Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Up The Ranks

As you know, I've been volunteering at the Rooftop Movies since September. It's been very busy for me, with me going straight from work to the cinema. I've enjoyed it though.

Two weeks ago I got asked if I wanted to work the box office as well. This would involve me sitting in the box office caravan (the whole place is made out of caravans, I should really get photos sometime) and greeting the customers. I would cross off their names if they'd bought their tickets online, or handle money if they haven't bought a ticket yet. Lot's of responsibility!
I took the chance, and I've worked box office around three times now. I also get paid for box office work, so that means more money towards my holiday!


This has lead up to the Perth Fringe Festival. This festival runs for all of February, and has lots of different local and international acts. It's run by the same people as the cinema. So I put in my application, and I've recently found out that I'll be working at the festival and getting paid for it.
The Rooftop Movies will be closed to the duration of the Fringe Festival, as they will be putting two tents on the roof for music acts.
I'm going to be working around five to six days a week. I'm very excited to be earning more money and to be part of the Perth art scene. I love Perth city, I love working in the area.

It's strange, but I've NEVER experienced working up the ranks before. Most of my jobs generally stay the same, with maybe a pay rise each year. I love the experience of knowing that I'm moving up the ranks.
I feel a little guilty too, because I know some of my popcorn co-workers have been there longer than me and they haven't been given the same opportunity that I have. I think "why me?" because I feel that I'm not smart/good enough for the job. I just don't 'see' it.

A Gothic Summer

It's Summer again *hiss*

Oh Australia, 35c degrees and higher everyday, how I dislike you. But I've survived each summer, and that means you can too!

Sunscreen:
Australia has recently passed the selling of 50+ sunscreen. Our highest used to be 30+. Australia tests sunscreens itself, thus we don't have the high sunscreens of other countries. Choose one that you feel is not too oily or smelly. You can get a different type just for the face, these are generally light and non-greasy. Make sure to cover all areas that are uncovered by clothing with sunscreen.

Parasols:
Parasols are different from umbrellas. Umbrellas are generally waterproof and are used for the rain. Parasols are cotton or lightweight material (I find this helps more when it's windy). There a lots of different types of parasols to choose from. I personally like the 'three fold' design of parasol. This type is manually folded up into a compact shape, so I can fit it into my bag.

The other type is the 'umbrella' style of parasol, which is long and you have to carry it everywhere. There are lots of different styles, with lace or cotton or pointy. Look for parasols in china town or asian parts of your city. Lots of asian girls use parasols in summer. Don't feel silly carrying it around! I used to feel strange because my outfits didn't suit parasols, but I got over it. Be sunsmart!

Fans:
I have a large collection of handheld fans. I found mine in a market for $3 each. I suggest stocking up on fans because you never know when they will break. They are useful for keeping yourself cool outside (or on the train) and are brilliant for dancing with. I never go dancing without my fan! Look for them in markets, or chinatown.
Avoiding the sun:
The sun is at it's worst in the middle of the day. Try to keep indoors as much as possible. Be aware of where the sun it. When you're outside try to keep your arms out of the sun. On the train/bus figure out which side of the vehicle is in the shade (I do this). In a car you can drape a cardigan or piece of clothing over your arms. Stand in the shade of a tree or building if you're outside.

Hydrate:
Drink lots of water! I always have around four bottles of water in rotation at home. Once I finish one, I fill it up with tap water and put it back in the fridge. Save water, try not to waste it.
Ice treats are good to keep cool. Not to mention icecream! Oh, and watermelon and grapes. All of this talk is making me hungry!

Clothing:
Lightweight material is best. Pirate shirts are good because they're billowy and made of cotton. Think of skirts, dresses, and breathable fabric. Try not to wear things that trap in the heat. I wouldn't suggest corsets for everyday wear, I still wear a corset in summer when I go clubbing. Lace and sheer materials are nice, they let the breeze in.
If you have confidence issues about your upper arms just wear singlets anyway! On hot days everyone is too hot to worry about how other people look. Plus, you're perfect the way you are and NO ONE should make fun of you. I recently work a sleeveless dress outside for the first time. I felt like "screw you guys, it's too hot. LOOK HOW AWESOME MY FAT ARMS ARE!"
I'm a large girl, and I always wear skirts and dresses. If you're like me, you know about the dreaded 'chub rub'. This is when your thighs rub together when you walk, creating discomfort. I wear bike shorts and tights to stop this.
Hats are a good idea if their suit you. Top hats, bowlers, sun hats. If you wear a hat outside make sure that the brim is wide enough so that the sun can't hit your face.
Shoes are a dilemma. If you enjoy sandals, wear them. Other options include Maryjane's and brogues. I wear winklepickers and boots.
Sunglasses are both fashionable and protect your eyes from the sun. You can get heaps of different designs cheap on ebay!
Get a nice pair of bathers (swimming costume) because you never know when you might go swimming. I have a pair from an online plus size store. I only use them maybe three times a year, but I really enjoy swimming!

Makeup:
Somehow my makeup stays in when I'm all sweaty, I don't know how I do this!! Try not to use too much makeup for everyday wear. Eyeliner and eyeshadow is good. I always use liquid eyeliner, and you can get this in waterproof too. Eyeshadow primer is good for keeping eyeshadow from sliding around (and it keeps drawn on eyebrows safe too). I use Lime Crime eyeshadow helper, but I've heard good things about Urban Decay too.
I personally wear foundation and powder even in summer. People might find this too heavy, you can use tinted moisturiser or a light foundation. Or just go natural!

Air conditioning:
It really sucks having to go through summer without and air conditioner to cool you off. I have a standing unit that I can move and plug into the window. I used to only have a fan that did nothing to help cool me off.
If you don't have an air conditioner you can spend some time in places that do. Libraries, museums and art galleries all have air conditioning. They generally don't care how long you stay around.
Movie theatres are also nice and cool, but you'll have to leave after watching a movie.
Shops and malls also have air conditioning.

Always Eat Cake

On the weekend I went to have lunch with a new friend Lisa. I know Lisa from the goth scene in Perth, she's a wonderful girl and runs the club night Descent.

I was craving something sweet after lunch so we went to another cafe for cake. YUM!

What I'm wearing:
Shirt: City Chic
Skirt: Big W
Boots: Ebay

Friday, January 18, 2013

Friday I'm In Love

I feel like such a terrible blogger. I haven't been home much lately, I'm working a lot at the Rooftop Cinema. My outfits have been pretty much the same, and the summer heat is draining. Not to mention I'm feeling increasingly sad and lonely. Here is some music to make us all feel better again.


We Share Our Mother's Health by The Knife
 

Warm Leatherette by The Normal
 

Day of the Lords by Joy Division

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Peter Murphy @ The Bakery

The first stop on Peter Murphy's 2013 Australian tour was Perth! How lucky were we?
Peter or Bauhaus have never been to Australia before. I hope he enjoyed staying in Perth, and it was a real honour to see him. He's such a big idol of mine.

I certainly enjoyed his show a lot. I arrived pretty early, like I usually do for shows. There wasn't really any line at all. I was one of the first people into the venue. I bought a Peter Murphy shirt with an octopus on it, and staked out the front of the stage.
Funnily enough, the same cute girl from Adam Ant was also at the Peter Murphy concert. I bet she's super annoyed with me now, because I always seem to get a souvenir from gigs. Sorry cute girl!!!

The Bakery is an okay venue. It's run by Artrage, who also run the Rooftop Movies. The venue is large, and the stage is set pretty low (compared to the Astor).
The crowd consisted of a lot of goths. I didn't really get a good view of how many people there were, because I was at the front.

The supporting band was Fear of Comedy, who are a Perth band. My friend is a guitarist in the band. I've seen them a few times. I enjoyed some of their first songs, but some of their music seems to be a bit screamy and metal which I'm not a fan of. The lead singer has a great voice though! I'm sure they were very happy to support Peter.

Right, onto the main act.
Peter Murphy came on stage and I was instantly smitten. He's still a very handsome man and has all of the moves. He played many of his solo songs, and a few Bauhaus. I would have loved a full Bauhaus set, but I enjoyed his show. Some Bauhaus songs off the top of my head were Stigmata Martyr, Kick In The Eye, She's In Parties. No 'Bela Lugosi's Dead', just a chorus of it.

He was full of energy, seeing him jumping around and dancing gave me an insight to how it would be at one of his original concerts. I wish I could have seen him in the Bauhaus days!
The concert was very good. The band were very dedicated (also handsome). It got really hot in the venue, and you could see shirts of the band getting slowly wet with sweat.

Peter Murphy was very audience interactive. He was touching people, he even covered my eyes. The best part was probably when he dragged a girl forward and sung into her ear.

I was so, so close to him it was crazy. The stage set up meant that when he came to stand at the front of the stage my head was literally in his crotch area. I had to turn my head so it wouldn't go into his wang area :P That being said, I got a really good view! Haha!! Seeing as he was sweaty, I also got sweated on a bit (I'm never going to shower again!!! Haha). He has lovely blue eyes, by the way.
Near to the end of the concert I took the courage and hugged his legs hard. I also had a cheeky grope of his bum ;)

I scored a guitar pick and set list.

If you have the chance to see Peter Murphy, either on his Australia tour or elsewhere, I highly recommend him. His voice is still brilliant and his performance was everything I wanted it to be.
To recap: Peter Murphy= very attractive and brilliant show

Now I need to tick off Siouxise Sioux and David Bowie *crosses fingers* (Note to Siouxsie and Bowie: you need to come to Perth so I can grope your bums)

Lots of photos after the jump:

Saturday, January 5, 2013

DIY Studded Mobile Cover

 
Here is how I made a studded cover for my Samsung Galaxy II phone. Sorry that my instructions are not more detailed, I was teaching myself at the same time!
 
 
You will need:
- Cover that fits your phone (I got mine for $1 on ebay)
- Studs (I got mine for $2 on ebay)
- Super glue
- Sandpaper or an emery board
- Needle nosed pliers (no pictured)
 
 
Rough up the back of your case with the sandpaper. I used an emery board because it's basically the same thing. Roughing up the back makes sure that the glue sticks properly.
 
 
Take the needle nosed pliers and squeeze the stud prongs to the inside.
 
 
Put super glue on the edge of the stud and on the cover. Stick down. Continue doing so until all covered.
Leave to dry for a day, then put it on your phone. DONE!
 
Be careful of superglue! It's really annoying to get off your fingertips!
You can also plan the studs in a design beforehand. I didn't worry because I wanted the whole cover to be studded.

The Only Good Time Is Now

Well, I survived the 40 degree heat. It must of scrambled my brain, because I decided to shave my eyebrows off!
Oh yes, the only time to shave your eyebrows off is in 40 degree heat.

Goodbye eyebrows!
 
One off
 
SHAVED!
I always love the look of no eyebrows on my friends. I've had no trouble drawing them on everyday, and they haven't sweated off yet!
 
I also got a bell tower and bats added to my tattoo. "The bats have left the bell tower, the victims have been bled"
I get to see Peter Murphy this week, I'm very excited!
 
I hope you all had a good New Year. I'm not they kind of person who does resolutions. I think that if you want to do something you start it straight away, not wait until new year.
I worked at the Rooftop Movies, where they had bands playing (no movie was shown). I was on the front, putting wrist bands on people. Heaps of drunk people! Seeing them reminds me why I don't drink.
Best part about working New Years is that I got paid, more money towards my UK trip this year!