Several years ago, I was asked to describe “25 Things About Me” in an email and send it to a group of friends who had shared their lists with me. I was delighted to read what my friends had written about themselves. I felt like I got to know them better. I never found the time to do my own list, but now I do. So with apologies for being so late to respond, this is my list. If you like this, I hope you will take the time to share your own list of “25 Things About Me” with me.
1. I was born in Portland, Maine but grew up in Muskegon, Michigan. My father worked for the paper mill and was transferred to Muskegon when I was 5.
2. In high school, I wrestled in the 145 pound weight class. I probably should have been at 165, but my friend Jim Krizan had that spot and the guy in the 154 slot (Bunny Lytle) was too tough for me to beat. So I lost the weight necessary to get down to 145. I remember during one of my extreme diets, I was so hungry I swallowed my toothpaste.
3. My interest in computers started in 1980 when I signed up for a Radio Shack class. I bought my first Apple computer that year. I don’t have any idea how many computers I have owned since, but I am sure it has been over 25. We have 6 now (plus two iPads and an iPhone).
4. Investing has been a serious hobby for me for a long time. After I retired, I realized there was no more income coming in. That is when it became serious. I have written many computer programs to help me buy and sell stocks every day.
5. Technology has always fascinated me. And, yes, back in high school, I was one of the kids with the pocket protector and a slide rule poking out of his pocket. Of course, my dad is an engineer, so I come by it honestly.
6. I had the first motor bike in my high school. It was a little Honda 50, and I loved it. It caught on and soon all my friends had them: Jeff, Dewey, Dick, Jim, John, and more. And, the fact that they were serious “chick magnets” added no less to their appeal.
7. The four BEST pieces of technology I own: my computer, my iPhone/iPad, my Garmin GPS, and my TIVO. Nothing else even comes close.
8. My favorite books are swords and sorcery. I do read the occasional thrillers, adventure stories, murder mysteries, and horror books. And before I retired, I made sure every 3rd book was what I called a “good-for-me” book (typically a book on management, marketing, sales, corporate culture, quality assurance systems, etc.).
9. Marge and I will celebrate our 42nd anniversary this year (2012). I remember my grandparents and then my parents celebrating their 50th. It looks like one of those is in our future too!
10. I have collected sand/dirt from places I visit. Some of the places: Stonehenge, Roman Colosseum, the Sphinx, the Great Wall, the Taj Mahal, etc. My favorite places to collect the dirt are ancient and mysterious places. I have a psychic friend who says she can “sense” all kinds of things from the sand/dirt in my little jars. I was very impressed with her demonstration.
11. My friend Jeff introduced me to some serious traveling. Since then, we have visited places I had only dreamed of: India, Nepal, Egypt, Greece, Thailand, Hong Kong, Turkey, Singapore, Brazil, and more. Thanks, Jeff!
12. Water is very important to me. One of the hard things about living in Flint was the lack of water. Our retirement condo is between Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake, and I get to see the water every day.
13. Marge and I have been looking for a place to spend more time in the winter. So far we have checked San Diego, Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Tampa, Marco Island, Naples, and Miami. We plan to explore the area north of Miami next. I think we are getting closer to what we want.
14. I loved every job I ever had. I have no idea why. Different people, different duties, different places. I’ve been a paperboy, a typist, a dishwasher, a janitor, a window washer, a sheet metal helper, a truck driver, a waiter, a shipping and receiving clerk, a gas station attendant, a machine shop worker, and more.
15. I usually go to bed around 12:30-1:30 am and get up around 8:45 am. I am not now and never have been a morning person.
16. After graduating from college, I got my “dream job” as a counselor, helping people. The first few months were a terrifying time when I realized 1) college hadn’t prepared me for counseling, and 2) as a 22-year old kid, I wasn’t sure I had anything I could offer someone with real adult problems. Fortunately, I had great co-workers, and they helped me grow into the job.
17. I am a vitamin junkie. I take a handful of pills every day. Mostly they are nootropics, which are supposed to enhance my memory and mental functioning, and anti-oxidants which slow the aging process. If I don’t live forever, I am going to be so disappointed.
18. I used to build rockets when I was a kid. With very few exceptions, they all exploded. My mom used to refer to them as “sticks of dynamite with fins glued on.”
19. Worst car buying decision I ever made: 1970 Barracuda. I bought it because I thought the turn signals were cool. Paid the asking price for it. Never even took it for a test drive. Best car buying decision I ever made: 1973 Matador. I researched Consumer Reports, compared lots of cars, carefully examined features, took test drives, and even negotiated a much better price.
20. Deep inside, I still think of myself as a kid. It is only that damn mirror and the occasional ache and pain that keeps threatening my Peter Pan delusion.
21. I really like retirement. But I hate how little I seem to accomplish. If I work at it, though, I am sure I can get over it.
22. My only recurring dream is a flying dream. Whenever I have one, I am happy for days.
23. I don’t like spicy foods. I will just have my taco chips plain, thank you.
24. I became a Psych major mostly because I didn’t want to work as hard as the math and science majors. I sometimes wonder how things might be different if I had been willing to study harder in college. I’m sure I would have ended up in some sort of management position, regardless of where I had started out.
25. Whenever I feel the need to get organized, I stop by the library for the day. I have always associated libraries with studying and being in one eliminates the distractions and keeps me focused.
Whew. That’s 25. Thank you for indulging me.
Now, will you share some of yours with me?