Kathleen Clemons Photography: 11 Years of Lensbaby Magic!

Kathleen Clemons Photography: 11 Years of Lensbaby Magic!

The Immigrant

Last night me and some of my fellow "CHUMs" paid a visit to The Phoenix Theatre, Coniston. The play - The Immigrant. It was well written and the sole actor held the audience's attention for the duration of the play and I even shed a few tears with him at the end.

It was about a man who reminisces about how he came to Australia with his father and was subsequently raised here. He had a hard life at the hands of his father and from his fellow Australians. It was assumed that because he was an immigrant that he was uneducated when in fact this was not the case. His life was one of violence; giving and receiving it. He won respect by using his fists and drinking his peers under the table.

He finally married after his parents passed but it was only to fill a void that they had left, it was not for love. He wanted someone to look after him. Their first child died in his arms not long after it was born and this had a profound effect on him. When the second child, a son, came along; he found that he could not love it, no matter how much he tried.

All too soon, he was following in the path of his own father and showing tough love in the form of his fists. He beat the child and was always telling him he was coward, until the day his son hit back and won the fight. After that he saw very little of him and lived a lonely life writing poetry. prose etc.

After downing a bottle of Vodka, the first act ended with him going out to seek his son and hopefully to put things right.  The second act  was the son's perspective on his life and him trying to understand what his father was about and why he did not love him despite the fact that he loved him unconditionally, no matter how badly he was treated.  This was conducted in his father's living room sitting beside his coffin - he had died the night he had gone out to seek his son's forgiveness.

The play left me with more questions than answers; I wanted to know if the son  would turn out like his father or would he finally break the cycle of "tough love" with his own son.  Will the relationship between him and his son be very different and different for the better.

It was very thought provoking play and I greatly enjoyed it.  The acting was superb and the evening went all too quick.

January's Synopsis

January has been a very busy month for us CHUMs; not only with getting out and about but also in planning our schedule for the rest of the year.  It is while we were planning that it starts to dawn on us that 2013 is going to be too short and we will not have enough time to do all that we want.

So without further ado I shall provide a synopsis of our activities for January:

Summer Nights

This was attended by a small group of CHUMs and was held at Wollongong Town Hall.  It was a photographic competition ran by the Salt Church and the evening’s event was to show off the entries and to announce a winner.  The young people of the church were very welcoming and loved our Red Hats and the support network that we have in place for each other.  

There was a sausage sizzle and lots of cheese and biscuits to nibble on while we viewed the photos. It was an evening with a difference but enjoyable all the same.

CHUMs gathering

Ahhh this is where we discovered that 2013 is going to be a short year for us.  We all gathered to discuss suitable dates for events and to chat about what we would like to see on our events schedule.  We all got a lot from the gathering and we have agreed we will do this on a regular basis.  Next meeting will be in March (See what I mean about time disappearing).

Illawarra Folk Festival

Boy oh boy what a weekend that was.  We could not all go on the same day so divided into two groups.  One group went on the Saturday and the other on the Sunday.  When we exchanged notes on what we saw etc it was very evident that we all enjoyed it and we have agreed that this could become an annual event………I do hope so. 

Not only was the music exception – the market stalls had plenty of bargain to find and we sought them out.  Each CHUMs group stayed well into the wee hours of the evening; toe tapping and generally having a great time.  When we compared notes later in the week it was only to discover that we liked a lot of the same groups/individuals.

The Wizard of Oz

I know, I know……..it sounds like a Christmas panto but it wasn’t.  This was performed at the Roo Theatre and a sellout.  We had good seats but they were hard and just a wee bit uncomfortable.  Some of the CHUMs brought cushions, so they were alright. 

Despite being tightly packed into our seats, we all had a great evening.  The star of the show was Toto, the dog.  He only had to sit and scratch his ear and the whole audience sighed wanted to take him home.

At the end of the show the ladies who run the theatre came up to us and informed us that the theatre was going well and the up and coming shows are attracting a lot of attention.  With that in mind we were advised that maybe we should look at booking Shout as soon as possible……..ohhhh the pressure!!!!

Lost Son

This was a local production play by the youth of one of our member's church in Dapto. It was about the parable of the prodigal son but with a modern slant to it.  It was clear that the young ones enjoyed themselves and their enthusiasm just jumped out at you.  I think they got more from the performance than the audience.  It was very enjoyable.

Symphony in the Domain

This is a free concert put on by Sydney Council.  Performance took place in the Domain and we had a lovely warm day.  We got there for about 17:00hrs and settled in while waiting for the show to commence at 20:00hrs.

The evening performance was Stanley Kubick’s scores for 2001 Space Odyssey. It was an evening blessed with good company and memories.  The music was excellent but the high wind often blew the sound away from the audience. There was nothing that could be done about it and we were very grateful that they persevered and stayed to entertain us.

It was a long but very happy day and we got home around 01:00am in the morning full of excitement and chatting about the great evening.

Numb butts aside it was a great show and I even managed to sing along to a few of the songs.  Toto, the little dog was the star of the show.  He was so good and did not pee on the stage once.  Mind you there was a few scratching of ears and licking of his butt when Dorothy was saying her lines. 

30 Nov 12 - Into The Woods

I was joined by three of my fellow sisters, Lady Regalia Chatterly, Lady Sandy, & Lady Lowsborough-Goodby for an evening of entertainment; Into the Woods presented by the Arcadians Theatre Group; at the Miner’s Lamp Corrimal

This is a 1986 Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine show about some fairy tale characters coming together to learn lessons.  It is about what “we wish for.” and how wishing is not enough.  One must work hard in life to get what we wish for.  Nobody gets anything for free.

Act one and the first few scenes sets up the characters; the childless baker and his wife, the witless Jack (played John Reynolds), the hapless Cinderella (played by Belinda Balhatchet) and the plucky but clueless Little Red Riding Hood (played by Emily Thompson). All are unhappy with the life they have and all are “wishing for something better”.  To get what they wish for, each has to embark on a scary but exciting trip to get what they need………..usually from each other.

The musical required our full attention, especially for the rapid fire rhymes of the Witch played by Jessica Garrawa.  She was a vision of grey and dirt but not very crone like; in fact I thought she was more like an old tree, with fingers that resemble the finer branches spreading out from one of the main limbs.  Her costume was the most inspired – designed by Ros Whittaker.

Jenifer Bond, as the – sharp-witted Baker’s wife – bent on reversing the Witch’s curse that rendered her husband (played by Rik McCann) infertile – has a lovely voice, and her wide eyed appeal just  radiated out to the audience  The baker and spouse are the most grounded characters even though the Baker struggles with sticking to his goals. However with the support of his wife and the mysterious man, aka the Baker’s father (played by Michael Bond,) he wins through.

Act One has the typically fairy tale ending -“living happily ever after”.  It was at this point that I thought the show had finished and was pleasantly surprised to hear that this was just the intermission.  But then I was left wondering what could possibly happen in Act two

Act two – once again it starts off with everyone wishing for something better.  Hmmmm!  a bit like real life.  Even though the characters have everything they wished for they are still unhappy.  Cinderella’s prince (played by Jack Dawson) is playing around behind her back.  His brother (played by Rory Chatterton) is in an unhappy relationship with Rapunzel (played by Olivia Boyd-Skinner) and is enraptured with Snow White (played by young Keicie Oatrs) – his only obstacle to happiness with Snow White is those pesky seven dwarfs.  Jack is bored with his rich life and wants adventure. The baker and his wife are tired with the babies crying and she wants a bigger house.  The witch, now changed back to a beautiful lady wants company and the love of her daughter, Rapunzel who she has banished to the desert.  CONFUSED!!!

This act also brings a giant – cleverly achieved via effects and a disembodied voice. In the first Act everyone got what they wanted without working together.  In this Act they all focus on needing to kill the Giant and to do this they must work together.  Not everyone survives and relationships change.  I am left feeling that even this “happy ending” is only temporary and so the story will go on and on.

This was a very enjoyable musical, with a difference.  On leaving the theatre we exchanged opinions on what we thought of the musical.  Our entire group like it but some people we met were not impressed with the evening show.

Kiama Birthday Picnic Day

Last Sunday, 18th November 2012, the CHUM's had a picnic day at Kiama. Decked out in our finery of mainly purple and a few red/ purple hair attire, Lady Bean very kindly drove Lady Lowesborough-Goodby, Lady Butterfly, Lady Sandy and myself in her wonderful SUV arriving safely around 9.30 am. We decided to park the car up near the Blowhole and walk down to the Market day stalls that happen to be on around the harbour area. We did NOT want all the best goods to be bought by anyone else first. After Lady Butterfly organised her banking needs we set off in search of some bargains. Lady Lowesborough-Goodby and I seemed to move a little slower than the rest and got well and truly left behind but we didnt mind. We were very closely checking all the stalls and their wonderful goods out. After buying some great items I had to then attend to banking needs of which took a quite a bit longer as the crowds all decided their banking needs were in demand as well. Anyway, with the stallholder holding on to my much needed new handbags I was able to actually produce some coinage for him. Oh what bargains were to be had !! But then as us 2 started on our way again, a phone call came from Lady Butterfly to say that we needed to head back to the car for our picnic. What ?? Already ?? Seems like we had only just started but in actual fact it had been over 1 1/2 hrs since we had arrived. I guess only getting 1/3 of the way along will give Lady Lowesborough-Goodby and I a very good excuse to go back again, lol. I didnt realise how slow we were until Lady Butterfly and Lady Sandy met up with us and said they had been all the way along. Meanwhile Lady Bean was already back at the car unpacking the picnic table, chairs and food. After sitting back and eating chicken and salad rolls with various teas, Lady Bean opened up her container showing her glorious home made cupcakes with chocolate butter icing. Oh, were our mouths watering for these and another cuppa to go with them. It was a beautiful relaxing afternoon. This was Lady Butterfly's request for her birthday outing and what a great request it turned out to be. Of course we all had to sing Happy Birthday to Lady Butterfly, along with For She's a Jolly Good Fellow and Why Was She Born So Beautiful and thank goodness Lady Lowesborough-Goodby finally gave up all the birthday songs, lol. I think she likes to show off her great singing voice. Sadly Lady MacMuck was unable to attend, especially being her birthday this week as well but due to an injury she had to relax at home on the lounge. So we decided to include her in the day by us all rolling up at her front door with the remaining cupcakes and yet another cup of tea. Her special man Adamis very kindly attended to us all with the teamaking and serving. After much chatting, laughing and a game of pass the parcel we all headed off home with full tummies and smiles on our faces. Here is the photo to prove the fun we CHUM's always have.

Lady Regalia Chatterby.

Tell Me On A Sunday

On Sunday 11th November 2012 some of our CHUM's ladies went to the musical " Tell Me On A Sunday " at The Phoenix Theatre, Coniston. Music is by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Don Black. This musical is basically a one woman play with Charmaine Gibbs as the 'woman'. After a broken relatonship the 'woman' flies to New York for a change of life from England. She searches for love and having a vibrant career in the big apple. This poor woman goes from true love to depression of the once again failed relaionship numerous times. With start of a new love, aka 'the one', she emails her Mum in England and then emails again after each breakup of 'the one'. To cut an hour and a half show short, the woman ends up flying off home to England, no doubt for more disappointing men to add to her life experiences. Charmaine is a brilliant singer and actor who portrayed her highs of a new love and the disappointment of rejection well. The band made up 8 men and women were wonderful and it was delightful to listen to. The time actually past very quickly. Lady Lowesborough-Goodby and I arrived a little late for a before the show refreshing cuppa and chat on the lounge with Lady Pankhurst, who I might add did arrive early before anyone else, Lady Sandy and Lady Marg. So I entered the very full theatre to the very comfy red chairs with my takeaway cup of English Breakfast Tea which was delightful with my strawberries & cream and musk lifesavers. We all thoroughly enjoyed the Sunday afternoon's entertainment and finished the day with some chatting ( and perhaps a little gossip as well ). On to the next event please ...... Lady Regalia Chatterby.

Caramel Afternoon Tea

On 9th November several of the ladies met to enjoy what was described as a 'Caramel Afternoon Tea'.  Lady Butterfly, Mrs. Bean, Lady Chatterby, Lady Pankhurst and Lady Lowsborough-Goodby all gathered in the palatial home of Lady Lowsborough-Goodby, in the al fresco area, to partake of tea, with several different caramel delights to accompany the beverage.

The steady chatter, and the tinkle of feminine laughter was, I am sure, heard from half a kilometre away.Lady Lowsborough-Goodby bemoaned the fact that she needed a man, ( It is so hard to get good staff lately)

It was wonderful to see the arrival of Lady MacMuck, accompanied by her beloved manservant, Adamis, later on in the afternoon. Lady MacMuck has been battling a sore and poisoned foot, and it was thought that she may not make it to the gathering. Thankfully she is now on the road to recovery.Lady Butterfly supplied us with her divine caramel slice from her kitchen, and it didn't last for long.

As the afternoon wore on, several of the ladies went home, and Lady Butterfly, Lady Chatterby and Lady Lowsborough-Goodby settled down to sip tea, and eat delicate chip butties with tomato sauce, and watch the sunset. All in all, it was a rather jolly afternoon, and once the holiday festivities are over, it is hoped that it can be repeated quite soon.