My own little tribute to Jani Lane (RIP)

As I waited for Puffing Billy to arrive at Emerald Station to pick up my little family and I to take us back to Belgrave Station, [the train station that takes you back to Melbourne], I had a quick look at my Facebook wall and rolled past a post by my friend Lea.

It was a Warrant clip and some words about leaving us too soon. I instantly knew it that Jani Lane had passed away.

A text message to my friend Peter of I Heart Guitar and his death was confirmed.

My heart filled with sadness and my head was confused as I was having a wonderful day out of Melbourne with my family as I mourned the passing of a fragment of my teenage years.

Now, I have to be honest, aside from 'Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich' and 'Cherry Pie', I did'nt follow the band until present day. I was one of the many people that was part of the mass migration from hard rock/glam/heavy metal to Grunge upon listening to Nirvana and Soundgarden

In 1988, I saw 'Down Boys' on MTV Australia and immediately loved the song, I telephoned my friend Jodii and we planned a trip to Metal For Melbourne to buy their album.

My friends and I went to see Warrant play when they toured and we hung out infront their hotel in hope of meeting them. From memory, I did'nt meet Warrant, but I snapped photos of them as they rushed in and out of taxi's as some of us screamed "Jerry!", "Erik!" and "Jani!".

I still listen to the two aforementioned records to this day and everytime I do, I remember a life that was innocent and carefree. We live in a society that is obsessed with looking young, but as I reflect on my wonderful teenage years, no amount of Botox can ever make you BE young.

For me personally, Jani's tragic passing is sad firstly because his children, loved ones and family will live with the pain of losing him for the rest of their lives and for me, one of the voices of my youth went before I could Tweet him and say, "hey, you're awesome and we still love your music, regardless of the fact you're no longer Warrant's front man".

If you're troubled and feel like you don't have anyone to talk to, contact your GP or Beyond Blue.

And to my old friends that are reading this blog post, remember how many times we quoted this? "Call me crazy, call me insane, call me Jani, fuckin' Lane!".

I love this photo so much...

It's been a long time since I blogged a favorite photo of a friend, however, I came across this one on my friend Sam's Facebook page and had to show it to you.

Sam and I made friends in the happy and hazy early 1990s. We lost contact during the time that we all stopped using our home phone numbers/moved out of our parents houses and started using social networks, such as Facebook. But thanks to Facebook, we are reunited as friends.

I love this photo because the person that took it captured both his shy side and his self confident side in one go.

Pop Up Studio Sale starts this week!

I am taking part in a cool little Pop Up starting this week at the Nicholas Building on Level 2, 37 Swanston Street in Melbourne.

There will be a Pinup Photo Booth run by Helen McLean, Helen will be available to discuss future photoshoots and photography work.

Artists selling their wares are Betty Jo Designs, Emily Green, Dawn Tan, Lynnelle Moran of Crumb..., Madeline Stamer and Shara Lambeth.

I won't have many dresses to sell due to custom work taking up my time, but I will be selling some dresses, tops, shirts, skirts, cushions and accessories.

If you have any dressmaking enquiries or if you want me to take your measurements so you know what size you are when shopping at my online store, I will be available on all three days for chats and consultations.

Sadly, Pilgrim Lee who created our adorable poster artwork will not be in attendance due to poor health.