Leon's weekly 'rap' – 24 December 2021
It's the last Rap of the year! I've had so much fun writing this 'column' and I hope you have enjoyed it, too. I'd be interested in your feedback: what you like, what you don't, what was the best 'tidbit' you got from this column this year.
Thanks for coming along for the ride this year. It's been challenging for most of you and I'm glad we've been able to share a bit of us with you to (hopefully) help you through.
With that being said, stay safe, enjoy the sun and, in the meantime, this week's rap ...
The best show I watched this week (and this year)
Still watching Elementary, which I am very much enjoying. As far as my pick of the year: I would have to say The Queen's Gambit followed by Fleabag. Both feature amazing lead actors and stories about women getting on in two very different worlds. If I had to pick one, it would be The Queen's Gambit, but I really did love Fleabag, which was very funny at times.
The book I'm reading right now (and the best book I read this year)
I'm currently reading The Big Bounce by Elmore Leonard, who is in my top five favourite authors. The best book I read this year was easily The True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey. If you haven't read that, find a copy and indulge. I started reading it on a week-long winter retreat in a mud brick cabin in the hills near the Yarra Valley. Perfect setting, and sometimes I think that influences how a book is received. Still, this tome is a masterwork, and once I started reading it I looked forward every night to getting back to it.
Most interesting thing I read on Wikipedia
Purple – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple
Yep, there's much more to purple than meets the eye. I researched this after finding out it is the only colour not used on any national flags. Evidently, back in the day, it took more than 10,000 sea snails to make one gram of purple dye, which is why only wealthy people and royalty wore it. Purple carries a lot of mystique and symbolism and the wiki page is well worth a read, if you like random facts (or love colour).
Music discovery
Not so much a discovery for me as a gift to you. I made a 'Christmas Cocktails' playlist for you all to play on Christmas Day!
And here are a few more you may like to play.
This one is the 'Christmas Crooners' list.
And this one is the 'Classical Christmas' list.
Then there's the 'Jazz Christmas' list.
And for those of you who like it a bit more 'rock'n'roll-y' here's the 'Jingle Bell Rock' list.
Best quote I heard or read this week
"Skip the boring parts." ~ Elmore Leonard (this is why he's one of my favourites). If only life were this simple!
Food I most enjoyed this week
My daughter made gingerbread men, Christmas trees and houses and then she decorated them. They were the best thing I ate this week. I hope you get the same thrill from the handmade treats you'll get this week!
Favourite article on the YLC website this week
I think the article about how often you should clean your appliances from our contributor Sam Wylie-Harris takes the cake this week.
Best article I read on the web
How to use the delete button in your brain to make it more effective published on Medium.
One of the simplest ways to keep your brain in tip-top shape and make learning new things easier.
Thing I am most grateful for right now
Holidays! It's been a long year, so I'm very much looking forward to time off with my family and, hopefully, will get to see a few of my friends, too!
What I wish I could be doing that I can't do right now
Being on holiday! Honestly, it can't come quickly enough!
Feel like sharing? Go on, I dare you!
Thing I am most grateful for right now
Australians vaccinated against COVID-19 are being given the chance to win $1 million thanks to a new campaign dedicated to accelerating the country's vaccination rates.The Million Dollar Vax campaign will give away a total of $4.1 million worth of prizes to people vaccinated against the virus in the next four and a half weeks.It will award $1000 gift cards to entrants daily on top of the ultimate $1 million prize, which will be given away on 5 November.
Hi Leon.
One thing that has come up in conversation today has been the following, thought it may be interesting to ask members here what they feel about it.
"People that refuse to be vaccinated/J
AB be segregated within the community"
Reminds me of the ancient times when Lepers were segregated away from the community so they didn't pass on the disease.
What do people think please?
Best quote I heard or read this week
The best show I watched this week