* * * I posted this on my Myspace & Facebook about 2 weeks ago and figured I'd post it here too. The idea is to list 20 random facts about yourself and encourage your friends to do the same. So, get going on it! * * *1. Occasionally, I find it difficult to make eye contact when speaking with someone and I'm not sure why. Perhaps the eyes really are a window into a person's soul and I feel like a peeping Tom if I stare too long.
2. I possess certain characteristics of a shopping addict. I am definitely able to control it but I do acknowledge it could be a problem if I let myself go. I crave the high of purchasing items and I often leave such items packaged and un-used for days and weeks because once they have been integrated into everyday life, they've lost their excitement. I'm trying to break this dangerous mentality. But honestly, I don't think I'll ever lose the desire to shop.
3. I developed an obsession with long-haired rocker guys at the early age of 9. My sister and I would take every opportunity to point out a long-haired guy when we saw one in public.
"LONG-HAIRED!!!", we'd exclaim.
I covered my elementary school binder with all the beautiful long-haired musicians I could rip from the pages of my Metal Edge; Sebastian Bach, Jon Bon Jovi, Trixter, Nelson, etc. Twenty years later, my love has remained. In fact, I often wonder what I would've thought at the age of 9 if I knew that by the age of 29, I'd be married to the hot long-haired drummer of my dreams who treats me better than I even deserve sometimes. I guess silly dreams come true.
4. I began singing and playing guitar in bands when I was around 13-years-old. In fact, the very first band I played in created the fateful and almost magical circumstance of meeting the girl who would become my BFF & partner-in-crime, Mrs. Sharon Robinson. My friend Melanie and I put up an ad for a drummer at the local music store, listing completely random and opposing influences (Poison to Jellyfish) and Sharon responded. We used to practice in her parent's garage and one time, we were interrupted by fervent knocking at the garage door. When we opened it, we were faced with a handful of guys who shockingly exclaimed, "OH MY GOD, THEY'RE GIRLS!".
Since then, I've played in Rog's Pinwheel, Shrinking Violet, The Patience Book and Pinkslip. Shrinking Violet and The Patience Book (www.myspace.com/thepatiencebook) received the most attention and were definitely my favorite and most proud moments as a musician. Both bands were offered minor record deals and ALL bands I've played in have offered many incredible adventures and situations. I quit the last band I played with around 3 years ago and this is the longest I've gone in 16 years without actively playing in a band. Wow. I hope 2009 changes this.
5. I am truly blessed with a fairly non-eventful, minimally dramatic family life. I realize this is rare. My mom is a saint and an angel; my dad is your typical supportive and loving father-type figure. I don't take this for granted. I am made aware of typical family drama and tragedies and I remind myself everyday how lucky I am not to have to deal with that.
6. When Paul I have kids, they will be 1/4 Filipino & 3/4 Caucasian. I hope they have his beautiful eyes and sense of humor. We are often told that our kids will be super cute and if we're lucky enough to be blessed with children, I think they'll be adorable. I've always known I wanted to be a mother. Just over the last year or so, the urge has been building and although we're not 100% ready right now, I look forward to being pregnant in the next 2-3 years. Right now, we are just enjoying the adventures of being newly married.
7. Speaking of pregnancy, I have a deep-seeded, un-justified fear that I won't be able to have children. I have no evidence or indication that this fear is valid. Sometimes, I'm not completely frightened when my period is late because it at least holds the possibility that I could become pregnant. Strange, I know.
8. I used to talk on the phone for hours upon hours, especially in my teens and early twenties. Nowadays, I'd prefer to text or just speak in person. I try to avoid phone conversations at all costs but rest assured it has nothing to do with how much I like you. I love all of you. I just hate the telephone. Unless I'm at work. For some odd reason, I don't mind talking to clients on the phone at work.
9. I've been obsessed with photography since the 9th grade. I have been lucky enough to start & develop a minor photography business over the past 5 years and actually get paid for something I love doing. However, in my mind, I still don't think I'm all that great and am actually surprised when people offer to pay me for my work. I'm even more surprised when I take a great shot and am acknowledged for doing so. I think my lack of confidence would be remedied if I strengthened my technical knowledge. One of these days, I'll get around to doing that.
10. If I haven't seen someone for a long time, I'm convinced they won't remember me when I run into them later. Therefore, I ignore them when I see them, assuming they don't recognize me and then wonder why they don't say Hi. Pretty ridiculous, huh?
11. I would like to model for Torrid. I was actually given a flyer to audition to be a model a couple months ago only to discover that I am too old. Twenty-nine is the new eighty. LOL.
12. My husband and I are both junk food addicts. We both love fast food, ice cream, cookies, soda, etc. On one hand, it's nice not feeling guilty eating this crap around him. On the other hand, our love of said crap can produce a very dangerous rut towards an unhealthy lifestyle. At the very least, we are both aware of the dangers involved and are working to do something about it.
13. Before I traveled outside of California, like many Californians, I thought that the remaining U.S. states contained the true weirdos. To me, an image obsessed and health food consumed society was normal. Palm trees and perfect weather? Normal. Right? I now realize that Californians (bless us all) are the true wackos. That's why I love visiting the Midwest, especially parts of Ohio. There's something about that area that feels so comforting, traditional and almost nostalgic, especially when it's snowing. I feel like I'm in the middle of Thomas Kinkade painting. It's just magical to me.
14. I have a minor OCD characteristic; I like things in piles and I like things to be ordered correctly and pleasantly. I can function fine if this doesn't occur. However, if our apartment is a mess of scattered items and crap, I feel very uncomfortable and ornery. If our apartment is clean and organized, I am happy to come home and I feel I can relax more easily. The same applies to my desk at work. I'm sure my bosses love me for that!
15. Speaking of bosses, I truly have a wonderful job. I've worked with my company since April 2004 and would like to stay here as long as possible. Some of you have asked me what exactly we do. Well... pick up a brand new CD. Ya see that sticker on the front of the shrink wrap that lists featuring songs and info about the album? We print those. In addition, we occasionally print full color band stickers that are sold/passed out at concerts and stores like Hot Topic.
What do I do specifically? I am the middleman between our printing facility and the record labels. Basically, anything that needs to be done to get the sticker made (receive & work out issues with artwork, place the order, deliver price quotes, etc) is included in my job title. I am blessed with two amazing bosses who have entrusted me with running the day-to-day operations of their business and I work closely with an amazing co-worker (Teens) who has become a very dear friend. I am surprised that our business is maintaining so well in such a horrible economy, especially since we are exclusively involved with the music business. Someone must be buying CDs out there! And please, for the sake of my job, KEEP IT UP! ;-)
16. I seem to make new friends every year. Some of them stick, some of them float away and many linger in the background yet possess a special part of my heart. Old band members and friends I've known for years are not necessarily involved in my daily life but I feel are beside me always in this journey. On the occasion that I actually get to see and speak with them, I am truly reminded that they will always be in my life and part of my soul. You know who you are.
17. I believe in ghosts. I truly believe that people who have passed are able to gain access to our living world and show signs of their remaining existence. I wish to never experience this. The mere idea of a spirit showing itself to me is the most frightening thing I can think of.
18. I so wish I was proficient at interior decorating. I seem to have little ability to position photos or objects on a wall properly. It always feels spatially retarded or incomplete. I am never satisfied with how my apartment is decorated but I'm not quite sure what to do about it. I see other people's houses (like Sharon's) and love how everything is positioned and laid out but I can't seem to do the same for my own place. It's annoying.
19. Jellyfish is my favorite band of all time and always will be. Either you've heard of them or you haven't. Either you love them or you don't. According to Wikipedia, "Jellyfish was a power pop band from San Francisco... who influenced many bands who formed shortly after." To me, they represent a magical time in my earlier years, a fresh and incredible view of how to truly enjoy our existence and the core reason for the development of many special friendships in my life. To say that Jellyfish deserves a dedicated title screen in the movie of my life is a grave understatement.
20. I love to travel and I seem to travel a lot. Between fairly often visits to Paul's hometown of Cleveland, multiple stints to Las Vegas, our recent glorious honeymoon to Oahu, international vacations to Switzerland, England and Scotland and mini adventures on a lazy weekend, I am utterly blessed and cursed with the bug and the ability to seek adventure and roam this planet. If I died today, I feel I've done and seen so much. If I live another 50 years, I welcome whatever is left for me to take in.
