It’s been a long week and I hope you are doing OK? The cumulative effect of four lockdowns here in Melbourne has taken its mental toll – I found myself losing momentum as the week slowly came to an end last week. It’s been hard to stay motivated and I don’t think any of us should be too hard on ourselves.
Potato gems? Yes please! Sticky date pudding – bring it on. A hot jam donut – why not I say. Guilty of all the above and I’ll be baking some chocolate brownies later today just for good measure. It’s officially Winter in Melbourne and bitterly cold outside so why not try to warm the cockles of our hearts and look for comfort at this in between time; anywhere, anyhow and any way you can find it just as long as you’re not hurting anyone else. Our slow cooker has also had a serious work out in our house since buying one a month or so ago so yes I’m going to need to up the steps I’m not currently walking.
I’ve been reading about people seeking support through online groups and think it’s wonderful for those who need it. As a professional worker, I’m a bit over connecting online given the amount of Zoom and Teams meetings I’ve had this week but think if you’re up for it, we are definitely blessed to still be able to connect with other people over this time. I’ve actually made some good old fashioned phone calls to friends and family this weekend and gone old school. It’s been nice to hear someone’s voice but not have to look at a screen.
Of screens, it is a privilege to be able to stream entertainment (I’ve often reflected over this pandemic of people in wartime who had nothing but the radio) – my kids have loved The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Shadow and Bone and currently Sweet Tooth while looking forward to Loki and Lupin Season 2. Like many people, Mr Rosanna and I watched Kate Winslet’s extraordinary tour-de-force performance in Mare of Easttown and have also watched sci-fi series The Expanse and now True Detective – some of whose episodes are rated in the nines on IMDb. I’ve also caught a couple of episodes of Halston on the American fashion designer (starring Ewan McGregor) given I love the whole 70s disco era as you’ll note in the vintage gold number I wore on my wedding anniversary (above) before lockdown – yes, trying to hold onto some vestiges of glamour now that I’m hanging out at home in my trackie dacks and ugg boots…
My heart is broken for those working in the arts, tourism and hospitality especially in the CBD- the Rising Festival was cancelled although the organisers hope to resurrect some of the installations for next year and Patricia Piccinini’s work titled somewhat ironically A miracle constantly repeated at Flinders Street Station ballroom will be re-opening in August. It was National Reconciliation Week last week and I’ve been really pleased to see First Nations people and designers represented at Australian Fashion Week and locally at Craft Victoria. We have a First Peoples program and strategy staff member at ANZSOG and I find it very rewarding to be playing a part in having more diverse people represented in the media and marketing worlds.
Miss Rosanna 