Hi all,

I'm publicising this for a friend of mine involved in a documentary project 'An Australian Citizen's Diary' (http://www.australiancitizensdiary.com.au/).

An excerpt from the website about the documentary:

'An Australian Citizen's Diary' (working title) tells the inspiring and epic story of Eric.

At the age of 14 Eric and his family walked all the way from Rwanda passing through Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and finally arrived in Kenya. Since they were traveling without passports or travel documents they had to cross the borders illegally during the night. While in Uganda they were arrested and spent 2 weeks in jail and upon release made it to Kenya where they ended up staying in Kakuma refugee camp for another 8 years before they were relocated to Australia by United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

15 years later Eric will be taking back a story of success to those he left behind in the refugee camps, what will they have to say? What does he have to offer?

Date: Sunday, September 6, 2009
Time: 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Place: Hyde Park Hotel
(Corner of Fitzgerald St and Bulwer St, Perth)
Cost: $15

A Quiz like no other... It's in the afternoon!!!

MC's are
the hilarious comedian Josh Makinda and
the not as hilarious but very organised Mischa Ipp

Come down, quiz it up, play some games, win awesome prizes, while raising money for a good cause. Food and drinks are available to purchase on the premises.

We are raising money for a documentary on refugees that is being filmed in Africa in November this year.

Just SOME of the prizes you could win are:
A guitar!
A photoshoot!
and a professional car detailing worth $180!

All you need is $15 to get in.
And a smart team that'll make you win.
Bring a table's worth of people,
or come on your own.
Whatever you choose,
you won't be alone.

Book your tickets by contacting
Mischa at info@7centaurproductions.com..au
or Jaime at jaime@rraft.com.au

Where am I? home in cluttered study Feeling... thoughtful Compelled listening... nil Define... # activism, events, fundraising, social

I'll be making some sort of official post soonish, but didn't want to wait to say something.

Everything went beautifully - the weather held, with a few well intentioned and loving rain droplets here and there. It was cool if a little humid.

There were about 30 people who arrived in ebbs and flows throughout the evening. A sincere and loving thank you to all of you who turned up. It meant a lot and I really appreciate it.

The fundraising was successful and another sincere thank you to everyone who donated today for the event, your generosity is incredible. I'll be visiting the Red Cross this week.

I had a wonderful afternoon, where there was lounging, food and awesome company. It was very relaxed, social and easy.

Many, many thanks as a last (and important) note, to black_samvara and angriest for helping me to realise this and being so wholehearted and loving around it all. It's been a joy and I couldn't wish for better people to do something like this with.

What I most of all wanted to create out of today, and share with others is the sense of community around us - and that we as a community can act together, and make a difference, and see the love and generosity of spirit that is so abundant.

Events such as the bushfires devastate many people, many ways - which is to say not just those affected. Given the horror and gravity I really wanted to remind people of that community we have access to and that we nurture, and through that - do something where collectively we could make a difference.

The launch of 'Hope' the fanzine was awesome, and I may have been gushy and emotional at angriest who wrote the most beautiful Editorial ever (note: i am biased). I can't wait to read the rest of what this first issue has in store!!

If you're interested in a copy of the fanzine, please comment or contact me, there is no set cost, just a donation to the bushfire appeal. Your donation brings you what looks to be a 4 issue fanzine series, which has some amazing content both in the first issue and those upcoming.

I have a couple of friends on my flist who have families in the affected regions and they report that the aid money is getting to those who need it quickly and usefully which is awesome to hear and know.

There are a few more causes that I'd like to pick up and run with in the coming weeks, but I'm not quite sure what form that will take. In short: books and animals.

I choose to be someone who is an expression of love and connection and compassion, where I get to be inspiring and powerful. I can't resent that, I can't worry about how it will turn out, all I can do is be honest in it, and consistent in it, and have integrity within that vision. Everything else will still happen, and I'll still get to be that person good, bad or otherwise.

Where am I? home Feeling... thankful Compelled listening... nil Define... # amazing conversations, amazing friends, bushfires, community, connectionism, events, fundraising, identity, love, making the world a better place, possibilities, self, social

Link to his post here: http://kae-dash.livejournal.com/32163.html

My beloved is having a Friday 13th event, inviting all the goths, gays and geeks out to play in the decommissioned church he's now helping to run :)

It should be lots of fun.

From 4pm, corner of Walcott street (it's a huge church - you can't miss it).

I won't make it this time, but if it becomes regular I'll definitely get there sometime soon :)

Where am I? home Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... nil Define... # events, k, social

Today has been lovely. There was a snuggly kae_dash upon waking.

Got to work in good time, but didn't rush.

Got 'stuff' done - made headway into the mountain of paperwork that needs to be processed that bills get paid.

Did more work on my job application for the Rottnest Island Authority events development officer. I'm really hopeful about this as I think I'd be awesome at it - I need some experience in one or two areas, but I have the greater context of skill and flexibility required for events stuff and I have a solid understanding of how it works as 'stuff'. I am hopeful and crossing my fingers.

Being the seminar series tonight, and looking forward to seeing the people I did my forum with again, not to mention getting my head around stuff better - I found many aspects of it within basic grounding thoughts of what I already thought/had figured, some not at all and of those some I appreciate and others not so much. Enjoying the enquiry in any case. Plan on doing some assisting to better develop what I want out of it and access the information/practice etc - looking forward to that as well.

Had a wonderful lunch with alkland today, who is still beautiful and chirpy and shiny shiny :) I've missed her so much - and I still miss the_informative lots!

Ran into agoodliedown and hopefully provided some sort of love based fortification for upcoming retail hell for her... will go past to see her on my way to the seminar tonight.

Slash gathering yesterday evening was just wonderful - lots of people, Boston Legal pimpage that was enthusiastic and spot on - zebra363 you were just so hearwarming about it all!! *is in love with Boston Legal all over again* That said, I was distracted upon leaving and managed to leave my Slash-mas present (Boston Legal S2) at the party :P I will now have to wait patiently to get it back :)

Really in summary, there are many shiny things in my world, and several of them I am creating for myself which makes me feel awfully accomplished and very in tune with 'me' and the aspirations/goals I have.

More and more getting my head around me being a person who drives for example. Also, me being a person who is not uncoordinated, and even a person who has credible taste in music and movies. Go me.

*hugs the universe*

Where am I? DPC Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... nil Define... # amazing conversations, amazing friends, amour, day to day, events, goals, identity, jobs, landmark, self, work

It's done, and dusted and over. Wow. I had one of the most amazing weekends of my life.

I spent time with a woman who has changed the world, made it a better place. I spent time with another woman who gave up the opportunity to appear at the final wrap party for the series she's been involved with, in order to be here in Australia.

And if that wasn't shiny enough... I met the people who put the supanova event together. I met the Joffre Street guys who do Cool Shite, I adored catching up with mdep again - it's always too long between chats! Also, this is the best chance we've had for catching up since I had her over here for Fandomedia :) I met F and M who are just amazing as far as guest managers go, and hot damn I aspire to be like them.

I caught up with Jennifer Fallon again and really enjoyed chatting to her - and the hugs. She gives good hug. Met her Secondborn and dearly enjoyed the conversation and company... it was all just freaking amazing. I finally met DZ the event director, his best friend and right hand, various others of his family members - all there helping out, making it run, and it was so awesome! He was so awesome! I'm so deeply pleased to have been able to put a face to the name, and enjoy seeing him do his thing, and do it well. So very well.

Perth Supanova rocked. We had more people through the door here than in Melbourne :) Also, it's not a once off - they're committed to coming back. They're pairing the line up of guests with the Sydney event which makes the break even a whole lot easier to reach as far as these things go.

I'm amused that Perth Convention Centre continues to price itself out of the market.

It was a great event and it was an incredible experience to see some of the way it works - I'd love to be more involved as a volunteer, it was amazing. It's also totally different to Swancon, it does different things, and there's a great crossover, but it's never going to be a replacement and they're not interested in doing that - they want to work with everyone, and have a community where everyone gets ahead, everyone benefits. It's not lip service either, I saw it in action.

Bring on Supanova 2009! I am so very there!

I learned so much that I hope to apply to Swancon as well, just minute things, comparison things, ideas and approach and appeal. It'll be interesting and very cool to debrief with my committee.

I'm too tired to gush any more, but if you thought it was all about the commercial side, then you'd be mostly wrong, because there is a bottom line element to it - you can't bring A list guests to Australia and not be thinking of it on some level.

But there is a whole lot more, it's a family run business, they're real people and they keep it down to earth and accessible and interesting - something different, and a little bit of something for everyone, also what an awesome array of sellers from over east coming over to Perth! Lots of new and interesting stuff I haven't seen before, and wished I had more spending money to appreciate.

As it was my overspending on budget went to photos, a portrait with Nichelle Nichols, and autograph - because having the opportunity to freeze a moment in time with a woman who is so deeply amazing, utterly worthwhile. So inspiring. And one with Kandyse Mcclure - because she's a darling person and she's become utterly smitten by Australia and Perth. I can buy 'stuff' any time, but something to remember to very special women by... you can't just make that appear out of thin air, and I never want to forget those moments shared, and all the things I wonder and hope for and want to do, pouring forth.

My beloved was in the cosplay and came runner up in the best individual overall section, which was incredible! He looked so pretty and was obviously having the most amazing time (while I was running around doing all of the above). I'm so proud of him!

I spent heaps of time with the Swancon stall, and we had great success in talking to people and getting the word out there, I am feeling fairly confident that we'll get some very positive results out of it. Now to collate all the mass of the information we received.

Also, kathrynlinge is worth a mountain of gold - the fliers and posters were spectacular hon, and you utterly deserve eleventy billion internets for doing such an amazing job! People were impressed and drawn to them and I can't stop looking at them! I think they'll be totally worth the cost of printing - even if that's wince worthy right this second. Many thanks to the amazing 2009 committee for weathering colds and honeymoon take offs in order to sit the desk and put Swancon out there to the Perth masses :)

Where am I? home Feeling... enthralled Compelled listening... nil Define... # amazing friends, amazing people, events, fandom, inspiring, moments to remember, sc2009, supanova, swancon, transcending

But you'll have to forgive me that... it's been an extraordinary day.

I was at Supanova talking about Swancon and stuffs, lots of people, cruisy and an enjoyable day. Networked my little heart out with people that I've met before people they introduced me to, had drinks with a rfriend and an awesome ex-Fandomedia guest of mine, and then the unexpected happened and I go to go out with several awesome people from the event, and some of the guests and party with them for a while. It was awesome, and I'm still grateful in a way that I can't quite articulate. My beloved kae_dash was very very pretty today, and will be in the cosplay tomorrow :) Should be spectacular! I did also make it past madradish's party in the end - a little unexpectedly, but I was pleased to see those who were still there. All my cleavage appreciation goes to madradish and splanky!

More Supanova tomorrow - looking forward to it. Especially more time chatting with M and F if possible, as they are event coordinating moguls! (or something to that effect).

Now, I sleep. I realise that this is far shorter than it deserves, but I have no brain power for more right now.

Where am I? home Feeling... ecstatic Compelled listening... nil Define... # amazing conversations, events, moments to remember, supanova

This wasn't the first part of my evening, but it did wholely make a difference.

Curled up with ascetic_hedony and there was that sense of being 'home' which is neither the wrong nor right word, but it was just wonderful. I was loved and there was much needed sharing of energy. We were playful and plotty and evil at moments, there was laughter and stress relief... and joy. Because I am loved, because I am celebrated. Because this is mutual and it is unquestioned. I am lucky. I am grateful. I am smiling and peaceful.


Facets of the world make me sad, hence the juxtaposition. ( More on the awards and my feelings... )

Though really right now, it's all about the love. Truly the greatest gift, to love and be loved - and to trust in this.

I don't quite feel like the night has ended - it's a little strange, as it really has. But I have the desire to be out in the middle of nature, away from electronics and lights, just with the stars and the breeze, ascetic_hedony and conversation, purry cuddles, energy, dreaming and phillosophy... and yet....

The seductive beast named 'sleep'... how tempting and soothing the creature.

Where am I? home Feeling... enthralled Compelled listening... nil Define... # amazing conversations, amazing friends, aspiration, awards, career, discussions, ditmars, eligibility, events, intimacy, love, sadness, sensuality

http://www.gayinwa.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=602&Itemid=230

Worth a look - lots of information and comments. It will be interesting to see what happens with the future of Pride, and the events, but if they work to be more relevant and listening to what the community wants without being financially irresponsible then I'd make a solid effort to support them - ie membership.


I'm pleased that in comparison, Swancon rarely suffers any loss as an organisation - and what small loss there has been, has been easily absorbed by WASFF. WASFF's careful (and sometimes overly beaurocratic) management is surety that we'll never be $51k in debt. I also think that we as a group strive far harder to be relevant to our community, although I think that we do dwell too much on how things have been done in the past, and need to think more about being relevant in the future.

Where am I? RPH Feeling... thoughtful Compelled listening... nil Define... # community, events, organising, pride, social, swancon, thoughts

And now I wait.

I think I did well. I hope I did well. I did the best I could at the time.

I'd be a good fit, the events aren't that dissimilar to Swancon actually.

Not only is it a job that would pay me to coordinate events, but they're a company that want's to make the world a better place.

It's a dream job, and a dream of an opportunity.

I hope they give me the job. I know they interviewed quite a number of people for it. I hope that they like me best for it.

I am now well and truly in overdrive with the traumatically hopeful.

I did however offset this just a little by spending some $ on some new Lush to reward myself for having done really good interviews this week.

I should find out next week sometime.

I need a nap before tonight's gathering, it's been such a full on couple of weeks.

Where am I? home Feeling... traumatically hopeful Compelled listening... beautiful silence Define... # events, hopeful, interviews, jobs, making the world a better place, organising, waiting

The perfect day, continued to get better, dinner was amazing and such awesome company :)

Everything continued sunshiny like, rest, relaxation, rejuvanation, companionship and conversation.

Time spent at home alone with my beloved.

Time spent out with friends at a picnic, and then finally...

The first annual Symphony in the City - what an awesome idea!!! I loved it, utterly amazing!

The idea is having the gorgeous setting between the river and the city skyline, and picking some of the most well known, famous and classic, pieces to showcase - things that you really should hear live, but sometimes it's hard to do, because they're considered to be 'so popular'.

My favourite was the finale, 1812 overture with the bells and artillary.

I can't wait for next year and plan to have a much bigger picnic ^_^

Aside from not having email access at my job, all is good. I have internets, which is to say livejournal but not email... bah :/ Expect a lot of posts from me over the next three weeks.

All things considered I am in a very happy place right now, there is balance in favour of the positive.

I am most of all, lucky and grateful to have the people around me that I love - it doesn't actually get better than that.

Where am I? Royal Street Feeling... cheerful Compelled listening... nil Define... # communication, events, jobs, social, sypmhony in the city, waso, weekend

First of all link: http://www.clubwest.com.au/default.htm

Secondly, I have a table tentatively booked, with 10 spaces available (9 if I count myself as first :P)

Who else is interested in coming along?

The November show is meant to include a best of from a number of the past events, so it should be funny and enjoyable.

I haven't been to one of these events in ages, but when I went it was awesome fun :)

Also, Club West Fundraises for the Aids Council (based on my dodgy memory - corrections welcome).

Details:

When: Saturday November 17th
Time: TBC
Where: Italian Club in North Perth - 41 Fitzgerald St.
Cost: $15 per ticket (I need money by Friday 19th October)

Where am I? work Feeling... productive Compelled listening... nil Define... # community, events, organising, queer, social