A beach reflection

I have always liked the idea of the beach, but found the reality never really lived up to the hype. I do love the ocean, but the sand, seaweed, sunburn and potential for death by rip, shark, surfboard or other kinda takes the gloss off for me.

Then I went to the Maldives. Now this part of the world does good beach.

The water is so clear and the most beautiful, translucent hue of blue I’ve ever seen.

The fish are amazing – only a metre from shore and not afraid of curious human eyes. So colourful and graceful.

The sand is white and perfectly happy to stay on the ground, not stow away in your swimwear! There are also no cigarette butts peeking up alongside the crab holes.

Now the appeal grows when you discover most beaches come with super comfy sun lounges and shades. Of course the crowning glory is the lovely men wandering around the beach, bringing you cocktails between 10am and 6pm every day! (Why this hasn’t caught on at beaches around Australia is beyond me!?)

Yes, beaches at the Maldives have transformed my view entirely.

And let’s not forget the diverse population in attendance if people-watching is your thing: The sun-conscious who get about decked out from head to toe in protective wear, complete with umbrella in case the hoodie, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen malfunction. The would-be film/porn stars who spend their days posing and preening at the end of selfie-sticks. The sun chasers who have that worn-leather look – not sure if the swim wear is leather-coloured of non-existent… And the pink people! Those wonderfully determined folk who clearly believe that if they layer the burns, eventually they will go some shade of tan!

You may as well know my political leanings.

It’s taken a while to figure out what this feeling is… The outcome of the US election bothers me more than I ever thought it could. And not just because the world is now probably on an even-faster-track to doom and destruction. 

I’m bothered because Hillary’s loss is so much more than Trump’s success. It’s confirmation that the undercurrent of our human existence is a misogynistic rhetoric that’s in no danger of shifting anytime soon.

That a woman as skilled, dedicated, passionate and clearly more qualified than her opponent could not get the job she has been working towards for years is a reflection of the experience of women everywhere.

But it’s something more. It’s the way people talk about Hillary. Gender is absolutely part of this equation, regardless of how vehemently the misogynists claim it’s not. Finding gender-neutral reasons to despise someone is just part of the misogynistic modus operandi. 

Ignorance is the other part of this equation. I see it up close and personal every time politics is raised in conversation. The vast majority of the population don’t have a clue about it. How the system works. The actual extent of a politician’s influence to bring about change in an environment where money talks louder than the greater good. 

For those of you who cite lies, emails and the rise of ISIL as the real reason you don’t trust Hillary, I’m calling you out. Hillary has been a tireless campaigner for women’s rights for decades. She has championed education for girls and women around the globe. She is a former Senator and Secretary of State, not to mention a former First Lady and has the unique experience of seeing and understanding the inner mechanisms of US and world politics from every angle. And as for the rise of ISIL - her surname is Clinton, not Bush.

She should be the US President-Elect.

I had the absolute privilege of meeting Julia Gillard a couple of years ago. I knew I would have a few seconds to say something to her and I wanted it to be meaningful. So I told her that I absolutely believed that she had cracked that glass ceiling. That she had made it easier for the next woman, and the next. But right now, that feels like a lie.

And so it begins

Welcome to my blog. So what is this all about? That’s a good question. And, as yet..it is unanswered.

So far I’m thinking  the Seinfeld Model - a blog about nothing that amuses, is topical and gives equal airtime to nothing and everything. This should allow for the occasional moment of substance. I make no promises about consistency of quality or quantity. 

I imagine I will become obsessed with Google Analytics and let the interests of 9 friends and 17 strangers dictate the subject matter despite my current belief in altruistic intention.

You may think I accidentally reversed the aforementioned numbers…but I don’t intend on telling too many friends about this just yet. Just not ready for that much criticism. Those that are forced to subscribe and read will know better than to comment in the negative, even in their heads.

If you’ve gotten this far you may have some interest in who I am. Lovely. 

I am the voice in your head that asks what possessed you to wear that today. I am the one who always has just one glass of champagne too many. I am the one who loses interest in reading online after 400 words so can guarantee you no more than that (well, maybe 600 words if I’m really on my high horse). 

And I’ve decided to be a writer. Then I will inflict about 120 000 words on you, but you will pay top dollar for that!

So, once again…Welcome! Please stay. You never know, I just might say something interesting.