Turning Nepalese, I Think I'm Turning Nepalese, I Really Think So!!!

Julius Caesar's grand-nephew Augustus defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra to become emperor of Rome.  In the spirit of that, the Roman senate decided that he should have a month named after him.  Thus, August was born.

Skip forward nearly 2000 years and we are celebrating this with a feast just like the Romans did.  However, this feast was less toga, more sherpa as 14 dinner clubbers trekked to the wilds of Chapel Street, Prahran to experience the delights of Nepal at Gurkha's.

Now then only facts I could tell you about Nepal include the following:

- It is the home of Everest

- The capital is Kathmandu

- Their flag is the only national flag in the world that is not rectangular

- They love their yaks (apparently!)

It was with that breadth of knowledge that I decided to learn a little more and explore this fine looking country.

Fact #3 of only 4.

With one new entrant in the form of R. Salha, dinner club was full of familiar faces.  These faces were soon to be stuffed as all opted for the banquet option (thank God my friends all like food!!!)

Sampled during the evening was some of the following delicious items:

- Nepalese soup

- Momo (dumplings)

- Garlic prawns (well....I gave mine to Jordan!)

- Ginger chicken

- Goat curry

- Aloo rayo (potato and spinach)

- Potato and chick peas

- Nepalese delight

- Masala tea (like chai but less sweet due to no honey additions!)

- Nepal Ice beer ("The coolest beer in Nepal")

Want to see what all that food looks like???

S. Haughey showing us how it is done.  Nepalese style.

Another fabulous night with lots of laughs as always.  K. Williams must get mentioned here for her comment, "I think the food here was my favourite of all the dinner clubs."  Many would agree I think! 

Another MASSIVE highlight (dinner club seems to be the place for this) occurred on the night but that remains top secret to those dinner club attendees until the time when all will be revealed.  All I can say is, a MASSIVE shock (as most people around the table sat stunned for a solid 10 seconds) but so happy for it to occur...  Mysterious hey?! 

A big thank you from the mayor to all 14 attendees for the night.  As mayor, the following rules are reiterated.  In order to remain in the running for the attendance prize (becoming more than just a pipe dream as we speak!), one of the following must occur...

1. Souvenier name tag must be kept and shown as proof of attendance to the mayor.

2. Photographic evidence of attendance must be available.

3. All dinner clubbers overseas at the time of dinner club must submit their apologies well in advance.  Being skyped in to the event is encouraged at this point to maintain face at future dinner club events.

NOTE: Being included in a Facebook check-in is NOT proof of attendance due to potential forgery...

With that, the following people are still in the running...

1. K. Williams

2. J. Coleman

3. L. Read

4. S. Haughey

5. V. Dennis (special consideration granted for Soda Rock due to overseas do-gooding committments)

With that, another successful night ended.  Here are some mementos of another wonderful evening that is one of the most fun ways to achieve goals I think you could ever have.

The Mayor and J. Coleman with big grins due to overeating!!!

Recently returned B. Goodall looking dapper in his cap! 

Can't pose for photo.  Eating.   True K. Williams style!

"Girls, I want a nice photo."  This is what CHS teachers think that means...

S. Haughey, V. Dennis and S. Porrino making up the CHS contingent for the night. 

J. Coleman mid-bite, the mayor and uni Indo buddy C. Ireland with new recruit R. Salha 

 Jetlagged B. Goodall???

Some happy peeps - must be dinner club night! 

The sign of a good meal is a massive stack of dirty, empty plates... :) 

The month that was August.  What a good looking bunch!

Next month sees a return to Europe with the club moving to the land of crumbling infrastructure, fruiterers, everything ending in "opolis" and the humble souvlaki - Greece.  OPA!

Until then,

xox

One of the hardest things I've ever done..

Goal 9: Find a band to play trumpet in

Over the past couple of weeks, goal 9 has attracted mixed feelings.

Since 1994, trumpet has been a very large part of my life.  Originally a "last option" option (my arms weren't long enough for trombone, arms too short for flute, hands not big enough for clarinet/saxophone, no space for percussion), my Amati trumpet and I became good friends.  Not only has trumpet provided me with a way to expand my lungs and prevent asthma from taking control of my life as it did from a young age, but also opened up a new world of friends, music and experiences.

My Amati.  Tough, reliable, mellow sounding and will always be a fond part of the musical instrument collection.  As I improved, the Kings came along.  Firstly, a King 600 student model.  Beautiful and crisp sound, fanfare abilities beyond belief.  I loved it. 

The King 600.

Come a few years later, my ambitions to become a jazz legend were once again aided by King trumpets and their silver flair model.

The King Silver Flair - upturned bell once created by accident but now manufactured to enhance sound and emulate the man below...

Dizzy Gillespie - jazz legend (and not bad looking!)

Trumpets and I toured various states, played countless Bands Festivals, woke up many a person with a spirited Reveille, played "The Last Post" at assemblies and blasted rehearsals from the back of the room just because as a trumpet player you can do that.  It's the trumpeter's ego and I love it.

University saw a decrease in playing as did starting work but there is still a strong love for a simple instrumet.  Three valves mean you don't rely on octave keys or tricks to get range - you work for it.  Many a blood nose on a hot summer rehearsal can prove that!

Since 1994, there has been a man who has been there to encourage, guide, push and support my love of playing and music in general.  Afterschool rehearsals in my lounge room as we duetted to various music stylings.  The early days of hand written ditties before I progressed to real music.  Playing so all the neighbours could hear in Mount Waverley and later Wantirna.  Learning new techniques to play screech trumpet much to the annoyance of anyone in the house at the time.  Learning the tricks of the trade (like if you put 1 part milk to 2 parts water through your trumpet, you build up the vertigrease meaning a more mellow sound or how Mr Sheen is better than any valve oil on the market).  Breaking down complex pieces or parts to ensure even the trickiest parts fell into place.  Painting his old trumpet blue because blue trumpets are just so much cooler.

Unfortunately, Eric passed away on the 17th August.  Now I am very fortunate in the sense I have not lost friends or siblings, but the loss of a mentor is one that is hard to describe.  For a man that passed on so much of his love of music to me, there was only one small token of my appreciation I could give so there was no hesitation that his send off would include a musical tribute.

Choosing a piece was hard.  Initially thinking of the classic jazz items, it was settled a sombre flugel (a larger-piped trumpet with a haunting sound) piece from the film "Brassed Off" (one of Eric's all time favourite pieces and films) would be the perfect tribute.  "Adagio" (an Italian tempo marking meaning restful or at ease) from Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" talks of missing home and missing what's there and that couldn't be more apt.

It was with that, I tackled one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.  While not the perfect performance, I hope it was enough to show him that after all these years, I have listened to every instruction...

- Soft, flat tongue to reduce sharpness of sound

- Timing isn't everything.  Do what feels right

- Slow, deep, controlled breath (at the right gap of course)

- Play loud.  Make mistakes louder.

- ALWAYS clear your spit valve before a solo

- Enjoy music - that's what it is about

Goal 9 will have a little bit of sadness attached to it now.  I hope to play in a band but finding the right one will now be more difficult without his expert opinion.  Nevertheless, the motivation to play will return and I look forward to the day that occurs.

With that, enjoy the Adagio from the film, "Brassed Off"

Far reaching goals...

Found this art installation in my travels through cyberspace.  Thought it appropriate to consider given it is a year driven by goals.  Check out this and other art pieces at http://candychang.com/

According to the artist Candy Chang, "It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget what really matters to you. With help from friends and neighbors, I turned the side of an abandoned house in my neighborhood into a giant chalkboard to invite people to share what is important to them. Before I Die transforms a neglected space into a constructive one where we can learn the hopes and aspirations of the people around us."

What would I write on the boards?  I thought I would see what others have put first...

I was surprised to see some of my answers feature - even some of this year's goals!

What would you write?

p.s. I want one of these walls in my house.