Taylors employment prospects looking up
After a six month sabbatical, during which much work was able to be completed on the genealogy project, the real world summoned me back. Six weeks work back at TelePacific accustomed me to waking early again - not to mention the luxury of bill paying. There followed an offer from the Tax Office of six weeks work on the “Wheres my refund” phone line. That was in turn extended to three months, with the offer of four months work to follow.
Must see Movie’s of the Year.
Titanic - 5 stars, mostly for the music, special effects and for the sheer determination and perfection of director James Cameron.
As Good as it Gets - 4 stars, for the quality talent. Strange movie about three not particularly likable people - but it worked.
The Wedding Singer - 4 stars. I was hoping to be a lot older than this before I started reminiscing about the 1980’s.
The Horse Whisperer - 5 stars.It had it all, a man, a woman, a child, a horse and scenery. People like Robert Redford just seem to improve with age.
Deep Impact - 4 stars for the special effects. A lot of ‘what if’ situations - what would you do ?
6 Days & 7 Nights - 5 stars for a heavenly storyline - oh to be stranded on a desert island with Harrison Ford.
The Opposite of Sex - 3 stars. It kept me engrossed with morbid curiosity.
Sliding Doors - 4 Stars. Another “what if” movie. Is there a point in your life where everything could and should change for the better.
Grease - released 20 years later. It was a joy to see it on the big screen again.
Saving Private Ryan – very graphic. Disappointing – storyline needed work. A big deal made about not much at all. Special effects were very realistic – not to be viewed while eating popcorn. 3 Stars.
1998 Concert Reviews.
The year of legends bought some great names to Perth and I was lucky enough to see many of them.
Cliff Richard bought a special guest with him on the tour. For the first time we were able to see him perform many of the duets that he doesn’t normally sing on tour. With the help of Olivia Newton John those duets, especially All I Ask Of You, from Phantom of the Opera, were performed with passion and perfection. Another highlight was Cliffs rendition of the old Shirelles hit ‘Will you love me tomorrow’.
Subiaco Oval hosted the biggest concert of the year when Billy Joel joined forces with Elton John for the Piano Men Tour. Four hours of greatest hits performed as solos and duets and even a bit of song swapping - we were dancing in the stands all night.
I cant say I had actually heard of Pulp before I went to see them perform, and I cant say I would buy an album or see them again - but everything in life is an education and I look at it as an attempt to widen my musical horizons.
The opportunity to see Michael Crawford perform came when I discovered my nineteen year old cousin Aaron was touring with the orchestra. After a day of showing Aaron the sights of Perth and Fremantle my friend Sue and I sat down and enjoyed not only Crawfords top of the range voice but Aaron’s magnificent playing of the oboe.
Most recently I had the pleasure of witnessing one of the tope five guitarists in the world perform. Brian May, touring solo since the demise of Queen, treated us to a night of old Queen masterpieces as well as his own solo efforts. He looked like he was having as much fun as we were.
1998 - the year of the 30th Birthdays.
While the parties this year were dominated by 30th celebrations we actually started the year with a 29th for Carina visiting from Sweden. The theme was RED and so were the decorations and food. Carina went as the Queen of Hearts while I was a can of tomato soup. Guests were dressed as red indians, devils, Red Riding Hood, Red Adair, rednecks, and a Pope.
The first of the thirtieths was Sue Anns in March. A big party at her house involved the mistreating of a womble with helium filled balloons.
Jo’s was next in May. A night of dinner and dancing at the Moon and Sixpence.
Michelle celebrated hers in July with friends and family at a chinese restaurant.
Belindas in August was at a restaurant in Scarborough. A strange man with a guitar, castanets and tambourines, made us sing bad mexican songs through out the delicious meal.
My 30th in October was celebrated with a party. The theme was “come as what you really wanted to be when you grew up”. I went as a world famous author. Other costumes were and Ice hockey champion, a nurse, a mummy, several hippies, a mountain climber and an astronaught that was wrongly identified as a Tellie Tubbie by a very keen toddler.
Another birthday that was celebrated was in fact a surprise. Mum and I were in NSW for a funeral that was the same week as my brothers birthday so with the help of Dad and Bev we surprised (or shocked) Max in a restaurant.
The final big birthday of the year will be Mum’s 50th on Xmas Eve - hope she wasn’t keeping it a secret.
1998 Theater Reviews.
A friend had some work in a couple of musicals so it was nice to have the opportunity to see Lisa in Guys and Dolls and South Pacific.
Well it only took 13 years but finally Phantom of the Opera came to Perth. Sue and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire performance. The lighting and special stage effects had us totally fooled as well as mesmerized. The humour and talent of those on stage kept us glued to our seats - when we weren’t leaping out of them in fear !!
IN MEMORIUM - RIP.
Some great losses in the entertainment industry this year. Frank Sinatra was never one of my favorite performers but I will acknowledge he was a legend and will be missed by many.
Dragon frontman Marc Hunters death from throat cancer probably taught the current generation nothing about the affects of too much smoking but he left my generation with a void in the music world. He dominated the 70’s and 80’s with many memorable hits.
Sonny Bono died in a skiing accident on the very mountain that ten years ago I lived on in Lake Tahoe Nevada.
Paul McCartney lost his wife Linda to cancer. In a testimony to show business marriages - they spent only one night apart during their entire life together.
Life At My House In General.
Well life and the home office was greatly improved by the purchase of a home computer - thanks to a birthday donation from Dad. With this I hope to start putting together some writing projects as well as tidying up the genealogy that is scattered around the room.
A lot of this year has been spent reminiscing, mainly because it is ten years since I was living in America. I’ve been thinking about the places I have lived and the things I have done since then.
There are still things I would like to do - renovate the laundry, bathroom and backyard - cruise to Antarctica - finish writing the great Australian novel. Most of those things require a Lotto win, Some just require the time and inclination.
Here’s hoping 1999 brings some of each !
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you all.
Luv from Karina X X X JJJJ
