Last week Hilary Barry got a hard time from Mr Emotionally Intelligent Michael Laws, and seeing her cry reminded me of the Sia song Big Girls Cry, which if you haven’t see or heard I think is worth having a look at.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NhKWZpkw1Q

Well the big girls were crying on Friday night at the McFred house I can tell you.  It was the final episode of Campbell Live.  Lauren came over, made amazing home made pizzas (she makes the bases with yeast and everything) and then we settled ourselves down and basically just cried for half an hour.

We cried for the amazing crew who had lost their jobs, we cried for the people who won’t have a voice anymore, and we cried for ourselves because we knew the Evil Empire had Struck Back,  Hans Solo had been frozen in ice, and Jabba the Hutt was making us wear inappropriate clothing and pulling on our pony tails.  We were not happy.  I was going to take a photo of us watching Campbell Live for the last time, but trust no one would want to see our sad little faces.  Brett wondered what the hell he had walked into when he got home at 7pm.

But we did take comfort from the fact that there were over 500 000 New Zealanders who felt like us and who watched the show and give a damn.  And Michele A’Court summed it up perfectly with two wonderful tweets.

Remember when TV mattered? Remember when everyone watched the same thing at the same time & talked about it? It was like this. #CampbellLive 

Anyway it hasn’t been all tears and pizza Brett and I did go and see Mad Max Fury Road in 3D.  I was looking forward to seeing the movie because it has received glowing reviews 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and there has been a lot of discussion about it’s feminist narrative.

Donna Dickens in her blog explains 7 ways that Mad Max subverts movie sexism.

http://www.hitfix.com/harpy/7-ways-mad-max-fury-road-sublimely-subverts-movie-sexism

But on reflection maybe the action movie is not longer for me.  It was just like watching 2 hours of movie trailer.  I mean it was just non stop mad action and violence.  I was exhausted by the end of it.  As I said to Brett afterwards George Miller certainly wasn’t subscribing to the Less is More school of movie making.

But 5 stars to George for exploring another way of working with the genre.  Charlize Theron was fantastic, she was kicking arse and ass all over the place, but she was also able to convey this amazing vulnerability as well.  This woman can act, and drive and shoot things.  I think I have another girlie crush.

And for those sad boys having a cry fest, because Max is getting told what to do by a female character.  Grow up.  Go and have a pity party with Michael Laws.

Before the Madness that was Max we saw a wonderful art exhibition this weekend at the Auckland Art Gallery.  It is by artist Lisa Reihana and it is freaking amazing.

Here is the official description –  In Pursuit of Venus-infected is a panoramic video, a moving image interpretation of the French scenic wallpaper Les Sauvages De La Mer Pacifique

Here is my description (and I will be the first to admit I am not too hot at the art critique thing)  It is about 35 minutes of gorgeous and thought provoking scenes projected onto a huge wall at the Auckland Art Gallery.  It was mesmerising and while we were there, everyone was watching for the full 35 minutes.  Lisa’s artwork is on the second floor, and on the first floor you can actually see the wallpaper her art is based on.

I have linked the video, just to give you an idea.  But there is nothing like seeing it on a huge wall.

http://www.inpursuitofvenus.com/watch-video/

I can’t recommend it enough, if you are in Auckland you really should see it. What else can I tell you to encourage you to get there?  It’s free, and clever and thought provoking, there is other cool stuff to look at and although the Art Gallery Cafe has changed hands they still do great hot chips – no more alcoholic beverages served though – boo.

Not that I am saying that all activities have to involve alcohol of course. (because that would be wrong and irresponsible)  But I actually rated the Art Gallery Cafe as one of the best lunch places in town.  It was pretty special to be able to fortify yourself with a wee morsel, some hot chips and a glass of bubbles before perusing some of the treasures there.

The exhibition is on from the 2nd of May to the 30th of August and I will go and see it again.

http://www.aucklandartgallery.com/whats-on/events/2015/may/in-pursuit-of-venus-infected

As you know a Nattybugle just isn’t a Nattybugle without a League update.  (there you go Anne there is your heads up that you can stop reading now)  And this week is a special one because it is the Warriors first home game in 4 weeks so they are celebrating their Women in League Round.

The NRL Women in League program was established in 2007  and it’s aim is to make women feel proud of their roles and contribution to the game.

Over 400 000 women have a direct connection with the game whether it is as administrators, players, coaches, employees, volunteers or club members.

The program and round, is more than the players wearing pink shirts or socks, it is about genuinely acknowledging the amazing contribution that women make to the game.  Manu Vatuvei is just fantastic at shouting out how much the support the women in his life means to him.  Which is why he was voted the Women in League’s favourite son last year.  (I have no doubt if my Mum could have voted a gizillion times for him she would have)

I know that League doesn’t always have a great reputation for it’s treatment of women.  Sex scandals anyone?  But I really think this is a wonderful initiative, more than mere tokenism.  I saw the some of the games best players watching the Silver Ferns play the Jillaroos at the Nines this year.  They were genuinely interested in the games and impressed with the football skills the young women displayed.  When you have fantastic women like Raelene Castle taking a leadership role the game and the experience for those involved with the game can only improve.

Mighty Warriors all the best for your game against the Knights this afternoon at Mt Smart and know that this wahine would like to be there to support you this afternoon, but it is freaking cold and more rain is forecast.  So I love my League but I love being warm and dry more – please try to forgive me.

The Dragons are playing the Sharks this afternoon.  They are feeling confident of a win – but Holy Crap I have just realised I hadn’t sent my inspirational tweet.  While I have remedied this, I just hope it hasn’t been sent too late.

I will update this later – hopefully with some good results.

And finally (if you are still with me gentle readers) Last week I mentioned Hamish and Tracey, but acknowledgement must also go to Anne who reads my ramblings – she skips the League stuff.  Linda who increases my readership in Vietnam by 100% and Brenda who keeps a big cousin eye on my – when she gets a spare moment from cuddling her new grand daughter.  Thank you very much.

Results Update:

The Warriors had a win against the Knights.  Yay the Warriors.  Running true to form they don’t believe their fans should ever be sure of the final result until right to the end.  But well done.

And my inspirational tweet got through in time – thank goodness.  The Dragons smoked the Sharks 42-6 Fantastic result.  Next Monday they take on the Doggies.  I will need to craft a super inspiring tweet for this game that is for sure.