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I did something kind of old school and ordered a CD online, it arrived today. Yes, old school. The last CD I bought was probably in 2005. So it came in the mail today, and to my relief the snails that have decided to put a vendetta out against my mail, had not eaten it. The dickheads keep eating my mail, and I take all the snails out of the letterbox and throw them into the bush, but then the next day they are back. I even try and surprise them by opening the mailbox suddenly, it does not work. Dickheads.

BACK to the CD. It was the OST of "Mary and Max", a brilliant film released a few years ago, and produced by a friend, it is claymation and set in Australia and New York, about the unusual and quirky penfriend relationship between a young girl with no friends and a middle aged man with aspergers syndrome. Now that sounds a bit weird, but its totally above board and such a beautiful film. The soundtrack has a main theme, originally written by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra, which speaks volumes for beauty to me. See the below clip to hear it.





And here is the trailer to the film, and wow, it has the music from above IN the trailer. Unreal hey.



It is St Pat's Day, and am I the only who thinks that since I am not Irish, it is not a day for me to celebrate. It is like all the Mongolian people getting pissed on Australia Day. Or maybe I am cynical or just got my shoes on the wrong hand today.

Some good new leads for work, and it really cheered me up.

Has anyone ever owned a panda suit, I am curious.

Flooded

When I say flooded, I am being a tad dramatic. I mean, I walked into my bedroom and half the bedroom carpet was a different colour. This was not because I was bored and painted it, but because it was water logged. Shit. The washing machine had decided to overflow again, at least it is functional at something right? I spent the next 2 hours soaking up the bathroom floor water with a towel and squeezing it into the bathroom tub. The water was brown. Then I soaked up the water in the carpet into a tub, but the water was yellow, I just refused to question why it was yellow. Still do, la la la.

I had my first dinner guests this week. Wednesday was Dan, and I cooked Chicken and Leek Risotto. Well it was meant to be pumpkin risotto but due to a fussy house guest I changed it last minute. No dig there.
Then on Sunday evening I had the guys I stayed with for the first few weeks in Melbourne over, and cooked corn bread, fresh guacamole and chicken chilli con carne. Was all yum! I was impressed. But this shant turn into a food blog, I aint Amy Adams.

So have had one full week in my apartment alone, and its pretty surreal. Love the feeling of doing everything for myself, but try not let the worry of having no job fill that enjoyment. I am beginning to consider bar work again, just to keep me sane and to meet new people.

Seeing the Tsunami/Earthquake on TV in Japan, once again we just do not comprehend. The thing is, we have seen all this before with Asia, Haiti, NZ etc, and we just see it and cannot imagine the experience or the great loss of life. Common experience between them and us is the only thing we have to relate. So we try and look for those common things on the TV. I dont know really, it is a grasp of understanding. Why these things happen or why these people.. always seeing it so far away we compute it will not happen to us. Dangerous to think like that.

Miss my old flatmates though... found this photo on my phone and forgot to upload it, from Christmas Eve last year at the beach. So much has changed already, but love that I have them in my life.

My first pad.

And when I say pad, I must highlight it is not the technology in your hand, or something you write on, or that other kind, but the kind that you live in, play in, dance in, sometimes cook in. You know?

I moved in on Monday and it was quite the trip down from Sydney. I actually really enjoyed it, Dad was with me and we chatted a lot, really did bond and get to know each other more. Which I always think is odd but makes sense, since he has been there since my birth yet you still get to know someone, even your father. He has been so amazing and generous and supportive and I am thankful to have him.

Mardi Gras was very interesting, as I was volunteering. I walked up and down the lanes between the floats while they waited to march, and observed a hell of a lot. But it was simply great to see, for one night, so much love and smiles in the crowd and audience and marchers. And to be a part of helping it. I returned home after a fun evening and read a friend's facebook and how he wrote out against the Mardi Gras and Sydney for being so immoral for supporting it. It got me upset, as it is so backwards and hurtful, especially as it goes against the Christian message that I grew up in. Another friend of mine wrote this in response and CCd me:

Hi Luke,

I saw your note on Mardi Gra. I believe you did that to inform those who do not know that what they might be doing is not okay in the eyes of God. It was brave for you to do this as I suspect you anticipated a negative response from at least some of your friends.

Having thought what you wrote; the entire scenario reminds me of 'Jesus and the woman taken in adultery'. A group of righteous people got together to condemn a person who they believed to be leading an immoral lifestyle. Jesus famously tells the righteous that the person without sin can cast the first stone.

My point is, the next time someone tries to tell Lucy Bates that Christians are loving, accepting people; do you think she will be more or less likely to listen as a result of your post?

I have only seen the public responses on Facebook. Based on these, nothing constructive has come of your post. Like-minded believers have patted you on the back while non-Christians are clearly agitated.

Have you received any feedback to indicate you have brought someone closer to God or even challenged someone to review their beliefs? I suspect not, but please tell me if I am wrong.

What were you hoping to achieve from the note you wrote? Why did you decide to post it?

If God has put this message on your heart, then I encourage you to meet people and form relationships and share what you believe God wants for their life.

I have included Lloyd because a) I know him, b) I think he would like to be included on this discussion and c) he is probably the most 'enlightened' of either side of this argument.

Apart from that I hope both of you are well and enjoying life in whatever you are doing these days.

Regards,

Rick.


To which I replied:

"Hey Rick

Interesting read and I totally see where you are coming from.

Lucy said what she did, because she herself grew up in the same church we did, but has gone on her own journey and is always so angry and hurt by the church and conservative words telling people what they can and cannot do, because of how damaged it made her. Hence why her reaction.

I believe Luke has a beautiful heart and Luke, you have come far in the past few years, especially in the way you have respected me and my own path. I know, especially as you live in Paddington, would have seen a lot more of the night as those in Engadine, and I do agree that there is quite a lot of sexual images pushed out there. And it is debatable if that is relevant or not to the original purpose of the parade. To gain the right like anyone else, to love and be free in a country such as ours.

I do agree Rick, that the Church has to stop with this putting fingers in their ears and shouting out condemnation. Did Jesus ever do this? No. AND the church is not Jesus, far from it. A human organisation, interpreting the scriptures, not just based on what they feel God is leading them to, but built up from a cultural background in 21st Century Australia, and the Western World. Where society views heavily influence what is OK and what is not, and interpretations of 2000 year old words can be looked at as a minority group in a society that does not understand things such as homosexuality. And they feel they are a majority because of it.

The same God made homosexuals, the same God has a path for everyone, including them. He loves them and sees them for who they are. I am so so tired and exhausted of having this sort of discussion because noone will ever know the true answer. But love is above everything, why point at each other and play the I am right, you are wrong game. People do not just DO things for the fun of it, or CHOOSE their path. It is there, and they have no choice when it comes to things like this. IF anything, the choice to not be themselves is forced on them and that is the unnatural thing, and this is where pain, hurt, self hate and depression come in. I have known those to commit suicide because of it. And one main reason, the church tells these people God "loves them but not the sin" ie, does anyone actually realise what that sounds like. That every process in their body is a sin, that everytime they have that desire in them, and for a guy, a lot of the time, is dirty and disgusting. And they never chose that desire. Which is actually a chemical in the brain, yet the Church tells them it is wrong, so one climbs to a roof, looks at the ground below and feels the wind on his face and knows that in a short space of time, this pain will go away, even though he is scared of the possible consequences and on top of the fact, he wont be alive anymore. OR the girl who looks on as the train comes closer, the cold steel of the train tracks, her last cold touch, like those at church, before she no longer has to feel alone, to just feel silence.

That sounds mighty depressing yes, but 1000's die, and its this ignorance and constant attitude that is causing this. And I know personally what it is like, to be at the crossroad, do I continue to lie and love a God who hates me, or do I be honest and accept I have to give up that faith I had. Cause I was told I had no other option. And it would have been so easy to end it all, but I believe I stayed so I can keep being an example that it IS ok. And everytime a Christian pulls a rope in the opposite direction, it simply breaks my heart. Cause each rope could be around a lost and broken person, and the death of them."





It may be a different blog to normal, but it is close to home for me, and I really needed to get it off my chest since it has been a while. It breaks my heart everytime they push it back to a place where we were 20 years ago. Or even 40.

As I sit here in my new place, still no job but got a gut feeling something good is happening soon. Gee I sound like a puffin with a high sense of how much my colourful beak rocks. Intelligent puffin I am.

That cafe (its like cake but not)

I have been told I need to wink when I am joking, as my sarcasm/humour (are those two words intertwined?) is sometimes undetectable. So when I say I love chocolate milkshake baths, I must wink. Or if I love the feeling of my hand being slammed in a vice. Wink. Is this a social problem needing to be fixed. Nah, its acceptable.

Have you ever noticed that the sound of a washing machine can be so loud yet you become so used to it, you do not even notice the loud beeping it does at the end to inform you it is finished. Nah neither have I. I usually just discover it the next day and realise I never got it out of the washer and not it smells of wet washing that has been sitting in the tub for a day, and its an Australian summer. Yeah, my favourite smell, yours too?

New faces. New places.

When you are in a time of change, the amount of new people you meet is overwhelming. You sometimes have no clue who is gonna stay an acquaintance and who is going to be a good friend. Cause I have tried to guess that before and it simply does not work. But then you also can tell. So I just totally made a contradicting statement!!

When you are also going through lots of change and moving cities etc and also have lots of time on your hands with no job, you assume you would be able to write a lot more. No. Not me. I just put it off. Maybe it is because it reminds myself that hey, not much has changed! But then again, it has.

Went to Sydney on the weekend, simply because I was meant to do some work up there but it fell through but my mate who I was going to work for, had already bought the non refundable ticket. So I spent 3 days wandering around the city and meeting up with friends. If I was honest, it wasnt very helpful in regards to moving forward. It just showed me the city I left. But I did see good friends and had some great conversations. I saw Tigh and discussed more about what happened in our situation, and saw one of my best buds Chem, who I lived with, and we laughed a lot. We also placed "Lets Get Married" on the jukebox, not even staying for it to play, but chuckling at what the scenario in the bar would be like when that song came on. Oh early 2000's your music really did suck a lot. They wont be saying that when I am old though.. or.. yeah they will be.

I bought a mattress today. Brand new one. I have not had a brand new mattress EVER. And the place I went had a special personal analysis machine, where you lay on this special bed and the computer measured your body weight etc and worked out what beds suited me. The nice sales assistant Sean helped me, and we chose a cheap and comfy mattress, he did not even judge me cause it was not expensive. There were mattresses for $4000, when some people sleep in a box. Just cannot justify that, I just made sure mine did not squeak.

The big move day is in 6 days. I cannot wait to write about that one, which will involve an early morning rise and 10 hours in a car with Dad. And I am actually not even being sarcastic.

I volunteered for Mardi Gras this year, helping with the Start area for the parade. The orientation was held on Sunday and wow, was interesting. Some lesbians with authority can be scary, cause they have an angry chip on their shoulder and assume you are gonna screw up and ruin the day. Share the love. Will see how we go on the day, next weekend.

Just for a mental note, ducks are not people. They are birds. Some people like to treat them as such.

Found a home..

Yes, a home for me is now on the cards for sure. Signed the lease on Friday. My first flat by myself. Will be good, I can do puzzles all night and noone else will care. Except me. I hate puzzles.

I move in 2 weeks, so 2 more weeks of couch sleeping, which will fly by!

There is this rocking Old school Milk Bar not too far from my new home, that I am totally going to go to often. Or will I? Have you ever started exploring a new area where you will live and you plan to do this and this, but then never do. It all seems like it will be all Soap Opera style, where you meet your friends at the cafe and chat and stuff. Nah. You will walk past it everyday and see Sue behind the counter and she will be making a milkshake for a school girl and her clingy boyfriend. And thats it. But yesterday some friends and I sat at the Milkbar in a moment and had a Calippo in celebration.





















Yesterday we were walking along and came across this Tram driver in despair. Wonder what was wrong....






















I have been told a few times now by someone that I struggle to make conversation. Meaning that sometimes when someone is speaking with me, I listen a lot and then do not provide any input into the conversation or provide my opinion. Nor do I instigate any conversation of my own. This made me worry a lot, as I never thought I had any issues with social interactions. And so I got quite defensive and arguementative, cause I guess you like to feel you are the qualified one. When really, why do I feel I would be the king of social interaction and behaviour? I may have just gotten lazy. I feel when I am comfortable in someone's company, I feel no pressure to always be talking. So it really took me off guard, and since this person is someone I really am quite interested in, I didnt know what to say. And that just made it more awkward. So we changed topic. Has challenged me a lot, appreciate being pushed. Do not want to be the bore but also the one to challenge them also.

PS. Melbourne looks nice too.

Kettle Balls

I was on a website and there was an ad for a kettle ball. I clicked on it, mainly cause it said "Aussie Kettle Ball!" Which made me wonder what the difference was. It seems there is none. And also just reminds me of old circus performers with black and red striped lycra pants and mostaches lifting them. Within 30 seconds I had typed in kettle ball and discovered they are a gimmick. Who would have thought...

So I went for a job interview yesterday at a massive corporation. Was so weird to walk into this building of 3000 people. There was even a coffee shop and restaurant near the lobby. It would be a great role, just keen to see how I go now and if I hear back. Talking about it too much makes you feel you wont get it. Know what I mean?

How good is Cider. Thats all I am saying. This is my favourite currently.






















I learnt how to boil a chicken. You put it in hot water and wait for it to cook.

The Day of the V.

Valentines day it is. Most bloggers will write about this, so I wont. Its just what I do. Buck the trend.

So I have been in Melbourne exactly 2 weeks now. I have had about 100 chai lattes and I think I have consumed alcohol everyday of the 14 days. Everyday has also been a day of food that is nice. We like that dont we. I have even considered a food blog because so many meals have been worthy of a photo. It also helps that the lovely Nick who I am staying with is a professional Chef. Makes me cower in the corner and NOT offer to cook anything, as it will look like a jar of baby food in comparison. Mooshy and easy, twist the jar and away you go.

Currently I am sitting in my PJs, which I have no idea where they came from as I usually do not own them. But because I am sleeping on a couch in someone's living room, a guy in undies is not the first sight you want to see when you walk into your living room, so magically I have PJ's in my suitcase. So am sitting here in my PJ's and clicking on Seek.com.au. This informs me that there are 209 "EA/PA jobs in Melbourne". Where?? I dont see them?? Legal firms, accountancy firms and financial firms. You may as well say, here there are jobs for suits and a desk and an office cubicle and you get paid reasonably to do stuff and then go home and come back again. That was such a lame attempt at describing establishment. I really wouldn't go so well in the anti-establishment. Boo. So, as you can tell, no job yet :) But I got a good feeling about this week.

I went to a house in St Kilda with a new mate Peter on Friday night, and it was one of those nights where, you didnt know anyone but by the end of the night and a few drinks later, you had danced with all three of their pet dogs in the loungroom and played with the curtains. I am sure you can all relate.

House hunting does kinda suck. I went to wait outside a flat where there was a viewing (not one of those regular days where you stand outside a flat for the sake of it and listen to what music the person will play next, fun game I know..) and 40 people turned up for the viewing. Is that enough to make you just walk away from the place and not see the inside, as it will be just cruel if you love it.

Feels like I have been here for quite a while. But it hasnt. Been.

Melbourne, lets have Chai.

I landed 4 days ago now. They charged me 140 dollars for additional baggage. When it was my pillow and some towels. Dad saw me off at the airport, he gave me a small note that said he supported me and loved me. In this day and age, it means a lot, especially from fathers from the generation who had fathers who would never say that kind of thing. I am lucky in that. The flight attendant did not give me such a note. She did offer me a cookie, it had apricots in it.

I lugged these costly bags onto the sky bus and then a cab from the CBD to my very generous and awesome friends Matt and Nick's house. I sat a bit spunout and surreal for a bit and then woke up enough (yeah not even jetlagged, cant have that excuse) to head to the city. Met Dan outside Flinders St Station, and had dinner in a pub, discovered midis are now called pots and scooners are now back to Pints. Brilliant. Had a great first evening.

The following days have been a combo of job hunting, flat browsing and seeing friends and exploring. I also bought a new pack of gum and some maggi noodles from a dodgey convenience store which turned out to be really inconvenient.

It begins to hit home slightly that I have a new life, and wont be seeing people as often as I used to, in Sydney, but hey, life is life. And, thinking of those who are experiencing the horror of Cyclone Yasi, cannot even imagine.

I had a fantastic set of leaving drinks with a great bunch of friends, a few photos were taken. And I say.. "a few".