bookmark_borderQuestions Answered #13

In a desperate effort to gain some weird form of validation, I stole an idea for a blog post and begged my readers to ask me a question. And they did. The buggers. Now I have to answer them.

My mate Keith sneaks in with a second question, “Daddy or Chips?” and because I specifically said ONE QUESTION each I refuse to answer it. Now if someone would just pass the vinegar…

Ohh alright then.

Daddy or Chips?
What this really comes down to is my love of potato-based products versus the love I have for my father.

So let’s break this down a little, one the one hand you have my Dad. He’s been my Dad for as long as I can remember and, yeah, he’s a pretty damn good Dad. He’s better than yours…

On the other hand, I LOVE potatoes. I mean I really REALLY LOVE potatoes. Apparently, this is due to the Irish in me, and whether that’s a direct influence or not I have to confess that sometimes, not often, I have a big plate potatoes for dinner. Take one large plate, one large pot of gloriously firm, waxy potatoes boiled to perfection (soft but solid), a large pat of butter and some salt (ohh shush, it’s not right if there isn’t any butter or salt!) and a large ice-cold glass of milk. Delish!

Double trouble if I get MacKie’s ice cream for dessert.

Of course that’s just one way to cook a potato, they are equally delicious roasted, fried, oven-baked, mashed, grilled, sauted, or stewed. And that’s before we get started on all the potato-based food items: chips, fries, crisps, rosti, croquettes, hash browns, to name but a few.

Yes, it’s fair to say I like potatoes no matter what form they come in, no matter what shape or size, and whether they are served as an accompaniment or as the main course all by themselves. I love potatoes. LOVE ‘EM.

But do I love them more than I love my Dad? Don’t be so bloody stupid.

In saying that, I AM looking forward to February 12th 2007

bookmark_borderAnd so, the end is near…

Today is my last day with my current employers. I’ve worked with this company for over 7 years and it’s gonna be sad to say goodbye to the rather wonderful people I work with (well, most of them…).

By happy coincidence tonight we are having the company Christmas party. It’s in a nearby hotel, a room is booked for ‘after hours’, and if previous years are anything to go by it’ll be 5am at the earliest before I get home. I am determined to get drunk. But not THAT drunk, don’t want to go out on a low note now, do I. Do I?

Mind you I think there is a rebellious side in all of us, a side which is just BEGGING to be allowed out to play and which already has a plan for dealing with THAT person, ohh and that one too. But no, they aren’t invited to the party, they will NOT be making an appearance!

All of this pre-amble is really just to say that I’ll be ‘absent’ tomorrow. YOU still get a post here but I sincerely doubt I’ll manage to even turn the computer on, let alone visit any blogs…

But don’t worry, I will see you all before Christmas, I promise.

bookmark_borderSlip slidin' away

Blimey, where HAS this year gone? More specifically, what the hell happened to December? And more specifically still, why am I so busy over the next couple of weeks considering I finish work tomorrow!

A brief pause then whilst I consider what I need to get done… and what I should’ve done already.

First up the obvious stuff, Xmas wise, cards have been posted, presents are all bought and wrapped, cupboards are reasonably stocked with alcohol (to take to places and drink), biscuits and ‘stuff’ to have when people come to visit, and the Sky+ is programmed with.. well not much. It’s usually all dross at this time of year and I’d happily spend most of the coming weeks with the TV OFF. Or at the very least, watching nothing but old movies. And yes, It’s a Wonderful Life still makes me cry..

Once we get the festivities of the season out of the way I’ve got an old site to finish off, a new site to start, and this place is due for a spruce up as well. I’ve still got some questions to answer but they’re written up and ready to post and will be done by the end of the year, I promise. And, of course, there will be books and gadgets and stuff to play with as well.

Ohh and I’m trying to keep the running going too, with rumours of an early evening run on Christmas Eve and quite probably a few extra ones jammed into my days off. I doubt I’ll get much chance during the first couple of weeks in January though, but we’ll see how it goes.

Did you know that George (Asda clothing department) is selling suits for £50? I’m sorely tempted as my current suit, which wasn’t a cheap one, is now kinda hanging off me. A stop gap suit to get me through the next couple of months is all I need, and as it’ll not get more than a couple of outings I’m loathed to spend too much. I’d better get my finger out though, I need it for tomorrow night… more on that tomorrow.

I’m still considering posting my “Best of 2006” lists but, frankly, I’m not sure I can be bothered. We’ll see, it might end up being a “highlights of 2006” list instead… or it might not happen at all.

Right, stuff to do, people to see, etc etc.

bookmark_borderFive Things You Don't Know About Me meme

podz tagged me with this, trickier than it sounds:

  1. I don’t like it when plans change.
  2. I have snogged a man.
  3. I once lost a pair of boxers on a night out.
  4. I spend far too much time imagining how certain situations MIGHT pan out.
  5. I have an alter ego.

Right, who’s next? Lemme see.. how about.. ohh you know what? Feel free to grab this one, I just don’t have the energy to try and pick people who might do it, as opposed to those who won’t. Too many of the latter, too few of the former!

Remember people, blogging is supposed to be fun. Irreverent, silly, fun! Meme on!

bookmark_borderQuestions Answered #12

In a desperate effort to gain some weird form of validation, I stole an idea for a blog post and begged my readers to ask me a question. And they did. The buggers. Now I have to answer them.

My mum sneaks in with a family favourite question of “To beard or not to beard”. Now, before I even start this one I’ll just make sure that everyone knows that I, Gordon McLean, blogger ordinaire, sport, a rather too ginger-esque, goatee. My Dad has, for as long as I can remember (bar a few disturbing moments during my childhood) sported a full beard. Once black, his is now ‘turning distinguished’ (going grey to you and I). So, why beard?

Why beard?
The obvious answer is because I can’t be arsed shaving. However it’s not THAT obvious because I have a… well I call it a goatee but I’ve heard it referred to as many different things, from “soul patch” through to “ginger bum fluff”. Basically the middle part of my chin.. ohh for goodness sake, there are plenty of photos of me kicking around, I don’t need to describe it.

Based on that, I can’t really claim that it’s because I can’t be bothered shaving, as I still have to shave every day or so… or three…

So why did I grow it in the first place? To be honest it was just for a change… I was between jobs, for a couple of weeks and took advantage of not HAVING to shave and, one night, I had a shower, thought I’d better have a shave and for some reason thought I’d see what I looked like with a goatee. The exact reason is lost in the murky depths of my memory but I THINK it was probably influenced by… well.. someone on TV or something (ok ok, it’s was probably, but not definitely, when Chandler appeared in Friends with a goatee).

Of course that’s not the only reason I grew it, and I think I still have my goatee for the reason my Dad has his beard. The McLean gene includes a fairly small chin, and so the beard helps balance the face by making the chin appear longer than it really is.. honest.

I guess the real question is why do I still have it?

That’s a tad trickier to explain, largely because I don’t fully understand the reasons myself. But, in no particular order, here are some factors:

  • Part of me thinks it is slightly ‘unconventional’, making me stand out from the norm, possibly a little bit ‘rock’. I know it’s not but something in my head keeps coming back to that.
  • It saves on the cost of razors.
  • It reminds me of my Dad, especially as I now share his beard stroking habit – fellow bearders will know what I mean – of flattening the hairs whilst pondering something. It’s nice to have an absentminded habit, especially the same one as my Dad.
  • I honestly do think I look better with it. Honestly.

Of course there are downsides:

  • Sometimes you don’t realise you’ve, say, dribbled milk into it whilst having your morning cereal.
  • It’s ginger ferchrissakes. Such is the downside of being a natural blonde.
  • It’s going grey.

OK, I guess it’s obvious by now that I can’t really explain WHY I “beard”. Just as I can’t explain why I still “beard” after.. what.. 8 or 9 years. Right now I can’t imagine NOT having it, so it ain’t going anywhere… unless.

You see, I took the opportunity whilst between jobs to grow it. It was during the switch back to Scotland that the moustache was lost, so maybe the new job in January will see me bare chinned again?

Nah.

bookmark_borderThank you

*sniff*

First of all I’d like to say what an honour it has been to be a part of this, what an incredible privilege that has been bestowed on me, one which I will treasure and keep with me at all times. I certainly never expected to receive anything like this and I’m both surprised and thrilled that is has been awarded.

Of course I need to thank some people. My parents, without whom I wouldn’t be standing here today, my family for keeping me grounded and never letting me forget my roots, and last but never ever least my darling wife. She completes me and without her this award would be meaningless.

Thank you again to everyone else involved, we are ALL wonderful people and richly deserve this honour. I feel decidedly under-equipped to receive this award on behalf of you, but I shoulder the burden as best I can.

We ARE the people. YOU are the winners.

Thank you Time magazine, thank you.