#jenspen

what? who? two little words yet still no clue. responsibility expectations make up a family's expectations. is it simple? not at all. if i speak family, friends i will apall. is it me? is it right? damn small towns when will it be alright? lets start with the who? who am i? who are you? you may know but i sure havent got a clue. am i meant to be the way i was born  or do i have another way to adorn do i dare or do i not push what i believe needs to be forgot? which leads me to the what. if i am what i think i am theres a little girl to be forgot. and a boy who needs to stand tall become a man but do i have the gall? as a kid i knew no better hated all things girly and pink insisted on playing in dirt mud and paint but never a second guess was had to be thinked 'hey how are you mate' 'hows your son?' mum quick to rebut and correct everyone but these comments i took in my stride and looking back even smiled with in pride i didnt know what that meant didnt have the vocab on hand and all questions mum more or less banned. 'you're a girl' words that resound in my brain and certainly causes many a pain. but

If anyone ever works out how to keep the balance and stop being afraid to be them, please send help!

This is my shoutout to you. If you're left devastated by the 2016 elections to the point where you want to hurt yourselves or even die, please please do what you can to stay alive. If thats vent to the random Australian behind this blog please do. I'll try my best to understand the election process and do my best to offer advice. Create things, talk it out, read things, play things. Do what it takes to survive. I know it will be hard but try. Please? Because right now the world needs beautiful things like you in it to counteract the bad. And you are stronger then you know.

If I am a true Warrnamboolian or a complete and utter mad man. Snorkelling at the end of autumn in Mornington in nothing but bathers and a singlet. Because my life is sad and long and too damn quiet without you right now Bub I miss you :(

To die. Sudden realisations at 3.31am

Ugh. Being a lad is hard work.

The 25th of April for years has always been a favourite of mine. Attending as a spectator, scout and ses member has always made this day enjoyable to this lover of history. But this year, this year is different. 2015 marks 100 years since the Gallipoli landings and the tragic deaths of many Australian, New Zealand and Turkish troops in a war that should never have begun. A war in which too much innocent blood was shed. And for what? Revenge. Land. What everyone thought was right. A couple of key words stand out for me today, from the dawn service in the city and the seaford service in the morning. Courage. Loyalty. Sacrifice. Endurance. Strength. Very powerful emotions and traits our ANZACs showed 100 years ago in the brutal 8 month campaign. Very honest traits brought out in humanity in the worst of times. Seen in many young men and women around the age of my rover buddies, some barely even out of school. Many lost their lives fighting for what they thought were right. And if there's something I've learnt, it takes guts to stand up for your beliefs. So today, take a moment to remember those who gave their all for the future that is our today. Take a moment to think about what you're thankful for and what you'd miss if world war three broke out tomorrow and you ended up in their shoes. What would keep you fighting. Because that spirit of our forebears is very much alive in many people I know and no doubt many others too.

We gather here today, to talk about friendship. Why friendship? Because friendships are to be cherished, not taken for granted like most are. Not many people even take note of how much their “friends” even mean to them until they’re gone. And, no, its just not our friendships with those at school or even within our out of school activities that matter, but those within other countries. The best way to learn about another country’s culture is to experience through the eyes of another, plus at the same time you make a friendship like no other...