The Back to School Blog

Running late again.
Questions thanks to Bev at Sunday Stealing.

1.  What kind of school did you attend (Big? Small? Public? Private? Specialty? One-room schoolhouse?)

I went to a very, very ordinary public high school in the outer suburbs/ country South Australia for high school. It was public country primary school as well.

2. What did you wear to school (uniform? dress code? Whatever you wanted?)

There was no uniform at primary school. At high school we wore school colours - which were deep blue, yellow and white. It could have been far worse.

3.  How did you get to school?

A school bus picked us up for both primary and high school at the front gate.

4.  Who was your favorite teacher?  Why?

My French teacher was awesome. She became a friend.

5.  What was your favorite subject?  Why?

I really liked French and English. I liked being creative and communicating.

6.  What was your least favorite subject?  Why?

Physics in Year 11. taught by a Yeti - it was awful. Never like Phys Ed either.

7.  Did you belong to any clubs?

No

8.  Were you a picky reader?

No. I read everything. Still do.

9.  What did you do in your free time?

Hid in the library.

10.  Did you get good grades?

Other than in physics, yep.

11.  Did you like/participate in sports?

No. But I love exercise now.

12.  Did you have a boyfriend/girlfriend in high school?

I had a boyfriend in Year Eleven. He was the year ahead of me. It ended soon after he left school.

13.  When did you get your driver’s license?

At the end of Year Eleven. I was 16.

14.  What kind of kid were you?  (Popular? Class clown? Shy?  A nerd?  Teacher’s pet?)

I was the quintessential weird nerd. Very unpopular.

15.  Who were your heroes?

Talking Heads and Gough Whitlam

16.  Were you ever bullied?

Thankfully, only very mildly. That I let if wash over me seemed to put the bullies off and they left me alone for the most part.

17.  Did you learn how to touch type?

Not at school. I learned that a few years later. A very handy skill, but I was in the academic stream  - and computers were only just coming in when I was at high school.

18.  Who was your best friend?  (Are you still friends today?)

I didn't have a best friend. When I think about it, I really didn't have that many friends at school. It was very lonely. However, I am in touch with a few of the old class mates now. Things have come full circle.

19.  What is one thing you regret about high school?

I wish I got my head around the fact I could do P.E. and enjoy it. And not taking Economics.

20.  What were you most proud about?

I got out of high school alive.

Bonus question:  Did I like High School?

For the most part I hated it - but I loved the learning. That was the thing that kept me sane during my teenage years.

The Art History Meme

Just back from a meh movie (Which made me homesick) Hampstead.

Now getting the weekend blog out the way. Questions from Bev at Sunday Stealing. Great questions again, Bev.

1. Do you look forward to the spring?

No, because it means daylight saving, heat and hayfever.

2. Which area of the sciences do you enjoy the most?

I loved chemistry at school. Biology is pretty good too.

3. If you could own a classical statue in the form of any figure from myth, religion, or even modern fiction, who would you choose?

I'd love a copy of the Nike of Samothrace. I can stare at that for hours.



4. Do you have a good relationship with your mother?

It's not overly loving or close, but it is not bad either.

5. What is your favorite mythological story?

I loved The Odyssey when I studied it at uni.

6. If you put on a big feast, what would you serve?

Roast Lamb, veggies, mint sauce and all the trimmings. Then  my version of boozy cassata.

7. How do you have fun? (What is your favorite 'Earthly Delight'?)

I read and watch movies as a rule.

8. Do you often look for hidden messages and meanings?

All the time.

9. Have you ever received an award or special position?

Nope. Team member of the week is about as good as it gets with me.

10. If a revolution was about to happen in your country, would you be part of it?

At the moment, hell yeah. The government are crap.

11. Have you ever planned an act of revenge?

No. Revenge is a waste of time.

12. What is the most dramatic thing you have ever done?

I moved overseas by myself at the age of 23. That took a bit of guts.

13. Do you care about your weight?

Yes.

14. Is your life moving too slowly or too fast?

Too slowly at the moment. But I should be pleased about this.

15. Do you prefer to stay in the shade?

Yes.

16. If you could have any mural on your ceiling, what would it look like?

Probably the moon and the stars.

17. Do you enjoy the countryside?

Absolutely. I don't get out there enough.

18. Are you a romantic?

Yes, but please don't tell anybody.

19. What is your favorite historic subject?

I'm a big fan of English History. Love the kings and queens.

20. Do you prefer landscape paintings?

More an abstract and watercolour sort of girl.

21. Are you interested in social issues?

Yes. Absolutely.

Something Different

It's birthday weekend, so I'm a bit rushed. Also trying to get the paperwork ready for the tax accountants tomorrow.

These are great questions, Bev. Thanks to Sunday Stealing for providing.


1. What is a normal thing that took you an embarrassingly long time to learn?

Using scissors. It appears the only way I can use them is the left handed way.

2. In what ways are you old-fashioned?

I iron everything. Nobody does that any more. And I bake from scratch.

3. What is the best sandwich you've ever eaten? Where did you get it? What made it so delicious?

I love  a smoked salmon and salad sandwich from Urban Kitchen on Lonsdale Street. Everything is so fresh. They're wonderful. Anything with smoked salmon can't be bad.

4. What are you currently not bragging about that you should totally brag about? 

I've nearly finished my masters.. but I don't want to crow yet.

5. What food have you never tasted and are most interested in trying? 

I have South American friends - yerba mate sounds interesting.

6. What history facts were you surprised to learn because it was never covered in school?

Pretty much everything about the Catholic Church. Fascinating stuff.

7. What is something that you waited entirely too long to start or stop doing? What made you say "Why did I wait so long?"

Going to the gym. Should have started that ten years before I did. Love the gym.

8. What socially expected thing do you hate doing the most? What thing about polite society really grinds your gears? 

Not speaking your mind.

9. What is something about your city that I should know if I'm going to visit? What is the hidden "must see" that you always tell friends and visitors to not miss.

I love the Shrine - the big war memorial in town. The Museum in the basement is awesome.The art gallery is great too.

10. What do you miss most about childhood?

Sleeping with my dog.

11. What "fact" did you learn in school that is not true or no longer true?

Bob Hawke is no longer Prime Minister. There is no place called Yugoslavia any more either.Or Burma for that matter. Or Kampuchea...

12. What's your favorite piece of useless trivia? 

Just one piece of useless trivia? Daddy Cool played with Black Sabbath and Cat Stevens at the Myponga Music Festival in  1971.

13. What's your best go to homemade "lazy" meal.

Beans on toast, or cheese on toast. Love both of them.

14. What's the title of this current chapter in your life?

The Blessed One

15. What is a habit or practice that you learned from your childhood that you didn't realize was "weird" until you were an adult?

Probably ironing everything...

Freckles and other oddities

It's a quick one tonight as I start a new job in the morning and I've just submitted a 20000 word paper for uni.

Questions, as always, from Sunday Stealing.


Do You Have Freckles? No

Do You Sleep With Your Closet Doors Open Or Closed? Closed - but the windows are open.

Can You Whistle? yes. My grandfather taught me when I was four, much to my parent's disgust.

Did You Wake Up Cranky today? No, just a bit stressed. Assignment completion day.

Zodiac Sign. Leo/Virgo, Capricorn Rising. Moon in Cancer.

What Is Your Eye Color?  Dark green

Take A Vitamin Daily? Yes

Do You Sing In The Shower? Sometimes.

What Did You Have For Lunch? Something out of the freezer. No time to cook today.

Do You Watch The Olympics? Not any more. Sometimes the gymnastics and the diving.

Do You Prefer To Swim In A Pool Or The Ocean? A pool, though I love the ocean.

Bottled Water Or Tap Water? Tap water which is then filtered.

Do You work Better With Or Without Music? Without, though I can work to classical music.

Can You Curl Your Tongue?  Yes

Is There Anything Pink Within 10 Feet Of You?  A couple of book spines.

Have You Ever Caught A Butterfly? Yes.

Are You Easily Influenced By Other People? Not really.

Do You Have Strange Dreams? Sometimes

Do You Like Going On Airplanes? Yes

Name One Movie That Made You Cry. Barney's Version. That is an awesome film.

Peanuts Or Sunflower Seeds? Peanuts

If I Handed You A Concert Ticket Right Now, Who Would You Want The Performer To Be? The Pixies. They are awesome live. Ludovici Enoudi would be fantastic too.

Are You A Picky Eater? Not really

Are You A Heavy Sleeper? Not really

Do You Fear Thunder / Lightning? Only when it is really, really close.

Do You Like Your Music Loud? For short periods of time and at my own bidding.

Would You Rather Carve Pumpkins Or Wrap Presents? Neither. I'm not American and pumpkin is what you have with roast dinners. Don't like wasting food.

What’s The Next Movie You Want To See In Theaters? Maybe The Big Sick.

Been On The Computer For 5 Hours Straight? Yes. it's assignment weekend.

Do You Like Meeting New People? Yes.

What Are Three Things You Did Today?  Had breakfast with friends, went and saw Blarney and Maow Maow and finished my assignment.

What Do You Wear To Bed? Nothing.

Do You Wear Jeans Or Sweats More? Jeans.

Name Something That Relaxes You. Reading and watching tattoo shows.

Music Music Music

I'm still writing this paper, which is due next Monday - but this is a great distraction.

Questions, as always, from Sunday Stealing. As this is a music quiz, and I am Australian, I am putting in clips as I'm sure the international audience will not have heard of many of these songs.


   1: A song you like with a color in the title

I see Red by Split Enz.

   2: A song you like with a number in the title

Nine Crimes by Damien Rice

 3: A song that reminds you of summertime.

4: A song that needs to be played LOUD

Turn Up Your Radio by The Masters Apprentices

5: A song that makes you want to dance

Private Idaho by the B52s

6: A song to drive to:

I drive to this album all the time.

7: A song about drugs or alcohol

8: A song that makes you happy

This song always makes me smile.

9: A song that makes you sad

This always makes me cry.

10: A song that you never get tired of

My favourite song in the world.

         11: A song from your preteen years

Ah, seventies Australian music, is there any better? Rest in peace, Shirl.

12: One of your favorite 80’s songs

I love the Violent Femmes. I especially love this.

13: One of your favorite classical songs.

14: A song that you would sing a duet with someone on karaoke

This - and happily.

15: A song from the year that you were born

1968 had some great music, including this:

16: A song that makes you think about life

This is a song about war. It is profound.

 17: A song that you think everybody should listen to

Everybody should listen to this just once in their lives. Annie Lennox is amazing.

18: A song by a band you wish were still together

Oh, I so wish the Hoodoo Gurus played more often.

19: A song by an artist no longer living

Something from Bowie. I never knew I liked him so much.

20: A song that breaks your heart

This version of this song.

21: A song by an artist with a voice that you love

I love Rodriguez. He's amazing.

Around the House Meme

Okay, I'm recovering from a rancid cold, I am 12000 words down on my uni assignment and I have finally got all of the lodge paperwork out the way. Joy.

I've still go to do the ironing and a bit more writing to do, but as always, it is good to get Sunday Stealing's questions out of the way. You're doing a great job, Bev.


Bedroom: what’s your sleep schedule? 

In bed by 11 pm, wake at six on weekdays, out of bed at seven. That is about normal.

Kitchen: favorite comfort food?

Cheese on toast. Baked beans on toast.

Washroom: showers or baths? bubbles? bath bombs?

I love baths, but I only have a shower in my flat. Nice soap always can be found in the shower stall.

Closet: sum up your style in a few words.

Black, grey, red, simple.

Parlor: favorite party or board game?

Monopoly - though I'm known to cheat. I like playing pool too if there is a table available.

Living room: what do you like to do with your family?

We normally sit and watch telly or talk around the dinner table. That is when I am over with them.

Dining room: favorite special occasion food?

Roast lamb. Love's Mum's roast lamb.

Garden: favorite tree? flower?

I'm a rose fan. Love roses.

Attic: what’s one thing you have a sentimental attachment to and you will never throw away?

Possibly my flute. I never play it, but I still have it in the cupboard. That at the teddy my grandfather gave me at birth.

Library: favorite book genre?

Literary fiction.

Office: if you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

Writer.

Guest room: have you been to a sleepover? if so, when was your first? do you like them?

Of course, but I can't remember the last time I slept at somebody else's place. Ages ago it was.

Foyer: do you like small gatherings, large parties, or one-on-one meetings?

Small gatherings. Much better at those.

Pantry: favorite meal to make?

Chicken meatballs and pasta. It's a Gary Megihan recipe.

Laundry: favorite and least favorite chore?

Anything to do with cleaning floors.

Garage: favorite mode of transportation? favorite car?

I love travelling by boats - ferries are great.

Panic room: what was the most nerve-wracking experience you’ve had?

I was stuck in a moving lift (elevator) for about half an hour. That was really scary. Got out unscathed thank goodness.

Powder room: do you wear makeup? if so, what one item can’t you live without? what’s your favorite look? 

I only wear a little make up - eyeliner and mascara, with a bit of lipstick. I only put on foundation for special occasions.

Firsts

I'm supposed to be doing a lot of things, but my dinner is cooking, so this is a good time to get this done.

So, the questions have been supplied by Bev at Sunday Stealing. Bev, you are doing a great job.

First Job:

I used to work at the local general store when I was at high school over the holidays.

First Real Job: 

My first full time, permanent job was at Lehman Brothers in London where I did data entry, then went from there.

First Favorite Politician: 

Gough Whitlam, though I have always had a soft spot for Tony Blair. In his early days, he was good - much needed.

First Car: 

An EJ Holden, named Edna. The first car I purchased on my own was a Ford Fiesta called Phoebe. Again that was in London.

First Record/CD: 

ABBA, Arrival - like all children of the seventies.

First Sport Played: 

Probably pool - other than gyming and running, I've never played sport.

First Concert: 

Elton John and the Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra

First Foreign Country Visited: 

New Zealand. I was seventeen.

First Favorite TV Show:

I used to love Hogan's Heroes and MASH as kid.

First Favorite Actor:

Cary Grant

First Favorite Actress:

Audrey Hepburn

First Girlfriend/Boyfriend:

Oh, spotty Simon. Joys of having boyfriends when you are a teenager.

First Encounter with a Famous Person:

I stood behind Emma Thompson in the supermarket queue once - again, in London.

First Brush With Death:

I drove a tractor into a deep drain when I was about 12. That was a horrible near miss.

First House/Condo Owned:

Still don't own. I rent. Property is far too expensive over here on one salary.

First Film Seen:

I remember my father taking me to see Disney's Robin Hood when I was about five.

First Favorite Recording Artist:

Skyhooks

First Favorite Radio Station:

107.1 SAFM - Adelaide's first FM station.

First Book I Remember Reading:

The book that got me back into reading was Donna Tartt's The Secret History. As a kid, I read everything. I loved Golden Books.

First Meme You Answered on Your Blog:

No idea. Too long ago.