Random Stuff

Okay, seems I've been tagged for a meme by Penny and Lisa, and (as usual) am very late getting to it.

(Sorry, ladies.)

The rules are as follows:

I must write a post listing 10 weird, random, facts, habits or goals about myself then choose six people to be tagged, list their names and why I tagged them.

All righty, then-- here we go:

#1. I'm the last to finish eating at every meal-- even if I don't do any talking.

I eat that slow.

#2. One of my baby teeth didn't fall out until my senior year in high school.

#3. My idea of fun is working through some form of creative challenge.

Case in point:

A number of months ago, I read several books about HTML, XHTML and CSS, then created at least half a dozen Blogger blogs for the sole purpose of messin' with the template designs...

(Yee hah!)

#4. Even though I'm gonna have a ton more time for myself when Evan starts kindergarten in the fall, I'm already missing her...

#5. I never learned how to play a musical instrument... in an effort to rectify this, I'm in the process of teaching myself how to play the piano using the Sudnow Method.

(If you're ever out my way, just ask me to play "Misty" for you... )

#6. Though reasonably intelligent, I've been known to experience moments of extreme stupidity.

For example:

A few years ago -- while sitting upstairs nursing Evan -- I heard a loud siren. I remember thinking:

What an odd time for a drill.

No one downstairs had heard the siren (music was playing on the stereo at the time), and when I came down for dinner -- despite looking out the kitchen window and noticing that the the sky was an odd shade of green -- I didn't say anything about the siren I'd heard.

(I was pretty sleep deprived at the time-- Evan was teething, you see.)

Anyhow, minutes later I sat down to dinner with Ryan, one of my sisters, her husband and our kids.

The lights flickered off and on a few times as we ate; hard rain pounded the skylights above us-- and for a minute, we heard what sounded like a freight train rumbling past.

"It must be hail," I'd said.

Uh huh.

Less than an hour later, we discovered that a tornado had ripped through our neighborhood.



It had been on our street.



Just six houses from our own.



#7. I'm the only member of my very large family to move out of New England.

(And after the above experience, I've begun to question this decision.)

#8. June 5th was my 15-year wedding anniversary...


... August 23rd will mark the 22nd anniversary of the day Ryan and I met.

And, folks.

I am still crazy about the man.



#9. While writing is one of the most satisfying -- and at times, easiest -- things I do, settling down (both physically and mentally) to write is one of the hardest.

#10. Last year, a local ice cream shop introduced a flavor called "Hot Chocolate."

Deep, dark "Zanzibar" chocolate, laced with cayenne.

Can't. Stay. Away....

As far as tagging others, I'm so very late here that I'm gonna tag anyone who reads this and hasn't done it!

My Six Word Memoir

         Joy

           Pain

            Confusion

               Understanding

                  Determination

Repeat.

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Thanks to Nicole for the tag.

Rules for this interesting little meme are as follows:

1) Write your own six word memoir;
2) Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like;
3) Link to the person that tagged you in your post, and to the original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere;
4) Tag at least five more blogs with links; and
5) Don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

Since I'm so late to this one, I'm tagging anyone else who'd like to give it a go.

A Meme... with a few old snaps

Amylia, Jamie, and Heidi tagged me for the meme that's spreading like wildfire throughout the OC.

To participate, one must:

• Link to the person’s blog who tagged you.
• Post these rules on your blog.
• List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself
• Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
• Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog.

Seven, huh?

Well, here we go...

#1. Recently, I made the rather shocking discovery that I am incapable of telling a joke.

Now, it's not that I'm not funny.

Oh, I'm funny.

I just can't tell a joke.

How do I know this?

Because my husband proved it to me after dinner one night last week when, despite much coaching on his part, I could not tell a simple joke.

It kept coming out like this:

"A guy walks into a bar with a duck on his head. Bartender says: 'Hey, what's that duck doing on your head?' Ughhhhh... Wait, wait-- let me try again. A guy walks into a bar with a duck on his head. Bartender says, 'Hey, why is that thing on your head?' GAH!"

And so on.

(Big-time kudos to whoever knows the name of the truly awesome movie this pathetically-rendered joke comes from.)

#2. I was a thumb sucker.

Until I was nearly 8-years old.

Always the right thumb.

When asked why not the other, I told people the left thumb tasted like pepper.

#3. I came darn close to dying after giving birth to Joseph.

Darn close.

Two days after a perfectly normal (albeit long), intervention-free labor and birth-- I was admitted to the hospital with sepsis (an infection in the blood).


Thankfully, Ryan and Joseph were allowed to stay with me.

It took a week in the hospital and two
weeks recovering at home before I could
finally take my boy outside for a walk.







#4. I have a trick left thumb. Ryan thought it best not to include a photo.

Let's just say it's tricky.

#5. When I was very young, my mother's nickname for me was "Tilly Tippy Twinkle Toes."

#6. As kids, whenever my siblings and I watched the Wizard of Oz, we'd yell "I'm the ___!"-- and then call out the name of the character we wanted to "be" for the duration of the movie.

I always chose the Scarecrow.

#7. And finally, I will end this meme on a totally random note:

My 80s haircut.

Admittedly, not all that outrageous compared to some.

Ahhh-- but look at the inspiration:



And then, that inspiration fully (and finally) realized at an office Halloween party--
c. 1986.

Oh yeah.

Big 80s.



There you have it.

I realize that most folks have already been tagged, but I'm tagging nonetheless:

Tom, Scott Marvel, Val, Elizabeth, Jen, and Wil-- if you haven't shared your seven already and would like to join in the fun, consider yourself tagged!

Five Facts

Yikes! Ryan Bruner tagged me last week, and I'm just now getting to this. (We had a really busy weekend over here)

So here's the scoop-- I must reveal five relatively unknown facts about myself, and then tag five other people.

Here you go:

• During a parent-teacher conference, my first grade teacher told my mom that I "walked with too heavy a foot" -- that apparently, I made an awful racket whenever I took my seat in class. This, despite the fact that I was the smallest kid in my class.
  

• I'm a longtime fan of martial arts films -- I've owned a collection of Bruce Lee movies for over 20 years; saw Jackie Chan films at an art house theater in Chicago years before they were dubbed and in wide release; and -- even though Bruce Lee had been passed over in favor of David Carradine -- was crazy about the series, Kung Fu. (Yet I've never, ever taken karate. Go figure.)

• Though I'm right handed, I cannot snap the fingers of my right hand. At. All. Nor can I "drum" those fingers in any sort of coordinated fashion. However, those fingers on the left can do both beautifully.
  

• The only fist fight I've ever been in (outside of those with siblings) was when I was ten, and it was over a stray cat. She was beautiful-- white with large black spots that made her look very much like a little cow. I'd found her, named her (Spot) and was caring for her, when the girl who lived next door decided she wanted to take the cat for herself. A scuffle ensued, ending quickly when I slugged her in the stomach.

• In the 26 years I lived in New England, I never ate fish-- just couldn't stand the smell. Shortly after moving to the midwest, I acquired a taste for seafood-- beginning with the raw variety (sushi is still a favorite).
  

And since I'm so late on this, if you haven't been tagged already and would like to be, consider yourself tagged!

A Little Self Disclosure

Evan is sick. We have a bug problem. And Joseph's love life is getting just a little too interesting.

Details coming soon...

In the meantime, how about a Meme (courtesy of Penny)?

1. Do you still have tonsils?

Indeed, yes.

Despite chronic tonsillitis as a child and having been told by a pediatrician (who didn't subscribe to the then popular "pull 'em" philosophy) that mine were "certainly on the large side."

2. Would you bungee jump?

Never-- can't stand being upside down.

Freaks. Me. Out.

3. If You Could Do Anything In The World For A Living What Would It Be?

An artist . . . who also writes . . . who happens to be a world class chef . . . with a thriving midwifery practice . . .

4. How many tattoos do you have?

None-- never liked needles.

Ironic, eh?

5. Your favorite fictional animal?

Three-way tie:

Bugs Bunny, Bullwinkle J. Moose and Ren.

6. One person that never fails to make you laugh?

My sister, Teresa.

The woman slays me every time I talk with her. Every. Time.

7. Do you consider yourself well organized?

Depends on the situation.

8. Any Addictions?

Love the sugar and "white" carbs-- am working to change that, though.

9. From what news source do you receive the bulk of your news?

Two weekly magazines-- The Nation (yup, I'm a lefty) and The Economist (love to get world news-- and from a perspective outside of this country). And of course, the internet-- mostly from Salon.

Newspapers annoy me. Too many ads.

10. Would you rather go to a carnival or circus?

A carnival-- you get to do something, not just watch.

11. When you were twelve years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An artist.

12. Best Movie You've Seen This Year?

The only one that comes to mind at the moment is Dr. Jack. Just watched it the other night with Ryan and the kids.

Harold Lloyd was a genius.

13.Favorite alcoholic drink

A glass of really good red wine.

14. What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Pour a cup of coffee.

Yes, yes, I'm back on the coffee-- but only two cups a day.

Honest.

15. Siblings?

Six -- three boys, three girls.

16. What is the best thing about your job?

Being a stay-at-home mom means I don't miss any of the milestones, and I have plenty of time to just play with my kids.

17. Have you ever gone to therapy?

Yup. One of the best things I ever did for myself.

18. If you could have one super power what would it be?

Fly. I'd really like to fly.

But being super strong would be cool, too.

But if I could heal, well then, that would trump both.

19. Do you own any furniture from Ikea?

Yes. A few small things, and a fabulous chest of drawers I found for Evan at a yard sale. It came from IKEA.

Man, I wish I didn't have to go to the next state to visit an IKEA store.

20. Have you ever gone camping?

Only twice-- just last spring to the School Forest with Evan, Joseph, and his classmates.

And eleven years ago, when I was pregnant with Joseph.

21. Gas prices! First thought?

Yikers!

And then-- hmmm... they're coming down . . . we must be coming up on an election.

22. Your favorite cartoon character?

The Tick.

23. What was your first car?

A used white '74 Dodge Dart Sport (said in your best New England accent).

It had a fabulous red stripe, and I loved that it looked so much like Starsky's striped tomato.

24. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?

Absolutely not.

25. The Cosby Show or the Simpsons?

The Simpsons. Though I do love Bill.

26. Do you go to church?

No.

27. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?

George W. Bush. I would let him know exactly what I think of his presidency.

And it wouldn't be pretty.

28. What errand/chore do you despise?

Laundry. For the same reason Penny cites.

The act of doing it doesn't really bother me. It's the relentlessness of it. At times, I feel like Sisyphus as I haul that laundry basket upstairs yet again.

Knowing it's just gonna be refilled and is comin' back down the next day. Ugh.

29. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?

The "alarm" was Joseph waking me to help him gather supplies for an after-school outing.

First thought-- "What a beautiful kid."

30. Last time you puked from drinking?

Just once-- twenty-four years ago.

31. What is your heritage?

French, French-Canadian, Irish and English.

Mostly French/French Canadian, though.

32. Favorite flower?

Yet another tie-- Dahlias (in all of their brilliant colors) and Black-eyed Susans.

33. Disney or Warner Bros?

Warner Bros. Definitely Warner Bros.

34. What is your best childhood memory?

Probably walking around our block with my little sister, Teresa, telling her stories about what we were going to do when we grew up (we did this all the time) --while sharing a stick of Big Buddy Bubble Gum that I would fold neatly in half before breaking so that we'd have exactly the same amount.

35. Your favorite potato chip?

Zapp's Cajun Dill Potato Chips.

They come from Louisiana, and they're awesome!

36. What is your favorite candy?

Dark Chocolate.

Anything dark-- but especially from here.

37. Do you burn or tan?

Generally, tan.

Unless I do something stupid.

38. Astrological sign?

Cancer.

39. Do you own a gun?

No.

40. What do you think of hot dogs?

I try not to. Especially if I'm eating one.

There you have it. Feel free to join in the self-disclosing fun.

Vivian did.

More Tag

Caro tagged me, sooooo....

Four jobs I’ve had in my life:

1. Telemarketer-- (yup, in my youth I was one of those annoying people-- though I only called folks at work, where you know, most didn't mind the interruption)
2. Vice President (of a marketing company)
3. Part-time Editor (of a drama anthology while in college/a labor-union publication while pregnant with Joseph)
4. Childbirth Instructor/Birth Assistant (Doula) -- Next to being a mom, best job I ever had.
   

Four movies I can watch over and over (defined as movies I cannot channel surf past):

1. The Princess Bride
2. Brazil (1985 Terry Gilliam film)
   
3. Strictly Ballroom
4. Napoleon Dynamite
   

Four places I have lived:

1. Massachusetts (born and raised)
   
2. Chicago, IL
   
3. Wisconsin

.... only three, I'm afraid.

Four TV shows I love to watch:

1. Arrested Development-- Best. Show. On. Television. (Boo... and it's gonna be cancelled)
2. Alias (Cancelled. Do you see a pattern here?)
   
3. Survivor (I blame my mother-in-law, who got me hooked last year-- and given the pattern above, may live to regret it)
4. David Letterman (when I have the energy to stay up and watch) I love this man.
   

Now, I'm sure there'd be more, but since we are a family without cable, I'm way out of the TV loop.

Four places I have been on vacation:

1. Portugal
2. Athens/Crete
3. Jakarta, Indonesia
   
4. London

... all in the "TBC "(Time Before Children)

Four of my favorite foods:

1. Dark Chocolate. The darker the better.
2. Lox with Cream Cheese, Tomato, Red Onion & Capers on a Potato Bagel
3. Indian Food (i.e., Sag Paneer, Chicken Tikka Masala, Samosas with Chutney... all of it!)
   
4. A Fluffernutter (pronounced fluffa-nutta) . . . well, only if the kids are having one ;-)
   

Four websites I visit daily:

1. Bloglines (where I read updates from all of the blogs linked here)
2. Salon.com
3. The rest kind of vary from day to day as there's not much time to visit elsewhere...
   

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. Some place warm
2. . . . really, really warm
3. Did I mention the warmth?
4. And yeah, sipping a warming libation would be nice too.
   

OK, I tag:

Allison
Alicia
Tekakwitha
Shannon
and Johnboy

Feeling a Little Random Today

A very tardy, really random Five...

Random Fact #1:

John Astin once yelled at me.



That's right, Gomez Addams.

A much younger, totally star-struck Sandra recognized him while he was directing actors on location at Venice Beach, California.

I was with my sister, Teresa. We thought we'd just stroll along with the rest of the walk-on's in the scene . . . . didn't think he'd notice.

Uh huh.

Random Fact #2:

About eight years ago I had a rather large mole inadvertently removed from the back of my left shoulder by an overzealous, laser-wielding dermatologist.

I still miss that mole.

Random Fact #3:

This one is for those who've ever wondered about the "Artist" part of my internet moniker.

Many years ago, I decided with absolute certainty that when I grew up I was going to be an artist.

It took over 20 years for me to remember that fact.

Random Fact #4:

As a result of the above long-overdue epiphany, almost four years ago I tried sculpting in clay for the very first time-- taking a basic "sculpting-with-clay" class.

The first assignment was to make a small bowl. Part way through the class, I didn't like what I was making. So I collapsed the thing, and saw something very different -- something quite unexpected -- in the clay.

This...





Three months later, I was pregnant with Evan.

Life imitating art, I guess.

Random Fact #5:

Once every few years or so I buy myself a can of Deviled Ham, spread some of this canned-meat-of-my-youth on two slices of white bread, spruce it up with a few leaves of lettuce, and tuck in.



Savoring each and every bite.

But when I'm done, well, I just feel kinda sick.
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To continue the random fun, I'm tagging a trio of moms:

Jamie at Olsen Family Diary
Penny at my son has diabetes
and Vivian at DanielDoo

Have fun, ladies!