Well, Autumn Is My Favourite Time of Year...

You Are Low Key and Relaxed

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions. When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy. You prefer change to come slowly. You need a long transition period when your life changes. You find novelty to be the most comforting thing in the world. You love anything that's new or unusual. Your ideal day is chill and uneventful. You prefer to kick back and take it easy. You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future.

The Autumn Test

I Make People Feel Good About Themselves?

You Are Modest and Nurturing

When You Are Comfortable or in a Social Setting: You are a shy, quiet person. Underneath your shell, you are compassionate and giving. People find you to be friendly and welcoming. Your home is a place of comfort to them. When You Are At Your Best: You are quite quirky, and you enjoy doing things your own way. You are optimistic, and you've always got a good idea brewing. People find you to be positive and uplifting. You make people feel good about themselves.

What Do Your Initials Say About You?

Well, People Always Say I Spend Too Much Time In My Head...

You Are Mind

If you dream it, then you can do it. You are very mentally sharp and strong. You enjoy challenging yourself both at work and with studies. You love mastering difficult tasks. You thrive in new environments, even stressful ones. You are able to study everything objectively. You have a upbeat attitude, and won't be deterred easily. You are open minded and optimistic about the future.

Are You Mind, Body, or Spirit?

More Flattery From Blog Things!

You Are the Artist

You are unique and inspired. You aren't happy unless you are making art of some sort. Almost anything can be a catalyst for your creativity. You find the whole world stimulating. You have beautiful visions, and you're good at expressing them. You like people to see what you see. You also have an inventor's spirit. You're always thinking up new ideas and concepts.

What's Your Life's Mission?

Okay, So Maybe Now They're Starting To Get A Bit Carried Away...

You Are A Thoughtful Idealist

You have no problem diving into new experiences. You're so brave that you don't even notice how courageous you are. You like to think that people see you as intellectual and wise. You consider yourself to be very smart. You are a very romantic person. You can't help but see the world as it should be. Right now, stress occasionally makes you feel trapped in your life. You usually have a clear perspective on things though! Overall, your life is very peaceful - if not a little solitary. Much of what goes on goes on in your head. You are extremely optimistic about the future. You feel like things are always getting better.

The Castle Personality Test

I Knew It Was True

Faffing about on one of the Blog Quiz sites, I came across the quiz "Are You A Jerk?". Once I'd stopped laughing, I took the quiz and hey, presto! It told me what I already knew - I'm a great guy! And here's the proof:

You Are Not a Jerk

You treat everyone as fairly as possible. You think it's important to be good to people. You may feel like being rude at times, but you hold back. You are civilized. While you are considerate, you don't go overboard. You only show others the same respect you'd expect. Those who want to take advantage of you may accuse you of being a jerk, but in truth, they're the real jerks!

Are You a Jerk?

Hey, it's not my fault. Read it and weep, jerk!

Talk to you soon,

BB

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look, it's 2am, I'm still wired from work, so maybe my responses to this quiz produced a warped outcome...

You Are a Comma

You are open minded and extremely optimistic. You enjoy almost all facets of life. You can find the good in almost anything. You keep yourself busy with tons of friends, activities, and interests. You find it hard to turn down an opportunity, even if you are pressed for time. Your friends find you fascinating, charming, and easy to talk to. (But with so many competing interests, you friends do feel like you hardly have time for them.) You excel in: Inspiring people You get along best with: The Question Mark

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Hey, don't ask me - decide for yourself!

Talk to you soon,

BB.

Quote for the Day: Grammar - the grave of letters. (Elbert Hubbard)

No Oedipal Complexes Here!

Having just taken the Ice Cream Personality Test, I couldn't resist letting ol' Sigmund having a go, either. And, I have to say, Doc Freud is pretty well on the mark!

You Are in the Genital Stage of Development

According to Dr. Freud, you've reached the genital stage of development. Whatever issues you may have had in your childhood have been resolved. You don't have any hang ups, and you are able to function as a stable adult. You are the model of being well-adjusted, and you are able to balance your life beautifully.

What Freudian Stage Are You In?

Naturally, any objections will be noted and ignored in due course!

Talk to you soon,

BB

Quote for the Day: A psychiatrist is the only person who goes to a strip show in order to watch the audience. (Mervyn Stockwood)

I'm Now A (Self) Published Author!

Yes, that's right - I've decided to self-publish my first novel!

Hunting the Shadows is a psycho-thriller set in contemporary Melbourne, pitched against a backdrop of political machinations and personal corruption. Two damaged police officers have to find a dangerous serial sex offender who is stalking vulnerable women - all the while battling their own demons and trying to avoid the fallout from internal police politics and individual ambition.

I've published the book through Lulu, a well-known self-publishing business. You can purchase your own copy by clicking on the little icon on the right hand side.

So, please - help this struggling author and get the benefit of a great read!

Talk to you soon,

BB.

Quote for the Day: Authors are like uncaptured criminals: they're the only people free from routine. (Eric Linkletter)

What's In A Name?

I know I've been a little silent of late, so, inspired by the recent example of my buddy Caro, I thought I'd browse the blogthings site to see if I could post something a little light-hearted to tide over anyone who might happen to be reading this blog on even a quasi-regular basis.

I came across the "quiz" "What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?" I thought it sounded sufficiently innocuous to post on this blog. Here's the result:

What Brendan Means

You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous.You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things.Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row.You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace.People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

I must say, the results surprised me a little, so being the analysis junkie I am, I thought we could explore this outcome a little more. Line by line, as it were.

The first five statements of paragraph one demonstrate immediately that whoever compiled this little "secret hidden meaning" gizmo knows jack shite about Yours Truly. In the words of Edmund Blackadder, I'm about as energetic, spirited, and boisterous as an asthmatic ant with a load of heavy shopping. Who are they talking about? Me, the lumpen proletariat extraordinaire - or some git who exists only in the imagination of an adrenalin junkie hopped to the eyeballs on NoDoze and Red Bull? The only sentence in this para that bears any resemblance to moi is that, yes, on occasion I am wont to get a mite tetchy. Aside from that, however, it's like looking in the mirror and seeing not me but Bruce McAvaney (shudder).

For para two, read as per above, especially the drivel about having a ton of energy. I have about as much energy as a solar panel hidden down a mineshaft. Rebel? Cranky, maybe. Cantankerous, possibly. Curmudgeounly (a word employed often by my Dearly Beloved) probably. But rebellious? Benedict Arnold was more rebellious than I am. I do get into trouble - but that's probably a consequence of the manifold defects of my personality, not as a result of any spirit of rebelliousness. And as for the trouble being "fun" - well, it's clear to me that whoever wrote this blogquiz has the same sense of "fun" as the Maquis de Sade or the Spanish Inquisition...

Para three is interesting only because it largely contradicts the preceeding two paragraphs. I don't know anyone who bounces off walls and thinks parachuting off buildings is fun who is also friendly, charming and warm. From memory, Noel Coward got about in an evening gown, a pipe, and a pair of comfy slippers, not a backpack full of energy bars and a sketchy, second-hand map of the amazon jungle. Get along with anyone - who are they kidding? To me, the word "friend" denotes only two things: one, a word in Tarzan's severly limited vocabulary; and, two, the title of the most overrated show in television history. Sorry, three things: as the old saying goes, a friend in need is someone to be avoided. I try not to rock the boat? Um, doesn't that really contradict the stuff about me being a huge rebel? And my "easy going" attitude clears buildings quicker than you could say "Who's that guy in reception who looks like Osama bin Laden?" Flaky? Irresponsible? They've obviously have mistaken these words as similies for indifferent...

Para four was much closer to the truth. Yes, I am wise. Yes, I understand the world better than most people. That's exactly why most people don't like me. Pure, unrestrained jealousy. And, yes, I am very imaginative. I have imaginary friends. I see them all the time. They talk to me...But then they lost the plot. Paranoid? Me? Listen, buddy, it's true: they are out to get me, and everyone does hate me, okay? Just because I'm unpopular doesn't mean I'm paranoid. And, no, that guy in the pub the other night wasn't just ordering two drinks...he was making a secret signal to all his cohorts in the Ancient Grand Order of Woollen Vests and Sock Suspenders that the Great Day of Apotheosis is nigh...

The next para reckons I'm balanced, ordely, and organised...uh-huh, this is the guy they just described as over-imaginative and paranoid, right? The bloke who gets a tad too upset on occassion and usually needs to be tied into his chair he's so hyperactive? I could have told them if they'd only bothered to consult with me that the only reason I remotely resemble order is because I'm so static. Being able to occupy the same space for a geological age may present the illusion that I'm cool, calm, and collected, but once you look past the encrusting lichen you'll realise that motionlessness is simply - motionlessness. Powerful and competent - in the workplace? I'm not even powerful and competent in my wildest dreams! And can someone please explain to me what the hell work is? Stubborn, headstrong, powerful personality - see, I told you: I'm the literal immoveable object.

And finally, we come to the last para that tells me I'm strong and confident and like the best of everything - isn't perfectionist just a synonym for whinging git? - and that I exude more authority than a fully tooled-up battle group bristling with tactical nukes and a nasty hangover. Again, what happened to paranoid? Or is confidence just paranoia that doesn't recognise itself? And what the bejeezers is a "Type A" personality. I don't even know what my blood type is, let alone my personality "type". For all I know, "Type A" personalities could denote anyone who thinks "The A Team" was the pinnacle of 80s television and that mohawks on aging African-American he-men is an appealing look. And even I'm not that sad. Well, not completely...

Final diagnosis: this thing's a crock. But I guess we already knew that. It provided a laugh, and a forum for me to get a few things off my chest. So if you'll just excuse me, I'm off to talk to my imaginative friends about all the people who hate me. In a calm and authoritive manner, while planning my next crazy escapade around the Andes Mountains.

Talk to you soon,

BB.

Quote for the Day: Mediocrites are people who are always at their best. (Somerset Maugham)

Time For Revenge?

Thanks to Caro, I took the Nerd Test and have emerged as a self-revealed High Nerd!

This is how I scored...





Now, if only I can figure out who to wreck my nerdish vengence upon...

Talk to you soon,

BB.

Quote for the Day: Genius is the capacity for evading hard work. (Elbert Hubbard)

By Any Other Name....

I don't really pay much attention to these blog quiz thingies (you may have noticed!) but sometimes you have to wonder whether they're not actually on to something afterall...

You are a Lavender Rose

You represent love at first sight and enchantment. Your vibe: intense and intriguing Falling in love with you is: deep and meaningful

What Color Rose Are You?

And this...

You Are 85% Grown Up, 15% Kid

Your emotional maturity is fully developed, and you have an excellent grasp on your emotions. In fact, you are so emotionally mature - you should consider being a therapist!

How Emotionally Mature Are You?

Or this...

What Your Favorite Color Purple Says About You:

Intuitive --- Seeking --- Creative Kind --- Self-Sacrificing --- Growth Oriented Strong --- Very Wise --- Rare

What Does Your Favorite Color Say About You?

And finally....

You Are Strawberries with Cream

Fresh and uncomplicated, you are always enjoyed but often overlooked. You're confident in who you are. You don't need a facade to feel better about yourself.

What Dessert Are You Most Like?

I know, I know...it's hard being this good all the time! Thanks to Avril for most of these...

Talk to you soon,

BB.

Quote for the Day: Behind every successful man stands a surprised woman. (Maryon Pearson)

Idle MInds...

Well, you know what they say about people with too much time on their hands! These are courtesy of Caro (she's not a good influence on me)!

You Are Rowlf the Dog

Mellow and serious, you enjoy time alone cultivating your talents. You're a cool dog, and you always present a relaxed vibe. A talented pianist, you can play almost anything - especially songs by Beethoven. "My bark is worse than my bite, and my piano playing beats 'em both."

The Muppet Personality Test

Now that's seriously spooky, because I came up as Rolf (why have they spelled it Rowlf?) the Dog on another, similar Muppet Personality Test a few years ago...oh, well, onwards and downwards...

Your Vocabulary Score: A+

Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary! You must be quite an erudite person.

How's Your Vocabulary?

You only scored an "A" Caro...what a shame! (Sorry, my evil slip is showing, isn't it!)

What Your Latte Says About You

You are very decadent in all aspects of your life. You never scale back, and you always live large. You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious. Intense and energetic, you aren't completely happy unless you are bouncing off the walls. You're addicted to caffeine. There's no denying it. You are responsible, mature, and truly an adult. You're occasionally playful, but you find it hard to be carefree. You are deep and thoughtful, but you are never withdrawn.

What Does Your Latte Say About You?

This one is frankly confusing...it seems to me the "analysis" is a tad contradictory at points...And, finally, to prove I'm different (and not completely vain!)...

You Should Rule Saturn

Saturn is a mysterious planet that can rarely be seen with the naked eye. You are perfect to rule Saturn because like its rings, you don't always follow the rules of nature. And like Saturn, to really be able to understand you, someone must delve beyond your appearance. You are not an easy person to befriend. However, once you enter a friendship, you'll be a friend for life. You think slowly but deeply. You only gain great understanding after a situation has past.

What Planet Should You Rule?

The meaning of all this - who knows? Or is he on first...?

Talk to you soon,

BB.

Quote for the Day: Vanity is merely other people's pride. (Sacha Guitry)

Come the Revolution

I think this one redresses the balance slightly...

You Are 12% Capitalist, 88% Socialist

You see a lot of injustice in the world, and you'd like to see it fixed. As far as you're concerned, all the wrong people have the power. You're strongly in favor of the redistribution of wealth - and more protection for the average person.

Are You a Socialist or Capitalist?

So there - I might be a slob, but I'm a slob with a conscience!

Talk to you soon,

BB.

Quote for the Day: Your conscience is what your mother told you before you were six years old. (Brock Chisholm)

Oh Dear...

Maybe I should have quit while I was ahead!

You Are Barney

You could have been an intellectual leader... Instead, your whole life is an homage to beer You will be remembered for: your beautiful singing voice and your burps Your life philosophy: "There's nothing like beer to give you that inflated sense of self-esteem."

The Simpsons Personality Test

Maybe I should be getting in touch with my "inner Barney" instead of my "inner Homer"!

Talk to you soon,

BB.

Quote for the Day: Behavioural psychology is the science of pulling habits out of rats. (Douglas Busch)

The Evil Within...

Alright, so my promise that the last blog post quiz thingie would be the last one for today was a "non-core promise" - so make me Prime Minister of Australia, already!

However, given I told a porkie on that one, I just couldn't resist the How Evil Are You? blog quiz - and here's the result!

You Are 28% Evil

A bit of evil lurks in your heart, but you hide it well. In some ways, you are the most dangerous kind of evil.

How Evil Are You?

I'll bet the folks currently test reading the manuscript of my novel are thinking this right now, too!

Talk to you soon,

BB.

Quote for the Day: Wickedness is simply a myth invented by good people to account for the attractiveness of ohers. (Oscar Wilde)

Blue Day

Okay, okay, the last blog quiz post was meant to be a one off, but then my eye got caught by the following....Frankly, I'd say I'm doing pretty well today, wouldn't you?

Your Inner Color is Blue

Your Personality: Your natural warmth and intuition nurtures those around you. You are accepting and always follow your heart. You in Love: Relationships are your top priority, and this includes love. You are most happy when you are serious with someone. Your Career: You need to help others in your job to feel satistifed. You would be a great nurse, psychologist, or counselor.

What's Your Inner Color?

But this is the last one...promise!

Talk to you soon,

BB.

Quote for the Day: A diagnosis is simply the physician's activity of determining the state of your purse in order to decide how sick to make you. (Ambrose Bierce)

Stormy Weather

I've got a few things I want to get off my chest on this blog in the upcoming weeks(s), but at the moment I'm a little pre-occupied with starting second semester (and still trying to get my head around the fact that I passed New Testament Greek!), so these posts of moment are confined to the back burner for the time being.

However, just to pass the time, I did another of those blog quiz thingies, this time on the question: What Type of Weather Are You? And, I have to say, they got it absolutely right!

You Are Lightning

Beautiful yet dangerous People will stop and watch you when you appear Even though you're capable of random violence You are best known for: your power Your dominant state: performing

What Type of Weather Are You?

Read it and weep, folks!

Talk to you soon,

BB.

Quote for the Day: Greatness is a zigzag streak of lightning in the brain. (Herbert H Asquith)

Me Explained Finally (Sort Of)

And now, just to make the whole picture complete....

You Are a Licorice Jelly Bean

You are an acquired taste. The less people fight your strange ways, the more they like them.

What Flavor Jelly Bean Are You?

There you go - wasn't that just fascinating?

Talk to you soon,

BB.

Quote for the Day: An egotist is a person of low taste, more interested in themself than in me. (Ambrose Bierce)

Me Explained Once More (Sort Of)

I think this one was a little closer to the truth....

You Are an Old Soul

You are an experienced soul who appreciates tradition. Mellow and wise, you like to be with others but also to be alone. Down to earth, you are sensible and impatient. A creature of habit, it takes you a while to warm up to new people. You hate injustice, and you're very protective of family and friends A bit demanding, you expect proper behavior from others. Extremely independent you don't mind living or being alone. But when you find love, you tend to want marriage right away. Souls you are most compatible with: Warrior Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Talk to you soon,

BB.

Quote for the Day: Statistics are like bikinis: suggestive in what they reveal and vital in what they hide. (Aaron Levenstein)