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| 1.Q |
Tell me
about the first time you remember being thrilled. |
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| 1.A |
When
I was able to climb up into the large oak tree at the first
summer seat in Ballymenoch Park. I remember being about seven
years old and was upset because my mates, Maggie, Cyril, Futless
(real name Tony but got called "Futless" as he was
always tripping) Barbara-Jane, Duck (Donald -Cyril's wee brother),
Biffo (Barry) Lynn and Jennifer were all able to do it and
I couldn't.
I was a portly, ungainly, child with lank, straggly hair
and a dreadful squint. The wire-framed national health glasses
with the plaster patch (to cure my lazy eye) did nothing to
add to my allure. I was also afraid of heights. The only way
to get into the tree was to climb onto the back of the park
bench (we always called them summer seats) grab the branch,
lean back and then walk up the trunk of the tree, curl your
right leg round the branch and haul yourself up then climb
into the centre of the tree and survey the world.
The day I managed to get everything working properly and
get into the tree gave me a huge thrill. Despite being, fat,
specky and lackluster, I was able to do it after what seemed
like forever trying. |
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| 2.Q |
What’s the slightest thing
to have thrilled you? |
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| 2.A |
A little
bird standing on my boyfriend's hand eating crumbs of Christmas
cake on a freezing cold day in 1997. I am quite frightened of
birds and remember standing behind him in wonderment watching
this beautiful creature be trusting enough to land on his hand
and peck the delicious offering. |
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| 3.Q |
What’s the most frightening
yet thrilling thing you’ve done? |
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| 3.A |
Get married
for the second time in August 2003 after swearing I would never
do it again for love nor money (to the bird-feeder!!) |
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| 4.Q |
Tell me
why you’re not completely sensible. |
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| 4.A |
Life is
about risks. If it was all about making the logical or appropriate
decisions then the dignity of risk would be lost. |
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| 5.Q |
What’s
the most uninhibited thing you’ve ever done? |
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| 5.A |
hmmmmm..
collected my boyfriend (now husband) at Aldergrove airport,
booked into the hotel across the road, drank champagne (2 bottles
of Mumm as I recall) and ate strawberries (Marks and Spencer's)
and stayed in bed all weekend. |
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| 6.Q |
What have
you considered doing for pleasure but were too concerned about
the risks? |
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| 6.A |
Getting
my nipples pierced and maybe other bits - if they ever bring
out tried and tested DIY kits I may just be tempted! |
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| 7.Q |
Describe
the event in one sentence (there’s time to expand later) |
|
| 7.A |
My boyfriend
giving me a beautiful diamond engagement ring which he had picked
himself. |
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| 8.Q |
Tell me
a bit about yourself around this time. |
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| 8.A |
Quite stressed
it was getting close to Christmas time, which as my mum died,
around Christmas I have always felt a bit flat and sad. I was
also up to my eyes at work and trying to plan a 25th Anniversary
bash where I would have to speak and be witty and stuff in front
of the great and the good. The prospect of lying in bed all
day seemed like a good one. |
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| 9.Q |
List the
sequence of events leading up to your thrill. Try to remember
how you felt at each stage. The smallest detail could be important
(this is your chance to expand). |
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| 9.A |
It was
8th December 2002 (the 6th anniversary of our meeting) we were
lying in bed (it was Sunday and a lazy day anyway) when my boyfriend
reminded me it was our anniversary. I jokingly said, "What
did you get me?" He leaned down to the floor on his side
of the bed and produced a small stripy toy (Florrie Fimble)
I watch the Fimbles with my granddaughter and love the purple
one. I was absolutely delighted to get my very own Fimble. He
then said "Aren't you going to look at her bracelet?"
I hadn't noticed that on her wrist was a diamond ring in the
shape of a daisy (like the Mary Quant logo) I was so pleased
to get the Fimble. |
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| 10.Q |
What were
your thoughts and feelings at the precise moment of thrill? |
|
| 10.A |
Elation
and shock and tears at how romantic he had been and the pure
love in his eyes. I remember the feeling welling into my throat
like a wave that came up from my tummy. I just felt all fizzy
and frothy - on a high, but really safe and secure. |
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| 11.Q |
What did
you do afterwards? |
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| 11.A |
Kissing
and stuff and then had a bath and a cup of tea brought up by
him while I lay in the bath. |
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| 12.Q |
What were
the risks? |
|
| 12.A |
Me not
accepting - I wasn't the marrying type after all. |
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| 13.Q |
What did
you imagine other people thought of you during and after the
event? |
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| 13.A |
During
was private - he had already gone to my daughter to ask for
her permission to ask me to marry him and my sister for moral
support. Afterwards the phone didn't stop ringing with various
family members who had been in on the secret calling to find
out my reaction. I was worried about my 2 sons reaction and
didn't mention it to them at the time. It worked out ok because
we got married 8 months later and all my kids and family attended. |
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| 14.Q |
How often
do you think about the event, and why? |
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| 14.A |
Quite a
lot, sometimes when I am on my own and my engagement ring sparkles
or I notice it when I am doing stuff like the dishes or cleaning
the bath, I will think about that lovely morning and feel that
frothy remembrance making my nose crinkle and that involuntary
smile that finds its way to my mouth |
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| 15.Q |
Some people
probably don’t understand how such a thing can thrill
you; explain it to them. |
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| 15.A |
As someone
who regarded herself as fairly cynical and hard-nosed in business
and very once bitten twice shy when it came to commitment, the
absolute delight of being able to free-fall into a sense of
pure support and love wrapped up in a beautiful romantic gesture
of unconditional love thrilled me beyond belief. I also know
how much he risked of himself not knowing the outcome - I could
have found myself unable to accept. |
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| 16.Q |
What three
changes could have made the experience better, and why? |
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| 16.A |
Champagne
and strawberries and double cream because they featured in an
earlier thrill.... |
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Is there
anything you want to add? |
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Thanks
for making me remember again... |
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