Between the lines: Colin Rae

• What’s the longest or most unusual word you’ve used (in your texts) this week?

“Retrofuturistisch” amused me. At first I was convinced that I had found a new oxymoron, but it turns out retrofuturistic does exist. In this instance it had to do with designs that resemble what previous generations thought the future would look like.

• Of all the languages you don’t speak, which one would you most like to learn and why?

In terms of usefulness it’d be Italian – my wife, boys and I usually go there once a year and it bothers me that I have only basic words and phrases. But really I’d love to learn Japanese. I spent some time there about 15 years ago and fell in love not only with the language, but also the people, culture and especially the food.

• What are you reading right now?

“The Paris Review Book: Of Heartbreak, Madness, Sex, Love, Betrayal, Outsiders, Intoxication, War, Whimsy, Horrors, God, Death, Dinner, Baseball, Travels, The Art of Writing, and Everything Else in the World Since 1953”. It’s a great selection of what has appeared in the Paris Review magazine over the years and I can always find something of the right length and tone to fit my day and mood.

• Beer or wine?

Both, though not in the same glass. 

• Beach holiday or city break?

City break. As a Scot, I’m too pale and too sensitive to the sun to feel like I belong on a beach.

• Chocolate or vanilla?

Vanilla.