Apr 21 2009
1.PICK OUT A SCAR YOU HAVE, AND EXPLAIN HOW YOU GOT IT?
I have a scar on my right arm from where I fell off my bike when I was 8 and slid across the floor. It hurt. I cried.
2 WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
The walls are bare apart from a picture of a giant strawberry.
3 WHAT DOES YOUR PHONE LOOK LIKE?
It’s an iPhone, it looks awesome.
Continue reading “100 Questions (aka, how to pass 30 minutes in peace and quiet)”
Feb 12 2009
I’ve been tagged by so many people that I feel obliged to respond. The instructions are as follows:
Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged, you have to tag the person who tagged you.
1. I love baking, and the reports I’ve received indicate I’m fairly good too.
2. I am very picky with food. It’s primarily the texture of items I struggle with, rather than the taste.
3. When I was 3, I opened a case containing one of my mum’s dead, but real, butterflies, and ate it.
4. I want to study medicine.
5. I have worked two jobs for the last 10 years – my regular 9-5 (well, more like 6-3) and I provide consultancy services for a number of other companies outside those hours.
6. I dispise lateness (in myself), and I would prefer to arrive somewhere an hour early than 5 minutes late.
7. I’m a huge fan of Britney Spears, and not afraid to admit it. I’m going to see her in June!
8. I also love the Spice Girls, and went to see them in January 2008. With Reagan.
9. I’m an obsessive saver. I spent my life savings between the ages of 16 and 18, and then went heavily into (credit card) debt. Having cleared the debt just before Zachary was born, I’m now driven to save as much as possible.
10. I have stitched my own wounds, it’s an interesting experience.
11. After a 7 year break, I started reading fiction books again 4 years ago.
12. I was recently asked to be ‘more civil’ in written communications. While accurate, and containing the required information, my emails are frequently terse and people can take that the wrong way.
13. Having disliked being taught English while in the schooling system, I now enjoy learning about language structure.
14. While I don’t regret having them done, I’m miffed that it’ll cost me £2500 to reverse the earlobe ‘damage’ of £20 piercings.
15. My Mum loved the story of Jonathan & David written about in 1 Samuel (old testament). I have two brothers, one is named David.
16. I am an atheist. I detest religion, and have no respect for religious beliefs whatsoever.
17. I can juggle, and used to win talent contests doing so.
18. I am not superstitious. Scorpios never are.
19. I used to have a crush on Anne Diamond. In my defense, I was 7.
20. It’s very difficult for me to sit and do nothing. Even while watching TV I need to be productive – working, tidying etc.
21. I’m told I’m smart, but having left school at 16 and now working with people who have multiple degrees, I rarely feel it.
22. I laugh every time I’m wiping Zachary’s bum and he says, ‘Daddy, don’t get poo on your finger!’. I have no idea where he got that from – it certainly wasn’t from me!
23. I nearly always ask for discounts or free stuff when I’m shopping. I’m often successful, too.
24. I was circumsized when I was 17. And I bursted my stitches with a ‘nocturnal erection’ a few days later. My surgeon laughed and asked if it was a good dream.
25. Two years ago I convinced my then ten year old brothers that homeopathic medicines were taken by all males from the age of 15 to stop them being gay. ‘Homeo’ meaning ‘gay’, and ‘pathic’ meaning ‘anti’. It amused me greatly.
Jan 05 2009
What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Started dance lessons.
Did you keep your new year’s resolutions?
I didn’t do new year’s resolutions. I made some mid year which I mostly kept to, but not militantly.
What will your new year’s resolutions be for next year?
* Not eat sugary foods, with the exception of home baked goods.
* Avoid caffeine entirely.
* Get much fitter.
* Listen to new music.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
I know two people who gave birth in 2008: Claire and Taryn-Vee.
Did anyone close to you die?
No.
What countries did you visit?
Mexico, USA, Switzerland
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Unwavering self confidence in my abilities.
What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
27th May: Emma and I decided we’d be happier apart.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Maintaining a healthy relationship with Emma post-split. Usually at the end of a relationship, I’ll sever contact.
What was your biggest failure?
Losing my temper with Zachary in Mexico. I allowed myself to get very angry and didn’t behave in a way I’m happy with.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing more than seemingly all year round colds.
What was the best thing you bought?
Holiday in Mexico.
Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Zachary. He spent most of the year being two, and behaving like a two year old and it was awesome. He’s wonderful.
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
No one. If anyone’s behaviour makes me appalled and depressed, I cut them out of my life; no exceptions.
Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage and rent.
What events did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to Mexico on my first foreign holiday in 2 years. Other events which I would otherwise have been really excited about were marred by feeling rundown or otherwise sickly (Switzerland being the notable one)
What song will always remind you of 2008?
I haven’t listened to much music beyond what’s in my playlist or what’s in the charts, and none of those stick out as the ’song of 2008′.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Sadder. I miss my son.
ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner than my heaviest. My weight fluctuated a lot last year from 11 stone to 13.5. It’s now sitting at around 12.
iii. richer or poorer? Financially: less worried about money overall. Personally: undecided.
What do you wish you’d done more of?
Seen my friends.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Work :)
How did you spend Christmas?
Zachary, Emma and Emma’s brother came over for the day. We ate, drank, and opened lots of presents.
Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Emma.
Did you fall in love in 2008?
No.
How many one-night stands?
Hardly a question I’d use to review my year.
What was your favourite TV programme?
I thoroughly enjoyed Dexter, season 3.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate isn’t an emotion I enjoy. I prefer to maintain an extreme dislike of some people rather than hate them ;)
What was the best book you read?
I don’t tend to remember much of the fiction I read though I did read some. However 2008 was a year of mostly non-fiction and I wouldn’t classify any financial books as ‘the best’ on any list.
What was your greatest musical discovery or rediscovery?
None. Ask me next year.
What did you want and get?
Everything I want, which I can buy, I do :)
What did you want and not get?
My son living with me. But that’s not practical, so it’s more a wish. Does that count?
What were your favourite films of this year?
The Dark Knight is the one which stands out. I focussed more on TV shows than films.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went out for dinner with Emma and Zachary. I was 29.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Seeing friends more.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
I follow my own ‘fashion’ and the only real criteria is that I don’t think I look too gimpy.
What kept you sane?
Knowing that Zachary needs sane parents :)
Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most/least?
I dislike Gordon Brown. He’s spent the last X years taking a lot of my income and I don’t feel like I’m getting value for the money.
I’m pleased Britney Spears is sorting her life out. Having your kids taken away is awful.
What political issue stirred you the most?
I found myself getting excited as I read about Obama’s progression in the election battles. Nothing local has provided much stirring.
Whom did you miss?
Stephanie.
Who was the best new person you met?
I didn’t meet anyone brand new I’d consider ‘the best’. I reacquainted with some people I’d somewhat lost contact with and that’s been awesome.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008
Never accept anything less than the best for yourself else you’re doing yourself a disservice.
