At the start of the year, another one of those Facebook threads popped
up asking people to present lists about something. Favourite albums, favourite
films etc are usually the order of the game, but this one was to just list ‘seven things about you’.
It probably gave further cause for the people who don’t use Facebook to
ask in horror “why
do people reveal so much information about themselves online?”
I can see that point to a degree, but personally I just see it as a bit of
fun… I’ve not got that much to hide! Besides, bloggers around the world will
state that making lists about things (and particularly making them a bit
personal) is a staple diet for subject matter!
I’ve upped it to ten, just to make it a nice round OCD list, so here are
my ‘things’, ever so slightly expanded:
- In 1975, I was born and was named Aaron Richard Berry after Elvis Aaron Presley and Richard the Lionheart. And Berry after my parents
I’m happy enough with the name
I was given, but do people ever make a meal over how it’s spelt and/or
pronounced!? It’s only five letters and two syllables – it really shouldn’t be
that difficult! At work, I have a name badge that I wear constantly and yet a
colleague who has sat adjacent to me for 10 years still manages to spell my
name wrong on Christmas cards. Bless them they even get it wrong in the office
birthday card where eight other people have already written my name down to
observe and copy!
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| Yes he spelt it both ways! |
- In 1982 (6 years old) I could do multiple cartwheels on an upside down gym bench that was only 3 inches wide
When a lot smaller (and more
agile), I was quite good at gymnastics and even went to a proper club to train
for a few weeks before being forced to cease attending. The cartwheeling was
done in tangent with a girl who ‘matched my symmetry’ according to the
instructor.
- In 1985 (10 years old) I inadvertently appeared as an extra during the filming of the Bob Hoskins cult classic movie ‘Mona Lisa’
There’s a scene on the Palace
Pier with Bob (RIP) and I can be seen in the background buying an ice cream (a
‘99’ of course) even though it was a cold and grey day. If you want to see it,
make sure you get the Blu-Ray version – I’m clearer in that one!
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| Anyone fancy an ice cream? |
- In 1986 (10 years old) I was one of the first 20 children to go on the new waterslide flumes at the King Alfred Swimming Pool, Hove.
Yep I won a competition in the
Evening Argus to get first dibs on opening day. This was a HUGE attraction for Hove at the time and they were great fun… until they
deteriorated and just became plain dangerous! The only annoyance on the day was
that the school bully was also a winner in the competition too, so I had to put
up with that lowlife for an hour or so.
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| They were cleaner back in the day - well for the first few weeks anyhoo |
- In 1988 (11 years old) I sang solo lines in Oliver! at the Brighton Dome in front of 2000 people each night for four shows
My Grandad had been part of
the Crescent Operatic Society (amateur dramatics) for a few years and persuaded
me and my brother to audition for Oliver!
We didn’t get lead roles, but I did at least get about 10 seconds of solo lines
to melodiously deliver!
- In 1992 (16 years old) I was the first male ever to get a B in GCSE German at my school
Or so I’m told. I’m sure it’s
been bettered since!
Helped in no small part by our
5th year teacher, after the 4th year teacher had been a
little out of his depth, to say the least > see Substitute Teachers for a fuller explanation of
this!
- In 1997 (21 years old) I literally bumped into George Lucas at a Michael Jackson concert
It was my second Michael
Jackson concert in just three days at the old Wembley Stadium, and having just
got through the turnstile, I half stumbled into George and his children. No
words exchanged unfortunately, but there was this instant murmur of those
around the scene that it definitely was him! The one thing that I still find a
bit odd is why on Earth would George Lucas be amongst the masses in the cheap
seats? Surely he and Michael were good enough mates to have secured him a
better view?
- In 2002 (26 years old) I cried when Ally McBeal ended
Many people will rib me for
this one, but I really don’t care. I couldn’t get enough of Ally McBeal and
found it to be a terrific show both incredibly funny at points, and incredibly
sad at others. I don’t know why but I really related to the show, though I
can’t see how I had any right to.
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| Ooga Chaka, Ooga Ooga Ooga Chaka |
- In 2005 (29 years old) I won £250,000 for Brighton & Hove Albion FC, but I don't like to talk about it...
Nah! I love talking about it!!
To help the club I love by winning a Coca-Cola sponsored competition, at a time
when they needed all the financial help they could get was definitely one of
the best moments in my life. I might even do a blog about
it soon as it’s been ten years since the win!
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| You can't beat a novelty sized cheque! |
- In 2015 (39 years old) I posted this blog discussing 10 ‘facts’ about me… but one of them is a total falsehood!
So which one is it then!?
