A Catchup.. Then Happy New Year!

Welcome to my first blog of 2007!

Firstly, I should say, there has been a number of people who have asked about my blog recently - mainly asking why I have not updated in a while after writing about being sick. Thank you to those people who have cared to ask - it's very sweet to know you are thinking of me.

It has been a while since I've posted (3 Dec 06) and it's not due to a lack of interest blogging. So many things have been happening (and not happening as the case may be!), that posting a blog wasn't on top of my list these last few weeks.

I plan to change that though.

As a New Year's Resolution, I plan to post a blog at least once a week (probably a Sunday) as a commitment to those who read my blog, and to myself.

So much has happened in these last few weeks - will fill you in on some of those things very quickly..

• My tonsillitis developed into a ear/nose/throat infection and I was off work at Ticketmaster for 3-4 weeks as I could not talk. (Some might say a blessing.. but I can tell you my bank balance is hurting!)
• My drag performance work still went ahead, however the singing show at Stonewall Hotel suffered a bit as we had to rework the show by cutting my song and dialogue from it. (Not an easy task - thanks to my cast!) Things are back on track now - voice back at 75% and no technical hitches on stage. In fact the audience went crazy for the show last night which was nice..
  
• The Xmas Show at Stonewall has opened and closed (3 week run). The management and punters loved the show - so if timing works right, we could do it again this year!
• Slipping in some politics, I'm very happy that Julia Gillard is in the deputy position in the Labour party. Even though I would like to see her as leader, it will be wonderful the day when Kevin Rudd leaves for another country and we have our first ever female Prime Minister (albeit an acting one!). I guess I shouldn't get ahead of myself, they haven't won the election... yet!
• Christmas was a quiet occasion, spending it with my partner, my dog Icypole, and my step-cat-children, Shadow and Scooter. We all opened presents on Xmas day, the animals got special food and my partner got 2 seasons of the West Wing and a Cookbook. I got a book "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins - I'm only part the way through, but it's an interesting read.
• NYE was wonderful and again, quiet. As I still had no voice, I avoided large gatherings and loud music by watching the fireworks from my apartment with my partner and dog, in between episodes of The West Wing of course!
• Scooter has been doing well and has put on weight again. He has become a new cat since his near-death experience. I'm serious! He used to be quite grumpy, but now he is born-again cat, and is a very loving and affectionate boy. When cats become diabetic, so many owners put the cat down as they think it's too much trouble. It's very easy to look after him - everything is normal except he gets a small injection everyday (he doesn't notice it!) and just some special food from the vets. Simple! And I think he has changed his tune cos he knows how much we love him..
• Over Christmas I booked some of my family in for flights to Sydney for Mardi Gras. I'm looking forward to having my Dad, my brother Matthew, sister-in-law Jessie and her sister Ana, here in Sydney. We are booked in for Priscilla on Mardi Gras Eve in the third row dead centre! Plus my family will see me perform in person for the first time on MG night at Stonewall. (We have had our season extended until MG night!)
• Speaking of Mardi Gras - I can now mention that I am creating the show for the Pool Party as part of the New Mardi Gras Festival. The working group has been meeting for a few months now, and I'm very excited to be part of the event. Stay tuned for more info!
• Plans are underway for the annual "Hats Off" at the Star City Showroom, and I've been asked to perform there for the HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. There are some huge names in Aussie showbiz there this year and it's gonna be amazing I promise you! Will give you more details soon..
• Mr Mary's shows have been cancelled over the last 2 weeks due to the Christmas/New Year season. I have been asked to organise a new show for the new year and will keep you posted on what is happening and when..
  
• On the topic of new shows, we will be opening our new production show for Stonewall (which replaces the Xmas show) next week. As always, naming a show is the last thing I do, so no names yet, but it continues along the Pink theme.. hint, hint!

That's about it.. I guess that wasn't so quick after all, but as many of you would know, I could have rambled on a lot more!

My best wishes to all of you for the new year. I hope that it is a better year for all of you.

My goals are to be more accepting and/or loving of others (especially my partner!), to care for the environment just that little bit more (be it animals or the Earth itself), to go to the gym and to update my blog weekly! I don't think that's a hard ask..

Love to you all.. Til next week..

XXX