My favourite Finn

Back in the early noughties I lived in a big house in Manchester with a bunch of mates, all in our first post-graduation jobs and enjoying being young in a fun Northern city. Two of my housemates were Finnish, brother and sister Harri and Heidi Heikkila. I spent one Christmas and New Year travelling round Finland with them, enduring -34 degree temperatures and learning all about the Scandi lifestyle (Vodka, saunas, pickled fish etc) and one summer I travelled with a bunch of friends to Northern Finland for Heidi's marriage to Manu. Good times.

Reunited!

This week I was reunited with my Finnish twin as she and Manu passed through Sydney on their way to visit a friend in New Zealand (they live in Singapore). When I had my fall over New Years I was nervous about Heidi coming because she's always been my 'party animal' friend and I knew I would not be able to push myself too far. (Back in Manchester we used to spend hours getting ready, sharing clothes and make-up, and go out on the town in Castlefield or Deansgate Locks.) However, when I emailed her to say I was still convalescing she explained that she wouldn't be drinking either because she's expecting a baby!

I'm so excited for her and Manu, whose first child will be born around June/July time. I'm thinking of dropping by to see them and the new baby on my way to the UK when it's still a little newborn.

Heidi, Manu and their friends at the Opera Bar

We met up with another Finnish friend of Heidi's who has an English boyfriend, and went to the Opera Bar, and then a lovely little restauraunt in the city. We ate steak, drank Chateauneuf du Pape, and I got a taste of how the other half live (they are all in finance and loaded, while I'm still on 'impoverished arts organisation' wages!) It was so lovely to see her after almost 6 years, even if it was all too brief.

Divine Restaurant

My week has been choccas and I've been out and about lots. I saw Kristin Hersh again in a tiny theatre performing a 'spoken word' show about her mental illness (way less dreary than it sounds!) and on Thursday a huge bunch of us had dinner on a balcony overlooking the ocean for Christina and Ruth's birthday. The days are getting hotter and hotter (35-40 most days) and the evenings are barmy at the moment. I think I may melt from the heat! I have cut my hair short but I think I need to go even shorter!

Dinner at Bondi Social

Short hair, could be shorter

Also this week I've been hard at work, catching up with meetings postponed when I was off work, and interviewing for various roles on this year's festival. Things are getting really busy already and I can feel the momentum building once again. I have been thinking a lot about my career and where my next steps are, and this week I went to an open evening at the Graduate School of Business at one of Sydney's main universities. I'm thinking of doing an MBA so wanted to find out what my options are. The courses sound really exciting and I know that I need to get a Masters qualification in order to progress into more senior management (and one day be my own boss!) but the fees are incredible! An MBA is going to set me back about $40 grand! At the rate I earn money it's going to take me about 6 years if I pay in increments, so I really need to know it's the right decision.

And my back. Well, I've now moved into a really irritating phase of recovery. I'm pretty much mobile now, able to move and walk around, and be back at work. But I still can't carry heavy things, sit for any length of time, or twist or put pressure on my back. But of course I'm increasingly frustrated at not being able to do any exercise, and I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere with the small things my physio has set me. I've lost my patience with convalescing and just want to be 100% better RIGHT NOW! V annoying. It's funny how I was able to maintain my optimism when the prognosis was really bad but now I'm on the mend I'm heaps more pissed off about it! Come on recovery!

To top it all I wasn't able to do the timewarp moves when a bunch of us went to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Moonlight Cinema. Grrr. But it was still lots of fun, although Australian audiences aren't as forthcoming with the heckles as I'm used to from the UK. When I shouted 'arsehole' and 'slut' at the screen every time Brad and Janet's names were mentioned I was surrounded by nervous giggles. I think we need to educate them ;o) People were especially shocked when we threw slices of toast at the screen when Dr Scott said 'A Toast!' (I'd pre-prepared them at work by toasting a whole loaf of bread!)

Watching Rocky Horror on a warm summer evening

More pics on my flickr.

cx

All Tomorrow's Parties

After spending the first couple of weeks of 2009 housebound I'm finally on the mend and able to start thinking about the year ahead. My confinement was made even more torturous by the fact that it's been gloriously sunny 35+ degrees every day and I was glued to the sofa with only a chink of blue sky to observe out of the window!

Well this week I wandered down to the beach for some restorative sea air and made it to the Tamarama headlands for some ocean breeze and inspiration. Every day there is a distinct improvement in my back, less pain and more flexibility.

Catching the evening sun

I also managed to leave my suburb of Bondi for the first time in 2009, and have finally been able to enjoy some of what the Sydney Festival has to offer. On Tuesday I saw a play at the Sydney Theatre Company called Rabbit. This is a new piece of writing by an English woman called Nina Raine which premiered in London at the Old Red Lion Theatre in 2006. Transposed to Sydney, it features a range of characters in their late-20s, early-30s getting drunk in a bar, revealing the various twists of their relationships and preoccupations with contemporary society. I thoroughly enjoyed this witty observation of modern life, and the audience was roaring with laughter all the way through. It featured some fine young Australian actors who are definitely ones to watch.

Toby Schmitz in Rabbit

Then, as a throwback to my youth, I ventured into the city on Friday night to see Throwing Muses, a band I saw many years ago, probably at The Duchess in Leeds, fronted by angsty songstress Kristin Hersh. In fact I remember teaching myself her song 'Beestung' on the piano many years ago... She was great, and I was reminded how gorgeous Sydney is in January, listening to great music under the stars, on a warm summer's evening. I had to be careful with my back so I wasn't right in the throng, but I still had a great view.

Kristin Hersh at the Becks Bar

Then, the highlight of my week was something I've been long-awaiting: All Tomorrow's Parties! This is a music festival that started in the UK, where they hold it in the Butlin's holiday resort, and each year a musician is asked to curate the line-up, rather than just a jumble of current bands as per usual festivals. Transposed to Sydney, ATP had a gorgeous venue -- Cockatoo Island in the middle of the harbour! This is an old shipbuilding island which still has many of the original buildings, cranes and industrial machines lying around, v atmospheric! The Biennale hosted some video art there in June. We took a boat over to the island where four different stages featured a range of acts curated by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, who then headlined the night. It was a gorgeous day, the venue was perfect, the beer was great and the music was awesome. Although I kept away from the front of the crowds as I was still cautious about my back, I really enjoyed the festival, and am so glad ATP has finally made it to Australia! Can't wait for 2010...

With Stephie on the top of Cockatoo Island

My friends Simon and Josh getting excited for Spiritualized

Nick Cave, honest

So I've seen two Australian greats within a month: Kylie and Nick Cave! And I'm glad to be getting my energy back. I've seen a couple of physiotherapists who have given me adjustments and various exercises to do, and I'm now an outpatient at St Vincents, going back every week to see the physio. It was strange going back to the hospital where I'd spend NYE, as it felt much calmer and more pleasant, and there was some fantastic art on the walls which I hadn't noticed the first time around (must have been the morphine!), so I'm looking forward to slowly getting back to work and normality. Sydney Festival fun is certainly helping take my mind off it, at least!

cx

Sick bed = square eyes

Well as I've been housebound for the past week there's nothing much to report. I'm getting better after my accident, but painfully slowly, and I think I'll be here for at least another week. Frustrating as it is to be so immobile, I'm making the best of it, and am catching up on some movies and TV shows from my vantage point on the sofa. Here are some of the things I've watched.


BRIDES OF CHRIST



This is an excellent 6-part Australian TV series made in 1991. It tells the story of a group of nuns and girls being taught by nuns, and it features some of the finest Australia actors, including a young Naomi Watts and a very young Russell Crowe. I loved it, thought the score was amazing, and cried in buckets each episode. I doubt very much that something this strong would be made today, which is astonishing.


GALLIPOLI



Classic Peter Weir film about the Australian soldiers who went to fight in Turkey during World War II. Stars a very young Aussie-accented Mel Gibson (now I see what all the fuss is about!) and interestingly enough, it's only about four fifths of the way in that they actually get to war. Weir builds up the tension and the characters so well, and the ending is devastating. Great film.


THE CARS THAT ATE PARIS



Continuing my Peter Weir fascination, this early film of his is about demonic cars that terrorise an Australian town called Paris, where crash victims mysteriously assimilate into society and nothing is quite as it seems. Not sure if it was the meds but this film was seriously fucked up, but I loved it -- in the vein of Wicker Man and Village of the Damned.


A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT



Thought I'd do some research on films that deal with 'family issues' as I'm currently shaping a script which deals with a similar theme. This movie has a young and dashing Brad Pitt as a cheeky younger brother in small town America. A little too twee for my liking (and far too much footage of people fly fishing -- yawn!) but beautifully shot. I am so bored of the use of voiceover and flashback as narrative devices. C'mon Robert Redford, stop being so lazy!


IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY



Awful awful awful film about three generations of a Jewish-American family who try to get along, played by three generations of the Douglas family (Kirk, Michael and some kid). Only stomached about 20 mins of it before I had to turn it off.


RUSHMORE



Second viewing of this for me, but it's been a while since I've seen it. Kookie Wes Anderson film about a kid who participates in so many extra-curricular activities in high school that his grades are failing. His precocious relationship with Bill Murray and a young female teacher are amusingly handled. I don't understand why so many people dislike this film, I love it.


ABSOLUTE POWER



Excellent 2006 British TV series (6 episodes) starring Stephen Fry as a partner in a PR firm based in London. Exposes all the ghastly workings of PR and spin, and has some amusing comments on the culture of celebrity. Laughed out loud lots at this one. Also nice to see shots of London on screen.


FEARLESS



Another Peter Weir film, this time one made in America, with Jeff Bridges playing a man who survives a plane crash and starts to think he's invincible. A bit over the top for me, but again incredibly well directed. This guy really knows how to build to a crescendo.


MAGNOLIA



I don't always like Paul Thomas Anderson, but this film is fantastic. It interweaves several stories and tells some of the grittiest tales of modern humanity, including a surprisingly good performance from Tom Cruise as an unlikable misogynistic self-help guru and the ever-wonderful Julianne Moore as the money-grabbing wife of a dying old man. The way he cut from each story to the next was sharp and innovative (none of your tired old voiceover on this one) and the bizarre ending, though completely from left-field, was hilarious. Don't want to spoil it for you if you haven't seen it...


WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT?



Can't believe I've never seen this film before! An incredibly young Peter O'Toole and a bewigged Peter Sellers star in this sexually-charged romp through the 60s, which was Woody Allen's first on-screen appearance (he also co-wrote)... So funny.


THE WEST WING, SEASON 5



Although the post-Sorkin episodes are lacking a certain something, this is still one of the greatest TV shows of all time. I've only got two seasons to go now, and then I've watched the whole thing. At 22 episodes per season, approx 42 minutes per episode (they have a lot of commercials in America!) I've watched about 80 hours of this so far. Riveting stuff. Far less depressing now that I know Obama will soon be taking up the reins in the real west wing. Nick's bringing season 6 over on Sunday, can't wait!


So yes, I've been spending my time profitably, and already have DVD reinforcements from my friend Alex, who brought over some cheesy oldies and some worthy newbies. Think it will be some time before I can sit in a cinema seat again so I'll settle for lounging on the sofa for a while longer. I must admit that, although I do love movies, I am getting a little bored. I wasn't made for being so inactive.

Still, I'm keeping my spirits up, and it's made me realise what a lovely bunch of people my friends and work colleagues are -- they've all rallied round and been very supportive, doing food shops for me and helping to punctuate the boredom.

2009 will still be divine, it's just going to start a little later for me!

cx

2008 was great; 2009 will be divine...

...or at least that's what I thought. Yes, as some of you already know, my New Year's Eve turned into a bit of a disaster. But somehow I have not lost my positivity and enthusiasm for the year ahead.

I had planned to go to Nick's NYE party in Kirribilli, the theme was 'sparkle' so I picked out a cute frock and some sparkly shoes, and I baked a yummy chocolate cake to take with me. Matt was having an afternoon gathering at a friend's house in Vaucluse so I thought I'd pop by there beforehand to take a dip in the pool.

Drink, anyone?

However, I slipped on the concrete steps in the garden, and landed in the worst possible way -- right on the lumbar region of my back. Swiftly realising this was not an ordinary fall, I resigned myself to the fact that NYE was over for me, and concentrated on sorting out the situation. The ambulance was called, I had several MGs of Morphine injected into me, and I struggled to hoist my frock on over my bikini before being taken by the paramedics to the ambulance and promptly fainting.

Sulking in hospital on NYE

So I spent NYE in the Emergency Unit of St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst, where the hunky nurses looked after me and the lovely doctors tried to work out the damage. I had a full set of x-rays and luckily I didn't break anything, but I have intense tissue damage and internal bleeding, and I'm in a hell of a lot of pain. My vantage point for the fireworks was a hospital TV screen rather than the window of the Kirribilli flat I was expecting.

Yes, the girl who doesn't usually take paracetamol for a headache is now on 6 different types of controlled meds, to be taken at various times of the day (I have a chart in case I get confused, and believe me, Endone makes one confused) and I can't do anything! I have to lie down most of the day, can't walk, can't sit, and pretty much cry out in agony every time I try to do something different.

After a chilled out 'me-time' Christmas I was really looking forward to being sociable in the early new year, but now I'm relegated to sessions on the sofa watching yet more TV shows and films and reading books if my brain is up to it, and getting increasingly BORED.

My friends have been troopers and are rallying round, and I'm trying to stay positive. I have been really looking forward to 2009, and I don't want a silly fall to take that away from me. However, I have to accept that I will be like this for a few weeks, and I'm going to have to put work on hold for a while.

SO. New year's revolutions anyone? What were yours?

Mine are for the:
MIND -- read more and follow lines of enquiry into areas I'm interested in. Learn Spanish.
BODY -- continue my quest for health and strength in the back (have take a few steps backwards in this one, but I won't be deterred).
SPIRIT -- strengthen friendships, visit the UK, continue with yoga practice, take a yoga retreat this year.

Of course my drug-induced fug and back pain are denying me fulfillment in any of the above areas, but I think my 2009 is just going to be delayed for a couple of weeks.

Messages of support and condolence can be directed at me and not just my mum by the way. (She always seems to get more texts and emails than I do when something happens to me...!) Comments on the blog are most welcome. I think it's at times like this when you need to feel the support of everyone, not just those geographically near. I've had some lovely messages on Facebook, so thanks! I love the immediacy of the technical world: I could use my BlackBerry in the hospital to update my FB status to: Carmel is spending NYE drugged up on Morphine'; Keith immediately called mum, who called me, and suddenly half of England knows...

Ok, better go because I can't really sit down for long. Another episode of Brides of Christ before bed!

Much love and happiness for 2009.
cx