Life Outside the B.G.O.

[Lady Lazarus]

I was just curious (well, nosey!) as to what people do ouside of this forum, and thought maybe we could write a little intro about ourselves here... just some basic info like age, which part of the world we live, what we study / do for a living, which writers / books we love, that sort of thing...

Seeing as I suggested it, I should kick-off I guess :rolleyes: ...

I'm 28, live in London (but originally from Newcastle), work as a nurse, and other interests include creative writing, yoga, and teaching myself to play jazz piano. My favourite writer of all time is Truman Capote (particularly love his short stories), and my favourite books are Shutter Island (Dennis Lehane), A Suitable Boy (Vikram Seth), The Secret History (Donna Tartt).

[Harriet]

I'm 15, live in Surrey, just about 10 miles from Central London. I'm still at school, studying for GCSEs. Other interests include shopping, meeting friends, piano (classical) and watching comedy i.e. Monty Python, Blackadder etc

[My Friend Jack]

I'm... old enough to be your parent! Originally from Reading, I now live in West Sussex in the south-east of England. I work in the IT industry, where I buy things.

I support Reading FC, I am an avid listener to and collector of music. I have kept details of how many times I have played every track in my record / CD / MD collection since 1974, and I use that information to compile my own weekly charts of which I am currently doing a complete update.

I have too many favourite records and books to be able to pick any that deserve a mention above the rest. However, my most-played song ever is "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" by Jimmy Ruffin; most-played album is Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon;" most-read books are Frank Herbert's "Dune" saga.

[Lady Lazarus]

most-played album is Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon;"

Aah I have to agree that this is probably one of my most played as well!

[Opal]

I'm 20, I'm originally from Somerset, but now spend the majority of my time in Nottingham where I'm halfway through studying for a Maths degree. I like being a student, although there suddenly seems to be so much work involved that I don't seem to have time to read as much as I used to which is kinda sad, but I'm going to make an effort this year to make time for reading!

I've always been into science fiction/ fantasy novels, although I do read other stuff when I get the chance. I'd have to say my favourite author is Terry Pratchett. I've read all his Discworld books and absolutely love them!

As for music, I don't quite know how to classify the stuff I like. Mostly I listen to Muse, REM, Pink, Snow Patrol (my new favourite since I saw them at Glastonbury in the summer!), Busted (I blame my little sister!), Matchbox 20, Mike Oldfield... actually thats a bit of a weird mix... :confused:

And I spend far too much time surfing (and "acquiring" music, films etc) on the internet! I think I may be turning into a geek... :(

[Darkstar]

I'm.... pretty ancient. I live in Edinburgh where I've spent most of my life, although I enjoy travelling to off the beaten track type places. To pay the mortgage I train elderly people how to use computers, which can be fun and frustrating. I'm also a writer, but I don't get paid for that yet.

I read an odd mixture of SF, fantasy and historical novels. Current favourites are Patrick O'Brien, Alan Garner, and Lyndsey Davis.

I spend far too much time online, either on my blog or in various online communities I'm a member of, or writing. Definitely a geek. :cool:

[Just RY]

Another Reading FC supporter here - originally from Reading, but now live in North Carolina USA.

Books to me are "mind candy", I started enjoying reading much more when I didn't have to study the books, I despised English lit in school, as a result, I struggle with many of the so called classics

Not too sure about being able to name fave authors it would change daily, but as a genre, I love the 'end of the world' books, also WW1 fiction (All quiet on the Western Front etc) - although there really doesn't seem to be a lot of it about.

I am three pages into my own novel - have been for over a year, but I am convinced there is a book in me at some point in my life, I just have to learn to write first!

[Lei-Lei Jayenne]

I'm 28, live in East London, though originally a Devon country-girl. I play bass in a band, write songs and stories etc, though not professionally.....yet.
I'm hoping to start an archaeology course later this year.

I'm into all kinds of books. A big fan of fantasy, like Sara Douglas' Axis trilogy and of course, Lord of the Rings. I'm currently attempting to read as many of Emile Zola's Rougons-Macquart cycle as I can find.

I spend far too much time watching films, particularly love French cinema, though my current favourite films are The Indian Runner and Badlands (note the Bruce Springsteen link). My favourite actors are Viggo Mortensen, Vincent Cassel, Monica Belluci and Nicole Kidman.

Music-wise, my tastes are wide. Alt-country, indie, r'n'r etc etc. Fave bands include; The Stooges, Ride and Smashing Pumpkins, though my all-time music hero is His Royal Badness Prince.

[Sideshow Meg]

I'm Meg, 15 from the Portsmouth area. My favourite writer is probably Joe Keenan but also P.G Wodehouse. my fvaourite tv show is Frasier as some may already now, favourite band is green Day and favourite actor is David Hyde Pierce and favourite actress is Kirstie Alley but i admire the hell out of Jane Leeves for following her dream.

I also write lyrics and also am currently writing a sitcom with my friend Michelle

Love languages and have now taken to correcting grammar and shouting at thoe who spell it grammer

I'm odd, get used to it

[Fred Ricketts]

I'm 42, married and have two daughters (13 & 15). We live out in the sticks -
The Hideous Fen of Huge Bigness in Cambridgeshire. I'm paid to be a telecommunications technician. Being that much older than some of you my musical tastes may be more varied but I try to keep current and I've got The Kings of Leon, The Thrills and stuff like that in my collection although it's not unknown for me to listen to Andy Williams when I've got my cardigan on.

I read as much as I can with John Irving, Ian Rankin, John Steinbeck, Martin Amis being some of my favourites.

My personal attempts at being creative have failed miserably. The band I was in my 20's - The Approachable Pigeons - failed to gig outside the Ely area and my web-soap (which I re-wrote into a novel) has been rejected by 26 literary agents. It's all been good fun though.

[Granny weatherwax]

I'm in my 30's, I live in South Cambridgeshire with my partner, we have 2 cats :D

I like all kinds of music ranging from Genesis to Wanger, I must admit I can't stand most of what is in the charts.
I am interested in history, science, the environment and conservation.
When I'm not surfing the web or at work I'm usually reading a book or doing some cross stitch which for those that don't know is a type of embriodery.

I enjoy reading books by the likes of Terry Pratchett, Jeffery Deaver and Stephen King but I don't really have a favourite author.

My favourite book of all time is Of Mice and men by John Steinbeck. :)

[Claire]

I'm 30 - and it still feels really wierd to say that, after ages and ages (well, 10 years, I guess :rolleyes: ) of being 20-something.

I haven't been properly employed for ages, cos I've been at home with my two kids, but I've done a bit of freelance writing and editing here and there - and I still get a huge kick out of being paid for it!

My eldest is at school now, and the youngest will be soon, so I'm beginning to think (with great glee and anticipation ;) ) about returning to the "growed-up world" My favourite scheme at the moment is training as a vicar - but I'm still thinking about it....

Favourite Books and Authors - oh, just too many to choose from. I'll give pretty much anything a go. Some recent favourites are, "I, Claudius", by, someone or other, Katherine Mansfields short stories - Terry Prattchet, always....some Sci-Fi, some older stuff, like Jane Austen and assorted Brontes....

TV - I want more Scrubs and more Green Wing, please. And I'm addicted to CSI. And lots and lots of films to watch - again, pretty much anything, but if it's the type that makes you talk about it for ages afterwards, so much the better.

Taste in Music - too cheesy and embarrassing to mention :D

I live in Yorkshire, so I walk on the moors a fair bit - and I do some Life Drawing at an evening class - which is one of the best things I've ever done - it's wonderful!

[Harriet]

Well, seeing as everyone else has written so much I guess I should put a bit more...(using Claire's post as a template!!!)

As I said before, I live in Surrey, I'm 15 and still at school studying for GCSEs...

Favourite books and authors: I've just finished re-reading About a Boy and REALLY enjoyed it, so I'd like to read some more Nick Hornby. But my favourite book/author of all time (at the moment!!!) is probably Terry Pratchett and the Discworld series!

Taste in music: Constantly changing....I've always been into people like Elton John and Queen, and always despised R 'n' B but I also used to really not like Rock music, but after my friends found out about this they have bombarded me with records and I've started to get into more stuff like Green Day, Nirvana, Franz Ferdinand, Led Zeppelin etc, but I will always despise R 'n' B. Manufactured bands annoy me, and I couldn't really care less that Busted have split up.

Films: I love old films, musicals and action films. I'm not really into the whole rom-com thing, I prefer films that have more to them and aren't completely predictable. My favourite film of all time is Singin' in the Rain, but I also love ALL the Disney films, especially the classics like Jungle Book and Snow White (apart from the new ones and the rubbish sequels)

TV: I really like light, funny programs like Friends, Monty Python and Blackadder, and some documentaries on foreign countries.

[My Friend Jack]

Harriet - when you say you despise R'n'B, I assume you mean the type of music that has been tagged R'n'B in the last decade or so. All rhythm and no blues! I have to say, I'm generally with you on that. However, R'n'B was coined as a phrase to describe what was essentially "black American" music some 40+ years ago (now I come to think of it, I'm not entirely sure when the phrase crept into common use - anyone?). The reason I mention it is that Led Zeppelin (for whom I share your admiration - have you seen the DVDs that came out in 2003?) were hugely influenced by some of the pioneers of proper R'n'B. If you're into downloading, try getting a couple of tracks by Muddy Waters (Mannish Boy, I'm A Man...) - you might need to hear them a few times, but believe me, they will grow on you, and they really ARE R'n'B.

[Dream Weaver]

I think I'm right is saying that the modern R'n'B stands for Rhythm'n'Bass. Whose crass and ignorant idea was it to use the same abbreviation as another, much older genre; one without which rock'n'roll would not exist? Ask the likes of Keith Richards and Jimmy Page who their heroes are, and they will all be R'n'B or bluesmen.

[My Friend Jack]

Thanks, DW, I must admit it had never occurred to me that the "B" would stand for anything other than Blues, but it makes perfect sense as these records contain little apart from rhythm and bass. As for whose idea... probably a marketing executive at an American record company!

[Deinonychus]

How many genres of music have had their names snaffled in the recent past, eh? 'Hardcore' is one. 'Garage' is another: to me it'll always mean a bunch of one-take rock 'n' roll bands from the West coast of the US (ie The Bobby Fuller Four onward) and their ilk...

Anyway - as you were!

[My Friend Jack]

Would you believe, I was listening to a Bobby Fuller Four track only yesterday - "Love's Made a Fool Of You." Have you stumbled across the two 4-CD sets of Nuggets? First one is mostly American garage-punk-psych from about 64 to 68, second one covers similar stuff from the rest of the world.

[Fred Ricketts]

Are you sure about that DW? I thought that R & B was still Rhythm & Blues but it was just a surpise that some soul acts are now classed as R & B. And, thinking about it, the rhythm section of a band is the bass and drums so Rhythm and Bass wouldn't make sense.

However, I stand to be corrected :)

[Opal]

I must admit it had never occurred to me that the "B" would stand for anything other than Blues
And I was beginning to think there was nothing you didn't know about music! :p

As for whether it's "bass" or "blues", if you go into a club on an R'n'B night (never a good idea in my opinion!), there's no sign of anything blue's related, so I'd guess it stands for bass now.

A question for you music buffs out there:
What would you count as "punk" music? I've recently started listening to a bit of Green Day, and Windows Media Player informs me that it's catagorised as punk. Somehow that doesn't seem right to me. Is it me thats getting it wrong, or just yet another WMP error? :confused:

[My Friend Jack]

Fiona - you'd probably get a different answer from some of the older posters on here than you would from some younger ones.

"Punk" was originally developed in the 60s, but it never really caught on commercially (as a genre) at the time. In the 60s, it was essentially American, and was often described as "garage rock" because it was supposedly rehearsed and played in the garages of America.

In the mid-1970s, I remember seeing the Troggs described as the "first British punk band." This was before punk caught on with the media in 1976/7. Most people would regard punk as a 70s phenomenon - and an essentially British one - and I wouldn't disagree with that (you just need to be aware that the term, and the style of music, originated overseas some years earlier).

When punk took off in 1977, bands like the Sex Pistols, the Clash and the Stranglers led the way. With hindsight, a lot of the other bands who appeared to be punk probably weren't - in fact, some definitely weren't! The problem was, that ANY new band got labelled as punk in 1977/8. That included pub rock, power pop, even mod-revivalists. So bands like the Boomtown Rats, the Motors and even The Jam were perceived as punk.

Gradually, the media (well, the NME) began using the term "new wave" to describe new bands which were attempting to sweep away the remains of pomp, glam and prog rock.

Looking back now, I'd say that punk was as much about attitude and clothes as it was about music. The world has moved on ;) and I'm not sure that Green Day or anyone else should be considered punk - surely there's a new phrase waiting to be coined?

Er - now I've forgotten what the question was. Oh yes, I remember. No, probably not an error, by modern standards they might be considered punk, but - as Max Bygraves one said - fings ain't wot they used t'be!

[Deinonychus]

Can I rather pedantically say that The Stranglers themselves weren't really punk, either? They started out as a mainstream rock act around 1973 (when they penned the rather winsome 1982 Top Tenner 'Strange Little Girl' among others) and three years on had it 'suggested' to them that they might toughen their image to fit with the new wave: the result was that they became one of the most successful bands of the era. 'Angry psychedelic' was an NME tag given them that I quite liked at the time...

Those 'Nuggets' compilations all look great - must get me some of those babies!

[Harriet]

Harriet - when you say you despise R'n'B, I assume you mean the type of music that has been tagged R'n'B in the last decade or so. All rhythm and no blues! I have to say, I'm generally with you on that. However, R'n'B was coined as a phrase to describe what was essentially "black American" music some 40+ years ago (now I come to think of it, I'm not entirely sure when the phrase crept into common use - anyone?). The reason I mention it is that Led Zeppelin (for whom I share your admiration - have you seen the DVDs that came out in 2003?) were hugely influenced by some of the pioneers of proper R'n'B. If you're into downloading, try getting a couple of tracks by Muddy Waters (Mannish Boy, I'm A Man...) - you might need to hear them a few times, but believe me, they will grow on you, and they really ARE R'n'B.

Yup I do mean the type of music that has been wrongly dominating the charts. I haven't heard of Muddy Waters but I'll download the ones you said and give them a listen.

[My Friend Jack]

Can I rather pedantically say that The Stranglers themselves weren't really punk, either? They started out as a mainstream rock act around 1973 (when they penned the rather winsome 1982 Top Tenner 'Strange Little Girl' among others) and three years on had it 'suggested' to them that they might toughen their image to fit with the new wave: the result was that they became one of the most successful bands of the era. 'Angry psychedelic' was an NME tag given them that I quite liked at the time...

I quite agree, but around 1976 / 77 they were often thought of as punk. It quickly became evident that they were skilled musicians, with ability to take them way beyond the rather limited scope of punk, and I often noticed the influence of the Doors on their sound.

I like the term "angry psychedelic" - not heard that before (or, more likely, just forgotten it!).

[Aixelsyd]

I am so happy that I have grown up on the West Coast of the U.S.....well, actually I do not think I could stand living in California, but the rest of the West Coast is ok. (Washington: Help, we're overrun with nerds and slackers!)
I love the fact that Western Washignton has so many of my kind (Computer gods, Anime junkies, and rock music lovers. Such a good mix.). I'm off to go re-tape my glasses... :D

[Grammath]

I'm considering a visit to your part of the world, Aixelsyd, may need to tap you for some tips.

Are you all still Nirvana obsessives up there? Now, there was a great angry psychedelic punk band....

Anyway, to get this thread back on track, this poster is a 34-year old corporate drone for a vast UK supermarket (where every little helps and we are coming to take over your town :eek: ) who is on BGO 'cos its better than working for a living.

My flat is crammed with books and CDs. I mostly read fiction from Wodehouse to Kafka to King i.e. I like stuff that does not suck, as the great philosopher Beavis was wont to say. I also read a lot of politics and travel. My bias is towards American literature, though - my degree is in American Studies and I lived in Pennsylvania for a year.

I listen to everything from Brian Eno to the Dead Kennedys, although I guess my favourites betray my age - I was a student in Madchester in the late '80s/early '90s and love The Smiths, New Order and the first Stone Roses album (2nd is pants), although my all time favourite band is REM. I'm basically an aging indie kid. Franz Ferdinand's record was my fave of 2004.

There's a definite bias in my TV viewing - Nip/Tuck, West Wing, Sopranos, Simpsons, Frasier and South Park, but also Buzzcocks, League of Gents, Have I Got News 4U and anything made by Chris Morris.

I also love Radio 4, especially the comedy, and it is the one thing I'd really miss if I moved elsewhere in the world.

I'm also a failed cricketer who still follows the sport and spend a lot of time in cinemas (US indie type stuff in the main) and the theatre when not in book or record shops. I fancy myself as a wine buff, or it could just be the most dignified way I've found to be a drunk.

[Seraphina]

Keep this post up people, I love being nosey and reading about other people!

I'm 23 and live in Glasgow, originally from Northern Ireland. I work with refugees helping them find housing and work etc...i'm pretty happy doing that, makes me feel all smushy inside! Except when they're arseholes, then I just want to hit them. :p

I've just done a degree in English Literature and love books so that's why I'm on this site. I miss my wee debates in tutorials!

I like playing piano (badly) and i've started doing cryptic crosswords (also badly - haven't QUITE got the hang of them yet!). In fact I might start a thread for help with crossword clues as I'm determined to finish one one of these days!

My favourite authors (among many) are Roddy Doyle, Brian Friel (yes, i know he's a playwright really), Dickens, Austen and George Eliot.

My favourite book ever is A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle, although I was MASSIVELY disappointed by Oh Play That Thing, the second book in the trilogy.

Anyhoo, I've santered about myself for too long so I'll leave it there! :p

[Starry]

I am 32, live in deepest, darkest Wales and I'm a web developer. Last year I took another step closer to spinsterhood by inviting two cats to share my home (I haven't sucumbed to wrinkly tights yet, but it's only of time ;) )

I like to spend every spare minute I have reading, but genealogy also claims my time. As a teenager I couldn't go more than an hour without listening to my favourite album, but only rarely listen to music now, when I do it is a real mixture. From the House of Love to Alison Moyet and from Dr Hook to Mary Black.

I sometimes switch the television on and watch mostly documentaries and 'Charmed' (I don't know why I like it, but I can't help myself). Favourite film is Breakfast at Tiffany's, favourite book is Persuasion and today my favourite song is Make me Smile - Steve Harley.

I finally gave up smoking last August after 13 long years of addiction and if money was no object I'd like to spend a year travelling around the world.

[Harriet]

I sometimes switch the television on and watch mostly documentaries and 'Charmed'

Same!!! I LOVE Charmed! :D

[Tess]

Bio- I'm 21 and I live in Southampton. I am in my first year of my PhD and my research is looking at the development of muscle in the fetus.

Books- My favourite authors include John Steinbeck, Stephen King, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Thomas Hardy. I don't get as much time to read anymore but get through around 50 books a year.

Film- I am a big movie fan so this list is just a few of my favourites and the ones which come to my head first; Breakfast Club, LOTR, True Romance, Memento, The Shawshank Redemption, Stand by Me and Goodfellas. I also go to a fortnightly move quiz at the local independent cinema, this is usually full of film studies students and so my team doesn't do very well!

TV - The West Wing, The Sopranos and ER. I am a big fan of British Comedy such as Little Britain, Spaced and Black Books.

Music- My favourite band is Green Day and my favourite songs include Hotel California - The Eagles, Time of Your Life - Green Day, We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel and Foo Fighters - Everlong.
I like punk which to me includes the originals such as The Clash, Sex Pistols, Ramones and more recent bands such as Green Day, Lagwagon and NOFX this is because I have always heard them referred to as this. Things get more complicated when you throw in categories such as hardcore punk, pop punk, old-school punk, skate-punk, ska and emo-punk :D Don't worry Fiona all you really need to know is that Green Day are fab!

I support Southampton FC and have had the pleasure of seeing every miserable home match so far this season :(

[Harriet]

What would you count as "punk" music? I've recently started listening to a bit of Green Day, and Windows Media Player informs me that it's catagorised as punk. Somehow that doesn't seem right to me. Is it me thats getting it wrong, or just yet another WMP error? :confused:

I love Green Day, but.....ergh...they're not really punk...I'd class them more as alternative...to me punk is stuff like Sex Pistols, Clash etc. And for some reason Kurt Coabin classed Nirvana as punk...but...no...are they?

[Mad Dog and Glory]

No.

[Harriet]

Nope. Didn't think so - iTunes is classing them as Rock. Sounds a tad more appropriate!

[Deinonychus]

Why not? Cobain/Nirvana's original sound was based on early punk, sure: they were fans of The Stooges, Dolls and UK punk acts, after all. The 'grunge' thing was just a label dumped on a bunch of bands from a similar part of the world - and yer Mudhoney, Melvins, Gits etc were themselves way more primitive in sound than Nirvana. Hey, it's all rock 'n' roll, baby...

[Mad Dog and Glory]

What does it matter anyway? It's only labels. Whenever anything remotely heavy came on Top Of The Pops from 1977 onwards, my mother would ask, "Is this punk?" All I know is that Green Day aren't.

11.35pm tonight on BBC2 - Classic Albums on Nirvana's Nevermind. It is what they call 'must-watch TV'.

[Tess]

What does it matter anyway? It's only labels.
I agree, you either like the music or you don't :D

[Deinonychus]

What does it matter anyway? It's only labels.

Right - so saying something isn't (insert label) is probably just as pointless as saying that it is? (The prog was worth coming home from the pub for, anyway...)

[Mad Dog and Glory]

On the other hand, I could be arguing in my spare time.

[megustaleer]

As far as anyone is admitting to, I would appear to be the oldest person on the site, being less than 6months away from my bus-pass.

BORN; within cheering distance of The Hawthorns football ground in what is now called the West Midlands, moved around a bit in the 60s, and then settled in NW Essex to raise a family. Am mother to two adult sons, and granny to two little boys.

READING TASTES; A couple of volumes of 'Strand Magazine' in an almost bookless house meant that I met Sherlock Holmes at an impressionable age, and I put my love of detective stories down to that.
A distaste for slushy romance and explicit sex in books led to an almost exclusive diet of mysteries at one time, and a distrust in my ability to choose a good book. Fortunately, Book Groups came to my rescue, and through reading books that other people chose I discovered loads of good authors and interesting books.
As I now belong to a 'face-to-face' group, two postal groups, and am contemplating joining in the BookXing group here, and as I read less than I used to, the opportunity to choose my own books doesn't often happen, in spite of having developed wider tastes.
I do have a 'books to read' pile, and a 'books I'd like to read' list. I just hope my eyesight is still good when I am able to retire.

WORK; I am the Activities Organiser in a Residential Home for 'vulnerable adults' (An old peoples home, in non-P.C. parlance) I also train the carers in various mandatory subjects. Sadly I don't reach the company retirement age for another 5 years.

MUSIC; Middle of the road. I still enjoy the music I grew up with, songs of the 30s &40s, that my mother sang, and the hits of the 50s. I pretty much stopped listening to pop music in the mid60s. Wouldn't be able to identify many of the Pop styles since then, and non from the last 20 years. That's not to say I don't enjoy any of it, I just don't know what it's called!
My long-time favourites are G&S, and English folk songs from the 60s folk music revival. Also non-conformist hymns; Moody & Sankey, Wesley, and some of the modern hymns written by such as Graham Kendrick.
Never liked Frank Sinatra et al, nor The Beatles.
I do like these, but they haven't issued an album yet: - http://www.ukbassline.co.uk/act.php?band=happy

RADIO; as said on another thread, Radio4. Yet another influence from my childhood: Sunday lunch accompanied by 'The Billy Cotton Band Show', 'Educating Archie' (you know, ventriloquism on radio!), 'Beyond Our Ken/Round the Horne', and 'The Navy Lark'.

TV; Corrie; Drama series e.g. 'Fat Friends', or Life Begins'; One-off dramas; and of course detective programmes, from 'Midsommer Murders' to 'Wire in the Blood' and 'Taggart' (but not Rosemary and Thyme). Preferably British, but I do enjoy 'Missing'* (I think it's called)whenever I can stay up late enough. My husband has totally different tastes, so we watch TV in separate rooms! (*'Without A Trace', I have since discovered)

HOBBIES; I dabble on and off in various things. Reading and gardening are the constants. When I take up one or other of my other interests, that one will take over all my time for a while, and then get set aside while something else comes to the fore. This is the latest one! I treated myself to an eMac, and Broadband, at the end of December to keep in contact with my son and his family who are living in Austria. I can't keep off it, which is why there are posts from me all over this site. I'm enjoying finding the different things I can do with it!

Is that the lot? "I hope so!" you are probably saying. Do ask, if I've missed anything.
:D

[Kel]

Hello!
I am a 24 year old trainee primary teacher trying to decide whether to continue training or quit and get her life back!

Reading Taste- I am interested in reading all kinds of books especially modern fiction but am trying to read more classics and generally widen my reading horizons.

Other bits- I enjoy catching the odd episode of Eastenders, shopping for great books in charity shops and in my old life I did a lot of voluntary work.

I am sure I do have a more exciting life than this but at the moment I can't think of it!

kel
xx

[Claire]

Is that the lot? "I hope so!" you are probably saying. Do ask, if I've missed anything.
:D

Well - since you offered....I'm just curious where your username comes from, or what it means. It's a funny looking word, and it's been intriguing me! Care to explain?

[megustaleer]

"Me gusta leer" Spanish for "I like to read', or more accurately 'to read pleases me'.
I've been struggling to learn Spanish on and off for years, but don't get enough oportunity to practice! Sigh!

[willow]

Hi

I've finally got my act together regards this group and here is my intro...

I'm 50 and I'm a teacher by profession but quit with exhaustion a few years ago!!! Absolutely no regrets over that!!! I've now got time to read. My interests are theatre and cinema, walking and travel. Another bonus of not teaching is I can go away when I want not just in school holidays. I belong to three bookgroups, one of which my husband is also a member. I do some voluntary work choosing and delivering library books to housebound people which is a bit like vicarious reading!! I enjoy walking and as I live on the Surrey/Hants border means there is lots of good countryside near me. I'm a horse racing fan and go to race meetings and bet quite often!

I like going to music concerts I have very eclectic tastes - Rock, some Pop, Country, Showtunes, some classical etc. I love musicals and depressing Scandinavian Drama eg Strindberg, Ibsen etc. Other favourites are Tennessee Williams, Chekhov and my all time favourite Arthur Miller.

I'm quite political in my way - veering constantly to the Left!!! I also support Save The Children Fund with local fundraising.

Now to books - I will try any genre except Horror and Sci Fi although I do want to read 'Hitchhikers guide...' I like books with a lot of social observation and exploration of relationships with a definite bias to UK based novels. I can also enjoy a good 'page turner'. My favourite book I've most recently read is 'South Riding' by Winifred Holtby. Of US authors I've enjoyed Donna Tart and Canadian Margaret attwood.

I've chosen Willow as my user name because it reminds me of a place I used to live and I hope I've finally learnt to bend with the 'winds of life'!!!!

Willow

[Claire]

Thanks, megustaleer - excellent choice of name :) . I like yours as well, willow. Do read Hitchhiker - it's well worth it!

[Top Cat]

Re the earlier discussion - doesn't R&B now stand for "Rears and Butts"?

Amazed to see lots of Green Day fans here. Can't say I listen to them now, but back in 1992, I was in a really rubbish Green Day covers band, an endeavour made all the more pointless because so few people had heard of them at the time. I wrote about it a bit in my book Educating Peter, which BGO Bill is giving away free to BGO members soon (a few copies, anyway). Still have a soft spot for them, but I can never can quite get my head around the fact that they are older than me: they seem to have retained that angsty teen psyche.

These days, I tend to spend more time listening to good time Seventies rock, weird progressive folk from the same era, and a bit of disco. I'm 29, and an author, journalist, and, possibly, very shortly, one of the world's most mediocre professional golfers. Other loves (to name just a few) = cooking, cats, architecture, folklore, Woody Allen and dumb films starring people who have been on Saturday Night Live.

[Opal]

I can never can quite get my head around the fact that they are older than me: they seemed to have retained that angsty teen psyche.

Older than you??? *goes to have a look at your profile to find your birthday...*:eek:

Listening to their music I'd have placed them as closer to my age, despite knowing they've been around years... They sound (and look!) young for 30-somethings!

[Top Cat]

I think Green Day will go on being seventeen forever. Even when I interviewed Billy Joe on a pavement in Leeds, back in about 1993/4, for my fanzine (named after a Green Day song), I remember feeling like I was talking to my five year-old nephew. When he started referring to his "wife", I thought he was joking. It's weird how big they are, now: back then, it already seemed like they'd been around forever and nobody I knew, apart from a few men with green hair who spent too much time in Nottingham market square, had heard of them. I started listening to them - and other snotty, punky pop music - as a form of escape after years training to be a pro golfer. Strange thing is, Sky Sports now frequently use one of their songs to soundtrack their golf coverage!

[Harriet]

They seriously don't sound in their 30s. And they don't look it either. Billie-joe will always look as if he's about 17.

[megustaleer]

Here's the thread you were asking about, Belinda. It seemed to peter out when it turned into a 'Green Day' fan club.

[Dr. Strangelove]

My name is Jess, I'm 15, and currently addicted to Desperate Housewives and Sex in the city (re runs). Other programmes I like are Shameless, No Angels, Comedies (Prefer the older stuff) including gameshows, and I'm a fan of some American comedy - Seinfeld, Everybody loves Ray, 3rd Rock, etc.
The music I like is kinda Big Band/Swing/Jazz whatever you call it. I play the sax. And I hate school and want to be something related to travel when I'm older (as I hate England).

[Tess]

Here's the thread you were asking about, Belinda. It seemed to peter out when it turned into a 'Green Day' fan club.
Apologies megustaleer but here comes more Green Day talk...

I've been a fan of Green Day since Dookie which was huge in its day but no way as near as mainstream as the band is now. I have mixed feelings about their recent success because although I'm happy for them I can't help feeling like 'my band' have been taken over. An example being some old school friends who are now claiming they love Green Day, these are the same friends who used to mock my 'strange' music taste at school, something I was very proud of :D
The same friends used to also mock Red Hot Chilli Peppers and one even thought that Anthony Kiedis sounded like Apu from The Simpsons, I would bet money that she now has a copy of Californication :)

[nospacesallowed]

[QUOTE=Just RY]Another Reading FC supporter[QUOTE=Just RY]
Theyr'e my second team as i firstly support Manutd
i went to see reading with me uncle yesterday and they won 1-0 to nottingham for'