The Sleepy Rambles Questions

Well, I am in Adelaide. How much fun is that. Had a wonderful catch up with an old friend and her Dad, and now I am at my sister's place - which is good too. So, for a change, I am not writing this at the airport.

I like these questions, which have been provided by Bev at Sunday Stealing, as always.


   1. What is on your mind right now?

At the moment I am wondering if my leg will be up to driving home tonight. I came a cropper on a step last night, fell and strained a quad muscle. Walking is an interesting experience at the moment - well, it is more like a limp. The leg is weight bearing, but it hurts like buggery when I change positions. After ibuprufen, arnica, ice, rest, head, it is moving, but I don't fancy the plane ride home - or driving back from the airport later tonight.
    
    2. Do you know anyone who has attended Harvard University?

Yes. I know a few. Reindert's wife did her PhD there.
 
    3. How many books are in the room you’re in?

None that I can see. I'm in my sister's office. She's not a reader. Unlike at my place where there are at least 1000 books floating around the living room.
   
    4. Do you save at least 15 percent of your income?

No, but I am edging up there. As Australians, we get 9.5% of our pay put straight into Superannuation each pay. I do put in a bit more - takes me up to about 12%.
   
    5. When was the last time you had a rainy day spent at home?

I wish I could remember. It doesn't rain much in Melbourne - plus we're in drought conditions. I'd love to do more of that.
 
    6. When was the last time you stayed home from school/work?

About six weeks ago I was feeling decidedly under the weather - it was just a day, but it was a good day to chill at home. I wasn't up to being at work. It was the first sick day I'd had in about a year.
 
    7. Do you write “yes” or “no” answers to surveys or do you explain more?

Sometimes. On the really dicky questions I'll give yes or no answers.
 
    8. Is there any type of medicine you can’t take? For what reason?

Bactrim / Sulpha drugs. They are a penicillin alternative and they make me go red. Easier not to take them. Oh and there are some ACE inhibitors - a type of blood pressure medication, which I really don't get on with. 
 
    9. Do you have a favorite pair of pajamas? What do they look like?

I bought a nightie on Friday evening as I forgot to pack one. It's a blue cotton lawn material and it is lovely. I love cotton nighties with no sleeves.
   
    10. Would you rather have potato or chicken noodle soup if you had to?

I'l probably go chicken noodle soup, though being gluten free this sort of defeats the purposes.
 
    11. Do you believe that when a person appears in your dreams, that person wants to see you?

No. I'm too much of a Jungian to believe that. When I see somebody in my dreams, I think that there is something about that person that I have to look at in myself.
 
    12. When’s the last time you saw your mum?

Yesterday. If you'd asked me this questions last week, I would have said six months ago. My mum and stepdad came down to see my friend and her dad. It's been 30 years since they last saw each other. And it's Mum - sorry Americans.
   
    13. What is one food you could eat for a month, straight, and not get sick of?

Ice cream. Eggs. Freshly chopped salad. Strawberries. Mangoes.
 
    14. Have you ever spray painted something about your love somewhere?

Nope. Never been into those types of PDAs (Public displays of affection.)
   
    15 Do you live in a town where basically everyone knows everyone else?

No. Melbourne has over four million people, it's a bit hard to know everybody. I come from a small town (Myponga, South Australia) and everybody knows everybody. I prefer my current set up.


Today's Song:

The Australia Questions

So, as many of you are aware, every Sunday I do a set of questions from Sunday Stealing. I've been doing this for years.

Thing is, these questions come out of America, which means that regularly, I'll be doing questions on things like Halloween, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, cold Christmas with turkey and strange American foods which are full of corn syrup and E numbers.

So Bev at Sunday Stealing asked me to find some questions about Australia for Sunday Stealing, just to let the rest of the Sunday Stealing audience see what it is like to have a heap of questions that many would have no idea about.

I've tested these questions on a number of friends. We are of the opinion that Australians over the age of 30 will either be able to answer these questions, or they will have a an opinion on most of the things in this list.

I'd also love to hear if there are any questions I have missed from the list. I think it is pretty representative of our great nation.

1. Where to you land on the subject of vegemite? What is the optimum butter/vegemite ratio? Do you also eat Promite or Marmite or do you see these yeast spreads as something akin to treason?
2. Who was your favourite Prime Minister of the last ten years? (There have been five – choose wisely)
3.  Are you a Monarchist or a Republican? Why?
4.  What do you think of our current head of state?
5.  What are your feelings on compulsory voting.
6.  What is your favourite footy food?
7.   Your Nana is having her 80th catered for by the CWA. What CWA standards are you looking forward to at the spread? The Victoria Sponge? Yoyos? Asparagus Rolls? Brandy Snaps?
8.  What do you do on ANZAC Day?
9.  Discuss the merits of budgie smugglers.
10. What is outside your back door? Gumboots or thongs?
11. As a kid you were given 20 cents for pick and mix. What will be in your bag? Teeth? Spearmint leaves? Gobstoppers? Freckles?
12.  Redbacks or Huntsmen?
13.   The Mullet. Discuss.
14.   Kath or Kim?
15.   Cricket – which code do your follow? Why? Do you think that 20/20 games are sacrilege?
16.   Football. Which code do you follow? Do you have an opinion about Collingwood or Essendon?
17.   Do you agree that the lyrics to Khe Sahn should be on the citizenship test? Do you know the words to Khe Sahn?
18. What is your favourite public holiday? If you're in Victoria, which do you prefer? The day off before the AFL Grand Final or Melbourne Cup Day?
19.   What do you do at Christmas? Ham sandwich on the beach? Seafood and salad next to the pool? Endure a full English roast with all the trimmings when the thermometer is pushing 35 degrees centigrade outside?
20.   Ford or Holden?
21.   What is the best Australian invention ever? (And yes, the Hills Hoist can be mentioned)
22.   Describe the following:

• Fairy bread
• Lamingtons
• Chiko rolls
• Snot blocks

23.   What are the following traditional items found in all Australian homes?

• Dead horse
• Hills Hoist
• A slab
• A ute

24.   Who is your all time Australian hero?
25.   Translate the following: “Strewth! Nev was going flat out like a lizard drinking. But he had a nana nap and he's raring. Told him to get here pronto by not to miss the gate cos it’s impossible to chuck a u-ey for miles. Told him to bring a slab. We’ll have a barby. The kiddies can have snags. Joe the Pom will moan about everything. Jeez, he’s a bastard. Yeah…nah… no flies on him. “
26.   What is your favourite Australian holiday spot?
27.   Do you eat the coat of arms?
28.   You are stuck in a lift with the following: Karl Stefanovic, Peter Dutton and Alan Jones. Who do you kill last?
29.   What is the NBN?
30.   “Where the bloody hell are you?” Discuss.
31. Complete the following sayings.

• Am I ever going to see your face again? ..................................................
• You're terrible, ...........................!
• Coupla days, ...............................

32. Potato scallops or potato cakes?

33. Provide three uses for cane toads.

34. If you give a politician a koala to cuddle, what is the likely outcome?

35. Bagpipes are perfectly at home in rock songs. Discuss.
36. What is a Tim Tam Slam?
37. If I ask for a FruChoc, where am I from? What are FruChocs?

Today's Song: m (One of the most iconic Australian songs, ever...)

Halloween Questions

Ah, it is that time again. The time for strange American holidays. See it is spring here in Australia and we don't really do Halloween - okay a few people with kids might do it, but not me.

So this might be a bit fun. And I have to get through this as I'm off to see A Star is Born in a bit.

Questions, as always from Bev at Sunday Stealing.


1. The smell of pumpkin guts or rotting leaves?

Pumpkin guts is only smelled when roast dinners are being cooked, because pumpkin is a savoury vegetable used for soups and roasting. But I do like the smell of rotting leaves.

2. Sweet or salty pumpkin seeds?

Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) are a health food - why would you put sugar or salt with them. They are an integral part of trail mix.

3. Store bought or pumpkin patch pumpkins?

Pumpkin, for roast dinners, is bought at the supermarket. We don't really have those big orange things here. Triambles or butternuts are a dull grey or mustard in colour. Never seen an orange pumpkin here.

4. Wool or knit sweaters?

We're going into summer - why do you need a jumper? (Sweater...)

5. Halloween party or exploring haunted places?

Oh, for pity's sake, I'm Australian - I'm more interest in our fragile minority government than going around chasing children demanding lollies (candy)

6. Candy corn or mellowcreme pumpkins?

This must be more strange American foodstuffs. If candy corn is caramel popcorn, then I will have that - love the stuff.

7. Apple cider donuts or pumpkin donuts?

Ew, neither sounds appealing. Very fond of the odd banana custard donut from the servo (gas station) as long as they are fresh. Pumpkin donuts? Why would you do that?

8. Apple pie or pumpkin pie?

Apple pie - because pumpkin is for roasting with a leg of lamb or for soup. Pumpkin is not for sweets.

9. Scary costume or something silly?

Why do you want to dress up? Sorry, I've never done this dress up for Halloween lark because I am Australian and Halloween is an American thing. Give me a few more days and I will celebrate Guy Fawkes day with the English.

10. Still, silent nights or rainy, windblown ones?

I like rainy, windblown nights as a rule. It doesn't have to be a Hallmark holiday to enjoys these.

11. Hocus Pocus or Halloweentown?

I have no idea what you are talking about. It is bad enough that our stores have all of this Halloween crap in them. Never happened until about five years ago.

12. Witches or ghosts?

I am a practicing witch. A real one. Witches get a bad rap. I believe in ghosts too, but I see no reason to dress up as one...

13. Raking leaves or climbing trees?

I don't mind raking leaves, but as it is spring, there are few leaves to rake.

14. Ouija boards or ghost stories around a campfire?

Even though I'm a witch, I am very opposed to ouija boards as I have seen too many people f*cked up by them, so I will go with the ghost stories.

15. Frankenweenie or The Corpse Bride?

I like Tim Burton films, so I will go with the latter.

16. October or November?

November gives us in Melbourne a day off for a horse race - so it can't be that bad. October is normally a bit cooler, and I like it for that - cool mornings,  nice days.

17. Black cats or owls?

I love black cats. They are very badly represented. They normally have great temperaments too.

18. Fireplace or candlelight?

I love a good open fire, but in Spring, in Australia, there is very little need for them. It's warm enough without them.

19. Monster movies or their classic novels?

Classic novels. I don't like monster movies.

20. Carve or paint pumpkins?

Seriously, what is this need to desecrate a perfectly good vegetable?

Today's Song:

The GLOBE Awards

So I am writing this with the last wisps of a a slight champagne hangover. I say slight, as waking this morning I felt more like I'd had a good night and not enough sleep than too much lolly water. I'm also writing this with a feeling of absolute humility and hope.

Last night I attended the GLOBE Community Awards. The GLOBE Community Awards you ask? Yep, the awards celebrate achievement in Victoria’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex community.

On Thursday night, I got a message from my mate, Dorian. Dorian was my study buddy at Uni. We try and see each other once a month and for the last five years he's volunteered his time to do the marketing, among other things, for the event. Somebody on his table had pulled out last minute and he wanted to know if I would like to come along. For the evening I would be Steve Standish. I think I make a very fetching Steve.

Well, why not I said. I had nothing doing last night.

Of course I asked the obvious questions. Dress code? (Frock up - what you wore to your birthday would be perfect) Umm, I will know only you, and you'll be busy. (My friends will love you, and you get to meet my husband, Jarrad. Besides, you can talk underwater with a mouth full of marbles) Umm, I'm a middle-aged, straight, white woman. (We're about diversity.) Food? (Gluten free, and there will be free booze.)

This was a no brainer, I was in. After listening to Dorian's tales of this event for years, I wanted to see it for myself - despite the fact that I hate crowds and being an inveterate INFJ, I feel far more comfortable sitting at home on the couch with a tub of ice cream. But there was free champagne, who was I to say no.

I'm also a longtime and passionate ally of the LGBTQI+ Community. Actually, I don't consider myself as an ally - I just like people for people for being people and I really don't give a toss about who they sleep with. Love is love. If you're nice, then you're my friend. It's not hard to care about people. I also have many gay friends and family. People I love dearly. Of course I'm going to support the community.

For me, I  also feel a sort of solidarity with the community, just through my intimate knowledge of being "The Other".

Gloria and I were talking about this over breakfast today.

My friend Gloria is in her mid-sixties. She's been with her partner Gaynor for about 25 years. She was telling me that growing up in country Queensland in the sixties, it wasn't until she traveled to London when she was 21 that she discovered just who, and what she was - and that she wasn't some freak of nature. (Gloria and I also had a big discussion about what it is to be a witch - but that is another tale for another blog - or maybe not)

For me, having spent a lot of my childhood in plaster and calipers, being singled out for being the crippled kid, I get what it is to be made to feel different. Being pointed at, stared at, singled out, vilified, ignored and generally made to feel like crap for something you have no say over, yep, I get it. Now, as an adult, though there is absolutely nothing wrong with my legs now, I still have the lingering memories of how I was treated as a young child - and I know how I never want to be treated again. This has affected how I treat people now - which is with civility, kindness and compassion.

Anyway, I left work a little early, raced home, threw myself under the shower, applied some war paint, frocked up, climbed in a Uber and made my way to the Glasshouse on the banks of the Yarra.

So, what did I find at this event?

Well, other than a fabulous room full of fabulous people, I found myself among some of the most accepting, lovely, intelligent, fun and just all out wonderful people. (This is how I describe Dorian - so it was like being in a room with 500 people like him in spirit)

Dorian's friends and family were warm and welcoming. His husband's sister and her friends were over from Adelaide - and they were lovely. I had a fellow who was up for an award sitting next to me. PJ runs a wealth management company with a book worth over 50 million dollars. (Okay, years of working in finance and banking and means I can talk to this dude and not look like a muppet.) With a champagne under my belt, I relaxed into the evening, soon forgetting that I only knew one person in the room.

I was also struck by the calibre of the VIPs in the room. Senator Janet Rice, Fiona Patten, leader of the Reason Party, Farrah Tomazin - an Age journalist who I have a hell of a lot of time for - and Bert and Patti Newton - formaldehyde fueled Australian television legends.

For me, the best part of the night, well over the wonderful meal, the amazing atmosphere in the room and the lovely people was listening to the stories of resilience and hope that came from the crowd. Awards went to The Human Rights Law Centre, who took the government to court over the Same Sex Marriage Plebiscite, Project Rockit, a group who are a youth driven group against bullying. The Coming Back Out Ball hosted a ball for elders of the community members to celebrate. This is only a handful of the winners of the evening.

What really stood out was that I was surrounded by people who all, in their own way, are celebrating who they are, even if society has tried to make them feel like "The Other".

Chatting to PJ later in the night, he said,"You know, I'm 30. I've had it lucky. Sure, I've had my moments, but I've been lucky to feel supported. I'm gay know know. I'm lucky to have been born when I was. It's still hard, but it is getting a bit easier."

There is still a long way to go. The plonkers in the Federal Government who want keep it legal for religious schools to discriminate on the grounds of sexuality. There's the issues around toxic masculinity. There is the thousands of years of discrimination that can't we wiped away in a few years. However, as an outsider looking in, it feels like inroads are being made. And long may this continue.

I left at around 11 pm, about half a glass more champagne under my skin than was necessary, and with lots of people to say goodbye to, including the lovely PJ, who gave me his goody bag (and an excellent goody bag it was too - I owe him a coffee for this). My big take away. I left with a feeling that I'd just participated in something awesome.

A quick cab ride home made me realise why I tend to prefer taking Ubers (Ubers smell better, no cash changes hands,  the drivers aren't as surly when you're talking a short trip and you don't feel bad sitting next to the driver in an Uber).

I've told Dorian that I'd love to come along next year, if he'll have me. He said I should bring Gloria and Gaynor along with me. I hope they can come along. I love celebrating with my friends.

Stunning, special night. Thanks again, Dorian.

The Phone and Pancakes Meme

Hmmm. Busy weekend doing all sorts of things so I'm only getting to this now.

I think it might be a short one  - as I'm not fond of phones or pancakes  - well pancakes don't fit the bill any more as I don't do dairy, gluten or sugar....

Oh well.

Questions, as always, from Bev at Sunday Stealing.

1. Your phone rings. Who is the most likely caller?

Probably a telemarketer trying to update my energy plans. If not those scum of the earth, then that would be my recruitment agent, who I've been talking to regularly about my new job.

2. How long do you chat on the phone each day? 

2-3 minutes. I prefer to text.

3. Who do you speak to the most? 

Other than my recruitment consultant? My mother - or those annoying telemarketers.

4. Do you often not answer if a certain person comes up on your caller id?

No - I'm normally okay when calls come through. I can only think of one person I'd let the phone go to message for. I did have an old boss I use to screen his calls, but he was useless.

5. Do you phone friends at work? 

No. At lunchtime, but no.

6. Do you make personal calls at work? 

Yes. But they are normally very quick calls to arrange appointments.

7. Who do you always say “I love you” at the end of the call?

Only my sister.

8. Do you use a landline or cell more often? 

My mobile. I have a landline, but it doesn't work.

9. Who in the blogosphere that you haven’t chatted with but would like to?    

Nah, all good there - though I'd love to meet the Plastic Mancunian one day.

Pancakes...

1. Scratch or mix? Buttermilk or plain? 

When I was eating gluten, dairy and sugar, then plain and from scratch.

2. Pure and simple, or with additions cooked in?

Plain thank you - though some blueberries are always nice to add in now and then.

3. For breakfast or for dinner?

Either - but I don't eat them very often, so this is a moot point. We used to have them for dinner as kids.

4. Preferred syrup or other topping? How about the best side dish?

Sugar and lemon juice please.

5. Favorite pancake restaurant?

I can't remember ever going to a pancake restaurant. I have been to the odd creperie. There is a good one down hardware lane. To be honest, pancakes really aren't on my food radar.

Bonus: Any tasty recipes out there, for pancakes or other special breakfast dishes? Bring 'em on!

Sorry. Gluten free cereal with macadamia milk is not a recipe.

Today's song:

Theatre Review: The Architect

At the Sumner Theatre until 31 October.

5 Stars.

I rarely give standing ovations. When I mean rare, here are a few of the performances which have got me to my feet at the end of the show that I can remember:

• Cat on a Hot Tin Roof  with Brendan Fraser, Ned Beatty and Frances O'Connor in London around 2001.
• Richard III at the MTC with Ewan Leslie in the title role in around 2012.
• Derek Jacobi as Uncle Vanya - sometime in the late 90s
• Richard Flanagan's keynote speech for the Melbourne Writer's Festival in 2016 (and I'm still not worthy.)
• Jane Eyre by Altered States at the Melbourne Festival in 2000.
• The Bell Shakespeare's Henry V in 2015.

And that is about it.

Last night, both Jay and I got to our feet and stayed there through four curtain calls.

The Architect is one of the best things the Melbourne Theatre Company has produced in the last five years. Hands down. 

Aiden Fennessy, the playwright behind What Rhymes with Cars and Girls, has written a marvelous exposition of life, and death. This play has a bit of everything. First up, it is very, very funny in places. 

On the way into the theatre, I asked Jay if she knew what the play was about. She didn't. We looked at the poster. "This play has themes of euthanasia." Joy. This will be fun.

What followed was two and a half  hours of the most honest, disarming, hilarious and affecting theatre this country has produced in years.

A potted plot. Helen (Linda Cropper) is dying. Her partner, John (Nicholas Bell) is going away on a short overseas trip and he tries to arrange a live in assistant to ensure Helen's welfare while he is away. In walks Lenny (Johnny Carr) and itinerant odd-jobs man with a heart of gold and "What you see is what you get" air, who comes into Helen's life at just the right time.

I won't say anything else about the plot. You know Helen is dying - that's apparent from the first five minutes of the play. You know that nobody is coping. And you are forever wondering what is going on - which is half of the joy of this play.You're kept on the edge of your seat for most of the play, wondering just how this matching of opposites will play out - that is when you're not laughing with delight by some of the best one liners and situational humour that Melbourne has seen in ages (a joke about fitted sheets comes to mind).

What really stuck for me is the performances. Linda Cropper is superlative as Helen - an obviously intelligent woman coming to terms with her fate. Nicholas Bell is perfect has her worried, harried husband, looking to take a short break before the inevitable happens. For me, it was Johnny Carr's Lenny who stole the show, taking a joyous larrikin energy and mixing it with empathy and pathos. Stephen Phillips has a smaller part as Helen's son, Jeremy, who comes along to throw a very large spanner in the works.

The other major character is a can of Cabot's deck oil. I can say no more about this.

Seriously, there are two weeks to run on this. Do yourself a favour and find a ticket to this amazing play. I have not seen better in Australian theatres in many years. 

The Friday Questions on Sunday Meme

Another Sunday, another wake up in a hotel room in Sydney. Once again, in my very favourite hotel with its deep bath, comfy bed and little touches of decadence which appeal to my Leonine nature.

Off to see a performance of A Comedy of Errors at the Pop Up Globe before heading home early evening and starting a new job tomorrow morning.

Today's questions come from Bev at Sunday Stealing. These are good ones.

1. Have you ever tried to learn (or re-learn) a foreign language as an adult? Which one? What worked for you?

Thankfully, I'm a polyglot, so I pick up language like most people pick up the clap. The last big push to learn a language was Greek - when I moved there for a while. I can read the language but I don't know what I'm saying, but I have fair what I call "taxi driver Greek". I can make myself understood.

I'd love to learn Spanish. I speak a smattering of French too.

2. Do you donate blood? Do you know your blood type?

In Australia, I'm perceived as a "Mad Cow". If you lived in England between 1985 and 1996 for more than six months, you are precluded from donating blood because you're seen to be a risk of giving people Mad Cow Disease. This irks me as donating blood was my one community service activity before the ban came into place.  I'm O Positive by the way.

3. Have you ever been in a play or musical?

I've been in many a play. Used to do a bit of theatre when I lived in London.

4. Do you use certain text or ring tones for specific people? Who gets their own? Or do you just use the default on your phone?

I have an old car horn for my Mum and one other friend has the Mission Impossible ring tone - but my phone is normally on silent and vibrate - years of working in quiet offices means I rely on my FitBit buzzing to get the phone.

5. When did you get your first digital camera? Do you still shoot on actual film, or all digital now?

I first got a digital camera about fifteen years ago. Now I rely on my phone, though I do have a reasonable Canon ProShot. The phone takes great shots.

6. What do you think someone else would say the most daring thing you’ve done is?

I think most people would say that living as an illegal alien in England for six years was pretty daring... I got up on stage at a spoken word event on Monday. That was bloody scary too.

7. Do you talk with your hands?

Yes, she says gesticulating at the computer screen.

8. Given the choice in a restaurant – would you go with a booth or table (or bar!!!) for seating?

Please give me a table with a proper chair. Booths are claustrophobic and I don't like sitting on stools that are too high.

9. What kind of milk did you drink, growing up? And now?

When I was a kid, we used to go down the road to the next door neighbours and buy milk fresh from the cow straight from the vat fresh from the cow. We got home and we had to take the cream off the top. As I'm not off dairy, I drink almond or macadamia milk. A bit of a change, eh!

10. How do you keep track of all your passwords? Do you make your passwords super complicated and change them often, or use the same ones over and over?

I have a few common passwords with variations of numbers and special characters. I recycle about ten words, but when I update them, I update most things.

11. Are you a note taker?

Most of the time. I could be better at this.

12. Do you remember what your first social media posting (or status update) was on Facebook or Twitter – without looking it up? What was it?

I think I first got Facebook when I went on a trip to Thailand, so my first post was probably something about the trip (which was great, by the way). I'm not big into Twitter and I only use that under a pseudonym and it's mainly for Darvey trash. Darvey trash?  Don't ask.

13. Do you have a “power” song?

Don't ask that question of somebody who sings all day. This weekend's power song is this:

14. Do you have an eclectic mug collection, or is your stuff all matchy matchy?

My mug collection is fairly eclectic. There are a lot of big mugs. Good for when you're writing.

15. Do you have a junk drawer in your house/garage/at work/wherever?

There was a song written about this. The third drawer down in the kitchen. Doesn't everybody have one of these?

16. Do you ever get the urge to watch a favorite scene from a movie, and watch just that scene?

All the time. There are many. I could watch this one on repeat daily too.

17. Have you ever woken up and felt guilty from a dream you had, or, mad at someone else for something they did in the dream?

Oh hell yeah. Unfortunately, and sometimes, I have prophetic dreams. When my dreams are vivid, they really stay with me.

18.  How old were you when you took your first commercial flight? To where did you fly?

Technically, I was five years old when the family went on a holiday to Kangaroo Island (a puddle jump across the straight in Adelaide. My first time on a big plane, I was seventeen and as a family, we went to New Zealand.

19. Are you good at keeping track of your things – or do you easily misplace them? Do you ever leave anything behind when you travel?

Having a semi photographic memory means that I can find most things easily - except for when the place is really messy and I lose stuff under other stuff.

20. Is there any place you go where time seems to stand still? What is it about that place that makes it that way?

Yeah, that would be called Adelaide. Adelaide doesn't change much, though it has got a bit more cosmopolitan in the last few years.