Although this is a little delayed, I’ve been meaning to comment on it since last week – Obama. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that America has voted in their first black president, and someone with significantly different views to their current one. I’m delighted by it; although his policies aren’t all to my agreement, and he has less experience to his republican opponent, I reckon he’s a step in the right direction. He at least has the ideas and fresh face that is needed at the moment – now he has only to prove himself.

Before the election, I heard people discussing the pros and cons him, and most (that I knew) were voicing support for Obama. However, since the election, they’ve constantly told their worry about his lack of experience and young age. I reckon he’s as good as they can do at the moment, too much change would scare the States. I have faith that he can do well in office, even if it just one term. At least there wasn’t a need for Sorry Everybody version 2.0

Anyway, that’s my two cents on the current state of American politics. Moving on..

On Thursday I was lucky enough to see André Rieu in concert at the Telstra Dome. My friend was offered free tickets through work, and she thought I’d enjoy and appreciate it. I certainly did! Although I was unfamiliar with his work and his history, I knew who he was, what he did and had read enough reviews to understand he was relatively popular. After seeing him live, I can see why! An impressive set of the Schönbrunn Palace from Vienna (designed by his son), including space for the Imperial Ballet of Vienna, 2 ice rinks for the Australian Stars on Ice, two huge fountains set up in the crowd, a carriage with 6 horses and groomsmen and countless other effects. It was simply spectacular. He is a performer to the core and you can tell him and the Johann Strauss Orchestra all enjoy themselves when they perform. Rieu himself is a charmer, and the ladies seem to falter when he comes out with the line, ‘I’m so glad to be in Melbourne’. It must be the Dutch accent!

Not being the most educated in classical music, I was proud of myself for recognising and being able to name pieces of music during the set – even if he did do some popular pieces such as ‘Wishing You Were Somewhere Here Again’ from Phantom of the Opera and even Advance Australia Fair at the end (only a handful sung along with the second verse, as expected!) I’m not sure I’d pay the $100+ to see him that many people did (including $1500 to get backstage after and meet him), but I’m glad I’ve seen him and genuinely had a good night.

Also recently, I purchased my new photography toy – a Canon Speedlite 580ex II flash gun. I was looking at buying the 430ex II simply for price, and then if I wanted later I could buy the 580ex II as a master to it. However I managed to pick this up quite cheaply on Ebay in an as new condition, so I’m very happy with it. I’ve only played with it and not taken any proper shots yet, but I’ve been asked to take department photos at work, so I might just use it then. I’m looking forward to taking it out.

39. Wolves Eat Dogs – Martin Cruz Smith

I seem to have been reading a fair bit of murder-mystery this year, which I never would have listed as a genre I liked. Once I start reading them, I’m usually disappointed and disinterested so I’m not sure why I keep doing it!

This book caught my attention because of the setting in Russia, Chernobyl and Pripyat; the politics and disaster associated hold great interest for me. Although the novel started slowly, it increased in pace, and when the setting moved to Chernobyl, I was much more sucked in. The style was easy and quick to read, so I moved through the interesting bits quickly – but obviously slowed down during the other parts (mostly where the details of the story were coming out, unfortunately for me). I also ended up doing more research on the disaster online as I read, not relying on the book for facts.

The actual murder and solving of it was only mildly interesting from my point of view, with poor details emerging and as more came to light, the more disappointed I became! I should probably make it a habit not to read too many murder-mysteries, as they only seem to disappoint or bore me.

Updated 12/11 -
I also just remembered another point I’d like to add to this. Throughout the story, the children’s story of Baba Yaga is mentioned. Now I’m not sure where from, but I’ve known of this story for years and it seems to be one of the more well-known of Russian folk stories. However, it’s use in this book is blatant – to the point of patronising the reader – and there could have been many more stories or uses for it.

38. Catch-22 – Joseph Heller

So this was another ‘classic’ that I’ve been meaning to read, and I feel a little let down. It’s easier to read than I expected, flowing fairly smoothly and quickly, and the language is complex enough to keep it interesting. However, towards the last quarter of the story, I began to wonder when anything would happen – little events are relied upon to keep the story going until a single major event happens towards the very end. It was hit and miss as to whether I was even going to reach the end!

I think it’ll be a while before I try anything by Heller again, but I probably will read something else of his at some point. Catch-22 was fairly amusing at times, mostly at the expense of Yossarian, and it was just the speed of the story that put me off; I’ll just have to read faster next time. I enjoyed the comical insight into a serious situation though.

37. The Art of Burlesque – Dita von Teese

Although I haven’t included the more art-orientated books here, this one I feel deserves a mention. The book actually contains two ’stories’, one for the history of burlesque and one for fetish. Both are, obviously, accompanied by stunning pictures and little tick boxes, but the text itself is fairly interesting.

I knew very little about the history of burlesque, fetish, and to a lesser extent, corsets, but this book gives a quick rundown of acts through history, how styles developed and how the law, and serendipity, shaped them.

Although a great admirer of von Teese’s style, I knew little of her as a person. This book gives a small insight into her life and how she views herself, which at times is slightly arrogant, but definitely fascinating. Of course, the pictures are stunning though, and her sense of style is impeccable. As a lover of corsets, some of the pieces she wears are beautiful. Some are horrific, but I guess it’s all subjective, and as she emphasises, much of it is about how she feels and acts wearing it.

36. The Spare Room – Helen Garner

Working in a hospital that specialises in cancer, it was inevitable that it would influence my reading habits. I overhead some of my colleagues discussing this book and joined in, and subsequently borrowed it from one of them that same day. As they had told me, it was an easy read. The style is very simplistic and straight forward, but not the point of patronising.

The story itself is a little confusing, with some details left to your assumption, making it a little confusing at times. However, in doing so, the main points can be emphasised and described more. Much of the story is also Melbourne-only knowledge, which would make it even more difficult for other readers.

It’s a heartbreaking story though, and brutally honest at times. There are many points where you feel the shivers up your spine and wonder about your own future; it’s quite confrontational in that sense. I also felt that the ending was rushed, although not entirely disappointing. It could have gone much worse.