HNT #28 - The Whole World

He's got the rivers and the mountains in His hands,

He's got the oceans and the seas in His hands,
He's got you and he's got me in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.

- traditional

For more HNT fun, pay a visit to Os.

Wednesday Weirdness #25 - Thanksgiving Edition.

Apologies for the blandness of this week's answers. I haven't experienced a Thanksgiving so I don't really know what it is all about.

1. What are you thankful for this year?
I am thankful that I met my girl earlier this year, and I am also thankful that we have sorted out the mess that contributed to last week's HNT.

2. Since some of our participants are not in the US, what do you think about Thanksgiving?
I don't have any real thoughts, positive or negative, about Thanksgiving. As an American holiday it would be as special to most Americans as some of our Australian holidays are to Australians.

3. What is your favorite part of the holiday/ your least favorite.
I haven't experienced Thanksgiving so I have no favourites or least favourites. I am pretty sure that some NFL games are played on Thanksgiving, so anything that involves football on a holiday would win my vote.

4. Mashed Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes?
Definitely mashed potatoes. I'm not a big fan of sweet potato.

5. Do you own eating pants? Describe.
I have no idea what 'eating pants' are so I would be fairly certain that I don't own a pair. Perhaps someone can explain them to me.

6. What is your favorite thing to do with the Thanksgiving leftovers?
Any leftovers usually taste just as good the following day, either cold or reheated.

7. Who are you most looking forward to seeing? Least?
My girl would be the person I am looking forward to seeing the most. No-one fits into the least category.

8. Do you go shopping on the day after Thanksgiving?
No, I don't. Does something special happen at the shops on the day after Thanksgiving?

TMI Tuesday #48

1. What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia so I don't have a favourite food for it, however for a celebration of any sort it is hard to go past a roast dinner. Roast beef or pork would be my favourites, but lamb, chicken or turkey will do just as well.

2. You can flip a switch that will wipe any band or musical artist out of existence. Which one will it be?
Just off the top of my head I would say Coldplay because they play such lifeless music with whining lyrics (in my opinion) and I fail to see how they are as popular as they are. I also wouldn't mind if Michael Jackson was standing close enough to get taken out as well. He never set my world on fire and I see him as a freak.

3. You seem to be having an excellent day because you just came across a hundred-dollar bill on the sidewalk. Holy crap, a hundred bucks! How are you gonna spend it?
I would head straight for the music shop or the book shop. I'm sure I could easily spend $100 on Cd's or books.

4. What is your favorite curse word?
Fuck! I say it all the time and that is not a good thing when there are 2 young children in the house. Trouble is, I have been saying it for so long now that it is hard to break the habit.

5. Rufus appears out of nowhere with a time-traveling phone booth. You can go anytime in the PAST. What time are you traveling to and what are you going to do when you get there?
1969. Woodstock. The era of free love and all those great bands, Santana, Hendrix, Joe Cocker, CSNY, Jefferson Airplane, and The Who. What's not to like about that line-up? And not to mention the free love, or did I mention that already?

Bonus (as in optional):You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what's even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What's it gonna be?
Invisibility. How much fun could you have with the power of invisibility? The possibilities are endless.

HNT #27 - Scarred for Life

I fought tooth and nail, every inch of the way
I got scars...to prove it
I was in love for keeps that time
But rock'n'roll was still on my mind
She was young and true and so full of life
And the pain went deep, I was scarred for life
I was scarred, I was scarred, scarred, scarred
Scarred for life

-Anderson, Riley, Royal (Rose Tattoo)

I have a few scars on my body from various incidents and accidents. This one on my leg is probably one of my more visible one and is part of a collection of scars I got when I tried to climb some wet sea cliffs at night after having had a few too many alcoholic beverages. I was lucky I didn't kill myself.
However, physical injuries are not the only things to leave scars. Emotional traumas can also leave scars, and while the wounds aren't as visible they are still real and just as painful. I'm sure we all carry those scars somewhere deep inside us.

Today's HNT is a last minute replacement for one that I had already put together. This just seemed more appropriate given the events of today. I won't elaborate on the details except to say that a misdirected email has left me with another scar to add to my collection. You can't see it, but it's there and it hurts like hell.

Just like climbing cliffs at night, I should have known better.

For more HNT participants, go see Os.

Wednesday Weirdness #24

1.) Have you ever taken your clothes off for money?
No, I haven't. Actually, I don't need money. If you ask me nicely I'll do it for nothing, but you've got to ask nicely.

2.) Are you a morning person or a night owl?
These days I am not much of either, however I would prefer a late night to an early morning. Some people say that mornings are the best part of the day, that is why I like to leave them to those who can appreciate them.

3.) Do you take any kind of medication daily or regularly? If so, what?
No. All I take on a regular basis are some health supplements like a vitamin pill, glucosamine, and fish oil tablets. I don't think they count as medication.

4.) Do you ever have naughty thoughts about any of your friends significant others?
Doesn't everyone?? I have naughty thoughts about lots of people I meet, including friends SO's. I thought everyone did this. Apparently I am mistaken.

5.) What are your favorite comfort foods?
Chocolate and coffee. There isn't much that can't be made a bit easier with a cup of coffee and some chocolate. Where would we be without those 2 wonderful beans?

6.) Would you rather direct a porn or star in one?
Either. I'm not fussy. Starring in it could be more fun as I think I would enjoy the hands-on stuff more than just directing it from a chair. But if the directors job was all that was available then I wouldn't complain.

7.) Have you ever seen a "donkey show"? Would you ever be interested in seeing one?
I've never seen one and probably wouldn't be that interested in seeing one. Stuff involving animals just doesn't turn me on. I wasn't even sure that donkey shows existed. I thought they were just a myth to trap unsuspecting tourists.

8.) On a scale of 1 to 10, how gullible of a person would you say you are?
I'd be an 8 or 9. These days I am too cynical to be easily conned. I stick to the adage that seeing is believing, and if it sounds too good to be true it usually is.

TMI Tuesday #47

1. When did you last use your cellular telephone as a flashlight?
I can't say that I have ever used my mobile phone as a flashlight. I actually don't use my mobile phone for anything much at all, including making calls. I find it more of an inconvenience most of the time.

2. On a scale from 1-10, how comfy are you being naked?
About an 8. I am quite comfortable being naked and nudity, either my own or someone else's, doesn't offend me. The only time I might find it uncomfortable to be naked would be if it was a public place and I was the only one out of many people who had shed their clothes. I think that would cause me some embarrassment.

3. What is the longest you've ever been celibate after having lost your virginity?
Hard to remember exactly but it would be quite a while. In my late teens and early twenties there would have been long periods between girlfriends when I wouldn't be getting any action.

4. Have you ever had sex in a car? If yes, since you were a teenager?
Yes. As recently as last year I used to meet a lady at lunchtime near a park and we would have sex in her car or mine. It was a lot of fun, although on warm days it could get quite uncomfortable and sweaty in the back seat of a car.

5. When did you last use food or drink as medication?
Not for a very long time. Many years ago I used alcohol on occasion to help forget bad events, or at least numb the pain, and as a 'nightcap' to help me sleep. Those days are long since passed and these days I very rarely drink at all. I can't say I have ever used food as a medication.

Bonus: Name three words that:
a) get you excited - Wanna have sex? (when some asks me)
b) make you squirm - Can Hubby watch? (I've never been asked this but I wouldn't be comfortable with it)
c) make you laugh - Achmed dead terrorist. (I recently watched a comedy routine by Jeff Dunham featuring Achmed the dead terrorist, and just the thought of it makes me laugh)

HNT #26 - Push The Button.

If you want to take, if you want to give

When you find a meaning, you’ll find it short-lived
The gifts and opportunities that come or go or stay
The buttons there for you to push are only in the way

Buttons so vivid, your soul could seem gray
The world all around you entices you to play
Come on! Come out!

You have a choice to make
The push button glows in wait….

- The Stolen Babies

I struggled a little with ideas and time this week so this was the best I could come up with. Thinking caps on for next week.

Os is the HNT master so why not pay him a visit.

Wednesday Weirdness #23

1.) When was your last visit to an emergency room? What happened?
Last visit to an emergency room would have been several years ago when my daughter broke her leg falling off her scooter. Luckily it was a small country hospital and the only doctor lived right around the corner so we had prompt, almost personal, service, unlike when we went to get her plaster removed weeks later at a major suburban hospital and had to wait hours.

2.) Who do you look more like: Mom, dad or another relative?
I would say neither, but if I had to pick one I would say I take after my mother more than my father.

3.) What sounds annoy you?
Mobile phones ringing at inappropriate times. In movie theatres for one. Didn't they read the sign that said 'Turn off mobile phones' ?

4.) What are three movies you could (or have you) watch(ed) over and over and still love?
One of my favourite movies of all time is "An Officer and A Gentleman". I have seen it so many times and I still watch it if it comes on TV. Another favourite that I have lost count of how many times I have seen it is the original "Ghostbusters". "Apocalypse Now" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" are also movies that I have seen many times over. When I was younger, RHPS used to screen every Friday night at midnight at a cinema near where I lived. A group of us used to go every now and then just to see the die-hards who came dressed in costume, and to be a part of the whole rice throwing, water pistols and chanting experience. Ahhh, happy days!!

5.) Do you ever wish you were someone else?
I can't say that I ever do. There are times when I am not so happy with my lot in life, but I am not so sure that anybody else's lot is any better. Having said that, it couldn't be all that bad waking up next to Megan Gale every morning so maybe some lots are easier to bear.

6.) What do you think of when you think of Paris?
I haven't been to Paris, but I know someone who has and they weren't particularly impressed with it. They told me that there were lots of dogs wandering the streets and so you had to watch where you stepped because the dogs left 'calling cards' everywhere. That has now become my vision of Paris and I don't have much desire to go there. Perhaps readers who have been there might be able to tell me different.

7.) What'​ s the last sport​ing event​ you watch​ed?​
The last sporting event I watched live was the last home game of my football team in August. Unfortunately we lost like we did most games last season. The last sporting event I watched on TV was the baseball World Series, unless WWE counts as a sporting event and then it would have been Raw or Smackdown. (I do consider WWE as a sporting event, but I know some people don't see it that way)

8.) What do you think about sexual Role Playing?
I don't think there is anything wrong with sexual role playing. I approve of anything that takes place between consenting adults. Unfortunately, I haven't had much (any) experience in sexual role play, but it is something that I would love to experiment with. Now I just need to find another consenting adult.

TMI Tuesday #46

1. Ever been skinny dipping?
Sure. Skinny dipping is fun, and it just feels so good. I used to do it all the time up til about the age of 20, then only on the odd occasion. Now, I can't remember the last time I went skinny dipping which obviously means it was too long ago.

2. How often do you kiss or make out without it simply being a foreplay activity?
These days, the answer to that question would be never. A few years ago I met a woman and we didn't have anywhere to be intimate so we would often go for a walk in a park, find a bench somewhere quiet and just make out for a while. It was lots of fun, and that would have been the last time that I got to do that.

3. On a scale of 1-10, how content are you with your life? (1 is lowest, 10 is highest) Do you think 'content' and 'happy' the same thing?
I would say between 7 and 8. There are things I would like to change that would increase the score upward but I don't think it will occur anytime soon. I don't think 'content' and 'happy' are the same thing. 'Content' to me means happy to put up with or endure, while 'happy' means, well, happy. Usually happy people are content people, but content people aren't always happy.

4. What do you do to relieve stress?
Very little. Usually it builds up inside doing God knows how much damage to my health. I try to read or listen to music to relax and I guess that helps to relieve stress. If I get really stressed I will often go for a run, and just run to the point of exhaustion, which tends to distract the mind from the stress because you can't think of anything else apart from how knackered you are.

5. What was the special trait in your first lover that made you decide that they were "the one?"
Probably the fact that they were willing to have sex with me on a regular basis. As a horny teenager, all other criteria would have come second to that one.

Bonus: How old were you when you first had sex? (positive experiences here...)
I would have been 17 or 18, and it was a relief to get that first one out of the way. I wondered if it was ever going to happen. I've detailed the experience in a previous TMI.

HNT #25 - Welcome To The 60's

Hey mama, welcome to the 60's

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh mama, welcome to the 60's
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Go mama, go, go, go!

- Shaiman and Wittman
from the Hairspray soundtrack

I know that this week wasn't an 'official' theme for HNT, and Os made it clear that BTE was not interested in seeing male boobies, but in the interests of community spirit (and because I couldn't think of another idea for this week) I have gone with the 'Boobies for BTE's birthday' theme. Like 'em or leave 'em, there they are and I hope that BTE had a wonderful birthday and that he gets to see a lot of boobies that are better looking than mine.

And don't forget to visit Os, the master of all things HNT.

Wednesday Weirdness #22

1. If you were in a situation where it was either starve to death or resort to cannibalism, would you resort to cannibalism to stay alive or let yourself starve?
Really hard to answer without having been in the situation, but if the alternative was to starve to death then I think self preservation would kick in and I would resort to cannibalism. The people would have to be dead already because I wouldn't be able to kill them. Given that they were dead then I don't think they would mind too much if I had to eat them to stay alive. Who knows, they might even taste like chicken?

2. Do you know all of the words to the National Anthem and The Pledge of Allegiance?
Not the American National Anthem or The Pledge of Allegiance but I do know the words to the Australian National Anthem - Advance Australia Fair.

3. Do you consider yourself a leader or a follower?
In general, everyday life I would probably be a follower. I would like to think that in a crisis situation I would be able to take charge and be a leader, but who knows until such an event occurs?

4. What is your most favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas. I have enjoyed it far more since I have had children. I love the build up to the big day, decorating the tree, writing wish lists, and counting down the sleeps. I love the anticipation in their faces as they go to bed on Christmas Eve, and the excitement in their eyes the following morning as they open their presents. That along with our 2 week holiday over Christmas and New Year make it the best time of the year for me.

5. In what ways, if any, are you superstitious?
I am not at all superstitious. I used to be but I have broken the habit and the belief that certain actions have good or bad consequences just because of folklore or tradition. I don't even subscribe to a belief in horoscopes anymore.

6. If you had to pick a creature from the Mythical Creatures Guide to be your pet, which would you choose and why?
A dragon would be a really cool pet but might be a little difficult to control. It would be fun to turn it loose on people who piss you off. Imagine the look on their faces! Pegasus, the winged horse, would also be a fun pet. No more traffic jams, just jump on your horse and fly to where ever you wanted to go. And it probably wouldn't be much different to care for than a 'normal' horse.

7 Things About Me (or How Shibari Took My Virginity)

TMI post is below this one.

My virginity has been broken. It has never happened before, but last Thursday on my HNT post Shibari tagged me. My first tag in a little over 12 months of blogging. Thank you Shibari, I will try and do your tag justice.

7 Things About Me.

1. My star sign is Sagittarius, although I really don't believe in Astrology or star signs.

2. As a child, I always wanted to be a pilot, right through til late in high school when my maths ability (or lack of it) meant that I wasn't going to make the grade.

3. I am not religious and don't believe in God (any god), heaven or hell. This is in complete contrast to when I was a child and had a strong faith.

4. I love to travel, but find that I am a much more nervous flier than I ever was when I was younger.

5. I am the oldest living member of my family. Both my parents, and all my grandparents are deceased so I am top of the family tree. (not always a pleasant thought).

6. I have a fear of ladders. I hate ascending or descending ladders and my legs shake almost uncontrollably. It is not the height that bothers me as I can quite easily climb up or down using something other than a ladder. I'm not sure why this is because I can't recall having had an accident or incident involving a ladder. Does anyone know the name for a fear of ladders?

7. I always try to please people, often to my own detriment. I'm not sure why this is but it may have something to do with low self esteem. Other people's acceptance of me matters a great deal to me even if that person means nothing to me. Seeking that acceptance often results in disappointment and feelings of rejection. It also makes it extremely hard to refuse requests even if they are unreasonable.

I'm not sure if I am supposed to tag anyone, and if so how many, so I will leave it up to you to decide if you want to have a go at this. If you do, please let me know so I can pop by and check out your answers.

TMI Tuesday #45

1. Have you ever had a moving violation? An auto accident? That was your fault?
I have had a few speeding tickets in my life, but until quite recently I hadn't had one for many a year. Earlier this year I failed to notice a sign advising a change to a lower speed limit. I also failed to notice that there was a policeman waiting a few hundred metres beyond the sign. Unfortunately (or fortunately, which ever the case may be) he made his presence known to me and also pointed out that I had failed to slow down once passed the sign. He wrote me a ticket as a reminder to pay more attention when driving, and I assured him that I would. As for accidents, I have been involved in a few, none serious and none were my fault.

2. Have you ever voted? How old was your were you the first time you voted?
Voting is compulsory here in Australia for both Federal and State elections, so Yes, I have voted on a number of occasions. Failure to do so results in a fine.

3. Are you glad this election cycle is over?
The US presidential election seems to have been going for ever. It has even occupied a fair slice of news time here on the other side of the world. I will be glad when it is finally over (regardless of the result) just so I don't have to see Obama's face on every news bulletin. Having said that though, I guess I should be prepared to see him for at least the next 4 years.

4. Do you have guilty pleasure? What is it (or are they)?
One guilty pleasure I have is the occasional glass of Highland Park Scotch Whiskey. I very rarely drink but I do indulge in the odd nip of this extremely pleasant beverage. I can't describe the beautiful smokey peat and honey flavour as it slides across the tongue and then warms the body on a cold winter's night.

5. What is the most embarrassing thing you have done recently?
I don't recall having done anything that has caused me embarrassment recently. I'll have to pass on this one.

Bonus: How much impact has the Wall Street and general economic wilt had on you?
Not a lot to date, but I am sure the flow on effect will impact on us all in the form of higher prices and rising unemployment. One negative effect which springs to mind is the Aussie dollar being worth less compared to the greenback and this has cancelled out a lot of the benefits of falling oil prices. Still pain at the petrol pump.