Image: Mapio.net
Built in the art deco style, this movie theatre was the heart of social life in my hometown for those who loved Hollywood movies. My mother, of course, was an avid fan of the glitz and glamour. My father adored Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. My mother had American pen pals who sent her packages of magazines, from memory, Photoplay and Silver Screen. She would pour over them before her afternoon siesta. She never parted with a single magazine.
Empire Talkies was also a place where many teens experienced their first kiss. You knew who was on a date when you saw them choose the back row. Upstairs was even more private with individual booths. I can remember the twentysomethings avoiding the younger crowd’s gaze when coming down the stairs! The movie would be shown all week. Western cowboy movies were always a big hit, so was any movie with Elvis in it.
My sister was a huge fan of The Beatles. When they came to India my parents had to keep close watch on her because they thought she would take off to try and meet them in the far north! When the movie ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ was released she pleaded with the manager to give her one of the movie posters which she cherished. She watched the movie all week for every session. I think he only relented to get rid of her!
I, too, love movies but unlike my mother, I’m a fan of only a few Hollywood movies. My favourite picture of all time is Babette’s Feast. A movie of generosity of spirit. I love it more each time I watch it. Sitting on a blanket under stars watching movies with pizza and wine during the Perth Festival is a fond memory with a friend. Days I would love to experience again.
The beautiful movie theatre no longer exists. Built by a prominent Bollywood acting family considered ‘acting royalty’, it is a crumbled ruin. It saddens me to know this. Many a teenage love story would start with “Remember when we went to Empire ….”. The building may have been crushed by time, hopefully, memories last longer.
Until next time
As always
a dawn bird
In response to Ragtag Daily Prompt: Picture
In all my travels around this large State, the most enjoyable drives have been on this 
My trip to Esperance was a whirl. The flight in was rough and as we jostled along into descent I calmed my nerves by thinking about Lake Windabout. ‘
The mood yields
Taking time off has been a necessity. My son gets married early May. The last minute preparations for a simple wedding has gone into overdrive. The young couple are doing it their way. There will be no conventional wedding cake, I’m told, because, apparently, no one eats cake these days. But, there will be a token one baked by the bride. The bride bought her dress at a vintage shop, unpicked it and has created her own dress. She is a talented seamstress and I’m looking forward to seeing her in it. There will be singles and couples and the plus ones (I’ve just discovered a new concept – polyamorous relationship) at the reception.
This is Kooljaman (aka Cape Leveque) about 200 kms north of Broome in the far north of Western Australia. The sea and sky are the bluest blue and the dust, the pindan dirt, is red. It is stunning country.
I awaken to sunrise from my bed when I wake in Narrogin. I prop myself up and wait for this moment. It never fails to delight.
In the divide he walked alone,
For the stretch between Cunderdin and Kellerberrin there was just one truck ahead of me. The sun was seated at the horizon. It was going to be dark soon. I just had to stop and take a picture. I love those skies in the Wheatbelt!
Public speaking is a fear experienced by most. As a student, it made my knees go weak, my throat dry and my voice, even softer. I recall the first presentation I made in my undergraduate years to a full class. At the time I worked at the university too and asked Security if I could access the lecture room over the weekend. I stood in an empty room and was in a state of panic over the thought of it being filled with people. I thought of strategies to overcome this. I was using a behavioural strategy to some degree (exposure) but the trigger was visual. So I decided to give the talk without wearing my contacts and told the audience I could not see beyond the first three rows, so if they had a question, they would have to call out instead of raising their hand. It worked a treat! I gave my talk without a stumble and went on to present a paper at a conference in Washington DC before I graduated, not that I’m clever, I was passionate about my research. I ended up walking away from it after I graduated.
A Shared Space 
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