The Sunday Roast

Retired? Crazy? That’s a maybe? To both!

When I saw this lady had agreed to appear on this highly prestigious interview column, to which everyone in BlogLand is falling over themselves and madly queuing in droves to participate, my heart leapt a little because this photo reminded me of an old flame of mine . . . . . .

There she is! Golly that goes back a few years! So immediately I rushed into town to buy myself a nice new attractive pair of lounge pants, just for the occasion - never know it might just be my lucky day LOL . . .

Well, what do you think? At least I feel a bit brighter now. So enough of the banter and time for the roast LOL.

This week's interview is with Ann
who writes the blog, Retired And Crazy

Thank you for the interview, Ann


A very warm welcome to you and your followers

Here's the first of the standard questions. Why do you blog?

You ask, "Why do I blog?".  Because I feel like the lady on the left on the outside, the lady in the middle on the inside but I am actually the fat lady on the right with all the jewellery.  I thought that blogging might resolve my confusion.

(If I wear my new lounge pants do you think your inner self version might be persuaded to surface? LOL)

No you naughty boy! . . . . not a chance! . . .   and sorry, I was being very flippant.  The real reason for my blogging is described in my very first blog on Friday 23rd February 2007 Politically Incorrect And Ungreen in which I set out ideas to help ease me into retirement, my final statement being that if I followed my plan “I MAY keep myself out of trouble for a while”.

How wrong was that, but that’s another story.

What's the story behind your blog name?

Again, I refer you to that original blog post. 

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

Blogging had many, many added benefits that I never dreamed of in the beginning.  I started off being quite secretive but people found out and before I knew it friends, family and colleagues were following my/our escapades.  My late husband Davy had always encouraged me to write a diary, which I did from time to time, but my online web blog keeps me disciplined.

And of course one of the main benefits turned out to be that we could keep in touch with distant friends and when Davy was so ill he found it a godsend because he didn’t have to keep going over his symptoms and treatment all the time.  He would simply refer everyone to the latest information posted online.

Another enormous benefit was that I made new friends, including you, Eddie and your sister Maggie, who supported us with prayer and good wishes throughout his dreadful illness and then continued to support me after he died last Christmas.

(This was an extremely sad time, Ann)

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

Go with the flow and try not to piss too many people off.  I made this mistake in the beginning and we had a “Blog-gate incident” when I called my colleagues “the bloodless bottom line committee”.  This resulted in Davy telling our IT department to take the blog post off line until he could think about what should be done!  Imagine the impudence of that! It was actually a strategic decision to give him thinking time.  I had always read the blog post to him and he understood my sense of humour.  After a few days he decreed that it if they didn’t understand my sense of humour and madness by now they never would.  This calmed things down for a while but I became more cautious with my comments, which is actually a pity because I think the full essence of me is missing!

(Yes, I have found this too, Ann.  I often like to make witty and humorous comments and 99.9% of people accept it in the innocent and harmless spirit in which it is meant. The tiny remainder think I should go to a shrink or something like that and this spoils it for the majority who like a good laugh)

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

Probably the one that got me blogging to start with.  I read about Wife In The North in the newspaper and started reading her fascinating story.  Every blog post was so brilliant it would be hard to select one in particular. Unfortunately for us, but fortunately for her, she now seems to have starting living life in the fast lane again and her blog posts are spasmodic.

(I must 'take a gander! - her work sounds very interesting)

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?

I don’t think that any of my blogs have been particularly significant, although they appeared to be so at the time!  I’m old enough to know that my time on this planet has very little impact on anyone.

(Not true! Not true at all, Ann. I for one love to visit and read your posts when I am able to pop round for a cuppa.)

Which two blogs would you recommend for roasting?

I’m not sure if she has done a Sunday Roast or not, but I have become quite close to Addy who writes Alcoholic Daze.  She writes with total honesty and I empathise with many of her experiences because Davy was a recovering alcoholic with 36 years sobriety.

Another blog I love is Carmen’s Chronicles.  She lives life to the full and is so inspirational.

(Neither lady has been roasted as yet and I will certainly contact them both. Thank you)

That concludes the formal aspect of the interview but it would be nice to get to know you a little better while you are slowly turning on the roasting spit.  So while you are screaming in agony above the open fire here are a few more questions for you.

Pick three things you can't live without.

My family and friends, my computer, my memories.

(Can't better these answers, Ann, methinks)

If we were to make a movie about BlogLand, what would it be and who would you cast in the leading roles?

Gone to BlogLand With The Wind - the story of Scarlet (played by me, of course) the beautiful, wise and generous heroine. 

(Who has the wind? . . . . but carry on)

Depicting her amazing insight, good humour and fortitude in dealing with the hardships of war and the incredibly handsome but difficult hero Rhett (played by any number of impossibly fanciable actors – George Clooney? Johnny Depp? Andy Garcia? . . . . . and Eddie Bluelights)

(I've taken the liberty of adding  my name to your list in order to boost my flagging ego and in hope that your inner self, just like the central photo of the lady who cannot afford a belt to hold up her jeans, will surface. Notice I have not added a question mark beside my name like the others, which makes me outright favourite. LOL)

If you could live your life again who would you be, and why?

I will say the yukky thing that you would expect me to say – I wouldn’t want to be anyone but me. Now for the truth.  I would like to be Cleopatra on one of her good days.  You know, a peel me a grape and bathe me in milk sort of day.  She seemed like a gal that was in tune with her sensual side.

(It would be great if you could - and if so I would be Anthony, of course LOL - forget Clooney and Co!)

You have been given a wonderful talent from above.  This causes you to make your mark on humanity and be world famous. In which area would prefer: a best selling novelist, a brilliant artist, a gifted musician, a fantastic singer, a charismatic leader, anything you choose, and why? 

I excel at all of these anyway.  Well, maybe not so much the singing. Not my strong suite. And come to think of it I’m not so hot at drawing either.  Musician? Nah! Writing? So, so! But, tell you what, I am a charismatic leader!

(And I can believe that!)

If you were an ice cream cone, which flavour would you prefer and who would you most want to lick you?

Any flavour and any of the guys from my movie!- including Eddie, of course!

(Just thought I'd add Eddie again LOL)

Describe in one sentence your perfect day

Chocolate and any of the guys from my movie! Especially Eddie

(me again!)

If you were a fiction writer which one would you be and why?

What do you mean “if I were”, I am!

(whooooo!)

What was your most embarrassing moment?

When I was 16 I used to commute to the City of London by train.  Those were the days of stockings and suspender belts (now don’t get hot under the collar Eddie!).  As I walked along Waterloo station I suddenly felt my suspender belt snap and to my horror with each step I took the offending belt and accompanying knickers and stockings slid slowly down my legs until they were finally dangling around my ankles. I had no alternative but to step out of my shoes, bend down, gather up the paraphernalia and stuff it all into my handbag.  Now, trust me, at the tender age of 16 embarrassing moments don’t come more embarrassing that that.

(This must have been very embarassing for you.
It's a great shame suspender belts and stockings have gone out of vogue - they caused us menfolk to get hot under the collar much more frequently - young bucks of today don't know what they're missing! LOL)

. . . . and if you are really brave . . . . 

If you awoke to find you had changed gender what would be the first and second things you would do?

That one gave me a sleepless night Eddie but after the initial shock I would think that, as it's a "done job", I'd cut my hair and buy new clothes.


(Golly, I admire the way you accepted this situation as final! LOL. You must be highly adaptable.)

Your turn to ask me a question if you wish.

Oh yes, I wish but I’ll be very, very easy on you. Are you still in touch with the originator of The Sunday Roast, David McMahon?  If you are please give him my kind regards.
Finally Eddie, thank you so much for inviting me to lunch, it was great fun.

(Thank you for being gentle with me! LOL I don't contact David often, Ann, but next time I email him I will do as you ask. I am sure he will be delighted to receive the message from you)

. . . and finally, Ann, am I forgiven?

I had a Grand National horse race in May 2009 where all the horses were blog names. It was great fun but poor Retired and Crazy fell at the ninth fence . . . . oh dear, she was out of the race and I received the following sharp bebuff!

Eddie, don't you realise that I'm trying to retire and now you have me running around like a two year old again! Shame on you!! Be prepared to be hit over the bonce by my mood ring Eddie. I think I should have been given a head start because of my age, so there. (I stick my tongue out at you) I didn't stand a chance against the youngsters.  

Oh dear I must scramble for cover!  Obviously she's after me with a rolling pin brandished aloft!  Wasn't the race fun though? Must have another one day to include some new bloggy pals as well as seasoned runners like you . . . and, Ann my love, you will be given a head start next time, I promise along with Mernopausal Old Bag (soon to be featured on the roast) and Grumpy Old Ken (already roasted).

Thank you again for all the fun and your interview which I enjoyed very much.

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Today's Sunday Roast with Retired And Crazy is the 131st
in a weekly series of interviews with bloggers from around the world

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This interview will feature in The Roll of Honour

for all published Roasts. To view press  HERE
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Finally, if anyone wouldlike to see the solution to my sticky maths problem it is posted on my blog, Socrates' Soliloquies LOL See HERE

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