ChrissyWriting

This is Not Miami, This is Not NYC. That’s right Sydney!!

It’s no secret I like Easter. How can you not like a month where there are 18 working days, a plethora of Public Holidays and of course chocolate. If Christmas had some kind of dessert attached, then I’d probably be more inclinded to liked it. Yeah, yeah I know that it’s a religious holiday etc. I went to a Catholic Primary School, so I’m all over the meaning behind it before anyone comments back, however I’m not a religious person and well I’m just happy for the days off work.  With the long weekend comes some pretty cool parties. Everything get’s pushed forward. Thursday turns into a clubbing night, Friday a necessary detox day what with most venues and bottle shops being shut and then giddy up the rest of the weekend.

Easter long weekend’s used to be Twice as Nice in Adelaide which were by far the best weekends and parties put one. Awesome locals, mega internationals and I still remember the bumper weekend we did a Thrice as Nice at Heaven. Ahh memories (well kinda, the t-shirt I have is more of a reminder and memory jogger). So you’d expect Sydney would come to a head and put on some pretty fricking awesome parties.. Hmm not so much. I’ll have to give Marquee at The Star some credit for their ingenious marketing of a double dose of Avicci, actually delivering on that experience, well they can go fuck themselves!!!

Let me paint a picture of mass dissapointment and annoyance for you. Getting to the venue 2 hours before it opens and lining up with say about 500 other patrons. The beauty of waiting at the Casino is your inside, your oblivious to the time the weather and you can drink whilst waiting. 2 hours, yeah far too long for me to wait but the company was ok. Approaching nearly 3 and people start to pull out of the line, other arseholes cut into the cue with their friends and then everyone’s starting to get on edge. An hour and a half into the venue open we find out the venues full, which I find hard to believe and that it’s one in one out. No communication, no people or crowd management and not cool.

I get the venue’s new and that they want to build up anticipation etc and well from a wanky management perspective they probably think themselves pretty cool that they’ve got a huge line up through the casino. Solution. Pre sell tickets to the event. Simple. Weed out the people in the line that dont meet the dress code or criteria for your venue. You’ve done nothing but piss off alot of people. Will I be going back? Hmm possibly but not in a hurry any time soon. Not for nothing but I’ve been clubbing all over the place and while this is an international branded club, lose the pretention. Your not Miami or NYC youre in Sydney.

Lucky I had an already purchased ticket to Sandy Rivera. Awesome DJ. Wrong venue to have him and and having done a head count when I walked in the venue instinctively I’m betting my lunch money for a week the promoter made a HUGE loss in bringing him out. Pack a smaller venue, market properly and lower your ticket sales.

So did I have fun, yeah I did. I fronted up to the Hi Fi which is literally a 10 minute walk to my house and the venue I can always hear from my lounge room. I was solo, I got my Gin on and danced for myself. Down to earth, non pretentious New Yorker (an oxy moron if ever) and I was able to stagger my drunk arse home.

I look forward to seeing what happens with the Sydney scene from here on out. I see the Ivy punching back now it has some competition. Roger Sanchez Anzac Eve with a pre sale ticket and I’m there.

Just remember what happens to venues that get too greedy.. They die in the arse and get a bad name real quick.. History’s proved that.. No???

An End of An Era A Night Time Stood Still and Some Mega Fucking Base Lines!!

As I sit here and write this, my ears are ringing and I can barely talk, for years and even now these were both the signs of a regular weekend working and then partying after for me. I’ve always loved to go out, party, dance and sing (usually louder then the dj’s haha) and I’ve a knack and sometimes curse for spotting the next song being mixed in. I live in the past and my hey day, I’ll admit it. I’m one to say that I remember when music used to be good and am somewhat jaded now when it comes to the dj’s and music of now. Everyone think’s that going out in Adelaide of all places is probably a contradiction and a complete oxy moron, but i’m gonna say it, by far Adelaide for me has always had the best tunes and party scene.

This weekend I went back for the Planet Reunion at Garage. Now Planet Nightclub for those that are too young to remember is the first club I ever went too at 16. Yup underage clubbing at it’s best and I’m sure there are others that did too. I remember it like it was yesterday, namely it was more so the stench at the bottom bar that even now lingers in your nostrils but it was the awesome house tunes. I remember the DJ’s, the atmosphere and even the super cheap drinks.. Love. Sure enough this is when i first remember seeing Souli play. I heard Skydive for the first time, which if you know me you know I love and Black Legend (though I hate it) sticks in my mind too. The club hosted some good partied and I always remember the inner city controversy of when it was the Super Club vs the Established one and the whole Heaven vs Heaven debarkel. I was a loyal club junkie lol as I still get called at almost 30 and frequented the venues when I could.

Being back on the weekend for the most part was a complete step back in time. While the setting wasnt the same and the venue was borrowed, Garage I’m not sure knew what they were getting themselves into. If you bring those names together for a night of old school they’ll come. Yeah the toilets were too small, the bar staff way understaffed and waiting 20 mins for a drink was shitty, it all was ok though with Rmac, Souli and Jules at the helm. I hadnt been back in a year and a half but it was like I never left. Old school track after another, front and center to the left of the stage and yup hands in the air like you just dont care styles. My biggest gripe, Rmac playing skydive at midnight wtf.. This was a Souli late set opener but we did get Rythm is a Dancer..

While some things in life go on, people grown, change and move on for a night it’s pretty awesome to flash back. I thought if I lived back there that I’d be a wreck partying like that every weekend, but those days, venues and DJ line ups too have changed. If you lived it then you were lucky, if you didnt then you never really will know what you missed out on. The end of an era really does seem to be upon Adelaide though like a dark fog sweeping in. Some of the great venues have shut up shop and it makes me thaat little bit happy I live in Sydney where the huge line ups and festivals keep on rolling in. What will Adelaide do?? Rumour has it HQ is due to close in the coming months and in it’s place apartments for hospital or something along those lines. Lol if only someone had been smart enough to combine both the media wouldnt of hated us so much when I worked on Nth Terrace..

It will be interesting to see what happens and where the scene shifts. So I’ll keep on listening to my club classics on my ipod, let the dj’s be legends in their own right and wait for the next reunion of a club that was and isnt is for my next trip SA side to get my dance and drank on ;)

are you reaching your full potential?

In the Hospitality world, every opportunity is a business and Marketing opportunity. Back at work last week and already we’re planning all the events out until December. It’s February I get that, but realistically if your in any industry where you want to be profitable and make money then planning is essential. Alot of times I speak to people that have their own venues or small business and when we discuss publicity and marketing plans I”m met with a blank look. Why would we be looking ahead now? It’s not until another 5 -6 months out.. This is why.. Planning is key. While your Publicity & Marketing plans/ Advertising etc dont kick in until closer to the event ( tell people too soon and they forget things). By simple planning not only does your business have a direction but opportunities for additional exposure and revenue also can be done. You can plan your special events or entertainment, you can liaise with your designers, entertainers etc and your ahead of the game for purchasing items etc. So often people leave things to the last minute and dont really execute something. So at a quick glance here are a few key events/ holidays you can jump on and do. Remember if your business is niche then you should look for particular festivals, events, markets etc in your area OR interstate you can attend. If your not sure about things or want a personalised Marketing Plan & Calendar you need only ask. Here are a few popular one:

Feb- Valentines Day
March- St Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras
June- Queens Birthday Long Weekend
July- Christmas in July, Winter Wonderland
September- Sporting Finals Time
October- Breast Cancer / Pink Parties, Halloween
November- Melbourne Cup
December- Christmas

Seasonal specials and offers are also great too. By simple planning you can tailor your marketing to your clientele, come up with exclusives and also know what your doing moving forward. Organised people are more profitable people. Dont forget Easter, Mother’s Day, Fathers Day.. The list is endless..

Let me put together a personalised business plan so when the next occasion and holiday comes and go’s you wont be kicking yourself. :)

Summer Festivals and Broke Bank Balances

So it’s Summer Down Under at the moment, and well the start of it was pretty crappy with all this rain and what have not but the suns out and the weathers started to heat up. The thing I love about Summer here is that we get some of the biggest music festivals kick off. Some mega internationals head on down and everyones bank accounts get a raping. My own included. This time of the year though is always expensive and this years no exception.

Having spoken to alot of my friends this year though theres been a real segretation though between club gigs and festivals. Alot of people and promoters are starting to take the Dj’s back to venues.. Which in essence is what I preffer rather than having to hang out in the sun with hundreds of thousands of sweaty muzzas. But hey I’ll go wherever I can get a free ticket or if I like the line up.

One thing that did make me stop and wonder this year though is whether or not the Big Day Out (which is celebrating it’s 20th Anniversary) will kick on after this year. This was the first year I’d recalled seeing them advertise on tv. They would usually sell out in minutes, add another show.. but you have to wonder if the flooding of Festivals both Electronic ( your Future Music, Stereosonics, Defcon, Creamfields, Parklife etc) vs Soundwave has replaced the need for a cross over festival.. When the line up is shit and neither appeals to either market you have to question whether it’s not just better to end it on a high note than with that of shitty lineups and crappy headliners.

I’m not sure if it’s just me or not but $200 for a ticket to a festival (or therabouts) is fucking expensive… but is it worth it? I get the costs of production etc for an event of that scale but really?? Hmmm irrespective I’ll probably bitch about it now but come closer to the event i’ll end up forking out..

What are your thoughts??

Live Life & Eat Cake– ;)

Well another birthday’s been and gone. I remember when I was younger, you’re always looking forward to the next significant birthday. First it’s so you can get your L’s, then so you can drink, then a full license and then it’s your 21st. Thereafter everyone really stops counting. Until then your 30th rolls around and every 10 years after it’s a mile stone. Almost as though you should get cake a celebration that you’ve made it that far. A prize for prolonged life and lifestyle choices. Most years I always did something massive, this year not so much and that was a ok with me. Low key dinner with friends at an awesome greek restaurant and my favourite greek dessert. I think that if I had went out there was no way I’d of been able to stay up and really was not keen for a club on a weekend night anyway. I think it’s safe to say that those days have been and gone. I remember when I was younger 29, even 30 (I’ve still got one more year until i hit that baby) was old… You’d expect everyone to be married, with a million kids and retired almost. In the country that’s probably right.

These days though I think it’s great that you get a chance go live your life more. Travel the world, experience life, be more financialy stable and succesful. That your not deemed a spinster like many where back in the day. Moving along though.

My favourite thing by far though about birthdays isnt really the gifts anymore, I think I outgrew that years ago. But like everyone know’s I’m I do have an am a sweet tooth and it’s certainley for the cake. I remember as a kid my mum was the Queen of Birthday party catering. She would spend days before cooking, baking and would always make the best birthday cakes ever. Her speaciality cake making skills would but Buddy Velastro to shame ( well for the 80′s anyway) and I remeber having an almost life size crocodile cake, Ernie & Bert and a host of other cool cakes. There would be butterfly cakes, crackles and honey joys. You’d leave a birthday party sugared up but I’m sure the food was of a far better quality than these lazy parents that take their kids to McDonalds for a birthday party. It’s like birthdays are the one day you get the cake of your choice or dinner of your choice. Funny that parents bribe you in food. Coming from a Greek family though that was common practise.

I dont make it often, but for myself I made a Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Icing. The icing alone I’d hate to think how many calories are in there alone. It’s decadent and probably why I only make it a few times a year. The girls all love it and it’s on the request list. The looks on their face though when I started to list the ingredients in the icing though was one of OMG.. Lol. I think I did myself one better this year and with the injury I’ve had with my hand and still do ( thats a whole other blog) I thought I’d do something for me and to cheer me up. I’d been itching for another tattoo for a while now and had been playing around with a few things I wanted to get. This image of a piece of cake kept coming back to me and so did the quote. So as impulsive as I am I booked an appointment at Bondi Ink Tattoo and voila my latest addition sits on my right foot. I dont expect alot of people to understand or even appreciate why I got it, but each tattoo I do have makes me smile, reminds me of a point or milestone in my life and makes a statement. Lol this one though does make me hungry.

So next year is the BIG 30!! Dad and I have decided that with he turning 50 in April and my birthday in September, we’ll meet around August for a combined party. Back in the Riv, possibly a houseboat and plenty of eating and drinking. But hey, 12 months is an aweful long time away and who knows where I might be, what I’ll be doing and with whom. Take it all as it comes and appreciate everything for right now.

Always remember though if you’re having a bad, good or just because day “Live Life & Eat Cake” I do.. (well not everyday.. but if I could I would ;))

Chrissy xoxo

Pumpkin Delight’s & Baking!!

So I’d have to say after writing, baking would have to be my next hobby/ passion and pass time. It’s kinda ocd like really, at any given time I have to have something in the cupboards that can be there to whip up or bake at any given time. I’d like to say that any given time I can just think of something off the top of my head and throw it together, that I’m some novice. Alas thats not true and while there are a few things that I can do like that, I’m a big fan of a cake mix or a recipe.

I love the Betty Crocker cake mixes where at a pinch all you need in the house are a few eggs and some oil and they always make the best most moist cakes. I have all these left over packets of frosting which i never really am bothered to ice the cake, or maybe I’m just far too impatient to wait for the cake to cool before eating. None the less if ever I do get a crazy craving for icing, theres plenty in my pantry.

I love the great greek sweets that my yia yia makes too. Over the years she would make these fabulous desserts and when going home now I’ll always put in a request for the baked goods. She has though now diabetes so these great sugar laden desserts she once made have lost some of the punch ( which everyone says is a good thing, but call me old fashioned but I love the sweetness of them all). I remember going around to her place whenever I wanted these goods baked and she would make me help her. It wasnt just a cookery lesson, but also a bit of a family history class and also she’d dish the gossip on what was happening in our small country town. I miss those days of baking with her, I do quite often though give her a call whenever I feel like whipping something up however to make sure I get all the right ingredients and that I’m doing the right way. Try as I might though, and I’m certain she’s holding out one or two key ingredients on me, can I get it exactly the same. When I’ve been baking with her at times, I swear the minute I turn around she puts something extra in there, which she tells me is oh, nothing.

It makes me think though, all these great recipes that our mothers, grandmothers and members of our family always make, which are a family favourite will be lost one day. I keep saying to my dad and just recently my brother that we need to get over there for a weekend and make all the family favourites, photograph them and put them in a book for all the grandkids to come and so we have a copy too. I’ve got my own stash of recipes from over the years but it’s just not the same. Remind me to do that when I go home next.

Whenever I have someone over I always feel compelled to make something. If I go somewhere to bring something. Not sure why, probably my greek up bringing in that you never show up empty handed and that you should always bring something. Plus baking is so simple! Taking basic ingredients, a few hours (if that at the very most) and getting something that tastes so delicious. It’s far better than anything you can get at a supermarket and damn it tastes good.

I find it so odd that hardly any of my friends do it. The excuse that theres no time is a feed of shit. Really, to take that little time to get a house that smells amazing and tastes that good is definately worth the time. But dont get me wrong, there have been times where some of my stuff has completely bommed. Last week for example. I have this amazing new cake mould that is shaped like a Sandcastle. When I was living in the States, Cathleen from across the street had one and she would always make them with brown sugar around the outsite and it looked amazing. I stumbled across the form a few weeks back now and every cake I’ve been making of late is in the castle form. I love it ( and it makes an amazingly moist cake). So last week my brothers over, I whip up a cake for dessert and send them with half the cake. Not even realising Tim had bought a new dish liquid for me (after mine dropped 6 floors to the street, just missing a parked car) and I had no idea it was that contentrated. So cutting int a piece and taking the first bite I realised it was uber dish liquidy. I had to send an 911 sms to them telling them to NOT eat the cake and to throw it out. I was so devo. Plus it was the best looking marble cake I’d made yet.

Alot of the stuff I bake though is really hybrid. Think 80′s/ 90′s kids birthday partys meets Americana desserts. Yep I’m a sucker for sweets and sugar. I love the simplicity and effort that all the Mum’s would put into baking for their kids birthdays and all these recipes like Crackles, slices, cakes take you for a walk down memory lane and then the American stuff is stuff that I never come across until I moved over there.

I fell in love with Red Velvet cakes over there. A bright red cake which tastes chocolaty with cream cheese icing. Go one better and go to the Cheescake Factory & voila! It’s a cheescake too. If you ever get the chance to go there try it. Theres everything really you can think of. Boston Cream Pie, Maple & Pecan Pie, Peach Pie and my favourite is Pumpkin Everything!!!

Yep Pumpkin as a dessert. Why this is usually a fall ( autumn) dessert because thats when the Pumpkins are in season, there are so many great tasting desserts that use this ingredient. I love them all. Pumpkin Cheese Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Maple Bread and the best thing even carrys over to a perfect marriage of Pumpkin Beer. Yep a subtle Pumpkin Spiced Ale which is only available in the fall. Oh how I miss it.

The other great thing is any dessert you like I gaurantee you theres a body wash, lip gloss or candle that comes in that scent. It’s so common too and so foreign here in Australia.

There are so many times where I would pine for all these items, some I was able to get others I crave when I cant get them. Yesterday I was luckily enough to find Libby’s tinned pumpkin puree which comes live and direct from the USA. Last year it was recalled and there wasnt any around. Since then I’ve been going to all the stores I know of that sell it here to put my name down on the waiting list for it to come in.

So at current I sit here with my Pumpkin Spiced Candle burning away ( thanks Dusk) and my first attempt at a Baked Pumpkin Cheesecake in the oven. Nfi if it will work, as I had to do the whole conversion over, but fingers crossed it does. Theres nothing more comforting than the smell of baking in house and warming and if you’ve never tasted this then I urge you to get off your butts, get online or to David Jones and get baking! Get your head around the fact that it’s orange, that it’s a vegetable. But rather that its got all the spices and flavours of Cinnamon, Nutmeg, All spice and is truly delicious.

Take the time to enjoy baking, I find it most theraputic and you’ll find most people that do get more joy out of the actual process than they do out of eating. Lol I seldom will have more than a piece of whatever I make.. Lol no wonder everyone’s always over here when I cook.

Enjoy.. I’m off to check my oven.

Do Two Negatives Make a Positive???

I’m not one to generally delve into the mind, attitudes and personalitys and like to think that for the most part I’m a pretty positive person. I think alot of that has come with maturity, with learning from your lessons and also from observing human behaviour. One thing I always learnt was that a better way at being better at your job was to look at all the really shitty things your previous bosses did (which for the most part ended up in their demise or firing) and use that as a model of how NOT to be or behave. So far so good, it tends to work, but if all else fails you might be lucky enough to have an awesome Aunty like mine and a pretty level headed Dad who are constantly letting you know how to approach things.

I think the biggest lesson over the years I’ve learnt is really is it worth opening your mouth, having to always have the last say ( and I personally think at times it is, lol) but I’ve come to the realisation that at time’s it’s not the effort or energy. I’ve come to learn that what people say or how they treat me doesnt impact me personally unless I let it and I have a choice whether or not to have people in my life, even if they are related. Let’s be frank, there are people we dont like, that we dont get along with or have little time for, why waste what time we do have associating with idiots or people we have nothing in common with.

I’ve family members that fall into this category, who I’ve now cut off completely and to be honest it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Not buying into another persons bullshit, self pitty or loathing, means your own life can be alot less draining. I think half the time their lashing out and resentment stems from jealousy or are attention seeking. I have people I used to work with that I didnt get along with and now I dont work with them anymore dont go out of my way to associate with them. Why? To make small talk and pretend we have something in common. I have people I went to school with that didnt have time for me back then, but consistently resubmit friend requests to me now via facebook.

If they were forthcoming in their requests and actually really stated that they were more interested in viewing my photos, looking at what I had achieved in my life since leaving school and to see if on some messed up level they were doing better in life than me then I might for a minute actually approve their requests or tell them where to go. You’d get alot more respect from me if you really said what you wanted or what your intentions were.

So often though and in particular of late, there have been so many different types of people I’ve stumbled across in life and work who’s personalitys are note worthy for either the right or wrong reasons. Needless to say it’s amazing to see that whatever the obstacles or cirumstances in anyones life there is a bucket of gold at the end of the rainbow if you pick yourself up and off your arse and make the effort to walk there.

I could go on about the negative, self loathing and malicious people I know but that would be a complete waste of time and effort and would be draining of my energy. Let them feel sorry for themselves, interfere with everyone elses lives and not take responsibility for their own lives and blame the world for their problems. They wont listen and will wind up ever so miserable and lonely. That records has been broken and now disposed of.

But rather about the positive ones I meet. Needless to say I have a pretty amazing husband who always keeps me motivated, positive and fed.. Most of the time I think he just knows thats its easier to have me content rather than me harping on about something around the house that needs doing. My dad is a wealth of knowdlege and it’s quite funny now that I’ve gotten older to look back at some of the things he used to continually tell me that I’d completely ignore. Lol sorry Dad, but you were right (even if at the time I didnt even give you the time to listen) and your “Never give anyone permission to upset you” quote is now in the Chrissy vocab. Oh and of course the infamous ego chat.. Good talk Jim.

If you none of you know or have had the pleasure of meeting my Aunty Trudy, she’s pretty fricking amazing too. She’s into everything and we’re lucky to have her. She’s into positive thinking, NLP, has written a motivational book and is a powerhouse of energy, ideas and quite the entreurpenur. I’m lucky over the years the foot rubs and baby sitting have paid off the teleconferencing sessions we’ve had over the years.. No doubt she can be paid off though in High Tea, Fruitchocs or a good massage. Work for pay sessions available Trudy?

The other person I met of late who really inspired me is a young gun DJ that works for us. When I met this young guy I was met with this passion, enthusiasm and all these great ideas. Over the past few months of getting to know him and liaise with him on a professional note it’s been pretty inspiring to me, kinda reminds me a bit of myself actualy when younger ( no I wasnt a 20 year old boy) but his energy, enthusiasm and passion are so raw. The thing that struck me was that this kid is in his 20′s where he should be in his peak of spending his weekends getting loose and having a good time. In fact he works 3 nights a weekend, seldom drinks but if you saw him behind the decks you’d say “what’s this kid on” but it seems it’s music, optimisim and an od of redbull lol. Lol I met up with him yesterday for a meeting and he had books in his bag on positive thinking, motivation and psycology.. Good luck to you kid!! Realise anything is possible and you can achieve it and you’ve motivated me that at any age you have no reason to feel sorry for yourself, that energy is much better utilised for good vs evil and positive happier people are much more fun to be around.

So if you read this and you’ve had a bad day, I’m not saying thats not ok, because hey we all do and it’s fine. But if there comes a point where everyone is telling you they want nothing to do with you, that your mean all the time, you have anger issues then you know what, stop feeling sorry for yourself, you’ve identified you have a problem no do something about it before no one talks to you and it’s to late. Your aware of the issue.. Your the only one that can fix it!! So do it before everyones not so forgiving.

Signing off

DR Phil (aka Chrissy).. Ps– I in no way am affiliated to the real Dr Phil. I have all my own hair, no moustache or a tv show.. Just covering my arse :P

Music is Moving!!!

I’m a firm believer that music is food for the soul and can also drive motivation, create memories and even take you back to a moment in your life. Lol alot of the time now when I hear tunes I have a flash back to a really trashy night out at a club or think about how artists like Lady Gaga are ripping off and sampling Prince/ Whitney/ Maddonna.. Does that make me old? Yeah I think it’s starting to feel that way. I’ve sold out a little bit in regards to my musical tastes, some of the guys I used to work with though will probably say I always had an affliction for cheddar & hand bag house.

I still go out and have a critical ear, can pick what the DJ’s are mixing in and can usually tell the next track coming up from a few bars in. Boasting?? Nah hardly.. It’s more of a curse, espcecially when there’s a really bad DJ or you love the next track and start screaming like a retard before anyone else know’s what’s coming up next.

Having lived in Sydney for almost 4 years now, I think at heart I’m still very much an SA girl when it comes to music. Not for nothing Sydney but you got nothing on Adelaide!! I look forward to the live mixes my friends put up online, I jump on Fresh FM when I have a chance and I look forward to a weekend home because I know the tunes will be good.. In Sydney theres far to much of this eclectic blip blip electro shit that cant even be pased of as music. I dont mind a bit of glitch, but seriously.. Would it kill you to throw in a vocal?

The night’s when you know a certain DJ would come on and throughout their set you would hear your all time favourite tune, or even more so that whenever you go home you and all of your friends have threatened the DJ enough to make sure they pack that record!! Lol.. Otherwise a night with out Skydiving from the moon just isnt a night at all is it?? :P

Theres not much in the way of music that get’s me excited anymore. Most of it is just recycled, remixed or just re-used. This year though I’ve actually been able to get keen again with some fresh new tunes coming out from Singer/ Producer/ Performer and artist Damien Fernandez.

This guy is from Adelaide and is seriously taking the music scene by storm! His music is original and fantastic. Really catchy marketable and commercial music but it’s something that is unique as well.. If you havent listened to his stuff yet then you really need to.

This kid is going to be big and you will have heard it here first. Get on his page, download his stuff (which he’s kind enough to have given for free) and listen to it really loud.

I think there have been times I’ve been on the bus in the morning and almost busted out signing to “Dying”.

Take my advise and listen to this stuff.. You wont be dissapointed and get ahead of the game guys!!

But hey what would I know?? :P

Chrissy :)

Peering from the outside in- sober

I’ve been working the past few Saturday nights from 5pm-2am in one of the Nightclubs for the new company I work for. It’s been a while since I’ve been back in the industry, and I actually find it quite refreshing and less pretentious from the bullshit and politics that surrounds 5 star and below hotels. Nice change and alot more fun too.

Being sober while working doesnt even bother me as I dont mind the music and the works alot of fun, but being one of the few sober people in the room it’s really insightful and entertaining to see people at work.

The vast majority of the clientelle are guys. Quite a diverse cultural ethnicity and then you get a good mix of girs, guys, younger disposable incomes and a few older guys. Security are pretty good to have a good mix of people in and everyones really good natured and fun.

The first night I worked I was looking after our new barely dressed podium dancers. To the masses of people that worked there I probably looked like a sad, lonely perverted women who was eyeing off these dancers. That night I got hit on 5 times.. Lol.. Um.. not interested thanks.

Funny these guys just move onto trying it on with some other chick and the drunkest with the looooooosest inhibitions ends up hooking up with them.

Funny what alcohol makes people do. All these on a day to day basis people who are probably quite reserved and normal in their day to day lives suddenly go wild..

Before you go calling me a hypocrite, I know and remember some of the nights I’ve had out. While I’ll spare you the details makes me wonder if I was really as bad as they were.. Most of the times it’s funny to watch but then you actually worry for these stupid chicks thaazt get blind, hook up with someone they’ve met for 5 minutes and know nothing about and leave together.. Pitty you cant teach common sense huh..

I’m not saying ban drinking, no way I enjoy it too much. But more of just a general observation and in retrospect funny how dumb we were when we were younger

Food Allergies and the Food and Beverage World

So those that know me or have read my blog previously will know that in the Allergy department I wasnt that lucky. For the past 6 years I’ve been living with severe food allergy to berries. Most people find it amussing that someone that works as a Manager in Food & Beverage has a food allergy and wonder how I can continue to live day to day without being able to eat a super red berry. I havent always been allergic and used to love eating them. Boysenberry ice cream and strawberry jam are the two things that i miss the most. I at times have talked myself into believing I can eat them but nope, soon enough the series of symptoms rare their head and my lips immediately start to tingle and I break out in hives. Really not worth it for that taste. My allergy developed after a weekend of when I was living in QLD of the over indulge. Strawberry Cocktails, Champagne and eating them. My body just said no to the antibody found in them and no more. As I’ve gotten older my intolerance has gotten worse. I cant even touch a strawberry without my hands swelling, itching and when I eat them forget it. Not fun.

Do I miss them? Not at all, we dont even have any in our house to the point now that Tim doesnt even really have them when I am around anyway. We’ve developed a mutual loathing. While my allergy isnt as common as something like nuts. I have met a few other people that have it.

I find that in my everyday work that because I am aware of the severity of food allergies and the impact they can have on people ( with death being the final straw) I have instilled in all of my staff a service culture, even creating a component of Allergen training for them. Always check the ingredients and if your not certain it’s better to say no.

You find also that the universal dessert garnish everywhere is a strawberry. I’m sorry but I dont care for them. I’ve now even made my cocktails lists less berry heavy after my last nemesis tried to kill me I’m sure by putting every single cocktail on our lists berry heavy and Tim ammended his dessert menu accordingly. The only thing that irritates me is when places get caught out and put a berry on there only to send it back and the dish comes back, you can still see where it was. Replate the dish idiots, this isnt something to play around with.

So this week i went to dinner at Circular Quay and ordered the dessert on the menu that wasnt the obvious berry choice, to cover myelf I checked with the waitress who in turned went out the back to check with chef. 100% certain no berries, sure I’ll order. Consumed, paid the bill and on the bus. 20 minutes later I can feel my face and lips swelling, air way becoming restricted and yep the tell tale sign of hives. Houston we have a serious problem here. Foruntately for me I had my oversided hand bag full of everything for a rainy day, medicine in check. Finally home but looking like i lost a fight or had a serious case of botox and sure enough anaphalaxis we meet again. No use to go to the hospital as I had everthing they could have given me, except I could wait in the comfort of my own home. 2 days off work, feeling crappy and itchy and agitated and well I”m lucky I was prepared.

So it turns out after speaking to the Head Chef and GM of the Restaurant they were at fault, sultanas soaked in Chambord and dried Raspberries in the mix, here i was thinking I was now allergic to nuts or coconut.. That would suck. Clearly they were negligent and are doing everything to apologise. Will I sue, they probably think I could and may have a case too, but whats the point? My recommendation to them was to provide their staff with serious training about the severity of allergies. If your not sure, then say your not sure. I would have rather them said so I would have opted for something else rather than now be sick and on high dose steroids which I feel at any minute I’m going to turn green..

I know accidents happen, but when I”m so careful and cautious myself it annoys me that someone elses ignorance or lack of giving a shit does have consequences. Take your $100 gift voucher and you know what, stick it. I’d name and shame but it’s not really worth it.

Just annoying now because desserts my favourite thing and now I have to be be carefull or go without because someones error.