Guest Post: What’s a Sherrin?

By Karen B.

When Amanda first told me about her “30 things to do before she turns 30” list, I thought wow! That’s awesome!

When she followed it up by saying that she was asking her friends and family to populate the list, the thought was, wow! She’s game!

For those of you who know me, you will know that I am “a bit” of a sports nut. So it is quite ironic that my oldest friend is, simply put, possibly the furthest thing from it. There has been more than the odd occasion where I have been on the receiving end of rolling eyes when sport related topics or footy plans come up…

Guest Post: Postulations of a Tortured Soul

By Mitch D.

Authors Note: The following article contains liberal doses (dollops, even) of sarcasm. Please proceed with your tongue firmly implanted into your cheek.

I must confess, I am disappointed.

No, my friends, not the utter disappointment that arises when the Blues lose the State of Origin again, or when Steph returns and creates havoc on Ramsay Street and causes pain in the lives of your favourite peeps. No, this is just a mild feeling…

Of let-downedness…

Guest Post: Mirror mirror on the wall…

By Rachael L.

As one of the main characters in Amanda’s first book High Doses of Obsession (whose only hard-copy edition sits lovingly on my bookshelf), I thought it was only fitting that my suggestion for her ’30 things’ list would be for her to write another book. But Dave already beat me to it, and just about every other idea I had was taken too. Lacking in creativity (and yes, being rather indecisive), I couldn’t think of anything else so asked her to find someone else to contribute.

With 30 being a looming milestone for so many of my friends (and sadly for me too), I started to notice how it was becoming a time for reflection. But everyone seemed to be reflecting about all they things they hadn’t accomplished or wouldn’t achieve by the time they turned 30. A bunch of Negative Nellies

I thought Chris’s challenge for Amanda to spend a weekend in solitude was the perfect time for some self-reflection. Anyone who knows Amanda knows that she is full of love, compliments and great advice for her friends, but tends to be the self-deprecating type when it comes to herself.

Being a bit of a Positive Polly, I set Amanda a little bonus challenge – to reflect positively on herself and to think about some of the things she likes about herself and the things she’s good at. 30 of them, in fact.

Guest Post: Whoa-Oh Running On a Prayer

By Dane L.

When Amanda asked for some challenges for her birthday some 10 and a half months ago, it seemed like such a good idea to give her one with a healthy kick. Probably for the best given that other challenges included such indulgences as “Blow a stack of cash”, “Eat McDonalds-esque food” and “Watch 100 movies”.

Still, 10 and a half months ago, a 21.1km (don’t forget the .1) “fun” run didn’t seem like an impossible task. And given the amount of time we had to train and prepare, it was sure to be a positive experience for her, and myself. Yet, life gets in the way (or 29 other challenges) and we both found our training a little lacklustre. I have at least run the City2Surf in the past, and Amanda has done the Central Coast Bay2Bay, but we are both far from fitness freaks. As the date drew nearer and nearer we both felt a growing sense of dread, much rather than excitement for the challenge itself.

Guest Post: Travelling India and Nepal

By Wendy G.

It’s amazing how quickly you adapt. At home you would be horrified and shocked if your taxi driver had to swerve to avoid a  cyclist, pedestrian, oncoming traffic and a cow in quick succession, especially if you had no doors! After one week you apparently can take it in your stride without blinking.

Also you blithely risk life and limb by walking along the pitted road to avoid the holes, hawkers, cow poo and other excrement on the foot path. Happily weaving your way in front of trucks and buses confident that they will somehow manage to avoid hitting you. You even allow perfect strangers to cover you in powdered dye from head to toe,  smiling and laughing all the while. This is the power of India.

Guest Post: Go diving. Fun with no pressure.

By Kevin L.

You can go pretty much anywhere you like in the world. It might take a bit of money and time but there’s not much in your way beyond that.

However, there are a couple of places that present something a little more troublesome in the way of barriers.

For one thing, going into outer space is kind of out of the question for most people. This is not to say it can’t be done. Richard Branson is working on it but it takes quite a bit more money than you or I have in our back pockets. We can fly at lower altitudes more easily but space remains out of reach for the average person.

Another place that is more challenging to visit is under the ocean. I mean, you can’t just GO there and visit. At least not without the right gear and the right training. Most people never go there. Not in the way that allows you to actually visit the place. You know, sit about and admire the view and that kind of thing.

Yet, that too is possible and accessible for most people. It’s just that not so many of us do it.

Guest Post: The List – a Halftime Report

By Andy S.

When Amanda first mentioned she was doing “The List” I was so happy for her. I believe life’s there to be lived to the fullest and having a tick off list with a deadline is the best way to motivate yourself into getting out there and trying something new.

Speaking of trying something new, this is my first ever blog post and to be honest it’s not as easy as Amanda makes it look! As I’m sure you’re aware by now, Amanda’s an amazing writer and loves sharing her thoughts and feelings with the world. In many ways I’m the complete opposite in those regards – but I’ll give it my best shot.

Guest Post: In 25 words or less…

By Shelley L.

Allow me to begin with a quote from one of my favorite childhood movies – Dumb & Dumber (no idea how it didn’t make imdb top 100)

Lloyd: Hit me with it! Just give it to me straight! I came a long way just to see you, Mary. The least you can do is level with me. What are my chances?
Mary: Not good.
Lloyd: You mean, not good like one out of a hundred?
Mary: I’d say more like one out of a million.
[pause]
Lloyd: So you’re telling me there’s a chance… *YEAH!*

Guest Post: Masterchef eat your heart out

By Roslyn L.

Amanda has explained why I may have come up with the challenge “Host a dinner party using 3 of your most loved foods and 3 of your most disliked foods”  in her blogs of 5 July and 10 Jan and if I had actually carefully read those blogs before she surprised me with the idea that I was to be one of the invited guests, I wouldn’t have been so apprehensive about what I was to face for dinner on Saturday night.

Guest Post: We aren’t all built for adventure

By Bronwyn L.

About 15 years ago now, I was one of a group of Mums who decided to do something very silly and a little bit daring……..we had a pyjama party morning tea! We had to drive to one friend’s place in our pyjamas with mudpacks on our faces. We then ate and played some games, including Scruples, and spoke of plans for other daring adventures. One of the suggestions made at the time was to go away for a weekend, turning up at the airport with just a handbag and credit card and then to go on a shopping spree to buy what we needed plus a little bit more.