What’s the closest thing you’ve experienced to real magic?
Well to me science is magic, the internet, how amazing is that? This invisible link between people all over the world.
Who is the messiest person you know? And why?
I’m not going to name and shame here. I am not by any means a neat freak. Given the choice between cleaning and doing almost anything I’d take the other thing but I don’t like to live in a pigsty so I keep my place moderately tidy. I don’t have kids, I guess keeping a home tidy when you have children is more of a challenge and sometimes things get overwhelming, picking things up and putting them away must seem like too much. However, there is no excuse for me to have my chairs and floor covered in stuff.
I used to think the messiest person I knew was a cousin of mine. I went to stay with her once and was meant to be sleeping on the couch but when I arrived it was piled high with ironing and clothes waiting to be put away. I have seen far worse since.
If you could know the absolute and total truth to one question, what question would you ask?
I could ask what happens when we die but I am not sure I really want to know the answer to that.
What benefits does art provide society? Does art hurt society in any way?
Art provides many benefits. It can be soothing or stimulating, it can make us think and most of all remind us that there is more to life than eat, work, sleep. However, graffiti is harmful to society I believe. Some of the people who create so-called street art are very good artists and if they chose legitimate ways to create I would have no problem with them. However, years of working in the railways brought me into contact with a lot of graffiti. Defacing the sides of public transport with rude and ugly tags is not art and the large murals were difficult and expensive to remove. We had to use nasty chemicals and wear respirators and gloves even in the hottest weather so it was certainly harmful to us railway cleaners. Here’s some legitimate street art commissioned by a local engineering works and scrap dealer.

What’s something positive you’d like to share? Can be a smile, a joke, or music..anything that gave you a lift this week!
I’m grateful for our strong community. As there are bushfires in the district many people have been on social media offering paddocks for animals, accommodation for anyone who has to leave home and asking if there is anything they can do for the firefighters. A local man has made himself available with his utility truck to help people move animals and possessions if they need to at no cost. It’s not a nice situation but a reminder of what a good place this is to live.
Friends have called me to make sure I’m OK. I am, and I know that if I do need any help I have only to ask.
