My Ultimate Vow - ©Danielle Briggs October 2017

Recently there has been a lot of talk about sexual harassment, sexual abuse and sexual assault in Hollywood that has made me want to write this post.

This has been in the back of my mind for a long time. But I never thought I had a strong enough voice to reach where this is needed and as far as I wanted it to reach. Then I realised, I can’t just sit here and not say anything. There are so many women around the world who aren’t in a situation where they can due to so many reasons.

Men shouldn’t be able to get away with treating women like a piece of meat and expecting us to do what they ask and / or suggest. Or for that matter force themselves on top of us without our consent. Often these things are not reported to police or investigated because it is always he said she said situation and often not taken seriously which is wrong and no matter who or where you are it should never happen. Just recently there has been a hashtag #MeToo going around it is amazing how many women have used this and they may have and may not have done anything about it. I want to also point out that just because some women haven’t used the hash tag or told their story it doesn’t mean they don’t have one, they just don’t want to talk about or bring it up.

I will also point out that these issues are not just in the work place. Often these are in our homes as well, whether it’s family or partners or anyone else for that matter.

This issue is a global problem that continually grows and will continue to grow unless we as a whole work together and change it. The governments need to step in and takes drastic changes. This shouldn’t be growing. It shouldn’t even exist.

So today here and now I want to make the first step in changing the world and make these vows to the world and to myself.

I vow to love, respect and value myself and my body.

I vow to stay strong in my weak and bad days.

I vow to protect myself where I need to.

I vow to never give up and keep fighting on the dark days until the light days arrive.

I vow to stand up for those who can’t and make sure those voices can be heard.

I vow to respect and appreciate all body types and personalities and not bully them or hurt them. (We women are so judgmental of other women. We say so many nasty comments to each other and behind their backs, it’s really disgusting to watch and see. When men see this some of them think that’s its ok for them to do this and it’s really not!… It’s not ok to do this to anyone. I get that you might not like someone or you a jealous of that person, but at the end of the day it’s just not worth making other people feel horrible.)

I vow to love and spread love until my last breath.

I urge you all to make these vows to yourself and for those around you. I also encourage the men to join in as well and vow that you will respect all women and not abuse or assault them and treat them as equals. I also encourage you to vow that you will raise your children to know what is right and wrong and make sure they do better. By using the hashtag #MYVOW we can stand together and make the world a better place one step at a time and make the hate turn into love. Would love to see any other vows you feel that you want to make for yourself and for the world.

#MYVOW

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Casey Barnes: The Underrated Artist

Casey Barnes is a hardworking Australian singer songwriter who has been chipping away at it for years. He has co-written songs with Rick Price, wife Michelle, Michael Paynter, Michael Delorenzis and MSquared.

Born in Tasmania and now resides on the Gold Coast with his wife Michelle and two daughters Charli and Emmy. 

Casey a former Australian Idol contestant in the last series in Australia finishing in 11th place with Stan walker taking the win in 2009.

Years on from Idol  Casey has slowly paved his way into the US country charts, after his song Keep Me Coming Back being played in the Professional Bull Riders circuit. 

Casey has previously supported acts such as Lady Antebellum, Mariah Carey and Bryan Adams and soon will be performing at the Vines music festival with Billy Ray Cyrus and many more in march at Crossroads in New South Wales. Also just announced an performing artist at CMC Rocks in march 2018, which is a sell out event held in Ipswich Queensland.

Casey also works with a band called Kick that is largely used by company's for work events and or events. 

A great family man who adores his wife and kids, also great with his fan base. Always respectful and gracious when meeting them and talking to them online.

Co writing hit song Live As One with Rick Price is something everyone should hear, incredible and powerful lyrics really make you want to change your ways and be more accepting of other people. 

Casey has two current songs out right now called The Way We Rise and Keep Me Coming Back which you can purchase on most music sources including iTunes. 

In the words of Molly Meldrum do yourself a favour and checkout Casey Barnes.

Like most artists Casey will more than likely do better in the states and around the world before getting the attention he deserves in Australia.

http://www.caseybarnes.com.au/

Studio 10 is where all the fun is

© Danielle Briggs October 2017

I really enjoy studio 10 from their crazy antics to their amazing hosts and guests. You never know where the show is going to go and not even they know, some of the time. It’s the best way to start your mornings, with a great laugh, with tears (some from laughing so hard), with insightful information and fun and games. I wouldn’t have the show any other way. All of the panel and panel regular guest hosts have all got something in common they all are their own person and embrace who they are, all have their own beliefs and thoughts on subjects they are discussing sometimes ends with little fights but they make up in the ad breaks.

Let’s dissect the panel shall we. Sarah Harris the bus driver of the show, one of my favourite journalists, incredibly smart and funny and somehow has the panel in control, although at times its hard she always finds a way to get them back on the road.

Joe Hildebrand is also an incredible journalist who hits the hard topics. Not only that but he has done so many things on the show that most people wouldn’t, a nudie run, prostate exam, leg wax (have to admit that was my idea that got picked up by the show’s Executive Producer) all this live on air. Joe hits the audience with dad jokes aplenty and most of the time has us all laughing.

Jessica Rowe, now this is a woman that embraces who she is and created a website based on being a crap housewife. I have to admit I applaud her for this and I must say she is really trying to get better and I have seen the evidence in her cooking. Jess is someone that is her own person and doesn’t change for anyone and just is herself and I think more people should do that. The Jess snorts are the best as it makes you laugh even more, Jess isn’t the only one that does it and I love that she is laughing so much she loses control.

The show then has two pioneers of the Australian entertainment industry and for women in Australia. They have both inspired many women around the country to get into the industry and or just inspired them to be strong women, and they have both done that for me. We are talking about Denise Drysdale and Ita Buttrose, Denise in the entertainment industry and Ita as a journalist both have had incredible careers and share the job on the panel. I have a lot of respect for both of these ladies and the whole entire panel.

David “Robbo” Robertson the shows roaming reporter and host of the $5 quiz on the show has grown on the show through the years and has been stepping up to be on the panel occasionally and doing great. Robbo is a funny and is always amazing to watch when at home at one of the viewers houses.

Robert McKnight the Executive Producer is a character, I think he likes torturing Joe I can’t wait to see what he makes Joe do next or allows him to do next. Rob is amazing and he keeps the show running and making it exciting for the viewers, coming up with new segments and growing the show. The show is going so well channel ten extended their show by an extra hour, which is the longest running show on a weekday morning.

Entertainment gossip and news covered by the amazing Angela Bishop and Craig Bennet, Angela has been in the business for a very long time and arguably one of the best entertainment reporters in the world. Craig is full of enthusiasm and enjoyment you can’t help but smile when he is on the show.

What can you say about Jono Coleman, the advertorial presenter? Incredibly funny and random which makes the show more entertaining.

Regular show panellists, journalist Jo Casamento, Hollywood reporter Richard Reid, Carlotta, Susie Elelman, and Natarsha Belling are all fabulous to watch and bring another dynamic to the show.  Jo, Susie, Carlotta and Natarsha all fill in for the panel members. All of them bring intelligence, laughs, enthusiasm and another perspective on the topics on the show.

I am a massive fan of Jo, Richard and Carlotta, they all make me smile and brighten up my day. I love the main panel of the show but if one or more of these guys are on I am very happy.

As you can see the show is beaming with beautiful amazing light that can lift you up from a gloomy start or can make you smile more after waking from an already great morning. I wouldn’t watch anything else and I can’t think of a better way to start my day.