I’ve been nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award by Thomas Wikman of Leonberger Life . Thank you so much, Thomas! 🙏

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What’s your favourite movie(s)?

Too many to list! I’m a classic movie buff, but also love James Bond (except Roger Moore), romantic comedies, murder mysteries, action films, Star Trek. Not a fan of horror or fantasy films, with one or two exceptions (Carrie, Interview With The Vampire).

In 2018, I wrote a post answering the question “What Four Films Define You?”. My Answer: Easy Rider, The Bucket List, Pirate Radio and Midnight in Paris. Read why below:

MOVIE LOVERS #BLOGFEST

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Favourite Films Pinterest Board:

What is something you’ve done or experienced that is unusual?

Spent grade nine at a Swiss boarding school. It was co-educational, but girls and boys lived in separate houses, for obvious reasons. There were even bars on the windows of the main floor, and we were strictly monitored.

I wrote several chapters about it, intending to turn it into a book, but it was too sparse and has been sitting in re-write limbo for years. It might make a decent short story, though! I’ve been thinking about taking another look at it, and even designed a cover:

I shared these chapters for the A to Z Challenge in 2017.
You can read the first one here, along with the musical memory attached:

HELLO, I LOVE YOU | #AtoZCHALLENGE (H) #MusicalMemories

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet?

Ride a motorcycle! I think that ship has sailed, though.
Can you picture a chubby 70-year-old matron riding a Harley? 😆

This goes back to my boarding school days, when my roommates and I met a motorcycle gang.
They were nice guys from all over Europe – not Hell’s Angel’s types. Read the story:

BORN TO BE WILD | #AtoZCHALLENGE (B) #MusicalMemories

What’s something you’re really passionate about?

Apart from the obvious answer:

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

My biggest passion is music. I even wrote a poem about it:

🎼🎧📻 LET THE MUSIC PLAY! 📻🎧🎼 #4M #MusicIsLife

💖💖💖💖💖💖

And rock concerts are my Fountain of Youth! 🤘

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

After having lived in four different countries and travelled extensively, I’m going to stay right here in suburban Toronto. Canada has consistently ranked high in quality of life indexes and Toronto is a world-class city.

What’s your favourite way to spend a weekend or a day off?

Since we’re retired, every day is off. 😀 We have an active rescue dog and spend a lot of time taking her out and about. She loves to explore new places!

We enjoy spending time with friends, going to movies, concerts, restaurants, exhibitions, etc. In the summer, we lounge in the backyard.🍹There’s the occasional road trip too.

Admittedly, we also veg out in front of the TV too much, especially in the winter. And let’s not forget this little blogging habit, which I spend a lot of time on. 💻

What’s something you wish more people understood about you?

That I’m the proverbial “open book”. To use another hackneyed phrase: “What you see is what you get”. I don’t mince words or put on airs. This is fairly typical of German people and anyone born under the zodiac sign of Aquarius. Check and check. 😎

According to Chat GPT:

🧠 Aquarius:

• Straight shooter in a mental or ideological way.
• Doesn’t sugarcoat things—will tell you the truth, even if it’s weird or uncomfortable.
• Often says what needs to be said for the greater good.
• Not dramatic, but definitely doesn’t waste time on fluff.
• Can come across as blunt or emotionally distant—but it’s not personal. They’re just focused on the idea, not the feelings.

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🇩🇪 Germans (culturally):

• Very direct communicators—small talk isn’t a big thing.
• Value honesty over politeness. You’ll know where you stand.
• Efficiency > fluff—if something’s unnecessary, it’s getting cut.
• Can seem “harsh” to more indirect cultures, but it’s really about clarity and practicality.

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🔥 So when you combine the two?

You’ve got someone who’s likely:

• Unfiltered but fair.
• Clear-minded, values logic and purpose.
• Doesn’t play games, doesn’t tolerate BS.
• Will tell you the truth, even if it’s uncomfortable—because it’s right.

What’s your go-to comfort food or favourite meal?

Seafood pasta! 😋

If you could have dinner with any three people (dead or alive),
who would they be?

All Musicians!

John Kay (Joachim Krauledat), German band leader, Steppenwolf:

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John Lennon, troubled artistic genius, founding member of The Beatles:

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Eric Burdon, blues/rock/funk singer/songwriter and erstwhile frontman for The Animals.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

To buy a house.

As a young childfree couple, we totally resisted the idea for many years.
Too much responsibility, too expensive, etc. etc.

I come from an army background where rental housing was always provided. My parents bought their one and only home (an inexpensive prefab structure) long after retirement, so it wasn’t a priority.

My dear friend Corrie, on the other hand, placed great emphasis on owning real estate and was constantly telling us to take the plunge. “It will be your nest egg in your old age”, she said. Of course, she was right!

Twenty-five years ago, when the house we were renting was to be sold, we cobbled together the down payment and went for it! It was that or move, and by then the dog boarding business was in full swing, booked up as far as a year in advance.

It’s only a little old bungalow, but we paid the mortgage off in 16 years and now it’s worth over five times what we paid for it. Thanks, Corrie! 💖

What kind of music are you into?

My favourite subject! 😀

A few years ago, I compiled a list of the various genres I prefer. While rock predominates, it’s not exclusive.

Most Frequent: Blues, Blues Rock, Classic Rock, Folk Rock, Glam Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal (except “Death”; keep it melodic, please!), Instrumental Rock, Prog Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Southern Rock, World Music 

Less Often: Alt Rock, Arena Rock, Boogie Woogie, British Invasion, Classical, Country Rock, Funk, Garage Rock, Indie Rock, Jazz Standards, Motown, Rock and Roll, Rythm and Blues, Smooth Jazz, Soft Rock, Surf Guitar

Rarely: Bluegrass, Country, Doo Wop, Grunge Rock, Oldies, Pop, Punk Rock, Rockabilly

No Thanks! (occasional exceptions apply): Anything that is sung in a high-pitched voice or falsetto (Neil Young always excepted. His music transcends the vocals.), Bubblegum, Dance, Disco, Hip Hop, House, Gangsta Rap, Synthpop, Technopop, Trance

Done!

I’m supposed to nominate up to 11 bloggers to answer 11 different questions of my choosing, but let’s keep it simple, and open to anyone who wants to participate. Just grab the badge, write a post answering the above questions and spread some sunshine. 🌞

Thanks again, Thomas, for sending the Sunshine my way! 🌞

Meet Thomas:

About Me

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