People who've made a positive difference to your life

[Stay Positive]

Which people, particularly ones you don't know, have enriched - or had a positive impact - on your life?

For me I'd have to say:

Paul Janssen - As a sufferer of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), I have the unfortunate problem of feeling fine one minute and then being absolutely desperate for a dump the next. This is not an ideal situation and is actually very embarrassing at times.

However, Janssen and his medical company, Janssen pharmaceutica were the ones responsible for developing Imodium. So if ever I have to go anywhere for a lengthy amount of time, I'll pop a couple of those in my mouth and i'm sorted for the day.

This is particularly good if I'm going to the footie. Nothing worse than having to go for a dump at our stadium. I've only ever had to do it once and it was hell.

Martin O'Neill - for giving me (and everyone else) some of the greatest days out of my life. Away at Old Trafford, Play-Off final against Crystal Palace, league cup wins and so forth. Having said that, Brain Little deserves an honorary mention for the best of the lot - the Derby play-off final win.

Adam Ant - because he made me want to be a pop star when I was a kid and was the reason I formed many bands over the years and had hundreds of memorable gigs and days out as first guitarist and then singer in various groups. Tremendous fun.

I'm sure there are loads of others, if I think long enough about it.

[jonthefox]

my best mate justin. He was there during the good times, but i noticed him more during the shit times.

[Stay Positive]

my best mate justin. He was there during the good times, but i noticed him more during the shit times.

That's when you always find out who your true mates are. <_<

[General Smuts]

The fella who hacked Scarlett Johanssons phone and had the forsight to put the nudey pics on the internet.

My wrist hates you but my boner loves you.

[HEGGSY]

My mate Blaize. Known him all my life, he went through a hard time in his life last year...not once did he complain kept his chin up and now...plays for Grimsby town youth and been on the fringes of the first team, class

Taught me to always look to the future.

[Trav Le Bleu]

Kurt Cobain - without whom I might never have grown a goatee and therefore maybe not have appeared so attractive to my wife (I understand it was a deciding factor.)

[The Doctor]

When this has the latest post in gen chat on the homepage it reads People who've made a po...

Which I read as "people who've made a poo" and found very humorous.

[The Year Of The Fox]

My old boss who got me into city and englannd away games. a second dad to me

[Got Any Uncle Ben's?]

You.

[Finnegan]

You.

"Look after your broom."

[Mickey O'Neil]

My mate Davinder. I wouldn't be a nurse now if it wasn't for him, that's 100% nailed on.

He f.ucking annoys me though, won't let me say thanks for anything he does for me. If I won the lotto, he's the only person outside my family i'd give money to. Except the f.ucker wouldn't accept it. I'd probably pay to have the roof on his Gudwara fixed or something.

[Saxondale]

Going off on a bit of a tangent, it's interesting to think about tiny, seemingly insignificant events that alter the course of your life.

For example, my choice of degree course was inspired by an overheard conversation.

[MC Prussian]

I know it sounds corny and relatives shouldn't be mentioned, but I have to nominate my grandparents - because, thanks to being one generation ahead of my dad and mum and having gone through the horrors of WWII, they've always maintained a much more relaxed view of life and things in general.

Never had that much money to spare, but have always been as generous as they can be. I love them both for that simple fact alone.

They're always so nice and I dread to think of the day they both will be no more.

There's also a couple of good friends from my school days, people where you instantly notice how easy it "clicks", people who share a similar outlook on life and/or are just plain fun to be around.

A few teachers also stand out - I mean the ones that actually care about you as an individual, the ones who know that teaching isn't just about getting the subject across.

Or my film history teacher at VFS, a great guy by the name of Bruce Marchfelder, who taught me to "see" a movie, rather than just "watching" it.

It was also through him that I got to know Joseph Campbell and his writing on mythology. I think more people should be braver and simply follow their individual bliss.

I thank a few novelists who've spoken to me as a youth and still speak to me - above all, Hermann Hesse.

And also a big shout out to the people you meet in daily life who, through one way or another, make you question your current status quo and/or help you with advice or insight.