Sunday Stealing: Some Strangely Personal Questions

 I'm just back from dinner at Jonella and Stav's place, and it was a lovely, easy dinner which has left me replete. I am now home, missing my cat, who's happily ensconced down with his favourite cat sitters down near where Jonella lives. My place feels empty. It feels a bit tragic. 

I will power through with this week's questions, which have been provided, as always, by Bev at Sunday Stealing. 

Hobbies I've learned from a friend.

This is a strange one, but I took up running at the age of 40, and I have my friend Reindert to thank for that. Reindert is an ultra-marathon runner. I can run 100 miles in a day. I used to be able to do nothing like that, but in my time, I could run a half marathon in under two and a half hours, which if you knew me, you'd work out this was a bit of a miracle. I don't run anymore - too hard on the joints, but I miss it. 

My physical activity preferences.

I'm in the gym about three times a week and I love this. I also enjoy walking as much as I can, at least an hour at a time a few times a week. When I'm in Darwin, I swim daily. I'd swim more if I could make myself get up earlier, but it's such a palaver swimming, going to the pool, having to get dry, get home, get the chlorine out of your hair. I still love it.  

Music I think is essential for everyone to hear.

To get into the psyche and sense of humour of Australian, everybody should be introduced to The Angels singing Am I Ever Going to See Your Face Again, and see what we do with the chorus. 

The same goes for Smokie, with Living Next Door to Alice. You can't play this in any form without this happening:

And no wedding is complete without Tina Turner playing Nutbush City Limits. It's an Australian thing. Some have called it the Australian Macarana. EVERYBODY will get up when this is played at a wedding. 

Something I have to relearn every time I do it.

There are a few things in various computer programs I have to learn again and again. Confluence and Jira are the bane of my life and I'm forever going online to relearn stupid elements. Thankfully I pick up things pretty quickly. 

When I start thinking about holiday season planning.

Oh, is Christmas coming. As my family aren't big into Christmas, my mind turns to how I am going to get the cat into the back of the car and drive ten hours to Victor Harbor in South Australia to my parents' new house. 

Quirks & preferences I have about writing letters.

I can't remember the last time I wrote a letter on paper - though I do send post cards. 

Generally, I email when I want to put pen to paper to a friend. 

If I had to limit my reading to only 3 genres, I’d pick...

• Literary fiction - unlimited fodder here.
• Decent chick lit
• And well-written young adult fiction (think The Hunger Games, still one of the best young adult novels I've ever read). 

When joining teams, would I rather lead or follow.

I don't mind doing either. I can follow, especially if I feel out of my depth, but as a Leo, I'm quite happy to lead too. 

What’s my dream concert, and who would be performing?

I would see David Byrne, with or without Talking Heads, any minute of any day. He's spectacular. 

I'm seeing The Pixies, who are supporting Pearl Jam in a few weeks' time here in Melbourne. I love The Pixies, but they are just trumped by David Byrne. 

The funniest, weirdest, silliest, animal/pet I’ve ever met?

My sister has had some funny animals in her time. Bozley the Golden Retriever used to dig me out of bed when I stayed with them. He mellowed out about five-years-old, but before than he was a terror. 

She's also had some strange cats. Maggie used to love sitting on pelmets, watching the world go by from the top of the curtains. That was her spot. Sweet cat who met an untimely end. Cats have little road sense. 

How has love changed for me over the years.

It's a lot mellower and nowhere near as fraught as it was in my younger days. 

A book, movie, or song that brings me a sense of peace.

I'll answer all three. 

Song: Reckless by Australian Crawl. I think it's the slow beat. I have a lot of history with this song. 

Book: Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres. It's an old friend. 

Film: Lost in Translation (2003). It speaks to me like no other film.     

Names I like but wouldn’t suit me.

Okay, I don't love my actual name, but it does suit me. 

I write under Pandora Behr - and I don't mind Pandora as a girl's name. 

I also write under Trellawney Thom. I like how Trellawney is so unexpected. It also plays to my Cornish roots. 

I love Irish names. A friend of mine recently amended her name, going from the 1960s standard middle name of Jane, to putting Seraphina Maeve in as her middle name. It really suits her. 

If I were to amend my middle names I've probably throw in a Freya 

I love the names Saoirse, Aoife and Roisin, but none of them would suit me. Being of Cornish descent, I'd be more a Tamsin, Morwen or Arwen. 

What’s a part of myself I’m still working to understand?

I'm getting to grips that I'm neurodiverse - and about to get a diagnosis for ADHD. It's something that's a blessing and a curse, but I'm learning more and more about it as well as tactics to manage the challenges it provides. 

Something I love about myself today.

I've managed to get through the day without eating anything with processed sugar. 

And I finished a great book. (Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors). Now to start to book group book for the month. 

Today's song: