The End

After more than eight years working on this site, I've decided to finish up planet margeaux.

It also means the end of this blog too.

All the posts and other content will be removed by 21 January 2008.

Thanks to everyone who read anything on here, especially those who took the time to email or comment on the posts.

Bye!
Dxx

Another New Year Beckons

I can't tell you how glad I was to see the back of 2007. A year that for me was punctuated with enormous sadness and loss, amongst some of the most amazing highs of my life.

A year that was a complete contradiction.

I won't go over the year month by month, but I will give some thoughts on it now that it is over.

I loved that I travelled overseas again in 2007.

Although China was never on my hit list, I did enjoy the experience and I often fondly remember parts of that trip - the pyrotechnics in Beijing for Chinese New Year; walking The Great Wall at Simitai; having complete sensory overload the first time I was out and about in Shanghai; my unbridled joy at seeing Michael for the first time in months.

Phuket in May was a wonderful holiday. My perfect beach holiday. Fabulous weather, exceptional company in Richard, great resort and friendly Thai people. I had a ball. It was just what I needed after the torturous months that preceded it. My relationship with Michael was breaking down or broken even, and I was burnt out from work. All Rich and I seemed to do was eat, drink, swim and lay in the sun. Just heaven.

I flirted all year with the idea of starting my own Tupperware business and despite gently prods from Portia, I managed to resist until late September when I finally gave in and said YES! It's turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. Apart from the fact that I could sell ice to Eskimo's so plasticware is a bloody cinch for me, I've gained a whole lot of stuff that I didn't realise was missing. I love the team support, the recognition for achievements and the interaction with lots of people. I've gained confidence in meeting new people and in general I feel much more involved with life again, rather than just doing my same old stuff week in week out. Not to mention that the money is fantastic and my kitchen has never been more organised! Since starting I've been the top demonstrator for November, topped a special week and got to meet the Managing Director of Tupperware, came second in Record Breaker Week and I've won or earned a host of fabulous prizes and Tupperware. I used to roll my eyes and laugh at Portia when he said that Tupperware had changed his life, but now I think the same thing.

It's been an interesting year for some of my friendships. Some have fallen by the wayside, some have petered out, some have taken off and some new folk have emerged as friends. I think that with some of the events, stresses and experiences that I've gone through this past year it's fair to say that some of the friendships have been burdened with needs that some couldn't meet, some were just due to wind down anyway and some perhaps were always destined to take off once a more common ground was forged. I try not to give too much thought about such matters, instead I tend to believe that friendships are cyclical and often based on mutual needs. That they can grow and die and fall apart and be put back together again. That they are malleable, changeable and evolving. I am grateful for all my friends and although some fall in and out of favour, as I seem to with them, I know that this may not be the end of them, in fact, it may only be the beginning. You need to let some things go to appreciate their value, or vice versa, or indeed to allow the others to see what you really gave to them.

As the year drew to a close, when life was literally pulling me in a million directions all at once, a good friend decided that the time was right for them to leave us. It was a sobering experience that drew me closer to the ones that I adore and cherish. It made me appreciate the frailty of life and the wonderment that is this life I lead. Whether good bad or oftentimes ugly, it's life and when my friend chose to end his, it only reaffirmed mine. Although I have enormous respect for his decision, I'm still sad that he's not with us, to share in this amazing life. He wass a truly wonderful man, a gently soul with enormous capacity to make you feel special and appreciated. He had a wickedly dark sense of humour, a michievous slant on the world. I think of him nearly every day. I hope that never changes.

I've made some resolutions for the year ahead, if only to act as signposts for what I'd like to achieve. I never used to be big on them, however a few years ago (7 in fact, sheesh) in a time of real despair whilst in the midst of significant change intense personal scrutiny and accountability, I made a list that became a blueprint for change, growth, success and even failure. I was amazed that as that year ended, I'd actually made enormous progress. No, I didn't achieve all that I set out to. In fact, some things I'd only just begun to scratch the surface of let alone really sinking my teeth into. And whilst I didn't feel like it before I revisited that list late in the year, by reviewing the list I'd written out months before, I was able to properly assess what sort of year I'd had, away from biases and emotions. This was black and white, this was the truth. Since then, I've really been a big fan of these yearly lists and it's really quite comforting to have something to review as the year progresses to track the changes and to see where I'm at with it all.

Anyways, this post has ended up being longer than I intended, thanks if you've read all of it. I hope its not too much drivel :P

Dxx

work christmas party

Hi y'all

Sorry for the huge gap in posts but I have been so busy flogging photobooks and plasticware that I've barely had time to scratch myself.

Last night was the work Christmas party and it was a fantastic night that reminded me why I don't socialise with the people I work with. We had dinner and drinks, lots and lots of drinks, at Rambutan on Oxford Street. The food there is just amazing - so fresh and tasty. After many glasses of wine I got stuck into the lychee martinis after dinner which was what most probably brough me undone.

I don't remember getting home. I don't remember being refused entry to several bars along the strip because I was too intoxicated. I don't remember going to the Colombian. I don't remember getting on my knees and rubbing my face into strangers crotches as a form of greeting. (I am assured that they were hot at least). I don't remember how I got a cigarette burn on the side of my face. I don't remember very much in general from the later part of my night out.

What I do know is that I passed out on the sofa again and woke up late morning, still feeling very drunk. I've only just started to feel like I might actually be sober enough to try and get home using public transport rather than a taxi like I used this morning to get to work.

I'm not alone in feeling like utter crap today - there are many, many sore heads around the office and some that haven't even slept/passed out yet.

And so let me state it once again, this is why I don't socialise with the people I work with.

Merry Christmas y'all!
Dxx

love me, I'm the one

There's a new 4 track sampler mix of Kylie's new album that you can download from her MySpace, and it includes a track I've not heard yet, The One. It's been described as the album standout track in several reviews that I've read and now I've listened to it I can see why.

It's absolutely stunning.

It's about as vintage Kylie as you can get yet it still sounds new and fresh. It's a gorgeous mid-tempo synth and bass driven track with Kylie's heavenly vocals floating over the top of it. The killer lines that give me goosebumps each time I listen to it go like this:

I'm the one
Love me, love me, love me, love me
I'm the one
Love me, love me, love me, love me
I'm the one
Love me, love me, love me, love me
I'm the one
Love me, love me, love me, love me

It's gotta be a single and I can't wait to get my hands on a high quality full length version of it - I'm just so taken by it.

Have you heard it yet? What do you think of it?

David x

the kids are alright

here is a pic of the two spunkiest little dogs in the whole world - how adorable are they? :)

Dx

brother, can you spare a time?

It's official - I'm time poor.

In my schedule this week, I have only one night for me, and me alone. I have no time for anyone else. In between my very demanding and rewarding full time job, Tupperware, Rosie and keeping a reasonable house, I'm bushed!

But, can I tell you, I've never been more happy or content. I get such a buzz from all the things I do and I am truly thankful for these wonderful gifts in my life - great income opportunities, great people to work with, great friends that love and understand, a great apartment, and the greatest love of my life, Rosie.

Sure there are things that stress me out or get me down, but I'm still happy - inside and out.

Now if only I could find an extra 5 hours a night for some decent, regular sleep!

Dx

kylie: X hits the right notes

Over the weekend I was lucky (lucky lucky) enough to hear most of Kylie's new album X. I was over a friends place and we popped it on to have a listen. Not quite sure what to expect but can I just say how amazing it all is? She's gone all retro and electro and fabbo on us! To me she kind of lost her way with Body Language (her previous CD) which wasn't a bad album, it just wasn't what we wanted to hear at that time.

X however, is a masterful stroke of pop pleasure from one of the best in the business. This album will shift huge numbers this Christmas and deservedly so. Kylie doesn't pretend to be more than she is on this album, which is an astute, confident and sexy (but not crass) pop princess. She has a knack of working with some of the best and brightest about the place and it shows. Her collaborations on X are outstanding. I'm hard pressed to say I have a favourite track yet, but the whole album is really strong.

2 hearts beating together indeed - welcome back kylie!

Dx

kylie's 2 hearts

OMG!

A very dear friend of mine just sent me a leaked copy of Kylie's new single 2 Hearts. I bet you're all dying to know what it's like, right?

Well, the first listen didn't grab me much, but I'm halfway through the second listen and it's definitely growing on me. It's a mid tempo sexy little romp actually full of catchy little melodies and lyrics.

I'm not sure it's going to do the same sort of business as Can't Get You Outta My Head, Kylie's monster hit from 2001's Fever album, but just the same, this should keep the homos happy for a while longer...

Dxx

my new life in plastic

Hi everyone! Sorry for not updating this thing in weeks, absolute weeks. I got an email from a regular reader who was checking to make sure I was ok. Hi Musical_Devotee! I'm still here - just bloody busy is all :)

There's a few reasons for my prolonged absence from here, obviously a distinct lack of time plays the biggest part. I've been a lot more social these past weeks, out nearly every weekend with friends and the dogs. Tupperware is slowly taking over what little spare time I have had but I'm loving it so far and am so excited about what I might be able to achieve with it. My regular work is good, steady and demanding but I feel like we're moving forward again, even if I'm totally drowning in work to do there.

The highlights of the past month or so have been:

• Undersleaze - an underwear party last week pre Sleaze Ball which was soooo much fun. If it sounds dirty to you then you are absolutely spot on! Altogether too much fun!
• A lunch with some dear friends that just went on and on and on and on but again, was just ridiculous amounts of fun
• catching up with friends at Twilight at the Shift on Sunday just gone
• Going to Barb's 70th birthday party back on the 22/9
• Going dancing at Manacle on a Sunday morning, just to get my fill before they closed.
• having to say goodbye to my friend Ivan who's just moved to San Francisco (bastard!)
• Looking after Ivan's mini Schnauzer, Gus, until he gets settled in SF

So lots to do and always lots yet to happen.

The other reason I think I spend less time updating this is due to Facebook. I've never been that big on social networking sites like MySpace or Friendster even though I had profiles on them, but Facebook has captured my attention like nothing else before it. If you want to, go and add me :P

I better get back to real work, there's a mountain of it here to get through before I go.

Oh one last thing, I'm going to try and quit smoking one more time. I've been on the gum all day and don't feel too bad for now, but I could really do with some messages of support! A couple of my close friends have recently quit and stayed quit so I figure if they can do it, I can too. Wish me luck and cross your fingers for me!

Dxxx

the verdict is in...

I LOVE Australian Idol this year!

Last night Rich and I went to the 'Live Verdict' show at Fox Studios. You apply for tickets on the site and it's like a lucky draw if you get them so I was stoked last week when they turned up in the post. I would've preferred to have gone to the Sunday night show where they each sing their individual songs, but beggars cannot be choosers so verdict it was.

We got ushered in about 7pm and Rich and I got great seats, 7 rows up on the aisle of the left hand side. A great unobstructed view of the stage. Andrew G and James Mathison come out and help warm up the crowd with jokes and even a sontg - they sang Endless Love to each other plus another one I can't remember. So gay yet so funny

Then the judges came out followed by the idols. So exciting to see some of the boys in the flesh. Ben seems really sweet and Matt is really hot. Not so keen on many of the others but those two have great voices and appear to be really nice guys too. They get my votes anyway.

They performed a group version of the Robbie/Kylie track Kids which was great fun and it was really good to actually see/hear them singing.

Then onto the verdict and it was no big surprise to see all the boys making it through. It really confirmed that the bulk of votes come from teenage girls for whichever boy they seem to have the hots for. Holly got voted out and leaves the competition. The worst part of that was having to listen to her atrocious song again. But it was a great night out just the same.

I've applied for tickets again for the Sunday night show on the 23rd, hopefully I'll get lucky again for at least one more show this season.

Dx

i'm off to australian idol

Tomorrow (Monday) night for the 'Live Verdict' show. I am so excited about seeing all the boys and some of the girls live on the stage. Hopefully Rich and I will get seats right near the stage so we may even get our ugly mugs on the TV :)

I'll try and do a post, post Idol about it all.

Dx

birthday photos

Ok, ok, I know it took a while, but finally I'm sober enough to add the photos to the blog. Sorry for the delay but my birthday celebrations have been in full swing.

Stuart
Kaz
Fiona, Ben & Sarah
Ian
Drew

[more photos on facebook]

ow! my head hurts

Just a quick post as I can barely string a sentence together. I had a fabulous party yesterday to celebrate my birthday. Loads of wonderful friends dropped by and helped me get very drunk. There are so many empty bottles around the place which means I have a rotten hangover now. But it was all more than worth it. I'll do a proper post with photos when I am more sober :)

Dxx

bah! it's my birthday...

It's that time of year again where I turn 27 for the umpteenth time :P Actually, this year it's 32! Eeeeekk! I'm gettin old.

So, to celebrations, and as usual I've organised a practical orgy of social get togethers so that no matter what you are into, there's a little something for everyone.

Sunday arvo is casual, social drinks at mine (email me for details if you wanna come and missed an invite). There's about 40 or so people RSVP'd so far - should be HUGE fun!

Tuesday is the first Bingay at Arq (I think, I really should check that) so I may stick my head into that if it's behaving normally again after Sunday's shenanigans.

Thursday is the big one! The lovely folk at homesexual are throwing me the mother of all birthday parties and got one of my fantasy boys to sing live at it. Anthony Callea will be performing at his first gay specific event since coming out earlier this year. Should be a memorable night out. Big thanks to Stephen and co for my VIP invite :P

Hope to see you all out and about soon!

Dx

luminescent

I do love the artwork that is produced for the Toybox and Luminere parties - here is the latest for the Sleaze weekend Luminere party at Luna Park, Sydney.