| This Week's Column... |
[Dec. 16th, 2009|06:21 pm] |
Foodies’ Diary: Hot’n'Cold
Author: Jackie McMillan
Posted: Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Published: The City Hub
Eat Mex Daily
Not many fast food restaurants volunteer their product to be tested by the Australian Government National Measurement Institute – that’s how sure that Guzman Y Gomez are that their product is actually GOOD for you. In fact it’s more like “restaurant quality food served fast” with a nutritional profile that means you can eat it guilt free “every day because it is fresh, healthy food”! Now if your personal trainer looks at you askance, there are brochures in store that break it down into carb., fat and protein. Plus you can tell ‘em that chilli speeds up the metabolism, pico de gallo lowers cholesterol and their tasty guacamole (made fresh three times each day) is full of good fats too! With this information in, you can imagine the look on founder Steven Marks’ face when one of his Newtown customers asked if the “D.F.” stood for deep fried! Ouch.
(PS: D.F. actually means Distrito Federal which is Mexico City.)
Flavour of the Week
Now I’m sure you need another reason to visit Gelato Messina in Darlinghurst like a hole in the head, but by golly I’ve got one. This man (I’m dubbing him ‘the flavour maker’) is Donato Toce, an experienced chef who is brain-storming up new flavours with founder Nick Palumbo. Now while I’m personally still hooked on Nick’s Yoghurt Caramel, Donato’s Gingerbread and Peanut Butter has extraordinary depth of flavour. The intensity of the peanut butter only stops when a chunk of gingerbread melts on your tongue; it’s like communion, only better! They’re adding a (limited) flavour each week. Word on the street is this week it’s Black Forest made from milk chocolate gelato, kirsch mousse and Amarena cherries. Sigh.
Padrón Peppers
As the weather heats up, so do our palates as chilli fever spreads across the land. Get in fast for an order of my favourite Padrón Peppers, the Russian roulette of peppers (because you never know when you’ll strike a hot one). Grower Richard Mohan at Midyim Eco tells me they’re “in full harvest mode.” He also let slip there are some new chillis on the horizon. Expect to see the O Couto (pronounced oh kowtoe) a chilli with no heat, and the Gernika from the Basque region of Spain next year… for now we can but salivate at his tempting photo.
Christmas Cookies
For another excellent Aussie icy treat, rock on down to the Eveleigh Markets between 8am-1pm for a limited edition Pat & Stick’s Christmas Cookie. Their latest seasonal ice-cream sandwich features cassata ice cream and gingerbread cookies. I hear it’s delicious! I can of course vouch for their Expresso Lace personally – I’m an avid product tester!
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| oh no S2! |
[Dec. 15th, 2009|03:46 pm] |
Seeing as I missed a couple of the larger EU events, I decided to stumble over to the LFS forums to see what people are saying.
Last week i was supposed to be in Amsterdam performing at Clinic and the Thursday in Paris at Demonia.
Well that same weekend the Skin Two Rubberball also was taking place.
I think it might be the last -
here's one of the posts I found on the LondonFetishScene board (edited for easier consumption & over use of elipses):
I've an idea, let me float it to the forum.
I'm having a little soiree - very, very, exclusive.
If anyone would like to visit a secret establishment (my house which is over three stories with very narrow staircases), please send me between fifty and seventy five pounds for the privilage.
It will run a little like this: Upon arrival you will be expected to queue for fifteen minutes and then huddle like emporer penguins in an attempt to shed your outer garments into a selubrious assemblage which I shall name... erm, a pile! I will charge you £2 for charm.
A few will be privileged to a shot of punch; the others less fortunate, well diddums.
Now, please wander and take in the lavish decor which is all the rage and will be tomorrows must have look....we shall call it ...erm: 'Sparseness!'
Further listen to the new wave in clubbing - begone 'garage, rave, techno, trance' - behold 'silence' is the new sound! No, not your thing? oh ok pop to the basement I think theres a wireless there but please keep the noise down I do have neighbours you know!
Fancy a tipple? theres a tap there with H2O its the new 'free'..that will be a 'shush £5' please.
Oh, sorry were you expecting to engage in fetish activity? Well do you have a special blue smarty? unlucky you....toodle-loo
Now I seem to have misplaced your cloakroom ticket on your garment. Oh sorry what do you mean that you dressed scantilly in latex have managed to retain yours. Ok, I have an idea pop around here and rifle through everyones personel property prior to departure in a vain attempt to collect your coat. Oh and remember: this is something special, very special!
You may not realise it but me and you have just had intercourse or more bluntly ..I've F C U K ed you!
Well if nothing else at least we can say we were there when the 'King' died...expensive privilege but....'The King is dead, long live the King!'
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To clarify some things, in order to enter the couples room, one had to be in possession of a glass pebble of sorts. No one exactly knew how to get one, only that some people were given the token and some were not. Oh yes, one had to impress the staff.
Drinks including beer, wine, & water were sold at £5 but due to licensing issues (the lack of one), people that bought drinks were told to say the drink was free in case asked by permit checkers.
There were other issues too apparently. Not to mention the venue owner Edward Davenport (known for throwing parties for minors and swindling Sierra Leone out of their London embassy) has been quite popular in the news - even prior to the event: Check out:
Edward Davenport: The scandalous world of Britain’s most sociable socialite (the independent)
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This was the 2nd year in a row that i've actually missed attending the Skin Two Rubberball and the first time I was actually nearby in Europe but going to another event. I kind of lost the taste for them after they shifted to the SEone venue but I really wanted to attend those and try and support what was once a bastion of fetish (both fashion and stranger rubber-based kinks) even though the magazine was obviously faltering despite last gasp attempts to resurrect itself in various forms.
I suppose this will be the last RubberBall and I'm not sure I like the idea. I kind of wish that it stopped a few years ago - instead of a giant event at a club like SEone, where most party-goers have already experienced the Torture Garden events, I think being able to keep the memory of the Hammersmith Palais would have more of a positive reminder of enjoyable times well spent for many others, not just myself.
I remember the first time I went and it was so fantastic. I really felt like it was like some kind of magical costume ball where people made an incredible amount of effort to transform themselves into something truly imaginative and exotic. oh well...
Fetish parties will continue to take place all over the world as different promoters try their hand at putting on such events. It's funny how so many newbies think that it's an easy venture and yet they really know nothing about it besides asking a couple of their friends to perform and maybe throw in a DJ that will play the latest "alt" tunes. Well, hopefully they will also learn that skimping on production will be noticed by the guests and if the one-time largest fetish event of the year can be toppled, well, all the other pawns can be swiped away just as easily.
Hmm, seemed to have gotten slightly off-topic & ranty there. Oh well. Kind of funny - or fitting - to see so many negative review on the internet about the S2 ball. Not that the internet is the sole cause of the collapse of the ball, but it is taking a part - just as it did with the fall of the magazine (well, not solely, but it helped).
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| FetishCon 2010 - 3 day pre-sale |
[Dec. 14th, 2009|07:49 pm] |
I took a break from FetishCon in 2009 but I'll be back again for 2010!
This time I'll be lecturing too!
It's a perfect time to register and save as well.
Check it out: !! Register Early & Get A Discount !! It's our 10th year doing Fetish Con and we'd like to thank everyone who has helped
us make the trade show such a fun event. We have discounted General, Industry and
Escort All Access Passes until March 01, 2010! Register Early and Save $15.00!
(Please Note: The discounted all access pre-registration ends at 12:00AM on March 01, 2010) |
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| Review - La Grillade |
[Dec. 16th, 2009|10:25 am] |
Private school accents abound amidst the hubbub of polite conversation at this long established North Shore institution.
  
The food’s also unremittingly polite, with a fresh spring injection from recently appointed Head Chef Kevin Connors (Wildfire).
His Artichoke Salad with Kingfish, Wild Strawberries and Parmesan Cream ($17) reconceptualises artichokes enough to entice even a staunch opponent; it's possibly the most unique pairing I have seen in a while - and it worked!
Less successful was the Spanner Crab Soufflé ($20) landing a little set and eggy for my liking.
 
All was forgiven with the arrival of the Kobe Cuisine Rostbiff (400g) ($54) – a stunning piece of four hundred day grain fed Wagyu from the Darling Downs.
Damn my politics. Well informed staff were able to explain that they have no grass fed options because their supplier Anthony Puharich (Vic’s Meats) believes that Queensland produces our best beef and they’re presently in drought. Food for thought, but I’m still for grass, so I kept myself honest with a Crispy Skin Orange and Thyme Spatchcock with Radicchio, Blue Cheese and Walnut ($30) - well mostly honest... I stole bits of the steak, I just didn't order one for myself.
For sides it’d be hard to pass the excellent Tomato Salad ($11) full of lovely torn Buffalo Mozzarella.
 
Round off the palate and please all comers with a Dessert Tasting Plate ($30); or skip to the winner, a Summer Berry, Hazelnut Meringue Mille-Feuille ($16.50) and roll home. The honeycomb ice-cream (made in-house) is also superb; the only disappointment being the Blackberry and White Chocolate Parfait ($16.50) which read well but was hard and lacked definition in flavour.
La Grillade
118 Alexander Street, Crows Nest
Ph: (02) 9439 3707 |
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| Review - Belvedere Brasserie |
[Dec. 15th, 2009|09:30 am] |
| [ | Tags | | | food | ] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Wet Set | ] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  calm | ] |
Restaurant Manager Mary Vrontos is a pleasure to watch on the floor of this upmarket steakhouse. She seamlessly removes and hangs jackets whilst greeting and seating her business clientele. They all seem to know her; her warm ministering seems to have lured her old clientele from The Occidental making this newish space full and buzzing for my recent lunch.
The Tasting Plate of the Day ($19.50) makes for a convenient starter if you’re sharing; for a solo diner I’d recommend their tasty Soft Shell Crab ($16.50) – it’s crisp and nicely spiced. Oysters are also a stand-out, with a half dozen natural Sydney Rocks ($18.50) impressing me.
Executive Group Chef Daniel Fountain has produced a menu designed around CBD men who (corporate) lunch. He leans toward grain fed beef (something I generally eschew) but avoids the antibiotics trap (treating cows with upset tummies) by choosing product that has just been finished on grain for twenty-five days. Daniel’s vision of “simple, good quality food [that] goes back to comfort food” is well realised in my Lamb Cutlets ($32) served up on potato puree encircled by mint jelly. If you’re into grain-fed beef, this chef has Riverina in his blood, so I’d try the Riverine Rib Eye on the Bone (400g) ($45.50).
Belvedere Brasserie
482 Kent Street, Sydney
Ph: (02) 9264 1688 |
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| the season. (?) |
[Dec. 11th, 2009|09:07 pm] |
December usually means parties n such for companies n whatnot. This evening I'm headed up to San Francisco for the Kink.com party.
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) sokkmonkey convinced me i wanted to go with him and vienna_la_rouge even though driving up to SF 2 nights in a row is not really that exciting for me. Luckily he's driving tonight.
It'll be nice to see friends I used to see more often and worked with at a time before all the hard stuff started happening in bondage/fetish.
I'm so not wearing latex though! It's too cold out and there's fog n everything!
Went out last night too. Local cops were looking for someone in an old mercedes like mine so they were looking at me when I pulled up to the front. Young new guy too. heh. It was nice to see Off. Duane again after a long period of time. Oh, and last week some loonie pulled a gun out at the bartenders at the Nuthouse too. What a fucktard.
Tomorrow evening in SF is steendaddy 's gallery show at the Center for Sex & Culture. I'll be heading up to that one although I'm not sure about wearing latex. I might though. I guess it depends on how I feel but I can always wear my Atsuko or NPNG trousers.
OK. Time to hurry it up with the face painting for tonight.
oh and I still have to post about the fet ball thingy from last week too. cak! |
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| Seattle: Who's going to our Bang 4 The Buck party? |
[Dec. 10th, 2009|01:58 pm] |
Who's going to our Bang 4 The Buck women's party?
What: Wild, wicked and notorious annual women's party in Seattle to benefit AIDS LifeCycle
Date: SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2010
Time: 6:00 FREE LESSON, 7:30 STRIP-O-RAMA, 10:00p - 2:00a PARTY
Place: Center for Sex Positive Culture “THE WET SPOT” 1630 15th Ave W., Seattle.
URL: www.Bang4TheBuck.org Details:
Cost: $20 - Strip-O-Rama ONLY
$25 – Big Bang Ticket: Strip Show AND Party
** Special VIP ticket available on line!
= = =
Midori, Kelly B, Lydia McLane and Miss Indigo Blue present
STRIP-O-RAMA & BANG FOR THE BUCK 2010!
Special Sex-Positive Womens’ Event and Fundraiser for AIDS/LifeCycle
For the sixth sold-out year, international star Midori hosts a hot steamy night for all Northwest women with proceeds benefiting AIDS/LifeCycle. Kinky women are still talking about the last five years of spectacular Seattle extravaganzas. This year’s event is primed for another sold out success on Saturday, January 30 at The Wet Spot, aka The Center for Sex Positive Culture.
First... Strip-O-Rama! The evening begins at 6 pm with a FREE striptease lesson by Burlesque Star Miss Indigo Blue. Miss Indigo teaches sexy moves for stripping success! FREE, and fun! Come prepared to take it all off!
Then, at 7:30 pm, Miss Indigo Blue and Lydia McLane join Midori to co-host an outrageous amateur strip-off! This is a no-holds barred, wild and abandoned display of women stripping for women, all competing to receive the most tips from the audience. The biggest tip-receivers win BIG prizes donated by Babeland, Twisted Monk, Pleasure Chest, ID Lube, Stockroom, Stormy Leather and Desire.
The raffle table is so full of wild goodies that nearly everyone with a raffle ticket wins an item. The Bang offers you chances to win specific items at the silent auction, and top of the line goods from our generous sponsors. Raffle tickets are $1 each or $10 for a bust or inseam.
Come to play, watch, tip and compete! Get there early and sign-up to strip-off – bring your two minutes of music on CD or dance to the DJ’s choice! All tips are donated to AIDS/Lifecycle.
Finally at 10:00 pm, the night turns downright debaucherous! For those who want to play, Hostess Midori conducts her famous “Auntie Midori’s Meat Market”! Everyone is invited to stay late into the night for the play and shag party. This is THE hottest event of the winter! Pull out your spiciest outfit, throw your toys in a bag, and come out and play for a great cause.
New for this year are VIP Advance Tickets & Bang Bucks! With Bang Bucks, you can turn your tipping and raffle tickets into a tax deduction! Just donate to AIDS/LifeCycle in advance at http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/teamursa and put BANG BUCKS in the message. Your Bang Bucks will be waiting for you at the party! Or, buy a $50 bundle of Bang Bucks directly at the party. In both cases your wholesome-looking tax deductable donation receipt will be mailed to you from AIDS/LifeCycle
A limited number of VIP Advance Tickets are available online at http://www.bang4thebuck.org/parties.php for those who wish to skip the line, get reserved seating, and 10 free raffle tickets to win more stuff! VIP Tickets are not tax deductible, but all proceeds benefit AIDS/LifeCycle and CSPC.
Center of Sex Positive Culture membership not required. Non-members are asked to RSVP to BangRSVP@sexpositiveculture.org. Please be 18+ and female identified
Details: Date: SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2010 Time: 6:00 FREE LESSON, 7:30 STRIP-O-RAMA, 10:00p - 2:00a PARTY
Place: Center for Sex Positive Culture “THE WET SPOT” 1630 15th Ave W., Seattle. Cost: $20 - Strip-O-Rama ONLY
$25 – Big Bang Ticket: Strip Show AND Party
More Information: www.bang4thebuck.org |
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| Where in the world (2009) |
[Dec. 9th, 2009|03:56 pm] |
OK.
This year is just about coming to a close - yes, there are a couple of weeks left, but as far as my travel schedule, I doubt there are going to be any sort of grand plans requiring my passport.
A summary then:
I spent quite a bit of time in California, well, at least during the summer months of Jun/Jul/Aug. I ended up enjoying the time though, instead of being restless and wanting to jump on a plane. I spent a little bit of time enjoying local cities, family, and friends. I also took a solo drive up to Eureka for work but turned it into a very leisurely trip back where I learned how to appreciate California. I'm going to be stuck in the US until the end of March and hopefully I can get past my regrets and irritation of having to cancel my Dec/Jan trip to Europe. Plus, I can use the time and get a new passport sorted out since my current one is pretty much out of pages.
This year was good for some firsts. All cities/countries within the EU unlike the year before where I hit Oceania/Asia.
After an early morning flight from Dusseldorf, I landed for the first time in Riga, Latvia and instead of flying, I think I chose well in deciding to take the coach into Tallinn, Estonia. I got to see a bit of both countries though not much of Riga at all. I'll have to find a reason to go back. I really did like Tallinn a lot and like Riga, I'd love to head back there again.
Ah, Lisbon! Wow! I know I will be back. The weather was hot but the Atlantic was a bit cold but with a good suit totally enjoyable! I definitely prefer diving in tropical warm water, but I'll take anything really! The food was awesome too. I could totally get fat there - well, I probably did.
Edinburgh. I think I like that city more than London. Maybe I need to spend more time there to decide for reals but so far, each time I've been able to walk around the city, I just feel quite comfortable. Oh, and I got to visit Glasgow too for just a day on my second visit to EDI. I only wish the weather got so much warmer!
Finally, Lyon. I spent a year of school in the south of France so I was particularly excited to have the opportunity to visit a different party of France. Unfortunately, I didn't find the time to make the journey to Arles. I really wanted to eat at Bigouden Blues on Rue Gambetta (don't know why I can remember that info still!) because I often had crepes there with pastis. I hear the place is closed though. In any case, I'm supposed to be blogging about Lyon! So yeah. WOW. food, food, food! I had so much food (and it didn't help that Valentina and Teo were visiting from Bologna too!) So much foie gras was consumed, and giant blue steaks. And I also got to visit La Demeure du Chaos which also contained the very impressive office and record stacks of ArtPrice.com
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That's it for the new places. Not too bad all things considered.
oh, and there was another first this year as well.
I ended up having to cancel an EU trip due to last minute photographer cancellations which in the end meant canceling a performance booking that I had confirmed over 09 months prior. That felt a bit horrible, but I suppose after years of being at this job, it's bound to happen. (The first illness last minute cancellation was Torture Garden in London a few years ago, and the first cancellation due to flight fiasco was Melbourne last year).
2009 travel dates:
Dec 17-Jan 12 San Francisco
Jan 25-Feb 10 Vienna
Feb 10-17 London
Feb 17-23 Atlanta
Feb 23-Mar 02 New York
Mar 02-25 San Francisco
Mar 26-Apr 01 London
Apr 01-09 Amsterdam, NL
Apr 09-15 Essen, DE
Apr 15-21 Tallinn, EE
Apr 21-27 Bologna, IT
Apr 27-May 06 Vienna
May 06-11 Paris
May 11-18 London
May 18-27 Lisbon, PT
May 27-Jun 3 Berlin
Jun 03-05 Paris
Jun 05-08 Edinburgh
Jun 08-14 London
Jun 15-Sep 16 San Francisco
Sep 16-24 London, UK
Sep 24-30 Lyon, FR
Oct 01-05 London, UK
Oct 05-13 Edinburgh/Glasgow, UK
Oct 13-19 Bologna, IT
Oct 19-28 Vienna, AT
Oct 29-Nov 03 London, UK
Nov 03-10 Atlanta, GA
Nov 10- San Francisco, CA |
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