Tony Harrison

A man with wisdom talks about life in the 80's and the government today. 

 What was it like growing up in the 80's? 

Was quite tough I would say. I lived in a mining town in the north east called Seaham. We went through the miners strike which put my parents through a lot. They had no money and I had to eat meals from big dining halls, very basic food but it was free. I never liked school, hated it. Again quite a tough school. I never got physically bullied but lots of verbal bullying apart from the last two years at school when it stopped. I was very, very, shy and quiet at school and underachieved in my GCSE'S. 

 What would be your ultimate job and why? 
Ideally I would not need to work. I always wondered about being a photojournalist capturing big world events in all sorts of countries. Very dangerous job but would be amazing to do it well and experience history at first hand. 

 How do you think life has changed for teenagers from now to when you grew up? 

The most obvious change is the technology. We used to play mostly outside - football, cricket on the park and even hide and seek and tag when really young. Nowadays it seems to be more about video games and the huge choice of TV channels. It's not a change for the better as less exercise creates an unhealthier society. Some things are harder for kids now - more expectations to achieve at school and university. And it costs much more to study at Uni, however there are less guarantees of a good job even with a degree. The media are tougher on kids now.

If you could have one wish right now what would it be? 

It has to be the ultimate wish which can never happen - world peace, no poverty, no killing, everyone getting on. On a more realistic level I'd like to live in a nice house, probably in North Yorkshire, maybe Whitby or the Yorkshire Dales area.

What was it about Lisa that caught your eye? 

I met Lisa online so it's harder to answer. It was one of those things really... a gut feeling from chatting. After a few months we met up at the Sunderland Airshow and got on really well. After that we took turns visiting each other and after another few months I moved to Rutland to live with Lisa.

What do you think the government can change to decrease crimes from the youth? 
I think younger people today feel like the government don't care about their generation. The government is quick to preach to the youth but slow to praise them or help them. That is no excuse for the recent riots though. I think spend less money on foreign wars that don't help our country and invest in youth projects and facilities would be a good idea.

 Do you think if you were rich you would be living a different lifestyle and have a different personality and why? 

Very much so on the lifestyle. I would travel abroad a lot, visiting as many different countries as possible to experience their cultures, historic sites and food. I would make sure my family and friends shared my wealth first of all. What good is money if you can't share the happiness from it? I would like to think my personality wouldn't change but money can change a lot of people so I'd have to see how it affected me.

 How do you unwind on a day off? 

Generally I'm very lazy. Unwinding for me usually means not having to do anything. I like to have a few drinks, watch TV, use twitter and play computer games.

 What things annoy you? 

Religion and oil causing wars and needless death and destruction. The way the US and UK think they can control the rest of the world and always take the moral high ground. Ignorance, greed, selfishness, people who make out they are someone that they're not. On twitter I get annoyed by people who 'call out' someone that unfollows them and those who expect lots of attention but don't give the same back.

 What toys did you used to play with? 

I remember the Star Wars figures and millennium falcon most of all. Star Wars was huge around  that time. Also board games like Cluedo, Hungry Hippos, Snakes and Ladders, Guess Who. Top Trumps card games. There weren't as many toys around in those days compared to now and it was mainly outdoor sports I spent my time on. 

If you have any questions I'm sure Tony will be more than happy to answer them. Follow him on Twitter @tonyhson.