#everydaypeople five

Proving we are all unique individuals with unique experiences....but we all wipe our bum in some way. 

My project....to get to know people better, find out why they think they are unique, what advice they would give and if they scrunch or fold their toilet paper...etc. 

This face. It belongs to the most important person in my life. He is wonderful, loving, caring, supportive. He is my Hubby, aka Matt.  

We have known each other for 11 years now and are about to be married nine. (And I really hope I remember this year....sorry babe.)

We met at work. He was a software programmer and I was a technical writer. I had no idea he liked me. The girl who sat next to me thought I was bonkers. He called me one day from his desk, I answered slightly confused, "Why are you calling me, you sit just over there?" I said. Then he asked me out. After some rescheduling we finally went out for dinner and the rest is history. 

I am the luckiest girl alive to be married to this guy. No really I am. No words can really describe what he means to me or how I feel about him, so I won't even bother. 

When and where were you born?

1st of September, 1977 at Bankstown Hospital Sydney, NSW

What is your favourite song and why?

Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit. When I first heard it, it was so different to anything else I had heard. That coupled with the song's theme of teen rebellion meant I felt a great affinity with the it and this song lead me to explore music, which I wasn't into at the time.

What is your favourite movie and why?

The Godfather. The movie is a masterpiece in every aspect - acting; script writing; cinematography; the music. I am also intrigued by anything related to the mafia. I'm fascinated by the amount of power these individuals get from running a criminal organisation juxtaposed against the complete lack of social freedom they get... the boss may be able to coerce a jury into acquitting someone on trial, but they spend their days living in underground bunkers on the run from the police. 

What is your favourite book and why?

Probably To Kill A Mocking Bird. I remember reading it for the first time and not being able to put it down. Such a simple book really, with a great message.

What are you passionate about?

Apart from my lovely family? Music. It wields great influence over me, being able to modify my mood, be that to pump me up for a big night or focus me while figuring out a problem at work.

What do you think makes you unique?

My naturally occurring inverted T-wave on an ECG... friggin weird! That and my sense of humour, I suppose. Also friggin weird.

What advice would you give people?

Don't listen to any advice I give you; I don't know what I'm talking about!

Do you scrunch or fold?

Fold.

I love that none of this surprised me. 

Do you know all this about your partner?

#everydaypeople four

When I first started working in my current job, about 7-8 years ago now, the first person I became friends with was Phil. We sat next to each other. My first day he was away. Everyone told me, "You'll like Phil". They were right, I did and still do.

He was the first person I started calling "Lovie".....so sorry everyone else in my life who I now call "Lovie" or "Lovely", you can blame Phil.

He is one of the most boisterous, crazy people I know. He makes me laugh a lot. I am glad he was my neighbour when I started my job and that we got to know each other so well.

This week he is my #everydaypeople....


When and where were you born?
I was born at Merewether hospital Newcastle just after 6am on the 30/05/1970. I was the unplanned love child, conceived on the honeymoon.

What is your favourite song and why?
Iron maiden – some of their songs I find deep. e.g. 2 minutes to midnight, some of the lyrics below with my thoughts in red. Also ‘Run to the hills’ is good, it’s about what white man did to the American Indians, and many other…

We oil the jaws of the war machine and feed it with our babies First part (our tax $$ go developers and scientists to find more effective ways of killing people!! We pay for that! WTF). Second part (In general people are all too happy to send their children join the air force as a pilot, Army as an engineer etc…we feed the machine)

(The ‘Doomsday Clock’ is a universally recognized symbolic clock face. The closer it gets to midnight the closer we are to a global catastrophic disaster)

2 minutes to midnight
The hands that threaten doom
2 minutes to midnight
To kill the unborn in the womb (nuclear devastation – biochemical warfare, and now we have Cyber-warfare, that could be the worst! what?‎)

The body bags and little rags of children torn in two (In general people are all too happy to send their children join the air force as a pilot, Amy as an engineer etc…and when they engage, bang, boom it’s a bloody mess and it’s always someone’s child)

And the jellied brains of those who remain to put the finger right on you (after any world war 3 the ones left, if its nuclear…well?)

As the madmen play on words and make us all dance to their song (you and me happily pay taxes and our government is happy to spend billions on military. What about the homeless in AU? Most of them are homeless due to slight to acute mental illness. But let’s make the government spend $$ on inventing better ways of killing and maiming!!)

To the tune of starving millions to make a better kind of gun

(At least that’s my take on it)

What is your favourite movie and why?
Zeitgeist: The Movie.

A 2007 documentary-style film by Peter Joseph. It presents a number of conspiracy theory-based ideas, such as the Christ myth theory, conspiracy theories about the 9/11 attacks in 2001, and argues that bankers manipulate the media and international monetary system – all of which are true!!!

It’s 2 hours and very good - J most find the first bit a bit boring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a36_CwzA0bk

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

What is your favourite book and why?

Don’t really have a favourite, but amongst the top would be the Gunslinger from the Dark Tower sires by Stephen king. It’s got my favourite first line from any book… “The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.”

‘The man in black’ sounds for formidable yet he is fleeing… this gunslinger must be one tough MF!

I like Stephen King, most of Dean Koontz and Jack Reacher series by Lee Child is very good too.

What are you passionate about?
Sci-Fi shows of all types and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a36_CwzA0bk

What do you think makes you unique?
My sense of humour J

What advice would you give people?
Be yourself if others don’t like you (it’s a given not everyone will), don’t worry they are not worth it!

Do you scrunch or fold?
Scrunch always scrunch!!

#everdaypeople three

Proving we are all unique individuals with unique experiences....but we all wipe our bum in some way. 

 My project....to get to know people better, find out why they think they are unique, what advice they would give and if they scrunch or fold their toilet paper...etc.

This week on the blog is my gorgeous friend, Joe (pictured above with her little man).

I am not completely sure how long I have known her. We danced at the same dance school for many years growing up, I was at one location and she was at another.

Eventually the two locations combined and we become friends. There is a group of us that have stayed close,  even though most of us don't dance anymore - but some still do. They are all unique women with tremendous qualities. Eventually, I hope they all appear on my #everydaypeople.

The last few years have brought Joe and I closer. Without this wonderful ladies support, love, kindness and generosity of heart, goodness knows if I would have made it through. I am so grateful that our paths crossed and we are sharing the journey together now.

When and where were you born?
5 Nov, 1978 at the Royal Hospital for Women, Paddington, Sydney. (Guy Fawkes night)!

What is your favourite song and why?
I am a closet INXS fan. 'Never tear us apart' is one of my favourite songs. I love the line "cos we all have wings, some of us don't know why"....

What is your favourite movie and why?
My school friends and I used to watch Dirty Dancing every other weekend in our early teens so this holds special memories! The movie 'Philadelphia' had a huge impact on me, I found it very overwhelming. I love all of Edward Norton's movies, I think he is awesome.

What is your favourite book and why?
This is a tricky one, I seriously love reading. 'Captain Correli's Mandolin' by Louis de Bernières is a favourite read. One of those books where you get transported and feel connected to the characters. Recently I enjoyed The Rosie Project as I could relate the main character to some of my clients.

What are you passionate about?
Being a mum and being kind to others. I strive to be a positive role model to my two gorgeous boys. I am trying to instil in them a strong sense of social justice and to be kind little beings.

What do you think makes you unique?
Probably only my finger prints ;)

I am one of the only people I know that honestly loves their work (school psychologist). I enjoy the challenge and feel privileged to be in a position where people share their stories with me. It is fulfilling being able to make small differences here and there.

What advice would you give people?

I don't think giving advice as such is helpful. I think active and empathetic listening is much more important and helps people come around to their own conclusions.

Do you scrunch or fold?
Fold!

Do you know what your friends think makes them unique?

Do you know what they are passionate about?

#everydaypeople two

Proving we are all unique individuals with unique experiences....but we all wipe our bum in some way.

My project....to get to know people better, find out why they think they are unique, what advice they would give and if they scrunch or fold their toilet paper...etc.

The incredible Mr Krabs

I have known Mr Krabs for about 3 years, give or take, here or there. Currently we sit next to each other at work - on the days when I am in the office. He is one of the most honest, forthright people I know and I love that in people. You know where you stand and who can argue with that....and by the way, I wrote this before he answered the following questions :)

When and where were you born?
Born in Sydney Australia back in January 1973

What is your favourite song and why?
Amanda Marshall – Let it Rain. It has a powerful message and always seems to hit the spot for me.

What is your favourite movie and why?
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – I was always drawn into the fantasy of the movie and would have dreams as a child  of being in a land filled with lollies and chocolate. To this day I still love the original movie. (not a fan at all of the re-make)

What is your favourite book and why?
I guess I don’t really have a favourite book, but more of a favourite author. My favourite author is Stephen R. Lawhead. He is an American writer based in the UK, known for his works of fantasy, science fiction, and recently Celtic historical fiction.  I love getting caught up in the worlds he creates and being fully immersed in the story lines.

What are you passionate about?
One of my passions is photography. I love just heading out and about and capturing the smallest of details, or the grandest of views. Photography has also been a part of who I am and I often with I had done more with it in my life.

What do you think makes you unique?
I’m very black or white, yes or no, love you or hate you. Once you have connected with me, it’s hard to break that connection. But when that connection is broken, it’s hard to re-connect.

What advice would you give people?
1 - prefer you to be a total pain in the backside and upfront honest than have too many filters that don’t allow you to be you. Your honesty is actually the best policy and I respect you more for that, than the story you may be able to create to fudge that honesty.  2 – You are beautiful in your own way and nothing will ever change that. 

Do you scrunch or fold?
Fold all the way. And to add to this, I’m an over person, never and under (paper roll that is).

Do you know what your friends think makes them unique?

Do you know what they are passionate about?

#everydaypeople One

Proving we are all unique individuals with unique experiences....but we all wipe our bum in some way.

My project....to get to know people better, find out why they think they are unique, what advice they would give and if they scrunch or fold their toilet paper...etc.

Mrs Steele

I have known Mrs Steele for nearly 20 years. We met when I was 18, just out of school with no idea of the big wide world - I probably still have no idea. But this crazy, loud lady has taught me a lot in those years, inspired me to be a better person and for that I am thankful she is a major part of my life.

When and where were you born?
Orange county California in 1970.

What is your favourite song and why?
Nah, can't pick one. But anything that makes me happy or reminds me of a time that was special.

Who is your favourite music artist? 
Will-I-Am

What is your favourite movie and why?
Too impossible for me to choose because I am a movie buff. I live, eat and breathe movies, so I can't pick one. But If I had too, anything with Tom in it. (That is Tom Hanks not Tom Cruise BTW)

What is your favourite book and why?
The latest is the Sookie Stackhouse series.
(Can I just add that Leah was obsessed with the Twilight series.)

What are you passionate about?
Everything! Teaching ethics to kids - Raising children to understand what religion is but that you don't have to necessarily practice one. I am currently teaching Ethics to Year 5 and 6 students at my local primary school.

What do you think makes you unique?
The breadth of my life experience both personally and professionally. I had a very non-conventional upbringing and have worked in many different industries.

What advice would you give people?
My advice is NOT to offer advice unless someone asks!!  (Often people just want to vent. They don't actually want you to tell them what to do or offer your ideas about what they should do.)

Do you scrunch or fold?
Definitely FOLD!

Do you know what your friends think makes them unique?

Do you know what they are passionate about?