A whole novel in a day.

Last night I started reading Portia de Rossi's Unbearable Lightness. I read three chapters before deciding to go to sleep. When I awoke this morning with very little actual work to do and an incredibly runny nose, I decided to curl up with my box of tissues and read until something made me get up. As it turned out, I spent the entire day, with a few half hour long exceptions for picking up groceries and dropping my sister to her exam and eating breakfast and lunch, in bed reading. And a few moments ago I finished the book.

It is a really intense and well written novel, and I would recommend it to anyone. Not only is it heart-wrenchingly honest and frightening, but it's final chapter is especially hopeful and life-affirming (A quick aside for those who have finished it, and those who just simply agree with me - how gorgeous are Ellen and Portia! Aww. So sweet! True love. Sigh...). It really confirmed for me how important it is to be true to yourself and not deny yourself the things you want and love. This article is really interesting if you've read or want to read it...

When was the last time you read an entire novel in a day? For many this pleasure is reserved for special occasions, such as the release of the Harry Potter books (Stevie, my sister read the final book in less than 24 hours. It took me two weeks! The others I read in one to three days, however...) or particularly short novels. Have you read anything you couldn't put down for the life of you?

I remember last year when I started reading The Hunger Games I actually made excuses not to go anywhere despite being invited by a number of people out to do things (like go to Walmart and go swimming in the river) because I just wanted to find out what happened next. It was intense! I've got my other sister's copy of the second book in the series, but I'm not going to read it until I get all my library books read... If it's anything like the first book I doubt I'll be leaving my apartment for a day or two.

Things I'm thankful for today (because after reading the Epilogue of Portia's book I'm in a particularly thankful mood); avocado on toast/rice cakes when I run out of bread, oreos, dancing around to Gimme Sympathy by Metric, going to parties I wasn't personally invited to and having a wicked time, raw vegan chocolate, catching up with old friends, cheering up friends who are in need of some cheer, seeing X-Men First Class again, which brings me to the next item on my things I'm thankful for list - James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender's faces, Strawberry and Lime cider, trying to think of a great costume for a "Hollywood/Movie" themed party - or, more specifically, trying to choose whether to go in a Team Zissou (The Life Aquatic) costume, as Margot Tenenbaum (The Royal Tenenbaums) or as Shoshana from Inglorious Basterds.

get dancing, friends.

Event Review: Women of Letters

 

picture from the Women of Letters website

Born from the astonishing minds of Michaela McGuire and Marieke Hardy in 2010, Women of Letters seeks to recapture the spirit of the dwindling art of letter-writing by inviting prominent women of Australia to write and read a letter to a common subject. Michaela curates the events and runs the show on stage, while Marieke hangs out front of house charming guests and raising money for Edgar’s Mission, an animal welfare shelter in Victoria.

Usually held in Melbourne’s Thornbury Theatre, other capitals are sometimes lucky enough to have Women of Letters pay a visit, and last Sunday was Brisbane’s second turn to host the event. On the bill were Patience Hodgson of The Grates, Magistrate Jacqui Payne, novelist Kris Olsson, singer songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke and Morag Kobez-Halvorson. The theme of the afternoon’s letters was love; perhaps one of the most dreamt of yet hard to get right letters in the history of correspondence.

The afternoon began with Patience tripling the wanderlust of all those in attendance as she spoke about her love for New York City; the co-op where she bought wondrous groceries at phenomenal prices, her beautiful upstairs neighbour who unwittingly provided Patience with free internet throughout her stay, her downstairs neighbour with a seemingly booming love life, the sunny step of her building, the streets down which she cycled and the studio in which she recorded. Jacquie Payne next bought tears to eyes as she spoke in her letter to the people she cherished most in her life; her six much adored children, their adventurous childhoods and the pride she had for the burgeoning adulthoods, her love of being a mother clearly shining through.

Up next Morag wrote a love letter to her health, wondering where it might have tripped off to as she took the audience through her tale of the simply unfair seeming health trials of the past few years of her life. From uterine masses to having a hip replacement to a non-existent but for awhile panic inducing ovarian tumour, Morag told her often painful tale with a dark wit that had listeners simultaneously giggling and squirming, and reminded us all how we should love our health while we had it in full. Following Morag’s medical adventures was writer Kris Olsson whose love letter to the alphabet provided a lovely abstract note to the event. The tender way she spoke about her love for sounds, letters, words and their collective meaning shed light on the value she has for her work and the importance she places upon the information and education she has the privilege to spread.

Finally rounding off the afternoon was Kate Miller-Heidke, whose love letter to her thirteen year old self had the audience in fits as she recounted the misadventures of her youth which she would have a do-over Kate perhaps not repeat. She finished by singing a love song written for her by her partner Keir Nuttall, key lyrics of which went something like “I need you like a tourist needs a toilet…” (there is a video of the couple singing this song somewhere on the internet, I know because I’ve watched it, and if I could find it for you I’d share, because it’s darn hilarious).

Following the fives’ laughter, tear and thought inducing efforts, a short interlude allowed audience members to grab a drink and vegan cupcake from the bar, and write their own letters on pre-stamped Women of Letters post-cards and aerogrammes. With the break over Q&A was launched and the women answered audience questions about motherhood, advice, unread letter ethics and whether they had ever written an actual love letter to a lover, and what it might have contained.

The afternoon was, as the Women of Letters seemingly always are, touching, uplifting, inspirational and educational. As the crowd exited The Zoo and sauntered down the streets of The Valley conversations were flush with excitement and revelations. Women of Letters as an institution is a very powerful tool (for men as well as women), and allows for a very subtle but necessary education process within the very personal sharing that is traditional to the letter medium. A must go to event for anybody if they can, visit the Women of Letters for more details of where Michaela and Marieke are headed next.

(ps, sorry about the wibbly wobbly posting, blogger has been down for repairs and it has been causing us some issues! Not to worry though, as posting should be back to normal this week.)

Product Roadtest: Dry Shampoo

As reviewed by Lauren:

Hair Reviving Dry Shampoo – James Brown London $8.99

This is, and I quote, part of the “the eagerly awaited haircare range by James Brown, inspired by Kate Moss”. Which is an odd kind of juxtaposition, because I’d never really associated Kate with crispy clean locks, but maybe that’s just me.

As I scan down the white can, white to demonstrate just how incredibly clean and pure my hair will soon be, I assume, the first piece of text that catches my eye is at the bottom, where I read “CAUTION Solvent abuse can kill instantly.” This dry shampoo gig just became a whole lot more exciting. Living on the edge, I still decide to give the can a shake and am delighted to hear the metallic ball rattle sound more familiar to spray paint cans than hair products. This is going to be good.

Actually, it’s a bit weird. Not only does the spray leave my hair coated white (the actual proper and expected but still unfortunate side effect) but it also leaves my hair feeling very cold. After following the instructions and waiting the appropriate two minutes, I brush the powder out of my hair and hope that the hair dirt will go with it. Result: well, is it possible that my hair is even silkier than it was? Yes. Am I comfortable with this dry wash technique? Not really. I feel like spraying glorified corn starch on my locks is probably incredibly drying and that my follicles will soon repay me with a mass shed or by changing colour overnight like some horror movie nightmare sequence.

Dry Shampoo – Cedel $6.39

Well, it’s a chip off the price of the James Brown and it’s also using zero wanky description in the title, so I’m already leaning towards Cedel.

Cedel smells like a grandmother’s talcum perfume laced with nose burning acid. I instantly don’t want to put this on my hair. I spray away anyway, and again wait the customary two minutes during which time I ponder if high school drama teachers have cottoned on to the amazing uses dry shampoo could be put to in transforming adolescents into convincing portrayals of the elderly. I brush out the starch goodness still pondering, and am disappointed to see that my hair looks just the same is it did beforehand. It smells a bit though. Result: Disappointed. Cedel, I was rooting for you (pun INTENDED) and you let me down. 

As reviewed by Ell-Leigh:

Poker Straight Dry Shampoo - Lee Strafford $4.19

The first noticeable thing about this product is that it’s packaging is shockingly pink and the text on it includes the use of unnecessary capitalisation, eg , “POKeR STRAiGHT for OilY rOOts”. As I’m not sure I trust a product with such a terrible grasp of how to write normally on my own hair, I enlist the reluctant help of my youngest sister, whose hair was looking a little like shampoo time. When asked what she thought of the scent she replied, “It smells like something I can’t quite put my finger on… Oh, Aerogard. My hair smells like bug spray.” It does kinda smell like bug spray. This could work in it’s favour if you live in a mosquito infested area, although I think most people are unwilling for their hair to smell this way, despite how well the product works.

Dry Shampoo "Boho" - Batiste $4.99

This product leaves the hair soft and shiny and easy to style. Its “heavenly sweet fragrance” is acceptably bland and after application fades away leaving the hair clean and although not smelling great, doesn’t smell terrible either. In fact, it simply no longer smells at all. It’s bright orange and green packaging promises excitement, and its “new on the go size” makes it easy to travel with. Doesn't leave the hair smelling of Grandma's house or pungent anti-insect fumes, or with any unsightly greasiness around the roots. Found my scalp to be a little flaky the following day, but hey, I did need to wash my hair soon anyway. It does it's job modestly, without leaving any evidence - I like it. 

Extra-Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk -  Klorane $6.99

As recommended in number 8 on Gala Darling’s 50 Things Every Girl Needs This Summer list, I had very high hopes for this dry shampoo.  It smells pleasant enough, but seems to be a bit tougher to brush out than the other products. My hair is light, fluffy and soft again once it does leave, and it is gentle on my scalp. Although a little pricey for its easy travel size, this guy packs a punch to all that nasty oily-ness, leaving your locks looking as though they’d just come back from the hairdressers. I’ll definitely be taking this one with me on my trip!

Click on images for brand websites and sources. 

Theatre Review: Boy Girl Wall at La Boite

 Now in its third incarnation, Boy Girl Wall has been making waves around Brisbane for a number of years. Creative team Lucas Stibbard, Matthew Ryan, Neridah Waters and Sarah Winter have put together a delightful show for this year’s La Boite season, and boasting sell outs and standing ovations, it seems it’s an event not to be missed.

Boy Girl Wall follows, as the title suggests, the intertwining stories of a boy, a girl and a wall. At just over an hour in duration it’s an exciting ride, containing everything from dramatic battles with demon magpies and computers with complexes to the painfully recognisable annoying bosses and the feeling of dread caused by looming deadlines. It’s a high energy comedy with a love story at its core, and while best suited to a youth audience, Boy Girl Wall has something for everybody. 

Performer Lucas Stibbard does a delightful job piloting this show, and it’s hard to imagine the material bought to life by anybody else. Charismatic and unpredictable, he transitions easily between the role of narrator and the many characters involved in the play. The show has been designed wonderfully, and as it progresses it becomes clear that the seeming simplicity of the set has in fact been calculated meticulously to act as a literal drawing board for Stibbard as creates the world of the story around himself.

With references to ‘The Pixies’, obscure dress up parties and bicycles complete with baskets and tassels, Boy Girl Wall nails the trends of current youth pop culture, but does so without being overly kitschy or elitist. It is a really solid, entertaining show and the hard work put in to its development over the past few years seems to have paid off. Brisbane audiences, I highly recommend you take the chance to see it now, everyone else, start crossing your fingers for tours and later productions. 

Boy Girl Wall plays at La Boite until April 17, tickets available here.

Watching All The Tom Cruise Movies Ever Made: An Update

Awhile ago I posted about my New Year’s Resolution to Watch Every Tom Cruise Movie Ever Made. Well, I thought it was time for an update as to how that was actually going.

When I told friends and family about my awesome resolution, people scoffed. “You could do that in a week!” they cried. I laughed right back at them, knowing that they were severely underestimating my capacity to get sidetracked. So far I have watched three of the thirty-five, but fear not, I’m a long haul kinda gal and am in no way inexperienced at sprinting to the end of races or year long movie marathons. 

The three films I chose to watch first were chosen because of perceived epicness and convenience and will be judged accordingly. 

A Few Good Men 

A Few Good Men has a crazy cast. Before I had the pleasure of viewing for myself, when I thought of the movie I thought of Tom, obviously, and Jack Nicholson. Did I think of Kevin Bacon? Demi Moore? Christopher Guest? No. Because no one had ever bothered to mention the epicness of A Few Good Men’s credits. Shame on you society. 

The film was actually being shown on New Year’s Day night on television, and taking it as a sign that my resolutions were well aligned with the universe’s mystical workings, I decided to stay home and watch. Was this a convenient choice? Nope. A Few Good Men is a long, long, long movie. Made longer by ad breaks and my post New Year’s sleepiness, I can’t say I really enjoyed the experience of falling asleep slowly only to jerk awake to the image of Tom Cruise drunkenly blubbering or Jack Nicholson taking part in a spit-spreading competition. I do remember, though, hazily thinking that if I was awake it would probably have been quite a good film, so there’s some points there.

Final Judgement: Epic? YES. Convenient? No.

Best Moment: The moment when you think Tom might just dump Demi for a uniformed Kevin Bacon.

Worst Moment: Every time Demi Moore sighed, shook her head, and offered up absolutely no ideas. Way to win it for the girls, Demi. 

The Outsiders 

It should be noted that Tom Cruise is hardly in this movie. Also hardly appearing are Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez and Tom Waits. Patrick Swayze is cool and gets a few more lines. 

It’s an odd movie, kind of seamless and a little short on the plot detail. Things just…happen…in The Outsiders, and the movie tries very little to explain itself. It’s refreshing, but also a little perplexing at the same time. I watched it while I was holed up in my apartment for a week, not able to leave due to the crazy-time floods, and so maybe my cabin fever was starting to set in while I watched. I kind of liked it and kind of didn’t, and I think it’s one I’d recommend to people just to watch their faces crease confusedly as mine did. 

Final Judgement - Epic: In terms of very minor roled supporting cast? Yes. Convenient: If you’re stranded in your house while infesty water rises and slowly swallows your for days on end, sure, why not. 

Best Moment: I’m not sure, did I like any moments?
 

Worst Moment: Ditto. 

Top Gun

I watched it, I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t buy the T-shirt. To be honest, I don’t think the phrase over-hyped could be better applied to any other phenomenon. Have they just used the same footage of planes flying and crashing and flying and flying over and over and over again? I think so. Do all of the bits that look really good on ‘Top Ten Movie Moments Ever’ clips make absolutely no sense in context? None whatsoever. Why do people like this movie??

Final Judgement - Epic Rating: This film is pretty epically repetitive. Convenience: Not very if you’re already afraid of flying. 

Best Moment: “They were abused children”. This made me laugh. Funny character’s name is Goose. After this my laughter switched subtly from with the movie to at the movie.

Worst Moment: The sex scene. Okay, so some people think it’s hot. And maybe I would have thought so if I hadn’t been so completely taken out of the moment at the point where she started licking his chin. WHY DID SHE DO THAT? WHO DOES THAT? DO YOU DO THAT? I DON’T!

Event Review: Brisbane Comedy Festival

Stand up comedy has made a big resurgence in my life over the last couple of years. Growing up an avid fan of Seinfeld and the accompanying stand up segments, and with fond memories of the Bill Cosby cassettes my father used to play on long family car trips, I was happily immersed in comedy as a youngster. I found it hard, though, to really access comedy as a teenager, and it wasn’t until the very end of my high school and the beginning of university that programs like Thank God You’re Here and Spicks and Specks started introducing me again to contemporary comics.

Moving to Brisbane meant much easier access to stand up, and over the past couple of years I’ve taken full advantage. Be it amateur or professional, pricey or free, international acts or local, the Brisbane Comedy Festival always comprises of a great mix of shows, and marks the highlight of the Brisbane comedic year. This year I decided to attend three shows in hopes of seeing a solid variety.

Firstly, I headed along to a preview of Tom Ballard’s 1989. Tom’s been a favourite of mine since I scored free tickets to his show at the festival last year, freeness always scoring points with me. He’s a clever boy, and the maturity of his work has grown exponentially over the last year. Known best for his role as Triple J breakfast co-host, and also for his relationship with Josh Thomas, Tom’s set is worth seeing to get a glimpse of a more candid and less censored personality. Carefully constructed to be quite personal and touching, Tom’s current show is a story of first love, first heartbreak and first mardi gras eventuated threesome. It’s hilarious, but not altogether light hearted, and he marries personal narrative well with increasingly line pushing puns and jokes.

The second event in which I partook at the festival was the free Livewired show, which actually takes place every Sunday, festival or no. The show usually features 4 comedians and an MC, with the first three shorter acts often involving local talent closer to the beginning their career, and the fourth a more well known professional comedian. Heading along to Livewired during the festival is always extra exciting as you can usually guarantee the line up will be stellar, and this year did not disappoint. MC Justin Hamilton conducted the night with ease and headliner Melinda Buttle, though seemingly very ill, gave a solid set. In between, Matt Kenneally, John Cahill and Matt Ford all had the audience engaged and laughing, a difficult feat in the middle of an open auditorium with theatre entrances veering off all sides and the ticketed shows’ calls being made over the top of the sets.

Finally, I made my way to Bulmer’s Best of Edinburgh, the tickets a present for a friend’s birthday, and was quietly chuffed (relieved) with my show choosing prowess. Gordon Southern, Stephen Grant and John Robbins excelled, the audience doubling in laughter within minutes, lagging between sets kept at nil. The UK comedians possessed an ease for story telling that their Australian counterparts haven’t, the perfect mix of descriptive yet concise, and boy, did these guys have some stories to share. From being mugged and then accidently becoming the mugger to being stuck at an IKEA store opening gala with nothing to buy and no way to get off the one way maze track, the comedian’s tales kept the audience entertained from the show’s top to tail. The show was performed in the Powerhouses’ Visy Theatre, a spacious but still intimate venue, and throughout the evening audience interaction was easy and fun, all three hilarious with their commentary on the spectators yet mindful of keeping it light hearted.

I highly enjoyed my overall experience at this year’s Brisbane Comedy Festival, and will be sad to see the season end. (Not too sad though, because I plan to catch a few more shows at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in a couple of weeks time!) The shows were all relatively cheap, or free, I didn’t pay more than $25 for a ticket, and the entertainment really high quality. The festival ends this week, unfortunately, but in case I’ve gotten you in the mood for a giggle, here’s a short video of one of the best comedians I’ve been able to see live, who incidentally sat behind us during Best of Edinburgh.

Special Guest Post: Pretty faces... A Lush Product Review.

image found at lush junkie forever

Being a Lush first timer can be a bit tricky, especially when all of the products look like bars of soap and the staff are all too busy with other customers to show you the ropes. With tubs of potions lining the walls and more bath bombs than you can jump over Lush can be a little intimidating if you don’t have anyone to introduce you to some of the wonderful products their store offers. So never fear, as Ell-Leigh and a special guest writer (her charming sister Stevie) have reviewed some products so you won’t break into a sweat or fall victim to a panic attack when you feel as though the bubble bar table is caving in on you. No matter your skin type, we’ve got it covered, since I, Ell-Leigh, have a fairly normal to dry skin type, where as Stevie has a oily skin which is “riddled with angst”... So that's why this article might seem a little - two-faced! ha.

Ell-Leigh reviewed;

Oatifix Fresh Mask
Although it may look as though you’re wearing the make up that accompanies the role of “The Leper” in a primary school Easter play, your skin will be both joyful and triumphant as ‘Oatifix’ resurrects your face. After five to ten minutes with this mixture of oats, banana, vanilla, almonds and other super ingredients on your skin, it will be moisturised, soft and your tummy will be making the rumblies that only a hot bowl of porridge can satisfy. Enjoy looking stunning while eating your oats, and repeat in 3-4 days.

Full of Grace Serum Bar
Having been recommended an earlier Lush serum bar by Lauren, I tried this with high expectations, and I wasn’t let down. Although it feels lightly oily at first, it quickly sinks into the previously tired dry skin leaving it happy and beautiful. After a few uses blemishes on my face seemed to be healing a lot quicker, some even over night. Warning: Keep this product in the fridge (and away from hot hair straighteners) as it melts really, really easily. Conclusion; if you want that gorgeous pregnant glow without the trouble of actual offspring, finding someone to sleep with you or those messy paternity tests, get thee one of these serum bars, pronto.

Baby Face Cleanser
My face can get really dry. It’s dry naturally, and when I’m driving around a lot the car air conditioning doesn’t do me any favours. I thought I was using the most gentle cleanser available, and thought that the dry, almost scaly patches on my cheeks were just my cross to bear, but then here came Baby Face to the rescue. It takes off make up in a flash and cleans up blemishes in a single bound. If the thought of your face feeling a little oily after cleansing makes your insides squirm a little, skip this one and find an alternative, otherwise, if you’re sick of dry tight cheeks and sallow looking skin, quick spot to the Lush store to get this little life saver.

Stevie reviewed;

Cupcake Mask
Alright, lets start off with the mask-of-all-masks. Although slightly reminiscent of cookie dough, but more like mud (wait...it is mud), this mask is amazing for oily/teenage/in a love-hate relationship skin type. I may be slightly reserved when it comes to putting mud on my face in most situations, but with this stuff the more the merrier! Best applied with something other then your fingers (this stuff is a pain to get out from under nails), slather over all and any problem areas. It may leave you looking slightly like a cupcake, but who cares?! This stuff is worth the possible humiliation (this includes mud wrestling jokes). Better then any clay mask, this stuff helps calm the red tones in your complexion while reducing breakouts and oil levels. The day after you will wake up looking calm and collected. Apparently all my skin has ever been asking from me is for me to get down and dirty with it (dirty, mud - you see what I did there!). For really oily skin use twice a week.

WARNING!: This stuff seriously gets everywhere (or that could just be me) so put it on over a sink. Also, when you start getting to the bottom of the pot, the mixture becomes thicker and less moist so a bit of water can get it moving again.

Tea Tree Toner Tab
These little guys have saved my life. I love them. They say 'for toning teenage, troubled and traumatised skin', and man, was my skin traumatised before it met these hotties. Now life without them would be traumatic. Best used before a mask and after cleansing, if you have the stamina for it they can also be used EVERY SINGLE FREAKIN DAY!! How amazing is that. Also, the water afterwards can be saved and used as a toner/refreshing mist, so it's like two products in one. With a generally calming effect (for both your skin and you) expect to feel like you've just taken a nice hot shower and now you're just waiting to hop, skip and jump into bed (not that I condone such behaviour).

WARNING!: This product does involve the use of steam, so try not to burn yourself with it. That's just no fun.

Coal Face Cleanser
Although this cleanser does smell mostly like liquorice (which I despise - no black jelly beans for me, thanks) and leaves my face 'squeaky clean' (literally), it does actually work. Getting the bubbles going can sometimes be a problem, and if you are having a breakout this stuff can dry those areas up just a bit too much sometimes, but in general the Coal Face Cleanser is brilliant to use. No need for double washes, use this cleanser once and you are done. Also, there is no risk of spillages. That's right, this product is spillage free! Coming in a handy bar form this baby can go anywhere! (Are you sold yet?)

Enzymion
The 'Fruity moisturiser to liven up oily skin'. Although this may look like 'just another cream', with a lovely citrus-y scent and 'happy' feel, it is anything but. On your skin it is fairy light and great for mopping up the oil before you put on makeup. You don't need much, just a dab or two and you're done, so a tub of this stuff will go the distance. Sinking into your skin the moment you put it on, it's like you're wearing nothin' at all (nothin' at all....nothin' at all. Stupid sexy Flanders).