Welcome

Hi guys, 

I’m Jessenia, aka ‘Y’, and I’m going to start off with the title of our blog. See, we’re aiming to write about issues in a way that gives you guys two points of view – from a gen Xer and a gen Yer.

This blog is the proverbial glue holding two differently shaped post-its together and it’s up to you to determine if you think the glue is good enough. As a typical gen Yer, I will flippantly tell you that it most certainly is. But what would our Xer say? I’m going to flippantly assume she agrees. However it should be totally noted by you guys that we definitely won’t agree on everything – most things in fact – and thus we begin the point at which X meets Y.  Or do we?

You see, I’ve come to the conclusion that in my opinion, X will never truly meet Y and vice versa, and that even if we do meet, that we will not truly meet. We will only meet on the surface and that our greetings and smiles will never quite reach our eyes. This is because of one thing and one thing only. Context. That’s right. Context.

My opinions and beliefs, as well as the very motivation that drives my actions are/is derived from context and where I stand at this point in time. I am 19. I am a student taking a break from university to explore the world. I work and I have a long held interest in sport. Everything I do is somehow based on my previous experiences and my hopes or dreams. My dislike of dole bludgers comes from the fact that while I’m eligible for government benefits, I shun them in favour of working honestly. I haven’t yet reached the point at which I shake my fist and say ‘my tax dollars…’ because other people’s tax dollars are helping me get through Uni. But I am, inherently, a product of my context; a product of the temporal climate and so when I reach middle age and I’m worrying myself bat shit insane over my super fund, then I’ll shake my fist and complain about my tax dollars. And the youth.

I’m inclined to believe that if and when Judy and I agree on an issue, X and Y still will not meet.  Fragments of the lines connecting to create the axis will remain unaligned because I will be telling my little brother not to go to a party in a public park because even though I used to do it all the time, the chances of getting arrested or chased by police are much higher, whereas X will say don’t go because you’re underage and shouldn’t be drinking.  And so she should – she’s a mature mother and that’s what any mother (I hope) would say.  However, if there comes an issue that neither of us have had experiences which would dictate a particular viewpoint and for which context provides little guidance or influence, and we do happen to align ourselves to form a decent axis from which the world can spin off, then we will have entered no mans land. Unchartered territory and in this paradoxical nebula we will need to tread cautiously. Maybe it’ll happen more than once in a blue moon.

Either way readers, keep an eye out and be ready to experience the true awesomeness that is the point at which X meets Y. Get ready to see the universe converge on a single issue and diverge just as easily. And remember – you can always call bullshit. 

XOXOX Jessenia

Isn’t it typical that a Gen Yer would assume they can just go right ahead, go first and take control? Get straight to the good stuff without “doing one’s time?” I bet that’s what all of you Gen Yers expected me to say. Well… surprise I am not one of THOSE and this blog is not about bashing Gen Y.  It’s about the possibility of intergenerational convergence, a place for intergenerational debate, of learning, growing and just a place to unwind and share some laughs. 

You see, I am a firm believer in the value of listening and obtaining new perspectives. Further,  being the mother of two teenagers, I impossibly cling to the  belief that if I read enough, talk to Gen Yers and Gen Zers enough I may, just MAY find some much needed clues to unlocking  the mystery that is the teenager in the twenty first century.  Heaven knows, my parental tool box can only be helped and supplemented by this sort of dialogue! Clearly my own teenage years in the 1980’s have failed to equip me to properly parent teenagers in the year 2012 or if they did, then some of those skills went with each passing contraction I experienced  during labour.

Anyway, let me introduce myself. I’m Judy, a 40 something mother of two, career woman, wife and sometime budding  writer. Hence this blog. Let me reassure you, I am not aiming to write a novel (so far there is no such thing in me busting to get out – but you never know). However, I do enjoy the written word and the opportunity to flex some creative muscle with humour, given that most of the time my life is steeped in having to be grown up (darn!), logical and pragmatic. Like all good ideas, the idea for this blog started during a discussion around the dining room table (better than any plush conference room).

Oh… and about that generation thing… I have read various articles which place the year of my birth anywhere in the late Baby Boomer category, to the early Gen X basket and if that were not already confusing enough, within something called “Generation Jones”. Generation Jones? Ugh! It sounds uninspiring already. So I may be in denial, but I absolutely refuse to believe I am a Boomer. Boomers are in the throes of retirement, they were conscripted to fight in Vietnam, they were out of nappies by the time the Beatles hit Australia – not me, no sir, no how, no way!! So, Gen X it is and I’m sticking to it and the judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into yaddah, yaddah…

Before responding to Jess, some terminology.  Whilst Gen Y is an appropriate term, I also use the term "sweet young things” or “SYTs” for  short for the generation which comes after mine. I also use   'Millenials” to refer to  Gen Y and Gen Z.  I will use these expressions interchangeably in this blog because variety is the spice of life and sometime flow is more important than rigidity.

Is it possible for Gen X and Gen Y to converge? On anything? Ever? Is mathematical theory at all relevant to inter-generational relations? Do the two axis points meet at some place called Utopia? I optimistically say a resounding yes!  My friend here calls it context, I refer to it as perspective. I agree our views are products of our perspectives and life experiences but the truly wise leave themselves open to different viewpoints ,to listen, watch, learn and, process. My perspectives are not set, I am always willing to add some new tricks to my old dog repertoire. And if the tricks can be taught to me by a SYT, so much the better. So Jess, prepare yourself for a few blue moons…. and watch your language! For those that know me, I am certainly not prudish when it comes to swearing. Heck, I can mix it with the best of them in that department, but I will resist the urge to do so here. After all, one of us needs to show restraint.

So let the inter-generational blogging games begin. The sacred flame is making its way into the paradoxically nebulous stadium and the cauldron is lit! Let’s get X on the road to meeting Y by sinking our teeth into some issues and sharing a laugh along the way. If anything strikes a chord with you, leave a comment (or leave one even if it doesn’t). Like to see something covered or like to contribute ? – drop us a line. As for middle age..… I’m too busy living life and having a ball to be shaking my fist and railing at youth. If that’s something you aspire to, Jess, go right ahead, but this will be the first point on which we disagree.  I do have some qualms about the use of my tax dollars, but that’s a whole other blog…

Ciao, Judy