Keeping my can of worms closed - FYOB Friday

Last night I did something I've never done before.  I went to watch a taping of a TV show.  My main motivation was seeing Chrissie Swan in all her glory, hosting Can of Worms.

My guest was my favourite little sister in law, Moo and Chrissie's guests were Julie Goodwin, Matt Okine and John Safran.  I've been a fan of John Safran's documentaries for years and Julie Goodwin seemed to be a good egg.  I'd only seen Matt Okine on a comedy show once before so did not recognise his name, but kinda knew his face when he came out.

I knew that taped shows had a bit of warming up beforehand and fixing up after so was kind of looking forward to that.  I've always had a bit of interest in the way TV works behind the scenes and I ended up watching the woman who was directing everything (maybe the director?) and wondering if I could do that.  Bit late to be thinking of a total career change, but we can dream, eh?

She was everywhere at once and controlling everything, all with a casual air and a bit of fun.  Reminded me of when I was doing event management roles and being in the thick of organising a conference.  Was a real buzz when it all came together and people ended up enjoying themselves.

Another bit of very important glue who was pulling it all together was Dan Ilic who had us cacking ourselves before the show started and all through the breaks.

Now I can't let you know too much about the content of that show as they made us promise not to tell, but if you're watching it on Monday night (and I recommend you do), look out for the red cardigan behind the blonde audience member who talked about being brought up by fundamentalist Christians. That was me!  Not the blonde, the red cardi woman, frozen as I've realised I may be popping up in people's lounge rooms next week. Suddenly I'm stressing out about my spare tyre and many chins. And the impressive cleavage beside me? That was Moo. Her boobs are legendary.

After the show we were waiting in the foyer of the ABC building (yes, even though it's on Channel Ten, it's filmed in the ABC because they have the right size studio) for my chauffeur (i.e. husband) to come pick us up and we happened to see Chrissie coming out.  Of course I had to stop and ask for a photo which she graciously did even though it may have made her miss her plane. She didn't miss her plane (thanks for letting me know @ChrissieSwan. We also got to meet the beautiful Julie Goodwin, who was lovely and interesting on the show too.

Moo and Julie (they could be sisters!)      A couple of Swans (not related unfortunately)

But once again, when actually meeting someone I admire from afar, I lost all my brains and blurted out "Hi, I'm Becci Swan" as if that would impress her and stuck my hand out. I then had nothing further to contribute except a goofy smile.  Doh!

So will someone please tell me how to meet someone famous, in a way that will either impress or at least so they don't think I'm some random, crazy stalker!  And it seems I only do this with people who write stuff I really, really like (hello Nikki Gemmell, Kerri Sackville, Eden Riley, Mrs Woog, etc).

Joining up with Grace for FYBF!

Liebster Blog Award and 11 Things You Didn't Know About Me ... Maybe

My fellow Kiwi, Kimba Likes, has kindly passed on a Leibster Blog Award which is a lovely way to promote some fellow wee bloggers (that's little ones, not ones with a bladder problem).

Now this award comes with some responsibilities.  One is to supply 11 facts about myself, so here goes:

1.  My second toe is longer than my big toe (this is a delightful genetic character of my family).
2.  I can bend my thumb back to my wrist.  This proves useful for nothing except amusing children.
3.  I can draw - mostly naked people but can whip out a cartoon dog or kiwi in a minute.
4.  I like having my hair brushed. My husband did this on my first date to charm me. It worked. He has done it about twice since.
5.  My right ear was very pointy as a child and my sisters called me pixie ears.  I have covered it with long hair ever since.
6.  My nose is crooked. Not because I broke it, but according to family lore, because as a small child I used to like sleeping face down with my bum in the air.  Apparently this squished my nose permanently. [I reckon one of those siblings dropped me as a baby and broke my nose.]
7.  My palms and soles of my feet are really, really wrinkly, always have been.
8.  I have trouble falling asleep before 12am, but I am now trying to train myself to konk out earlier, up to 11.30pm now!
9.  I find it really hard to get up in the mornings, be it Winter or Summer (see point 8 for possible reason).
10.  I can't swim very well. I do what I call the Frog Stroke with my head above water as I hate the feeling of water up the nose.  I also like to be able to feel the bottom of the pool with my feet and I don't go into the ocean.  This despite the fact I grew up by the beach.
11.  I have had, in the past, the occasional dream that came true. Odd things like news items, e.g. a crocodile that was stolen from an Adelaide zoo and also how a missing girl was found dead in a boot.

Another responsibility is to answer the questions Kim has set for me:

1. How many pairs of shoes do you own?  Not sure but I think it's about 22 but only regularly wear about 3.
2. What’s your favourite perfume?  Beautiful, or a gardenia bush.
3. How many countries have you visited?  Born in NZ (only went back once about 4 yrs ago), Fiji 3 times (got married there), Thailand 2 yrs ago.
4. What was the first car you owned?  Part of a Holden EH station wagon, but the first one that was mine to drive (learnt at 25) was a Suzuki Vitara soft top.
5. What’s your favourite movie?  I love many many many movies but I saw Life of Brian the most times.  Still in love with Mouline Rouge though.
6. What’s your tipple of choice?  Coffee, Tea, Baileys, Vodka tonic and lime or champagne. Don't mind a nice white either ... or a Cosmopolitan ... OK almost anything except soft drinks.
7. Diet Coke or full fat?  Don't drink Coke unless its really really hot weather and there's no vodka.
8. Brazilian, full bush or somewhere in between?  Never a Brazilian, mostly in between.
9. Do you have any pets?  Yes, Sydney the Schnoodle is my third child and Candy the pensioner budgie.
10. How many siblings do you have?  Three older sisters and an older brother.
11. What’s your favourite nail polish colour du jour?  Hardly ever use nail polish but had a stint with pale pale pink for awhile.

Another is to flog great bloggers that have under 200 followers.  Now I may be mistaken (I'm not very good at the statistical/techie side of this caper) but I think these guys have less than 200.  If they don't, I'm very sorry I underestimated you, no offence intended 'cause I'm a fan otherwise I wouldn't have listed you here!  And though it's not the required 11 bloggers, it's only because others that I would like to tag, I know are over 200.

So guys, consider yourself tagged!

Whining at the World
My Big Nutshell
Mummy Issues
Debbish
Rainbow Tatt
Lizosauros
Mum on the Run
Jelly Shane
Retrogoddess

Now it's your turn to answer the following Leibster questions I have chosen for you:

1.   Did you suck your thumb as a child?
2.   Did you achieve the career/job of your childhood dreams?
3.   Did you ever have a dream that came true?
4.   What's your favourite biscuit?
5.   What's your party trick?
6.   Hugh Grant or Hugh Jackman?
7.   Favourite present ever received?
8.   Best present every given?
9.   Best physical feature?
10.  Which age did you enjoy the most?
11.  Favourite song of all time?

Thanks for joining in (if you can) and don't forget to link me in so I can read all your answers.

I've also joined in with Grace for FYOB Friday.

A Taste of Nuffnang Blogopolis 2012 - FYOB

It's been almost a week since Nuffnang Blogopolis and I'm suffering from information overload.  My wee brain wants to retain all the great stuff that was shown and said so I'm doing it slowly.  I even bought ProBlogger's book to get me going.  Also I've been reading everybody else's reviews of the day and noting down what I need to remember to make this little old blog shine. Also being reminded of the hilarious women I enjoyed more than one bubbly with:

Rachel from The Kids Are Alright (great wrap-up of the day)
Janine from Shambolic Living
Grace from With Some Grace (don't forget to view her vlog of the day)
Rah from Smarter Admins
Melissa from Suger Coat It
Deb from Debbishdotcom
and lots more lovely ladies I can't remember right now but really enjoyed talking to.

The day was pretty damn good.  The speakers, the food (I think I ate a fair chunk of everything on offer, plus I just about fainted over the creme brûlée), the company (flanked by Rah and Fiona it was a bit like the naughty table up the back of the class) and the teacups! I couldn't believe I happened to sit at the place that had the exact same Royal Albert teacup and saucer my late Dad used to drink from everyday.

All the presenters were to be admired for getting up in front of us all (seeing we spent a lot of the time distracted by the Twitter feed exposing Spoongate and the merits of someone's rear). I particularly enjoyed the panels (thanks Goodgoogs, Mrs Woog, Edenland and others for giving us a chuckle too).

Hopefully I will take all this useful info and improve my blog but I think I'll need some help with the technical stuff (for some reason I can't even put a FB Like button on my page!!??).

But for now, if I don't get this post off I will live to what Janine agreed was my aka name, Consistently Inconsistent Blogger.  And also, I need to get this Kiwi ready to go and see the cutest Kiwis in town, Flight of the Conchords tonight! Woohoo!

And please don't forget to enter our tea break giveaway here, you've got till Sunday so hurry!

(Linking up in With Some Grace for FlogYoBlog Friday)

The night before Blogopolis

I've just realised how huge tomorrow is going to be.  And I'm not prepared ... as usual.

I was all psyched up for DPCON12 in March because I was flying to Melbourne for it but as Nuffnang's Blogopolis is in my hometown (in fact only 10 minutes drive away), I'm just getting out of that blasé feeling about it.

Pull your socks up, Becci! Get your act together!

As I've been commenting on other bloggers' posts about the conference, I've realised I really need to think how I'm going to approach it.  I've got my new MacBook Air ready and about to try out Evernote for the first time tonight along with Crash Test Mummy's tips (thanks Laney!).  I've worked out how to use my iPhone as a modem in case the wi-fi at the Sofitel doesn't work out.

Somehow I'm going to actually RETAIN INFORMATION at this conference.  I'll be testing my skills on the social media side but at least I know my fast typing skills will come in handy.

One thing I must remember are my new business cards.  I had some shoddy handmade ones at DPCON12 and I've now got a box of professional looking ones (thanks for designing them Danni!) ready to hand out.  Hopefully someone will want one.

I would also have loved to stay at the Sofitel Wentworth but I can't really justify the cost seeing I live so close.  Anyone need a roomie?  Don't snore and only take up a small space as I sleep in the foetal position all night.  Oh, I also tend to be the last one up as I end up chatting/drinking all night (hi fellow night owl Lee from Mummy Issues!)  Otherwise I've got a spare couch if anyone is stuck for accommodation, and there is a great cafe two minutes walk away for brekky (sorry, can't promise room service but I can provide a nightcap and a cuppa in the morning).

Now there is one very important preparation left - what to wear!?!?!?  Off to my boring wardrobe and some style advice from my stylish 13 year old daughter to work that one out (are jeans and boots too casual?).

Now I'm pumped and ready to pull my finger out!  What about you?  Let me know how unprepared or prepared you are for Nuffnang's Blogopolis, and hopefully I'll see you there!

Joining up with With Some Grace for FYOB Friday.

Not a swinger but a jouster

It's good to experience other people's lifestyles sometimes.  I'm not talking that other thing that bored couples do with other bored couples, 'The Lifestyle'! No no no no!  The only swinging I would participate in is one involving a seat supported by ropes (crikey, that still sounded weird).

I mean walk amongst those that have different obsessions than I do.  I'm not saying I'm not interested in history,   just not to the extent that I would dress up in any of these getups every weekend:

No I didn't travel back in time on the weekend, we only travelled to Lithgow to Ironfest.

And it was fun!  Amongst all the strangely dressed attendees which included knights, damsels, ninjas, medieval French swordsmen, Civil and other period war soldiers, angels, kangaroos on stilts (with anatomically correct hanging bits), futuristic warriors (ie. Mad Max characters), daleks, R2D2, Minecraft real life avi's and roller derby girls, we walked around looking the Inner West Sydneyites we are.

In between sword fighting and shooting arrows at stuffed elk, I turned to The Moneymaker and asked if he also felt we were on the set of Life of Brian.  He did but grabbed a sword anyway.

I was really looking forward to the jousting at the end of the festival (how could you go wrong with jabbing at each other with big sticks on horseback?), but the highlight was just before - The Battle.  It involved various costumed soldiers from different countries and what I think was different centuries.  The commentator said they were the English, the Scottish, the Irish and the French.  And he did warn us about the cannon fire which was AWESOME!  A lot of smoke and big enough BOOMS to shake the old country stadium to its foundations.  And the crowd loved it.  We all cheered when the cannons went off and when an occasional soldier (or nurse or drummer boy) fell we all went 'oohhhh!'.  It was like being part of a giant medieval pantomine.

Even though it took us 3 hours to get home, it was worth it to have a great family day out.

Have you had a day out in a new place with a completely different crowd?

Joining up (for the last time!) with Glowless for FYOB.