20 things ...

... about me. I've been tagged by Birdy so here are twenty random facts about me. Some of which you may already know, some may be new and surprising (yeah, like I'm that interesting!? heehee)

So here goes:

1. I love fantasy - it started with Narnia and The Shire and now it encompasses places nearby and galaxies far, far away.

2. I am a secular humanist, although I recognise my morals and choices are often influenced by my anglican upbringing. I agree with this statement on the British Humanist Association website, 'Humanism is the belief that we can live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs. Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values. We seek to make the best of the one life we have by creating meaning and purpose for ourselves. We take responsibility for our actions and work with others for the common good.'

3. Cross stitch is a favourite relaxation hobby. I enjoy looking for new patterns but because of this I have about eight kits in various stages of completion and a further half dozen or so that require framing.

4. I swim like a brick ... downwards.

5. I am a pacifist and look forward to world-wide disarmament (well, a girl can dream, can't she?). Like it is suggested in Star Trek First Contact, I think it may take a mind-blowing event on a global scale - such as the discovery of extra terrestrial life or the brink of world war three (lets hope not) - for human kind to put aside their petty differences to finally realise that we are one species with the same basic needs, hopes and dreams.

6. My favourite colour is purple.

7. In seeming contrast to number 5, I own a sword. In my defence, it is a decorative piece - an accurate (and sharp!) replica of Sting, Frodo's weapon from the Lord of the Rings. As a child, I found Sting's bad guy early warning system fascinating. It is also a strong reminder of one of the themes of the story that individuals can make a difference.

8. I live in London. It's smelly, noisy and overcrowded. I have a love/hate relationship with it.

9. I don't like Big Brother and other such reality TV programmes. Might I suggest the amusing and thought provoking Dead Famous by Ben Elton which takes reality TV to a new extreme.

10. I feel much more comfortable wearing trousers than skirts.

11. I love dragons. From Smaug in the Hobbit to the Draco Nobilis in Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett. They fascinate me - beautiful, powerful, deadly, magical. Need I say more?

12. I enjoy watching Charmed.

13. Apart from the very occassional black and white one, I always dream in technicolour. I have also experienced deja vu in a dream which was quite an interesting experience.

14. I have a small tattoo and am seriously considering getting another smaller one.

15. I hate marmite, hot milk and curry (not all together clearly ... though I'm sure that would be pretty disgusting also).

16. I am an only child.

17. My heart throbs du jour are: Christian Bale (yummy in Batman Begins), Orlando Bloom (preferraby with some sort of longish hair), Johnny Depp (fantastic in Pirates, rather creepy in Chocolate Factory), James Marsters (the deliciously bad Spike from Buffy) and Keanu Reeves .... oh, and my Hubby, of course! ;o)

18. If I try to bake a cake, the result is something you could build houses with.

19. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is awesome and I think everyone should go to a live performance at least once.

20. Finally, a seasonal fact - I love watching the many firework displays over London (from the excellent vantage point of my living room window) but I really, really wish they didn't have to be so loud!

Well, in time honoured fashion, I now pass the challenge to produce twenty random facts about themselves to:
Sarah, Dan, Zinnia and Paul.

Happy Journeys