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For the avoidance of doubt... Yes... I definitely have an opinion... |
 Welcome to my Blog!! Having an opinion is better than not having a thought of your own. I have many of both.... Pull up a pew and grab a hot, steaming mug of your choice. |
| Prompt: Getting Along - What do you think can be done to help people, groups, or countries with different opinions get along better? *** Drink more tea. I know this is a very tongue in cheek, British answer, but tea really does solve so many issues. Mostly because if one is drinking it, then one it not running their mouth. If it is drank from a cup in the correct manner, it also stops one's nose going into other people’s business where it doesn’t belong… Let's be honest most conflicts and disagreements are over religion, politics, power and greed. This is compounded by our inability to have a healthy debate and discussion. People don’t like to be challenged, and often people do not know how to challenge in a respectful way. And it seems to have got worse in recent times. In short people are idiots… If we stopped being opinionated idiots the world would be a happier place. The key word here is opinion. We all have them. I have SO many. But opinions are not facts. And my opinion or perspective isn’t any more valid than anyone else’s. It is based on my experience and knowledge – and since I am not all-knowing (shocking I know), my opinions can be flawed, incomplete, or wacky. They don’t make me better or worse, or right or wrong. They are not set in stone – I have the ability to change my opinion (again, shocking I know). I also possess the uncanny ability not to be affected by someone else’s apposing opinion or beliefs – because largely they do not affect me. Don’t get me wrong I will hold people accountable and I don’t agree with saying nothing in the face of unfairness and discrimination – but as a sweeping statement, your political view, sexuality, religion and creed are not going to affect whether I like you as a person, or on whether we can be friends – your behaviour and character however are. If we teach our children this ability, maybe they will have a chance. |
| Prompt: Father's Day. Why should Father's Day be celebrated? And who is or was the most impactful father figure in your life? What has he taught you? *** Father's Day falls on a different day in Australia than it does in the US or the UK. We don't celebrate it until September. It's the same with Mother's Day - it causes all sorts of confusion, and I am constantly wishing my mother a belated UK Mother's Day. I have to rely on the Book of Face and my UK friends to remind me. I believe fathers (and mothers) should be celebrated and appreciated far more than once a year, same as I don't think you should wait until Valentines Day until you show love and affection to someone. If they matter, you should show in your actions all the time - not once a year. However, I don't oppose a day dedicated to it - I'm just not overly fond of how commercial things tend to get. My kids will of course get their dad at least one present each. There is a stall at school where they can buy a variety of Father's Day wares... drinking glasses with tools on them, "Man Cave" signs, worlds best BBQer aprons – you know the things you really want to clutter up your house. I will probably cook whatever Guy wants for dinner (I prefer this to sub-par restaurant fare even with the washing up). And we'll go bowling or crazy golf – something fun as a family. Thats our routine. It's a family day, but Guy gets to choose. My father died nine years ago. I miss him very much. I'm always surprised how greatly his absence still affects me. I can still get choked up. Tears never seem to run dry - they will no doubt appear at some point while I write this. My kids never got to meet him, and it makes me sad that they missed out on his sense of humour, his silliness, and just how much of an amazing "Grumps" he would have been. I tell them stories and photos, but it's not the same - I can never seem to do him justice (tears have appeared). He is without doubt the most impactful father figure in my life. He taught me everything. Things I don't even realise half the time. I get my logical, calculating brain from him. I get my sense of humour from him. We have the same brown eyes. He spent a lot of my childhood working away (overseas) and then I went to boarding school, so he never taught me to ride a bike, or tie my shoes (that was my mother and siblings), I used to watch my mother cook... though he did teach me how to make a fry-up breakfast and Yorkshire puddings. He taught me the importance of working hard and providing for your family. Inadvertently he taught me how important it is to show appreciation for my husband because sometimes I don't think my dad realised how much we all loved, adored, and appreciated everything he did. |
| Prompt: Have fun with these words- subitaneous, reflect, address, wave, fuss, restrict, key, waist, and chronography *** WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! The tsunami alarm rang out in a deafening tone to reflect the seriousness of this subitaneous situation. It was the third alarm sounded in the last twenty-four hours. It was no longer just another precautionary measure, but earthquakes and the subsequent threat of tsunamis were a regular occurrence, and the island had response chronography in place to deal with it. Rachel turned on the emergency radio to hear the latest broadcast and to listen to the key messages from Chief Beaumont, the head of the emergency response team. “The wave approaching Port Harbour is expected to reach fifteen-foot when it hits landfall, and excess flooding will continue for the coming days.” Beaumont’s gruff, baritone voice rumbled through the speaker. “We have chosen to evacuate and restrict access to the harbour area. This is effective immediately and will remain in place until the immediate threat has passed. If you have not already done so, it is advised that you leave the area, taking only those items that are essential. “Four relief and evacuation hubs are now up and running at Morant, Dupluis, Fairemont, and Graigar Mt. The staff at these facilities are available to address any concerns you may have,” He continued. It was a repeated message and had been playing on a loop for the past twelve hours. The truth was that those that hadn’t already left were now on their own. Rachel picked up Luca, who has started to fuss at the noise, and gently wrapped him around her waist, patting his back to sooth the toddler. From the cabin they could see the whole eastern side of the Island. The people below, who had decided to remain and defend their homes and livelihoods, scurried around like ants; boarding up windows and doors and scrambling to roof tops. There was a few who had finally decided to run for the cover of the mountains. Their taillights wound around the mountain road like a red, glowing snake. Rachel wondered if those in the cars had left it too late. If the wave did come, like Beaumont had said, how far up the mountain would it reach. She had no doubt that her and Luca would be safe. The cabin was well about sea-level, and she had packed enough provisions to last several weeks; add that to the cabin’s stores and they would be fine. Temporarily at least. From the window, she watched in awe as the sea began to react. Exposed sandscapes usually hidden beneath metres of salted water. A wall of water loomed large on the horizon. A dark mass of certain death for anyone caught in its wake. She held her breath. Nature was indeed terrifying when it cast it’s full force against those in it path. The wave it hard. Devouring the pier and boardwalk and drowning the cafes and tourist shops in seconds. The water ran riot through the streets. Crashing over roofs and washing everything not firmly tethered away, including her neighbours. Tomorrow they would start the clean-up, and in turn the healing, but today they focus would remain on surviving. |
| Prompt: Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. Did you know according to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, an estimated 17–21 million people in the United States are affected by Paraskevidekatriaphobia (fear of Friday the 13th), making it the most feared day and date in history. Are you superstitious? Do you know people who are afraid of Friday the 13th? Do you carry some kind of lucky charm? Do you avoid activities because of the date? *** No – I’m not superstitious. Well… not really… Ok here’s the thing. I do a lot of superstitious stuff out of habit. I don’t actually believe that anything bad will happen if I don’t /do something, but I automatically just do things. It’s like superstitious OCD or a weird superstitious programming. I wore blue to my wedding (and something old, new, and borrowed). I cross my fingers for luck. I touch wood. I will pick a penny up. And I look out for the third death or event of misfortune if two have happened close together – because THEY COME IN THREES…. Most people will be aware or heard that if you break a mirror, you get seven years bad luck, or the need to toss spilled salt over your left shoulder. Most children would have sung a song about not stepping on cracks, or magpies and crows – one for sorrow, two for joy. People actively refuse to walk under a ladder and panic if a black cat crosses their path… Itchy feet mean you are going to go travel. Itchy palm means money is going to cross your palm. Ears burning – someone is talking about out. A chill… it must be a ghost. Most of it is ground in pagan beliefs and has been passed down through the centuries. And that’s before we go searching for four-leafed clovers or lopping of rabbits’ feet. Our lives are packed full of them. I love reading and writing about superstitions. I am always amazed how many are woven into our traditions and everyday lives and yet how so many people don’t realise the ties they have to witchcraft, wicca, and paganism. The witch-craft element is the reason I love it all so much. I write supernatural stuff which has a core of European/Celtic/Welsh mythology. I don’t know if I write it because I love it, or I love it because I have immersed myself in it to write it. Either way it all ties up nicely... I have a book full of superstitions. I study it and lace little nuggets into my stories; for example, one of my characters is named Wren after a water bird that is considered good fortune around bodies of water – she happens to save another character from drowning – it’s the sole reason I chose her name. That book has so many tags sticking out of it. Every other page there is something else I want to draw on. Separately, one of my friends was born on Friday the 13th. She wasn’t supposed to be, but another woman in hospital at the time was so freaked out about her baby being born on such a terrible day that she refused to be induced. My friend’s mum didn’t either way, and so she took her place. I think that was one of the stories that made me decide that I wanted the number 13 to be my lucky number… and in turn Friday the 13th to be my favourite day – it’s a child logic, but it’s still true now that I’m an adult. Good things can happen on it. |
| Prompt: How do you approach self reflection and how has it impacted your understanding of life? *** I have always been pretty good at self-reflection. I usually know when I'm in the wrong or right. When I should apologise for something or stand my ground. My stubborn streak means that sometimes I dig me heels in a little too far and for a little too long, but I still know that I will/should eventually relent (or not). Time is a great tool in self-reflection. Perspective and experience often go hand in hand. As does being willing to listen to the advice and views of others. Sometimes that means listening to harsh truths or hearing things I don't want to hear. Time helps to process all of that. Sitting still and making space to process things is important, because I can't take back my actions - I just have to weather the fall out. And as someone who is reactionary (thanks mum) and who has a short fuse (thanks again mum), it is a lesson that I have learnt and had reinforced time and time again. It is a case of picking my battles and being honest with myself. Because I cannot lie to myself, at least not forever. I am the one that has to live inside my head... live with myself. That being said it can be hard to be entirely honest with oneself all the time. No one likes to be under a microscope or to look too closely in the mirror. You inevitably find cracks and imperfections - I just happen to like my imperfections and flaws. I find them character building. Self-reflection allows me to grow and improve as a person as well as in my capabilities. It challenges me to do better and push myself to new heights. |
| Prompt: Write about a day you would like to forget. *** There are only two days that I'd rather forget. Both of which are traumatic for very different reasons. All the others I either have forgotten already or don't affect me anymore. The one I'd write about is the day I lost my dad. It's the most palatable out of the two. It's a day I wish didn't exist rather than one I want to forget - which I think are two different things. I only remember the moment I received the phone call. I can't recall what I was doing beforehand, and I can't really remember what I did after it. I just remember the phone call. I remember standing by the window. My sister being on the other end telling me "It's Dad. He's gone!", "Gone where?", "He's dead." Apparently, I cried out. I don't recall that. But I must have because my mum heard me took the phone off my sister to try and calm me down. My mother-in-law who was visiting us ran upstairs to get my husband. I can't even recall if I was holding my four-week-old daughter... I remember saying "Oh my god, he never got to meet Theia." I think my mother said, "Just hold Theia and give her cuddles." between tears. But everything else is hazy. I think I went into some type of autopilot. I didn't emotionally shutdown - I just got stuck in a denial, sobbing, staring into space loop... Grief is strange - I can't really remember much about the day, but the feelings. They hit immediately... even now. Still as strong and potent as ever. That feeling of loss. True loss. The type that never goes away. But strangely I don't want to forget the feeling either. I like the pain of it, because it means he meant something to me. That he was and is important. I just wish I never had to experience it. |
| Prompt: Life "Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy." Sai Baba What do you love about life? *** Life is what you make of it. It's what you put into it. It's the stance and perspective you take when it throws coconuts at you. It's hard work. And tears. And heartbreak. As much as it's joy and happiness and fluffy bunnies. It is also the only one we have - there are no do-overs. And that is what I think I love about it. I like that it can be messy. I appreciate the pain it can bring and lessons that follow. I like that it's fragile, because it matters and should be nurtured. Sometimes it's only after the storms that you appreciate the calm. It's often the storms that bring the perspective. It's certainly not the highs... which are often short-lived and hollow. When we were trying to have our first child, we really struggled. We had to go through IVF... and because the doctors didn't really know what was wrong (we were are the very start of the journey) we didn't know if the procedure would work. Was it the fertilisation that was the problem....? the implantation...? We had be granted three rounds of IVF on the NHS (seriously the NHS is amazing and I was so lucky and grateful to be in the UK during this time). I had started the daily injections - I actually got pretty damn good at turning myself into a pincushion - the eggs would be ripened and collected and then fertilised. I was responding to all the hormones and felt like a fat bottomed chicken. But there was no guarantee that the eggs would be of a high enough grade, or that they'd fertilise and develop into embryos, or that the implantation would happen, or stick and that was before the normal pregnancy pitfalls.... My point is, a lot of things could go wrong and it might never work... that was a hard thing to admit / comprehend. In fact, the whole process can be so stressful that it can break couples apart. We had to go for counselling around this issue to make sure we were prepared and going into things with open eyes (nhs again... I love you). It was during these sessions that I had to contemplate my life. I had to examine what mattered. And as it turned out what mattered was my husband and my furbaby. I remember sitting in the car and realising that even though I'd be devastated if it was just the three of us that I would be ok. That they were enough for me. It's when I realised I loved my life. I love my husband and the life we have made. I love the twists and turns of our journey (once we are at the otherside). I am lucky that I get to love my son and daughter. Because the IVF worked and H came tumbling along two years later, naturally. I still love my furbaby... and now I love my scaley baby... lol I hate that my car got stolen, but I love that I have multiple friends who wanted to help out, two even offered their cars... I love my family overseas. I love the ones not here anymore. There is a lot to love. |
| Prompt - Pets. Do you like pets? Why do you think some of us love pets more than anything? Did you ever have a pet that impacted your life in a big way? *** I love having pets. I have had them all my life. I can think of very few periods where there wasn’t some type of animal in my life. Even when I moved out on my own, I considered my mother’s dog, my dog. During my childhood we had a cat (Cuddles), a dog (Shadow), hamsters (Whiskey and Pinky), mice, and fish, and many, many budgies (Sunshine, Magic, Jovi, Berry… Blue 1 and Blue 2). There was even a cockatiel name Sybil. When I was in college we had another dog – a Japanese Spitz named Flash. My brother also brought a Rhodesian Ridgeback home called Zuki. The house was always full of animals. It still is. Now that I’m all grown up (hahaha), my husband and I have an aging Akita named Indy and a six-month-old, bearded dragon called Bernie. We’ve had Indy since she was eight weeks old, she is now thirteen. We’ve seen her go from mischievous puppy to grumpy old girl. We brought her across when we moved to Australia; I think it cost more to get her across with passport, vaccination, flight and quarantine than it did to get me across with my visa fees – it was a stipulation of me emigrating, she had to come with us…. We got her just after we were married and despite promising she wouldn’t be spoilt… she was – in a very doggy way – lots of toys and treats. When we struggled to conceive and we realised it could just be the three of us, she became even more central to our family unit. She was the first to notice when I was pregnant. She instinctively knew to be less bouncy… She has been the best and most patient big sister to both our kids. She was even Theia’s first word… I maybe a little miffed “mama” got beat out by the dog… We could not ask for a better pet. Bernie – well he’s a dragon. Grumpy, greedy, always eating… growing so quickly. His life expectancy is between 15-25 years… so he is going to be around for a long time. He already has MANY different toys/additions for his tank… He’s already spoilt… I think Indy and Bernie also plays an important role with our children. They have taught them patience, responsibility, the progression of time and life, and unconditional love. Something that I learnt from all my pets. |
| Prompt: Minor mishaps. Which kinds of minor mishaps annoy you the most, minor mishaps such ah getting drenched in the rain, dropping something, annoying phone calls, etc. Then, when such a thing happens, how do you handle it at the moment that it happens? *** I think it depends on what else is going on or what my general emotional state is as to whether I will get annoyed with the minor mishap or just laugh it off. I can have a short fuse - so I may erupt like a mini volcano. Or I can shut down in a type of denial and ignore it. I can be short and snappy for a couple of hours. Or I can laugh at myself and the situation. It's a bit like Russian roulette - you never know what's going to happen. I remember being caught out in the rain with no coat while I ran to catch a bus and finding it funny despite the fact I still had a 40-minute journeys on the bus and my clothes were clinging to me. I remember being caught out in the rain during a run and being soaked through - but actually enjoying it. But equally I remember stepping in a puddle that was deeper than I thought on my way to work, my shoes and socks getting completely soaked through, and being extremely agitated by it - I had to walk around bare foot in the office until they dried. It's swing and roundabouts. I hate it when we run out of milk in the morning; when the kids use the last of it up by drowning their cereal, and there is nothing left for my tea; especially when most of it is left in the bottom of the bowl... I'm then grumpy until I get to the cafe or shops. I handle stubbing my toes, or banging by elbow way better than my husband, who swears like a trooper. But both of those are minor compared to the list of accidents and injuries I can gotten into over the years - which is probably why they are nothing more than water off a duck's back. I used to burn my wrists on the shelves in the oven frequently (once a week). I'm not sure how or why, but every time I would reach in a retrieve a tray, I would catch the side of my wrist. I would be bound with special burn plasters and wrappings to the point that my work colleagues if I had something I wanted/needed to tell them (I looked like an advert for self-harm). They were minor mishaps that I still have the scars for. Not major events that really mattered and too frequent to get overly dramatic about. It became a running joke in work that one year at Christmas the Sales Director bought me oven gloves and plasters. My son once (recently) flooded the bathroom. He covered the drain in the shower, and it flowed up and over the shower basin and covered the floor with half an inch of water. There was so much water that is leaked through the ceiling into the toilet downstairs that it looked like an indoor water feature through the light/fan. It could have blown the electrics - it didn't. The floor could have been damaged and needed replacing - it didn't. I'm still not sure why he didn't just turn off the shower. He was six at the time. It took ages to clean up. Nearly every towel in the house. I was fuming - shouted a lot. My son felt very guilty. I felt guilty for shouting... in the grand scheme of things it was a minor inconvenience. 40 minutes later the tiles were dry, a bucket was collecting the residual waterfall, and the carpet in the hall was starting to dry. I know when I'm under the pump and stressed, or there have been a series of things that have gone wrong, the smallest thing will break "the camel's back" and I will crack - cry - shut down. It's like the safety valve for the rest of the world, so that I don't commit murder... It's my way of recalibrating. |
| Prompt - June 7th celebrates Chocolate Ice Cream Day. What's your favourite way to enjoy ice cream by itself or as a side? Favourite flavour? *** I am lactose intolerant, which means I cannot enjoy ice-cream without consequences or unless it is the lactose free/dairy alternative. In general, I don't think the dairy alternatives are not as nice as regular ice-cream (it tends to taste icy rather than creamy), and most lactose free versions only really come in vanilla - which is nice but limited. So, I guess my favourite is vanilla by default. I do tend to opt of sorbet when we are out and about - strawberry, raspberry and mango are my favs. Anything fruity! Summer in Australia = ice-cream and they have some amazing ice-creameries with so many different flavours - I have even seen a vegemite flavoured ice-cream  Defiantly not for me...I LOVE vanilla as a flavour. I tend to triple to volume of it in recipes - particularity when I bake brownies. I also like the fact that I can had lots of toppings depending on my fancy that day: chocolate sauce, hundreds and thousands (sprinkles to you Americans), chopping nuts etc... it's basically an ice-cream sundae regardless of whether it is in a cone or bowl. Vanilla is also one of my favourite scents for candles, oils, and simmer pots. I find it relaxing and homely. |
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