2024

2023

2022 not much happened

2022 not much happened

 

2021 a bridge to ....

Spirit (3.5/5)

Spirit: A retrospective (3.5/5)

Superb dancing in a splendid outdoor setting displaying Bangarra's technical virtuosity in the world of indigenous contemporary music and dance. But, in a retrospective of 'best bits' the narrative that Bangarra typically weave into their works was lost. An absence compounded by a lack of program notes meant that whilst each item was artistically pleasing its meaning, context and importance was lost — a serious oversight that significantly devalues the program and Bangarra's celebration.

Bangarra Dance Theatre

The Headland at Barangaroo, Sydney; 22 January 2021

Performing Arts: Dance

Sydney Festival

Day (14) 08 January: freedom, freedoms and living in quarantine

Ready for release

Departure day has arrived, not sure if it is more like end of term or end of vacation. For me, quarantine has been a good experience. Following on from a very tough second half of 2020, fourteen days in isolation has been a pleasant break from the hassles of life, a chance to draw a line under the nastiness of 2020. Though, a significant amount of preparation went into ensuring I was ready for quarantine.

From the media coverage earlier in the year you would have been forgiven for thinking quarantine was a disaster. For us in quarantine there have been very few complaints on our Facebook page. Similarly reading a number of quarantine blogs most people have at least coped if not made the most of 14 days to themselves. It just goes to show how much the media play up the bad news, not that it is fake news just one part of the story. It is not surprising there have been a few cock-ups in this totally new situation. Us quarantinees need to remember that even though Melbourne went through a long lockdown Australia is doing far, far better than almost all the countries we traveled from. After quarantine we will enter a world that is relatively normal compared to that which we left, 14-days is a modest price to pay for that.

The thing that really annoys me is the way the well-connected manage to quarantine in their luxury homes or skip quarantine altogether (I’m look at you Tony Abbott and you Kerry Stokes,  and Alan Sugar, Nicole Kidman, Dannii Minogue - shame on you all, and shame on Morrison for letting you get away with it). 

ten quarantine tips

1. Accept it for what it is, don’t sweat the small stuff nor the things you cannot change.
2. Set yourself some objectives and tasks to do, be sure you have everything you need for them.
3. If you are working, remember to have some time off.
4. Don’t sweat if you don’t get the tasks or work done; quarantine is strange, not getting things done is what happens in life and quarantine is no different.
5. Exercise daily (there are many good routines on YouTube, find one or two before you travel).
6. Keep regular hours (notwithstanding jet-lag and strange meal times).
7. Be nice to hotel staff, security, medics, police and ADF personnel, they are there to help you.
8. Connect with your fellow quarantinees through social media, enjoy the experience together. 
9. If you are travelling with someone think carefully whether you quarantine together or apart.
10. Planning, preparation and relaxation makes for a happy quarantine.

Daily facts

Sleep: quality 62%, in bed 6h 51m, asleep 6h 04m (up early for Dutch evening class at 0500)

Breakfast: cereals + gingerbread-man (nice with coffee)

Lunch: Thai papaya salad (another high to finish one, even without dessert)

Dinner: n/a quarantine freedom .........

Day (13) 07 January: hotel

 

I 

got my get-out-of-quarantine papers today. A final visit from the nurse, a chat with an ADF gentleman to book a departure time and I’m issued a certificate stating I am Coronavirus free, several guides to good health and how to avoid Covid-19, and an orange wristband saying I can leave on Friday at 1615. Hurrah.

I wonder what the wristband is worth on the black market?

A final and reflective post for this trip will go up tomorrow, so today a review of the Amora Jamison hotel that has been home for 14 days.

The Good

• The basics run very well: hotel, medical, police and military personnel are polite, helpful and confident in a way that says ‘we are here for you, we expect you to follow the simple instructions’. 
• The rooms are a decent size and supplies are replenished mid-quarantine (and more often on request).
• Three meals arrive regularly every day and for a small fee quite decent barista coffee is available.
• Friends and delivery services can drop-off extras. Microwaves and exercise equipment seem to be popular choices - not sure why.
• The hotel’s quarantine Facebook group is very welcome, providing much needed humour and contact with other quarantinees.

The Frustrating

• Getting any maintenance done took a bit of pushing (not withstanding Covid-19 restrictions).
• The food has been very average and on some days lacks dietary balance. No desserts with lunch was a big disappointment (in our household desserts are mandatory).
• It was impossible to dry towels (insufficient air flow in the bathroom).
• The daily call from the nursing staff was a bit too perfunctory and overly focused on Covid-19 to the neglect of other ailments.
• No fresh air (definitely my and many people’s biggest gripe) compounded by no operable windows and a defective bathroom extract. 

The Conclusion

• A reasonable experience, certainly not the prison like conditions reported in some media. You have to go with the flow, accept what you cannot change and make the most of what you have. 
• Could do better with a little bit of attention to detail and a little more explanation of what can (and cannot) be provided on request to the hotel reception. 
• As with most things in life it’s the people that make the difference, those looking after us and fellow quarantinees all helped to make these 14 days a positive experience for me.