The age of film

Yesterday when I got to work (yes, working on Saturday, I'm afraid) Lonsdale Street looked like the end of the world.

They were filming for The Knowing, a new film starring Nicolas Cage and directed by Alex Proyas (Dark City, I, Robot), and the space between King and Spencer Streets was filled with burning cars and what looked like hundreds of extras. At either end of this space stood huge cranes around seven storeys high with wires strung between them, from which was suspended a camera. It was able to fly across the length of the street while the masses brawled and panicked below.

We had a good view from our window on level 5, but the few times I went to look reminded me that much of film-making is taken up by standing around waiting for something to happen. I suspect that by the time the CGI effects have been added we won't recognise the scene as Lonsdale Street at all. Still, the old power station provided a suitably derelict backdrop.

Peg goes home

After two weeks at my sister's Mum came home today. I got there a bit early and did some cleaning up (got some flowers, too) so the place looked welcoming; they arrived around 3pm. Mum is looking the best I've seen her for quite some time an she was very chirpy, too. She seemed relieved to be back in familiar surroundings.

My sister and her husband are staying overnight to settle her in. From tomorrow there'll be a nurse visiting Mum twice a day which makes all of us feel a lot better about her return home. My next task will be to arrange doctor's (and dentist's) appointments for her.

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Mum is at last out of hospital; she's at my sister's in Kyneton for a couple of weeks. We had a family meeting with the doctor, OT and social worker at the hospital last week and the decision was that Mum should spend a couple of weeks with my sister before returning home. Veterans' Affairs have installed handrails in the toilet and bathroom and a railing on the front steps and will provide a person to visit twice a day when she's home.

I spoke to her this afternoon and she's sounding quite chirpy.

Yesterday I got back from a few days in Newstead with DG. P&B came up as well and on Saturday night the four of us went to hear Gagliano's Dafne performed by Ensemble Gombert at the Woodend Festival. It was an enjoyable evening, topped off by excellent pizzas at Pizza Verde in Kyneton.

The weekend was wonderful despite the cold; we ate and drank well and a good time was had by all.