Perfect Strangers - The Dance of Joy

Yay me...persistence pays off, baby....

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

Crouching tiger, bemused Amarinda...

I was looking online for a reasonable – okay cheap – airfare for a short trip I’m taking. One airline’s prices seemed good. I started to go through the process of filling in my details to accept the fare that was on offer – that was until I was advised that if I wanted to choose a seat – which with other airline’s is free – it would cost me $18.00. Huh. If I didn’t choose a seat I would be slugged a $3.00 charge for a random seat. Hmmm…isn’t it normal to sit down strapped in? That doesn’t seem like a random occurrence to me. I’m wondering how much it would cost to stand with and then without seatbelts? Crouch down low? Lie on the floor? What about strapped to a wing?

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

Bad Girl...

I love this cover. It is exactly what I asked for and her tattoos match mine…actually were almost twins but for the fact she’s gorgeous…slim…tanned…but still…we’re almost sorta – kinda -identical. Spooky….

A huge thanks to the cover goddess at Evernight Publishing.

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

It freaks me out, man....

The neighbourhood where I live has a school close by. On my morning ramble around the Heights I pass through the school and along the streets. The pavement is lined with totem poles to guide the kids who are on foot to school. It’s a good, quaint idea. Most of the totem poles – like the first one – make total sense to me. But these other two? Well, they freak me out, man. Why? Well first up the pirate worries me. He doesn’t look right. It’s that scary lopsided grin that indicates something creepy going on and he doesn’t look sure if he’s happy about it or not. He also looks constipated to me. And what’s with the other one who appears to be in handcuffs? He’s smartly dressed. Is he going to court? Why the cuffs? What did he do? Should he be on the streets? Is he in cahoots with the constipated pirate? Lordy, it freaks me out..

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

In search of beneficial useless crap...

Of late I have realized all the useless crap – by way of skills and knowledge – that I have is the wrong useless crap to have or know. Bugger. My haphazard life choices in regards to the gaining of useless crap in the learning stakes were not correct. Is it too late to pursue and learn beneficial useless crap? No. I just wish I had of been paying attention early on in life instead of wandering along aimlessly as I have a wont to do. Right at this moment I feel frustrated as hell with the stuff I have done in my life. What was I thinking? Was I even thinking? Sigh…but ain’t that just life? You always want what you can’t have.

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

I am normally scary...

Day god-knows-what in possum watch…I don’t know why but I don’t appear to be inspiring awe or fear - you know due to me being a competent, smart, all powerful human being - in the possum…sigh…

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

The Long Way Around - Dixie Chicks

Yep, the long way around works for me...



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

Difficult women...

Are you a difficult woman? Do you know your rights and choose not to be treated like crap? Do you know your own self worth? You do? Me too. So I have to wonder what's wrong with that and why people get their knickers in a knot when you politely yet firmly assert yourself. Are we supposed to remain in our place? If so - where is that? I've never been able to work that out.

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

Doomed I tell you...doomed!

Today someone told me I would be doomed if I took a certain course of action. Uh huh. My response? “I have total faith in me but thank you for your words. They have spurred me on to achieve to spite you.” Doomed? Me? Oh bugger off. Am not - and certainly not because someone, who has no idea how annoyingly persistent I can be, says so. Doomed - yeah - you may be sweetheart but not me.

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

Messy...

You break up with a lover. It’s messy, mean and awkward – so why would you keep them on facebook as a friend? And why would you have a public fight with them that everybody enjoys gossiping and emailing others about? If you kicked the lover to the curb then kick ‘em off facebook…unless you like the drama. Maybe that’s it. Drama and sympathy. Messy…I hope it’s worth it.

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

Men...

It always amuses me when I walk into the male filled lunchroom at work and all the men look up. No, it's not because I am drop dead gorgeous despite the fact that I was wearing my skull socks today. Other women confirm this happens to them as well which leads me to believe that men are simple creature instantly stunned by the advent of any woman crossing their path. Good to know. It means we can get away with anything.

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

The Self Publishing Revolution: Viva la revolution baby…

I am here...crapping on as I do....

The Self Publishing Revolution: Viva la revolution baby…

Attitude...

Attitude ~ I love it...who cares if you disagree?



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

My Queendom for a vase….

The bush orchids are out. They have the most amazing smell – exotic, strong and heavenly. They perfume the whole house. Only problem is I've packed all my vases so I’m making do with other stuff. ‘Looks like no wine for me tonight…unless I drink it out if a coffee mug….hmmm…

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

Beg me back and the restraining order is yours…

From my facebook page. It was an advert down the side. If you’re over 40 on facebook, the adverts are designed to make you feel desperate and dateless and willing to throw yourself at any man or they’re about being fat and how to lose weight. Apparently if you’re over 40 your life is a complete mess. Good to know. I hadn’t realized that.

http://www.exboyfriendguru.com/index2.html?hop=mvs1961

“Proven psychological tips and tricks to ensure your ex-boyfriend will be begging for you back.”

Click on the link or not. Basically it’s this salesperson crapping on about how you can get a man back through his suspect wisdom.

If you have to resort to paying nongs like this for ‘psychological’ tricks to have someone back in your life then what does that say about you? If you’re following this ‘guru’s’ advice then I believe the problem is yours and not the man you’re on the verge of stalking. Love is great – restraining orders are messy and handcuffs probably chafe your wrists. Get a grip. Move on.

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

Cold blooded murder...

Warning! This is an extremely violent video. Watch at your own risk. Why do I show it? Because a young woman was brutally killed just for being who she was. How does it affect us? We're human. We take for granted the freedom we have to be what we want to be – to think what we want to think. Other women are not so lucky. They are called adulterer or whore on suspect evidence. They are jailed, beaten or killed. The animals that stone or beat or kill these women are criminals. The men in this video are not human. They are a pack of rabid dogs bastardizing their religion in the name of keeping women under control. Yes, this video is horrifying. Truth is rarely pretty. Think how lucky you are. Say a prayer for this woman. At least she is at peace.

Ugly ducklings

I had a real estate agent (realtor) come the other day to value my property for sale. My life is taking a wild 180 degree turn and I’m taking chances on the opportunities that are being thrust my way. The agent walked around my house, made notes and scribbled down a figure. He stopped and asked me what I thought the price would be. I thought back to when I bought the house ten years ago. I bought into a suburb that everyone said was ‘bad’ and ‘poor’ as you do when you have no money but lots of hope. Everyone thought I was mad. I was – still am – but I always believe everything has potential even though it may be hidden. I gave him the figure I thought. He smiled and showed me what it was really worth. I nearly fell down in shock – and it takes a lot to shock me.

‘Poor’ and ‘bad’? Nah – just an ugly duckling biding it’s time.

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

Strength….

My 76 year old father has been diagnosed with an aggressive skin cancer and has to undergo 5 days radiation for 5 weeks. On hearing the news he said “well, people have been trying to kill me for years and they haven’t succeeded yet.”

“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.” ~ unknown

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

What the walls hide…

I went for a walk around the neighbourhood this morning in the name of fitness and probably something else and I was sticky-beaking at houses as I wandered past. Basically I’m very nosey. I walked up a very busy street I’ve driven hundreds of times without looking closely at the houses. As I walked by I noticed the large, imposing walls that fronted the houses. Passing by and looking behind the walls, as much as I could, I saw some pretty average houses, many in need of TLC, and I thought ‘ain’t that just life?’ We throw up walls to protect us, enhance and create mystery but basically we are who we are and no wall can ever hide that.

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

Swingers...

As I waited for the kettle to boil in the kitchen at work, I listened to this irritating morning breakfast TV host gasp in “shock - awe – horror” that he was about to present a story on swingers. What is it with morning TV people? Are they born irritating or is it a school you have to attend to be able to set people’s teeth on edge like that? Anyway, this giddy nong was crapping on about how you could live next to swingers and never know wild sex parties were happening every night – “gasp – hee, hee – how naughty.” My thoughts? Ok, so you live next to swingers? What does it matter? Who the hell knows what anyone does behind closed doors and I tend to think that considering the amount of soft porn/porn romances with multiple partners that are on the market having swingers next door is hardly going to shock anyone much.

And breakfast TV hosts? Say no to them.

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

Wild bloody kingdom…

What is it with possums and Chez Amarinda? They love me. I have to tell you I'm not that loveable...except to possums it seems. I disturbed one trying to sleep on top of the laundry cupboard (please ignore the dust – awaiting dusting pixies to clean) downstairs. He looked at me. I looked at him. He didn’t seemed impressed with me and went back to sleep. Sigh…clearly I’m not that scary…

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

Phase number 57…

I have written anything in ages and it’s been good. So good in fact that I’m not going to do any more writing. That phase of my life is over. What next? Well, I’m thinking once I get myself established and the dust settles at my new locale I’m going to take a crack at publishing – let’s face it every boy and his dog seems to be doing it. How hard can it be? Besides I have worked with some suspect publishers and have learned all the ‘what-not-to-do’ things. I just have to do the reverse of that.

Will I fail? Will I succeed? Who knows? It’ll be fun trying.

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

Things I know for sure…

- if you don’t stand up for your rights then no one else will
- make-up does not make you beautiful
- a good lie is a simple, short, fast lie
- boys will always be boys
- women will always be invincible
- politicians are interchangeable regardless of policy
- weeds will always survive longer than grass
- smoking grass makes you stupid so what's the point?
- a high is always followed by a low so be prepared
- sex is about the giving and not the orgasm
- everyone has a story
- know when to hold 'em,
- know when to fold 'em
- know when to walk away
- know when to run
- mistakes are acceptable
- a sense of humour beats height, length, width and weight
- be yourself despite ‘em

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

Making April - Hurry Up And Wait

Hurry up and wait...yep...that's me...and thanks to all those close to me who are putting up with my impatience...I swear I'll mellow out....eventually...possibly...ok - probably not....

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

Life is not a romance novel…

I heard this song as I was driving back from the country yesterday and it took me back to an argument I had with a friend years ago. I was young – 19 - and dumb and travelling the world seeing what it had to offer. I met up with a group of like minded individuals and we wandered through Europe. The argument? Well, at 19, and knowing everything, I said it’s was wrong to deny loving someone because you were scared or insecure as it was not fair on the other person. My friend’s point of view was sometimes its better not to admit to stuff that can hurt you and to just go with the flow – to take what is given and expect nothing so you’re not wounded. I thought she was so wrong. I mean we grow up wanting to be in love with ‘the one’ and why hide feelings like that? What about the other person?

Now older and still dumb I actually understand what this song means. I get it. To me, it’s about packaging your feelings to protect yourself. Some feelings are messy and complicated and it’s better to neatly pack those inconvenient ones up in a box and take and give what you can and yeah – go with the flow and don’t ask for the impossible. Life is not a romance novel.

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

YouTube - The X Factor Australia 2010 Auditions 4 SALLY CHATFIELD

Now this talent...

Crazy....

Do you think some people are genetically inclined, more than others, to have crazy thrust upon them or is crazy a random occurrence in our lives? And can you fight it or just surrender to the madness?

“No one can drive us crazy unless we give them the keys.” ~ Doug Horton

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

Help? Me? Huh?

I accepted someone’s offer of help today. This is unusual for me. I never need help and I can do everything myself thanks. That's just the way I am. The lovely Maverick has indicated that it doesn’t hurt to accept for help. It's taken a couple of weeks to allow this fact to sink it but I've taken that onboard. So when a gentleman offered to help me with something today I thought “huh this is one of those help situations Mav was talking about." So I allowed him to help. If felt weird. Will I do it again? Maybe…

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

Excessica SCAVENGER HUNT |

Excessica SCAVENGER HUNT

My Scottish Great Auntie Joan...

…who used to call me a ‘fatty’ when I was an 8 year old kid – which didn’t impress me – but Mum said it was actually a term of endearment…hmmm…was a great believer, despite her dour Scottish ways, in the ‘something will turn up’ philosophy - that when you really need help or direction it will come to you. My mother told me of a time during WW2 when she was about 4 and they were living on a farm in the outback. My mother, aged 4, turned the tap on the outside water tank, the only source of water they had, and the tank ran dry. It was a drought. Everyone was worried about what would happen without water. Auntie Joan said ‘something will turn up.’ It rained that night. Every time I’m in a similar – what-the-crap-will-I-do-position I think about old Joan and her words – and she’s right. Something does turn up….

And why the picture? I just liked it…

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