Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Lindy Charm School

On Saturday morning I went along to Lindy Charm School to learn how to fix my hair, make up, and clothing in 30s style. It was so much fun! We tried a victory rolls, pin curls, red lipstick, finger waves, and even checked out bullet bras, girdles, garters, seamed nylons etc! Oh yeah, I also had my hair died dark! I asked to go strawberry blonde with darker bits underneith and this is what I got! I like it though, and I think it suits the 30s styles better than blonde...pity it is starting to fade out already.

We had so much fun chatting away and doing our hair that we were late for the Girls Only Performance Class. We are learning a ladies-only routine to perform at the annual Swing festival, Canberräng 2008. It should be good, it's a lot of fun!

On the weekend I also went to Marijan, Meri and Ren's farewell party at Uni Pub, and to Alissa, Pete, Sam and Mary's housewarming. Their new home is SO lovely! I'm looking forward to lots of repeat invitations....hint, hint. ;o)

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Twenty600

So, I'm sure I've told most of you already, but for those I haven't....

There is a cool, new magazine in town, Twenty600. It is written by Canberrans, pokes fun at Canberra, pays tribute to Canberra, reviews gigs, provides coming attractions, and is basically all about Canberra. It aims (and succeeds I might add) to fill a hole in the 20/30-something market.

I was asked to help out with some photography, and the Winter 08 (Issue number 3) saw my first published pics (other than winning photo comps etc).

Here are a couple of original images, and scanned pages. The first image is our bios, we had to google ourselves for an alter-ego. The second pic was for a story about the epidemic that is sweeping once-sane women who are now obsessed with counting calories and discussing how many kilojoules are in every bite they consume.

The next lot of pics were taken for a story on the way the media (and society) portrays women and sexuality.

Hope you enjoy....look out for the next edition!












Saturday, June 14, 2008

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow

Man, what a mouthful. Last night we went to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow at the Canberra Theatre. It was hilarious!

Dave Williams was MC, and the other acts were Harley Breen, Hannah Gadsby, Mickey D and Paul McDermott, Cameron Bruce, and Mick Moriarty's band GUD.

My stomach muscles are still hurting from all the laughing! It was a great night.

After the show Dave, Mickey, Hannah and Harley came out and we got to chat to them for a bit. :o)

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Christopher Tovo

We went to the Athenaeum on Saturday night to see the Chaser's Variety Hour, and in the foyer there was an exhibition of black and white photographs. I couldn't stop looking at them, even as I was dragged into the theatre.

I contacted the Athenaeum and found out who's exhibition it was.....Christopher Tovo. The exhibition is called the Smoking Gun. Check out his website, his work is breathtaking! In fact, I would go as far as to say he is my new favourite photographer!!!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Swinging

Well, we had our first intermediate Swing dance class last night! I think it went really well.

Our teachers have suggested we take part in a dance competition that is coming up. We're a bit nervous about it, but I think it will give us the kick we need to really start practicing!

The comp is the 2008 GDS National Open Competition on 19 July. So only five and a half weeks to go!

If anyone else is keen to start swinging, check out Jumptown for the next beginner course.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Chaser weekend

Daniel surprised me on Sat by flying me to Melbourne! The surprises didn't stop their either. Despite my endless pestering, he refused to tell me what we were doing or who we were seeing. I kept trying to get hints by asking if I could call my sister, or if we could go to dinner at the Shanghai Dumpling Restaurant that I like, but he wouldn't give anything away.

We checked into the Hyatt Grand and then walked to the corner of Collins and Swanston and waited for about ten minutes. Then my mum turned up. A little bit more of Dan's plan was revealed when we walked down a few alleyways and found ourselves at the Shanghai Dumpling Restaurant! Yum! While we were ordering plates of the vegetable and mushroom dumplings, vegetarian fried rice, and pumpkin cakes, my little sister turned up from school. I was so excited, I haven't seen my family in ages!

Daniel hadn't been to the SDR before and wanted to order something other than our usual fare, despite our warnings that newbies always think they can stray from our order and are always disapointed. I love that joint but anything other than the vegie dumplings are a disgrace! :o)

We rolled out of there feeling deliciously full after our $11 per person feed.

Now, you might be thinking the surprises stopped there, but you'd be a fool (as I was). After dinner we had a cocktails and chocolate fondue at Madame Brussels. For those of you who haven't been there before it is filled with garden furniture from your grandmother's garden, plastic grass, lattice work and fake plant life. The wait staff where an interesting mix of outfits, and they even give you blankies if you want to sit on the balcony during the cooler months!

We then said good-bye to mum and headed over to the Anthanaeum Theatre (one of the oldest public institutions in Victoria - running since 1839...just a bit of trivia for you). I still didn't know what was going on until we were about to walk in and find our seats and the announcement came over the loudspeaker that the The Chasers Age Of Terror Variety Hour would be starting in five minutes! Woo Hoo, I had missed the show in Canberra and been so sad!

We wandered in to find that our seats were dead centre in the very first row...always a dangerous position! It didn't disappoint, the show was great and we got picked on a great deal. Daniel even got called up on stage to dance with the crew. Afterwards I got to chat to Chas and Julian for a while too.

So all in all, it was a fantastic weekend!










Friday, June 6, 2008

Jump right in!

Ok, here goes nothing. My first ever blog entry!

This all started because I've been tasked with researching some social media ideas for work and I thought the best thing was just to throw myself in and get some first-hand experience!

I'm not sure what form this blog will take, it will probably evolve as I go, and I suppose that is sort of the point really. :o)

Anyway, stay tuned for the next edition.

J