The Longest Post I Have Ever Written.

See what happens if you take your eye off the ball?

There I was, merrily watching the oddballs of London for entertainment purposes, and I go and get myself tagged by Dlae over at Midlife Rambler. A funny chap with a funny blog and definitely worth a read....

Anyhoo, the rules are as follows....

• Post 11 random things about yourself.
• Answer the 10 questions set by the person who tagged you.
• Pick 10 people to tag.
• Set 10 new questions.

The 11 random things seems to jar a bit, given the decimal nature of all the other points, but in a departure from my usual modus operandi Them's The Rules And I'm Sticking To 'Em.

11 Random Things About Me.

1. I have no middle name. My parents always joke that I looked as though I'd have enough trouble remembering one name when I was born. At least I think they were joking.
2. I have never seen The Shawshank Redemption all the way through.
3. I can happily drink an espresso and then go straight to bed (and even sleep too, if necessary).
4. I can juggle, but not very well.
5. I have genuinely believed I was going to die, but it all worked out OK in the end.
6. I still secretly think I'd be ace at poker, despite all evidence to the contrary.
7. I am currently suffering with a cold that I've had for over a week. This is unheard of for me. I get about a gazillion colds per year, but they only last 1-2 days at most. It's The Law.
8. The place I would most like to be right at this minute is sitting on a balcony in the sun, reading a book and occasionally having a slurp of gin and lemon fanta.
9. I'm quite accurate with a shotgun.
10. Faced with a choice between Beluga Caviar and a bacon sandwich with tomato sauce, it'd be the butty all the way.
11. I have been in sole charge of a vehicle doing more than 170mph. It was less scary than you might have thought.

And now, questions set by Dlae:

1. Favourite alcoholic beverage? - I guess it'd have to be a nice glass of red. I like Malbec hugely.
2. Technical gadget you can't live without? - Dead easy, this one - without a doubt my iPhone. It's with me pretty well all the time and has my whole life on it.
3. Favourite movie you like and everyone else hates? - Probably Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead. I've not seen it for ages, but I kinda get the feeling I was in the minority for thinking it was worth 115 minutes of your life.
4. Coffee with one person, who would it be? - Probably David Beckham. I think he's had one hell of a life but seems to have remained relatively normal. I suspect he's a fair bit brighter than the persona he shows to the world too.
5. Quote that you find inspiring or funny? - Fall down seven times, get up eight. I think it's some old piece of oriental wisdom, but it could just as easily be from some 80's teen-flick. Although my Gran had a great quote that she used whenever pressed on whether or not she'd ever remarry. "I wouldn't have another one if his arse was stuffed with diamonds." Quite a mental image for the 15 year old me.
6. Porn - scourge of society, OK in the right doses or just can't get enough? - Well, I'm a bloke, so the second one obviously.
7. Worst job you ever had? - Washing up in a restaurant as a teenager. I knew it was time to leave after I ate the chef's dinner by mistake. He looked very cross and had access to large, sharp knives.
8. E-reader or actual book? - Absolutely Kindle all the way. I am hooked.
9. Why do you blog? - It kinda started out as a diary but has changed into a diary/soapbox/social tool/therapist/mate-in-pub/ranting-at-strangers sort of thing. The truth is, I'm really not too sure myself, but I enjoy it so why not?
10. Biggest guilty pleasure? - I don't really do anything that I actually feel guilty about, so I'm not really sure what to put here. That's not to say I don't have a propensity to do things that other people may find odd, but I just don't feel guilty about them. I think I suffer from Social Filter Suppression Syndrome. Let's just say I quite like to put a tea-cosy on my head from time to time. Lovely.

So, now I need to pass this tag on - the lucky winners are:

Auntie Gwen

Libby

Nota Bene

Curry Queen

Scarlet Blue

About Last Weekend
Colonel Knowledge
O. Bliss
Sian
Laura

The more eagle eyed amongst you will note that pretty well sums up everyone on the list of bloggers that I know except Dlae (originator of the list) and TTT (already tagged by Dlae). I think the Japanese refer to that as a 'harmonious alignment'.

And (Finally!) my 10 questions for my tagees*:

1. What personal possession would you save from the house if it were to inexplicably catch fire?
2. If you won £45m on the lottery, what would be the very first thing you bought?
3. What has been the best moment of the last 12 months?
4. And the worst?
5. Who was your childhood hero?
6. If you found a twenty pound note in the street, would you keep it or hand it in?
7. What's your favourite TV show ever?
8. What's the most you've ever lost in a bet?
9. How did you get to work today?
10. If you could be the best in the world at one sport, what would it be?

Have fun!

NDC

* - Why yes, of course it's a real word.