and the gold logie goes to......

When was the last time you saw a great Australian film or TV show?  If I were to peruse the guide for tonight's viewing, I would find a plethora of "reality" shows (which in my opinion are the death of television, the epitome of the dumbing down of society), a number of American sitcoms (more a guide on how to be part of the "sheeple" brigade), a couple of documentaries (for those of us still in existence that crave knowledge) and Dr Who (old school brilliance).

Is it really better to import programs/ film and does it actually matter?
No and Yes!
Local programming is relevant to the province. We can smell, touch, believe and embrace a local production. We can live it. Imported programming is unfamiliar but gives us an insight to how other regions view society, the world and each other.

It all began in 1950 when the Menzies government ok the ABC to broadcast in Sydney & Melbourne (plus one commercial station each).  It took until late 1956 that we actually saw our first television service! There were some iconic productions that started pretty early in the piece. We had "Homicide", "Skippy" and "Here's Humphrey" in the 60's. The 70's welcomed the birth of classic programming such as "Young Talent Time", "Hey Hey It's Saturday!", the cult classic "Prisoner", the legendary "Countdown" and the controversial "Number 96".  Aussie drama hit us in the 80's with "A Country Practice", "Sons and Daughters" and one cannot ignore the phenomenon that is  "Neighbours" (long time fans will remember it being dropped from network 7 but quickly picked up by network 10).  The 90's recession brought us "The Simpsons" and both Ray Martin of "60 minutes" and TV drama "Blue Heelers" dominated the Logies in this decade. The naughties delivered digital reception (bonus!) and reality shows.

Australian film started much earlier.
Twas in 1906 that the very first feature length film was made. Guess where? Australia!  What was this film? It was "The Story of the Kelly Gang".  Since then, Australia has produced timeless classics such as "Picnic at Hanging Rock", "Mad Max", "Crocodile Dundee", "BMX Bandits" (showcasing the uber famous Nicole Kidman PRE "not having had" botox!), "Romper Stomper" (introducing Russell Crowe), "Muriel's Wedding" (featuring the delightful Toni Collette), "Moulin Rouge", "Animal Kingdom" and who could forget one of my all time favourite Aussie flicks, "The adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" starring one of my favourite Australian actors, Hugo Weaving and old Neighbours heartthrob Guy Pearce.

So, what's your take on Australian production?
For me, I've always been a great supporter of local talent.  Australian TV and Film has an edge, it gives me something that those big budget concoctions fail to deliver. The industry must remain alive for it encourages the Australian creative flamboyance, spirit, diversity and humour. Do we all really associate with the US drama series? the old school UK comedy? Is the imported program cheaper or easier than producing local shows? Is it a part of social conditioning?  I remember growing up on home grown talents, will your kids? (or the kids you know)......

what's love got to do with it?

I've seen both good and bad marriages. I am always intrigued as to how they work. Who rules the roost? Here is a brief history:

ln ancient Greece, single and childless men were treated with scorn.  Marriage was a practical matter.  It has been said that the men would spout "We have prostitutes for our pleasure, concubines for our health, and wives to bear us lawful offspring".

The Romans, while husbands definitely had the upper hand over their wives, it was not frowned upon for men to have homosexual relationships. Over the years, things changed from a husband being able to punish, sell or kill his wife and/or children (if he saw fit) through to somewhat fair laws for women; where she had the right to divorce and the dowry could be repaid back to the family.

Israel, like Europe also had the belief of selling off their daughters (the ring being the symbol of purchase). With the rise of religion, priests and ceremonies were introduced to most marital ceremonies. 


Even good ole Captain Cook saw things that would shock most Westerners today. It was in Tahiti that he wrote about “A young man, nearly six feet high, performed the rites of Venus with a little girl about 11 or 12 years of age, before several of our people and a great number of natives, without the least sense of its being indecent or improper, but, as appeared, in perfect conformity to the custom of the place. Among the spectators were several women of superior rank who . . . gave instructions to the girl how to perform her part, which, young as she was, she did not seem much to stand in need of.”  Apparently it was the norm to practice things of a sexual nature in a public forum.  Of course, today, in Western society, this would not be tolerated in any way shape or form.  The "man" would be labelled a pedophile and would hopefully be locked away thus preventing any other child being preyed upon in this manner.  Although, upon reading about ancient times, I have learned that most females were exposed to sexual experiences after their first menstruation. And, yes, you guessed correctly, they were to remain monogamous to their chosen husband.

Nothing is sounding very romantic or equal during these times.  It wasn't until modern times that marriage seemed to merge into something of choice between couples. It was only in the mid 1800's that civil marriages became legally recognised, at least in Germany, Wales & the United Kingdom.

There is the monogamous marriage between two people.
There is the single person (by choice or being widowed), the cheater and those either opposed to or denied the right to marriage.
Not forgetting, of course, the polygamist marriage between a man and numerous wives (from what I have been reading is more common that I ever realised!) Check out this map of prevalence world wide.  In a nutshell, it appears we adhere to the sexual rules in the society of which we live.  It is now accepted (in Western society) that people have sex out of wedlock and people of the same gender engage in intimate relationships.

Today, we like to think that marriage equals a monogamous existence... or do we?  Are there people out there that prey on those in an unsatisfied relationship for their own gratification? Are there those that get married because society and family expect it but are grossly unhappy? How about those that are clinging to "at least I'm not alone"? or is it a financial decision? A mortgage is virtually impossible on the average single wage.  Does everyone want children? Do they have them for the right reasons? What is the right reason? Or again, are we just obeying the laws of society and family? Does a ceremony, a promise and a ring still stand for what we think it should?


All of this leads to my main topic in question: Monogamy & Marriage.
I know of some people that thrive in their marriage and form a bond that seems to the outsider, unbreakable. Then there are others, they seem scared, misguided, confused, inappropriate or maybe they are just testing their own boundaries?  Of course, there is the scientific view that we share the DNA of the ape and monogamy is not a natural status. On the flip side, people will argue that we have evolved and are not slaves to our physical desires. 

I for one, do not engage in the practice of entertaining the cheating spouse.  But what if things are not so black and white?

The hero, the terrorist & the idol

I was thinking today, how easily one is labelled a "hero" or a "terrorist"; and all that comes with that. Where do Idols fit in with these labels? I consult my trusty pocket oxford (the 1934 edition);

*  The hero is a "demigod, man of superhuman qualities; man admired for great deeds & noble qualities".
*  The terrorist is one that "practises terrorism ~ a systematic intimidation as a method of governing or securing political (or other) ends.
*  The idol is the "Image of deity as object of worship; false god; object of excessive devotion"

Upon further reading, I found out that an idol inspires you and a hero teaches you. Strong words.
Consulting Google for today:
A hero is a movie, a motorcycle company, an  Enrique Iglesias song, oh and a Mariah Carey song. Ok, so this is clearly going nowhere.  I decide to look up news stories containing the word "hero" instead.
This is the first headline that comes up:
Into the smoke: cowboy hero raced to save lives
(re recent bombings at the Boston marathon)
Wow!! Images of a brazen lonely cowboy riding in on his horse, just in time to save the townsfolk from mass destruction is the image that comes to my mind. I'm thinking major fires and he saves families and livestock. Ok, I'm a fan of romanticism, obviously a real cowboy isn't going to be saving families and livestock at the Boston marathon but you know what I mean.

Now to read the article....
Ok, so said cowboy is an avid Anti-War protestor (a little extreme at times but I like that).  In a nutshell, he leaps into the injured crowd to help a man with badly damaged limbs. Both the cowboy and another man tie tourniquets around the injured mans legs. They found a wheelchair (this baffles me to be honest) and wheeled the injured man to an ambulance. 
Amazing? Brave? Courageous? Yes, most definitely! What lovely people to help this man (who ended up losing both of his legs). Heroic? Hmmmm... I'm not sure.

Today, a terrorist is someone in the Boston area.  Even images come up in the web feed search results.  And yes, we know Osama was "killed" on May 2, 2011 but of course he is still the most well known of modern day terrorists.  I'm finding links to possible targets for terrorism in Australia (are they trying to advertise?),  an article talking about why bombings have been rare in the USA over the past decade (change is good as a holiday?). I'm a little confused. Best I head to the 'news' section once again. I will again, choose the first headline. 

After the bomb, mass hysteria is the Boston terrorist's greatest weapon
Now this sounds interesting! To me, a terrorist is one that controls and/or kills many in an unruly rampage on the innocent. Mass hysteria, the perfect weapon for control.

Quote from the article:  "Joseph Conrad's secret agent declared that the bomber's aim was not to kill but to create fear of killing. That is why the terrorist and the policeman "both come from the same basket". The terrorist's achievement would be to generate such fear that the police would be reduced to "shooting us down in broad daylight with the approval of the public". Half his battle would be won "with the disintegration of the old morality" – by which Conrad meant liberal tolerance."

What a great article. Not what I was expecting, I have to admit. I was thinking it would be somewhat more generic and describing a Saudi male with a hatred for America. I stand corrected, although I wonder what my search results would have been had I written this last weekend.  I'm not sure if the Boston bomber is looking to secure political ends, I will probably never know the reason.  Who knows of the reason behind a madman? Really? It might be political just as much as it might be a narcissistic unstable character. Either way, not an ideal way to get your message across to the masses.

I decided to look up Idols and Heroes over the years.

2012
Idol - Loads of opinion pieces i this search about Olympians being Idols and film makers. Valid, I guess.
Hero - It was all about the Military working dog being a hero in 2012. I admit, I do have a soft spot for animal admiration

2002

Idol - Urgh.. first season of American Idol. If I look at Idolisation, I see stories about idolising sportsmen - a gateway to psychopathology (interesting), talk of idolising musicians & mothers. hmmm
Hero - A movie with the title Hero was released in 02 but I also found that a teacher in Conneticut saved her 20 students by putting them in a closest and praying (it kept them quiet).

let's jump back to 1982
Idol - It all seems to be about Billy Idol in 82
Hero - a passenger aboard Air Florida Flight 90, which crashed on take-off in Washington, D.C. on January 13, 1982, killing 78 people. He was among the six people to initially survive the crash. His actions after the crash, handling the initial rescue efforts as a first responder, became a well-known example of extraordinary heroism, although it cost him his life. He did not know any of the other victims personally. In fact, his identity was not even known until some time after the bodies were recovered.

What about say... 1952
Idol - Elizabeth Taylor & oh, the birth year of David Hasselhoff! An idol of other sorts.

Hero - tales of war heroes.

The Idol seems to have always been the celebrity and in 2013, that could mean you were booted out of <insert reality tv show> in the 3rd round.  Not  really people that inspire me. Each to their own I suppose. In this day and age of 15 minutes of fame granting Idol status to so many, I decide to label these forgettable idols as the "insignificant idols".

Heroes to me are amazing and rare individuals. I personally adore the war heroes. If I adapt the definition of hero to my own life, there have been many people and animals that have put others first, in the name of saving a life. It's a heroic act but I'm sure if it's heroism.

A hero is one that has earned the pedestal to which they are remembered upon. They are obsure characters that deserve the admiration for something they didn't do for the admiration (if you know what I mean). They fought for something important for all of us.  An idol, is someone I admire wholeheartedly for their ability to stand up in the face of adversity. They main gain personal benefits from their acts however they are definitely people we can emulate and embrace.

Not the news

Controversy!! Delta lopped off her locks!  (read this link as proof!)

And this is news, this is what crashes a website (click on the link for the story).  Not groundbreaking science, art, music or world events.... a flipping haircut!! For crying out aloud, controversial? Since when exactly is a long bob a controversial hairdo?

I make no secret that I am no fan of Delta Goodrem but this post is not about her.  It is about something much much bigger than her. Values.

It is no wonder that I have spent this week with TV banned in my house.  The only noise that is to heard at my home is from the refrigerator, the filter in the fish tank (no fish, just turtles), cats playing & the dog lightly snoring. Bliss! When did we become a society THAT obsessed with the fickle?  I, for one, love to follow fashion and music updates, it is a guilty pleasure but a website crashing over a haircut? I wonder how many hits the news page received when good old Maggie Thatcher passed away earlier this week.

On perusing the "breaking news" tonight, thus far I have learned that Japan has had another earthquake, some billionaire was awarded US$12m re phoney vintage wine and Paul McCartney is still the UK's richest man - seriously! no shit Sherlock, the Mac is loaded? that is news???? some mega rich cunt just scored another sweet $12 million because he was a "victim" of fraudulent labels on a wine bottle!! No jokes, this is a statement from the awarded..  Koch said "he planned to use the $12 million to continue his crusade to clean up the wine auction industry, including, creating a website that highlights fake wines and who sells them." I'm so glad he is putting his funds to such an important cause! What the hell?

I hope the people of Japan are safe tonight. It was a 6.3, I cannot imagine how terrifying. Think in 1995, in the same area, a 7.2 quake killed 6,400 humans. Don't worry though because Delta got a haircut & some guy is making sure our vintage wines are labelled correctly!

all the single ladies...

I consider myself a strong single woman at 38 years of age.
It comes at a cost.
I lost the love of my life at 35 and adjusting to the "young widow" label was very confronting. And here we are in 2013, I wear my heart on my sleeve, I speak out regarding issues I am passionate about, I am honest and I might say things you do not like.

Labels are bullshit and are largely created for the sheeple of society.  You know the ones, they need to pigeon hole you so that they can then judge you.  What a load of crap! I've been labelled so many things in this life, some derogatory, defamatory, depersonalising & yes, even the odd revering comments have come my way from time to time. All of them meaningless unless you have faith in oneself.


Society has far too many expectations on the widow/ single women in their 30s.
It honestly is beyond a joke!
One either mopes around wearing a head to toe black costume OR is the career bitch without a care in the world for anyone but herself.  Both these extreme stereotypes I find offensive, by the way.

Apparently, I should have had children by now or have found new love.  I have neither. Nor do I crave them. I have found happiness in the chaos & I do not take for granted that I now can laugh every day. I have an opinion, a mind of my own. I have a voice and I will use it.  Take the opportunity that you have been granted with and run with it.

I didn't choose where I am but I do choose who I am.

By day, I am an Admin Manager, in a male dominated environment. I have to be strong & assertive. Some might say "a bitch", I'd rather call it an individualistic approach to a managerial position. By night, I am a hopeless romantic that enjoys the solace of silence with a glass of Margaret River red wine (thank you to my fabulous Nanna for introducing me to the finest wines in the country!).  My animals are the only creatures allowed to make noise in my home after 5, unless of course, I have a craving to pull out my vinyl.  TV is poison (Louis Theroux excluded).

I dream of a life with my rescue animals, my loved ones and my journal.  It is quiet and peaceful yet at times busy and full of madness. Life is for living. Stereotypes are for the uneducated.

connected disconnected

everyone's plugged in, headphones, iphones. (myself included).
it is so robotic & vacant. everyone avoiding eye contact with another one of their own species.

to me, it's overload.
the constant "on call" (connected) lifestyle we all live. if its not work, its the phone, email or facebook or a text message or the cat or the dog or some cunting neighbour mowing their lawn when all you want is an hour of peace.

what's your disconnect?
the obvious answer is sleep but it's not what really makes the divide between the demands & the respite.

i can dissociate perhaps a little to easily. A skill I've perfected over too many years on trains with uncouth commuters. Be it in the form of blasting my favourite tunes or engaging in that all familiar distant stare out the window, you know the one, we've all done it (or at least seen others do it).

Tonight on the train we have your older educated yet stylish man reading the paper, early 20 somethings on ipads playing games, a guy in his 50-60s sporting a laid back surfy style, complete with peroxided locks!, why do women wear shoes that don't fit? honestly? i want to know. i could slightly understand if the shoes were Louboutin. Is this another command from the mags? the telly? For women to wear shit that is clearly too friggin tight & most likely uncomfortable? Sometimes I feel screaming at them that they are all brainwashed sheeple. I desperately want people to WAKE THE FUCK UP! What would happen if society did wake up?....

Why "The Biggest Loser" is bad

An introduction to my eating disorder... It all began when I was about 10yrs old. Having footage beamed into our lounge rooms every night of starving Ethiopian children just filled me with immense guilt. I would tell my Mother that I would eat less so that those kids could have my share (little did I understand about capitalism). I managed my eating disorder, staying at a healthy weight but trying every bizarre new diet on the market plus a few I made up myself. That was until I was 31 & I longed for the voice to return, the one that makes you strong & able to say no to food. Before I knew it, this "voice" had taken over my life. I was severely emaciated & weighed EVERYTHING before I even thought of consuming it. With the support of great people, I, luckily, have been able to recover. It's been a long road, I lost my soul. Since my recovery I have lost my fiance to suicide which lead to nervous breakdowns that landed me in hospital. Thankfully, anorexia didn't rear his ugly head this time. 

The Biggest Loser
I still recall the very first season.
Who knows what stage of anorexia I was at, what I do recall was being thrilled with the motivation it gave me to exercise after the episode.  Obviously, I wasn't the only one.  In the beginning, my partner & I would see a number of people heading out of their houses for a brisk evening walk or jog.  I thought this was a good thing. As the show continued, I saw the obsession with calorie counting, specific diets and of course, the Sunday nail biter "the weigh in".  I wished I could lose as much as them.  I couldn't.

As the years went by, in my opinion, the show got worse, more extreme. Today, I cannot watch it for I learned (the hard way) how to manage a healthy weight. All I see in the commercials is contestants being belittled, put down, yelled at, being sick, crying and with forlorn expressions. The saddest part is to think that this show is aired in a very family friendly time slot. Just trying to imagine how many families sit down to watch this program together makes me hang my head in shame. What have we become? I really do feel for all those kids out there that are subject to this propaganda.  The messages they must be learning could be not only damaging but life threatening. Let's think about it (from the mind of our inner child)...

• It is ok if people in authority yell at me and call me names,it does make me feel bad about myself but they are "trainers" so they must be "right"
• If i am thin i am worthy of a relationship (think back to the "Singles" series that aired last year).
• People cheer and get excited when I lose weight, it must be VERY important (and being 'big' must be VERY bad).
• I am defined by my size (which is only good if I look like someone who works out at the gym for a living).
• I now associate the word "loser" with someone who is bad (fat, lazy, greedy etc)

Fat shaming, the obesity 'epidemic' and  extreme over correction is no way to control expanding waistlines.
Why, as a society, can we not appreciate good deeds, intelligence, kindness and respect?  It all comes down to what we/they can sell.  I can only be happy that I am now in a fairly strong recovery because programs that embrace unhealthy under eating & obsessional behaviour would only serve as a trigger.

To this day, I cannot believe that this type of show is allowed on the air, with a failing public health system, it shocks me to see that people are being pushed to follow this extremism.  Show me a study that says losing more than 500g per week is healthy or a study that says morbidly obese people should be expected to work out in a gym (I was so worried that "Big Kev" was going to have a heart attack!), I now know what a healthy diet consists of, how healthy weight loss works and the importance of fitness appropriate exercise. From what I've seen TBL doesn't promote this.