The Unconscious Mutterings Questions

So I have a slight hangover. It's not a real hangover, more an acknowledgement of the fact I was out drinking gin and tonics, eating pizza and mourning the country we could be over the country - and the government to which we are subjected at the moment - the election results are in and they are not great. We're pretty much back where we were before with the same lot of smug, arrogant cretins in office *(minus one fellow, Tony Abbott, who lost his seat - probably the best news from a shocking night.)

So I'm here licking my wounds and eating chocolate bullets. I'm also wearing my Ramones t-shirt. Has to be done. and sorry, I might get a bit sweary in my post today. I'm really not happy.


And planning a trip...

And pondering moving to New Zealand...

Anyway, questions have been provided by Bev at Sunday Stealing.

I say ... and you think ... ?

    Hurry!  And I think, nah, I can have another ten minutes in bed. There will be another tram.

    Dumb :: And I think WHAT THE ACTUAL  FUCK AUSTRALIA!! WE HAVE ANOTHER THREE YEARS OF THESE GREEDY, SHORT-SIGHTED, SOCIALLY BACKWARDS, BIGOTED, SCORCHED-EARTH LOVING,ENTITLED FUCKWITS.  Bring on the revolution.

    Fudge :: And I think of a little store in Akaroa, just out of Christchurch, New Zealand, which does fantastic fudge.

    Sturdy :: And I think of my biker boots, of which I would like to go and kick Queensland's arse with at the moment.

    Printing :: And I think of finishing that novel.

    Itch :: And I think some things that I would like to scratch. I'll leave that there.

    Creaks :: And I think of the lat pull-down machine at the gym which really requires a bit of love and WD-40 - it creaks like a see-saw (I think you American's call them teeter-totters - kids playground equipment).

    Paste :: and I think of my dear old Aunt who loved the art of decoupage.

    Waste of time :: and I think that arguing with a redneck Queenslander would be like that. I'm still shaking my head.

    Let down :: And I think these current election results. I feel personally let down by anybody who who voted for these idiots.

    Cancellation :: And I think of why they are cancelling Suits just as it is getting interesting.

    Suspect :: And I think and suspect that a mob of white, entitled, middle aged blokes are not prepared to faced the wrath of women on a global scale after what has gone down in Alabama this week. (And I think Australia is a cray cray place...)

    Fireplace :: and I think of my childhood and how much I miss an open fire.

    Spring :: And I think of casting off my coat for a cardigan  and my boots for sandals.

    Commute :: and I think I am very pleased that my commute to work is less than half an hour - for mot people it is around an hour, I'm doing well. Joys of living in the inner city.

    Places :: and I think of the trips I am planning in November. India and the United States - ten days each.

    Fraud :: and I think of most of the Government who have been put back in power. They seriously are on the nose. There is some pretty nasty corruption and fraud going on there. The truth will out.

    Adoption :: and I think that this might be the solution the Alabama legislators have for those women who's reproductive rights they are curtailing - because I would really like to see them pay the medical bills for the mothers, feed, clothe, educate and love these children who may have been conceived by the actions of a father, brother or rapist.

    Election :: and I think don't mention the war. I have only just started to agitate on the side of the sensibles. Sheesh.

    Moving day :: and I think of how much preparation goes into getting ready for that day.

Today's Song:

The Ask Anything Questions

So it is Mother's Day around here. So far today I've cuddled the cat, been to the gym, called my mother, did three loads of washing, seen a film (the wonderful All is True - loved it) cooked Meatballs and Spaghetti and done some writing. I'm part of a writing group on Twitter. You get a topic on Saturday and have until midnight Sunday to put 30 words in on the topic. I'm amazed at what you can get done in 30 words. My Twitter handle is @TrellawneyThom if you're interested.

Good questions this week, thanks to Bev at Sunday Stealing.


1. Do you own your things or do your things own you?

I like things, but they definitely don't own me. I try to take care of my stuff. When my car got broken into the other week, it was dealt with swiftly, but I live for experiences - and books. But then again, books are things.

2. Would you rather lose all of your old memories or never be able to make new ones?

Part of me wants to keep making new ones, but old memories shape who you are. That's a hard and loaded question.

3. How do you deal with someone in a position of power who wants you to fail?

Prove them wrong with quiet determination. You can stick a finger up to them later.

4. What do you have that you cannot live without?

Friends. Books. My phone and laptop.

5. When you close your eyes what do you see?

Bright light.

6. What sustains you on a daily basis?

Friends. Books. Walking. Writing. And a daily almond decaf latte. Fake coffee - does you good.

7. What are your top five personal values?

• Above all else, be kind.
• Laugh first, cry later. 
• And this too, shall pass. It might pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass. 
• Loyalty knows no boundaries.
• Keep to the budget.

8. Why must you love someone enough to let them go?

If you love them enough to put their happiness above your own, you know you can let them go. It's a hard lesson to learn, but letting go is about boundaries - theirs and your own.

9. Do you ever celebrate the green lights?

All the time. If things are a bit easier, why wouldn't you celebrate it - even if it is only a sneaky gin and tonic.

10. What personal prisons have you built out of fears?

It's probably why I'm still single. Deep seated trust  issues stemming from childhood. Next question.

11. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?

Finished a novel. Got another tattoo. Gone skydiving. Traveled the world for a year.

12. Why are you, you?

Because I am me. That's why. I don't apologies for who I am. I am just me. Forged at the school of life and never have I walked the road more travelled. And that has made the difference. Gotta love Robert Frost.

13. If you haven’t achieved it yet what do you have to lose?

Probably nothing - but if you don't try and achieve what you want, you will never ever get there. This question has a defeatist feel to it.

14. What three words would you use to describe the last three months of your life?

Challenging, inspiring, consolidating.

15. Is it ever right to do the wrong thing?  Is it ever wrong to do the right thing?

Yes. Because sometimes you have to do the wrong thing to work out what the right thing is. Same goes for the right thing. I've taken a few big risks, against the normal thinking - they've been some of the best decisions I've ever made.

16. How would you describe ‘freedom’ in your own words?

Being able to eat as much ice cream as you wish and never putting on weight.

Seriously, freedom to me is feeling an inner peace no matter where you are or what you're doing.

17. What is the most important thing you could do right now in your personal life?

Finish those bloody novels. Maybe find a new job.

18. If you could ask one person, alive or dead, only one question, who would you ask and what would you ask?

I'd like to ask Adolf Hitler just what he had against the Jewish nation.

I'd like to ask Gough Whitlam what it felt like to be dismissed from government.

I'd also like to as Scott Morrison when the hell he will stop lying.

19. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

Probably writing. Maybe doing some witch work too.


Today's song:

The One Direction Asks Questions

There is nothing as blissful as a sleep in, a long bath and a swim. Joys of the hotel I'm staying in this weekend. It's just diving. Wish I could have another day here. I've been doing a lot of sleeping this weekend. Must have needed it.

Good questions this week, thanks to Bev at Sunday Stealing.

1. Name three things you love about yourself.

• That I'm kind.
• My eyes - they're unusual in colour. 
• My daft recall for really strange facts. 

2. What’s the bravest thing you ever did?

Probably take off alone to England when I was 23. I knew nobody, I had a place to stay for the first few days. Best thing I've ever done too.

3. Talk about the craziest night of your life.

There have been a few, but one that sticks out was a night in Mykonos, talking with an American and a Finnish dude, in a gay bar, in French. Somehow I convinced them I was a French Major on holidays from the University of Alabama. I kept this up for a few hours. Mykonos was crazy.

4. Name three things you want in life

• A cat or two
• A house with an open fire and a bath tub
• A three book publishing deal

5. Who’s your biggest celebrity crush?

Other than Clive Owen and Gabriel Macht?  I have to say, Julianne Moore is up there. I'm straight, but she's amazing. Always has been. She's doing well for somebody pushing 60.

6. What’s your most common mistake?

• I often mix up affect and effect
• I think it will take ten minutes less to get to places. 
• And for the life of me, I will tell you hand on heart that my step-father's birthday is on the 23rd of April. It's the 23rd of March. I've buggered it up for over 25 years. 

7. Which three things would you save if there was a fire?

• The animals
• Some photos
• My grandmother's kitchen implements - huge sentimental value in that eggbeater and colander. 

8. What’s your favourite sport?

I'm not really into sport, but I do dib into Australian Rules Football and cricket now and then.

9. Talk about something good that recently happened to you.

I visited Hong Kong two months ago. That was a wonderful break. Would happily go again - there is so much to see and do. Got a new manager at work - she's been a godsend too.

10. Which fictional world would you want to live in if you could?

I'd happily live in Harry Potter's world. All that magic sounds like fun. New York around the time of When Harry Met Sally would be cool too.

11. What’s one thing you can never say no to?

Ice cream.

12. Talk about a childhood memory.

I have a strange memory of a garden party I went to with my mother and sister when I was about five-years-old. It was a very genteel party. My mother's Aunt Elizabeth, who was very old (in her late nineties) was there. There were cucumber sandwiches and hydrangeas. I wore a blue sun dress. It was high summer, one of those very hot, very dry Adelaide days. We were in the Eastern Suburbs. There were tadpoles in the fountain. It's a very real memory.

13. Name five things you find attractive in others.

• Kindness
• A great sense of humour
• Blue eyes
• A just right hairy chest
• Intelligence.

14. Are you good at making final decisions or do you easily change your mind?

I'm generally very decisive.

15. Name three guilty pleasures of yours.

• Married at First Sight - awful, annual bad reality television - only only this. 
• Ice cream
• Anything related to Shakespeare.

Today's Song:

The Favourites Meme

Ah, running late again. Have a huge week at work next week (including migrating one computer to another - always fun) so this weekend has been spent having a nice, quiet, easy going weekend. Got my lunch cooked for the week (Gluten Free pasta and meatballs), went for a float, had my temples seen to at the hairdresser and generally relaxed,

So here are this week's questions. As always, they've been provided by Bev at Sunday Stealing.

  Your favorite songs

Here are three:

    Your favorite bands

Okay other than The Pixies? Here are a few: The Police, Alt-J, The Rolling Stones, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Simon and Garfunkel, early Arctic Monkeys, Talking Heads.

    Your favorite actors or actresses

Other than Clive Owen? Hmmm. Julianne Moore, Juliette Binoche, Kenneth Branagh, Philip Seymour Hoffman (God bless him), Cary Grant, Gabriel Macht - just to name a few. But Clive Owen - phwoar.

    Your favorite books:

There are a few:

• Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres.
• The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
• Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
• Atonement by Ian McEwan
• A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
• The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

Love books.

    Books you dislike

I don't generally dislike books, but I've never been able to read The Hobbit - or the Lord of the Rings Series - just boring. I'm not a fan or horror either. Not a fan of badly written chick lit either.

Oh, and Cleo, The Cat that Healed a Family - I've never recovered from that.

    Your favorite movies

Again, a few favourites.

• Three Colours: Blue
• The Princess Bride
• Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
• Most Pixar animated fare
• Branagh's Henry V
• The Intouchables
• V is for Vendetta
• And I'm becoming very fond of the Marvel Universe - particularly Guardians of the Galaxy.
• Breakfast at Tiffanys
• To Catch a Thief / Rear Window / North by Northwest

    Your favorite TV shows

• The Young Ones
• Outrageous Fortune
• Travel Guides (local fare - ordinary people rate holiday destinations - hilarious)
• The West Wing
• This Life (English Fare - it was awesome)
• Suits

    Your favorite foods/drinks

• Mum's roast lamb
• Flat rice noodles with chicken and hot chilli sauce from the Zen Noodle bar down Centre Lane
• Ice cream
• Poached eggs
• Pasties - when sourced in Adelaide

    Your favorite animal

I love most animals. I'm know as being a cat person, but I also adore dogs too... and horses. And Lions... and seals... and elephants. Animals are wonderful.

My most favourite animal is Maow Maow, my best mate's cat. We have a relationship. He's coming to stay in May for a month. He'll sleep with me. he's just wonderful.


    Your favorite scents

Roses. Dogs paws in the morning. Freshly baked bread. Home cooking. Autumn leaves. The beach.

    Your hobbies/ things you do in your free time

What is free time? When I do get some time you find me in the gym, at a movie theatre, reading a book or writing.

    Your pet peeves

Rude people. People who don't listen. The current Australian Federal Government (hopefully only 21 days left of the f*ckers)

    Things you collect

Books and ornamental elephants. And pens. I pick up pens everywhere.

    Things you like to swap

Books. And movie tips.

    Places you've been

Other than the monthly trip to Sydney. I've visited the following countries:

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• France
• Spain
• Italy
• Greece
• The Netherlands
• Germany
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Indonesia (Just Bali)
• Hong Kong
• Thailand
• New Zealand
• The United States (New York, Pennsylvania, Massachussetts and California - and maybe Colorado later this year)
• And I've been to South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia.

    Places you'd like to visit

Next places on the list to visit:

• United States - hope to visit Colorado in November
• India - may have a wedding to go to next year
• Japan is high on the list
• Vietnam
• South Africa
• Argentina and Uruguay
• Canada
• And there is a lot more of Scotland, England and Wales I want to see. 

    The songs you dislike

I'm not a fan of Country and Western music, nor death metal.

And I really don't like this song. It's just bad.

   The movies you dislike:

I walked out of Sin City. Hated it. I'm also not a fan of anything too violent - So I've never seen Braveheart.

    The TV shows you dislike

Most reality telly. My Kitchen Rules. Anything with a Kardashian in it. Anything where people get too humiliated. Then again - I do watch Married at First Sight and Masterchef.

    classes you liked in school

French, English, Maths, Chemistry. I was pretty good at school.

    classes you disliked in school

P.E. (sport, Phys Ed, what ever you like to call it) and Physics. We were taught by a yeti in Physics.
   
crafts you would like to learn

I can already knit, crochet and sew. I don't mind painting. I would love to learn to play the piano properly. Never got piano lessons. Wish I did.

The Ask Anything Questions

Happy Easter. I've had my hot cross buns, which it appears, are not a big thing in America according to my made in Colorado - and you don't know what you are missing out on.

So it's day three of a four day long weekend.

So far I've seen two films (The excellent Gloria Bell and the lovely, take-your-mother film, The Chaperone, and I'm off to see The Aftermath later today.

Finally, I've finished my book group book - Milkman, by Anna Burns. I'm in about fifty minds about the book. It's a Joycean hell hole in some ways, astounding in others. Probably the hardest read I've encountered in a number of years. Maybe now I'll tackle Ulysses, which has been sitting on my bedside table for years. This would be a good primer. It's been a long time since I've had to read a book with a Belfast accent in my head.

Good questions this week. Thanks to Bev at Sunday Stealing.


1. What Did You Have For Lunch?

Today - I had hot cross buns. Baker's Delight Mocha hot cross buns, heated and slathered with butter. Only at Easter. I'm not even a Christian, but I do hot cross buns.



2.  Do You Dance In The Car?

Sometimes. It's not unknown. The trick is not getting caught.

3.  Favourite Animal?

My favourite ever animal is Maow Maow - my best mate Blarney's cat. We have a relationship - we love each other very much. but I'm an animal lover. Pretty much any animal. I will give police horses a cuddle, talk to dogs on the street and I'm a bit fond of elephants and alpacas. Animals are often a lot nicer than people.

4.  Do You Watch The Olympics?

No - not really. I will dip in an watch the diving and the gymnastics if they are on, but that is it. I used to love watching them as a kid.

5.  What Time Do You Usually Go To Bed?

Normally somewhere between 11 and midnight.

6.  Are You Wearing Makeup Right Now?

No, it's Sunday - I've been to the gym and I'm not going anywhere other than a movie theatre in a few hours. I doubt I'll put on any make up then. I don't wear much makeup anyway - eyeliner, mascara and a slick of red lipstick most days. That's it.

7.  Do You Prefer To Swim In A Pool Or The Ocean?

I like swimming in both. If I want to go for a proper swim for exercise, I prefer the pool, but I love being in the ocean. I don't do enough swimming. Joys of long hair - it's something you have to plan for..

8.  What Was The Last Thing You Ate?

Baker's Delight mocha hot cross buns, slathered with butter.

9.  Bottled Water Or Tap Water?

Tap water. I only get bottled water if it is fizzy.

10. What Makes You Happy?

Baker's Delight mocha hot cross buns. Cool evenings that are good for sleeping (we're having an Indian summer here - it's a few degrees above the normal April temperature, the trees still haven't turned - and they say Global Warming and Climate Change aren't real. Bullshit) Good books. Good cinema. Friends. Gin an tonics.

11. Did You Like Swinging As A Child? Do You Still Get Excited When You See A Swing Set?

I loved swings as a kid. I still love going on the swings. I'm known for going for a swing if there are no kids using them.

12. Do You Work Better With Or Without Music?

Depends on what I'm working on. Generally I'm better off without music, but I work in a noisy office and I'm finding putting on some gentle acoustic tracks on the earphones keeps me focused on what I need to do.

13. Do You Make Your Bed In The Morning?

Yes. Pretty much every morning. Without fail. Sarah Wilson put me onto this trick in First We Make The Beast Beautiful. It sets you up for the day. If you've made your bed, you've achieved something by the time you hop in the shower.

14. Do You Like Your Music Loud?

No. I only like loud music at concerts - even then, it's not the music isn't a loud as it used to be.

15.Do You Fear Thunder / Lightning?

No - love a good thunderstorm. Okay, if I'm stuck in the middle of one without shelter, then I'd be scared, if not, I love them.

Today's Song:

Fill in the blanks

Okay, not the best weekend for blogging. Yesterday morning I woke to find my car had been ransacked - spent the day arranging car glass replacements, talking to the police, coding a new gate opener, mourning the loss of a beloved object the cretins had stolen, the finally, once all had been sorted, a friend and I went out for  a quick dinner and show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. (Gillian English's "10 Things I Hate About The Taming of the Shrew" was excellent - on point, hilarious, and in words I think she'd say, the patriarchy aint going to fuck itself. Just what you need after junkies ransack your car in the middle of the night. I suppose they left the window neatly leaning against the back tyre... give them brownie points for being tidy... NOT!

Today, out to the hills to celebrate a friend becoming an Australian Citizen.

So there you go. Questions, as always, from Bev at Sunday Stealing.

It's always nice when ____ your friends step up for you. Thanks, Jonella, for listening to me swear yesterday afternoon. (It would have been better if I could have taken to the person/persons who smashed in my car window with a tyre iron.)

Oh, that _____ is what feminist comedy is like when it is done properly. I really enjoyed Gillian English at the Comedy Festival last night.

It's a sure sign of   rain is when _____.spiders come out of the woodwork.

Are we having  a new Prime Minister again??!. It's only been six in ten years. (In Australia, we have a federal election on 17 May. I'm watching a lot of Netflix over the next month.

My heart _____ is a little bit broken. My work husband left the company on Friday. I'm going to miss him. Just got him trained up.

Do you believe in an interventionist God? I  know, Darling, that you do...!  Nick Cave lyrics. Love Nick Cave.

I'm a witch. I'be been a witch for a long time. I'm used to it now. Some people don't between in witches, but we're okay.

I was an illegal alien for a large part of my 20s. This is another story for another time.

People go batshit crazy  _____ when the moon is full.

When we _____ go to the next election , hopefully Shouty McScummo (Scott Morrison - current Prime Minister), and his crew, will be elected out of office and into electoral oblivion.

Ben and Jerry's ice cream _____ is the best!

Underneath it all _____ I'm a big softy. Just don't tell anybody..

Oh! And thanks for _____ reading my blog. It's nice to think somebody reads me.

And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __going to bed once this is done___, tomorrow my plans include __going to work, getting some work done, walking home, then seeing my trainer___ and Sunday, I want to __sleep is as that is now a week away and next Sunday is Easter Sunday so there is no pump class ___!


Today's song:

The Love Me Some Surveys Meme

Oh it is so nice not be travelling. I just wish I wasn't so blooming busy. Hence, it will be a quick one today.

Questions as always, from Bev at Sunday Stealing.

1. If you could build a second house anywhere, where would it be?

Here are four places I would happily live:

• Mykonos, Greece
• Hampstead, London, England
• Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
• Cambridge, Boston, USA

2. What are your favorite articles of clothing?

• My biker boots
• A pair of wide-legged 3/4 work pants.
• This one navy and white wrap dress
• My shorty pyjamas

3. The last CD you bought or downloaded?

I listen to mostly downloaded play lists - and I found a great one with acoustic covers of a lot of modern songs.

4. What time do you generally wake up in the morning?

The alarm goes of at 6 am during the week. I get out of bed at 7. Now that daylight saving is over I'll be waking at 5.30 and up at 6.30.

5. What is your favorite kitchen appliance?

My colander. It used to belong to my grandmother. It's pretty special. It's also about 70 years old - like the egg beater I inherited too.

6. If you could play an instrument, what would it be?

The piano. I never got lessons as I child. I wish I did.

7. What is your Favorite color?

One of these three:

• Pillarbox red
• Sapphire Blue
• Teal

8. Do you believe in the afterlife?

Sort of. Not in a Christian way. I like to think there is reincarnation.

9. Your Favorite children’s book?

Probably the Harry Potter series. I'm also fond of Lemony Snicket and Artemis Fowl.

10. Can you juggle?

I used to be able to juggle three balls. It wouldn't take much to get it back.

11. What’s your favorite day of the week?

Sunday. It is the day I can do what I want.

12. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger?

Hamburger, through sushi is what I would choose eight times out of ten. Better for you.

13. What is your favorite flower?

Roses. And sunflowers are lovely to look at.

14. What is your favorite meal?

My mother's roast lamb is wonderful. For eating out, there is a cheap and cheerful Vietnamese place down the road, and they do this wonderful dry chilli beef dish that is just amazing.

15. Describe your ideal weather?

A London Autumnal day. Overcast, about 15 degrees, gentle breeze. I like winter.

16. What is your favorite Ice Cream?

Oh, do I really have to choose.  Here are a few favourites:

• Maggie Beer's Caramel and Burnt Fig Jam
• Ben and Jerry's Choc Chip Cookie Dough or Half Baked
• Pana Choc Chip Mint
• White Chocolate and Wasabi (Strangely, it works)
• Turkish Delight

17. What is your favorite breakfast?

Anything with eggs. Eggs Benedict - or scrambled eggs (had that this morning) or poached eggs on toast. Eggs are great.

18. Where did you meet your spouse or significant other?

I don't have a significant other. I've never had a significant other.

Bonus: something you’d like to do that you’ve never done before?

A couple if things I wouldn't mind doing:

• Live in New York for a year
• Skydive (tandem of course)
• Learn piano
• Perform stand up comedy

Today's Song: