Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Oh my! I can't believe we're a week into February already! 2012 has one month under her belt, and it feels as if time just isn't going to stop for anyone. Now I know in my last post I promised to keep this little blog of mine up to date, but the truth is, I've been one great big busy bee! But the great kind of busy! Work has slowed right down for both jobs, and I'm still on Uni holidays until the end of the month, so I decided to fill up my weekends with fun! And you won't believe the things I've been doing!!! Im not going to give it all away in one post though (besides, there are way too many photos). 

I have collected a bunch of those 'experience' type vouchers from various birthdays and I'd decided that it was about time to cash them in. Since I had a Circus themed 21st Birthday last year, I was lucky enough to be gifted a voucher for two people to learn how to Circus Trapeze. Fantastic gift right!? Wrong! I am absolutely petrified of heights. I always have been. But one couldn't really turn down an experience like this. It was time to concur my fear!!

I climbed up the ladder for my very first go, trembling with fear of course, and when the lady yelled 'Go' I remained stuck to the platform. No surprise really, I knew it would happen. So the man beside me gave me a little tap of encouragement behind the knees and that was it, I was flying. It was such a surreal feeling to be able to let go like that. In a matter of seconds I had overcome a huge fear of heights, and surprised myself by being able to complete the trick. By the end of the lesson, I had flown through the air a number of times, holding on with my hands and then only by my knees. I had learnt how to do a backflip on my own, and then for the final trick I let go and was caught by a man on another trapeze and swung freely below him. So I think all of that is significant enough to cross off the "Do something extreme" prompt on my 101/1001 list! 

Here are a few photos... I think you can tell from my body language that I was super uncomfortable on that platform! Ha! 

February has been crazy fun already... And there is just so much more to come! You'll have to check back in the next few days to see just what I've been up to. Unless of course you follow me on Instagram, then the secrets are already spoiled! 

Hello's & Homestead Horses

Yesterday my dear friend Claire and I caught up for a little brunch at a cute homestead tea house not to far from where we live. We didn’t even need to glance at the menu to know what we wanted to indulge ourselves in, because everyone knows that the homemade scones from there are just delicious! We talked about old times and new times, and discussed her upcoming trip. We took a stroll through the garden and introduced ourselves to the horses in a nearby paddock. One horse in particular couldn’t get enough of Claire, but when I tried to say Hello he casually walked away. I maintain that it was because I have dark hair... a stark contrast to the similar hue he and Claire share. Overall it was such a lovely way to spend my day off.

I’ll be doing a little write up on Claire’s amazing trip to Ecuador in the next couple of days… I definitely recommend checking back to find out what she’s about to get up to!

Right now I’m about to start another one of my epic work weekends. This little window of spare time before I head to the bar is really my saving grace. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Summer Down South

Photos from a perfect last minute getaway to the South Coast.

A Day At The Zoo

Just sharing some photos from my wonderful Zoo adventure last week.

The day began super early as my three year old buddy and I loaded the car and set our sights for Sydney's north. We got to the Zoo just after opening and began to plan our day around exciting exhibits and shows. 

Seated in the "splash zone" for the seal show was a definite highlight!

and we never passed up the opportunity for some fun photos!

Taronga Zoo are doing an amazing job on the conservation front. It was a great way to educate the young one about sustainable practices that will protect endangered species and promote environmental sustainability as a whole.

Overall it was a wonderful day spent with awesome people. I know my little man loved it!

Sunday's Stress Relief

 
A tranquil spot located approximately 8km from my house (probably the best part about moving away from the suburbs). I love that I can rely on Bents to satisfy my longing for a relaxing Sunday after an arduous working week. It is perfect for picnics, sun-baking on the grass, swimming and just an overall amazing day. The drive out there is equally as pleasing, featuring rolling flower covered hills and an abundance of farm yard companions.

A bunch of my friends and I made a last minute decision to spend the day by the water last Sunday. We dipped our toes in the basin's fresh water, ate a lovely basket packed lunch and slept off some of the worries of the week as it come to a close. On the way home, we stopped at a field full of horses. One of my "horse whisper" friends was dissatisfied with viewing alone, and made it her business to introduce herself.

Days like that make me ache for summer...

Blood, Bohemian & Burleqsue

Bursting up from the underground today in our city's inner west is the Sydney Fringe Festival. Originally designed around 150 events, the alternative festival has doubled to include a record 53 venues in the Newtown, Enmore and Marrickville area. Along with the multitude of scenes there is a multitude of shows. Ranging from theatre, comedy and dance to music, arts and film, Sydney Fringe promises to be a spectacle of weird and wonderful wherever you go. Director Kris Stewart says that "the Sydney Fringe has got it all... it's an environment for artists and audience to take risks on things, to just say 'fuck it' and catch a show they wouldn't otherwise see".

After pouring over the festival's event list and various "guides to", I decided on three standout shows that I would love to attend.

The Bohemian Masquerade Ball 

Saturday 25th September - The Factory Theatre

Neo-vaudeville. Masquerade. No holds barred performances. Beautiful fleeting burning birds. 
Take me to the ball.

Burlesque Assassin

Saturday 11th September - The Red Rattler

Femme-fatale "burlesque assassin" punishes her betraying lover with nunchucks, dirty tricks and seduction.

Molly - A Tale of Blood and Guts and Giants and Weddings

Tuesday 21st, Wednesday 22nd, Friday 24th & Saturday 25th September - Carriageworks

Three sisters, three Princes, one Giant, one Kingdom & the curse of a dead mother. A disturbing tale about marriage. 

Oh and if that's not enough, there is also the Sydney Rock 'n Roll & Alternative Markets on Sunday 19th September, featuring a collection of rock 'n roll, vintage and alternative stalls, plus a ska vs. rockabilly lineup of bands and DJ's.

Click HERE for Complete Showlist 

Boy & Bear

Sydney formed band Boy & Bear were back home last Monday night, riding on the wave of folk artist, Laura Marling, at the Metro Theatre.

From the very opening song, Boy & Bear gave to us whimsical, multi-instrumental folk, complete with melodic vocals and rich harmonies. Each song from their latest EP With Emperor Antarctica was played, as well as some newer unreleased ones, composing an overall ethereal performance.

Rabbit Song was my favourite track of the night. The instrumental arrangement, coupled with Dave Hosking’s meandering vocal lines and completely honest lyrics, as well as the crowd pleasing sing-a-long “wooooohoohoohoooo” made it difficult for any self-respecting music lover to resist joining in.

Their blend of understated alternative country is nothing new, possibly symptomatic of their time spent with Mumford & Sons. But just to change it up, Boy & Bear played for us a new song they had written, “a country song”. Really, I think it was to provide us with an audio accomplice to Dave’s tea-towel shirt.

Dave commented on lack of crowd chatter. And kindly thanked us for listening. It is safe to say that these boys… or bears… are destined for a success beyond our national borders.

It's Only My Opinion

Last Monday night, Sydney’s Metro Theatre was home to one of London’s youngest folk artists, Laura Marling. With her hair scraped back into an effortless bun, Marling matched those of us in the crowd who had just ran and stood through rain and puddles, prior to the show.

I might be a part of this… ripple on water from a constant drip.

The crowd fell into an attentive silence, captivated by her alluring vocal style coupled with the propulsive mix of string instruments and sparring acoustic chords. Though each song was thematically and musically different, each seemed to evoke the same sense of intimacy within. For me, Marling’s poetic lyricism of earlier works revealed a childhood elegy of the most nostalgic type, while songs from I Speak Because I Can guided me through a consideration of many future politics of self. These “old soul” style tracks induced thoughts on more mature topics; of success and failure, of self-direction and self-destruction and of love lost, but also love found. And although incredibly melancholy, each song was delivered with a level of charm, allowing for just the right amount of austere humour and light. Several songs later, and a modest un-encore… I left sharing more than just my year of birth with Marling.

Empowering & Inspiring.