Michelle

@schadenfrieda

Reading, listening, watching, overthinking - and any day now once again baking and gardening. A dreamer and a sillyheart. she/her Unceded Burramattagal land, western Sydney

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Michelle@schadenfrieda· 24d

Just completed one of the fabulous walking tours by She Shapes History - now sitting down to a pub lunch with some of my own badass women of Sydney. sheshapeshistory.com

A postcard from Badass Women of Sydney, showing an illustrated map of the route with portraits of the women discussed along the way. It's on a wooden outdoor table.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· 25d

Yes, jazz IS a way of playing, and this book - $4 from the Lifeline book fair on Thursday - already is doing its job of getting me back to the piano. 😎

A slim booklet of piano sheet music and instructions, called Jazz Is a Way of Playing by Bert Konowitz. It has a bright orange cover with lots of black writing (some of it made up of saxophone shapes) and a stylised concertina piano keyboard, and is clearly decades old, with old price tag and stockist stickers.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· 28d

Book 14: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. This was for book club in early June - I knew I'd be missing it so let the reading slide. Going to read it now out of curiosity although others described it as "mediocre" and "wholesome".

The book cover is filled with a simple illustration in areas of colour with little detail - a big orange octopus is surrounded by fish and underwater foliage; a grey-haired figure stands facing the octopus. The title and author's name are in a white serif font, all in caps.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Jul 10

The Green Trick from two weeks ago - a type of dianthus - is hanging in there. So this evening I bought some more, plus these tiny chrysanthemums. I definitely enjoy this sculptural sort of look. #FridayFlorals

Big fluffballs of Green Trick interspersed with some stems of small white chrysanthemums - all in a glass jug on a black mat.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Jul 9

12. The Crow's Egg/Kaaka Muttai (2014) dir. M. Manikandan I don't recall ever hearing of this Tamil-language gem but I agree with the reviews I've read now: it's a serious exploration of India's economic divisions woven into a gentle story about two (adorable) kids whose hearts are set on pizza.

Movie poster: two young boys and a puppy sit in the doorway of a rundown-looking building. The title and other text are above and below them.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Jul 8

Update on this: dropped off a box yesterday and yes - it's a (slightly damp and battered) shed.

An unfinished metal shed, with a double door and another metre or so on each side. There is green mould growing on parts of it and there are two signs - the more visible one reads "Lifeline Book Shed".

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Jul 7

11. The Zone of Interest (2023) dir. Jonathan Glazer Watching as the Höss family enjoy their garden next to Auschwitz is a haunting experience: you're constantly drawing on prior knowledge to feel the full emotional weight - mostly about people off-screen. This is restrained, clever and horrifying.

A large group of people relax in a vibrant green garden - they're walking, playing, relaxing on chairs. Over the low horizon of the garden wall, the rest of the landscape and the poster are simply black.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Jul 5

Andrew Garfield as Muppets. 🧵 1/1

Andrew Garfield as he recently appeared at Wimbledon: shaggy collar-length hair, beard, sunglasses.

The iconic Muppet singer of Mahna Mahna as he's always appeared: shaggy hair, beard, and what appear to be sunglasses. And purple skin and a fluffy green torso. And his hair is bright orange.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Jul 4

Book 13: The Year the Maps Changed by Danielle Binks. Children's books practically count as professional reading for me, and this one was recommended by a colleague. Let's go.

The cover is dominated by an illustrated town, simplified to an almost map-like quality although not an aerial view. Lots of harmonious pinks, blues and yellows, with dark blue water on either side. The title is in maroon, interspersed between the buildings.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Jun 28

Book 12: The Maid by Nita Prose. I've barely paused before opening up this next one for book club in three days. I'm determined to start tonight before I sleep. I hope it's good but - based on our May meeting - it could be even better if it's not. 😅

The book cover is teal with the title in gold and author, tag line etc. in white. There is a gold door handle with a white sign hooked over it, in the shape of a gold-trimmed white hotel building.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Jun 26

Hard to say what inspired these colours in the month that the ginger racist is being platformed and on the day I watched the national team play in a room of typically diverse Sydneysiders. I don't do patriotism but this arrangement makes me very happy. #FridayFlorals

A tall glass vase on a black runner on a wooden table. In the vase are yellow chrysanthemums, "Green Trick" puffs of dianthus, and long spikes of round-leafed gum. The light is artificial but warm, and there's a big black and white photo on the wall behind.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Jun 24

Book 11: The House of Youssef by Yumna Kassab. I've become quite obsessed with reading books set in western Sydney. Kassab was Parramatta's first laureate in literature, I've seen her twice at SWF and once in Westfield - so time to read her work starting with these short stories.

The book is a very dark teal/bottle green, with a small circular illustration of a modest fibro house - from "Light Green House, Merrylands 2005" by Noel McKenna. The title is in narrow golden yellow font and the author's name in smaller red lettering.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Jun 19

What were the cool kids of Sydney's inner west up to this Friday night? Packing out the launch of The Rose Read Bookshop - that's what. 🥰

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Jun 12

Second: here are the two bunches of chrysanthemums (green and white) and bunch of roses I purchased this evening from the German joint. I am so pleased I chose the cream roses and not yellow. #FridayFlorals

Clusters of large white chrysanthemums and small green chrysanthemums with large cream coloured roses, in a glass jug on a black mat.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Jun 12

First of all: look how amazing this was when all the flowers opened! Carnations are actually just really pretty, helped along by the dianthus. #FridayFlorals

Practically a cloud of pink flowers in a vase: pale pink carnations, bright pink carnations and lavender-pink dianthus.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· May 29

Those open house/activation/"Night at the Museum" sort of events sometimes fall a bit flat but with Unplugged, SLNSW has absolutely nailed it.

Paper crossword handouts and a pencil on a dimly purple-lit tabletop.

The huge Mitchell reading room with moody purple lighting and full of people.

One of the orange-walled painting galleries, photographed from a low angle, full of people sitting and standing.

A corner of the library's Shakespeare Room, showing its wood panelling, shelves of old books and an ornate relief ceiling.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· May 23

A very boring photo representing two excellent events from today's line-up at Parramatta Town Hall. Here's hoping for many future #SWF forays into the west.

A stage is set with two blue armchairs and the screen behind reveals the event will be Omar Musa discussing Fierceland with Sara M. Saleh. The venue is the renovated Victorian interior of Parramatta Town Hall.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· May 21

Book 10: Fierceland by Omar Musa. I'm going to see the author at Sydney Writers' Festival this weekend, so I'll simply need to read nearly 400 pages by Saturday afternoon. 😅

The book cover showing a pink and lavender woven cloth background, with the title and author's name in simple white font.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· May 17

10. An Angel at My Table (1990) dir. Jane Campion I remember vaguely knowing of this film when it was released - I guess 12yo me read a review somewhere. Finally I see for myself: it's a masterpiece. Calm, stoic, optimistic. Every shot staggeringly beautiful. Over 2.5 hours of Kiwi genius.

The poster: the shot of Kerry Fox as Janet Frame looking out over the ocean with her arms raised; her dress is blown by the wind and her hair is a ball of red curls around her head. The title is in yellow serif font with a larger sweeping A and T.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· May 15

Today's #FridayFlorals: a bit of a splurge even at supermarket prices, for a dianthus and two bunches of carnations (I've been thinking about them lately, along with due-for-a-comeback baby's breath). Pleased with my arrangement and with the shades of pink. 💕

A glass jug on a black mat on a sideboard against a pale wall. The jug holds pink dianthus, pale pink carnations and bright pink carnations, in varying heights so that the tallest are in the middle.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· May 10

Book 9: The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart by Samera Kamaleddine - for the title alone, right? In my line of work, books like this count as professional reading.

The book cover, dark blue with a range of illustrated striped planets in pinks, greens and blues. A child with chin-length black hair, and wearing jeans and a tshirt, sits cross-legged amongst scattered books and pages of astronomy information. The title is in curly pale yellow writing.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· May 4

Book 8: The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden. This is for book club on Wednesday night and others in the group have been - uh... not enthralled. I'm tempted to add sticky notes and offer very serious-faced overanalysis.

The book cover shows a bed made up with white linen, with a red tie lying across it, leading to a spatter of blood. The title is in the same shade of red.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· May 3

Added to the #FridayFlorals with this Sunday bunch of orange-red chrysanthemums from my SIL's garden. 🧡

A vase of dark orange-red chrysanthemums in the foreground, with the prior pale pink and bright green in the background in a taller vase.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· May 1

The return of #FridayFlorals with two bunches of chrysanthemums from the German supermarket and some stalks from a native plant down the street. This just wasn't working until I moved it all from the tall vase to the shorter glass jug.

Some large pale pink chrysanthemums and smaller lime green "button" ones in a glass jug with a few visible small leaves of the other plant. The lighting is dim but warm artificial light.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Apr 21

Not #FridayFlorals (maybe this week now I'm back in town) but a lovely Tuesday bunch of imperfect homegrown cosmos. My parents dropped off something to my apartment while I was at work and left these as a surprise. 💜

Purple cosmos flowers with pollen-spattered yellow centres, in a glass on a black mat in front of a pale wall. The light is dim and obviously artificial but the colours are strong.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Apr 9

Book 7: Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith. This is set in Vietnam, I'm there currently on holiday, and I'm taking inspiration from @bethanykeats.bsky.social to photograph this one in situ. I hope it's good!

My hand holding the book at a slight angle, with hints of ocean, greenery and buildings in the blurry background. The book cover is black with the title in yellow. There are illustrated snakes and tropical flowers around the border, and in the centre a woman with long dark hair and wearing a pale dress. The colours of the woman are muted, making her appear ghostly against the black.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Apr 8

Hoi An leans right into its "brand" and is absolutely beautiful: yellow buildings, crumbly facades, abundant lanterns and masses of bougainvillea. We also made the trip to My Son Sanctuary to see centuries-old ruins, experience indescribable humidity, and notice the old bomb craters with dismay.

A hanging plant vine with large leaves, with the covered Japanese Bridge slightly out of focus in the background. The bridge is in soft red shades and the surrounding buildings are in yellow.

People walking along a narrow street, lined with open-fronted shops and lots of greenery. The shop fronts are hung with silk lanterns in different colours and shapes, and the awnings are covered with foliage, including a brilliant pink bougainvillea.

Precious Heritage Museum: traditional costumes, with lots of red trim, displayed on mannequins in a small museum space, with large photos of elderly people on the wall.

The ruins of My Son Sanctuary: red brick structures around 1000 years old, with vegetation growing up onto them and through the cracks in the paved pathways between.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Apr 7

Vietnam with my parents: we arrived in Danang on Friday night and on Saturday travelled to Hoi An via the fascinating Cham museum and Thuy Son in the marble mountains.

Danang: a city view from a window, showing streets and white-grey highrise. The sun is low in the sky - it's early morning - and red through the smog and haze.

Artefacts and explanatory poster in a museum, against an orange wall. Through an adjacent archway, a wooden Cham buffalo cart can be seen displayed in a nearby room.

Thuy Son: an ornamental citrus tree, heavy with orange fruit, is next to the ornate pillar of a temple. A figure wearing a conical hat is passing in the background.

Nightime exterior shot of Madam Lau restaurant in Hoi An, selling Vietnamese and Italian food. The brick exterior is strung with illuminated red and yellow lanterns, there's a bicycle in the foreground, and the bunting strung across the street features the yellow star and red background of the Vietnamese flag.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Mar 29

Book 6: Melaleuca by Angie Faye Martin. This one's for book club and my mother tells me she enjoyed it. But can I get through over 400 pages by Wednesday evening? Almost certainly not, given everything else going on.

The book cover is a scene of a creek or other body of water, with fallen trees and surrounding bushland. The sky blends into the cover's dominant shades of misty pale greens and teals. The title is in dark blue letters that appear to fade into cloud or mist, with the author's name below.

Michelle@schadenfrieda· Mar 27

Tonight's #FridayFlorals are these lilies I purchased a week ago - they didn't open until about Wednesday. They're my last for a while due to upcoming travel.