I was always due to go bald at some stage. They say it’s genetic. When my mates would rib be about it, they’d say “Oh look. You’re going bald… It runs in the family”. “Baldness runs on your Mother’s side”. I’d retort. “But that doesn’t give me much confidence. My Mum is bald as an badger!” trying to make light of the situation. (Sorry Mum… terrible joke).

…I found in my late teens/early twenties really questioning many of the now default judgements (or prejudices) I was being implicitly told to make on those around me. It just didn’t sit well.

It dawned on me that I could wipe out a huge amount of judgements and prejudice by making one simple rule…

…when I came across B2B 2020 (Beechworth to Bridge), it seemed immediately inevitable that I would do my best to take part. It’s a 75km, three day walk at the end of March from Beechworth to Everton, Everton to Myrtleford, and finally Myrtleford to Bright.

One of a list of things that I initially omitted was an Acknowledgement of Country. A simple sign of respect to First Nations people. Some may see it as unnecessary, divisive or just a shallow token measure, but for me, it’s a beautiful and simple way to outwardly show respect and to demonstrate an understanding of our history, rather than ignorance, or being a tacet denial of history. It’s an imperative step forward for our nation and all its peoples.

Often, I’ll find myself playing catch-up. It’s not always hard to see that things need to be done especially with so much on my plate, but sadly, I’m not always mentally able to deal with the task at the time, and gradually get through the workload. ..

I’ve been up all night, deliberating and considering what I may write. But with the belief that bad things happen when good people remain silent, I feel this is an important message to get out there today.

I would dearly love to attend a ‘proper’ Burns Supper in the future, it seemed a lovely way to celebrate a culture that is so much a part of me, and yet, not one that I was surrounded by growing up. There was something simple about it. Something uncomplicated and without guilt or misgivings, and a culture, celebrating something beautiful, and coming together as one.

Two dozen days in… time for a brief update!

…being more or less confined to the couch for a few days with no exercise for the next week or two. I was knocked about by the anesthetic and pain killers, I ate poorly and excessively, and was going to be ineligible to donate blood until I recovered. Basically felt lousy. The perfect opportunity for my depression to creep back in.

When I began this year, and through the very minimal planning stage, the idea of a journal or blog wasn’t really a big aspect. I certainly hadn’t considered doing a post everyday. By day two however, I’d set a precedent. Now, it feels like quite a big part of the whole project. It allows me a space in which to start conversations, and with 366 days this year, there will be a lot to talk about…

Everything was going swimmingly until I felt a powerful blow to the back of my head. I was knocked to the ground and realised that I’d been coward punched (or king hit as it was known back then)…

Fun Run. To many, it’s one of the greatest oxymorons out there. A dichotomy. Not unlike trying to force two magnets of the same polarity together. It doesn’t even sound good when you say it out loud. But, none the less, I am soon to embark on my first of these unmentionable events for the year.

…in my mid-teens, my best mate would ritualistically introduce me to girls saying “This is James. He’s ‘The Words Guy’. He can tell you the spelling and definition of any word you can think of! Go on, test him!” - no need to extrapolate on how unfruitful that exercise was!)…

As we were coming in from lunch to watch, he did the simplest of things - he held open the door for me. I remember being amazed he’d do something like that for me, and I was filled with a feeling a sense of self-worth. I’m sure he had no idea the effect it had on me.

I’ve been a night owl for years now. I get tired, often exhausted, but have terrible trouble actually getting to sleep. At the times when I’m already feeling low, it seems to be the perfect time for anxiety to take over my brain.

Kindness is sometimes seen as weakness, something reserved for the meek and powerless. For me however, being kind and compassionate are some of the most powerful, selfless and easy actions one can do (even if it takes a little practice at first)…

We need to talk…

A nervous radio interview rundown…

There’s a hole in my bucket - Discussing Depression with children.

So, I’m 12 days into the project and a lot has happened. I had every thought that this would be a slow burn - that there would be little to no interest, at least initially, and I’d just remain the eccentric bloke in a kilt…