1. No amount of qualifications, travel, money or new acquaintances should ever make you forget where you are from. Your roots are to be celebrated, whatever and wherever they may be. Although saying that, they shouldn't tie you down or define you, either.
2. Getting married is not about gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes, it is about turning outwards together to face the world. That is borrowed from the Quakers, and I like it a lot.
3. When I was about 15 someone gave me a book and in the front wrote ‘where you will be in 10 years’ time is dictated by the people you meet and the books that you read.’ Probably true.
4. I once worked for someone really horrible and I shouldn't have stuck at it for more than a week, really. Amongst other things, he said the only thing I would ever become was a ‘bureaucratic t***.’ Some would say that is exactly what I have become. Hopefully I am a good one.
5. I thought I knew everything when I was 21. I didn't.
6. Nip into a 2nd hand bookshop periodically, buy a book that makes you think of someone and send it to them. They will be very surprised to receive it, and you will be very surprised to receive one in return.
 |
| This is a good one in Morecambe |
7. Send letters and postcards. Everyone loves proper post and the postal service deserves our support.
8. The best job in the world is a milkman. I delivered milk for almost 15 years and enjoyed every minute.
9. I find it endlessly fascinating how relationships between children and their parents change over time. I remember struggling when I realised that parents don’t know everything, and as you get older you sometimes disagree with them because you meet other people and come up with your own opinions through them. Then sometimes they ask your advice which can be lovely and odd at the same time.
10. Everyone should own a pair of Camper shoes. I have 5 or 6 pairs and even though I nearly ran away in my first week of work because I had a pair on with red laces and someone said ‘look at clown boy’ I still think they’re great.
11. You can’t bullshit a bullshitter. I've met a fair number of them, and the best policy if you don’t know something is just to say you don’t know.
12. The Trent House pub in Newcastle has a sign which says ‘Don’t be a Dick.’ Worth remembering.
 |
| A very fine pub |
13. Bacon and beans on toast with HP sauce when you are too far away from home makes you feel better.
14. Read a quality newspaper, take your pick. It is a good habit to get into.
15. Most problems we encounter have probably been experienced by someone in the past so it is worth finding an old person and asking their opinion. On a related note, when you’re on a beach and fancy a dip you need to find someone who looks like The Grandmother of Everyone in the World to watch your stuff.
16. I once got a letter from my uncle in Australia on that flimsy airmail paper and I kept it for ages because I loved his handwriting. His son, my cousin, says my handwriting is like his. I'm pleased about this.
17. My other uncle on the other side was a shepherd on a hill farm. I didn’t meet him until I was about 10. I was desperate to just know him properly and get along with him. It never happened and now he is dead.
18. People die. You need to make sure you have had plenty of brews with people because it’s a bummer when you realise there are a few things you forgot to say.
19. I have never smoked and have no plans to. However, pipe smoke has a certain aroma which is actually pleasant and in my experience people who smoke roll-ups are usual worth talking to. In addition, the very best people at conferences are always stood outside round the back having a fag.
20. The worst thing ever would be to be known as someone who was tight with money. It is not an attractive trait in anyone, regardless of how much money you have. That has nothing to do with it.
21. Instant coffee is rat piss. Buy a coffee maker. Ours cost £20 and is the best piece of equipment we own.
 |
| Just buy one. In fact, don't. I'll buy you one for when I come round |
24. We probably don't need to own all of this stuff. My grandma lived in a council house, a pub for 11 years and then a rented cottage. For most of her life she rented her television. She was pretty happy with her lot.
25. Anyone with a tattoo on their neck is best avoided.
26. Everyone has some sort of anxiety about something. Good to remember when you’re feeling that way.
27. Most of the time someone's bad day is not about you.
28. There is no yoghurt that can touch a Longley Farm yoghurt.
 |
| Find them, buy them, eat them and repeat |
29. Every home should have a bench that you/both of you/the family sit on at the end of the day. The bench should be a place where you rant about the day you have had and where you clear the air if it needs clearing. You should then leave all that sat on the bench when you get up and get on with having a good evening.
30. Have something in your life that you are passionate about. It doesn’t matter what that is. A passionate person can make anything sound worthy of attention and passionate people are also miles better company.
No comments:
Post a Comment