Better than your average meme

With thanks to thermalsatsuma

The guidelines for this meme are as follows:

1. Leave me a casual comment of no particular significance, like a lyric to your current favourite song, your favourite kind of sandwich, or maybe your favourite game. Any remark, meaningless or not.

2. I will respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better.

3. Update your LJ with the answers to the questions.

4. Include this explanation and offer to ask someone else in your own post.

5. When others respond with a desultory comment, you will ask them five questions.

( Read my own answers here )

Nowhere to Run

The Diana industry is going into top gear this month.

I'm wishing I had arranged to be somewhere very remote. As I was ten years ago this September, up in Scotland near Aberfeldy.

Some wish to make a saint of her. I can't see it. The woman was a manipulative baggage who wanted to be the centre of attention the whole time, to the point of never missing a chance to upstage her husband. Now, I'm not fan of the monarchy, but it was always plain that Charles was forced to marry Diana for form's sake, that they were completely mismatched, and that they hated each other. The tales of being hounded to death by paparazzi doesn't ring true either; Diana never shied away from publicity, she openly encouraged it.

Oh, and saints don't push their stepmothers down the stairs either. However vulgarly middle-class they think they are.

Memeage for grownups

Thank you, tvor, for a meme that makes a change from the usual adolescent questions.

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
The water bill, which always comes at a bad time.

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
The Naaz, an Indian restaurant in Ulverston. Thursday of last week, funnily enough.

3. Do you regret losing your virginity to who you lost it to?
No

4. If you could go back and change one thing what would it be?
I'd have studied law instead if physics

5. Name of your first grade teacher?
Mrs Shepherd

6. What do you really want to be doing right now?
Tramping the fells

7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Grown up

8. How many colleges did you attend?
Two, if the Open University (which I didn't strictly 'attend') counts

9. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
It's cool and comfortable and it suits me. It was a bargain in Kendal Milne's sale since you ask

10. Gas prices?
Horrendous, but I don't have gas at home at the moment, I'm all electric. Oh, you meant petrol did you? Not high enough, there are way too many cars on the road (I don't have one and don't miss it)

11. If you could move anywhere and take someone with you, where would it be?
Italy, perhaps. Or the Belgian Ardennes.

12. First thought when the alarm went this morning?
Mehhhhh! Oh, it's a bank holiday! Zzzzzzzzzzzzz!

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
Don't do it, Ellie Pascoe, it will all end in tears!

14. Favourite style of underwear.
Practical without being frumpy

15. What errand/chore do you despise?
I hate ironing

16. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer?
I do already

17. Get up early or sleep in?
Don't get up as early as I might like sometimes but I'm not a stay-a-bed.

18. What is your favourite cartoon character(s)?
Astérix

19. Favourite thing to do at night with a girl or guy?
Lying on the sofa together watching a good film.

20. Have you found real love yet?
Not yet, no.

21. When did you first start feeling old?
When I was about 23, but I've got over it now.

22. Favourite 80's film?
The Kiss of the Spider Woman

23. Your favourite lunch meat?
Salami

24. What do you get every time you go into Sam's Club?
Never been to Sam's Club, whatever it is, so I wouldn't know

25. Beach or lake?
I do love my local beach and I like to swim there. Lakes are nice too but they are different.

26. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
No

27. Favourite guilty pleasure?
Nutella

28. Favourite film you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
I'm not ashamed of any film that I like

29. What's your drink?
Tea

30. Who from high school would you like to run into?
There was a kid called Steven Price I'd like to run into in an armoured car at high speed. Otherwise I'd be happy to meet any of them.

31. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
I don't have a car. But if I did I'd listen to BBC Radio 4

32. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?
No particular individual. Being too trustiung was a mistake.

33. Do you like the person who sits directly across from you at work?
The one I see relected in the computer screen? Yes.

34. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Vaclav Havel

35. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
Only as part of fire-warden training.

36. Last book you read for real?
Ruling Passion by Reginald Hill

37. Do you have a teddy bear?
Yes - Pumpkin Bear

38. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
In a tent? In the loo on a train from Zürich to Vienna?

39. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go?
Why California I wonder? San Francisco, probably, or Monterey.

40. Do you go to church?
I'm a Quaker, I go to Meeting.

41. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship?
Yes

50. Just how OLD are you?
Just turned 53. What happened to questions 42 to 49?