Last night I bought a third class ticket to a first class performance of the G&S masterpiece 'The Mikado'. I was sitting in the State Theatre Box G which is as close as you can get to the ceiling without touching it. Acoustics up there were incredible, but it is no exaggeration to say that the performers play to the gold class seats approximately mid-stalls. Sitting up so high gave me a fantastic view of the machinations of the very clever set, but I missed the intimacy of being able to see the performers' faces. I know this because after the Interval or as I heard one punter ask: "How long is Intermission?", I moved to one of the marvellous vacant seats in A Reserve. Wow!
Not to put too fine a point on it, there were moments in both acts which were quite sublime and I felt tears welling with the familiar, nostalgic stirrings that music can often induce. Why are those Gilbert and Sullivan operettas so comforting? The rest of the audience seemed as overly familiar with the work as I was, yet the performances byAnthony Warlow (Ko-Ko) (a National Trust Living Treasure), David Hobson (Nanki-Poo) Judi Connelli (Katisha)and other cast members and chorus were as fresh, vibrant and exciting as you could hope to see. The synopsis is available here and if you want to try the sing a-long version there's a Karaoke site.
It seems that Opera Australia is once again having funding and sponsorship issues but the performance I saw was probably only two thirds of a capacity audience - a terrible shame for such a great show.

what kitchen utensil are YOU?
You are a fridge! You can keep your cool, even when faced with a heated situation. You enjoy being the center of attention, and people come to you for advice or when they want something. People also like to stick things to the front of your body.

once again via boynton

...and the good news is that the cook book turned up. Alas, no reference to Oysters. It was probably in the NMAA afterall, as was this diary quote: I walked home again with great pleasure; and there dined by my wife's bedside with great content, having a mess of brave plum-porridge and a roasted Pullet for dinner; and I sent for a mince pie abroad, my wife not being well to make any herself yet. Samuel Pepys 1662

It's one of those times when I really want to put my hands on something and of course it isn't where it should be. This time it's my copy of a nineteen sixty something version of the PWMU (Presbyterian Women's Mission Union) cookbook. You see a significant milestone has been reached by the PWMU this year. The publication of the 100th edition of what I consider a really useful recipe collection. It was in the currently misplaced book where I learned of the necessity (extracted from some colonial source)of boiling oysters for some hours before consuming - yech. It has a spiral binding and there are sections such as 'Chutneys, Pickles & Sauces' which are particularly stained for easy reference.
The current edition doesn't seem to have the spiral binding or a front cover straight from the gallery of regrettable food. If I don't find the missing tome I may be forced to cook recipe 3712 Baked Artichoke Hearts from the NMAA (Nursing Mother's Association of Australia)Cooks Again collection. First ingredient: 2 x 400g cans of artichoke hearts...

Norabone is a very rare female name.
Very few females in the US are named Norabone.
Be proud of your unique name!
source namestatistics.com

James and Mary Smith are looking smug - albeit a little common.
via boynton