Monday, April 02, 2007

Whew!

...I can get into Blogger this morning - last night I couldn't log onto Blogger, get into my blog, leave comments etc - thought their whole system had crashed;

...Carlton came from behind to win the first game of the 2007 season;

...people didn't seem to take my last post as negative, although I maybe didn't say strongly enough how much I value the bloggers I do keep up with;

...we had a bit of rain on Friday (but did enjoy the magnificent weather in Castlemaine)

Speaking of which, we were there for the start of the Castlemaine State Festival, and the place was really alive. As we walked through this usually quiet country town, we could hear different music coming out of the various venues. On Friday night Mel and I went our separate ways to indulge our various tastes in entertainment. Mel went to a jazz concert in the Theatre Royal, Australia's oldest continually operating theatre (1854) on the mainland (for you non-Aussies, that implies that Tasmania would lay claim to having the oldest in Australia).

I opted for a more contemporary event, a hiphop group consisting of a half a dozen young men who did amazing acrobats, drumming, and something called beatboxing, which I never heard of before, here's a definition: primarily concerned with the art of creating beats, rhythms, and melodies using the human mouth. It can also involve singing, vocal scratching (the imitation of turntable skills), the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments, and the replication of a vast array of sound effects. It was unbelievable the sounds that guy could make with just a microphone, and the whole event was a hit with both young and old (and I was not the oldest!).

On Saturday night we both went to see a circus/burlesque group: 4 acrobatic young w
omen with a very naughty sense of humor. My face hurt from laughing and smiling so much. Next week we go back for some more: a guitar and violin concert in a mineshaft (wonderful acoustics and atmosphere, we've attended a concert there before), and another burlesque show - retro but fun!

But for peace and quiet our favorite place is our bush block behind the dam, where the rest of the world disappears.
This was what greeted us Sunday morning, the gentle autumn light filtering through the gum trees.

11 comments:

Susie said...

Hi Val,
Well until this season of American Idol I wouldn't have known about beat boxing either. The male contestant who performs it has a very good chance of making it to the final four. Sounds like you had a fun weekend.
:)

John Cowart said...

Hi Val,

I just checked Google news and see the top story if about a tsunami threatening Australia's east coast. I have no sense of geography, but I hope you and your family are safe.

Val said...

What an atmospheric photo - and what a contrast to the world of beat boxing. Doesnt the world hold wonders of all sorts?

Peter said...

Hi Val, nice to see both Carlton and Brisbane starting with wins.
Keep on bloggin' should be on every corner.

Jeanette said...

Hi Val, Looks like you had a great weekend Including Carlton Beating Richmond.BooHoo. If your Ever in yarra the kettles on. Take care. (((Hugs)))

Cris said...

What a lovely place... Val, will publish the recipe soon, thanks so much!

Tammy said...

Blogger can be such a pain...maybe you should hold your tongue just a certain way then try it...lol!
Your last pic looks so peaceful!

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Has Blogger been giving you a hard time ?? It can be such a pain.
Glad Carlton won for you. I'm actually a (really bad) Hawthorn supporter ... did they win on the weekend ?!?!
Have a great week.
Take care, Meow

Kerri said...

I enlarged your photo and really appreciated it Val. Early morning in the Aussie bush looks very peaceful and inviting.
What a fun festival that sounds. I would've enjoyed both the jazz and the beatboxing (which is new to me). Oh, and the circus/burlesque group too :) It all sounds like great fun.

Merle said...

Hi Val ~~ I am behind in replyig as blogger wouldn't let me get anywhere
last day or so. I was delighted with
the win, and how we came from behind AGAIN. Hope they can keep it up.
Thanks for your comments, i think I am OK now with posting photos, and I don't think I always sleep THAT soundly. I have smoke detectors of
course and hope I would hear them.
Take care Val, now let's beat Geelong. Love, Merle.

Carole Burant said...

Hi Val:-) Just a quick visit to wish you and yours a very Happy Easter:-) I have my boys and Wendy here this weekend so it's been busy! xoxo