Sunday, June 28, 2009
Where The Wild Things Are
I'm really looking forward to getting lost in that world again this Summer.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Melting faces
Rock on my vinyl clad friends.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Jason, are you here?
just randomly placed on the wall of the u-haul lot with no explanation as to what on earth it could possibly be doing there (not to mention the mini cane behind it. What the fuck, man????)
Not wanting to hang around and find out Jason has switched to a tribal mask for a 'Jason takes Brooklyn' special I hauled ass and took back the keys the next day.
Friday, May 29, 2009
I know what you did last Summer..... and I'm doing something else.
Its hard to decipher but he was wearing a cropped black velvet suit, a silver sequinned blouse, short white gloves and a hat that looked like it came right out of 1950's Arab Emirates and into my dreams. He also had the smallest, cutest, fiercest (I know thats not a word, but go with me) dog I have ever seen. I so wanted to desperately ask him if I could take his picture but of course fear got the better of me and I wimped out. What it did do though, is inspire me to stop staring and start snapping. I'm going to start a series of photos documenting all of the amazing fashion I see every day here. Sort of a NYC version of Tokyo Fruits I guess. So what if I ask someone if I can take their photo? They should consider it a compliment! Keep your eyes out peeps, for this upcoming blog series.......
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Pick which chubby toddler I am
Theres so much joy and love in this photo, its a shame I don't remember it. My family has been through a lot of heartbreak. Some of the people in this photo are no longer with us, some are no longer classed as members of the family. At this exact moment though, it looks like we couldn't be happier. Everyone is smiling (bizarrely, with the exception of me. Maybe because I knew a cousin was trying to give me those stupid "bunny ears" in the photo!) and looks like they genuinely care about each other. How did we get from this to where we are today? In any case, I think I actually feel comforted by this photo in a weird sort of way. Like, we may not be this family anymore, and I may not remember it but we were capable of being the family I always wanted.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
If you need me, I'll be here
Sunday, April 12, 2009
My sisters in the struggle
This got me thinking a lot about how different it is here and how much i take it for granted. Marcus and I got to talking about why he only felt comfortable in gay bars. I knew it had nothing to do with picking up (Hes in quite a serious relationship and neither partner is the type to stray) and was genuinely curious. Marcus told me that growing up in Australia, he really only ever felt safe to be himself at gay bars. Whenever he had frequented a 'straight' bar there was almost always some sort of confrontation. He said he often felt quite fearful if he was forced by friends to go to a straight bar, so subsequently made the decision to never to to one again.
NYC on the other hand, is one great big hodge podge. I can honestly say I don't really know any 'straight' bars. Supposedly, after Giulliani cleaned up the drug problem in the city, most of the gay bars and clubs shut down. I think a combination of this and the sheer growth of the population has turned most clubs and bars into a mixed crowd. Even at a gay club I went to on Friday night, the crowd was quite mixed (i.e the group of German tourists in line before us)
Now I know New York, is pretty liberal and sometimes I forget that (I still remember a friend from Australia coming over and being shocked by how many openly affectionate gay couples you see out in the streets) but is Australia still so backward? Thats so upsetting. I guess I've been away so long that I've forgotten what its like back there. I know the rest of the world isn't quite up to NYC pace, but is it still that conservative?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Grass Knuckles
They're by an extremely talented (and kinda dreamy) Iclandic product designer, Hafsteinn Juliusson I love the way these rings cater to my lifestyle right now. I was having a discussion only the other day about how New Yorkers shop and how we all live in such small spaces, we mostly only really invest in pieces we can have on our person, instead of spending huge amounts of money furnishing a house. Having a garden on my finger seems to articulate that in a way I didn't think possible. I love the fact that you have to care for them, like a real garden.
Sadly, they're only available at the Reykjavik Art Museum. Maybe i need to plan another trip back for these..... Meanwhile I will drool over his other products here.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
What have they done to you Hello Kitty?
My other love
Monday, February 23, 2009
I need a holiday
At the Hix Island House on a tiny island just off the Puerto Rican coastline. Its amazingly designed and at a reasonable price. Want to come?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
One year on......
So in a plot to avoid doing work at work while on my own, I decided to post a blog. It had been on the cards for a while but only now am I finding the time. I've had a busy start to the year. I've had multiple employees resign, I've had a near lawsuit from an employee fade off into the sunset (thank gawd!) never to be spoken of again, I've had old friends meet my beloved, a whirlwind trip back to Oz and this week I celebrated my one year anniversary of living in the big smoke.
I can't believe its been a year already. Where did the time go? How has a third of my time here passed me by already? Have I done anything really creative that I'm proud of? Honestly, not really, but I think thats okay. Work here has been so much more than I ever imagined. I've gone from fancy cocktail receptions at the Guggenheim, to standing a foot deep in poo water with only a sponge and a bucket to keep me company. I've been hotel concierge to many of the designers friends and confidant to most of my staff while we have all gone through some sort of personal tragedy.
I was reflecting on a conversation that I had with my predecessor not so long ago about how involved this job was and how impossible I would probably find it to still successfully run my own label while doing this job. He said that my main focus should be this job and just enjoying what time I have in NYC. At the time I laughed it off, and thought that I would do things differently and that I would be able to deal with it better than he did. Its only now I realise that he was right (to an extent) and that this city is a tough one that constantly challenges me, but is ultimately preparing me for when I set up my own business/family/home when I finally return to the motherland. I feel like there isn't anything I couldn't face, or that I don't know about starting a business and for that I'm forever grateful.
Its not come without hard times though. Spending a year in a long distance relationship has been one of the most difficult things I've ever chosen to do. Its strange to think that I've actually spent more time away from my partner than I have with him. Sometimes I worry that he will eventually move here, but we won't connect anymore because we've grown so much in the last year, but in opposite directions, but thats only something I will know when it acutally happens, so I guess theres no point dwelling on it now.
I had a friend from home come and visit and meet my dearest for the first time over the holidays. I think it was tough for all parties involved at the start but I'd like to think that everyone got on fine by the end. I think its acutally a good thing that my 'worlds' are crossing over, and my overseas life is making its way into my Australian.
The trip home was good. Sydney was nothing but work, but Melbourne was quite relaxing for a 5 day trip. Managed to get some beach time at Sorrento, ate at my favorites places, saw some art and even got to see Evol on my travels.
I also happened to be home for the fires. I still can't quite believe it. Its been so painful hearing about how much people have lost. Everyone seems to know at least one person who was affected directly by them. Some friends of mine have absolute horror stories about them. One in particular just sold her house in one of the towns that got completely burnt down. She was lucky to escape them but sadly everyone in her street died. Every single person that lived on that street died trying to save their house. She said that out in those rural parts of Victoria you are taught to stay and defend your home, which they all did. To the end.
And now I'm back and Australia seems like its a world away. I want this year to be a memorable one. I've realised that I'm not going to be here forever and I need to make the most of my time. I want to create things, I want to succeed at my job, I want my beloved to be with me, but above all else I want to enjoy myself and know that its okay to take some time off and just have fun here. I don't have to do anything ground breaking but I do have to enjoy myself a bit more and not let work take over again.
Rant over.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Nothing says Christmas......
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Halloween Numero Uno
Monday, October 27, 2008
and now its Fall....
Its funny, I thought I would go back and find that so much had changed and I'd missed out on so much, but to tell you the truth, not much had changed.... really. I guess because so much had happened in my life in 3 years, I thought the whole world was moving at that pace. It was actually comforting to know it wasn't and that it was okay for me to still be away and not be missing a huge chunk of life back in Oz.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Surrounding myself with greatness
Thursday, July 17, 2008
ode to a princess
Thursday, July 10, 2008
I've got one word to say to you bloggers....
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
What does next year have in store for me? Rock On (David Essex)
What’s my love life like? Lets Not Wrestle Mt. Heart Attack (Liars)
What do I say when life gets hard? I Can’t Make It on Time (The Ramones)
What do I think of on waking up? Build Me Up Buttercup (The Foundations)
What song will I dance to at my wedding? Hungry Like The Wolf (Duran Duran)
What do I want as a career? Sulk (Radiohead)
My favorite saying? I Just Want To Have Something To Do (The Ramones)
Favorite place? Quiescent Return (Sir Richard Bishop)
What do I think of my parents? Simon Says (Fruitgum Company)
What’s my porn star name? If I was your Girlfriend (Prince)
Where would I go on a first date? L’Anomour (Serge Gainsbourg)
Drug of choice? Bangers and Mash (Radiohead)
Describe myself. Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now (The Smiths)
What is the thing I like doing most? Do you Love Me? (The Contours)
What is my state of mind like at the moment? Fashion (David Bowie)
How will I die? Right Now and Not Later (The Shangri-Las)
I love the fact my drug of choice is Bangers and Mash.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Euro live!
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Get a cuppa, cause its a bigg'un
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
I can't believe I am so close to being a somebody
Sunday, April 27, 2008
taxidermy items I found on ebay
- A genuine kangeroo scrotum key chain
- A Rhinoceros head
- 2 toads stuffed to look like they were playing pool
- A walking stick made from a bulls penis
- A cow horn flask
- A 2 headed squirrel (which I'm thinking of bidding on)
All of a sudden I'm feeling much less strange than I thought I was...
Thursday, April 24, 2008
the trials and tribulations of Euro.....
So I went into my classic blog hybernation for a month while things here were mondo busy. What was that? You want to know what I was up to? Oh, alright, if you really must.....
- I had my long awaited return trip to London to see my beloved . I also got to catch up with aguyandhismac and wordage. I love seeing those two. We always seem to have such a laugh. They're so happy and in love it just makes me want to squeeze them. As for seeing Peter, its funny but it wasn't how I thought it was going to be. It was great don't get me wrong, and there were tears for both of us at the airport when he came to pick me up, but, oh I don't know, what was I expecting? A welcome back parade? Living in a seperate country to your beloved is hard. You are tied to someone, yet you're now living sort of a single life. Does that make sense? I guess I didn't understand at first that Peter had to adjust to life without me (and me without him) and that it shook things up coming back. We're much better now though and I'm happy to say he is coming over in a month and a half for 2 weeks and I can't wait. Now if only I could get a set date from aguyandhismac about coming over....
- Speaking of visitors, I had my friend Tom come over from London a couple weeks ago. He's like the boy version of me (sorry sweetie, but you are) and it was fun showing off all the cool places I've discovered so far. I'm really settling into life here (I had such a Sex and the City moment the other day. I was running across the street, ducking between yellow cab, wearing these new baby heels I bought, with my oversized sunglasses on and my trenchcoat flapping in the breeze. I've never felt so NY) Tom bought me this AMAZING present as a thank you. Its a Star Wars pop up book, which is going to be the next blog post (I promise)
- I moved to the super cool neighborhood of Williamsburg in Brooklyn (cool neighbours: Sufjan Stevens, Black Dice, Gang Gang Dance) and have enjoyed getting to know the 'burg. My flatmates are pretty awesome as well. I'm teaching them how to be self depricating (finally, some Americans who can take the piss out of themselves) and I am adoring living with a dog again (French Bulldog named Colby if you must know) My flickr is about to be taken over with shots of Colby. Not to mention, I get to spend my rare spare time legitimately going through second hand stores looking for pieces for my room. I scored the most beautiful 1920's desk from France from the thrift store I volunteer at the other day for an absolute steal. Noice one.
Okay, not to end so abruptly, but I gotta get my ass to the gym before work. I will continue this post later my darlings. Kisses.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Out with the old
NY's Governor this week was asked to hand in his resignation as he was found to have had sex with a prostitute. Within days it had happened. Incidentally, he is also the one who put Martha Stewart away.
The press have said that if this happened in any other Western country. He wouldn't have been fired. To be honest, who really cares about his sex life? I don't particularly think it affects his governorship (and lets face it, that role here is purely ceremonial. His in-tray wasn't exactly overflowing with work) What I've learnt already in New York is that there is a place for everyone, no matter what you're into.... I guess except for Eliot Spitzer.
Yesterday they appointed the new Governor. He is the first blind African American Governor they have ever had. He seems honest, charming and dedicated.
He AND his wife just annouced that they've both had exta marital affairs.
Friday, March 14, 2008
a sure sign I'm losing the plot
Sunday, March 09, 2008
house hunting in New York
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
lights, camera...
forget your troubles!!!!!
highlights so far
2. Peter and I were on the subway up in Harlem and some young kids got on and I overheard one of them say 'Get the fuck outta 'ere'
3. Um, like basically you can go into any, like store on Broadway downtown, and you'll hear like, being used, like 500 times, in like, one sentence.... whateverrr
There is something sickly enjoyable about all of the American cliches being true.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
my mom is at the colored jewelry center
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
blink and you'll miss it
So I've finally arrived after much trial and tribulation and am loving it. Best decision of my life moving here. I am having the best time, seeing the sights and being all NY fabulous. Part of my job I found out yesterday is to go to all these fabulous parties I get invited to and network. My first is tomorrow night at the Guggenheim. Its not the event I have to co-host (thats at the end of March) but its an opening of this crazy Asian explosion artist. Lots of free champers and good food apparently, and it wll be a good chance for me to introduce myself. The missus is even tagging along. He's buying some new clothes today to wear to it, bless him.
I know this is painfully short for a first NY blog, and I really do promise to write more after Peter goes (only 4 more sleeps now) but I must get back to work. Hope this finds you all well my lovlies xxx
Monday, February 11, 2008
worlds were colliding... and it was fine
Friday, February 08, 2008
the final countdown
Speaking of big adventures, I'm moving into Peter's place tommorrow, after working my last shift at the bar tonight. I have no doubt its going to be a big one. I've invited a few of my posse (Steven and Dan, that includes you!) and its fair to say I'm going to be somewhat under the influence. Oh don't look at me like that, for feck's sake I work in a bar!
On Sunday Dad and Peter are going to meet fot he first time at a New Years celebratory Yum Cha (I hate calling it dim sum) Peter is somewhat nervous (this may possibly be my fault due to winding him up serverly) and asked if he needs to bow when he meets him. I considered telling him my Dad doesn't speak a word of English but then woke from my moment of insanity (who knows what Peter would have said in front of him if he thought he couldn't understand. Knowing my beloved it would have been a reference to the shenanigans from the night before. Dear Lord...)
Completely off topic I've been delving further into my back catalogue of favourite tunes (thank you youtube) and have felt the need for calm of late. I guess all this moving really has left me wanting familiarity. Something soothing, something I know, something like this. How very New York of me....
Friday, January 18, 2008
cannonballing into the deep end of the pool
for those about to rock
Sunday, January 13, 2008
so much for being back
Peter says theres no point in getting so upset about it now because it won't change anything and all we would end up doing is moping around for the 4 and a half (OMG 4 and a half weeks to go!!!!) weeks so we might as well enjoy our time together here and deal with it when it comes. I don't know if I completely agree. I think some good can come out of preparing yourself a little for whats to come. Okay my crying percentage has increased ten fold because of it but to be truthful, I think I'm going to be better on the day he leaves NY to come back to London than he will be.
What do you think guys? Are we fooling ourselves thinking we can make our trans-atlantic (thank you Steven!) relationship work?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
R.I.P Ike Turner
Only in London
- Mum - at the Scala!
- The Damned
- Thin Lizzy (!!!)
- Led Zeppelin
- Billy Childish (but he has a residency at the Dirty Water club so its no biggie that he's playing)
- M.I.A - I seem to lose all control at her gigs and dance around in an epileptic fit
- Chrome Hoof
and this is all just in this week! Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to be here. I can't even begin to imagine what NY will be like....
Monday, December 10, 2007
The long awaited return....
So some of you know by now what has kept me away but for those who don't, here's the latest....
- I had a birthday. Twas spent very nicely thank you very much. Peter took me away for 5 days and we spent our time in Germany, Belgium, France and Luxembourg. We took his car and it was such a novelty to drive to another country. The freedom to travel without a 40lb backpack on was quite liberating and I fear Peter has ruined all future backpacking for me! We spent our time in small quiet towns where all there was to do was go for nice walks or stay in cosied up to the fire. You can look at our trip here
- Speaking of my beloved, Peter asked me to move in with him while we were away.... then he changed his mind... then he changed it back..... then he changed his mind. At the moment I think I'm not going to move in. I was all set for it but Peter keeps changing his mind so I think he may not be ready which is a shame because....
- I'm moving to New York!!!! Yes its all signed, sealed and I'm just waiting on the delivery. All papers have been signed and I'm just waiting for my visa to come through before I start organising my stuff to be shipped (as well as my ticket. All at the cost of the designers, bless them) Its going to be really hard and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't terrified (the job description they sent me was 3 and a half pages long) but if the designers think I can do the job, well then, I'm not to blame when they come over to find the store boarded up and me standing out the front preaching about Armageddon. Peter and I go through phases where we think this is the best thing in the world and he constantly talks about all the amazing sights we are going to see and then he realises how hard its gonig to be when we're apart. Fingers crossed our 'trans-atlantic' relationship works out.
- More on New York... I've come to realise that having a friend (and a free place to stay) in New York is all very 'Deirdre Chambers, what a coincidence' and I am expecting a barrage of friends, friends of friends, second cousins and mothers sisters aunts brothers to come and visit me (of which you are all more than welcome of course) but have decided already that I'm going to have a big 4th of July party as a bit of a belated 'Welcome to New York' so everyone start booking your tickets now!!
Oh faithful readers, its good to be back xxx
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Blip of a blog
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Aruba, jamaica ooo I wanna take you to Bermuda Bahama come on pretty mama
Monday, September 03, 2007
4 days on and I'm still cleaning the feedback vomit out of my ears
They opened with Teenage Riot, the opening track off the album which had me pinching myself that I was really there. I've never heard them play it live and it kick started things off nicely. They then played the album in its entirety, pretty much as per the album. Nothing got a huge reworking, nothing really surprised me. Don't get me wrong, it was amazing to get to experience daydream live because with such a mammoth back catalogue, anything pre 'A Thousand Leaves' rarely gets an outing. I think I even creamed my pants a little when they played Silver Rocket but I have to say it almost felt a little mechanical. Like they were doing it out of duty to there long standing fans and for them alone. The breathy whispers of Kim on The Sprawl were there, the high pitched whine of feedback was still being vomited in my ear but I felt no love. Like a mother (them) who is forced to love an ugly baby (us) because they created us and, well, they have to.
After they performed daydream and came back for an encore, you could almost here them breath a sigh of relief at getting to play some newer tunes. To quote Lee 'Enough of this old shit. Lets get back to the 21st century!' The band really seemed to liven up at getting to play some newer tracks (the encore included both Jams Run Free and Do You Believe in Rapture? which were stellar) and they finally partook in a bit of crowd banter. Thurston and Lee both showing off in their too cool for art school way while Kim danced circles (literally) around them.
Its a funny thing to witness an album that has such nostalgic ties live. Although I was a little young to experience it when it was first released, I soon found the error in my ways and it later became a huge part of my youth. It made me think of the first time I heard it and how it seemed to sum up all my teenage angst and fear and loathing for the universe. It makes me think how timeless Sonic Youth are and how although they are all well into their 50's, they are still so relevant and relatable to the new gen Y, or gen X or what ever friggin generation we are in now. How at any moment they are ready for a teenage riot...
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
All you need is.... a few Asahi and some baaad sake to bring out your true feelings
Last night Peter and I went to dinner with some of his friends who were visiting London. I seem to get on well with all of his friends and he loves that. I do too. It makes social gatherings much easier when you can sit and have a conversation and not want to stab yourself in the eye with your own chopstick.
Moving on.....
A few beers post dinner Peter and I decided to go home. We were having a mock squabble over him riding his bike and me catching a cab (he wanted me to double on his bike from Soho to Clapham South!!!) when he let slip with an 'I love....' and chickened out. We got home and I thought I should take charge.
So I said it. I, for the first time in my life, told someone I loved them. Then I cried a little (wuss!) and then he told me he loved me too and that he was scared at how I made him feel because he has never felt this way about anyone before but that being with me seemed to make everything easier and when we weren't together, the pain of missing me felt like a lump in his chest.
The scary thing is that I feel the same way. When I think about the future, he's in my plans too. And when I think of us not being together, it just wrecks me.
As much as the feminist in me tries to deny it, there is some deeper primal urge that just wants to take care of him. Do I sound completely naff and old fashioned? Probably. But its true. Is this what they mean by you just 'know' when its the right person? Then what do I do?
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Me? Procrastinating?
Friday, August 03, 2007
Digging out my rasberry beret (the kind you find at a second hand store)
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
forget your troubles
The sun is shining, I've got the day off and a good friend from Belfast has got a 10 hour lay over and we are meeting up for a liquid lunch. Life is good today. I've got a spring in my step and I'm whistling this....
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan
The contrast of her light and his dark are just magic. There whole set was reminicent of 'Some Velvet Morning' It had such shape and colour. You could feel it peak and soar and then be taken down again to the depths of the lowest depressions you ever thought imaginable.
It made me long to have that breathy girlish voice that I will never have...
Friday, July 20, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
from fifteen to two to one
- The designers finally arrived and we had a great time. I showed them around the East and took them to some great galleries (sadly they missed Damien Hirst by 2 days) and some great shopping (Hello Nog) and in return they took me to Jamie Oliver's 'Fifteen' in Shoreditch. The food was divine (I had the caprese salad with tomatoes straight from Jamie's garden apparently and the gnocchi with pork ragu) Possibly the only thing to tarnish the evening was the fact that her two kids were quite tired and decided to have a pyscho attack right there in the middle of the restaurant complete with the older daughter throwing cushions at her father and screaming at the top of her lungs that she hated us all. Oh how the other diners loved us.
- As well as having the designers here two of my friends from Belfast came over for the weekend. The two booze hounds had been to London before but haven't done the whole tourist thing so it was fun for me to play the tour guide and show them around my London. I found myself constantly smiling and looking at London with a fondness that has taken 6 months to develop but is now firmly lodged in my affections. I really do love it here now.
- The biggest news that I have is that while I was with the designers, I was quickly informed that the old offer of me being the New York Manager was still on the table. The current Manager extended his contract for another year after I had to turn them down this year but that runs out in May 2008 (coincidentally when my UK visa runs out) and he is definitely planning on coming home to Australia next year. He says he has loved New York but is tired and wants to come home. This means that I have the opportunity to move to New York for 3 years (or longer if I choose to stay on) Liane says that Dinosaur will obviously get my visa for me and let me stay in their apartment until I find my own place.... if I take the job. They seem to have total faith in me and I can't believe they are offering me the job again after I dicked them around so much in the beginning of the year. Its such an amazing opportunity I don't know if I can turn it down twice, although I have to say, its a huge responsibility plus it still scares the shit out of me (they would have to make me a Managing Director of the company and I would do all the American and European press as well as run the store eeek!) and I still don't know if I'm ready for it but I guess if they have faith in me.... I trepidatiously mentioned it to Peter the other night and he is completely on board. He thinks it would be a great experience for us to live in New York for a few years and made us start looking at apartments straight away to see where we could afford to live. Hes been really supportive and I feel really lucky to have met someone so great. I know I've got plenty of time til may next year but I figure it will be here before you know it and I'll need a fair bit of time to mentally prepare myself as well as sort out all my visas and come home for a visit (which I'm doing in March so lookout!) so I really need to make a decision quite soon about if I'm really going to do this this time around. What do you think? Am I ready?
Monday, July 09, 2007
I love spending other people's money
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Monday, July 02, 2007
the Aussie invasion
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
8 plus 1
So before I started working in the wonderful world of resin, I was working for a large 'upmarket' department store in Melbourne. I was still relatively new to Melbourne and it was the first time I was living on my own (when I moved out in Sydney, I lived with my sister) I was finding it really hard going and felt myself barely keeping afloat on the surprisingly poor wages. A friend who also worked at said department store also found that she was struggling and after a few whispered meetings..... we decided to start embezzling money from the department store. At first we were careful and only took when we needed (you know, cause that makes it ok!) but because we were getting away with it, we kept going until we were stocking up our purses before a night out. I even remember the two of us taking ourselves to a well to do restaurant in Melbourne celebrating our genius. It seemed so easy and no one would have ever suspected us as we were two of the most respected and hardest working there.
A few months in a new girl started who was just looking to get caught. She would openly steal clothing and even took one of the security tag removers so she could go to other departments to load up. In short she wasn't careful and had the instore security circling our department like sharks which led them to checking the history of our register and noticing that there were innumerable refunds to the same two accounts. Two days after my birthday I was called up to HR and taken into the boardroom where instore security confronted me and kept me for questioning for 5 hours. At first I denied til I was blue in the face but the evidence was more than enough to convict me. During me questioning I heard that they had brought my partner in crime in as well who was screaming and causing a huge scene from what I could tell. After obviously terminating my contract, they called the police who arrested and handcuffed me and led me through the crowded ground floor cosmetics department, into, yes, the back of a paddy van parked in the middle of Bourke St Mall.
The police then detained me for another 6 hours and took the usual mug shots and finger prints and told me that I'd need to get myself a lawyer. Nearly a year passed which was one of the roughest of my life but it finally started to get better. I got a good job which turned into an amazing job, which then led me to start my own label and none of it would have happened unless I'd been fired.
I finally had to face my court date (which I told my current work was a 'doctors' appointment) and managed to get away without official conviction (which would have meant I couldn't have left the country for 8 years and i would be here) I had to pay all of the money back which I only just managed to do before I came here and I had 6 months of community service, which I told people was 'volunteer work'. You know whats really funny? I actually convinced myself that I was doing volunteer work and started bragging to people about how great it was to give something back! God, even I buy my own bullshit!
After I left, the rumours of the details of my departure were plentiful. From me stealing $50 000 to setting up some sort of designer black market where I was selling clothes half price. I actually remember seeing a few staff members from the department store come into my new work and be totally surprised at how well I was doing. I even remember seeing the old Store Manager on Chapel St who threw a smile my way.
Its strange to reread this blog and to some extent relive it. It was such a long time ago and I'm such a changed person because of it and I have to say, I'm grateful that it happened otherwise I'd probably still be stuck there 20 years later.