2007: A Year In Wilderness

Pessimistic title, I know.

Despite this being my most accomplished year in the education and career area - I've largely felt like I've been going nowhere. There are areas in my life I've reined the controls a little tighter and other parts where I've opened the flood gates and cut lose on rampant self-destruction.

I've toned down my faggitude but I've never been more promiscuous. I've achieved more financial independence and mobility but I've never treasured time with my family more. I would be single for 2 years come February and yet I've never been happier being unattached. I've never been more used to being 'an expert' and on the flip side, I've never felt so uncertain and wide-eyed.



Musically, I've done my best work yet with Apres Matin being also my production debut. It's another year, another smile on my face as I reach closer to accomplishing that album.

I've been doing this Year In Review thing ever since 2005 and it still startles me how awkwardly, cringeworthy and embarassing the things I wrote and considered paramount at that time is now.

But if there was one thing I've learnt about this year is that change is constant. I will not be the same person this time next year and I'd probably laugh as I reminisce on this in the future. In a year that's been liberating in some sense, I've found comfort and security in the things and people that have remained with me until now.



And it is through these seasons and metamorphosis that I treasure my friends and family - my anchor. As I've expected - with every year, I'd mature and get that much wiser - and inadvertently, that much more cynical. My writing style changes, my interests shapeshift and my love interests come and go.

But what I didn't expect was the serenity that comes with maturation. It's easy to hate on things and get cynical - especially at the face of change and uncertainty.

So without ado, this is a snapshot of 2007 through the eyes and mind of David Lim.

Highlights of 2007



1. Spice Girls reunion.
2. Getting my license and a car.
3. Completing my Journalism degree.
4. Getting a full time job immediately after.
5. Sexual liberation.
6. Being Sexuality Officer (not directly related to above point)
7. Diff'rent Strokes radio with Jade Gulliver
8. Musical development - in the area of production and songwriting.

Lowlights of 2007



1. Adapting to new work environments and challenges.
2. My inability to maintain an aquarium of goldfish.
3. My deviance from a career in media post university.
4. Learning how guarded I've become.

Special People of 2007



James Leckie - an amazing individual, thank you for your calming voice of reason and companionship.
Dan Baird - thank you for embracing me and looking out for me the way you have.
Shawn Lim - my little brother, who's loyalty, admiration and love never ceases to amaze me - comfort and keep me grounded.
Veronika Jankusik - like fine wine, I deeply value every year we remain best mates. You'll be having my babies, won't you?

Discovery of The Year
Garageband

Album(s) of The Year



Sophie Ellis Bextor Trip The Light Fantastic
Robyn Robyn
Britney Spears Blackout
Kylie Minogue X

Song(s) of The Year

Margaret Berger Samantha
Sophie Ellis Bextor Today The Sun's On Us
Natasha Bedingfield Soulmate
Sugababes Never Gonna Dance Again

Music Video of The Year

Girls Aloud Sexy No No No...
Sophie Ellis Bextor Today The Sun's On Us
Natasha Bedingfield I Wanna Have Your Babies
Fergie Clumsy
Delta Goodrem Believe Again

Strut Song of The Year
*Awarded to the Favourite Upbeat/Party Song of 2007*



Kylie Minogue Speakerphone
Girls Aloud Sexy No No No
Britney Spears Gimme More
Dame Shirley Bassey Big Spender
Janet Jackson Feedback

Bitch Song of The Year
*Awarded to the Favourite Fiercely Ferocious Song of 2007*



Britney Spears Piece of Me
Rihanna Breakin' Dishes
Robyn Crash & Burn Girl
Mya All In The Name of Love
Amy Winehouse Addicted

Crush Song of The Year
*Awarded to the Favourite Love Song of 2007*



Beyonce Deja Vu
Jamelia La La Love
Sophie Ellis Bextor What Have We Started?
Alicia Keys No One
Sugababes Denial

Love Strife Song of The Year
*Awarded to the most relevant Heartbreak Song of 2007*



Celine Dion Alone
George Michael/Mutya This Is Not Real Love
Melanie C Forever Again
Girls Aloud Call The Shots
Kelly Rowland Still In Love With My Ex

Survivor Song of The Year
*Awarded to the favourite Trooper/Pick-Me-Up Song of 2007*



davidlim Apres Matin
Amerie Gotta Work
Jewel Good Day
Margaret Berger Samantha
Dame Shirley Bassey This Is My Life
Mya Life Is Too Short

xXx Song of The Year
*Awarded to the Sexiest Song of 2007*



Amerie Crazy Wonderful
davidlim U Define It
Emma Bunton Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps
Kylie Minogue All I See

Film of The Year



Ratatouille
Transformers

DVD of The Year



Boy Culture
Mean Girls
Latter Days
Another Gay Movie

Concert of The Year



(hands down!) Beyonce's The Beyonce Experience

Hottie of The Year



Steve Sandvoss (Latter Days)
Michael Vartan (Monster-In-Law)
Matt Moran (Jane Austen's Guide To Pornography)
Matt Corby (Australian Idol 07)
(*yes I do have a thing for Matts*)

Quote of The Year



"Is this a gay club?" - Dan Baird at The Peel.
"So Stephen, what exactly do you do at JOY again?" - David Lim in the midst of speaking to the Station Manager at JOY.
"This is MAJOR!" - Victoria Beckham on Victoria Beckham: Coming To America

----------------------------------------------------
Here's to an exciting 2008!

Diff'rent Strokes @ The JOY Xmas Party

After only two episodes into their summer block on JOY 94.9, the stars of variety show Diff'rent Strokes - Jade Gulliver and David Lim - made an appearance at the JOY Christmas Party to mingle with guests and volunteers alike. But not without controversy brewing the beer.

Both radio personalities wrapped up their show at 1am that morning and appeared tired after a full day's work. "I'm not gonna lie, I am pretty damn tired", confessed Lim who was spotted uncharacteristically swilling beer.

Gulliver was photographed dressed casually in cargo shorts, thongs and a T-shirt while Lim worked a suit vest, skinny legged jeans and a white shirt with a printed tie. Insiders revealed that Lim was chatting up a daytime newsreader from the station - but denied that the star went home with the gentleman.

While Jade had mainly kept to herself and her JOY training group cohorts, the amicable media mogul-in-waiting let slip about a few controversial Shoe Swap adventures the show will be undertaking. Gulliver revealed the suspicious beer swilling antics Dave had been up to of late was all for a "beer connoisseur" role he was to present on the show - and added that she'd have Dave try being in a "long distance, long term relationship with a woman" for the next week.

Programming and senior producers at the station are said to be up in arms about the forthcoming controversial Shoe Swap challenges but Gulliver insists that both programming manager and station manager at JOY have been nothing but supportive of Diff'rent Strokes.

"It's really wonderful to have feedback from Leenie (programming manager) and Stephen (station manager) - as well as other really experienced producers. I kept getting stopped all night by other presenters and volunteers telling me how much they enjoyed the show and all I could say was, 'thank you. Thank you for listening'," said Lim.

However, sources close to the Diff'rent Strokes pair have let slip a comical, social faux-pas. In the midst of an engaging conversation about the show's elaborate production and show media, Dave interrupted the man speaking with a, "so Stephen, what exactly do you do again at JOY?" - without recognising that he had been talking to the station manager. "Well you can tell who's new around here," Dave joked.

Diff'rent Strokes is on every Wednesay 11pm-1am.
On JOY 94.9.

26 December: tune in to hear the effervescent pair walk a day in each other's love lives. David Lim shoe swaps into a "long term, long distance relationship with a woman", while Jade trawls Manhunt in search for the next best thing.

Podcast With A Diff'rence.

As far as first shows go, nothing surprises me anymore. I've done enough program debuts to understand, never overplug the premiere episode.

Diff'rent Strokes premiered to a thundering start on the fabulous gay and lesbian radio station, JOY 94.9 on Wednesday night. Seasoned radio presenter and one half of Diff'rent Strokes, Jade Gulliver described the JOY debut as a "home coming".

Despite speculations of diva spats, the effervescent David Lim was seen arriving early well before the show, looking calm and relaxed in a skin-tight, see-through red top, grey trackies and thick-framed glasses. Lim has brushed off detractors saying he'll quit in ire of JOY offering the show a late weeknight timeslot, affirming that his reunion with Jade Gulliver is here to stay.

"I'll be the first to admit, I had my doubts about physically being able to do (the late slot). But after last night's show, there isn't a shadow of doubt left in my mind that what Jade and I have in Diff'rent Strokes is special." Unsurprisingly, aliking the season return to the show to the Spice Girls reunion, Lim and Gulliver opened their three month-long run with a strong playlist.

"I was floored by the response to our show, even with a shaky start, we were amazed to receive SMSes complimenting the contrasting song choice and concept. It's marvellous to be embraced up front - our good friend at JOY, Jenny O'Keefe was there to offer support and the programming manager knew who I was upon arrival and that's always bound to make a wonderful first impression", Lim gushed.

To coincide with the reunion, Gulliver unveiled a new podcasting feature to the show - allowing listeners to subscribe to bite size pieces of Diff'rent Strokes signature segments such as Shoe Swap and especially, the much-talked about, Jade's Song (What Would Ben Lee Do?).

Podcasts:
www.differentstrokes.podomatic.com

Official Myspace:
www.myspace.com/differentstrokesradio

Million Dollar Mama

I must admit, J.Ho had me worried about her going into early contractions when I saw her dancing to Hold It Don't Drop It - but this woman seriously can't make a bad music video even if her life depended on it.

I have never seen this bitch disappoint with a shitty video - ever.



Here, the expectant diva nabs Beyonce's music video director, Melina (Upgrade U and Green Light) and transcends this energetic pop piece into a glamour puss, silver and white themed video.

The cheesy camp frivolity of Hold It Don't Drop It barely translates visually - bar the OTT eye shadow, silver heavily-glittered lips and riding on a mirror ball.

Don't hold your breath for another single off this flop album - she's about to retreat into maternity leave and the record's sinking beyond help anyway.

Mile In These Shoes - the promising survivor song has been featured on Desperate Housewives ads.