draliman on life

Here is my post for Melanie’s Share Your World.

What’s a relationship deal breaker for you?
The usual shizzles. Lying, sleeping with the local football team, that sort of thing.

Do you believe in extra-terrestrials?
There’s definitely a good possibility given the size of the universe and all the planets. It would be a pretty lonely universe if it was just us in it, on our tiny little planet perched on the edge of one little galaxy.

In the morning, do you hit the snooze button on your alarm (sometimes repeatedly) or do you leap out of bed, ready to face the day?
I used to, a long time ago. But I haven’t even needed to set an alarm now I’m working at home, as I always wake up early and don’t need the extra time to drive to work.

If you came back in the next life as an animal, which animal would you choose to be?
Definitely a cat. Spending all day eating and napping. How good is that? Imagine if your actual job was napping!

People sometimes say their cat is “looking at them funny” and maybe they’re thinking about attacking, or even taking over the world. They may be right, but at the end of the day, it’s nap time. Maybe take over the world tomorrow, or next week perhaps.

Here is my post for Melanie’s Share Your World.

Pick three words to describe this past year. (please keep them PG. Thanks).
Nice. And. Peaceful.

What were the best books you read this year? Or the best movie you saw?
Well, I can’t remember. Obviously I’ve read a lot of books and seen a lot of films, but I can’t remember what they all were. I would have been to the cinema, but that was February and I can’t remember what I saw. I expect it was very good, though!

More recently, I’ve watched Alita – Battle Angel, Ready Player One and Armageddon, each for at least the fifth time.

Because there was lots of time for looking inward, what is one big personal lesson you learned this past year?
I didn’t have a lot of time for looking inward, I was busier than ever.

Do you think Covid has strengthened or weakened societal bonds?
Initially, strengthened. Then people got fed up, reverted to type and started screwing each other over again (he said cynically).

Here is my post for Melanie’s Share Your World.

What is your favourite type of cookie (they’re called biscuits in Europe I believe)?
I would argue that “biscuits” are called “cookies” in America 🙂 However, choc chip cookies are “cookies” in the UK too, and that is indeed my answer. Yum 🙂

If you could choose one age and remain that forever, what would it be and why?
I would pick the Stone Age. I hope that’s that’s what the question means 😉 It was a simpler time!

Do you have a traditional drink during the holiday season?
No. But I have got quite fond of Schloer recently, so that may become my traditional drink. I’m not sure how many years I have to drink it before it becomes “traditional”.

Are you able to still believe in holiday magic as you did when you were a child?
Holiday magic left the building alongside Santa 😦 And with no Christmas parties or anything this year, I couldn’t really get into the mood.

Here is my post for Melanie’s Share Your World.

What news event do you vividly remember hearing about as a child, and where were you?
The thing about being a kid is that I wasn’t very interested in news. I was more interested in cartoons. However, one event I remember was the first ever shuttle launch. It was delayed a few times, but we were called into one of the classrooms each time (the one with the TV!) to watch until it took off. That was April 1981, so I was in my final year of junior school.

What is a Christmas song that makes you cringe?
I was struggling to think of one and then another blogger reminded me – “Last Christmas”, By Wham!. Why does it make me cringe? Because it’s an absolute pile of steaming shit, that’s why.

What is one place you shop(ped prior to Covid) that might have surprised people?
Absolutely nowhere, I would say. My shopping is limited to a very few fairly mainstream outlets, mostly online. Even more online currently.

What is your least favourite holiday side dish?
I’ll eat anything and everything, me. Bring it on 🙂

Here is my post for Melanie’s Share Your World.

Do you enjoy skiing or ice skating or if it’s warm where you are, hiking or enjoying outdoor sports?
I’ve never been skiing or ice skating. I’m sure I’d end up with a number of broken bones, and as a kid there was nowhere to do either without taking a holiday anyway. Nowadays, there’s a skating rink created over Christmas (not this year obviously), and I think there’s a dry ski slope within 100 miles or so.

It’s not too cold here – anywhere between 2 and 11 degrees. Walking rather than “hiking” is my thing, and there’s not much sports going on this year with The Covid.

Do you give to charities or homeless that you might encounter, during this time of year, more than you do otherwise?
I give via direct debit. I don’t go into town much (not at all since March) so I don’t encounter much by way of charities in the street. I don’t think that’s happening this year anyway.

What is the most enjoyable activity you engage in during December? Is it a tradition for you and your family?
There’s always my traditional Christmas Eve Die Hard and present wrapping marathon. And of course, Christmas Day with Mum and Dad, which will be different this year but still going ahead.

What changes will C-19 bring to your festive celebrations this year?
Slightly reduced I think. And I’ll likely be wearing a mask (except while eating) as I always do when visiting my parents, though my parents are getting their first vaccine jab this coming week so they’ll be somewhat protected.