5 Things You Didn't Know About Me

1) Back in my early 20s I was an avid comper. It all started when I worked in my £7k per year first job in TV post-production and my boss bollocked me for not owning a telly. I was mad at him. How did he expect me to afford a TV on that salary? I determined if I couldn't buy a TV I would win one and so I got into entering consumer competitions, especially ones that asked for tiebreaker slogans. The plan worked and a few short months later not only did I take delivery of a huge TV with satellite system included, I was also the proud owner of my first CD player and CD collection without forking out any dosh. This hobby petered out after a few years, but brought me many interesting experiences along the way including vacations in Lisbon and Guernsey, dozens of electronic goods, a driving day at Silverstone, bicycles for my sister's children and much, much more. I also presented a Competition spot on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast with Paula Yates, ended up editing Competitor's Journal for a while and wrote a column on the subject of winning competitions for The Daily Mail.

2) I have vowed never to have my hair cut short again. The last time was about 15 years ago and as soon as the first clump of my long locks had been shorn, I sobbed through the rest of the wretched experience.

3) When I hit 40 last year I had my first mammogram. I didn't think much of it, the doctor had been telling me to have one for the past 3 years but I'd always put it off. I wish I hadn't procrastinated - in February 2007 I had to go into hospital and get a suspicious lump removed from my breast. I was very scared at the time, but luckily for me it turned out to be benign. During the whole process I had the most amazing and solid support from dear friends I've met through this blog - some even came to hospital with me to keep me company. (It was a party at my bedside!) The only problem is that I now have an ugly scar which is visible when I wear most of my favourite party dresses. Not to worry, it will fade soon enough, I'm sure. But now you've read this, if you happen to ever spot it (Oi! get your eyes off my boobs), then you'll know what happened and I've saved you the embarrassment of ever needing to ask.
On a related subject, please go and leave some kind words for my favourite New Zealand blogger, Barbara, who was very supportive of me via email during my ordeal, even though she was going through far worse of an ordeal herself. Barbara was not as lucky as me and is currently recovering from a far more serious operation.
IMPORTANT! Ladies - please don't forget to have your mammograms!

4) My mum had dreams of me playing tennis on Centre court at Wimbledon. I trained at tennis at least five times a week when I was a kid. I even qualified as a tennis coach when I was eighteen and thereafter taught little kids to play. When I left home I pretty much put my racket down for good, much to the disappointment of my family. My mum should be pleased, however, that these days I am back on the court - that'll be the Wii tennis court. Am I forgiven?

5) Last night I ate some interesting items including, but not limited to cockscomb, duck tongue, lamb neck, pig tongue and jowl. Thanks to the generous plate sharers at my table.



Thanks for Jeanne who tagged me to do this meme. I am not tagging anyone - if you want to do it - just take it and run with it.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Me