Friday, 27 January 2017

MMADAAA Session Four: Navigating the Industry and Chasing Your Dreams: Access All Areas Conference at The Lounge Room Gosford





Access All Areas
Session Four
Navigating the Industry and Chasing your Dreams: L-Fresh the LION, Est, The Profit, Ryan Buckland

Est
Est: As the artist you have to stick to your message, no matter what people say, it is your message. Trust your gut. #mmadaaa17 #Arts

Est: If you listen to too many people you will lose sight of who you are. #mmadaaa17 #Arts

The Profit
The Profit: We lose the ability to celebrate the small things along the way. Don’t have an all or nothing mentality. #mmadaaa17 #Arts

The Profit: Reflect on and celebrate your wins, even the smallest gain is worth celebrating. #mmadaaa17 #Arts

The Profit: Before you know it you will be a few steps further towards your dream. If you don’t – Discouragement #mmadaaa17 #Arts

Ryan Buckland
Ryan Buckland: Don’t lose heart when those you help are not ready to be helped. #mmadaaa17 #Arts

Ryan Buckland: Look after yourself – don’t become discouraged after encouraging other artists that are just not ready for it all. #mmadaaa17 #Arts

Sometimes taking more responsibility than we need too.

L-Fresh the LION
L-Fresh: Build up a solid habit of encouraging yourself. Motivate yourself and tell yourself that you are going to make it. #mmadaaa17 #Arts

L-Fresh: Build up a solid team around you who have your back, they will support you and pick up the slack when you are failing. #mmadaaa17 #Arts

L-Fresh: Teamwork is HUGE. #mmadaaa17 #Arts

Est: Do not compare yourself to anyone. The Music Industry in Australia is very small. #mmadaaa17

Est: Spend time with other artists, do not compete. Go to eachother’s gigs and overcome the competitive streak. #mmadaaa17

Est: Support eachother. Have friends within the Industry – they know where you’re at and can support you in return. #mmadaaa17

Will Small - The Lounge Room Gosford #MMAD4U
The Profit – get a good team and good friends around you. Find people who build you up. #mmadaaa17

The Profit – “Get an Army of Mirrors” Teams with a real buzz and positive energy, they will continue to remind you why you started in the first place. #mmadaaa17

The Profit – Remember why you started making music. Remind yourself and stay positive. #mmadaaa17

The Profit – There are a lot of negative people who know everything about everything. Learn who to listen too. #mmadaaa17

Ryan Buckland: Have fun in your life, don’t get too serious about stuff. Find your happiness – keep it good. #mmadaaa17

Ryan Buckland: Mentorship. Surround yourself with people who you can look up to and speak too. When things fall apart they will be there. #mmadaaa17

Ryan Buckland: Mentors will be able to provide you with so much knowledge and advice. They can guide you through so much. #mmadaaa17

L-Fresh: Music Education – there is no substitute for just DOING IT. Volunteer. Learn as you go. #mmadaaa17

L-Fresh: Know your history, know your culture, speak to your elders, tell the stories. Inform and Empower. #mmadaaa17

Est: I haven’t had one definitive moment when I felt “this gives me power / this gives me knowledge” #mmadaaa17

Est: I’ve had special moments with fans that have made me feel strength and focus. #mmadaaa17

Est: Connecting with the world around me gives me power. #mmadaaa17

The Profit – I am not a Hip Hop Artist – I am a MC. I am not a man who had a baby – I am a FATHER. Define yourself accurately and give yourself power. #mmadaaa17

L-Fresh: In this industry it is easy to get “big on yourself” full of yourself. You need to filter the compliments etc and stay grounded. #mmadaaa17

L-Fresh: Remind yourself that none of this is yours, it belongs to a higher power. Just be grateful and stay grounded. #mmadaaa17

Est: Stay grounded. Whether you have a team or a fanbase, there is so much hard work being done to keep you where you are. #mmadaaa17

Est: Remember that everyone has their own journey. #mmadaaa17

Est: Don’t compare yourself, better understand people and this will help bring humility. #mmadaaa17

The Profit – Knowledge of self is real foundational stuff, if part of who you are is solidly set on being humble no matter what season you’re in. #mmadaaa17

The Profit – We wan’t to be the type of guys who will talk to the sound guy, stand in the front when others are performing 1 / 2 #mmadaaa17

 The Profit – Encouraging and empowering others while they are performing, surround ourselves with other muso’s and sharpen each other 2 / 2 #mmadaaa17


The Profit – don’t lose the humility. Keep people who love you close. They will be able to keep you grounded. #mmadaaa17

MMADAAA Session Three: The Power of Music (and the Arts) for Building our Community: Access All Areas Conference at The Lounge Room Gosford

www.therhythmhut.com.au

Access All Areas
Session Four
The Power of Music (and the Arts) for building our community: Louise Sawilejskij GM of The Rhythm Hut in Gosford. 

Dictionary Reference: Community: A social unit of any size that shares common values #mmadaaa17

Inclusivity: Culturally -> Acknowledging original owners of the land. All music genres. #ThePowerOfMusic #mmadaaa17

Inclusivity: Diversity -> All types of people. Make sure that all people feel welcome. Change the perception. #ThePowerOfMusic #mmadaaa17

Inclusivity: Communication -> All types of people. Remember to accept all personality types, be able to reach out. #ThePowerOfMusic #mmadaaa17

Inclusivity: Accessibility -> be accessible to helpers, let people assist you in reaching your goals. Team work is key. #ThePowerOfMusic #mmadaaa17

Inclusivity: Open -> Listen to your inner voice. Be open to change. Flexibility is good! #ThePowerOfMusic #mmadaaa17

Artists in a community have a really beautiful way of getting behind one another, and connecting opportunities. #mmadaaa17

Connection: Community is built on connection! “The opposite of Addiction is Connection” #mmadaaa17

Connection: Human connection - we need human interaction, group settings, music classes etc. #mmadaaa17

Connection: Challenge: Find ways to build connection in your community. #mmadaaa17

Collaborate: Opens your community – leads to new ventures and adventures! #mmadaaa17

Collaborate: Double your powers – Double exposure – Do awesome stuff! Fuels and challenges creativity #mmadaaa17

Collaborate: @RhythmHut and The Lounge Room Gosford collaborate and this equals great things in #Gosford! #mmadaaa17

Meet Up: Go to every event, #Music #ArtExhibition #BookLaunches #FilmScreening #Gosford! #mmadaaa17

Meet Up: Networking -> Line up meetings -> Formal or Informal -> Keep hustling #Gosford! #mmadaaa17

Meet Up: Talk to Strangers #NoStrangerDanger #Networking #Opportunities to Connect. #Gosford! #mmadaaa17

#1RULE – Don’t forget the LOVE! #Arts #Opportunities to Connect. #Gosford! #mmadaaa17



MMADAAA Session Two: The Ins and Outs of the Songwriting Industry: Access All Areas Conference at The Lounge Room Gosford


http://ginajeffreys.com/

Access All Areas
Session Two
The Ins and Outs of the Songwriting Industry: Gina Jeffreys and Rod McCormack #mmadaaa17

A prevalent issue in songwriting by new writers, is the use of too many words, lyrics rushed. #mmadaaa17

Write out your fave song, and study the structure & rhyme scheme – try to emulate that. #mmadaaa17

If your song title asks a question – answer it in the song. Tell the full story. Stick to the subject. #mmadaaa17

Take your fave song, look at the lyrics, think about the meter–count syllables. Exercise: Write new lyrics based on the old song. #mmadaaa17

#Lyrics “To say much, in so little time, with so little space… is really hard to do. So do it well.” – Rod McCormack #mmadaaa17

Lyric writing rules are always flexible. What works could literally be reversed and still work. #mmadaaa17

“The number one secret to success: is kindness and helping others. If you’re an assh-le that negative word will spread like wildfire…” #mmadaaa17





MMADAAA Session One: Creativity and Land: Access All Areas Conference at The Lounge Room Gosford



l-r Will Small, Phil Pallas, Izzy, Chang Po Ching, Dr Rod Patterson

Access All Areas Conference (Arts)
Session One Live Tweets @sandybigaradiva
Creativity and Land: Phil Pallas social Worker, Izzy Hip Hop Artist, Chang Po Ching Youth Worker and Music mentor, Dr Rod Patterson Art Historian and Social Worker – arts.

Knowing your heritage and your roots is a powerful thing – it enhances your personal experience and can shape and form your future focus. #mmadaaa17

Being aware of culture – the mass of cultures around us – using elements of that culture to influence our artistic growth. #mmadaaa17

Being aware of FROM and ARE – You are FROM somewhere but you ARE living out your walk possibly somewhere else. #mmadaaa17

Trying to forget the negative context associated with “Cultural Appropriation” (the negative view espoused by angry and frustrated people 1 / 2 #mmadaaa17

 …accept & encourage “Cultural Influence and Cultural Tolerance” promoted by those willing to share their cultural practices and ideology with others.  2 / 2 #mmadaaa17

Feeling as if you have no history or heritage can be a hard cross to bear. Sharing culture can alleviate that feeling of homelessness #mmadaaa17

People need to really think about #AustraliaDay debate and realise the impact of this Culturally sensitive date on Indigenous people. #mmadaaa17

As artists we have the responsibility to create dialogue and convey a message re #AustraliaDay #ChangeTheDate #mmadaaa17

26th January will never be a date that unites/unifies the peoples. As #artists how do we assist in this change? #AustraliaDay #mmaadaaa17

There is much to be done to fill in our History books with truths, including ALL cultural stories. Even ugly truths need to be learned about. #mmaadaaa17

More people than ever are speaking openly about Aboriginal issues. This is a positive change & shows an upward trend in reconciliation. #mmaadaaa17

There has been a real loss of culture and languages on the East coast. There are challenges facing Indigenous peoples wrt this. 1/2 #mmaadaaa17

The challenge facing artists is how to bring awareness – “Art has communicating power” it is our responsibility. 2/2 #mmaadaaa17

“A true Artist is someone who speaks for the people – we speak for Australia” – Chang Po Ching #mmaadaaa17

“We can’t listen if we don’t love, we can’t love if we don’t listen” – Chang Po Ching #mmaadaaa17

“We became brothers by Freestyling together, even though we didn’t understand each others language” - Izzy #Unity #mmaadaaa17

Practical Application:

“I want my private and my public life to be in this space called “The Studio” – it’s where mistakes are made…” – Dr Rod Patterson #mmaadaaa17

“Find out what your story is. Be gracious with people. Ask questions. Learn more” – Izzy #mmaadaaa17

“Find someone who speaks your language (your message) and get them to speak WITH you, to others” – Chang Po Ching #mmaadaaa17

Tuesday, 24 January 2017

URGENT: Kidnapped Baby Returned Home Safely!


Fantastic news!! 
Baby Kalais has been returned to her Mum. 
What a phenomenal response from the community on the Central Coast. So many shares and support. 

A very welcome and happy ending. We hope that the family are able to work through everything and have a long and happy life Xx 


Monday, 23 January 2017

DIARY: Sisters


Sisters.
Whether we come from stable homes, or from dysfunctional ones, there is something very special about the bond that sisters share.

When a sisterhood bond is torn or broken for any reason, there is always pain that echoes and lingers through the years. It is something so painful, that only reparation and restoration can cure it.

Hearing my daughters (7 and 9) fight, play, laugh, yell, work together and drive each other nuts over this very long Christmas vacation has been amazing to watch. They can annoy each other to the point of insanity, but with very little effort they are back together again having fun, giggling, and bonding.

My sister and I are separated by 12,000kms… it is harder some days, thankfully she is really great at keeping in touch – an area where I struggle. Seeing her name pop up with a message or joke in the morning when I wake up, is the best feeling. Knowing that I can literally tell her anything and she will give solid advice, knowing how funny she is when she has had some wine and brings out her jazz collection – listening to her quiet voice messages of her singing songs just for my ears. Really precious. I wish she were closer.


If you have a sister, give her a call. 
Send her a message. 
Sisters are very precious. 

LOOK LOCAL: Peppercorn Park Horses Interview on Friday!

Photo via: Peppercorn Park Horses 

I'm very excited to say that I have my first interview for 2017 coming up - for an article - this Friday actually!

I'm a little bit *too* excited... 🙊

I will be spending time at Peppercorn Park Horses on Friday in Jilliby NSW, with my two divatjies in tow.

It seems I will be riding a Horse for the first time in years! I'm hoping that 'muscle memory' is an actual thing, and that I won't fall off / make an idiot of myself / pretend I'm riding a My Little Pony. I can't wait for that divine Horse smell 💗 the best in the world.

I'm having my younger divas' birthday party at Peppercorn Park in July and seeing her tear around the house asking "how long till July??!" was totally worth it! 😉

I can't wait to find out more about this lovely venue and meet the ponies and horses!

And yes, it's 00:28. I'm keen as.

They can be contacted via their FACEBOOK PAGE 
Or via phone:
0428989218
0423280330
or,
0450112091

Sunday, 22 January 2017

URGENT: Missing Baby in Newcastle/Morriset NSW Australia

Baby Kalais is back home with her Mother! She is safe in her Mum's arms 💗
Thank you to all who shared and commented. And thank you to the NSW Police for their hard work, mostly a big congrats on a safe and happy return to Kalais' SuperMum. 
#BringHomeBabyKalais
PLEASE SHARE THIS LINK. 
I WILL UPDATE AT THE END OF THIS POST  WHEN SHE IS FOUND. 
Read the NSW Police post HERE
CALL 000 IF YOU SEE THEM. 


Danny Reid and Kalais


 The outfit Kalais was wearing the day she was taken.
Photos provided via Facebook.  

Can everyone PLEASE keep an eye out for a very little baby girl, Kalais Chevell'e, that has been taken by her Father.

Her dad, Danny Reid took off with her from Morriset, New South Wales, Australia, at about 3pm, Sunday 22nd January 2017 - during a supervised visit. 

He is mentally incapable of caring for her. (She is very small and also exclusively breast fed) There is a recent and ongoing history of drug abuse, physical abuse and threats. We are all worried about her whereabouts and her safety. 

Unsure of their whereabouts, there have been sightings in Morriset NSW, but please keep an eye out and call police 000 ASAP if they are sighted or if you see anything related to this. 

Please share around - the more people see baby Kalais Chevell'e the better. 

Tuesday, 10 January 2017

DIARY: First Day of School

It's time people. Buckle up. 

Oh gosh. Already. Ok.

Being from South Africa, a lot of my friends online are sending their kids back to school earlier than we will in New South Wales. 

South African first-day-of-school photo deluge incoming!

Followed shortly by status posts warning about pedos.

Followed by warnings about posting photos of your child, their uniform, their school, and their drop off times. 

Followed by more emotionally motivated, badly taken photos, of mildy apprehensive crotchfruits in baggy uni's and too-big shoes.

"Thank goodness" We will all think smugly, as we scroll down our school coloured newsfeeds,
"Thank goodness OUR children don't look like these!" :)

PS. I am joking. I love all of your cute little genetic creations <3 

Monday, 9 January 2017

HEALTH & FITNESS: Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Exercise

Exercises. You see a cool chart, I see the result: (numbered to match the numbers of the chart)

1) Dislocate kneecaps, feel wrist bones compressing into the hand bones. 

2) Dislocate pelvis and pubis bones.

3) Lower back spasm causing issues with leg movement whIle walking.

4) Shoulder spasm and spasm of the hips and sciatic area.

5) Entire lower back clicks and subluxiates from ribs to pelvis, cue sciatica and leg cramps. Also lying on the floor causes the back of the pelvis to move out of alignment - pain in coccyx and legs. Causes knees to move out of their place, causing foot cramps. 

#EDS #EDSAwareness Google "What is EDS?"