I'll Ride With You

Yesterday, Sydney witnessed a terrifying event. Sydney's CBD was brought to a standstill, and we all prayed for a peaceful outcome, to a horrific situation. It did not end as peacefully as hoped, but endless thanks goes to the police and ambos at the scene, who laid their own lives on the line, to prevent further tragedy.

Prayers and love goes to the families of the two that didn't make it home last night. You will be remembered, and loved, forever. Praying for those families to be showered with love and support, for as long as they should need it.

#illridewithyou. The hashtag that has taken over social media. I will ride with you. Heck, I'll drive you. Walk with you. Do whatever it takes to make you feel safe. We are together, not against each other.

Love over hate, always.

Love always wins.

Always. 

Defector.

                                              View from the grassy knoll at North Bondi. No filter, because, well, yeah.

I am an absolute, total junkie. I'm addicted. I'm a convert, a turncoat - obsessed. I am in love with: The East.

About six months ago, the start of the longest Sydney stint I've had in seven years, I moved to the eastern suburbs. I didn't know quite how I'd go, but I dived in head first (quite literally!).

I now call the East home.

Spending Sundays soaking up the sun on the grassy knoll at Bondi Beach. Wandering the streets of Paddington, hitting every delicious coffee shop along the way. Beach Burrito burritos (do yourself a favour). Walking through Bondi and sifting through market stalls and pop up shops. It's a pretty joyous way to spend a free moment.

A few Saturdays ago, I took a couple of books, was graced with some precious company (they brought a picnic - perfect!), left my calendar at home, and lost countless hours on the grass at North Bondi. The autumn sun was incredible, and as it disappeared for the day, I felt an indelible connection to my new post code. I haven't felt as connected to a place, apart from New York. To find a new home away from home is something I didn't think I'd find, and the East is proving to be very competitive for my love.

Do yourself a favour, and take yourself on an excursion. Sip a coffee at Ampersand on Oxford St in Paddington, take the 333 bus to Bondi, catch some rays (what's left of them), indulge in a Beach Burrito, and watch the sun sink amidst the most beautiful views in Sydney.

Perfection doesn't manifest in too many forms, but a weekend exploring the East comes pretty damn close.

A Learning Curve in Equal Parts

More often than not, I get really excited when I'm presented with a new situation, or way of living. My life is a series of inconsistencies, and lacks a true pattern, so when someone throws a something new into the mix, I immediately perk up.

Not often enough does this involve the idea of love, or living with and loving a significant other.

Over the past two years, I've been performing Sugar & Vice: All The Men We've Never Slept With with my cabaret partner, Brydie Lee-Kennedy. This has, quite possibly, been the most educational experience I've ever had, when it comes to love, relationships, and how we date. In the show, Brydie and I share personal stories of love, dating, and general embarrassment, but it's when we interact with audience that we get the most exceptional stories. Stories of love, sure, but we also get dating, cheating, threesomes, marriage, polyamory, adultery, monogamy - the list goes on. There is so much that I was so unaware of (specifically threesomes and polyamory, but don't worry, I've been educated accordingly - not at the same time, although that would be a good story!).

As a person with a faith, it has been assumed by many that I approach love, dating, and relationships in a "particular" (you know what I'm sayin') way. I reserve a special chuckle, for when partners exclaim "Whoa - is that what you think about love/sex/dating/etc. ? You are like no other Christian I've ever met!". It is one of the only times I get to gently re-shape someone's predisposed opinion, and assure them that my beliefs are not like anyone else's. Feels pretty good to jump out of that pigeon hole.

So, as someone who enjoys obliterating stereotypes, I equally enjoy being exposed to things that I have predisposed opinions on, or a lack of knowledge about, or little experience with. These last few months have definitely contained a whole host of these situations, and without going into specifics, I've never felt more broadly educated, or more wildly uncertain about what love/relationship path I'm on. Or which one to take, for that matter.

Honestly, more now than ever before, am I not certain about anything I thought I was certain about. There is no pattern (there is no spoon!), there isn't a straight line, and there isn't anything predictable about whatever the hell it is we're doing. If nothing else, the exposure to these new situations has gifted me with a hefty dose of tolerance, as well as the gift of the experience itself.

Fearlessly Curious

Oof. I am in love with this quote. The last few years have been filled with some serious adventures. Some that are beyond belief, inexplicable, some that I couldn't have dreamt up in a fit. But one thing I know about adventures: if you never feed your curiosity, you'll never have adventures. And wouldn't that be a waste.

Curiosity has taken me some crazy places. And not unlike the saying, when approaching any prospective adventure, the text running through my head has always been "you'll regret the things you didn't do".

I don't think that saying has ever been more profound for me, as it is now. Recently, someone dear to me made a very interesting point: when you're 4, one year seems like forever. Since it's a quarter of your life (to date), then it is like forever. When you're 25, however, the years being to fly by - one year is but 1/25 of your life. This simply increases as you get older - the years seem shorter, and time seems to go by faster. Making plans a couple of years down the track doesn't seem so crazy. Five year plans don't seem to be forever away.

So, regret nothing - there isn't time for regret. These years, this time, is fleeting. Be fearlessly curious now, because there mightn't be time for it later.

Maybe Love Is In New York City

"Maybe love is in New York City, already asleep. You are in California, Australia, wide awake. Maybe love is always in the wrong time zone.

Maybe love is not ready for you. Maybe you are not ready for love. 

Maybe love just isn't the marrying type. Maybe the next time you see love is twenty years after the divorce - love looks older now, but just as beautiful as you remember. 

Maybe love is only there for a month. Maybe love is there for every firework, every birthday party, every hospital visit. 

Maybe love stays. Maybe love can't. Maybe love shouldn't. 

Love arrives exactly when love is supposed to, and love leaves exactly when love must. When love arrives say, "Welcome, make yourself comfortable." 

If love leaves, ask her to leave the door opened behind her. 

Turn off the music. Listen to the quiet. Whisper, "Thank you for stopping by.""

Happy New Year 2014!

2014 feels calm and fresh and lovely.

It feels vibrant and inspiring.

It feels magnificent. 

I had the privilege of spending the twilight hours of 2013 with my best friends on the earth, and then celebrating the beginning of 2014, as midnight came upon us! The fireworks were incredible, exploding over Sydney Harbour. 

This will be the year of measured thoughts, big decisions, big changes, and happiness. I can feel an abundance of happiness in the air. 

2014, we welcome you!