I’m not big on reality TV shows – mainly I think because I forget to find time to watch TV. Anyway, I started watching this cooking contest called My Kitchen Rules. I don’t like to cook – I can – I just prefer not to. It’s crapacious and if I can’t toasted or microwaved then I don’t wish to play. I do however like to watch other people cook.
MKR has 6 couples from around Australia and they all have to bung on a dinner and be judged by the other competitors and two top chefs. The thing I enjoy about this? There is this stick-up-their-arses couple from Tasmania who are the quintessential people you love to hate. Why? They drag every other contestant down in an effort to make themselves look good. That’s why I keep watching. I want to see the Tasmanians come a cropper – and they did. I understand that it’s a competition and you have to have your game face on and think tactics but you also have to be pretty bloody sure of your ability as a cook, after belittling others attempts at cuisine, to front up on TV and be judged yourself.
Be a smart arse by all means. I have no problem with that but be damned sure you can back yourself up when push comes to shove.
Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Knife job...
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Elephant in ballet slippers…
So, I’ve been checking out camping stores. I loathe camping. I think it’s wrong and unnatural and it has a high pukeability factor. To me, camping is as natural as an elephant in ballet slippers. But, after the big blow of Cyclone Yasi I decided I needed to update my emergency supplies – hence the dalliance in the realms of the great outdoors. I like nature. I just don’t want to sleep or pee in it.
Anyway, I’ve been driving camping store people mad with my questions. They’ve been quite stoic. I think I amuse them.
Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book
Monday, 7 February 2011
Mondays...
Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book
Sunday, 6 February 2011
'Went for an early morning…
Trinity Beach is like a lot of the Far North Qld beaches – it’s simple and unspoiled. There is no glitz or tacky tourist shops. I did come across one American gentleman who I said ‘G’day’ to and I believe I made his day by speaking Aussie.
The picture with the palm trees is when I was leaning my arse against Patrick, my car, and drinking coffee. Patrick is very stoic.
Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Raping a story…
So, I’ve been writing some deep, dark books that are not pretty. Yes, there is sex and romance but the plot is ugly. I sent it off to one publisher. Yes, they liked the book and they wanted to give me a contract – but – I had to take out the rape of a secondary character. Could I have done this? Yes, but the book would lose its edge. The villain is ugly, evil, psychotic bad – not Cruella De Ville Disney bad. Taking out the rape would make him less a villain and more someone that’s just ‘not nice’ in that Disney TV dinner way. I declined the offer. While I respect their opinion and stance, unlike some I’m not about to completely sell my soul for a contract.
So – is it that we can only, as readers, accept ‘pretty’ romances? How bad is the villain allowed to be? Or do we have to homogenize him to be politically correct? Me? I think fiction is just that and we’ll politically correct ourselves to death one day.
Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
In an emergency - buy toilet paper...
The shops in Cairns are in panic mode as everyone stocks up for Tropical Cyclone Yasi. Want fruit and Veg? Forget it. Want canned goods? Nup. Bread? Uh-uh. Milk? Only some stores have it. As for toilet paper – it appears it’s very necessary in a crisis. People were carrying it out by the arm-fulls. Not sure why but I bought some as well. I didn’t need it but I figured it was the thing to do…
I did supplement by emergency supplies with wine and Tim Tams…a woman still has to live life…and I bought a lotto ticket for luck.
Oh – and Yasi? Piss off back to where you came from.
Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book
Flying Monkeys....
Well, that big bugger Cyclone Yasi looks like it will hit some time tomorrow. Where? No idea. It appears to be a crapshoot. But me and the flying monkeys are as prepared as we can be. Hmmm...a cyclone is a good excuse for not going to the gym…
Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book
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