2008... Memoirs?

It’s coming to the end.. the conclusion.. the last final breath.

It’s 2008. A year, that’s seen more change, more learning and more fun than I’ve known for quite some time. So, what is it that made 2008 such an amazing year? Well, here’s a taste.

WHATS BELOW (so you can skip the boring bits):
-Most memorable experience of 2008
-Most memorable night
-The changes of 2008
-The new friends of 2008 (a bit of a note for each of you)
-The rediscoveries of 2008

The most memorable experience of 2008…
I’m never quite going to forget the day I received a phone call from a Mr Lawrence Greenwood, asking if I wanted a lift direct from my house to Newcastle for the show where he was to support Lior. I jumped at the chance without hesitation, headed in the car – stopping by for a very important McDonald’s trip in which I was taught the beauty of McChicken Sauce with chips – and straight to Newcastle Town Hall. The show went by without hiccup but one. Our merchandise seller hadn’t shown - for one reason or another - and I’d found myself selling t-shirts, cds and hoodies to an excited Newcastle crowd. It wasn’t until late that night that Nick (my boss – Lior’s manager) approached me to ask what I had planned for the remainder of the week. Unsuspectingly and honestly, I answered ‘nothing’, only to find myself chucked into a tour bus and on the road with a crew of about 13 for just over a week. From Newcastle, to Sawtell (which was a ‘highlight’?), to the Gold Coast, Brisbane’s Tivoli Theatre, Ipswich (where Phill found the beautiful Louise, whom he would later relocate from Adelaide to live with!), Lismore and Wollongong it was a trip that not only saw me discover that living out of a handbag and the only clothes you have is truly a disgusting thing to do (yes I washed things!) and that guy’s clothing and board shorts has never looked hotter on a girl. ;)

The most memorable night..
was definitely the night of the ARIAs. I’d gone with Miss Mel Cheng as a member of the general public in the nosebleed seats. The majority of my friends were sat down below me, on their fancy tables with nice butlered meals all sms’ing me asking me to join them at the prestigious Ivy after party, a party that required a $500 ‘industry’ ticket. Upon leaving the Acer Arena, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness that my friends were going on to party and I was going home to bed. It was at that moment that luck reared it’s head. Mel and I found ourselves with 2 tickets to the after party from a random man and his wife who’d rather go home to bed. My night at the Ivy involved far too much fun, far too much free alcohol, more friends than I could poke a stick at, a myriad of bands and celebrities (half of whom I embarrassed myself by not knowing) and finished up at 6am. I don’t think it gets much better than that.

The changes of 2008…
More Social
Not as shy
I go to the gym 3 times a week for 2-3 hours (if not more)
I left Scorpio and The Coady Group (I’m still with Lior)
I’m not as scared of things as I used to be
I drink.. sometimes too much.. always too often
According to Adam – I’m more confident and vibrant lately
I’ve learnt that I can defend myself and behave correctly in sticky situations
I can live out of a handbag, with 13 boys on the road for 2 weeks.
My boss’s secret identities have become household names and I’ve found myself laughing in random places upon hearing him being quoted.
I have a tonne of new friends
I like dance music and attend events regularly
I finally decided on a normal haircut
I’ve reconnected with people I haven’t seen for years
Most recently, I’m in love… with a vampire and can’t get my head out of his books.

The new friends of 2008… (in chronological order)

James Blackburn (or shall I say blackout) – a new touring buddy, a local drinking buddy and obviously the world’s best lighting guy. We’ve had our nights, our embarrassing photos and many road trips – but I’m sure we’ve had more beer. I can’t wait for more craziness with this kid in the years to come. He might be an idiot, but he’s a champ.

Hamish Brown (aka Hobbit) – another touring buddy, who’s relationship I managed to jeopardise (sorry Hame!) with one innocent photograph and who’s presence on tour has never quite been missed so much. Hamish has leant me his clothes, poked me for no reason, got me drunk to the point of speaking an unknown language and making calls I don’t remember and made being stuck on the road with 13 guys – fun. Love ya Hamish!

Lawrence Greenwood (aka Whitley to most of you) – So many things come to mind when it comes to Super Laurio and I’m sure that he’d prefer that 99% of what’s in my head right now stayed between us. What I will say though, is that some of the most memorable, learning experiences and fun nights and days this year has been with him. We might not see each other often, talk on the phone, email or facebook that often but each time I’ve been with him some sort of drama (not bad drama) has unfolded. If it wasn’t for these moments this year, I’d still be plain and boring! Thanks laurie!

Louise Janke (aka Lou) – I first met Lou at the merch desk after Lior’s show in Ipswich. After a tiring drive, a long day and an interesting show James, Phill and I struck up a conversation with Lou and her friends outside the venue. Little did we all know that the very town Phill had spent half his day making fun of and joking about would soon become his hometown and Lou his partner. On the touring days I’ve known Lou, she’s shown her sincerity, passion and kindness to not just her world, but her acquaintances. She’s an amazing artist and has brought so much change and happiness into Phill’s world it’s remarkable.

Chris Johnston (aka dork jockey, john oh!, bus boy.. whatever) – whom I met at a bus stop back in mid-March as I missed the bus by 2 minutes. There’s a lot I could say about Chris. He’s taught me not to be so shy, to be more care free, to be less self conscious, to drink too much, not to attack him in Hyde Park, not to catch Glandular Fever, has toured the burger bars of Sydney with me as well as the clubs and introduced me to dance music and a whole world of new experiences and friends. He’s put up with my ridiculous enthusiasm, communication, lack of funds (even over a weekend in Canberra), desire to head out on a Friday night and my lack of transportation. He’s even put up with my crap at the lowest point of my year.
I know he’s going to hate me saying all that and say I’m being an emotional ‘woman’, but he’ll also probably know that I’m just laughing at his response.

David Whiddon – I believe I met Dave at Laser Tag with Chris on Easter Sunday. The first things that struck me about him was that he was fun, happy and carefree (and that he admired flexibility in the bedroom, hey Dave?). I’ve since been out with Dave on the odd occasion and each occasion Dave has managed to swoon the ladies with his genuine kind, fun and friendly nature. There is nothing that this man can’t do!

John Panagiotopoulos (aka Pana) – I met Pana the night of my birthday party. After a drunken Rach met Chris at World Bar and was fed a ‘low alcoholic’ (yeah right, Chris!) Long Island Iced Tea, a well suited Pana came to meet us. I’m sure that Pana had a secret mission for the year – increase Rachel’s alcohol tolerance and get her plastered. On both recent occassions with Pana (Belgian Bier Café and sosueme.) I’ve somehow found myself quite well.. gone. Pana (and Dave) have been the best at encouraging me to dance, to fufill my business and career ambitions. He introduced me to deadly Takoyaki balls too. He’s made me far less self
conscious than anyone else this year and in a very short time frame. Thanks Pana.

Adam Lewis – To be honest, I don’t even know where I met Adam. I know it was through Zohara, but I don’t know when or where. I’m kind of just.. guessing. Adam is one of the happiest, friendlist, kind and most gentle guys I’ve ever known. He and I have loved ‘oversharing’ and having jokingly adult conversations all in lyrics late at night not only trying to keep ourselves amused but also challenging each other’s music knowledge. Adam’s smile, lights up a room and I think it would scare me if I ever saw him angry or upset. Not because I think it would be threatening but because it’s so out of character. Adam, is the kind of person everyone should surround themselves with.

Martin Novosel (PHDj, Marty) – I first met Marty last year, but officially I met him at Tess’s ‘London Circuit’ with Tes, Madz and Chris in Canberra this year. Martin is the brains behind Purple Sneakers, Levity Nights, Floorspace and the eyes, ears and talent behind ‘PHDj’. From watching Bonde De Role side of stage with Marty at We Love Sounds to partying at one of his many nights, Martin has always done his best to make sure everyone has a good time. He got engaged this year too – congrats Marty! But.. he needs to improve his squash skills and stop letting Nick (my boss) beat him!

Andrew Green (aka Greeny, Walkie Talkie) – Hmm Greeny.. where did I first meet you? I believe it was The We Love Sounds Festival with Martin with our hidden bottle of Malibu in Marty’s bag, our bottles of pepsi and good old hot dogs. Greeny has been there on many a social outing whether he’s been dj’ing at Sneakers, a festival or Floorspace – many nights with Andrew were a ball. He’s even let me pop into his apartment just to use his bathroom and dj’d for my sister’s school. His taste in music is great and he’s introduced me to a lot this year.

Merven Vireuda (aka Big Ted, Magic Merv) – Merv would have to be one of the funniest tales of 2008. I first heard of Merv, through Chris who’d been talking all things ‘dj’ on Facebook with Merv for months. After encouraging Chris to head down to a gig, we found ourselves at Candy’s. The next thing we knew, we were unsuspectingly having dinner at the local shopping centre, only to have Merv appear from nowhere and to find out he was a local. Not only that, but he’d been on my bus every morning on the way to work. Merv’s passion for his work both in and out the office is amazing. I think the highlight of our year has to have been the ARIAs and all the nights with ‘The Lost Boys’. He’s achieved a lot in 2008 and I hope he only ups the anti in 2009 – there’s more to come from this boy!

Johnny Lazar (aka Rufio) – Johnny I met through Merv and Chris at that first night at Candy’s. Johnny is Merv’s DJ partner and has shared many nights with me in 2008. Parklife, Sounds, Candys, Taylors, Sosueme, Pancakes on the rocks – I think I see a theme building here (food, alcohol, dance music). Johnny is the provider of drinks, music and random hugs. I look forward to getting to know him better in 09.

Julian Ramundi (aka Jules, Mixtape Mafia) – Jules is the most well dressed person in Sydney. Name someone else who has a Kermit adidas hoodie, A ‘knuckle sandwich’ necklace and a pacman scarf. I don’t think I can say too much about how I know Jules but anyone who’s willing to risk their arse to come outside and say hello to you when you’re drunk on Oxford St deserves a bottle of vodka or something. Anyone who supports you through your darkest hour like Jules does, risks their job, lets you crash at their place without question, who talks to you about pop culture, work and music as much as Jules.. hang on.. what am I saying? There is no one else who does. Summary? Jules is a fucking champ.

Aimee Van – After rekindling with Lux this year, I met Lux’s life partner – Aimee. Not only will 2008 with Aimee be remembered for her numerous ‘make out’ sessions with Lux, it will be remembered for the joy, the quirkyness, the kinkyness, the sillyness and the general hilarity of times with her. Who else can make out with another chick in an elevator with a guy on their lap and then (whilst trying to impress said boy) take their photo with their fingers up their nose?

Daniel Burns – After deciding to start TAFE mid year to study Marketing I met Daniel, one of the few younger people in my class. Daniel’s passion to follow music business as a career path is astonishing, his Michael Jackson knowledge is scary but from what little I know of him, he has a great personality. I’m determined to get this boy a start in this business, he’s spent too much time wishing he hadn’t quit and was back at The Latern Group writing entertainment articles and press releases and too much time in admin in law offices. If anyone wants a savvy, responsible, friendly, passionate, smart marketing, pr, admin or just general all rounder for their music business office – let me know.

Jess Ditchfield - It is yet again, Chris’s fault that I know Jess. When Chris moved to campus at uni I became acquainted with Jess who also lived at Goldstein. Jess has put up with me crashing in her room late.. very late at night. Has made me run around college to wake up every person she knows only to try and convince them to go to Coogee Beach at 5am by foot, randomly ran into me in the strangest of places and met up with me in Kings Cross at 1am wearing fairy wings. Jess knows how to laugh, not just at herself, but at the world around her and how to make you feel better (emotionally and medically) when you’re down. She’s going to make a damn good doctor that girl. I’m going to be starting 2009 with Jess at Field Day and I can’t bluddy wait!

Victoria Lambropoulos (aka Lambropolicious, Vicky, Vix)
Jo Harris (aka Jo Jo)

Where oh where does one start with miss Victoria and Miss Joanne? Vix and Jo are Sarah’s closest friends whom she met during the time we spent apart. Vicky, belongs in the REAL Blue Horizon Bar, Mohito in hand.. but.. that would be boring. Instead, Victoria spends her weekends stuck with us poor folk, meeting some funny folk, downing Jagerbombs, Wet Pussies, Quickfucks and cocktails venturing to everything from Jacksons on George, The Mercantile, Cruise Bar and The Ivy. Not only does Vicky give good wax, tan and nails she knows where to find the best Souvlaki at 1am, what to do when you’re a little unsure of the guys at the dodgy pub you’re at, how to laugh at it anyway and how to get herself home whilst vomiting the remainder of the night (ok.. that was only 1 night.. but it’s still pretty damn funny).

Jo Jo gives good head… massages and good hair. She’s a great mum, a great partner, a great friend and good for gossip. She gives everything she can to those she loves and damn does she know how to have a laugh. Although we might have to work on her alcohol tolerance in 2009 and take photos of certain drunken activities, she helps us find good barmen whom we somehow find ourselves out with till 5am, always has us looking our best and always knows a good party. I love those two girls to bits and I don’t know what I ever did without them.

The rediscoveries of 2008…

Zohara Nguyen – having lost contact with Zoe after high school and not having been that close to her throughout it, Zo and I rediscovered our similarities and formed a stronger friendship. Go to Zoe for delicious baked goods, fashion tips, band boys to drool over, good music and a damn good shoulder to cry on – not to mention, some honest and straight up advice. To quote our beloved the ‘geek in the pink’ – ‘sister you got it all!’.

Sarah Davey – Sarah, is by far, my eldest friend. Having been born on the same day, in separate hospitals, 20 minutes apart all because of a bluddy iced chocolate at Macquarie Centre. Our parents had known each other back in Hull, England and had migrated to Australia together. Our childhood was filled with endless Wet Wet Wet clips, Hanson, Michael Jackson (to ridiculous extents), house concerts by yours truly, backyard cricket, waterbomb fights, late night sleepovers where we’d anxiously await the strike of midnight and far too many Pringles.
High School saw us go our separate ways but 2008 saw us meet paths again. Nowadays, if a day goes past and we don’t see each other – get worried. I love this girl to bits and I can’t wait to share my 21st with her in April 2009!

I’ll do a separate blog with a list of gigs of the year.. we don’t need a thesis!

How do I deal?

Had a huge self realisation and I've decided I'm going to fix things.

I'm doing all the things 'i can't' and making them 'i cans'.

Here's my personal checklist, which I'm publishing merely to remind myself.

THINGS TO FIX (note to self):

- My diet

- Slim down

- Exercise more

- Stop buying so many General Pants style clothes and start buying more girly, relaxed, fashionable clothes

- Get a new job

- Get ears pierced (done)

- Fix this bullshit indie asymmetrical haircut my mother's been begging me to fix (done)

- Free inhabitions and have more fun - stop being shy!

- Drink less

- Spend less time online

- Spend more time with my family and friends

- Work harder

- Explore more new music, more often

- Be a better friend

- Be a better daughter

Bare Naked

I'm an overthinker and an open book.

One who's learnt a lot about themselves in the past 12 hours and nothing has happened to trigger it.

A visit to some new friends last night made me realise very quickly how open, honest and naive I am. From the moment of meeting someone I throw myself out in the open and reveal the finest, most intricate details of myself. It's something I've done from high school but one relationship this year was a continuation of my introductory conversation for days and months on end to the point where words ran dry. 

I'm starting to realise that I'm scared to let people down. With work, with family - I always have been. It's only now I realise that it trickles over into my relationships. My openess and honesty is my guard for disappointment. It stops people running away months into the relationship because they didn't know something about me. This blog is a very example of that.

Generation Y have almost no privacy nowadays with Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and Blogs our lives are out there for the world to view. I'm one of them but I'm strangely happier blurting it all out to my computer screen because I don't have friends I can sit down and talk to over cofffee at the drop of a hat because I'm down and most of the time that's all I need. Instead, I spend my weekends and my spare time stupidly drinking it away at a club hoping tomorrow, it'll all be better.

I've also come to realise how much I really care about my friends. The slightest sign of sadness, disappointment, anger or unrest and my heart sinks. I want to be the one to help. I've been told all my life that I'd make a great counsellor and I think now I know why.

But how can someone who lets their emotions pour out through other people's words in songs, or through writing to a computer screen, who clearly can't help themselves, help others?

Gut Instincts

Ever had that niggling feeling in the back of your head? Your heart pounding in suspense because you can 'feel' that something is going to happen? Ever ignored it?

Don't.

I've found myself doubting things in my life lately and ignoring what my gut feeling was telling me. thinking with my head instead of with my heart but sometimes you've got to ignore what your brain is telling you and listen to your human instincts. 

the past few days i've doubted friends, i've doubting feelings and i've doubted motives and each and every one of my doubts was proven wrong. all my worry and emotions for nothing. don't waste your time here doubting things just trust those your gut tells you to trust and trust those niggling hunches. it's not worth your time not to.

Cheers Darlin'

Things I've learnt to love over the past 5 years....

- Friendships formed in unconventional ways.

Nearly every one of my closest friends are people I've met in unconventional ways. I have (about 10) friends I've met online via a musician's fansite, after years of talking online and discussing our love of music, we've met along the way at various concerts. 4 or so of these, I consider to be some of my closest friends in the world. One in particular, who although lives interstate, is my closest girlfriend.
I have another whom I also met strangely via a website discussion group, met up with at Jamie Cullum, Coldplay and John Mayer over the course of just over a year and never really talked until recently and now talk/hang out all the time.
Then there's the ones I've met really strangely. One of my closest friends, I actually met at a bus stop. Its a strange story to tell people and its always met with a state of disbelief. Who knew missing a bus could start a friendship?
Others, have randomly added me or someone I know on Facebook/MySpace at random and have somehow turned into close mates.
Point of this story? I don't really know... other than meeting people strange ways is great!

- Dancing/Dance Music and all its afilliated activities (minus the drug taking).

For years I never delved into it. Surrounded by people who were 'gig goers' and filling my weeks with gigs where I would do nothing but absorb lyrical content of music more than the melody, beats and rhythm. The average night consisted of a few drinks, talking with friends, sitting/standing, observing, tapping ones feet and occassionally singing along before heading home to be in bed prior to midnight (or.. depending on the company.. roaming around the city doing almost nothing until 4/5am). These days, I spend nearly every Friday at a club of some description and in recent weeks it's been the trend for my Saturdays and Sundays too..

- Alcohol

Not necessarily a good thing.. but until the end of February this year I was totally opposed to the stuff. It was so foreign to me that it scared me. I was scared of what I'd seen it do to other people and what its effect would be on me. I've grown up in the past year and discovered it's great... just.. not if you have too much... oops?

- Photos

There's a longer story behind this one than I care to share.. but being able to capture a moment with a picture is one thing. Being able to capture it nicely/properly is a true art form. Who of us doesn't like looking over photos? Who's mother hasn't said she'd save the family photo album in a fire? Thank god for flickr.com and deviantart!

MUSIC:
- MGMT

Awesome band. Loving the singles 'Electric Feel', 'Kids' and 'Time To Pretend'. Bought the album last week and can't tell you anymore how much you should go and buy it.

- Coldplay's New Album

Have loved all of Coldplay's albums and I was overly hesitant about this one. Bought it the day it came out and each track unravels a new layer. There's so many new and different sounds in this album for Coldplay. I certainly don't think it's their best (see my fave tracks: Amsterdam, Fix You, Green Eyes, Spies). However, tracks like Viva La Vida, Lost and 42 make my world a happier place.

PLACES TO GO IN SYDNEY:
- SoSueMe

I'm a little biased on this one.. I have to advise you all.. I'm part of the crew.. so there is slight bias in this. What you don't know though.. is that I only work for them because after going there a couple of times I fell in love with the place and offered my services. Think bands, djs, silent cinema (movies with subtitles so that you can watch them while being surrounded by music), pool tables, arcade games, a photobooth, cheap drinks, the occassional giant jenga, a ride on bull which can only be moved by physical force (its not electric) and an awesome bunch of people.
WHERE: Q Bar and 34b Stereo, Oxford St, Sydney
WHEN: 9pm, Friday nights
HOW MUCH: $10-$15 or.. $8 on discounted guestlist (email rach@clubhaus.com.au for guestlist)

- Purple Sneakers

Run by the genius that is PHDj. Purple Sneakers is Sydney's premier indie club. With their resident djs (phdj, dj fle, nick findlay, walkie talkie and vivienne kingswood) playing every week, as wel as guest djs (including members of some of the best up and coming indie bands). In a venue thats as shabby as it is cool, its always a great night out.
WHERE: Abercrombie Hotel, Broadway, Sydney
WHEN: 7pm till god knows when, Friday nights
HOW MUCH: Free before 8pm, $10 after 8 (i think..?)

WEBSITES:

I'm a social networking nerd. I was involved in the setup of a company a while back and it's main focus was social networking.

Twitter
- Microblogging.. there's no further explanation needed.. just check it out.

Facebook
- Nuff said

QTrax
- its still in development and is only really available in america but. its free, legal, php music sharing.

People Have The Right To Fly

If there's anything I could share with the world it's one simply philosophy:

'Do what you love and makes you happy. Don't let anyone hold you back.'

I'm one of the few people in the world who knew from a very young age exactly what they wanted to do and exactly where their passion lied. All my childhood home videos are of me doing 'concerts' with my friends from the age of 3 at friend's houses, my first christmas video is of me being given a Michael Jackson calendar for a present, my earliest memories are all of my dad taking me to Les Miserables, Phantom Of The Opera and Michael Jackson shows. Not to mention, the only things I enjoyed at school were art classes and recorder lessons.

I was the kind of kid, who didn't really have friends at school. I was the kid who sat quietly in the front of the classroom, got labelled the teacher's pet and spent most weekends and afternoons studying and doing assignments. I wasn't at parties, I wasn't out drinking or spending time with boys. I was however, spending every cent I earnt on gigs, festivals and musicals and out as late as need be whenever an event was on (school night or weekend). I met my friends through those circles and I built my networks and mingled online. I was a MySpace early adapter, joining the site in 2004.

Of course, I had the issue everyone would have. My parents didn't exactly approve, in their eyes, it wasn't going to get me anywhere or lead to anything of any importance but it was the only outlet I had of making myself really happy and it was the only thing I enjoyed. When my final year of school came up, I stopped the study routine and did nothing but drum up ideas and concepts for work, do work for free and offer assistance to bands/artists/managers in any way I could.

Since then, I've worked for an artist manager for 4 years, I worked for a large Sydney based management company with some of Australia's biggest acts for 2 and a half years,  I also worked with one of Australia's biggest pop/rock bands for 3 years and now I"m launching into events, clubs and touring. When I'm not working, I'm at a gig, when I'm not at a gig I"m at a club and when I'm not doing that I'm at home listening to music or researching new stuff.

I constantly meet up with friends who have studied subjects because their parents and teachers said to, have gone into jobs where they hate the work, they hate their jobs and everyday are miserable when they get home. They talk to me about their hobbies and about what they really love but the vast majority are too scared to persue it. 

Take it from someone on the other side of the fence, don't be scared. If the passion and the enthusiasm are there. It makes it all easier, because you want to do it and you enjoy it your more determined to launch into it. Everything will come to you easily and the opportunities that'll present themselves will blow your mind. You'll never regret it. I promise you.

I do what I do for the love of making people happy. Music makes me happy, I can't play it to save my life but.. if I can help other people who's stuff is great, who have the passion, who's stuff makes people happy, I'm there to spread it. There's nothing in the world better than that and that's a promise.

So get off your arse and do it.

Oh and for all you bloggers out there.. take note.. Pana is awesome. http://johnpana.blogspot.com