G'day Mate

I am currently very far from home on the other side of the world where the sun shines brightly in perfect cerulean blue skies with puffy white cottonball clouds. I am quickly getting used to the wilderness and awakening to the strange but interesting screeches of birds that sound like prehistoric pteradactyls mixed with babies' hysterical laughter. Everything is bigger down under, from the bright green dragonflies and the huge cockatoos to the holiday homes here along the western coast of Margaret River just a few hours south of the city of Perth. There are over 120 wineries that generate about 5% of total Australian wine production but over 20% of their premium wines. Very few of these wines actually make it off these shores which is quite unfortunate for many of us wine enthusiasts. So after just a few days here, I would already highly recommend a visit for anyone who enjoys New World wines as well as the beauty of the crystal blue sea and pristine beaches. And there's nothing bigger than the friendliness of the locals - it's so refreshing to be greeted by everyone from shoppers on the street, men fishing off the coast and random kids at the café. Smiles all around. Beautiful.

My Funny Valentine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_A9xX_CVFA

I love this version of the Chet Baker / Frank Sinatra classic (yes, it is Matt Damon singing in one of his best roles).  And after all these years, I am still in love with this film.  Maybe it's because of the brilliant cinematography and beautiful locations in Italy...  or maybe it's the intense, romantic yet disturbing story and characters...  or the stellar cast (one of very few films where I am not annoyed by Gwynnie)...  or perhaps it's due to the perfectly styled, artful direction of a genius (Anthony Minghella RIP).  It's probably all of the above.  This song especially, like the film, is so sexy and haunting at the same time.  I just cannot stop listening to it....spooky..ky..ky..ky...ky..ky..ky...

La Dolce Vita

Whenever I need inspiration, there is only one place 
to look...










"You may have the universe if I may have Italy." 
  - Giuseppe Verdi

God Save the Queen

As I have been living outside of the USA for many years now, I've become accustomed to scouring the web to view all the great American spectacles on the day AFTER they occur. Case in point...the Superbowl. I'm not a big American football fan but this one game once a year pulls together millions of people from all walks of life to focus on a single event for several hours non-stop, which is pretty incredible...don't you think?  It's unfortunate we can't solve all the world's problems with sporting competitions...well, okay, we could discuss that all day but it's way too huge and serious for this little blog.

Back to the game...which I didn't see much of...actually I only viewed the final touchdown which was a 15 second play I think. Instead I focused on all the adverts! Some were fab (personally I liked the VW Star Wars series) but most we have already seen as they were pre-released - so, anti-climactic there. I also watched the 12 minute clip of Madonna's half-time show...which was really impressive. I know, I've been an off- and on- fan from her early days (well before True Blue!) and I have seen her in concert and she truly puts on an amazing show. What really gets me though are all the comments this morning about her performance being good for someone who's over 50. "She did well for her age." For her age. I heard that and read that from so many people all day. For. Her. Age. So annoying! No one said that about Harrison Ford when he did that terrible film, Cowboys and Aliens last year. He was good for his age. Seriously, he wasn't very good at all.  And no one says that about Paul McCartney when he goes out on tour.  Fine, Madge seemed a bit awkward at times but I have to be honest. That performance was great regardless of her age. She totally blew away Nicky M and M.I.A. She showed them who the Queen of Pop really is....so, kudos to her Madgesty for getting out there and strutting her stuff. (And for bringing along all the Roman soldiers...they were nice to look at...)

And finally, to the true monarch herself, Queen Elizabeth II, congratulations for 60 years on the throne today.  Setting a fine example for strong women everywhere. I look forward to all the Diamond Jubilee festivities (perhaps I can even experience it live in person rather than watching on telly the next day).