Roller baby
a girls roller skating obsession in the 80s
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
2023 rules according to me
The ball dropped, the gong went off, the clock struck midnight. 2023 was born under a sky of crackers, hugs, kisses, smooches and well-wishers (those who were awake at least) who welcomed the new year with (I hope) the anticipation of better things to come. My very own FB post read a summerised version of the below.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Would you share your music playlist?
On the morning commute into the office (yes, believe it or not, I’m venturing out of my loungewear and putting on proper shoes), the radio station announcer posed a question to the listeners. ‘Would you share your playlist?’ Her co-presenter immediately retorted with a stern ‘No way.’
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Praise for the list.
I love writing lists. Seems like so many others do as well. There are Pinterest boards dedicated to correct list writing. Youtube videos demonstrating the ‘write’ way to write a list. Some would say that it’s too rigid, while others claim that life without a list would be chaos.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Moments. In. Time.
Three words to be exact. I’ve read that a great title for a book should be summed up in three words. Your life can also be summed up in three words. Search for Meaning. Life with Purpose. Actions that Matter. Friends for Life. Clean my House. And it was this morning when another three words sprang into mind. Moments in Time. This occurred as I turned the page of a great book I’m reading right now, and when the dog looked at me with those big brown eyes, or when my online shopping was delivered to my veranda at precisely 7:18am, right in the middle of the 6 and 8am intended delivery time. Right. On. Time. It’s these moments where you read a paragraph that makes you laugh out loud, which reminds you of a memory long forgotten. Did I really wear that purple ill-fitting off-the-shoulder ensemble because I had nothing else to wear to the school disco? Or when you know you need to take the dog for a walk, he’s saying ‘Hey lady, it’s time for me to do you-know-what, so get up off your arse and open the front door.’ You laugh at the imaginary speech bubble above his scruffy face and remember the day you bought him home and how he curled up on your lap in a state of complete bliss. Or when the last shopping bag is placed by the door. You now know that you’ve spared two hours of your day not pushing the shopping trolley up and down the supermarket aisles, avoiding that impulse buy, the parking lot, the florescent lighting, wiping down the trolley for any Covid infection, remembering to take your mask. Instead, you’ve gained an insight for reading and looking at the dog, patting the cat or like the sign says, you’ve been able to Take. It. Easy.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
12 Good-mornings versus six blanks stares
My observation for this week. Since when have we become a community, where a pleasant ‘good morning’ has been replaced with a curious blank stare? I’m watching Ted Lasso on Apple TV, and I find it hilarious in a Ned Flanders kind-of-way how the main character Ted faces the constant barrage of colourful language while still smiling and extending a cheery hello! I would have told them to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine, but hey, that’s just me. The thought did linger. I decided to test out the theory that faced with a ‘good morning’ from a stranger would compel you to adhere to social customs to respond, unless you were a psychopath and if that’s the case, run for the hills!
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Somewhere north of So-Ho – October 2000
Currently embracing the armchair traveller movement, more images of past trips emerge as I finally get to the end of a five-decade photographic journey. I won’t even begin to count the number of images I’ve paused, giggled, and sighed at. Come on Covid, go away so we can travel again! When this picture was taken, we were sans children and on a trip to NYC. We learnt about ‘tree rodents,’ the importance of tipping, that a hot dog from a corner street vendor makes for a great lunch and tourist companion, and that coffee made by Australian baristas in Australia will always be the best. Apologies to my U.S friends but hoping for a good coffee we realised was all but a dream…Passing the myriad of mirrored Starbucks coffee shops along W Broadway, we came across this madam who decided to have a snooze. While she was very much alive (yes, we went in to check) we loved the fact that she was not only a fashionista-coloured co-ordinated granny, but that on close inspection she had the smoothest complexion. (Remember we lent in to make sure she was breathing and not in a creepy sort of way.) And as we channelled our inner Samantha Jones we said ‘Girl Paleese!’
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
How one conversation took me back many decades...
I was sitting poolside watching the young master and his weekly training squad when (a relatively new friend, our boys play in the same team) and I started chatting. She is a recent inhabitant of our shores, but our family background is very similar, in that I too am an immigrant from the European continent and we love all things marzipan. We discussed her new home, the children and then we started talking about books. What you like, what motivates, what moves you? And as an avid reader, I suggested we swap books as a means of spreading good storytelling. She asked me what was my favourite book? A few titles popped into my subconscious, but one especially is the above mentioned. The Land Before Avocado, by Richard Glover.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
When a part of your life needs to R.I.P
A week ago I was contacted through FB by my lovely friend and collegue, Madam S. We worked together at one of the countries largest magazine publishing organisations for many years and while it has been more than ten years since I treaded the well worn carpeted hallways the memory of the individuals, the very late nights, the unreasonable requests and the utmost disregard for personal time rose to the quivering surface of my subconscious. The now defunct organisation in question is dead and partially buried, but when one individual put the call out to all past employees, them hordes came a comin’.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Never assume on a daily walk...
As a creature of habit, you will most likely find me taking my daily walk at the same time every weekday. I plan, it’s scheduled in my online diary, friends can catch me on the phone as I am most likely listening to a podcast or song, generally, it’s a green light for any future stalker. Contemplating now, perhaps, is not such a good idea. That being stated, there are others like me, who walk the same path around our area, albeit opposite, which, is another OCD moment on my behalf because I tend to walk the same path at the same time in the same direction.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
No FOMO for FOMO
Today ends the first week of officially working from home. And I feel fortunate that the organisation I work for, gave us this option, in order to keep ourselves and everyone around us safe. In our home, the kiddos have access to online learning, I’ve structured a pretty good work plan and the cat is happy that she gets to stay indoors. I know some people find having to stay indoors against their will (introverts no need to put down your book), but I’m going to relish this time!
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
A story on the beach
Taking time out from the hectic Christmas season…yes, I’ve had my fair share of sauerkraut, turkey and pavlova to last a few more months, we head off to the beach in search of some relaxing fine time. Have you ever just sat and listened to those around you? This day I did.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
How do we get 'happy?'
A very good friend of mine and I were having our regular discussion on the commute to work. Both of us stuck in ridiculous Sydney traffic, 8:30am after child school drop off is THE best time to get in the conversations (hands free of course.) On this particular day (probably because the stop-start mechanism on the pedal and brake would really send anybody a little mad,) Madam G proposed the question,
Published: Sylvia Jimenez