The Random 8

Sorry this took me so long, Heather. Here goes...

~ The Rules ~

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. List eight (8) random facts about yourself.
3. Tag eight people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving them a comment on their blogs.


Now for my eight... bear with me.

1.) I once sharted when running a 100 meter dash in High School Gym Class. I really shouldn't have had that toaster struedel before 3rd period. The time for my dash came, there was a rumble in my stomach, followed by an explosion in my pants as I pushed from the starting line. I still reckon the blast helped me. After coming in 2nd in the dash, I went inside to exchange my messed boxers for the free and easy life of commando.

If this is TMI, which it certainly is, rest assured you'll probably be less offended as the list goes on. I like to start with a bang in order to draw you in... or in this case push you away.

2.) As a pre-teen I had a secret obsession with musicals. I even owned a VHS copy of CATS. No, I am not gay. Just ask my wife, John. Kidding, kidding. I really still love musicals, just not secretly anymore. As a late teen, or more to the point, past the age of caring what others think of me, I realized my knowledge of musicals and ability to belt my pipes not only attracted women, but made me that "guy who gets all the attention because he's cultured" in my hicktown high school class.

3.) Somewhat tied to number 2, my brother and I once sang the entire score from The Lion King to our dearly departed grandmother. I know, that's just goofy. But I was only 7. My brother was 11. I think he comes off worse here.

4.) Until the 9th grade, I wanted nothing more than to be a professional basketball player. Like all good American youths, I was taught the value of making a shit-ton of money for something that brings no real good into the world. It was either pro-sports, or drug dealing. And as I don't fancy weekend trips to the Dominican, I aspired for l33t greatness along such white basketball stars as John Stockton and Larry Bird. You know, the ones who were so white they were clear. I figured if they could do it, so could I.

5.) Tied to number 4, the dream of basketball stardom ended with a sledding accident in the early parts of Freshman year. I decided it would be a standup idea to stand on the sled as I went downhill, and while I managed to remain erect for the entire descent, when I reached the bottom of the hill my board got stopped on some snowed-over brush, while my body was flung forward. My knee stayed behind however, and a loud popping noise signified the tearing of my ACL, Lateral Ligament, and both minisci. It sucked. Badly.

The curses flowing forth from my mouth caused a father and his son to run home swiftly. Still, it wasn't until the daty after that I realized anything was wrong. I walked on it for the remainder of the day and spent the night at a friend's house, only to find the knee locked solid at a 90 degree angle. The injury kept me at home for about 3 months, where I learned the value of a good book and forgot the desire to be the world's next Jerry West. I turned instead, to the arts.

6.) My wife, now of one year, is also my girlfriend of 7. We're high school sweethearts, and she's still the only human I can truly tolerate on a 24 hour basis. I can only hope this fact remains throughout the rest of my life, our life together.

7.) I'm 50% Irish, 25% Italian, and 25% English. I'm a walking World War. The best part about my heritage? I get the best of all 3 worlds. I'm pale as a ghost with a penchant for beer, I have thick wavy dark brown hair and a love of pasta, and also a dear affection for the written word and things of considerable historical measure.

8.) Lastly, and probably least interestingly, I secretly want to be paid to draw and write for the rest of my life. I'd like nothing more than to be given liberty to doodle and scribble my life away, putting countless thoughts onto paper both as illustration and as essay or fiction. The problem is, I'm certainly not alone. So, if no mighty Stephen Kingsian Paycheck shall ever come my way, I'll resign to simply force those of you who stumble across this webspace to endure the labors of my love.


There. All done. I hope I didn't scare you all away. I'm not going to tag 8 people. Just a handful: Adele Caelia, Darren, Cuppycake, Stormgaard, and of course Keen.

Forgive me if some of you have been tagged for this one already. I'm getting forgetful in my young age.