I've been tagged by pygmy. Let's hope I don't run out of interesting things before I reach 20. God wouldn't that be depressing. 
Alright, let's see...
1) The earliest memory I have is of getting my first scar from one of the old barn cats when I was 3. I was sitting on a rock singing to it when, for no apparent reason, (except perhaps as a comment on the quality of my voice) it tried to rip my ear off. I got 3 stitches and rabies shots in my stomache (apparently this was the only fat the doctor could find).
2) I don't remember this, though there are pictures to prove it, pictures of not only myself but also both of my sisters as babies in our play-pens in the front yard, hands and faces green from the goose shit we enjoyed eating.
3) Speaking of my fathers love of taking pictures of us as children when we were building the addition on to our house (I was 4 at the time) I scaled up the two story frame and sat on the very top. My mom was freaking out on the ground, my dad ran inside for the camera. When I told my mother when I was 22 that I wanted to climb trees for a living she said "It's about time" I guess she figured it's a job I was born for.
4) I am a percussionist. I can and will play complex rythms on anything that makes a sound when struck- tables, walls, doors, shower stalls, my steering wheel, and pretty much any drum you can mention. It's really just a hobby and a way to meditate however...
5) I played drums in bag-pipe bands for 5 years. Sometimes I think I'd like to get back at it.
6) The worst year I ever had was 1996. In that year I was diagnosed as ADD, started taking Ridllin, saw my parents split up, and my second sister go away to college leaving me, at 17, alone in the house with just my father. The end result was a very ugly depression and a resentment for my dad that took a long time for me to get over. When I finally escaped I swore I would never have another year like it. Thus my general pragmatism.
7) I have a huge family on my fathers side (my grandparents are Irish Catholic) with 8 aunts and uncles (4 of each plus my father; the oldest) and 23 cousins. Despite this (or perhaps because of it) we are very close. Christmas at Granny and Grampa's was always a mad house since every grandchild got a gift from not only the grandparents, but also one of the other cousins (we drew names at Thanks-giving).
8) I love to dance. I'll dance anytime anywhere whether there is music or not. It drives some people crazy, and others love me for it.
9) I have the kind of job where, at the end of many days I spend my evenings picking random thorns and slivers out of my body.
10) I was a very poor student in school although tests taken throughout my primary and secondary school career indicated that I was gifted. It wasn't until a couple years ago that my mother told me that the first tests were intended to discover whether I had a mental handicap. The truth is that I knew the stuff, I just didn't care enough. On the other hand, in college, I made the Deans List with ease because I enjoyed the subject of my studies.
Skills that I have mastered
11)Whistling. I can whistle three different ways- inhaling, exhaling and through my teeth. The first two I use in combination to produce music ( I can whistle the entire Empire Theme without pause) and the latter I use to get your attention, or as a cheer. Don't stand to close when I do it.
12)Snapping my fingers. This I can do quite loudly and quickly enough to produce a 5 beat roll.
13)Rake spinning. At work I commonly spin rakes in a double loop, behind my back, around my neck over the back of my hand and into a balance on my palm. I'm also pretty good with a bo staff. This skill is related too...
14) The shovel kick retrieval. This involves stepping quickly onto the blade end of a shovel, pitch-fork or rock-rake and cathing the handle in my hand. The trick is not only getting the weight right, but also hitting the "sweet spot" so that the tool doesn't twist and clock you one right between the eyes. I succeed without fail from both in front and from behind.
15) Conflict resolution. I've discovered that the key to avoiding or ending violence is simple. Listen to what the other person is saying without interupting, remain calm, and speak slowly, confidently and without inflection. And never show fear. It works (almost) every time. Some people are just too crazy.
16) Planking Salmon. This is the best way to cook salmon. It's quick, easy and when I do it I always earn high praise.
17)Patience. It's strange, but when I was a kid I used to hate waiting for anything. Now I have no trouble at all excepting the fact that things only happen when they are ready to. I also am very patient with people. To paraphrase "The Four Agreements" everybody does things for their own reasons, it probably has nothing to do with me and I shouldn't be offended. On the other hand if you are being an asshole I'm not afraid to make you aware of the fact.
18)Sharpening. I'm very good at putting a good edge on anything that needs it. The key is the right angle and the right sharpening tool.
19)Marathon Reading. When I buy a book (and I buy a lot, maybe 30 or so on the past year) I generally read it 'til it's done. I'll easily read an 800 page novel in a weekend.
20)Sleeping. I am one of the soundest sleepers ever. When I had a room in the basement of my mothers house the entrance stairs were right over my head when I slept. On more than one occasion, when my step-father went into diabetic shock, paramedics, police and fire-fighters would be stomping up and down over my head and the lights would be flashing right outside my window and I never knew a thing about it. As a side note my mothers husband died from heart failure do to complications from diabetes 1 month into my 4 month tour of the UK in 2002. It was 4 days before I found out and already too late to come home for the funeral. I decided the best way to honour him was to continue the trip, which he had helped me plan, and damn well enjoy it. I did.
Wow, damn. That's 20 already and I was just getting on a roll.
Ok I guess I tag ...NoFi
Alright, let's see...
1) The earliest memory I have is of getting my first scar from one of the old barn cats when I was 3. I was sitting on a rock singing to it when, for no apparent reason, (except perhaps as a comment on the quality of my voice) it tried to rip my ear off. I got 3 stitches and rabies shots in my stomache (apparently this was the only fat the doctor could find).
2) I don't remember this, though there are pictures to prove it, pictures of not only myself but also both of my sisters as babies in our play-pens in the front yard, hands and faces green from the goose shit we enjoyed eating.
3) Speaking of my fathers love of taking pictures of us as children when we were building the addition on to our house (I was 4 at the time) I scaled up the two story frame and sat on the very top. My mom was freaking out on the ground, my dad ran inside for the camera. When I told my mother when I was 22 that I wanted to climb trees for a living she said "It's about time" I guess she figured it's a job I was born for.
4) I am a percussionist. I can and will play complex rythms on anything that makes a sound when struck- tables, walls, doors, shower stalls, my steering wheel, and pretty much any drum you can mention. It's really just a hobby and a way to meditate however...
5) I played drums in bag-pipe bands for 5 years. Sometimes I think I'd like to get back at it.
6) The worst year I ever had was 1996. In that year I was diagnosed as ADD, started taking Ridllin, saw my parents split up, and my second sister go away to college leaving me, at 17, alone in the house with just my father. The end result was a very ugly depression and a resentment for my dad that took a long time for me to get over. When I finally escaped I swore I would never have another year like it. Thus my general pragmatism.
7) I have a huge family on my fathers side (my grandparents are Irish Catholic) with 8 aunts and uncles (4 of each plus my father; the oldest) and 23 cousins. Despite this (or perhaps because of it) we are very close. Christmas at Granny and Grampa's was always a mad house since every grandchild got a gift from not only the grandparents, but also one of the other cousins (we drew names at Thanks-giving).
8) I love to dance. I'll dance anytime anywhere whether there is music or not. It drives some people crazy, and others love me for it.
9) I have the kind of job where, at the end of many days I spend my evenings picking random thorns and slivers out of my body.
10) I was a very poor student in school although tests taken throughout my primary and secondary school career indicated that I was gifted. It wasn't until a couple years ago that my mother told me that the first tests were intended to discover whether I had a mental handicap. The truth is that I knew the stuff, I just didn't care enough. On the other hand, in college, I made the Deans List with ease because I enjoyed the subject of my studies.
Skills that I have mastered
11)Whistling. I can whistle three different ways- inhaling, exhaling and through my teeth. The first two I use in combination to produce music ( I can whistle the entire Empire Theme without pause) and the latter I use to get your attention, or as a cheer. Don't stand to close when I do it.
12)Snapping my fingers. This I can do quite loudly and quickly enough to produce a 5 beat roll.
13)Rake spinning. At work I commonly spin rakes in a double loop, behind my back, around my neck over the back of my hand and into a balance on my palm. I'm also pretty good with a bo staff. This skill is related too...
14) The shovel kick retrieval. This involves stepping quickly onto the blade end of a shovel, pitch-fork or rock-rake and cathing the handle in my hand. The trick is not only getting the weight right, but also hitting the "sweet spot" so that the tool doesn't twist and clock you one right between the eyes. I succeed without fail from both in front and from behind.
15) Conflict resolution. I've discovered that the key to avoiding or ending violence is simple. Listen to what the other person is saying without interupting, remain calm, and speak slowly, confidently and without inflection. And never show fear. It works (almost) every time. Some people are just too crazy.
16) Planking Salmon. This is the best way to cook salmon. It's quick, easy and when I do it I always earn high praise.
17)Patience. It's strange, but when I was a kid I used to hate waiting for anything. Now I have no trouble at all excepting the fact that things only happen when they are ready to. I also am very patient with people. To paraphrase "The Four Agreements" everybody does things for their own reasons, it probably has nothing to do with me and I shouldn't be offended. On the other hand if you are being an asshole I'm not afraid to make you aware of the fact.
18)Sharpening. I'm very good at putting a good edge on anything that needs it. The key is the right angle and the right sharpening tool.
19)Marathon Reading. When I buy a book (and I buy a lot, maybe 30 or so on the past year) I generally read it 'til it's done. I'll easily read an 800 page novel in a weekend.
20)Sleeping. I am one of the soundest sleepers ever. When I had a room in the basement of my mothers house the entrance stairs were right over my head when I slept. On more than one occasion, when my step-father went into diabetic shock, paramedics, police and fire-fighters would be stomping up and down over my head and the lights would be flashing right outside my window and I never knew a thing about it. As a side note my mothers husband died from heart failure do to complications from diabetes 1 month into my 4 month tour of the UK in 2002. It was 4 days before I found out and already too late to come home for the funeral. I decided the best way to honour him was to continue the trip, which he had helped me plan, and damn well enjoy it. I did.
Wow, damn. That's 20 already and I was just getting on a roll.
Ok I guess I tag ...NoFi
VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
i really came here to find out where the heck you've been. i miss seeing you on the boards. i hope all is well.