The temptation you wish you could resist?

The rest of my family love what we Brits call crisps and Americans call chips. When they are there in the house. I can’t help myself, I’ll eat them all. And yet, I don’t like them that much. They are not something I’d seek out to buy. My “bad” food snack of choice would be something more chocolate or cake based. Let’s call it chocolate cake.

Whilst on the subject, I also love chips. Real British chips that are thick cut chunks of potato double fried and served with ketchup, brown sauce, or something spicy like curry sauce.

The film you can watch time and time again?

Terminator 2. The Sarah Connor character is awesome and it was such a groundbreaking film in its time.

The person who influenced you the most?

Perhaps my father. We share a love of SF films. His big influence has been by example. Like him I rarely gossip about people. If I have negative thoughts about people, I try to keep them to myself, mostly. I’m not perfect. Over my life I learned consideration for others is a good things to aim for because there are often many sides to an argument and you can’t judge other people’s behaviour because you do not know the full reasons behind their action. I definitely put these values down to my father’s influence.

My mother exists in stark contrast. She is positively brimming with judgement an opinions that she wants to share.

The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity?

Mathematics.

The poem that touches your soul?

I pretty much avoid poetry. But sometimes it is thrust upon us.

The two epic poems by Homer have touched my life probably more than any other poetry. I have print editions of The Odyssey and The Iliad on my bookshelves and I’ve listened to audiobooks of them.

I’ve visited Greece to see the ancient sites and I have a massive tattoo featuring Greek Gods.  

The event that altered the course of your life?

Having children. Of course, I knew children would change my life, but I didn’t realise just how much.

The happiest moment you will cherish forever?

Various first moments with my first child.

I’ll never forget find out my second child was not one but two. I was expecting twins. I don’t know whether happy is quite the word I’d use, though. Continue reading →