I've had a writerly day. This morning, I went to an undiscovered library near the central markets and wrote for three hours - well, more to the point, I did some editing of a manuscript, taking out a heap of song lyrics (and putting them into a killer playlist) as well as mulling over where this is going to go next. I see this as a very productive start to the day. \
Now, I'm in deep clean mode as I've got a flat inspection on Monday. Joy.
Questions, as always, come from Sunday Stealing.
Have you ever ...
1. Slept under the stars
Yes. Even better, on a mattress on the roof of my flat in London. Woke up to the duvet covered in dew.
2. Played in a band
Yes. In high school. We weren't very good.
3. Visited Hawaii
No. Sorry, I've no interest, particularly at the moment.
4. Visited Easter Island
No, but I would like to. One of my old gym trainers lives there. Be nice to see him again.
5. Watched a meteor shower
Sort of. I've seen plenty of shooting stars in my day.
6. Seen the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace
Yes. A couple of times. I lived in London for a number of years.
7. Been to Disneyland or Disney World
No. The nearest I've been to Disneyland was Universal Studios in L.A. I had limited time - it was one or the other.
8. Climbed a mountain
Does Mount Lofty in Adelaide count. It's not my thing.
9. Held a praying mantis
No - why would I want to do that?
10. Been to the Louvre
Yes. A couple of times. The last time was in September last year. It was fabulous. Still not my favourite art gallery, but it's a must see (though I prefer the Musee D'Orsay in Paris).
11. Had food poisoning
Unfortunately, yes. A couple of times. Thankfully it was over quickly and didn't require hospitalisation.
12. Eaten vegetables you grew yourself
As a child, yes.
13. Slept overnight on a train
Yes. One memorable trip was the train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok on a tour. It was pretty cool, but I wouldn't do it alone. I would love to go on the Ghan, between Adelaide and Darwin one day.
14. Built a snow fort
No. Snow is not something we have much of in the main Australian cities.
15. Held a lamb
Plenty of times. As a kid there were plenty of lambies to cuddle. Love lambies.
16. Gone skinny dipping
Plenty of times too. It's something I've done regularly over the last few years while on writer's retreats. There is something very liberating about mass female nudity. I find our ritual skinny dip in the Southern Ocean very liberating.
17. Been on a cruise (day cruises and dinner cruises count)
I love boats, but would never go one of those huge, all-inclusive party boats. The last dinner cruise I went on was in Darwin at sunset. It was very cool.
18. Seen Niagara Falls
No. The furthest North I've been in the U.S. East Coast is Salem, Massachusetts.
19. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
Yes. I've visited Cornwall, Wales and Scotland. I identify as being of Cornish blood. I love pasties.
20. Sung karaoke
Unfortunately, yes. Once. That's enough.
21. Sat for a portrait
No. I've had a photographer friend take my photo, that's about the worst of it.
22. Walked on a beach by moonlight
Yes. Even better, in Greece in the Islands.
23. Been transported in an ambulance
Yes. Thankfully it was after a minor procedure and it was only a quick trip between hospitals where I had a bed for the night - I was fine, but as I would be home alone, they made me stay in because I'd had a general anaesthetic. Thankfully, it didn't cost a cent - thank goodness for Australian healthcare.
24. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
No. I've a great fear of open water, but I think I'd be okay snorkelling, if it was flat.
25. Kissed in the rain
No.
26. Played in the mud
Yes. Of course. I was a child of the seventies - what else were you supposed to do?
27. Gone to a drive-in theater
Yes. See above. I used to love the drive-in as a kid.
28. Changed your vehicle's oil yourself
Changed the oil, no, but I used to have to check the oil in my old Holden regularly.
29. Taken a martial arts class
Yes. Does Krav Maga count. It's great fun. I also used to do boxing training. I used to love it.
30. Visited the Vatican
Yes. It' somewhere I'd like to go back to.
31. Volunteered at a soup kitchen or food pantry
No.
32. Sold Girl Scout cookies
No. I was only ever a brownie for about three months before we moved to the country.
33. Bought a used car
I've never bought a new car. All my cars have been second-hand. My current car was bought second-hand, but from dealers.
34. Sat on a jury
No, thank goodness.
35. Ridden an elephant
Yes. Once, in Thailand. I'm not sure I'd do that again - but I love elephants. They're cuddly.
