100 Things is an interesting exercise for both contributor and reader. It may seem daunting - but trust me - the journey is worth it, thinking about yourself and defining your own beliefs and self truths. Have a good read, and consider submitting your own!
1. I'm single
2. I'm a male, last time I looked.
3. My best friend left me to go get married.
4. I had surgery 2 hours after being born.
5. I'm Catholic because when born I was not expected to live and the only Priest
on duty was a Catholic one.
6. I was born in South Australia.
7. I lost my beautiful baby boy Benny 5 years ago unexpectedly. ( My Dog)
8. I have 5 siblings, 2 Sisters and 3 Brothers, 2 living one deceased.
9. My favourite song is " Send in the Clowns " Cleo Lain.
10. I believe in euthanasia for the terminally ill.
11. I've never actually tried to kill myself.
12. I often think while driving I'm stationery and everyone around me is moving.
13. I'm not a church goer but believe a faith in god can be a comfort at times
to some.
14. I'm skeptical about some things.
15. I have a creative side to me.
16. I can be blunt at times.
17. I'm often frustrated by people.
18. I have little patience.
19. As the result of an IQ test, I was found to be 9 months ahead of my class
mates in primary school.
20. I collect Limoge.
21. I love my television and my remote control.
22. I have a dry sense of humour I'm told.
23. The most people I've ever spoken to is 30 people.
24. I 'm always amazed at the lifestyle of the rich and famous.
25. I wouldn't like to be famous.
26. I drink scotch and dry but only Johnny Walker.
27. I have a wallet of credit cards some current and some expired.
27. I have keys on my keyring that i don't remember what there for.
28. I'm fascinated with elephants, such wonderful creatures.
29. I smoke, I shamelessly admit.
30. I smoked a joint once but never again.
31. I am of English, Irish American stock.
32. I love Baked Beans and only eat the Heinz variety.
33. I was born on a Tuesday.
34. Man landed on the Moon the day I was born but 4 years after I was born.
35. I like a good argument because it can relieve tension and clear the air..
36. I like bright colours.
37. I would love to have my life over again and do things differently.
38. I used to gamble, now I think what a waste.
39. The day my Nan died I swore I saw her come to me, at the time i didn't know
she had passed away.
40. I am a Cancerian but can take the water or leave it.
41. I get lost doing things in my garden.
42. I can cook.
43. I have a certificate in Drafting but have never used it.
44. I start 3 things at once and sometimes never finish any.
45. I like a tidy clean house.
46. I prefer days to nights.
47. English is the only language I speak but can speak 1 or 2 words in German.
48. I've been writing a fictional book on and off for the last 3 years.
49. "Somewhere in Between" is the title of my book.
50. I travel interstate 3 times a year on average.
51. I love to fly in a plane.
52. I met the Duke of Edinburgh in Adelaide at a Scout Jamboree.
53. I have a thing for redheads and lily white skin.
54. Up until 3 years ago my father and I hadn't spoken to each other for 8
years.
55. I plan to go Whale watching next year.
56. I once as a 9 year old gave my younger brother a haircut and cut all his
hair off, to the horror of the Barber mum had to take him to to fix it.
57. My first true love was a girl named Donna.
58. I 'm short sighted.
59. I play golf.
60. I got Best and Fairest at soccer when I was 11 y old.
61. I won the most marbles on the marble pitch at school.
62. I had a B/W panda toy as a young child.
63. The last book i've read was April Fools Day by Bryce Courtney, hard to put
it down.
64. I drink to much coffee.
65. I can talk your arm off then remember later I forgot to say something.
66. I like non fiction.
67. I like real medical documentaries.
68. I 've been to a nudist beach.
69. I want to visit Ayres Rock.
70. My Great Uncle was an FBI agent in the 40's.
71. I play the guitar but learnt drums at school.
72. I'm right 99.9 % of the time.
73. I wear blinkers get a thought in my head and just go straight for it.
74. I need to update and get a new mobile phone cam.
75. I can be a little crazy at times.
76. I tend to make my mind up about a person first time I meet them whether I
like them or not.
77. I'm not gay just happy.
78. I vote conservative.
79. I turn music on only if I'm in the mood.
80. I like my own space but crave company.
81. I'd like to be retired and just sit and watch the birds ( flying ones ).
82. I've owned 7 cars since I first learnt to drive.
83. I t took 4 driving tests before I was granted a license.
84. I toyed with the idea of going into the priesthood but I'm over that now.
85. Ask for my help and I'll always give it willingly.
86. I don't think I have a bad side although my Mum says I'm a street angel and
a house devil.
87. I 'm not one for amusement parks.
88.I tend to hoard things.
89. I used to have legs of a shot-putter a result of riding 2klms each way
everyday to school and home.
90. I love ancient history.
91. I hate seeing cruelty to animals of any kind.
92. I find politics interesting.
93. I had blonde hair as a child its now fair with a pinch of salt and pepper in
parts.
94. I 've only ever got one speeding ticket in all my years of driving.
95. I'm a sweet tooth, love my lollies.
96. I got measles when I was 8.
97. I can remember everyone of my Teachers from Grade 1 to Grade 12.
98. I only ever wagged school once, I got caught.
99. I had my big toe fused together as a child with pins protruding through my
toe.
100. I thought this seemed at first a daunting task, 100 things but I did it and
found it to be well worth it
101. I live alone but am not lonely
102. I tend to not listen to what I'm being told, so i get told
103. My best friend left me to go get married was my mate John.
104. I would travel to heaven and earth again and again for 2 people, my Mother
and my Sister, Diana
105. My Mother wanted to name me Simon instead of Paul.
106. I met Russ Hinze ( Qld Politician) in a toilet at Albion Park Trots one
night.
107. I want a new dog but I cant make my mind up whether to or not.
108. I have watched my all time favourite movie " Da " a total of 21
times.
109. I've always thought, what makes entertainers worth more in money terms than
a brilliant Doctor
110. I wish I had gone to London to see my Nan before she passed away
111. I have visited many clairvoyants but am really a skeptic at heart
112. I'm a Great Uncle twice over and I'm only 40 something.
113. I stay up til the small hours of the morning on average
114. I need only 4 hours sleep before I start a new day.
115 I find myself looking at other people my age group and thinking to myself
" surely I don't look that old "
116. I'm told that i can be arrogant at times.
117. I shall die a bachelor but never take a vow of abstinence.
118. I like to do one constructive productive thing each day.
119. If I don't do one productive constructive thing I get annoyed with myself
120. I wish I could live my life with the attitude, what will be will be instead
of worrying about what's round the corner.
121. I have had both minor and major surgery no less than 18 times since I was
born
122. I hate injections.
123. I cringe when I hear the word, "Needle"
124. I 've never touched a snake nor do I ever want to
125. I love current affairs and always wonder why reporters never persist to get
a straight answer from a Politician
126. I used to drink Southern Comfort and Coke
127. I was lucky enough to be seduced by an older woman once
128. I lived in Cairns NQ for 6 months about 10 years ago
129. I get annoyed with stupid new laws and political correctness
130. I always wonder why people who drink and drive never get their licenses
taken away from them for life
131. I cant get into bed at night unless I first make the bed.
132. I prefer buttons to zips, they don't get stuck when being undone
133. I always have to have the bigger of anything then someone else.
134. I'm a real dreamer I look into a pair of sparkling eyes and think to myself, if only.
135. I often walk into a room and forget what I went into it for.
136. I shout at the TV when someone doesn't know the answer on a quiz show that
I know the answer to.
137. I'm always amazed at why we let some people continue to do the most
horrific of things in society.
138. I'm a firm believer in keeping our immigration laws as tough as they are
here in Australia.
139. I reckon our first Australian female Prime Minister will be John Howard's
Daughter, Melissa
140. I hate camping and roughing it give me 5 star luxury any day.
141. I have always thought John Paul 11 was sent and not born to be Pope
142. I've pondered the meaning of life and still cant understand why we work for
so many years and save as much money as we can to just one day die like everyone
who has done before us.
143. My first car I ever owned was an imported silver Toyota T18 sports coupe
144. I never betray a confidence
145. I'm dreading a certain day within the next 20 years when my Mum passes
away.
146. I dread the thought of Australia becoming like as violent a place as Europe
has become.
147. I love the sound of the city and all its noises, police car sirens whizzing
past my house etc
148. I wish I could read minds and understand signals more.
148. I have guilt written on my face even when I'm found to be innocent.
149. I find clothes so restricting to wear sometimes.
150. I have been chosen for jury service twice and sat on a murder case, guilty
was the verdict
151. OK so now you know 51 more things about me, yet still may seem a mystery to
some.
And Another 50 Things about me
1. I am a very private, reserved person.
2. I am the most broadminded person I know.
3. I used to skinny dip each weekend and sunbath nude. For years.
4. I can give and give and give, but eventually I need something back. Feedback,
encouragement, or something to top up my reserves.
5. I have no patience for people who quit before they even start. “I
can’t” or “I don’t know how to” and so on. Whingers.
6. I am not afraid to make mistakes, or admit them.
7. I always apologize if I am wrong, especially to my children. I want to teach
them that not only is it good and right to apologize, it is equally important to
accept the apology.
8. I hate my ‘snaggle’ tooth, and would give my right arm for a great set of
teeth; it’s usually the first thing I notice in other people.
9. I swear like a trooper, prolly worse, but never use the C-word.
10. Although I love to sing, I rarely sing in the shower.
11. I can drive almost anything you throw at me, and would love to get my truck
drivers license.
12. I get bored easily.
13. My favourite writer is John Irving, *swoon. Handsome devil too.
14. I love to cook, but often feel intimidated by new recipes. I like to see how
a dish is made eg. on Telly – first.
15. I make a mean fried rice, and once challenged my hubby to a cook-off when we
first met, but he has never taken me up on the contest.
16. I am very competitive.
17. I hate shaving my legs, why didn’t God make me with soft blond hair like
my sisters? :(
18. I love hairy men, and don't like a hairless chest. Men are supposed to have
hair.
19. I fell in love with my hubby’s chest, drool.
20. I have warned my sons that if their girlfriend asks them to wax their chest,
tell them to shove off! It’s not going to happen. *wink
21. I started smoking when I was 12. I quickly learnt you don't flush them down
the toot! I have now given up, but my favourite ciggie was either a Drum
rollie or a Camel, unfiltered, lit with a match. Yum. (P.S. Don't smoke,
lung cancer not nice)
22. I sometimes resent the way my family expect me to take all the holiday
photos. They take it for granted, and once I would like to see them offer to
take the images, so that I can relax too.
23. I once spent a week at Uluru videoing through a black and white video
recorder, missing all the gorgeous colours of the outback, and I consoled myself
that it was for the Greater Good, and I would watch the video with my loving
family when we returned. They have never seen the video, and don’t want to
either. I feel used. And conned.
24. My family are rarely interested in what I do, think or feel. (That's how I
see it anyway)
25. I have been to Uluru 3 times, and love it.
26. I never drink coffee, or even coffee flavoured chocolates, bleh! I have to
spit them out.
27. I drink English Breakfast tea, with milk, no sugar. I used to drink Earl
Grey.
28. I would love to go to the Opera one day and hear a beautiful aria.
29. I adore the Ballet, and admire the dancers strength, grace and bodies.
30. You have no idea how much I hate wearing bras. God didn’t make us that
way, surely?
31. I am lucky that I don’t NEED to wear a bra for comfort or support, small
boobs rock! :)
32. One day I would like to go sailing by myself, solo.
33. I don’t know how to sail, but I am a very fast learner, and am willing to
give it a go.
34. I have been on boats all my life, and have sailed as crew for past 18 years.
35. It sometimes grates me that my sons do not share our interests and have not
shown any strong attraction to sailing/painting/singing/cars like hubby and I.
It's my problem though, not theirs.
36. I love my sons for their individuality, but am also slightly envious of sons
who follow the footsteps of their father; I love the tradition in the process,
handing down from generation to generation.
37. I sometimes wish I had a daughter.
38. I have had four pregnancies, three births, and have 2 sons. Go figure.
39. I have had cervical cancer, and should do my check-up more often.
40. I am not afraid of dying; I feel fully satisfied.
41. I love my mother, and ache to hold her in my arms, each day.
42. Writing that made me cry.
43. This is my second, and last, marriage.
44. I broke my left arm on the monkey-bars in Year 2. I hid my arm from my best
friend, and told her she would laugh if I showed her. She promised she
wouldn’t but when I did show her, she did laugh. I rarely trust people, since
then.
45. I am incredibly loyal, and a damm good sport.
46. I am very stubborn, and believe I can do anything.
47. I would rather die trying, than give up before the fight.
48. My family tell me I am bossy. I just think I am organised.
49. I don’t think I am a control freak, whatever that means.
50. I am very time-efficient, and if I need something done, I stay up later, or
get up earlier. There are still 24 hours in a day, the same amount as Einstein
had, or any great leader. (I am not saying I am a great leader, my point is that
that you do whatever it is you have to do, to get the job done.)
**sigh** here we go...
1. Leigh is actually my middle name.
2. My father is American, my mother is British.
3. I went to school in the UK as a child and being from the south, the kids
teased me relentlessly because of my accent (which I soon learned to modify, now
I have no accent.)
4. I was born one minute and one year to the day after my brother died from
leukemia.
5. My younger brother died at age 25 from a horrendous motorcycle accident.
6. My dad resembles Kenny Rogers (the singer) and they were classmates at high
school.
7. I've only ever really had one job, staying for 14 years and then taking early
retirement when offered, post 9/11 because the airline industry was in such bad
shape after those events. I took the early-out option to prevent others from
being made redundant (plus I didn't want/need to work anymore, wanted to be at
home with my family).
8. I have two sons, one is 19 from my first marriage and one who is 10, from my
second marriage. They are both the center of my universe.
9. I have discovered that I really don't care for children...I prefer the
company of my own.
10. I still consider my first husband to be the love of my life (I was so bloody
young)
11. I have always had auburn hair and when I was in school I used to sit on it
because it was so long. My Mom took me to get it all cut off when I was about 9,
into a cute little page boy style and my Dad refused to speak to my Mom for a
week afterwards.
12. I used to go squirrel hunting with my Grandpa when I was a kid.
13. I love to go fishing with my Dad. It's not the fishing I enjoy, its the time
being spent with my Dad.
14. My Grandpa was a millionaire.
15. I absolutely hate housework but my family deserves a clean home to be proud
of so I do it, or I get someone in to do it for me.
16. I live to go to the spa, facials, manicures, pedicures...love it love it
love it.
17. I hate having a cell phone.
18. I love having email.
19. I prefer hot weather to cold.
20. I love being from Texas. We are a sturdy, proud bunch of folks.
21. I think I look like a potato with legs...and short legs at that.
22. I am 1/16th Cherokee Indian and don't have to shave my legs and wax my
eyebrows as much as most women.
23. My favorite color is green, no blue, no red, no orange...hell..I love color.
Lots and lots of it.
24. I hate large, cheap jewelry on women.
25. I love my husbands hands.
26. I have an irrational fear of big blue mailboxes. (We've discussed this
ridiculous subject before, so I won't elaborate)
27. I have two dogs, two cats, and four fish and everyone has a name.
28. I love big blue skies and no clouds in the winter time.
29. I love to be squished on the tube in London during rush hour and imagining
where each person is going and what their desks must look like.
30. I only ever fly first class and pout when I have to sit in the back.
31. I have no respect for silly sloppy drunk people that you have to babysit all
evening. I prefer to be the designated driver (you get free cokes that way).
32. I hate spending a lot of money on necessities but love spending frivolously
on things that are not important.
33. I only use Clinique makeup.
34. I always wanted to run for public office.
35. I don't think I am as pretty or as nice as my younger sister. They used to
call us salt and pepper..she is tall, thin, blonde and blue eyed. I used to
think my Mum preferred her to me. Sometimes still do....
36. I am selfish
37. I am grumpy at times.
38. I am moody...(once a month)
39. I have a bad temper.
40. I enjoy fundraising for deserving groups.
41. I enjoy donating my time to organizations.
42. I really really disliked my youngest sons teacher last year.
43. Sometimes, I sign my checks with my maiden name (duh...)
44. Sometimes, my sister calls me by my full name (maiden name).
45. My sisters husband is a Homicide Sergeant detective with the police
department and she is the one family member with a criminal record.
46. I love it when my husband tells the kids, "Just let Mom have her
way".
47. I felt very very small in a big big world after the 9/11 incidents.
48. I have long fingers.
49. I have funny looking toes.
50. I love the way the sun feels thru my shirt on my back.
51. I love to get dressed up for formal events.
52. I love to wear vanilla oil behind my ears.
53. I like to smell old books.
54. I like to peel my sons' backs when they get sunburnt.
55. I scrub my kitchen sink with cleanser every morning.
56. I hate coffee.
57. I have never broken a bone in my body.
58. I am a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed when I found out I was pregnant with
number two son.
59. I have had 1 miscarriage.
60. I would love to write a novel.
61. I love biographical type films, books, TV programs.
62. I am a reality TV junkie.
63. I never ever kill bugs in the house. I am catch and release kinda gal.
64. I was in a car accident once trying to avoid hitting a squirrel (see the
irony to number 12?)
65. I have really really thick hair that I used to hate but now I love.
66. I am very insecure about whether or not people like me and feel that people
were just talking about me before I entered the room.
67. I love being an EMT. I love the lights, sirens and driving thru stopped
traffic and helping people that truly are ill and need my help. The way they
look at you is unbelievable rewarding. Knowing that I do it for nothing makes me
feel even better.
68. I love the way my car smells in the hottest part of the day just as the air
conditioner comes thru.
69. I listen to the radio almost all day, even though the telly is on and volume
turned all the way down.
70. I used to be afraid of being alone and now I covet singular lives. How nice
it must be to put something down and it actually being there when you come back.
71. I love being a firefighter because it is so unexpected. When people see me
in my turnouts they sort of look at me and wonder, "just who is this roly-poly
woman in that gear and does she know what she is doing" ...
72. I absolutely deplore conflict but I have a very venomous tongue and can cut
you down in an instant and then completely cut you out of my life forever with
no remorse.
73. My favorite smell is in late spring early morning just as it is getting hot
and then laying in a mound of red topped clover. The smell is sweet and moist
and takes me back to my childhood in a split second.
74. I am turned on more by a man's intellect than his outward appearance.
75. I think that cheating starts in the mind and not with the physical act.
76. I am a very good cook.
77. I always have lights up on the house at Christmas and we always put up at
least two trees.
78. When hubby retires, we are going to buy a large RV and travel the country
and have sex in every one of the lower 48. We are up to 16 states so far
(including Hawaii...ha ha...sorry...too much information).
79. I don't like to talk to the person seated next to me on a plane.
80. I prefer wooden floors to carpeted ones.
81. I always wear shoes...whether it's flip-flops, heels, or slippers.
82. I love spending entirely too much on shoes and handbags.
83. Summer thunderstorms at night are the best.
84. I hate doing the laundry.
85. My Nanna met the Beatles, once. She also got in David Naves face at Heathrow
airport once and repeated, "You're David Niven...You're David Niven"
to which he replied very softly, "Yes, Madam...yes.." and tried to
slope off unnoticed by the rest of the standers-by. She adored him. She also
sold Roger Moore and his young daughter a pair of little girl wellies at Dolcis
shoe store in Slough High Street.
86. I met MacGyver, Lyle Lovett, Jaclyn Smith, Tracey Ullman, Michael Caine,
Brooke Shields, and some smalltime soap actors while working for the airline.
87. I have never been to a rave.
88. I love to embarrass my kids.
89. My husband says I snore.
90. I am a Daddy's girl but see and go to lunch with my Mom more often.
91. I want my ashes scattered at Lake Tahoe when I die. It is my absolute
favorite place in the world.
92. I miss my paternal Grandmother very much. She was a kind, loving and wise
woman.
93. I like to garden in the back while I am topless.
94. I have never cheated on my taxes and have been audited three times.
95. I love to gamble. Casinos, horses, dogs, football games...
96. I love to go on long walks in any weather.
97. My second toe is longer than my first toe (on both feet)
98. I still have a pencil lead in my right thigh from an accident when I was 7
yrs old.
99. I would like to have a boob lift.
100. Artichokes are my favorite vegetable.
Ok.....my turn
1. Real name John...do not call me Johnnie
2. Nickname at school was Porky....must have had the beef on...after school it
was Hotshot...don’t know why
3. Born in Dungog...a New South Wales country town...But I don’t follow the
blues
4. Religion...Hmmm....Got turned off it at a young age, as I was forced to go to
church
5. Father died when I was about seven
6. Five of us kids at that stage
7. Two older brothers, a younger sister and a younger brother
8. Mum married my father’s brother
9. Then my youngest Brother was born...six of us
10. Sent to boarding school at eighth grade to settle my wild mind down...
11. Early days about 18-20 smoked too many drugs...Naughty boy
12. Did 3 years as a metalworker apprentice...did not finish 4th year...did not
need it
13. When I left Job...I hitched from Sydney to Darwin with a good mate
14. Stayed in Darwin for 3 weeks at Fanny Bay
15. Hitched back to Whitsunday Islands
16. Got a job as a labourer on Hayman Island and lasted 3 months
17. Returned to Sydney and as soon as I got home…rang the Island to get my Job
back...I stayed on the Island for another 6 months...then returned to Sydney
18. Real hair is Blond
19. Eyes are blue
20. I also smoke too much...working on it
21. A partner with my oldest and youngest brothers in a Truck parts business
22. Have had 3 dogs in my life...a kelpie...a kelpie Border collie cross...now a
pure bred short haired border collie called nick
23. Only owned one cat...Gave it to my wife 2 years ago for her birthday...a
Burmese named Jazzy
24. Which brings me to...Happily married...One wife...Two daughters...and I love
them all
25. Married in Tamworth 20 years ago...Guests all travelled from Sydney and
Brisbane...ect
26. First house was at Springwood in Brisbane
27. Second house we built at Tambourine...west of Surfers Paradise
28. Moved to Townsville in 1998 to run our Northern shop
29. Rented at Saunders Beach for Six months then purchased a quarter acre
Beach-hut on absolute beachfront....hehehe!
30. Went to the Philippines for 3 weeks with a mate 25 years ago...first trip
overseas.
31. A very stubborn Taurus
32. So I am told...lol
33. Drive a Toyota Landcruiser and a Toyota Hilux
34. First car was a Holden LH Torana...which I rolled in the bush with a mait at
16...survived.
35. Then had a Mini Minor,VW Beetle, Ford XB Falcon, HG panelvan...with curtains
and mattress, then a Mini Moke, then a Toyota corolla panelvan…complete with
mirrors...mattresses and curtains…then a Holden HD station wagon...then a HQ
panelvan...no mattress...then a HQ V8 ute...Broke that one!...Then a Toyota
Lexan...then a BMW 318i for 7 years...Toyota Parado...Holden Rodeo...now the
Landcruiser
36. Parents live on 12 acres south of Brisbane at North Mclean
37. I love fishing
38. I love Golf
39. I ummm(!)…. do love Photography
40. First camera I purchased was an 8mm Canon video camera...I still have
somewhere, with party movies from when I was 18...must dig it out
41. Second was a Canon AE1 programme...25 years old...still use it at times
42. Then a Canon A300...broke it, still in the glove box of my car...so I bought
a Canon A75...My new Canon EOS350D XT Rebel arrives next week
43. My brothers and I bought a company plane about 10 years ago...a Beachcraft
Duke...6 seater...sold it 3 years later
44. Love Tropical storms
45. I hate customers that waste my time...I can read them like a book as soon as
they walk in
46. I admit ...I am a messy person...should see my shed
47. I love a Jack Daniels on ice
48. The Internet is the best item ever created.
49.Some people think I am a practical joker...lol
50. *sheesh...only half way
51. Blew up a few letterboxes as a kid on cracker nite...as you do
52. Weekends in Sydney used to consist of Pubs, Nightclubs or going to Thredbo
skiing...which I was good at...but too bloody cold.
53.Was in a church choir for a couple of years...amazing what you will do to
chase girls.
54. Love to read Wilber Smith Books, or any about Africa or early Australia
55. My wife got me a front row seat at a Tammy Wynette concert for my 30th
B/day....so… I have taste in music
56. My grandfather taught me to fish with home made bamboo rods catching river
perch and Mullet
57. And that is why mullet is my favourite table fish...*and they use it for
bait!!
58. My favourite beer is XXXX gold
59. My favourite wine is Wolfblass cab sav Brown Label.
60. I think Barbra Striesand is gorgeous.... Much to my wife’s disgust
61. I cannot drink milk...I think it goes back to when I was milking cows at
school.
62. Favourite subject at boarding school was wool classing...even went to a
competition at Sydney Royal Easter Show...and got a place
63. Played Rugby Union for St George under 18 Colts
64. Stayed a virgin till 15...lol
65. Used to spend all my paper run money at Lunar Park in Sydney...until mum
found out
66. Wagged school
67. I can cook fairly good...but don’t tell my wife
68. My wife and I have lived through her two mastectomies, hysterectomy and two
breast rebuilds...so we can handle anything they throw at us now.
69. I love barbeques to the max
70. I cannot save money...live life and enjoy as you cannot take it with you
71. I was on anti depression drugs for a year a couple of years back...don’t
know why
72. Was also anemic...so was getting vitamin B injections every 3 months...It
was all to do with too much stress...so they say
73. My youngest brother is our managing director...also a pilot and is building
our 747b flight sim. His son will be swimming for Australia in 2012 Olympics.
73. Next oldest is on a pension as a wife carer...she has MS.
74. Next is my sister…they have a carpet cleaning business in Brisbane
75. Then me. *Nearly there!!!
76. Then there is mike my great mate...has a Thai restaurant on the Gold
coast...he is a road designer and married to a Thai family.
77. Last is my oldest brother...also living in Brisbane and a partner in our
business, prolly talk to him more now than when we were working side by side in
Brisbane
78. I love to go to the beach...figures!
79. Get a great kick at going to dress up parties...ect!
80. I can water-ski and ice skate and snow ski...must be a balance thing.
81. I have six or more pushbikes in my shed.
82. Weekends at home is when I just like to sit back and relax with family and
friends...always a party somewhere...
83. Once worked for The Sydney morning Herald newspaper...got caught up with the
Union people...then left
84. Hate shopping...I don’t do that.... yuk!
85. Drink way too much coffee
86. I do not like gardening...I buy weed killer in bulk...it works
87. Am always told that I will talk to anyone.
88. Went to a Liberal Party function at Beaudesert and shook John Howard’s
hand just before he was voted Prime Minister. :-)
89. I don’t do Big brother or any sitcom TV shows.... sport or news, I can
handle.
90. I don’t like doing surveys...is this one!!
91. I love to get my hair Dyed...just for the shock value...and the looks on
peoples faces.
92. I can get very emotional...over the smallest of things
93. I don’t do funerals...if I can find a way out of it.
94. I don’t really feel 47...wonder what 50 is like.
95. Love to type people’s names in Google and to see what occupations come up
all over the world.
96. Some people think I have ADD.
97. I can be anyone’s friend...but don’t cross me.
98. I love my friends
99. I love my relatives.... from a distance.
100. Most of all, I love my wife and kids.
Here are my 100 things. Hard to think of things to write.
1. I’m a quarter of an inch shorter than 5 ft.
2. I have brown eyes.
3. I dye my hair to cover the grey.
4. I hate the aging process.
5. I’m at the point where all the policemen look far too young to be in their
jobs.
6. I like jewellery.
7. I like doing crafts, I do cross stitch, I’ve made dolls houses, and I make
jewellery, necklaces made from silver plated wire and beads, and I love wearing
them too, as well, also.
8. I collect Teddy Bears.
9. I still have my teddy from when I was two.
10. I collect elephants.
11. I love animals.
12. I couldn’t kill a thing.
13. I love Bassett Hounds, and have had two that lived to 13, and the next one
was nearly 17 when she died. The little dog we have now is a Collie Cross,
(crossed with what, I do not know).
14. When I was a child I was scared of spiders, but I find now that I love
spiders (as long as it doesn’t run too quickly towards me).
15. I hate going out, to pubs or restaurants, too many people.
16. I like going on days out, yesterday we went to Poole and Bournemouth, there
are lovely sandy beaches there.
17. I hate sitting on a beach surrounded by loads of people (and will only sit
there for five minutes while Rob has a swim), but can appreciate being on a
deserted beach looking out onto the ocean.
18. I like Brighton, there are a lot of little unique shops there, interesting
to look around.
19. I like different architecture.
20. I can see the beauty in Art Deco buildings and furniture.
21. I have been married for 33 years in September.
22. I think I am a snob.
23. When we were first married we lived in a flat above a greengrocers.
24. We lived in this flat for 3 years.
25. I hate my job. I work in a supermarket. It totally bores me.
26. I love my Mother and sister dearly.
27. I phone my Mother every day.
28. I wear glasses.
29. I was born in Plymouth in England.
30. I nearly drowned when I was a child. Hence, I can’t swim, and will not
even paddle in the water.
31. We moved to Bradford when I was about 8 years old. I loved it there, we used
to play on the Red Reck, or so we called it.
32. I had Whooping Cough when I was 9.
33. I have been to eight schools.
34. When I was 10 we moved back to the south, Gosport, and had to loose the
gorgeous Yorkshire accent I had, really quick, because of the mickey taking.
35. I hated school, with a vengeance.
36. I had a Saturday job in Woolworths.
37. I had Asian flu when I was 18.
38. I did shorthand and typing, but my shorthand speed was not good because I am
so heavy handed when writing, and so precise, I just couldn’t get the speed
up. I can touch type a treat, and at a fair speed, and I used to do wonderful
tabulation, quite large ones too, and would take pride in doing them.
39. Rob and I were married for three years before we moved from Gosport to
Didcot.
40. When we were first married we lived in a flat above a greengrocers.
41. We lived in this flat for 3 years.
42. When I first moved to Didcot, I worked in a Dart Board factory. I made the
metal edges to go round the dartboards.
43. I had a room to myself in the hospital, when I gave birth to my eldest boy,
because I had an infection. (It was wonderful).
44. With my second boy, I was in a ward of four beds. One of the mothers and
myself snored, rather loudly I think. The third girl went home, but the fourth
disappeared one night. She was put into another ward, because she could not get
any sleep, because of myself and this other woman that snored. Ooops.
45. I love the computer, mobile phones, and my little PDA.
46. I love Satnav.
47. I love poetry, and loved reading children’s poetry to the children when
they were little.
48. I do not read a lot, but what I have read in the past are Isaac Asimov and
Aldous Huxley. More recently I have read a book called Black and Blue and one
called Before Women had Wings. I can not sit down and read a book, too boring.
49. I love the summer.
50. I love the Bluebells in summer
51. I love an open fire in the winter.
52. I hate Christmas.
53. I love the colour of the leaves in Autumn.
54. I love the yellow daffodils in Spring.
55. I love my camera, I love to take pictures, and even if I only get one good
picture, I am happy.
56. I love my little Ford Ka. (I know what your thinking, it’s just me. Ford
Ka, me.) If you had to match the car to the person, you would pick the Ford Ka
for me.
57. I love colour, I love green and purple and orange, I love maroon, and
yellow, and that lovely damson colour, but not blue, although that is the colour
of my bathroom walls (which I thought was aqua).
58. I love flowers, their colours and their smells, and their beauty.
59. I went to Paris when I was fifteen.
60. I went to Australia when I was fifty.
61. We met my mate Patty when we were in Australia.
62. I hate flying. (When we went to Australia, it was the first time that I had
flown.)
63. I hate war; I do not understand the mentality of anyone who would want to
inflict pain on others.
64. I can’t stand cruelty to animals, children, anything, anyone.
65. I can cry at just about anything.
66. I prefer to watch a film rather than read a book.
67. I like Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, and Danny Devito.
68. I don’t listen to a lot of music, but if I do it would probably be Barbara
Streisand, Robert Palmer, Paul McCartney, although I like Eric Clapton and
various others that my husband listens to.
69. I don’t like Robbie Williams the singer, or Madonna; I think they are
rather overrated.
70. I can’t stand the way the farmer near us thinks he can just shoot things,
whenever he likes.
71. I can’t stand guns.
72. I do not like fox hunting, think of the stress it puts on the fox.
73. I do not like animals fighting, for money or otherwise.
74. I do not like bull fighting.
75. I do not like any bird shooting. I do not understand what pleasure people
get in shooting birds, ask the bird whether they are enjoying it.
76. Sorry about this one, but I don’t like fishing just for fun.
77. I love my boys.
78. I’m not a sporty person. I really don’t like playing sports.
79. However, I did like going to the gym, as long as there isn’t any one else
there. I get a bit embarrassed. Consequently, I don’t go.
80. The Iris is my favourite flower.
81. I have kept a china mouse for 38 years. His head wobbles.
82. I hate ironing.
83. I hate having wet washing hung all round the house.
84. I hate cucumber.
85. I hate prawns.
86. Don’t ask me to eat a slipper lobster, they look like giant woodlouse.
Yuk.
87. I don’t like gooseberries.
88. I have two little Love Birds.
89. I have a Pale Headed Rosella. He looks just like a big budgie.
90. I would hate to be put into an old peoples home.
91. I wonder about life, and what is the meaning of it all. The answer can not
be 42, surely.
92. I wonder where I would be now, if, when I was younger, I took the other
path. Would I have ended up exactly where I am now.
93. I worry about my boys, was it wrong to bring them into this terrible world.
94. I love the hot sun.
95. I hate magazines for the over 50’s. What a cheek!
96. I hate it that a person is supposed to dress a certain way at different
ages.
97. I really am shy.
98. I enjoy having my Blog friends on the web.
99. I started German classes years ago, but found it embarrassing when the
teacher asked me questions, and I had to stand up in front of everyone.
100. Staying power, to finish these one hundred things.
100 Things about Me
1. I'm single. Never married but would like to try it, at least once.
2. I'm a male, last time I looked.
3. I’m a Virgo.
4. I’m 5 ft 4 in (2m) tall.
5. I have brown eyes and brown hair that’s graying.
6. I wear glasses.
7. I was born to Peter and Viola Kroman in Seattle, Washington (the other Washington) U.S.A. in September 1952.
8. I was born 1 ½ months premature.
9. I wasn’t expected to live more than a year because I was so sickly. The Doctor told my parents to take me home, and enjoy what little time they
had with me. That was some 52 years ago. Shows how wrong Doctor’s Diagnosis can be?
10. I was named Melvin Gary. My father named me Melvin after his younger brother who died at 3 years old. I hated the name Melvin, when I
was little. I use it now at work.
11. I was the second and last child born in the family.
12. I am of English, Irish, and Danish Heritage. My father and mother where Born in America. My family name Kroman is Danish. It means Crown Man, a
Person who runs one of the Kings Inns.
13. My Father died when I was 11 years old. He was 54 years old.
14. My only brother Ronald (Ronnie) died in a swimming accident in the Cowlitz River near Castle Rock, WA in 1971. He was 23 years old.
He was five years older then me.
15. My Mother died in 2004 from a stroke. She was 89 years old. Of interest, Mother died on August 22, 2004,and my father died on August 13, 1964.
That is a different of 40 years and 11 days.
16. I believe in euthanasia for the terminally ill.
17. I've never actually tried to kill myself. Thought about it, when my first Serious girlfriend dumped me at a party she was hosting. What snapped me
out of it was the thought, that if she loved me, she wouldn’t have done it that way.
18. I often think while driving or walking, that I’m stationary and the world and everyone else around me is moving.
19. I'm not a churchgoer, but believe a faith in God can be a comfort at times to some. I do believe in the Supreme Being.
20. I hate it, when people try to convert me to their religion.
21. I'm skeptical about some things.
22. I have a creative side to me. I love to sketch and have done water-color
paintings.
23. I can be blunt at times, but try to be tactful.
24. People often frustrate me.
25. I have a lot of patience with people.
26. I believe in treating people fairly, as I would like them to treat me.
Problem is, that a lot of people have walked all over me, in the past.
27. I collect and build Model airplanes. The weirder they are the better I like em.
28. I still have my teddy from when I was three. I named him Kitty, because I
thought he was. I named one of my cats Teddy to correct my mistake.
29. I love dogs and cats. I have had 5 cats (Tuxso is number 5), but no dogs.I
have had three male cats (Chowie, Teddy and Tuxso, all Orange and White), and two female cats. One female cats was a Tortoise Shell (Muffy)
and the other one was Black and White (Tootsie).
30. I have a dry sense of humor I'm told. I often make fun of myself.
31. I’m a very easy going person.
32. I never started smoking.
33. I have never taken hard drugs. I did drink Coca Tea in Peru, for altitude sickness.
34. I'm always amazed at the lifestyle of the rich and famous.
35. I would like to be rich, but not famous.
36. I drink Beer and Whiskey, but only in moderation.
37. I have a wallet with one major credit card and some Department stores cards.
38. I have keys on my key ring that I don't remember what they’re for.
39. I'm fascinated with Elephants and Giraffes, they’re such wonderful creatures.
40. I met a movie Star when I was 9 years old. His name was Henry Travers(1874 -
1965) who played the Angel Clarence in It's a Wonderful Life. He and his wife (a Registered Nurse) where visiting a friend of my
mother’s aunt (She knew his wife) during Seafair in 1962. I didn’t know who he was, but thought it cool to meet an actor.
41. I met Spiro T. Agnew, the 39th Vice President of the United States
(1969–73)in the Taipei Hilton hotel. He was waiting for the elevator on our floor. My mother and I said hello to him, and he said the same to us.
This was years after he had resigned from the Vice Presidency. Agnew was forced to resign on Oct. 10, 1973, after a Justice Dept.
Investigation uncovered evidence of corruption during his years in Maryland politics; he was said to have continued to accept bribes while
Vice President.
42. I have been to Australia twice. I love it there.
43. I’m not a sports person. I really don’t like playing sports.
44. My favorite color is green, But I like all the colors.
45. When Neal Armstrong landed on the Moon, I ran out side and looked up at the
moon with great pride.
46. I like bright colors.
47. I would love to have my life over again and know then what I know now. I would do things differently.
48. I am a very private, reserved person.
49. I’m a drafter at the Boeing Company. I worked there for 29 years, before they laid me off. After 2 ½ years of layoff, I was rehired by one of my
old Manager.
50. I like to believe that my Mom helped me (from the grave) get my old job back
at Boeing.
51. I’m a hard worker, and strive to be accurate.
52. I tend to procrastinate on personal matters.
53. I can’t cook, but I manage to fix frozen dinners.
54. I like to travel; Mother and I traveled for 29 years. We went almost all around the world.
55. Mother and I went to Antarctica on a Cruise ship. We set foot on the Antarctic Continent.
56. I start 3 things at once and sometimes never finish any.
57. I’m a bad house cleaner.
58. I prefer days to nights.
59. English is the only language I speak but can speak 1 or 2 words in Chinese, French, and German. Usually Thank you, Hello, Good Bye and
Please. They came in handy on trips.
60. I have and idea for writing a science fiction story that takes place at the end of World War II, but I don’t know how to develop the story.
61. It is about a secret German base with a Flying Saucer, and a foreign agent trying to stop them from using it.
62. I love to fly in airplanes.
63. I have had dreams of flying without wings, and also levitating. I dreamed I levitated 10,000 feet above my house at night, and could see all of
Seattle. It was wonderful.
64. I tried to grow a moustache once. It was very light, thin and had a big gap under my nose. I called it a snot trough.
65. My first true love was a girl named Milly Sue. I was 8 and she was 8. Her parents owned a cabin near ours on a lake.
66. I'm near sighted.
67. I use to play golf. I was never good at it. Had scores in the hundreds.
68. The last book, I’ve read was Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea.
69. I had to cut down on coffee, because it gave me the jitters. Now I drink
decaffeinated Coffee.
70. I climbed up to Chicken Out Point at Ayres Rock.
71. Mother and I saw Halley’s Comet at Yulara.
72. I played the Violin in the Orchestra from the 4th Grade to the 12th grade.
Then I quit, right after I graduated from 12th grade.
73. I have watched every series of Star Trek. I liked the original series,
the Next Generation and Deep Space 9.
74. My favorite Star Trek move is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
75. I like non-fiction and science fiction movies. I hate the science fiction
Bug Eyed Monster (BEM) movies, like Alien.
76. I loved the Star Wars movies. Couldn’t stand the character Jar Jar Binks.
77. I can talk your arm off then remember later, that I forgot to say what I had
intended to say.
78. I wanted to be an Astronaut when I was in my early teens.
79. I searched for the Loch Ness Monster when I went to Loch Ness. Our guide
thought I was crazy, he didn’t believe in it. He said that “he was born in
the Helands, and swam in the Loch many a time, and no Beastie nibbled at his
feet”. He showed us a Heland Choo (Highland Cow).
80. I like to read articles on the development of an airplane.
81. I dragged Mother to the Musee de L'Air et de L'Espace (Air and Space Museum)
in Paris, to see Clement Adler’s 1897 Avion III Steam powered Aeroplane, on
our last day in Paris. Took the subway to a train station, then a bus to the
Museum. We made it back in time to get dressed for our group’s farewell dinner
that night.
82. I like Historical documentaries on Wars, Planes, Ships and Trains.
83. I can be a little crazy at times.
84. I tend to make my mind up about a person first time I meet them whether I
like them or not.
85. In the past, some people accused me of being gay, because I’m still a
Bachelor and don’t aggressively chase the girls, like they think I should.
I’m not gay.
86. I have been mistaken for a woman at the check out stand. I’m slight of
build.
87. My brother and I where well behaved, when we went to neighbors houses.
88. I’ll vote for the candidate I think will do the job, regardless of the party. I consider myself middle of the road.
89. I turn music on only if I’m in the mood.
90. I like my own space but crave company.
91. I'd like to be retired and just sit and watch the birds (female and flying
ones too).
92. I've owned 3 cars since I first learned to drive. They all have been Datsun
or Nissans.
93. I bought my first car when I was 22. It was a 1974 Datsun B210 Hatchback.
94. I've only gotten one speeding ticket in all my years of driving. It was in a
School zone.
95. I was a tutor for AutoCAD classes (Drafting Software) at South Seattle
Community College, Ask for my help and I’ll always give it willingly.
96. I hated the Beatles when they first came out. Couldn’t stand the song I
want to hold your hand. Now I like all their songs.
97. I hate seeing cruelty to animals of any kind.
98. I find politics boring.
99. I can remember some of my Teachers from Grade 1 to Grade 12.
100. I skipped school once, I don’t remember getting caught.
I also thought this seemed a daunting task, 100 things but I did it and found
it to be well worth it.
1. My name is spelt Rachelle but it is actually said Rachel.
2. I was born on 17th March 1970 in a hospital run by Nuns but I’m not
Catholic.
3. I am married to Bob.
4. I got married on 3rd August 1996 on the same day that my parents got married;
they have been married for 40 years tomorrow.
5. I have 2 children both boys who are the light of my life.
6. I have had 4 operations.
7. I had hereditary cataracts removed from both eyes when I was 10 and 11 years
old and have worn contacts ever since.
8. I had my eyelids lifted 2 years ago (not for cosmetic reasons).
9. Both my children have had cataracts removed in the last 2 years and can now
see perfectly.
10. I love to go on holidays every year.
11. For the first 9 years of my life my parents used to take us on holidays to
Llandudno in North Wales.
12. My first holiday abroad was when I was 10 years old and we went to France.
13. I have one brother older than me by three years named Martin and he is a
paramedic.
14. I live and always have in South Wales.
15. I hate foreigners calling the UK England. What about Wales, Scotland and
Ireland. England is only a part of the UK not all of it.
16. I am a cook in a comprehensive school and I’m not very good at cooking. I
make a mean lumpy gravy.
17. I used to be a nightmare teenager.
18 I tend to bite my tongue a lot to keep the peace but do explode when it gets
too much.
19 Love animals and have 4 pets (to my husbands disgust) I have a border collie
called Frank, a cat called Daisy, a cockatiel called Polly and a Chilean rose
tarantula called Mayble. Mayble is actually roaming around the house free after
escaping her cage 2 weeks ago.
20. I dislike loud people.
21. I dislike processed peas.
22 My favourite food is roast beef with homemade Yorkshire pudding.
23. I love to potter around in the garden.
24. I love to go for walks in the country and rides in the car. Just point the
car and go and see where we end up.
25. I love it when it’s my birthday. I am still like a big kid and love all
the attention.
26. I love it that within a 20-mile radius of where I live that there is so much
to see and do, castles to visit, old manor houses pretty countryside and just a
5 minute walk from my house there are a lot of Roman remains.
27. When I was little I was painfully shy.
28. I’m part American, part French and the rest is pure Welsh.
29. I love the different seasons here in the UK. The coldness of winter and the
warmth of summer.
30. I love to see the blossoms starting to appear on the trees in spring and the
first spring flowers daffodils.
31. My parents used to call me custard after a terrible disaster of making
almost set deep yellow custard when I was about 12 years old.
32. My best friend of all is Dawn who now lives in Canada, I have known her
since we were 4 years old and still speak regularly.
33. I once (never again) arranged a school reunion, which was a blast. It was
also a fund raising event for a friend of mine who had breast cancer
unfortunately it took her life 3 years ago.
34. I can purr like a pussycat, and roar like a lion; so my children tell me.
35. I love to watch the All Blacks doing the war dance (Haka) before the game,
all those muscular thighs yummy.
36. I love tall muscular men. That’s why I married my husband.
37. I used to run the 1500 meters and cross-country for the school.
38. My first job was an apprentice hairdresser.
39. I collect piggin pig ornaments; I have them all over the house.
40. I daydream a lot.
41. I rarely swear the worst I manage to come out with is sugar or sheesh kebab.
42. I can be very stubborn and bad tempered sometimes cutting off my nose to
spite my face.
43. I love to ride the supermarket trolley down the isle.
44. I always see things I would really love when I don’t have the money.
45. When I have the money I can never find anything that I really want.
46. I have been to Florida three times and went to Disney and loved every bit of
it.
47. My husband was Welsh power lifting champion about 6 years ago.
49. I am unselfish, I tend to put other peoples needs before my own.
50 I am a descendant of Captain Morgan the pirate.
51. I passed my driving test the second time around.
52. I failed my first driving test by going through traffic lights when they
were red and pulling out of a junction when a car was coming. So he failed
me on the spot.
53. My first car was a beige mini Mayfair which I ended up crashing into a
parked car when fiddling with the radio.
54. I have dyed my hair for so long now I don't know if I have any grey hairs in
my natural colour.
55. Even though I love the seasons, I hate having to wear a scarf and
gloves and hat and a thick coat it makes me feel so unfeminine
56. I have been to London lots of times but cant say I like the place to
much. Too many people looking to know where they are heading, too many
beggers and a very dirty place. The prices are way to high for food etc
trying to rip the tourists off.
57. I have never seen the Queen or any of the royal family in real life.
58. I never really want to see the Queen or any of the royal family in real
life, they do not interest me in the slightest.
59. I cant see how some women can spend 30 minutes putting on make up. It
takes me all of 1 minute putting eye shadow, mascara and a little lippie on and
I'm done.
60. I am a complete internet surfing junkie.
61. When I go to France I always try to make the effort and speak French when
asking for things. I'm not very good but I always try.
62. I like it when it rains after a long spell of nice weather as then I don't
have to water my garden.
63. I enjoy looking around car boot sales on a Sunday morning. Other
peoples rubbish is someone else's gold, especially if you like selling on Ebay.
64. I never agree with my husband even if he is right.
65. I love to drink coffee in the morning, afternoon, evening.
66. I always have to have a biscuit with a cup of coffee.
67. I can make a mean curry sometimes.
68. As I work as a cook in a comprehensive school (children aging from 11-18
years) I see a lot of these young adults while out shopping or on a night out
with my friends. It can get quite embarrassing when they shout out 'HIYA
MISS' in a crowded room.
69.I love to read, mainly on the holocaust, nazi run concentration camps during
world war 2, true crime, anything really that is true, I don't like romancing
novels and sci fi.
70. I am not religious but I believe your soul still lives on when you die.
71. I'm not racist but dislike seeing how Britain is changing into a free for
all for asylum seekers and refugees. I am completely against the UK taking
on so many when we have British people that are in need of some much needed help
from the government. Look after your own first that what I say.
72. I love taking photos of my children, its great to have memories.
73. I have yet to do a phoon in front of the millennium centre.
74. I absolutely love to walk into a huge cathedral and sit and take in the
stain glass windows, the art, the smell, and the whole beauty and tranquility of
the place, and wonder how many people and how many years it took to build.
75. I try to keep in good shape by going to the gym as much as I possibly can.
76. I met my husband on a blind date set up by his sister. 8 months later
we were married, 9 years on we are still very much in love.
77. I'm more of a morning person than an evening person.
78. I was working for the ambulance service in the control room when we went on
strike for more pay. We had a lot of support from the general public.
79. It took me 6 months in total to pass my stage 1, 2 and 3 RSA in typing
and word processing I got distinctions in all stages.
80. I hate heights, especially if there is not a big sturdy barrier protecting
you from the drop below.
81. The naughtiest thing I did as a child was this. My mum and dad had
gone shopping and me and my brother started to chase each around the house, in
through the front door out the back. My brother slipped and kicked a big
hole in the front door, which stopped this game abruptly. We tried to
colour in pieces of paper to stick over the hole the same colour as the door so
our parents wouldn't notice but couldn't match up the cooler. We heard the
car coming down the drive and just stood waiting in the kitchen for the telling
off. Boy did we get a telling off, my dad made us pay out of our pocket
money for filler and paint to go in the door. He later gave this money
back to us.
82. As children we were always made to appreciate money, we used to have
our pocket money every week and go into the building society to put some of it
away for spending money for holidays. It was a great feeling to know that
what was being spent was what you had actually saved. I do the same thing
with my own children now.
83. I class myself as very hard working, I have only been out of
work while having my children but have always had jobs that fit around my family
life not my family life fitting around my job. That's basically why I am
working in a comprehensive school as I don't have to depend on child minders to
have my children while I work as I get all the school holidays off with them.
84. I love to really have a deep gut wrenching laugh.
85. I always give up my seat on a bus for an old lady or gentleman.
86. I don't like the aging process, I want to be young looking forever, I still
feel and act about 18 years old on the inside but the outside is a big giveaway
to how old I actually am.
86. I love walking passed a building site and being whistled at.
87. Winning the lottery would make me the happiest woman alive.
88. I love to be hugged.
89. Being a mum is the best feeling in the world, my children are a big part of
my life and I am really proud of the way they are and what they are achieving
from life.
90. I got hit by a car when I was about 13 years old ( unlucky 13). It was
during lunch time in school and I was walking around the village with my
friends. I went to run across the road and got hit by a car driven by a
doctor, an ambulance was right behind. I wasn't hurt apart from a badly
sprained ankle and in a little shock. It was surprising it all went in
slow motion and didn't hurt one bit but I wouldn't recommend doing it.
91. My house is very tidy.
92. But my cupboards are not. All the mess is hidden behind doors.
93. I love the smell of a freshly decorated room.
94. And the smell of cut grass.
95. My favourite film of all time is Green Mile.
96. My favourite drink is vodka and red bull or a medium white wine.
97. I love country pubs.
98. I can always tell when my children are not being truthful with me.
99. I enjoy buying presents for others.
100. The hardest thing I have ever done in my life is to think of and write 100
things about me.
Comments
here
1. I was born in Dunedin, New Zealand on the 30th June 1936.
2. I was one of 5 boys with 3 Sisters.
3. My younger brother & sister were twins.
4. At about 12 years of age I started learning to play the Baritone in the North Dunedin Salvation Army Band.
5. At the age of about 7 the family moved out to the rural area of Mosgiel where we lived at a disused Dairy factory, my Father running a Pig farm over the road.
6. We had to walk to school. On the first day the children whose father my Dad was taking over from; walked with us to school. A Lady came along on her bike, and they told us it was normal to join hands across the road and stop her ??- anyway we complied and when she stopped we soon found out she was the sole teacher at the country school!!!!!
7. We only stayed out there about 10 months before moving back to Woodhaugh in Dunedin where my parents remained until they passed away in the 70’s.
8. Where we lived we always had plenty of bush areas and hills in which to play. There was also 2 creeks behind the family property.
9. We used to dam up one of them each summer and make ourselves a deep swimming hole.
10. This area and the surrounding bush were our domain and very well protected by us.
11. The local Policeman’s sons used to be the butt of a lot of our jokes.
12. At school we used to be given a half pint bottle of milk each day, and I was appointed a ‘Milk monitor’ having to distribute the milk, then collect the empty bottles, put them in the crates then put the crates out by the gate for collection by the milk truck. One day several of us jumped on the truck at lunchtime and went down to the milk plant-this was by the wharves so we spent a very enjoyable afternoon playing ‘hookey’ and exploring. I had to catch the tram home and just as I got off the tram- there was my Father in his truck- asking where I had been. I told him I had been to the library. I told me he would see to me when he got home from work. So I went home and then hid up in the bush behind the house where I could see the property. I saw him arrive home, then I was called for my dinner, which at first I ignored, then I answered that I wasn’t coming home 'cos my Dad was going to give me a hiding- I remained where I was until I was assured that I wouldn’t be punished!!!
13. Just down from where we lived there was a paper mill, the office area had an alcove doorway where we used to wait for the bus, some of us were fooling one evening and I was pushed back against the door which flew open, of course we were off for the lick of our lives. We had to walk past the mill whenever we went to the local store- the next morning the local Policeman, Mr. Beard was outside the Mill when I was on the way to the store, he asked me if I knew anything about the door being open of course I claimed every innocence possible.
14. We used to love going out to catch rabbits. My brother had 2 ferrets, which were used by putting them into the burrows, anyway I took them out one day and they must have found some baby rabbits in the burrow, anyway we waited for them to come out and in the end had to admit defeat and went home without the ferrets- trouble again!!!!
15. By this time I was playing the E Flat bass in the Salvation Army Band, Now the E-flat bass is the second biggest instrument in a band, and while that is reasonably heavy, the leather case is often much heavier than the instrument. Anyway I was given a brand new second hand Bass and this had a solid leather case which was extremely heavy- and of course I had to show this new instrument off so I had to take it home. We played at the Sunday night service which my Mother was attending- I told her I had to take it home so we set off with yours truly lugging this huge mass ( we had to walk 'cos we didn’t have any form of transport. By the time we were halfway home it was getting much heavier- so I enlisted the aid of my Mother to assist- well did I get my ears pinned back!!! Needless to say that was the last time the instrument was taken home.
16. I used to work after school in the local grocery store he had one of those bikes with a small front wheel and a huge basket on the front, and I was allowed to take it home. One Sunday morning I was asked to do a message down to my Grandmother’s place which was in the centre of Dunedin, anyway I was cycling down the road and suddenly saw a ‘pothole’ ahead of me., of course steps had to be taken to avoid it, which I did, but not allowing for the instability of the bike when the small wheel was turned, the next thing I was doing a somersault the likes of which would have brought great pride to any Gymnast- I the slammed into the roadway! I checked the bike which appeared ok, climbed back on then continued on my merry way. A wee while later I had this funny warm taste in my mouth, spat it out and hey I was bleeding, and when I poked my tongue out the end of it just fell forward, I had actually bitten right through my tongue which it turned out was only held in place by a sliver of flesh. There was hardly any traffic on the road at all- then I saw this guy cycling towards me, I headed for him and tried to stammer a request for help and he obviously wondered what the hell and pedalled off leaving me to my own devices. So I made my way to my Grandmother’s and walked in the door, poked out my tongue to show them, setting off a ‘major’ which resulted in me being taken over to the Dunedin Hospital a block away where they stitched up my tongue- committing me to about 3 weeks of ice cream, jelly and mashed foods. Thinking back on this incident, if I had of bitten the tip of my tongue right off, my life would have of necessity would have been much different.
17. My next incident of note was on the 14th August 1945 ( I remember the date as it was the day before the Japanese surrender.) I was on my way to school on the school bus, being the last one on the crowded bus I was standing adjacent to the driver, when we stopped to unload, those at the back pushed forward while the driver was opening the door with the mechanical door opening mechanism, and somehow I put my hand out to steady my self, my ring finger of the right hand was caught in the door mechanism and crushed the end of my finger. I was taken to hospital, admitted given surgery, a repair of sorts was carried out, including a skin graft with a donor patch being taken from the right forearm.
18. At intermediate school. Playing cricket, when staring into space or whatever suddenly received a cricket ball in the face, which didn’t do anything to assist my good looks.
19. By this time I was playing the B Flat Bass in the Dunedin Citadel Band, now this is the biggest instrument in the band, and normally the ‘marker’ in the band when marching, the ‘marker’ marches at the right front of the band Anyway, as we were marching down the main street in Dunedin, I was in the centre of the road, and because of the size of the instrument- which was probably bigger than I was, and being a lad of about 15 ½ I was concentrating on my music and forgot that there were raised pedestrian zones at the tram stops- guess who went ear over elbow- split his lip, buckled one band instrument- I think that might have been the last time I played with the Salvation Army Band, I found it hard to live up to their ideals.
20. I left school at the age of 15- I was attending the Technical College where I was taking Electrical engineering- after a disagreement with the teacher I decided it was time to go to ‘work’.
21. Starting work in a Hardware store in the main street of Dunedin, I learnt heaps about various trades, this was the old-time hardware store where you had scissors, saw, and tools sharpened, handles replaced and so on. My boss was one of the old time shop owners whose first consideration was service to the customer. Over the road was a ‘Hairdressing salon’ they had a problem with a tap which needed a new washer, and being the handyman sort of shop assistant that I was- I presented myself at the Salon, proceeding to fix the offending tap- no problem, what irritated me was the smell of the various hairdressing preparations. This smell stayed with me and after dinner that night, I started vomiting, getting stomach pains, in due course the Doctor was called , then the ambulance, and I was taken into hospital for my appendix to be removed- quite straightforward- oh yeah!!- of course that become abscessed and I had to have drains etc sticking out of my tummy.
22. Being a keen cyclist we used to bike all over the place. After my recovery from the Appendicitis, I decided I would take a holiday and bike up to Queenstown and back- I would stay with a friend I had met in hospital who lived on a farm at Glenorchy, north of Queenstown. So I did that by myself which was quite an achievement.
23. After being in the Hardware tore a couple of years, I felt I would like to broaden my horizons, suggesting this to my Dad- who told me that if I was going to keep job changing I should join the Navy, I though that was a great idea. So made the necessary application with the view of joining the Navy Band.
24. In preparation I left the hardware store taking a temporary position as a Laboratory Assistant in the Animal Research Department of the Otago Medical school. We had rabbits, rats, mice Guinea pigs and other animals it was quite interesting.
25. In due course called up before the Navy recruiting board, passed initial selection then received a letter with my tickets for travel by Train. Ferry and then train again to Auckland.
26. After handing in my notice to the Medical school and farewell to the pets I had made with the various Rats, Mice, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and other animals. It was time to say farewell to my friends and family.
27. The trip from Dunedin to Auckland in those days was a day in the train, an overnight crossing on the Inter-island ferry, hang around Wellington to catch the 3pm overnight express train to Auckland. Quite an adventure to a 16 year old.
28. On Arrival at Auckland Railway Station we were taken by bus over to the Auckland Naval base, for breakfast. Then further medical examination, eye tests, chest x-rays.
29. Around about that time someone was calling out our names from a list and he asked me what branch of the Navy had I applied to join. When I told him that it was the band, even though he didn’t laugh out loud I could see the amusement on his face when he told me that there was no way I could be joining the band as the Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy at that time was a band of the Royal Marines who were seconded out to NZ on 2 year engagements. To join the Royal Marine Band I would have to travel over to UK.
30. Some discussion then followed when I was finally accepted into the Navy in the Medical Branch as a Probationary Sick berth Attendant!!!
31.After lunch we were taken to the Navy stores and issued with our uniform etc. You have heard and read the stories about issue of uniforms and I don’t need to bore you any further apart from saying that you were lucky if any of it fitted.
32. We were then told to take up our kit bags and herded on board a ‘Fairmile class motor launch for the hour long trip down to HMNZS Tamaki on the island of Motuihie in the Hauraki gulf.
33. When we arrived at “Tamaki” we were taken to our allocated huts, which were to be our homes for the next 3 months. We were shown how to set up our ‘hammocks’, yes we had literally took up our beds and walked with them. Those were also going to be our beds for many a night to come.
34. A hammock when packed or rolled is not only your bed it is also capable of keeping you afloat for some considerable time in the event of having to abandon your ship, it must be rolled of course so that at night when you had it ‘slung’ you better make sure you have other means of keeping afloat.
35. Our sojourn on Tamaki was for basic naval training, learning to walk from side to side with a roll as you see if you look at a sailor swaggering along the street (Only kidding- that’s more likely to be because of over indulgence in ‘lolly water!) Anyway it was healthy living really even though we kept a fairly busy routine.
36.
After 3 months transfer or ‘drafted’ to the main Naval Establishment
at Auckland for ‘Branch’ training. This in my case was to join a class of
about 6 others who were joining the Sick berth Branch. We came under the control
of the Naval Hospital.
37.
The Naval Hospital at that time consisted of 5 wards with about 40 to 50
beds. All naval personnel had to have annual Medical as well as x-ray
examinations. All their inoculations and vaccinations had to be up to date so
the administration of that side alone is quite a major exercise. The Officer in
charge was a Surgeon Captain who in those days carried out the majority of the
surgery. There were about 4 other Doctors. As well as a Matron and 2 ward
Sisters. All the other duties were carried out by the Sick berth staff.
38. The training in the Branch is very extensive as ultimately the trainee in future life in the service could quite easily be ‘drafted’ to a sole charge ship which did not have a Medical Officer (In fact on all the ships I served- I never had the benefit of a qualified Doctor). You had to have a working knowledge of First Aid, which included battle injuries. You had Nursing training by the Matron. A qualified Pharmacist used to come in weekly to teach you pharmacy. Laboratory as well Physio, x-ray, minor operating theatre procedures, basics of dentistry. To top it all off you had to have a pretty good knowledge of Anatomy & Physiology. Then there were medical stores accounting procedures.
39. Sick Bay ‘Tiffies’ ( as they were known) had to be pretty well trained.
40. Once we finished and passed our basic branch training we lost the probationary’ part of our title rising to the dizzy heights o a Sick berth Attendant- we were then allowed to sew the branch badge ( a red cross on a white background with a gold circle surrounding) onto our right arm, which for the first few days seemed to weigh the arm quite considerably.
41. Staff were then allocated to duty in various departments in the hospital but mainly on the wards. There were 2 medical wards, a Surgical ward as well as an Isolation one. Then of course there were 2 ‘cabins’ for the OFFICERS.)
42. Every 3 nights we had to be part of the ‘Duty watch’ which meant that we manned the hospital from 4pm (when the day watches went ashore) until 8pm when we were allowed to the staff quarters, but available on call until 7am the next morning. There would be a duty nursing Sister but the administration and running of the hospital was under the charge of the Duty Sick Berth Petty Officer.
43. During the period 8p to 7am the hospital was under the control of the Night Duty SBA, with the Duty SBPO being on the premises and available for immediate call. We worked a roster for night duties of one week.
44. While we were carrying out our duties we were also given encouragement to study for promotion up to the rank of Leading Sick Berth Attendant, which again meant more examinations to pass.
45. I spent time as a SBA on the Minesweepers HMNZS Kiwi and Stawell. This only had a ship’s company of about 30 the ‘Sick bay consisting of a large metal cabinet in which I was expected to keep the Ship’s medical supplies.
46. In due course I passed my LSBA exams and promoted to LSBA. Once reaching that rank we were given the opportunity to specialize in either Xray, Laboratory, Operating Theatre. I decided I wanted to give the ‘Theatre ‘ a go, so applied this was granted, which meant carrying out duty under training in the Naval Hospital Operating Theatre for 3 months, then I was transferred over to Auckland Public Hospital for 3 months. This meant working in their theatres, which of course included many, more types of surgery even then, than was normally carried out at the Naval hospital. I found this very enjoyable.
47. The last few days at Auckland Hospital I had to spend time working in the mortuary assisting with post mortem examinations. The end result of all this training allowed me to wear the letter “O” above the red cross on my right upper arm.
48. Then back to reality of Service life in the Operating Theatre at the Naval hospital.
49. Over the next few years I served on board HMNZS Lachlan which at that time was the RNZN Survey ship, the duties on this ship were slightly different to a warship as when on the survey grounds it was a 24 hour job and all including yours truly had to share the duties as the ship steamed up and down pre arranged lines taking the depth as well as ‘fixing’ the ship’s exact position as well as timing the next measurement by stopwatch when the call went out “Fix and sound”- from this tedious work programme comes the Naval charts that cover the oceans of the world!.
50.
Once again time was
spent studying for promotion as well as passing the Naval examinations and the
Branch training for promotion to Sick Berth Petty Officer “O”. All the examinations
were duly passed, then onto the promotional roster for a vacancy. In due course
the promotion to Acting SBPO (O) was granted by the Captain, 12 months later
this was confirmed.
51
As
I previously stated Drafts took place, and then time for the promotion
examinations referred to in 50
52
Prior
to ‘drafting’ to HMNZS Kiwi. One of the civilian Hospital cleaners invited 2
of us to a party at her place on a Saturday night. The main idea was a ‘blind
date’ for the other guy. Unfortunately on the night of the party, the other
guy was unable to go ‘ashore’ so I attended by myself.
At the party the female part of the blind date- obviously when she saw me
fell head over heels in love with me- (well that what I always tell her!!). She
was a very pretty Maltese girl- older than me (by 6 months). Her Father was in
the Navy- and her Mother was the most lovely woman I have ever known- needless
to say I got on very well with her Family. I took Emelda down to Dunedin to meet
my family.
53
The
trip was exactly the reverse of coming up to join the Navy- Train Ferry train.
When we arrived on the ferry for the overnight trip- we found that we had
both been put in the same cabin. In those days this would have been totally
improper- so we had to ask for separate cabins??
54
On
our return to Auckland arrangements were made for us to be married- this took
place on the 12th April 1955 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church at
Takapuna on Auckland’s North Shore.
55
Our
first home was a small 1-bedroom cottage on a large section (property) with one
of the best views to be had in Auckland as it overlooked the Hauraki Gulf with
about a 270o view of the sea and islands. There was no running hot water- to
have a bath we had to heat up a ‘copper’ in the washhouse. Attached to the
washhouse was the toilet which was a ‘dry ‘ affair with a can which was
changed weekly by the night soil cart’.
56
About
3 months after the wedding I was drafted to the ‘Kiwi’- we used to be used
for training duties around the various cities of New Zealand.
57
In
Picton one time we were all invited to a function put on especially for our
ship’s company by the local Navy League. This was in the form of a sit down
meal with some dancing afterwards- female partners were provided- (of course we
were all read the ‘riot Act’) and told that they were strictly partners for
the function there was no leaving the hall. Any was a photographer was present
and went around taking photos of the couples- In due course the photos were
delivered on board- and not having anything to hide and having been the pinnacle
of virtue (as well as being a good photo of your’s truly) I sent it home to
Emelda( I still have that photo to day and it still gets a response from Emelda-
I am not telling you any more about that!!!
58
Once
promoted to this rank of Petty Officer there are more responsibilities. This
included being in charge of the Operating theatre.. Which is a pretty awesome
load to carry.
59
In
1963 time to be drafted to a sea going ship, for me it was to HMNZS Taranaki,
which was a Frigate carrying approx 240 crew. No Medical Officer but I did have
a Sick berth Attendant to help. On
a warship this responsibility includes being prepared for battle conditions,
ensuring that there was always an alternative in the event of destruction of
primary facilities- so while we had a Sick Bay with 2 bunks for the sick- this
area also contained facilities for all types of emergency Surgery, as well as
the usual medical ancillaries such as x ray, laboratory testing, day to day
medical treatment much the same as a small hospital. But we had to have
duplicate emergency surgical equipment, which was set up in the Ship’s
Wardroom, where there was an installed operating theatre light as well as an
operating table. Distributed throughout the ship were numerous emergency First
aid boxes. As well as caring for
the Ship’s company from a medical treatment point of view, we had to ensure
that all had their annual medical and chest x-ray examinations were current and
up to date. But more importantly as
we were heading eventually to the far east station all the ship’s company had
to be up-to-date with their inoculations as well as vaccinations – ( this was
quite a job trying to convince the sailors that a jab was for their benefit and
they would go to al sorts of excuses to avoid them if they could. Our ship’s Programme
was that we would be heading up to Hawaii,
spending 6 weeks working up with the US Navy Fleet Training group- then we
would make our way across to Hong Kong & Singapore on the Far East Station.
We were scheduled to be away over 14 months.
60
Then
it was time to go home and break the news to Emelda, we had 2 children by this
time. But having been the Daughter of a Navy man as well as knowing what was
entailed in being married to a ‘sailor’ she handled it very well.
61
On
my return form the Far East on Taranaki I was drafted back to the Naval Hospital
and put on instructing duties. This entailed training the newly joined
Probationary Sick Berth Staff. This of course was a challenge- but also a lot of
fun.
62
In
1965 I was approached by a close friend who had actually been involved in the
Operating theatre at the Naval Hospital, he was working for Reckitt and Colman
on their Pharmaceutical Division and they wanted a representative based in
Hastings in the Hawkes Bay.
63
I
applied for the position, my application being successful, I then had to make
application the Royal NZ Navy for a discharge by purchase- I still had a year to
go on a 12 year engagement.. This
was granted and cost me the sum of 105 pounds ($210).
64
After
spending a week at the Head Office of Reckitt and Colman doing product knowledge
and training in due course I flew down to the Regional Headquarters to meet the
Area Sales Manager. I picked up my Company car which was an EJ Holden. That then
left me to make my way up to Hastings, a 4-hour drive.
65
Initially
I was given time to find somewhere for my family to live and they were moved
down to Hastings.
66
My
area covered quite a large chunk of the North Island, mainly from Te Araroa on
the East Cape right down to Featherston just north of Wellington with the City
of Palmerston North as well. I
worked a 6-week cycle, 3 weeks ‘selling’ the promotional lines to
Chemists/Pharmacies then the other 3weeks I went around the Doctors, Dentists,
Vets as well as Hospitals ‘detailing’ the Pharmaceutical products. I was
driving an average of 500 miles per week- after the Navy life this was pretty
demanding on the family- as I would usually arrive home Late Thursday, then be
off either Sunday Afternoon or early Monday morning. I had to attend a sales
conference every 6 weeks in Wellington.
67
While
the family settled in rental properties and we all enjoyed the lifestyle in
Hastings, we had still kept our House in Auckland. So it was decided that the
time had come after 3 years to return to our home.
68
I
returned to Auckland jobless, applied for some positions and while I was well
qualified to do the jobs, once I found out the facts about them I could not see
myself doing them. For example I was at that time interested and qualified to
drive Ambulances, I went for an interview to be told that I would have to spend
at least 2 years of voluntary work on a Saturday night in my own time without
any wages, on the Ambulances.
69
I
then applied for a job with the Public Service as a Chauffeur; this involved
driving Mail lorries, but other duties at times involved driving the odd VIP in
the limousines. Night shift you started with driving a car to take home staff
from the telephone exchange, then you may have to do a trip in a Mail lorry
taking bags of mail to the Railway for a train departing in the middle of the
night, this was also an enjoyable job.
70
After
about 6 months I saw an ad for the NZ Police So applied, sat the necessary tests
and was accepted.
71
On
the 12th May 1969, I was worn in as a Constable and transferred to
the Police College at Trentham Army Camp.
72
At
the age of 34 I was one of the oldest recruits of the 120 in my Recruit wing.
While we were learning Police Practice as well as the application of the
law I did not have to make too much effort – because in the main most of it
seemed to be application of common sense coupled with the time old rules of what
we thought was right and fair.
73
After
13 weeks, I graduated from the College, my most prized possession being a
Certificate of being ‘trained in First Aid’ issued by the St John’s
Ambulance- even though I had instructed it in the Navy. In fact the CPR lectures
were given to the recruits by the Police Physical Training Instructors, who once
they found out my background had me doing instructional duties there.
We had to attend classes one night a week by one of the Local St John’s
Ambulance volunteers to learn how to put on a sling and secure a fracture- of
course all the knots had to be reef knots as well in a neat line, which is of
course a bit different to what you are able to do and what you need to do among
numerous serious casualties- as well in my view First Aid is actually doing what
you can with what you have available, a bag or box containing all the proper
bandages etc is more often than not immediately available to the average person
in an emergency. Anyway, I still have my certificate.
74
From
the College I was posted to the Central Auckland Station.
75. More to come, hang in there....
76 Time to go out and front the Public, and nothing could be more daunting for the first time going to work, lining up with the other members pf your Section, The Sergeant carries out inspection to make sure you have your “appointments”- that is Baton, handcuffs and the most important item of them all is your ‘notebook’ in which you record everything, you have previously checked the big ‘Missing motor vehicle’ as well as the ‘Missing person & ‘Wanted’ boards , recording all the details in your notebook. Of course these are likely to be checked by spot inspection by the wily Sergeant. He then passes on any other additional information they think you should know, then he appoints you to your individual duties, the more Senior members are appointed to the ‘Incident ‘ cars while the newer members are appointed to beat duty. The whole process under the watchful eye of the “Duty Inspector!”