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!

Un-Merry Funkmas, & A Happy New Outlook!

I don't know about you, but for me, Christmas isn't always candy canes & Secret Santas. Christmas is a very delicate time of year, for so many reasons. There's the juggling of social commitments, wrapping up work for the year, avoiding world war three with your relatives, making time to get all your holiday jobs done, and the ever-ominous New Year's Resolution List Writing Task (ergh!). The last two weeks of December are a race against the clock, and you lose all of your precious time into a festive-themed black hole, that mysteriously disappears on January 2nd.

The part that takes up the most part of my skull-located squishy human hard drive, is the New Year's Resolution List Writing Task. I've been trying to work out why we all dread it, and why we view the process as less of a personal to-do list, and more as a pressure-filled list of unattainable goals, that we know deep down we'll never quite achieve (just like regularly cleaning out the garage, or attempting to not refresh BuzzFeed every five minutes). And I'm pretty sure I've found an explanation.

At the end of every year, we're all too quick to remember the things we didn't achieve, the hard times, and the stuff we'd rather forget. We then hurriedly write the current year off, and start wishing for the the next few weeks to fly by, so we have a date (January 1st) from which to start afresh. That's a lot of pressure on poor ol' January 1st.

Why the hell don't we all make a massive list of the things we DID achieve this year? Why are our achievements and successes so readily forgotten, and replaced at light-speed by our new list of demands on our minds, bodies, and emotions? That kind of thinking just sullies our festive season, and plunges us into a very un-merry Funkmas.

So, with one more week before Saint Nick's trip, here's your homework. Before you even THINK about what your New Year's Resolutions are going to be, make a list of The Year That's Happening Right Now's achievements, successes, and good times. Having that list staring you in the face will impact your resolutions-to-be, and will hopefully help you be less hard on yourself, and more proud of your hard work over the last twelve months. If you write your resolutions with your successes in mind, rather that your short-comings, those lofty goals of yours will be easier to achieve than you think!

Well, go on then! It'll only take a few minutes. For best results, complete while chomping on a candy cane!

xxxx

Home Sweet Home

Ah New York, yesterday, today, and forever. I'm back. Gosh darn, you're pretty. After what was a stinking hot summer (which, if you've ever experienced the subway in the middle of a New York summer, you know exactly what I'm talking about), fall is on its way.

My first call of duty was to head out to Long Island, to see one of my best friends Linnea in her regional show Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. She was beyond fantastic, as was the whole cast. After the show, we all went out to the local bar, and then WATCHED NASA LAUNCH A ROCKET INTO SPACE??! In the ACTUAL sky. That was amazing - to be there at that moment, all of us staring into the night. Pretty cool.

I got more of my theatre fix, when Ruth and Andrew came to town. We saw the very first preview of BIg Fish, with Norbert Leo Butz (who is BEYOND amazing), and also Peter And The Starcatcher, which was absolutely spectacular. I'd heard about the show for years, but had never made the effort to see it. DO IT. Before it's too late!!! Incredible!

Here are some pics from the last two weeks. It's good to be home. 

Soapy, bubbly happiness in Midtown

My absolutely favourite tea store, Harney & Sons, in Soho. Delicious, and so affordable. The lovely lady in there even took my photo, and put it on the store instagram!

 

Just some bedding in the sheet. I mean, street.
                             Waaamp.            

I stole some time in the rehearsal studio, to have a play on this beauty, and to write some of the songs that have been swimming 'round my head!

 View from the back of the C train.

 Where my love affair with New York began, with the inimitable Jenna. <3

 Got a chance to visit my beloved Hoboken, to see Cindy. All that was missing was Joe, and some late night boogying!

 FINALLY made it to the Chelsea Market. WOW. So fantastic. I lived in Chelsea, and never went, so I'm glad I finally did. Delicious cheese, fresh caramels, and super friendly staff.

 Well, this is just perfection.

 As is this. 

I'm not much of a fashion focused person (shock!), but I there are a couple of designers I love (read: can NEVER afford). Simply browsing their gorgeous collections is a delight.

 More Sex & The City filming at Carrie's old pad, on Perry St? You heard it here first!

Spotted this, with my friend Renata. Love doesn't even begin to cover it! 

And at one of my favourite West Village coffee shops. That says it all, really. 

Feeling Thankful Fridays - Late Edition!

Feeling Thankful Fridays - Travel Edition!

So I feel like I have a lot of things to be super grateful for this week! It’s a little late, but that’s definitely due to all the lovely things I’m grateful for!

❤ Spending Saturday night in with two glorious friends, watching Armageddon (which I had never seen!) ❤ Speculating over the Royal Birth, and then having the country erupt with joy when it happened – I’m definitely a Royalist! ❤ Being lucky enough to have a week off from touring, where I visited Paris, Venice (for the first time – wow!), and Rome ❤ Making new friends – Joelle from Montreal is a HOOT! ❤ Making mischief and travel plans with Joelle! ❤ Meeting up with my divine friend Ioana, whom I met in Rome THREE years ago! It was such a joy to see her again, and that we could pick up right where we left off! ❤ Having time to myself. I truly treasure just a little time where I can be alone – but not for too long! ❤ The most delicious coffee I have EVER had – Rome, you’re amazing! ❤ Writing lists – of any kind. So fulfilling to check each completed item off!

What are you grateful for this week?