Posted on by Storytime with John

About ME.

Many thanks to Andy Lawson and Susanne Leist who have both nominated me for the “One Lovely Blog” award – I appreciate it! Usually I don’t go for these things, but I feel this will be a good way for my readers to get to know me a little bit better…anyway…here are seven little facts about, well…me!

1. My full name is John Lee Bartholomew Taggart. I am just going to go ahead and assume that the ‘Bartholomew’ bit is leaping out at you as unusual…rather than say, the ‘Lee’ bit. Well yeah, I thought it would be amusing to pick that name when offered the chance during the Roman Catholic “confirmation” ceremony as a thirteen year old. Perhaps I didn’t take it as seriously as I should have, but I certainly stand by my decision.

Bart Simpson GIF

2. Despite being raised a Catholic I am not sure what I would call myself these days, possibly Jedi if I was being a little jokey, Wizard if I was being serious – I guess cynicism and doubt has creeped into my mind, which has pushed out things like religion and spirituality to some extent, or so it seems. I think this is a bit of a shame, but that’s just how it is.

N.B. If Jesus or anyone wants to come visit me, then my door is always open though. Or an angel…to like, tell me everyone has it wrong and I need to set up my own church – either way, I am totally and completely down. Drop by, or send me an email.

Jesus GIF

3. I am one of five children – which basically means at some point in time we have all worn the same clothes – big families are just all about that hand-me-down life, that’s just how it is! Unless the clothing item is torn into shreds by some unavoidable bush, SOMEONE is wearing it. Think the Weasley family from Harry Potter, but a little less magic…oh, and yeah, not fictional.

Weasley GIF

4. I am an ex-red head. That is to say as a young child I had bright ginger hair which somehow vanished as time went on…there are only a few photos which can prove this…but it is the truth! These days I am lumbered with all of the same inconveniences a red haired person may encounter – such as pale skin and a hatred of the sun, but none of the positive things – namely interesting hair. Instead I have mousey coloured hair…or dirty blonde…basically things that sound a little sewagey…that is the description my hair gets these days. Great.

Ginger GIF

5. I don’t make a regular habit of buying lottery tickets – simply because every single time (I have on perhaps three occasions) I truly and wholeheartedly believe I am going to win…like really, I honestly think that this is it, that any money woes are a thing of the past, and that by the end of the week I will be a multi-millionaire. I pick out houses, cars, fountains…I get in touch with statue designers and artists so that once the money comes through they can get to work on crafting out images of me that will be placed pride of place in my mansion for generations to come.

Then I sit down on the evening and find that none – not one of the numbers, has came through for me. I tend to enter a massive sulk for at least a week which totally consumes my whole life. Not worth the upheaval, not in the slightest.

Rich GIF

6. I am somewhat of an over-thinker…actually the single biggest reason I try and go for every opportunity (whether it be travel or anything else) is largely because of some weird notion that it could pave the way to an even bigger opportunity that in retrospect I would have been a fool to miss out on. I always think of myself as a decrepit old man sitting in a rocking chair, slowly shitting myself to death, thinking of what would have happened if I…anyway, that is usually enough for me to think – “RIGHT JUST GO FOR IT!”

Old man GIF

7. Oh, and last but definitely not least – I absolutely fucking love cheese.

Cheese GIF

Here are 15 bloggers you should definitely check out, they are some of my faves anyway:

1. http://wandabvictorian.wordpress.com
2. http://thebritishberliner.wordpress.com
3. http://ladysteene.wordpress.com
4. http://openroadbeforeme.com
5. http://rjgreenphoto.wordpress.com
6. http://xiotteilegends.wordpress.com
7. http://redhottruth.wordpress.com
8. http://rockandrollsupermom.wordpress.com
9. http://auntdoris.wordpress.com
10. http://ramblingsfromamum.wordpress.com
11. http://franciscalaureijs.com
12. http://10eveningflowers.wordpress.com
13. http://charlypriest.wordpress.com
14. http://apromptreply.wordpress.com
15. http://reluctantcatowner.com

Oh, and here are the original links from Andy and Susanne:

http://lawsonandy.wordpress.com/2014/07/22/awarded-one-lovely-blog-award/

http://susanneleist.wordpress.com/2014/08/07/one-lovely-blog-award/

Thanks again guys!

129 Replies to “About ME.”

  1. Thanks for sharing, always enjoy getting a bit of a chuckle out of your work. Despite labeling yourself as a cynic, seems like you are quite an optimist. (At least that’s what I’d conclude after the lottery ticket thing). Keep dreaming big, maybe you’ll win someday 🙂 and if not, your experiences traveling are probably priceless anyways

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    1. haha, thanks a lot, I do enjoy your positivity! I suppose…I will have to split it with you if I do win now, or give you an island for yourself – either, or.

      I am both a miserable bastard and someone who loves to laugh, so it is really a bit of a struggle – but I make it work, somehow 😉

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      1. Sounds like a fair deal! 🙂

        I think everyone struggles to find a balance between their “good” and “bad” side. But it’s better to have some positive characteristics than none at all. I have met people who are content to spend their days complaining and feeling sorry for themselves. Seems like they’re never happy! I have a feeling you will turn out just fine

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      2. Thank you my friend, that certainly means a lot to me!

        I love a good moan, as is obvious from my stories I am sure – but I don’t like it when people moan but then don’t make changes…or moan and don’t do anything – you are in control of your own life, get up, get out and get something!!!!!

        Ahem, sorry – you set me off.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Fancy you inviting God in for a cuppa and a chat! You crack me up. But seriously, I love that you took on this award and told us a bit more about you. Five kids in your formative years definitely explains alot of your antics that you’ve written about on here! As you know, I’m always loving your posts…..especially like this one though and doesn’t hurt at all that you promoted MY blog too. Thanks for that! You’re a great blogging buddy!

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  9. I’ve always been somewhat disgruntled that my genes weren’t strong enough to hold on to my red hair too. My hairdresser tactfully calls it slate, which is only slightly better than sewagey…. Still, at least she has concocted a rather fetching Titian for my 6 weekly restoration work.

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  10. Congrats on your nom John, how poetical am I 🙂 I’ve been a bit tardy on reading of late, not just you, but everyone, moving house, settling in to a new area…etc. I’ve had my fair share of moaning on here, then the melancholy, but it’s who we are. Some days are diamonds, some days are..not so much. Thank you for putting my name on the list, very appreciative. Oh and ‘rangers’ are cool now so be proud of your ‘dirty blonde’. Hopefully I’ll catch up soon 🙂

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  11. I love that you’ve shared tidbits of personal info. And why shouldn’t you? We’re all getting to know you through your amazing stories, so a bit more is all the better! About #5 – forget buying lottery tickets. Come to the US and get some Obama money. You know, the dough all us Americans have been rolling in ever since our illustrious dear leader has been in office. Which I say with tongue firmly implanted in cheek, of course. What I really mean is, “Jan. 2017 can’t get here soon enough”

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    1. I just rememember someone asking why I didn’t have an “About me” section – the reason for that is that it would be an absolute…well, let’s just say I wouldn’t know where to begin!

      haha, but who is next come January 2017?

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  14. Loved all your little facts, but especially understood number 3, as I am also one of five – (I think we belong to a dying breed as families generally tend to have less children, if any, these days.) The hand-me-down clothes I totally got; which was interesting as a girl, wearing my brothers clothes 🙂 Congratulations on your well-deserved award. I always enjoy reading your posts; brings a smile to my day 🙂

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    1. You’re certainly right there – I do feel like it is a good thing, no time for yourself whilst growing up, but so much life and good fun at every turn! My sisters had the same issue, hahaha! It’s a “you get what you are given” kinda approach, I suppose!

      Oh, and thank you! I am pleased to hear that! 🙂

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      2. haha, so true! Ahhhh four out of five is a cosy place to be I feel, you won’t be tarred with the bottom of the pile brush and have so many in front of you to help you out…well, that’s how it seems to be in my family!

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      3. Oh yes it is a cozy place. All the mistakes have been made in front of me. Of course by number 4 no pressure. Although my older brothers wondered why we got to go to the mall to shop and they had to pick out of a Sears catalog. Generate gap… times were a changing.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re more than welcome Wanda! But yeah, perhaps you’re right – I could just hold on to that lofty high of imagination forever…live in my fantasy permanently…I can’t see any drawback here – I am off to the corner shop, wish me luck!

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  27. Wow. I’m not going to comment on everything I read on your site tonight as it appears you take time to respond to every comment. I am however going to burn through your posts like a brush fire if they are all as entertaining as the first couple I’ve read. Thanks.

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    1. I do, I do, well it all depends, during trips it is usually very difficult to get back to people and then I have a pile up I have fo get to! But I do appreciate each and every comment, as well as every read! If you are entertained then I am overjoyed! 😀

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      1. I will follow Storytime with John gladly. Thanks for the story Kids make me sick. I can picture a small child ejecting twice his body weight in minimally digested froot loops and happy meals.

        Liked by 1 person

  32. You tell great stories 🙂 But I’m not sure I could sleep after – I’d be laughing too hard. Thanks for the follow!

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  33. Hi John! I fucking love cheese, too. Not sure which is my favourite, but double cream brie is near the top of the list. And if you are ever in the vicinity of St. Albert, Ontario, Canada, you MUST stop in at St. Albert Cheese Factory. I’m not sure if it’s world-famous, but it’s certainly a much-loved producer of ambrosia around Canada’s capital.
    Have a great day and thanks for liking my own meanderings!

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    1. Well clearly we are set to be pretty good friends then! I am not sure of my fave either – but I can tell you that gorgonzola(?) has to be up there with the worst of them – it crept into my sandwich earlier without my knowledge and ruined my day…anyway, I digress.

      I haven’t been to Canada, which only means it is DEFINITELY on my list! Pit stop at everything cheese there for sure! Cheers for the comment and I’ll be looking out for more of your meanderings!

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  34. I am glad that you are not lactose-intolerant. I am intolerant of those who are cheese-intolerant. I also like that when you think of being a millionaire, you think of fountains. Perhaps you could also think of cheese fountains? Hmm? Like at fondue restaurants that I’ve only heard of, and Wisconsin weddings. And since you are young, you might not know all old people call blue cheese “roquefort” because that was the rule in the Dark Ages. Also I just watched five episodes of The Duggars with 19 children, so 5 doesn’t seem so big in the scheme of things. Lastly, when I hear Taggart, I think of Beverly Hills Cop. You may be tired of hearing this and find me a dinosaur, or this may be fresh news to you.

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  35. I can totally relate with points 5, 6 and 7!! I somehow always think that if I decide to play the lottery it’s for a reason… Reason being I’m meant to win haha! So a couple of times a year, I take the big fall.
    Fun read:)

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  44. Now THAT was a fun read! I have to agree w/ ya’ on the cheese…. #seriousissue. Ugh Have to tell you ~ just visiting this morning, I feel ‘privileged’ you take time to swing by my blog. 🙂 You are (apparently) a busy guy with LOTS of tales to tell… keep writing. You’re cracking me up.

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    1. Cheeeeese provides life to…life! Put it on anything, and you have probably greatly improved it – I already know you agree 😉

      Thank you for your kind words! Your writing is so much more technical than mine (when it comes to education particularly) I think I could learn a thing or two 🙂

      Glad you are enjoying my blog too, trust me – I am the one who feels privileged!

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  47. oh John, you are one of the best writers I have come across on the blogging sphere, its got everything! humor, honesty, irony and visual references -I love it!!! maybe you should write for a living?! and please show us photo of you with ginger hair!!! xxxxxxx all the best and see you soon!!!

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  50. Hello, Bart!

    Thanks for visiting and liking my most recent post. I am grateful for your support. I would wish you luck with your blog, but I consider you are already so talented at this stuff as to require no luck at all!

    Best wishes for your continuing success and growth,

    Jay Pochapin

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