Insert Witty First Post Title Here

So today is day one of me trying to be a blogger... so what do I post? No idea...

Little bit about me maybe...?

Okay so here is a list of questions I pulled off the first link I could find entitled 'xx things to tell people about myself' ...

I promise to make my next blog post more... well, more...

And here we go...

1. What are your nicknames... What do you prefer to be called?

Well, the name's Rachel, but everyone calls me Rach. I feel like I'm in trouble when people call me Rachel... (does anyone else find that?). I also have so many nicknames that my family call me but they are TOO EMBARRASSING to admit to anyone else.

2. What books on your shelf are begging to be read?

I'm the sort of person who re-reads a lot of books rather than starts new ones. But it will probably be the classics right? Jane Austen... Charlotte Bronte? Hmm...

No, I think the book I really want to read (and am GENUINELY waiting for my sister to finish), is Lord of the Rings. I'm a huge fan of the films, and the books only add more value and story, so that's the next on the list, for sure.

3. How often do you doodle? What do your doodles look like?

I'm not really a doodler. I can't draw... but I do love to write in this weirdly shaped writing with big loopy letters. So if I was ever to doodle, it would be that.

4. What do you do if you can’t sleep at night? Do you count sheep? Toss and Turn? Try to get up and do something productive?

I usually lie awake, but recently I just wake up and write. Or read. Eventually I will drop off... and may as well do something productive. Particularly if it means I can finish my book!

5. How many days could you last in solitary confinement? How would you do it?

Well... isn't that an apt question, with the UK currently in lockdown. But I reckon this means without any form of luxury?

Solitary confinement without any luxury, I could probably last a week. Maybe. I love social interaction - so not talking to anyone would be the worst part. On days working from home on my own, where I don't see or speak to anyone all day, I get a bit lonely, as does everyone else I imagine.

6. Do you save old greeting cards and letters? Throw them away?

I save some, as I do scrapbooking... but I recycle the ones I can.

7. Who is the biggest pack rat you know?

My dad. He buys some random crap and just keeps it. But I suppose we're all guilty of that. I am a little bit too... I buy and keep DVDs / Blu-Rays, but I do use them I suppose.

8. When making an entrance in to a party, do you make your presence known?

LOL... I don't go to parties. Although after all this lockdown crap is over, I will be going to a few more!

9. What is your strongest sense? If you had to give one up, which would it be?

Sound, hearing, noise. I love to listen to soundtracks of films, and I don't know what I would do if I lost the ability to hear.

I don't think I'd want to give anything up either... but if I HAD to lose one... probably smell. You wouldn't have to worry about bad smells, and if you can still taste, you can still enjoy the delight that is bacon (even if you can't smell it cooking!)

10. How many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror?

Maybe three times, but not purposefully. It's when I'm brushing my teeth.

Although does a selfie count as being a mirror? Because that would increase my total? Hmm...

11. What is the strangest thing you believed as a child?

That the ice cream has all run out when the van plays it's music. But I'm not really a fan of ice cream in general (I know, I know, I'm weird) so I don't know why I cared really...

I also believed I could be a dog... wished, really. What kid doesn't want to grow up to become a dog???

12. What is one guilty pleasure you enjoy too much to give up?

Justin Bieber's first album. Man, there were some TUNES on there... and if they come up on my Spotify, I can't skip them.

13. Who performs the most random acts of kindness out of everyone you know?

My friend Charli at work. She is incredible. She volunteers in her spare time, donates to charities and will genuinely go way out of her way to help if you needed...

14. How often do you read the newspaper? Which paper? Which sections?

I don't really read the paper... and if I do it's usually for work. But if I had to read a paper, it would probably be the Telegraph (as that's what Dad reads and what I can readily get my hands on) and I'll read the Arts & Leisure section, because it has film reviews and I love me some films.

15. Which animals scare you most? Why?

Do spiders count? God I hate spiders.

I think it dates back to story time when I was younger... Mum got one trapped between her glasses and her face and freaked out. Ergo my fear now.

If I see or know a spider is in my room, I can't sleep in it. ***SHUDDERS***

16. Are you more likely to avoid conflict or engage it head-on?

I don't like engaging in conflict. But if it's something I know I'm 100% right on, I'll fight my corner. (Those things tend to be whether an actor has been in a film, or whether something is Disney or not...)

17. What was the most recent compliment you’ve received and savoured?

My friend at work said that I have the ability to calm a room... and that was quite nice. My dad's always said I'm good with people, and I can talk to anyone, about anything. But being told I can calm a room, that was really nice to hear actually.

18. Are you a creature of habit? Explain.

A creature of habit? Yeah probably... I do the same things, buy the same food for meals, wear the same favourite t-shirt once it's washed, pick the same thing to buy for lunch, do the same work-outs..

But that said, I'm open to try new things! I'm not stuck in my creature-comfort ways!

19. Are you high maintenance? Explain.

To quote my sister: I don't think so... Well that's encouraging I suppose.

20. When was the last time you really pushed yourself to your physical limits?

Probably when I ran 10k in Southampton without any kind of training. I was really slow... but you know what? I did it, and I got the medal, and I'm proud of it! That or climbing Wansfell... (both times) which is a hill that's basically 180 degrees... and horrible.

But now, given that we're stuck inside all day except 1 form of exercise a day, I think next year I'm going to run more often and take advantage of being able to run and walk.

21. Do you have a whole lot of acquaintances or just a few very close friends? Why?

I have groups of very close friends. School friends, Tennis friends, Singing friends, Work friends. But I'm also very close to my family.

But I love all my friends equally, and I love each and every one of them for who they are, and that's all that matters.

22. Are you more inclined to “build your own empire” or unleash the potential of others?

Probably the latter? I'd encourage them to unleash their own potential...

23. What’s a strange occurrence you’ve experienced but have never (or rarely) shared with anyone?

I get weird dreams sometimes. I dream in different colours too... And I can remember them pretty vividly to the point where I dream the same dream all week. I'm not sure if that's a strange occurrence???

24. What do you think about more than anything else?

Films.

And cheese... Mmmmmmm, cheese.

25. What’s something that amazes you?

Human nature amazes me... both good and bad.

Being in the situation we are in now, where people are fighting for their lives in hospital due to this virus... and there are other people who are fighting over a pack of loo rolls, selfishly buying eight packs of pasta, leaving none for others. Having seen capable people refuse to offer more vulnerable or older people some items, this kind of situation causes your true humanity to show itself.

But there is goodness in human nature too. Like those who have retired from the NHS who have returned voluntarily to fight against the virus. Those are the people who are amazing right now.

26. Do you prefer that people shoot straight with you or temper their words? Why?

Shoot straight. If I'm bothering someone, I'd rather someone just come out and tell me, so I can stop doing the thing that's bothering them.

27. Where’s your favourite place to take an out-of-town guest?

Waterloo Bridge. You get the most AMAZING view of both sides of London. You get London Eye, Horseguards Hotel and Parliament one side... and then you get the Shard, the Gherkin, etc, PLUS St Paul's on the other side... and at night it's even better.

I don't make the walk very often myself, so if I can show it off to anyone new, I will...

28. What’s one thing you’d rather pay someone to do than do yourself? Why?

Clean the hair out of our shower. I just... I can't do it. I really hate hair. I really really really hate it. It freaks me out. I live with my sister, who has long hair, and it just gets everywhere and it freaks me out.

29. Do you have a catchphrase?

CORRECT! I got that from some friends at work... you know who you are!

30. What’s your reaction towards people who are outspoken about their beliefs? What conditions cause you to dislike or, conversely, enjoy talking with them?

I have nothing against it at all. I think it's great when people talk about what they believe in and why... And if I have the same beliefs, I can talk for ages about it too.

I'm never the person to tell someone they're wrong for what they believe in.

But what I don't like, though, is when people try to force those beliefs on you, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this. I think it's great that a person believes in something... but people's opinions are their opinions, and if someone else believes something different, then that's okay too!

31. How and where do you prefer to study?

I study at home... and I have to study with music. If I have complete silence I tend to focus on a ticking clock or a dripping tap and that's make me less able to concentrate... if at all.

Got to be soundtracks though... No words, just soft soundtracks from my favourite films that help keep my mind calm.

32. What position do you sleep in?

I tend to sleep on my side, my arms tucked in to myself... Lying on my toy Rottweiler, Ronnie...

33. What’s your all-time favourite town or city? Why?

Wilmington NC. I spent a year there, and I'd happily spend a million more there. The people, the weather, the difference between there and London... I miss it...

34. What are the top three qualities that draw you to someone new?

Personality. They have to have one...

Sense of humour. Again they have to have one... It doesn't take much to make me laugh, but they have to be able to laugh and laugh at anything. Even my lame and over-used fart jokes.

Their smile. I love a good cheesy grin on a person.

35. How has your birth order/characteristics of siblings affected you?

My birth order? Has being a second child affected me??? I don't think I'd know any different...

When I was younger my sister and I hated each other, probably because I was born and I stole the attention away for a while (as is usual with siblings I have found) but now I like her, and I live with her, and I can't imagine my life without her. (Especially now because I'm literally in lockdown with her and I would be SO BORED without her!)

36. If you could eliminate one weakness or limitation in your life, what would it be?

I like to think I don't have any limitations.

I have Lupus, which is a limitation in itself I suppose, but I then again I don't really let it affect me in the way it could. So if I could wish for anything, it would be for that to go away...

Or if I had to keep Lupus I'd choose to be able to sunbathe. I miss being able to sunbathe!

37. If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?

I'd change it to Princess Consuela Bananahammock... hands down.

38. What do you consider unforgivable?

Ruining the plot of a Marvel movie. Any other movie is fine... but Marvel? No. Nuh-uh!

39. In what area of your life are you immature?

At home. Josie and I are utter children when the parents aren't around. Or even when the parents are around...

It's good to be immature sometimes. Because it's good to laugh. Laughter is the world's best medicine.

40. What was the best news you ever received?

That was probably getting into uni when I thought I had no hope in hell.

41. How difficult is it for you to be honest, even when your words may be hurtful or unpopular?

I always like to think I am honest... but when the truth hurts it is hard to say. But I personally would prefer someone to tell me the truth - even if it hurts - so I try to do the same...

42. When do you find yourself singing?

Whenever I can. If a good song comes on and I know the words... I'm singing...! I love to sing, probably a bit too much... but a girl's gotta sing!

So... if you made it this far... that's me! Some very strange questions, but I've answered them as best I can.