1. I had a head injury that affected my speech and short-term memory. My cat knocked a metal candle holder on to my head while I slept and it hit the soft tissue below my brain stem causing severe concussion. I was in hospital for four days, with my memory and concentration tested daily. I still have post-traumatic migraines as a result of this accident.
2. My first job was at McDonald’s when I was 14. I loved this job because it gave me financial freedom and good, basic training that I still use today. And I was great at asking “Would you like fries with that?”
3. I have been married twice. My first husband and I met at school and became a couple when we were 16 (he is a week older than me). I left him when I decided I deserved more than the abusive relationship I had.
4. I am considering writing a novel. I wrote a short story earlier this year and have had such good feedback I’d like to use the story as the prelude to something bigger.
5. I bite my fingernails. You would know this if you knew me in person, but it’s a habit I find it impossible to break for any extended length of time.
6. I am lactose intolerant. This was diagnosed when I was 11 when the only non cow’s milk option was goat’s milk (which I hated). I’m so glad there are many more options now.
7. I grind my teeth. I wear a plate to bed so I don’t grind my teeth down to nothing. Apparently I ground my baby teeth flat.
8. The first album I bought was The Best of Eric Carmen (yes it was vinyl). I was 14 and Dirty Dancing was my favourite movie!
9. I am quarter Greek. My grandfather’s family came from a tiny island called Kythera, where they fled during the French revolution.
10. I used to do jazz ballet. An early goal was to be a ballerina (that was never going to happen).
11. Oysters and offal make me ill.
12. I cried listening to the Last Post played in the 2003 dawn service at Gallipoli. I have no relatives who lost lives in the first or second world wars, but being surrounded by thousands of Australians and New Zealanders and the thought of what so many had sacrificed made the moment an emotional one for me.
13. I had a pet chicken when I was 14. Her name was Belina (from Return to Oz) and she used to walk to meet me if I was late home from school.
14. My favourite flowers are gerberas. Preferably hot pink.
15. I was told I was probably infertile when I was 23. I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and my doctor was amazed I had two children without fertility treatment.
16. I type with two fingers. Yes, I’m a journalist, but my two-finger typing hasn’t affected my career to date.
17. Once upon a time I could take shorthand at 100 words per minute. No chance now, but it was a requirement of my journalism cadetship.
18. I climbed up the Franz Josef glacier in New Zealand. And I still remember how good it felt to look out from the top.
19. I lived in Henley-on-Thames (famous for the Henley Royal Regatta) for two years.
20. My first car was a Mini Clubman. I still drive around corners like I’m in it!
Love the mini clubman story and had a very clear vision of you taking corners…lol
keep us posted on your up and coming novel!
xxx
Julie the cornering doesn’t work so well now I have a sensible family car 🙂
I love this post! I might have to pinch this idea and do the same (and by “might” I mean I’ve just mentally written half of it!).
I can’t wait to read that novel. I’ll make you a deal – if I can read a draft, I’ll let you take The Toy for a spin when you come to Brissie next – it corners beautifully 🙂
Mel xx
It’s a deal Mel! Of course you can read a draft – you inspired it 🙂 And that makes a Brisbane trip even better!
Thanks Joh!! I was hoping it was “that” story!
Great article Joh! Thank you for sharing it – and reminding me of a few things that I had forgotten about (not sure how I forgot your head injury …).
FYI – I *love* gerberas too. I had pink ones in my bridal bouquet.
And if you do make a trip to Brisbane to visit Mel make sure you add us to the list!! 🙂
Thanks Helen, I’d like to forget about the head injury! Gerberas are such lovely happy flowers, I’m not surprised you like them too. And it seems I definitely need to start planning that Brissie trip 🙂
Jo, love the personal insights! Thanks for sharing. x Carol
And I am putting my hand up now to edit your next book when you write it!
You’re on Carol!
Hi Joh
Thank you for sharing this artilce Joh:-) Please forgive me if this is too personal: if you can find a good Cranio/osteopath close by, she/he would be able to help you release the trauma in your head.
or if you like; i can talk to you about it. personally and professionally i’ve clocked MANY MANY hours on this paths.
be well bella
magda
Magda thank you for taking the time to comment and don’t apologise being personal! This post was all about being personal. I’ll have a look into osteopaths in Launceston, but would also love to talk to you about what else I could be doing. Joh
Wow, there you go I definitely didn’t know all of that. Thanks for sharing Joh its lovely to get to know you a little better 🙂 x
Glad all this extra info didn’t scare you off!
I type with two fingers, bite my nails and worked at Maccas too Johanna! I knew we had a lot in common! x
We definitely do Alli 🙂