The British Meme

[bookzombie]

In a lighter note to the most recent posts, that silly meme that's been going around.

1. Marmite—love or hate?
Put me in the 'love' column. Especially if it's on toast. I used to really like cheese and marmite sandwiches when I was young, but I once had one while watching Soylent Green on the television and haven't been able to face it since...

2. Marmalade—thick cut or thin cut?

Thick cut for preference, but I'll eat either.

3. Porridge—made with milk or water?

Half-and-half usually, but sometimes with milk only if I feel like a treat.

4. Do you like salt, sugar or honey on your porridge?

Sugar.

5. Loose tea or teabags?

Depends. Definitely loose for Earl Grey, but bags for most other things.

6. Where on your door is your letterbox?

The usual place, in the middle of the front door.

7. What's your favourite curry?

I don't really have a favourite - I like lots of different ones. I never go for a madras or vindaloo from a restaurant though - all you can taste then is chilli

8. What age is the place where you live?

Built in 1929. We became only the second owners of the house when we bought it in 1998.

9. Where do the folks running your local corner shop come from?

Local folks - but it's a Co-op, not a family corner shop.

10. Instant or fresh coffee?

Fresh, every time. Filter coffee for preference (though I disgust some people by being perfectly happy to warm it up in the microwave), usually cappaccino from coffee shops (a flat white is not the same as filter coffee...)

11. How far are you from the sea?

About 25 miles (we're pretty much dead north from Southampton)

12. Have you travelled via Eurostar?

No

13. If you were going to travel abroad, where's the nearest country to you?

France

14. If you're female (or possible even some males) do you carry a handbag?

n/a

15. Do you have a garden? What do you like growing?

We have a long, narrow back garden. We have mixed hedgerows and we also now have a couple of raised beds which have had various types of flower planted this year, plus some veggies. But to be fair, the garden is really pennski's pride and joy. I'm competent enough to do stuff if she points me in the right direction, but it's not something I tend to do just for myself. Gardens are for sitting and reading in!

16. Full cream, semi skimmed or skimmed?

Semi-skimmed. As far as I'm concerned if you're going to have skimmed you might as well use water! I gather that full cream is not considered as bad for you as it used to be, but I find the taste a bit strong these days.

17. Which London terminal would you travel into if going to the capital?

Waterloo. We're on the Waterloo/Exeter St. David's line.

18. Is there a local greasy spoon where you live?

Not exactly. Nearest is a small kebab/pizza place, which has the advantage of being the one takeaway in the town that delivers.

19. Do you keep Euros in the house?

We've got some, left over from our last visit to Italy a few years ago.

20. Does your home town have a Latin, Gaelic or Welsh alternative.

No. The name 'Whitchurch' is, as you would guess, a contraction of 'white church'.

21. Do you have a well known local artist or author?

Richard Adams of 'Watership Down' fame, lives in the town. Though, given his age, not for much longer I would imagine!

22. Do you have a favourite Corrie character?

Nope. Haven't watched it since I stopped living with my parents.

23. Are your kitchen sink taps separate or a mixer?

Mixer.

24. Do you have a favourite brand of blended tea?

I like most teas, as long as they don't have rosehip in them (which gives me heartburn). We always have Earl Grey for breakfast and (unlike frostfox!), I'm very fond of licorice tea.

25. What's in your attic if you have one?

A box of cables, old Christmas and birthday cards, odds and sods of electronic equipment, Christmas decorations.

26. If you go out for a cream tea, what jam do you like on your scone?

Probably Strawberry - though I don't remember ever being given a choice!

27. Talking of scones—scon or scown? Jam or cream first?

Scon. Jam first I think.

28.Barth or bath?

Barth

29. Carstle or castle?

Carstle

30. What flavour of crisps do you favour?

If I had to choose just one flavour then salt'n'vinegar

31. If you go to the chippie, what do you like with your chips?

Fish or, once in a while, a battered sausage.

32. Take away, take out or carry out?

Take away, duh!

33. If you have one, what colour is your wheelie bin?

Black for normal rubbish, green for recycling

34. What colour skips does your local skip hire use?

Never noticed

35. Do you celebrate Guy Fawkes?

No We usually get a free view of lots of other people's firework displays though!

36. Dettol or TCP?

Dettol.

37. Do you have a bidet in the bathroom?

No.

38. Do you prefer courgettes or aubergines?

Horses for courses. Aubergines for stir-fries, corgettes for roasting or steaming (but being careful not to overcook them as they tend to go bitter.)

39. In the 'real world', do you have friends of other nationalities? Which nationalities?

American, Canadian, Irish, Italian, Indian, probably others but I'm at a loss to remember right now.

40. Do you have a holy book of any sort in the house?

Various editions of the Bible.

41. Do you prefer a hankie or tissues?

Hankies.

42. Are you a fan of crumpets? What do you like on them?

Had them for breakfast just this morning! Just butter is my usual preference, but sometimes maple syrup or jam.

43. Doorbell, knocker or both?

Doorbell (though lots of people seem to ignore it and just bang on the door instead)

44. Do you own a car? What sort?

Sadly, I own a BMW. Don't look at me like that, it wasn't my preference! It was supplied by work when they still supplied company cars. When they stopped the scheme, it was much cheaper to buy it from the hire company (by over £10k) than it would have been to buy a prefered replacement (I like Mondeos personally)

45. What sort of pants do you guys prefer? Y fronts or boxers?

Neither, I prefer briefs.

46. Anyone still a fan of suspenders?

Nope

47. Do you have a favourite quote from the bard?

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing.
— Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 5)

I don't know why: I studied Macbeth for O'Level English Literature and this one has just stuck with me.

48. Do you like toasted muffins?

Yes, but very seldom have them

49. Do you think a traditional trifle should contain jelly?

Yes. Not that I've ever been a big fan of trifles - I'm not overfond of blancmange

50. Do you attend regular religious worship? Of what kind?

Not for over 20 years. My relationship with religion is ... complicated. Ask me what I think on any two days and I'd probably give a different answer (I semi-jokingly describe myself as a 'lapsed Baptist' in the same way people describe themselves as 'lapsed catholics')

Comments

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Taken out of context, the Macbeth quote, is, if anything, even more chilling.