On Her Day

In December my first child stood facing a man I barely knew and pledged her future to be bound to his. In four weeks time, I give away my second child to the man she wants to share her life with and in six months my third child, will take another man's daughter to be his soul mate for life. My job will be done. I could have done so much better for the three of them, I hope it's enough.

Its come in to a sharper focus, that term, "Giving her away", I get it now. I will hold her hand for a moment as we take that slow sweet walk and when I place it in his, she will no longer be mine. It is as it should be, but it's bitter sweet.

I will spend the day taking care of her needs, doing every thing I can to ward off tears and fears. I will do for her what I done for every client I have had the honour to MC and DJ for; I will watch over her while she is by my side and when she is across the room, I will do my absolute best. I will guide her through the day, and shoulder any of the burdens that may arise so that she will not have to, and I will do so quietly and discreetly so that she will have no stress. I want only joy on her face on that day. I will give her a party that will make her heart sing, and will bring a smile to her, and her guest's face, every time they think back on it. Then when the lights come back on, and the last of the guests have gone, and I'm alone in the hall packing up my equipment. I think I might just cry.


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The Passion Blog

A lot of you who have been following my posts, my blogs, my presence on facebook will know I have a favourite word when it comes to DJing. 

I’ve been looking at what some of my fellow DJs have been writing and some of the serious and light hearted arguments that spring up across the boards as to what is real DJing and what is fake DJing. 

What is at the heart of it? What matters and what doesn’t matter. Honestly, whether you use the sync button, or you don’t. Whether you use vinyl, CDs or mp3s, doesn’t matter. Whether you DJ in your bedroom, or you DJ at weddings, whether you’re a club DJ or a mobile DJ, doesn’t matter. Whether you’re a single operator or a multi op, doesn’t matter, as long as, and here it comes, YOU HAVE PASSION, that’s all that matters. 

I’ve heard it said that it’s all about the music, well no its not all about the music, that’s an understatement, it’s all about what the music does! How it makes you and those listening to your performance feel. If you are playing in your bedroom with your headphones on and your skin is tingling, and your heart is racing, and your head is nodding and your foot is thumping down on the beat, and you are riding on the passion you have for the music, You Are A DJ.

If you are playing music to a crowd of 120 family and friends on the most special occasion in a couples life, and people are dancing to the music you are playing, and people are laughing and people are smiling and the room is humming and every song you play has a direct and positive effect on the crowd and on you, You Are A DJ. 

It’s not about Denon vs Pioneer, it’s not about vinyl vs digital, it’s not about old school vs new cool, it’s about the Passion. The passion you feel when you perform and if you’re lucky enough to perform for others, the passion you make them feel. 

You don’t have the passion then you should not be calling yourself a DJ. Practice and enjoy.

You can follow me on: 
web: http://www.partysounds.com.au/
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Twitter @PerthWeddingDJ

KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS

Right off the bat I have to say that this is not my own material. I'd love to credit the original composer of this piece if anyone knows who that is.

1. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? (written by kids) 

-You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. 
-- Alan, age 10

-No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10

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2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10

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3. HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8

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4. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MUM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8

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5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
-Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8
(isn't she a treasure)

-On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10

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6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
-When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7

-The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- - Curt, age 7

-The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
- - Howard, age 8

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7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child )

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8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favorite is .......

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9. HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.
-- Ricky, age 10


If you would like to discuss YOUR wedding, I can't promise the wit and charm of some of those little tykes, but I will listen. 

web: http://www.partysounds.com.au/
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Twitter @PerthWeddingDJ

Your Wedding Budget; where do YOU start?

The Wedding Budget

The word Budget comes up a lot when planning a wedding. Some couples don't have one, they get what they need, no more no less. Others without a budget get everything they want, and deal with the expense later.

Most of us however work to a budget, realistic or not, changing plans as we go, we fit within the amount allocated, or we change the amount, and increase the budget :) 

But what is a realistic wedding budget? After all this time assisting with weddings, I still don't have an answer. BUT I do have an approach. There are a myriad of sites online that suggest that you should put aside X% for this and Y% for that. None of which address YOUR wedding, just weddings in general.

So consider looking at Your wedding from the view point of what aspects are the most important to you, down through to those that are the least important. Is the Venue the paramount part of your celebration? Or the photographic/videographic memories? the Gown? the decoration? the entertainment? the Cars or the Cake? What will add the greatest contribution to the overall result you wish to achieve?

That, is where your budget should start being spent. As you work your way down your list, from those vital items to those that you have deemed as having lesser direct impact upon the day you want to achieve. Then those things can be decreased in expense. Invest well in the parts of the wedding YOU see as being important, get quality where it counts, and be frugal on the items that have less impact on your scale.

You do NOT always get what you pay for, but its a pretty good place to start.

You can follow me on: 
web: http://www.partysounds.com.au/
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Twitter @PerthWeddingDJ

NYE 2012 message, this time its personal.

Well it’s 3 o'clock in the am, on the 1st of January 2013 and I've just got home from a function. A NYE wedding, so I guess the first order of business is to wish you all, all the best for the New Year. I've been doing that a lot tonight; generically wishing family, friends, acquaintances and even total strangers "the Best" for the coming New Year. Although I did spend some time drafting a NYE message, that I sent to all my close friends and family, something that I really did want to pass on to them, a message that said more than just the cookie cutter standard all the best for the new year.

It got me thinking; I make a point of messaging my children at some stage during every function, a simple text telling them I love them. I want them to know that it is not just a generic, bland message. I want them to know that it is sent with definite intent. Think about it, how many times do we tell those around us something that important, purely out of habit?

So now that I have the opportunity, the means, and the motivation, I want to tell my three children that I love them and that I am so very proud of them.

My eldest daughter, Shannon, honey I love you so very much, you have grown into a beautiful person. And you are so very strong my girl, much stronger than you give yourself credit for. It makes me so very proud to see you grown from the girl you once were to the Mother and Wife you now are. Those three wonderful children have helped you blossom into someone so very different than the girl you used to be. You are butterfly now, bright, colourful and full of life.

Kimberley, the middle, forgotten one, you are my rock, always there for me and always the first to reply to my daily messages. You just naturally want help those around you, adopting sisters at the drop of a hat, and running around after them even to your own detriment at times. You need to watch that bub, not everyone is as kind natured as you are and sometimes, those you are helping are taking advantage of you. Very very soon now my daughter, you will be a mother yourself, and your world will change, I know your scared, but trust in yourself, your body knows what its doing. Your caring heart will find a very special focus then. Oh yes, give more love to the boy, he is confused and he needs it.

And now to my Son, Shaun, Boy you never stop amazing me. You have such a strong work ethic and life ethic, and you’re a damn sight smarter than I was at your age. I am proud of you son, you have a good job that your good at, and a solid long term relationship that other men your age should envy. While you will always be my boy, it is more and more apparent everyday that you are a man, and a good man at that.

I love how all three of you have a strong relationship with your grandparents, and I am so very happy that each of you has found someone special to stand beside you.

Always remember, I love yous.