The Week Off

It doesn't happen like this very often.

I have a week off between jobs. Whoooooooohooooooooo!

Tomorrow is my last day on my current contract which has been both challenging, boring and great. Challenging in the way that it was a strange program with strange people. Boring in that the work could have been done by a trained monkey. Great in that I've made two friends who I hope will stick around for a bit - my team has made going to work bearable for the last three months.

So Monday week I head off for a two month stint at an energy company doing something I've never done before in a challenging environment. It will do me the world of good.

However, I now have a week to fill. It's scary how much I'd like to get done.

This is the list so far:

• Finish the Language, Literacy and Numeracy unit for my Cert IV
• Clean out the fridge
• Have a big chuck out / put stuff on Ebay
• Finish a couple of masonic jobs
• Have lunch with a few people
• Walk 10 kms a day
• Get a really good wriggle on with a baby blanket that I'm making
• See a few movies
• Have my hair cut
• Blog daily
• Read a couple of books
• Gym every second day
• Start thinking about what I might like to write about in my research project 
• Clean the flat from head to toe

That's a start anyway. I'm also hoping to have a few sleep-ins during the week.

The other thing that I'm aware of is I'm starting my Masters on 1 September. The powers that be at Swinburne University said that I could join the fold, so I'm starting what looks like it will be a four year path of learning. An expensive four year path of learning. 

I'm really looking forward to starting this new venture. It's part time. It will take up most of what free time I have for 36 weeks of the year, but I'm hoping it's going to be worth it. My first unit - Research and Writers. Not that I've received the course materials, but I'm becoming really quite bouncy about the thought of working towards something again.

Actually, I'm scared beyond belief, but it's a good scared.

Right, time to get some reading in before enjoying my last day in my realm of underemployment.

Jagged Little Pill

I remember laughing out loud while I was watching “Trip to Italy” recently. Two men in their forties driving around Italy in a little sports car. One of them brings the music for the trip. The only CD he’s brought along is Alanis Morrissette’s “Jagged Little Pill”.

I had to laugh.

Nearly 20 years ago I reckon I played this end on end for nearly a year.

So with a bit of daring, I removed a CD from the stacker in my car. I haven’t done this since I bought the car about three years ago. The same six CDs have been on rotation. (In my defence, I’ll play music on my phone most of the time in the car.) Portishead’s seminal “Dummy” album. The Best of Cat Stevens and four best of compilations from the Triple J Hot 100 range. Dull, I know.

Cat Steven’s lost out. In went Jagged Little Pill. 

I cranked up the volume.

Immediately, it was 1995. I was living in London in the upstairs flat in a row of terrace, sharing with a guy named Colin who of all my flat mates was probably the most idiosyncratic of the lot of them. In the middle flat lived a couple of optometrists. We didn’t see much of them. The most remarkable thing about one of the girls was she had one dark brown eye and one light green eye. Nice woman but her gaze was a bit disconcerting.

Then there was the flat downstairs. An Aussie/Kiwi/South African flatting arrangement where there could be anything up to ten people living in the three bedroomed flat at any one time.  I could be found regularly either drinking a beer in their garden or lounge room, talking in the kitchen or attending one of the their many parties which were held on regular occasions. They also used to have the occasional ritual couch burning out the back – one of the housemates was a removalist. The flat had a number of mismatched sofas. When a donated sofa came into the flat, more often than not, the least comfortable one was take out to the back yard, doused with kerosene and set alight. This happened a few times over the years I lived there. Great neighbours we must have been.

I hear “Jagged Little Pill” and I remember going to drama  lessons after work, followed by a trip down the pub, where a pint washed down a plate of jalapeño poppers.  This was mixed in with the music of Blur, Oasis, 4 Non Blondes and a few other groups that have never been heard from since. The denim was acid washed and came up to your navel. T-shirts covered your breasts and not much else. You wore lycra to the gym. The only hair products available for your hair was mousse or gel. There were very few micro-breweries, gastro pubs and a mobile phone was expensive and the size of a house brick.

Jagged Little Pill takes me back to these carefree days of drinking far too much far too often. The days of inappropriate, disposable men. Of never being sure of myself. Of the angst of being a twenty something in the big city. Funny, I have seen a few episodes of “Girls” – set in New York about a mob of 20 something girls – and I cringe. Were we really like that? Probably, a universal truth that women, like wine, grow into their complexity and are appreciated for it. In your 20’s you’re as robust and raw as a wine box of Fruity Lexia. In 1995 I was 27. Some of the edges had been chipped off, but not as many as now. I like me now. I’m pretty sure I didn't like myself then, Amazing what time and therapy can do.

So you listen to “Jagged Little Pill” some nearly 20 years later and you listen to the lyrics.’ You ought to know’, the angst ridden anthem for the women of my generation.  (Just as Do-Re-Mi has as singing “your pubic hair upon my pillow...” There are some great lines.  The angsty voice moans, ‘An older version of me, is she perverted like me? Does she go down on you in a theatre?”... I don’t remember lines like that.

What strikes me, nearly 20 years on, is that we all identified with this album. Alanis Morrissette was willing you to chuck on your docs, line your eyes with kohl, go down the pub, stick a cigarette in your hand and go be a predatory female, scoring, then getting dumped and getting mad about it. We thought this was normal back then. 

It's still a great album. 

I just don't know how I ever found myself relating to the lyrics back then. Did I really relate to what she was singing about?

The only really feral thing I remember doing at this time was helping another flatmate get a bit of retribution on another. It came time to dissolve the flat after many years. One of the last guys standing was this fellow from Durban. Effeminate, painful, selfish and just a complete tosser to be around. He was going back to South Africa and had his tea crates packed ready for collection ready for shipping home. Wait for the guy with the truck he said, before he disappeared for two days.

We knew that he's stolen a high end sound system from the five star hotel in which he worked, complete with Issey Miyake uniforms and signature scent. He had pilfered a couple of uniforms too. He was a bit caught up with labels this fellow.

Helping one of the other last men standing in the flat, I helped to give the lad a bit of a surprise in the following months when his tea crates arrived back on the dock in Durban. The high end stereo still has pride of place in the other flatmate's kitchen some fifteen years later. A large piece of steak was placed in each of his suit pockets in preparation for the trip. As we were cleaning out the kitchen, a couple of open jars of chutney and jam were placed in the box containing his underwear, along with a couple of roaches (butts from a spliff). The boxes were sealed up once again an given to the movers an hour or so later.

I moved to a friend's place the following day. The fellow I helped to tamper with the boxes moved out the following day.

We never heard what happened to the South African.

Ah, those were the days.

The One Thing Meme

It's Sunday and I'm bogged down with paperwork - and getting through it in no time thankfully.

Anyway, as is the normal for me, here's my take on Sunday Stealing's weekly meme.

One Thing ..... 

That makes you smile: 

Easy one this one. Give me a kitten or a puppy to play with and I'm all over them. I love animals, but kittens and puppies are my favourite. Actually, make that any cat or dog. I talk to them in the street, much to some friend's disgust. They make me happy. Have never met an animal I didn't like.

That makes you cry: 

Heart rending movies. The last time I had a good cry at the cinema was while watching "The Fault in our Stars." Wet sleeves at the end of it.

That you love to do on the weekends: 

Sleep in, not that I get to do that very often. And go to the gym.

That you do for only yourself: 

I've been accepted into a Master of Arts in Writing starting in September. The only person I'm doing that for is me.

That you have in your underwear drawer that's NOT underwear: 

There is a bar of the most beautiful rose soap in my knicker drawer. I don't want to use the soap as it it's so nice.

That you do before going to sleep: 

I normally watch a little television. Actually, I normally nod off to sleep with the telly on.The joys of living alone.

That you do within the first 15 minutes after waking: 

Go for a pee. Make coffee (which is now decaffeinated. Not fair.)

That's in your purse: 

Too many store cards. A book of stamps.

That you actually LIKE to clean: 

I don't mind doing the dishes.

That you DETEST cleaning: 

Mopping and ironing - these are an equal.

That other people would find odd about you: 

I take everything literally most of the time. My current workmate says I'm strange because of that.

That you would buy if I handed you a $100 bill: 

Probably books

That you feel you HAVE to do before you die: 

I really want to write a book. Then again, I really want to walk the Camino de Compostella di Santiago... I have lots of things I want to doo.

Sorry it's not an inspiring write today - have been doing book work all day. At least it's done now.

Three Films

Trip to Italy  3.5 stars
The Fault in our Stars  4 stars
The Two Faces of January  3.5 stars


I've been a bit slack with my movie reviews of late. Work has finally allowed me to get my head about water and contemplate doing some writing - and relaxing, and enjoying and just getting on with things.

So, in the last few months I've managed to take in three films (and a couple of plays, but that will be for a later date)

So, here's my quick verdict on my three cinematic outings:

Trip to Italy   3.5 stars

I've never been that fussed with Steve Coogan, although I used to think he was great as the revolting Alan Partridge on “Knowing Me, Knowing You” back in the 90s. Seems that Steve, and his mate Rob Brydon made a film a few years ago where they went to the Lake District and ate at some amazing restaurants and drove around, all the while doing impressions and eating at these fine restaurants.

The Trip to Italy follows the same scenario. Coogan and Brydon, both in the midst of mid-life crises of sorts, take off around Italy to eat in fine restaurants and take in the countryside – all the way doing impressions and making some particular quips about life.  This was originally a series on television which has been made into a movie. I’d be interested to see the series as I reckon the format would work well.

This is a very funny movie in places. Ice dry wit, great impersonations, some great looking meals and a gentle plot wandering through it made for a very pleasant two hour sojourn where I only just managed not to spit water of the people in front of me from laughing. It’s a spit take sort of movie where the one liners rule. That and the playing of Alanis Morrissette’s Jagged Little Pill... something I haven’t listened too in years, the music that they played on their journey. The two of them do some great impressions of  many actors through the film as well. Brydon, a Welsh voice over actor by trade is particularly good at this. The Michael Buble line from the middle of the film nearly had me wetting myself. I will say no more.

Definitely worth  a look, just for the scenery, the barrage of one liners and to sit there and ponder whether Rob Bryden’s knuckles are going to drag along the ground at any stage (the many has a very strange body make up)

The Fault in Our Stars   4 Stars

Blarney and I went and saw this “young adult” genre film after both of us read the book and fell in love with it.

Hazel Grace Lancaster does not have a great lot in life. For the last few years she’s had a gun to her head, the clock ticking as she sees out her terminal lung cancer. In a support group, she meets Augustus Waters, a youth in recovery from osteosarcoma. And then it happens, they fall in love.

I will say no more of the plot. I loved the book and I loved the film. The film is very true to the book. Willem Dafoe’s casting as the novelist who Hazel and Augustus go to visit in Amsterdam is a stroke of genius (though I could see it as another role for the last Philip Seymour Hoffman)  Shailene Woodley is perfect as Hazel. I can see her overtaking Jennifer Lawrence as the Hollywood IT girl in the near future.

Word of warning, you are required to take a box of tissues or extra long sleeves to mop up the tears. Thankfully, they’re nice tears.

The book, and the film take an unflinching look at love when you’re a “grenade”. I use Hazel’s word for it as she fights herself and her condition through the movie. It also looks at kids with cancer without a stroke of pity. I can’t recommend the book highly enough. Read it, then get the film out. I was not disappointed.

The Two Faces of January  3.5 Stars

My most recent foray to the cinema saw Sam and I take off to the Rivoli for a late showing of “The Two Faces of January.”  The original story, written by Patricia Highsmith, the novelist who penned the books that based ‘The Talented Mr Ripley” and “Strangers on a Train”.

Sam and I loved this.  A somewhat gentle, beautifully shot movie set in the 60s in Athens, Crete and finally Istanbul (Think it was Constantinople at that stage). Amazon.com describes the plot as :

“Three of them are waiting. Rydal Keener is waiting for something exciting to happen in his grubby little Athens hotel. At forty-odd, Chester MacFarland has been waiting much longer, expecting his life of stock manipu­lation and fraud to catch up with him. And Colette, Chester’s wife, is waiting for something altogether different.

After a nasty little incident in the hotel, they all wait together. As the stakes—and the tension—in their three-cornered waiting game mount, they learn that while passports and silence can be bought, other things can cost as much as your life.”

The costumes and the setting are gorgeous. You’re kept in suspense from the first ten minute of the film. Kirsten Dunst is perfect as the bored, beautiful, blonde ice queen, married to Viggo Mortensen’s MacFarland. Oscar Isaac gives a great performance as the young hustler.

In the grand scheme of things this is a film about life and redemption. On the small scale, it looks at how things can go so terribly wrong in an instant.

Another film I’m happy to recommend. It may not be the fastest paced film in the world, but it takes in a world that was slower and far more beautiful than any world I've lived in. Another film well worth a look.

Sunday Stealing's Fourth of July Meme

I love doing Sunday Stealing's weekly Sunday meme, however, it does have an American bias.

So I'm going to have a bit of fun with this - as I'm as Australian as football (Aussie Rules that is), meat pies (not that I've ever deigned to eat one) kangaroos (like the ones in Mum's garden) and Holden cars.

Oh this will be fun....

1. Are you "proud to be an Australian"?

Normally yes, but since 7 September 2013 when this fascist dictatorship that claim to be a Conservative Goverment with a mandate came in has has started to ruin the lives of millions, I've begun to hang my head in shame. Worst Australian Government ever. They're trying to take away our right to a fair go and the joy of equality. It seriously sucks. If I didn't have so much paperwork to do today I'd be out there demonstrating. (Seriously)

2. Favorite Founding Father?

I've always loved the story or Burke and Wills - two fellows who tried, and died crossing Australia from North to South. They got there, but died in rather tragic circumstances on the way back, their support crew leaving their post in the hours before they arrived there. Their remains were eaten by dingoes. A bit tragic that.

3. Favorite Prime Minister?

I used to say that Gough Whitlam was my favourite Prime Minister - a bit of a larrikin, then again, up until the reptilian slime of an amoeba who calls himself our Prime Minister, most of our Prime Ministers have been a bit quirky. Malcolm Fraser has a special place in my heart at the moment as he's the only person who seems to be talking sense. I also have a soft spot for Julia Gillard. An excellent administrator who put up with far more than any woman ever should have. I give you a musical version of her best ever speech. We need more women like her.

4. Biggest "Patriotic Moment"?

Sitting at a citizenship ceremony when my friends Alice, Dougal and Jasper became citizens. That was pretty special.

5. Favorite patriotic song?

As Rolf Harris is now sitting in prison rotting, I can't really say it's "Tie Me Kangaroo Down" any more.

I suppose my favourite Australian song that is the most Australian that I know would be "I was only Nineteen". An anti-war song from the late eighties. It's haunting - and strangely patriotic.

6. Favorite Australian cuisine?

Nothing beats an Australian barbeque, with sausages, chops, barbequed onions on white bread with lots of tomato sauce (ketchup I think you Yanks call it) with a pavlova to follow... though my Kiwi friends will try and tell you that the pavlova is an invention from New Zealand.

7. Happiest political moment of your life?

Watching John Howard lose his seat and have Kevin Rudd take over as Prime Minister in 2007. That was brilliant.I hugely disliked John Howard - but not as much as I cannot abide Tony Abbott - and god I hope he suffers the same fate as Howard, rarely to be seen again, ever, if he doesn't end up in a European prison for crimes against humanity and that is if his party or an assassin's bullet don't get him first.

8. Best fireworks display you've ever seen?

The displays in the Yarra during the 2004 Commonwealth Games were very special. I wonder what happened to the big fish that were sitting in the Yarra River during that time.

9. Australia's gift to the world?

We've given the world lots of things. Wi-Fi internet, the cochlear implant and the Hills Hoist are all up there.

10. Does Australia need a Bill of Rights?

Maybe, jury is out on that one. An elected President would be a good thing. Save us from dipshits like Tony Abbott misrepresenting us at every turn. This is what happens when he's questioned by a group of 14-year-olds. Beggars belief. Completely embarrassing.

11. Favorite Australian Holiday?

Even if it means getting up at 4 am to be at the Shrine of Remembrance at 6 am - ANZAC Day I do hold dear.

12. Favorite Canberra monument?

The Australian War Memorial is one of the most moving monuments I've ever had the pleasure to go to. The museum underneath is fantastic too - a must see for all Australians.

13. Your dream for Australia's future?

Currently, my dream for Australia is to be rid of the fascists (I'm just calling out the neo-conservative, idealogic wingnuts) who are currently running the country and turn it back into the internationally caring, environmentally and scientifically respectful country where everybody gets a fair go and everybody is included no matter how much money they have or power they yield. Idealist - yes, but the way things are going, I'll be looking for a new country to live in soon.

The Sunday Meme - If you could

It's half past ten and I've just got back from a lovely weekend in Sydney spent with my friends Geetangeli and Richard.

So I have not very long to pump this out - as well a get things ready for tomorrow.

Questions, as always, from Sunday Stealing.

The theme for this blog: If you could...

Travel anywhere, where would it be? 

Too many places in this list. Japan, England, Spain, the US, Thailand... that's for a start.

 Meet anyone, who would it be? 

I'd love to meet TS Eliot - I'd love to see how his brain worked. 

 Bring anyone dead back to life, who would it be? 

If, and only if she was restored to full health, and if and only if she was not going to be in chronic pain, I wish my darling Auntie Gaye was still here. I still miss her dreadfully.

 Be anyone for a day, who would it be? 

I'd love to be JK Rowling for a day - once again to see how her brain worked. Of a Kenyan Marathon running - just to know what it feels like to be able to run a marathon in a seemingly effortless manner.

 Get anything for free for the rest of your life what would it be? 

I'd love an annual subscription to the Melbourne Theatre Company - I reckon that would be fantastic.

 Change one thing about your life what would it be? 

I wish I wasn't tackling this blood pressure issue at the moment. It's doing my head in.

 Have any superpower what would it be? 

I'd love to be able to fly - like superman. Though I do wonder about how he knows where he's going.

 Be any animal for a day which would you be? 

I'd love to be a cat for a day - any animal that sleeps 20 hours a day can't have it too bad. The caveat on this is that I'd have to be a well loved domestic pet and not a stray or a feral.

 Date anyone who would it be? 

Clive Owen has been my celebrity shag for years.

 Change one thing about the world what would it be? 

I'd like to see a free press, on that isn't overseen by Rupert Murdoch. I'd also like most of he current Australian Front bench shipped off to the Manus Island concentration camp and left to rot.

 Live in any fictional universe which would you choose? 

I'd love to have been able to go to Hogwarts. I reckon that would be pretty cool.

 Eliminate one of your human needs which would you get rid of? 

Sleep - there is so much to do, I reckon if I didn't have to sleep it would be good. This doesn't mean I wouldn't get to hang out in bed and read, but a world without the need to sleep... I'd get so much more done (and read)

 Change one thing about your physical appearance what would it be? 

My fat stomach. Never liked it, needs constant attention.

 Change one of your personality traits which would you choose? 

I wish I wasn't such a people-pleaser. I also wish I didn't procrastinate so much too.

 Be talented at anything instantly what would you choose? 

Oh to be able to play concert piano - and sing well. I can do neither.

 Forget one event in your life which would you choose? 

I don't talk about this event on this blog - needless to say, I could do without thinking about it every year its anniversary comes around. Many years on, it's still traumatic and painful, though less so that it was a few years ago.

 Erase an event from history (make it so it never happened) which would you choose? 

The birth and subsequent immigration of Tony Abbott. Waste of oxygen that man. (He nearly got booed out of the football last night)

 Have any hair/eye/skin color, which would you choose? 

I'd love to know what it would be like to have blue eyes - the rest I'm pretty happy with.

 Be any weight/body type, which would you choose? 

Oh to be 5'8" and have a willowy figure - reckon it would be better than my current 5'6" and dumpy.

 Live in any country/city, where would you choose? 

There is still a large part of me that wants to live in England once again. I still miss it.

 Change one law in your country, which would you change? 

Oh, this one is easy - the indeterminate off-shore detention of asylum seekers. Not that I am completely opposed to detention - but make it quick and humane if you're going to incarcerate asylum seekers. What is going on at the moment makes me ashamed to be Australian.

 Be any height, which would you choose?  

5'8" - tall enough to reach high shelves and see over crowds a little better, but it's not too tall either.

Have any job in the world, which would you choose? 

Other than a writer? Oh, I'd love to be a doctor or an astronaut. Have always wanted to be one of those.

 Have anything appear in your pocket right now, what would it be? 

A thousand dollars - which would mean I could pay my phone bill and my car registration and have enough for a Vietnamese meal at the end of the day. I have the funds, but this would be good. Still can't believe that it costs $750 to register a car here for the year. Sheesh!

 Have anyone beside you right now, who would it be?

Yeah, I don't talk about that on this blog either. In lieu of this, I nominate Maow Maow - it's a cold night, I'd love a Maow Maow cuddle at the moment.

Sunday Stealing with Procrastination

Well, it's been a hell of a week and this week looks like it will be just as hellish.

So as a bit of a rest before the week cuts in, I'm going to get on with this while once again, doing some jobs.

Questions, as always, from Sunday Stealing.This is the last of 90 questions posted.


(Nail polish off)

61. Do you like current pop stars?  

Not really. At my advanced age I rather like the bands of my youth - though I am very fond of Lorde, Laura Marling and surprisingly, I don't mind Miley Cyrus's voice - she can sing. Just a pity about the image.

(Talked to Mum)

62. What is your least favorite chore? 

Scrubbing the floors and cleaning out the fridge. Neither are pleasant. That goes for hoovering and mopping too.

(Washing put on)

63. Last place you drove your car? 

I took Flora out to the airport this afternoon, then went and did the food shopping for the week.

(Food shopping put away)

 64. Ever been out of the country? 

I lived in England for 8 years - I've also been to Indonesia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the U.S. France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Greece, the Netherlands and Germany. 

(Dinner found)

 65. Where were you the last time you used a public bathroom? 

This afternoon at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Thankfully they were lovely and clean.

(Bag packed for tomorrow)

 66. Could you handle being in the military? 

I thought about joining the military when I was just out of university - for about ten minutes. That would be a very firm NO. I admire anybody who could hack military service. I have a lot of old colleagues who are ex Air Force and Navy.

(Shoes in bag for tomorrow)

 67. What is your average cell phone bill? 

Far too much. Runs to around $90 a month. Bloody Telstra.

(Dishes washed)

 68. Who or what are you thinking about right now? 

A couple of things. How good last night's performance of The Rocky Horror Show was last night. Wondering how I'm going to find the energy to get through next week at work. And somebody I shouldn't be thinking about, but I am.

(Coffee pot ready for tomorrow morning)

 69. When was the last time you laughed REALLY hard? 

Last night at the Rocky Horror Show. I went as Magenta. I get a call as I'm about 3 minutes away from the theatre - my friend Alice. She was wondering if I had dressed up. She went as Columbia - we rocked, but I was laughing at her laughing at me. It was also the BEST Rocky Horror Show I'd ever seen. Craig McLaughlan was BRILLIANT. Blog to follow.

(Bed made with new sheets)

 70. How many pairs of shoes do you own? 

Too many. Though I wear about five pairs regularly - my black work shoes, my runners, my DBs (Dykey Bikie boots with studded straps - love them), my thongs and my volleys. There are lots of other ones but these are the ones I always wear.

(Got a drink of water)

 71. Are your toenails always painted? 

About half the time. I like having neat feet.

(Recycling organised)

 72. How many piercings do you have? 
\
Four. Both ears, twice. That counts, doesn't it?

(Various appliances charging)

 73. What are you doing today? 

More like what have I done today. I've been to Pump, coffee with the girls, saw the Dreamworks exhibition at ACMI, had lunch with Flora then went and quickly saw an exhibition at the Ian Potter Centre, then took her out to the airport, came home, did my food shopping, did a few hours work, did a load of washing... no wonder I'm tired.

(Started ironing)

 74. Have you ever been gambling? 

Other than a semi regular lotto ticket, which I know is gambling, but it's well within my means, no. I really don't like pokies and casinos. I went to the Adelaide Casino with my ten dollars and left with ten dollars after a flutter and small win on the craps table - and that is it. Really not in favour of institutionalised gambling, though I know my lotto ticket is just that. Pokies should be banned.

(Lunch prepared for tomorrow)

 75. When is the last time you updated your blog? 

This time last week - it's been a hard week to find writing time. A trapped nerve in my back didn't help matters - sitting was not fun for a few days.

(Rubbish taken out)

 76. Do you like roller coasters? 

Never been to one - don't live in the US, nor have I been the the Worlds in Queensland - doesn't hold much interest to me.

 77. Have you ever been to Disneyland or world? 

No, neither, but I have been the Universal Studios in L.A. That was fun.

 78. Do you have a favorite cartoon character? 

Do I have to get it to one? I love Jessica Rabbit and a lot of old stuff from my childhood. Hong Kong Phoeey, Mutley, Penelope Pitstop and I also love the original cartoon X-Men series from the nineties. That was great.

 79. Last thing you cooked? 

Proper cooking? I made chicken chilli con carne for lunch last Sunday.

 80. How's the weather? 

Not cold enough to be a good Melbourne Winter - but at least it is starting to feel a bit like Winter now.

 81. Do you e-mail more than snail mail? 

Doesn't everybody?

 82. What's the funniest picture you ever took with your cell phone?  

This:

Yes, it's a cat in a onesie. He has allergies. The look on his face is priceless.

83. Last time you were sick?

A couple of weeks ago. Had the flu. Took forever to get over. 

 84. What states have you lived in? 

Two, South Australia and Victoria. 

 85. Do you wish you could move? 

Yes, but that is a bit off a troubling question at the moment. Waiting to see how a few things play out in the coming few months.

 86. Do you take a lot of quizzes? 

I enjoy taking the odd quiz, not as bad as some poeple, but I do do them regularly.

 87. What is your dream car? 

I'd love a zippy little Mercedes convertible one day, when I'm a rich and famous author.  But I love my car - my little Mazda Two. It's great.

 88. Have you ever wanted someone you cant have? 

Story of my life. Next.

 89. If you could be anywhere right now where would it be? 

Again, a loaded question. But for the moment I would love to be in a country that isn't run by Tony Abbott and his fascist bully boys. New Zealand is looking nicer and nicer at the moment. Spain would be good. Japan....

 90. Are you happy with your life?

To this question I can answer yes. I am. I am a very, very lucky woman.


Right, off to bed.

A long week awaits.