Of frights and laughter.

This morning, while drying my hair, my hairdryer exploded. There were sparks, smoke and flickering lights. My brain stopped. I dropped the dryer, jumped back, uttered the weirdest word - but I can't remember in what order. Maybe I did all three at once. 
The amazing thing is, though my mind when blank, I can remember two things.
1. The look on my face.
I happened to catch my reflection as it happened. Who knew my face could contort in such a way.
2. The word I said.
I invented a new word. Woashck. Actually, now I think about it, maybe it's three words compressed.
Anyway, the moment my brain started to work again, I collapsed into fits of giggles.
Yes I am one of those people who laughs in the face of terror.

Don't trip, fall, scream on a roller coaster, stumble, get a fright, hit your head etc in front of me because I will laugh. I care, truly I do, but I can't help laughing. I promise though that behind the laughter I'm genuinely concerned. I just can't help laughing. However, when it comes to the serious stuff I don't laugh - though I might chuckle afterwards.
Pretty sure it's genetic. My daughter does the same thing.

After the rain...

The recent summer rains have caused devastation all over the country, but where I live, the impact has been on the frog population.A few nights ago, I went outside to the car to retrieve my handbag, only to find the front of the house covered in dozens of frogs as big as my fingernail. The were on the sliding doors, the bricks, under the door mat. The joint was jumping!Driving home after a night with friends can be tricky, and it has nothing to do with alcohol. Our street was alive with frogs of all sizes. I crawled down the street, going under 5km, and think I avoided squishing any.
At night, the frogs' croaks drown out the crickets. There's nothing like lying in bed, listening to their chorus.
Frogs - they are amazing! The down side is - the snakes that eat them. So far, none of those. Fingers crossed!
I think this little guy on the wall  is a Southern Brown Tree Frog.

Sandro Botticelli and other discoveries.

In November, my family and I holidayed in Europe - Italy, France, Switzerland and England to be exact. As part of our travels we did the whole museum/art gallery thing, part of which was a visit to the Uffizi gallery Florence. Like other visitors before me, I marvelled at the art work, but was struck by one particular artist - Sandro Botticelli . I'd studied Botticelli's The Birth of Venus at school and university, and was familiar with that painting from the countless advertising campaigns it has been used in. I wanted to see Botticelli's work, but wasn't overly fussed,  There were other works I was desperate to see, after all, I knew The Birth of Venus, right?
Wrong!
Nothing prepared me for the sheer beauty of the original work. I moved from it to Allegory of Spring, again and again. I'd have stayed longer, but we had to move on.
Now I'm home, I can't help wondering why we let these priceless pieces of work be used for advertising. It seems to me such a demeaning use of such incredible skill.
 Just saying!

What the...

10.30 pm - snuggled under doona, house still, eyelids heavy. Daughter and friend staying over quiet - DVD quiet. All is well.
 Deaf-ear piercing scream.
Swearing.
Banging, thumping, thudding.
More screaming.
Roof collapse?
Homicidal, axe wielding maniac at the window?
Riotous laughter.
Huntsman!
'Want me to get it?'
Giggle giggle. Scream.
'I'm right Mum.'
Scream, thud, bump, slam, gasp, swear - repeat for 30 minutes.
Husband, who refused to be stereotypical and rush to the rescue, swears harder and louder, flings back the doona and storms to the room of fear.
House-shaking thud.
Hurrumphs back to bed. 'It's dead now.'
Calm descends once more - punctured by giggles.

Floods!

How heartbreaking are the images of devastation in newspapers and on TV at the moment. It's impossible not to be moved by the survivors' stories and the tales of loss.
At the same time, the stories of courage, generosity and survival are uplifting.
If you, like so many others, are keen to help financially, here's a new way you might be interested in -Authors for Queensland.
Authors have donated books, artwork, school sessions, manuscript assessments, plus more all of which are being auction with all funds raised going to the Premiers Relief Appeal.
Check out the website and start bidding. There's something for everyone!
 http://authorsforqueensland.wordpress.com/

And, while we're on the topic, how amazing is Premier Anna Bligh?  Each day, her leadership and compassion shines!

Happy New Year!

The last few months have been amazing in so many ways.
We headed to Europe, which was incredible! Everywhere we went - Rome, Florence, Milan, Lucerne, Paris and London - were amazing, but if I had to pick a highlight, at gunpoint - Rome! The noise, people, humour, traffic, age, style - WOW! Probably has something to do with my Italian ancestry.
Learnt a few things overseas too!
1. Always cross roads in Romes with locals, or nuns. Nuns = best option.
2. Don't step on the grass at the Vatican.
3. Italians love noise. (That's my excuse for being loud!)
4. Smoking in Europe is very common.

5. Hawkers in Paris are very fast runners when pursued by police on bikes.
6. Escargots make sixteen-year-old dry retch.
7.In conflict between lift and tour guide - lift wins.
8. Motorbike riders in Malaysia are more dangerous than Roman traffic.
9. Haggling is not fun.

Vatican

10. I can't wait to go back!
Now to finish my work in progress!