It's very rare that a singer will last a decade, let alone more than five decades but that's exactly what 72 year old Cher has done. Her music has stood the test of time and that's why her Here We Go Again tour has been such a huge success with extra shows being added in various cities.
I originally bought a ticket to the show being held on Thursday the 18th of October but I had to give my ticket to a friend because it clashed with my new acting classes. Luckily though, tickets were heavily reduced for the show on the 20th of October so I was able to get a great B reserve ticket in the second elevation. I had a great view of the stage and could also get amazing photos and video footage which I always like to do when I'm in a concert.
I'm not going to bother saying much about the support act, Andrew McClelland because he was absolutely terrible and had absolutely no stage presence. He was trying too hard and he wasn't at all natural.
As with all shows, there was a short break between him and Cher. Cher took to the stage at 8:45pm and one of the best moments in the show was very early on when she delivered a 15 minute monologue about how she'd been broke, rejected by Hollywood, had piles of debts owing to her flatmate at the time and how she eventually said yes to appearing on the David Letterman Show because she needed the $28,000.
The show was split into 5 acts, each representing a different era in her career, including her Sonny and Cher era with I've Got You Babe. On the screen behind Cher was footage of Sonny and you really felt like she was still had strong feelings for him.
She sung the hits, Turn Back Time, All or Nothing, Strong Enough, It's in His Kiss and a few Abba; and Elvis covers.
The best moment of the show came when she sung her encore of Believe. That was a moment that was so inspiring that people (myself included) were up dancing and really enjoying the moment.
Aside from Cher's brilliant singing, humorous personality and hits scattered through the show, the stage and set design was incredible. There was a circus act which reminded me of Britney Spears and Pink. All the colours were reminiscent of Katy Perry's California Dreams Tour from back in 2010. That's why Cher is still relevant at 72. Even when other artists are top of the charts, she's still willing to learn and be inspired by the younger generation. Her music is also relatable, no matter what age you are. She appeals to all generations and there was something for everyone.
Other than the support act and lack of reference to Sydney (and I'm clutching at straws here) I would have to give the show a 4.5/5. One of the best I've been to.
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Part 1: So you want to be an actor
I'm not sure if I've indicated this in previous blogs but I've been trying to make it as an actor since I was eight years old, so we're talking a very, very long time.
Although I say I have wanted to be an actor since I was eight years old, it probably actually started before then. My earliest memory of being interested in acting was when I was six years old and there was a school play and I wanted a lead role but I was too young so ended up being in the choir. It was for a production of Joseph and the Technicoloured Dreamcoat.
But deciding I wanted to be an actor at eight years old sticks out for me as that was when I started watching Shortland Street, a New Zealand soap and I immediately decided after then that I wanted to be an actor. At the time it was because Angela Dotchin, who played receptionist and later PA, Kirsty Knight was my favourite character.
Since then I took a lot of acting classes and I've been writing since then with roles as a journalist, digital marketer and content editor or writer but acting has always been in the back of my mind. I've also done singing since 2009. That's my other passion but I happen to be a better actor than I am a singer. And that's basically the purpose of this blog today, to talk a bit about why I love acting and a bit about the things that I've learned in acting classes and what steps you should take if you want to be an actor.
Despite having done dozens of courses and spent thousands of dollars on acting courses as well as having done paid extra work and some short films, I've been rejected by agents, even recently though I'll be trying again. So here are some tips I would like to give you if you do want to be an actor.
Take as many courses as you possibly can
As an actor training is really important and as teachers of mine have said, it's important to learn from different teachers because they all have their own technique. You might learn screen acting from one teacher but theatre from another or methods from others. You will be a stronger actor if you have more techniques to your repertoire and you'll be able to be more multifaceted than if you only have one or two. Find the best acting schools in your area and then go to them and listen to what other people say about them. If a school has a good reputation then you should go.
Ideally you would do a three year acting course but if you're like me and either tried multiple times and didn't get in or you don't have the money short courses and short films are your best option. Get involved in as many productions as you possibly can.
Get your headshots and/or a showreel done
Every actor is judged on their appearance. It's just the way it is. Certain people will be better at playing different characters. If you are carrying extra weight (as I was for a while) then you will be limited in the roles you can be cast for. As an actor your physicality is really important so it's good to be as fit as possible and to maintain a healthy weight. You also need to maintain a consistent weight. This is very important because when you're submitted for roles your agent will rely on your headshots. If your headshots are outdated you won't get cast and could end up with a bad reputation. Get your headshots done BEFORE you get an agent. It will make you look more professional than if you do it afterwards and it will show your possible agents that you're serious about the field. This is the minimum you need to do. Most headshot photographers will charge around $400 for your shots.
If you can though, get a showreel made up. A showreel should show your best work, so before you get it made up, be sure to rehearse rehearse rehearse. You can never rehearse too much. A showreel costs more and could potentially be around $2000, but look around for quotes.
Get an agent
Although you can get some work through sites like Showcast and Starnow, you need an agent. Agents have industry contacts and can get you auditions for roles that aren't widely advertised. Because they know casting directors well they know what each one is looking for and will only put you forward for roles you are suitable for.
Although you may want to sign up with a top agent you're going to need to look around for an agent that is at the level you are at. That may mean going with an agent that only does commercials or extra work initially. Be aware though that extra work will not help you become an actor. Only courses and unpaid acting will help you with that. Get involved in community theatre or another acting group if you can do so.
There are so many other things you need to consider if you do want to be an actor including your physicality, techniques, communication, listening and script analysis and this will be covered in the next blog.
Before I close this blog though, I want to say that if you are considering becoming an actor then you should definitely enrol in short courses at NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) in Kensington, Sydney, NSW, Australia. They offer a range of programs from one day short courses through to their three year bachelor degree programs. All comments in this blog are my own opinions and I have not been paid for this review. My opinions are based on genuine experiences.
I also want to add that f you want to be an actor and you love acting, it's a passion that will never go away. You may take breaks from it but it's something that you'll always be interested in and always return to. I did a course today and have another three coming up and I honestly cannot wait. As an actor you can always learn more skills and develop your craft.
Although I say I have wanted to be an actor since I was eight years old, it probably actually started before then. My earliest memory of being interested in acting was when I was six years old and there was a school play and I wanted a lead role but I was too young so ended up being in the choir. It was for a production of Joseph and the Technicoloured Dreamcoat.
But deciding I wanted to be an actor at eight years old sticks out for me as that was when I started watching Shortland Street, a New Zealand soap and I immediately decided after then that I wanted to be an actor. At the time it was because Angela Dotchin, who played receptionist and later PA, Kirsty Knight was my favourite character.
Since then I took a lot of acting classes and I've been writing since then with roles as a journalist, digital marketer and content editor or writer but acting has always been in the back of my mind. I've also done singing since 2009. That's my other passion but I happen to be a better actor than I am a singer. And that's basically the purpose of this blog today, to talk a bit about why I love acting and a bit about the things that I've learned in acting classes and what steps you should take if you want to be an actor.
Despite having done dozens of courses and spent thousands of dollars on acting courses as well as having done paid extra work and some short films, I've been rejected by agents, even recently though I'll be trying again. So here are some tips I would like to give you if you do want to be an actor.
Take as many courses as you possibly can
As an actor training is really important and as teachers of mine have said, it's important to learn from different teachers because they all have their own technique. You might learn screen acting from one teacher but theatre from another or methods from others. You will be a stronger actor if you have more techniques to your repertoire and you'll be able to be more multifaceted than if you only have one or two. Find the best acting schools in your area and then go to them and listen to what other people say about them. If a school has a good reputation then you should go.
Ideally you would do a three year acting course but if you're like me and either tried multiple times and didn't get in or you don't have the money short courses and short films are your best option. Get involved in as many productions as you possibly can.
Get your headshots and/or a showreel done
Every actor is judged on their appearance. It's just the way it is. Certain people will be better at playing different characters. If you are carrying extra weight (as I was for a while) then you will be limited in the roles you can be cast for. As an actor your physicality is really important so it's good to be as fit as possible and to maintain a healthy weight. You also need to maintain a consistent weight. This is very important because when you're submitted for roles your agent will rely on your headshots. If your headshots are outdated you won't get cast and could end up with a bad reputation. Get your headshots done BEFORE you get an agent. It will make you look more professional than if you do it afterwards and it will show your possible agents that you're serious about the field. This is the minimum you need to do. Most headshot photographers will charge around $400 for your shots.
If you can though, get a showreel made up. A showreel should show your best work, so before you get it made up, be sure to rehearse rehearse rehearse. You can never rehearse too much. A showreel costs more and could potentially be around $2000, but look around for quotes.
Get an agent
Although you can get some work through sites like Showcast and Starnow, you need an agent. Agents have industry contacts and can get you auditions for roles that aren't widely advertised. Because they know casting directors well they know what each one is looking for and will only put you forward for roles you are suitable for.
Although you may want to sign up with a top agent you're going to need to look around for an agent that is at the level you are at. That may mean going with an agent that only does commercials or extra work initially. Be aware though that extra work will not help you become an actor. Only courses and unpaid acting will help you with that. Get involved in community theatre or another acting group if you can do so.
There are so many other things you need to consider if you do want to be an actor including your physicality, techniques, communication, listening and script analysis and this will be covered in the next blog.
Before I close this blog though, I want to say that if you are considering becoming an actor then you should definitely enrol in short courses at NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) in Kensington, Sydney, NSW, Australia. They offer a range of programs from one day short courses through to their three year bachelor degree programs. All comments in this blog are my own opinions and I have not been paid for this review. My opinions are based on genuine experiences.
I also want to add that f you want to be an actor and you love acting, it's a passion that will never go away. You may take breaks from it but it's something that you'll always be interested in and always return to. I did a course today and have another three coming up and I honestly cannot wait. As an actor you can always learn more skills and develop your craft.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
The truth about dermal fillers: What to expect when you get them for the first time
So before I got Botox I said I would never ever get dermal fillers, and before I first got Botox back in July I was only open to the idea. It wasn't something I would definitely do. I didn't actually have a strong opinion on it either way. It was probably one of those things I was open to but didn't actually know a lot about.
I did however know that I was opposed to dermal fillers and thought that anyone who got them was an absolute idiot and that there was no real point to them. Again, I simply didn't know a lot about them.
Based on my previous opinions and the opinions of people around me, I would say that most people are the same and that for some reason people don't know a lot about cosmetic injectibles and that they are still taboo. Although the internet typically has a lot of information available, there is no singular reason as to why injectibles are still considered taboo but one theme that often comes up is that it contradicts feminism. The thinking is that if you get injectibles you're not happy in your own skin and that you're conforming to society's expectations to look a certain way.
Anyway, after a few sessions of Botox I decided I would take the plunge at get dermal fillers. Basically Botox is great for dynamic lines caused by expression, whereas fillers need to be used to the static lines that are caused by the skin drying out.
So what was it like to get dermal fillers injected for the first time tonight?
Well, I'd watched a lot of videos on YouTube of people having dermal fillers injected and I have to say that the YouTube videos make the procedure look a lot more scary than it actually is.
If you've had Botox then you'pre already familiar and experienced in having injections in the face it's not that much of a transition. The only real difference is that instead of it being over and done with in 10 minutes it will take half an hour.
First, your nurse or doctor if you've opted to see a doctor will tell you to sit down on the bed in the room and you'll lean back. When you're leaning back and relaxing they'll wipe your face with antiseptic and prepare the syringes for injection and then mark the places on your face that will be injected. Instead of it involving a quick prick like Botox the syringe will be in the part of the face that's being injected for a little bit longer. The nurse or doctor will also massage in the filler so that it spreads and is evenly spread. They'll inject a few spots to get the best possible result.
It's really quite painless because the dermal filler, I was injected with Juvederm Voluma has a numbing agent so it won't hurt at all.
When it's over you'll see the results immediately and they'll last anywhere from six months to two years so you'll need to get top ups after that. Fillers are like Botox, the more you have them, the longer they'll last. They also add moisture back to your skin that has previously been lost due to sun damage and aging.
Obviously because your face has been injected and massage there will be some bruising. That is to be expected and is a normal part of the experience. Your skin will also be a bit tender but that should only last a couple of days.
To sum up I would highly recommend dermal fillers if you want to add life to your face and look more youthful. Be aware that you will need to have multiple sessions. The average amount for each person will be 3-6mls and that will ensure you have th best possible result.
As you get older your skin in other areas also dries out so that means your lips will dry out as well, so if that is the case then you should also consider lip fillers. Like Botox and dermal fillers you can choose the number of mls/syringes based on the result you want. I haven't yet had my lips done, but if/when I get them done, that will simply be for moisture so I would only go for 1ml. Anything else would look ridiculous.
As I've said in previous blog posts it's really important that you choose a cosmetic specialist who is trained and qualified in cosmetic injectibles and can give you a professional and natural look.
I did however know that I was opposed to dermal fillers and thought that anyone who got them was an absolute idiot and that there was no real point to them. Again, I simply didn't know a lot about them.
Based on my previous opinions and the opinions of people around me, I would say that most people are the same and that for some reason people don't know a lot about cosmetic injectibles and that they are still taboo. Although the internet typically has a lot of information available, there is no singular reason as to why injectibles are still considered taboo but one theme that often comes up is that it contradicts feminism. The thinking is that if you get injectibles you're not happy in your own skin and that you're conforming to society's expectations to look a certain way.
Anyway, after a few sessions of Botox I decided I would take the plunge at get dermal fillers. Basically Botox is great for dynamic lines caused by expression, whereas fillers need to be used to the static lines that are caused by the skin drying out.
So what was it like to get dermal fillers injected for the first time tonight?
Well, I'd watched a lot of videos on YouTube of people having dermal fillers injected and I have to say that the YouTube videos make the procedure look a lot more scary than it actually is.
If you've had Botox then you'pre already familiar and experienced in having injections in the face it's not that much of a transition. The only real difference is that instead of it being over and done with in 10 minutes it will take half an hour.
First, your nurse or doctor if you've opted to see a doctor will tell you to sit down on the bed in the room and you'll lean back. When you're leaning back and relaxing they'll wipe your face with antiseptic and prepare the syringes for injection and then mark the places on your face that will be injected. Instead of it involving a quick prick like Botox the syringe will be in the part of the face that's being injected for a little bit longer. The nurse or doctor will also massage in the filler so that it spreads and is evenly spread. They'll inject a few spots to get the best possible result.
It's really quite painless because the dermal filler, I was injected with Juvederm Voluma has a numbing agent so it won't hurt at all.
When it's over you'll see the results immediately and they'll last anywhere from six months to two years so you'll need to get top ups after that. Fillers are like Botox, the more you have them, the longer they'll last. They also add moisture back to your skin that has previously been lost due to sun damage and aging.
Obviously because your face has been injected and massage there will be some bruising. That is to be expected and is a normal part of the experience. Your skin will also be a bit tender but that should only last a couple of days.
To sum up I would highly recommend dermal fillers if you want to add life to your face and look more youthful. Be aware that you will need to have multiple sessions. The average amount for each person will be 3-6mls and that will ensure you have th best possible result.
As you get older your skin in other areas also dries out so that means your lips will dry out as well, so if that is the case then you should also consider lip fillers. Like Botox and dermal fillers you can choose the number of mls/syringes based on the result you want. I haven't yet had my lips done, but if/when I get them done, that will simply be for moisture so I would only go for 1ml. Anything else would look ridiculous.
As I've said in previous blog posts it's really important that you choose a cosmetic specialist who is trained and qualified in cosmetic injectibles and can give you a professional and natural look.
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Advice if you're considering dermal fillers
I first blogged about Botox in mid July and had my first Botox treatment on the 21st of July. As I've mentioned in previous blogs I started with my forehead and the sides of my eyes. Two weeks later I had my bunny lines done and a top up on my forehead and sides of my eyes. My next treatment was above my lips, some more in my forehead, my bunny lines and the sides of my eyes.
It was during the last consultation that I talked about having dermal fillers done to smooth and reduce the dark circles under my eyes. I had originally planned to have those done today but wasn't 100% sure and baasically I hadn't done enough research to proceed with them, so today I only had more Botox done.
Today's Botox session completed the Botox that I needed in my face so now I'm onto fillers and there are a few things I'd like to talk about in the lead up to my first fillers session.
The first thing you need to know is that there are many different brands of fillers and they all have different effects. Don't be fooled by the cheaper ones. The cheaper ones do not work as well as the more expensive ones and will only have a superficial impact. If you want a long lasting impact, then it's recommended that you choose the more expensive one (I would like to name it but due to Australian TGA guidelines and legislation, I actually can't - but there is enough information online that you'll be able to figure it out).
When your'e starting out with fillers for under the eyes then it's actually best to get them injected into your cheeks or at least that is what has been recommended for me personally. Everyone is different. Some articles and blogs online also recommend that you start with a small amount and then progress from there to a bigger amount, or have it topped up if you need to. This is what I've done with Botox. I've had four Botox treatments across my face totalling $1201.10 and that should cover me for the next six months but it's really hard to know because I thought the last treatment I had two weeks ago would be enough but it actually wasn't and I had to have a major top up today.
So anyway, now that I'm moving onto dermal fillers another thing to note is that it is more expensive than Botox. Each Botox treatment I've had has cost me an average of $200 - $350. Fillers are $650 for the premium brand.
I can't comment on what fillers can do for your face until I've had them but what I can say is that since I've had Botox friends have commented on my face. Now granted I've always had a great face, but Botox has really improved it dramatically and people have commented on it. They have also commented on the general change in my personality. This could be a result of losing weight prior to having Botox and then colouring my hair. it's hard to know, but the general idea is that Botox really does improve your mood and it has been reported that it reduces depression in people.
Anyway, I will keep you posted on what my thoughts after having the fillers are but so far I'm thinking I'm just going to go with 1ml as an entry point and then if I need to increase that later on that's what I'll do like I've done with Botox. Getting fillers is a huge decision and not one I've taken lightly at all which is probably partially why I didn't end up going ahead with the treatment today. The filler brand that was recommended to me today as well lasts for two years so I'll let you do your research and find out what brand that is.
My regular skin specialist was away today as well so I needed to see someone else and while I'm willing to have someone else do my Botox injections, I'd rather have someone I know well do my filler injections as it seems different to having Botox done and takes a little bit longer. Botox is basically over and done with in five minutes.
I know I've blogged about this before as well, but nothing beats the feeling of knowing that your face is free from lines and wrinkles and it's really cool because I never really had frown lines to begin with. I guess I just don't frown, either that or unlike other people I hadn't developed those lines. My eyes are a different story though. I am very very expressive with my eyes so that's where most of my lines are, hence I've needed to focus on them.
Now, in concluding, here are five tips that I want to leave you with before you do have fillers:
Please note: Any opinions shared in this blog are the thoughts of the writer online and do not constitute medical advice. Please consult your medical professional for a tailored package.
It was during the last consultation that I talked about having dermal fillers done to smooth and reduce the dark circles under my eyes. I had originally planned to have those done today but wasn't 100% sure and baasically I hadn't done enough research to proceed with them, so today I only had more Botox done.
Today's Botox session completed the Botox that I needed in my face so now I'm onto fillers and there are a few things I'd like to talk about in the lead up to my first fillers session.
The first thing you need to know is that there are many different brands of fillers and they all have different effects. Don't be fooled by the cheaper ones. The cheaper ones do not work as well as the more expensive ones and will only have a superficial impact. If you want a long lasting impact, then it's recommended that you choose the more expensive one (I would like to name it but due to Australian TGA guidelines and legislation, I actually can't - but there is enough information online that you'll be able to figure it out).
When your'e starting out with fillers for under the eyes then it's actually best to get them injected into your cheeks or at least that is what has been recommended for me personally. Everyone is different. Some articles and blogs online also recommend that you start with a small amount and then progress from there to a bigger amount, or have it topped up if you need to. This is what I've done with Botox. I've had four Botox treatments across my face totalling $1201.10 and that should cover me for the next six months but it's really hard to know because I thought the last treatment I had two weeks ago would be enough but it actually wasn't and I had to have a major top up today.
So anyway, now that I'm moving onto dermal fillers another thing to note is that it is more expensive than Botox. Each Botox treatment I've had has cost me an average of $200 - $350. Fillers are $650 for the premium brand.
I can't comment on what fillers can do for your face until I've had them but what I can say is that since I've had Botox friends have commented on my face. Now granted I've always had a great face, but Botox has really improved it dramatically and people have commented on it. They have also commented on the general change in my personality. This could be a result of losing weight prior to having Botox and then colouring my hair. it's hard to know, but the general idea is that Botox really does improve your mood and it has been reported that it reduces depression in people.
Anyway, I will keep you posted on what my thoughts after having the fillers are but so far I'm thinking I'm just going to go with 1ml as an entry point and then if I need to increase that later on that's what I'll do like I've done with Botox. Getting fillers is a huge decision and not one I've taken lightly at all which is probably partially why I didn't end up going ahead with the treatment today. The filler brand that was recommended to me today as well lasts for two years so I'll let you do your research and find out what brand that is.
My regular skin specialist was away today as well so I needed to see someone else and while I'm willing to have someone else do my Botox injections, I'd rather have someone I know well do my filler injections as it seems different to having Botox done and takes a little bit longer. Botox is basically over and done with in five minutes.
I know I've blogged about this before as well, but nothing beats the feeling of knowing that your face is free from lines and wrinkles and it's really cool because I never really had frown lines to begin with. I guess I just don't frown, either that or unlike other people I hadn't developed those lines. My eyes are a different story though. I am very very expressive with my eyes so that's where most of my lines are, hence I've needed to focus on them.
Now, in concluding, here are five tips that I want to leave you with before you do have fillers:
- Choose a skin specialist you trust and feel comfortable with. Think about it this way, you're having your face injected. It's really important that you trust your skin specialist. That might mean you go to a small clinic or it may mean you stick with a major chain. I've gone with a major chain personally and other than today I stick with the same specialist as I trust and have rapport with her.
- Start small. If you're not sure what you'll think of the treatment, start small. You can always have more injected later.
- Be aware that the treatment will hurt slightly (I have had Botox above my lips and that is the most painful along with the bunny lines, it's only a short term sting but it does hurt and your eyes may water like mine do) and go to your happy place. Remember to breathe.
- Listen to your skin specialist. You may do a lot of research on your own online and that's great that you do but it's important to listen to your skin specialist. They are a professional, and they know what they're doing so listen to them and trust them.
- Cheapest isn't always best, just like you're best going with the more expensive filler brand, it's also worth paying more for a reputable skin clinic.
Please note: Any opinions shared in this blog are the thoughts of the writer online and do not constitute medical advice. Please consult your medical professional for a tailored package.
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Dear Sydney: We need to talk
Dear Sydney,
We need to talk. I know, you've received a lot of these letters from people saying the same thing and I swore a while ago that they were idiots. I swore I would never write a letter like this to you but lately Sydney, I feel like we're in a lot of trouble. I feel like we've been in a relationship for the last ten years and right now all you're doing is taking without giving.
You know we've been here before. You know that we've broken up a few times. Back in 2008 I accidentally moved to you. How does a person accidentally move? Well basically in 2006 the idea was put into my head and then two years later, after someone I know was murdered and a couple of people I knew moved to Sydney I thought, sure, why not. I'll move to Sydney and I did. I spent four months in King's Cross and it was great but it was missing one thing. It was missing my friends and I had a horrible employer with a toxic culture so I left you. I said I'd be back though.
18 months later back in December 2009 I decided I wanted to give you another chance as my friends had moved to Sydney and I was glad we were back together Sydney. I was stoked. We were together longer this time around but I wasn't getting where I wanted with work and the money was average, and once again, I missed my friends. By August 2010 they'd left and Sydney isn't the easiest place to make new friends in.
I spent four months back in Auckland, yes you'll have noticed there's a pattern. It's like you're the abusive boyfriend that's so captivating that I'm so drawn to and so attracted to and Auckland is the faithful husband (and funnily I actually did marry Auckland on January 20th 2006 at Cafe Cima on High Street in Auckland City, I lost our marriage license though) but I wasn't feeling it, so a few months later I went back to Sydney.
This time I did things differently.
I went back with a job lined up and another friend had also moved to Sydney but we fell out so once again I was on the outer. Long story short, that job wasn't for me and then I had a bad run so once again, I went back to Auckland.
Auckland was okay to me. I had a job I loved in Auckland but the department started announcing redundancies so I knew it was time to get back to you and I started applying for jobs. In the end I got a job offer but it fell through so I had to stay in Auckland. Luckily I'd been with my employer for nearly three years so when I asked for a transfer to Sydney the answer was yes and so I moved back. That was Christmas Eve 2013 and I felt like I'd come home. I was relieved to be back living in you Sydney.
But over the last few years you've shown yourself to be cold and heartless. You may know to party on New Year's Eve and you may have awesome beaches and a harbour, but when it comes to character and soul Sydney, sadly, you have none. At first I thought it was just one of my friends (yes one of the few friends I've made here) but it's not. It's YOU Sydney. You're the problem. You're the one who is cold. You're the one who doesn't care about people. You're the one who chews them up and spits them out. You're the one who abuses everyone who lives in you.
And well Sydney, I hate saying this because I still love you but part of me really wants to break up with you and get back together with Auckland. Auckland's not perfect, not by a long shot and there are still a lot of things I love about you Sydney but you just have no heart. You're not happy. I've spoken to a few Aucklanders over the last couple of weeks and I've been amazed at the warmth and friendliness they've shown. They actually smile. They actually laugh. They're human. You're not.
I get that you're international and you want to be the best, but it is actually possible to be the best and to have a heart, but you don't seem to understand that Sydney.
Then there's the guys. I dated a lot of guys in Auckland and I mean A LOT, and I never struck what I've struck here. Now I may be pickier but Auckland guys don't expect you to drop everything and they actually make an effort. They actually care. They're not arrogant and don't get me wrong Sydney, arrogance can be appealing in a lot of ways. It's one of the reasons I love you but lately it's starting to become more like abuse.
You haven't given me any good memories that don't involve my friends from Auckland and you haven't shown me any warmth.
I don't want to break up with you Sydney. I do still love you and I know you have a lot to offer but unless you make some changes then I'm going to have to break up with you because this isn't good for me. I need a city that's always there for me, that I can trust and Auckland has always shown himself to be trustworthy. Even though I often break up with Auckland he's always willing to take me back and right now he and I are talking about getting back together. We're just working out whether or not we want to give eachother another chance.
So Sydney, what I'm saying I guess is this, you need to make some changes and be kinder and more human or we're going to have to break up.
We need to talk. I know, you've received a lot of these letters from people saying the same thing and I swore a while ago that they were idiots. I swore I would never write a letter like this to you but lately Sydney, I feel like we're in a lot of trouble. I feel like we've been in a relationship for the last ten years and right now all you're doing is taking without giving.
You know we've been here before. You know that we've broken up a few times. Back in 2008 I accidentally moved to you. How does a person accidentally move? Well basically in 2006 the idea was put into my head and then two years later, after someone I know was murdered and a couple of people I knew moved to Sydney I thought, sure, why not. I'll move to Sydney and I did. I spent four months in King's Cross and it was great but it was missing one thing. It was missing my friends and I had a horrible employer with a toxic culture so I left you. I said I'd be back though.
18 months later back in December 2009 I decided I wanted to give you another chance as my friends had moved to Sydney and I was glad we were back together Sydney. I was stoked. We were together longer this time around but I wasn't getting where I wanted with work and the money was average, and once again, I missed my friends. By August 2010 they'd left and Sydney isn't the easiest place to make new friends in.
I spent four months back in Auckland, yes you'll have noticed there's a pattern. It's like you're the abusive boyfriend that's so captivating that I'm so drawn to and so attracted to and Auckland is the faithful husband (and funnily I actually did marry Auckland on January 20th 2006 at Cafe Cima on High Street in Auckland City, I lost our marriage license though) but I wasn't feeling it, so a few months later I went back to Sydney.
This time I did things differently.
I went back with a job lined up and another friend had also moved to Sydney but we fell out so once again I was on the outer. Long story short, that job wasn't for me and then I had a bad run so once again, I went back to Auckland.
Auckland was okay to me. I had a job I loved in Auckland but the department started announcing redundancies so I knew it was time to get back to you and I started applying for jobs. In the end I got a job offer but it fell through so I had to stay in Auckland. Luckily I'd been with my employer for nearly three years so when I asked for a transfer to Sydney the answer was yes and so I moved back. That was Christmas Eve 2013 and I felt like I'd come home. I was relieved to be back living in you Sydney.
But over the last few years you've shown yourself to be cold and heartless. You may know to party on New Year's Eve and you may have awesome beaches and a harbour, but when it comes to character and soul Sydney, sadly, you have none. At first I thought it was just one of my friends (yes one of the few friends I've made here) but it's not. It's YOU Sydney. You're the problem. You're the one who is cold. You're the one who doesn't care about people. You're the one who chews them up and spits them out. You're the one who abuses everyone who lives in you.
And well Sydney, I hate saying this because I still love you but part of me really wants to break up with you and get back together with Auckland. Auckland's not perfect, not by a long shot and there are still a lot of things I love about you Sydney but you just have no heart. You're not happy. I've spoken to a few Aucklanders over the last couple of weeks and I've been amazed at the warmth and friendliness they've shown. They actually smile. They actually laugh. They're human. You're not.
I get that you're international and you want to be the best, but it is actually possible to be the best and to have a heart, but you don't seem to understand that Sydney.
Then there's the guys. I dated a lot of guys in Auckland and I mean A LOT, and I never struck what I've struck here. Now I may be pickier but Auckland guys don't expect you to drop everything and they actually make an effort. They actually care. They're not arrogant and don't get me wrong Sydney, arrogance can be appealing in a lot of ways. It's one of the reasons I love you but lately it's starting to become more like abuse.
You haven't given me any good memories that don't involve my friends from Auckland and you haven't shown me any warmth.
I don't want to break up with you Sydney. I do still love you and I know you have a lot to offer but unless you make some changes then I'm going to have to break up with you because this isn't good for me. I need a city that's always there for me, that I can trust and Auckland has always shown himself to be trustworthy. Even though I often break up with Auckland he's always willing to take me back and right now he and I are talking about getting back together. We're just working out whether or not we want to give eachother another chance.
So Sydney, what I'm saying I guess is this, you need to make some changes and be kinder and more human or we're going to have to break up.
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Music Review: P!nk - Qudos Bank Arena - 11th August 2018
This year there have been so many international superstars coming to Australia to play for their adoring fans. One such superstar is P!nk whose career started 18 years ago in the year 2000 when she released her debut album, Can't Take Me Home. Since then she has gone on to release six more albums, including her latest album including Beautiful Trauma which has already spawned four singles including What About Us and Revenge (featuring Eminem).
Now as you can imagine, after an 18 year career a lot of fans are going to want to go to the show and that means it's going to be hard, if not impossible to get tickets. For a few months I had tried and tried to get tickets but was unable to. Then one night I checked and snapped up a C Reserve ticket which was located in the front row of the third elevation at Qudos Bank Arena. I often buy tickets in the third elevation and being a few rows further forward makes such a huge difference to the experience that you have at the show.
There were questions over whether or not she would be able to perform given she'd had to postpone four shows during the week due to a stomach bug. Luckily she was better in time for Saturday night's show, which is the only show I had been able to get seating for.
I arrived at Qudos Bank Arena and the opening act was Australian band, The Rubens who have been around since 2011 and had hits on the Aria Charts.
Normally I'm not a fan of support acts and endure them, but The Rubens definitely impressed. They had charisma, stage presence and their music was actually good. Their vocals and energy was brilliant. It was a great way to get warmed up for the main event.
After their set finished, a DJ from the USA, Kidcupup performed. He was awful. At one point he was so bad I actually had to walk out and when I walked back in had to put my earphones in. He was so bad he actually hurt my ears. Not only were his mixes awful, he had an annoying personality and his stage presence was zero.
Fortunately his set didn't last long and there was a brief break before P!nk came out onto the stage. She came out swinging from a chandelier and opened with Get the Party Stated from her 2001 album Missundaztood. She then dove into the title track of her new album and tour, Beautiful Trauma.
The stage design was absolutely brilliant. It was filled with pink and there were plenty of dancers. Unlike other shows I've been to recently, P!nk's show was a performance, a real spectacle and high energy.
She later sung fan favourites, Just Like a Pill and Who Knew which really showcased her voice. It's one thing to hear P!nk on the radio but it's another to hear her in real life.
During the show she covered 90s anthems, Smells like Teen Spirit (Nirvana) and Just a Girl (No Doubt) before launching into hits Just Give Me a Reason and Try from her album The Truth About Love. During the former, her co singer, Nate Ruse appeared by television to sing his parts as he has done in other P!nk tours.
Aside from the great singing, the show itself was brilliant. The next part of the show opened with a fun video titled, Revengeland which was designed to take the audience on a journey about all the angst you go through when a relationship ends. There were blow up characters on the stage while P!nk sung.
Then during the song, Just Like Fire there were actual pyrotechnics in the chorus and even though I was in the front row of the third elevation, I could actually feel the fire where I was sitting. It was such a cool effect.
Like most celebrities, P!nk did make the show political prior to singing What About Us. I could have done without it but I won't hold it against her. She also sung a reflective song from her new album, Barbies, which is about how she wishes she could go back to playing with her Barbies before she had responsibilities.
During a P!nk show her dancers, band and back up singers are basically her family and at one minute she introduced them all on stage and then brought her daughter Willow up on stage. I didn't get a picture because the moment was so brief but it was pretty cool.
In all of P!nk's shows she swings from a bungee cord over the audience and thanks everyone for being at the show, so I'd been looking forward to this. The crowd went absolutely wild during the encore of So What and it was extremely awesome just to see what she's capable of.
There was a brief pause when she went off stage and then she returned for an accoustic rendition of Glitter in the Air from her fifth studio album, Funhouse.
Having been a fan of P!nk for 18 years it was awesome to see her live and I would have to give her a 5/5.
I'll be posting a review after her friend, Katy Perry performs on Tuesday as well.
Now as you can imagine, after an 18 year career a lot of fans are going to want to go to the show and that means it's going to be hard, if not impossible to get tickets. For a few months I had tried and tried to get tickets but was unable to. Then one night I checked and snapped up a C Reserve ticket which was located in the front row of the third elevation at Qudos Bank Arena. I often buy tickets in the third elevation and being a few rows further forward makes such a huge difference to the experience that you have at the show.
There were questions over whether or not she would be able to perform given she'd had to postpone four shows during the week due to a stomach bug. Luckily she was better in time for Saturday night's show, which is the only show I had been able to get seating for.
I arrived at Qudos Bank Arena and the opening act was Australian band, The Rubens who have been around since 2011 and had hits on the Aria Charts.
Normally I'm not a fan of support acts and endure them, but The Rubens definitely impressed. They had charisma, stage presence and their music was actually good. Their vocals and energy was brilliant. It was a great way to get warmed up for the main event.
After their set finished, a DJ from the USA, Kidcupup performed. He was awful. At one point he was so bad I actually had to walk out and when I walked back in had to put my earphones in. He was so bad he actually hurt my ears. Not only were his mixes awful, he had an annoying personality and his stage presence was zero.
Fortunately his set didn't last long and there was a brief break before P!nk came out onto the stage. She came out swinging from a chandelier and opened with Get the Party Stated from her 2001 album Missundaztood. She then dove into the title track of her new album and tour, Beautiful Trauma.
The stage design was absolutely brilliant. It was filled with pink and there were plenty of dancers. Unlike other shows I've been to recently, P!nk's show was a performance, a real spectacle and high energy.
She later sung fan favourites, Just Like a Pill and Who Knew which really showcased her voice. It's one thing to hear P!nk on the radio but it's another to hear her in real life.
During the show she covered 90s anthems, Smells like Teen Spirit (Nirvana) and Just a Girl (No Doubt) before launching into hits Just Give Me a Reason and Try from her album The Truth About Love. During the former, her co singer, Nate Ruse appeared by television to sing his parts as he has done in other P!nk tours.
Aside from the great singing, the show itself was brilliant. The next part of the show opened with a fun video titled, Revengeland which was designed to take the audience on a journey about all the angst you go through when a relationship ends. There were blow up characters on the stage while P!nk sung.
Then during the song, Just Like Fire there were actual pyrotechnics in the chorus and even though I was in the front row of the third elevation, I could actually feel the fire where I was sitting. It was such a cool effect.
Like most celebrities, P!nk did make the show political prior to singing What About Us. I could have done without it but I won't hold it against her. She also sung a reflective song from her new album, Barbies, which is about how she wishes she could go back to playing with her Barbies before she had responsibilities.
During a P!nk show her dancers, band and back up singers are basically her family and at one minute she introduced them all on stage and then brought her daughter Willow up on stage. I didn't get a picture because the moment was so brief but it was pretty cool.
In all of P!nk's shows she swings from a bungee cord over the audience and thanks everyone for being at the show, so I'd been looking forward to this. The crowd went absolutely wild during the encore of So What and it was extremely awesome just to see what she's capable of.
There was a brief pause when she went off stage and then she returned for an accoustic rendition of Glitter in the Air from her fifth studio album, Funhouse.
Having been a fan of P!nk for 18 years it was awesome to see her live and I would have to give her a 5/5.
I'll be posting a review after her friend, Katy Perry performs on Tuesday as well.
Sunday, August 5, 2018
What people don't tell you about Botox - why you can't just stop with one area
If you've been reading my blog then you would no doubt have read that I've recently joined decided to have cosmetic injections and joined the Botox Club. You may have also previously read that this is basically a 90 degree turn, I'd say 180 but I was never opposed to the idea of Botox in the first place. It was sort of something that I was open to but doubted I would ever get, or something I would do later rather than this young.
Then one day I was taking a selfie and I noticed that my forehead had started to develop lines. I'm not the type of person to sit back and do nothing if I don't like something so instantly Botox came to mind and I started researching it. As you know, I ended up having the treatment.
Of course though, when you have Botox you can't just have one area done so I ended up having the sides of my eyes done (I don't like the term that's most commonly used) and was also able to have what was a very, very minor frown line done as well.
I tracked the results over two weeks and looked to watch the lines disappear. It's pretty awesome to watch the difference become more and more noticeable.
I was scheduled to have a two week check up yesterday but a couple of days after my first session decided to change my appointment and have some more injections in my bunny lines and while I was there I also had my forehead and either side of my eyes topped up. I got the bunny lines done because a lot of people don't have them done and so their face looks unbalanced because one part of it has no lines and the other parts do have lines.
It's really cool to think that one minute you can have several lines on the face and then after a few minutes of injections they'll be gone within a couple of weeks and last for up to six months, depending on your body's physiology. Some people will need to get reinjected every three months, while others will be okay getting reinjected every six months. It also depends on what you want for your appearance.
There are of course a couple of things that people don't tell you before Botox and that is that after you treat one or two areas you'll start to notice lines and imperfections in others, so you need to be aware of that before you start because once you notice them you'll want to fix them. For example, I originally only wanted to get my forehead done, and so far I've had my forehead, sides of eyes and bunny lines done. For those unaware of what they are, I've attached a picture of bunny lines below.
Source: https://www.mamamia.com.au/botox-bunny-lines/
Next up I'll be getting the lines above my lip done. These are known as smoker's lines and here is a picture below.
Source: https://www.cosmosclinic.com.au/face/lips/smokers-wrinkles/
Please note that the above picture is only shown for illustration purposes. The smokers lines in the above picture were not treated with Botox. They were treated with dermal fillers, which some people prefer.
You can however treat these lines with Botox however a smaller dosage will be used due to being a sensitive area.
Basically, the rule with Botox is this: if the line is caused by movement then it can be treated with Botox. If however it is a static line and a result of lost moisture and collagen then it needs to be treated with dermal fillers or another way. Botox will not work on static lines.
And this brings me back to the point I was orginally making. Once you treat one area you will want to treat other areas so you've got to be willing to do that otherwise your face will look unbalanced. Imagine having no lines in your upper face but then a stack of lines in the bottom of your face. It would be a telltale sign that you had, had cosmetic procedures.
The key to good cosmetic enhancements is to keep it looking natural.
That sort of brings me to my next point as well. different treatments are used for different areas. If, after having Botox you find yourself getting irritated with the static lines on your face then you will decide that you want to have fillers done. Fillers are about double the price of Botox however they do last double, sometimes triple the length of time, so you've got to be willing to commit to ongoing treatments.
Now, some of you might be reading this thinking, "you started and you were just going to get your forehead done and now you're getting other things done, where will you stop?", well to answer that question, the answer is, Botox and Fillers are my limit. I have absolutely no desire to have lip enhancements. I like having thin lips. I have literally no desire to have a nose job. I like my nose and it has this cool scar from when I was two years old and went through a glass window. I wouldn't have breast implants done because I'm a runner and I've always actually preferred being smaller. It makes life easier. I wouldn't have liposuction done because it would be cheating (I was going to have laser lipo done a few years back but cancelled the appointment because it would've been cheating) and I wouldn't have a butt lift because that's just ridiculous.
Botox and cheek/eye trough (bags under the eyes) are where I would get my fillers done, so that, and Botox is where I draw the line, and dying my hair (I'll be starting that again in a few weeks but that's also because I stopped for a couple of years to give my hair a break from the bleach and so that the next time I did it I would achieve a better result).
If you do decide to get cosmetic enhancements then the best thing to do is keep it natural. Focus on being the best version of yourself and turning back the clock rather than trying to look fake, besides, cosmetic enhancements can only do so much and there are some things you can't change. Even if you had a butt lift, or liposuction, you still can't change your body shape. Some things can be changed, but others can't. You've gotta know the difference and know your limits.
And my limit is Botox and fillers for the eye troughs and cheeks as well as bleaching my hair.
Then one day I was taking a selfie and I noticed that my forehead had started to develop lines. I'm not the type of person to sit back and do nothing if I don't like something so instantly Botox came to mind and I started researching it. As you know, I ended up having the treatment.
Of course though, when you have Botox you can't just have one area done so I ended up having the sides of my eyes done (I don't like the term that's most commonly used) and was also able to have what was a very, very minor frown line done as well.
I tracked the results over two weeks and looked to watch the lines disappear. It's pretty awesome to watch the difference become more and more noticeable.
I was scheduled to have a two week check up yesterday but a couple of days after my first session decided to change my appointment and have some more injections in my bunny lines and while I was there I also had my forehead and either side of my eyes topped up. I got the bunny lines done because a lot of people don't have them done and so their face looks unbalanced because one part of it has no lines and the other parts do have lines.
It's really cool to think that one minute you can have several lines on the face and then after a few minutes of injections they'll be gone within a couple of weeks and last for up to six months, depending on your body's physiology. Some people will need to get reinjected every three months, while others will be okay getting reinjected every six months. It also depends on what you want for your appearance.
There are of course a couple of things that people don't tell you before Botox and that is that after you treat one or two areas you'll start to notice lines and imperfections in others, so you need to be aware of that before you start because once you notice them you'll want to fix them. For example, I originally only wanted to get my forehead done, and so far I've had my forehead, sides of eyes and bunny lines done. For those unaware of what they are, I've attached a picture of bunny lines below.
Next up I'll be getting the lines above my lip done. These are known as smoker's lines and here is a picture below.
Please note that the above picture is only shown for illustration purposes. The smokers lines in the above picture were not treated with Botox. They were treated with dermal fillers, which some people prefer.
You can however treat these lines with Botox however a smaller dosage will be used due to being a sensitive area.
Basically, the rule with Botox is this: if the line is caused by movement then it can be treated with Botox. If however it is a static line and a result of lost moisture and collagen then it needs to be treated with dermal fillers or another way. Botox will not work on static lines.
And this brings me back to the point I was orginally making. Once you treat one area you will want to treat other areas so you've got to be willing to do that otherwise your face will look unbalanced. Imagine having no lines in your upper face but then a stack of lines in the bottom of your face. It would be a telltale sign that you had, had cosmetic procedures.
The key to good cosmetic enhancements is to keep it looking natural.
That sort of brings me to my next point as well. different treatments are used for different areas. If, after having Botox you find yourself getting irritated with the static lines on your face then you will decide that you want to have fillers done. Fillers are about double the price of Botox however they do last double, sometimes triple the length of time, so you've got to be willing to commit to ongoing treatments.
Now, some of you might be reading this thinking, "you started and you were just going to get your forehead done and now you're getting other things done, where will you stop?", well to answer that question, the answer is, Botox and Fillers are my limit. I have absolutely no desire to have lip enhancements. I like having thin lips. I have literally no desire to have a nose job. I like my nose and it has this cool scar from when I was two years old and went through a glass window. I wouldn't have breast implants done because I'm a runner and I've always actually preferred being smaller. It makes life easier. I wouldn't have liposuction done because it would be cheating (I was going to have laser lipo done a few years back but cancelled the appointment because it would've been cheating) and I wouldn't have a butt lift because that's just ridiculous.
Botox and cheek/eye trough (bags under the eyes) are where I would get my fillers done, so that, and Botox is where I draw the line, and dying my hair (I'll be starting that again in a few weeks but that's also because I stopped for a couple of years to give my hair a break from the bleach and so that the next time I did it I would achieve a better result).
If you do decide to get cosmetic enhancements then the best thing to do is keep it natural. Focus on being the best version of yourself and turning back the clock rather than trying to look fake, besides, cosmetic enhancements can only do so much and there are some things you can't change. Even if you had a butt lift, or liposuction, you still can't change your body shape. Some things can be changed, but others can't. You've gotta know the difference and know your limits.
And my limit is Botox and fillers for the eye troughs and cheeks as well as bleaching my hair.
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