Sunday Stealing.... On A Sunday...

Let's go!!  An Oldie but a Goldie from the Archives.....  I'm oh so impressed with myself when I manage to Sunday Steal on a Sunday.



1) Candle scents this month:    November Rain.  Yes, November Rain....  I was attracted to the colour; but boy it does smell nice.  Yankee Candles do such lovely smells - but they do do some stinky smells too   "mmmm bacon".  WTH?


2) What I read this month:   I am currently reading Dead Broken, by Gerard Gray, a Psychological thriller.  It came recommended by my mate K, to be found here..... however... She also recommended a perverted Sex / S&M / anal thing.... Which made me immediately throw my phone away from me! Yeuk.


3) Top three songs I was drawn to:   How to Save a Life... The Fray.....   Big Bad Leroy Brown..Frank Sinatra...  And Happy  by Pharrell Williams.   When I hear Save a Life,

I think good things will happen.  It's happened before, and I strongly believe it will always happen.  I used to tap dance.... Big Bad Leroy Brown was the first routine I learned and I can still do it all in my head.....  Happy.... Just makes me happy, PLUS Pharrell is a tad pretty to look at. 


4) Movies I saw:   I can't remember....   I have a very short term memory for Films I watch unless they were something spectacular.   Hmmm... Oh  Oh   I remember one  - After Earth.  Will Smith and his wee boy.   It was very hmmm. .. didn't have any massive impact on me. 



5) Favorite tv moments of the month:  The return of my favourite programmes.... Grimm, Elementary... Walking Dead 


6) Something yummy I made:   Beef Stroganoff   I did. It was lush... I don't typically cook, because my husband was a chef in an earlier life. 


7) Restaurants where I ate:  Hmmm, I ate in the World Buffet with my Pal... and Prezzo.... The World Buffet was far superior and cheaper Prezzo was over rated and expensive. 


8) Five things I am loving this month:  My Husband, My Son, my Daughter, Me Mam, my life.


9) A goal I had for this month:  To get there :-) 


10) This month I looked forward to:   A month passing til it was nearly time for us to go to America 


11) Something I want to remember about this month:   I compromised with my boss, and agreed to taking on a junior; while lie is hectic right now - while she gets used to all the jobs... i can see it's going to have a beneficial effect on me. 


12) A photo I took this month:   http//:www.blipfoto.com/dogwithnobrain     I take a photo a day.  Over here....  I also do them for twitter #100happydays, I think I'm about 57 now. 

Dogwithnobrain goes GLOBAL

I have another Blog where I blog EVERY DAY. 

It's called "Dogwithnobrain".  on BLIP.

You are very welcome to pop over and have a wee look see. 

You're a Silly man

Fifteen Meme

from Liv Rants

What was your first job like? 

My first job was in a restaurant in town.  I was chief pot washer.   I was only… 12 maybe? Can’t quite remember, it was so, so very long ago.   I progressed to dish washer, which was a huge stepup from pot washer.  As Pot Washer, I had to scrape mahoosive, heavy steel pots in a huge, deep sink.  I was bent double from the waist to reach in.  I burnt my fingers, broke my nail, and I smelt like a kitchen.

Dish washer – I merely rinsed plates, and put them in a dish washer. This wasn’t without it’s problems too. I had to remove them from the dishwasher, which invariably involved burning my fingers as the dishes were steamed with uber high power steam. Oooo oooo ooooo hot.  I also made up starters – Prawns in Avocado. Prawns Wrapped in Smoked Salmon, Soups, whitebait, melba toast and pate. – Wow I so remember all of these. Mostly because for every one I made I ate one too J

It’s a typical Sunday, how are you spending it?    Sleeping til Lunchtime. Lazy breakfast / lunch … watch of the tv.  Wee bimble out in the town, buy a wee sweet thing for after dinner.  Prepare dinner.  Eat leisurely dinner. Sleep.

What was the happiest day of your life?   Oh my. I’ve had so many of them, I couldn’t pick one.  The day I met Si, the day I realised I loved him (Probably about 2 days after we met), the day we got engaged, the day we got married, the day we had Boy, the day we had Tooli, the day we sold our horrific house in the village of the damned, the day an evil cloud hanging over us disappeared.

What was the best decision you ever made?  To dedicate my life to my kids while they were growing up – whatever they needed, I would do my best to achieve for them.

Tell your go to game when you were a child, tell your alter ego.   I lived in a house in the forest, and I caught rabbits, and chickens, to eat, and cooked wheat that I grew.  I think I was a cross between Heidi and Gretel.

What email service do you use?   Google.  Doesn’t everyone?

What fandoms would you consider yourself a part of?   I had to google Fandom.  I didn’t know what that was.  Erm. Fandom.  Erm, erm…. I like Walking Dead?  I like Call the Midwife?

Do you use anything on your lips? (eg. Chapstick, gloss, balm, lipstick)   Lip Blam. Neutragena to be exact. Makes my lippies lovely and happy.

How many devices do you own which can access the internet?   TV, Three laptops, Big computer type thing, two iPads, one kindle Two phones.  Quite a lot.

Last strong smell you can remember smelling?   The burnt smell I made this morning using a burnt pan to cook bacon. The place smells great.

If you had to move your birthday to another date, which one would you choose and why?   I would move my birthday to June.  So that I had Birthday , and six months later, Christmas, and then six months later birthday. J

Inspiration behind your blog title?   The name we used to Call Dylan…. The Dogwithnobrain.  Long gone but never forgotten.

If you could spend a rainy day with anyone in the world, who would you choose and why?  My husband, my son and my daughter.  Cause I love them to pieces, I adore their company and they make me giggle.

Is there a foreign culture that you love?   Le France. I love France. I would live in France, and speak francais and be happy.

Do you have a favorite soft drink?   Seven up.  Or Sprite. Anything Lemonadey

It's been a long time....

It dawned on me the other day, that I have had this blog for a long while, but I wasn't sure how long. 

I used to have my own Webpage, which I opened when I was inbetween jobs, and in during hysterectomy.   I used it to make me laugh.  I put the most ridiculous things up on it.   I asked people for money for my boat... ( I don't have a boat, it was a fund to buy one).... My cousin donated 10p. that was all. :(

So I started this when I let the web page expire, and heavens I was a bit surprised when I realised it was 8 years ago.

Funny to read back and see the entries I posted way back in 2006... heavens that seems so long ago. 

I need to write more, write creatively, improve my mental agility.  

I blog daily on www.blipfoto.com/dogwithnobrain but I need to be more focus on being creative. The aim being to get a story down on paper :-) 

See ya soon.

Random Questions

1. Did you watch the Super Bowl? If so, what was your favorite part?   Nope I didn't.  But Phil at work did.   He loved it.  Something about the Offensive, and the defensive doing the opposite thing. 

2. What is the weather like where you live?   Really weird.  Really weird.  Windy, rainy, Sunny, sleeting.  All over the place. 

3. When is your birthday?   April. :-)  Spring time.

4. Do you prefer sparkling water or flat water?   I like both.  But I like to ask for Tap Water in a restaurant because in Scotland Tap Water is best. 

5. How many hours did you sleep last night?   A lot. I went to bed at 9, and woke at 7. 

6. What is your favorite day of the week?   Monday?  because it is so busy. Friday, because it is the last day of the working week.... Both of them pass quick, quick, quicky

7. If you had to choose between riding a bike or swimming, which would choose?   Oh goodness. I have Bella Bella the bike.  I love Bella bella.  BUt I love to swim too, but pool water is dirty. 

8. How often do you eat red meat?   as often as someone cooks it for me. 

9. What time did you wake up this morning?   7 ish. 

10. Do you have any goals for the week?   To get there. 

Sunday Stealing....

Book Survey!

Favorite children's book  

Any Alfie and Annie Rose Book by Shirley Hughes…. I read these to both my Kids, my own little Alfie and Annie Rose…. And they adored them. Lots of memories…. I couldn’t give them away ever.

  

The last book you've read

Phil Rickman, to Dream of the Dead… One of the Merrily Watkins Series…I like the idea of a kind rebellious vicar who is the “appointed exorcist”.

Books on your "to read" list : Paolo Cohelo, Brida, 11 minutes,  Diana Gabaldon, Echo in the Bone;    The Chimp Paradox,by Dr Steve Peters,  The Three Musketeers< Alexandre Dumas.

Top 5 authors

Iain Banks, Christopher Brookmyre, Diana Gabaldon, Paolo Cohelo.  John Irvine

Favorite genres

Comic, Historic, Psychological, Thriller, Soppy Rubbish

A book that has made you extremely mad   Dave Peltzer’s A Boy Named It.  Heartbreaking story which never should have happened.

A book that you've cried over     The Time Traveller’s Wife , Audrey Neffenegger…for 30 minutes before I reached the end, because I knew what was coming….

A book that made you laugh out loud:  A Big Boy Did it and Ran Away by Christopher Brookmyre.  His physical description of accidental, and deliberate injury made me both roar with laughter and wince in pain.

Fiction or nonfiction?   Fiction… I read for the escape…..

First book you've read by your favorite author…..   The World According to Garp…  Which spawned a Kitteh called Garp, and an Undertoad….which exists to this day.

 

Best book-to-movie adaption   See Above…. I couldn’t have identified a better casting than Robin Williams for Garp, Glenn Close, as his mother…. John Lythgo as Roberta.  Loved. Loved. Loved.

Do you read comics/manga?   NO.

Hardcovers or Paperbacks?    Paperbacks…. I’ve suffered too many facial injuries and wrist strains in bed with hardback.

Do you buy books as soon as they come out or wait a while?    With some authors immediately….  Others I’m attracted to the cover… they may be years old. 

Do you buy books spontaneously without any prior knowledge of what happens in it?   Absolutely.  Sometimes they are the best stories… I tend to judge a book by it’s cover J

Have you ever bought a book based on the cover alone?  Yes, of course… See Above.

Where do you usually buy your books?    In a book shop…I love book shops. I cannot enter one without leaving with a book in hand.

Book that had a strong impact on you.  The Alchemist.  Paolo Cohelo    Everything happens for a reason.  It does.  This inspired me.

Historical or science fiction?    What about a mix of both?

Dystopian or Utopian?    Again…. What about a mix.  A Dystopian Landscape which seems to be unworkable, which turns in to Utopia….  I thought that last night when I watched “After Earth”…. I thought… Earth looked lovely, they stayed away because everything was bred to kill – no, I think it was just back to the original.  They could have moved back and made heaven.

Sunday StealingWorst book-to-move adaption?  Time Traveller’s Wife.  I was so disappointed by it.  But to be honest, the concept would have been difficult to create anyways. It was always going to be better in the imagination.

Book that should have a movie adaption?   Outlander, and I am delighted to say that it has  been…..   Not on screen yet, still being made, but am loving the little insights, via twitter of the author.

The first book you've fallen in love with  :  The Sacred Art of Stealing,by Christopher Brookmyre.  I can sit in a certain street in Glasgow and recreate the opening chapters of the book in my minds eye, and can sit for ages imagining it.

Humor or angst?   A Bit of both…. “All Good Fun until Somebody Loses an Eye” by Christopher Brookmyre… a perfect example.  A mother / grandmother terrified for the life and safety of her family, coupled with the dawning realisation that she isn’t quite the frumpy settled down middle aged mam she thought she had become.

How many books do you own?   Too many to count.

Do you go the library?   I haven’t been for a while, but I do have a card.

How many books do you read a year?   Not as many as I’d like to.

Favorite "required reading" book?  Everyone should read The Alchemist.  I think it would inspire everyone.

Favorite quote?

“...there are certain mistakes that you know you just have to make, know you’re going to make, no matter what conscience, logic or fear are telling you. It’s a simple truth of human existence. Across thousands of years of civilisation, throughout the rise and fall of empires and our stumbling ascent from the forests to the stars, greater men than Zal had contemplated the wisdom of their intentions before coming to exactly the same conclusion.

And there was usually a girl involved, yeah.” 
― Christopher Brookmyre

A book you absolutely hate  …..  Is there one?

Sunday Stealing

Cupid's Questions Meme

from Kodelaine  

1.)Do you like Valentine's Day?    No.  no. no.  Is one of these days, when people feel awful.  Either for being a recipient, or for not being a recipient.  The only happy people are those in relationships (strong relationships) who don't need a gift, or get one guaranteed.


2.)Are you going to celebrate it?   Nah. Unless I can convince my husband to buy me diamonds. (Only joking, I have no need)  I would ebay them :-)



3.)Celebrate Valentine's Day with Friends or someone Special?      If I was to celebrate, it would be with people I love.... not just "someone" i love. 


4.)Pink or red?   Red.  Red brings out the colour in my eyes.  ha ha ha


5.)Candy Hearts OR cards?    We don't do candy hearts in UK.... Cards, chocolates, Heart Shaped Cookies, and loads of Red Roses


6.)A short kiss or a big hug?     BIG HUG.


7.)What are your plans for V-day?    Nada.   Nul..... Nothing.

8.)What would be the best gift to receive?   Hmmmm, I would like a pot of daffodils. I love daffodils.


9.)Would get back with any of your ex's for V-day?    ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha NO


10.)Is there a food or beverage you associate with V-day?     Sparkling wine  with sugar lumps and brandy 


11.) What are your thoughts on "Love at first sight"?   It happens.  It happened to me. 


12.)Do you think people who have dated can stay friends?     I would have liked to think so. But I know otherwise. 


13.) If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice about dating or relationships what would it be?      None... Everything was good.... and it happened awhen it happened. 

Sunday Stealing

Put your music player of choice on shuffle and list the first song  My Meesak varies with the weather.  Today, I hit shuffle, and I got Christina Perri, Jar of Hearts. 

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Would you take anyone with you?  I would go and spend a week on the South House on the Isle of Shuna.  If you are looking for remote, wilderness,but 20 minutes sail from civilisation, this is the place.    Isolated and beautiful.  Otters, deer, seals, sheep, cows. 

What is your preferred writing implement? (eg. Blue pen, pencil, green pen)    Blue, Supreme, mega fine point. 

When did you go on your first trip alone (without your parents)?  When I was 20, and I truly was alone.  My mum suggested to get over a break up  I should go n holiday - I didn't realise she meant she wanted to go one too.  I left her, and booked one, and left two days later.   Majorca has never recovered. 

Do you have connections to any celebrities (even minor)? List them.     I'm Scottish which means I'm related to Billy Connelly, Sean Connery, Ewan McGregor, Kelly MacDonald, and any Scottish actor you might have heard of.   In reality, I gave birth to my son in the Queen Mother's Hospital in Glasgow, and shared a room with Cathy Ann MacPhee, who is a famous, in the Celtic Community, as a singer of beautiful Gaelic songs.  We would take turns to watch each other's babies while we came to terms with being new mums, and Cathy Ann would sing our babies to sleep.   I had no idea she was well known, until some other ladies from the Isles came along to check with me that I was in deed sharing with "Cathy Ann". 

Name 3 items you could pick up from where you are.    I could pick up, my heart rate monitor, my camera and my knitting. 

How would you describe your sense of humor?   Odd. 

Do you ever play board games or other non-computer games? Got any favorites?  Scrabble.  I love it so much, my husband has hid it in the attic to give him a break from it. 

A musical artist you love that isn’t well known.  No, I'm rubbish at music now.  When I was younger, I knew all there was to know... now, I'm stuck in my ways.

A musical artist you love that is well known.    Christina Perri... She has such a soulful voice. 

What is your desktop background currently?   The view from the top of the hill. 

Last person you talked to, and through what you talked to them.  My Si;  we discussed how I was going to sit on the couch and be a lazy bitch as per; while he worked on the toilet.

What do you carry your money in?  A handbag which is too big for me, I loose money in it all the time - and then surprise myself when I have a clearance. 

What timekeeping devices are in the room you are currently in?  There are two clocks.  One laying on it's back, on a table, near the telly, beside photos, and another on the wall. Tick Tocking.

What kind of headphones do you use?    I have skype headphones which I mostly use at work.

What musical artists have you seen perform live?  Slik, Lulu, The Simple Minds, The Lotus Eaters, Simply Red, U2, Spandau Ballet, Showaddywaddy, China Crisis, Roddy Frame, Aztec Camera, Orange Juice, the Cult, the Waterboys, Terence Trent D'arby, ABC, Thomson Twins, Joy Division, New Order, S Club Seven, Busted, Take That,  I'll come back if I remember more. 

How often do you clear your browser history?   I keep my browser history switched off. I'm scared that I overload the storage on my computer. 

What’s the best job you’ve ever had?  Working as a volunteer at the Special Olympics in Glasgow in 1990.  Heart warming. 

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had? Hmmm, I have had two jobs which were massive mistakes. They lasted a year each and in both I was employed by massive bullies with wee man syndrome.  left me in a horrific mental state. 

What magazines do you read, if any?   Don't really ready any  - so much information on line now.