It wasn’t the moment

I an a proud member of Gen X, the segment the population born between 1964 and 1981.

We grew up without mobile phones, there was no internet, we didn’t even have colour TV until 1975 and helicopter parenting was so not a thing.

We were called the “latch-key generation” because our mothers were among the first to return to the workforce after having kids. We let ourselves into the house after school and did our own thing.

That independence and our experience in bridging the decades between minimal technology and total reliance on technology means we are both cynical and super practical.

Gen Xers also think laterally. We are problem solvers. We get shit done.

This is both a blessing and a curse. It means I only take a sick day when I can’t lift my head off the pillow. Otherwise I soldier on.

Which probably explains why I am still feeling a bit crap during my third week of my holiday flu.

I have just kept on going, despite feeling like I’ve been hit by a truck. My only time off work was on Monday last week when I was puking.

And I have honoured every commitment I made to attend engagements.

Here’s a whirlwind round-up of what I’ve been up to when I should have been resting …

Ahead of Old Fashioned Week celebrations returning to Australia next month, I was invited to an exclusive tasting hosted by Woodford Reserve’s Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall.

McCall was visiting Australia for the first time and my evening with her paired some of Woodford’s finest selections with gourmet food at O Bar, a fancy revolving restaurant in Sydney’s CBD.

We kicked off with highballs at sunset, which was such a gorgeous experience, followed by some superb whiskies and delicious nibbles. The evening concluded with Re-Fashioned cocktails featuring Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, maple syrup and Woodford Reserve Chocolate Bitters. Yum! My kind of dessert!

I also attended the 10th anniversary of Dialogue PR agency at a venue in Rushcutters Bay with my friend Claudia, as she lives just up the road. We enjoyed an evening of drinks, canapés and celebrations as the agency reflected on the past decade and toasted the future.

I particularly enjoyed the dazzling woman on stilts who deftly poured bubbles for everyone during the first half of the evening, then ditched the stilts to be a walking Ferrero Rocher platter later in the night …

The following evening I caught a ferry to Darling Point with my friend Ania to experience Ovata House, a pop-up activation to celebrate Oakridge Wines releasing its Ovata sparkling wine range.

Ovata House was hosted at Darling Point’s Gatsby House – a multi-million dollar manor exuding 1920s Hollywood glamour. See if you can spot me in the crowd …

In addition to sparkling wine, cocktails, a DJ, and moreish bites from Aplenty, we were treated to a live performance by Samantha Jade. It was such a fun night!

The radiator in the youngest’s car blew up last week and my ex organised a new one, so I drove the car back to her on Saturday and we had lunch together by the sea …

On Sunday I went to Taste of the House at Sydney Opera House as lavishly discussed in yesterday’s blog post.

And then last night I returned to Sydney Opera House for the final of the ‘Enter The Dragon 3’ cocktail competition hosted by Moutai.

You may not have heard of it, but Moutai is China’s most iconic spirit and the world’s biggest selling beverage brand.

It was a very swish event, featuring the most divine bespoke classical arrangements by Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

I found the first piece by Erik Satie particularly beautiful and moving. It felt so special to be sitting just a metre or two away from the musicians as they performed.