11 Random Facts About Me and More!

Technically Mike invited me to this challenge and then Kate made it official so here goes.  But first I won't be tagging anyone because everyone I know has been tagged already and since I won't be tagging anyone there really isn't a need to create new questions.

1. The Rules:
2. Post these rules.
3. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
4. Answer the questions set for you in their post.
5. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
6. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them.
7. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this.  You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

A couple years ago I made a conscious decision to stop saying "excuse me" and start saying "pardon me" because I think it sounds better.

I taught myself to throw left handed by throwing the paper towels used to dry my hands after going to the bathroom into the trash with said hand, complete with major league wind up if no one was around.

I finished 2nd place in microprocessors on the State test my senior year in high school.  This is more a testament to how well I test than how much I knew about microprocessors.  I was shocked and my mom was proud.

I will never answer a phone on the first ring.

I won an award from the Philosophy dept. at SIUE for my work on comparative religion.  I used to be really smart and know a lot of stuff.

One Summer in my teens I was kind of depressed and barely left the house.  During that wasted Summer I learned to juggle.

I enjoyed performing a few decent magic tricks until YouTube ruined everything.

Skateboarding is largely responsible for who I am today.  When I started skating I stopped giving a crap about whether I was popular.  Not giving a crap about what other people thought gave me freedom to express myself anyway I chose.  A valuable lesson to learn in adolescence.

The first time I ever saw my wife I knew that she was special.  It wasn't necessarily love at first sight but I had a feeling that I had never had before and here we are 23 years later.  I told you that I used to be smart.

I consider my self a Buddhist, but not a very good one.  I am a Buddhist in the same way a Christian who never goes to church is still a Christian.  I have always identified with eastern religions more so than western.  My religious friends ask me a lot of questions about Buddhism, some out of curiosity, and some out of concern for my soul.  Sometimes I wonder what makes them so certain that there can be only one path...but I digress.

I am an administrator for the Metro East Atheist Network.  Bet you didn't see that coming!

Okay that's eleven!

Mike's Questions:
Why do you blog? To chronicle my adventures.
What is your favorite meal? Don't have a favorite meal.  Weird!
What accomplishment are you most proud of?  Serving 8years in the Army.
What was your favorite subject in school? In college, Religion/Philosophy.
What is your favorite sport?  Anything on the X-games.
What is your favorite team?  The Rams
What is your favorite snack to eat while cheering for your favorite team?  Potato Chips
How old were you when you got married?  19.  My twin daughters were almost 2.  Use your math!
Do you grill with charcoal or gas?  Charcoal
What is your favorite month?  April
What is your least favorite month?  November

Kate's Questions:
Did you have a favorite teacher in school? Who and why?  Greg Fields.  He taught me a lot about philosophy and religion.
Suggest a great new blog for me to read.  Not a question Kate.  Weren't you an english major?
What's a favorite race memory?  First one that came to mind was the soul sucking mud at QQ 2years ago.
What kind of car do you drive?  The Adventure Truck!
What do you imagine doing when you retire?  Long adventures.  Maybe the AT.
Tell me a happy memory of yours.  Also not a question.
What's something that has surprised you about yourself?  How much weight I have let myself gain.  Damn!
Do you have brothers or sisters? If so are you close to them?  One sister, and we are close.
Patrick assures me he'd come rescue me if I ever again got lost in the woods. Can I count on him?  Sure, with a name like that he can't be bad.
What's something you like to make for dinner?  Adventure Burritos
What's a good piece of advice you've received?  Never try to lift anything you are standing on.