I hadn’t heard from him in a year. A lot had happened within that time. He had given up bartending and decided to go to uni. Said it was about time. For three years he had been obsessed with alcohols, cocktails and bars. He had concocted new recipes, practised flaring moves and dreamed of opening up his own bar only to now throw it all away in one sweeping move. Funny thing is, it was this passion for it all that I loved best about him. I’ve come across it a lot in the hospitality industry – a shame and insecurity that this work that they love isn’t worthy. And there stands an uneasy divide between those serving to pay for uni bills, and those serving for life. But I have an incredible respect for my co-workers who have chosen the hospitality industry. They may not have a degree or qualification, but that’s only because what they do can’t be taught… you either have the gift or you don’t. I care about my job, and I may end up doing it for life, but I can never match the fervour and dedication of those who have mastered the art of waitering or bartending. And I greatly admire them for it, and concede that they are my superior. I watch them maintain a genuine smile after 7 hours of slog, I watch them instinctively know what a customer needs, I watch them keep a cool head in times of crisis, and I am in complete and utter awe.
(Brought to you by / Kapooka Baby #1 / The Sordid Tales of a Sydney Nightclub Bartender)
I have to say, I’m really enjoying learning to dj. I played my entire set of vinyl today, moving from booty, to breaks, to house, to electro, to my 80s gear and then ending on a weird Australian track called “Rapping to my Roots,” a track which I would love to end every single of my sets, should I ever play publicly.
Funny thing is that since I’ve started I’ve developed both an appreciation and disappreciation (is that the word?) for djs and djing in general.
Firstly, it is bloody simple to take up. It would probably take most people only a few days to get beat matching down. Somewhere on a forum this guy was saying that djing is more of a craft than an art – so true. It’s a trick. It’s technique. There’s little “art” to it.
And yet a good dj is miles apart from the average dj. While what divides them might be simple, few people bother to go there, or do things right. I don’t think I’ll ever be a great dj. My interests are spread so far I don’t think I have the patience. But I’m having fun being an average dj. ;o)
Recently watched. Yes, in vein of Michael Moore. Yes, effectively turned me off Maccas (was not much of a fan anyway) for life. More surprisingly managed to reach my 7yo brother – prime Maccas addict – off the golden arches too. Well…at least for half a day. Morgan Spurlock is a funny guy. I wonder what he’ll cover next…
Wow how much is this the best thing on television? I’m a late joiner, but I’ve become a fan.
Forum setup, we have a different theme each week, a discussion guided by host Jenny Brockie. We get the opinion, the other opinion, the other opinion, the other opinion. Reminds me so much of my university tutorials (at UTS) where we get a nice open space to just discuss. Let emotions, facts, belief and disbelief fly.
SBS 7.30pm Tuesdays – but won’t be back on until August.
I’ve sworn to try a different scene. And not just one, but a different one every weekend. I did so this weekend, and all over had a very pleasant weekend thanks very much. Not as wild and fun as the crazy clubbing/live music ones I had. But fuck I’m over that. (Right?)
Friday night was apparently a full blue moon. Which would explain why there were so many ambulances everywhere, and on the way home from a show my friend and I saw this woman screaming and crying as she walked through the streets, saw the kebab shop man having a fight with a really drunk dude across from 3 Wise Monkeys and then a really prim woman in her 60s having a bout of projectile vomit into the gutter. The last one probably something to do with the restaurant she and her family had come out of. Was strange all round.
The show was called “A Touch of Broadway” in which my friend Pablo had a spot doing a stirring rendition of “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” from Jesus Christ Superstar, although if any of you know Pablo it has slightly different connotations when he sings it. The show was put on by MUSE (or the music theatre society of the University of Sydney) and all in all made me want to sign up to my nearest community theatre group to get some of the stage action I so miss from high school ;o) so watch out!
This morning I saw my audio production lecturer present a short talk on her piece that’s starring in the very wicked Biennale of Sydney. Following that, it was off to the footy! Delight to watch Sydney Swans thrash the St Kilda Saints. And not (just) because of the tight shorts.
