Well, (NAME). Can I just ask you to introduce yourself really just so, you know, say your name and

So I have to use my real name, do I?

Yes, please.

(laughter)

It will be obviously taken out if the interview is ever (interruption) used so don't worry (laughter)

(interruption) Oh okay, it will be.

(laughter)

Oh okay. I'm (NAME).

(laughter)

Eh, I am from Morpeth in Northumberland originally eh (pause) lived there till I was eighteen and went to university in York, did Archaeology for three years. Em, and I've had a year out living back in Morpeth eh worked in a bar em and now I am living in Heaton in Newcastle em doing my Masters in Town Planning eh do you wan- do you want to [realized as 'wanna'] know about my personal life?

(laughter)

em not really, not yet, but I am sure we will get into that, but (pause) So who do you who do you live with eh now? (laughter)

(laughter)

Em som- some idiots.

(laughter)

(laughter) ta

(laughter)

What, it's with friends?

yes

yes

well yes, they are. They're friends now

all right (interruption) okay (laughter)

(interruption) they weren't when I moved in. We met up at a postgraduate weekend. So I live with (NAME) who is doing a PhD in Bio Chemical Engineering and (NAME) from Denmark who is doing Linguistics in English?

yes, something like that

some- something like that anyway

(laughter) all right, and how old are you now?

I'm twenty-two

all right

nearly twenty-three

(interruption) oh very good

(interruption) (unclear)

(laughter)

(tut) em so (pause) you lived in York?

yes

yes [realized as 'yup'] and that was for?

w- three years

three years right okay. And where are your parents from?

em (tut) well (pause) Well my dad is from Morpeth and mum was, she's from Bedlington originally I think

all right but that is the North East as well

but also the Nor bo both from the North East

yeah

and their parents are both well, from the North East as well

right okay

from just that area really

all right, very good

(unclear)

and what do your parents do?

(tut) em my dad is now retired em but he is a vicar at a local church as well he -- he was a don't know exactly what he did he worked for Northern Electric

(unclear) [informant is whispering]

well, he was an electrical engineer but by the time he finished he was

project manager (laughter)

(laughter) yeah he's doing project management, there you go [laughter ends]

(laughter)

(laughter) all right okay, very good (pause) em right, so [laughter ends]

(laughter)

eh thank you (NAME). (NAME) could you introduce yourself, please?

the same (interruption) where I've lived (unclear)

(interruption) just the same, yes please

I'm (NAME) (pause) em I (pause) live in Morpeth in Northumberland em and I originally lived there till I was nineteen and then I moved to Preston for three years in the North West and after that I lived in Manchester for mm eighteen months or two years about and then I moved to Australia for a year and lived in Perth, Western Australia and then I came back to Morpeth briefly before I went to live in Qingdao in China for a year and then I've come back to the North East to study at Newcastle University so I'm living in Morpeth again. I've been there for just over a year.

right, very good. So you live with your family?

yes

yeah

so just -- just your mum and dad?

em well, I lived with my brother for a year (laughter) but now he's moved out and left me and it is just me and my parents, yes [laughter ends]

okay then, and how old are you?

twenty-seven

okay em (pause) (tut) right and obviously well you are brother and sister

(laughter)

(laughter) yes we are [laughter ends]

(laughter) very good. Okay then (pause) so eh (NAME), obviously you said you do Town Planning

I do

yes, what kind of modules do you have?

oh goodness

(laughter)

you don't want to [realized as 'wanna'] hear about this, it is not interesting em (pause) modules. Well, this term I've got six. One's called Planning Frameworks which is what you'd think you'd get from a Town Planning degree so you learn how the system works and then there's an economics bit there's em (pause) (tut) eh a module about (cough) writing a dissertation em (pause) what else have we got em, there is a theory course which is really -- really -- really hard and there is a -- a self-reflexive course which is about ethics and things and em (pause) (tut) there's something else isn't there? How many is that? Five (pause) anyway there's the -- oh and there's that landscape planning thing as well

right

which is quite interesting because we're going to Kielder tomorrow for that

yeah is that your favourite? (interruption) Or

(interruption) em er (pause) I guess so. Yes, I suppose it is 'cause it is the most we've only been doing it for five weeks

right

but I guess the landscape is the most interesting one 'cause it is a bit more -- it is a bit different -- it is a bit more abstract and that's -- that's a lot it is more interesting basically than just doing standards and generation (interruption) of a town

(interruption) and economics (laughter)

and economics and things just is a bit dull

all right okay. And (NAME), what about you? What do you study and what kind of modules do you have and

em I study gender research and I am doing it part-time so I had em half a course last year and half of it this year but em (pause) all my modules that were specifically on gender were last year and em this year I am with other s- not just sociology students actually 'cause I just did a group work with some someone who was doing politics, someone who was doing law, and somebody who is doing I think environmental law or something like that em yes so (pause) otherwise I would be on my own. I think I am the only person doing gender research at the moment. Em, so this year it is more about sort of research skills and how to write a dissertation and how to do qualitative and quantitative (interruption) research yes.

(interruption) uh (laughter) very good, okay and so what's your do you have a favourite module then (interruption) or favourite part?

(interruption) em (pause) Well, last year it was interesting learning about gender and the different sort of meanings associated with it and em about feminist research and so that was, I think, that was more interesting and that this year is just the research skills, which I suppose I have to do, but also it is quite good 'cause I get to meet a lot of other people 'cause most of my lectures last year there was just two of us in the class so eh (pause) I guess it is good for that

yeah right, and is that at Newcastle as well?

yes

yes very good. Okay so (NAME), you have a you said you're part-time so you work as well

yes

yeah what do you do?

eh at the moment I am working at the library at Northumbria Uni

right

eh I am temping there for two-and-a-half days a week

and what do you have to do?

(sigh)

(sigh)

eh well, when I first started I was on the welcome desk. It was when all the new students were coming so I was issuing them their smart cards and em help -- like telling them where to go for different things and em (pause) I was working on the issue desk quite a lot, just taking people's money for fines and eh giving them reservations and helping them use the self-issue machines but at the moment I am in the back office like withdrawing books and projects from previous years

yeah, so not much fun or?

no

no right (laughter)

(laughter)

what about you (NAME)? You working?

(cough)

no

no

(laughter)

(laughter)

(laughter)

no, not at the moment. I might run out of money but em (pause) I em yeah I can't really, I think I am going to [realized as 'gonna'] run out of time to start. It's going to [realized as 'gonna'] get more and more (interruption) difficult to work, I think

(interruption) yeah yeah well what about what do you -- what do you do in your spare time? Sports, hobbies?

em (laughter) I've taken up climbing (interruption) recently, this year

(interruption) ah

eh well, I started in the summer with my sister went to Sunderland eh learni- learning the ropes quite -- quite lit- quite literally and I've been going to the wall in Newcastle. I've been there now for a few weeks

yeah

and I've managed to get a few injuries and everything

(laughter) well done

that is pretty much (pause) the only fun I do (laughter) anything interesting other than going out or hanging around with friends, I think

all right okay, and (NAME). So do you still do climbing?

em I haven't done it since (pause) em since our training course. I have not really had a chance, I am quite busy doing other stuff at the moment (laughter)

okay, but do you do any other sports or activities, hobbies?

eh (pause) eh I have been going to a Pilates class but that has just finished recently

all right

so I am sort of yeah I want to do something else but that was on a Friday night so (interruption) it wasn't very

(interruption) oh not brilliant

eh and you had to pay in advance for the classes and when I couldn't go to half of them I just (interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) yeah was that back in Morpeth?

yeah

yeah right

em (pause) I cycle

yeah?

not a lot. Usually on a Sunday to get the paper. I did this morning

(laughter) that is good [laughter ends]

(laughter) (unclear)

yes

(laughter) all right em (pause) so what about internet and TV? Does that take up a lot of your time? (laughter) Like, spending a lot of time online?

I'd say i- it takes about ninety per cent of my life

(laughter)

(laughter) right

on Facebook or the internet

right Facebook. So what do you do when you are on? What do you do when you are online?

(tut) em well (pause) eh a lot of times I am on like forums and things, just looking at links and stupid pictures basically

(laughter) (interruption) random stuff

(interruption) stupid -- stupid stuff I can't really explain. Obviously, you can't -- can't make excuses for something so silly but eh yeah just doing that looking at silly sites (interruption) basically

(interruption) yeah YouTube

YouTube (interruption) a lot of videos and

(interruption) yeah seeing videos

yeah eh yeah that is about it really (pause) (interruption) Just random sites.

(interruption) okay (NAME) (pause) (NAME) are you online a lot as well?

yes

what do you do? (laughter)

(laughter)

em I -- I have to check my e-mails about twenty times

oh yeah oh I am like that (laughter)

an hour em (laughter) yeah even -- even when I am at work I try to check my e-mails em and also I use it a lot for -- for research for my course

oh sure

I do that too (laughter) (interruption) (unclear) I've got loads it is good for just downloading journals and things.

(interruption) (laughter)

(interruption) You can do that online now (unclear)

(interruption) (laughter) (unclear)

I've also got a sort of part-time job working for the Gender and Disaster Network and so I am trying to find things online content for their website so I am supposed to be doing that (laughter)

(laughter)

ah (interruption) yes

(interruption) okay. So what about like, you're both on Facebook. What do you think about all of these different groups and networks and that you can sign up for and different things?

It is irritating after a while isn't it? When you get on too many things (pause) like MySpace I just about just deleted mysp- my MySpace page 'cause it's just it -- it is dangerous for info- giving out information emp- I hear employers are starting to look (pause) i- it comes down to o- obviously it (pause) it has to be at like a later interview stage whatever they might try and look you up on the internet. It could s- be a bit dodgy if they find videos of you you know drunk with a coat on your head or something so you got to [realized as 'gotta'] be careful I think with stuff like that

yeah

but that was why MySpace was better though because it was more anonymous or most people didn't use their real name and it is more creative and it is such a shame it is just all things like that are popular and then -- (interruption) then you think

(interruption) but anyone can look at your thing on MySpace

no, you can make it so just your -- just your friends can

oh you can I suppose yeah

and you don't have to go on with your real name. I -- I -- I Facebook is just

but you can make (interruption) (unclear) as well

(interruption) for really unimaginative people (laughter)

people are just

they just want to [realized as 'wanna'] stalk people they went to school with

people ah (pause) it's all those application things you can add (interruption) as well which is ridiculous em

(interruption) yeah yeah (pause) vampires

oh God

I have got so many (interruption) invitations to be a vampire

(interruption) oh always being attacked by vampires or werewolves. So annoying. Oh I have to show you, someone I know from school, who I hardly spoke to, added me 'cause she does seem to add everyone (interruption) 'cause she must be an idiot

(interruption) mm-mm (pause) there are lots of people like that

em but every time you go on there is the news feed and she's added another application or something. So you look at her webpage and it's just I mean if it was in real life it is so long, like three metres long, and you scroll down the page and it is all just crap. Just loads of pictures of just like hunk of the day and all that stuff that people have on. I think it is just ridiculous. oh God I hate that sort of thing, really gets on my nerves.

yes

but you are still signed up for it

I am signed up I just -- I don't speak to her. I don't (interruption) know (unclear)

(interruption) oh right

(interruption) I -- I found some people I went to uni with I'd lost touch with so for that it is kind of good

yeah it is. There's loads of people from our holiday when, in the summer. There are loads of people on there now. There is a big group with loads of videos and people obviously put their pictures on there. Obviously you touch as most of them are from Australia. So it is useful for things like that. There are loads of random people from school I kind of (pause) I do talk to and from work when I worked at the Alnwick Gardens. I talk to some of them now as well which is nice. 'Cause we were good friends but you just you do lose contact. It is an easier way. It is easier than ringing someone up or (pause) even e- e-mail is sort of less personal or (interruption) you simply can't do it so it is good

(interruption) yeah that's right

I thought it was quite good for initially finding people but none of my friends really use the computer very much, so I -- I'll be like 'hello' and then they'll say 'hello' and then. I find on Facebook there is like a three message maximum for people you don't know very well. It doesn't matter if it is you or the other person that sends the third message you'll never hear from them again (laughter)

(laughter)

that is interesting

(laughter)

might have to do some research on that (laughter)

(laughter)

yeah it sounds interesting

all right okay, but what about videogames then?

no (laughter)

(laughter) all right (NAME)?

I do. No- Not as much as I used to actually. I get kind of bored of them and em (pause) I'm ti- I try not to buy any new ones at the moment because I've got work to do. If I buy Football Manager I won't have a life anymore. I'll be trying to win the Champions League with Newcastle.

okay, so do you like football games a lot?

yes I do. There's I'm gon- I will buy one when it comes out but it is not for a few months. I already know when it is coming out it is in March I just can't wait

very good. Okay then, but what about films then? Do you watch a lot of films? Old films or?

mm (pause) I am a lot more into films now. When I lived in China I watched loads of films

yeah?

and eh but it is quite expensive to go to the cinema here. I can watch stuff online but recent stuff the quality is not very good and (pause) so I've not I've not watched half as many since I've been back but I did go and see Stardust the other week and I loved it (laughter)

very good

I'd go see that again

really? (interruption) Is it that good?

(interruption) yes, I really liked it

oh, we'll have to go then

I can't wait for the DVD to come out

I know. I haven't been to the cinema (pause) I can't remember that last time I went to the cinema (pause) I think it was when I was in America in the summer (pause) That is a long time ago. I haven't been for ages 'cause we don't go. We were going to [realized as 'gonna'] go here but (NAME)'s always been busy. We've got to [realized as 'gotta'] drive really. (interruption) So

(interruption) yeah would be nice.

what Silverlink? You could go in town. You could go to The Gate.

we could, I suppose (pause) it's all -- yeah (pause) I just always thought The Gate as being quite expensive (interruption) but

(interruption) no what? it isn't (interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) you can get student discount

Orange Wednesdays. You're the one who told me about that

yeah I know but (pause) eh yeah well, we should just haven't been able to recently. I'd like to yeah

I can be your fourth person on an Orange Wednesday I've got Orange

yeah we could

(laughter) very good

(laughter)

so what is that deal, Orange Wednesday?

I don't know. Is it buy one get one free? buy one get one

yeah two for one, that is the number you text as well two four one but -- but it's yeah but you don't get your student discount so. It is cheaper but it is only like a couple of quid (interruption) cheaper

(interruption) yes you don't get a lot off with student discount, do you? It is just a pound or something, I think

um something like that. But it doesn't work out as being (pause) but you think yeah anyway

if you go early on, I don't know. In Manchester if you go early on a Sunday morning it is only like two quid or something

(interruption) really?

(interruption) oh wow

yes

but you wouldn't really want to go (interruption) on a Sunday morning (unclear)

(interruption) but I didn't know it was going to be but I got dragged once and then I was like 'ah two pound'

um it is always a bit expensive now at the cinema (pause) but yeah yeah (pause) two for one is not bad (pause) definitely going to [realized as 'gonna'] have to go. I don't know if there is anything on (interruption) at the moment

(interruption) no. Stardust

(laughter)

I don't want to [realized as 'wanna'] see a kids's film

it's not. It isn't a kids's film

well

it's not (laughter)

(laughter)

(laughter) it's not

it is like a fairytale for grown-ups

a fairytale for grown ups

yes

okay. Anything with fairytale in

well i- it

it is a girl film then

Moulin Rouge (pause) that was for adults and that was like a fairytale

it was just bizarre, wasn't it?

(laughter)

(laughter)

I know -- I know not my sort of film

maybe it is more a girlie film but (pause) I -- I still think it is good em what is his name Robert de Niro is so funny (laughter)

yeah mum was saying that. She was on the phone

yes she was laughing so loud (laughter)

really?

yes

it's not like her, is it? you know she seemed really she -- she loved that. When was I on the phone to her? I can't remember, I think I had woken her up (pause) I'd rung the house fax and she rang back. She was really really happy

(interruption) oh right yes good

(interruption) (laughter)

(interruption) (unclear) after seeing that

very good, we'll have to do that

yes, we've got to [realized as 'gotta'] go

okay. So what about TV. Are you following any of the soaps?

(interruption) no

(interruption) not so much

no?

no never. Well I'll watch Eastenders but I don't like it (laughter)

oh (interruption) sorry (laughter)

(interruption) I watch it yeah, I watch it 'cause it is on. That was what it was like when I lived in York. We all used to watch it but it was only 'cause we kind of (pause) we all got together to watch it. It was kind of like a house thing and we used to bitch about (interruption) Eastenders topics

(interruption) okay. So what do you like to watch then?

em (tut) I don't know. Comedy sort of things really (pause) The mighty Boosh is back on in two weeks which I can't wait for. Things like that really, what else? Top Gear. Oh, that is on tonight. (interruption) Excellent. Top Gear is on tonight, watch that. Something else as well, oh eh The Long Way Down. I watched that last week that was very -- very good

(interruption) it is

that is on tonight as well, isn't it? Yes, I saw the end of it 'cause something else is on at that time. I think Wife Swap The Aftermath is on to -- (interruption) to the first half

(interruption) oh no, that is something I don't watch

do you like watching that sort of stuff?

yes. Well no, not that sort of stuff

well, what (interruption) sort of stuff?

(interruption) not like reality or anything, but I think it is like, you know, it's it's not as good as it has been in the past. It used to be really like explosive. Not that that is good but I think it is really interesting the way people live different lifestyles and feel they have to really defend theirs sometimes em and my excuse for watching is like it is sociology really (interruption) (laughter)

(interruption) oh it is

but em that one in particular because I am doing gender and it is always like the female that swaps and like, the role in the family, I always think that is interesting. But the this series they've all been pretty similar where one of them does a lot of housework and the other one doesn't really whereas before that people had different religious views and like people on vastly different incomes and things like that and -- and I don't know, I think that makes it (interruption) more interesting

(interruption) did you not see the one, the celebrity one that was

Pete Burns

yeah, (interruption) the footballer

(interruption) yeah

I watched that

who was that one again, I can't remember

the footballer

oh yes, him. I don't really know (interruption) him

(interruption) Neil Ruddock. Everyone called him Razor

oh yes

kind of fat

he came out all right. Pete Burns came out all right

yeah considering

(laughter)

often -- often the people who come out best in the initial programme in the aftermath come off worse. I don't know why. I think some people must just be able to sort of control themselves when they think about it and other people are more natural. I don't know, but anyway eh I think that

(tut) okay, that's a good programme

Sex and the City that is good. The film is coming out next year. I can't wait (interruption) (laughter)

(interruption) oh is it? oh

is it?

yeah, but I keep seeing pictures of it in magazines (interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) oh yeah

(interruption) oh yeah

and I don't want to see what happens. (interruption) I don't want to know

(interruption) (laughter)

oh God

I can't wait (laughter)

very good. We must go and see that then

yeah I've done -- I've seen where all the bits were filmed in New York. Well, not the film the TV show. That was (pause) a fun day driving around in a bus full with (interruption) lots of women going to dodgy shops and things. Lots of excited ladies.

(interruption) (laughter) I love that [laughter ends]

(laughter)

(laughter)

yeah. Well, I know where Carrie lives

mm but you didn't sit on her step

I didn't. (NAME) did. There is a picture of her sitting on the step.

Well, I don't want a picture of her sitting on the step

no. You don't want a picture of me sitting on her step.

because there's a (pause) you could have done a photocopy of my face and then you could have sat there

well, I could put it on (pause) it would be more (pause) realistic if it was on her body, wouldn't it, 'cause she is a girl

yes, but (pause) I am probably as similar to her in figure as I am to you (laughter)

all right. Okay. Pointless argument (laughter)

(laughter) anyway

(laughter) okay should we be moving on [laughter ends]

moving on swiftly

(laughter) okay. Well, music then. What kind of music are you into?

mm

I like lots if stuff. I like anything live em, I saw a band recently at -- at the Union em oh, I can't remember what they were called now eh Los Campesinos I think it was

oh right

em yeah. I went with my cousin. I hadn't really heard of them before but I did recognise some of their songs and there was like three supporting acts as well and they were all really young but they were really good and like really good energy em and then I am going to a couple of gigs in December

oh right

em or November. I don't really know how to describe the music actually CSS and MIA

(laughter)

(laughter)

(laughter) sounds like government citations

(laughter) I know. Yes em [laughter ends] but eh yes, I think they'll be good I've not been to a gig before that since the beginning of the year

all right

I love going to see live music and I really wanted to go to a festival but I just, it just never happened this year

oh right yeah

it's expensive, isn't it?

yes

mm

I don't like festivals

you don't like festivals?

no. Wen- I went to Leeds twice

(laughter) too dirty for you [laughter ends]

(laughter)

yes, yes it is minging. It is minging and you can't sleep unless you get wasted. And I couldn't be I don't want to do that

you don't need to sleep (unclear)

I did (pause) I was up for three nights or whatever by the end, and I was just like I just wanted to die. I was so tired. I just couldn't be bothered. I couldn't even enjoy anything 'cause I just wanted to go to sleep all the time

oh right. See, if I am tired I can sleep anywhere

yeah exactly. I couldn't -- I didn't have a pillow and it was just noise all night and then the last night when you know all the kids just go mad and start burning things

yes. I know. I have to clear it all up

well (pause) (interruption) did

(interruption) well I did (laughter)

isn't not like it's a permanent job. (laughter) It isn't in your garden you know

but when I was at festivals also I was in a secure camp-site because I was working there so

yeah you didn't have gas canisters exploding and fires next to your flammable tent all night

no. Yeah it wasn't really like that

it is horrible (pause) (interruption) you get (unclear)

(interruption) but you can em rent posh em like tents and things now and camper vans so you know (interruption) you can you can do it in a clean way if you really had to

(interruption) yeah pretty expensive

yeah if you had to

if you go with lots of people, like a big group of people, I think you'd feel safer

yeah. Well, we went with lots of people but I didn't know them. Didn't really like them very much (pause) so it wasn't very nice (unclear)

I can't really seem to get a group of people together to go to one. None of my friends are really into that

there's loads of people sort of from school, I think, so I wasn't (pause) You can't really do that now. (unclear) Get up people from school. You don't know that many people

what do you mean?

to get that many people to go with you, it is pretty difficult if you're not at school

what? A big group of people?

yes

you've still got friends

yeah but not a massive group. You can't just go with your like, the whole of sixth-form. Say (interruption) 'we're all going'

(interruption) I know but like you can go with your friends and they could ask their friends. You could get a fair-sized group

I suppose, but people -- people (pause) I don't know why it is like that but I guess it is just difficult

yes, it is more difficult but I wouldn't want to go with the whole of sixth-form

Well, no. Not now but (interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) I don't need a group that big, just think like ten or so people would be nice

Yeah. It is just awful got to [realized as 'gotta'] get to festivals (interruption) (unclear) it is just awful

(interruption) I just don't think you're that kind of person (laughter) you're the kind of person who goes travelling in America [laughter ends]

Yeah on a bus

(laughter) yes [laughter ends]

(laughter)

but I never even, I never called it travelling. It is just a bit odd but it was good

Well, what is the best concert that you've been to? Is there one that you remember?

em (pause) eh oh what was the one (unclear) oh, I can't remember ju- went to see Jurassic Five. That was years ago

oh yeah

that was amazing. That was one of the first gigs I've been to, I think

yeah

I was in the toilets looking after my friend for most of that gig so I don't really remember

just kept being like nearly head-butted by your weird friend

(laughter)

(laughter)

he was sort of dancing the one (interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) the dentist?

I don't know. He was just, he was just dancing (interruption) like this (unclear) [informant is showing a dance move whilst sitting down]

(interruption) oh, was he?

(laughter)

all -- all night. Just behind me [informant shows the move again]

(laughter) I should have had a video camera [laughter ends]

(laughter)

and em he just -- just always stood behind me doing this [informant is still dancing]

(laughter)

(laughter)

this was to hip hop as well, not like dance music or anything. It was just (pause) I don't know

Right

trying to think of other gigs I -- I've been to. I we -- I have been to a few. I don't go very often but they kind of build up.

mm (pause) Can you remember any (NAME)?

eh I went to see Regina Spektor in February and that was really good. She was amazing like, her recent stuff is a bit commercial and not as interesting as it used to be but she did some older stuff and I (pause) She did my favourite song and I just loved it and I was just dancing around on my own as well. (laughter) It was really hot at that gig. It was at the Northumbria Union and people started collapsing towards the end and, 'cause I was on my own, I thought 'if I collapse there is no-one here to pick me up' (laughter)

(laughter)

God (unclear) just get left on the floor. People stamping on you and (unclear)

eh yeah, so that was that was pretty good. Also, I saw eh at a festival once Zero Seven and I w- w- were they ones, I hadn't really, I think maybe I hadn't heard of them before (pause) They were really good

mm very good

mm yeah I went to see the Foo Fighters. That was in the arena, though, so it was a bit big but it was really good

Yeah

I did catch the end of Kelis once when she was in the dance tent at V and she was doing a cover of a of a Nirvana song and everyone's going mental and (interruption) yeah

(interruption) yeah

but that -- that was really good. But I only got the last couple of songs off her but that was quite good 'cause I knew those so (pause) yes, that was good

(unclear)

very good. What about at home then? Do you like listening to music at home?

eh (pause) I can't really where I am at the moment 'cause my -- my dad has a room, a study next to my bedroom so if I put music on I get told to turn it down and I can't listen to music quietly, it is not in (interruption) my nature

(interruption) no

(interruption) can you not get headphones? put some

em well, I mean like, when I am getting dressed or when I am in my room I like to have music on em. So generally now I listen to it on my i-Pod or on the radio on the way into town to work and on the way home that is when I listen to music the most, or in the car. But em, when I have lived on my own, I always have music on like and it cov- eh when I am getting ready to go out I'll have really like cheesy pop on and things like that (laughter)

(laughter)

it is nice to have music on before you go out, get you in the mood

yes, and it is nice to have it just before you go to sleep but eh

I don't like that

if you're living with someone that it is a bit hard to do but in China I had that. And then I used to have my i-Pod on as my em alarm

oh yeah

so I had music on in the morning too yes

you sleep with your head phones in your ears?

do I?

Yeah

no

Oh (pause) was it on your little oh your little s- speaker thing?

yes oh yes, I had my i-Pod on a little speaker thing (unclear)

oh right (laughter)

it is nice to have music on but before you go to sleep but then you've got to [realized as 'gotta'] switch it off

yeah

well

(interruption) (unclear) it's not so good for you to (unclear)

(interruption) em I used to have a way to time it or something so it goes off

mm you can get timers (interruption) you know

(interruption) if you put an album on it will go off afterwards

I suppose

when I am (interruption) cooking I like to have music on

(interruption) I wouldn't know, but I would still like, it wouldn't switch itself off properly

oh no, (interruption) and you wouldn't be able to sleep

(interruption) and would annoy me and that would get on my nerves. And if you listen to like if you've got a set -- set time before you go to sleep. Sometimes you want to [realized as 'wanna'] get you'll know how long you've been trying to get to sleep for, and I don't like knowing how long I've been trying to get to sleep for (pause) 'cause it makes me think 'oh I am not going to sleep' and it is really annoying. You don't think? Maybe it is just me that is a (interruption) bit weird

(interruption) you have to hide all do you have to hide ticking clocks?

(laughter) I don't have a ticking clock [laughter ends]

(laughter)

you can't see (interruption) you can't see a ticking clock

(interruption) I used to go out with someone who couldn't have a ticking clock in the bedroom. He had to it had to be put in the cupboard at night

(laughter) oh God [laughter ends]

(interruption) ticking (unclear) I would have thought

(interruption) you say that you say that that's a bit weird but I think your 'I know how long I've been trying to get to sleep for' is a bit weird

(laughter)

eh yeah well, it is the same sort of thing. I don't you would (interruption) (unclear) ticking clock (unclear) what's going to happen if (unclear)

(interruption) well (pause) I do have a clock, actually, that sometimes (pause) ah eh (pause) I don't think it's not next to my bed at the moment 'cause I threw it cross across the room because one night (laughter) the ticking really got to me but not every night [laughter ends]

(laughter)

right

it can it can be a bit annoying but I have heard that it is like a sym- not a symptom eh, you know like people who are quite insane can't they can't have ticking clocks (laughter)

oh aye (laughter)

people who are insane

(laughter) yes [laughter ends]

(unclear) (cough) fair enough. What about (pause) what about when you are studying then? (NAME), do you have music on when you study?

sometimes but only when I am really n- bored of studying

(laughter) oh aye [laughter ends]

you shouldn't really. I can't I can't do productive good work if I've got music on so if I've been, I do it all the time. I'll just put the TV on or something and think I can work and put the TV on but basically you do that to stop working. So it is hard. I do sometimes if I am really annoyed or something or mind is working too much. You put some em (pause) like relaxing music on. There is loads of weird classical music on my computer from, long story. I had to like record vinyl on to an mp3 player for someone else (pause) 'cause she was going into hospital for a while. And em sh- she had all of these vinyl which she wanted to listen to obviously (cough) while she was stuck in hospital so I had to record them all, so they are all on my computer so I put them on sometimes. It is quite nice. It was like, I have some chill-out albums on there as well so it is quite nice sometimes 'cause it has to be something with no words so that you can do work and stuff, it is quite good.

yeah very good. What about you know (NAME), you said having like your music on your i-Pod or whatever. You know when you are on a bus and there is someone who has an i-Pod and it's really loud (pause) and you can listen to them, have you ever had that?

ah yeah there's loads of people (interruption) do that all the time

(interruption) yeah (pause) what (interruption) do you think of that?

(interruption) I usually turn my music up so I can't hear (interruption) them

(interruption) yeah I have to put my music on

(interruption) oh right

(interruption) I mean

(interruption) so you always wear music when you wear music (laughter) listen to music on the bus? [interviewer corrects herself]

pretty much these days yes

I used, as soon as I leave the house, I put my radio on. I have my radio that is obviously music, I suppose. I put that on and I have that on till I get where I am going (pause) Yeah all the time now, actually. Just so you don't have to think about people (laughter) on the bus (pause) (interruption) Yeah well, I'll read the paper (pause) good old Metro.

(interruption) making noise

okay. So what about clubbing? Can we talk about clubbing, going out? Do you go out a lot?

not as much as I'd like (laughter) I can't now, really. I suppose. I've got work to do and things

but you live in town

I know. But if I go out properly on a night out I'll not do any work the next day (pause) and it just writes it off, basically. And it's not easy (pause) it is not, well, you still have to get a taxi back but I suppose it is pretty cheap (cough)

mm-mm

oh compared with (laughter)

compared if you have to get a taxi back to Morpeth. It is a little a -- a little steep

yeah. We I started going out on a Saturday in town but we have to get the bus back 'cause we just can't afford the taxi so (pause) like last night we were having a really good time and then we had to run for the bus (pause) em but I don't really go out. If I had found somewhere really good to go later on I probably would stay out once in a while but I haven't found anywhere that is worth paying to get in, where it is actually going to be quite good, and where it'll be worth me paying for a taxi (interruption) back afterwards

(interruption) yeah

yeah I had a great time at Liquid the other week. It was amazing

I don't know where Liquid is

(cough) it used to be something else

Icon? Did it used to be Icon? (interruption) Is it near the Laing?

(interruption) I think so (pause) Yes (unclear) that is sort of the blue carpet bit or whatever

does it still have laser-shows and rude things (interruption) (laughter)

(interruption) I don't know. I was wasted. I was too busy dancing

(laughter)

oh right oh right so

so do you dance a lot then, (NAME), when you are out?

when I am really drunk like, when I am sober, don't care about dancing, really embarrassing. But when I get really drunk I have to do it (pause) or I go mad. I have to I have to do it otherwise I get really annoyed. It is like a waste of my entire night

and will you just dance on your own?

no

okay

as long as there is a sort of vague person I am there with I'll be fine, but not really taking much notice

all right. And what about you (NAME)? Or, do you drink or do you dance when you are out?

do I drink or dance?

(interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) yeah or, do you drink first and then dance afterwards?

eh I don't really dance very much. I don't really go to places where you can dance at the moment and (pause) eh when I used to go out with the boys in China they used to drag me on the dance floor

really?

yes, but I -- I would leave quite soon, I don't know. It depends on what kind of music (interruption) it is

(interruption) sure

if you get in a good mood and there is kind of (pause) I think I can really only dance to sort of quite cheesy music now

(laughter) like what? What is cheesy music?

like Britney or something like that

(laughter)

it has to be something you recognise

yeah

I've been to I went to a proper nightclub once in Leeds. It was like, I don't know what you call it (pause) It was house (pause) proper house, hardcore house or whatever (pause) hard- house, that's it and eh it was just horrendous.

yes, I don't (interruption) really like that

(interruption) it was just awful and there were loads of people doing all that. [informant is showing a dance move] Loads of people asking if you had any pills and stuff (cough) it was just n- just mindless beats and (unclear) you got to [realized as 'gotta'] know you got to [realized as 'gotta'] sort of (interruption) recognise (unclear)

(interruption) yes, I've been somewhere like that. People dancing with oven-gloves on and things

(laughter) what? [laughter ends]

(laughter)

(unclear)

they were all sort of wide-eyed and drinking water and not -- not wearing very much clothes. Not my kind of place (laughter)

sort of luminous bands and glow sticks and things. It is awful, absolutely awful. I hate things (interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) yes. I like indie music and indie people don't dance so much

(interruption) okay

(interruption) no unless you go to Love Stoned but I've never been to that. (interruption) I think it gets really busy

(interruption) no, I haven't. It doesn't start till half ten

yeah you'd have to, you couldn't just go there 'cause there'd be no-one there right about till (pause) it'll be crap till after twelve

yeah (pause) I'll have to stay here one time

(laughter)

you can sleep on the floor yeah (interruption) you sleep on the sofa

(interruption) there's the sofa but I think the -- the floor is probably more comfortable (laughter)

yeah (pause) I mean, yeah, that is the problem that's (unclear) sure you can stay here one time

have you ever been out together then?

no, not properly

um no

it would be weird

yes

would it be weird?

um yes. He won't go out with me and also because sometimes I smoke and he doesn't like to see that, do you?

I don't care

(laughter)

to be honest, I -- I don't like people smoking

no well, you can't do it in bars now (interruption) really

(interruption) no you can't (interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) oh, it smells so bad now you can't, though

yeah I'd rather smell the feet than smoke, though, (pause) 'cause that doesn't give you cancer

(laughter) oh, hopefully [laughter ends]

well (interruption) (laughter) (unclear) study

(interruption) yeah I am sure I -- I said that the other day. I come out with stuff you see. Bacon can give you cancer I think so BO probably can.

(laughter) yeah [laughter ends]

(laughter)

right. Well, what do you wear when you go out?

em (pause) it depends on what mood I am in before I leave the house

oh right

yeah (pause) (interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) are you into that? I mean, do you care about you wear and what other people are wearing or?

mm

(unclear) if it is really posh I'll put some shoes on instead of my trainers but that is about it. Anyway, jeans and a polo shirt is generally all I ever wear so (unclear) when I am out to be honest

(unclear)

I quite like wearing heels and I always wear make-up. Sometimes I wear a skirt. It just depends

yeah

I do spend -- I do think about what I am going to [realized as 'gonna'] wear and I'll do my hair for longer but I'll look exactly the same

(laughter) okay [laughter ends]

(interruption) but you (unclear)

(interruption) yeah. Boys can't do as much, really. They smell a bit stronger

(unclear) yeah exactly. I'll put some smelly stuff on as well (pause) but that is about it

okay. (laughter) What, so are you so you're not so conscious maybe about what you wear? Just always the same?

more or less I think. I like I li- I li- I like to wear nice things, I suppose, but I don't really care too much about it. I like to look smartish but I don't (pause) I wouldn't say I am vain. I wouldn't say I cared very much at all

I wouldn't say for a girl I do that much

no

okay (laughter) so do you ever [laughter ends]

(laughter)

(laughter)

(laughter) be glad it is not a video [laughter ends]

yeah

(laughter) no sorry [laughter ends]

(laughter) oh, I would go and brush my hair if there was a camera [laughter ends]

(laughter) well, do you so are you conscious about what you wear? I mean

every day or just when I go out?

well, every day and when you go out

sometimes, sort of, obviously (laughter)

(laughter)

not in front of people I know

okay

em

but like, you try making a statement like with what you wear or?

em well, I don't wear leather

(laughter) okay [laughter ends]

I don't think that is a statement. (interruption) You walk down the street 'oh my God she is not wearing leather'.

(interruption) what I thought

it is a statement, though, it is

it is

it is making a

(unclear) yeah (unclear)

well, that is only because we know that you are vegetarian

yes

'cause not wearing leather could also just mean (laughter) that you are not in to motorcycles [laughter ends]

(laughter)

but I don't wear leather shoes or anything (interruption) like that

(interruption) yeah okay

I think I wear well, not necessarily natural clothes but (pause) yeah I thin I am (pause) not very smart. People often think I am a lot younger because of what I wear

(laughter) all right [laughter ends]

(laughter) yes and I wear trainers to work and things I am not really [laughter ends]

you need Trinny and Susannah I think

(laughter)

yes, probably

all right okay. So you do, I mean, but it is sort of a statement then (pause) not wearing leather or anything, (interruption) I mean, but it is sort of an implicit one

(interruption) yes and I don't wear any makeup during the day

no makeup during the day

no

and why?

it's sort of just

can't be bothered

beca- and yeah (laughter)

(unclear)

I can't be bothered but also (pause) I just, I don't think it is very good for your skin and also I am not just, you know, making, I don't know. There is something about dolling yourself up how some people do and I just don't think you need to and I don't think it is really appropriate for work (pause) don't kn-

why 'cause you're working in a library that is

(interruption) well

(interruption) yeah it depends obviously

I mean, I probably do wear a little bit of make up when I go to an interview if I've got an interview. But (pause) I -- I don't know I think I'd be more conscious if I was wearing it, having to touch it up and I rub my eyes a lot and things and I just (pause) I just think it's, I don't know

(laughter)

I'm a feminist, we don't need to wear make up

(laughter) good for you (laughter)

(laughter)

all right. Well, what about travelling. Shall we talk about travelling? You've both been travelling a lot, I know

not really

you yeah

not travelling travelling

(interruption) oh well, you have lived abroad I mean that counts

(interruption) you've lived abroad. You've done quite a bit

yeah

yeah

so tell me about it. So where have you been?

you can go first 'cause mine don't take very long

(laughter)

(laughter)

em (pause) ever?

yeah (interruption) (cough)

(interruption) or to live?

(interruption) well, both

(interruption) (unclear)

(laughter)

well, like outside Britain then

em (pause) I went to France a few times when I was at school

all right

we used to go with the family every year actually till we moved

yeah

to the new house (pause) but to so until the age about (pause) oh well, maybe it was (pause) seven or eight maybe I was when we stopped going

no [informant expressing disbelief]

seems like we went a lot more than that

yeah it was longer than that 'cause I was I remember going

you went after I stopped going, though

yeah well, not when you -- you didn't stop going when you were eight though

no, but I don't think that much (unclear) anyway

(laughter)

em and I yes I went skiing once with the school and eh I went on a French exchange and an American exchange (pause) and em after school (pause) I lived in Australia that time (pause) what was the question?

(laughter) just where you've been. Where you've been travelling [laughter ends]

but I didn't really go much around Australia at all like eh

right

we decided to go on a holiday and we were going to [realized as 'gonna'] go over to the east coast but we went to Hong Kong instead

(interruption) okay

(interruption) have I talked too long?

no -- no -- no. Not at all

em and then, I did do a bit of travelling around China when I was there (pause) eh down -- down to the south and a bit up to the north for the ice festival. That was good, and I -- I did want to come back through like Tibet and Nepal and possibly India on the way back but I had to come back a bit earlier than planned. I didn't really have much money so I didn't do that but I did get to go visit my friend in Sri Lanka for a bit

very good

yeah

very interesting

okay. So (NAME), where have you been?

ah not very far (pause) Went to France obviously when I was little. And em how old was I -- I guess like thirt- or fourteen or something when I went, eh that was boring

what with the family?

yeah well, no, just mum and dad 'cause you didn't go

oh right

oh, we can probably work it (pause) oh no (unclear)

we went to Euro Disney that time

I must have been sixteen maybe. That was bullshit (pause) em

it was for their anniversary and I was a moody teen at the time and I did not enjoy it at all and I just ruined it for everyone

(laughter) oh no [laughter ends]

I enjoyed myself (unclear) we didn't get to go to Space Mountain. I was gutted about that. Anyway eh my time my time. Eh well, I went to Rome. That was fun. That was only for a few days. That was with school actually. That was good. Went skiing with school to Norway

did you? Norway?

yeah that was in year six or something. Eh and then went to America in the summer which was really -- really good. It's not proper travelling -- travelling (unclear) go backpacking and they (interruption) don't sleep

(interruption) no not

(laughter)

is that how you define travelling?

yeah when people say 'oh, I've been (interruption) travelling' it means in hostels and things, really.

(interruption) a bit dirty (pause) a bit below (unclear)

(interruption) They've been travelling, you know

(interruption) well (pause) I don't think so

like -- like a gap year travelling sort of thing rather than on holiday. Em well, that was amazing, going to America. I'd love to so there are a few places I'd love to go back to. Obviously, it is so big, America. It's got it bad points and stuff. It is quite scary, actually. There is a lot of poverty, you didn't really expect

mm you don't think that really

no, you don't. But there is a lot more than in this country, a lot more (pause) em anyway, yeah (pause) so that's that's all I've been. But we went all the way across America. That was good. I'd like to do something like that again (cough) like travelling, like it was on a coach with a lot of people the same age and stuff. It was really good. I'd like to go to New Zealand, I think

yeah what about you (NAME)? Are there places you'd like to go?

I'd like to go to Iceland

yeah

em I've always wanted to go there and it just seems a little bit magical and (laughter) and like na- the nature there

I -- I am sure lots of them believe in gn- is it gnomes (interruption) or something? Loads of them believe in gnomes (unclear)

(interruption) yes, something like that

(laughter)

yes, the little people

like quite a weird percentage. Like really high. (interruption) You wouldn't think

(interruption) I -- I just I think it would be a really interesting place and I'd love to go to India

(tut) yeah

em, I would've I really wanted to go to Tibet but eh, I don't want to go there now because I just feel (pause) like their (pause) culture is being er- eroded and I wouldn't help that by going there now, just to, you know, look at them

mm

em but I'd love to go to the Himalayas but Himalayas

mm yeah, their real name

yeah em but I'd like to go back to Sri Lanka as well 'cause I only just went there for a couple of days and I loved it (pause) so yes, and probably (pause) probably somewhere in Africa. I quite wanted to go and work in Senegal for a bit. They did a- an teaching English thing there

all right

so maybe, yes, at some point

yes, that'd be good. So you went on holiday a lot together?

when we were younger we did

yeah when we were younger I barely remember those things

mm

and so, was it always France?

yes

it was, wasn't it?

yes, always the North of France, Falaise often (laughter)

Falaise, yeah and just around Normandy and that

right. So any favourite place there? Anything that you fondly remember?

I -- I enjoyed it but

I -- I didn't

'cause I was younger, obviously, so it was just kind of in- more interesting. I wouldn't, you know, an older teenager or whatever who doesn't want to be with their parents, who is just generally really moody all the time (interruption) like (NAME) was

(interruption) (laughter) also, I am not interested in the same things as mum and dad but you are more

yeah exactly. I like going to museums and learning about the history and stuff 'cause it was interesting in Falaise 'cause it was like William the Conqueror's castle

and we found out about granddad when we were there

we did? When was

in Falaise

what about? Which bit?

when we rang home and said 'we're in Falaise' and granddad said (laughter) 'oh yes, that was where I was captured by the Germans' and he had never told anyone before [laughter ends]

(interruption) (laughter) wow [laughter ends]

(interruption) yeah -- yeah like fifty years later it just comes out just -- just as if he -- he's told he said it years ago

yeah

yeah that was quite interesting

(laughter)

(laughter) I remember there was a little boy that looked well, little, he b- he was older than me, I think, but probably about like thirteen but he looked really like Michael Jackson

I remember you saying that. I remember that -- that holiday that was good, quite exciting

but we stayed in that camp-site the whole time

yeah, like three weeks. Yeah, that was pretty boring after a while but eh

our parents like to do the same thing

yeah we (unclear) we went to lots of chateaus and things. I quite enjoyed it to be honest. It is a lovely place, France, really (pause) apart from you know the French. No

well, if you can speak a bit of French. We do it at school so it is (pause) you can ask for things in shops and that

well, I couldn't at the time 'cause I was only like six or something

oh (interruption) well, I could

(interruption) but it didn't matter 'cause you always, your parents would be there (interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) oh and we'd go to the croissant tree and practice our French before we went

yeah -- yeah the croissant tree. That's not going to make any sense on the tape. It's not quite 'you know the croissant tree'

(laughter)

(laughter) everyone knows croissants grow on trees [laughter ends]

yeah it was called that because we went there to practice French. Not like we went there to practice French because it was a croissant tree. 'No we may as well go there, it is French'

(laughter)

(laughter)

so, lots of good memories then? (pause) and some bad?

(laughter)

and some bad (unclear) I really I enjoyed it at the time. It was along time ago, I was only little, but I did enjoy it

I met some Belgians once that made me some earrings out of cherries. That was quite good

wow (laughter)

out of cherries? Are you sure that actually happened?

(laughter) yes, I think there might be photos

I'd like to see that. I don't quite believe that that's true

and I had this obsession with finding em speakers in trees. You know on camp-sites, they have these speakers so they can make announcements and I was really good at finding them

wow

you just listened. You like (interruption) (unclear)

(laughter) (interruption) I could see them in the trees

good

(laughter)

(laughter) all right. So well, so now we are talking about your childhood and growing up. What was it like growing up in Morpeth?

boring

yeah

(laughter)

(laughter)

yeah there wasn't much you could do, was there? Until you got to a certain age, you could just go to Newcastle at the weekends

but even then it was expensive

no, it was 50p for us to get there. We had like connections cards

(interruption) oh, we never went

(interruption) like a kids student card things. So it was only fifty pee to get to Newcastle which was amazing, so we just did that every weekend. We'd just go to Newcastle, sit somewhere. (laughter) We didn't do anything but it was good fun [laughter ends]

what how old? Teenagers?

eh teenagers. That was that was high school, yeah, maybe year ten, year nine, yes, just like fourteen, fifteen (pause) yeah (interruption) Morpeth

(interruption) yes, we just went to coffee shops in Morpeth. I can't remember that we were going through to town that much

we didn't live near anybody, like, all my friends didn't live anywhere near where we did so it was kind of (pause) sort of boring

mm like, we used to live on this estate first of all and eh, I had there were loads of young people there, and the school was there and everything, and I was only like seven or eight when we moved and it was a, it wasn't far at all but it was over a big main road and I wasn't allowed to cross it, so I couldn't hang out with people as much then

yeah it wasn't quite as good there

no

no, but it was nice. It is a lovely place though

so I had to amuse myself by dressing you up as a woman (laughter)

(laughter) that only happened once, didn't it? [laughter ends]

(laughter) I've got the photos

(laughter) well, so did you do a lot of that stuff, like? Or did you get in to fights a lot or did you get on really well?

yeah, (interruption) we did fight a lot over the telly, didn't we? That was our major falling out over what who could control the television

(interruption) oh constant, yeah (pause) It was awful really. We never got on ever when we lived together. Ever

no, last year was all right. Do you mean when we were little?

yeah, before we sort before you went to university I and stopped seeing you. It was better after that. No, we always used to fight

right. Did you blame each other for something the other one had done?

yeah, I think so

no

surely

I -- I can't lie at all. I would never have done that

I don't well

(NAME) (laughter)

(laughter)

I don't think I would have said. If I had done something I wouldn't have said (NAME) did it. I would I wouldn't have said I did though, probably, I'd just you know it's (interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) (NAME) had an imaginary friend when he was little and he used to say Gook did it and he would get away with things

I can't believe (pause) you can't say Gook, though really. Gook's like

is it a bad word?

mm

I don't know what it means that was, you came up with it. (laughter) My doll was called Ziggy (unclear) and she was real [laughter ends]

she wasn't alive

she was (laughter)

no, it was what the Americans called the Vietcong

where did you get it from then?

gooks

oh yeah Gook

I don't know if it is racist but it is not very nice (unclear) yeah I don't know if I ma -- I think I made it up

yeah (interruption) just like, the sound

(interruption) I don't think (pause) I -- I was very young. I don't think I'd seen any Vietnam war films at the time, would be a bit harrowing. I don't think I would have. Yeah, I just used to blame if s- I did something I would say that Gook did it and they were like 'all right'

(laughter)

why, you would just get away with stuff

it's like it's like 'great'. I didn't even, he wasn't like my imaginary friend, I just (pause) I thought I should have an imaginary friend so I just said it, really, and blamed him for things and it worked, so why not? (interruption) It's not my fault it's my parents' fault

(interruption) (laughter) very good

(laughter)

but what -- what -- what are your parents like then? Like your dad and your mum, what are they like?

well, (NAME) and dad don't really get on

all right

at all (pause) but I get on pretty well with them. I always have really (interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) I definitely getter on even better when I don't live there

yeah I just, I don't know. You -- you learn how to cope with your parents

yeah yeah sure well I (unclear)

well if I'm in a bad mood I just hide. (interruption) Or (unclear) not hide, not in a cupboard, but like in my room. I'd just stay in my room and hear when they'd gone and then I go and do whatever. It is easier

(interruption) yes, you're really good at that (laughter)

God (pause) But are they like, your dad. Is he like really strict or something or?

he used to be when we were little

when we were (interruption) very little

(interruption) with me not so much with you

no, they were never strict with me, really, on anything

no, (interruption) but you've never tried to rebel or anything either

(interruption) oh so (unclear)

no, I didn't bother

no

Just got on with my life

yeah. So did they treat you differently, (interruption) do you think?

(interruption) yeah definitely (laughter)

yeah quite a lot I think

they won't admit that though, will they?

no, but they

like they forced me to go to church till I was about sixteen and said I wasn't old enough to make up my own mind, but (NAME) never had to go

I did. I wouldn't say I neve- I never had to

you weren't forced to go every week like I was

till a certain age I was

not till sixteen

not till sixteen, no

no, and I used to get grounded all the time, especially when here was a school disco on and you didn't

I never got grounded. I've never been grounded in my life

oh

and stupidly, I was the one that told them what grounding meant and then they grounded me all the time (laughter)

(laughter)

so that is punishment for you for being so stupid (interruption) to tell them what it was

(interruption) (laughter)

(laughter) oh right

(cough) (laughter)

so would you so (NAME), if you didn't really get on with your parents maybe or your dad I mean, so would you like keep secrets from your parents then or together no

no, I can't keep secrets at all. If mum asks me anything I'll probably tell the exact truth and more (laughter)

(laughter)

I can't I can't keep secrets at all. I don't think there is anything my parents don't know of what I have done (laughter)

okay

if mum asks me I'll tell her

I -- I don't think I'd do anything worthy of telling

all right

not like had keeping from them. I don't know

but would you like tell your parents first or each other first? Like, if you either met someone or had a problem?

depends on what sort it is, really. I'll tell everyone everything

(laughter)

yeah well, I wouldn't, no I don't. I wouldn't ha- I wouldn't tell mum (interruption) an- any like intimate whatever.

(interruption) you don't only

I wouldn't.

no

It is not that sort of relationship I don't think.

no

(interruption) It is more girl -- girl -- girls and mums

(interruption) I would ask you if you had something, if there was something, someone. I would ask you questions if you, I don't know if you always (interruption) tell me the truth

(interruption) I don't

but I ask you

well, I wouldn't tell you anything about a girl because I don't (pause) you don't (laughter) think the way normal girls do, I don't think [laughter ends]

(laughter) what do you mean? [laughter ends]

(laughter) I don't know [laughter ends] 'cause you're not very (pause) like I -- I think (pause) I don't know what the word is what is the word I am looking for

these are the revelations you wanted

like (pause) a lot of girls are more quite superficial more than men I don't think you're very superficial about things

oh right

he saved it there (laughter)

(interruption) (laughter) well worded, well sorted out

(interruption) (unclear) that is genuinely what -- what I mean. I don't know if you think the same as a lot of girls (pause) (interruption) about boys and things so I don't know

(interruption) oh right, that is very interesting

I would ask your advice though (interruption) on things

(interruption) texting. We did talk about the -- the etiquette of texting 'cause we were both kind of new to that recently. We've been in we've both have had relationships really since kind of before phones were a big thing and then being single and the whole texting thing

yeah

yeah, it is confusing

yeah but you talk, obviously texting, it's not something your parents would know about either, is it?

no

no

but even if it was I wouldn't I'd never ask them about anything like that

I ask my grandma. She gives me advice about boys

oh that's good (laughter) very good. What about pets? Are there any pets in the house still?

yeah I've got a dog

yeah?

mm-mm

is it an old dog or?

she is getting old, (interruption) she is not old

(interruption) yeah she is. She has not been very well recently

has she not? (interruption) She always looks a bit down when I see her

(interruption) no (pause) yes she sleeps a lot now

oh

yeah poor thing

but everyone loves her. She is the nicest dog ever

yeah quite right

how long have you had her? How long has she been in the family?

about ten years or something

about that I guess. A long time. She how -- how old (pause) she wasn't a -- she wasn't a -- well, she was a puppy

but not (interruption) a puppy puppy

(interruption) but not a puppy puppy

okay (laughter)

she was a very young dog but she wasn't really small

(interruption) okay

(interruption) yeah and we had another one and there was the two of them. Oh they got on. They were they were really different characters but eh Breeze really missed Trudy when she went

yeah she was really depressed. (interruption) She was definitely depressed. No, she has never been the same since Trudy died

(interruption) yeah never been the same

what a shame

it is it is really horrible

and then she had granddad (interruption) and then she didn't have him either

(interruption) oh yeah (pause) she has had a hard life

(laughter)

and then she had to have all her teeth taken out. Was it last year or earlier this year?

yeah oh God. But she was happier after that happened though (interruption) (unclear)

(interruption) yeah. She nearly threw herself out of the boot when she had been drugged

yeah oh, it was funny when she had to start eating biscuits for the first time, eating food when she didn't have any teeth

oh God (laughter)

(laughter)

and everything she ate (pause) she couldn't chew at the back. She's fine. She is better. It does happen to a lot of dogs apparently, that kind of dogs

so did you ever teach them any tricks and stuff when you were little?

well no, when I was little we had we had Trudy up before we had Breeze and she was really grumpy and she wouldn't learn anything she was just, she was very much her own

yeah Meg (pause) she was all right. (interruption) Do you remember Meg?

(interruption) but I don't really remember Meg you see, I was too young. Breeze was very clever

yeah

yeah

I'd I'd never taught her anything but dad

and granddad

granddad. They went to her when she's dirty, I told you told you this the other day, when she is dirty when she has been lying in a stream or whatever and she is full of mud they'll get the hose out. As soon as they get the hose out she'll jump up unto the bench and just wait to be hosed down

(laughter)

she is like that when you get the brush out as well to brush her and she'll turn around so you can do the other side

oh clever

yeah she knows (unclear)

and you can walk her and she'll stay on your left side b- w- (pause) I can get her to go on the right and she'll do that but em, and she'll stay right by you. If you walk along the main road and people are coming the other way, she doesn't really like it when people come up, she will start to bark now, but if you like stroke her head gently she doesn't (laughter)

uh, very well trained

(interruption) she is

(interruption) she is absolutely

you can take her to the beach. She is a bit, as she gets older, she is a bit (tut) eh, I don't know if she can't hear or if she just ignores you a bit more but, like, you could take her to the beach and if there were other dogs you just shout her name and she'll come back. She is very good like that

very good uh uh

ah yeah (laughter)

everyone loves her, don't they?

yeah

excellent. Right okay. So, this is actually, we're coming up to more or less the -- the end bit, just asking you about language questions (pause) em generally, just how many language do you know or speak or have ever you know taken?

English

yeah

(laughter)

I've done French at school but only to GCSE (pause) I was never very (pause) I didn't like it. I didn't like it at the time really (pause) and I got a (pause) did I get an A?

did you?

I got quite a I got quite good mark somehow. No, it was a B, I think, but I don't know how I got a B 'cause all my coursework was just rubbish. I was never I was never very good at it but I did quite enjoy it. But I can't really speak it now. If I went there and had a phrasebook I'd be able to get by, I suppose

it comes back to you

yeah (pause) but eh (pause) very basic really I can't I wouldn't I don't know any tenses or anything and I couldn't do the grammar now just phrases and things that's it

yeah, what about you (NAME)?

em I did French till A-Level

yeah?

and em I am sort of doing an intermediate course at the moment to sort of try and refresh it. Em, I learnt a bit of eh Mandarin when I was in China but not very much (laughter) really basic words and eh I am learning Arabic

yes

basic Arabic

(laughter)

and there is this really annoying girl in the class who makes it really hard for everyone else to learn. She is like a linguist or something (laughter) and she knows everything [laughter ends]

(laughter)

(laughter) really annoyed (unclear)

(laughter)

(laughter) oh thanks for that. I'll erase that you know [laughter ends]

(laughter)

all right. Em, has anyone ever, so just em talking about not speaking foreign languages but just when you talk English, has anyone ever told you that you like sound different like when you lived like down Manchester or something?

I em (pause) what I was what I was going to say, I em know that in the North East we sound quite different to most people and even in Morpeth (pause) em yesterday for example I was on the bus, and em I just seemed to be the only person on the bus who didn't seem to have a really broad Geordie accent, and my phone went off and em like the text message is a really loud like choo-choo noise [informant is replicating the sound of a steam engine] and it is really loud and then (unclear) in the back of the bus are going 'choo-choo Thomas' and like making fun of me, but I couldn't speak because I -- I hate people call me posh and I hate speaking out and (pause) I really feel like my accent does stand out quite a lot sometimes em, when I am with people who have got very broad accents and so I tend just not to speak so I don't draw attention to it (pause) 'Cause I've been people have made fun of me or had assumptions about me before because of that so now I -- I try just not to talk 'cause I -- I am not the kind of person who would put on a Geordie accent which my friends from school who speak quite similar to me but in certain social situations they really put on a Geordie accent and I hate that. I think it is so fake so I'd rather just not talk (laughter)

but that's not actually people have like told you you sound different but because you sound more standard? or more you know yeah

yeah em (pause) when I've met other people em around the country well, m- most people can't tell where I am from from my accent, which I find a bit annoying really (pause) em a -- but when I met people in China, I don't know if it was because they were students, oh I don't know what I mean by that, but they could tell where I was from and I really liked that. And -- and I they -- they did actually make fun of a person in our group that had the poshest accent but for a change it wasn't me. It was someone who had lived down south and gone to private school and she had quite a posh accent, but actually I didn't really notice, but everyone else used to make fun of her quite a lot about that (pause) um imitate her accent and em I went out with someone from the North West for a few years, and he'd used to make fun of certain (pause) the odd word I'd say and I don't really say that much which would mark me as from the north but yeah, he used to like, make fun of the words that I'd said

(laughter) right

but he was a dick though

(laughter) yeah

(laughter)

(laughter) yeah

okay then. What about you (NAME)?

I know it is weird. We've talked about this before and I think, obviously, we speak similarly in terms of accent or not accent

I think I speak posher than you. I wonder if it made any difference going our with (NAME) 'cause she had quite an accent

yeah she had (pause) not really though. I don- may- maybe a little a little bit more than me, but not really

really? I think she did

no, I don't think so

hm

em (pause) but I've never had that experience that (NAME)'s had, about feeling different. I think that everyone I went to school with, a- all my friends at school, they had a sort of similar kind of middle class background or whatever em (pause) when (unclear) I think I just talk the same as everyone else to be honest. Or more or less. So I guess in middle school, before I had those friends, I did eh (pause) yeah there were a lot of people there (pause) who weren't (pause) they'd have stronger accents. Sometimes you'd get called Poshy by but only by proper rough people