Bobw235 is now in The Hot Seat !

Bobw235 said:
Vicky, my reading at the present is pretty much limited to the NY Times (online) to which I have have a subscription for many years. That said, I LOVE to read and plan to start bringing in novels again. I tend towards fiction and have been a big fan of Nelson DeMille (check out "The Lion" or the sequel, "The Lion's Game") over the years, having read many of his books. In my younger years I was a reader of Arthur C. Clarke for his science fiction. I'm a big fan of Carl Hiaasen's work (humor) and would recommend . I'm also a big fan of Bill Bryson ("In a Sunburned Country") and have read a number of Stephen King novels (the unabridged "The Stand" was excellent), though I don't go in for horror stories.

Every once in a while, a book moves me, leaves me just numb at the end. I highly recommend the book by Cormac McCarthy, "The Road". It left me shaken at the end.
And one final book which I have to recommend is "Unbroken" by Lauren Hillenbrand. Just an amazing, heartbreaking and ultimately life affirming book....and it's all true.

So, that's way more than one, but my tastes are varied. :)
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Thank you for your detailed reply.
I have read. The Road.

I will look into Unbroken.


Reading. The New York Times is a good thing,very informative. I read The New Yorker online.

What cartoons did you enjoy when you were younger?
 

boozercruiser said:
When you want to have fun Bob, what sort of things do you get up to? ;)
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That's an excellent question and to be honest, the way my life has been for much of my adulthood, I don't think I had much "fun" in the sense of doing things with others. I just don't have any close friends that I hang out with. Fun for me is often just going off to shoot photos in nature, or going for a hike. As an example, last June I was up at dawn for hikes in Cornwall along the coast. I love the solitude, being in nature and getting a good shot.
 

vickyNightowl said:
What cartoons did you enjoy when you were younger?
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When I was younger, I really liked The Flintstones and The Jetsons cartoons. But for shear fun, it had to be the Roadrunner cartoons or Bugs Bunny.
Now that I'm all grown up, I love Family Guy, but sometimes cringe at just how far they go with their humor, all the while laughing......
 
Gail.S said:
Bob, if you had a chance to grant one person immortality and couldn't pick yourself, who would you choose and why?
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Great question! I'd choose my younger sister because she has so much love to give and so much compassion for others and those qualities are so needed in the world.
 
Shalimar said:
Thanks Bob, for replying to my question. I love to hear you speak of your wife, and the beautiful lifelong love you share.
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Sometimes I marvel at the fact that we're still together after all these years. She tolerated my career which put a strain on our relationship at times. We've supported each other through some difficult times, but that's what successful relationships are all about I suppose. She's my rock and I'm hers through thick and thin.
 
Bobw235 said:
That's an excellent question and to be honest, the way my life has been for much of my adulthood, I don't think I had much "fun" in the sense of doing things with others. I just don't have any close friends that I hang out with. Fun for me is often just going off to shoot photos in nature, or going for a hike. As an example, last June I was up at dawn for hikes in Cornwall along the coast. I love the solitude, being in nature and getting a good shot.
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Thank you for your very informative and interesting answers Bob, not just to my questions, but to all others as well.
Regarding what you say there.

Does this make you Bobby No Mates Then?!:eek:nthego:
 
Sometimes I marvel at the fact that we're still together after all these years. She tolerated my career which put a strain on our relationship at times. We've supported each other through some difficult times, but that's what successful relationships are all about I suppose. She's my rock and I'm hers through thick and thin.

Isn't it amazing how that can work out sometimes...lovely really...when you can say with a whole heart you would marry them all over again.

Okay my question, if you could plan a luncheon of six people, living or in the past, who would you pick and why?
 
Okay my question, if you could plan a luncheon of six people, living or in the past, who would you pick and why?

I love that question!
 
boozercruiser said:
Thank you for your very informative and interesting answers Bob, not just to my questions, but to all others as well.
Regarding what you say there.

Does this make you Bobby No Mates Then?!:eek:nthego:
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My wife is the collector of friends. For me, I had a number of colleagues with whom I was friendly, but for a long time there's not been those one or two guy friends where you can just hang out, watch a game, go for a drink, etc. Developing close friendships has been a problem for me over the years. I had great friends as a boy, but sadly they all died young.
 
fureverywhere said:
Sometimes I marvel at the fact that we're still together after all these years. She tolerated my career which put a strain on our relationship at times. We've supported each other through some difficult times, but that's what successful relationships are all about I suppose. She's my rock and I'm hers through thick and thin.

Isn't it amazing how that can work out sometimes...lovely really...when you can say with a whole heart you would marry them all over again.

Okay my question, if you could plan a luncheon of six people, living or in the past, who would you pick and why?
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Great question! Sir Paul McCartney (because he's a musical legend and my wife would just freak out to meet him!), Ben Franklin (smart guy and we could finally answer the question of what was the meaning behind the 2nd amendment), Stephen King (the guy has such a fantastic imagination and when I hear him speak in public, he strikes me as a decent, interesting guy), Steve Jobs, (a visionary in terms of technology, even though he seems to have been somewhat of an jerk to work for), Tom Brady (quarterback of the New England Patriots, smart and tough and a leader. I'd choose him so we could get the complete scoop on "deflategate" and could debate the science of it all with Ben), Meryl Streep, (one of the best actresses ever and seems to be a lovely, humble person).

This really had me thinking. So many possibilities. Great question.
 
Gail.S said:
What would you say is the coolest thing you own, Bob?
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My first inclination was to say some gadget, but then I got to thinking that those are temporary items and easily replaced. I have one item that's a link back to my ancestors, something my great grandmother gave me as a boy. It's an 1878 $2.5 dollar gold coin. Small as a dime. I have it in an old ring box. She gave it to me when I was maybe six or seven, probably the last time I ever saw her. I keep it in my safe deposit box. I don't know the history of the coin, but she told me to keep it safe......and I have all these years, and one day will pass it on to my grandson or granddaughter.
 
Ameriscot said:
Great answers Bob!

An easy one. Your 3 favourite movies.
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In no particular order, I think these three stand the test of time and are ones I have really enjoyed:

The Godfather (parts 1 & 2 together)
Young Frankenstein (love a good Mel Brooks comedy and it doesn't get much funnier than this)
The Shawshank Redemption
 
I know that Boo...I tell you already!... I know what you are like...haha.... No problemos...I tell you that.....and thank you for enjoy the questions. :) From Gia xo
 
Thank you very much for you answers, Bob.....and the last thing that you mention, we has in common. My friend from childhood pass away 2 year ago and the pain was and still is almost unbearable. I thank you once more time for you thoughtful answers. (I like that you boss was inspire you to be you best and you accept the challenge - and also I love that you son birth was as delightful to you as it should be!) .... Bless...
 
Gia said:
Thank you very much for you answers, Bob.....and the last thing that you mention, we has in common. My friend from childhood pass away 2 year ago and the pain was and still is almost unbearable. I thank you once more time for you thoughtful answers. (I like that you boss was inspire you to be you best and you accept the challenge - and also I love that you son birth was as delightful to you as it should be!) .... Bless...
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It has been a very interesting exercise.

I was to have been at my friend's wedding a few days after he took his life. Unbeknownst to me, he was suffering from a severe depression at the time. It was my first experience with death. The family had no service for him. Years ago I visited his grave and said my goodbye.
 
Hello people.
I have not been able to get near my computer for forum or other stuff.
Been out on a 10 mile walk and loadsa other stuff. Plus domestic things.
How on earth did I ever find time to work?
That is what I want to know!
Anyway another question for you please Bob...

What is your greatest achievement, and how has it shaped you?



Whatinthe
Is next on the list for tomorrow, Monday 4th April. 18.00pm GMT


PS I am pleased to announce that Mattc has agreed to sit in The Hot Seat.
Name added.
 
Oh boy.... that is unspeakable tragedy for you and you friend and his family and fiance'... ohhhhhhhhh..... I can not imagine how it was for you...for him to be in so much of pain that he believe it to be the only way out - That is a sadness that is not easily palpable for others. I hear you pain ... and I sorry that you was have to experience his death as the first death you become familiar with - especial in that manner. We heal a bit over time, but we not forget how it feel.... not ever. I wish peace for you..... G
 
boozercruiser said:
Hello people.
I have not been able to get near my computer for forum or other stuff.
Been out on a 10 mile walk and loadsa other stuff. Plus domestic things.
How on earth did I ever find time to work?
That is what I want to know!
Anyway another question for you please Bob...

What is your greatest achievement, and how has it shaped you?

Please stay in The Hot Seat for me while I sort out the next victim!
Cheers! :cool:
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My greatest achievement was giving up alcohol, cold turkey, after years of "self-medicating." A stressful career led to a habit of nightly drinking to relax. I just poured two or three strong drinks most nights when I walked in the door. I hid it well from my wife, and while she knew I drank of course, she had little idea how much. I became very good at hiding how much I drank. I didn't impact my job, but it took a toll on my relationship of course, as I became more withdrawn each night and on weekends. Vacations were excuses to drink more. My wife never understood what I was doing (and she's not a drinker) to myself.

Several years ago I finally admitted to the problem and with the help of a psychologist, got some help and just quit. It took about a year for me to recover from the effects of my bad choices, but gradually I started to sleep better, have more energy, focus more on my job but learn how to handle the stress. Had some health scares that came from stopping the booze, one of which was a bad panic attack which landed me in the ER, thinking that I was having a heart attack.

So, I overcame a very bad choice and improved my life immeasurably.

Two years ago, at a wedding of two dear friends, I had a few glasses of wine. It was the first time I'd had a drink in over four years. It didn't lead to a recurrence of abusing alcohol. Today I am comfortable having a glass of wine with dinner, but that's about it. I don't keep hard liquor in the house, but don't feel tempted to drink when I go out for dinner.

So, long story short, I think my choice to stop drinking led to me being a better husband, a better manager and a better person in that I started to actually care about myself. I've lost a ton of weight, I'm in good shape and no longer feel like I'm hiding something from my wife all the time. I'd call that my greatest accomplishment in life so far.
 
Bobw235 said:
My greatest achievement was giving up alcohol, cold turkey, after years of "self-medicating." A stressful career led to a habit of nightly drinking to relax. I just poured two or three strong drinks most nights when I walked in the door. I hid it well from my wife, and while she knew I drank of course, she had little idea how much. I became very good at hiding how much I drank. I didn't impact my job, but it took a toll on my relationship of course, as I became more withdrawn each night and on weekends. Vacations were excuses to drink more. My wife never understood what I was doing (and she's not a drinker) to myself.

Several years ago I finally admitted to the problem and with the help of a psychologist, got some help and just quit. It took about a year for me to recover from the effects of my bad choices, but gradually I started to sleep better, have more energy, focus more on my job but learn how to handle the stress. Had some health scares that came from stopping the booze, one of which was a bad panic attack which landed me in the ER, thinking that I was having a heart attack.

So, I overcame a very bad choice and improved my life immeasurably.

Two years ago, at a wedding of two dear friends, I had a few glasses of wine. It was the first time I'd had a drink in over four years. It didn't lead to a recurrence of abusing alcohol. Today I am comfortable having a glass of wine with dinner, but that's about it. I don't keep hard liquor in the house, but don't feel tempted to drink when I go out for dinner.

So, long story short, I think my choice to stop drinking led to me being a better husband, a better manager and a better person in that I started to actually care about myself. I've lost a ton of weight, I'm in good shape and no longer feel like I'm hiding something from my wife all the time. I'd call that my greatest accomplishment in life so far.
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Wow Bob.
Thank you for a wonderful (and others) post.
My, what a lovely man you are, and are certainly one of the good reasons I wanted to start off this Hot Seat thread.
I loved reading all of your experience there, and I certainly do admire your accomplishment.

I have one or occasionally 2 bottles of 500m bitter beer at 4% alcohol every late in the evening before bedtime, and I feel that relaxes me. I must admit to drinking far too much in my younger days though, and hope it doesn't catch up with me.
I worry about my poor brain sometimes!

Do you think you spend too much time using mobile phones/Ipads/Computer or similar gadgets?
 

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