Thoughts on Reality: A Collection of Tweets

Having stayed up way past my bed time to watch two episodes of The Walking Dead and in desperate need of a comical distraction before my nightmarish slumber, I resorted to visiting everyone's favourite 140-characters-or-less social network, Twitter.

Soon I was deliriously playing around with the title of the classic television show 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air' and giggling to myself in the dark as I looked at what I had come up with on the glowing screen of my iPhone. Then I started to wonder, had anyone created a hashtag topic on Twitter, sharing their alternate Fresh Prince titles?

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, my few sleepy and nonsensical tweets inspired a midnight collaboration with my good friend Elyse. A collaboration that promised to shake up Australian television and challenge everything viewers thought they knew about reality TV...

Bel

The Fresh Mince of a Bear.

#AlternateFreshPrinceTitles

Bel

The Flesh Prints of (Fred) Astaire.

#WhenBonesmeetsDancingWithTheStars

#AlternateFreshPrinceTitles

Bel

The Fresh Rinse of Bel's Hair. #IfIHadARealityShow

#AlternateFreshPrinceTitles

Elyse

@Bel Your reality show intrigues me... So, I imagine that it is a show where people compete at washing your hair.

Bel

@Elyse in this season, yes!

Elyse

I am currently picturing the eliminations. The dramatic music, all the contestants lined up,"I'm sorry, you've been rinsed out"

Bel

Yes! "Jacques, you have been rinsed out. Tune in next week: who will be our Rinsing Winner? Francois or Marylou-Genevieve?"

Elyse

I can not believe that Jean-Pierre was eliminated in the first round! His scalp massage technique was perfect!

Bel

"It's so controversial, Lady Gaga wouldn't poke it with a hat pin." -TV Week #IfIHadARealityShow

Elyse

Why are all the contestants French?

Bel

Because they are hair artists, darrrling!

Elyse

Correction, Hair Artistes! Message from the prop department- MORE BERETS!

Bel

Whoops! Now the drama really begins where I inadvertently insult the entire bevy of contestants and a mutiny begins!

Elyse

Dude, it's reality TV. It is built on the tears of it's contestants. If they aren't crying, no one is watching.

Elyse

I have no idea why they aren't letting us making TV shows. We'd be amazing at it. McPearce Productions would kill it!

Bel

McDonalds would be more than happy to endorse, for obvious naming reasons. We've got this, Elyse.

Bel

Off to sleep now, to dream of what McPearce Productions could achieve given half the chance... Oh the possibilities... @Elyse

"You've got the perfect life... now what?"

Are today's youth being set up for disappointment? That's the question I ask of you today. Why are more and more 20-something's complaining of feeling lost, alone or both at the same time? Why are so many of us left wondering "Is this all that life has to offer?".

I'll give you an example of what I mean. Earlier this year I graduated University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. I also began a post-graduate course in teaching... which I absolutely hated and quit after a fortnight. Believe me, this wasn't an easy decision to make as I've never been a quitter. Friends, family, family friends and friends of friends all seemed to know I was studying to be a high school teacher because that's what I had 'always wanted to do'. I guess that's what I had led them and myself to believe for a long time.

I graduated with a credit average (having earned some distinctions and high distinctions along the way) in the field of English, Text and Writing and a sub-major in Art History/Cinema Studies. Then began the Master of Teaching. It was dreadful. I had no passion for this new field. I kept thinking "What is wrong with me? Why am I so disengaged?". The students around me would actively participate in class discussions and knew exactly how to interpret the set readings. This was normally my forte in the undergraduate program but here, in a post-graduate setting everything seemed dismal.

I sunk into a depression although I'm sure those close to me just thought I was being difficult. "I simply can't go on like this" I thought, driving to and from University in tears every day, my head in my hands in every class as I sketched little caricatures to distract me from my looming thoughts. Eventually, I decided to quit this course with the silent approval of my parents. You see, I felt an obligation to fulfill an agreement with myself and them to become a teacher and make them proud. So when no fights took place between us and no blame was laid, I felt free to go ahead and do the unthinkable. After all, I had a degree now so finding work would be easy... right?

Wrong. I can tell you now, having applied for an array of full-time positions in the past six months, a degree in Arts simply doesn't seem to cut it. I am still waiting to be proven wrong, desperately hoping to be. I was offered one job, however; a part-time position in a small clothing boutique. Not exactly the kind of job I was looking for, especially considering I had originally interviewed for a management role. Needless to say, I didn't take it and I stuck with the part-time job I already had in retail.

Now, this is not an ideal situation when you've just turned twenty-three and you have your parents pressuring you to find a job and hinting at moving out (don't even get me started on the pressure to find a boyfriend). This week I've been lucky enough to pick up thirty-two hours work so I've been getting home by 6pm, jumping straight on the internet, searching job vacancies in Google by company or industry and practically living on seek.com.au. Of course, there have been few respectable jobs that consider an Arts degree an actual academic achievement in the workforce. I've been losing sleep because all I can think about, all I seem to be dreaming about is "how on earth am I ever going to survive without my parent's roof over my head?" because nobody seems to take a chance on an Arts graduate.

This is where my initial concern is derived. With so much opportunity out there in 'the real world', why is it that so many of us 20-something's are finding it hard to get a job, even with a degree? Are our parents putting too much pressure on us to be the next Richard Branson when really, all we're meant to do is work to the best of our given abilities and be good people while we're on earth? In relation to my previous post, the book Buddhism for Busy People by David Michie says we are all meant to work together for the greater good of mankind, not for selfish reasons. So then why are so many of us fighting each other and competing for something so unnatural? Have you noticed though that it's not just parents placing pressure on their children to aim high?

Television is playing an increasingly large part in the formation of how today's youth tackle life day to day. Have you ever seen an episode of 'The Hills'? [Before reading on, please know I do watch this show and I do enjoy it for a bit of a laugh and something to talk about with my best friend.] Exhibit A: Heidi Montag-Pratt. In the first season of the show she was a naturally pretty, young thing from Laguna Beach: sun-kissed skin, cheeky freckles, a big smile. Today, however she is the product of a dissatisfied young-Hollywood: breasts enlarged, tummy-tucked, face horribly 'plasticised' and distorted. What was she thinking when she underwent surgery? Who was she trying to impress? I doubt it was something she had always wanted to do and I now believe it is the result of living in a sickened society where nobody is happy with what they've got: materially or physically.

The young-Hollywood sub-culture aren't the only youth suffering from dissatisfaction although they've unwittingly become the face of an unhappy generation. I've noticed more and more girls in the city and the suburbs here in Australia taking on a fake and unnatural look (weekly spray-tans, fake lashes, nails, bleach-blonde hair, etc) and for what? To become like every disrespectful bimbo on our television screens? Basically, addictive 'reality' television programs (and I use that term loosely) such as The Hills promote this fake lifestyle not only in terms of appearance but also convince young girls to think it is easy to find a glamorous job and get rich quick. But what is the trick these advertisers use and what keeps them going?

These organisations actively promote a lifestyle that is ever-changing and relies upon money, material possessions and status to get ahead in life. These companies exist because nothing we buy from them will ever be enough to satisfy us, so we keep buying their 'new and improved' products even if it means supporting the plastic surgery industry to enhance our own bodies. No longer are we striving to be the best person we can be through practicing good morals, reveling in higher education and getting regular and honest exercise as much as we are trying to be something that is ultimately impossible to achieve: an ideal as preached to us through advertisements and clever marketing.

Therefore, the idea that today's youth is being set up for disappointment is not really a reflection on the pressure placed upon us by our parents to achieve great things but our place as consumers and willing participants in a material world.

So back I go to the drawing board with a positive attitude towards my continued job-search and a fresh opinion of the pressures placed upon me by my own parents. After all, our parents only want what is best for us. Can the same be said for the advertising industry?

Book, Beliefs and The Beatles!

Ok, here's something new. I'm reading a book by David Michie called 'Buddhism for Busy People'. This doesn't mean I'm changing my religion or whatever. It just means I have a broader outlook on life, religion, spirituality, etc. I'm really enjoying it because a) it's easy to read [as the title would suggest] and b) it's super helpful in terms of stress management. That's where this book comes in handy. Of course it goes through meditation exercises and all that but it also suggests a different and more logical approach to life. An arguably better approach. Instead of letting morning peak hour traffic upset and outrage me, I think of other things, maybe do some breathing exercises to avoid an increased heart rate etc. I just try to see these minor inconveniences as trivial and unimportant so I almost instantaneously 'get over it' as they say and just listen to the music I'm playing or admire the weather etc. I'm rambling, so I'll stop now but I do recommend this book to anyone seeking meaning or just looking for a way to improve their happiness levels.

In other news, check out Marie Claire. It's a women's magazine that I thought would be all about fashion, sex, yada yada yada. It turned out to be a great read with serious journal articles on issues such as the invention of The Pill and it's place in history, objective behind-the-scenes stories about sub-cultures such as Rio's Samba Queens and plenty more. This mag is real value for money and has something for every woman... oh no. Did I just say that? Reminds me of when a particularly slutty girl said to me "I can't believe you don't watch Sex and the City! You HAVE to watch it. Every woman can relate to at least one of the characters..." I guess she relates to Samantha.

So, looking back at my old posts it occurred to me I haven't blogged since I was a University student. I still don't enjoy the idea of blogging but seeing as I miss writing essays (sue me) I thought I'd kill some time at the keyboard. How does it feel being a University Graduate? No different, really. It's like every time you have a birthday, there's always one person that asks "How does it feel being one year older?"

Ignoring the even flow of the essay, I'll jump straight to music. I was recently reacquainted with the music of The Beatles. I'd always known of them, they'd always been around and I'd always loved their songs. It was late 2009 when Come Together came over the speakers at work (busy, busy entertainment store). A quick glance to the 'Now Playing' board and I noticed we were playing Abbey Road. Being such a significant cover in popular culture, a feeling kind of came over me that I guess I just thought of as quiet appreciation. Then Octopus' Garden started and I turned to a fellow co-worker, laughing and said "I haven't heard this song since we used to sing it in Primary School! I never realised it was The Beatles!" A smile upon my face throughout the duration of the song, I was silently pleased I'd become reacquainted with old memories, otherwise forgotten. But then (and this is where the magic started for me), Here Comes The Sun began and my heart just melted. For some reason, I always thought this was the song my Dad had requested on the radio the day I was born. It turns out that song was A Little Ray of Sunshine. Nevertheless, my Beatles obsession truly began at this moment.

I asked for Abbey Road for Christmas, happy to wait a few months to make the day more special for me. I also caught 'Help!' on television and thought that first of all, the quality was amazing and second of all, The Beatles were hilarious! I simply HAD to have this DVD for Christmas, too. Christmas came and went and as soon as I was back at work I picked out all the remastered albums I didn't have and set them aside to buy three each week. I could afford all in one hit but again, I thought "Why cheapen the experience? The Beatles aren't going anywhere. I'll take my time". So of course I caved every now and then, making two staff purchases in a day because I'd bought three CD's before we opened and then Beatles Rockband in my lunch break. I was completely and utterly hooked.

I made excuses to travel to the city and nearby towns just so I could pick up the other albums I didn't have. I bought a Beatles calendar for 2010. I snapped up a Beatles Rockband poster that had fallen off the wall at work (and that was only last week). Slowly, I inherited more and more Beatles DVDs, rare footage, interviews, books. I read my Aunty's 1980's edition of the only authorised Beatles biography by Hunter Davies and then ordered my own 40th anniversary edition from Dymocks. They now stock it regularly because of my order, which they never did before. I was given George Harrison's book I Me Mine, which he in part wrote and also talked about all the songs he had written. The book included photocopies of the actual bits of paper he wrote his lyrics on which was endearing. I guess this is where my interest in Buddhism really began, because George spoke of his time in India, the Concert for Bangladesh and something known as Transcendental Meditation (which I am yet to understand).

So that is where my Beatles story starts. I have so much more to add but it's getting late. I guess there could always be future blogs... Anything is possible, right?

'Knowing'- Film Review

In my film studies class today, the teacher asked some of us to review an interesting movie we'd seen recently and post it online. The last movie I saw was 'Knowing', starring Nicholas Cage and Rose Byrne.

I hadn't read the plot summary beforehand so found the film to be rather ambiguous in terms of genre. I felt like I was being led into several different realms throughout: horror, thriller, science fiction, mystery and drama.

The ending is neither happy nor unhappy: it just is. What I mean is that the film sets up an ending that cannot help but leave the viewer feeling powerless and small in relation to the universe as a whole (another movie with a message?).

The acting does not disappoint. If you enjoyed Cage's character in 'The Wicker Man' you will enjoy his performance here. Although Byrne's character is central to the story line she does not appear until later in the film but she is not missed, playing a woman just as bland as herself.

The special effects are 'grand' but although they remain colourful, appropriate and well-timed throughout, I would not go on to say that they are the best I have seen. The cinematography however was very good. It was an easy film to watch due to the framing of the subjects, the recurring contrasts of colour and most notably, the motifs (or forms of symbolism) which appear throughout.

Overall, I really want to buy my own copy of this but think I can wait until it comes down in price. If you have the time to see it, do, because after doing the B&T weekly readings you'll really appreciate the effort that has gone into making 'Knowing'.

9/10

THE LOST POST! 'A wise man once said "Change will come". Thank you, Fall Out Boy.'

(I just found this blog on my computer, from late Feb 2009.)

Besides seeing a tarot reader on campus yesterday who told me wonderful things that related quite clearly to my personality and life in general, Uni has been great this first week back. It's felt like a whole new start for me. I am focused on getting great marks and hope to do Honours after I complete my Bachelor of Arts degree in November this year. If I had to base my thesis on any topic, I'd most likely focus on how gender and race is prevalent and portrayed through media such as literature text and film. But the future aside, I'm loving my classes so far this year. I am doing Children's Literature (sounds easy but will be a lot of work as it is a level 3 subject), Representing Crime, Aesthetics and New Ethnicities/Old Racism's. I like that last one, which I had today not only because my tutor is a bit of a spunk but it seems well-organised and just plain interesting in general. Wow. I really have become a nerd.

I ran into my friend Max after class today which was nice as we used to work together and have only seen each other on the odd 'movies and ice-cream' night where some of our work cronies get together and enjoy a simple night out: no drinking allowed. I also heard from another friend, Josh who asked that I film his jazz band's first video clip. Needless to say I said "yes".

So in a nutshell I'm feeling very good about this year. I went to the Fall Out Boy concert on Saturday night (support acts Hey Monday and The All-American Rejects were amazing) and had a great time. The car ride home was a blast as my friend Ant kept good company. University is great as I mentioned earlier and I as the tarot reader said (and I had felt earlier) I have a lot of good things to look forward to. I don't know what I'll do in terms of work: the travel is becoming a bit of a nuisance but I do need funds to survive so perhaps I will stick in there. We'll have to see.

But for now, I'll be off to organise my assignments for the semester. I feel lost without my usual University wall planner!

I Want To See Those Jazz Hands!... I Said Jazz Hands! Not Spirit Fingers!!!

Besides having a topsy-turvy, upsy-downsy kind of week, the one highlight was being named Production Manager of the University's first ever Musical Production. It's nice to be recognised by your teachers for something unrelated to the studies at hand, too. My Thursday teacher is unbelievably kind and supportive, Monday teacher has made mention of the Musical in class and I'm convinced I am a favourite of Wednesday's teacher because I participate in class discussions (usually leading them- I love my Crime class) and get high marks so I must make her look good! Anyway, I think I've gone on a tangent. 

I'm watching The Da Vinci Code with my brother at the moment. It's late and I'm sitting here in the dark with my Mac on my lap, enjoying the art and cinematography that shows itself on the screen as well as listening to the respectable Tom Hanks. I'm a fan of Tom. He was on the Hamish and Andy show last week: such a funny guy, but there's also that sense of importance. I'm not sure how to explain it, but I guess if someone were to say to me: "You can work for any celebrity in the world. Now choose." it would without a doubt be Tom Hanks. Besides being an actor, owning his own company and being a writer as well, he has a lovely wife in Rita Wilson who he has been happily married to for a while now. Kudos! (I've just noticed: Hanks' only friend on the island in Cast Away is a ball he names Wilson... Interesting... "Wilson!!!") To wrap up the Hanks rant, I cannot wait to see Angels and Demons which I believe was released in cinemas yesterday. I bought the Dan Brown novel last week which I will read in my holidays. 

Another book I bought recently was the Penguin Classics version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I can't wait to read it. I love the Penguin Classics editions: I have the Truman Capote true-crime novel 'In Cold Blood'. I just love the feel of the book, the size of the font, the colour of the pages and the new yet old-fashioned smell of the book. I am weird. Back to Austen: I have never read an Austen novel. I have only seen the film starring Anne Hathaway called 'Becoming Jane'. It makes me cry everytime, it is so tragic yet so beautiful. So honest yet also sensationalised. I look forward to reading Pride and Prejudice, even if the film stars the hideously skinny Keira Knightly (can you tell that I am not a fan?). 

So, to sum up: my life at the moment consists of study, planning, books and music. I'm sure Eskimo Joe wrote of a similar circumstance... 

'Til my next blog!

Life Within a Box

So it's Week 9 of the Autumn Uni semester which means we have no classes due to study week. Study week is great if it doesn't coincide with the primary/secondary school holidays (which it did this time around). My brother and sister are impossible: they argue most of the time (and are really loud when they do so) or they are the best of friends and still cause havoc throughout the house. I don't mind living with my family, but of course there are times where I just want to up and leave: find a place of my own. No more living by my parents rules because as much as I hate to say this, in many ways I'm starting to feel like I do know better than them, and that must be really annoying from a parents perspective.

But really, my parents aren't the major problem. The problem is me. I can't stand being here half the time. My nerves are always on edge and for the past two weeks I've been breaking down into tears for no real reason. Maybe I just feel segregated from my friends seeing as I am no longer working. Or maybe it's the bullshit facade my sister puts on everyday without fail (and is doing right now) pretending to cry to get attention and get her own way. Anyway, I can rant and rave all I like: it won't change the fact that I'll be stuck here for another three years.

On the flip-side, Uni is going great. I got my first High Distinction last week: 93% for my Crime essay! The teacher was very pleased with that. I'm hoping she will tell us what the highest overall score, soon. I'm also interested to see what mark I get for my Philosophy essay where I discussed Immanuel Kant's understanding of the beautiful being subjective and yet devoid of all interest. A bit if a concept, huh? Most recently though, I had a class test for my favourite subject which is based on racisms and ethnicities in Australia. The lecturer is great and will be my supervisor for Honours next year but it's my classroom teacher (a second year Ph.D. student) who I get along with best. He's only young and we have been talking quite a bit for the past two months. I just hope we do stay in contact after the semester is over because of all my new friends this semester, it's his opinion that I value the most and his help that is most appreciated. I guess I'll keep you updated on that.

In other news, I am on the Show Committee for our Musical Society at Uni. It's a new 'club' and we will be putting on a student production by the end of the year, with the aim of producing a larger scale show by Christmas 2010. It's been a lot of fun with the fortnightly Musical workshop/meetings where we do improvisation, singing exercises and next week we will start dancing!

Keep you posted but in the meantime, read Truman Capote's 'In Cold Blood': an amazing part-fiction/part-journalistic true-crime account of the Clutter murders. Also track down the film adaption, directed by Richard Brooks. Amazing.