A little bit of mid-week fun today as I link up with Allison, the Running Princess who invited me to join in and share a little bit about myself.

Four names other people call me other than my real name

Only four? Ok then….

1. When I’m in trouble, I’m called by my proper first name, which is Jayne Frances. My grandma, gran and occasionally my parents call me by my proper name too. The last time I used it myself was on my wedding day 🙂
2. My friends from childhood, my siblings and other family call me Jaynie. It’s also what I call myself, and what I think of as ‘me’.
3. For some reason, I’ve always been Jayne at work. No idea why, I just am!
4. Of course, my alter ego is TartanJogger 🙂

Four jobs I’ve had

I’ve only ever worked for four different companies – I’m pretty loyal.

1. While at Uni I worked part time for Homebase, the DIY store. After graduating, I did their management training programme and was later a DIY Manager. Want to know how to plumb in a washing machine or wire a light fitting? I’m your girl 🙂
2. I was a Branch Manager for Phones4U for a very short period of time. While I could sell, sell, sell no problem, it wasn’t the kind of company I wanted to work for, I didn’t share its ethics (or lack of them).
3. I worked for Barnardo’s, which I loved: I had a great team of staff, and many fabulous volunteers. I often miss it, it was also lots of fun!
4. Now, I work for a local authority, and really enjoy my job – though it’s very demanding and can be stressful. I get to drive around the most gorgeous part of the country – with a coastline longer than France – and I have hundreds of fantastic staff. I couldn’t do it without the Dream Team 😉

Four movies I’ve watched more than once

1. Dead Poets Society. I love this Robin Williams classic. It was released when I was at the same age as the characters, and I was also in love with poetry and literature. Oh, Captain, my Captain.
2. Terminator 2. I remember being blown away by the special effects when this was released. I went on the T2 ride at Universal Studios not longer after it opened, and my sister thought it was real……. yes, really. She did………
3. Harry Potter. What’s not to love. I’m including all eight films here. There’s nothing better than a HP marathon!
4. The Polar Express. This was a difficult one – I could have picked any Christmas movie, as I watch them every year: Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, Santa Claus: the Movie, The Snowman, etc. I also love the TV Channel Christmas 24! But the Polar Express contains a really important message, which I love. And I can still hear the bell ringing.

Four books I recommend

Where do I start? I’m a bookworm, so this is tough!

1. The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald. To me, it’s perfection. Decadence, tragedy, shallowness, depth, the American Dream – this book led me to study 20th Century American Literature at Uni. I re-read it often, and love its symbolism
2. The House on Pooh Corner by AA Milne. Not only a childhood favourite – it contains so many nuggets of wisdom throughout. I even have a version in Latin!
3. A Christmas Carol  by Charles Dickens. Marley was dead, to begin with. The greatest opening line, IMHO. I love Dicken’s imagery, descriptions and his cliffhanger episodic writing. Remarkable.
4. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. I love her writing – and all of her books are wonderful. This one, though, is my favourite, for its tension and setting.

I can’t believe I haven’t even touched upon distopic fiction, horror novels or sci fi/fantasy fiction! 😮

Four places I’ve lived

1. My first home was a flat, in Dumbarton. They’ve just demolished these, which I’ve found quite upsetting! I have great memories from living there.
2. My parents live in the house we then moved to, which was close to the flat – I clearly remember the day we moved in, when I was seven.
3. My first flat, in Dumbarton East, was a tiny, one bedroom tenement, which I loved.
4. My current home, in Tarbert, which has an open door to family and friends. We’ve been here for seven years now – how time flies!

Four places I’ve been

1. Toronto, Canada. I’ve been twice, and I love it. @TheWelshWookie has never been, but we’re planning a visit for my ‘big birthday’ next year.
2. Tenerife, Canary Islands. It’s where I met @TheWelshWookie, and we visit often. It’s a magical island.
3. Madrid, Spain. I was blown away by how wonderful this city was – I’d love to visit here more often.
4. Paris, France. I’ve been twice – both visits included a trip to DLP!

Four places I’d rather be right now

1. Florida, specifically Disney World. I’ve been in December before, and I loved it.
2. Capri, Italy. It’s a gorgeous, chic island and very relaxed.
3. Tenerife. Nuff said.
4. Portavadie. It’s only a short ferry journey away – but it’s a hidden piece of paradise.

Four of my favourite foods

1. Brussel Sprouts. Roasted with some balsamic vinegar, or with some bacon and chopped nuts. Oh, my. Delish.
2. Steak. You can’t beat one of Auntie Jayne’s fillets, cooked rare.
3. Scallops. A little piece of heaven. Any seafood r fish is, really. Add some caviar and I’m there!
4. Pizza. Life’s too short to not eat pizza!

Four things I don’t eat

1. Tomatoes. I’d love to love ’em, but I just don’t.
2. Porridge. Even the smell of it makes me feel nauseous.
3. Bananas. Yes,, I’m a runner, and I can’t stand bananas. Even the smell of the skin in the bin is awful!
4. Kidneys. The worst thing is eating a steak pie, and realising that it’s a steak and kidney pie….. 😦

Four tv shows I watch

1. The Blacklist. It’s one of many dramas I love. James Spader is awesome. I love it.
2. Game of Thrones. Peter Dinklage is absolutely wonderful in GoT. What a brilliant actor.
3. The Newsroom. It’s another fantastic drama, with brilliant acting. I’m really sad that it’s in its final series, but I’m also glad it’s ending while brilliant.
4. Pointless. It’s a bit of a guilty pleasure! We sky+ it every day and watch it in the evening!

Four things I’m looking forward to this year

Taking this to mean 2015 (after all, there’s not much of 2014 left):

1. It’s a BIG birthday year for me in 2015, so I’m hoping that I’ll be having an epic year, with some wonderful challenges, so my birthday trip to Canada is definitely top of my list.
2. I’m hoping to conquer a marathon, since I had to pull out this year.
3. I’m also looking forward to family fun as usual – the Viking festival and the seafood festival will no doubt be highlights.
4. I’m looking forward to building my fitness levels back to where they were a year ago – and shifting the 20lbs I’ve gained since we got married! 😮

Four things I always say

1. “Good Stuff” very annoying, no doubt!
2. “Dream Team” referring to my colleagues at work – I’m not being condescending – I’m just being honest.
3. I drive @TheWelshWookie nuts because I use “bring” and “take” interchangeably. He hates that!
4. My nephews probably want to run a mile every time I ask for “kisses” when leaving, or if they’re heading to bed. I really have turned into the embarrassing old auntie!

What would your responses be? I’m going to tag Kyla, Scott, Unsporty and anyone else who’d like to join in.