Take'n Life in the Romp

Belmore Sydney, Australia 2018

Sitting on the porch of the third level of a flat in Belmore (a suburb of Sydney, Australia), pondering how did I get here? How did I travel so far (not just literally) and what the deuce is Life in the Romp all about? 

One summer night in the early 2018, I was told “Ummm... I’m just looking for fun. Nothing serious.” Well, I was the man to give a woman exactly what she asks. Fun. I decided to pull out all of the stops. Parking my cab yellow Prius outside a multimillion dollar home, I proudly walk up to her door. I have beer, red and black play dough in my pocket, and a Ryan Reynolds style humor, but less balls in holes. She opens the door and wearing my ultra sexy Batman onesie, I ask if my car was parked ok and yes that is play dough in my pocket.

Date night selfie Summer 2018, USA

Sparing the gory details, I clearly misinterpreted what she meant when she said she just wanted to have “fun.” If I was honest with myself I would have better understood her explanation that night. of “we’re in two different places in life.”  Expectations of myself in relationships have often been me putting a peg in a hole that just doesn’t fit. (Ryan Reynolds humor right there folks). Defining life moments don’t have to be grandiose but they leave a mark that serve as a wake up call. I smile when I think back to that night because I will now forever be known as “The Onesie Guy” and am probably on some internet article about craziest (almost) dates ever. But, she was right. I was in a different place then. And I’m definitely in a different place now.  Romping around Sydney, Australia. Why a romper?  ‘Cause it’s too bloody hot for a onesie, mate!’ Also, the Dark Knight is too brooding for this adventure down under.

Sydney Prison Painting

I am relearning to have fun after a decade of bitter disappointments and tough decisions made. All of my past comprises. All of my naïve societal influenced decisions.  All of the possibilities of my future are now my choice with the giddy knowledge of finally knowing what makes me happy. What gives me joy. What gives me purpose.  What can always refill my life's cup. 

Random Street near Newtown, Sydney 2018

I realized it was easy to order take out and without risk or fear, watch Mr. Bourdain showing exotic foods from random places all over the world, or follow travelers taking carefully edited selfies to post on Instagram, or reading stories of people who were really living life.  Did I really appreciate the work and sacrifice involved? What about the motivation to share and show such things to the world?  I think we all seek validation. But it’s more than affirmation.

  

Sydney Opera House and Bridge, Sydney Harbor 2018

We look to share our expirences both good and bad. We struggle for escape and to not relive darker days.  We all want laughter and whimsy and fun.  Whether from the comforts of our couches eating the coriander off our BBQ take away (aussie for take out) pizza in our very first apartment, a car-ride down the left side of a highway with the wind in our face or feeling the Pacific Ocean salt-water splash in your hair on our way to Manly beach, a spirit of adventure is built into all of us. Sadly, we often trade our souls for the allure of settling... of following the path that doesn’t reflect our deepest dreams and desires.   Yet, we all are given the ability to break away from that life if we choose.

 Sydney Harbor, Australia 2018

I am grateful to reside in this modern metropolis filled with Thai restaurants, extensive public transit, multicultural neighborhoods, graffiti that is embraced as art, pay phones that echo 1980s America, and traffic that screams United Kingdom (left side driving!). Beach culture...  Oh, and did I mention beaches? 

Coogee Beach, Sydney 2018

Bondi and Coogee are a short car ride away with a wonderful hike connecting them both! What is there not to love about this diverse hybrid of a city? How can this born and bred Hoosier not embrace the friendliest greetings of "G'Day!"?  Being mistaken, often, for a Canadian when talking to the local bar keep in a Hotel (term used instead of bar).  

Burwood St (near Belmore Station), Sydney 2018

Walk down almost any of the hilled roads nestled cozily next to neighborhoods that have continuously grown out of homes and I promise one will feel as though they are in California.  Yet again, why did I abandon my very comfortable middle class American life?  How did I ever decide on a place where all the wildlife seems designed to kill people? What did I have to do to even get here? Why am I still writing while my coffee straight from the plunger (french press) gets cold.

Belmore Station (I think), Sydney 2018

Bondi, Sydney 2018

Well, first things first. Brekkie (breakfast) calls and I need my avo (avocado) spread across my toast with a poached egg on top.  And yes, more coffee, more hot coffee before I venture to a luggage repair shop to pick up my hiking pack.  



















But how it broke is a footnote to another story.  My coffee mug sits empty once again. While I look at the grit settled to the bottom I am reminded that any emptiness can be filled with what makes you happy.  Just rinse and repeat again and again.  You can comfortably read while I Live Life in the Romp, but I pray that you are taking your own life in the romp too.

~~~©Dustin J. Casey 2021~~~