Aww, we're not so bad! This is coming from someone who's travelled all over the world to know the differences; we're kinda a mess right now, but there are plenty of beautiful, interesting places in the USA worth visiting, and we're one of the nicest people in the world (seriously)!
Oh I know the people are nice, and the country itself has loads of areas of natural beauty, but stuff like those batshit politicians like Todd Akin saying crazy shit - in the UK you would have to resign for that. But stuff like that seems to happen every other day in the US. Plus it seems to be a really horrible place to be if you're a poor person. I don't claim to know America - but how it appears to an outsider - theres no incentive to go and visit.
Favorite TLS award and why?
Funniest member because I've won it a few times Seriously though 'Best site contributor' and 'Best art/graphics' because it recognises hard work.
What kind of sandwiches do you like, or are you one of THOSE (those that don't like sandwiches, that is)?
Who doesn't like sandwiches? Bodysnatchers thats who! I don't get to eat them often enough but giant sandwiches, on malted bread. The only fillings I don't like are Prawn, or any meat where I'm likely to encounter fat/flobby bits/gristle. Back at college the nearby sandwich place used to giant 'binlid' type sandwiches, and I used to have tuna mayo, cheese, salad and coleslaw - enough sandwich to kill a horse....
If you could be a superhero, who would it be?
Shes a villian - but Mystique. Cos she gets to go around basically in the nip and can shapeshift. Or Rogue - once she gained full control of her powers.
Or Powdered Toast Man
What kind of dinosaur are you?
A Stegosaurus.....who dreams of being a Liopleurodon.
Favorite planet? Corollary: is Pluto a planet iyo?
Yes Pluto is a planet!
Pluto is my fave of our solar system, 'because it's cold and far away' /Rich Hall
Favourite childhood TV show?
Probably Hartbeat - non dumbed down art kids art programme from the 80's.
Funniest Joke you've ever heard.
You know I couldn't even think of one so I had to look one up:
Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps, "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator says "Calm down. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, then a gun shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says "OK, now what?"
What's been your favourite (if you can pick one) 'first' moment with Freya, I.e word, crawl and so on.
Probably her first laugh. Mr Octo was changing her nappy and he sneezed, and she thought that was hilarious. But also the first time she pulled herself up to standing – I actually managed to get that on video.
If you could rewind one moment in time what would that moment be?
EDIT: didn't realise I missed this one out. Hard to say really. I'd probably go back and study something more useful (career wise!) instead of Art - but then I wouldn't have met the people I met....and though I'm only in touch with a few of them now, I guess they shaped me as a person.
I spend a lot of time regretting the past, but there's not one particular event or moment that I can pinpoint - something that would undo all the shit. I guess that says a lot. I actually used to fantasise about going back in time and killing myself - kind of fucked up I know - but I don't really feel like that any more. So I dunno I guess that shows that I've grown a bit, toughened up a little bit..
Actually, in terms of positive things I think I'd go back and try and spend more time getting to know my grandparents. The last one - my nan died when I was 11, and she'd gone a bit loopy towards the end. I never really knew them as
people. My mum and dad (and Mr Octos too - though they live far away) are much more hands on with Freybs. My grandparents never looked after us, or took us out anywhere, probably because they we're too old. So theres that. Off course, they could have turned out to be boring bastards or something
What's your favourite Animal and why?
There are so many to choose! I like nice little benign mammaly things. Pangolins, Sloths, Anteaters, Tapirs, Lemurs – most monkeys – Aye Ayes. Lorises. Plus I love Beluga whales. Basically anything I could have a cuddle with that wouldn’t try and eat me
But I like all animals really, except fleas, ticks, wasps and anything that lays eggs in you :vomitmonster:
When you make a sandwich what do you normally put in it.
Tuna mayo more often than not, cos I’m lazy and its a piece of piss to do. If I have any stuff I add salad too.
What's your 'speciality' dish when it comes to cooking?
I’m not much of a cook really. I don’t like anything that takes longer than 20 mins to prep. I do a goats cheese and caramelised onion tart – but it’s ready rolled pastry and the onions are out of a jar. Sweet potato wedges are something I do more often these days – piece of piss....actually I might make those tonight.
Oh I can knock together Thai green/red curries pretty easily. And Lentil soup, thats another easy one.
RE depression, a friend of mine was misdiagnosed with depression when in fact the diagnosis should have been anxiety. I thought anxiety was a temp thing usually, so I'm not sure if it's peaks n troughs or what. But he seemed more at ease and able to manage it all well with the new diagnosis - not sure if his meds changed though.
When I went insane a couple of years ago a friend linked me to these NHS self help guides:
http://www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic/selfhelp/
I remember the anxiety one being actually very good (and not the wanky nhs tick boxing you'd expect.)
Thanks, I’ll check it out. I often thing anxiety is at the root of it all – it’s because I get anxious about stuff that I feel like my life is limited, which in turn makes me depressed/angry.
Have you ever or would you ever shave your head?
I never have, and I don’t think I could carry it off – I don’t have a very defined jawline. Sometimes when it’s really hot I think about it though – my hair is so thick its like wearing a wooly hat sometimes.
Is there something you'd like to take up but haven't got round to it yet? (Like crowd surfing / playing the saxophone for sexiness / cutting crusts off sandwiches / etc)
I’d like to get my own potters wheel, I tried throwing a pot on holiday in North Wales when I was 11 and I was pretty fucking good at it (everyone else failed epically) so I’d like to have another go.
Do you take vitamins or do you think they are bollocks?
It’s hard to say. I was taking them all through my pregnancy and I often wonder if they contributed to my sense of wellbeing or if I was just tripping balls on my own hormones. Having said that, my diet is all over the place – theres no way I’m getting my recommended daily amounts of anything – yet I hardly ever get sick, and when I do it’s just bog standard colds/sore throats. So I dunno, maybe it is all bollocks?
Is there something you'd like to tell us that hasn't been asked?
Nothing I can think of offhand. I’m enjoying this, but maybe you guys are going a bit easy on me? Ask some really difficult questions and force me out of my comfort zone
Has this process made you realise just how much we adore you? (Cos seriously, we do, you totally make this place light up with the presence of you. You are amazing.
Aww shucks...I’m weird about the whole thing, like I really like it when people respond positively to me, but then I kind of feel guilty because I think you guys only see the best side of me. If I went on Big Brother* – people (and the public) would like me at first, but then when I got more comfortable my inner shitbag would appear, and then I’d be voted off and booed to hell. I dunno, I crave approval, but I can never quite believe it.
*not that I ever would, I hate being filmed.
BTW so with you on the grapefruit - jeez what was going on with evolution there?!
A practical joke?
If you had your own FFVII-type limit break, what would it be called and how would it act out?
It would be called ‘Shitstorm’ or ‘Shitfit’ and would be a Beserker-type attack where I just go crazy and attack over and over until I get K’o’ed. Physical attacks, but also bizzare insults and shouting that cause a variety of negative status effects on the target.