Glenda interviewed

[selespeed]

Forum name
Glenda

Real name
Glenda Clarke

Age
33

Occupation
Training Manager for Baileys Irish Cream (Its a tough job but somebodys gotta do it)

Lives
Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland

Marital Status
Married

What cars do you drive and why?
2000 Alfa Romeo 145 1.8 T-Spark
I drive it because I have a long commute to work and need a car that is fun to drive.

Are you a real passionate for Alfa Romeo?
so I get more passionate about the cars and brand with every journey.

What or how started your passion for Alfa Romeo and…
… do you think its fundamental to own one to have the passion?
Just recently bought my Alfa, I saw it in the local Autotrader, fell in love with the styling and it was love at first “Fleech” (Northern Ireland term for a spirited test drive)

I don’t think it’s essential to have a car to be passionate about it. I LOVE Mk 2 Ford Escorts but have never owned one…. It still doesn’t stop me going weak at the kness every time I see one!

What do you like most about Alfas?
They handle so well, I am finding myself looking for roads with loads of corners and the cars are very stylish, there are loads of little touches that you only notice as you live with the car for a while. Theres also the head turning effect that they have on people. The first night I had mine, a guy stared at it so long as I drove past that he steered his bike into a tree!

What do you like least about Alfas?
The ribbing I get from my mates about the reputation Alfas have for being unreliable

What would be your dream cars?
155 DTM (Martini colours)
Mark 2 Ford Escort.
TVR Chimera

What car would you least like to have?
Vauxhall Astra / Opel Kadette…… everybody without imagination has one, especially in silver.

For you, what’s the most popular thread on AO?
As I’ve only recently got my Alfa, I’m spending a lot of time in the 145 lounge, just to get a feel for what might be ahead for me.
I also like the “Introduce yourself” section.

What would be your ideal drive in an Alfa (destination, passenger, driving music, etc)?
There is a brilliant road from Belfast all along the coast to Portrush, it’s quite a challenging drive but also with loads of really nice places to stop and take in the views or have a picnic, so that would be the ideal road. Ideal passenger (Apart from my other half) would be David Hyde Pierce (Niles from Frasier) and the music would be anything by Handel.

Any humorous Alfa or car-related stories you wish to share with us?
Not yet, but give me some time.

What interests do you have outside of Alfas?
My husband and family, the outdoors, motorsports and good single Malt Scotch.

Tell us something nobody knows about you. (e.g. special skill, ever been on TV, etc)
I once had 2 pet lambs, one called Lamb Chop, the other was called Mint Sauce. (I was brought up on a farm where we raised our own dinners!!)

What do you like most about Alfaowner forum? Any favourite threads, episodes or posts you wish to share?
There's such a wide variety of people and there is a real feeling of community.

Does being a woman among so many men affects the way you express your opinions about cars?
Nope, I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy so talking about cars comes naturally. Also, my husband is a bit of a petrolhead so if I didn’t take an interest in cars and motorsport in general, we’d never have a conversation!

[Toronto Spider]

Gee that was fast. Normally these interviews take weeks and weeks to happen.

You realize that by admitting your occupation, you'll be expected to buy the drinks at every forthcoming AO meeting. It's not too late yet to change your title to "broom repair specialist, ACME cleaning company." I don't think we've had any requests for broom repairs yet.

Don't be shy about popping into the threads outside of the 145 lounge. We're a pretty friendly bunch, and we're not too hard on newbies.
--Toronto

[bazza]

You train people to drink Baileys?
Welcome to the forum, and well done on getting them to organise an interview. I've been here 2 years and they still haven't managed me

[glenda]

I told you it was a tough job
and yes Bazza, I had to organise sensory training for the unfortunate people who make the Baileys and then have to taste it every 30 mins to ensure consistent high standards....... and you guys only thought MY job was tough


Toronto, I used to be an Administrator of NI-BMW forum and ended up being the "Refreshments Specialist" there, so I know it kinda goes with the territory

[Toronto Spider]

I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting yourself into, but it looks like I needn't have worried. I get the feeling you're going to fit right in here.
--Toronto

[Pasi]

Originally Posted by bazza

You train people to drink Baileys?

Must be fun to begin with... when the evening goes on, it might become somewhat annoying when all the "students" have had few (asuming the "teacher" doesn't drink on job )

[glenda]

Originally Posted by Pasi

Must be fun to begin with... when the evening goes on, it might become somewhat annoying when all the "students" have had few (asuming the "teacher" doesn't drink on job )

It's not just in the evening Pasi, the first shift starts at 7 am

Some of the crew don't touch the stuff outside of work

[Hoygaard]

Originally Posted by glenda

Some of the crew don't touch the stuff outside of work

I wont hold that against them

[Buck Bundy]

Thanks Glenda, you are one of the very few who have answered the

… do you think its fundamental to own one to have the passion?

question that way. Loads haven't answered it at all, and quite a few have answered it as if it was asking whether it was fundamental to have the passion to own one.

You have obviously taken it to mean "Do you have to own an Alfa to be passionate about Alfas?" which is exactly how I read it.

10/10

Buck

[Trailbraker]

Quite a characterful taste in cars

The stretch of road you mention must be one of very the last bits of coastline I have yet to see in Ireland!
Over a number of years I have seen almost every other part of the coast of the Island taking the most minor roads if neccessary to keep the sea in sight as much as possible.

Nice to hear I have left a nice stretch till the end

TB

Originally Posted by glenda

There is a brilliant road from Belfast all along the coast to Portrush, it’s quite a challenging drive but also with loads of really nice places to stop and take in the views or have a picnic, so that would be the ideal road.

[glenda]

Originally Posted by Trailbraker

Quite a characterful taste in cars

The stretch of road you mention must be one of very the last bits of coastline I have yet to see in Ireland!
Over a number of years I have seen almost every other part of the coast of the Island taking the most minor roads if neccessary to keep the sea in sight as much as possible.

Nice to hear I have left a nice stretch till the end

TB

TB, there is an especially good viewpoint called Torrs Head so theres a landmark for you to look up to get your bearings.
And as for my taste in cars, I pride myself in not having the average female taste in cars



By the way Buck, great minds think alike

[Trailbraker]

Great - will circle it on the map now for future reference

Cheers,
TB

Originally Posted by glenda

TB, there is an especially good viewpoint called Torrs Head so theres a landmark for you to look up to get your bearings.

[Fraser]

Nice interview Glenda. Although I was disappointed to see that it wasn't me that was your second ideal partner


[EDIT: sorry.....passenger. Freudian slip ]

[rarebear]

Glenda ! glad to have you onboard in this here male dominated car looney brigade.. too few females, but it will get better now !

[Drivers71]

Lovely interview Glenda, but....................
a Mk2 ESCORT?????? You're kidding us, right?

[Kevin Slegg]

Nice interview; but what happened to the lambs

[BigFoot]

Nice interview Glenda (and great avatar )

[glenda]

Crikey, this thread hasn't seen daylight for quite a while

But, here are the answers to your comments

Originally Posted by Drivers71

Lovely interview Glenda, but....................
a Mk2 ESCORT?????? You're kidding us, right?

I most certainly am not joking, in my humble opinion they are one of the most awesome (Non Alfa) cars ever to grace the roads

Originally Posted by Kevin Slegg

Nice interview; but what happened to the lambs

They were DELICIOUS

Originally Posted by BigFoot

Nice interview Glenda (and great avatar )

Ta BF