Losing Your Virginity

I found this article online, which I thought was interesting. You can find it here. It's pretty much a book promo, but the interesting thread they've taken on it is 'losing her virginity at 30'.

I thought it'd be saying 'how old' she was, or how unrealistic that is, because I've read similar sorts of articles with those themes. Strangely enough, they're saying that it's cool to do it when you're ready. That sometime oddballs have to wait until they're right.

At the start I was worried it'd be a blame game, but it kind of wasn't.

This whole article is rather refreshing. It's light-hearted, a bit goofy, but it still gives a great message that you should be your own self, do things when you're ready, not get caught up in what everyone else is doing. I think that's awesome.

There seems to be some high-profile personalities coming out and showing their strength by being different. I guess there's always been some who promote this, but they're often labelled 'different' anyway. Now it seems more mainstream people are embracing their 'differences'. I think I'd like to see a world where different was celebrated.

I'm sure there'd be problems too, but I'm going to leave my rose-coloured glasses on for now!

Kennedia rubicunda

I was wandering the streets the other day when I went to take a photo of a tree and this little flash of red caught my eye. I knew it was a plant from the pea family, but I wasn't sure what sort of a pea. So I took a heap of photos and came home and dug out the books. And it's a native, Kennedia rubicunda.

It was a little vine twining up a fence, with the flowers only about as long as your finger.

Peas (Fabaceae family) have quite distinct flowers. They have flashy big 'banners' that sit up the top and attract attention. Then the centre of the banners is where the wings and keel sit... or you know, if you're an erotic writer with a mind that runs to sex, it's like a big bottom and female genitalia - labia and a large clit. I know, sorry, you'll never see sweet peas the same again, will you? :)

Peas produces pods (like fresh pea vegetables you buy for shelling and eating) with seeds. So I'm hoping that I might be able to grab a few of these seeds and grow myself some beautiful flowers. Here's hoping no one else in the neighbourhood has the same idea!!!

Married At First Sight Week 3 Ep 2 Final

Tonight's show was the Final. After the 4 week long experiment, there were a compulsory few days apart, before they decided where the relationship would go post-experiment.

Nicole and Keller
After his drinking binge, which caused him a great deal of remorse, things were a bit rocky but these two decided to stay together.

He told her he was 'head over heels' for her. She said she had doubts but wanted to keep going.

Michael and Bella
I thought he seemed like he was pulling back. He made a few comments about Bella making the 'not moving in together' decision without discussion. He also said that he as really angry. But then when it came to the big question at the end of the experiment, he agreed to stay together.

I'm not sure what he was angry about. I took it to be that she was selfish, but I must have misread that.

Also, she says in the discussion with the relationship experts that sex is a very big part of a relationship and that once the sex has gone, the relationship is over, which is why it's so important to her. Being an erotic writer, I should definitely be agreeing with her, but being a person too, I struggle with this. I think a relationship can also be about friendship, companionship, mutual respect, enjoyment, and if the sex wanes, I'd like to think there was more to a relationship to keep it going. But, let's put it down to editing!

Monica and Mark
There was some intimation that he was goofy and she was worried that it meant he didn't trust her and that the relationship wasn't working - but I'm pretty sure this was editing/required. These two look sensible and solid. Sure there aren't fireworks going off for them, or not that they'll show on TV, but they seem to have progressed a lot over the 4 weeks and their relationship seems to be built on respect and shared experiences, fun and developing trust. I hate to say it, but I like that the foundation doesn't appear to be sex.



Sadly, the episode finished there. I thought the last ones had shown the couple after 3 or 6 months, but not this time. I was disappointed. I wanted to see if they'd lasted outside of the experiment. I guess that gossip will be on social media in the next few days.

Married At First Sight Week 3 ep 1

Tonight's episode was with the 3 remaining couples. It's post dinner, meeting up with families and a week before the 'end of the experiment' so decisions need to be made soon.

Nicole and Keller
It appeared like they didn't speak after the dinner but I think this was just editing. It looked like they spoke the next morning. Keller thought he was defending Nicole. She said she didn't need protecting. So there's a difference in values, as well as reading of the atmosphere at dinner.

He apologises and says that he'll do anything to be with her, and that he'll change to suit her. I found this unrealistic and a really silly promise to make because it's almost impossible to keep. But she accepted it, said if it was broken she'd be heart broken (I'm feeling really cynical and jaded!!).

At Keller's family, his mother and Nicole seem a lot alike - laugh a lot, same attitude towards him (he's like a kid). His mum says that he's usually commitment-phobic, so she's seeing a huge difference in him (she says that she thinks Keller must really love Nicole, but this isn't said to Nicole).

Then Keller goes out with Navy mates. Gets rotten drunk, comes home still drunk with a new tattoo (which he's socked to discover). He keeps drinking and she's really shitty. She goes to stay with friends. Next day, he's remorseful but still wearing the same clothes! He's self-sabotaging and he knows it.

These two are both big-hearted people. Keller has some real issues which I hope he gets help for. If he gets help and works on these, I could see them lasting, but I don't know that he'll get help.

Michael and Bella
After the dinner party, Bella says, "I know that whatever I did, he'd have my back." I found this a strange comment - almost like she'd put him to a test. But again, it's editing of the show which takes this out of context, so who knows what else she said. This is where I find analysis of the show frustrating. I don;t think I'll do it again. I can't tell if I'm reading things into what's being said because of the way it's skewed for TV.

Michael is noticing her walls, and even when he tries to talk about this, she doesn't seem to drop them - even for him. He wants depth and intimacy; she's not giving it. I'm suspecting that he might walk away from this relationship (but again...editing!).

When meeting Michael's mother, Bella is still all handsy with Michael. But she's all bubbles and not a lot of substance, even with his mother.

Then Bella catches up with her mate. He asks if she's fallen in love, she says yes, and he asks who said it first - and is relieved when she hasn't. This is kind of odd - does she fall in love often/easily? Then she tells him that at the end of the experiment, she and Michael aren't going to move in together because they both have their own places to go to. He's stunned and says that's weird - but she doesn't find it odd at all. When she tells Michael, he has the same reaction as her friend - stunned.

I think this relationship has never got past the surface. I don't have much hope for this pair.

Mark and Monica
After the dinner, Monica sees that their relationship is quite different to the other ones, so they sit and chat about that. Then they chat about what they feel about their relationship and where they see it going in the future. He says he feels more for her each day, he likes her more, and wants to keep spending time with her. She's the same.

They go to spend time with Monica's mum, and it seems like they get along well - easy going and fun. Then we see Monica telling Mark about her childhood (being one of 8 kids, her dad dying young, her mum having to work, all the kids working too). He's asking questions (gently) and he's really listening (turned to her, head down, eye contact, moving closer). There's not a lot of touching while they talk, but these two aren't touchy feely. Then there's a big hug.

I think these two have the most in common and have gone about their relationship slowly and without being pushed by TV. I hope they make it beyond the show.

So, there's my latest predictions! See how I go tomorrow.