Handbags and manbags and things I wouldn't leave home without

Maybe I mentioned enjoying being challenged too soon, as I have been tagged both by Mynx and iwasntbloggedyesterday and it is now my turn to confess as to what I couldn't leave home without.

The one thing that is by my side night and day is my iPhone. It has all my contacts, my photos, my music, games, apps, maps, enables me to chat to people all over the world, and keep in touch with my family, oh and I can even blog with it!

Sunnies...if I'm not wearing them outside, they are popped on my head, pulling my hair back ready for duty when heading back outside again.

Gym bag. This goes with me most nearly everywhere, you never know when the opportunity to go to a class or a walk after work pops up.

The ringing in my ears of my mother's warning, when younger and going out,"have you put your deodorant on and have you clean underwear on, because if you have an accident I'm not coming to collect you from the ED (ER) department" (I would like it known, I have absolutely no idea where this came from, because I only wear clean knickers and have always used deodorant), but yes it does cause fear, that if I ever, ever forget to do one or the other, would be the day I was fated to have an accident (and what would the cute ED doctor think!).

Now this brings me to the last thing on my list, and where I might twist things up a bit :).

Ok, going with the flow of the other stylish fashionistas of blog world that have been challenged, of course it would have to be my handbag... which is below .... (and am I drooling over some of the handbags out there!)... and the contents in it (ok more than five items, but they all belong as part of my handbag, so I consider as one, and aren't you impressed with what I can fit in such a small bag?).

Now, the twisted bit to this blog? Well rather than tagging 5 other bloggers to reveal what they couldn't leave home without... and as there seems to be a "ratpack" (hope you guys don't mind, but I say that with affection and in the sense of fun) that has formed in the community I flitter around, I would like to challenge these gentlemen to their thoughts of utilising a manbag, what they would put in it, or if they already do own one, let us into how it has changed their life (I ask all the hard hitting questions :)).

I am curious to know this as I am a firm believer that many men are missing out on the functionality (as well as fashion possibilities) of using a manbag. And just think, no more sitting on wallets or phones, having your keys scrunched up against your thigh when sitting down, it's somewhere to store all of these including sunnies/glasses, pens, iPads, the possibilities are endless .... and revenge time, when you are out shopping, you can say to the significant female(s), oh just hold this while I try on that top (be careful she may decided to keep it for herself though!).

I ask this from finally having success, in persuading a friend of mine, to invest in a manbag. What do you think of it?

Ok, I admit he did get a bit of a stirring (with no encouragement from me whatsoever, and I did promise him I wouldn't put it on Facebook for friends to share) by the wonderful sales ladies, who thoroughly enjoyed showing him the possibilities (he can give as good as he takes). And the winning of the deal was the fact that he would be able to carry an iPad safely in it!

So fellas out there in blogworld let's know your thoughts.

Balmy summer nights

Please be warned, some of the subject matter may be uncomfortable

Blissful balmy, summer nights… ahhh.

What better way than to spend one then enjoying the Perth Film Festival as part of Perth’s 2011 Art’s Festival.

After work, picnics are packed and a group of us gals head off to the Somerville Auditorium, located in the stunning grounds of the University of Western Australia.

Making our way to the auditorium, we stop a young Asian couple, who look like university students, and ask if we are heading in the correct direction. We chat to them as we make our way. They let us know they are from Osaka, Japan and ask where we are from. My friend flippantly says we are from the United Nations, and then explains the different countries we each are from.

We arrive at the auditorium and line up for our tickets. A small enclave situated amongst the grand university arts buildings. Surrounded by tall pine trees and tree ferns, that as night falls allows the stars to shine through. Deck chairs lined in straight rows in front of a large screen.

There is the threat of a storm approaching, but the sky is still clear and the weather warm and balmy. The pine trees shield us from the wind that is blowing up, so only a slight, comfortable breeze drifts around us.

We mark out our seats and then choose a spot on the lawn to enjoy the delicacies we had packed earlier, a variety of dips, raw vegetables, smoked salmon tartlets, quiches, cheese, cold meat, fresh fruit and Bakewell tarts to finish off with, washed down with some pink bubbly.



Jerry Hall arrives with her latest beau Warwick Hemsley, Perth Property Millionaire and deputy director of the State Opera company. They mingle freely in with the crowd, enjoying their own picnic and group of friends, no-one annoying them, so they can autonomously enjoy the evening.

Our Japanese friends turn up and ask if they can take our photograph, yes we had more attention than Jerry. They join us and excitedly have their photograph taken with us (as one of the girl’s husband mentioned to her later on, “they probably did think you were from the United Nations”).

As night falls, we make our way back to our seats.

The movie, Desert Flower

The incredible, heart-warming story of Waris Dirie. How she runs away from her nomadic life in the desert at the age of 13, after she learns of her arranged marriage. How she ends up in the United Kingdom, homeless and her break into the modelling world and eventual appointment as UN Special Ambassador for the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation.

Yes the brutality of female circumcision (on young women and what Waris went through) and the lasting effects, was portrayed in the film. However the film was produced in such a way, that although you could feel the anguish, brutality, anger of what she went through at the time, the disbelief of how a mother could subject her daughter to this (although she herself would have been through the same brutality) this certainly didn’t detract from the overall beauty and feel good mood of the movie.

A movie I certainly would see again.

Goodbye but wahoo

Goodbye to all the Nigerian Scammers.

Goodbye to the offers of $800 / month, plus my rent paid, in exchange for two years of marriage.

Goodbye to all the females who can't read "interested in males".

Goodbye to all the creeps who can't keep their hands to themselves.

Goodbye to all the young males who, really, statistically, I could slightly, ever so possibly be your mother.

Goodbye to the requests for photo’s (yes those type) without even knowing your name.

Goodbye to all that can’t be bothered to put the slight bit of effort into your profile and expect me to be interested.

Goodbye to the Cub (well maybe… then again I might keep your number).

Goodbye to the concerns that friends / family have about my dating (or lack of), it doesn’t worry me, I have a social life, so should be no worry to you.

Goodbye to the few sincere, great guys, I hope you do find that someone special, without too may dramas along the way (oh yes they happen to guys too).

Wahoo to my wonderful, varied circles of friends and the fun times we share.

Wahoo to the wonderful gay guys I know, who I can freely hug, tease and flirt with, without it meaning anything other.

Wahoo to those I care about and are home (virtually) waiting for me when things go a bit pear shape.

Wahoo to life lessons learned (and yes the mistakes I am still likely to make).

Wahoo to all of the adventures still to be had and good times ahead.

Wahoo for having the freedom to be me.

The LOL Award

While I was on holiday, one of the most awesome things to happen was logging on to find I had been award the LOL Award by On my Soapbox ... so a big thank you to On my Soapbox for this surprise.

There are some rules to the Award, which are:

** Link to the person who gave you this award.

** Pass the award along to seven other people who post about at least the slightly amusing things and tell them.

**Say seven things about yourself that no one knows (or at least you think no one knows).

** Pass the rules on.

So let's do it...

Rule 1.

Achieved (oh and I forgot to mention, go check out On my Soapbox, she writes from the heart, says it how she sees it and is a pretty awesome person).

Rule 2.

** Tress from Jumble Mash

** Chief aka Dad from Unsound Reasoning

I know you guys have received this Award before, but I just love your blogs and I'm sure there are heaps more things to find out about you both (and rules can be broken too, isn't that what they are there for :)).

** iwasntbloggedyesterday a fellow Aussie... Not only does she have posts that have me giggling, joining in games, but there is some pretty interesting family history there too.

** Marsy from Giddy Fingers a totally funny post with awesome pics, if only I could be slightly that talented, sigh.

** Josh from The Weed, a seriously funny guy, who doesn't mind laughing at himself (gotta love that) and what a gorgeous family he has too.

**Lyndylou from The Giggle Fest no matter what happens in the day Lyndylou always sees the funny / positive side of things and you always leave giggling and feeling good.

** And the coolest college guy on the block, Jared from What would Jared do? and the fun adventures he gets up to!

Rule 3

I would like to blame being on holiday for being so tardy in accepting this Award straight away, but the real reason, I found this rule the hardest to comply with. But here we go ....

** Seven would have to be my favourite number, followed closely by 5.

** I love wearing pretty and sexy underwear.

** My greatest fear would have to be heights, as I have this compulsion that I might actually jump.

** I love nothing more than dares and challenges (disclaimer, except for parachuting or bungy jumpy, it's the height thing, so therefore a safety issue).

** I enjoy creating a little bit of mischief, mayhem and fun in the day.

** I rarely get cross, or stay cross long when I do (ummm but it might be safer to disappear if I do).

** I can be quite impulsive at times and do things without thinking, and I can't see there being anything wrong with fountain dancing when it's hot and you need to cool off :).

Thinking of which, might be time to find a fountain!

Black Sunday

Life has a cruel way of changing in a moment. I had planned to blog today about my Sunday luncheon with my family... for a change we decided to meet up at a location in the hills, rather than the beach. The last couple of days have been heaven, a perfect temperature, no humidity, sunshine, a top in the high 30's (80F's), although some gusty easterly winds. Yes we had a wonderful time, but ....

On the way home, a stop off at an orchard to buy some fresh stone fruit was planned. Driving in a westerly direction, through national forests, the horizon came into view and smoke covered in the distance. Arriving at the orchard shed, the owner was on the phone frantically talking to a family member. From the shed door a helicopter water bomber descended a neighbouring dam, sucking replacement water.

A fire fanned by the gusty winds was taking control. Evacuations. 35 houses already destroyed. 1o people and a firefighter injured. A close friend one of those evacuated with her family, dog and chickens.

Additional water bombing helicopters utilised, sucking water from the nearby Olympic rowing lake.

Extra fire resources being called in from country areas of Northam and Geraldton (about 480km away) being organised.

Unfortunately, the wind gusts are expected to be increase. As nightfall descends, the helicopter can't be used to get to the inaccessible areas.

It will be a long night for our firefighters and those families affected by the fire.

I need a man....

"You're too independent."

"Ok, if you really say so?"

"So have you been out on any dates recently?"

"Been too busy recently, plus dating can be really hard work you know, mum."
"Maybe we should try and find you a toyboy instead, now that could be fun." I smile cheekily back at her.

My mother's conversation echos back to me. She might be right, I think I do need a man.

Especially in those moments.... you know the ones.... when the sun starts rising, shadows are drifting around the bedroom .... slowly coming to your senses.... that lethargic, not quite wanting to get up yet, could stay here for a while feeling... a stirring, next to you...ummm, a movement....I have company... a small, cute field mouse scurried from my wardrobe, behind my door, pausing for a moment, checking that the coast is clear before darting down the hallway.

It had probably found its way in, seeking shelter after the torrential rain on the weekend. At least I now know where my soap had disappeared too. Yes, I think I need a man.