rynner said:
Xanatico said:
Whatever happened to Niles Calder anyway, I haven´t seen him on here for ages.
He gave great input here for a while, but became somewhat more pithy as time went on, and - er - eventually withdrew from the board.
I hope he's still going strong elsewhere.
Perhaps he found himself "too interesting" (to quote Niles) for the board.
NilesCalder said:
My grandfather, as I've stated elsewhere, was the Director of Political Warfare for the Allies during WW2.
Prior to this he was the Journalist who was the only one who could be bothered to turn up to Rutherford's Splitting of the Atom.
Peter also was the journalist who found Agatha Christie during one of her dissapearances.
After the war he was a leading light in the newly formed CND and he played a role in the creation of Israel.
History remebers him as a "great Scottish educator"...
Some would say that he founded the NHS but I find that spurious.
Either way there are streets named after him in Glasgow.
Every family member of my father's generation is a published writer of some ilk and many of my cousins (and myself) have either reached that goal or are working towards it.
Me? I'm currently working on making my mark...
Niles "Too Interesting" Calder
Can we compete with this? We can but try. 8)
So, in the style of Mr. Calder:
On my mother's side:
My Great Grandmother changed Clark Gable's bedpans and claimed descent from the survivors of the Spanish Armada. To this day I have a relic from this fateful voyage in the form of a studded cross.
My Grandfather inherited an Ayrshire inn (built in the 15th century) in which Napoleon III, Frederick the Great and Robert Burns would have a bevvy. I also have a relic from this time in the form of a coin. I worked there for a couple of months JUST so I could access the attic which contained many relevant papers. I found none. My stupid cousins (who now own the place) destroyed them all.
My mother herself is Branch Secretary of one of Scotland's political parties. She recently stood in the council elections.
Her Uncle was one of the Dam-busters (and also took part in the bombing of Dresden - a city I have since visited - I was quite upset by this)
On my father's side:
His uncle was an ambassador. THAT is all my gran can tell him about it. My dad remembers going to his mansion.
My Great Great Grandfather was the Railway Keeper on the world's oldest railway line. My Great Great Great grand mother's first name was Campbell. WTF??
My Great Uncles and Grandfather built the empire's steam trains. These were shipped to all corners of the globe and, as far as I am aware, may still be in use in some quarters. My grandfather, before retiring, became a signalman. He died of TB.
All were Freemasons.
My gran was born in 1909. She is still with us. :shock:
My father's brother ran one of Ayrshire most profitable industries. Can't say which. His large house - and enviable pool room - reflects this.
We are supposedly descended from the noble family of Douglas. Indeed, James Douglas, Regent of Scotland during the minority of Mary Queen of Scots is supposedly a direct descendant. This is probably bollox.
So far we have traced the family tree back to the early 1700s which would be unusual if we were descended from...erm...commoners.
My own estate in Scotland played host to many monarchs and nobles throughout the last millenia. Robert the Bruce and his Grandson were the first 'recorded' owners, though there is legal evidence that Balliol and the Lords of Galloway (a semi-autonomous area of medieval Scotland) were earlier residents. The extensive private library I inherited is just a joy.
My little brother had his poems published before the age of ten.
My little sister wishes to be an actress. She has also spent some quality time with Kenny Dalgleish, one of Scotland's greatest footballers. Not that kind of quality time! (they played football together one afternoon in an empty hampden stadium).
My step family are supposedly descended from Macbeth. And although none of us (including my step family) truly believe this, they are nonetheless descended from the old aristocracy so you never know...
My step-mother's mum (or should I say 'mom') was the costume fitter for Brando in the stage adaptation of Streetcar named desire. When she told me this, I asked if she sniffed his jeans...I think even I would.
My step brother's dad is also on TV occasionally and his uncle is a well known author.
My wife comes from Former East Germany. Her uncle, as she later found out, was a Stasi Informer and she and her entire family have swollen DDR files (currently being taped together). However, I don't think she would thank me if I posted more information about her immediate ancestry.
She was also an actress. One of my films was premiered in Berlin, just round the corner from one of her stage productions. This was almost 15 years before we met. I come from Scotland (as if you couldn't guess) and she came from East Germany. What are the chances, eh? She is currently a straight A student (unlike me) at one of Europes finest universities and will soon complete her second degree. She plans to overhaul Scotland's School curriculum.
I myself have dabbled in film and TV. One film recieved the BAFTA and Golden Bear award in the early 90s (and yes, I had a speaking part and yes, it was a recurring character). My father is still on TV every week.
I now spend all my working time writing and researching. I have founded 6 or 7 websites, online galleries and academic research forums. I finished my first book a few months ago. I am currently working on half a dozen more history projects. I have also recently been asked to become Scottish Secretary of a rather well known society in New York. I am currently awaiting...erm..."activation". Watch this space. 8)
I also believe I have discovered the ultimate secret of Freemasonry but hey...I ain't the first to claim this.
I have had the pleasure of visiting Weimar and Jena in Germany. Funnily enough I am also going to Frederick the Great's palaces in Potsdam in little under two hours.
Before my ego is inflated further, I must add this:
NilesCalder said:
He is remembered in Glasgow, where he lived, as the man who saved the Gorbles.
Erm...Niles, no-one saved the Gorbals. It remained a slum until it's almost total destruction - much to the misery of southern Glasgow. It is sorely missed (though I don't know why. It was a terrible place to live).
My first professional theatre production was held there (at least it was held in the former Gorbals area). It was about the history of the district and starred amongst others, John Hannah and Robert Carlyle.
I have since worked with the latter actor on more than a dozen occasions. Whereas the former, whose first production coincided with my own, cannot actually act to save himself. My mother said that he looks like he is constantly thinking to himself "when will I be found out? when will I be found out?".
WHAT A WONDERFULLY EGOTISTICAL THREAD. My only defence is 'well, you did ask'. I hope no-one vomited during the reading of it. I just read Niles' and am feeling a little queezy. I apologise for inflicting the same trouble...