Sunday, May 3, 2009

Foxes & Feathers: The Draft

Hi All, you may be aware that recently I had my short story critiqued by the class and my tutor.  This was a terrifying prospect that meant I was the spotlight of the class with possible failure on the horizon.  So, instead of giving you my re-write, I thought I'd give you the draft which was definitely in need of some work.  Let me know what you think.

As the sun stroked the countryside in farewell, the moon arose in the sky to play along the landscape.  The summer heat still hung heavy in the air even though the sun had now long departed the sky; fireflies danced and sparked in the clear night sky, reminiscent of fairies dancing gracefully, a reinvented waltz.  No breeze moved through the trees and yet leaves rustled.  From a bough of an enormous oak tree, above a dell, leaves jerked and quivered furiously, a green hula skirt twisting violently to some drum beat rhythm.  Through the shades of green were glimpses of white and brown.  A yip from the edge of the dell, then into the clearing rolled two fox cubs.  Twisting and turning, snarling and nipping they continued bouncing over rocks until they both came to a crashing halt against a log.

            Far above on the bough where the leaves had shaken their hula dance, now peered two small golden eyes watching the antics below.  Spellbound.  Once more the leaves shook.  Then they again stilled.  There was a loud ‘Harrumph’, a muttering of ‘walk before you run indeed’.  The eyes closed, reopened and looked up towards the sky, very much as we humans do when asking for heavenly assistance.  A deep breath, then some more shaking of the leaves and suddenly out catapulted along the branch a small fluffy creature.  It’s momentum came to a complete and sudden end with its head laying upon the bough, with what one would assume, its backside up in the air against the trunk of the great tree.  The thing, for one could really not be sure exactly what it was in this position, lay there muttering with its eyes closed.

            The cubs gambolling below both looked up, startled at the sudden disruption above them.  All that they could see from their position was what looked like a funny pair of mustard yellow detached feet floating up against the trunk of the great oak tree that sheltered the dell. 

“What is that?” the cub with amber eyes muttered to his brother.

“Looks to me like some bird exploded and left behind his feet.”

“Don’t be silly, a bird wouldn’t leave behind his feet.”

“Well then how do you explain those feet stuck to the side of the Great Oak?”  He sat down in front of his brother ready to argue his point.

“Easy,” he said, ”the bird hasn’t left his feet behind.  He’s crash landed and is stuck most of the way in the Great Oak’s trunk.”  Smug at what he was sure was the only real explanation for what, from their position was only a pair of feet.

Up above them came a groan and they immediately stopped their heated argument on the possibilities of birds leaving their feet behind, or taking off so quickly as to embed themselves into trunks.   Peering through the filtered moonbeams they listened carefully. It came again, a groan but now followed by a mumbling.

“See, I told you it hadn’t left its feet behind fuzz butt!”

“Shut up, it could have happened.”

“Would you two both shut up please?”  Came a new voice, one full of annoyance.  The two cubs quickly looked back at the tree bough and saw what they had missed before, or more what the bough had previously been hiding from them.  A snowy face with golden eyes looked over the edge of the bough, straight at the cubs.  The one with amber eyes nudged his sibling.

“Ah, who are you?”

“Athena” replied the bird. 

“Oh.  My name’s Dash and this is my brother Ash,” the amber-eyed fox said politely.  “Would you like to come down and play with us?”

“I don’t know how to get all the way down there.”

“But you’ve got wings ain’t yer?” asked Ash.

“Yes, but I’ve never tried them before.  Mother keeps saying I’m too young, although to be quite honest I just think that she has issues with me trying to the leave the nest.  Because you know what mothers are – “

“Whoa, wait a minute!  Boy you sure can talk fast.” Dash jumped in when both he and Ash were starting to go cross-eyed trying to keep up with all that Athena was saying.

“Sorry,” she said sheepishly.  “I tend to get a bit excited and ramble on quickly.”

“Well, why don’t you give it a try.  Your mum’s not home to tell you off if you give it a go, and anyway you can always get back there if you hear her coming.” 

Ash nodded, “we’ll keep an eye out for her for you so you don’t get into trouble and if that fails, don’t worry, me and Dash we’re egg spurts at stories to get out of trouble.

“That’s experts numbskull.”

“Whatever dogs breath.”

“Halloo, owl up here about to disobey parent and possibly be grounded forever here.”  Athena jumped in as the brothers prepared to go through what was more than likely a familiar routine.

“Right, sorry Athena.  Are you ready to give it a go?”

“Okay, although to be honest it was hard enough to break through the leaf cage mum had built around the nest.  Now let’s see…wings, yep two of them, and in fair working order.”  Athena bent and stretched her legs, flapped her wings. “On the count of three.”

“One…two…three.”

“Um, Athena, you’re meant to jump now.”  Ash piped in helpfully as Athena took deep breath after deep breath.

“You can do it Athena, just flap those wings and jump,”  Dash assured her with a foxy grin.

“One…two…three.” 

            Athena jumped, flapped her wings furiously and realised very quickly that something was wrong.  She plummeted, at least it felt that way to her, and came to her second abrupt halt for the evening, this time opening her eyes to three sets of eyes peering into hers.  Two were the fox cubs, and the third was very familiar to her, her mother’s.

“Uh, hi Mum.”  Boy was she in trouble this time.

“Athena, thank goodness you’re alright.  Why on earth would you try to jump out of the tree?”

“I was trying to fly Mum.”

“Wrong answer, “came the muttered response from Dash.

“Athena there’s a very good reason you’ve been forbidden to fly.”

“But Mum, I want to fly and I know I can do it.”

“Athena, it’s not because you’re not, well, I suppose capable is not the right word to use here, it’s not because of your determination, it’s because darling you haven’t grown your feathers yet!”

            After a sudden silence at Athena’s mother’s revelation, Dash, Ash and Athena looked at each and burst out laughing.  Then Ash and Dash proceeded to explain how they’d though Athena was really some bird who had had a funny take off and ended up head first embedded in the tree.  Athena’s mother laughed then went off to hunt after the cubs and Athena promising to stay and play within the dell.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Comfy, Cozy & Contented

As the weather has turned cooler, one of my favourite things in the house has been put back into use.  It's not the central heating, but close - our open fire place.  There is nothing more comforting than coming in from the cold, having a steamy shower or soak in a bath, then snuggling into a chair in front of a blazing fire.  Even if you can't settle in the TV or engrossed into a book, the flames dance & leap to mesmerise and maintain your suspended attention.

From here you can add to your contentment, even though this may in fact be enough.  A glass of wine, or a cup of tea; maybe even a piece of cake or some lovely chocolate to nibble on.  The day ends earlier now.  The sun beginning to fade in the sky as we scurry from work.  The chill of the air which had until now been staved off by the sunshine, now swirls past you as you walk the street or sit in your car.  However, the cold is left behind.  An intruder that is not given to pass the door, and there you can relax, in front of a cheerful fire, comfy, cozy and content....

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The Issues Confronting Children's Literature

I am currently attempting to do some research & get a plan completed for my major essay in children's literature.  The question I am struggling with seems such a simple one. Should children's books just be fore children? Consider the adult reader.

My answer to this was simply, and loudly "NO", but unfortunately they require a reason for my no and that reason must come to approx. 2500 words!  So, looking at some of the reading I have done, I can back it up using the following points:
1) Nostalgia - that is that the adult reader relates to certain nostalgic memories
2)Fun/Frivolity - picture books, comics & graphic novels
3)Age: human condition is linear regardless of age; perception between child & adult readings
4)Categorisation of 'children's' books

From here I am stuck.  I have the general idea - out in the ether - of what I want to say but would love some feedback by anyone as to what your thoughts are in regards to why, as an adult you read children's books.  What feeling do you get from reading them?  What do you get out of reading them?  Those sorts of questions.  Also think of children's books as a whole such as picture books.  Are the books that you read 'children's' books or 'young adult'?

I'd be interested to see how many of you approach this question as well as once you have thought past your original response to the idea of is children's books just for them.  It is a very problematic area of study as our conditioned responses are often the most difficult to explain or critique.   

Friday, April 10, 2009

Addiction

I was thinking about Easter since it's Good Friday and how many people who have chocolate addictions would be in heaven now because of the able excuse to partake of said addiction.  My addiction in fact has nothing to do with food.  It's not drink, nor is it smoking (revolting habit! should be banned from every public venue).  It is in fact books.  Most of you are probably thinking that it doesn't count as an addiction but here as it is with most things, the semantics of definition can be dependent upon the person.

These are times, as we are hearing more regularly, of difficulty financially.  I myself as a student are finding this a bit trying, particularly with the car needing a good overhaul and the usual bills.  However, I still manage like the smoker, drinker or chocolate eater, to feed my addiction.  I buy books.  Not one or two, but more in the realm of four or five.  This figure is of course, lower than what it was before the monetary struggles where it was not unusual for me to buy in the field of ten plus a week or fortnight.  So, although at present my addiction is still being fed by buying the books, I have not kept up with the reading due to the school workload I have this semester...I am looking forward to the mid year break to catch up on the ever growing pile.

To all the addicts out there (smokers excluded), I wish you a bountiful Easter!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Dreams

Usually I don't remember my dreams but last night's was a doozy and for that reason alone is why I think I remembered it!  I was reading - uh duh a trial for me -  when suddenly it was almost like an Alice in Wonderland world.  The weird thing was (as if that wasn't weird enough), I kept being told by someone I had to read more books...there were piles of them everywhere I tried to go.  When I was hungry I'd just open a cook book & there was the food.... remember scratch 'n' sniff well it was similar but with taste!

The crazy thing was that I work up drooling...yep, a wonderful look for anyone watching I'm sure.  I can remember quite a while back in another dream that I wanted to go to the toilet but the toilet was outside.  Not a problem usually but you see between the house and the toilet were these chickens.  For those of you who don't really know me I am actually quite scared of chickens....something about their beaks worry me, same as emus.  But there was a twist to these evil chickens barring the way to my toilet - their beaks in this dream were poisonous.  Let's just say that the lucky thing was that I fell out of bed, because by then the pain of needing to go may have had a horrible out come in the real world!

Dreams - why are most of mine extremely strange or challenging!?!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Time Management

As I write this the irony of my subject matter does not escape me.  I have a research proposal tomorrow, which I have only cursorily looked at, and a class in another hour, that I have only done half the reading for.  With this said, I have accepted the begging from my boss to do a short shift this afternoon/evening and am working all day tomorrow.  So, when am I going to complete this research proposal?  Sometime in the ether and we can just forget about the rest of the reading.  This history unit that I've taken (the one that I am struggling with the reading) is to be quite honest a mistake.  I will persevere with it but I hate...can I say it any louder - HATE, psychology and this is all that my tutorial class relates back to in this subject.  So, I don't quite care about the rest of the lectures I'll do my major essay on the 1st lecture - witches.

I feel like it's the new year again and I'm making a vow for the coming year, but this is for this semester.  Next week is a 'reading' week for 2 of my 5 classes, so that at least means that I will have a bit of a breather heading into mid semester break which is the week following Easter.  So saying though - there's always a but isn't there? - I am working Friday to Monday this weekend, and then Easter Saturday, Sunday & Monday.  Uh Huh!

Okay, time management...hmmm, well I plan (I say this loosely because my plans are just that until they actually begin), to set myself a timetable of what to do & when.  The big thing is to actually follow them and the even bigger thing is to put this plan in a place that I will actually look at regularly!  So, fingers crossed that this time management thingy actually works.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Bad Luck?

Does anyone really believe in bad luck?  If they did then situations like those my family have found themselves in for the past 6 months would be dire indeed.  Since September last year, we have had the following: a broken leg that required surgery, a knee infection that meant hospitalisation, the wedding from hell where the Father of the Bride was removed from the reception by police, said wedding ending 7 weeks later, my brother suddenly in hospital with a trachiotomy then cancer, my father's cancer escalating where he will go into hospital for surgery next month, my grandfather stressing b/c of skin cancer and now a PET scan to ensure there is no more issues, and finally my sister in law's father in hospital with a very rare condition called "Myasthenia Gravis" and will have to undergo thoracic surgery!

So, here we are at the end of March and we still plod along the path that has slowly revealed itself in not so pleasant ways.  It would be so easy after such a run of 'bad luck', for wont of a better description, to settle into a depressed point of view.  There are however, bright spots within the horrors.  Too often I believe, we focus upon the bad things and forget that right amongst them there are bright spots.  The most important thing is that we know from these trials, who our friends really are.  I consider myself very lucky indeed that so many people consider me and my family highly enough to give their continued unconditional support.  This support and love from those people are the shining stars in the middle of the gloomy sky.  

So, remember that even though times are bad, there is always someone out there who has your back...as well as many others far worse off than you!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

British Comedy

I'm sitting here after another long Thursday at Monash watching The Vicar of Dibley and reminded once again of how wonderful and special British humour is.  There is something about the Brits and their humour that appeals.  Interestingly, we had a discussion recently on the reasons why many Americans don't quite get British humour.  I think that its because of the irony and wit of the humour in Britain.  If its not in your face, slap stick, canned laughter, then the show doesn't quite make it.

I love the character of Alice.  She's so naive but often comes out with the best lines.  For instance when discussing the story of Christmas she says that the fact that Jesus is the Son of God is a nice twist to the story, but it would be better if there was humour!  So, if any of you want to revisit some old favourites in the comedic realm, please keep the Vicar of Dibley in mind.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Wine

For the first time in age I have actually had an alcoholic drink.  Why is it that when you abstain, even for a week or so, and then imbibe you suddenly find yourself in that state of fuzziness?  I have never considered myself a drinker...although I will say that some of my friends are a bad influence on my childish side from time to time...not looking in the direction of a few houses away whilst thinking of such situations..!
Tonight we had a lovely meal of seafood with one...or two bottles of white wine.  Now I have to say that my preference when it comes to wine is that of the red variety but there are a few white wines out there that I enjoy - enormously so as was evidenced tonight.  I managed, not one but 4 glasses of wine this evening and really, for someone who has not had an alcoholic drink for over a month, it has had quite an impact... I will in fact be spell checking this blog before posting!
Anyway, eat, drink & be merry.....for life was meant to be enjoyed...and Fuck the lot of them that think you have to be thin or go on a diet to enjoy life!  Now onto the chocolate!!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

The Arthurian Legend?

This semester I am taking a course in history of the Arthurian Myth or Legend.  It is quite a fascinating subject because it touches on the fact that much of the remaining primary documentation we have, was in fact tampered with by the author.  Take for instance good old Geoffrey of Monmouth.  His book was on the Kings of England for the King of England...is he going to tell a factual story about the legend that was Arthur/  Nope, he fuzzed that one over so that Kings could link themselves to the romantic grandeur that was Camelot and the whole that it stood for.

Carol Williams who takes this course is fabulous in that her enjoyment of her subject matter grips the student up and takes them on the journey with her.  Our 1st lecture included the brilliant Monty Python; a comedic entrance into the legend that still to this day is re-written, performed and read.  I'm looking forward to the mystery that surrounds the Arthurian legend and all that may or may not be fact in the disclosure of the historical pathways left to us.

Just a great book?


I thought that I would just shoot this out into the ether.  At the moment I'm watching the 1st of the Harry Potter movies.  Now we all know that due to time constraints, movies never quite meet up to the book.  I enjoy the Harry Potter movies but for some reason these books, for me, are ones that I can and do, re-read often.  I have just finished re-reading the 1st of the series again...why, well I'm actually studying the 3rd book for one of my subjects, and since I can't just go straight into the 3rd book I've begun at the beginning!

My nephew is currently re-reading the 6th book, mainly because it is about to be released soon at the cinema.  I think that likened to the Lord of the Rings series of novel, Harry Potter will be a favourite to be read frequently and remain in the forefront of Children's Literature for many years to come.  This brings me to another issue.  During my lecture last week my lecturer brought forth the statement that often there is a stigma to adults reading what is considered children's books.  She went on to say that this was a reason that books such as the Harry Potter novels and even more recently Christopher Paolini's books were all given an 'adult' cover.  Do we in fact look down our noses at adults reading such books; those that have a 'childish' cover or were notably written for the specific audience of children?  This is not dissimilar to the stigma given to the romance genre...a favourite annoyance of mine.

Anyway, looking forward to the next in the Harry Potter movies and of course many years to come re-reading and immersing myself in the Harry Potter series novels.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Wasabi

I have just found a new type of rice cracker.  They're called Peckish and have some brilliant flavours.  At the moment I'm dealing with crackers that actually taste like the flavour they say they're meant to be...wasabi.  For those of you that haven't had wasabi before you really should try it.  The wasabi root is part of the horseradish family and hence has that same sort of hot mustard effect of hitting the top of your nose and giving a not dissimilar feeling to when you bite in to an ice-cream and get a quick cold headache.
One of my favourite scenes in a movie is actually from a French movie called 'WASABI'.  It has Jean Reno as the main protagonist where he literally devours a complete plate of wasabi with none of the usual reactions...his partner cannot believe and decides to give it a go...almost choking in the process with his eyes watering!  So, anyway, live a little.  Enter into the realm of culinary adventure if you haven't already, and for those of you that have - give these crackers a go.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Writer's Block

I have an assignment to do; to write a short story for my English class.  The problem is that I can't seem to focus on anything that will flow.  I get a few ideas and WHAM!  Writer's block occurs.  Add to this that I've been trying to go to bed early for a little over a week now, but can't settle down enough to actually sleep.  Then we get to about 3pm and I feel as if I could sleep forever...of course this isn't convenient because I'm either in class, at work or about to head off in the car to go tutor a student.
I have many things planned for this semester.  The main one being that I keep on top if not ahead of the masses of work/assessments.  So far this is not quite gelling.  I'm seriously thinking about having a shower when I get home around 6 tonight, taking a mersyndol forte and curling up in bed.  At least I know that taking that little tablet will send me off to the Land of Nod with no interruptions.  I only need to work out how to rid myself of the dreaded writer's block!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Pride & Prejudice

As is usual for me, at some point throughout the year I revisit one of my favourite authors and the adaptations of her novels - none other than Jane Austen.  To the left you see the man who epitomises my ideal of Fitzwilliam Darcy.  I take my hat off to the marvellous person who cast Colin Firth in such a role.  
There have been many adaptations of this novel in particular, but none seem to meet the brilliance of the most recent BBC production.  The cinematic picture with Keira Knightley was grossly miscast and still could not displace the much earlier Laurence Olivier version.  My love of Jane Austen reaches into the ultimate dream of no matter how bad things are there is always a suitable ending... a 'Happy Ever After'.  

I often have a giggle to myself when I consider that critics and the snobbery of the literary world place Austen's books within the realm of literary classic.  When you think about it, her novels are actually an earlier pop fiction within the romantic genre.  A genre which in my opinion, is often mistaken to be nothing more than a denigrating trashy novel and not worthy of the attention from the higher echelons of the literary world.  What do you think about that - is/should romance novels be ignored over those considered of literary value?

Monday, March 2, 2009

Monash

It has begun.  Once again I am trampling through the grounds of the Clayton campus of Monash University.  The weather on this day if surreally reflective of my state of mind as I blunder through classes and hope to God that I'm not too late to a class due to the confusion of different locations yet undiscovered.  My next class is Children's Literature.  I wonder if I'll get any extra marks for submitting myself as a representative of the indomitable spirit of the inner child? Probably not as this IS academia and such things are often frowned upon.

My earlier class was an Introduction to Fiction Writing.  We were adamantly told that 'once upon a time' or 'happy ever after' had no place in this class...morbidity seems to reign in this dwelling of literary aspirants...UGH!  I am so going to fail if that is the factual case.  So much for imagination and creativity being sancrosanct in fiction.  I'm really not sure if this is for me.  I enjoy to write and ultimately the writing is for me - it's an outlet of my imagination or quirky thought patterns, not to be labelled and placed under a label that does not fit and therefore is not "acceptable".

Anyway, we shall see where this semester takes me.  The campus (as is the State) is under seige today from natural forces.  Winds are battering the people as they scurry across from the relative safety of the buildings.  Trees are bending like someone doing aerobic stretches at fast forward speed.  Somewhere in the State, firemen are fighting a battle against nature with fires burning and shifting in the blink of an eye like a bunny on speed as it has no defined direction.


Saturday, February 14, 2009

Cancer

The insidiousness of the word alone strikes fear and horror into any person's heart.  This unexplainable fear has been a part of my life for the past 3 years; not as a victim of cancer but as a person who has been indirectly affected.  My Father was diagnosed with prostate cancer 3 years ago whilst I was overseas on holiday.  He has been stable for those 3 years, however, just this past week the cancer has been diagnosed as critical - which means that we are now faced with a battle no one wants to have.  

My baby Brother is currently undergoing chemotherapy for a lymphoma in his throat - another cancer which is not genetically linked.  No one ever expects things to happen to them or their family.  You hear of the horrors that occur daily, yet it is always someone else.  We tend to forget that that 'someone else' has a family themselves and also never foresaw the horrors that they were dealt in life.

My dad this week will be told where he needs to go for the tests that they need done.  He then will have an operation rather than the chemotherapy.  The operation however, cannot be done until 6 weeks after the biopsy.  This places it just before my niece's naming day, however dad will put off the op until just after this day.

This blow has blindsided me so much that I am as they say "up to pussy's bow".  This is not about me, yet all I can do is focus my efforts elsewhere so that the control I feel inside me splintering is not noticed by anyone and my breaking down does not put stress elsewhere.  Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go away - will it affect many people or would it just make things easier?  I hate the word cancer and all it means to everyone......

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Spare A Thought...

I thought that today I would focus my post on something other than me.  Today Victoria has sweltered through its hottest day in history.  We have so many fires that are burning out of control and the horrid thing is that some asshole/s are getting a kick out of the fact that this attention is focused because they started the monstrosities that we are trying to deal with.  Houses and lives have been affected across the State.

I almost cried at a picture of some horses huddled together with flames in the background.  The helpless such as our wildlife and family members who don't have a voice but never the less give their support and love unconditionally are being killed in the destruction that is a fire.  So for all of you out there thinking of the material cost just remember that there is a greater cost...our loving four legged friends.


Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Decisions

I never thought I was much of a procrastinator but yesterday I'm sure proved me wrong.  I went, with my parents, to the jeweller recommended to us, to organise the creating of a I.D. bracelet for my niece as a present for her 'Naming Day'.  Whilst there I also thought it was about time I organised something for my diamond that my parents had given me for my 30th birthday - 6 years ago!

So, there I was, um-ing and ah-ing over what I wanted to do with the diamond.  Did I want a ring? A pendant? A bracelet?  In the end after many various suggestions I decided that I'd go with a ring.  From here the procrastination really got started.  I went through at least 10 specialist jewellers magazines with designs.  It has now been decided, a quote issued and now I just need to say my bickies for the creation of the ring...thank God I have some money coming in at the moment and that they won't begin the ring until April!!

I keep saying, and you'll note from previous posts, that I am considered 'High Maintenance'.  I sometimes wonder if this is really just a signification of the fact that I have excellent taste...Yep, I will definitely go with that line of thought!

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Chapter 3

Josh walked out of the cockpit after ensuring all was secured.  Eve had come back into the cockpit after he’d taken off to let him know that Jasmine was asleep.  He told her just to let her sleep but keep an eye on her in case she needed anything.  He’d received an unladylike snort at that.  His sister had very strong ideas on peoples places in the world and she had chewed him out for his apparent rudeness to their passenger, now the head of the corporation and maybe if the feelings were true, his mate.  As Alpha of the pack his sister should have shown him the respect due to his station, but obviously her ideology on people’s station and how they were to be treated did not include him.   He’d just ignored her and told her to buckle up for take off.  He couldn’t very well have told her that if he’d spent any more time in their guest’s company he’d possibly have jumped her bones, ensuring her position as Alpha Female to pack, regardless of her already high station by being the previous Alpha pair’s daughter.

Jasmine Chevalier had a very big shock coming her way, and just in time for her awakening ceremony.  Josh ran a hand down his face, inwardly fighting the anger and exhaustion that had been riding him for the past 12 months since he’d stepped into the position of Pack Leader and Alpha One.  The traitor was still at large and they’d lost two other pairs since the murders of Jonathon and Marissa Chevalier.  One pair his own parents the Beta pair to the pack.  The other, his own Beta’s parents.  Whoever the murderer was, they’d known the structure of the pack and the most influential members to strike at.  He’d been to see Jasmine directly after her parents’ funerals and had to deal with her annoying aunt.  She smelled just like he remembered when he’d climbed into her room and made sure she was okay.  He crouched in front of her and inhaled deeply.

God, she smelled wonderful.  It had nearly undone him at the Melbourne airport when he’d gone to collect her and had smelled her arousal.  Those eyes watching him had been the only thing that had stopped him marking her then and there.  They’d held passion but beneath it was confusion, sorrow and fear.

He reached out a hand to brush back some hair that had fallen over her eyes and she nuzzled her face into the open hand, sighing in her sleep.  Josh stayed that way for a couple of seconds, until he heard someone clearing their throat behind him.

“Ah, I just thought I’d see how things had gone.”  Standing up, away from Jasmine, he stood, saw his Beta and best friend Lucas at the door.

“It went okay.  She has no idea Luc.  How am I supposed to tell her she’s not who she thought she was and neither were her parents?”

“I don’t know man, and I don’t want to be in your shoes if she’s anything like Marissa was.  If she’s her mother’s daughter, then you will have a stubborn female alpha on your hands.”

“No shit Sherlock.  Eve’s been giving me the fifth degree for my supposed treatment of her and Jasmine doesn’t even know that the rest of the female pack members will follow whatever her wishes are.”

“Look at it this way buddy, at least she’s pretty.”  Luc was grinning at him.

“Don’t you start that shit, ‘buddy’, or I’ll tell Eve that you’ve got the hots for her.”  Josh grinned as Luc’s face blanched.  His Beta may be the second strongest male in the pack with the power to aid his Pack Leader, but when it came to Josh’s little sister the guy was a puppy.

“Alright! Jeez, no need to play dirty.  Anyway, do you need a hand getting Sleeping Beauty out to the house and settled?”

“I’ll carry her if you can get her bags.  I think this is the first time in a while since she’s slept properly; and the change is not far away either.  Something else for us to deal with.”  Josh turned back to the still sleeping Jasmine, gently removed her loose clasp on the backpack and handed it to Lucas who grabbed it and the only other bag she’d brought with her.  He eased an arm under her thighs and the other behind her back, lifting her slowly so as not to disturb her rest.  Once he was standing again she shifted slightly, curling a hand against his neck and sighing as she settled deeper into her exhausted slumber.

 

Jasmine wished that the bird outside her window would shut up. Hold on, what bird?  She slowly opened her eyes and saw a blue/grey velvet roof above her.  Rising up upon her elbows she looked around a magnificent room.  It looked like something that had been crossed between antique French and English.  The velvet above her head was attached to a canopy four post bed.  There were lush carpets in gold and cherry wooden balloon chairs to match the wood of the bed.  To her left she saw French doors that opened onto a balcony, and there was the bird that had insisted she awaken.

As she focused upon the annoying bird, the door at the end of the room opened and the flight attendant entered.  What was her name again?  Eve, that’s it.

“Oh, miss, you’re awake.  I thought you might be hungry about now since you slept yesterday away.”  She grinned and brought over a tray.

“Unh,” good one Jazz, very articulate.  She scramble to sit up better against the bed head as Eve brought the tray to her lap. “Ah, thank you, Eve and please I’m Jasmine, not miss.”

“Okay.  I’m glad to see you awake.  Josh is downstairs with the Administrator when you’re ready.  But I told him he’d have to wait until you’d had your breakfast and shower.”  Eve plopped herself on the edge of Jazz’s bed and made herself comfy.  She chatted non-stop as Jazz ate her breakfast in awe of the girl and how she didn’t seem to breathe as she let Jazz know the ins and outs of the household.  From the gardener chasing some young boy through a fountain because of plants being planted into a love heart (the boy was lovesick over some girl); to the cook who continually moaned that everyone was always hungry, then getting upset if people were too busy to eat what she made. 

As Jasmine finished her cup of tea, Eve grabbed the tray and still talking walked back towards the door.  “Just come down once you’ve had your shower Jasmine.  Don’t worry I’ll let Josh know you’ll be along soon.”  With that she was gone.

Jasmine got out of bed and realised she was just in her panties, bra and t-shirt from the previous day.  Not wanting to think further on how she had become partially disrobed, she pulled a fresh pair of jeans, tank top, and cardigan from her the wardrobe, where her clothes seemed to have been placed.  She stood for a minute looking at her lingerie deciding that she needed the armour to once more deal with the boorish Joshua McAllister after the previous day’s dismissal.  So, chose the latest in Victoria Secrets silk series, a g-string and demi bra in butter soft yellow.

Jasmine didn’t know how long she stood under the pounding spray, but after washing her hair thoroughly, she emerged refreshed with her brain beginning to kick into gear.  Downstairs was the answers to all that had happened twelve months ago in the form of the unknown Administrator.  Quickly towelling off then massaging her favourite body lotion in she dressed and made her way out the door Eve had entered some 45 minutes earlier.  She made her way down the hall towards a long staircase that would take her to Joshua McAllister and the mysterious Administrator.

 

****************************************************************************************

“She has no idea what is happening Marcus.” Josh stood facing a window talking to one of his best friends who had taken over the role of the Pack Administrator from his father when he had died two years ago.  “When I snuck into her room a year ago after the joint funeral of the Pack Alphas I couldn’t believe that she was the one, my mate.  Remember, I told you that this would be more difficult than we expected?  Now she’s here, not only about to undergo the change but has to deal with becoming my mate and that we have a traitor in our midst; not even mentioning the deaths of her parents.”

Mate? Change? What the hell was this guy talking about?

“Well, doofus, what did you expect – she’d just jump into your arms screaming her undying love?  As if there wasn’t going to be some payback for the ease you’ve had with the women all these years and this was never going to be easy with the deaths of Jonathon and his mate.”

“Yeah laugh it up. Just you – “ Josh turned around at the sound of a muffled laugh and there stood Jasmine.

“Ah, hello, you must be Jasmine.  My pleasure to meet you; I’m Marcus, the gorgeous one also known as the Administrator.”  Marcus walked forward to the woman standing in the doorway.  He could understand why his friend was so smitten with her she was absolutely stunning.  If it wasn’t for the fact he was determined not to become mated then he might have given Josh a run for his money.  Still he could have some fun with this, teasing his friend who had become far too serious in the past few years with the deaths of Jasmine’s parents.

“Uh, hi.  Sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt anything, it’s just that Eve said to come down after my shower.”  Jasmine looked between the two men.  God, what perfect specimens of males they were.  Both of them had the faces of fallen angels; dangerous, hard and so masculine she could feel here clean panties getting wet again.

“Jasmine, please take a seat.” Josh indicated the sofa and wing back chairs.  She moved into the room and made her way to the sofa.  As Josh sat on the other end of the sofa, Jazz felt her pussy spasm and more cream flooded her panties.  Was it just her or did it suddenly feel hot in the sunlit room.  Marcus shut the door and then sat on a seat opposite the sofa.

“Okay, now that I’m here can one of you please tell me what the hell is going on?”  She was not in the mood for any more mysteries.  Her parents had been murdered, she’d left everything behind on an ominous letter left by her father, she kept having erotic thoughts which were making her cranky, not to mention whatever these two had been discussing as she was about to enter the room.

She saw Josh give a look at Marcus, as if to say see, I told you.  Jazz was having none of that.  Mr. MacAllister.  I believe that I have been more than patient.”  He sighed and rubbed at a tiny scar she could see along his nose.

“Jasmine,” Marcus interrupted.  Gone was the boyish look of before, “this is a discussion none of us expected to have with you.  When we thought of meeting you it was that our world would be fully known to you; that your parents would have taught you what you needed to become part of us, but the events a year ago changed everything.  Much more than just your involvement was affected with their deaths.”  He paused and looked sorrowfully at his clasped hands. 

Jazz could feel the tenseness that was affecting Marcus also settle across herself and Josh.  Whatever it was they were about to tell her she knew was going to be bad.  God, had her parents not been the heads of a corporation but a mafia cell.  She took a fortifying breath and looked between the two men, not sure she wanted to stay in the room.  “Okay, enough of the doom and gloom.  Just spit it out.  At the moment my imagination is going wild at what could be so bad that you need to put me out of misery.”

Josh sighed and turned to face her, a flash of, could that be fear, in his eyes then “We’re werewolves and your parents were Pack Alphas, that is the leaders of our Pack.”  He was watching her now.

“Wait a minute doofus, I’ve been through enough already, beginning with the deaths of my parents that you can stow the bullshit and tell me the truth.”  Jasmine stood up and glared at the two men, both who seemed to be watching her very carefully. 

“See, I told you there was no way this was going to be easy Marcus.”  Josh stood up and once again went to stare out the windows.

“Jasmine, please, this isn’t a joke.  I know that this seems cruel, but it’s true.  We really are werewolves and your parents were our leaders.”

“Yeah, well fuzzbutt, if my parents were werewolves, then how come I never saw them change?  I mean I lived with them for Christ’s sake.  And if they really were what you say they were, then how come I haven’t gone all fuzzy?  Well?”

“Your mother wasn’t born wolf.”

“What was that Mr. MacAllister?”

Josh turned around, “I said that the reason you haven’t changed yet is because your mother wasn’t born a werewolf – you were and your father was, but because your mother wasn’t your change won’t occur until the full moon after your 25th birthday.  In fact, the full moon is due in 9 days.”

Putting her hands on her hips, she glared at Josh.  “Well, smart ass, how do you know that I’ll change?”

“We can smell it, and your mother was a true candidate for the change as she was psychic.  People can only be turned if they have some element of magic in them, or what the human society call psychic.”

“Hold on one freakin’ moment.  Smell?  Are you saying that even with my shower I smell?”

“Jasmine, it’s not that kind of smell.  You’re trying to misconstrue Josh.  He means that with a first change, particularly an Alpha female like you, you tend to go into heat.”

“EEW!  You two are just wrong, do you realise that?  Are you both sure that there wasn’t any magic mushrooms in my omelette?  First you believe that you’re werewolves, then that my parents were the leaders of your psychosis, and finally that the reason I haven’t ‘changed’, is because my mother was a psychic first!  Delusional, that’s what you both are.”

“Jasmine, we really are werewolves.”  Marcus looked at her then at Josh as if looking for backup.  “Josh, we’re going to have to show her. It would be better if you show her.”

“Fine.”  Josh took his t-shirt off and dropped his hands to his button fly.

“Whoa, back up there Scooby.”

“Jasmine, he has to take his clothes off to show you.  Relax, it will be okay, I promise.”

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Heat Wave

For the past 3 days Melbourne, my city of residence, has broiled under the Summer sun.  We have endured 43+ degree consecutive days, with overnight temperatures of mid 20's.  I really feel for the poor souls who do not have any form of cooling, and even more so for those that even if they do have cooling have been screwed over by the current Labor government.  A government whose leader chose to state last year that we would not be the victims of blackouts due to unfit electrical systems.  Wanker!!!  To him I & his party of fellow incompetents I say "cry me a river when I'm gone".

My poor puppies are totally blessed to have me as an owner... even if they wouldn't agree at times.  They are, along with me, lazing under the cool air of our airconditioner.  Occasionally I step outside to the drinks fridge and thank the lucky stars that I have the cool air inside.  I am continuing my watching of one of my favourite shows - 'The West Wing'.  Later on I'll hop in the car and go off to my friends house for a swim.  See best of both worlds - cool air at home and a private pool for my pleasure too.

Enjoy the heat wave fellow friends... and even more enjoy the cool change when it finally arrives.

Friday, January 23, 2009

EUReKA


I recently came across a new TV series called EUReKA.  It is quite bizarre but I've enjoyed the first 2 episodes so far.  It's about a man who's escorting his runaway daughter back to his ex-wife.  He's a US Marshal(Jack Carter) and on their drive back they run off the road avoiding a dog.  Stuck in this town where things are not 'typical' awaiting the repair of their car, Carter stumbles on what makes EUReKA unique.  Everyone in the town is a descendent of history's geniuses or a mathematical/scientific genius that work for a company that create for the US Government.

One of the things that I love about the internet is that you can search for alot of things.  The US floods their system with so many new shows that we often don't receive them until a couple of years later... if we're lucky.  This way if you find something that piques your curiosity then you can download at least one episode and decide if it is worth your while continuing.  That was the case with this show.  I have since downloaded the complete series one & two but haven't had a chance to watch much more as I've been busy.  tonight was going to be a night for sitting down and watching a bit more but I've had a reminder that we're off to a 30th birthday... maybe tomorrow then!

Let me know if there are any new TV shows that you've come across...

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Home Sweet Home

It's great to get away from it all but it is even better to get back home.  We went straight to the hospital from the airport today and even though I went to bed fairly early (midnight), I am more than feeling it now.  My brother has been discharged!!!  So absolutely fabulous news for all of - him especially.  My parents and everyone have headed back to his house for dinner and to see him settled comfortably back in familiar surroundings.  I had my sister drop me off home so that I could change into comfy clothes and the opportunity to unwind in front of the tv.

Now I am about to have a simple dinner of maccaroni & cheese, veg out for a while then early bed... in my own bed, with my own lovely pillows... careful or I may start waxing poetry over a comfy bed!

G'night.

Fait Chaud! (It's Hot!)

I am currently in Mildura visiting my grandparents with my mother, although keeping in close contact with my Dad and brother whilst he is in hospital.  Richard started, finally, chemotherapy today and I'm sure when I speak to dad later tonight he'll let us know how that went.  

Well, I will never complain about heat waves in Melbourne again after being here for the past 3 days.  The day we arrived it was a hot 41 degrees celcius.  Definitely warm but felt more so because my poor aunt's car has decided that the airconditioning would no work.  Yesterday was a scorching 44 degrees celcius and it didn't take long for the heat topenetrate once you took a step out the door.  Today was, sad as I would describe it, - mild.  We had a top of 35 degrees, the coolest since our arrival.  The overnight temp for tonight is 23 degrees.... I plan to have a refreshingly cool shower and relax prior to attempting to sleep.

Our flight leaves here tomorrow just after noon... if it leaves on time that is.  The last time it was running an hour late.  With tomorrow's temp of 37 degrees celcius, let's hope the plane doesn't break down due to the heat!!!

Well, it's almost 7.45pm and my cousin Elizabeth is almost finished cooking us dinner.  Even with the heat we're having a hot meal - crazy I know but hey the Indians do it with their curries, so maybe it has a cooling effect????

Ciao!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Family

I'm sitting here in what is commonly known to all family and friends as our 'reading room' smiling and listening to the conversations flitting through the room between various family and friends.  The people visiting here today in celebration of my oldest sister's birthday are what I would call family regardless of blood.  I'm sure that many people would agree that there are often people that you adopt into a family because of the support, love and kinship felt.

I have 5 mums and love each of them for the support, love and laughter (as well as advice).  These marvelous women are beautiful for so many different reasons.  I thought that today's post would not wait for the 'official' acknowledgement of Mother's Day.  So, raise your glasses please to my mums:

Catherine
Barbara
Elizabeth
Margaret
Anne

These women mean the world to me, even if only one of them is my biological mother.  They are friends, mentor and true women to aspire to for many different reasons; all with differing strengths and weaknesses, but nonetheless are kept close to my heart.

I love you all very much.