Manic Monday

There are four questions for today's Manic Monday, hosted by Lisa. As ever, they're good ones!

What sound or noise do you love?

The sound of a cat purring, a babbling brook, waves crashing ashore, a blackbird singing.

What sound or noise do you hate?

Garden strimmers - vile things. Also, dogs barking incessantly - all dogs bark, but one of my neighbours has one that never shuts up - even at 3 AM, sometimes. Other noises I dislike are loud car stereos, babies left to cry for ages with no-one seeing to them, and the magpie that shrieks outside my window every morning. I also hate the sound of the motorcycle owned by the guy across the road - he runs it for about 10 minutes before he drives off - even at 5 AM.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Private detective, journalist, historian. Yep, I like research.

What profession would you not like to do?

Anything medical, anything to do with the military, schoolteacher.

Manic Monday

Rats! My memory is getting more and more sieve-like by the day. I almost forgot this week's Manic Monday, hosted, as ever, by Lisa. Here are this week's questions - and my answers.

Are you a talker or a listener? Is it ever possible to really be both?

I'm more of a listener. I only tend to talk if I have something to say. I don't pollute the atmosphere with excess hot air :). Is it possible to be both? Maybe. But my life experience tells me most people gravitate more towards one than the other, even if they possess both skills.

Do you think God has a sense of humor?

I don't believe in God. I hope this doesn't offend anyone. I'm not necessarily against the idea of some supreme power or entity lying at the heart of the Universe, but I just don't buy the traditional God image. That said, I always respect the beliefs of others, because I understand that faith is very precious to many people. Oh - and if there is a God who created everything - he or she most definitely has a sense of humour. They would need one, to create something as weird and wonderful as the human race.

Do you believe in love at first sight? Have you ever experienced it?

No, I don't believe in love at first sight. I've experienced lust at first sight, and infatuation at first sight, but never love. For me, love is something that grows slowly from gradually getting to know someone.

Oh well, that's my Manic Monday for this week. Happy Monday!

Manic Monday

Time for Manic Monday, hosted by Lisa. Thankfully, the questions aren't quite so deep this week - I'm not in a very philosophical mood today :).

What is your ideal age?

I like the age I am now, 42. It's nowhere near being old, but my brain has had a chance to build up a good supply of useful (and not so useful!) information. I like the way I think right now. I may have a few more lines on my face and several more inches on my waist, than I had 20 years ago, but looking back, I really don't like the younger me. I was a self-opinionated, bombastic pain in the bum. But over the last couple of years, for the first time in my life, I've actually liked myself. I hope I can stay this age, mentally and emotionally, for the rest of my life.

What is your best excuse for being late?

I'm rarely, if ever, late. I have a thing for punctuality. On the rare occasions I'm late, it's usually due to something beyond my control, so I simply tell the truth behind the reason for my lateness.

If you had to give yourself a nickname what would it be?

Spooky! I'm fascinated by anything that falls under the heading 'paranormal'.

Manic Monday

It's time for yet another Manic Monday, hosted by Lisa. This week's questions are very deep, and have forced me to consider some very serious issues.

You have accomplished a difficult task and hear someone else taking the credit. How do you deal with the situation?

I certainly wouldn't stand silently by and let them get away with it. I think I would march right up to them and whoever they were talking to, and expose their lies. I HATE people who try to claim someone else's success as their own. It's a dirty, devious thing to do.

If you had to marry someone that you presently know unromantically, and spend the rest of your life as their spouse, who would you choose?

Oh heck - no-one. Seriously, I couldn't contemplate spending the rest of my life with anyone. I know that sounds like a cop-out, but I like my own space and company too much to spend a lifetime with someone.

If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are living now?

Yes. I'd arrange new homes for my cats, try to see as many old friends as possible, and make sure all my legal papers, etc, were in order, and that I had a properly drafted will, etc. Oh - and I'd stop worrying about how much chocolate I was eating!

Anyway, that's my Manic Monday for this week. Happy Monday!

Manic Monday

It's Monday, so that means one thing - the original - and best - Manic Monday. As ever, Lisa has come up with an interesting trio of questions. I just wish I could come up with equally interesting answers!


Do good things come to those who wait?

I don't know. I'm still waiting!

Your best friend's spouse is being unfaithful. Would you tell your friend? If so, how?

I think I'd tackle the philandering spouse first, and give him or her the chance to come clean to my friend. I'd also make it clear that if they didn't - I'd do the job for them. If they continued to lie and cheat, I would feel obliged to say something. How? I'd probably sit my friend down somewhere quiet and private, and try to break the news as gently as possible.

Which part of your body do you like the least? Would you change it through plastic surgery, if possible?

I hate the lines that keep appearing on my face. Would I change them? Heck yes! But I'd opt for something like Botox or dermal fillers, rather than actual surgery, because the lines are not drastic enough for a facelift - yet. Then again, when there are kids starving and dying of AIDS, it seems almost obscene to spend cash on cosmetic procedures, when it could be put to better use.

Manic Monday

It's been quite a few weeks since I last participated in Manic Monday, hosted by Lisa. I've had PC problems, amongst other things. However, despite struggling with an ancient desktop, since my laptop died, I've decided to get back into the swing of things with my blogging, and rejoin Manic Monday. As usual, Lisa has posed three very interesting questions.

If the statement, 'You are what you eat' was true, I would be a _______.

Pizza! Or a chocolate bar. Or a Muller Crunch Corner.

If you had to have one piece of music (softly) playing in your mind for the rest of your life, what would you want it to be?

'Hit Me Baby One More Time' by Britney Spears. And if you believe that - you'll believe anything! To be honest, I really don't think I could bear to hear any piece of music constantly for the rest of my life. Even my favorite music would start to sound like Britney!

What is the most important thing in any relationship?

Trust. Without trust, for me a relationship is doomed. I can't keep loving someone I don't trust.

Manic Monday

It's time for Manic Monday again, hosted by Lisa. Great questions, as usual.

How did you celebrate your last birthday?

I took myself for a trip on the Heart of Wales railway line, to the pretty old town of Shrewsbury, a few days before my birthday. Or was it a few days after? I can't remember. But what I do remember, is having the most hideous travel sickness ever. It was a small, two-carriage train, with two lavatories, both of which were in constant use, due to the large volume of elderly people on the train (thanks to free train travel), armed with flasks of tea and coffee. As I joined the queue outside one of the toilets, I suddenly announced, 'aaarggghh, I'm gonna puke. Now!' Luckily, the guy queuing ahead of me was waiting to fill his dog's water bowl, and handed me the bowl. I barfed in his dog bowl and have never felt so embarrassed in my life!

What's the last thing you bought yourself, just for fun?

An expensive pair of walking shoes. Well, I bought them more for practical reasons than fun. I don't have much money, so I tend to spend wisely, rather than on frivolities.

What would the child you once were think of the adult you have become?

The child I once was, would look at the adult I now am, and say: 'what a boring old fart!'

Manic Monday

It's time for Manic Monday again, hosted by Lisa. Our host has come up with yet another interesting trio of questions.

What do you order when you eat Chinese food?

I haven't eaten Chinese food from a takeaway or restaurant in many years. It tends to be overpriced here in the UK, and my local takeaway went seriously downhill when it was taken over by new owners. But if I cook it at home, I usually have something like a Chinese chicken curry, or a sweet and sour dish.

How much have you controlled the course your life has taken?

Not a lot. The course my life has taken in recent years, has been heavily influenced by ill health, which I have no control over.

Whose opinion do you value when deciding how to vote?

I don't rely on other people's opinions when it comes to voting. Voting tends to be very different in the UK to the US, anyway. For instance, the UK is divided into more than 650 different constituencies, and at a General Election, we vote for individual local candidates to become MPs and represent us in Parliament. When the voting is over, the person who becomes Prime Minister, is the leader of the political party which has the highest number of newly elected MPs in Parliament. Most people show allegiance to one party or another, which rarely changes over their lifetime. I tend to rely on my own judgement when it comes to politics. I think all politicians stink. It's just a case of deciding who stinks less, at election time.

Manic Monday

It's time for Manic Monday again. This week, Lisa has come up with a trio of Valentine's Day-themed questions. This is a little unfortunate. Y'see - I'm as romantic as a coyote. In fact, coyotes are probably far more romantic than I am. Anyway, I'm going to give it a go. Please don't think too badly of me for my bitter and twisted answers!


What is the most romantic movie that you've ever seen?

I really don't do romance, or watch romantic movies. And I rarely watch movies. If I do, I watch thrillers, sci-fi or action movies. Not very girlie, I know.

If you could be the lover of any person alive other than your current lover, who would you pick?

No-one! I don't have a lover, and right now, and for the foreseeable future, I don't want one. When I grow old, I want to be known as a mad old hermit who surrounds herself with animals and plants! My life experiences have taught me that most men are T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Sorry, boys - you just are!

What scents remind you of a loved one?

Make that ex-loved one. Scents? Exhaust fumes and burning rubber as he sped away for the last time, missiles falling all around him, still insisting there was an innocent explanation for the unclothed barmaid in his bed, and the various articles of a nature too adult to describe on this blog, strewn around the room.

So, y'see - I don't do romance. Happy Monday!

Manic Monday

I don't know why I'm awake at such an obscenely early hour - it's 5 AM here in the UK. But seeing as I am, I've made a nice coffee, and decided to get to work on my Manic Monday post for this week. Lisa has come up with some really deep and mind-bending posers this week - there are no easy answers to these questions.

Is there anything too serious to joke about? If so, what falls into that category for you?

I think there are many things too serious to joke about. Things like the sexual molestation of children, rape, torture, murder, genocide and the Holocaust, immediately spring to mind. I know there are other issues I would refuse to joke about too - it's just too early in the morning for me to think that straight. I'm not against dark or sick humour per se, but for me, there are certain boundaries we probably shouldn't cross.

Would you rather be a tortured genius or a happy simple-minded person? Why?

Tortured genius, definitely. This world is too fraught with danger these days, for ignorance to be bliss.

A dear friend or family member has a terminal illness and is in agony. He/she wants you to help him/her die. What would you do?

I would contact the Swiss assisted suicide charity, Dignitas, and try to get the person to Switzerland. That way, I could help my friend or relative to die with dignity, in the care of qualified medical personnel, without breaking any UK laws and risking jail. For me, helping someone to die is a moral grey area. I believe terminally ill people should be able to choose whether to let nature take its course, or let doctors end their suffering, but I doubt I could ever administer a fatal dose of anything to anyone. It's the kind of situation where you're damned if you do and damned if you don't - which is why I chose the option above.

Oh well, that's Manic Monday for this week. Have a great week!

Manic Monday

Oh pee, poop and puke! Yes, as stated in a post below - I accidentally deleted my Manic Monday post. Why? Well, when I checked my list of posts, not only was my MM post there, but two draft versions of the post too - but with just the questions and minus my answers. I wasn't wearing my reading glasses - so I deleted the wrong wretched post. So here we go again. Sorry to anyone who has already commented.

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It's time for Manic Monday again, and Lisa has another interesting trio of questions for us.

If you could have a servant come to your house every day for one hour, what would you have them do?

Cleaning, cleaning and cleaning! I hate it. Not because I'm lazy (well, maybe just a bit), but because I have arthritis, and cleaning hurts.

Has your life ever been changed by an apparently random occurrence?

Not that I can think of. Surely, though, most of our lives are really just a collection of random occurrences woven together?

You're having dinner with several friends and acquaintances. They all criticize a close friend of yours (not knowing he/she is a friend). The criticism is unjustified. What would you do?

I'd give them a chance, first off. I'd tell them, as calmly as I could, that they were talking about my friend. I'd also tell them they were wrong, and explain why. If they apologized and/or let it drop, I'd be prepared to forgive it, and carry on with the rest of the dinner. However, if they continued to criticize and disrespect my friend, after hearing what I had to say, I would tell them what I thought of their nastiness in no uncertain terms. Then, I would leave.

Okay, that's my Manic Monday for today. I promise I won't go mad and accidentally delete this one. Or, at least, I'll try my best not to.

Manic Monday - lost it and the plot

Oops, darn and blast it. I'm sorry -I accidentally deleted my Manic Monday post. Sorry. I'll redo it again in a few minutes. Blame creeping senility - it's not the drink, as I haven't had any. Maybe that's the problem - maybe I need one! Help!

Manic Monday

It's Monday, so that means one thing - Manic Monday, hosted by the very creative Lisa.

If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which would it be?

I had to do a little research for this one. I'm not American, so I could only think of the names of a handful of states off the top of my head - plus I've not been awake very long this morning. As for the states that came to mind - I didn't fancy being named New Hampshire, Connecticut or Massechusetts, although I'm sure they're wonderful places. So, I found a website that listed all 50 states. Looking at the list, I narrowed it down to Georgia or Alaska. Georgia's more conventional, but I've always had a fascination for the beautiful scenery and wildlife of Alaska. So Georgia or Alaska? I'm not very conventional, so Alaska it is! Hmm, Alaska Thomas - I quite like it, actually.

Where do you go for advice?

I'm a pretty self-reliant person, so when I need advice or information, I tend to dig it up on the Internet.

What is the sickest you've ever been?

I'm pretty lucky in that I've never, to date, had any life-threatening sickness. The last few years have been the ones in which I've had most illness, having developed a couple of chronic conditions. I have arthritis in my neck and spine, plus a couple of complications thereof (trapped nerves and other annoyances). I also suffer from ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, but I've not had a bad flare-up of that for a few weeks .

The sickest I've ever felt was in the mid to late eighties, when I contracted a particularly nasty form of pharyngitis, known as strep throat. Not only did my throat feel like it had been stabbed with a nasty, big knife, but I had the most excruciatingly painful headache ever. If I coughed, sneezed or even moved, I had severe, shooting pains through my head. I was also unable to tolerate light, threw up non-stop and could barely stand. I truly thought I was dying! Luckily, I was staying with relatives at the time, and they called their family doctor. Even though he wasn't my doctor, he arrived within ten minutes of being called, because my symptoms sounded so much like meningitis. Thankfully, it wasn't, and a course of antibiotics soon chased it away.

Anyway, that's my Manic Monday for this week - happy Monday!

Manic Monday

Time for Manic Monday again, hosted by Lisa. I have no idea how she manages to come up with such interesting and varied questions, week after week. But I'm glad she does!


Which sex do you think has it easier in our culture? Have you ever wished you were the opposite sex?

I think men definitely have it easier in our culture, in so many ways. Take this recent experience of mine as an example. I went into a local pub, the Potter's Wheel, one morning recently. Not that I'm an early morning drinker. They happen to serve nice, cheap, cooked breakfasts, and a decent large cappuccino for just £1.10 - about $2.20. I sat myself down, and awaited the arrival of my steaming mug of cappuccino and some scrambled eggs on toast. The next thing I here is a voice saying 'alright babes?'. Some hairy-faced hobbit, already clutching a pint of beer at 10.30 AM (and I suspect it wasn't his first), stood leering at me, and started to slide into the seat opposite me. Bear in mind that this pub has a large dining area which was virtually empty. I gave him a foul glare and promptly moved to another seat. Would he have harrassed a man like that? I doubt it!

Have I ever wished I was the opposite sex? I used to when I was a child. I became aware, at an early age, that boys and girls were treated differently. Whereas I always wanted toys like chemistry sets, microscopes and train sets, all I ever got were Sindy dolls and other silly girlie stuff. As soon as I was old enough to realise that I didn't have to conform to stereotypes and chauvinism - at about the age of 11 - I was happy to be a girl.

What books from your childhood would you like to share with your children?

I don't have any children, and don't intend having any. As a child, I enjoyed the Famous Five books by Enid Blyton, as well as her Land of the Faraway Tree stories. But if I had kids, I'm not sure I would encourage them to read Enid Blyton, because although I still have a nostalgic fondness for her works, they're littered with negative race, class and gender stereotypes.

What is one talent or skill you don't possess but always wanted?

The ability to fly, or at least levitate a few meters above the ground, to give people a bit of a shock! Yes, I know, I'm weird!

Manic Monday

It's the first Manic Monday of 2008, and Lisa has started the year with a great trio of questions.

What was the last thing you regret buying?

An internet phone. I saw it for sale in the supermarket at half price, and it came with £5 (around $10 US) of free credit. I thought it would be a great way to save money on my phone bills. Alas, most of the people I know haven't even heard of VOIP telephony, yet alone got themselves an internet phone. So my internet phone has so far been a wasted purchase.

If you had a crystal ball that could tell you the truth about any one thing you wished to know about yourself, life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?

I'd want to know if there were intelligent life forms on other planets, if they have ever visited Earth, and if world governments really are covering up the existence of extra-terrestrials.

How do you know when you're in love?

I can't get the person out of my head. Luckily, it doesn't happen very often!

Manic Monday

It's Manic Monday time again, and Lisa has come up with another trio of thought-provoking questions.

What is your idea of a perfect romantic evening?

I'm probably the most unromantic person in the whole wide world. I'm so not into romance and lovey-doveyness, LOL. I quite like inventing words, though. But my idea of a nice evening with a nice man (people tell me there are some nice men in the world!), would probably be good food and conversation, in a quiet, unpretentious bistro, followed by a sunset stroll along a beach or cliff top. But no mush or soppiness!

Imagine you had to take part in the winter Olympics. What sport would you do?

Seeing as I'm an arthritis sufferer, and will shortly be donning thermal underwear, two pairs of thermal socks, two layers of thermal fleece, a chunky-knit sweater, thermal leggings, jeans, as well as a thermal hat and gloves, just to brave an average winter morning here in the UK, this is going to take quite some stretch of the imagination. Okay, then. Let's pretend for a moment that I don't look like a creaky-boned Yeti whenever I venture outdoors during the winter. What would I go for? Probably something like the bobsleigh, or snowboarding. I'd probably fall over skis, and I'd get excluded from an ice hockey game, because if anyone bashed into me, the temptation to whack them with my hockey stick would be too great.

What's something that people do in traffic that really bothers you?

I don't drive, so I'll need to look at this from the perspective of a pedestrian. One thing I hate, is when drivers seem to forget they're not in the privacy of their homes, as they sit in their cars. Nose-picking and ear cleaning are both vile things that many drivers do. From a safety perspective, I despise drivers who use their phones whilst driving, especially people who drive and text at the same time. Using a phone at the wheel is a crime in the UK, yet people still do it. I also hate drivers who block pelican crossings. For non-Brits, this is a type of pedestrian crossing, and absolutely nothing to do with actual pelicans. Some drivers, when in a line of traffic, will stop their cars directly over the crossing. So when the green light comes on, pedestrians can't actually get across safely on the crossing.

Anyway, that's me done for this week. Happy Monday!

Manic Monday

It's Manic Monday time again, and Lisa has come up with another trio of thought-provoking questions .

1. For the holidays, are you a last-minute shopper or do you shop well ahead of time?

If I'm totally honest, Christmas means very little to me. I don't have kids, I'm not religious, I don't have a large family, and most of my friends are equally unimpressed with Christmas. So I do very little Christmas shopping. This year, my cousin will be staying with me for Christmas, so I'll buy in some extra food and some Christmas goodies, probably just a few days before Christmas. I buy very few gifts, because I don't have much money, so I only buy them for the people who are closest to me - usually a couple of weeks before Christmas. The only things I tend to stock up on in advance are chocolates, because they're usually much cheaper in October and November than December. Really, the bulk of my Christmas shopping is something I can usually do in a couple of hours, so I don't tend to bother with it until it's imminent.

2. If you had to pick a new first name for yourself, what name would you choose?

I think I'd probably stick with my own name. I doubt I could ever get used to being called anything else, and would probably end up ignoring people who called me by my new name, as I'd probably forget, and think they were calling someone else.

3. What's worse, having expectations that are too high, or having no expectations at all?

Having expectations that are too high. Anyone who does so, is setting themselves up for a lifetime of disappointment and futility, because they'll rarely be satisfied with anything. Having no expectations at all isn't to be recommended, either, as it's somewhat negative, and doesn't inspire a person to achieve anything. But at least people who have no expectations, can find pleasure in any good things that unexpectedly come their way, rather than spending their lives thinking 'that's not good enough'.

Those are my Manic Monday answers for today. Apologies if they seem a bit befuddled or clumsily worded - I've had a sleepless night, through one thing or another, and it's now morning. Ugh! Happy Monday!

Manic Monday

It's Manic Monday time again, with another trio of thought-provoking questions from host, Lisa.

1. What's the longest you've ever waited in line?

I avoid queues like the plague. You'll never catch me queuing outside stores at midnight, waiting for a 9 am sale to start, or anything crazy like that. Plus, I tend to avoid places like banks, post offices, supermarkets, etc, at busy times. The longest I've waited in a queue in recent years, is about 45 minutes at a taxi rank late at night. The alternative was walking the mile or so home, through a neighbourhood which has seen many late night murders, muggings, violent assaults and sex attacks. But in general, I avoid queues, as I have arthritis in my neck and upper spine, and standing in one spot can be excruciating - far better to keep moving.

2. It's been said that, "The best things in life are free." Do you think this is true? Why or why not?

I think it is true, if we take 'free' in the sense of not having to hand over any money. The things we pay for are generally material things that we don't actually need. Take naturally good health as an example. Yes, money can help when our health fails, and it can help us stay healthy, through proper diet, etc. But it can't actually buy us good health from the outset. It's something we either have or don't have, like so many of the other good things in life we can't buy, such as genuine love or friendship.

3. If you could go back in time and relive one day in your life, which day would you choose and why?

I don't think I'd choose any day. To me, life is about the future, and moving forward. What's in the past is gone, it's history, and whether it was good or bad, I'd rather move on than step back.

Manic Monday

It's Monday, so it must be time for Manic Monday, which is hosted by Lisa. I enjoy this meme because it really makes me think.

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1. Which personality trait has gotten you into the most trouble?

I used to be quite irresponsible with money and credit cards in my younger days, which led me into a lot of financial strife. Now, I won't have a credit card anywhere near me, just in case I succumb to temptation again. If I can't afford to pay for something up front, I now wait until I can, rather than taking the credit option.

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2. If you had to gain 10 pounds what would you eat to gain the weight?

I'm no sylph anyway, so there's little chance, in reality, of me needing to gain weight - I need to lose it. But hypothetically speaking, to gain 10 pounds, I'd just pig out on pizza, cakes and chocolate.

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3. How is your private self different from your public self?

My public self is a lot more serious and restrained than my private self. I'm quite zany and whacky in private, but never show this side of me to strangers.

Manic Monday

Yes, it's Monday again, which means it's time for Manic Monday, which is hosted by Lisa. Here are this week's questions, along with my answers.


1. What is your least favorite day of the week and why?

Sunday. I'm not a religious person, so I just wish Sunday was just like every other day of the week. Instead, public services are inaccessible, many shops are shut, and public transport is all messed up (I don't drive).


2. What's the best way to end the day?

With a nice hot chocolate drink and a good book.


3. Which animal would you have left out of the ark?

I'd have left a few out. Rats, cockroaches, wasps and earwigs would never make it onto the ark if I was in charge.