Firstly, let me preface everything i'm about to say with the fact today will be my 7th day off alcohol. Addtionally, i've been trying to write this post for 7 days.
Since entering this new years resolution / life decision of sorts (3 months dry for those at the back), more than a couple of people have remarked that there is the potential that some people I know have never actually seen me sober. Just to clarify, that is not potential and it is not some. There are very definitely many people who have never seen me in any other state but drinking or en route to drinking. This is not designed to be an emotional or depressing fact, it is what it is and I dare say there are a lot of people out there who, if they thought about it honestly, would say the same.
Since my youth, I've always had a somewhat interesting relationship with the bottle. I wouldn't necessarily say damaging (although there were definitely times when it was), rather, I've just always had an oversized healthy appreciation for it (thanks mum!).
Right now, I would definitely call myself a social drinker (albeit a VERY social one)and the reasons behind social binge drinking have always fascinated me. We often talk about health, standard drinks, joke about kidneys and livers, transplants and ice baths and swap war stories of near death and the pumping of stomachs. Ironically, most of this is usually done over a cold one at the local or a cocktail or champagne at your favourite bar. We also kick around the term 'alcoholic' like its a badge of honour. However we very rarely talk about how or why. Please note, I say this not from a position of judgement at all (lest I need judge each of my former selves, :P), it is simply of mere observation.
This brings me to my next question: what actually constitutes an alcoholic? I have argued this at length with a great number of people in my life. I have heard everything from, 'anyone who drinks in the morning' to 'an alcoholic is someone who drinks to the detriment of their own finances' amongst a plethora of other reasonings. But to this I say, what about the shift workers, the once-weekly bingers and what to those who can afford it? Since when was affordability a measure of addiction? Dictionary.com (AKA The Bible) defines an alcoholic (amongst other things) as a person who is addicted to intoxicating drinks. Dependency and addiction are definitely the safest arguments i've heard so far but even that is fraught. For example, I once knew a guy who couldn't start his day without three shots of whisky, neat. Dependent, yes. Addicted, yes. Alcoholic, most would say without question. Problem was that was the only drinking he did, ie. if you erased the hours between 7-8am, he was an utter and complete teetotaller. He just needed his whisky in the morn'. He could afford and it never affected anyone else in a social context adversely. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
I am perfectly willing to admit the primary motivation for my 'anti-booze' kick was monetary. While I certainly don't think my health is going to suffer for the fact i'm doing it, i'm entirely unsure of my commitment to it if my back pocket wasn't also feeling relief from the sting. As such, I think all of my comments here are merely me letting my brain run, rather than any sort of general avowal to give up the booze on a more permanent basis. I also seek not to deride alcohol or anyone who has suffered or is suffering the effects of alcoholism in any way. I just find it interesting that for a product that is so over saturated in society we rarely talk about the negative effects, or the fine line a fair percentage of us are treading.
So why this rant? Well, I spent the better part of 7 days trying to come up with a purpose or an overall question or even just a justification for wasting my time and others in investing in this post. Its taken me till now to realise I didn't need one.
Drinking is / was / will always be a big part of my life. My task this year was to spend more time looking at each of the components that make up the whole. So here itis, my perspective, on day 7 of shininess, with the glimmer of a sober #shtbox in my eye. Dear readers, I encourage you all to share yours.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
2010: The Year of the Bonsai
Let me start by saying I absolutely love Bonsai trees. Nothing to do with their size, or their alleged cuteness or the fact they're really quite incredible specimens to lose a few hours of your life just pleasantly staring at.
No, the real reason they fascinate me is to do with the people that tend to them and the mindset that sits below the surface of that. During the time I was living in Tokyo there was an old man who used to tend his Bonsai garden just around the corner from where I was living. I discovered him in the act whilst on a random ramble one day and subsequently was enamoured enough to try to spend at least a few moments each day trying to (covertly) spring him again. The intense focus, the care, the diligence, and most importantly the comfort with the langurous pace was intoxicating. It still is. But more on that a little later.
Moving onto the topic of everyone's musing in the post-ham (or prawn) interlude between Christmas and New Year, 2009 has been rather epic, even by my lofty standards of craziness. Without going into a full recap (or even a highlights package) of the insanity, suffice to say it has been packed full of some of the biggest bumps, challenges and dodecahedranal corners that I have ever had to negotiate in my somewhat short existence. Conversely however, it is largely due to these sharp edges that I have had the distinct pleasure of the blossoming of new relationships, the solidifying of old relationships, and the rediscovering of relationships that I had considered long since (absolutely and completely) dead. Those people know who they are and I sincerely hope they know that I cherish what they've given (and continue to give) me everyday.
Chatting to a few friends during this week and indeed the latter half of this year, the recurring theme seems to have been unexpected growth. Whilst nobody seems to have had a year of rainbows and leprechauns, never have I been more struck by genuine change in people, especially those I least expected it from. Watching it has been one of the most stimulating and exciting things i've ever had the pleasure to experience.
Next year, for me, i'm hoping for a fraction more measurable achievement and, more importantly, to build on the experiences and the lessons of this year(undoubtedly with yet more, crazy ones). If you happen to still be reading, i'm going dry from Jan 2 (given post midnight still counts as Jan 1) until I head off these shores in search of wild adventure in the jungles of Peru and Ecuador (March 23). I'm seeking not to make it a resolution, just something that's happening, a clean start and (as an added bonus) undoubtedly a financial windfall. And this brings us back to the bonsai, :).
Hands down one of my worst traits is not appreciating the value of time and ceasing the bounce for long enough to savour an experience. I know this is what fascinates me about bonsai and its something I want to understand better in 2010. So there, if you want a resolution, thats the one i'm hanging my hat on.
Anyhow, for a 'brief retrospective' this post has gotten rapidly out of control, :P. The inevitable hermitude that will result from the success of the goals will undoubtedly mean that this will the first of many that will ring in the new year. So I leave you with one of my favourite songs, which I hope will be a theme for next year. And in honour of it, and everything just mentioned, dear readers, I would love to know your favourite book line (bonus points if you read it to me), :).
No, the real reason they fascinate me is to do with the people that tend to them and the mindset that sits below the surface of that. During the time I was living in Tokyo there was an old man who used to tend his Bonsai garden just around the corner from where I was living. I discovered him in the act whilst on a random ramble one day and subsequently was enamoured enough to try to spend at least a few moments each day trying to (covertly) spring him again. The intense focus, the care, the diligence, and most importantly the comfort with the langurous pace was intoxicating. It still is. But more on that a little later.
Moving onto the topic of everyone's musing in the post-ham (or prawn) interlude between Christmas and New Year, 2009 has been rather epic, even by my lofty standards of craziness. Without going into a full recap (or even a highlights package) of the insanity, suffice to say it has been packed full of some of the biggest bumps, challenges and dodecahedranal corners that I have ever had to negotiate in my somewhat short existence. Conversely however, it is largely due to these sharp edges that I have had the distinct pleasure of the blossoming of new relationships, the solidifying of old relationships, and the rediscovering of relationships that I had considered long since (absolutely and completely) dead. Those people know who they are and I sincerely hope they know that I cherish what they've given (and continue to give) me everyday.
Chatting to a few friends during this week and indeed the latter half of this year, the recurring theme seems to have been unexpected growth. Whilst nobody seems to have had a year of rainbows and leprechauns, never have I been more struck by genuine change in people, especially those I least expected it from. Watching it has been one of the most stimulating and exciting things i've ever had the pleasure to experience.
Next year, for me, i'm hoping for a fraction more measurable achievement and, more importantly, to build on the experiences and the lessons of this year(undoubtedly with yet more, crazy ones). If you happen to still be reading, i'm going dry from Jan 2 (given post midnight still counts as Jan 1) until I head off these shores in search of wild adventure in the jungles of Peru and Ecuador (March 23). I'm seeking not to make it a resolution, just something that's happening, a clean start and (as an added bonus) undoubtedly a financial windfall. And this brings us back to the bonsai, :).
Hands down one of my worst traits is not appreciating the value of time and ceasing the bounce for long enough to savour an experience. I know this is what fascinates me about bonsai and its something I want to understand better in 2010. So there, if you want a resolution, thats the one i'm hanging my hat on.
Anyhow, for a 'brief retrospective' this post has gotten rapidly out of control, :P. The inevitable hermitude that will result from the success of the goals will undoubtedly mean that this will the first of many that will ring in the new year. So I leave you with one of my favourite songs, which I hope will be a theme for next year. And in honour of it, and everything just mentioned, dear readers, I would love to know your favourite book line (bonus points if you read it to me), :).
Monday, October 12, 2009
Pioneers
"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time" - T.S.Eliot
Its time to come down to the Factory and explore getting Born in the Doorway with some punks, some friends, some artists, some lights and some love. Part gig, part art exhibition, part performance, part light-show, and totally all yours to play with, :).
It is apparently also time for me to be stirred from my blogging reverie. I could think of no finer cause. Check it out this Saturday from 8pm...
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Night Terrors
Sleep deprived but never sleepless. Wakeful but never an insomniac.
Its a weird plane to exist on sometimes.
I've learnt to love night hours and the journey of the dark. The way the stars can dance or shelter in infinite and complex arrangements, changed irrevocably by simply the most mundane shift in the breeze. Or the way the light and the tone of the clouds alters so subtlely in every hour after one.
I know people often fear that they will never wake up from slumber but, in truth, I fear sometimes that i'll never go to sleep.
Or maybe that i'll like it better that way.
Its a weird plane to exist on sometimes.
I've learnt to love night hours and the journey of the dark. The way the stars can dance or shelter in infinite and complex arrangements, changed irrevocably by simply the most mundane shift in the breeze. Or the way the light and the tone of the clouds alters so subtlely in every hour after one.
I know people often fear that they will never wake up from slumber but, in truth, I fear sometimes that i'll never go to sleep.
Or maybe that i'll like it better that way.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Bliss is...
Freezing weather, cobblestone streets, industrial madness, a thriving alternative vibe and disused bomb shelters that double as concert venues.
Beer, burlesque and brötche ain't bad either.
Beer, burlesque and brötche ain't bad either.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
T-Minus
18 minutes till this obsessive rort masquerading as internet connection runs out. So, enough time for a story or two or at least the first part of the ongoing multi-part-saga-esque Korean cyborg docu-drama.
Spent three lovely but unexpected days in SG with some old friends. Astro turf, monkeys and tigers proved the highlights, along with Mr Mok, Mr Lau and neverending vats of hawker awesomeness. :)
That being said...
If I never again enter Changi aiport,I will die happy. Knowing all the Qantas ground staff by first name is a bizarrely disconcerting experience. So farewell Sherwin, Jean, Clint, Amy and Jo, well, you can go f*ck yourself. :P Remember, stand-by can be fun kids.
Did manage to pick up a couple of new transit buddies in the waiting pen, although if you'd said to me five days ago I would be sharing a hotel room with two boys whilst laid over in Singapore en-route to Europe, I probably would have told you to get your head read, :). Very fun, random times.
Speed of this blogging caper is unfortunately relative to time remaining, which has now exhausted, so stay tuned in kidlets for episode two - the arrival.
Spent three lovely but unexpected days in SG with some old friends. Astro turf, monkeys and tigers proved the highlights, along with Mr Mok, Mr Lau and neverending vats of hawker awesomeness. :)
That being said...
If I never again enter Changi aiport,I will die happy. Knowing all the Qantas ground staff by first name is a bizarrely disconcerting experience. So farewell Sherwin, Jean, Clint, Amy and Jo, well, you can go f*ck yourself. :P Remember, stand-by can be fun kids.
Did manage to pick up a couple of new transit buddies in the waiting pen, although if you'd said to me five days ago I would be sharing a hotel room with two boys whilst laid over in Singapore en-route to Europe, I probably would have told you to get your head read, :). Very fun, random times.
Speed of this blogging caper is unfortunately relative to time remaining, which has now exhausted, so stay tuned in kidlets for episode two - the arrival.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Happiness is...
Magazines at Changi Airport informing me about 'Escapism' and instructing me to 'live your fantasy'.
That and free wireless internet.
More words and possibly pictures coming as soon as superbitchcheckinchickladyfromhell either boards me or bumps me from this next leg. :)
That and free wireless internet.
More words and possibly pictures coming as soon as superbitchcheckinchickladyfromhell either boards me or bumps me from this next leg. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
