Bus Etiquette

Lately I have been so busy with work that this blog has taken a real nosedive. With long work weeks, long commutes and being attacked  by the mother of all flu’s has made me super exhausted and super boring. And this post is about to prove it.

Something that has really been bothering me the two month or so (pretty much since I started full time work) is the lack of understanding of Bus Etiquette the average person on the daily commute has. Perhaps they are so use to this commute and the terrible practises of others that they have all those their way of understanding how to be a decent human being whilst riding a bus but I am going to write the unwritten laws of bus etiquette. Let this be your guide.

1. Stand up for Pregnant ladies, ladies with prams and anybody less abled than yourself really – I really shouldn’t have to write this one. EVERYONE should have enough common sense as to know this golden rule. But alas, experience has shown me people do not. The other week I witnessed a lady attempt to stand up whilst holding herself and her pram upright (that takes some serious balance and calf muscles) whilst the bus driver spoke to her telling her that she better hold on tight. Poor women, if I wasn’t on the back seat I would have given my seat up, but it was shocking that no one in the pram/wheelchair section of the bus would get up.

2. If you are the first person on the seat, move to the window. – The window seat is better anyone for one major reason, you can have an awesome commuting snooze to and from work, I love the window seat, however I do not ‘love’ having to climb over rude people who can’t move over because they want the aisle seat so much. Deal with the window seat or stand up so I can get to the superior position suckers.

3. If your on the aisle seat and a free seat becomes available, move to the free seat – I understand that I have to be jammed up against the window if there are no free seats. You want to seat down and if the only spots are next to people, sure go right ahead, but if a free seat opens up, move there. Don’t make me climb over you for the free seat and do not, (i repeat do not) seat next to me with EVERY other seat on the bus empty. Must I be forced against the window, unable to cross my legs for the best part of an hour because your to lazy to arse shuffle one metre.

4. If someone on the window seat is trying to get off the bus and you are in the aisle seat, get up for them! – Omg! my worst pet hate. Seriously, the gap between your legs and the seat is miniscle. Get up so I don’t have to climb over you, and no, moving your legs to the side is not good enough, your body is still in the way. When people do this to me, I make no effort to make sure my bag doesn’t hit them in the face, and it’s their fucking fault when it inevitably does.

The bus is for everyone, think of others and have some common sense whilst riding the bus.

 

 

Decoding the Fuzz

Since my ex boyfriend broke up with me and I came home from being overseas with him, I have had to work really hard to get my mental health back up. A lot of this involved decoding things he told me about myself or things he twisted onto me and realise how much better I deserve then this.

I had a mental breakdown, was teary, was having anxiety attacks and was diagnosed with depression and you know what.. it’s not my fault. Yesterday I had a massive fight with my ex. Well basically we spoke and when he found out I didn’t have a disorder called Hashimotos which causes major mood swings, he got angry because apparently all my crazy behaviour was really just me. Apparently it was completely all my fault that I got depressed and anxious. It was all my fault apparently that he lied to me, knocked me aside for others attention, never empathise with me ever.It’s not my fault that I couldn’t take the neglect and unhappiness. I was on the other side of the world and all I had was him. I had a mental breakdown and he left me alone for days afterwards in a country where I didn’t know anyone. He then told people he thought I was going to kill myself, yet if he really thought that, why did he leave me alone. Then tell me ‘he went to any length for me.’ Surely I am not the only one that sees this as screwed up.

If I got physically sick at a time that inconvenienced him, then I wasn’t allowed to be sick or slow down. I had to go along with whatever he wanted, because I wasn’t an individual person, with individual needs and individual wants. I wasn’t allow an opinion of my own, because I was an extension of him. Nothing more in his eyes.

Yesterday he had the nerve to say to me that he deserved more recognition for ‘going to any length’ for me. He also said he felt guilt but had no idea why because he didn’t make any mistakes. And also implied that my own mental health problems from his abuse was my fault. That my anxiety attacks are my fault and that I got depressed and it’s my fault.

It’s not my fault. I am so glad I am not as clueless anymore as I was. Girls, don’t let a guy treat you like crap then tell you that it’s your fault that your depressed and having anxiety attacks. Don’t date anyone that lacks empathy and can’t even see it.

You accept the love you think you deserve…. and I know I deserve a lot better than this.

Survival Guide For Living with Your Parents Again.

After travelling for 4 and a half months, I really missed my parents beyond words. Whilst this took a while to fade, it has kind of faded. Don’t get me wrong, I love my parents and I actually do love spending time with them. They are fun people to hang out without. However there are some challenges in living with them again. Since my mum doesn’t work anymore and my dad only works part time and has decided to take a large proportion of the holidays he has accumulated over the last say, 10 years now, it means we are spending quite a lot of time living together. More then ever before. At this particular moment my older brother and his girlfriend are visiting from Perth and living here too. Lets just say, its taken some adjusting for all of us. Whilst I have other friends whom are in a similar, if not much worse situation and talking to them has made me see how good I really have it. However these are my tips  for living with your parents at 22 when your not so use to it anymore.

1.) Pick your battles – You don’t need to argue over little things, sometimes its easier to put on a smile, say ‘yes mum’ and just do it. This in my family usually means helping mum or dad with some kind of computer problem which in reality, I have less of an idea than they do and when I try to fix it, they usually end up telling me I am doing it wrong.

2.) Stay out of it as much as possible – When my parents disagree, I disappear. I don’t need to be the person to settle the pointless argument of which movie was better or which T.V show character is more evil.

3.) Keep your bedroom door closed – Yes I am messy and you think at 22, my parents might just leave it be. But no. However they can only make annoying comments, if they see it. As they say, out of sight, out of mind. Don’t bring it to their mind.

4.) Get out of the house as much as possible – My parents aren’t ones to go out very often, meaning that very often, I am the one to leave for some space.

5.) Write a pointless blog post about it, to let out some stem – Best to vent my frustrations here, then to their faces.

I do love them and I’m not a spoilt brat. I am grateful they are so good to me and invested in my life. Just sometimes a little bit to invested, to the point of downright nosy.

New Year’s Eve, always a let down.

Ok, so I don’t mean to sound negative about New Years Eve. I like New Years and the symbolic meanings behind it. But what I don’t like is SOCIAL PRESSURE. I can’t talk and put myself high and mighty like I am above it. I was taking about back in November organising what I was going to do for it. I was meant to be overseas during this time and possibly working and I was relieved to be away from the usual pressure of it. I think this was one of the reasons I actually wanted to go. Avoid this time of year and all the stuff.

So I made my New Years Eve plans and was actually quite excited for them. This was my first mistake. They seem to have gone out the window and with 24 and a half hours until the clock strikes midnight and we welcome the year 2012 and I have nothing to do. Well thats not technically true. I have some closes disorganised friends to do nothing with, as well as 2 parties, one in a different town and one that unfortunately the 2 close friends don’t get on with the party host (well not really) so that is kind of not an option.

As always I am stuck in the middle and blah and I just think. Damn you NYE. Damn the fact that you are the same as any other bloody night and any other night this happens I think ‘eh I will watch a movie’ so why does when this happens on this night, I think ‘omg my life is over and it will be a shit year’ wow talk about a drama queen.

But I am sure New Year’s Eve will all magically work out fine, as like it does in the movies, because everything that happens in the movies happens in real life right?

The Joys Of Finding A Job

So right now, I am meant to be finding a job, having just come back from overseas. It seems I forgot just how hard it is to find that dreaded job. It’s not like I need a job for the money, I live at home and have enough money to cover my expenses for a while, its more I need one in terms of a career, so any old job won’t do right now. I need the right job. But finding that ‘right’ job can be a royal pain in the ‘you know what’ and has left me feeling like this

There is a lot more to applying for a job then simply just mailing out your CV. You need to tailor each resume to sound like your life experiences up to this point have all lead you to this defining moment, and this job is your calling. You need to address the ‘selection criteria’

There are certain things in the Selection Criteria that makes sense. You need a ‘Social Science degree’, you either have it or you don’t. But I can’t stand when you get the ones like, ‘ a good attitude’ Oh damn, I forgot I have a bad attitude, I best not apply. Good written and communication skills, well turns out your going to test me on this by asking me to write over 2000 words as to why I would be good for this job as a ‘admin assistant’, is that really nessicary? Or then you have the job ad’s that are so specific and anal that you would never apply for those jobs, because if someone can make themselves sound like an anal prick in just a job ad, they would be the worlds worst boss.

So the joys of finding a job continue. And if worst comes to worst, I’m going to India or Vietnam. Escape for a while.

The Ugliest Word I Know.

It’s not what you think. The ugliest word I know is the word ‘selfish’… The word ‘selfish’ has come up in my life in a few different areas lately, and hearing about the acts of selfishness is enough to make my blood boil and me get into a rage. (ok this is possibly an exaggeration, however it makes me errk!)

But recently it has come to my attention from advice from people as well as the way people have said they choose to be happy is to ‘be more selfish’. But I challenge one person who has this view in life to really question whether this approach has brought them long-term happiness. Being selfish can satisfy some instant needs in your life, but can being selfish ever really grant you lasting happiness. That is the question I have for you world.

There are some many people lately that I just want to tell to get your heads out of your arse because the world is not all about you, and you will be a lot happier in it once you realise that, not just take the opposite approach and make out like your instant happiness and ego mean more to the world then it really does.

I realise this isn’t anything interesting that anyone else would want to read about, but it has really been bothering me lately. But can selfishness really grant long-term happiness or does it just satisfy instant urges and create a constant spiral of seeking happiness that can never be achieved, with everyone being more selfish to gain that instant gratification.

Giving and being there for others, grants true happiness.

http://www.happytipz.com/2011/01/selfishness-and-happiness.html

 

 

The Hangover II, Geographically Inaccurate and just plain err!

So today I finally got around to watching the Hangover II at my friend’s place. Since I have been to Thailand a couple of times and love the place I was keen to see it. (yes I know this came out ages ago, I’ve been busy) But as someone who has been to Thailand I found this movie really annoying because its geographically impossible. Seriously guys, how long does it take to google something to see that it doesn’t make sense. Grr

Firstly, the wedding location is an unknown area, however judging from the scenery, it is a fair way south, as the closest day trip beaches from Bangkok look nothing like this, and they are about 4 hours away. But lets say they are 4 hours away.

The film’s conflict starts with them on the beach, having a few American beers (geez drink some Thai beer instead, it is much better! not to mention cheaper). Judging by the lighting it is pretty late, they were also about to go to bed before this. Then somehow they end up at least 4 hours away, with enough time to do all the damage they did. This damage includes going all the way to a Chang Mai monastery to steal a monk. I went from Bangkok to Chang Mai once by train. It took almost 13 hours. I will admit it was an old slow train, but still.

These guys then return the monk to the monastery the next day, a good 13 hours say there and back. Considering they state that there is 2 days between the bonfire scene and the wedding scene, there is clearly not enough hours in the day. They also travel there by songthaew. Anyone that has ever been on one of these, knows you would not spend 13 hours on one, without being cramped and in a bit of pain. They aren’t the most comfortable of rides, especially for the long haul.

On another note, in the film’s conclusion, where the boys classically go through all the photos from the night before they happen to find later on with the guy that is missing the whole time. (how convenient) There is a shot mocking one the most famous photos to come out of the Vietnam War.Wrong country boys! Oh the arrogance. Seriously, next time you write a film, get a map and a history book!

Me Vs the USA.

Recently I travelled to the USA and didn’t have the best experience. Me and the USA didn’t get off to the best start. (the US consultant in Sydney put someone elses visa in my passport)  I will admit it wasn’t somewhere that I would have chosen for myself to visit. But I always found this one of the best things about being in a relationship, you get to experience things you might not have chosen for yourself to do, but could end up being some of the best experiences. However my little ideals didn’t quite work out this time. As strange as it sounds the USA was where I experienced my greatest culture shock, not South East  Asia, Morocco or Europe but the USA.These are some reasons why me and the USA were just not meant to be.

1.) Restaurant experiences – after travelling around Europe before the USA I had some of the best restaurant experiences of my life. But the USA eatting out became a stress occurance. American’s seem to have the view that the menu is more of a guideline then a set thing, and the waitresses expect you to change everything around. Every little damn thing became a question, it would take like ten minutes to order. What kind of side salad do you want, what kind of dressing, being shouted the 40 different types of dressing at you, do you want your dressing on your salad on the side, on everything, to be served after your meal, even the drink, straw, no straw? And what is with my 3/4 full drink being taken away from me every 5 seconds. I don’t want it refilled I just want to be able to drink it when I want, not have it not available to me for 75% of my meal because its off being refilled. Then waitresses would hear my Australian accent a add the overpriced tip to my meal for me. Your right, I wouldn’t have tipped you that much without you putting it on for me, you were annoying.It got to the point where not eatting was easier.

2.) Hygiene – I am not saying that Hygiene is not important. It is common sense. But the over the top hygiene was a little much. Even in restaurants and bars you will get a cover on your straw. Fair enough in fast food places were other customers can put there dirty hands on everything, but I’d like to think that I can trust staff to have clean hands, and can’t say I would put much thought into them not having clean hands. Even tampons, tampons was a nightmare for me. You could only get fricken huge applicator tampons. In Australia those huge giant tampons are just for girls who are beginners. The reason they are used, because girls don’t want to have to touch their own vagina. Surely you’ve stuck dirtier things then your own hands in your vagina before ladies. Not to mention the ridculous amount of non decomposable waste those applicators use up. Ridculous!

3.) Guns – Guns freak me out, pistols, rifles the lot. They are designed to kill and nothing else. When I hear someone mention that they have a gun, my first reaction is to get down. Consider I was only in the states a couple of weeks, the amount of times I heard someone casually mention jokingly that they had a gun on them, was enough to make me wanna hit the deck. Why do you need to go out and carry a gun on you, what do you think will happen.

4.) Attitudes in Journalism – In Sydney our papers can be biased, but at least our papers are somewhat subtle with their bias accounts. Yes you will have the Daily Telegraph only put negative letters to the editor about the new Carbon Tax even though there are plenty of people for it, despite what the media will let you realise. But I read one article in the New York Times that literally made my blood boil. It was an article about how a little girl in China was run over twice, horrible incident I agree. The same article also mentioned that an American women in Beijing on a different day saved a women from drowning, a heroic act indeed. However this article linked these two isolated incidences together to create an arguement as to why America as a country was better then China as a country. This article went on to blantenly say that everyone should be greatful they are not Chinese. This mad me so angry, because every country has its problems and I could list a few about America any day, but we are not going to publish in our papers why America isn’t a good country.

5.) Speaking of America’s problems, the homeless situations brought me to tears daily and it got to the point where it was hard to not do anything about. It was hard to be around in a country that just felt like they didn’t care about such a large percentage of its people. Every day you would have people beg you for food. In Sydney I have seen homeless throw out food they were given or if offered food say ‘i don’t want that shit’, because apparently beggers can be choosers. But in America it was a real problem as the shelters could only really provide a bed and not food.

But I am not discouraging people from visiting America, lots of people I know love it. It just wasn’t for me. Lesson Learnt.