All Access!!

The Las Vegas punk-rock band 'The Killers' is currently visiting South Africa as part of their Day & Age World Tour, and I am lucky enough to be interviewing the band backstage this coming Friday! In TV world, events like these prepares one for bigger moments and they are good stepping stones to becoming a more professional reporter/presenter or producer. I will certainly take pics & blog afterwards!

Once again a big shout out to photographer Louis Botha who shot my Styling Concepts fashion shoot on Sunday. I have put some samples on Facebook as well. Here's another one.

I'm out. Back to studio to prep our show for tonight. Laters. XX

The Fashion Shoot...

Talk about breaking boundaries with shoots - picture seen here is a sample from the photoshoot I had yesterday with Pretoria photographer Louis Botha. We decided to purposely push the limit in terms of previous work I've done. We experienced with make-up, darker looks, and also some other interesting angles and clothes. I will put more samples up once he has cleared them. Weird. Experimental. Exciting. Always good to have different looks as a model. =)

Paving your own road

*Sigh* here I was strolling into the office with a really positive vibe, only to find the 'wonderful' Monday troubles laid down on my desk like a chicken that decided to take a dump right there! Urgh. Now, a few notes today.

In my attempt to keep the positive vibe I'd like to write about Justin Bonello. This guy successfully financed & produced his own TV show, pitched it to the BBC in London and now runs his own production company in Cape Town, as well as producing & presenting a very successful cooking show that has been broadcast in several countries not just the UK. Taking the risk, not knowing whether the money he spent will pay-off, and whether the BBC will buy the show from him.

Furthermore, I am reading Tim Ferriss' book "The 4-hour work week" which is hopefully going to persuade me to do whatever it takes to join the 'New Rich' - which is a term he uses to describe people that break away from the daily grind and do what they love mostly, but also earn good cash.

Then, on Wed & Thur my favourite speaker, Dr John Demartini will be in town (Jhb) for 2 talks - turning stress to success, and, business in 2010. He is one of the world's greatest speakers and writers, I would recommend his books to everyone.

Finally, I had a satisfying photoshoot on Sunday morning, this time focusing more on fashion as opposed to fitness. It went well. As soon as I have samples I will post here.

Hope that you have a better day. If not, go out and buy the book "From Stress to Success" by Dr John F Demartini.

XX

About Justin Bonello's company & show:

www.cookedinafrica.com

New Year's Resolutions - start now!!!

"Ayoba!!" Hahaha, that is a new word used in South Africa for approving of something that's very cool! On the other hand, if it's just not happening or right, then it's "not ayoba!" For example, working out at gym and making loud 'sigh' noises when you push the weights, is NOT Ayoba!

2010 is upon us and it will be a hUge year for all South Africans, mostly soccer/football fans since the World Cup will kick off in June 2010. I can't wait! And, even more reason to get those pages filled up in the year planner. By 25 December everyone starts talking about what they'd like their New Year's resolutions to be. By 2 January there's already a new list. And later in the year half of those things are forgotten. I reckon start jotting down some ideas today. What you need to do to achieve your goals, and a plan of action. Not just talking about your "dreams" for the future. That is pointless. Getting into gear for 2010 means knowing what your plans are, and how to execute them. Having a plan, is most certainly, AYOBA!!! Have a blessed weekend and return safely back on Monday!! XX

(PS: Pics attached from gym this morning - once again, keeping fit and healthy, as opposed to building right now. Bulking is the next phase. Now, just need the extra hour in the day for a harder push!)

The 4-hour workweek!!

(Pic on left from gym this morning - for now, maintaining, keeping the lines in shape and eating right. Bulking up will be my challenge when work's taken care of by end Nov. I will not stop training though!)*

Now, I have to share my thoughts on a blog that I recently discovered. From the author of the New York Times bestseller book, "The 4-Hour Workweek," Tim Ferriss writes about productive/healthy lifestyle designs. I don't really like 'self-help' books, though one can never learn enough from those that have achieved success. Ferriss often highlights the tricks of the trade when it comes to being more efficient. For example, not wasting time on emails, and checking these at specific times in your day (only). Also, being on Facebook has proven to be one of the biggest sources of distraction for most people at the office. It's even said to slowdown brain activity. Hectic. Creative and productive work etiquette is about working with a schedule, and filling each hour of your day. You need to have a tempo. This way you'll find that there is actually plenty time in the day to get work done, and soon enough you'll find that you might find more time for extra tasks. There is a comment on the blog that Ferriss writes, "if you are really effective at what you do, 95% of the things said about you will be negative. Keep your head on straight, don't get emotional, take the heat, and just make sure your clients are smiling." It's all about striking the balance and managing it correctly. I think it's an acquired skill, and you need to hone it.

*On another note, I did a photoshoot last night for Christmas wallpapers/screensavers - which will be available to download from local mobile wap/websites. Have a lookout for that. Once I have a sample that's cleared, I will post it here. Complete with Santa hoodie (though dressed in matching red-underwear only, lol) and some Xmas deco draped around me. Funny stuff, ah well.

Have a blessed day!!!

Check out: www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog >>>

Be inspired!

Learning from other people's stories is the main reason why I enjoy reading biographies or watching movies about successful people. On Saturday evening friends and I went to see the movie* 'Julie & Julia.' Now, at first glance, it might appear to be a female-oriented story, however, the underlying story of following one's heartfelt passion is honestly truly inspiring. Forget the fact that Meryl Streep is our time's best actress, or that it's about two women cooking up a storm, the real story would appeal to anyone that wants to find a purpose in life. Something to do. The line "what could I do with my life," is often heard in this movie. And then answered so simply, "do what you love doing!" Lol. We go through life blinded by daily chores, our jobs, fears of the troubles in this world and forgetting that living your life at the expense of your own passions & loves, will only make you live with regrets, be lonely, and ultimately, feel depressed (because you'll find the days empty!). Immediately after the movie I was thinking about blogging. In the movie, the main character, Julie Powell, starts to write a blog about her experience of cooking through Julia Child's cookbook. It's a challenge since the book has more than 500 recipes and she gives herself 365 days to complete this task. What made me think was the blog writing. The purpose. The minute she had something to do with her life, her mundane/bureaucratic job suddenly seemed , well, empty. She found her passion, and needless to say, became a writer. And, I would like to guess that the secret in finding happiness is finding purpose in life. Then things fall into place. (Never without a challenge, and never without bad times). Now, if nothing else provides you with a satisfying challenge, create one. And start today with completing this challenge.

*On another note, I also saw the second installment in the Twilight Saga, 'New Moon,' and wow the cinematography, the love story, the actors, great movie!!