In the can!

Exciting news for business! Channel 7's Great South East TV show contacted me to see if they could do a feature piece on the bizo! Um, hell yeah! What a fantastic opportunity for me and a giant leap in the right direction for more exposure, potential bookings, advertorials etc. This is just the opportunity I'd been hoping for since the advertising budget became non-existent and I started making withdrawals from the 'BF' Bank. The day was off to a rocky start. Signage for the vehicle wasn't ready in time, the producer was ill and the Gold Coast weather completely defying it's "beautiful one day, perfect the next" stigma. A few more hiccups along the way and finally we got into our groove.  On board FLASHIMO'S, Sofic Formica and crew in tow and off to our first stop on the tour, Entree's at GLASS Restaurant.

Beautiful Imperial Ice White Moet, Pork Belly, Oysters, Salmon Mousse, Calamari, Scallops and 5 takes on my greeting (still wasn't happy with it)!  Fantastic start!  Let's keep the mojo flowing!

Venture the short walk to OMEROS  Bros. for a gorgeous marina view soaking up the welcomed sunshine.  Moreton Bay Bugs, Prawns, Greek Salad, Smoked Salmon, more Calamari and more Oysters.  Not a usual recurrence on a Taste Tour let me just point out here. . . . but for filming purposes. .  ..  Topped off with the most delicious iced water (thanks to our friendly waiter for the secret recipe!) and reisling and then we're strolling and filming along the broadwater.  Very talented walkers we had in our group too, or so I thought until Woody stood on Juliet's shoe and off came the heel and not 5 minutes later, so did mine.

Luckily, I used to be a bit of a Macgyver fan back in the day so quick stop into the local convenient store for a rubber band and hey presto. .. .. .. . worked for about 3 minutes.    But at least I stayed positive and kept focus.  On with the show!  A minor misunderstanding with the elevator and a small wait for coffee and we were finally filming our final segment with bubbles, cheese and fruits with the most spectacular view on the Gold Coast to behold from SKYPOINT Observation Deck.  Once it was in the can I breathed again hastily followed by what was left of the bubbles.  I couldn't kill the nerves before filming and believe me they were still there with me to the very end and what a blissful drowning they had!

Lists for life

Ready?  Okay, so, for those who have been with me since the beginning (that is, blog-birth) you will already know this social networking stuff is all new to me.  Facebook, well, I've been a member since 2008 enabling family and friends (lets be honest here. . . . . MUM!) to follow my travels, join on my adventures through photos and I not need to bore them or myself with slideshows or retelling stories upon my return.  But the rest of it I avoided like the plague.  Of course, if you are reading this, my BLOG, then you know there has been a huge shift recently, and I blame BUSINESS!

Since starting my own business, I have been forced to join the masses on Twitter, Linked In, About Me, True Local, I've created 3 websites to run with my Official Website and started this, My Taste Tours Blog, all in the hope to connect with potential customers, network, advertise and promote the business.. . . . . . . . . . .  And then I'm told most of you just want the inside scoop, those juicy snippets that will leave you wanting more and returning as an avid and loyal follower!  This I find simply fascinating!  why?  Well, to understand why this is soooooo fascinating to my little noggin:

1. I do not have TV - all right, don't freak out.  We actually do own a TV but we CHOOSE not to have the coaxial Cable to CONNECT to TV.  WHY? Personal choice, but I find TV brain deadening and a waste of time when I could be productive or proactive.  Don't misunderstand.  I LOVE to be entertained but I think we've gone too far.  I mean, come on, the KARDASHIANS?  Even typing the name here makes me cringe!  I can't believe people actually want to sit and watch spoilt, unintelligent, talentless, uninteresting people for 1/2 hour- 1 hour doing what. . . . . shop?  eat?  cheat with Kanye West?  What words of wisdom could the Kardashians, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Jersey Shore, Kendra, Lara Bingle POSSIBLY impart that would make my world SO changed for the better, SO remarkably enlightened?  I tell you now, NOTHING!  If THESE are the people I am to be educated and enlightened by. . . .. . . . well. . . ... . . .. . now you know why we do not own a coaxial cable!
2. I just finished watching "Julie & Julia", fantastic movie by the way, and this is a movie based on the real life heroine JULIE who discovered blogging and like me, prior to being apart of the culture, believed it to be a self indulgent hobby, self depricating, self adulating; who would POSSIBLY be interested in my world.. ... . . mundane, repetitive, unadventurous, tedious, un-documentable.  Turns out, if you have a fantastic vocabulary, reveal yourself to the public, flaws and all, are compassionate and evoke wit in your writing, you could find yourself the editor of a very popular blog and even swindle yourself a book deal. . .. . ..  This is not me. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . but wouldn't it be wonderful?!
3. If i find the idea of blogging so self indulgent, why did i start one?  Well, it was not intended, but as I state, I blame business.  Starting a business these days, there is so much to think about.  I would never have thought anyone would subscribe to my rants, yet amazingly enough, I have attracted views, comments, followers and even I don't find the stuff I'm writing about very interesting. 

Yet, people do find other's stories inspiring, motivating, thought provoking, entertaining and this is why Blogging has taken off.  And whilst I may be a hypocrite right now, I'm trying to stay on board my pony and at least stay on the tail of my competitors and oponents by getting involved.

Now, back to these 'juicy personal snippets' I was talking about.  I thought, I'd start adding in some of my brains more inventive moments.  They happen none too often and may more often than not be ramblings, sometimes alcohol fueled, sadly, mostly not.  And I've Nothing juicy to report right now, more of a gripe that I'm sure many women can relate.

LISTS rule my life right now.  I've always been a 'lister'.  Through school, in various careers, household chores, calendars.  You get my drift.  Right now I have approx. 10 lists on the go. And then some of those lists have little sub-lists underneath them.  And this is my gripe:  If I'm making lists to keep track of all the things I'm to do, how do I keep track of the lists?  THIS is my current quest!  I will keep you posted!

It's all good news. . . . . .

Okay, so, I've been a bit slack in my posting, but in my defence I have been very busy!  End another week at the Finance Brokerage and prep for sailing Saturday morning 8.30am!  Windy conditions, 15-20knots, close-haul tack and gybe skills tested, no one overboard, a successful day at sea!  Ready for a solo voyage anyday now!  Arrive 1.30pm for hair appointment.  Mission: cover up uneven $11 packet colour.  Result: Gorgeous, deep red over brown.  It's love at first sight!  Cost:  Gulp. . . . $223.15.  Curse thick long locks, impulse shampoo/conditioner combo purchase and vow not to return for at least 4 months.. . . . . even though I feel fabulous!  Bed at 8.30pm. . . . am I getting old?  Sunday arrives as does household chores.  Squeeze most in before a Spotlight wool hunt with SEWELLE and her 2 kidlets.  Start birthday skarf, unravel birthday skarf, start again and knit like the dickens (what the hell is "the dickens"?  A strong wind?  The Dickens family were reknowned for completing all tasks with lightening speed?) whilst Sebastien completes revamping the back fence with friends.  Yahoo!  One step closer to getting ourselves a dog!  A wet Public Holiday comes and goes and anxiety sets in for the BIG  EVENT the following morning!

The BIG  EVENT?  A TV Advertorial piece with "The Great South East" to be aired in approx. 6 weeks time.  8 guests + Guide, Tv Host Sofie Formica, Cameraman, Assistant, filming at over 6 locations including 2 restaurants and SKYPOINT.  It was a stunted start as weather wasn't co-operating but once we got into the swing of things (and I got my interview over and done with) it was a breeze and a very pleasurable and enlightening experience.  HOW did I get this amazing opportunity?  Included in the GC Tourism Membership is a Media package which allows it's members to upload Press Releases, New Business Proposals, Products etc. to be accessed by over 10000 journalists & publishing houses.  Say, The Sydney Morning Herald is doing a feature on Gold Coast Tourism, they research GC Tourism's archives, my Press Release catches their eye and hey presto, I'm on TV!  I anticipated and hoped my investment with GC Tourism would pay off but I had no idea just how quickly!  AND, the news just keeps getting better!

Surfers Paradise Alliance called this morning confirming a place for us at their Positivity Day promoting healthy lifestyle and eating with the strong possibility of also participating in A La Carte in the Park.  Both of these events will see us promote our INSDIE  TASTE side of the business with Sebastien cooking up tasty treats of: smoked salmon blini, crepes, charcuterie & cheese boards, spicy crabcakes to name a few.  Very exciting news!

And to keep the momentum going http://www.outdownunder.com/ also called this morning offering me advertising space through their tourist guide and website.  Out Down Under promotes gay friendly tourist options -  I have been looking for a way to promote Taste Tours to my perfect customer and I think I've found it.  I hope it's affordable as I'm sure Taste Tours would be an attractive tour option for this demographic and If it works well, I may have my answer to promoting the Singles Dining Tours!  I'm looking forward to starting those tours already!

So whilst I was looking forward to a wee rest, it looks like I've a few busy weeks ahead completing applications and proposals, getting signage made, menus ready and keeping anxieties at bay!
 BRING                          IT                         ON!

PARENTS NIGHT OFF!

For the months of June/July Taste Tours and FaB Nannies are offering all parents the night off from cooking, cleaning and kids! • 3 delicious courses at 3 of the best restaurants on the Coast • Beverage package to accompany each course • A Knowledgable Guide highlighting local events and areas of interest for tourists including quality restaurant options • 3 HOURS “FaB Nannies” BABYSITTING SERVICE FOR UP TO 4 CHILDREN! Tours run with 6-12 guests WALKING TOURS from $240 PER COUPLE!!! 0406 783596 or email tastetours1@gmail.com to book. www.goldcoasttastingtours.com

Weekender. . . . . No Bender

Awake, Saturday morning to the rhythmic sounds of rain on the window.  Quickly realise we are sailing today.  Whilst dialling the yacht club's number, say a silent prayer it's cancelled.  No answer.  Suit up for a sail in the rain :-(  Tacking, Gybing, Knotting - wet, yet, a surprisingly GREAT day for sailing!  Lunch beside pelicans at Charis Seafood.  Enjoy the rest of the weekend out of the rain and snuggled on the lounge watching Young Adult (Mediocre), King Kong (tops) and SATC Season 6 (Smith Jerrod. . . . . delicious!).  Found an old friend on Facebook.  Throw in a bit of Angry Birds for some diversity.  All in all, very relaxed.  Preparation for the busy week ahead!