What the f*#k?

Last night on Channel 10's new show "Can of Worms" the question was asked "Do Australians swear too much?". It just so happened that 2 of the guests had opinions at opposite ends of the scale where this subject was concerned, and it made for hilarious television. (You can view the segment here. It does contain swearing!)

I'd also noticed similar discussions on Twitter over the last few days regarding acceptable or unacceptable swearing. It's interesting to see where people's thoughts differ on the subject. At a brief glance there doesn't seem to be any pattern with regard to acceptability, aside from, what is generally regarded as the worst, the C-word. Generally speaking, it seems that women have a bigger problem with that word than men, although many men find it offensive too.

Personally, I don't have a problem with swearing. I do draw the line at the C-word though. But even there the line has blurred a little. I still won't say it, nor probably even write it, but some of the people I follow on Twitter do use it, some frequently, and I've become accustomed to seeing it used. Sometimes the context is even funny. I'm not so keen on hearing it, however.

Having spent most of my adult life working mainly alongside males of varying ages, sometimes in relatively high pressure situations & often being the sole female, I've gotten used to people swearing a lot. And consequently I probably swear far too much now. The F-word comes out often, as well as shit, crap and other less offensive words. I do struggle to keep the swearing under wraps when I'm dealing with the kids, not always successfully. I'm sure many parents have had "those" days, where they've let the odd inappropriate word out when totally frustrated with their offspring. I'm not proud of it, but it happens.

Where do you draw the line? Is "bother" the extent of your swearing? Maybe you're comfortable with the C-word? If you don't swear does it bother you if others do? It will be interesting to see how feelings differ!

I can't go a day without...

Everyone has their own favourite things, whether it's a feeling, a place, a person, an object. Some of those things are just nice and we feel blessed when we are able to experience them. But there are others that are our lifeblood. Things that we must experience everyday or life becomes a struggle. Obviously there are times when some things might not be possible, but go without for too long and I notice a difference.

I can't go a day without:

Tea or coffee. I'm definitely not a morning person, never have been. So don't expect anything useful from me before I've had a hit of caffeine. Of course, the trouble with trying to get 3 kids organised and out the door on weekdays means I don't often get what I want. Fortunately, my favourite coffee shop is only a block from school and they take very good care of me!

Hugs and kisses from my kids. The unconditional love from my kids can get me through the worst of days. From sleepy morning bed time snuggles with Thing 3, to my favourite big boy hugs from Thing 1, they're precious moments that can't be taken for granted.

Sunshine. Of course, this one is a bit out of my control, but there's no feeling that sun on my skin can't improve. Some days it might only be whatever rays I can catch while driving around. Others I might have the luxury of just sitting for a while, feeling the sun on my face. Overcast days are my nemesis!

Internet time. I know this one is very superficial, but as the saying goes, so many of my friends live inside my computer. I get my news and weather from the web. My work involves the internet. But mostly, it's the interaction from Facebook and Twitter that I need. Since most of my conversations during the day are with small people it's nice to be able to chat with other adults!

Clearly, food and sleep are necessary every day but in both cases it can often be poor quality and less than I need! 

So tell me, what can't you go a day without?

Everything old is new again

It seems to me that a lot of people around my age have particularly fond memories of their childhood & teen years. I don't know if it's more than other generations or if it just seems that way because I can relate.

That being said, I think we can all agree that the current trend of rehashing old movies & songs has really gone too far. There's nothing worse than singing along to a "new" song, only to have your child question how you know the words, then arguing that <insert current pop fad> was the first and only person to sing the song. And don't even get me started on Glee!

Even so, I can kind of deal with that. It's when they start messing with our classic movies that I have a real problem! The latest to get the Hollywood bastardisation is Footloose. I might be lost in nostalgia, but you don't go messing with Kevin Bacon.

And now I've seen that Leo DiCaprio is in talks to remake The NeverEnding Story. What kind of crack would you have to be on to think that would be a good idea?! Some things are sacred, for example no one has tried to remake Casablanca. You just wouldn't go there. But it doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon as this article shows.

I think I need a Bex and a good lie down, this is all too much for me. But first, I'll reminisce a little more...

What do you think of remakes? What do you hope they don't remake? What remake would you like to see? 

Home is where the heart is

Home.

The word can mean different things to different people. What or where is home to you? Is it where your parents live? Is it where you were born, or where you spent most of your childhood? Is it where you've mostly lived as an adult?

I'm a bit unsure. I guess these days for me, home is where my kids are. Before our recent interstate move I'd lived in the same city for most of the previous 30+ years. It's where I grew up, where I have many memories. But I don't think I call it home, it's familiar and comfortable, but not quite home. 

We haven't lived here for long enough yet for it to feel like home, but who knows, in the future it might feel that way. I think part of the reason I don't have that strong feeling of home in any particular place is because my parents moved a bit. There isn't the traditional family home to return to on visits. 

The closest thing I had to the traditional family home was my grandparents' place. They bought their house in Sydney when they were married in the 1930's, and lived there until they no longer could around 2004. The house hadn't changed at all in my memory, although there are photos to show otherwise. It, and my grandparents, were a constant in my life for over 30 years. As kids my brother and I would spend our school holidays there, our grandmother taking us on trips into the city or to the zoo. I think these special memories, and others created there over the years, is what makes Sydney feel like home for me. Even though I haven't lived there since I was 7, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling arriving in the city and I can't help but smile.

 

One thing I have to do every time I visit Sydney is head for Circular Quay. As soon as I catch a glimpse of the Bridge, the ferries, the Opera House I relax. I call it my spiritual place. Despite hundreds of people rushing about I can sit and watch the world go by, oblivious to the noise, and feel an incredible sense of peace. It's not exactly most people's idea of peace, but it definitely works for me.

Do you have somewhere that is truly home for you? Or a more spiritual place? What does home mean to you?

An end... and a beginning.

This week saw the death of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. How you refer to his death is a matter of perspective, and I don't want to get into the political aspects of the event. But I think it's safe to say, that depending on that same perspective, how you feel about it will likely differ from the next person's.

I do understand, however, the feelings of New Yorkers, and many other Americans, that it was not only justified, but necessary. NYC, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania needed that closure. They need to know, that despite whatever may come, that chapter is closed and they can continue their healing.

My friend Mark from Thoughts from the Dark Side is a native of NYC. His post The Day That Changed Everything documents what he witnessed on September 11, 2001. Please, read it.

I've heard this story so many times from him now that I could easily retell it myself. But I still can't come close to grasping the feelings that would have surrounded Americans on that day.

I never saw the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in person, but I will never forget the feelings that I had the day I visited Ground Zero last year. It was surreal. You can almost feel the pain and fear that will always be a reminder of the tragedy of that day. And you can't help but shed a tear as you think about the people who lost their lives that day, and the families who were left behind.

These families will never fully recover from the loss of their loved ones in this way. But the death of bin Laden will surely help them continue to move forward.