a w a k e : t o : d r e a m

For the most part, reading Madame Doubtfire involves a grimace, one eye shut tight and a lip bitten slightly to prevent outbursts of protest. I have read this far in the book holding it far from myself, half in disbelief at what I was reading. But there have been one or two moments of lucidity among the bitter outbursts and tears of alarm. I’m really fascinated with the discussion that Daniel and his older children have about Madame Doubtfire just before Daniel wrote his letter of resignation. The older children felt that it was getting to awkward, too hard to spend time with their real father while he was being Doubtfire and too difficult to relax lest the secret get out. Their talk with their father about acting seemed to be the absolute heart of what the whole book was about, and I found myself wishing that this discussion was developed more, and that the questions it raised actually investigated and addressed.

I think almost every child who experiences a divorce wonders why the parent who leaves couldn’t have stayed longer, worked harder or pretended a bit to make it work, and this question what Daniel and his kids in Madame Doubtfire wrestle with in a rare moment of reality. I can completely understand that question, especially in the light of the acting that Daniel is doing as Madame Doubtfire already - it’s hard to understand why he couldn’t accomplish the job in his own skin.

I’m so sad for this family. Just this one exchange made the children seem more three-dimensional as characters, desperately wanting their father to be able to make it work with their mom. I think it shows how immature Daniel is as a parent that instead of understanding what it is that they were really wanting (i.e. understanding of why a marriage can’t be held together by determination, affirmation that he’s still willing to go to whatever lengths to keep their childhood together. I wonder why it is that Daniel can’t see it - I suppose that he is still blinded by his bitterness, but when his kids lay it all out so plainly it just makes me shake my head. I can’t help thinking that if this were indeed reality that parents like these would have caught on long ago. It simply contributes to the unbelieveability of the novel.

…it’s really true, I swear. By way of evidence, I should tell you that Melbourne is sadly lacking in internets. Yes, it’s true - the internets fairy has neglected to sprinkle a fair share of them on this lovely cosmopolitan city, leaving it dull, gray and uninspired in that regard. I am currently sitting in a Gloria Jeans (a tastier Aussie version of Starbucks) on Puckle Street, enjoying that local delicacy known as “raisin toast,” stealing “Belkin54g”’s internet from underneath his/her nose. Internet costs $8 for 15 minutes from Telstra (aka Telus) in any McDonalds or Starbucks, and most don’t have any sort of broadband in their houses. What is the deal, people?! Hence, this update is a week late.

After settling at the Friendly Group Greenhouse Backpacker hostel in Melbourne, I seriously reconsidered my idea of just living in a hostel the whole time. Not only is it quite expensive, but messy, disorganized, and very difficult to concentrate. Within days of my stay there, the only lift up to the main floor (where the main lifts are to the dorm floors) which is operated by the Melbourne police service office on the ground floor of the hostel building, broke down. Much as I love being carried around by cute, strapping Aussie police officers, I’d much rather come and go as I please from my place of residence.

Second hazard of living in the CBD? It is far, FAR too easy to waste one’s time buying fashionable but expensive clothes and eating and drinking fashionable and expensive food and drink. Seriously - I have no idea how I would get any work done living in such a place. For those who don’t know about Melbourne, you should. It is the fashion, culture and sporting capital of Australia - and well, it just as well should be the real capital of the country except that moving the politicos over from boring Canberra would probably ruin this amazingly cosmopolitan and industrious city.