Welcome to a sunny but chilly day in South Manchester. I am not going to chat about Omicron today because I have finished work for the year and can now relax for the holiday period and stay happy. I am looking forward to Christmas as are you all, I hope.

Without further ado, let’s dive into a continuation of last week’s sill questions from Sunday Stealing. 

16. Do you want any piercings?

Absolutely not. I am squeamish anyway and the thought of sticking a needle into my body is repulsive. This last year I have had four vaccinations (three Covid-19 and one flu) and that is four more than I can put up with. To voluntarily pierce my skin for a so-called aesthetic effect is a completely alien desire to me.

I struggle to imagine why anybody would do it. I have seen some really bizarre piercings in my life and I simply don’t get it – even simple ones like ear piercings.

It makes no sense.

17. What’s your mouse pad look like?

I have two mouse pads. The first is one that by youngest son gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago and is basically a picture of him looking like a maniac. The second is another gift, this time from a mate, but is the official mouse mat of my Favourite football team, Walsall. Of course, as usual, when I say “football” I mean what Americans call soccer rather than the poor imitation of Rugby that Americans call football.

18. Have you ever been to a psychic/tarot reader?

No and I have no intention of ever doing so. I am sorry but I find all that kind of stuff to be nonsense (apologies to my blogging buddy Pandora who I know is very much into it).

19. How do you identify spiritually (do you follow a religion, what do you think about soul/spirit, etc.)?

My approach to spirituality has been through a few phases. As a child, I was brought up as a Roman Catholic and was indoctrinated from birth all the way through to the age of sixteen via school, family, friends and of course the church itself. At that age, I changed my view because of my ever increasing science background and I questioned religion and everything to do with it. For the next couple of years until university, I started to see what was happening with people who are, what I would describe as evangelical Christians, who told me that, as a Catholic, I wasn’t even a proper Christian.

That angered me, so I rebelled against them.

After that, I have mellowed. I am still a victim of indoctrination as my Catholic background vaguely resonates within but over the past few decades I have moved away from it. I don’t go to church and I ignore any and all attempts to bring me back into the fold, even when discussing with evangelicals, Jehovah’s Witnesses and other religions. I respect their views and listen rather than arguing.

I do see now that religion provides comfort and hope for people so if you are a devoted member of any religion then, as long as you aren’t harming people, I am happy for you to embrace your chosen faith.

Am I spiritual in any way? Not really but I am fascinated with the scientific theory of what may happen to the essence of who I am when I finally pass on.

I guess I’ll find out then.

I would quite like to be a ghost actually as long as I had free reign over the planet. Maybe I can travel the world after death. That would be good.

20. Do you prefer your nails long or short?

Definitely short. I have very strong nails and they have to be trimmed on a regular basis.

21. What are your favourite smells?

I think I may have answered this before:

•             Bacon

•             The smell of the English countryside on a summer’s day

•             Coffee being brewed

•             Baking bread

•             The smell of the ocean

22. Do you still use a radio or just use your phone/computer for music?

I use the radio to wake up in the morning but I don’t listen to music on it as, typically, they don’t play the music I like and the DJs are annoying shiny happy people. Instead I prefer to listen to Radio 4 and the news.

When I listen to music at home, it is either through the speakers connected to my laptop or using our Sonos speaker. When out and about, I use my iPod which has my entire CD collection stored on it.

In my car, I still use CDs.

23. What kind of socks do you prefer to wear?

The typical kind of sock you will see in a men’s clothes shop. There is one exception – I wear those small ones that just cover my feet when I wear shorts.

24. Do you have any family heirlooms?

I only have one – a leather bound Bible that my very strict Catholic grandfather had. It was created in 1950 and was passed down to my mum and then me. I will pass it down to my eldest lad – though what he will do I have no idea as he is definitely not religious in any way. TO be fair, I only keep it myself because of my grandad.

25. Are there any musicians you didn't like at first but grew on you?

I would say that Gary Numan falls into that category. At university a mate of mine tried to brainwash me into listening to him but I was into heavy metal at the time and absolutely refused to do it. However, a few years ago, I heard a song by him and I actually loved it. I have bought his last three albums and started to revisit his early catalogue. And in May 2022 (Omicron permitting) I am going to see him in Manchester.

Here is an oldie and a new one for you.