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