The Journey to Work

Firstly I start on the train. It always fills up quickly in the morning so luckily I live at the start of the line - I always get a seat! People are extremely funny when it comes to commuting, everyone has their own seat they sit in daily and if it's not vacant you feel very much put out.

Today I was put out!

After taking my seat that wasn't my seat, I was finally rocked back into my routine and I feel asleep listening to the sniffs and coughs that plague the train. It is these coughs and sniffs that you know will enter the trains air-conditioning that's then on route for your own set of healthy lungs, ready to germ them up.

Scratchy throat or hypochondriac, I wake up in the wet and drizzly London after days of glorious sun and I've worn the wrong shoes of course. In perfectly clean sailor plimsolls I start the walk to the tube ruining them a little more with every step. Once blue now black! I always miss the first tube that comes, I blame the people that walk down the stairs slow - frustrating.

Tubes are stuffy no matter what the weather is outside. I delayer and stand as seats go quicker than sale items in Primark. I can't help but look at people on the tube, just quick glances here and there looking at what people are wearing, or who they're with and if they're in love. Today a lady starred at me for the entire journey - a freaky stare that didn't move or blink. Unsettling.

Then something different happened.

It was only a very small act of kindness, but it was kind non the less and made me realise that good people were always there you just need to be reminded of that.

A man aged about 45 got up from his seat and walked over, just past me where a lady was standing who I hadn't noticed. He said in a very kind voice, 'Would you like my seat?' I then saw the large bump she was hugging and she smiled and said,'I am fine thank you.'

It dawned on me right there and then, with so much hate, frustration and anger, it's easy to forget the kindness and little acts that everyone is capable of. Sometimes it touches us at just the right time and reminds us good people exist.

Be good. Be kind. Remember.

If all else fails... there's always the weather

Surprise heat waves and sudden down pours... Whether it's being stuck in a lift, meeting the parents or on a date, conversation always turns to the weather, and why shouldn't it?

What else do you talk about? What if the conversation dries up due to nerves, you lose your voice before the first drink arrives and they're making that fatal glance at their watch? Might it be time to open up the umbrella, put on the sun cream and embrace that fail safe topic that's literally changing like the wind at the moment...?!

The summer was said to be a heat-wave, the last winter people were literally snowed in and April showers seemed to have had a slight plumbing problem. With such unpredictable weather making it constantly hard to decide between shorts and trousers, coats and jumpers, why is it so bad to discuss something that actually affects our everyday lives?

Over the last six months the world has seen a stream of run-In's with Mother Nature herself. Famously bone-dry Australia has experienced extreme flooding, a cyclone and a fairly cold summer in parts. New Zealand had Earthquakes and aftershocks which became repeat offenders, devastating a once beautiful Christchurch and Japan was hit by the Tsunami that was watched by the world. Surely it's actually hard not to be interested in those ice caps right now?

It's suggested that conversation must be really dire if you have to resort to talking about the weather, but recent storms, tornado's and ash clouds affecting travel, (another conversational favourite) are far too hot a topics to avoid right now. Even sunny Southend's yearly airshow saw poor weather and poor turn outs. The question shouldn't be why talk about the weather, it should be why aren't you?

This week we were hit with a surprise heatwave and in true Essex fashion, tops came off and the redness glowed along with the sun. The Saturday before, it went from glorious sunshine to pounding rain that would make anyone feel like building an ark. That weekend we battled between the two extremes of heat and pouring windy rain. This great British Summer heat wave has a funny idea of steady Summer weather at the height of June.

The start of Summer usually sees the runners out in force throughout Essex, but Alexandra Blyth a local runner had her own views on our heat wave; "A man offered me to stand under his umbrella the other day when it was pouring down with rain and I avoided a cold, maybe this weather is bringing people together." She added, "When the weather can't decide whether its raining or sunny its hard to go for a run. One minute you're out in beautiful heat loving it, feeling the burn and the next minute you're drenched."

With the weather being far from boring at the moment and providing much speculation on this heat wave of a Summer, it really is hard not to talk about the somewhat dull subject. Sometimes its fascinating and sometimes its scary, but it's always something. Today it may very well rain (it is Britain,) tomorrow the sun could come out and the summer might not actually be the heat wave we had hoped for. In shorts or trousers, the weather is happening with or without you and you shouldn't be afraid to bring it up... you never know, it might just break that ice -cap!!

It's amazing how the weather can bring people together... it really isn't that bad to talk about, come rain or shine!

Today

Lately I have been thinking a lot. Thinking about getting on track, choices, decisions, directions... to be honest the list goes on. The truth is I am scared like many people who live their lives in fear. Scared of making the decisions that will lead us to shape and develop our lives. I guess the stupid truth is, I’m sometimes scared to move forward, to live.

We are meant to grab life with both hands and live without regret, challenge our fears and go forward resisting looking back. Well I hate to admit it, but I live in fear of these things. There is so much I want from life that sometimes I feel nervous and un-easy when things happen. Things that feel right scare me the most. I almost fear more as I grow.

The trouble with having it all, is the fall can be so much greater.

My Nan lived her life in fear. She worried about our family, whether it be a trip abroad or getting home safely and giving her 3 rings to let her know we’re safe. Her life was her family and her fear was us, our well being, happiness and health.

We are a world of worry. Life has become all about worries. Money, health, terrorists and education. People have various suggestions as to what cures these worries and some will turn to Prozac or a shrink. But instead of trying to ignore them or blame them on various people, perhaps it's time to face them?

I think the key is to accept our fears. Understand that there are some things we really aren't in control of no matter how hard we fight to keep control. We can't always win but we are never losers. Live everyday and more importantly makesure you live.

All we can really do is work along side our fears. Understand them and work hard for what we want in career and life. Be good and be the best we can be. Be nice. If we do fall, learn and grow even taller. Turn those fears into something positive.

Fall in love. Love. Remember. Miss.

We are meant to grab life with two hands, but who says we should stop there. There is so much we are capable of when we put our minds too it. What are we really scared of? Failure? What’s so wrong with trying again?

I'm still scared, but I’m ok with that. It drives me to push harder.

Today is the day. Sometimes we should stop worrying about tomorrow. I need to listen to my own advice.

Today.

Reactions

I once received a gift. It came out of no-where, un-expected and it was very much the surprise that was intended. This gift was hidden in a hotel room, a room that had been booked with love and happiness. I found the box underneath the pillow, wrapped in a ribbon. My smile widened then smoothed out and I read the label. The pen is the tongue of the mind. The gift was of course a pen. The best part... the label.

I was so surprised, so grateful, not because of the gift, but the thought behind it. My reaction however… was never fully shown.

You could be the most composed, together and strong person... until something breaks your fall. Some people look for reactions, some people give surprise reactions and some people can't always show their reactions, even if they wanted too.

You can be caught off guard, hear the right thing and laugh a genuine giggle. You can be touched at a moment you feel most vulnerable, feeling weak and cry genuine tears.

Some reactions, no matter how much you fight them...happen.

Sometimes we over react, get childish or rude without really meaning too and other times we get the reaction we hadn't hoped or expected. Some things can make you bitter, make you so angry that they eat you up inside. Some things can cause an un-expected numbness, preventing reactions from happening for a long time after. Sometimes you can be surprised from your own reactions and realise things you hadn't known before or blocked out... sometimes you react slower than you had expected, hiding from them.

A reaction is and can only be, personal to you. You can't help a reaction, but you can try to understand them, never fully being able too.

Sometimes the biggest reaction is fear. Fear of the un-known, fear of the thing you never expected and fear you will get it all wrong. What if you never saw something coming and hadn't prepared for it... what if you weren't ready to react?

I guess the saying, 'there's never a bad reaction,' is in parts true, because at the very least it is honest.

It may take a while, it might come out wrong at first and it might even happen when you don't want or realise it. The truth is, we all react and everyone does it differently. Sometimes it might just take a while to get there and understand it even ourselves.

We can always guess a reaction, but never completely know.

This was originally written with a tongue that I didn't expect, wasn't sure if I was ready for and surprised me… very good ink.

Mistakes worth Making

Life is all about trial and error. It must be really, other wise we would have already realised our dreams, be in perfect suburban relationships with a picket fence around us, protecting us from those mistakes that we could have made. Some people find their love and life at the age of 13 and never look back, some people take a little longer and some realise a lot later the mistakes they made, having to start over again and wondering if they even can.

I wonder if Brad Pitt looks back 7 kids later and thinks he might have made a mistake? I wonder if the drama teacher at my old school wishes she had pushed harder to make it bigger? I wonder if the person who designed 'The Gherkin' really meant to make something that everyone now calls a type of pickle? I wonder.

I have heard many times, 'no one is perfect.' I don't believe that. I’ve met perfect. Perfect isn't the flawless term thrown around to describe something that no one can fault. Everyone has faults and surely it’s in these faults we actually learn that perfect is whatever we find perfect to be, there’s no rule, be it the perfect job, choice or person.

It sometimes seems like it would be the easiest thing in the world if we could fall into the perfect life, the positions we strive for and get the object of our desire. Honestly though what is so perfect about that? Isn't half of the reward the way we get there? I actually enjoy the journey, the challenge, the effort and hard work. The feeling of accomplishments reaching those goals and that feel of that first kiss. Where would be the fun in everyone winning the lottery? Plus if we all got the object we desired, David Beckham would have a hell of a lot of wives to please and I'm not sure how Victoria would cope with all that competition.

I once wondered if someone made a mistake by me, this question finally got answered and I realise more than ever now, how much we need these mistakes. Sometimes they can really kill us, sometimes they can be so frustrating, especially when it's a career changing moment that you know you are perfect for, but still don't reach it yet. That's the key word... yet. A mistake is just that, a lesson to learn, on your way to getting there, wherever there may be.

We make mistakes daily, some are mistakes that will definitely plague us and make us look back wondering if it will work out eventually and some are steps, steps towards the life that we fight so hard for. A mistake is worth making there is no question about it.

Sometimes you can see the mistake a mile off like Beatrice Windsor’s hat at the royal wedding and sometimes we make them and find out later. It's what you do next that’s what counts. Always apologise even if you don’t need too.

Always remember… not everything is a mistake.

Intelligent

The majority of people would assume a six month break travelling around the world was like a long holiday... the general response is a jealous longing to do the same. The reality is, it isn't a holiday, people do it for many reasons and coming back is when the real work begins.

A magician can escape from a chained box in the middle of a river with no key; a magician will never reveal his secrets. Some people need to escape their chained box and even with the most intelligent logic, sometimes it’s the hardest thing to understand why... sometimes even for the one in the box.

To begin a quest you really need to know what you are looking for, but sometimes treasure can be discovered without a map.

Apparently life happens. When it does we're expected to roll with the punches, go with it and let it work itself out... apparently it always works itself out. Sometimes however, you can get frustrated from waiting, sometimes you need to break free and find your own feet. You could think solidly about problems non-stop and come to no conclusion and then you could not think about things for ages and eventually see the light.

I guess the only thing we can really do, is do our best. Strive to fill the parts of our lives that we need to change, not settle into old careers that didn't make us happy and come forward from a journey - no matter how short - with drive, purpose and breaking out of that limbo.

Sometimes there really is no intelligent answer, sometimes you just want to be the best you can be and sometimes you realise you can be it.

Work hard to be better and realise that sometimes you really do just need time... even if you couldn't see it before.

The Great Escape

Wisdom isn't just the painful teeth growing at the backs of our mouths, tearing through the gums, sometimes causing damage and often creating an ache that is hard to heal.

I used to think that along with this process, would come reflective thoughts about the amount of wisdom you had gained from life so far... the truth is, the teeth can come at any age, but we learn as soon as we are ready too.

We learn through the lessons we get from our parents and through education, going on to make our own choices and shape our lives. It is through this process, with or without the teeth, that the true wisdom begins to show through.

Apparently you should never make the same mistake again. There is a lesson to be learnt in every error, but just because we try not to and don't succeed, doesn't always mean we're the fool. If all this knowledge and insight broke through pain free, life would be too easy... we'd never get the butterfly's, we'd never see the difference, we'd never learn.

Sometimes we get it wrong, sometimes we give it another go and get it wrong again, but I think I'd rather keep trying than give up completely. You don't need to be an old wise man or a boy learning lessons from life. Sometimes you don't need to go far and sometimes you just need to escape to the ends of the earth and re-charge.

I have come to realise, to see the bigger picture you sometimes need to step out of the frame.

Wisdom can be painful, luckily we're all in it together. We all grow, we all learn, we all have challenges and we all have set-backs... for everything else, there's always Bonjeela.

Going

A plane can take you to the ends of the world, you can visit faraway places that some people can only dream about and it can also move you further away from what you know, who you know... it can sometimes make you keep going.

When you book a ticket to go on any journey, you usually will get a return, a ticket to confirm at some point you will be going back. These are usually holidays, a chance to escape the life that you've chosen to live and a thing that many people live out their year looking forward too, that one chance of a break. Occasionally the journeys are more than holidays, sometimes they are bigger than that and sometimes they don't have return tickets booked.

It's a funny thing to hear people craving holidays, some feel they 'need' them, some 'want' them and some just go on them because they can. Everybody wants to be going somewhere; even the people who love their jobs and lives... we all need that break.

It's a real leap of faith to go into the unknown, to quit your current life, up and take off. It's not always because you need a holiday, it's more a feeling inside that you can't shake, a chance to go re-charge and finally stop dreaming. The Wright Brothers followed their dream and created the aeroplane so people could see the world, not dream about seeing it.

Travelling is more of a personnel thing than I think we realise. It is great to share it, but the experience itself is something that only you will truly be able to remember. The more you move away, the further into the trip you go, the more you look back, the more you think about what is left behind and the person you are.

A plane can take you near enough anywhere these days, you can visit those places you've thought about forever and even chose to live in them. But the best bit about those travels is the knowledge that you can go back. We all need to go on journeys, short or long; they're part of discovering who we are and refreshing ourselves.

Everybody should be going somewhere... even if it's just back home.

Neighbours Gives

In the height of the Australian summer you expect blistering heat, you expect sunburn after a long day soaking up too much sun and forgetting to apply lotion to that one spot on your back. In the height of the Australian summer you do not expect to hear that part of the East Coast is flooded and you definitely hope not to hear about the tragedies that come with it.

Australia is famous for many things, Ayers Rock, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. It's famous for its Kangaroo's, Koala Bears and Dangerous Animals... It's also famous for the TV Drama, Neighbours. 90% of the British tourists that come to Melbourne, want to go to Ramsey Street, the one and only home of Neighbours.

I'm British, I'm in Melbourne and I've just become part of that 90%.

The normal Neighbours night happens every Monday without failure at the Elephant and Wheelbarrow in St Kilda. It's a night where the shows favourite actors come down and meet the fans - Dr Karl (Alan Fletcher) even performs in his band, Waiting Room. This Monday however was an entirely different story.

Neighbours stars, producers and help from an excellent crew, teamed together to produce a mega, all-star, once off Neighbours night out in aid of raising funds for all the Australian floodings - and raise them they did.

The grand total raised was an impressive $22, 607.

The night was a blitz of charity auctions where you could win a Neighbour's street sign, signed photos, skydives and travelling trips, to name just a few of the prizes. The night was full of sounds from the bands of past Neighbours stars and present, with special performances from Ringo, Paul Robinson and Dr Karl Kennedy.

The sold out event didn't just stop there - over 20 cast members new and old, including characters Steph Scully, Stingray and Dylan turned up in good spirits for photos, conversations and games. The crowd of many fans continued to throw money at the excellent cause all throughout the night.

Several people have told me that everybody loves Neighbours - certainly on this evening the statement couldn't have been more true.

The 26 year old drama has stayed on our screens through many story lines and produced many singers and actors we still hear from today. The Cast and Crew certainly maintained their brilliance on Monday 24th January 2011, in this fund raising, fun night!!

Well done to everyone you did Australia proud - with special thanks to Alan Fletcher, who rounded up the troops.

It just goes to show, everybody really does need good Neighbours.