Knowing Me, Knowing You sarahlovesadam W/O
Dec 24 '03 (Updated Feb 23 '05)
The Bottom Line Me me me me meeeee!
Oh no! it’s the silly season and my ego has been tempted; newbie sarahlovesadam has offered an opportunity for me to write about my favourite subject for her write off; yes this review is all about me!!.
Seriously Sarah, it’s a great write off suggestion, and it's good to see newbie and oldie alike joining the fun. Be warned, you asked the questions... you might not always like the answers.
By the way, if you want to join the party and for a list of participants go & visit :http://www.epinions.com/content_3654459524
Questions:
Birth date : I’m paranoid about someone taking my "identity" for fraudulent purposes ('cos it happened to a friend), but I’ll admit to being a summer baby, born in 1965.
Height: A touch under 6’ (my dearest loves this fact as she is about a quarter inch taller than me, she being a 6' Amazon (and with model figure to match) – and no, I didn’t stand on a box for our wedding photos, even though she had 5" heels…)
Eye color: Sky Blue. OK, it’s the internet, I can exaggerate the blue of my eyes.
Hair colour: Light Brown (or as my sister once described it cow pat green). Sadly my hair is getting grayer by the month.
What does your name mean: My Eeps ID was my then work login number (chosen at the time so "Mr. Memory" here could remember how to sign in); my real name Chris, is completely inappropriate for an atheist, meaning bearer of Christ My parents have always had a sick sense of humour.
-High school graduation year: 1983 (gulp)
Favourite relatives: My family fell out big style some years ago (not my fault, I hasten to add), so I cherish those few in my family that I am still in contact with, even though we are not a family to live in each others pockets.
Summer memory: Helping the local farmer bring in the hay.
Favourite TV shows: I loved Twin Peaks. More recently, UK comedies like The Office, Phoenix Nights and Alan Partridge really make me laugh. I also love historical documentaries like the recent BBC series on the Great Engineers. To be truthful TV doesn’t figure that high in my list of priorities.
What's on your mousepad: I’m lucky to have a fairly robust mouse, so my mousepad is surplus to requirements. On my mouse pad at the moment is my trusty Oxford English Dictionary, and a copy of the book I have just reviewed, Rough Music by Roger Gale. On top of that is a small calculator.
In the car- a/c or windows : Definitely windows. I find air con far too drying and with the additional fuel consumption, environmentally wasteful. My wife’s Honda Civic isn’t posh enough to have air con anyway and the UK climate is such that air con (or opening car windows for that matter) is only desirable for about 20 days of the year.
Do you believe in yourself: I have to, no one else will if I don't. I occassionaly experience depression, during these times it's very hard for me to believe in anything.
Favourite game: Winding people up, and watching them go...
Favourite drink: I love water, I also love beer and wine a little too much
Favourite food: I was a veggie for three years, but when I got drunk a Chicken Tikka Masala always beckoned, so I guess that has to be my favourite. I also enjoy all kinds of beans and pulses.
-Favorite colours : Purple and Orange (OK, I’m a child of the early 70’s)
-Favourite cigarettes: When I smoked I used to roll my own, and for a special treat with a little grass included. For "straight" cigarettes I used to hanker after Marlboro. I haven’t smoked for 5 years, apart from the odd lapse, and joint.
Favourite sounds : I get fixated on individual albums at a time: currently really into Robert Wyatt’s Cuckooland. Also always adore Velvet Underground, Nico, T.Rex, Gong, Melanie, Supergrass & Scott Walker. On the radio, I always choose some happening Radio station –I’m always on the look out for something new.
Favourite smell : Garden Grass cuttings, I also adore Happy for Men aftershave, and the smell of my sleepy partner... as long as she has had a bath after her 12 hour hospital shift (she is a nurse).
Favourite thing to do on a weekend: Meeting up with good friends, going on a hike in the country, then sharing a meal and a few drinks
Favourite soundtrack: Velvet Goldmine, Billy Elliott (both T.Rex)
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: Pretty much in the same place hopefully. I work in the area of Welfare Benefits and I enjoy being able to make a difference to claimants, as I mainly work in customer care. My work isn’t very dynamic but it gives me great satisfaction, together with enough holidays and money to enable me to pursue my expensive travel habit. I don't have huge aspirations.
First thought in the morning: "Why?"
Do you get motion sickness: No, as an example we once traveled across the Bay of Biscay to Spain in exceptionally choppy seas on a huge ferry and was one of a handful not to be seasick.
Rollercoasters- deadly or exciting: Decidedly indifferent to all things labeled as "fun park". I have had a few rides, but the hour long wait and the cost isn’t worth the whiplash you get in return.
How many rings before you answer the phone: We always let the answer phone screen our calls. My partner is a nurse who is always being asked to work additional shifts, and phone calls at my work usually involve some rampantly mad complainant who isn’t getting the level of benefit payment that they think they deserve. Its given me a strangely Pavlovian dog type reaction to the phone, where I start dribbling inanely every time the phone bleeps. Our answer phone message will tell you: "Hi this is Mel and Chris’s answer phone. We’re either not in or not answering, please leave a message, bye." I’m into truth.
Are you a good friend: As you might guess, I’m quite difficult to get to know, and I find it difficult to trust anyone (in real life). Most of my small number of friends I have known for 20 years, so I guess that says something about my (and their) loyalty.
Chocolate or Vanilla cake: I only eat Chocolate or fresh fruit as desert.
What do you drive: My wife... to distraction! Seriously, I don’t drive – even as a child I never wanted to learn, and never have. Cars are one of the great ecological disasters of the twentieth century. I’m no saint, as I rely on my partner who has to drive because she works across town doing shift work. I also jet off around the world, which is exceptionally environmentally wasteful. Our successors will pay for our generation’s extravagance. I live within walking distance of my work; I guess I would describe it as my biggest luxury in this mad world of ours.
Do you sleep with a stuffed animal: No, my partner is very slim – 25 inch waist, and she has impeccable manners. I won’t get into the stuffing element of our relationship... this is a family website.
Thunderstorms cool or scary: Wet, as well as cool, particularly given my home town’s distance from the equator.
If you could meet one person in the world, who would it be: My grandmother, who died when I was 8. She was an Irish tinker, who was the eldest of 8 kids and brought up her siblings after her parents died when she was 14 (in 1903). In the First World War she worked as a Docker in a South Welsh mining port, as all the men had gone to war, and had an unbelievably tough life. I remember the anchor tattoo she had on her forearm from her Docker days. I would love to have had an adult conversation with her.
What is your zodiac sign: Cancer – crabby and home loving.
What do you wear to bed: aftershave and usually boxers
Do you eat stems of broccoli: Yes, why not?
If a girl ever asked you for the shirt on your back, would you give it to her? I’ve only been asked that question by a guy. In my wild younger days, I was offered money to strip and have photo's taken. I declined. I’d have to pay folk to watch these days, so perhaps it was a bad decision.
Would you ever ask a guy for his shirt? Has been known... I'll leave it there.
If you could have any occupation when you get older, what would it be: Kind of answered that one – I’m pretty fulfilled by my current job.
If you could dye your hair one colour, what would it be: In my Goth days my hair has been black, purple, orange, white, black and orange, black and purple, purple and orange…. today I make do with "cowpat green" and grey,
If you could have a tattoo, what and where would it be: I suppose if it was going to happen it would have been done by now.
Favourite brand of gum: I hate gum – it makes people look stupid (like cows chewing cud), and the residue makes a real mess of pavements.
What is your favourite quote: all those statements by our politicians about weapons of mass destruction being the main justification for going to war in Iraq. They now seem to have been forgotten about. I’m pleased that a tyrant like Saddam has been toppled, but I hate the hypocrisy of our governments supporting similar regimes; those repressive regimes in places such as Israel, Congo, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia instantly come to mind. And of course never forget that Western countries (the UK and US included) armed Saddam in the first place.
Have you ever been in love: Far too often
What's on your walls in your room: Stones, plaster, wallpaper paste, wallpaper, paint, mold, dust, spiders, cobwebs… OK, a few pieces of original abstract art (bought as part of our pension fund)
Is the glass half-empty or half-full: With my gluttony, it’s usually overflowing
Which do you prefer- Cool Ranch or Nacho Cheese Doritos: Neither, I prefer Seabrook’s Salt and Vinegar crisps (or chips as you perverse Americans would call ‘em)
Favourite flavour Snapple: Sorry, I have never come across such an item. I suspect I wouldn’t like them/it.
Which one, Coke or Pepsi: Neither, tooth decaying gut rot, both. I prefer carbonated water as a soft drink. I sometimes have fresh grapefruit juice mixed with spring water which is great too.
Which kind of milk is your favourite: I’m too porky to justify drinking milk & I don’t drink tea or coffee (hate the smell) with or without milk. Dairy farmers don’t make a penny out of me!
If you were to kill someone, which method would you use? I’ve always liked the thought of killing them softly with my song
Are you a righty, lefty, or ambidextrous: Always left; obvious really!
Do you type with your fingers on the right keys: 45 wpm – I use three fingers of my left, and two on my right. I have been using a computer keyboard since I was 12 (our school was very developed in IT), so 25 years of typing. Sadly I’m starting to get mild arthritis, I can’t grip so hard in my left hand without it cramping after a bit.
When you meet a person of the opposite sex, you notice their: eyes, neck and collarbone. I just adore kissable necks and throats.
-What's under your bed: Strangely enough a hammer! We don’t have anywhere else to store my DIY toolkit. Our camping equipment (tent, sleeping bags etc) also live here, together with Dandy, our fat cat who normally makes a nest under the bed in order to sleep.
What's the best number in the World: 27 (I don’t know why, but I have adopted it)
What is your dream car: One that’s taxed appropriately to reflect the ecological damage it creates. Sorry, pompous answer alert... My wife dreams about driving a smart car, she knows enough about cars for the both of us.
Who is your biggest crush right now: Girl: Amanda Burton (UK actress), Nico (yes, when she was alive; I’m not that sick), Melanie Safka, Halle Berry.
Nickname: Swampie was one, but I imagine that’s a British joke. The closest I got when I was a kid was "Poof"!
School: ...""Shudder""...
Bacon Bits or Croutons: Do I have to??
Favourite Salad Dressing: Olive Oil and Red Wine Vinegar
Do you Drink: Is the pope a catholic?
What type of Shampoo/Conditioner: Something expensive, but on offer. I’m a posh brand tart.
Have you ever been skinny dipping: No, I’m neither keen on exposing my body as I burn easily, nor do I particularly like water.
Do you make fun of people: Always and relentlessly. Sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit, but at least its wit.
Have you ever been convicted of a crime: No, I am anally retentive about rules
One pillow or two: Two
Pets: 3 cats – Mad Cat, Dandy and Elf
Favorite Movies: Harold and Maude, El Postino, Cinema Paradiso. Again, I’m not really into films, We neither own video player nor DVD.
Favourite type of music: Punk, hippy, folk, some dance
Hobbies: cooking, reading, current affairs, walking, travel, music and wine
Word or Phrase you overuse: using the word "then", and commas when I write. Using the word "Absofuckinglutely" during verbal conversation (well, you did ask!). At least my favourite word gets me noticed at senior manager meetings (although it didn't get minuted!)
Toothpaste: Kingfisher (not tested on Animals)
Piercing or tattoos: No, I’m always plainly adorned. I never wore jewelry until I started wearing my silver wedding ring, and another silver ring bought by my beloved for my last birthday.
Do you get along with your parents: Mum: yes, Dad: no, although deep down I love him too.
Favourite beer: Timothy Taylors Landlord (Madonna’s favourite English tipple)
Favourite song at the moment: Hmmm, I can’t remember the title, but it’s the Darkness’ Christmas effort.
Most humiliating moment: Winning a regional poetry competition at school. We were each forced to enter, and I wrote some repetitive garbage that happened to win. Imagine just how much crap got kicked out of me in the playground for that one (as well as the originating source of the "poof" nickname). My school was quite rough despite being rural (those straight and narrow minded farmer’s boys!)
Favourite Holiday: One that involves travel and new experiences.
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OK thats your lot.... thanks for sticking with me though this huge lovefest.
Here's wishing everyone a happy Yule and a great New Year.
Chris
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Epinions.com ID:
cr01
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Member: Chris
Location: Yorkshire, England
Reviews written: 443
Trusted by: 373 members
About Me:
In snowy Yorkshire. Dusting down the Sledge.
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