Everyone goes through phases of music. At the moment my phase is eighties electro. I’m talking Human League, New Order, Ultravox – the lot. So imagine when, to my extreme delight as a Strokes fan, I read that lead singer Julian Casablancas’ album has been reviewed as “synthy and new-wave.” Oh yeah.

Pairing this review and the fact that Julian Casablancas is a sexy man, I go and I purchase his first solo album Phrazes for the Young. After listening to it nonstop, it becomes apparent that lovely Julian has been doing some of his own self-reflecting when it comes to drinking. As an opening thought for his song Ludlow St. he writes,

Drunkenness is cowardice, sobriety is loneliness.

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Currently on the cusp of my fifth week of Hello Sunday Morning, I found the journey to be quite simple so far. I have never really wanted a drink even when I have been out, attended 21sts, or raging house parties. I must say though, in these past five-ish weeks I have never wanted a drink more than when I was watching my boyfriend’s and friends band play their first gig.
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I’m bald. Yes, you read right. Bald.
The World’s Greatest Shave was on over the weekend, and I took the plunge and shaved off all my locks on Saturday. It was the most overwhelming thing I have done in my life.
Firstly, I was overwhelmed by the support of my family and friends. I felt so stoked to know that all those people were there to laugh and cry with me at my new hairdo. Secondly, and more importantly, I was overwhelmed not only at the sudden loss of so much hair, but the realisation moment I had on Saturday evening.
I was listening to ‘Home’ by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and I just started crying. I had never felt more proud of myself ever. I realised I don’t give myself enough credit – not that I should start rating myself all the time, but just take time to pause and think – “Yeah, I did a good thing.”

‘Home’ – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2N8s6cQzFg&feature=related

After the emotional day, I was looking forward to a night out, and some serious dancing. My friend Monique and I had tickets for Fans First Birthday/Clubhouse preview, sure to be a good night.

Mon helped me get all prettied up and not look like a boy, and we hit the town. Normally, we would have a few drinks to get us into party mode, but this was not an option for me tonight, something I was really happy about. I had a Berocca instead.
I was surprised how comfortable I felt with my new ‘do’ in the confines of The Club House, surrounded by trendies. I know that I had done an incredible thing, and I felt empowered by the shave, not embarrassed.
After the whole crowd was somewhat evicted from The Club House, Mon and I ventured into the city. Now, we both hadn’t been there in a long time, and went to some of the old favourites that still draw a crowd.
It was like in three years, nothing had changed. There were still the girls who barge you over to get to a friend/the bar/a toilet. There still the guys who look you up and down and assume you’re not worth their time. I felt more out of place than ever. To compound this I was insulted by a girl sitting outside the club. Thanks a lot.
Some would class this night as a bit of a downer but to me, it was quite enjoyable. It was fun to take a trip down memory lane, on the first of many bald and sober nights, and to realise how far I have come, and how much I am not the person I was when I was 18. I look forward to more challenges in the future, that both baldness, and club evictions ensue.

In the meantime, you can still donate and support the Leukaemia Foundation. My personal link is,

http://my.imisfriendraising.com.au/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=316437&langPref=en-CA

My goal was $5000, and I have made that and am now hoping to reach $6000. Please donate what you can! Thank you!

This has taken a long time. I don’t know why I haven’t been here sooner – but I guess late is better than never.

Hi, my name is Madelyn Priddle and I’m taking on the Hello Sunday Morning journey for three months.

I moved to Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast in 2008 to
start uni. I’m doing Advertising and Public Relations at QUT, which landed me at Fresh where I have been cheering Chris on from the sidelines for the last 12 months or so. Now it’s time for me to tune out to alcohol and tune in to all the things that could be.

I have always had a fairly tame connection with alcohol. At school I was in a group that didn’t drink every weekend – and no, before you start thinking anything remotely nerdy I assure you I was socially acceptable.

Truth is, I have been drinking since I was 5 or 6. My parents thought it best to start us young! But really, I have grown up having a small glass of wine at family gatherings from a young age. My mother is of Italian descent, so my older sister and I were often allowed to have a small amount of wine at family gatherings, and Mafia meetings. Jokes.

The first time I got drunk was when I was 17, at a family friend’s Christmas party – that’s right; I took no alcohol to Schoolies. I had always been cautious of alcohol, as I had seen my older sister come home drunk a few times (sorry sis), and really didn’t want to experience what, to me, it was like to be drunk. At this Christmas party, under my parent’s watchful eyes I had many a Cruiser and felt on top of the world, and wondered why I hadn’t experienced this somewhat euphoric elixir sooner.

Since that night, I have had many a drunken time. Many, many a drunken time. The year that my friends and I all turned 18, we would often go out at least twice a week, get drunk, go home, sleep in and, do it all again the next night.

I would say that recently I have toned it down – quite a lot. It was a few things that triggered this which I’m sure I’ll touch on in future posts. One of these was definitely Chris and his baby, Hello Sunday Morning, and now – it’s my turn.

I have made a few goals for the next three months. I want to improve my fitness, and increase my savings so I can buy pretty things. I want to find out who I am and what I want in life. What makes my journey a little different to others is that I am shaving my head on March 13 for the Leukaemia Foundation’s, World’s Greatest Shave 2010. I want to prove to myself that I can be confident with my appearance, especially at such a vulnerable level. I want to prove to others that alcohol isn’t needed to have an awesome night out, and lastly, to challenge myself to do something different.

So, look out for me – I’ll be the bald, sober girl. Bring it.

I’m an alco-pop. My interests include clubbing, music festivals, parties, and barbeques. I work for myself as a social lubricator and I’m pretty damn good at my job. I’m trendy, versatile, attractive and exclusive. I was the perfect Gen-Y accessory. 

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