Season 77

Twardowski has that slightly irritating quality of a truly good poet: he uses the simplest words imaginable, and then you find yourself thinking about them for half the day.

This little poem came to my mind when I thought about what Shaun Evans once said — that he doesn’t chase popularity because he values his private life.

*** (To be unloved…) – Jan Twardowski

To be unloved, unknown, alone wherever you roam,

is not only tears before sleep comes home.

@jessieren and @fanficrocks tagged me, so here goes nothing:

1. Origins of my blog’s name Apart from occasionally writing nonsense about Evans, I also run a food blog focused on local and seasonal cuisine. So the name is not entirely unhinged — it actually nods to that side of my personality. I contain multitudes. And recipes.

2. My “I’ll always order this” food I am completely hopeless. I can spend fifteen minutes analysing a menu like a strategic document… and still end up ordering carbonara.

3. Overused emoji 🤦‍♀️ and 🤮. My friends — those patient, magnificent humans — endure my sarcasm with heroic calm.

4. Current comfort movie, show and book Film: Surprisingly, I absolutely loved The Secret Life of Pets. That grey cat Chloe? An icon. Her life philosophy speaks to me on a spiritual level. I generally adore intelligent comedies. My favourite Polish director is Juliusz Machulski — every one of his films feels like a healing plaster for a bruised soul. I know most of the dialogue by heart.

Show: Historical documentaries. The more dates and footnotes, the more alive I become. If everyone else is asleep, I’m wide awake, taking notes. Book: Always and forever The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov. For something lighter, I enjoy Richard Osman — his sense of humour just works for me.

5. Song on repeat “Cowboys and Angels” by George Michael. I can literally drive from one end of the city to the other with that song playing on loop and feel absolutely fine about it.

6. My current hyperfixation Apart from the obvious obsession involving blue eyes and a freckled forehead, history. Past, present, future — I’m a lost case. Happily.

7. Oddly specific thing that brings me joy Grapefruit juice. The more acidic, the better. And extremely dark chocolate. If it makes me physically recoil a little when I taste it, I know I’m alive.

8. A smell that makes me happy Lily of the valley. They only appear in May, so when I see them in a shop, I buy all of them and put them in every room so the whole house smells like it. Ironically, I adore them and yet no one has ever given them to me. But as Miley sings — I can buy myself flowers.

9. Something I loved as a kid and secretly still do Ice skating. As a child I wanted to be Lara Croft or a figure skater. The range was impressive.

10. Phone wallpaper right now Lock screen: London. I love that city with alarming intensity. Home screen: usually photos of my cat Richard in his various absurd sleeping positions.

11. Early bird or night owl Night owl. At night, I awaken like Nosferatu. In the morning, my head is merely a structural support for two detached eyeballs.

12. What I do for a living and whether I like it I’m a teacher. I prepare teenagers and adults for English language competitions, and I teach the history and culture of English-speaking countries. It may not be Lara Croft-level adventure, but there’s still history involved — so honestly, it’s pretty great.

If anyone feels like joining the fun, I nominate: @emmetjes and @lakmet