An Update on Winter 2024: Work, Play, My Final Semester and BRAT!

Greetings, loved ones!

This is a quick run-down on life since my last update. Since we last spoke, Charli XCX has released BRAT. I became a paid journalist and have had some really great work experiences. I’ve also returned to uni for my final semester at UOW, and had some fun giggly times. So, with no further ado, please enjoy the following stories!

NOTE: In this blog post, the word ‘We’ generally refers to myself and my lovely partner, Sinead. It is safe to assume that this definition applies to all future posts.

Odd Jobs with The Illawarra Flame

Last month, I received my first ever pay check as a photojournalist! So if you’re reading this, please say a congratulatory ‘woohoo!’ for me! There’s a fair bit to cover on this front, so I’ll just talk about the in-person events I’ve had the pleasure of attending lately, and not the nonetheless lovely phone interviews.

We had the absolute pleasure of seeing Eric Avery perform for a NAIDOC week celebration at the Wollongong Art Gallery. I was doing some Vox Pops, but this was one of those jobs that moved me on an emotional level. Admittedly, I had never heard of Eric and his work, but he performs this incredible blend of violin and vocals in traditional language. He loops and mixes the music on the spot, with pedals and such I think. I can’t explain how his performance filled the room with an absolutely captivating sound. A little girl from a local daycare laid up the front of the room and sobbed for most of the time – and I’m sure that I would have joined her if I didn’t have a job to do.

I also went along to photograph the Thirroul Village Committee meeting – which hosted the candidates of the upcoming local election. I always say that I love how photography puts me in rooms I’d otherwise never be in, but this was especially interesting for me. I won’t say too much about it, but there was such a specific energy to being the youngest in a room full of long-time northern Illawarra residents. And it was surprisingly dramatic.

Earlier this month I attended a tree-planting event run by Landcare Illawarra, in celebration of national tree day. The event was originally scheduled for the week prior, but it happened to rain on the actual day of National Tree Day. A bunch of cub scouts, scout leaders and local land care volunteers came together at the reserve in Albion Park and planted a bunch of trees. They also found some fun bugs and worms in the process. The photos are beautiful and I had some really lovely chats with people on the day, but I haven’t yet finalised the article, so we’ll have to stay tuned to see all of that on paper.

This past Friday, we went out to Warilla to speak to some lovely ladies involved with Illawarra Cancer Carers. As part of their fundraising, they have an amazing sewing group, who make the most beautiful things. We saw the most beautiful little jumpers, hand towels, children’s plushies and an assortment of things you “didn’t know you needed”. Later that day I also had the pleasure of speaking to a local crime fiction author about her most recent book, and I won’t say too much about that to not spoil the story before it’s published, but I will say it was one of the nicest chats I’ve ever had in journalism. She has the most gorgeous ginger cat I’ve ever met and I can’t wait to hand off those photos soon.

A word about Mercury

At some point last week, my precious Suzuki Swift started making a noise. When my precious Suzuki Swift started making a noise last week, it made me anxious, especially because I was scheduled to drive out to Albion Park for that tree day event the next day, and breaking down on the highway would not be fun. However, after consulting dad, I found that my air conditioning belt was but a withering fray of rubber. The noise in question was just a slapping of this belt under the hood. I proceeded to perform surgery and cut the belt out. This took some time and effort, and the awkward angle left me with the most incredible bruise on my forearm. A week later, I had the trusty mechanic who fixed my broken struts to replace both straps, which was pleasingly cheap. I blame Mercury retrograde for this inconvenience – however, it should be noted that Mercury has treated me far worse in the past – and I thank her for being gentle this time.

Some Fun, Young Nights!

Despite the rise and grind of it all, we have managed to upkeep our youth at the ripe age of 23. Of course, it’s hard not to feel burned out and withering approaching your mid-twenties and in the heart of winter. Nonetheless, we persevere! We had a fun night in early July at a drag show – but the highlight for me was the DJ playing a good half of Charli XCX’s latest and greatest album, Brat. This album could get me out of bed on the earliest and coldest day of an Antarctic winter. I have considered writing a review of it, but I am much more fascinated by its instant and ongoing cultural impact than the songs themselves. We took pictures in a photo booth, and danced until our legs ached. Also, we came across some people who were dressed up as Donald Trump and some cartoon characters. I love weird strangers who are willing to take a photo.

I haven’t spent nearly as much time and money on gigs and concerts this year as I have in years past – but I don’t feel like I’ve missed out on anything significant on that front. I hope that the local music scene picks up soon, as the weather improves. We did go to the pub one night, as North Gong Hotel was supposed to be hosting a free Lime Cordiale listening party. It seems that Lime Cordiale simply performed a DJ set full of other people’s songs, but it was nice to go out, anyway.

This past weekend, we had a joy of a night at a friend’s birthday house party. Nothing is as great as a classic house party, and we had lots of fun losing and winning beer pong, laughing with people and listening to the playlist at hand. The following day, we got to go to Alana and Alex’s engagement party, which was equally fun and interesting, I would say. I can’t wait to see how my photos turn out from that, and it was beautiful to celebrate the love of our friends again. Overall, I’ve had a very fulfilling weekend and I am feeling strangely well-rested as I am writing this.

Thoughts on Place: Victoria vs Wonderful Wollongong

I’ve already written about our wondrous time visiting Melbourne last month. So, feel free to read about that here if you wish. To summarise, we got to see our friends get engaged, and catch up with old friends from Dubbo, and less old friends who made the move from Wollongong. I took a lot of pictures and we giggled a lot and took our love interstate! Notably, on the way home, we sat on the blessed South Coast Line, and admired the coastal views and the beautiful NSW plant life. When we got home, it was a nice, warm day, and it felt immeasurably good to return to the stillness and comfort of my home. I liked Melbourne, but more than anything, the trip left me with an overwhelming and renewed love for Wollongong. I can’t imagine my life happening anywhere else, and I’m so extremely lucky to be where I am and with the people I get to be with here. I’m so entirely sure that I am in the right place for me. So, earnest feelings aside, shout out to Wollongong! I love you!

How it’s going: My Final Semester

We’ve recently returned to UOW for the commencement of Spring Semester 2024. I’ve completed all of my core subjects, and now I am doing 3 random electives to complete the rest of my credit points before finishing my courses at the end of this year. I’m doing a second photography elective, which is focused on portraiture, which seems like an effortless task for me. I’m also doing my second visual design subject, which is surprisingly crafty, because we have to create a physical record cover. I’ve chosen The Record by Boygenius, which I am creating out of string art so far. I’m sure you’ll see my final project on the blog later this semester, if it goes according to plan. I am also doing a philosophy subject – which is off-brand for my university career thus far. It’s about ethics and morals, and I have to do lengthy readings and weekly quizzes. I might even do an actual exam (exams are generally not a part of journalism or media courses, so I’ve avoided them since highschool).

I had a brief scare earlier this week, realising that I was missing 6 credit points to finish by the end of the year – but after freaking out and asking for advice, this problem has resolved itself. I applied to have my job at Women Illawarra recognised as a relevant 6 credit points toward my communications and media course. The university staff were uncharacteristically prompt in accepting my application, so all is well!

Anyway, that’s all!