Tokyo (Playing Catch Up)

RESPECT TO THE TOKYO MASSIVE!

Thanks for such a wonderful time kids, never to be recreated, never to be outdone.



So the vacation was good. Some huge learning curves were discovered and as always heading out to brand new places all on your own does teach you a bit about yourself. I LEARNED A LOT. Australia was good as always, my home away from the sea. Mr. Kennedy provided a fantastic time in Singapore as always. A gentlemen and a scholar that one! A big thank you to Estelle for my lovely french escort into Malaysia, we must go shopping again. after that it was off to Hong Kong to visit with Ron Carroll and the amazing Tommy Su. Thanks so much to Chris Samba and all the guys at Dragon - I in HK for putting on a stellar night and one wild weekend. Ron we need to shopping for shoes again, maybe next time you can get those Nikes or you could come over to the dark side and get some real shoes, ADIDAS!
And then there was Tokyo, Shibs, Harajuku, and Yokohama. Thanks to the kids for a week that was far too much fun. That trip will be kept under lock and key for many years to come. Thanks Boys, give my love to Tina and Koko Chan... and that goofy, fluffy kitty of hers! Stay outta trouble lads... until next time.
4 months left and then beware all, the global photo freight train might be headed your way. Viva WMC 08 in Miami!

Singapore

Singapore seems pretty good not withstanding the usual madness that seems to accompany me when I travel. I just need to shake this cold and I'll be alright. I mean come on, who gets a cold when they fly into the equator? Really! Will try and update some new works in the coming week.

Kids?!

Funny thing these little creatures. Unfortunately for me I seem to prefer shooting them over most anyone else. How can you not love this face. That's a face that loves life and doesn't care what his face looks like. These days in most common portrait arenas the subject is hard to coax. They all have modern stories, worries, and lives and they believe that their face will tell all their stories. Perhaps even they have told too many already. Viva la Revolucion. It seems trivial, but to each their own. Bring on more Dylans that are so happy to stick their mugs and paws in my lens. Are you kidding me, this kid wanted a photo so bad he sneezed on a digital 8mm fisheye lens!!! Kids = Lust for Life Adults = fearful patients. Thanks Dylan, and thanks to mum and dad for all the photos, laughter, tears, and memories galore. You guys are the bees knees.

What you talkin about Willis?

A little more...

Recent Fiddling

Quiet but alive!

Yes yes, I have been a bit quiet as of late, trying to get a few things done for business and enjoy my holiday at the same time. Over the coming months you might notice a slight change in this site and the way it is written. I am trying to link up a few exterior personal sites as well as getting a few things done with Christian and Philen for the Fadedsky Studios sites. This little holiday has been good, getting good shots in the clubs, a little added work on the side, and just generally catching up on life and old friends. I sat on top of Mt. Dandenong the other day and had a good look at the bay and the city and a quiet drive through a bit of bush. This year seems so busy, not just with plane flights. So much happening and so much more that needs to happen. Busy, busy, busy. With any luck it will all work for the best. Will leave you with a recent shot and will do my best to be a bit more prevelant around these parts.

Headspace Anyone?

Wow. So much time has passed, I feel like I have have been at sea for the last 2 months instead of the last 8. Funny, if it were really 2 months they would have occurred in the last 2 weeks. Its getting crazy on the ship. Money good, crew bad. Might be time for a vacation. I just locked in the luxury of Ron Carroll in Hong Kong tonight so I am happy. Nicky D... sorry, Dale san, make sure Tokyo is ready for the likes of me... NO karaoke! I hope everone is well and I look forward to catching up once my impending vacation begins!

You know....

I remember my dad telling me when I was a kid that if I wanted to travel I needed to join the military. Admittedly I think he was joking a bit. I know I wouldn't want my kid in the military. So I had to laugh when I realized that I have made it to all the places without the military and now I find myself being a 3 stripe officer on a cruise ship. hahaha. The officer wall on board is a laugh to me, can you believe that there are only 9 people on the ship with a higher rank than myself. Whoever thought my live style would never produce a wholesome job with solid results was obviously dead wrong! I love it.
So the website was released and have not received much feedback on the site, and hits for that matter. Where is the love kids?! You have nothing to say? No friends to share with? Please please please, help me get this site out there and known to the public. Pass on the invitation to anyone and everyone, your help is hugely appreciated.
The vacation is coming. I think I am starting to drool at the thought. A few new countries to add to the list after this one not to mention a lot of good business to take care of along the way. I will be shooting Ron Carroll again but this time at Dragon-I in Hong Kong. Always stoked to shoot Ron and it is by pure luck that we happen to both be in at the same time. I'll be expecting a huge set Ron after the Miami gigs! This trip also sees me in Tokyo with the "fisheye love" master himself, Nick Dale. I want to see the goods in Tokyo mate, we can't just sing karaoke and drink Sapporo for a week.... or could we. No, the shooting must go on. Mr. Kennedy will also be taking a break from world domination to give me a little tour of Singapore and Malaysia. This could get interesting folks, bring on the holiday!

Okay... Its been awhile.

I saw the date and freaked. So much for posting once a week! Work is in full swing, high season in effect and my head spins. People on the ship even ask where I have been! Me, well I've just been staring at one of 6 computers really. One more week and the ship is mine. In the meantime I have been heavily working on the websites trying to get them ready. One is released so have a look if you like. Official invitations to sollow soon!

http://www.everythingineversaid.com/

It is 100% anonymous so use it as you like and pass on to anyone and everyone please. The big sites are coming so you will have to wait for those! Already beginning to Plan Miami 2008. Appears quite a crew are coming. CANNOT WAIT! Huge, absolutely huge. Must be off, but back soon!

Phew!

So, it appears that in 6 weeks I will be the Chief Photographer of the M/S Pride of America. Oh the irony. On the upside I will have a bit more time to dedicate to the website, a porthole, and the all important double bed. It will be nice to gain a bit of focus and get back to the mind set of music photography. I think some big things will be happening in the next year so do stay tuned! This week was a little bit of a celebration as while I was on the 9 hole of Jack Nicholson's Kauai Lagoons (yes I golf, learn something new everday don't you) I called my finance guru, aka dad, to tease him with the sound of tee shots and he informed me that I am now down to two bills. Two! Could a man be anymore free?! World here I come, djs watch your couches cause Jared's hitting the road!

I'll leave you with an image from the vaults that was recently dug up for the new website project, Sunny Day, Sunny Dylan.

Lo-fi night posting

So it has been a bit hectic as of late. Whoever said starting a website and working a real job was easy was probably right. I work on a cruise ship though. I shouldn't complain, the website will be good, however this bloody ship could sink to the bottom of the ocean for all I care. I prefer club politics to cruise ship politics lets just say. There isn't enough alcohol to ease the stress so why even try. I keep telling myself I'm doing it for Miami 07!!! Ahh can't wait for the day. For those in Oz you have the luxury of Andy Caldwell on your shores at the moment. Take full advantage as the yumyum boys will do it large. I wish I was there. Soon, very soon. If the website gets any more of the better of me than Ill have to leave in August just to gain some focus!

"And if I die before I learn to speak will money pay for all the days I lived awake but half asleep" -Primitive Radio Gods

RESPECT

Thanks for putting up with my slack writing, or lack there of! Finally finished up WMC editing and now onto greener pastures.... wait, WMC was pretty damn green! What could be greener you ask? The first TRUE installment of the Fadedsky.org website. Yes, yes, finally it is upon us. Soon you will have art, clothing, and music all in one quick interweb stop. Christian and I with the help of a few others are getting closer by the day to releasing this bad boy on the world. Will keep you posted.
It also seems that the folks at Airtreks are looking forward to my business again. Time is coming to plan for the air instead of the sea. It appears that Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Los Angeles, and Melbourne are tops at the moment with the tentative additions of Knoxville, Austin, London, and Taiwan. Tough to swallow but I remember the hectic schedules of some of my dj mates and remember that all I have to do is photograph! Much respect to Chris Ng and the Yum Yum crew in Melbourne for getting their weekly back in order and full swing. Good on ya lads, you deserve it, let's keep it rolling.
I think that's all the goss for the moment. I hope you all are well and look forward to hearing from you soon. Cheers!

More shots from the week....

Everyone on the phone keeps asking for shots to see so here are a few more....



The super sexy Theresa Griffith.



The Queen of soulful house, Ms. Barbara Tucker.



After her set, Ultra Nate was given a huge suprise by Bobby & Steve with a little birthday celebration.

OM, Deep and even deeper

So last night got a bit outta hand. Started at OM Records party with 5 rooms of the best US house collection I have heard on the whole. I thought I might have to leave the boys there. I am at the bar when I discover Andy Ward behind me trying to play some hijinx. So we get over to the boys and Andy decides to sport his grill he picked up in NYC earlier. We were laughing our heads of. As we are walking out the door the lovely dj Heather is givin it hell, everything from the sickest house/electro down to Me So Horny and in between. Thanks Aphrodisiac for a wicked party, despite the rain, we had a blast. Now insert Andy, Samba and Yum Yum crew in a 4 person taxi from downtown to South Beach. You would have had to be there, positively the funniest taxi I have ever been in. Next happens to be a beautiful, sexy and hot party at Deep. Andy sees an old mate from Vegas and she accidentally drops his grill while trying it on.... no more grill shots. Ah well, thank god we have Dj Spinna. At first he was playing a bit funky as I am sure Philen can contest and then all of the sudden he just, just... he went so f@#$%&* deep that nobody could pull the crowd out but him. It was sick, quite possibly the best set I have heard thus far. None of us could stop dancing. It felt like two hours straight, he would take you down, bring you up for 45 secs only to take you farther back down. The crowd was begging for mercy, a truly unbelieveable, once in a lifetime set. Thanks Spinna, thanks.

Now, i think Im suppossed to pack....we will see if it happens.

The Godfather of Chicago House Vocals

And of course massive respect to Ron Carroll. Whether it was bumping into you mate in the ice cream shop, Soul on the Beach, or this night at Set, its always good to see you. Ministry of Sound is about to drop his new track and it is thumping so check it out. A big tthank you to Terry Hunter for a great night at Set, beautiful club with some huge soulful choons. If anyone is ever in Miami it is a must see.

Soul on the Beach

Much respect to the one and only Chris Ng representing Melbourne heavily at Soul on the Beach WMC 2007. Bobby and Steve almost didn't get him out but low and behold we all made it and rocked out 10 hrs of soulful house music at the only venue on South Beach where the dj can actually look out on the ocean. (well, besides all the bloody roof top parties!) And last but not least Chris Ng, Chris Samba of Dragon-I in Hong Kong, and myself before the the sun sank and the pina coladas got colder. Much respect to Samba as well for some wild nights. See you in Hong Kong later in the year mate.

MIAMI.....

Needless to say this whole entire trip will never, EVER, be able to be explained in full. Its too weird and it all started in the airport in Honolulu after I hung up with Mel. Suffice to say I will try.... someday. Its late and there is music to be had. But 3 days in I have successfully met and photographed almost every single name I have ever respected in soulful house music. Much respect to Bobby&Steve and the one and only Chris Ng for making it happen. More to insue....

Sorry guys

I have been trying now for 3 days to upload a 168kb image for you and the satelite will not accept it. I am trying though. 7 more days and then I will be on land, will upload massively then if I can't by then! Miss ya.

Oye... Nicky D!

Alright you little punk. I thought you might need this cause when my lens gets done with Miami your little Lomo will be hurting! Mate, 8mms, could I have found a sexier piece of equipment to make love, life, and work more fun! Beware, there will be more shots to follow.... many, many more.

Happy Kitty!

Now look, I am not a kitty person per se however I printed this because it makes me smile. I hung a copy in my lab here on the ship and I have discovered it makes everyone happy, men and women alike. Amazing. Now I just need to find a lovely girl with a nice kitten that hangs out in her bra!

Yes... I am alive.

So the satelite connection doesn't appear to allow me to upload photos.... bollocks. Will try and get on land and get some up. Wild being back in Hawaii. So busy yet still finding a little time for a good Martini! Getting stoked as I leave in 3 weeks for the Winter Music Confrence in Miami. Photographing Ron Carrol, Barbara Tucker, Jamie Lewis, and Cece Peniston to name a few. It will be huge. Looking at the OM Records party and it appears to be more house than I know what to do with. Um.... heavenly.
Life is good though, although work is tough it generally appears to be getting better. I've been sick, nothing worse than a head cold in Hawaii! I must also say kudos to Nicky D for my happy kitty photo. This one will have to go up first as this pic makes me smile everytime I see it. I printed a few copies for posting all over the ship. Happy Kitty Rules! But beware Nick... 8mm fisheye lens on the way to Hawaii as we speak... you will be Ruled harder than kitty!
What else. Oh yeah, nothing! I'm out.

Quote for the day

Beauty without intelligence is an illusion that is close to disenchantment. It is like a fairy that fascinates us, as long as we look at her through the enchanting prism of her beauty. However, it disappears as soon as the light of reason penetrates beyond the place where the eyes can see.

- Mercedes Cabello de Carbonera, "Concerning Women's Intelligence and Beauty", 1876

SCREW NICKY D!!!

Some photographers, I tell ya, they shoot a couple good images and then they think they are too good to look at any others. Sheesh!

Crickey! So I am in HI and I have walked into a shit storm. So much work on this ship to bring it back up to par. Good thing I have been here before cause Im not getting off for awhile. This place is wild, so many yanks.... so many bad yanks. Thank god the crew has gotten sexier since I was last aboard! I have some pics of Mont Serat blowing its top that I will upload soon plus a few words for a few other wild ones besides Nicky D. Give me a couple days to sort meself out and Ill get some goodies in here!

AHHHHHHH!!!!!

Bollocks to this place, I am in some weird twilight zone with no mobile reception and hardly any internet reception either. Its freaky. I'm out in the morning and will get back to sayin G'day as soon as I can.

Honolulu here I come!

Amatuers, Animal Lovers, and Australia

Hmmm, even I'm not this bad.



A beer's, I mean bear's best friend! Kudos to one of the finer drinking partners east of the Mississippi!



Cultural Lesson V2.0

The SuperAvacadoBowl

So i sat in a bar all day and successfully managed to not know a single score of the game. However I did win a fair amount of table football and sucked at a bit of pool. Snuck a bit of Jaeger back "on base" so i might be covered for the day. This is a repeat of previous training and I must admit..... IT IS STARTING TO DO MY HEAD IN. I will not bore you all with details so I will digress. However our dear Matty has requested some cooking tips so lets move forward to the next lesson.

Avacado Spread for tha Toast
Those of you above the eqautor might not find this as tasty but try it, Great Snack!

So mash up 1/2 Avacado in a bowl
Juice in 1/4 of a lemon
Drizzle olive oil to suite (i prefer a good bit)
Fresh cracked pepper to suite
A fair amount of salt (it compliments the lemon and avacoado and gives a bit of balance)

Mash together and spread on some toast. Tastes best at room temp when first made but can be stored in the fridge and reused. Kate(of C&K fame) you would probably really dig this if you haven't tried it, good luck getting Christian to try!
So what's left....

Rhetorical Question of the Day
"Is it healthy to see ice on the ocean?"

Hawaii is coming, 5 more days. Can't wait for some proper Japanese food. Delicious! Coincidentally while on this break I have downloaded 400 learn Japanese lessons, I WILL LEARN. Brono and Nick keep offering apts and friends in Tokyo, at sometime I will break and give in.

Cultural Lesson for today....

So I checked into Hotel Piney Point.... all these poor kids are on lockdown. Some were so excited just to get to go to Target today as it would be the first time in 3 weeks they were allowed of property. That's desparation my friends! Regardless we discovered that we could A)possibly be breathalized just like on the ship and B) That we could actually leave the property. Given that we are photographers and we tend to drink we had already spotted a bar right of campus. It was cold walk but they had redbull on tap and cold Jaegermeister.... could I have been any happier? After a good 3 hours in the bar we teed up opening drinks the next day for 12 noon. That's opening call, its SuperBowlDay and I think theat a good 10 hour bender will be the only thing to make the game tolerable. (I'm holding out for the Cricket World Cup in March mind you). If anyone feels like joining said bender please resort to the below address for directions as you will get lost....Actually, none of you will join me but at least you can see how stuck I actually am. Nothing worse than seeing the ocean and not having a ship to take you away at the end of the day!

Sorry the link isn't too happy with me but here is the address.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Piney+Point,+Maryland&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1&iwloc=addr

Ummm, This is really Happening

So I checked into Hotel Piney Point.... all these poor kids are on lockdown. Some were so excited just to get to go to Target today as it would be the first time in 3 weeks they were allowed of property. That's desparation my friends! Regardless we discovered that we could A)possibly be breathalized just like on the ship and B) That we could actually leave the property. Given that we are photographers and we tend to drink we had already spotted a bar right of campus. It was cold walk but they had redbull on tap and cold Jaegermeister.... could I have been any happier? After a good 3 hours in the bar we teed up opening drinks the next day for 12 noon. That's opening call, its SuperBowlDay and I think theat a good 10 hour bender will be the only thing to make the game tolerable. (I'm holding out for the Cricket World Cup in March mind you). If anyone feels like joining said bender please resort to the below address for directions as you will get lost....Actually, none of you will join me but at least you can see how stuck I actually am. Nothing worse than seeing the ocean and not having a ship to take you away at the end of the day!

Early Mornings

Hooray, time for USCG KinderCare! A whole week in sunny and warm Piney Point, Maryland. The only thing I might dislike more than winter is being forced to "learn" things I have already been trained on. Might I suggest never taking a job that requires you to be submissive to the USCG. They are bloody demanding, distrusting, slightly paranoid, don't listen, don't care and have all the guns thay need to maintain the philosophy. Maybe i shouldn't be so hard, I am sure they have done some nice things like, like, like...... uh, put a dent in the drug trade (laughs). Maybe not. Too bad they can't rescue kittens from trees, that's always an immediate brownie point or two.

Matty & the Rev, Bobbi, Katie, I am sorry I did not ring, I fell into the grip of the bloggosphere and the podcastosphere. Will ring soon.


Rhetorical Thought of the Day

Why, if I use the setting on the washer and dryer, do my clothes not come out permenantly pressed?

Laundry...

Est fini!
2 am who would have thought.

To that mysterious woman from the past who spent all afternoon on the phone with me.... goodnight, drink well.

Busted!

Must.....

Get....

Fisheye. (and dies in a barren desert of 18-50mm)




Me thinks Nicky might have too much Saporro.... or Karoake?!

Winter?!

What is this thing called winter. One week in Maryland then off to Hawaii. Will be good to be back.

I have lasted 26 hours in this hotel room.... laundry still not done.
It reeks of cigarettes.
Damn winter.
Why can't I smoke in the fresh air

I miss the ocean, my bed doesn't rock me to sleep any more.
Nothing moves
No weird noises

Thank you Nick and Gavin for finally making me go against my constitution and start a blog. I'll just have to get you far too drunk next time I see you! Nick your TOKYO PHOTO LOVE made me so jealous that I am currently downloading 405 Japanese lessons from the podcast library. I WILL LEARN deska!?