Ask Mitten

I do spend a lot of time in this blog just detailing what goes on inside the inner compounds of my swamped marshland of a brain, however, since I gained a new raft of followers, (thankyou), I did realise some of them may not know an awful lot about me. This is when I came up with the idea of doing an 'Ask Mitten' feature. A brand new concept for a blog such as this one, I'm sure you'd agree, and although I am far from being a celebrity, or someone of importance, I hoped I may get some questions to answer.

I took to Twitter and Facebook for these questions. Some were serious, some not so, and some asked in jest, but I will answer most of them anyway. So here goes!


(From @Richym90) What do you do for a living?


I work for the Post Office, behind the counter selling all sorts of insurance, savings/bank accounts and currency along with all the usual stuff you'd expect from a post office with mail etc. I enjoy it, as it's not a pressurised work environment, very relaxed and incredibly community based. I know the majority of my customers by name, and in all honesty, I spend half my time nattering with them! I also have a voluntary role as a Director at Bedford Cricket Club, but that isn't paid and I tend to do a number of hours per week on recruiting membership and attending a few meetings etc, which I enjoy! Keeps me out of trouble!


(From @AgentGovag) If a genie granted you three wishes, what would you ask for?


First of all, I would ask for happiness. It's a simple emotion, but one cannot take for granted the times in which happiness is bestowed upon you for a period of time. Bearing in mind I have stages where happiness is a luxury, it is a feeling I want as much as possible. Secondly, I would wish for an Aston Martin for my Dad. I don't talk about him much in here, but he is the hardest working man I know, and everything I have in my life is down to him and his hard-working nature. It is his dream to own an Aston Martin, and to see that dream fulfilled would mean a lot to me. And thirdly, I would wish for perfect health for all of my friends. All of the ones who have been there for me, through thick and thin. I wouldn't want anything to happen to them.



(From @KingFahi) What are your opinions on the UKIP member claiming that gay people adopting is similar to child abuse?


Obviously, a stable life for a child, regardless of their foster parents' sexuality, is better than a childhood in care. The issue of adoption in general is one close to my heart for various reasons, but I'm sure that in most cases, a child who is adopted will have a better life than if left in the system. To liken it to child abuse is way too harsh if taken in context, however, I can sort of see where he is coming from. For a gay couple to adopt a child, they must know that this child will be subject to bullying at school because of it, (unfortunately, society has not grown up enough to accept this), and that can affect the child's state of mind. Is that child abuse? No. Child abuse has a different definition, and can leave more severe scars, but a child with two dads is bound to be seen as "different". And being "different" at school, can lead to exclusion and bullying, which is sad and lead to consequences later in life.


(From @chrispoppe) If you were on 'Im A Celebrity', which Bushtucker Trial would you sail through and get maximum stars, and which would you scream at?


I don't have many phobias. In fact, I adore spiders, I think they are seriously misunderstood creatures, especially in the UK where 99% of them are harmless. I think any trial that included bugs or insects, I would be completely fine with. Although Australian insects can nip at you, that wouldn't bother me. The two trials that got to me slightly were being locked underground in a coffin for a certain amount of time, or anything to do with extreme heights, which I am not good at. I would certainly give them a good go though!


(From @NRBoon) Will we see you play a disgusting slog across the line in the T20 competition next season and will we see you bowl?!


First of all, you might well see me play a horrible heave-ho at a good length ball, and then you will see me walking back to the pavilion! And will I bowl? No. I highly doubt it. I think we have a good amount of quality bowlers who will do the job long before I have to mark out a run up!


(From @Chrispoppe) What's the biggest lesson you have learnt since writing your blog post on 18th November, (Coming Out Story)?


I have learnt that people are less judgmental and more accepting than my mind told me they would be. The response I received was nothing short of amazing, and even though people can sometimes throw jokes around and laugh about these sorts of things in jest, if you are serious about it, people will understand and accept you for who you are.


(From @Richym90) How do you feel about the increasing rate of suicides due to online trolls?


Online hate is one of the most cowardly, despicable acts. I do not see how people think they can get away with online bullying and discrimination, and for it to lead to someone taking their own life is heartbreaking. It is a worrying trend, and more needs to be done to tackle online hate, by putting more effort to tracking down trolls and increasing punishments against them. For anyone who is subject to online hate, I would strongly advise them to simply report it and get on with living life in the real world. Anyone who is cowardly enough to hate online, will not be strong enough to tell you in person.


(From Lauren Newman on Facebook) What is your view on raising the price of alcohol to 45p per unit?


I will try and answer this without sounding hypocritical, as I do have a tendency to drink a lot when I go out! I think this is a great idea. Many people would say, "What difference is a few pence going to make?", but if you take a litre bottle of vodka, that means a price increase of about £5. That £5 could be spent on more alcohol for that person, and under these new laws, they wouldn't have that money. Ultimately, it's a good thing, and although I do feel a little sorry for the responsible drinkers in this land, it will only do a good thing to tackle the binge drinking problem we have in the UK. However, (as you suggested), I do think an increase in the drinking age would do more to tackle the problem, as the majority of binge drinking comes from the sometimes immature age group of 18-21, (and I should know!)


(From @Chrispoppe) Imagine you were the first to open the biggest and most delicious box of chocolates.. Which three centres would you scoff first?


Being a self-confessed chocaholic, this is possibly the toughest question of all! I've always had a soft spot for caramel, so that would have to be one of the choices! I am always looking for ways to stay awake during the day, so a coffee centred one is a must and a truffle centre always goes down well, so that would have to be my third choice!


(From @dgellis0907) What is the greatest hurdle you have overcome to date?


Although it was probably an answer you were expecting, I would have to say coming out to my parents is the greatest hurdle I have jumped. The trauma I put myself through over the years because of telling them one thing about me, is an experience that made me stronger and to come out the other side with everyone still around me and happy for me is extremely comforting. It was part of the reason I fell into depression, and although that is a hurdle I am still jumping over, it is much easier knowing that this part of me is out in the open, and no one has reacted negatively.


(From Gary Roper on Facebook) Who would play you in a movie of your life?


Although we have differing physiques, (and there are worlds between our intellect) I would have to say Stephen Fry. He is a hero of mine, we have similar interests and similar downfalls and he is an absolute gentleman, of which I try to be as much as I can.


(From @MissHawker) If you were to write a book, what would it be about?


Tough one... I've always had an idea about writing a "fictional" story based on myself. I've got tonnes of stories stacked away in the confides of my brain and I would love to write about my life in the past few years in a fictional way. So maybe that. I've no idea who would buy it though! Would that be an autobiography... Not sure!



Well, there you go. A few questions and a few rubbish answers to accompany them! Hopefully, some of you have learnt a little bit about me and my opinions and if not, then never mind! Until later, I bid you a fond farewell.