Couch

On my lounge I do recline, decline to activate.

In sloth I’m slung across its cushions, from 6pm til' late.

From there I access all the world, screens and chords entangle.

Not venturing beyond their bounds, my world is now rectangle.

Thick and comfy padding ensures posterioral-satisfaction,

My remote control and touch screen work my digits into action.

I can eat and sleep upon this isle, host any of my guests.

I’m loathe to leave to lavitate (though returning is the best).

Days and nights they come and go, through seasons warm and cold.

Although I’m quickly aging, this past time ne’er gets old.

If I could I’d never leave here, till all my days’ consumed.
I would. It’s good. I’m happy, in this so called “living room”.

Humans, sh!tloads of 'em.

Humans. Fascinating, enthralling little buggers, aren't they?

I've had a couple of moments in the past 24 hours where I've just had a wave of appreciation for what an incredibly diverse and eclectic group of individuals we really are.

There are squillions of us out there, all going about our business, thinking our own thoughts, on our own little missions. And the way it's struck me hasn't been the way it has in the past, like in London where you see a million people with their heads down, charging for the tube, thinking about little more than how they're going to get ahead. It's been more inspiring than that. I just think it's incredible that with 7 billion of us on the earth, we still manage to keep going about our business with a sense of importance.

Then again, why shouldn't we? I was stopped at the lights today and looked another cyclist up and down, and thought, Jeez, this guy is thinking completely different thoughts to me, informed by a completely unique set of life circumstances. And there are, again, 7 billion others doing the same thing, each with a unique history and outlook. That's pretty amazing. But if someone looked from the outside in, they'd probably look at us the same way we look at ants; all rushing around, as if there's something incredibly important to get done.

I feel there's something more profound to say, but I don't know what, so I'll say this. When you're on your way somewhere today, take a moment to look at somebody; observe them. Try and appreciate that just like you, they've had a multitude of experiences that have shaped their life, and got them where they are today. Then look at the rest of the people around you and comprehend that they all have the same incredible backstory. There's 7 billion more of these fascinating stories, and that's pretty incredible I reckon.

In a pinch from a punch? I think not.

There's been a gluttony of conversation around proposed, and now passed, "One Punch" laws.

I'd like to present a different skew to the reactionary diatribe.

I think we need to look at this and thank our lucky stars. Not for the laws, but for the action. Critics have called it knee-jerk politics, but given the paraplegic nature of our  government(s), the fact that their knee has jerked, let alone taken a step forward should be cause for celebration. 

How often do we watch with that all too familiar indifference as progressive ideas come to a shuddering halt in the halls of parliament? Ideas that could positively impact our lives, our culture or our future disappear as our shouts turn to yawns.

It's not just the fault of our politicians. Our own indignation is more likely channeled towards a slow browser loading than social injustice. Changing lanes without indicating gets people's blood hotter than human rights abuse. We're more likely to share a list than an opinion on the environment. Is it any wonder the media is such a flaccid figure when we're never in the mood for hard news?

On the odd occasion that the media, the government and the people converge on a topic with more than lip service, and something actually happens, we should celebrate. Knee jerk politics is not an ideal way to live, but it does give us a glimpse of what a decisive political leadership might feel like. And with enough knee jerks, we might just stumble into a future we're proud of. 

(Please excuse the formal language, I've spent the week writing copy for a university)