Yesterday, the four of us went on a family drive out to Lal Lal to see the magnificent Lal Lal falls. It was a bit of a trip down memory lane for Craig and I since we both haven't been out there for over 20 years, and the landscape had vastly changed a lot in that time. What had also changed was the actual accessibility to the falls. After a terrible accident in 2010 which cost some poor soul their life, they have closed off the access path that you used to be able to use to walk down to the falls and get up close to them. 
Now however, there is only one sad lookout spot hundreds of metres away from the cascading water. Well, that shit just doesn't fly with us, and one crappy old warning sign and some rusty wire was the only thing standing between us and adventure. So adventure time it was. Over the wire, passed the sign and behold, the old path was still there and clearly still well worn. Obviously hundreds of others had felt the same level of determination as we had and just gone for it. And apart from there being no guard railing - which is a little hairy in spots we all managed to maneuver ourselves right to the base of the falls and enjoy a wonderful, and somewhat illegal, view of Lal Lal falls. 
We have done a stellar job of instilling the right actions in our children because Seth was so concerned about breaking the law that he was actually quite difficult to coax past the rusty wire. Arms crossed and demanding that we don't break the law like a model citizen, he really did us all proud. He was convinced that the police were going to sweep down in a chopper at any given moment and it would be off to jail for the lot of us. 
We managed to get around this little moral conundrum by telling him that usually we would agree with him, but that Craig and I had done the journey before and knew from previous experience that is was going to be fine and that we would never put him in harms way. That being said, I would seriously not recommend taking kids down to the falls via this illegal route, it is dangerous and not safe for little people in general. I made Craig hold onto Seth's hand the entire time and even them, I was a bit nervous. However, for sober adults that don't suffer from hip troubles or vertigo, I say - go for it! 
Anyway, by the time we got back from our trek, our law abiding son was drunk with the thrill of anarchy and was up for anything, asking when we could all go out again and do something equally rebellious. Seriously, I probably could've gotten him to steal a car he was so high on adrenaline! Proving that seeking illegal thrills must be kept in perspective at all times when it comes to the younger ones. 
Still, it was a really marvelous way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon and a great adventure for us all. Spending a small amount of time in nature is really very soothing to the soul. It is too easy to get caught up in our own stuff and then we forget to take in the real essence and beauty that is around us.  

It's nice to know that some people have your back. 
Its even nicer to know that some people are on the same page as you. There is something so reassuring about a friend or work colleague giving you the nod, or just seeing the crazy angle that you are coming from without questioning it or doubting it. 
There is a comfort in that nod or "Girlfriend, I know what you're saying" comment that can be the difference between crazy-town isolation and a restful peace of mind that you're not the only one thinking that way. 
Our heads are a messy playground. I know that I suffer from the insane over-thinking disorder. I could think a hole in the a ground if I fail to bounce it off someone else. I also seem to suffer from self doubt, I suppose we all do, but I often question whether or not it's just me that has certain thoughts. 
It isn't easy (and it's often inappropriate) to just spill out the contents of your head to others. But when you find people that you can spill to without worrying about persecution or judgement, that shit is just a godsend. 
But, with all things that are awesome, we need to not over do it. The overburdening of others that seem to be on your page can lead to great tragedy.  No-one likes that person that just vents every time you see them, ripping the joy out of every conversation and sucking the life out of every party. No-one wants to be that kill-joy!  Yep, it's a fine line and slippery slope. 
So to all of you awesome individuals that have got thee into thy corner for a serious venting session, I thank you for your tolerance and kind words of consolation when I've lost my good common sense (which seems to happen more often than I would like). I do hope that I have never sucked you dry or overburdened you at any point, but instead have given you a place to vent your ugly in return to me. 
From the bottom of my heart, thanks for having my back in my weakest moments. 

Last night a huge storm came through Enfield. It was like a lightening extravaganza of epic proportions, so epic that it caused a blackout in our area for a couple of hours in the evening. I don't have any problem with blackouts, I have no fear of the dark and always have a decent supply of candles on hand and generally have a good book to keep me amused until I either feel tired enough to sleep or power is restored. 
The children however were another story entirely. You would think that a blackout was the first sign of an imminent zombie apocalypse or that the aliens had landed and would soon commence harvesting our bodies for fuel usage. Seriously, the concern was ridiculous! Not that they would admit to being afraid, and I don't know if it really was fear but more of a inconvenience than anything else. Anyway, it lead to a stream of questions like "when will the power go back on?" and "will this last for very much longer?" Like I can answer any of those questions! 
So there was very little that I could do to help them but assure that it wouldn't be long and then play a few rounds of UNO with them to take their minds off the dark and cold. 
Gotta be honest, the cold was a bit of an issue. Everything in Enfield runs off electricity, so no power, no heat. Not a problem for me really because I just got my iPhone out and danced around the kitchen to a few of my favourite tunes which for some reason caused everyone else to retreat into their own activities that primarily relied on battery power and Craig promptly fell asleep on the couch. Seriously! Where is their sense of adventure, I see an opportunity to shake my booty and they see a chance to escape to their Ipods; which got me to thinking. 
Thinking about mortality and life in general. What better time to think without any distraction than when there's a blackout and no-ones wants to communicate. So, I was thinking about the fact that we take some very useful information about life like- one day you are going to die, and then ignore it. We ignore how extremely important this glimpse into our own mortality is, how precious and valuable our very lives are. I mean sure, we address it to a certain point, because lets be honest if we thought that we had forever then nothing would ever get done. We wouldn't make bucket lists or set ourselves so many deadlines because we would literally have forever. But in general, I think that most people don't ever really tangle with the idea that life is not eternal, and you don't have forever. 
In fact, in the big scheme of things you have a very small and somewhat infinitesimally tiny amount of time to live your life. To do what you want to do, to embrace your life, to LIVE your LIFE! So that knowledge should make you want to suck every last moment out of what you've been given, to find the meaning in the mundane and the magic in the moment, every single day. And if that means dancing alone in your kitchen in the dark, then so be it, you have to do it. You have to remember at every moment that it's really about time, and as humans we just don't get a lot of it. Embrace it all I say, every wicked and wonderful minute - embrace your mortality and never forget what a gift it is to know that nothing is forever. 

ABOUT TIME
Release Date: 2013
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 123 mins 
When 21 year old Tim finds out that he has inherited the unique ability to time travel, he thinks that he has found the answer to all of his troubles. But, there are rules to what Tim can change, and naturally there is cause and effect at play, so getting the girl of his dreams to fall in love with him is not as straight forward as Tim first thought it would be. 
This movie is as much a drama as it is a romance, so don't think that you are just going to get some soppy love story out of this. It's witty, charming, clever and incredibly touching in every way, and features a fabulous soundtrack as well. This is clearly another solid piece of work from Richard Curtis (director of Love Actually and 4 Weddings and a Funeral), and arguably his best piece to date. 
Rachel McAdams is utterly darling as Tim's love interest Mary, Domhnall Gleeson is extremely likable as Tim and Bill Nighy and Lindsay Duncan round it all out perfectly as Tim's delightful parents.
At the heart of this movie is a deep message about using the time that you have well and embracing every moment, and it spoke volumes to me. 
FINAL SAY: Life's a mixed bag, no matter who you are. 
4 Chili Peppers

Is this shitty Ballarat Winter ever going to end? It feels like I've been in jumpers and long pants forever. What I wouldn't give to get a dose of sunshine, just one full weekend of sun would be so welcome right about now. 
The early parts of Winter are always quite a novelty, mainly because you get to have an excuse to sleep in and stay home on weekends. You also get to watch loads of movies without people thinking you're a hermit freak, you get to read for hours on end, you get to snuggle in your PJ's at insanely early hours of the evening and drink hot chocolate all the time. But after months of it, it's not such an awesome thing anymore. Even the snow doesn't seem quite as appealing as it did in the Autumn when you could still sit on your own porch without suffering from frost bite. 
The final stretch of Winter always feels like the hardest in Ballarat. The people get cranky, the kids get obnoxious and the general vibe gets pretty low. Team that with my lack of wheat and dairy and you've got a recipe for a shitty week. But NO! Believe it or not, I actually feel pretty damn good at the moment. 
Yes, in spite of the crappy weather, the FODMAP diet is serving me well! I know I shouldn't be that surprised, but I didn't expect to feel so much better in such a short time. It has only been about ten days so far, and I feel a whole lot better. It's nice to know that what I am doing is actually making a difference. 
Sure it's a pain to organise meals at the moment because it's new territory, but in general, the annoyance has far outweighed the way I am feeling. Even some other people have noticed that I seem to look better and seem brighter. Yay! 
So screw you Winter, your dreary days are no match for my awesomeness! 
But a weekend of sunshine would still be really nice. I guess I will just have to settle for a good romance to fulfill that fuzzy feeling I'm looking for. Let's have an oldie, but a goodie please. 

CHOCOLAT 
Release Date: 2000
Rating: M
Running Time: 121 mins
Lasse Hallstrom, the director that brought us What's eating Gilbert Grape and The Cider House Rules, hits another very sweet note with Chocolat. 
Set in the mid 50's in a small provincial, and vigorously religious village in France; we meet Vianne and her daughter Anouk. The single mother literally blows into town one night bringing with her an irresistible chocolate recipe and her own kind of magic that soon turns the town upside down. When the roving river people arrive, Vianne also finds herself tangling with new feelings for the musical traveller Roux. Will Vianne's love of her new chocolat shop and Roux be enough to keep her from uprooting young Anouk again? 
I just adored the mystery and fairy tale elements of this movie. Juliette Binoche is utterly enchanting, Johnny Depp is bringing all of his sex appeal and exceptionally strong female support is offered from the likes of Lena Olin, Judi Dench and Carrie-Ann Moss. Definitely one of my fave romance movies of all time and lots of fun to watch. 
FINAL SAY: Delicious and delightful. 
4.5 Chili Peppers

It turns out that I have IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Yes, all that pain and agony was actually my body trying to give me a heads up that something was very wrong with me. So, what does that mean for me? Well, apparently it's a three pronged treatment process. Diet is clearly the most important of the three, but I also have to get more exercise and keep my stress levels to a minimum. In a perfect world maybe! 
Seriously, if you are alive and on the planet, you have stress, it's just one of those unavoidable things. But I now need to keep myself calm too. I find that pretty amusing since I am the queen of 'keep busy enough and you'll quiet the crazy in you' This may actually be a really interesting (and quite possibly distressing) exercise for me because I don't think that I am known for calm, frenetic energy and high energy distraction perhaps, but not really calm. But I'm willing to give it all a good try since it is my general wellbeing at stake here. 
Oh, and I forgot to mention my new buzz word -FODMAP. For those of you that haven't had the misfortune of hearing of this before let me fill you in. It stands for - wait for it.....Fermentable, Oligosaccharides, Disacchaarides, Monosaccharides And Polyols.
Yep aka no fucking idea whatsoever. It's just a bunch of scientific words to torment people with IBS because it basically outlines all of the yummy shit that you will never get to eat again because if you do, your guts will ache and your arse will drop out. End of. 
So the doctor has put me on a FODMAP diet, which basically removes all wheat/gluten and dairy and a lot of other fruits, veg and legumes. It is pretty restrictive, and I think it will take me a while to adjust, especially to the lack of bread and pasta - the gluten free stuff is unfortunately not really that tasty. So given that and the need to take more exercise (groan) and the need to stay calm....well I have my work cut out for me now. 
Who knows, this could hale a whole new me. A better, brighter me...........hmmm.....who am I kidding? I'm probably gonna be a carb withdrawn cow for months now, I apologise in advance to all that may witness the inevitable ugly that shall soon be upon me. 
Already tired of my IBS, I decided to escape it all and went to the movies for an early Saturday Sci-Fi fix. Nothing quite like an escape to the stars to make one forget their problems.  

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
Release Date: 2014
Rating: M
Running Time: 121 mins
Unlike other Marvel superhero movies, the Guardians of the Galaxy is about group of five criminals, misfits and outcasts. They aren't rich or successful, they don't have super powers and they're not even on the same page when it comes to what their mission is, but they are an extremely entertaining bunch and a lot of fun to watch as they go from one dilemma to the next in this fast paced, high action science fiction adventure.
Peter Quill, or Star Lord as he prefers to be called, steals a mysterious orb from an ancient site in deep space. The orb is an object of much attention and Quill soon finds himself on the run from petty instellar bandits and worse still - the super villain Ronan the Accuser. With some help from his new found entourage, Star Lord tries to dispose of the orb, stay ahead of his foes  and ultimately save the galaxy.
The actual guardian characters are fabulously enjoyable. Vin Deisel voices the darling tree creature Groot and Bradley Cooper voices the foul mouthed Rocket Racoon - both of whom steal the show completely. Zoe Saldana is lovely as the green skinned Gamora, Dave Bautista is surprisingly funny as Drax the Destroyer and Chris Pratt is perfectly cast as Star Lord. 
There's a lot to enjoy here, the space scenes are colourful and interesting, the storyline is easy but not too simple and it's just plain good fun all round. 
FINAL SAY: A magical pelvis and a fab mixed tape. 
4 Chili Peppers 

Had a really fun Saturday evening getting together with a small group of friends and watching fave YouTube clips and girly 80's movies. Having combined it with a comfort food night meant that the treats were laid on thick, so there was no time to worry about my waist line when it comes to sweets and cheeses and pasta. So basically, I drank too much and ate too much and just overindulged in every way, and then on Sunday I paid the price. 
I spent about 12 hours glued to the toilet with my entire life force on mass exodus from both ends. I probably cant blame it on anything but myself, but I have not felt this sick since I had gastroenteritis five years ago. The stomach cramping was insanely painful and I couldn't even keep a glass of water down, and I certainly wasn't drunk enough for a hangover on that scale! I think that I definitely caught some kind of a stomach bug or maybe I have an allergy or something like it, since I just spent the last 24 hours trying to sip on electrolytes and feeling like trash, needing to sleep more than my cat. 
So weird, could be indicative of just pushing myself too much lately, too much crapola on one plate. I don't know and mostly I don't even care, I just want to feel like a human again and be able to eat and drink something without having a gag reflex kick in. This is clearly the worst way to lose 5 kilos ever. My body is telling me something alright, and I am hearing it loud and clear! No work for you today - grab a hot water bottle and a blanket and get thee to the couch - pronto! 

16 CANDLES 
Release Date: 1984
Rating: M
Running Time: 93 mins
This John Hughes 80's classic is right up there with the likes of The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  Hughes films were a staple for me growing up, and the jokes and teen awkwardness still work well today. Basically, there's always enough headgear, leotards and floppy disks to fill an 80's convention and the soundtrack is always kicking, making them the perfect coming of age options for any generation. 
Samantha Baker has just turned 16, however with her sisters wedding stealing all of the limelight, no-one even remembers. Smothered at home by an influx of extended family for the wedding and the horny exchange student Long Duk Dong, she turns her attentions to the high school dance. However, at school she is being pursued by a relentless geek whilst secretly lusting over the incredibly hunky Jake Ryan. Things are set into motion for a crazy 48 hours of mis-hap and hilarity as love finds a way against all odds in true Hughes style. 
FINAL SAY: Craziest 16th ever
3 Chili Peppers 

Don't you just hate it when you leave home feeling like you look okay and then you catch a glimpse of yourself in a window reflection or see a photo of yourself and have to try not to freak your shit out. OMG - do I really look like that? 
In my own mind I look fine, not fabulous, or stunning or model-esque thin, but okay. Then I see the reality and I think I look a bit like a short, dumpy, slightly misshapen spud, with big knockers! 
Clearly the Winter comfort food that I have been inhaling over the last season has really not served me very well at all. I am not delusional about the fact that this incline in my waistline has been happening for ages, Christ knows that I have been steadily growing in girth since I had my first child seventeen years ago, but I absolutely refuse to get any bigger than I am now. In fact I'm none too happy about my current state of affairs either, but I do have a line in the sand and I am at that line. 
When you are in a change room and you catch a glimpse of your own arse in the mirror and think a sumo wrestler has snuck in there with you, well girlfriend, it may be time to slow down a little on the cake. That is where I am currently at - a little bit of self loathing, which is just so fucked up really. 
We all do it though, all of us - even the thin people. Because we are so bombarded by the insanely skinny fashion industry and body conscious media that even people like me who generally go around with a fuck you attitude have days when they think that a good fat suctioning wouldn't be a bad idea. Days when the 'Skeletors' of the world like Victoria Beckham and Rachel Zoe seem lucky to be thin, but seriously you just have to kick that main stream limited view of the world shit to the curb. It is so soul destroying in every way. 
The truth is that no-one wants to be fat, but some of us are just more disposed to carry more weight than others. Big fucking deal. The scales mean nothing, the clothes size you wear means nothing and what you think other people see means nothing too. It is all about health, self confidence and getting the most mileage out of your own body. It has nothing to do with how sexy you look in a bikini, that's just a bonus for some people, a superficial necessity for others and an impossibility for thousands of us. 
For me it is about finding some balance, enjoying food and exercise and not sweating the other stuff too much. I know larger ladies that have loads more sex appeal than skinny ones and I also know of a lot of larger sized people that outlived skinny people by decades; and why did they do that? Was it because they went on every second diet that they could, or exercised themselves stupid or didn't have that glass of wine or dessert? Nah, I don't think so. 
I think that it was because they enjoyed their lives, they found a happy medium and found a way to keep their bodies healthy. For some of us that means cruising the higher end of the healthy weight range chart for others it means the lower end. But for health, I think that you do need to draw a line somewhere; somewhere that you can feel confident and comfortable that you can sustain a long and vibrant life and not freak out when you see yourself.
But mostly, I just don't think that a few extra kilos is worth all the stress that we put ourselves under. Besides, photos and window reflections of me will never be very good because I really look my best when I am naked. Its just a shame you'll all never know just how fabulous that is, because it really is spectacular! 

REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
Release Date: 2002
Rating: M
Running Time: 90 mins
This was the movie that launched America Ferrera (aka Ugly Betty) into stardom. When it debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002 it won the Audience Award and the screenplay won the Humanitas Prize, galvanizing the need for real cinema about real women. 
This is the story of Ana, a beautiful and curvaceous Mexican-American on the verge of adulthood. After gaining a scholarship to Columbia University, Ana must choose between her mainstream ambitions and her cultural heritage in this exploration of tradition versus breaking new ground. 
There are loads of interesting interactions between strong women in this film, and it is a fascinating study of the working class Mexican- American female culture in America. 
FINAL SAY: Real women embrace curves, flaws and opportunities.
3.5 Chili Peppers

The snow really arrived on Friday. A fall that sprinkled the ground, gathered on shrubs and melted in your hair and upon your clothes. A real snow day! Seeing the children at school filled with excitement, with many experiencing the snow for the very first time, was just a delight. 
There is something magical about the graceful fall of the wispy white flakes as they catch the wind and drift about transforming the ordinary into a Winter Wonderland. 
The cold continued its onslaught over the weekend, with overnight temperatures plummeting well below zero. Our tiny dam and Buddha fountain freezing over completely, a first for us. This sharp end to Winter will ensure a bevvy of action in the Spring as the bulbs start to raise their heads from the earth and the vegetation awakens from its deep slumber. Lots to look forward to now on as the days grow sunnier and the sun hangs in the sky for a little longer promising brighter days ahead.
Had a restful weekend, a much needed restful weekend. There has been a lot going on lately with people clearly affected by the long period of dark weather and lack of sun. Well, that's what I am putting it down to anyway. Lots of people experiencing there own levels of funk which is never a lot of fun.
I went to the eye specialist on Friday to have a cyst checked out, turns out that I have probably had it all of my life and it is a pretty odd one, just behind my right iris. Craig and I laughed that it maybe my third eye, my shining! Don't mess with it I say, it could result in unwanted side effects. Anyway, I don't need to do anything with it but monitor it for now, which was a relief. Just another enjoyable part of getting older really, won't be the last weird thing to happen to my body I'm sure. 
Zoe and I ventured out to see the college production over the weekend, which galvanized the fact that there are some seriously talented young individuals in Ballarat. But on the flip side, there are some individuals that are definitely tone deaf and giving them a microphone is just asking for an ear raping. But you take what you get with high school productions; the good, the bad and the ear rapers. Overall I think it was one of the better productions I have seen from Zoe's school and hats off to the main character who played the rouse-a-bout, bravo indeed. 
Naturally, I managed to squeeze in some movie time, what kind of a restful weekend would it be for me without movies? Not that restful at all! 

BLANCANIEVES
Release Date: 2012
Rating: M
Running Time: 104 mins
Director Pablo Berger brings together all of the beauty of silent film and stunning cinematography in this visual delight Blancanieves. Filmed in moody black and white, this is an original and interesting twist on the Grim Brothers fairy tale Snow White. 
Set in 1920's Spain, we follow the unfortunate life of Carmen as she goes through a series of adventures, mostly harrowing, which ultimately lead her to fulfill her destiny and follow in her bullfighting father's footsteps. 
The evil step mother takes on a ghoulish and even more sinister role, portrayed perfectly by Maribel Verdu; the dwarves are an adorable mish-mash of theatrical bull fighters and Carmen's father is given great depth by Daniel Gimenez Cacho. 
This is an artful and beautifully executed piece in every way, a visual masterpiece and one to put on your must see list. 
FINAL SAY: Silent beauty 
4.5 Chili Peppers