xmas in Sydney

Queuing for chocolate - the chocolate shop with a bouncer!



Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Cabbage

More on the new bunny from Sunshine bunnies.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

were cabbage

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Cavolo Nero

Have managed to waste many hours bunny shopping, finding bunny, researching all the work having a bunny involes and buying bunny paraphenalia.

Oh yes, and silly me thought a mini lop meant that the bunny wouldn't grow too big. Obviously my understanding of mini and the rabbit world definition is different!

How much bugging can a small child do? Finally gave in to a pet, hope I don't regret the hours of work I am going to put into this!

Bunny not yet arrived, awaiting hutch.

Not to mention Arran being on a good behaviour bond for the next 2 weeks.

Oh yes, bunnies name is Cavolo Nero, cabbage for short.

Joanne Kee
http://www.ceressolutions.com.au/

Back to normal

Thankfully, household back to normal, with chicken pox over, and now just a little bit of green throat.

Had a busy week weeing Phil Slater quartet, Way out West and Booka Shade. Had planned to go to Jazz in the Gardens at Vaucluse House, but I think it is a tad too wet.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Latest get up campaign

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't like to find myself innocent without recourse to a fair legal process.

Anti-Terrible Laws

History will remember the Bush-Howard era of national security as one marked by draconian anti-terrorism laws that did little to protect us but created a climate of fear. With the end of that era, we now have a chance to write a new chapter of history.

An independent review and watchdog can weed out the most abhorrent features of the system while ensuring a more robust and accountable system that keeps us safe.

Have your say on how you want the new era to look by signing this petition.9,989 have joined this campaign - help us get to 15,000.

Visit https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/campaign.php?alias=WereAfraidNot&id=435

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Chicken pox

It is so hard to remember whether or not I had chicken pox, so the pyscho symatic effect comes into play.

Arran with spots, me with paranoia.

On the positive side, some of those treatments they have now are really good at controlling itching and Arran is now back at school.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Barack wins!

How exciting, its just been called, a new President for the future.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Wangaratta, Beechworth, Glenrowan

What a tragic little town is Glenrowan, where everything revolves around Ned Kelly in a slightly dusty, run down, Japanese tour bus kind of way.

In comparison Beechworth has lots of charming sandstone buildings, wide streets, a little city slicker in the country, but nice.

At the Farmhouse we stayed at in Oxley, my daughter walking in barefeet was asked by her Dad to be careful of snakes, she responded "but this is private property!"

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Australian Idol

Here's us at a found of Australian Idol, all the thrill of being on a TV set! not

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Tasmanian Devil launch

Check out the Tasmanian Devil appeal.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Arran as a drag

This is what too much make up can do for you.

Joanne

viva la gong

A fun festival in Wollongong.

We saw Ihos, Pray Bells, which was part of the Sound Travellers program. Arran was on her best behaviour, I got her to go to sleep.

Then it was the fun of the circus with a cabaret in the big tent with Circus Monoxide, Elana Kats Chernin and others. Packed out and really good.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

red centre

Decided to take a visit to Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

Went on a day bus trip from Alice, rather gruelling, leaving at 6.00 and back after midnight.

Pretty gruelling but worth it. Uluru, rock is the same, but the level of tourist services is much slicker now.

Joanne Kee

http://www.ceressolutions.com.au/

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Alice Springs

Just been to Alice Springs for a regional conference Art at the Heart. This is an image from the opening ceremony.

Interesting how you can be at the centre of Australia, where english is not necessarily the common language.

Lots of indigenous culture in Alice, it seems that there is no other kind there?

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Seaside

So nice to get away to the South Coast for a few days and visit my good friend Perrie.

Arran and I headed off, chilled out, wandered off to the beach, watched videos and generally had a good time.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Training band

Well, a week of action, from mini fete to training band's first public performance at the Inner West Festival.

The love of parents as they listen to the farting noises of the school band. Actually they didn't sound too bad, only a few little squeaks.




Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Pinata and Fathers Day

We went shopping for Fathers Day on Saturday, ending up with many goodies that my 8 year old found as special for Dad. So we bought a rocking horse pinata, but I knew from before the purchase that it was going to be hard to do the actual bashing dead. So we have a pinata, saved from desk.

Plus we have a "para-olympic" pig and a cow. Cannot be returned to the shop because they are mute, as they are now in a new loving home.



Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Highland flings

Arran bonding with her Uncle Tam, who returned from the UK this week. They certainly seemed to hit it off.

Today we headed out to the Highland Fling at Elizabeth Bay House.

On the way we had lunch at a newish Cafe, on 368 Crown Street, Coffee Cup on Crown, totally delicious food. In fact it was sooo good we took home a piece of the apple crumble for later.

The Highland fling was full of things Scottish, though I don't think the skittles were supposed to be used like a baseball bat.

Joanne Kee

Billycarts and bears

Billy cart - this is the creation created by Sandy and decorated by Arran and Roshan for the races at Forest Lodge Primary school.

I did have flashing disco lights as a go faster look - but they weren't allowed to turn these on during the races as nothing except grunt power was allowed. Much to my dismay the flashing lights have now disappeared with my rechargable batteries as my daughter gave them away.

Joanne Kee

http://www.ceressolutions.com.au/

A few rocky moments

Arran playing the saxaphone - not that well!


Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Another performance

Three performances left to go for the factory series.

Alcohotlicks and Alister Spence Trio was a good night.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Places + spaces presents Alister Spence Trio + the Alcohotlicks

Alister Spence Trio.

This is the sound of the hammer striking the nail right on the head, sweetly, every time’ Australian Financial Review

This trio brings together three of the most exciting, innovative and experienced musicians in original, contemporary Australian jazz music.

‘Soothing atmospherics, flying swing, free improvising and tranquil pools of lyricism all come and go, beautifully played … alwaysguaranteed to draw you into their captivating musical worlds.’ SMH.

Joining them will be the wonderful moving image artist, Louise Curham.

When these three long time collaborators get together, a bewitching musical world unfolds, full of excitement, surprise and beauty.The wealth of experience that the band has, both separately and together, allows the music to ebb and flow seemingly effortlessly, as they move through highly original compositions and free passages.From shadowy insistent funk, to racing swing, or trance-like ambient echoes, this is contemporary jazz and improvised music of the highest order.

The trio’s last two CD’s Flux and Mercury both received ARIA nominations, and they are now beginning to attract attention overseas.This performance at the factory comes on the eve of their first tour of Japan.Also appearing - the Alcohotlicks! Check them out here

The Alcohotlicks

Arne Hanna Composer (The Honourable Wally Norman, New York Times Critic’s Pick 03’) ‘I am firmly of the opinion that the Alcohotlicks are the finest, most inventive musical group working within the jazz idiom in Sydney.’

John Shand wrote ‘…Flower, Hauptmann and Mannell may just be on to something rather wonderful.’ (Sydney Morning Herald)aaron flower-guitarben hauptmann-guitarevan mannell-drums

The Alcohotlicks are a Sydney based band formed in the later part of 2002. The instrumentation of the band is unique comprising of two electric guitars and drums. The first two years were spent writing and performing in the local Sydney Jazz scene. As a band The Alcohotlicks have over thirty compositions registerd with A.P.R.A. and have released two self produced live recordings. Performance highlights include: the Jazz:Now festival - Sydney Opera House, Stonington Jazz festival, and Wangarratta Festival of Jazz.

In 2007 Aaron Flower won the prestigious Wangaratta National Jazz award, with Ben Hauptmann a close second.

From late 2005 The Alcohotlicks began featuring artists in their live performances, which most recently included incorporating Cesar and Steve Marin, both leading exponents of traditional South American music.

Other featured artists include:
ARIA and Mo. award winner James Muller ‘I believe Evan, Ben and Aaron have created music that is not only fresh and brilliant, but uniquely Australian.’
Art Orcehstra of Australia guitarist and composer Carl Dewhurst ‘(I) believe TheAlcohotlicks to be one of most original and captivating groups in Australia today.’
Melbourne based National Jazz Award winner Steve Magnusson ‘Their compositional approach, architecture and arrangements are unique to their sound.’

Doors @ 7pm, Performance begins at 8pm

places and spaces presents music @ the factory series.
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Din Tai Fung

My friend Diane had raved about the dumplings and we decided to give it a go and I have to say we are now hooked.

The experience is fun, as there is a process to how you eat these dumplings, the fragance, the broth inside them etc. Plus of course there is the production line process outside so you can see how they are assembled.

Probably just as well to have some entertainment as there is a pretty good chance you will have to queue.

The dessert is I have to say one of the best I have had in an Asian restaurant, mango, icecream and shaved ice, refreshing and delicate.

We'll be back!

Arran ready to dig into her dessert.

Joanne Kee
http://www.ceressolutions.com.au/

Back to School

After a weekend break in Terrigal it was back to school this week.

Have to admit, Terrigal holiday was really refreshing. We stayed at the Crowne Plaza, pool downstairs, beach just outside, enough attractions to be interesting, room comfortable. Definitely would like to go back there.


Joanne Kee
http://www.ceressolutions.com.au/

Tashi - afternoon tea

Occassionally the Four Seasons Hotel has afternoon tea and book readings for children. This Saturday it was Tashi with Anna Fienberg, promoting Tashi and the Phoenix.

It is incredible the patience of the children as they queued up afterwards for a book signing. It took us an hour and a half to get our book signed. However saying this, Anna was really good with the kids and took time to chat with everyone. My daugher really enjoyed the outing.

As for the afternoon tea concept, great but it felt totally random. The hotel has a side room set up with a kid's afternoon tea, cute little jelly cups, swan cakes, fairybread, sausage rolls etc.

However, if you arrived just a little before the advertised start time of 2pm, it was extremely chaotic, the tables were practically all taken and I had to work really hard to get two seats together at a table. It wasn't particularly clear that this ws the children's afternoon tea and that there were cushions on the floor for the kids to listen to the book reading, with the adults having tea outside.

I have to wonder if the Four Seasons staff have any real understanding of children as there definitely didn't seem to be enough table seating for everyone in the room, or maybe parents weren't supposed to sit down. This probably being a little unrealistic for some of the younger children. You can't imagine a parent wanting to wander off to another part of the hotel for afternoon tea to leave behind a five year old!

As for the adult's afternoon tea, not sure why this just didn't happen with clockwork precision, as they had catering numbers beforehand and it was after all a set meal. Whilst a very pleasant concept there was a bit of waiting around and I know that the tea couldn't have been prepared fresh (hence the waiting time) as the bread on two of my sandwiches was hard. However on the bright side I did get to read the Saturday papers and the staff were very friendly.

Would I do it again, perhaps, now that I know the procedure.

Joanne Kee
http://www.ceressolutions.com.au/

Time flies

Can't believe how long it has taken us to visit Ross and Selina. Time flies by when children are involved.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Thank God its Friday and I don't feel compelled to hand out in a bar!

OK so its a new, upmarket'ish piano bar, aptly named the piano bar. Under the Coca Cola sign at the cross.

Packed to the rafters with wannabees and after work continuations, it wasn't really very glamorous inside at all.

I thought to myself, did I really used to do this every weekend plus? So glad I don't feel any compunction to head out into the bar/singles/clubbing scene, just for a drink.


Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Singing

Hi a great creative mind in action!

Joanne Kee

www.ceressolutions.com.au

Highlight of the week - Orangutans

This week I was lucky enough to have a behind the scenes tour with Orangutans, what fabulous creatures.

I did get in trouble for playing with one of them with a blade of ginger, but they are so approachable. It hardly seems as though they could do damage, but I guess it is more a case of not necessarily knowing their own strength.

Joanne Kee
http://www.ceressolutions.com.au/

Rollercoaster week

Rather a week of ups and downs.

With miserable weather the places + spaces gig was tricky, as we rely on walk ups. However considering the weather and the fact that I personally wouldn't have gone out in that weather, it was OK.

The best thing was being able to hear Adrian and Band of 5 Names live.

Worst things was the piano sponsor being upset with the usage of the piano.

Plus other bad things were being told my contract is ending for one of my jobs. Panic for 1/2 an hour, but now I am thinking this is a good thing as I'll have time to think about what next.

Also on the plus side, lots of work offers.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Men of Steel

Took the drive out to Casula Powerhouse to see Men of Steel. What a fun show. My 8 year old gave it a 10 out of 10.

However, I am very grateful that we were in the third row!

Joanne Kee
http://www.ceressolutions.com.au/

Quite an inspiring week

This week was a small business week and it was good to go along to the seminars.

It is refreshing and stimulating to hear new ideas, ways of thinking and working.

One of the tricky things with working on your own is having access to new ideas.

So thanks to the people who put on small business week!

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Art Gallery NSW

Wednesday night at the Art Gallery is so busy these days.

This is Matt Keegan and Stu Hunter playing in the cafe.


Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Places + spaces presents James Muller trio

This is one from my concert series places + spaces. We did this performance at the Metro on George Street.

The room looked really good.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Real or fake

Can you spot the real koala?

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Western Plains Zoo

Western Plains Zoo is a great place to visit. We stayed overnight at the Zoofari.

I don't think there are too many other places you can go and feed a rhino, the giraffes etc


Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Being an older Mum makes you live longer!

Its official being an older Mum makes you live longer!

"Coupled with recent research that suggests having children later could be key to improved longevity, it looks like this trend is here to stay. The New England Centenarian Study found that women who gave birth after 40 were four times more likely to live to be 100 or more than women in the general population."

Info at: http://lifesignsnetwork.net/newsview.aspx?id=395

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

What is music

So I had a headache, but I figured I still wanted to check out What is Music. Which for those of you who are into sound/pushing the boundaries kind of music is a very brave move.

Surpisingly I managed to last well into the second set, but sadly the music didn't help my headache go away and sadly I had to pike out on what looked like some really interesting stuff.

Definitely worth a look, a real mixed bag and I managed to ignore the headache for quite a lot of the performances.

http://www.whatismusic.com/HOME.html

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Pop stars

I actually enjoyed this more than I thought. Good show.


Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Easter show

This was pretty gruesome at the Easter show. The kind of thing that makes your toes curl!



Joanne Kee www.ceressolutions.com.au

Gorillas and the charm of babies

This is the latest addition to the Gorilla family at Taronga Zoo.


Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Adelaide Festival

It was seriously hot, the kind of weather where you really don't want to go outside.


Added to that it didn't really cool down in the evening, but it was certainly worth a look at the buildings on display. It seemed it was a very popular thing to do.



It was very majestic with the whole row of buildings being lit up. the most effective display I have seen of this kind of lighting.

The North Terrace lent itself to this kind of visual display.


A sound track or some live music and more ice cream for sale would make good additions for the future.


Joanne Kee
http://www.ceressolutions.com.au/
http://www.placesandspaces.com.au/

Build a bear

This time it was the birthday party at Build a bear. It was short, but sweet, everyone took home a furry animal. We had pizza, cake and it was all good.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Lunar Park

Well I didn't fancy going on the rides, so I invited along a few friends for my daughter and away we went to Lunar Park.

I have to admit that watching some of the rides made me feel quite ill.

Arran, whilst a thrill seeker was terrified by the flying saucer and when I saw her on the next ride going upside down my heart sank!

This is one of the tamer rides.

Joanne Kee
http://www.ceressolutions.com.au/

Adelaide

Down in Adelaide this week for the Performing Arts Market, a gathering of arts people from around the country and some from around the world.

Highlight for me was seeing Tom Tom club at the fringe. A hip hop version fo Stomp, much rawer around the edges, but great fun.

This was something totally different, a tiny little house, with a man inside.

Joanne Kee
http://www.ceressolutions.com.au/

A piano, music and a gallery

A really beautiful setting for a piano performance at the Damien Minton gallery. A gorgeous Stuart piano and and of course great music by Chris Abrahams.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Year of the Rat and Year of the Frog

This Chinese New Year is the year of the Rat, which is my year. So bring on the good fortune please.

Its also year of the Frog around the world, looking at saving many of the species which are becoming extinct. This is rather troubling as frogs are indicators of what is going on in the environment and in some places it is not looking good.

Its really interesting working at the Zoo and finding out about the environment. Very curious ways of collecting research material for whales and other large animals.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Back to School

So it was back to school this week and I wondered if it was as traumatic for me when I was young, or are there more pressures on young kids today.

I have a sneaking suspicion that I have an extra sensitive daughter. I think being really sensitive is overrated. It just gives you the capacity to be slighted or hurt about things that other people move on about in 5 minutes.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Bears or bulls

Well after this week's recent erratic movements in the stock exchange it is obvious that no-one knows what is going to happen.

So why do we hang off every word from these financial journalists?

It appears that anyone can make an educated guess, what a wonderful profession to be able to make tips, but not to really have to back them up. Signs say this, reality say this, but of course we don't know for certain because of human emotions. Aaahh yes, the similiarity to horseracing and other forms of gambling is very real.

What I do know, is that even with billions of losses, the world is such a different place then when it was in the great depression. We have many more billionaires, who if they chose could probably prop up just about any economy in the world, without Government assistance.

How far will Government's let economies slide? That is another question. As we move towards an American election, recession/depression would be a definite vote loser.

There is also the emotive side of the equation, when people panic, even though the recommendations all stay stick in for the long haul, it is interesting to watch the capitulation.

For the record, I have shares and a margin call, so I would love to have a crystal ball as well.


Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au
www.womenandwealth.com.au

Holidays

I had forgotten how nice it is not to do anything and how blissful to sleep in!

Joanne Kee

www.ceressolutions.com.au

Listening to the radio

Very funny feeling listening to the radio and hearing your friends being interviewed. Hearing stories about people you know.


Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Sydney Festival Launch

Well my phone self destructed just before Christmas. 14 months into a 24 month contract, with guarantee on phone finished, an excess charge from the insurance company and the likelihood that they wouldn't pay out, just remember that a phone that stops working is not usually going to be covered by insurance. It is much better to drop it, loose it or maybe even drown it.

So now I have my new object of desire, the phone I really wanted and I am just testing out the video quality. So here is a video from the Children's part of the Sydney Festival launch yesterday.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au