I read this post by Tric Kearney this morning and thought it was a great idea, so here’s my list of random facts about myself.

1. I was adopted a few weeks after birth by the couple who raised me. I know next to nothing about my natal parents except that my mother was 15. I have never been interested in discovering more.
2. I never drink tea or coffee. I find tea insipid and dislike the smell of coffee. But my wife says that I make the best cups of tea — better than hers.
3. In every place I’ve lived I have been able to see trees from my bedroom window. I love trees!
4. I was in my mid-20s before I ever watched a game of soccer. This is unusual in England.
5. I have two scars on my right elbow where my younger brother bit me aged 4.
6. When I changed my name I chose my mother’s name, Maureen, to replace my former middle name, James. That is my father’s name.
7. In 1990 I was entered by my school into the British Physics Olympiad, a national competition. I made the finals which were held at Harrow School and placed in the top 10, but not high enough to be selected for the national team.
8. My brother and I, along with a friend, once babysat the young son of former England rugby captain Bill Beaumont during a match at Waterloo Rugby Club.
9. I had a letter published in the Sunday Telegraph when I was aged 12. (It was a response to a letter about blasphemy laws by a bishop in the previous week’s paper.)
10. I own 8 dresses, which is 8 more than my wife.
11. I do not own a single item of clothing that features a visible brand name. (I can’t stand that!)
12. My all time favourite food is spaghetti bolognese, and Italian is my favourite type of food.
13. I am ambivalent towards Marmite.
14. Despite working as a programmer I do not own a computer, and in fact have never even bought one. (I’m not counting my smartphone as a computer although it is one. My list, my rules!)
15. I first used the internet before the World Wide Web existed. (usenet)
16. I have not had a passport since my last one expired several years ago.

It was fun putting this list together and I hope you, my readers, find it interesting.