10 Things You Might Not Know About Me

[Leesparkykent]

Started sparking at 13 for my brother in law during the school holidays. I never went back to school after year 9 and told the local authority I was being home educated but was actually grafting on building sites. Took my 16th edition at 16 and passed it with 100% mark, started my apprenticeship, still working for my brother in law. Final year I jumped onto a bigger company doing newbuild tower blocks in London and become a QS within a year which didn't go down to well with some of the older sparks. Jumped onto a mechanical and electrical company as a QS/supervisor/on the tools foreman. Went back to work with brother in law as he was struggling after taking a knock and personal issues, within a year he went into liquidation. I took some of his contacts and started up, Built the company up to 8 sparks. I went into partnership with another sparks/mate and we vary between 8 and 15 sparks. We are now going into the mechanical side of things so are now an M&E company. I had my first child at 16, 2nd at 18 and 3rd at 24. My Mrs is in her final few months of uni becoming a nurse. I own my house and another in Canterbury which is a HMO. I'm still a young pup compared to many on here

 

[Leesparkykent]

1: Been a member of the forum since 2010. It's a bit like being unable to stop getting mugged by a granny with a zimmer-frame and a blunt spoon. I think it’s reading about the electrical adventures of the armatures that keeps me coming back. It’s like a joyride in a clown car powered by sh!t. Every day they stray further from God's light and I just can’t get over some of the stuff they get up to.
2: I like cake!
3: It was partly the curiosity and the sense of adventure, but mostly the babes and the money that turned me into an electrical ---- and the fact that plumbers have to have heroes. On my journey I’ve had the pleasure of some truly outstanding sparkies and worked in some amazing places. I could tell thee of tales that thine eyes would burn from awesomeness. Although nowadays the best part of my job is that my chair swivels and my Scrooge McDuck backstroke is truly impressive.
4: Give me a hammer and everything starts to look like a nail.
5: Sooner or later, whenever left unsupervised, I end up listening to Jay Z or LL Cool J.
Just kidding!!! No such astounding pile of dog-dos deserved to be listened to in full stereo. I’m a big fan of AC/DC and Led Zeppelin which are best played LOUD!
6: I have a tool fetish. Does anyone know if there is a cure for me?
7: The fickle finger of fate is a strange mistress. When I met Lady K, I knew I was punching well above my weight but went for it anyway. She is far too happy for the wretched darkness called my existence. I couldn’t have wished for a better person to share my life with though. We have three daughters and five grandchildren, which are a constant drain of my resources but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
8: $ʎ¡ʇ happens whenever I party naked!
9: When I’m not on duty on the Starship, I’m chillaxing in the noble kingdom of Shrewsbury. Better known as the graveyard of ambition. But if Brexit goes completely t!ts-up, I will be leaving you all to it. Anyone know what the Cayman Islands are like?
10: My favourite catchphrase is “Sooo why eyy eyyy can't I touch it?”

I was born in Shrewsbury and moved to Kent when I was 9. I haven't been in a few years but still have family there. I lived on the Telford estate and went to belvidere juniors, moved over to gains park and started at Oxon school.

 

[littlespark]

1. Born in '74 in rural Scottish borders. Lived in Dundee for 11 years, but returned to rural life in '07
2. Married in '98 and still with the same woman. Got 3 daughters, the eldest just about to turn 18
3. Left school at 16 straight into electrical apprenticeship. Wide range of experiences from domestic, farms, factories and chicken sheds.
4. Went to uni in Dundee for a combined engineering degree. Basically automation with a hand in everything. Computers, electronics, electrical, mechanical and pneumatics/hydraulics. Graduated with a BSc Hons but couldn't get a job in the field. Fell back into the electrical trade as that was paying the mortgage.
5. '07 brought us back to the Borders as my father in law needed a new manager for his caravan park, and I had just been made redundant. Big change. Became licensee for the site's bar.
Thought that was my job for life now.
6. '16 My mother in law had a brain haemorrhage on a flight to New Zealand. After that, the caravan site was becoming a chore for the whole family. The decision was taken to sell.
7. Started self employed in January '17. I don't think I could work for someone else now.
8. We own a second home that I renovated and rented out, but its on the market. (2 bedroom, 2 reception. Ample parking. £90k if anyones interested)
9. I can ice skate. Not Torville and Dean level, but good enough to teach kids the basics. No interest in football, but will watch the international rugby games.
10. Lego collector. Still got 40 year old models on display
10.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

8. We own a second home that I renovated and rented out, but its on the market. (2 bedroom, 2 reception. Ample parking. £90k if anyones interested)
10. Lego collector. Still got 40 year old models on display

2 bed home for £90k.... 90K would not even get you a studio in Bath.. be lucky to buy a garage to park your car for that money.
40 year old lego models!! there is your pension if you have complete kits.. some of them go for silly money.

 

[Marvo]

10: My favourite catchphrase is “Sooo why eyy eyyy can't I touch it?”

Good question especially as it seems so real and you can hear it....go figure. Last time I was in the Caymen Islands it was wall to wall Americans but you can join me for a while when I buy my place in Mauritius.

 

[Marvo]

Well a few highlights of the things I've learned in this thread;

Leesparkykent, hardly old enough to buy a round of drinks and far too motivated by a long way for my liking but a hard working success story.

Kamikazi; off the wall, a family man at heart and he likes cake so already way up in my estimation.

Littlespark; recipient of the Scottish engineering genes by birth, family man, ice skater and Lego fanatic.

Vortigern; guitarist, philanthropist, master of dark Eastern arts and unbelievably fertile.

Pete; One of my favourites, what can I say apart from old, very old..... ancient in fact....so old if he still had any of his childhood toys he'd be rich enough to single handedly bail the UK out of the recession. One toe in retirement but not yet ready to take the full plunge.

Darkwood; self taught pyromaniac who no doubt caused his parents many gray hairs. The official forum goth. I've organised someone to teach you frozen lakes rescue techniques.

I'll get to some of the other members later.

 

[littlespark]

Sadly the models are built. Instruction books are held together with sellotape and the boxes are gone.
I’ve seen the vintage stuff on eBay and keep trying to grab a bargain.
Newer models include wall-e, ecto1 and the vw camper

 

[Marvo]

I'm quite enjoying this thread. Here's another quick 10 from me;

1. I hold 3 patents for things items I've invented and developed (all industrial process specific things). I had four up until recently but sold one of them.

2. I tried one of those park runs recently but couldn't manage to run 3 km without some walking breaks

3. Out of 4 motorbikes I own only one of them is actually on the road at the moment. one has bent forks, one is stripped for respray and one has a flat tyre.

4. I hope to retire in the next couple of years (but I've been saying that for the last 10 years at least)

5. I've been involved with running forums since the days of dial-up internet, Bulletin Boards and IRC.

6. I don't use Facebook, pintrest, twitter, linkedin or any social media.

7. I'm a fairly competent machinist and used to recondition firearms back in the days when I had spare time.

8. My actual name isn't Marvo, it's Andrew.

9. I don't think I'm going to feel like working tomorrow so I probably take a day off.

10. I get around 200 emails a day and around 160 of them are junk/spam.

 

[happysteve]

1. I lived on a number of narrowboats for 8 years (then 2 years part time as I transitioned to living on land).

2. Before I was 16, I could drive/control a Land Rover (with logging trailer), dumper, tractor (with back actor) and drot.

3. I've never owned a Windows PC, and haven't really used them much.

4. I wrote a teeny, tiny bit of the Linux kernel (for an obscure A/D card). I've written code to enable you to talk to high-end scopes, analysers etc from Linux using the VXI11 protocol.

5. I used to be in a band called Skiff, based in Bradford, I played bass. I once wrote the tune for one of our songs based on the chords E, A, D and G so that I could play open strings with one hand, and drink beer with the other.

6. I've got about 50 papers, 3 patents and a PhD on the subjects of laser ultrasonics, materials characterisation, and additive manufacturing.

7. My sister's settled down in Portugal, and I quite like it there.

8. As well as being an electrician, I teach level 2 and 3 C&G 2365 courses, and I'll be teaching 18th Edition when it comes out.

9. I suffer from vagues, though never (so far!) when I'm working.

10. Although I'm usually Happy Steve, I have an alter ego called Evil Chris.

 

[Marvo]

Vagues?? Whats vagues?

 

[happysteve]

Vagues?? Whats vagues?

Sorry... what...? Umm...

 

[littlespark]

I have an alter ego called Evil Chris.

Whew. I thought you were going to say an alter ego called Stephanie or something.
That night in Nottingham was coming back to haunt me

 

[MDJ]

Started at 13 as a saturday boy in a factory helping a maintenance spark
started an apprenticeship at 16
went to the canary islands every 3 months for 5/6 years as a young twenty something year old
have had 3 major car accidents, none were my fault, one of them injured 6 people badly, I was unhurt
nearly lost a leg at 19, doctors managed to save it
I am a serious dog lover, have 2 currently, will never be without one
love song birds as well, I have built tables to keep them in the garden all year around
I own 2 air rifles, and owned a shot gun for 10 years
I am friends with a famous person
I have also worked for another very famous person and rewired their home
can speak 2 languages

 

[Kamikaze]

Good question especially as it seems so real and you can hear it....go figure. Last time I was in the Caymen Islands it was wall to wall Americans but you can join me for a while when I buy my place in Mauritius.

Well that counts the Cayman Islands out then. I have an aversion to Yanks. Soon or later they turn everything into a slum. They are the undisputed champion in the tournament of ar$eh0les.

 

[Marvo]

........I have also worked for another very famous person and rewired their home
can speak 2 languages

I always wondered who got that Buckingham Palace rewire job

 

[pirate]

I love this thread! You guys are amazing!
I might dip a toe later, your honesty is inspiring...

 

[littlespark]

I am friends with a famous person
I have also worked for another very famous person and rewired their home

Give us names, or nobody believes you

 

[MDJ]

Give us names, or nobody believes you

Hmm, well I may think about it lol, regarding believing me, I don't care lol

 

[MDJ]

Give us names, or nobody believes you

I will give you one clue on the rewire name, if you follow football, and you must know I am in gloucestershire, thenyou may work out whos house I rewired, not from our area, but lives here,I am off to bed, answer tomorrow, well maybe lol

 

[SparkyChick]

Like Marvo, I'm quite enjoying this thread, so here's a few more from me.

1. My first car was a mark III Ford Cortina Estate (not by choice but I loved it)
2. I used to have a crush on Mike Edwards of Jesus Jones fame
3. I like mainly electronic music (particular favourite styles are 80's and trance) but I can listen to almost anything apart from opera and the many flavours of metal (with one or two notable exceptions)
4. I was the engineer who flipped the software switches and moved control of Lancashire Fire and Rescue from their old control room in Fulwood down to the joint North West control room at Warrington (and then caned it down the motorway with the server while the part of the system the company I was working for provided was running on a virtual machine)
5. I'm currently trying to learn to play the tin whistle (aside from the electronic stuff I like quite a bit of folk music)
6. One of my all time favourite sweets is the drumstick lolly
7. I make awesome bramble jelly jam and rose hip syrup
8. I've eaten haggis at The Castle Tavern in Inverness
9. I'd like to get a kayak so I can spend more time on the river Wye up Monmouth way
10. I like knitting and crotchet and have knitted hats for the Innocent Smoothie bottles

Bonus factoid... my favourite biscuit is the chocolate chip digestive closely followed by Oreo cookies

 

[SparkyChick]

10. Lego collector. Still got 40 year old models on display

Love it, I'd like somewhere to put my Technic cars and trucks

 

[littlespark]

2. I used to have a crush on Mike Edwards of Jesus Jones fame

My wife and I both bought the "Doubt" album, on cassette, one month before we met. Also listened to EMF, Carter USM and PWEI back in the day

5. I'm currently trying to learn to play the tin whistle

I cant play a note on anything, but the kids are talented. Piano, guitar, bassoon, trombone. Luckily no drums or bagpipes.

8. I've eaten haggis at The Castle Tavern in Inverness

Well done, you. Others on here wont even try it.

Love it, I'd like somewhere to put my Technic cars and trucks

I sense a new thread starting.

 

[SparkyChick]

My wife and I both bought the "Doubt" album, on cassette, one month before we met. Also listened to EMF, Carter USM and PWEI back in the day

Doubt was easily their most successful album. Saw JJ live a couple of times, supported by Soho and Sunscreem. EMF, Carter USM and PWEI all have some space in my music collection as well. That was my clubbing period.

Well done, you. Others on here wont even try it.

Their loss. I won't lie, it was with some trepidation I tried it the first time (yes, I've eaten it more than once), but it was delicious.

 

[telectrix]

haggis are easily obtained in scotland. as they don't have legs, they can't run away, so even a drunken scot can catch them.

 

[Pete999]

My wife and I both bought the "Doubt" album, on cassette, one month before we met. Also listened to EMF, Carter USM and PWEI back in the day


I cant play a note on anything, but the kids are talented. Piano, guitar, bassoon, trombone. Luckily no drums or bagpipes.


Well done, you. Others on here wont even try it.


I sense a new thread starting.

OK I'll start it

 

[littlespark]

haggis are easily obtained in scotland. as they don't have legs, they can't run away, so even a drunken scot can catch them.

That shows your ignorance. Haggii (the plural of Haggis) actually have 3 legs. One side leg being shorter than the others to assist in running round the sides of hills.
The Haggis hunting season is relatively short. Only the month of January, and traditionally eaten on Burns night as that is when the adult Haggis is at its most tasty.
The Haggis are also farmed intensively, so you can enjoy haggis all year round.

 

[Pete999]

That shows your ignorance. Haggii (the plural of Haggis) actually have 3 legs. One side leg being shorter than the others to assist in running round the sides of hills.
The Haggis hunting season is relatively short. Only the month of January, and traditionally eaten on Burns night as that is when the adult Haggis is at its most tasty.
The Haggis are also farmed intensively, so you can enjoy haggis all year round.

Haggis=a glorified ------, which can be obtained in most Suppermarket freezer aisles, as can real Haggii for that matter, either way urgggh.

 

[MDJ]

haggis are easily obtained in scotland. as they don't have legs, they can't run away, so even a drunken scot can catch them.

I like this, then again is there such a thing as a Sober Jock?

 

[Andy78]

This week I learned that Haggis are Illegal in the US.

 

[Midwest]

This week I learned that Haggis are Illegal in the US.

Thats probably because it has a vegetable content. Yanks only eat salads.

 

[Pete999]

This week I learned that Haggis are Illegal in the US.

That's because you cant fit a Haggis in a bun, and they don't come with Fries, Slaw, Maple syrup, gravy, coke, more Fries, Sides etc

 

[telectrix]

This week I learned that Haggis are Illegal in the US.

it's because they are incapable of filling in the immigration forms, whereas tortillas just swim across the Rio Grande.( till Trump gets his wall built).

 

[Wilko]

Here's one from me - I've got a 1967 Massey Ferguson MF165 tractor. Marvin weighs in at 2 ton, has a 4 cylinder Perkins Diesel engine and a marvellously complex 12 speed transmission. Top speed is a fairly scary 20mph

 

[telectrix]

put a soft top on that and you could use it to take the kids to school. soon shift the double parked range rovers .

 

[Squid]

@sparky Chick, someone I know did some work on the JJ Passages album

More stuff about me as what others post gives you ideas.

First car MK1 Escort 1100 Coupe,
Dennis Wise went to my school as well as Cook and Jones from the Sex Pistols. Sat next to Alex Stewart at school who ended up getting knocked out by Mike Tyson in a fight.

I have worked in a small way with David Bowie (really lovely guy and great to talk to) Boy George (absolutely hilarious and he has a great sense of humour)

Blagged 6 free tickets to Glastonbury 1999 and took a load of mates.
Seen Moby play live in a bar in Camden with about 150 people,
Seen No Doubt play live in a underground bar just off Hanover Square about 100 people in the crowd.

Have met Alice Cooper a couple of times as well as George Michael, Belinda Carlisle, Skunk Anansie, Mel B (she blagged 6 CD's off me in the bar at Virgin Records)

Made Jo Brand laugh at a Jools Holland gig, had a beer and a chat with J Kay and Ronnie Woods and got drunk with Junior Senior and Mani from the Stone Roses and was invited to a small intimate gig by Oasis at the BBC which blew me away, I also got the last bear at the after show before Liam got it, result.......

Saw Mike Scott play the whole of the moon and he had to re do the track for the TV recording, I was pleased as one of my favourite tracks.

Seen Marc Almond live as well as Soft Cells last gig at the Palais.

Partied hard and fast and chased and had fun with a lot of women, thats my achilles heal but have now calmed down and have been with the same lass for over 10 years.

As you can see I had a lot of fun whilst working at record companies lol.

 

[littlespark]

This week I learned that Haggis are Illegal in the US.

Ironically, we're trying to make Donald Trump illegal in Scotland

 

[telectrix]

Here's one from me - I've got a 1967 Massey Ferguson MF165 tractor. Marvin weighs in at 2 ton, has a 4 cylinder Perkins Diesel engine and a marvellously complex 12 speed transmission. Top speed is a fairly scary 20mph

View attachment 42524

i like that. not like the modern john deere stuff that looks like it's been designred by victoria beakham.

well. she did design the range rover evoque body, and look what a pig's bollox that looks like.

 

[littlespark]

I used to like farm vehicles like that, but not any more.


You could say I'm an ex-tractor fan

 

[telectrix]

I used to like farm vehicles like that, but not any more.


You could say I'm an ex-tractor fan

can't decide whether to give you a funny or a dumb for that. .

 

[Squid]

Oh just to add my old neighbours years back where Ana Chandler (Duckface, Touching the Velvet) and Alan Clark from Dire Straits, my aunt was also Kevin Mclory's PA for years, he was friends with Ian Fleming and adapted the screenplay for Thunderball and helped create the Bond character, I also met the family when in the Bahamas back in the late 70's fantastic house.

I believe he also had something to do with Never Say Never Again.

 

[pirate]

Yanks eat salad?

 

[Pete999]

Yanks eat salad?

I once shook Maggie Thatchers Hand, not been the same since

 

[Pete999]

Yanks eat salad?

Not true they give it house room, as long as it has Mayo, Mustard, Gravy, Fries, Maple Syrup, pancakes with it. Just watch "MAN v FOOD" or "GINORMOUSE FOOD" Crikey

 

[static zap]

I once shook Maggie Thatchers Hand....

Did she go for it with the masculine touch ?
(Firm Squeeze) - or so gentle ,left you wondering if it was meant to be kissed , while kneeling !

 

[Pete999]

Did she go for it with the masculine touch ?
(Firm Squeeze) - or so gentle ,left you wondering if it was meant to be kissed , while kneeling !

I kneel for no one especially that Woman.

 

[telectrix]

 

[surreygirl]

What's TU? Timeshare maybe

Pete means Tui I think. A German travel company who took over Thomsons and a few other travel agents. First Choice as well I think

 

[Pete999]

Pete means Tui I think. A German travel company who took over Thomsons and a few other travel agents. First Choice as well I think

See post #3

 

[surreygirl]

See post #3

Oke dokey

 

[Pete999]

I have written a book, more like a biography of my working life