The Old Blog

It’s October 20th. I depart London in exactly 2 months.

Okay so I’m freakoutcentral.com today guys. My heart is actually beating too fast for my chest to handle. I’m not sure if I’m excited or scared, happy or sad, hopeful or regretful. I don’t do freak-outs… but I’m doing one today. Big time. Whatever I’m feeling…I don’t like it. It’s distracting.

I’ve just stumbled over my old blog from 4.5 years ago. I started writing this blog after I’d made the decision to work for 9 months full-time then fly to London. It’s kind of a count-down blog… It’s so amusing and mind-blowing to read over. Below is the link for it:

http://BlondieBearBlog.spaces.live.com/blog

It starts October 2005 and ends March 2006. I recommend reading it from the beginning first. A few things will jump out at you as they do me… I was such a kid back then! Admittedly an amazingly talented writer none the less… but really such a kid. Young, inexperienced, cocky, naive…. HAHA I love it! Brings back alot of memories. Think I need to up the blogging in my last couple of months to make sure I capture all the fun and adventure the time ahead will include… Definitely. 

Okay so I’m going to go out and buy some herbal tea right now. I need to calm myself. Might buy some candles and scented oil and turn the 4th floor meeting room into a relaxation den. Wonder if there’s anyone in the office who knows Thai massage?

10k

Good Day Readers,

This is going to be a post about running.

As a few of you know I’ve been training for quite a while now… I recently got a couple of 5k races under my belt and this weekend I did the Cancer Research UK 10k race in Victoria Park. It was a great day. The weather was nice, the course was flat and I found it pretty darn easy to be honest.

This was my favorite of the races I’ve done so far… mainly because I had a running buddy in Miss Jessica Nicks. We trained with each other beforehand and stuck together on race day– bagging a nice and neat time of 56 minutes all up. I was really happy with that time as realistically I was thinking we’d do it in 60 minutes +. 

Running is a pretty big thing for me- both physically and mentally. When you were a morbidly obese child… you don’t really imagine someday you’ll be running races. It’s something I wish I’d gotten into when I actually was a child. If I ever have kids I’m going to instill much healthier practices in their life early on than what my Mum did with me. It was kind of her fault that I was fat… 

So with the 10k down…next up is a half marathon. Hopefully before I go back to Australia… We shall see. 

Laters

1 Year

1 year has passed and I feel okay. It still doesn’t feel real though. It’s hard to comprehend. I think that’s because I haven’t been there to process it. When you’re really far away from home you learn to function without the people you love in your life… That made it easier because I got used to not having her around before she was actually gone. I know when I go back- that’s when it will feel real. That’s when I’ll miss going for coffees down the beach, chilling out with a beer in the backyard, watching her torment my cat…

 I got a tattoo on the day as a celebration of her life. It’s on the inside of my wrist and it looks like this ~ It’s a ‘dash’ which represents a poem read out at her service. Here is a link to the poem

http://www.lindaellis.net/Read_The_Dash.htm.

I loved this poem when I read it. It’s really really simple- but it touched me. So when I look at my wrist now- I think about her. About how wonderfully she lived her life- and about how wonderfully I’ll live mine. She was an incredible woman.

Love you Nan. X

Geek Out

Last night I had the most pleasant and unexpected 2 hour long discussion about all things geek. It got me thinking about how I don’t really have many geek friends over here apart from Jules…hi Jules. Oh how I miss driving to Cousin Darren’s in St Kilda on a Friday night to stay IN with DVD boxsets, pizza and mandatory bottle of rum. I’m not sure this English lot truly understand the inner level of geek I so cooly fail to display…

I’ve decided to make a top 5 list. It is the top 5 list of my ‘favourite dork-stuff’.

1. Buffy

I’m not ashamed to admit it… I’m a Sunnydale girl through and through. What wasn’t to like? Great writing, Musical Episodes, Gay storylines and let’s not forget to mention Eliza Dushku (top right). My dedication towards this show went as far as actually attending a convention in Melbourne many years ago… It’s something I’m particularly proud of.

2. Spaced

English ridicularity at it’s best. Spaced lasted 2 legendary series and it’s my favourite comedy of all-time. Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson (now Hynes) co-created, starred and blew cult audiences away with this one. Forget Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Yada-yada-yada- it all started here.

3. Children’s Cartoons from the 80’s

There’s too many to mention…but hey-ho I’ll give it a go anyway. Superted. Bananaman. Alias the Jester. The Mysterious Lost Cities of Gold. Filmation’s Ghostbusters. Punky Brewster. Jem and the Holograms. Dangermouse. Inspector Gadget. The Smurfs. The list really could go on and on. It’s no surprise my favourite genre to write for is Childrens. I don’t know what my fascination with kids programming is? I think it’s that there’s no boundaries- you really can let your imagination do the work.

4. Online Entertainment

There’s something you’ve got to admire about people who just get out there and fucking do it. They make their series/film- without the funding, without the studio, and without their visions being completely twisted by marketing executives and wayward production pirates. They’re not all great though…allow me to demonstrate.

Good- Dr Horribles Sing-Along Blog. I was recently introduced to this little masterpiece- Joss Whedon’s (Buffy, Angel, Firefly) latest offering. To summarize- it’s amazing. You all need to check it out. http://www.drhorrible.com/

Bad- Far Out. This slice of online programming is truly horrendous. Sorry to all those London ladies involved- I know there’s a lot of you. But seriously. Awful writing, un-interesting characters, atrocious acting…it doesn’t get much worse. Though you can appreciate what they were trying to do….These girls were well out of their depth. See for yourselves:  http://www.farouttv.co.uk/

5. Tenori-On

The Tenori-On is a musical instrument- a very new one. A Japanese guy called Toshio Iwai got together with Yamaha and created this sometime before 2005. For the musically challenged- you’ll have seen this baby before with Little Boots (LOVE HER), and it looks like a futuristic cheese grater. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6tLRCDqJ2c

I’ve been lucky enough to have a go (these aren’t instruments you come across often). The only thing I could conclude was that a) I was NOT a natural…and b) You have to be a bit of a genius to play it- so hats off to Little Boots. They retail at £599- quite a hefty pop.

So there you have it folks. My top 5 list of favourite geek things. Oh how I love a top 5 list…..

My New Full-Time Hobby: Moving House

Good Day Folks,

This morning I woke up and actually didn’t know where I was. Kennington? Fulham? Putney? East Finchley? After a few moments of scenic observation I remembered I had in fact moved to East Finchley the afternoon prior and all confusion was put to ease. I thought it might be a good idea to update you all, as I figure if I’m unaware of my current address- most of you may be confused also. For the next 3 weeks- you’ll find me in East Finchley.

It was a darn shame the Clapham North moving in date got pushed back- but from every negative comes a positive. As I’ve spent most of my life in London up North (particularly Finchley)- it’s such a perfect opportunity for me to have a proper goodbye with the place. Not just the place but the people. Karen, Paul and Alice- let’s make the most of everything North we can over the next few weeks. That includes as many X-Factor/Red wine and cheese nights we can possibly fit in.

This housing debacle has made one thing very clear to me- I have some of the best friends a girl could ever hope for. Annaliese and Alice have been lifesavers this past week. There’s not many people who would move home with the parents for a month in order to help accommodate a friend. Alice- you are amazing… Truly a great friend.

Having come from a single parent/single child family (AKA teeny tiny family)- I’ve always upheld the belief that your friends ARE your family. Especially when you’re 10,000 miles away from home. This week- though stressful- was manageable thanks to my brilliant friends- my family. To quote Lock Stock… “It’s been emotional”.

Bestival 2009

Of all the festivals I’ve experienced throughout Australia, Europe and the U.K- I’d have to say Bestival takes the cake. In fact it doesn’t just take the cake, it takes the flour supply, whole bakery, world-wide wheat-fields… it is bigger than yeast itself.

A few blogs ago I ranted about the mass commercialism of V Festival. Bestival is the saving anecdote to the chavvy V-bite. I imagine it’s what all the festivals used to be like 10 years ago when I was just a wee tacker. What made it great? It wasn’t too huge. It felt intimate. The dress-up theme ensures everyone is on the same silly level. The music was amazing- something for everyone. The surroundings were beautiful- the air was fresh.

Though I partied like an animal at Bestival- I also came away feeling quite invigorated and refreshed. How often do we get to escape reality for 3 days to behave like naughty children running around a field in dress-up? I described the scenery before me at one point as being like an ‘intergalactic space battlefield of casualties’. Obviously the theme was space… and boy did people go to ‘space’ and back. Spaced out punters everywhere, happy smiles on their faces, listening to music and throwing pieces of bread down on the ground to locate non-existent ducks.

Music highlights included Friendly Fires, Passion Pit, Frankmusik, Lily Allen, The Filthy Dukes, 2 Many D.J’s, MGMT’s dressing room and calling Mika a ….! There was so much going on over the 3 days & nights it was impossible to catch everything. Ideally you’d clone yourself before arriving- like in the episode of Round the Twist when Linda creates ‘Adnil’… But let’s not get off topic.

How to summarize Bestival? Absolutely incendiary. It was explosive in every possible way and I can’t wait to make it back for another year. In the words of Chloe Smee- “Good Times”.

Me and Jess- Day Time

Me and Jess- Night Time

Day of Birth 2009

I used to HATE my birthdays. Yes that’s right- capital letters ‘HATE’. For the last 25 years of my life I’ve avoided as much birthday fuss as possible. I’ve never thrown parties…insisted on no presents and generally wished I could run and hide far away. I’m not sure why? Quite bizarre really…

This year feels different though…I’m feeling good about it. It’s been a good start at the very least.

Woke up at 7am and went training (got another 5k race this weekend before the up and coming 10). Some of you might think getting up early to go running on your birthday is a rubbish way to kick the day off…. But the run was totally necessary. The evening prior I found myself caught back in the beer/chips in pita loop… It’s a simple equation. Soho + Beer = Chips in Pita. Admittedly an enjoyable carbohydrate orgy at the time…but not so much the next day. So annnnnnyway I dragged my fat arse out of bed to burn it off and wipe the guilt slate clean.

I then strolled into work. The sun was shining. Friendly Fires were blaring on the pod. It’s possible that I danced half the way in…I am actually in love with this band. Their music just makes me feel pure happiness- it’s pretty special. On route into work I had the pleasure of multiple calls from Oz which always makes me smile…there’s nothing like hearing the voices of people you miss.

In work I celebrated with a birthday bowl of Fruit & Fibre. Note; Birthday Fruit & Fibre is not really any different to standard Fruit & Fibre- it just feels more jolly. Sat down for a Faceplant session and came across a touching birthday tribute from Chloe Smee- possibly one of the coolest presents ever. It got me remembering and reflecting on all the good times and great people I’ve experienced over here. I can’t wait for tonight to see them all.

I’m avoiding doing any real work today. Instead I’ll be piddling the day away with menial tasks (such as writing this blog). I’ve got a beer & cake date at lunch which I’m already counting down the minutes to, then tonight it’s out in SO-to-the-HO where I’ll be wearing a dress. Haha– I hear the shocked gasping for air across the nation. Not only is it a dress- it has frills on it. Why you ask? Because I frocking want to alright?! It is a time of change…and I’m embracing.

So cheers all for the well-wishes. Aussies- have a pure blonde for me. And Brits…if you see me stumbling/vomiting/harassing garbage cans in Soho later- buy me some chips, hook me up to an IV line and send me home in a cab (ambulances are pricey).

Emma G xxx

Party People

Me=Em

Back to School

Just put in my VTAC application for schools next year. What a trip down memory lane… Takes me all the way back to when I was 18 and starting my Police Studies degree. Then again to when I was 19 and starting my Music course. And then again to when I was 21 starting Screenwriting at RMIT. My wrap sheet indicates an inability to commit and get anything finished… Some people from my past may have described me as lacking ‘follow-through’. Sometimes I kick myself for not getting the RMIT stint finished when I was supposed to… to get accepted into that was a pretty big deal and I treated it too casually. But life took me elsewhere…

 It took me to London and I’m glad for that every single day. It was the craziest, boldest and most reckless move I ever made- and it paid-off. Everything I’ve learned in my career and life since being here has been so valuable. Though I’m exhausted after 3 years working with On Demand Productions- I now know about ‘follow-through’. I understand hard-work, ambition, dedication, motivation and vision. Those personal lessons and my industry experience put me in a far better position to study than I ever was before.  I can’t wait to channel that energy into my own creative projects.

Some people think I’m crazy going back to school. Usually it’s the money thing everyone refers to. I don’t aspire to great wealth- but I do aspire to success. Maybe I’m being controversial…but I think the two things and the road to each of them are very different. What do I want to do? I want write and film great stories- I want to entertain people- I want to move people- I want to challenge people. So I’d rather spend the next 2 years of my life doing just that… and not selling other peoples work anymore. That’s beginning to feel a bit soul destroying… There’s only so many times you can cut trailers for Jennifer Aniston films before you start to question your own existence.

As a side note- if I get into any one of my top 3 course preferences I hereby promise to dance and sing just like Michelle Pfeiffer in the below Grease 2 clip.  “Whoa Whoa…I wanna go…Back to School…Again”

Change

When I was growing up… my Mum had a friend who seemed to me; the worldliest/wisest woman I’d ever met. I used to go to her for advice, answers and direction. She didn’t give me cotton wool wrapped explanations or excuses for life’s tragedies and disappointment- she spoke in brutal honesty. I liked that. 

I remember one particular evening… discussing the certainties of life… Were there any? Was anything a given? My Mum’s friend turned to me and said “The only 2 things in life we can be certain of Emma are Death and Change”. That conversation always stuck in my mind even after all these years. 

Embracing change is something so many people struggle with. It seems natural to resist and fight what we don’t know. I guess what I’m saying is that people like to play life safe. They make the sensible decisions… Choose the practical routes… Avoid heartache, pain, mess, and trouble. 

Hmmm. I don’t really know what my point is tonight? I’m kind of feeling unsettled. I do know I am bricking it about going back home at the end of the year. It’s change- in every possible way and it’s going to hit me hard. I don’t know how to prepare myself for that? I feel like there’s a stopwatch on my time left here and it’s running out and I’m not sure what I should be doing? 

I need a chill pill.

The Mighty V Festival 2009

Just got back from a work jolly at V Festival 2009. My Creative Director didn’t need to do much to sell me on the idea…Free tickets, Food, Drink, VIP passes and not to mention the weekend days back in Lieu (Bestival)

What was my overall opinion of the festival? It was great to have so many world class acts performing in one place at the same time…but the event felt SOOOOO BRANDED. It lacked true festival spirit and instead felt like one huge marketing orgy (word of the week). The punters out in the main arena were massively skanky… Lot’s of pissed chavs dressed up as cartoon characters rolling around drunk on the floor in their own piss. Luckily we had Louder Lounge access which meant we could escape the masses in favor of gourmet food, alcohol and the chance to be entertained by a truckload of C list celebrities mincing about in their glad-rags.

The photos may mislead you into thinking there was more partying than work…but let me assure you it was an even ratio. We put in a good solid couple of hours Saturday before retiring to the Louder Lounge where we generally behaved merrily and indulged in all we could. At about 4am we decided it best to be sensible and hit the sack in preparation for the day ahead…. admittedly we’d also drunk through all the beer. Sunday our presenter turned up and we worked our over-hung buts off all day.

I’m super tired now. My body feels like it’s been savagely beaten with sticks- I’m not sure whether that’s from carrying equipment around or the backwards handstand/rollovers I was teaching people to do Saturday night. Whichever it was…I need to see a physiotherapist as I feel like I’ve got two separate spines.

Would I return to V Festival another year? Unless I had a mate who could pull the corporate passes- not if you paid me.