Sunday, November 26, 2017

The Monday Morning Meme

Well, I am still not quite right after a weekend of celebrating the end of my Masters studies and a friend's wedding. Feeling a bit delicate, more emotionally than physically (the champagne hangover has gone thank goodness). So I will get these questions done before going for a float.

Questions, as always, from Bev at Sunday Stealing.


1. How has your life most benefitted from the Internet? Whether it’s meeting people, cutting business overhead, finding rare collectibles, or simply sharing funny cat pictures, share how the web has made life easier.

I don't have to send out a million emails about what is going on with book group. Oh and I love paying bills online.

2. How do you deal with negative comments on your blog?

Ignore them.I don't get many commenters.

3. There’s never enough time, is there? What would you do with an extra three hours today?

Write - exercise - and clean.

4. The getaway car is waiting outside – where is it taking you?

On holiday somewhere lovely and relaxing.

5. Who was your "arch enemy" in high school? Do you have any enemies today?

Didn't have one - and no.

6. You’re giving the keynote address to the graduating seniors of a high school today. What’s your advice to them?

Travel. Travel far and wide. Go to other countries, see how other people live. Travel for long periods of time. Travel regularly. Never give up on travelling. Live in another country for a while. Best thing you can ever do.

7. Thinking of words of wisdom: What's the worst advice you've ever received?

Invest in tech stocks in the 90s.

8. Tell us about the best summer vacation you EVER had.

As I've never been on a summer holiday, I can tell you I had a brilliant time when I did 7 countries in five weeks. Had a ball, saw friends and packed a heap in. It was fantastic.

9. What do you have to have with you when you travel? Why?

My red comb. I have to have my red comb with me. It's a necessity as I have long hair - and I've had it for thirty years.

10. Would you accept $1,000,000 tax free, if it meant you had to leave the country and never come back?

A million dollars doesn't go far these days.

11. Do you believe the world will be a better, or worse, place 100 years from now?

I hope it will be better. I'm an idealist.

12. Do you expect to buy a new winter coat this year?

No, \. I barely need one. Besides, it's coming into Summer.

13. If you could spend one year in perfect happiness but afterward would remember nothing of the experience, would you do so?

Maybe. Then you could try and be happy again.

Sunday, November 19, 2017

The Pseudo-Thanksgiving Thoughts Meme

Okay, I will admit it. I have no interest in Thanksgiving. It's an American thing, and I'm not American, so like Halloween I've got very little time for this alien tradition. However, I am going to a "Thanksgiving Wedding" next weekend. A friend is marrying an American woman. I'm still a bit mystifiiced that he's yankified his wedding - but it's their choice and it should be a good day,

Anyways, questions as per usual, question have been supplied by Bev at Sunday Stealing.

1.  What made you feel patriotic this year?

Very little, but it was lovely to see that in the non-binding marriage equality plebiscite, over 60% of respondents, and all of the states and all but 17 electorates came out in favour of marriage equality. About bloody time. Should have held a free vote in parliament and got it over and done with.

2 . What do you value most about your life?

That I am healthy, happy and solvent.

3.  What do you appreciate about your friendships

My friends are wonderfully supportive and fun. They are also a mixed bag, which is great as I love variety.

4.  Name one person who can make you laugh, even months later. Why?

My friend Alice is great. She's a little, more intense version of me. She's hilarious.

5.  What is the funniest thing you remember about a Thanksgiving past?

Never had a Thanksgiving.

6.  Do you have any unusual traditions, rituals or habits around Thanksgiving?

I'm Australian. We don't have Thanksgiving.

7.  Name one ancestor that you think about on Thanksgiving and tell us why.

We don't don't do Thanksgiving here in Australia so why would I think of ancestors at this time?

8.  Is there a family heirloom at the Thanksgiving table? What its story?

Nope, I'm still Australian.

9.  What is your favorite part about Thanksgiving Day?

I can't say. We don't have Thanksgiving in Australia.

10. What random act of kindness did you perform or that was done to you this year that makes you feel grateful?

I paid a fellow mason's fees for them. That was a kind act.

11. What do you appreciate about the change of seasons?

I don't really like the change between Spring and Summer. It's been humid and stormy, Yuk. but I've been liking the thunder and lightning.

12. Name five things that make you happy about today.

I went to the gym. I had breakfast with my friends. I saw Justice League with my kid brother. It's not as humid as yesterday. I'll get my ironing done.

13. How has the celebration of Thanksgiving today changed from when you were little?

Still Australian. Still don't have Thanksgiving.

14. If you could share Thanksgiving dinner today with one person in history who would it be? Why? (Note: it can be a relative)

Still Australian. Still don't have Thanksgiving.

15. What is one wish you have for the next generation as they begin to establish their own Thanksgiving traditions.

Maybe it would be a nice thing if Australia did some form of Thanksgiving. But could we please make it not at all religious and really multicultural and take some of the stigma away from a holiday where you have to spend time with your family?

Sunday, November 12, 2017

The Simple Life Meme

Let's see if I can get this done before my ride to a performance of Shakespeare's Henry V comes along. I have about half an hour. I have just finished my penultimate tute paper for my Masters too - so I am feeling good. that I've also washed the floors in the kitchen and bathroom - even better.

Questions, as always from Bev at Sunday Stealing.

What are five things you would like to do more.

Read, swim, cook for others, Yin Yoga, travel.

What is your quote to live by.

"Be the change you want to see."  Ghandi

What was the best thing that happened this week?

I handed in my final major paper for my Masters degree. Anybody interested, it can be found at www.imaginaryagincourts.weebly.com.

What is something you are stressed about?

What I will be doing for a job after the end of January.

What book has influenced your life?

Dr Spencer Johnson's "Who Moved My Cheese?" Seriously, it turned my life around.

Share a childhood memory

I used to like swimming in the watertank on the hill. That was cool.

What fictional character would you most like to be?

I'd still love to go to Hogwarts and I think I'd be a pretty reasonable Hermione Granger.

What is something you are proud of?

Finishing my Masters.

What was the last thing you celebrated?

I did celebrate my birthday in a small way in August. I will be doing some more celebrating in the coming months when I graduate in March. Finally get to wear a cap and gown.

What are weird things you like?

The smell of dogs' paws in the morning. Is that strange enough? And I LOVE Shakespeare.

What is your favorite song to sing?

This:



Name three things you do well.

Write. Massage. Laugh.

What are your priorities in life?

To be happy. To keep healthy. To have fun. To stay financially solvent.

What is something that scares you?

Right wing governments. Huntsman spiders.

Best book you read this year?

Probably Hanya Yahanigara's A Little Life. It was a slog, but gee it was fantastic. Zadie Smith's Swing Time was also really good.


Sunday, November 5, 2017

The First Things First Meme

Just home from a weekend away, which was wonderful. Highlights were seeing my Punjabi kid brother and seeing Thor:Ragnarok with him (very good fun) Then going to see the Robert Mapplethorpe retrospective with a friend. It was a wonderful weekend.

So, it is late now and I have a big day ahead. Questions, as always, from Bev at Sunday Stealing.

{1} First thing you would do/buy if you won the lottery:

A flat, preferably in a good  suburb near the city.

{2} First person you call when you get amazing news:

Normally my mum or Blarney.

{3} First thing you do when you've had a bad day:

Go for a walk, or go to they gym. That fixes most things. I get ice cream or have a G&T at a push.

{4} First movie you went to without your parents:

It might have been the Police Academy movie on my first date. Oh hell that dates me.

{5} First sport you played (Little League-style or in school):

Never really played sport. I had my legs in plaster in and out of primary school.

{6} First major injury:

Thankfully never really had one, but my sister clobbered me with a five iron when I was eleven. 5 stitches in my eyebrow.

{7} First product I use in the shower:

Clinique facial soap. Always.

{8} First apartment or house on your own (away from you parents!):

The flat in East Melbourne. Before that I was always with flatmates (and before that too many flatmates to mention)

{9} First Roommate(s): 

First flat mate after college was an absolute psycho. Don't want to think about it. I was warned.

{10} First Time Living Away from Home: 

University college when I was 17.

{11} First magazine subscription:

Dolly magazine. Used to love Dolly. The Australian teenage girl's bible for many years.

{12} First real piece of jewelry you owned:

I bought myself a Pandora bracelet when I was in my late 30s. I don't have any other real jewellery.

{13} First time staying home alone:

I was in my mid teens. That's all.

{14} First thing I reach for in the fridge:

Normally, milk for my coffee. Or my chilled Turkish Apple Tea which is in an old gin bottle in the fridge. Great stuff.

{15} First car accident or traffic violation:

I got my first red light camera ticket about ten years ago. It's the only one I've had to date. And thankfully the only bingle I had which was my fault was about five years ago, when somebody stopped suddenly in front of me - no damage to them, but their tow ball took out my radiator.

Bonus:  Toilet paper, over or under?

Over. Only philistines to do it the under way.