carrying on like a pork chop.

This entry has been long-due, have been doing heaps of work & playing in the city so havent got round to a spot of writing! We are now officially in the summer season, and bizarrely...christmas! I was in Australia last year for christmas and new years traveling & staying in sydney hostels. This was my first xmas away from england so was a sort of novelty, and did the whole backpacker bondi beach, bathers and santa hat sunburnt-crimbo thing which was great. However this year i never expected to be back down under so im not sure how i feel about it yet, will put the tree up soon and let u know!

Anyway its been a busy start to the festive season, photography on the boat functions' are getting more frequent as everyone books it out for their staff parties, just last night we did a christmas themed event...and the 'real' santa joined us onboard! Good fun. Also ive been helping out doing a couple extra days in the office as they are all so stressed bless them. Ive been doing more shifts in glow studios aswel as tess is quite busy with other photography work atm so im covering some of her days, sure the cash will come in handy sending all those presents home to england!

Ivan and David have also given me some extra work processing their wedding photography shots too so when im at home I can edit away, babysit our new puppy and stay in my jim-jams!

There have been some different events in last couple of weeks. Ivan and I have been to a couple of RMIT photography expo's, the first with a friend of his and the second with two of my pommy mates (jamey t-i know u wanted another mention! and jam jar) These were exhibitions of uni students work, the first I was overly critical of, didn't like much of it except a macro shot of a dogs eye...strangely beautiful. The second had alot of science based work, i loved it all and went round a second time to ensure id seen every bit! Was very busy, but as per usual the free alcohol and nibbles were flowing so we were happy days. This night was followed by afterparty beers on the balcony of the Carlton and the boys trying to pick up girls by pretending they were art directors from the uk! Actually works.

As I hadn't had a house-warming yet, kenny had recently moved in and also her birthday was coming up we thought we had some good excuses to throw a party at ours. So we decided on a bit of a kiddo-theme and made party aka lolly bags, pasta necklaces & gave out colourful buckets for everyone to drink from...there were lots of streamers, party poppers, sweets, and even more alcohol, all resulting in a very messy night! The cleaning up was not so fun.

I also had my first fabulous staff christmas party. This was for my job with Bettina that i do at glow studios. The owner is very glamorous and so the night was nothing but this. We started by all going on her private boat for a couple of hours cruising in the sun, being served punch & opening our kris kringle (secret santa) presents. We then went up to her& her husbands apartment in the docklands and were served champagne, oysters, caviar and heaps of delicious canapes...along with being treated to a free bar, followed later in the evening by guestlist into a club and some partying! Couldn't have done it in anymore style, not to mention that all the staff looked like they could all step right onto a catwalk, beautiful people and a beaut night! Thanks bettina :)

merry christmas.

This week i went to the AIPP Christmas party. (Australian institute of professional photography), held in a club on the docklands called Alumbra, Shed 9, Central Pier, 161 Harbour Esplanade. I went along with 3 other photographers and on entry everyone had to hand in a 5x7 print of one of their own photographs. I chose an image took on a shoot in Bath, England, its of an old traditional suited & booted driver on his horse and carriage, a classic English scene and a favourite of mine because of the character in it, let's show those ozzys some proper history! These images were all given out randomly mid-evening and you then had to find and talk to the person that had yours, and vice versa, the person with yours had to find you. This was such a great idea and an excuse to network. I got a well known Melbourne photographer, Michael Warshall (www.michaelwarshall.com.au), and was a slick moving image of his sports car, he didn't seam to have much time to speak to me, but he did sign it so i was pretty happy with that! The guy who got mine was really nice and commented that it could be an English postcard even before knowing i was a pom (because i sound a little bit ozzy now, sorry mum!). Was a good night, with a live band, a posher than average bbq spread, champagne and talent :)

Last night I went to Glow Studio HoHoHo Christmas Party, which was held in the studios. The studio I normally work in was made into a chill out room, scattered with bean-bags, and low lighting, the main area was set with mood lighting, a bar & music. I brought my two friends Lisa and Sophie, we glamed up, met at mine and ended up without intention being three blondes in black dresses. Drinks and cocktails were flowing through the night, along with chatting to familiar faces I met some new great people. The only downside was getting overly upset thinking I had lost my brand new phone, but had actually just temporarily misplaced/ hadn't looked enough for it...hmm embarrassing! Im sure there will be some good pictures on the way to document this night, G.Studios you know how to throw a party, well done sirs!

I also want to say that I watched the 2nd Twilight movie, New Moon, with JoJo (after her making me watch the first only a couple of weeks ago) and im afraid to say that im HOOKED. However I was on the train the other day and this woman was blabbing the whole twilight story to her mate opposite, so now without wanting to I know the tale to the end, way to ruin a story love, thanks for that!! Keep your mouths sealed public transporters and read your Mx's, you hear far to much as a commuter.

I have just started to put up the christmas decorations now, so the festive atmosphere is growing slowly in the house but still feel more homesick than excited when thinking about it...I have had three parcels delivered from family members though so far, so cant wait to get my hands on those on the 25th! The best christmas present by far though, im meeting at the airport tomorrow morning, and thats one of my best friends Kate George and Steve, who are coming to stay with me for a week. I have a week of things planned for them so I will update you next week with shenanigans...merry christmas.