It is sad to report, but I have had no time to go to the movies since I saw Red Dog. I must say I am pleased to see it doing so well in the box office. It really is a great Australian production.
I have found time to read though, and finished Sunshine and Oranges - that is a must read. I continue to feel very uncomfortable and often outraged about the treatment of these kids who were lied to by successive Australian and British governments, and were so badly treated in Australia. Shame, shame, shame.
Subsequently I read Journey of a Thousand Miles - the story of the wonderful Chinese pianist, Lang Lang. You can also listen to him at his own website here - Lang Lang's website.
He is a remarkable young man and his story is truly inspirational.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Another book about China
I had gone to the Brisbane City Library to pick up the book "Sunshine and Oranges" that I had been waiting for, and as I was leaving the library with it, I saw another book. I'm keen to read books on China, and the title caught my eye. "My Life as Emperor" - a novel written by Su Tong, author of Rice and Raise the Red Lantern. I had not heard of this author, nor his books, but I quickly took it off the shelf and registered it.
As it turns out I read Su Tong's book before the Sunshine and Oranges book, the latter I have only just started. "My Life as Emporer" was quite an interesting book, about a 'pampered and naive fourteen-year-old prince' who became Emperor after the sudden death of his father. It was a fabu7lous read, and I was rivetted to the pages over the last week. I found it hard to put down. It would probably be of greater interest to someone really interested in Chinese culture, and it does describe the cruelty of le3aders in days past in ancient Chinese history, and thre treatment of concubines.
As it turns out I read Su Tong's book before the Sunshine and Oranges book, the latter I have only just started. "My Life as Emporer" was quite an interesting book, about a 'pampered and naive fourteen-year-old prince' who became Emperor after the sudden death of his father. It was a fabu7lous read, and I was rivetted to the pages over the last week. I found it hard to put down. It would probably be of greater interest to someone really interested in Chinese culture, and it does describe the cruelty of le3aders in days past in ancient Chinese history, and thre treatment of concubines.
Red Dog is doing well
I loved the movie Red Dog and as you can guess from the previous post I've told a few people about it!! Yesterday's newspaper reported on the success the film has already had in Australia, and that it is being released overseas soon. You can read the article here. It is currently showing in 246 venues in Australia and is about to be launched overseas. I wonder what non-Aussies will make of the Australian humour?
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Movie mix up
I am back in Adelaide - this was something that had been on my agenda for some months, and despite having been here several times recently, I knew there were things to do as a result of Dad's death, so here I am.
I arrived on Sunday and spend much of the day discussing family matters, filling in forms etc. My sister works so during the working week I 'do my own thing.' Yesterday however, the electricity was going to be off all day due to some electrical work in the street, so I chose to go to the movies. I had wanted to see Mr Popper's Penguins, which seems rather fun, and I went up to the Box office and purchased my ticket. I did show my Seniors card, but it cost me $12.50, and as the movie was about to start I headed to the theatres. The lady collecting tickets briefly looked at my ticket and said "Are you over 60?" I was rather surprised by her questioning but with a smile admitted it. She told me I had been overcharged and sent me back to the Box Office with a message. I did as I was told.
The girl at the desk was rather put out - but duly gave me my ticket. I returned hurriedly to the theatres, and in the somewhat dim light read that I was to be in theatre 13, and I went in. One thing that amused me was that there was set seating, though I didn't climb up that far to the row and seat that was allotted to me.
There was already things happening on the screen - there was a short preview of a movie, and then what I thought was the trailer for the movie "Red Dog". It took a while before I realised that I was watching not a trailer but the movie. I wondered what I should do? Clearly I was in the wrong theatre - I couldn't read my ticket in the dim light. I knew also too that even if I did exit the theatre, and go back to exchange my ticket I would have missed the first part of "Mr Popper's Penguins" - so I sat tight.
And I am glad I did. What a fabulous movie was "Red Dog". What a great Australian movie. There are a couple of books detailing the story of this dog that wandered the Pilbara in the 1970's, and it is quite famous in that part of the country even with a statue of it at Dampier. You can read about it on Wikipedia.
There were lots of laughs as the story of Red Dog unfolded, and the most wonderful photography of that part of Western Australia. I wonder about the potential for international audiences - but certainly anyone understanding the Australian history and humour would enjoy it.
I certainly laughed out loud often. Loved it.
I will see it again - it was wonderful.
I arrived on Sunday and spend much of the day discussing family matters, filling in forms etc. My sister works so during the working week I 'do my own thing.' Yesterday however, the electricity was going to be off all day due to some electrical work in the street, so I chose to go to the movies. I had wanted to see Mr Popper's Penguins, which seems rather fun, and I went up to the Box office and purchased my ticket. I did show my Seniors card, but it cost me $12.50, and as the movie was about to start I headed to the theatres. The lady collecting tickets briefly looked at my ticket and said "Are you over 60?" I was rather surprised by her questioning but with a smile admitted it. She told me I had been overcharged and sent me back to the Box Office with a message. I did as I was told.
The girl at the desk was rather put out - but duly gave me my ticket. I returned hurriedly to the theatres, and in the somewhat dim light read that I was to be in theatre 13, and I went in. One thing that amused me was that there was set seating, though I didn't climb up that far to the row and seat that was allotted to me.
There was already things happening on the screen - there was a short preview of a movie, and then what I thought was the trailer for the movie "Red Dog". It took a while before I realised that I was watching not a trailer but the movie. I wondered what I should do? Clearly I was in the wrong theatre - I couldn't read my ticket in the dim light. I knew also too that even if I did exit the theatre, and go back to exchange my ticket I would have missed the first part of "Mr Popper's Penguins" - so I sat tight.
And I am glad I did. What a fabulous movie was "Red Dog". What a great Australian movie. There are a couple of books detailing the story of this dog that wandered the Pilbara in the 1970's, and it is quite famous in that part of the country even with a statue of it at Dampier. You can read about it on Wikipedia.
There were lots of laughs as the story of Red Dog unfolded, and the most wonderful photography of that part of Western Australia. I wonder about the potential for international audiences - but certainly anyone understanding the Australian history and humour would enjoy it.
I certainly laughed out loud often. Loved it.
I will see it again - it was wonderful.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Life and Death
The past few weeks have been very stressful - two trips to Adelaide - and another next week. Sadly my father passed away on July 14th, just two days short of his 92nd birthday.
So I've not been interested in reading, or watching movies. And also now I am behind with my studies. Yikes!!!!
However, last week, I did get to the movies. We (MM and daughter) went to see Larry Crowne with Tom Hanks. It is an enjoyable movie - and Tom had many roles including leading actor, director and co writer I think. It was a good feel-good movie - however, I was a little disappointed in it. It wasn't rivetting.
He's an amazing man, Mr Hanks. Very clever, and I congratulate him on the movie. I wonder though, if any lesser actor had wanted to film such a story, if they would have been so lucky to have it produced.
So I've not been interested in reading, or watching movies. And also now I am behind with my studies. Yikes!!!!
However, last week, I did get to the movies. We (MM and daughter) went to see Larry Crowne with Tom Hanks. It is an enjoyable movie - and Tom had many roles including leading actor, director and co writer I think. It was a good feel-good movie - however, I was a little disappointed in it. It wasn't rivetting.
He's an amazing man, Mr Hanks. Very clever, and I congratulate him on the movie. I wonder though, if any lesser actor had wanted to film such a story, if they would have been so lucky to have it produced.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Life's Twists and Turns
Just when you think you've got your life in some sort of order - things change. Things you didn't 'see' impinge on your life and your direction is forced to change. It is like driving a car with a destination in mind, but a range of road blocks or challenges jump out and you have to detour.
I have been house sitting for some time, and this weekend I was moving from one house in the western suburbs of Brisbane (Paddington) to one in the eastern/bayside suburb of Wakerley and all was on track but my father's health has deteriorated in Adelaide, so midst moving I have had to change plans and fit in a trip to Adelaide. This week all air traffic in Australia has been disrupted by the volcanic ash which floated across the skies from Chile and made air travel unsafe.
As well I had other events - speaking at a forum, doing some research on Literacy and Numeracy - along with some family issues that were disrupting.
Meanwhile I try to focus on my studies too - and finish of my China Story and the Irish Story.........
Plus I have been doing the 31 Days Blog Challenge and sleep is evading me at the moment. My head is spinning with the overload.
But that is life's twists and turns.
I have been house sitting for some time, and this weekend I was moving from one house in the western suburbs of Brisbane (Paddington) to one in the eastern/bayside suburb of Wakerley and all was on track but my father's health has deteriorated in Adelaide, so midst moving I have had to change plans and fit in a trip to Adelaide. This week all air traffic in Australia has been disrupted by the volcanic ash which floated across the skies from Chile and made air travel unsafe.
As well I had other events - speaking at a forum, doing some research on Literacy and Numeracy - along with some family issues that were disrupting.
Meanwhile I try to focus on my studies too - and finish of my China Story and the Irish Story.........
Plus I have been doing the 31 Days Blog Challenge and sleep is evading me at the moment. My head is spinning with the overload.
But that is life's twists and turns.
Monday, June 20, 2011
A book about Nurses and Nursing
I'm still working on doing something - but someone else has written a lovely book called "What I wish I knew about nursing" - Allie and Marty Wilson are the authors and I was pleased to be asked by Allie a long time ago to contribute.
So, inside the book - which features photos and stories about nurses - there is a photo of several nurses in rather strange outfits - a group of us performed for the Nurses Ball - way back in 1965 I think, at Mt Gambier. We were all nursing students at the time.
Go to this website to read about it. What I wish I knew about nursing
So, inside the book - which features photos and stories about nurses - there is a photo of several nurses in rather strange outfits - a group of us performed for the Nurses Ball - way back in 1965 I think, at Mt Gambier. We were all nursing students at the time.
Go to this website to read about it. What I wish I knew about nursing
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