I'd like to meet:
I know I'm listed as single on the page, but my heart belongs to another woman, so sorry, ladies! It would be great if I could get in touch with some more pipers, we're not very common after all. Any Warhammer Dwarf players are always welcome. I'd like to meet more history freaks too, especially anyone interested in the Zulu War. I don't get to talk to many peple about it! Also, anyone go to THIMUN 2006 (The Hague International Model United Nations, for those of you who weren't there)? I was the Russian Federation, 4th GA Committee.
Television:
I don't really watch television much. I'm a regular viewer of BBC News, being one who likes to know what's going on in the world. However, the quality of journalism isn't that good anymore, the London News is actually of a much higher standard. My favourite TV series is The West Wing, the award-winning political drama about the White House starring Martin Sheen. If only the real US government was like this. Bartlet for America! or should that be Viva Matt Santos! I'm also a big fan of Top Gear, although I watch it for the humour, not the cars. Jeremy Clarkson's bone-dry wit can at times be truly hysterical. And the races are good. Let's hope Hamster and his white teeth will be back soon. While it's not so much of a TV series, the World War Two mini-drama Band of Brothers is outstanding. It's hard to belive that half of the actors are British ,including Damien Lewis, who plays Lieutenant/Captain/Major Winters. He did well on Have I Got News For You recently, one of my other favourite programmes. Who needs the real News anyway? Rome was interesting to watch, being the BBC's first venture into the porn industry. I watched half of the first episode of Into the West and walked off because it's appallingly written. Steven Spielberg should never have touched it.
Books:
..As a practising Christian, the book I read most is the Bible, which I read from every day in search of guidance. Moving swiftly away from religion, The Lord of the Rings tops my fiction list. As well as being a great story, the unparallelled level of history and detail that Tolkien created in his work will surely never be equalled in the English language. I seem to be the only person in the known universe who hasn't read The Da Vince Code. One of my favourite authors is Harry turtledove, who writes alternative history. His books are all about the consequences of something in history happening differently, sometimes something minute, other times something earth-shattering (often literally). These events range from the Lost Order of the American Civil War not being lost to an alien invasion during the Second World War. While I found Birdsong to be a terrific read (the ending is so scary), for me All Quiet on the Werstern Front is the definitive anti-war novel. I recommend the original film, which, although a tad out of date (made in 1930), is an excellent adaptation and infinitely better than the 1979 remake. The battle sequences were very avante garde. On a lighter note, I am a great fan of Terry Pratchett, who, along with Douglas Adams, invented my sense of humour. The Bromeliad Trilogy, about 4-inch high nomes, is my favourite. Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is the funniest book you will ever read and the funniest radio series you will ever listen to. And the film's good as well. Alan Rickman was the perfect choice for Marvin. Who else spotted the original Marvin robot from the TV series standing in the queue? For any girl wishing to understand why boys are so weird, I direct them to the Secret Diaries of Adrian Mole. Their portrayal of a teenager and later adult with a messed-up life is so convincing that it's almost impossible to believe the books were written by a woman. My favourite military historian is the American Stephen E. Ambrose. He is the author of the book Band of Brothers that the drama series is based on. Anyone interested in the Second World War should read Citizen Soldiers. While it is concerned with the experiences of the American army, it deals with the Germans to some extent and gives an excellent impression of what life was like for the ordinary soldiers, being mostly based on first-hand accounts.
Heroes:
It will suffice to say that George W. Bush is not one of them. My favourite person ever is Sir David Attenborough. I have been watching his wildlife programmes since I was a child and they keep getting better. What I love about him is the sheer passion he has for nature that so clearly comes across in his work. And I've been lucky enough to see him in the flesh. My other favourite TV personality is the veteran BBC correspondent and present World Affairs editor John Simpson. Having been to most if not all of the most politically dangerous places on earth, this man really knows what he is talking about. I thoroughly recommend his autobiography series, not just to learn about his life, but to gain a deep and personal account of how the world works, or rather, doesn't. My favourite piper is the late Gordon Duncan, one of the living (until recently) legends of piping. Great pipers change what other pipers listen to. Legendary pipers change what other pipers play. So it was with Gordon Duncan. Many of his compositions are famous throughout the piping world. His impact on modern piping is greater than that of any other individual. Rest in peace. And someone bring back Charles Kennedy to lead the Liberal Democrats again, how we miss you!..