10 Random Facts

Kathryn, at The Bookworm, tagged me with the "10 Random Facts" meme. Thank you, Kathryn, for thinking of me.

Soooo ... here are ten facts, as random as I could be, about me:

1. I was born in Massachusetts, but have lived in Alaska, Florida, Washington (state, not D.C.) and Nebraska. When we lived in Alaska, we endured an earthquake, a flood (I remember being rowed away from the apartment in a boat), and one day when I was in the third grade, the ice was so bad I slipped roughly 111 times on my way to school (before I even made it to the end of our street) then slid back home, crying all the way. Even so, some of my fondest childhood memories are from Alaska: blueberry picking, the skating rink in the backyard, the creek, the glaciers, the centennial celebration and the pioneer clothes. It was a kid's paradise.

2. I was once a businesswoman: suit, briefcase and all. I managed a budget, oversaw marketing, traveled, stayed at the Waldorf-Astoria, supervised a small staff. I hated every minute of it and hated myself when I was doing it. I felt like an imposter. (Business people, take note: I have nothing against you. It was me; or rather, it was the fact that it wasn't me.)

3. As a child, I watched Jerry Lewis's Muscular Dystrophy telethon every year, then went out door-to-door collecting money for "Jerry's kids." I cried through every profile and tribute and couldn't shake the feeling that it could have been me.

4. I can eat the same thing for dinner three or four nights in a row (and for lunch, too) and not really be bothered by the monotony one bit.

5. Jennifer got me thinking about this. The only concerts I've ever been to are Three Dog Night, John Denver and Jimmy Buffett. These were all in my jr. high days (Three Dog and John) or in a previous life. The only person I'd like to see in concert now (except that he's in heaven) is Rich Mullins. I love him, I love him, I love him.

6. I wrote my first play when I was 12. It was for my 7th grade drama class and it was about the Flintstones. I played Wilma.

7. My freshman year of college (I was a theater major) I saw my first Broadway shows. I went to New York with a group from school, and we saw seven plays in six days. I came home convinced that acting was indeed my calling. (I was wrong.)

8. I love being pregnant if I'm in my second trimester. But, the first and third trimesters are really rough on me. Still ... I'd do it again, if God allows it.

9. I make my bed every day, but I didn't get in this habit until a few years ago when we had our house on the market and had to keep it up for showings. (Want to develop some great housekeeping habits? Sell your house.)

10. I once met an editor from Rolling Stone magazine. I can't remember his name now, but over drinks with him, my college writing instructor, and a few others, this editor asked me about my future plans, and turned my head with some compliments. I decided that my future plans included writing for magazines such as Rolling Stone. (I was wrong.)

(9:01 p.m. ... back to edit, as I forgot to tag anyone. If you're reading this, you're tagged. And, will you let me know if you do it so I can read your list?)