Jets go by

Here I am in San Francisco, visiting  the city of err... the city by the bay, the city rocks, the city that never stops! Also the home of countless tv shows and movies.

The Blue Angels are doing fly-bys and aeronautics at this moment as a practice for the weekend festivities of Navy Week 2007.  And it is great.  Car alarms going off everywhere, the hiss and the roar of six f/a-18 hornets doin' their thang!  Good value! And if it irritates the local nay-sayers, then go Blue Angels.  It's a demonstration of the stuff securing the country, so respect.

Sadly, I can't quite get the mental image of a childhood street science project that involved a match and some flatus.  "What's a blue angel?  It's when you light a  fart through your pants !  What's a screeching eagle? It's a blue angel with your pants down."

It's been a wonderful week in SF, hanging around M5, etc., for a couple of days, walking too much, eating too much... way too much.  I'm not quite used to the serving sizes of meals, take-outs, etc.  I was trained to eat what's on your plate, but common health sense tells you that doesn't apply here. 

I've met nothing but wonderful people, and have enjoyed the visit.  The city area itself is where I was, and I know that whatever charm I may find in the city, doesn't always apply in every area.  Nonetheless, the old terraces, houses and apartment buildings, the little bars and restaurants and liquor stores dotted around intersections, the whole grid structure to the city streets, the personalities of each district, the vistas, the people.  All very good.

If I was to live anywhere else than Sydney, San Francisco would be at or close to the top of the list.  And now I have a set of teams to support if any of them are lucky enough to get to the final!  Well, that's what being a fan is all about. Pointless, futile, blind and hopeful support. 

Rob

3:44 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

End of Financial Year Voice-over Drinks

Time for my semi-annual entry blog entry.  Sorry, bit slow on these. Anyway... Weather's cold, windy and wet, with a zero percent chance of hilarity. This ain't no brochure week in Sydney. 

Once a year, a couple of weeks ago, the annual Voiceover end of financial year drinks occured. This time in nicer surrounds in St. Leonards, a suburb of Sydney.  The once a year gathering of those working in the voice business in Sydney.  Most with agents, but not all, notably Jay Hackett, the person largely responsible for organising the event. Jay, a voice you'd hear on Seven and elsewhere has for the last ten years organised this small enjoyable soiree.

The End of Financial Year Voiceover Drinks has a life of its own now, and long may it reign. It's our once a year opportunity to empathise and bullshit. 

It amazes me that it never rates a mention in the social pages, because it's the largest gathering of voice talent in Sydney, and there wouldn't be a person in the room that the average listener or viewer hasn't heard before.  I'm humbled simply to keep company with them. 

This is an industry that constantly changes, updated, deletes, adds, modifies and archives its members. And now I notice many new, younger faces, names and voices.  I think I'm considered 'an Ancient' amongst these guys now.  I remember all those old fellows I looked up to when I was their age (somehow, that doesn't sound right).  The circle goes 'round.  It's good to remember, young fellow, that you'll be an old fellow one day yourself. You know, there's a joke in there, but I'm not touching it, because I don't know where it's been.

Back to the drinks night... There was my mate Col (who knows himself how to put on a doo) who does great comic and man in the street voices (he could probably do a comic man in the street voice, too).  The usual suspects were there and always good to catch up, and I had a nice chat to Peter Sumner and Nick Tate about secret men's business. Jay's wife Bea went and roped in the agencies to sponsor, so high five for Blah, RMK and EM Voices (and Bea).  There were too many to mention, so only those I remember:  Keith Scott, Dave Gibson, Jim Pike, Matt Wills, PJ, Nick Mackay, Andrew Carlton, Ella, Laura, Rachel, Marcello, Morgan Pike, Nic Holland, Martin Guiot, Ross Symons, Troy and many more (and no slight on them for me omitting them here - they're all good!).

And let's not forget the producers and engineers who turn up.  They're a decent lot, and many of them are sober now.  These are the guys that weave the real magic in the studio.  They work long and hard and with little attention.  In fact, these guys do more casting than anyone cares to admit.  Love your work, and guys... you know where to get me (a nod and a wink). 

It was a good night, all round, so thanks to Jay and Bea, and the agencies.  Cheers!

Till next time, viewers,
Cop ya later!
Robert

1:25 AM - 2 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Long weekend blues

The last night of a long weekend has a certain blue-ness about it. Back to work tomorrow, back to normal, when what you really need is another day off.

This weekend, in particular, was busy. Friends from Canberra came up and spent Friday night at our place, Saturday it was the Manly Jazz Festival, and Sunday was Col's big birthday bash.

He had his jazz band there playing, with special guests, too! Lots of family, lots of friends, lots of food, lots of beer, lots of wine and lots of fun.

However, this morning (Monday), I was a bit fuzzy around the edges, and this evening, I'll try to get to bed at an early hour. However, it's never that easy, and I'm sometimes up late.

Shit, Oz is on... must run.

Till next time, my friends.

Yours in blogness
Rob

5:38 AM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Well, my first ever blog entry

This is the first time ever, I've made a blog entry. Anywhere.  And it's late, so it won't be very comprehensive. 

My daughters have both got myspaces.  Looking over their shoulders (much to their annoyance), I'm absolutely fascinated with this whole myspace paradigm.  Is this the new village pump?  Is it the new way to express yourself publicly.  Why the need to state "here I am. this is me."? I hope to explore this some more. 

I'm happy to add friends, etc. Drop me an add request... or whatever you call it.  I should put up a more flattering photo of me, but it doesn't exist.

Until next time... cop you later!

Rob

7:07 AM - 1 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment