... Whether the weather

Apart from someone pissing me off, the thing that affects my moods the most is the weather. The strange thing is that it's also very conditional. Even though I'd have an alright day, if the weather outside was ugly and grey, my mood would be a bit ugly and grey. If its sunny and shimmery over the harbour, I feel shimmery and squinty-eyed from smiling.


There are however, times that if it's pissing down outside and I know I am at home and not going anywhere, I love it. I also love to look outside my windows when there is a massive storm overhead. Its a bonus if its hailing or I am the first one to spot that its hailing!


Even though "the weather" is quite a boring topic, I still find myself talking about it and perpetuating conversation about it. When someone asks me how I am, I sometimes comment based on what I see or feel outside. I think about the weather and how it will affect me for the day, should I take an umbrella or a jacket or go to the beach?

It really is one of the best small-talk conversation topics! Sometimes though, I find that if a comment is delivered in a mundane way, it's really like someone is trying a bit too hard. I feel it's inevitable that if it looks like rain, someone will invariably mention 'looks like rain'. Quite a Captain Obvious comment. Same with when its a nice day. Someone will say 'Beaut' day isn't it?' What am I supposed to say apart from a 'yeah, it is'. Common! It's just too rhetorical.

I remember when I was young(er) and it was the lead-up to my birthday, I would hope and pray that my Birthday would be a glorious sunny day. The worst thing I could think of would be that it rained. Thankfully, I don't ever remember a birthday or a birthday party of mine where it rained, even in recent years.

Maybe the weather doesn't affect you as much as it does me, but as part of my quest for self-discovery, I realised just how important it is in my life! And you know what? Looking at the weather radar is increasing in popularity, so its not only me!

Radar - http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR033.loop.shtml

Files taken from -
http://thedestinationcenter.com/images/tourimages/12994200_1231543843.jpg - 11/08/09
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2270268883_7507054706.jpg?v=0 - 11/08/09

... How Does he Do it?

I am in awe right now about the Sydney Morning Herald's International Editor, Peter Hartcher. He knows about anything and everything! Albeit, it is his job and as editor of such a section, you would expect him to be privy to such information, but I guess I am just in awe of what his job is and how knowledgeable and opinionated he is about all issues.

Here is a link to all his most recent published SMH articles -
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/peter-hartcher

What I like most about his articles is how it is unpretentious and it's easy to understand. I feel smarter and better informed from reading his opinion articles rather than just reading a plain news item. It also helps that from whatever opinions I do hold, they are in alignment with mine (never a bad thing if you want an ego boost!)

I am currently reading his book, To the Bitter End. It chronicles the fall of Howard and rise of Rudd's Government. From what he writes, I'm prety sure to say that we are both biased towards Rudd. I guess it is this reason why I started to follow what he writes. I never thought I would read a political book, but then again, I never really saw myself as an opinionated political follower. Eeeek! I'm turning into my dad!

... Am I really Gen X or Gen Y??

I'm perpetually confused by this boxing in classification system. It's good in theory to categorise the different generations, but there needs to be something more substantial to it. Baby Boomers have been known by this term for quite a long time now but the newer ones are becoming arbitrary and not universally known I.E. Gen Z, the Tech-y Gen and iGen. (I somehow don't think that the babies of today will be iGen because something newer will be out and iGen is more like Gen - everyone (unfortunately)).

As the sub-heading concludes on my blog, I am "a Sydney-sider caught between Gen. X and Y ". I identify with many aspects of both but depending on who is interpreting the definitions. Some say Gen Y were born from 1980 onwards, others say from 1985. Well, one version includes me and the other doesn't.

In magazines, newspapers and spam from friends, there are a lot of the "You know you are Gen. X/Y/Z if you ... ". There is even a popular TV quiz show called "Talkin' 'bout Your Generation". To me, its like any other quiz show, you either know it or you don't and I don't think that just because you don't know who is Bob Dylan or Englebert Humperdink is means that you are excused from not knowing.

Gen Y currently has a bad reputation for overspending and not willing to buckle down and work hard. Gen Y is categorised to want to do it NOW and will be less likely to show respect for hierarchy. I just hope recruiters and public servants can see that we are not all bad eggs and that we do have our own personalities and are not just out to jump from job-to-job, getting higher and higher salaries.

I am more than happy sticking with a company if they show loyalty and respect to me, its a good environment to work in and that people don't just shut down my ideas just because I'm not a manager or partner. Don't judge me based on my birth year and don't assume all of us are the same.

How can you not?

Coming out of the "end of financial year" people are yet again, encouraged to take more leave. Now this sounds absolutely crazy to me. Really crazy! Why would anyone not want to take their leave or holidays? I thought Aussies were known for their relaxed ways? I guess I'm wrong or tides have changed.

I pity the Americans so much because they are known to be limited to maximum 2 weeks. It's the prime reason why I would never work there. I really don't know how they cope especially if they have family living overseas.




I would give huge Brownie points if my employer gave me 5 weeks annual leave, plus the option of flex-time. I am a traveller and an adventurer. I cannot imagine anything worse than not thinking and looking forward to a holiday or an adventure!

Anon.

I often wonder why Sydney-siders behave and act in ways to contribute to the anonymity of our city? We live in a great city, we have so much to offer, we're a diverse bunch and yet I find people just don't give a damn about other people outside of their own little world.

There are so many groups, clubs, blogs, online communities out there, you'd think this would promote a more community feel. It doesn't. With an increasing reliance on the web, people are becoming lazier to meet new people and to go out of their comfort zone.

I see people who have such a huge dependency on being connected, knowing the latest news, constantly listening to their MP3/iPod and always being online. These people forget that there is a person right next to them!

I will take ownership and say I am one of these people but I do try and not become a hiding anonymous. I wait for my bus without my music playing. As I get off the bus, my earphones are pulled off and I say thanks to the driver. If I am in the aisle seat, I try to ask the person next to me if they get off here (here being Wynyard) I order and wait for my coffee without any technology in my hand.

I don't like shopping as I'm talking or listening to music. I like to channel all my senses into shopping and its useful when you want the assistants to be attentive. When having dinner with someone and they are late/in the bathroom, its a sign of anxiety and nervousness to be fiddling with your phone. Just enjoy the moment and smile at someone!

... My Best Friend is Dying.

I don't want to be overly dramatic but it it's quite a traumatic time for me. My best friend is dying, my good little jeans.

I love them so much! I have so many memories attached to them and I wish they would last forever. I should have been more selective when wearing them as they are now freying from over use. Ha! Listen to me. I bet you I will wear them again, I just hope no one else notices the state they are in.

Ahhh the memories!! I rememeber that I bought these jeans on a beautiful sunny day in Krakow, Poland. I call them my Krakow jeans. At first they were a squeeze but with time I knew they would give a little and fit me perfectly.

My Krakow jeans have given me the best fit of jeans I have ever worn! Better than the Sass & Bide, Levis, Jag's and other pocket emptying brands. If I ever want to feel better about myself, I wear these jeans. By doing them up means I havent gained any weight and I can feel at ease.

If ever I am in doubt, I wear these jeans. Daytime or night. They can be dressed up and down, worn to the movies or out for dancing.

It's surprising how one piece of clothing can mean so much to you and how it can influence your mood and behaviour. In the scheme of things, what really is a pair of jeans but beauty and value is in the eye of the beholder.

... No to the Bandwagon!

Yes, it is a bandwagon and I'm not boarding. My sister just bought another APPLE product. She started off with an I-pod, it gave her endless troubles and then got it replaced. She's on her second Mac, the first one was stolen and just bought an i-Touch (I wonder if it will also be one of two?)

Now I am a sucker for advertising and buying things however I am not compelled at all to buy anything APPLE or "i" related. It's just not me. They are too trendy, too 'look at me', too everywhere and too mainstream. I am not mainstream and I am not someone who blindly accepts what society dictates.

If there is too much hype about something, I generally start to block it out, I don't want it and if I can help it, I don't want to be a part of it. I choose NO to being a victim of mass hysteria or publicity and don't want to be a number. That said, I am on Facebook, I have worked in a multi-national and unfortunately, CBA only recognises me as a client and account number.

From self psychoanalysis, I guess my rebellion against the bandwagon came down to my childhood and not fitting in at school. I didn't have light brown/blonde hair, I never had the right sports shoes and my name is funny sounding (yes, Barack and I have something in common!) I don't always suit what is fashionable and I can't afford to buy the latest phone every two months, but you know what? I (slowly) know who I am and what I want. I like being different and knowing what I do and do not like. I cherish my one-off pieces of jewellery, my slight ethnic style and love having a name that not everyone else has.

I have not read nor watched the Da Vinci Code/Angels and Demons. Never been to Bali, its not on my "must see" places. I have a blog but I don't publicise it too much. I didn't watch Sex In the City/Underbelly when everyone else watched and I didn't apply for a grad position after finishing uni. I'm taking the road less taken and that is making all the difference! (with apologies to R.Frost "the Road not Taken").



Images:
http://www.norman.k12.ok.us/087/webpix/Bandwagon%20Final.jpg