Star Struck In Excess

(I realise this story has a few Aussie terms in it so I will explain as I go for non-Australian readers) 


Part One 

A few years ago when I was an Advertising Account Manager at the Sydney Morning Herald - I received an amazing opportunity to interview a rockstar, Jon Stevens.

Well to me, he was a rockstar.

He peaked probably in the 90's but pretty iconic Australian Rockstar all the same.

If you don't know him you can view one of his legendary songs here

He was the lead singer of Noiseworks and these days does some solo stuff.
When Michael Hutchence died, he fronted INXS for a time.

My job at the SMH had many perks - one of them being the chance to go to the ARIA awards and VIP Party afterwards. (music industries night of nights )

Well you could go if you happened to sell a $20,000 advertisement into the guide.

As a star struck music lover - there was no way I was going to miss the opportunity to rub shoulders with the the leaders of the Australian Music Industry.

So even though I was on HOLIDAYS (yes I was nutty!!)  I made cold calls to all sorts of businesses pitching the ARIA GUIDE - and finally sealed the deal with fashion house  Bardot,

I rang my boss from my hotel room in Melbourne to let her know the news.

 She was dumbfounded.

She was hard up getting me to do work at work - so she nearly fell off her chair when I told her I had sold $20K to a new business whilst holidaying!!!

 She assured me I had tickets to the VIP party and the event.

Excellent.

As luck would have it, Bardot even sent me dresses to wear - complete red carpet treatment eh?

The ARIAS party is another story in itself, which I will write if anyone wants to know it (comes complete with lots of drunken conversations with well knowns in the music industry and tears at the end of the night because the proof of this on my AUNTY"S CAMERA was lost)

anyway back to the focus...

With a little dutch courage and an introduction to the editor of the Entertainment section at the Herald, suddenly this little Advertising A.M was in his ear about HOW much I loved INXS - how much I liked JD Fortune the new lead singer (yes embarrassed about this now, I do believe he has since left band and lives in his car) , and could I puhhhlease interview him if the opportunity came up.

I droned on and on about how keen I was to burst into the journalism scene and how good a job I would do and blah de blah de blah.

Would you believe it the next week at work, thinking this poor editor dude would not have remembered any of our conversation, let alone my name- called me up at work and said:'

"I've got an interview for you"

I am nearly dying here thinking he had JD lined up.

 -- He said "It's not JD - but he did sing for INXS after Michael Hutchence died"

"Jon Stevens?" I asked.

"Yep"

My heart skipped a couple of beats.

"Yes I'll do it" I said.

"Great, I'll send you his managers details and call him up to organise it for tomorrow."

TOMORROW.

 DROP DEAD FRED.

I can still feel the nervousness now as I type this.

Please understand that it was my  DREAM to interview rockstars - but people, I was the most star struck person on the planet, I had NEVER interviewed anyone I was an advertising sales gal - and it was exciting - but TOMORROW?????

I agreed to do it. I knew it was the opportunity of a lifetime.

But I was PACKING IT.

When I left work that night I rang everybody I knew to gloat about it, as you do- -

Midnight came around and still , I had no questions for the lead singer of Noiseworks......



pic from here 

100 Random Facts for my 10(5) post!

oooh I just read on someones blog that when you get to 100 posts you are meant to do a ditty: 100 things you didn't know about me.

Oops I am up to 105 or so, so you'll get 105 from me.

Incidentally the Prince is 10 months old today - but that is one thing you didn't know about him, til now.

Heregoes:

1. I have a collection of random songs that have been in my head for years.

They are not songs I like - they are just songs that get stuck and get played on random - seemingly... forever.

Hits include: When my baby smiles at me I go to Rio (de janeiro), Mama's Making Kantong (I insist Kantong should pay me royalties for this), I'm going to walk Wa Wa (sing lala and clap my hands are the next lines)

2. When I hang the washing out, I physically feel nauseous. Not sure why and if it is linked to my hatred of hanging washing out or not.

3. I like the theme song from the Bear in the Big Blue house (the one he sings with the moon)

4. I only ever drink half a glass of anything. (it is half full though) annoys all and sundry

5. I don't think I will ever be a domestic goddess.

6. I am obsessed with setting goals and planning. I have books all over the house with plans all over them.

7. My notebooks are never neat. I write on one page then the next note will be , like, 30 pages later or something. I wish I could just be neat and then I wouldn't have as many notebooks. Obsessive about notebooks though.

8. Letting my baby "cry" has been one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life

9. I never really thought I would have babies. But now I have one, it has completely changed everything about me - for the better

10. I am in love with blogging. I feel like I have found my niche or at least my passion.

11. I am a cat person even though we have 3 dogs

12. I thought I was a city girl - but I think I just liked the city because of all the "stuff" that I could hide behind and give me excuses not to be the real me. Now my life is 'simpler' it is more fulfilling.

13. This is the first time in my life I have really committed to an exercise regime it is so challenging but I am gaining traits I previously lacked: discipline and commitment and I'm proud of that.

14. I worry about a LOT bringing up my boy. Consumerism, TV, media all that.

15. Maybe like to live in Japan for a year and teach english

16. If my hair looks good I am happy, though it doesn't look good much lately

17. I can type really fast and without looking. I can have conversations with cowboy and write a page. He teases me about this. Thinks I am smug about it

18. I used to be the world's best sleeper. Now I hardly sleep, but oddly have adjusted.

19. I feel a strong calling to something meaningful - I try to explore meditation etc... my intuition is strong

20. I love meeting bloggers and reading other blogs

21. Gee I love food. Miss nice restaurants living in the sticks

22. Every cat I have ever had ends up being called "Blurt" against my wishes

23. I have been to uni twice but don't have a degree

24. I was involved in an armed robbery(not involved - ! but someone that was told to get on the ground , while a gun was shot next to me- SCARY STUFF - oh and I laughed about it at the time... go figure! Read about it here in the SMH )

25. I went around Sydney answering share accomodation ads as way to try and pick up men

26. I was obsessed with JD Fortune from Rockstar INXS (embarrassed about this now, especially as he has been sacked and is now living in a car!) and met him when he was performing for Sunrise.

27. I bought Greedy Smith from Mental as Anything a redskin when my sis and I saw him in Hay when we were kids.

28. I went to the ARIA awards and met all the rockstars I wanted to, and partied with them - and lost my aunties camera with all the evidence on it. (bought her a better one though)

29. I sat next to Jean Kitson at the relaunch of Spectrum when I worked at the Herald. She was really nice.

Then I emailed her once to ask her some advice about column writing and she ignored me.

30. When I lived in Bondi, my brother and I saw Keanu Reeves on the street having a coffee, we walked past him 8 times

31. I do not like swimming in the ocean. I don't like water that moves.

32. Living in Bondi made me feel ugly

33. I am still great friends with 4 girls that I went through kindergarten to year 12 with

34. I should be cooking dinner now but am doing this. I am a bad house de-facto

35. Oh , yes I am a de-facto.

I have had baby and the marriage thing hasn't happened. Didn't think this was how it would be.

36. I like to wear dresses. Wish I had more. But less fashion obsessed now. It'd be nice though.

37. I'd like to meet in person a lot of the people from blogs I read.

38. I find push-ups incredibly difficult

39. I used to walk on my toes as a kid. Still do when I am barefoot in the house sometimes

40. When it is cold I have heaps of baths but I don't stay in them very long. Lie in them til the water fills up and then I am hot and get out.

41. I could sell ice to the Eskimos. Selling advertising was my old profession

42. I worked on farm with Cowboy and drove tractor, tip truck (see footage here) and a ute. Things I never thought I would do.

43. I thought Angkor Wat was overrated

44. I had one night in Bangkok

45. Since being a Mama I have more patience and less vanity - less sleep and less sanity

46. I have a lovely family and I do feel lucky to have a wonderful partner in Cowboy

47. I never thought I would end up with a Cowboy

48. I really should be cooking tea it is nearly 8....

49. I want to get to 50 though

50. I am currently doing an online course in Writing Meditation - it is challenging

51. I like to wear earrings

52. I need to cuddle a pillow when I sleep. One pillow? Forget it - I need minimum 2 in bed if sleep is going to occur. (and they say it is hard to get babies to learn to sleep on their own)

53. I wrote a book of poetry when I was 10. I am going to try and get it published now I am 30.

54. We are getting a wall knocked out in the house and putting a new kitchen in

55. I am going to see ACDC in February (Cowboy likes them - I ... appreciate them, I think/hope)

56. I still can't believe I am someones Mum. Scary

57. I get worried about Prince going to school and the competitive nature of kids and the whole world of consumerism.

58. Would love to raise our boy somewhere removed a little from that? Hilltribes of Vietnam???!

59. My Dad and I are so similar that we get frustrated with each other - but love him dearly

60. My grandma is 90, my Mum is 60 I am 30 and my son is 0 - how amazing is that.

61. I am the youngest of 3. My sister is moving to Canada next year with her family on a teaching exchange

62. When my baby, when my baby smiles at me I go to Rio

63. When I first met Cowboy's family (still haven't met them all) I had massive anxiety attacks. Guess a sign I really liked him?

64. I used to get bad panic attacks when I lived in Sydney

65. I met Evan Dando from the Lemonheads - and it was so exciting to me. I love the Lemonheads.

66. I used to be incredibly star-struck as you may have gathered.

67. I miss my friends - have made some great friends through blogging but miss the real life ones

don't have many in this town - acquaintances but miss my besties

68. Better stir the spag bol

69. I have only been to one musical and it was the Lion King with my friend Seph. He was working for them. It was great!

70. I love thunderstorms. We don't get enough of them here

71. I used to be a massive binge drinker and smoker. Now don't do either. But think I could get back into the wine now

72. Sometimes when Cowboy is talking in his sleep (which he does A LOT usually about sheep - he is a farmer not a kiwi) or something equally as fascinating I go along with it and throw in strange comments to see what he will say. like: "the sheep are going to a disco tonight" mean but funny

73. My cat has been missing for a week and I am SO upset and pray she will return

74. The pasta is boiling over

75. I am the most content and confident I have ever been in my life

76. I am not sure if it is Mamahood or the transition to 30 that has done it

77. I love Indian Food with all my heart

78. I don't have a mobile phone

79. I don't have many people following my tweets. Would like more. Would you like to follow me?

80. I love Sex and the City

81. I love Anne of Green Gables

82. I love - Love my Way

83. Dinner is nearly ready it is nearly 8.30pm

84. I will check the pasta whilst trying to think of more riveting facts

85. I have only just gained enough confidence to reverse park.

Though don't do it if there is a car waiting.

86. I lock myself out of the house more times than I care to admit (not so great now I have a baby I might add) but I still don't have spare key cut

87. I am not big on talking on the phone

88. Social media is taking away my face to face skills a bit. Come to think of it probably why I don't like talking on the phone. Sometimes I worry because I used to work in a proper organisation and be outgoing that being a stay at home bloggin' mama in a small town I might lose the ability to converse to people altogether!!!

89. I have boring lunches because I can't think of nice ones.

I need help with healthy and tasty and easy lunch ideas. Anyone?

90. I check my email far more than necessary

91. There are many books I want to buy / read - I didn't read many books at all in my 20's (too drunk) but feel the need to do so now

92. Mama's making Kantong, it doesn't take long for the word to get around

93. I am very excited that my Aunties from Sydney are coming here for Christmas

94. I'd love to have a holiday house on the beach (oh wouldn't we all)

95. I have spent a lot of money on ebay. I have about 2 things that are useful from those purchases.

96. One is a pair of boots, the other is Love my Way boxset

97. I would love to study now. A pity I didn't when I was at uni twice -but I did learn about other stuff, like life outside of the country

98. Cowboy and I like to watch All Saints and pay it out the whole way through

99. Especially Von (god love her)

100. I really like it when people comment and interact with me on my blog. I really love it - hope to talk to you on here. Thanks if you read all this

I know I said I'd do 105 but that is just silly.