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Season's Feasting
For the sake of inclusion and opportunity, I will count the seasonal feasting with gaming with the younger folk at Ru's Crew in Fawkner for the Solstice. It was another afternoon of the Root board game with about ten people playing or otherwise in attendance and this time I played the "Corvid Conspiracy" which is deemed almost impossible to win, on the grounds of their predictable pace. The afternoon was successful for the dual-player Vagabond with a strong finish. In between turns, I enjoyed discussing worldbuilding with Andre, who is designing a world with many tectonic plates (which slotted in quite well with my interest in the physical geography of the Pacific).
True to the Germanic Christmas tradition, Erica H., came over on Christmas Eve (Heiligabend), where I had prepared quite a collection of culturally-appropriate food (I do think the Germans do Christmas well) for that evening and following days; Eier in Senfsoße, Schwäbischer Kartoffelsalat, Käsespätzle, Rösti mit Pilzen und Parmesan, Frankfurter Grüne Soße, and Pflaumen-Blaubeer-Sorbet. We also had a second Xmas dinner Part II last night. Between these, I went to see Anthony L., and Robin M., for what was advertised as a "grazing" event but ended up being a four-course dinner, plus grazing items, with Wesa C., Matthew W., and Sarah also in attendance. The following day attended an actual grazing event with Alison B., at the home of Lucy Sussex and was charmed to catch up with Jenner, of Doc Rat fame, whom I hadn't seen for at least 15 years.
Yesterday I caught up with Mel S., and she led the way to the northern suburbs for an epic op-shop run, which included surprisingly good music at each point of the venture. I think we covered 10 establishments in total, spread out over almost six hours and over ten kilometers on foot. With a hearty breakfast of the leftover Käsespätzle, this morning I ventured out to see the delightful Lara D., who is visiting from NT. True to style, we made our way through the day by visiting three bars (Arbory, Whiteheart, Her Bar), and attending two events. The first was "Marshmellow Laser: Works of Nature" at ACMI, which was a scientifically-informed digital artwork, and the second "Monopoly Dreams" dedicated to the famous boardgame. Our consensus was the former was the superior of the two, whereas the latter did have some interesting trivia about the game, it was more of an arcade experience. I noted that they studiously avoided mentioning the radical origins from "The Landlord's Game", or their attempt to sue the producer of "Anti-Monopoly".
I must confess that typically my cheery spirit in the season and gregariousness amongst company belies a deeply morose streak. This is mainly generated as a result of my deep and continuing consideration of those for whom the season can bring little cheer due to their circumstances with a proportional juxtaposition to the festivities. The happier the company, the greater the feasting, the more I find my mind and spirit in is in "the house of mourning" (Ecclesiastes 7). Certainly, I have not forgotten that house; and who Would, with the state of affairs in Gaza and Bethlehem being bombed on Christmas Day itself? I believe the key difference is that I have reached a certain sense of security within myself that I am personally doing enough. As much as I can encourage the betterment of the world if they do not heed the clarion it is up to them to realise for whom the bell tolls.
True to the Germanic Christmas tradition, Erica H., came over on Christmas Eve (Heiligabend), where I had prepared quite a collection of culturally-appropriate food (I do think the Germans do Christmas well) for that evening and following days; Eier in Senfsoße, Schwäbischer Kartoffelsalat, Käsespätzle, Rösti mit Pilzen und Parmesan, Frankfurter Grüne Soße, and Pflaumen-Blaubeer-Sorbet. We also had a second Xmas dinner Part II last night. Between these, I went to see Anthony L., and Robin M., for what was advertised as a "grazing" event but ended up being a four-course dinner, plus grazing items, with Wesa C., Matthew W., and Sarah also in attendance. The following day attended an actual grazing event with Alison B., at the home of Lucy Sussex and was charmed to catch up with Jenner, of Doc Rat fame, whom I hadn't seen for at least 15 years.
Yesterday I caught up with Mel S., and she led the way to the northern suburbs for an epic op-shop run, which included surprisingly good music at each point of the venture. I think we covered 10 establishments in total, spread out over almost six hours and over ten kilometers on foot. With a hearty breakfast of the leftover Käsespätzle, this morning I ventured out to see the delightful Lara D., who is visiting from NT. True to style, we made our way through the day by visiting three bars (Arbory, Whiteheart, Her Bar), and attending two events. The first was "Marshmellow Laser: Works of Nature" at ACMI, which was a scientifically-informed digital artwork, and the second "Monopoly Dreams" dedicated to the famous boardgame. Our consensus was the former was the superior of the two, whereas the latter did have some interesting trivia about the game, it was more of an arcade experience. I noted that they studiously avoided mentioning the radical origins from "The Landlord's Game", or their attempt to sue the producer of "Anti-Monopoly".
I must confess that typically my cheery spirit in the season and gregariousness amongst company belies a deeply morose streak. This is mainly generated as a result of my deep and continuing consideration of those for whom the season can bring little cheer due to their circumstances with a proportional juxtaposition to the festivities. The happier the company, the greater the feasting, the more I find my mind and spirit in is in "the house of mourning" (Ecclesiastes 7). Certainly, I have not forgotten that house; and who Would, with the state of affairs in Gaza and Bethlehem being bombed on Christmas Day itself? I believe the key difference is that I have reached a certain sense of security within myself that I am personally doing enough. As much as I can encourage the betterment of the world if they do not heed the clarion it is up to them to realise for whom the bell tolls.