The Conversation Starters Questions

It's a long weekend. I'm not celebrating as I don't think it's fair to celebrate a day which doesn't include all of the population. Some call it Australia Day - I call it Invasion Day or Survival Day.

Ah, well. Took myself off to see Green Book - awesome film.

Politics aside, we have a day off, which is good.

Good questions this week, courtesy of Bev at Sunday Stealing.


What are some small things that make your day better?

Going for a walk or doing some exercise. When my almond decaf latte tastes like real coffee- it happens now and then. When friends call. Good theatre.

What shows are you into?

I am always interested in what HBO do - and now Netflix. Some of my favourite shows include Six Feet Under, The Good Wife, Buffy, The West Wing. I currently have Suits on loop -  it's nice and innocuous and good for background noise. On Netflix and Stan (Australian Netflix) I love The Good Place, Friends from College and Younger.

What TV channel doesn’t exist but really should?

I'd love for there to be a channel which just does lawyer and doctor shows - everyday, all the time.

Who has impressed you most with what they’ve accomplished?

I think the young royals have done masses for highlighting mental health in the community. It's great they're speaking up and out about mental health and depression. It's not something to be ashamed about.

What age do you wish you could permanently be?

35. I would love to do my thirties again with the knowledge I have now. Pity that can never happen.

What TV show or movie do you refuse to watch?

Okay - I don't do horror. I just don't. Buffy is as far down the horror scale as I go. Therefore, I refuse to watch Birdbox. I also don't like most reality television. There is a show, My Kitchen Rules over here - I just can't do it. Saying that, Gogglebox is awesome, but I don't see that as reality telly.

What is something that is considered a luxury, but you don’t think you could live without?

Almond decaf lattes. I love my theatre subscription. You will normally find a packet of smoked salmon in my fridge. It's a luxury, but it is awesome

What’s your claim to fame?

I once bummed a cigarette off Jeremy Clarkson in a restaurant. I can also sing Khe Sahn and recite the Jabberwocky when drunk. I don't get drunk very often.

What’s something you like to do the old-fashioned way?

Cook. I cook everything from scratch. Cakes don't come out of a packet - they are made from flour, sugar, eggs, butter, milk and what ever is in them. I'm not a packet or tin cook. I fry my own spices for curries. I'm that person.

What’s your favorite genre of book or movie?

Books - I love literary fiction. Movies - give me a good drama any day. I'm not really into genre stuff. Give me quality instead.

How often do you people watch?

Daily - it's a small joy. I love making up stories about people who pass me by.

What have you only recently formed an opinion about?

Podcasts are awesome. I'd never listened to podcasts until a few months ago - now, I listen to them all the time. Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History and My Dad Wrote a Porno are two of my favourites.

What are you interested in that most people haven’t heard of?

As the queen of the obscure, here are a list of things I'm interested in that most people raise their eyebrows at that I'm really into:

• Freemasonry
• The Pixies
• Watching snooker on the telly
• Gin varietals
• Upstart Crow (a comedy about Shakespeare)
• Activating my own nuts
• Tarot
• Knitting

What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home?

I lived in London for many years - that  is the other side of the world to Australia. Boston is probably the furthest I've been from home. It's a bit of a moot point as I've been around the world a few times.

What is the most heartwarming thing you’ve ever seen?

I look for the good in most situations. so I see heartwarming things everywhere. But we have had bush fires here recently and watching people be kind to animals is always wonderful. Seeing wildlife being fed and watered when they normally wouldn't come near you is great.



What is the most annoying question that people ask you?

Have you lost weight? Normally, I haven't.

What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?

I think I could talk well on the subject of either tarot, Shakespeare, The Pixies or Suits for about that time without too much hassle.

If you were dictator of a small island nation, what crazy dictator stuff would you do?

I think I'd bring in a law like Bhutan. The judge the nations success on how happy the people are in the land. I think this is a good thing. Not everything is about money.

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?

Travel out of their country and do it for a long time and not on a coach tour. Live in another country. Get among the locals. Get uncomfortable. Make friends you never thought you would. Experience new things. Get lost in foreign cities. It's good for you.

Today's song: