Working Class Man - Jimmy Barnes

Jimmy Barnes is an Australian rocker and this is the second part of his biography, where he writes about his life in the band Cold Chisel and then working solo.  He wrote about his rough upbringing in Adelaide, in his first book Working Class Boy.  Now we get to join him as the band move to Sydney and try their luck in the pubs and venues across Australia.  Its pretty full of the rock and roll lifestyle - he sure had more than his share of drink, drugs and girls over the years.

I have to admit to skipping through parts - like all rock and roll memoirs there seem to be boring sections about meetings and production details that make me snore and lots of the names of people that mean nothing to me.  It was saved though by the stories about family and especially the love of this wife Jane and the kids.  Particularly touching too was the love he has for his two dogs - he has turned into an old softy. 3/5

Ghosts of the Tsunami - Richard Lloyd Parry

This was quite  the little book.  On the 11th of March 2011 a large earthquake struck Japan and brought with it a large Tsunami that killed 18,500 people.  This books focuses on a small town where 74 young children were killed at the local primary school.  The author spends 6 years talking to survivors,  parents, teachers and family some of whom are still searching for their children which is truly heartbreaking, especially when you realize that if the children had just been led up the hill away from the black water churning towards them, that they may have survived.

A book that most Kiwis should read - living in a earthquake/tsunami prone country ourselves. 5/5

Music Monday - In Hell I'll Be in Good Company - The Dead South

I've been searching out new tunes to listen to this year.  This one is pretty catchy and the video is quite mesmerizing too. 

Middle Aged Lady Movie Night - The Mountain Between Us

Howdy friends.  It was a good night to tuck myself on the couch this  evening as the wind was howling outside and  Magic Mike XXL wasn't starting until much later (hahaha).   Now I like both the actors in this one.  Idris Elba is a bit of manly alright and Kate Winslet is always good to watch in my book.  In this one they are both stranded on a mountain top after a plane crash and have to survive and find their way back as a rescue seems unlikely.

I don't know - this one just didn't ring true for me.  When you've had a head injury and are worried about surviving (and haven't had a shower), the old side eye glance and romance would seem to be the last think on your mind at all.  It seems that getting off the mountain and not dying would be the most important thing you would be worrying about.  I just didn't believe it and felt somewhat disappointed in this wasted opportunity  of these two good actors working together.  2/5

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri

I had been wanting to see this one for a long time.   I missed it when it was on at the film festival in August, and now it has been out for a couple of weeks on general release here in kiwiland.  There has been a lot mentioned about it as award season circulates, and so I finally made some time on my Saturday afternoon to go to a grown up peoples cinema (one where there are few children, teenagers with cellphones and cheap tickets).

Mildred Hayes is upset, her teenage daughter has been killed and the local police seem to be doing nothing about finding  the murderer.  So she uses three old billboards on a rural road to advertise her frustration and from there the story truly starts as the impact  of her decision causes friction around town.

I am not one to watch a movie just because of the award nominations, but the three from this movie deserve the oscar buzz.  Frances McDormand is truly outstanding in the lead role and Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell are pretty steller too.  This story is full of violence and swearing, and even though the story is very much a drama it does have its comedic moments and somehow it rides the balance of offensive and amusing at the same time.  I certainly didn't nod of in this one.  5/5

It's Not Yet Dark - Simon Fitzmaurice

This is a small quick read of a memoir, but it is packed full of insight into what really matters in life.  In 2008, filmmaker Simon Fitzmaurice is diagnosed with motor neuron disease, and in this book he describes the progress of this devastating that robs patients of their movements and then their abilities to swallow and finally breath.  There are still beautiful moments in his life, his lovely wife and wonderful children still bring wonder and joy.

It is books like this that serve to remind me to be grateful for the simple things, to be able to walk around, to be independent, to enjoy good food and to be able to reach out and hug your loved ones. 4/5

Believe Me - Yolanda Hadid

Yolanda Hadid was one of those women who I saw on a housewives show, but didn't pay much attention too, especially as her presence wasn't around much due to her being ill.  In this book she talks about that health journey due to having Lyme disease and how it affected her and her family.  I admire her honesty in having to try to find a way to be better when there is no cure, and that she had to watch her two children also suffer must have been hard as a mother.  She also talks about the break down of her marriage that was happening at the same time, as well as her best friend who had motor neuron disease. 

On the whole I liked the book and was interested to read about the many treatments she sought out, although many were a bit woo woo for my liking, and I wonder at the cost of doing fancy treatments with specialists around the world, she was lucky to have the means to seek out and try so many options.  Like all memoirs, for me the highlights are always the stories about families and growing up and you can sense the immense love she has for her three beautiful children, her brother and her mother which to me, makes her more beautiful too.  3/5

Music Monday - The Curse - Agnes Obel

So this year I wanted to find some more music to listen to and I found this artist.  The song is deep and very beautiful, but I must admit to not really knowing what she is singing.  Still it is lovely and I look forward to exploring more of her music.

The Last Mrs. Parrish - Liv Constantine

Amber Patterson has set her sights high. She's going to go after Jackson Parrish a rich successful businessman, who is also married to the lovely Daphne, and father to two young daughters. Some of this conniving and cunning came across a bit overdone, but on the whole I enjoyed the story and could convincingly see the story playing out in my mind. 4/5

Middle Aged Lady Movie Night In - John Wick 2

Keanu Reeves returns as the brooding John Wick - grieving still for his wife and puppy (be still my middle aged lady heart).  There are lots of car chases, screaming tyres, dead baddies and shoot em up scenes - which are not really my scene, but it was ok.  They didn't give Keanu too  many lines to remember and I liked him looking sad and angry, which happens a lot in this movie.  3/5

Going in Style

3 friends decide to take matters into their own hands, after their pensions are frozen and the funds are dried up.  A gentler version of the heist genre of movies I watched this one on a quiet evening and was gently amused.  For me the bonus is just listening to Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine talk - I could listen to them for hours with their soothing sing song voices that are quite mesmerizing.  3/5

Promise Me, Dad - Joe Biden

I found this a very moving memoir written by Joe Biden.  While serving as Vice President and traveling to many of the worlds hotspots his oldest son Beau has been diagnosed and getting treated for a brain tumor.  I wasn't that interested in all of the political stuff, but was extremely touched as he wrote about his family and the love they shared even through all of the tough times. 4/5

9-1-1

I'm trying a new series on the TV.  Just when I thought I couldn't fit in any more shows - I've started watching 9-1-1 a US drama about first responders.  I do find it fast and I like the characters - especially that the 3 main ones are range in age from Connie Britton at age 50 and Angela Bassett at age 59.  It is nice too that the rescue stories aren't dragged out and the whole show is pretty fast paced.  I'm giving the first two shows a 4/5.

Music Monday - When I Get My Hands On You - Marcus Mumford

It soothes me to listen to Marcus Mumfords voice, after a busy  day and evening and this is one of my favorite songs.  I am looking for some new music - I'm stuck in a rut and need some new tunes.  I guess it is reflective of my middle agedness.   Maybe too old for pop music and too young for oldies tunes. 

My Cousin Rachel

Orphaned cousin, bought up by older cousin, who falls in love with another cousin in a sunny land.  He dies and young cousin, goes to meet female cousin, and they fall in love too.  Stunningly beautiful scenery and the characters were delightful - it just was all a bit dull and slow for me which was a shame.  2/5

Phantom Thread

It was turning into a foggy afternoon in our city, so it was perfect for going to a movie.  I let my friend choose between this one and the Post - both dramas.  Still this one had a few good reviews I had heard of. 

Daniel Day Lewis plays an aging fashion designer in post war London who lives with his sister and is very set in his ways.  Designing beautiful gowns and dressing rich women is beginning to drag for him and while at a country restaurant sets his eyes on a young waitress.  There is quite a bit of resistance to this relationship, but gradually she slips into his life fitting in.  Then they reach the stage where they begin to annoy each other and manage to find a new but very strange way of co existing.

While beautiful to look at - the lovely building that houses the fashion house, the trim waists, the graceful outfits, the jewel colours of the rich fabrics I found the story a bit dull and slow moving.  Our impression as we left was that this movie was just plain odd.  2/5

With the End in Mind - Kathryn Mannix

The primary thought on reading this book is that if you enjoyed Being Mortal by Atul Gawande then this very much feels like a companion read.  One that I think that everyone should read and share with their loved ones.

Dr Kathryn Mannix is a palliative care Consultant and in this book she writes about her experiences of working with dying patients.  She looks at the pattern of dying and what most people will experience as they die.  Her insights into the support of the patient and the care of their families are demonstrate a level of care that we would all hope to experience, yet I feel is lacking in many peoples experiences.

She doesn't fill up the book with pages of medical jargon, but instead talks about  many of the patients that she has met during the years and how her job helps them to deal with end of life care. 5/5