Damn you Lloydy! I’d noticed the 8 Random Things meme doing the rounds, hoping to avoid it after my previous encounter with memes. Then I notice you getting involved in my Google Reader with that bloody link to my site at the bottom of your post.

Before anything, here are the rules:

The Rules

• You have to post these rules before giving you the facts.
• Players state eight random facts/habits about themselves.
• At the end of the blog post, you tag eight people and list their names. (Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.)
• People who are tagged need to write about their eight things on their own blog and also post these rules.

Well, who am I to wreck the fun - here goes…

1. I’ve never been to Ibiza. Ever! Even though I bang on about dance music like there’s no tomorrow, hosting a monthly podcast about the stuff, moreso than the majority of industry bigwigs, I have never been lucky enough to visit the White Isle. If any promoters or venues out in the Balaerics fancy inviting me out there next Summer for a few gigs, get in contact.
2. I don’t actually own a working computer. Another shocker! Considering I’m a self-confessed nerd, working at arguably the world’s leading Web company, I am still without my own piece of kit. This is mainly down to the fact most my PCs have died a death and I’ve relied on work laptops & Mac’s to get me by. Maybe I’ll treat myself for Christmas - who knows.
3. I’ve had work featured in three computer magazines. Back in 2003, Computer Arts featured the multi-award winning educational piece, Hitting the Target and in 2006, .net and Practical Web Design both featured World Cup KickOff in tutorials about Microformats.
4. I’m a sponge for local dialects. It doesn’t matter where I live, I pick up the accent and local lingo almost immediately and strangers often think I am a local. People still mistake me for a Brummie but I am a proud Derby boy, even if my accent doesn’t sound like it.
5. I actually cut Oscar’s umbilical cord. I am a wimp when it comes to anything blood or gore. When the midwife asked if I wanted to cut Oscar’s umbilical cord after birth, I was quick to say “no” without hesitation. But when it came to the crunch, I changed my mind, grabbed the scissors and continued the tradition. It’s a very emotional moment - I highly recommend it to any fathers-to-be!
6. The first vinyl record I ever bought was Stardust’s “Music Sounds Better With You“. It was a struggle thinking back to when I was introduced to dance music on vinyl but I grabbed a copy of the classic when it was originally released before I even had any decks. Needles to say, I hijacked my dad’s 33/45 record player in the lounge with the volume nearly maxed out back then.
7. I’ve got a tattoo of a monkey on my arm. Well, sort of. It’s actually the Chinese symbol for the year of the monkey, the year I was born. I got it done during my university years as a mad stunt - thankfully, I don’t regret it. I don’t think its chavvy and its something that will always be a part of me.
8. I don’t have any artistic qualifications. Considering I’ve been involved in computer design for over fifteen years, I never opted for any art or design oriented courses. I’ve always focussed on the media and business side of qualifications instead.

Well there you have it - eight random things (or more accurately, confessions) about Simon Jobling. Hopefully these things won’t be held against me and seen more as a bit of insight into my world and what makes me… me!

Time for some tagging now - which unfortunate people who I class as friends (and actually blog) will have to continue this chain mail? In alphabetical order…

1. Kate Bolin - I’m sure you’ve got some things to tell!
2. Owen Gregory - we need some personal information on that blog of yours.
3. Nick Harris - it’s been a bit quiet from up North lately.
4. Andreas Lagerkvist - what better way to exchange links than finding out all your Swedish heritage?
5. Stuart Maynard-Keep - come on then Wolves boy, enlighten us.
6. Ross Riley - again, its been a bit quiet from your part of the Web. And your site is called Sorry Lies, how appropriate.
7. Andy Thelwell - I’ll probably know half your random facts anyway but it would still be fun for the other four readers of your site.
8. Ben Ward - you can stop moaning about your mobile and write something a bit more fun for once.

Have fun guys!