I tried to find an interesting news article today - but for some reason everyone seems to be overwhelmed by recent events.

There's some sort of big fire off in some place ... and then there's a few people who don't seem to be able to pay bills.

Yes, yes, I know - it's all really serious and people have died. Hell the bush fires are really bad too. But we'll pull through as we all do when something serious hits us.

I have faith in the people who will survive both situations. But until we're over the melodramatic news articles, I'll have to bide my time before something good is in there.

Book

I finished Ben Elton's Blind Faith last night. While some may view this book as the worst possible theory that anyone could imagine, others may see the world really is turning towards something similar to what Mr Elton views.

I for one do see the world becoming slowly (or quickly) in a lot of ways similar to his novel. The major being the recent increase in the "Nanny State", particularly with the Federal government's continued push towards 1984 mentality and technology in their "Play the role of the parents" internet clean feed.

While I could comment about the religious and political nature of the book - the other thing that hits me (which I suspect a lot of people would by pass) is the desire to be "proud" of one's own body. To the point of being overly arrogant to how others may think of their body. This I can see happening. More and more every day we are forced to accept a "normal" perception of the human body - while more and more every day people force feed themselves to hide from their inability to get the "normal" body. Eventually this will snap back - I'm just not sure which way it will go.

I'd love to say I can see it going towards the future where everyone is nice and healthy and the best body they can have. I just doubt this very much.

I have been told that people see this book as very sad, very negative in it's outlook of human future. I, on the other hand, can see something different. While I see the crap and the stupidity that rules this world, I can also see that it's just another black time in human history. We've had them before and again in this case it will get through it. If we do go through something like this in the "real" world, the idiots who make these sorts of laws will eventually retire and die and other idiots will make other laws - good or ill who really knows.

The future probably won't be golden - but neither will it be as bleak as some have predicted. But whatever it is, I can see that there will always be a portion of the population who will be able to stand up, brush themselves off and make the best of things. I just hope that these people will still have the ability to keep the rest going.

I for one have serious thoughts about the reasons behind keeping those people around. Although I'm not sure I'd want to live in a world where everyone is going at 100%, 100% of the time. That would be a little scary.

TV

I watched a very interesting show this evening. Unfortunately I must use the word "show" as it was on FreeToAir (Yes, that is the required name, the advertising doesn't seem to include a budget for spaces). Fortunately it was on the ABC (government funded and all that jazz) so I'm trying to think it's somewhere in the warm zone between the frying pan and the fire.

Anyway, it was presented by a favourite actor/comedian/all 'round nice guy - Stephen Fry. It was nicely titled "Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive". Nice it was, informative it certainly was, educated as only Stephen Fry can be. Yet I was still waiting for it to go that little bit too far. I was preparing to cringe whenever a school yard was walked through. Whenever a lab with white coats floating around was filmed I almost grabbed a cushion to hide behind.

But I'm glad to say, I didn't cringe nor hide. This being a UK / IWC Media production, there was just enough information to bring thought into the subject but not over the top that one had to turn off for not wanting to cringe right out of the room.

The subject matter was good for me, it opened my eyes a little to something that very few people want to discuss and those that are able to discuss it never seem to be able to express what is going on. Mr Fry's frankness about this side of his being let me view the subject matter without too much emotion but employ some empathy to allow me to understand his point of view. Then to extrapolate this into other situations and people around me, including a few people I went to school with and thought there was something beyond punishment that they needed. I doubt many of them are getting much more than that to this day.

It also made me question, once again, what we consider normal. It's just an odd thing that I detest using it to describe myself. While I might not be "special" and perhaps I am "the all singing, all dancing, crap of the world" I still think there are parts of me that are certainly not normal when looked at seperately. One must realise that at times it is the destination, it is the whole that matters, not just the little pieces or the next corner that is used to describe everything there is to be.

I've noticed I'm being lazy

Especially when it comes to blogging. So I've given myself a few ideas.

Actually I'm stealing a few ideas in the hope that I can trick myself into posting more. Perhaps even about interesting and varied things.

So, stolen idea #1 - book review. With a twist. I'm not going to review a book I'm reading currently, nor am I going to actually "review" the book. I'm going to review my thoughts that, in reading the book, I was able to dwell on and savour.

Stolen idea #2 - interesting news article. Actually I have no idea where I stole this from, but with all the recent "exciting" articles in the news (and other sources) I figure I could have some sort of opinion on them too. Even if it's just me typing "THIS IS SHIT" over and over again. We'll see.

Stolen idea #3 - Other media review. As with my book reviews, but in this case movies, TV, etc. Well actually just movies and TV. I couldn't be bothered with anything else.

Stolen idea #4 - Actually I think this is one of my own, but knowing my luck if I said that someone would find a link to where it "really" came from. So, I stole it - but I have no idea where from. Random thoughts. Just one or two lines, nothing too much. Just pure random garbage that I won't actually go in to until after the fact. So to speak.

So there we go, lots of ideas to keep me busy and away from people poking me and asking why I'm not blogging. Perhaps it's that a lot of my thoughts are for me alone and I'm not about to share them with all and sundry - or perhaps they are thoughts I want to share with a select few people. Really, when will people learn that creativity isn't something that can be poked and forced.

And yes, I have been lazy. To use a statement from a book I just read "Get over yourself".

Indeed.

First meme (I think)

I don't think I've posted a meme on this blog before, I'm sure I've answered a few questions in one once, but what the hell, here goes nothing.

I yoinked this from Cathy, who I believed yoinked it from someone else.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
2 things come to mind - getting involved with a wonderful woman and having the quickest job turn around in history.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions and will you make more for next year?
Didn't make any last year, haven't really decided about this year. I have a few "goals" but no "resolutions".

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A couple of old friends, a couple of new friends, I'm sure a lot of people I can't remember.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not last year.

5. What countries did you visit?
I was a homebody. Again.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More love. Money. Stability.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Feb 4th, June 10th, Dec 11th.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Accepting sometimes I have to fail to move forward.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Getting myself stuck in a situation I'm not so sure about (No, not relationship)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope, well aside from the general overweightness.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Purchased. 2008. Umm ... Maybe 2009.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
I have to mention Cathy here - because the growth she has experienced in 2008 is amazing.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Pretty much every politician and public "servant" on the planet.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Paying for a big mistake from long ago. As per usual.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Me? "really, really, really excited"? Yeah, this meme doesn't know me. Although my girlfriend coming home was pretty good.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Have no clue. Yup, even the "Top 1's of 2008" don't give me a hint.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder?, b) thinner or fatter?, c) richer or poorer?
Much, much happier. A little thinner. Pretty much the same amount of poorness.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Earn more. Live more. Experience more. Sleep more. Work less more

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Be nervous and overthink.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Spent the day with my beloved. Best christmas in a long time.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Certainly did. Pretty amazing too.

22. What was your favourite TV programme?
As much as people will scoff at this - I don't think I have a "favourite".

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't think I *hate* anyone. I pity a lot of people, but don't think I hate.

24. What was the best book you read?
Must start a book list this year - I can't remember their names!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Almost understood what tap is all about. Almost.

26. What did you want and get?
A relationship with a wonderful woman. Someone to have fun with.

27. What did you want and not get?
Winning a lottery. A job that pays me mega-bucks and let's me have 360 days off a year.

28. What was your favourite film of this year?
A number of very, very good films but nothing is standing out.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Last year of my 20's this year. I have a stretched out birthday, most with my amazing girlfriend. Dinner with Cathy, dinner (or was it lunch?) with my family and then a great drinking session with a few of my friends. Was a fantastic birthday.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not overthinking things so much.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Personal what now? I believe the word that springs to mind when most people see me is "conservative".

32. What kept you sane?
Who said I was sane at any time?

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
The most? I don't think there's one out there I'd drop everything for.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Global Warming and the Nanny State that was Australia (in other words the Net Censorship)

35. Who did you miss?
The same person I have for the past 16 years.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Cathy.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Sometimes it's ok to get what you really want.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I am the invisible man.

When chivalry is killed

I know, I know, two blogs in one day - scray huh!

So, today I had the dubious honour of riding on Melbourne's public transport system. Generally I try to use this whenever possible, it's easier than finding car parks where I go and I can get on my high horse about being environmentally friendly - then go have a 20 minute shower. But I digress.

Today I was on a tram, the second tram of today. As most places of work are still on holidays and those that aren't are really only there to have a reason for the lights to be on - the trams were quiet and a bit slower than normal. Plenty of tourists and elderly people stumbling around with glazed looks. Perhaps the tourists more than the old troublemakers. Anyway, as I got near my stop I did the right thing and pulled the cord and went to stand near (ish) the door. I had just given up my seat to a nice old lady who thanked me profusely and smiled as I went to get near the door.

Now for a bit of non-tram-user information. Generally there are 3 "doors" on a tram. One at each end (next to the driver, similar to a bus) and one in the middle. Generally the doors in the middle are bigger so people can enter and exit at the same time. Not so for the doors near the driver. Which is where I was attempting to remove myself from this vehicle. It is also considered "polite" to allow the people getting off the tram, the ability to do so and then get on the tram yourself. Now, keep in mind that I was within personal comfort zone distance from the driver, I could hear him breathing, and that I was near the door awaiting to get off.

Pulling the cord, I stood near the door - and then I noticed them. A few old people struggling to get on board. Well, I thought to myself, how about I be nice and let these people on before I get off (they were old people and had assumed they could do whatever they wanted first). Turning slightly away from the door, I let the old people off. The nice old lady who stole my seat smiled at me again and waved a little. As the old people shuffled past, I stepped towards the door - as it slammed in my face. I turned to the driver, as he turned his head away from me and pushed the dials and buttons to make the tram go. A slight "Umm, excuse me?" jumped from my lips which seemed to make the driver jump (I will not accept surprise, he knew where I was) to which he said "Oh, can't stop here - next stop up ahead". To which I stepped away from the closed door and pulled the bell again, the nice old lady was wide eyed with shock and I think I may have had quite a look on my face - a few people near the front of the tram looked a little uncomfortable as I surveyed the area to determine what I could use if the idiot driver missed the next stop.

Adding another 500 metres to the walk I'd have to take to get to my final destination, the stop finally came up and the driver opened the doors. Making sure I was the first there and the first out - I turned my head and mentioned "Perhaps next time you'll use your eyes to actually see?", before stepping off the tram and noticing most of the people near the driver nodding and pointing at the driver.

I suspect he might have been in for an interesting trip with the rest of the passengers. I know that anyone does that me again I'll be speaking to whoever it is who is running those things that week. It's really crazy that they removed the conductors, but perhaps they could have at least employeed drivers who remember they are driving the public and at times the public do have manners and are chivalrous.

*cough*

I was recently reminded that while my holiday was on and then work started back - I still had to blog and keep the general populace happy. Or at least off my back.

So here it is - a creatively tapped blog. I have nothing. But here goes anyway ...

I had a great christmas. I got stuff - I got "experiences" - and I got to spend time with people I really love. Especially one person. I'm not going to go into depth about what I got just yet - but they will pop up in my blog when they are used, or experienced. I promise.

I recently hit (again) a road bump in my general web surfing - I got bored. I surfed my "regular" pages, I read the blogs, I read the papers and forums - yet I was still bored. I even went to sites like www.bored.com and www.damninteresting.com ... but at this time of year they aren't any good.

So, my dear readers (stalkers, guilt-readers, google-searchers-for-cyber-sex-tips) what do you do when you have those times when you want to "do" something online yet there's nothing to do? I'm talking about those times when everything else is done (or you don't want to do anything) and there's nothing on the net ... like there's nothing on TV when it's all shit. Give me your hints - your tips - your links - anything. Everything.

And before you all link me to Cathy's blog about the neighbours complaining about the noisy sex ... for all of you who have meet Cathy - I need not explain further ... for all those who haven't - I don't want to risk my life explaining, just send the links.

hehe