Perspective Down to Melbourne over the weekend, for the Anywhere Festival, in Frankston, a series of theatrical events of one kind and another, set in unusual venues, such as, and specifically, Affinity Circus, featuring some spectacular acrobatics, and set, cleverly, in a skate park, with the audience perched along the rim of the bowls, for a most unique vantage. Highly enjoyable, with an enthusiastic crowd, and seasoned professionals performing. Would definitely make a point of this again.

Reviews I try to keep up, but most of the music reviews I read are disappointing in the end, so when I finally broke down and picked up the debut CD from Lorde I was not only greatly relieved to quite like the music but also very impressed. Now I don't know if the sophomore effort will match the excellence on display with "Pure Heroine" but I also don't think I care. This is an artist to follow for a while. It may be that, like many solo acts, Lorde doesn't immediately show the kind of growth that an ensemble act might, the various creatives push against each other to keep things fresh, and it may be the case that the second album is the stuff that didn't make the cut for the first blow-them-away effort, but I don't get that impression here. Lorde shows an independence and a creativity that shows just how deep her artistry goes, how far she'll push herself from the start. Her lyrics are insightful, honest, and poetic, but don't get sappy or shy away from the points she wants to make, without getting in your face. If you can't deal, that's your problem, and fair enough. I've got "Royals" stuck on replay in my head and I'm liking it. Bring it, kid; I'm in it for the long haul if you are. I've seen a lot of movies across a fair swath of genres, often in subtitles. One of my new favourites: The Great Beauty. This has to be one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen on film. It is often terribly funny, but then as often deeply touching, or disturbing, or sorrowful. How do you feel for someone like Jep Gambardella, whose talents have been so beautifully wasted, and who, at the same time, can both recognize this and completely miss it? Toni Servillo is a very expressive actor, his mobile face conveying so much that his words and his silences can belie. The film could be Fellini's but doesn't fail in its modernity. We are dealing with a contemporary, those of us of an age, that is, although I dare say there are many much younger who would do well to heed the message: don't deny beauty when you find it or you deny yourself.

Restorations
After one of trips abroad, I came home to discover that my stereo amp was getting no power.  I tried a few things, different power points, checking for a blown fuse, but . . . nothing.  So I checked the website for the shop where I'd bought it to see if they did servicing, which they did, or so the website said, and carried it in for a look-see.  They wouldn't touch it.  It's a Yamaha, the guy says, we don't work on Yamaha in-house.  Take it to South Side Electronics, that's where we send stuff.

Well, it was far, I was busy, so, no, I didn't, figuring maybe the next weekend would do.  On the way home, however, we happened to pass a street market, and here was an old Akai amp waiting to be sold.  $10, the guy says, but I don't know if it works or not.

It did.  Well, half of it.  It had ports for A-B speakers, and the right channel on each was working, so I went mono for a while.

South Side fixed me up for less than $150, which, given that it's a $600+ amp and a new one would be at least that, was a bargain.

What I will say for the guys that wouldn't do the repair is that the components they sold me work well together, which wasn't true when the Akai was plugged in.  The sound is back, and it's very good to have.  South Side will get a recommendation from me anytime they want.

Festivals
The Vivid festival is one. Can't say the line-up is particularly interesting to me, but I still enjoy the lights.



The Customs House display was very animated and closely tailored to the elements of the facade, which made it quite a drawing card. The crowd on that side of Circular Quay was substantial.