This one's optimistic
First of all, my first optimistic gesture since resolving to be an upbeat sort of fellow by 2020. Webmeisters Linzy and Misha have set up a ‘fans’ forum’ for me: http://www.markwatsonfans.com/. Soon, you will be able to use this to track your progress in the challenge (see below). But also, you can… well, basically talk about me. Or about each other. Or talk about Tim Minchin but find ways of linking it to me. To make this a worthwhile venture, rather than a futile exercise in narcissism, I’ll leak fun information to this forum from time to time, like how to get tickets for TV recordings before other people do; or, before my tour shows, I’ll send messages to people who I know are coming, setting up jokes which will be in the show. And other larks of that sort. Join it. Go on.
So. Tomorrow, the Ten-Year Self-Improvement Challenge, or TYSIC, officially begins, on the auspicious date of March 4th 2010. So this is your last chance to declare your goal – joining the ranks of more than 25,000 other challengers, and by more than 25,000 I mean around 200. Which is still pretty good. (Of course, it’s not really your last chance; you could quite easily join any time before March 2020. But give yourself as much time as you can, that’s my advice.)
As I explained in the other day’s blog, my goal is to be more optimistic. I’m going to do this in small ways, but with the overall aim of overhauling the more defeatist aspects of my personality over the years to come. However, I did mention I was going to set some miscellaneous goals as well. Here they are:
- Have more courage; specifically, conquer my phobia of lightning. This is a near-lifelong problem. Obviously, it only affects me about four days a year, but on those occasions it reduces me to a hopeless wreck. I need to deal with this before my son is old enough to realise that his dad is scared of electricity in the sky. I want to be more courageous across the board, but if I can crack this, I can brave anything.
- I’ve played drums on and off to a very low standard since I was a teenager. By the end of the decade I’d like to have played either in a live gig, or a record of any kind. Maybe on one of the records various people have pledged to make as part of the TYSIC. Wouldn’t that be cool? Yes.
- Cut down booze until, by the age of forty, I’m drinking 50 percent or less of what I currently consume. Alcoholism is made easy by my career, my general stress levels, and my fondness for, er, alcohol. Or more specifically, wine. But apparently scientists have started to unearth evidence that alcohol can be bad for you.
- Stop comparing myself with others – either professionally or personally. This was a challenge someone else put down the other day and I would do well to emulate it. Far too much of my twenties (and teenage, for that matter) was dogged by pointless competitiveness. Actually, it’s not entirely pointless – the competitive impulse is one of the main reasons I’ve ever achieved anything at all – but it is dangerous, and it ought to be something I can leave behind in my thirties.
- Lastly, I might as well attempt something really outlandish, so: I vow by 2020 either to meet Barack Obama, cause a change to the laws of this country, or take significant steps towards getting into Outer Space.
Tomorrow, I will be posting some highlights of the many outstanding comments people left on the original blog, and we’ll kick the whole thing off…
A little bit of admin, finally. Just to say, I do read all the comments people write, but there’s not much time to reply to them, what with this baby and all, so I tend to err on the side of replying to none of them. What I do try to do is incorporate comments into future blogs and reply to them there. And also, if your comment has mysteriously not appeared, it’s because it’s being ‘moderated’. It normally takes a day or so.
The software we use to monitor the site shows that a handful of people have been logging on from, among others, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Indonesia, Japan and Norway. If you are one of these people or someone from anywhere else far-flung, I’d like to hear from you. Just because it’s fun. Kryzygstan!
And finally, in answer to a question posed by four people, yes, the title of Sunday’s blog was a homage to the funny bit at the end of Ben Folds Five’s seminal second album. Quite often I will name blogs with song lyrics. We don’t want to create a culture of geeky smugness where we all congratulate ourselves for spotting them, and I lay claim to some sort of cool chic merely for having mentioned them. But if you DO spot them, you are definitely free to feel geeky and smug in your spare time.
Posted by Knox on May 6, 2011
I attempted conquering a phobia the other day (of walking over wobbly bridges) – I was late to meet a friend, and she said the quickest thing would be to cross the Millenium Bridge. I’d been forced across it once before by a friend who convinced me I’d be ok – cowering one third of the way in, barely stopping myself from yelling obscenities at the guy jumping up and down on the bridge is not my idea of ‘ok’. But I figured I’d try it again. I have never felt so sure that I was going to die. I needed to call my sister to get me on the bridge, then talk at her in a very loud voice, then just hang up, when I couldn’t deal with concentrating on not plunging to my death, and the wind in the phone at the same time. Some phobias are not meant to be overcome. Wobbly bridges definitely fall into that category.
Posted by Tony on March 4, 2010
Right, well i’m well up for this. I’m 35 in a fortnight, and aside from a more general desire to get more into writing there are two things in particular that I thought I would have done by now, but haven’t. They are:
1. Learn another language to a reasonable level of fluency. Been dying to do this for years and its about damn time I made a commitment to be a bit more global! Right at this second, the chosen language is going to be…. Japanese. Or it might be Mandarin. But probably Japanese. So wish me luck. The second…?
2. At some point in the next 10 years I will be playing on a stage at the Glastonbury Festival. 2010 will be my 13th festival as a punter, and it’s time to experience the whole thing from the other side. I’ve been playing bass for about 20 years and it’s one of life’s ambitions to play on the Pyramid Stage. So i think its eminently reasonable to try and do it before the ripe old age of 45…
So there. See me? See commitment? No bother…
Posted by Ashley on March 4, 2010
I’d like to change my attitude. Start saying yes to things. I never go out with friends for one reason or another so I’m going to start going out and trying new things. And the courage to meet new people and to have the courage to move to a new state and start my new job.
Posted by Maddie on March 4, 2010
If you want to brush up on your drumming, I know a drum tutor. He’s very good actually. You can check out his band at: http://www.myspace.com/haloegotrip
N.B – It may seem a bit ‘shouty’ at first, but it gets better. Also, this is just the band – not his only drumming style.
Just a thought.
Ready to start achieving my goals!
x
Posted by Lisa Brunders on March 4, 2010
oooo today’s the day! I’ll catch you after work.
Posted by Kaoru on March 4, 2010
Hi, Mark. I think your passion for blogging is really great. Your post gives me courage!
I’m typing this from Tokyo in Japan, or the isolated civilisation on the Pacific Ocean. If I were more optimistic, maybe I should say “the rest of the world cut off”. I think I should add another resolution to mine:
to go to your gig in Britain in…say, next 5 years! I definitely will achieve this one, because I can’t even watch your TV show here…
And I also add this goal: to learn a word a day. It just came to my mind yesterday. It would be great because eventually I will have learned 3,650 words. My optimistic goals.
Posted by Kit Hargreaves on March 4, 2010
In response to your request for contact from people in obscure places, here I am, writing from Cambodia.
Thought I’d check the site as my mum told me you just had a baby, and that you’d decided to give it the best name in the known universe – Good job!
Turns out from your site that you’re doing well and still ridiculously funny,
Nice to see
:0)
Posted by Marie on March 4, 2010
Nice post, and quite optimistic!
I set myself a goal originally of being more confident, so the first step for me is learning how to speak in public. Without my voice shaking and my palms sweating and my knees knocking. I have to give a lot of presentations as part of my degree, and my nerves are way too obvious right now.
I’m also going to add ‘being a nicer person’ to my goal list. I found myself snapping at someone earlier, because they were irritating me by trying to give me directions. I want to be someone who can stay calm and patient, unless the other person is literally jumping up and down on my foot, or pointing in my face.
Posted by Louise on March 4, 2010
I think I might want to a add a goal to my previous 5: to tell people that I like them when I like them instead of keeping quiet for fear of rejection. Might as well start the now…Ben Folds if you are reading this, I fancy you. Okay that one doesn’t really count.
Posted by Corey on March 3, 2010
Already started on the music road. Don’t know what we’re gonna do yet, but me and my cousin have booked to go into a pro studio to record something!?! Can’t wait
Posted by Rosie on March 3, 2010
1. Go to university
2. Write more (if above is achieved this will most likely be achieved also)
3. Learn to develop film myself
4. Become tidy
…For starters.
Oh. And
5. Get round to writing an article ffor TheGirlsAre.com
6. Get more readers to my blog
Posted by Shelley on March 3, 2010
OK, I’m actually going to have courage and post on here, rather than just observing (probably helped by the wine).
My 10 year goal is to pass the ACCA and become a Chartered Accountant. This is helped by the 10 year limit they have – if you don’t complete the course in 10 years, you can never pass. The first step is actually applying for the course; the amount of times people ask how it’s going and I mumble “I haven’t applied yet” is getting embarrassing.
So, stop being lazy and start a career. And, I suppose this post suggests, start putting myself forward (joining in the fun, introducing myself to people) without the need for alcohol!
Posted by Lisa Brunders on March 3, 2010
I wondered why there wasn’t a blog this morning, written in the wee small hours, until I saw your tweet saying that Kit had been keeping you busy.
I joined your fan site to be supportive, I was 200th, which is kind of nice for some inexplicable reason. Don’t think I’ve joined a fan club since the Tinger and Tucker club (have I made that up, or dragged it up from a time gone by?).
I’m really enjoying reading your blogs and feeling very much a part of tysic, can’t wait til tomorrow!
Goodnight
Posted by Viki on March 3, 2010
I’m going to 1) stop comparing myself with others and 2) try to be more sociable.
Posted by Rachael on March 3, 2010
Courage is a good one. I think it would take me more than 10 years though!
Posted by MrMatt on March 3, 2010
My finalised goals are:
1)Getting published
2)Learning to drive
3) Getting an additional degree qualification
4) Visiting at least one major sporting event (Olympics, world cup or European championship)
Posted by Steph on March 3, 2010
Oh, and one more goal to add to learning adulty things and appreciating Hazel Irvine…
…appearing on University Challenge.
Posted by Steph on March 3, 2010
Is it Kyrgyzstan or Kyrzygstan? I think it’s the former but I like the second better. Zyg zyg zyg!
Posted by Sarah (@misswiz) on March 3, 2010
OK, I’ve been thinking about this and it’s about time I joined in – I’m planning on putting my goals on my own blog too (which you can get to by clicking on my name) but I haven’t got time to do that just now.
So I’ve got a few goals for the next 10 years…
Firstly, I’ve recently lost a quite a bit of weight and I have a little more to go to get into a healthy weight range for my height. Once I’ve reached this weight my aim is to stay there or thereabouts for the next ten years (well, indefinitely really) rather than the dramatic yo-yo-ing of the last 10 years.
The second goal is probably easier to achieve and that is to spend at least a month in Australia and New Zealand (with the possibility of emigrating – but I don’t definitely want to do that so no point setting it as a goal).
The third – which I’m actually fairly certain will happen in the next two years is to become a fully qualified and registered teacher…and move to London.
And finally (I know, I don’t ask much do I?) is carry on playing the ukulele, which I’ve been doing for about 6 months now, get better at it and actually learn to write my own songs on it.
I think that’ll do for now. Good Luck to everyone for Day 1!
Posted by Kate on March 3, 2010
I’ve decided in addition to performing in a play in the West End I am also going to challenge myself to be more optimistic and confident by March 2020.
Posted by CarlitoBurrito on March 3, 2010
Ben, you are a gent (I presume), thank you!
The interweb is a delight isn’t it? Also, your typo of “blob” instead of “blog” will have me chuckling for days.
Also, may be reverting to my twitter id of @CarlBurktwit in order to avoid confusion in the future when comparing all our TYSIC related news. x
Posted by Ben on March 3, 2010
CarlitoBurrito: i am unrealistically bad at computers, so don’t worry…
i tried putting the link to my blob in the website bit under name and email for the comment, and it magically made my name a link to it.
i repeat, magically. i love the magic.
Posted by Linsey Chaplin on March 3, 2010
By the end of the year (or preferably August, but I don’t know if that’s pushing it) I would like to learn how to swim, and know that if I ever find myself in the middle of a vast space of water I will be able to get out of it alive. Last year I went on holiday with my friends, and my phobia of deep water stopped me going to play in the sea with them, which sounds trivial, but made me feel stupid at the time. This year I’d like to go with them.
And also by 2020 I’d like to own over (or around) 150 albums, with the double advantage of supporting the music industry and making me feel smug compared to all the people that think downloading music is better than buying the physical album.
Posted by Cymruangel on March 3, 2010
Gosh. Are you emulating little old me? I feel so proud. We shall have to be careful not to compare our progress though!
Posted by Beth on March 3, 2010
My ten-year-challenge is to generally be a more confident/outgoing person. I want to go traveling, and will probably end up going alone, so I thought that being more confident/outgoing is essential for this trip.
Hopefully, I will have achieved this in the ten year time slot and will have plenty of travel stories to tell you all
Posted by BeckyMarsh on March 3, 2010
Looking forward to tommorow. I think this date is about to take on a whole new meaning for us, looking forward to the TYSIC birthday celebreations already! I to have identified some smaller yet equally important goals i think if you click on my name it will take you there…this is all very new to me, but its not called a ‘challenge’ for nothing! The launch of the website will hopefully make it easier to share in each others challenges rather than just reading about yours, Mark! Not that it isnt just delightful!
Posted by Misha on March 3, 2010
180 Users and counting. Oo eck.
In a step towards my TYSIC err challenge today I’ve learnt to play two bass riffs for a night where we’re appearing as a Corrs tribute act. (classy I know) this is more important because i’m not a bassist and before today had never tried to play one before.
Magic.
Posted by CarlitoBurrito on March 3, 2010
Thanks Ben! Insanely jealous of your typewriter.
I’m about to show myself up as a dunce on computers, but how did you create that link to your blog via your name on here? I’m intrigued. x
Posted by Sian M on March 3, 2010
Right, I have been thinking about this quite carefully for a few days because I want to do something that really will improve my life and have it not just be something off a 100 things to do before you die list because those are just depressing. I will be 29 when this is all over.
My TYSIC is to be more adventurous, to try more things instead of repeatedly backing out because I’m afraid to fail or embarass myself. This will include:
1. Learning to ride a bike this summer. (I have wanted to since I was about 12 but never had the guts to try because I felt I was too old to not know how.)
2. Go to my first music festival. (Also wanted to do this for ages, but too scared!)
3. Accept more invitations to go out.
4. Invite other people out more! Generally be more sociable, perhaps?
5. Go bungee jumping or sky diving.
6. Travel somewhere outside Europe. (Only ever been to Portugal and France, never travelled without parents or school.)
7. Attempt some stand-up (preferably) or something that will get me onto a stage. :s
Will work on these and many more. Ten years is a long time to fill, but it should be fun with loads of other people trying working alongside us.
Posted by EmmaT on March 3, 2010
I also had a fear of lightning. This fear really affected me over the years also led to that important time in every girls life that, contrary to what I believed at the time, my mother did not know everything. We were on the Isle of Wight, and found ourselves stuck outside with a storm rapidly approaching. My ever sensitive mother told me to stop worrying quite so much as the storm was over the mainland and would pass by us completely. Then, with pretty comical timing, the whole sky lit up and there was an almighty clap of thunder right over head and the lightning bolt had struck a tree further along the coast. However now, and I do not know how, I have managed to conquer this fear and kind of love dramatic weather.
Clara81 I would also like to look old enough to drink by the time I turn 37. I constantly get the ’26? really?’ and it’s going to be worse in two weeks time. I even got asked by someone about 6 months ago whether I wanted to be a vet like my mother when I leave school. Although at 37/38 we will be loving it. Or that is what I have been told more times than I can remember.
Posted by Hal on March 3, 2010
1. Where something comes up that I think I might hate or be rubbish at, do it anyway (like snowboarding last year – I was rubbish, but finding that out was weirdly enjoyable)
2. Do some stuff to raise awareness of endometriosis (it takes an average of 9 years to be diagnosed as GPs find it tricky – and is a crappy condition to have)
3. This one I may not manage due to having the above condition – make serious efforts to have a child.
Posted by Danielle on March 3, 2010
This TYSIC is such a wonderful idea. My main goals are to
1) Finish university and get a job that i actually enjoy
2) Learn to drive
3) Be more positive – i’m sick of my friends telling me how much i complain
4) Learn sign language
Posted by Ben on March 3, 2010
CarlitoBurrito, a letter a week is a great idea! I bought an ancient typewriter a few months ago, and started sending letters to people, but haven’t done it in a while. I might join you, although change it to every 2 weeks… I just started a blog for my TYSIC (click my name) and thats gonna have me writing more often than usual already.
Mark, this whole idea is awesome and gets moreso every day. Thank you!
Posted by Emma on March 3, 2010
When you describe lightening as ‘electricity in the sky’, that actually makes it sound like something quite worth being afraid of!
I guess it’s all about mind over matter and convincing yourself there’s nothing to be afraid of…
Although I’m hardly one to talk, my phobia of vomiting reduces me to a ‘hopeless wreck’ substantially more than four days a year (Damn people and their throwing up indiscriminately in public places)
Competitiveness is an issue for me too… Although as you say, it can spur you on to greater things. I think I’ll stick with it for a while longer, say, the rest of my twenties
Posted by Cat :) on March 3, 2010
I think in all of the pessimism you have, there is already a lot of optimism lurking. Even though you always tend to say you’ll fail at things, you ALWAYS set yourself ENORMOUS challenges. Which are kind of like saying “I could do this”. Just a random thought I had whilst reading this…
I did type out a nice long message about what my 10 year challenge was but I think it stuffed up… Anyway, my challenge is to find my dream job. Since I have many years of University ahead, it kind of starts with that. And getting a good job with animals is really hard to get into because everyone wants to do it.
That is my much abridged version of what I wrote before.
You get the idea.
Posted by Matt on March 3, 2010
First things first, I did indeed contact Mark on Twitter to check that the reference to 28/2 Blog was that of Ben Folds Five. I know so because it’s probably my favourite album all time, on that basis, Even although I’ve heard it several hundred time, I still feel a sense of smugness, it feels good!
In terms of the 10 year Challenge there’s a couple of things I guess. Firstly I think that I need to ‘do more’. For those of you who have read Danny Wallace’s book ‘Yes Man’ (infinitly better than the film of the same title) it’s a bit like that really. Most nights consist of me coming home from work and crashing in front of the TV. I don’t tend to go out or partake in any activities. This needs to change! I was also 30 recently and if I’m not careful, I’ll have reached 40 and realised my life is very empty. I need to think about how I go about this but an action plan will be formed.
Secondly, I had the holiday of a lifetime in 2006 when I went to New York. The plan is to get back to the USA (New York and San Francisco) within the next 10 years. It will cost money of course but it must not be something which i let slip.
That’s about it. I’ll get working on the detailed plan!
Posted by Sarah Morgan on March 3, 2010
As we’re just round the corner from you, I’m offering you my husband for an hour. Do what you wish with him but I’m specifically thinking his role as professional drum teacher might be useful for thing 2.
Posted by clara81 on March 3, 2010
OK, so I guess I’d better actually make a record of my goals. Otherwise I’ll only forget what they were, and how will I be able to feel all inadequate when I fail to reach them then?
1) This is the biggy. My son will be 14 (eek!) by the end of this challenge. I don’t want to raise a perfect little automaton who never challenges authority or pushes his limits. But I do hope that he’ll be kind and respectful. That he’ll be open-minded and tolerant of those whose views differ from his own. And that’ll be confident enough to have his own opinions instead of just following the herd.
2) Get a job!! Becoming a parent just weeks after finishing uni was wonderful, but it hasn’t exactly helped my job prospects in the current financial climate as it means that I’ve never, ever had a full-time, permanent job. I absolutely hate being financially dependant on my partner; it doesn’t seem fair that he should support me, even if I did spend the previous 4yrs looking after our son. Ideally, I’d love to qualify as a maths teacher…
3) Get my travel sickness to a managable level. Currently, I cannot travel more than a few miles by car, and planes or boats are off limits completely. Fortunately, I have good rail links, but let’s face it you can’t get everywhere by train. It severely limits the jobs I can apply for and the friends I can visit. Social life? What social life? I don’t have 10yrs to achieve this, as we have a holiday booked in France for August…. possibly not the wisest decision in the circumstances.
And finally, I’d love to actually look my age. I think I do look 28, but the staff of my local supermarket disagree. They regularly ask me for ID when purchasing wine. I wouldn’t mind so much, but I’m tee-total and only ever by non-alcoholic stuff. It’s very embarrassing being refused a product which isn’t actually age-restricted in the first place. So, by the time I’m 38 I hope that I look old enough to drink.
Posted by Rebecca on March 3, 2010
Loving this idea! I too am a natural born Pessimist. Your comment about not being able to have your glass half full because you’d spill it, was hysterically funny & totally resonated with me. Having had Depression for much of my life, I have realised the impact of negative thinking on your life ,so a quest for Optimism is also my goal. I live with the world’s biggest Optimist & quite frankly, I get on his tits. I had many irrational fears , of going in the Sea, Fish (quite a lot to do with it!) birds, .. All of which I am v proud & just a bit smug to say, I have conquered. The feeling of liberation is unbelievable, so good luck with the Lightening, it’s worth it. The only one I haven’t mastered is Snakes, but I’ve got 10 yrs!!
Posted by elin on March 3, 2010
Ok, I’ve been following this… and I like the idea.
I have one big goal. I am doing my masters in fine arts now, and in ten years I would love to be an established artist. I don’t expect to be able to live entirely of my painting, even if that is the ultimate dream, but if I could do it 50% or so that would be something. I have committed most of my life to the ultimate goal of studying painting at university level, and, well, I am doing that. I have done that for almost four years now… but to go beyond that is… scary. Mind-bogglingly terrifying…
And you said you wanted to hear from Norway, so hi from a Swede in Norway. I’m so very international! It’s amazing!
Posted by Charlotte on March 3, 2010
I will vow to stop punishing myself for mistakes I made in the past. It is about time I forgave myself and started living the wonderful life that I have now. Quite how I can achieve this is a tricky one but I’m sure I’ll be fully able to over a ten-year project.
Posted by david on March 3, 2010
Is the blog title referring to rod stewart’s latest album: ‘This one’s optimistic’?
Also, go carlitoburrito! Nice idea.
Posted by Toni on March 3, 2010
Courage is I think something we could all use a bit more of :-S I’ve already set my main ten year challenge but I do have a seriously crippling needle phobia which I need to find some way of overcoming – in ten years I’ll be 30 and hopefully either have children or at least starting to think about it, so it’s not something I can avoid dealing with forever
no idea how to go about this but yes it has to join the list (well I say list it’s currently just 1 long thing)
Must check out that forum now…
Posted by Madeleine on March 3, 2010
Courage! That would be great, I would love to be able to meet and talk to new people confidently, as myself as well, not as the over-the-top witty enthusiastic character that I put on in most social situations. I would also like to learn an intrument. I know exactly how to read tabs and music and how a guitar works, but I’ve never touched one because I’m so scared of being hopelessly crap. Lightning (I read that as lighting first, and wonderd how you were so often on the tele) is frightening though, maybe you just need to get struck once, apparently it never happens again.
Posted by CarlitoBurrito on March 3, 2010
****** CORRECTION ********
Send a letter every WEEK. Every day is just madness.
Posted by CarlitoBurrito on March 3, 2010
Mark, not that I wasn’t before all this, but I’m really looking forward to the next 10 years. And I’m sure then other 25,000 people (ahem) involved are as well. That must make you feel proud. If it doesn’t, it should.
I was one of the ambitious bunch aiming to complete a novel (COMPLETE, not necessarily publish, that would be an extra bonus).
But before the big day I thought I’d list a couple of other goals:
1) Keep smiling – When I’m with friends I laugh and smile a lot, but I’ve noticed lately I can put a right grumpy face on (even when I’m not grumpy) when in an unfamiliar situation, thus potentially making a bad first impression.
2) Try harder with things I don’t like – For example, tomorrow (ironically) I’m starting two days of training for a new short term contract admin job, and I just KNOW there will be group work and role play (in the training sense). Both of these I dislike very much. But the people will only be doing their job and I think it’s about time I put my all in to those horribly awkward situations, it will make the day go faster.
3) Send a letter to someone every week. Emails and social networking sites are fantastic, the fact I am talking to you right now highlights this – and potentially avoids any Mark Champman/John Lennon scenario. However, I do feel hand writing letters or sending cards are overlooked. So, I intend to send a letter to someone I know, or would like to know, every day for the next 10 years, in order to keep contact with those unable to access the web.
Finally, any chance I could make one last push for an Annual TYSIC Teddy Bears’ Picnic? x
Posted by Stomper Girl on March 3, 2010
I’m thunderstorm-phobic too, but I have got braver since the kids because I really didn’t want to pass the phobia on. As long as I’m not actually outside in the storm I’m pretty calm now. And if you are caught outside in one, you can pretend you are agitated about getting wet, as opposed to the sky electricity. Good luck!
Posted by Laura on March 3, 2010
I am liking your commitment to this. I shall throw my own phobia into the mix as something I shall attempt conquering in the next ten years (along with irrational hatred, which I am extending into rage in general) – tomato ketchup. Even typing it makes me feel vaguely unwell, and it is one of those phobias where social gatherings that involve food can prove terribly trying – you just can’t avoid the stuff.
If I were to attempt an outlandish one it would be stop flights to outer space altogether (sorry) – they cost so much money and destroy the planet.
Posted by mat on March 3, 2010
ooh, Radiohead reference? I like…
Posted by Sam on March 3, 2010
On the fan forum we started a marching band called The Markettes. You’re more than welcome to play drums in that good sir.