Well, that time of year has come around again for Mardi Gras! But not just any old Mardi Gras, it’s the 40th anniversary.

There has been no shortage of coverage on it in the press and on social media as Australians from all walks of life stock up on their satin, sequins, glitter and sparkle before setting off to Sydney for the parade. 

This year has seen loved celebrities like Cher perform in honour of the event, and the festival has been greatly enjoyed.

However, good news can be fleeting. Many of us tuned in to ABC’s telemovie: Riot last week. The film depicted life in 1970’s Sydney where taking part in homosexual acts was a punishable offence. I was shocked to see just how much the LGBT community suffered during this time as they were exploited and even bashed by police officers. Check out the trailer below.

The Gogglebox replay of the film also caused a great stir as members of the public commented.

One thing in particular has irked me, and once again, it is social media related. For the past several weeks as I’ve flicked through my news feeds on Facebook and Instagram, it’s been great to see how many businesses like ANZ, Qantas, AAMI and Westpac (to name a few) have been supporting Mardi Gras with rainbow and glitter in their logos, and even photos from the parade itself.

Underneath the posts however, is where you see the hatred. In one post put up by ANZ, one SMU commented: “Why don’t you start supporting a cause that actually makes a difference to people’s everyday lives?”

Another commented on a photograph from Mardi Gras courtesy of AAMI,

“I will never take out another policy with you again. FINISHED. You have lost yourself a customer.”

These are hurtful on their own, yet the most cutting came from many other SMU’s, who stated that, “They got what they wanted. They can get married now. Why do they still have their gay parade?”

Another said, “Maybe we should have a straight parade. After all, that is “Equality”.”

As many of us know, the first Mardi Gras parade took place in 1978 to protest the criminalisation of homosexuality in New South Wales.

So much has happened since the first Mardi Gras. In 1984, homosexuality was decriminalised in New South Wales, and in the last ten years laws have extended to allow same-sex couples many of the same rights as everyone else, including the ability to adopt children. However, nothing sticks in people’s minds more than December last year, when same-sex marriage was finally legalised in Australia.

 

We’ve come so far in some ways, yet we are still so primitive in others. When I read comments like these on social media, I can’t help but feel that there is no acceptance at all. Let’s take a look back in history to the experiences other minority groups have endured. For example, the Australian Aboriginal experience. For so long, despite being here first, Aboriginal people were not considered Australian citizens.

In 2008, Kevin Rudd formally apologised to every Aboriginal person in the nation for what they went through. Even now, calls have been made to change the date of Australia Day.

While changing a society’s beliefs is never set in stone, I feel that much progress has been made here.

However, when it comes to the LGBTQ community in Australia, I don’t feel there has been as much.

One particular instance that stands out to me occurred last year, when a man I know who works with children was openly called a “faggot” by a child in his workplace. As a result, nothing was done to discipline said child. After hearing this, I wondered. Had the man been of a different race or ethnicity, and the child had said something derogatory based on these grounds, would it have been taken more seriously?

 

Don’t get me wrong. Racism is still very much present in society today, as is homophobia. When I read comments like this, when people cut their ties with legitimate businesses because they support the LGBTQ community, or believe that marriage equality is merely a rouse to corrupt and sexually exploit their children, I feel sad. I feel that while formal structures like Australian law have made changes, so much of the country still hold onto their homophobia.

Will there ever be a day where we can accept other people who are different to us?

Have I just taken too much stock from what I read on social media? Am I just being overly pessimistic? Maybe.

I would like to think that I am just looking for acceptance in the wrong places. However, I think the sad reality is that regardless of how many laws are changed, there will still be hatred towards minority groups like ours.

This is 2018, but sadly I feel that it will take another few generations before the LGBTQ community stop having to put up with prejudice from fellow Australians.

What do you think? Be sure to leave a comment below.

Well, the holidays are over. It’s a whole new year and it’s time to get back into the swing of things. Don’t worry, I know what you’re thinking. By the end of last year we were all deflated and over it. It was a long, exhausting year, and many of us are depressed that we have to start it all again. For many, this is just the beginning of another long, dead-end year of hard work, bills to pay, and maybe just enough money for a drink on the weekend.

What many don’t realise though, is that it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s all about the way you look at things.

Think back to New Year. Remember what your New Year Resolution was. Now is the time for action, in order for your goals to be achieved. We all have our different paths and journeys in life. However, there is no denying one thing: success does not come without a lot of hard work, and maybe a little failure and frustration along the way. Using the following, you will find new resolve as you kick start a brand new year full of opportunity.

 

1. Know what your end goal is. Whether it is to get that promotion or get that university degree, have this at the forefront of your mind. Visualise that piece of paper in your hand as you wear the black hat and robes, or that brand new office and pay cheque.
2. Keep visual aids of what you want to achieve. If it’s that big trip to Paris, stick a big picture of the Eiffel Tower to the fridge.
3. Don’t be afraid to explore your options, or take an alternate path. For example, that degree you’ve been working for now requires you to do a ten week work placement on the other side of the country. With your mortgage and children, there’s no way it’s going to happen. So you drop out of the course, right? Wrong! Check out what other universities offer. A different institution might offer the same thing at a cheaper price without you having to travel around the country. If you’re getting nowhere at your place of work, check out what other companies have to offer.
4. Maintain that balance. We all know that when the working year starts, it’s game face on. But that doesn’t mean it has to be all work and no play. If you go in all guns blazing and don’t give yourself any down time, you’re setting yourself up to fail. Try to allocate at least one day a week to yourself. On this day you can sleep in, catch up with friends over a coffee, and or go out for dinner and drinks with your special someone. This way you’ll be able to get through the next week refreshed, without neglecting your other responsibilities.
5. Don’t be afraid of change. If you’re feeling deflated, ask yourself why. Are you unhappy with the direction your life is taking you, or is the way you’re going about it all wrong? Have a good sit down and evaluate things. Do you want a career change, or do you just want a change of scenery? Weigh up your options and see if these sorts of changes are possible, and if they are what you’re looking for.
6. Make sure you embrace each phase of the year. We all love that summer holiday time, but there are also many times to look forward to during the rest of the year. When special occasions like Easter, birthdays, and Christmas in July roll around, embrace them and enjoy them to the full.

 

Remember, at the end of the day we only live once. We work to live. We don’t live to work. While we have our own journeys and ambitions in life to conquer, it is important to embrace life’s other aspects like friends and family. When you maintain that balance between work and play, I guarantee you will get through the working year that little bit easier.

Leave a comment and give us a word on how your new year is doing!

xoxo Brett

I know what you’re probably thinking: social media has brought you this post. What right do I have to complain about it? I understand that, believe me. However, I think this needs to be said. 

 

The digital age has brought many wonderful things with it. We have the ability to have video conversations from across the globe, stream film and television online, and many more. However, I think that most people will agree that one of the biggest developments is social media. You all know what I’m referring to: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, MySpace, Snapchat, Pinterest, to name a few. These platforms play a significant role in our daily lives for many reasons. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram allow businesses to advertise their services and increase their following for free. They allow people to keep in contact with friends and relatives who are geographically separated. 

However, there is a dark side to social media. Platforms like these are a haven for cyber stalkers, cyber bullies, and vigilante behaviour. While these are the extremes, others we see every day. Nowadays you can almost create social media stereotypes from one’s personality. I’ve compiled a list of all the different kinds of social media users (or SMU’s).

 

1. The oversharer: The person who posts their every daily activity and every waking thought, often exceeding 10 posts a day. 
2. The angry SMU with no literacy skills: The person who rants and raves about everything wrong with their life, but can’t write seperate sentences or spell simple words like “you’re”, “their” or “too”. 
3. The highly intelligent SMU: This particular user creates satirical politic related posts, and witty commentary about life in general. These people tend to be much more active during significant political debates.
4. The busybody: These SMU’s might not make many posts, but will like and comment on everyone else’s, and use their social media account to keep up with the latest goss. 
5. The attention seeker: This SMU’s profile consists mainly of vain selfies. We’ve all seen the sort of posts that these people put up. When they’re down, they put up a vague post indicating that they want to hurt themselves, in order for everyone to pry and ask what is wrong. When they have an announcement, they make a vague post so that everyone will pry, but they won’t give the secret away. If you’re lucky, you might get a “PM me, and I’ll tell you ;)”.
6. The down to Earth SMU: These are the least irritating kind of SMU. These might have a slight mix of a few different types of SMU in them, but they mainly post happy shots of their friends and family, maybe first day shots of their children, always accompanied with captions like, “Life is good”.
7. The artist: These SMU’s specialise in something. It could be photography, music, writing, drawing, architecture, the list goes on. These people are often quite intelligent, and most of their posts will relate to their nominated field. For example, a travelling photographer will post photos of places they’ve been around the world, using cool filters and fantastic camera angles. The musician might post YouTube clips of themselves singing, and so on.
8. The businessman: This user simply uses their account to further their business, and will only post advertisements to improve their following. 
9. The humanitarian: This SMU will mainly post things related to helping people or animals. Much of their wall will be made up of things they’ve shared from other official organisations. For example, bushfire warnings from 7 News, petitions to save the whales, or advertisements like missing person posters.
10. The video blogger: This SMU might have several thousand followers, most of whom they do not know. They will post video diaries of themselves maybe driving as they pour their heart out. Viewers might comment while it is live and the SMU will respond on air.
11. The celebrity SMU: This SMU can afford to pay a professional to manage each of their different social media platforms. Each post is related to their specialised field, and is tailored for each different social media platform, ie hashtags, symbols, emoji’s, etc.
12. The paranoid privacy obsessed user: This user doesn’t have a profile picture, and will often use an alias rather than their real name. They have a rigid approval process when accepting friend requests, and will rarely make posts, like or comment on other people’s posts, and will untag themselves should their friends tag them in an event.
13. The SMU who is never on: This person has an active account, but only checks it every few months, if that. The only reason they have signed up is to keep in touch with people they never see. These are usually the people who like and comment on your photos and posts that are over a year old.
14. The non SMU: This person is computer illiterate. They do not have a social media account, and in fact probably don’t own a computer, or a smart phone. This person is set in their ways and keeps in contact with their friends and family the old fashioned way.
15. The troll: This user simply makes offensive comments on public posts to bait their users into responding. The troll will generally use an alias and have no profile picture. 

 

Have I missed any? Feel free to comment at the bottom of the page. 

Speaking personally, I can identify as an artist, down to Earth and businessman SMU. My mother will probably tell you I’ve been the oversharer a bit in my time though!

What sort of SMU are you? Share it in the comments box at the bottom of the page.

 

Recently, I’ve noticed an enormous breakdown in the quality of social media. During the same sex marriage plebiscite last year, it was impossible to miss a post about it, followed by thousands of arguments in the comment section on what people should or shouldn’t be voting.

Even a simple ad by Coles promoting their loyalty program Flybuys was bombarded by users complaining about how little they receive from the program, only to then complain about the generic responses generated by the Flybuys team on the page. I could list many more examples, but we don’t have all day. 

Long story short, I am asking you: how did we get into this mess? How does something as simple as tagging someone, commenting on a post, or not doing these things, make or break friendships? How did it get to the point where our social media presence helps potential employers decide whether or not to give us a job?

Have you ever considered going social media free for a week? For many of us, the idea is absurd. What would we do with ourselves? 

1. We would have more time on our hands. We could get more studying done, more housework done, more chores done.
2. We could rekindle long lost friendships with a letter or a phone call.
3. We could go out for dinner and chat without the interruption of status updates, and taking photographs of our food. 
4. We could go on holidays and take selfies and photographs of the scenery, knowing that they will simply be printed and placed in a photo album.
5. We could enjoy the company of the people we love, without the need to share superficial statuses for people we don’t really know or like. We could talk to people face to face in real time. We could not be distracted by the outside world through cyberspace.

 

What do you think? Are these speculative outcomes near the truth? Do you think you could see some positive results by going back to basics? 

Be sure to comment at the bottom of the page.

 

Have you ever wondered what happens to you when you die? We all want to believe that we live on in some form or another after our life on Earth ends.

The next question is: Did you ever think this concept would be addressed in a children’s movie?

At the tail end of last year, Disney Pixar brought Coco to our screens. The film, set in Santa Cecilia, Mexico depicts a small boy, Miguel whose great great grandfather left his family to pursue a music career.

This left Miguel’s great grandmother Coco and her mother to fend for themselves. Bitterly hurt by this generations later, Miguel’s family has forbidden music. Of course, music is all that Miguel lives for.

On the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) there is a talent contest in the town square that Miguel is desperate to enter. With no instrument, Miguel breaks into the mausoleum of a famous musician: Ernesto. After attempting to steal his guitar, Miguel is summoned to the other side by his dead relatives who were visiting for the Day of the Dead. For stealing the guitar, Miguel is cursed, and will become one of the dead unless he can get a blessing from a deceased family member.

This takes Miguel on a journey through the land of the dead with his dog Dante, meeting a man there who turns out to be his great great grandfather; murdered by the great musician Ernesto who stole his music.

Something very unusual about this film is the place and culture it is set in. Most children’s films we see nowadays (with the possible exception of Mulan) are set in Western societies. This film gives the viewer a real insight to the spiritual beliefs of the Spanish culture; which inhabits not only much of Europe, but also most of Central and South America.

The religious beliefs and customs of the characters in this film are quite different to our own. However, there are so many aspects that we can relate to, as they go through turmoil like loss, and family relations as Miguel tries to convince his family to let go of their hate of music.

 

I must say, the most striking thing about this film is the strongest theme throughout: death. There is no doubt the creators of Coco made a bold move to produce a movie like this one. For so many people, discussing the subject of death is taboo. We don’t know what is on the other side for sure, and probably won’t until we go there ourselves. For religious people, their beliefs often revolve around good people going to heaven to be with Jesus Christ, while sinners go to be with Satan in the fires of hell. For others, science dictates that once our physical bodies are expended, our souls decompose with it.

Coco conveys one of the strongest beliefs of the Spanish culture: that there is life after death. As long as a photo of you with offerings is placed on the ofrenda on the Day of the Dead, you will continue to live in the afterlife.

This was my favourite sentiment to Coco: that even when we leave this world, no one is ever really gone as long as they are remembered.

With the bold and unusual setting and storyline, mixed with the loveable characters, cool wit and catchy soundtrack, I give Coco a solid 4.5 stars. This one will definitely have a place on my shelf when it is released on DVD.

 

That’s all from Brett. Be sure to see this one while it’s still in theatres. Peace out for now!

 

In 1995, we saw the original Jumanji come to our screens, starring Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst and the late Robin Williams. In this film, we watch a teenage boy and his friend stumble across the magical board game, called Jumanji. Little do they know that this is a game like no other, with disastrous life changing consequences which will not end until every player finishes the game.

In 2017, an all new cast, including Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas and Bobby Cannavale brought Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle to our screens.

I know what many of you are thinking: How dare we attempt to replace the amazing work that Robin Williams has done?

I know what you’re saying, believe me. Robin Williams was an irreplaceable actor, whose fine work was an asset to every filmmaker lucky enough to have him on their set. However, I do not feel that the intent behind this film was to replace anything, or anyone.

In this instalment of Jumanji, director Jake Kasdan adapts the concept to the twenty-first century; making the game even more powerful.

In this new adaptation, we see the board game buried in the beginning of the film. Twenty years later in the present time, curiosity gets the better of a group of four very different teenagers in detention. The children stumble across a game console in their school utility closet, and unwittingly find themselves transported to the world of Jumanji; where the only way to leave is to win the game. Like a video game, each player takes on the identity of the character they choose. Each player is given a certain number of lives (in this case three), and is expected to navigate their way through a number of levels and challenges; each one more difficult than the last.

 

Now, Jumanji is just one of many classic, loved films to have a re-make done on it in recent years. This is a very risky move for filmmakers to take, for as human beings, we are creatures of habit. Change is rarely ever a good thing to the subconscious mind, and if the change is not tastefully done, it can be a disaster.

Personally, I take my hat off to Kasdan. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was not a replica of the original Jumanji story, but a variation of the classic story for the next generation. The concept of the characters finding themselves inside a virtual reality game is a reflection of the times we live in, as technology plays its part. However, some things are classic, as the four teenagers, amongst battling with the issues surrounding phones and social media, also tackle things like puppy love and friendship which come with being a teenager. One particular modern twist we see is Jack Black playing the part of airhead Bethany, trapped inside the body of an overweight male cartographer named Professor Sheldon Oberon.

In the end, the children not only finish the game and return to reality with a renewed outlook on life, they also rescue another victim of Jumanji who has been trapped in the game for twenty years (Nick Jonas).

 

To sum up, I give Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 4/5 stars. While it was altered for today’s generation, I felt that it stayed true to the original. I was particularly touched by the tribute to Robin Williams with the carving of his character’s name.

What do you think? Do you agree with me? Be sure to comment below. If you haven’t seen the film yet, make sure you check out the trailer!

 

January 19th marked the beginning of the 2018 Tamworth Country Music Festival. Like many excited fans from across the country, I flocked to the old town out in the sticks, the brown hills ominous in the background as I crowded with my family around the Big Golden Guitar statue to get the perfect selfie. I have done this every year since 2014. Before long, we checked into our motel, and headed into town.

 

As we walked along Peel Street in the forty degree heat, I was struck by the buskers along the way. While there were some who I saw in previous years, it was interesting to see some newcomers. One particular busker, registered as Emmagen Rain caught my eye. This girl was lucky to be 10 years old, and had a fantastic set list of classic country songs up her sleeve, including “Hallelujah” which brought some of the audience to tears. I couldn’t help but wonder what one can achieve when they put their mind to a challenge, and utilise every tool at their disposal. As we continued on, another girl from Newcastle was due to play in Centrepoint Shopping Centre. The announcer proudly stated that she was 16, and had been writing her own music since she was 9. While most children were playing, this girl was at home writing lyrics and learning to play the guitar. I wonder, if I had started writing fantasy novels at that age, would I be a published author now? I guess it’s truly amazing what both passion and drive can achieve.

But what else is it down to? Luck? Talent? Family and friends in the industry? Or simply being in the right place at the right time? But, as we all know, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. What sort of sacrifices had to be made? I would like to think I had a pretty happy childhood, but what about this young girl? Does she look back on all her hard work with any regrets? With a career in country music, she’ll be set for life. But will she look back and wonder what she has missed out on as a normal kid? I suppose it’s one of those instances where you can’t have everything. I’ve often wondered about famous people. We all say how wonderful it would be to be famous. But how wonderful is it? It is impossible to go shopping without being hounded by fans, and everything you do ends up in the newspaper. I guess it’s one of those things that we’ll never really know the answer to. I just wonder whether any of these young, talented people who were discovered early in life, yearn for a childhood that they never had.

The very last performance that caught my attention, was Amber Lawrence and Travis Collins. After doing a little research, I learnt that Lawrence and Collins are both previous Golden Guitar winners, but have also released an album together called Our Backyard. Furthermore, I learnt that Collins is in fact from Cessnock, married to Rebecca Collins (nee` Ingle) who went to Cessnock High School, just four years above me. Talk about a small world!

Overall, the Tamworth Country Music Festival is a great experience to have under your belt. Like everything, I have tried to take a little something away from it. This year, I have realised how powerful music is, and how much it brings people together. To me, it is really something that thousands of individuals drive and fly many miles just for the opportunity to stand in a crowded street in the searing forty degree heat, and hear their favourite artist perform. The atmosphere is amazing, and I cannot help but leave with a smile on my face, longing for just one more day at this amazing festival.

 

Make sure you check out the video below for a glimpse of Emmagen Rain, and Amber Lawrence and Travis Collins.

Until next time,

Xoxo Brett

Everyone has different ways of letting off steam. Whether you’re a student, labourer, business owner, surgeon, or work from home, we all need a break. For some, this might mean a tour around the world with late nights, early morning bus trips and non-stop partying.

Don’t get me wrong, I love travelling. But for me, the idea of unwinding in summer involves going to the beach and splashing in the waves, occasionally coming back to shore to curl up in the sand with a good book to refuel. On those forty something degree days though, there is nothing I love more than closing the house up, turning up the A/C and putting on a good movie.

However, with Christmas at the forefront of the holiday season, the financial side of things can be daunting. Truth be told, it is an expensive time of year. And sadly, our financial status often dictates what sort of holiday we have, if any. But did you know you can enjoy the holiday season without sending yourself broke?

 

1. Do your research. Check out sites like booking.com and look for the best deals. You’d be surprised how much money you could save simply by being in the right place at the right time. Choose a venue that caters for what you like to do best, e.g. lying around the pool, or clubbing in the CBD of a cool city. Remember, what people around you classify as a holiday isn’t always what you do. Also, ensure your lodgings include kitchen facilities.
2. Plan ahead. Try to book your getaway in advance so that you can put your holidays in at work and get yourself organised.
3. Put a little extra money away each week. For some, this could mean opening an extra bank account which direct debits money every week. For others, it could mean stowing away some loose change into the piggy bank at the top of the wardrobe each week.
4. When you go on your holiday, plan your meals and alcohol consumption. Nothing drains the bank account faster than eating out every night. On your first day at your destination, find a supermarket and buy all snack foods and easy meals to cook. Try to treat eating out as a special occasion. When buying snack food and alcohol, look for specials and watch out for brand names. For example, there is a cheaper version of Midori at Dan Murphy’s which I always buy when I’m there.
5. When you get to your lodgings, NEVER take anything from the minibar. These are overpriced and placed purely to prey on those who can’t resist the impulse.
6. Know your surroundings. Research your accommodation and transport to the attractions, for example beaches, restaurants and shopping. If you are in a metropolitan area, it might be worth looking at the cost of public transport, as parking may be minimal, and if you’re lucky enough to find parking, it will probably be expensive.
7. Plan out which attractions you’re going to visit, how often, and on what day, so that you don’t end up overwhelmed by the options, or come home disappointed.
8. Ensure you get the down time you set out to get. There is no point taking a trip, and coming home feeling just as stressed and no more refreshed than when you left.

Some of us aren’t lucky enough to get a holiday during the summer holiday season. This is one of those times where the holiday diary is booked out months in advance. But, just because you’re not taking any time off, doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the summer with these tips!

 

1. Plan a day trip when you have a day off. Set your alarm for 6am, pack a picnic, your swimmers, towel, sunscreen and hit the road.
2. Take advantage of two days off in a row. Again, hit up the hot booking sites, and look for the best value accommodation at your favourite destination. You don’t need a fancy five star resort, just a place to sleep. Leave early Saturday morning, spend the night, and be back on Sunday evening, all refreshed and ready for work Monday morning.

No matter where you are, remember to never lose your head, and always be safe. Happy holidaying!