There has been a lot on my mind lately. And before that, also. And, no doubt, before that. And then, for a while before that, not so much, because I had the flu really badly and I was just annoyed more than anything.
I have had different things I wanted to write about. But then my mind wandered, as it does, especially when I am hungry, and I found myself remembering the first time I read Jack Handey quotes. In a little store in Missouri, USA. Twenty plus years ago.
I laughed so hard I forgot I was on this planet for a moment, with all of its bad news infested bad newsiness. And as there seems to be so much of that lately, my mind returned to that happy place. So if you need to join me there for a moment, you are most welcome. These are for you (well, if I am honest, mostly for me, really. But I hope you can enjoy them too).
Also, I can’t remember why I titled this “profile”. There was a really good/pertinent/profound/moving reason for it, but you know, I am hungry.
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“If you define cowardice as running away at the first sign of danger, screaming and tripping and begging for mercy, then yes, Mr Brave Man, I guess I am a coward.”
(Oh wait, now I am, maybe, remembering why I called this “profile”.
Moving on…)
Images shamelessly stolen from who knows where exactly?
Thanks to my friend erroneous choices, we are having some fun with the Liebster Award, ie, she nominated me. Thank you dear friend ❤
She feels as I do, and that is, I have never really understood blogging awards, and haven’t really got involved with them, (apart from one over a year ago) no offense to anyone, but I so enjoyed reading the questions posed to her and her answers. Actually, she combined the questions from two different awards so I am going to keep on with the fun and just pick and choose…
1. What drew you towards the art of writing?
This is a good question…I have felt so shy and awkward for most of my life, I guess, as for a lot of people, it was a way to express myself, and hopefully make some sense of my thoughts in the process. I sometimes wonder that when I was little I subconsciously did it as a memory tool, because my memory is not that great. I remember I always liked to write everything out, even in the air, words, numbers, math problems…I liked to visualise it, and I loved the way certain words looked. Yikes, am I rambling? Sorry…
2. What is the one thing you like about yourself and why?
Um, I have never really liked this question.
But, if you insisted, I would say I do laugh easily. Especially at myself. I can have a good time, even when things are not going so well.
But it has helped to diffuse a number of tricky situations…humour, laughter is powerful – Captain Obvious 🙂
3. What is that one change you want to see in the world? That people would stop yelling. Literally, figuratively, all kinds of ly-s. (Unless it is for humourous purposes).
a small pin cushion I had made for my mother when I was in high school, when I first learnt some cross stitching.
I can’t believe my mother is now eighty years old, and she is still using it!
Her sense of humour well and truly intact, as that spear of a needle in its right ear, was, initially, right in the middle of her forehead (that innocent bunny’s, not my mother’s).
It is funny about memory, because I had completely forgotten about it, of course, but as soon as I saw it, I remembered how upset I was that I had made a stitching mistake on its left ear. And I had somehow missed a couple of stitches on the other ear. My sweet mother didn’t want me to fix it, but I remember how utterly crushed I was.
Yesterday I watched a video on a science site about intelligence. Behold a short conversation I had with my husband this morning:
Me: I watched a video yesterday…blah blah…and it turns out I could be a perfectionist. Husband: slowly closing refrigerator door… come to think of it, I can’t describe, accurately, the look on his face…
Friendship is simple.
It’s also complex, but let’s ignore that.
It can be what we want it to be.
Well, sometimes. There is such a thing as unrealistic expectations but that’s not what this post is about. This post is simple. This post will simply concentrate on the lovely simplicity of simple friendship.
Take the friendship cats offer just as one example:
Can’t get more simple than that. (And when I say simple, I may mean complex)
Then there is the simple friendship of my five six year old niece, who I have posted about before with her awesome stories. She is also an amazing artist. Here is some of her work, capturing, once again, the simple friendship cats have to offer:
This cat is obviously simple, as it is talking to itself. (But wouldn’t you agree, this art is simply incredible?!)
I love our nieces. And our nephews. All of our family. But especially the ones who are cute. Pure and simple. They make me feel noble things like this:
And that’s pretty much all I think can be said for friendship. Please do not correct me if I am wrong.
[And please do not steal the artwork from this page.]
So the thing is, I am in a dilemma. I know, just one dilemma seems like I am bragging about how blessed I am, (and that is a whole other conversation) but it is a pretty serious dilemma.
My husband just got home from overseas, and on the plane he watched the Lego Batman movie. For all kinds of reasons, I have not seen it yet. Most likely related to the fact we don’t live near a cinema, and I wanted to see it in one. And then, I just got lazy. I mean, come on, trying to conjure up the excitement that one only gets when visiting a movie theatre, is just hard work. HARD WORK. Or not. I might be rambling.
But there is a scene that is SO ME, he had to write it down. So here it is. Maybe you have seen it. But I am guessing you will want to see it again. Because, you know, this is important. (And what is really important to know, is that I am not Alfred in this scenario).
I’m pretty sure you can figure out what my dilemma is now, because what else would you be doing but trying to figure this out?
So, do I rename my blog to: Saynoto_____clowns? (The blank matters. I don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t seen this. I might be in a serious dilemma, but I don’t want to be unkind.
Btw, an inadvertent part one to this story – the remote’s hiding under my insomnia).
So check it out (edit) it has actually been a year today since I started my blog!
And I am a little drunk right now for all kinds of reasons, so I don’t plan to wax long and lyrical about what a freaking honour it has been. Okay, maybe just a little…it has been so great, the people I have met, and the inspiration you have all given me…and some of you, what not to write about!!! Gawd!!! (Maybe I’m talking about myself, I mean, Good Lord, do you go back and read some of what you have written and wonder what the?!?!?! No, probably not, because you are all pretty amazing.)
Okay, I need a moment to top up my glass ( 19 Crimes if you must know…their red blend is extraordinarily good but I am slumming it on the cab sauv, which is pretty darn delish, even for a non cab sauv drinker…)
This non occasion needs an appropriate musical highlight and I couldn’t help thinking of this clip. I so love it because the words are so not me and Emma nails it, (she also reminds me of a young friend who is a lot of fun!) plus, we were at the local Lutheran primary school concert tonight, and the year 7s did a dance routine to a small part of this. Hahaha (wish I had had this wine first…)
So cheers Lovely Readers. I don’t know what I really think about having ‘followers’ … social media is a mysterious beast, but I really do appreciate those of you who have been supportive. Thank you so much. 💋
Um, this post may disappear in the morning light… we will see. ❤
So I was merrily going my way along WordPress today, and then I saw a quote, (egads I hear you say)… it reminded me of something that had been on my mind, but wasn’t sure I should divulge.
I live, mostly, in a general state of bewilderment, and it has been such a wonderful surprise to discover the amount of other people on WP in such a state. I feel like we should be stretching out a big picnic blanket and then oohing and aahing over all of the somewhat disgustingly interesting food we would bring out of our baskets. (Just a forewarning…my food will be a perfect candidate for those “Nailed It” comparison posts on social media I never get sick of.) Plus, you will have to be patient with me as I fight urges to hug everyone, which I do constantly when I read your gut wrenching, devastatingly glorious writing. But I think I am digressing, I’m not sure.
So, darn, I can’t remember what this post was going to be about… Hopefully this very motivating link will remind me: Poetic Motivations at Davy D’s blog. (Thanks again Davy.)
Oh yes, whenever I read interesting things about different writers and they start listing their favourite writers and influences, I am reminded of what a vast, empty space my mind can be, with maybe a cute kitten bumbling through every now and then. (Or maybe it’s a very small space, overcrowded by cute kittens, distracting me from not so cute things)…And also because my memory is awful.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to read. It’s just that I have so much trouble focussing, that I honestly haven’t done it very much in recent years. (Plus, any reading I have done has been theological by some rather brilliant friends.) So, I have been rather embarrassed about my neglect, but this quote reminded me of why I have more recently decided that I won’t be. Plus, it was never my goal to sound or read like anyone else.
Ugh, where am I going with this?
I think I have actually found a point…I am more than profoundly moved and inspired by the talent on WordPress. What a wonderfully therapeutic experience it has been. I am so grateful. Plus, you have reminded me of things that were buried, very deeply.
And to my remarkable parents, who are well educated and just plain intelligent.
And I am grateful to an old friend who planted the seed for me to start blogging in the first place. He doesn’t think I should give him any credit. (Maybe it’s because he has read my stuff hahaha.) But I am grateful to him more than I can ever say. In fact, through all of the years I have known him, he has busted out a few insightful things that have really helped me. He most likely doesn’t even remember. It doesn’t matter.
Anyway, I know I have said this before, but thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
So while I was pondering what exercise I could do to work off the crazy amount of food I have eaten today (I blame the weather. It suddenly turned cold like autumn, after unseasonably warm weather, like autumn. But now it’s cold, like autumn), I found this.
This took me back to memories I am sure I have somewhere. And the time travelling was exhausting, to say the least. Not to mention the memories of always going everywhere on skates. So, considering this song is over three minutes long, I’m checking the exercise box off my list for today. Take that gym bitc junkies!
PS And yes, the disco ball is still in my kitchen. That thing ain’t going anywhere.
Have we had that conversation?
A big thank you to another one of Christine Ray’s fine works, as a particular memory was triggered today.
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Over twenty years ago, my husband and I were on our honeymoon.
I know. I have already shocked you in that first line. Or maybe I mean, me. I’m shocked.
Not just that we have been married for over twenty years. But because it wasn’t too long ago that life existed without GPS. And cell phones!
We did a camping road trip. Through the SW of Colorado and into Arizona and Utah. And probably New Mexico.
With dodgy maps. And a simple desire to just keep driving and camp when we were tired.
The amount of natural beauty we encountered was rather overwhelming for this young whipper snapper from Australia, and I would have been happy to camp anywhere, just to hug the earth. Or whatever… (Note to self, find out what the heck “whipper snapper” means. Good Lord, I’ve used it for years so recklessly…)
One night, we found ourselves in Kanab, Utah. We decided to stay in a hotel and found a place that evidently was a resort to the stars. You know, in the 50s. When they were there to film westerns. Everyone’s favourite genre. Well, at least in ‘the Lego Movie’.
What an incredible coincidence that I had bought a swim suit that looked like it was from the 50s…
We decided to swim in the pool.
Best decision we could have made.
Because a storm came up.
Out of the blue of Utah skies.
A thunderous lightning hurled rage of patio furnitureslow motioned right in front of us in the deepening darkness. My husband gently suggested we leave the pool…
(Kids, it’s past your bed time. I’ll give you a moment. Don’t forget to put the cat out. Or whatever you do with your cat.)
That’s right. I didn’t leave the pool.
(Something kids should not try at home, apparently. It was something I never considered before, as I often liked swimming in the ocean in the dark and in storms, and rain and whatnot. I guess you could say we were raised by people with differing parenting styles…).
But I convinced my husband we were safer in the pool, and if debris flew our way, we could dive into the “safety” of the water. I think that is the moment he realised he had, in fact, married a genius.
(This was the cassette I played the most on that trip if I remember rightly. I loved the title song. It is based on a Maori legend, I believe. Once again, please don’t correct me if I am wrong. I like thinking that).
and how I never particularly liked horses, (especially after that one time at Ariane’s but anyway), ironically.
don’t get me wrong
they’re beautiful
to look at and admire
their graceful stance
their peaceful ways
and to watch them gallop along movie set beaches and whatnot I would not likely tire
from any time soon.
But when I look
at what needs to be done
and the mess that’s in this room
I stop a while
to appreciate
that unicorns really are more awesome
how it lifts me from life’s gloom.
(*edit I also feel that the unicorn should do the prancing,
not I.)
I’m so grateful
for the lovely gift
from such a gracious soul,
I told her that I named it,
“she who treads lightly and wisely but knows how to have a darn good time”
and makes me feel not so
unwhole.
(*NB. even though the literary slaughtering that occurred here may offend some viewers, please be assured no unicorns were harmed in the process. Well, maybe just their dignity… A big thank you to Kindra for the unicorn.)
And here’s a musical tribute that I believe matches the genuine nature of, well, something…
the way toddlers dance to the notes in between the way DNA composes the seams notes of divine harmony and unexplained dreams the reticent wavelengths shudder unseen at unanticipated syncopation
(NB May be some coarse language…and I don’t mean when they quote Australians…)
I have yet to understand how our accents can be so different.
I watched a whole documentary once. On the plane. To New Zealand.
It answered not my questions. It was an hour long exercise in finding different ways to say
we have no idea
why the New Zealand accent is as it is
(Just between us, my husband was pretty excited when the air hostess started talking about “door sex”. He thought we had, indeed, found the most welcoming country on the planet.
“Door six” the person next to us so helpfully pointed out…)
When checking out of our hotel in Auckland I had to ask my husband to translate,
my American husband to his Australian wife.
I am not proud of this fact. But it is what it is.
(I mean, my ear was filled with Americanese, because we lived there. And, well, my husband speaks it.)
