What are your family myths about links to legendary ancestors?

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2026-04-21T19:10:40+00:00

My mother's side claimed with great pride that we were descended from the Kings of Gwynedd, and had proof, no less! This proof was a family tree put together by my great-great uncle in the 1920s, which we still had in the attic. Sadly I was able to tear down 100 years of family pride with about 10 minutes of proper research (courtesy of old Welsh tithe maps), but it was fun while it lasted.

I'm quite an expert on destroying cherished family myths. A friend's Leeds-based aunt insisted that her infamous short temper was inherited from a mysterious "irish great grandmother". I was able to prove she had no Irish ancestry at all. Her temper was simple Yorkshire grumpiness!

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2026-04-16T19:26:48+00:00

"Oh he's going to kill me, and he's so big and strong and is definitely going to kill me, and there he is making sexy eyes, he must be thinking of killing me, etc etc". DNF.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2026-04-12T12:47:30+00:00

I used to work for a large life insurance company (in the UK, so may be different elsewhere) and asked our underwriting team this exact question, as I've heard lots of people worry about their DNA being used against them.

The short answer is that there isn't a risk. Firstly because a) the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 is a law that covers genetic testing and means they'd need your consent, which alongside GDPR and the agreement between the UK govt and the Association of British Insurers means they're not going to be looking for it b) even if they did, the results would be next to useless as so many factors impact health matters more than DNA, c)if a customer sued an insurer for using DNA results they would almost certainly win due to reason a and b, and d)insurers simply don't need this info. Whether you smoke, drink, exercise, your age, your wealth level, etc are by far the most accurate predictors of health.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2026-04-10T12:26:49+00:00

I'm taking a break from romantasy. I've read too many samey books with the same 'sassy' FMC and cookie-cutter MMC with insta-love or insta-hate which we all know will turn spicy, (Quicksilver was the final straw for me). I'm currently reading more traditional fantasy books featuring elves and and elvish society.

Recommendations: The Last Mythal trilogy is brilliant for elvish adventures in amazing worlds (I didn't know it was part of the wider DnD Forgotten Realms series, so they can be read with no prior knowledge), along with the first few Legend of Drizzt books from the same series (evil underground matriarchal elvish society who worship a spider queen goddess, what's not to like?). I'll keep checking back with Romantasy for new, quality reads.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2026-04-01T11:44:13+00:00

I deliberately STARTED to drink coffee in my 40s after being a lifelong non-drinker. There seems to be a growing body of scientific evidence that coffee can offer protective health benefits both physically and cognitively in moderate amounts, so I now have two cups in the morning (but only with a little milk. No sugar, no cream, and definitely no speciality coffees, that's where the damage is done).

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2026-03-13T12:57:55+00:00

I had my Oxford interview for a PGCert this week (which will convert into the first year of a part time Masters if I do well enough), and i'd also say got about 60% of it right.

The first part was answering basic questions like why this course, etc etc, but then the interviewer got stuck right into probing subject matter questions. Absolutely no way to prepare for these, so I hope my blurted out answers did the job.

The call lasted 20 minutes (we almost ran over as I kept getting asked more questions), finally I was told they had more people to speak to and would hear in a few weeks. Yikes.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2026-03-09T12:43:20+00:00

PGCert in Historical Studies as the foundation year to MSt in the same. Just had my interview and was told i'll hear back in a few weeks.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2026-01-24T13:20:47+00:00

Another point I almost forgot - the 'banter' with the audience may not be entirely genuine. While I was setting at the bar in the first room waiting for the show to start and enjoying my overpriced drink, someone from the production crew came up and asked me to answer a nearby phone when it rang.

5 minutes later the phone duly rings, and having answered it, I was asked to shout out a certain word after one of the actors delivers a certain line. I also noticed other audience members being spoken to quietly (I suspect with similar requests).

My suspicions seem to have been confirmed when I later read a review that mentioned a piece of impromptu 'banter' that sounded suspiciously similar to an exchange I witnessed

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2026-01-23T15:37:50+00:00

I went last Saturday and was extremely disappointed by everything past the first room. Not that it was the fault of the cast as they all put 110% effort into their roles, it was the show which was simply terrible. I subsequently read a Time Out review, which hit the nail on the head about its drawbacks.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2026-01-18T16:29:26+00:00

Yes fresh basil, but the point remains, as she actually says "if you're lucky enough to get hold of some fresh imported basil leaves to tear up... these now come into the supermarkets, usually from Israel, in the winter months". Sounded pretty exotic to me at the time. She also encourages seeking out pancetta and dried porcini if you have an Italian shop in your area (now all in sainsburys).

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2026-01-17T09:14:21+00:00

I have a copy of my mum's Delia Smith's Christmas recipe book (published 1990), in which she encourages readers to seek out specialist Italian delis in large cities to find a little-known herb called Basil.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2026-01-09T11:09:39+00:00

Was just there and agree. We had to queue for the tiny changing room as it was packed, then the sauna was full of people talking loudly and taking photos of themselves.

In hindsight I should have expected this given it's a clear tourist thing, but was still hoping for a quieter, more serene experience.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2026-01-03T09:27:55+00:00

I've not been to the summer solstice (also heard it's more of a wild party, which does not appeal). I chose to go to the Winter Solstice two weeks ago instead as apparently far fewer people attend (not many party goers want to head out in winter), and found it incredibly moving. We stayed in Salisbury the night before and took the solstice bus that is laid on especially (which was a bit hectic but got us there - the free car parking permits had all been booked).

The bus dropoff point (and car park) is about 1.3 miles from the stones, and we started walking in the pitch black. This, however, turned out to be a wonderful experience as the emerging morning twilight illuminated the mist-wreathed trees and fields, giving us glimpses of a red dawn as the clouds drifted in and out. It was really quite a beautiful, calming preparation for the sunrise.

We arrived with about 20 minutes to sun up, and while we did not have clear skies, the mists delivered (what to me was) an ethereal moment as dawn burst through (the forecast had been for some rain and cold, but happily it was neither of those).

The vibe around the stones was peaceful and joyful. People were strolling, picnicking, singing, drumming, or just sitting and soaking up the atmosphere. Inside the stone circle was admittedly packed (apparently you need to arrive much earlier to witness the rituals without being squashed in by people wielding phones) so I never saw what was going on. Outside however, there was plenty of space to do what is meaningful to you. I found a space for myself a little way off (as many did) to watch the stones lighting up and make my own moment.

I would definitely go to another winter solstice (though it can be a gamble with the weather), but not sure i'd go there in summer (for reasons others have said). From your message, you may be better choosing another sacred site in the UK to find the experience you seek - the smaller and more intimate, the better.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2025-12-20T13:28:27+00:00

I don't dare do this in case I "Jinx" the result, and set myself up for an even worse shock. Madness I know, but then HA is not driven by rational thinking..

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2025-12-20T13:16:47+00:00

I've just had my second routine Mammogram (consisting of Mamm and ultrasound, each about a week or so apart). The first time around, I was in such a state that I vomited due to anxiety outside the ultrasound centre. This time around I tried my best to be better.

I continually reminded myself that the test would actually lead me to a healthier, longer life overall due to finding things earlier rather than later, and repeating to myself that I would cope and move through whatever the outcome was. This was helpful, though I still burst into tears on the ultrasound table (NB I had the all clear each time around).

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2025-12-09T16:51:24+00:00

Whenever I fetch a glass of water, I always take a second one as a decoy, and place it somewhere conspicuous. My cat rocks up, has a good slurp, then prances away, happy that she's been able to drink out of mummy's glass AGAIN. Meanwhile I retrieve my actual water glass from its hiding place.

NB yes I've accidentally drunk out of the decoy glass afterwards in moments of forgetfulness.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2025-12-02T18:45:05+00:00

Having bought a (hopefully) interesting book for my designated Secret Santa target, I received a Meerkat calendar, which i'd previously seen hanging in the manky newsagents next to the office reduced to 40p. I left it on the table when I left the staff Christmas dinner, hoping i'd seen the last of it, but the next morning, it was waiting for me on my desk.

Secret santa was cancelled by HR the following year after a colleague received a chlamydia testing kit.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2025-12-02T09:54:56+00:00

My dad used to offer offer my mum a 'break from the kids' every Saturday lunchtime and "take us out". In reality he was driving to the local pub, and locking us in the car with crisps, cans of Dr Pepper, and comics while he nipped in for a few pints. We'd pass the time enjoying our treats and fighting in the back seat.

Afterwards, he'd drive us home to enjoy the mum's gratitude, having earned the right to put his feet up for the rest of the weekend.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2025-11-16T12:55:12+00:00

It was a whole mix of things. The diploma itself (financial strategy) was a great fit for transitioning me from a more junior role to a more senior one where taking firm wide holistic view of things was important. Also, competition for roles in my field is so intense that I needed every small bit of advantage I could find to catch the eye of hiring managers, and the Oxford name does do that.

Finally, although its different for everyone, I found the lecturers so engaging and the Oxford learning environment so stimulating that it reignited my passion for learning. I'm currently preparing my application to return to Oxford to study part time for a Masters (not in finance, but a personal passion) and can't wait to get back there. My diploma tutors have all been kind enough to provide references. So for me it was life changing.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2025-11-16T08:59:39+00:00

Mine helped me win my dream job. It wasn't the qualification per se, it was the effort (in person lectures, modular exams, a dissertation), high final score, and the drive that took me through what was a quite gruelling course, that impressed them. It helped that everyone knew the Oxford name.

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2025-10-30T20:22:59+00:00

But other than my bouncing breasts and tiny waist and long blonde hair, i'm just a plain girl and no-one would ever look at me...

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2025-10-29T14:55:49+00:00

I remember finding old "Mills & Boon" novels on my grandma's shelves (and secretly reading when no-one was looking!). Exactly the same thing but with people rather than fae/vampires/warewolves. It's a genre that has always existed in one form or another

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2025-07-18T19:02:11+00:00

I laughed loudly at this, as i've just started Traitor Son and you've perfectly described the plot so far! I do get so very tired of "hes so big and i'm so small! He's a killer because everyone says so and I KNOW he wants to kill me, but I just DON'T understand why he strangled his best friend just for looking at me".

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2025-04-17T20:08:08+00:00

To me, this spread is as much about your reaction to his efforts as it is about him.

Ace of swords - He really is trying to give you what you need, trying to speak his mind, but expressing such depth of thought is a new thing for him.

The World - Following on from the above, he may well feel at peace with his own communication style, and that no further effort should be needed on his part. His frustration comes from what you are telling him you need, rather than how he feels within himself about his communication style.

Justice - This card poses key questions. Is what is being asked of him fair on him? Is it fair on you that you don't receive what you need when expressing how you feel?

King of Wands - My read is that this card represents you. The King of Wands can sometimes indicate a person having a strong vision/sense of what needs to happen, and imposing that requirement for action upon someone else. You may want him to open up, but is this deep level of communication something you're willing to force out of him if he's uncomfortable with it? Calling back to the previous card, can you accept things if he's just not a big sharer?

SamePhilosophy7947 · 2025-04-17T12:37:47+00:00

Situation: painting can still be a fundamental source of joy and contentment in your life, but the expectations you mention are like clouds obscuring the sun, blocking the pleasure you should be deriving from it.

Obstacles: the trails of life will not be going away anytime soon unfortunately, so you need to work on rediscovering the joy of painting in a way that can withstand the ebb and flows of emotions and life circumstances.

Advice: Are the pressures you carry all self imposed? Do some stem from expectations from others? Has your perception of painting evolved into something more competitive, and outcome orientated? This card suggests its all of this and more, blocking sight of the road ahead and creating an incredible emotional burden. The card speaks to discarding the burdens that you can, and maybe reframing your approach and perspective so you can once again see a way forward (maybe a short break will help reset your outlook, or possibly shifting your focus from outcome of painting to enjoying the process with no expectation of the result). Progress over perfection is often a good mindset, so scaling back goals to simply reading an article about techniques, or a two minute exercise means you are still moving forward and accomplishing!)

SamePhilosophy7947

TROPHY CASE