I posted on Facebook the other day about how I wish Australia celebrated Thanksgiving as I’d seen plenty of posts from my US friends in the lead up to it. Sure, some think it’s an American tradition (a bit like Halloween) that they’re sick of being appropriated in Australia but I simply love the entire idea of it. A whole day to be thankful for all the good things you have in life – what could possibly be bad about that!? While I won’t be having a big turkey dinner or anything like that, I still want to celebrate in my own little way, by giving my thanks. Without further ado, here they are.

I am thankful for having the most amazing family who support me no matter what, appreciate my uniqueness, love me unconditionally, have a great sense of humour and, although they aren't perfect come pretty damn dysfunctionally close.

I'm thankful for having such an awesome man in my life who is my partner in crime, my life coach and my dance partner. Someone who lifts me up, gives me confidence in myself through his belief in me and who isn't afraid to put me in my place when I need it. Someone who I can be completely myself around, who I can be silly with, strange with, smart with and stay up to the early hours of the morning with, solving the world's problems over bottomless glasses of wine.

I'm thankful for having THE best friends in the entire world (yep, they're better than yours) who are the weirdest, funniest, kindest, most inappropriate, giving, thoughtful, intelligent, silly, caring, stylish, good looking and downright good hearted people and who, through the way they live their own lives, encourage me to be the best version of myself.

I'm thankful for having a fantastic job that I enjoy going to everyday, that is always interesting, that allows me to highlight and develop my abilities, that allows me to travel and that pays me enough to allow me to travel where I want to go. Somewhere I am surrounded by people who constantly amuse and challenge me, sometimes annoy and frustrate me but mostly care and make my office a happy place to be.

Finally, I am thankful for a warm bed every night in a place where I know I am safe and surrounded by the items and imagery that makes me happy and reminds me what I’ve done and what I have yet to do in my life. For never having to wonder where my next meal might come from and for being able to wake up in the morning with the hardest decision being what pretty clothes to wear that day.

I am also thankful for having this little space on the internet where I can come and empty my brain of all the stuff that’s floating around in it. And of course I am hugely thankful for you, the beautiful people who come to my little space to read my ramblings and the kind words that you leave. 

Today, I give thanks to all of you.

Today's Tattoo Tuesday isn't about me, but this fresh ink has me hook, line and sinker and is just too good not to share! Adapted from the Sailor Jerry design on the left, The Man's new koi-style fishy looks even better in person than in does in this picture - and that's saying something!

Done by Mark (Suicide) at Voodoo Tattoo, The Man decided he needed some of his work after seeing all the brilliant pieces he has done on me. As you can see, it's on the inside of his right elbow and he is very happy with it. There is so much I love about this tattoo! Firstly, Mark's shading is impeccable as always. I am actually fascinated by his amazing shading abilities, he gets it perfect every time and it really brings the tattoo to life, regardless of what it is.

 

I also really love the colours he's used and I can't wait to see them really pop once it's fully healed. The oranges are beautiful and so vibrant in person. The way he has blended the colours it looks like the fish is actually moving and the light is reflecting off it's skin. The contrasting green is also really impressive and adds a slight mythical aspect to it. Maybe it's a lucky fish!

 

The other thing I love which unfortunately you may not be able to see as well in the picture is the line work that creates the scales, they look as if they've been done with a brush stroke, which also really adds to the Japanese feel of this tattoo. And what a pretty eye! Large and purple, I'd kill to have eyes like that! Ha.

 

The Man's arm has a sea theme going with sharks, tall ships, anchors and other bits and pieces so this ties in really nicely. It's certainly a stand out piece on this arm and he is extremely happy with it - and who wouldn't be!?

 

What do you guys think? Great work, or am I just fishing for compliments? Ner.

Things have been a little quiet around here lately because things have been pretty busy for me everywhere else! However I'm looking forward to Christmas because, well I love Christmas, but also for a little bit of a break. Anyway, I figured it was about time I came clean on the whole tiki thing I've been alluding to over the last couple of months. I know it's early, and I promise not to bore you with too many posts about it in the lead up, but I'm VERY excited to announce that I'm going back to the USA next year, this time to attend Tiki Oasis in San Diego!

The website is currently still in this year's festival mode but it should be updated soon and it will still give you a good idea about what the festival is all about and all the kinds of fun there is to be had! This year's theme was 'Hulabilly' which would have been right up my alley but next year's theme of 'Beatiki' should be pretty cool too. It'll be summer this time when we're over there, leaving the winter behind over here. That's always been a little fantasy of mine, to chase the summer during my homeland's winter and what better way to embrace that than with a tiki festival!?

 

Aside from going to San Diego for Tiki Oasis, we're also heading back to some places we loved last time and some exciting new places as well. It's looking like it will be another month-long trip that will see us start the party in Vegas before heading back to Palm Springs for some relaxation and recovery before hitting up the mega days of Tiki Oasis. After that we're headed to New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville! I have always wanted to go to New Orleans so I'm VERY excited about that! Also, Graceland OMG!! I've ALWAYS wanted to go there - I might even cry! (Also, I had a dream the other night that Elvis gave me 'the eye' which I'm pretty sure is a sign HA!)

 

I also can't wait to experience the music scene of Nashville!! After that we're headed back to California for the Ventura Nationals (formerly the Primer Nats) and some time on the coast for some fun at Don the Beachcombers etc. After that we're looking forward to spending some time with some friend's we made in the US last time, a couple in LA and a couple in Anaheim which will of course mean a visit to Knotts Berry Farm and Six Flags! That's the general plans for now anyway. I can't wait! I LOVED the US earlier this year and I'm really looking forward to going back, visiting some new places, returning to the ones we loved and just generally having an awesome time. AGAIN!

Well last weekend was a big one, very busy, but the absolute highlight was of course the BrizVegas Kustom Karnival at Acacia Ridge. It's always a brilliant day and the weather was absolutely perfect, albeit a little warm but a great chance for the gals to bust out their fans and parasols (alas I always forget mine!) The chrome and fins of the classics and kustoms that filled the car park was almost blinding in the sun but it showed off their sparkle and pain jobs perfectly. We arrived early which meant we got to get around the stalls, take in the spectacle of the cars and have a few chats without really missing out on the bands - bonus! I was trying to be good as I am saving for something...special...but I did manage to pick up a couple of cool new pairs of shades, one of which is a little unusual and I can't wait to show you all.

 

I frocked up in this lovely yellow number I picked up from the Bettie Page store in Las Vegas earlier this year and with some high, 60s-inspired hair I was feeling a little like I'd stepped out of the movie The Help. I love that movie, so totally fine by me! We headed downstairs to the band area as I was eager to catch new act The Zephyr Project and see what they were all about. Not exactly rockabilly, these boys could certainly play their instruments and they had a really cool bluesy sound that I really enjoyed. They played mostly covers, but there ain't nothin wrong with playing good tunes and it's more fun when you know them! Next up were The Hi-Boys who I also enjoy and luckily, have seen before, as I seemed to get sucked into that strange time/space vacuum of catching up with people and unfortunately not getting in a dance.

Image by PKP

 

Dan & The Dualtones then took to the stage and as usual, rocked the room! The dance floor was filled and I was itching to get out there. However, it wasn't until USA guests the Roy Kay Trio came on that I finally got out there for a spin. The pace was great, I like it nice and fast, and these guys really delivered a great sound that the crowd just loved! But it was definitely Marti Brom, also from the USA, that everyone was waiting for. Marti has played out here before both at GreazeFest and with The Barnshakers and everyone was very excited for her return. She's a bit of a pocket rocket that woman! Once heck of a voice tied up in one very cute package! She did plenty of her own material as well as some of her stuff with The Barnshakers as well as classics by the like of Patsy Cline, Connie Francis, Wanda Jackson and more. She was highly entertaining and had a fantastic stage presence and we were very excited to see her again after seeing her in Vegas earlier this year.

It was a brilliant day! We had so much fun and it was so great to see Marti again and catch up with everyone. Sometimes I get a little too distracted at gigs either by catching up with people or just by the music and performances themselves and I don't seem to dance as much as I used to - but that's going to change because I really miss it!

 

Now I can't wait for the Rockabilly Christmas Party at which I intend to dance my little feet off!