FIRST IMPRESSIONS: MICHAELA STRACHAN
What are you working on at the moment?
I am working with Littlewoods.com to encourage children to spend more time outside, by judging the Treehouse of the Year Competition to unearth the UK’s most innovative children’s outdoor space.
When are you at your happiest?
Right now.
What is your greatest fear?
Becoming neglected. Social media, Wi-Fi, laptops all make us connect with virtual reality, not with reality. It means we have lost community. It can connect you with complete strangers but it disconnects you from the people sitting next to you.
What is your earliest memory?
When on holiday in Kenya with my parents and my brother, I must have been about eight, I loved sitting on top of a Jeep, surrounded by giraffes, zebras and lions.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
The fact that I can’t play a musical instrument, I’m no good at languages, and I can’t surf.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My mother – I have a fantastic relationship with her and she is the one I always go to when I have a problem or a dilemma or a question.
What is your most treasured possession?
My fitness and the fact I can still go for a walk.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Greed.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I’ve learnt to like the things I dislike about myself. I would like a smaller nose, and longer legs. But when I see myself on telly, I do still go, ‘Oh my God… that nose’.
What is your favourite book?
I absolutely love Ben Elton’s books. I have read every one.
And your favourite film?
The funniest film ever is Life Of Brian. My all-time favourite cheerful film is The Wizard Of Oz – my dog’s called Toto.
Your favourite piece of music?
What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. It was played at my father’s and my father-in-law’s funeral. When I hear it, it makes me laugh, but also makes me cry.
What is your favourite meal?
Breakfast. I really like fruit, yogurt and chopped nuts.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
My closest friends. I would have a better evening with people who know me very well than people that I am fascinated by. You’d never get to ask the questions that you want to ask them anyway.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
That I wasn’t funny. I was going through a tricky time and someone said you don’t make me laugh any more. I can’t tell you how much it hurt. I always pride myself on the fact that I can be quite jolly, cheerful and upbeat.
What is your secret vice?
It’s an irritating habit rather than a secret vice – I rub my nose. I also do this horrible thing where I rub my hand from my chin upwards so it turns my nose upwards.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes. I get so cross when people don’t thank me for something.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘To be honest.’ My partner laughs and says, ‘So if you weren’t being honest, what would you say?’
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
To have been born 50 years earlier – I don’t enjoy technology.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘Life is no longer a palaver’.
For more on Michaela’s work with Littlewoods: blog.littlewoods.com
I am working with Littlewoods.com to encourage children to spend more time outside, by judging the Treehouse of the Year Competition to unearth the UK’s most innovative children’s outdoor space.
When are you at your happiest?
Right now.
What is your greatest fear?
Becoming neglected. Social media, Wi-Fi, laptops all make us connect with virtual reality, not with reality. It means we have lost community. It can connect you with complete strangers but it disconnects you from the people sitting next to you.
What is your earliest memory?
When on holiday in Kenya with my parents and my brother, I must have been about eight, I loved sitting on top of a Jeep, surrounded by giraffes, zebras and lions.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
The fact that I can’t play a musical instrument, I’m no good at languages, and I can’t surf.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My mother – I have a fantastic relationship with her and she is the one I always go to when I have a problem or a dilemma or a question.
What is your most treasured possession?
My fitness and the fact I can still go for a walk.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Greed.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I’ve learnt to like the things I dislike about myself. I would like a smaller nose, and longer legs. But when I see myself on telly, I do still go, ‘Oh my God… that nose’.
What is your favourite book?
I absolutely love Ben Elton’s books. I have read every one.
And your favourite film?
The funniest film ever is Life Of Brian. My all-time favourite cheerful film is The Wizard Of Oz – my dog’s called Toto.
What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. It was played at my father’s and my father-in-law’s funeral. When I hear it, it makes me laugh, but also makes me cry.
What is your favourite meal?
Breakfast. I really like fruit, yogurt and chopped nuts.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
My closest friends. I would have a better evening with people who know me very well than people that I am fascinated by. You’d never get to ask the questions that you want to ask them anyway.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
That I wasn’t funny. I was going through a tricky time and someone said you don’t make me laugh any more. I can’t tell you how much it hurt. I always pride myself on the fact that I can be quite jolly, cheerful and upbeat.
What is your secret vice?
It’s an irritating habit rather than a secret vice – I rub my nose. I also do this horrible thing where I rub my hand from my chin upwards so it turns my nose upwards.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes. I get so cross when people don’t thank me for something.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘To be honest.’ My partner laughs and says, ‘So if you weren’t being honest, what would you say?’
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
To have been born 50 years earlier – I don’t enjoy technology.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘Life is no longer a palaver’.
For more on Michaela’s work with Littlewoods: blog.littlewoods.com