Beyond the Edge of Adventure

I was born into this space. I like it. The dim light on the dark walls provides amusement. I can see shapes and characters around me as I grow. The drip, drip, drip of fresh mineral water trickles past me and I lick it off the soft ground. I know that there are minerals in it. It’s healthy. It’s good. Occasionally, there’s a puzzling breeze through my space. It smells different to what I’m used to. The smell is dry and fresh and……interesting. I sniff it eagerly. But when it goes away, I prefer my space. I was born into it. I like it. I like the dark comfort and the soft, dark shapes that keep me company. I find one day that I can’t stand up in my space. I’ve grown. I have to bend my head sideways to get around. The breeze whispers past me that day, enticing me. I put my head down and slurp greedily at the soft trench that wends through my space, savouring the deep minerally taste. Sated, I lie down and enjoy watching the shapes dance on the walls in the murk. That’s wh...

So, with our new Prime Minister being sworn in yesterday, I thought it was high time that I step up to the plate and take a swing at explaining why I'm a conservative voter. If you're left-leaning and you're reading this - remember, it's your choice to read my post. Don't claim to be offended by my views. OK? I was raised in a home with both parents clearly and decisively conservative. They called Bob Hawke 'Pieface' *snicker* and definitely did not like Paul Keating (sadly, there were no immature names for him, they just didn't like him). They were most definitely and decidedly not 'green'. I have always been interested in politics. We didn't talk about it much at home - just an occasional tirade against Mr Hawke or Mr Keating. I loved going to Canberra on my Grade 7 excursion and learning all about parliament. I was enthralled with the debates about debt, policies and polls. I even took an elective in my teaching degree on Australian P...

Frozen veggies, bigger cuddles with the baby, more productive housework time, more understanding for the breadwinner, bought biscuits, speed-lunch-making are all part of my life now. I'm a 'working' mum. Before, I cooked only fresh vegetables. Now, I understand the convenience and not-too-dissimilar vitamin and mineral content of frozen vegetables. How utterly blissful to rip open a pack of veggies, bung it on the stove and serve! No chopping! Before, I had baby-overload. My body was permanently frozen in a lopsided, baby-holding posture! Now, I love coming home to my baby and my little ones that I haven't seen for a few hours. I miss them. It's a relief. Before, I'd procrastinate about what housework job to do first. Now, I have to get it done in a certain amount of time - so it gets done. Who would have thunk it? Before, I was definitely tired from having a newborn, but once the baby started sleeping through the night I would often say I was tired...

Yikes. Been a while since my last post that wasn't a book review! Things have been absolutely crazy lately. My husband finally, finally sat Final Panel for his course last week and PASSED.....but still has more on-road work to do. So this means more time spent in Brisbane, which is going to be interesting with MY NEW JOB!!!! and all. I went away with my MOPS friends in August to the MOPS Conference which was brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. It was on the Sunshine Coast, so we all lapped up the sunshine and the beautiful BEACH - I even ducked in for a quick swim! It was so awesome to get to know my friends better. I'm really finding out how important it is to have good friends! Here's a pic my friend Rach took (not when I was heading in for a swim)......it was a beautiful day! I've been up to my ears in snot, panadol, vitamin C, cold washers, used tissues and tears the past week - all of us have had the flu or a nasty cold. We're on the mend, but it was...

So, I finally, finally read Jodi Picoult's 'My Sister's Keeper'. I really enjoyed reading about all the different characters. I found the change in narrators by chapter a little difficult at first, but once I got used to it I was OK. The characters were likeable and flawed but believable. I found that I liked all of them in their own way. Jodi Picoult's writing style is easy to read, but not simplistic. She keeps a good pace moving through the plot and of course, there are some heart-wrenching issues that she deals with very well, not belabouring the trauma nor understating it. I wasn't sure that I'd enjoy it - I don't like books that end on a sad or depressing note and this story didn't appear to be one that could end in any positive way, but it did and I did enjoy it. Next stop will be the movie!

So, I have just viewed this video of last night's episode of Q&A. And you, of course, knowing how much of a fan I am of Kevin Rudd will know that I have a response to what I've just seen! Let me start off by sharing my initial reaction to the video. Kevin Rudd comes across as arrogant and self-assured of his own ignorance. Brisbane Pastor Matt Prater is Daniel in the den of hungry and vicious lions. Q&A is well-known for it's ignorant Christian-bashing, so for Pastor Matt Prater to ask a question on the show is something that I believe should be praised. It's easy to voice your opinion with others who agree with you. It takes courage to face up to those whom you know will disagree passionately. Now, to refute Mr Rudd's inaccurate and rather repetitive claims about homosexuality and SSM (Same-Sex Marriage). Mr Rudd claimed that homosexuals and lesbians are born that way. The evidence that people are born gay is wafer-thin. There are numerous studies that...