Chicken on the Head

So you are asking. “Why did you call your blog - Chicken on the head?"

Actually there are two reasons. (A) the blog name "The Year of the Chicken" was already taken and (2) It's a diversionary tactic.

Simple. 

“What? How can a chicken on the head be a diversionary tactic?”

Okay, it's a long story but here goes.

In the 80's Australia was going through some pretty tough times. Inflation was high, interest rates on homes were through the roof and jobs were, well as scarce as hens teeth. Basically we were in a bit of a mess. Our Federal Treasurer at the time (Paul Keating - who later became Prime Minister) called us a “Banana Republic” and gave us the "the recession we had to have". Ouch!

Australia's political satirists where having a field day and a little radio drama "How Green Was My Cactus" was born. The one and only story line that I remember from “Cactus” was the one about the chicken on the head.

The inspiration behind this particular story line was our then Prime Minister Bob Hawke, who was portrayed in "Cactus" as “King Bonza - the charismatic”. In a desperate attempt to draw attention away from the country's failing economy "King Bonza" decided a diversionary tactic was required. A chicken on the head if you will. 

In real life the diversionary tactic was a political debate on the possibility of changing our national flag. Needless to say this caused a huge stink among the great unwashed. In "How Green Was My Cactus" this cunning diversion was for "King Bonza" to wear a chicken on his head. It sort of went like this..."What are you doing about the recession and... and... and ...why exactly are you wearing a chicken on your head." Good hey. You really can get past it can you. You just can't ignore a chicken on the head.

Still haven't answer the question?... Okay.

Let's face it what exactly is the social media, blogs, Facebook and such things? What drives these narcissistic needs to record our every thought, capture our lives in pictures and words and then send it out into cyber space for all to see? 

Well, it's a diversion. A diversion from real life. And what's more not only is this a diversion for me... but it's also a diversion for you. And you know I'm right because if I wasn't writing this then you wouldn't be reading it. And what would we be doing instead. It's a diversion from life. This blog is my, and yours, chicken on the head.

So the answer is simple. A diversionary tactic. Nothing at all to do with chickens.  

However... There is a trick to having a chicken on your head. And "King Bonza" knew it. He was, after all, the master of chickens on the head. It's all about making that chicken work. It can't be a freeloader. 

This blog may be my diversion, and yours, but in a bizarre twist it will also serve as an impetus for action during my "Year of the Chicken". A constant reminder of where I need to be, what I need to do. A reminder of what the "Year of the Chicken" was all about. Quite simply, if I let my chicken just sit there, it will most certainly poop on my head. 

Which, sadly, is exactly what happened to "King Bonza"...  Wish me luck.