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The Isolation Lounge
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I am not writing books but I am reading them! 14 days under house arrest after returning from Thailand via Singapore finds me doing all those things I had been postponing until a rainy day, and now it’s raining – big time!
Just finished Eddie Izzard’s autobiography “Believe me” which is definitely not literature, although I identified with many parts of it and felt it was worth reading to the end. As we know, Eddie is a transgender person and often appeared on stage in tranny guise. The only thing in his book that (for me anyway) grates is his constant references to his “sexuality” being “transgender”. As I understand it, sexuality is how we relate to others in a sexual way; in other words, we are attracted to people of the opposite sex, the same sex, or are rather confused about the whole thing. Perhaps we should encourage Eddie to join TG Radio, so he can read this.
My next book is “The Future of Capitalism” by Paul Collier; it is rather heavy going but has some excellent points, including how we drifted away from social democracy and pragmatism to embrace populism and discredited right wing and left wing ideologies with all their dire consequences. Not a page turner, but I will persevere.
Of course, being trapped in one’s house for 14 days, did mean we discovered the joys and horrors of on-line shopping. Woolies were great in every respect and we have had two deliveries so far and are well stocked, other than with toilet paper. What does it say about people whose top priority in life is toilet paper? They must walk around with their heads stuck up their own arses! Really! On the liquid front, we had no white wine, other than one bottle of bubbly, but did have 72 bottles of aging red wine in a wine cooler, some of which are no longer aging. I ordered two dozen wines to be delivered from Dan Murphy’s but only one box turned up. Now, more that two weeks since my order, I am still battling with Dan Murphy’s to locate and deliver them. It’s a dry argument.
In the meantime, Cheers! -
Welcome Home Martina
I agree with your comments about how Eddie mixes up sexuality and gender. I Think even back then when he wrote it most people understood them to be different !!
Another good read is Clive James Unreliable Memoirs I finally got a copy. Very Funny.
I don’t understand the imposition of a limit on wine / alcohol purchases necessary medication IMO !!! perhaps more important than hand sanitiser!!!
Take care
Caroline -
Welcome home Martina
I didn’t manage to make it through Eddie Izzard’s book either for the reasons you describe. I had the same trouble with Stephen Fry’s various autobiographies which are so full of self loathing I gave up on the lot of them.
I am often misled by titles too it must be said. “Moby Dick” was a great disappointment….. -
My virtue is intact, thanks Emma. You gave me some useful advice and the transgender community will value your wisdom.
The hook. Aren’t they so important. I have to have one for each of my little blogs (too boring and irrelevant for here).. Without it my writing is directionless. Some books and movies can capture their hook in the title.
Wine is such a nice solace. We were lucky to get a tasty supply from Mudgee just before the apocalypse. We mark our progress through isolation with empty bottles. Wine is limited but so is bullets and guns. What does that say about the world?
Take care sweeties
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Ive just checked our drinks supply here in the Lounge and…….!!!!!
It seems weve almost run out of Bubbly, if you Girls keep on consuming Krug and Dom at this rate I think we might have to resort to Wolf Blass Red label otherwise we’ll break our budget .I’ve noticed the Spirits consumption has been rather low but I know a lot of you Lovely Ladies like a good Chardy like a Vat 47 or Yattarna or for Reds a nice Coonawarra Cab Sav, Mclaren vale Shiraz or a Central Otago Pinot. I forgot to order the latter by the way !!
However Girls don’t forget the wondrous universe of Cocktails and the sublime pleasure of making and then drinking them. Woo hoo!
One of my favourites , and I thank my Dear Friend Adrian for reigniting my interest in this particular cocktail, called a Long Island Iced Tea.
Now it is illegal to serve full measures of the ingredients in this in a normal pub setting for very clear and clinical reasons . Why ? its because just one of these will put you over the limit for at least five hours or more.
However since we are in self isolation and not driving ,the recipe for the Real Deal isOne generous measure each ie 30ml of the following : White Rum,Tequila,Vodka,Gin and Cointreau
Shake with some ice in a cocktail shaker pour into a long glass with a couple of ice cubes top up with your favourite Cola and squeeze some lemon juice on top. Garnish with a lemon peel to make it truly decadent.
After one of these ,the problems of the world don’t seem quite so difficult
Much Love
C -
Cheers to that!
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I’ve been an absolute goody two shoes and have been totally confined to barracks although we have been on a couple of walkies around the block, HRH walking and me on my electric scooter. Walking is a bit of a challenge for me, hoping scooter riding is classified as exercise.
One of my great loves in life apart from ballet is music, frequently these two go together. Not pop music, I’m something of an utter snob in musical tastes, Classical, Baroque and Romantic, I’ll assume most would know the difference. I’ve discovered a reasonably newbie concert pianist. I’m sure students of piano would know of this lady, Khatia Buniatishvilli. I’m in total raptures over this lass. Georgian, thirty something years of age, speaks five languages fluently, and would have to be one the worlds most beautiful women; stunningly beautiful. And on top of all that, being a smart bugger she can also play the piano. Now, I’ve always admitted to being a perv. When males and lady gays say they are there for the music, believe me, they’re bloody liars. I’ve watched and listened on YouTube, and believe it or not, I noticed a piano somewhere in the scene.
So, between Khatia, a lovely bottle, doesn’t matter Shiraz or Chardonnay, a good read, as a must, writing, the world can, and will totally pass me by, oblivious to what is happening.
Perhaps I could suggest a tarting up time for members on Zoom. Despite a good meal, no wine, I felt dizzy, retired to my cot for five or six hours then took my glucose readings, 5.0, a bit low for me. No wonder I was dizzy. Keep cool friends. -
Very funny Emma. I always enjoy your writings.
You are zany and a gem and an extrovert we are fortunate to have on board the Good Ship TgR, as we sail across our TV ocean.
Hugs. -
Welcome home Martina. Your review of Eddie Izzard’s book will save me time by avoiding it.
Thoroughly agree with Caroline that “Unreliable Memoirs” an autobiog by Clive James is superb.
He has a gift for writing in an entertaining style. A great read.
He captures the atmosphere of Sydney in the 1950s, 1960s – a world long since disappeared over the horizon. -
Why thank you Gloria…that’s a lovely thing to say I am quite touched xx
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A couple of days ago when I felt (like crap) totally out of sorts, I discovered the obvious reason for my malaise. The previous day I had a (normal) flu shot. Now whilst a flu shot will not give you influenza, one may experience the flu without actually having the flu, much akin to a Claytons flu.
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Hi Caroline,
I don’t know about liking “Shirazor” (line 5 center) but I certainly do like my ‘she-razor.
Sorry, I am going nutty with all this stuff going on.Keep In, Safe and Sane (my variation of the KISS principle for these times)
Cheers to you and all the other girls,
Marilyn -
Hi Liz,
“akin to a Clayton’s flu” ………. or perhaps a ‘Man Flu’
Cheers Marilyn
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“An Ode to Isolation”
Though we are in isolation
Let there be some consolation
When this is over my Dear Friends
We will surely make amends
We’ll celebrate and drink Champagne.
We’re not F@@#…G going through this again!!!
Till then be Strong, Safe and Well
And let this Virus go to Hell.
OR… . back from whence it came
Never to be seen again
So My Lovelies until that time
I might have another Glass of Wine.Cheers !!
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Caroline you are a wonderful poetess, so nice to have your cheery rhymes to lift our spirits. Talking of which, thank you for the lovely alcoholic recipe. I do think you need to restock the bar, all I can find is Creme de Menthe. Cheers Paula xx
