berrycakeness

[berrycakeness]

So we can testify

Hello again. It’s been three years or so this time around. I need to write a post every now and then to be able to keep it as a hobby on my CV. In all seriousness, I feel compelled to write infrequently. Or I forget, I don’t really know. But one post type I did try to keep up was writing about my holidays and trips abroad, and I do have a number in draft. So there will be a flurry of posts,…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

Thank you for the days

Thank you for the days

“Those endless days, those sacred days you gave me”.

30 days, 30 songs.

Finally, a challenge I can do without too much effort. Well, I forgot to do it on multiple occasions, so it was a bit too much effort for me really.

I’ve used Twitter as my posting platform, that way I don’t annoy anyone. If you are interested, check out my twitter feed (@berrycakeness) – I have however curated a playlist of…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

Thank you for the music

Thank you for the music

A bit of ABBA for you there.

On Eurovision night, I would usually be found glued to the TV, a wine glass and of course my phone, live-tweeting the event. I scrolled back to last year; they’re a joy to read when out of context:

#AUS Glenda the good witch has a new mode of transport. #Eurovision

— Gemma Louise Berry (@Berrycakeness) May 18, 2019

or

#ITA85 million streams made by his mum, Zero…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

Don't Stand So Close To Me

Don’t Stand So Close To Me

Since I’ve practising social distancing for two weeks, the one thing that I’ve missed is pub times with the pals.

Last night I held our first VirtualPub at The Shine/The Shite/Fuck Off Tal, and it was glorious. We used Zoomto much success (except my video keeps cutting out, likely a work-related issue than anything), with 7 of us (plus some children on occasion) dialled in to have a bit of a…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

Insane In The Membrane

This morning I woke up a little ratty (didn’t sleep very well) and felt something was missing. Other than delicious tasting fresh coffee (need to buy some beans), I couldn’t place it.

And then it hit me.

On my commute to and from the office, I listen to music (a lot of people do).

I’ve not been listening to music!

Today I play music.

Which made me ponder – Perhaps I should jump on the bandwagon…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

Working 9-5, What A Way To Make A Living

Technically 9-5:30 but we’ll skip over that.

After some moving around of the corner of my room that holds my fancy dress accessories, and a box of unfinished projects, I managed to fit in a desk (borrowed from my brother). I’ve wanted a desk in the flat for a long time, so happy that I have finally made that move.

Unfortunately, that does mean that the hallway is a little cluttered, but we do…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

Girl you know it's true

Girl you know it’s true

I was sat in a bar a day before my 32nd Birthday with some of the besties, and Milli Vanilli – “Girl you know it’s true” starts playing on the speakers.

The next few minutes became the most confusing moments of my year thus far.

1. I started singing along to the chorus. 2. I noticed that no one else was singing along. 3. I questioned why they were not singing along. 4. I received the comment…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

And the living is easy

And the living is easy

With my foot on the mend, I decided to do a little exploring. I visited the Sydney Art Gallery – worth a visit if you’re ever in town. My favourites were the Picassos (obvs) and “A young lady holding a pug dog”. There was one painting that reminded me of one that hangs in my parents living room which was painted by one of my relatives. I’ll do a side by side comparison when I get around to it,…

View On WordPress

#Australia

[berrycakeness]

Knocked me right off my feet

Knocked me right off my feet

I’m in Sydney!

Landed on Tuesday after a gruelling 22hr flight (with a 2hr stopover in Abu Dhabi). Fortunately for the first flight I had an empty seat next to me which was much appreciated. Etihad Economy has a decent amount of room which I was surprised by – I’ve previously flown with Qantas which wasn’t as spacious. The second flight however…I was sat next to a mother with her child (I’d say…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

We knew we'd get there someday

We knew we’d get there someday

A little while ago, I compiled several mini playlists which contain some of my favourite songs. I thought that for today’s blog post, I will list them out here with some context, as that wasn’t really provided at the time, and I’d like to elaborate.

#1 – It begins with Elton John and ends with Train. This playlist is full of classic artists (+Train) and songs that aren’t their most popular. Why?…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

Who's Zooming Who?

Who’s Zooming Who?

I’ve forgotten how much I am in love with fantastic music. That’s what the shit music from the ’90s does to you, it makes you miserable, and you forget about how music can make you feel.

Reintroducing myself to Aretha Franklin this week has been marvellous. Especially her early work, the rawer the sound is, the happier I am. I finally am beginning to understand why people love vinyl and collect…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

The only one who could ever reach me

The only one who could ever reach me

Son of a Preacher Man by Dusty Springfield is one of my best karaoke songs and happens to be one of my mums’ favourites. This week I posted a cover of said song by Aretha Franklin (it’s fucking fantastic) to the outcry of:

  Yes, my mum is a cat.

So, seeing this as a challenge (as one does), I did a quick google search and came across a helpful list of covers I could listen to, to see 1. If I…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

Go on and fool me

Go on and fool me

I recently read an article by Caitlin Moran (this one to be exact) and I had an epiphany.

Fuck me: I’ve let my own preconceptions about journalism get in the way of my writing.

When I say journalism, I really mean reviews. Book, music, whatever. Whenever I go to write about anything I LOVE, I stop because as successful review looks like this:

Reviews should sound intelligent.

Reviews should have…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

You are 16 going on 17

You are 16 going on 17

(From March…)

I turned 31, and nothing changed.

I wasn’t really in the mood to celebrate my 31st year – it’s such a non birthday. You spend every year up to this one celebrating because you’re not over 30, and 31 comes along with a big fat MEH. I’m now over 30, and it’s not something to scream about.

I now work with people who were born in the 90’s, and they’re in the majority. It’s cool because…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

Ready or not, here I come

Ready or not, here I come

Another post drafted (and completed) in February yet…I didn’t post it. D’oh.

I’m not sure why airlines bother with a food/drinks trolley on a 45 minute flight. Well, I do actually – some people really can’t face a plane without booze.

So I flew to Amsterdam for work, and saw lots of people buy wine 20 minutes before the plane landed. I cannot drink aeroplane wine as it is vile, so to down it in…

View On WordPress

[berrycakeness]

I should have posted this in February – one of many posts I have drafted yet didn’t have time to finish. Anyway…

I had neglected to book my sisters 25th Birthday meal last year, and so I made it a top priority this year. Amazingly, I actually booked the restaurant this time, 2 months before her 26th birthday of course.

We went to Mere, a restaurant near Goodge Street owned by Monica and David Galleti. If you recognise the name, you’ll maybe realise that Monica is on Masterchef, and is pretty awesome. Hence my decision that Mere would be a great place to visit – And I’m so glad we did.

I turned up in jeans and a jumper (witch a large logo on the front of it) and wasn’t turned away. My sister wasn’t that impressed with my effort, but I hadn’t properly checked whether there was a dress code. At least I wasn’t wearing trainers (I had taken them off outside the front door of the restaurant, almost falling over in the process.

Once inside, our bags and coats were, of course, stored away and we were directed to the bar whilst we wait for our table. I copied Annie because I couldn’t make up my mind which cocktail I wanted, and opted for “Rose Mere”. The main problem was there wasn’t one cocktail I recognised as they were all the restaurants’ own recipes. It was, of course, fab.

We met David (he gave us our menus at the bar so we could choose ahead of time what we would like to eat) and we both selected the vegetarian tasting menu with the accompanied wine pairings because TREAT YOSELF.

Ignoring the fact that I could have bought us a couple of return flights to somewhere in Europe for the same price, it was completely worth it. The courses were so incredible. Well thought out and perfectly executed, imaginative…I could go on, To make it even better, the wine pairings were equally fantastic. Evidently, I do not hate white wine, just cheap white wine.

As a birthday treat to Annie, I also ate the mushrooms that came with one of our courses. I will admit I was so reluctant to do so and wish I hadn’t eaten them as the dish didn’t sit too well with me. Without the mushroom a mouthful of the meal was divine! So mushrooms and I experienced another loveless battle, and neither of us won.

Here are some photos (except for the evil mushroom course, Annie forgot to photograph it as she was so engrossed with me actually eating mushrooms).

  Peace out xoxo

I heard it through the grapevine I should have posted this in February - one of many posts I have drafted yet didn't have time to finish.

[berrycakeness]

Just a day

Today I shall write an impromptu review of this evenings events. Impromptu because I have a list of blog titles with expecting content, and this isn’t in that list. Breaking da rulez.

“da rulez” because this evening was spent catching up with Anna, Kathryn and Michelle. Or Jackie, whatever. Long forgotten slang became a part of my vocabulary and we listened to Kathryn recall memories of years…

View On WordPress