Steve Tucker Lesson

"Lying uses emotional energy."

This was me saying: "Society you always have ripped my dignity away as soon as I attain it. I've had enough. If you're threatening to totally cut off my balls, I'm fighting you tooth and nail for what's left. I dare you. F---ing bring it on."

During the period of time before I sent that message on Facebook to the first girl I mentioned, I realised how cold and empty I was inside and how isolated my disability had made me feel. I wasn't giving any warmth to others because I wouldn't let people get close enough to me. I thought I was a man and didn't need anybody to lean on. I had minimised my torment and pushed it down. This is why I never spoke about my disability.

What I learned from this is that if you're lacking something on the inside, you need to give it out to others. Even if it isn't returned in kind, it will make you feel happier inside.

I felt like I had to do what I did. Otherwise, skydiving would be forever tarnished and my mates would constantly refer back to Olivia and make me feel like shit.

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I am a person that is different from the majority. I look at the world differently. I've had a different life with much adversity thrown in my path from a very young age. I listened to what other people told me I was worth. This shaped me into a very timid adult.

I have been going through a personal transformation the last three months. I learned that I was an unhappy person inside with many demons I had not come to terms with. Thus, I started a process to face these and kill them off.

This revolves around me living my life as honestly as I can. People are too unsure of themselves today; especially men. I've had enough of peer pressure and the media stereotypes brainwashing males into submission. I'm as loathing of it as you are.

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These messages had controlled me for long enough so I threw a punch at it. Society is cold and most people have to always wear a mask. This disgusts me.

People want acceptance but they aren't doing anything to get it. Instead, they walk around staring at the ground, unsure of themselves. I injected some warmth back into the place.

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My story is not about "Romeo & Juliet", it is about every kid being bullied in the school yard. It is about teenage kids committing suicide because they feel worthless.

It is about people dealing with disability; those who cannot communicate their suffering and the families that care for these people tirelessly.

It is about telling peer pressure to go f--- itself. It's childish behaviour and it impacts our adult lives in ways we don't see.

It is about gender stereotypes (both of them) and social conditioning. It is about mental health and getting help if needed.

It is about telling people what they mean to us while life is good. Not when a personal crisis hits. Tomorrow isn't a guarantee for any of us.

It is about standing up to society and illustrating that it has lost its way. We live in a culture of fear. Society had dimmed my spirit for long enough.

I didn't expect to get in the news, Sam, but the fact is I have. This has been my journey. I have dealt with all of these elements. I have endured this and come out the other side.

I'm telling my side to stop the bullshit and telling disadvantaged people: "You can win. I am proof of this. But you must have a go to give yourself a fighting chance at a happy life."

There are no shortcuts. Happiness is not handed to you. Capability is developed by simply having a go. If you're "outcome orientated" you won't do the things you really want. If you believe in something enough, go and get it in the right way.


Excerpts from Steve Tucker email to Sam de Brito & was published on Sam's blog.

Song in my head: Stay the Night

Wish list: Bantayan Island, Cebu

It seems there is no shortage of islands to go to in this 7,000 plus islands... Bantayan is one of them near the northern part of the island of Cebu.

To get there, here is a direction from Wow Bantayan web site, from Manila, fly to Mactan Airport in Cebu, take a taxi or bus to the City of Cebu north terminal and take a 2.5 to 3-hour bus going up north to the port of Hagnaya and then a 75-minute ferry to the port of Santa Fe on Bantayan Island.

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Post wish: A colleague at work who from Cebu said that there is a very much better attraction south of the island... so I'll most likely plan for a tour of the whole island of Cebu!

But how about Sorsogon from this blog...

Red Album: Chicago, America: 5 Nov

Am crossing out another must see bands on my list: Chicago and America with Peter Frampton to boot in one concert tonight. I was a bit worried because it was raining, but found out the Big Top venue at Sydney's Luna Park is a covered auditorium. So wish me luck for a great night out!

Below is a spiel of what is coming and info for those young enough not knowing these iconic bands:

"...America, Chicago and Peter Frampton will now play two (2) shows in Sydney this October, with the second show taking place at the Big Top Sydney within Luna Park on Friday 5th November.

Grammy Award winning group, America, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary as a band this year are excited to perform a mix of greatest hits, such as A Horse With No Name, Sister Golden Hair and You Can Do Magic plus selected songs from their plethora of recorded music for their Australian fans.

"We are excited to be returning once again to Australia, one of our all-time favorite places to play! Touring with our old friends, Chicago and Peter Frampton. We are presently celebrating our 40th Anniversary as "America" and the show will highlight songs from our 1st album to the present, and where possible include an acoustic set and video enhancement. We will perform all of our greatest hits, as well as selected songs from our forty years of recorded albums. We look forward to bringing our music back to Australia this year!”

Chicago will headline alongside America who have a lifetime of achievements include a Grammy Award, multiple American Music Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Record sales top the 100,000,000 mark and include 21 Top 10 singles, 5 consecutive Number One albums, 11 Number One singles and 5 Gold singles. An incredible 25 of their 32 albums have been certified platinum and the band has a total of 47 gold and platinum awards. The line-up on tour will include original band members Robert Lamm on keyboards, vocals, Lee Loughnane on trumpet, James Pankow on trombone and Walt Parazaider on woodwinds, as well as Jason Scheff on bass, vocals, Tris Imboden on drums, Keith Howland on guitar, Lou Pardini on keyboards, vocals and Drew Hester on percussion.

“We are really stoked about our upcoming tour of Australia. We are happy to bring our very best music, including '30 plus' of our biggest hits to the Aussie audiences. Our band has never looked or sounded better!” Robert Lamm, speaking on behalf of Chicago.

Also touring in Australia with America and Chicago is the legendary Peter Frampton who remains one of the most celebrated artists and guitarists in rock history. Fans can look forward to hearing Frampton’s biggest hits such as, Baby I Love Your Way, Show Me The Way and Do You Feel Like I Do. Peter Frampton released his new album, Thank You Mr Churchill in Australia on the 9th July through Shock Records. Thank You Mr Churchill is Frampton’s first collection since his innovative Grammy-winning instrumental album, Fingerprints.

"I can't wait to get back down under and visit with my Aussie fans and play some oldies as well as some new music. It's been too long and I promise to make this a habit for the future. It will be fantastic playing shows with Chicago and America” Peter Frampton."