Categories: friends, television, food, opera
Date: 19 August 2007 04:24:32
Some fun and some drama.
Friday I caught up for dinner with two friends I haven't seen for a while. A dramatic meal, as life has dealt one of them a few blows and I heard some news about other friends [hence my prayer request below], but I think he had a good time out. We then went ten-pin bowling, which I haven't done for years -- and it showed. By some small miracle I did, in one of the three games we played, manage to get two strikes in a row: but that was about the limit of my prowess.
Saturday was a rather busy afternoon and evening. I went to see The Arts of Islam exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. You can see, from a distance, some of the works displayed here. As well as informative exhibition, it was a stunningly beautiful one. Unfortunately I arrived just after 2pm, when the last guided tour for the day left, so I did not get the benefit of that: but the descriptions were helpful. Truly fascinating. If you are in, or around, Sydney, I recommend it.
As I had several hours to kill before meeting friends for dinner and then the opera, I caught a ferry to Old Cremorne Wharf [Cremorne Point Wharf having been destroyed in some rather severe storms in early June] and did a small part of the walk mentioned here. A very pleasant walk, especially the views and the Lex and Ruby Graham Gardens along the path and the water.
It was then dinner [I had a very nice chicken pizza] and then off to Opera Australia's production of The Barber of Seville. It was truly wondrous. It had comedy, it had wonderful music, wonderful arias, hilarious text, and the most gaudy set I've seen for a while -- which fitted perfectly. Loud applause at almost every turn from the audience, and at the end. A truly great night out at the opera, enjoyed it seems by all of the audience, and particularly us three: we are getting to see a few operas together.
Rain has arrived today, and been fairly constant. It is good to see: thanks be to God. And it is great weather to stay in doors with a book or Doctor Who -- I recorded last night's episode, Human Nature, and am looking forward to watching it now.
Hope all out there are having a good weekend.