The best things in life...

The best things in life are free? Well, I've never been given an E-type jag, but I have been given decent health, good friends, a passion for creativity, and an ability to see beauty in little things - from graffiti on bus shelters to roses in bloom or perfectly-cooked parathas. And that's what I consider a gift.

Bus shelter graffiti

Roses in the garden

Ominous clouds with the promise of rain

Drinking with friends

We've been sussing out local restaurants - our quest for the best curry in Canberra is continuous. Dawate E Punjab in Kippax is a good contender.

More graffiti from a run in the rain. I sheltered beneath an underpass and found a riotous expression of colourful creativity. 

The bird life seemed quite happy in the rain. And then the sun came out again.

Part of Christmas at The Smith Family is a massive gift drive. Many people generously give gifts for disadvantaged families; the gifts are sorted into age categories by volunteers; families are contacted by our staff to come and collect the present bags; and we have a day of spreading happiness. 

It's a huge effort requiring a lot of coordination, funding and publicity - last year 100,000 toys and books were delivered to 20,000 children across Australia in one day. Our office does its bit as the boss presents the message to the media and the presents to the children.  

One of the big releases in the beer calendar is that of Feral Tusk: it's a triumph of marketing exercise and hype, and probably a draw-card for whichever venue is lucky enough to get a keg - in this case it was The Durham Castle Arms (a favourite pub of ours) and we hurried along to partake before it all sold out, which it did last year in a few short hours.

The beer itself is a Double IPA, which is very orangey, very malty, very sweet and, at 13.5%, very very big - perhaps too big? At $16 for a half, it's certainly too expensive. But it had to be done. So here I am, doing it.

We are still hard at work rehearsing for Coda for Shirley. There is a lot of fun to be had amidst the script analysis and character development. I know I've said it before, but it's a real treat to work with such a talented group of wonderful women, whether actually rehearsing, or posing for publicity shots!

Here are some of the many faces of Micki Beckett as the titular Shirley and as herself. 

Big sister, Sarah (not my big sister, Sarah) is played with a range of expressions (and several glasses of wine) by Nikki-Lynn Hunter.

And her long-suffering little sister, Jane, is embodied but the ever-versatile and always lovely Elaine Noon.

Rounding out our awesome foursome is the spirited and engaging Alex McPherson as the daughter-in-law-to-be, Jen.

And here they all are together - the fabulous four, ready to set the stage alight!

Festive beer, bike rides and a play

The next week long of advent beers:

Beer number 15: Young's Special London Ale - a subtle beer with lots of malt and light, floral hops.

Beer number 16: Brakspear's Triple III - strong (not sweet) malt aromas with fruity hop flavours and late bitterness

Beer number 17: Brew Dog 5 AM Red Ale - sweet malt and citrus hops; light chocolate with grapefruit bitterness to finish

Beer number 18: Red Duck White Garden - deliciously dry and refreshing sour rhubarb with a touch of raspberry

Beer number 19: Founder's Dirty Bastard - rich sweet malt with strong alcohol flavours

Beer number 20: The Little Brewing Company Mad Abbot Tripel - Sweet malt and Belgian yeast with strong alcohol flavour

Beer number 21: Brewcult Thanks Captain Obvious - strong, hoppy, resinous, bitter IPA

Once again, of the few things I did that weren't strictly beer-related, bike-riding around Umbagong District Park on a clear morning (before it turned into a very hot day) was a highlight. The hills are so dry, and with the heat and the strong winds combining to form perfect bushfire conditions, I urge everyone to stay safe out there.

Umbagong District Park

Cara Carissima came to the stage at The Courtyard Theatre, and we played to very respectable audiences, who seemed to enjoy Geoff Page's verse play about public servants and their relationships set in a coffee bar and performed in the round. It was a small cast of five, and we got on well both on-stage and off.

Backstage at Cara Carissima

Nikki's birthday cake

Advent beers, acting and jogging

December brings advent, and the start of our advent beer calendar.

Beer number one: Silly Saison - a Belgian brown with Saison yeast

Beer number two: Brew Dog's Restorative Beverage for Invalids and Convalescents - hazy golden with sweet malts and plentiful citrus hops

Beer number three: Mighty XP Old World IPA - strongish, goldenish, IPA-ish beer

Beer number four: Stone Dog Meadery Loud Mouth Braggart - earthy honey tones on a seriously good ale

Beer number five: Hop Dog Abbey of the Dead - Belgian red ale with added hibiscus and marigolds

Beer number six: Woolshed Brewery Judas the Dark - coffee and chocolate on the nose and palate, also gentle spices and roasted wattleseed

Beer number seven: Bateman's Mocha Porter - liqueur chocolates; chocolate malt flavour, some coffee and hop bitterness

A visit to the shop from the sales dude at Prancing Pony

And just to prove that it's not all beer, I went for a jog around Umbabgong District Park.

Graffito at Kippax Playing Fields

Rehearsing for the play Cara Carissima, written by Geoff page and directed by Tanya Gruber.

Peter Robinson as Barry, the public servant

Bruno Galdino as the barista

Cara Irvine as Cara, the EA, and Peter as Barry

Director, Tanya Gruber, with Cara

Tanya films Cara and Nikki, the wife

Bruno having a rest with Nikki in the background

Cara (Cara) and Barry (Peter)

 

 

And another run; this one at Woodstock Nature Reserve.

Bounding up the steps! (Or not)