Are the old games the best games?

…is it only because you understand completely the rules you play by?

Greetings Players All,

Did you take to card and board games with your family during COVID19 lockdown? Set a jig-saw or 2? Have you kept on playing afterwards? Are the old games the best games? If they are, is it only because you understand completely the rules you play by?

This world is changing very quickly

There seem to be new rules and requirements everyday so it’s easy enough to break one. Today I stood quite close to a handsome, out-of-uniform policeman from Victoria at a shop counter – it’s too complicated to explain how I found this out. We chatted briefly about how it’s better to be in Adelaide than Melbourne at the moment. Once the 6’4” of himself had left the shop I realised I had not been the full 1.5m away from him. (naughty, naughty minds you have. Not that close!)  I don’t think either of realised! Seems some of us are just natural-born rule-breakers!

But now, let’s talk about the heavily regulated:

Day in The Life of a Gallery Coordinator

It’s an interesting vocation. Just ask your local representative. Essential qualities include: good nature, giving personality, ability to listen/offer advice, stamina, ability to interrupt conversations without causing any/too much offence, money counting, mega patience, able to climb ladders, rule-obeying or ignoring when the instruction is stupid or unnecessary or assessing when the rule  doesn’t apply to us at all and being terribly, terribly nice to the committee members, even the very annoying ones (huh! I know you are wondering who I mean) with a natural ability to open presents showing oomph and elan and pet stray dogs while not getting paid very much at all.  Being an excellent cook is a highly prized further advantage.

 

THE QUIZ TIME: For a full 10 points apply one of the above outstanding qualities to the principal in the following scenario. Picture this:

 

Current date: week 4, JULY (unspecified year to protect the guilty)

Time: Life Drawing session during the break

Scene 1: non-specific Gallery Co-ordinator (SZ) provides coffee-machine coffee as per the rules that state only 1 person is allowed into the kitchenette to work the coffee machine or Mitcham Council will fine you $5000 (per offence we assume but it’s not been made clear) for 2 x Life Drawing attendees (AB & CD).  WD stands by while a quilt-making class unable to, in these changed times, provide cakes or biscuits for the life drawing attendees, continue to quilt-make and chat.

AB & CD to SZ: when is the cut-off for SALA entries?

SZ: 1st week in May. (WD expostulates while not spilling independently made coffee)

 

 

AB & CD to SZ: No, we mean when is the cut-off for SALA this year?

SZ: 1st week in May. (WD snorts. Quilt-makers make quilts.)

AB & CD to SZ: Oh.

SZ: Would you like to exhibit something in SALA this year?

…..long conversation ensues as to how this can best be achieved by the relevant parties. (WD sniggers and returns to 2nd half of class. AB & CD follow to class now happy that they are able to exhibit at Gallery One during SALA. Quilt-makers make quilts.)

Scene 2: 90 minutes later after the completion of Life Drawing class, SZ and WD are talking serious Gallery business in office of SZ. Enter new character from an independent Asian peninsular country  who has only been attending the Gallery for approximately 12 years but is formerly of executive committee and having held, at that time, a senior position and who is a recipient, every week, of this Diary. Also known to tend bar occasionally at every opening night and who shows a distinct preference for reds.

Knock, Knock.

SZ & WD: who’s there? (titters)

SLaF: Me.

SZ & WD: Me who?

 

 

 

SLaF: When is the cut-off for SALA?

 

 

SZ throws herself prostrate across new desk, pummels said desk with fists and proceeds to rend her head from hair. WD snortles and exits.

 

 

And so fair Players All, SALA is soon. This year we will be on-line as well as in the Gallery space. Unfortunately, there will be no opening night celebration but you are invited to attend and view the works during Gallery opening hours. Bring friends. Bring family. Invite strangers from the street.

 

 

 

I am reading books from our small in-Gallery book shelf so that when you feel inspired by my absolutely riveting reviews, the works are instantly available for your pleasure. This week’s work is Love is Blind by William Boyd.  It looked like a romance and since my life is bereft of romance I thought a little vicarious in-put is better than none at all.

This writing is slick – I do not mean this in a pejorative way. The narrative issues easily from the page and you are at once caught up in its world and advising the characters of what is likely. (Don’t do it!!! I said). The setting for the love affair is unusual and involves a lot of fiddling with piano keys; the piano itself a romantic instrument. As soon as I began to read the making- luuuve scenes I knew the book was written by an XY chromosome person – amazing the difference between genders in language and disposition. I haven’t finished the book yet – I’ve been busy with my SALA unpolitical watercolour work which I hope will entertain you all in an amusing way. I got bored doing the geisha and did a right-hand turn, or left-hand, depending on your political inclinations, (completely shameless self-promotion here) and quickly produced something else which satisfied my brain. Back to topic: I will finish the book as I want to get to the end and find out what happens.

Then it will be back on the bookshelf for you!

Adios amigos. Take care. Stay safe. 1.5m isolate.

ps: there is no prize for the Quiz answer

pps: Patience is the game to play during lockdowns. Advise the Victorians you love.

PPPS: tonight there is a sliver moon against a cerulean sky. The horizon is puddled with lavender clouds against a tangerine glow. Just beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credits

Photo by Ross Sneddon on Unsplash Jigsaw Puzzle

Photo by Ravi Roshan on Unsplash Woman with Halo

SALA-Sala sign

Photo by picjumbo.com from Pexels Romantic Mugs (Bookworm)

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash-Women tearing her hear