After much coaxing, soul searching and embarassment here is the list.....

1. I was born in the Tourist city of Rotorua, New Zealand. (And the world has never been the same again)

2. I was born premature but have been running late ever since. (Friends know to go ahead and order without me at restaurants)

3. I am the youngest in my family. (I like the fact that this position can never be usurped)

4. My Brother and I are very, very different kinds of people. (But then brothers usually are)

5. I was named James after both my Grandfathers. (Unfortunately they had both passed away long before I was born)

6. My Middle name is Douglas which is my Father's name. (You can tell my family go for originality)

7. If I have a son he will have three christian names, James Robert Douglas. (I'm not prepared to break the tradition already set)

8. I am the only son of an only son. (I feel self-imposed pressure to continue the bloodline)

9. I stand 5ft 10" tall, just shorter than my Father who is 6ft. (I tease my Mother that I would have been 6ft 4" if she had stopped smoking during her pregnancy with me.)

10. I have never smoked a cigarette nor will I ever. (I'm pro-choice on it but prefer clean air in public venues)

11. I have blue eyes like my Father. (My Mother has brown eyes and that gene is normally dominant)

12. I had snow white hair as a baby, which then turned blond and curly. (What can I say... I was gorgeous as a kid)

13. My hair has continued to darken as I get older but quickly goes back to blond in the summer sun. (I think I need to see some more sun at the moment)

14. I once dyed my hair brown but then had blond re-growth a week later. (Not a good look)

15. I broke my left shoulder at age 11 when I fell 30ft from a flying fox onto concrete. (Some idiot had put grease on the handles)

16. I remember when I was four and I was playing in my friend Annette's back yard when she lifted up her dress, took off her knickers and peed in front of me. (I went straight home and wouldn't play with Annette again for over a month, this early experience may have put me off women)

17. One day when I was seven I truly believed that I was Olivia Newton John. (My Mother had thrown out a pair of suede knee high boots but I retrieved them put them on and ran around the back yard singing Xanadu until I went hoarse.If this wasn't an early pointer of things to come I don't know what was)

18. I once had my hair permed and my FRIENDS said it looked like a pubic hair implant. (I had it all shaved off three days later while reviewing the importance of these FRIENDS in my life)

19. I come from proud Irish stock hence my ultra fair skin. (I'm also part English, Scottish, German and Scandinavian)

20. I was exposed to way too much sunlight without sunscreen as a child and now have literally hundreds of moles on my body as a result. (My parents thought it was being healthy at the time)

21. I have had more than 10 moles removed from various parts of my face and scalp. (None cancerous yet luckily)

22. When I look in a mirror all I see are the scars on my face from the excisions. (No-one else claims to be able to see them)

23. I was born on July 15th, 1970 which makes me a kind, caring, sensitive, Cancerian. (But be warned... if you cross me I will hold a grudge into the next lifetime)

24. My parents are good honest hardworking people who have been married for 35 years. (They're not perfect but then nor am I so we fit together quite well)

25. The only thing I ever failed at school was a musical aptitude test. (I expressed myself in a way which was not covered by the text book)

26. As a result I was not allowed to learn to play an instrument and I was relegated to singing in the school choir. (I felt isolated because all my friends got to play instruments)

27. The singing coach put me into the alto section of the choir. (That's where they put all the children that sang flat)

28. The school orchestra was too big to tour that year but our small choir got to tour all over the North Island. (I had a wonderful time while my friends had to stay home and go to their music lessons)

29. I did not enjoy my adolescence quite so much. (I was completely asexual at this time, it was life that started getting me down)

30. I enjoy baking more than cooking. (Calories are my comforter)

31. I believe that chocolate should be a food group and placed in the food triangle. (This is a dream which will never become a reality)

32. I enjoy indulging myself at Shoc Chocolates the local chocolatier in my town. (Special friends also receive special treats from Shoc on my behalf)

33. I am currently overweight but have previously been borderline anorexic. (I can't seem to get the balance right)

34. I would like to believe in reincarnation. (I'll never know for sure if it's a reality until I pass away but that's ok because I can be very patient when I need to be)

35. I believe that organised religion has confused peole as to what faith truly is. (I believe Faith comes from within not from above)

36. I believe in a guiding Higher Power not a controlling one. (Self-control is more important than social controls)

37. I feel guilt easily. (This is a result of the typical Kiwi puritannical upbringing)

38. I was a very happy baby and child. (One school report stated that I giggled in class too much!)

39. Ever since my early twenties I have battled with depression. (There is too much negativity in this world)

40. I blame the world's media for causing depression by focusing on the negative and not telling us about all the good things that happen in the world every day. (Good things DO happen everyday)

41. I refuse to accept medication for depression. (Drugs tend to treat the symptoms of depression, not the cause)

42. I believe that Laughter is the best medicine for any ailment. (And it beats the cost of seeing a Specialist when you don't have medical insurance)

43. I try to believe that the glass is half full rather than half empty. (It's just that sometimes I feel like I've been served a small glass when I ordered a tall glass)

44. I know I struck it lucky when I met Ian. (Some things you have no control over)

45. Ian loves me more than I love myself. (But I'm working on it)

46. I am a control freak. (I like to know what's happening when so I can still turn up late)

47. I am a very generous person. (Too generous if the truth be known)

48. I love to knit. (This should not surprise anyone)

49. My Father taught me how to cast on. (I was lucky to have a male knitting role model at home)

50. My Mother taught me plain and purl stitches. (I've never looked back since)

51. I taught myself how to cable. (Dad never cabled and Mum didn't want to)

52. I love creating different textures when knitting. (It represents the up's and down's of life)

53. I have an adventurous sense of colour. (This terrifies my Mother who is a one colour per garment knitter)

54. I do not follow commercial knitting patterns, I design my own. (This also terrifies my Mother who likes to reserve the right to blame someone else if the pattern does not work out right)

55. I knit like I'm on a mission, I do not knit for relaxation. (I have been known to knit right through the night when the mood takes me)

56. I knit gifts for other people and seldom make anything for myself. (I said I was generous)

57. I prefer to work with natural fibres. (Synthetics although interesting do not inspire me)

58. I would rather farm goats for their fibre than sheep. (I've been on both types of farm and goats are a lot cleaner)

59. One day I would like to turn my love of knitting into a career for myself. (I just have to get my mortgage under control first)

60.. I have not learned how to crochet because it does not interest me. (It's best I stick to my knitting because I'm good at it)

61. I am tempted to learn how to spin sometime in the future. (Just when I get a spare five minutes to sit down)

62.  I no longer have a valid passport. (A situation I have to change if I want to meet all my fibre friends from around the world)

63. I am proud to be a kiwi / New Zealander. (I think it's the best country in the world, but then I am biased)

64. I make a point of seeing every New Zealand made film when they are at the theatre regardless of how good or bad the reviews are. (Our film industry is so precarious that any ticket sold can make a difference sometimes)

65. I studied New Zealand literature at University. (I have a wide range of New Zealand authors in my mini library at home)

66. One day I would like to write a novel set in a New Zealand coastal town about familial links. (I can hear my parents now... Jamie, don't write about your childhood... people will think we were bad parents)

67. I am a reformed nail biter. (When I became a vain teenager I just gave up biting them)

68. When I was a baby my Mother had to put mittens on me when I went to sleep because I used to scratch myself in my sleep. (I know when my fingernails are too long because I still scratch myself in my sleep)

69.  Musically, I am a post teen teeny bopper. (I am still attracted to pop music even though, regrettably, my teenage years are well behind me)

70. When I was 12 years old I wanted to be an 18 year old New Romantic living in London, England wearing the fashion and going to all the clubs. (The reality was that I was 12 living in Gisborne and I had very big hair)

71. I still love all the fashion bands of the Early 80's, ABC, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, The Blow Monkeys etc..(Fashion may be scary in retrospect but it always looks fantastic at the time)

72. I am shortsighted and alternate between contact lenses and glasses. (I have coloured contact lenses to further enhance my captivating eyes)

73. Last year my eye specialist declared me legally blind. (I phoned my Mother to tell her that I could now enter the special olympics but not to hold out any hope of glory as I would still probably come last in any race)

74. I was tempted to have lasic surgery to correct my vision but then read about a woman and how her lasic surgery went horribly wrong, she had the same surname as me. (I don't want to test the theory that lightning never strikes twice)

75. I found out last year that my best friend from High School days is also gay. (I knew I should have kissed him back then)

76. My best friend from High School Days went off me when I came out while we were both at the same University. (I guess he was more confused than me at that stage)

77. I went to an all boys High School and hated it. (I wasn't much interested in testosterone back then)

78. At High School I was the Head Librarian during my sixth and seven form years. (I always loved books.

79. At High School I was the subject of many gay rumours. (A complete surprise to me as I still considered myself completely asexual and not interested in either boys or girls)

80. I was threatened with contempt of court charges while serving on a jury when I was a law student. (I told the judge he wasn't doing his job properly... he wasn't and a mistrial was declared)

81. I am disappointed that justice is more about who has the best lawyer as opposed to who is right or wrong. (I knew that I was too honest and innocent to be a successful lawyer)

82. I was disillusioned with law and dropped out of University and moved to Napier because I thought I was in love. (I was naive and on the rebound from someone I had worshipped from afar for ages, the relationship lasted about two months but I stewed in my juices for a further six months before returning to Hamilton to start over again)

83. I am always a sucker for men who are dark haired and slightly shorter than me.(I still haven't managed to get an introduction with Tom Cruise yet but remain ever hopeful)

84. I also have a thing for men with greying hair. (Although taller than me Ian falls nicely into this category)

85. I am thankful for having Ian in my life. (He brings out the best in me)

86. I have a very naughty sense of humour. (It comes from watching too much 70's English comedy when I was a child then continuing in the 90's with Julian Clary and today with Graham Norton)

87. When I watch advertisements on TV I can't help reading innuendo into them and express this to Ian. (Ian thinks I am naughty... and that I am also slightly crazy... but thankfully he also thinks I'm loveable)

88. I like watching legal drama's on TV and pointing out the error's in points of law in the script. (Just sour grapes that I didn't complete my degree)

89. I also like watching period drama's on TV. (I wouldn't be complaining if Mr Darcy wanted to ravish me)

90. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. (If Lance Bass can't afford to become an Astronaut there's no hope for me)

91. I love to take long, hot bubble baths. (They are even more fun when shared)

92. I enjoy taking long walks to clear my mind and ponder the universe. (eg How long would it take to read every book in the library or would it be more enjoyable to flip through the magazines instead)

93. I still have a drawer full of skinny jeans that I used to fit which I refuse to throw out. (Honestly one day I WILL fit them again)

94. I drive a cute little Red Ford KA. (Very suburban but I chose it for it's design not it's engine)

95. I believe that red cars go faster. (Luckily I only have one speed camera fine to prove it)

96. I like to surprise people with gifts. (I never need a reason to go shopping)

97. Multiple small presents are much more fun than a single large present. (Unless the large present comes with a set of keys)

98. I enjoy wrapping gifts and try to make each individual gift special. (I often spend more on wrapping gifts than the gift itself)

99. I prefer to give rather than receive. (This relates to me on several different levels)

100. I believe in daily miracles. (You can see them happening all around you if you take the time to stop, breathe and look)

Congratulations on making it through to the end!!!

My Father always said I was a little strange... and that it came from My Mother's side.

Comments

[Ian]

This is really funny and true about James he is a lovable guy and does have some wonderful attributes and of course some things that drive me crazy but thats the way it is.Enjoy Ianxxoo

[Rose]

James, I've been absorbed here for quite a while! Congrats on a very interesting "100 Things", it's a fine read and I also feel I know you a little more. What's more, you sound like a lot of fun.

Cheers from across the pond,
Rose

[Jon]

I love your list! I love that you explained things...thank you for sharing it with us!

[Mary-Heather]

Fun list, Ian! It is always nice to read the similarities and surprises... thanks for giving us two lists in one!

[Debby]

Thank you for sharing a most interesting list. I have been reading your blog for a month or two now and well, it is nice to know more about you. THanks again!
Debby

[peter]

Hmm- this means, I had better make up my list. It was great to find out a little more about you.

[Jennifer]

Wow - I feel like I have a little more insight into what drives your wonderful creativity. I have been drawn to your kindness and sensitivity in both your writing and actions since day one of your blog. Congratulations on being you. Keep it up!

[TrickyTricot]

James-

We're birthday buddies! I'm July 15, 1978!

[dissertation writing]

Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!

[Eva]

Inspirational...your words made me think more deeply about myself,and what makes me tick. I hope that one day I can write my list with as much warmth and wisdom. May you always have joy in your life.

Eva...a kiwi that's still wandering the world.