Day 5, Level 1: Bluegrass and Parasites

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A mellow sunrise sky this morning. Uplifting - although not being a morning person it didn't gift me too much of an early spring in my step! I pottered about doing a bit of sorting and organising. 

7:30am


I went to the Matakana Market late morning - it was busy; many stalls had sold out, some were closed due to a power/water cut (not quite sure what that was about). There was a fabulous bluegrass band playing - The Pipis. Watched them for a while. The crowd was really enjoying them. Uplifting music on a gorgeous warm sunny winter's day. 





I called into the Matakana Information Centre in the Cinema complex, had a great chat with Louise about local offerings and she passed on some great info and insights. I popped along to check out the Matakana Motel as an accommodation offering for my trips - tick. 

I popped into Design Pod, a local clothes shop that I've passed many times but never been in. Had a great chat with owner/designer Tanya - more local tips and info gained. 

This week I have made some great new connections in the area. I felt enthused and with more clarity. Next week - pull it all together and get marketing!

LUNCH: Croissant from the market
DINNER: Spaghetti with creamy pesto/pumpkin sauce. And Wispa bars (plural!)

SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
"Parasite" ...
On a whim, I decided to go and see the 3:15pm showing of Parasite (2019 Oscar Winning film - Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature Film) at the Matakana Cinema complex. A South Korean film, it's an intriguing and slightly disturbing film that explores naivety, conmanship, resourcefulness, come-uppance, and rich v. poor. Billed as "black humour", at times it almost had a spoof quality about it. There were a few untidy bits I found irritating. The end was violent. And subtley clever. 
It's not exactly an enjoyable watch, but lounging back in the Paradiso theatre, with its thousands of colourful paper flowers all over the ceiling, on a Saturday afternoon with a glass of pinot gris felt indulgent and rather wonderful. 
I'm not sure if it was Best Picture Oscar worthy (quite a few fall short, in my opinion) - but I'm very glad I've seen it. There's a cleverness about this film - creating the concept ... well, I can only surmise that it must emanate from a scheming mind, or someone who has been conned! And that would have to be Bong Joon-ho who wrote, adapted for screen, and directed the film. And won the Best Director Oscar. 
To me, it wasn't so much a film about social commentary as it was a lightly deep observation of how easily human beings can dupe and be duped. And how resourcefulness can be mustered in the moment - with consequences that can lead to relief or chaos - or both, as in this film.
A film to put on your list!





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