10 Random Things You Didn't Know About Me

1. Family Reunions - I am from a large(ish) family, one of 4 kids. But my mother is one of 7 and her mother is one of 14. Every two years, the extended families gather for two family reunions. On the October long weekend every even year since 1978, families gather in Cobar (central western NSW) to celebrate being a Manns. There are sometimes up to 200 people crowded onto a camp site on one of my mum's Uncle's properties, rolling around in the red, red dirt. Then about 6 years ago, on what would have been my Grandfather's 90th birthday, my mum and her siblings and their kids etc gathered at our family holiday house in Cudmirrah (south coast NSW) to celebrate family and being a McNamara. I don't always make the Cobar one - "Helmans" (its a 9 hour drive and I don't like CAMPING) but I never miss "McBash". 
   
   
2. Town Planner - I am a town planner. This came about after I studied Applied Science in Environmental Management as Bachelor's degree but had no idea what to use it as. I found work in a local council call centre and one-stop-shop; and seemed to gravitate towards enquiries that had to do with development and building matters. Encouraged by my managers at the time, I studied town planning and before finishing my degree, I was working as a town planner: crushing people's dreams on a daily basis (just kidding).
3. First Concert - my first concert by an overseas band touring OZ was Pearl Jam in January of 1995. I finished my HSC (Higher School Certificate) the year before and as a present my parents bought me the ticket. This was the days before the internet and online shopping - so along with some friends, we slept out outside Parramatta Leagues Club to wait until 9am when Ticketek opened. It was a great night - both the sleep out and the concert. First concert by an Aussie band - You Am I. I think at Castlehill Showground........
   
4. High School Obsession - once again this answer ages me, but I was obsessed with Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix  The walls of my (shared) bedroom were wallpapered (on my half) with posters of the two. I was devastated when River died of a drug overdose in when I was in year 11.
   
5. First Job - from the age of 11, I worked in the local bingo hall attached to our Catholic Church. For between $5 - $8 a night, we cleaned up after the people, sold food and drink and gave out prize money. And we were exposed to second hand smoke. The bingo hall is no longer a bingo hall. They couldn't entice the patrons once the smoking ban came in. And from then on, I stuck to jobs that did not require me to wash my hair three times just to get the smell of smoke out.
6. Book Club - I have been in a book club for about 6 years. We meet everyone 6 weeks or so, depending on school holidays as the rest of the members have kids. We have read some great books - Rebecca, Gone Girl, On The Beach, Pigeon English; we have also read some I didn't like - Cloud Atlas, The Man Who Loved Children. We have a meeting coming up soon - and will discuss Gone Girl. Oh - and yes - there is wine involved. Sometimes lots of wine.
7. Pop Culture - I have an uncanny ability to store and retain pop culture (or CRAP) facts. I am pretty darn good at trivia nights that have a pop culture slant. Especially TV and music from the 90s.
   
8. Pride and Prejudice - this is my favourite book. I read it at least once a year. I have seen pretty much all of the televised versions of the book. Yes - including that Colin Firth BBC one. I have at least three copies of the book as well. And a phone cover. And an iPhone dock. And a poster containing the entire book. EVERY SINGLE WORD.
9. ABCTV - as children, we didn't realise there were any other channels than channel 2 or ABCTV, as that is all we were allowed to watch until I was at least 8 or 9. That meant I got to see great 80s programming like Hunter and Secret Valley; and knew to keep watching later for gems like Grange Hill,  Press Gang and Degrassi Junior High (later Degrassi High and Degrassi: Schools Out).
   
   
10. Winter person - I love winter. Love it. Love the cold. Love the clothes. Love doonas. Bring it on.