Jamie wanted to go away this week. It's a habit of ours to escape mundanity by getting on the open road. Pack the Defender, a few hoodies, some food, some firewood, and do a winter camp, preferably with no one else around. If we haven't escaped the country, we can at least escape our lives.

Thing is, I didn't want to go - for the first time in my life, I find staying put the new escapism, like I'm protesting running away from myself. It's not agoraphobia, some post grief post menopause post depression stay at home and look at my navel type desire, it's just - contentment. I like where I live. Fuck, people pay to holiday here. We're still finding bush tracks and roads to the beach, by foot or by bicycle, breathing in the fresh salt air like we've been sent here for consumption or hysteria.

I don't say anything though. When we were offered another weeks work - we do casual relief teaching - I thought I'd rather take the money than go on a roadtrip for the sake of it. I'd rather squirrel away funds and save it for Europe next year and enjoy my backyard. Like wallow in a pussycat in the winter sunshine kinda contentment, pulling the covers of happiness over my head and saying fuck you to anyone who might disturb that, though they're more than welcome to pop over for a cuppa.

I was glad he came to that decision too. I mean, the money is good, and the idea of going away for the sake of it, because we can, because we're not really bound by teaching timetables and commitment that forced us into being at school every day, felt daft, really. I would have happily roadtripped once we were off and away, but I'd rather not.

So this week, for #threetunetuesday, I thought I'd include songs that are about staying at home.

Firstly, “I Don’t Wanna Go Out” by X (Australia) — punk / proto-punk, Melbourne underground. Blunt, repetive, flat, refusal. Opting out as self care (before that became a thing). I find myself singing it when I'm in that exhausted state and I honestly just dont want to leave the house and see anyone.

Then, another Melbournian, Courtney Barnett with “Avant Gardener” — indie rock / slacker folk with spoken-word delivery - kinda reminds me of those Bob Dylan tunes that roll on talking about ordinary details. For the speaker here it's a tumble into anxiety and overwhelm - the outside world is loud, overwhelming - and she collapses into an asthma attack/panic attack as she tries to do something.

Then I’d add “Which Way to Go” by Eddy Current Suppression Ring — Melbourne garage punk / minimalist post-punk - classic Melbourne again. Repetitive, looping, partly action - heading off on a road trip - and partly inertia - which way do I fucking go? Absolutely iconic song.

Which way are you going? East or west? Home or out?