Get To Know Me #challenge

Well, this is my humble effort to participate in the challenge set by somebody who has become a very endearing friend here on Vocal Media, Kayleigh Fraser.

I am always a bit wary of giving too much away about myself as I have a fear of anything that smacks of data harvesting, which I avoid like the plague.

Also, I have been through so much trauma in my personal life, which I tend to sometimes over-expose in my writings, that I am constantly wary and naturally inclined to hide who I really am.

1. The real me hides behind three different pseudonyms for my creative work. I do this for various reasons, one of which is a lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem. So if there is any negative kickback, like "your work stinks," then I can let my alter egos take the flak.

I use pseudonyms to protect the guilty as well as the innocent in my highly personal biographical articles and stories. The guilty, toxic narcissists do not like to be outed.

2. I hate the mornings. I am so full of aches and pains until about 1200 hours. That is how long it takes for the cocktail of pills I'm on to have full effect. They help me to stay and feel alive.

3. My family were once the Kings of Ireland on one side, and renowned cattle thieves on the other. They are pretty much the same thing whichever way you slice it.

4. I'm a big fan of Sci-Fi films. I love the idea that we are not alone, though it also scares the pants off me too. I would love and hate to meet an alien.

5. I am a big foodie. I have lots of favorite dishes. From a cooking point of view, I love Italian cuisine, especially pasta with pesto. My homemade pesto sauce has to be one of the best on the planet.

6. I am so obsessed with writing that I get a massive hit of dopamine just writing a shopping list. As you may have noticed, I am extraordinarily prolific. I always have lots of creative projects simultaneously on the go.

7. I hate hospital visits and medical tests. Every three months I have to go to the hospital for my eyes, teeth, heart, arteries, lungs, PMR/GCA...I find it all so very tiresome and stressful.

On the plus side, those tests have alerted me to potentially life-threatening conditions which has allowed me to get life-saving medicines and treatment. This in turn has enabled me to enjoy a much higher quality of life.

8. I love to learn about new things. I find that studying keeps the mind healthy and alive. My favorite subjects are art and science related. My best friend for learning online is Wikipedia.

9. I love YouTube, it is my TV. One of my favorite channels is Nick Burham's Aquaholic offerings on sailing and motor yachts, from all around the world. I have done quite a lot of sailing and surfing in the past and dream of one day owning my own boat.

Another channel I watch a lot of is Harry's Garage. Like me, Harry Metcalf is something of a petrolhead and gives the rundown on cars that I can only ever dream about owning and driving.

10. I spend the vast majority of my free time reading and writing on Vocal Media and Medium. I love the sense of community among writers, from an incredibly wide range of backgrounds, nationalities, and experiences.

***

I apologize in advance if this offering is not interesting, titillating, sensational, or intriguing enough to inspire you to read more of my stories. Actually, if you do read my stories you will get to know a great deal more about me than you will from reading this. But it was good fun writing it anyway. Thank you for the inspiration, Kayleigh.