Monday 11 June 2007

Eight Things About Me ....

Having been tagged by @themill, I have been thinking all weekend of eight things to reveal. This was horribly hard – but then perhaps everyone has more interesting lives than me - and I couldn’t start; then when I did, I found I couldn’t stop! I clearly have some sort of compulsion towards disclosure. So here we go:

1. I’m a die-hard and ever-hopeful Newcastle United fan, who by a tragic quirk of fate is married to a Chelsea supporter. My gorgeous son, however, has chosen blood and family loyalty over money and fame, and has probably doomed himself to a life of disappointment.

2. When I was sixteen, for some bizarre and to this day unknown reason, my school was asked to enter the schools version of the European finals of ‘It’s A Knockout’ (remember that, anyone?!). My little ‘gang’ all put ourselves forward, as it involved a five day trip to Belgium, and we duly experienced one of the more surreal episodes of our lives. We were all set to win, but were pipped at the post by the Germans. It was later announced that they’d cheated and we got the trophy, restoring honour to our glorious nation.

3. I fell in love for the first time when I was 15 … with a Spanish waiter called Manuel, from Barcelona. I’m not making it up.

4. I have an inappropriate (given he’s 17 years younger than me) crush on Lee from Any Dream Will Do.

5. I’m sometimes slow on the uptake – I used to have big crushes on George Michael (back in the eighties) and Christopher Eccleston.

6.I speak French, Italian, and Spanish, but probably very badly by now, given that I don’t get out of Suffolk much these days.

7.I won a poetry competition at the age of 11 – unfortunately, I have a horrible feeling that that was the peak of my literary fame – I still write lots of poetry, but generally rip it up the next morning.

8.I would describe myself as outgoing, communicative and open (and hot-tempered, according to my husband) – but am occasionally beset by the most horrible anxiety and ridiculous over-sensitivity. Hence my family and my garden are my greatest refuge.

I’m not sure what to do about passing the tagging baton on, as most people have already been tagged, as far as I can see. If you haven’t, and you’re reading this – then please go ahead!

29 comments:

Un Peu Loufoque said...

Stop tearing up our poetry. If you really honestly think it is bad keep it to embarriss your children with when they are older.I amsure if it is anythign like your blogs it is neither dull or badly written. Coo impressed with the languages!

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

lovely list. I fell in love at sixteen with a greek waiter called stelios. you couldn't make it up could you?

Faith said...

I also have a crush on Lee and its got bigger and bigger. Him singing 'Paint it Black'....mmmmmm

I also write poetry, sometimes. Mine would be bad compared to yours. Please share some of yours.

DevonLife said...

Oh yes Lee. Watched the programme for the first time this weekend, so came late to the festival. But yes Lee, clear winner, a man amongst small singing children

countrymousie said...

Great list - I also rather thought Lee a dish. I could easily be his mother!
My first love was called Nick, he was very English and now lives in Aus!! He is now an Ironman champion or something similar - rather a wimp when I knew him. Just my luck!

Bluestocking Mum said...

That is really interesting to read SM.

I rather liked Lee too! So glad he won!
You must stop tearing up the poetry, my girl! I can't imagine anything you write not being good!

warm wishes
xx
btw-I have decided everyone knows far too much about me already-so I won't be doing the 8 things about me!...

snailbeachshepherdess said...

Yet another that has passed the language barrier ...I am so impressed... had I better get back to idiot French class I wonder? ..Was I expelled though? ...cant remember

Exmoorjane said...

What ARE you lot like? Watched Any Snore will do and saw Lee singing Paint it Black (total travesty!!). No, sorry. But then, I have a bit of a Bill Nighy thing so can't really talk...
Yup, as you know, we share the Newcastle affliction (other way round than you though - my James started it and I have loyally followed as Arsenal - Adrian's - are too obvious and win too much). I love a lame duck. Why Newcastle though? Keep meaning to ask you that.
My first love was called Van Der Roy Parker (unrequited, don't think he ever knew)....funny boy...

Cait O'Connor said...

I have to be West Ham now though I grew up supporting Crystal Palace.
I have put on three of the songs but sadly not Blue, Walk on By or Kingfisher. Any more ideas? (I smiled too at the French Connection),

Exmoorjane said...

Nah, bats behind the bed aren't good! Forgive me - now I come to think of it I think I've even askedyou the Newcastle question before myself! I have a memory like the proverbial sieve. When we go up there next month James and I will give your best to St James's Park! Poor James is a member of the Junior Magpies yet the chances of him ever being able to watch his free reserve games are pretty slim!!!

Exmoorjane said...

PS - agree with Un Peu about the poetry. if it's anythig like your prose it deserves to be read... C'mon.... I am absolutely NO poetry critic (absolutely hopeless with it) but would love to read some!

Posie said...

I got tagged and wasn't sure what it meant...duh! Have been enjoying the sun too much and not paying enough attention. Loved your list!

Inthemud said...

Great list!
A Spanish waiter called Manuel! You couldn't make it up !
I fell for an Italian one called Mario!No good at Italian though and he spoke no English recipe for disaster! Impressed with your language skills!

Lee! Me Too!we'll have to have a Purple coo trip to see JOseph!

Pig in the Kitchen said...

am soooo jealous about 'It's a knockout', did you get to do the one in the water with all the inflatables? And then did you all get to jump onto them and play at the end? How I longed for that as a child! y hablas espanol tambien? Somos jumelas separatadas al nacimiento!
El Cerdox

Pig in the Kitchen said...

I meant to say gemelas, not jumelas, silly me.

annakarenin said...

I am obviously out of touch with the real world, Lee who? and what is Any dream will do?? is it one of those talent t.v programs?? I am assuming from what people have commented it is not a band.

I am rather hot tempered but people have probably worked that one out already from my reactions to certain things over on the dark side.

Would love to have a flair for languages definately not one of my strengths unfortunately, lucky you.
Absolutely hate football though and it is banned in my house urgggh!!Nobody complains thankfully and with five males here that is pretty good going, hopefully it will last.

@themill said...

Yes, sadly doomed to a life of disappointment, but at least I am old enough to have seen them win the Fairs cup. However, you will be assured that your son will grow up to show great fortitude and stoicism in the face of adversity. Hope you've got over the Alan Shearer revelation. So sorry to disillusion you.
And agree about the poetry.

Stay at home dad said...

It's not that inappropriate. Lee looks older than 25.

Westerwitch/Headmistress said...

Hi Suffolkmum - love your list - Matron and I have tagged everyone . . .

Your email is bouncing back and I am trying to get in touch with you - could you email me . . . ta . . Headmistress.

@themill said...

Didn't have SAHD as an 'Any dream will do' viewer.

Pondside said...

Ah young love! Mine was a Malaysian flying student - my mother nearly had a stroke because I was all of 15 and looked older and he was in his late 20's and looked about 14.
Great list, and it's good to know you a little better.

LITTLE BROWN DOG said...

Oh, Newcastle United - we share our surname with one of their most famous players and are always getting asked whether we're related (sadly, the answer is no, although H has wound up a few people about it, and The Boy proudly wears a Newcastle shirt with his name on the back.)

Yes, I too, had a latino crush at about the same age - Salvatore from Amalfi.

And, yes - do share your poetry.

alice c said...

No wonder Lee won with a fan club like this. I hope that your phone bills don't have an obvious peak this month!

Kitty said...

I too was convinced I was actually going to marry George Michael, couldn't see any reason why not.

Don't know who Lee is, but I admit I have a crush on Justin Timberlake, can't work out why as he's not good looking or visually attractive, but man, he's sexy! What is it?

Unknown said...

I share your passion for football - though my team are Ipswich Town. I've supported them for over 20 years as my Dad took me there back in the days when they were actually good and my love affair with them continued even after leaving Essex to live in Cumbria for seven miserable years!!

My husband can't stand football, though he pretends to like Chelsea because a) they're fairly local, b) he likes the strip and c) they are successful!! I don't think he's ever actually watched them play though - not even on the telly!!

I have to agree, Lee is gorgeous, and he lives quite near me! I liked Keith too, but not in that way!!

Please forgive my ignorance, but I haven't been tagged, not sure I know what it means, and I'm feeling all left out and alone!!!

Anonymous said...

I wasn't sure I should read on when you revealed you're a Newcastle fan!! I'm not a football fan myself (although if I was it would be Wigan Athletic), however, my hubby is an avid Sunderland man. I know, it's terribly sad. George Michael is pretty tasty isn't he!
Great facts, except the Newcastle bit of course! Crystal x

Pipany said...

What on earth does 'tagging' mean? Thought it meant you were 'it'! Great list though - impressed about the languages xx

Woozle1967 said...

Just been tagged myself - aaargh! Great list, SM. Lee who? Sorry, not a telly fan so I'm way out in the dark here.......... but SOOOOOOO with you in the eighties with George. Such a waste......... Nowadays, though, it's Cap'n Jack Sparrow that could get me walking the plank anytime!xx

Stay at home dad said...

@TM, I surprised myself!