From Kwizgiver

 

Welcome to a sunny but chilly South Manchester.

It’s time for some silly questions from Sunday Stealing. 

1. How long have you lived in your current residence?

We have lived in our current house for 20 years in May. It is a three bedroomed terraced house, originally built in 1902 and we don’t plan to move again, although that decision isn’t cast in stone.

2. What changes have you made to it since you got there?

We’ve made a lot of changes. We bought the house from an older couple whose heads were still in the 1970’s. The lounge had wall cladding and a kind of weird stone fireplace. We ripped that all out, took off all the wallpaper, replastered the entire room and have now redecorated it a couple of times. The previous occupants seemed to prefer living in the room at the back of the house, from which I am typing this post. We opened up the whole room, replastered it and redecorated it. We have also completely replaced the kitchen and bathroom and turned an outhouse attached to the house into a weatherproof storage room. All of the bedrooms and the hall and stairs have also been replastered and redecorated a couple of times. We have new secure external doors and double glazing throughout.

But we haven’t finished yet. We plan to redecorate the bathroom, kitchen and back room (when I say “we” I mean Mrs PM) in the next couple of years.

3. What surprised you about living in your place or in your neighborhood?

I kind of came full circle and that is quite surprising. When I first moved to South Manchester in 1984, I lived fairly close to where I live right now. Eventually, I moved to a little town about eight miles away called Altrincham, where I lived for the next 15 years or so. And then fate brought me back to the same place and I have lived here ever since.

4. If someone were considering moving in next door, what would you warn them about?

The only thing I would warn them is that they are moving in next door to a weird person, i.e. me.

5. If you have to move in the next 45 days, what are you definitely not taking with you?

The kitchen.

6. What are you currently reading?

I am reading two books currently.

The first is Atomic Habits by James Clear. I read somewhere a couple of years ago that it takes about 60 days to form a habit. I can tell you that this is absolutely true and I have spent the last four or five years exploiting this mindset to great effect. For example, I write every day in a weird little journal, I practice a little Spanish, I go for a walk and have done a couple of other things. This book came across my radar last year so I thought I would read it to see if I can learn something new. The truth is that I have. I hadn’t considered using this technique to break bad habits for example. It’s a good book and I do adopt some of the ideas already. I would recommend it.

The second is a third and final part of a science fiction space opera by Peter F Hamilton called The Saints of Salvation. I love a good space opera.

7. What did you recently finish reading?

I recently finished the second part of the space opera above, called Salvation Lost. 

8. What do you think you’ll read next?

I have a couple of books that I plan to read. I think my next novel will be one that I was given for Christmas called Elsewhere by Dean Koontz. I usually buy Kindle books but this one is a proper paperback. It’s been a long time since I read anything by Dean Koontz to be honest. I’m looking forward to it.

9. When did you take the road less travelled?

Recently when I decided to reduce my working hours to four days a week, which starts in April. It is a fairly brave decision to make but I am glad I have done it.

10. Did you ever participate in a talent show?

Only accidentally. Many many years ago I was in an audience for a tacky show in a hotel in Yugoslavia (now Croatia). We didn’t plan to stay – we were just killing time until we went out for dinner. The compere decided that we should have a “Mr Universe” competition and I was unwillingly dragged into it. I am the polar opposite of a “Mr Universe” and, to be fair, so were the other six victims. We them had to do some strange rituals, like running into the audience to “rescue” a damsel in distress. I was eliminated in round three after I had taken off my shirt and “posed”.

In my head I had to consider myself looking like this.

In reality I looked more like this.

11. When did you most recently strike out?

Not sure what “strike out” actually means but if it means what I think it means then see my answer to question 9.

12. Where do you go to find yourself?

The mirror. I’m always there.

13. What do you have mixed feelings about?

Politics. I am totally disillusioned with it at the moment and lately I’ve decided to try to distance myself from the subject in its entirety. Nevertheless, I sometimes can’t help being sucked back into it, especially when I watch the news.

14. What did you most recently add to your collection of something?

I recently bought the latest album by Dream Theater called “A View From the Top of the World” to add to my still expanding CD collection. Progressive metal at its best.

15. When did something most recently stir you to tears?

I’m not a man who cries often to be honest. I have been known to shed the odd tear when watching movies though I can’t really recall when that last happened.

An American Holiday

 

Welcome to a cloudy but mild and dry South Manchester on day 123 since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

This week my friends from across the pond are celebrating Thanksgiving, an annual holiday where families get together and eat lots of turkey. 

We don’t celebrate it here but we know all about it because we see it in a plethora of American TV shows.

And today’s Sunday Stealing questions are all about Thanksgiving, which is a strange thing for me as a British citizen to deal with. But, in the spirit of harmony, and because I like America and Canada, I shall partake. I have always had a great time when I have stepped over the big pond and I have yet to meet an American or Canadian that I haven’t enjoyed the company of. 

From the person in Florida who asked me “Why do all British singers sing in an American accent?” to the woman in Cleveland who asked me “Wow! You’re from England – have you ever met the Queen?” I have enjoyed discussing our cultural (but similar) differences. From explaining the rules of cricket to trying to explain why Monty Python is so funny, I have always had fun with our somewhat surreal conversations.

Before I dive in, I shall just say this: I hope you enjoy your holidays, guys and rest easy, knowing that I will be hard at work trying to tame wild computers in Manchester while you are eating turkey and having fun.

Questions, as usual, from Sunday Stealing: 

1. What teacher are you most thankful for and why?  What did you learn from him or her?

I have recently been writing a few memoirs and by lucky chance, I am currently looking at and re-examining my school life. I went to a really good school that required passing an exam to get into and the teachers and kids were all very clever – which was a shock to the system for me because up until then I was always top of the class. I found myself competing with some really intelligent boys and the teachers were totally dedicated to the academic success of their pupils as well has maintaining the excellent reputation of the school.

I didn’t really grasp that at the time but in retrospect it was obvious. Each and every teacher wanted each and every pupil to be the best that they could. And for me, being an obnoxious little git for about three of those years as a rebellious teenager, I pushed them to the limit of their patience sometimes.

The good news is that they stuck by me and when my rebellious phase had faded as I approached 17 years of age, I really pushed myself to succeed. 

There were two teachers in particularly who I thought were brilliant. My maths teacher, Mr P who guided me through O-Level, A/O-Level and A-Level maths, helping me to achieve the top grade required for university, and Mr N, my chemistry teacher and mentor who guided me to choose the course I chose (even though it wasn’t chemistry) and really helped me with A-Level chemistry which initially I struggled with.

Thanks guys.

2. What’s the season you’re most thankful for, and what’s your favourite part of each season?

I love the summer. In the UK, summer is amazing (though we do get a fair amount of rain) and the temperature is always very pleasant. The rain helps keep the UK the fabled green and pleasant land. That said, I usually travel to Europe in the summer too. I love Europe and it is a bit warmer than the UK the further south you go.

Favourite parts of each season?

Spring – After winter, it is wonderful to see foliage returning to its post-winter colour and splendour and, as the weather improves and the days get longer, I find my mood improving every day.

Summer – As I said above, I love the warm long days and the travel. It’s a pleasure to be outside on a long hot summer day.

Autumn – The colour of the leaves as they turn and start to fall. It is usually still pleasant weather during Autumn, particularly at the beginning.

Winter – Winter is my least favourite season, but the one thing I do enjoy is Christmas and New Year because, although it is cold, everyone is happy and in the mood to party with friends and family.

3. What electronic device are you most grateful for, and what does it add to your life?

That’s easy – my smartphone. I rarely use it as an actual phone to be honest but it has so many uses that even if I list them here and now, it wouldn’t do the device justice. Here are just a few things I use it for:

Learning Spanish, counting steps, keeping a calendar, sending messages, banking, watching videos, listening to music, emails, taking photos, keeping in touch with friends, watching TV when out and about, internet, weather, compass, satnav, time, fitness, books

And that is just the tip of the iceberg.

4. What musician or type of music are you most thankful for?

Progressive rock and progressive metal. I love so many artists that I can’t list them all but I will single out three of my current favourites:

Steven Wilson:

Devin Townsend:

Mariusz Duda (Riverside):

5. What are you most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life?

I look for the positive in everything life throws at me – even work (which I am completely tired of). In a similar way, there is always something of beauty if you do something simple, like go for a walk. Personally though, I like to see something that makes me laugh or at least smile. There is nothing more beautiful than laughter.

That's one of the reasons that Monty Python is funny.

6. What philanthropic cause or organization do you feel thankful for?

Every single on of them. There are far too many to list here.

7. What foods are you most thankful for?

Cheese. I can’t imagine a world without cheese. I am looking forward to a ham and cheese sandwich for my lunch after I have finished writing this post.

8. What local store or restaurant are you most grateful for?  How does it contribute to your quality of life?

Again, it is difficult to single out a particular local shop or restaurant. I am quite lucky to live in an area where there are several good places within a short walking distance.

I will mention our local Indian restaurant though. I haven’t been there for a while and I think I am overdue a meal there.

9. What book are you most grateful for, and why?

I can’t honestly say, with my hand on my heart that I am grateful for a book. I enjoy a good novel and I have enjoyed most of them. When I read a novel I enter wholly into the universe created by the story and that provides a form of escapism from normality – a bit like taking a holiday in your own imagination. It’s good for the mind.

10. What act of kindness has made the greatest difference in your life?

Again there are two many to single out one particular act of kindness. 

11. What challenging experience has ended up changing your life for the better?

I’m a fairly positive person and when I see or experience a problem that may seem difficult to overcome, I will usually try to have a go at taking it on. When I was younger, I was painfully shy and decided when I went to university that I was going to declare war on what was effectively social anxiety. It is a conflict that I hurled myself into and I forced myself to explode out of my comfort zone. It was difficult at first and after a few years, I feel that I conquered it. 

Fast forward a couple of decades and shyness is still with me but I manage it very well and when people get to know me they are stunned when I admit to being shy. I guess that means I have won the war.

12. What vacation are you most grateful for?

I love travel and there are many places that I have thoroughly enjoyed. The most recent big holiday that left its mark on me has to be my trip to Japan about eight years ago. I enjoyed the experience so much that I am desperate to get back there. Sadly, it won’t happen for a few years yet as our next jaunt to the Far East will take us to Malaysia – but after that I will be pushing for a return trip to Japan.

13. Name three days in your life that you feel especially grateful for.

The day I made my entrance into the world way back in the early 1960’s in Walsall of course. 

The day I graduated from Liverpool University. I was sad to leave the city, having spent three wonderful years there, but it was an amazing experience and I had to move on.

The day that Mrs PM declared her feelings for me in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. I have never looked back. That was 23 years ago.

There are many more than three.

14. What product do you use on a daily basis that you most appreciate?

Again the list of products I use on a daily basis is vast and it is difficult to pinpoint one particular item.

Perhaps I shall say clothing because that means that I won’t scare the whole of Manchester by walking around naked (sorry for the terrible image this will conjure up – I’ve seen myself and it isn’t pleasant).

15. What, from this year, do you feel most grateful for?

I am grateful that almost all Covid-19 restrictions have gone and that I have been able to return to something like normality – at least for now. 

Those Covid-19 vaccinations and then people behind them are heroes.

Stupid Questions

Questions like “If a tree falls down in the woods and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” really wind me up because it enables pseudo intellectuals to start pontificating about philosophy, paradigm shifts, the meaning of life and all the baggage and bull that comes with it. I really don’t like pseudo-intellectuals. I wish people would just talk to people without attempting to impress people with big long meaningless words, phrases and ideas.

I prefer stupid questions that make people laugh. I’ve had a trawl of the internet and come up with a few favourites:

Is sexual harassment a work a problem if you are self-employed?

Are you telling the truth if you lie in bed?

What do fish drink?

Do pilots take crash courses?

If I gave you a pencil, could you draw a blank?

Who killed the Dead Sea?

How do you write zero in Roman numerals?

If bees live in an apiary where do apes live?

If I save time, when do I get it all back?

If nothing sticks to Teflon, how do they get Teflon to stick to the pan?

Why isn’t there mouse flavoured cat food?

If there were a spelling mistake in a dictionary, who would notice?

Why is it necessary to nail down the lid of a coffin?

Why is a boxing ring square?

Why don’t you ever see the headline “Psychic Wins Lottery”

Why do your feet smell, yet your nose runs?

Why do they build cars that go faster than the speed limit?

Why do kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Why aren’t there ever any guilty bystanders?

Why are violets blue and not violet?

Where is Old Zealand?

When people lose weight, where does it go? And why can’t anybody else find it?

What was the best thing before sliced bread?

What is “soft liquor”?

If you swallow your pride, what does it taste like?

What do sheep count when they can’t sleep?

Where in the nursery rhyme does it say that Humpty Dumpty is an egg?

Why is Greenland called Greenland when it is covered in ice?

What would cheese say if you took its picture?

If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?

By all means try to answer the questions if you are a pseudo-intellectual. I’d be interested to hear from you. I won't laugh.