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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: "Sea of destiny" is a metaphor for the overwhelming, unpredictable circumstances of life and one's predetermined life path, with the journey through it's challenges leading to a final intended outcome or purpose." *** This whole quote feels like an oxymoron. One that gets worse to more you think about it. I hate the idea of a predetermined life path. I hate 'fated purpose' or 'destiny'. It always feels like a cop out... Ah it was fate fault it all when wrong... These things happen for a reason... They were always going to make it - it seems to dilute the hard work and sacrifice that goes into these things. I mean, I get it. There are certain elements that most of us go through that might make it seem predetermined, but I still don't like the idea. To me, that makes it feel like we have little control, and as I self-proclaimed control freak, that doesn't sit well with me. I at least want to maintain the illusion of control. Probably much like people who spend their life on the sea will agree, the sea/ocean only lets you think you are in charge. And what's the 'final intended outcome'? To drown? A battered ship? Shipwrecked on an island? The sea seems to come up in many metaphors. Love. Life. It can all be compared to the sea apparently. But to me, the seas or oceans are anything but predicable. They are vast, unpredictable, with chaos living just beneath the surface whether it's the undercurrent, riptides, or things that like to eat you. If life is like the sea, I'm surprised we aren't more traumatised. |
| Prompt: "A witch never gets caught. Don’t forget that she has magic in her fingers and devilry dancing in her blood." Roald Dahl, The Witches. Fall is a great time for witches. Do you have a favourite witch in a story or in folklore? *** Taking a mount to express my LOVE for Roald Dahl. His stories were such a big part of my childhood. I can't believe people try to ban his work... grrr I think it's hard to find a happy story or folklore about witches, at least in the UK. They are overwhelmingly cruel and dark, with a focus of the witch trials and persecution. I suppose if I had to choose one that stands out to me, I would go with Morgan Le Fey or Morgan the Fairy. I love the Arthurian legends. What's not to like - Kings, Knight, Wizard, Dragons, and Witches. There is a giant stone on the Gower Common in South Wales, where I grew up, that is referred to a 'King Arthur's Stone'. It's a local landmark; I am 99% sure it has absolutely nothing to do with King Authur, but why should that stop a story. The Welsh love to claim Merlin, Authur and Morgan Le Fey. I'm surprised we haven't fought the Cornish over it to be honest. She also turns up in Irish Legend as Morrigan the Battle Goddess, so she is VERY popular. As a goddess should be. There is a duality about Morgan Le Fey that I love; she is both malfeasant and benevolent. I think she, like most women, probably sits somewhere in the middle. I mean piss off a priestess and you are sure as Hel's fire going to know about it. There is also a certain air of mystery around her as the Arthurian lore doesn't really include a huge amount of correlating detail about her other than being a goddess, witch, or enchantress - I guess she could be all three. The stories change from being Arthur's sibling, to his protector, and probably the most famous now, his nemesis; it's the original family feud. Her name, Morgan, means 'born of the sea', so it's very apt that many of the legends that surround her show case her connection to water - Lady of the Lake... Within Welsh mythology there are also links to the Goddess Modron - a Welsh deity - and the myth is that she descended from her; I guess this would be the equivalent of being a daughter of Hecate. Her powers were believed to be so strong that she is said to have healed a fatally wounded King Arthur after the Battle of Camlann by taking him to a sacred and mystical island known as the Isle of Apples - I often wonder if this had ties to Eden. Either way she is amazing. Powerful, strong, underestimated, and misunderstood. |
| Prompt: If someone told you that a group of stars are going to appear in a certain pattern, foretelling an ancient curse is about to come true. Would you believe it or would you think of it as nonsense? And would you make up a story about it? *** I could definitely make a story up about it, who doesn't like a prophecy or curse. But I'm knee deep in Nano and my brain can't focus on too many things without melting. As for whether I would believe it or think of it as nonsense, I lean heavily toward the 'sure, why not' ilk. It makes for a good story. Nearly every curse seems to have a prophecy about how to undo said curse. It's certainly no less palatable that what's on the news every night. To be fair, what's happening in the world probably is a curse. I bet someone could link it to a passing comet or newly found astrological phenomena. At this stage I'd quite happily add aliens into the mix as well, but I get the impression Earth is probably like the Florida of the universe (apologises to people from Florida). I could also use Tasmania for an Aussi reference, or East Angelia for the UK, but there are a lot of Americans on here, so Florida probably makes more sense. I mean, don't get me wrong, I am not going to stop paying my bills or cancel plans because of this curse, but I am fully on board when it happens. As long as I'm not part of the cure... If I'm part of the cure, you are all doomed, just saying. Especially if it has anything thing to do with turning to the dark side, or becoming a member of the immortal dead, because I would get whiplash for how quickly I would agree to that. Just forewarning you all... |
| Prompt: October Is there something about this October and the fall season that makes you feel peaceful or calm? Or is October's energy exciting and stimulating? *** I LOVE October. It's my birth month, so I am very biased. Before I moved to the underside on the world... October represented nights drawing in, a wash on colour in the countryside, cosey evenings with hot chocolate or warm spiced apple juice (sorry US I can't call it cider unless it's alcoholic), storms rolling in, the switch in the weather and of course spooky season. And not just the trick or treating, because who doesn't like sweets/candy/lollies, I like Samhain - love the bon fires and divination in the flames, it's when I light a candle for my dad and talk to him. In Wales, where I am from, it's known as Nos Calan Gaeaf which means 'night of the winter calends' which I think is quite beautiful. It is very similar to Samhain ina lot of ways, which I think is Irish/Scottish, though technically the dates are different: Nos Calan Gaeaf 31st Oct and Samhain 1st Nov. However, I now live in the topsy-turvy world of Australia where the season are turned on their head. I find this incredibly discombobulating. I don't have seasonal affective disorder, I have seasonal what the actual f... disorder, because my head says its Oct therefore Samhain, or Dec therefore yule... but the weather says it's spring and summer and about 25C+ It's been the bane of my life since I moved here... This means I have to celebrate Halloween and Beltane at the same time - which because there's always a bon fire... but still. |
| Prompt: "After the keen still days of September, the October sun filled the world with mellow warmth...The maple tree in front of the doorstep burned like a gigantic red torch. The oaks along the roadway glowed yellow and bronze. The fields stretched like a carpet of jewels, emerald and topaz and garnet. Everywhere she walked the color shouted and sang around her." —Elizabeth George Speare, The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Describe what you see surrounding you. *** The September chill has started to dissipate, and the warmth of the Melbourne spring is making itself known. Its fleeting and shy. Unsure about actually making its presence known, hence the game of peekaboo I am currently playing with my hoodie. Like the weather, I can’t decide what to do, and I’m constantly getting it wrong. It’s too warm for jeans, but too cool for shorts. I need a hoodie, until the moment I step outside and then I need my sunglasses instead. It’s a meteorological roller-coaster. The land is just as confused as I am. Though, it seems to be quickly making up its mind. There is more green – everywhere. The grasses, bushes and trees are starting to sprout, looking more leafy by the day, but particularly today. It’s the starting gun in the race to keep the body corporate happy by keeping our lawns in order… Nothing worse that unruly green apparently. An afternoon in the garden may well be in order and it is starting to look a little over grown, a little wild. But the bees love it, as do the butterflies… they are worth the angry letter from the estate facilities management team, whose time would be better spent fixing the AC in the gym before the summer rolls in. The swans are also out on the lake again. It won’t be long until we see little feathery families out there, if the territorial flapping is anything to go by. The lake is apparently the place to be if you’re a black swan or a pelican… or one of the other wading birds. The lake has also settled. It’s less choppy, grey waves, and more perfectly chilled kayaking waves that reflect the very blue sky. It’s time to get stocked up in the sunscreen! |
| Prompt: Have you ever bought something because you felt sorry for it but secretly wanted it? *** Probably... though it probably isn't a secret. I'm easy to read. Very few things are a secret with me. I have a habit of placing emotional attachment on inanimate objects. This doesn't lead me to buy things because I feel sorry for it, although I will admit to buying the 'full set' because I don't want the others to feel left out, or because it's the last one....; but in all honesty, this is just my excuse for buying more sh!t that I don't need. It does frequently lead to me hanging on to things for far too long. I have the habit of finding things that many others would find ugly or twisted appealing, such as clothes, artwork, or pieces of furniture. I like the weird and quirky. Somethings are just so ugly that they are cute. But I can see the beauty in them. I think most people on WDC are the same, I think it's an author's trait - to see beyond the obvious. My husband will often look at me and say, "You want to buy it, don't you." - "Yes... yes my love, I will be buying the weird and wonderful thing." I love TKMaxx - especially at Halloween. A lot of the stuff there is seconds, with something not quite right with it. I like to can the broken things and make new things out of it. Could that me classed as buying something because I felt sorry for it? Maybe. I also hate buying things on their own - I have to buy them in twos or threes. Threes is my preference. Clusters look good in threes, or fives - never fours. I can live with twos to balance stuff out. |
| Prompt: "My work is the embodiment of dreams in one form or another." William Morris *** Or nightmares… I guess you could argue that they are still dreams. My work does not, in any way, shape, or form, embody my ‘nice’ dreams. I like my job. I’m good at what I do. But it is not a dream. It is a means to an end – the end being a roof over my head and food in my kids' bellies. My dreams are very separate to my job. Although, when I’m stressed it does pop up in my sleeping thoughts/subconscious. I would love to be an author – to create – but that’s because I love to write. But would it still be my dream if I had to do it? Would the fun if there were deadlines and publishing contracts? Most of my crazy plots come from my dreams/daydreams, so perhaps it’s a circular statement. |
| Prompt: "When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?' " Sydney J. Harris. In what ways and under which conditions do you think life can be hard? *** I think Sydney J Harris should mind his own business. It really isn’t for him or anyone else to comment if someone else is experiencing a tough time or thinks that life is tough. Yes, perspective is always a good thing, but life can be hard or difficult in a multitude of ways that might not be obvious to an outside observer; physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically – I’m sure there are many more “allys” that could be added to this list. I know he was from a different generation – he died in the 80’s – the amount of turmoil he witnessed and experienced during his life – two world wars, the cold war and the Cuban missile crisis, the civil right movements, the Great Depression, the Nuremberg trials, Sputnik, Vietnam, possibly even Chernobyl. As a journalist, I have no doubt that he heard many harrowing stories, as well as many inspiring ones. And mental health wasn’t really a consideration. Let’s be honest, if it wasn’t physical it didn’t come up on most peoples radars. But today is different. Today we know better. I have no doubt that there are many others that are having a relatively tougher time in comparison to me at any given time; I’m not starving, I’m not in an abusive relationship, nor do I worry for my safety, I am not worried about medical care or what will happen if I become ill, I have friends and family who love me and are there for me. But, none of that takes away the fact that there are times where life is hard. When I lost my dad – I still had a house, a job, a husband, friends, family – but none of that made it any less tough to function even remotely as I normally would. When we emigrated and had to rebuild a life in another country (even though it was our choice) it was hard; hard work, tiring, and sometime lonely. To dismiss or diminish someone else’s hard times is cruel at best and dangerous at worst. |
| Prompt: "Her own thoughts and reflections were habitually her best companions. " Jane Austen *** Jane Austin grew up in a very different time period. Society was very different. The world was very different. It was harsher, particularly towards woman. How the world looked at, and perceived women was very different. It was very much a "man's world". Women had hardly any rights. Unless they were a widow, they didn't control their wages, or "own" their homes. Everything defaulted to their husbands. It's why marriage was just a pivotal event. Jane Austin wrote about those times in her novels and was influenced by her own experiences and the lives of those around her. It's largely why they are still popular today. What's unsettling is that many of the threads that we see in Austin's novels are still prevalent into today's society as well. I can't remember how many times in my twenties I was asked if I had a boyfriend, or was told 'better hurry up, you don't want to be left on the shelf',,, Seriously, the shelf was a wat better option most of the time. In that environment or time, when a woman's thoughts or opinions were often dismissed or ridiculed, I can understand why her own thoughts and reflections were habitually her best companions. Especially when there are consequences for voicing differing thoughts. What's funny is that the thoughts and reflections of the women in Austin's generation led to the feminine right movements. They began to push back and use their voices. Unfortunately, it's not hard to imagine living in a world and being deemed less because of gender, race or ethnicity, political views, or religion. Having to fight harder for positions of success. Having to consider how you articulate something just so you aren't told you are being emotional or aggressive. Having to justify your choice of having children or not, or going back to work instead of staying at home with them - no, I am not any less of a mother just because I chose (I use that word loosely) to go back to work, I am still very much a full-time mum, thanks... As a child I often played on my own and I was ok with that. I was quite happy being in my own head on times - still am. It's much quieter. Less argumentative and judgemental. Ever so slightly scatty. |
| Prompt: I don't understand how anyone can live without one place of enchantment to turn to. *** A 'place of enchantment' will probably look very different to each of us. We'll likely even use very different terminology when referring to it - safe space, place of inspiration, escapism, quiet place... I think we all have one, in some way, shape, or form; somewhere or something we can turn to. For me, it means a space/place that can enrich and sooth my soul. I have many places I can get lost in or retreat to depending on what I need at that point in time; it could be music, books, movies, nature, just daydreaming, or a coffee date with friends. I can get lost in it all and each one can be a balm, inspire me, allow me to collect my thought, puzzle through a problem, or simply allow me to shut everything else out - each one providing its own unique benefit. I have often thought about what my ideal writing sanctuary would look like. What place would inspire me to write, or not distract me...? I have Olympic level procrastination skills, so the distraction factor is just as important as the inspiration factor. Would it be a library with floor to ceiling shelves full of special editions - each one its own little world of enchantment? A study with an old-fashioned writing desk and a large comfy chair to sit in? Somewhere with an endless supply of hot tea and snacks? A room with a view - out to sea or a mountain scape. Somewhere quiet where I can hear myself think and be Seffi - not just a mum... a wife... or a colleague... at least for a brief moment. Recently, I disappeared into books to help deal with my grief. I think I'm up to about 132 books this year, and that's not including a few re-reads. Reading gave me a tether or anchor to navigate the loss of our family pet. It didn't stop me from grieving, but when I felt like I needed space from it, I picked up a book. I think concentrating on the words and exploring someone else's world and emotion was enough to stem the tears. There have been a lot of late nights - I suffer from insomnia, which was well and truly in full effect recently - and reading gave me something to do at 03:00. I've done something similar with Music. But music has also helped when I have suffered from writer's block. There is a song for every emotion. I lean towards rock and metal, which can end up being quite heavy when I'm feeling particularly emotional - or if I have to really concentrate. I find that the emotive quality of music helps me articulate, channel and process my thoughts and feelings. Sometimes it can be a single line in a song that will inspire me or give me a breakthrough. |
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Funny about Florida. And I think you did hit on a fact, there. 
