Don't Worry Be Happy

Having an extended lunch with a friend today, and with him going through some tough emotional times, the discussion moved to how he felt he had lost his happiness.

With regards to happiness, he had a theory. In his mind, happiness is not a constant, but the up peaks in a series of up and down emotional experiences. Like you may be happy when a certain event occurs, but you will move back to your "normal" state of mind after a certain period of time, be that 5 seconds, 5 minutes, or 5 days. To which I replied, you have have to increase your "normal" state of mind, so that you feel happier all the time. He thinks, however, that if this is the case, your will normalise that feeling, and it will take more and more extraordinary events to bring you to a state of happiness.

Can feeling happiness be like feeling rich? You will always want more of it, and in the end, there is not enough happiness in the world to satisfy you? I have to say that I found the whole theory quite cynical.
He was the first to admit that he was surprised at how cynical he and his friends had become. Everyone was dissatisfied with their present situation, and everyone felt that deserve more than what they were getting.

Most likely it's true, and we all deserve more. I just hope that those guys realise the luckiness of the situation that they are in. My only gripe is the fact that people do not leverage the positions they are in. The biggest shame is to waste all the talents and opportunities that you have been given in this life to make it a better place, both for yourself and for those around you.

Maybe that is what happiness is all about...that you know you are pushing yourself to be everything that you can be.

General Update

Two things happened this weekend. I completed my diving course (woohoo! Certified for 18m anywhwere in the world) and Alwin had is Coogee Beach BBQ. Good to see you again, mate! Of course, the real fun began when the alcohol magically appeared at Helen's place that night. As you can see, things go progressively worse. Note to self: drink a lot more water before going to bed. Thanks Anton for lending me a couch :-)

But first a decent group photo...

Waterworld

You know they shot a lot of the movie under the water, instead of using a blue screen background? That's why the budget blew out by so much. Sadly didn't seem to help the sales of the film.

Anyways, just completed the first two days of my PADI certification. Did the theory beforehand, so it's been mostly time in the pool, and (today) in the open water. I've been down to about 6m, and the next week is the planned 18m dive. I have discovered that I have absolutely no endurance swimming (nearly died doing the 200m qualification swim), that I'm a heavy breather (too much excitement under the water) and that there is this massive blue groper fish called George that hnags around the rocks at Shelly Beach (fish scales feel weird!)

Apparently foolish behaviour occurs when you get nitrogen narcosis (too much nitrogen in the blood due to water pressure at certain depths), although I pointed out that foolish behaviour can occur at the surface. Yes, even the instructor laughed. :)

It's good to get the certification, since quite a few other friends have it as well. The diving in South-East Asia is all that, or so I"ve heard. Anyone up for an Asia trip? hehe

Def Poetry Jam

The other day, I went to see this poetry recital / rap session production that's being held at the Metro along George St. I thoroughly recommend it for anyone. Some of it is sad, some parts make you stop and think, and other are downright hilarious.

From poetry about Kirspy Kreme, to loving yourself, to childhood memories, to Sept 11, to short-skirt wearing hoes, all the recitals had a passion in them that would raise the hairs on the back of your neck. Plus there was some quality R'n'B interludes!

Highlight of the night was definitely the Asian dude (there's only one in the group). His poems were all quality. Something along the lines of..."you think Asians only kiss Asians? Hell no, we're fucking the whole ethnic spectrum!" YEAH!! :-)

Brianna

My niece is super-cute!

Pics from her new "lounge" pool that we got for her for Christmas, and at the house at Woy Woy for Christmas lunch.