50 Things About Me
- If the choice is mine, the toppings will be just pepperoni and ham.
- I take a lot of abuse for liking Bon Jovi.
- I played "Spinning Wheel" on the piano for my junior high choir.
- Of all the places I've lived, I liked Lake Havasu City, Ariz., the best. I love the desert.
- I'm sorry, but I just don't "get" jazz. I've tried.
- "Breakfast Club" is my all-time favorite movie.
- I don't like cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, or brussel sprouts. Sorry.
- I stop at Starbucks most mornings on my way to work, but because I have Miniere's Disease, I have to get decaf.
- Pam and I dated for five years before getting married in 1989.
- I'm the oldest of three brothers. We all get along great and enjoy being together.
- Turning 30 and 40 didn't bother me, but there's something about 50.
- I devour every book by Robert Parker.
- I really really like my Dodge Dakota pickup.
- I've been using Macs since 1988, and I'm (rightfully) snobbish about it.
- I was captain of my high school tennis team, and MVP of my college team my senior year. But I wasn't all that good.
- My favorite rule for writing is, "Know the rules so you can violate them wisely."
- I'm very concerned about global warming. It's the real deal.
- I collect bayonets and pocketknives.
- I play the keyboard in my church's worship band.
- I like the fact that Indiana finally went to Daylight Savings Time.
- Whoever invented the "no call" list deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom, or something like that.
- Pam and I don't fight.
- In high school and during breaks from college, I worked in a grocery store. We sacked groceries faster than you've ever seen them sacked. I still prefer sacking my own groceries, because I can get out of the store faster.
- The only states I've not visited are: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Hawaii.
- I don't read nearly as many books as I used to.
- Sometime during the past few years, I crossed an age barrier where I now have practically no interest in computer or video games.
- I know enough Spanish to get by.
- I drive 25 minutes to get to work.
- I like nearly everything by Sheryl Crow. Saw her in concert a couple years ago.
- St. Peter's Basilica, in Vatican City, is the most amazing building I've ever seen. It's gargantuan.
- I've never been in a fight in my life.
- It irritates me when people surf the web on their laptops during meetings, instead of giving the discussion their full attention.
- I'm not good with numbers or money, which is why it's a good thing I married an accountant.
- Guilty pleasures: "Pretty Woman" (movie), Applebees Fudge Blondie (dessert), Guns 'N Roses (music), Reno 911 (TV).
- My heroes have always been missionaries.
- My parents may be the most talented pastoral couple I know. Between them, they have an amazing skillset and impressive experience doing a lot of different things. Yeah, I'm disgustingly proud.
- I'm a registered Republican, but considering my views on things, I should probably be an Independent.
- During the past three years, Netflix has saved me an incredible number of hours which would otherwise be spent browsing shelves and waiting in line at video stores.
- I've always been a dog person, but cats, being low-maintenance, fit our lifestyle. And I do love my two cats.
- I've had alcohol three times in my life. First, in sixth grade, a friend gave me some cherry which he said was Kool-Aid; I had just one sip. Then I had some spiked punch at a wedding; I was too dumb to know what the big railroad spokes laying beside the punch bowl meant. A couple years ago, I had real wine for communion at a Vineyard church. That alcohol-drenched dessert I had in Italy should probably count for something, too.
- I used to like Newsweek better than Time, but now I'm not sure. I still get them both.
- I've read the complete Hobbit and Lord of the Rings three times, the first being in 7th grade.
- In writing classes, I was always the teacher's pet.
- I once attended a Q&A session with both George Gallup and George Barna. Barna struck me as arrogant, while Gallup came across as humble and genuine. For what it's worth.
- My favorite place: sitting atop a corner turret of an old stone fort atop a pointy hill in Masaya, Nicaragua, and surveying the expansive surrounding valleys, with four or five volcanoes in the distance.
- I can never remember my cell phone number.
- Of the Christian books I've read, "Decision Making and the Will of God," by Garry Friesen, has had the most practical influence on my life.
- My favorite restaurant in Fort Wayne is Red River Steakhouse, at the Marriot. Same for Pam, which is convenient.
- I never get tired of the old Rolling Stones classics, like "Honky Tonk Woman," "Brown Sugar," "It's Only Rock & Roll," "Jumping Jack Flash," and "Start Me Up."
- Pam and I spent our 10th anniversary in Florence, Italy.
Career-wise, I've been hanging around and writing about and cheering on churches and pastors for the past 25 years as my denomination's Communications Director.
Random thoughts on SOME of your 50:
1) Pepperoni *only*
2) ...and deservedly so!
5) Agreed!
6) At least you didn't say "Diner!" Mine is "Blazing Saddles."
7) Sicko!
8) I hate coffee!
9) My wife & I dated for 5.5 years!
10) No brothers; 1 (older) sister.
11) 30/40/50 = no biggie! 60, OTOH...
13) I hate pickups!
14) I hate Macs!
15) I hate tennis!
17) We have "global warming" every year. It's called SUMMER...
18) "Bayonets are always loaded!"
28) I haven't had that short a commute since 1990. Now I'm retired...
33) I WAS an accountant & I'm *still* lousy with $$$.
37) I'm a registered Dem, but am more of an "Issue-
crat."
39) Down to 1 dog & 4 cats (all fixed).
40) During the hot summer months, I'll drink as many
as three beers...in a week!
42) Read the Hobbit 2x & LOTR 20x since 1965!
46) I can remember EVERY phone # I've ever had,
unfortunately!
48) Never been to Indiana & never will, if I'm lucky.
49) You missed the *greatest* rock & roll song of all time: "Satisfaction"!!!
50) Wife & I spent our 40th anniversary at Bass Lake, California!