance moves. Kris, though, was reminiscent of one May gig. Hopefully, their talk of not playing together again for some time will prove me wrong about them being The Band Who Cried Wolf!

Last night Jessie, Katie and I met in Chinatown for dumplings, before finding our way to the gorgeous Forum, and it's starry roof. Glenn Richards was one of the supports for the night, and despite just releasing his solo album, he was sullen and lacklustre...and didn't grab the crowd with any of his new material. He managed to get some attention by finishing with Augie March's One Crowded Hour. In complete contrast, Clare Bowditch entered the stage, aglow with a beaming, infectious smile. Playing the 80s-pop Casio influenced new tracks, with a sprinkling of the much loved songs of her back catalogue, she chatted and told stories to her adoring audience. The new Prinz Willy was just beautiful. And favourites like Divorcee At 23, Lips Like Oranges, and the amazing You Looked So Good, were so very good. Love her!

Neglected Blog

My last post had me plotting a new and exciting trip - and then nothing! For months...cos I guess I have been caught up in my travels initially, with very limited internet time, and thus blog time, and then getting back from my travels it has been work, work and work, and uni.

But after doing NaBloPoMo for the last 2 years, I have actually been looking forward to this one for about a month, as a solid excuse, and challenge, to get joulet back up and posting.

So busy, busy with work, with a pretty demanding workload, which also means loads of travel between our regional sites. And I am also just starting Week 7 of my 8 week semester of my MSW. Which I am loving, cos I feel like I am actually learning and putting things into my practice when I get back to the office, but it also drains my time, with travel, and guilt of not working on my essays. Or making up my hours at work.

So, let's just say my trip was one of the best things I have ever done. And also since I have been back I have squeezed in as many MIFF sessions as I could, given that I now live 90 minutes travel from Melbourne to get to them, and also been to a handful of awesome gigs.

Heaps to blog about, which should make posting everyday for the month of November easy as! Ha! Plenty of material....let's go!

Getting Back On The Long Haul

Whilst a couple of my mates are currently fighting it out over their very impressive and highly competitive country count, as a physical challenge, my annual Visited Countries post is the same as last year.


visited 32 states (14.2%)

But there is no room for despair, because if I can finish off this final essay for uni, and get my caseload organised, and get someone to drive me to the airport on Friday night, I am off again to colour in a major area of this map. Very exciting, and something I have wanted to do for years and years.

So, I have had to retire my well loved and much traveled passport, and my new little blue book with it's chip in it has been sent off for 3 page-sized new stickers, ready for this trip. I have been in discussions with my GP, and I have my clexane injections at the ready. With my flights, I will have before and one after my big long haul flight, fun. And then one on the way back, which is just a 10 hour flight. And some up my sleeve for any leg cramp niggles....when in doubt, jab, I guess! Plus the peg legs, I will also have to try to remember not to sleep for the whole first flight, and get up and walk around. One of those annoying people, but I'll do anything not to have another DVT!

I have also just paid for my travel insurance, with my pre-existing coverage for DVT, ohhhh, the Carribean cricket trip that keeps on giving!

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!