I’ve been tagged so many times my head is spinning. So this is it. I’m giving in. I’m saying yes to the almighty internet meme. For those of you who could care less, I’ve blabbered on long enough for you to take a hint and head elsewhere. So without further ado, twenty-five FACINATING facts about me:
1. I’m an introverted extravert – the oddball extravert – whatever you want to call it, but I’m right smack-dab down the middle of the two.
2. I hate to be the center of attention. Hate it, with a capital “H” – as a matter of fact, there’s probably not a strong enough word to describe how I despise …
3. If my voice carried – at all – I would be on stage.
4. Books make me giddy. Seriously … giddy.
5. I love stories. I love to hear them, watch them, read them, and write them. Before I could write, I would dictate stories, my grandma would pen them and I would illustrate; the first story I wrote myself was called “The Love Sick Frog” – I still have it.
6. I have never had a burning desire to be published. Which at the rate I’m going, is probably a good thing.
7. If I ever do get published: 1) it will be in large part due to the tireless encouragement of my family and friends; and 2) it will be under my pen name, A.J. Ikenberry – which is made up of my first and middle initial (obviously) and my great-grandmother’s maiden name.
8. There just aren’t enough opportunities for me to use my fountain pens and wax seal. Sigh. Pity.
9. My first “boyfriend” was a little towhead named Jesse; we fell in love on the playground in second grade.
10. In third grade, I moved to “the big city” and informed Jesse – over the phone – that we could no longer “go out.” What I didn’t tell him was I was already going out with two other boys. (In my defense, the boys were best friends and they bet one another who I would choose … then handed me the notes at the same time. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t choose one over the other, so I checked “YES” on both. Personally, I think they were secretly relieved because it was a very jovial threesome.)
11. I’ve worked a wide variety of jobs – including one that could be featured on an episode of “dirty jobs.” The things I had to do were definitely not right – but I like to think the work added to my glowing character.
12. If I ever get a tattoo, I’ll have my brother design it and get it on the small of my back. That’s right, a tramp stamp … which is a little ironic.
13. I tend to avoid pain like the plague. Ere go, #12 will probably never happen.
14. Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco, but I left mine in Copenhagen.
15. In elementary school, I once saved my friends from most certain death when I kept two of the-most-vicious-Dobermans-in-the-neighborhood at bay with my violin case – all while humming my own theme song. Okay, I didn’t really hum. But only because I was too busy yelling at my friends for leaving me to die alone.
16. My family keeps me strong. We may not always agree. We may disappoint. We may even occasionally break one’s heart. But we always love each other. And we laugh. A lot. When we get together I can usually count on laughing until I cry.
17. When it’s just the two of us, my mom and I like to make-up dialogues from various encounters throughout the day. It may consist of putting words in someone’s mouth – or maybe it’s something we wish we could have said. Yes, we are hi-larious … thanks for asking …
18. When I was a teenager, I awoke one morning convinced God had told me Hollywood was my calling. It wasn’t the fame, or the fortune, it was just the way it was. I didn’t think it impossible, or crazy – even when my friends and family looked at me as if I was – because God had told me. And that was that.
19. I think it’s sad too often “maturing” means we no longer believe God has grand plans for our lives.
20. Graceful. Wouldn’t that be lovely? But, alas, I’m a klutz of such magnanimous proportions that I’m a danger to myself and others. I actually smacked into a pillar during an interview once. I kid you not. Wrapped my arms around the sucker and everything. Thankfully, it was a non-profit; compassion must have won out because I still managed to get the job.
21. One of my far-off dreams consists of having my own clothing line – vintage inspired, naturally.
22. Despite the fact that my life seems to be made up of lessons-in-patience, I fail miserably on the subject.
23. I cannot imagine life without music. I love all sorts and varieties, from classical to reggae – however, more often than not jazz gets on my last and final nerve.
24. The first two songs I learned to sing were Jesus Loves Me and The Gambler. Really, what more do you need to know in life?
25. My life to date is nothing of what I had envisioned. Yet looking back, there is nothing I would change. All the people I’ve encountered, all the moments that have made up my life – the good, the bad, the ugly – they’ve made me who I am today; and that may be just the person to change a life tomorrow…