Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1469874
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 JUNE 2022 10 ALMANAC My essentials DIANE PORTELLI 40, Director and choreographer I'm married to my best friend and I'm a mother to an 11-year-old boy. I'm also a choreographer and director of Moveo Dance Company. I feel like I have two lives, constantly playing catch-up and juggling. However I'm hyperactive so when I get time off I'm constantly looking for things to do. I think I'm adventurous, open-minded and kind. I have very few friends who I treasure dearly and would do anything for. People think I am friendly and sociable as I'm loud and animated, however I'm actually very socially awkward and find it very difficult to approach people. 1 2 4 5 1. Book 3 2. Film 3. Internet 4. Music 5. Place TO be honest images are what catch my eyes the most online. There was a pho- tographer who published a series of photos of peo- ple fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, and each image spoke a thousand words. I felt so many emotions see- ing children being separat- ed from their parents, men leaving to fight to protect their country. It triggered as much anger as it did sorrow. I felt overwhelmed, helpless and most of all privileged. It seems so unfair that different people are dealt such a dif- ferent hand in life and some- times there is nothing we can do to prevent it. THIS is honestly the most difficult one to choose as I like so many bands and types of music. There is one song I always put on when I am go- ing through a hard time and that's Poison by Alice Coop- er. Whenever I am down, I hate listening to mellow music, so I blast this song in the car and sing at the top of my lungs. His voice sounds aggressive and so do I when singing it and this is some- how therapeutic for me. I've even listened to it on a loop at times just to release tension and stress. MY happiest memories, grow- ing up, are on the mountains. It is the perfect place as it's a mix of tranquillity and adren- aline. There is a particular place called Ortisei in Italy, where the skiing is amazing but it's also in a quaint moun- tain village with a 9km sledg- ing track. I am not the type to sit on a beach and relax, I get restless and need to be doing something all the time. Skiing is as calming as it is engaging. I am racing against myself and the elements in a beauti- ful setting. It is very relaxing for me as my body is active and my mind is free, taking in the picturesque landscape. I read a book called 'Woke: A Guide to Social Justice' by Ti- tania McGrath. It is a satirical take on a current trend where anyone feels they can become an activist to the extent of being illiberal liberals. I have an issue with anything that is taken to an extreme. I feel peo- ple are scared of addressing or discussing issues openly out of fear of getting cancelled, and this is just stifling much needed discourse and conver- sation in the world. People are permanently offended, and this type of satire created a much-needed disruption that is just as funny as it is true. 'THE Joker'. I watch TV to escape reality which is proba- bly why I love fantasy and su- perheroes. Having said that I prefer a darker, more layered approach to the genre and it's exactly what 'The Joker' does. There is a complexity in char- acter which is portrayed which is very alluring, and visually striking. Joaquin Phoenix is so choreographic and intricate in the way he moves and ex- presses himself that it makes me sympathise with one of the most horrific villains in DC comics. This is somewhat ironic considering I have a phobia of clowns.