Been out clubbing to a few different events to check out the music scene here and have had some interesting experiences. This Saturday just gone we went to XXL to check out the bear club and what it has to offer. I went for my birthday just before leaving for Sydney with the main thought being that I would be free to dance since bears mostly go for other bears. We used the same reasoning for our choice this week and also it was nice to try something other than Vauxhall. The music was very similar to what I play, but nothing really super new that I had to run out and buy, heard Million $ Bill twice and from the same DJ, tsk tsk. The atmosphere was great and friendly and we certainly were left to dance up a storm in our little group, certainly somewhere I would like to play, so demos will be pressed and sent out soon. Afterwards we went to Beyond at Area and had a blast well into the morning. The music was a lot harder, but no less fun and the crowd was a mix of all ages, types and nationalities. Once again met a bunch of great people, most of which is thanks to my fabulous friend Martin Cheong who knows everyone and is super fun to hang out with. Yes you sister, thanks heaps!!

Before leaving the US I had a couple of farewell parties that I Dj’d at and boy was it a roller-coaster ride of emotions, expressions of love and a compilation of music from old favourites to new musical wonders I have just discovered. Some of the current gems include Soul Survivor (bimbo jones club mix) by Beverly Knight Ft. Chaka Khan, Operator (dj dan & mike balance disco funk remix) by DJ Dan And Uberzone Ft. Blake Lewis and Love Don’t Live Here (ian masterson extended mix) by Bananarama. (Still waiting for the video to Operator to appear on YouTube).

Huge thanks to everyone that made it out to wish me good luck and farewell, and to Gus, Edgar, Dutch, Suv and the Gus Presents crew, plus Andrew and Michele, for organising the posters, cake and guest list and making sure I had a blast.

Even earlier this year I organised a flash mob in San Francisco, along with our star Heklina and choreographers Joshua Klipp and Matthew Martin. On Valentine’s Day we took to the Castro in San Francisco in order to answer a flash mob that took place on Bondi beach last November, organised by my friend and fellow DJ Dan Murphy. Say Cheese Flash Mob - Official Video. At high noon Heklina took centre stage and the mob began. Watch the video on the Rock Your Box YouTube Channel that Dan and I have together.

I arrived back in the UK last Wednesday and have spent most of the time with my close family, but last night I went out to meet my friends from college, as it has been 10 years since we graduated. A trip into London and a few drinks in a bar and we quickly got back into reminiscing about old times and catching up with what’s new. We were up in Islington, where I used to live close by in 3 separate places, so very familiar surroundings made me feel like I really was back in my own country and home. After a few rounds my sister Erin and I headed down the road to the last place I lived, before I left for Sydney in 2003, to see my long time friend Peter. Was great seeing him and everyone else last night and I look forward to many more adventures with you all……….. x

Talking of which, today I found out that Kylie Minogue is touring America for the first time and Tony and I have bought tickets to go and see her on September 30th. She will be playing in Oakland and we have mezzanine level tickets so should have a great view of my favourite little green fairy.

Have been very busy traveling, in Palm Springs as I type, with lots of plans to do more, so will try and be much better at blogging about my trips and events. Palm Springs has been crazy hot, and I have been out for the last 2 days working in the sunshine helping the stills photographer with his lights and keeping the sun out of our pictures. Today I have a more relaxed day at the shooting of the last scene for Dripping Wet 2. Yes it is as dirty as the title suggests.

(Not an actual image from the movie) LOL

Sorry 2009 has got off to a slow start as far as my blog is concerned, but this is due to the new additions to our family. 3 Weeks ago Lilly gave birth to 3 puppies and although we had the sad experience of losing one puppy along the way, we are lucky to have two very healthy little girls, one black/brindle, like the dad, and the other fawn like her mum. They are doing really well, but have taken up a lot of our time. This week I am on night watch once again, whiling away the hours and making sure they are cleaned and fed.

On the music front I have been spinning as much as possible, having had a bunch of gigs this month already. NYE was a great night and I span at The Lookout for their celebration. It started off a little slow, but ended up packed to the rafters and most people stayed till the end of my set, and the night, at 2 am. I had my own celebrations after and the following day, going to Stompie and Mass. Phil B played a stroming set at Mass and it really helped solidify 2009 as having good things in store.

Last weekend I played my usual gig at Social Club and then returned to The Lookout on Sunday for Gloss, spinning for 3 hours to a pack bar. After Gloss I jumped in the car and headed to Dream, a special event to help raise money and awareness for marriage equality. I played a harder set than I do at The Lookout and it was great to have a bigger and louder soundsystem.

I have also been working for Falcon and Mustang this month doing make-up for the films in LA and SF. Things are going well and I have a few more movies lined up over the coming months. It is definitely keeping me busy. 

At the moment Tony and I have a trip planned with friends to Utah for some snowboarding, however, Tony fell on NYE and has damaged his hand. He is going for an x-ray tomorrow to determine the damage and depending on the results will decide whether or not he will be able to ride the mountains. Fingers crossed he has just bruised his bone and not broken it, and will be able to go and snowboard.

Puppies

Click Here to view the live puppy webcam.

Christmas was fairly quiet at Villa Mariposa. We had a few guest over on Christmas Eve and played liars dice, drank ‘Dirty Lady Hampers’ (recipe to come) and watched ‘Wall.E’. We even had a visit from ‘Ferril Fawceps’ and she hasn’t been out for a while. 

Then Christmas morning I went over to Tony’s sister and husband’s house, (Jena & Simmie), to participate in our gift exchange, have a mimosa and see their two boys open their presents and have a visit from Santa. Tony has been feeling really ill, sinus infection and headaches and he stayed home, so I came back around noon and it was time for the household to swap gifts. I got some great cooking pieces for the kitchen, including a book called ‘Meat’ from Michele, it’s a cook book of course. Plus I got some totally cute and fabulous Ginch Gonch undies and a hot t-shirt from Daniella. All in all Christmas was fabulous, but New Year will be killer.

Santa, Miles, Ezra and Auntie Pakka

I am playing at The Lookout New Year’s Eve till 2 am so that should be a blast. I intend to play the best songs from 2008, (Checkout my Charts page for my top 20 each month) and have everyone at The Lookout bouncing around the floor. Then I will be attending Mass on New Year’s Day with DJ Phil B spinning to what is guaranteed to be a packed crowd. Will give you all the details (and pictures) later.

‘Dirty Lady hamper’

Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 oz cherry vodka ( I used Three Olives)
2. 1 oz Kahlúa (Rachel Siress’ Homemade Kahlúa worked great)
3. 1 oz cream liqueur (I used Cask & Cream)
4. 1/2 oz white chocolate liqueur (I used Godiva)
5. 1/2 oz maraschino cherry syrup
6. Bar of milk chocolate to coat glass rim
7. Fresh mint leaves for decoration

Break up the chocolate  and put into a bowl. Melt the pieces either in the microwave or over the stove depending on the bowl you use. Once melted coat the rim of the martini glasses you will use. Press a mint leaf into the chocolate as it sets so that bottom will be in the drink and the top over the edge of the glass. Allow chocolate to set, this can be done quickly in the freezer.

In a cocktail shaker add ice, cherry vodka, Kahlúa and cream liqueur and shake to mix. Strain into one of the martini glasses. Use the back of a spoon to carefully add the white chocolate liqueur, this should make it move through the mixture and settle at the bottom of the glass in a white layer. Then do the same with the maraschino cherry syrup. The drink should be layered now red, white and creamy brown. 

Enjoy!!

Since we weren’t going to board Tony and I decided to bring along the Wii and XBox and pass the evening hours with mad gaming. 4 Player Mariokart and Wii Tennis are so much fun and Kim and I beat Ross and Tony in our Tennis Doubles match!

With plenty of food and wine it really was a nice way to spend the weekend, and Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. There is nothing quite like seeing a beautiful landscape being blanketed with heaps of soft, fluffy, white snow while you blast the hell out of enemies in Call of Duty World at War.

We pretty much all opted for the unlimited side bar and meat and we were not disappointed. The food was pretty amazing, especially the different choices at the side bar. Some of my favourite items included the spicy pork loin, the bacon wrapped turkey and the banana vinaigrette which was over the top. I didn’t try any of the deserts but we got three for the table and everyone else tried them and said they were awesome too.

Dinner at Pampa's for David's 40th birthday.

Today I have been working at home listening to recordings of Social Club sets from the last few weeks or so. The one I liked the most has some great tracks and remixes, including Moto Blanco’s remix of ‘See You Again’ by Miley Cyrus, which I absolutely love. If you download it please let me know what you think.

I also went out and got a Christmas tree since it looks like we will be home for Christmas after all. Haven’t put it up yet as we have dinner plans tonight and I need to get ready. Another birthday celebration. this time Tony’s brother David.

Check out my download page for my latest set ‘Solstice‘.

Last night I took to the decks at Social Club once again. The past two weeks Lee Decker has been away and I have played all night, however, both weeks I was not 100% happy with my mixing. Last night, since Lee was back, I played the opening set from 9pm till midnight and I feel I played much better than the previous weeks.

The space was fairly quiet for the first hour, and it looked like it might remain that way throughout the night. With two other big events happening in the city, I was greatly surprized when at 10:30 the crowd suddenly swelled and Social Club once again became the place to be that Saturday night. Nothing gets me going behind the decks than a packed room and last night was no exception. I have been downloading and searching for music like crazy and so mixed some old classics with some great new tunes, including one of my current favourites ‘ Magic Touch’ by featuring the delectable Mary J Blige and ‘Up’ by The Saturdays (also see discussion board at DJ Luke Fry’s Facebook Page for more about this track).

The bar was jam packed and stayed that way all night. Lee came and took over at midnight and continued to pump the music into the space with some great music and mixing. Including the great classic Everyday by Kim English, bringing back great memories of Dan Murphy’s dance routine, especially no need to look behind me, (replace need with knee and the rest is obvious!)

Before Social Club I had attended Jason G and Ivan Cano’s holiday party at their apartment and around 11:30 some of the revelers from there came by, so when I finished we got to catch up about what had happened at the party after I had left. All in all it was a fabulous and fun evening and Social Club has really blossomed from it’s start in April this year and holds it’s own against other gay Saturday night events in San Francisco.

Today I am resting up, waiting for Tony to return from KFC, yum, and then this afternoon we are going to Tony’s nephew’s 2nd birthday party. Will have more on that later…