I always imagined when I reached my 60s life would consist of gardening, reading, taking walks, watching a few films and just taking it easy.
For me reaching the age of 67 this week, it is anything but taking it easy.
Is it the modern day pressures that keep us so busy or is it we have more opportunities come our way than our parents did?
Some days I have to admit I so wish I could find a quiet little corner and just sit still for a while.
Since being back from our trip to the beautiful Italy in late June, I have been keeping myself pretty busy as Production Manager on our next film 'Stella 459'.
Organizing fundraisers and really immersing myself into the world of Steampunk is really fascinating. Last weekend we held an event for the film which took the form of a wine and cheese evening with a Steampunk couture fashion parade. Quite honestly I was astounded by the clothing. The workmanship and designs of the garments on show were something else. All the work and detail that goes into these garments is just mind blowing. The majority of contestants made and designed their own costumes or they had designers make them for them.
Some of the garments take you back to Victorian times, with the tight corsets and the huge skirts with many layers. It must take quite a while to get dressed I would imagine. Quite a few of the Steampunkers wear these clothes in everyday life and really take it seriously. They all give themselves very elaborate names to complete the image. Some of them carry mock weapons that are a work of art in themselves.
Making this film has been a total eye opener for me. Our set design with all its weird and wonderful shapes is so complex, but it really is so interesting to look at and looks like some mixture of the past and the future all rolled into one. A lot of special effects will also be used to create the feeling of being in outer space.
I am looking forward to working with the ten to twelve year old children who are going to be extras in the film. I have had fun scouring the op shops looking for wardrobe and trying to imagine how they will all look dressed and dirtied up. Making them up to resemble the children in 'Oliver Twist' is going to be interesting. Mind you, young boys, especially do not mind a bit of dirt – the girls maybe not so much.
Today has seen me out in the middle of our driveway painting the set. Several layers of paint, some old coffee grounds and sawdust help to give the panels the desired special effect. I never thought for one moment I would have so much fun helping to paint and see my son-in-laws dream of creating a Steampunk airship come to life. It has been truly inspiring and I can't wait to see the magic of this wonderful creation on the big screen.
Once filming is behind me in December I will make time to spend with my family, soak up some sunshine and try and find some time to tend my sadly neglected garden. Weeds seem to be growing in abundance where we usually have pretty spring flowers. Usually we have tomatoes in by now and our lettuce plants but maybe it won't happen this year.
Just because we are getting a bit older we should never say we can't do something or give something a go. The rewards are boundless and feeling you have achieved something special and to be part of the magic is just the best feeling ever.
I am ready to board the craft and fly to wherever this ship takes me next.
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