Things that make you go hmmm...

Well, I want to know what that’s about…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

The mystical stuff…

I was sitting drinking my coffee this morning thinking about all the mystical stuff that had got me to the point I am at in life. It was all the sliding door moments. Remember that flick with Gwyneth that was all to do with doors opening and closing and which one you are destined to take? I thought about all the doors I had squeezed through, kicked shut and pried open. I have taken paths I would never have taken before if not for crossing those thresholds. I would not have what I do today, met Maverick or the people I have. Life’s funny bordering on freaking weird huh? And despite all I’ve decided I’ve done okay. Yes, I could have done some things better but then I would never have been me.

And the woman with the bear picture? I think it sums up life – not a lot makes sense and some times you just have to wander along with the bear until the snow clears to see where you’re going. Yes…very woo woo stuff.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Arse and elbows...

I was in my office today bored as all get out praying the day would be called off due to lack of interest. I did ask the receptionist to announce that over the PA but she indicated it probably wasn't a good idea. Bummer. Now, while I had a shiteload of work to do my motivation muscles weren’t working. They had frozen up and refused to propel me into action.

Where are you motivation muscles located you ask? Well, they move round a lot depending on what you have to do, if the moon is full and if Tim Tams are on sale. It's all highly scientific. For example - an office worker - their motivation muscles are located in the arse and elbows. Arse muscles - have to be made of steel to sit for long dreary hours. Elbows - need to be strong so when you lean forward on the desk, due to sheer and utter boredom, your face doesn't smack into the keyboard. Good, dedicated office workers are all arse and elbows. I'm not one of those. My arse wasn’t motivated today because I kept getting up and wandering aimlessly and I have ‘qwerty’ imprinted on my forehead due to dodgy elbows. Lordy it's hard when your arse and elbows aren’t up to the challenge.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

There wouldn't be an election would there?

I emailed a complaint to my local federal member about 2 months ago and received stuff all response. Surprise factor? Negative 12.

Today I got a phone call from his office apologizing they hadn’t got back to me and how can they help and yes I was absolutely justified in my complaint and that they will look into it right now. Uh huh…of course it’s the skeptic in me that thinks because it’s the run up to the Australian federal election, and I’m in a key state of voters who could decide the fate of which party wins, that they have suddenly decided to buy my vote. I know…terrible to be so cynical...and I ain’t cheap to purchase.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

True love...

...ain't it beautiful? Kinda...sorta...

Not life as we know it, Jim….

I was standing at the printer at work waiting for something to print, as you do, and I was thinking about something I really had to do when I went back to my office. The document printed and I wandered back to the bat cave and sat down and thought 'what the hell was I going to do?' I'm in holiday mode at the moment...7 work days and counting. Who can concentrate on dreary work stuff? I’m thinking the beach and heat and sun and doing nothing in particular or a lot all at once full speed. I'm sure whatever vitally important thing I forgot can wait. That - or the world will end and I will be blamed. I can handle that.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Unmasterful Me…

I got home from work and I opened the fridge and stared at the contents. A smart woman would have left something easy out ready to cook when she got home. I’m not smart on a Monday. I leaned against the fridge, had a couple of glasses of vegetable juice, and thought about the ending of Australian Masterchef last night. I’m a sporadic TV watcher. I never see any show in full. It’s the dreaded attention span of a gnat thing. But I wondered what it would be like to be so dedicated to cooking that you became obsessive about making flavors and textures perfect to the point of exquisite. How would it feel to be so caught up in making the perfect meal that was wondrous to taste and amazing to look at? How inspiring would it be to create a meal that people ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed’ over? Yep – gotta be something special in all that. And then I reached over and grabbed the vegemite jar and decided on toast for dinner. Well, we all can’t be wondrous…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

All done with mirrors...

So, I woke up this morning thinking about mirrors on ceilings. Why? I was thinking about sex in the way writers do. It’s very non sexy and it’s all about making sure every character only has one regular pair of hands and wondering if condoms are necessary in a scene.

Anyway, I looked up at the ceiling and thought about how Blanche out of the Golden Girls explained to the others that lying on your back under a mirror makes your skin slide back therefore no wrinkles on display – however – your boobs also slide back too. Hmmm…lack of wrinkles versus non perkiness. It’s always something in life isn’t it? Then I thought about having sex and looking at yourself and your partner going at it. Then I started to laugh. You can’t write that…it’s a moment to be lived.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Circus Animal Cruelty: Abused for Entertainment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y6WKI8eKI4

As a kid my mother never took us to the circus. While it had some to do with lack of money, it was mainly that mum was against animals performing on cue. As a kid I never understood this. As an adult, I saw my first and only circus in Moscow when I was 20. I got it. Watching bears ‘perform’ made me angry. Who the hell wants to see an animal do unnatural acts? Why is that entertainment? Are we so twisted as a society that we condone this?

Yes, I’m angry about this. Say no to animals in circuses.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

We can make her better than she was before…maybe…

So, I’ve had a sore arm for about a month. Finally today I decided to bite the bullet and haul my fat arse – sorry Maverick but it is-you’re just too sweetly politically correct to say – that or on drugs – where was I…hauled said fat arse to the hospital emergency. Why? I decided that I may have a heart problem and needed to get it checked. It’s a family history thing. I drove – never do that unless you’re insane or me – to emergency and skidded Patrick, my car, into the 20 minutes only-or-we-tow-you-parking bay and went in and saw the great people at emergency. Prince Charles Hospital – you rock. They were fantastic. I was prodded, poked, bled dry, fed and given the best most comfy pj’s to wear as they tried to work out what was wrong with my arm. I had a stress test - on a treadmill hooked up to monitors – reminded me of the old Six million Dollar Man TV show – anyway I have to say I aced the treadmill test smart arse that I am.

The conclusion? All tests were really good and I’m healthy. It was the aftermath of cough from hell that I had for over three months that screwed up many of my muscles and they’re just recovering. That and I may have over exerted myself on weights at the gym. Do I regret the day spent in emergency? Hell no. Anyone who has the slightest hint something is not right should check it out. Let’s face it you only get one body and while it may not be ideal it’s what you have to work with.

And Patrick my car? They allowed him to sit in the emergency parking bay for hours. How nice.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Idiot...

I came home from work and looked at the blog and thought “I’ll change that. It’ll be simple.”

Big frigging NOT!

Tired and changing a blogger layout does not work.

This will be a work in progress.

Good news – I found the screw that fell into the bolognaise sauce I made…long story…

Head – desk…head – desk…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Zip...

A whole plethora of nothing happening...

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Expose me not…

I got sent an email the other day offering me the chance to write this and that for a magazine and what fantastic exposure it would be for me. I would get paid a pissy little sum and lose royalty rights for the privilege of being seen in a magazine which I had never heard of. Ah, gee, no. It did make me wonder how many writers or wannabe writers get sucked into these marketing scams on the hope that any exposure is good. I expect quite a few do. Why? Because people want to believe in sweet words and promises of writing glory when it’s pretty much a fact that most writers will do ok for themselves but that’s it. The JK’s and Nora’s of the world are few and far between and I have a feeling they never sold their rights for a couple of bucks. While it may be nice to get a random ‘hey write for us’ email – I would be questioning why they need to hunt writers down as opposed to being successful enough for authors to come to them.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Brain Sex...

I was reading this blog -

http://expressyourkink.blogspot.com/?zx=549ded4efa02a940

- as I do, and PA brought up the idea of brain sex here and in our subsequent chat on facebook. We all know that the brain is the most sexual organ in the body. But do we use it enough in our quest to get a reaction as writers? We seem to be writing less sexual tension – yep, I can be blamed for this as well - and going straight for the shagging and titillation. What does that say about us? Is the romance market now bending more towards fast, horny sex with a multitude of partners rather than teasing out the situation through words and glances? Are writers answering a call or making the situation worse? When asked whom I thought wrote brain sex at the moment I could only think of one author I knew. Everyone else is going straight to writing wild sex. It’s kinda sad we’ve somewhat lost our brains…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Sam Cooke - Wonderful World [HD]

Exactly…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Found for words…

The lovely Maverick came up with a beaut new word today. I like making words up so I was quite impressed with this one – “refinivity.” He was agreeing (smart boy) with me about how bloody refined I am and he came up with it. Excellent.

T, a work colleague, and I kept ourselves sane be using the word ‘losp’ in sentences. Why ‘losp’? Well someone asked her about losps and she said what the hell’s a losp and she got no response – I suspect it’s a technical doo-dad-thingy – so we used it in all our sentences. “I have a losp on the phone for you.” “Did you want to come out and sign for this losp?” “Are you going to the losp?” Yep, stupid but it kept us from screaming.

So, anything can be a word if you really want it to be. I learned that a university. Good to know the BA wasn’t a complete waste of time…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Smashing boundaries…

When I was a kid I had in my mind certain things I would definitely do. I’ve done none of them. I also believed there were certain barriers I would never cross. I’ve crossed ‘em, danced on them and enjoyed every moment of smashing ‘em down. I often wonder what would happen if young Amarinda met older, jaded Amarinda. I expect she would be agog but interested in the infinite possibility of corruption. Life huh? Move with it or get run over by it.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Madcap enough for you?

I had to attend a meeting today chaired by accountants. They were neat, precise, corporate, incredibly by the book and really squeaky clean looking. I wear too much jewelry, was dressed in assassin black with my red python Doc Martens, had mismatched earrings (I was in a rush after the gym) and I am very mouthy. It’s like when two worlds, so very unlike in every way, collide. For some reason Exidor, a character from the old Mork & Mindy TV show came to mind. It’s just not worth being anyone but yourself is it?



Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

The Herman Munsters...

It’s been a Herman Munster of a day…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Stupid love…

A non-writing colleague pointed out to me that romance/erotica novels perpetuate the belief that everyone should be in love and make those who aren’t in love more desperate to find love. My response? ‘Nuh-ah’ followed by ‘bollocks.’ I’m not responsible for love or sex. It’s not in my job description. If people read romance or indulge in erotica it’s because they like the genre – the fantasy. If they like horror stories it’s the same deal. Thriller writers don’t expect people will want to go out and kill after reading their books do they? So love - if you want it I hope you find it. If you’re in love – I’m happy for you but writers aren’t responsible for other people’s feelings. How can they be? There’s gazllions of people who read books. We’re flat out remembering to change our socks sometimes let alone be in charge of love.

But in saying all that I heard this song on the way home, one I particularly like, and I thought to myself…well, of course love is stupid at times and maybe we could blame that interfering toe-rag Cupid and suggest where he can shove his arrow…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Odd bod…

I emailed to arrange some stuff for my upcoming holiday. In the email I mentioned ‘I’ and ‘me’ and what I required. The person on the other end of the email came back with a price that was for two people. When I corrected her she advised she made an assumption on the fact that most women do not travel alone. Well, I’m not ‘most’ women and one can never assume anything can they? And why would anyone assume women don’t travel alone? It’s 2010. I started travelling by myself when I left Australia at 19 to work overseas. I like travelling alone. I can do what I like and I meet the most amazing people.

So I ask this – is it the perception that women are incapable of travelling alone? Is it wrong? Is it unnatural not to travel with the aid of a penis? Or is it that women who do not follow the perceived notions of what society believes is the natural order of things are found to be odd? If so colour me odd and I wonder when society will catch up with odd bods like me.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Save Sakineh

Save Sakineh

Please sign the petition. What affects one woman affects us all

Please
Amarinda

Huh...

I was looking at some camisoles on ebay. And saw this. I – well, gee…huh…er…rarely am I lost for words but this had me stumped…ok, stumped mightn’t be the right word in this case but I cannot imagine a man wearing this unless it’s to make a woman laugh her arse off.

If you are interested it also comes in red and white and I can provide the link…hmmm...

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Iran imposes media blackout over stoning sentence woman | World news | The Guardian

Iran imposes media blackout over stoning sentence woman World news The Guardian

There are no words strong enough to express my anger and disgust...

Vindication…

Until I was about 30 – I kid you not – I had the worst acne. It’s something the Jones women are cursed with. I tried everything to rid myself of it. My mother, wise woman that she was, said ‘it will go and remember you’re descended from the Kings of Scotland.’ My mother had a fierce belief in her kids and that there was nothing we couldn’t do or be or overcome. The ‘Kings of Scotland’ thing was a Jones Family rallying cry. Long story. So, despite the inward lack of confidence due to the acne I never let on outwardly how I felt. I soldiered on and got on with life. Besides what was terrible acne when other people had so much worse in their lives? Get a grip woman.

Why do I bring this up? I was chatting to an acquaintance who’s a beauty therapist and I mentioned that I don’t believe in foundation and powder on my face as I personally found it unnatural. I wear lipstick – that’s it…and I brush my hair once a day. I’m a take-me-as-you-find-me-kind-of-woman. She said ‘are you kidding me? Your skin is flawless. I just assumed you wore foundation to get it so smooth and even.’ And there it was. The hallelujah chorus of angels rang out. Vindication for all those years of god awful acne. I just smiled and pondered how fickle life was – kick you then raise you up.

I say to anyone who has acne and is depressed about it or it’s kicking your self confidence to hell – this too shall pass.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Best fake orgasm ever

I asked a man today how he knew a woman was faking orgasm. I’m not 100% sure how we got on the topic but we did and then the whole When Harry Met Sally thing came up and I asked the question. I’m sure it’s not something most men want to discuss with a nosy woman. His answer? He knew. My thoughts? Why bother faking?

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Snap, crackle, pop....

So the other night when it was cold and dark and windy the power went off in the house. Yes, I was terribly impressed. I swore a lot as I traipsed downstairs, in my pjs, torch in hand, to where the main switchboard is to ascertain what the hell was going on. Some lights were on and others weren’t. Oh why? I hate having to think after 6pm at night so at 9pm I really didn’t want to deal with it all. Anyway I flipped switches back and forward, swore some more and then traipsed back upstairs. No change. I checked surge protectors - yes, I should have checked those first but refer back to the 6pm thinking thing. Anyway one of those had blown. I unplugged in some stuff at the wall and turned it back on. There was a snap, crackle and pop and I swore some more.

Today the sparky (electrician) came out. I was talking to the lovely Maverick about it and how tradesmen charge like wounded bulls and he said maybe I could come to an “arrangement” ala the standard porn movie when the plumber/pizza guy comes out and the woman householder can’t pay…and well, you know. He was joking of course. He has a flaw – he likes insane women like me and we’re hard to find. While I chatted to the sparky I thought about those porno movies – you know - how silly and funny they are and I thought about romance writing – there’s a lot of similarities there…boy meets girl and often amazingly unrealistic things happen…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Look who’s watching…

I was watching a colleague today, who was watching another colleague. It's funny the expressions people get on their faces when they think they're not being observed. This woman was clearly horrified at the way another was dressed – the other woman was in a mini skirt. The look she gave her was like she had seen something ghastly and couldn’t quite believe it so she had to keep looking to justify the reality of it in her mind. And you know that feeling when you get you’re being watched? The woman she was staring at turned around and looked at her. I tell ya, there’s no way in a hell a look of complete disgust can be changed quickly into a smile without it looking creepy. Both of them just looked freaked out in the end. I was most amused. I like to see what people do when they think no one is watching.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

The sandwich maker principle…

Across from where I work is a really good café. The staff are incredibly friendly and the food – really good, unpretentious fare. It has to be. It’s a blue collar, industrial suburb where real people work. I was talking to one of the ladies in the cafe. I was buying coffee and she was making sandwiches. She loves – and I mean loves - making sandwiches. She told me nothing makes her happier. I stopped and thought about that – I’m still thinking about that. Is that the key to life? Doing the simplest task yet loving it with a passion? Can it be that simple? And how do you find something you love so much? Or does it find you? Or do some people just never find it? I dunno…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

How can you be bored…

…when you’re inundated with stuff to do? Well exactly…and no, I haven’t come up with the answer…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Australian Story :: Pay It Forward

Australian Story :: Pay It Forward

This story touched me very deeply. I don’t watch much TV but I’m glad I stumbled across this program. If you don’t watch the whole show - see the link at the right side for Pay it Forward - at least click on the bar at the bottom of the screen and drag it to around 27mins and 25 seconds. The quote about reaching for the stars is amazing…thank you Australian Story.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com

It’s all about Friday…

- Started off the day with the gym and 2 cups of coffee…bonus of this? One counteracts the others in a really pleasant way.
- Spoke to the lovely Maverick who explained, as only he can, the concept of 'Good morning' - don’t ask – all you need to know is he’s lovely.
- Balanced books and then dealt with the unbalanced.
- Drank more coffee
- Gossiped
- Did boring work stuff
- Ate a homemade chicken salad sandwich – most impressed at my ability to make sandwiches
- Had more coffee
- Swore some at the ‘unbalanced’ people holding me up at finishing boring work stuff
- Stamped feet
- Foot stamping got me what I wanted
- Delayed taking conference call as busy
- Dialed into conference call
- Wandered off mid way in conference call
- Wandered back to say ‘uh huh’
- Wandered off
- Came back in time to say ‘oh yeah, sure’ and ‘goodbye’
- Skidded out of work car park in Patrick, my car
- Stopped to buy 2 jars of coffee
- Spoke to lovely Maverick

Friday done, baby…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

The Vampire's Bride | BookStrand

The Vampire's Bride BookStrand

'Sextreme' huh? Who'd have thunk it of little ol' me?

The Vampire’s Bride is out today…the blurb…

Josephine McDonough loved a vampire once. But he left her. Now she’s set to marry someone else. Someone who will remain true to her. Alaric, her vampire ex-lover, is not about to allow that to happen. He needs her. He loves her. She is also the key to him getting something he dearly wants - Maverick House – it is his birthright.

Alaric crashes her wedding and takes Josephine back to Maverick House. While she loves Alaric how does she know he will be faithful and not leave her again? When she finds out that he needs her to obtain the house she is furious. Does Alaric love her at all? And then there’s his cousin Richard. Josephine doesn’t love him but she lusts after him. He answers the dark, sexual cravings of her soul.

Does Josephine stay or go? And does she have any say it in at all? Maverick House rules their destiny.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book