This list was inspired by my wonderful friend Lesley-Anne Long
I drink Diet Coke because I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day. Every sip is a puff not taken
My library is uncounted. I started collecting science fiction and fantasy books when I was 13. Most years I buy about 100 books. Increasingly they are digital or audio. The physical ones are loved and treasured more.
Stopping. I looked blankly at the psychologist when she said: “Sometimes you have to do nothing”. Still trying to get my head around it. It’s one reason why I like endurance sports.
More than happy to eat the same food every day for months and I buy five of the same t-shirt at once, and wear a different one each day.
My favourite meal is filet de boeuf en croute as cooked by my mum, with my grandma’s apple tart to follow. My mum and I both do pale imitations of it. Our custard is better though
Complicated strategy games are my hobby. Europa Universalis, Crusader Kings, Factorio. To my annoyance, I haven’t managed to take over the world as Ryuku.
Few things are better than heading out with a parang into the wilderness. Following a path is less uncomfortable. When stressed I make new ones, coming home with scratches and bites. Once missing 2 fingers.
I married the first girl I fell in love with and took her to the ends of the earth before she would marry me
I like long journeys. I’ve done walking pilgrimages. Hitchhiked to Jerusalem several times and driven from London to Kathmandu.
It’s possible to fall asleep whilst cycling, running and walking. Never managed to do it whilst swimming.
TV and video. What’s the point? I enjoy the cinema but can’t watch anything else (except when drunk) because I get bored within minutes. TED talks included.
Most of my reading now is about the history of ideas and human behaviour. I have to be careful about what I read as the idea stream gets too deep and strong too quickly.
Role models are a mystery to me and I’ve read stunningly few biographies or autobiographies. I’ve settled on being the best possible Denis of all possible Denis’ using a many-worlds hypothesis of reality.
Hugging and touching are amazing. It’s my favourite way of giving and receiving love, support, care, compassion, joy and many other emotions.
Bacon making is fun. My go-to recipe is an unsmoked pink salt, chilli, prawn and black pepper cure
My favourite quote is “to sail beyond the sunset and the baths of all the western stars”
I a deeply, deeply flawed human, but, in the words of Maya Angelou “Still I rise”
