This is the bit where I get to talk about myself (oh yes, it had to come sooner or later).

Bail out now. Run away. Escape.

There, now you can't say I kept you against your will. Anyway, on with the show. Although those of you that know me best will be aware that I seem to spend most of my life wandering around grumbling about how there's nothing to do, I do actually have some interests. (Hmm guess this must be one of them - no, I'm not a freak or a computer nerd, before you ask.)

Firstly, travel - because it means I'm neither at school nor at home. And yes they're both good things. I love my parents and my cats, but all the same, who would want to be in Calne when they could be elsewhere? Likewise, my friends are great and I miss them when I'm not at school... but I can't wait to get out.

First stop on the world tour of places I love is...

The Maldives

I went to Baros last Easter and fell in love with it. I'd wanted to go there for seven years so it was good to make it there finally. As you may have guessed, this background picture was taken in the Maldives - pretty cool huh? It really is paradise, although you probably would get bored after a while. The pleasure of it is indescribable really, because it's so sensuous - the heat, the smell (tropical flowers and an all-pervading odour of suncream), the sounds (like fish munching coral, which sounds like they're being electrocuted) - and most of all the brightness. You know you get those mornings in summer when the sun's streaming through the curtains and you leap out of bed, eager to get outside? Maldivian sunshine is a million times more intense. I could rattle on all day about the joys of tropical islands but it's hard to summarise them in a couple of paragraphs. The best thing I can say is GO THERE.

 

Next stop...

Paris

There's not really anything to say about Paris which hasn't been said before. The policemen are kind of scary, but I think that probably all French policemen are. Not that I'm a great expert, but I have come across a few on my travels. I suppose I like Paris because it's a big, beautiful city which isn't in England but where I can still understand the language. Just one of that host of wierd things that float my boat.

«Voici Sacre Coeur

 

And then a little closer to home.... the good old

Cotswolds

Sorry to disappoint you folks - nothing more glamorous than Gloucestershire. For all I think sometimes that I hate the place I love it really. It's hard not to love the place where you grow up, if you're happy there while you're a child. It feels like a very secure, safe place because of its familiarity - and it has a certain amount of rustic charm too. I have a friend who think it's all a bit prissy but she's more of a city girl - while I get called both country bumpkin and townie (depending on where the caller of names lives themself - whatever they are, I'm not). Aaanyway, that's all beside the point. Oh yeah, there wasn't one in the first place. Never mind, if you're sitting here reading this page you probably know the area anyway so you don't need convincing of its superiority (right?!).

 

Ummm..... where else? If we're going for small places then I can add Roundway Hill and the stream by Beanie's house (scene of many happy hours of frolicking the morning after). And if we're talking summertime then obviously I have to mention the beer gardens in Cheltenham (aka the Imperial Gardens to those who don't go in for beer) where many a long afternoon has been wasted and then regretted but ultimately, in the overall scheme of things, appreciated. It's good when you can look back on something you once regretted and now say you're glad it happened - I hope you know what I mean.

 

Second, music...

Obviously I reckon I have pretty eclectic tastes in music, though many people would beg to differ. You're probably one of them - but never mind that now.

My essential bed time listening is the Hackers soundtrack, while when I'm more awake I like Air, Massive Attack, Lenny Kravitz, Portishead, Jamiroquai, Alex Reece and the dulcet but less-known tones of BT (that would be Brian Transeau rather than British Telecom). Music of the moment is Kid Loco - A Grand Love Story (a French band with the occasional hint of Air; very mellow, very eclectic) and Sounds from another room about which I know nothing but that it's great stuff - perhaps a bit cheesy sometimes, but easy going and good to work to. Another recent find is Orbital, about which I would very much like to discover more. Oh and of course a current favourite would be the dynamic duo that are Exile - otherwise known as my brother and his friend, hence the plug. Their first single is due for release in September, so start queuing up for your copy now. Send Exile fan mail

 

I'm sure I have more interests than just those... oh yeah, like reading but that's not quite as riveting to tell you about (is it?). Good reads of late include:

 

This page is created, maintained and updated by me, and was last updated on 8th May 1999.
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