A Good Thriller discussion

David wrote: "Okay, I'll toss out 10 more:

10 RANDOM FACTS
1/ I’m hugely allergic to cats. I don’t even have to touch them; if they are anywhere near me, within 30 minutes, I’ve got red, itchy, puffy eyes and a..."
Congrats on quitting smoking.

Thanks, Thomas.
Looking back now, I see those 10 facts were ones I'd posted some time ago, so here are 10 new ones:
1/ My wife and I both caught colds in May of 2019 that turned into pneumonia. Now, we both believe we had a mild version of the coronavirus causing all the problems in the world right now.
2/ Update: Because of that pneumonia, I spent more time in the ER and doctor’s offices in 2019 than I did in the previous 10 years combined because I broke 3 ribs between Memorial Day and Labor Day due to coughing from the pneumonia.
3/ Update: In November of 2019, I sold my beloved pick-up truck that I had for 25 years and was paid $500 over the Kelly Blue Book value for it.
4/ 6 months later, the man who bought it died.
5/ My wife and I recently celebrated our 45th year of marriage this year.
6/ I attended a reunion in 2019 of first cousins (many of whom I hadn’t seen in 20+ years) at the farm where a parent grew up.
7/ My daughter was high school valedictorian and graduated summa cum laude from Cornell University with a double major of anthropology and archaeology.
8/ In my career as a pharmacist, I saved customers' lives on 3 separate occasions.
9/ The drone of an all-day rain or all-day wind sets my nerves on edge.
10/ I had my first book published in June of this year after 25 years of writing and submitting.

Thanks for the update makes for interesting reading. And congratulations on getting published. It was worth the perseverance. :)

I will do 10 more random facts - I haven't posted in here since 2016.


1. I have been to California three times by car when I was younger - my parents drove out there three times from Florida to California as we have family out there - near 3,000 miles one way - that was between 1977 to 1984.

2. I own one cat that I rescued from a kill shelter about 4 years ago. She is indoor only. Very sweet.

3. I have only traveled one time outside the U.S. and that was on a cruise to Cozumel Mexico about three years ago.

4. I have traveled to other states in the U.S. besides those trips out to California. I have been to Arkansas, Iowa, South Carolina, and North Carolina (3x there).

5. I have never smoked or did any kind of drugs.

6. I use to have a car that talked (not like Knight Rider but close - lol) back in 1992. It was a Chrysler New Yorker custom made - I bought it from a friend cheap as it needed a new engine and I had a friend that put the engine in for free. The car would say different things like - if your car door was open it would say "your door is open" - it would say "put your seatbelt on" - if something needed to be fixed it would "need service soon". It was kind of cool but got annoying too. lol

7. I love to drink coffee in the mornings with some kind of donut. :)

8. When I was in my late teens I got a job working at a horse farm. Cleaning stables, feeding the horses, and taking them out to the pastures.

9. Speaking of Knight Rider - on one of those trips out to California we were able to go to Universal Studios - they had the Kitt car there - I was able to sit in it. My dad took a picture. :)

10. Here in Tampa we have a theme park called Busch Gardens - they have roller coasters that go upside down, etc. - I have actually been on an upside down roller coaster back in 1998. Went with a friend but that was the last time I went on one. I had my eyes closed the whole time! lol I was trying to be adventurous! The friend wanted to be extra adventurous as they went on it again after the first time around.

Well that is my wrap up this time for facts. :)

I always love to read these, I wish more members did this. Thanks Sophie for starting this.

USA, so many different states to go to...

Funny, I live in Jersey, CI, UK

And I also have been to Cancun/Cozumel.

Also been to Bush Gardens and most of Florida.

Thanks Marie

Sean wrote: "And I also have been to Cancun/Cozumel.

Also been to Bush Gardens and most of Florida.

Thanks Marie..."

You are welcome, Sean. :)

I think it's been a long time since I posted here and the two recent posts got me thinking so...

1. I have been to all 48 contiguous States of America, and Canada and Mexico, but never off this continent.

2. We moved so much when I was child that I attended 23 different schools, 6 of those were high school.

3. As a result of my mother's wanderlust in my youth I vowed to never move once my children started school until the youngest had graduated.

4. My youngest graduated in May 2021, Suma Cum Laude, double majored in English and Peace Studies, double minored in Gender Studies and Conflict Resolution, the first member in my family to graduate college.

5. My husband and I moved from California to Missouri in October of 2021.

6. Because we were able to purchase a house three times the size of our previous house, for 1/3 the price, my husband was able to retire early, and I now work exclusively from home. (I feel like a woman of leisure!)

7. I am pretty adventurous and often leap before I look, resulting in 12 broken bones and five instances of stitches.

8. Despite feeling more relaxed and rested than I have in decades, my reading has slowed almost to a halt. I used to devour between two and four novels a week, but am lucky to finish even one in recent months.

9. Like David, I had "pneumonia" so badly in February 2019 that I broke ribs coughing and spent more time being treated that possibly the rest of my life combined. My doctor later thought it had been Covid, undiagnosed.

10. I tend to lose my voice for about a week each year, sometime during the winter, for seemingly no reason. It fascinates (and probably delights!) my husband and children and when I read about such an occurrence in an Amy Tan novel, I was flabbergasted!

here goes.....
1. I was named after a character in the book Kings Row - but the spelling is different because my Mother was German and only knew one spelling (Paris not Parris as in the book)
2. I was born and raised in San Francisco & Mill Valley California
3. I moved to Texas 28 years ago for work with IBM (nicknamed "I've been moved")
4. I was a single mother of one very precious daughter
5. I love animals, and have 4 indoor cats and 1 outdoor wild cat
6. I live in the woods
7. I used to have cows, llamas, goats, chickens, peacocks, ducks, guinea hens
8. I used to repair computers (mainframe to laptops)
9. I now work in a grocery store as a personal shopper
10. I'm old (66 yrs old)
11. I love listening to music ( classical, choral, folk, rock and metal)

Thanks ladies

Fascinating facts there. You're right, Sean, I wish more people would join in. There are some very interesting lives out there!!

1. I am a Lefty

2. I am a huge huge animal lover

3. I don't consider myself a fast reader however I can have 4 to 5 books going at time as long as they are different genres.

4. I love to do any exercise walking, jogging

5. I am a makeup artist and a baker

6. I have anxiety

7. My favorite color is yellow

8. I consider myself an optimistic

9. My guilty drink of choice is Red Bull which I know is bad :(

10. I am religious

Thanks, Lynne. :)

Thanks Paris and Lynn

I love these! Thanks Paris and Lynne.

1. I love cats
2. I've been to 37 US states.
3. I am heavily into progressive rock music.
4. I love native american culture and have some Sioux handmade pottery. I also enjoy books with native american characters.
5. I am deathly afraid of centipedes.
6. I was the last born child.
7. My favorite TV show of all time was St. Elsewhere.
8. I am an ex smoker 8 years clean.
9. I love mountains over the beach.
10. I have a fondness for kangaroos.

Chuck wrote: "4. I love native american culture and have some Sioux handmade pottery. I also enjoy books with native amer..."

Have you read anything by Lucia St. Clair Robson? I think she is a little known treasure. Ride the Wind, Walk in My Soul, Ghost Warrior, Light a Distant Fire and Fearless: A Novel of Sarah Bowman are all fantastic, heavily researched, and beautiful depictions if Native American life. I also love that she focuses on more than one tribe.

Chuck

well done for not smoking for 8 years

Sean wrote: "Chuck

well done for not smoking for 8 years" Thank you Sean it wasn't easy.

10 random facts

1. (If this one is a bit lengthy I do apologize) I was diagnosed with anxiety in my late teens, it started with me getting up every morning vomiting, and I wasn't sure what was going on with me for the longest time, and when a Doctor told me it was all anxiety, I felt relieved, but at the time I didn't know how to control it, I considered myself a loser and just felt so lost, but the past few years my world has really opened up, and I now feel I can cope with my anxiety whenever it comes on, and not let it get to the point where I make myself sick, and I feel I have a purpose for getting up in the morning

2. I love driving my car and putting on the radio, it relaxes me

3. My favorite show is Seinfeld

4. I'm a big coffee drinker

5. I love cooking and baking

6. I don't watch the news, (I know I should, but it's too depressing, I'll watch the weather but that's about it)

7. My biggest fear is going to the Dentist

8. 3 places I'd love to visit one day are Washington D.C, South Dakota, and Italy

9. I have a very dry sense of humor

10. I love animals

10 facts about me

1) I live in a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia, 5 min drive from our beautiful beaches
2) I was in police force for 18 years, I had to retire due to a back injury
3) I have 2 children who both live a few minutes away from me. My son,28, is an engineer with a recyclable energy company and my daughter,24, a police officer.
4) a year ago I sold my house and bought a unit where I live with my 9 yr old cat
5) my parents were both English and I spent a number of years living in Surrey when I was younger
6) I had cancer in 2019, which with surgery, chemo and radiotherapy I was able to beat
7) I love Australian Rules Football and follow the Adelaide Crows
8) I never thought I would become an ebook reader. Not working I can no longer afford to buy books. I was borrowing from library. When the pandemic hit that was no longer an option. I gave in an bought a Kobo ereader must say I love it now
9) for my 50th birthday myself and 3 of my friends went to Bali for 10 days
10) my younger sister lives on the Sunshine Coast in Wld. I only get to see her once a year which is very hard

Thank you, Corey and Sarah. It's lovely of you both to open up here. Really interesting reading. I do love this thread!

I love reading everyone's fun facts so here are mine! They're pretty basic though, I'm pretty forgetful.

1. My favorite pokemon is Spheal
2. My top 3 favorite shows are (in no order) Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, the Simpsons, and Friends (though I'm only on season 5 right now)
3. I'm an intern + volunteer at my local cat shelter. I can't adopt one because my brother is super allergic to fur! His face swells like crazy
4. My favorite projects are making moss terrariums from recycled glass bottles and moss around my neighborhood.
5. My favorite foods are zhajiangmien and mint choco chip ice cream
6. My favorite animals are cats, sharks, and sea slugs- so so cute!

That's all I can think of lol..

Thanks, Alizapali, for your random facts. Hopefully more group members will join in.

Keep going, thanks to the new members that have added.

Sarah, great news beating cancer.

Another one of my favourite topics...

Again this used to be so popular, but a great topic knowing these great facts/random facts is lovely.

One memory I have is going to Maui, and my wife and I stayed in the resort that sadly is no longer there, so heartbroken to the residents.

Now my random facts are about the things we do and enjoy so much in retirement, highly recommended.

Playing Padel 3/4 times a week
Playing tennis 2 times a week
Bowls once a week
Snooker once a week
Gardening 2/3 times a week if dry
Working at the local Zoo/Durrell's as a volunteer. Once a week
Working as a volunteer companion for St John Ambulance
Going for walks, 2 or 3 times a week, depending on how much sport.

Although reading has slowed down as do enjoy to unwind with some films or television series.

But love life and intend to make the most of it as long as I can.

1. I was born in Princeton, NJ, in 1954 when Alfred Einstein taught at university there. My parents and I used to see him walking down the street most mornings on his way to class.
2. I play piano and guitar.
3. I was married in the Bicentennial year—1976.
4. I have 12 grandchildren.
5. I love dogs.
6. I love classic movies. My favorites are Casablanca, The Searchers, Rear Window and His Girl Friday.
7. My first car was a 1968 Ford Mustang convertible. (Never should’ve gotten rid of that car.)
8. My favorite music is classic rock from the late Sixties deep into the Seventies. Favorite bands/performers include the Beatles, Dave Mason, Joe Cocker, Linda Ronstadt, and The Band.
9. One of my favorite books is Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. I’ve read it at least 10 times.
10. I enjoy matching wits with the New York Times crossword puzzle. I rarely come out on top on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Thanks for adding.

I love classic films.

1. I have arachnophobia (extreme fear of spiders)
2. I love watching and reading thrillers.
3. I am very close to my mother and tell her everything.
5. I am an overthinker.
6. My favorite show is Friends.
7. My favorite music artists are BTS and Taylor Swift.
8. My favorite food is Pizza.
9. My zodiac is Leo ♌
10. I love travelling.

Thanks for adding and sharing AJ

Welcome to the group, and you also Michael

You're welcome Sean! Happy to be here. :)

1. I own four bass guitars, play poorly
2. Got married at 40, now 20 years married
3. I've not left the country in 35 years
4. I don't believe in ghosts or space aliens
5. I do believe in kismet, happenstance
6. I won't talk about politics with you, but listen and nod, waiting for you to stop
7. Like others, have acrophobia. I’d rather spend 2 weeks in a submarine than 2 minutes perched atop a ladder
8. I am director of small Carnegie library
9. I really dislike churn.--when fiction authors churn out more and more in a series. Shelves are filled with Patterson, Baldacci, Roberts/Robb; and Tom Clancy and Clive Cussler are dead, so please stop putting out more books
10. I have not read nearly enough books in my lifetime, especially in my line of work

here are a few random things....

1. I am currently learning two point! You know, standing in the stirrups in the jockey position on a horse? I am learning this at 52 years old.

2. My horse, George, is 15.3 hands tall and he is a Tennessee Walker.

3. I am scared of heights and I often go into Freeze if my brain thinks I am balancing "up high" in a "risky" place. Of course this may be only at knee height but to the brain that is "dangerous". 😐

4. I was diagnosed with hEDS - hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. It is a "rare" connective tissue disorder that can affect the whole body but its very visible in the joints. It also comes with gut problems and super soft velvety skin. That makes me a zebra! The zebra is the animal for EDS.

5. I mainly live on a carnivore type diet. Grass fed meat is the main thing I eat every day - plus a little organic fruit.

6. I have a lot of houseplants. I am good at growing tropical plants but I am utterly horrible at succulents! They all die on me. But the tropical plants do great! I have palm trees, dragon tree, ponytail palms, syngornium, etc.

7. I often have trouble sleeping so here it is 12:32 AM and I am writing this... Sleep issues go with not only EDS but with autism too. To be honest I am wide awake!

8. I have never have had that Covid. I guess I dont understand why so many people get it???

9. I often can talk like a doctor. I watch tons of medical videos on youtube to learn about my medical conditions and about how the body works + the immune system, etc. I have Asperger's you know (or it used to be called Asperger's but these days its all under the autism label). I study nutrition the same way to make sure I get the needed vitamins on my limited diet.

10. I just moved to a new apartment. It has 18 foot tall ceilings! And a gym in the building too. And I will tell you it is hard work packing up a big library of books to move!! 😱 luckily the movers had to move it, not me!! Due to EDS I cannot lift stuff that is too heavy. And my weight limit is much lower than most people. The English saddle I put on George weighs about 20 pounds and I can lift that. Luckily!

🐴🐴🐴

11. I have a love / hate relationship with volcanoes. I like to know about them but the idea of one erupting also terrifies me! Luckily there are none around here!! I have no idea why they scare me.

12. Yes I am still wide awake so writing more of this! If you cannot sleep there are a few people on Youtube that have relaxing voices. They include: Dutchsinse with his earthquake videos, George Norry on Coast to Coast AM and Michael Salla with his UFO type videos. A few long medical videos are good too!

13. I currently have some twigs of a money tree trying to root in a big jar of water. It got broken during the move. Will it root?? No idea.

14. I can walk half marathons all the time. But its harder to do in winter! And I only wear barefoot style shoes. No arch support or raised heels. My feet are very hypermobile too. Goes with the hEDS.

15. I enjoy doing those scavenger challenges with books! Its fun + exciting!

16. I live a very boring life.

17. I have never drunk any alcohol.
But I do drink kombucha. But only in glass bottles. And only from GT's Synergy. I am paranoid about ingredients. Because of celiac + a corn allergy.

18. I have already read 40 books this year??

19. I am trying to read at least one 500+ book each month. In January I read 3 of them. And I have already read one for Feb but I will probably try to read a few more

20. I have a low body temperature so a 100 F day to me feels like a very pleasant 80 F! 🌞 and yes I go for long walks on 100 F day. 😂😂😂

It just hit 1 am!

Bonus: I think seeing numbers like 1111 or 222 or 444 or 555 or 1212 is good luck!

By the way, the horse in my little pic is Oliver. He is a Haflinger. ❤

Thanks for sharing... Sarah

My wife and I had a horse 35/40 years ago called Senator, was a show jumper horse belonging to David Broome.

He was 17.5 hands, like an armchair !

Sean wrote: "Thanks for sharing... Sarah

My wife and I had a horse 35/40 years ago called Senator, was a show jumper horse belonging to David Broome.

He was 17.5 hands, like an armchair !"

That is one big bundle of horse

Ten (10) random facts about myself:

1. I am a credit risk officer and underwriter.
2. I have only worked in financial institutions (Credit Union, Bank, etc.). I got a job right out of University, and I've been working since.
3. I am allergic to crustaceans.
4. Days spent at a beach or river are my favourite. I love being in the water and lounging while reading a good book after.
5. I don't have any tattoos, but I have piercings (let me not say how many).
6. I don't have a favourite colour. That is probably weird. I think most people have a favourite colour. I (just) don't.
7. I am afraid of lizards, spiders and centipedes.
8. I have never smoked a day in my life (cigarette, cigar or weed).
9. I like cats and have a love-hate relationship with dogs. I was chased by a dog when I was a child (someone left their gate open), and that traumatized me. But I still think they are cute). I don't have any pets.
10. Christmas is my favourite time of year.

Thanks Tammie