Another Challenge Post

I think it's time for another challenge post. This one comes from the ever charming Lee from Quit Your Day Job, a talented artist and all-round nice bloke.

His suggestion is if you had to describe yourself via a film, which one would it be, and why?

That's actually a REALLY tough question. I've actually been thinking about it for a couple of weeks trying to pin down a film that actually describes me in any way, and I'll have to admit, I am absolutely stumped.

However, I can think of a couple films that have actually shaped who I am as a person, so perhaps those will suffice (Lee? I hope so!)

The first one is a movie that I have loved for many, many years. The Colour Purple.

I actually can't remember the first time I saw it, I think I was in my early to mid teens. The reason it speaks to me so much is because Celie maintains her dignity despite the horrific way she is treated her whole life. I was inspired by her strength and the beauty that shines from within Whoopi Goldberg in this role too. I guess the outwardly funny-looking woman who has suffered at the hands of many people in her life just spoke to me.

Another that really resonated with me was Amazing Grace starring Ioan Gruffudd and Albert Finney.

I saw this one a couple of years ago at the cinema and was so deeply moved by the story of abolitionist William Wilberforce that I needed some quiet time afterwards to digest all the lightbulb moments that I had throughout the film. The one big thing I got from this movie was that greatness isn't about grandiosity. Strong, steady convictions are worth just as much as huge grandiose gestures... if not more. It also spoke to me a lot about my spirituality and belief systems.

So there you go, a couple of films that made me think about who I am and what is important to me.

Did I Say That?

I think it's time to take up another blog challenge.

This one comes from the Library Nerd herself, Naomi.  She suggested that I blog about times I've made inappropriate comments (she is aware of my severe case of blurtitis) or that I've had them made to me, or heard them.  I think that's a great idea, because I've heard some CRACKERS over the years.

I think the worst one anyone has ever said to me, was a woman I was having a conversation with about cosmetic surgery.  She said "Well you don't have to worry, fat people don't get wrinkles."

Okkkayyyyy

She was actually being complimentary at the time.  The guy who was standing with us during the conversation literally choked on his coffee.

There are always the ones out of the mouths of babes too.  Kids have a real knack of just blurting out truths that are inappropriate for the time and place.  Like the four year old who raised his hand in class when I asked "Who at home has someone who smokes?"  I called on him with "Yes Daniel, who smokes at your house?" to which Daniel replied "Uncle Marty, sometimes through a billy!" (note: billy is a local slang for a bong)

Also the little girl who when I complimented her on her pretty dress, replied "Thanks, my Mummy stole it for me." and her big brother nudged her and went "Shhhhh!"

I'm just trying to think of the worst clanger I've ever dropped.  I'm so used to doing it now, because I have almost no filter between my brain and my mouth (it's a sign of honesty, I believe, got to have some positive benefit to it!) that I think I get over it when I make some kind of horrible faux pas much quicker than I used to.

I do remember announcing to a room full of my father's golf buddies when I was a kid, the reason he had got so good at his golf game was "Cos he got the sack and plays golf all the time and hasn't got any money for beer."  Yeah, well done Kath!  He kicked my arse for that one!

So, now it's your turn.  What's the worst clanger you've ever let slip, or heard someone else say?  Trot out your best inappropriate comments now!

Five Fives

For those of you who don't follow me on Twitter or Facebook, a couple of days ago I asked folks to challenge me with blog post subjects, as I was feeling the need to "stretch my legs" a bit with my blogging.  I have some suggestions, which I will start to work on over the next few days, but I'm still open to suggestions (er, challenges) if you have any.  Everything suitable will be attempted!

So this is going to be my first challenge blog, and I'm going to start with a nice simple one until I find my feet.

@lilabris (who is my luvverly friend Kylie) challenged me to a "5 Things" meme.  Which is basically groups of five things about me.  So, here goes.

Five Favourite Musicians Ever (tough one)

• Elvis Costello
  
• kd lang
  
• Tom Waits
  
• Queen
  
• Indigo Girls
  

Five Cities I Could Live In (Besides Brisbane)

• New York City - it's all shades of awesome!
  
• Perth - so pretty and laid back, and much less built up
  
• San Francisco - it has EVERYTHING and is very creative
  
• Chicago - or nearby, I have beloved friends that live at Aurora, I'd love to be near them and Chicago was so funky.
  
• Melbourne - I love the coffee culture and the CBD is so lovely there.
  

Five Favourite Fictional Characters

• Mr Darcy - Pride and Prejudice (what woman doesn't?)
  
• Nick Schultz - Blue Heelers (what can I say, I fell in love when I was very young)
  
• Anne Shirley - Anne of Green Gables
  
• Hellboy - one of my favourite comic book heroes of all time.
  
• Arthur Dent - I always kind of felt that I know just how Arthur feels in the Hitchhiker books.
  

Five Strange Things I Have Eaten

• Echidna (damn good!)
  
• Scorpion (crunchy)
  
• Testicles (Rocky Mountain oysters, bush oysters, prairie oysters, whatever you call them)
  
• Haggis (it was worse than the testicles)
  
• Ostrich (kind of beefy really)
  

Five Random Facts about Me

• I used to own a music shop.
  
• When I was 21, I started a radio station with my friend Marty.  It's still running today, over 15 years later.
  
• I collect postcards, but they must have gone through the post (not necessarily to me)
  
• Peas make me gag.
  
• I am a sucker for underdogs and "waifs and strays" in life.
  

So there you have blog challenge post number 1!  Watch this space for more to come.