Day five? Who bloody knows – I’ve lost track. We’ve hit comfort level where all barriers are dropped and the bus is rowdy. We’ve had boobs flashed with Embrace Yourself stickers on the nips (I’ll keep her identity secret for privacy but she’s blonde, wears a lot of leopard print and has a cult following). We’ve had a conversation comparing ball sacks to hairless cats from our comedic glamour puss Stacey McGregor. If Ellen’s voice goes (which it seems we are definitely bordering on) we know she has an understudy in the wings waiting to take her place. In fact now that I’m typing it I wonder if Stace infected Ellen’s food to get a call up for M.C??? No, I’ll believe the best in her, that face is too angelic to be so Machiavellian. (I love this woman and her Insta posts – I had to make her ‘real’ pic the cover for this blog).

We were running a bit late to the Wollongong venue, Anita’s Theatre in Thirroul, so we skipped the lunch venue and the crew grabbed salads, which were not great and cast aside. So now we were running on just the breakfast that Mama Kate made us that morning – thank god for her!

The theatre was absolutely spectacular, built in 1925 and gloriously decadent. We had a few challenges with the set up and definitely suffered from some lacklustre communication skills on site. What we have here is a failure to communicate. I set an intention at the start of this trip that as the event coordinator, that I would do everything possible to ensure nobody ever saw me look stressed. I’d take it all in my stride and never let the worry show. Well yesterday I dropped several C-bombs. So fuck it, that intention is gone!

We did have the most wonderful local helpers show up though and the crowd for the evening were on fire! This was the first venue we had young kids come along to. On the door I advised the parents that there was adult content in the show that may be a little risqué for the 10 year old ears. The mum’s were fine with it, even knowing there would be cock ring gags – so who are we to argue? I’m guessing there were some fun conversations in the cars on the way home.

Local artist, Holly Eva, donated an Embrace inspired piece of art that was just breath-taking. We decided to take a risk and auction it as it was way too special to put in a raffle. Our fingers were crossed it would go for at least $200 and it sold for $2000! Many of us cried. It was a beautiful moment. Two grand going towards the Embrace Kids documentary project.

We had four Body Image Movement Global Ambassadors at the event last night, which was extra special. I even got to meet Lara, who will be joining me next month for the swimsuit modelling shoot for Cossie Confidence and Sequins and Sand. Oh that is going to be a fun few days!

Mel Greig was our guest for Q and A last night. She was warm and raw, which are two of my favourite traits in people! She also happens to give a fantastic genuine hug – another winning characteristic for me.

So today is half-way hump day as we head into Newcastle. Only yesterday I was feeling a little anxious at the idea that we still had so many events to go. Today it feels like it’s rushing by. The always calm and logical Prue and I were talking about it on the bus this morning. Maybe we are now tour tough and it’s not taking the same toll on our bodies. Maybe the half-way mark makes us a appreciate that this will all be over in a few days. Now I’m feeling a little nostalgic to know that next week it will all be over.

Port Macquarie – here we come…

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