The wonderfully talented and inspiring writer Taylor Fulks has very kindly nominated this blog for The Sunshine Award. In order to qualify for it, however, it seems that first of all I must answer a few questions so here goes–
What’s your favourite colour?
That sort of depends really. If you mean what is my favourite colour to look at, I would probably say purple or maybe yellow. However, if you mean in terms of clothes then, although I am partial to a splash of purple, I tend to lean towards black. I am trying to inject a bit of colour into my wardrobe though because, as I approach my dotage, black does seem to have the unfortunate effect of making me look like an old hag. I don’t think I’ll be trying yellow quite yet though maybe I’ll start off slowly with greys and blues.
What’s your favourite animal?
I don’t really have much of an affinity with animals. I think largely because we never had pets as children (apart from an ill-fated goldfish) and I have never had one as an adult. I used to have a bit of a soft spot for monkeys, based on a childhood spent watching Tarzan. My illusions were shattered though when I watched a documentary series about them and realised they were actually very vicious and more likely to rip you to death than befriend you. I also have an
irrational fear of birds which stems from a terrifying childhood incident with a flock of budgies.
What’s your favourite number?
I don’t have a favourite number. I do suspect, however, that I have six of the unluckiest numbers in the world as my lottery numbers. I have foolishly played the same numbers since it started and now I’m trapped. We all know what would happen if I didn’t buy a ticket.
What’s your favourite non-alcoholic beverage?
This is going to sound very virtuous but it’s actually peppermint tea. I was a voracious coffee drinker all my life until I was blighted by migraines earlier in the year. Consequently, I embraced a lifestyle more healthy than Gwyneth Paltrow’s but sadly, before I could launch the DVD and the cook book, I fell off the wagon. The only healthy thing I have been able to retain is my love of
peppermint tea. It’s best if you use proper tea instead of teabags but, in a pinch, teabags will suffice.
What’s your favourite alcoholic beverage?
I’m pretty flexible, in that I’ll drink whatever’s on offer, but my tipple of choice would be a gin and tonic without ice. I am having a dry spell at the moment though as, after a rather unseemly episode involving a dress; I have joined a very famous slimming club. If you have never been to one, it’s quite an experience and one I fear that has to be seen to be believed. Everybody gets weighed and then we sit in a big circle to talk about why we are such greedy pigs. It’s what I imagine Alcoholics Anonymous to be like but without the interesting stories. Let’s face it, I raided the breadbin at midnight just doesn’t have the same hook as I went on a three day bender and woke up in Las Vegas. What I find particularly intriguing is that everybody there is an expert on weight loss, they know the calorific value of everything from a peanut to a chocolate finger, but they never seem to lose any weight. The group leader is a very camp man, who gave up a career as a social worker when he got the slimming leader calling. He talks constantly of how weight loss has transformed his life and, I don’t like to pry, but he is at least ten stone over weight. Anyway, alcohol is off the menu for a while along with everything else that makes like worth living.
Are you Facebook or Twitter?
I’m Twitter all the way. I just can’t get on with Facebook. I have an account but can never remember my password. I’ve changed it so often I am probably being monitored as a potentially suspicious character.
What are your passions?
I suppose there’s a difference between what I feel passionately about and what my passions are in terms of what I enjoy doing. I feel passionately about fairness and equality. I find it disgusting that I live in a society where people are defined by how much money they have and affluence determines everything from education to life expectancy. The abject poverty that some people are living in, unable to afford basic needs like food, in a so called developed country is shameful. People don’t want to hear it now that she has been rebranded as a national treasure but Thatcher was the one who legitimised greed and the ethos of every man for himself. It is that mentality that has led to the breakdown of communities and ultimately the disintegration of our society. In terms of what I enjoy doing, that would be reading, writing, going to the cinema and theatre and spending time with friends.
Which do you enjoy most – giving or receiving gifts?
I love finding gifts for people and, if you can forgive the cheesy pun, I think I’m rather gifted at it. I always do my research and the key is to give yourself plenty of time to find the perfect gift. Some people are easier to shop for than others but I always find something in the end – it’s a matter of principle, I refuse to give in. I can’t lie though, I love receiving gifts just as much. I am
notoriously bad for opening them straight away instead of waiting for special days. The minute a gift is in my hand, it’s open.
What’s your favourite city?
Another tricky one because different cities hold different memories and each has different good points. I particularly love Brighton though because it holds so many happy memories and I genuinely believe that, as a city, it has something for everyone. It’s on the coast so you have the sea and the beach but there are also lots of fabulous shops and cafes. It has a vibrant nightlife and a really rich cultural life. I can’t imagine that many people would visit and not find something that they love about it.
What’s your favourite TV show?
There are so many great TV shows on at the moment; it’s a miracle that I have time to leave the house. I think my main love is Mad Men, which is both visually stylish and very thought provoking. I find the character of Don Draper fascinating, he’s so dysfunctional and emotionally dead on the outside but inside he’s a raging volcano. I am also watching Game of Thrones
which is very action packed and star studded. I was hysterical with joy earlier in the week when I heard that 24 might be coming back although the prospect of having to juggle both Jack Bauer and Don Draper in one week could prove too much for me.
My job now is to nominate some blogs that I really like for The Sunshine Award so watch this space. I recommend that you check out Taylor Fulk's blog which is pretty special.
www.taylorfulks.com
What’s your favourite colour?
That sort of depends really. If you mean what is my favourite colour to look at, I would probably say purple or maybe yellow. However, if you mean in terms of clothes then, although I am partial to a splash of purple, I tend to lean towards black. I am trying to inject a bit of colour into my wardrobe though because, as I approach my dotage, black does seem to have the unfortunate effect of making me look like an old hag. I don’t think I’ll be trying yellow quite yet though maybe I’ll start off slowly with greys and blues.
What’s your favourite animal?
I don’t really have much of an affinity with animals. I think largely because we never had pets as children (apart from an ill-fated goldfish) and I have never had one as an adult. I used to have a bit of a soft spot for monkeys, based on a childhood spent watching Tarzan. My illusions were shattered though when I watched a documentary series about them and realised they were actually very vicious and more likely to rip you to death than befriend you. I also have an
irrational fear of birds which stems from a terrifying childhood incident with a flock of budgies.
What’s your favourite number?
I don’t have a favourite number. I do suspect, however, that I have six of the unluckiest numbers in the world as my lottery numbers. I have foolishly played the same numbers since it started and now I’m trapped. We all know what would happen if I didn’t buy a ticket.
What’s your favourite non-alcoholic beverage?
This is going to sound very virtuous but it’s actually peppermint tea. I was a voracious coffee drinker all my life until I was blighted by migraines earlier in the year. Consequently, I embraced a lifestyle more healthy than Gwyneth Paltrow’s but sadly, before I could launch the DVD and the cook book, I fell off the wagon. The only healthy thing I have been able to retain is my love of
peppermint tea. It’s best if you use proper tea instead of teabags but, in a pinch, teabags will suffice.
What’s your favourite alcoholic beverage?
I’m pretty flexible, in that I’ll drink whatever’s on offer, but my tipple of choice would be a gin and tonic without ice. I am having a dry spell at the moment though as, after a rather unseemly episode involving a dress; I have joined a very famous slimming club. If you have never been to one, it’s quite an experience and one I fear that has to be seen to be believed. Everybody gets weighed and then we sit in a big circle to talk about why we are such greedy pigs. It’s what I imagine Alcoholics Anonymous to be like but without the interesting stories. Let’s face it, I raided the breadbin at midnight just doesn’t have the same hook as I went on a three day bender and woke up in Las Vegas. What I find particularly intriguing is that everybody there is an expert on weight loss, they know the calorific value of everything from a peanut to a chocolate finger, but they never seem to lose any weight. The group leader is a very camp man, who gave up a career as a social worker when he got the slimming leader calling. He talks constantly of how weight loss has transformed his life and, I don’t like to pry, but he is at least ten stone over weight. Anyway, alcohol is off the menu for a while along with everything else that makes like worth living.
Are you Facebook or Twitter?
I’m Twitter all the way. I just can’t get on with Facebook. I have an account but can never remember my password. I’ve changed it so often I am probably being monitored as a potentially suspicious character.
What are your passions?
I suppose there’s a difference between what I feel passionately about and what my passions are in terms of what I enjoy doing. I feel passionately about fairness and equality. I find it disgusting that I live in a society where people are defined by how much money they have and affluence determines everything from education to life expectancy. The abject poverty that some people are living in, unable to afford basic needs like food, in a so called developed country is shameful. People don’t want to hear it now that she has been rebranded as a national treasure but Thatcher was the one who legitimised greed and the ethos of every man for himself. It is that mentality that has led to the breakdown of communities and ultimately the disintegration of our society. In terms of what I enjoy doing, that would be reading, writing, going to the cinema and theatre and spending time with friends.
Which do you enjoy most – giving or receiving gifts?
I love finding gifts for people and, if you can forgive the cheesy pun, I think I’m rather gifted at it. I always do my research and the key is to give yourself plenty of time to find the perfect gift. Some people are easier to shop for than others but I always find something in the end – it’s a matter of principle, I refuse to give in. I can’t lie though, I love receiving gifts just as much. I am
notoriously bad for opening them straight away instead of waiting for special days. The minute a gift is in my hand, it’s open.
What’s your favourite city?
Another tricky one because different cities hold different memories and each has different good points. I particularly love Brighton though because it holds so many happy memories and I genuinely believe that, as a city, it has something for everyone. It’s on the coast so you have the sea and the beach but there are also lots of fabulous shops and cafes. It has a vibrant nightlife and a really rich cultural life. I can’t imagine that many people would visit and not find something that they love about it.
What’s your favourite TV show?
There are so many great TV shows on at the moment; it’s a miracle that I have time to leave the house. I think my main love is Mad Men, which is both visually stylish and very thought provoking. I find the character of Don Draper fascinating, he’s so dysfunctional and emotionally dead on the outside but inside he’s a raging volcano. I am also watching Game of Thrones
which is very action packed and star studded. I was hysterical with joy earlier in the week when I heard that 24 might be coming back although the prospect of having to juggle both Jack Bauer and Don Draper in one week could prove too much for me.
My job now is to nominate some blogs that I really like for The Sunshine Award so watch this space. I recommend that you check out Taylor Fulk's blog which is pretty special.
www.taylorfulks.com
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