The Year’s End Post

As the year end is nigh and the things-to-do list looks alarmingly long, I must digress and admit partial failure. Or do I?

Who would’ve thought that my year turn out busier than one had planned?
Thankfully, there’s been enough on the memory plate to write another ‘end-of-year’ post. Can I redeem myself?

As the Christmas carols play in store, you wonder at where all your money has gone to? Where did that annual salary go? What on earth have I been purchasing? What savings have I made?
Thankfully, being busy and less social actually is somewhat of a relief on my crying wallet. Hopefully, these savings will be put to a much more exciting year next year.

As the Australian heat begins to swell, your New Year’s health kick resolution starts to loom large and so does the excess over-your-bikini body. Can you reach your goal weight by your Christmas Eve deadline before it balloons out with every brandy pudding slice you take in?
Thankfully, I have not let completely loose and forgotten the resolution even if I haven’t reached my unrealistic dream goal of 60s supermodel waif.

As the great Annuals on everything from cafes, bars, to politics and entertainment tributes come out, you question whether you’ve ventured out of your waterhole enough? Have I seen more of what Sydney has to offer? Have I done and experience more than what I have the previously year?
Thankfully, I can say this hasn’t been done too poorly with Foursquare lists being ticked off left, right and centre and new delights gorged on.

As the workplace Christmas stories start to churn as new Monday gossip, one has to ponder over their career path for the year? Have goals been met? Is satisfaction in the workplace a real goal? Is your LinkedIn account looking more like a template for Gen Y life?
Thankfully, I’ve never been in a better place and more satisfied place now – despite the bumpy and interestingly poor days of the past year.

As friends and family gather around pubs and dinner tables, respectively (or not), you quickly flashback on the year of bonds and connections. Did you reach out to those you said you would? Did you ever keep to your commitment of regularly visiting mother as you had originally planned?
Thankfully, no bonds have really been severed. Surely, some paths have slowly diverged down their natural paths and mother could have been visited more frequently but all in all a loving and fruitful year in friendship and fun had been had.

As couples begin to nestle up under imaginary mistletoe and fretting over the perfect gift, you wonder whether you’ve done your heart and soul right? Did you skip over opportunities that could have brought you more? What ‘sliding doors’ moment would you replay and fix?
Thankfully, nothing has burnt my heart too badly and I can’t say I didn’t give the open door a chance. Thankfully, my emotional centre is still as healthy and hopeful as it could be.

As the plans and alcohol is slowly accumulating to count down the final hours and minutes of this year, you ask yourself are you glad 2012 will be over? Or was this the best year ever? Will you be glad to see the back of this year and so fondly, greet the face of next year?
Thankfully, it is almost over. I am thankful for the year its been and the interesting hurdles I’ve had to manoeuvre. And yet hopefully though, I will want next year to be just as an exciting, if not a greater and more eventful. In fact, I know it will be amazing.

All the best to you all in the silly season and warm wishes for the incoming year as I sit here and sip on my Christmas Tea.

Much love,

The Socially Au Contraire.

That song..

Sometimes a song you’ve known for ages and have always enjoyed suddenly grabs you. Arrests you. It actually makes sense to you.

Right now for some reason this is burning up the soul. Every line ….

‘Plans’ – Birds of Tokyo

We made plans to kiss the sun at night
Hopeless dreamers, hopeless types
Shedding skin you show your beauty scars
Don’t forget me or who you are

You know this don’t feel right Who knows what we feel?

I just met you I can read your thoughts
What they tell me is what I want I’ll keep you guessing keep you wanting more ‘
Cos where we’re going no one knows

You know this don’t feel right
Who knows this could feel right

I just met you, I swear I read your thoughts
So don’t forget me or what you want

Light up the stage, make your move, give me something
So I can dance in your light and to your rhythm

Soon it unfolds who we are in this masquerade of stars
Tear off the mask, the face you hide is what I’m missing

We made plans to kiss the sun at night
Hopeless dreamers, hopeless types One was turning, one was standing still I won’t forget what was promised here

You know this don’t feel right Who knows what we feel?

North Carolina, your amendment saddens me

Dear North Carolina,

Your vote in favour of an amendment to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions saddens me.

However, as a non-US citizen, I don’t really have a right to be sad or nosey about this.

Just like how governments don’t really have a right to be sad or nosey about people’s marriage, unions and private lives.

Lots of love,

The Socially Au Contraire.

p.s No tea will be offered on this occasion.

 

Thank You to Someecards for putting it so eloquently

The Hunger Games vs Battle Royale

Since its record breaking opening box office week, the laments and cries of “The Hunger Games is a rip off of Battle Royale” and “Collins just stole the idea and repackaged it for Hollywood” has been heard from every corner of the internet speaking world. How much of this can we see to be true?

Battle Royale (2000) directed by Kinji Fukasaku, based on the novel of the same name, was initially banned in several countries and created much controversy in its own country of release. The film sees a class of students forced by the government to battle for their lives on a deserted island. The class are selected randomly by “impartial lottery” to represent the modern youth of Japan – indulgent and disrespectful. The children are unaware of the Battle Royale Act and are drugged and kidnapped away to this island. They are instructed to kill each other with only one to survive or they will all die on the third day.

The Hunger Games (2008), young adult novel, written by Suzanne Collins starts off the trilogy with the 74^thPanem Hunger Games where children are chosen by lottery ballot. Two children from each district are to be selected to compete as tributes on an artificially created island battling until one is left standing. The games are managed and controlled by their government at the Capitol. It’s the same plot device: – children – island – killing – sole winner.

“The Hunger Games vs Battle Royale” – book covers

Collins says that the idea of the Hunger Games came to her sleepily “channel surfing between reality TV programming and actual war coverage.” At that time, it was Survivor and footage from Afghanastian that was airing. Collins is also a fan of Greek and Roman mythology and its presence is strongly felt especially, with the leaders at the Capitol all named after Roman leaders and even the name of Panem itself. Collins has said that her protagonist, Katniss, is inspired by Greek hero Theseus. Where’s her mention of Battle Royale, I hear you ask? Responding to The New York Times, someone had mentioned Battle Royale whilst in the midst of her writing. She was recommended not to watch or read it as her editor didn’t want her to be influenced by their world. But she had never heard of it prior to writing?

Those loyalists who are screaming plagiarism and fans of Battle Royale are generally: a)  Nerds;  b) Cinephiles, film students or Tarentino worshippers c) Asians or d) hipsters. Quietly, I tick many of those boxes. But sadly, many of the mainstream public had not actually heard of the Japanese film or novel prior to The Hunger Games cries. It is quite possible that Collins had been totally amiss to the cult film also. Having said that, many who cry plagiarism have not read the series.

As best put by a poster in a public forumdiscussing the films: “it’s a mistake to think that because two stories have the same plot device, they therefore have the same themes”. Indeed, I think he captured it fairly well in one swift sentence.

Scene from Battle Royale

Battle Royale was a text that arose in response to the fear of the Japanese youth culture as an hopeless, useless and unsuccessful group. The baby boomer children had grown up without war and were described as spoilt and disrespectful of elders. In the story, we see examples of the youth talking back and assuming violence against Mr Kitano who represents the authoritarian adult here. His own daughter  tells him to shut off the phone as his dirty breath could be smelt from the other side. Soon, on the island, such insolence is not tolerated and Kitano takes a few lives as examples.

In The Hunger Games, the government of Panem create the games to remind the people who is in control and everyone knows about them. No one speaks out and everyone understands their positions in life. Those who are poor have the opportunity to add extra entries to the Hunger Games lottery to earn their family some wheat for the year. Everything in the world of Panem is about the class system and each district classed from 1 to 12 work for the Capitol. Marxist perspective, anyone? The only reason why children are chosen instead of adults is to punish and remind the parents of the power of the Capitol – not because they have been insolent, disobedient children. The reaping day comes with dread for not just the children but for the parents also. In Battle Royale, once the children have been kidnapped onto the island, they are told to begin the games and their “parents have been notified”.

Scene from The Hunger Games

The greatest difference between them is Collins’ treatment of image and media. As the whole world tunes into the Games to watch and be entertained, the tributes on the island constantly have to think ‘what should I be saying?’ Like Big Brother contestants, some “play the game” whilst others slip under the radar. In this reality TV game, sponsors are wooed of their dollars and tributes are trained before the games to combat and to be PR ready. Some have even made a Career out the Games like those from the wealthier districts. The Games are a spectacle with celebrations and opening ceremonies matching only the Olympics, yet it is a constant reminder of a world under surveillance.

In Battle Royale, the children don’t even realise until later that they are being listened in on and there are no cameras on the island to monitor their gameplay. Kitano only waits for the trackers to notify them of their deaths. The parents can’t watch and the sole survivor is only greeted by a single reporter and a horde of soldiers. There was no preparation for these children but handy kits handed to them with food abound. The writers of Battle Royale could have easily adopted the reality games format, with Japan being the early instigators of reality game shows in the real world- yet it would have detracted from their themes.

The Hunger Games‘ tagline: ‘The World will be watching’ differs completely from Battle Royale‘s tagline ‘Could you kill your best friend?’ The two texts have two seperate focus. The latter focus makes the treatment of characterisation so much more in depth in Battle Royale and the violence so much more sadistically spectacular. The texts represent two different contexts – socially and historically – and capture the themes of their contexts. Same plot device, different themes (and many not even discussed yet), and different target audience make them two separate texts. Collins could have been inspired but it doesn’t really matter with the final product of the trilogy seen in full.

If you feel you can’t separate them- see it as if Battle Royale was the Japanese R-rated Lord of the Flies and The Hunger Games is the Big Brother version of Battle Royale inspired by Greek mythology made for PG13 audiences.

Oh and “don’t judge a book by its film”.

Hobart – for the younger

Hobart, a sleepy town, the capital of the Apple Isle, Tasmania. Based on an Australian state not attached to the mainland, it is well known as the getaway for older folks, retiring folks and the parents’ weekend away. How does someone under the age of thirty even enjoy themselves here? If you’re one for good food, wine and culture then Hobart is the perfect Australian weekend away.

I guess then, the title is somewhat misleading – technically it should read for cultured young people who enjoy old people things?

A small group of females under the age of 30 getting away on the Australia Day long weekend. Here’s our picks of the best things to do in Hobart:

Food

Breakfast at The Timeless Way Cafe

• Harbour Lights Cafe – Fantastic Coffee and well known for their famous scallop pies
• Plum - Situated in Salamanca Square, this is place is a little upmarket but well worth the price in their seafood and main offerings. A favourite!
• Daci & Daci Bakers – A great pastry and cafe place to chill inside or on in the sun
• Drunken Admiral Restaurant – Great food. Possibly avoid the free salad bar but hey, its free. The fish is great here
• Peppermint Bay – You’ll have to catch a boat out to get to this one. If you have time and you want somewhere a little special – check it out.
• The Timeless Way – A great little hidden cafe – part of the old IXL building. Great breakfast menus

Drinks

The easiest place to head out for drinks and a little nightlife is to just check out Salamanca Square – pretty much anything along there, you’ll find

Drinks on the lawn of Lark Distillery

yourself a great place. Here’s a little peek of where we were at:

• James Squire’s Bounty – the bar of the great James Squire himself. A great atmosphere with great food and of course, a wonderful selection on tap
• Cargo Bar & Pizza Lounge – similar in terms of crowd to the Sydney Cargo Bar. A good chilled out place- however not the space if you’re looking to mingle along the people. The venue is quite segregated with separate lounge areas and roped off spaces
• Irish Murphy’s – if you’re looking for that dirty, dingy old pub feel – you get it right here. Also great live music most nights
• The Lark Distillery – a little outside from Salamanca cannot come highly recommended enough. One of the oldest Tasmanian distilleries/breweries serving some of the best whiskeys and liqueurs around. Be adventurous and try out the menu. Cheese platters also available.

Things to Do & See

• The Saturday Salamanca Markets – are a must! A great space to get some home grown, home made and home brewed goods. We stocked up on sauces, jams and other things for the home. There are plenty of stores for those fashion and jewellery hunters also. A great spot to grab some lunch too. Classic lemonade stands and some great hot food abound.
• The MONA- is just mind-blowing. The Museum of New & Old is not for the faint hearted and definitely not for those who are only fans of the traditional visual arts. The place has an awe – inspiring, jaw dropping and even disturbing collection of artworks. The space is interactive and also great for those who are not normally into museums and art galleries. It was all so amazing and probably one of my favourite places. Get the ferry or bus out.
• 

  Us on the Hobart Town Ghost Tours

  Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery – for your more traditional museum and history buffs

• The Port Arthur & Island Day Cruises – this was just a blast! The boat ride in was just as fun with a thrilling rush while slowing down to watch seals and some crazy birds in action. The views around the Tasman Island was just beautiful. Then heading onto Port Arthur- a great place to learn about Australia’s past and our historical origins. It was an educational and emotional experience.
• Hobart Town Ghost Tours – booked at the Tasmanian Travel Info Centre – was a fun and educational tour. The tour guides are fantastic story tellers and really know the history of Hobart. Hobart is so seeped into the old world – it be unsurprising if it weren’t haunted! Nevertheless, for believers and non-believers alike – a good time indeed.
• Mt. Wellington – We actually hadn’t done this one even though it was highly recommended. We actually missed the afternoon bus. But the views are meant to be spectacular and a great walk.

A MONA art installation

We obviously haven’t done it all but we’re definitely keen to see it again some time. I hope you enjoyed that post and if you have any questions, don’t be shy and drop us a line.

Tea consumed whilst there: Green Tea with a dash of Tasmanian Sandlewood Honey

Silly Season – Ticking off the list

My, my. I must do apologise for the extreme lateness and sparsity in blog posts! Having said that – if I’ve been busy then there would be news and activities to be had…

Well, I’ve been introduced to a new workplace, the silly season had hit and all in the mean time we had actually started to tick things off the things-to-do list.

The corporate lunches and Christmas parties were abound with many venues tried and tested. A new venue for me was Xanthi. A Greek restaurant located on the top floor of the new Westfields on Pitt Street. Just outside the restaurant was a mini bar outside serving drinks, cocktails, coffees and desserts. It was a great starting space before moving in for dinner. The menu had a great authentic feel to it with a great Greek wine and liqueur selection also. The highlight though, has to be the dessert and pastries which are all made on site. Fantastic stuff. A good venue for some fun, class and flavour.

Ticking off another on the list was to watch a comedy night. The comedy night we attended was at The Comedy Store, Fox Studios. The acts were fantastic and it was a real hoot. The drinks service to your chair/table took a little too long. We also gave up by the end waiting for our last one even though we had ordered it during intermission. In terms of mingling and meeting new people – probably not the best space but this does not mean it won’t work. Many people come in their own close knit little pairs and circles as it is. However, tables and chairs are close enough for conversation and laughter to spill over. The bar afterwards may allow for some advantageous night’s reviewing with a dash of drinking.

Christmas at home

Christmas rarely gives us the chance to do things outside of our planned schedule. In between, working extra shifts, decorating, preparing meals and buying gifts nothing out of the ordinary rarely happens. In attending Christmas dinner parties, when generally reaches the age when all on the dinner table are attached, married with children or arrived with you as your ‘plus one’. We’ll probably have to wait until next year to provide you with some more exciting tales of mistletoe and Christmas cheer.

The house party. How do you pull off a house party like you once had when you were 18 ten years on? You can’t and you may not particularly want to.  The fear of your goods that you paid for being broken strikes more fear into you than the thought of your parents yelling because of one of their vases had been smashed along the marble floor. Having said that – it seemed near impossible to round up the people for it. Yes, given we only gave everyone two weeks notice and it was New Year’s Eve. We wanted it to be in the spirit of the old days but more were concerned about the distance to their homes and who would be designated driver. Remember the days when we never used to think about that until the morning after? The food catered for the diabetics, gluten free friendly people and nut allergies- (again was it ever like this when we were younger?) Nevertheless, people arrived, drinks were freely served and food was consumed by the plenty. The night was spent reminiscing, cheering and singing along outside in the warm night. Cameras of all sorts showed us their lens. We even popped in to watch the fireworks on the television. Soon the night was over, many headed home, others crashed and one single scandal was had.

All in all, November & December had proven to be rather busy- even if it hadn’t completely helped us tick off things on our Sleepless in Sydney list. Having said that, peeps, we’ve booked in for our first speed dating session!

Tea for the Season: Peppermint Tea and some cookies on the side

You’re not where the magic happens

'Where the Magic Happens' - Original Source Unknown

Does the picture above speak to you? Are you outside the circle of where everything happens? When I first saw this drawing, I could not believe how simple and yet, true it was. How long have you been stuck in your comfort zone?

Recently, I spoke to a friend who had just come back from an extended trip overseas to the South Americas. He spent much time there volunteering helping out communities that had been affected by natural disasters. He had met many a great people- volunteers and locals. He learnt much in the way of culture and differences. He experienced a life on basics and hard work. He experienced difficulties but was greatly rewarded. Now how many of us would escape our comfort zones, leave our work and social worlds behind and work in a third world country? Probably not many and that many of us would be missing out on that magic- that experience of intangible rewards.

To some that may not be magic but either way, it was something that required courage. Something that required we step outside of our comfort zone. Do something that scares you every day. Be a little brave everyday and experience something new. Say hello to that person you always wanted to but never have. Take a leap of faith somewhere. Try a new walking route. Get your hair chopped off. Pick something outside your ‘usual’ on the menu.

I’m going to try this mantra this week. Something that scares me every day. I’ll let you know how I go.
I guess part of my attempt at doing this also in the long run will be completing that challenge list. Come join me if you want. Oh! And please note, I have updated the dates and times.

Tea of choice today: Vietnamese Sapa tea – a little adventurous. It’s an odd looking tea just made up of dried old vine leaves – but it was definitely worth it. It was so surprisingly refreshing and sweet.