Blue Mountains

Spent a couple of nights in the Mountains visiting some friends.

Found out it was our Uncle John and Aunty Sunny's 48th wedding anniversary on the 29th December. That was some coincidence that we happened to drop in on that day.

Hung out in expensive Leura and made an expensive toy purchase. However, now we are back in Sydney I realise that we could have bought it cheaper on the net. So we shall be converting to online shopping for the future. Therein lies another lesson!

Also reckon that lot of those restaurants and cafes are overrated and too expensive for what they provide. Tourist traps.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Merry Christmas

Christmas bus in the city

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Whatever...: Cupcake fever

Whatever...: Cupcake fever

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Cupcake fever

Visit http://thisaintnotardis.blogspot.com/ for the cupcake story.

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

Santa comes to the Greyhound track

Ok, yes, here I am again, bad parent, what am I teaching my daughter? Santa arrived by ute on the greyhound track! Great Australian values.

Wentworth Park Greyhounds had free entry for families, present from Santa, bouncey castle, petting zoo and face painting all for free. All this to the background of races being called, bookies in place and of course the long TAB counter.

OK, we are unlikely to ever go back to watch the greyhound races, but was blown away with the real estate that the dogs have, how on earth do they afford that space, when there are so few people going?

Also was fascinated by that bunny zooming around the track.

Ho, ho, ho

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

Arran's Christmas Poem

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Flash Mob

If you are interested in a flash mob and live in sydney, check this out.





Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Christmas carols at Elizabeth farm

So what is it about Christmas carols, that the songs are always played so that it is very hard to sing along. Either too high, or the tempo is super fast or slow.

It must be why women singing in church always have that strained kind of thing happening.

Having said that, this was a lovely space for carols. It was a rather refreshing Christmas carols, not too big, so the kids could run around, you could see the band and the singing, there was plenty of room to spread out.

All the kids got to line up for Santa and received a gift. The setup allowed the kids to go up the front and sing along, or listen to the Night before Christmas.

Definitely one of the better carols I have been to.

Joanne

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

Christmas Cards

This weekend we have been busy making Christmas and other cards. Quite satisfying really and some of them actually look quite good.

If anyone fancies giving it a try, really good materials are available at Amazing paper. Plus I have seen materials at Big W and Officeworks.


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

Canberra

Just came back from a weekend in Canberra to face the scorching heat in Sydney. Hopefully this is not indicative of the summer to come.

Canberra was fun, we went to see Bangarra's Fire at the Canberra Theatre. Fantastic show.

Then we experienced Canberra nightlife in Civic, even managing a late meal. It was really buzzing around there.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

walk clontarf to Manly

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

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Next consultancy

Rather nice, I mentioned to a few people that I am looking for some work and low and behold something arrives pretty quickly. Still waiting for official confirmation, but it is rather gratifying to think that the work I have done thus far holds some weight.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Which way to go

Had a really nice morning talking to Rosemarie about her bookbinding and plans for the future. It is a great feeling to be able to point someone in a direction they want to go in.

So my saying is Live your own dreams, not someone elses.


Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Good to be home Dorothy

Just back from a sauna like weekend in Wangaratta.

Nice to be home, enjoyed the jazz but hated the heavy handed security and what was that about being pulled over by the police because I flashed my lights at them. What sort of flimsy excuse was that to pull me over?

After going to Wang for 3 years, for the first time there was a very unpleasant feeling about the place.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Misinterprotato with Froy @ Qirkz

Gig on a rainy sunday night at quirky venue Qirkz which lives up to its name.

Some beautiful compositions accompanied by the sound of rain on a steel roof.

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au

How to Act around cops

Saw a fun show How to act around cops, fast paced and black comedy.

However we were rather surprised by what we all felt was a high ticket price. $37 for theatre at Darlinghurst. Whilst I think the arts and artists should get fair reward for their craft, have to admit the price nearly stopped us from going. We only bit the bullet in the end because Leland directed it.

Sadly I am wondering if other prospective audience members had the same thought, as it was nearly empty. A show this entertaining and so topical should have been packed.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Weekend

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Melbourne

Just been to Melbourne and back in a whirlwind.

How annoying to have two of my three appointments cancel on me. Come to think of it, this seems to be a pretty regular occurrence in Melbourne, is it normal?

Went to a Melbourne Festival Event, dance piece which is 10 years old. I have to admit, it looked 10 years old, would have loved to have seen some real dancing, the little glimpses we saw were tantalising.

Have to admit that I preferred the film I saw today Departures, a charming Japanese film, about death, but still quite uplifting in its own way.

Had an idiot taxi driver miss the turnoff, so it cost a small fortune to get to the airport. How doubly annoying. When I checked in at the airport the staff said I was the third person that day who had had the same problem.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Rainy long weekend

Slothy toad of a weekend. Found it v. hard to leave the house today, however, we did to brave printing our photos at Officeworks.

Arran is now onto Zines, as I gave her a couple that I picked up while in Newcastle. Her first one is pretty impressive and very cute.

We also did a photo shoot of Hoppy Vanderhare and Muffy Vanderbare to create their own style magazines. I was photographer, she was stylist.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

How to make a zine

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Emil Goh

Was very sorry to hear about the passing away of Emil Goh. Such a tragic loss at such a young age.

More information on Emil.
http://artlife.blogspot.com/2009/09/vale-emil-goh-1966-2009.html

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

http://www.ozarts.com.au/artists/emil_goh

Cheap Eats - Daruma Japanese

Daruma
Level 1, (Prince Centre)
8 Quay Street
Haymarket NSW Sydney

T: 92812889

We just went for Bento boxes and as far as value for money is concerned I am totally sold on this one.

We paid $25.80 for two people for the Sushi Bento box at $12 and the Sashimi/udon box at $10 plus we had one drink. This also included all you could eat Miso soup and rice.

The sushi and sashimi were fresh. The boxes were varied, mine had seaweed, Arrans had fried tofu.

Ambience is lots of space and light.

You help youself to the Miso soup.

As far as I am concerned a total winner, even more so when you look at the price.

For some strange reason this is quay street, I have no idea when it was ever near a quay, it is closer to Paddy's Market, the back of the ABC building and UTS.

More cheap eats can be found at Cheap Eats Food Trek

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Lah-Lah - proms for little people

Lah-Lah's Adventures, Proms for Little people. Coming to Enmore Theatre from 7-18 October
Click here to book or for more information.

This is one of the projects I am working on, it is a fantastic new group, do come along if you can.

Dancing double basses and singing saxophones. Lah-Lah is a brand new performance where instruments come to life in the world of a little girl who can’t sit still! A musical spell will be cast over children aged 2-6 by some of Sydney’s most vibrant and entertaining musicians.



Something very magical happens to little Lah-Lah one night when reading her book - all the characters in her story come to life as instruments! Meeting her friends is lots of fun and Lah-Lah learns all about their funny sounds while she sings and dances.

This show is in a special intimate Proms format, children and adults up close and personal with the 5 piece band. Strictly limited seating available. Book early, tickets selling fast.

Meet Lah-Lah, Mr saxophone, Squeezy Sneezy accordion, Lola the Double bass and Tom Tom Drums and the friendly fairy.There is a chance to interact with Characters after each performance

ALL PATRONS 12 MONTHS AND UNDER ARE FREE. 12 MONTHS AND OVER MUST PURCHASE A TICKET
From Wednesday 7th October through to Sunday 11th
Tuesday 13th through to Sunday 18th but no show on the Friday 16th

Performance times 10 and 11.30.

Joanne Kee
www.sydneychildrensfestival.com.au

Chesters

Of course, if you are after accommodation in the Valley, then my top tip is Chester's Guest House. A b&b, in the quiet backstreets, behind James Street.

It only has 10 bedrooms and is run by Maria and Peter Gittoes. If you like that personal touch when you are out of town, this is the place for you.

There is also free wireless internet, a relaxing lounge, free DVD's and welcoming, friendly service. It is at 26 Chester Street, Fortitude Valley www.chesters.net.au

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Fortitude Valley - food

There are a few places to grab a good coffee around the James Street Market area. This is one of them, Campos coffee, down a little laneway. 11 Wandoo Street, Fortitude Valley, open from 7am to 4 each day.

You can also catch a decent coffee in the James Street Market, not sure of the name, but you can't miss the coffee shop/restaurant smack bang in the middle of the markets.

If the James Street area is a little out of your price range, which would be totally understandable, try Chinatown in the Valley.

Apart from the various places where you can get barbeque, there is also Taste of Vietnam, where a big bowl of Pho will set you back $10.80. they also have the usual fare of spring rolls, both normal and rice paper. Food is quite decent. They are at 28 Duncan Street, Chinatown Mall, Fortitude Valley.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Brisbane

In Brisbane for the week for the Big sound music conference.

Staying Chesters a great little b&B, which is a stones throw away from James Street Markets and campos coffee. Good places to get coffee.

Had dinner at Cru in James Street yesterday. The steak was fantastic, though not too sure about the potato rosti with breadcrumbs. This little complex has lots of other interesting places to eat, graze and consume in this little strip of shops.

The James Street markets are at 22 James Street, fortitude Valley, Brisbane


Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Creative business

Well my daughter in an effort to pay back her holiday money - borrowed from me whilst away, has decided to set up a business. Jewellery and cards. I think this could be a slow process.

We started on the weekend with buying materials for the cards and are now working on prototypes. Some are actually quite good.

Others, I have definitely told her are not going to sell as handmade for $5, if they are crooked and have dirt marks on them. Should be an interesting process.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Holiday fatigue

I now feel that I have officially got holiday fatigue and have tired legs from walking and the will to shop is not so strong.

However, not looking forwardto the packing!

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

edinburgh festivals

queues everywhere and crowds of people milling around everywhere else, so navigating your way through the city and the roadworks on Princess street is a pretty slow and hard slog.

Lots of things sold out on the 2 for 1 scheme, bah, couldn't take advantage of that. being given producer status seems fairly unhelpful for even buying tickets.

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au

10 tips Euro Disney

Tips,
1) In hindsight pre-booking park passes would have been quicker than queuing.
2) we went later in the day ie arrived at midday to avoid morning queues. Stayed till later at night when crowds had thinned.
3) If you don't pre-buy, go to the far left hand side to buy tickets away from the queues, there is a series of shared booths there and quicker to access entry.
4) It seemed pricey, but the character meals were good value. An extra 10 Euro per adult on the normal buffet price. No queuing and lots of photo ops.
5) A good place to get your bearings is the Lucky Nugget while having lunch, you can plot your course.
6) The express tix are really good, they do save on queuing time.
7) You can only get one express ticket at a time, so choose wisely
8) There are definitely peak times ie after shows etc, if you do activities while the shows are on the queues are shorter.
9) the shops get really manically busy later in the evening
10) Whilst queues are shorter later in the day some rides start closing around 9.00, ie we couldn't get onto Autopia

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Eiffel Tower

Image from our perfect meal at the Eiffel Tower.



Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Paris Plage

Paris is a beach along the Seine. Imagine sitting on the hot sand with no respite with a cool ocean to jump into.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Euro Disney

Can't believe the cost of Eurodisney once you add up the transport, the entry, the food, around $50 for 3 hotdogs and a couple of bags of chips and only 2 bags of chips. That was the cheapest thing we could find.

We had already blown our budget by having a character buffet for lunch. At nearly $200 we ended up thinking it was actully quite good value compared to the other food outlets. However, Arran loved it and it beat queuing to meet the characters and have our photo taken.

Definitely worth using the fast ticket system and of course the queues are shorter later in the day.

We arrived at midday and started with lunch, knowing the obsession most families have with being early. This tactic worked as we only missed out on one ride we wanted to go on - Autopia for some reason always had long queues. We managed to do Buzz Lightyear twice and for some rides only queued for 15 minutes, which we thought was pretty good.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Paris

Now in Paris, but for some reason I thought my hotel was closer to Gare du Nord than it was. How I had trouble finding blvd Magenta, I don't know.

Curious, it is dirtier than last time I was here and many more people on the streets.

Plus really,really expensive

Still can't believe the numbers of people in Europe, metro crowded all day and its the weekend.

Stood like an idiot trying to catch a glimpse of the Tour de France, saw something but no idea what it was.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Travel

what a long flight, compoounded by smoke being seen on landing and having to hang around for another half hour in the plane. However otherwise it went smoothly but full planes.

London is crowded, can't believe numbers of tourists. Soho looks really grotty and it still takes forever to get anyway, due to crowds.

Had a great day with Phil and Annie at Columbia markets, upmarket etc and got some real coffee.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

School Holidays

After a really big day at school with disco and a party to see Hannah Montana, first day of school holidays spent in bed with flu. aaaarggghhh, all those plans for stuff we need to do fly out the window.

Hopefully its not swine flu, as we are on the mend now.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Dr Who

So it looks like it was Christmas in July for us. As we were winding our way out of David Jones we decided to have a look at the toys section and came across some great Dr Who gear on sale.

We managed to score a couple of ten set figures from series one and two. It was less than half price and they are really cute because they are in a telphone booth.

When we got them home, we were even happier, they are such good quality, bendable action figures. If you are a Dr Who fan, or know someone who is, make your way to David jones, if I hadn't had my daughter with me, I would probably have put these away as they make a great Christmas present.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Childhood diseases

How debilitating is that same cold or flu you get off your child. Spend the whole week with disruption then get the illness worse than anyone else in the family and write off a few days more work.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Sing - Justine Clarke

Justine Clarke at the Enmore Theatre

A great family show, very relaxed, community feel. Good songs, sing along lyrics and lots of opportunities for audience participation.

Perfect for under 6 age group.

Unfortunately there were only 2 shows in Sydney. Justine is quite pregnant and is doing a small tour.

Worth catching if she comes near you.

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

Winter Festival

Winter Festival in Sydney, tiny little ice rink, but cute concept.

Last day is today Sunday 21st June.

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Light Walk

Light Walk around the harbour.











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

Fire Water

Well, we were in the wrong location, shame the Rocks website didn't make use of google maps or where is to show me where Campbell Cove was. By the time we found our way, it was way beyond getting a good vantage point, so it was snippets that we caught.

The bay is unfortunately very small, hope they don't get big audiences, because a lot of people will be disappointed.

It could have been good, hard to really get a feel for it. My tip is you need to be there in good time to get a good vantage point, particularly if you have kids.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Long Weekend in Sydney

I love holidays in Sydney when so many people leave town, its easy to get around, people are more relaxed. You can even get a table in one of the few winebars in town with a European Feel, overlooking Hyde park.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

tiny url

Well I heard about it and decided to try it out. Tiny URL is this software that reduces website addresses to 21 characters, perfect for stuff like Twitter etc, but also good when you have a website page with a title bigger than Ben Hur.

Website is http://tiny.cc

As an extra tip also worked out that you can take out the www from the new address and it still works. http://www.tiny.cc/LahLah

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Advertising triumphs over good food

Yes, we were advertised into a trip to McDonalds for the special games on offer.

I was in the mood for something good to eat, but no it was off to fried and plastic for the minature trivial pursuits game.

Success to those advertisers.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Come Out

Well it may sound like it, but it isn't a gay festival, it is a festival for children in Adelaide.

I had the privelege to see a range of performances from:

Children's Cheering Carpet, a co-production betweeen Italy and Australia using incredible lighting sensors, on a journey from bush to city.

Freaky, a terrific collaboration between Circus Monoxide and Cirkidz in SA. A combination of budding circus performers,matched with the experience and drama of Circus Monoxide. It was a high energy, engaging performance, which beautifully used the burgeoning skills of the Cirkidz crew with the Monoxide performers.

Explosion Therapy, by Terrapin Puppet Theatre, just like the name says, an Explosion of "stuff". Really creative and interesting use of lighting and movement, creating something 2 dimensional and cartoonish from 3D life.

In a way this was similiar to The 2 Dimensional Life of Her by Fleur Elise, a work in progress where Elise is actually working on film and animation. The premise being an artist's process in a studio canvass. Again interesting use of lights, cartooning, special effects.

Come out produced a new work Books & Bits, which was a great quiz style romp through children's books. Fabulous seeing and hearing the reaction and interaction of the kids with the authors.

Plop by Windmill, was of course a beautifully rendered piece of work, geared for 1-4 years.

Boats by Terrapin was a great piece of theatre and clever use of puppets and imagery.

So in all a great selection and range of performances. I wish I had bought my daugher with me!

Joanne
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Off with her head

Obviously a day at Questacon was not the dream of most mother's on her special day.

They had a special offer with Mothers admitted free last Sunday. So as a treat for me, my daugher Arran took me along and banished Dad.

Questacon is the most fantastic place and in fact, I could have spent much longer there and will definitely go back for another visit, with or without our heads.

Joanne Kee

www.ceressolutions.com.au

mixed bag

Well it was a day of varied experiences, from childrens theatre, the Little Mermaid in chamber concert mode at the Opera House, through to another kids show by Patch Theatre, starring the big bad wolf?

and then to the electronic sounds of Triad, sitting on the floor of the Don't Look Now Gallery in Dulwich Hill and in between the torrential rain.

Now cleaning out the soaked rabbit straw.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Twitter

Not sure about this one, but yes I have jumped on the bandwagon to see what it does. Seems there are lots of different ideas about its usage.

So you can visit me at Twitter

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Anzac Day

Well, Sandy and Arran were up at an early hour for them, off to raise money by offering sprigs of Rosemary for Anzac Day.

Its all part of Scouts Australia and I am really pleased that Arran does something like this, on behalf of other people.

In a fast moving world, Scouts are really fantastic in the way they teach skills and values to the next generation

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Wiggles

There were three security guards outside the venue, Access all ages and Pram parking required. All was controlled chaos for the Wiggles gigs at the Enmore Theatre.

All credit to the Wiggles, it was a great show, lots of classic tunes, plenty of movement and lots of audience engagement.

Loved that they collected the roses for Dorothy and read the signs (mainly made by the Mums!). Plus the Wiggles actually seemed to be having great fun.

Boo to the parents who think that no-one exists except their own offspring and who talk loudly and let their kids block other children's views.

Shows are still on, but they sold out months ago, no wonder, getting a chance to see the Wiggles at the Enmore instead of the Entertainment Centre is much, much better.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

busking in Pitt Street Mall

These guys were great to watch a cross between yo-yos and circus juggling.

Joanne Kee

http://www.placesandspaces.com.au/

Being sick

What a nice thing it would be to have a job where I was paid when I was sick. This is one thing about running my own business is that that kind of luxury and paid holidays don't exist.

So as I am lying there with cotton wool head I am furiously thinking about all the things I have to do.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Easter Happy, Happy

Make love not war demonstration on the steps of the Town Hall.

Done to the drum beats of a hare krishna chant.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Easter show

It was extremely pleasant this year going to the Easter Show on Thursday, the crowds were not too bad, so it was very pleasant. We did lots of poking around looking at stuff. Visited the Big Top and saw the Erth Petting zoo, Wild Aussies and Hip and Hop.

Then it was off to the agricultural displays, still not sure who won, but we did like the story book. We also planted a sunflower and saw the pumpkin prize winners, celebrities pictured here. The sample bag pavillion wasn't too crowded, and the petting zoo was also fun.

Show is still going and its fun to visit.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Sydney streets

Images captured on Sydney streets this Saturday.



Hare Krishna in Hyde Park and busking in Pitt Street Mall.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

total obsession

Well have decided to go to Europe for busines mainly, but it is now total obsession with travel. Can't believe the difference in prices you can find online.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Pangolin

A very cute creature from Stephen Fry's twitter.



Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Concerts and exhaustion

Put on two concerts this week, these images are from Judy Baileys Jazz Connection, a rather toe tapping affair. I think if I was going to do this again I would make it a tea dance.

Next up was Compass, fabulous tango music.

Very happy now to be a couch potato for a day.

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Pop princess

Well we braved the screaming crowds to see Taylor Swift, toss her hair and strut her stuff at the Factory Theatre.



Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Adelaide

We spent the weekend in Adelaide for the Childrens fringe festival and to celebrate Arran's birthday.

Womad had been on the agenda, but we didn't make it. Probably just as well, I hear that they sold out of ticket for Sunday so they were selling weekend festival tickets on the Sunday at full price. If that is true that is horrific price gouging.

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au