More Pen Pals

Welcome to a sunny but cold south Manchester. Winter is back for an encore and it has been bitterly cold. Thankfully, we don’t get much snow at all here, and while some parts of northern England have suffered, all we’ve had to put up with is cold winds and sleet/rain showers. Unpleasant to walk in but hopefully things will start warming up again over this weekend.

Let’s dive in with some silly questions from Sunday Stealing 

1. Do you make new friends easily?

I used to find it difficult to break the ice because of shyness but these days I am much better. I’m okay at making new friends and I think being able to chat to people is key to that. I am a friendly and sincere chap – what’s not to like?

2.Which podcasts do you like at the moment?

I don’t listen to podcasts. I am tempted to listen to Spanish language ones to improve my listening skills but I haven’t managed to get around to that yet. 

3. One thing that immediately makes your day better.

On a school day, finishing work. Other days, it depends. I feel better today because Ziggy is hungry and he is currently perched on my desk next to the keyboard, purring and giving me head bumps to entice me into the kitchen. So, the cats I guess make my day better when they are being cute.

4. What app do you use most?

I use a lot of apps. Google Chrome is well used, as is Duolingo. I use Whatsapp quite a lot and now that I have embraced music streaming, Spotify is right up there. 

5. The friends who would have your back no matter what.

I don’t want to mention any names but they know who they are.

6. What is something you’ll never do again?

Having tried to overcome my fear of heights by climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Burj Khalifa, I have vowed never to go up high building ever again. This includes things like the Eiffel Tower as well. It’s a shame because I didn’t used to be scared of heights and climbed the Eiffel Tower twice in my youth with no qualms at all. The third time was terrible and a long time afterwards. I don’t really know why or how I developed this irrational fear – I have a theory. I’ve just decided to avoid the trauma from now on.

7. Something you practice often.

I practice the piano every day – my latest effort is “Joy to the World” which I have just about mastered. It’s slow progress but there is definitely progress. 

I also write every day and practice Spanish.

8. What gives you an adrenaline rush?

These days it is the simple things in life. In my youth I used to love fast rides, rollercoasters, sports, high buildings and all the things that lads loved. These days, a walk in the countryside will do the trick. 

I do get a massive buzz when my flight lands when I am going on holiday because I know that I will soon be able to explore another country.

9. How well do you do in social situations?

As I said earlier, I am much better in social situations. When I am with my closest friends I am, I’ve been told, quite a funny chap and I usually cast aside the introvert within to unleash the extrovert. In some situations, my shyness does return to bother me sometimes – it has not fully gone – and I try to combat it on the spot. 

So mostly I am good but sometimes I can be awkward.

10. Are you a light sleeper or a deep sleeper?

I am a light sleeper and it annoys me. A couple of nights ago, for example, one of the neighbourhood cats sneaked into our house and decided to make himself at home downstairs. He woke me up because he wears a little bell on his collar and, at 3:35 am (I remember the time) I was woken up by the cat flap and then the tinkling of his little bell as he prowled around downstairs. My own two cats were fast asleep in the back room. 

So I raced downstairs to chase him out. 

Thunderstorms wake me, as do police helicopters as well as two mice playing football with a pebble in my front garden.

In the summer, I will wake up at 4:30 am every day because it gets light at that time. 

Mrs PM says that I have transparent eyelids.

11. Do you get stage fright?

Yes – definitely. I hate public speaking and I have had to do it quite a few times, usually giving courses to people. 

12. Which family members are you closest to?

All of them.

13. How was your February?

February was good actually because we managed to get away to Tenerife for a few days. Of course it was still winter (and I hate winter) but the trip was a respite from the miserable weather.

14. What is your favourite candle scent?

Anything that Mrs PM chooses to buy.

15. One book that you would recommend as a "must read'?

I’m going to give you a couple that I have really enjoyed.

Stephen King – The Stand

Robert Ludlum – The Bourne Ultimatum

Blake Crouch – Recursion

James Herbert – The Dark

Iain. M. Banks - Matter

There are many more.