Tentatively Tasmanian

Bev at Sunday Stealing puts together a bunch of questions so that those of us bloggers who’d like to tap something out but are not sure what to say, can be helped along. My next blog is in draft mode, and will be a LOT more confronting to read, so something lighter seems appropriate for a Monday.

1. what you did you do today?

As much as I adore our new nine month old rescue puppy Fern, her tendency to wake up at 6:15am is the time of day that my adoration is severely tested.  I stagger around to find some clothes to put on and let her out into the garden to relieve herself.  Unlike our previous dog Felix, who would do his essential ablutions and then come back inside and go back to sleep until 9am, which is when we would then go for a walk, she is UP, ready for ACTION and usually wants to dismember all or any of her so-called ‘indestructable’ dog toys. LOUDLY AND VIOLENTLY.

At the time of typing this, I’m waiting for a technician to arrive to switch our electricity meter over to the solar system we’ve had installed and Craig* is in town getting his skin checked (the joys of being a young lad in Australia in the 1970s with next-to-no use of sunscreen), so I’m trying to entertain Fern until the bloke arrives.  So far she’s chewed the corner of her bed blanket, jumped on our bed and barked at the hooded plovers who are raising their young on our front lawn.

I’m assuming my next ‘to do’ will be to welcome the technician, hang out some washing and take Fern on our lovely long daily walk which includes a stop at the off-lead dog park.  This takes us around two hours and leaves us both tired enough for her to sun herself in my study and for me to look up any viable Hobart part time job vacancies and do some housework.

2.  What are the must-sees in your area?

We’re a lovely walk from Bellerive Oval in Hobart and the beaches and views are magnificent.  The place is full of off-lead dogs from 6am to 10am but there is also a gorgeous beach track alongside the beach that our new family member, Fern, loves to trot along and sniff.  We tend to turn around at the stadium and go home via the off-lead dog park where she runs herself ragged with joy at meeting every single breed, size, shape and personality of dog you could think of.  The remaining walk back is much more relaxing and less tugging on the lead because she’s tired and happy.  As am I.  At the end of such a day, the steps and distance on my iphone tell me we’ve done around 10km or 14,000 steps.

3. What is your favourite quote?

Be like a dog: kick some grass over that shit and move on.

4. What was the last thing you cooked or ate?

I’d have to cast my mind back to anything I cooked unless you count making coffee or putting toast on. I really dislike cooking and simply do not have that practical and creative ability to open the fridge and pantry, see the ingredients and create a great meal.  So, if not breakfast, the last thing was a chicken curry that Craig cooked.  I’m more than happy to be the kitchen cleaner afterwards.

 5. What is something you learned from your grandparents?

My grandfather, who died in 2006, had an enquiring and open mind right up until he died.  He was witty, extremely kind and knew, the second he opened his front door, that Craig and I were going to tell him that we were engaged to be married.  About a week before he died, he told me that he never understood why gay people were not allowed to marry.  If I inherit even one percent of his character, I’ll be happy.

 6. What makes you happy?

Craig.  He is kind, funny, smart, creative, a bit of a perfectionist (but aware of it) and is realising that swearing whilst putting together old IKEA furniture after several moves is not his finest moment. He is brilliantly playful and loving with all of the dogs we have been lucky enough to have in our lives and is great at telling me how much he appreciates what I do for him.

Tess. Milly. Felix. Fern.  All the dogs we’ve had in our lives.  Each one completely different from the other, yet all of them full of love, trust, enthusiasm and comfort.

 7. What is your best travel memory?

That’s a tough one, because the twelve years we were in Europe we tried to make the most of the opportunity to travel as often as we could and went beyond Europe to the US and Kenya.  But traveling to Paris for an easter weekend on my own as a 23 year old in 1991 who’d been given a few days off from her housekeeping job in London was pretty special.  I felt brave, loved everything I saw and ate and proud of my young self for going alone even though none of my friends had the time or money or interest to go. I was determined not to miss out.

 8. What’s the weather like today?

16C here in Hobart, but overcast. Perfect for a long dog walk.

 9. Share an interesting fact that you’ve learned

Apparently Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world.

 10. What is your favourite book, movie or band!

ABBA. Forever. Always.

When Harry Met Sally. Incredibly witty and anytime it’s on TV, I get hooked in. When Harry is telling his best mate at a baseball game that his wife has left him and betrayed him, they still get up and do the Mexican wave. One of so many gems.

To Kill a Mockingbird – both of its time and ahead of its time

 11.  Write your favorite poem or haiku?

Even though I studied English literature at university, I dreaded poetry and any exams or essays requiring an explanation or appreciation usually produced my lowest grades. However, I do remember really enjoying the poems of the Australian Bruce Dawe in high school.  I will allocate most of that understanding and appreciation due to the teaching skills of my teacher, Glen Chamberlain, who could explain things so that I could ‘get’ them and see more in them.

 12. What is a local festival or tradition from your area?

Well, we arrived in Hobart in June, or the winter Equinox, when Dark MoFo was in full swing.  They have a nude swim that thousands participate in, many avant garde and ‘challenging’ live burlesque performances, a huge blazing light that pierces the night sky and a sort of ‘oogie’ monster that you put a piece of paper listing your worries and fears in and they burn it at the end of the festival.  We were a bit too jetlagged and overwhelmed to do much other than wander around during the day but maybe we’ll go to a few events next year. But NO, the nude swim is not on the cards for me!

13. What was the best thing you learned in school?

Friendships and laughter are so important. To have some mates you could just look at in class and they’d ‘get’ what you were trying to say, to know that you were suffering the same idiots and show offs in each lesson and could have a good laugh in the break afterwards.  Perhaps it was after school that I learned the most about being in school.  High school is NOT the highlight of your life, nor anywhere near the best days of your life. It is about the stress of fitting in, being terrified of being singled out for ridicule or considered too daggy to be noticed.  Fitting in and yet not being noticed is an anomaly of course, but so is being a teenager.