More on that, and other stuff about me on my homepage, which isn't up yet (he he), but will be linked from here when it is.  But for now, the subject is me and Corrie...

I was born in Nottingham, England on November 24, 1956 and stayed there for 18 years (in Nottingham...not the maternity ward! Behave!).  Early memories of Coronation Street consist mainly of my Mum saying "turn that rubbish off" whenever the theme tune graced our living room.  Since she was a strong influence on my early life, I took it as read that Corrie was rubbish, and didn't start watching it until 1984, shortly after I met my wife.   I only have dim memories of a black-and-white Ena, Minnie and some other aged crone sat round a table in the Rovers supping stout and grousing about the state of their world.

Nowadays I live in a 200-year-old stone cottage in the heart of the beautiful Holme Valley, in West Yorkshire, with Alina my wife and my two lovely daughters Natalie (10) and Blythe (5).  When I'm not at the 'puter for pleisure (sic), I'm at it to earn a crust, since I've worked for "a major British computer company" for the last 21 years.  Apart from that, I enjoy gardening (though that's *not* where my nick comes from) photography, walking, avoiding sport, and watching Alina take care of the 38 animals that share my home (all but 2 owned by her, I hasten to add!!).  Oh! And solving anagrams, of course ;o)

Other TV interests, when I can be @rsed to watch any, include most science fiction (especially Star Trek and Red Dwarf, but also Blake's Seven...the wobbly scenery and silver-sprayed derriboots never bothered me), good science fact, just about any film (as long as I've not seen it more than 15 Book Antiqua) and stuff I can sleep through.

I also enjoy listening to music, although these days there seems to be someone else shouting "turn that rubbish off!"   When she's out, I enjoy old stuff like Caravan, Yes, Rick Wakeman, Genesis, Uriah Heep, not-so-old stuff like T'Pau, new stuff like Catatonia, most female vocalists (esp. Kate Bush - lovely name ;o) ), and just about anything else really - "I like a nice tune - yer forced to!"

I've only been a regular on the channel since March 1999 (unforgivably, I can't remember the date; a milestone in my life) but in that short space of time I've experienced such warmth and love as cannot be described to, or understood by, anyone who hasn't visited this wonderful place. I've made some friendships that have changed the course of my life for the better. I won't embarrass you with a roll call here - you know who you are, and thank you with all my soul.

Obligatory Raves/Faves/Knaves:

FAVOURITE CURRENT CHARACTERS:
Fred (I know someone like him, I say, I recognise the type), Gareh and Judeh (real people), Tyrone (the young comic genius), Curly (reminds me of me...means well, but doesn't quite fit in the real world), Janice (I like big 'strong' women), Toyah (likely to grow into a big strong woman).

FAVOURITE CHARACTERS OF YORE:
Angie, Bet and Alec (such superb comic timing and control of expression), Reg (ditto), Racquel. 

MOST MEMORABLE SCENES:
Raquel's French lessons with Ken (remember "voulez-vous coucher avec moi" ?? - ROFL)
The waterbed (say no more)
Roy and Hayley at the airport
Fred and Ashley's reconciliation (pass the hankies...not a dry eye in the house)

MOST UNBELIEVABLE STORYLINE:
Captain Tie-Rack and the Queen of the Tendons 

CHARACTERS I LOVE TO HATE:
Les (almost too bad!), Mike (played to immaculate perfection), Audreh (reminds me of my ex-mother-in-law), Vera (reminds me of...er...no, better not)

CHARACTERS I JUST HATE:
Sally (Yawn!),  Les (ok, he *is* too bad!), Gail (when she's in Ivy mode), Steve (the epitomé of scheming low lives everywhere)

... and that's yer lot!  Catch you on the channel most weekend evenings, and as many weekday evenings as I can get away with!

Cheers,
Digger.