JENNIFER HUDSON!

I have been in the presence of greatness! JENNIFER HUDSON!!!

After last night I worship at the altar of Ms Hudson! I believe her to be the voice of her generation, there is no equal. Fact!

So in one of those random events that life dishes out, I scored an invite to a Jennifer Hudson ‘Up Close & Personal’ thrown by the lovely people at MIX 106.5. One of the cheekier, sassier, smoother, more adorable radio promo types is @ShaunHeron who shot me through the invite. Hesitated for a minute, but then thought why the hell not – for godsake she won an Oscar – so invited along my No. 1  Miss Cal.

Well. I can confidently say that it was one of the most amazing performances I’ve ever seen. Jennifer Hudson is a SUPERSTAR with the most phenomenal voice! Such composure, so genuine, unbelievably effortless! 





Not one to blow some smoke up my own arse… but I’ve been very lucky over the years and have met, seen, heard some of the greatest voices and performers. On top of that, I am a bitter and twisted middle-aged queen who thinks he’s seen and done it all before.

That is… Until I was five people back at a JENNIFER HUDSON showcase!

I seriously can not describe how sensational her performance was last night. At one stage I was literally doubled over with my whole body tensed in anticipation, goosebumps even on my calf muscles, tears welling in my eyes. I couldn’t even scream with joy I was literally so speechless. I couldn’t tell you what songs she sang or even how many, just that with each song she took her performance to a whole new level.

I worked on Australian Idol, and I was in the room for the original audition, semi-final (Barbra Streisand) and performances (most notably ‘Chains’) for the one-and-only Paulini. To my ear I have always considered Paulini one of the most pure, effortless voices I have ever heard in my life. In a bizarre coincidence I’d bumped into Paulini last night just before JH took the stage. She was beside herself with excitement. Singers know and love other singers, this I have learnt over the years. When I was about to collapse in pure rapture over JH, Paulini was a few steps in front of me waving her arms with absolute joy. I know what I love, Paulini loves it cause she understands the skill and talent involved.

Mrs Woog and Paulini

Yes, yes I know I am now gushing like a 12 year old after a Bieber concert but I am not alone. Miss Cal grabbed me half way through a JH song and yelled “AMARSING” while she patted my back instinctually knowing I was already in tears.  Having been invited as well, Mrs Woog and her +1 Mrs Ryan were in tears like myself. Seriously, our new bestie Jennifer was AMARSING!

BUY HER ALBUM, BUY HER ALBUM! 

Ahhhh… Jennifer… Thank you!

And just to finish off, and just because I love the photo, Mrs Woog and Mrs Ryan ended up back at Man Pit on the couch with me and Sam to watch the IQ’d final Oprah ep. But more about that another time…

Random Delights: gifts that keep on giving

Now my beautiful North Shore Princess came to Man Pit for dinner last night (thanks once again to the pizza place downstairs for catering). Ms North Shore is phenomenally good at retaining weird pop culture stuff, always has been. She shared with me a number of delights which I would now love to share with you!





Now is it just me or this this the most phallic piece of exercise equipment ever! I desperately want to buy one. Keep an eye out for the look on the guys face towards the end - absolutely priceless.

Now my second favourite of the many 'unique' vids she showed me already has a special place in my heart. I recently did my wrap up of this winter's most fabulous couch fashion - I wish I had of known about this little gem when I wrote that post. It's much better than the classic Shield of Wings or the new designer Snuggie primarily because you don't have to take it off to do a shit. Genius!

We discovered this gem together. Now I am not a woman so maybe this one is beyond me. But I simply do not understand the physics of this. I do not understand..

A. Why boobs are so uncomfortable to sleep with,

B. How the hell this contraption would help at all.

And now something completely repulsive and disturbing to leave with you. The breastfeeding of an 8 year old. Sorry to have to share, but there is good in it - it will make everyone realise that there are definitely worse parents out there than yourself! Like I said... DISGUSTING!

Man's Greatest Curse

I believe that the Man-Flu is one of the most crippling, debilitating diseases known to humanity and much more money needs to be invested into medical research to find a cure.

Men should not have to suffer like this!

Dramatic re-enactment of Man-Flu!

I was on deaths-door this week with a devastatingly bad dose of the Man-Flu. It hit me like a tonne of bricks Monday afternoon and by 6pm I was reaching for the phone to call my mummy. By 8pm I was trolling convenience stores for cold&flu pills, by 10 I was ready to call an ambulance. Why does this strain of flu hit men so hard, why are we being punished like this?

Is it because we can lift heavy things? Or because we can pee standing up? Or because we aren’t expected to wear heels? I just don’t understand.

Now while I have suffered in silence these past few days (cough! cough!), it has been brought to my attention that some women feel that men are whingers when it comes to the dreaded Man-Flu. Let me assure you we are not. I went through 6 hankies, 2 packs of Codral, endless Aspro Clear, 4 litres of orange juice, 2 Hawaiian pizza’s, a large Cadbury’s block and box of Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies – now that is sick!

So sick!

I was even known to moan out loud! (but just thinking about that it could have been indigestion)

The only saving grace of the devastating Man-Flu is that in my experience it passes quite quickly. It could have been the sheer volume of drugs I took that cleared it up in 2 days? Or what I think is much more likely is that men are bred incredibly tough and resilient, and our bodies fight such disease with great gusto and determination to rid ourselves of it as quick as possible. We do not whinge, we do not whine, we just fight the good fight and get on with life.

Just like I did this week! (cough! choke! cough!)

Back at my desk by Thursday with a spring in my step and a glow in my cheeks - Man-Flu beaten once again!

On describing my critical condition to my dear colleague and Melbourne’s very best, KDPublicity, she insisted I watch this YouTube video…

KD, what are you trying to tell me???

Thanks everyone for your support and love during this incredibly tough and trying time, me and my Man-Flu thank you.

And just thank your higher-power that us men don’t have to go through child-birth.

Random Delights: A shower-in-a-can for your HAIR!

After one or two extra voddies with some fabulous colleagues last night, I had to make a very quick bar-hotel-taxi-dinner transition that also involved a costume change. Upon leaving the bar I remembered I’d forgotten to pack hair product for my quick trip south to Melbourne. I called into a chemist to solve my follicle style problem.

A very lovely pharmacist assisted. They were not well stocked with my usual favs but having explained the need for speed he recommended a shower-in-a-can for your hair plus some hairspray. Genius! The shower-in-a-can was a spray of white powder that you shook or brushed out. Hairspray then provides the control of my floppy fringe I so eagerly desired. At the bargain price of about $8 I bought both mini-cans.

Shower-in-a-can on right, hairspray on the left.

In a last minute but wise choice I decided to not fill my hair with white powder before dinner, rather just a quick fix-it job with the Cedel. But I did fill my hair with it when I got home, only slightly intoxicated, to test this shower-in-a-can theory. Not sure how much you are meant to use but I used A LOT!

Slept like a baby then woke up this morning to have gorgeous, beautiful, shiney flowing locks. My normally drab, greasy hair felt as clean as a whistle. I’m still running my hands through my hair. This stuff is AMAZING. Batiste is my new favourite product.

And the absolute best part about it, I NEVER have to shower again! Thank you friendly pharmacist, you’ve just saved me 15mins a day.

Random Delights!

Ok, first cab off the rank - Guy Sebastian.





In my opinion, one of the greatest moments ever on Australian television.





That day I cried during rehearsal, I cried in the studio, and I cried again when I watched it back on tape the next day. I just teared up again watching this now.





The man is a GENIUS.





Enjoy!

And the second will only be to a few peoples liking.





Possibly the greatest swimming race ever. Certainly one of my favourites. I've never screamed so much at a television. Covered in goosebumps again watching it now.





Legendary boys, legendary!

Two Friday Random-Delights!

First, representing all that is GOOD GOOD GOOD in the world!



My Twitter friend @neilsgardiner sent me this, PLEASE HAVE A LISTEN. I love it, made my year!  He is my new favourite person in the world.



Ahhhh... the world is a bright, shiney place.



And now representing all that is BAD BAD BAD in the world. Sourced this gem from @standupmaths on Twitter , a prime example of all that is wrong in the world. Not only is the sentiment all fucked up, but to get it as a tattoo takes it to a whole new level.

Have a great weekend!!!



St. Murphy