We're all aware that, inevitable though it might be, adulthood doesn't actually have all that much to commend it. Yes, it's great to know that no one is going to stuff you into a maroon corduroy pinafore without your permission (sorry, that's my eighties childhood speaking), and it's lovely to drink G&Ts, but there's also the other stuff. Like having to be a good example to your children, constantly, which makes swearing in the traffic a no-no, ditto airing your true thoughts about man-buns and people who calls sandwiches 'saarmies', lest they be regurgitated by your impressionable five-year-old at a snacktime gathering of hipsters.
And, then, you don't get to learn as much as you used to. My sister pointed this out to me the other day; noting in a fit of rage how unfair it is that past a certain age, much of your day is spent tick-ticking behind a laptop rather than expanding your mind. As a true blue nerd (for kicks, as a kid, I used to read World Book), this is a particularly heartrending reality. I love learning. I love being able to repeat obscure factoids, throwing them around gaily at dinner parties, and even the process of just finding out new stuff thrills me.
That's why I've been dying to go to Science and Cocktails; a monthly science lecture hosted at The Orbit Jazz Club. Yes, it is a bit of a strange combo - science, cocktails and jazz. My husband and I were at first bemused: would the speaker scat her stats, as in "human genomes can be spliced be-bu-do-bu-do-budo'. Would key points in her lecture be punctuated by sultry sax solos?
None of the above, as it turns out. First, we had dinner - and a mighty fine dinner it was, too. I'd had a big lunch, so I settled on a burger - only to have instant order envy when I saw my husband's oxtail. I love oxtail, but it can be a bit hit or miss at restaurants. This was a hit, definitely - really tender and flavoursome. Keeping with the loving local theme, we finished off with malva pudding. Now, I maintain that Woolies' malva is one of the only things that makes winter bearable - but, trust me, it's absolutely no match for what was served at The Orbit. The pudding was drenched in creamy cinnamon spiked custard, and if memory serves it had a sugary crust that added to its complete amazingness.
So, that was the beginning of the evening - off to a great start. Next, we headed upstairs to order a couple of cocktails (I had a spiced tea old-fashioned - a little too sweet and medicinal, even it looked impressive with the science-inspired dry ice smoke billowing out the glass) and listen to the lecture. It was fascinating - just so great to be hearing about something new and totally out of my ordinary every day. We'd already had what we considered one of our greatest Date Nights ever, when one last treat was sprung on us - a jazz band, in the true long-red-nails and roll-back-your-shoulder tradition.
What an awesome, awesome evening. Check out Science and Cocktails homepage if you're keen to attend an event (scienceandcocktails.org/jozi) - the next one (29 August) takes a look at stars - I reckon it's going to be a goodie.
And, then, you don't get to learn as much as you used to. My sister pointed this out to me the other day; noting in a fit of rage how unfair it is that past a certain age, much of your day is spent tick-ticking behind a laptop rather than expanding your mind. As a true blue nerd (for kicks, as a kid, I used to read World Book), this is a particularly heartrending reality. I love learning. I love being able to repeat obscure factoids, throwing them around gaily at dinner parties, and even the process of just finding out new stuff thrills me.
That's why I've been dying to go to Science and Cocktails; a monthly science lecture hosted at The Orbit Jazz Club. Yes, it is a bit of a strange combo - science, cocktails and jazz. My husband and I were at first bemused: would the speaker scat her stats, as in "human genomes can be spliced be-bu-do-bu-do-budo'. Would key points in her lecture be punctuated by sultry sax solos?
None of the above, as it turns out. First, we had dinner - and a mighty fine dinner it was, too. I'd had a big lunch, so I settled on a burger - only to have instant order envy when I saw my husband's oxtail. I love oxtail, but it can be a bit hit or miss at restaurants. This was a hit, definitely - really tender and flavoursome. Keeping with the loving local theme, we finished off with malva pudding. Now, I maintain that Woolies' malva is one of the only things that makes winter bearable - but, trust me, it's absolutely no match for what was served at The Orbit. The pudding was drenched in creamy cinnamon spiked custard, and if memory serves it had a sugary crust that added to its complete amazingness.
So, that was the beginning of the evening - off to a great start. Next, we headed upstairs to order a couple of cocktails (I had a spiced tea old-fashioned - a little too sweet and medicinal, even it looked impressive with the science-inspired dry ice smoke billowing out the glass) and listen to the lecture. It was fascinating - just so great to be hearing about something new and totally out of my ordinary every day. We'd already had what we considered one of our greatest Date Nights ever, when one last treat was sprung on us - a jazz band, in the true long-red-nails and roll-back-your-shoulder tradition.
What an awesome, awesome evening. Check out Science and Cocktails homepage if you're keen to attend an event (scienceandcocktails.org/jozi) - the next one (29 August) takes a look at stars - I reckon it's going to be a goodie.
