Further space to ramble

One of the arguments that gets me most about the debate over marriage equality and same-sex parenting is the suffering the children will go through at school (highlighted in some of the comments on this video). Adults shouldn’t apply their own prejudices to playground situations and should give kids more credit. You may be surprised at how much children don’t care about things, no matter how much you think they should.

As for the discussion in this video, to dictate that having a father and a mother is best for children demonstrates a narrow view of the society you live in. And even if you have been called upon to legislate something and have made a decision based on your deep personal beliefs, you are still saying that one is better and worth more than the other.

I recently moved to a neighbourhood that prides itself on it’s wide avenues, golf course and “resort style living”. It’s full of Audis, BMWs, a Chrysler with a registration plate reading “FIASCO” and huge houses that compete for street domination.

While everything is beige and artificial (but the swans on the lake are real) what I do love is that many houses back onto open parkland and nobody has curtains or blinds. So when I head out for a stroll in the evening or, if the windows aren’t tinted, during the day I can see straight into people’s living spaces. I can see them watching football on their giant projector screens, I can see them preparing dinner, eating dinner, reading the paper and living the idyllic suburban life. It’s not really fun or remotely interesting, but I do it anyway because they’re lack of window coverings is an invitation for me to share in what they’re doing.

My own home is also unequipped with proper, view-blocking curtains. But when I dance unashamedly to Telstra hold music, play with nerf guns and stare admiringly at my beautiful new dining table only my immediate neighbour is invited to have a peek. And what better way to establish neighbourly relations could there be?

I did see them doing their laundry the other day. We briefly made eye contact through the windows and next thing I knew the blind was drawn and my invitation revoked.

My top tips for doing your makeup on public transport:

1. Don’t. The train is a public place, not your bathroom.
2. Get up 10 minutes earlier and spare us all.

I just read this article about Angelina Jolie’s leg over on Hello Giggles. Author Erin Foster writes that Angelina’s Oscar pose was born from a very human need for attention and when the internet laughed at her, her “humanness” was enhanced because for once she “failed”.

I don’t think there is any deep insecurities at play here and don’t care if she wanted to create a media buzz, made a poor underwear choice, or was simply dared to do it for a laugh. I don’t think it’s right to ever write about how celebrities aren’t actual people and pick apart what they do and make up reasons for why they do it.

I love Angelina’s dress, I love Angelina’s leg poking out of Angelina’s dress, I love the bad photoshops of Angelina’s leg, and I’m enjoying it for what it is without attempting to make me feel better about my sorry self.

We watched 500 Days of Summer last night. It was super cute, funny,  heartbreaking and uplifting.

During this scene I asked Anton if I made him feel like this. I know the feeling can be real but I really wish this happened in real life. How great it would be to have strangers in blue join me in a dance routine.

He said I did, by the way.

Lunchtime card shopping

It’s been a while since a movie has impressed me as much as Drive. David and Margaret’s review outlines much of what I would like to say about this film; although my instant uneasiness about Carey Mulligan’s casting faded as the story progressed (I thought she was too “classy” for the character but then felt that if she wasn’t, Irene would be the stereotypical “poor, past her looks struggling mother whose husband is in prison”).

Drive also introduced me to Ryan Gosling. I couldn’t stand The Notebook, didn’t finish Lars and the Real Girl and thought Blue Valentine just wasn’t right. I didn’t realise how good he is. More importantly, I just didn’t have the thing that so many ladies have for him. Now I do.

I didn’t mind the violence and could appreciate the cars, even though the engine sounds made me feel I was in a very different version of Disney’s Cars (possibly Cars 2 as well but I haven’t seen that one to be able to confirm).

Lastly, I don’t think I’ve heard a better soundtrack. The montage (including a Ryan Gosling slow-mo) to College’s A Real Hero is a memorable one for me.

Watching Glee makes me feel good. Good about myself and everything. And I love watching Brittany dance! That girl sure can move.

I follow up yesterday’s post with this, an ill judged attempt at generating some LOLs from the man who wants to be our leader.

Hey colleagues, I’m the one who steals the Melbourne Magazine every month!