The Halloween Meme

I love this time of year.  And I love how this blog post or a variant is given at this time of year as it is very easy for me to fill out.

So happy Dios de Muerta or Happy All Saints Day. That's how I like to look at things.

Questions, as always, from Sunday Stealing.


1. What is the worst treat to get when trick-or-treating?  

I am Australian. Halloween is an American tradition, so I have no idea what is a bad treat when trick or treating.

2. What character from any horror film would you most like to play? 

I have no idea as I don't watch horror. I could cover myself in cheezel dust and go as Donald Trump I suppose. He does look like an overgrown oompa-loompa.

3. Would you rather be a zombie, alien, or psycho? (why) 

Why would I want to be any of these things? Suppose I could attached a coat hanger to myself and go as an  alien, but I have no idea why I would do that.

4. How many Halloween, Friday the 13th, or Nightmare on Elm Street movies combined do you have on dvd? 

Horror is not my genre. Next.

5. What is the scariest movie you have ever seen? 

I remember seeing Se7en many years ago and spent the film with my face buried in my friend's shoulder. It was awful. An Inconvenient Truth was pretty scary too, especially as most of it is coming true now.

6. Lamest costume you have worn on Halloween? 

None. Never been to a Halloween party cos I'm Australian.

7. Favorite Halloween treat? 

Knowing that the sign on my door reads "Trick or Treaters will be eaten by my Doberman - this is Australia, get a life."  I don't have a Doberman by the way.

 8. Friendly-faced jack o’lantern or scary one? 

Pumpkin is food. Why would you waste good pumpkin carving shapes into it - that's tantamount to playing with your food.

 9. Have you ever had nightmares about a scary movie character chasing you? 

I had nightmares for a week after seeing Se7en.

 10. Best thing about Halloween? 

It's mostly in America, far away from here...

 11. Strangest Halloween custom you’ve heard of? 

No idea. I take very little interest in Halloween. A friend of mine went to a party once dressed as a blood spattered Jackie Kennedy.

 12. Person in your family who most likes Halloween (not counting yourself)? 

We're Australian, we don't do Halloween as a rule, but my sister dressed her dog up once - that was really cute.

 13. Are you superstitious? If so, name at least one superstition of yours. 

Not really. I don't walk under ladders because it might not be safe.

 14. What's your best Halloween memory? 

Remembering 20 years ago when Australia was not so caught up in this stupid Halloween thing. We're Australian for heaven's sake.

 15. At what age were you allowed to go trick-or-treating by yourself?

I'm Australian - when I was a kid trick or treating was for Americans.

Bookish Questions

I love this meme. This is just up my alley. Makes what has already been a great weekend even better. I've already seen a play (Our Lady of Perpetual Succour - which was excellent.And it looks like it was the same cast as this.) Then dinner at a very swanky restaurant, Vue de Monde.

Questions, as always, from Sunday Stealing.


1. How long did it take you to finish your last book? 

About three days. I re-read "The Light Between Oceans" for book group. Great book.

2. How many times do you stare at your bookshelves each day? 

Three or four. I love my book shelves.

3. How many Goodreads friends/books do you have? 

Not that I ever thought about it, but I have 27 Goodreads friends.

4. Do you ever quote books in public? 

More poetry than prose, but yes. I can do Jabberwocky when I'm pissed. Rote. :)

5. Do you ever re-read books? 

Rarely. Often for book group as something I've read a year before comes up on the list. Have read "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" seven or eight times and I've been over the Harry Potter series quite a few times too.

6. Do you judge a book by its cover? 

I try not to.

7. Do you take pictures of your books before you read them? 

No. Why would I do that?

8. What are your biggest distractions from reading? 

Work, and life in general.

9. Where is your favorite place to buy books? 

I love independent book shops. But as I'm trying to keep the stuff in my flat down, I buy a lot on Amazon for my Kindle.

10. Do you always have a book with you?

Yes. Very rare that I don't have my kindle on me, and I have a kindle app on my phone.

11. Do you read during breakfast?  

Only if I'm having a relaxing breakfast out by myself.

12. How many hours a day would you say you read? 

Not enough. Probably only 30 minutes or so. Sometimes I get the luxury of reading all day.

13. Do you read more or less now than you did, say, 10 years ago? 

About the same I'd reckon.

14. Do you consider yourself a speed reader?

I'm certainly not a slow reader, but I wouldn't say I speed read either.

15. Do you read in bed?

Of course. Best place to read in my opinion.

Wish List Meme part II

It is sooo nice to be home! And having a fairly quiet weekend. Okay, I've seen a film and a play, been to the gym and had lunch with friends and it is just lovely.

And now, it's Sunday night and I feel like I've had a relaxing time.

It's most fantastic.

Questins, as always, from Sunday Stealing.


26) Favorite kids name? 

I've always said that if I had a daughter, her middle name would be Serendipity. But I tend to like fairly traditional names as a rule.

27) Do you speak any other languages? 

I've got reasonable schoolgirl French, and have bit of Greek and Spanish under my belt. I can also order two beers in about ten languages :)

28.) Do you use Twitter? 

Not really. I have an account but rarely use it.

29.) Do you go onto YouTube? 

Not for much more than watching the odd music clip.

30) Do you play Angry Birds? 

I haven't for a few years - like five years. More of a Candy Crush person.

31) Do you like Angry Birds? 

The movie was a lot better than expected.

32) Do you like Hello Kitty? 

I don't get Hello Kitty, Not really my cup of tea.

33) Have you ever cried because you were so happy? 

Yes. I'm that sort of person.

34) Who would you like to see in concert? 

I'm seeing The Pixies in March. Can't wait. Would also love to see Sixto Rodriguez in concert. he's amazing.

35) Can you swim well? 

I'm not a bad swimmer - just don't do enough of it.

36) Ever won a contest? 

Yes. I've won a couple of writing competitions - one reaped me in a round the world airline ticket. Not bad, eh.

37) Ever won a giveaway? 

I seem to pick up movie tickets regularly, which is good - as I love movies.

38) Do you get a full 8 hours of sleep every night? 

No - I'm more a 6-7 hours of sleep person.

39) What tea do you like? 

Generally I drink boring old English Breakfast or Earl Grey, but I've got a good selection of T2 teas in the flat. Love the Chocolate Chilli one.

40) What coffee do you like?  

My normal order is a large skinny cappuccino.

41) Do you shop at Walmart? 

We don't have Walmart in Australia.

42) Do you shop at Target?   

Yes. They are great for work clothes over here.

43) What do you order at Second Cup?   

No idea what Second Cup is - not a chain we have in Australia.

45) Do you like homemade meals? 

Of course. Beats restaurant food as it's cooked with love.

46) Do you like homemade baked goods? 

Of course - they are the best.

47) Do you shop online?

Of course. Ebay is my friend. And lots of alternative cosmetics are bought from there.

48) Name 3 stores online stores you would like to shop at: 

StrawberryNet
Amazon
Miessence

They'd be great to have in the malls.

49) What holiday don't you like? 

I don't think I'd ever go on a cruise.

50) What do you eat more of when you're sick?

I only drink fruit juice when I'm ill. And I have a friend who brings me over great chicken soup if I'm not well - which is wonderful.

The Wish List Meme Part One

Hmm, this might be fun.

The questions, as always, come from Sunday Stealing.

1.) What are 3 things on your Wish list and why?  

I wish I owned a flat with a courtyard and a  large bath tub so I can have a bath anytime I want.
I wish I could pack up and go walk the Camino de Compostella de Santiago - just because.
I wish I could live in New York for three months, so I could really find out about the place.

2.) Do you miss your childhood?

I miss some of the freedoms of childhood - that's about it.

3.) What do you do on your spare time on the weekends? 

What spare time? Read, sleep, exercise, watch movies, catch up with friends.

4.) What do you appreciate most in your life?  

Friends, the fact that I have the capacity to use my brain effectively and that I have the tenacity to go after things I want.

5.) Would you rather be rich or healthy? 

As much as having money is good, nothing beats being healthy.

6.) If you could go back in time would you and why? 

That sounds a bit pointless. You can't change things.

7.) Favorite game as a child? 

I used to like snake and ladders and monopoly. Operation was good too.

8.) What is your dream career? 

Writer. I like to think I'm on my way.

9.) What do you do in your free time? 

You've asked that already.

10.) Favorite clothing stores? 

There is a store here in Melbourne called Dream Diva - I have an awful feeling it's about to close down. They have great clothes for bigger women.

11.) What TV shows can't you live without?

I can live without telly, but I do enjoy Embarrassing Bodies. Dr Blake is always good - and I've just got into something called Deep Water on SBS. It's excellent.

12.) 3 things you need in your life are: 

Friends, good food, books

13.) What can't you sleep without? 

Darkness and being horizontal. I don't sleep well during the day or on planes.

14.) Who do you have a celebrity crush on? 

Clive Owen :)  Craig McLachlan in his current inclinations is pretty good too.

15.) What is your Favorite Season and why? 

Autumn. Its's getting cooler and I sleep a lot better.

16.) What is your Favorite Wild Animal? 

I'm very fond of elephants, tigers and lions. I just want to give them all a cuddle. Of Australian animals, wombats, platypuses and Eastern Grey kangaroos are fantastic.




17.) Name 3 of your Favorite Childhood shows: 

I Dream of Jeannie
Hogan's Heroes
Scooby Doo

18.) If you could live as a character in a movie who would it be? 

There was this wonderful film a few years ago - 'Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" with Frances McDormand and Amy Adams. I'd love to be the Amy Adams character.

19.) Favorite vegetables? 

Sweet potatoes, pumpkin and spinach.

20.) Favorite Fruit? 

Strawberries, mangoes and raspberries.

21.) If you had a dragon what would you name it? 

Peabody. That is a good name for a dragon.

22.) What do you put on hotdogs? 

Tomato sauce and a bit of mustard. I really only have hot dogs when I go to Ikea or visit the Keith Roadhouse on the way back to Adelaide.

23.) Do you play online games? 

Just Candy Crush - nothing more than that.

24.) Whats your favorite way to get inspired? 

Go for a walk or go to the gym.

25.) Do you have a middle name?

Ye. Jane. It's boring.

The Musical Perceptions Meme

Greetings from Christchurch, New Zealand - where I am visiting friends. Having a wonderful time in this great city - though heading home tonight and go back to work tomorrow.

Questions, as always, are from Sunday Stealing.

1. Where did you grow up?

Until I was eight, I grew up in Adelaide, South Australia - then after that, I could be found in Myponga, South Australia - little place with funny name. Mum still lives there.

2. Where do you live now?

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - a great city.

3. What do you think about religion?

Not that much really. I value spirituality over religion. A little bit of religion is fine - too much and with too much fervour is a bad thing. I think religion has some good messages about how to live your life - just not in large doses.

4. When did you start using online social media?

I think I got my facebook account about nine years ago.

5. What did you study to be?

A writer. My first degree is in Arts - English and Classics - it doesn't train you for anything really.

6. How are you at this point of your career?

Fine. I think when my Masters is over I might look for something a little more rewarding to do.

7. Do you use your real name on a blog?

No. I rather like my pseudonym, however.

8. Do people you work with read your blog?

The occasional person does - as I link it to my facebook page most weekends - but I am careful not to say much about where I work or my colleagues. I don't feel like being sacked. (Strict social media policy as one of my colleagues infamously found out about. He was an international sensation and he nearly got sacked)

9. Are you on the job market?

No. I have a job at the moment.

10. If you could go back in time to meet someone famous but now deceased, who would it be?

I would love to sit down and have dinner with Oscar Wilde. He sounds fun.