Helen Smith
Stories (7/0)
The Crown - my guilty pleasure
I love watching historical dramas and I guess it ties in with my love of history in general. As a child I spent endless hours reading historical tales from around the world and imagined myself as a Spanish explorer, a famous Parisian artist in Montmartre, or an ancient tribal warrior princess leading her army of Visigoths to battle.
By Helen Smith3 years ago in Geeks
Domo Arigatou Bitcoin Boy
Charene was stuck in traffic and getting more irate by the minute. She'd had the usual over the top busy day at work and all she wanted to do was get home to her apartment, cook dinner and collapse on the couch with a glass of wine. She didn't know if her teenage son Ethan would be home - lately he stayed out more often than in and even though he was only 14 there was little she could do about it. Ethan's father was not on the scene, after leaving Charene earlier that year for "the Skinny Bitch" as Charene called her. And to make matters worth her beloved brother Eric had recently died of pancreatic cancer, which was a blow she was still reeling from. When Richard left her after 24 years it was a shock, but when Eric died it was a visceral blow that still at times left her gasping for breath with the pain of knowing she'd never see him again.
By Helen Smith3 years ago in Families
Ditching the fat suit
I’ve been dreaming of a fresh start for a while, and the 2021 New Year seemed as good a time as any to make this dream a reality. I’ve been languishing in sub-optimum health for a while (a few years in fact) but I’ve realised I’m at the tipping point where I need to make significant changes fast.
By Helen Smith3 years ago in Longevity
Domo arigatou Bitcoin Boy
Charene was stuck in traffic and getting more irate by the minute. She'd had the usual over the top busy day at work and all she wanted to do was get home to her apartment, cook dinner and collapse on the couch with a glass of wine. She didn't know if her teenage son Ethan would be home - lately he stayed out more often than in and even though he was only 14 there was little she could do about it. Ethan's father was not on the scene, after leaving Charene earlier that year for "the Skinny Bitch" as Charene called her. And to make matters worth her beloved brother Eric had recently died of pancreatic cancer, which was a blow she was still reeling from. When Richard left her after 24 years it was a shock, but when Eric died it was a visceral blow that still at times left her gasping for breath with the pain of knowing she'd never see him again.
By Helen Smith3 years ago in Humans
Winning
Taylor should have asked for her brother’s help in lugging all these heavy boxes up to the house – instead he dropped her on the sidewalk surrounded by what seemed a mountain of suitcases, boxes and pot plants. Even after all these years she found it hard to ask anyone for help and she realised as she puffed and heaved her way up the stairs that this was a habit that needed to change.
By Helen Smith3 years ago in Families
A little cup of kindness
I’ve worked in research administration at the University of Queensland for the past 20 years, and previously I completed my undergraduate degree there, so I’ve actually spent half my life at this academic institution. One of the things I really love about working at the university is the people I’ve met, from many cultures and countries around the world. Being a world class university it attracts the best and brightest students and researchers and I’ve been privileged to get to know many of them over the years. However some of the nicest people I’ve met have been those who provide the support services to the university in various capacities.
By Helen Smith3 years ago in Humans
Corset
An irksome trend which raised its head in 2020 was the return of the corset. On the catwalks of Paris to our home grown mistress of pop culture style (Kim Kardashian) the corset trend captivated the fashion world. As a 21st century woman I found this trend slightly disturbing - surely the feminist movement had seen us progress past such life DIS-affirming couture, birthed from 18th century whalebone constructions which damaged women's internal organs and pushed her lungs high up in her chest? It seemed incongruous with the advances made in feminine equality - or was it?
By Helen Smith3 years ago in Viva