This is Us Premiere - One Direction

Imagine my excitement when I get this message:

On behalf of Sony Music Africa, we’d like to invite you and a guest to the exclusive premiere of “This Is Us” this Sunday at 10am, Sandton City.

One Direction's 3D movie. A documentary that takes a look at behind the scenes of 1 of the world's most popular bands ever. They have surpassed a number of records held by the Beatles are are international superstars.

Before I get carried away... back to the movie
The 3D movie was directed by Morgan Spurlock - Director of the "SuperSize Me" documentary.

The cinematography is fun - Images are stilled and made to look like a comic book image. The 3D makes it appear as if you are actually in the audience watching them on stage.

Movie direction is thought provoking. The storyline lets you into a whole other world of who these 5 guys really are. 

They are not idols. They are not larger than life. 

They are normal guys from middle (to poor) class families who have a gift. 

They are grounded and away from home and handling fame as well as they can and highlighting how important a stable and healthy family environment really is.

And I was at the Premiere thanks to Sony!

And this is me, not above posing with a cardboard cut out of the group I have vowed to see live. 

No matter what.

Mine! All mine!

Next to my favourite - Liam

For the first time in months - I was happy. Truly happy -  for 90 minutes.

I cannot remember the last time I felt this pure, absolute joy. 

Travel Tuesday - Part 3

I mentioned in a previous post that the Japanese people really do know how to look after their guests and our trip to Nikko was a trip that I will never forget.

We stayed in a traditional-style Japanese hotel (Kinugawa Plaza Hotel) where the floors are bamboo mats and the decor is minimalistic.

You have the option of sleeping on a bed roll on the floor - but I draw the line at embracing the culture that entirely - I would rather have a comfortable bed! 

The room had a view of the valley down below and the green chair you see in the photo was a massage chair. Best. Invention. Ever. (Even better than the self-flushing toilet with heated seats)

An even bigger treat was that our supplier treated all the ladies to our very own authentic summer kimono! We had our own Japanese lady to dress us, so excepting for the underwear - we are dressed as authentically as any Japanese lady would be! Even the sash colours were chosen for us (they don't match, but apparently "mismatched" is how it should be.) 

We were shussed as we tried to choose something else.

 

This is the view of the highway going underneath the river. From my hotel room.

I suffered from extensive jetlag, so this image was taken at around 2am.

I love how this photo has the building peeking out at us while we are waltzing around a stunning garden complete with giant peonies (bigger than my hand) and this gorgeous wisteria.

The final few photos to follow next week.

If you missed the other posts - catch up here:

Part 1

Part 2

5 Things I Can't Live Without...

1. My Cat - He knows when I am sad. He cheers me up when I am sad. He loves me unconditionally.
2. My family/friends - My parents are my rock and my pillar. I cannot even imagine how different my life would have been without there love and support. They do not judge me, they have never hurt me & they are always there for me
    
3. One Direction - Oh snigger away. These guys are more than a boy band with a fun rock/pop melody. They are wildly famous, yet down to earth. They make me happy. I could watch hours of interviews with them for their quirky sense of humour. I even had my parents watching them for a few hours (without complaining) 
   Watch their new documentary This is Us (Directed by Morgan Spurlock of SuperSize Me fame) and then tell me you don't like them. 
   The only thing they have in common with Justin Bieber is their age. Otherwise the have manners and are not spoilt brats.
   Apart from 1D, I just can't do without music in my life. I have to listen to music - whether it is angry rock, or calming soothing songs, or something light and happy - there is hardly ever a time when you will find me sitting in silence.
   
   
4. My camera - These photos I take today will be the memories of my tomorrow and the memories for my future generations. A legacy of who I was and where they came from. I want my nephew to look back at all my travels and adventures and be proud of who I was and remember me for what I was regardless of who I may become.
   It is also important for me to remember my life should anything ever happen to me (Alzheimers, demetia etc)
5. My cellphone - I could not go very long without my link to the world. Whatsapp conversations with my friends. Instagram - to keep in touch with the world through pictures. Facebook and Twitter. Google (how else would I know how to boil the perfect egg?) Also a handy backup to take photos when my camera is at home. A music player when the radio is being boring. My constant companion!

What can you not live without?