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Another night out with friends from work and another chance for me to demonstrate how little I know. At least I'm consistent. It is still good fun and I dream of the question where I am the only one who knows the answer - but this has been the second session and the second time it hasn't happened. It is interesting to see how competitive people act and then how others do in response. I think that trivia nights are good for people watching - so for that alone, I will keep going along.
As part of the opening night of the Melbourne Writers Festival, they had Boris Johnston as guest speaker.
I first encountered Boris when he was a guest presenter on Have I Got News For You - it was hilarious. A very likable man who acts a bit like a bumbling toff but is clearly smart too - he was a Conservative MP and editor of the Spectator magazine. And once I was aware of him, then I saw more of him and liked what I saw and heard.
Being in Australia, I don't hear the day to day goings on and scandals of those in the public eye, though I am aware that he has transgressed.
But I am also aware that he is popular. He is no longer an MP but is now in his second term as Lord Mayor of London and apparently he is a popular man and is liked and appreciated. He was also a prominent feature when the Olympics were on in London in 2012.
Anyway - he was over here and going to be part of two events in regards to the Writer's Festival; the opening night and also a Q&A session. I just went to the one event and very entertaining it was too. I also got to meet him briefly afterwards and had him sign a book and got a photo taken with him. Not the best photo, but one that I am pleased to have.
When I first saw the film, The Commitments, I loved it, particularly the music - some classics - great arrangements and a great singer called Andrew Strong.
Andrew was out here a few years ago and I saw him at small venue called Manchester Lane. Other than the voice, we was an impressive guitarist too - it was a great gig despite there not being many people who showed up.
Anyway, he was back and this time with the Commitments band and this time there were big crowds. I saw him at the Corner Hotel and it was a great sound, all the favourite songs and an enthusiastic audience. A good night was had.
I do enjoy some good gospel music and this was a night with the Melbourne Gospel Choir (60 of them), plus some lead singers and they were performing Aretha Franklin stuff.
The choir was an amateur one, but they were well practiced and the arrangements were good. There were four lead singers, who were just ok, another was good and then there was Emma Donavan who, as always, was great.
It was a good night at the Thornbury Theater with Carolyn's mate Tric and Tric's husband, Alan.
This was also the night of the election, so we were better being there than watching the inevitable change of government take place.
Steph, Francine, Yvette, Karin, Sharon, Georgina, Murat, Tommy, Georgie, Ern, Jackie, Deanne, Tonia, Jo, Charlotte, Trudi, Lisa, Yvette |
