15 Things

Because, well, I'm a sucker for the list format, because this sort of exercise seems like the ideal way to start a Friday morning, and because Marmoset, who is a dear friend of mine and often filled with good ideas, made me do it:

15 things you probably wish you didn't know about me

1. When I was young, I got several awards for being a nice kid, which makes my friends laugh now. My parents still have the trophies to prove it.


2. Sometimes I still dream about moving back to London, particularly when it's gray and dreary outside. But, I think that I would miss New York far too much.


3. I think that I look much, much better in my glasses. Yet, at formal occasions, I always wear my contacts.


4. My parents tricked me into going into the "friendly" haunted house at Disney World when I was 5. I hated every minute of it--especially since I didn't want to go in to it in the first place. I haven't gone into a haunted house since.


5. I love public speaking, in general, and giving wedding toasts in particular.


6. To this day, my school district requires that a sign reading "check for sleeping children" be placed in the back of each bus. I am largely responsible for this. Go on, ask me the story.


7. I eat based on texture. Anything too chewy or gelatinous is out. So, no puddings, jello, etc.


8. When it comes to relationships, I'm terrified of commitment. Ironically, every time I meet a man who I think might be worth committing to, he seems to have larger commitment issues than I do.


9. I like to pretend that I'm a big film geek. The truth is that there are shocking gaps in my cinematic knowledge. The same holds true when it comes to literature. In fact, I didn't read The Wasteland until I was in graduate school. I'm still not convinced that I missed out on anything.


10. In college, one of my friends told me that he referred to the way I spoke as "Jane Austen speak." Then, a few years ago, I started blogging for work. One of my colleagues said, "I was going to tell you to make the pieces more conversational, until I realized that was the way you spoke." I should be insulted. Instead, I like to think that I speak like someone who was properly educated. I do, however, worry that this makes me sound arrogant.


11. I didn't eat red meat for more than 12 years. When I started eating it again, I didn't eat anything else for a week straight. Clearly, I'm not good at moderation.


12. I'm afraid of falling from heights.


13. According to my sister, I get a certain look in my eyes when I'm about to say something exceptionally obnoxious or sarcastic.


14. I secretly want to be someone's one who got away. I secretly also want to be a socialite, so I'm not sure how seriously you should take this point.


15. I've been known to take 3 showers in one day when it's really, really hot out. In the winter, I'm all about taking baths.
    

So, this is Christmas

Spent part of yesterday with JB, helping him and his brother try to clean out the house they grew up in. It's a daunting task, to be sure, and after a few hours, they felt like they hadn't made a dent at all.

It stands to reason. Years and years can't easily be dismantled in a few hours time. With the discovery of each object or old photograph, there's another story to be told, another chance to bear witness. And, isn't that all we have, really?

Maybe that's why I'm writing. Not to make sense of everything, which seems more and more of an impossibility with the passing of each day.

No, it's not that.

It's simply for the record.

This may make me the biggest geek ever

But I'm counting down to January 24.

Click here to find out why.