I digress. The point I'm making is that I like the concept of Thanksgiving - family arguments and bloated bellies aside. So I thought, what are 10 things that make me happy that I can be thankful for? In no particular order -
1. Swing Dancing (Lindy hop)
I wish I'd discovered this brilliant and incredibly social form of dance earlier on in life, but I'm certainly going to make up for lost time now. And oh the clothes!
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| The Killer Dillers, international Lindy performance group - including Perth's own Sharon Davis |
2. The love of good friends:
Having grown up primarily as an only child, I have always made my friends my family. These are two key members of the family I choose - my non-blood big brother, and twin sister (Mick and Lara)
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| La-Rapie chundermuffin (the American) & The Hairy bear (The Croatian) and I (the Gypsy) |
3. Sloe Gin.
Made from sloe berries this is the nectar of the gods, or at least the sweet nectar of showgirls everywhere.
4. Amazing, strong (fashionable) women around me:
This one is especially relevant today, as yesterday my mum's best friend Penny passed away. She was like a second mother to me and was a true inspiration for everything that I am. She was a principal ballet dancer, an actress, an opera singer, an artist, a designer, a comedienne and an overall wonderful woman. My last post referred to my gorgeous mod-tastic mother, and finally I will always pay tribute to my devilish Grandmother Elizabeth, who was a beauty queen back in the day (who's vanity still knows no bounds and who taught me how much fun it is to roll down the windows while going through a car wash!).
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| Penny in her Opera days |
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| My Grandmother, Oh I would kill for her wardrobe now! |
5. Sushi:
No seriously, I love the stuff. I can't get enough. I think it's a genuine addiction. And the more soy sauce, wasabi, ginger and japanese mayo the better! Nom nom nom.
6. Adult dress ups and Performing:
Ok so really that's two things, but for me they regularly go hand in hand. I love making costumes. I think it springs from the fact that as a child, that was really what my mum could bring to the table. She couldn't cook, and I had the universe's most boring school lunches, but 10 minutes before I was meant to be at a costume party I could declare "Mum, I need a chicken costume" and she could create one out of thin air.
I also love planning, choreographing, costuming and performing dance routines, and I love that I am in the position to be able to do that (and actually get paid for it!) as my burlesque alias Ella Jezebella, and my GoGo alias at Devilles, Zopocalypse.
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| My costume for Halloween show "Martini's with the Devil". I was a Voodoo Witch. (Photo by Jacqueline Jane for the Twisted Vaudeville Circus) |
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| Performing my Voodoo Witch samba act |
7. Travel:
I have been lucky enough to travel, both on my own and with friends, partners and family and I love that I have the freedom to do this. I also love that I've been able to do this despite being a poor uni student for most of the time. My next stops (this year) shall be Hong Kong, New York, the Gili Islands and (back to) Melbourne.
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| Myself at the Monument to the Murders Jews of Europe in Berlin. |
(Wow I decided to be thankful for TEN things?!)
8. The freedom of physical expression:
Ambiguous statements for the win. Ok, so this requires some explanation. This is my being thankful for the fact that in this day and age, and in my country I can act and dress as I wish. Further than that - I can get tattoos and dye my hair purple on the spur of the moment, and I am not persecuted for it (even as a lawyer!)
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| Sometimes there's nothing left to do, but dance. |
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| My response to my Father's suicide was to do one last thing to annoy him - read at his funeral with purple hair ;) |
That isn't meant to sound dodgy. Although I am very thankful for that kind of loving too ;) I have amazing men in my life. They occupy different roles; they may be a lover, a best friend, a soul mate, a big brother. They all protect me, and they all tell me I'm a "Silly Gypsy".
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| Be you lover or best friend, you're still likely to get roped into performing with me at some point - that role at least, is consistent. |
10. THESE shoes:
On a lighter, final note - oh go oh god oh god I love them. Right here, right now: they make me happy.
This list is in no way exhaustive. I could name 10 things a day and probably get 9 months into the year before faltering. It's a great activity to do - So, what are you thankful for?
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