Either Or Game

[Maryd.]

Throw that politics in the trash and move on, sweetie.

[Henry P]

Someone won't let me

[Maryd.]

Ah crazy people...

Hold a grudge or settle quickly?

[Henry P]

Settle quickly, unless the hurt is deep or caused with malice or coldness

[Maryd.]

Yes...

Eye colours: Blue or green?

[Henry P]

Green, I think. Blue can be cold

[Maryd.]

Yes green is lovely.

Lips: Thin and small or full and big?

[Henry P]

I like full and quite big. Otherwise you look like something on a fish stall

[Maryd.]

Hahahaha...
You are so funny today, sir.

[Henry P]

Joined up handwriting or printed?

[Maryd.]

I find joined handwriting hard to read.

[Henry P]

It's a little slower to write, though

[Maryd.]

Writing in captials... Lots of people do it.

[Henry P]

That's slower still

[Maryd.]

I know, but you know how many children write that way. I worked with a year 5 student that did half capitals and half normal letters... Really weird habit to get into. Funny how his teachers in the past never picked it up. I had a terrible time convincing him to change.

[Henry P]

It's got to be tackled early on

[Maryd.]

Yes grade 5 is 10 or 11. That is far too late.

[Henry P]

Probably yes. It has to become automatic before then

[Maryd.]

I must admit though it was this child who got me onto reading about Nelson Mandella's life. He was mesmerized by him and he kept talking to me about him and before long, I became hooked.

[Henry P]

On Mandela? I read his book too

[Maryd.]

What a great leader.

[Henry P]

A great man, full of forgiveness and benevolence

[Maryd.]

I don't know if there will be anyone in the world that will measure up.

Funny how one little boy, got me hooked on this great man.
I was there to help him. But he helped me. To understand this great leader.
The youung boy was Chinese.

[Henry P]

Everywhere is multi-cultural now. I like orientals

[Maryd.]

Henry... Australia is so multicultural. In our area we say the words... "Spot the Aussie"

[Henry P]

In Bradford I feel like a spot on a domino

[Maryd.]

That is so cute.

[Henry P]

blue or black pens?

[Maryd.]

I prefer blue.

Pencils or textas

[Henry P]

What are textas?

[Maryd.]

Markers...

[Henry P]

Markers, then

[Maryd.]

Drink: Water or soft drinks?

[Henry P]

water
water or cold milk?

[Maryd.]

Water.

Iced tea or hot tea?

[Henry P]

hot tea

[Maryd.]

Ice cream or cake?

[Henry P]

why not both together?

[Maryd.]

Hey, I won't argue with that.

[Henry P]

greetings by card or email?

[Maryd.]

Prefer card. But have a friend from Perth, Australia, who sends me hers by email.

Chat on forums or join a social group?

[Henry P]

chat on forums

[Maryd.]

I figured you'd say that.

[Henry P]

Oil paintings or watercolours?

[Maryd.]

Oil.

Paint or sketch?

[Henry P]

sketch. I haven't drawn for years, but I could be quite good

[Maryd.]

Really... I like to see that one day. I appreciate any form of art. That is why I want to go to France one day.

[Henry P]

Italy is even better

[Maryd.]

Well we are definitely doing Italy next year. Italy, England, Cyprus, Greece and maybe France. (That is if we get a good sale on the property)

[Henry P]

that'll cost you, my dear

[Maryd.]

Well we've done our figures, if the house sells for the minimum of what we are asking for then we can just afford it. If it does really well, we'll then we can definitely be able to afford it.

[Henry P]

good for you. all the work will have been worth it

[Maryd.]

Yes, considering I am totally and physically wrecked right now. I remember after the last bit of work I did, I had a shower and just cried from the pain, my back was hurting my legs were smothered in bruises from the ladder. My hands were all dried out from the paint and constantly cleaning the brushes and buckets and my nails, were split and short. I don't like to have short nails. Golly am I whinging?

[Henry P]

whinge away, my dear

[Maryd.]

Thansk dear, but it depresses me to whinge... I'd rather have fun.

Champagne or wine?

[Henry P]

It depends on the occasion, but I prefer good wine, I think

[Maryd.]

Yes. I'm not really into champagne.

I know you don't dance, but just out of curiosity if you did, would you prefer slow dancing or rock'n'roll?

[Henry P]

slow.

[Maryd.]

If you were a criminal what do you think you would be capable of: Murder or identity theft

[Henry P]

Neither, but I'd be capable of stealing, I think

[Maryd.]

Red wine or white?

[Henry P]

Good red, but good white comes cheaper. Same?

[Maryd.]

Sweet red... I am having Brown Brothers red sweet. Yum.

[Henry P]

Is that an Aussie wine?

[Maryd.]

Yes, my love.

[Henry P]

I like sweet red wine- port, madeira, marsala, but best of all the sweet shirazes

[Maryd.]

Yum... Ooops wrong thread. Hahaha.

[Henry P]

sweet white or sweet red?

[Maryd.]

Sweet red.

Sweet or dry wine?

[Henry P]

sweet

[Maryd.]

Sleep or stay awake?

[Henry P]

Sleep

[Maryd.]

Spammers: Meet and slap down or pretend they don't exist?

[Henry P]

Meet and tear limb from limb

[Maryd.]

Hahahaha

Birthdays: Celebrate with a crazy night out or stay in with family and friends and a homemade cake?

And another mwah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AelmBI0sJ3A

[Henry P]

Stay in. Thanks again, my dear!

[Maryd.]

Yes, stay in too. mwah

[Henry P]

online birthday greetings or real cards?

[Maryd.]

Personally I prefer a greeting card. But today has proved me wrong.
This place was rockin' at your party.

Gifts: a video or a book?

[Henry P]

book
same?

[Maryd.]

Book... By far, I love to read, but I love it when someone buys me a book.

Romantic birthday with someone you love or a raging party?

[Henry P]

romantic birthday
Same?

[Maryd.]

If there is someone romantic to share it with then, romantic otherwise a raging party would be better.

[Henry P]

I'm getting old for raving, i think

[Maryd.]

Ok then you stick to the romantic kind.

[Henry P]

I will, my dear

[Maryd.]

Financial debt: Sell a second property and run free or play with fire and get out another mortgage?

[Henry P]

Sell a second property

[Maryd.]

Run from a friend that's a pest or stay and listen to his/her woes?

[Henry P]

Stay and listen, or what sort of friend am I?

[Maryd.]

Mwah...

Learn a language: Italian or French?

[Henry P]

French. Je parle le francais assez bien

[Maryd.]

Nice.

Learn a language: Chinese or Japanese?

[Henry P]

Japanese. Chinese sounds very hard

[Maryd.]

They both sound hard to me.

Learn a language: Greek or Russian?

[Henry P]

Russian, because it is Slavonic like Polish, with common words

[Maryd.]

German or Croatian?

[Henry P]

I know some German, and got an O level in it at 16

[Maryd.]

How unusual for you to know German?

[Henry P]

Not really. I did French, German and Latin at school

[Maryd.]

Latin, I have always wanted to study Latin.

[Henry P]

Amo, amas, I loved a lass

[Maryd.]

So cute.

[Henry P]

Spanish or Italian?

[Maryd.]

I know a lot of Italians and I am into latin dancing so Spanish.
Sweedish or Arabic?

[Henry P]

Arabic sounds exotic, but Swedish would be easier

[Maryd.]

American or English?

[Henry P]

English sounds classier

[Maryd.]

Oh yes, I agree with you 100%. It' so elegant.

[Henry P]

unless it's the Birmingham version

[Maryd.]

Really. Is it vulgar?

[Henry P]

Very "common" and regarded as the lowest in status in the UK

[Maryd.]

To be honest with you I find Aussie slang quite common and a tad vulgar.

[Henry P]

I agree, but many Aussies' accent is barely noticeable and quite attractive

[Maryd.]

Not the real slang. You wouldn't understand it, trust me. I was born here and I struggle to understand.

[Henry P]

Really.
Give an example of impenetrable Oz talk

[Maryd.]

Golly, I don't know if I can HP

[Henry P]

Shall I do some Yorkshire talk?

[Maryd.]

Please do.

[Henry P]

Where hast tha bin since I saw thee
on Ilkley Mooor baht at?

[Maryd.]

What? I am in fits here. I got the first part alright, but what is
on Ilkley Mooor baht at?

[Henry P]

Ilkley Moor is a hilltop, baht at = without a hat
It's a famous Yorkshire song

[Maryd.]

So cute.
I just realise how un-Australian I am... I am trying to think of something Aussie, but I am stumped. (I wonder if that's an Aussie saying)

[Henry P]

do you have an egg nishner?

[Maryd.]

What's an egg nishner?

[Henry P]

An Australian air conditioner
geddit?

[Maryd.]

Weee, that was so funny. Where did you come up with that one?
Are you sure you are not an Aussie?
Hahahahaha

[Henry P]

In some book I read. I also remember banana bender

[Maryd.]

Ok, you're going to have to elaborate on that one.

[Henry P]

It's someone from Queensland

[Maryd.]

You see, I know nothing about my country... I live such a shallow life.

[Henry P]

Don't do yourself down, my dear

[Maryd.]

Yes, but you are English and know more about it than I do...
I need to get out more.

[Henry P]

I don't go out ,much

[Maryd.]

No, you have more knowledge about life

[Henry P]

because I'm older

[Maryd.]

Or just clever

[Henry P]

that helps

[Maryd.]

crazy and fun or decent and boring?

[Henry P]

I like a bit of fun, my dear

[Maryd.]

Yes me too.

[Henry P]

But nothing wild or dangerous or harmful

[Maryd.]

No true... I am not that crazy. I'm glad you aren't either.

[Henry P]

Scotch or Irish whisky?

[Maryd.]

Ah, I don't like either.
Movies or Ten pin bowling?

[Henry P]

Movies. I've never been bowling. Is it fun?

[Maryd.]

It's fun but the bowling balls are really heavy and of course I never win these games. Good thing I am not competitive.

[YoungLady]

I choose movies, but bowling is still good...

Chocolate or strawberry ice cream?

[Maryd.]

Oh, strawberry by a mile.

Cream or icing on a cake?

[Henry P]

Cream
Cream or chocolate on a cake?

[Maryd.]

Cream, for both those questions.

Alcohol in cakes?

[Henry P]

I like alcohol. full stop.

[Maryd.]

Yep... Me too. I like it better with age.

[Henry P]

really? I like it but not to excess

[Maryd.]

Ever been really drunk?

[Henry P]

Not to passing out or falling over, just to talking emotional crap and feeling glazed

[Maryd.]

That, I would love to see/hear?

[Henry P]

I talk even more than usual

[Maryd.]

You and I would be so funny drunk to loud singing, chatting drunks... Would make a great sitcom.

[Henry P]

I tend to speak my mind even more when I'm drunk

[Maryd.]

If I am sad, I get angry at the world... I argue about war and all the bad things that happen. If I am happy then I am a barrel of laughs.

[Henry P]

When I am sad, I just want to withdraw and sleep

[Maryd.]

Sounds like a good idea. I wish I was like that.

[Henry P]

It's a kind of escape, perhaps a death wish

[Maryd.]

Eww. That's no good.

[Henry P]

I fall asleep and wake up feeling better, though. I've never wanted to stay in bed as many people who have breakdowns do

[Maryd.]

I hate staying in bed. I see it as a waist of life. I prefer to be awake, like a child. I don't want to miss anything.

Over tired - Sleep for an hour or just lie down on the couch for 10 minutes?

[Henry P]

Depends how tired I am and what I have to do

[Maryd.]

Lose weight: Cut carbs or work out?

[Henry P]

cut out carbs and a bit more exercise

[Maryd.]

calorie count or portion sizes?

[Henry P]

Sort of both

[Maryd.]

Be rich or be richer?

[Henry P]

richer. Same?

[Maryd.]

Never been either before, don't know what I am missings. So neither.

[Henry P]

We could all be richer

[Maryd.]

Ok, but it won't make you happy... Cliche or what?

[Henry P]

perhaps, but it's no joke being poor

[Maryd.]

And you'd know this how? Have you been there? I have... I know. Do you?

[Henry P]

We were poor when I was a small boy

[Maryd.]

Well then we both know.

[Henry P]

Things improved when my mum got her money from Germany

[Maryd.]

Good on her. How did she do that?

[Henry P]

She got compensation for being in concentration camps in the war

[Maryd.]

Must have been hard for her...

[Henry P]

It was. Her health was wrecked

[Maryd.]

Shocking times.

[Henry P]

Yes, Ishe lost her family, so I never knew anyone on her side

[Maryd.]

I never knew anyone on my mother's side either.

[Henry P]

i don't even know what they looked like

[Maryd.]

Join the club.

[Henry P]

How did that happen?

[Maryd.]

Don't know... My father came to Australia, because he had family here, but my poor mother, followed him as most good little housewives did in those days. None of my mother's family came with her and me being the only member of my family born here, I never got to meet them or know them. I tell a little lie. I have a couple of old photos of them. But they are black and white and blury, so hard to see.

[Henry P]

Did your father know nothing about them?

[Maryd.]

Oh, he knew about them... He just didn't take well to them.

[Henry P]

poor you

[Maryd.]

Never mind. That's why I want to go to Italy to meet them. To find out why he didn't like them.

[Henry P]

Do you know where they lived?

[Maryd.]

I think my cousin who lives there, knows. I'll check with him if I go. He'll tell me, I know he will.

[Henry P]

people should be traceable in Italy

[Maryd.]

Sure they are. I have maden and married names, so I should be good.

[Henry P]

Go for it, my dear

[Maryd.]

Getting there is the problem.

[Henry P]

Not in this day and age

[Maryd.]

It is financially.

[Henry P]

Ah! Can the cousin find out for you?

[Maryd.]

Yes he can. But I don't want him to find out anything... I want to meet my mothers family and talk to them myself. I will do it. If I play my cards right, I will get to Naples next Auguts... 13 months away. (maybe?)

[Henry P]

Do you speak enough Italian?

[Maryd.]

Probably enough to get me out of trouble. Not enough to move in.

[Henry P]

Will your relatives speak English?

[Maryd.]

I don't think so.

[Henry P]

Someone will

[Maryd.]

Maybe. But I am not worried. I'm sure I can speak enough Italian to get around. Mind you if I go, I won't be allowed (hence 'won't be allowed' like your Mrs) to go alone.

[Henry P]

talking of my mrs...

[Maryd.]

Yes...

[Henry P]

I'll tell you on your visitor page

[Maryd.]

Oh.

Vistor page or private message?

[Henry P]

visitor page

[rantingpete]

Naturally dark or easy to read?

[Maryd.]

Easy to read.

Trust the most: Friend or partner?

[Henry P]

hard one

[Maryd.]

Yes and...

[Henry P]

Should say partner but can't

[Maryd.]

Yes. I have a tendency to trust friends instead.

[Henry P]

I trust you

[Maryd.]

Do you? Do you really?

[Henry P]

I think so

[Maryd.]

Why?...

[Henry P]

I think you're honest and sincere and loyal and not one to toy with people's feelings

[Maryd.]

Ok, I'll accept that. Trust is a big thing for me. My past has stopped me from trusting people unless I really get to know them. I mean living with them. Suffering with them, loving them.

[Henry P]

You have great depth of feeling, my dear

[Maryd.]

Yes and that's my problem.

[Henry P]

It's a virtue, my dear

[Maryd.]

For who? It's my burden.

[Henry P]

you really wouldn't want to be cold and shallow

[Maryd.]

No, I guess not. But it's a killer, it really is. It just means I get hurt more than others. People, take advantage of me and most of the time I know it's happening.

[Henry P]

I think it's possible to harden up but remain warm and sensitive

[Maryd.]

To be honest with you, I have been trying over the past few months. But it's hard. I am struggling with it.

[Henry P]

you have to protect yourself and be aware of people's motives

[Maryd.]

I have recently found that out, the hard way.

[Henry P]

it's a ruthless world

[Maryd.]

To fool or be fooled?

[Henry P]

If I'm fooled, at least I'm not dishonest. I'm sinned against, not sinning

[Maryd.]

Good response.

I'm fooled too.

[Henry P]

Who fooled you?

[Maryd.]

Many a person!

[Henry P]

Men or women?

[Maryd.]

Both.

[Henry P]

People are nasty

[Maryd.]

Summer fun: Beach or outdoor evening party?