I love Melbourne

Despite looking like a stunned mullet in this picture, I had an awesome time in Melbourne this weekend.
The trip was the one I mentioned a week or so back about being the challenge I set myself, to do something out of the comfort zone.
So it was a trip to Melbourne, where I knew nobody and very little about getting around even though I had been there once before, about nine years ago. My situation then was much different to now, though.
I flew down on Friday lunch time and arrived in Melbourne to temperatures of about 45 degrees (Celsius), the city having been in the middle of a heatwave. It was hot, no doubt, but fortunately it was a dry heat with very little humidity and that is a lot easier to handle.
I arrived at my hotel in Carlton and changed my shirt, then headed off into the city to explore.
I remember just as I was walking there how awesome it felt to be doing it. I made it to the city in about 10 minutes and took a tram ride around the city until I arrived at Federation Square.
The first thing I wanted to do was check out the Australian Racing Museum and it was good, as far as museums go. I then walked along the river to Rod Laver Arena where the Australian Open tennis was being played and caught another tram back to the city.
I met a guy on the tram who was from, well I'm not sure where exactly, Canada or the US I think and he was telling me how he was going to St Kilda. After a bit more walking around I decided to head that way myself and caught another tram down there.
I walked along St Kilda beach, which was packed as you'd expect with the weather, and had dinner there as well.
After that I caught another tram back but caught the wrong one and almost ended up getting lost until I realised I needed to get off. I walked a few blocks back towards the city and eventually got onto the right tram. By this time it was much more comfortable and I found people to be generally pretty nice. There was one idiot who tried to pick a fight with a tram driver and another guy on a bike that almost collided with a tram I was on.
I walked back towards my hotel, it was 9pm by now, and missed the street I needed to turn down and got a bit lost but I didn't really mind because I was enjoying the walk despite being a bit tired.
I hung out in my room for a while and went to bed a bit late, then got up Saturday morning to prepare for my trip to the races (of course). More on that shortly.

Late resolution

I'm not one for making new year's resolutions and this isn't one of them but a resolution is a good word to describe this decision. A vow, promise to myself are other good ways.
A hobby of mine from a long way back has been to have a bet on the horses, only natural when you look at my job.
Several years back a friend challenged me to go a month without betting and I did and got through it fine, so much so that I kept up that one month off each year for a few years.
I've decided I'm going to not bet for the month of February. Not only is it good to stop I think that I need to as I've been pushing my limits a bit from time to time and while that's okay if you keep winning the reality is that you also go through periods of losing.
That's where people can get stuck and drawn into addiction. Also, February is an expensive month for me with car registration due. So it makes sense to me to kill two birds with one stone. Funnel the bulk of my funds, where necessary, into the car and save the rest. Another good thing about February is that while there are a few major races it is not until March and April when the best comes along again so I won't feel like I am missing anything.
I don't have any concern about not being able to keep it up but I would like to ask for others to check up on me, ask me about it during next month.

Inside information

Some people see introversion as a great thing, or a defining thing about them. Sometimes I think there is an extrovert inside trying to force its way out.
The struggle between wanting to be one way and accepting that you are who you are is an interesting one. I look at other people and wonder how they became how they are. Is it just nature?
I don't have this desire to all of a sudden become this completely out there person but I often wonder if I could be. I like my own space from time to time, I enjoy curling up on the couch with a movie or box set of One Tree Hill or one of my other guilty TV pleasures.
I see life very much as a contact sport.
Now I don't mean we should be causing harm to people or grabbing their `wheels' as some have done in rugby league this week. People were created for relationship with each other and the human touch has such a powerful effect.
Everyone needs their own personal space, definitely, but in a big city like this one we have lost sight of the fact that there is great comfort and energy to be drawn from the simple touch, and not just in the secular world. A handshake, a hug, a pat on the back, a friendly embrace. It's all good.
The guy who planted himself in Martin Place and started the Free Hugs campaign was on the right track. It's something so simple and he made it all the way to Oprah.
I reckon tomorrow everyone should make an effort to do one `good deed' or make a simple gesture to make someone else feel good.

Songs To Love And Die By

We don't realise how precious life is and how little things like telling the people you love that you care about them can make a difference.
We don't realise until something bad happens.
Since I saw the film It's A Wonderful Life in late 2006 it has struck me that you just don't realise the impact you can have on other people and the impact other people have on your life.
I'm here to say we should start realising.
Of all places I was reminded of this when I was getting back into One Tree Hill last night. Based on the aforementioned classic movie is the episode Songs To Love And Die By, where Lucas gets the opportunity to see what life would have been like in Tree Hill if he was a different type of person, that is, not the good guy he is.

In a voiceover Lucas (pictured) says: Have you ever wondered what marks our time here? If one life can really make an impact on the world? Or if the choices we make matter? I believe they do. And I believe that one man can change many lives... for better or worse!

There are a number of people who have had a profound impact on my life and were they not there I am certain I would be a different person myself and may well be in a different situation.
What a difference you could make to someone just by smiling at them or saying hello, asking how they are. You never know what is going on in someone's life and by acting kindly or doing something positive could change their life for the better.
You don't need to be a super hero to save someone. You just have to be there.

I try to make sure those I care about know that. Sometimes I might sound silly but at the end of the day I'd rather them know how I feel.
Life is too short. Take the risk, a leap of faith. Tell your friends. It can only do good.
And at times there seems there isn't enough good in the world. Even if there is, there is always room for more.
So what are you waiting for?

Challenge accepted

Without going into detail, on Friday I'm taking up a challenge.
It's not something that in itself is difficult but something that became difficult due to circumstances of a couple of years ago.
But I've decided there is now no reason why I can't try and am going to give it a go. Like I said in theory it will be fine but it is something I really need to do, partially to prove it to myself, to feel a bit more `normal'.
I'm looking forward to Friday, for several reasons, but the challenge is an enjoyable activity (of sorts) and hopefully will help ease the restrictions on my boundaries. Most of you know what I it is but it's fun to be a bit cryptic from time to time.
Wish me luck!

Guess who's coming to dinner?

OK, thanks to Jono I have to name four people (past or present) I would invite to dinner should I ever feel the urge. As he remarked, this is clearly a way to weasel out some part of one's personality that isn't already on display.
If I did this again another day I may come up with four completely different people, but here goes.

Michael J. Fox - I find the recent turn in his life fascinating, encouraging and important. Notwithstanding my love of the Back To The Future series, which I'm certain would be hot dinner conversation, his experience and outlook would be worth paying to hear about.

Michael Petersen - He's not famous for anything (as far as I know) but he was my best mate at university for about 18 months and then he vanished. I'd love to know what has happened in his life. He was an awesome guy when I knew him and given I can choose anyone I couldn't imagine not inviting him.

Princess Diana - I guess I was one of those people who has been captivated by her. She truly seemed to be the perfect princess and a wonderful person. She appeared charming, gracious and very much a lady. I still choke up when I hear her version of Candle In The Wind.

Drew Barrymore - I don't know what to say, I find her intriguing. I love her romantic comedies of recent years, and Charlie's Angels, and she's done so many interesting things in her life to date. Plus she seems like fun.