My Quest to become a Christmas Goddess

OK folks it's now 47 days to Christmas and my dreams of becoming a Christmas Goddess are on their way.

My aim is to make this Christmas a bit more meaningful by personally making decorations, sweets, biscuits, presents and whatever else I can find. I have always been too busy to do too much other than decorate the house but it has always been a dream to put more creative thought into the festive season. I am a late developer when it comes to the Domestic Goddess role but, given we do not know what the future holds on the economic front, I think the time is right to get into this role sooner than later.

When I was a child my mother used to hand make most of our Christmas presents staying up late into the night. I still have the many dolls, clowns and bears she made. Of course my own daughter had very different Christmas experiences and very different expectations. When she was two she asked Santa Claus for a red racing car. On Christmas her little face was notably disappointed at the large toy car. She was expecting the real thing. She has since bought her own.

My mother is very accomplished in many ways and would make and decorate the most amazing Christmas cakes, sweets and puddings that you could imagine. Christmas in Australia is in the middle of summer so we tend to have BBQs and seafood rather than traditional Christmas fare (although it still happens). I have spent Christmas in the UK, Germany, the US and Canada and have experienced how wonderful White Christmases are also. Regardless of the weather, or what part of the world you spend it, it's a wonderful time to reflect on the season's true meaning and spend time with our families.

I must say that I am totally inspired by all the creative bloggers out there who just do the most amazing crafts and decorate their homes into Christmas wonderlands. I am going to start small but over the next few weeks please join me on my latest project and my quest to be a Christmas Goddess. And of course, if you have any favourite things you make, or traditions you follow, please let me know. I could do with all the help I can get.

PROJECT 1: CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

I actually made crackers last year as we had a large family celebration and I wanted something special to give to each person. Store bought crackers or bonbons are a waste of money really. They are expensive and all you get is a party hat, a joke that usually isn't funny and perhaps a small trinket which most people throw away.

Making the crackers yourself enables you to personalise the contents for each person. It is so much fun! And great for the children to get involved in too!

You'll need

Fillers for the crackers, cellophane bag, cardboard, Christmas paper, glue or tape, bonbon snaps (the pop!), ribbon

The Fillers

You can put whatever you want in the crackers. I personalise them for each person and use small gifts for females such as makeup and perfume samples, jewellery, bath sachets, chocolates, miniature size bottle of Baileys (or a beverage they prefer), lottery ticket, pretty handkerchief, small painting I have done, photo, movie tickets, quotations, etc etc. For males I use miniature bottles of alcohol, golf balls, candy, lottery tickets, puzzles, vouchers, etc.

Finding the items for each person is the fun bit. You can make them then as cheap as you want or as expensive as you want. You can also make your cracker as your main gift to others if you wish. And of course don't forget to add handmade hats and find some appropriate jokes too.

Assembling your crackers

1. I put the contents into a cellophane bag first to keep them secure and to enable them to be packed more easily into the cardboard roll.

2. Cut cardboard and make a roll which covers the packet of contents snugly. Tape the roll so it is secure.

3. Put the cellophane packet into the roll of cardboard.

4. Cut some Christmas paper out so that it is twice as long as the cardboard roll and wide enough to roll them completely with some left over.

5. Place the cardboard roll in the middle of the paper with a good length of paper on either side. If you are using the bonbon snaps (available at craft stores) and are a must I think, tape one to the outside of the cardboard roll. Make sure that the middle of the banger is in the middle of the cardboard, so a bit pokes out at either end.

6. Roll up the whole lot carefully in the Christmas paper and tape down the end.

7. Tie ribbon on either side of the cracker being careful not to rip the paper.

8. Decorate the outside of the cracker in any way you want. It's a tradition in my extended family that the youngest children always hand out the presents and the crackers. Therefore, I usually put photos of who the crackers are for on the outside to make it easier for the small ones who do not know how to read. You can use Christmas themed name tags.

Here is an example of a finished Christmas Cracker I made today for my daughter Jordan. I like to make them in white, gold, silver or sometimes red and use complementary ribbons. Try them because they are so much fun and everyone loves them, because they are personalised and they have wonderful treasures inside.

True Love

An Australian by the name of John Rendall is about to release a new book (his first was published in 1972) about the time he and his friend Ace Bourke shared their lives with a lion called Christian.

John and Ace bought the lion cub from Harrods Department store in London in 1969 (in the days it sold exotic animals....and obviously before the animal rights movement was born). Christian's parents belonged to a zoo in England. While living with John and Ace he travelled by Bentley, ate in fine London restaurants and spent his days lounging in a furniture shop.

Christian was beautifully behaved but he grew from 35lbs to 185 lbs within a year. He was fast becoming a problem which was growing every day. It was clear he could not stay with his owners forever.

His future was decided by a chance encounter - when the actors Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna (remember they starred in Born Free?) walked into the shop to buy a pine desk. They immediately suggested that George Adamson, the African conservationist might be able to help. John and Ace took Christian to Africa in 1970 even though George had warned them that Christian may not be able to be rehabilitated back into the wild because of his lavish urban lifestyle.

John Rendall and Ace Bourke continued to make sporadic visits to Kenya, but mostly they followed Christian's adventures from afar. Finally, in 1974, George Adamson wrote to say that Christian's pride was self-sufficient. Christian was defending it. There was a litter of cubs. They were feeding themselves and they rarely returned to camp.

John and Ace decided to travel to Africa one last time, in the hope of being able to say goodbye, although Adamson warned them that it would almost certainly be a wasted mission.

Christian hadn't been near the camp for nine moths and George didn't know if he was alive or dead. John and Ace decided to make the trip anyway. Strangely, Christian turned up at the camp the night before they were due to arrive. That visit was to be their last and Christian has never been seen again.

The following is a video of John and Ace's reunion with Christian a year after they left him with George in Africa.



If you would like to read a 2007 press story about Christian click here or if you would like to see a recent interview (1.8.08) with John and Ace click here and here . A truly heartwarming story.

Not Happy Google

I wasn't ready for my close up!!

My daughter rang me this morning.

The phone call went like this.

"Hi Mum, I think I have ESP. Who is that guy standing in your front garden?"

"What are you talking about?" I said. "What guy? Are you taking something you shouldn't be? Are you sleeping enough? Working too hard? What is going on?"

"No, I'm serious", she said, "I really want you to go and look outside in the front garden and see if someone is there".

So up I get, open the front door and look in the garden as directed (and don't ask the obvious question about why I do exactly what my daughter says, particularly when she lives on the other side of the country. It's just the way of the world and its too late to argue about it now...).

"No", I finally tell her. "I cannot see a man in the garden. Why are you asking me that?"

"No worries Mum, I'll send you a link which will explain all. Love you. Bye."

Just another one of those cryptic 2 minute phone conversations I sometimes have with my daughter (which mostly feature in my Message from your Mother posts).

Several minutes later, I get an email from her.

With just a link.

I click on it.

There is a picture of my home, with a truck parked out the front, cars in the driveway and what's that? There is a man standing in the front garden.

Welcome to the world of Big Google, private eye....

From yesterday, Australians can go beyond having a bird's eye view of their neighbourhood through the Google Earth service and zoom in to street level for a 360-degree view. It is not real time...yet!

The service, Google Street View Australia, is the result of a massive six-month photographic project covering hundreds of thousands of kilometres of roads.

Here is a link so you can see what I mean if you haven't already used this facility (not a link to my home or anyone else's - if you happen to know any addresses in Australia have a look or just key in Bondi Beach or the Opera House).

The scope of this service surpasses Google's efforts in France, where you can take virtual strolls along the Tour de France cycling route and in the US where it has mapped about 50 cities.

Many of the original photographs that were part of the US Street View launch were taken down following privacy concerns. They include a woman in a G-string, a man striding into an adult bookshop and a man relieving himself on a pavement.

Since then, Google has supposedly developed technology to blur faces and number plates in the Street View photos, although it acknowledges the automated process is not foolproof. Privacy conscious users who notice any potentially invasive images on Street View can report them to Google using an online form.

So let's see how good the technology is in disguising people.

Here is a partial picture of the house as seen on Google street view. Note the man in the front garden on the right.

OK, so you may find it hard to see him clearly. Well we can zoom closer ....much closer....now there, you can probably see him clearly now.... no, your eyes are not playing tricks...

now, if we zoom in closer to the veranda you will see this...err, um, very unattractive sight, not sure who that could be.......yes, it looks like a deer in the headlights it seems.

and then if we zoom to the left, we will see the next door neighbour Barry in his front yard doing goodness knows what... looks suspiciously like he is posing for the Google camera as he's out collecting his newspaper...oh for goodness sakes Barry..

I am too disturbed to do any more prying up and down the street - behind closed doors while sitting at the computer. I fear for what else I might see. But you can bet millions of Aussies are doing just that - looking up every address that they know around the country. I find it just a little bit creepy...and wrong.

And while it may be true that if George Clooney was really in my garden I may not be necessarily asking Google to take down those pictures, in all seriousness I think this new Google-aid is going to cause all sorts of privacy issues.

What do you think? Are you an American whose city already has Google street view?

Favourite things

1/9/2008 - I have been looking for what seems like months for a new makeup bag to put in my handbag - today I found this Longchamp leather bag for half price. How could I resist? It's a classic and will hold my personal makeup bits and pieces that I always carry with me. It took me ages to find because I only ever do plain colours such as black or red and I prefer leather because it will last for years. And what will I put in the bag? Let's see my basics are Dior mascara, Estee Lauder concealer, Chanel blush, Dior eyeliner, eye drops, eyebrow brush, tweezers, YSL touche eclat highlighter and Dior lipliner and lip gloss. Of course my professional makeup kit I use on others looks like the size of half a wardrobe but that's a whole different story.

30/8/2008 - I found this gorgeous bottle of LIMONCELLO today and it took me right back to happy times in southern Italy. I love it chilled and poured over a bed of crushed ice, or as an aperitif mixed with champagne, tonic or soda. It's also an excellent ingredient in ice cream, pancakes, sorbet and fruit salads. Try it. It's totally free from preservatives, additives or colourants.

Thanks to the gorgeous Henry - Soul Merlin - here is a link with more information about this alcoholic tipple.

Not only do I have to mind my Ps & Qs

but now I have to watch my Ls & Us

It's not what you write it's the way that you spell it and so begins this post.

I had an email from a lovely reader who politely pointed out that some of my spelling was a bit odd and perhaps I should use a spell checker.

Mmmm, anything's possible.

Detail is not my strongest point unless I happen to be applying eyeliner.

It's also well known that the older we get the worse our spelling becomes because we just do not see the error of our ways..... BUT.... I was a five year old who could spell h-i-p-p-o-p-o-t-a-m-u-s for goodness sakes, how could I have lost my way?

Yet, on the other hand, I have to admit that I have always struggled with words like separate, gauge, occasion, definite, and Honorificabilitudinitatibus ( I just threw that last one in so you, too, could learn a new word).

So I am pleased that the concerned reader happened to give me a sample of my errors.

Let's see (my spelling is in red, the corrections in blue)

colour, color, favourite favorite center centre judgment judgement check cheque license licence jewelry jewellery pajamas pyjamas traveling travelling fulfil fulfill fulfilling fulfiling fulfilment fulfillment

Well, it’s obvious isn’t it? I am using the British English spelling system and my reader is using the American English system.

So, I checked with my trustworthy fountain of knowledge. My Mother. Yes, she is the woman who used to correct my letters to her and mark them out of 10 (it is fortunate that she doesn’t know the address of this blog because I'm not so sure she would approve of what I do to the English language....and I would be forced to delete her many comments).

The Literary Oracle (yes, I guess she has an odd name) told me that the English language has never been standardised. She said that the differences only became noticeable when dictionaries were published. Many of the American English spellings were introduced by Noah Webster (Webster's dictionary). The English followed Samuel Johnson. Australians follow the British spelling system because we are part of the British Commonwealth. Hence the differences.

So we sometimes have two 'l's' in English and one in American... But, other times, we have one in English and two in American. Got it? Easy isn't it…! All of which goes to show what a pointless exercise it's becoming to try and get it 'right'!

However, I guess because of the amount of American-produced software, incorporating American English spell-checkers, it is becoming almost the norm to spell in American English. Microsoft has played no small part in this. Their software, even when sold in the UK, features spell-checkers which seem to have a habit of reverting their default to American even when set to what they call “English (UK)".

So to avoid further upsetting my readers’ spelling sensitivities, I am considering writing my posts in Aussie slang. This language will never be found in the English and American dictionaries (well outside of Oz anyway).

So, here is my tongue in cheek reply to the gorgeous reader who alerted me to this spelling conundrum. And of course for full effect you must read this in your best Steve Irwin voice. And to my very sophisticated mother, if you do ever come across my blog, it's at this point you should shut your eyes and save yourself the 'cultural cringe.....' because you won't be happy.

G’day Mate

What a bonza bloke you are for pointing out my bodgy spelling! No need to spit the dummy though. Not worth a blue hey? Strewth, I just got your email this arvo and being a bit of a dill, I was kind of stumped as to what you were getting at. I rang my mum on the blower in Brizzie to get the good oil.

“Listen luv, you’re such a dag”, she said, “you’re an ace speller ok? Fair dinkum, everyone knows the drill right? I will say two words to you Lilly, Webster and Johnson. There’s your answer. We Ozzies follow the Queen’s English because we are still hanging on to the royal coat tails. And it’s the way of the world that everyone wants to stamp their own take on anything that moves, so of course the English language is a target. It’s getting to the point that no-one can tell what’s right or wrong. Plus, there’s a whole list of words used by the Pommies that are never used by the Yanks and vice verse. Then, there’s a whole lot more words which are the same but have deadset different meanings in different countries. Throw in different accents, pronunciations, slang and stutters and it’s a good thing we can communicate at all."

I reckon you need to chill out, pour yourself a cab sav or grab a cold one and RELAX!! Go on, give it a burl, too many of us are flat out like lizards drinking to get too hung up on stuff we can’t change.

Hooroo,

Lilly (oh and by the way that’s Lilly with two ls not one l)

Yes, I am sure you will agree, deviations in spelling are far more palatable than Aussie slang.....

What is your take on the American/British spelling systems or what misspelt words drive you crazy?

PAST LIVES - PART 11

Past Lives is a collaborative writing project involving bloggers from around the world. PART 1 of the story starts with a fictional Australian character named David. In an effort to understand and overcome his fears David undergoes Past Life Regression (PLR) therapy with the renowned Dr Harlowe. During each session a different blogger takes you back to reconnect David with one of his previous lives (links to these stories are on the left sidebar). Today David is seeing Dr Harlowe for a review session. After revealing nine past lives will there finally be enough clues to unlock David's present pain or will he have to reveal more past lives to find the missing pieces?
__________________________________________________
"Ha-a! Sús-ki! Ó-ma-ta Há-wi-mo-o! Ó-ma-ta, Ó-ma-ta Há-wi-mo!"screamed David, repeating the loud, terrifying war cry of the Indian who had cut open his chest and ripped out his heart from his past life in Colorado in the 1830s.

Dr Harlowe sat in the dim light grimacing as he reviewed the tape from David Taylor's last session. No matter how many tapes Gregory Harlowe had seen, he still found it uncomfortable watching the pain and terror etched on his patients' faces as they described their deaths in previous lives.

David was definitely one of his more complex cases. While he presented with a straightforward phobia, his vivid past life memories would suggest that he has some deep-seated fears and traumas yet to be revealed. Dr Harlowe had now examined all the session tapes and had noted particular scenarios which may assist in resolving David's issues.

Dr Harlowe was well aware from his own experience, the toll that this therapy can have on patients. He had also connected with many of his own past lives over the years.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock and his assistant, Petra, opened the door and said, “Dr Harlowe, David Taylor is here."

“Send him in”, said the doctor as he switched off the tape.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise when he saw his patient's appearance. David's hair was unruly, his face showed a lack of sleep and the dark shadows under his eyes told a story of their own. David also seemed to be limping again.

"Hello David, he said, "I'm glad to see you. How are you feeling?"

David sat down heavily on the lounge and muttered, "Fine thanks", before taking a sip of water. He then spluttered, "Truth is Doc, the...the last session we had really rattled my cage and I've had nightmares all week. I only came here to get my claustrophobia cured, and now I've found out I've had more lives that the longest running character on Days of Our Lives. I've not only seen them playing like a movie in my mind, but I feel like I've been reliving them over and over for weeks now. I've got enough problems in this life, without a whole heap more! I'm not sure how many more blood curdling deaths I can take".

Dr Harlowe chose his words carefully. "I understand, David. Your last session was particularly traumatic and I think it's a sign that we are finally getting close to unravelling the puzzle. Unfortunately the journey is often a painful one and there's no easy way to dodge the bullets. At some point during the process most people feel the same way you do, so try not to let it overwhelm you. You just have to keep reminding yourself that the problems you have today are invariably caused by, and therefore have the potential to be healed by, those problems from your past lives.

David nodded and Dr Harlowe continued, "The other critical thing to remember is that not all the past lives you have connected with may necessarily be your own past lives. There is a possibility that the scenes you recalled may be from old movies you have seen and forgotten about or even books you have read, not to mention your own imagination. Some of your past life memories may not even exist at all".

"So, let's just take a quick look at some of the key scenarios you have remembered to date. We can see if there any similarities between your past lives and then look at them in the context of your current life. Is that alright with you David?"

David sighed, "OK Doc, given I've come this far I guess I should see it through."

"David", interrupted Dr Harlowe, "I can see some definite synergies between your past lives. Do you notice anything?"

"Yes, yes, I see what you mean, it's really incredible", said David as he intently watched the images flash before him.

"Look here and then there and then at this one", said the doctor as he pointed to various images on the screen. "Everything that happens to us somehow, somewhere, sometime, makes sense. If it does not make sense in the context of this current lifetime, then it always makes sense in the context of one of more past lives. We always carry our unfinished business, unlearned lessons and unresolved thoughts with us from life to life.

David, I have a few questions about your current life that I would like to explore further. Tell me, what was your life like when you were a small child?"

"Well", said David, "I was born near Ayers Rock. My father, Harry, was an Aboriginal ranger and my mother, Clara, came from Norway to work as a governess on a cattle station. I was an only child. In some ways I felt like I didn't belong. I have coloured skin and blue eyes. My mother taught me at home. I felt different from the aboriginal children I played with but I was very happy from what I can remember."

"So how do you feel about animals?" said the Doctor.

"I've always loved animals. I think I have an affinity with them, sometimes moreso than with people. When I was a child my father would take me on his trips in the National Park. There were crocodiles, camels, snakes. You name it, I saw it. Julia my sheep dog was my best friend. When I was 12 my parents sent me to boarding school in Sydney which was something every kid from the outback has to do. During the first two weeks I was gone, Julia ate some rat poison. My father found her drowned in the Bay of Goat as she went searching for water. It was like losing my best friend and I felt guilty that I hadn't been there to save her. I never had another pet after that."

"So can you tell me when you first became aware that you were uncomfortable in enclosed spaces?"

"I was always scared of small spaces and my first memory of this is when I got lost in a cave when I was only a kid. Then I moved to boarding school and our rooms were tiny and cramped. I hated them. My fear just seemed to get worse over time. When I left school I joined the Navy because I've always been drawn to water which was kind of strange for a boy from the desert. I volunteered to work on submarines because I thought it might finally cure me of my phobia. But that didn't really work either."

"What about your health, how is that?"

"Well, I've always suffered on and off from pains in my legs and arms. Sometimes, if I get stressed I limp. The pain doesn't stop me working as its only bad at night. I don't sleep well and I have recurring nightmares, mainly about water. They say what you love the most is also what can cause you the most fear. So I guess it's true in my case. I've gone through loads of medical tests over the years but they have never been able to diagnose what's wrong. I think my last specialist thought I was 'nuts' - which I am kind of wondering about myself after all this.

Doctor Harlowe smiled and said, "David, you told me in your first session that you were single and divorced. Can you tell me some more about why your marriage ended?"

"Well, when I was 21, I was on duty in the Pacific and I met a beautiful girl called Tasha. Here look Doc, see this heart shaped tattoo on my left shoulder? I got that done the day after I met her. We got married within 3 weeks of meeting. We moved back to Sydney and within a year we had a baby....Simon. I had everything I ever wanted. ... yet ....I could never shake the depression, the pain in my limbs or the terrifying nightmares. It affected my life and my family. My wife left me when Simon was 2 and she took him to Ireland of all places. Since my marriage broke up I just have never been able to find the right girl. Maybe it's just not meant to be."

"David, thanks for that, it all helps", said the Doctor. "I am feeling very positive, very positive indeed. I believe we are close to finding the answers we need to overcome your phobias, explain your health problems and allow you to live whole again. However, while you may need a few more regression sessions, I also think it's important for you have a break. It's been harrowing and it will do you a measure of good just to relax and catch up on your sleep".

David nodded in agreement, still overwhelmed by what he had just witnessed. His mind was overflowing with thoughts about how his past lives and current life collide. Finally, after all these weeks, he could see how the therapy may indeed be able to throw some light on his current problems. However, while he was relieved, he was still a little nervous about where the next stage of the treatment would take him.

Dr Harlowe continued, "When we resume our sessions, I would like to take you back to the First Century AD if we can. The signs are all there David and all we need to do is find the missing piece or pieces which will solve the puzzle once and for all. I am extremely confident we can do that David. Extremely confident."

___________________________________________
David is going to take a break from his PLR therapy for about 10 days to enable him to rest, get a haircut and more than likely finish the rest of his rum supply. Who knows what's in store for him. David's journey will continue with his 12th session scheduled for the 12th August at Soul Merlin's Flowers and Scorpions in England, United Kingdom. Something tells me David has seen NOTHING yet.....

If you would like to contribute to the story and join in David's journey, look for the clues and please email Lilly lillyslife@gmail.com or Vikki redchair@cox.net

Drawings - in the spirit of creative fun and having 'a go' which is what this project is encouraging us all to do, I thought I would draw and yes Tulip, I know Dr Harlowe has big hands but he also apparently has .....a big brain...too much fun!!

Lilly's Bits

1. The girl has still got it going on.

Sixty year old singer/songwriter Stevie Nicks sounds and looks better than ever (see video of PBS Soundstage July 2008). I can never get too much of the mystical chanteuse. Fleetwood Mac is set to do a world tour in 2009!! Talent just keeps on going.....on and on.

If you had to name one all time favourite singer, songwriter, musician or band who would it be?

2. What's in a name?

Well a lot according to a poor little 9 year old girl in New Zealand who sought refuge in the courts to change her embarrassing name. Her given legal name is: Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii. She hates it so much she has not only told her friends to call her simply K, but has sought help from a sympathetic judge. She has been made a ward of the court by family court Judge Rob Murfitt. He blasted parents for saddling children with embarrassing names, telling the New Zealand Press Association, "It makes a fool of the child and sets her up with a social disability and handicap."

Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii isn't the only name that has caught the judge's ire. He cited other New Zealand parents who have used these names:Twins named Benson and Hedges (after a brand of cigarettes),Violence and No. 16 Bus Shelter.

Hollywood is rife with stars who were born with different names--some of which are wildly different than the name with which their parents blessed them at birth. Here is a list of some of them. The singer or actor's real name is in parenthesis following the name by which you know them.

Lauren Bacall (Betty Joan Perske), Briggitte Bardot (Camille Javal), Yul Brynner (Taidje Khan), Joan Crawford (Lucille Le Sueur), Whoopi Goldberg (Caryn Elaine Johnson), Macy Gray (Natalie Renee McIntyre),Courtney Love (Love Michelle Harrison), Gene Simmons (Chaim Witz), Bob Dylan (Robert Zimmerman), Elton John (Reginald Kenneth Dwight), Demi Moore (Demetria Gene Guynes),Franco Zeffirelli (Gianfranco Corsi), Desi Arnaz (Desiderio Albert Arnaz y De Acha III), Meg Ryan (Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra) Kiefer Sutherland (William Frederick Dempsey George Sutherland), Stevie Wonder (Steveland Hardaway Judkins), Larry King (Larry Zeigler), Michael Landon (Eugene Orowitz), Dean Martin (Dino Crocetti), Ricky Martin (Enrique Jose Martin Morales),Walter Matthau (Walter Matuschanskayasky).

Do you know anyone who had to change their name or have you changed yours?

3. There can be too much of a good thing, so it seems.

Apparently people who use the internet for as little as five hours a week are less likely to talk to or visit their family and friends and are in danger of shutting themselves off from society, according to new research. Researchers from the Stanford Institute for the Quantitative Study of Society in America have found that technology is having a damaging social impact even when people use it in modest amounts. Those who spent 5-10 hours a week online reported a 25 per cent fall in social activity - spending less time talking on the phone or face to face.

I think this is definitely true and is a bit of an issue for bloggers. What do you think? Has blogging affected your social life?

Back to the Future

h
Having focused on Past Lives this week I have to say I have been in total awe of the wonderful creative bloggers who have contributed to the project. What gifted storytellers they are and I encourage everyone to spread the word so we can gain input from writers all over the world. A big thanks to the talented Vikki North from The Red Chair Gallery for collaborating with me to get this moving. We really look forward to keeping this project going for a while longer. Poor David, he may have more problems than he first anticipated....and it seems as though he will be in therapy for the long term.

Anyway, its back to planning my future life (mmm come to think of it, the next series may be Future Lives....).

I am planning a holiday in November for a significant birthday (yes I am turning 21 and my daughter who is 3 came up with the plan - yes, she is truly gifted...ok, I lie, she's really in her 20s but I had her when I was 8....). But any birthday over 40 is significant isn't it? Because it's just one more step towards ....well you know where.. I just hope 'my ending' is not as dramatic as some of our characters in the Past Lives series...

I have travelled widely but strangely I have never spent much time in Asia even though it is so close to Australia. I spent a few days in Singapore a couple of years ago which was very important to me because I got to see where my grandfather was a prison of war (Changi) for five long years. Plus, I got to do some fantastic shopping. Well, more than some actually. It was a whole lot more.

So, in looking at the options I checked out the top five holiday destinations declared by some World Tourism body for 2008. Normally I like to go off the beaten track for holidays but this time, given the timeframe, we'll play it safe. Bangkok is apparently the No 1 destination at the moment, followed by Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Sydney and Florence.

Sydney is not an option (for obvious reasons) and Beunos Aires, Cape Town and Florence are too far away for a 10 day trip. Although I truly yearn to return to Italy again, I would prefer to spend months there, not days.

So, it it is either going to be Thailand, Malaysia or possibly Bhutan. Bhutan is one of the most remote and little visited countries in the world. The interesting aspect to this country is that the King of Bhutan is more interested in the Gross National Happiness than in the GNP.

It will be hot and humid wherever we go at this time of year but look how close these destinations are (well around 8-10 hour plane trips which is close when you live down under).

And it looks pretty beautiful too. These are pictures courtesy of a friend who goes to Thailand at least once a year.



Has anyone been to Thailand, Malaysia or Bhutan and what did you think? Any advice or tips you can share?

Past Lives - Part 3

h
Past Lives is a collaborative writing project for bloggers. The story starts with a fictional Australian character called David who goes through Past Life Regression (PLR) therapy to try and resolve his phobias. Join us as we follow David’s past life journey through different times and continents via clever and creative stories written by people across the world. Who knows if it will ever end?

For new readers, please read Part 1 and Part 2 of David's journey (please note that you will be travelling to different blogs throughout the series. If you would like to contribute and join in the fun, please email lillyslife@gmail.com ) .
______________________________________________________
"I scream! I scream! I scream! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

As Sassy passed from her short life of untold suffering, she already knew that she had much to learn before she would be allowed to ascend. And with that she knew that she could be dropped back into the swirling spiral. At any time. At any place.
______________________________________________________
David began his second PLR session feeling relaxed and positive. This time round he quickly succumbed to hypnosis with all thoughts of Sassy gone.

Dr Harlowe asked him, "Where are you right now, can you describe it for me. Just tell me your first impression. If things are vague, move over for a closer look."

David moved slightly in his chair and his voice visibly changed. He spoke in a softer, higher pitched tone and he smiled.

"I am sitting in a sauna in a bath house and am about to have a massage and a perfumed body wrap. There are many other women nearby in the sauna and cold pool and there is much laughter and chatting. I look forward to coming here every day."

Dr Harlowe quietly said, “What is your name and can you describe yourself and your life? If you haven’t yet noticed anyone else there, look around for other people.”

"My name is Julia. I am 20 and 4 and half feet tall. I am wearing a long white gown and beautiful gold jewellery with precious stones. I am married to Notholo. He is a 5 ft and 38 years old. He owns the town’s largest brothel and many bars. I despise him for his cruelty. He is as older than my father and I secretly hope he dies soon as most men here never live much past 40.

I live in a town full of Greeks, Etruscans and Africans. Half of the 20,000 people in the town are children and about 12,000 people are slaves.

I am proud of my family's success as my father, Cauis Polybus, is a descendant of a slave, and is now a successful and prominent merchant. My husband and I live with my father and mother Flavia, in a beautiful villa which takes up the entire block. Our home has an elegant courtyard garden with many frescoes of plants and flowers. My father is the envy of all his peers because he has the biggest collection of erotic art in the whole town and beyond.

We live by the sun and wake early. By 5.30am my mother and I and our slaves are in the kitchen preparing honey doughnuts and our favorite dish, garum, a sauce made with marinated fish. By 6.30am everyone is at work. Shops are open, markets are ready and farmers are in the fields.

Around 8.00am each day I go out in the crowded streets and on to the markets to look at the latest wares the merchants have bought. I stop to talk with others. My husband attends to his businesses and spends a great deal of his time at his brothel which is a haven for visiting sailors and the wealthy. I try to avoid this area and do not want to know my husband’s business or who is coming or going. I sometimes see his slave girls, mainly beautiful Greeks, in the baths.

Often in the middle of the day rich noblemen offer the town an exhibition of gladiators and so we go to the amphitheatre. We have a gladiator school here and we hold our courageous gladiators in high regard. I have become very close to one gladiator called Thrax who is favoured by all the girls and is now my lover. He is African. Tall with black silky skin. He noticed me in the marketplace and started to follow me everywhere. Thrax no longer fights and is now a trainer in the gladiatorial school and sometimes is a guard for my father and other wealthy noblemen.

In the early afternoon I usually go to the thermal baths. My favourite time of day. A short time before sunset, I sit down with my parents to have a dinner of olives, eggs, fish, meat and cakes. We go to bed early when darkness comes”.

“Can you tell me about your last day in this life”, Dr Harlow gently presses.

David becomes troubled and his voice rises and he appears extremely upset and his breathing becomes laboured.

“It’s August 24, 79 AD”, he says hurriedly. “Vesuvius has been rumbling for three days now but today it seems angrier. The earth is shaking lightly beneath my feet. I am going to meet Thrax in his tiny cell in the basement of the Gladiator school. No-one around me seems to care as we are used to earthquakes as they happen often. But I notice the animals are restless, especially the goats in the marketplace. It’s as if they sense something and are trying to warn us.

I am glad to be finally safe in Thrax’s arms. I am now with child but I have not told anyone yet. Around noon a frightening roar makes us jump up and go to the window. The cell only has one tiny window. It is unclear what is happening.

Thrax said, “please don’t worry because everyone knows that Vesuvius is an extinct volcano. I will always protect you”.

"But now I can hear people crying in terror as they rush into the streets. I can hear the shrieks of women, the wailing of infants, and the shouting of men …I am standing on my toes trying to peek out the window but it’s completely black outside. It’s like the whole town is out on the cobbled streets, running. Running away from ..... "

David starts to become anxious and begins to sob uncontrollably.

Through muffled sobs he says,“We are trying to get out of the cell door but part of the building must have collapsed and blocked our way. Thrax uses his strength to try and force the door ajar but it will not open. Then I hear the sound of thunder. It’s the most horrible noise I have ever heard. It sounds as if the earth is splitting in two. I am suddenly conscious of this tiny space and I curl my body into a ball and rock back and forth, crying for my family. I know that I am being punished for my sins and I will never see my family again.

I scream out, "Oh poena. EGO sum sic vix terminus of orbis terrarum est near. Filiolus have fugitivus nos!! "

Thrax holds me tight for what seems like an eternity and I pray. I pray that the Gods have not deserted us. In the darkness, we can hear groans and shrieks of the terrified, noises from the mountain and the sound of roofs collapsing. I fear that the world is ending and that Pompeii and everyone in it is lost forever.

Strong winds howl down the streets, bringing sharp streams of ash, poisonous vapors and an unbearable heat.

Suddenly, I can hear a blood curdling scream and it takes me some time to realise it is coming from my own mouth. Panic takes over. I can’t breathe. I am trapped. I feel like life is being sucked from me. Our safe haven has become a choking prison of hell.

Then.......complete blackness and a deathly silence....is all that remains..."



Given the important headway David is making, his next PLR Session is scheduled for tomorrow. You’ll be travelling to Plainfield, Illinois to read the next stage of David’s journey in Past Lives - Part 4.

Past Lives - Part 1

how

I would bet money that at some time or other we have all had the feeling of déjà vu.

You know, that feeling that we've been somewhere before or we've already been someone in an another life or that we've done something before, even if we are doing that 'something' for the first time.

Destiny or fate seems to pull us in different directions throughout our lives, so who is to say that the energy that impacts our life isn't rooted in an existence from another time and place?

The subject of reincarnation has fascinated me, since I discovered what it was all about. Imagine if you had lived various lives, over the span of many years........

I often imagined the lives I may have led and have been keen to take a past life regression journey to find out the details. Past-life regression (also referred to as PLR), according to Uncommonforum.com is when a person, under hypnosis, can journey back to previous lives.

Maybe some of you have already made this journey.

Maybe some of you are game enough to experience someone else's journey.

Why don't you join the extremely talented Vikki (Redchair Gallery) and I in a meme which will follow the RPL journey of a fictional character called David. David's past life stories will be told by different bloggers in different countries over different life times.

Here is the start of David's story.

My name is David Taylor. I am a single, 35 year old who lives in Sydney, Australia. Since early childhood I've had a tendency to panic whenever my arms and legs are confined or I've had to squeeze into a tight place. I have no idea why this is so. This claustrophobic reaction has made me feel introverted and has affected my life. I joined the Navy when I left school and to help overcome my fears I volunteered for submarine duty. I made some progress with my phobia but it was not enough to solve my problem which seems to be getting worse. I had to transfer to desk duties. A job I detest.

I had heard from many people that phobias often originate in past lives, from some unresolved but forgotten trauma. A friend of mine suggested that I should go back in time, using Past Life Regression, and uncover the original cause of my fears.

While I was on the fence between being skeptical and being a believer, I was open minded enough to explore the possibilities. In fact, I was ready to try anything. However, until I had regression under hypnosis, and experienced these memories first hand, only then, did I believe 100% in the existence of past lives.

I researched the subject extensively and finally went to see the renowned Dr Maurice Harlowe, an international authority in PLR techniques. Through a deep state of hypnosis I was regressed back to childhood, then beyond, and I described what were presumed to be my memories of past lives. Many past lives.

The doctor conducted the sessions with a video running because I wanted to know exactly what I remembered while under hypnosis. I have never been more horrified yet fascinated at the same time.

In my first session I found myself hovering over a disturbing scene. I realised with horror the person involved was me. With morbid attachment I watched my final days in......for the next part of David's story please go to California and visit the Red Chair Gallery.

Note to Readers: David's PLR story is purely fictional. If there are any bloggers in any part of the world who would like to participate in David's story by writing about a 'past life' in a time, place and country you are familiar with, please contact Vikki at redchair@cox.net or Lilly at lillyslife@gmail.com