A silly poem.

I have started writing poetry. Correction. I have started writing. Again. And this time around, it seems I am writing poetry. A lot of it. Along with just my general thoughts and musings of the world in which I (or should that be, 'we') live.

So, I've written a poem. The subject is one you know. Someone you've encountered. More than once. Probably everyday. If not, more than once a day. In my line of work -Customer Service - I'm unfortunate enough to encounter this type of person everyday. Hourly. Heck, even every minute!

They're stupid people.

And they annoy the crap out of me!

From the looks they give you when they don't understand what you say, to the questions they ask and then you can't understand what they say. They exist. Everywhere.

Now, in my line of work, it's a given they'll they'll appear. It's to be expected. That's fine. With 15 years of experience in customer service, I'm used to it by now. But I tell you, after all this time, it still gets frustrating. And I'm often left shaking my head.

On any given shift, I'll get more than my share of stupid people. But the other night, I swear, every single customer was stupid. I'm not even kidding. Believe me, for both our sakes, I wish I was! Every. Single. One.

Now, I've said it before... I'm a pretty cool, calm and collected person, but my, oh my, were they testing my patience last Thursday. I was getting so frustrated it wasn't even funny. So, I had to vent. Below is what I came up with.

One day, I'll put it on a t-shirt. 'Stupid people shouldn't breed. Ever'. But for now, I've written it in this poem...

Hey stupid people, if you stop to see,
You'll realise that you shouldn't breed.
Your stupidity and ignorance,
Are really quite a damn nuisance.
Your confused looks and thoughtless questions,
We wonder why you have children.
So acknowledge what it is to do,
Stop breeding, please, we beg of you!

Can I copyright a quote?

I am in a constant state of confusion, loss and indecisiveness at the moment.

My life, I'm honestly not sure where it's at. I know where I want it to go and be, but the question is how to get there. I suppose the answer is to simply work hard at it. Anything is attainable if you simply take the time to try. You've got a sweat a little, if you want to see a reward at the end. This is true.

Here's a little about me you might not know... I am 30. I am not married. I do not have children. There was a time I wanted both of these things in my life. These days, I have to say, I'm not sure I want either. Who knows, perhaps my mind will change one day, but for now, where I'm at on my journey, I'm not looking for either.

I am a pretty care free person. Extremely easy going. Very rarely angry. It happens, but it's rare. And here's my advice to you... when I'm angry, be somewhere else! I rarely get annoyed. It takes a lot to annoy me. Though stupid people do it with ease. I'm pretty patient. Though I've no time for stupidity, ignorance or arrogance. If you possess all three, please, do me a favour and stay away. It's for both our own goods.

Nothing much phases me, but if you leave a light on, or leave the tap dripping with water, I'll have some words to you. This world, it is bigger than you know. Bigger than you realise. It is certainly bigger than you. I know you may not want to accept it, but one day, you won't be here. So please, take the time now to consider this earth for the day after you're gone. The people remaining will be far more thankful.

I rarely raise my voice, I like my friends and I try and laugh daily. It's not only good for the soul, but I'm sure it's the reason there's not a single grey hair on my head. And I'm pretty sure at my age, I should have at least one!

Heaven help the day it arrives though, I don't feel as though I've done enough with my life to deserve one. I might have picked up a backpack when I was 22 and seen more countries than I dreamed of by the time I was 25, but I'm not sure this warrants grey hair. I'm not sure that anything in my life does.

I am now back living at home and have been for over a year. I do not own my own place. Gosh, I don't even own a car. But I don't mind. The public transport doesn't bother me and I get to drive a car now and then anyway. Everything I own, fits into my room and a couple of boxes in the garage. I couldn't fill a house, let alone an apartment, even if I wanted to!

And that's why my life is where it is, I guess. I'm not blaming anyone for it. Blame does nobody any favours. But I'm acknowledging it. Sometimes, most times, I over think things. I take the time to assess. And then I re-assess some more. Every now and then, every few months, I seem to go through this phase. Questioning my life and all it's worth.

And I guess, that's where I'm at at the moment. A phase. I simply couldn't figure out how to say what I wanted to say, to describe my constant state of... 'being'.

Until now....

'For though my body's here, my soul is not. It is not of this time. This place. This space'.

In the words of Eminem....

... Guess who's back?

If you answered 'You', then yes, you are correct!

It seems I lost my mojo. My muse. My reason for writing.

I also lost my password.

Oh, and forgot what my sign in was for my google account - which is, of course, connected to signing in on my blog.

Well, it seems I've remembered. I've regained my confidence, my thoughts and my voice. And it seems, my fingers can't keep up on this keyboard fast enough. They are tap, tap, tapping away as they try and maintain the speed at which my brain it moving it. They are not succeeding. I keep making mistakes and wasting time by pressing the <--- button. I've used it about 10 times already, but I've been kind enough to clear the mistakes for you. Heaven forbid, I should subject you to my grammar.

This blog will take a different turn now though.

You see, I just spent about 10 minutes trying to think of a new name for a blog -

finding my voice
writing right
what I can't say

To name a few, but alas, these were all taken. So I've decided just to stick with my original blog name... the 'moviemerlin' one, only give it a bit of a make over. A shake-up. A change.

I am no longer an 'autograzzi'. I don't do the celebrity spotting anymore. Living in Brisbane, there's not really anyone I see (though, I am hoping to find Tim McGraw come September!). So now, the blog will just be about anything. And everything. My thoughts, my musings, my life, my rants - as the keys I tap become words and the words become sentences, this will become my blog.

My life is taking a change, or at least, I hope it is. I've now decided what I'd like to do and where I'd like to be, and I'm hoping with all hope, that I'll get there. My fate is to be a writer, that much I know... I just have to be willing to take a few steps to get there.

So, please, come take a walk me. Follow me on this journey. Maybe you'll laugh. Maybe you'll cry. Maybe you'll get to the end of a post and wish you could get that 3 minutes of your life back. But if you can't do that, then I ask only this of you...

Please, forgive me for taking 2 years to get back to you. You sure were missed!

Living the life of an Autograzzi

(A little overdue, but as promised, here's your lunchtime reading...)

Ok, technically I'm not a 'Die Hard' Autograzzi. From my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, an 'autograzzi' is the sharpie-in-hand version of a paparazzi. That's to say they're where the celebrities are... all the time. At the hotel. At a premiere. At a restaurant. At a club. They're always there and waiting being tipped off who's inside, who's coming or who's about to check-in. I don't get all that information. But I've stepped up my game in recent months. Namely because come May, I won't be in London any longer and I won't be doing this (silly and questionable) hobby. I do a bit of research, read the papers, talk to the paps and the pure, true 'autograzzi' to get some information. But if they've done me a favour, I don't get in their way. I want an autograph, maybe two. They want 6, 7 or 10. I let them get a couple, then I step in, see what I can get, then step out of the stampede.

Recently, I've had THE busiest week. I think I finally sympathise will my paparazzi friend Hughie. He's been doing the whole paparazzi thing for years. If you've read my blog you'll know who Hughie is. I've mentioned him before and just a few weeks ago I dedicated a post just to him. Hughie doesn't get autographs, he gets photographs. I try and do both. I like to get an autograph and then try and get a photo of them signing or looking up and then I'll put that in a nice frame with the auotograph and list when and where it was taken. It's a hobby. A very tiring one if this week is anything to go by.

I think the week I crossed the boundary. I've gone from 'hobby collector' to 'Autograzzi' (a term Hughie uses and one that's rubbed off on me). I got to work early on Monday morning (too early) so I could leave for 90 minutes for an 'appointment'. This is something I've NEVER done before. But I came in early to work the time that I knew I'd be out of the office for. I went to wait for Kevin Spacey. He's one on my top 10 to get an autograph from. For those of you that know, I live in London. Kevin's currently doing theatre just down the road from my work office. You'd think he'd be easy enough to get on the 2 photos I want signed - one he's holding an Oscar the other is a movie still from 'The Negotiator' (a film I've watched too many times to remember). But no. Mr Spacey refuses to sign non-theatre merchandise at stage door. All fair and good, but I've seen him turn people away with photos and DVD covers and they've come from the States or Europe to watch and meet him. A few broken hearts no doubt.

Monday (31st March, 2008) - I was waiting for Kevin in the morning (or so I thought) when I'd been there about 20 minutes and was told he had 'pre-recorded' his interview. I was in a little bit of shock. The man lives a 10 minute walk from the studio. He lives in London. He pre-recorded?! There were a few annoyed collectors to say the least. Me especially because trying to get this man to sign my two photos in the past 4 months has been the bane of my existence! Plus, I'd gotten up early to go to work so I could leave. Alas, no luck.

But all was not lost. The bonus came (and for me, this was even more exciting than a 2 time Oscar winner I've been running around London for) was that a Bee Gee... an original Bee Gee... was due to turn up. About 30 minutes after the 'bad news' Robin Gibb pulled up. He was running a little late so he didn't sign but said he'd do it on the way out. True to his word, he did. What a lovely and approachable man. Plus, he grew up in my home town in Australia, so he and I were 'chatting' about Brisbane. He asked where I was from and it turns out he grew up only 2 suburbs away. I managed to get my photo with him and I scored two autographs (one is for my younger cousin who's also a fan), so all was not lost.

Tuesday (April 1st)- I took in the play Kevin's starring in with Jeff Goldblum. It's called 'Speed-The-Plow' and if you're in London... Go and see this play! It was just phenomanal. Well worth the money for a ticket. Thought in process... actually, I believe it's sold out but standing tickets are still available and it's only 90 minutes long, so that's a decent amount of time to not sit. After the play I went to stage door where I managed to get Jeff and Kevin to sign my programme. When Kevin signed I said something like 'You look more alive and at ease on that stage than any film I've seen you in' to which he looked up at me and said 'Oh, well thank you'. The look he gave me was one that he seemed he appreciated the comment. I didn't want to ask Mr Spacey to sign my photos, though in hindsight, it was a quiet night for stage door, so I wonder if he would've done it, especially after the reaction he gave me. I guess I'll never know.

Wednesday (April 2nd)- This was the night of the premiere for the new Martin Scorsese rockumentary 'Shine A Light' about the Rolling Stones' last tour. I heard Scorsese had cancelled, so it was just the four boys from the band turning up. When I say 'just' that's because I was a little disappointed one of the world's greatest directors wasn't making an appearance. I managed to see the band - Mick, Keith, Charlie and Ronnie - and pulled off a quick few photos. I would've had a great shot of the four of them, but as usual, a PA was in the way. Ah, this is why I need a press pass!

Mick came over and signed and he would've signed for me but an 'autograzzi' went over me and that was the last signature he did in my area (he only did about five). Keith walked directly over to me, made eye contact and then at the last minute, took a detour and started 5 people to my left. Why? Why, Keith.... WHY?!? Granted, he looked a little off his rocker. Ronnie, who's usually very good with signing didn't do anything but Charlie, bless his soul came over and had a little chat and posed and signed my two photos and the movie poster I'd hung up on the barrier.

(Damn P.A! This would've made for a nice photo otherwise!)

After the premiere was over, I had just over an hour to kill before one of country music's biggest name's was due to appear. Kris Kristofferson was in town and I just HAD to meet him! I jumped on a bus and took the 20 minute journey to the concert venue where I waited for him to come out. And waited. And waited some more. After the concert, there were about 40 fans waiting at his tour bus and about 60 over by stage door. Unfotunately, they weren't close enough to stand between the two. You could walk between them, but you had to choose... one or the other. The bus or the door.

As the time drifted away and a lot of the fans gave up and security advised us that 'Mr Kristofferson had left', I didn't like my chances. The only good thing was that the tour bus was there... and I figure he had to get on it. Yeah, I had to go to work in the morning but come on... Kris Kristofferson! I had gotten the autograph from his support act at stage door so I was (stupidly) standing there. The next thing I know, about 7 people high tailed it to the bus, so I went with them. I rounded the corner to see this silver haired man being flocked by a see of colours. Autograph collectors, most of them fans, were getting Kris' autograph. I ran up behind them (there was only about 15 people by this time) and Kris was still signing. Phew! And he signed and signed.

His security was trying to rush him on the bus, but he just kept signing. It was apparently the first and only time he'd signed after a concert because normally he got straight on the tour bus. It looked like I was about to miss him and I asked my friend to get my autograph because he'd gotten his stuff done and I hadn't gotten Kris yet, so he reached over and got one of my photos. As I was talking to my friend his security overhead me say 'No, I haven't gotten him yet' to my friend and said 'Kris, sign for this lady and that lady and then we'll get on the bus'. So Kris signed my two other photos - slowly, full signature - and then he signed about 3 more for others before boarding the bus. By the time I got home, it was 1:30am.

Thurdsay (April 3rd) - After finishing work I took in another show on the West End. I went to see the new musical (by new, I mean it just opened in London recently) 'Hairspray'. Wow! What a show! It'll have to you clapping your hands and tapping your feet and if you don't leave here with that 'feel good' feeling, then clearly, you're just not human! I would've liked to have done stage door, but Mariah was in town and she was finishing a TV taping, so I didn't know what time she was due back. It was anyone's guess. I figure I'd do stage door another time (which I've since done) and go and check out her hotel (wonderfully published in the paper, thus making my research easy).

I arrived to find about 10 other autograph collectors and about 3 paparazzi. I thought 'Hmm... that's kinda quiet', but stuck around none-the-less.

Now remember, 6 months ago, I never did hotels and restaurants, so this is all still very new to me. After waiting here for about an hour or more we found out she was at a restaurant around the corner. So I walked up there (only a 2 minute hike) and found about 10 paparazzi and about 15 fans waiting and was told she'd gone into the restaurant 30 mintues earlier and signed and posed. Bummer!

So, I decided to play the waiting game for the second night in a row. I mean, she's a small woman, how long can it take to eat a meal? Well, you'd be surprised! At about 2:10am she emerged and posed infront of a collaboration of '18' balloons (signifying her 18th Number 1 hit) for the waiting paparazzi. I was standing right by the door so she had to pass me to get in the car. I thought my chances of an autograph there were good. Unfortunately I had to get past her burly bodyguard. My God, did he do his job good! As I hadn't planned to go anywhere after the theatre, I didn't have my good camera on me. I always carry a disposable and the result isn't too bad...

No luck at the restaurant, though she did do a couple of autographs. I then high-tailed it back to the hotel and as I was running there, her car sped past me and I thought 'I'm not gonna make it!'. I rounded the corner and figured she'd already be getting papped... but she hadn't even gotten out of the car. She must've sat it in a few minutes before she got out.

And then it hit.

Mass hysteria. Pandamoneium. Pure, absolute madness. Out of nowhere the crowd expanded 10 fold. This woman literally stopped traffic.

I have never in my life, seen anything like it... and I've seen some things! Her bodyguard was blocking her good as she got out of the car, but Mariah was nice enough to reach over and sign some autographs. At this point I was standing right by the hotel door entance and thought 'Ok, I'll let the paps go first', but I saw her signing and realised it was being done in reverse. Sign now. Pap later. So... I got in there. I had to fight with her bodyguard to get in there, but she signed my photo. There's even a photo of me on WENN getting my autograph. Ok, let's be honest... the photo's of Mariah, but that's my silver sharpie she's holding as she's signing my photo with the yellow sticky note attached!

Ah... 4 hours waiting and finally... success! Worth it? It's not the greatest autograph and it was rushed but yeah, it's Mariah Carey. When will I see her again?

The funniest part of the night (and this would've made it worthwhile had I not gotten an autograph) is when a crazy fan wanted to give her a letter because she was a 'songwriter' who Mariah owed money to. This lady was booed and yelled and sworn at by both Mariah's staff and her fans. 'Mariah writes all her own songs. She don't owe you shit!'. She was persisent. 'Give her this letter. It's got my number. She owes me money. I'm a songwriter. We're gonna settle this in court!' to which the crowd burst out laughing... and she proceeded to stomp off down the street. I tell ya, you just can't script that stuff! Free entertainment at it's best!

So all-in-all it had been a busy. I've dipped my feet into the 'autograzzi' water and it's been a success. Though, I doubt I could do this all the time. Chasing and yelling and staying out until God knows when. It's all a little bit uncertain and you don't always get what you want. I'm now feeling the after affects though. I'm tired and worn out. I'm trying to concetrate at my job (I actually work during the day. Remember... this is just a hobby!) and I'm thinking about the next few days. I wonder if they'll slow down for me. I doubt it. George Clooney has a premiere next week and his good buddy Matt Damon's filming about town.

And to think, this was just 'a week in the life'....

Hughie, how do you do it?!?

2000 Hits!

Woo Hoo! Two Thousand Hits! TwoThousand Hits!

T-w-o T-h-o-u-s-a-n-d H-i-t-s!!!!

Let me put it numerically for you.... 2000!!!

As feeble as it may seem to you, I'm a little excited. I always wonder if people stop and take the time to read this blog.

And now I'm at 2000 hits, I'm wondering who besides Caity, my cousin and myself even know this blog exits?! Oh and Hughie, I think he's my biggest reader. He's probably chuckling slightly to himself. Him and all his 188560 hits!

Not that I mind. I sincerely thank you for stopping by!

Ok, enough with the ego dance. It's far too out of character for my liking!

Stop back in a few days. I'm working on a massively long post. It'll take your whole lunch break to get through it. I've been playing autograzzi for a week... and boy, am I tired!

Thank you for reading and my apologies for the outburst. Don't worry.... I'll save you the trouble... I'm off to go slap my own face!

My Other Blog

I have created a new blog. One I've been wanting to do for a while. To date, there's only one post on there, but if you get the chance, please check it out - Notes From An Aussie Trekker

Or you can find the link on the left side of this page under 'links'.

Don't worry, I'll still maintain this one. The other one's just for the travel stories.

As always, thanks for reading!

A Note from an Aussie Trekker...

(For those of you on my group emailing list... this is nothing new. I've just copied and pasted.. oh and ammended the 'personal' stuff).

Well, well, well. Hello All...

My Goodness... it sure has been a long time coming for one of these group emails, now, hasn't it?! So yes, this'll be a long one!

What's it been? A year... or two?? I know it's been a while. I'm just not sure how long. There are those of you that I've written to and in turn, have written to me in the past year, so a few of you out there know that I'm still kicking. For some of you, my name in your inbox might be a shock. And then for the rest of you, you'll probably be like 'Um... who?!'.

For the those of you that sit and ponder the last question, then this answer's for you... I would've met you in my travels. Somewhere. It might have been Europe at the end of 2002 or early 2003. It might've been Canada later that year or as I trekked across the good ol' US of A in search of a Major League Baseball stadium. Or perhaps I met you when I went back to North America in 2004 and again in 2006 and most recently this past Christmas... or I've met you here in London. Hopefully one of those will jog your memory.

Still no luck? Ah, just hit 'delete' then, eh!

So yes, for the last 2 years (Almost! And My God... has it been that long!?) I've been living in London. Sunny, sunny London. Yes, that's me trying to be funny. No, it's not working. I was here for 3 months before I found a job and was on the verge of going home when I stuck it out another 2 weeks and managed to find some work (much to my Mother's dismay, I'm sure). So I've been working in the same job for almost 2 years (um... is that allowed!?) Ah well, no-one's come knockin' yet! (Touch wood!). For those of you that don't know, I work as a Data Analyst for a nice Global Company that treats their employees well. I have enjoyed the experience. I work not far from the London Eye. Infact, if I go to one of our cafes, I can take in the view of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Yes, I think I've taken it all for granted, this living in London. Though it hasn't been as kind to me as I would've liked. It certainly has been an 'expensive' experience. This living in London is really not cheap and I'm at a loss as to figure out how people can do this for more than 2 years!

Granted it hasn't been all bad and there's some things I'll miss when I leave. Of the two main things, I'll miss the movie premieres. I certainly have met quite a number of famous people since I've lived here in this city. Jack Nicholson, Nicole Kidman, Dustin Hoffman, Jennifer Aniston, Matt Damon, Sandra Bullock, Sylvester Stallone, Uma Thurman and both of the Bonds... Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. There's been more, many more, but I just can't be bothered naming them all. And let's be honest... you don't want to read them all. It has been a very tiring hobby and one I'm actually looking forward to leaving behind. I've been enjoying it less and less as the months have gone on. I think I'm just getting to old to go chasing these people around for a squiggle on a piece of paper, don't you think? There's still about 7 or 8 more on my 'list of people to meet'... but I figure I've got the next 20 years to meet them, so I'm in no rush.

The second thing I'm going to miss... and this supercedes the premieres, would you believe... is the theatre. I will, without a doubt, miss the West End. It really is only second to Broadway and I've seen some great shows and watched some amazing performances over the last three years. I've had the pleasure of seeing Sir Ian McKellen perform (albeit briefly naked. Him, not me). I've watched the amazing Kevin Spacey strutt his stuff on the stage at the Old Vic theatre where he looks more alive and at ease than he does in any film and I've had the chance to see a David Mamet play be brought mesmerisingly to life. It's all been a wonderful experience and it is this, above all, that I will miss most about London.

I will NOT miss the horrid, horrid public transport system. Seriously people, how many times do you have to ring the bell for the bus to stop?! It averages about 4 times... and these stops are only about 200 metres apart. I mean, that buzzer just gets pressed and pressed and oh, how I'd like to yank it out of the bus itself, it gets pressed so... damn... much!

I will NOT miss the weather. It's almost the end of March... and it was snowing on Easter Sunday. Snow. In March. I think that is almost unheard of, especially for this part of the world. And when it's not snowing, it's looking grey and wet. Granted, there were a few days of sun in the last 2 years, but last summer was almost non-existent. No, I will not miss the weather.

I will NOT miss the London tube (this might fall under public transport though). Almost 2 years on and I don't think there's been a day... not a SINGLE day... when all of the lines of the London Underground were running. How sad is that.

I will NOT miss the lingo I've picked up here. Things like 'To be fair' and some of them not so nice - 'tosser' and 'arse'. I won't miss hearing things like 'Sod it!', 'Sod off!', 'Sod that!' or 'What a miserable sod/git/bugger!'. I will not miss this little English accent that creeps into the end of my sentences now and then. I notice I do it and immediately correct myself for my 'mistake'.

I will NOT miss the words 'fit' and 'spunky' being used in the wrong context. If they're fit, just say they're attractive! And if someone's full of spunk... I mean... how... HOW do you even make that connection!? It just means something else in Australia. Thankfully. Oh, and 'taking the piss'... oy... don't even get me started!

I will NOT miss the drunken state this country always seems to be in, or at least displays. I find it both odd and embarrassing that people need to travel on public transport with a beer or a glass of wine in their hands. Or have one as the sit and watch a play, a sporting event or a concert. I've never seen more pubs in a 1 kilometre radius than I have here in England.

But with the bad, there is also the good...

Besides the premieres and my love of the theatre, I WILL miss my new found addiction to baked beans. They taste great with a baked potato and cheese. Such a staple diet for England and one I only discovered this year.

I WILL miss the different types of tea available on demand. Ooohhh... there's just so many flavours!

I WILL miss the Twiglets, even though I've had a bit of trouble finding them of late. It's probably that vegemite sort of taste that reminds me of Australia though.

I WILL miss giving tourists directions making me feel like less of one myself. Knowing that I can be lost pretty much in an tourist spot, be blind folded and spun around 5 times and still make my way home, is a handy little trick I've mastered.

I WILL miss the close proximity of everything, even though I didn't take advantage of it as much as I would've liked. Even New York City was 'only' 7 hours away! That one, I did find time to take advantage of :)

I WILL miss the friends I've made along the way - some of you English and probably calling me a 'right arse' for having listed the things I won't miss!

So, come May, my time in London is up. I'll be travelling for about 2 or 3 weeks as I venture around the United Kingdom making my way to Scotland and then at the end of May, I'm heading across to Ireland where I hope to stop for no more than 12 months, if the Embassy let's me have a work visa. There's a few people over there I'd like to see again. It's been far too long.

The page is turning. This chapter's almost done. Soon, a new one will begin.

Stay in touch. The travels, dare I say it, will begin to slow down soon enough. Life will need to take over. That is, real life. A career. A (fast) car. A house. A family. These are all things I wish for and things I hope will happen. I get a little choked up to think of all the things I've done in the last few years. The places I've been and the things I've seen and the many wonderful people I've met along the way, along with all the ones that I've known long before I took that first plane ride. I am not the same person I was when I left Australia in 2002. I have noticed a change in myself over the years as I've become more cultured, more aware, more outspoken and more mature. The journey has been kind to me and I certainly owe it a lot. It's been a hell of an experience!

To think that soon enough, I will not be this... free.

Yes, my time on my travels is slowing down. But not just yet.

There's more 'Notes from an aussie trekker' just around the corner... if only for a little while.

Confessions of a Paparazzi

That's the title of my friend HughE's blog.

He's a paparazzi that lives in Philidelphia, but he's always in New York City checking out the big events. I met him in New York almost 3 years ago. He was living there at the time. I was playing the tourist on one of my many backpacking trips. We met outside the Zigfield theatre while waiting for Bruce Willis and David Morse at the movie premiere of '16 Blocks'. I also met Simon that day earlier at Letterman's stage door. The three of us are still friends.

Hughie wasn't a paparazzi then. He carried this fancy SLR camera around and I knew one day, he'd get there. Originally, he was just like me. Turning up as a fan to stage doors and premieres trying to get photos. Of course, his photos turned out nicer than the ones I took on my basic digital camera.

I worry for him. He doesn't know it, but I do. He works too much. Way too much. He has a regular day job working 9-5. Actually, I'm not sure if those are his actual hours, but if you say to someone that you work '9 to 5' then they understand that you have a day job working Monday to Friday. That's what Hughie does, he works Monday to Friday. Then when he's done with work, he'll go and check out an event in Philadelphia or take the train and see what's going on in New York City. It depends what's happening and what he's doing.

He doesn't stop. He's up at all hours working and researching and chasing people around for photos. I worry he doesn't sleep. I think he averages 4 hours a night, though that's just a guess on my part.

Granted, he deserves the photos he takes. He puts more research into this than anyone I know. More than any of the paparazzi's I've met both here in London and in New York City. I couldn't do that. I don't love it that much. I hope Hughie does. I'm assuming he does because he writes like he does. He blogs like he does. He photographs like he does.

Hughie is now a qualified Paparazzi. He gets his pass and attends events. He stands with the guys who do this for a living. He stands with them learning and getting tips. He doesn't get in their way, but he gets his shots. The paps, they yell and scream at the celebrities for the perfect shot. They stop them on the street or get in their way as they're exiting a car, a hotel or restaurant. Hughie doesn't do that. He's too polite to do this for a living. I don't think it could be his bread and butter. I'm sure he's said that too.

He has been published online and in magazines and has managed to sell some of his photos. Just last week he was published in the new issue of the American Magazine 'US Weekly'. I'm proud of him. And he knows this. At least if he didn't before, he will now.

I was in New York in January hanging with our mutual friends Simon and Kati, when they mentioned Hughie left a wonderful message on their answering maching saying that he was more than annoyed to have missed Ozzy Osbourne for a photo.

I'm not a fan of the Osbournes. At all. I don't get the hype. At all.

But I saw Sharon, Kelly and Ozzy just this past week at the Brit Awards here in London. Sharon got out of the car and pointed to the corner I just happened to be standing in and she told her husband to go and sign there. He did about 20 autographs. I didn't get it. I could have, but as I don't get the hype, I didn't really bother. Hughie will be annoyed at me I'm sure. Sorry.

This photo's for Hughie. The one that got away. You're time will come my friend...

I have not forgotten...

I've just been busy.

Time, once again, has escaped me. Months it seems. I have noticed a change in myself. What I do. How I feel. Who I am.

I find emailing and blogging and Facebooking are things that I used to make time for. Lately, I'm so busy working, that when I get home or have a lunch break, I don't bother to turn the computer on.

There are things I'd like to write about. Things I'd like to say and share. Photos I'd like for you to see. I'll show them. I'll put them up here.

Please be patient with me. I have not forgotten...

Are Your Dreams Reality Yet?

... this is the question I have posted on my blog page for all to see. A reminder not just for the readers out there, but more so for me.

It's a saying I've had for some time. Years even. A 'kick in the head' if you will, to finally do something with my life. To not be a statistic. To be one of the 10% who get out there and live their dreams.


10%. Is that all? What happened to the other 90%? When did they stop dreaming? When did they settle? But more importantly... Why?


I don't want to be one of the 90%. I want to be one of the rare ones. I don't want a job because it pays my bills. I want a job because it fulfills my dreams. I want a job I enjoy. I want a job that challenges me. Most importantly, I want a job that I love.



'Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life'.

I don't remember who said that. In all honesty, I've no clue. But I know it's a quote I love.


Watch this space... I'll check back with you a little later on. Either this year or next year. Who knows. I might not fully be there, but here's hoping I'll be a little closer.

My dreams are not reality yet... but I'm certainly working on it.


Are you?

The Bourne Ultimatum Premiere

So, I'm a couple of weeks behind... but hey, at least I'm not a couple of months behind!

On Wednesday, August 15th, 2007 was the UK premiere for the new Jason Bourne movie. I booked my half day off work weeks in advance for this premiere. I was hoping to get down there at lunch time to get a good spot. Naturally, something came up at work, so I was trying to get through it as fast as I could. I mean... Matt Damon was in town!!!

I got to Leicester Square a little later than I'd planned and I arrived just after 2pm. I was thinking the whole way there (all of 3 stops on the tube from work to my destination) 'Oh no! I'm late! I'm not going to get a front row spot. I'll end up without an autograph and with too many tourists and autograzzi in my photos'. Alas, when I made it into the gardens, there were a couple of front row spots left. Maybe 10-15. I snapped one up.

Turns out I ended up right at the entrance to where the celebrities would be coming in. The gardens are always hard to pick where to stand because it's guartanteed to be a different layout almost every time. This time turned out great. I ended up being right opposite the paparazzi.

And here's the photos I took from my prime position...



The above is Tom Gallop. I didn't know his name at the time, but I'd certainly seen the face. I heard the paps yelling out for him 'Tom! Over here Tom!' and I thought, 'Ok, that's his name then'. So, he was halfway through posing and I gave him a yell... 'Tom, will you sign please?'. He then posed some more and was was about to walk off... 'Tom! Tom, would you please sign?' and he came over and signed... for everyone but me.

I then said 'Tom, can I get your autograph please?' and he said 'I'll sign for you, because it was your voice that brought me over here'. I'm thinking 'Buddy, it's not the first time I've been told that by a celebrity'. Yes, I have a loud voice when I'm yelling for someone's attention. Yes, I've been known to start chants at premieres. Yes, they always come over.

Once he signed I said 'Thank you very much and have a nice night'. I'm always polite to them... I mean, they're just people after all. I do think Tom deliberately left me until last because after he signed, he headed off to do some interviews. He was really nice.

Sorry about the rain drop on the picture... would you believe the sun was shining all afternoon until about 10 minutes before everyone arrived, so a couple of my photos were ruined.

And below... the man of the evening....



Yes, that's Matt Damon arriving with his beautiful wife Luciana Borroso.



He posed for the paparazzi upon arriving and then headed off to do some interviews for about 10-15 minutes. The fans were like 'Matt! Matt! Matt will you sign please?'. He ran off to pose for another picture and just after I took the above photo he said 'I'll come back... I promise'.



And he didn't disappoint...

Here is is (sans suit jacket) slumming it a little and not at all bothered by that famous England rain that was getting on his lovely shirt. Matt must've spend about 40 minutes signing...

And signing some more. I don't think there was a fan he missed. Neither inside the gardens, nor out. This is the third time I've seen Matt Damon and I have nothing but good words for him. He's just lovely. And always takes his time to sign for the fans. One of those rare Hollywood gems that's not caught up in the fakeness of it all and appreciates that people have 'waited in the rain to be here today'. What a great guy!

Ah, here's someone who didn't like signing for the fans. That's Julia Stiles. The first time I saw here was in New York City 2 years ago. It was me and a my photo friend Hughie waiting. She didn't even stop for a photo.

This was her first London premiere, so I guess she felt she had a duty. I think she signed for all of about three minutes. Maybe five. She spent longer posing for photos I think. When being interviewed, she did however thank the fans for coming out. That's something I guess.

Yes, that dress is VERY see through!

The fellow below is British actor Joey Ansah. He does a big fight scene with Matt in the film. He was really lovely and signed for all the fans that asked.

Below is director Paul Greengrass. He also directed 'The Bourne Supremacy'. He didn't direct the first film. When he came over to sign I said 'Thank you so much for Flight 93' and he looked at me and smiled and said 'Oh thank you. You're very welcome'. He only managed to sign one autograph each, but I wasn't quick enough with the photos. He was really nice and interacted with the fans, listening to what they were saying as he signed for them.

The final star of the film to turn up was the actress Joan Allen. She didn't spend much time with the fans instead opting to pose for the photographers and do her interviews. I saw her sign about five autographs near where I was standing and I missed out on mine by one person. Not too worry. Yes, her dress was a little long, as you can see, it was dragging on the floor so it got a little wet.

A couple of surprise guests on the list for the evening were the following actresses...

That's Neve Campbell of 'Scream' and 'Party of Five' fame. I met her a few months back when she was performing on London's West End in 'Love Song'. She always seems very shy. She's a good actress, but I feel she doesn't understand all the hype, like she just wants to get in there and do her job. But she took the time to say hello and sign for the fans. I've seen her about four times here in London and although she doesn't say much, she's really quite lovely.

Below is the actress Bonnie Wright. She plays Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter movies. Now, I have to say, she was a little strange. The fans were calling out for her and I didn't want her autograph, but they must've spent a good 30 seconds yelling at her... from a 3 metre distance... and she didn't acknowledge them.

She only decided to come over and sign once Katie Leung decided to sign for the fans...

She is also in the Harry Potter movies and plays Cho Chang, Harry's love interest. She was really nice and signed for the fans... yes, the same ones that had been calling Bonnie. I didn't have anything for them to sign, so I didn't bother with them. I'm happy with the photos.

So all in all, it was a really good premiere. In terms of stars from the actual movie, it was a really good turn out. Matt Damon spent a lot of time interacting with the fans and it was well worth it just to see him. Everyone else was an added bonus.

'The Simpsons Movie' gets a UK Premiere

... and no-one affiliated from the movie turns up!

'The Simpsons' movie finally got it's UK premiere in London last week. Only it wasn't in Leicester Square like every other premiere I've been to in the past year since I've lived in London.




Nope, this premiere was at the new fancy schmancy 11 screen Vue cinema at the 02 Dome at North Greenwhich.



Upon arriving, celebrities and ticket holders had to walk through Homers mouth. Well... sort of. It was a make-shift archway that led to the yellow (not red) carpet.

Joss Stone and Barbara Streisand were also in the house (that is the O2 Dome) that evening performing on stage... but it was the colourful yellow family that people really wanted to catch a glimpse of.



That and the fact they didn't cost £600 to see . £600 Ms Streisand?! You know there are children starving in the world, right?? Even at the cheapest ticket for £100... that's still a bit rich.



While walking along the yellow carpet, guests were treated to taking a stroll through Springfield passing sights such as Krusty Burger and Apu's Kwik-E-Mart.

Here's a reporter outside Moe's. She was earlier inside interviewing the celebs as they entered to make their way to the screening. Yes, she's doing her best Marge impression.

Moe's Tavern and the store that belongs to Comic Book Guy were also lining the yellow carpet to make up Springfield's must see places to visit... or at least pass by.

I had been waiting a month... A MONTH... for this movie premiere!...

I booked a half day off work so I could go and queue to get a good spot for photos (and maybe some autographs) and then when it was all over with, turns out no-one from the film made the flight to London as the L.A. premiere was held at the Mann Theatre the day before (Tuesday the 24th) in Hollywood.

Here's who did make an appearance though...

Spider Pig!!!

To the tune of Homer singing.... 'Spider pig, spider pig. Does whatever a spider pig does'.



'The Jonathan Ross Singers' from behind... albeit, a little sweaty! Ahh... they're only human.

Not the greatest photo, but that's Billy Boyd. Yes, he played one of those teeny tiny hobbits in 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy.

Those young lads Danny and Tom from the boy band McFly. The girls went crazy for them. I mean, absolutely nutters. The screaming was so loud! Don't ask me which is which, I've no idea. I don't follow their sappy music.

Irish actor James Nesbitt of 'Cold Feet' fame. Stopped ever-so-briefly to sign for the fans. He didn't seem all that happy to be doing it or to be there, but hey, at least he signed I guess.

Singer/Songwriter Stephen Gately from former boy band 'Boyzone' walked the yellow carpet and even carried a balloon doll of Lisa Simpson.

So, no-one from the movie showed, but it was worth it to see this guy...

That's Canadian actor Joshua Jackson. Most likely remembered from his days starring in T.V.'s 'Dawson's Creek'.

When he went to sign the autograph for me, I said 'Wouldn't you rather be in Canada right now?' and I think he was surprised that someone knew he was Canadian and not American and he replied 'Uhh... with this weather, yeah!'. Then he laughed and smiled.

He's been on my list of people to meet since I was about 12. I first noticed him in 'The Mighty Ducks' movies. He sure can skate, but then, he is Canadian so it's to be expected!

It's not fancy, but the above is one of my favourite photos. Here's Joshua shamelessly plugging the new Apple iPhone, before heading up the escalators into the cinema and giving the waiting fans a nice wave on the way up.

So, due to me wasting (almost) 8 hours of my life, booking a half day off work and waiting with baited breath for at least 4 weeks only to have none of the voice actors turn up, I'm now boycotting the film. Annoying, because I kind of want to see it!

I wonder how long I'll stick it out for...

Manila Thriller

I read about this in my local paper this morning and just had to check it out. Seems the inmates in the Phillipines needed something to do and dancing to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' was the perfect way to pass the time.

Now, I was impressed with the choreography of getting 1500+ inmates all inline to do the moves to the dance. I mean, these guys (and one 'lady') sure do have rhythm!

If only they could've dressed up for the occassion rather than wear those not so flattering prison jumpsuits...

I've discovered Facebook

And My God... what an addiction!

I was travelling in Paris for a few days in 2006 to see in the New Year for 2007 (I have previously put some pictures up in my January post titled - 'Seeing in 2007, Parisian Style'). Anyway, I was staying at a nice little hostel only a stone's throw from the Louvre museum and in my dorm were two lovely American College girls from Ohio. I am a somewhat experienced backpacker who was travelling on my own and they hadn't done much travelling, but they had the company of each other. So, they took me under their wing and I spent some time with them in the few days I was in Paris.

We played the tourist, ate at a nice restaurant, checked out the Notre Dame and instead of joining me for the (non-existent) Fireworks at the Eiffel Tower... they watched it on T.V. in a Parisian bar. They were two of the friendliest girls I've met in my travels.

I got their email addresses and contact details and we parted ways. Before I left them though, they mentioned Facebook and said I had to join it. I didn't know what it was really, though it wasn't the first time I'd heard the name.

That was all the way back in January. This week, I finally decided to join because I had a few emails from friends around the world saying that they use the site and it's a great way to keep up with what everyone's doing.

I've been able to put a map on my page and can pin point all the teeny tiny towns around the world I've been to. At present, the count is 210 cities in 19 countries. I'm not sure that's accurate, because it includes places off the beaten track like a 1000 population town in country Australia or a place I stopped at overnight while driving across the USA. It would've been more, but I decided not to list EVERY place the greyhound bus stopped in my travels!

Besides listing where you've been and where you'd like to go, you can put music on there and make note of your favourite sports teams. Naturally, being the fan of American sports that I am, I've already discovered how to list my favourite Major League Baseball and National Hockey League teams as well as making mention of my favourite players.

I can also add photos and view my friends photos and I can see where in the world they are and where in the world they're going. It's a wonderful network and it certainly has grown on my in the very short space that I've come to use it.

I'm sure we all don't 'talk' as much as we used to. Certainly not the way my parents were brought up in the world, but the internet is a wonderful way to stay in touch with the happenings of your family and friends spread out across the globe. That said, I still don't trust enough in the internet so I'm still deciding whether to put my surname on Facebook. For the moment, my first name is listed as my surname and I've put something else as my first name. Maybe that'll change, but I don't have a common surname. Perhaps when I become more carefree and a little more trusting in the world wide web then I may update it.

For the moment, it's a great way to keep up with everyone and I seem to be on there everyday!

In Celebration

That's the title of the play that Orlando Bloom is performing in currently on London's West End.

I went to watch it this past Monday night. The 9th. I didn't know what it was about, my friend booked the tickets and me, ever one to jump at the chance to take in a night at the theatre said I'd go along with her. I asked her what it was about, and she couldn't really tell me. I figured, well, it can't be too bad if it's sold out for it's entire season run.

Turns out the reason it's sold out is because of this guy....




Yes, that's Orlando Bloom. Will Turner in Gore Verbinski's Pirates Trilogy. Or you may know him as Legolas in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. His didn't have the moustache then and his hair was blonder and longer, but it's definitely the same guy.

I guess it's good news for the other actors in a play when you can get someone famous enough that they'll help boost your ticket sales because I apologise Mr Bloom, but you're probably the only reason people are off to see this play. I just didn't get it. Maybe it's because I'm not english. Infact, I think that's why. My friend that came along with me is english, born and bred in London and even she said that tourists just wouldn't get it.



I have another friend who went to see it on the Saturday night. She too is english and she only sort of understood it - the family dynamics and what not. She even went on to say that it was 'the world's most boring play'. A little harsh perhaps, but I admit that even I got bored and fidgety with it and I'm not usually like that. If I had to relay the play back to you, give you a little run down of what it was about, I really couldn't say.

The same friend went on to say that Mr Bloom's accent kept drifting in and out. He's from London I believe, but in the play he's meant to have a northern english accent and I guess the locals could tell because both of my friends said they noticed the change. In all honesty, I couldn't tell he wasn't saying his words properly. Probably because most of the time I was trying to get my head around the fact that the whole cast was speaking funny!




Even if the play didn't appeal to me, the man of the evening certainly did. He came out to greet his waiting fans and signed autographs for them. He must've signed for about 10 minutes reaching over fans to grab playbills from the back for those that couldn't manage to make their way to the front. Even though there were people infront of me, I managed to get a good spot right near his car and the above is my favourite photo of the evening.

I'm sure you recognise the watermark by now. Yes, it's for Citizen Image.

'Hairspray' World Premiere

So, I know I'm well overdue for a movie premiere post, but here it is.

Last Thursday (July 5th) was the World Premiere for 'Hairspray'. A remake of the 1988 original, the movie sees John Travolta dressing up as a woman and unknown star Nikki Blonsky in her film debut. Here she is in London's Leicester Square signing for the fans.

Nikki was just lovely and spent time signing and posing for the fans who'd been waiting since lunchtime. I even managed to get my photo signed as well as take some pictures.

Here's Zac Ephron doing an interview with Nikki. The girls went absoloutely crazy for him. The screaming was so loud!

I missed his autograph at the premiere, but a friend managed to get it the next day. Zac's most popular role to date is that of 'Troy' in 'High School Musical'.

Elijah Kelley who came over and signed because the guy infront of me (that's his white sleeve) was chanting really loudly for him. I managed to get his autograph as well.

White sleeve guy was yelling for Amanda Bynes so she too came over and signed for the waiting fans.

She was quite lovely and came back a second time to sign again.

Here's Andy Serkis who turned up after the movie's teenage stars had walked the red... er... rainbow carpet.

You may have seen Mr Serkis in 'The Prestige' which also starred Christian Bale and my fellow aussie Hugh Jackman.

But you most likely saw him as Gollum in the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. He was also Kong in 'King Kong'. He was very nice and spent time signing and chatting to the fans.

The surprise of the evening was when Freddie Prinze Jr turned up with his wife Sarah Michelle Gellar. I wasn't able to get a great photo of her, because my zoom on the camera's not that good. Freddie was nice enough to sign for the fans and said 'I'll sign for as many of you as I can'.

On the way in to the cinema he turned to the fans, kissed his two index fingers and gave us the peace sign.

There was no John Travolta, Michelle Pfieffer or Christopher Walken. I guess you can't win 'em all!

(All pictures are watermarked for Citizen Image)