What's Wrong With You? - Melbourne International Comedy Festival review

Anne Edmonds has a lot she wants to get off her chest and in 2019, the three time Barry Award nominee returns to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for an hour of new stand-up with What's Wrong With You? This time, she looks at the people and moments that come into our lives for the sole purpose of breaking us down, but Edmonds is not giving in that easily.

There are a range of subjects covered that set Edmonds off, including people who carry plastic bags to put their belongings in instead of backpacks, Pauline Hanson, ukulele players and the Catholic Church. Clearly some are more justified than others but all are just as triggering. However, this isn't a show where Edmonds simply goes through her list of bad people, but it is about looking beyond that and trying to find the humour in something rather than letting it bring forth a rage.

The You Pilgrimage review

Most people would find it very difficult to switch off from the demands of the day and take the time to reflect and think about themselves for a while. Fortunately, The Boon Companions seem to be all too aware of this and with their new immersive and interactive live art event ‘The You Pilgrimage‘, have provided people with an opportunity to have a break from the craziness of life.

This was the third event by The Boon Companions which I have attended and while their silent party and their 1920s literary themed event were highly memorable, The You Pilgrimage surpassed all these with the truly unique and entertaining opportunities of self-love and self-reflection experienced during our excursion through Fitzroy.

30 Days of Fitness: Day 27 - Oh, so that's a tricep!

So I didn't go to the gym today. Apart from a time thing, I just didn't have the strength to get into a workout again. So once I got home from an evening out at 10pm, I did an hour of yoga and oh my god did my body love me for it. I can't believe how tense and tight my body was. Stretching out my arms and back was like bliss. And don't even get my started on Child Pose.

During the evening when I was out with a friend, she also commented that I looked healthier and more relaxed and stuff. I do feel more energised although this is counteracted with my lack of sleep of late, sometimes only getting 5 hours sleep. But I look forward to this challenge being over - in three days - so that I don't have to do something every day and then blog about it. It's really time consuming to blog every day, especially when I could be using that time to sleep! But I'm glad I did this challenge, it's given me an appreciation for what my body is capable of and how I should be treating it. Along with my new found vegetarianism I think 2013 will be my year of health!

Oh, and I also found out today where my triceps are. Go me!

So much clearer now!

30 Days of Fitness: Day 22 - But it's a Public Holiday!

Again, woke up with no motivation whatsoever. Had fully intended to go to my 9:30am pump class - which I actually enjoy - but I just couldn't move. I think it's the heat and also partly the fact that it was a public holiday threw me out a bit.

I did however manage to squeeze out a yoga session. Not the outdoor one I usually go to, which would have been fine had I been working but from home to Carlton and back in this heat....so instead I did my own hour class by my fan. And I think I needed it. After all that gym I was pretty tense and could really feel the stretch affecting my muscles and body. God it really feels weird saying muscle and associating it to my body.

One more day of this stinking heat and then I'm into the final stretch.

30 Days of Fitness: Day 15 - We're Halfway There

HALFWAY!!!!

Pump class this morning. Went much better today than last week. I guess being mentally prepared allowed me to pace myself and know what to expect. Did a lot of arm and leg work and yet again, realise how "weak" I am. Doing lunges with only 5 kilos resting on my shoulders and my legs are shaking like jelly.

My confidence in the class is building as well, not staring intently at the instructor watching her every move and understanding the lingo and what she she says is getting easier. I get confused though with pushing myself to my maximum and trying to do too much. Should I be lifting more weights and struggling through it or less weights and getting through it....not comfortably but not feeling the burn as much.

Ugh...worst pose ever

In the evening I went to my outdoor yoga class and it was a bit of a shambles, not only were my legs still recovering from spin class on Saturday but also the pump class this morning. So naturally, the instructor did a lot of lunges and dog poses - which I hate the most, have the worst flexibility in my legs. The hardest thing was trying to focus on being in the moment and I did that, for a second, and then thought about all the frustrations going on in my life and so I lost my balance a lot, couldn't hold poses and pretty much being everywhere but in the moment. I think that's why I am - yes, I will admit it - enjoying my workouts at the gym because it demands so much of my attention that I just can't focus on anything else.

I've got to say though, the encouragement and support I have been getting from people has been great. It definitely makes me feel like I can continue going on with it. My housemate has noticed that I stand straighter, a friend yesterday told me I looked really good and a co-worker told me he was jealous of my determination. So hopefully that will be enough to see me through the next 15 days, because oh how my body aches. Keep it coming guys :)

30 Days of Fitness: Day 8 - Pump, pump it up!

My first pump class today. Was feeling pretty fresh for it, especially as I went to sleep at 9:30 last night and had 8 hours sleep! Haven't had that in such a long time! Pump has had to have been the most difficult form of exercise I have undertaken in the eight days I have been doing this. It was like the instructor said, it's not about lifting weights and being strong, it's about endurance. And I didn't have it. I kept going for about 3/4 of it, or maybe a little bit more. But at a few points, especially towards the end, I felt so weak! Even doing a lunge and my back leg was shaking like crazy! But I did feel good after it and I had no nausea or feeling bloated so maybe that was just my body getting used to it.

All day I was really sore and was grunting like crazy at work when I sat down or stood up - I remember reading an interview with Raquel Welch where they asked her how do you stay so young? She replied that she never makes a noise when sitting down or standing up. If that's the case, I am screwed!

After work I headed to my outdoor yoga class. Was really difficult as my arms and legs were still really tense and sore but I managed to do it. Although that damn dog pose kills me every time. I have really bad flexibility in my legs so I need to work on that. Loved having it outdoors today though as there was a beautiful summery breeze coming in.

Had intended to go to the gym in the evening but I did not feel that it would be at all beneficial to me tonight. I doubt I would be able to do even 10 squats - let alone 120. And chest presses? Forget about it. So instead I chose to rest up and to head over tomorrow. I think I did quite a bit today anyway.

It's been hard so far. The early mornings have been the biggest struggle. Being up at 5:30am. Body clock has a lot to get used to, as well as my body. And the encouragement I am getting from people has been really good and positive so that makes me keep going. Not to mention the fact that I would then have to state on this blog that I failed the challenge. Can't have that!

30 Days of Fitness: Day 5 - Damn I'm Sore

I had intended on going to the gym this morning, even set the alarm for 5:40pm. However, I woke up and my whole body was so stiff and sore so I compromised and did an hour of yoga instead.
There were quite a few poses that I struggled to keep because my arms and legs are so sore. But by the end of it I did better having stretched them out and used them in a "gentle" way.
I'm booked to see Nathan again on Thursday so I'm hoping to be able to get to the gym four times a week and do the circuit he's planned for me. I will admit I am feeling a little self conscious about going to the gym on my own and working out but I guess this is an insecurity I'll just have to face!
The sleep thing is still difficult. I went to sleep at just after 11 last night and that's been the earliest I have done in a very long time. I'm sure once I get into a routine it will become easier, I hope, coz not sure how much longer I can go on 5-6 hours sleep!
Finished work and I am a bit sore in the legs and arms but am functioning quite well so far. Hopefully these aren't famous last words!

30 Days of Fitness: Day 1 - Yoga in the park

One challenge done and a new one began today! This time 30 Days of Fitness. There is a number of reasons why I have chosen to have this one as my next one.

The main one is that I have a terrible self-image problem. I think I am very skinny and even though I am not unfit (or at least I don't think I am) I know there are miles to go. I'm hoping with the combination of all the varied activities I do, my fitness challenge will be more of a social thing than a chore. The last thing I want to be is one of those people who goes to the gym every day. To each his own, but that is not the person I want to be. Ideally, I would like to put on a bit of weight or muscle or whatever you want to call it but I do have a fast metabolism so not sure how that will work!

The second reason I have chosen this is to sort of continue off from my initial no meat challenge which has inadvertently become a healthy eating challenge. So what better way to support this habit but by furthering my healthy body!

the Happy Pigeon - hate the bird, hate the pose

So today being Day 1, I thought I would ease into it by having an outdoor yoga lesson with Activate Fitness. However, when it is still 35 degrees at 6:00pm and I have walked from Southbank to Carlton, it was the last thing I wanted to do. I thought I would be fine as I used to do regular Hatha Yoga a few years back but that was not the case. This yoga was more dynamic and energetic so it was almost like a 50 minute exercise routine. I managed to survive most of it, my flexibility in my legs is really weak and is prolonged upper body strength but I am happy with how I managed to keep up for the most of it. Fortunately it's only a class of about 6-7 people so that's quite good.

Walking down the stairs at the train station was a bit of a bother afterwards and I feel like I have gone a bit red in the face from sunburn - better not peel!

Anyway, I will mark off today as a success. 29 to go!!!