GemmaK has tagged me to complete ”A walk down Memory Lane”

10 years ago …..
I had just finished Year One at Staffordshire University, and I had realised that the study of Historical Studies was not for me (pity I did not recall this later). In this precise month I was working as a Instructor / Head Girl at a local riding school in order to gain experience before heading off to Agricultural College to study a HND in Equine Science. I had a ex-racehorse on loan, who spent most of his time either bolting across cricket pitches or lame.

5 years ago….
I was back at university working towards a degree in History. I think, although I am not sure, that I was spending far too much time on a website called StudentUK. The beginning of that year I spent an insane weekend in Blackpool – Sarah of Once Upon a Blog was there!

1 year ago…
In January 2004 my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, by June her surgery had been completed and she was undergoing a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Last year was one of the hardest, and most unpleasant years I have ever experienced to date.

Yesterday…
I was working on several websites. I was also attempting to get my microphone working whilst chatting to Swall on MSN. I also gave Beyond Contestation a makeover.

Today…
This morning I dropped in the Suzuki at the local garage. Now I am sat nervously anticipating a telephone call announcing a big bill. I am also working on the following websites :- Paul Rowland Racing, The Equestrian, and Stylegeek. I am also working on my teams website for Blogathon 05.

Tomorrow…
Depending on the news I receive today I might spend a day down at the river with Joe. It is lovely, in one part of the river the water is shallow and there is a small beach-like area. I’ll take photos.

5 snacks I enjoy…
Olives, Crisps, Chocolate, Fruits, Crudites

5 songs I know all the words to…
One Vision, Too much love will kill you, and Headlong. All by Queen.
Why does it always rain on me? By Travis
Probably one or two more by Queen

5 things I would do with $100,000,000..
Get myself a young horse. Land, with the rest, maybe.

5 locations I would love to run away to…
The Highlands, Scotland
Cala Mondrago, Mallorca
New Zealand
Cornwall
Ireland

5 things I like doing…
Blogging, Designing websites, Horse Riding, Swimming, Walking my dog

5 things I would never wear…
Really high heels (they kill the balls of my feet), Miniskirts, Lycra shorts, a thong, fluffly slippers

5 recently seen movies I like…
Recently? It would have to be Star Wars. I’ve not really been to the cinema to see anymore than that

5 famous people I’d like to meet..
Gary Oldman
Elijah Wood
Johnny Depp
Geoffrey Rush
Mozart – bit of a shame it could never happen

5 biggest joys of the moment…
Dog, Horse, Sun, Chocolate and Irn Bru – and a bonus, I have nearly finished this.

5 favorite toys…
Computer, Digital Camera, Mobile (with camera), Joe’s squeeky toy, and my microphone

And now for the best, whom shall I tag now…

Swall
Sarah
Al
Paul
Clair

Second lot of questions, this time from Malibu, and to remind you. This seems to be the latest meme to swoop around the blogosphere. Anyone can take part, so for the benefit of those who don’t know what it is here are the rules.

* If you want to participate, leave a comment saying “interview me.”
* I will respond by asking you five questions – each person’s will be different.
* You will update your journal with the answers to the questions.
* You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
* When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

1. Two of your passions are blogging and horses. Which one would you give up if you had to choose and why?

Ouch. Blogging or horses? That’s harsh. It would have to be blogging, because nothing would come between Dub and me, not even blogging. Blogging is my retreat, my connection to something bigger and my 24/7 therapist. But horses, they are my life.

2. What do you most want from a friendship?

I am a loner. I find social situations difficult, and because of this I find it difficult to relate to people on occasion. Throughout school I didn’t have many friends, nor that many at college. But when I started university and started coming online I began to meet people I could relate to, and this was important. The ability to feel comfortable talking with someone and not feel like I was being judged and found wanting. So, in short after that pointless waffle, it would have to know that you have someone there who you can talk to with ease, is supporting and more than anything else someone who I can have a laugh with.

3. Real or fictional what it your idea of the ideal man?

I like men with spirit, an edge to them. You only have to look at the kind of men I find physically attractive, it is all in the eyes. I love eyes, full of expression and depth. A nice mouth is a necessity. I also like men who don´t have what I consider traditional good looks – James Marsters for those eyes, and his sculptured facial features, Elijah Wood for those big blue bottomless pit eyes. It always comes down to the eyes. I also like slim men, not thick muscular men.

4. If you could move to anywhere in the world where would it be and what would you do there?

Anywhere. I would love to be in New Zealand, I’ve always wanted to go there because the sports available are amazing, especially the power boating. That´s what I would do there, go power boating, horse riding, and participate in all the water sports that place has to offer.

5. And the tuff one… James Marster or Elijah Wood? Why?

Oh god. That’s an impossible choice. I like them both for those wonderful eyes and the expression that lies behind them, but that´s where the similarity ends. Perhaps James Marsters would win out for the short term, because he is such a bad boy and he’d be fun to be around (possibly annoying as hell after a while as well). Elijah, sweet blue eyed Elijah, he’s no longer a boy that is certain. He would be fun without the danger. Oh god, I can’t decide. On the spur of the moment James Marsters wins, but Elijah… oh dear. Both, I want them both god damn it.

Interview questions by One Upon a Blog

Here are my answers to Monica’s questions. I might have to add to these questions a little later, they were rushed in the end when I got sudden onset migraine

1. Since we both have said we’d prefer to live surrounded by animals than by people, I have to ask, what do you like the most in people?

If you had asked me two years ago I would have struggled to find something I liked about people. I see things a little less cynically now, because of the people I have met since then. Empathy, selflessness, and the support that people (or some people) give to each other is always something I admire.

2. What do you hate the most in people?

Selfish desire to hurt people for their own amusement is one quality that some people. I don’t understand why one person would want to hurt another for their own amusement; it is illogical to me, that someone would get anything out of watching another person in pain (either mentally or physically).

3. When I tell someone I think he/she is the most amazing (or wonderful, or whatever) person I’ve ever known, it kills me to hear “Oh, I’m not so nice”, as if it was a burden. What can’t you hear that people often say? (Or, what can’t you bear that people often do?)

I think when people reply with an “Oh, I’m not so nice” it is bourn out of feelings of insecurity, which I possess myself. The problem here is insecurity is not a quality I admire in anybody, I find it difficult to deal with (again despite the fact I suffer this myself). Words and actions bourn out of feelings of insecurity are never attractive, I can’t stand it, I can’t deal with it and it leaves me feeling uncomfortable (and I might add hurt in some cases when feelings of insecurity has driven someone to undermine me and mine).

On a less judgmental note I hate people playing themselves down when they have no need to, me included.

4. What characteristics a real friend to you has to have?

My friends are all so different that it is difficult to summarise. But I tend to find myself associating with people who are humorous, easy going and have a passion for all things internet. A couple tend to be a little ‘outside the box’ and insane, but I don’t require that in a friend, it just happens we click. In a word there aren´t’ any characteristics a real friend has to have, except those qualities I admire in people, such as understanding, empathy, and a sense of the ridiculous.

5. What keeps you blogging?

Besides an incurable addiction to the internet and narcissistic tendencies then it would have to be the people I have ‘met’ through the blog that I would not have met otherwise. The world is smaller here in the blogosphere. I have met some amazing people through this blog, with whom I have shared some unforgettable moments. I’ve realised there are people out there who genuinely want to help others, be emotionally or otherwise, and together they have restored my faith in mankind. It sounds dramatic, but it´s true. You guys, the people on my Blogroll have in some way touched me, and helped me decide where and who I want to be, and that´s why I keep blogging.

When I first started this blog in March 2001 I was in a pretty low place. I was detached, cynical and fed up with almost everything life had to offer. My only reprieve was Dub, my horse. That all changed when I started my blog (and is this sounding the saddest thing you’ve ever read?!), especially the last year or so when I met some trully spectacular people from all over the world who helped me feel a part of something, and helped me to better understand where I am, where I’m going and more importantly how to express how I feel. The credit for the latter lies completely at Monica’s door.

1. What are your two favourite pictures (paintings or photos) – one should be one of your own. Why?

Without wanting to appear self obsessed I would have to choose one of the images I have taken of myself with my new digital camera. There is one I took of me smiling. I like it because it shows who I am, the smile, and the hair all over the place. That’s me in good old black and white. My second is a drawing (am I allowed a drawing as opposed to a painting?) I did of Adam Ant when I was 16, done it charcoal I drew him as I saw him

2. You’ve been wondering about blogging a lot recently but still carry on. What would make you stop blogging?

If I felt I no longer derived anything from the experience. When blogging becomes predictable, when the community feel is no longer what it was, and when I lose the connection I have developed with fellow bloggers that is the day when I will stop blogging. Here’s to hoping that day doesn’t come.

3. You’ve been given a single ticket to anywhere in the world (with optional return if you want). Where would you go? Why?

New Zealand. I have always wanted to go there. It is an absolutely stunning country, and with the emphasis on water sports I would be in my element. Chances are I wouldn’t want the return ticket. I would like the chance to start afresh, and being able to do it in a completely different country sounds attractive. There have been many times when I have tried to escape the UK, to Spain, to the US, but never actually succeeded.

4. The thing that you think is going to go wrong with your uni application is this: you can go back, but you can either do History or Drama, not both. Which would you choose and why? (BTW – don’t worry about it. Nothing will go wrong that you won’t be able to sort out.)

That’s a tough one. History for me is like a reliable bed fellow, I know I am good at it, I know that with work and dedication it is something I could master extremely well. I love looking back at historical sources, especially the Medieval era because the study of it is so problematic – that and because it is a world far different from our own.

But drama is a new found passion. I have always wanted to act, but believed myself incapable. Last year I took the plunge and took up part time acting lessons, and after only a few months auditioned and was chosen for my first lead role in a small amateur production. As a quite often shy person people are surprised that I love performance arts as well as I do, but when I take up a role, I feel that I can become someone else. That the Eliza I know is left behind and I take on my characters persona and outlook. Obviously there is some blending of characters as I have to put something of myself into the role. I love that, the creation of a character, the expression…

So, if I were to return to university and had to chose between them the choice would be between the old reliable and the new improved obsession really, and I just don’t know which I would chose. In the end I believe it would come down to financing and time constraints. If I were to go for a pure acting or drama course I would have to commit to three years at university, as it stands with history and drama I only have to commit to one and a half years. But the benefits of acting or drama I feel would outweigh the timing and extra financial burden if I were to make a success of it.

5. What fifth question would you ask yourself? What’s the answer?

I’m going to interpret this as a question I would have liked to have been asked. I would chose one of Lyle’s questions to you. What is the thing you would most want to change about yourself?

My hair, I’d like it to be sleek and perfect, rather than permanently ruffled. No matter how hard I try it will never look ‘nice and tidy’. I’d like smaller boobs, yep, now I admit to something like this on my public blog, but its true, I’d like smaller boobs. Its not fun riding a horse unless I’m wearing a whale boned hammock you know!. I’d like lovely slim legs that would fit into standard width riding boots, but no, because I am a swimmer I have muscles there, and damn it they just are too big. I’d like to have lovely fingers again, I used to have nice hands until I started working with horses, now they are damaged and sore. I’d like to be less on edge around people.

Interview questions supplied by Dragons Mind