8 Random Facts About Me
June 5, 2008 · Print This Article
Have you ever met a barefoot kilt-wearing Viking? I have. His name is Brett and he blogs at 6 weeks. Brett tagged me to come up with eight random facts about myself, a challenge he’s already tackled. This one’s making the rounds! Read all the way to the bottom and see if I tagged YOU.
1. I Have Poetry Disorder
Something happens to me when I’m reading and writing a lot of poetry. I start thinking in rhymes, and various poetic devices like alliteration and meter start making random appearances in the pieces I write, from blog posts to notes scrawled in my journal. I actually feel that my love affair with poetry makes me a better writer.
2. We are Gemini
I have the same birthday as musical genius and gyrating 80s superstar Prince. I, however, am not a musical genius although I do love music. In fact, I’m a music whore. I’d love to share some of my musical tastes with you but we’d be here all day. Let’s just say I can pretty much guarantee there’s something in my music collection that you love. And something you’ve never heard. And probably a song you’re tired of hearing, and one they were playing while you were dancing on the bar…
3. Get off the Bar. It’s My Turn.
I have been known to dance on a bar. I’ve also danced on stage, on tables (including a pool table), in a window in front of hundreds of people, and you can frequently find me dancing around my house for no particular reason. I’ve even been paid to dance. No, I am not and have never been a stripper (I was a go go dancer and I wore a t-shirt and jeans, thank you very much!). Actually, I am quite modest and pretty shy in person, particularly with people I don’t know well but there’s this other woman that lives inside me and she’s a total ham on the dance floor.
4. That Girl Who Doesn’t Talk
I have been called shy, aloof, and slow to warm. When I’m in the company of strangers I become very withdrawn and observant. In fact, I was known at one of my former jobs for being the girl who didn’t talk for a whole year (I really don’t think it was that long but that’s what they tell me). Of course, they told me this after I’d settled in and starting hamming it up with everyone around the water cooler. Once I get to know you, the shy girl will disappear and that’s when I will ask you if you’d like to go out and dance on some bars with me.
5. I Believe You Believe
I love to study and learn about different religions. I have no idea where this fascination with belief systems originated but about once a year or so, I get the bug to research some religion or other. I have discovered that most people enjoy talking about what they believe especially when they know exactly what it is that they believe. There are others who seem uncertain about their beliefs and these are always the ones that prefer to talk about something (anything) else. Don’t worry, I have good manners. It’s not like I go around interviewing people to find out which god they worship but if the subject comes up, I’m always down for a discussion. It’s also a great way to learn about and connect with people from different cultures.
6. There’s This Thing I Love About America
I’m not a patriotic freak by any means but there’s definitely one thing I absolutely love about living in the United States (o.k. there are a few things but this one is the most important). It’s a melting pot. I don’t know how melted other countries’ pots are, but I have had the pleasure of working, living, and becoming friends with people from all over the world. I am ever grateful that I’ve gotten to know all these people because it’s helped me build a positive and more realistic world view. What I’ve learned is that people are all basically the same in their hearts.
7. I Love Animals
I try to be mellow about it, but I’m one of those animal lovers who spends loads of dough on her pets and rallies for animal welfare whenever I get a chance. My special passion is the No Kill movement, which seeks to end killing in animal shelters. Forget what you’ve heard, this type of killing is completely unnecessary (even though shelters and many animal rights organizations want you to believe it’s somehow YOUR fault). Wanna talk about it? Email me. Better yet, read Nathan Winograd’s groundbreaking book Redemption.
8. I’m a Geek but I’m a Cool Geek
I like nerdy things like computers, RPGs, and Star Wars. On the other hand, I have been known to dance on a bar. In short, I am a paradox. One minute I’m hip and savvy and the next minute I’m geeking out on you so hard you’re wondering where I’ve misplaced my taped coke bottle glasses and pocket protector. Life as a contrary girl can be challenging. The cool kids appreciate your ability to consume large amounts of ale but they can’t understand what this has to do with content management systems. The geeks, on the other hand, love that you can quote obscure lines from NBC’s Heroes but they hate the fact that you’ve also memorized the story lines from every episode of Sex and City.
And Now, Back to You
Now I’m supposed to tag eight people but most of the bloggers I know have already been hit with this one. And, well, the whole tagging meme thing makes me kind of squirm around in my chair. I play along like a good sport but I’m going to be a snot and change the rules and tag everyone who is still reading this silly, self-indulgent post.
content rss
Melissa,
Thanks for playing and I must say, what a great list
I like these kinds of things as we get to learn more about our friends out here. We actually have much in common, especially 4, 7 and 8.
(I may be chatty out here, but in meetings and so forth, I tend to listen a lot. You can learn more that way…)
-Brett
Very nice! I always enjoy reading these memes as they float around because you never know what you’re going to find out. (Dancing on bars, huh?) And I just found out the other day that you and my sister both have the same birthday, which I think is pretty nifty.
It’s true, though. When you get down to it, aren’t most of us paradoxical in some way or another?
(Oh, and I hate tagging people, too. Playing is fun, but I think it’s nice to be optional, rather than dragging people in from the sidelines.)
I go with the “no kill” unless the animal is dangerously sick or refuses to be gentled so it can live safely in a family setting. I had to stop supporting the Humane Society when they adopted the motto “No unwanted pets” and they made it darn near impossible for reasonable loving families to adopt but had a policy that no animal could stay more than a week. They were euthanizing more than 1500 animals a month. I don’t have the stomach for that and few employees do either for long.
Thanks for sharing and not tagging; it was fun when I was getting to know people and it was post fodder but I have recently adopted a tag-free zone.
@Brett, I think the Internet (and blogs) attract a lot of shy people. That just proves that we all have extroverts lurking somewhere within. Of course, I should have realized that when I caught myself dancing on the bar…
@Deb (Punctuality), Yes. Actually, after I wrote this I thought about changing number 8 because I thought “aren’t most people paradoxical?” I guess a lot of people are, but I also know some who aren’t.
Everyone seems to agree that tagging is best left open. That’s cool.
@Deb (gscottage), Nathan Winograd recently posted on his blog, a long diatribe about the HSUS leader. I’m vehemently no kill and the people who put down healthy animals sicken me to no end. I’m generally a pretty tolerant and open minded person but that’s where I draw the line… people justifying killing those innocent animals, each of whom could be someone’s best friend and companion. Oh god, here I go. I’ll stop now before the rant spins out of control.
All that and pretty too :). Thanks for sharing, nice to get to know a little more about my favorite writing guru.
@Melissa,
Agreed - still waters run deep, they say. We may be quiet on the exterior, but passion burns inside. Get us going, and watch out world! Never have I danced on a bar, but I’ve been known to crowd surf and stage dive at metal shows…
@Greer,
Yes, she’s a pleasant looking lass, isn’t she - and she’s not wearing any shoes!
(Melissa, I had to throw that in there as the resident barefoot Viking)
@Greer and Brett, Oh please, you flatter me far too much. I actually hesitated a lot on displaying the photo, which is why this post sat in my draft folder for a couple of weeks. But I am trying to be more courageous and put myself out there (to get over my shyness). It makes me squirm though. I do appreciate your kind words
Brett, I’m glad you noticed the bare feet, heheh. I thought you might appreciate that.
Haha you have quite a list of interesting quirks. I think the poetry disorder might be my favorite because I can relate to it. Although #4 sounds so like me, too! Minus dancing on bars.
Loved learning more about you.
Thanks Tanya
This was a fun one so feel free to try it. Oh and try dancing on a bar sometimes too. It’s a blast! Heheh.
Hmmm…. I found this post very interesting. Some things I knew already - or assumed. Others I had no clue about. Dancing on bars? Well, the nerdy writer girl is a little nuts! hehehe Nah, just kidding. As for the religion curiosity you have, I guess that’s neat. I’m not religious - although people think I am. I view religion negatively because it’s not about the religion, I don’t think. It’s about so much more. I do prefer the KJV Bible, but I don’t consider myself any one religion. I have a “melting pot” belief system and a lot of folks don’t like that.
I love poetry, America, and animals too. I don’t like cruelty to animals either. It’s so sad.
And, I’m a hermit. You’re not as “hermit” as I am, ’cause you couldn’t pay me to dance on tables! I have an excuse, though. It’s against my “religion”. hehehe
Great post, Melissa, and I didn’t mean to tag myself with this comment!
*smiles*
Michele
@Michele, I have a melting pot belief system too. I just find it fascinating that people will believe certain things without question, even when those beliefs fly in the face of logic and reason. I mean, faith is good but… well ’nuff said about that.
I haven’t danced on a bar or table for quite a few years now. Ah, I miss those days.
@Melissa - I kind of thought you had a melting pot belief system.
I think it’s best, really. I believe a lot, but unlike others I know what I believe and why. It’s best that way. I don’t understand folks believing something “just because” either. But I also believe we don’t understand until we’ve walked a mile (or more) in someone else’s shoes so I know they have their reasons for believing that way. 
Like you said, ’nuff about that! hehehe
*smiles*
Michele
One last thing…. I love the photo with your bare foot!
@Michele, I think your philosophy is solid
and thanks!
Nice post.
Anyway, you’re preety
@Drunken Dragon, Why thank you!
You sound like a great gal. How nice to hear something positive about America from a fellow American.
I love learning about different religions, too!
@Vivienne, Thanks and welcome! There are negatives about American too, and I’m aware of them (and not afraid to admit they exist) but I think it’s important to keep a balanced perspective and try to focus on the positive whenever possible
I like it, really enjoyed reading it. Especially 4. and 8. lines, I find myself in them
Thanks Matej!
I agree with the whole, “Im a geek but a cool geek” theme. Its so funny because when I was in college, all i did was stay in the library and read books for hours and hours. To me that was fun. But everybody knew me and I was very athletic and outgoing. The cool geeks always win in the end!LOL