Q and A

I have been tagged by Gemma of helloitsgemma and Jane of How I like my Coffee.  I am actually really excited about this one, because as Gemma correctly predicted, I am a big Guardian reader and like Gemma have tried on many occasions to concoct my own answers to this Q and A while reading the answers of famous people.  I even noticed that some of the Guardian questions are mysteriously missing, that's how much of a fan I am.  So where did they go?

Anyway now I will get on with it before you put me in the first of three categories you have to pigeonhole me into (according to the legend that accompanies this meme):
  a. ‘KNOB’ b. ‘nice person’ c. ‘I’d go for a pint with youers’ (yours?)

Which living person do you most admire, and why?
No one single person holds the key to the universe.  My mum left me lots of keys though, and lives on in my huge admiration.  I admire my Dad and brother their strength and determination.   I admire my husband for being a fearless entrepreneur.
When were you happiest?
My wedding day, and when each of my children (finally) arrived.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
Farting in yoga.  It did however, give me and my friend the biggest laugh afterwards.
Aside from property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
Our caravan
What is your most treasured possession?
Although it pains me to keep it, an ansaphone message from my mum.
Where would you like to live?
Brighton, for the third and final time please.
What’s your favourite smell?
Herbs in our garden.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
I did a Drama degree, so I reckon I would like to give it a whirl.
What is your favourite book?
1984, by George Orwell
What is your most unappealing habit?
Getting on my soapbox without thinking of the circumstances of the person I am talking to. That or caring too much what other people think.
What would be your fancy dress costume of choice?
Something glamorous please. Too many rubbish experiences.

What is your earliest memory?
My baby brother falling downstairs in his carrycot. My mum in her psychological wisdom, always said it was either a false memory, or wishful 2 year old thinking.  If so, then it is watching the stars through a skylight whilst singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Glee by the box set
What do you owe your parents?
A liberal, loving upbringing
To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
Those friends who have been a big part of my life and then slipped away again.  Friendship is a funny thing, some of the best ones are fleeting.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Mr Alexander and the extension of that love, our children.
What does love feel like?
Swinging on a trapeze with a safety net you know will always catch you.
What was the best kiss of your life?
Bar Cuba, Macclesfield, August 1998.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Lovely. Cool. Fab.
What is the worst job you’ve done?
Chambermaid at the Grand Hotel Brighton, but it did inspire ten chapters of a novel.
If you could edit your past, what would you change?
On leaving university I would have opened the door marked Journalist, but then perhaps I would be asking for a different door now if I had.
What is the closest you’ve come to death?
Leaving Montreal on the last day of our honeymoon, our taxi sailed through a huge pile up.  We watched it from the rear window. It was the most surreal thing to drive away and take a plane home, leaving carnage behind.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Individually, my degree result.  As a team, my marriage and my children.
When did you last cry, and why?
Tonight when I put my daughter to bed, she told me she had dreamt my mum was still alive.
How do you relax?
Running, yoga, writing, blogging, with friends, with Mr A, watching Disneys as a family.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
More time to write.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Live in the now.

I am tagging Imperfect Pages, for the wise words of a philosopher, Helen at Casa Costello because we have an expensive possession in common, Headhuntress in Hampshire because she is absolutely fascinating and Witwitwoo because we just 'met' and I would like to know more.

Just a bit of light holiday reading

4.30pm
Full of cold. Why does holiday spell immune system breakdown! Decided this holiday must have been more needed than I realised. Read about Eat Pray Love in OH's rejected copy of The Times. I am a Guardian reader normally so it takes a bit of getting used to, but some good articles. Can't believe the whole Eat Pray Love book/film/merchandise opportunity has passed me by. Majorly interesting. Especially a point about our grandmothers not having the choices we have now, and so not having the neurosis that goes with 'should I have gone to art school' type decisions. In some ways life is simpler without so much choice. Although my Grandma worked, I always felt she was better at finding pleasure in simple things cooking, gardening, crosswords, than my generation will ever be.

I keep typing Eat Sleep Pray instead, what does that say about me- hungry and tired? (Finding vegetarian food here is ok, lots of egg and chips. Salads are great though. Wish paella was more often found in veggie format).

Also read great article in Company mag about full time mums. Not my usual read either, but loved seeding a celebration of those who choose to mum and not chase everything or 'juggle blackberries and baby bottles' as the caption ran. It really is rare that' just being a mum' is celebrated and glamorised. OK so we know it isn't a glamorous job really, but I really think the photos and profiles raised the profile of mothering. Some gorgeous shots of mums and their kids who were really loving their time together. And the message that it is fine to just be a mum, that it is a positive lifestyle choice, if that's what you want of course. I particularly liked the profile of the ex journalist who used blogging as a creative outlet. But the message seemed to be that you needed an outlet as well as motherhood, a social network, virtual or otherwise.
Fully aware that these things are very personal choices. My own views on motherhood change weekly, sometimes I love not working, other days I feel like I am missing out. Last month I would probably have flung an article like that at the wall, this month it made me feel really positive about my status. (I am studying, after four years I decided I couldn't just be a mum. But those four years were brilliant).
Both these articles raised different issues for me about the status of women in society and the complex new ground my generation negotiates on a daily basis. Hmmm, might try and find a trashy novel, this is meant to be a holiday after all.

10.25
Very snotty, have a full on summer head cold yuk. Have been sleepy, grumpy and irritable all day whilst trying to pretend it's no big deal. Sorry lovely family. Still happy times and a reality check or two. Kids don't like Spanish food so why bother, kids need a routine or they can't cope. Tomorrow will see sandwiches, fruit snacks and no three hour hanging round the villa trying to pretend we don't have kids to entertain! So weird to be on this kind of holiday with two kids. Have seen lots of couples with one under five but very few with two. Are we therefore mad? OH leaves for mid holiday business trip tom, feeling slightly apprehensive, mainly about the steep incline from beach to villa with kids and beach bag, but like anything I set out to do on my own with the kids, it will prob prove to be a really special bonding adventure. (In other words, a day of bribes and anything goes to survive ;)
Nearly lost all our swimming costumes to the washing machine today after I managed to pull the handle off trying to open it. Fortunately OH rescued the situation with a coat hanger and a torch.
Still working my way through the paper. Read about the pope, still trying to work out how I feel about his comments about atheism. Also the position of women and homosexuals in his religion and the safeguarding of children. The Times finally went in the bin after OH knocked wine over it. Not before I read about the spy found in a holdall. Blimey, poor bloke having his autoerotic sexual practices on page one of The Sunday Times. Wierd world. Anyway enough serious thought for one holiday, it really was time for The Times to leave my brain to mariande in sangria and trashy novels.

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