pommymike's 2018

That was 2019

01/01/20

2019 Another great year completed - full of stimulation, relaxation, nice people, fun events, interesting conversations, good food and nice venues. Looking through my diary, a breakdown of my year is as follows:

Folk There have been lots of scheduled and incidental catch-ups - I like the mix, but also work hard on ensuring that I see the people I want to. There have been fewer people added into my world and also fewer people who have left it, than usually occurs - my life tends to be more fluid around meeting folk and some peripheral movements, but this year has seen a decline in that. I have caught up with 73 friends and family members that can be broken down as: 13 male 60 female 34 I met through work 39 I met in other ways 21 I’ve known for over 20 years 27 I’ve known for over 10 years 7 I’ve known for over 5 years 15 I’ve known for over 1 year 3 became friends this year As I usually say, the more people I meet, the better I get to know myself and the richer my world becomes through these interactions. I love the times I spend with people I like - the lessons learnt and the stories shared. The more perspectives I get, the more I can reflect. Thank you, one and all.

What I’ve done with the year There’s a lot been going on - which is just how I like it: 168 catchups with friends 4 Art shows 11 book shows 4 Classical music shows 24 comedy shows 21 events 13 movies 60 Local performers whose gigs I went to (plus 80+ local musical performers who were support acts or part of bigger shows) 34 International music performers 7 Plays 33 shows 14 talks 5 sporting events 5 volunteer days 14 days where I worked the evening or on the weekend 27 Health things 9 days out of Melbourne on trips 22 days I had no plans - most of them, I took myself out for dinner

Entertainment A lot of variety in the entertainment world - a mixture of small and big shows too - some of the best have been the more intimate ones with hugely talented local artists. My attitude of making the most of the day I am living in, means that I am am focused on what is happening in front of me and that intensifies the good (and bad). I only assess at the end of the event and I try not to compare too much with previous shows. It is purely the moment, what it gives me, and what it leaves me with. So as I list out the events below, it is rewarding to see the number and variety. International music acts We get a lot of musical visits to Australia and I try and grab the chance to see people who I have always wanted to see or who are here rarely. Out of the 34 acts, I saw 18 for the first time () and 5 of them (#) were all part of the same show. A Bowie Celebration - original band members Ben Waters Beth Hart * Billy Ocean Bryan Ferry C J Ramone * Colin Hay Damien Rice Deacon Blue * Elton John Fleetwood Mac * Frontm3n * Gary Clark Jr * Jacksons, Kool & The Gang, Pointer Sisters, Sister Sledge, Village People # Jeff Tweedy * Jon Cleary * Kamasi Washington * Liz Caroll * Marlon Williams Mary Coughlan (twice) Neko Case * Newton Faulkner Norah Jones * Phil Collins * The Proclaimers Punch Brothers * Roisin Murphy * Rufus Wainwright Sharon Van Etten * U2 * Australian music acts So many acts to see and at some great venues. Aaron Schembri Alma Zygier Amaya Laucirica Anouska Taylor Archie Roach Atlanta Coogan Boite Millenium Chorus Broads C W Stoneking Cartridge Family Clio Renner Dan Sultan Darren Middleton David Bridie Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier Desperateens Fenn Wilson Gallie Geoff Achison George Wilson Hetty Kate I'm Talking Jack Howard Jeff Duff Jimmy Barnes John Butler Keith Urban Lloyd Speigel Lucky Oceans Marlon Williams Melbourne Amplified Strings Melbourne Mass Gospel Choir Missy Higgins Mojo Juju Monique diMattina Nikki Nouveau Opelousas Paul Kelly Paul Williamson Pierce Brothers The Plagarists Pokey LaFarge Ross Evans Sarah Caroll & Shannon Bourne Stephen Pigram Stetson Family Stiletto Sisters Teskey Brothers Thando The Commoners The Twoks Tim Rogers Tommy Emmanuel Vanessa Amorosi Vika and Linda Waifs William Barton Xani Kolac Yothu Yindi You Am I Some of the acts that were part of other shows or support: Alice Skye Angie Hart Benny Walker Brian Mannix Clare Bowditch Courtney Barnett Harry Hookey Harry James Angus Jeff Lang Jet Kasey Chambers Kate Ceberano Kate Miller-Heidke Kerri Simpson Kutcha Edwards Lisa Miller Lisa Mitchell Lucie Thorn Mark Atkins Matt Walker Monique Brumby Nina Ferro Rebecca Barnard Rob Snarski Sarah Blasko Shane O'Mara Simon Bailey Classical shows Not much this year - only 4 shows - I’m not sure why that is. Maybe it is because there are so many options and I have to select the preferred one on any given day - and I guess that Classical music scores less on my scale of what I want to do. But I also keep an eye on it and take opportunities when they arrive. Plays / Stage Shows There are so many choices of plays that it makes me notice how few I go to - again, I am not sure why you as I do enjoy plays. But I saw 7, so it isn’t too bad. 2 plays; Love and Shit 33 Variations Come From Away Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Lazarus Slaughterhouse Five The Lady in the Van Shows 33 shows this year - lots of varieties of music and content - some different moments, some unique moments, and a lot of pleasure involved. 3XY show A Swingin' Bella Christmas Abbey Road revisited Alma Zygiers Christmas Show Bobby Gentry show Boite 40th anniversary party Brian Cox Chess Sessions Dylan's birthday gig Dylan Revisited Edith Piaf story Epic Brass FOJAM Gershwin Reimagined Great Gig in the Sky Heart of St Kilda Janis Joplin & Doors show Kimberley Echoes Leaving Jackson Maries Crisis Rocks Gala Salute to Dr John Seven Songs Sing A Song Of Sixpence Songs of Dolly Parton Speakeasy Gala Summer Series The Man in Black The Mass of Lament The Unravelling What Girls are Made Of Woodstock Woody Guthrie tribute Movies There have been more movies than I usually go to, but they are a mix of docos, music and actual films. A Boy Called Sailboat (movie) Amazing Grace (Aretha Franklin performance) Anne Frank: Parallel Stories (doco) Blinded by the Light (movie) Gauguin in Tahiti: Paradise Lost (sort of doco) How to change the world (doco) Joni 75 (Joni Mitchel tribute gig) Ranger to Ranger (doco) Rocketman (movie) The Australian Dream (doco) The Last Waltz (concert by The Band) Us & Them (Roger Waters concert) Yesterday (movie) Comedy I went to see 24 comedians of which I saw 8 () for the first time. Though comedy is a hit and miss option, I had a high hit rate this year. Amos Gill Anne Edmonds Bob Franklyn Carey Marx Dara O'Briain David O'Doherty Eddie Izzard Flo & Joan * Great Debate - festival event with multiple performers Hannah Gadsby James Acaster * Joe Lycett * Keep Calm, It’s British - various UK comics Kitty Flanagan Luke Heggie Marty Sheargold * Phil Wang * Rob Brydon * Simon Amstell Stephen K Amos Tim Vine Titus O'Reily Tom Allen * Upfront - best female comics from festival Book Talks I have attended 11 (which is less than last year) and they have all been different and rewarding. Adam Rozenbachs Ash Grunwald David Nicholls Don Walker Jack Charles Julian Burnside Kitty Flanagan (two different ones) Natasha Stott Despoja Stan Grant Titus O'Reily Talks I like to keep an eye out for interesting talks that will make me think. This year was quieter on this front, but I am happy with what I saw/heard. 10 things nobody tells you about writing Ben Okri Broadside - Monica Lewinski and others Doing Time Inner Strength Leigh Sales Limitless MWF - Felix Riebi & Thando Nick Cave Stephen Jefferson The Fifth Estate: Antisemitism The Other Side of Freedom Wheeler Centre comedy talk Writers Victoria Art A quiet year for art shows this year, though I do pop into galleries every now and then to see what is going on, but that is incidental rather than chosen shows: Archibald Prize exhibition Gertrude Projection Festival Stephanie Jane Rampton art show Wendy McDougall photo show Dance Nothing grabbed my attention this year - again. Events Things that don't fit into the above categories. African Festival Better Off Said Blues Awards Cafe Philosophique Christian Marclay: The Clock (4 times) Closing Night of Writers Festival Flash mob dance Guitar Festival Jack Charles Long Walk Marngrook Footy Show Monster / Woman MWF - Opening Night Neuro-Linguistic Programming Rain Room Revolution Sensory Underground Share The Spirit Festival Smith Street Dreaming White Night / Blak Night Women@Work: Persuasion & Influencing

Holidays I have had time off during the year, but haven’t done too much with it in terms of travel. I am quite happy to have free time in Melbourne and enjoy the delights that it offers. I did have 6 days off and spent the time catching up with lots of people and going to lots of things - some say that it isn’t relaxing to do too much, but for me, it gives me so much energy and pleasure - it is part of life’s delight. I took a day off when my sister (plus brother-in-law Jon, and 2 of their friends) were in Melbourne for 8 hours - a cruise they were on stopped here. It was a busy few hours trying to give them a sense of the place, but I enjoyed the challenge and they seemed to enjoy the results. I then flew to Sydney to spend a day with them up there too. Another day trip to Sydney was to spend the day with my cousin Vicky and her daughter Millie - we just hung out at Taronga Zoo, which is as good a thing to do as anything. And I finished the year with a trip to the UK to see family and friends. I try to get back there every couple of years and always enjoy visiting the home land - it is a place and environment that I am obviously very comfortable in. This trip, I based myself in a small hotel in the heart of Convent Garden and the location couldn’t have been better, through the room was the smallest I have ever stayed in - lovely hotel though. I arrived at 5:30am on Christmas Day and spent the whole day wandering around enjoying the lack of people. The rest of the time was just lovely catch-ups with people I like. Who could want more?

Sport I went see Hawthorn play 5 times (v Gold Coast, Collingwood, Geelong, GWS, Melbourne). It wasn’t our best season, but I have a good feeling that it has been building up in readiness for a strong showing in 2020 - get on board! I have also been enjoying the resurgence of Leicester City - though I haven’t been able to watch a game this season - I just read about them and listen to relevant podcasts to keep me up to date. When I was in the UK, I tried to get a ticket to see them, but they were all sold out.

Volunteering I continue to be a mentor through Fitted for Work - this year, I completed my time with one mentee and am currently helping another. I was also trained up to be able to support transgender women who are striving for their fair go at things too.

Work I started the year at the job I had been in for 10 months already. I was planning on leaving earlier, but I said that I’d stay until they could find a replacement for me - it took a while. I’m pleased I stayed for that but also glad that I left. 12 good months though. I then started my current contract. It’s nice to be working a 14 minute walk from home and also working a 9 day fortnight i.e. I have every other Thursday off for my pleasure. My present contract is until the end of Feb, so I will decide closer to then as to what to do next.

Books I read the following - all good and it keeps my eye in. I am not the world’s biggest reader - my attention span is so short that it makes it tough: Louis and Louise by Julie Cohen 488 Rules For Life by Kitty Flanagan Identity Crisis by Ben Elton F*** You Very Much: Danny Wallace Bloody Mary: My Story by Mary Coughlan

Projects There have been 2 this year that have completed: 1. Selfies: simply a selfie taken each day of the year. I wondered whether I’d see much change, but other than my face getting fatter, there is just the evidence that I don’t shave very often. 2. Questions: Each week I asked the same 6 questions to a different friend and I have now published the results. Probably more enjoyable for me to do than anyone to read. I am currently working on a more challenging project that is taking a lot longer than I thought, - because of my attention span issue - but it will reveal itself.

Health At the start of the year, my hip twanged and was really bad for a few weeks - I could barely lift my foot off the ground for 3 weeks and couldn’t put a sock on for over 4 weeks - it was tough but no lasting damage. The doctor gave me good drugs, the physio gave me exercises, and Pilates gave me strength. Having gained a bit of weight, I set myself a challenge of losing 100grams a day for 100 consecutive days i.e. losing 10kg in 100 days. I achieved it and was very proud of that. Unfortunately I have slipped up again and regained some of that. I intend to have a real good go at losing it again as soon as I get back to work after New Year. Though I do Pilates each week, I haven’t been doing other exercise, so I need to rectify that. Maybe some cycling added to the mix. And more walking - I keep jumping onto trams when I don’t need to. I had a medical earlier in the year and all was good, but I have been feeling tired recently, so I will go and have another soon - best to be sure.

Other Stuff At the start of the year, Chris Wilson passed away. He was my musical hero in Australia and I had seen him perform over 200 times. Loads of good memories and it is sad that he has gone, but I will always be grateful that I got to meet and hear him over the last 21 years. I started the year happily single - just giving myself space and time to soak up life and watch the days and participate in the delights on offer. In March, I randomly met somebody at a gig and have been in a relationship with her since then. Fortunately she is up for going out a lot and going to lots of things, so we’ve shared quite a few of the events on offer - we both also go to plenty with other folk or alone - so that is healthy. Meeting somebody new has been an unexpected twist, but no complaints - she's a good egg.

Lifestyle Reading all of the above, I am once again delighted at the life I live and the opportunities I seek out and follow up on. Melbourne continues to be the place I love to be. I am averaging between 4 and 5 events per week and around 3 catch-ups per week. I like these numbers. This also includes time for/with my relationship - so plenty to balance. Even when I don’t have plans, I still feel the need to do something - even if that is going for a bite to eat. When I do nothing, I feel that I have wasted the day. I’m not sure why I see things that way or why ‘doing something’ has more value than ‘doing nothing’ - but that is how it feels. I think that even when I am home for an evening, I don’t do nothing - I am always dabbling on the computer or doing something. If I want to read, then I tend to go and sit I an cafe to do that. So I don’t really relax in the traditional sense. Then again, I can sit in the window or outside a cafe with a glass of wine and just enjoy watching the day. I like watching people go about their way and ponder what is going on in them. So though I seem to be busy all the time, I have a lot of ‘me-time’ to do whatever takes my fancy and just enjoy being where I am. I get my energy from stimulation and I get that from going to things or places. My favourite moments still come from sharing a meal, drink and chat with a friend - ok, they need to listen to my musings, but I am also more interested in them than me, so I have plenty to ask and I enjoy hearing answers. The more people I speak to, the more I learn - about them, life and myself. So I am still a hedonist and don’t apologise for it. I work, I spend time with people and I go to things. I embrace the world I live in and appreciate all that it gives me. So goodbye to another interesting year - and hello 2020 - let’s be friends.