Where In the World Is Leigh?

Where In the World Is Carmen San Diego Leigh?  Ask and you shall receive!  What's that?  You didn't ask, well let's just pretend you did... 

Well, what can I say, it’s been a while cyber world and much has happened since my last entry!  Probably the largest change is that I’m now calling Melbourne, Australia home.  I got restless again and decided it was time to wander the world aimlessly.  Where better to start then a place that’s always been dear to my heart; Australia.

It was a somewhat hard decision as I’ll miss the snowboard season and SUFFER through two summers, but that’s just my burden to bare.  It weighs quite heavily on me as I’m lie on the beach sunbaking under the ozoneless sky.  "WHY ME?” I scream to no one in particular.  A few people look at me but I assure them that I'm an American so I don’t give Canadians a crazy name.  That’s what I’ve decided to claim every time I do something silly.

Here I am though!  Feeling like I’m actually living life for the first time in ages.  When the grey edges of life hit you it’s hard to hold onto anything and give it purpose.  A fake corporate marketing image controls the life we all live now, whispering in our ears from childhood that things equal happiness.  The more I try to fill my life with things and have relationships with social networking sights, the more unfulfilled I feel.  Where are the meaningful relationships, where friends drop everything to be there instead of posting their best on your Wall?  School was boring the shit out of me, subjects filled with nothingness with infinite answers narrowed down to one ‘expert/professors’ opinion.  Where’s the progression, the attempt to find/be unique?  

My journey to understand the human plight begins with the attempt to meet as many of my fellow species as possible.  Australia hit me as a particular bright spot because I’ve always remembered my time here as a child and the amazing neighbors we had.  Always stopping by for a cuppa to catch up.  If those visits taught me anything, it’s that human interaction can not be substituted by technology.  Since Melbourne had somehow missed my previous explorations, my destination was chosen.

So I popped on a plane in October, and here I am.  The creative community is intimidating, but filled with beautiful, kind warm individuals who open their arms to everyone.  It’s been a humbling experience to see what Melbourne is creating at such a high calibre.  Regardless of what they make, I admire these people because they are doing what I dream about doing.  Following your passion without hesitation, although not hiding the struggle behind it.

When I was 16 I worked a part time job in my hometown.  I worked with this guy, which in itself isn’t very eventful, but he said something to me that’s stayed with me throughout the years.  Why would he waste anytime doing something that kept him away from his passion, when he had every ability to live it out?  It’s a question I ask myself often.

So here I am Melbourne!  Now let’s get sloppy!!!