I’ve decided to keep with the light-hearted theme of this past week until Monday, when frugal blogging will return as normal! Over the next few days I hope to catch up with all the meme’s and tags I was given, which I never got around to posting!
10 Random Weird Facts About Me (oops, I wrote 15!):
1. I went to an exceptionally elite private school (the type people put their children’s names down from birth and attend because their mothers, grand-mothers and great-grandmothers did!), where I had a celebrity for a teacher and the school has a very long list of notable graduates. Several of my friends as a young child were children of very well-known celebrities. Having said all of that, I did not fit in (and was certainly the poorest in the year, if not the whole school!) and have not kept in touch with any of my classmates. While I found there was an incredible model of philanthropy and service was engrained from a young age (including regular volunteer work as a part of our lessons), I found the privilege sickening, particularly the attitudes of the international borders! [On a side note, when I eventually pleaded enough to be allowed to go to state school, I found attitudes that were not that dissimilar, in many ways they were worse as there was certainly far less compassion towards others. I'm an idealist who believes people do genuinely care about people, every now and then I'm reminded some really don't!]
2. I am an exceptionally private person, which always makes this blog seem slightly ironic. To understand just how private I am, several friends jokingly call me “the celebrity” because I almost always wear dark sunglasses in public (see this look/picture as an example with the sunglasses), I don’t like my life being discussed at all and I don’t like gossip or discussing other’s lives either! There is nothing that makes me more uncomfortable than a friend telling you all about the life of one of his/her friends, I figure if someone wanted you to know about their lives they would tell you themselves!
3. I often feel a tension culturally between being British and being Canadian. The best way I can describe this is that at the macro level I feel exceptionally English but at the micro level I feel Canadian. I very much see myself as British when it comes to style, domestic and international policies/politics and education. However, all of my close friends are in Canada which brings with it a significant pull and I enjoy the sense of personal freedom found in Canadians and myself when here. There is something about the new world that is liberating although with that there is a tension that the converse must be true too. Of course, the truth is I’m a New Yorker at heart 
[and if anyone is offering, I would move there in an instant!] On a deeper level, I often wonder if growing up in different countries makes one miss a cultural identity, although on another level, perhaps that is a good thing…
4. I feel a similar tension when it comes to city/country living. There is nothing I enjoy more than losing myself in a museum or gallery, reading the paper in little cafes, listening to talks on art, culture, religion and politics and I love the diversity of city living, yet the country pulls me just as profoundly. Part of me thinks the ideal is a city pad and a country home, but then I read for every second home someone owns it makes 3 families homeless (by raising the value of the market), suddenly owning any more than one home is not at all attractive!
5. I adore the film Love Actually (Britain at it’s best!), but two things about the film really bother me – firstly I think the nudity was unnecessary, secondly I don’t understand why at the end all the character’s stories are given an ending except Laura Linney’s. I wonder if the decision in itself was a statement of the profound loss of her “life” due to her caring responsibilities for her brother with intellectual and mental health disabilities, but perhaps it would have been better had they had a scene to either depict that her life continued lost in her role or show her character in a happier place.
6. I am always surprised when people don’t know about Road To Avonlea - perhaps the greatest Canadian treasure, very similar to Anne Of Green Gables (with many of the same cast!). I grew up with the program and find myself agreeing with Sarah Polley’s politics in interviews (she too has scepticism about national pride and sponsorship in the media). I also find it interesting that most of the main characters are/were actually British! When you actually research great Canadian journalists and actors/actresses, you do find that many of them began their lives in England and then moved to Canada.
7. I listen to music constantly, from every single genre and style. When I’m walking, dancing, talking, reading, deep in thought/emotion or watching something I’m always thinking of the perfect accompaniment. My love of music has me dancing most days, whether it’s on the balcony, while washing the dishes or simply around the room just to celebrate life!
8. I despise weddings – absolutely can not stand them! The thought of going to one makes me feel sick, the thought of being in one fills me with dread. Elopement = my perfect wedding, followed by dancing in a candle lit field. Total cost around $100.
9. I adore Tony Blair, absolutely and completely am enamored by that man. I love his passion, the fact (I believe!) he cares. I don’t agree with all his decisions and I do think he tried too hard to appeal to pop-culture politics, but I believe he believed what he said was true at the time. To demonstrate how great my love of Tony is, when I was here I actually asked to be in his old College/room! I got my wish…[btw my old employer was friends with Tony @ Uni, but sadly wasn't willing to re-kindle the friendship to introduce us!]
10. I have strong faith, but I struggle to understand the lack of compassion, judgement of others and ignorance of many people who claim faith (I think many of them exist in a bubble and don’t understand how biased the reporters/critics/politicians/presenters they listen to are which play into the Middle England/Middle America/Middle Canada xenophobes). To me my faith should make me want to stand up for the oppressed, love others, show kindness in adversity and love always. My faith in many ways makes me conservative with myself (remember I’m referred to as the good “Catholic” girl) but more understanding and loving towards others (or at least that is my hope and what I strive to although I’m positive I fail daily!)
11. I believe imperialism is sadly very alive and well today and people don’t understand they are being used as bait!
12. It makes me feel sick when people use the explanation of being hard-working for becoming wealthy. Recently a member of the Dragon’s Den panel here in Canada made that comment and sadly it was not investigated further by the journalist interviewing him. Of course hard work helps, but like a wise Canadian reader here said in another post (psychSarah I think that was you!) not everyone starts on home base. Also, if we believe it is hard work that makes on rich financially, the converse must be true. Let me tell you people working 20 hours in sweat shops are not lazy. Thankfully my friend Fitzy heard the interview and had the same feelings – since I was struggling that day with how people are treating the poor, knowing someone else cared helped!
13. I struggle with the media in North America (except Charlie Rose). I feel often they only scratch the surface of the issues and leave me with many more questions. Thankfully CBC radio mostly gets it right. For those who don’t know CBC Radio 1 is like BBC Radio 4 without the stuffiness! [in the US they are like NPR]
14. My celebrity crushes are terrible, on the UK side we have: Colin Firth (as I have mentioned 1,001,000 times before and how I wish I could tell him how ardently I admire him for his political and human rights views!), Tony Blair, Andrew Marr (political journalist), Richard Armitage, Chiwetel Ejofor, James Martin, James McAvoy, Andrew Lincoln, Nigel Harman (British actor, who winked at me twice in real life!), Chris Moyles (poor Mr Moyles is certainly not quite like the others…). This side of the pond it’s: Jian Ghomeshi (Iranian-British-Canadian journalist!), George Stroumboulopoulos and Jason Thompson. The vast majority of these men appeal to my political side, er not sure what that says about how romantic I am…!
15. I seriously contemplated being in this service or this one but then my friend Simon who is a policeman basically told me what the reality would be like. Since I am a total wimp who is anti-guns (even for police, and it makes me swell with pride that the UK police have remained gun free for the average police officer), the reality left me shaking and we both agreed over a drink maybe “they” aren’t calling my name! Ha!
I tag:
- Four Miles North Of Nowhere
- Better Than Good
- Stepping Back
- Creating Our Joy
- Go Placidly
- Living Simple Frugality
- Snap That Penny
- Move To Portugal
- Light Is Fading
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This is going to sound very strange but your life always reminds me of the life of a celebrity or someone who ends up achieving great things. Your background is rich in education and understanding which comes from having experiences but not money, your political awareness and ability to push yourself to understand and contribute to the world is inspiring. When I read this I thought I was reading an interview with a top actress, presenter or campaigner. I believe you are headed towards a very big thing FT! Have you ever considered acting or journalism?
Thanks for the nice compliment! I did act a lot as a child, I can’t imagine doing it now though! However, in the next 3 years I do plan a major change of profession…! Re: journalism, I’m not a good enough writer to do it for work, so that’s a bit of a pipe dream!
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Great post! I’d say it’s more than just random facts-it speaks of where you’ve come from and how you’ve developed your philosophy and approach to the world.
Very interesting and enlightening.
About Love Actually…this is my most favourite movie ever!! I watch it every year 5 weeks before Christmas (when the movie starts-I’m such a geek that way). I have thought often about the Laura Linney story line, initially feeling the same way, that they didn’t finish it or give it a sense of completion. Upon further reflection, I started to see it as yet another kind of love (as so many types of love were depicted in the film). Although she didn’t end up with Carl, they show her with her brother at the hospital/home on Christmas, putting a scarf around his neck. I figured that meant that she chose that love and committment to her brother, over the traditional romantic relationship. I find this kind of sad, as she was sacrificing a part of her life for her brother’s well being, but also kind of admirable, given how many people with mental health/intellectual disabilities are ignored or scorned by society and even their families in some cases.
Also, about #12… I saw an interesting segment of an interview with Malcolm Gladwell the other day on TV, where he tore apart the myth of the so-called, “self-made man”. He had stats that showed that some of the most successful entrepenuers of all time had timing and circumstance on their side. He agreed that these people had worked hard, but they also had a leg up by virtue of where and when they were born. Just more evidence that not everyone has the same “starting line” for success in our society.
BTW-I also adore Jian
I missed him over the summer when they had other hosts on Q. It just wasn’t the same without him!
We sure do have a lot in common! Very true re Laura Linney’s character, I guess I was the idealist looking for the 1 month later finale. That’s very interesting re Malcolm Gladwell, I’ll look out for the interview.
And Jian. Seriously. I don’t know how he could arrange to be away when I arrived, I was very upset when I turned on my radio and didn’t find him there…thankfully he is back. When he begins the program will “well hello there” I go weak at the knees. You do know the other day he officially said he was single…!
The Malcolm Gladwell interview was with Seamus O’Reagen. I think the show was The O’Reagen Files or something like that.
Hmmmm…Jian’s single eh? Perhaps you should use your celebrity connections to set up a meeting?
Maybe one day there will be a “director’s cut” of Love Actually and Laura Linney and hot Carl will be catching a plane to elope at the end-hey, a girl can dream right?
I have no celebrity connections! lol
Yes, I almost chocked on my cereal when Jian said he was single! How is a man like that single??
We can hope re Love Actually. I don’t mind if they didn’t end up together, but when they cut to 1 month later, she was the only character they didn’t show and I know many people thought it was odd!
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Ooh another Love Actually fan here too, absolutely adore that movie, and Andrew Lincoln! I love the scene where he comes to Keira’s door with his placards, so sweet! Gets me every time
Very interesting read today Miss FT, thanks for sharing
Oh Judy, that scene has to be the best. In my opinion it is the perfect way to be proposed to. And while I very much value the sanctity of marriage I was ever so dissapointed she didn’t end up with Mr Lincoln! lol
IVery interesting facts and I think they mostly shine through in your posts. I fully understand the conflict of having two different backgrounds. I am Canadian by birth (Montreal) but we left when I was a mere 6 months. My mother was German but was rather liberated in her attitude to life and tried to take on what was around her in her own way. We moved to Australia, where because of my non-Australian heritage in the ’60′s I was always different. This became really apparent, when in 1970, we moved to Papua New Guinea, then an Australian territory. There I had it driven home by some English friends that I was not Canadian (which I had always thought I was) and I knew I was not Australian in the true sense. Then I came back to Australia feeling like I belonged in New Guinea but really I lacked identity. No one around me had had my experience in the islands. No one else could relate to my love for it. I was a nothing. That was when I decided to be a Jehovah’s Witness. I didn’t need a national identity because I belonged to an impartial religion which didn’t differentiate on basis of colour or nationality. I still warn parents who take their children for extended periods overseas what they are doing to their children. It’s great to have a broad view of the world but they will always be different to the general public around them. Cherrie
Cherrie, I can relate to so much of what you shared. I think it is exceptionally hard for the children of immigrants who grow up in more than one culture. It is exceptionally hard at times to share memories of childhood no one else has.
There is so much to consider when choosing countries and certainly being away from our culture and family is a significant consideration when you plan to have children!
Ooh, what fun! I actually have some time to myself this weekend so I will get on this list tomorrow.
I don’t listen to a lot of radio here, but will make an effort to listen to Jian since he comes so highly recommended!
Another huge fan of Love Actually here, my favourite storyline is Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman (two of my favourite actors and I always have to watch Sense and Sensibility after I see Love Actually). The scene when Emma has a little cry when she knows the necklace is for someone else, then wipes her tears and goes back to her family is heart wrenching….
Excellent storyline – sadly I think the state of many relationships. The moment is made more profound by the music (a personal favourite of mine – Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell).
You will love Jian the program is Q at 10 am CBC Radio 1!
My favorite part of that story is when she confronts him about it. “you’ve made the life I lead foolish too” was just so heartbreaking.
That line is powerful, I’m sure most of us can relate that someone has made our life seem foolish I know I certainly have!
Haha, I know what you mean about weddings – we managed to make ours as fun and small as we wanted, not one of those humungously expensive affairs…
We got married in NZ (land of hubby) and hired a sailing ship – marriage licence was fine with this so long as we updated the certificate with the actual bay we were moored in for the ceremony. A friend of the family married us, then we all had a bbq-type meal and helped sail back to the harbour. Numbers were restricted by the size of the ship, and my “wedding dress” cost about £40.
Tbh our guests from the UK (my home country) probably spent more on tickets than we did on the wedding (we were living in Australia at the time), which was one reason why we wanted to do something fun – couldn’t really ask them to come all that way (especially my 88 year old grannie, the last and biggest adventure of her life!) without organising something fairly exciting
As for being torn between countries.. I’m half-Brit, half-French and always thought I should try living in Canada one day *lol* Unfortunately got sidetracked by this Kiwi fella.. We’re about to emigrate permanently to NZ, fingers crossed that it feels like home one day..
That sure does sound like a lot of fun Sophie!! I’d probably like that wedding
I also despise weddings, if I ever get married I’d like it to be us, a few friends/family, and a beach in Vancouver. I have absolutely ZERO interest in ‘a big church do’.
And yes, okay, I’ll do it soon
That sounds nice! I even dislike the parties afterwards. Seriously yuck, way to pretentious for me!!
Beach in VA sounds lovely!
Colin Firth is just well…very yummy!
Couldn’t have said it better myself!
I did 20 things about me here in May 2010 if you are interested
http://my-words-in-the-wind.blogspot.com/2010/05/20-things-about-me.html
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I’ll have a read later! I love these things!
Ooo! I think I’ve been tagged- does that mean I have to do a list to??! I love Colin Firth too, and, embarrassingly I have a crush on James May from Top Gear- Shhh- it’s a secret ;0)
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Richard Armitage = MINE. Ha ha! He is my screensaver on this comp, too. <3
You are going to be jealous….I saw him once in Sainsbury’s in London. He has a lovely smile
NO FAIR! And in response to the note you left me wondering how I knew him, two words: BBC AMERICA.
Oooh such a gem. BBC Canada is better now than it was the last time I was here and I think gets Robin Hood, but no Eastenders!
He was as lovely and gentlemanly as I thought and yes I could tell all that from his smile
Ok- I’ve done mine! See here -> http://livingsimplefrugality.blogspot.com/
Thanks
Awesome, I’ll read later!!
I can relate to the pull between town & country.
I adore the city. The culture and the access to so much entertainment etc.
Should I get the job I’ve interviewed for, we will likely live in a smaller town but can walk to the country. I think it might be a good balance for me.
As for Road to Avonlea, I think most Canadians feel bombarded by Canadian TV series of this nature. I liked it when I was a kid, but I’d prefer not to watch it as an adult.
I’m pretty sweet on George Stroumboulopoulos too.
I adore George Stombonpol
You’d love Feist in concert (have seen her twice…so far!). She’s my favourite singer!
Heard George Stroumboulopoulos say he loved Love Actually! Thought of you!
oops…forgot to do my tag… gonna go work on it.
Hey thanks by the way 
Not sure I have random facts to share…hhhhmmmm
Can’t wait to read it