The From Smellyann Blog

Late again, but at least I haven't traveled this weekend. It has been glorious.

Blog questions from Sunday Stealing.


1. What is more difficult for you, looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when they are telling you how they feel.

Probably the first one. It's been a while since I've told somebody how I feel about them.

2.  Think of the last time you were REALLY angry.  WHY were you angry?  Do you still feel the same way?

I got dumped a few days after my niece died. Actually, the git just disappeared off the face of the planet. I'm still angry. Not at him going away, but for not telling me. It was the ultimate betrayal. And you should NEVER, ever, betray a Leo.

3.  You are on a flight from Honolulu to Chicago non-stop. There is a fire in the back of the plane.  You have enough time to make one phone call. Who do you call?  What do you tell them?

I think I would call a special friend an say thank you for being in my life.

4.  You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live.  Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? What do you do with your remaining days? Would you be afraid?

I think I would tell one or two people, then go out and have as much fun as I can. I'm not afraid of dying, but I am afraid of the pain that can be associated with it. I hope when I go, I go quickly and peacefully. Can you ask for anything more?

5.  You can have one of the following two things.  Which do you choose?  Why?  Love and Trust.

Trust. Trust is secure. Love can morph and change.

6.  You are walking down the street on your way to work.  There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street.  Your boss has told you that if you are late just one more time you are fired. Do you take the time to save the dog’s life?  Why? Why not?

Yes, I save the dog. It's the way I roll. I'll get another job and besides, if the boss sacks you for doing another creature a favour he's not a great person and why do you want to work for somebody like that?

7.  Would you rather be hurt by the one you trust the most or the one you love the most?

Hurt by the one you love the most. See querstion 2 for the rationale.

8.  Your best friend confesses that he/she has feelings for you more than just friendship.  He/she is falling in love with you.  What do you (or did you) say?

Thank you. I love you too, but not in that way. I don't know how this will effect the friendship, but I have to be true to my feelings too. Said with love and honour.

9.  Think of the last person you know who died.  You have the chance to give them 1 hour more of life back, but you have to give up one year of yours.  Do you do it?  Why? Or Why not?

Alas, the last person I know who died committed suicide a few months ago. It remains a very sad state of affairs. She suffered from deep depression for many years. Would I give up a year for her to have another hour. No. I think everybody goes at a time and for a reason. I hope my friend has found peace.

10.  Are you the kind of friend that you would want to have as a friend?

I hope so.

11.  Does love = sex?

Absolutely not. Sex is a lot better when love is involved.

12.  Your boss tells your co-worker that they have to let them go because of work shortage, and they are the newest employee.  You have been there much longer.  Your co-worker has a family to support and no other means of income.  Do you go to your boss and offer to leave the company?  Why or Why not.

Depends on the worker and the job. Maybe a deal could be struck to go part time for both of us - a better option for both.

13.  When was the last time you told someone HONESTLY how you felt regardless of how difficult it was for you to say?  What did you have to tell the person?

A friend and I staged an intervention last Christmas. It had to be done. We had to let a mutual friend know his behaviour was doing no favours to anybody, themselves included. It was one of the hardest conversations me or my friend had ever had. The person involved has barely spoken to either of us since. This was done with love in our hearts. We knew this could be the outcome.

14.  What would be (or what was) harder for you to tell a member of the opposite/same sex – you love them or that you do not love them back.

I think the latter. 

The Tea and Q&A Meme

Running late after being away again. At least this is the last weekend I will be travelling for a while.

Questions, as always, are from Bev at Sunday Stealing.

1. What is your middle name and what is a middle name you'd rather have instead? Why?

Current middle name is Jane. I'd love something a bit more elegant or interesting, like Elizabeth or Serendipity. Jane is just too plain.

2. How would you spend $1MM (you have to spend every penny!)

I'd buy a house in inner Melbourne. This may not buy a house in inner Melbourne. House prices are astronomical. It's why I rent.

3. Yellow light - speed up or slow down??

Speed up if I am at the line. If not, then I slow down. It's a 50/50 situation.

4. What was the last movie you saw and what did you like/dislike about it?

I, Tonya. It was very good. I remember this all happening in the 80s. Good film. Margot Robbie is great.

5. If a movie was made about you, who would portray you in that movie?

Amy Schumer.

6. What is the strangest thing you've eaten and what did it taste like?

Kangaroo. I love it. It's like gamey beef. I eat a bit of roo.

7. What color is your bathroom?

White with grey tiles on the floor.

8. If you could vacation anywhere in the world RIGHT NOW, where would it be and why?

I'd go to Spain and walk the Camino de Compostella de Santiago. Though it might be a bit cold.

9. What is your least favorite thing to cook?

Bread. Too much work and it still ends up like a house brick.

10. What is the dish you make that your family rolls their eyes at?

Baked Beans on Toast. It's a staple. I don't cook for my family much.

11. What are three things on your bucket list?

The Camino de Compostella de Santiago. Lose 50 lbs. Maybe a PhD. Get married.

12. How many skeins of yarn do you think you are currently hoarding?

I recently threw out a heat - but there are about 10 still in the spare room.

13. Today is my birthday.  What virtual gift are you going to give me?

A subscription to The Guardian newspaper.

14. What is your favorite candy?

Redskins - a true blue raspberry flavoured Australian sweet that will remove your fillings if you are not careful.

15. What is your favorite time of the day and why?

6 am. It's quiet. I like the peace.

16. If you could call in sick for a day, what would you do with the time?

Write - and maybe see a movie.

17. How much did your last crafting run cost you?

I don't go crafting. Don't ask me about shoes though...

18. Can you play a musical instrument and if so, which one?

I used to play the flute. I can still play the flute but I'd have to remember how to read music. I think it might be like riding a bike.

19. What is your least favorite craft that you still do? Why?

Again, I don't craft.

20. If you could have any job for just one day, what would it be and what would you do?

I'd want to be a Shakespearean actor. That would be awesome.

The Brrr meme

Late back from interstate. This will be quick. Questions from Bev at Sunday Stealing.

1. Do you prefer winter or summer? Why?

Winter. I much prefer to be cold and then getting warm. Joys of being a woman of a certain age.

2. What are your favorite winter activities?

Australian Rules Football and sleeping under two quilts.

3. Can you tell me about a time you went skiing or skating?

On both occassion for both sports, I fell over. I was better at skiing - skating I have no control.

4. Have you ever made a snow angel?

No. Melbourne doesn't have snow, or when it does, it's only in the hills and it's gone in a heartbeat.

5. Is your house cold?

No, and I wish it were colder.

6. Do you have a fireplace in your house?

No.

7. What do you usually do to keep warm in the winter?

Put on a jumper and turn on the heater.

8. Have you ever gone hiking in the snow?

No.

9. Tell me about a snowball fight you had.

I can't. Have never done that.

10. Have you ever looked at a snowflake carefully?

Yes.

11. Do you have a sled? Have you been sledding?

When I was about eight-years-old. Family holiday to the snow fields.

12. What do you usually do after a big snowfall?

No idea, it doesn't snow here.

13. What’s the best thing about winter?

Climbing into bed at night and snuggling down.

14. What’s the worst thing about winter?

Stepping in puddles and getting wet shoes.

15. Have you ever been in a blizzard?

No

16. Can you describe ice for me?

There is some in my drink keeping it cold.

17. Have you ever slipped on ice and hurt yourself?

I did once in London. Skinned my knee before a big interview.

18.Have you ever had to shovel snow?

No.

19. Will you be watching the Olympics?

No - are there Olympics on?

20. If yes, what are your favorite events? 

See above.

The Hodge Podge meme

Well, I am a little bit sad. My happy place is being pulled down. They installed a temporary Globe Theatre in Melbourne and it has been wonderful to pop along to see very good Shakespeare for less than the price of a movie ticket. It's been a blast. Considering popping over to Auckland to visit theirs. it's been wonderful.We were there for the last performance in the theatre. A superlative Henry V.

We have a long weekend coming up.  You never know.

Questions,  as usual, are from Bev at Sunday Stealing.


1. January was National Mentoring Month. Have you ever had a mentor? Been a mentor? How would you rate the experience?

I've had a lot of mentors - mostly unofficial, but they are great for giving you perspective. Looking for a writing mentor as I write this now. I also do a lot of mentoring and coaching of my team members in both an official and unofficial capacity. I get a lot out of it. The old pay-it-forward scenario. It's so lovely to see people blossom.

2. What current trend makes no sense to you?

Those high waisted short-shorts girls are wearing. You need to be a supermodel to get away with them. Most women are not supermodels.



3. I saw a cartoon on Facebook highlighting a few 'weird' things that make you happy as an adult. The list included-writing with a nice pen, having plans cancelled, freshly cleaned sheets, eating the corner brownie, cleaning the dryer lint screen, and sipping coffee in that brief time before anyone else wakes up. Of the 'weird' things listed which one makes you happiest? What is one more 'weird' thing you'd add to the list?

Clean sheets, long baths, popping pimples, freshly mopped floors,  smelling dogs paws first thing in the morning. That last one is really strange.

4. What's the last good thing you ate?

Last night's Japanese dinner was lovely. Great ocean trout.

5. Describe life in your 20's in one sentence.

How much fun was getting lost only to begin to find myself.

6. It's that time of year again...time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words (or phrases) they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, or genera uselessness) in 2018. This year's top vote getters are -- unpack, dish (as in dish out the latest rumor), pre-owned, onboarding/offboarding, nothingburger, let that sink in, let me ask you this, impactful, Cofefe, drill down, fake news, hot water heater (hot water doesn't need to be heated), and gig economy

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

"I've been on a knowledge / learning journey..." Overused and just blah. Moist, unless describing cake, should also be banned.

7. What's something you need to get rid of in the new year?

Excess weight and a bit more clutter in my flat - we're getting there.

8. Where do you feel stuck?

I want to be a Shakespearean actress- or just involved more in something Shakespearean - and I have no idea how to do that. I also want to travel more.

9. January is National Soup Month. When did you last have a bowl of soup? Was it made from scratch or from a can? Your favorite canned soup? Your favorite soup to make from scratch on a cold winter's day?

I'm not big on soup. At all. It's not really in my repetoire of things to cook, though I don't make a bad roast pumpkin soup or veggie soup. Just not for me. I do, occasionally, like a good bowl of Campbell's tomato soup or lamb and veggies soup, but this is only in the dead of winter. Give me roast veggies any day.

Besides, it's the height of Summer over here... maybe chilled cucumber soup as an amuse bouche would go down well.

10. Tell us one thing you're looking forward to in 2018.

Bali in August for my birthday.