My first tattoos

So tonight I got my first tattoos, a big deal in an alt girl's life!

So to answer the first and obvious question: Yes it hurt a bit, but no more than any number of other stupid things I've done to myself in the name of BDSM. My blood pressure dropped a bit and I had a few moments of heavy breathing and cold sweats but then the adrenaline kicked in and I perked up again. Sadly while the endorphins are there they don't rush like piercings, not the sort of thing you'd do for fun tiems.

The next question: Why wait till I'm 30, I have any number of piercings and am hardly afraid of looking weird. Well... Firstly tattoos are permanent, piercings are not and I had to be sure I knew what I wanted. I gave myself a policy that I had to want something for 2 years before I got it. When I decided on these a few years back, and stuck with it a barrage of people offered to buy me my tattoos for my birthday and failed 4 years in a row. Chops however is far more reliable than most ... and so here we are!

On the topic of you being an idiot and tattoos being permanent here's a PSA from Red Vs Blue:



Because I know you want to see it: here they are!



So what are they and why?

On the left hand wrist is the Lauburu or "Basque Cross" it's a symbol of the culture of my matriarchal family. Not a Christian cross it represents the 4 parts of man "spirit, life, consciousness, and form" and in the direction given is a symbol of prosperity and good luck. I wore one for most of my adult life around my neck and wanted it on myself permanently.

On the right hand wrist is the Mitsudomoe or 3 pointed Tomoe it's a symbol of my favourite culture Japan and represents the 3 parts of Shinto "Man, Earth, and Sky". It is commonly used in Japanese heraldic kamon.

To me this represents where I come from and where I choose to be, reflecting two cultures views of man and conveniently they're stylistically similar!

One last question: I had them done at Mischief Moon in Darlinghurst, recommended by a number of friends who'd had work done there. I had mine done by Gareth and was very happy with his treatment of the artwork and the advice he gave including discussing longevity, health and so on. A++ would buy again.

Drinking with Dinosaurs

When you're a nerd like me museums are like the best thing ever. There's dinosaurs and robots and buttons you can push, it's heaven.



In a stroke of genius the Australian Museum has started Jurassic Lounge, a combined nightclub and performance space during the winter months. Ciders, documentaries about robots, burlesque and Dinosaurs... Jurassic lounge has it all.



I've never seen the museum so packed, it's a marvellous idea and unsurprisingly filled with nerds and social media folk that I know pottering around in small groups laughing and drinking.



One of the great sections they have is one of those "show and tell" areas that were always a hit when I was a kid. They have lizards and insects and stuffed animals to play with and plenty of museum staff to talk to you about it. I am a little surprised they let people near live animals after drinking though :P



Of course there's all the fun of the normal exhibits and the joy of the heritage building and beautiful surrounds. A++ would buy again.



Of course featured heavily in these pictures is my friend Nat who deserves a mention. You know those people you meet in your life that you just click with? This happened when I met Dustan, Curley and Vicki... Instant bonds that are strong and deep. The fact that I'm a narcissist and Nat and I share a personality, a hair style (and way too many allergies and skin conditions) my overbearing nature and his submissive squeefulness makes it the perfect nerd friendship.



<3 you little one, here's to many years of friendship.

Tranter Wedding

Leon has always been one of those memorable but slightly quirky folk who's always been emotionally turbulent so to see him so happy and settled has been a marvelous thing. Recently he decided to make it permanent and proposed to his partner Nicole.

The wedding was a wonderful mix of friends and family from throughout their lives, held at the Australian Museum near Hyde Park in Sydney. This was easily one of the best wedding venues I've ever been to and was really special. Setting, views, food and uniqueness were all perfect. On top of this Leon and Nicole managed to get married on the hottest day on record for Sydney weather so the air conditioned comfort was more than welcome!



I love a good excuse for fancy wrapping paper, a friend of mine referred to my wrapping as "OCD in action" but I think it looks pretty.



Attempting a vintage classy goth look, thankfully they let us wear black to the wedding!



I'd have been disappointed if it were white roses!



Toast and Chops give me the crazy eyes (lucky I love them so!)



Blunt fringes and thin eyebrows are in this season... well with goth girls they're in every season lets face it.



The view was beautiful







Post ceremony drinks in the skeleton room were amazing and memorable.



The bride looked radiant.



Leon's taste in music was mentioned a good 5 times in the speeches leading to this conversation a few times

"So how do you know Leon"
"Oh you know, music things"
"Oh.... right..."

But I had the company of like minded fellows, so we spent a fair chunk of the reception talking about WGT and the Kinetik line up for the year.





Being swing dancers you had to know the first dance was going to be special!



This I think sums it all up though; Nicole handing Leon a sword to cut the croque en bouche. Perfect.

New Years Eve at Google Sydney

One of the great things about having an office on the water in Sydney is being able to get up close to the action for New Years Eve.

In Sydney any piece of land with a decent view of the fireworks is worth a positive mint on New Years, more so if you can actually enjoy it with friends and a drink. When the company offered up our cafeteria for celebrations then I was in like a shot and truth be told it was a great night.



New Year's for me is traditionally shakey, I don't like big crowds or being disappointed and so the best nights have been where I've stayed in one place with good friends. Catching the light rail to the office meant low stress, seats all the way and no hassle.



The view before sundown of the bridge



The view of the city lights



Some of the early fireworks



The bridge lighting up



I love the outline of the buildings on the fireworks