All about me...

Hello there, !!! Welcome to the personal space of David Brider, bachelor of the parish of Chelmsford. Well, divorcee of this parish, anyway 1 - but at least by describing myself as a bachelor, I'm being, let me see, definitively inaccurate... Anyway, have a cup of smiley - tea and a slice of smiley - cake (or even a smiley - donut), pull up a pew (oh, and please mind the smiley - cat) and I'll tell you...

...some facts and figures about myself:

Born

Yes

Date of birth

December 18th 1969

Place of birth

Ilford, Essex, England

Education

  • Meadgate Junior School, Chelmsford, Essex
  • Brentwood School, Brentwood, Essex2
  • Chelmsford College of Further Education, 1986 - 1988
  • Chelmsford College of Further Education, 1994 - 19953
  • Roehampton Institute, London4

24/7 Stuff that Wouldn't Fit Anywhere Else

In my first year at Roehampton, I became a Christian. Nowadays I'd describe myself as a fundamentalist, in the historical sense of believing that the fundamentals of the Christian faith are true5. I'm pretty non-denominational, but am currently in regular attendance at The Oasis Church, Chelmsford6 (which calls itself the church with the smiley - donuts and is part of the newfrontiers group.7)

I live in Chelmsford, which is the county town of Essex and a nice place to live. I share a comfortable house with Tim, who was best man at my wedding. I work at NHS Direct, as a Database Administrator. I was doing the work on a temporary basis, and finally became permanent on March 10th 2003.

My personal philosophy about the internet is that it should be the place where, ultimately, you can find out anything about anything. Therefore, it always annoys me to discover that there are some facts that aren't covered anywhere on the net (including the web and Usenet). Hopefully H2G2 can change all that!

If you're really desperate to find out more about me, you can do so here.

Some of my interests

Television

In general, science fiction, comedy, and classic children's programmes. Doctor Who, Fawlty Towers (and Monty Python in general), Spaced, The X Files, Drop the Dead Donkey, Grange Hill, Joking Apart, Coupling, Aliens in the Family8, and Press Gang are just a few of the many programmes I love and have on video tape.

Music

Apart from the fact that I write and record my own songs, I listen to a broad selection of music, including stuff by All About Eve, Sam Brown, The Church, Coastal Dune, Beverley Craven, Delirious?, Erasure, Paul Field, Fleetwood Mac, Martyn Joseph, Pet Shop Boys, Matt Redman, Rondo Veneziano, Sisters of Mercy, and yFriday.

Books

I'm a voracious reader, although I find that most of the books I read are based on Doctor Who. Outside of that, I'd say that in general, my taste in books is not dissimilar to my taste in TV - i.e. I like science fiction and comedy, as well as the old children's classics. Authors I enjoy include Clive Cussler, Stephen Fry, Julian May, Douglas Adams (who he?), Terry Pratchett, Tom Sharpe, and E Nesbit. I've read Lord of the Rings (of course, as well as seeing the film and listening to the far superior BBC Radio adaptation), and every Christmas without fail I re-read Come Back, Lucy9 and The Box of Delights10. I also like Tom's Midnight Garden11 and A Little Princess12

Actresses

Particularly writing to mildly famous actresses who are of that degree of fame where I've heard of them, but they're not so big that they can't be bothered to write back a nice reply. Favourites include Caroline Waldron (who sadly seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth), Jane Horrocks, Holly Aird, and my all-time favourite, the late Charlotte Coleman.

1The circumstances which have led to this situation are not very pleasant, and not really worth going into here. Suffice it to say that I received the Decree Absolute a couple of weeks ago. I miss my wife like mad, but as no reconciliation was remotely possible a divorce, regrettable though it is, is for the best.2The same school that was once attended by one Douglas Adams. I am reliably informed that this is a good name to drop. The school was also attended by one Noel Edmonds. I fear this may be a less good name to drop.3I returned here, after having been made redundant, in order to better myself. The eventual aim was that I would train to be a teacher. In order to increase my chances of getting onto a teacher training course, I decided to take a couple of additional A-levels. I subsequently found out that the two I already had were probably quite sufficient. This was somewhat annoying.4Where I studied for a degree in Theology and Religious Studies. I started a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education), but gave this up after two months. Therefore, the idea of becoming a teacher has gone by the wayside somewhat.5This is as opposed to the media sense which seems to be applied to groups who are more interested in pharisaic legalism than Christianity.6Which meets at King Edward VI Grammar School, or KEGS.7newfrontiers was founded by Terry Virgo, who should not be mistaken for a snooker-player.8Six-part BBC children's serial from 1987, as opposed to any other production bearing the same name.91973 children's novel by Pamela Sykes, adapted into a six-part serial by ATV in 1977. I loved it and desperately want to get my hands on a VHS copy of it.10Famous fantasy novel by John Masefield, once a poet laureate. Adapted into a high-profile six-part BBC serial, starring former Doctor Who Patrick Troughton, in 1984. Also made for radio in the mid-1990s, featuring the late Spike Milligan in a cameo.11By Philippa Pearce. Adapted for TV three times. I've only seen the 1988 version, but it was definitive.12By Frances Hodgson Burnett. Adapted for television in 1987, starring Amelia Shankley as Sara and with a star cast including John Bird, Nigel Havers, Maureen Lipman and Miriam Margolies. Worth tracking down this version on video - the two film adaptations took some horrendous - and suspiciously identical - liberties with the plot.

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David Brider

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