Day Sixteen - Chilled Soundtracks, Bells, Facemasks and more
I love this time of year, as summer moves on and autumns gets into gear; the light is as crisp and clear as the air is, and it's still warm, but not too hot.
It's getting tricky to come up with new angles for photos of the beach, but here's one that highlights the dunes. These dunes help protect the foreshore. People are encouraged to STAY AWAY, but they don't of course (just like some people don't stay home during lockdown!) Rabbits run amok amongst them despite best pest-control endeavours. Even though it might not seem like it, these dunes really do serve a valuable purpose. Just like STAYING HOME does!
Do keep reading to find out about some fab soundtracks I share ... I encourage you to listen to them all - you will feel uplifted!
NOTE: If you hook into any of the music links - remember to hit the Back arrow to get back to the Blog and onto the next one!
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| Omaha Beach photo of the day - the dunes |
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| Two cyclists - blue backdrop |
Talking of bells and clarity ... Brett and I went to a concert with some friends in Melbourne a couple of years ago - a jazz band was playing, and they were accompanied by a special composition piece featuring the Federation Bells - an installation of 39 upturned bells in Birrarung Marr on the banks of the Yarra River. Not only do these bells look great as a sculptural piece of purposeful art, they sound amazing. Bonus moment in life!
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| The Federation Bells, Melbourne (yes, these are all bells) |
I want to cover quite a bit today (feeling highly inspired by this gorgeous weather!)
Bear with ... I hope all this entertains/informs ... some good music coming ...
Firstly, Easter and the Moon.
As we know, Easter dates vary from year to year – sometimes in March (not often); mostly in April.
So, just how are those seemingly random Easter dates determined? Here's the formula ...
Easter Sunday falls on the first SUNDAY on or after the first FULL MOON after the Autumnal EQUINOX (in the Southern Hemisphere) or the Spring Equinox (in the Northern Hemisphere) – i.e. 20th March.
This particular "pre-Easter Full Moon" has its own name - it's called the Paschal Full Moon (pronounced pas-kal). From the Aramaic for Passover. (The language of Jesus, if you're wondering!)
So, in summary ...
- Easter is based around the Sunday that falls after the Full Moon that comes along after 20th March!
This year - Full Moon 8th April (Wed) - the Sunday after is 12th April which becomes Easter Sunday.
Interesting facts:
- The EARLIEST that Easter Sunday can be is 22nd March - as it was last in 1818 and will be next in 2285. So not in our lifetimes! It fell on 23rd March in 2008 (the Full Moon was on 22nd) so pretty close to the extremity.
- The LATEST that Easter Sunday can be is 25th April - as it was last in 1943 and will be next in 2038. Let's hope we're around for the next one! It got close in 2011 at 24th April (Full Moon was on 20th March so had to wait for the April one, on 18th April - a Monday - and then the Sunday after that was 24th.)
Secondly: Neil Young, Harvest Moon
Talking of Moons ... here's one of my very favourite songs ... "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young.
Talking of Moons ... here's one of my very favourite songs ... "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young.
This version is "unplugged" style - pared back and haunting, it's absolutely beautiful.
Neil has just the right amount of everything - passion, talent and stunning music collide. Do watch!
Neil has just the right amount of everything - passion, talent and stunning music collide. Do watch!
This song was our Wedding Song - an event planned for the night of a Full Moon, of course (11th Feb 2017)! The weather was perfect - no plan B required!
The lovely late great Nicolette Larson (remember the song Lotta Love?) is one of the backing singers here (on the right, wavy hair). She died in 1997, aged 45.
Linda Ronstadt also collaborated with Neil Young for a long time. She was also instrumental in the forming of The Eagles.
Linda Ronstadt also collaborated with Neil Young for a long time. She was also instrumental in the forming of The Eagles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMjDc8MJotU
All I can say - wish I was at this intimate concert.
BTW - A Harvest Moon is the Full Moon closest to the Autumnal equinox (Northern Hemisphere) or the Spring equinox (Southern) i.e. the opposite equinox to the one associated with Easter. Can be either side of that, whichever is closest. .
The equinox date is generally 22nd September but can sometimes be 23rd or even 24th.
So the Harvest Moon could be in either September or October.
The equinox date is generally 22nd September but can sometimes be 23rd or even 24th.
So the Harvest Moon could be in either September or October.
The Harvest Moon coincides with many cultural events, festivals and customs around the world.
Thirdly: Heaven - Talking Heads
While we're on the subject of celestial bodies - here's another song I love - "Heaven" by Talking Heads (1984) - this version (link below) is from the film they made called "Stop Making Sense" which is a quirky film of a beautifully staged concert. Pretty ground-breaking at the time (as were most things Dave Byrne did).
This is the second song in the film, and features the lovely Tina Weymouth on bass. Behind Dave Byrne (note the unblinking wide open eyes in typical Byrne style) the crew move about setting up the stage for the full band who come on and it all really gets going. I remember seeing the film in an arthouse cinema in London not long after it came out. Vivid memories of simple genius.
I've never seen Talking Heads live, but have seen Dave Byrne twice. If you ever saw the band, let me know, I'd love to know your thoughts! Tina and her husband Chris Frantz also formed Tom Tom Club (1981) - love them too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZpZuIWu1tw
Wish I was at this concert too!
Fourthly: Ballet and Theatre - Easter Treats ...
The London West End is showing some of their Andrew Lloyd Webber productions online at weekends during Covid lockdown.
Last weekend was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (one of my faves).
This weekend is, aptly, Jesus Christ Superstar.
Available for 48 hours from 7pm Friday night UK time (that's 6am Sat morning NZ time).
Check the link ...
The Royal NZ Ballet is livestreaming "A Midsummer Night's Dream" this weekend.
Three slots - 7pm Friday night (you missed that one!); 1.30pm Saturday; 10.30am Sunday
You can only watch at these times, it's not "on demand" style.
Fifthly: Masks - yes, again ...Three slots - 7pm Friday night (you missed that one!); 1.30pm Saturday; 10.30am Sunday
You can only watch at these times, it's not "on demand" style.
I mentioned in an earlier post about the strange phenomenon of me being bombarded with emails about facemasks (the health/medical variety) last Oct/Nov. Quick recap: I've created masquerade masks, not medical, for 2 decades and was closing that side of my work down at the time to do other things. I did wonder why the barrage of medical masks at the time (delete) - never had an email about them before. Now I know!
I continue to receive daily emails from various Chinese mask suppliers. See photos below received today from one particularly persistent (and ultra friendly) mask supplier, sending me photos of fashion" masks I might be interested in. No.
The email suggests these "fashion" masks can protect people and "scare away virus". I think not. Although they might scare away people.
Gotta love the perseverance.
Quite tempted to get a selection just because.
BTW, despite being involved with [eye] masks for two decades, I have not donned a protective one so far.
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| Let's pretend we're animals and won't get Covid. Oh, but felines can indeed get it! And there's a bird in here. Wolves ... well, that's for another post! |
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| Skeleton mask - maybe the message is "if you don't wear this, you will end up like this sooner than you'd like"! |
Well, it's been just over a fortnight since lockdown - and Michael has amused himself during downtime from work by playing the video game Fortnite with a bunch of others online. He's not big into gaming, but it has filled his time up here. They have headphones with microphones and join up in groups to play other groups, player-versus-player style, all around the world.
He tried to amuse himself physically, but now it's mostly about the TV screen!
The first couple of days he went and did some chipping practice on the golf course by himself - until he got told off gruffly by someone living nearby "get off or I'll report you".
He's been running most days - until a sore knee put paid to that. Alas, I think it may be an old injury flared up. No more running right now, just Voltaren. And Fortnite!
Lunch: pita bread and pate
Dinner: Chili Chicken burgers with lots of trimmings
Followed by: Whittakers Coconut chocolate
Watched "The Golden Compass" movie - believe it or not, this is the first movie I've watched since lockdown. I've seen it about 4-5 times already but I love this story and, in the vein of Sound of Music and Shawshank Redemption and Harry Potter, it's one of those eminently re-watchable movies.
The book, by Philip Pullman (called Northern Lights and part of His Dark Materials trilogy) is aimed at young adults. The message is a sophisticated one, really aimed at adults. With elements of the Narnia series throughout, and an engaging steampunk/Nordic theme, it's an insightful and somewhat dark story about life and death and overcoming adversity and the importance of soul. The book is so well written and the story beautifully crafted. The movie is superbly cast and its protagonist Lyra is perfect. Love. Will watch again.
Followed by: Whittakers Coconut chocolate
Watched "The Golden Compass" movie - believe it or not, this is the first movie I've watched since lockdown. I've seen it about 4-5 times already but I love this story and, in the vein of Sound of Music and Shawshank Redemption and Harry Potter, it's one of those eminently re-watchable movies.
The book, by Philip Pullman (called Northern Lights and part of His Dark Materials trilogy) is aimed at young adults. The message is a sophisticated one, really aimed at adults. With elements of the Narnia series throughout, and an engaging steampunk/Nordic theme, it's an insightful and somewhat dark story about life and death and overcoming adversity and the importance of soul. The book is so well written and the story beautifully crafted. The movie is superbly cast and its protagonist Lyra is perfect. Love. Will watch again.
SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
Our "Covid Soundtrack" ...
Michael and I, as we've been working away on our computers, have been listening to his Spotify playlist every day. It's the same songs, which he loves ... and which I have come to love.
Most are new bands, from NZ and Oz, who deliver laid back sounds of summer and good times.
And having heard them every day, on loop, I not only know them, as I say, I love them.
Having said that, some of the songs on his playlist are old time faves of mine - "Bad Moon Rising", "Horse With No Name", "Fast Car" and similar. And he loves these.
Here are three cool current songs that I have grown to love very much over the past fortnight.
I know that, every time I hear these songs forever more, I will remember these days - in that way that 70s and 80s songs still resonate and remind me of those days.
I encourage you to take a listen ...
Cool guys, cool songs - the sound of now.
Small note: If you're older and don't "get" any of this music - then "old" is probably apt!!
I can't get enough of it (reference the Rufus du Sol song!) Not sure it makes me young - but definitely not "old" - in the eyes of the young!
Mako Road: The Sun Comes Up (think laid back new era Dire Straits)
Four guys from Christchurch, indi pop-rock. Sit up and take notice!
LOVE these guys. Love those sandals! Legs aren't bad either!
The one on the left looks a bit like Donny O when he played Joseph! Check out circa 50 seconds in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px4BEyV1I-c
So watchable! So listenable! Love.
Bootleg Rascal: Drop the Gun (one of those songs you want on repeat)
Ghetto-dubsters, from Sydney and GC - hip-hop infused jams and sonic brews. Infectious.
Serious mullet, beards, hair and mo in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHKuFSaKscE
Rufus du Sol: You were right (happy upbeat vibe that takes you places)
Alternative dance music - three guys from Sydney.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp-lWgUDcKk
I hope all these talented musicians are in group bubbles during lockdown - and working on some magic to share ...
NZ: 1,282 Cases, 2 deaths (another one reported today, person in their 90s). Population: 4.8m
Vietnam: 257 cases, 0 deaths. Population: 95.5m
Our "Covid Soundtrack" ...
Michael and I, as we've been working away on our computers, have been listening to his Spotify playlist every day. It's the same songs, which he loves ... and which I have come to love.
Most are new bands, from NZ and Oz, who deliver laid back sounds of summer and good times.
And having heard them every day, on loop, I not only know them, as I say, I love them.
Having said that, some of the songs on his playlist are old time faves of mine - "Bad Moon Rising", "Horse With No Name", "Fast Car" and similar. And he loves these.
Here are three cool current songs that I have grown to love very much over the past fortnight.
I know that, every time I hear these songs forever more, I will remember these days - in that way that 70s and 80s songs still resonate and remind me of those days.
I encourage you to take a listen ...
Cool guys, cool songs - the sound of now.
Small note: If you're older and don't "get" any of this music - then "old" is probably apt!!
I can't get enough of it (reference the Rufus du Sol song!) Not sure it makes me young - but definitely not "old" - in the eyes of the young!
Mako Road: The Sun Comes Up (think laid back new era Dire Straits)
Four guys from Christchurch, indi pop-rock. Sit up and take notice!
LOVE these guys. Love those sandals! Legs aren't bad either!
The one on the left looks a bit like Donny O when he played Joseph! Check out circa 50 seconds in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px4BEyV1I-c
So watchable! So listenable! Love.
Bootleg Rascal: Drop the Gun (one of those songs you want on repeat)
Ghetto-dubsters, from Sydney and GC - hip-hop infused jams and sonic brews. Infectious.
Serious mullet, beards, hair and mo in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHKuFSaKscE
Rufus du Sol: You were right (happy upbeat vibe that takes you places)
Alternative dance music - three guys from Sydney.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp-lWgUDcKk
I hope all these talented musicians are in group bubbles during lockdown - and working on some magic to share ...
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| View from our western deck tonight - stunning |
NZ: 1,282 Cases, 2 deaths (another one reported today, person in their 90s). Population: 4.8m
Vietnam: 257 cases, 0 deaths. Population: 95.5m
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