Generally, I find fulfilment in doing things that are enjoyable which also have positive results. Work pays for stuff but I hate it, so it's not fulfilling.

Some current things in my life:

Studying something I love even if it's terrible for jobs.

Somewhat finding my groove in music making, making it feel less like pulling teeth.

Learning to drive in my stupid car that I love.

FYI the requirements differ by state/territory.

In Tasmania you do a free short course and theory test (can be done online) to get your learner license (small fee, <AU$50) and L plates.

L-platers then need 80 hours of logbook driving including 15 at night. A driving school isn't required but some participating schools can get you double hours (1 hour lesson = 2 hours in logbook, up to 10 hours).

After this you do your P1 test and a hazard perception test and go from your L plates to P1 plates on passing.

You hold the P1 for 12 months then it's upgraded to P2.

Under 23s have to hold the P2 for two years before it's upgraded to the full license. If you're 23-25 you hold it for 12 months or until you're 25. Older than 25 = 12 months.

The path was changed in 2020 from L1 -> L2 -> P1 -> P2 -> full by merging L1 and L2 to L and changing logbook requirements (I think from 100 hours).

L-platers can't go more than 90kmh anywhere, P1 more than 100kmh, P2s can go as fast as allowed.

Of course you have to display the appropriate plates showing your level on the front and back of the car. Here it's not required for the plates to be on the outside of the car (heard that differs in other states).

If you go the whole way without any offences you get a free 3-year full license.

Oh, should have clarified: they thought the tip jar was a glass for their beer. When I'd already asked them if they wanted a glass.

So, so many; I have spent far too long in hospitality.

A relatively benign one: At a small coffeeshop. Found a quirky little hat behind the counter - a tweed fedora thing with a rakish orange feather in it. Full of youthful high spirits and caffeine, I proceeded to lark around the shop in the hat (yes I wish I still had that much energy), much to the amusement of my coworkers. A lady walks in, interrupting us. She'd left her hat.

At a bar: A nonzero amount of customers buying a bottle of beer and then pouring it into the tip jar (edited to add: thinking it a glass for their beer). Some version of "how was I supposed to know?!", repeatedly. I don't know, maybe the fact it was covered in chalk pen, contained money, and was very, very ugly?

At a pub: boomer getting very angry at me because he'd asked for a spiced rum and coke and I'd offered Sailor Jerry's (cheapest). Apparently that was a wussy drink. No, he clarified, a girly drink. He chose some other rum with coke. Yeah drink your sugar water old man.

This works so well. I use it when I get neuroma twinges or insect bites.

Definitely saved my sleep/sanity a few times.

aeiou

That's fascinating and terrifying. There's a creepypasta in there for sure.

Yeah, I thought that's what you were insinuating with the /s

Yeah, they'll be in wild animals and nonhuman fetuses too FFS

I think about this a lot. I think a lot of people simply don't care. It's just not something they think about. This ties in with feeling entitled to taking everything the planet makes for humans. Unfortunately it seems to be how a lot of politicians think. Which I suppose makes sense, as what could be more anthropocentric than fucking politics?

I can't comprehend it, but then I remember that there are people who feel the exact same way about the view that the planet doesn't just belong to humans. We were supposed to share :(

Hear, hear. Something that comes close to to how I feel about us killing our biosphere is a quote from Paul Ehrlich: "What we're losing are our only known companions in the entire universe".

I am so enchanted by all of the weird little lifeforms we are supposed to be sharing our world with. All their amazing intricacies, beauty, and evolutionary history. All of it (but especially birds! Birds are my favourite). It's so alien to me that people don't give a shit and, to the detriment of everything else, only care about looking inwards to other humans.

That was a ramble! Quite sleep deprived and loopy over here.

Oh, quite a big change for sure. And you'd be having the exact same thoughts on the other side if you'd taken that language job. That'd definitely be sitting in my thoughts.