The Redneck Invasion

As I am sure everyone has heard, the US Supreme Court has ruled in favour of same sex marriage across all 50 states. However, not everyone is happy about this news. There are (for a lack of a politer sounding term) a lot of homophobic rednecks who feel threatened due to the fact people can marry whoever they love (perhaps Brokeback Mountain hits a little to close to home for them?). Unfortunately the rednecks have taken to twitter to announce they would be leaving the USA.... and would be coming to Australia.

That's right, the Australian parliament is so backwards that rednecks are seeing it as their homophobic promised land. Who is the leader of this promised land I hear you cry? Well it's none other than Tony Abbott, who I believe is becoming more and more like Australia's very own personal Voldemort. Despite the rising support from his country and around the globe for people to have the right to marry whoever they love (including his own sister who is currently in a long term same sex relationship) he refuses to change his mind. It came to a stage when opposition leader Bill Shorten wanted to introduce a bill to the parliament regarding same sex marriage, yet Tony didn't even have the courtesy to show up.

Now I don't want this to seem like an attack on Tony just for his views on sam sex marriage. It's about his entire way of thinking. When you have more Australian flags in the background of a speech than you do women in you parliamentary cabinet, you have a problem. Or when push for coal and fossil fuels because you think green energy looks ugly.

He's supported by his own personal Wormtail (another harry potter reference, I have to assume everyone has seen the movies or read the books) Joe Hockey. Mr Hockey, Australia's treasurer, has some stunning views. One of my personal favourites being "rising fuel costs won't matter because poor people don't drive" or his advice on buying a new home "get a good job that pays good money". I'm glad he was there to tell me the last one because I would never have been able to figure that out.

Tony blatantly goes against basic human rights when it comes to asylum seekers. According to the Australian Human Rights Commission All people have a fundamental human right to seek asylum from persecution. Instead of helping these people find a place away from their war torn countries where they are being persecuted. Yet Mr Abbott decides this means he can throw alyssum seekers into a detention centre in Indonesia which is full of sexual assault and abuse. 

This man is skyrocketing Australia all the way back to the 50's and seems quite happy to do so. We need a change, and we need it soon. Let's hope we can join the rest of Western Civilisation and legalise same sex marriage, it's the first step of many that we need to take to start making this world a better place. 

Gym or Netfix

I have been debating recently if I should get a gym membership or a Netflix subscription.

I've decided to write up the pros and cons of each, and hopefully it will help me (and maybe even help you) to figure out which one is best. 

Gym: 

Pros

• Will hopefully allow me to pull a Chris Pratt - turn me from a loveable chub to a ripped hottie who is somehow even more loveable than before
• Improves my general fitness and health 
• I know it's the better option..... although I can't think of any more reasons

Cons

• It's more expensive 
• It takes a lot more will power
• It's going to be a lot more painful than sitting and watching Netflix... 

Netflix

Pros

• I can finally be up to date on all the popular shows, this will lead to be being able to talk to people again. 
• I can binge watch old favourites
• It's cheaper than a gym membership 
• I do love movies and tv, so that is going to count for a reason

Cons

• Admittedly it's detrimental to my fitness to stay in bed and watch a season (or two) of TV...
• It will cost me what little of my social life I have
• That is really about it... 

The gym membership is definitely the healthier option, which I guess is the better option... but the minute I get a job that pays I will get both a gym membership and a Netflix account! Then we can see which holds up better... 

The Little Things

Prepare to go deep, we're gonna get emotional and I may cry... Grab some comfort food and read on, dear reader.

I was sitting at the McDonald's at Central Station when an elderly couple came and sat at the table next to me. At first there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary about this couple, but after watching them I noticed how much they enjoyed and embraced the little things in their lives. I first noticed this when they were discussing what they wanted to eat. The husband seemed unsure of himself, not being a regular customer at McDonald's he was unsure as to what he was able to order. So his wife said she'd surprise him as she went off to order. The old man took his seat, looking around the restaurant, all the while seeming perfectly content. He didn't pull out a phone or a book or even the news paper, he was perfectly happy to sit and wait. When his wife returned she surprised him with a new item on the menu, saying that she wasn't sure but she hopes he will like it. Now I'm sure you all think this is very trivial, but I promise there is a point! (And you may find the story even gets better so bear with me). Despite this being a trivial interaction, it was the joy that sat deep in their eyes as they went about their business. You could feel the love they had for each other radiating, and they seemed so happy to just be spending a day in the city together.
I feel in our society, we are so worried and occupied with the end product of whatever we are doing that we forget to occasionally take a step back and just enjoy the journey. We rush to work, then we cram as much as we can into our days so we can get that next promotion, then we race home to catch the next episode of whatever TV show is currently the most popular, only to fall asleep and start the cycle over again. Always rushing to get to the next stage in our life. Our spare time is spent surfing the web or being too exhausted to really do anything. We work ourselves into the ground and because of this we feel the need to treat ourselves more regularly. Yet if we start to treat ourselves everyday, it becomes less of a treat and starts to just become part of the routine, and this defeats the purpose of a treat. You need to take the time to enjoy it, life isn't about a race to the finish line, it's about all of the little moments, every step you take along the way.
I eventually got chatting with the elderly couple, and only very briefly. I never learnt the wife's name, but the husband was named Bill. (For the sake of the story let's call the wife Mary). Mary informed me that they were in the city to see a doctor, I found out that Bill was very sick and they didn't think he was going to get better. He was developing the early signs of dementia. Mary feared that soon he wouldn't even be able to remember her name. They had been married for almost 45 years. Yet Mary hadn't given in to the sadness or the hopelessness of the situation. She knew that she didn't have much time left with Bill, or at least with the Bill that would remember her.

I wrote the story above over a year ago. But couldn't bring myself to publish it at first, I can't say why, perhaps I feel I didn't do the story of Bill and Mary justice, or simply I didn't want to admit I go to McDonald's. But a year on this story has stuck with me, I haven't forgotten about Bill and Mary. I still think of them and wonder if Bill's health has gotten better or if his mind has given way to dementia. About Mary and if she is still able to sit with Bill and talk about what they are having for lunch. I can't say why this story has stayed with me for so long, or even if it will affect anyone else. But I do know I need to share this story, even if it's just to get it out of my system and into the blogosphere.

I think I need to get it out because, personally, I get caught up with the big things. What am I going to do when I graduate? What is my dream job now? Do I have enough friends?
When instead I should just be allowing myself to enjoy the little things. That phone call from grandma, movie night with the family, lunch with the friends I do have.

I'm not saying don't sweat the big stuff, because you should, it's sweat worthy stuff! But you can also enjoy the little stuff at the same time.

Karaoke is but Self-indulgence

Now, I want to start by saying I love Karaoke! There is nothing better than drinking, getting on a stage in front of strangers and pretending you can sing. Hell, it's even great for those who don't want to sing, they can sit back and enjoy the rest of us make complete fools of ourselves. Yet I can't help but feel it's all just a way of self pleasure.

I got this feeling when I was having my 'Sober Night Out' (that post is coming I promise) in which I went out and did all the things you do while drinking, but without drinking. Obviously this had to include karaoke. I got up and sang, and my partner got up and sang, and the ammeters who have never before drank and sang got up and sang! But what I had never realised before was there was a bit of a Karaoke club. Not an official club with jackets (maybe they had jackets, if they did they weren't wearing them) but just a group of karaoke singers who all knew each other, were on first name basis with the karaoke MC and knew the bar staff.

There wasn't any real benefit that I could see from being in this club, they didn't get to cut in line, they didn't get cheap drinks and they didn't get any thing I didn't get from karaoke. In fact for the most part they looked bored. When they weren't singing they were outside smoking, only to run back inside once the music to their song started.

It was interesting, something I might not have noticed had I been drinking with everyone else. But as it was my sober night out, I definitely noticed it. Now, not wanting to offend, they weren't great singers. They were good, but I wouldn't sign them to a record label. So I feel part of the reason they were the karaoke club was because of the applause they get at the end of their performances. They were definitely the best singers at the bar (although it wasn't too hard to beat the unintelligible drunk man and the little old lady who forgot her words, she gets points for being cute though). So of course when they got on stage and belted some crowd favourites people lost their shit (a metaphor here, for those of you who thought people literally misplaced their faecal matter, it means they went crazy). They were the rock stars of the karaoke bar! And while my rendition of Don't Stop Believing didn't launch me into the rock n roll hall of fame, I do know the bench mark that has been set before me.

Learning For All The Wrong Reasons

I study music and journalism. When I tell people this the two responses I usually get is "that's an 'interesting' combination" or "Aren't you worried about getting a job?" I'll start by answering the question. Of course I'm worried about getting a job, I'm terrified that I will stuck working as a waiter for the rest of my life. However, I would still have this fear if I was studying law or medicine or even teaching. I'm a firm believer that you study because you want to learn something, not because you want a job. I understand that for some jobs, like a doctor, I would more than prefer for my doctor to have studied medicine so he knows what he/she is doing. Yet above all else, I want my doctor to be passionate about his/her job. I want them to walk into the operating theatre every morning and get the same feeling inside their gut that I get when I walk out on a stage or finish writing a piece I'm beyond proud of. I want them to be their because they want to be there. I don't want a doctor who is a doctor because their parents wanted them to have a stable job. This person, who is doing the job out of work stability rather than passion, will never be as good as the doctor with passion.
I've known too many people who have changed out of degrees that they loved doing because they didn't see a job at the end of it. That is not the reason to study. People need to study to learn about what they love, not so they can have a job at the end of their degree. If you hate what you do then you are no better of working at McDonald's as your career. Don't be afraid to chase your dreams. Passion is what leads to great things. If we didn't have passionate people who dared to go against the norm then we wouldn't have a lot of the comfort and technologies we have now. You need to perceiver and continue to strive towards your goals. The reason not many people make it in the arts is because the majority of people give up before they have a chance to really explore what they are capable of. I think this is because we are forced to grow up so quickly.
I recently turned 20. This was terrifying leading up to the big 2-0. I started to feel old, that I should get a job at the bank, get a mortgage, marry and have 2.5 kids. But after a mild panic in which I tried to grow a beard (unsuccessfully) and tried to get myself an adult job (also unsuccessful) I came to realise that I was young, like really young, like I'm still 5 years old in the big scheme of things. With the length that people are living, I haven't even reached a quarter of my life yet. So why am I panicking? In all honesty I don't have an answer. Maybe it's a societal thing, maybe in an instinct we all have that tries to keep us from failing so we opt for the easier option.
I do think this panic comes from a deep seated fear of failure and in turn disappointing those around me who have supported me for my entire life. People feel the need to make those who support them proud of them, but they forget that the people who care about you will be proud of you no matter what, they just want you to be happy.
So don't give up on a dream or drop out of a uni course that you love because you don't think you'll get a job. If you are passionate enough, and you are determined enough, you will be able to find away to make money off of what you love.

A Gripping Fear

Humans have always been afraid of the unknown. When we were younger the unknown was simple, like the dark and not knowing what was lurking in the shadows. Yet as we grow older the simple things become more and more known, which means our fear of the unknown expands to bigger thoughts and ideas. One of the biggest fears I have found I have is the fear of the future. Even my own mother gets worried about my future. I believe this fear again stems from the unknown.
Wanting to get a career in the entertainment industry as always gotten me almost pitying looks, or as my old English teacher put it when I mentioned I was going to study Journalism and Music - "Why would you choose two dying fields?" I've always been told that while I should follow my dreams I should have a safety net or back up plan just to save me if I don't succeed. But what happens when this back up plan takes over from our dreams? What sets aside the dreamers and the achievers, in my opinion, is taking the leap of faith. You have to be willing to let go of the safety nets and leap into the unknown. It's terrifying but if my two greatest heroes are able to let go of their safety nets then why can't I? The first of my heroes is Batman, during the Dark Knight Rises he must climb out of his prison pit, but because he had a safety rope he allowed himself to fall. It wasn't until he let go of the rope that he was able to pull together the courage required to make the leap and free himself from the prison. My other hero, Phil Dunphy proves that he was able to achieve his dream of being a tightrope walker once he removed the safety net by setting his bar at a hight that he couldn't let himself fall from. It shows that if we set ourselves up to fall then we will fall.

Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will - Carry Fletcher

The other fear people have is that their life won't mean anything. With over seven billion people on this planet people fear that the importance of their lives will be drowned out by the noise of everyone else. We want our lives to matter, for someone to witness the events that are our lives. Yet when do find this person, we are faced with a decision. Do we jump head first into the unknown holding their hands, or do we stay in our comfort zone, never progressing but never knowing what we are missing. Of course this might not end the way you want it to, but in the end we are no worse off for trying. We will never regret the things we do in life, only the things we don't try.
So my dear readers, don't be afraid to make the leap to follow your dreams, and don't be afraid to share it with someone.

Eclectic Thoughts

I'm back again, can't say how long for. I do want to keep up blogging, so I'm going to attempt to stay longer than my last return! To start my (hopefully) triumphant return I thought I would start with a post compiling some of my thoughts, which means this post may jump from thought to thought without any real connection, but that's the way of the brain. So prepare yourself dear reader for the good, the bad and the beautiful thoughts from my brain.

Starting with the good! Up until very recently my favourite movie was a tie between 'The Dark Knight' and 'The Avengers', however a new movie has risen up that I believe will join the ranks of Darcy's Favourite Movies. The movie I'm talking about is 'Guardians of The Galaxy', a cross between 'Star Wars' and 'The Avengers'. A group of outlaws end up saving the galaxy from almost certain destruction. It was almost as if Star Wars had cast Han Solo as the main hero with no Luke Skywalker. On top of the Star Wars-esk feel to the movie it was filled to the brim with Marvel fan Easter-eggs. *SPOILERS START HERE* For me the movie was launched to the top of the list with it's connection to The Avengers. First and foremost having the Infinity Stone as the source of the villains power and having Thanos behind it all (much like Loki in The Avengers). We even get to see the Dark Elf from Thor the Dark World as well as The Collector. The Infinity Glove even makes a brief appearance. For a Marvel nerd such as myself this movie kept me engaged and hopeful that there will be a cross between the two franchises by Avengers 3, bringing out The Cosmic Avengers. *END OF SPOILERS* I would recommend this movie to anyone and everyone (it even passes the Bechdel Test that everyone is so caught up with at the moment.) And after seeing the movie for a third time with (the third time being in 3D I might add) I can honestly say it has not gotten boring!

Now on to The Bad (well really the sad). As some of you, if not all by the time this has been posted, will know - Robin Williams has passed away. A man who has brought laughter to people across generations, as well as bringing to life some of the most inspirational roles to grace the screen. From the big screen and TV through to Broadway and stand up, Robin Williams has inspired and brought joy to countless people time and time again. While I wish I had known him personally, all I know of him is what he decided to show the world. Unfortunately this means it was possible he was fighting some terrible demons of his own, not wanting to reach out for help. It shows us that sometimes the people who have the biggest smiles can be hiding the saddest thoughts. Don't forget to check up on those closest too you, just to ask if everything is okay, and if you are struggling don't forget that help is always available to you at http://www.beyondblue.org.au/.

And finally on to what I hope you will think of has some beautiful thoughts. On my way home today, I witnessed what was possibly the most beautiful, brightest rainbow I have ever seen, possibly in my entire life. However, when I tried to take a photo of this glorious rainbow, the image didn't come close to capturing the beauty that I saw. In fact the picture looked quite dull in comparison. It got me thinking that in a world where we are still so caught up in technology and capturing the moment so it will last a life time, we forget that sometimes moments are supposed to be just that, moments. Never to be recreated, never able to truly share with those who weren't there, but growing ever stronger and more beautiful in the recesses of our minds. As a society I fear we are losing the ability to stop and see things for what they are, a fleeing moment, meant to be enjoyed to the fullest at the time, not as something to capture and try to relive when the time suits us better. In life there are some things that won't wait for the right time, so make sure you are ready to live when life decides it wants to be lived, don't let opportunity slip by.