[Video] Samuel Johnson gives an update on Love Your Sister

Last Friday I caught up with Samuel Johnson from Love Your Sister while he's spending some time in Melbourne.

You may remember my interview with him earlier in the year before he set off on an epic unicycle ride around Australia, raising money for and awareness of breast cancer. That is 15,000 km and a $1 Million goal. Samuel's sister Connie is dying from breast cancer and Samuel's unicycle trip and activism is one of her wishes.

Samuel has the most incredible spirit, generosity and determination - his commitment to Connie's wish is so admirable.

I've been following his trip on social media and have been in awe at the photography documenting the places he's been to, and the generosity of Australians he's met. I asked him a little about his journey (it's six months since he departed from Federation Square) and what more we can do to help. (Apologies for the sound towards the end - it's been extremely windy in Melbourne and it was very blustery on the day we filmed this interview.)

Samuel and the Love Your Sister crew are in need of food and petrol vouchers - so if you are in a location where he's headed, get in touch with the crew.

Thanks for your time doing this interview, Samuel, and to Emma from Love Your Sister for making it happen!

For more information, updates on Samuel's unicycle journey and to donate, visit Love Your Sister's website, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram.

Love Your Sister - the launch. A pink akubra, Samuel and Connie, and a fangirl moment.

Friday 15 February was launch day for Samuel and Connie Johnson's charity Love Your Sister. Sunshine and fanfare sent Samuel and his team off unicycling around Australia. They'll be gone for a year - 15,000 km - to raise $1 million for breast cancer research and support. I chatted to Samuel about Love Your Sister in January - watch our chat here. Connie is in her mid 30s and has a husband and two beautiful little boys - she is dying of cancer. Samuel said that she wants this unicycle ride to be her legacy.

I passed Samuel as I walked through Federation Square on my way from my radio interview - we had a quick chat. When I returned, I saw him practicing his exit from the stage...

...and around the barrier for the audience. He was a little wobbly down the ramp and over the cobblestones, but he unicycled seamlessly on his third attempt - met with a round of applause and cheers.

A brass band from Mornington Secondary College (where Connie went to highschool) provided the provided the pomp and ceremony for the occasion.

Molly Meldrum and Brigitte Duclos were the MCs of the event. Molly gave Samuel a pink akubra. I llove that Molly supported this cause - later on the stage, he presented Samuel with a message from another two iconic Australians - Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton John, both who have fought breast cancer.

I had a quick chat with Molly - he is really lovely. I told him how I was once in the lift at work with him - when he was off to the passports office, and he said "that'd be right".

It was very hot so I went to have a drink with some friends, and by the time we returned, there was a huge media scrum around Connie, Samuel and the celebrity women who came to support Love Your Sister. Tottie Goldsmith, Jo Stanley, Catherine McClements and Deb Mailman and Claudia Karvan from Secret Life of Us were there. I also saw Fletcher Humphries and Scott Major in the crowd.

I had a complete fangirl moment when I saw Deb Mailman and Claudia Karvan. I chatted to Claudia first, she said "hi I'm Claudia" and I said "I know" - So. Uncool. We chatted about Secret Life Of Us, I told her and Deb about the Iridescents pyramid scheme post I wrote recently, and they told me they both discussed that storyline on the plane that morning,

They were so so lovely - and after being a fan of their work for more than a decade, it was an honour to meet them.

I didn't get a chance to meet Connie on the day - she was busy with media and family commitments.

She spoke so eloquently - she is so beautiful and strong. Her message was clear - she doesn't want other young mums to fall into the booby trap - she encourages every woman to be breast aware and get check ups before it's too late.

 

The crowd was huge by launch time. So many people came to support Samuel and Connie on Friday, and have continued to do so as Samuel's been unicycling around Victoria.

The launch was very emotional. Molly and Brigitte spoke about Samuel and Connie's courage. A representative from the Garvan Institute spoke on stage about the way they support women with breast cancer and promised they will protect and love Connie while Samuel is away. And Connie spoke of her cancer journey and the love she has for her brother. She said she'll be here to see Sam return. I hope she is. The family are so close knit and to watch them say goodbye to Samuel was so sad.

Samuel set off to the beat of the brass band, waving goodbye. His family and friends on stage were in tears. Many in the crowd were too, including me. I really hope Connie is here to hug Samuel as he cycles across the finish line in a year.

Leisa said I could use this picture, after my pictures of his send off weren't so clear. You can read her account of the launch here.

 

The love, strength and spirit these siblings have is amazing. The reality of Connie's prognosis and Samuel's generosity of unicycling around Australia, certainly shows us how important it is to live life to its fullest, and to treasure your family and friends.

This video was shown on screen at Fed Square - it shows Samuel and Connie's journey, and the incredible support of celebrities, sponsors and strangers. 

For more information, updates on Samuel's unicycle journey and to donate, visit Love Your Sister's website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

You can see all of my photos from the Love Your Sister launch and my chat with Samuel on my Facebook page. 

The Love Your Sister Launch - Friday 15 February, Federation Square, Melbourne

Samuel Johnson from Love Your Sister sets off on his unicycle journey around Australia this Friday. He's doing it for his sister Connie, who's dying of breast cancer. They want to tell Australia: "Don't fall into the booby trap. Be breast aware."

Get down to Federation Square to see the Love Your Sister team off. Spread the word!

Follow Samuel's journey.

Donate to Love Your Sister.

Follow Love Your Sister on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


Watch Connie and Samuel on The Project.

Read Planning With Kids' interview with Connie.

View my interview with Samuel.

You can donate in the following ways:

Online loveyoursister.org

In Person At any Bendigo Bank branch

via Phone 1300 73 66 77 (9am - 5pm AEST)

Accepting Mastercard, Visa and American Express

Cheque/Money Order

Made payable to “Garvan Research Foundation - LYS” and free postal to

Love Your Sister

c/o Garvan Research Foundation

Reply Paid 68593

DARLINGHURST NSW 2010

Direct Deposit

BSB: 082 057

Account: 133 117 2929

Garvan Research Foundation - Love Your Sister account

*Please use your name as ID for this deposit.

All donations $2 and over are fully tax deductible

[Video] Samuel Johnson chats about Love Your Sister

 

Samuel Johnson, one of Australia's most recognisable young actors and voice-over artists, is training eight to nine hours a day on a unicycle. He's resting up where he can, even in steel circles in parks. Because in February, Samuel will embark on a trip around Australia on a unicycle. That's 15,000 km over a year. He's doing it for his sister Connie, who's dying of breast cancer.

Samuel and Connie have set up the Love Your Sister charity to raise awareness about breast cancer and $1 Million for the Garvan Research Foundation and The Cancer Support Group. The unicycle trip is a challenge Connie set for Samuel as her legacy.

Samuel met me for a chat about Love Your Sister, Connie and the 36 inch wheel that will be getting him around Australia. While we kept our chat quite light, the reality of Connie's terminal illness - and the many, many other cancer patients -  is so very sad. It made me reflect on the people in my life who have been touched by cancer.

You can watch our chat below. Mum, Dad - I hope you are watching because I set Samuel a challenge that involves you and haggis...

 

I wanted to see Samuel in action, so he gave me a demo on his unicycle. There were some kids playing in the park and they were so excited to see him cycle.

Samuel has asked me to help him out with promoting Love Your Sister, so look out for some more updates of his journey. I'd love it if you got involved too - promoting and donating where you can. We all have women in our lives who can benefit from Samuel and Connie's mission.

For more information, updates on Samuel's unicycle journey and to donate, visit Love Your Sister's website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Ticking things off the list

I have had an incredible amount of tasks to get through this weekend. Overwhelmingly so.

Here is what I have done so far. I feel pretty accomplished in most areas, and disappointed in one area.

I went on the tram car restaurant on Friday afternoon.

I ate some chicken liver pate (my dining partner was vegetarian except for chicken, so she had the capsicum pate)

 Drank some Champagne...they kept on topping the glass up...

 Ate some trout with soy and ginger dressing - rather nice

 Rode through St Kilda...very Secret Life of Us

 Ate some beef - mooing, but not as tasty as I'd hoped

And see that piece of blue vein cheese? It's King Island. And I ate the lot. My dining partner didn't eat blue cheese. Lucky for me. Unlucky for my arteries.

 Here is a picture of Melbourne as we crossed the Yarra on the tram car in Spencer Street.

Here is me with the menu and carnation they gave me. I am wearing a hoodie because it was Stress Down Day on Friday and that's the 'event' I promoted at work. I want to wear a hoodie to work more often.

After the tram car restaurant we went to crown and had more drinks. I got home around 6:30, made some phone calls and watched The Secret Life of Us on DVD in bed, and fell asleep halfway through. So tired.

Yesterday morning I went to the Children's Hospital to visit a friend and her son who is staying there, had breakfast at Maccas, then went to belly dancing.

After belly dancing I handed over $60 for this.

It's most of the non prescription part of my skin care routine. Very expensive. Shampoo, conditioner and bath/shower wash and cotton buds.

After that outing, I did two loads of washing, had a nap, had some food, and then wrote some comedy sketches that I will perform on TV. I can't believe I wrote that! That I am really doing it! I wrote some comedy sketches that I will perform on TV!

I got ready to go out to The Temper Trap. At this stage I was feeling really tired still, and had two major things to tick off my list.

I went for dinner at a Thai restaurant in Victoria Street. I don't know what it was called, but the food was pretty good.

That is a duck and lychee salad. It was seasoned with chilli and peanuts. I ate it wrapped in roti.

Then I drove to Festival Hall to see The Temper Trap.

This is the disappointing part.

It was cold. I was tired, I bought my ticket months ago so it wasn't like I was forking out the money last night. And the ticket had not been posted to me, so it didn't even feel like I was going. There were heaps of people out. I was going on my own, which I am usually quite happy to do. I couldn't find a park close by. I thought I should have got the train.

And then, I disappointed myself.

I gave up The Temper Trap to go to bed. I was in bed by 8.30 pm, watched some Secret Life of Us, and was asleep by 10.00pm. I know. They had sold out on the day I bought my ticket. I may never be able to get a $60 ticket to them again. But then, I had seen them in January, they were awesome but the setlist was very short. I heard them on the radio this morning and my throat choked up. I missed The Temper Trap gig :/

Anyhow, I slept well. I needed it. Today I have done some grocery shopping, eaten breakfast and read the newspapers, looked over some stuff for my thesis.

I have stared at this picture a lot.

 And this one.

And watched the You Tube video of the Rush premiere 30485 times. I am really happy with how it turned out and not so embarrassed at my over enthusiasm anymore.

I am about to get started on an article for DiVine, then cook dinner and watch Masterchef.

Can I have another weekend please?

My first YouTube appearance. Meeting the Rush cast.

Well, I'm holding my breath and posting me on You Tube. Reliving the experience of the Rush premiere. Hope you enjoy and have a laugh!

(Photo taken by Megan Burke)

So my first appearance on YouTube is a little ... ummm.... exuberant.

The lovely Hayley who came along to the Rush premiere last night was so kind to record all of our encounters with the boys from Rush.

In this video you will see Megan being sensible. And me not so. (Future employers - please note, I do not behave like this in the workplace - unless the Rush cast should be there!) I am usually quite calm.Though I was told today, I am always like a kid at Christmas.



I am so thankful I have great friends who appreciated my excitement! And recorded it. When the day comes that I become shy and reserved, I'll need this video.

Thank you :)

Good news Friday

I am exhausted! I have been sitting on the couch reading fashion mags and drinking moscato tonight. Nice.

Busy work day today and eventful night last night. Last night, I assisted someone who was very unwell before an ambulance arrived. It was at my first TV meeting.

Good news today, though. The guy from last night is well. And I received three parcels in the mail:

Some brooches by Lilipad Designs on Madeit

How cute are the pandas?!

My SIGNED Basement Birds CD

Haven't played it yet...but can't wait to do so!

A fantastic prize from the lovely Norwegian blogger Soul Princess

It's a postcard and book - the book is called The Glassblower of Murand. Can't wait to read it! Thank you!

Soul Princess does great YouTube videos, you should check them out. She is very sweet.

And today I also found out I was a lucky winner of the TV Week/Mix 101.1 FM competition to go to the premiere of season three of Rush on Monday night. There's a screening at the cinema! And the cast will be there!

You can't imagine how excited I am about this. In my entry I wrote that I want to meet Sam Johnson because I've been a fan of his for many years. Of course I'd love to meet Callan again, but it would make me so happy to meet Sam too. He has a gorgeous voice!

A couple of blogging friends are going too. Can't wait to see you Hayley and Jenna!

I really have to plan my outfit. I think I'm going to go girly. SO EXCITED!!!! I promise to post pictures on this blog! Squeeeee :)

First look - Rush season 3

It's back 22 July!

'Put on your serious voice'!


Source

Music I've been missing - Motorace, Five Star Laundry

Tonight before I started packing for my mid-week trip to Sydney (I'm so excited!!) I thought about more music I've been missing. I wanted something good to pack to, given I am the world's worst packer.

I repeat. The world's worst packer. I go somewhere for three days and I am equipped for a month of all seasons. And I hardly wear any of it when I get there. I need to do a short course in packing. I actually have an article about how to pack minimally by Janice Breen Burns stuck to my fridge. It's right below a letter from a senior manager in my organisation telling me what a great employee I am. This letter reminds me how I've succeeded. The article reminds me I am a failure in some things.

I digress.

The music I've been missing was Motorace. Their Five Star Laundry CD was perfect for packing. Grunty, rocky, indie, loud, Australian and great lyrics.

I bought this CD in 2001. I guess it was one of the first indie sounding CDs I owned. I felt cool because I was listening to something 'alternative'.

Motorace were also one of the first bands I'd seen play at a pub. Maybe even the first. In 2000, I saw The Whitlams, Stella One Eleven, Motorace and the Screaming Jets at The Termo (RIP - it's since burnt down) in Albury. Good times. After the Motorace gig, I learnt the effects of drinking and late nights and smoky environments. I remember presenting a Human Resources assignment to the class the day after Motorace, and I'd lost my voice.

Their song Death Defy was the theme song to The Secret Life of Us, an Australian TV show set in St Kilda starring Claudia Karvan, Deb Mailman, Joel Edgerton and Samuel Johnson. I love love love this show. When I moved to Melbourne I hoped I'd live in a Secret Life of Us type arrangement. Sadly, this did not happen. But my claim to fame is I once kissed a guy who lived in the house where they filmed the rooftop scenes for The Secret Life of Us.

Here is some of the fabulous Secret Life of Us.



And you can hear Death Defy in this mashup of my two favourite shows - Rush and Secret Life of US! Evan (Secret Life) narrates the scene to Rush! (Warning - it is graphic)



My favourite song from Five Star Laundry is American Shoes. But I cannot locate a video.

So here is the title track, which I also like.



I love their sound. Apparently there is a live Motorace DVD which I must purchase. They have since disbanded. They were a great band.

I am really enjoying finding the music I've been missing.