One of the groups I belong to on Flickr is called “Thirteen Things”. The idea is to post a self-portrait with a list of thirteen things about oneself. This photo and list are my first contribution, posted a couple of days ago.
Amazing the things one thinks to do when getting bored in an hotel room!
As this is my foot I thought I’d use this for my first “Thirteen Things” list. So here are 13 Personal Things About Me …
I’m an only child
I’ve changed a lot over the years; even my boss says I’ve mellowed! I used to be very angry and lose my temper a lot, I’ve learnt to let things wash over me and go with the flow; tho’ I do still get irritated and frustrated and swear a lot.
I love the smell of grapefruit, coconut oil, bacon cooking, fresh bread, the sea, wood smoke, frying garlic & onions.
I hardly ever drink coffee.
I lost 20Kg between summer 2007 and New Year 2008, but i’m still obese.
I was born with a deformed right index finger-nail; I’ve now had it permanently removed.
I have a third nipple.
My parents didn’t have me circumcised, for which I am very grateful.
I wasn’t baptised as an infant. I took the plunge myself at 22 (eeek, that’s 35 years ago!) when I joined the Roman Catholic church. I’ve since converted to atheism.
I’ve worn glasses since I was 14; it doesn’t bother me and I can’t imagine switching to contact lenses.
I have never driven a car or a motorbike.
I’m actually boring, shy and introverted, although many people find this hard to believe.
Following on from yesterday’s post about the views on drugs of the Chief Constable of North Wales … Needless to say said Chief Constable has today come in for the “usual intemperate attack” from the Daily Mail and other papers (eg. this relatively well tempered article in the Daily Telegraph).
Bystander over at The Magistrate’s Blog comments in his usual forthright and perceptive style:
… what is most depressing about this is the entire lack of any reasoned debate. Whenever the drugs issue comes up, the tabloids and some of the rent-a-quote politicians … go into a knee-jerk rant mode …
We have now reached the position where there is no chance of any rational approach to our fellow citizens’ increasing appetite for chemical stimulation.
Our politicians long ago gave up leadership, in favour of a marketing-led approach dependent on focus groups and polls.
… elected politicians … are terrified of upsetting anyone.
The ‘War on Drugs’ has become like the later stages of the Vietnam war: it’s unwinnable, but nobody has the guts to admit it …
I really couldn’t have expressed it better myself, even with all day to think about it!
However the “intemperate attacks” are precisely why I think Brunstrom is wrong. The legalisation he is advocating won’t happen; the tabloid press and the tabloid politicians will ensure it doesn’t; they’ll drown out anyone who dares to think about the subject.
In the latest issue (January 2008) of BBC Focus magazine (science for the intelligent 10-year-old) there’s a mini-interview with one of the few females on TV who really do make my heart beat faster: Dr Alice Roberts, “clinical anatomist, archaeologist, TV presenter and author”, also a very talented artist and a qualified medic. Those of you in the UK who’ve watched either Time Team (Channel 4), Coast (BBC2) or Don’t Die Young (BBC2) will know Alice Roberts as the slightly off-the-wall girlie with the dyed red hair. The interview includes:
What’s the greatest threat to humanity? Humanity.
Who would you clone? I wouldn’t. Sexual reproduction is much more exciting.
What would your epitaph say? Boadicea, Queen of the Iceni. And I’d be buried in a chariot just to fool future archaeologists.
