Sydney Fireworks 9 pm Dec 31 2008 ... from my house!

9pm Sydney fireworks ... as I saw them ...

Almost time to ... Shut the gate on 08 & shine in 09.

An Update & Happy Holiday Wishes ...

Darlings,
Remember in March when the 82 year old driver collected me with her 1989 Toyota Camry as I was crossing the road ... well the saga continues?

XRays showed my right arm wasn't healing. Back to hospital for another surgery, a new heavier plate inserted, nine fat new screws, a healthy dollop of fixative and the magcal addition of a protein powder to encourage the arm to make me 'bloggable' again!

Now six weeks on ... Doc says not to 'sling the sling' that holds my arm aloft, strangles my neck, constricts my shoulder ... healing's taking longer.

I constantly remind myself how fortuntate I am. How I'm alive, with a beautiful family, with a sense of humour, and it's only my arm ;)

Those who know me get my frustration ... as an inpatient, intolerant, Virgo, typing lefthanded isn't a consideration ...

BUT I needed to let you all know ...

I loveyouse all, miss so many of you and am sending truckloads of wishes that we 'shut the gate on 08 and shine in 09'.

Unconscious Mutterings #301

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



1. In love :: is it?

2. Be my guest :: money's on the fridge

3. Number one :: numero uno

4. Swallowed whole :: gulp

5. 50 percent :: half full half empty?

6. Made in :: China ... isn't everything?

7. Supplement :: centre spread

8. Right for :: left for later

9. Endless :: goes on forever

10. Ceramic :: China

Manic Monday 139

What is the greatest value that guides your life?

Being a positive, happy, true, survivor.



If I could be anybody besides myself, I would be ______

... not be me, I like who I am!



What is one item in your house that you should really throw out but probably never will?

If only there was just one item. There's tonnes that need to go and despite my new years resolution "Purge" it probably never will.

Unconscious Mutterings #300

Week 300




2 hours, 15 minutes ago




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




1. Contemplate :: Mmmmmmm


2. In the house :: peace


3. Classical :: antique


4. Quest :: seek


5. Best friend :: Moi


6. 1991 :: no repeats


7. Never will :: again


8. Fool :: no more


9. Unhappy :: never


10. Best man :: best woman

Unconscious Mutterings 299

I say ... and you think ?


1. Magical :: moments

2. Shrimp :: barbie

3. Project Runway :: love it!

4. Economy :: ratshit

5. Porch :: light on

6. State of affairs :: same as economy

7. .com :: redness

8. Fifty cents :: plus change

9. Ripping :: me off

10. Bull :: crap

Whoa ... where did that lot come from ???

Some people deserve cats ... it works both ways here ...




Check out the full apartment here ... isn't it fabulous <^..^>

Unconscious Mutterings 298

I say ... and you think


1. Zoo :: neighbourhood

2. Neighborhood :: zoo

3. Salute :: signal

4. Immortality :: forever

5. Dominion :: sovereign

6. Rhonda :: Rockin'

7. Parties :: joy

8. Prince of Darkness :: who?

9. Garbage :: trash

10. Standard :: ordinary

Unconscious Mutterings 297 ...

1. Insight :: see through

2. Irksome :: you're torture

3. Maybe :: maybe not

4. Confirmation :: your right!

5. Bib :: and Bub (Australian fantasy bush characters)

6. Stop! :: now!

7. Lobster :: rock

8. Boys :: night out

9. Fire away :: hit me with ya best shot ...

10 Give up :: while you're in ahead

Write on Wednesday ... Feelin Groovy'

Becca asks ... How about you? Do you find yourself moving too fast through life? What’s your favorite way to moodle and make the mornin’ last? How does slowing down affect your creativity?

Too fast ... what on earth is that?

Lately I've been searching and asking those I know where do I apply for more hours in the day? Seriously there's not enough for me what with the twelve lane highway zooming through my head coming up with more projects, ideas, places to go and people to see.

I don't move too fast. I tend to amble, at sometimes a steady, sometimes a manic pace, depending on the mood or weather, perpetually with the time is not on my side problem.

My developed morning bad habit is tea and toast in front of this darn screen, reading, answering emails which inevitably puts me off kilter, adds more congestion to highway so the already 'organised' day ahead and the 'moodling' invariably transforms to 'muddling'.

Slowing down has never effected my creativity ... if only. It's not the slowing down that's the problem, when I slow I sleep, as I said ... the dreaded lack of time is the one and only problem.

The answers have all been heard, tried and discarded ... routine, roster, timeframe, schedule ... words I use, offer as advice, but have not one iota's chance of putting them to work in my feelin' groovy day!

So ... why swap bliss for the norm?

Nah, I'll saunter at my pace, prioritising if necessary, always feelin' groovy!

New Book - The Curious Collector by Jessie Walker

No I am not a hoarder I'm a collector ... that's my story ...

Latest edition to my collection of books on collecting ... thanks to MYNBF

Lovely book, broadly, briefly covering many many items ... superb photography ...

... Lynne Perella and Marilynn Gelfmann Karp entice and magically inspire Moi !

Manic Monday # 136

What is the most useful gift you’ve ever been given?

An 66cm LCD HD TV for my birthday last week!


Name the most terrifying moment of your life so far.

Lying on the road, screaming, not being able to feel my right arm or shoulder, after being hit by a car whilst crossing the road, on March 28, this year!


One hot summer afternoon, while walking through a parking lot at a large shopping center, you notice a dog suffering badly from the heat inside a locked car. What would you do?

Call the police.

Unconscious Mutterings # 296

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


1. Hearing :: Listening

2. Aggression :: Waste

3. Charged :: Excessive

4. Traveler :: Traveller

5. Hydrate :: H2O

6. Detox :: Done

7. Qualify :: Competent

8. Prison :: Lockup

9. Frontal :: Lobe

10. Pep talk :: Necessary

Guess who's got a new camera ...

New camera practice ... clever aren't I?

Photo Friday - Spontaneous

OUCH!

... Spontaneous or ART ?

Manic Monday #135

Pick out the most important item you have in your purse/wallet and tell me why it's important to you. I went for the wad of hundred dollar bills but they've gone ... oh no ;)


What would you take from your house if you knew it would be flooded tomorrow? My Miss Blossom and a bag over my shoulder with purse, jewellery and anything else I could grab.


If you were stuck in a room for an hour with a chalk board, what would you draw on it? I'd write lists with doodling round the edge.

Manic Monday # 134

What's worse, physical or mental cheating? Why?

They're both as bad as each other ... though mental can be worse ... you can't see it. The question makes me shudder.


Do you think men and women can be just friends? Why or why not?

Most definitely they can be friends ... it's frequently the suspicion of others that causes friction.


How do you feel about dating co-workers?

What's that old saying? Don't get ya meat where ya get ya bread ...

Unconscious Mutterings 294

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


Cut the crap :: I'm over it

Scent :: objectionable

Vanishing :: act

Wetness :: moistness

Cheap :: as chips

Badges :: souvenirs

Puppy :: smoochie

Problem solver :: yours truly

Gambling :: life

Sophia :: wisdom

Unconscious Mutterings

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


1. House :: home

2. Think :: before you ...

3. Clot :: fool

4. Believe me :: trust me

5. Fumigation :: air

6. Bore :: drill

7. Luck :: fortunate

8. Patient :: stoic

9. Tremors :: shakes

10. Pickles :: pregnant

A genius Centrelink decision ... a miracle?

A gorgeous girl I met while in hospital is still having a really hard time. Twenty two weeks ago, while driving home from a church lunch something hit the windscreen of her car, she lost control, two of her three children were seriously injured. On impact the windows of the car smashed causing her right arm to be flung out the window, her right arm was trapped, mangled. She's back to where she started from after contracting the MRSA bacteria, plates in her arm had to be removed, her bones disintegrated, on Thursday she went to theatre for surgery number 16, it could be 18 ...

Due to the ridiculous insurance regulations she's not entitled to anything via her third party claim. She would have been if she'd become a quadraplegic, a paraplegic or lost a limb, she's almost lost her right arm and she's right handed. The family are struggling so she was told to apply to Australia's genius social security department known as "Centrelink" for a pension.

Yet some uneducated, efficious, bureacrat told her she she didn't qualify for a pension that she should be able to work 15 hours a week ...

With a massive frame on her right arm, she's was taking 150mg Tramadol 4 times a day, 40mg of Oxycontin twice a day, 600 mg Gabapentin 3 times day and two Panadol 4 times a day ... I'm curious to know what job she would qualify for ... maybe the said pen pushing idiots job!!!

Can you believe it??

Please say a prayer for Bec ... they're a good, hardworking, honest, family in need of a miracle ...

Write on Wednesday ... The Power of Place.

This week Bec asks about 'The Power of Place.'


How about you? How does place figure in your writing? Do you feel comfortable in the place you live, or do you feel at odds with your atmosphere? Do you convey that in your writing? What stories does your location have to tell?

For me, in writing, place is integral. If I there's no place then nothing happens. Place names make writing feasable, interesting, not only the name but the history, traditions and time frame in relation to the place you're writing about can take your reader there, either in their imagination or back to a place where they once might have been.

Judith Barrington in "Writing the Memoir" writes "how the names of people, places, stores, rivers, and so on are a particular kind of concrete detail that can play a vital role in making your writing interestring and believable and quotes from James Hamilton Patterson's "The Great Deep : The Sea and Its Thresholds", where there is a chapter entitled "Nothing is More Tedious than a Landscape without Names."

I'm comfortable in the place I live, I have to be, what's the point in angsting about being in a lavish environment with panoramic ocean views, the smell of the salt air wafting in and sending metal window frames rusty? Why waste precious time and energy on what, right now, isn't possible ... but that's me, ever practical.

Current place likes and dislikes aren't conveyed in my writing yet, one day, when I relate this episode place will emerge. People, mood, atmosphere, emotions, era, conditions, as well as the mores, values and traditions relating to place are inevitably conveyed when writing of the past. Research and memory prod thoughts. A found a bus timetable will jolt me back to school days. Reminding me of the fun, frolic and mischief of riding to and from school, of the days when we didn't make it ... wagged it, played hookey, jigged it ... ahhh those were the days!

Location is the basis for my stories ... if I or my ancestors hadn't been in that place who knows what might never have happened!

What about the times when you feel you've been in that place before? ... that's another story ...

Vale ALAN WADDELL

Sydney's most famous inspiring walker, Alan Waddell, died at 3am this morning.

At 94 years of age Alan recently underwent hip replacement surgery. He went home early last week but returned to hospital last Wednesday where his condition detiorated.

Alan was a much loved, motivated, respected, well known and well reported Sydney icon who will be greatly missed.

One of Alan's family will keep his web site going in his honour ... check it out here.

Keep walking Alan.

Manic Monday #132

If you were to name the one thing you have the most compassion for, what would it be? Women.

It's been said that, "The best things in life are free." Do you think this is true? Absolutely true, health, happiness and positive attitude are all free if you know how to go about gaining them!


What is the most valuable thing you own? My health, happiness and PMA.

Unconscious Mutterings #292 ...

1. Groceries :: essentials

2. Deodorant :: don't leave home without it.

3. Psychic :: Prove it

4. Cherries :: sweet

5. Spooky :: Casper

6. Yogurt :: yuk

7. Kitchen :: goddess

8. Nothing personal :: but ...

9. Be nice :: it's easier

10. Delivery :: special

The Gilded Cage exhibition by Sharon Finn

Embellishments, jewellery, beautiful, three dimensional constructions, modern baroque describes the work of Sharon Finn.

Sharon, from Auckland New Zealand's first showing in Australia, with a backdrop of Sydney Harbour ... was breathtaking ... be envious for missing the experience!

More photo's soon.

Sydney Morning Herald review here.

SUNDAY SCRIBBLINGS ... Somewhere

Somewhere ... over the rainbow ...

Aww c'mon, you all wanted to ...

3 WORD WEDNESDAY C1 ...

Traveled

Desperate

Lapse

I so want to make these three words into a Haiku. Yet no matter which way I position them they don't quite say what I mean ...

Traveled a desperate lapse ... I have for the past 20 weeks ...

A desperate lapse traveled with me ... that too ...

A lapse too traveled became desperate ... Mmmm ...

The traveled, desperate, lapse diminished ...

Resurgance propells me from a well traveled, desperate, lapse!

... if you get what I mean ...

Manic Monday 131

If you could take more control of one aspect of your life, what would it be?
Have more money ...


If you were to name the difference between the male soul and the female soul, what would it be?
Male soul requires more understanding of compassion and difference.


If you had to admit the most selfish thing you do on a regular basis, what would you say it is?
See #1 and spend it!

Unconscious Mutterings 291

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


... multiple word answers this week ...


1. Cry :: eye bath

2. Stretch :: extra inches

3. Efficient :: efficious too

4. Brunch :: love it

5. Afro :: had a red one

6. Preheat :: warm up

7. Delicious :: dark chocolate

8. Global warming :: more information

9. Actions :: speak louder

10. Ride :: ticket to


Good Fun this week!

Write on Wednesday - MEME

The ever imaginative Bec has, in keeping with kids return to school, suggested a meme. Great idea, I love these. As a lover of lists, questions and answers, thanks Bec I'm on the job ...


1. Do you write fiction or non-fiction? Or both?
Non fiction ... I'm able to write fiction if the need arises.

2. Do you keep a journal or a writing notebook?
Yes to both, a journal as well as an writing ideas notebook.

3. If you write fiction, do you know your characters’ goals, motivations, and conflicts before you start writing or is that something else you discover only after you start writing? Do you find books on plotting useful or harmful?
Having written fiction I knew the basics but this often changed as the story developed. Most books on writing are useful.

4. Are you a procrastinator or does the itch to write keep at you until you sit down and work?
I'm both.

5. Do you write in short bursts of creative energy, or can you sit down and write for hours at a time?
Once I start it's usually impossible to stop. When I do stop I sleep like a baby!

6. Are you a morning or afternoon writer?
Afternoon or night.

7. Do you write with music/the noise of children/in a cafe or other public setting, or do you need complete silence to concentrate?
I prefer quiet and usually the TV is on in the background.

8. Computer or longhand? (or typewriter?)
Computer.

9. Do you know the ending before you type Chapter One? Or do you let the story evolve as you write?
I always have a basic idea - but anything can happen! Especially when things you thought you'd forgotten pop up or research takes you down another road.

10. Does what’s selling in the market influence how and what you write?
Presently no influence.

11. Editing/Revision - love it or hate it?
Love it ... knowing when to stop is the hardest.

Manic Monday #130

Is there something you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?
Dreamt ... travel overseas ... haven't ... no money!


If you could make any fictional character come to life, which one would it be?
Dr Seuss.


If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be and how long would it take you to spend the $10,000?
In an electronic store for a plasma screen, computer, fridge, freezer, washer, dryer ... the lot would be spent in 5 minutes!


Name three things you wanted as a child but never got.
Love, understanding, kindness

How much does your printer ink cost ...

Todays Sydney Morning Herald Column 8 a guy writes "madness abounds". His Canon printer ink cartridges, containing 13ml of ink, cost $23 each, i.e. $17,692.23 per litre ... shite!!!

My Hewlett Packard cartridges cost $31 each ... no way am I about to calculate ...

Unconscious Mutterings 290

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


1. Signature :: sign

2. Olympics :: exorbitant

3. 100% :: give

4. Damn! :: Drat!

5. Gold :: 100%

6. Fresh and natural :: gorgeous

7. Fraction :: friction

8. Hurry :: up

9. Summer :: love

10. 29th :: why?

Write on Wednesday August 13 ... Writers Groups

This week Becca asks ...
How about you? Have you ever belonged to a writer’s group? Did it work? Why (or why not?) What would be your criteria for the perfect writer’s group?


Oh Becca ... yes, yes, yes, how wonderful you are - are you a mind reader? A writing group, to me, is a blessing. Writers are oft heard bemoaning "a writers life is a lonely one" so for those of us seeking the opportunity to bounce ideas, check grammar, tense, point of view, names, or to have someone listen is a joy!


Finding a good group, as you so bravely discovered, is a challenge. I've belonged to three groups, one a fiasco, two brilliant. The key was the convenor. The dud group became a weekly social, as soon as writing talk began one troublemaker managed to steer the conversation their way, on the inane pretext of a personal association with the writing being discussed. Eventually the group disbanded.


The second, was well run, till someone invited the previous mentioned disrupter along. The convenor was unaware of their MO ... the rest of us conspired to have an agenda, a time frame. A stop watch and small bell were purchased, placed on the table, frequently used ... we flourished, the frustration of the interjector soared, telling us individually ... the reason for the format was them ... my reply was "well quit it!"


We were stymied to understand as to why, when they knew the behaviour was unacceptable to not curb it ... no, no, ... now the behaviour shifted, now it became 'woe is me' ... we stuck to our guns, ran by the agenda, we progressed, achieved so much ... the socialiser stopped attending ... Yay! It worked like a dream, we all excelled, got confident, got published, we invariably ran overtime, we scrapped the agenda, stopped ringing the bell ... life-long friendships remain despite re-location. Writing flourished, life-long friendships remain.


An advertisment in a local paper, by a psychologist / writer, sent me to join ... the outdoor setting with harbour views, stone buildingd, jacaranada trees made us think we were in a writers paradise. There were rules, this leader was experienced, but ... we almost drifted apart due to a disruptive influence. This wise leader told the trouble maker, the group was finishing, like a coven we snuck off to the leader's home ... four of us wrote, excelled, grew and got published ... this group disbanded when our trusty leader found true love and moved house. None of the remainder of us had a suitable venue ... drat!


Yes Becca, I've belonged and yearn to do it again ... until such time as I'm able in person, right here is fabulous. Yes groups do work. A good leader is a must, an agenda, a time frame plus an understanding that whatever is said doesn't leave the room, isn't taken to heart, isn't ever spiteful or hurtful and most importantly we're not a counselling group. Ten minutes prior to start is usually sufficient around the table for a quick personal update. A fifteen minute tea break is time to chat about whatever.


A great writers group is a structured group. The groups I've belonged to have never been same genre groups. We were all different, as we wrote in our individual styles, so we wrote on different topics. What a thrill it was to learn writing similarites and differences.


I adore feedback, the company of like minded people, my mind's like a sponge ready and willing to soak up and learn from every experience. Anne Lamott says it exactly like it is ... so, is there anyone in Sydney, Australia looking to start a writers group ... can I join, I'll bring cup cakes for tea?

Write on Wensday August 5 - still late ...

On August 5 Becca asks ...

Writing for Real.
How about you? Do you consider yourself a writer? Do you think blogging is “real writing?” What does it take to be a “real writer”?

Hey Becca I'm shouting ... snap out of it ... good grief woman why are you so swamped by self doubt ... GggRrrrr ... frustration seeps close to the rim ... "I never say I'm a writer" says Becca ... well why bloody not I ask, you're doing it now, so well, so inspiringly?

I don't say I'm a writer either ... I say "I write."

I've seen people's expression change, their interest alter in who I am, what I do, what I write and more importantly who I write for ...

So I shoot them down with that first question and reply "I write lists" ... well you have them then ... they have no idea whether you're having a lend, you're a nutter, or are deadly serious. Depending on the situation you can stop it there or gain a host of mileage. See, I'm irritated by people who throw that first question, on the pretext of gauging who you are or what you do, within thirty seconds of an introduction ... "So what do you do?"

Does it matter I think, I grimace , am I going to be categorised by this ninkampoop for being someone who will or will not do them some earthly good in their chosen profession ... usually a profession they've not chosen ... nah ... so I aim to have fun!

Categorising yourself as a writer is usually equal to other professions.
Unfortunately SOME writers, (often famous ones) see them selves above and better than the plebs ... the ones who're usually buy their writing, keeping them writing. Like medical, legal and most other professions they tend to jargonise - thereby forming a clique an elite and exlusive group ... where usually the only people they're fooling is themselves. To snub blogging is ignorance ... I'll not even start on that topic.

What it takes to be a real writer is a question I defy anyone to answer without prejudice. I've a folder of published works, I blog, I've contributed to one online and one print publication for over five years, I've reems of family history awaiting editing, I've completed a university degree, written some of the most amazing life stories you'll ever hear, I adore lists and diligently compose them ... I write.

Write on Wednesday - July 29 - late

Becca on July 29 5 asked ...
How about you? How do you cultivate creativity in your life? Have you found the things that make you come alive? Are you doing them? Shouldn’t you be?


Creativity encomasses me, is part of my everyday life. The joys of being retired, living alone, Ooops sorry Blossom, make it possible for shelves to buckle, cupboards to groan as I stack fabric, embellishments, found objects and stuff against the doors to stop the contents falling out. It's everywhere.

But ... there in lies my problem. Living with beauty, meaning, desireable and much loved collections makes the choice of what to do next practically impossible.

I'm currently engrossed in Carmel Bird's "Writing the Story of you Life" ... obviously I'm writing a memoir, therefore seeking to cultivate my creativity surrounding the story of my life. For me when I want to create with fabric or stitching I look to books, magazines and the plethora of online inspirations for creative cultivation. Seeking is my ideal for cultivating creativity.

Researching makes me come alive. Curiosity sidetracks me. Information on an an era I go to an historical source, a word then to the dictionary or thesaurus is the answer, having a punt on a Saturday afternoon I read the race form ... Carmel Bird won't give me the winning horses for that days racing ... or will she?

On this day ~ Tess ~ 11 August 1921

Tess arrived in the world on 11 August 1921 ~ beautiful ...



... cancer took Tess away on November 8, 2003 ~ there's so much about her we miss.

Manic Monday

How would your friend describe you to someone who has never seen you?
Funny!



Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?
MJ ... loyal, honest, dependable and more no matter what ...



If you died or went missing, who would miss you?
... as above, plus Blossom, D&M, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker and a whole host of Darlings ... but I'm not going anywhere for at least another three score and ten ...

Unconscious Mutterings # 289

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


1. Month to month :: bills

2. Adjusted :: well

3. Prank :: thoughtless

4. Mop :: top

5. Clarity :: clear

6. Parenting :: hard work

7. Glenn :: Shorrock

8. Fingerprint :: smudge

9. Pineapple :: taste buds

10. Attorney :: licence to print money

Thought for the day ...

"The most dangerous secrets are the ones we're afraid to tell ourselves." John Irving.

Sunday Scribblings #123 ... ASK

Those girls at Sunday Scribblings never cease to flummox and bamboozle me with the prompts they come up with each week. Frequently it's as if they've agreed on a prompt that's so poingnantly directed at me, explicitly me!

The synchronicity surrounding each prompt invariably makes me catch my breath.

Questions like have they been reading my mail, bugging my phone or worse still reading my mind are posed each week ...

Take this weeks for example ...

What question would you like to ask? If you could ask anyone anything, what would it be? What question do you ask yourself? What question fills your mind? What question have you been asked lately? What question have you had problems answering? What is the eternal question? What? Where? Who? When? Why? How? Go ahead and ask!

... OK I have to ask ... how on earth do you girls do it ?

08 - 08 - 08

some say the luckiest day ... me ... I just wanted to see it here ...


Hope it was lucky for YOU.

Unconscious Mutterings 288

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


1. Crankiness :: Oodles

2. Backpack :: lugging

3. Clone :: graft

4. High ground :: principle

5. Dreams :: nightmares

6. Lovingly :: demonstrative

7. Mistake :: blunder

8. Carson :: kresley

9. Errand :: message

10. Dozen :: cheaper

Sunday Scribblings 122 - Do I have to ?

DO I HAVE TO?



My new best friend sends me a photo of her chidren ... Awwwww

I click on Sunday Scribblings to see if the weekly prompt is up ...

Synchronicity !

Three Word Wednesday XCVII

Gamble
Omitted
Temporary


I took a gamble

omitted playing 3 WW

temporary glitch


A Haiku attempt to remind me how much I miss 3 WW.

Manic Monday #127

Every person you have ever slept with is invited to a banquet where you are the guest of honor. No one will be in attendance except you, the collection of your former lovers, and the catering service. After the meal, you are asked to give a fifteen-minute speech to the assembly.What do you talk about?

There'd be no talking ... I'd be falling on the floor laughing! This is the best question ever ... how big is the venue ...Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!


What's your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? Snuggle under the doona with a book listening to the rain and Blossom purring.


Are you a window person or an aisle person? Why? Always been a window person till MJ explained the benefits of being on the aisle ... loo breaks, leg stretching and in case of drama.

Unconscious Mutterings 287

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


1. Memory :: a long one

2. Original :: me

3. Exclusively :: mine

4. Listings :: the bay

5. Bucket :: with ice

6. Knight :: Becca

7. Dusty :: Springfield

8. Choice :: we all have them

9. Sunglight :: happy day

10. Change of plans :: make sure you have a good excuse!

Friday's Feast One hundred and Ninety Seven

Looks like Friday's Feast is a non event this week ... here I was ready to go ...


Now I've got egg on my face ... was that my feast ???

PURGING :: seeking a solution ...

Purging's on my to do list ... but honestly ... could you?

I sure as hell am having great difficulty ...

Purging produces separation anxiety produces re organising ...

Ok ... it all stays ...Yay!

BTW what you see here is only zillionth of the stash ... haven't made a dint!

Write on Wednesday ... Three P's or PMA = OPM.

Becca at Write in Wednesday asks :
So, how about you? What do the three P’s of writing…practice, pleasure, profit…mean in your writing life?

To me the Three P's are integral to the craft of writing, once drudgery sets in then any practice, pleasure or profit, financially or emtionally is out the door. Schlepping towards any task, scuffing your feet, trying to shake that looming black cloud with not an iota of ka ching to be heard is the pits ... I'm Over It has arrived. Give up while you're ahead is my advice, go walk, run, do a load of laundry ... anything is preferrable than attemtping to inspire the muse at such a time. I'd add another P to Becca's list ... positive, positivity, possimistic ... how ever you say it this one is essential.

Positive mental attitude or PMA is the key for me. I once heard a sales manager hype the sales people by saying "positive mental attitude equals other people'e money." Think about it, true isn't it?

PMA equals OPM.

No matter how you relate the saying PMA works. Don't take it too literally, not greedily, for now think of it as the key to leading you to writing pleasure and profit.

Without PMA (c,mon stop thinking PMS) ... you're destined to fail. After completeing your project what's the point of thinking ... Mmmm well I've done it, but I don't know whether I've done enough practice, whether I got enough pleasure from completing the task, or whether I'll make any profit ... then throw the bloody lot into the bin, go walk into the water and don't stop till ... well you surely know what I mean!

Of course we're all not going to score a Pulitzer I'm not being ridiculously far fetched here. But we're all certainly capable of writing to the very best of our personal ability, frequently above and beyond what we ever expected ... don't you think you're already writing with a smidge of PMA?

Been Shopping ...

Love blowing the budget at Reverse Garbage ...

Ten on Tuesday - Name your Ten least favourite celebrities ...

Some of these celeb's names will baffle OS players, Aussie's should get them ... Google will tell all.

In no particular order they are ::

1. Corey Worthington :: 17 yo kid, partied, got an agent, personality size of your smallest digit.

2. Homer Simpson :: not even real

3. Julie Anthony :: stop the singing

4. Wayne Carey :: woman basher

5. Kirsty Ally :: get over yourself

6. Paris Hilton :: trollope

7. Dina Lohan :: shameful mother of Lindsay and now she's got a reality show ...

8. Heather Mills :: gold digger.

9. Celine Dion :: screecher

10. John Howard :: ex PM

Manic Monday #126

What's your favorite beach in the world? Bondi Beach : home and playground of my childhood.


What's the next country you want to visit? New York City, USA.


What one thing are you craving today? more Dark Chocolate.

Aussie Simon Gerrans wins 15th stage Tour de France ...

Australian Simon Gerrans of the Credit Agricole team won the 15th stage of the Tour de France on Sunday, a 183km ride between Embrun and Prato Nevoso in Italy.


Read more at SBS

Proud to be an Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi !!!!

Unconscious Mutterings #286

I say ... and you think?



1. Flicker :: photos

2. Styling :: fashioning

3. Episode :: next

4. Sexier :: than who?

5. Studious :: conscientious

6. Mushroom :: fungus

7. 8 minutes :: till what?

8. Bald :: chrome dome

9. Immunity :: freedom

10. Sectioned :: separated

Write on Wednesday ... OK it's Friday ... again!

Becca @ Write on Wednesday asks::
So, how about you? How does writing fit into your daily life? What’s your ideal time to write, and why? Do you “write on schedule” or “when the spirit moves you”?

Well I'm consistent aren't I? Here it is Friday evening again ... it's all part of my in built procrastination.

As I've said before ... well you've read all that ... the absotively same applies!

See you next week!

Adriano Zumbo Patissiere Extraordinaire ...

When the kids were little you'd see them digging in the dirt, then their stubby, grubby little fingers would be straight into their mouthsand you's hear a Mother say "it's alright everyone has to have a little bit of dirt."

Gluten free is the same ... every so often you need to have a little bit of dirt ... for me it must be the very best money can buy.

Adriano Zumbo is the genius who would sway anyone on a special diet to try his works of art.

MJ delighted me with Lemon and Chocolate Macarons plus a Wheelie Good which NQN describes as ...

pistachio dacquoise, mascarpone mousse, honeyed apples and apricots rolled in white chocolate, pistachio and macadamia nuts. Its stunning and cutting into it seems almost sacrilegious. The crunchy pistachio dacquoise and mascarpone mousse gives a luscious collapse in the mouth and the slivers of honeyed apricots cut through this sweet white chocolatey creamy goodness. The sweet, almost sticky fruit is exactly what it needs and the pistachios and macadamias give it a welcome crunch on the outside. Its absolute textural harmony, an orchestra of textures where every texture is covered and works together beautifully.

Pop over to NQN and feast your eyes on more of the sweetest delights in Sydney ... yet another addition to my better than sex list ... drooooolllllll!

Manic Monday # 125

What do you do when you are feeling very sad or depressed? Get Over It!

Who was your first crush? Harry, the son of the man who owned the first small supermarket in Hall Street, Bondi opposite the post office.

If given a chance to skip work for a day (without repercussions), how would you spend the entire day? Pull the doona over my head and read, snooze, read, snooze ... but hang on ... I don't "work" ...

Farewell Olive Riley 1899 - 2008.

With great sadness today's SMH reports of the death of Olive Riley at 108 years of age last Saturday July 12.

Olive was the world's oldest blogger with the help of her friend Mike Rubbo (above with Olive)and more recently her friend Eric Shackle where she recently posted that she "can't shake off that bad cough!"

Olive was a heroine of mine. I read her blog "blob" as she used to call it when she posted, her memory of her life was as sharp as a razor, her stories were intriguing, she was as quick as a wink with her recollections, she loved to sing, talk and eat the odd meat pie.

Olive will be missed by not only her family and close friends but by the squillions of people, worldwide, who read her blob, were inspired by her and loved her despite never meeting her.

Enjoy Olive's musings at All About Olive and The World's Oldest Blogger .

Farewell Dear Olive.

photo courtesy Sydney Morning Herald.

Unconscious Mutterings 285

I say ... and you think?

1. Intimidated :: rarely

2. Brush :: with the law

3. Masquerade :: metamophosis

4. Procedure :: routine

5. Tattoos :: body art

6. Square :: root

7. Tuck :: nip

8. Boyfriend :: nope

9. Badass:: Haaaa

10. Thousand :: more

Sunday Scribblings #119 - My oldest friend.

Those of you who know me will surely know my oldest friend is ... of course, it's Moi ... same tune different fiddle ;)

My oldest friend over saw it all. The trials and tribulations of life, the highlights, the achievments, the sadness, the happiness, times of being loved and unloved, of doing exactly what everyone said not to, of doing what others decided should be done, without any say. When all the decisions were mine my oldest friend stuck by me, no matter the outcome. My oldest friend ran with me, nope not your usual marathon, this running was away from me, no-one ever told me I was taking the problem I was running from with me, the problem was in me, was me, even my oldest friend didn't know.

My oldest friend was right there the whole time. Guarding me, standing by me. Was my oldest friend really guiding me through all that strife? Someone was. My oldest friend made sure I found my way home, didn't fall over too many times after too many glasses of happiness. I wonder was it my oldest friend who kept my commonsense and intuition tuned in then heaved and shoved me up the corporate ladder. Was it the hand of my oldest friend I'm sure I felt in the small of my back pushing me through the doors of opportunity, whispering in my ear what to say and what not to say during business hours, who then let me off the leash once the sun went down?

My oldest friend is still here, will be by my side on this wonderful journey till I clock off. My oldest friend has my eternal gratitude for persisting, for recognising my potential, for steering the wobbly boot, for stopping my heart from breaking too much, for egging me on when I thought it wasn't worth it, for growing up when I grew up.

Now we're swanning toward the twilight zone, we're eclectic and eccentric, neither heartbroken, blaming or jealous nor wanting more than what is now ... don't you wish my oldest friend was yours?

Write on Wednesday .... ooops it's Friday

So, how about you? Do you ever feel the need to jump start your writing? What drains the energy from your “writing mind”? What do you do when your creative battery dies?

Becca asks the above questions for this weeks Write on Wednesday ... here it is Friday, my creative mind's been flitting round all over the place. My creative mind isn't compartmentalised ... it's always on ... always planning, always creating ... only off when sleeping ... well sometimes!

The only drain of my energy from my "writing mind" is another project ... therefore I don't consider I need to jump start. Instead I need to have a chat to someone about giving me a few extra hours in the day ... this one is too darn short.

If my creative battery dies well I proclaim you'll all be very tipsy or drunk (you know who you are) at the very large wake that'll be happening when I go to the big creating heaven in the sky.

I've not been dormant this week, there's plenty happening, stuff - even real life often get's in the way of writing. That doesn't mean it's not happening in my head, in my notebook, whilst pounding this keyboard, cleaning those antique buttons, cutting out the next handbags to create, challenging Miss Blossom to befriend her cousin Tallulah Belle who's coming to stay next weekend, organising workshops, ducking into the library, expanding my attached to this chair girth whilst trawling the net ... or could it be ... while I'm attending a doctors appointment, the physiotherapist, the psychologist, the pharmacy, the supermarket, garage sales and op shoppes ... which poses the question am I a writer or a dabbler ... I'm here aren't I?

Manic Monday #124

Who would you like to see on a new banknote (dollar bill, etc.)? The Cat in the Hat.

If you were reincarnated as some other plant or animal, what would it be? A black widow spider.

If you owned your own restaurant, what would you call it? If you ever have that dream seek psychiatric assistance! It's hard work, long hours and destroys your soul worrying about bums on seats ... the majority of diners are a$$holes and impossible to please ... been there, done that, successfully, never to be done again in this lifetime ... no that's not the name, that's the facts!

Unconscious Mutterings # 284

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

1. Notificaiton :: told

2. Cheat :: detest

3. Top Ten :: sez who?

4. Draft :: conscription

5. Unbelievable :: why?

6. Cheap :: thrills

7. Spontaneous :: dangerous

8. Harass :: harangue

9. Lipstick :: collar

10. Transpire :: happened

Read other mutterings here

Sunday Scribblings -~ Chance Encounter.

I've been flummoxed with this prompt. Will I, won't I, contribute this week? You see I don't believe in chance encounters. I believe mysterious, sudden and unexplained events happen in my life for a reason. For me there's no such thing as a coincidence or a chance encounter ... it's synchronicity, it's meant to be, it's planned to possibly teach me something, to maybe connect or lighten my soul, to give me strength for something greater.

Even in the face of a trauma for me it makes no sense to dwell on the negative, to look to blame, what's done is done and who suffers by going on about it? Life is too precious. What happens happens. Of course everything in life isn't going to be peaches and cream. Whether good or not so good it's better to learn from the experience, the catastrophe, the encounter? From a bad situation make the necessary changes to not repeat what might have caused that particular drama ... and get on with life!

Wonderful things happen to me every day. Recently on a new writers site I wrote I was enthused about getting back to writing and contemplated beginning another writing dedicated blog. I took a break, trawled round the net, found a site where a free blog template competition was offered, I entered, I won. I put it out there. My problem with the original blog description was solved, my motivation was given a new spark, it wasn't a chance encounter it was meant to be.

It's happened not facing this screen too. We've lived across the road from each other for yonks, we're so alike it's scarey, we're like two peas in a pod, totally independent, totally content with our lots, we don't suffer fools, our cats are our darlings, we're both writers, collectors, scroungers, cynics, with no excess baggage, not looking for a new friend ... but kindred spirits have collided ... not by a chance encounter ... it's synchonicity it's meant to be! I'm blessed.

le Tour de France 2008

One of the worlds greatest sporting events le Tour de France begins today July 5, 2008 in Brittany.

A total of ten Aussies are competing with two Cadel Evans (pictured) and Robbie McEwan, who named his son Ewan McEwan, don't you love that (will the boy) ... headline a Belgium team ... we can still cheer Aussie, Aussie, Aussie Oi, Oi, Oi,.

Cadel Evans rode to second place, only 23 seconds behind the winner, last year and is tipped to win this year 2008, the media pressure must be immense for him.

Read the complete list of teams and riders here.

I'm off to follow le Tour via SBS live coverage for the next three weeks at 10pm ... to marvel at the stamina of the cyclists, the gorgeous countryside and the enthusiasm of the spectators ... and right now to hear the occasional bagpiper of Brittany playing by the roadside. le Tour is in Brittany for three days ... oh to be there ... more late nights ahead ... vive le Tour.

Photo of Cadel Evans courtesy Sydney Morning Herald -read more.

Photohunt 117 - POINTED.

The topic for Photohunt 117 is POINTED ...

I pointed my camera to the sky and what did I see ... is that the face of a squirrel, Mickey Muse or something not so cute?

Write on Wednesday ...

Becca asks about our Editor ::
How about you? Are you ever assailed with self doubt about your writing ability, or about the reasons for writing at all? Do you “follow yourself around nagging and suggesting and complaining”? What are some of the negative things your Editor tells you? What could your Editor say to be more encouraging? How do you encourage yourself to keep practicing the craft of writing?

OK silly me took this the wrong way. I assumed Becca was referring to people who had the services of a real, living, Editor ... I took it as bringing an exclusivity to WoW ... what a twat I was.

Of course Becca was referring to the editor inside, the one that tortures us, questions meaning, motive, point of view, grammar and intent ... amongst a zillion other off putting queries ... got it!

My editor wrangles with me over everything I pound out. My editor is fair, doesn't berate me, makes me see my errors. You see I'm blessed! Seriously ... someone watches over me, guiding me, reminding me and disuading me from going too far, being too emotional, not being objective and most of all being too wordy.

Anyone who's not been assailed with self doubt is having a lend of themself. Reasons for writing would surely be different, personal and unique. Nagging, suggesting and complaining don't apply around here, similarly negativity isn't permitted.

My editor is encouraging, it's me that's the hard task master, I'm forever being told "stop being so hard on yourself" ... I'm renowned for being my own worst enemy. Committment is my encourager. If I say I'm going to do it then I follow through ... unless I get hit by a car!

Writing for me is cathartic, writing get's the crap out of my head and makes room for more thoughts, ideas and projects to incubate. Writing isn't a chore it's a love. My downfall is I have the motivation but lack the intention, that's why groups like this and / or set projects and / or deadlines are perfect.

Give me a deadline, a dare, a task and I'll follow through ... of course I'll be burning the midnight oil, slogging away at the eleventh hour. Thankfully my editor hasn't realised that if I'm left to my own devices I'll meander along the twelve lane highway in my head then all and more get started but nothing gets finished. Let's keep this our secret ... lets allow the frustrated procrastinator to reign for a while longer ... OK?