Key

To anyone who has ever complained about being stuck in traffic due to an MVA: Get some perspective.

It may seem unfortunate that you're running late for work. it may seem unfortunate that you could miss your flight. What is actually unfortunate is that someone's life could have been lost and others changed forever.

There was a fatality on Queensland roads today. Knowing the name and face is a chilling reminder of why I become upset when stuck on a closed motorway. And it's got nothing to do with wasting my precious time.

Thank you, come again.

I know I have not yet been elsewhere and to run straight back to that one passport stamp is generally discouraged but this is something that I must do for myself. If I hate it, at least then I will know. What is my connection with this place that leaves me so hungry to return? I will travel much further than my initial post in North India, however this primary destination is at the forefront of my focus. It is not so far away, for time will close in fast.

I don't need a nice car, fancy clothes, or endless big nights out. I need to keep my eyes on the prize. I need to get back here. And then beyond.


Here are some photos from my visit in 2010; I cannot take full credit for the photography as my travel companion and I shared a camera for this trip.

All roads to lead to Rome.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, sometimes a picture can invoke a thousand words. Or thoughts. This photo, taken by a friend on Winter's first dawn inspires me no end. Perhaps one day I will work out why exactly.

Hold your colours against the wall

The awkward moment when an evening walk around the neighbourhood unwittingly becomes a profound experience?

Yesterday I went for a long stroll by myself, something I haven't done for a quite some time. Yeah, I go running (recently far less often than I should) but it's not the same as an epic hour and a half of sweet, sweet solitude at sundown. As I was on my way home under a sky of molten gold, I looked back through the canefields whilst listening to Parkway Drive's Romance Is Dead (3:44 to be precise, have a listen and you might get where I was at) and this amazing image; it will be burned into my retinas forever. I wasn't even game to whip out my phone and take a picture. When something is that beautiful, photos are cheap.

I guess I've been going through one of those limbo-like patches in life when not much seems to be happening, yet below the surface there's some pretty big stuff going on. I am sure you can relate.

There have been some situations lately that I've realised are little lessons in accountability. In short, you can't control how other people treat you, but you can control how you choose to deal with it. Am I unnecessarily offended, or have harsh words struck a nerve? Is it a little ego bruising or is there a deeper issue? Am I upset with this person when really it's a me problem? Each time I struggle within these moments, I am taking another step in the right direction and ultimately learning not to take things personally, and if I take something on board, it's for the right reasons.

During my walk, I also found myself in a state of reflection. Not uncommon for little Melly, I know, but looking back over the decade just passed is different now. It's no longer a regression, pondering a barren wasteland. Ten years working full time, partying full time, nothing to show? I've grown to see what fruits were truly borne from days I once thought lost. It turns out that I love being me and I'm proud of what I have achieved thus far, success unable to be measured or counted or awarded bits of paper. I have a kind of happiness that mortgages and degrees simply cannot buy (although I do plan on attaining the latter, at my own pace, when the time is right).

Yep, it certainly was the awkward moment when an evening walk around the neighbourhood unwittingly becomes a profound experience. Don't judge!



Edit: I just checked the clip and it's more like 3:35 on this cut. Whatever, you'll know it when you hear it.





Title lyrics taken from Pendulum - Hold Your Colour

And now I have to choose between Dallas Green and Joel Zimmerman...

To anyone who missed this, do yourself a favour and witness the beauty that was City and Colour live in the JJJ studios for Like a Version. I haven't gone this ballistic over my favourite Friday segment since Owl Eyes was in last year, so this was rather spesh. To be honest though, his cover of Kimbra although totally gorgeous, was not the show stopper. The absolutely stunning rendition of an original City and Colour song was the golden moment.

Fragile Bird totally just got promoted to my (too-extensive) "Favourite Songs of Ever" list. Sigh.

City And Colour | Like a Version | triple j

Bending light

Always be grateful and live in the now for you you never know what is around the corner.

Count your blessings.
Should you notice any missing, look up and walk on, for you never know what is around the corner.

It's time to leave the landlord swinging from the highest tree

And I don't care for a place called home for they say it is where the heart is. Home is not a station, it is a state of mind.

Title lyrics taken from Alexisonfire - Wayfarer Youth