fightingthecage | Another meme, given to me bloody ages ago

Comment on this entry and I will give you a letter. Write ten words beginning with that letter in your journal, including an explanation what the word means to you and why, and then pass out letters to those who want to play along.

I was given the letter 'G' by

lonely_streets. And so...

1. God

An easy one to start off with, given that I couldn't think of a lot of words beginning with G sraight away. What can I say about God, really, that I didn't already say in the '10 things' meme? I'm a wholehearted believer and I can't understand why other people aren't. I don't think less of agnostics and atheists at all, I just...don't get it. Life's too great to merely be a set of random coincidences and yeah, I believe that we have a pre-destined plan set by a higher power. I don't think anything we do is a mistake, or a coincidence. I think we meet the people we're meant to meet and follow the route we're meant to take - though of course, we don't know what that is. So we're still free to make choices and strive to be better. Our lives are our own - but watched over. Tht's my belief, anyway.

2. Guitar

Ahhh guitar. Almost nothing I love better than a rocking tunes with screaming guitars. Always makes me happy. And nothing tugs at the heartstrings quite like a moody blues track played by someone who knows how to make the instrument sing. If I could learn one other instrument, it'd be this one. I just don't ave the patience to teach myself but I'll get lessons someday, when I can afford them.

3. Germany

One of my favourite places in the world. Used to be home, when I was very small. Always a place that got visited, given that my aunt, uncle and cousins lived there for years after we left. Most of my earliest memories are of Germany and it's the place I always think of when I think of hot European nights and fantastic beer. I haven't been for years but I can't wait to go back - one of the greatest holidays of my life was spent on the German side of Lake Constance (the Bodensee), although the heatwave of 40 degrees C at the time nearly killed me. That was the first holiday I went on without parental supervision (I was twelve) and it kicked ass! *g*

4. Guns

I don't love guns particularly, but I desperately want to learn to shoot. And then I'll love them. Not enough to be one of the idiots that carry one around illegally or anything but I would like to be able to go shooting at times. The only time I've shot one that wasn't a pellet gun was when I went clay pigeon shooting. That uses a shotgun and it was brilliant, I cleaned the floor with everyone there. Inherited the skill from my soldier father obviously - and I always like practising things I'm good at, hence my desire to get better.

From a sociological standpoint, gun culture is quite worrying. It's on the rise in the UK and I definitely think that kids need to be taught in school that it is not cool to want one. Or taught by anyone, doesn't matter who. We're not at the level of gun crime that the US has, obviously, and it's almost impossible to get a handgun legally. I think most of them are illegal to own actually - but it's not hard to get a gun license for hunting. And on the streets, I imagine it's pretty easy to pick up one illegally. Which is a little worrying and the government should be making a concerted effort to make kids go off the idea.

I do think it's awesome that our police still don't have to carry them on the streets though. That restores my faith in the UK a little.

5. Guilt

I rarely waste time on it. Simply because - if I think about an action in advance and realise that I'd feel guilty for carrying it out, I don't. This normally translates to, 'Will I hurt someone for doing this?' If the answer is yes, I do my level best not to do it. If I have no choice but to carry it out, then I don't feel guilty because I had no choice. It's a philosophy that works well for me.

6. Gartico

Ahhhh, Tico. Tico is Housemate Jen's horse. He's named after the son of Pegasus, she tells me - and he's the most gorgeous horse I've ever seen. Alnost human in personality, if a total schizoid, and he's simply gorgeous. Had to put him in because I love him so much. *pets him*

7. Gary Moore

My second favourite blues/rock guitarist (the first being B.B King). He's simply amazing. Used to play with Thin Lizzy back in the 60's and...seriously, I can't possibly gush enough about how amazing his skills are. I saw him live three years ago and he blew me away - I've never seen anyone do that with a guitar, ever. Just incredible. And he's a good Irish boy, so that makes it even better. :D

8. Grandma

My Grandmother was simply the best. She used to look after me when my mother was at work and my sister was at school. Taught me to read and do sums and play chess and...just amazing. The member of my family I got on best with, without a doubt. I looked after her for two years after she had a stroke in 2001 and I'll always be glad that I did it, it kept her out of a nursing home. She died last March, aged 86, and I still miss her.

9. Gloucestershire

Bah. I'm not saying too much about this place. I already said some in that other meme I did. It's where I grew up - and all people really need to know is that it's a very beautiful area of England, worth a visit for the scenery, and I hate it.

10. Good Omens

Ha! Just had to. I adore this book but then, I adore practically everything Terry Pratchett writes. I got my copy as soon as it came out in paperback in...1991, I believe, and I've read it so many times the cover is beat up all to hell and it's almost falling apart. It's travelled everywhere with me and I know it backwards. It's so much fun! And in case anyone's wondering, Crowley is my favourite character.

Wow, I suck at thinking of G words. Ah well.