Well readers, within our student forum, someone (Gary Simpson) thought that it would be a good idea for some of us to come up with 25 things about us to share on our blogs – and then to ‘tag’ 5 other students to do the same.
So here goes:
1. I’m half an inch taller than Tom Cruise, medium build and 10 years older than I actually look.
2. Which leads me neatly on to one of my most redeeming qualities by far – my modesty.
3. Although I have a very sporting history, my favourite pastime for some years now has been Golf. As of last weekends win, I now play off 8.
4. When I was 19, I taught windsurfing and waterskiing for a living – off the south coast of England. On one particular day, I thought it would be a good idea to try and straddle one of the buoys marking out a skiing lane. It was only the thickness of the wetsuit that saved my manhood. The guys in the boat, were so cracked up, they couldn’t steer the boat straight.
5. On one of my windsurfing jaunts, I was once joined by a pod of Dolphins for about 30 minutes – just them and me on my board – amazing.
6. I’m qualified as a registered care manager (child care and mental health).
7. I spent four years trying to help straightening out young offenders – with some success.
8. At age 29, I decided to try my hand at university. As with everything I do, it was full on or nothing. I got my degree, but my degree got me nowhere.
9. I trained in Shotokan Karate, three times a week for Five years and attained my first dan.
10. My first job from school was working in a sandwich factory, making sandwiches for British Airways – what a laugh that was. One reason why I no longer eat cheese and pickle sandwiches.
11. Once worked as a groundworks labourer and laid about 10 acres of blocks for aircraft standing at Gatwick North Terminal.
12. Did you know that it’s still English law for all males over 8 years old to practice for 2 hours every Sunday morning with their Longbows and to have a bow and a quiver full of arrows on standby for call to arms. When I discovered this, I enrolled on an English Longbow making course. I made my bow, which I still have and a quiver full of arrows. I can hit a 1 metre diameter target at 50 yards and flight an arrow 250 yards.
13. I followed my first degree by doing a four year doctorate. One of the few things I’ve started but failed to finsih – mainly due to my supervisor being an egotistical a*** h***.
14. My son is fascinated by fire and I’m still not sure whether or not he’s a pyromaniac. The day I went about casually lighting the barbecue, brought this inherent and dormant danger into full focus. I did what I usually do – gave the barbe a few squirts of petrol (from the container for the lawn mower) and lit a match – kabooom. My eyebrows, eyelashes, fringe and favourite Quicksilver T shirt blown to smithereens. Unbeknown to me, my son had helped daddy out a bit by dosing up the barbe in preparation (while daddy went to find a match) with about half a litre of petrol.
15. My favourite tipple is red wine and favourite variety is a nice Pinoir Noir – mmmm – unless I’m doing a barbecue and then I prefer a large bucket of water.
16. I once owned a retail shop in partnership with my parents, selling equestrian, fly fishing and shooting (clay pidgeon) gear. Got invited to go fly fishing with a ‘lord’ (won’t name hime here – wonderful old guy) which continued for several years.
17. Learnt how to tie my own flies and caught my biggest brown trout on one of my creations (5lb 9oz).
18. My biggest fish was caught in December in the middle of the English channel – when it was so cold, I thought everything would get forstbite and drop off – and I mean everthing. Anyway, it was a 19lb Cod.
20. I’d been driving about 12 months and my parents car was parked in the garage right up against something I needed to get at. I reversed it out and stopped – got out, got the bag I needed – got back in the car and attempted to re park it. It was the first automatic I’d ever driven and by the time I’d sorted out that there wasn’t in fact a clutch – I’d crashed into the back of the garage (because I floored the accelarator) and brought the garage roof crashing down on top of me.
21. I’ve supported Manchester City since Asa Hartford and Joe Corrigan (who are they?)
22. I love to cook – but sometimes take on more than I can chew (get it?) and end up with something that looks more like a dog’s dinner.
23. I love my family and kids so much and often have that terrifying feeling that I won’t be able to provide for them.
24. At the millenium new years eve party, I sang ‘Mack the Knife’ and got a standing ovation – but ended it on a bad note (yet another tantalising use of words) by tripping over the mic lead, down 3 steps onto a table full of buffet food (mostly dips and cream).
25. I once sat for over an hour, writing out 25 things about me.
Everyone I would have tagged off the top of my head have already been tagged and as I can’t currently access the forum, I’ll edit this post tomorrow and add the victims names then.
Thanks for reading – I trust you now know me a little better?
Okay – here are the chosen FIVE:
Huddson Lee / Petra Weiss / Karen Kalata / Dave Whittle / Rich Cardarelli
Sorry Guys (and Girls).
Great Article. We used Cheap Gatwick Parking for our trip. It was so useful not to have to try to find a parking space. It made our trip a lot more pleasant. I highly recommend them!
Hi Andrew,
If you are 10 years older than you actually look, does that make you 25? Great list of items…I’m not fond of cooking, but I love to eat! Keep positive — you always will be able to provide for your family — although I know only too well how you feel! -Norene
Hi Cheries (great name),
I’ve heard they’re very good.
Thanks for dropping by,
Andrew.
Hi Norene,
Great hearing from you and you’re so kind.
I feel like we’re always on the same wavelength Norene.
Talk soon,
Andrew.
Hey Andrew
Great job on your 25. I just knew that you would follow through. Interesting to learn about # 12, Just like this side of the pond laws get added and never removed. Old “Pennsylvania blue law” illeagle to drive a black car with chrome trim on a Sunday???
Talk to you later
Glenn
Glenn´s last blog ..25 THINGS That Make ME—–ME !!
Hey Glenn,
Glad you liked it and thanks for the motivational comment – it all helps, especially coming from people you feel you know.
Your Pennsylvania Blue law is as amazing. When you think about it, you’d be hard pressed to find ‘any’ car with chrome trim – black or otherwise.
Thanks for dropping by.
Talk soon,
Andrew.
Andrew Vaughan´s last blog ..The Gazzman Challenge – 25 Things about Me.
Hey Andrew
Loved reading those some very interesting stuff you done there.
I love the long bow one absolutely fasinating, where do I enroll??
Ist dan karate eh, maybe you and the gazzman can have a little rumble.
anyway well done mate very cool.
marcus
marcus passey´s last blog ..Marcus Passey In 25 Things You Should Or Maybe Should Not Know About Me!
Hey Marcus,
Nice to see you here – welcome.
I did the course ayt the Sussex Weald and Downland centre.
As Gazza San is a 6th Dan, he’d play with me a little bit, using one arm (whilst sipping green tea with the other) and when he’d got bored with me, he’d use me like an old dishcloth and the wipe the floor with me.
Anyway – I’ a lover not a fighter!
Andrew.
Andrew Vaughan´s last blog ..The Gazzman Challenge – 25 Things about Me.
Andrew,
Great job with the list. Nice to see that someone who’s real good at Karate, (1st Dan, blimey if you say it’s Wednesday, it’s Wednesday) can also be clumsy… sometimes
I thought the archery was super cool, and the dolphins… we’ve been on three seperate “doplhin viewing trips” and never see one! Damn
Keep up the good work,
Rob
Rob´s last blog ..Get Post Launch Profits Free now….for a limited time
Hi Andrew,
Being on the ocean alone just with dolphins is something I’d like to experience myself.
Your 25 things are interesting but #5 to me is the tops.
I have now been tagged too and the number of people to tag is getting smaller.
I was going to tag some of those you already have.
Vance.
Vance Sova´s last blog ..Alex Jeffreys Nixes Gurus Game
Hey Andrew
Great list, I’m loving number 20…I bet you were popular…
I have been tagged also, so will be getting mine together soon!
Take care,
Paul
Paul Wilson´s last blog ..7 Step Success Formula – NOW LIVE!
Hey Guys,
@Rob – It is Wednesday isn’t it? Yeah Rob – the dolphin thing was fantastic – 25 years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday.
@Paul – Number 20, the car: It was really my mum’s car, because my dad was driving around a work van – it took her quite some time to forgive me.
I’ll be looking forward to reading yours guy’s.
Talk soon,
Andrew.
Andrew Vaughan´s last blog ..The Gazzman Challenge – 25 Things about Me.
Hi Vance,
Thanks for dropping by. I got your message about your comment not showing up for moderation. For some reason, my blog put your comment into the spam box – but when I noticed it was you, I obviously approved it. Don’t understand what happened there?
To expand on the dolphins a bit – I was all on my own, about 1 mile out heading from Worthing towards Shoreham (about 8 miles away). I wasn’t intending to sail to Shoreham. When the first dolphin broke the surface, it was about 3 metres from me and obviously checking me out. At first, I nearly kacked my bermuda shorts – but soon realised I was in no danger.
They were also heading in the direction of Shoreham and I just stayed with them until we reached Shoreham – where they disappeared. Shoreham is a harbour port with a lot of shipping activity and that’s why I think they made themselves scarce.
Talk Soon,
Andrew.
Hi Andrew,
I love to read about redeeming qualities, and your’s your modesty. That’s wonderful. And you seem very cultured and like you lived alot of life. You are going to have so much to share right here on your blog, which will lead you to provide well for your family – for sure.
Thanks for the tag Andrew, I did it once, tore it down because I’m a bit shy and then put it back up again…thanks for pushing me forward.
Take care,
Karen
Hey Karen,
Thanks so much for dropping in and for your generous, warm comments.
One of the best things that’s happened for me since signing up to Alex’s coaching, is that I’ve been able to meet such a wonderful and genuine group of people – not so easy to come by these days.
You’re welcome anytime Karen and talk real soon,
Andrew.
Hi Andrew,
Entertaining post, I’m a Manchester United fan myself.
The petrol incident sounded a bit dodgy, I here just the fumes from petrol can ignite, better off not using it on a BBQ if you ask me. Please don’t do that again.
I’m also liking number 20, how much did all that cost to put right?
I would of commented more on this, but I’m a little short on time, plus it’s late.
Take care,
Paul.
Paul Lear´s last blog ..This is just a bit of fun, getting some practice in front of the camera
Hey Andrew,
great post. Swimming with the dolphins must have been an amazing experience, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Number 12 explains why my partner is so good archery, 14 brings back a memory or two, and as for 15, well you seem like a man of good taste my dear. I come from New Zealand, a tad partial to some of the Pinot’s from there
Annie
Ann Marie Dennis´s last blog ..Cash Keywords Toolbar
Hey Paul,
Isn’t the Manchester Derby coming up soon – will be unmissable I think.
Your right about the petrol – I’ve used fire lighters ever since.
And the garage – I help my dad put up a new roof and back then, getting the car fixed up wasn’t too bad.
Talk soon buddy,
Andrew.
Andrew Vaughan´s last blog ..The Gazzman Challenge – 25 Things about Me.
Hi Annie,
Thanks for reading my post – I’m glad you liked it.
The dolphins was amazing and as I’ve said above – seems like yesterday.
So can I take it then, that your partner is English?
And as for the Pinot Noir – well it occurred to me that I could quite easily live in New Zealand, not merely for the wine, but the whole package.
Do you have any good Golf courses? This may make my mind up.
Great to have you visit Annie.
Take Care,
Andrew.
[...] I’ve been tagged by Andrew Vaughan(one of Alex Jeffreys students) I’ve decided to take the challenge and come out of the closet [...]
Hey Huddson,
Well done – I’ll get over to your blog and check it out.
Talk soon,
Andrew.
Oh Andrew, I’ll bet you’ve been the stunt man in all those hilarious movies where people fall onto massive cakes, slip off tables while dancing on them, drive through buildings and leave heaps of bricks and plaster behind, not to mention your Benny Hill imitation by straddling a buoy! I started off smiling when reading these, but it quickly turned to snickering, then I just had to laugh when you fell on the buffet table. Seriously, though, you’ve had some awesome experiences and it’s been interesting to get to know you here. Now, where do I sign up for the mental health care?
Roberta´s last blog ..What I Learned About Marketing From Feeding a Bunch of Cats
Hi Andrew,
I’m really enjoying finding out more about fellow students, it’s amazing what varied lives we all have.
You mentioned you were interested in golf. Wonder if I could pick your brains. I tried to create a hole by hole guide golf portal, but have put it on the back burner for a bit.
Could you have a look at thailand.holebyholeguide.com and give your opinion on how I could monetize the site.
Sorry for the cheeky request.
Speak to you soon,
John
John Tanner´s last blog ..Squidoo 101 – Free eBook Reviewed
Hi Roberta,
Thanks so much for stopping by – I’m glad you liked it.
Every word is true, which is why I could knock it up so quickly.
You’re right, I could probably have been a stunt man; and you don’t need to sign up anywhere, you sound perfectly sane to me.
Hi John,
Are you a golfer?
I’ll gladly have a look John, but don’t forget, I’m also an Alex Jeffrey student – student being the operative word. However, I’m sure that I can pas on some helpful comments. I’ll check it John and get back to you.
Andrew.
Hi Andrew,
I certainly like your list. You sound like you have achieved a lot in your life. This IM stuff should be a breeze in comparison!
You’ll need to do well if you want to follow Man City closely, with all that cash sloshing about I guess their season tickets will only be for the rich and famous. I hope they remember thoses many thousands of fans that were turning up to 2nd Division games. Now that was something.
Regards
Andy
Andy Michaels´s last blog ..25 Things You Didn’t Know (Or Care) About Andy Michaels
Hi Andy,
Nice to have you dropping by. Yeah, I think I’ve been lucky in some respects, but I’ve also always looked for something new or different.
I’ve never been able to sit still for long, which has me looking for whats new arouind the corner. Not always a good thing.
You may be right about the season tickets – but it won’t bother me much, I just watch Match of the Day.
Keep in touch,
Andrew.
Andrew Vaughan´s last blog ..The Gazzman Challenge – 25 Things about Me.
Hey Andrew,
A lover and not a fighter… sounds like the makings of a bestseller ebook.
Can’t remember if I told you somewhere before. I like fishing stories and sounds like you caught a heck of a fish.
Just got off the phone with Marcus and told him my getting naked with the fishing hook story.
Got to tell that in my 25 list, someday soon.
Cheers,
Rob
Rob Canyon´s last blog ..How I Made $3758 In 21 Days Online… With My ‘Double Click Blueprint’ Strategy.
Hi Rob,
Getting naked with a fishing hook sounds even more intriguing and potentially painful – I’ll be keeping a lookout for your 25 my friend.
Talk soon,
Andrew.
Andrew Vaughan´s last blog ..The Gazzman Challenge – 25 Things about Me.
Hi Andrew,
What a wonderful list, I found myself smiling quite often. I loved #20…I’m sure that went over well. I once came into the house carrying the tail light of my parents car and I don’t remember getting the keys for a long time after that. Is something like that to be expected of teenagers, or do most hide things a little better than we did?
At least you son is helpful……………
Take care of yourself and keep up the great work!
I wish you the best,
Joann
Joann Henry´s last blog ..Market With A Cell Phone?
Hi Joann,
Thanks – I’m pleased that you enjoyed it a little.
I’t didn’t actually go down too well with my mum, who wasn’t too pleased about it for several days.
Regards my youngest son – ‘helpful’ isn’t quite the word that I’d use. It certainly wasn’t the word I was thinking of, as my life was flashing by infront of me!
Nice to have you stop Joann,
Take Care,
Andrew.
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for retrieving the comment from the spam folder.
I do that on regular basis. I’d say about 40% of the comments notices I get end up there.
I read today in a post that I found on Sphinn that if a comment is really short that it will likely be marked by Akismet as spam.
But that applies to one to two line comments. I guess a good lesson for those who give lip service comments.
But my comments are never shorter than 4 lines I think. And most of the time they are much longer.
Thanks also for expanding on your dolphins story. It must have been awesome. I’ve only seen dolphins in the wild from a distance, the closest about 15 to 20 meters.
They are highly intelligent and have larger brains than humans.
They don’t like the port noise so I think you’re right about why they took off close to the port.
Back to the blog on Sphinn. I went to check out the blog of this person and he has some great points on blogging and commenting.
I was inspired by what he does. If you want you can check his blog here: http://www.glosonblog.com/
For a 11 year old he writes remarkably well. Also writes poetry.
I’ll also share this in the Alex Jeffreys Students forum.
I think right now some inspiration in the lull is in order.
GazzMan may like it too as a writer.
By the way I enjoyed your video.
Vance
Vance Sova´s last blog ..List Building Steps, Step 2 – Make Free Opt-in Offer
Hi Vance,
Firstly, I don’t understand why your comments end up in my spam folder, but it doesn’t matter because I’ll always find it and approve it.
Interesting comments regards this 11 year olds blog – sounds like a smart cookie! I’ll be checking it out soon.
Pleased you enjoyed my video, thanks for taking the time Vance and keep in touch buddy.
Andrew.